Archive
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Harwich: Lifeline over restaurant plan
Residents fighting plans to set up a new restaurant in Harwich's conservation area have been thrown a lifeline. Suffolk Life Annuities want to establish the business in Market Street and is proposing to replace three shops and flats with the restaurant
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Soccer: Tilly set for new contract reward
Southend United's youth and reserve team coach Steve Tilson will be rewarded with a Roots Hall contract extension next week. The 36-year-old, who is in his testimonial year with Blues, is due to sit down with Shrimpers owner Ron Martin to negotiate a
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Benfleet: Bright sparks wanted
Brainy Benfleet families were today urged to take part in the town's first multi-generational game of general knowledge - before it's too late. The Bright Sparks quiz, which began on Monday and ends tomorrow, is being run by bosses at the Old Mill Harvester
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Bowers Gifford: Getting closer to nature
Children at a primary school will be able to pond dip and learn more about the natural world thanks to a new platform in their pond made by an A Level student at Chalvedon School. Pupils at St Margaret's Primary School, Bowers Gifford, which is part of
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Clacton: Set sail for a family fun day
A family fun day is being held to help boost funds and encourage more people to join a sailing club. Clacton Sailing Club has about 150 members but there is still room for more. Dennis Wood, press officer for the club, said: "Anyone who is interested
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Mid-Essex: Councillor - county 'too gentlemanly' over Stansted expansion
Essex is being too gentlemanly over the threat posed by the possible expansion of Stansted Airport, the county council's cabinet member for highways, Councillor Rodney Bass, told the Mid-Essex Area Forum in Halstead on Tuesday. The forum heard a presentation
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Colchester: Police honour war veteran Charlie
A war veteran who has raised more than £30,000 for the Poppy Appeal has been honoured for his fundraising. Charlie Carter, who served in the Second World War, was invited to Colchester police station where Chief Supt Dave Murthwaite presented him with
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Braintree: Easter fun raises children's charity cash
Easter celebrations raised more than £500 for a disabled children's charity. The raise the rabbit competition in Braintree's George Yard shopping centre was slightly hampered by the windy weather but the fundraising event still managed to raise £550 for
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Southend: Bid to aid busy carers
More than 16,000 Southend people act as unpaid carers for relatives or friends, it was revealed today. The figure, nearly ten per cent of the borough's population, was discovered through census research. Now Southend Carers' Forum wants to ensure all
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South Essex: 'Stop foreigners fishing here'
A south Essex MP today demanded that Britain should "take back her seas" and stop foreigners fishing in her waters. Tory Bob Spink's outburst came after shadow fisheries minister John Hayes visited Leigh to chat to fishermen and MPs about the future of
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Heybridge: Laurence has designs on town
Celebrity designer Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen was in Essex today, filming the new series of Changing Rooms. And he revealed he comes to the county quite regularly to visit his hairdresser. Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen is currently filming in the county As the
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Braintree: Elizabeth is champion at weight loss
Braintree slimmer Elizabeth Daminger has proved she is a champion when it comes to losing weight - by shedding 8st 4lbs in 14 months. Elizabeth, 29, has been given the Greatest Loser 2003 award by Slimming World for her amazing weight loss.She began a
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Soccer: Locals would join new set-up
The four local Ryman Premier clubs would all have been accepted in what would have in effect been a new regionalised Nationwide Conference Second Division if it had gone ahead next season. A total of 19 Ryman clubs paid cash sums of £1,750 each, which
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Harold: Basball bat attack halts night bus services
An astonishing attack by thugs wielding baseball bats has forced bus companies to declare Harold Hill a 'no bus zone' claiming it is too dangerous to drive through after dark. Residents face becoming stranded because bus companies say no more buses will
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Pilgrims Hatch, Warley: Bus route proposal on hold
An ambitious bid to establish an evening bus service between Pilgrims Hatch and Warley appears to have been stopped in its tracks. Hopes were high that the popular number 73 bus route could be extended into the late evening. The borough's cross party
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Cricket: Rain halts Essex bowlers
Rain halted play in the County Championship game between Warwickshire and Essex at Edgbaston this afternoon. The home side were 446-7 after 114 overs by 5pm today. Warwickshire earlier added 35 runs to their overnight score for the loss of no wickets.
