Archive
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Colchester: 999 boy's finger stuck in sink
A young boy is recovering 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 were
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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 was targeted by vandals twice last week. The damage included a gate being ripped from its hinges, branches torn from trees
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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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Colchester: 'Body in carpet' court case - killing charges dropped
Manslaughter charges against all four defendants in the "body in the carpet" case have been 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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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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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 has emerged. Castle Point Council applied for funds to brighten up the Avenues estate, which has suffered from a series of
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Soccer: Naylor's double keeps sun shining on Ipswich
The sunshine break in Tenerife appears to have paid dividends for George Burley and the Ipswich Town squad. Revitalised and refreshed from their four-day sojourn in the Spanish sun they confidently rolled over a dispirited Swindon side which has now gone
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Soccer: Howard Southwood - Speaks his mind on the Blues
I don't for one minute think that Southend boss Alan Little's job is under threat following a dismal run of results. But hopefully, even if things don't improve dramatically, none of our local MPs will try and interfere the way the four far from just
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Golf: Langdon Hills quartet scoop first title of the year
Top county golfers competed in the first Pro-Am Alliance for 2000 at the Essex Golf & Country Club, Earls Colne last 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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Women's football: Drane is five-star striker
Following a five week break from competitive action, City had a disastrous start to last 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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Rugby: Chelmsford cruise to Southend win
Chelmsford found themselves without league opposition last 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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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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Bocking: Council to ban 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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Soccer: Whitton warns of work ahead
Colchester United completed two successive victories for the first time in almost a year with their 2-1 win at Notts County. The unexpected triumph at Meadow Lane on Saturday made it six points from six after the 5-4 thriller against Bristol Rovers a
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Maldon: Pensioner in mugger chase
A plucky pensioner today told how she chased a mugger who had knocked her down and stolen her cash. The 70-year-old Maldon woman, who did not wish to be named, was attacked as she walked through an alleyway between Fambridge Road and Plume Avenue in the
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Basildon: Police issue warning after spate of car break-ins
Motorists using a town centre car park were today urged to check their cars during work breaks following a spate of thefts. Six cars parked in Great Oaks multi-storey car park were targeted by thieves in just a few hours. Drivers returned to their cars
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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 last 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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Rochford: Residents fight to stop development
Residents in Rochford are angry over plans to build an industrial estate on an open piece of land in front of their homes. Business units and car showrooms are earmarked for the 28-acre site off Cherry Orchard Way. Essex County Council which owns the
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Colchester: Criminal classes to stop offences
Criminals in Colchester are to be given reading and writing lessons in a scheme aimed at stopping them offend again. Convicted criminals will be offered the chance to take part in the scheme when they are on probation. The idea is to equip them with skills
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Southend: Man, 79, beaten in his own home
A pensioner was beaten unconscious after he confronted a burglar in his own home. Police are hunting for the intruder, who fled empty-handed, after the 79-year-old man suffered a cut head, bruising to both arms and hands, chest, back and rib injuries
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Tennis round-up: Icy finish to Cup game...
Ice stopped the final set of the Ladies Winter Cup second round tie between Hockley and Wickford. But Wickford had already caught a cold as they had lost too many sets for it to matter. Pat Townsley and Nicola Edwards set up the win by beating Hockley
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Chelmsford: Man dies in custody
An investigation was today underway after a 26-year-old Chelmsford man died in police custody. The man, who has not yet been named, was arrested shortly after 12.30am on Sunday in Main Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford. Essex police went to the scene following
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Soccer: Vange on the ball
The Vange Sunday League will, at their first meeting of the new century today, present each participating team with a brand new match football. League secretary Charlie Francis explained that the management committee considered that it would be an excellent
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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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Colchester: Nightporter felt unsafe in hotel
A nightporter who did not feel safe when working alone at a Colchester hotel has lost his claim for unfair dismissal. Martin Taylor, of Queens Road, Colchester, told an employment tribunal in Bury St Edmunds on Friday he had been forced to quit his job
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Chelmsford: It's back to school for you bruv!
Brave Oliver Headon is ready to go back to school ten months after he was diagnosed with cancer. Oliver, four, of Broomfield, Chelmsford, should find out whether he has beaten his illness next month when he returns to London for the latest test results
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South Essex: Perrys' jobs at risk as talks continue
Discussions are continuing today over plans by Basildon-based Essex Ford to take over the franchise of Ford cars from Perrys. The future for Perrys - which has garages at Rayleigh Weir, Kent Elms Corner and Southchurch Road in Southend - is now uncertain
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Soccer: South Essex non-league results round-up
RYMAN LEAGUE Division 3: Great Wakering Rovers 2, Aveley 0. FA UMBRO TROPHY Round 3: Billericay Town 3, Hereford United 1; Sutton United 1, Canvey Island 0. SCHWEPPES ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE Bowers United 4, Eton Manor 1; Brentwood 1, Ilford 3; Burnham Ramblers
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Soccer: Comeback spares Blues' blushes
A stunning second-half comeback netted Southend United a point from their Third Division Roots Hall clash with Rochdale - but did nothing to improve the Shrimpers' abysmal home record. Trailing by three goals at half-time the Seasiders mounted a brave
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Rugby round-up: Rochford in saintly show...
