Archive
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Clacton: Buggy rider in lorry crash
An 82-year-old woman escaped with minor injuries her invalid buggy was in a collision with a 17-tonne lorry The pensioner was in St John's Road, Clacton, just before noon yesterday PC Kevin Carter, of Thorpe traffic police, said the woman was at the crossing
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Soccer: Rawle anxious to make mark
Southend United hitman Mark Rawle aims to cement his place in Blues' first team by shooting down Carlisle at Roots Hall tonight. The skilful forward produced one of his best performances for the Shrimpers during Saturday's 2-2 Third Division draw at highly
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Essex: Chief confident of meeting police targets
An Essex Police chief said he is confident the force will meet all its annual targets despite falling short in the first three months. Last week, This Is Essex's sister publication The Evening Gazette told how only one in eight targets for solving and
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Witham: Two fast-food restaurants for town
Not one but two major fast-food giants could be opening branches in Witham next door to each other. A few weeks ago, the Evening Gazette revealed tht Peter Tuck, who owns land at the side of family restaurant The Taverner in Cut Throat Lane, was planning
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Basildon: Mum scoops £30,000 jackpot
A Basildon mum is on cloud nine after her numbers came up at bingo - netting her almost £30,000. The 34-year-old married mother-of-three, who asked not to be named, won the prize playing bingo at the Mecca Club in Hornchurch. She won a £28,275 share of
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Essex: Police deny they failed to act
Essex Police today denied that they failed to act on a tip-off, which has led to the first major breakthrough in the Soham missing girls case. Taxi driver Ian Webster has come forward saying he saw a man driving out of Soham and struggling with two girls
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Rayleigh: Skateboard park plans hit the skids
Plans for a badly needed skateboarding facility in Rayleigh town centre have suffered a further setback, it emerged today. A row has been going on for a year between the town council and Rochford District Council over the siting of the planned specialist
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Soccer: Burley's party regret
Ipswich Town manager George Burley has described as "unfortunate" an incident involving his players and a stripper at a Christmas party in Colchester. Tracey Forge claimed members of the Blues squad "behaved like animals" on a night out at Fred's Bar.
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Leigh: New loos bring welcome relief for shoppers
Leigh's new loos have now opened providing much needed relief for shoppers and visitors in the town. The state-of-the-art conveniences, in Elm Road, were officially unveiled by council cabinet member in charge of environmental affairs, Ann Holland. She
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Laindon: Housing estate to be rebuilt
A long-awaited project to breathe new life into a Laindon housing estate will finally get under way after it was backed by councillors. Phase two of a £2.1 million scheme on the Five Links estate should now start quickly, after permission was given for
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Tennis: Lads get a taste of girl power
Anna Peters made a bright start in the Thunderball tennis tournament at Thorpe Bay LTC yesterday. The only girl in the five-day event, Anna is in fifth place with five points after the first day. She had an energy-sapping 7-6 3-6 6-0 win over Jack Cripps
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Essex: County 'overrun with London drug dealers'
Police today promised to step up the fight against hard drugs as an Evening Echo investigation revealed how London dealers were targeting Essex. Det Insp Simon Dinsdale, of Basildon police, admitted: "We're being overrun with drug dealers from London.
