Archive
-
Date
Soccer: Shrimpers in search of win
Managerless Harwich travel to Tiptree tonight in search of their first win of the season. Shrimpers chairman Tony Armstrong takes charge of first-team matters until a successor is found and is set to make changes. Keeper Rob Tanner starts his first game
-
Date
Castle Point: Council bid for cash to 'go electronic'
Castle Point council is hoping to benefit from a £200,000 Government cash injection to help it "go electronic", it emerged today. Members of the central services committee have given officers the green light to put in a bid for the money, which will go
-
Date
Witham: Disabled woman hurt by path trip
A disabled woman who was injured falling on a damaged pavement has called for action to improve the area. Gloria Cameron, of Deford Road, Witham, hit her face and broke her glasses after tripping over uneven paving slabs outside the town's Spa Road shops
-
Date
Wickford: Marathon men in charity hope
Two men are travelling 3,500 miles - to run another 26 for charity. Chris Kelly, 26, and Grant Ellis, 24, who live in Wickford, are taking part in the New York marathon to raise money for autistic children and their helpers. The race takes place on November
-
Date
Rugby: Rochford Hundred 22 - 17 Wymondham (London Three)
Rochford found the winning recipe at last after switching Andy Baker to scrum half. Baker orchestrated the game in his new position as Dave Wheeler's men ground out a first victory of the league season. And it was Baker who set Rochford on their way when
-
Date
Laindon: Tattoos for our little Tiger
Plucky punters turned up to face the needle in a charity tattoo marathon in aid of a three-year-old Pitsea boy with serious heart problems. Taylor Turner - dressed up in a tiger suit - looked on as relatives and others queued for tattoos at Inkin' Ian's
-
Date
Rayleigh: Websters set for £m revamp?
A main road in the centre of Rayleigh could be given a £500,000 facelift. Rochford district councillors are to consider a report from head of planning, Shaun Scrutton, which could see Websters Way drastically improved. Mr Scrutton said the proposal followed
-
Date
Cricket: Overseas star doubt
Newly-promoted Essex might be prevented from strengthening their squad with quality players because of a worsening financial plight. There are widespread rumours that losses into six figures will be disclosed in the club's next set of accounts despite
-
Date
Soccer: Billericay to keep Cobb on tight rein
Billericay Town boss Gary Calder is tonight likely to find his side up against a striker who once found the net for him with tremendous regularity. Paul Cobb was a huge favourite at Purfleet during Calder's time at Ship Lane and the ex-Leyton Orient pro
-
Date
Canvey: Flowerbed thefts branded despicable
A furious charity worker today slammed "old" thieves who have been making off with shrubs decorating a Canvey street - within a week of them going on display. Hard working members of Canvey 2000 have spent the last three years revamping the island's seafront
-
Date
Shoebury: Barrie's medal for long service
Long serving auxiliary coastguard Barrie Daykin has been rewarded for two decades of life-saving work. Mr Daykin, 44, from Wakering Avenue, Shoebury, works at the Coastguard station in Ness Road, Shoebury, where he is station officer of the response team
-
Date
Laindon: Battling school's inspection boost
A struggling school has received another positive inspection report as it bids to fight off being taken over by a private company. Bosses at James Hornsby High School, in Leinster Road, Laindon, which once had one of the worst examination records in the
-
Date
Basildon: Parents snub town schools
Thousands of children travel outside Basildon to go to secondary school, it has been revealed. More than a third of parents in the town would rather bus or drive their kids to schools miles away than have them taught locally, despite evidence that standards
-
Date
Rugby: Old Brentwoods 7 - 34 Westcliff (EC Two South)
Westcliff underlined their promotion potential by outclassing the fourth-placed Old Boys away from home. Powerful running centre Ian Curtin led the way with a brace of tries, while skipper James Argentieri, Lewis Harvey, Nick Sigwart and Simon Jones also
-
Date
Clacton: Teenager forged cheques
Desperation caused a teenager to break his family's trust and steal cheques from his grandmother, a court has heard. Daniel Catchpole, of Totlands Drive, Clacton, admitted forging cheques worth a total of £780 after stealing them from his grandmother's
-
Date
Rugby: Billericay 20 - 20 Canvey (EC One)
Andy Warren kicked two late penalties to rescue a draw for Billericay from this eventful clash. The unusual tone of the game was set when the kick-off was held up for ten minutes due to tents on the pitch -- bringing a whole new meaning to being camped
-
Date
Basildon: Angela gets Ulster hotseat
MP Angela Smith was today starting the most important job of her political life, at the centre of the Ulster crisis. Mrs Smith, MP for Basildon and East Thurrock, is in Belfast after being appointed to the Northern Ireland ministerial team set up to oversee
-
Date
Billericay: Jolly lolly councillor banned
A Tory councillor who runs his own firm selling "jolly lollies" containing hemp oil, was banned from this year's Conservative Party conference, it has been revealed. Chris Jackman, of Oakwood Drive, Billericay, is still leading the fight to legalise cannabis
-
Date
Clacton: Hospice store in bid to expand
A charity shop is proving so popular that it needs to expand to larger premises. The shop in Clacton which has raised more than £5,000 for St Helena Hospice's Tendring centre in less than a year is struggling for space. And it is now looking to set up
-
Date
Soccer: Trip to Court has appeal for Youths
Southend United's young guns make the trip to Bournemouth tonight in search of FA Youth Cup first round glory. Blues' babes travel to Dean Court for a 7.30pm kick-off and Shrimpers coach Marc Massey labelled the clash as "one of the biggest games of their
-
Date
Wickford: Power cuts damaging business, say bosses
Companies on a business estate are threatening to move after a spate of power cuts left machinery wrecked and customers waiting. Manufacturers on the Wickford Business Park have suffered four power cuts in the last month and claim that 24seven, their
-
Date
Westcliff: Dad, 19, is locked up for blade attack
A 19-year-old dad was locked up for assaulting his partner's friends and slashing a man with a knife. Thomas Busby of Salisbury Avenue, Westcliff, was sent to a young offenders institution for four months after pleading guilty to assault, possessing an
-
Date
Braintree: Stella has No10 licked!
