THIS week in Down Memory Lane we recall the start of the Thurrock Local History Society and its celebration next week, having reached its 60th anniversary.

I can recall attending my first society meeting in 1965 when it met in the reading room of the old library in Grays.

Aubrey Saunders was the chairman, JG Betty vice-chairman, secretary Eileen Suckling, membership secretary K J Savage, auditor Reg Fowler and officers of the committee Mrs E M Bannister, Mrs A V Worsley, Mr K A Bannister, Dr M J Catton (my father), Mr J R Hayston, editor of the journal, Mr W E Bannister and Randal Doyle.

The patrons of the society were Sir Mortimer Wheeler, F G Emmerson and A C Edwards all notable archaeologists and historians.

The society has maintained a lecture series each year, summer outings to historical sites and in 2011 published its 50th edition of Panorama – the journal which features a wide range of articles on Thurrock’s past.

My featured photograph was taken by The Gazette in 1955 when the archaeologist Kenneth Barton discovered Roman pottery at Linford and showed the artefacts of to the society members.

The Linford dig later restarted in 1965 and is known as the Mucking Excavations (where I cut my field archaeology teeth!) which were not completed until 1978. I recognise Aubrey Saunders on the left and Kenneth Barton in the white shirt, but who are the others?

The next lecture at the society, held at Thurrock Adult Community College, Richmond Road, Grays, is today (Friday, October 19), at 8pm on the Parish Church and Medieval Life by Jennifer Ward – all new members are welcome.