A LIFE lived in Thurrock, from childhood in Tilbury to raising a family in Blackshots, is told in a new book sure to evoke many memories for fellow borough residents.

Joan Tucker has lived in Thurrock all her life and over the years she has been encouraged by friends and family to write her story.

Now, 'My Story As I Remember It' has been completed after Joan worked on it for many years, honing it with the help of photographs, local history and national events to put her life into perspective.

Many borough residents will identify with much of what is recorded especially if, like Joan, you lived and loved during the war years; dodging incendiary bombs and coping with food rationing.

Joan writes about her life in Tilbury as a little girl; the games she played, the shops, and the sweets she enjoyed.

Moving into a new house in Blackshots Lane was an adventure for Joan and her new family and she tells of how exciting it was setting up home after living in two rooms in Grays for seven long years, and how her children were bought up enjoying walks down the lane to Skinny Woods, and their subsequent journey into adulthood as they met and married their partners and had children of their own.

Joan has pleasure in gifting her book to family and friends and will also be lodging a copy with Thurrock Museum, the Imperial War Museum and the British Library.

However, if you would like a good read about the trials and tribulations of everyday life that will, no doubt, evoke memories or your own life, or want to read about the way things were, paperbacks are available for £12 and hardbacks with dust jacket £18 (which includes postage and packaging) by emailing Susan at [email protected] or telephoning 01375 643320.