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Thurrock Arts Council

Thurrock Community Information

Thurrock Arts Council engages all forms of Art in Thurrock from Accordion Playing to Drama, Art and Wildlife. You need to be part of this exciting organisation that works hard to promote arts in Thurrock. This directory will give you full information about what is happening in Thurrock, be part of it, participate in it and whatever you do, enjoy yourself. By entering into the spirit of community life you will find a fulfilment of a cultural and arts nature. Sign up now and join in the full "where there is always something happening".

John Scowen - Chairman


Thurrock Arts Council members - directory as at August 2005

Agrasen Sabha

Mr S. P. Gupta,
01375 393135
e-mail:- paul_gupta@onetel.net.uk

Aveley Band

Mr D. Morris - Chairman,
01708 863034

Mr D. Lewis - Secretary,
07958 998135
e-mail:- aveleynewhamband@aol.com

Barrett Lennard Players

Min Hunt
Tel:- 01375 855625

Mrs Rita Sutcliffe
Tel:- 01375 851146

Founded in 1980 we are a group of theatrical enthusiasts in Thurrock. Always looking for new members, whether experienced or not. Interested? Give us a ring. You might be surprised at your hidden depths!

C.D.O.T. (Churches Drama and Opera in Thurrock)

Mr M. Rawlinson,
Tel:- 01375 678618
website:- www.cdot.org.uk

C.D.O.T. is an adult Dramatic and Operatic society which has been performing shows at the Thameside Theatre every November since 1972. Although its roots are Gilbert & Sullivan Operettas, such shows are performed approximately every 3 years. We also perform musicals and other shows (e.g. Kiss Me Kate, Half a Sixpence, Guys & Dolls) C.D.O.T. also perform 2 -3 charity concerts per year in March. C.D.O.T. has an enviable reputation for its musical ability and is currently attracting younger members who enjoy the challenges of music, drama & dance within a friendly environment. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evening at Stanford-le-Hope Methodist Church Hall. Anyone interested should contact Stuart Cameron.

Centre Stage Theatre School

Miss Sarah Sutton - AISTD(Dip)IDTA(aff)CDET.CMIAEM

Contact:-
Mrs S. C. Sutton,
Tel & Fax:- 01375 370836

For classes in ballet, tap, modern, theatre dance, drama, and singing all held at:-

The Studio,
62A Whitehall Lane,
Grays, Essex. RM17 6SS

Freewheelers Entertainers

Mrs Denise Shoult,
Tel:- 01708 853466

The main activity of this group is to entertain the good citizens of Thurrock. They meet at the Vigerons Way Complex Hall, Chadwell St Mary.

Grays Town Band

Bev Smith,
Tel:- 01375 386355

Mrs C. Honeywell,
Tel:- 01375 392807

We are a local, friendly, community band that attends functions such as school and church fetes, hosts concerts at their own Band Hall and an annual concert in Grays Park. The band also has a quartet which is ideal for smaller events such as birthdays or anniversary parties. We rehearse on Monday evenings at 7.30 - 10 pm and learners rehearse on Thursday evenings between 7 - 8 pm. We always welcome new and experienced players from 7 to 107 years!! for just £1 per week which includes instrument hire. For further details please contact either of the above numbers.

Performers College

Mike Stephens,
2 - 4 Chase Road,
Corringham,
Essex. SS17 7QH
01375 672053

Performers College is a professional organisation offering Full time training in Theatre Arts.

Sullivans Stage School

Mrs A. Sullivan,
Tel:- 01245 360821 or 07767 600577
e-mail:- ann@sullivansstageschool.freeserve.co.uk
Website:- www.sullivansstageschool.com

This is a part-time drama school for youngsters between the ages of 5 - 18 years. Various locations and perform at the Thameside Theatre.

Thameside Family History Group

Mrs M. Catty,
Tel:- 01375 850881

Mr R. H. Fuller,
Tel:- 01708 867611

Family history is currently one of the most popular pastimes, providing people with the challenge discovering not only who their ancestors were, but also where they lived and worked. The Thameside History Group provides a friendly forum for family historians, with a varied programme of lectures and informed activities. Our meetings are held at the Adult Education Centre in Bridge Road, Grays. They usually take place on the first Friday evening of each month, but this is subject to the Centre being open and some meetings have to be moved to the 2nd Friday.

Further information about the Group can be obtained by ringing one of the above members. New members are always welcome.

Thurrock Accordian Band Club

Contact:- Mr R. B. Campion,
Tel:- 01375 384074

This group meets every Thursday evening at the Socketts Heath Baptist Church - if you like accordion music or have always wanted to try it, why not come along.

Thurrock Antiques & Collectors Club

Mr B. Billins,
Tel:- 01375 643556

Thurrock antiques and collectors club meet in the Stanley Lazell Memorial Hall on the first Wednesday of each month commencing 7.30 pm. The meetings are lively and informative with high quality, mostly professional speakers. The members are very friendly and visitors and new members are always welcome.

