Archive
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Basildon: Fury over clamps
Fury has erupted after scores of disabled drivers were wheel-clamped when new parking arrangements came into force in a shopping centre. Angry - Karen Bisson with daughter Eloise Cordwell Picture: LUAN MARSHALL Shocked motorists - many with severe disabilities
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Brentwood: New head at Endeavour
Brentwood's Endeavour School has named the successor to longstanding head teacher Peter Pryke. The new man in charge of the Hogarth Avenue school from this summer is current deputy head Michael Southgate. The 47-year-old is in his second spell at the
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Clacton: 'Despicable' thieves take paramedics' PlayStation
Thieves made off with a PlayStation when they raided Clacton Ambulance Station while paramedics were out on a call. They broke in through the back window on the building in Valley Road between 2am and 4am yesterday. The burglary was discovered when the
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Clacton: It's a dog's life for marathon runners
Two runners will be undertaking the London Marathon on Sunday - but without their fitness instructor. Denise Miller, 42, and David Sage, 46, of Clacton, will be taking part in the gruelling race for the first time but say none of it would have been possible
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Essex: County needs 160 teachers
More than 160 Essex teacher vacancies have already been announced for September, and the numbers are set to grow in the lead-up to the new academic year. Official numbers of vacancies have not yet been released by Essex County Council, which sent out
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Essex: New laws to protect us from clampers
New laws are being introduced to protect the public from rogue wheel clampers, it emerged today. Clampers, along with door supervisors, will be the first sections of the private security industry to be licensed and regulated by the new Security Industry
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Braintree: Town's voice could be heard on TV
Braintree could be on television if a pilot programme being filmed in the town gets the nod from TV bosses. Britvoice Productions will be recording a one-off programme, What the People Say, in Braintree on Thursday about current affairs, giving people
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Angling: Hard times as Dickens edged out
Steve Dickens was pipped at the post in his bid to win the Kent Flounder League. The Stanford-le-Hope angler lost by a single point to Kentish winner Dick Reeder, who claimed top spot with 13 points. The league was contested over four rounds and Dickens
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Southend: Police fears for growth in town's nightclubs
Southend's police chief today spoke of his fears over the town's booming nightlife. Chief Supt Mick Thwaites is concerned about a lack of trained security staff and CCTV coverage around clubs. Public transport is also not good enough to support yet more
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Colchester: Fight for 30mph limit to continue
Another round in the lengthy battle over a speed limit for the Northern Approaches Road (NAR) has been fought out. A 40mph limit has once again been backed for the new road which bisects Myland, Colchester. The decision for the limit was approved by members
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Rugby: Sweating on Mac fitness
Southend are brimming with confidence ahead of their final push for the National League is in Norwich on Saturday, but they may have to make it without key forward Dave McDonald. The flanker injured his knee early on in the vital home win over Hertford
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Soccer round-up: Late goals dent Harwich's survival hopes
Harwich and Parkeston boss Mitchell Springett praised his side's '110 per cent commitment' after they went down 2-1 at AFC Sudbury. The Shrimpers conceded the winner four minutes from time, having taken the lead through Michael Brothers. He raced onto
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Colchester: Family's holiday ruined by thieves
Thieves have dashed a young family's holiday hopes after stealing more than £1,000 worth of camping gear. Terry and Lisa Tarman were devastated when they discovered all their kit had been taken in a break-in. Disappointment - Lisa and Terry Tarman with
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V Festival: Moloko bringing it back to V
Pop dance band Moloko will "bring it back" to the Essex V Festival for the third time since it began eight years ago. Having played at V98 and V2000 the band, featuring Mark Brydon and Roison Murphy, now return to Hylands Park in Chelmsford to join chill-out
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Basildon: Dangerous? Shop date was snip
Novelist Martina Cole was far from a dangerous lady when she helped to reopen a Basildon book shop. Ceremony - writer Martina Cole grabs the scissors as shop manager Gina Brown and a furry pal lend a hand Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY The Ottakar's book shop,
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Cricket: Big-hitting Napier shines in openers
Honours finished even as Essex and Middlesex warmed up for the new season at Chelmsford yesterday with a couple of matches played out under the Twenty20 Cup regulations. The competition starts this summer and the format saw the visitors romp to an easy
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Essex: County is homeless blackspot says charity
Essex has one of the highest numbers of homeless families in the east of England, according to Shelter. New figures published covering last year, show that out of 686 families in the county in need of assistance by the charity organisation, 66 per cent
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Basildon: Britain must pay for war with Iraq
A leading member of the Muslim community in Basildon today warned that the post-war cost of the Iraq conflict will have to be paid by Britain - and not the US. Sarfraz Sarwar, chairman of the Basildon Islamic Society, believes that Britain can now expect
