Archive
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Basildon: Explosion at school
Fire crews were called to a Basildon school today after a suspected gas explosion. They went to Elmbrook Special School, in Church Road, at about 9.15am. Police, paramedics and gas engineers were also called to the scene. A spokesman for Essex County
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Southend: Priory plan delayed
The next phase of a controversial plan to widen Priory Crescent was delayed for further consideration last night. Southend Council's environmental scrutiny committee deferred a proposal to use land between the current road in Priory Crescent and the railway
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Soccer: Irons ready to beat the odds
Glenn Roeder takes his depleted West Ham side to Anfield tomorrow hoping to see his strugglers repeat the form that saw them win at Chelsea and draw with Arsenal. Hammers have already made a habit of raising their game against the most daunting opposition
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Essex: Electricity chief's apology
The managing director of 24seven has apologised to customers who have been without power for five days. Nearly 3,000 households were still without power after storms knocked out supplies on Sunday. Alan Carey said: "I want to apologise to all of our customers
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Cricket: Southend gets festival week
Essex County Cricket Club has dropped its Ilford cricket festival in favour of Southend. The Club had confirmed its other festival week at Colchester, but was awaiting proposals from both Redbridge and Southend Councils before confirming the second venue
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Colchester: Fashion and food in store
The Colchester branch of Marks & Spencer is celebrating the first anniversary of a revamp that has helped change the company's fortunes. A year ago, hundreds of M&S stores, including the ones at Colchester and Chelmsford, underwent a major refurbishment
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Soccer: Bent believes he can blossom under Royle
Goal hero Darren Bent believes he can blossom under the leadership of new manager and former striker Joe Royle. The teenage frontrunner scored the all-important winner in last night's UEFA Cup second round first leg success against Slovan Liberec. Town
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St Osyth: Family in fight for Samuel
A seven-year-old boy who suffers from cerebral palsy is in desperate need of vital equipment which could help him walk. Although Samuel Emmerson has a special standing frame when he is attending Frobisher Primary School in Jaywick, he does not have the
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Thurrock: Council calms concern over allotments plan
A message of reassurance is being sent to 700 allotment holders who have all received council notices to quit their plots. The worried gardeners are being told: "Carry on digging - the vast majority of allotment tenures are safe." Thurrock Council sent
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Rugby: Centre return boosts Rochford
Rochford Hundred have been boosted by the return of classy centre Mark Thomson and flanker Barry Eldred for their important home game with Brentwood. Rochford have a single win to their name in London Three, but can give themselves some breathing space
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Tendring: Campaign targets burglars
Officers in Tendring have joined a countywide campaign to target burglars. Operation Relentless has been staged this week as part of an Essex Police initiative to send out a strong message to offenders. The aim is to increase the fear of arrest and conviction
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Colchester: We will make town run like clockwork
The new company formed to boost Colchester's image and make the town run like clockwork has vowed not to make the same mistake as its predecessor. The Colchester Town Partnership is set to begin operations in the New Year, with £75,000 towards its start-up
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Canvey: Katie is the cutest kid in the country!
