Archive
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Leigh: 10-year pets ban for mum
A mum has been banned from keeping animals for ten years after failing to take her 12-year-old lhasa apso dog, which was suffering from ovarian cancer, to the vets. Eileen Retallick, 66, of New Road, Leigh, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the
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Colchester: Gangs get the chop
Cinemagoers watching Martin Scorsese's epic Gangs of New York were left disappointed when a showing had to be cut short just before the movie's climax. A fault with the film meant during Saturday night's showing of the historical tale the projector shut
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Castle Point: Tribute to work of Brian
Tribute was paid to the good work implemented by the late councillor Brian Weller by Castle Point's transport chief. Brian Wilson (Lab, St Mary's) took over as lead member for transport from Mr Weller after his death in December last year. In his yearly
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Canvey: Building boats on island again
Boatbuilding is set to return to Canvey after a man saw his life-long dream come true by starting up his own marine business. Terry Croarkin started up South East Marine, his own boatbuilding company, three months ago and is set to move into the former
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Cycle speedway: Winch calls for league split
Great Wakering Rebels manager Den Winch is making a bid to take over running the Essex and London cycle speedway league. The county league is currently run as part of the South Eastern League but Den thinks the time is right for a split. "We double up
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Soccer: Official boost is reffing good for Southend Juniors
The Southend Junior League are not prepared to sit back and accept the acute shortage of referees. They've launched an initiative aimed at promoting the recruitment of new officials from within their membership. With 4,500 players covering 258 teams that's
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Soccer: Colchester United 1-2 Crewe Alexandra (Nationwide Division Two)
Colchester threw away a one goal lead to lose 2-1 against high-flying Crewe. U's took the lead four minutes before the interval, Mick Stockwell finishing off a move started by Joe Keith. But Crewe came back with Steve Jones scoring two in six minutes.
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Essex: Development ideas put to residents
Major suggestions for future development are being put to Essex residents by the county council and Southend-on-Sea unitary authority. They are in a review of the county's structure plan which covers just about every aspect of life in Essex, including
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Soccer: Great Wakering Rovers 2-1 Barton Rovers (Ryman One North)
Wakering's Tommy Dalgarno turned from hero to villain in the space of five minutes on Saturday as his side continued their improved form in Ryman First Division North. Dalgarno -- whose career has been dogged by disciplinary problems -- has only recently
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Soccer: Bowyer debut splits support
West Ham fans angry about the signing of Lee Bowyer have challenged their club to come out and make a strong anti-racist statement following a week of controversy. Season-ticket holder Graham Bash, who led a small group of protesters outside the ground
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Castle Point: Cancer fight plea
Castle Point MP Bob Spink has taken the battle against prostate cancer to the House of Commons. The Tory MP has called for action in the fight against a disease which threatens thousands of men every year. Mr Spink said: "Prostate cancer is the second
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Feering: Woman dies after fall
A woman has died after fracturing her skull in a fall from a horse. The 49-year-old victim of the riding accident, which happened in Feering, has been named as Patricia Hodge, of Buntingford, Hertfordshire. She suffered head injuries and was taken to
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Stanway: Residents look for flood answers
Stanway residents fed up with the repeated flooding could have their problems addressed. The recent rain has caused chaos, particularly in the Blackberry Road, Holly Road and Church Road areas. Water has not drained and at times there were fears that
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Leigh: Paint stripper attack on 3 cars
A man who had hundreds of pounds worth of damage done to three cars after paint stripper was thrown over them has appealed for witnesses to come forward. Michael Levy, of Woodcutters Avenue, Leigh, said he woke to find a Honda Accord, a Peugeot and a
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Clacton: Vandals hit gym dream
A pensioner's dream of creating a gym on Clacton's seafront has had a major setback after vandals attacked it while work was in progress. The gym, in the former Clacton Swimming Club and Boxing Club at Lower Marine Parade West, was due to open at the
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Hadleigh, Rayleigh: Taxi driver tells of terror
A cabbie today slammed police after they let off an armed fare dodger who he confronted in a dark street. Mitchell Hill, 28, has been driving taxis in Rayleigh for eight years and said he has faced his fair share of drunks and yobs. However, he admitted
