IT'S been a week when the proposed and highly controversial Lower Thames Crossing has been a topic of much conversation in the borough.

Just days after National Highways finally took its £10 billion plans for a tunnel and crossing to the government in a bid to get the green light – Thurrock Council finally claimed a victory in its bid to get the roads quango to give up its financial secrets – something of an ironic twist for a council that has long guarded it's own secret affairs .

And even this week its stayed quiet when Nub News asked about leaks – real ones with water, not smuggled out information – in its swanky new offices.

Speaking of secrets, a borough landlady would like to know more about why the council has closed down her pub. Community support has rallied round the Crooked Billet in Stanford-le-Hope but its fate won't be decided until next week.

The council usually finds itself in the middle of local opinion and debate but there seems to be a lot of agreement that the authority's household recycling tip at Linford is not up to scratch but the council has mothballed plans to improve it – and continues to restrict the number of vehicles that can use it.

The cycle of remembrance events in Thurrock will begin on Sunday and it will be extra special as the service commemorates not just the fallen heroes of the area, but also the 100th anniversary since the memorial was built in St Stephen's churchyard.

And speaking of celebrations, it's the seventieth year of Thurrock Local Historical Society and its chairman, Susan Yates, reflects on the people and the memories across the decades.

One of the success stories in the borough over recent years has been the steady development of Thurrock Yacht Club and this week it was confirmed as an asset of community interest – with hopes that it could soon be at the centre of a maritime development in Grays.

There was something of a shock in political circles when veteran councillor John Kent failed to win his party's nominate to fight the next general election. Read all about winner Jen Craft.

And you can follow the borough's sporting teams by watching our local coverage here.