News in Thurrock

THE long-running and controversial saga of the appointment of a new director of children's services at Thurrock Council could take a new twist.

Councillors will meet on Wednesday at an extraordinary meeting and have been advised they will hear of a new appointment, following selection of a candidate from a shortlist of two.

AVELEY Village Community Foundation have organised the annual Aveley Christmas tree lights and High St festive lights switch on for 3.30pm this Friday (29 November).

There will be a choir from Aveley Primary School singing carols.

ARTHUR Bugler Primary School in Stanford-le-Hope is celebrating after headteacher, John Bryant, won the 'Happiest School Employee' of the year Award at The National Happiness Awards 2019, hosted by Laughology.

Arthur Bugler's success continued throughout the night.

STAFF and management at the Ye Old Plough House in Bulphan have been given a big pre-Christmas hug for hosting a festive lunch for the ReEngage charity.

ReEngage, formerly Contact the Elderly, hosts tea party for older folk in the community to try and combat loneliness and isolation.

THURROCK residents are set to benefit from additional late night bus services at intu Lakeside as part of its multi-million-pound leisure development ahead of the peak Christmas period.

The new evening bus services have been secured using Section 106 funding after Thurrock Council negotiated more local transport options as intu Lakeside begins its transformation. This agreement was approved by the Lakeside Travel Plan Committee, made up of the council, Highways England and intu Lakeside.

THURROCK Council has shown compassion to residents in Tilbury whose refuse collection bins were recently destroyed by vandals.

The bins, including three belonging to Belinda Raja, were set alight.

THE Friends of Treetops School are promising an evening of festive entertainment next month - together with the flavour of India.

A Christmas fete will be held at the school on Buxton Road, Grays, on Friday, 6 December from 6 to 8pm.

LONDON Tilbury Seafarers Centre will host a carol service on Monday, 16 December.

The service will start at 11am at the centre on Tennants Row, Tilbury, with refreshments served afterwards.

TILBURY'S Christmas lights switch on is once again set to draw a big crowd to the Civic Square.

They will be turned on at around 6pm on Friday, 6 December after an early evening of entertainment involving local school choirs, taking to the main stage which will be compered by town stalwart Les Morgan.

A lorry driver accused over the deaths of 39 migrants has pleaded guilty to plotting to assist illegal immigration.

Maurice Robinson, 25, who was allegedly part of a global smuggling ring, is also charged with the manslaughter of the group of men, women and children found dead in a refrigerated trailer.