Archive
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Soccer: Rovers face injury headache for Pennant match
Great Wakering Rovers, who have dropped to fourth place during a bad spell of injuries, are set to again field a well below full strength side for tonight's visit to Leyton Pennant. Alan Hull's men face a busy week as they follow this evening's affair
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Chelmsford: Third burglary prompts new salon alarm
A hair salon has been hit by burglars for the third time in six months. Stephen Askew, manager of Headlines salon, has been forced to set up a direct alarm link with Chelmsford police station to keep the thieves out. Mr Askew was completely cleaned out
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Gymnastics: Basildon girls make the grade
Members of Basildon-based South Essex Gym Club enjoyed considerable success when the county qualifiers for the British Club grade five and six development plan were staged. Grade six is the first level and designed for gymnasts from eight years of age
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Soccer: Farlie - we are team to beat
Neil Farlie claims Tiptree United's poor league form is because they have become the side to beat in the Jewson League premier division. The Jam-makers boss points out that because of the Chapel Road outfit's fairytale FA Vase run, their opponents have
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Pitsea: Trust's new man at the top
The charitable arm of Cleanaway in Pitsea is getting a new trust secretary with experience in both community and environmental work. Cleanaway's Environmental Trust is funded directly through the company and through contributions from the landfill tax
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Essex: More jobs go at Consignia
More than 150 north Essex postal jobs will be axed as part of the shake-up at troubled Consignia The Royal Mail's Essex distribution centre based in New Dukes Way in Chelmsford will close over the next 12 months with 98 jobs going. And at Parcelforce
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Westcliff: Police hunt alleyway pervert
Police were today hunting a man who exposed himself to a young woman in Westcliff while committing a lewd act upon himself. The incident took place in Hildaville Drive at 11.50pm on Wednesday. A spokesman for Southend police said: "The man followed the
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Laindon: Hands up for fun day
Kids love to get their hands dirty and Jasmine Wright was no exception as she joined in a superstore's fun day with great enthusiasm. Jasmine Wright at the fun day. Picture: ELISE GOW 8EH5V5 In fact, she and her friends had so much fun they hardly noticed
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Colchester: Learning centre closes doors
A community learning centre is to close its doors after two years in operation. Based in a flat above shops in Hunwicke Road, Greenstead, the centre is run by Greyfriars Adult Education College in Colchester. The college took the unusual step of seeking
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Maldon: Jail for Iceland robber
Two workmen, a retired police officer and staff at a Maldon store gave chase after a man pushed a cashier aside and snatched £370 from a till. Leslie Curran, 29, of Cross Road, Maldon, admitted robbery at Iceland store in Maldon High Street on January
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Pitsea: Police warning over slingshot boy
A boy aged 11 or 12 is suspected of terrorising Pitsea residents with his slingshot. The catapult kid has been spotted near the town centre where residents are complaining of damage to windows. PC Di Capon, of Pitsea police, said: "Easter is a notoriously
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Shoebury: Jubilee picnic instead of fair
The Shoebury Village Fair is to be replaced with a picnic this year for the Queen's golden jubilee. Every primary school child in the town will be invited to the bank holiday event in Gunners Park on Tuesday, June 4. Youngsters from Southend special schools
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Essex: Compensation for train travellers
Some journey times into the capital yesterday quadrupled following the worst train delays for a long time, according to train operators. Commuters and travellers were stranded at stations and had to wait hours to get to London after signals failed between
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Brentwood: Householders urged to check smoke alarms
Brentwood fire services are urging residents to check their smoke alarms are in full working order after having to rescue a 40-year-old man from a smoke filled bungalow in Four Oaks off Ingrave Road. Sub Officer Bernie Musto said fire crews were called
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Chelmsford: Why I'll sell medals
A Second World War veteran who was prepared to die for king and country is threatening to sell his medals to pay bills. Walter Ablett, 76, of Torquay Road, Chelmsford, does not want to part with his hard-won medals but he is considering it as he says
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Essex: Refurbishment cash for gypsy sites
Essex County Council has won more than £70,000 from government to spend on refurbishing three gypsy sites in the county. More than £40,000 will be spent on the 10 pitch Cranham Hall site, at Little Waltham, including work on the lighting and electrical
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Rugby: Cambridgeshire U16 22 - 24 Essex U16.
