Archive
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Brentwood: Airport increase raises crash fears
The go-ahead for even more aircraft to use the overcrowded skies above Brentwood and Ongar has been condemned by local MP Eric Pickles. His attack comes after a series of near-misses have heightened safety fears. The decision by Transport Minister Glenda
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Basildon: Go-ahead for hospitals 200-bed plan
The latest stage in a multi-million pound revamp of Basildon Hospital has been given the green light by councillors. The hospital's plans for a new 200 bed in-patient block was given outline planning permission last week by Basildon Council, the latest
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Cricket: Bowyer the best
Broomfield cricketer Ian Bowyer smashed the club record books on Saturday, when he scored an amazing 195 runs in just over 43 overs. Bowyer, 23, achieved his feat for the club's second eleven in their T. Rippon Mid-Essex League Division Seven match against
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Tennis: Essex in the elite
Essex take part in the National Inter County Tennis Championships next week with the men's team taking their place among the elite for the first time in five years. Stuck in group three just two years ago, the team has been revitalised under John Marnoch's
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Soccer: Kieron agrees move to Magpies
Kieron Dyer was in Newcastle on Thursday finalising his £7 million move to the North East. Ipswich Town boss George Burley, who admitted the deal for the England B midfielder was now out of his hands, said: "Kieron has agreed personal terms and is undergoing
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Colchester: Special mass for bomb victim Andrea
Tears were shed as the family and friends of Soho nail bomb victim Andrea Dykes gathered to pay their last respects. A special mass was held on Wednesday at a Colchester Catholic chapel before Andrea's funeral on Thursday at St Mary's Church, Wivenhoe
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Soccer: Waddy hails show to silence critics
Delighted boss Mick Wadsworth said he hoped Wednesday night's impressive U's display against Norwich went a long way towards silencing the critics who have condemned his summer clear-out at Layer Road. He said: "There are those who felt I had gone too
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Soccer: Lua Lua shines for polished Colchester
If Colchester United's fans need a reason to look forward to this season's campaign, then look no further than Lomana Tresor Lua Lua. The 20-year-old youth team prodigy dazzled and delighted on a balmy summer's evening to prove to the Layer Road faithful
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Netball: Ingrebourne in fine form at the London Youth Games
Ingrebourne's mixed netball team, representing Havering at the London Youth Games, stormed to victory at Crystal Palace. They won all seven of their qualifying matches to meet Sutton in the quarter finals. Having disposed of Sutton 7-2, Ingrebourne met
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South Essex: All change for LTS line
The LTS railway line is changing its name to c2c - but a new name is not the only thing the Essex train operator is promising. Rail bosses claim the line - which runs from Shoebury to Fenchurch Street - will become the country's premier railway. The new
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Basildon PC's puppy love
Binnie the poorly pup has a bright future thanks to a kind-hearted Basildon policewoman. The abandoned Yorkie was found close to death on the streets of Wickford, possibly after she was dumped by her owners. Suffering from sarcoptic mange, vets warned
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Colchester's £2.2 million boost, and £1.9m for 'deprived' Southend
Colchester is to get £2.2 million to breathe new life into needy parts of the town. The Government cash announced on Thursday - earmarked to revitalise run-down areas - will be channelled into east Colchester, particularly Greenstead, New Town and the
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Colchester: Final farewell for Soho bomb victim
Family and friends of Soho nail bomb Andrea Dykes gathered to say their final farewells. The packed church of mourners heard the mother-to-be's death had left an "aching gap that would never be filled". Among those at an emotionally-charged service was
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Wickford: Missing terrier
A distraught dog owner today appealed for help in finding her beloved missing pet. Lisa Lane's three-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier hasn't been seen since thieves broke into the garage of her home in Roding Way, Wickford, last Thursday morning. The
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Pitsea: 100-year-old hit by bogus caller
A 100-year-old Pitsea woman was targeted by a conman who posed as an official to fleece her out of hundreds of pounds in her own home. The smartly dressed man stole £500 of the elderly woman's savings when he told her he had come to check out her water
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Westcliff: Mystery death probed
A post mortem was being carried out today (Friday) after a man was found dead in Westcliff. Police believe the death of the 30-year-old, discovered in a property in Pembury Road yesterday, could be drugs related, but have ruled out foul play. Paramedics
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Fingringhoe: Top teacher quits as school's head
The headmaster of a small village school has resigned after concerns arose over the quality of teaching there. Education bosses insisted John Leyland's departure from Fingringhoe C of E Aided Primary School was not down to misconduct but said the move
