Archive
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Brentwood: Face of an attacker
Police have issued an e-fit of a youth they want to talk to in connection with an unprovoked assault on a Brentwood teenager. The attack took place at 2.30pm on New Year's Eve, leaving the 13-year-old victim lying unconscious in a pool of blood near Priests
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Billericay: Teenager hid cannabis in bra
A Billericay teenager hid herbal cannabis in her bra when visiting a prisoner at Highpoint Jail, Suffolk, and planned to pass it over through a kiss, a court heard. Katie McPherson, 19, narrowly escaped a custodial sentence herself when she appeared before
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Essex: Flu bug outbreak jams phone lines
A round-the-clock health helpline has, at times, been receiving double the usual number of calls during the flu outbreak. During one 24-hour period, nurses and call-takers at NHS Direct in Essex dealt with 900 calls from the public. Now health bosses
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Colchester: Drunk soldier froze to death
A teenage soldier died from hypothermia after falling asleep drunk in a field, an inquest heard. Carl Johnson, 17, was found wearing just a short sleeved top and trousers even though it was bitterly cold. Mr Johnson had joined the Army less than a year
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Colchester: Pupils oppose merger
Placard-waving children who have joined the fight to stop their schools being merged greeted education chiefs on Wednesday night. Three hundred parents, pupils, governors, and staff from Monkwick infant and junior schools met Essex County Council officers
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Soccer: Billericay expect full house for big tie
Billericay Town will be watched by a four-figure crowd for the second time in eight days when FA Cup heroes Hereford United come to New Lodge on Saturday afternoon. Gary Calder's men, watched by over 1,100 when they crashed 4-0 at home to Ryman League
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Witham: Vandals hit school twice
A headteacher has condemned vandals who left a trail of damage and destruction at a school. Powers Hall Infants School in Witham has been targeted by vandals twice this week. The damage included a gate being ripped from its hinges, branches torn from
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Mid Essex: Hammer blow to Stansted rail link hopes
Hopes for a much-vaunted Stansted rail link could be dashed before they even get off the ground if a tiny plot of land goes under the hammer. There are fears ambitious plans for a line connecting the airport with Braintree will be derailed if an old railway
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Shoebury: Marina bid for garrison site
A vision of the future for Shoebury Garrison was today unveiled by a developer intent on turning the site into a £50 million marina complex. The Shoebury-based Lewis Harris Partnership is one of five bidders on the final list for the proposed development
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Rochford: Builder's pig sick at treatment
Pig-sick Jim Butcher is so fed up with council bureaucrats stopping him from building on his land that he is turning it over to trotters instead. Mr Butcher's land, situated between properties in the affluent Hall Road in Rochford is now ready to receive
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Colchester: 'Body in carpet' court case - killing charges dropped
Manslaughter charges against all four defendants in the "body in the carpet" case were today dropped. The charges related to the body of Adrian Doherty, 31, of Normandy Avenue, Barn Hall, Colchester, which was discovered at Pyecat Corner near Elmstead
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Colchester: Armed gangs' street battle
Gangs of youths carrying knives and sticks sparked a street battle in Colchester. Two groups fought each other in front of terrified residents in All Saints' Avenue, Prettygate, at 8pm on Thursday night. Det Sgt Roger Napier, of Colchester police, said
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Soccer: North Essex non-league preview
Heybridge hit the road to Wembley on Sunday as they take on Dartford in the third round of the FA Trophy. The match is being played a day later than usual because Dartford ground share with Purfleet, who are in action in the same competition on Saturday
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Table Tennis: Radford recalled to England team
After a break of two years Brentwood's Linda Radford has been recalled to the England table tennis team for a top title clash next month. She will be hoping to maintain her current fine form when she represent her country in the Welsh Open Championship
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Soccer: Deaths of two former Chelmsford City stalwarts
