Archive
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Pitsea man's ride on the wild side
The call of the wild is beckoning Pitsea man Richard Clarke to Namibia this summer. The 23-year-old, from Church Park Road, is heading to the African plains for a 400-kilometre cycle ride to raise money to help save the rhino, which is an endangered species
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Mersea: Bessie makes birthday sacrifice
Instead of getting presents for her last ten birthdays big-hearted Bessie Crowther has been helping the men who save lives at sea. On her special day since 1988, the well-loved pensioner has treated 20 close friends to a slap-up meal. But instead of receiving
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Future of Basildon hostel in balance
A hostel criticised by inspectors could close - or face a renovation bill of up to £1 million. Mellow Purgess End Hostel in Basildon cares for adults with learning difficulties. But an adverse report by inspectors last year urged the hostel to address
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Eastwood mum jets out to see jailed Paul
The young backpacker caught carrying a record amount of heroin into Australia has been visited in jail by his mother, it has been revealed. Pam Burchill, from Sandhill Road, Eastwood, flew out to Brisbane for just over a week to see her 20-year-old son
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More job losses at Colchester company
A second wave of redundancies is to hit a major employer in Colchester. Around 25 jobs are to go at Sound Attenuators, which makes acoustic equipment and is based at Eastgates. The announcement comes just weeks after 12 people were told they faced the
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Soccer: Hero Digger was one of Colchester's greatest
Colchester United's legendary 1947-48 FA Cup fullback Albert "Digger" Kettle has died. The tigerish "Pocket Battleship", whose home was in Fordham died early on Monday morning after suffering a stroke. He was 76-years-old. A fearless tackler with a sizzling
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Judo: Wickford club success down to DIY Pete
When something needs doing, do it yourself. That was martial arts expert Peter Hutchins' thinking when he searched in vain for a judo club for his son. Now, 17 years later, his son Adam is a black belt - and 63-year-old Peter, a judo fourth dan, is still
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Clacton hotel for asylum seekers
A hotel in Clacton is taking in asylum seekers while their cases are being dealt with by the Home Office. A number of families and individuals who have applied for political asylum from their war-torn homelands have been placed in the Chelsea House Hotel
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Basildon: Young thugs' deadly game
A couple and a youngster narrowly escaped serious injury after children as young as 11 hurled a concrete block at them. The man and woman, along with a child they were minding, were walking through an underpass in Takely Ride, Basildon, when the block
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Clacton hotel for asylum seekers
A hotel in Clacton is taking in asylum seekers while their cases are being dealt with by the Home Office. A number of families and individuals who have applied for political asylum from their war-torn homelands have been placed in the Chelsea House Hotel
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Woman fights off Ockenden mugger
Police are appealing for help in identifying a would-be mugger who attacked a woman in South Ockenden but failed to steal her handbag. An Essex Police spokesman said a 39-year-old woman was walking in the Derry Avenue area of the town yesterday when a
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Family feud led to Southend killing, court told
Bad feeling between two families ended with a man being stabbed through the heart in a Southend street, a court heard. Malcolm Walsh died from a single knife wound after a dispute erupted between him and another family living in the road. Mr Walsh was
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Mayoral delight for Southend art winners
Winners of an art competition received an extra boost when their prizes were handed over by Southend's first citizen, Mayor Nora Goodman. All entries were from the Southend Art Club's spring selection of nearly 200 works of art which are now on show at
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Hadleigh's van-tastic 4WD display
A van-tastic week-long display was held at a Hadleigh dealers. Godfrey Davis Renault staged the exhibition to display a range of adapted vehicles at their London Road showroom. The event was aimed at businesses, schools and residential homes that were
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Canvey Carnival loses a princess
Canvey Carnival organisers today urgently appealed for a new princess after the teenager chosen to fill the spot was forced to step down due to ill health. Amy Seaton, 15, has already been chosen as queen of the court but her princess Michelle Slate,
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Southend's royal arrangements
The flags are being unfurled and the bunting is going up for the Queen's first visit to south Essex. Delighted seafront traders are pulling out all the stops to make the trip a memorable one for Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh. The royal couple
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Mid Essex: Piccolo family back care inquiry