Rochford XV 27 Bury St. Edmunds XV 12 A revitalised Rochford side resumed winning ways by outplaying their Suffolk visitors to put their league challenge back on track. After the disappointment of the previous week the home side were in a more positive
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Soccer: We were pathetic, admits Southend winger
Southend United winger Scott Houghton apologised on behalf of his team-mates for Blues' horrendous first-half performance during Saturday's 3-3 Roots Hall draw with Rochdale. "We were pathetic to say the least during the opening 45 minutes and all the
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Soccer: Southend keeper's solidarity plea
Southend United goalkeeper Mel Capleton called for unification from Blues' supporters before Saturday's Third Division Roots Hall clash with Rochdale. Capleton failed to start any of Southend's previous four league matches, following Shrimpers boss Alan
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Maldon: Cash injection for carnival
A deal with supermarket giant Safeway is likely to make Maldon's carnival the best ever. Safeway will be sponsoring the whole of carnival day on Saturday, August 5. The week-long entertainment beforehand will begin on July 30 with the crowning of the
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Colchester: Gunmen shoot man in leg
A man was blasted in the leg with a shotgun as he walked through the Greenstead estate in Colchester. Armed police were deployed and roadblocks set up following the incident last night. The victim, a man believed to be in his 30s, was shot shortly after
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Ashingdon: Defiant stand on 73 homes
A decision on a 73-home development proposed for Ashingdon has been put back again by councillors, despite a pending appeal. Rochford District Council's planning committee must either approve the application when it is discussed again on February 2, or
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Witham, Hatfield Peverel: Police hunt man after shop raids
Police were today hunting a man they believe could be responsible for three shop raids in Hatfield Peverel and Witham. In the first incident, a man went into Forbuoys newsagents in Hadfelda Square shortly before noon on Friday and asked for change. When
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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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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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Golf: Tina a silver star at Channels
Channels Golf Club Ladies Section played their January monthly medal last 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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Pitsea: Business as usual for teen vandals
Smashed windows are a way of life for businesses in Pitsea town centre. As yet, there is no answer to this on-going campaign of vandalism - other than to continue to pay the mounting repair bills. KELLY CLARK reports. Most company bosses would be fuming
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Stanway: Caring wife to give kidney to sick husband
A woman is to donate a kidney to her sick husband to transform his quality of life. For more than three years, Mike Seymour, 53, of Stanway, has been waiting for a kidney transplant. He and wife June are being admitted to Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge
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South Essex: New train delay
A fleet of new trains won't be in service until March - but LTS is being given two complimentary trains to compensate for the delay. The new fleet, costing £130 million, was due to have been in service in early November but modifications were needed before
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Colchester: Arson theory in wooden building fire
Arsonists are believed to have set light to a derelict wooden building. Firefighters were called to the disused detached property in Elmstead Road, Colchester, just after 3pm on Saturday. They fought flames between the external timber cladding and interior
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Soccer: Roots Hall return for Royce?
Charlton Athletic shot-stopper Simon Royce has offered to help Southend United out of their goalkeeping crisis. The former Blues custodian, who played eight Premiership games for the Addicks last season, has just returned to training following a lengthy
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Essex: POWs hope for a final court victory
More a thousand former POWs in Essex and East Anglia could be on the verge of receiving an official apology and up to £14,000 in compensation from the Japanese government. Japanese judges are set to rule in March on a six year court battle launched by
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Chelmsford: Company evacuated after chemical spill
The manager of a dry-cleaning company at the centre of a chemical leak today said measures were in place to ensure it will not happen again. All 80 workers at County Linen in Springfield Road, Chelmsford, were evacuated and more than 20 were treated at
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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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Colchester: New sentencing scheme
A new scheme aiming to rehabilitate drink-drivers has now been applied by Colchester magistrates. Under the new system, introduced nationwide last Thursday, law-breaking motorists can get up to a quarter lopped off their disqualification period if they
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Soccer: Cutbush confirmed as Swifts boss
Heybridge Swifts have confirmed the appointment of caretaker manager Liam Cutbush into the post on a permanent basis. Cutbush, 33, retired from playing earlier this season having made 131 appearances as a left back during three spells with the club. Results
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Harwich: Town film festival needs sponsors
The future of the prestigious Harwich Film Festival is in doubt. The annual event will not take place in its planned slot at the end of March - and whether it goes ahead later in the year remains doubtful. Organisers need about £10,000 to stage the three-day
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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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Soccer: Solid defence bolsters Colchester
The year 2000 has got off to a flying start for Colchester United - thanks to their ability to learn from mistakes. Amidst the euphoria of last weekend's 5-4 thriller against Bristol Rovers it hardly seemed fair to dwell on defensive blunders. But the
