August newsletter – What a summer it’s been!

Start celebrating a summer full of creativity!

Wow, what a summer it’s been!

Across Thurrock, families have been getting creative, trying new things and coming together in parks, markets, community spaces and high streets.

From the Big Lunches and Tilbury’s Picnic in the Park to the Purfleet Community Fun Day, Coalhouse Fort’s Soundscape workshop, Aveley’s Treasure Hunt and the Chadwell St Mary Art Trail, Start Thurrock has been busy supporting communities and bringing creative activity to local places.

Based on your feedback, there have been circus skills, dance, craft workshops, street skating, walking tours and community performances. Best of all – there’s been plenty of smiling faces.

We’ve been really impressed with the number of people taking part in creative activities, including residents in South Ockendon painting a permanent mural at Derwent Parade and Chadwell St Mary locals creating art across public spaces for the art trail.

We’ve had so much fun seeing Thurrock’s communities coming together. See if you can spot yourself in our summer photos and videos on social media, and continue reading to see what else is coming to Thurrock.

And be sure to fill in our Big Lunch feedback form so we can make next year’s events even better.

Big Lunches feedback form – click here

Superfans Big Lunch feedback form – click here

Start something new in East Tilbury

Exciting news for East Tilbury – a new creative project is on the way.

Start Thurrock is delighted to be working with Kwesi Johnson to develop creative activity shaped by ideas from local residents.

Kwesi is part of The Cultural Assembly, which creates immersive experiences that bring together live performance, technology and storytelling.

This new Research & Development project is driven by what residents want to celebrate about the local area, and will include the development of two creative project proposals which will be voted on by the public later in the year.

Look out for workshops, activities and ways to get involved from September.

Sign up for East Tilbury R&D updates

If you can’t wait that long, then CoDa Dance will be at Coalhouse Fort with an incredible dance show on 12th September.

‘Avoidance and Other Acts of Love’ explores human connection, with three of the cast appearing as giant mirrors to reflect messages back to the audience.

Book your tickets

Start buzzing at The Orsett Show

We’re buzzy getting ready for Orsett Show – and have some very special guests joining us.

Start Thurrock will be at Orsett Showground on Saturday 5 September, chatting to people about the creative activities they’d like to see across Thurrock.

We’ll be joined by The Bumble Bees, an adorable walkabout street theatre act bringing a burst of fun, silliness and creative energy to the day.

They’re cuddly, curious and love meeting people almost as much as they love flowers, so be sure to come and find us.

Visitors can also add their favourite musical experiences of all time to our mural wall to help inspire us for our next creative activities. Whether it’s a favourite song, stand-out concert or something else, come and tell us what musical moments had you up on your feet dancing.

Find out more…

Start exploring Chadwell Art Trail

The Chadwell Art Trail is now open for everyone to enjoy, whenever you like.

Daniel Defoe made the trip from the 18th century to give residents a guided tour earlier this month, thanks to KIT Theatre. But if you missed out, you can still take in the eight artworks in your own time.

Created with people who live, work and study in Chadwell St Mary alongside artist in residence Lucy McDonald, the trail is something residents can enjoy for years to come.

Download the map, grab the family and start exploring.

Chadwell Art Trail Map download

Thanks for reading!