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'Amazing' history of Thurrock!
 from Jonathan Catton, Heritage & Museum Officer, Thurrock Museum, Thurrock Council
You are cordially invited to the unveiling of the Rev. John Newton Thurrock Heritage Plaque at Purfleet Children’s Centre.
On Saturday 10 March at 11am the Mayor of Thurrock will unveil a commemorative plaque linking the life of the Rev. John Newton to Aveley and Purfleet in Thurrock.
A short narration on the connection of John to Aveley and Purfleet will be given by Marylynn Rouse and Jonathan Catton.
The song ‘Amazing Grace’ will be sung during the event, a reminder that on 10 March Newton always celebrated the date as being the first time he prayed to God. A local singer, Jane Young, and the Aveley Church Choir will lead the community singing, and you can join in as well.
Thurrock's connection with John Newton
Newton's stay on a local farm as a youth - after the 2nd marriage of his father - was remembered in his old age for two near-death experiences and the joining of his first ship at Long Reach, Purfleet.
He later became a slave trader, but eventually became an abolitionist of slavery and a vicar. Amongst numerous sermons he wrote the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’.
The plaque is a result of partnership between Thurrock Museum Service (who have developed a trail of Thurrock Heritage Plaques) and the John Newton Project (who believe in the transformation of society through faith in Jesus Christ using the life and works of John Newton as one great example). The initiative by Thurrock Museum is to underpin and illustrate Pride and Diversity in Thurrock.
Part of the event will be to see and discover more about John Newton with the viewing of an exhibition created by the John Newton Project on display in the Children’s Centre and currently on display in the Thameside until 9 March. Everybody is welcome - and while in Purfleet, discover its unique heritage!
 The event has been made possible thanks to a grant to Thurrock Museum Service by the Veolia Mardyke Trust, for which I am most grateful.
Please park in Centurion Way or at the Purfleet Heritage Centre - Purfleet Children’s Centre is on the green near to the riverside, between the Royal Hotel and No.5 magazine.
A Thurrock heritage fact sheet will be available on the day.
Hope to see you at the event starting from 10.30am.
Best wishes,
Jonathan Catton
Heritage and Museum Officer, Thurrock Museum, Thurrock Council
The top picture is considered to be the only portrait John Newton ever sat for, possibly for publicity for the Abolitionist cause, as William Wilberforce and his fellow-lobbyists used groundbreaking political tactics to get their cause known. Note how different this portrait is to the characterisation of Newton in the film about Wilberforce and the struggles for the Abolition of Slavery, Amazing Grace. The bottom picture is - you'll agree - barely even a likeness!
>>> Please note that the venue for the plaque unveiling is NOT the Rainham Marshes RSPB Centre as previously advertised.
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Jonathan Catton (Thurrock Museum), 22/02/2012 |
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