Archive
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Soccer: Is the grass greener on the other side?
Should Steve Whitton remain as Colchester United's manager or should he go now? That's the major talking point dominating the thoughts of the Layer Road fans as the U's continue to struggle for Second Division survival. Opinions are divided between those
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Braintree: Break-ins double
Burglars are targeting Braintree homes as new figures show break-ins have almost doubled. But the number of household break-ins in Witham has dropped. As the national debate rages on whether judges should jail first-time burglars, figures just out show
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Southend: Essex 'fast track' cop leads probe
The policeman leading the inquiry into the killing of detective Stephen Oake in Manchester started his career as a beat bobby in Southend, it was revealed today. Mike Todd, now Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police - the second largest force in
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Southend: Free organ for school
An ambitious project to bring a 19th Century church organ to Southend High School for Boys is under way thanks to two eager young music students. Greg Tucker and Jonathan Roberts, who are both pupils at the school, saw that the St Mary the Virgin Church
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Soccer: Brown is looking to the future
Simon Brown is confident his current good form will earn him a crack with one of England's top football clubs in the future. The giant 26-year-old Colchester United goalkeeper, winner of many man-of-the-match awards this season, is enjoying the form of
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Stansted: Election gag faces airport protesters
Pressure groups opposed to the expansion of Southend Airport could hit major problems if they put up candidates for the council elections in May, it has been revealed. If their members stood on an anti-airport platform and were elected they could find
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South Essex: Firefighter hurt in house inferno
A firefighter was today recovering from injuries suffered when tackling a flat blaze which caused more than £100,000 damage. An emergency call was made to Essex Fire and Rescue about 11am yesterday and crews arrived to find flames leaping five feet from
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Hadleigh: Fire station's a blaze risk
Hadleigh fire station has been branded a fire risk. Fire chiefs made the London Road station a top priority for change after it was condemned as the most "unsafe" station in terms of fire safety in the county. Station commander Jim Jones said the reason
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Soccer: Martin's delight as Blues cut loss
Southend United lost £707,665 during the financial year ending July 2002, according to the Third Division club's newly published report of accounts. This shortfall represented a saving of almost £75,000 however, with the previous year's deficit coming
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Maldon: Revised tax increase
Council tax payers in Maldon may not be facing a 22 per cent rise this year after all. The council tax proposal to be discussed by members of Maldon District Council's finance and corporate services committee is set to be less than first thought. A council
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North Weald: Refurbishment to benefit homeless
Homeless families in temporary accommodation at Norway House in North Weald are to benefit from improved living conditions thanks to a £600,000 refurbishment. The Epping Road hostel has been the main centre for homeless people in the area since being
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Thorpe: Landmark collapse fears
A listed village landmark might collapse before it is given a new use, it is warned. Thorpe Maltings, in Station Road, Thorpe, has stood empty for many years and has become an eyesore. The 19th century structure, which took a battering in the strong winds
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Athletics: Triple team victories
Completing their Essex league fixtures for the season at the Stubbens Outdoor Pursuit Centre at Upminster on Saturday, Chelmsford Athletics Club claimed three team victories. Adrian Mussett, of Colchester Harriers, headed the senior men's field over the
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Angling: Fair sport for boats everywhere
The Alexandra Angling Centre report that Southend boats have still been enjoying fair sport with a mixture of codling, thornbacks, whiting and some good-sized dabs being taken. Bradwell and Crouch boats have still been taking codling with an average size
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Southend: Carers treat me like lump of meat, says patient
A woman is taking action against Southend Council after claiming her carers are treating her "like a lump of meat". Angelina Kavanagh, 50, of Quantock Flats, Chichester Road, said staff from Ashley Care, contracted by the council to visit her three times
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South Essex: Jade's Essex soccer fella
A former south Essex footballer was today said to be delighted that his girlfriend - Big Brother star Jade Goody - was expecting their first child. Jeff Brazier, who played for Billericay, Bowers and Canvey Island, lives with Jade on the Chafford Hundred
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Billericay: Man arrested following ram-raid
A man has been arrested in connection with an incident which led to minor injuries to two police officers and severe damage to the police car they were travelling in. Police in Billericay were called to an incident outside the Alldays convenience store
