Archive
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Soccer: New skills for youngsters
The agony and ecstasy of football was only too clearly evident when the shirts scored a goal against the bibs at Castle Colts YFC's soccer school. The event at Runwell Parish Park in Runwell Road, Wickford, attracted around 100 youngsters aged between
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Thorpe: Maureen's Thai mission
Supergran Maureen Sanders has returned home after a successful missionary mission to Thailand. Mrs Sanders, 64, of Abbey Crescent, Thorpe, a member of Thorpe Baptist Church, raised more than £1,500 so she could travel to Thailand to carry out her lifelong
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Basildon, Grays: Splashing out for hospice
Sunshine brought scores of families flocking to a fun day at Grays Beach Riverside Park to raise money for St Luke's Hospice. Attractions included charity stalls and games, a teacup ride, a children's driving school and crazy golf. The park's new water
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Southend: Crash 'copter had a fault
A helicopter crash which killed Southend man Philip Dearden, formerly from Manners Way, and ten others, was caused by a "manufacturing anomaly", investigators said today. The anomaly, which could have led to fatigue, was built into one of the Sikorsky
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Leigh: Twins hope after meeting
The parents of Siamese twins Ahmad and Muhammad bin Rosli were today "hopeful" about their children's future after a meeting with a London specialist. The four-year-old twins were back at the Leigh home where they are being cared for today after meeting
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Colchester: Town route branded 'junkyard'
A main route into historic Colchester has been branded a junkyard. A row broke out between a leading Colchester politician and workers involved in building the new Odeon cinema in Head Street. More than 20 vehicles belonging to contractors were parked
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Billericay: Rocks thrown at fire crews
Fire crews have been pelted with stones after being called to deal with incidents at a travellers' site in Crays Hill, near Billericay. Firefighters reckon calls to Oak Lane have in the last few months increased by 300 per cent since a group of travellers
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Colchester: Crowbar attack on home
A masked man wielding a crowbar tried to force his way into a terrified pensioner's home Police believe the masked man is a debt collector who got the wrong address. Det Sgt Roger Napier, of Colchester police, said: "He must be one of the most inept debt
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Witham: Eviction risk for problem tenants
Anti-social council house tenants could face eviction thanks to a new partnership between police and public bodies in Witham. The Witham Police Community Safety Tasking Group is a forum involving the police, council departments such as housing, youth
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Soccer: Canvey aim to sink Fleet
Canvey Island make the short trip across the Thames to Conference League new boys Gravesend and Northfleet for friendly action tomorrow. The Kent outfit won promotion after beating the Gulls to the Ryman Premier League title on the final day of last season
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Soccer: Burley vows goal feast
George Burley has promised Ipswich Town fans goals galore this season as their side bid for promotion from Division One. The Blues boss is determined to bring success back to Portman Road by playing attacking, positive football worthy of the Premiership
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Thurrock: Cabbies - give us some loos
A taxi driver has claimed Thurrock Council is not providing enough toilet facilities close to the new rank outside the town's railway station. Pauline Dent spoke out after it was revealed the council was looking at closing superloos in the borough. She
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Benfleet: Tap ban sparks anger
Water, water everywhere - but not for residents of a sheltered housing complex who have been banned from using a laundry tap to water their plants. They have been told that because the tap is attached to a water meter, they must not use it any more -
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Braintree: Tenants have a say on homes
Tenants who live in some of the worst council houses in the Braintree area are to play a lead role in shaping the future of council homes. Braintree Council invited 150 of its tenants to a special exhibition organised by four companies who are bidding
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Clacton: Stabbed man taken to hospital
A 27-year-old man was taken to hospital after he was stabbed early today. A spokeswoman for Essex Police said the man received minor injuries at a property in Ferndale Close, Clacton, at 4am today. He was then taken to Colchester General Hospital for
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Soccer: Girls get on ball at school
The continuing success of women's soccer has prompted Basildon Council's Football Development Scheme to hold a school for girls. The women's game is the fastest growing sport nationally and to get in on the act girls aged between six and 15 can attend
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Soccer: Purfleet 3 - 1 Gravesend and Northfleet (Friendly)
Purfleet continued where they left off on Monday night at East Thurrock. This was a convincing victory over the conference side with Wayne Vaughan on target again. The game was played at a very quick tempo and it was the visitors who broke the deadlock
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Orsett: Police evict travellers
Police used special powers to force travellers off council-owned land twice within 24 hours. Yesterday, they were forced to tow a caravan from Orsett Village Recreation Ground in School Lane to prevent the travellers causing damage to sports pitches.
