We came across Films of Colour filming their video around the borough. We became firm fans and are following their careers with great interest. But we also had time for JLS at Lakeside. We also showcased the talents of Darren Merrion who clearly has huge potential as a multi-instrumentalist.
One man's free speech I guess. Try telling that to Robert Murat who was apparently guilty of being too interested in helping out at the scene of Madeleine McCann's abduction or Stefan Kizko who spent decades in prison for a murder he hadn't committed on the basis of being a bit odd looking that way.
CARL Griffiths has been the manager of Aveley for two months but due to the terrible weather, has hardly had any games. Wednesday's friendly was a good opportunity to give his charges ninety minutes and then assess what is needed.
A solitary goal on 36 minutes by Aveley striker Stanley Sherwin separated the teams when the Thurrock defence failed to clear at the third attempt allowing Sherwin to blast the ball home from close range.
Sometimes we went tabloid: "Tilbury Hooker Caught In Benefit Fraud “Sting” Spared Jail" but most of the time we enjoyed the delights of a Thurrock summer filming the model boat club or summer fetes............and then along came the "Chaffrica" controversy where comments made on Facebook by Chafford Hundred councillor, Neil Rockcliffe led to his suspension and subsequent decision to quit as a councillor come next May. Funnily enough, the next story we ran was the fine imposed on the former landlord of a Corringham pub for using illegal Albanian decoders to show live premier league football. That pub was the Catcracker........
....and then there was T-Fest. We love T-Fest and think it is one of the best things Thurrock has done over the last few years. It was great to see Stacey Solomon (whom we understand now lives in Thurrock?) It was also great to see our new MP, Jackie Doyle Price enter into a deep political conversation with.......DJ Talent! Stavros Flatley were outstanding and in conversation echoed what many of the "talent" show contestants said: They were under no illusions and were just trying to make a buck while the going was good.
The landlord and another staff member were in the car park of the High Road pub with the takings when two men wearing balaclavas, ambushed them. Investigating officer, Dc Carla Hillyer said: “One of the robbers had what was described as a pistol and he pointed it at the landlord and shouted “Where’s the money?” They then grabbed the cash bag and ran off.”
The award is the culmination of two years hard work completing six challenges, based on Outdoors, Fitness, Creative, Community, Global and Promise and is the highest award available to Cub Scouts.
By contrast, many have been impressed with new Conservative MP, Jackie Doyle Price's performance on the floor of the House where she has asked a number of searching questions which have the Thurrock constituent at the heart of the matter. Jackie has also been determined to put residents first, especially when it comes to the matter of the Dartford crossing and Junction 30 of the M25.
Olympic hopeful, Chadwell boxer Nina Smith continued to impress as she won her bouts and went abroad to train with the GB team. Badminton veteran Carlton Darrell received an MBE. £52 million worth of cuts to the health service were announced. Thurrock Cycle Marathon was once again great. The Pupil Referral Unit received a damning Ofsted report.
Then came election night. The YourThurrock team turned up at the Civic Hall, Blackshots at 9pm on Thursday night. We eventually left at 3pm the next day. Thurrock's election count was and we use the technical term: "a total cock-up". In the end (that is 9am the next day) Jackie Doyle-Price won by 92 votes and became Thurrock's first Conservative MP since 1992. In South Basildon and East Thurrock, Stephen Metcalfe trounced Angela Smith by over 6,000 votes. Losing Labour candidate, Carl Morris took the defeat with great dignity.
THE ASBESTOS company at the heart of a controversial use of land in South Ockendon has gone into liquidation. Companies House broke the news that T and S Multi Services ceased trading on December 15th.
The VAT rise to 20 per cent on 04 January 2011 is not the best way to encourage businesses and individuals to increase their spending to get the economy back on the move and in April the Government increase tolls at the Dartford Crossing by a third with a further increase in the pipeline for 2012 – at the same time the promise that the £47 million annual profit from the tolls will be spent improving the local road network has been broken with the money disappearing into a central pot.