Former Chelmsford City defender Joe Elvin died last week, aged 83, and on Sunday, the club's former secretary, Len King, also died, aged 87. Joe was also well- known for his longstanding associations with Rainsford Youth Centre and Broomfield Youth Centre
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Essex: Churches wage crime fight
Churches across Essex are being fortified in the fight against crime. Vicars are having alarms and security lighting installed at parish churches in a bid to beat the vandals who target the historic and holy buildings. Even sacred objects like chalices
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Colchester: Consultant hit ex-girlfriend
A financial consultant who punched his former girlfriend three times in the head has been given a conditional discharge. Colchester magistrates were yesterday told how Steven Harrison, 37, formerly of Colchester, had fallen more than £7,000 into debt
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Witham: Blaze in malt silo
Firefighters took more than eight hours to put out a blaze which swept through a silo containing about 20 tonnes of malt in Witham. The fire started at about 3.25pm on Monday at Station Malting, Station Road and two engines from Witham attended the scene
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£13,000 - the price of a man's life
Charles Nicholls and Michael Gould are starting 16-year jail terms after being convicted of the brutal murder of their landlord Colin Francis, whose body they dumped in a car boot. What prompted them to think they could get away with such a blatant and
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Stansted: Korean Air ban urged
Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles has called on the Government to ban Korean Air from operating in British air space until the airline has achieved major improvements in its safety record. Speaking in the wake of December's Stansted air disaster, which
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South Essex: Life for brutal killers
Two men are behind bars for life after callously murdering their landlord and dumping his body in the boot of his own car. Michael Gould and Charles Nicholls were each convicted of murder and sentenced to a minimum 16 years' imprisonment by a Chelmsford
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Braintree, Stansted: 'Stop airport growth' call
Braintree councillors are calling for a halt to further expansion at Stansted airport. They are worried about urbanisation of the rural area and environmental consequences if flights at the airport go on increasing. At an environment committee meeting
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South Essex: Perrys loses Ford franchise
One of the best-known car dealerships in south Essex has lost its valuable Ford franchise, it was revealed today. The future for Perrys - which has garages at Rayleigh Weir, Kent Elms Corner and Southchurch Road in Southend - is now uncertain after the
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Clacton: Brave Conor steps out
Conor Campbell is stepping out - with his new leg. Sixteen-month-old Conor lost part of his right leg below the knee after contracting meningitis. But this week doctors fitted him with an artificial limb and mum Charlotte Baker said he is progressing
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Dunmow: Mum is 'bravest in Britain'
The courage of a Dunmow woman, who battled to save her two children who suffered with Batten's disease, has won her the title of one of the seven bravest women in Britain by a women's magazine. Carmen Daniels, 32, from Laurel Drive, and her husband Barry
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Brentwood: Car thieves shatter pilot's flying dream
A trainee pilot, just one exam away from his dream, has had his wings clipped by thieves who stole his log book. Andy Haynes today (Friday) appealed for its return after it was stolen along with his car on the day of his final exam. The badly damaged
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North Essex: Catch-up classes for primary children
Hundreds of north-east Essex pupils are to have after-school and Easter holiday lessons to boost their SAT results. The Government is funding the scheme to help certain children catch up. Other schools will use the cash to hire extra teachers to concentrate
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Soccer: South Essex non-league results round-up
SATURDAY RYMAN LEAGUE Premier Division: Billericay Town 0, Dagenham and Redbridge 4; Canvey Island 2, Aylesbury United 3. Division 3: Kingsbury Town 1, Great Wakering Rovers 3. SCHWEPPES ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE Basildon United 0, Southend Manor 3; Burnham
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Rugby round-up: A-team show good potential...