Braintree ventriloquist Stella Richards is having her own stamps made as a souvenir of her time spent with Prime Minister Tony Blair and one of her oldest puppets. A far cry from the formal face of the Queen, Mrs Richards can now be seen smiling along
-
Date
Soccer: Makeshift Maldon host Essex derby
Maldon Town entertain fellow Essex side Clacton Town in what should be a tough encounter in the Jewson League premier division. Maldon have been struggling with injuries and suspensions forcing boss Colin Wallington to put together a makeshift side. This
-
Date
Southend: Parking peril at busy hospital
An alarming number of frustrated drivers are parking on the central reservation outside Southend Hospital after giving up looking for spaces on the site. Yesterday there were more than 90 vehicles parked along the grass strip in Prittlewell Chase, as
-
Date
Gymnastics: Awesome foursome among the medals
Wickford's Carousel Gym Club quartet of Chloe Morton, Felicity Clarke, Dana Boyle and Jessica Downes clinched a silver medal in the level four team event at Colchester's Essex County Championships. Silver quartet - (left to right): Dana Boyle, Chloe Morton
-
Date
Hadleigh: Arts and crafts success
Arts and crafts were the order of the day when the Hadleigh Rotary Club staged its annual exhibition of local talent. Deputy Mayor, Liz Brett, was special guest at the event, held at Hadleigh Hall in Daws Heath Road, which saw a wide variety of paintings
-
Date
Rayleigh: Energy firm cuts funding
More than 200 staff at a Rayleigh energy supplier were today facing an uncertain future after their parent company cut off a £448million funding supply. American-based TXU employs 1,600 people in the UK, including 200 at its centre in London Road, Rayleigh
-
Date
Hockley: Old spa ready to bubble with life
Hockley's historic Spa building in Spa Road could be set for a new lease of life. Planning permission has been granted to build four new homes next to the former pumproom and the developers now want to demolish modern extensions to the original building
-
Date
Colchester: Squatter building may be restored
Listed buildings recently occupied by squatters could be returned to their "former splendour" under plans submitted to Colchester Council. Turlbrook Properties have designs to convert 83-88 East Hill, Colchester, to apartments and build new homes. Squatters
-
Date
South Woodham Ferrers: D-Day for hall scheme
Controversial plans to refurbish South Woodham Ferrers' Salvation Army Hall are due to finally go before Chelmsford Council planners tonight. The proposals have been repeatedly delayed after angry residents objected to certain parts of the plans. Under
-
Date
A new Space to do drama
IF you enjoy dance, drama and singing then this theatre company could be just the Space for you. Southend theatre company the Space is inviting eight to 14-year-olds to join them every Saturday morning. No experience is necessary, as long as you've got
-
Date
Thurrock: Bhangra beat down at library
A new collection of music and movies has been introduced in Thurrock's libraries. The Orsett Road library now boasts a selection of Bollywood DVDs and videos - and CDs are also available, including contemporary Bollywood movie soundtracks Bhangra and
-
Date
Rugby: Basildon 27 - 10 Brentwood (London Three)
Youngster Jim Harman capped his debut with the clinching try as Basildon bounced back from last week's defeat. Brentwood fielded their traditional big pack and got on the scoreboard early with a try. But the new town front row of Luke Kirkup, Cesar Fernandez
-
Date
Let Battel commence
WHAT do you get if you cross wrestling with Pokemon? The answer is Kaiju Big Battel. It's the new craze sweeping America and it should reach us by Christmas. It's not just a lot of old wrestlers dressed up as aliens throwing each other about in a ring
-
Date
South Essex: Mother weeps as court hears 'sorry' letter
The mum of teenager Danielle Jones wept in the witness box when a "sorry" letter from her daughter was read out at Chelmsford Crown Court. Tears welled in Linda Jones's eyes during her cross-examination by Michael Borrelli, QC. Linda, 42, was in the box
-
Date
Colchester: 'Whirlwind' winner plans to buy house
The winner of a £164,000 windfall from a £4 accumulator bet has told how he was left dumbstruck by his good fortune. Lance Corporal Mark Simmons, a chef with Colchester-based 19 Regiment, Royal Artillery, placed the £4 bet at Ladbrokes in Colchester High
-
Date
Brentwood: CCTV boost for war on drugs
The war on drugs will be intensified in Brentwood with a cash boost to upgrade a silent weapon. The Drugs Reference Group has allocated £20,000 to improve the CCTV system in the town. The latest cash injection was revealed at a meeting of Brentwood's