The family of murderer John Piccolo have welcomed news there is to be an independent inquiry into the psychiatric care he received. North Essex Health Authority chiefs have commissioned an independent inquiry into the care Piccolo received before he went
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Soccer: Colchester's Forbes goes Posh
Steve Forbes has joined Peterborough United on loan until the end of the season. The Colchester United midfielder links up with Barry Fry's Division Three outfit in a bid to get regular first team action. U's assistant manager Steve Whitton yesterday
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Soccer: Colchester's Forbes goes Posh
Steve Forbes has joined Peterborough United on loan until the end of the season. The Colchester United midfielder links up with Barry Fry's Division Three outfit in a bid to get regular first team action. U's assistant manager Steve Whitton yesterday
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Soccer: Police presence tripled for Colchester match
Police are tripling their manpower and some pubs may close when Colchester United host their biggest match for years. Although officers do not expect trouble at the sell-out ticket-only game against Manchester City they are taking no chances. Around 40
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Armoured vehicles coming to Colchester
Heavy armoured vehicles will be rolling on to the streets of Colchester. And in a second shock move, the longest-serving town regiment is also moving out of town. A highly-placed garrison source confirmed today that 19 Regiment Royal Artillery is leaving
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Soccer: Leaders Braintree fall to bottom club
Once again, Braintree's banana skin hoodoo struck and their promotion hopes took an unexpected blow with a surprise home defeat at the hands of bottom-of-the-table Wembley on Saturday. Just when they needed to recover from recent disappointing results
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Essex's RNLI anniversary goes with a bang
Celebrations to mark the 175th anniversary of the RNLI went off with a bang today. Harwich and Walton lifeboat stations were among the 222 firing a flare at 10.05am exactly to commemorate the birthday of the charity. The Douglas Lifeboat Station on the
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Billericay charity bows out with BBC trip
Billericay Business Exchange has finally closed for business - after completing the last task in its three year history. Exchange chairman Sue Cochrane was among a party of 10 schoolchildren who visited the BBC in London as first prize in a competition
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Dovercourt family in firebomb terror
A family were left terrified after youths threw a firebomb at their home. Grandmother Eileen Hoy was with granddaughter Charmaine, six, at her home in Abdy Avenue, Dovercourt, when the arsonists struck. Mrs Hoy was sitting reading when there was an "almighty
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Rayleigh pub has a dome of its own
Regulars at a Rayleigh pub have no doubt over what should be inside their own version of the Millennium Dome. They are petitioning the Football Association to honour the genius of soccer legend Sir Alf Ramsey with a statue. Landlord of the Traveller's
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Colchester's Cabbage Patch collector extraordinaire
Who says dollies are just for girls? Certainly not Darren Knowlton. The 27-year-old has amassed a collection of more than 650 Cabbage Patch Dolls at his Colchester home. Although he initially received some stick for his obsession with the chubby-cheeked
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Eastwood mum jets out to see jailed Paul
The young backpacker caught carrying a record amount of heroin into Australia has been visited in jail by his mother, it was revealed today. Pam Burchill, from Sandhill Road, Eastwood, flew out to Brisbane for just over a week to see her 20-year-old son
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Future of Basildon hostel in balance
A hostel criticised by inspectors could close - or face a renovation bill of up to £1 million. Mellow Purgess End Hostel in Basildon cares for adults with learning difficulties. But an adverse report by inspectors last year urged the hostel to address
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Armoured vehicles coming to Colchester
Heavy armoured vehicles will be rolling on to the streets of Colchester. And in a second shock move, the longest-serving town regiment is also moving out of town. A highly-placed garrison source confirmed today that 19 Regiment Royal Artillery is leaving
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Basildon: Young thugs' deadly game
A couple and a youngster narrowly escaped serious injury after children as young as 11 hurled a concrete block at them. The man and woman, along with a child they were minding, were walking through an underpass in Takely Ride, Basildon, when the block
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Rochford postie's finger payout
A Rochford postman has received a five-figure sum in compensation from Southend Hospital after its negligence led to one of his fingers being amputated. In August 1993 the hospital sent Vince Sach home twice from Accident and Emergency without proper
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Rugby: Brentwood avoid relegation
After the mauling that Brentwood had suffered at the hands of Barking in the Eastern Counties Cup the previous week Brentwood displayed a lot of character when they not only lifted their game but in so doing ensured that they are safe from relegation.
