Archive
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Braintree: Bogus caller alert
Police are warning residents to be wary of bogus callers after two suspicious people got inside a Braintree home. The pair claimed to be from a water company and called at two addresses in Cressing Road, Braintree, shortly after 1pm yesterday They were
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Mid-Essex: Unemployment figures fall
Unemployment in the mid-Essex region fell last month, following the national downward trend. The number of benefit claimants in Essex fell by 273 to 12,115, a fall of 2.2 per cent over the month, the latest figures show. The unemployment rate for Essex
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Shoebury: Three quit group in row over bill
A Shoebury-based organisation for ex-military personnel has been left in limbo after three of its committee members resigned due to a dispute over an unpaid bill. The chairman, treasurer and membership secretary of the 200-strong Shoebury Branch of the
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Hutton: Gilbert and Sullivan show
Lovers of Gilbert and Sullivan will have plenty top sing about when the Howard Wallace Chorale stage their next concert. The group will be performing a selection of popular songs at Bishops Hill Adult Education Centre in Rayleigh Road, Hutton, on Saturday
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Soccer: Cheltenham Town 4 - 1 Colchester United (LDV Vans Trophy, round one)
The U's bowed out at the first hurdle of the LDV Vans Trophy amid controversy against Second Division bottom club Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road last night. The first-round tie was virtually decided by an unfortunate penalty and sending-off of goalkeeper
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Soccer round-up: Wheels come off for Essex teams
It was a dismal night for Essex's two Nationwide League sides Colchester and Southend as they were eliminated from the LDV Vans Trophy at the first hurdle. Colchester United lost 4-1 away to Cheltenham and saw goalkeeper Richard McKinney sent off after
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Thundersley: Bid to cut out park boozing
Plans to stop beer-swilling youths taking over a Thundersley park are due to be probed at a meeting tonight. Thundersley area forum, which starts at 7.30pm at Castle Point Council offices in Kiln Road, Benfleet, is set to decide its next move in the bid
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Lawford: More money needed to fund tip
Essex County Council is being urged to come up with more money to fund Lawford's amenity site. The village's parish council contributes towards the cost of the tip in Greensmill on the Lawford industrial estate and which is open for two hours each Saturday
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Southend: Roadworks' twin blow
Vandals wreaked havoc at shops in Southend's London Road - a second blow to business which are already facing losses because of roadworks. The attacks left two shops with smashed front windows - the yobs caused at least £5,000 of damage in the attacks
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South Essex: Top planner backs Cliffe
Campaigners against the building of a new international airport at Cliffe in Kent have suffered a setback after a leading town and country planner backed the scheme. Sir Peter Hall, former adviser to Michael Heseltine when he was Environment Secretary
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Clacton, Colchester: Man scoops top £200,000 prize
A Clacton man has hit the jackpot winning more than £200,000 playing bingo. The 62-year-old painter and decorator, who does not want to be identified, scooped his fantastic win on Sunday at the Gala Bingo in Colchester. He was taking part in the national
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Southend: Nurse - My homeless plight
A nurse who is being forced to share a bedroom with her 14-year-old son and nine-year old daughter has criticised housing policies which leave middle income earners homeless. Toni Reeves, 40, a community staff nurse, says she can barely make ends meet
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Soccer: Eton Manor 1 - 5 Brentwood (Foresters Essex Senior League)
Brentwood last aside their recent bad form to record an emphatic victory at Wadham Lodge on Saturday. Having lost their last six games, conceding twenty-three goals, Brentwood were in the unusual position of going into the match as underdogs against an
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Basildon: Housing questions invited
More than 100 council tenants and leaseholders have come forward to give their views on the authority's housing service - but Basildon Council wants to hear from even more. The council wants to know how it can improve its services, including repairs,
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Soccer round-up: Neighbours battle out derby draw
It was a case of honours even in last night's big Thurrock Ryman League Division One North derby. Tilbury and East Thurrock fought out a 1-1 draw at St Chad's, a result that will be pleasing for Rocks having gone down 1-0 at home to Thurrock's other team
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Southend: Bandits strike on bikes
A woman was left with a bruised wrist after her handbag was snatched by two teenage robbers on bicycles. The woman, in her 30s, was walking along Westbourne Grove at its junction with Westborough Road, Westcliff, when she was robbed. Her bag contained
