Archive
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Great Tey: Blowing away the chaff
If you ever taste the perfect biscuit, the chances are the raw material came from Essex. Great Tey farmer Robin Bartleet, of Abraham's Farm, Great Tey, near Colchester, has scooped £1,000 in the World Class Wheat competition. He's been farming a range
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Dovercourt: £50,000 fence for Beacon Hill fort
An historic fort in Dovercourt is to be fenced off for security - but the public will still be able to access it during daylight. Tendring Council, which owns part of the Beacon Hill Fort, is planning to fence the entire site and seal underground tunnels
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Colchester: Playing field award...again!
Castle Park Park, Colchester, has scooped a best-kept playing field award for the tenth time in 12 years. After the park again won the Tom Kelly Memorial Trophy, delighted landscape manager Mike Keen praised the work undertaken by grounds maintenance
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Mid Essex, Tendring: Christmas beds crisis forces 'move away' offer
A health service beds crisis is forcing pensioners from mid-Essex into Tendring - as the homes they want to go to do not have enough room. Elderly people waiting in hospital for a move into residential care in the mid-Essex area are being offered an interim
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Southend: Licence bid for Kursaal casino
Southend councillors will be asked for their opinions on opening a casino inside the Kursaal. London Clubs (Casino) Limited has formally applied for a gaming licence to build a casino named Rendezvous on part of the ground floor and the whole of the second
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Laindon: Steps to recovery for Nikki
A Laindon girl has taken a giant step on the road to recovery after meeting her pop idols. Teen sensation Steps invited nine-year-old Nikki Ryan of Powell Road, Laindon, for a VIP day out after London's Heart FM received a letter from her parents. In
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Essex FM star sued over plane crash
Essex FM presenter Martin Day is being sued after he crashlanded his microlight aircraft at Southend Airport. The DJ, who shot to TV stardom in the docu-drama Lakesiders, is facing legal action from his former friend Martin Richardson. The pal, who part-owned
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Soccer: Driving ban for Colchester's Richard
Colchester United defender Fabrice Richard was banned from driving today after admitting driving with excess alcohol. Colchester magistrates heard 26-year-old Richard, of Ash Way, Straight Road, Colchester, was stopped by police in his Renault Clio after
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Soccer: Little's race for new blood
Southend United boss Alan Little hopes to land a couple of Christmas presents for Blues supporters this week. The Shrimpers chief wants to recruit a pair of loan signings to freshen up his squad before the Boxing Day clash with Northampton Town at Roots
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Swimming: James is the man with the golden touch
Gold medal success in the British Championships came as no surprise to Essex swimmer James Gibson. Loughborough University student James, 19, was ranked third in the country in the 50m breaststroke before last week's event at Sheffield. In the semi-final
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Southend: Patients' seven month wait to see consultant
Patients needing surgery for shoulder, hand and arm problems could face a wait of more than seven months even to see a Southend Hospital consultant for a first appointment. Hospital bosses have admitted that there is "huge stress" on orthopaedic clinics
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Vange: £1,000 gift for crash boy Adam
Vange has created its own Dickens' Christmas Carol - by raising nearly £1,000 for the family of a boy involved in a serious road accident. Adam Puffett, six, is still in a wheelchair and having treatment at London's Great Ormond Street after he was knocked
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Wickford: £2,000 of perfume stolen in shop raid
Police have warned people to be wary of sellers offering cheap perfume following a raid on a Wickford chemist. About £2,000 of scent was stolen from Supersave, in the Ladygate Centre, after thieves smashed a window with a brick to break inside. PC Geoff
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Finchingfield: Werewolf woman's £1m bid
A woman stands to gain £1 million today - if she turns into a werewolf! Wacky insurance wizz-kid Simon Burgess, from Finchingfield, has insured the 34-year-old mum against turning into one of the hairy monsters. Bridgette McFarlane is terrified that Britain's
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Braintree: Millennium crisis centre
A 24-hour emergency control room is being set up by Braintree District Council to deal with problems throughout the Christmas and millennium period. A volunteer team of key officers and staff will be on call through a mobile phone, pager and satellite
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Basildon: Drivers ignore danger
Four deaths on Basildon's roads this year have failed to deter dangerous and irresponsible driving. That was today's stark revelation from police following a month-long crackdown on those who flout the law. They say the campaign aimed at reducing death
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South Essex: New trains on track for LTS commuters
New rolling stock at a cost of £80 million for LTS Rail promises to bring a new and dynamic rail service for Essex commuters - despite a delay in a delivery of previous new trains. An order has now been placed for 28 Class 357 Electrostar trains which
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North, Mid Essex: Extra £34m health cash