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Cricket: Mixed fortunes for Essex duo
There was conflicting news for two Essex cricketers this week with the announcement that all-rounder Ronnie Irani had been appointed as the county's vice-captain for the 1999 season. However, Essex captain and England vice-captain Nasser Hussain was feeling
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Rugby: Unlucky defeat for Burnham
Burnham travelled a long distance for an important league game to come away disappointed but not disenchanted, as once again they put in some fine attacks which just lacked that last few yards. The first score went to Sawston with a penalty kick and shortly
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Soccer: Ronnie faces ultimate test
Former Southend United boss Ronnie Whelan has the unenviable task of tackling the most expensive club side ever assembled in World football history in tonight's European Cup Winners Cup quarter-final. After turning his back on the hustle and bustle of
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Rugby: Injury problems mount for Braintree
Saturday saw Braintree able to field just five first choice players and the result reflects what effectively became a first XV v second XV fixture. As the season wears on Braintree's injury problems grow greater with yet another injury, this time to Billy
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Soccer: Hero Digger was one of Colchester's greatest
Colchester United's legendary 1947-48 FA Cup fullback Albert "Digger" Kettle has died. The tigerish "Pocket Battleship", whose home was in Fordham died early on Monday morning after suffering a stroke. He was 76-years-old. A fearless tackler with a sizzling
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Badminton: Colchester Open tournament
The Colchester Open Badminton Tournament takes place this weekend at Monkwick Sports Centre, Colchester. Play will be from 10.00 am to 6pm on Saturday and from 11.30am to 10.30pm on Sunday. The finals of each event will commence at 7pm on Sunday. Among
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Monica's coming to Lakeside
Monica Lewinsky is heading for Lakeside next week as part of a book tour. Her signing tour will take her to the County Bookshop from 11.30am on Saturday March 13. Tonight she appears on Channel 4 in her first UK interview on her affair with President
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Lakeside: N-Ice to see you
Shoppers faced-off for a meeting with stars from the London Knights ice hockey team when they skated into Lakeside. Players from the Superleague side were out in force to back the Knights in the community initiative. Hockey skills demonstrations, autograph
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Canvey mum's child abduction fear
A tearful mum has told a court of her horror when she feared her three-year-old son had been abducted. The Canvey mother told a jury at Basildon Crown Court that she felt "numb inside, scared and frightened" when she turned around and saw her child's
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Pitsea bomb: Quiz plea
Police were today applying to Basildon magistrates for more time to interview a suspected bomber. A 38-year-old man, from Epping, was arrested on Monday night in connection with a letter bomb explosion in Delhi Road, Pitsea. Kelly Diggens, 18, and her
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Soccer: Basildon's title bid boost
Basildon United pushed themselves right back in the Schweppes Essex Senior League title race last night when they triumphed 4-2 at Stansted. In wet and windy conditions at Stansted, Bees twice came from behind with goals from Paul Batt (2), Dean Sumner
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Soccer: Why Rapley left Southend
Kevin Rapley revealed today that the lure of playing football in a higher division made him turn his back on Third Division Southend United. The 21-year-old striker was expected to join the Blues for £50,000 from Brentford last week after hitting four
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Angling: Super-pike for Steven
Priory Park put itself firmly back on the angling map when a massive pike was brought to bank at the Southend water. Steven Williams, of Maldon Road, Southend, was fishing drifted roach deadbait on a 12lb line and size eight treble hook when he got the
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Cricket: Essex captain's soccer consolation
New Essex cricket captain Nasser Hussain shrugged off the frustration of being left out of England's World Cup squad by working off his disappointment with Premiership soccer club West Ham United. Hussain took the entire Essex squad to the Hammers Chadwell
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Rochford postie's compensation claim settled
A Rochford postman has received a five-figure sum in compensation from Southend Hospital after its negligence led to one of his fingers being amputated. In August 1993 the hospital sent Vince Sach home twice from Accident and Emergency without proper
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Tennis: Essex boys win promotion
Essex boys won Group 3B of the LTA Junior Inter County Cup at Sunderland last week. Their wins over Nottinghamshire 8-1, Avon 7-2 and Northumberland 6-3, gave them the title and with it promotion. Tom Higgins of Gidea Park led the team effort from the
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Swimming: Hero Callum goes for gold
Golden boy Callum Hanslip has notched up seven gold and two silver medals - and smashed six British records at the BT national junior swimming championships. Fifteen-year-old Callum, a pupil at Dycorts School in Harold Hill, now has his sights set on
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Soccer: Brentwood held by Hammers
The Blues beat East Ham 7-2 at Ferndale eight weeks ago and it seems they thought they only had to walk onto the pitch and Saturday's game would be won. However, they were in for a surprise, as The Hammers had other ideas. They went about their task in