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Colchester: Council staff struggle to clear backlog of fines
A surge in the number of drivers trying to get parking fines overturned is jamming council offices. Colchester Council is struggling to clear a backlog of appeals after new parking rules were brought in last year, the Evening Gazette can reveal. Chiefs
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Basildon: Boy in robbery terror
Police are hunting two knife-weilding robbers who terrified a schoolboy aged 14 into handing over his money. The boy was walking along Hereford Walk, on the Craylands estate, Basildon at around 11.45pm on Saturday. Two young men asked him for a light,
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Colchester: New speed camera for road
Sixty per cent of drivers using a stretch of road in Colchester were speeding, research has discovered. The section of Ipswich Road was tested for 24 hours to decide whether to put a new speed camera there. It was found that most people were breaking
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Southend: Have-a-go heroine praised by police
A Southend woman who ran to the aid of a police officer being threatened with a knife is among heroes being honoured this week by Essex Chief Constable David Stevens. Jennifer Robinson showed no concern for her own safety when she ran to help an officer
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American Football: Cambridge Cats 21-0 Southend Sabres
The Sabres suffered a disappointing start to their campaign as they were shut out in a 21-0 defeat at Cambridge Cats. A combination of injuries and family commitments meant the squad was reduced to just 15 men, but the hosts could still only force two
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Essex: Budget 2003 updates
Updates will be available on this site for this year's budget from 12.30pm today. This Is Essex will be covering the key parts of the speech so you can find out how you will be affected by the chancellor's plans. A full in-depth round-up of the budget
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Fingringhoe: First nightingale flies back to park
The first male nightingale to arrive from Africa was heard singing at the Fingringhoe Wick nature reserve on Friday the earliest date a nightingale has been recorded there. Wardens are expecting that the reserve will soon be paying host to 30 other males
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Canvey: Thug's stab threat at petrol station
Police are hunting a thug wielding a wheelbrace who threatened to stab a man at a petrol station. The incident, which police believe was unprovoked, happened at the Costcutter petrol station, in Small Gains Avenue, Canvey, at around 6.30pm yesterday.
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Billericay: Wanted! Where is he?
Do you recognise this man? Police want to talk to him in connection with an attempted burglary at a solicitor's office in Billericay High Street at 5.20pm on February 28. Hunt - do you know where he is? He entered the offices and assaulted a male staff
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Hockley: Play on safety
Pupils and staff at the first primary school children to see a special road safety play in Southend have hailed it a success. Getting the road safety message across - pupils watch the performers Picture: LUAN MARSHALL Children at Westerings School in
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Westcliff: Cash boost for Hamlet Court Road
Another major cash boost has been given for improvements in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff - one of Southend's best known shopping streets. The council has received £500,000 from local transport fund allocation to continue work on the important road safety
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Colchester: Pop star drops in to treat students
Pupils at Thomas, Lord Audley School and Language College enjoyed a special performance by a member of garage outfit So Solid Crew. Lisa Maffia's appearance at the college in Monkwick Avenue, Colchester, was a reward for 300 pupils who had a good attendance
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Thurrock: Busy Easter for arts
Thurrock Council's Youth Arts and Arts Development team is planning an exciting programme of music and dance for the Easter period. Two specialists and a host of helpers will create a 40-strong stilt dancing, samba band using junk and other materials
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Southend: Police fears on club boom
Southend's police chief today spoke of his fears over the town's booming nightlife. Chief Supt Mick Thwaites is concerned about a lack of trained security staff and CCTV coverage around clubs. Public transport is also not good enough to support yet more
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Soccer: Doctor stitched us up claims Liddle
Darlington captain Craig Liddle has blamed Southend United's club doctor for the Quakers' 2-0 Roots Hall defeat on Saturday. The defender missed the last 15 minutes of the first-half, having stitches inserted in a cheek wound, following a clash with Shrimpers
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Thurrock: Police blitz on teen terrors
Police have hailed as a success a crackdown on the gangs of loitering youths who have terrorised residents for months. Three constables and three specials swooped on groups of up to 20 teenagers in a series of high visibility patrols along Crammavill
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Essex: Budget 2003 key points
The Chancellor has delivered the 2003 Budget. The key points of the speech were: Duties/charges Freeze on stamp duty on property Planned 1.28% rise in fuel deferred until Oct 1, deferred longer or scrapped if international situation means oil prices stay
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Southend: Pupils flee school blaze
Hundreds of students were evacuated from their school when fire started in a classroom. Around 200 pupils at Southend High School for Girls, in Southchurch Boulevard, Southend, collected outside the school at 8.01am today. Two engines from Southend fire