A beautiful Canvey baby has been named the cutest in the country! Katie Hills, just ten months-old, won the hearts of judges in a national competition which will see her in a national TV ad campaign. Gorgeous Katie Hill fought off competition from hundreds
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Vange: Sister act for panto
Double dancing success is on the cards for one family this Christmas after two sisters landed pantomime roles. Sisters Louise and Danielle Saunderson, of Latchetts Shaw, Vange, have both been picked to be dancers in two separate pantomimes. Louise, 15
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Southend: Mum cleared of harassment
A mum broke down in tears after she was cleared of smearing human excrement on a porch window at the home of her former partner and his new wife. Julie Hughes, 40, of Appletree Close, Southend, denied harassing Roger Barnacle and wife Julie of Fleming
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Coggeshall: Power cables 'left dangling' four days
Potentially live electricity cables could still be dangling in a river, four days after they were knocked down in the storms. Jill Hadlee said the cables were severed when a tree was knocked over in her garden, in Abbey Lane, Coggeshall, by the winds
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Southend: Police chief says town must shed poor image
Southend's police chief has said the town needs to shed its violent reputation before a £52million college opens in 2004. Chief Supt Mick Thwaites said work needs to be done to quash people's perception that Southend is violent and has called on club
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General: Red hot deal for squad
A Wickford sports club could cook up a sizzling sponsorship deal with a local restaurant. Flamedeck, the most fun lovin' restaurant in town, is keen to give its backing to a team from the area and urging clubs to put their name forward. Manager Emma Bowman
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Soccer: Billericay wary of former ace Linger
Billericay Town may find their former midfielder Paul Linger a major threat when they relaunch their Ryman League Premier Division title bid at home to Essex rivals Purfleet tonight (7.45pm). The New Lodge side will be keen to get back on the win trail
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Basildon: Minister praise for centre
Government minister Maria Eagle saw for herself the work being done in Basildon for disabled people. The Minister for Disabled People opened the £650,000 Progression Centre, in Clay Hill Road, the county's first one-stop help and training point. Facility
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South Woodham Ferrers: Would ewe believe it - triplets!
This rare set of triplets have become the main attraction of the season at a country park. New arrivals - Clive Stephens with the triplets Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY Marsh Farm Country Park, in South Woodham Ferrers, has been busy looking after 11 ewes who
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Castle Point: Big classes are not on - MP
Class sizes in Castle Point have not fallen over the last two years and remain far too high, according to MP Bob Spink The Minister of State for Education, David Miliband, revealed that this year there were 19 primary schools with classes of 30 pupils
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Basildon: School is back on track
A school was today celebrating a remarkable turnround, after being removed from special measures. Barstable School, in Timberlog Close, Basildon, was placed in special measures by inspectors two years ago. On the way back - Barstable School head Jonathon
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Essex: Jailbreak cash
Three men who broke out of jail and escaped to America have returned - with several thousand pounds for children's charities. The self-named Basildon Bandits - Insp Pat Mahoney from Basildon police, Brentwood-based firefighter Dave Parratt and Grays businessman
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Frinton: Foreign pupils in fear of attack
Foreign students are too scared to visit Frinton due to regular attacks by gangs of youngsters. That is the claim of Sir Paul Lever, the British Ambassador in Berlin, who has received complaints from teachers at a German school. He has written to Frinton
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Soccer: Miguel gets national call-up
Miguel Cunha, a talented young footballer who plays for Bishop's Stortford Swifts, has been to Lisbon to train with the Portuguese national U18 squad. Following an invitation from the Portuguese Football Federation, Miguel flew out to Lisbon last Sunday
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South Essex: Campbell had two phones, court hears
The uncle accused of abducting and murdering Danielle Junes turned up at his next-door neighbour's home with two phones - on the day of the schoolgirl's disappearance, a court heard. Kay Hahn, of Fairway, Grays, told Chelmsford Crown Court Stuart Campbell
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Harwich: Teen Talk widens doors
A group which helps teenagers has had a new disabled access fitted to its premises. It is hoped the £1,800 investment will mean Teen Talk Harwich will be able to reach even more youngsters. Co-ordinator Marian Rowland said the base in Cliff Road, Dovercourt
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Soccer: Rocks ready to roll against K's
Hawkwell Athletic Tigers will be roaring into action this season with the backing of a top professional footballer. For Leyton Orient star Matt Lockwood has brought a brand new kit for the South-East Essex Mini-Soccer Primary League under-10 side. Lockwood
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Maldon: Council puts the freeze on free collections
