Archive
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Braintree: Police swoop on van
Police and Trading Standards officers seized a van this week after allegations that a gang of bogus workmen had been masquerading as a house repair company. The raid was carried out in Cressing Road, Braintree on Wednesday morning and involved Witham
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BMX Racing: Two out of three trophies for Braintree
Braintree BMX Club were delighted that on Sunday at Royston in Round 4 of the Summer Series, their riders took two of the three Rider of the Day trophies. With 148 entrants it was tremendous that Steven Sewell, nine, and Ryan Everitt, 15, were honoured
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Great Leighs: A-maze-ing attraction
A launch date has been set for this year's version of the record-breaking maze in Great Leighs. But there won't be any new world-beating attempts - because the four-mile maze will be the same size as last year. Organiser David Partridge hopes the new
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Chelmsford: Parents' petition for safe crossing
More than 100 parents concerned over road safety outside a Chelmsford school, have joined together to demand action. The parents from Lawford Mead Infant and Junior Schools have signed a petition protesting at the lack of safe crossings outside the Trent
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Soccer: Third cap for Matt
Matt Holland played a full game in the Republic of Ireland's 1-1 draw against the USA yesterday (Wednesday). The Ipswich Town skipper, who earned his third cap for Mick McCarthy's side, played in midfield alongside Sunderland's Kevin Kilbane. Watford
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Chelmsford: Call to cut bottle and glass attacks
A petition with 1,000 names calling for an end to vicious glass and bottle attacks in Chelmsford's pubs and clubs is to be considered by councillors. The Ban the Bottle petition, launched by Krysia Dodson, a youth worker with Essex County Council, asks
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Basildon: Take pride in estate, pleads councillor
Residents on a run-down housing estate should be taught to take pride in their environment, a new councillor has said. Kevin Blake, who was elected to serve Pitsea ward on Basildon Council last month said the Felmores estate needed community effort if
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Southend: Driver faces crash charge
A driver is to be prosecuted for a crash in which a hairdresser was killed, an inquest has been told. Kevin McNally is facing criminal charges after his sports car was seen "flying" down a country lane before smashing head-on into another vehicle. Southend
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Wickford: Funfair boss in home battle
Furious funfair impresario George White has vowed to continue his six-year fight to win a permanent home. Mr White was left disappointed at a third rejection by councillors to an application to use the site where the family currently live as permanent
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Colchester: New threat facing Royal London jobs
More jobs could be on the line at Royal London Insurance in Colchester, it has been revealed. A major announcement is expected next month about the number of employees and amount of property owned by the firm. Last month 300 employees - about a quarter
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Braintree: Porn site move by chicken man
Insurance broker Simon Burgess is planning to set up a Braintree-based soft porn website - financed from the proceeds of a children's book. Father-of-two, Mr Burgess, 39, said that the site will be paid for by a £1 million book and film deal for The Finchingfield
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Wickford: Armed robber raids bank
A gun-wielding robber who demanded cash from terrified bank staff is being hunted by police. The man walked into the Wickford High Street branch of the Halifax shortly after 10.30am yesterday (Thursday). He approached the counter, produced a black handgun
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Great Clacton: House blaze arson fears
A Great Clacton couple have told how they were woken to find fire ripping through their home. Firefighters believe the fire was started deliberately after neighbours spotted a man with a lighter at the front of the house. Mother-of-six Maureen Wells asked
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Soccer: Charlton Athletic to play for Pountney
Former Southend United and Chelmsford City player Ron Pountney is to benefit from a testimonial match against newly promoted Premiership side Charlton Athletic at Southend United's Roots Hall ground on Tuesday, August 1. The former Southend favourite,
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Basketball: America nets Saints stars
Southend Saints basketball club fear they may become victims of their own success next season. Saints celebrated the most successful season in their eight year existence last term when they won both the Essex League Play-off Championship and the inaugural
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Cricket: Billericay pitch gets green light for match
The inaugural first class match at Billericay's Blunts Wall Road ground has got the go-ahead following an outfield inspection by Essex. The Essex County Board XI were due to meet Warwickshire CCC on June 21 in a NatWest Trophy game. But the match was
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Angling round-up: Matthew's carp is a spectator sport...
