Archive
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Soccer: Webb targets striker Coote
Southend United boss David Webb confirmed today that he had made an offer for Norwich City's Northern Ireland international striker Adrian Coote. The Shrimpers chief made an official faxed bid for the 22-year-old after watching him in action for the Norfolk
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Basketball: Leopards leap into the final
The bitter disappointment of the previous week's league defeat to the London Towers, added an extra edge to an already nail biting, stomach turning semi-final on Sunday. The game, at the Coventry Skydome, was televised on BBC2, which gave the Leopards
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Soccer: Club needs home
Chelmsford City Football Club chairman has given the borough council an ultimatum come up with a site for a new ground within two months or the club will die. Peter Stroud, chairman for the last two years, has withdrawn a planning application put before
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Brightlingsea: Swimming pool not in danger from axe
Fears that a town's swimming pool is set to close under cost-cutting measures have been strongly denied. Residents in Brightlingsea are concerned they are about to lose their outdoor pool and are gearing up to fight any move to shut it down. More than
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Billericay, Colchester: Mum tells of terror leap for vital funds
Dare devil mum Yvonne Parker has spoken after completing a terrifying 12,000ft parachute leap to raise money for the hospital which miraculously saved her son's life. In November it was revealed that Yvonne, 41, of Burntwood Close, Billericay, was taking
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Wickford: Stardust's baby star
Seventies glam rocker Alvin Stardust is over the moon after becoming a father for the fourth time. The 56-year-old, who comes from Wickford, was ''absolutely thrilled and delighted'' after his wife, 30-year-old Julie Paton, gave birth to baby daughter
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Colchester: Council taxpayers face 19pc bill rise
Colchester residents could face a 19 per cent rise in council tax because of a budget gap of more than £400,000. On Thursday, councillors angrily called for changes to be made to the "major problem" of the budget setting to stop a shortfall happening
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Colchester: Signs mark sites of Roman gates
Colchester's position as the oldest Roman town in the country is being reinforced by the council, with new road signs indicating Northgate, Headgate and Eastgate. The most noticable new signs have gone up at Balkerne Hill, Sheepen Road and Westway, indicating
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Clacton: Skateboard hopes dashed
Hopes of providing a skateboarding ramp for youngsters in Clacton have been dashed for the time being - but fresh efforts will be made in the New Year. Skateboarding fans called on Tendring Council to come up with a ramp and even offered to help raise
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Colchester: Council may bid for arts development cash
A multi-million pound "flagship" arts venture is being looked into for Colchester as part of plans to turn the town an eastern region culture capital. The town was dubbed a "key strategic location" by East England Arts, which has been reviewing current
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Southend: £10m blueprint to lure tourists
Southend could be transformed into a bustling European seaside resort if £10 million of Euro cash is secured, it has been revealed. An ambitious project has been unveiled by Southend Council with radical projects like a pier cybercafe, hovercraft terminal
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Rochford, Southend: Police merger plan slammed
Fierce criticism has been levelled at Essex Police over proposals to merge the Rochford and Southend police divisions. Rochford councillors were told that merging the divisions would save £442,000, providing around 15 extra police officers for the county
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Brentwood, Billericay: Plea for blood donors
Mindful of the celebrations of the Christmas-New Year break the Brentwood based Blood Donor Service is renewing its campaign for more donors. It has reminded the community that the festive season's downside is an increase in road accidents and emergency
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Canvey: Terry's Christmas magic
Magician Terry Machin wowed children with his tricks at a Christmas show in Northwick Park Infant School. He brought a friendly ghost and a magic bucket for the pupils at the Third Avenue school on Canvey. Headteacher Emma Lane said: "He was brilliant
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Basildon: Athlete Dean hands out awards
Olympic hero Dean Macey has paid tribute to a clutch of academic high fliers. Canvey boy Dean, 23, was guest of honour at Basildon College's annual student awards evening. The former college student turned World Championship medallist, handed over the
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Basildon: College moves to merger
