News in Thurrock

THE death has been reported of a former Thurrock councillor who often courted controversy while serving his community.

John Cowell was a Conservative Thurrock Borough councillor for the Aveley and Uplands ward from 2004 to 2011. During his tenure in office, which saw him re-elected in 2007, he was regarded as a passionate advocate for the town and local community – but he was never afraid to speak his mind even if that sometimes landed him in trouble.

THURROCK Council has explained why exasperated residents at social housing blocks in Purfleet will have to undergo the inconvenience of more scaffolding erected outside their homes.

Tenants on the Garrison Estate who live on Marine Court and River Court contacted Thurrock Nub News after receiving correspondence from the council saying that new scaffolding was going to be put up to facilitate repairs – just weeks after scaffolding had been removed.

ADULT learners at Thurrock Adult Community College (TACC) have celebrated their achievements following the announcement last week of GCSE pass results.

College principal Jaki Bradley, said: "Congratulations to our GCSE learners - they did so well and succeeded in the most difficult of circumstances. They are a great set of results and it's very positive that the moderators also supported the grades awarded. We are so proud of both our adult learners and amazing staff, who continued to deliver adult education for Thurrock residents throughout difficult operating circumstances".

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HOPES that a borough village would qualify for a scheme that would see the widespread installation of superfast broadband have been dashed - not without a touch of controversy.

Residents in Horndon on the Hill were hoping that enough people from the village would express an interest in BT Openreach's Community Fibre project.

A CAMPAIGN group opposing the proposed Lower Thames Crossing has been critical of recently announced plans to create country parks either side of the planned tunnel under the Thames, saying they have been put forward simply to allow Highways England to dump material from the construction process in a cheaper way.

It describes the plans by the agency as 'greenwash' and say they confirm the underhand methods employed by the government and Highways England to dupe local residents.

A YOUNG woman from Chadwell St Mary is about to be shorn of one of her most prized possessions – her hair.

Daisy Manning will be having her head shaved on her 24th birthday on 21 August in order to raise money for the MS Society.

ESSEX Police has released upbeat news, saying crime continues to fall across the region and new figures show residents and their property continue to be safe here.

Figures for the 12 months to the end of July 2021 show the force received 4,300 fewer reports of crime across the county.

AN application to build nine new houses on the site of a bungalow in Stanford-le-Hope is being recommended for approval.

News of the application was first reported on Thurrock Nub News in January. A year earlier a plan to build eight new homes on the garden plot on Windy Ridge, a site at 251 Branksome Avenue, was thrown out because of its overbearing impact upon adjacent homes plus parking and waste collection issues - but this time planning officers say the bigger scheme should go ahead.

HIGH House at Purfleet will play host to two heritage days next month.

Visitors are invited to call in at the venue on Vellacott Close and take in its history. Two of volunteers will be dressed in period costumes, ready to give you a guided tour and tell of the history connected to High House. The cafe will be open for refreshments.