News in Thurrock

STAFF at a Thurrock-based home care service have not only proved their abilities by topping a company competition – but they showed their generosity of spirit by hosting a fun-packed Christmas party for many of the older people they serve.

The team at the Thurrock branch of the Manorcourt Care network had already made 2019 special by gaining an outstanding rating for care when Ofsted inspectors visited in October.

A COMMUNITY group in Grays has been marking the end of the year by reflecting on their achievements.

The Orchards Forum in Grays set about smartening up their local area about two years ago after being frustrated by littering, fly-tipping and a lack of action to combat the problems.

RESIDENTS in Thurrock have been thanked for their welcome and generosity towards a Eco campaigner who passed through the region as part of a nationwide project with particular praise for borough man Keith Harrington and his wife Glynis.

Wayne Dixon is about to enter the fourth year of a lifelong dream of walking the whole UK coastline. During his journey, which will total 7,000 miles on completion, he has been litter picking and raising awareness of the dangers of rubbish with every step.

CANCER Research will benefit from an event being organised in a village hall in the new year.

Amber Bridle has organised a fundraiser at Linford Village Hall on Saturday, 15 February.

POLICE are looking to identify a woman who was assaulted while walking through Grays High Street.

She was assaulted by a man at 1.30pm on 13 December.

A WARD councillor has added his weight to calls for more action to be taken to try and restore the image of Grays High Street which has become blighted by drug-taking and trafficking, drunken behaviour and trading of illicit goods.

After several days of disorder which went unchecked in the build up to Christmas the chairman of the neighbourhood residents association, Richard Suttling blasted the authorities for their lack of consistent action.

THURROCK Council says it is working with partners in a bid to stop flooding which has blighted on the borough's busiest roundabouts.

Recent heavy rainfall has frequently seen the roundabout at the Tilbury end of the Dock approach Road (A1089) many inches deep in water, at times making it impassable for cars. Adjacent roads are also regularly flooded.

CONFLICTING impressions of the effectiveness of town centre policing in Grays have prompted a withering attack by a community leader who says the state of the area 'defies belief'.

On the day that town centre policing team leader Sgt Ben Forbes revealed he had been honoured for his work - and the Essex police force announced they had take action to stop a known thief operating in Grays, the chairman of a town centre residents' group weighed in to say it was time to face the truth.

A MEMBER of Thurrock Council's staff has been recognised in the New Year's Honours List.

Natalie Smith (better known in Thurrock under her maiden name Natalie Warren), the Community Development and Equalities Manager for the council, has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the community in Thurrock.

Aveley 6, Romford 0

FOR a second successive match Aveley his six goals to round what has been a spectacular first half of the season off in style.