Archive
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Essex: Police use crime information boards
In a move to jog people's memories on crime, Essex Police have begun using similar tactics to those used for road accidents. A yellow board detailing the significant details of an accident is put up at the scene, appealing for information - and this week
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Braintree: Residents want homes site appraisal
Residents protesting about four new homes off Bradford Street, Braintree say an archaeological appraisal of the area is vital before before the development goes ahead. The Braintree Area Committee approved the application by Bowergrange Estates, despite
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Canvey: A celebratory drink for big draw winner
A Canvey commuter and his wife were today toasting their luck after winning a year's supply of beer. The good news has come after two months of heartache for the couple - eight weeks ago Christine Hook had to have her leg amputated. Mine's a pint - Jeremy
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South Essex: Planning threat from Gateway scheme
Powers to decide major projects shaping the multi-billion pound Thames Gateway project could be taken out of the hands of local people. Thousands of new homes, roads, factories and businesses could be built in a huge city on the banks of the Thames from
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Braintree: Girl, 16, beaten by mob
A teenager was taken to hospital after being attacked by a group of schoolgirls in Braintree town centre. The 16-year-old local girl was taken to Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, after the attack, which happened near the fountain in the town's High Street
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Clacton: Teamwork the key to success
Teamwork can help turn a good school into a very good one. That was the message from Clacton County High School headteacher John Clay to pupils who gathered with parents to enjoy their sucesses at a special celebration evening. The event at the school
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Canvey: Drainage plan to prevent flooding
Major drainage work is set to take place on one of Canvey's residential roads that has been badly affected by flooding, it has been revealed. People livingin Urmond Road have reported flooding on numerous occasions, claiming that the problem has continued
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Colchester: It Asda be a waxwing
A different species is getting its meals at Asda near North Station, Colchester. They do not use the car park or shopping trolleys but since arriving at the supermarket site a couple of days ago, they are being carefully watched. Watching the birdies
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Golf: Steve shines at Rochford
The course record set by Steve Weidner was the highlight of an exciting Rochford Hundred golfing year. Up to scratch - that is Rochford Hundred ace Steve Weidner seen receiving the Scratch Cup from Captain Howard Southwood watched by other major trophy
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Kirby Cross: There's a house in my garden
A single mother is waging a six-month battle with a housing developer which is building on land next to her home. Helen Cosgrave claims that Barratt Eastern Counties has taken four feet of her garden and knocked down her fence. But the firm denies it
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Soccer: Canvey in line for Grays cup clash
A potential Park Lane clash between old Essex rivals Canvey Island and Grays is the highlight of the quarter-final draw in the Ryman League's Bryco Cup. To earn the date at the Islanders, Grays, managed by ex Gulls' favourite Mark Stimson, must first
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Thundersley: Film buffs focus on silver screen
Film buffs are being invited to learn more about scores of their favourite movies. Anglia Polytechnic University is holding a day workshop focusing on music for the silver screen and everyone is welcome to go along. The day will examine the differences
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Southend: Clubber didn't slap his 'ex'
Night clubber John Pearson has been cleared of slapping his ex-lover on a dance floor. A jury found him not guilty of assault which would have made him in breach of a court restraining order imposed by Southend magistrates last year and forbids Mr Pearson
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Southend: Residents-only parking scheme
Homeowners today applauded plans to tackle parking hotspots in Southend by launching residents'-only permit schemes. Leigh Broadway and the roads running off it were areas singled out as among the worst spots for parking problems. Michelle Downs, 32,
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Soccer: Portsmouth Reserves 2-1 Southend United Reserves (Avon Combination League)
Southend United's reserves went down to a narrow defeat at Portsmouth, despite putting on a battling performance. Second-string coach Steve Tilson included three trialists in his youthful side: the Leicester City duo of goalkeeper Michael Price and frontman
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North Essex: Schools cheer at new league tables
Pupils and schools across north Essex are in an upbeat mood after scoring good marks in this year's school GCSE league tables. And Essex schools have scored a record high with their results continuing to rise over the last five years. They were then below
