Archive
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Canvey: Detector plea to homeowners
Firefighters urged householders to install smoke detectors after a fire left a Canvey home badly damaged. The blaze, believed to have been started by a youngster playing with a lighter or matches, took hold in a bedroom at the house in Second Avenue.
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Brightlingsea: Fresh battle plans
More plans to save Brightlingsea waterfront from developers were tol be unveiled last night at a public meeting in the town. Jim Lawrence, the driving force behind a campaign to save the waterside and keep it as an amenity for the town, called the meeting
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Billericay: Cyclist attacks girl, 14
A girl has been recovering at home after an apparently motiveless attack in Billericay. The 14-year-old was walking up Bell Hill at 10.15 on Tuesday when she was shoved to the ground by a man on a bicycle who had sped up to her from behind. The attacker
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Billericay: Call for action at accident blackspot
Billericay residents have warned urgent action must be taken before someone is killed on the chaotic road outside their homes. They spoke out after yet another crash on Noak Hill Road which left a 45-year-old man with serious head injuries The street
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Running: Milton placed well
Richard Milton finished an excellent 71st in the Inter Counties Fell Running Championships, on Saturday in Derbyshire. He led home the Essex team which also included fellow Springfield Strider, Pat O'Connor who was pleased with his 108th placing. Andrew
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Boxing: Ayers, Callaghan and Cook at The Hilton
Matchroom boxer Michael Ayers will be defending his IBO lightweight title in London on Tuesday evening. Ayers will be topping the bill at a dinner show at the prestigious Hilton Hotel in Park Lane when he meets South African Mkuseli Kondile. Unbeaten
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Speedway: Aces visit Foxhall
Belle Vue Aces are the visitors to Foxhall Stadium tonight (start time 7.30) for a Craven Shield fixture against the Ipswich Witches and they look likely to provide the home side with another tough test. The Manchester-based club have had a disastrous
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Major new pub set for £30m Basildon centre
A major new pub is to take up a key slot in the £30 million Fodderwick shopping attraction. Work on the Fodderwick shopping centre is going to plan and nearly 97 per cent of the units have been claimed. It is hoped the majority of the centre will be open
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Rugby: Sponsors raise £750 for charity
Braintree Rugby Club closed the season during their annual dinner/dance with the presentation of awards last week. Before the awards were made, a ball signed by England prop Jason Leonard was auctioned, raising £750 for this year's chosen charity 'The
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Harold Hill: Hammer attack terror for brave jewellers staff
A brave shopkeeper was attacked with a hammer after foiling an attempted theft from his Harold Hill jewellers shop. Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened at about 3pm on Tuesday last week, at Hands On Jewellery in Farnham
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Mid Essex: Father and son cheat death in bus crash
A father and son were yesterday recovering in hospital after a remarkable escape from a collision with a double-decker bus near Chelmsford. The collision was in Danbury, between Maldon and Chelmsford. It left the bus - carrying six passengers - in a ditch
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Canvey: Flood theory gets that sinking feeling
Fears that Canvey could sink into the Thames because of global warming have been dismissed by a flood defence expert. A new report by the Green Party claimed the island could be submerged as the Earth's climate warms up, melting polar ice-caps and forcing
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Colchester: Mayor Martin takes fresh guard
Colchester's millennium mayor has been sworn in at the traditional ceremony at the town hall. Liberal Democrat Martin Hunt was formally voted in and handed the robes and badge of office by outgoing mayor David Cannon. Mr Hunt, who has represented the
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Chelmsford: Hope for Holly across the Atlantic
The parents of a young brain tumour victim proved British medical experts wrong when their daughter was saved by an American surgeon. Holly Crisp, eight, of Writtle, Chelmsford, is back home having received a successful operation to remove a tumour on
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Southend: Burglar almost crippled BT office
A young man was yesterday starting a two-year prison sentence for taking part in a "sophisticated" burglary which nearly crippled British Telecom House. The break-in caused hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage to the Southend office's computers
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Pitsea: Deathtrap well is left unfilled
A woman has criticised authorities for not acting swiftly to fill in a dangerous well which almost claimed the life of her dog. German Shepherd Inca spent six hours yelping for help and trying desperately not to drown after tumbling into the 6ft deep
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Jaywick: Eileen vows protest at No 10 to stop council
Defiant pensioner Eileen Murphy says she is willing to lie down on the steps at 10 Downing Street to protest at the plan to set up a parish council at Jaywick. A petition opposing the scheme was signed by 111 residents - only one person was in favour.