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Thurrock: Council officers fighting back
Two years after receiving a devastating Ofsted report Thurrock Council has effectively been taken out of special measures. It means a small glimour of light at the end of a long tunnel for the borough's education department, which was plunged into crisis
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Pitsea: Pay to park in the park
Families wanting to enjoy a walk in Wat Tyler Park, Pitsea, during the summer could have to pay for the privilege. Basildon Council is considering introducing a £1 parking charge during the busy summer months. Labour leader Nigel Smith is appalled at
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Motorsport: Rikki is Taylor made for Eurorods
Young gun Rikki Taylor has his sights set firmly on getting a drive in the British Touring Car Championship. And he is hoping that contesting Eurorods this season will be a step in the right direction. The 15-year-old Stanford-le-Hope schoolboy has already
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Maldon, Heybridge: Town put on the marine map
Heybridge has become a global centre for marine marketing and technology - thanks to two Maldon-based entrepreneurs. John Almond and David Pickles, both retired executives of the worldwide Smith's Industries Marine Division and both living in Maldon,
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Colchester: Woman jailed for vicious attack
A woman has been jailed for a vicious attack on another woman in a Colchester street. Linda Franklin was told by a Chelmsford Crown Court judge the attack had been "totally unprovoked" and had left her victim battered and bruised. "Anyone looking at the
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Essex: Children's charity puts out the begging bowl
The NSPCC is appealing for help in raising almost £1m to keep projects across Essex running. The charity says in an average week more than 600 children are on the child protection register in Essex. One scheme operated from its offices in Tilbury and
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Chelmsford: Queen visit in doubt
The Queen could be forced to cancel her visit to Chelmsford after undergoing knee surgery this week. Buckingham Palace confirmed that doctors had ordered the 76-year-old monarch to rest at Sandringham for two weeks before resuming a limited programme
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Braintree: 'Yob contracts' still to be used
A new bad behaviour busting approach in the Braintree district has yet to be put to use, despite being introduced two months ago. The Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) known as "yob contracts" were launched as a joint project between Braintree police
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Southend: Unemployment falling but still a problem
Unemployment in Southend has fallen but the number of jobseekers in the town is still above average, according to new figures. Unemployment across the Rochford district has not changed and remains below the regional average. David Horsley, chief executive
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Colchester: Pupils' building success
A team of pupils from a Colchester school gained first place in a construction competition for the second year running. The team of five, aged between 15 and 16, from St Benedict's College took part in the National Construction Week held at Anglia Polytechnic
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Essex: Meet Mr Jinx, the cat with eight lives left
Meet Mr Jinx - the appropriately-named moggie who used up one of his nine lives when he was shot in the face. Thanks to a specialist vet surgeon, Mr Jinx has had reconstructive surgery to his jaw and is on the road to recovery. The black and white cat
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Point Clear, St Osyth: Villages' gas link in the pipeline
Work to supply the first gas network to two villages will start within weeks. E S Pipelines is to begin the project in St Osyth and Point Clear this month, and most of the homes will be connected by the end of the year. It will cost £390 per property.
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Soccer: FA Cup hero Heffer savours Daggers' shock success
Leigh soccer hero Steven Heffer was back at his Southend office within hours of enjoying one of the greatest nights of his footballing life. Heffer, who lives in Fastnet with his wife Dawn and new son Jack, was a member of the non-league Dagenham and
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Purfleet: Display of courage and tragedy
The story of one of the British Army's worst military defeats and another of courage in the face of overwhelming odds are featured in an exhibition which opens at Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre on Sunday. The Zulu Wars display covers the disastrous
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Southend: Elderly woman robbed
An elderly woman was robbed of £115 as she walked up a dark alley. The victim, in her 70s, was walking between Pear Tree Close and St Edmund's Close, Southend, at 8.50pm on Tuesday when a man approached her on a bicycle. He pushed her to the ground as
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Chelmsford: Post Offices to close
Two Chelmsford post offices are set to shut in March, in the wake of a campaign to save sub-post offices in rural areas. The offices at King's Road, Boarded Barns, and Trent Road, Chignal, are almost certain to close and protests are growing. Mr K C Sharma
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Stansted: Campaigners claim an extra runway would be 'vandalism'
The expansion of Stansted Airport by even a single extra runway would be "one of the greatest acts of vandalism in Britain's history," campaigners have warned the government. One additional runway would create an airport as big as Heathrow in the heart