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Colchester: Baby boom after Army tour
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and for Colchester troops returning from peace-keeping duties 3,500 miles away from home it seems to be true. The stork is turning up regularly on doorsteps at Colchester Garrison as Army families are having
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Clacton: Water tests to win beach's blue flag
New investigations and tests are to be carried out in a bid to win back a prestigious European blue flag for Clacton's most popular beach. Anglian Water and the Environment Agency are to survey the area in the next couple of weeks in an effort to discover
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Westcliff: Hotel evacuated after blaze drama
The manager at the Westcliff Hotel where more than 35 people had to be evacuated in the middle of the night following a small fire has spoken of the drama. Police and firefighters rushed to the hotel in Westcliff Parade during the early hours of Friday
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Billericay: Nudists prepare for a dip
Naturists from all over the country descended on Billericay on Saturday to take part in a special winter swim. Members of the Blind Lane-based Arcadians of Greenglades were joined by colleagues from other Naturist UK affiliated clubs at the event. For
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Thorpe Bay: Man, 87, falls down lift shaft
An investigation has been launched after an 87-year-old man fell down an open lift shaft at a block of flats designed for pensioners. It will try and establish how the man came to fall one floor onto the top of the lift at Nevyll Court, in Station Road
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Harwich: Man jailed for £1.5m drugs smuggle
A Dutchman has been jailed for 18 years after he was caught with more than £1 million worth of ecstasy at Harwich. Haik Seth-Paul, 28, told customs he did not know the drugs were in the boot of his car and denied a charge of smuggling. But a jury at Chelmsford
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Witham: Police fence scheme spiked
Police plans to keep criminals from climbing over a police station fence have been sent back to the drawing board. The police had applied for planning permission to replace a two-metre high fence around a compound at Witham police station in Newland Street
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Rayleigh: Shop scheme rejected
Plans to extend a motor accessory shop in Rayleigh have been rejected by Rochford District Council. The scheme for the shop on London Road would also have involved building a new flat above the extension. Council head of planning Shaun Scrutton said the
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Clacton: Man downloaded indecent images
A "voyeur" has been placed on the sex offenders' register for having indecent images of children at his home. Police tracked down John Fox after a member of the public became concerned about an indecent image of a child on an internet chat room link,
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Witham: March date for hospital closure
Witham's Bridge Hospital is still on course to close down in March. The Hatfield Road hospital, which once housed about 400 patients and various out-patient departments, has been undergoing a phased shutdown since 1998. Much of the site is expected to
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Thundersley: Men give church sermons weight
A group of former bouncers, drug addicts, and armed robbers turned bodybuilders were out in force at the weekend to talk to church-goers about how their awesome power has been born out of God's love. They were sharing their worldly experiences with members
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Basildon: Cinema's freezing conditions
Hats, scarves and gloves had to be worn indoors as well as outside, as avid film viewers at Basildon's Uci cinema had to watch their chosen film in freezing conditions. Crowds poured in to the cinema on the festival leisure park on Friday night to see
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Colchester: Film-making students spark gun alert
Students making a movie sparked a gun alert in Colchester. Today police warned people to be especially careful while there is heightened awareness about guns. An alert was issued after armed officers were deployed in Colchester following a report of two
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Basildon: Husband's stolen ashes found
A Basildon woman today told of her relief after being reunited with her husband's ashes stolen from her home. Rita Davis, of Woolmer Green, was left distraught after a small oak box containing the ashes of her husband, Ray, was taken during a burglary
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Soccer: West Ham United 2-2 Newcastle United (Premiership)
It is becoming a habit -- and one which will cost Hammers their Premiership status. Yet again they had the better of a home match, yet again they failed to turn dominance into goals. Not surprisingly, they left with one point instead of three. It was
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Braintree: Drivers facing snarl-up
Motorists are warned to prepare for long delays as a £500,000 roadworks programme gets under way today in the Braintree district. Some road surfaces are being replaced to improve skid resistance and reduce tyre noise. The improvements are taking place
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Laindon: Woman hurt in crash