Essex's young guns were hoping to continue their good form against Bedfordshire today after bouncing back from a 17-0 deficit to beat Cambridgeshire in their first match of the campaign. A key forward change sparked the comeback and Rochford youngster
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Braintree: School to shut
The decision was today made to close a failing mid Essex school At a crunch Essex County Council meeting, councillors agreed to close Chapel Hill Primary in Braintree by the end of the year. The school has been struggling for some time and was put on
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Colchester: Plan to protect school complex
Security fencing may go up around a primary school complex in Colchester at a cost of £37,500 It is hoped the move will stop problems caused by "evening visitors" to Prettygate Junior and Infants' Schools in Plume Avenue who leave behind a trail of damage
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Soccer: Barrett out for season
Graham Barrett's season could be over but the classy Arsenal striker said today he would love to come back next season and play for Colchester United. The Irishman, who became an instant hit with the U's fans on his arrival on loan last December, said
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Basildon: Cruisers' bid to remember Michael
The friends of Michael Morrell, the Basildon car fan killed in a road accident, say the most fitting tribute is to hold a regular car cruise in his memory. But setting up a regular event is proving difficult. Mr Morrell, 24, of Frettons, died in hospital
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Essex: Ford's axed workers offered jobs lifeline
A company based in Westcliff has stepped in to ease the suffering caused by car plant closures at Ford and Vauxhall by offering hundreds of former workers an employment lifeline. Sales, marketing and recruitment company Direct Marketing Partnership, of
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Thurrock: Schools merger bid knocked off course
Plans to merge two struggling Tilbury schools into a learning campus for five to 16-year-olds have been knocked back. Thurrock's Schools Organisation Committee had to endorse the proposals unanimously if they were to go forward, but members could not
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Stansted: Concern over security warnings
Bosses at Stansted Airport fear passengers are still not heeding security warnings put in place in the wake of the September 11 disaster. They say up to 2,000 sharp items each day are being confiscated from passengers attempting to board planes. Across
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Grays, South Ockendon: Investigations into fires
Investigations are being carried out into the cause of two fires. In the first, at just before 9pm on Sunday, a caravan was damaged in Little Belhus Close, South Ockendon. And a car, thought to be a small Ford, was burned out in a field at Stifford Clays
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Southend: Watchdog raps hospital
Southend Hospital was today rapped by the Ombudsman after doctors sent home a woman who later needed her leg amputated. The criticism, in the latest report of health service Ombudsman Sir Michael Buckley, comes after treatment of a patient known only
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Stanford-le-Hope: Cafe hope for town
Shoppers visiting a south Essex town centre may soon be able to take a break from their bargain-hunting for a well-deserved cuppa. An application to open a cafe in a vacant shop in The Precinct, Stanford-le-Hope, looks like winning planning permission
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Soccer: Aveley 7-0 Witham Town (Ryman League Division Three)
Tony Last suffered his heaviest defeat as Witham manager last night. Work commitments meant he was forced into several changes and a number of young and inexperienced players were thrown into action. Goalkeeper Jon Cardy, who was playing his last game
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Castle Point: Meeting menaces spook councillors
Staff and councillors dread being harassed by youths as they arrive for evening meetings at Castle Point Council, a councillor has claimed. Lionel Hart spoke following an incident in which he almost ran over a teenager who aimed his skateboard directly
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St Osyth: New twist in crossing saga
Plans for a controversial safety crossing have changed. The new proposal is to relocate the zebra crossing in Clacton Road, St Osyth, opposite the village hall. Residents condemned the original scheme, which was just 50 metres further along the road.
