July newsletter – Plan your bumper week of summer fun!

Start planning your bumper week of summer fun!

August is shaping up to be a huge calendar of creativity across Thurrock, and the week of August 10th is going to be particularly action packed, with art trails, street skating, treasure hunts, community celebrations and the final Big Lunches all taking place.

Corringham’s Big Lunch takes place on Tuesday 11th August, with wheelchair acrobats Hype Sister! Bringing the energy.

In Aveley, Start Thurrock has joined forces with Aveley Village Community Foundation to bring craft and circus skills workshops to the community treasure hunt on Wednesday 12th August, plus performances from Stilts Pro from 11am.

On Thursday 13th August, we’ll be at Tilbury’s Picnic in the Park, where we have partnered with circus producers Lavrak to bring an incredible street skating performance from Inviktus Skate Collective, led by Guinness World Record-holding circus artist Symoné.

Purfleet Community Fun Day follows on Friday 14th August, with food, music, live entertainment and a proper community feel. We’re bringing a side-splitting Laurel & Hardy tribute act to walk among visitors, as chosen by residents.

Then, on Saturday 15th August, the Chadwell Art Trail kicks off with a special guided tour led by Daniel Defoe himself! We’ve teamed up with KIT Theatre to bring residents this immersive experience. Window Wanderland will also brighten the Chadwell St Mary streets across 15th and 16th August.

And don’t forget, we also have the Chadwell St Mary Big Lunch on Wednesday 5th August with the incredible NoFit State Circus, who will be climbing structures they build on the day in their circus performance, Bamboo. And Blackshots gets its Big Lunch on Monday 17th August, with more dance, circus, creativity, physical activity, games and family fun.

We hope you’re as excited as we are about all the creative action taking place – we’ll see you there.

Check out all summer events here

Start exploring with Daniel Defoe

Step into Chadwell St Mary’s story with a guided tour like no other!

On Saturday 15th August, the Chadwell Art Trail kicks off with Daniel Defoe guiding residents through his old stomping ground to see the new art displayed around the town.

We’re working with KIT Theatre to bring local history to life, with an actor playing star of the show Defoe, who lived and worked in the town before writing Robinson Crusoe.

Expect stories and fun as you get a first look at the new artworks that celebrate the full breadth of creativity in Chadwell.

Book your place…

Start spotting new art in Chadwell St Mary

The Chadwell Art Trail features six brand-new, site-specific pieces created by artist in residence Lucy McDonald and associate artists working with people who live, work or study locally, alongside existing artworks that celebrate creativity across the area.

Look out for QR codes telling the story behind each piece, including new artwork in Wickham Park shaped by local residents, USP Palmer’s College students and Geo Jam artists.

The full route will be revealed in August.

Find out more…

Start making your mark in South Ockendon

South Ockendon residents asked for more colour, creativity and activity at Derwent Parade – and we have been listening.

Following the success of Mystery of the Missing Markets in 2024 and Revel Puck Circus workshops in 2025, Start Thurrock has continued testing new ideas and talking with local people about what they’d like to see next at Derwent Parade.

On Saturday 8th August, residents are invited to help paint a new community mural on the shutters at 23/25 Derwent Parade alongside artist Nat Campbell.

Through the In the Market for New Ideas series, the mural has been shaped by local votes, with residents choosing a bright, graphic style inspired by nature, wildlife and pets.

Get involved!

Start getting creative at Coalhouse Fort

As if all that wasn’t enough, creative family activities at Coalhouse Fort return with three exciting sessions in August, and tickets are FREE:

Thursday 20th August – Mandala Artwork day. Help create a large-scale Mandala using locally sourced objects and recycled materials found within and outside the Fort. The work will be created over the course of the day with lots of time slots available for people to join in between 10am-4pm – booking essential.

Monday 24th August – Soundscape workshop. Join sound artist Kelly Ann Buckley to capture the noises of the Fort and help create a live ‘soundscape orchestra’ using voices, body percussion, rhythm, instruments and found sounds! Various time slots available for people to join in between 10am-4pm – booking essential.

Thursday 27th August – Family theatre. Come along to showings of ‘Upstream’ from Smoking Apples Theatre – a magical, interactive outdoor theatre and puppetry show featuring a young explorer, a giant tree and a river adventure. Performances at 11.30am and 1.30pm – no booking required, just show up!

All activities are suitable for ages 4 years and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

See all info and reserve your spot

Well done team Thurrock!

Young poets from Tilbury have taken their words all the way to London as part of WORDCUP2026, a national performance poetry showcase from Apples & Snakes.

We helped make the local connection happen by putting Apples & Snakes in touch with Chosen Community, opening the door for young people in Thurrock to take part in the project.

Inspired by the spirit of the FIFA World Cup, WORDCUP2026 brought together young poets aged 13-16 from across England to celebrate creativity, confidence and the power of spoken word.

On Sunday 12th July, we headed to London’s South Bank to cheer on Team Thurrock as they performed original group poems created with professional poets.

A huge well done to everyone involved.

Read more about WORDCUP2026

Thanks for reading!