Archive
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Boxing: Fruitful battle for Berry
A local match-up in the Essex Senior Schoolboys heavyweight title produced a hard-fought encounter. Stu St John of Basildon's Berry club eventually outpointed Huss Maldavann of Southend over four two-minute rounds at Tilbury's Toot Hall. Canvey's Jon
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Southend: Mother's shock as scaffolding smashes into home
A mother has spoken of her shock as scaffolding collapsed and smashed through the windows of her second-floor flat. Nicola Wilson, 27, said she felt lucky to have escaped unhurt after strong winds caused the top layer of the 50ft framework in Centre Place
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Brentwood: Council acted illegally over CCTV footage
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Brentwood Council contravened international human rights laws when it released CCTV footage of a suicidal man to a TV company for broadcast. The Strasbourg court ruled Geoffrey Peck's right to have his
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Soccer: Whitton speaks out
Steve Whitton has been forced to quit the job he always vowed he would never walk away from. After weeks of speculation and a poor sequence of results, the axe finally fell in a hastily-arranged board meeting to end his role as relegation threatened Colchester
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Athletics: Deacon leads locals home in Benfleet 15
Despite far from easy conditions, 297 of the 341 starters completed the annual Benfleet Running Club "15" Race. Victory went to Harlow's Alan Broughton in a time of 1 hr. 35 mins. 31 secs -- eight seconds clear of Leeds and Bradford Triathlon Club's Andrew
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Tilbury: Warm welcome for flats' security scheme
It was opening night on Broadway last night for the Tilbury estate's new £2million security scheme. The combined concierge and CCTV project has been implemented with the help of an £845,000 Government grant in a bid to reduce vandalism and anti-social
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Tennis: Bonham left playing the waiting game
Simon Bonham is facing a wait to find out who he will be facing in the semi-finals of the Southend & District LTA men's singles championship. The Westcliff Hardcourts player will meet either Wickford's Craig George or Southend Council's tennis development
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Colchester: House stormed in drugs raid
Police stormed a house early today in the latest phase of a Colchester anti-drugs operation. A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs during the 7am raid in Tippett Close, Greenstead. Sgt Dave Salmon, of the tactical team,
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Clacton: Ocean row son in no danger says mum
The mother of solo disabled rower Andrew Halsey today hit back at claims that her son is in a "do or die" bid to cross the Pacific Ocean. The 45-year-old has battled with strong winds and choppy seas since setting off from Peru in November, in his 29ft
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Chelmsford, Colchester: Train breaks down
More than 100 passengers were delayed for more than two hours after a train broke down on on its way to Colchester. Rail users were left stranded on Chelmsford viaduct as the rescue locomotive set out to make repairs. An Anglia Railways spokesman said
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Essex: Princess Royal set to visit county
A royal visit for the county was today confirmed by Buckingham Palace. It has been revealed Princess Anne will make a whistle-stop tour of a number of venues around the county. Three south Essex venues have been revealed - a fourth is being kept under
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Soccer: West Ham United 2-1 Blackburn Rovers (Premiership)
At the end they stood and cheered as if this result had secured the Premiership trophy, never mind giving a vital shot in the arm to their survival hopes. But for the West Ham supporters and players, last night's win was a watershed. Success at home -
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Dovercourt: Treasure was a blast from the past
A treasure hunter took an unexploded bomb he discovered on the beach back home with him. Army bomb disposal experts from Colchester blew up the 30cm shell in Dovercourt today after a youngster unearthed it with his metal detector. The shell, described
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Southend: Unhappy start to new year
A woman watched helplessly as a man repeatedly kicked her car early on New Year's Day. Southend Magistrates' Court heard she found a man bleeding profusely and leaning on her Ford Orion in the Royals car park in Southend at 3.45am. Terry Clark, 23, of
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Basketball: Essex Leopards 64 - 84 Newcastle Eagles (BBL championship)
Friday's game at the Brentwood Centre reinforced the view that the Eagles are a team that the leopards have major difficulties getting past. It was the third meeting of the two teams and significantly it was the third victory for the team from the North
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Castle Point: Hunt on in quest for more homes
Potential housing land in Castle Point and long-vacant homes are to be identified in an investigation. The council is undertaking a study to find out which sites could be developed and whether empty properties could be lived in again. In a report to a
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Manningtree: Road to close at crossing
The roadway over the level crossing near Manningtree station in Lawford is to be closed to traffic over the next two weekends. The closure is to enable work to be carried out on the railway track. The crossing will be closed from 11.30pm on Saturday to
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Castle Point: Volunteer Suzi's call-up to youth
A supremo volunteer today claimed she had the perfect antidote for Castle Point's bored youths. Forget new skateparks, Suzi Brutnell - a leading voice for the borough's volunteer bureau - feels youngsters should focus their energies on helping others.