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Clacton: Pensioner in row over rubbish bags
A pensioner has threatened to dump her rubbish on Clacton Town Hall steps and suffer the consequences if she does not get her supply of bin bags. Faye Douglas-Smith, who has lived in the town for 40 years, said she missed out on a delivery of bags and
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Leigh: Ricky becomes a TV shed guru
The weird and wonderful world of sheds has given Leigh builder Ricky Tate his big break on TV. Ricky, 30, has been chosen as the joint presenter of Shedheads, shown on the cable and satellite Discovery Home and Leisure channel. Shed expert - Ricky Tate
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Snooker: Bingham bids to be top of the pots
Tournament professional Stuart Bingham faces a tough fight in his bid to win the Vic Harris Snooker League singles title. Basildon-based Bingham, who plays for the Executive Club in Leigh, won through to the final by beating Basildon A's Simon Marlton
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Essex: UFO sighting in county skies
A UFO was spotted over Mersea Island just 90 minutes before a passenger jet pilot reported a similar sighting at Stansted. Police have confirmed the "experienced" Boeing 737 captain radioed air traffic control to report a UFO just two miles from the airport
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Clacton: It's the milky bar kids
A Clacton junior school has become the first primary in Essex to provide a new milk facility for their 440-pupils. The milk bar has been put in by farmer-owned dairy business First Milk and school caterers Scolarest. The aim is to provide youngsters with
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Kelvedon: Car park dispute heads to court
A bitter row between a village club and the local store is to be argued before a judge in the High Court. Kelvedon Labour Club and the Colchester and East Essex Co-operative Society have been locked in a fierce dispute over the use of a car park since
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South Essex: Vigil by protest group
Protesters are to hold a 24-hour vigil outside a petrol garage tomorrow as part of a long-running campaign. Members of Essex Greenpeace are organising the vigil at the Esso station at Kent Elms Corner on the A127. They will camp on the footpath from 8pm
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Aldham: Village to unveil new playing field
The millennium is just a hazy memory to most people but the celebrations are still going on in one Colchester village. Aldham is getting ready to officially unveil its millennium playing field 1,240 days after moving into the 21st century. The village
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Southend: Car park man, 19 plunges to death
A 19-year-old man has become the sixth victim in four years at a multi-storey car park which is known as a notorious suicide blackspot. Notorious suicide spot - the Victoria Plaza car park Picture: MAXINE CLARKE Police are treating the death at the Victoria
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South Woodham: Club-in-a-factory bid to beat youth problem
An ambitious plan to create a multi-purpose youth facility in South Woodham Ferrers could solve the town's youth problems for good. Following on from its success with the Compass Gardens skateboard park, the Youth Council will be meeting next Wednesday
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Basildon: It's party time for Dominic
The latest addition to Basildon's Labour Party will not be at the polls next Thursday - because he will be only two weeks old. Dominic was born on Wednesday to Fryerns Labour candidate Julia Woods, Labour's housing portfolio holder. Mrs Woods does not
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Thundersley: Mum's moan at playground
A mother today criticised the council for ripping out old play equipment, leaving the site looking "like Baghdad" during the school holiday. Paula Jarvis, of The Finches, Thundersley, spoke out as Castle Point Council contractors demolished the playground
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Southend: Chance to have your day in court
A tour of the cells and a prison van are among the attractions at an open day with a difference this weekend. Southend Magistrates Court is throwing open its doors on Saturday to give the public a behind-the-scenes look at the county's magistrates courts
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Soccer: Southend United reserves 1-1 Barnet reserves (Avon Combination)
Striker Tes Bramble and defender Stephen Broad both came through the entire 90 minutes of Southend United's second-string draw against Barnet at Roots Hall yesterday. Farnborough Town hitman Rocky Baptiste made his second reserve team outing for Blues
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South Essex: Probe after smash into roundabout hole
An investigation was being launched today to find out why a new roundabout has been left with a hole in the middle. The move comes after police revealed that one car had already crashed into the hole along the new A130 highway. Down and out - a crashed
