Archive
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Colchester: Borough branded education 'cold-spot'
Colchester has been branded an education "cold-spot" by a Government-backed report. Students from the borough are less likely to go to university than those from almost anywhere else in the region, a study revealed today (Monday). The study based at Anglia
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Stansted: Passenger chaos as flights delayed
The wives of England's football heroes nearly missed their moment of glory when a computer glitch left them stranded at Stansted Airport. Some of the squad's wives were booked on a VIP flight to Belgium to see Saturday's big match against Germany. But
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Chelmsford: Murderer found dead in his own prison cell
A convicted murderer has been found dead in his cell at Chelmsford Prison. William Smythe had been sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday at Chelmsford Crown Court after being convicted of the murder of Jennifer Stanley at Fernhill Caravan Park in
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Laindon: Giant letters to save lives!
A new system of marking car parks on a housing estate costs next to nothing - but could save lives. The 26 car parks around the edges of the Five Links estate in Laindon have been marked with giant letters. Kick-started by the police, the scheme saw two-metre
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Maldon: Maldon 2000 kicks off
After more than two years planning one of Maldon's biggest celebrations takes place this week. From Monday a week long programme of events and exhibitions known as Maldon 2000 will kick off. The theme is Maldon's past, present and future and hundreds
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Motocross: Nunn can catch him!
Race ace Carl Nunn scooped two wins and a second place at Halstead and District MCC's British Motocross Championship on a sweltering afternoon at Wakes Colne. In the first race Nunn - riding on a Yamaha - romped to victory yesterday with six seconds to
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Maldon: Cyclist dies on run
A well-known Maldon cyclist died last Sunday during a club run, despite life-savings efforts by friends and ambulance crew. John Rosbrook, 60, of Washington Road, a lifelong member of Chelmer Cycling Club, collapsed near the nature reserve at Coploe Hill
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Soccer: Perry Street girls go for it
Perry Street girls' football club is going from strength to strength. The Billericay-based section are part of Perry Street youth football club and currently run two teams. But from September the club will be launching a new squad for girls who will be
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Cricket: Waiting game proves fruitless for Essex
Ronnie Irani's game of patience failed to earn Essex the victory over Glamorgan at Cardiff which would have carried them to the top of the County Championship Second Division. Instead they were left reflecting on a draw after their pathetic second innings
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Southend, Romford: Cheating boss weeps as he goes to prison
The boss of a Southend firm who cheated creditors out of about £500,000 wept as he was jailed for 15 months. Darren Tilbury, 31, began cooking the books at Cobra Stationery Limited more than seven years ago, Basildon Crown Court heard. But he lied and
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Chelmsford: Bishop urges return to healing
The clergy need to put healing and deliverance back at the heart of the Church's ministry, a new report by the Bishop of Chelmsford claims. The Right Rev John Perry is behind a newly published 58-page report'A Time to Heal' which has the backing of the
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Canoeing: Entertaining regatta for all
Chelmsford Canoe Club held its second annual regatta last Saturday. The majority of the racing took place on the river Chelmer just in front of the Canoe club making it an 'easy to watch' event and visitors to the Meadows shopping centre also enjoyed
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Tennis round-up: Westcliff duo bid for glory...
Two Westcliff teams are set to battle for county cup glory this weekend in Essex finals. Westcliff Hardcourts will be going out to triumph in the Essex Senior Cup and Westcliff Lawn's ladies third team will be in action in the Essex Junior Cup. The Hardcourts
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Basildon: Vote of no confidence in headteacher
An "overwhelming" number of staff registered a vote of no confidence in their headteacher leading to his suspension, we can reveal. Paul Betts of Barstable School, Basildon, has been suspended pending a full investigation into concerns over management
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Stanway: Kidney couple's delight at all-clear
Kidney swap couple Mike and June Seymour have reported clean bills of health just six months after undergoing major surgery. The pair, of Villa Road, Stanway, are making steady progress after the most turbulent of starts to the new millennium. Desperate
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Essex: Firefighters' strike action to continue
Firefighters were continuing industrial action on Friday following crisis talks. Fire Brigades\ Union representatives were in conference with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service management on Thursday but there was no breakthrough. Essex union members
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Essex: Unions rip apart ambulance plan
Unions have ripped apart plans to axe ambulance stations across Essex in a damning report. The study, commissioned by Unison and the GMB and published on Friday, claims the proposed closure of 12 of the 31 stations in the county, would do nothing to improve
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Clacton: Couple do like to be beside the seaside!
