Transformation Thurrock : A Foretaste

A Foretaste

It was 8 o’clock on Monday morning.
I was standing by the Tilbury Ferry landing stage, and I saw a New Thurrock coming down from the heavens.

I saw a teenager leap out of bed for sheer joy, laughing with the freshness of the morning.
I saw elderly women skipping up Derwent Parade and kids going to play in Hardie Park.
I saw a football match starting on Kilverts Field and the teams were mixed races from every people group - asylum seekers and taxi drivers, policemen and prisoners, pensioners and politicians - people from every race and class were playing and laughing in the sun.
I saw a street party and a local festival where people were eating and dancing because there was hope again.

I looked across the whole of Thurrock and saw a community of hope, a community of grace, a community of warmth.
In the clearness of the morning I could see for miles and there was no more asthma, no more unwanted pregnancies, no more debt, no more violence, no more overcrowding and nobody was too busy.

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The River Thames was flowing with crystal-clear water.
There were no more needles and condoms in the alleyways,
no more family breakdown,
no more hopelessness,
no more discrimination,
no more drunken clubbing,
no more threats or fears, no more need.
No more sadness and tears - only joy and laughter.
No more poverty - but real and useful employment.

The dividing walls were gone.
Families and neighbours were restored.
There was no more rubbish, no dealers, no guns, no knives, no dangerous dogs:
there were no racial tensions, just one harmonious mix in technicolour.

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And I looked and I saw kids playing football in the street and the neighbours cheered them on.
I saw homes without locks on the doors where a welcome was guaranteed.
I saw a playground with climbing frames that weren’t rusty where children threw themselves in the air without fear of harm and where the teenagers helped the little ones up to the highest climbs.

I saw a Horndon, a Stanford, a Corringham, and a Fobbing where neighbours shared favours and returned them without pressure or obligations.
I saw a Grays, an Orsett, a Chadwell and a Tilbury where hearts were unbroken, partnerships were lasting peaceful and happy.
I saw a Purfleet, an Aveley, an Ockendon and a Bulphan where families eat and play together.

I saw a Thurrock where tears were wiped away.

Adapted from ‘The New Glasgow’ in Baker and Gay, Alternative Worship (SPCK 2003).

adapted by Tim Harrold, 28/11/2010