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Leigh: Enroll for music festival
Musicians and drama students can enter this year's Leigh Music Festival by picking up a new syllabus. The festival is being held at Leigh Community Centre in Elm Road from June 11 to 25. Musicians and drama students of all abilities and ages can choose
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Thurrock: Leader in equal pay challenge
A council leader has challenged employers and union leaders to work for a fairer pay system for women. Andy Smith, of Thurrock Council, made the call at a Closing the Pay Gap conference in Purfleet. Equal pay for men and women led the agenda at the event
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Badminton: Island ladies on course for title
Barring a major surprise, Canvey based Waterside can claim the title in the Basildon Badminton Association's Ladies' League. Five points ahead of second-placed Barstable A, the Island girls have just one fixture left to confirm their title. Results: 1
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Basildon: Axe for 1,200 trees
Hundreds of trees are set for the chop across the Basildon district - because of mounting insurance claims against the local council. Toppling trees weakened by winds and torrential rain - as well as those with root damage and subsidence - have led to
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Silver End: Park used for gun games
Bored youths in Silver End regularly used the village park for gun games, a court has heard. Last summer when the park shut at 8pm, teenagers would sneak through a gap in the hedge and congregate in groups. Those with air pistols would fire pellets at
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Colchester: PC's death leads to policy review
The death of a dedicated officer has forced Essex Police to review the way it deals with road accidents. PC Gary Veal died in hospital after sustaining multiple injuries when he was in collision with a car on the A12 as he tried to prevent an accident
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Colchester: Heart-op Daniel bullied in school
A courageous schoolboy who went through a four-hour life-saving heart operation is now facing another challenge - school bullies. Daniel Whybrow, 13, is feeling threatened by a group of boys at his school and his father is so concerned for his safety
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Pitsea: Attack victim reveals phone calls of hate
A Burglary victim who feared for his life has spoken of the evil torment he has suffered in recent weeks. The disabled 45-year-old was attacked in his home in Moss Close, Pitsea, on Monday night by two men who broke in, threw a sheet over his head and
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Chelmsford: Pair plead guilty to carp smuggling
A Battlesbridge fish dealer and his Chelmsford employee have pleaded guilty to carp smuggling after the largest ever seizure of illegally imported live fish. Mark Dallas, of Premier Fish Supplies, Battlesbridge, and Lee Coles, of Chelmsford, faced Folkestone
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Colchester: Works force changes at police station
Building work at Colchester police station has been put back. The changes, which will benefit visitors with disabilities, are now expected to start on Mondayand go on until late April. People who need to use the station will have to go in through a fire
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Canvey: Call for CCTV at 'besieged' library
CCTV cameras could be installed at Canvey Library in a bid to curb anti-social behaviour by youths hanging about outside. Library staffsay they are at their "wits' end" afterfindingvomit, urine, litter, broken bottles and graffiti smeared over the building's
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Benfleet: Ramraid attack on store
Detectives are hunting ramraiders who smashed their way into a Benfleet shop early today and stole cigarettes. Police believe a green M-registration car, possibly a Ford Mondeo, was used during the break-in, which happened just after midnight. Two men
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Hawkwell: Leisure centre set for makeover
Leisure group Holmes Place is set to be given the green light by Rochford District Council to refurbish Clements Hall leisure centre in Hawkwell. The firm took over the running of the council's leisure facilities last year. It is currently working to
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Linford: Directors face charges following company death
A south Essex company and two of its directors were appearing at court today to face manslaughter charges following the death of teenage worker Dean Butler, 15, at Rainbow Shaw Quarry in Linford in December 2001. Clearserve, the company operating the
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Southend: Human fireball horror
A pregnant woman was fighting for her life after being turned into a human fireball at a flat in Southend. Police are investigating how the young woman came to be set on fire, suffering 80 per cent burns at the flat in Eastcote Grove. Firefighters were
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Golf: It's a dog's life for new skipper
Mick Burch certainly won't be complaining when he tells members that being captain of Southend Golf Club is a dog's life. For Mick, who is always accompanied by his faithful German Shepherd bitch Grace whenever he plays a round, has such a love for the
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Clacton: Barmaid loses fight
A barmaid and mother-of-three has lost her fight against the club that sacked her for gross misconduct. An industrial tribunal heard how June Ross, 51, was sacked from her position as bar person at the Comrades Sports and Social Club in Clacton after