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Colchester: Bar can open longer for now
A town centre bar in Colchester has been given permission to open for longer hours. Bar 33, in Crouch Street, can open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, but only for a six-month trial period to ensure it does not disturb nearby residents. Colchester
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Tennis: John amplifies guitar talents
Westcliff Hardcourts tennis ace John Tremaine has added a new string to his bow. Student Tremaine is already an accomplished tennis, rugby and hockey player, but his recently discovered talent for playing the guitar is paying dividends. Tremaine started
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Little Clacton: Cars and rubble dumped in layby
Fly-tippers are costing Tendring taxpayers hundreds of pounds as council workers battle to keep on top of a rising tide of litter and rubbish. The latest incident has seen cars, furniture and unwanted televisions dumped in a layby in Little Clacton Road
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Billericay: Hunt after arsonists torch sports centre
Arsonists who destroyed a cricket team's clubhouse were today being hunted by police following a £5,000 blaze. And cricket club officials fear that the latest outbreak of vandalism and anti-social behaviour at Hannakins Farm in Billericay could escalate
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Chelmsford: Anger over bank holiday fines
Motorists were still angry this week at being fined £60 for parking on yellow lines in Chelmsford on the Easter bank holidays. Drivers who had traditionally parked on single yellow lines during bank holidays, believing that there were no restrictions,
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Soccer: Outside chance for the play-off dream - Royle
Joe Royle is refusing to write off Ipswich Town's dwindling play-off dream but admits his side only have a 'very outside chance'. The Blues' quest to finish in the top six suffered a body-blow on Monday when they went down 2-1 at Rotherham. Now they need
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Basildon: Car unit's in top gear to cut crime
Basildon police have hit vehicle crime hard with a new specialist unit which has put more than 50 people before the courts in just three months. The Car Crime Unit was formed in mid-January after theft of, and from, cars reached a critical level. Last
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Vange: Lighter clue to garage inferno
A woman and her three children were today homeless after a blaze believed to have been started by one of the youngsters. Firefighters were called to the home in Redgrave Road, Vange, to find the adjoining side garage well alight and the house filled with
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Soccer: Perry Street turn the tables on US opponents
Billericay's Perry Street Under-13 girls had United States visitors Birmingham United FC Springboks lowering the Stars and Stripes last night. Just 12 months after being taught a soccer lesson by their visitors from Michigan, the Billericay girls gave
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Pitsea: Bottled by yobs
A father-of-three today told how surgeons were amazed he didn't die after being hit by bottle-wielding thugs he asked to stop ripping up his fence. Terry McKenna was left with blood gushing from a major artery which had been sliced open when he was smashed
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Canvey: Danger warning to young firebugs
Wasteland which has turned into a regular target for firebugs has been lit again - three times in two-and-a-half hours. Firefighters have been plagued with emergency calls to a huge area of grassland behind Safeway, off Northwick Road, Canvey. The latest
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Soccer: Wignall can take us forward
Southend United owner Ron Martin today revealed why he feels Steve Wignall is the man to revive Blues' ailing fortunes. The Shrimpers supremo named former Colchester boss Wignall as the Third Division club's new manager at the weekend. New Blues boss
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St Osyth: Power cut ruins family's break
A family has told how their holiday break to their seaside caravan was ruined by a 14-hour power cut. Ian MacMaster, his wife and two young grandchildren packed up and returned home following the blackout at Seawick Holiday Park in St Osyth. Mr MacMaster
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Westcliff: More flats added to woodyard plans
Three extra flats are being planned for a controversial scheme on the site of a former woodyard in Fairfax Drive, Westcliff, it has been revealed. It is the latest in a number of amended schemes for the site, which has been derelict for a number of years
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Castle Point: Silent councillors? It could just happen!
