Archive
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Essex: Security mistake hits Queen's visit
A blunder which saw Essex County Council's private security arragements posted on the web was today magnified as it was revealed the Queen may visit one location featured within weeks. Yesterday, the it was revealed that sensitive information about CCTV
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Braintree, Witham: Dramatic drop in dumped cars
A crackdown on abandoned vehicles in the Braintree and Witham areas has led to a dramatic drop in the number of cars cluttering up the roadside. But council chiefs say they are still facing problems dealing with false reports of abandoned vehicles. Tough
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Great Bentley: Residents angry at blunder
A company which produces porcelain models of village scenes has admitted to a blunder which left residents angry and confused. Kent-based Decor Art Creations upset Great Bentley villagers after advertising a crockery set it claimed had been designed for
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Castle Point: Debate on council's affairs
A meeting addressing the "state" of Castle Point will soon take place involving all the borough's councillors. The annual debate will be next Monday at the council headquarters in Kiln Road, Thundersley, at 7.30pm. Borough secretary John Waugh said "The
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Colchester: Mum's fears after burglars target home
A young mum has spoken of her fears after her home was repeatedly targeted by burglars. Lynn Guy says she is now too scared to stay in her Greenstead home after burglaries "cleared her out" on two occasions - once when she was asleep in another room -
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Colchester: War on drugs - spycams blow
Not a single drug dealer has been caught by a £20,000 CCTV system - because it is still sitting in its box Colchester Council revealed last May that it had won Government cash to spend on two portable cameras to hamper drug selling and taking on the town's
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Soccer: My door is always open
Southend United manager Rob Newman today offered Blues fans the chance to question him face to face. Some fans have been calling for the Shrimpers chief's head following Saturday's 1-0 defeat at fellow Third Division strugglers Carlisle. Upwardly mobile
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Soccer: Signet make the standard
Signet are a relatively new youth soccer club with a real ring of confidence about their future. For the Basildon-based outfit, formed in June 2001 by former Hullbridge under-18 boss Liam Quinn and another dad with just two players as they weren't happy
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Southend: Airport church may go
Controversial plans to completely demolish historic St Laurence Church to make way for an expansion of Southend Airport have been revealed. Make-or-break proposals have been lodged with Southend Council to demolish the 11th Century church to allow the
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Probe as choppers run into trouble
An investigation is under way today after two Army helicopters made heavy landings after experiencing difficulties. The two Lynx helicopters, from RAF Wattisham in Suffolk, landed in a field near Tillingham yesterday afternoon. A Ministry of Defence spokesman
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Pitsea: Vodafone rapped as tot nearly chokes
Mobile phone giant Vodafone had its wrist slapped today after a toddler nearly choked to death on a promotional throat lozenge. Linette Richardson, 35, of Lombardy Close, Pitsea, complained to the Advertising Standards Agency after son Ryan, two, swallowed
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Colchester: Call for more talks on surgery
Health bosses are to ask for plans to close a surgery near Colchester to be put on hold Members of Colchester Primary Trust's (PCT) board discussed plans for the Constable County Rural Medical Practice, which wants to close its Parsons Field Surgery because
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Soccer: Dunne - I want to get playing
Joe Dunne could be back in action for Colchester United by the end of the season. But only if his recovery from vital knee surgery continues to improve as it is at the moment. The U's favourite told the Essex County Standard this week: "I want to get
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Essex: Coastguard call-outs up
Coastguard call-outs where rescue services helped those at risk in Essex almost tripled last year. Figures for 2002, which were released this week, show that rescue teams were called out 283 times and they rescued 151 people. During the year 1018 people
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Tiptree: Road naming row over cancer child
A decision to name a street in Tiptree after a boy who died of cancer is to be reconsidered after parish councillors said the boy had not lived in the village very long. Chris Arnold, Colchester Council's transport portfolio holder, had agreed a new road
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Tendring: Moves to help farmers diversify
New moves are to be made in a bid to back struggling Tendring farmers who have diversified into tourist-related activities. They are being offered free promotional help to pull in the visitors - and even a specially dedicated website, if the response
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Braintree: Allaming experience for motorists
This is the animal which gave motorists in mid Essex an "allaming" experience when they saw it walking along the A120 near Braintree. Bizarrely it turned out the llama was on a sponsored walk with its owner Rosita Apasa. Essex Police and the RSPCA received
