Archive
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Billericay: Second raid on store
The Woolworths store in Billericay has been struck by burglars for the second time in as many weeks. Another window was smashed at the High Street store in a raid that caused damage which will cost £1,000 to repair. The thieves hammered the alarm to disable
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Soccer: Dockers test for injury-hit Rovers
Great Wakering Rovers hope to have some of their walking wounded back in action tomorrow when they bid to step-up their top three ambitions in the Ryman Second Division with a home derby win over Tilbury. Alan Hull's men saw their hopes of finishing in
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Soccer: Ipswich's Dyer fears
Kieron Dyer is hoping to come back and haunt his old club Ipswich Town when they travel to Newcastle United tomorrow. The England midfielder, who was signed from Town in July 1999 for £6.5 million, is set to return after two injury setbacks. His initial
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Great Bromley: Party to honour Phillip's memory
A party is being held in honour of a 35-year-old DJ and businessman who died of cancer. Phillip Eels, known as Colchester soul DJ Phil Roberts and father to four-year-old Harvey, died in January, after being diagnosed with the disease 11 months before
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Colchester: Carer falls into drain after cover is removed
A carer fell down a Colchester storm drain after its cover had been removed by pranksters. Sam Spalding and the offending storm drain Sam Spalding, 31, only stopped herself from falling down the drain by grabbing the sides with her arms, and managed to
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Chelmsford: Police hunt for gang preying on shops
A gang of travellers preying on Essex shopkeepers has struck in Chelmsford stealing £3,000 of Asian jewellery. Described as "Eastern European" and in "traditional, Romany gipsy dress," the gang of about eight burst into Reena News in Waterhouse Lane,
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Southend: Quiet please!
Tenants have overwhelmingly backed proposals to draft in professional snoopers to tell on noisy and abusive neighbours. Southend Council bosses are using the initiative in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour in some of the town's troublesome roads.
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Soccer: Swifts aiming for top half
Heybridge Swifts manager Dave Greene iscalling upon his side to pull together and force their way into the top 12by the end of the season. When Greene took over at Scraley Road, Swifts were bottom of the leagueand struggling for confidence. Under his
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Colchester: Woman distracted by sneaky burglar
Police have released an e-fit picture of a burglar who let a homeowner's dog out of her back garden so he could sneak into her house when she went to retrieve it. He opened the garden gate of her home in St Leonard's Road, off Hythe Hill, Colchester,
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Seven Days - March 9 - 15
Weekend sport Colchester United turned in one of their worst performances of the season to lose 3-1 away at Peterborough United. For Southend United in Division Three there was a scarcity of goals as the drew 0-0 with Rochdale. Monday news Southend's
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Soccer: Bodley injury blow rocks Gulls
Canvey Island will have to play out the climax of their Ryman League Premier Division title challenge without the services of their most experienced defender Mick Bodley. The former Chelsea, Southend United and Peterborough star had been out since November
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Stansted: Airport hits US prime-time
Cameras will roll at Stansted next week as the airport looks set to make an appearance on prime-time US television. The airport is to be the location for the pilot of 'Keen Eddie' a show being produced by Paramount. Filming is scheduled for Wednesday
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Essex: Leave it out urge firms
Essex bosses are warning moves to increase employment rights are already making life tougher for women by causing employers to think twice before taking them on. The Essex branch of the Institute of Directors has come out against proposed changes to employment
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Soccer: U's urged to attack
Colchester United boss Steve Whitton will say just three little words to his Colchester United players before they do battle with QPR tomorrow - go for it! Incensed by the manner of last Saturday's defeat at Peterborough, where his team came under fire
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Soccer: Selley back for new Blues loan
Midfielder Ian Selley has signed on loan for the rest of the season ahead of Southend United's Third Division trip to Lincoln City. The 27-year-old returned to First Division Wimbledon following Tuesday night's 2-1 derby defeat at Leyton Orient, but has
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Canvey: Head's challenge to inspectors
A headteacher has called on education watchdog Ofsted to remove her school from the Government's special measures blacklist following months of improvement. Positive mood - Canvey Junior School head Jan Vaughan with 11-year-olds Jade Compton and Sanjeen
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Woodham: Cash windfall if homes plan is passed
