News in Thurrock

THERE was a crushing defeat for Grays Athletic in tonight's Essex Senior Cup tie at Barking, while Tilbury also bowed out of the competition at the end of a penalty shoot-out.

If it was any consolation, just a paltry crowd of 86 were at Mayesbrook Park to witness Grays' exit.

POLICE efforts to combat anti-social behaviour in Grays has been highlighted as one of the reasons why the county force is able to record a drop in the number of unsavoury incidents across Essex.

The force has today (Tuesday, 25 January) reported that anti-social behaviour across the county has fallen over the past year by almost a quarter.

A THURROCK-based drug dealer and rap performer has been jailed for more than five years.

Drill music artist Olusogo Ajewole, who used his music to brag about drug dealing and performed under the name B-Levelz, ran the H line drug supply chain which sold crack cocaine and heroin in the Basildon area.

BOROUGH sides Grays Athletic and Tilbury are in Essex Senior Cup fourth round action this evening (Tuesday, 25 January).

Grays, buoyed by their weekend 6-0 Isthmian North win at Romford, travel to Mayesbrook Park to meet fellow division side Barking.

THURROCK Council is unable to meet all enquiries from residents following technical problems with its systems.

Over the weekend most online services operates by the council were not working due to what what described as 'essential electrical maintenance' but it was expected things would rerun to normal today (Monday, 24 January.

THE generosity of a local couple has been highlighted by a borough vicar who has offered his gratitude after his church benefitted from new lighting.

Rev Tom Rout, vicar of St Margaret's Church in Stanford-le-Hope took to social media to pay tribute to local couple Peter and Shirley Watson.

PANTOMIME will be making a return to the Thameside Theatre in Grays next month.

The Lightnin' Drama Group from Havering will be staging three performances of Beauty and the Beast at the Thameside on Saturday, 19 February (2pm and 7pm) and Sunday, 20 February (2pm).

A PETITION launched last year calling on Thurrock Council to improve the condition of a skate park in the west of the borough is approaching its closing stages.

Purfleet-on-Thames' Spider Park is a concrete skate park on Tank Hill Road which was opened in 2012 but because of continual use by scooter and BMX riders as well as skateboarders, it is no the worse for wear and is in need of some maintenance.

THE good work of a Thurrock-based charity in helping the borough's homeless and struggling families has once again be highlighted on social media after another successful 'soup kitchen event'.

Just a couple of days after a claim by Thurrock Council's ruling Conservative group that they have 'called time' on rough sleeping in the borough, a post by the Friends of Essex and London Homeless detailed the case of a woman who turned to them for help on Friday (21 January).

AN event that will take place at Thurrock Yacht Club on the banks of the Thames in Grays in March will boost local good causes.

It has been organised by the Orsett Masonic Lodge and will feature singer Marc Ansell.