Eleven-year-old Matthew Blackburn hit the jackpot on one of his regular trips to his local Gloucester Park Lake, landing a personal best 15lb mirror carp. Matthew fished the canal stretch where he tempted the big carp with a pole-fished trout pellet.
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Cricket: From the pavilion...with Essex skipper Ronnie Irani
Team spirit key to our latest success It really was a top win for us over Northamptonshire in the PPP Healthcare County Championship division two. We bowled very well on the first day, particularly Ricky Anderson who starred again and got career-best
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Cricket: Windows is a pain for Essex
It was Gloucester that ended the second day of their Championship fixture against Essex with the greater satisfaction, having gained a five-run first innings lead before claiming two quick wickets to leave the visitors with a fragile overnight advantage
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Athletics: Records broken at Chelmsford
The Essex County Championships were recently held at Melbourne Park Athletics Centre, the first time they had been staged in Chelmsford for 15 years. With glorious sunshine it was expected that many of the existing track records would tumble and the crowds
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Rollerspeed skating: Twelve-medal haul
The first stage of rollerspeed skating's British Outdoor Championships were held at Wheels Adventure Park in Birmingham, which saw skaters from the South Woodham Ferrers & Wickford Rollerspeed Skating Club, who are sponsored by The Nawab Indian Restaurant
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Disabled sports: Dovedale make a fine start to the new season
Nine members from the Dovedale Disabled Sports Club won four gold, seven silver and four bronze awards at the Rochford and Southend Disabled Sports Club Disabled Sports Day in Rochford on Saturday. Club Secretary and team manager Beryl Hastie said "this
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Cricket: Taverners in tour appeal
Island Taverners cricket club are appealing for three or four players to join them on a four-match midweek tour to the Isle of Wight. The tour takes place between Monday, July 24, and Thursday, July 27, and costs £140 for four nights B&B plus ferry
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Cricket round-up: T. Rippon Mid-Essex Cricket League
PREMIER DIVISION Little Waltham hosted unbeaten High Roding in the big game of the day and after being put in, Waltham had a slow start, tight bowling from Terry Jones in particular restricting the home side to 34 for two after 20 overs. The second half
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Soccer: Ipswich keeper wants £20,000 a week
George Burley will have to quadruple Richard Wright's salary to tempt him to sign a new contract with Ipswich. Wright's agent, Jonathan Barnett, sat down with Burley earlier today (Friday) and told him he will need to fork out £20,000-a-week to keep the
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Chelmsford Festival of Sport
Chelmsford Sport has put together an impressive programme of 17 sporting events for the people of Chelmsford in this their first Festival of Sport to be held over three days, June 16, 17 and 18. Carol Evans, the Chelmsford Sport Event chairperson, reported
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Soccer: Major plans in the pipeline at Witham
Director of youth football Tony Johnson and youth section leader Gary Elson have big plans for Witham Town Football Club for the forthcoming 2000/2001 season. They include introducing an under 16's team to strengthen the club, to build relations with
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Athletics: Gary leads the record breakers
Southend Athletic Club continued their triumphant ways in Division Two of the Southern Men's League with two new stadium bests being set at Garon's Park. In the javelin Gary Jensen left his rivals standing with a huge 68.91 metres effort - 21 metres clear
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Cricket (South Essex): Shepherd Neame League preview
For more information about the Shepherd Neame Essex League, click here Billericay are sweating on the availability of Essex county player Danny Law for tomorrow's (Saturday's) home clash with Loughton (11.30am). All-rounder Law yesterday helped the county
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Cricket: Bristol victory boosts Essex
For more information about Essex County Cricket Club's 2000 season, click here A remarkable last session saw Essex capture all ten Gloucestershire wickets to complete victory inside three days by 109 runs. The home side needed 195 for victory with more
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Soccer: Storrie leaves the Blues
Southend United's chief executive Peter Storrie has parted company with the struggling Third Division club after less than a year. Storrie, who joined Blues last July after leaving the Shrimpers' Premiership neighbours West Ham, resigned by mutual agreement
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Table tennis: Strong entry in Summer League
The entry for this year's Chelmsford Two-a-Side Summer Table Tennis League is one of the strongest for many years with teams taking part from Southend, Chelmsford, Burnham, Ipswich, Basildon and Brentwood. The battle for the first division title should
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Cat strangled in illegal snare.