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Rochford: Record pressure
Campaigning Rotarians were today waiting to see if they have broken the world record for the number of blood pressure checks in one day. Under pressure for the record - Sue Monro is checked by Ronah Hayden Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL Rochford Rotary Club
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Benfleet: Tree felling plans put on ice
A barrage of complaints by residents in a Benfleet street have forced Castle Point Council to postpone a tree felling programme. People living in Arcadian Gardens were furious when tree surgeons began cutting back birch trees on Monday morning. When approached
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Canvey, Southend: Concern over Careline plan
Residents in Canvey who use a council-run emergency careline fear that help will not reach them in time after it was announced that the service is to be taken on by neighbouring Southend Council. The service run by Castle Point Council, will be discontinued
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Westcliff: Staff worry at socket
Firefighters were called out after staff at a Westcliff mobile phone store saw smoke coming from an electrical fitting. Crews from Southend fire station arrived at the Carphone Warehouse in Prince Avenue at 3pm yesterday but found shop workers had already
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Brentwood: Fire rips through barn
Firefighters were still damping down today after a raging inferno ripped through a farmyard barn in south Essex. Smoke could be seen for miles as firefighters battled for more than three hours to bring the flames under control. Crews arrived at the scene
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Soccer: Wealdstone 0-2 Aveley (Ryman One North)
Aveley added to the misery of their hosts by pulling off a 2-0 win. It was the latest in a long-line of recent disasters for a side who have now dropped completely out of a Ryman Division One North promotion race which they were heavily involved in for
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Basketball: Greensward slip at final hurdles
Hockley's Greensward College girls fought out two national schools basketball cup finals at Hemel Hempstead -- but lost them both. The under-19s took on Ellesmere Port and were beaten 86-56, while the under-16 were up against Northampton High and went
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Soccer: Williams pledges future to U's
Geraint Williams today pledged his immediate future to Phil Parkinson and Colchester United. The 41-year-old former Welsh international has signed a new deal to remain at Layer Road as manager Parkinson's assistant. But neither he nor the club were prepared
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Southend: Bus group attacks 'daft' fare rules
It has been revealed that the biggest complaint by bus users in Southend is the local authority's failure to join up to a successful shared ticket scheme in the borough. The Southend Area Bus User Group said tickets issued by First and Arriva cannot be
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Southend: Anguish for gardener
Heartless thieves left disabled Norman Kerner devastated when they stole ornaments from a garden dedicated to his late wife. Mr Kerner, 48, was shocked to find half the front-garden ornaments missing from his home in Chaingate Avenue, Southend. They formed
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Southend: Hunt for gunman
Police are still hunting a gunman who shot a man in the face in the street. The suspect has been on the run since the incident in Glenhurst Road, Southend, on Friday morning. The victim, a man in his 30s, was shot in the face with a pellet gun and was
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Pitsea: Has the bottom fallen out of disposables?
Babies and toddlers will be throwing off their disposable diapers and enjoying the effect of reusable nappies - as part of Real Nappy Week. Parents will be given free trial packs of reusable nappies this week so they can see for themselves the cost, health
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Basildon: Groups working for good of community
Voluntary and community organisations have set up an agreement to work together for the benefit of Basildon. The agreement is designed to help local groups provide effective and high quality services through a shared vision. Its aim is to create "a Basildon
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St Osyth: School bus proposal sparks safety fears
An anxious mother has told of her fears for children's safety due to possible changes being looked at for home-to-school transport. Della Street, of Point Clear Road, St Osyth, is worried over Essex County Council's possible change of policy which would
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Basildon: Close shave for burger boss Ayhan
The boss of the four McDonald's restaurants in Basildon has had his head shaved for charity. Ayhan Isikgun, is the franchise holder of the McDonald's in Laindon, Basildon town centre, the Festival Leisure Park and the Mayflower Retail Park, along with
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Colchester: Gatekeepers collect crime information for police
A network of "gatekeepers" has been set up to gather information about crime and disorder in Colchester. The volunteers, who include councillors, council officers, police officers and other members of the community, will fill in forms about persistent
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Essex: Business group welcomes budget
Chancellor Gordon Brown's measures to slash red tape for small businesses have been welcomed by one local business group. Pat Smith, Chief Executive of Business Link for Essex, which provides affordable, unbiased advice to small and medium sized companies
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Basildon: Diva party