Thurrock Art Society

Chairman: Lyn Stone
Tel:- 01375 677177

Secretary: Barbara Collins
Tel:- 01375 408465

Thurrock Art Society is a very busy and friendly society. Meetings are held at the Thurrock Adult Community Centre on Friday evenings during term time. Members spend enjoyable evenings painting, drawing or socialising. There are normally 3 one week exhibitions a year for members to exhibit and sell their work and coach trips are arranged for embers to visit craft shows and art exhibitions. In addition to this professional artists are booked to give demonstrations and workshops. Further details can be obtained from the Chairman or Secretary as shown above.

Thurrock Camera Club

Mr R. Smith,
Tel:- 01375 400043

Web site: www.thurrockcameraclub.org.uk

Thurrock Camera club is your local club affiliated to the East Anglian Federation of Photographic Societies. They aim to help you get more out of your photography.

They have a full programme during the year, including competitions amongst themselves and with other clubs, guest speakers on various aspects of photography and demonstrations on equipment and techniques. They organise outings and stage exhibitions of members work. Over the years the club has built up an extensive library of photographic books for members to borrow. Membership caters for all levels of ability, from absolute beginners to major award winners. Every meeting allows time to socialise, swap ideas and make new friends. The year 2001 sees the club celebrating eighty years since the inaugural meeting, so we are here to stay. Why not join us for some enjoyable and instructive evenings. We meet every Tuesday evening 7.45 pm at Cowdry Hall, London Road, West Thurrock. For further details contact Roy Smith on 01375 400043.

Thurrock Choral Society

Mr D. Treston,
Tel:- 01375 381317

This society performs all types of music from the classical to musicals. It meets regularly on Wednesdays in school term time, in William Edwards School, Grays. No auditions! If you like singing then join us.

Thurrock Courts Players

Vic Gray - Chairman, Tel:- 01375 644390
Julie Dennis - Treasurer
John Scowen - Secretary

Jim Wilkinson
Tel:- 01375 404842

Web site: www.thurrockcourtsplayers.co.uk

Thurrock Courts Players is an amateur dramatic group, founded in 1955, which specialises in comedy. We are an award winning company who achieve good quality productions through hard work and pulling together as a team, whether on stage or backstage. Don't let the 'hard work' put you off though! We are a friendly sociable bunch (25 of us) who understand that whilst dedication to a quality production is important to maintaining our hard earned reputation we all have outside commitments too.

So, if you are interested in acting, helping backstage or (ideally!) both, and would like to know more about us, call one of the numbers above - leave a message if we're out, or pop down to rehearsals in the hall at Grays Adult Education Centre in Bridge Road from 7.30 pm 'til 10 pm on Mondays and Thursdays. (Due to the venue we don't rehearse during school holidays though).

Thurrock Drama Festival

John Scowen - Chairman,
Tel:- 01375 383257

The Thurrock Drama Festival promotes drama within Thurrock and helps amateurs develop their techniques through adjudication of their work.

Thurrock Heritage Forum

Mr M. Ostler,
Tel:- 01375 381427

Main activity of group - 'Promotion and protection of Thurrock Heritage'.
Meetings at Thameside Theatre, Thameside 2, Grays, RM17 5DX
jdartnell@tesco.net

Thurrock Local History Society

Ms E. Suckling,
Tel:- 01375 377746

Thurrock Male Voice Choir

Mr P. W. Lelean,
Tel:- 01375 370400

Thurrock Male Voice Choir welcomes all men who enjoy singing. We do not expect you to be able to read music, but if you can you will be doubly welcome. We perform at about 10 concerts in each year, mainly in Thurrock but also further afield. The variety of music we sing ensures that most tastes will be catered for. We practise on Mondays 8 pm at the Methodist Church Hall on the corner of Lodge Lane and Hathaway Road, Grays. Contact our Secretary Kevin Garvey on 01375 377467 or ask any member of the choir.

Thurrock Numismatic Society

Mr J. Wilsdon,
Tel:- 01375 677883

Mr D.Theedon,
Tel:- 01375 892075

The Society meets every 3rd Wednesday in the month at the Stanley Lazell Hall, Dell Road, Grays. between 7.00 pm - 9.30 pm. If you wish to become interested in coins, banknotes and medals then we can offer you 2000 years of history which won't cost you a mint. Just drop us a note, a banknote is not necessary, to any one of the above addresses or call in where a cheerful group will give you a warm welcome.

Thurrock Operatic Society (TOPS)

Mrs J. Webb,
Tel:- 01375 380167

We are a local, friendly society devoted to producing and performing musicals and light opera in Grays, Essex.

Formed in 1960 we have performed over 60 shows, including variety shows in our 40 years history. TOPS meet every Thursday to rehearse at the United Reform Church Hall in Bradleigh Avenue, Grays from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm and put on shows twice a year, a main show in March and a revue type show in July. In addition to this TOPS perform one-off shows for charity and small groups around Grays - Thurrock area. An important aspect of TOPS are the many social gatherings during the year. These include croquet, bowls and car rally days, barbecues, theatre trips and our annual Have a Go Night, where we put on a variety show for our own benefit.