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Essex: Image problem of county jobs
We need to change our image to recruit and retain staff, particularly teachers and social workers, according to Essex County Council. The county needs the equivalent of 246 full-time teachers and 245 full-time social workers, as well as people to perform
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Basildon: Contract boost for BAE
Part of a multi-billion pound defence contract has been won by a British firm which has a major base in Basildon. The Government has ended weeks of speculation by announcing that two new aircraft carriers will be built by BAE Systems, which has premises
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Thurrock: £32m to boost recycling
Thurrock Council is to spend £32million in a bid to meet Government waste disposal and recycling targets. The council and waste disposal giant Cleanaway have joined forces in a five-year partnership aimed at doubling the amount of rubbish recycled in
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Hockey: Pelicans 1-0 Brentwood (Printwize East League Premier B Division)
A much improved performance from Brentwood failed to produce any pointsbut will have provided some encouragement for their forthcoming games. The pattern of the game soon set itself in the first half with the home side having the majority of possession
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Braintree, Witham: Rail improvements halted
Long-awaited improvements to the rail link between Braintree and Witham announced last week with a fanfare have now been shunted into the sidings. Meanwhile rail commuters have called in independent auditors in a bid to save a proposed £500,000 bridge
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Southend: Art of friendship
This year's Leigh art trail could feature work from Poland following a meeting of cultural leaders. Linked by art - Leigh landscape photographer Charlie Skelton, centre, with Sopot photographer Margosia Chicocka and Sopot mayor Maciej Rusek Picture: ROBIN
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Rochford: United protest over payout
Councillors of all political parties united at Rochford District Council to condemn the Government for the amount of cash it has received over recent years. Despite an increase this year, Rochford still receives the 14th lowest amount per head of population
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Southend: Suspect flees police station
Security was called into question at the police station in Victoria Avenue, Southend, after a shoplifting suspect escaped through a damaged gate. Aun Shabbir, 40, of West Road, Southend, was recaptured in minutes and app-eared before Southend magistrates
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Southend: Makeover for Bond Street of town
Traders and councillors today hailed a £500,000 Government handout to ease traffic and parking in one of Southend's shopping centres. Hamlet Court Road, in Westcliff, won the cash for a series of projects to improve the layout for motorists, cyclists,
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Soccer: Dagenham and Redbridge 1-4 Southend United Reserves (Essex Senior Cup)
Southend United cruised into the semi-final of the Essex Senior cup after crushing Dagenham and Redbridge at Victoria Road. And second-string coach Steve Tilson said last night's goal blitz was the perfect pick me up tonic for his side who had lost their
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Clacton: Talks restart on future of town centre
A major scheme to revitalise Clacton town centre will be back on the table next month. Essex County Council made a bid for £1 million of special funding, which was to be spent on the revamp, but it was unsuccessful. The Government rejected the plea at
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Chelmsford: Racial assault on petrol attendant
A petrol station is increasing its night staffing after an attendant was the victim of a racist attacker. The attacker lashed out at the 55-year-old BP filling station attendant at the Boreham service area in Chelmsford because he was refused access to
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Chelmsford: Solicitor - 'nightmare' finally over
Solicitor Sally Clark today told how she was trying to put her nightmare behind her at her mid Essex home Mrs Clark - jailed for life for the murders of her two baby sons - was yesterday dramatically freed by the Court of Appeal after her conviction was
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Maldon: New hospital not at St Peter's
The Primary Care Trust is keeping tight-lipped about possible locations for Maldon's new £20 million community hospital - but it has thrown out the idea of building it on the site of St Peter's. Instead, St Peter's Hospital, which is partly in a conservation
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Southend: Landslip tunnels theory
A network of forgotten tunnels thought to be beneath Southend's Cliffs Pavilion could be causing the landslip problems nearby, it was claimed today. Mike Assenheim, chairman of Shoeburyness Residents' Association and the Coalition of Borough Residents
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Braintree: Clamp down on drivers on school grounds
Young drivers who have been using Notley High School as a racetrack will be stopped from getting into the grounds by new gates and barriers. Notley Road residents have been disturbed by youths driving their cars around the car park and on the school fields
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Great Clacton: Murder probe after body found
Police today launched a murder investigation after a woman's body was discovered at her home in Great Clacton Jean Dicker, who was in her 50s, was found at the bungalow, in Craigfield Avenue, late last night The property was cordoned off and two officers
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Soccer: Who will take Layer Road hotseat?