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Shenfield: Float needs a home
An urgent plea has gone out for a Good Samaritan to provide a new home for the Hutton and Shenfield Round Table's Christmas float. It would be needed only around the seasonal period and would enable the Tablers to keep up their charity work and for making
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Canvey: Firemen's grisly find amid flames
Firefighters have told the Ann Marie Couldridge murder trial she was already dead when they smashed their way into her Canvey flat. Fireman Gary Edgecombe told Chelmsford Crown Court he was called to the Hilton Road flat at 7.56am on Sunday, May 13, and
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Frinton: Battle lost in music war
Campaigners have lost their battle to halt music being played in Frinton's Lock and Barrel pub Conditions preventing background music have been lifted by Tendring councillors but the plug has been pulled on plans to install televisions to show major sporting
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Soccer: Billericay tie switch
Billeicay Town, due to be without a game the weekend after next because of their FA Trophy second round exemption, have brought forward their Ryman League Premier Division Essex derby with Purfleet from February. They will now host Fleet at New Lodge
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Hadleigh: Mayor's bid to protect old buildings
Castle Point's mayor has launched a fresh crusade to transform a treasured part of Hadleigh into a conservation area. Charles Smith vowed to protect the area where historic St James the Less church sits in the middle of a busy one-way system along London
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Soccer: Richard rues red mist
Goalkeeper Richard McKinney was still coming to terms today with the fact he had been sent-off for the first time in his football career. The 23-year-old Northern Irishman was given his marching orders by Leicester referee Paul Danson in first-half injury-time
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Boxing: Prize fighters ready for Eurosport date
Basildon Freestyle Kickboxing Club warmed up for their forthcoming show by winning eight of 11 contests around the country. Packing a punch - Joe Whitaker and other winners from Basildon Freestyle Kickboxing Club are ready for their show on October 26
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Soccer round-up: Mistakes cost Seasiders
Clacton Town were unable to overcome a buoyant Tiptree who walked off 3-1 winners at Chapel Lane last night in the Jewson League, premier division. Two mistakes cost Clacton the match. Steve Daly's free-kick was spilled by Darren Gould letting Dave Lodge
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Frinton: Meeting calls for more police on beat to patrol town
Residents in Frinton are calling for more police to be put on the beat to patrol their town. They told a meeting they were concerned about the increase in crime and were worried about their safety. Gail Evans, who lives in Connaught Avenue, Frinton, said
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Angling: Stan's the top man
Gloucester Park regular Stan Howard has been taking tremendous roach hauls at the venues' cockle bank, netting 20lb plus catches on two consecutive days. Stan's first big catch came from a peg about a third of the way along the cockle bank. Using pole
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Clacton: Casinos dream wins backing
Place your bets! Two sites on Clacton seafront have passed the first hurdle towards becoming the resort's first casinos. Tendring councillors last night gave the owners of the Criterion Restaurant, in Marine Parade West, the all-clear for their £1 million
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Brentwood: Match in Danny's memory
A charity football match is being planned in memory of a soccer-mad Brentwood man who died in a freak swimming accident in Florida earlier this year. Danny Tarling, 25, had battled against meningitis three times in his life and his friends will be donating
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North Essex: Kitchen disturbance idea 'fanciful'
The suggestion tactical firearms officers may have disturbed part of the murder scene at a remote Essex farmhouse are "fanciful" a court has heard. An appeal into the conviction of Jeremy Bamber for the shooting of five members of his family in August
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Canvey: First meeting for Cliffe opposition
Two women with a single cause met face to face for the first time this week. Anti-Cliffe airport campaigner Jakki Byrne, 43, of Berkeley Lane, Canvey, met up with Joan Goddard, who leads the Kent section of the "No airport at Cliffe" group. The pair have
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Basketball: Southend Swifts 44 - 111 Plymouth Racers
Southend Swifts crashed to a heavy defeat against league leaders Plymouth Racers -- despite taking an audacious 10-0 lead. After the early setback, the Racers showed why they have been National Womens League (South) champions in five of the last six seasons
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Orsett: Stables switch to B and B
A farm has won planning consent to turn a block of disused stables into bed and breakfast accommodation - even though they are in the green belt. Thurrock Council's development control committee has granted permission for Chapel Hall Farm, in Baker Street
