Archive
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Brentwood: Finance drive 'a waste of time'
A drive to consult the people of Brentwood on the future of the borough's finances has been labelled a waste of time by opposition councillors. The Liberal Democrat administration is planning a major consultation exercise on the borough's budget and Council
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Clacton: Nursery bid to keep teachers
A ground-breaking initiative to draw in and keep teachers in Clacton is in the pipeline. A nursery unit for staff will be set up at the town's biggest high school starting off with at least 30 full-time places. It is hoped cash will be found to increase
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Basildon: Heady brew at hospital
The great cuppa made by these three dedicated tea ladies helped them raise £1,600 for Basildon Hospital. The cash, taken at their hospital tea bar, will go towards the latest batch of equipment, worth £19,400, presented by the League of Friends. Hospital
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Essex: Chaos on trains after winds hit
Delays and disruption to train services continued today as rail staff struggled to cope with the aftermath of yesterday's storms. The situation was described as a "complete disaster" by Andi Jones, of First Great Eastern, with massive disruption caused
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North Essex: Picking up the pieces
Residents were today picking up the pieces after north Essex was battered by 80mph winds. One person was injured as the worst winds for 12 years ripped through the Colchester area. Scores of trees fell, tens of thousands of homes were without power, houses
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Soccer: Royle takes charge at Town
Former Manchester City and Everton boss Joe Royle has signed a two-and-a-half-year contact to become the new manager of Ipswich Town. Royle beat off 38 other applicants for the post, which became vacant after the sacking of George Burley earlier this
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Soccer: West Ham United 0 - 1 Everton (FA Barclaycard Premiership)
The boos at the final whistle were quieter following the recent revival, but it was clear that all is not well in the East End. As usual West Ham had the bulk of the possession, and as usual they created little more than half chances. On the counter,
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Tennis: Helen loses out in final
Helen Crook completed a successful National Tennis Championships in Bolton. The 31-year-old Basildon star, who had reached the semi-finals of the ladies' singles before bowing out in three sets to favourite Julie Pullin, went on to make the ladies' double
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Essex: "Strike replacements would have struggled in storm"
Emergency services "would have struggled" if firefighters had been on strike during the weekend hurricane, revealed an Essex fire chief today. Martin Powell, station commander at Brentwood Fire Station was speaking as the Fire Brigades Union suspended
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Ashingdon: travellers expulsion saved by storm
Governors at an Ashingdon school have been forced to make a last-minute decision whether to keep their school open after several travellers set up camp on their playing field. Around ten caravans drove onto the playing field of Ashingdon County Primary
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Chelmsford: Groundsman has lucky escape
A groundsman had a lucky escape after a storage building collapsed in the gales. The brick building at Marconi Athletic and Social Club in Beehive Lane, Chelmsford, where equipment is stored had the roof ripped off by the winds and the building reduced
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Laindon: We've won £5m
A couple who scooped a £5million Lotto jackpot made sure a friend shared in their good fortune - by handing over their business to her. Ronald Ullah, 57, and wife Ann, 51, from Laindon, won the double rollover Lotto draw of £5,183,307. Jackpot - Ron hands
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Swimming: Canvey splash out on a late win
Canvey Island Swimming Club secured an amazing victory over defending champions Romford in the first round of the Essex League. Trailing Romford virtually all the way, Canvey snatched the lead in the last 15 events and never looked back as they claimed
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General: Storms take a toll on fixtures
Soccer and athletics were among sports to suffer wholesale cancellations in yesterday's severe gales. Southend Junior League chairman Bernie Nicholls made an early morning decision to postpone the entire programme for the day. He said: "It's impossible
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Orsett: Inspector backs BP plan to extend green belt garage
Oil giant BP has won permission from the Department of the Environment to redevelop a service station on the A13. A Government inspector conducted a planning inquiry into the proposals for the Orsett site when Thurrock Council failed to determine its
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South Essex: Councils pull out the stops to clear roads
Local authorities took a leading role in making sure the dangerous winds did not leave a trail of destruction for Monday morning commuters and workers. A Rochford Council spokesman said it was probably one of the authority's busiest days in years. He
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Brightlingsea: Man jailed over threats to kill
A man who threatened to kill his probation officer before making offensive phone calls to his lawyer has been jailed. Andrew Titley, 36, was jailed for six months after admitting two offensive phone calls and one menacing one. Colchester magistrates heard
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Colchester: Supermarket proposals attacked
Residents are preparing to once again fight proposals for a Tesco Express store at the junction of Drury Road with Maldon Road, Colchester At a well-attended public meeting on Thursday night in Christ Church, off Maldon Road, some 120 people discussed
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Colchester: Clipper skipper delayed by storm
A Colchester woman's chance to get in the history books was delayed because of the ferocious weather. The 2002 Clipper race was due to set sail yesterday and would have seen Colchester woman Samantha Fuller make history by becoming the first woman to
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Soccer: Roeder disappointed at Hammers home form
Glenn Roeder was in no mood to allow a late revival mask his disappointment after West Ham flopped at home yet again. The Hammers' boss must have hoped his squad had turned the corner after back-to-back away wins last week, but was rudely brought back
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Soccer: Welling United 0-2 Chelmsford City (Dr Martens Premier)
Chelmsford City comfortably came out on top in the derby fixture, defeating hapless Welling United 2-0 at Park View Road. City were again indebted to veteran striker Phil Gray; the former Northern Ireland international giving the Clarets the lead on the
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Pitsea: Night of fun on haunted trail
Youngsters are being challenged to join a ghost hunt at Halloween in Wat Tyler country park, Pitsea. Children are being invited to experience the enchantment of the park, especially during the season of ghosts and ghouls, by taking part in the Bump in
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Southend: Campaigners against airport say experts have ignored concerns
Experts backing controversial plans for Cliffe Airport have again ignored the havoc it could cause south-Essex, claimed campaigners. Jakkie Byrne, who chairs Essex Action Group fighting against Cliffe proposals, spoke out following a report which put
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Southend: Got an empty house to rent to homeless?
