News in Thurrock

GRAYS-based Bright & Beautiful, an ethical and eco-friendly professional housekeeping franchise business, celebrated Christmas early this year by hosting a party to bring its elderly clients together to help reduce their social isolation and loneliness.

Together with volunteers from locally-based charity Re-engage (formerly Contact the Elderly) guests were invited to the Beehive Community Resource Centre in Grays to enjoy an afternoon of festivities - a sumptuous tea, gifts and entertainment from a couple of talented singers - Hollie-Blue and Richard Gillbody.

TOM Barrett, 27, from Aveley, was unsuccessful in his debut professional appearance on Friday at York Hall in Bethnal Green.

Despite winning the opening round, a clash of heads caused a severe swelling and cut under his right eye in the second round, and the game plan changed to protecting the eye.

EXCLUSIVE

PARENTS of children at a Thurrock primary school have praised members of staff who looked after their children caught up in the London Bridge terror attack on Friday, 29 November.

VOLUNTEERS are being sought to help out at a newly created nature reserve in Thurrock.

Essex Wildlife Trust is hoping people will come along on Wednesdays to join work parties at Oliver Road Lagoons in West Thurrock.

A CHARITY established by a Thurrock couple was honoured with a top award from a county-wide media organisation - and a borough student also picked up an accolade.

The Friends of Essex and London Homeless is a charity that originally worked solely in London, but now hosts a regular soup kitchen and meeting point in Grays.

Tilbury 1, Canvey Island 4

DOCKERS were well beaten in Tuesday's Isthmian League Velocity Trophy Group Six tie at Chadfields, never recovering from conceding a goal after five minutes.

Orsett firefighter Ben Whateley-Harris is getting behind Orchid Male Cancer Support by taking on as many events, competitions and races as possible.

Ben will complete a range of challenges during the remainder of 2019, following various half marathons and 10 kilometre races.

CONCERN has been raised over what appears to be a possible change of policy by Thurrock Council in dealing with a threat to the health of horses grazing on flooded land in the borough.

For many years, the sight of bedraggled horses struggling to cope with living of waterlogged meadows alongside the Mar Dyke River in Thurrock, has worried animal lovers.

A DRIVER ordered to remove a 'Bollocks to Brexit' message from the side of his car was stopped for inconsiderate driving, Essex Police has said.

Peter Cook, a passenger in the yellow Mini Cooper, said the officer's behaviour was "extremely aggressive" after he pulled them over on the M25 near Brentwood on Sunday, 24 November.

Bishops Stortford 1, East Thurrock United 0

A PENALTY deep in added time decided Tuesday evening's Bet Victor Isthmian Premier League clash.