News in Thurrock

THIS afternoon (Friday, 29 November) members of Corringham Primary School's school council visited Lampits Hill where the Corringham, Fobbing and Homesteads Community Forum have located one of this year's Christmas trees.

The group arrived with the Christmas decorations that every child within the school had the opportunity to make and these were then hung up to decorate the tree.

SOURCES within Thurrock Council have spoken optimistically that the authority's troubled children's services could get an early Christmas present by being lifted out of 'requires improvement' status to 'good'.

Thurrock Nub News has been told that senior officers have convened to be told of the news - and that celebrations have already taken place.

CHANGES are being made to some of the bus services that link Thurrock from east to west.

First Essex have announced a number of changes, which will come into force on January - with one of the most significant in Thurrock being the end of the current 200 service which is to become part of the existing service 5 network.

CARERS in Thurrock are being invited to get together and share festive fun at a special Christmas Tea being held next month.

It is being organised by Thurrock Carers Service which provides information, advice, practical and emotional support for anyone who is caring for another person; whether you are caring for someone temporarily, or have been caring for a loved one for several years or more.

EAST Tilbury's Coalhouse Fort has topped a countywide birdwatching survey for the most bird species recorded out of more than 100 different wildlife sites in Essex.

The Essex Birdwatching Society presented Thurrock Council's Coalhouse Fort rangers team and park conservation volunteers with an award certificate after members of the public submitted sightings of 89 bird species during its Big County Birdwatch.

THE police officer in charge of patrolling three of the borough's town centres took to social media on Thursday evening (28 November) to answer a wide range of questions.

Sgt Ben Forbes manages town centre policing teams in Grays, South Ockendon and Stanford-le-Hope - areas where residents have frequently complained of a lack of police presence and several of them pulled no punches when questioning Sgt Forbes.

MAGISTRATES heard how a Tilbury woman was brutally beaten up by her partner - who then went on to assault a police by biting him.

Joseph Harman, 27, has been kept behind bars while his fate is considered but it is likely he will face a further prison sentence after pleading guilty to the offences.

ONE of Thurrock's best business success stories is about to enter another chapter next year after announcing further expansion.

Independently-owned cruise line Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), which is based in West Thurrock and is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, has announced the acquisition of two more cruise ships to join its expanding fleet - increasing to eight cruise ships in 2021.

RESIDENTS have been warned that river levels on the Thames as it passes through Thurrock and wider south Essex could reach danger levels in the next 24 hours.

The government has issued a warning because there is a possibility of some flooding of homes and businesses between 1am to 2am tomorrow, Friday 29 November.

GRATEFUL parents have expressed their thanks after nominating the nursery that cares for their epileptic child for recognition.

Thanks to Kelli and Jason Sly, Willow Garden Day Nursery at Orsett Heath has been awarded the Epilepsy Action early years education award.