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Soccer: Naylor puts off op on knee
Richard Naylor is putting off his knee operation until the summer in a bid to fire Ipswich into the Premiership. The Town forward - who scored twice in the 3-0 win over Swindon at Portman Road - will go under the surgeon's knife at the end of the season
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Soccer: Billericay go to town against United
Billericay Town produced a historic afternoon at New Lodge on Saturday as they pulled off their first ever success over a Nationwide Conference side. They also won through to the last 32 of the FA Umbro Trophy for the first time ever with this overwhelming
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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 last weekend. The Southend side recovered well initially from a major setback when their leading scorer Sonia Allen was sidelined with a 17th minute
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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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North Essex: Fighting the flu for everyone
Across the country horror stories abound about hospitals bursting at the seams because of the flu"epidemic". In Colchester a well-thought out advance plan to cope with the influx of patients that winter inevitably brings has kept operations running smoothly
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Woodham: Multi-million pound development plan unveiled
Ambitious plans to turn derelict wasteland in South Woodham into a multi-million pound office and shopping complex have been unveiled. Two hundred jobs and 25,000 sq ft of office space is promised by local entrepreneur Dino Khan who is behind the ground-breaking
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Dovercourt: Lodger tries to cut off own hand
A man was taken to hospital after apparently trying to cut off his own hand in Dovercourt High Street. Police said a resident in High Street saw the man in the road harming himself with a serrated knife at 7.45am on Saturday. The man, who was staying
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South Essex: Police quiz youth over two sex assaults
A teenage boy was today still being questioned by police over allegations of two sex assaults - one on a Basildon pensioner and a second on a 31-year-old woman on a train between Tilbury and Grays stations. The 16-year-old youth from Thurrock has been
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Dovercourt, Harwich: £100,000 bid for spies in the skies
Fresh moves are being made in an attempt to set up a £100,000 closed-circuit television scheme in Harwich and Dovercourt. Gerald Wallington-Hayes, chairman of the Harwich Crime Prevention Panel, said he would be submitting the bid to the Government before
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Soccer: Hazel's new deal boosts Dragons
Wivenhoe Town player-manager Julian Hazel has given the club a huge boost by signing a two-year extension to his contract with the Dragons. Hazel was in the second year of a three-year deal, but signed the extension at the club's Broad Lane ground after
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Soccer: Colchester thriller is in demand
Colchester United have received an unprecedented demand for copies of their match video after their 5-4 thriller against Bristol Rovers. Commercial manager Brian Wheeler said more than 40 orders have already been placed for the tape of Saturday's Second
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Hockley: Sister's grief after caravan inferno
The sister of Peggy Duarte has spoken of her "terrible shock" at the death of the pensioner in a fire at her caravan home. Winifred James was the only living relative of Miss Duarte, 78, who died in a mysterious blaze at the Dome caravan park in Lower
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Basildon: Blaze blamed on joyriders
Joyriders were today suspected of crashing a car which started a fire and destroyed 40 pallets of roofing material. The burnt-out shell of a Ford Escort and the charred remains of hundreds of polystyrene and bitumen rolls were all that was left after
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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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Colchester: Two taken to hospital after pick-up overturns
Two people were injured when a pick-up truck left the road, overturned and collided with a tree. The two men were trapped in the truck's cab and had to be cut from the wreckage by firefighters. The cab was so badly damaged it took firefighters about an
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South Essex: Partnership bids for town's university funding
A partnership between Essex University and South East Essex College is being forged in a bid for extra funding. The relationship is designed to attract money to provide university level courses in Southend. The bid will be launched at a House of Commons
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Badminton round-up: Linden A take a crucial lead
Mixed League First Division After a tie in their opening fixture in the Basildon Badminton Association's Mixed League First Division, Linden A's unbeaten performance in the Rayleigh Park encounter gives them a two-point lead over Waterside A. With three
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Canvey, Basildon: Arson theory in boat explosion
A woman was today being questioned by police after a pleasure cruiser exploded at a Canvey boat yard. The 40-year-old from Basildon, who has not been named, was being held at Rayleigh police station after the incident at the Dauntless boat yard in Ferry
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Soccer: South Essex non-league round-up
Wednesday League: Lodgers go clear Rayleigh Lodgers took advantage of the fact that closest rivals Southend Postmen were away on cup duty to move further clear at the top of the Southend Wednesday League. Lodgers recovered from a 2-1 interval deficit
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Shoebury: Windfall grant helps community shop
A windfall grant has helped a community shop cope with a growing influx of customers. The Shoebury Information Shop in West Road has seen more and more people through its doors since it started up on April 1, 1998. Now thanks to a £2,500 grant from Essex
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Leigh: Woods spruce-up promised
Trees in Belfairs Wood, Leigh, will be getting a spruce up to stimulate plant growth on the ground. Work will begin in the wood and nature reserve later this month to thin and coppice trees across six acres of woodland over a six-week period. The aim
