Archive
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Laindon: Woman found hanging in cell
A Laindon woman has died after being found hanging from the window bars of her cell in Holloway Prison. Cheryl Hartman, 20, was discovered by staff hanging at the north London women's prison at 10.35am on Sunday. Staff and paramedics attempted to resuscitate
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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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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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Soccer: Whelan wanted at Blues
Southend United boss Alan Little was expected to make central defender Phil Whelan his first summer signing today (Tuesday). The 28-year-old Oxford United stopper should put pen to paper on a two-year contract with the Shrimpers this afternoon after negotiating
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Witham: Cool response to get-tough policy
Police plans to deal with troublesome youths have met with mixed reaction from concerned residents. At a meeting of police, traders and residents from the Humber Road estate, Witham, police outlined plans to get tough with a group of intimidating youngsters
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Colchester: News seller hurt in brutal attack
A newspaper seller is recovering at home after being kicked and beaten in a brutal robbery. The 49-year-old man had finished selling the Evening Gazette in St John's Street, Colchester, near Wilkinsons at about 6pm yesterday (Monday). He went to the nearby
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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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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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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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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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Woodham: Week-long festival at St Marys
St Mary's Church, Woodham Ferrers, is to celebrate the new millennium with a week-long festival starting on Sunday. A yew tree will be planted during a service of celebration at 11.15am. Throughout the week, the church will be open from 10am to 4pm with
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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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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 was revealed yesterday (Monday). The fire perils came to light
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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 on Sunday. Mr Clegg,
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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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Maldon: Cool welcome to ice cream seller
Angry kiosk holders have slammed Maldon District Council for allowing an outside business to sell ice cream in the town's Promenade Park. Lynn Dogan, who runs Ripples Ice Cream and Coffee Bar in Maldon High Street, has successfully applied to the council
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Colchester: How could they steal my bike?
A young boy has been left devastated after cruel thieves stole his dream quadbike. Five-year-old Connor Martyn was bought the four-wheel-drive off road machine for Christmas after he set his heart on having one. His dad Dominic Martyn, 29, worked overtime
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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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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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Leigh: Home-blown originals
These talented young wind players have been selected to play in the Music for Youth National Festival. This is the third year that they have been invited to take part in the festival, which this year is being held in the Purcell Room, on the South Bank
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Harwich: More onshore facilities bid to ensure Blue Flag award
New calls for a Blue Flag award at Dovercourt beach have been made by Harwich town councillors. At a special meeting of the council last night (Monday) members were joined by the head of leisure services at Tendring Council, Brian Bennett. Mr Bennett
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Basildon: Angry neighbours win parking battle
Developers behind a controversial housing scheme in Basildon have bowed to the wishes of angry neighbours by agreeing to provide car parking. Members of the central Basildon area committee agreed outline planning permission for seven two-bedroom and 16
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Soccer: Embery tempts Maldon players to Braintree
When Braintree Town report for pre-season training in a couple of week's time there is likely to be a strong Maldon Town element included in the new faces. It appears that Iron manager Ben Embery has been back to his previous club to recruit some of his
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Braintree: Body Shop to open store at Freeport
The Body Shop is set to open a new depot store in Braintree, creating 12 jobs. The natural cosmetic giant plans to open its third depot store in the country at Freeport Factory Village. Body Shop bosses say the store is expected to be larger than its
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Hockley: Asbestos scare at school
Classrooms at a school in Hockley have been sealed off following an asbestos scare, it has emerged. Four science rooms were closed at Greensward College in Greensward Lane, when workmen carrying out routine maintenance to a roof discovered the suspect
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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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Maldon sports forum needs support
Sports clubs across the district this week pledged their support to the Maldon District Sports Forum. Last week district council sport development officer Peter Melville-Rose appealed for clubs to come forward to ensure the forum's survival. The forum
