News in Thurrock

THE work of one of the senior members of Thurrock U3A, the community-based self help learning organisation for people who have completed their career or finished raising a family, has been recognised.

A large number of Thurrock U3A members nominated Dave Angus, who is Chair of Thurrock U3A, for the Thurrock Mayor's Covid Star Award for all the sterling work he did during lockdown to keep Thurrock U3A going.

ESSEX Police have been celebrating the outstanding bravery, professionalism and tenacity of our officers, staff and volunteers at its annual awards.

A statement from the force says: "All our police officers, police staff, Specials and volunteers are dedicated to supporting victims, tackling and preventing crime and protecting vulnerable people.

THE Rotary Club of Grays Thurrock's Santa hit the road early this year in Grays High Street this evening (Friday, 26 November).

Santa was delighted to make a guest appearance in the Grays High St Christmas Lights event alongside a number of festive characters.

FOR the second day running an incident at the Dartford crossing has closed one of the two tunnels.

An accident that happened around noon today (Friday 26th of november) completely shut the right hand tunnel.

AMAZON's fulfilment centre in Tilbury - a huge warehouse where hundreds of thousands of items are sorted daily for distribution - was targeted by environmental campaigners Extinction Rebellion today.

Both the HGV and staff entrances to the site on Windrush Road were blockaded by protesters who laid down in the road and used vehicles and a large' bomb' to close the entry and exit points.

TRIBUTE has been paid to one of Thurrock's great characters - Jeff Selway, a hugely respected teacher and one if the stalwarts of Thurrock Rugby Club who died last night (Monday, 23 November).

Mr Selway has battled a number off illnesses for many years but remained upbeat and a constant presence at Oakfield, home of the rugby club he came to love.

THURROCK'S leading councillor for public services has produced an upbeat annual report, highlighting perceived successes by borough council staff in dealing with local residents despite all the problems brought about by Covid-19.

Cllr Jack Duffin told last night's meeting of the full council that the authority has not only met the problems of the pandemic head on, but it has forged ahead with its plans to improve local services.

POLICE have now given more information about an incident on Stifford Road between South Ockendon and Aveley yesterday (Wednesday, 24 November) when a man grabbed a teenage girl.

A statement says: "We received a call shortly after 5.25pm on Wednesday 24 November reporting a teenage girl had been grabbed by a man on Stifford Road about 15 minutes earlier.

SIGNIFICANT traffic queues have built up on the Kent side of the Dartford crossing, backing up several miles on the M25 anti-clockwise carriageways.

The problem is a lorry that has shed its load on the exit from the right hand tunnel, which has been closed as a result. The accident happened at around 10am.

POLICE and the ambulance service attended the scene of a crash involving one vehicle on the outskirts of Corringham last night that led to an injured person being arrested before being taken to hospital.

The incident happened around midnight close to the junction of the B1420 with Southend Road.