Archive
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Benfleet: Joan gives away a fortune
Benfleet lottery winner Joan Woodland has given away a huge slice of her £6.8 million jackpot to friends and family, it emerged yesterday. Joan, 73, has spent little of her multi-million-pound fortune on herself - and she has divided the cash between
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Westcliff: Instructor cleared of sex attack
A martial arts instructor has been cleared by a jury of indecently assaulting one of his Tai Chi students. After the jury unanimously found Tom Cooney not guilty he left the court to embrace his wife, waiting anxiously outside for the verdict. During
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Barrymore weds his Essex lover
TV funnyman Michael Barrymore is reported to have secretly wed his south Essex gay lover. Barrymore, the 45-year-old star of Strike it Lucky and My Kind of People, tied the knot with Shaun Davis, 24, in a secret ceremony in Hawaii. The marriage, which
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Soccer: Freed Croft back in Town
Ipswich Town defender Gary Croft is expected to make an appearance for the reserves in Wednesday's reserve team game at Portman Road against Gillingham. Croft, 25, was released from prison yesterday after serving just one month of a four-month sentence
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Soccer: U's move for Albion star
Colchester United have a made a move to sign Brighton & Hove Albion defender Ross Johnson on loan. Boss Steve Whitton turned his attentions to the 24-year-old centre-half after on-loan defender Titus Bramble picked up a knee injury in Saturday's 5
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Clacton: Maria finds her long-lost father
A daughter has told how her search for her missing dad ended with an emotional call to New Zealand. Maria Hooper, 34, has not seen her dad since her parents split up over 30 years ago. In September 1998 she decided to search for her dad, John Gall, 62
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Southend: Top barrister to fight casino
One of Britain's top barristers has stepped into an escalating row over a bid to open another casino in Southend. Legal big gun George Carman QC has been appointed by Westcliff Sporting Club and the Waterfront Casino, both on Western Esplanade, Southend
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Elmstead Market: Stroke victim left stranded
A housebound stroke victim confined to a wheelchair was forgotten about by social services on Boxing Day. Wheelchair-bound Fred Wood, 87, of Elmstead Market, is paralysed down one side and has not been able to use his arm or leg since his stroke seven
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Wickford: Delays in store for drivers
Wickford motorists face delays for up to three months as major works to improve part of the A132 are carried out. The work will strengthen and resurface the stretch between the Runwell Road and London Road roundabouts. The 12-week scheme is expected to
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Essex: Driver blamed for killer coach crash
A coach driver whose tour bus plunged down mountain killing 26 Britons - including four from Essex - may escape prosecution despite evidence that he caused the tragedy, it emerged today. Detectives probing the crash at the treacherous Long Tom Pass in
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Castle Point: Council scraps anti-gay clause
Castle Point Council is one of the first in the country to vote in favour of scrapping controversial rules banning the positive promotion of homosexuality. Labour councillor George Wilson successfully persuaded colleagues to back moves to drop the controversial
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Colchester: Special care unit gets new pad
Children's charity fundraisers from Great Tey have presented a much-needed piece of equipment to the special care baby unit at Colchester General Hospital. With the help of generous villagers, Russell and Jean Cottis have raised £2,000 to buy the fibre
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Braintree: New firm brings 100 jobs to town
A new kind of home improvement company will bring more than 100 jobs to Braintree when it opens in the town. The Lighthouse Remodeling company is recruiting local people for its telephone call centre at Warners Mill, in South Street. So far, 28 people
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Basildon: Ward changes to spread the vote
A drive to make sure everyone in Basildon has equal access to a councillor begins tomorrow. People will be able to have their say about a new draft electoral map at a series of meetings which begin with tomorrow's Central Basildon committee. Different
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Basildon: Barclays site still empty
No buyer has yet been found for the multi-million pound new Barclays Life Assurance building. Car giant Visteon said it was still interested in the Cranes Farm Road site, but no decision has been made yet. Visteon employs 2000 workers at different sites
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Wickford: Guitarist searches for a musical star of Essex
Wickford guitarist Richard Mead is seeking Essex's talented performers. He was joined at the Wick Centre on Saturday by fellow guitarists to entertain a local audience. Visitors to the centre in Silver Island Way were treated to classical, jazz and ragtime
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Shoebury: Work of art captures spirit of the new age
A golden sunrise was the focus of a special picture painted to mark the start of the millennium. Artist Brian Woodcock was on hand to explain his acrylic tribute to Shoebury when it was unveiled at Friars Community Centre by Southend mayor Tony North.
