NOW the VE Day dust has settled, the bunting's being packed away (until VJ Day – Saturday, 15 August - at least) and everyone has sat down and have a rest, Thurrock can look back on a remarkable VE day commemoration yesterday (Friday, 8 May).

There were countless celebrations across the borough and hundreds of people worked so hard to make sure no one was left out.

Thurrock Nub News called in yesterday to see the staff at Manorcourt Homecare in Grays as they prepared VE day treats for all the people they look – after – and the staff who have been working so hard to get around the borough ensuring the safety of many elderly and vulnerable people.

Registered Manager Karen Exley looked back today on a really memorable and enjoyable day – if a rather tiring one.

She said: "I was really pleased we did our bit yesterday. It's important to keep people's spirits up and do what we can to have some community engagement, whilst doing our best to social distance ourselves.

"When I first told the girls in the office what I had planned for the VE Day, and just mentioned if any of them could help, they all jumped at the chance to show our gratitude to our carers and customers.

"I'm lucky to have such an amazing team around me. That's 10 office staff and 90 carers. They are all fantastic."

And the volunteers working for the charity Re-engage Thurrock were also extremely busy.

The organisation helps combat loneliness and isolation by organising tea parties for older people living on their own. Lockdown has stopped that happening, but the charity's volunteers wouldn't let a little thing like social distancing stop them making sure each and every one of their 'clients' got to feel special and part of a group.

They treated all their regular tea party guests to a wonderful VE Celebration Tea Treat in a box, a posy of fresh flowers and box of chocs to celebrate VE 75th Anniversary.

Co-ordinator Loraine Coleman said: "We had to cancel our Summer Outing celebrating VE Day and this was a little something to make up for this and for our special tea party guests to know that we are always thinking of them.

"A big thank you to our fabulous volunteers for distributing the gifts ensuring social distancing. And a special thank you to our lovely volunteer host Nilopher Quamer from TeaLightful for the speed of response preparing 70 tea boxes in under a week.

"To Paul Far-Green for donating 70 boxes of Lindt chocolates, Petal & Plants in Corringham for the beautiful 70 flower posies and the children of Arthur Bugler Primary school for beautiful handmade coloured cards.

"A big thank to Lisa Humphreys for her brilliant idea for this surprise tea treat.

"And a final big thank you to volunteers, friends, local businesses and community groups for their huge generosity enabling us to be able to treat our guests."