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Weeley: Tanker overturrns as wintry weather takes its toll
Explosive liquid started to leak from a petrol tanker which left an icy road and overturned into a ditch. The vehicle was travelling along Bentley Road in Weeley when the accident happened. Emergency services at the scene of the tanker accident It was
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Southend: Volunteers are sought by bureau
Southend Volunteer Bureau is hoping local people will make a new year's resolution to help others less fortunate than themselves. The bureau can offer a whole range of opportunities to choose from, including advice work, befriending, childcare, fundraising
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Wickford: Festive award winners
The best decorated shop, house and pub in Wickford for Christmas will be rewarded with trophies and rosettes today. The winners are: Best decorated shop - 1 Garbett chemist, 2 Medcalf's electric store, 3 Images hairdressers, 4 Geo's hair salon and 5 Prime
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Walton, Frinton: Top award for lifeboat officer
A lifeboat stalwart is to get a top award. Philip Oxley, secretary of the Walton and Frinton lifeboat, is to be presented with the RNLI's gold badge in recognition of his long and outstanding operational service. Mr Oxley has been a volunteer with the
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Maldon: Man, 20, swore at teacher
A young man has appeared in court after swearing at a teacher on school property. Gavin Foakes, 20, of Mundon Road, Maldon, admitted two charges of causing a disturbance at the town's Upper Plume School in Fambridge Road. Chelmsford magistrates yesterday
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Billericay: Guns warning as three arrested over 'sniper'
This is the gun believed used by three youths who have been arrested by police over a sniper who has been randomly shooting vehicles in Billericay. The three youngsters, who have not been named, were arrested after this gas powered BB gun was recovered
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Pitsea: We'll tackle domestics
Domestic violence on the Northlands Park estate in Pitsea is due to be tackled by a drama group and police. Pitsea police have received £3,000 from Interlock Northlands Park to produce a video raising awareness of domestic violence and encouraging residents
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Clacton: Pub-restaurant plan put on ice
Major plans to develop a Clacton town centre site for a new pub and restaurant have been put on ice for the next year. Woking-based SFI Group - which operates the Litten Tree - has a lease on the former amusement arcade in Pier Avenue. The company was
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Colchester: Sacha loves the snow
The freezing temperatures may have put off some of their friends in other zoos but the animals at the Colchester attraction are taking it in their stride. Humboldt penguins in Chester Zoo stayed indoors but in Colchester it was only the babies, still
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Basildon: It's cold comfort for Rose
An 82-year-old widow told today how she has been without heating since being sent home from hospital ten weeks ago. Rose Day has been forced to wear a woolly hat and wrap up in blankets at her sheltered housing flat in Basildon because storage radiators
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Southend: Children tuck in at special party
Homeless children were treated to a slap-up party by Southend Taxi Drivers' Charity. The 30 youngsters from the town's homeless centre and women's refuges enjoyed clowns and a disco before a tasty hot meal. Tasty - Luke and Damion Baker have a great time
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Gymnastics: No slips as girls hit finals
When the Essex apparatus finals were held at Colchester, six gymnasts from Wickford based Carousel Club qualified at various levels. At Level Three, Wickford's Dawn Scholey became champion, winning gold for her dynamic vault and also taking first place
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Thundersley: Jag crash man in grit row
A driver who crashed his Jaguar after skidding on ice criticised the council's lack of preparation for the bout of snow. Nicholas Scott, 31, of Hart Road, Thundersley, smashed his 18-month-old Jag on his way to the gym yesterday morning. Plea - Nicholas
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Colchester: Smaller discounts on council houses
Thousands of Colchester council tenants could be affected by Labour's plans to slash "right to buy" discounts. The plans, announced by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, would halve discounts on buying council houses in property hot-spots. With 6,500
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Basildon: Fire chiefs celebrate clean bill of health
Firefighters in Basildon were today celebrating after being the only region in Essex to notch up a year free of fire-related deaths. It is the first time in more than a decade that the area - the busiest for fires in the county - has achieved the distinction
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Tendring: Drivers in icy road row
Drivers are angry at the state of the main road from the Tendring coast to Colchester after long delays getting into work They claim the A133 was not properly gritted to deal with Monday night's snowfall and freezing temperatures which made driving conditions
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Castle Point: Give sub heroes a medal!