TOPS is about far more than music. Many people have likened us to an extended family, and that is right. TOPS philosophy is to produce professional shows from an amateur society and to have fun whilst doing so. We are always looking for new members so if anyone wants to join the family please feel free to do so.

Thurrock Spectrum Brass

Mr John Mann,
Tel:- 01375 891653

Mr P. Wickett,
Tel:- 01375 360163

The youngest band in Thurrock is truly a 'community' band offering a service to the people of Thurrock and its neighbouring boroughs. Besides giving formal concerts we play at fetes, garden parties, corporate events, celebrations and for many charitable organisations, clubs and hospitals.

Primarily a concert band, providing popular music for the enjoyment of public and players alike, interested members have also taken part in local association solo contests and we have even turned out for full band contests. There is no pressure on anyone to do this. Our aim is to make music in a friendly relaxed atmosphere.

So! If you are interested in learning to play (it doesn't matter if you are eight or eighty) - even if you have never held a brass instrument before - or if you can already play but don't want the hassle of continual rehearsal pressure for contests, you can be sure a warm welcome awaits you at Thurrock Spectrum Brass. So make contact with our enthusiastic and extremely experienced Musical Director and Secretary - Mrs Rosemary Mann - on 01375 891653

Practice evenings:-
Absolute Beginners - 6.30 pm until 7.30 pm Monday evenings
Learners up to proficient - 6.30 pm until 8.45 pm Friday evenings.
Venue:- Grays School, Hathaway Road, Grays.
Website - Thurrock Spectrum Brass has a website at members.lycos.co.uk/tspecbrass

Thurrock Stamp Club

Mr J. Brinklow - Arts Council Rep,
Tel:- 01708 867408

Mr P. Harris,
Tel:- 01708 454947

Thurrock Thameside Musical Society (TTMS)

Simon Lambert - Chairman
Tel:- 01268 550820

Mike Jones - Vice Chair
Tel:- 01375 892595

TTMS was founded in 1991 from an amalgamation of members from various other local societies. We decided to form our own society which would present popular shows and, at the same time, enable members to be a part of a progressive, young, enthusiastic, forward thinking group.

Throughout our history we have endeavoured to present shows that are popular with our members, and also our audiences, and relish the experience. The society is run by a committee who are elected every year. We produce a show annually, normally in the last week of June, at the Thameside Theatre in Grays and past shows include such favourites as The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Oklahoma and Me and My Girl. Rehearsals begin in February and open auditions are held for principle parts. Membership is available at reasonable rates and we rehearse each Wednesday in Orsett village.

We are always looking for new members and pride ourselves on being a welcoming, friendly society. We also organise various fund raising and social events throughout the year. If you would like to join us, whether onstage or backstage, please look at the contact details on our website. So if you want to join us, or simply come to see our shows we can promise you a warm welcome.

TTMS website: www.ttms.webeden.co.uk

Thurrock Wildlife Society

Mrs J. Ireland,
Tel:- 01708 863896

Mr S. Ireland,
Tel:- 01708 863896

Formed in 1969, Thurrock Wildlife Society (TWS) is a social group dedicated to the local wildlife and the environment in Thurrock. TWS organises local walks, lectures and events for its members and produces a quarterly bulletin of local stories and wildlife. TWS works closely with organisations such as Thurrock Biodiversity Action Group and Essex Wildlife Trust to help preserve our habitats and wildlife.

Walks and lectures vary from bird life to botanical walks etc, we have regular boat trips to see marine life including seals, and venture further afield to places such as Epping Forest, North Kent Downs and Lea Valley. From bugs to badgers, bats to bee orchids, our interests are diverse. Join us and help support your local wildlife.

Tilbury Band

Mr C. Morrison - Secretary.
Tel:- 01375 409807

Band Chairman
Mr P. Martin,
Tel:- 01375 372394

Woolmarket Music Society

Mr J. Molineaux, Tel:- 01375 674883
Mr Dyball, Tel:- 01375 676442

The Woolmarket Music Society is devoted to listening to good live music (of all types). Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 8 pm in the Woolmarket, Horndon-on-the-Hill (except the months of January and August). The standard of performance is very high and is reflected in the enjoyment of the members. The annual subscription is very modest or you can pay at the door for each individual meeting.

Drama and Dance Sub-Committee
Chairman - Ms J. Snelling

Visual Arts Sub-Committee
Chairman - Mrs P. Randall.

Brass Band Sub-Committee
Chairman - Mr J. Mann. (to be confirmed)

Music Sub-Committee
Chairman - Mrs J. Webb.
Deputy - Mr D. Treston.

Drama and Dance Sub-Committee
Chairman - Ms Jill Snelling.


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