Bosses at Basildon nightclub Diva are reminding partygoers to head back to the 60s, 70s and 80s and raise money for charity. The club, on the Festival Leisure Park, will host a fancy dress charity night on Easter Sunday for the over 25s. And Ikon and
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Cricket: New club for Essex ace Ronnie
Ronnie Irani will be able to cause havoc in London when he joins the likes of Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill and Florence Nightingale as a member of an exclusive club. The Essex skipper kicks off his benefit season next Wednesday with a trip to London's
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Benfleet: We're the pirates
Goodies, baddies and an array of colourful costumes are promised as more than 40 actors tread the boards to perform Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance. Pirates at the ready - the cast will perform the show from tomorrow until Saturday Picture:
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Hockey: Brentwood 2-2 Ipswich (Printwize East League Premier B Division)
In their final match of the season, it was imperative for their Premier B survival that Brentwood managed to get some kind of result against the second-in-the-table Ipswich II. As expected, the early pressure came from the travelling side who needed to
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South Essex: Driver dies in horror crash on busy A127
The A127 has claimed another life following a horrific road smash. A man, from the Southend area, died last night - close to the site of a double-fatal road crash last month. Scene of the fatality - the busy A127 Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL The 28-year-old
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Soccer: Richards relishing first-team role
Matt Richards has been relishing his run in the Ipswich Town first-team. The Blues' left-sided defender only broke into the full squad at the turn of the year, but since the departure of fans favourite Herman Hreidarsson, the 18-year-old has been filling
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Frinton: Children target vets' surgery
Police believe children as young as ten years old are responsible for an attack on a vets' surgery. Vandals targeted Haven Veterinary Practice in Elm Tree Avenue, Frinton, smashing five windows. It is believed the youngsters, who were spotted by a passerby
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Canvey: Drop-in centre plan for young carers
A drop-in centre will provide respite for youngsters caring for a sick parent or sibling. Castle Point Crossroads is behind the scheme to convert a factory unit on Charfleets Farm Way, Canvey, into the centre for young carers. Chairman of directors, John
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Westcliff: Company swindler escapes jail term
A man who swindled his company out of £10,000 by stealing computers he ordered for customers has escaped jail. Steven Watkins, 33, of Valkyrie Road, Westcliff, who has had to remortgage his home, has been ordered to do 100 hours community punishment and
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Southend: Be proud of your town, says George
The people of Southend should stop knocking the area and put across the message that it is a great place to live, work and play, says town clerk George Kraweic. He made his plea at the opening of Essex University's new Southend Centre at Princess Caroline
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Southend: We'll row to a new record
Southend Pier is set to be the finish line for a gruelling record breaking attempt by three plucky rowers. Paul Gibbons, Adrian Harper and Stever Foster from Tolworth Gymnastics club in south west London are set to row 177 miles in the record bid. They
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Rayleigh: We have no plans for Essex - asylum firm
A Rayleigh company which finds homes for asylum seekers today insisted it had no plans to place them in south Essex. Clearsprings Management, based on the Brooke Road industrial estate in Rayleigh, has grown "significantly" since it was set up nearly
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Soccer: Southend United reserves 2-1 Crystal Palace reserves (Avon Insurance Comb)
Trialist hitman Rocky Baptiste delivered the knock-out blow as Southend United's second-string beat runaway Avon Insurance Combination league leaders Crystal Palace at Roots Hall. The Farnborough Town striker, who netted at Premiership giants Arsenal
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Eastwood: Lessons in how to clown around
Youngsters got the chance to learn a wide range of entertaining skills when their school held a special Circus Day to mark the end of term. The Eastwood Junior School in Rayleigh Road, Eastwood, was visited by Doody the entertainer as part of the day
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Thorpe Bay: Drinking licence will cause rise in vandalism - residents
Homeowners in Thorpe Bay have told of the fear and intimidation they face at the hands of vandals. They spoke out to object to an application for an alcohol licence for a restaurant in The Broadway in Thorpe Bay. The application for the San Fairie Anne
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Rugby: Basildon boasts magnificent seven
Seven of Basildon Rugby Club's brightest young stars have been selected for Eastern Counties League team this season -- and they also helped their club to impress at a tournament in Wales at the weekend. Hard-working scrum-half Sarah Howard is one of
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American Football: Essex Spartans 21-0 Chiltern Cheetahs
Spartans got off to a great start to the South-east Conference season with a comprehensive shut-out win over Chiltern. After last year's slow start cost the Basildon-based club a run at the play-offs, the club have kicked off with a result which justifies
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Angling: Lake springs into life
Aquatels has really woken up with more specimen fish coming to the banks. The angler of the week title went to John Harper with the capture of a 28lb 14oz common carp from the Essex pool together with a 16lb fully scaled mirror. Russ Morley fished the