WESTCLIFF LIONS 15 SOUTHEND CARDINALS 22 Southend veterans have recently earned something of a reputation for beating 2nd XVs and their experience stood them in good stead once again against Westcliff's Lions side. The Lions started the stronger side,
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Soccer: Livett to leave Roots Hall fold
Southend United's forgotten man - midfielder Simon Livett - is expected to part company with the Third Division club. The Shrimpers have offered to pay-up the remaining six months of the 31-year-old's contract, enabling the former West Ham player to rebuild
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Soccer round-up: Southend Junior League
Danny Siggins was very much the boy for Ashingdon as they started the new millennium with a bang in the Southend Junior League Under-14 B Division. For he went nap with five of the goals as Ashingdon Boys pulled off their biggest win of the season, 15
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Darts: Bobby loses title chance
Ardleigh darts king Bobby George bowed out of the Embassy World Professional Championships at Frimley Green in style. George, 54, put up a brilliant fight before finally succumbing by three sets to two to number two seed Ronnie Baxter in a tie-break on
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Tendring: Taxi licence rise could cost jobs
Taxi drivers in Tendring fear jobs will be lost following a 50 per cent rise in the cost of licences. The increase from £107 per vehicle per year to £160 will begin from April 1, and it is still one of the lowest rates in Essex, but operators claim it
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Maldon: No extension for hotel plan
Planning consent for a high-class, 106-bedroom hotel in Maldon has been refused an extension. The refusal followed concerns the two-year extension would "mislead" the applicant into believing alternative plans for a smaller budget hotel would be acceptable
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Copford: Pupils' garden wins cash prize
An environmental project by north Essex pupils has netted them £500 in a county-wide competition. Pupils from Copford Primary School scooped first prize in the youngest category of the Stanley Barnett Awards. They had made a wildlife garden - a major
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Clacton: Tributes paid to American pilot
Final respects have been paid to a wartime pilot who died after crashing into the sea off Clacton. American pilot Raymond King died in 1945 when he was forced to ditch his Mustang fighter into the sea. He was brought ashore unconscious by lifeboatmen
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Soccer round-up: South Essex Mini Soccer
The first week back after the holiday break saw South-East Essex Primary Mini Soccer League teams involved in League Cup action for all age groups with teams battling for semi-final spots. Notable winners included Southend Manor, in the Under-9 Lions
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Shoebury: Barracks battle
A war of words broke out as final bids were submitted for the development of Shoebury barracks. Only two of the five bidders short-listed for the proposed development of the site owned by the Ministry of Defence, have gone public with their plans. While
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Ice hockey: Great win for the Chieftains
More than 1,200 spectators packed into the Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre in Chelmsford on Saturday for the culmination of the Riverdome 2000 celebrations where all facilities, including entrance to the ice hockey match, were free. The massive crowd
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Karate: Braintree's national champion
Braintree's Lauren Manning has beaten off top competition to become the overall champion of all the girls in the Toyakwai Karate Association in the Southern Region. Lauren, 12, who attends the Tabor High School in Braintree, scored the most points throughout
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Soccer round-up: Southend Borough Combination League
The only tie played in the senior Southend Borough Combination knockout competition for the Walton Cup saw Tubbs grab a hat-trick for Old Southendian in a 5-2 win at Thames Park. Shoebury Town still top the Premier Division, but were made to fight all
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Cross country: Chelmsford winners once again
Sunday saw senior, junior and under 17 members of Chelmsford Athletic Club compete in the Essex AAA Cross Country championships at Mistley. It was a cold clear day over a course that wound its way through areas of woodland and in and out of a series of
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Golf: Langdon Hills quartet scoop first title of the year
Topcounty golfers competed in the first Pro-Am Alliance for 2000 at the Essex Golf & Country Club, Earls Colne at the weekend. Despite a short delay to the start, due to a heavy overnight ground frost, 17 teams started with each team consisting of
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Wix, Colchester: Toby's joy at new wheelchair
A five-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer has been given a new lease of life thanks to generous Colchester pub regulars. Little Toby Smith, of Bradfield Road, Wix, is getting around thanks to his first wheelchair which gives him a new outlook on life. Toby
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Women's football: Drane is five-star striker
