Meetings are held at Thurrock Adult Community College, Richmond Road, Grays Thurrock, Essex, RM17 6DN.
All meetings begin at 8.00 pm unless indicated otherwise. The AGM will begin at 7.30 pm.
Most talks are illustrated.

Visitors are very welcome at all meetings.
Membership Subscriptions: Adults £10.00 Students £4.00 Under age 16 Free
Visitors (per meeting) £2.00

PROGRAMME OF WINTER MEETINGS 2011 - 2012

Friday, 18th November, 2011   Famous People from Barking and Dagenham by Mark Watson

Friday, 16th December, 2011  Christmas Meeting and Party

Friday, 20th January, 2012       History of the Houses of Parliament  by Gary Egerton

Friday, 24th February, 2012     History of Tilbury Docks by Jonathan Catton

Friday, 16th March, 2012          With My Little Stick of Southend Rock by William Tyler

Friday, 20th April, 2012             The AGM plus History of Essex Smuggling (part 1) by Brian Billings

Friday, 18th May, 2012             History of the Olympics by Susan Yates

Friday, 16th September, 2011  Died in Hell: an Irish Guard at Passchendaele by John Matthews

Despite being reported killed in action at Passchendaele, Aubrey McCooey was cycling around Tunbridge Wells in his nineties - click here.

Friday, 21st October, 2011  Secrets of the Royal Jewels by Ann Hardy

A kleptomaniac Queen and some Royal mysteries - click here.

Information about previous years society meetings: 2010-2011, 2009-2010, 2008-2009, 2007-2008, 2006-2007, 2005-2006, 2004-2005, 2003-2004, 2002-2003, 2001-2002

Reports of our outing to the Globe Theatre in April 2010, Cambridge in June 2010 and Portsmouth. Previous outings - Bletchley Park, Dover, Waltham Abbey and Eltham Palace.

See the society at the Orsett Show and learn about our 50th Anniversary celebrations.

The society supported the Essex History Fair - see us in 2004.

Thurrock Heritage Forum

The Forum's basic aims and objectives:

- To inform and assist Thurrock Council on heritage matters.

- To encourage the safeguarding and preservation of Thurrock Heritage for the public benefit.

- To facilitate communication and involvement for all on local heritage projects.

- To promote the wider understanding of Thurrock's Heritage.

- To uphold and maintain accuracy of information of Thurrock's local History.

The Forum welcomes new members.

HERITAGE RAMBLES

For further information contact: Jonathan Catton, Heritage and Museum Officer on 01375 382555 or by e-mail to jcatton@thurrock.gov.uk

OTHER LOCAL EVENTS

COALHOUSE FORT:

Admission charges for normal open days

Adults (aged 16 to 60) £3.00

Adults aged 60 or over £2.50

Children under 16 years (must be accompanied by an adult) - No charge

Public admission to certain parts of the fort is only possible as part of a guided tour, the cost of which is included in the admission charge.

There is no reduction in admission charge for visitors not wanting to join a guided tour.

For more information see:

Website: www.coalhousefort.co.uk

ALL SAINTS CHURCH - EAST HORNDON

The church of All Saints stands on rising ground overlooking the Thames plain at the junction of the London to Southend and Brentwood to Tilbury roads. The chancel, nave, tower, north and south transepts and north chapel date from the last quarter of the 15th century built almost entirely of red brick. The south chapel and porch were added during the first quarter of the succeeding century. An interesting and possibly unique feature of the church is the pair of two-storeyed transepts supposed to have been the living quarters of chantry priests. The church has been associated with the Tyrell family since the 14th century.

The All Saints Society was dissolved on 31st December 2009. The church is in the care of a national charity, The Churches Conservation Trust, who are assisted locally by the Friends of East Horndon Church. Volunteers are always needed to help look after this unique structure.

The church is open every Saturday from May to September inclusive from 1030-1530.

More information may be obtained from
www.visitchurches.org.uk
www.all-saints-east-horndon.co.uk

TILBURY FORT

Tilbury Fort is open daily, 10 am-5 pm 1st April to 31st October.
Thursday to Monday, 10.00 am - 4 pm through the winter.
Admission: Adults £3.50, Concessions: £2.60, Child £1.80, Family £8.80.

For more information ring 01375 858489

DAVY DOWN INFORMATION CENTRE & COUNTRY PARK

Davy Down is situated in Pilgrims Lane, North Stifford. Grid Ref. 803588 - OS Landranger sheet 177

The information centre is housed in the Pumping Station Buildings built in 1928 to house large diesel engines which provided the power to extract water from a 150 ft borehole in the chalk below.

Davy Down acts as the gateway to the Mardyke Way, part of the Thames Chase Community Forest.
The Mardyke Way is a10 km multi-user path that runs from Ship Lane Aveley up to Bulphan.

For more information click here: www.davydown.org.uk

PURFLEET HERITAGE & MILITARY CENTRE -
Car Park – Tea Bar – Shop – Wheelchair Friendly - Picnic by The River of Thames  

Opening times are: 
1st November to 31st March: Thursdays and Sundays 10.00 am – 3.00pm.
1st April to 31st October: Thursdays and Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays 10.00 am – 4.30pm

Telephone number during opening times 01708 890874
For group bookings and out of hours 07751099352 – 07933099961 – 017080523409 email: alan.gosling@rocketmail.com
Admissions: Adult £3.00 – Child £1.50 – Concession's £2.50

Web site: www.purfleet-heritage.com

THAMESIDE FAMILY HISTORY GROUP

The Group meets on Friday, once a month at Grays Adult Community College, Bridge Rd., Grays at 8 pm. Annual subscription £10.

Further information ring 01375 850881 or 01375 672973 or click here for programme

THAMESIDE AVIATION MUSEUM

A world war II aircraft reclamation group located at Coalhouse Fort.

Website: www.aviationmuseum.co.uk