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Colchester: Elderly hit by new bogus team
A team of bogus plumbers have targeted elderly residents in Colchester. Among the victims of the cruel thieves, who tricked their way into homes by claiming they were working on blocked drains, was a 96-year-old man. And another elderly man, who lives
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Braintree, Witham: Rail link booming
The rail link between Braintree and Witham, once threatened by closure, is booming as never before. The seven-mile stretch of rural line is carrying over a third more passengers than it did before it was privatised in 1997, operators First Great Eastern
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Kirby-le-Soken: Pensioner dies in house fire
A disabled pensioner has died in a blaze at her village home. Kathleen Myall, 78, of The Street, Kirby-le-Soken, was found in the front room by firefighters. Frinton fire chief Colin Batten said today "It is a great tragedy - we are all very sorry." Firemen
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Colchester: Be loud for cancer cash bid
Flamboyant neckwear will help raise awareness and funds to help beat bowel cancer during next week's loud tie campaign. The Beating Bowel Cancer charity is asking men to wear loud, flamboyant ties and women to wear weird and wonderful scarves or ties
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Braintree: Bowling complex to create 40 jobs
A £2.5 million bowling complex is set to open within weeks - creating 40 jobs in Braintree. The centre, with 26 bowling lanes, will open next to the new cinema at the Freeport leisure development in February. The Number Ten bowling complex will be the
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Billericay: Child porn man jailed
A computer expert who was one of the brains behind an international paedophile group has been jailed. Martin Rayner, 53, was "the administrator" in the group, called the Tea Lovers, which made indecent videos of children as young as four. Rayner's barrister
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Braintree, Rayleigh: Lorry driver dies after vehicle overturns
A lorry driver has died in a road accident on the A120 Braintree bypass near Freeport. A 47-year-old man, of Rayleigh, died after the articulated lorry he was driving crossed the central reservation and overturned, landing on the Dunmow-bound track of
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Chelmsford: Crackdown on youth gangs a success
A police crackdown on gangs of youths hanging around Chelmsford town centre has been deemed a success. Three youths were arrested for minor public order offences out of the 20 stop checks that took place between 7pm and 10pm on Saturday night, and police
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Chelmsford: New jobs for new drink
Chelmsford-based soft drinks giant Britvic has taken on 40 new production line people to launch its new drink Freekee Soda a type of fizzy milk-shake The new line means that Britvic on the Widford Business Park west of town is at its busiest for ten years
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Boxing: Success for home fighters
Fighters from Harwich ABC punched their way to success at their annual club night. They didn't disappoint their home support with seven out of nine Harwich boxers winning their bouts in front of the capacity crowd at the town's Park Pavilion. With clubs
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Castle Point: Cabbie's fear over weapons
A cabbie today demanded tough action against people caught carrying weapons because drivers are "working in fear" of being attacked. Geoff Bradley, a cab driver in Castle Point for more than 13 years, says it is now commonplace for people, particularly
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Colchester: Empty houses put to good use
Hundreds of homes are lying empty in Colchester - despite hundreds of families being on the housing needs register. Colchester Council has set up two new areas of work to try to place homeless families in private sector accommodation and cut down on the
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Witham: Fears grow for missing woman
A young woman has gone missing without her prescribed medication. Nathalie Corbett, of Guithavon Street, Witham, was last seen on Saturday after travelling to London with a friend. The 24-year-old parted company from her friend at 6.30pm in the Liverpool
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Rayleigh: Ramraiders strike twice
Ramraiders have struck for the second time in five days at a Rayleigh off-licence. Four youngsters, aged about 16, drove a car into the front window of the shop in The Chase, before grabbing cigarettes and making off in another vehicle at around 3.30am
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Soccer: Blades will want cup glory
Richard Naylor believes Sheffield United will be doubly determined for FA Cup glory ahead of their mouth-watering showdown with Ipswich Town. The Division One form sides meet in a fourth-round tie on Saturday, just four days after the Blades' heart-breaking
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Basildon: New Five Links mystery
Mystery surrounds work to be started on improving the beleaguered Five Links estate, after the contractor was appointed in autumn 2002, but no contracts have been drawn up. Lovell - an outside contractor - has been appointed to start work on phase two
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Soccer: Whitton snaps up striker Williams