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Vange: Family to mourn murdered Leon
The family of murdered Leon Murphy have been making final preparations for his funeral on Saturday. Among the tributes being paid to the 20-year-old who was murdered in May will be one particularly touching one - from Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson
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Bowls: Central Essex rock Rainham with a maximum
Against a team they had not matched in nine years of R.B.A. League competition, Central Essex B.C. took maximum points from Rainham B.C. by winning on all three rinks. Cyril Robinson has been in such good form recently he could hardly lose and supported
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Womens soccer: City book a final place
Chelmsford City Ladies Football Club started their pre-season warm-up by competing in the annual Rochford Sports Council six-a-side tournament on Sunday. Group victories over Southend 4-0, Old Southendians 2-1 and White Notley 3-0 set up a semi-final
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Motorsport: Budding race ace makes ideal F1 impression
Billericay racing driver Matt Davies showed why he is rated as a star of the future by storming into the top six in the British Grand Prix's Formula 3 support race. Davies, 22, was last week named in a national newspaper as one of five of the country's
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Soccer: Ex-Spurs keeper given chance to be Colchester's No 1
Mick Wadsworth has handed the No1 jersey to trialist Simon Brown and said: "Make it your own." The Colchester United boss moved to sign the former Spurs keeper straight after Wednesday night's 1-1 draw against Norwich City at Layer Road. It means heartbreak
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Colchester: Relief road plan back on
The long-awaited relief road fortraffic-clogged western Colchester is back on the cards. But the plans may have a sting in the tail in the shape of 650 new homes. O and H Holdings, owner of the former 150-acre Stanway Pit, is expected to submit an application
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Cricket round-up: Danbury on course...
Danbury travelled to Roxwell where, for the home side, only A Beard (27) and D Buttleman (19) showed any resistance with the bat against the bowling of Rayner (2-18 in 12 overs) and Webb (4-15 in seven overs) as their side were dismissed for just 108.
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Child trapped at Clacton station
Police today warned youngsters not to play in luggage lockers at Clacton railway station after a 12-year-old child became trapped. Two fire crews and police freed the youngster without injury at 4pm on Thursday. PC Phil Harrod of British Transport Police
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Tennis: California, here I come!
A leading Colchester tennis player is bound for the USA in a bid to further his dream of becoming Britain's next Tim Henman. Leon Jennings, of Miller Lane, Stanway, has worked as the resident tennis coach at the Five Lakes Golf and Country Club in Tolleshunt
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Cricket: Abberton seeking a place in history
Abberton Cricket Club will attempt to make a little bit of history on Sunday in the last 16 of the National Village Cricket Championship. The club, who are the last representatives from Essex and Suffolk left in the contest, have never progressed further
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Road Running: Striders were top team at Howe Street
Springfield Striders held their first ever Friday night five-mile road race at The Green Man, Howe Street last week, and a field of over 100 runners took part on an almost traffic free course on country lanes. Greg Deacon of Castle Point Joggers won the
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Trampolining: Michelle was a top grade performer in Ipswich
Riverside Trampoline Club enjoyed a successful day out at the recent grading competition in Ipswich. Michelle Ranns won the gold medal in her group, the grade C under 18 girls. Michelle achieved a score above that required for progression into the more
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Cycling: Essex Roads duo at their best
Gary Glenister and Mick Scott of the Essex Roads Cycling Club recorded their season's best time at 25 miles to date when taking third place in the ECCA 25 mile Tandem Championship. They recorded 59 minutes six seconds on the A13/A128 based course on Sunday
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cricket round-up: Redman rules in Bentley win
Tillingham lost at home to Bentley who set their hosts a target of 257 for seven, Redman (71) and Johnson (56) leading the way by sharing an opening stand of 117. Jimmy Chapman made 102 not out in the reply but with only Tim Blake (32) doing anything
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Cricket round-up: Old boys were well beaten
Old Chelmsfordians suffered a major blow to their championship chances, after being dismissed for just 122 by High Easter, Hegginbotham taking four for 38. High Easter replied with 123 for four to win by four wickets. High Roding take over at the top
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Karate: Six of the best in Sweden
A team of six under-18-year-olds from the Braintree Shotokan Karate Club, led by Sensei Dean Simpson, jetted off to Sweden last week to take part in the World Youth Karate Championships. The three day event proved to be successful for the team as they
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Basketball: Allens late winner gave Southend victory
