THIS week in Down Memory Lane I am aware that the floods of January 31, 1953, affected Holland with some 3,000 deaths and closer to home on Canvey Island, where 59 people drowned.

At Tilbury, only Charlotte Wood, 79, of Manor Road, perished. Despite several searches she was found dead submerged in water in her lavatory.

There was also disruption to telephones, power, public transport and factories in Thurrock which required a huge effort by Thurrock Urban District Council and the emergency services, including the Civil Defence, the Army and the Royal Air Force.

Much damage was done to sea walls, which had to have emergency sand bag filling.

Morale was boosted though by the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II to survey the disaster.

Both the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret made visits but the Queen visited various places in Tilbury, Chadwell St Mary, West Thurrock and the East Tilbury Bata Shoe Company, where many Tilbury families were being looked after.

My featured photograph of her visit to Thames Board Mills sees her greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex and the managing director of the company.

She was introduced to staff who had worked hard and long in the disaster. To mark the 60th anniversary of the floods on January 31, Tilbury Riverside Project and Thurrock Council have organised an event that will enable residents to relive their memories of that night.

Starting at 3pm at the Tilbury Riverside TRAC building, we will undertake a guided walk to Tilbury Fort and back describing some of the crucial events of the floods. It costs just £3.

In the evening there will be a torchlight walk at the same venue followed by a talk by me, including a photo exhibition, at 7pm and costs £5.

Tickets are available at Tilbury Library and the Thameside Theatre box office.