A windfall of cash for new community facilities is likely to form part of new plans to build 16 homes on the south western edge of South Woodham Ferrers. Developers Wimpey Homes want to build the three- and four-bedroom houses on land in Ormesby Chine
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Pitsea, Benfleet: Dad dies after car breakdown
A heartbroken son is desperate to track a lorry driver who battled in vain to save his dad after he suffered a heart attack at Sadlers Farm roundabout. Thanks - Thomas Carr's son Mark, left, wants to hear from the lorry driver who tried to save his dad
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Canvey: Weekend to offer thanks
The Church of England on Canvey is organising a special event this weekend. All three church centres - St Katherine's, St Anne's and St Nicholas - will be open from 10am until 2pm to enable islanders to make a thanks offering for blessings received in
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Dovercourt: Derelict car deliberately set alight
Firefighters dealt with an arson attack on a derelict car in Dovercourt. The car, in Pelham Close, was well alight when firefighters arrived at 2.30am today. It took about 30 minutes for the blaze to be put out. A spokesman for the Essex Fire and Rescue
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Walton: Dawn drugs raid on flat
Police have carried out a dawn drugs raid on a flat in Walton. Officers with a search warrant entered the flat at 6.50am today. Police at this morning's raid Residents of the seaside town woke to see about eight officers from Walton and also from the
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North Essex: Two GM crop sites named
Sunnymead Farm in Alresford will again be used for GM maize trials, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has announced. Another farm, in Weeley, will also be a local test site, it was revealed. Protesters in Alresford and neighbouring
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Woodham: Call to get skateboard park plan rolling
Work on a skateboard park in South Woodham Ferrers could start much sooner than expected. Town council bosses say they could have access to up to £20,000 in grants and earmarked funds to help fund the scheme. The total cost is expected to be in the region
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Essex: Time to help craft future tradesmen
Short-sighted Essex tradesmen are turning their backs on the next generation and could be contributing to the very extinction of their crafts, local employment experts have warned. Career call - Val Davies and Wendy Hindes are asking traders to give youngsters
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Westcliff: Building firm shortlisted for award
Westcliff building sub-contractor Wilson James has been shortlisted as a finalist for a prestigious construction industry award. The London Road company, which employs more than 1,100 people and has a turnover in excess of £35million, has won through
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Tilbury: Protest letters filed and forgotten
Parents in Tilbury were furious this week when they discovered that dozens of objections against plans to close their primary school had been stamped and filed away without education top brass being told about them. It was revealed on Wednesday that more
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Colchester: Young musical talent gets toes tappin
More than 200 talented youngsters got everybody's toes tapping when they took part in Colchester Schools Prom 2002. The audience packed full of family and friends could not help but enjoy themselves as students from seven schools in the Colchester area
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Canvey: MP blames young for library damage
Young people are to blame for damage outside Canvey library, according to a Castle Point MP. Bob Spink is furious at the vandalism outside the library in the High Street next to the Knightswick shopping centre. The MP has now written to Castle Point Council
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Thurrock: Keep tools locked up, police warn
With spring in the air and gardeners preparing to take out their lawnmowers - burglars too are on the look out for tools. The Thurrock Crime Prevention Panel, in conjunction with Thurrock Council and the police has launched a campaign to highlight the
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Maldon: Hero locked in benefits fight
A Maldon life-saver injured when he rescued a woman from a blazing building is being refused some of his benefit payments. David Stubbings, 26, of Hilary Close, severed an artery as he smashed his way from the flat in The Causeway. He and another man
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Heybridge: Call to campaign for new school
People power could help win the battle to get a new primary school built in Heybridge. Residents are being urged to write letters to Essex County Council to ask for a second school to be built in the west of the village close to new housing developments
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Great Baddow, Colchester: Driver cleared of charges
A motorist alleged to have driven at people standing outside a nightclub was cleared on Wednesday of driving either dangerously or inconsiderately. It took a Chelmsford Crown Court jury nearly three hours to unanimously clear Mark Hagon, 30, of dangerous
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Great Baddow: She's the business!