Health services in north Essex have been given an extra £34.1 million next year. The Government has announced that North Essex Health Authority will have £544,949 million to fund its services in Colchester, Chelmsford, Clacton, Harwich, Maldon and Braintree
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Stansted crash: Explosion lit up sky and shook ground
Stunned eyewitnesses spoke of a huge fireball which lit up the sky and shook the ground. The Korean Air Boeing 747 cargo plane came down next to the two Essex villages of Great and Little Hallingbury, narrowly missing the M11 motorway. Norman Mead, Great
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Westcliff: Cliffs was 'not needy enough'
The Cliffs Pavilion was not deemed needy enough for a £12 million lottery handout, it emerged today. The theatre in Station Road, Westcliff, planned a massive expansion but was dealt a devastating blow by the Arts Council in July when it refused to allow
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Maldon: MP will support Boxing Day hunt
Maldon MP John Whittingdale will watch the arrival of the town's Boxing Day hunt for the first time this year. The traditional event will take place next Monday when the Essex Farmers and Union Hunt sets off from the High Street. In the past anti-hunt
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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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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: 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: Little hammers slack defence
Southend United manager Alan Little singled out his goalkeeper Mel Capleton for an earful of scathing criticism after the team's 2-2 draw at York City. Gordon Connelly had fired Blues into a half-time lead at Bootham Crescent on Friday, before the Seasiders
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Soccer: Southend District League round-up
Armada Sports are sailing into calmer waters as 1999 draws to a close. For they climbed off the bottom of the table after notching their first Bukta Southend District League Premier Division win when they triumphed 3-1 over Parma Sports thanks to goals
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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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Cross country: Kings bear trophies and travel a-fast!
Twins Dominic and Daniel King returned with a clutch of trophies from the first Essex League cross country race of the new season. The racewalking brothers from Great Horkesley have made quite an impact competing for Colchester Harriers. Dominic King
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Soccer: Baby completes Steve's hat-trick
Colchester United midfield wizard Steve McGavin is celebrating a Christmas hat-trick following the birth of his baby son. And now the Layer Road favourite is hoping to wet the baby's head in true soccer style by helping the U's into the new millennium
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Soccer: Little's race for new blood
Southend United boss Alan Little hopes to land a couple of Christmas presents for Blues supporters this week. The Shrimpers chief wants to recruit a pair of loan signings to freshen up his squad before the Boxing Day clash with Northampton Town at Roots
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Billericay: Slimmer's New Year campaign
Super slimmer Tracey Tanner, who lost four stone in a year, is all set to help others begin their fight against festive flab after throwing in her job to become a full-time diet and fitness instructor in the New Year. So if you consumed a few too many
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Colchester: Fairy light thieves in for shock
Scrooge-like thieves stole special Christmas lights from shrubs outside a Colchester house. But they could be in for a shock if they try to turn them on. Terence Doolin, of Boadicea Way, Shrub End, said the coloured lights had been sent as a present from
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Manningtree: Bus operators under fire
The head of a transport users' group has criticised festive scheduling by the area's two major bus operators. Derek Monnery, who is chairman of the Manningtree Rail Users' Association, said the closure of services for four days and the running of a Sunday
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Dovercourt: £50,000 fence for Beacon Hill fort
An historic fort in Dovercourt is to be fenced off for security - but the public will still be able to access it during daylight. Tendring Council, which owns part of the Beacon Hill Fort, is planning to fence the entire site and seal underground tunnels
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Rugby: Billericay fail to impress
Upminster played at a pace that did not agree with Billericay on Saturday, and the visitors just did not get into gear in the second half. Billericay opened the scoring, the try deriving from a line out, won by Steve Clow, and a big drive over from the
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Badminton: Saints in a pickle
The second teams of relegation-threatened Eastwood and St Aidans-Leigh went head-to-head in the men's Premier Division of the Southend and District Badminton League. Eastwood gave their survival hopes a timely boost with a 6-3 victory, which leaves Saints
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Netball: Grays ladies hold court
The Co-operative netball team from Grays has battled its way through a testing local league to take runners-up position. The ladies from the team, sponsored by Co-operative Funeral Services in Hathaway Road, won a trophy for coming second in the South
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Soccer: Injury worries for Whitton
Colchester United are sweating on the fitness of four players ahead of the Boxing Day showdown at Gillingham. U's boss Steve Whitton - who has been suffering from a virus all week - has major doubts over Lomana Tresor Lua Lua, Karl Duguid, Joe Keith and
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Soccer: Newman natters...