Last weekend saw 350 young basketball players from all over Essex descend upon the Riverside Ice & Leisure Centre in Chelmsford to represent their District in the Essex Youth Games Basketball Tournament, which was sponsored by BAA Stansted. There
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Soccer; Coburn moves to Cambridge
Chelmsford City players have successfully completed their first week of pre-season training, but one of last term's promising youngsters is set to join Cambridge City. Although taking part in the first training session at the ECC sports ground at Writtle
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Maldon: Ancient coins declared national treasure
Iron age coins which were thought to be more than 2,000 years old have been declared national treasure. The gold coins were found in the Maldon area in March by metal detecting expert David Mann. He reported the find to Colchester Museum. Curator of archaeology
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Chelmsford: Tesco's 24 trade row
A bid by supermarket giant Tesco to open its Wood Street, Chelmsford, store round the clock is being opposed by many of its neighbours. People living in surrounding streets claim to have been betrayed by the company. They argue that when it opened the
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Chelmsford: Judge is bronzed and fit
Judge Tindal is looking bronzed and fit after a £9,000 clean-up. His Portland stone plinth has also been renovated and pieces of it repaired during the 12-week restoration. Now the judge, who overlooks Shire Hall, glistens in the summer sun -- when there
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Wickford; Eager Beaver needed for group
A Wickford Beaver pack is being forced to close because no-one will come forward to help out. These youngsters are set to miss out on a host of fun activities when their leader Pat Phillips leaves in September. Pat has been trying to quit the group, which
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Thorpe Bay: Council's court battle to keep tots out of school
Southend Council has been given the go-ahead to challenge a decision that two children can to join a popular school which had previously refused them places. The authority fears it may have to pay for an extra classroom and teacher if the ruling that
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Maldon; Prom Park in CCTV scheme
Maldon's town centre car parks and the Promenade Park could be covered by cameras in an attempt to stamp out vandalism and theft. The district council is working with police to prepare a bid for Government cash to fund the closed circuit television (CCTV
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Chelmsford councillors told to smarten up
The word is going out to Chelmsford borough councillors to smarten themselves up. Councillors turning up at meetings without jackets and ties, in tracksuit bottoms or even beachwear were targeted by former Mayor Christopher Kingsley at a meeting of the
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New threat to Essex care homes
Old people's homes run by Essex County Council are again under the threat of privatisation. The council has called a meeting to discuss the future of 32 homes across the county on July 28. Social services committee spokesman Graham Redgewell said today
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Wickford: Thieves driven off the rails
Wickford railway station's car park is set to be redesigned in an attempt to combat car crime. CCTV and patrolling security officers have already been brought in to the station to wipe out car-related crimes. Motorists who leave valuables on display in
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Cressing: Coat hanger challenge
Amateur archaeologists are being given the chance to search for rare finds - with a wire coat hanger. The time team at Cressing Temple wants visitors to carry out the ancient art of dowsing in a bid to unearth new historical finds. The search is on to
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Clacton: Facelift for pier eyesore
A major Clacton landmark is in for a facelift. The Jolly Roger, a former theatre, has stood on Clacton Pier since 1893. It has been in a poor state of repair for many years and has become an eyesore. The owners have started a scheme which will at least
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Athletics: Kim is ready for Polish challenge
Kim Wall, 16, from Heybridge, has been chosen to represent Great Britain in the World Youth Games in Poland this weekend, where she will compete in the 200 metres and the medley relay. Last weekend, Kim, who attends the Willam de Ferrers School in South
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Showjumping: Essex riders to the fore at Hickstead
Riders from the county made their presence felt at last weekend's Royal International Horse Show, held at the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead in Sussex. Felsted's Rowena Ockendon-Day continued her recent run of success when she finished runner-up
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Motorsport: Disappointing debut for Jonathan
Jonathan Tee, Brentwood's budding Formula racing champion back on British tracks after a sparkling year as a Elf La Filiere graduate, had a disappointing debut at Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit. Track spray closed down vision to less than a metre and
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Hockey: Eastern boys show how it's done
The East U19 boys hockey team showed the rest of the country how to win. Taking part in the Regional U19 competition held at the King Edward High School in Birmingham over the weekend, they proved their worth and walked off with the title and trophy.