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Wickford: Homage to French and Romans
A taste of France and Rome has been sweeping over pupils at a Wickford school. Youngsters at Castledon special school in Bromfords Drive have been learning all about French history and customs and everything Roman. They marked the end of their project
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Essex: Small businesses must come first
One of the Tories top MPs says small businesses must come first in next month's Budget. Essex MP John Whittingdale insists Chancellor Gordon Brown must tackle red tape on April 17. The shadow trade and industry secretary who represents Maldon and East
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Soccer: Fish dreams of a final appearance
Tiptree United captain Ian Fish's dream of leading his side out at Villa Park in the final of the FA Carlsberg Vase is agonisingly close. Only Sudbury stand in the way and the Suffolk side will have to overturn a 2-0 deficit in the semi-final second leg
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Leigh: Hunt for traffic solutions
More than 600 questionnaires are to be distributed to people living in streets off Leigh Broadway on how to tackle the problem of parking. One proposal is to restrict parking and introduce £5 parking permits for residents. Leigh Town Council is keen to
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Essex: Model horse leads race to the top
A model horse specialist and an adhesive tapes supplier will represent Essex in a regional final of the Shell LiveWire competition. Twenty-seven young businesses entered this year's competition in the county and two were chosen to go forward to the South
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Swimming: Taking the glory plunge
Although the girls of Southend High enjoyed their customary overall triumph at the Borough Schools' Swimming Championships at Warrior Square Pool it was an event tinged with some sadness. For three of the year 11 girls, Harriet Adams, Nichola Cooper and
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Clacton: Vandals on the rampage
Vandalism is reaching "epidemic" proportions on the edge of Clacton town centre. A church, a theatre and a doctor's surgery have been among the targets Stained glass windows have been smashed, walls kicked down, billboards damaged, flowers uprooted and
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Hutton: Hero evacuates flats
The heroic efforts of one man helped ensure a blazing block of flats was evacuated and disaster prevented. The fire broke out in a top floor house at Theydon Bold, Woodland Avenue, Hutton, just a few buildings away from where three young children where
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Colchester: MP confronts Minister of Transport
Yesterday's train chaos became the subject of a debate in Parliament. Colchester MP Bob Russell was among the thousands of commuters affected by the delays, and he later confronted Transport Minister Stephen Byers, who was speaking in the House of Commons
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Wivenhoe: Flats scheme at fire station
The former fire station at Wivenhoe could be turned into a pair of flats. The fire station was sold off by Essex County Council in 1997 after the new one was opened in Colchester Road. Lexden Restorations has applied to Colchester Council for planning
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Maldon: Community work after door smashed
A concrete block hurled through the glass door of a Maldon house landed on a man's foot breaking several toes, a court heard. The man who threw the block, Trevor Cook, 37, of Coleridge Road, Maldon, was told prison was a possible sentence but instead
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Dovercourt, Harwich: Who dunnit? We haven't a clue!
It could have been Colonel Mustard in the library with a dagger. A classic who dunnit murder mystery was committed at the Grange and young detectives were given the chance to find the perpetrator. About 200 children from eight primary schools in the Harwich
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Colchester: Lives put at risk by 999 hoaxers
Young hoaxers are risking people's lives, and a stretch in prison, by making false 999 calls to non-existent fires. Colchester firefighters yesterday wasted time and taxpayers' money responding to four separate emergency calls, three from the same mobile
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Southend: Parking warden slashed in attack
A parking attendant was slashed in the face by two men in a daylight attack in Southend town centre, police revealed today. The unprovoked attack is the most serious incident involving wardens since Southend Council took control of parking enforcement
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Soccer: Burley's 'Mission Possible'
George Burley refused to be downbeat after watching his Ipswich side sucked back into the drop zone. Results at the weekend conspired against the third-from-bottom Blues but Burley insisted: "Avoiding relegation is certainly not an impossible task. "There's
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Basildon, Orsett: Op canclled at last minute
A patient waited in hospital all morning for an ankle operation before being told the essential equipment to proceed was not available. Dale Harris, 24, of Nelson Road, Basildon, needed surgery at Orsett Hospital on his ankle after breaking it in a football
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Soccer: King dismisses quit rumour
Canvey boss Jeff King chose the signing of his latest star to illustrate the absurdity of rumours that he might quit the club at the end of the season if they fail to win the title and gain promotion to the Nationwide Conference. After seeing his troops
