LIFELONG Stanford-le-Hope resident Lin Swords, 50, has recently set up her own caring company, Extra Caring.

Both her parents live in Stanford-le-Hope and are retired. Her two children are pupils at St Clere’s School, in Butts Lane.

Q) What do you love about Thurrock and what is it that’s kept you here?

A) I like living in Stanford as I have grown up here and love the strong community spirit, which is enhanced via the Stanford-le-Hope Facebook page – and, of course, my work, family and lifelong friends have kept me here.

Q) How do you see the future panning out for the borough (developing superport, new crossing etc)?

A) The port will bring many business opportunities and create jobs, which should hopefully mean major investment and potential for future generations in the area.

Q) How do you think other parts of Essex see Thurrock?

A) I think they would probably view the region as a leading business and industrial area, while at the same time developing a strong conservation philosophy, like what’s happening at the Thurrock Thameside Nature Park.

Q) What’s the best bit about working in the borough, and what’s the one thing you would change?

A) Personally, it is meeting the elderly members of our community who have lived here most of their lives and hearing lots of the wonderful stories about Thurrock and for me to put something back in.

I want to see us bring back a new local hospital for the borough, which would create more work and more jobs for the people who live here.

Q) What role do you think the Gazette plays in the community?

A) The Gazette plays an important role in informing and keeping the people of the borough up to date with what’s happening here and keeping on top of what is important.

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