A woman was taken to hospital, suffering from back and neck injuries after a road collision. Firefighters were called to the scene at Leinster Road, Laindon. A Citroen saloon had collided with a white Transit van and the passenger of the Citroen became
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Chelmsford: Bigger dog loos on the way
New bigger user-and emptier friendly dogs loos are being trialled in Chelmsford after renewed complaints about hygiene and overflowing mess. The new flip top wheelies were announced last week after residents near an Avenues play park were infuriated by
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Braintree: Dinner and panto tickets from town fundraiser
Braintree Lions Club has already used some of the £3,294 raised from a Santa Claus sleigh touring the town at Christmas to benefit people in the area. Media and public relations officer Tom Dix said a Christmas dinner and social was provided for elderly
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Basildon: 'Family from hell' evicted
A family branded "neighbours from hell" are to be evicted from their council house. Mother-of-three Kelly Palfreman, 20, who is being thrown out with her boyfriend and children, today warned others to learn from her mistakes. Thrown out - Kelly with her
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South Woodham Ferrers: Less red tape for homeowners
Homeowners will find it easier to make improvements to their properties following the loosening of red tape in South Woodham. Since the development of the new town more than 20 years ago, South Woodham Ferrers residents have been required to seek approval
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Colchester: Councillor slips on ice getting drugs for elderly
A councillor today called for a "joined up" approach to making icy pavements safe after she slipped outside a health centre. On Thursday, Colchester councillor Julie Young offered to pick up a prescription for an elderly woman who could not leave home
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Clacton: Pupil's fingers trapped in door
A boy needed hospital treatment after his fingers were trapped in a door at school. The 11-year-old pupil at Bishops Park College, Clacton, was taken by Essex Air Ambulance to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford on Friday after he trapped his fingers in
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Maldon: Lake report set for publication
A report on whether to reopen a popular tourist attraction in Maldon is due to be published this week. The Marine Lake in Promenade Park was closed last August after a visitor from Shoebury died after diving into it. The lake, which contains two million
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Witham: Swimmers get left in the dry
A delay in the re-opening of a swimming pool at Witham's Bramston Sports Centre today left swimmers in the dry. The main pool was closed for maintenance on December 20 and was due to re-open today but work has over-run. A spokesman for Braintree Council
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Soccer: American dream joy for Mike
Mike Agombar is certainly in the major league when it comes to junior football in America. The nine-year-old moved from Billericay to the States with his family 18 months ago and has quickly shown the Yanks how to play soccer. Former St Peter's School
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Grays: Church is smashed up
Vandals caused several thousand pounds damage to St Peter's Church in Whitmore Avenue, Grays. The altar, statues, pews, cabinets and lights were smashed. The discovery was made when cleaners arrived at the church on Saturday morning. Wrecked - the church
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Soccer: Andy blames inexperience
Andy Marshall blamed 'inexperience' on his part after conceding a crucial penalty in Ipswich Town's 1-1 draw at Burnley. The Blues were forced to settle for a share of the spoils after missing a host of chances and being pegged back at Turf Moor on Saturday
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Soccer: Whitton - It's not time to get nasty
Colchester United boss Steve Whitton insisted today he is not ready to turn his team into thugs to halt a winless home run that stretches to eight matches. The U's manager, an advocate of passing football, was speaking after watching his team throw away
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Rochford: 'Leisure centre facilities safe'
Rochford District Council has reassured its leisure centre users the district's facilities are not under threat - despite talk that the company which runs them may be taken over. Fitness club operator Holmes Place took over management of the council's
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Colchester: Elephants one, two... three
It's normally buses that don't arrive for ages and then three come along at once. But at Colchester Zoo that adage could apply to elephants. As if baby Kito's recent birth and Zola being halfway through her pregnancy wasn't enough, Rosa is now expecting
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Harwich: Clerk Carol quits after 14 years
Dedicated town clerk Carol Topple has made her own little bit of history. Mrs Topple has resigned as the longest-serving clerk in Harwich Town Council's history. Mrs Topple, of Ashley Road, Dovercourt, will be leaving at the end of February after more
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Maldon, Colchester: Has the farmer got his wife?
