'12 Days' show picks up another top award

It was all glitz and glamour at the V & A Museum in London where Thurrock Council and the Port of Tilbury won a National Award at the 30th Arts & Business Awards 2008, in the JTI A&B Community Award category.

Thurrock Council featured as an arts organisation alongside world-class arts organisations such as Tate Britain; National Theatre; Royal Opera House; Royal Academy; Britten Sinfonia; City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; Sage; and the British Museum.

Councillor Joy Redsell, Cabinet member for Community, Culture & Leisure, who graced the event said: “This is indeed a huge achievement for Thurrock and Port of Tilbury, certainly leading the way for regeneration and I am proud of all those who have been involved.’ Over the last four years the council has worked in partnership with the Port of Tilbury to produce the “Twelve Days of Christmas” and other outstanding performances at the Grade II listed Cruise Terminal.

This has raised the profile of this unique historic building and given the local community an opportunity to take part in professional shows just like in the West End.

Mark Allinson and Mary-Ann Connolly of Thurrock Council and Lynda Viccars of the Port of Tilbury have been at the forefront of the project working hard to overcome practical, logistical and financial challenges in order to make the show so successful, providing an opportunity to make hundreds of children stars for a night.

The enthusiastic team from Thurrock Council and Port of Tilbury, together with the support of the Leaders, has raised aspirations in the community and helped to raise the profile of Thurrock generally.

It is the second time the show has won an aard. last year it picked up. Last year it won the Arts and Business East Community Award. This year’s “Twelve Days of Christmas at the Movies” will run from Friday, December 6 to Sunday December 14 and tickets are available from the Box Office Tel: 0845 300 5264. See www.the12daysofchristmas.co.uk for further details.