A host of well known names in football are already being linked with the vacant Colchester United manager's job less than 24 hours after Steve Whitton was asked to quit the role. NIGEL CLOUGH, son of the legendary Brian Clough, is being hotly tipped in
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Witham: Robber escapes with shop cash
Police were today hunting a robber who threatened a shopworker and escaped with a "substantial" sum of cash. The raid took place at Fads homestyle shop in Newland Street, Witham, about 5.30pm yesterday The female member of staff, who is in her 50s and
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Canvey: Boatbuilders are on course for expansion
A buoyant Canvey business today revealed expansion plans and the creation of new jobs. Terry Croarkin runs South East Marine, his own boatbuilding firm, from the former Prout factory, in Point Road. He had to move the business to the 6,000 sq ft factory
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Brightlingsea: School to get a royal visitor
Brightlingsea is to get its first Royal visit in 80 years. The Princess Royal will be going to the Colne Community School next month to open new sports facilities on the site. A new artificial pitch and changing rooms costing £750,000 have recently been
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Brentwood: Sponsors in the running
There will not be any thirst problems at the Brentwood Charity Half Marathon and Fun Run in March thanks to generous sponsorship from Sainsburys. The Brentwood store in William Hunter Way have again agreed to keep the runners in the 13mile half marathon
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Witham: Wrecks to stay
Two rusting car wrecks, left next to a main road on the outskirts of Witham since the spring, have escaped a council clear-up because the land owner wants them there. Braintree District Council claimed last week that there had been a dramatic drop in
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Kirby Cross: Villagers set to protest over new homes plan
Protesters are expected to turn up in force tonight when plans to build 70 homes in their village are due to be discussed by councillors. Businessman Roy Bridgeman is hoping to build the mini-estate on the East Coast Disposal site off Thorpe Road, Kirby
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Southend: Home brawl after mum's will is read
A dad was given a six-month suspended jail sentence over a brawl with a nephew after the reading of his mother's will. Terrence Carrigan was also ordered to pay £2,000 compensation after his nephew needed surgery for a deep cut on his forearm. The fight
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Witham: Fresh row erupts over town bypass
A fresh row has erupted over the thorny issue of a northern bypass for Witham. A relief road has been mooted for years as a way of removing the need for traffic on the busy B1018 Braintree Road to drive to and from the A12 through Witham. Now the draft
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Braintree: Pensioner's fury at theft of plants
An elderly gardener is angry after thieves stole five plants from his garden. Harry Allen, 78, of Shelley Walk, Braintree, had five heather plants dug out of his front garden and he wants to find out who did it. He said: "I was given the plants as a present
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Colchester: Wine firm set to move HQ
One of Colchester's oldest family firms is moving its headquarters to Suffolk. Lay and Wheeler is opening a new HQ in Holton St Mary and a new distribution centre in Staffordshire. Going - the warehouse facility will be moved to a new distribution centre
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Chelmsford, Maldon: End of an era for independent trader
Chelmsford's oldest established independent town centre store, J H Clarke, is to close. Receivers moved in on Monday to wind up the debt-hit booksellers and stationers, and the company was placed into liquidation. The shock news means the loss of jobs
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Soccer: Fans 'he had to go'
Fans chief Jon Burns described Steve Whitton's exit as a 'sad but necessary step' for Colchester United. The U's supporters association chairman told the Gazette: "Steve deserves a lot of credit for everything he's achieved at the club, both as a player
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Benfleet: Vandals on brick throwing rampage
Despairing traders were today counting the cost after youths threw bricks through their windows causing thousands of pounds of damage - just days after graffiti was sprayed over their property. The windows at the hair salon, video store and Duo fashion
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Colchester: U-turn on icy pavements.
A U-turn has been made on icy pavements. Colchester Council had a general policy of not gritting or salting pavements and footways. But the council is now doing more to prevent falls after joining forces with public-spirited members of the community.
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Brentwood: Listed building to be rebuilt
A 400-year-old listed barn destroyed in a fire, which caused thousands of pounds worth of damage in October, is to be rebuilt. An application has been made to Braintree District Council for the reconstruction of the barn at Jenkins Farm, Kings Lane, Stisted
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Soccer: Webb lays into Blues
Former Southend United striker Daniel Webb today launched a scathing attack on Blues boss Rob Newman. The 19-year-old hitman left the Seasiders just before Christmas, joining Division Three rivals Hull City on a free transfer. And the young gun -- who
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Colchester: Lucy gives charity thumbs-up with trek to Morocco
A Colchester woman is planning to hitch-hike all the way to Morocco in aid of charity. Lucy Bond, 21, of Butt Road, will begin the 1,600-mile journey in Cambridge. The trip will raise money for Link Community Development, which supports education in Africa
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Soccer: Roeder's gamble pays off
West Ham manager Glenn Roeder admitted that he had to go against his natural instincts and gamble on a substitute to win him last night's game with Blackburn. Jermain Defoe came off the bench in the closing stages to score the crucial goal in the 2-1
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Soccer: Players in shock at Whitton's departure
Joe Keith and his Colchester United team-mates today spoke of their 'surprise and disappointment' at Steve Whitton's departure from Layer Road. The U's boss left by mutual consent yesterday after nine years with the club - the last three and half in the
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Holland-on-Sea: Diving for workshops
Final preparations are being made for a record-breaking diving attempt to raise money for charity. Mick Brown,50, a diving instructor for X Dive Association, is preparing to plunge into the swimming pool at Walton and stay there for as long as possible
