Grays
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Grays | |
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| Population | 18,493 (2001 Census) |
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| OS grid reference | |
| Unitary authority | Thurrock |
| Ceremonial county | Essex |
| Region | East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | GRAYS |
| Postcode district | RM17 |
| Dial code | 01375 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| UK Parliament | Thurrock |
| European Parliament | East of England |
| List of places: UK • England • Essex | |
Grays is the largest town in the borough and unitary authority of Thurrock to the east of London.
Local sites of interest include the Thameside Theatre, the Thurrock History Museum and Grays Beach. The ancient local manor of Grays Thurrock was granted by Richard I in 1195 to Henry de Gray, a descendant of the Norman knight Anchetil de Greye.
From the top of Bridge Road in Grays you can look down to Thurrock Yacht Club, Grays beach children's playground and the River Thames where you can occasionally see large container ships travelling up and down.
Grays is also home to The Fat Surfer, a live music venue. There are bands every Friday from 7:30 till 11:00. The Loyal Order of Moose is represented by a Grays lodge who meet on the third Friday of the month at 'The Mess' at 78 High Street, which is the Royal British Legion Club for Thurrock. The local college is Palmer's College.
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[edit] Geography
Nearest places:
- Aveley
- Chadwell St Mary
- Chafford Hundred
- North Stifford
- Orsett
- Purfleet
- South Ockendon
- South Stifford
- Tilbury
- West Thurrock
[edit] Transport
London Road is the main road which links Grays town centre with Lakeside Shopping Centre and Purfleet.
The local railway station is Grays railway station.
[edit] Sport
Bridge Road is also home to the area's local football team, Grays Athletic F.C., who play in the Football Conference and were two time, back to back winners of the FA Trophy competition. Freddy Eastwood, who currently plays for Southend United and famously knocked Manchester United out of the Carling Cup, played for Grays Athletic after being released by West Ham United. From Bridge Road you can look down to Thurrock Yacht Club.
Lakeside Hammers speedway team (formerly Arena Essex Hammers) races nearby, next to the Lakeside Shopping Centre.
[edit] History
Grays/Chafford Hundred are the homes of three Victorian chalk pits. The two largest are known as the Lion Gorge, and the Warren Gorge.
The area in which Chafford Hundred is built was once a Victorian landfill site.
[edit] Famous people from Grays
- Russell Brand
- Joe Pasquale
- Stuart Barnes
- Lee Pritchard - writer
- Josie Afolabi - Pharmacologist
