Archive
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Essex police concern over jobs
A police representative has expressed his concern about civilianising office-based jobs. Around 135 office-based jobs in Essex Police will be given to civilians and some staff not replaced when they retire. David Jones, chairman of Essex Police Federation
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Basildon: Praise for 999 link-up scheme
A scheme which allows people to use Basildon Council vehicles to dial 999 has been hailed as a huge success - less than a year after it was set up. The Emergency Link has been running since last April, although it was only officially launched in October
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Southend: Meet the fab four
These are the first pictures of the quads born at Southend Hospital. Proud dad Del Roffey, 29, of Sedgemore, Shoebury, said yesterday the babies were progressing well and two of them had been moved out of intensive care into the high dependency care unit
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Clacton cinema's £50,000 revamp
Clacton's cinema is in for a major £50,000 revamp. Flicks, in Pier Avenue, is having a new high-tech sound system installed in its main cinema. And in screen two there will also be major improvements. Flicks One already boasts the largest cinema screen
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Benfleet: Luvaduck! We had splashing time helping wildlife
Generous wildlife lovers have devoted their time to building a new home for ducks at a sanctuary. The volunteers were given time off work as part of the Ford in the Community pilot project and opted to help out at Benfleet Wildlife Sanctuary in Watlington
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East Horndon: Pensioner killed in A127 collision
Traffic police are appealing for witnesses after a 75-year-old man was killed in a road accident on the A127 at East Horndon. An Essex Police spokesman said a red Ford Escort estate was involved in a collision with the pensioner at about 7.55pm last night
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Linford: Worker foils armed post office robbers
Two robbers, one brandishing a handgun, were scared off when post office staff resisted during an armed raid at a village near East Tilbury. An Essex Police spokesman said the aborted raid happened at the Post Office and General Stores shop in East Tilbury
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Benfleet: Luvaduck! We had splashing time helping wildlife
Generous wildlife lovers have devoted their time to building a new home for ducks at a sanctuary. The volunteers were given time off work as part of the Ford in the Community pilot project and opted to help out at Benfleet Wildlife Sanctuary in Watlington
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Colchester: Tories call for action on road jams
Concerns over traffic congestion on the east side of Colchester have been passed on to Colchester Council. In an effort to ease rush-hour jams on Clingoe Hill, a group of Conservative councillors and party supporters have asked the borough council to
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Lorry drivers plan Essex road chaos in tax protest
Lorry drivers are planning to bring traffic to a halt at Easter in protest over the Government's increase in diesel prices and vehicle excise duty. John Tye and Gordon Stacey plan to head a convoy of lorries driving slowly from Harwich along the A120,
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A127 Rayleigh Weir 'most polluted road in region'
The A127 at Rayleigh Weir was today named and shamed as the most polluted stretch of road in East Anglia. Friends of the Earth claims the latest data from Government air quality scientists shows the section of the Southend Arterial Road has levels of
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Hague joins calls for Southend bypass
Tory leader William Hague today threw his weight behind calls for a new Southend outer bypass. On a whistle-stop tour of Southend, the former Welsh Secretary backed the blueprint to ease the borough's transportation crisis. He said MP Sir Teddy Taylor
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Soccer: Great Wakering stay top as race hots up
Although closest rivals Saffron Walden collected an 8-1 win at East Ham, Great Wakering Rovers kept their noses in front in the Schweppes Essex Senior League title race and Pitsea outfit Bowers also maintained their challenge. Village side Wakering, who
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Soccer: Burley hoping for video clearance for Ipswich player
George Burley is today hoping video evidence will clear Manuel Thetis of blame in a double sending off in Ipswich's 1-0 win at West Bromwich Albion. But it is likely to end in disappointment as Thetis clearly man-handled Albion's Sean Flynn during an
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Rugby: Punch leaves Basildon fuming
Basildon's classy comeback set up a mouthwatering Essex Cup Final against Rochford - but one of their star players could miss out after a punch left him with a badly-broken jaw. In-form Craig McLelland was taken to hospital after the one sour moment for
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Athletics: Colchester Harriers fly at Thurrock
Colchester Harriers ACs under 15 boys team produced a sterling performance at the Essex Young Athletes County Relays at Thurrock Stadium. The green vests won the bronze medals, a remarkable achievement as all the team were in their first year in this
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Dengie: Help for heart attack sufferers
The British Heart Foundation looks set to receive help from Maldon District Council in buying equipment to help heart attack sufferers in the Dengie area. The leisure services committee recommended last week that £1,550 be given towards the cost of a
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Cold Norton: Danger road junction improvements
Campaigners have welcomed a scheme to improve a dangerous road junction at Palepits Corner, Cold Norton. The scheme received Essex County Council's official backing last week, and officers said that the work could be carried out by the autumn. The junction
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Council orders graffiti clean-up on Colchester estate
Highly offensive graffiti in bright yellow paint has appeared on walls across an area of Colchester. The graffiti starts at Goring Road, and goes right across the St Anne's estate and Greenstead estate as far as Avon Way. And because of its nature, Colchester
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Colchester: Can some good come out of a wasted life?