Colchester United have snapped up Crystal Palace striker Gareth Williams. The 21-year-old Welshman, will sign on a month's loan this afternoon and he goes straight into the squad for Saturday's home game against promotion-chasing Blackpool. U's boss Steve
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Angling: Hats off to Busby
Basildon Angling Centre squad member Alan Busby weighed in 19lb 7oz to take his third consecutive win in the Ridley Angling Products-sponsored Gloucester Park series. He pole fished caster baits from the incoming sluice and included a good chub in his
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Billericay: Community pot share-out
Organisations all over Billericay could be in line for part of a £22,000 cash bonanza tonight. Seven groups, ranging from the police to a parent and toddler group, have applied for a community development grant from Basildon District Council. Tonight,
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Swimming: SEALS take to the water
SEALS are set to make a big splash -- in a Southend Swimming Pool. For a brand new club has been set-up at the Belfairs Swim Centre in Leigh under that name dedicated to fulfilling the needs of disabled swimmers. Seal of approval - for the new disabled
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Soccer: Man on a Southend mission
Southend United's new first team coach Stewart Robson is already enjoying getting to grips with his Roots Hall role. The 38-year-old, who played in the top-flight as both a defender and midfielder with Arsenal, West Ham and Coventry City, officially began
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Clacton: Mum hits out at tree wreckers
A distraught mother has hit out at mindless vandals who destroyed a tree planted in memory of her daughter for the second time in three years Valerie O'Hare replaced the tree in Albany Gardens, Clacton, after it was smashed soon after it was planted.
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Tennis: Thrills and Spilletts at Lawn
Geoff and Nicky Spillett won the men's handicap final at Westcliff Lawn. But they were given a run for their money by Rob O'Dowd and Rob Hunter before they went down 6-3 4-6 6-4. Diana Caradus and Gill Sanderson won the ladies' title with a 6-2 6-3 win
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Colchester: Schools care for children of Gulf soldiers
Children can sometimes be forgotten in all the political rhetoric about the impending conflict with Iraq. But schools across Colchester are only too aware of the impact of conflict and overseas postings on children from Army families. Staff at Montgomery
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Golf: Darren's back with a bang
Rochford Hundred golfers came out of semi-enforced hibernation to play their January Saturday medal over the full 18-holes. Wet weather has restricted members to playing a few selected holes but last weekend saw the full course in action. And the rest
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Colchester: Drugs raid on flat - four held
A police team smashed its way into a Colchester flat and arrested four people as part of a drugs crackdown. The plain clothes officers raided the home in Greenstead, battering their way through the door just after 7.30am today. It is the latest phase
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Chelmsford: Prison fire
Firefighters were called out to tackle a blaze which could have been started deliberately at Chelmsford Prison. The fire broke out in a ground floor cell in C Block at the Springfield Road prison just after 4.30pm yesterday. Firefighters took about 20
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Crays Hill: Last ditch bid by travellers
Large numbers of travellers and their children could end up on the streets if they lose their fight for a permanent site, a public inquiry has heard. Speaking on the final day of the inquiry into the Crays Hill travellers' site, Neil Weeks, counsel for
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Vange: Aid for families of mixed race
Children from mixed race marriages and their parents are now able to get support thanks to the efforts of a Vange-based group. All Shades has launched a therapeutic service to help those children and parents cope with discrimination and abuse. The service
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Colchester: Troops - we are ready for war
Troops preparing to leave for the Gulf today said they were ready for anything. Soldiers from 3 Para, based at Colchester Garrison, spoke of the training they have been doing in preparation for any action in Iraq. Captain Jake Pounds, 28, said: "We have
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Frinton: Raiders scared off at golf club
Would-be thieves were foiled when they were scared off by a resident worker in a golf club. A burglary at Frinton Golf Club on the Esplanade was averted after thieves got a shock when they broke into the clubhouse at 3.45am on Monday. The alarm sounded
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Harwich: Study on port's impact on health
Health services will be affected by the development of Harwich International Port, it has been claimed. Tendring Primary Care Trust heard that a new container terminal at Bathside Bay could increase healthcare demands. Dr Sushil Jathanna, PCT director
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Canvey: EU threat to island status
Canvey could face a threat to its island status, thanks to the European Union. The new European plan reckons places which are attached to the mainland by "a rigid structure" should not be described as islands. Status - Canvey and Foulness could lose their