Youngsters with special needs are set to persuade top Castle Point councillors to join them in a sponsored silence. Children from Images Youth Centre for Young People in Furtherwick Road, Canvey, are to take part in the fundraising event. They intend
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Soccer: Posties half way to quadruple glory
Basildon Post Office continue to stamp their authority in the last-ever season of the Southend Wednesday League and are now halfway through what they hope will be a clean sweep of the honours. Halfway to paradise - Basildon Post Office have now won two
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Braintree: Find your family
Braintree library is giving residents a chance to find out more about their town and family at a special open day next month. As part of adult learners week, the library in Fairfield Road is holding a local history and family event on Saturday, May 10
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Cricket: Troughton and Brown torment Essex
Batsmen Jim Troughton and Dougie Brown helped Warwickshire to a commanding score of 411-7 against Essex on day one of their County Championship Division One match at Edgbaston. Essex had made a promising start with new paceman Scott Brant taking three
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Golf: Thorpe duo set sights on big prize at Lynn
A golf trip of a lifetime awaits Thorpe Hall amateur Howard Lawrie and club pro Bill McColl if they can come through the next stage of Europe's biggest pro-am competition, the Lombard Trophy. Lawrie took his first big step towards a luxury five-day trip
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Maldon: Leisure centre opens £2m extension
A £2 million extension to Maldon's Blackwater Leisure Centre in Maldon was opened this week. The ceremony was performed by Maldon MP, John Wittingdale, and although the centre, in Park Drive, officially opened this week it has been up and running since
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Chelmsford: Vandals on town rampage
Vandals and thieves went on the rampage in Chelmsford over the Easter weekend, causing thousands of pounds' worth of damage to vehicles. Now police are warning car owners to be alert after the spate of crime which saw cars damaged or broken into. Although
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Jaywick: Parents celebrate after playground gets go-ahead
Proud mums are celebrating after learning work will finally start to get a site ready for a toddlers' playground. The mums have had their hearts set on having a playground at the Crossways, Jaywick, since the Surestart scheme was started in their area
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Golf: Lee and Kemp lead qualifiers
Rochford Hundred held their Hodsdon Pease qualifier over the weekend with the top eight from both days going through to the knock-out stage. The scoring was better on the more benign Saturday with a stronger wind taking its toll for the Sunday players
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Southend: Town centre pledges by college
A developer will plough thousands of pounds into Southend town centre if plans to develop South East Essex College's buildings are approved. Projects to streamline traffic and improve transport and public safety are being spearheaded by Hollybrook, which
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Southend: Blues invite families to season-end funday
Families are being invited to a day of entertainment at Southend United. The arrival of a new manager, Steve Wignall, and the ending of another season, are being marked with a funday. The second of its kind, the event this Saturday will begin at 2pm with
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Colchester: Boy, 6, keeps up fight for life
A Colchester child seriously injured in a collision with a car was this morning still fighting for his life. The six-year-old boy was taken to Colchester General Hospital after suffering serious head injuries when he was involved in the collision. It
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Walton: More time for beach hut protest
Dozens of seaside beach hut owners who were given a shock ultimatum to move their huts by the summer have been given more time. But the New Walton Pier Company which owns the site at the resort's South Beach, has warned the huts still cannot be used in
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Clacton: Pair told to move estate agency
A mother and daughter who sank their savings into an estate agents business have been given nine months to quit the premises because they have fallen foul of planning regulations. Kelly Shaw was in tears last night as Tendring councillors rejected plans
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Soccer: No room for Micky at U's