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Basildon: Workers' CS gas drama
An attempt to rid a delivery van of illegal immigrants left one man hospitalised and seven others in need of treatment. Workers at Courts Furniture Warehouse, in Miles Gray Road, Basildon, were left with severe irritation and breathing difficulties after
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Canvey: Agency's plan to build up beach
One of Canvey's most popular beaches could be transformed by a Government scheme. Environment Agency officials have visited the beach off the island's Eastern Esplanade, where fallen rocks from the breakwaters have proved treacherous for swimmers. Sand
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Southend: Beach hut prices soar
The cost of a beach hut on Southend seafront has almost doubled in 12 months, property experts have revealed. It seems the allure of a hut on a stretch of beach in Thorpe Bay or Shoebury is proving too tempting, with the seaside retreats changing hands
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Chelmsford: Noise impact underestimated, say councillors
The noise impact of an expanded Stansted Airport on Chelmsford has been completely under-estimated, say borough councillors. The Liberal Democrat-controlled council's development policy board last week considered its response to government consultation
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Southend: Mum slams grave thieves
A grieving mother has blasted thieves who stole cherished mementoes from the grave of her four-year-old son. Callum's grave bedecked with toys. Picture:STEVE O'CONNELL F5DDB2 Callum Barton died in January after a brave fight against cerebral palsy, also
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South Essex: Danielle in state after argument, jury told
Teenager Danielle Jones was in "such a state" after a family argument she would have attempted suicide, a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court heard. One of Danielle's closest friends, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told the court of the dispute
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Braintree: Council will oppose Stansted expansion
A council has pledged to oppose further development of Stansted Airport. Government proposals to build an extra three runways at Stansted have met with opposition from a wide range of groups and organisations. At a meeting of Braintree Council's executive
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Soccer: Swindon Town 6-1 Southend United (LDV Vans Trophy first round)
Southend United slumped to a humiliating LDV Vans Trophy first round exit after being hit for six at Second Division strugglers Swindon Town last night. The Robins went bobbing through the Seasiders' defence at will as John Jackson, Jimmy Davis, Matt
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Soccer: Ipswich Town 2 - 2 Burnley (Nationwide Division One)
This was a tale of two halves for Ipswich Town as they let precious points slip from their grasp at Portman Road. For the first 45 minutes they were positively rampant, oozing confidence and creating chances aplenty. Then, as happened in their last home
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Essex: Christmas decorations go up and it's only October
Residents in Essex won't believe their eyes when Christmas decorations begin to adorn their streets more than two months before the big day. Colchester's lights and decorations go up only days from now. In Maldon, the town is already festooned with decorations
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Leigh: Scaring off burglars
The owner of a house in Falcon Close, Leigh, scared off a potential burglar he caught trying to climb into a window of the property. The occupant shouted at the burglar, who was a slightly-built male, about 5ft 6in, wearing a baseball cap. In a separate
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Hadleigh: Anti-sign meeting set
Protesters fighting against plans to put up illuminated McDonald's restaurant signs in Hadleigh have organised a meeting to help get their message across. Campaigners fear the proposed signs would damage the look of Hadleigh as they are out of character
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South Ockendon: Glove leads robber to jail
Vicious robber Philip Byrne, who was caught after dropping a glove at the scene of his crime, was today starting a nine-year prison sentence. The glove was discovered after Byrne and two other thugs carried out a £2,400 hair salon raid. DNA tests on the
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Soccer: Tony's job hopes take a dent
Tony Mowbray is staying philosophical about his chances of landing the Ipswich Town managers' job after last night's 2-2 draw with Burnley. The caretaker-boss' claims for the position suffered a dent when his side leaked a last-gasp leveller at Portman
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Asylum laws must be tightened, says MP
Racial harmony in Britain is being seriously damaged by bogus asylum seekers, Castle Point MP Bob Spink claims. Mr Spink feels a question he asked in the House of Commons recently revealed an alarming trend in immigration. He says the number of asylum
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Snooker: Mann crashes to defeat
Stuart Mann's run in the Benson and Hedges Snooker Championship at Mansfield proved to be short-lived. He crashed out 5-1 to fellow Englishman Neil Selman when he opened his challenge in the second round last night. Grays' pro Mann is based with the Regent