Southend's housing chief has today sent out a plea for people with empty properties to consider renting them to the council as the town's homeless problem hits crisis point. Gwen Horrigan, executive councillor for housing, said the borough had a dire
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Earls Colne: Woman dies in car crash
A woman has died in a car crash at Earls Colne. The emergency services, including the police and Essex Ambulance Service were called to the scene of the crash in Coggeshall Road, yesterday morning. The accident involved a red Nissan Micra car and a red
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West Mersea: Man saved after boat capsizes
A rescue operation was launched after a man sailing a dinghy was thrown into the sea when his boat capsized in winds of up to 80 mph. West Mersea lifeboat and coastguards were called to the Blackwater Estuary to rescue the 61-year-old man, who was then
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Colchester: Street wardens trail mobile phone thief
Colchester street wardens saw front-line action for the second time in their five-month career. A vigilant shopper reported a man stealing a mobile phone from a van in West Stockwell Street. A pair of street wardens were on the scene immediately and,
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Soccer: Crunch time stadium plan
Ambitious plans to develop a new soccer stadium complex in Gloucester Park are due to come under the spotlight next month. Bosses at Billericay Town Football Club and partners Stadia Management have dramatically revamped their proposals for an 8,000 capacity
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Weightlifting: Big Dave overcomes injury to take record
Basildon's Dave Venables has returned from Australia celebrating a new Commonwealth and British record. The 40-year-old weightlifter heaved a superb 297.5 kilos at the World Masters Games in Melbourne. The lift saw him snatch second place in the super-heavyweight
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Soccer: Shrimpers set price for North upgrades
Moving Southend United's fans back into the North Bank could cost as much as £15,000. Blues supporters have clamoured for a return to the traditional Roots Hall "home" end and the Shrimpers have investigated the financial implications of making the switch
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Laindon: Timber! Veteran tree campaigner is felled by his nemesis
An 80-year-old campaigner against problem trees and hedges fell foul of a toppling tree during the high winds. Jack Warren, of Boult Road, Laindon, has complained about his neighbours' tall tree for a number of years, saying it would eventually fall down
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Basildon: Arson attack on derelict pub
Flames from a blazing Basildon pub building came dangerously close to igniting a nearby petrol station, it was revealed today. The fire broke out at 4.30am yesterday (Sunday) morning in the former Double Six pub in Whitmore Way, Basildon, which has stood
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Southend: Duchess to visit hospice
Fair Havens Hospice staff in Westcliff are practising their curtseys in readiness for a royal visitor this week. The Duchess of Norfolk, president of Help the Hospices, will be at the hospice in Chalkwell Avenue to perform the official reopening of the
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Essex: Gusts cause busiest day of year for police
High winds made driving conditions so hazardous police urged drivers not to venture out unless their journeys were absolutely necessary. Yesterday was one of the busiest days so far this year for Essex Police, with 999 lines jammed at times as people
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Chelmsford: Driver freed from crash
A woman had to be cut free from her vehicle after being involved in an accident. The crash happened in Margaretting Road, Chelmsford, just after 7pm on Friday. Firefighters from Chelmsford and Great Baddow, along with a rescue tender from Colchester,
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Rayleigh: Lil's lucky escape
Lucky Lil Coombes reckoned she escaped death by seconds when a corrugated metal garage roof crashed into her garden. Moments earlier Lil, from Louis Drive, Rayleigh, had been in the garden herself, but just nipped back into the house for her coat. She
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Braintree: Girls set for big leap
A pair of teenagers are going to great heights to raise money for a cystic fibrosis charity. Joanne Woodcraft, 17, and Emily Davidson, 18, both work at Tesco in Braintree and decided to take the plunge for a good cause - a sponsored parachute jump for
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Stansted: Flights delayed
Flights into Stansted were delayed during the evening due to a combination of the bad weather and pressure on the airport from flights diverted to it from other windstruck runways. About 30 flights were delayed at the airport and some of those had to
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Purfleet: Great War comes to life
Purfleet's Heritage and Military Centre will be marking the build-up to Remembrance Sunday with an exhibition starting this weekend. The special exhibition tells the story of the First World War through photographs, uniforms, battlefield relics and film