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Billericay: Drinking along High Street could be made illegal
Drinking alcohol while walking along Billericay High Street and other streets in the town may soon become illegal if an application to the council gets the green light. Billericay Police are making the application to Basildon Council to stop people drinking
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Essex: Open day for farm
Blue House Farm in North Fambridge will be holding its first open day this month since the Foot and Mouth epidemic closed it to the public last year. The farm open day, supported by the Essex Wildlife Trust, will take place on August 18, from 2pm and
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Wickford: School scheme for new families
School places in Wickford are set to expand rapidly in a bid to keep up with the explosion in house building in the town. The impact will be felt most on primary education and as a result one of Wickford's newest primary schools has been earmarked for
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Southend: More cameras for town
The spy camera network in Southend is to be expanded. Six new cameras will be sited along the London Road, 32 on Southend Pier, seven in Old Leigh, six in Chalkwell Park and one in Priory Park. It follows the installation of 150 sophisticated cameras
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Ongar: Capers cancelled
Ongar residents are facing a less than usually festive start to the festive season this year following the announcement that the town's popular Christmas Capers event has been cancelled. Previous years have seen hundreds of revellers pack the area around
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Canvey: Firebugs on the rampage
A gang of young arsonists is terrorising a Canvey estate by burning down sheds and garages, it was revealed today. Over the past week emergency services have been called to a series of fires on the Saints estate, which takes in St Paul's Road, St Marks
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Soccer: Billericay Town 6 - 0 Southend Manor (Friendly)
Youngsters, trialists and reserves stole the show as Billericay Town ended their pre-season preparations by hitting their Essex Senior League rivals for six. The Ryman Premier League outfit fielded a shadow squad XI that included just five first-team
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Benfleet: Thugs make off with autographs
Football fan Cliff Royle today told of his anger after his coveted autograph book containing the signatures of the West Ham squad was stolen. Cliff Royle, of Prittle Chase, Benfleet, told how he had attended the friendly match between West Ham and Dutch
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Colchester: Masked thief
A masked man dressed as an American president stole a wallet in Colchester town centre. The young man, in his 20s, walked into V Bar in the High Street before removing the rubber face. He then snatched a young woman's purse before replacing the fake face
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Colchester: Conman targets pensioner, 93
A 93-year-old man has paid out £250 to a bogus builder. The elderly pensioner, of Parson's Heath, Colchester, was visited by a man who said urgent roof repairs needed to be done. He then looked at the roof and demanded the cash, which the elderly man
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Little Burstead: Fire in grain silo
Fire crews were called to a farm after a silo containing 50 tonnes of grain caught light. Three fire engines were called to the scene at Chase Farm in Botley Hill Road, Little Burstead, at about 12.40pm yesterday. Crews used thermal imaging cameras to
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Colchester: Man photographs girls in changing rooms
Police are investigating after children were photographed in the Colchester Leisure World changing rooms Two girls aged under ten were getting dressed after a swim when a man stuck a camera under the cubicle door He took a picture and then ran away. The
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Chelmsford: Urology review is underway
A review of urology services at Chelmsford's Broomfield Hospital is being carried out. It follows concerns about the incidents of complications in respect of complex bladder reconstruction surgery at the hospital. A statement from Mid Essex Hospitals
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Thurrock: Testing time for emissions at roadshow
Dozens of cars were offered free emissions tests as part of a bid to improve air quality in Thurrock. The Clean Fuel Roadshow in Morrisons' supermarket car park in Grays invited drivers to have a free car test. They were also given the chance to look
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Southend: Murder on Golden Mile
Murder squad detectives were today questioning two men after a body was found on Southend seafront. The man, who has not yet been identified, suffered serious facial injuries and was certified dead in Marine Parade early today. Westbound traffic in Marine
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Basildon: Mum scoops £30,000 jackpot
A Basildon mum is on cloud nine after her numbers came up at bingo - netting her almost £30,000. The 34-year-old married mother-of-three, who asked not to be named, won the prize playing bingo at the Mecca Club in Hornchurch. She won a £28,275 share of
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Colchester: Rave organisers to contest council decision
Organisers of a rave scheduled for Saturday night are to go to the High Court to contest Colchester Council's attempt to pull the plug on the event. The organisers at Pulse8, who hoped to stage the all-night event at a farm in Copford, will claim they
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Soccer: Defender Pat in 'Yes' to U's
Colchester United go into tonight's mouth-watering away trip to Tranmere boosted by triallist defender Pat Baldwin agreeing to sign. The former Chelsea youngster, who also figured in the pre-season trial game for Luton, handed U's boss Steve Whitton the
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Ongar: Hot stuff!