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Colchester: Father calls for action on dogs
Vandalism, litter and dog fouling are rife on a public open space in Colchester, it is claimed A father and a Colchester Council warden have banded together to encourage people to keep Hillyfields tidy and free from danger. Father-of-two Tony Pullon,
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Soccer: Crowstone's league and cup double
The football fanatics of Crowstone Preparatory School, Rochford, have just wrapped up a fine league and cup double in the Southend Small Schools competition. Having already won the championship, they captured the Cup when they beat Shoebury's St George's
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Braintree: Police warning over lottery hoax
Police fear mid-Essex people could be conned out of money as part of a lottery hoax. A mystery person has been phoning residents in the Braintree area telling them they have won the lottery. A number of people claim they have been told they have won a
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Orsett: Women get skin care tips
Members of Orsett Women's Institute heard about Caring for our Faces when two representatives from Clarins Beauty Care were speakers at this month's meeting. They showed members how a professional facial is carried out to rejuvenate skin and demonstrated
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Southend: KeyMed success
Medical equipment manufacturer KeyMed has retained its place as one of the UK's top companies. The firm, which is based in Stock Road, Southend, is at number 59 in the Sunday Times annual top 100 companies list published this week. Last year, the company
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Colchester: War declared on litter bugs
A zero-tolerance war is to be launched on litter louts and anti-social behaviour in Colchester Colchester Council already leads the nation in the number of fixed-penalty tickets dished out to litter bugs. Under new proposals set to come into force later
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South Essex: Five-hour misery on delayed commuter train
Furious passengers were left stranded on a packed commuter train for up to five hours following signal failures on the GER rail ine. James Maddock, of Crown Hill, Rayleigh, today told how he caught the 7.44am train from Rayleigh station yesterday to travel
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Braintree: Bunting bid is turned down
A bid to get Braintree into the spirit of the Queen's Golden Jubilee has been snubbed. Councillors have turned down a request for £1,000 to pay for bunting to decorate the town centre. Braintree Town Centre Strategy Group put in the bid which was considered
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Pufleet: Van driver assaulted
Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault. The incident happened at about 6.30pm on March 17 when the victim was driving his white van along Chieftain Way, Purfleet. The door to the van was opened and the driver was punched by his attacker, who
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Colchester: Charity leap for air ambulance
Dental workers are taking a leap of faith for charity. The two staff members at the High Woods and St John's Dental Practice are looking to the skies in anticipation of their 10,000 ft tandem skydive on April 6. Dental nurse Kerri Smith, 19, and receptionist
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Soccer: Maher ready to make final decision
Influential Southend United midfielder Kevin Maher has promised to make a final decision on his Roots Hall future today. Blues have offered the 25-year-old, who is free to leave the Shrimpers on a free transfer this summer, an improved two-year contract
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Basildon: Mum's heartbreak for battered son
A distraught mum has told of her fears for her son, who had part of his brain removed following a vicious nightclub brawl. Hazel Maggs, 53, of Beambridge, Pitsea, spoke for the first time about the night her son Ian was attacked outside a Basildon nightspot
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Athletics: Wilhelmy warms up for the summer
Southend's international sprint star Sarah Wilhelmy was hoping to make up for lost time when she jetted off to warm-weather training today. Wilhelmy -- the British 100m champion -- flew off to San Francisco for six weeks of intensive sprinting work with
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Mid-Essex: Last bus - after 39 years!
Popular bus driver William George Archer, 64, of Kelvedon, is retiring after driving local buses for 39 years. Known to family, colleagues and passengers as Bill, the biggest recognition of his career came last year when he was runner-up in the "First
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Soccer: Crunch clash for Canvey
Canvey Island go into tonight's battle of the giants at Gravesend determined not to alter their normal pure footballing style despite the importance of the occasion. The two sides are locked together on 85 points apiece at the top of the Ryman League
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Westcliff: Proud of our boy in action
A Westcliff couple today spoke of their pride after their son was dispatched to "fight for our freedom" in Afghanistan. Ross Sinclair, 19, of St John's Road, was told a month ago his battalion was to be sent to Kabul. His parents, Malcolm and Janice,
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Southend: Burglars pose as FBI agents
Men barged into a flat and declared they were FBI agents before attacking the 35-year-old occupant. The bizarre break-in took place shortly after midnight on Friday in Windermere Road, Southend. A spokesman for Southend police said: "They barged in posing