Bosses at Basildon College have begun a wide-ranging consultation process to finalise proposals for a merger with Thurrock. More than 400 questionnaires have been handed out, as a joint committee works to produce a draft plan for a meeting of the Further
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Basildon: Pressure mounts on hospital emergencies
Concerns have continued over mounting pressures facing Basildon Hospital's emergency services as staff start putting into action its winter strategy. In the last three months "severe pressure" on the hospital has led to serious complaints about the length
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Basildon: Children attacked for mountain bikes
Teenage gangs are threatening to attack youngsters with golf clubs and screwdrivers unless they hand over their expensive mountain bikes. On one occasion an 11-year-old boy was hit across the back with a club before being forced to give his bike to four
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Southend: Nurse pay 'not enough' claim
New pay rises for nurses are not enough to attract workers into the profession, according to a Southend union representative. All nurses working in the NHS will receive a 3.7 per cent salary increase while 70,000 senior nurses will receive pay hikes of
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Soccer: Canvey pencil in Duffy for return
Midfielder Chris Duffy is likely to play his first game on the comeback trail after an operation when Canvey Island start their defence of the Essex Senior Cup at Park Lane tonight. And former Cambridge United defender Ben Chenery is set for a debut in
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Maldon: Police witness appeal
Police are appealing for witnesses after a spate of attempted burglaries in the Maldon area. The first incident took place at 6.20pm on Monday when suspects were disturbed trying to break into a house in King Street. Nothing was stolen. Would-be burglars
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Ongar, North Weald: Heritage groups set for cash boost
Grants of up to £15,000 could be made available to Ongar and North Weald groups involved in running local heritage projects. This is the message from Epping Forest District Council's external funding officer Darren Barker. He is encouraging local voluntary
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Harold: Booklet tells how to beat winter chill
A booklet giving crucial advice to older people on how to keep warm and well this winter is now available in Harold. It is aimed to provide a lifeline to senior citizens who often find the winter months a battle to survive. The booklet is called Keep
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Brentwood: Tragic Laurens touching letter to parents ...
Friends and family of tragic schoolgirl Lauren Bronka packed St Thomas' Church, Brentwood for a moving funeral service last week. The 17-year-old Brentwood School student, from Ingrave, died after failing to recover from a series of asthma attacks. The
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Brentwood: Mail workers find passport to couples dream trip
Postal workers have performed a "Christmas miracle" to help a Brentwood couple take up an opportunity of a lifetime. Oliver Crudgington, 21, of Shevon Way, and his fiancee Emma Washer, 24, of Willowdene, Pilgrims Hatch, were planning a dream trip to Keystone
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Soccer: Third time lucky in Trophy for Billericay Town
Billericay finally won the battle of Hastings last night (Tuesday) . . . and will now be hoping that it continues to be a case of "good old Sussex by the sea" when they visit Bognor Regis in the third round of the FA Umbro Trophy early in the new year
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Essex: Christmas rail timetable released
Railtrack today announced more details of train services over the Christmas period. There will be no trains between Ilford and Liverpool Street all day on Christmas Eve, with buses linking Ilford and Stratford for connections with the underground, Docklands
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Essex: £16m to be spent on our schools
Schools in Essex are to benefit from a £16 million investment in buildings and extra places. The Government has given Essex County Council the go-ahead to borrow the money in the next financial year . It is the county's portion of a £620 million capital
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Basildon: Thieves 'out of control' in police shortage
A policemen has claimed the force does not have the resources to cope with Basildon town centre shoplifters. Shops have reported on average ten incidents a day over the past month where goods have been stolen from shelves and displays in the heart of
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Canvey: Police hunt gang in night assaults
Police are hunting a violent gang in connection with a spate of serious late night assaults on Canvey. Four men were left battered and bruised in separate incidents in the space of just eight days on the island and two of the victims told police they
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Soccer: Terrace return for the Blues?
