TWO events took place on Sunday (2 November) in the west of Thurrock, marking the start of the borough's Remembrance season.

It has become tradition that services take place in West Thurrock on the first Sunday in November, to enable dignitaries and residents to attend services elsewhere on Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.

In Purfleet, a parade left the Heritage and Military Centre on Centurion Way, moving to the grounds of St Stephen's Church and the village war memorial where a service was led by Rev Angela 'Tara' Frankland from St Michael's Church, Aveley.

Civic dignitaries including borough Mayor Cllr Sue Shinnick, Thurrock Council leader Lynn Worrall, Borough MP Jen Craft as well as ward councillors and representatives of local organisations including the Royal British Legion, laid wreaths.

Army, sea and air cadets took part in the procession and Grays Town Band musical director Dave Honeywell played the Last Post, Reveille and the national anthem.

Several of those present, including Mrs Craft and local councillors and RBL chairman Rod Oakley, attended the afternoon service at the gates to the West Thurrock Memorial Grounds, off London Road. 

The service there was led by Rev David Peterson (Team Vicar for St Mary's & St Clement's).

Services in the borough resume at the weekend, beginning with the traditional Saturday service at Orsett, organised by Chadwell St Mary RBL.

SATURDAY, 8 NOVEMBER

Orsett War Memorial (Opposite Whitmore Arms).

10am: Family Service in the church followed by Act of Remembrance at War Memorial (10:45am).

SUNDAY, 9 NOVEMBER

AVELEY: St Michael's Church, High Street, RM15 4AD.

Church Service at 9:45am. War Memorial at 10:45am, finishing around 11:15am with refreshments in St Michael's and Aveley Christian Centre.

BULPHAN: St Mary-the-Virgin, Church Road, Bulphan

8:45am Holy Communion Service. 2pm: Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial in the Churchyard.

CHADWELL ST MARY: St Mary's Church, Linford Road (Chadwell Hill).

10.45am: Remembrance service starts in Church, and towards the end of the service moves outside to the memorial in the Church yard for laying of wreaths and crosses.

CHAFFORD HUNDRED: War Memorial – located on wall in Kershaw Close.

2:45pm. Parade leaves Warren school, service at 3pm at memorial.

EAST TILBURY: Bata War Memorial. Princess Margaret Road, RM18 8NX.

10:45am Service and wreath-laying.

FOBBING: St Michael's Church.

9:15am. Service honouring those on War Memorial in the church 9:15am, followed by usual service at 10:45am.

GRAYS: High Street War Memorial.

Assemble at the memorial from 10.45am for 11am start.

HORNDON ON THE HILL: St Peter & St Paul Church, Orsett Road.

10:45am Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial followed by 11am Remembrance Family Service in the Church

LITTLE THURROCK: War Memorial, Rookery Road (Turps Corner).

9am service and wreath-laying.

NORTH STIFFORD: St Mary's Church, High Road, RM16 5UE.

10:50am Stifford War Memorial in church grounds. Wreath-laying service.

SOUTH OCKENDON: St Nicholas Church, The Green.

10am service, then at the War Memorial on the Green for about 10.45am for continued service.

STANFORD-LE-HOPE: St Margaret's Parish Church and Stanford-le-Hope War Memorial, The Green.

Service at the Memorial follows parade from church around 10.30am.

STIFFORD CLAYS: Blackthorn Park.

10:45am. Service and wreath-laying.

TILBURY: War Memorial (Civic Square).

10:30am gathering for memorial service. Civic Square shall be closed to facilitate the Remembrance Day Parade.

BLACKSHOTS: St John's Church, 8A Victoria Avenue, Grays, RM16 2RP     

10:30am service.

TUESDAY, 11 NOVEMBER

GRAYS: War Memorial, High Street.

Assemble 10:30. Remembrance Day service and wreath-laying.

NORTH STIFFORD: Ardale War Memorial, Guardian Avenue, Stifford Green, RM16 5US.

10:50am: The Ardale War Memorial service will be at 10:50am. Wreaths may be laid.

TILBURY: International Cruise Terminal.

Maritime Remembrance Service in memory of those who worked for the Port of London Authority who died in conflict, but also for the local community which was damaged during hostilities in WWII. The service starts at 6pm, but refreshments are available in the Baggage Hall from 5pm. 

Other Remembrance events may be taking place around the borough. If you have organised an event for your community and would like us to list it here, please email [email protected] or post details directly here.

And if there is a Remembrance display you are proud of - or one has caught your eye like the picture above of the poppies at Hometeads Village Hall in Stanford-le-Hope, please send us pictures ([email protected]). We will be delighted to show how the borough remembers.