Archive
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Queen visits south Essex
Thousands of flag-waving well-wishers turned out to welcome the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to Southend on Friday. More than 10,000 school children, office workers and residents lined the Golden Mile to catch a glimpse of the Royal couple. Southend's
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Laindon school blaze: Was it arson?
Police and fire chiefs have been investigating a suspected arson attack at a Basildon school. The fierce blaze, at James Hornsby School in High Road, Laindon, began at around 4.30pm on Thursday and destroyed 60 per cent of the basement. Two fire crews
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Escaped rapist could be on the loose in Essex
A dangerous rapist on the run from jail could be on the loose in Essex, police have revealed. Andrew Crisp, 36, escaped from Lincoln Prison early Wednesday morning aided by accomplices. Police had thought he may be heading back to his home town near Nottingham
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Colchester: For Hippodrome read Zeus 2000
The Hippodrome nightclub in Colchester will be serving its last drink next month. After years as one of the High Street's best-known landmarks, the huge pink sign is being pulled down. The nightclub changed hands last year and new owner Steve Peri has
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Southend says 'Great to see you, Ma'am'
The Queen was greeted by cheers on Friday as she flew into Southend Airport. Around 200 excited well-wishers gathered at the entrance as Her Majesty made a historic first visit to south Essex. Some had waited for up to two hours in the cold just to get
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Basildon: Nice to see you again, sir
The man who brewed Prince Philip his early morning cuppa during the war met him again on Friday in Basildon. William Freeman, 74, first met the Duke of Edinburgh when they were stationed together on the same Navy destroyer during the Second World War.
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Soccer: Miltons experience helps Iron revival
After Simon Milton had put them in a strong position with two goals in as many minutes midway through the first half, Braintree gained their first win in six games at the expense of local rivals Halstead in the play-off stage of the Floodlight Competition
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Essex derby finishes with honours shared
Chelmsford Chieftains enjoyed their biggest crowd of the season with over 900 packing into Riverside Ice & Leisure for a thrilling battle against Essex rivals Romford Raiders last Sunday. Chieftains welcomed back captain Jake French after his shoulder
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Ex-police dog handler's witch hunt claim
A former dog handler convicted of cruelty to animals has claimed he was victim of a witch-hunt. Andrew White, 38, ex-head of police dog training at the force's unit in Sandon, on Friday vowed to clear his name, despite being found guilty of seven charges
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Chelmsford: Animal hospital plans opposed
A residents' group has been set up to fight plans for a mini-animal hospital for pet owners on benefits. The RSPCA has proposed to turn part of their charity shop in Maldon Road, Great Baddow, Chelmsford into an animal welfare clinic for pets owned by
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Mid Essex disabled groups' £300,000 lottery boost
Disabled groups in Witham and Maldon are celebrating after scooping almost £300,000 in grants from the National Lottery Charities Board. Witham-based Essex Coalition of Disabled People was celebrating on Friday after landing a windfall of more than £190,000
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Sad ending for Southend Palace
Actors andstaffchoked backthe tears as the curtain finally fell on Southend's oldest theatre. A production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night formed the poignant backdrop as the Palace shut its doors for the last time for nine months. A leading cast member
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Essex waste incineration row hots up
Protesters against the controversial Essex Waste Plan have issued a defiant rallying cry - Essex is not for Burning. Around 150 people attended a major rally outside County Hall, Chelmsford, against proposals to use incinerators for waste management.
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Table Tennis: Mays the master for Maldon B
Maldon 'B' became the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League's first champions of the season with a resounding 8-2 victory over their nearest challengers to the division three title, Danbury 'E'. Barry Mays carried on with his sensational form
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Doomsday for Rayleigh pub dome
The Rayleigh millennium dome is no more - doomed thanks to the demands of planning regulations. The miniature dome at the Hungry Horse pub in Downhall Road has had to be pulled down after councillors decided it would require planning permission. The dome's
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Cycling: Massive entry for the Grand Prix of Essex
The Chiron Diagnostics Grand Prix of Essex cycle race will take place on Sunday. The race will cover its usual gruelling course of 102 miles in and around Halstead, and this year it will be the biggest ever seen in East Anglia. This time there will be
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Underpass closure chaos after Rayleigh smash
An accident on the A127 caused traffic chaos with jams stretching back for miles. The smash, involving three vehicles and a motorcycle, happened on Sunday afternoon at the Rayleigh Weir underpass on the Southend-bound carriageway. A police spokesman said
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Southend: Two Davids know their chips
There may be 85 years between them but these two Davids have more than a bit in common. They have both become experts on the keyboard after completing a basic course in computing skills. Proving age is no barrier when it comes to learning new skills,
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Southend: Thank-you Ma'am - and come again!
