Archive
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Colchester: Estate residents in wreck plea
A dumped car, set on fire by vandals, has been upsetting residents for two months. Residents in Prospero Close, off Hamlet Drive, on the Greenstead estate in Colchester, are livid about the eyesore and Colchester Council's failure to move it. They say
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Braintree: Two killed in holiday crash
A family's bank holiday trip turned to tragedy after a horror road smash in which two women died. Louisa Clowes, 88, died at the scene of the crash and a mercy dash by air ambulance to Colchester Hospital was unable to save the life of fellow passenger
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Tiptree: Missing man found
Missing diabetic David Disley has been found safe and well by a police patrol. Mr Disley, 63, of Chesnut Way, Tiptree, had not been seen since Monday but was spotted by officers walking along a street in Tolleshunt D'Arcy, four miles from his home, shortly
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Rail disaster fears over hanging trees
Commuters could be killed if spring gales blow down massive poplar trees on to the train line at Leigh, neighbours feared today. They complained that Southend Council was neglecting the area and pleaded for the most dangerous looking branches to be cut
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Soccer: Clash of the titans for Senior Cup final
It's a ding-dong local derby between Bowers United and Great Wakering Rovers in the final of the Schweppes Essex Senior League Cup. The game will be staged at the Thames Road, Canvey, home of Concord Rangers on Saturday April 17. Village side Wakering
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Firm Shells out for Basildon Athletic Club
Basildon Athletic Club has received a £450 donation to help buy a new minibus. The donation came after a team manager whose husband works for Shell UK Ltd applied for a special grant from Shell Employee Action - a scheme which promotes volunteering and
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Fascinating date with posh frocks
Going to see Fascinating Aida is like getting invited to a posh party which quickly gets out of control. The hosts, all sequinned frocks and nice hair, try hard to be well behaved, but as the evening goes on they just can't help being naughty. FA are
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Witham woman's desert trek raises £7,000
A Witham woman and her mother have raised £7,000 for the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths after completing a trek through the Jordan desert. Alison Hayes, of Laburnum Way, embarked on the trek of more than 110km in memory of her son, Sam, who
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Jaywick: Mum may take up private legal fight
The mother of schoolboy Richard Bryant - shot in the head while playing war games with friends - may take civil action against the teenager who pulled the trigger. Mandy Bryant is upset that police have decided to take no action against the 14-year-old
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Basildon: 99p films in cinema war
Robins cinema is to get a £22,000 revamp in a bid to bring the audiences back to the town centre cinema. Midweek prices are also being slashed to as little as 99p for top name films in a move to attract more filmgoers. The Basildon cinema is now under
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Canvey: Probe into home blaze
An arson investigation was today under way after a fierce blaze shattered the windows of a home. Fire crews from Canvey and Hadleigh were called out yesterday afternoon after reports that a shed was alight in Lakeside Path, Canvey. They arrived to find
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Soccer: Iron second best to the Islanders
The possibility of at least a couple of their injured players being able to return for the visit of League leaders Canvey Island on Monday was not forthcoming, and indeed the Braintree side was further weakened by the absence of Simon Milton. So it was
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Woman fights Southend sex attacker
A sex fiend who pinned a woman to the pavement and tried to kiss her is being hunted by police. The 40-year-old woman only managed to escape the clutches of her attacker by stabbing him with a brooch pin as he tried to force himself on her. The incident
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Witham, Maldon: Vandal attacks anger
Vandals made a playground unusable and destroyed a children's nature project during two separate attacks in Witham and Maldon. In the first incident thugs smeared dog mess over equipment at a play area in Bramble Road, Witham. Outraged Robin Brown noticed
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Wickford: School gives fundraising a try
A signed England rugby ball is being offered for display to raise money for a Wickford school. Deputy head of Wickford Church of England School in Mount Road, Christine Daniel, is an honorary steward at Twickenham, showing people to their seats and helping
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Rallycross: Ward's happy Easter
Braintree rallycross driver Dave Ward made amends after retiring in the first round of the Compomotive Motorsport Wheels Rallycross championship by taking a resounding win in the second round held at Lydden Hill, Dover, on Bank Holiday Monday. Dave was
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Timetable for Colchester United's stadium
After more than a decade of searching, a new home for Colchester United is finally on the cards. Planners have drawn up a timetable and are hoping construction will begin as early as next year. Within three years, the ground should be built. Converted
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Southend: Stop the bombing plea from local UN
Leaders of a campaigning pressure group in Southend have backed growing calls to stop the bombing of Serbia. Ron Montague, vice chairman of the United Nations Association Southend branch, said he felt the Nato air campaign had intensified the problem
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Southend: Barge event in the doldrums
An urgent call has gone out for volunteers to help organisers of a tradition sailing match keep their event going this year. A combination of problems has left leaders of Southend annual Thames sailing barge match committee worried about the future of
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Castle Point: Tough line on thugs
Police today warned they would take a tough line on troublemakers in Castle Point. The pledge followed two attacks in one afternoon on friends out walking in Rushbottom Lane, Benfleet. The 16-year-old and 18-year-old were verbally abused and punched by
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Basildon: Vandals strike at young trees
Trees in Langdon Hills have been vandalised just weeks after they were planted following another attack. Vandals struck again outside the Nightingales shops. Some of the trees have been twisted, others uprooted and left lying on the ground, while three
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Gymnastics: Carousel gymnasts all make the grade
Outstanding results were achieved by Wickford-based Carousel Gymnastic Club at the regional grades championship Hemel Hempstead. Every gymnast was placed and gained a distinction. In level three, Emma Jagger was in excellent form, winning on every piece
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Angling: Peck's in order for cracking carp
Basildon angler Michael Peck crowned seven years of carp fishing with the elusive 20lb plus specimen he has been searching for. Michael's big fish, a mirror of 20lb 7oz, came during an evening session at Basildon's Northlands Park lake from a swim on