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Basildon: Charity a winner from club's millennium quilt
A stitch in time from a kindly group of Basildon women could help save a baby's life. The women are members of the town's Stitching Club are in the throes of making a millennium quilt to raise cash for charity. It is being raffled to help Basildon Hospital's
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Essex: People must come first in the rush to build new homes
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott should not let developers' interests over-ride those of local communities when deciding the number of new homes in Essex, a county councillor has warned. Ken Jones, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Essex County
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Maldon: Town's film date revealed
Maldon's first cinema for more than 15 years is one step nearer with the announcement of a provisional opening show. And organisers have urged people to support the venture to ensure its future. Maldon Town Council has organised a Saturday morning children's
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Colchester: Forces Radio to get second run
A second bite of the cherry for a Colchester radio station could lead to it becoming a permanent fixture. British Forces Radio, for the town's soldiers and their families, goes back on air on January 24 following a successful debut in the summer. If the
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Sport gets a boost from Basildon Council
Basildon Council's Sports Development Team are looking forward to consolidating their successes in 1999 as they enter the new millennium. The team have formed successful partnerships with schools, clubs and organisations like This Is Essex partner paper
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South Essex rugby round-up: Vets save day for Rochford...
Westcombe Park Veterans 0 Rochford Veterans 64 Rochford veterans salvaged some happiness from a miserable weekend for their club when they powered their way to a resounding victory against Westcombe Park veterans. The London League club's first team had
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Soccer: Ref course to kick off in Laindon
Budding 'men in black' can get their chance of official FA qualification when a referee course gets underway next week. The ten-week course, staged by the Basildon Referee Association, begins next Tuesday at Laindon Community Centre. Spaces are still
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Soccer: South Essex non-league round-up
Southend District League: Canvey set their sights after gunning down Blackgate Canvey Orient kept up their challenge in the Premier Division of the Southend District League when a 4-2 win at bottom club Blackgate Gunners kept them in second spot. Peacock
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West Bergholt: Man's 'revenge' on dying father-in-law
A former school cleaner who stole thousands of pounds from his dying father-in-law started a jail sentence on Tuesday . Colchester magistrates were told how David Jordan, 49, of Erle Havard Way , West Bergholt, was asked by his wife's father, Donald Crow
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Coggeshall: Driver dies in bypass crash
Another driver has died on Essex's roads - the fourth already this year. Last year more than 100 drivers were killed on the county's roads and police were determined to cut the figure in 2000. But on Monday night, less than two weeks into the new year
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Laindon: You'll have to pay for jab, says doc
A 72-year-old Laindon woman became a statistic in the country's flu epidemic after being refused a jab. Iris Treherne was told she was not old enough to qualify for the vaccination when she sought protection at Laindon health centre last autumn. Yet the
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Leigh: 'Please come home, Tracey'
A teenager who went missing after a new year row has refused to tell her parents if she is coming home - despite her dad pacing the streets of Southend in a bid to find her. Tracey Curtis-Wiggins hasn't been seen by dad Gary, mum Debbie, and six-year-old
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Dedham: Cottage offered as TV prize
A passion flowers and shrubbery could win green-fingered homeowners a country cottage in Dedham. The 17th century thatched home is the unusual star prize contestants in a brand new TV programme are hoping for. The cottage was snapped up last year by producers
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Frating, Great Bromley: Driver hurt after bridge plunge
A motorist was taken to hospital with spinal injuries yesterday after his car apparently skidded on ice and overturned. The accident happened on a bridge on the A133 between Frating and Great Bromley at about 9am. Essex Air Ambulance was called but the
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Mistley, Manningtree: Engineer jailed for attack on three girls
An engineer attacked three terrified children in a telephone box after pestering passersby for money, a court heard. Jamie Brooker, 26, of Stour View Avenue, Mistley, was jailed for a total of eight months and 14 days by Colchester magistrates after admitting
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Soccer: Newcastle bid for ex-U's star denied
Newcastle United have denied rumours they are about to make a £5m move for former Colchester United midfielder Mark Kinsella. The U's have a sell-on clause for the player they sold to the Addicks for £150,000 three years ago. But they are unlikely to
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Basildon: Barclays site still empty
No buyer has yet been found for the multi-million pound new Barclays Life Assurance building. Car giant Visteon said it was still interested in the Cranes Farm Road site, but no decision has been made yet. Visteon employs 2000 workers at different sites
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Man lost job after two hours
A man has been given thousands of pounds after claiming he was unfairly dismissed less than two hours after getting a job. John Tipple was awarded the money in a settlement after he lost the job as a deckhand with Westminster Dredging. The company declined
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Chelmsford: Grandma dies in car crash
A grandmother has been killed in a head-on car crash. The Chelmsford pensioner was behind the wheel of her Ford Fiesta when it was involved in a collision with a Ford Mondeo on Sunday morning. Emergency services could not save Marion Skipsey, 62, of Moulsham
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Stansted: Bid to halt further airport expansion