Southend United owner Ron Martin has admitted he had not ruled out giving Blues fans standing room at the Third Division club's proposed new £12.5million super home. The Shrimpers have lodged a planning application with the town council for a 16,000 all-seater
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Brightlingsea: Mum tells of school agony
A mother has spoken of the pressure her family is under after her son was told he could not have a place at a school which says it does not have room for him. The headteacher at Colne Community College in Brightlingsea said last week a decision had been
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Essex: 182 drivers found over drink limit
More than 5,000 drivers have been stopped and breath-tested on Essex roads since the start of December - and three per cent were over the limit. A police statement said of 5,702 breath tests carried out between December 1 and December 18th,182 were positive
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Rettendon, Wickford: Death crash driver named
A man killed in a horror road smash has been named. Danny Comolli, 22, of Sonters Down, Rettendon, died when the Maestro he was driving was in a head-on collision with a Mondeo in Runwell Road, Wickford, on Sunday. His 19-year-old passenger is fighting
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Colchester: Fears over future of top post
Fears have been raised that Colchester's chief executive, who was denied early retirement last month, will not come back to his job. John Cobley has been on sick leave since a request for him to leave his position as highest paid officer of the council
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Essex: Blood donor appeal
The blood donor service will still be looking for volunteers over the Christmas period. Here's where you can go to help out: Colchester: Thursday, Colchester Townhouse, East Stockwell Street, from 2pm to 4.30pm and 5pm to 7.30pm. Friday, The Arena, Circular
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Essex: More rail services than expected
New Year's Eve rail travel is set to be easier than first thought - Liverpool Street station is to remain open longer than planned. Railtrack intended to shut the busy station on four additional days over the holiday period, aside from the usual closures
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Aveley: Riddle of missing Ashley
Police are becoming increasingly concerned for the safety of a man who went missing on Friday. Ashley Fricker, 21, has not been seen since he was separated from friends on a night out in London. Mr Fricker, a contract electrician who lives with his parents
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Colchester: Penis production not for MP
An unusual addition to the Mercury Theatre's spring programme looks set to cause controversy. Colchester MP Bob Russell is among those speaking out against the decision to include a production featuring men making different shapes out of their genitals
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Rayleigh: Pub's giant igloo is snow joke, Rudolph
Wadering Eskimos will find a warm welcome at a Rayleigh pub that has an igloo built at the entrance. The Travellers Joy pub, which has now earned a worldwide reputation following previous replicas of the Millennium Dome and Wembley Towers, now has a winter
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South Essex: Rachel dies after last plea for donor
Courageous south Essex teenager Rachel Middleton has lost her fight for life - days after appealing for an organ donor to come forward. Rachel, 18, who suffered from cystic fibrosis, had been waiting more than two years for a heart and lungs transplant
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Essex: Fire chiefs issue top yuletide safety tips
Essex Fire Service is offering a festive series of fire safety tips to ensure that your Christmas is a merry one. A fire, starting on a sofa, would only take one minute and 30 seconds to set the sofa ablaze. Within two minutes and 30 seconds the small
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Benfleet: Golden gift marks priest's 25th
Church dignitaries are all set to celebrate the silver jubilee of a Benfleet priest. Father Michael Galloway of St Mary the Virgin church in the High Road, was ordained as a priest 25 years ago and tomorrow he will be celebrating his anniversary in style
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Chadwell St Mary: Rachel tributes pour in
The family of Rachel Middleton have been overwhelmed with calls of sympathy from members of the public who took the courageous teenager's story to their hearts. Rachel lost her long battle for life just days after appearing on television pleading for
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Soccer round-up: Sofa so good...