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Soccer: Colchester lose their Wiles
Promising Colchester United youngster Ian Wiles is out for the rest of the season with a broken arm. The 19-year-old, a first-year professional, fractured his forearm during the U's reserves 2-1 win at Ipswich reserves and he is now in plaster. U's assistant
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Motorcycling: Gary's first race win
Snetterton was the venue for the third round of the British Motor Cycle Racing Clubs Championship held over the Easter weekend. Marks Tey's Gary Waylen was in action following his impressive start at Lydden Hill two weeks previously, but had been unable
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Athletes rising to a fresh challenge
If you fancy competing in a new concept in multi-sport team challenges look no further than the Hi-Tec Adventure Racing Series. The Southend-based sports shoe manufacturer is bringing the American event to Britain for the first time next month. Adventure
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Soccer: Maldon eye promotion
Three seasons ago Maldon were in the Essex Senior League. Now manager Ben Embery believes they are ready to step up into the Southern League. They will probably finish midway in the Jewson Premier, along with Halstead, who they drew 1-1 with at home in
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Soccer: Boiling point at Clacton!
Derby day passion threatened to boil over at Clacton during the home side's 1-1 draw with Brightlingsea. The two benches had to be pulled apart after an incident involving Seasiders' defender Andy McDonald and Brightlingsea boss Gary Harvey. Harvey appeared
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Westcliff biker was over the limit
Clumsy Karl Wood caught the attention of police when he failed to negotiate a bend on his motorbike as he had left the stand down, a court heard. Wood, 18, of Hornby Avenue, Westcliff, got into trouble as he tried to corner his Yamaha motorbike while
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Castle Point: CAB scoops top training accolade
Castle Point's Citizens Advice Bureau has become one of the first in Britain to be recognised with a prestigious Investors in People award. The national award recognises commitment by organisations to improve business performance by developing the staff
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Whipping up a storm . . .
On the eve of his latest venture in the business of nightclubs, JANE O'CONNELL talks to wild DJ turned suited entrepreneur Dick de Vigne Nightclub king Dick de Vigne has a rakish charm which is surprisingly disarming. But then the 50-something former
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Southend: Electric shock man fights for life
A man who suffered massive burns when he was nearly electrocuted on a railway line was yesterday still fighting for his life in hospital. The 48-year-old man from Southend, who has not been named, suffered massive burns in the incident on Easter Sunday
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South Essex: Bank holiday hell on wheels
Day-trippers, DIY fanatics and bikers caused bank holiday chaos as they jammed the A127. Choking traffic congestion created some of the worst jams seen so far this year and traffic police today warned things are only set to get worse as the summer arrives
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Maldon: No-one wants the Carnival Queen crown
Maldon Carnival could be without a queen and princesses for the new millennium. Despite appeals, there has not been one entry and -- with a week to go to selection night on April 17 -- court chaperone Elaine Staines has issued an urgent appeal for girls
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Harwich: Coffee burns baby flown to hospital
A baby girl was flown to hospital after suffering burns at Harwich International Port. The six-month-old child was sitting in her mother's lap in the terminal building when she was scalded on the head and face by hot coffee. Staff at the port called the
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Essex anti-waste burning alliance set to grow
Castle Point looked set to join a number of other councils across Essex last night to campaign against the burning incinerator issue. Councillors at last night's environmental health committee are expected to agree to sign up to the Essex Waste Consortium
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Benfleet: March on secure unit site
Hundreds of angry demonstrators are expected to join an emotionally-charged march today against controversial plans to build an £8 million mental home in North Benfleet. The protesters are determined to show that feelings are still running high against
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Soccer: Lua Lua loses cool as U's feel the heat
Colchester United's teenage sensation Lomana Tresor Lua Lua paid the ultimate price for one moment of costly Easter Monday madness - he was sent off for stupidly kicking Burnley's Paul Cook. It cost him and his U's team-mates three crucial second division
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Stanford-le-Hope: Agency staff to be laid off at BP
Around 40 workers at BP's Coryton refinery near Stanford-le-Hope are to lose their jobs, it has been revealed. The temporary agency staff are being laid off from Monday as part of a cost-cutting exercise - but no permanent staff will be affected, the
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Soccer: Witham win Essex derby
For most of the first half of Bank Holiday Monday's Essex derby match, it was end to end football and there was little to choose between the teams. The only goal of the first period came on the half hour when Olley Sanders the Dragons goalkeeper failing
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Basildon and Tilbury lead new development
Innovative community projects in Basildon and Tilbury are being used as a benchmark for other schemes across the country. Eight new Government agencies have been set up nationwide to build on the success of various programmes already under way. They aim
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Basildon: Candidates line up for coming council election
Nominations have been coming in for the Basildon Council elections - now less than a month away! They include Labour's candidate in Laindon, Tony Bennett. He is 31 years old and married with one son. He was born in Tottenham, London, and moved to Basildon
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Security alert causes M25 motorway mayhem
Tailbacks of up to 15 miles are frustrating commuters on the M25 this morning after a security alert at the Dartford crossing. Toll booths for both the river and tunnel crossings have been closed, causing massive congestion on London's orbital motorway
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Southend: 3,000 bikers born to be mild
More than 3,000 bikers got their motors running and hit the highway to Southend to raise money for Little Haven children's hospice. Young and old motorcyclists roared down to the seafront after covering a 45 mile route from the Ace Cafe on London's North
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Wickford: Fire station arson attack
Security was today being stepped up at trouble-hit Wickford fire station after yobs launched another attack on the building. Arsonists broke into the yard and set two cars ablaze in the latest incident. Fire bosses today said they believed the town's
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Rayne: First flies, now fly spotters!
