THE latest rural encampment by Travellers this evening (Friday, 12 June) has been accompanied by the setting of a large bonfire and possible horse racing.

After several weeks of a number of incursions in town areas, of late several groups of Travellers have set up in more rural locations - including Belhus Park and Langdon Hills Country Park at either end of the borough in recent days.

This evening a small group have pitched up a small camp just outside Bulphan on Fen Lane, close to its junction with Dunnings Lane and Harrow Road.

Though the encampment is small, the Travellers have tethered a number of horses on the surround verges and alongside a drainage ditch.

There is at least one horse drawn buggy at the site and reports to Thurrock Nub News suggest that races on horseback have taken place.

When Thurrock Nub News visited the site this evening two horses were trotting loose over the drainage ditch road bridge adjacent to Dunnings Lane. There appeared to be around 20 people gathered together enjoying a party - something of an irony as action against unauthorised encampments have been curtailed of late to allow them to implement safe distancing!

The location is just a few dozen yards away from the Glasshouse Retreat, a fitness and well-being centre controversially built in the green belt on the site of the former Harrow Pub.

It appeared that at around 8.30pm a party was in place, with several men walking about the area drinking cans of beer, while others, including children, were gathering wood and timber to fuel a burning bonfire.

Update> On Saturday morning the site, including all the horses, had been cleared. A fire was still burning slightly and rubbish had been bagged and left by the side of the road.