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Cricket round-up: Comfortable win at Copford
On Sunday, Braintree completed a 39 points haul for the weekend by comfortably deflating Copford by eight wickets. After a slow start to their innings, Copford eventually reached a respectable 180-8 from their 45 overs, with G Broomfield making 71. For
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Tennis: A Wimbledon day to remember
As part of the LTA's Play Tennis 99 week, Hutton & Shenfield Union Church Tennis club provided free coaching for 40 under 12s on Saturday, May 1. Karen Finch, the club coach, nominated 10-year-old Sophie Adams of Hutton and 10-year-old Frank Claydon
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Tennis: Simon has mixed luck
There were mixed fortunes for Thorpe Bay's Simon Cuthbert when he joined the Essex under-18 squad which took on Norfolk. Watched by the club's tennis professional Jon Lee, Simon won one game and lost another in the singles as Essex were beaten 7-1. Thorpe
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Swimming: Killerwhales are top club at the Palace
The Killerwhales were crowned "Top Club" at the Southern Counties Championships at Crystal Palace over the weekend. At the end of the first half of the Southern Championship series all the senior and junior events were finished, and a hurried look at
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Laindon: Man dies in crash
A man died today after his car collided with a parked trailer. Police were today informing relatives and next-of-kin of the man, in his 60s, who was driving a blue Ford Sierra down Bramston Link in the Southfields industrial area, Laindon, towards Christy
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Hadleigh: Police defend baton arrest
Three police officers have described how they hit a man at least six times with batons in a bid to arrest him. One officer told a jury that she swung her baton at Paul Peters "like a baseball bat" and hit him as hard as she could, but with little effect
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Billericay: Man cleared of stalking charge
A businessman has been cleared of stalking his ex-girlfriend after insisting she shone a 'green light' for him to continue the relationship. Stephen Darby, of Roman Road, Brentwood, maintained Marie Natusch, of Billericay, encouraged his affections -
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Jaywick: Sea defences ahead of schedule
A multi-million pound project to improve Jaywick sea defences is ahead of schedule. The scheme, costing more than £8 million, should be completed in the next six weeks and will protect 2,000 homes from the sea. In 1953 the defences were breached with
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Soccer: Colchester season ticket savings
Colchester United today reminded fans to take advantage of their special pre-season offer by purchasing season tickets before June 11. Anyone doing so can make a saving of between £5-£30 on the various season tickets that are available. A normal adult's
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Soccer: Dyer vows to stay at Ipswich
I'm staying. Kieron Dyer fired the defiant message as Ipswich's hopes of a Premiership place evaporated at an emotionally-charged Portman Road. The England under-21 international scored twice as Ipswich won 4-3 on the night but lost out to Bolton on away
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Soccer: Southend's Gooding calls it a day
Assistant Southend United boss Mick Gooding has decided to hang up his boots after more than 20 years as a professional footballer, he revealed today. The midfielder, who started 22 league and cup games for Blues this season, has finally brought down
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Cricket: Essex bowlers stick to the task
With Peter Such leading the way, Essex bowlers stuck manfully to their task against Yorkshire at Chelmsford yesterday to restrict their opponents to 304-7. That's still a healthy total but it threatened to be much bigger as the visitors moved beyond 200
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Soccer: Ipswich's dreams turn to despair for third year running
They gave their all - but in the end, it wasn't enough for Ipswich, who saw their Premiership dream slip away last night. In one of the most exhilarating and exciting games ever seen at Portman Road, Ipswich played their hearts out only to have them broken
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Bowls: Stock teams announced