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Little Clacton: Service to honour fireman
A part-time firefighter who died in a motorcycle accident is to get a full service funeral. Ashley Butcher, 22, of Weeley Road, Little Clacton, was taken to Colchester General Hospital by ambulance following the crash on the old A133 Clacton Road, Weeley
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South Essex: Pervert preys on owners of missing pets
A pervert who preys on pet lovers in south Essex is being hunted by police. He phones women who have placed adverts in the lost and found section of newspapers and tells the victims he has their missing animals. He then offers to return the pets in exchange
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Snooker: Bingham on cue for title glory
Basildon snooker professional Stuart Bingham backs himself as a top tip for honours as he enters the Benson and Hedges Snooker Championship this week. If Bingham, who plays out of the Executive Club in Leigh, does achieve his aim from the 194-strong field
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Rochford: Sleaze fight put on hold
Rochford District Council's new sleaze watchdog cannot do its job because one of its members is no longer "independent." A new law forced all councils to set up "standards committees" which would keep an eye on councillors' work and deal with any malpractice
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Canvey: Family treasures come out in force
A wide selection of precious family heirlooms were found at a popular Canvey antiques event. Expert viewing - Peter Stacey examines an item brought by Robert Fowler of Pitsea. Picture: MAXINE CLARKE eyd2e3e4 More than 80 people grasping their treasured
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Southend: Disabled fury over fees
Southend Hospital was today condemned for charging disabled drivers in an effort to ease the chronic parking problems at the site. The hospital trust is introducing fees for disabled badge holders as part of a desperate move to improve parking conditions
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Braintree: Pub revamp plans put back
The £500,000 refurbishment of a Braintree town centre pub will be delayed for months after a rival nightspot complained. Plans to revamp and expand the Bull pub in Market Place, Braintree, will have to wait until next year before going before councillors
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Soccer: Roeder looking for giant leap
West Ham travel to Loftus Road tonight looking to haul themselves clear of the relegation mire with a win over Fulham. Only goal difference separates the Hammers from a place in the drop zone -- and a heavy defeat to the free-scoring west London side
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Basildon: Town's taxi service set to double in size
Taxi services in Basildon are to become second to none as the town's two biggest firms join forces. Pitsea-based A&B Taxis will complete the buyout of Davita Radio Cars in the middle of November, bringing the number of vehicles in the A&B brand
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Southend: Apologies for work
Southend's council leader has apologised to residents for the chaos caused by roadworks and building operations around the town. But Charles Latham added that, in the long term, he believed Southend would be better for the work. "I've heard from many
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Chelmsford: Honeymoon plans hit by bomb blast
A pair of newlyweds have cancelled their dream honeymoon in Bali after the horrific bomb blast. Chelmsford couple, Mark and Donna Bilton, were married in August and missed the terrorist attack in Kuta, which left hundreds of tourists dead and missing,
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Witham: Councils argue over classroom
A temporary classroom is at the centre of a row between two councils Parents and town councillors are fed up with children being out in the cold after ten years. The relocatable building has been on the playground at Chipping Hill School, in Witham, for
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Soccer: Great Wakering Rovers 1 - 1 Wingate and Finchley (Ryman First)
Keith Wilson celebrated his home debut with the equaliser as Great Wakering Rovers battled to a Ryman First North draw at Burroughs Park. In a game when much of the incident happenedat the start of the game, the former East Thurrock United midfielder
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Colchester: Crackdown on car crime
A Crackdown on Colchester car crime was launched today. As part of a countywide scheme Essex Police, Crimestoppers and Crime Reduction Partnerships are calling for members of the public to inform on car criminals. The Colchester part of the two-week scheme
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Castle Point: A festive message to local shoppers
Support your community by shopping at your local stores this Christmas - that's the message from the leader of Castle Point Council. Dave Wells is urging borough residents to do something positive for their community this year, by shopping locally. "Unless
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Danbury: World Cup hero escapes car ban
Footballing legend Alan Ball escaped a driving ban after telling Colchester magistrates he needed his licence to take his ill wife to hospital He was clocked by a speed camera, which should have meant he was disqualified because of the points system.