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Southend: Squeeze on tenants' right-to-buy
A Southend housing chief has said fewer council tenants will be able to buy their properties if Government changes to the right-to-buy scheme are enforced. Mike Gatredge, the council's assistant director of housing, said Government plans to restrict maximum
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Laindon: Man held as body is found
Murder squad detectives were today probing the death of a man whose blood-soaked body was found in a Laindon home. Police discovered the man - who has not yet been named - at a house in Kathleen Ferrier Crescent, Laindon. Standing guard - PC Bret Mercer
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Dovercourt: Struggling school praised for efforts
A primary school adjudged to be underachieving three years ago has made big strides. Those are the findings of Government inspectors, who have praised Chase Lane in Dovercourt for the efforts and progress it has made since its last report in 2000. They
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Brightlingsea: Motorcyclist died in rabbit crash
A motorcyclist died wheh he hit the back of a car which had slowed down for a baby rabbit to cross the road and was thrown into the path of an on-coming vehicle. Jason Jealous, who was riding his 1100cc Suzuki along Church Road, Brightlingsea, died instantly
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Canvey: Pupil power at council
Pupils from Castle View School, Canvey took time out from their lessons to find out more about local Government. In charge - Stacey Munro and Chris Marriott, both 16, were given a tour of the council chamber by mayor Charles Smith Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY
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Soccer: Amigos team gets kitted up
Members of the Amigos Mentoring Project football team were treated to a new kit this week thanks to sponsorship from local solicitors TMK. Amigos, a Youth Justice Board-funded initiative, is a mentoring scheme which works specifically with "hard to reach
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Bradwell, Great Baddow: Waterbiker killed during manoeuvre
A man riding a waterbike died after being involved in a collision with a friend's bike, an inquest heard. Michael Taylor, 32, died after trying to do a "doughnut" move on his waterbike in front of another rider. Mr Taylor's bike stopped dead in the water
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Soccer: Learn from Les pleads Roeder
Another disappointing defeat has forced West Ham boss Glenn Roeder to urge his defenders to learn from new signing Les Ferdinand. After yet more slack play at the back saw Hammers spurn the two own goals they enjoyed at Charlton, Roeder highlighted the
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Southend: Woman's 25-hour hospital ordeal
A 91-year-old woman suffering a severe chest infection was forced to wait 25 hours before being admitted to Southend Hospital, it was revealed today. Wheelchair-bound Margaret Dowling also had to sit in a waiting room for nine hours before a trolley was
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Soccer: Charlton Athletic 4-2 West Ham United (Premiership)
If bad luck and bad refereeing can explain some of Hammers recent defeats, this one was just plain bad. The only thing which was not lacking was spirit -- in every other area of this passionate London derby Glenn Roeder's men were found wanting. The first
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Dovercourt: Labourer hanged himself in Spain
A labourer hanged himself at a house he was working on in Spain, an inquest heard. Lindsey Sage, 27, of King George's Avenue, Dovercourt, had been abroad for about four months, living with his father, Alan, in Alicante. But the hearing was told that he
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Vange: Family face life on the streets
A 20-year-old mum of three due to be thrown out of her home by the council is concerned her children, including a three-week-old baby, will suffer as the family now face a life on the streets. The troubled Vange woman, her boyfriend Jay Robinson, 19,
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Chelmsford: Community punishment for drug dealer
Cannabis found by police in a car led to two young men facing court for their first time. Roger Davis, 23, of Springfield Park Avenue, Chelmsford admitted supplying cannabis and cocaine to friends. He received 150 hours community punishment. A 17-year-old
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Basildon: School repeats award win
Children and staff at a Basildon school were celebrating today after news it had been awarded a quality mark for the second time. Quality first - headteacher Gillian with pupils Jessica Allok, Danielle Keywood, Ayo Akinola, Sophie Pearce, Kyron Davis
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Soccer: Rovers sign McGavin
Stanway Rovers have completed the signing of former Harwich and Parkeston manager Steve McGavin. The ex-Colchester United striker, who also played for Birmingham and Wycombe, agreed terms at the Hawthorns yesterday and could make his debut in Saturday's
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Tennis: Westcliff derby for Jubilee crown
Westcliff Hardcourts set up a Jubilee Cup final date with Westcliff Lawn after enjoying a straight sets semi-final success. The Hardcourts saw off the challenge of Thorpe Bay three events to nil when the two clubs finally played their semi-final on Sunday