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South Essex: Volunteers use web to spread the word
Helpers in south Essex can now find out more about voluntary work in their community by logging on to the world wide web. Basildon, Billericay and Wickford Council for Voluntary Service has just launched its new website boasting a directory of more than
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Colchester: Police crackdown on town drinkers
A fresh crackdown on drinkers causing trouble in Colchester town centre could be in the pipeline. No-drinking zones, staggered club licences and better training for doormen could be on the cards to prevent fights sparking off in Queen Street and St Botolph's
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Canvey: Arson attack on home
An investigation was today under way into an arson attack on a Canvey house. The home in West Crescent was severely damaged after the blaze at around 6.10pm yesterday. Firefighters and police attended the scene after reports of a person inside but a search
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Basildon: Driver's bravest journey
A have-a-go hero jumped into the back of his lorry as it was being driven away by thieves. Police are now anxious for information after the blue freight box van was stolen in Benfleet and travelled to Basildon. The van, with yellow writing, was taken
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Kelvedon: Inquiry hears about flooding fears
The site of a proposed new housing development in Kelvedon may be susceptible to flooding, a planning inquiry heard. Tiptree Trading Company has appealed against Braintree Council's decision to refuse planning permission for the construction of 14 flats
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Clacton: Carnival plea - don't hurl coins at floats
Come and join the fun but don't spoil the party! That's the plea from Clacton Carnival organisers who are making their last-minute preparations for this weekend's spectacular procession. The committee running the event has become increasingly concerned
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Golf: Daniel claims county crown
Basildon golf cadet Daniel Brooks lifted the Essex Boys championship following a fine performance at the Hainault course. Daniel, the first Basildon golfer to win this award for 30 years, lifted the trophy after carding two excellent rounds of 69 in the
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Soccer: Roots Hall date for Irons
West Ham are going Dutch in Southend tonight as Roots Hall hosts the Hammers' friendly clash with Vitesse Arnhem. And with the Irons bringing their first team squad for its final run-out before the big Premiership kick off, a big crowd is expected. The
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Cricket: Essex look to put on big total
Essex's encounter with Derbyshire looks set to go the full four days with the sides neck and neck in the County Championship Division Two match. By the close of play yesterday Essex were on 75-2 giving them a narrow lead over the home side. The visitors
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Clacton: Holidaymakers protest at rats
Angry holidaymakers who say they saw rats at a Clacton holiday park queued outside it to tell managers of their disgust More than 30 visitors to Highfield Holiday Park caused havoc yesterday when they formed a line outside the site's office to protest
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Harold Hill: New members wanted for horticultural society
Fresh faces are needed to help put Harold's last remaining allotment and a cash grant of £2,600 to good use. The Harold Hill Horticultural Society has received the money from the latest handouts from the Community Chest to build a storage hut and some
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Soccer: New faces for U's
There will be at least four new faces in the Colchester United line-up when the new Second Division season gets under way this weekend. Mark Warren, Avery John, Danny Steele and Richard McKinney have already signed, while U's manager Steve Whitton also
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Soccer: Special offer for young fans
Billericay Town FC are offering children aged under 12 the chance to watch the first game of their new Ryman Premier League season for just £1, then enjoy the remaining 22 home league games for free. The season kicks of at 3pm on Saturday 17th August
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Witham: Motorcyclists cause nuisance
Moves to stop motorcyclists causing a nuisance at a Witham nature reserve are not working. The Whetmead reserve in Blackwater Lane, a rubbish tip until 20 years ago, is an important habitat for rough grasses and pond life. But off-road motorcyclists are
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Cricket: Robinson and Flower blossom in the wet