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Swimming: Sarah leads the way for Runnymede
A gruelling weekend for Runnymede Swimming Club was capped with a night of moderate success - but no wins - in the Canvey Island Open Sprint Gala. The event, which followed immediately on from the club's own championships and the Castle Point Gala, saw
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Soccer: Colchester's Forbes goes Posh
Steve Forbes has joined Peterborough United on loan until the end of the season. The Colchester United midfielder links up with Barry Fry's Division Three outfit in a bid to get regular first team action. U's assistant manager Steve Whitton today said
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Bereaved Brentwood mum's health campaign
A Brentwood mother is campaigning for heart checks on all teenagers, after the sudden death of her son. Ashley Jolly, a 16-year-old pupil at St Martin's School in Hutton, died last May in his bed. The official cause of death was an asthma attack, although
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Braintree: Polly-Anna enters Army's male domain
A teenager from Braintree has fulfilled a lifelong ambition - by joining the Royal Signals. Polly-Anna Copeman, of Bradford Street, is joining the Army in May to become an apprentice telecommunications technician - one of the few women to join that branch
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Meals on wheels to increase by 5p
Meals on wheels charges are to rise, it was confirmed today. Essex County councillors this morning supported a 5p increase in the cost of every meal delivered to the elderly and disabled. The price hike will also affect the cost of meals served in day
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Police warning about bogus callers
Essex Police have issued a county-wide warning to the public in the wake of more bogus caller incidents. An Essex Police spokesman has urged members of the public to fit chains to their doors to prevent unwanted callers from pushing their way in. Homeowners
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Missing Westcliff man found
Police have confirmed that missing Westcliff teenager Barry Jenning has been found safe and well. An Essex Police spokesman said the 18-year-old, reported missing at the end of January, had been found safe in London. Police thanked the media for their
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Summer of chaos for Southend's commuters
Commuters and motorists will face a summer of chaos when a major repair job begins on a Southend bridge. Drivers can expect to run into long tailbacks when the town's main east-to-west artery is cut to one-way traffic controlled by temporary lights. The
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Southend casino plan scrapped
Jubilant campaigners today claimed victory in their battle to stop a popular Southend sports centre being revamped as a private members' casino. Protesters believe Tower Casino Group has bailed out of plans to convert Courtlands Park Country Club into
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Pitsea: Parents' meningitis funeral protest
The grieving parents of meningitis victim Mitchell Kemp say they were barred from viewing their son's body for four days before his burial. Distressed Sally and Roger Kemp claim funeral directors said there was a risk of infection. They have since discovered
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Essex student's jungle death still a mystery
The parents of an Essex student discovered dead in an African jungle are still searching for answers as to how he died. And following Daniel Saer's mysterious death more than 12 months ago, the couple, from Bures, near Colchester, warned that other adventurers
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Hadleigh's van-tastic 4WD display
A van-tastic week-long display was held at a Hadleigh dealers. Godfrey Davis Renault staged the exhibition to display a range of adapted vehicles at their London Road showroom. The event was aimed at businesses, schools and residential homes that were
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Runwell nursing home residents turn 100
It was celebrations galore at a Runwell nursing home when not one, but two of its residents turned 100. Violet Armstrong and Madge Borretts enjoyed a special day held in their honour at the Laurels in Church End Lane. Youngsters from Talents theatre school
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New Southend royals have got what it takes
Southend is preparing to celebrate its final carnival of this millennium and a bumper crop of teenagers have proved eager to wear the crown for the historic event. Fifty girls turned out at the weekend to compete for the posts of queen and princesses
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A big serving of help...
Running two restaurants, building a mosque and setting up a secondary school are among the achievements of Sheikh Abdul Khalique, as NICOLA TAYLOR discovers Step into the Polash restaurant on West Road, Shoebury, and you enter a comfortable and colourful
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Sparky act stirs it up in Southend
Some people will do anything to get in a club, but applying an angle grinder to your person is not advisable. Even if your person is armour plated, and even if that club is spanking new. That hasn't stopped Lucifire though. She's turned her party trick
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Back to the beginning...
TOM KING talks to playwright Michael Wilcox about his work, cricket and police officers In 1992 the playwright Michael Wilcox caused a certain flurry in Southend. The Palace Theatre, Westcliff, was celebrating its 80th anniversary and it commissioned
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... And you thought dolls were for girls?