North v South builds United This week I'd like to use my column to underline the commitment of all the players to the cause in hand at Southend United. All of the lads are desperate to bring success to Roots Hall, despite the opinions of some people,
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Angling round-up: Cold no bar to good weight...
Members of Hockley Angling Club braved bitterly cold conditions and frozen lakes for their 40-peg Christmas silver fish only match. The event was held over five hours and produced some excellent weights despite the conditions. After the pegs had been
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Jumbo crash at Stansted Airport
Crash investigators today began a fingertip search of the Essex wood where a cargo jet crashed in a ball of flames seconds after taking off from Stansted Airport. The crew of four on the Korean Air 747 are all understood to have died in the crash, which
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Tennis round-up: Friendliness is what makes Lawn a winner....
The secret of Westcliff Lawn Tennis Club's success is quite simple according to club captain Steve Wynn. Make sure people enjoy playing and then they will get results in competitions. It is a maxim which has served the 87-year-old club well over the years
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Junior soccer: Thundermite League round-up
Woodside Colts put their foot in it in the nicest possible way to keep their hopes of big-time cup glory alive. For two goals from Foot were enough to see Southend Junior League Woodside through to the fourth round of the under-15 Essex Rosser Trophy.
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Colchester: Deportation threat to Army wife
An Army wife is facing a desperate Christmas worrying if she will soon be homeless and split up from her children. Geraldine Thomas and her husband Keith split up in September after he had officially left his regiment at Colchester Garrison six months
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South Woodham: Publicans reject plastic beer glasses
Bars in South Woodham are bowing to public pressure in rejecting plastic glasses. Youth workers in Chelmsford and South Woodham have put together a 500-strong petition and poster campaign to try and prevent drink-related violence over the festive period
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Eastwood: 'Council failed my dead father'
A pensioner died in cold and poverty because the authorities failed to help him even though they knew of his problems, his daughter has claimed. Josef Krasy was 73 when he died in a freezing and half-empty council flat at Beaver Tower in Eastwood in November
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Westcliff: Brass boys on a High at centre
Christmas shoppers were entertained by the sound of the brass ensemble of the Westcliff High School for Boys. Customers of Debenhams were treated to the sound of Christmas carols performed by the group in the Royals Shopping Centre in Southend. Tim Gartside
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Benfleet: Dancing away flu blues
Residents at a sheltered housing complex in Benfleet refused to let the flu bug dampen the spirits of their Christmas party. Around 35, including family and friends, enjoyed the festive social night at Gowan Court in Gowan Close. Castle Point mayor Tony
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Laindon: Crash mum's tiff
A Laindon woman caught drink-driving at nearly three times the legal limit was traumatised after being assaulted by her lover's girlfriend, a court was told. Francesca Boswell, 25, of Aspen Court, crashed into a parked car in Brentwood and then drove
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Brentwood: Millennium flop
The giant New Year's Eve party planned for a farm in Navestock Side has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales - leaving the organisers up to £50,000 out of pocket. Matthew Wordley and Richard Hoyle say they had no choice but to call off the event, A
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Wickford: More delays to Christmas post
Wickford post was today mounting up again after almost a third of the town's sorting office staff came down with flu. Residents called This Is Essex partner the Echo in fury that their mail was being held up for the third time in two months. Wickford
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Colchester: Man arrested after police storm home
Armed police stormed a house in Colchester after laying siege to a gunman for several hours. The drama began last night when officers were called to an argument between a man and a woman at Gilderdale Close, St John's, at 5.15pm. Det Insp Trevor Burdett
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Stansted: Why did 747 crash?