Essex are putting plenty of runs on the board in their County Championship Division Two match against Derbyshire despite rain delays. With earlier downpours preventing any play in the morning session it was left to batsmen Darren Robinson and Andy Flower
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Pitsea: Mum's used syringe fair
Angry mum Anita Makin, 27, today said she was frightened to let her children play in Rectory Park Drive, Pitsea, after her five-year-old son Michael found a used syringe. She said: "They always play out there but Michael came in with this syringe and
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Braintree: Commuters face loss of car park
Commuters could be left with nowhere to park when Braintree Council's lease on a railway station car park runs out. The council currently rents the car park in Station Approach, Braintree, from Railtrack. However, the company has been considering selling
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Soccer: Calder steps up bid to sign Sodje
Billericay Town boss Gary Calder was meeting with trialist defender Sam Sodje today in an effort to strengthen his squad before the start of the season. Sodje impressed with a goal in the 2-1 defeat to a Spurs XI on Tuesday and Calder was hoping to snap
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Canvey: Cafe to be rebuilt
A landmark Canvey cafe is to be knocked down and rebuilt. The Concord cafe in Eastern Esplanade will be demolished and a two-storey building will be put up in its place. This will include boat house, lifeguard facilities, kitchen and stores at ground
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Dedham: No, no, no to mobile mast
Plans to build a 15-metre mobile phone mast in the middle of land immortalised by the paintings of John Constable got a frosty reception from planners. Colchester councillors have unanimously refused an application by T-Mobile to hoist the mast in meadowland
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Golf: $100,000 for hole in one
Benfleet golfer David Salisbury scooped the biggest prize of his career after landing a hole in one at the Russian Open in Moscow yesterday. The 27-year-old, who is the professional at Ballards Gore Golf Club, Canewdon, struck with a six-iron on the 178
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Canvey: Probe into lake pollution scandal
The National House Building Council could be prosecuted following a blunder which allowed raw sewage to spew into Canvey Lake, it was revealed today. Officials from the Environment Agency are carrying out an investigation into the cause of the pollution
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Westcliff: Milkman robbed of £40 takings
Detectives are hunting two men who robbed a milkman at knifepoint as he was making early-morning deliveries in Westcliff. The 33-year-old victim was on foot in Cranley Road, near the junction with London Road, when he was approached by the two strangers
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Soccer: Newman - Let's silence Tigers
Southend United boss Rob Newman wants his men to turn the heat on Third Division championship favourites Hull City when Blues kick-off their 2002/03 campaign at Boothferry Park tomorrow. The Tigers are the top tip for the basement league title and are
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Leigh: Cockle mice test slammed
A Leigh cockle fisherman has slammed the method of using mice to measure toxins in shellfish. Michael Bates says the test is unscientific. Speaking after the Port of London Health Authority banned cockle fishing from Maplin Sands west, Mr Bates said:
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Herongate: Agricultural land to become burial ground
Grieving relatives may soon be able to look to nature for a lasting memorial to a loved one. A piece of agricultural land in Herongate is set to become a green burial ground. There is a growing trend for green burials where graves are marked by plants
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Southend: Hula lot of fun at the park
Southend's mayor Alan Crystall limbered up with hula dancers to celebrate new park play equipment. Safety fencing and facilities for the disabled were also unveiled at Cluny Square Park in Southend. The official opening was combined with a careers exhibition
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Braintree: New complaints about school staff
Further complaints have been made against staff at Lyons Hall Primary School in Braintree where the head and assistant head have been suspended. A spokesman for Essex County Council Education department said: "There have been some further allegations
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Clacton: 166 jobs to go as firm shuts factor
A major Clacton employer plans to close its factory with the loss of 166 jobs. The site of C R Bard in Valleybridge Road will shut down over a 12-month period. Bard, which has been in the town for nearly 40 years, develops, makes and markets healthcare