Les and Elizabeth Rookes don't have to plough through endless holiday guides to find their dream destination. For them there's only one choice. The Cambridge couple have visited Clacton every year for more than 50 years and would not go anywhere else.
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Clacton: Inventor's stepladder innovation
Inventors Charles Sloan and Martine Benson could be in line for a multi-million pound fortune - after coming up with a device which stops people falling off step-ladders. Charles and Martine came up with the novel stabilising idea for the ladders and
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Woodham Aalter: We're on a road to nowhere!
The road to nowhere - at least that is how it looks to the villagers of Woodham Walter. After months of waiting for fingerpost signs in the village to be refurbished, they have now got them - minus any directions. Mark Durham, chairman of the parish council
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Basildon: Bus and cycle link to leisure
A special bus and cycle road to link Basildon Town Centre to the area's flagship attraction - the Festival Leisure Park - has won the support of councillors. The Ghyllgrove link is part of Basildon Council's transport plans and would also mean improvements
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Colchester: Children's activity club's cash boost
Extra places have been created on an activity club's summer programme of events - thanks to a cash pot of £15,000. Christ Church Kids' Club has been awarded the money by the New Opportunities Fund - Out of School Childcare - Partnership. The club, which
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Soccer: Heard tipped for top role
Colchester United's Peter Heard has played down speculation he could become the new vice-chairman of the Nationwide Football League. The millionaire U's chairman is reported to be one of the favourites to replace the League's current vice-chairman, Ipswich
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Basildon: RSPCA dog warning
A pet dog died in Basildon when it was left in a conservatory in hot weather. The RSPCA is now warning animal owners to protect their pets against the heat - or risk prosecution. It is considering pressing charges against the owner of the dog which died
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Essex: Unanimous opinion of meals on wheels...
Proposals to overhaul the meals on wheels service - which could see hot meals replaced by frozen dinners - have provoked a storm of outrage. Most of the 800,000 meals delivered each year throughout Essex are provided by the WRVS. The Echo went out on
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Mid-Essex: Man indecently assaulted girl, 7
A 64-year-old man who indecently assaulted a seven-year-old girl twice in one day has been jailed for six months. Norman Bennett had admitted the charges at a previous hearing and appeared for sentence before Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Friday. Prosecuting
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Basildon: Timber! Truck drama
Timber! This lorry, loaded with wood, flipped over and crashed near the Fortune of War roundabout on the A127. The 24-year-old driver, from Woolwich, south-east London, was shaken up but otherwise unscathed. The only casualty in the incident was a lamp-post
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Laindon: Man accused of trying to kill girl
A man of 40 was accused of the attempted murder of a teenage Laindon girl over the weekend. Chris Williams, who was staying in temporary accommodation at Laindon, was alleged to have attacked the 17-year-old girl in Laindon High Road on Friday morning
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Basildon: Fight to keep nightclub open
A Basildon nightclub manager has vowed to fight a decision to refuse him a public entertainment licence. Yum Yum nightclub, which was refused the licence by Basildon Council, is now preparing to appeal to Basildon magistrates. Ray Kissoon, manager and
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Rochford: Cars destroyed in garage fire
Bosses at a Rochford garage have been left counting the cost after a blaze left six cars destroyed and three badly damaged. Co-owner of the Whittingham Renault garage Mark Whittingham said the scene was like "Beirut" when he arrived for work on Saturday
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Runwell: Hospital wards are a 'deathtrap'
Potential deathtraps in old people's wards at Runwell Hospital have led to patients being moved while urgent repairs are carried out. Some have been moved to dining rooms for their safety, it has been revealed today (Monday). The fire perils came to light
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Ridgewell, Cold Norton: Pilot dies in glider crash
A pilot who died in a glider crash at Ridgewell Airfield may have collapsed before the aircraft hit the ground. The man, who lived at Cold Norton, near Maldon, was pronounced dead at the scene. The glider came down in a remote spot on the former Second
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Essex: County show's a sizzler!