Ongar chefs proved they were hot stuff at this year's regional Curry Chef Competition Award. Abdul Haque of Haques Empire, Ongar Road, Fyfield impressed judges and achieved third place. Mr Haque cooked delicious dishes of king prawn delight in a sweet
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Southend: Rent shock for seafront
Southend's famous arches cafes are to be hit by a 40 per cent rent rise which could force some to close, it was feared today. A review by a leading property firm has led Southend Council to increase rents by 39 per cent, backdated for three years. Paul
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Basildon: Vandals are driving me out of business
A store repeatedly targeted by vandals will have to shut down because insurers have refused to pay out any more cash, its owner said today. Mike Luff, managing director of Shoeworld, claimed police were doing nothing to help the store in Market Pavement
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Southend United 0-1 Carlisle United
THE Shrimpers' home campaign got off to a disappointing start as the Cumbrians returned north with all three points. Will McDonagh came off the bench in the 65th minute and made an impact minutes later when he scored from the far post to send the small
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Braintree: Rodney's big adventure comes to an end
A beloved family pet has been reunited with its owners after escaping from the family home more than three weeks ago. Rodney, a Mealy Amazon parrot, escaped a few weeks ago through the back door of his home in Chelmer Road, Braintree. But he was finally
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Leigh: Surgeons offer free op for twins
Surgeons have offered to separate Siamese twins Muhammad and Ahmad bin Rosli free - but £70,000 still needs to be found for hospital overheads. The four-year-old twins, who have been staying in Leigh with George and Lisa Henry, of the Humanitarian Aid
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Essex: Low flying profits
Essex mail order company Flying Brands has delivered slightly lower profits after sales at its fresh flowers business wilted over Mother's Day. The group, which is based at Kelvedon Park, said the performance of its Flying Flowers business had disappointed
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Maldon: Man's appeal successful
A Maldon man successfully avoided being locked up when he won his appeal to Chelmsford Crown Court against one month detention. Robert Nicholls, 20, of Tenterfield, Maldon, was granted bail at Witham magistrates court in July when he was sentenced to
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Harwich: Divers may be charged
Nuisance youths who are risking lives by diving off Harwich Quay could face prosecution Sgt Peter Wood, of Harwich police, said a fatal accident was possible if teenagers kept messing around there. The rowdiness is thought to be having a negative effect
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Essex: Charities raising funds in Walk for Life
Four of the county's favourite charities are set to benefit from a Walk for Life event, sponsored by Countryside Properties and taking place in Great Notley Country Park on Sunday, August 25. The Essex Air Ambulance, Farleigh and St Helena Hospices and
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Southend: Man hit out at muggers
A man managed to save himself from robbers by picking up a bottle in the street to defend himself. The 34-year-old was walking along Lancaster Gardens, Southend, close to a railway bridge when he heard the sound of three men behind him. Although he started
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Chelmsford: Woman dies after car park fall
A woman has died after falling 100ft from the ninth floor of a car park. The woman, in her 30s, was sitting on the ninth floor ledge of the multi-storey car park at Chelmsford's High Chelmer shopping centre when she fell. Police had already been called
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Tilbury: Shed thieves put play project at risk
Thieves have put a charity play project at risk by stealing a new shed which had been bought to house toys and equipment. The Toddlers of Tilbury Toy Loan Scheme was launched two years ago by Thurrock Play Network and local residents. It had just been
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Westcliff: Police seek parents of Oliver, 4
Police are anxious to trace the parents of a four-year-old boy called Oliver who was found alone in Westcliff today. A police spokesman said: "A four-year old boy was found in Westborough Road, Westcliff, at 7.50am this morning and due to his young age
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Clacton: Skatepark plan's £30,000 backing
A scheme to create a skatepark for youngsters in Clacton has received a major boost with cash backing of £30,000 towards the project. The park is to be built on land next to Clacton Leisure Centre, which is currently home to a children's adventure island
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Pitsea: Singer's hopes dashed
A singing hopeful from Pitsea today branded the new Popstars: The Rivals programme "unfair" after she was allowed just seconds to perform. Danielle Fairchild, right, 17, says she had already got an audition for the new ITV show but had not been able to
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Billericay: Hunt for shop gang
Police are hunting a gang who committed a spate of robberies in the space of a few hours in Billericay. In the first incident three men walked into Mackay's clothes shop in the High Street on August 7 and grabbed £300 from the till. Members of the gang
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Rugby Union: Tens force blows in from Southend
Basildon Rugby Club enjoyed some home success when they hosted their second annual ten-a-side tournament -- but it was neighbours Southend who took the main spoils. Basildon seconds were the victors in the plate final for the semi-final losers after beating
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Bicknacre: Village post office set to go?