Stock & Buttsbury Ladies Bowling club have announced their team for this year's Travelsphere Holidays National Club Bowling Championship. Stock & Buttsbury, who will be captained by Pam Platt, will play their first match of this year's competition
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Cycling: Steve slashes personal best
Steve Tidiman of the Essex Roads Cycling club took no fewer than 10 minutes off his best time for 50 miles on Sunday. Riding in the ECCA 50-mile event held on the A12 between Chelmsford and Colchester, Steve recorded 1hr 56m 30s. Another to record an
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Cricket: A tough nut for Essex to crack
Essex are currently engaged in a Championship fixture against Yorkshire at Chelmsford, the match starting on Wednesday. The previous two matches with the Tykes have produced some splendid cricket. At Ilford in 1997, Yorkshire won by two wickets and when
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Cricket round-up: Seutcher leads valiant fightback
Spartan were Harold Park's visitors to Raphael Park on Saturday, and in a reversal of last season's corresponding fixture, it was they who were pleased to settle for a draw. Losing the toss, Park were sent into bat first and were soon in trouble. Opener
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Soccer: Mini League faces cup finals bonanza
It's a big weekend on the South-East Essex Mini-Soccer scene with the League Cup finals all going ahead at Great Wakering Rovers' Bur-roughs Park ground. Sunday's action starts with the under-10s at 10.15am and continues throughout the day until the under
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Soccer: Colchester College retain trophy
The outstanding footballing youngsters at Colchester Sixth Form College have won another top trophy. Simon Fusniak's charges beat bitter rivals Palmer's Sixth Form College 4-2 to retain the Essex Schools' under-19 Cup. Martin Webb hit the first and fourth
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Scramble: Fast and furious
Fast and close racing by some of the top riders in the region entertained a good size crowd at Stisted on Sunday at the Braintree and District Motorcycle Club scramble. Stacy Harman made his journey from Kent worth while taking all three ACE four stroke
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Golf: Defeat for Three Rivers ladies team
The Three Rivers Golf Club Ladies Bronze team played at Harwich & Dovercourt on Friday and despite good wins from Julia Billing, Pat Midgley and Dot Curtis, they eventually lost by the narrow margin of 4-3. The final of the Argos Shield Mixed was
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Wickford: Tragedy of foiled homebuyer
A Billericay man found hanging from an extension cable killed himself because high property prices had shattered his dreams of living with the woman he loved, an inquest has heard. Michael Maloney, 27, was found dead at his parents' home in Mallow Gardens
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Ongar: Public plea as crime detection rate falls
"It's up to you" is the warning to the public from Ongar Police Inspector Peter Hesketh. He spoke out on Tuesday as new figures released last night revealed that detection rates for the police district, which includes Ongar and North Weald, were well
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North Weald: Chocks away for Aerofair weekend
Aviation enthusiasts will flock to North Weald airfield for the second weekend running when Aerofair 99 takes off tomorrow. The event, now established as the leading general aviation exhibition in the country, follows last Sunday's successful North Weald
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Mid Essex: Father and son cheat death in bus crash
A father and son were yesterday recovering in hospital after a remarkable escape from a collision with a double-decker bus near Chelmsford. The collision was in Danbury, between Maldon and Chelmsford. It left the bus - carrying six passengers - in a ditch
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Girl injured in park gate accident
A six-year-old girl was airlifted to hospital with head injuries after a park gate apparently fell on her at a popular play area on Sunday. The accident happened at around 1.15pm on Sunday, at the Petersfield Avenue entrance to Central Park in Harold
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Southend: Trawler nets 1830s torpedo
Bomb disposal experts were called in when a fishing trawler netted an antiquated torpedo off the coast of Southend. The boat, called the Hornet, dragged up the torpedo near Maplin Sands, a large sand bank off the coast of Shoebury, at 9.40am yesterday