The free collection of refrigerated units by Maldon District Council will be stopped from today and instead cost more than £20. (November 1) New legislation, which came into effect at the beginning of the year, requires refrigerated units to have all
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Colchester: Quintet in pub crawl for unit
Three members of the same Colchester family whose lives have all been affected by breast cancer have handed over £1,645 for the breast unit at Essex County Hospital. Maria Burmby, 33, her mother Carol Cannell, 52, of Monkwick and Maria's cousin Petra
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Dovercourt: Day nursery plans swimming pool
A children's nursery is hoping to splash out thousands of pounds on new sports and leisure facilities. Buckets and Spades Day Nursery wants to build a recreational base, including a swimming pool, behind its property in Low Road, Dovercourt. Nursery owner
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Basildon: War protesters come to town
Protesters gathered to speak out against military action in Iraq. The group of about 35, many of whom are members of the Basildon branch of the Stop the War Coalition, met in St Martin's Square, Basildon, last night to make their feelings known. Stop
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Southend: Boy, 16, locked up for part in raid
A teenager involved in a shop robbery failed to get a cut in his sentence as an appeal judge vowed to protect small businesses. The 16-year-old boy, who was 15 at the time and cannot be named for legal reasons, was sent to a young offenders' institution
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Chelmsford: Mum says vote Chloe
The people of Essex are being urged to vote for singer Chloe Staines in Popstars: The Rivals. The 18-year-old from Chelmsford will be singing for survival in the ITV1 show at 7pm tomorrow. Her mother, Dawn, is seeking support by distributing leaflets
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Athletics: New town team enjoys triumph
Both Basildon and Southend Athletic Clubs continued their run of team successes when the second round of Essex League cross-country matches were held at Hockley. Southend, hosts on the day, again won the two team events they'd triumphed in at Basildon
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Leigh: Woman regrets charity
A kind-hearted woman was left to regret her attempts to help a youngster raise money for charity. A teenager called at the 25-year-old woman's house, in Kent View Avenue, Leigh, and said he was doing a sponsored charity event. The woman went to get him
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Essex: A letter a day for ambulance service
A letter of appreciation for every day of the year is the proud boast from the Essex Ambulance Service. They attracted 365 thank you notes last year and now the service says it expects an even greater number this year. Director of Operations. Paul Leaman
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Soccer: McGavin is Shrimpers boss
Former Colchester United forward Steve McGavin has been appointed manager of Jewson League premier division strugglers Harwich and Parkeston. McGavin, 33, who had two spells at Layer Road, approached Harwich at the end of last week, and after liaising
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Colchester: Mr Right seeks Miss Perfect
He has graced television screens in thousands of homes in his quest for the perfect woman, but Mr Right is known by some in Colchester as the son of a former top soldier in the Garrison. Lance Gerrard-Wright, 35, who starred in reality show Mr Right last
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Soccer: Ipswich Town 1 - 0 Slovan Liberec (UEFA Cup)
Two words summed up the look on Joe Royle's face after this debut success for Ipswich Town. Relief and satisfaction. Billed as a baptism of fire for the new manager, his charges rose to the occasion with a classy performance against below par Liberec.
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Colchester: Businessman takes top award
Colchester businessman Julian Harris has been recognised in a top national business competition, thanks to his thriving Bang & Olufsen audio-video franchise. He has won a highly-commended certificate of merit in the British Franchise Association's
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General: Wheelchair athlete gets a GB lift
Gareth Cooper and Chris Firmin are the latest stars of Basildon's Disabled Sports Association. The pair collected seven medals between them at the British Wheelchair Sports Association's junior championships in Reading. And Gareth, 18, is heading for
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Soccer: Whitton backs Izzet to make impact
Kemal Izzet could hold the key to a morale-boosting win for Colchester United at lowly Mansfield Town tonight. The never-say-die diminutive midfielder has all the qualities U's boss Steve Whitton is looking for - especially away from home. And Whitton
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Soccer: Swifts at home for FA Cup clash
Heybridge Swifts' mouthwatering FA Cup first round clash against Bristol City WILL be held at Scraley Road. A ground check by the police yesterday and discussions with the FA have given the ground the green light for Heybridge to stage the match on home
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Essex: 'Call me' says sympathetic politician
The shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has called on householders who are still suffering from power cuts to contact him directly. MP Tim Yeo has called for action after ministers refused to back compensation claims in the House of Commons
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Clacton: Work on £30m park set to start in 2003