Bicknacre could be without a post office if plans presented to Chelmsford Borough Council are ratified. Outline planning permission is being sought by architect John Bishop to demolish the Bicknacre Post Office Stores, in Main Road, along with a nearby
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South Woodham Ferrers: Salvation Army hall plan awaits its fate
The fate of a Salvation Army hall is to be decided tonight. Chelmsford Borough Council will make a decision on the future of the hall, in Hullbridge Road, South Woodham Ferrers. Along with an extension to the existing hall, the Salvation Army hopes to
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Wickford: New bid for flats
A businessman today launched a renewed bid to revamp a Wickford shopping centre - just three months after it was rejected by councillors. Martin Hay, owner of the Willows, wants to build 24 flats above the shopping centre in the High Street and use the
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Reaching for the stars
Instead of watching people acting this summer, you could be on stage yourself. Whether you discover a hidden talent or just have fun and make friends, it beats being stuck indoors. Sit and Fidget are holding performing arts and drama workshops until the
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Billericay: Drinking could be banned in High Street
Drinking alcohol while walking along Billericay High Street and other streets in the town may soon become illegal if an application to the council gets the green light. Billericay Police are making the application to Basildon Council to stop people drinking
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Essex: Sell-off gives Marconi a taste of Italy
Hundreds of Essex workers have found themselves with new bosses after troubled telecoms giant Marconi sold their company to its Italian rivals. Defence communications business Marconi Strategic Communications, which employs 350 people in Chelmsford, has
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Walton: Church may have to close
A Walton church may close due to difficulties in maintaining it The only Roman Catholic church in the town, St Francis of Assisi, may shut its doors due to rising expenses, increasing Health and Safety regulations and overall maintenance difficulties.
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Grays: Drugs man is spared jail
A family clubbed together to help 38-year-old Neil Roberts beat his heroin addiction, a court heard. They even took out a loan for him to leave the Grays area and move to Bournemouth, Dorset. But before he left the area Roberts was caught by police with
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Thurrock: Send in the clowns
Children will have the chance to learn plate spinning, walk on stilts and juggle as part of summer fun with the Europa Circus Workshop at Lakeside Shopping Centre Thurrock. The workshop is being held from August 19-23 and features Marco and Polo, the
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Little Clacton: Centre for disabled targeted by vandals
A centre for adults with learning disabilities has been targeted by vandals in the latest of a spate of attacks on the site. Police today appealed for help to catch those responsible for the incidents at Oakwood Nurseries at Plough Corner, Little Clacton
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Westcliff: Head slams exam burden
A headteacher today demanded urgent reform of the exams system because constant tests for pupils throughout their schooling was a "burden too far". Andrew Baker, of Westcliff High School for Boys, claims students do not have time to concentrate on subjects
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Harold Hill: Church appeals for help against vandals
A vandal-hit Harold Hill church is appealing to the police to help them in their fight against the gangs of teenagers who cause hundreds of pounds of damage nearly every weekend. The cry comes from the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer in Petersfield Avenue
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Witham: Man injured by dumped metal
A man has been left with a gash to his knee after falling into a ditch in Witham which was littered with sheets of metal and trolleys. The state of the bridlepath between Blunts Hall Road and Highfields Road has deteriorated again despite a clean-up by
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Soccer: Hero Pinault wants more
Colchester United hero Thomas Pinault has said he wants to shoot the U's to more glory. He hit a thrilling opening-day match-winner to sink ten-man Stockport County. The skilful 20-year-old French midfielder, more renowned for his passing than shooting