Castle Point MP Bob Spink has demanded the Government hands out medals to those who worked on submarines during the Cold War. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Spink said: "Will the Prime Minister consider awarding a campaign medal to recognise the
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Basildon: 'Thieves stole my father's ashes'
A woman was left shattered after burglars stole her father's ashes while she tended to her terminally-ill grandmother. Michelle Shani, of Woolmergreen, Basildon, was burgled while she was at her grandmother's home. Burglars entered Michelle's house, taking
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Castle Point: MP cuts the tape at kids' club's new venue
Castle Point MP Bob Spink was guest of honour at the opening of a kids' club that has had to change venue as it is so popular. The Woodside Kids Club is now being run from Montgomery Infants School, in Rushbottom Lane, Benfleet, as it has a bigger hall
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South Essex: Roads close as snow hits
Heavy snow caused chaos across south Essex today. Roads were closed as blizzard conditions caused dozens of crashes. Snow way out - the wintery scene at Cranes Farm Road in Basildon today Picture: DAVE HENDERSON The A13 was shut by police at Bread and
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Braintree: Youths throw waste bags around estate
Rapid response "clean" teams were called to a Braintree estate after youths threw about 40 rubbish bags around a street. Margaret Horracks, of Stanes Road, said there were 40 bags strewn across nearby Camberton Road, by the garages and at the end of the
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Southend: Mencap backs 'parliament'
People with learning difficulties in Southend could soon have their own "parliament" to make sure their interests are represented in the life of the town. The decision to set up the forum was made at a conference for people with a learning difficulty
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Cricket: Waugh eclipses Irani's England
There was bad news for Essex skipper Ronnie Irani today as he captained England to defeat against Australia's Bradman XI. Australian captain Mark Waugh scored 108 to lead the Bradman XI past England's total of 279 for eight with three overs to spare.
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West Bergholt: New Co-op on the car park?
A Co-op store could be built next door to another Co-op shop. Colchester and East Essex Co-Operative Society has submitted a planning application to Colchester Council seeking permission to build a new store in the car park of its existing store in Chapel
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Little Clacton: War of words over blocked road ditch
A war of words has broken out over a blocked ditch which is causing a chicken farmer's field to flood. Bill Brown, who owns the farm in Thorpe Road, Little Clacton, says the ditch in Holland Road which runs beside his land is not draining because it is
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Colchester: Twist in the sale of pub
It will be the end of one era and the beginning of another one at one of Colchester's top music venues after the announcement The Twist pub in Military Road is being sold. Run by Kev Hiles for the last 12 years, he and his wife Hollie decided to sell
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Colchester: Temporary traffic lights for hill
A new traffic system will mean the temporary closure of a lane on Balkerne Hill in Colchester. Traffic lights are set to be installed at the corner of a road halfway down the hill which leads to the former St Mary's Hospital site. It will be used to allow
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Witham: Man left blind in one eye
A man who was assaulted in Witham has been left blind in one eye. The Witham man, in his 30s, was injured in the area of the White Hart pub, Newland Street, on New Year's Eve. He was taken to hospital with severe head and facial injuries and there were
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Basketball: Essex Leopards 76 - 73 London Towers (BBL Championship)
Leopards fans arriving at the Brentwood Centre on Sunday afternoon for the "derby game" were probably not filled with optimism. Recent performances at Chester and Birmingham had been below par and the record book showed that Towers had won the last five
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Soccer: Tilly stunned by late cup tie call off
Southend United's reserve team boss Steve Tilson admitted he was stunned by the late postponement of last night's Essex Senior Cup quarter-final at Conference League Dagenham and Redbridge. With fans already inside the Daggers' ground and the players
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Southend: Sir Teddy's fears for airport future
Southend Airport will close unless it gets approval for its latest plans, claims Rochford and Southend East Tory MP Sir Teddy Taylor. He said he was a strong supporter of the airport and believed the proposals were the best alternative. He added: "The
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Soccer: Caretaker Alan saves Irons school