A CAT'S head swelled to twice its normal size after being strangled in a snare on a Colchester allotment. Ginger tom Max was caught round the neck in the twine noose at the allotments on Bergholt Road, Braiswick. A couple walking their dog discovered
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Essex: Save our meals on wheels!
Meals-on-wheels to thousands of elderly and infirm people in Essex are under threat again. Essex social services chiefs are considering replacing the daily hot meals with frozen dinners delivered once a fortnight - a plan condemned by pressure groups.
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Pitsea, Wickford: Pirates jailed in air alert
Bemused pilots were left listening to rave music when a pirate radio station interfered with an air traffic control system, a court heard. Martin Kelly and Terry McCormac's illegal pastime was discovered when frequencies from Klass FM were picked up by
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Chelmsford: CCTV for 'slum of Galleywood'
A barrier and closed circuit television are to be installed to help protect 30 people, including 19 frail residents, in sheltered accommodation from vandalism and abuse. Chelmsford housing committee decided to spend £3,000 on the move on Wednesday. Area
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Fire Destroys Market
A FATHER and son were left devastated after fire destroyed their family-run market stall in Colchester. Clive and Howard Barker, of Chelmsford, lost hundreds of pounds of stock in the blaze that broke out at Vineyard Street at around 11.15pm on Friday
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CAT STRANGLED IN ILLEGAL SNARE
A CAT'S head swelled to twice its normal size after being strangled in a snare on a Colchester allotment. Ginger tom Max was caught round the neck in the twine noose at the allotments on Bergholt Road, Braiswick. A couple walking their dog discovered
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Fire Destroys Market
A FATHER and son were left devastated after fire destroyed their family-run market stall in Colchester. Clive and Howard Barker, of Chelmsford, lost hundreds of pounds of stock in the blaze that broke out at Vineyard Street at around 11.15pm on Friday
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Basildon: MP 'optimistic' that foxhunting will be banned
Campaigning MP Angela Smith is optimistic about finally winning the fight against foxhunting in Britain. The Government today (Friday) vowed to bring forward its legislation on the controversial sport which Mrs Smith, MP for Basildon and East Thurrock
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Mid-Essex: New A12 link road will be safer route
The A12 Hatfield Peverel to Witham link road has taken another step forward with the publication this week by the Highways Agency of a preferred route. Transport minister Lord Whitty said: "I know this scheme will be widely welcomed by local people. "
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Tendring: Receptionists give the cold shoulder
A plea has been made for more friendly receptionists in Tendring's surgeries. There used to be a booklet advising receptionists on how to treat patients but it was not widely used. At Tendring Primary Care Trust's board meeting yesterday (Thursday) a
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Ahtletics: Training for the track
Olympic stars of the future took the once in a lifetime opportunity to be coached by the experts. Search for a Star saw 200 children from 19 secondary schools along the LTS railway line gather at Gloucester Park, Basildon, for the day. Stars including
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Thorpe-le-Soken: Pensioner on trial for wife's murder
An 83-year-old north Essex man charged with murdering his wife has been committed to crown court. Leslie Parsons, of Frost Farm Cottages, Golden Lane, Thorpe-le-Soken, appeared before Colchester magistrates yesterday (Thursday). The pensioner was released
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Leigh: Folk head for town
Leigh is getting ready to host its annual Folk Festival and programmes for the events are now available. Over the weekend of June 23 to 25, the streets and pubs of the old cockling town will fill with live music for the ninth year. Many events indoors
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Witham: Residents win nightclub fight
Witham residents have won their fight to stop a nightclub opening close to their homes which they feared would disturb their sleep and increase vandalism. Applicants for the Stuart Surridge Snooker Centre, Mr Paul Blower, and his son Mark Blower, who
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Langham: Motorist survives as van is sliced in half
A motorist was airlifted to hospital after an accident involving a van and two lorries on the A12 at Langham. The 22-year-old Ipswich man was rushed to Colchester General Hospital with head and chest injuries, although police say these were not life-threatening
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Heybridge: Homes plan rejected
Plans for 11 homes at Heybridge have been given the thumbs-down by district councillors. The plans had been opposed by residents who collected a 185-signature petition. Piecemeal development and high density were among the concerns of members of the environment
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Southend: Rats attracted by pizza shop rubbish