Investigators have been searching through wreckage to find why a cargo jet crashed in ball of fire seconds after take-off from Stansted Airport. The crew of four on the Korean Air 747 are all believed to have died in last night's crash at Hatfield Forest
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Essex farmers' petition on food labelling
A petition signed by farmers across East Anglia urging the government to speed up changes in food labelling, was handed to Braintree MP, Alan Hurst. Mr Hurst, a member of the government's Select Committee on Agriculture, received the petition at the Earls
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Harold Hill: Dog dumped and left to die
It may be the season of goodwill for all men, but unfortunately not for all pets as one poor pooch discovered before he met a kindly Harold Hill family last week. Biffa the Staffordshire bull terrier puppy is recovering after he was cruelly dumped in
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Colchester: Fairy light thieves in for shock
Scrooge-like thieves stole special Christmas lights from shrubs outside a Colchester house. But they could be in for a shock if they try to turn them on. Terence Doolin, of Boadicea Way, Shrub End, said the coloured lights had been sent as a present from
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Soccer: Swifts at Billericay soon
Billericay Town return to Ryman League Premier Division action on Monday (December 27), when Heybridge Swifts visit New Lodge, the match scheduled to kick-off at 3pm. The following Monday (January 3), Town are on their travels, to play Harrow Borough,
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Southend: Rockers resort to charity in two-hour treat
Rockers will be teaming up to raise money for cancer research at a charity gig in Southend next Monday. Nearly 20 musicians from different local bands will be performing under the umbrella name The Last Resort for a two-hour rock fest covering hits by
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Soccer: Super Clacton into last eight
Christmas came early for Steve Dowman's Clacton last night as they dumped Ryman League division one's Harlow out of the Essex Senior Cup 3-0. The win earns them a quarter-final meeting at home against cup holders Canvey Island, who beat Tilbury 6-0 last
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Great Notley: Blair honours primary school
Notley Green County Primary, the environmentally-friendly school which promises to 'tread lightly on the earth', has been honoured by Prime Minister Tony Blair. The new school, which opened its doors to its first pupils in September, was selected as a
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Eastwood: 'We're turning away pupils'
A school is having to turn away potential pupils - despite having a block of ten classrooms standing empty in its grounds. Eastwood School in Rayleigh Road, Eastwood, is over-subscribed but is currently powerless to utilise the extra space. An appeal
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Maldon: Space-age cinema plan
A futuristIc vision for a new town centre cinema for Maldon has been put forward by a renowned industrial designer. David Harman Powell, a lecturer at the Royal College of Art, responded to an invitation by town centre menager Marion Wells to design a
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Wickford: £2,000 of perfume stolen in shop raid
Police today warned people to be wary of sellers offering cheap perfume following a raid on a Wickford chemist. About £2,000 of scent was stolen from Supersave, in the Ladygate Centre, after thieves smashed a window with a brick to break inside. PC Geoff
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Maldon: Dawn raid on homes
Pirate computer gear has been seized in two dawn raids on homes in Maldon. Police officers and Essex Trading Standards swooped yesterday as part of Operation Cybergeek and seized personal computer hardware, labelling kits plus blank and copied CDs. The
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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
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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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Soccer: Whitton bid to keep duo
Colchester United stars Gavin Johnson and Alan White could be on target for a big future at Layer Road. And there is more good news involving goalkeeper Simon Brown. U's boss Steve Whitton revealed on Tuesday he is working hard behind the scenes to "sign
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Gymanstics round-up: Carousel pair are beaming...
