News in Thurrock

IN the latest of her articles on local history, Thurrock Nub News correspondent Susan Yates turns the spotlight in this article on one of he borough's parks.

Belhus Park made news last month when it was revealed that archeological investigations have unearthed the remnants of historic gardens.

A STANFORD-le-Hope play area has finally been reopened to the public after a long battle by local councillors – but one of them has still questioned the integrity of the work carried out by contractors and the overall condition of an area where safety is supposed to be paramount.

The Balstonia Park swings, slides and roundabout area on the Homesteads estate was closed by Thurrock Council in April when it was declared to be unsafe.

MANY tributes have been paid to a popular Thurrock man who died in a motorbike accident in Scotland.

Julian Wiseman, 57, was well-known in the borough, both for his work as a maths teacher through his Tilbury-based private tutoring company Wisemaths and as secretary of the Grays Athletic Walking Football Club.

GRAYS High Street could get another takeaway shop if plans submitted to Thurrock Council win approval.

The application has been submitted to turn the former money exchange shop known as Rourkes Drift at 26 High Street into a hot chicken takeaway.

JUST a few weeks after stumping up approaching £300,000 to buy a Grays town centre property, including offices, from Thurrock Council, its new owners have submitted a plan to create two new flats.

The former Thurrock Asian Association office and space above it on Clarence Road, were surplus to the council's requirements – even though ward councillors have called on the authority to utilise local opportunities to create more social housing.

THURROCK Council is being lobbied and a petition has been launched in a bid to solve a parking problem that is causing friction between residents in a local community.

The issue has arisen at Fortin Way in South Ockendon where residents are hoping Thurrock council will create an access to alleviate parking problems.

ON World Ranger Day (Saturday 31 July) a restored carving of the Woodsman was unveiled at a special event at Langdon Hills Country Park, Westley Heights, in honour of the sculptor Dave Chapple.

Guests including Thurrock Mayor Cllr Sue Shinnick, East Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe, Basildon Deputy Mayor Cllr Luke Mackenzie and Basildon Cllr Chris Allen (Langdon Hills ward) attended the unveiling under COVID-19 secure guidelines.

ALL the fun of the fete will come to the centre of Grays on Saturday afternoon (7 August).

Over the next two weeks Morrisons stores up and down the country are to host fundraising events for Young Lives v Cancer (formerly known as Clic Sargent).

THE man who played a key role in planning the closure of Orsett Hospital is settling into the first week of his new job - running the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

He will be the eighth chief executive in 15 years of the country's worst performing NHS trust.

ONE of Thurrock's new councillors has featured in a promotion by the authority urging young people to get vaccinated to protect themselves against coronavirus.

Adman Carter, a 26-year-old surprise Conservative winner in Chadwell St Mary at last May's elections is being promoted as an example of why getting the jab is important.