Forum Friends & Local Heroes
Fobbing Conservation & Preservation Society 
TOFF'S Fobbing Friends Local ShopsNeighbourhood Watch Speac Thurrock Council British Legion Ngage Thurrock Play Network Xmas Fayre St Lukes Hospice Homesteads Forum Local Businesses Essex Police Essex County Fire & Rescue Service TAF Rememberance Parade Stanford Forum Brownies All local faith groups CVSSt Johns Ambulance Stanford le Hope & Corringham Carnival Association Stanford - Scouts Cubs Guides Hope Committee All our forum residents www.yourthurrock.com/ 
To name just a few if they are underlined just click on them.
We are delighted to include in our Forum Friends our Civic Awards Winners Winner of the Rachel Middleton Memorial Award @ Thurrock Civic Awards 2006
Local Hero Paul Peterson
Paul has overcome many difficulties in his life. Born seven weeks premature, he was diagnosed with a hole in the heart and growth problems, and then, later with muscular dystrophy.
Despite his health problems, he went to a mainstream school, and university and one of his proudest moments was achieving a 2-1 degree at the University of London. For the past four years Paul has worked as a report for the Yellow Advertiser which covers our Forum area .
He has displayed tremendous courage and spirit throughout his life, living life to the full with a positive attitude, and is described by his nominator as an ambassador for all those physically challenged younger people. Paul would say reach for the sky and the star will be you
Paul is a shining example to us all with his sheer determination and courage.
If stranded on an a desert island the three items Paul would like with him are.
- Friends & family.
- An endless supply of books.
- A supply of Jack Daniels.
Winner of the Mayor’s Award @ Thurrock Civic Awards 2007
Far left Local Hero Hans (John) Neumann.
Hans is one of only 200 children who survived the holocaust. After being liberated from the Terizin Camp or otherwise known as Theresienstadte he arrived in England with no relatives or parents & forged a new life.
Hans met his wife Joyce and started a family in 1951 before joining up in the services as a regular. He continues to invest time and energy in our community via the TA & Local Air Cadet Force, mentoring young local people who have an interest in the army. He works in the voluntary sector alongside the Royal Navy Association and you know him selling poppies in Sommerfields Supermarket. He never complains about the suffering he endured in the concentration camp and is always seen to be smiling. He lives in our Forum Area as do his family and we are proud that they are part of our community.
John we salute you.
Please Note: Holocaust Memorial Day Event, Thursday 24th January 2008 @ 5.30pm in the Thameside Theatre.
National Holocaust Memorial Day. Sunday 27th January 2008 @ TBA in the Palmers Rest Gardens
Why Wear A Poppy
"Please wear a poppy", the lady said,
And held one forth, but I shook my head
Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,
And her face was old and lined with care;
But beneath the scars the years had made
There remained a smile that refused to fade.
A boy came whistling down the street,
Bouncing along on carefree feet.
His smile was full of joy and fun,
"Lady" said he "may I have one?"
When she pinned it on, he turned to say:
"Why do we wear a poppy to-day?"
The lady smiled in her wistful way
And answered: "This is Remembrance Day,
`And the poppy there is a symbol for
The gallant men who died in the war. "
`And because they did, you and I are free
That's why we wear a poppy you see.
I had a boy about your size,
With golden hair and big blue eyes.
"He loved to play and jump and shout
Free as a bird, he would race about.
As the years went by, he learned and grew
And became a man - as you will too. "
`He was fine and strong, with a boyish smile,
But he'd seemed with us such a little while
When war broke out and he went away.
I still remember his face that day.