Final plans for a £30million retail development and country park on the edge of Clacton are to be put forward in the next two months. Work on Brook Park should begin in the spring. Kevin Britton of Britton Construction has put in an application to extend
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Clacton: School's new site to be unveiled
The site for Clacton's new primary school is set to be unveiled next week. Essex County Council education bosses only have one piece of land under consideration at this stage but are not prepared to reveal where it is just yet. Mike Singleton, planning
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Soccer: Newman signing attempt thwarted
Southend United boss Rob Newman has been thwarted in his bid to sign winger Kevin McLeod ahead of tomorrow's Roots Hall clash with Wrexham. The Shrimpers chief has kept tabs on the Everton winger for the past few weeks, but the 22-year-old has turned
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Colchester: Cash pledge gives youth a sure start
More than £1.5 million has been pledged to help young children in Colchester's poorest areas get a better start in life. The Government-funded Sure Start programme was launched earlier this year in the Greenstead and St Anne's parts of town. The project
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Soccer: Nicolle is Taylor made for Hammers
Basildon soccer girl Nicolle Taylor may be a keen Manchester United fan . . . but she's pledging her future to West Ham. The 11-year-old Barstable School pupil has signed up for Hammers under-13 girls side and wants to make a career in the pro game later
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Colchester: Rocket sales hope for fireworks night
Firework fans are being encouraged to buy their tickets for a popular town centre display after only 500 tickets have been sold. Colchester charity King Coel's Kittens organises the annual bonfire night event in Colchester's Castle Park. For the first
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Southend: Parking ban gets go-ahead
Councillors have rubber stamped parking restrictions on grass verges outside Southend Hospital. Drivers desperate for parking spaces near the hospital will no longer be able to legally park on the expanse of grass in front of the hospital. The environmental
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North Essex Judge - appeal case doubts
Doubts have been expressed over the strength of the appeal case of convicted killer Jeremy Bamber. At the Court of Appeal yesterday, the appeal judges told Bamber's QC Michael Turner that some of the defence claims did not begin to hold water. Lord Justice
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Southend: Violence keeps late trains off rails
Rail companies today said they will not run trains out of Southend after 11pm because they are "sick of the sheer amount of violence and vandalism". Chief Supt Mick Thwaites of has called for better late-night public transport links serving the town as
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Thurrock: New look at toy library
It was celebration time at Thurrock Toy Box when it reopened - with a brand new look. Volunteers from Ford spent part of the summer redecorating the community room at Belhus library in Derry Avenue, South Ockendon, for the toy library scheme funded by
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Cressing: School reopens after electrical fault
A school which was forced to close after staff and pupils became sick due to a lighting fault was back open today. Cressing Primary School, in Braintree Road, Cressing, decided to send pupils and staff home on Wednesday after they complained of having
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Basildon, Southend: Telewest faces court move
Crisis-hit cable giant Telewest, with hundreds of workers in Southend and Basildon, has shrugged off an attempt to close it down, insisting that its rescue plans remain on track. The company failed to meet interest payments on its £4billion debt mountain
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Essex: Off-duty police act as prison guards
Criminals who should be in prison are being held at Essex police stations because of overcrowding. Three custody areas around the county in Colchester, Rayleigh and Loughton are being used to hold convicts and people on remand. An Essex Police spokesman
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Southend: Man found stabbed in street
A murder inquiry was launched today in Southend after a man was stabbed to death near the seafront. The local man aged about 28 was discovered at around 12.35am today in Outing Close. A man was arrested near the scene, police revealed this morning, but
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Soccer: Rocks ready to roll against K's
The three south-east Essex Ryman Division One North teams battling in the FA Trophy first round tomorrow all face tough home ties against more senior opposition. Of the trio, East Thurrock United would appear to have the most difficult task as they host
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Soccer: McGavin to get first taste of management
Steve McGavin will taste his first experience of management this weekend as he takes charge of Harwich and Parkeston in the 'battle of the bottom two' in the Jewson League premier division. And a win for the former Colchester United forward would see
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South Essex: Accused tells court he got stuck in fence
A murder suspect denied in court that injuries to his face were the frantic scratches of the woman he allegedly strangled. Ian Jarvis, 37, of Second Avenue, Canvey, said he sustained the damage while squeezing through a fence. The section of fencing was