A farmer's quest for love will hit TV screens later this year, broadcasters have confirmed. Maldon small-holder Carl Keeble, who also works at Friday Wood Farm in Colchester, has been taking part in a match-making scheme organised by Country Living magazine
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Colchester: Troops taken off fire strike cover
Soldiers from Colchester are being taken off emergency fire cover to concentrate on military training, for possible action in Iraq. The troops from the Army's Rapid Reaction Force 16 Air Assault Brigade will no longer be called to man the pumps, if another
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Soccer: Moore not merrier as Town called
Billericay lost their fifth match in six attempts when their scheduled home game with Essex rivals Braintree was postponed due to a frostbound pitch. And Billericay Town chairman Rod Moore was left fed up after the referee gave the thumbs down to the
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Soccer: Burnley 1-1 Ipswich Town (Nationwide Division One)
Buoyed by their recent scoring spree, the avalanche of goals was bound to grind to a halt some time. That was Ipswich Town's dilemma this weekend as one of the stories of their season - misfiring in the box - came back to haunt them at Turf Moor. Having
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Dovercourt: Town centre is to be cycle-friendly
New bike racks are planned for Dovercourt town centre to make it more cycle-friendly. Michael Reeder, assistant town centre manager, said three spare parcels of land were being looked at for the cycle parks. It is hoped one would be located at the old
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Billericay: Son was my best friend
The father of teenager Stephen Knightly, struck by a minibus and killed while walking along the A132 at Battlesbridge, said he had lost his son and his best friend. The family told how the 18-year-old had been counting down the days to his first foreign
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Pitsea: Fire leaves man homeless
A man was today homeless after his flat was destroyed by fire. The blaze, which raced through the second-floor property in Battleswick, Pitsea, at around 3.45pm on Friday, has left Steve Marchant with nothing but the clothes on his back. Four engines,
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Brentwood: Top heritage award for hall
One of Brentwood's architectural treasures, rescued from collapse in the 1990s, has picked up a top heritage accolade. Council chiefs are delighted by the news that grade II listed Hutton Poplars Hall has picked up a silver award in the Queen's Golden
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Chelmsford: Shoe prints catch burglar
Forensic evidence put a Chelmsford teenager at the scene of a house burglary. David Byatt's shoe prints were found near a broken patio door which confirmed he had been there, said prosecutor Andrew Shaw at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday. Byatt, 18
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Sillver End: Crashes close A12
A series of crashes forced police to close a lane of the A12. At about 5.30am today there were three two-vehicle crashes, then a fourth crash involving just one car on the London-bound side of the busy road. They happened on a short stretch of the A12
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Canvey: 'We need 2 more medical centres'
Two more £1million medical centres are needed on Canvey to help attract new doctors to the island, it was claimed today. Castle Point MP Bob Spink has spoken out about a "big problem" of recruiting doctors on the island and said the issue would need to
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Castle Point: Hundreds pay tribute to Peggy
Hundreds of mourners turned out to pay an emotional tribute to former Castle Point mayor Peggy Grant. Friends, family and former colleagues packed into St Nicholas Church, in Long Road, Canvey, to remember her life. Mrs Grant, of Handel Road, Canvey,