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Kickboxing: Basildon club are Barbados bound
The future of Basildon freestyle kickboxing club is really taking off - thanks to an invite to fly to Barbados. Word had reached the Caribbean of the Pitsea-based club's brightest prospect, Ricky Judd, and an invite from the World Kickboxing Organisation
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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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Hockley: Driver killed in layby horror
A young driver has died after suffering injuries in a horrific road accident which left an onlooker in need of treatment for shock. Paul Hammond, 24, of Hawkwell Road, Hockley, died after being hit by a lorry as he stood in a layby on the A13 between
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Colchester: Football screen brings ceiling down - literally
England's victory over Germany brought the house down in one Colchester pub - literally. Simon Peacey, landlord of Molly Malones, ordered a large screen projector specifically in time for sports fans to watch Saturday's crucial match. Contractors fitted
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Colchester: More on patrol for big match
Extra police will be in Colchester tonight after officers admitted they were outnumbered by celebrating football fans on Saturday. Up to 500 boisterous supporters completely blocked Queen Street after England's Euro 2000 victory over arch rivals Germany
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Billericay: Tory backs MP Teresa on drugs
One of the front-runners to become Tory candidate for Billericay has backed Teresa Gorman's calls for a relaxing of drug laws. Telegraph columnist Paul Goodman is among those shortlisted to stand in the high-profile fight to hold on to her seat at next
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Braintree: Trio rob sunbather
A man was robbed by youths brandishing a knife as he sunbathed in his front garden. The crooks struck in Conan Doyle Close, Braintree, at about 7.30pm yesterday (Monday) and demanded cigarettes. They threatened the man at knifepoint before he handed over
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Benfleet: Homes hit by fly invasion
Fed-up residents have demanded action as swarms of flies continue to invade their Benfleet homes. Locals claim the fly population in Benfleet has reached epidemic proportions and despite investing in gallons of fly killer and expensive electronic zappers
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Southend: Hunt fails as man drowns
Swimmers have been warned to beware of strong tides after a man died off the coast of Southend. A massive search operation in the waters off Thorpe Bay and Shoebury was launched yesterday (Monday) and the 27-year-old victim was plucked from the water
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Essex: Tots targeted in fight against arson
Children as young as three have been visited by firefighters and psychologists as part of a campaign to stamp out arson among youngsters in Essex. More than 130 children aged three to 16 underwent counselling during Essex Fire and Rescue Service's Juvenile
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Clacton, Frinton: Policeman denies charity theft
A policeman kept money raised for cancer for more than a year before handing it over to charity. And a court also heard how PC Pat Lane allegedly went on exotic holidays while he still owed money to the charity. By the time some of the money was repaid
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Southend: 'Don't halt college bid'
South East Essex College's £55 million relocation to Southend town centre must not be allowed to fail, council boss George Krawiec has said. He spoke out today (Tuesday) after the Further Education Funding Council failed to back the plans at a meeting
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Southend: Bid to grab back pier's alley site
Legal experts are poised to launch "extremely vigorous action" to snatch back the former AMF bowling alley site on Southend Pier. The borough's nine-member cabinet was expected to back new measures today (Tuesday) to end the bitter deadlock with the global
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Woodham Walter: 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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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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Soccer: £1.8m for U's - if they stay up
Colchester United director John Worsp has welcomed the new Nationwide League TV deal which could net the U's a £1.8 million bonanza. Worsp said: "The deal is a Godsend to a small club like Colchester United. The increase on the previous deal is quite
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Cricket: Hussain back for Essex
Nasser Hussain and Stuart Law make a welcome return when Essex continue on the NatWest Trophy trail against Wales in Swansea. Hussain is back from England's disappointing defeat in the opening Test against the West Indies, while Law is ready to resume
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Boxing: Bruno and wife divorce
Popular former world heavyweight champ Frank Bruno has confirmed his ten-year-marriage to wife Laura is over. A joint statement issued today (Tuesday) by the couple, who share a mansion in Stondon Massey near Brentwood, said: "It is with great sadness
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Athletics: Dominic closer to glory
Colchester Harriers' race walking champion Dominic King has moved another step closer to a World Junior Championship place. Dominic, 17, shaved 52 seconds off of his personal best in the third European Race Walking Championships in Eisenhuttenstadt, Germany
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Thunder at the Belvedere...
Blues at the Belvedere club has Texas Thunder raining down on Thursday (15/6) to play some red hot electric blues music. Texas Thunder, the following week, hail from Bishops Stortford and have a formidable reputation for energetic stage performances and
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Schools round-up (South Essex): Boys are dressed to thrill...