New Southend United left-back Shane Wardley is looking forward to swapping sofas for full-time soccer. The 20-year-old furniture maker has just joined Blues for £5,000 from Dr Marten's Premier Division outfit Cambridge City on an 18 month contract. And
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Rugby Union: Wyverns sunk by Thames
Westcliff came to the aid of Rayleigh when a player and pitch shortage threatened to have their game cancelled. But Thames, who included many players of first-team experience, barged their way to victory thanks to their powerful runners. The front row
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Tennis: Higgins continues to make good progress
Tom Higgins, a member of the Gidea Park Tennis Club, continues to make progress in the world of full-time tennis. This year he has competed in 12 Girobank Tour events which have provided him with valuable competitive experience. By last week Higgins was
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Colchester: Knifeman gets life
A man was starting a life jail sentence today for a vicious attack on a club doorman. Nathan Motherwell was told by a Chelmsford Crown Court judge he was a "very dangerous man and would remain so for a very long time." And it was revealed at the end of
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Stanford-le-Hope: Ex-councillor jailed for arson
A former Tory councillor in Stanford-le-Hope, who set fire to his girlfriend's home causing £60,000 worth of damage, has started a five-year prison sentence. Michael Dalton, 51, pictured, was sentenced at Southend Crown Court after admitting two charges
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Harwich: Refinery sold for £120m
One of Harwich's largest employers has been sold in a multi-million pound deal. The sale of Carless chemical refinery in Parkeston was completed on Monday to the tune of £120 million. London-based company Petrochem UK has bought Carless Refinery and Marketing
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Billericay, Wickford: Green Christmas
Billericay and Wickford residents are being urged to go green this Christmas by recycling bottles, cans, and cards. Eighty mini recycling points are available across the district and the civic amenity site at Pitsea will be open from 8am to 4pm every
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Soccer: I could have lost my eye
Joe Dunne spoke for the first time today of the injury that came horribly close to costing him an eye and left him with 40 stitches in his face. Battered, bruised, bloodied and badly swollen, the 27-year-old Colchester United defender revealed he could
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Angling round-up: Bumper Christmas catches
Mike picksout pike at Aquatels Anglers targeting pike have been finding some decent sport at Basildon's Aquatels lake. Mike Scutter fished a lure to bank numerous jacks throughout the week, culminating in two cracking fish of 17lb 8oz and 21lb exactly
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South Essex: Protest over new homes
Plans to build more than 5,000 houses in Essex every year for the next five years have been condemned by councillors. Housebuilding figures for the county are 25 per cent above what was agreed to be the highest possible number. Instead of the 4,240 put
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Rayleigh: Pub's giant igloo is snow joke, Rudolph
Wadering Eskimos will find a warm welcome at a Rayleigh pub that has an igloo built at the entrance. The Travellers Joy pub, which has now earned a worldwide reputation following previous replicas of the Millennium Dome and Wembley Towers, now has a winter
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Colchester: Historic buildings for sale?
A pair of historic listed buildings in the heart of Colchester's town centre could be sold off. Estate experts at Colchester Council are considering what to do with its Trinity Street buildings, which are currently being used as an arts forum and for
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Colchester: Doorman victim takes no pleasure from outcome
A doorman attacked with a knife and machete by a clubber said today (Wednesday) he gets no pleasure from seeing the man start a life sentence for the crime. Michael Herlihy, 34, was working on the door of the Terrace Nightclub in August when he was knifed
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Brentwood: Gunmen blast man in roadside ambush
A man escaped death by inches after a pair of masked gunmen ambushed his car and blasted him through the rear side window. The victim, a passenger in a silver Vauxhall Cavalier car, was only saved by the thickness of his jacket, say police. They say the
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Rochford, Southend: Police merger plan slammed
Fierce criticism has been levelled at Essex Police over proposals to merge the Rochford and Southend police divisions. Rochford councillors were told that merging the divisions would save £442,000, providing around 15 extra police officers for the county
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Rochford: Disabled man's sex acts
A man left disabled by a road accident has been jailed for a year after committing indecent acts in front of two girls aged five and ten. At Southend Crown Court, Gary Pearce, 38, of Union Lane, Rochford, admitted charges of indecency. The acts began
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Colchester: Diamond couple's special lunch
A couple are celebrating their diamond wedding with a special lunch at Williams & Griffin - where they dine every week. Jean and Walter Parker have been eating at the department store in Colchester's High Street every week for the past 21 years and