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Clacton, Colchester: Care scheme's desperate call for volunteers
People with time to spare are desperately needed to help give parents and carers of disabled people some well-earned rest. The Shared Care Scheme recruits people of all ages and backgrounds to spend as little or as much time as they can with disabled
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Boxing: Jacobs selected for ABA funding
Harwich's Amateur Boxing Club have cause for celebration this week. The Amateur Boxing Association selectors have singled out one of the club's bright prospects for funding. England boxer Tommy Jacobs will miss this weekend's showcase at the Park Pavillion
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South Essex: New move to get you on net fast
Moves to get broadband internet access in Shoebury and other parts of south Essex could be met by a company's new service. Residents in some parts of the county have been getting together to request the faster access. A flat monthly fee for connection
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Swimming: Abigail and Ben
After an incredibly successful year, which included gong up a division in the Essex League, Chelmsford Swimming Club (CSC) held their annual swimming club championships recently. The Championships had a high level of entries and with many swimmers achieving
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Clacton: Project set to clear major milestone
A multi-million pound plan to build the world's largest wind farm off the Tendring coast is set to get the environmental green light GE Wind Energy put forward plans to the Government at the end of last year for the scheme seven kilometres south-east
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Soccer: Woodward waiting game
Mike Woodward will have to wait a little longer to fulfil his ambition of owning a Football League club. His bid for Peterborough United was not accepted and now the Grays Athletic Director of Football and financial backer is requesting further details
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Sailing: Father and son claim eighth spot
Father and son duo Craig and Mitchell Bond had reason to celebrate after finishing eighth at an international sailing competition. The pair, from Brightlingsea, chalked up their top-ten finish at the Mirror Dinghy World Championships in Hobart, Tasmania
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Dovercourt: Residents' health fears as rubbish is dumped
Residents in Dovercourt's Victoria Street want action over dumped rubbish amid fears about environmental health. The road came under the spotlight at the last meeting of the Harwich Conservation Panel. It hoped that new flats planned for the street could
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Chelmsford: Wardens on the way to help cut crime
Community wardens acting as the eyes and ears of the police could soon be patrolling the streets of Chelmsford. The high-visibility community support officers would back up the town's police force in a bid to crack down on thefts, vandalism and other
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Frinton: Man harassed ex-lover
An obsession with a relationship that ended 12 years ago has landed a Kirby resident in court. Brian Stewart, of Frinton Road, admitted harassment between April 1 and October 9 last year. Colchester magistrates imposed a 12-month community rehabilitation
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Clacton: Woman's benefit claims illegal
A Clacton woman made illegal benefit claims for more than £7,000 while living with her mother, a court heard yesterday. Katherine Cooper, 45, moved into the five-bedroomed property in Thorpe, on the basis that it would be rent-free, but she would cover
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Rayleigh: Stained display a success
A display of stained glass by a local artist at Rayleigh library has been a smashing success. Jan Vincent is displaying five examples of her work at the library in the High Street. She began working with stained glass five years ago when her husband knocked
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Tennis: Waiting finally over as Hard and Bay clash
Westcliff Hardcourts and Thorpe Bay are gearing up to finally play their Jubilee Cup semi-final clash. The match was originally rained off the weekend before Christmas and Southend & District LTA chiefs have been trying to get the match played since
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Basildon: Workmen left family in a hole lot of bother
A Basildon mum is still waiting for engineers to switch her water supply back on - nearly a week after it suddenly broke down. Carla Spooner, 23, of Grimston Road, has been forced to live on takeaways and use neighbours and family members' toilets since
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Colchester: Lip bitten off in attack, jury told
A student had part of his bottom lip bitten off after he got involved in a fight at Essex University, a court heard. Matthew Boyle ran from the scene with blood pouring from his mouth but a court heard he did not realise how bad the injury was. It was
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Castle Point: Library spreads the big e-gospel
Castle Point library bosses have been making sure everyone is hooked up to the internet. It was revealed last week that millions of people in Britain have yet to send or receive an e-mail - but the borough's residents have no excuse. Castle Point public
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Tendring: We are knee-high in filth says resident
Is this the dirtiest road in Tendring? That's what some residents of Victoria Street, Dovercourt, believe. Alison Bevan, of Victoria Street, Dovercourt, said the road was supposed to be cleaned regularly. However, she claimed it was not and rubbish had