James Hornsby School head caretaker Alan Turp came to the rescue when the two-day New Year West Ham in the Community Soccer School went ahead at the Laindon venue. For it was a case of "everybody in" when monsoon-like rain which hit the south-east during
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Southend: Exhibition brings horror of Holocaust in focus
A special exhibition at Southend Central Library in Victoria Avenue to mark the anniversary of the Holocaust has been opened by the town's mayor Alan Crystall. It is part of the commemorations which the borough is planning for Holocaust Memorial Day on
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Braintree, Stansted: A120 dualling work still on time
Work to dual the A120 between Braintree and Stansted Airport is still on track despite the recent heavy rain. Most major bridge and earth works were completed before the worst of the winter weather set in and most of this year will be spent laying road
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Angling: Hats off to open champion Busby
Basildon's Alan Busby went home £100 richer after claiming first place at Sunday's Ridley Angling products sponsored Gloucester Park Open. Alan, whose 18lb 2oz haul consisted entirely of roach, fished the incoming canal using pole tactics and caster baits
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Southend: Estate votes to install cameras
The troubled Woodgrange Estate is to get CCTV after residents voted overwhelmingly to pay for its upkeep. Estuary Housing Association, which owns the 600 homes on the estate where 27-year-old Barry Redsull died in November, has secured funding to install
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West Hanningfield: Incident shocked workers
The manager of an Indian restaurant whose chef was kidnapped and racially abused has told how staff and customers are determined to work through the trauma caused by the incident. Rupa Miah, 28, who runs the Baburchi restaurant, in Stock Road, West Hanningfield
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Stansted: Greer backs airport growth
An Essex councillor has been given a tongue-lashing by feminist writer Germaine Greer when he tried to enlist her backing for the Stop Stansted Expansion campaign. Alan Dean, of Uttlesford District Council, called at her Great Chesterford home hoping
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Billericay: Pedestrian is killed by bus
A teenager was killed after being hit by a minibus. The 18-year-old, from Billericay, was walking along the carriageway of the A132 at Battlesbridge last night. He was travelling north-east towards South Woodham Ferrers at around 11.35pm when he was hit
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Soccer: What a carry on for Tiptree
Tiptree United saw their fourth round Essex Senior Cup match with Waltham Abbey called off for the FIFTH time last night. The Chapel Road pitch was frozen as temperatures plummeted and Jam-makers manager Neil Farlie joked: "The players didn't have ice
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Shoebury: Secret coast open
A stretch of coastline in the historic Shoebury Garrison is to be opened up for the first time in more than 150 years as part of massive redevelopment. The 180-acre garrison site, including several miles of coastline, has been off limits ever since the
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Soccer: Billericay frozen out by weather
After the frustrations of rain, Billericay Town's plans of getting back into Ryman Premier action last night were scuppered by a frostbound pitch. Gary Calder's men had been hopeful of going ahead with their scheduled home match with Boreham Wood -- originally
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Witham: Use or lose bus service
Homes in the Witham area are being leafleted to encourage people to use a long-campaigned for new bus route to Broomfield Hospital - or face losing it. The 344 service from Witham, Hatfield Peverel and Terling to Broomfield Hospital and Chelmsford was
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Wickford: Face of kidnapper in carjack ordeal
This is the face of one of the men who carjacked a chef and subjected him to a six-hour ride of terror. Police have released the e-fit picture of one of the duo they believe kidnapped the chef before dumping him in a field. It is believed the image may
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Colchester: Increase in watch groups setting up
Nearly two people a week are looking at setting up new neighbourhood watch groups in Colchester. Dozens of new neighbourhood watch groups got up and running in 2002 and many more look like being set up this year. The current number stands at well above
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Benfleet: Forum ready to hear views
Benfleet residents were today urged to express their views on a series of traffic improvement schemes planned for Castle Point. The public will get the chance to give their opinions on a number of proposals that will be showcased at the Benfleet area
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Maldon: Second mosque may be on cards
Mid Essex could be getting its second mosque. The Maldon Islamic Cultural Association (MICA) is hoping to buy a cycle shop in Wantz Road, Maldon, and convert it into a place of worship. The registered charity is currently using the town's Labour Hall