Micky Stockwell will say a final farewell to Colchester United fans in ten days time. The 38-year-old, who will retire from playing at the end of the season, is set to play in the U's last game against QPR on Saturday week. Stockwell wants to become a
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Toppesfield: Man jailed for sex offences
A 51-year-old man has been sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment for a series of sexual offences against two young girls. Phillip Ince, of Park Lane, Toppesfield, near Braintree, denied but was convicted by a Chelmsford Crown Court jury of seven
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Maldon: Moves to demolish church hall rejected
A popular church hall has been thrown a lifeline but it may not be enough to keep it open. Members of Maldon District Council's central area planning committee last night refused proposals to demolish All Saints' Church Hall, in London Road, and replace
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Witham: Former dentist banned
A retired Witham dentist was disqualified from driving for two years after police found him intoxicated behind the wheel of his Rolls Royce. Nils Folbirk, 56, of Bakers Mead, Great Waltham, gave a positive breath test when he was stopped by Chelmsford
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South Essex: Casino scheme is thrown out
Plans to build a new casino in south Essex have been given the thumbs down. The scheme, for the giant Chafford Hundred estate near Grays, was thrown out by members of Thurrock Council last night. Bannatyne Fitness wants to build the casino on land between
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Chelmsford: Night-time vote reminder
Night-time visitors to Chelmsford town centre on Friday and Saturday will be given an unusual reminder to use their votes in the May 1 local elections. As part of an experiment by Chelmsford Borough Council and the Meadows shopping centre, a poster image
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Basildon: Squad to get jobs done
A squad of dedicated craftsman will be touring Basildon to make sure all basic repairs are carried out quickly and efficiently. Basildon Council is trialling the scheme for six months at six sheltered housing complexes in the district. The Man in a Van
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Thurrock: Arson attack on meal vans
Extra staff have been drafted in to ensure a meals-on-wheels service carries on after firebugs destroyed six special vans - two-thirds of Thurrock Council's home delivery fleet. However, staff rallied round and ensured that the service to 350 residents
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Angling: Big baits come up trumps at Doggetts
Doggetts fishery in Rochford has rewarded anglers who fish big baits and heavy ground bait. Tench to five pounds and bream to seven pounds were plentiful, while the carp were also putting in regular appearances. Alan Slade and Fred Foyle both landed 16lb
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Frinton: Jewellery shop man set to quit
A Frinton jeweller who faced an attempted robbery ordeal is to shut up shop saying he fears for his safety. HBJ Jewellers in Connaught Avenue is set to close next month after an attempted robbery last October has left him too scared to continue. Owner
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Swimming: Chenery's a national qualifier
Freestyle star Chris Chenery took a huge chunk out of his lifetime best for the 1500m as he clocked his first national qualifying time. The 12-year-old Canvey Island SC ace took almost a minute off his PB at the new Olympic-size pool in Norwich, where
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Grays: Pensioner hurt in daylight mugging
Police were today hunting a thug who threw a pensioner to the ground and stole her handbag in broad daylight in a busy street. They are asking for the public's help to catch the mugger, who may have followed his 74-year-old victim from a post office where
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Soccer: Brooking helps out Hammers
BBC football pundit Trevor Brooking has been named caretaker manager of West Ham as Glenn Roeder recovers from a blocked blood vessel in his brain. Former player Brooking will take charge of the side for the final three games of the season as the Hammers
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Basildon: Rhyme time at Eastgate centre
Humpty Dumpty managed to avoid a big fall - but only just - when he held court for children at Basildon's Eastgate shopping centre in a week of nursery rhyme fun. Parents can carry on shopping through the tail end of the Easter break while their children
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South Woodham: Rabbits refused at farm
Marsh Farm has told the public that it cannot provide homes for unwanted rabbits given as Easter gifts. Each year, the South Woodham farm receives inquiries from people asking if homes can be found for their rabbits in the attraction's pets corner, but