Gymnasts from the Wickford-based Carousel Club did well in two competitions recently. When the regional finals of the out of age levels four and three were held at Hemel Hempstead Kerri Couzens, in the latter, scored the highest mark of the competition
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Basildon: Charity bid bears up well
Sales of teddy bears at TK Maxx in Eastgate, Basildon, will raise £1 each for a children's charity this Christmas. Every £5.99 bear will see £1 sent to the Children's Promise charity and TK Maxx will also deliver a batch of cuddly Christmas bears to a
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Colchester: Playing field award...again!
Castle Park Park, Colchester, has scooped a best-kept playing field award for the tenth time in 12 years. After the park again won the Tom Kelly Memorial Trophy, delighted landscape manager Mike Keen praised the work undertaken by grounds maintenance
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Colchester: Join the Kew!
A Kew Gardens-style glasshouse looks set to form the centrepiece of Castle Park, Colchester, in the 21st century. The proposal for an indoor winter gardens complex, put forward by Colchester Council, has been given the thumbs-up by the public. It is one
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Soccer: On-pitch fracas ended in court
A football fracas which started as "handbags at 40 paces" ended with one player hospitalised for a week and another in the dock. Wayne Bertie, 29, from Central Wall Road, Canvey, was found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm by a jury at Southend
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Soccer: Blues welcome report criteria
Southend United chairman John Main today said that Blues already meet the criteria of the latest white paper produced by the Government's Football Task Force. The soccer watchdog, headed by former Conservative MP and Chelsea fan David Mellor, has just
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Soccer: Baby completes Steve's hat-trick
Colchester United midfield wizard Steve McGavin was celebrating a Christmas hat-trick today following the birth of his baby son. And now the Layer Road favourite is hoping to wet the baby's head in true soccer style by helping the U's into the new millennium
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Stansted crash: Crash jumbo's explosive load
The Korean Air cargo jet which blew up in a fireball moments after taking off from Stansted Airport last night was carrying explosives as part of its freight, it emerged today. Essex's Assistant Chief Fire Officer Tony Lilliott said the explosives - in
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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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Basildon: Police alert over 'rock star' conman
A silver-tongued conman has duped hundreds of pounds out of people by posing as a member of rock 'n' roll band, the Moody Blues. Victims have been spun tales by David Williams who told them - in the words of the band he claimed to star in - "I'm just
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Manningtree: Bus operators under fire
The head of a transport users' group has criticised festive scheduling by the area's two major bus operators. Derek Monnery, who is chairman of the Manningtree Rail Users' Association, said the closure of services for four days and the running of a Sunday
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Colchester: Sutton bidding for top job
A surprise challenge for the leadership of Colchester Council is set to be launched. The council's largest political group - the Liberal Democrats - has invited nominations for all its key posts. And it is widely understood there will be a challenger
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Maldon: MP will support Boxing Day hunt
Maldon MP John Whittingdale will watch the arrival of the town's Boxing Day hunt for the first time this year. The traditional event will take place next Monday when the Essex Farmers and Union Hunt sets off from the High Street. In the past anti-hunt
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Braintree: Councillors quit amid fraud allegations
Two councillors at the centre of a fraud investigation have resigned. Braintree Labour councillors Alisdair Thompson and James Unsworth stood down amid allegations of housing benefit fraud, which they both deny. Their resignations mean Labour has lost
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Stansted crash: Air traffic growth worried villagers
Campaigners against the rapid growth of Stansted Airport are redoubling their efforts following last night's disaster. Norman Mead, general secretary of North West Essex and East Hertfordshire Preservation Association (NEEHPA), lives a quarter of a mile
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Colchester: Doorman saves man from river
A nightclub doorman rescued a mystery party-goer from a freezing river. Joe Brewster risked his life to save the man from the River Colne in Colchester Mr Brewster was working on the door of the Ghost nightclub in East Street when a friend of the man
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Harold Hill: Burger stall robbed by Benny hat raider