There was a sense of deja vu. Despite warnings, despite a history of violence, despite previous court appearances, a mentally-ill patient had killed a man. He was let down by the system, the independent inquiry found. Little comfort to the family of the
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Colchester primary schools survey
A major survey on the future of primary schools in Colchester is about to start. The town currently has more than 1,000 empty places in its 38 primary, infant and junior schools -but pupils are still being taught in portable classrooms. Essex County Council
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Bocking: New campaign for church restoration
A fund-raising campaign has been launched by St Mary's Church, Bocking, to boost its £300,000 restoration appeal. Under the Millennium Challenge, people are being asked to buy shares in the church. In return, their donations will be recorded in a book
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Swimming: Golden girl Nathalie sets sights on USA
Southend swimmer Nathalie Brown is hoping her fabulous five gold medal haul in the Essex Championships will earn her a trip to America with the Great Britain squad later this year. Nathalie, competing for the Borough of Southend swimming club, boosted
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Soccer: Billericay seek revenge and a prize scalp
Billericay Town may be out of the race for the Ryman League Premier Division title, but could still have a giant say in its final outcome. Their remaining eight games include a visit to second-placed Sutton United tonight and they finish their season
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Soccer: Colchester battle to keep Brazilian star
Mystery surrounds the immediate future of Colchester United's new Brazilian ace Jose Antunes Fumaca. The exciting 22-year-old midfield wizard was being linked with a move to First Division Barnsley yesterday for a rumoured fee in the region of £300,000
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Colchester MP fights for darts
It has foxed so-called boffins for years, but for those who regularly step up to the oche, there is no mystery. Darts - sport or not? "Yes," say players and fans, but still "no" says the Sports Council. Since becoming Colchester's MP, Bob Russell has
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Soccer: One goal enough for Braintree
One goal was enough to earn Braintree three valuable points and put an end to the run of six games without a victory which had all but quashed their promotion hopes. The chances of Iron finishing in the top three remains on the slim side although a few
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Soccer: Harding hat-trick seals easy Ramblers victory
Steve Harding's second hat-trick in four days was the only notable feature in what was a one-sided affair. Saturday's game saw Stansted bring a side which reflected their current struggling circumstances. For 30 minutes though, Ramblers relied on early
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School sport: Thorpe Bay's four-midable cross-country show
Four boys from Thorpe Bay's Alleyn Court School performed with distinction in the Independent Schools Association national cross-country championships and helped East Anglia to win the under-12 boys' title. They all collected gold and an individual silver
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Vandals may force Wickford surgery to close
A Wickford doctor today warned residents to show some community spirit or lose their vandal-hit surgery. Dr John Harriott said people must keep their eyes and ears open to prevent the hooligans from striking again. Otherwise staff would have no choice
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Rayleigh: Buggies all set for big battle
Ingenious Rayleigh youngsters put their skills to the test when they took part in a "battle of the buggies" competition. Pupils from four schools in the town pitted their wits in the contest to design a rubber-band powered machine. The competition staged
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Double tragedy for Basildon family
A tragedy-hit family were today grieving for the second time in a year. Just over 12 months after 20-year-old Paul Lane was killed in a horrific car smash, his family were today burying his son. Three people died in the pile-up on the Benfleet stretch
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Southend man faces double rape charge
An unemployed man was appearing in court today charged with raping two women in Southend. Michael Mason, 26, of Weston Road, Southend, was appearing at Southend Magistrates Court following his arrest on Sunday night. He is accused of raping two women
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Castle Point: Festival aims to bring out creative arts