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Southend: Dramatic break from revision
Stagestruck students took time out from the pressures of exam revision to promote a forthcoming production at Seevic College. Next month they will be tackling Peer Gynt, written by Henrik Ibsen, with the translation by Kenneth McLeish. The students -
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Billericay children chased through park by flasher
Billericay police are considering stepping up patrols around Lake Meadows after a crazed flasher chased a pair of terrified children from the park and through the centre of the town. The two girls, aged nine and 11, were walking through Lake Meadows Park
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Canvey toddler rescued from video nasty
A playful toddler got more than she bargained after sticking her hand inside in a video recorder. The child, aged between 12 and 18 months, was playing at home in Lakeside Walk, Canvey, when she became trapped by the machine. Her frantic mum tried to
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Dunmow: Shooting lessons rethink by school
Shooting will no longer be part of a Dunmow secondary school's extra-curricular activities. The decision has been taken by governors at Dunmow's Helena Romanes school after a parent's concern that teenagers were able to handle 12-bore shotguns and shoot
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Harwich hit by double slice of girl power
Girl power is coming to Harwich. Ann Evander becomes the town's mayor today and she has chosen friend and former town councillor Val Collins as her mayoress and the Rev Gillian Greenslade as her chaplain - the first woman chaplain to the mayor. "It's
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Essex hospital staff in bonus pay blow
Millennium bonus payments for hospital staff in Essex have been set - but they are hundreds of pounds less than health unions wanted. Doctors, consultants, nurses and laboratory staff will get £100 on top of their Bank Holiday pay for working the shift
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Colchester: Refugee aid groups row
A war of words has erupted between two aid groups founded to support the plight of Kosovan refugees. Organisers of relief agency Just Help yesterday hit back at "silly sniping" by another Balkans support group, 999 to Albania. Bob Finch, chairman of Colchester-based
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Colchester: Brave Julia loses her fight for life
A father has paid tribute to his brave and loving daughter who has died at the age of 34. Julia Bryans "brought cheer and love into the lives of all who knew her" despite coping with diabetes since the age of four. The former Stanway School, Colchester
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Beppe kicks up a Southend storm
Girls swooned at Storm nightclub in Southend when EastEnders hunk Michael Greco paid a visit to the town. Michael plays Italian brother Beppe Di Marco in the soap and was awarded the title of Most Fanciable Male at the British Soap Awards. He answered
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School sports: Doggetts' League success
Doggetts County Primary School's junior netball team have had a very impressive season. They were victorious in their division of the Rochford Small School League. Then they went on to become runners-up in the Southend and District Junior Netball League
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Great Eastern fails to make the grade
Standards have slumped on the busy Great Eastern railway, it was revealed yesterday. The company - which operates commuter services from Colchester, Clacton and Chelmsford to Liverpool Street - has been given a C grade in the performance figures published
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Colchester: Mayor Martin takes fresh guard
Colchester's millennium mayor has been sworn in at the traditional ceremony at the town hall. Liberal Democrat Martin Hunt was formally voted in and handed the robes and badge of office by outgoing mayor David Cannon. Mr Hunt, who has represented the
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Basildon: Tragic fear of Brad, 11
A tragic young boy's family wept as they heard their son "should have survived" crossing a dangerous Basildon road. Bradley Hopwood was just 11 years old when he stepped out in front of a car and died in the town's Southmayne. The youngster, of Dewsgreen
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Squeak if you are the Nerd...