A pizza restaurant has promised swift action after families claimed their lives were being made a misery by rats feeding on rubbish in a nearby alley. Richard Noyce, 56, and his 84-year-old father say they have endured more than four years of bad smells
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Benfleet: New car park pay machines are vandalised
Traders and council officers have slammed vandals who have been wrecking newly installed parking ticket machines. The equipment was installed last Thursday in the Richmond Avenue car park in Benfleet by Castle Point Council. The authority was criticised
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Rettendon: 500-year-old tree spared
Plans for the £100 million A130 bypass at Rettendon have been altered - to spare a 500-year-old oak tree that stood in its way. The English oak, which stands on top of Curry Hill, near Gorse Wood, had been earmarked for felling by road builders Laing
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Southend: Town is special all summer long
Southend is traditionally a place of family holidays and fun days out. As well as all the static all-year-round attractions like Adventure Island, there is also a host of special events to help the summer go with even more swing. These have already started
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Soccer: Colchester's deadline for Skelton
Aaron Skelton is still trying to thrash out a deal with Luton Town. The out-of-contract Colchester United defender has been in talks with Luton boss Lennie Lawrence since the end of the season. Skelton, 25, can sign for the U's Second Division rivals
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Soccer: Magilton facing misconduct charge
Jim Magilton has requested a personal hearing at the FA after being hit with an misconduct rap. The Ipswich Town midfielder was charged after the stormy play-off semi-final second leg against Bolton at Portman Road. Magilton, 31, appeared to kick out
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Braintree: 'Why I can't save home'
A businessman who wants to rescue a council-run old people's home today said he has been "fobbed off". Monken Hadley at Bocking, near Braintree, will close unless a private sector offer to take over its running is made by next Friday. It is one of six
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Clacton: Husband and wife jailed
A husband and wife were jailed today for ill-treating children. Bruce, 27, and Heather Hill, 34, of Nayland Drive, Clacton, were sent to prison by a judge at Chelmsford Crown Court. Bruce Hill was jailed for 18 months for a charge of cruelty and another
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Athletics: Veteran athletes turn in a vintage performance
The golden oldies shone when Southend AC staged an Eastern Veterans League match for men aged over 40 and women of 35 plus at Garon's Park. Stalwarts Neil Baker, Bill Garrard, Peter Binns and Peter Lawrence all turned in impressive displays, with decathlete
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Golf round-up (Mid-Essex): Simon takes the riches at Regiment Way...
Sunday saw the Ladies and Gentlemen of Regiment Way Golf Centre compete for the Westone Cup which was presented to the club by its first Captain, Graham West and his guest at the club's first Dinner Dance, Derek Stone of Theydon Bois Golf Club. The winner
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Soccer? It's our religion!
Now it's official - football IS a religion! But maybe a secondary one for the congregation at West Leigh Baptist Church in London Road, Leigh. The church's football-crazed preachers are swapping the communion cup for the Euro Cup next Saturday when they
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Rochford stage successful disabled event
Disabled athletes came from far and wide to compete in a hugely successful sports day organised by Southend and Rochford Disabled Sports Club. The event, held at the Rocheway Centre, attracted eight teams in total for events which included discus, pistol
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Laindon: Boy's Pokemon cards snatched outside his home
A young boy had £100 worth of Pokemon cards stolen - in front of his own home. The boy, aged 11, was holding the cards in his hand when the incident occurred in Pamplins, Laindon. An older child snatched the cards and ran away. The theft follows a similar
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Chelmsford: Road tax blitz
Ten motorists in Chelmsford found their cars clamped on Wednesday because they had no tax discs at the start of a huge summer clampdown in the county town. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority is out to beat the county's 43,000 road tax cheats who
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Canvey: Families face more noisy nights
Disappointed residents are facing more disturbed nights after councillors refused to close a number of Canvey footpaths. Locals of Amid Road, Dovervelt Road and Komberg Crescent have been the victims of drunken youths, who run down the paths at night,
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Canvey: Safety alert at car site
Safety watchdogs have warned that hazardous substances near a proposed new development could put lives at risk. The Health and Safety Executive says gas pipes running close to a site in Haven Road, Canvey - where car salvage firm HBC wants to relocate
