AT their latest meeting, following the AGM on 25 April, members of Thurrock Local History Society enjoyed a presentation by Scott Sullivan on Tilbury Riverside Station.

Mr Sullivan is a founder member of the Tilbury on Thames Trust.

Since 2015 they have been working on the restoration of the Tilbury Riverside Station and have now received approximately £4.4million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund for this remarkable building. He looked back over ten years when time, ingredients and people were needed to keep the flame going – like a recipe.

In the past people and goods have come and gone through Tilbury over the centuries. The Chapman & Andree map of 1777 shows there was a crossing point to Kent in 1300. Tilbury was important for national defence and a blockhouse was built in 1539. After the Spanish Armada in 1588 this was reinforced with earthworks for protection.

Work was completed by Charles II in 1665, the railway coming in 1852 with Tilbury Fort Station combining river with railway. In the 1880s the port was used for movement of goods and trade and is still expanding, part of the Port of London Authority since 1909. Staging was erected for soldiers embarking in WW1. In 1920 flood defences were built. The landing stage was erected in 1922. The 1920s saw the construction of new platforms, opened in 1930.

Next to the docks is the Riverside Station, with a ticket office in the middle. In the 1930s cruise ships arrived, passengers staying at the Tilbury Hotel (lost in WW2). It is the only port in London for cruise liners. In WW2 it was the marshalling area for troops, followed by £10 POMS to Australia and the Empire Windrush bringing immigrants 1948-1971. By the mid-20th century aircraft was taking over and the cruise terminal closed in 1990, reopening in 1995. Today the cruise traffic has increased.

Since 2015 a new roof has been installed, completed in 2017. At present the Trust works in securing funding. Their vision is to ensure and celebrate the Grade II* listed Tilbury Cruise Terminal, drawing on history and forging history of the future. Many people have stories connecting with the riverside. Scott reminded us that it is a legacy that the late Jonathan Catton would be proud of.

The idea is that the small units rented out will be creative lets, where artists, craft workers, potters etc. will work, display and sell their goods.

Also in 2018 a training support programme was created for veterans. An extended carnival event was staged in 2022, getting schools involved, starting an arts programme and employing some staff. There were more events in 2023 – Christmas, car shows etc.

There has been amazing hard work to secure the grant. Vision for the future means more capital and activity, with improved access, a café, toilets, quiet rooms and the ticket office as an exhibition space.

They are looking to attract creative businesses etc., like a mini village. The Trust is working with The National Archives and it is hoped by 2026 that the building should be open, ready for even more events, with facilities to learn new skills.

A business model needs a team of people to run things. It is hoped to have a landmark, maybe an iconic sculpture, and make flood defence more inviting, with a nod to railway heritage. Scott showed us several illustrations of the future, keeping the interior open as much as possible for a farmers' market etc.

Solar panels help the environment and on the landing stage there will be interpretation boards. There will be training, a workshop with local schools volunteering. The programme will be expanded beyond 2028 and the Trust is looking for community researchers. This is a slow development, no shortcuts, bringing Thurrock's landmark back to life.

This was a lecture filled with information and illustrations, showing what can be achieved with determination from a dedicated team.

The Society's last meeting of this season is at 8pm on Friday, 16 May at St John's Church Hall, Victoria Avenue, Grays, when Dr Emma Cannell will be giving a talk on The History of Sea Bathing in Southend. Visitors are welcome.