A great day for Southend! That's how civic leaders today summed up the Queen's first ever visit to the town - with the hope that she and Prince Philip will return to south Essex in the near future. Up to 10,000 people saw the Royal couple go walkabout
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Bid to scrap Leigh Town Council
A campaign has been launched by a former Conservative councillor to scrap Leigh Town Council. Brian Isaacs, of Belfairs Close, a former Tory councillor, has delivered around 2,000 letters to homes across the town about the campaign. He claims so many
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Soccer: Magilton ready to sign for Ipswich
Jim Magilton will sign permanently for Ipswich tomorrow if he can agree personal terms with the club. Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday have agreed an undisclosed fee. And now it is down to the player himself to decide if he wants to stay and help the club
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Cricket: Flanagan to the fore
Essex batsman Ian Flanagan figured prominently in his first draw of the season on Friday. But the Colchester and East opener did not need bat, gloves and helmet for this particular contest. Flanagan, recently returned from a tour of New Zealand with the
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Badminton: Grange hold on to Basildon league top spot
With no pair remaining undefeated on the day in the men's third division meeting on Barstable's courts, Grange, though not engaged in this fixture, were able to hold on to top place in the Basildon Badminton League. Linden B's two wins placed them second
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Armchair students better by degrees
Students are spending too much time in front of the television - but they are more likely to wind up with a degree than square eyes. For Anglia Polytechnic University is using the goggle box to help deliver lectures to students living on the other side
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Chelmsford teenager drowns in Sydney
Mystery surrounds the death of a Chelmsford teenager who drowned in Sydney Harbour, Australia, just hours after telling relatives he was having the time of his life. Curtis Lovejoy, 19, who holds dual Anglo-Australian nationality, went missing on the
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Arson probe as old Clacton factory burnt out
Charred wreckage is all that remains of a derelict factory in Clacton. Fire swept through the former Valos staples factory in Crossfield Road on Thursday afternoon. Firefighters on four fire engines tackled the blaze which started at about 4pm. Plumes
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Soccer: Canvey's Parmenter protection plea
Canvey Island soccer boss Jeff King has pleaded for referees to give protection to one of the club's most priceless assets - striking star Steve Parmenter. The former Southend United youngster, who has played Nationwide League and Conference soccer in
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Independently minded . . .
TOM KING meets architect Brian Lee who, while loving holidays abroad, can see no good reason to be a member of the EU Few people who read 1984, George Orwell's vision of a totalitarian state ruling all humanity with the ruthlessness of a Stalin and Hitler
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Essex Police accused of cover-up
The family of a man who died after being thrown out of a Southend seafront nightclub have accused Essex Police of a cover-up. They are angry at how the investigation into the death of Jamie Collins was carried out. They have now been told that no officers
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Clacton: Gang attacks boy
A group of youths have attacked and robbed a youngster in Clacton town centre in broad daylight. The boy was punched in the face, hit over the head with a bicycle seat and threatened with a metal pole. Police were today investigating the assault and appealed
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Blackout means Mothers Day misery in Maldon
A blackout caused Mother's Day misery for thousands of residents across the Maldon area. Homes, restaurants and pubs were left without power when lights went out at 8pm yesterday. Power was restored intermittently until 11.30pm. More than 11,000 people
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Yachting: Maldon sailors at world championships
Maldon Yacht Club will have two representatives at this summer's world championships in Southern Spain. The husband and wife team of Tim and Kay Tavinor and brothers Iain and Richard Marshall confirmed last week that they will both be at Mar Menor in
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Boxing: Boxers tragic death
The world of boxing has suffered a tragic loss following the death of Richie Edwards at the age of 29. An accomplished amateur, southpaw Edwards challenged Basildon favourite Georgie Smith for the Southern Area light welterweight title at York Hall, Bethnal
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Ann's royal appointment in Basildon
A 93-year-old woman's life-long dream to see the Queen camne true on Friday - thanks to This Is Essex partner The Evening Echo and Basildon Council. Ann Myers, of The Knares, Basildon, was very excited when she learned of Friday's visit to mark the town's
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Crays Hill: I nose it won't hurt you
Hundreds of drinkers showed their funny sides when they took part in a mammoth Comic Relief fundraising binge. Crazy stunts and classic party games kept punters busy in the Belvedere pub, Hardings Elms Road, Crays Hill. Women wore pyjamas while men slipped
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Soccer: Colchester boss slams Macclesfield pitch
Colchester United boss Mick Wadsworth today slammed Macclesfield Town's Moss Rose pitch as "The worst I have ever seen for a Football League match." Angered and frustrated by his team's powder-puff performance when surrendering their eight-match unbeaten
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Rugby: Billericay are Twickenham bound
It was labelled as Billericay's biggest ever game - and a performance to match that billing earned them the greatest reward amateur rugby can offer. A date at Twickenham, England's legendary home, awaits the runaway Eastern Counties Two champions after
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Soccer: Nine-man Southend hold out for draw
Nine-man Southend United battled bravely for a point against Exeter City on Saturday as they kept their fourth consecutive clean sheet on home turf. Carlisle's Steve Finney was the last opposition player to find the net at Roots Hall on January 23, and
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Soccer: Martin sees red
Alvin Martin slammed referee Mark Warren for costing Southend United three points after Rob Newman and Mark Beard were red-carded during Saturday's goalless Roots Hall draw with Exeter City. The defensive duo both picked up a double serving of yellow
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Soccer: Main faces angry Southend fans
Southend United chairman John Main faced angry Blues fans at a specially arranged meeting at Boots and Laces after Saturday's 0-0 draw against Exeter City. Supporters demanded answers about the Third Division club's future following the imminent sale
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Southend: Palace Hotel revamp on hold
A £10m bid to restore Southend's Palace Hotel to its former glory has been put on ice until the autumn. Minor teething troubles were today blamed for the setback, though the driving force behind the project has vowed to start building work before the