Schoolgirl Gemma Glover is on the first rung of the ladder of business success after being named ProShare's young business writer of the year. Top award - Gemma Glover is a business winner. Picture: STEPHANIE MACKRILL (20200-a) She was presented with
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Chelmsford: Villages still hit by crime
Opportunist criminals are still targeting villages around Chelmsford. Rural offences are still on the up despite warnings a month ago after a tenfold increase in burglary, vandalism and criminal damage. Crime Reduction Officer Kathy Payne, of Chelmsford
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Southend: Furniture store raises a smile
Staff at a Southend furniture store have staged a fun day to help raise money for terminally-ill children. MFI's Purdey's Way store played host to a range of competitions, raffles and stalls all laid on to keep visiting families entertained and bring
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Motor racing: Davies in F3 cash search
Matt Davies, Billericay's Formula Three race ace, is looking for a drive this term after missing out on another season in the F1 feeder series. The 25-year-old came eighth in last year's championship, racing for Team Avanti, but has been unable to secure
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Soccer: Ipswich looking for elusive points
Ipswich Town will have to put together a strong sequence of results if they are to retain their Premiership status next season - starting tomorrow at Newcastle. Wednesday night's 2-1 defeat against fellow strugglers Blackburn Rovers has left George Burley's
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Christopher Turner (Colchester)
A leading figure in music-making, research and education in north Essex has died. Christopher Turner, former head of music at Thomas, Lord Audley School, Colchester, was 57. Mr Turner taught for five years in Kent before becoming head of music at the
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Laindon: Arson probe into school blaze
An investigation was under way today after an empty building on the old James Hornsby School site in Laindon High Road was set alight yesterday. The blaze was contained within the lobby on the ground floor of the two-storey block, which was well alight
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Colchester: Students ready to lay down the law
Thirteen pupils will be hoping the law is on their side when they take part in the national finals of a mock trial competition. Sixth formers from Colchester County High School for Girls won their place at the Old Bailey in November. They will now compete
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Soccer: Sides gear up for Thurrock derby
It might not attract the biggest of derby crowds in non-league football, but don't let that fool you. There's plenty of rivalry and passion flowing between Grays and Purfleet these days - and no wonder. Both are enjoying outstanding seasons in the Ryman
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Soccer: Juho out to make Swift impression
Finnish international defender Juho Rantala steps straight into the Billericay Town first team tomorrow afternoon -- just three days after his arrival in Britain. Rantala, who has had experience with Atlantis and, most recently, First Division side HIFK
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Chelmsford: Police hunt for gang preying on shops
A gang of travellers preying on Essex shopkeepers has struck in Chelmsford stealing £3,000 of Asian jewellery. Described as "Eastern European" and in "traditional, Romany gipsy dress," the gang of about eight burst into Reena News in Waterhouse Lane,
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Southend: Shopping mall for Odeon
A landmark cinema is set for a new lease of life as a state-of-the-art shopping centre thanks to a £2m deal with the company behind Southend United. Empty - the former Odeon site may be turned into a new shopping centre. Picture: TERENCE BUNCH 88KY46
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Southend: Shopping mall for Odeon
A landmark cinema is set for a new lease of life as a state-of-the-art shopping centre thanks to a £2m deal with the company behind Southend United. Empty - the former Odeon site may be turned into a new shopping centre. Picture: TERENCE BUNCH 88KY46
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North Essex: Anger over new GM crop trials
Controversial genetically-modified maize will be grown at two Essex sites in the latest round of Government tests. Angry anti-GM campaigners have said they are committed to continuing their protests against the crop trials. Sunnymead Farm, in Alresford
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Walton: Care home up for sale
The largest independent care home in north-east Essex is being sold - but elderly residents at Walton's award-winning Blenheim House have been assured they will not have to move. Martin Jenkins, the owner for 20 years, said one of his reasons for selling
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Athletics: Champ Nick runs in Bath
Basildon AC's Nick Wetheridge will be hoping to defend his AAA half marathon championship when the race takes place in Bath on Sunday. Wetheridge won the title in 2000 but the race did not take place as scheduled last year due to foot-and-mouth. Also
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Colchester: School hit twice by arsonists
An arson attack at Philip Morant School in Colchester is the second in a week, it has been revealed. Staff and pupils at the school in Prettygate, Colchester, were evacuated yesterday as smoke began pouring from ground floor changing rooms shortly after
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Braintree: Extra cash call for threatened school
A council has asked for more money to be spent saving axe-threatened Chapel Hill School in Braintree. With the future of Chapel Hill hanging in the balance, Braintree Council is continuing its support for the school. In a report, the council has asked
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Soccer: Young gun Josh set to join Arsenal
Hadleigh's Josh Rees could be a name to look out for in the world of top-flight soccer...despite the fact that he's still a few weeks short of his ninth birthday. For the Hadleigh Infants School youngster is all set to be signed up by Arsenal when he
