CULTURE Secretary Jeremy Hunt paid tribute to Thurrock, as he opened the Royal Opera House technical facility in Purfleet last night. Flanked by leader of Thurrock Council, John Kent, Chief executive of Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation (DC), Will McKee CBE, Chief exec of Royal Opera House, Tony Hall and Mayor of Thurrock, Ann Cheale, all the leaders referred to the huge significance of the opening of a technical facility means to the borough.
WHILE people’s focus last week was on getting the roads clear of snow and whether the council would collect waste and recycling, hundreds of council staff went that “extra mile” to make vulnerable people’s lives a bit safer.
Another year, another panto and certainly another triumphant success for the Thameside Theatre’s production of Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood. Without any hesitation, Robin Hood and his merry men are certainly the ones to watch this Christmas! For their brilliantly witty and enchanting panto will have you smiling from ear to ear thanks to their happy Christmas cheer.
A SMALL community care project in Thurrock has won national recognition for its innovative and successful work. Satash Community Care based in Mollands Lane, South Ockendon, is a privately run residential care home providing services for eight adults with learning difficulties.
FIRE crews were called out to South Ockendon in the early hours of this morning (Monday) after reports of a fire at the home of an elderly woman. The fire occured at a first floor flat in Faymore Gardens, South Ockendon
Steve Westrop, Director of PuzzledWorld, has negotiated promotions with leading IT companies, including AVG Anti-Virus, to provide prizes and giveaways for the radio station broadcasting from South Buckinghamshire throughout advent in support of Street Kids Direct. Donations will also be made to Street Kids Direct for any new broadband, backup, hosting or messaging service that is setup in December.
THURROCK councillors site on a vast number of outside bodies. YourThurrock has asked a variety of councillors to document what they do. This month, Aveley councillor, Wendy Herd has chronicled the meetings she has attended in her capacity as a board member of the Essex Police Authority.
Ngage are holding their annual Christmas Fun Event this year on Wednesday 15th December, between 4.00pm and 8.00pm at the Civic Hall, Blackshots, Grays. The whole night is FREE and includes free entertainment, craft and play activities for the children, refreshments and much more.
A spokesperson said: "The decision has been made to cancel the Orchards community forum meeting which was due to take place on Wednesday 8 December at St Thomas`s Social Club Hall, St Thomas' Place off East Thurrock Road, Grays, due to the sub zero temperatures and slippery conditions.
Staff will be carrying out scheduled Monday collections and will endeavour to collect from all scheduled roads. However, the weekend’s thaw did not reach all areas of the borough, and some roads still remain inaccessible.
On the 30th November, rotarians ,rotaractors and many guests joined together to celebrate the clubs' successes over the past year and to be recognised officially. President Claire Pavitt said: "It was a very proud evening for me to be presented with my jewel of office as president and to be able to talk about our success.
Much of that is borne by the taxpayer with Thurrock Council making two contributions of £88,854 and £25,000 respectively. It also appears from the accounts that the group are assisted by only being charged £523 per year to rent their offices in the Thameside complex. The Big Lottery funded £39,235 and the PCT granted £60,802.
The first phase of the £60m Royal Opera House creative industries production park opens tonight on the 14-acres of grade II-listed High House Farm in Purfleet. The opening will be marked by a specially commissioned opera, Ludd and Isis, which involves professional singers with members of the Thurrock community.
Under the plans, to be outlined in a localism bill, these new groups will be allowed to draw up agreed categories of development known as "neighbourhood development orders". The reforms would mean that homeowners could add to their homes without the need for traditional planning permission if they won support within their neighbourhood group.
The last “normal” collection day will be on Christmas Eve (24 December). Collection days will return to normal on Monday, 24 January 2011. Thurrock Council will pick up side waste — waste put beside bins because they are full — between Wednesday, 29 December and Wednesday, 5 January when every home should have had one post-Christmas collection.