The village of Rayne has a bizarre new tourist attraction - fly spotting. People became curious after This Is Essex's story of villagers battening down the hatches because they were being plagued by a swarm of flies. And businesses have been visited by
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Dartford: Crossing bomb alert brings motorway mayhem
Traffic queues stretched back for miles today as a bomb alert brought parts of the south east's main road artery to a standstill. The M25 was thrown into chaos after the Dartford river crossing was completely shut off during the height of rush hour. The
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Colchester: We can't forgive Karl's killer
The devastated family of a young man murdered outside a pub today spoke of their grief. And they said they would never forgive the man who killed him. Karl Morris, 23, suffered a fractured skull in a fight outside the Queen's Arms pub in Great Cornard
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40-15 to the Beeb's weekend
For days in the build up to Easter, we had been bombarded, but hardly excited, by previews of the BBC's exclusive double-bill of the Varsity Boat Race and the Davis Cup. On paper it titillated the anticipatory nerves as much as the now normal diet of
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Soccer: Ipswich have Premiership in sight
The big time is in sight for Ipswich if they can tame the beast that is their fear. It is quite simple - they must not worry about what Bradford are doing and win their next six games. Ipswich are going great guns, and 31 points from a possible 36 since
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Soccer: Stadium hope for Colchester
Plans for a new multi-million pound home for Colchester United could be submitted within weeks. A 30-acre site for the new ground has been earmarked on council-owned land near the A12 at Cuckoo Farm and an outline planning application is on the verge
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Billericay: Strawberry tree is sick say builders
Developers hoping to pull down a rare strawberry tree on the site of the former St Andrew's Hospital today defended their actions. Laing Homes, which is building a 128-home estate where the Billericay Burns Unit once stood, decided to issue a statement
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Angling: Warm weather improves fishing conditions
As predicted last week the warmer weather has increased the water temperature and the fish have become more active and starting feeding well. The Saturday Fennes open attracted nineteen anglers and Kevin Baker (Browning Trent Tackle) became the first
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Cricket: Cowan gives Essex boost
Ashley Cowan provided Essex with a major boost before their below-strength side suffered a 78 runs defeat at the hands of Durham in yesterday's 45 overs friendly at Chelmsford. It was not that the 23-year-old paceman produced a devastating spell. In fact
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Southend soccer fans slam security guards
A security firm was today branded heavy-handed by football fans after trouble flared between its guards and supporters at Southend United's Roots Hall stadium. Several callers phoned This Is Essex partner paper the Echo in disgust after an incident at
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Basketball: Swifts fall at final hurdle
Chelmsford Swifts depleted squad gave a wonderfully determined performance in the club's first national final before running out of steam to lose 60-39 against Wandsworth in Sheffield on Saturday. The game was preceded by huge controversy when the English
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Soccer: Newman keen on Southend return
Veteran Southend United defender Rob Newman today declared himself fit and ready to lead Blues away from the bottom of the Third Division table. The 35-year-old centre-half has missed Southend's last two matches, a victory at Leyton Orient and a home
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Rugby: Burnham's Scottish tour defeat
Burnham Rugby Club tour side played some great rugby at times when taking on the might of Edinburgh Academicals but despite a fine second half rally they had to return south having been defeated. Arriving on Good Friday afternoon at Edinburgh the Burnham
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Rochford: May Fair with '20's theme
There will be fun for all the family when Rochford welcomes visitors to its May Fair. It will held on May 2 from 11am and the day's entertainment will have a 20s theme. The music will be provided by the Liberty Hall Stompers and youngsters from Doggetts
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Mad about motoring!
Thousands turned up to ogle an array of gleaming motorbikes, trikes and classic cars at a popular annual event. Enthusiasts travelled from miles around to see the spectacle of dozens of classic machines. Between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors visited the event