Councillors are set to reinforce their stance against airport expansion in the wake of the Stansted air disaster. A report on Braintree Council's position towards the airport has been requested by councillors, opposing expansion to beyond 15 million passengers
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Thorpe-Le-Soken: Woman, 87, dies in shooting
An 87-year-old woman was shot dead and her husband suffered head wounds in a "tragic" shooting incident at their home. Dorothy Parsons was found dead in the couple's home at Frost Farm Cottages, in Golden Lane, Thorpe-Le-Soken at 8.20am on Sunday. Police
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Basildon: 11 appear on drugs charge
Ten men and a youth accused of being behind a major drugs ring have again been remanded in custody by magistrates. The group appeared in pairs at Basildon Magistrates Court accused of conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine in and around Basildon
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Rochford: Jobs bonanza in new estate plan
Hundreds of jobs could be created in Rochford by the development of a new industrial estate, it was revealed today. A 28-acre area of open space off Western Approaches could soon be the site of two or three large or several smaller businesses. Essex County
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Athletics: Liz aims for Olympic hammer medal glory
When the world record holder says someone has the potential to be an Olympic medallist - you know he doesn't say it lightly. But that is just what the world's best, Russian Yuri Sedykh, said when he saw Heybridge's Liz Pidgeon in action. Nothing unusual
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Soccer: Return mission for Maher
Kevin Maher has staked his claim for a place in Southend United's quickly-disintegrating midfield. Blues' loan star Nigel Pepper, signed from Aberdeen to beef-up the Shrimpers' options in the centre of the park, has picked up an ankle injury that will
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Leigh: MEP backs rebel butcher
Euro MP Jeffrey Titford today pledged to back rebel butcher Dave Stephens to the hilt. Mr Stephens, co-owner of Mandy's Chop Shop in the Broadway, Leigh, has vowed to flout the European ban on imperial measurements in a campaign to protect pounds and
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Billericay: Don't axe trees for homes
Nature-lovers have mounted a campaign to save trees on a major new housing development from the axe. Residents will present a petition to councillors on Thursday in a bid to protect greenery on a 57-home site in Rosebay Avenue, Billericay. Councillors
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Cross country: Ladies in the running
Step to it - Basildon finished in third place in the senior ladies five and a quarter mile cross-country team event at the Essex Championships held at Mistley on Sunday. The individual event was won by Colchester and Tendring's Rith Eddy. The first five
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School sports round-up: Billericay duo on glory trail
Two Billericay students from St Martin's School, Hutton, have achieved top sporting success. Richard Dupay, aged 13 of Ramden Bellhouse, has been chosen to train with the Great Britain skiing squad this winter. Also, Erin Johnston has helped demonstrate
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Soccer preview: Chemico date for Lodgers
Rayleigh Lodgers will be hoping to step up their bid for the Southend Wednesday League championship tomorrow with victory over Chemico at the Ekco Ground. Lodgers moved into top spot in shock fashion when, as they were beating Southend Police 5-1, previously
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Rugby: Dream team for Southend
Club captain Chris Dyton believes Southend have taken the first step towards turning around their disappointing season following the appointment of First XV coaching partnership Dave Masden and Alan Miles. The two men replace Gary Jones, who left earlier
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Soccer: Red reverse on cards for Little?
Southend United boss Alan Little confirmed today that Blues will fight to achieve justice for red-carded striker Martin Carruthers. Referee Trevor Parkes ordered Carruthers and Barnet skipper Greg Heald off the pitch during Southend's 2-1 defeat at Underhill
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NE Essex: Meningitis jabs still available
More than 4,500 children in north east Essex are eligible for immunisation from meningitis C. Since November 17, more than 4,000 children between 15 and 17 were given the jab by Essex Rivers Healthcare Trust at schools and colleges. But a further 4,695
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Rochford: Jobs bonanza in new estate plan
Hundreds of jobs could be created in Rochford by the development of a new industrial estate, it was revealed today. A 28-acre area of open space off Western Approaches could soon be the site of two or three large or several smaller businesses. Essex County
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Darts: Bobby's out to dazzle
Prepare to be dazzled! Bobby's back. Essex's Bobby George, Britain's most flamboyant and best-loved darts professional set out yesterday to capture the title he covets most - the Embassy World Professional Darts Championship. After successfully making
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Castle Point: Millennium trail for Sunday walks
A group of intrepid walkers has been making strides to map out a millennium trail around Castle Point. The walking club of the Bodycare Health and Fitness Club, based in High Road, Benfleet, has planned out a 28 mile route around the borough taking in
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Clacton: Sports ground torn up by vandals
Leisure bosses have hit out a vandals who ripped up sports pitches in Clacton causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage. The cricket square and hockey pitch at Vista Road were driven over by a car and motorbikes on three successive nights. The vandals
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A12 headache as roadworks return
Drivers on the A12 faced delays this morning (Tuesday) as roadworks started again after a Christmas lay-off. The stretch of road between the Boreham Interchange and Hatfield Peverel is affected by the maintenance work and a 40mph speed limit is in place
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Maldon: Charity box thief branded 'lowest of the low'
A thief who stole a charity box from a High Street jewellers in Maldon has been branded the lowest of the low by the shop owner. Barry Everett, who owns Kimbells, said: "Everything in the shop is locked up and the only thing that isn't is the last thing
