Questions 7 - 13
The Grays and Tilbury Gazette is able to announce that the old-established Thurrock Brewery of Messrs. C. Seabrooke and Sons, Ltd, Grays, has been sold to Messrs. Charrington and Co., of the Anchor Brewery Mile End E. The transaction not only comprises the Brewery, which dates from 1799, but also the firm's 120 houses situated in an area stretching from Barking to Chelmsford, Southend, and throughout Southern Essex. It will be remembered that a few years ago Messrs. Seabrooke acquired the old Baddow Brewery, and the houses belonging to that concern are included in the number mentioned.
8 Tilbury Docks opening
In days to come, last Saturday will doubtless be referred to as the inauguration of a new era in the history of The Port of London. It needs no great stretch of imagination to picture the expansion of the nucleus already erected on what used to be the green flats on the river's bank into a large and populous town, and the growth of various industries on its outskirts. It requires no extraordinary prophetic gift to predict a large increase of population and prosperity for Gravesend and Grays. Whether these towns will rise to the occasion and realise all the possibilities open to them, foresight is dim. With regard to Grays the prospect is hopeful. From the coming Local Board, quick with the energies of a new life, much may be expected.
9 Watchman guards Belhus
A watchman and his dog now guard the historic Aveley Mansion of Belhus, which in the distant past was visited by Royalty, and was at one time the home of Lord Barrett, Chancellor of the Exchequer, whose grave is in Aveley parish churchyard. Set in 200 acres of fine park, now marred by rusting corrugated army huts, the mansion is still impressive viewed at a distance, but closer inspection reveals that the masonry is crumbling and worm is in some of the wood. The mansion's 84 rooms are empty and the windows are boarded, but the beautifully decorated ceilings still remain. Cost of restoring the building is estimated at £34,000. About £7,505 could be claimed as war damage. Three hundred deer once roamed the park on which a pre-fab estate has now encroached.
10 Queens Hotel fire
The greatest fire ever known in the town of Grays commenced at about half-past four on Friday morning at the Queen's Hotel. Shortly after that time Miss Mabel Baldock (daughter of the manager of the hotel), who was sleeping next to the kitchen upstairs, heard what appeared to her to be the cracking of wood, and she thought some of the maids were up and lighting the fire. As it was rather early for their doing that, she got up and went out of her bedroom, but only to find flames proceeding fast and furiously from the kitchen. She immediately set up a shriek of "Fire!" and then swiftly proceeded all round the house and knocked up the inmates. Had it not been for this effort on her part it is probable fatal results would have followed.
11 New T.S. Exmouth
We one and all join in wishing success to the new Exmouth. No doubt captain and boys will do their best to quickly gain a reputation for the new vessel, although it can have no association with the British Navy except such as shall be gained by transfers of its boys from time to time. In that way an honourable connection between this ship and the senior service may be built up - one that shall be to the credit of the new vessel as well as for the benefit of the country.
12 Families in floods
From upstairs rooms, families living in Mill Road, Purfleet, watched anxiously through the hours of darkness on Sunday as the water rose step by step up the staircases, and in several instances there was only one step left to go before it would begin to flow into the bedrooms. Everyone was dressed and ready for any emergency, but in the moonlight the swirling blanket of water was enough to make the stoutest heart afraid. By Monday morning hundreds of people were seeking informaton about missing members of their families. Some had been on their way home when the flood waters broke through and were unable to reach their relatives while others became separated in the general turmoil of evacuation. In Thurrock Council Offices a committee room was given over to enquiries and queues formed early on Sunday.
13 Thameside Theatre
A clash between council officers has hit the new Thameside Theatre - just three weeks after it was opened to the public. On one side is Mr Brian Pridmore, the Theatre Manager, who wants the booking office moved from the same floor as the Theatre itself - the third - to the ground floor. And on the other side is Mr. Denis Wickham, the chief librarian , who opposes the move. The split was revealed at a meeting of Thurrock Council recreations Committee when Mrs Margaret Jones, the leading councillor for the library and theatre, asked the committee to rethink where the box office should go. Mr Pridmore told the meeting, " It is essential to have the box office on the ground floor."