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Basildon: £10,000 jewellery robbery
A gang snatched diamond cluster and solitaire rings worth £10,000 in a daylight smash-and-grab raid on a town centre jewellery store. Three men smashed the front window of the Scott Taylor shop in East Walk, Basildon, with a hammer and grabbed the jewellery
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Colchester, Dovercourt: Man finds snake in used car
A man got more than he bargained for when he bought a used car and found a snake slithering about inside. Nick Gott, of Louvain Road, Dovercourt, discovered the reptile yesterday when inspecting the Ford Orion he bought a few hours earlier from a Colchester
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Witham: Photographer reunited with first clients
A professional photographer from Witham has been reunited with his first ever paying clients to celebrate his 21 years in the business. David Islip's first paid job was taking Jeanette and Martin Walsh's wedding day pictures on August 2, 1981. So to mark
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Benfleet: Three hunted after wrench street robbery
Benfleet police are hunting a gang of youths who threatened two teenagers with a socket wrench and robbed them of more than £700 worth of goods. The robbery took place in London Road, Hadleigh, where the two boys were walking in the direction of Southend
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Karate: Kids take on world
A Canvey karate instructor and her students are looking to light up Las Vegas when they compete a world championship event. Susan Woods and 11 of her students, all members of Tokon Kai club, will be heading off to Nevada in November for the tournament
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Essex: Abuse victims in cash snub
Victims of paedophile Bill Starling are being refused compensation because of their own criminal records. Starling, 74, of Rantree Fold, Basildon, is serving a 14-year jail sentence for abusing dozens of young boys and girls at children's homes over more
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Cricket: Aussie star Waugh is on his way to Essex
Australian star Mark Waugh is to join Essex Waugh will replace Andy Flower, who leaves for the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka, in the Essex County Cricket Club's line-up in September. Essex Chief Executive David East said: "We are delighted that Mark
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Soccer: Johnson is to defy bookies
Gavin Johnson will be leading Colchester United into their new Second Division season in the knowledge that it is certain to be far from kids stuff this time round. The new captain - Johnson's adopting the skipper's mantle until regular team leader Scott
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Colchester: Market man plans cannabis cafe
A Colchester market trader is hoping to establish the town's first Amsterdam-style cannabis cafe. Dave Beard, 43, operates a stall in Trinity Square selling smoking paraphernalia and marijuana seeds. Because of grey areas in the law, these items can be
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Soccer: Big chance for McKinney
Richard McKinney will be aiming to cap his Colchester United debut with a clean sheet tomorrow. The 23-year-old Irish-born former Manchester City and Swindon goalkeeper has been given the nod ahead of regular keeper Simon Brown in the Division Two season
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Chelmsford: Mother concerned about bus driver
A Springfield mother claims her young sons were subjected to "anxiety" by an Eastern National driver who had overcharged them. Mrs Debbie Robinson, of Beaulieu Park, said Luke, 13, and Joshua, 11, complained to the driver after being charged adult fares
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Soccer: Holland chomping at the bit for Town
Despite the most hectic of summers, Matt Holland is chomping at the bit for another dose of domestic football with Ipswich Town. The Blues skipper - fresh from a heroic World Cup campaign with the Republic of Ireland - leads his troops into battle at
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Stansted: Protesters vow to fight expansion
Anger is driving people to volunteer their expertise to fight Government proposals to put up to three extra runways at Stansted Airport. At a packed meeting called by airport watchdog, North West Essex and East Herts Preservation Association, (NWEEHPA
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Southend: TV challenge for brainy blondes
Brainy blondes will be out to prove they are not as dizzy as many believe when they feature in a new TV quiz being filmed in Southend. Former Big Breakfast presenter Mike McClean will be hosting the quiz from a hair salon next week, giving blondes the
