News in Thurrock

FOLLOWING confirmation that bodies of the 39 Vietnamese nationals discovered in a refrigerated container in West Thurrock have been returned home, two senior figures in Essex have spoken about the 'appalling tragedy'.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Smith, lead for the investigation in to the deaths said: "On behalf of everyone at Essex Police I would like to extend our sincerest condolences to the families of the victims as they are reunited with their loved ones following their tragic deaths in October. Our thoughts are with them.

A MAN who admitted stabbing another man in South Ockendon has been sentenced to four and-a-half years in a young offenders' institute.

The victim, who is in his 20s, was stabbed following an argument involving a group of men in Daiglen Drive shortly after 8pm on 3 August.

THURROCK'S education heroes were honoured at a special evening at the Civic Hall in Grays on Friday (29 November) evening – an event widely acclaimed as the best in the six year history of the awards.

Eleven awards were handed out to schools and staff who were whittled down to short lists of four in each category from an overall entry of more than 430 nominations.

A SUPPORT teacher at Treetops school in Grays has been honoured by his colleagues with a top award.

Every year teaching union Unison organises the 'Stars in our School' awards.

A 360-tonne bridge has been lifted into place as part of the construction of Tilbury's new port.

The steel bridge was towed 135 nautical miles from Rotterdam to the Tilbury2 site – a process which took 24 hours – before it was lifted into place.

THIS afternoon (Friday, 29 November) members of Corringham Primary School's school council visited Lampits Hill where the Corringham, Fobbing and Homesteads Community Forum have located one of this year's Christmas trees.

The group arrived with the Christmas decorations that every child within the school had the opportunity to make and these were then hung up to decorate the tree.

SOURCES within Thurrock Council have spoken optimistically that the authority's troubled children's services could get an early Christmas present by being lifted out of 'requires improvement' status to 'good'.

Thurrock Nub News has been told that senior officers have convened to be told of the news - and that celebrations have already taken place.

CHANGES are being made to some of the bus services that link Thurrock from east to west.

First Essex have announced a number of changes, which will come into force on January - with one of the most significant in Thurrock being the end of the current 200 service which is to become part of the existing service 5 network.

CARERS in Thurrock are being invited to get together and share festive fun at a special Christmas Tea being held next month.

It is being organised by Thurrock Carers Service which provides information, advice, practical and emotional support for anyone who is caring for another person; whether you are caring for someone temporarily, or have been caring for a loved one for several years or more.

EAST Tilbury's Coalhouse Fort has topped a countywide birdwatching survey for the most bird species recorded out of more than 100 different wildlife sites in Essex.

The Essex Birdwatching Society presented Thurrock Council's Coalhouse Fort rangers team and park conservation volunteers with an award certificate after members of the public submitted sightings of 89 bird species during its Big County Birdwatch.