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Cycling: Richard rides to a convincing win
Saturday saw Glendene CC's Richard Whitehorn finish second in the GHS London East Schoolboys Championship 10-mile Time Trial. His time of 24mins 22secs means that Richard will represent the District in September when the National Championships are held
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'Scandal' as Southend theatre misses cash boost
The Arts Council has been accused of a "scandalous" waste of public money over a failed £12 million bid to revamp Southend's Cliffs Pavilion. The body, which hands out cash to good causes, had boosted borough coffers with an £850,000 grant to draw up
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Pals return to the Palladium...
Clare McPherson and Gemma Donnelly are two Canvey 17-year-olds with their sights set on stardom. The pair - friends for the past nine years - are set to perform a duet at the London Palladium. Sunday Night at the Palladium is being revived as a variety
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Showjumping: Lisa's five-star show
Following a sixth place at the Young Rider Championship at Bramham, Yorkshire Ramsden Heath's Lisa Maynard, 20, has been selected for the Young rider long List. She will attend the European Young Rider Championship in Necame Ireland in September with
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Great Baddow: Men kicked in head during park attack
Police are investigating a "very serious" attack in a park when two men were pushed to the ground and kicked in the head by a group of youths. Both victims, in their thirties, were assaulted in Great Baddow Recreation Ground. They were taken by ambulance
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Cycling: Lorna has her best time for two years
The weather is proving to be a deciding factor in this year's cycle racing programme. The recent heatwave with strong winds is causing entrants to decide either not to start or, after reporting to the timekeeper, finding that the conditions are so oppressive
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Burnham: Airlift drama
A Burnham driver was airlifted to hospital after a two-car collision at Fambridge Road, Althorne, on Tuesday. Robin Basil, 51, of Orwell Way was taken to Colchester General Hospital with head and chest injuries. He was later discharged. His 19-year-old
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Harold Wood: New row over road closure
A new row has flared up after Havering Council announced that it is to reconsider controversial plans to close a Harold Wood road to traffic. The plan to erect a barrier in Cornflower Way to stop rat-running through the neighbouring Romleighs Estate was
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Braintree: Ruth's naked ambition to swim Channel
A plucky schoolgirl braved chilly waters as part of the first naturist relay team to swim the English Channel. Ruth Fay, 15, of Braintree, was the youngest of the six people to do the 21-mile swim - swimming the longest stints. But the Alec Hunter School
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Benfleet church close to collapse
Campaigners today stepped up a £100,000 fundraising drive to safeguard the future of a historic church which is literally floating on collected rainwater. St Mary the Virgin Church in Benfleet - one of the oldest in Essex - could deteriorate rapidly and
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Essex Police to keep CS gas, despite fears
More than 2,900 police officers in Essex will continue to use CS gas spray for self defence, despite concerns by the Police Complaints Authority. Essex Police Chief Constable, David Stevens, said this week the spray was a "worthwhile addition" to equipment
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Cycling: Gary and Mick excel at 25 miles
Gary Glenister and Mick Scott of the Essex Roads Cycling Club recorded their season's best time at 25 miles to date when taking third place in the ECCA 25 mile Tandem Championship. They recorded 59m 6s on the A13/A128 based course on Sunday. Bill Thomas
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Yachting: A brotherly affair for the Marshalls
It is a case of all for one and one for all as far as Maldon Yacht Club brothers Iain, Richard and Philip Marshall are concerned. All three are scheduled to compete at world championship level later this summer, but for Philip, 18, the youngest of the
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Boxing: Goresbrook date for Johnson and Murray
Hornchurch middleweight Clive Johnson will feature on a bill at The Goresbrook Leisure Centre, Dagenham. Johnson is in a four-round contest against Torquay's Gareth Hogg on Saturday, August 7. The bout is one of nine on the undercard of WBO cruiserweight
