News in Thurrock

Leading Thurrock councillor Andrew Jefferies highlights new bin wagons and gets behind the wheel as authority seeks to improve services .

THERE were happy and emotional scenes in Stifford Clays this evening (Wednesday, 23 March) when a borough youngster bravely sacrificed his much-loved and important long locks for a great cause.

Hero of the hour at Stifford Barbers on Crammavill Street was Jayden Frost, 10, who was shorn of his treasured long hair but raised £750 for the Evelina London Children's Charity – and hopefully the tally will rise.

LEADING Thurrock councillors have again rattled their sabres and condemned the actions of the DP World-controlled P&O Ferries company which has found itself under a barrage of criticism after sacking 800 workers in a bid to save money.

At the weekend Thurrock Council issued a formal statement says its cabinet members had met and issued a stern warning to DP World that as it had overstepped expected standards of industrial relations, the council was considering its relationship with the company, particularly in respect to the recently created Thames Freeport – in which DP World is a major stakeholder.

POLICE have issued some details of a serious incident in Grays which has resulted in a man being arrested.

And, after officers spent a night keeping watch on a taped off area where it happened, they have issued an appeal for information.

A PHOTOGRAPHER who will be familiar to many residents in the area has received more accolades for her work.

Shiralee Swan, who lives on the borders of Thurrock and Basildon on Bells Hill Road near the Five Bells roundabout, received two merit awards in the Societies of Photographers, international 20x16 print competition.

THE community on a new Thurrock housing estate that puts its heart and soul into lighting up for Christmas now has tangible signs of its kind-heartedness with the installation of a new public access automated external defibrillator (AED).

The housing development on the site of the former St Clere's golf club in Stanford-le-Hope is made up of two parts, Maple Park and Stanford Park and has quickly bonded as a community in its own right.

TRAFFIC congestion is now beginning to clear and roads in the east of Thurrock are expected to be back to normal by noon following a major accident on the A13 this morning (Wednesday, 23 March).

It happened close to North Stifford on the London-bound carriageway shortly after 6.15am and involved a lorry overturning after being in collision with a car.

TRAFFIC is backing up in the east of the borough because of an overturned lorry involved in a collision with a car on the A13. Police have given an update on the situation at 9am.

The incident happened around 6am on the London-bound carriageway near the junction with the A1089 Dock Approach link road.

THANKS have been expressed by the borough-based branch of the Re-engage charity would like to the Procter and Gamble Benevolent Fund.

Regional co-ordinator Loraine Coleman said: "The fund has so generously awarded our lovely charity £500. This has been made possible because of the generosity and regular giving by P&G employees who are passionate about supporting the incredible work that goes on in the local community here in Thurrock.

A PROLIFIC offender, well known in Thurrock for selling illegal tobacco, has been fined £180 for his latest offence – and hit with costs and a surcharge totalling for than £1,500.

72-year-old Jonathan Bond, of Seabrooke Rise, Grays, appeared before Basildon Magistrates' Court and admitted six charges related to unlawfully selling cigarettes and rolling tobacco outside Central Café, on Clarence Road in the town - without the consent of the proprietor - that were in fake packaging and did not carry a health warning.