The purpose of this personal blogsite is to pass Ward or Thurrock related information across, and to allow residents comment on plans or proposals. Residents suggestions for developments in the community are certainly very welcome.
Showing posts with label Diversity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diversity. Show all posts
Saturday, 10 January 2015
Monday, 27 January 2014
Sunday, 23 June 2013
Prime Minister pays tribute to Windrush generation
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-pays-tribute-to-windrush-generationhttps://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-pays-tribute-to-windrush-generation
Organisation: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street
Published: 22 June 2013
Minister: The Rt Hon David Cameron MP
World location: Jamaica
The Prime Minister has commemorated the 65th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush from Jamaica.
The arrival of the Windrush on 22 June 1948 is widely considered the landmark of mass migration to Britain and to celebrate the anniversary there will be a number of events across the country.
The Prime Minister paid tribute to the ‘Windrush generation’ and their contribution to modern Britain:
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
The Prime Minister paid tribute to the ‘Windrush generation’ and their contribution to modern Britain:
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
The 65th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury Dock on 22 June 1948 marks a truly historical moment for modern day Britain. Nearly 500 people arrived from the Caribbean that day to find work or a new life, and it led to the transformation of this country into the richly diverse nation it now is.
The early arrivals from the Caribbean came to help rebuild our country after the Second World War. They brought with them the skills and resolve to help get Britain back on her feet and to make a better life for themselves and their families. But as history has shown many of them suffered unjust hardships and barriers – from social exclusion and prejudice to discrimination and racism.
I pay tribute to the Windrush generation and praise their fortitude and determination in overcoming those difficult challenges. Younger generations are rightly very proud of those early pioneers, and while some social issues still need to be tackled, I strongly believe that our country today is an overwhelmingly fair and tolerant one. And this is in part down to the people from the Caribbean and around the world who settled here.
Those early migrants did so much for our country, and paved the way for their children and subsequent generations to make enormous contributions to Britain in the 21st century. Whether this is in the field of public service, business, culture or the arts, the children of the Windrush generation have given so much.
Whenever I meet people from Britain’s African-Caribbean community, I’m always struck by the stories I hear. Stories of guts, determination and sheer hard work. Our island is richer in every sense of the word for your contribution.
Friday, 20 January 2012
Monday, 11 April 2011
Tunde makes a passionate plea for religious unity | Your Thurrock
Tunde makes a passionate plea for religious unity | Your Thurrock
Thurrock is a diverse community, It has grown from its original population of 126k in 1981 to 145k in 2004. The Office for National Statistics (ONC) consider that this will continue to grow and it is estimated that this year Thurrock will grow to 152K and by 2021 Thurrock will have about 161k.
The last census in Thurrock in 2001 put the population as 143k, but as we all know, there is a census exercise this year which will clarify the figures.
The main point here is that Thurrock is growing and it is becoming more and more diverse. The stats did not cover religion or regular attendance at religious services, but it was taken as read that majority of the residents of Thurrock had a religion, and a substantial percentage were church going.
We now have a community, where Christianity is not the only religion. We have Muslims, Hindu, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jews, Taoists, atheist etc. We are all in Thurrock and we all have to accommodate each other.
The ONS stats indicated that Christians were 72% of the population in the UK in 2001. That transcends in Thurrock to about 109k residents. It means we have c42k residents who practice other religions. 42k people whose voice needs to be heard by the Council and councillors. 42k tax payers who need to be reflected in our polices.
The Council has a massive role to play too
How do we do this? We have to ensure that our schools via SACRE (Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education) provide adequate education on all religions. Our children (and adults) need to be aware of other religious, their practices and feasts. We need to tolerate, not fear people of all faiths. (Even Prince Charles now sees himself as the defender of all faiths). We need to embrace people of religions other than ours. Once we understand them, we won’t fear them, we will accommodate them.
In 2009, the LDF launched a consultation about the needs of faith groups in Thurrock. It was a well attended meeting, with representatives from about 150 religious organisations; and I think Cllr Gupta and I were the only members present. The outcome of the consultation was that:
The Council’s planning policy should provide clear guidance on the appropriate locations for faith-based activity and key issues to be addressed in any proposals for new facilities arising from new development or a change of use of existing premises.
The LDF could usefully provide clear policy criteria for the determination of new, or conversion of existing premises for use by faith groups, particularly in relation to the change of use from employment land.
Policy could be made more flexible to acknowledge that the release of employment land could serve community needs as well as Council needs. Decisions on where such changes of use could occur should consider the Employment Land Review and be in consultation with those faith groups interested in large spaces.
One of the key messages emerging from the study is that immediate and on-going dialogue with faith groups is needed to identify and meet their needs. This will help engage faith groups in assisting with the development of planning policy, identifying regeneration sites and funding, and integrating into other areas of public policy.
These need to be considered and implemented in the LDF.
