Archive
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Soccer: Little hammers slack defence
Southend United manager Alan Little singled out his goalkeeper Mel Capleton for an earful of scathing criticism after Friday night's 2-2 draw at York City. Gordon Connelly had fired Blues into a half-time lead at Bootham Crescent, before the Seasiders
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Halstead: Workman injured after falling off roof
A workman was today recovering after falling 15 feet from a roof. The 35-year-old BSkyB employee was installing a satellite dish when he fell off a ladder in Blamsters Crescent, Halstead. The man crashed through a conservatory window before landing on
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Feering: Road crash victim's body exhumed
The body of a man who died in a road crash in Spain has been exhumed from a north Essex cemetery. Roger Nicholls, 44, of Mucking Ford Road, West Tilbury, was killed in a crash near Alicante in August 1998 and was buried in Feering Cemetery, near where
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Essex Police hit back
Essex Police today hit back after being criticised for its lack of officers. A national paper today revealed there was only 38 officers on duty last Wednesday night in Clacton - and the figure was just 28 after midnight. It said the Tendring area, with
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Cricket: Essex HQ to get makeover?
Essex County Cricket Club's Chelmsford home looks set for a dramatic makeover in time for next season. Impressive permanent floodlights and a new media centre will be built at ECCC's New Writtle Street site if planning applications are rubber stamped.
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Tiptree: Supermarket and housing scheme opposed
A masterplan package which would see a new supermarket and housing estate built in Tiptree would "tear the heart out of the village", it has been claimed. Outraged Tiptree residents protesting against plans for 70 houses and a supermarket near the village
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Thieves out to ruin Christmas...
People living in the Ongar and North Weald area have been alerted to be on guard against Scrooge thieves who can ruin Christmas. The warning - good advice for all Essex residents - has come from local crime reduction officer Tony Ellis, formerly a police
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Essex: Too much water going to waste
Anglian Water is losing 201 million litres of water every day through leaking pipes -- enough to supply Colchester six times over. Despite the company coming top in an Ofwat survey of leak-beating water firms, Anglian Water has pledged to continue investing
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Southend: Crash sparks power cut
Power was lost to more than 60 homes after a Ford Escort XR3i crashed into an electricity junction box in Southend. The car crashed on Eastern Esplanade at the junction with Lifstan Way at about 2am on Saturday. Police said there were between four and
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Witham: Widow, 87, mugged by boys
Callous teenage bag-snatchers punched and pushed an 87-year-old widow to the ground before taking pension money saved for Christmas presents. Pensioner Lena Bellew, of Chelmer Road, Witham, was walking home on the town's River Walk after a Christmas shopping
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Lawford: Something blue...teacher's getting married!
An intimate wedding it was not going to be - not with 75 pupils from the bride's school there. The youngsters from Highfields Primary School in Lawford were present to see teacher Sally Edwards, 27, marry Marcus Allston, 28. The children, many of whom
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Colchester: Top dog Kiddles steals the show
There were wagging tails galore when the annual Colchester and District Canine Society winter dog show took place. More than 500 dogs entered into the fun of the contest which was held at Leisure World in Colchester yesterday. The real star of the day
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Colchester: Student success praised
Colchester Sixth Form College had plenty to celebrate at its awards evening. While outstanding success in examinations was justly praised, there were many other achievements marked in the Charter Hall. Speaking to more than 550 parents and students, Principal
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Colchester: Mercury play wins accolade
Colchester's Mercury Theatre company has been celebrating after its production of Uncle Vanya was named one of the top shows of the year in a national newspaper. The theatre formed its own company earlier this year and has since received praise from both
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Braintree: Loos to get revamp
More than £50,000 is to be spent giving public toilets in Braintree town centre a much-needed facelift. The women's facility at George Yard Shopping Centre is to be internally demolished and refurbished at a cost of £31,000. This means the block will
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Soccer: Rovers back on top after Wilkinson goal
Great Wakering Rovers are back on top of the Ryman League Division Three table after a late show saw them grab three points against plucky struggling visitors Flackwell Heath on Saturday. Of the two teams previously above Rovers on goal difference, Aveley
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Speedway: Arena favourite Goodwin named as Hammers boss
The new management of the Arena Essex Hammers have wasted little time in making a change. Although they only bought the licence from Chick Woodroffe a fortnight ago, they have appointed former Hammers favourite Martin Goodwin as team manager. He replaces
