News in Thurrock

TRANS-Atlantic rower Mark Delstanche stopped over in Grays on the final stretch of his epic New York to London challenge.

He rowed up the Thames in his distinctive yellow and white boat "Square Peg", and picked up a mooring at Thurrock Yacht Club for an overnight stay to await a favourable tide for the last leg up to Tower Bridge.

THE Essex and Herts air ambulance landed at Nutberry Playing Fields in Stfford Clays early this evening (Wednesday, 18 August).

The air ambulance landed and medics travelled by road to the scene nearby of an emergency.

DESPITE the widespread disappointment, anger and a growing campaign to oppose its plans which will see another big demonstration outside the Civic Office in the coming week, Thurrock Council is pressing ahead with its proposal to close the Thameside Theatre and is attempting to win more public support.

The council's portfolio holder for communities, Cllr Deb Huelin, has taken centre stage saying the council's 'shared vision' will 'create a better, more diverse and community-focused offering for residents of Thurrock'.

IT'S FA Cup day for the borough's sole remaining team in this year's competition.

East Thurrock United from the Isthmian Premier will be playing host at Rookery Hill in Corringham to Needham Market from the Southern League - Premier Central.

BELHUS and Ockendon Community Forum together with HW Wilson builders are holding a coffee morning in the South Ockendon Market on Tuesday, 21 September from 10am.

All proceeds will be given to the Macmillan Cancer Charity.

AN organisation that represents the interest of black and minority ethnic groups in Thurrock has been given funding to try and increase the take up of Covid vaccine in the range of groups it supports.

A statement from Thurrock BME, which is working with Thurrock CVS and the Mid & South Essex Health and Care Partnership, says: "With reports emerging that residents from minority groups in certain wards are still reluctant to receive the vaccine, the health authorities have provided funding to ensure that people are provided with more information about the vaccine - and potentially change their mind and receive the vaccine.

ANOTHER weekend of road closures and diversions lies ahead in the east of the borough as Thurrock Council's A13 road widening continues.

With a deadline, recently reconfirmed, of the end of December to complete the works, it appears the number of closures and their continuity is being stepped up as contractors Kier bid to meet the deadline.

THE Thurrock family of an organ donor have spoken of their pride in a heroic mum who died but whose legacy was the saving of four lives and helped newborn babies survive.

Rosemarie Jameson died at the beginning of this year, but had spoken to her family about her wishes to donate her organs to make a difference.

WORK is to begin shortly on a fourth berth at DP World's London Gateway port at Corringham.

THURROCK was left relatively unscathed this morning (Friday, 17 September) in the third wave of protests on the M25 and its junctions by the Insulate Britain campaign.

Previously this week Junction 31 and the Dartford crossing have been targeted, causing massive traffic problems across the area, but this morning the protests were to the north in Essex – and elsewhere around the motorway ring road.