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Soccer: Whitton denies sack worries
Steve Whitton says he has no fear of being given the sack as Colchester United's manager. The U's boss said yesterday: "I'm sure it could happen, but I don't fear it. If you start worrying about things like that your mind is taken off the things you should
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Witham: Man sent wife blood letter
A restraining order has been issued after a Witham man sent a letter to his wife in his blood. Gary Brett, of Holly Walk, sent 16 letters to his estranged wife in just two weeks - one penned in blood. He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court yesterday
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Mersea: Poplar move by pupils
Schoolchildren have been doing their bit to try to safeguard the future of Britain's rarest native tree - one made famous by John Constable. The black poplar, which has appeared in many of Constables paintings as it is traditionally found in river valleys
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Braintree: Smokers tested for gas dangers
A laser therapist promoted No Smoking Day by testing the carbon monoxide levels of smokers in Braintree. John Rawnsley, of the Braintree Therapy Centre, tested about 30 smokers in George Yard, on No Smoking Day on Wednesday. The object of the breath test
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Braintree: Karen hails drug decision
The decision to make available on the NHS a drug to combat breast cancer was today welcomed by a Braintree sufferer, who has already tried the treatment. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (Nice) today decided to recommend the use of the drug
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Basildon: Tot's plight helps set up kids' charity
A children's charity is to be established in Basildon inspired by the heart-warming story of a little girl's battle with cancer. Fundraisers - Sharon Catto and Jean McCarthy. Picture: LUAN MARSHALL 87NTW1 Four-year-old Jessica Jones was diagnosed with
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Thurrock: Carolina visit for teachers
Eight teachers from Thurrock will travel to North Carolina this weekend to take part in an international study visit supported by the Department for Education and Skills. The initiative gives 2,600 teacher each year the chance to experience teaching methods
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Karate: Tom strikes the gold standard
Wickford's Tom Mahoney is a real Karate Kid -- and he's got the medals to prove it. Just for kicks -- Tom shows his skills Picture: Terence Bunch 7YH9N5C The 10-year-old claimed gold in his category at the British Wado Ryu Championships in Hampshire.
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Southend: College's move hopes in chaos
South East Essex College chief executive Tony Pitcher today admitted his ambitious relocation to the heart of Southend was in chaos. He had high hopes of pressing ahead with the development, linked into the former Odeon cinema, even after a deal with
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Chelmsford: Sewage relief promised to residents
Chelmsford residents who suffer sewage overflowing into their gardens and homes after heavy rain are being promised "short term" relief by Anglian Water. But the company admits it cannot guarantee that the work will necessarily solve the problem if the
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Soccer: Whitton signs Blatsis
Australian international Con Blatsis has signed for Colchester United. The 24-year-old Melbourne born central defender today signed for the U's on a non-contract basis until the end of the season and goes straight into the squad for tomorrow's vital home
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Basildon: Stores join war on mobile phone theft
Basildon police has enlisted the help of the town's stores in an effort to crack down on mobile phone thefts. Hold it still - Ben Prager lends a hand as PC Darren Griffin marks a phone at the Mobile Phone Centre in Eastgate. Picture: LUAN MARSHALL 87DW74
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Athletics: Duo say it's simply the vest
The thrill of pulling on an England vest for a first time was compensation for missing out on individual victory for Southend's Adam Hickey and Thurrock Harrier Andrew Livingstone at Chelmsford's windswept Hylands Park. On a day with 80mph gales Essex's
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Maldon, Ingatestone: Dolls houses appeal
A Maldon businesswoman is hoping that a public appeal will lead to the return of four valuable dolls houses - and a precious, tiny bear. Mrs Linda Morton had packed the dolls houses with items of furniture stored at a removal company in Little Hyde Lane
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Aveley: Eddie's ready for action
Veteran Aveley road safety campaigner Eddie Hockley is up in arms over new "No Entry" signs on the Kenningtons estate. He says new signposts - at the junction of Nethan Drive and Nare Road - have been erected and left partially hidden by the old posts
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Snooker: Bingham hope
Stuart Bingham is dreaming of repeating his heroics of the year 2000 in this weekend's final qualifying round of the Embassy World Snooker Championship. Bingham, of the Executive Club in Leigh, meets former finalist Nigel Bond over 19 frames for a place
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Soccer: Blues boss hopes Rawle's all right
Southend United boss Rob Newman, who is still trying to tie up a deal for a loan striker, said he is keeping his fingers crossed that hitman Mark Rawle will make a timely return at Lincoln. With fellow frontmen Tes Bramble and Tony Richards still on the
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Westcliff: Bones find sparked murder scare
The discovery of human remains in Westcliff sparked a potential murder investigation until the "victim" was found to have been dead for more than 100 years. Southend police were alerted to the discovery of human bones on Tuesday while workmen carried