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Soccer: Midgley revels in goal on Ipswich debut
Neil Midgley is determined to make the most of his goalscoring debut for Ipswich Town. The 21-year-old striker came off the bench to open his account for Town in their 3-1 win over nine-man West Brom at Portman Road. An injury to David Johnson - who opened
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Soccer: Howard Southwood - Speaks his mind on the Blues
Bitterly disappointed Southend United fans have been pointing an accusing finger at the players following the team's recent plunge down the table. Accusations have been levelled in the Talkback column that there's a lack of heart and passion in the team
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Soccer: Concord and Manor get a lift
With two of the Schweppes Essex Senior League's leading sides, Saffron Walden and Ilford, being held to draws, Concord Rangers and Southend Manor both gave their honours bids a big lift on Saturday. Concord took over fourth spot when, after falling behind
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Witham: Big crackdown on under-age drinking
Police have launched a Christmas crackdown on adults selling alcohol to youngsters in a bid to cut under-age drinking. Witham Police will be targeting suppliers throughout the festive season and will be starting an initiative in the New Year in the battle
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Leigh: Disco hit by raiders
A controversial teen disco was broken into - just hours after it was refused a licence to continue. The front door to the historic Leigh Coliseum building in Elm Road, Leigh, was forced open, causing more than £3,000 damage. Once inside, thieves smashed
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Soccer: King's men pick up valuable point
Canvey Island picked up a vital point from a draw with an Enfield side who again played at St Albans following the sale of their Southbury Road home. Enfield no longer have a home of their own and, with the club's very future in doubt, fans have been
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Soccer: Flu-hit Billericay see away run ended
Billericay Town's flu-racked side looked very much one degree under as they slumped to Ryman League Premier Division defeat at struggling Basingstoke on Saturday. It was Billericay's third defeat in an eight-day spell and they were completely below par
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Westcliff: Dome's sweet music!
Revellers worldwide are likely to see in the new year with a tune composed by a Westcliff man. Following the stroke of midnight and the traditional singing of Auld Lang Syne, the first music played at the Millennium Dome on New Year's Eve will have been
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Southend: £4.5m school places boost
Southend's long-running squeeze on secondary school places is to be eased thanks to a £4.5million Government boost. The borough has been allotted almost 600 extra spaces for pupils aged 11 and over. The news comes after Southend Council warned in September
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Southend: Big bingo win
Christmas came early for one Southend woman last night when she won more than £207,000 on a bingo game. The married woman, who did not wanted to be named, won the national jackpot at the Mecca Bingo Hall in Greyhound Way. She is a regular player and was
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Soccer: Johnson may find choice limited
Ipswich striker David Johnson is in danger of being backed into a corner over his international future. The 13-goal Town hit-man is wanted by Wales boss Mark Hughes to lead his World Cup campaign - but has almost no chance of a call-up by any of the other
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Pitsea, North Weald: 'Bomber should have got life'
A shocked family today spoke of their disbelief after an uncle who tried to blow up his niece was jailed for just eight years. Martin Diggines had faced life imprisonment for sending a bomb packed with 107 four-inch nails, clothes pegs and firework gunpowder
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Soccer: South Essex results round-up
SATURDAY RYMAN LEAGUE Premier Division: Basingstoke Town 2, Billericay Town 0; Enfield 1, Canvey Island 1 (played at St Albans). Division 3: Great Wakering Rovers 2, Flackwell heath 1. SCHWEPPES ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE Ilford 1, Basildon United 1; Saffron
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Basildon salutes its sporting stars
Gymnast Annika Reeder has won the Basildon Sports Personality of the Year for the second time running. The South Essex Gym Club member and senior British champion not only received the award but she was guest of honour when Basildon Sports Council presented
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Soccer: Shrimpers' shaky defence costly again
Christmas came early at a frosty Bootham Crescent on Friday night as Southend United's kamikaze rearguard got in the festive mood by gift-wrapping York City an undeserved share of the spoils. This was a Third Division clash which heralded Shrimpers boss
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Colchester: Robbers tie up man in home
Robbers tied up and assaulted a man in his home. The man returned to his flat in East Hill, Colchester, at 1am yesterday. He expected friends to follow on and left his front door unlocked for them to get in later. But then he looked outside and noticed
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Southend: Duck - it's freezing!