Farming and tradition blended the technology of the new millennium for the 42nd Essex Show. Thousands of fans went to the county show at Great Leighs near Braintree to enjoy the sun and the attractions on offer. Visitors to the showground at the weekend
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Essex: Countys housing burden too great
Government plans for massive new housing developments in the south-east, including Essex, have been rejected by the regional planning body, SERPLAN, to which the county belongs. The body, which produces development proposals for the region, is telling
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Westcliff: 'Our street isn't so awful'
Residents have hit back at a judge's comments that people were glad not to live in their street. In issuing a 12-month restraining order against Dave Batter, Judge Michael Yelton concluded "we are all very pleased that we don't live in this street" -
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Colchester: Fourth soldier hit by malaria
A fourth Colchester-based Para has been diagnosed with malaria after serving in war-torn Sierra Leone. The soldier, who is a member of the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, was diagnosed as suffering from the illness on Thursday. He is being treated
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Cricket (South Essex): Shepherd Neame League round-up...
BILLERICAY 250 all out FIVE & HERONIANS 251-7 (Fives won by three wickets) Billericay suffered a double blow as they became the latest victims of the resurgent Premier Division champions. The Rutters Field club lost both the game and key wicketkeeper
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Basildon: 'Silicon valley of motor industry'
A car firm's plans for expansion have led to Basildon being hailed as the "silicon valley for the motor industry". The thriving district already has Ford's Dunton research and engineering centre, Ford suppliers MSX International and Visteon as residents
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Dunmow: Millennium Flame party
Residents the Dunmow area are preparing for a memorable mid-summer's eve, when the Millennium Flame, used by the Queen to light a beacon on New Year's Eve, is welcomed into the town. Sir Alan Haselhurst , deputy speaker of the House of Commons, will receive
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Athletics: Reed runs fine time
Denise Reed led home a strong contingent of Springfield Striders in the Race for Life, at Hylands Park last Sunday. The course, which was obviously slightly longer than the advertised 5K, posed few problems for Denise as she finished fourth overall, in
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Soccer: Patriotic Ken paints his pub for England
A bit of bunting just wasn't enough for Brewery Tap owner, Ken Faulkner, when it came to expressing support for the England football team in Euro 2000. "I thought, surely I can do better than that," he said. "Then I thought, yes, I'll paint the whole
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Braintree: Voting proposals rejected
Braintree Council's electoral review group is to be reconvened after the Boundary Commission rejected its new voting proposals. An appeal has gone out to voters to make their views known before it is too late. Cllr John Kotz called on the public, representatives
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Tollesbury: Wetland birds thrive at reserve
Old Hall Marshes national nature reserve near Tollesbury looks set for its best ever bird breeding season. Surveys at the reserve, owned by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, have shown nearly all breeding duck and wading birds to be on the
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South Essex: Surprise £20m boost for LTS
Rail passengers on the Southend to Fenchurch Street line are set to benefit from a further £20.5million boost, it has emerged. The surprise cash injection comes hot on the heels of a £300 million investment programme for a new fleet of trains and a further
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Colchester: New probe group holds first meeting
A forum set up to investigate complaints about the conduct of councillors is to meet for the first time in Colchester. A matter concerning an alleged smear campaign against the borough's deputy mayor Mike Hogg has been referred to the standards committee
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Brightlingsea: Crowds flock to carnival
Crowds lined the streets of Brightlingsea for the town's 49th annual town carnival. Hundreds took part in the procession featuring floats, steam engines, marching bands and members of local organisations on foot. Musical entertainment was provided by
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Clacton: Blaze-hit print firm says it is business as usual
An established print company has been severely damaged by fire - but the owner says it will be business as usual. A blaze swept through the Granta Press store on Rosemary Road, Clacton, in the early hours of Saturday morning and destroyed the back of
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Great Clacton: Jeweller in knife terror
A Great Clacton jeweller has spoken about how he was robbed at knifepoint. Michael Stone, 42, who owns the Cash Call pawnbrokers in Great Clacton, had his shirt ripped by the robber before the man leapt over the counter and threatened him with a knife
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Witham: Bus paves way for greater freedom
Young people, mothers and the elderly can look forward to more freedom under new plans for a town community bus service. New proposals for the purchase of a community bus available for use by groups without private transport will be considered by Witham