-
Date
Soccer: I will not be back - Barrett
Republic of Ireland international Graham Barrett today ruled out any prospect of returning to Colchester United this season. The 21-year-old Arsenal striker said as he prepared for tonight's Under-21 international against Switzerland at Kilkenny: "I really
-
Date
Walton: Skateboarders use graves for stunts
Graves of war veterans in Walton are being desecrated by young skateboarders using them for their stunts. John Halls, chairman of Walton and District Royal British Legion, has hit out at the youngsters, saying he is outraged by their behaviour. The War
-
Date
South Ockendon: Head's pride over school's success
A south Essex school has been taken out of special measures after dramatic improvements. Two years after the Ockendon School was put in the same class as failing schools in the borough, staff, pupils and parents are celebrating after inspectors highlighted
-
Date
Thurrock: Bingo bid for £1m
More than 1,000 players will be crossing both their numbers and their fingers at a Lakeside bingo club on Sunday - they are playing for a £1million jackpot. Gala Bingo Lakeside is one of just ten clubs nationwide to be taking part in the prestigious Ultimate
-
Date
Castle Point: Why didn't they heed my warning?
Castle Point MP, Bob Spink, today told how he warned of the "cancer" of Muslim extremists in Indonesia - back in July. Following the terrorist bombing of a nightclub in Bali in which 190 people perished, the Conservative MP said he raised the question
-
Date
Soccer: Rovers look for more travel delight
Great Wakering Rovers will be looking for a continuation of their impressive form on opposition territory when they make the lengthy trip to Barton Rovers tonight. Although they have managed success just once in the Ryman League First Division North,
-
Date
Bowers Gifford, Pitsea: Green light for road safety measures
A range of measures to improve road safety have been given the green light. The initiatives, to be carried out in Pitsea and Bowers Gifford, were announced by the council's Area Committee for East Basildon. It is hoped that they will reduce the speed
-
Date
Rugby: London Nigerians 15 - 13 Southend (London One)
A shock defeat by bottom club London Nigerians knocked Southend off top spot in London One. Paddy Dunston's men trailed 15-6 at half-time against a Nigerians side who were better than their winless status suggested. And despite a brave fightback Southend
-
Date
Braintree: Bricks thrown at evening buses
A Braintree housing estate may have lost its evening bus service thanks to thugs hurling missiles at the buses. Since Friday bus operator First's drivers working route number 21 have refused to work after dark, after three successive nights on the Goldingham
-
Date
Billericay: Healthy eating is child's play
Youngsters have helped kick off a campaign aimed at transforming pupils' eating habits. Children and staff at South Green Infants School, in Ganels Road, Billericay, hosted a healthy eating buffet to get taste buds tingling. Fruity - Jarrard Ball, six
-
Date
LIve Music Round-up: Automatic Slim reunite for charity gig
After 2,000-plus gigs in the UK and Europe, veteran Essex rhythm and blues outfit Automatic Slim stopped touring in 1998. The four members of the band - singer Tim Aves, guitarist Ian Cundy, bassist Howard J Bills and drummer Don Moore - are reuniting
-
Date
Basildon: Childs' play as stars drop in
Two England football internationals and a world boxing champion put smiles on the faces of children. Spurs stars Jamie Redknapp and Les Ferdinand and former WBU world light welterweight champion Jason Rowland dropped in to help present a cheque for £5,000
-
Date
Bocking: Parish church with finger on the pulse
A church with its fingers on the pulse has designed a website which has come runner-up in a competition. St Peter's Church in Bocking was one of 12 picked out of more than 600 entrants nationwide in the best parish church website competition run by Ecclesiastical
-
Date
Hadleigh: Busy activity week for budding scientists
A mini-beast hunt is in store for pupils at a Hadleigh school as part of a week-long programme to give them an alliance with science. Children at the Hadleigh Infant School in Bilton Road, will get the opportunity to experience a whole host of activities
-
Date
Rugby: Diss 28 - 15 Thurrock (London Two)
Thurrock found themselves 7-0 down within a minute and were always facing an uphill struggle. That opening score was a breakaway try and come the end of the first half they would come to rue two further scores at bad times. A fourth midway through the
-
Date
Thurrock: Youngsters to learn by myth and magic
