THE chair of East Tilbury's historic Bata Heritage Centre has delivered a year end message to all enthusiasts of the unique social and historic site.

Mike Tarbard says: "As many of you will realise it has been a pretty busy year for us. 

"This year, we have had six  different groups visit us at the Centre and we went out and gave talks to two other groups. We also had a stand, in the Thurrock Heritage Group marquee, at the Orsett Show and attracted many visitors including a great nephew of Farmer Wilson who sold the land in East Tilbury to Tomas Bata back in 1932. 

"In addition, and earlier in the year, I did an Essex Radio interview for their "Trading Places" programme about the Centre and also took part in a short film for Thurrock Council. 

"Please continue to spread the word about the Centre and the work that we do, particularly to any groups that you may be a member of, so that we could, perhaps, arrange a visit for their members either to us or us to them.

Memories will be brought to life as Bata open day returns | Local News | News | Thurrock Nub News | by Neil Speight

"Our Open Days in April and October were again very busy with many newcomers. Our guided walks still prove popular with around 70 bookings in April and 83 people on the October guided walks. 

"We have set the date for the next Open Day which will be on Saturday, 25 April 2026 so please save the date. Our website (https://www.bataheritagecentre.org.uk/) has been updated (in the Upcoming Events section). If you decide that you would like to take part then please contact me, via the email address shown, with your preferred time and number of places needed. 

"There is a small cost of £5 per person but there is no charge for school age children. Otherwise, it is a free event if you do not wish to take the guided walk. 

"We do have two talks already arranged for next year when we will revisit the Thurrock Local History Group and Orsett WI to give a talk on Bata. We were contacted earlier in the year by a representative of the new owners of the former Bata factory in Cumnock. 

"They asked if they could display photographs of when it was a Bata factory which we supplied to them and, in return, as well as credits for use of the photos they sent us a generous donation so thanks to them. 

"On the subject of donations or sponsorships I would like to say a public thank you to Curran Packaging Co Ltd (who are based in the former Bata factory site) as over the last few years, they have made generous donations to us to help defray our operating costs such as IT and insurance. This is a great help and we are extremely grateful to them for their support.

"In August I mentioned the imminent purchase and fitting of two new display cabinets. They have been in place for some time now and allow us to display more artefacts thanks, in the main, to the hard work of Mick Pinion who looks after the various display cabinets and photo boards.

"As I have said, in most of my recent newsletters, we are always very happy to receive Bata related items should any of you wish to donate them to us. We are particularly keen to receive Bata shoes including the Wayfinder product that was launched in the 1960s in conjunction with the Scout Association. 

"We are, of course, extremely grateful to you, our supporters, who come along to Open Days to catch up with old friends and, of course, to our new visitors. 

"One theme that we often hear is 'I didn't realise that East Tilbury, or Bata, was so big'."