Animal rights protesters demonstrated against the sale and production of duck meat outside a Southend supermarket. A dozen members of campaign group VIVA held placards and handed out leaflets outside the Sainsbury's supermarket in London Road. They also
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Colchester: Woman wakes to find burglar in bedroom
An elderly woman woke to find a burglar upstairs in her bedroom. The pensioner was having a nap at her home in Parsons Heath, Colchester, at 6pm on Thursday night. She woke and challenged the intruder who ran downstairs, then climbed out of the kitchen
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Soccer: Ex-Colchester striker battling cancer
Family and friends have been rallying around a former Colchester United player who has been diagnosed as suffering from cancer. Mark Sale, who left the Colchester team in July to play for Northamptonshire club, Rushden and Diamonds, was told he had Hodgkin's
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Soccer: Albion antics lacking true Christmas spirit
It might be called the season of goodwill but there was very little Christmas spirit on show at Portman Road. Two players sent-off, four booked and an incident after the final whistle which will not easily be forgotten are Saturday's sorrier statistics
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Coggeshall: Fire blow for new business
Two devastated businessmen were today left out in the cold after fire tore through their brand new office in Coggeshall. Firefighters from Braintree and Coggeshall were called to the former Baptist Chapel in Church Street, Coggeshall, at around 4am, after
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Westcliff: Shop boss injured after tackling robber
The manager of an antique clock shop was punched to the ground after chasing a robber who snatched a £650 Mahogany mantle clock from his Westcliff shop. Paul Williams suffered a black eye and bruising to his head after the robber turned and confronted
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Maldon: Transport of delight caps Maggie's year
A woman who almost died in a horrific car crash has ended the year smiling with a VIP treat from Harrods. Maggie Matthews was whisked up to London in a chauffeur-driven car to enjoy the world-famous store's annual Christmas carol concert. She had gone
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Wickford: Stamp of approval
The Bill's PC Tony Stamp made an arresting sight at the opening of a Wickford record store's complete home entertainment centre. The TV policeman, otherwise known as actor Graham Cole, helped the launch at Adrians, in the High Street, get off to a flying
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Thundersley: Protesters badger Virgin over sett destruction
Emotions ran high as protesters fighting plans for a controversial new leisure centre in Thundersley clashed with supporters. Demonstrators were at the site in Rayleigh Road to protest against action by Virgin Active to destroy three badger setts on the
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Basildon: Burned out of home for Christmas
Five young children and their parents have been made homeless just days before Christmas by a blaze at their Basildon home. Firefighters were forced to use breathing equipment as they battled to bring the fire, at Malyons, Pitsea, under control. The blaze
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Colchester, Brightlingsea: Manager stole from surgery
A doctor's surgery manager has been jailed for two years after stealing more than £180,000 from her employers at a Colchester practice. Belinda Harrison, 35, wrote out cheques to herself and her partner for thousands of pounds before bosses at the Parson's
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North, mid-Essex: Death crash nurse's ban cut
A nurse has had her driving ban cut from a year to three months. Magistrates had banned Lynda Collins after an accident on the A120 at Birchanger Green which led to the death of bridesmaid Ngakin Chuong on August 28 this year. Miss Chuong, 23, had been
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Colchester: Body in carpet - accused in court
Four people have appeared before Colchester magistrates charged with manslaughter and concealing a body. A fifth man who faces a charge of concealing a body also appeared before magistrates on Friday. Barry Coppin, 35, of Wisteria Court, Colchester, Stewart
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Soccer round-up: Southend Borough Combination League
The year finished well for Shoebury Town who, following their 4-3 win over Sibar Sports, moved well ahead at the top of the Southend Borough Combination Premier Division. Herbert grabbed a brace for Shoebury while White Ensign, after a hesitant few weeks
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Rugby: South Essex round-up
Experience is key to Basildon's defeat BASILDON 15 WYMONDHAM 21 The new towners went into this game knowing that it was going to be a tough game. And so it proved as the experience of the slightly older Norfolk team paid off. Wymondham also benefited
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Soccer: Colchester's Greene for go!
Defender David Greene believes Colchester are back to winning ways in the wake of their triumph against his former team, Luton Town. 'We can go on and beat anyone in the New Year.' That was Greene's challenge to the rest of the Second Division after helping