In conclusion, members should please note – Thurrock is a growing community. We know we face of of the largest growths in the East of England. We can see that in our Schools were many (especially in the West of the Borough have more than 50% non-white on roll);
It means we cannot do things as ‘they had been done before’. Change is about embracing the situation, not denying it, loathing it or fearing it. Let us start today by embracing the various religions in Thurrock, attend the Diwali events; the joint Christmas carols; the Sikh temple. Learn about these religions and together we will live in peace and harmony as we understand each other.
(Oh in case you were wondering, I’m a Christian).
Thurrock is a diverse community, It has grown from its original population of 126k in 1981 to 145k in 2004. The Office for National Statistics (ONC) consider that this will continue to grow and it is estimated that this year Thurrock will grow to 152K and by 2021 Thurrock will have about 161k.
The last census in Thurrock in 2001 put the population as 143k, but as we all know, there is a census exercise this year which will clarify the figures.
The main point here is that Thurrock is growing and it is becoming more and more diverse. The stats did not cover religion or regular attendance at religious services, but it was taken as read that majority of the residents of Thurrock had a religion, and a substantial percentage were church going.
We now have a community, where Christianity is not the only religion. We have Muslims, Hindu, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jews, Taoists, atheist etc. We are all in Thurrock and we all have to accommodate each other.
The ONS stats indicated that Christians were 72% of the population in the UK in 2001. That transcends in Thurrock to about 109k residents. It means we have c42k residents who practice other religions. 42k people whose voice needs to be heard by the Council and councillors. 42k tax payers who need to be reflected in our polices.
The Council has a massive role to play too
How do we do this? We have to ensure that our schools via SACRE (Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education) provide adequate education on all religions. Our children (and adults) need to be aware of other religious, their practices and feasts. We need to tolerate, not fear people of all faiths. (Even Prince Charles now sees himself as the defender of all faiths). We need to embrace people of religions other than ours. Once we understand them, we won’t fear them, we will accommodate them.
In 2009, the LDF launched a consultation about the needs of faith groups in Thurrock. It was a well attended meeting, with representatives from about 150 religious organisations; and I think Cllr Gupta and I were the only members present. The outcome of the consultation was that:
The Council’s planning policy should provide clear guidance on the appropriate locations for faith-based activity and key issues to be addressed in any proposals for new facilities arising from new development or a change of use of existing premises.
The LDF could usefully provide clear policy criteria for the determination of new, or conversion of existing premises for use by faith groups, particularly in relation to the change of use from employment land.
Policy could be made more flexible to acknowledge that the release of employment land could serve community needs as well as Council needs. Decisions on where such changes of use could occur should consider the Employment Land Review and be in consultation with those faith groups interested in large spaces.
One of the key messages emerging from the study is that immediate and on-going dialogue with faith groups is needed to identify and meet their needs. This will help engage faith groups in assisting with the development of planning policy, identifying regeneration sites and funding, and integrating into other areas of public policy.
These need to be considered and implemented in the LDF.
In conclusion, members should please note – Thurrock is a growing community. We know we face of of the largest growths in the East of England. We can see that in our Schools were many (especially in the West of the Borough have more than 50% non-white on roll);
It means we cannot do things as ‘they had been done before’. Change is about embracing the situation, not denying it, loathing it or fearing it. Let us start today by embracing the various religions in Thurrock, attend the Diwali events; the joint Christmas carols; the Sikh temple. Learn about these religions and together we will live in peace and harmony as we understand each other.
(Oh in case you were wondering, I’m a Christian).
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Holocaust Memorial Day - Wednesday 27th Jan 2010
An hour-long service is planned to mark Holocaust Memorial Day - Wednesday, 27 January, the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp.
All are welcome to attend the event which starts at 10am in the Memorial Gardens in High View Avenue, Grays.
The programme for the memorial is:
It will be centred around a trip by 19 Thurrock students to Auschwitz-Birkenau. The doors at the Thameside open at 3pm.
This event is also free and open to all.
All are welcome to attend the event which starts at 10am in the Memorial Gardens in High View Avenue, Grays.
The programme for the memorial is:
10am Welcome Reflections - The Mayor
10.05am The Importance of the Holocaust - Cllr Joy Redsell, Cabinet member for Community Culture and Leisure
10.10am Prayers of Faith - Jewish representative
10.15am Commitment to Change - Andrew Mackinlay MP
10.20am Prayers and Statement of Commitment - the Rev Edward Hanson
10.25am Pebble Laying Service
10.35am The Last Post
10.40am One minute's silence
10.45am Reveille, the National Anthem
10.50am Closing - Bob Coomber, Interim Chief Executive, Thurrock Council.
Thurrock Council is also hosting an event at the Thameside Theatre, Grays, on Friday, 29 January.It will be centred around a trip by 19 Thurrock students to Auschwitz-Birkenau. The doors at the Thameside open at 3pm.
This event is also free and open to all.
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