News in Thurrock

A KIND-hearted university student from Corringham is combining her career ambitions with helping the homeless - with the help of people from her home town.

19-year-old Jessica Jones is a fashion student at Ravensbourne University who found herself so moved by seeing pictures of the homeless as a younger teenager that she started putting together Christmas boxes to distribute locally.

THOUGH the first stage of a campaign proved successful, two youngsters and their mum in Grays are to continue their fight to improve access during the covid pandemic to their local library.

Thurrock Nub News reported in August on the initiative by nine-year-old Polly Cornelius for Thurrock Council to reopen Blackshots library.

AMBULANCES serving Thurrock could be kept of the road because of delays in testing the skills of new drivers.

As many as 50 new ambulance staff at the East of England Ambulance Service have been unable to start work and drive an ambulance because of hold ups at testing centres.

THE Backstage Centre, Purfleet, is literally on red alert as it supports a music industry campaign backed by some of the most iconic industry figures, including legendary figure Peter Gabriel.

The venue, which has provided rehearsal facilities for some of the biggest musical artists in the world, will be illuminated in red tomorrow night (Wednesday, 30 September) night to symbolise the industry's current struggle.

IN a bid to boost the number of people in Thurrock who are prepared to foster children, the borough council says anyone who comes forward to do so will not have to pay council tax in future.

"We need more foster carers who live in the borough to provide a loving and caring home for children here in Thurrock and we are willing to invest and pull out all of the stops to support our foster families," says Cllr James Halden, the portfolio holder for social care.

AT the beginning of Foster Care Fortnight, which begins today (Monday, 11 May) Thurrock's leading councillor for children's services has spoken of the pride he has for those who take on the responsibility of caring.

Cllr James Halden, cabinet member for children's and adults services, says: "I'm so proud and grateful to our foster carers who support the children of Thurrock. Every Thursday as I clap for the NHS and other key workers, I clap for our foster carers who continue to keep children safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

A THURROCK councillor has called time on a popular community activity after being trolled on social media.

For many years Cllr Shane Ralph, who represents the Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham Town ward, has come up with activities and fundraising events for the community that have proved popular.

DESPITE the fact that no formal merger has been confirmed, a new outside senior officer has been permanently allocated responsibility for Thurrock's Clinical Commissioning Group.

Health chiefs in the region have wanted to merge the Thurrock group, which is responsible for commissioning health care for borough residents, into a wider, Essex-wide organisation and the appointment of Anthony McKeever appears to be another move in that direction.

MEMBERS of a village community and other supporters have been thanked after a new defibrillator was put in place in a bid to save lives.

The defibrillator is located on the outside of the Orsett Churches Centre on High Road.

A DAY of action will take place in a local community next month when volunteers are being sought to help support a local park.

The Friends of Bonnygate Park on Daiglen Drive, South Ockendon, will be painting fences and goalposts, sprucing up planters and carrying out a host of other tasks at the park on Saturday, 24 October between 10am and 4pm.