Who says dollies are just for girls? Certainly not Darren Knowlton who has amassed a collection of more than 650 Cabbage Patch Dolls at his Colchester home. Although the 27-year-old initially received some stick for his obsession with the chubby-cheeked
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Swimming: Double gold for Andy
Andrew Smith won two golds and three silvers at the BT National Disabled Championships, in Darlington. The 4' 4" swimmer took gold in the 100m breastroke and 25m butterfly both in new championship times Seven of his times bettered existing world dwarf
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Badminton: Colchester Open tournament
The Colchester Open Badminton Tournament takes place this weekend at Monkwick Sports Centre, Colchester. Play will be from 10.00 am to 6pm on Saturday and from 11.30am to 10.30pm on Sunday. The finals of each event will commence at 7pm on Sunday. Among
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Southend class's lessons are just hot air
Up, up and away! Pupils at the Sacred Heart Primary School in Southchurch Road, Southend, had an unusual lesson when Lurpak mascot Douglas arrived. Douglas, the trombone-playing butter man, has taken on a new role showing children the delights of hot
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Essex student's jungle death still a mystery
The parents of an Essex student discovered dead in an African jungle are still searching for answers as to how he died. And following Daniel Saer's mysterious death more than 12 months ago, the couple, from Bures, near Colchester, warned that other adventurers
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Don't worry about Benfleet home, say health bosses
Bosses behind a proposed 54-bed home for the mentally ill have hit back at critics. St Andrew's Hospital, spearheading plans for the home in Pound Lane, north Benfleet, said residents' fears for their safety if the home goes ahead were unfounded. Families
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Braintree: Polly-Anna enters Army's male domain
A teenager from Braintree has fulfilled a lifelong ambition - by joining the Royal Signals. Polly-Anna Copeman, of Bradford Street, is joining the Army in May to become an apprentice telecommunications technician - one of the few women to join that branch
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Motorcycling: Southend racer ready to get back on track
Martin Dickens aims to bounce back from an injury nightmare and fulfill his life-long ambition of becoming a national roadrace champion. The Southend-based 32-year-old was odds on to lift the New Era championship title halfway through last season, but
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Basildon's 'problem pupil' school plan
Basildon's Fairview special school has been earmarked to be transformed into a centre for some of the district's most unruly pupils. The school, which closed to pupils last summer, and will be used as a special teaching centre for youngsters with severe
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More job losses at Colchester company
A second wave of redundancies is to hit a major employer in Colchester. Around 25 jobs are to go at Sound Attenuators, which makes acoustic equipment and is based at Eastgates. The announcement comes just weeks after 12 people were told they faced the
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Judo: Wickford club success down to DIY Pete
When something needs doing, do it yourself. That was martial arts expert Peter Hutchins' thinking when he searched in vain for a judo club for his son. Now, 17 years later, his son Adam is a black belt - and 63-year-old Peter, a judo fourth dan, is still
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Soccer: Hero Digger was one of Colchester's greatest
Colchester United's legendary 1947-48 FA Cup fullback Albert "Digger" Kettle has died. The tigerish "Pocket Battleship", whose home was in Fordham died early on Monday morning after suffering a stroke. He was 76-years-old. A fearless tackler with a sizzling
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Snooker: Top names in the frame for big night
Watch top snooker stars Jimmy White and Ronnie O'Sullivan in action - or join in the fun yourself. It is all possible with the Echo's Snooker Classic '99 event Snooker fans can pot themselves a date at one of the greatest-ever nights the sport has staged
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Basildon: Young thugs' deadly game
A couple and a youngster narrowly escaped serious injury after children as young as 11 hurled a concrete block at them. The man and woman, along with a child they were minding, were walking through an underpass in Takely Ride, Basildon, when the block
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Southend's royal arrangements
The flags are being unfurled and the bunting is going up for the Queen's first visit to south Essex. Delighted seafront traders are pulling out all the stops to make the trip a memorable one for Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh. The royal couple
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SOS health line on the internet
Stacks of healthy information is now just the click of a mouse away for internet users. Thorpe Bay GP, Dr Haroon Siddique, has spent months gathering information on everything from local support groups for rare conditions to chemists' rotas, and has now
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Rally to push for Essex recycling
A rally is being organised to pressure the county council into abandoning plans to dot Essex with incinerators. Campaigners will hold the event outside county hall in Chelmsford on March 13 in the hope of persuading councillors to consider other options
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Benfleet: Rail company under fire
LTS Rail has been accused of treating disabled people like "third class citizens" over its plans for a facelift to Benfleet railway station. Now Castle Point Council is to tackle the train company over improving access for handicapped travellers - and
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Date
Back to the beginning...