Police are looking for a youth with a 'Benny-style' hat and a facial scar who, with an accomplice, robbed £500 from a mobile burger stall last Wednesday. The two male suspects raided the Lunch Box eatery in the B&Q car park, Colchester Road, Harold
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Eastwood: 'Council failed my dead father'
A pensioner died in cold and poverty because the authorities failed to help him even though they knew of his problems, his daughter has claimed. Josef Krasy was 73 when he died in a freezing and half-empty council flat at Beaver Tower in Eastwood in November
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Mid Essex, Tendring: Christmas beds crisis forces 'move away' offer
A health service beds crisis is forcing pensioners from mid-Essex into Tendring - as the homes they want to go to do not have enough room. Elderly people waiting in hospital for a move into residential care in the mid-Essex area are being offered an interim
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Cricket: Essex man top of the pitches class
Essex County Cricket Club's head groundsman Stuart Kerrison and his staff proved a big hit when the 18 first-class counties recently held a forum to discuss pitches. Chelmsford was one of five grounds which, according to umpires, had the best pitches
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Maldon: Dawn raid on homes
Pirate computer gear has been seized in two dawn raids on homes in Maldon. Police officers and Essex Trading Standards swooped on Tuesday as part of Operation Cybergeek and seized personal computer hardware, labelling kits plus blank and copied CDs. The
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Southend: Funding success story is revealed
The woman who masterminded a string of cash bids aimed at breathing new life into Southend has told the secret of her success. Filomena Kettlewell, an economic development officer in Southend gave Castle Point's European liaison working party some tips
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Colchester: Sutton bidding for top job
A surprise challenge for the leadership of Colchester Council is set to be launched. The council's largest political group - the Liberal Democrats - has invited nominations for all its key posts. And it is widely understood there will be a challenger
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Soccer: Eddies effort seals victory
On a frosty Tuesday night at the Brentwood Centre, Brentwood completed an Easter Floodlight double over Stansted with an Eddie Martin goal in the 62nd minute. The Blues were without regular midfield players Craig Mead and Darren Hitchcock as well as still
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Basketball: Rivals turn on style in captivating clash
The National Sports Centre, Crystal Palace witnessed a "derby match" that will live in the memories of both teams for many years to come. Billed as the last match of the millennium at the NSC, the two fiercest rivals in British basketball produced an
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Soccer: Burley set to step up search
Ipswich Town will intensify their search for a new midfielder after trialist Pascal de Vries returned to Holland. The FC Twente player trained with the Town squad for several days but the weather put paid to his chances of a reserve team outing. It means
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Stansted crash: John Prescott praises Essex firefighters
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott today honoured firefighters who had tackled the airplane blaze. At the Hoppoles pub, Little Hallingbury, he met 14 members of Thaxted fire station who had worked through the night. Mr Prescott asked them how the operation
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Jumbo crash at Stansted Airport
Crash investigators today began a fingertip search of the Essex wood where a cargo jet crashed in a ball of flames seconds after taking off from Stansted Airport. The crew of four on the Korean Air 747 are all understood to have died in the crash, which
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Jumbo crash at Stansted Airport
Crash investigators today began a fingertip search of the Essex wood where a cargo jet crashed in a ball of flames seconds after taking off from Stansted Airport. The crew of four on the Korean Air 747 are all understood to have died in the crash, which
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North, Mid Essex: Extra £34m health cash
Health services in north Essex have been given an extra £34.1 million next year. The Government has announced that North Essex Health Authority will have £544,949 million to fund its services in Colchester, Chelmsford, Clacton, Harwich, Maldon and Braintree
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Colchester: Bike crash brings rush-hour chaos
A crash between a motorbike and two vans left a man with serious head injuries and blocked a major road for more than two hours. A passing doctor attended to the 23-year-old motorcyclist before he was taken to Colchester General Hospital for treatment
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Soccer: Kinsella the perfect example
This Is Essex partner the Gazette readers to cast their vote for the player or manager they thought was the most deserving of the title Colchester United Man of the Century. Here's one of the letters received so far... "Regarding the U's Player of the