With the lead role in the touring play The Nerd, coming to Southend later this month, Thurrock comic Joe Pasquale talks to TOM KING Squeaky-voiced Joe Pasquale is the most successful comedian ever to emerge from south Essex. His publicity material reels
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Colchester: Mayor Martin takes fresh guard
Colchester's millennium mayor was sworn in today at the traditional ceremony at the town hall. Liberal Democrat Martin Hunt was formally voted in and handed the robes and badge of office by outgoing mayor David Cannon. Mr Hunt, who has represented the
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Sex attacker hunted for victims in Southend
Serial sex attacker Richard Baker has told the Old Bailey how he stalked round Southend looking for a victim. Baker - is accused of raping a 15-year-old schoolgirl in Leigh and attacking two other women in the town, just days later - said: "I know I need
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Great Eastern fails to make the grade
Standards have slumped on the busy Great Eastern railway, it was revealed yesterday. The company - which operates commuter services from Colchester, Clacton and Chelmsford to Liverpool Street - has been given a C grade in the performance figures published
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Colchester: Mayor Martin takes fresh guard
Colchester's millennium mayor has been sworn in at the traditional ceremony at the town hall. Liberal Democrat Martin Hunt was formally voted in and handed the robes and badge of office by outgoing mayor David Cannon. Mr Hunt, who has represented the
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Campaign to save Brightlingsea shipyard hots up
A campaign by Brightlingsea residents to save the former James and Stone shipyard for the town is gathering momentum. At a public meeting in the town last night residents agreed to pledge their membership to the Brightlingsea Waterside Action Group, which
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Clacton: 'I lost my brother to heroin'
The brother of a teenager who died after taking heroin today warned other youngsters to avoid the drug. David Mann's 18-year-old brother Stephen was found in his flat in Coopers Lane, Clacton, on Saturday night. He had been taking heroin for about a year
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Colchester police chief backs carnival
Colchester's police chief today spoke out in support of the town's carnival - following claims that by withdrawing backing the force had placed it under threat. Organisers said it could be axed this year because officers will not patrol the route. That
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Brentwood: Rapist cheated to strike again
The Brentwood railway rapist has apologised to his traumatised victim, even after he prolonged her agony by faking a DNA test in a bid to avoid justice. Anthony Chandler, 41, raped the 25-year-old office worker in the station car park on January 3 1992
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Rowhedge: Man threatened to kill his ex-wife
A man has been jailed for three years after he harassed his ex-wife and threatened to kill her new partner and a policeman. Armed police had to be brought in to protect the woman from her ex-husband. And a policeman and his family also had to be moved
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Basildon mum's agony at son's 'trashed' Pitsea grave
A grieving mother has criticised council chiefs after her son's grave was "trashed" during a routine turfing procedure. Ena Dorney accused Basildon Council workers of ruining son Daniel's grave at Pitsea Cemetery - and of forcing her to relive her ordeal
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Cycling: Keeble clinches win
On a dry evening, near St Neots, Ron Keeble, 34 Nomads clocked 2.36 to win the Barnet Veteran's ''10'', with Chelmer's Dave Nock, 21.02, his closest challenger. Other Chelmer times were G Boden 23.42, A Grant 24.15. It was, perhaps, not surprising that
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Soccer: Top man Embery stays at Maldon
Sought-after Ben Embery has signed a new deal to stay at Maldon Town. The former Tottenham Hotspur defender ended speculation he is on the move by agreeing to stay at the club he has taken from the Essex Senior League to mid-table in the Jewson Premier
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South Ockendon: Killer sent away for 'indefinite' period
A man has been ordered into psychiatric care "indefinitely" for a horrific attack at a South Ockendon pub. Brian Bolger was sent to the hospital for what was described as a "quite an extraordinary ferocious and lethal attack." His younger brother Jason
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Hadleigh: Police beating claim
A couple whose evening out ended in the cells are suing Essex Police for damages. Paul and Janet Peters, of Woodburn Close, Hadleigh are making a civil claim against the Chief Constable of Essex Police, David Stevens. They are suing for wrongful arrest
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Weight of expectations for champion Dave
Basildon's Dave Venables is aiming to smash a Commonwealth record when he competes in the European weightlifting championships this weekend. The 37-year-old will be joined on the plane out to Hungary by Stanford le-Hope colleagues Peter Oddy and Dennis
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Golf: Sunshine shock for holder Brogan
Ballards Gore's Ian Brogan, who won the competition last year and enjoyed a great trip to Portugal as a result, is out of the 1999 Evening Echo Sunshine Challenge Golf Tournament. Brogan, who plays off four, had home advantage in his first round match
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Cricket: Nasser's notebook
Victory over Tykes would be county tonic Even with the World Cup euphoria, I was obviously disappointed to see the Essex lads go down to defeat in a County Championship match they looked like winning for long spells at The Oval against Surrey. I think
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Swimming: Charlene in top form at Runnymede
Brentwood Swimming Clubs were in action at the weekend in the Runnymede Young Champs Gala. Many new personal best times were achieved and some of them swam extremely well to get through to the finals held in the evening. Charlene Glover powered her way
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Motor racing: Mondeo team impress at Brands
Brentwood-based Ford team Mondeo's scored its second podium finish of the year in the Autotrader British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch last weekend. After a superb qualifying session for the 25-lap sprint race the Mondeo pair of Alain Menu
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Basildon: Who will teach our children?