TOM KING talks to playwright Michael Wilcox about his work, cricket and police officers In 1992 the playwright Michael Wilcox caused a certain flurry in Southend. The Palace Theatre, Westcliff, was celebrating its 80th anniversary and it commissioned
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Date
Armoured vehicles coming to Colchester
Heavy armoured vehicles will be rolling on to the streets of Colchester. And in a second shock move, the longest-serving town regiment is also moving out of town. A highly-placed garrison source confirmed today that 19 Regiment Royal Artillery is leaving
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Date
Soccer: Witham share spoils in six-goal thriller
At half-time on Saturday, all looked well for Witham as they had dominated the first period and were holding a 1-0 lead. Adam Morrish gave Town the lead when he lobbed the ball over Police goalkeeper, Peter Lane and into the net. They twice again had
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Soccer: Burnham's title hopes fading
For 20 minutes, Burnham dominated their championship rivals, but they could not sustain this and ended with only a point to leave their title hopes fading. Ramblers began so impressively. Basildon's recent changes saw them looking ragged and square at
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Cash crisis threatens Thurrock epilepsy group
A support group for epilepsy sufferers in Thurrock may have to shut down because of a desperate shortage of funds and volunteer drivers. The Thurrock self-help group of the British Epilepsy Association has suffered two body blows in recent months and
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Soccer: Dyer consequences for Ipswich despite win
Gutsy Kieron Dyer played for 18 minutes and scored with a broken leg for Ipswich on Tuesday night. The 20-year-old midfielder who was recently called into the full England squad was carried off with a clean break to his left fibula (the outer bone) and
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Benfleet: Rail company under fire
LTS Rail was today accused of treating disabled people like "third class citizens" over its plans for a facelift to Benfleet railway station. Now Castle Point Council is to tackle the train company over improving access for handicapped travellers - and
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Date
Judo: Wickford club success down to DIY Pete
When something needs doing, do it yourself. That was martial arts expert Peter Hutchins' thinking when he searched in vain for a judo club for his son. Now, 17 years later, his son Adam is a black belt - and 63-year-old Peter, a judo fourth dan, is still
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Date
Soccer: Colchester boss wants Warren
Colchester United boss Mick Wadsworth will this week be pulling out all the stops to sign on-loan midfielder Warren Aspinall on a permanent basis. And a Friday afternoon call from struggling Division Two rivals Macclesfield seeking to sign Mark Sale has
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Youth soccer: Rangers turn up the heat on Gas
Fairfax Rangers stepped on the gas - and won their way into the Southend Junior League Under-12 Cup final. Rangers earned their spurs with a closely-fought 2-1 win over Methane Boys. Warren and Byrne got their goals, with MacDonald replying with a tasty
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Golf: Keeper Royce saves best for Stableford
Simon Royce has got used to keeping the opposition at bay on the soccer pitch, but has now achieved the feat on the golf course. Royce, formerly with Southend United, has recently established himself as number one goalkeeper with Premiership Charlton.
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Boxing: Evatts back on course
Matchroom boxers Darren Bruce and Richard Evatt recorded wins in Coventry on Friday evening. For Evatt, a win was crucial if he was to prove his first professional defeat, on points, at the hands of Smith Odoom in Poland a couple of weeks ago was merely
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Tennis: Southend trio defeated in cup semi-finals
A trio of Southend tennis players were pipped at the post in the Hertz #1 Cup. Cary Willson, from Westcliff, took on Scotland's Neil Rayner in the semi-final of the mens' 35 and over singles match, but lost 7-6 6-4. Neil was defeated in the final by Nick
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Motorcycling: Southend racer ready to get back on track
Martin Dickens aims to bounce back from an injury nightmare and fulfill his life-long ambition of becoming a national roadrace champion. The Southend-based 32-year-old was odds on to lift the New Era championship title halfway through last season, but
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Soccer: Dyer consequences for Ipswich despite win
Gutsy Kieron Dyer played for 18 minutes and scored with a broken leg for Ipswich on Tuesday night. The 20-year-old midfielder who was recently called into the full England squad was carried off with a clean break to his left fibula (the outer bone) and
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Cricket: Essex captain's soccer consolation
New Essex cricket captain Nasser Hussain shrugged off the frustration of being left out of England's World Cup squad by working off his disappointment with Premiership soccer club West Ham United. Hussain took the entire Essex squad to the Hammers Chadwell
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Date
Soccer: Why Rapley left Southend
Kevin Rapley has revealed that the lure of playing football in a higher division made him turn his back on Third Division Southend United. The 21-year-old striker was expected to join the Blues for £50,000 from Brentford last week after hitting four goals
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Date
Angling: Super-pike for Steven
Priory Park put itself firmly back on the angling map when a massive pike was brought to bank at the Southend water. Steven Williams, of Maldon Road, Southend, was fishing drifted roach deadbait on a 12lb line and size eight treble hook when he got the