Southend High School for Boys pupils will be in top gear when they defend their phenomenal record of success on Friday at the annual Borough Senior Schools Athletic Championships at Garon's Park. The Prittlewell Chase School, who have dominated the event
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Colchester: Livestock market attacked in report
Colchester livestock market has been singled out for stinging criticism in a report by an animal welfare group. It says pigs have been kicked, dealers and hauliers have no compassion for the animals and cattle have overgrown hooves. Information in Animal
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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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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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Maldon, Chelmsford: Russell is new Labour candidate
The new prospective Labour parliamentary candidate for Maldon and East Chelmsford is Russell Kennedy. Mr Kennedy, 32, has been a member of Chelmsford Council (St Andrew's ward) for five years and works as a senior lab technician for Britvic in the town
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Southend: A better idea for disabled children
Children with special needs in Southend look set to benefit from more opportunities for education, it has emerged. The announcement follows a pioneering report which is due to be considered by councillors today (Tuesday). A wide-ranging special needs
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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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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 yesterday (Monday). The study based
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Colchester: New scheme to cut rowdy behaviour
Colchester should be made an even safer and healthier place in which to live and work after the introduction of a new scheme. Borough councillors agreed at last night's (Monday's) Cabinet meeting to introduce a mediation service and adopt an anti-social
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Chelmsford: Petition to ban glasses and glass bottles
Chelmsford councillors look set to consider if ordinary glasses and glass bottles should be banned in pubs and clubs in the borough. The council's community health and safety committee has been responding to a petition signed by more than 800 young people
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Chelmsford: MP slams bus lane problems
West Chelmsford MP Simon Burns has complained about problems with the planned new bus lane in New London Road. "A considerable number of people in Old Moulsham, including myself, were utterly opposed to the waste of public money on a bus lane in New London
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Karate: Elmes set to branch out - thanks to sponsorship
On top of the world - that's 16-year-old Emma-Marie Elmes after hearing that Eastwood Mercedes dealership SMAC Continentental were to pay the £1,500 to enable her to compete in the World Karate Association Championships in the United States in September
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Golf: Birch ready for action
The official opening of the new-look Birch Grove golf course went as smoothly as Tiger Woods' swing. The opening drive, on the new par 66 layout, was performed by the Essex Golf Union president John Day on Thursday. Owner Lawrie Marston said: "It was
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Frinton: Theft while students sit exam
Students sitting a maths paper left the exam room to find valuables stolen from their bags. The theft happened while 120 students were sitting a maths paper at Tendring Technology College's upper school in Frinton. The sneak thief snatched the valuables
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Clacton: Warning over bogus cleaners
Police have warned people to beware of thieves posing as window cleaners in the Clacton area after a man made off with a haul of cash from a pensioner. Officers received four calls from distressed elderly residents who found a man in their homes. When
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Boxing: Rowland's title bid ditched
A knee injury has scuppered Jason Rowland's dream of stepping into a Glasgow boxing ring to challenge for the IBF light welterweight championship of the world within days of the contest. Rowland, 29, who lives with his wife, Carrie, and daughters, Billie
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Benfleet: Dog dies after eating slug pellets
A heartbroken dog owner has warned against the dangers of slug pellets after her beloved pet died. Gloria Bradley, of Kents Hill Road North, Benfleet, bought Bio Slug Mini Pellets made by Home and Garden Ltd thinking they wouldn't cause any harm to domestic
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Arlesford: Murder probe as body found
Police have launched a murder inquiry after a man's body was discovered in a quiet village. Unarmed officers were called to the house in Ford Lane, Alresford, by ambulance crews at 9.34am today (Tuesday). They found a man lying on the floor with a chest
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Shoebury: Garrison estate's hotel plan
A new health centre, school and hotel could sit alongside 450 homes on the Shoebury Garrison site. A planning application by Gladedale Homes Ltd, which paid £8,155,000 for the 182-acre site, could be just three weeks away. However, while new life could
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Stanford-le-Hope, Leigh: Breakdown on way to wedding
A bridegroom nearly didn't make it to church on time after a hired bus broke down ten miles away. Panic set in as Caroline Rixson, 31, and Paul Vaufrouard, 29, were due to wed at St Margaret's Church, Stanford-le-Hope. Paul, his best man and two friends
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Arlesford: Murder probe as body found
Police have launched a murder inquiry after a man's body was found in a quiet village. Unarmed officers were called to the house in Ford Lane, Alresford, by ambulance crews at 9.34am today (Tuesday). They found a man lying on the floor with a chest wound
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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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Mid-Essex: Stern warning for country flytippers
Flytippers who dump rubbish on isolated country lanes have been warned they will be prosecuted. Braintree Council officers say illegal dumping of household and construction waste on country roads is on the increase in Braintree district. Last week a bed
