News

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.

Students pledge to help end knife crime in Thurrock

23 May 2024
Pupils and teachers at Ortu Hassenbrook Academy in Stanford-le-Hope made a pledge to help fight knife crime thanks to pupil and Member of Youth Parliament, George Hare.
George said: "Raising awareness of knife crime is important to do and often doesn't get the attention that it deserves. I was really surprised to learn how many people carry knives because they think it makes them safer."

Grays students see winning idea come to life

17 May 2024
The victorious team from last year’s Next Top Boss competition saw their winning idea come to life at a special launch ceremony held at Grays Station last week.
Students from Grays Convent High School, working together under the banner Team Sanitary, won the competition with an innovative idea to make sure complimentary period care products were available in toilets across at c2c’s rail network.

How fostering could change your life

16 May 2024
It's no secret that there is a need for more foster carers and while many people may not have considered being a foster parent, those who do can help change a child’s life.
Foster carers offer a loving home to local children and young people while their parents are unable to look after them. It can be an enriching journey as you create an environment for children to flourish in, with the hope that where possible they can be reunited with their families.

Cllr Andrew Jefferies resigns as Leader of Thurrock Council

14 May 2024
Cllr Andrew Jefferies, Leader of Thurrock Council’s Conservative group, has resigned as Leader of the Council. The resignation will take effect from 22 May 2024.
Cllr Jefferies said: "It has been an honour to lead Thurrock Council over the last 12 months and I and colleagues have worked hard to help the council on its journey to recovery. We have had to make some difficult decisions, but we have always strived to put the people of the borough first.

D-Day Art Competition winners

10 May 2024
The results for the D-Day 80 Art Competition winners are finally in!
With over 150 submissions it was a tough call, but 3 winners stood out.
Chosen for their outstanding artworks, congratulations to:

Fun Palace at the libraries

10 May 2024
Join the fun and learn a skill this Saturday at Thurrock library Fun Palaces.
Fun Palace events are taking place on Saturday 11 May at:
Chadwell library from 10:30am to 12:30pm
Grays Library from 9:30am to 12:30pm
The fun palace is a free community event where you can pick up new skills such as pebble painting, glass painting, badge making, chess, crochet, musical instruments, Zumba and much more. Last year's Fun Palace was bustling with vibrancy as residents shared their skills in Mandarin, music, and gymnastics.

How to become a Foster Carer

10 May 2024
If you’ve ever been curious about becoming a foster carer, Foster Care Fortnight is the perfect opportunity to find out more.
Foster Care Fortnight is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign and aims to showcase the positive impact foster care and the need more foster carers.
This year, Foster Care Fortnight will run from Monday 12 May until Sunday 25 May.

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