News in Thurrock

LOTS of people have been visiting the cruise terminal this morning and early afternoon (Tuesday, 14 September) to catch a glimpse of a first time visitor to the borough.

Disney's Magic arrived around noon for her first ever visit, part of a tour of the UK including stops at several other ports around the country.

A BOROUGH school has launched an internal investigation after it was reported that a teacher - who has now been suspended - has made derogatory comments about students in an assembly.

Almost immediately after the alleged incident at Ortu Gable Hall school, some pupils and many parents took to social media about it. It is reported words alleged to have been used towards the child by the teacher were 'chicken shits, retards and cowards'.

"It makes me so angry and so frustrated but unless somebody in authority recognises the problem of these feral children and they – and their parents' lack of responsibility – will things not just get worse?"

FANS of the RAF acrobatic team the Red Arrows will be hoping low cloud currently over south Essex as the famous red and white craft are due to fly over the region today (Tuesday, 14 September).

The Red Arrows will fly down to the east of Hoddesdon at 12.12pm, nearing Woodfood in east London two minutes later at 12.14pm.

TRAFFIC has backed up on the southbound M25 and on the QEII bridge following a crash involving a lorry and a crane this morning (Tuesday, 14 September) on the exit from the crossing.

Three lanes have been closed during the early morning rush because of the accident, causing queues to head back towards J30 for Lakeside and Purfleet and beyond at around 8.15am.

Aveley 1, Barking 1

THE history of Aveley will the topic of conversation at an event in the borough later this week.

Thurrock Local History Society have a meeting on Friday, 17 September starting at 8pm at St John's Church Hall, Victoria Avenue, Grays.

TWO sisters and former students of St Clere's School in Stanford-le-Hope have started out in the world of business together.

Emily, 17, and Alice, 19, Sedge from Chadwell St Mary have set up Sedges Pet Styling at the Walton Hall Farm courtyard at Linford.

THERE is a new hand on the tiller at Rotary East Thurrock following a handover to incoming president Bill Coleman.

He succeeds Peter Wiggington who was on hand to pass over the chain of office at a recent ceremony at the Springhouse Club, Corringham, after completing a two year stint as president due to the Covid pandemic.

THE RNLI lifeboat based at Gravesend was called on to help two stranded sealwatchers on the Thames near East Tilbury this afternoon (Sunday, 12 September).

They had become marooned on the former radar tower adjacent to Coalhouse Fort.