Following a five week break from competitive action, City had a disastrous start to Sunday's match, as they went behind to a first minute goal. City equalised on 28 minutes. A flick over the defence by Sarah Gammon found Paula Drane who made no mistake
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Soccer round-up: Mid Essex League
ESSEX JUNIOR TROPHY FIFTH ROUND Mundon Vics comfortably won the all Mid-Essex League tie at Southminster where the home team's reserves produced their poorest performance of the season. Elderton gave the visitors a half-time lead and he increased his
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Canvey: Farewell to flood hero Frank
Mourners gathered at Southend crematorium to pay their final respects to a hero of the 1953 Canvey floods. Strapping Frank Westoby, who stood over 6ft tall, single-handedly saved an entire family during the floods when he held up the ceiling of a collapsing
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Chelmsford, Wickford: Mount Kenya awaits constable
A bobby from Chelmsford will be swapping his police boots for hiking boots when he tackles one of the world's most impressive mountains. PC Paul Ford is in training to climb Mount Kenya to raise money for Chelmsford's Farleigh Hospice and the NSPCC Full
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Southend: Bosom Pals boost charity
Fashionable women have raised £1,150 in aid of a Southend charity which helps women through the pain of breast cancer. Southend Women's Guild of Friends presented the cheque to charity group Bosom Pals, after raising the money through a fashion show at
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Southend: Special hearing for drink drive case
A special hearing will be held at Southend Magistrates' Court after a man admitted drink driving. At the court house in Victoria Avenue, Craig Wright, 40, of Thorpeleas, Canvey, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol in Canvey on October
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Southend, Canewdon: Shop staff to the rescue
Staff at Debenhams have been praised for their swift action when a woman was taken seriously ill in their store. As Tracey Noakes of Canewdon browsed around the towel department of the store in the Royals Shopping Centre, Southend, she suffered a massive
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Colchester: School plans under fresh attack
Angry parents, teachers and governors of Hazelmere Infant and Junior schools in Greenstead have called for amalgamation plans to be scrapped. At a heated public meeting on Thursday night, councillor and school governor Tim Young attacked the proposals
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Soccer: No bad language in West Bergholt!
Footballers and fans using a village playing field have been warned to mind their language during matches. Parish councillors have told clubs that players and supporters using Lorkin Daniel Field in West Bergholt must hold their tongues in future. The
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Soccer: Points push on cards for manor
Southend Manor should have few problems giving their push for Schweppes Essex Senior League honours another boost tomorrow when they host bottom club Stansted. Manor are currently in fourth position and could get an extra lift with victory on Saturday
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Rugby: Billericay romp to a 62-0 win
Old Cooperians had called off their last match scheduled against Billericay in November, and Billericay were none too impressed when they were advised on Friday night that Old Coops again wanted to cancel. As it turned out, on Saturday, Old Coops turned
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Basildon: More big names for interactive TV
Cable operator Telewest has signed up a further 15 high street names to provide products on its new interactive TV service. The company has its regional headquarters in Basildon where several hundred people are employed in its call centre. It plans to
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Essex: Big success for bouncers register
A pioneering county-wide scheme for registering door staff in pubs and clubs has been hailed a success by councillors and police. Since November 1998, door staff registering with one Essex authority have been able to work in the area of any other authority
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Harold Hill: Meningitis cases spark fear
Anxious Harold Hill parents are demanding that health chiefs do more to protect their children from the killer virus meningitis, in spite of expert assurances that there is no epidemic. The call comes as a seven-year-old pupil from Brookside Junior School
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Leigh: Fury over rubbish
Rubbish bags left dumped in the streets of Leigh over Christmas could have caused a health hazard, says the local MP. David Amess has called for an explanation over why some residents were forced to wait more than two weeks for their black bags to be
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Rugby round-up (more): 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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Angling round-up: Watts up with roach...
Big fish are proving evasive at both Hadleigh reservoir and Rochford's Doggetts fishery. Hadleigh angler Matt Watts concentrated on the roach at the reservoir and was rewarded with a decent bag of fish up to 1lb. Red maggot proved the successful recipe
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Anyone for netball?
