THERE has been widespread condemnation of a reported decision by Thurrock Council to withdraw funding from the Thurrock Community Choir.

News began to break today (Wednesday, 2 September) of the as yet officially unconfirmed decision, with several councillors and choir members contacting Thurrock Nub News to try and establish the facts.

We have contacted the council as matter of urgency but have had no response.

Among those to contact us were the chair and vice chair of Purfleet-on-Thames Community Forum, John Rowles and Trevor Batchelor.

They were shocked at the news, after being contacted by choir member Roger Kenneth Going who said: "I'm writing to inform you of the sad news and regret on hearing from the Royal Opera House that Thurrock Council has taken the decision to longer fund the Royal Opera House Thurrock Community Chorus.

"I, as a member of the 140 strong chorus, am distraught, disappointed and angered by the lack of consultation or any opportunity to discuss how the chorus could maintain funding not only for the benefit of the chorus itself but also the diverse audiences who have enjoyed their performances.

"Since its founding in 2011, the ROHTCC has reached thousands of people from the most diverse backgrounds and across all demographics. As a truly inclusive group, we carried out a programme to work directly with the local community including support of the Purfleet Battles Over Purfleet tribute and various events at the Purfleet Production Park.

"We also focussed on expanding the diversity of our members and audiences across ethnicity, socio-economic backgrounds and culture. We have successfully brought opera to people throughout the borough who have never experienced the genre and produced ground-breaking work that is unlike any other community chorus in the world.

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"We know that the chorus is mainly financed by Thurrock Council. This funding appears to have ceased, with no notice, and at least four months beyond the date at which we would expect budgets to have been agreed.

"It is particularly frustrating that we are unable to find any detail as to exactly when this decision was made, by whom and why especially in a time where the mental health of the nation is at an all-time low, creating a severe blow to lose such a precious resource for mental well being."

The forum members have joined the call and a quickly growing lobby calling on the council to explain its decision and to reinstate the funding.

The call has been echoed by councillor Steve Liddiard who has also asked for an explanation as to why the funding was cut, apparently without consultation or explanation to the popular choir or councillors. And other councillors have been surprised to hear of the news third hand.

Thurrock Nub News has contacted the council and Royal Opera House, which managed the choir, and will share any news when we get it.