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Canoeing: Paddlers perform well at the regatta
The Chelmsford Canoe Club team performed well at the Nottingham Spring Regatta over the weekend in the crew boats, although windy conditions on Sunday slowed times down. On Saturday Keith Moule nearly beat the course record in the Mens A 200m, but was
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Maldon: Alley work to start
Work is likely to begin on Maldon's £2.5 million bowling alley and leisure complex within the next six weeks. East Hanningfield businessman Michael Kirkham is hoping the first steps for the new complex will be taken in six to eight weeks time once final
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Colchester: Designers saddle up for top awards
Enterprising designers at Colchester Sixth Form College have caught the eye of the judges with their award-winning products. Eighteen-year-olds Alex Brown and Natalie Kent have won joint first prize in a contest organised by the Chelmsford Engineering
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Woodham: Roof fall man in air rescue
A 21-year-old man was airlifted to hospital by the Essex Air Ambulance after falling 20ft from a roof in South Woodham Ferrers. The man, who has not been named, was taken to Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, with head injuries. The accident happened at
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Southend: Pier set for bright future
A blueprint shaping the future of Southend Pier will be drawn up "as soon as possible", council leader Charles Latham has pledged. The new Conservative administration is "absolutely determined" to spearhead a long-term strategy for both ends of the landmark
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Colchester: School's Beacon status
The Gilberd School has shown itself to be a shining light in education after being awarded prestigious Beacon Status. Beacon Status is reserved only for schools which have shown they are achieving high standards and providing an excellent education for
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Colchester: Future of new store uncertain
The future of a large Colchester store which opened just three months ago at a key shopping site could be in doubt. The Home Place Holdings Group, which owns the furnishings and houseware shop the Home Place at Turner Rise Retail Park, has been placed
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Braintree: Tributes to road crash victim
A teacher has paid tribute to a "nice, popular and most able student" who died in a road accident. Richard Green, 17, died after the car in which he was a passenger was involved in a collision on the A120 at Braintree. Richard, who lived with his parents
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Billericay: Gorman's pot plan ignites controversy...
The call by Billericay MP Teresa Gorman for cannabis cafes has reignited one of the hottest political debates. SAMUEL SMITH and TOM STEVENSON report. Maverick MP Teresa Gorman's call for a reform of cannabis laws has won a mixed reaction from her constituents
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Athletics: Aaron going for gold
Up and coming Basildon athlete Aaron Cramp is facing a searching examination of his abilities this week - and not just on the athletics field. The 16-year-old javelin thrower has been widely tipped to land gold for the third successive year at the prestigious
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Cricket: Sunday best from Test star Gandhi...
BROOMHILLS 240-4 HADLEIGH SUNDAY II 227-8 (Match drawn) Indian Test cricketer Devang Gandhi produced the best innings seen by Hadleigh cricket club in five years in this Ibex League clash - but still could not deliver victory. Gandhi, who opened the batting
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Golf: Veterans beat ladies on points
The Burnham Golf Club ladies captain's team played the veterans' captain's team in a combined stableford competition. The match finished seven games all, but the vets captain's team won on points. Best pair was Anne Mapes and Ken Morgan with 69 points
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Soccer: Dowman stays as Clacton boss
Clacton Town manager Steve Dowman has agreed to stay with the Jewson League club for a further two years. Dowman, along with assistant manager Micky Potter, signed the new contract to stay in charge to the delight of owner Jeff Dewing. He said: "We are
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Yachting: Exciting racing on the cards at Burnham...
Burnham Week 2000 (August 26 to September 2) has been launched with a number of enhancements created from competitor suggestions and observations from previous years to offer one of the UK's most exhilarating race weeks for yachtsmen and women. Successful
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Cricket: Chelmsford lose out to Hainault
HAINAULT & CL'HALL...253-8 CHELMSFORD.......170 all out (Hainault & Clayhall won by 83 runs) Chelmsford's struggle to make the jump to Premier Division cricket and the all day game continued on Saturday with a disappointing defeat at Hainault
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Cat strangled in snare.
A CAT'S head swelled to twice its normal size after being strangled in a snare on a Colchester allotment. Ginger tom Max was caught round the neck in the twine noose at the allotments on Bergholt Road, Braiswick. A couple walking their dog discovered