Netball enthusiasts will be able to hone their skills under a new scheme at Colne Community School. With the aid of a Sports Council grant Colchester Netball 2000 have set up special coaching schools to develop young players' techniques. Vanessa Osbourn
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Athletics: Youngsters have a real spring in step
Youngsters from south Essex schools enjoyed running, jumping and sprinting themselves into the ground at an indoor athletics day at Greensward College. The college joined forces with Southend Athletics Club to put more than 50 children through their paces
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Cross country: Dobson's Striders' best ever
At the Essex Cross Country Championships, at Mistley, the Springfield Striders were out in force. The ladies were first to compete on a tough five mile course of mud and hills. The flu bug had taken its toll, but there were still fine performances from
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Soccer: Chelmsford injury crisis deepens
Chelmsford City are facing their worst injury crisis for many seasons as manager Gary Bellamy fights to have at least eleven fit players for Saturday's tough Dr Martens League match at Bashley. The latest to join the growing casualty list is defender
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Women's soccer: Southend fail to take advantage
Old Southendian Ladies failed to capitalise on their first-half enterprise and lost this match to Stevenage. The Southend side recovered well initially from a major setback when their leading scorer Sonia Allen was sidelined with a 17th minute knee injury
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Soccer round-up: Essex Intermediate League
SENIOR DIVISION ONE Rayleigh were at Frenford Senior on Saturday but goals from Taylor, Rich and Thompson failed to bring in the points as the home efforts from Ainsworth, R. Farlow (2), Hunt, Collard and Young saw them move up to second place. They are
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Golf: Tina a silver star at Channels
Channels Golf Club Ladies Section played their January monthly medal this week. The silver division was won by Tina Daw who scored 36 points, and the bronze division was won by Joyce Thorndyke with her 33 points. The men continued with the fourth round
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Braintree: E-fit of foiled raider
Braintree Police have released this e-fit of a man who tried to hold up a woman cashier at the town's McDonalds fast food outlet in Cressing Road on December 27 last year. The man threatened the woman at about 7.10pm with what was believed to be a wood
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Southend: Booking a refit
Southend central library will be closed from this evening as workers start on a £40,000 refit. The millennium revamp will see one of the busiest libraries in Essex shut for more than a week. The main library will be closed from 7pm tonight until Monday
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South Essex: Warring start to new year for couples
A surge in calls from warring couples has prompted a huge increase in counselling sessions at South Essex Relate, it was revealed today. Marriage guidance counsellors have been inundated with calls for help since the long Christmas and new year holidays
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Tiptree: Store plans go-ahead
Controversial plans for a Tesco store and around 60 new homes at the former Tiptree Book Service site have been recommended for approval by borough councillors. Members of the development control committee held a site meeting last Thursday before recommending
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Soccer: Colchester could lose Lua Lua
Newcastle United are poised to make a renewed attempt to lure Colchester United striker Lomana Tresor Lua Lua to St James's Park. The Premiership giants had a £250,000 bid turned down by the U's earlier in the season but now they are planning another
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Soccer: Essex clubs launch three-pronged promotion bid
The intriguing possibility of Essex providing all three promoted Ryman League Division Three sides at the end of the current campaign is looking increasingly likely to become a fact. Newcomers Great Wakering Rovers, East Thurrock United and Aveley are
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Soccer: Johnson wants to stay with U's
Ross Johnson has revealed he is ready to put pen to paper on a long-term deal at Colchester United. The 24-year-old Brighton & Hove Albion defender is on loan at Layer Road after signing a short-term deal on Tuesday, but already he's keen to make
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Basildon: New store to create 80 jobs
Eighty new jobs will be created in Basildon when another major new store opens at the multi-million pound Westgate park shopping complex. Bosses at high street retailer Wilkinson today promised they will be recruiting staff locally for the new store.
