News

Ghosts, skeletons and monsters have been seen in Chadwell St Mary taking part in a Halloween Family Ride, organised by Thurrock Council's Road Safety cycling team.

More than 25 children and adults joined in the free Halloween cycle ride on Wednesday 26 October starting outside the Pyramid Resource Centre, Chadwell St Mary. Two routes were offered enabling scooters, cyclists, walkers and friends, family members or participants using wheelchairs to take part in the spooky fun.

Two special furry friends greeted children receiving their COVID-19 vaccination at the Alastair Farquharson Centre this morning (Thursday 27 October).

Lilly, a 12 year-old cocker spaniel, and Fletch, a 4 year-old cockapoo, with owners Andrew Skingley and Sue Shaw from Pets As Therapy (PAT) delighted children with plenty of cuddles as they received their COVID-19 vaccine at the centre in Thurrock Community Hospital, Grays.

Thurrock Council's Extra Care Service, which provides vulnerable members of the community with 'assisted living' support, is hosting an open afternoon event this November.

Residents and members of the local community are invited to Piggs Corner in Southend Road, Grays on Friday 4 November to find out how elderly residents are supported to live an independent life in a warm and comforting care setting.

Thurrock Council teams joined participants from The Prince's Trust, local volunteers and residents this week to reopen Headon Hall garden in Grays, following a community project to transform the area

Over a period of 2 weeks, young people from The Prince's Trust helped to:

Today (Sunday 23 October) a memorial service was held at West Thurrock Memorial Ground, to remember the 39 Vietnamese people whose bodies were found on Eastern Avenue in Thurrock in October 2019, having tragically lost their lives at the hands of organised criminal gangs.

A memorial was unveiled at the event, along with 39 trees that have been planted to stand tall in the memorial ground.

Today, Monday 17 October, marks the launch of National Adoption Week 2022, which this year focuses on the theme of identity.

The Adopt East Alliance, which includes Thurrock Council, supports this year's 'You Can Adopt' campaign. In the campaign, adopted people reflect on their relationships from before, during, and after they were adopted, connections to their heritage, and how this helped them develop a sense of their identity as they grew up.

More than 1,000 pupils at 9 of the borough's primary schools have received a fun and engaging lesson in how important it is to recycle properly, thanks to a team from Thurrock Council and a special mobile classroom built into a waste truck.

Cllr Andrew Jefferies, Cabinet member for Environment, said: "These fun interactive lessons are a great way to let young children know just how important recycling is and teach them the best way that they can recycle waste themselves.

Thurrock Council's brand-new Council Chamber has officially welcomed councillors to its seats at an Extraordinary Full Council meeting.

On Thursday 13 October, Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr James Halden was joined by his newly appointed cadet macebearer Marius McMahon and Reverend Canon Darren Barlow to give a blessing of the old Council Chamber and welcome Thurrock's 49 elected members and officers to the new Chamber in the Civic Offices building.

Thurrock has joined 55 local authorities across the country to create a video that raises awareness of the importance of fostering in giving disadvantaged children access to a childhood.

The video 'Childhood' debuted at midday today, Thursday 13 October, and can be viewed at thurrock.gov.uk/fostering

Thurrock Council is continuing to help vulnerable households across the borough thanks to an additional £1.295million government funding for the Household Support Fund which will be distributed between now and March 2023.