News in Thurrock

MYSTERY continues to surround reasons why a major part of intu Lakeside's new leisure development shut its doors before Christmas and remains closed.

The Hall, was significant part of Lakside's £72 million development and was the first part of it to open in July.

THERE has been a happy ending to the story of a young horse whose condition has been worrying a lot of local residents.

Over the holiday period concern was raised on social media about the animal which was roaming wasteland around Tilbury.

THE manager of Homesteads Village Hall in Stanford-le-Hope has spoken of his delight at setting up a new course for the new year.

Marcella Riches already operates a number of mediation courses across the borough (details via the red button below) and will begin offering the service from the Homesteads venue on Wednesday, 14 January.

Bowers & Pitsea 1, East Thurrock United 2

EAST Thurrock United continue to defy the odds as a depleted and patched up squad produced a solid display to see off the Bet Victor Isthmian Premier challenge of Bowers in today's New Year's Day derby at the Len Salmon Stadium.

Basildon United 4, Grays Athletic 2

GRAYS came away from Basildon on the end of another disappointing result - but at one point it looked like there might be a different outcome as they clawed back a two goal deficit.

A FAMILY of five were made homeless on New Year's Day by a fire caused by a faulty hoverboard charger.

Crews were called to the mid-terrace home in Prospect Place, Grays, this afternoon (Wednesday, 1 January) after the charger, which was plugged into an electric hoverboard, had ignited. Members of the family were home at the time and noticed the fire, which had quickly spread to a sofa.

RESIDENTS of Collins House in Stanford-le-Hope started the new year in temporary accommodation following yesterday's power failure at the Thurrock Council run complex.

The complex, which houses up to 45 single elderly residents, including some with dementia, was closed overnight (31 December) and remains empty this morning as council contractors from the Mears company work on site to try and rectify the problem.

THE innovative Thurrock Soup business start-up scheme is returning in the new year!

If you have, or know someone with a great business idea for 2020, you are invited to attend the first event of the year on Wednesday, 19 February, in Grays to pitch your idea for the chance to win some funding!

A FORMER councillor and Neighbourhood Watch leader has criticised Thurrock's top cop for a lack of commitment to improving policing in Grays, saying she is hiding behind constables rather than facing up to residents herself.

Amid growing concern, highlighted in recent days on Thurrock Nub News (click red button below), about criminal and anti-social behaviour that goes unchecked in Grays High Street and other areas of the town centre, local community activist Russell Cherry says Essex Police shows a lack of imagination about how to police the area and they are poor on preventing crime.

THURROCK has seen the largest increase in house prices this decade outside London, analysis of Land Registry data recently released by modular housing developer Project Etopia has shown.

Prices have increased by 78.2% in the past decade from £156,741 to £276,164, compared to an average rise of 38.8% across the UK, excluding London.