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Clacton: Brave Conor steps out
Conor Campbell is stepping out - with his new leg. Sixteen-month-old Conor lost part of his right leg below the knee after contracting meningitis. But this week doctors fitted him with an artificial limb and mum Charlotte Baker said he is progressing
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Rettendon: Bailiffs ready to shift eco-warriors
A second public inquiry into the new A130 bypass will be held later this month - as bailiffs prepare to throw Rettendon's eco-warriors off their protest site. The inquiry will look at the southern section of the new road, running from near Rettendon turnpike
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South Essex: Flu takes toll at hospitals
Operations at Basildon and Southend hospitals are being cancelled as the flu bug continues to take its toll on health services. The record numbers of seriously ill patients over Christmas and the millennium show no signs of abating as the epidemic sweeps
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Harold Hill: Crazed gang torch cars
A gang of crazed car criminals scorched back to their former haunt on a troubled Harold Hill estate, leaving a trail of torched vehicles in their wake. A van, five cars, and a motorbike were totally destroyed by fire on Clematis Close on the Briar Road
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South Essex: Life for brutal killers
Two men are behind bars for life after callously murdering their landlord and dumping his body in the boot of his own car. Michael Gould and Charles Nicholls were each convicted of murder and sentenced to a minimum 16 years' imprisonment by a Chelmsford
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Canvey: No cash aid for blighted estate
A cash injection aimed at improving conditions on a blighted Canvey housing estate has been turned down by county officials, it emerged today. Castle Point Council applied for funds to brighten up the Avenues estate, which has suffered from a series of
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Bocking: Council bans parking outside schools
A parents group is set to win its fight to get road safety measures outside two schools. Protestors believe Church Street and Fennes Road, in Bocking, are accidents waiting to happen and have campaigned for two years to make them safer for children to
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Maldon: Homelessness on the increase
Figures of those homeless in the Maldon district have risen by 15 per cent on last year. The figure was given in a report to the community and leisure services committee showed 99 households were found eligible and unintentionally homeless. ''These figures
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Tennis: Tournament triumph for Clearview duo
Clearview players Melanie Hall and Gavin Bradford both triumphed when the Centre hosted its LTA Ratings tournament over the Christmas period. Both won their respective singles titles and collected 'Whirlpool' microwave ovens from the tournament sponsors
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Maldon:: Town's sea salt an 'essential' ingredient
Maldon sea salt is attracting national acclaim thanks to celebrity chef Delia Smith -- and local chefs swear by it too! Delia, who launched her new television series, Delia's How to Cook - Part Two, this week has been reported to have declared Maldon
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Speedway: Troy back for tenth year
The team building plans of Arena Essex move on apace with the confirmation that Troy Pratt bas become the third rider to sign a contract for next season. Troy has been a Hammers stalwart for many years and this will be his tenth year in Arena's colours
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Soccer: Southend keeper's solidarity plea
Southend United goalkeeper Mel Capleton has called for unification from Blues' supporters on the eve of Saturday's Third Division Roots Hall clash with Rochdale. Capleton has failed to start any of Southend's previous four league matches, following Shrimpers
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Rugby: Acid test for Basildon boys...
Basildon exciting young side face a big test of their progress on Saturday when they take on high-flying Chingford at Gardiners Close. Chingford have scored a massive 309 points from their nine games this season, conceding merely 53 in the process, and
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Soccer: Vange on the ball
The Vange Sunday League will, at their first meeting of the new century next Monday, present each participating team with a brand new match football. League secretary Charlie Francis explained that the management committee considered that it would be
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Leigh: Sister sets up drug line help scheme
A woman is setting up a support group for relatives of drug victims after her brother died of a heroin overdose. Charlotte Spencer found her 37-year-old brother Paul Bawden dead in her own bathroom after he took a massive overdose of heroin. Miss Spencer
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Rugby: Chelmsford cruise to Southend win
Chelmsford found themselves without league opposition on Saturday due to the fact that their scheduled opponents, Old Albanians, were still involved in league action. A friendly was therefore arranged with Southend who found themselves in the same situation
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Halstead: Church wall move will cut congestion
A controversial scheme to ease traffic congestion at a busy town centre roundabout finally looks set to become a reality. Part of the wall at St Andrew's Church, Halstead, is being moved back from the road to stop it being battered by turning lorries.
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Colchester: 999 boy's finger stuck in sink
A young boy is recovering today after he was taken to hospital with a sink stuck on his finger. The five-year-old child managed to become trapped with his finger in the overflow of the china sink at about 4.30pm on Thursday. Firefighters and paramedics
