News | Thurrock Council

Children pick first strawberries of the year at Purfleet

12 June 2025

A group of enthusiastic young gardeners enjoyed a sweet start to the summer this week as they picked the first strawberries of the season in the Purfleet Hub Community Garden.
The children helped plant the strawberry patch earlier in the year and were excited to discover the ripened fruit hidden beneath green leaves.
“This is the best part, when we get to eat what we grew!” said one young gardener.
The project is helping teach children about where their food comes from, encourage healthy eating, and inspire an appreciation for nature and sustainability.

Coalhouse Fort awarded National Lottery funding to help secure a long-term future for this historic landmark

10 June 2025

Coalhouse Fort has been awarded £236,500 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help secure a long-term future as landmark and visitor attraction in East Tilbury.
The funding will be used for the Reanimating Coalhouse Fort project, which will involve the local community and people with an interest in the history of the fort to play a role in securing its future.
The Fort has stood empty since 2020 and needs significant work to make it ready to fully open to the public.

Tilbury Square regeneration creates huge improvements, with more to come

9 June 2025

Works to improve Tilbury Civic Square have already brought huge improvements to the area, with much more to still to come.
The works so far have seen improvements to the road, footpath and created new flowerbeds and green areas on the north side of the square. The next phase of work will bring improvements to the rest of the square including new roads, footpaths, streetlights and landscaping.
Cllr Victoria Holloway, Cabinet Member for Place and the Environment, said: “These works will transform the Civic Square, creating something new and exciting in the heart of Tilbury.

Thurrock celebrates the start of Pride

6 June 2025

Earlier this week (Monday 2 June), Thurrock Council's LGBTQ+ Staff Network celebrated the start of Pride Month by raising the Progress flag above the Civic Offices in Grays.
The celebration was joined by colleagues, friends, allies and supporters to mark the special occasion.
Councillor Steve Liddiard, Deputy Mayor of Thurrock, was also in attendance and said: “It is an honour to stand before you today as we raise the Progress flag to mark the beginning of Pride Month here in Thurrock.”

Thurrock’s volunteers thanked during special celebration

5 June 2025

Thurrock’s Deputy Mayor hosted a special ceremony to thank the small army of volunteers who support Thurrock Council’s work in the community.
Volunteers made their way down to Chadwell St Mary Library on Wednesday 4 June for the event held in recognition for the amazing work they have done to support communities in the borough.
Councillor Steve Liddiard, Deputy Mayor of Thurrock. handed out certificates of appreciation to many of the council’s tireless volunteers and paid tribute to their contribution to the community.

How foster carers helped to change Jack's life

5 June 2025

When Jack Andrews talks about his life, he doesn’t just speak as a professional in Thurrock Council’s Children’s Services, he speaks as someone who lived through the care system and came out the other side with gratitude, love, and a desire to give back.
Now a Personal Adviser supporting young people leaving care, Jack’s path began at just seven years old, when he entered foster care in Thurrock.
“I still remember the day I was taken into care, two people turned up and told me I was moving. As a seven-year-old, it was terrifying.” Jack said.

Volunteers' Week: Meet Maria

5 June 2025

To celebrate national Volunteers' Week, we are talking to some of the great volunteers providing invaluable support for the council's work in the community
Meet Maria
Maria is originally from Moldovia and has lived in the UK for eight years with her husband and their young family.
Maria had been looking after her children full time, but when the youngest started nursery she had time to spare during the day. “I felt I should do something and develop new skills.”

Thurrock Council welcomes Serious Fraud Office investigation

3 June 2025

The council welcomes the news that the Serious Fraud Office has confirmed it is investigating allegations of fraud committed against Thurrock Council arising from its dealings with Rockfire Investment Finance Plc and other Rockfire companies.
The SFO has today issued a series of Section 2 notices compelling financial institutions to provide information about Rockfire, linked to Thurrock Council’s investments in solar farm bonds.

Volunteers' Week: Meet volunteer Sharon

3 June 2025

To celebrate national Volunteers' Week, we talk to some of the wonderful volunteers providing invaluable support in the community
Meet Sharon
For the past three years, Sharon has been serving up breakfasts to children and families in the three tower blocks in Chadwell St Mary.
Sharon, who lived on the estate for years, noticed that “there were lots of children in the blocks going to school with no breakfast in their belly”.

The Big Lunch returns to Thurrock for summer 2025

2 June 2025

Residents of Thurrock can once again get together with friends and family and enjoy an afternoon of outdoor fun and activities thanks to the return of Big Lunches.
The Big Lunch is a community-run initiative, supported by a partnership between Start Thurrock, Thurrock Council, Thurrock CVS, Impulse Leisure and Active Essex.
The Big Lunch returns to South Ockendon, East Tilbury, Chadwell-St-Mary, Purfleet-on-Thames, Aveley and Corringham.