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Cricket: Peters wants regular Essex first team place
After his first full year in county cricket last season, Stephen Peters was hoping to build on the experiences gained, in what was a difficult year for every player at the county, and launch his career this season. A talented batsman, the 20 year old
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Rayleigh: Helen's delight at MBE
Television presenter Helen Rollason has told of her defiant battle to collect her MBE after being given days to live by cancer experts. The 43-year-old BBC sports journalist received the honour from the Queen at Buckingham Palace last Wednesday in a wheelchair
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Little Burstead: Millennium plans get a cash boost
Excitement is mounting in Little Burstead as plans to celebrate the millennium take shape. The parish council has set aside £1,000 to make the event one to remember. It plans to use most of the money for a millennium bench which will be placed in the
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Canvey: Baskets full of blooms
Blooming marvellous! These sweet-smelling flowers have blossomed outside a Canvey pub into a bright and colourful array. The 20 hanging baskets around the Haystack in Furtherwick Road have attracted welcome glances from passers by. As part of the Anglia
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Women's soccer: New dawn for Southend Utd
Southend United may be preparing for another season in the Football League basement, but their female counterparts are gearing up for their first ever crack at top flight soccer. The Shrimpers' ladies team are looking forward to rubbing shoulders with
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Basildon: Getting old caused suicide
A Basildon man hanged himself after becoming distressed at getting old. Charles Hall, 73, of Great Spenders, was found in his home by his wife and daughter on June 2 hanged above the stairs in his family home. An inquest at Chelmsford Coroners Court heard
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Basildon flower power
How does your garden grow? On the balcony of a Basildon flat with lots of flowers in a row. Brenda Dow's stunning window box displays really add a splash of colour to her block in Whitmore Court, Whitmore Way, Basildon. Her sister-in-law, Ann Higgins,
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West Mersea: Clowning around in my old home town
One of the country's newest circus owners is returning to West Mersea - the town where he saw his first show. Justin Appleyard was just four when he decided that he wanted to not only start his own circus, but bring it to the island. That was 27 years
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Bowls: Foster hopes for good day
Billericay bowlers were hoping it would be a case of "cheers it's Foster's" when the final of the Midland Bank sponsored Southend Men's Open Bowls Tournament fours was staged at Priory Park later today (Friday). For one of the town's best known bowlers
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Mid Essex schools all set for Festival of Sport
Saturday sees the running of the first ever Mid-Essex Schools Festival of Sport. This Festival is organised as a joint venture between local schools, local sports clubs and the local council, and it takes place at Great Baddow High School from 9am till
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Ice Hockey: Chieftains clinch a star signing
Chelmsford Chieftains have signed Carl Greenhous for the forthcoming season. Canadian Greenhous was born in Ottowa and now lives in Ontario. For Greenhous it is his second stint with Chieftains, having spent the early part of the 1995/96 season with the
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Soccer: No old pals act from Newman
Veteran Southend United defender Rob Newman is relishing the thought of doing battle against his former Norwich City team mates in a pre-season friendly at Roots Hall. The 35-year-old, who joined Blues on a free transfer from Carrow Road last year, has
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Cricket: Chelmsford continue to set the pace
CHINGFORD I..................................124 all out CHELMSFORD I......................................125-4 (Chelmsford won by six wickets) (Shepherd Neame Essex League) Chelmsford's recent excellent run continued with a polished performance on Saturday
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Rollerspeed Skating: Skating to the medals
The second phase of the British Outdoor Rollerspeed Skating Championships took place at Tatem Park, North London on Sunday, which ended with three skaters from the South Woodham Ferrers & Wickford Rollerspeed Skating Club, who are sponsored by ECL
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Golf round-up: Wilson a winner in the Junior Championship...
