THE House of Lords recently played host to an event organised by Thurrock BME, the organisation that represents the black minority ethnic community in the borough, to mark the end of October as Black History Month.

It took place in the palace of Westminster on Monday, 30 October and was amid the groundswell of love and grief following the murder of David Amess MP (who would have been a guest speaker).

As part of the event children and guests threw red and white roses into the Thames so they would drift past Basildon, Southend and end up going out to sea via Tilbury – home of Windrush.

Among those who attended were South Basildon & East Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe, Jane Stevenson MP, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Sidra Naeem, and celebrity chef Cyrus Todiwala.

Basildon Council leader Cllr Andrew Baggott and Police Superintendent Naomi Edward were among guests as were members of the Windrush generation and the first black headteacher in Thurrock, Carton Darrel.

More details of the event can be found via this link.