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Date
Southend prepares for Queen's visit
A sea of amusement arcades, fish and chip shops and thousands of well-wishers will greet the Queen on her historic visit to the borough next Friday. Her Majesty will get a taste of Southend life when she takes a stroll along the Golden Mile on March 12
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Date
Southend class's lessons are just hot air
Up, up and away! Pupils at the Sacred Heart Primary School in Southchurch Road, Southend, had an unusual lesson when Lurpak mascot Douglas arrived. Douglas, the trombone-playing butter man, has taken on a new role showing children the delights of hot
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Date
Pitsea man's ride on the wild side
The call of the wild is beckoning Pitsea man Richard Clarke to Namibia this summer. The 23-year-old, from Church Park Road, is heading to the African plains for a 400-kilometre cycle ride to raise money to help save the rhino, which is an endangered species
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Date
Don't worry about Benfleet home, say health bosses
Bosses behind a proposed 54-bed home for the mentally ill today hit back at critics. St Andrew's Hospital, spearheading plans for the home in Pound Lane, north Benfleet, said residents' fears for their safety if the home goes ahead were unfounded. Families
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Date
Cricket: Essex captain's soccer consolation
New Essex cricket captain Nasser Hussain shrugged off the frustration of being left out of England's World Cup squad by working off his disappointment with Premiership soccer club West Ham United. Hussain took the entire Essex squad to the Hammers Chadwell
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Soccer: Dyer consequences for Ipswich despite win
Gutsy Kieron Dyer played for 18 minutes and scored with a broken leg for Ipswich last night. The 20-year-old midfielder who was recently called into the full England squad was carried off with a clean break to his left fibula (the outer bone) and is expected
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Soccer: Southend's Trevor Fitz the bill for Ireland
Southend United young gun Trevor Fitzpatrick is preparing to jet across the Irish Sea in search of international glory. The teenage striker has received a call up to the Republic of Ireland under-18 squad which is preparing for a crucial European Championship
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Motorcycling: Martin's ready to get back on track
Martin Dickens aims to bounce back from an injury nightmare and fulfill his life-long ambition of becoming a national roadrace champion. The Southend-based 32-year-old was odds on to lift the New Era championship title halfway through last season, but
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Rochford postie's compensation claim settled
A Rochford postman has received a five-figure sum in compensation from Southend Hospital after its negligence led to one of his fingers being amputated. In August 1993 the hospital sent Vince Sach home twice from Accident and Emergency without proper
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Trampolining: Trophies galore for Brentwood club
Cloud Nine Trampoline Club members were competing in the north and south in February and saw success at all levels. The club's month started on February 7, where they hit winning ways again as 24 of its members competed in the Essex Open at Harlow, and
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Swimming: Double gold for Andy
Andrew Smith won two golds and three silvers at the BT National Disabled Championships, in Darlington. The 4' 4" swimmer took gold in the 100m breastroke and 25m butterfly both in new championship times Seven of his times bettered existing world dwarf
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Badminton: Colchester Open tournament
The Colchester Open Badminton Tournament takes place this weekend the 6/7 March 1999 at Monkwick Sports Centre, Colchester. Play will be from 10.00 am to 6pm on Saturday and from 11.30am to 10.30pm on Sunday. The finals of each event will commence at
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Wickford bus-pass holders' compensation fight
A Wickford councillor has vowed to fight to get refunds for bus-pass holders after cuts to services left pensioners on a local estate virtually cut off. Cllr Alan Banton made his pledge at a crowded meeting of the Wickford Area Committee, in response
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Ongar: Conference centre's pitch battle
The long running dispute between villagers in High Ongar and the Mulberry House conference centre has escalated into a pitch battle. Residents are complaining over a plan to use land at the 18th Century former rectory for cricket. They say the square
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Brentwood: Pigeon poo presents perilous problem
Pigeon droppings littering Chapel High shopping precinct are irritating shoppers. At least one person has fallen over and others are victims of pigeons splatterings from their perches above the shops. Mr John Andrews, of Great Warley, has complained to
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Billericay: Police hunt off-licence heist gang
A gang who made off with thousands of pounds from a Billericay off licence were a ''well organised professional team,'' say police. The gang raided Threshers Off Licence on Bridge Parade, near the Gooseberry Green roundabout, at about 2.43am on Monday
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Braintree man dies in tree crash horror
A Braintree man was killed when his car hit a tree. And a Maldon woman was seriously injured in a separate car accident. Graham Stone, 34, of Goldingham Road, died while travelling along the main road at Willows Green near Felsted towards Friends Green
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Essex lifeboat stations to mark special date