All the world's a stage and Castle Point will soon be no exception. Dancers, artists and musicians are limbering up for a spectacular arts extravaganza. SARAH HUTLEY takes a look at the preparations for this year's festival. Streets will be awash in an
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Canvey amenity site set to go ahead
A controversial civic amenity site at the gateway to Canvey looks set to be given the thumbs up by county councillors this week. Members of Essex County Council's planning committee will discuss plans to put the new site and recycling centre at Waterside
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Colchester cabbie's military idea for millennium
A cabbie has dreamt up an ingenious way to honour Colchester's military for the new millennium. The scheme would see the insignia of all past and present Army regiments taking pride of place on the town's busy Balkerne Hill. Taxi driver Douglas Morgan
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Canvey: Pupils plan doggie pooper-scooper protest
Schoolchildren are set to declare war on dog owners who allow their pets to foul in public places. About 30 pupils from Canvey County Junior School will stage a peaceful demonstration at Thorney Bay on the island in an attempt to shame dog owners into
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30 jobs to go at Crittalls
Around 30 jobs are set to be axed at Crittall Windows - one of Braintree's largest employers. Workers have been asked for voluntary redundancies but have not been given reasons by senior management at the Springwood Industrial Estate firm. Peter Stephens
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Basildon: Thieves smash hospice shop
Volunteers yesterday said they had "no words to describe" cruel thieves who smashed up a Basildon charity shop. They made a desperate appeal for help in replacing some of the damaged equipment at St Luke's Hospice's shop in Market Pavement. Staff were
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Getting their fill of service
For many disabled people being able to get about in their own car is an independence to be cherished. But with the almost universal switch to self-service in petrol stations getting fuel can prove to a real obstacle. With the help of disabled driver Martin
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Schizophrenic Colchester killer 'failed by the system'
A schizophrenic who killed a student in Colchester days after refusing treatment was failed by the system. An independent inquiry into the care and treatment of patient Michael Donnelly has listed a catalogue of shortcomings. And if the mistakes had not
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A120 sports car smash kills millionaire drug suspect
Helpless villagers looked on as fire engulfed a £640,000 sports car, killing its millionaire driver and two other passengers. Flames leapt from drug suspect Christopher Dawes's limited edition burgundy McLaren F1, after it crashed into a tree on the A120
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Heybridge: Come home plea to missing pregnant girl
The mother of a pregnant teenager missing from her Heybridge home, today made an emotional plea for her to come home. Melissa-Jane Rowe, 15, who is ten weeks pregnant, has not been seen since March 13 and is believed to be in London with her boyfriend
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Moves for chess to become sport
After a near thousand year wait one of the world's oldest and most popular pastimes is set to be recognised as a genuine sport. Chess, which is believed to have originated in the 12th century, could soon be rubbing shoulders with the likes of football
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Cycling: Poor weather decimates Grand Prix field
The 45th running of the classic Grand Prix of Essex cycle race over 102 gruelling miles at Halstead proved to be an absolute thriller. It produced an outstanding winner for Chris Walker, the British Criterium champion, who now rides for the high-profile
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Soccer: Martin blasts 'awful' Southend
Southend United boss Alvin Martin blasted his players' performances as "the worst of the season" after their last-minute 2-1 defeat at Darlington on Saturday. The Quakers sealed a deserved Third Division victory when home substitute Mario Dorner lit up
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Rugby: Mistley new boys perform
Mistley took the opportunity to introduce new players into the first team set up when local rivals Harwich were the visitors to Furze Hill on Saturday. Both sides made the best of perfect rugby weather to produce an open running game. The nine players
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Tendring: Don't bank on a 2000 taxi!