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Soccer: Kinsella the perfect example
This Is Essex partner the Gazette readers to cast their vote for the player or manager they thought was the most deserving of the title Colchester United Man of the Century. Here's one of the letters received so far... "Regarding the U's Player of the
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Chelmsford: Doorman wins appeal against jail sentence
A pub doorman has won his appeal against a jail sentence. But, at the same time, a judge at Chelmsford Crown Court told Craig Clements he should stick with his job with a demolition contractor as he was "not suitable" for the security business. Clements
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South Essex: Commuters shun bus and rail link
A scheme aimed to cut congestion on the A127 by linking bus services with commuter trains has been scrapped. The Arterial Express was launched in May 1998 by the then Southend mayor Nora Goodman as a partnership between LTS Rail and First Thamesway buses
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Hadleigh: Park handover
The running of one of south Essex's "green lungs" is to be left in the hands of Essex County Council. Hadleigh Castle Country Park will be managed by the county council after it was decided to dissolve its joint management committee made up of members
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Castle Point: Debt fighters earn MP's praise
Castle Point MP Christine Butler today paid tribute to the churches and community groups across the borough which have been campaigning to cancel third world debt. Her comments came after Chancellor Gordon Brown announced the Government would write off
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Ongar, Brentwood: Concern over TB jab delays
A shortage of the vaccine against killer disease tuberculosis means children are having to wait up to two years for a life-saving jab, according to Brentwood and Ongar MPEric Pickles. He has called for urgent action from the Secretary of State for Health
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Harold Hill: Trip on new bike ended in tragedy
A motorcycle enthusiast's Sunday spin on his new superbike ended in tragedy. Lorry driver Paul Berwick was killed when his Suzuki GSXR 1300, with only 324 miles on the clock, was involved in a collision with a Mitsubishi Shogun on a bend on the B184 at
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Wickford: Second school for the Wick
Wickford's rapidly growing Wick estate is to have a second new school. The news comes just two weeks before Oakfield Primary School, in Wick Crescent, opens its doors for the first time to scores of pupils. Work on a second £1.8m 210-place primary school
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Hatfield Peverel: Tailbacks for 10 miles in A12 pile-up
Fire crews fought to free an injured man from the wreckage of his car after a smash on the A12. A recovery vehicle carrying a lorry crossed the central reservation and collided with the car coming the other way. Yesterday afternoon's crash brought rush-hour
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Great Tey: Blowing away the chaff
If you ever taste the perfect biscuit, the chances are the raw material came from Essex. Great Tey farmer Robin Bartleet, of Abraham's Farm, Great Tey, near Colchester, has scooped £1,000 in the World Class Wheat competition. He's been farming a range
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Wickford: Burst water main floods gardens
Gardens were flooded today after a water main burst on a busy Wickford road. The leak, in Runwell Road, started outside St Mary's Church and flowed downhill to walkways and residents' front gardens. Problems with water leaks were also reported in the
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Jumbo crash at Stansted Airport
Crash investigators today began a fingertip search of the Essex wood where a cargo jet which crashed in a ball of flames seconds after taking off from Stansted Airport. The crew of four on the Korean Air 747 are all understood to have died in the crash
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Wickford: Duo transform old 'Arfur' for dream race
It's Monte Carlo or bust for Nick, Iain and Arfur. Arfur is a lovingly-restored 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint which Nick Smith and Iain Tinnen have entered in the Monte Carlo Challenge next month. And there is a lot of money pledged for St Luke's Hospice
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Benfleet: Festive spirit takes hold at school carol concert
Staff and students at a Benfleet school were gripped by the festive spirit when they held a seasonal carol concert. Pupils at the Appleton School in Croft Road, put on a performance for parents and residents living nearby. About 250 people watched the
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Essex speeders warned
Speeders watch out - get caught and you could be paying for the camera which catches you next time. Essex Police have joined forces with councils to launch a scheme to use more speed cameras. From April, they can spend cash from speeders' fines to improve