Flags will fly at lifeboat stations in Clacton, Harwich and Walton as crews celebrate the 175th anniversary of the RNLI tomorrow. Flares and maroons will be fired and special anniversary flags hoisted at the Clacton and Harwich stations and the Walton
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Mersea: Bessie makes birthday sacrifice
Instead of getting presents for her last ten birthdays big-hearted Bessie Crowther has been helping the men who save lives at sea. On her special day since 1988, the well-loved pensioner has treated 20 close friends to a slap-up meal. But instead of receiving
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Colchester's Cabbage Patch collector extraordinaire
Who says dollies are just for girls? Certainly not Darren Knowlton. The 27-year-old has amassed a collection of more than 650 Cabbage Patch Dolls at his Colchester home. Although he initially received some stick for his obsession with the chubby-cheeked
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Ross backs Westcliff's Palace Theatre
Eastenders' hard man Ross Kemp today show his softer side by giving his support to the Palace Theatre. The Albert Square star, who plays Grant Mitchell in the soap, trod the boards in 1985 when he was a virtual unknown in the Palace production of the
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Clacton hotel for asylum seekers
A hotel in Clacton is taking in asylum seekers while their cases are being dealt with by the Home Office. A number of families and individuals who have applied for political asylum from their war-torn homelands have been placed in the Chelsea House Hotel
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Jaywick: Teenager shot with airgun on the mend
A schoolboy who spent more than two weeks on a life support machine after suffering a head wound from an airgun could be back home at the weekend. Richard Bryant, 13, came within a whisker of death when a pellet passed from one side of his head to the
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Runwell Hospital lands big cash handout
A £1.7m handout to Runwell Hospital has just been announced - even though it will close within two years. The money - part of a £113m allocation for the Eastern region, into which south Essex now falls - follows last year's review of forensic facilities
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SOS health line on the internet
Stacks of healthy information is now just the click of a mouse away for internet users. Thorpe Bay GP, Dr Haroon Siddique, has spent months gathering information on everything from local support groups for rare conditions to chemists' rotas, and has now
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Rally to push for Essex recycling
A rally is being organised to pressure the county council into abandoning plans to dot Essex with incinerators. Campaigners will hold the event outside county hall in Chelmsford on March 13 in the hope of persuading councillors to consider other options
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Mayoral delight for Southend art winners
Winners of an art competition received an extra boost when their prizes were handed over by Southend's first citizen, Mayor Nora Goodman. All entries were from the Southend Art Club's spring selection of nearly 200 works of art which are now on show at
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Canvey Carnival loses a princess
Canvey Carnival organisers today urgently appealed for a new princess after the teenager chosen to fill the spot was forced to step down due to ill health. Amy Seaton, 15, has already been chosen as queen of the court but her princess Michelle Slate,
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Spiritualists' joy in new Billericay home
Billericay Spiritualist Centre is celebrating moving into its first ever permanent home - with a visit from one of the country's top spiritualists. Judith Seaman, president and a minister of the Spiritualist National Union, will conduct a dedication service
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Sparky act stirs it up in Southend
Some people will do anything to get in a club, but applying an angle grinder to your person is not advisable. Even if your person is armour plated, and even if that club is spanking new. That hasn't stopped Lucifire though. She's turned her party trick
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Sparky act stirs it up in Southend
Some people will do anything to get in a club, but applying an angle grinder to your person is not advisable. Even if your person is armour plated, and even if that club is spanking new. That hasn't stopped Lucifire though. She's turned her party trick
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Frenzied attack on disabled Billericay man
A disabled Billericay man subjected to a frenzied and unprovoked attack by a 'maniac' in a classic car is lucky to be alive, according to police. Alan Smart, who suffers from epilepsy and paralysis in his right arm and hand, was attacked at around 8pm
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Swimming: Sarah leads the way for Runnymede
A gruelling weekend for Runnymede Swimming Club was capped with a night of moderate success - but no wins - in the Canvey Island Open Sprint Gala. The event, which followed immediately on from the club's own championships and the Castle Point Gala, saw
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Swimming: Double gold for Andy
Andrew Smith won two golds and three silvers at the BT National Disabled Championships, in Darlington. The 4' 4" swimmer took gold in the 100m breastroke and 25m butterfly both in new championship times Seven of his times bettered existing world dwarf
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Soccer: Basildon's title bid boost
Basildon United pushed themselves right back in the Schweppes Essex Senior League title race on Tuesday night when they triumphed 4-2 at Stansted. In wet and windy conditions at Stansted, Bees twice came from behind with goals from Paul Batt (2), Dean