A thorough investigation was today launched into where to teach up to 40 Basildon children. Parents were warned by education bosses their children may not get a place at the school of their choice even if they live within the catchment area. The message
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North Essex: Blair boost for cancer campaign
A pledge made by Prime Minister Tony Blair today to cut the number of cancer deaths could benefit a campaign to boost services in north Essex. This is Essex partner paper the Gazette is leading a campaign for a cancer centre of excellence in Colchester
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Colchester: Martin's pledge to meet the people
Colchester's Millennium Mayor has urged his colleagues to invite him to meet the people they represent in their own wards. Martin Hunt urged fellow councillors to organise an event in their wards to give him the chance to meet the people of Colchester
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Trampolining: Hard work pays off
On Sunday, May 9, five of Cloud Nine's Grade B trampolinists travelled to Gillingham for the BTF competition. For two of them, Zoe Wilson and Hannah Davies it was their first B grade competition, having recently been promoted from the C Grade circuit.
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Colchester: Dale battles back against the odds
A brave toddler is fighting back after being born with a crippling disease. Dale Collins was born nine weeks early suffering from a rare disorder with left him low levels of sodium and potassium. He then survived two heart attacks brought on by the loss
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Cricket round-up: Runs aplenty
On the evidence of this opening match it's going to be a long season for the bowlers at Billericay's Blunts Wall Road Ground as 557 runs were clocked up for the loss of just 12 wickets. The visitors were soon on top as Minor Counties player Steve Plumb
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Cricket: Battling victory lifts Brentwoods spirits
After their disappointing performance in Saturday's league game, Brentwood had the opportunity to recover their poise in Sunday's match at home to Camberley from the Surrey League. Brentwood did, in fact, emerge victorious after a pulsating limited-overs
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Tennis: Clearviews winning trip to Cardiff
Clearview ladies opened their 1999 National Club League programme with an exciting and narrow win over Cardiff on Sunday. They entertained the Welsh club and won by the narrowest possible margin. The match score was 3-3 and the tie was decided on a shoot
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Judo: Top performances at Basildon event
Tsu-mo-kie Judo Club have had a busy time since Easter. Members from the Brentwood based club attended a week's course in Hemsby studying not only Judo but all other Martial Arts. The course was so successful that Tsu-Mo-Kie have arranged their own course
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Boxing: Ball on the ball
The Irish Centre, Canning Town, London, played host to the England v Russia schoolboy boxing international. Clacton's Aaron Ball, 16, made his international debut, turning in a superb display to stop Russian Sergei Ognev in the second round. Ognev was
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Orienteering: Windermere wonders
David West of Essex Stragglers Orienteering Society has taken second place at the British Orienteering Championships. The event was held close to Lake Windermere and David travelled up for the weekend with approximately 25 members of the club. David competed
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Motor racing: Steward captures top honours
The battle for this year's Old Spice Legends Cars Championship intensified at Knockhill with Team Old Spice driver Tick Steward (Colchester, Essex) capturing top honours for the first time this season. Two race wins and a blistering performance meant
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Great Bentley: Primary school fails grade
The head of a village primary school today appealed for community support after it was heavily criticised by Government inspectors. Yvonne Potter, head at Great Bentley Primary School, sent out the rallying call following an Ofsted inspection which confirmed
