News

Volunteers' Week 2024

6 June 2024
Volunteers' Week celebrates the amazing contributions volunteers make to communities across the UK.
The celebration starts on the first Monday in June every year. It's a chance to recognise, celebrate and thank the UK's incredible volunteers for all they contribute to our local communities, the voluntary sector and society as a whole.
This year we met with some of our incredible volunteers in Thurrock. They shared their stories, telling us why they volunteer and what it is about being a volunteer that makes them feel such a sense of pride and purpose.

The General Election in Thurrock

31 May 2024
Thurrock Council has received the writs from His Majesty King Charles III officially declaring that elections for Members of Parliament will take place in the Thurrock constituency and the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency on Thursday 4 July 2024.
Notices of Election for each constituency have been published and candidates have until 4pm, Friday 7 June 2024 to submit their nomination papers to Thurrock Council.

Cutting the grass at our cemeteries

31 May 2024
Work is taking place to make sure grass is cut in the borough's cemeteries.
Teams have been out cutting grass using a new system of working that will provide a more consistent service.
Operational issues and equipment breakdowns have hampered work over the last few weeks, which has seen grass becoming overgrown in cemeteries. These have now been resolved, so a more reliable service will make sure our cemeteries look neat and tidy.

Enjoy a walk along the coast

30 May 2024
Ramblers can now enjoy an improved path on the scenic walk along the coastal path from historic Coalhouse Fort in East Tilbury to Stanford-le-Hope.
Thanks to funding and support from Historic England and Natural England, much-needed improvements have been made to the path after a fire in August 2022 destroyed acres of natural habitat.
Improvements on the route include resurfacing the previously worn-down pathway and installing new fencing to protect surrounding wildlife.

Grays vape shop closed for selling illegal vapes

29 May 2024
Thurrock Council's Trading Standards team has secured a closure notice against a Grays vape shop that was selling illegal vapes, and potentially selling vapes to underage customers.
Southend Magistrates granted the closure notice against Cloud City Vapes, Clarence Road, Grays, during a hearing on 24 May 2024.

Nuisance neighbour fined for noisy late-night DJ and karaoke sessions

24 May 2024
A man from West Thurrock has had his music equipment seized and has been ordered to pay more than £1,200 for repeatedly disturbing his neighbours with late-night DJ and karaoke sessions.
James Brown, 53, of St Clements Avenue, was found guilty for a second time at Basildon Magistrates Court on Tuesday 14 May for continuing to breach 2 noise abatement notices issued by Thurrock Council. Mr Brown, who failed to appear in court, was ordered to pay a £200 fine, £80 victim surcharge and £1,000 costs.

25 years of Essex Book Festival

24 May 2024
Essex University, libraries and local partners are teaming up to bring you a month of events to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essex Book Festival.
Grays Library is hosting 2 events, including an opportunity to meet local authors.
Living Books event will take place on 8 June 2024, from 9:30am to 12:30pm. Enjoy a friendly chat and hear stories from people all around you. Every person has their own story so why not bring yours down to Grays library.

Celebrate Thurrock's first Pride

24 May 2024
This June Thurrock will be celebrating its first ever Pride festival thanks to Thurrock’s LGBTQ+ Community Network.
To kick off the Pride celebrations, the Thameside Theatre will be hosting a Pre-Pride party on Thursday 30 May.
Jon Tilley, who's played a leading role in organising the festival as Founder of the LGBTQ+ Community Network, said: "June is an important month for the LGBTQ+ community, this event represents not just a celebration of diversity but a bold declaration of visibility, acceptance, and solidarity within our community.

New Mayor, Leader and Cabinet at Thurrock Council

24 May 2024
Cllr Kairen Raper has been appointed as Mayor of Thurrock and Cllr John Kent elected as Leader of the council at Annual Council on Wednesday 22 May.
Cllr Sue Shinnick has been named as the deputy Mayor for the 2024/25 municipal year.
Cllr Raper said: "It is a real honour to take on the role of Mayor of Thurrock, it is something I am incredibly proud of and I look forward to the year ahead as mayor.

May half-term activities

24 May 2024
The May half-term break is just around the corner, and there's no shortage of exciting activities for residents to enjoy.
Here’s a roundup of some family-friendly events happening in the area:
Free library activities
Head down to libraries across Thurrock to keep your children occupied over the break. In celebration of the 35th birthday of Elmer the Elephant, from the beloved Elmer books by writer David McKee, the week will be filled with Elmer-themed activities including story-times, puzzles, colouring and crafts.

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