The Junior Section of Channels Golf Club played in their 36 hole Junior Championship on Saturday. The Junior Captain, Ross Wilson, led the field with gross scores of 69 and 72, one under for the day. Lee Shrimpton was second with gross scores of 74 and
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Athletics: Chelmsford's hopes boosted
Saturday saw Chelmsford Athletics Club men's team at Woodford Green for a Southern Men's League Division Two match, and it was a fixture that the club needed to do well in to help avoid relegation. They finished in third place out of five clubs and a
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Athletics: Southend face hectic times...
Southend Athletic Club face one of the busiest weekends of their summer programme on Saturday and Sunday July 24 and 25 when they host the second part of their open meeting. It incorporates the club championships, followed by staging an Eastern Young
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Cricket: Ruthless Essex
Nasser Hussain and his Essex team-mates again displayed a ruthless streak as they continued to make Middlesex suffer at South-church Park on Thursday. For the second successive match they topped 400, once more putting the boot in when they had their opponents
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Soccer: Sixth-former Tanner set for Ipswich?
Colchester Sixth Form College student Robert Tanner is aiming for the top after training with Ipswich Town. Tanner, 19, today (Friday) completed a one-week trial with the First Division club and is waiting to see whether Blues boss George Burley invites
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Wickford: Warning over drugs menace
The shock discovery of a teenager thought to be planning to peddle drugs has prompted Wickford police to step up the battle against the evil menace threatening schools. Officers say they are prepared to respond rapidly to the issues raised after the 14
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Rochford: From Russia without love...
Blind Date contestant Warren failed to find love in Russia - but he still got a match for his football team. Warren Root, 26, of Hainault Avenue, Rochford, was picked from three hopefuls in a new episode of the TV show, to be screened this autumn. He
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Ongar: School chiefs slam poster
Education bosses have hit back at what they condemned as a "misleading" flyposter criticising a village school. John Fredericks, chairman of the governors of High Ongar primary School, has sent a letter to parents of all 114 pupils after the anonymous
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Woodham: School steps up security
School security has been stepped up at Trinity St Mary's Primary in a bid to beat vandalism. Closed circuit television cameras have this week been installed at the school in South Woodham Ferrers town centre. Head teacher Keith Bannister said: "We have
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Save Essex from developers plea
Baroness Beryl Platt of Writtle has made an emotional plea for Essex villages and the countryside to be saved from developers. Her plea comes at a time when pressures are building to change Green Belt boundaries -- many unaltered since 1957 -- through
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Colchester: Final farewell for Soho bomb victim
Family and friends of Soho nail bomb Andrea Dykes gathered to say their final farewells. The packed church of mourners heard the mother-to-be's death had left an "aching gap that would never be filled". Among those at an emotionally-charged service was
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Stansted-Braintree rail link plan
The idea of a single track Stansted to Braintree railway link was put forward at the Examination in Public on transport issues of the Essex County Structure Plan last week. The inquiry heard that a group of lawyers, draughtsmen, architects, planners and
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Stanford's literary claim to fame
Joseph Conrad, the Polish-born novelist and creator of Lord Jim, lived for some years in Stanford-le-Hope. ALEX MORROWSMITH delves into this surprising piece of literary history It is a truth largely unacknowledged in Essex that a man in possession of