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Hadleigh: Firebug destroys warehouses
Arsonists are believed to have started a blaze which gutted five warehouses in Hadleigh. Firefighters wearing breathing equipment battled with the flames through the night and were still hosing down the barns at 10am the following morning. Officers in
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Chelmsford: High Street plans 'breath of fresh air'
The watchdog Chelmsford Society has hailed the plans for the redevelopment of the former Bolingbroke & Wenley site in the town centre as a breath of architectural fresh air. The designs were exclusively revealed in the Essex Chronicle last week and
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Chelmsford: Children wait all night for casualty attention
Security officers took over the check-in desk at Chelmsford's Broomfield Hospital when tempers became frayed over a long night's wait for treatment. Parents have protested after their injured children endured the waiting ordeal at the accident and emergency
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Wickford: Families support park bid
Plans to build a 46-acre park for residents of a rapidly expanding Wickford housing estate look set to be given the final go-ahead. The scheme has won support from residents of The Wick following a recent consultation exercise. However, they have expressed
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Chelmsford: Closures 'no sign of trade slump'
Clothes store C&A has become the fourth major retailer to quit Chelmsford town centre in the last four months. The decision, announced yesterday (Thursday) as part of a nationwide shutdown of UK operations, means C&A joins women's fashion store
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Westcliff: Top at beating poverty trap
A school has earned its place on a national roll of honour for helping pupils break free of the poverty trap. St Bernard's High School in Milton Road, Westcliff, is listed among 50 British schools achieving excellent exam results despite some pupils coming
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Theatre (Westcliff): Daniel will be thrilling at home...
It has been a busy time for Zambian-born actor Daniel Cross since he graduated last August. The 23-year-old has already appeared as Mole in Wind in the Willows, Leonard in Wife Begins at Forty and Bill in Ben Elton's Popcorn. He has also moved to Westcliff
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Colchester: Down's Syndrome girl in school breakthrough
A girl with Down's syndrome who was the first pupil with the condition to attend her primary school is set to become a pioneer again - this time at secondary school. Kelly Wright, 11, of Harvey Road, was the first pupil with Down's syndrome to attend
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Chelmsford: Bishop urges return to healing
The clergy need to put healing and deliverance back at the heart of the Church's ministry, claims the Bishop of Chelmsford in a new report. The Right Rev John Perry is behind a newly published 58-page report'A Time to Heal' which has the backing of the
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Billericay: Tories line up to replace Teresa
A newpaper columnist, a former MP and a constituency chairman are among those lining up for the position of Tory candidate in Billericay, it was today revealed. The Echo understands the shortlist to be Malcolm Buckley, John Baron, Claire Strong, former
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Dwarf Games: Smith excels at Peterborough
Andrew Smith, of Broomfield, made an excellent showing at the National Dwarf Games in Peterborough, where former Olympic star Fatima Whitbread encouraged the athletes and presented the medals. Andrew won bronze medals in the javelin and shot putt and
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Essex: Business boss dies of cancer
The managing director of Essex Training and Enterprise Council and Business Link, Michael Clegg, has died after a long battle with cancer. Mr Clegg, 56, who took up his role in 1993 after a successful career in manufacturing, died yesterday (Sunday).
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Walton: Sisters get tough with fan Syd
The Beverley Sisters were forced to tie up one of their greatest fans - but it was all for his own good. The last time pensioner Sydney Ambrose watched the sisters in Walton he clapped so hard that one hand swelled up to almost twice its normal size and
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Benfleet: Once upon a time there was a boy who drew... .
Michael Maloney became a docker instead of an artist. Now he is having a second chance, finds JANE O'CONNELL As a boy, Michael Maloney was happiest when he was drawing and painting. Art, however, wasn't considered as a career option at the comprehensive
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Springfield: Storage plea for food aid
Springfield churches are urgently seeking an empty warehouse or barn for the autumn where food for Eastern Europe can be stored. Operation Harvest For the Hungry 2000 is part of EuroAid, a charity which has sent over 300 tonnes of food aid to eastern
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Chelmsford: Church goes on-line
Churches are jumping on the information super highway to advertise their services and activities on the web. The Chelmsford Community Church is one of them. With a free web site from the Beehive community network at This is Essex - the church can now
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Witham: Car park row may hinder shop plans
A row over a car park in Witham could delay plans to redevelop a shopping precinct. The managing director of the Newlands precinct, Roger Southam, said the legal wrangle over who owns it could seriously delay development plans for the site unless the
