Tilbury centenary celebrations a success (From Thurrock Gazette)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting TGNEWS to 80360 or you can email us Click here for details »
Tilbury centenary celebrations a success
3:40pm Friday 6th April 2012 in News
A celebratory cake is cut
IT played a crucial part in two world wars, is home to one of the country’s finest 17th century forts, and is still the location for one of the UK’s most essential ports. Now, it is a century old.
On Sunday, a day of celebration was had at the London Cruise Terminal as Tilbury Town turned 100.
More than 1,000 people joined in the fun as the iconic red route master buses took visitors on tours of the port and local historian Mike Ostler took walking tours along the river.
A presentation on the history of Tilbury, delivered by Thurrock Museum officer and Gazette columnist Jonathan Catton, was heard by 400 people in the baggage hall of the Cruise Terminal.
The crowds mused over the Heritage stands and the famous Tilbury Brass Band put music to the celebrations.
The Tilbury and Chadwell Memories website was launched at noon by Tilbury Riverside Project Manager, Annie O’Brien, who said: “The day was more than I could hope for, it showed how much people are interested in Tilbury. The Tilbury Riverside Project is a small charity and without the support of the Port we could not have had such a great day.
“The Port sponsored all the buses, Tilbury Brass Band, publicity, balloons and the fantastic venue for the day.”
Lynda Viccars, the Port’s cruise terminal and community liaison manager, who helped in organising the day, helped Mayor Charles Curtis cut a cake baked especially by students at the Woodview Campus of South Essex College.
