News

Thurrock International Film Festival 2025: A celebration of storytelling in Grays Town Park

6 October 2025
Thurrock residents are invited to experience a world-class celebration of cinema as the Thurrock International Film Festival 2025 takes place from 17 to 19 October 2025 at Grays Town Park Café (RM17 6PZ).
The festival will bring together inspiring films, community spirit and opportunities for creative exploration — right in the heart of Thurrock.
A festival championing bold and diverse voices

Celebrating Thurrock’s rich and diverse communities

3 October 2025
Thurrock is hosting a vibrant programme of events and activities this October as part of Black History Month. 
Across the next month, we’re inviting residents to come along to some amazing local events and celebrate the rich cultural heritage and contributions of Black communities to our borough, and across the country. 
Explore black British history through film and archives 
Thurrock’s Libraries are offering free access to the BFI Replay ‘Black Voices’ Collection, a curated archive of video content showcasing decades of Black British history. 

Local Lioness helps send England woman to Euro 2025 final

24 July 2025
Earlier this week, one of Thurrock’s very own helped the Lionesses roar into the Euro 2025 final.
Michelle Agyemang, born in South Ockendon, and a former Holy Cross Catholic Primary School pupil, scored a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser in the semi-finals against Italy. England then went on to clinch the victory in the final minute of extra time.
The Lionesses will now take on World Cup Winners, Spain, at 5pm on Sunday 27 July in their bid to win a second consecutive European Championship. 

Family activities to keep you occupied over the May half-term

20 May 2025
As the May half-term approaches, there is a fantastic range of family activities in Thurrock to keep people entertained.
While school children have the week off school, there are opportunities to get creative with arts and crafts, get active and outdoors, or enjoy some theatrical entertainment.
Celebrate Elmer Day at Thurrock's libraries
Get ready to celebrate the most colourful day of the year as libraries across Thurrock host a range of exciting activities for Elmer Day on Saturday 24 May.

Thurrock Council to host workshops in support of Child Exploitation Week

13 March 2025
Thurrock Council will be hosting workshops and pop-up events across the borough in support of Child Exploitation Awareness Week.
From Monday 17 March to Friday 21 March, the council and its partners will be visiting schools in Thurrock and hosting pop-up stalls to share information about child exploitation and ways to keep young people safe.
Parents and carers can also attend a free virtual workshop which is taking place from 5.30pm until 6.30pm on Thursday 20 March, which will cover how criminals look to exploit children and give a better understanding of gangs.

Thurrock schools take to the stage to celebrate Black History Month

18 October 2024
Over 60 students from across Thurrock performed at the Thameside Theatre in Grays on Thursday 17 October to celebrate Black History Month.
Students from Thames Park Secondary School in Grays, Warren Primary School in Chafford Hundred, and Woodside Academy in Grays came together to participate in a range of performances celebrating black history. 
Each school was given a brief to create a performance around what black history meant to them. The evening featured a diverse array of entertainment including African drumming and dance, choir songs and drama performances.

Children's author to visit libraries as part of Black History Month

4 October 2024
Local author Toyin Owoseje will be visiting Grays and Chadwell Library as part of a series of events to celebrate Black History Month.
Toyin will be reading her children's book 'Wonderfully Me', which tells the story of a young child called Bisi and her journey to building positive self-esteem with the help of her parents.
Children can hear a reading of the story from Toyin and enjoy a fun morning of activities at Grays and Chadwell Library on the following days:

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Journalists and media professionals can make enquiries from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, 01375 652 017 or at communicationsteam@thurrock.gov.uk.

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