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Benfleet: Station is officially one of the safest in country
Local railway users can be confident of safety on the platform as Benfleet station was named as one of the country's most secure stations. This means that it has reached national standards in station, passenger and staff security by providing a safe environment
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Rochford: Play area may go for housing
A former play area in Rochford could be sold for housing on the open market if district councillors agree. However, it is likely a last ditch attempt will be made to use the land for social housing. Members said in the past they would like social rented
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Soccer: Robins swoop on the Swifts
Heybridge Swifts are still celebrating their FA Cup victory that sees them into the first round proper. And they have only one slight problem, deciding whether to switch their glamour tie against Bristol City away from Scraley Road. A board meeting has
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Soccer: Huddersfield 1-1 Colchester United (Nationwide League Division Two)
Colchester United conceded an equaliser in injury-time to draw 1-1 with Huddersfield at the McAlpine Stadium. Substitute Scott McDonald's shot hit the bottom of the post and forward Jon Stead tapped in the rebound to score his third goal of the season
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Benfleet: Doubts over fishing lake
Campaigning Benfleet residents have gathered a petition of 300 signatures to protest against plans to create a fishing lake in their area. The site of a disused lake in Coombe Wood, which was drained some years ago, is causing uproar within the community
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Soccer: Ryman League Round-Up (Division One North)
Harlow missed the chance to move second in Ryman Division One North on Saturday, held 0-0 at Essex rivals East Thurrock United. In fairness though, Harlow deserved little more than the one point they gained, again failing to seize on the chance of moving
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Basildon: EastEnder to turn on lights
Police are preparing for thousands of fans to descend on Basildon as EastEnders star Billy Mitchell switches on the Christmas lights. Actor Perry Fenwick is to follow in the footsteps of former colleague Michael Greco - the soap's Beppe Di Marco - who
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Soccer: Broad is eager for rapid revenge
Southend United defender Stephen Broad admitted he has revenge on his mind following Friday night's 1-0 Roots Hall defeat against Third Division leaders Hartlepool. Blues were handed a home tie against the north-east outfit during the weekend's FA Cup
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Tendring: Blackout as power lines hit by trees
Residents in the Tendring district were still without power today after a falling trees damaged overhead lines. A conifer fell at about 10am yesterday morning and homeowner Peggy Richards, of Little Clacton, feared damaged power lines might cause serious
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Essex: County battered by severe weather
The 90 mph gales that battered much of England over the weekend caused damage and disruption all over Essex. Train services in the county have been severely disrupted. This morning some trains were delayed for up to an hour and overcrowding was reported
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Brentwood: Play your cards right for charity
You can do your bit for charity this Christmas when the Cards for Good Causes multi-charity shop opens on Tuesday 29th October in Brentwood Library. The shop, representing more than 25 charities, is staffed by local volunteers and will be open every Monday
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Snooker: Bingham has star Drago in his sights
If Basildon snooker star Stuart Bingham is to live up to his bold pre-tournament prediction that he can win the Benson and Hedges Championship, he will today have to overcome probably the most experienced player left in the event. Having pulled off two
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Chelmsford: Smoke alarm warning
A warning about the dangers of removing batteries from smoke alarms has been given by fire chiefs. Station officer at Chelmsford, Alan Cutter, was commenting after a house fire in the town. Firefighters were called to a house in Perry Hill on Friday afternoon
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South Essex: Gales cut off power
South Essex was today recovering from 90mph gales which tore down trees, ripped off roofs and crippled transport. Around 2,000 homes in Rayleigh were still without power today after electriciy lines were ripped down by the force of high winds and flying
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Clacton: police appeal after moped crash
Police are appealing for a driver who was in collision with a moped and left the scene. The woman, believed to be in her 40s, assisted the male moped driver after the accident at 4.20pm at the junction of Marine Parade East and Anglefield, Clacton, on