Millennium celebrations in Tendring could be thrown into chaos with no taxis available. A bid to allow drivers to triple their fares was rejected by Tendring Council and branded "extortionate". Now John Brigden, chairman of the Tendring Taxi Association
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Bellamy in Braintree
Celebrity naturalist, David Bellamy, paid a visit to Braintree on Friday. As well as attending a concert at St Michael's Church, he met schoolchildren and students at Braintree District Museum where he judged a competition to submit an environmental project
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Soccer: Police poised for semi operation
It's a big day in the Southend Wednesday League programme tomorrow with the staging of the League Cup semi-finals (2pm). Southend Police take on Great Wakering (Cupids Country Club, Great Wakering) with Basildon Post Office meeting Florida Sports at Gardiners
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Soccer: Duo to leave Southend?
Scottish striker Alex Burns and winger Adrian Clarke are the two players most likely to leave Roots Hall before Thursday's transfer deadline, Southend United boss Alvin Martin revealed today. Burns, who joined Third Division Blues from Dutch side Heracles
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Soccer: Fine Witham win
Saturday saw Witham record a tremendous win over one of the better teams in the league who have been holding a high position throughout the season. Most of the action came after the break after a subdued first half in which the visitors scored a hotly
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Soccer: Swifts slow further
With two enforced changes due to injuries to Liam Cutbush and influential midfielder Adam Gillespie, a different looking side took the field for Saturday's important game at Scraley Road. Referees rarely get the opportunity to stamp their authority on
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Soccer: Beacon Hill's sweet revenge
Table-topping Rovers travelled to OC's looking to extend their unbeaten run and to gain revenge for a shock cup defeat earlier in the season. Starting for the first time in four months was Steve Hennessey who resumed his long and successful midfield partners
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Rugby: Forwards key to Burnham's fine win
Saturday saw Burnham make the short journey to South Woodham Ferrers and returning with a fine win. The game started with Burnham over committing men from the kick off and leaving Woodham an easy run into the corner for a try. Burnham, however, remained
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Westcliff: MP's petition hope to save Palace
The Government was today drafted into the fight to help save the troubled Palace Theatre. Chris Smith, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, was handed a 6,000-strong petition by Southend West MP David Amess demanding funding for the Westcliff
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Thundersley: 'Thieves wrecked our school garden'
Children who spent hours creating a special garden at their school were today broken-hearted after thieves dug up their plants. Pupils at the Thundersley Junior and Infant School gave up their play times to plant dozens of flowers and shrubs around the
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Shoebury: Pupils make lots of dough
Pupils got a taste of the executive life when they ditched the school timetable in favour of business seminars. Year 11 youngsters at Shoebury High School were given the chance to enter the world of work by wearing suits and taking morning coffee as part
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Extra teachers in Southend
Extra teachers will be taken on in Southend thanks to an additional £123,000. The Government has given the council the go-ahead to spend the cash on recruiting extra staff so it can cut class sizes for five, six and seven-year-olds to 30. If the authority
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Witham station's £100,000 facelift
Witham commuters have welcomed the start of a £100,000 refurbishment of the town's railway station. Work has started on the first phase of the station's facelift, which is part of a £9 million Great Eastern Railway investment programme across the network
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Leigh flowers get less power
Less than 100 flowering baskets will decorate the lampposts of Leigh this summer - around 50 less than the previous year. Yet the fall in the numbers will cost more as Leigh Town Council trials a special hanging basket which needs less watering. Last
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Canvey: Barn dance for special Lourdes trip
Grab your partner and take them by the hand to a Canvey church hall this weekend for a fun barn dance. Money raised from Saturday's dance will go towards the trip of a lifetime for a group of sick and disabled people. A ten day visit to Lourdes is being
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Bosom Pals raise £4,000 for Southend Hospital
Southend Hospital's breast cancer unit is more than £4,000 better off today thanks to the work of a local fundraising group. Bosom Pals, the charity that represents the unit, picked up a cheque for £4,050 at the annual dinner dance of the Royal Antediluvian
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Suggesting a career change...
TOM KING meets stage hypnotist Julian Clark, who's so good he's been thrown off the stage by a hynotised security guard A man who pays the rent by hypnotising people on stage is hardly likely to be a dull stick, but Julian Clark has an especially curious