Five of Thurrock's libraries will be helping celebrate Black History Month with a series of events aimed at entertaining young people during half term. Staff from the council's library and cultural services departments have linked up with Trust - the
-
Date
Southend: Sex shock for woman
A 26 year-old woman witnessed a man performing a lewd act as she walked home from a friend's house in the early hours of the morning. The man, in his thirties and naked from the waist down, was standing across the road from her in Bournemouth Park Road
-
Date
Brentwood: Banquet time again
It's that time of year when the good hearted people of Brentwood and Ongar are being asked to put their glad rags on and join in the annual Brentwood Banquet organised by the Brentwood Gazette. It will be at the Heybridge Hotel, Roman Road, Ingatestone
-
Date
Clacton: Thieves target charity minibus again
Cruel thieves have targeted a charity's minibus for the second time within a week - causing vital transport services for the elderly and disabled to be cancelled. First, the raiders stole the spare wheel, which was taken from the vehicle, which was kept
-
Date
Southend: Burglary haul nets £1,200
Burglars robbed a family of £1,200 worth of electrical goods, expensive jewellery - and even food from their freezer - during a raid on their home in Westcliff. Among the loot taken was a 28-inch Matsui silver television, a Panasonic stereo, a gold Figaro
-
Date
Orsett: Plea to use hospital
Health chiefs are pleading with Thurrock people to use the facilities at Orsett Hospital. Dr Gill Jenner, medical director for the Basildon and Thurrock Hospitals Trust said that following the transfer of the in-patient wards to Basildon Hospital, "many
-
Date
Harwich: Praise for family support helpers
A family support charity has praised its volunteers as it approaches its seventh anniversary. Laura Garnham, organiser of Home-Start Harwich, thanked volunteers who had given their time over the years. She said: "They have all been parents themselves,
-
Date
Leigh: Conmen fleece woman, 91
Burglars posing as roofers fleeced a 91-year-old pensioner of £1,500 she had been saving for roof repairs. Police have again warned the elderly not to keep large amounts of cash at home after burglars stole the cash from the pensioner after calling at
-
Date
Colchester: Good to talk... if only we could
A pair of neighbours left without working telephones for almost six weeks have been given less than £50 compensation between them. Diabetic Ian Pennock, 58, of Broadmead Road in the Parson's Heath area of Colchester, had to walk half-a-mile to the nearest
-
Date
Wickford: More fruit and veg
Somerfield in Wickford could soon be selling more fresh food if a planning application submitted to Basildon council is successful. Under the proposals, for a refrigeration plant to be placed on the roof, the range of fresh fruit and vegetables would
-
Date
Chelmsford: Runaway motorist jailed
A runaway motorist was dragged by police through the window of the car he was driving after he had been chased for miles in the Chelmsford area. Police thought former barrister's clerk Lee Evans would use his mobile phone as a weapon and a court also
-
Date
Witham: School site contaminated
A site earmarked for a new school field is contaminated with arsenic, lead, copper and nickel - all a potential danger to human health. The piece of land in Witham, known as Bellfield, adjoins Chipping Hill Infant School in Church Street and has been
-
Date
Essex: Unlocking the past via the web
A new website will soon allow visitors to digitally explore more than 33,000 historic sites in Essex dating from the Stone Age right through to the Cold War. The 'Unlocking Essex's Past' project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the New Opportunities
-
Date
Castle Point: Diabetes tests prove a roaring success
Hundreds of people queued for free diabetic screening tests thanks to the Castle Point Lions. The screening day, held in the car park of the Safeway superstore in London Road, Hadleigh, hoped to pick up any people who have diabetes but were unaware of
-
Date
Soccer: Heybridge debut for Cobb?
Loanee Paul Cobb could make his debut for Heybridge at Billericay in their Ryman League Premier Division clash. The striker has joined Dave Greene's side on a month-long deal from Canvey Island. Greene said: "Scoring goals has been our problem this season
-
Date
Basildon: Dying wife's last wish comes true
A widower has fulfilled his wife's dying wish by raising more than £2,000 for St Luke's Hospice in Basildon. Kevin Major, whose wife Denise died last month at the age of 50, arranged a number of fundraising events to help the hospice, which was close
