Archive
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Southend: Men only for a very good reason
Health advisers in Southend will be brazenly guilty of sex discrimination next Tuesday, when they hold an information day for men only. The town's primary care trust is getting together with the leisure services department and the British Heart Foundation
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Basildon: Thieves pitch in to steal another cap
Police have warned trendy youngsters to take care with their designer baseball caps in a bid to halt a spate of thefts. Four incidents have been reported in the past few days where youths in Basildon have had caps stolen from their heads. Acting Police
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Southend: Crisis as superhead quits
A "superhead" from Crays Hill who was brought in to turn around a problem school has resigned suddenly. Education chiefs have taken over the running of Thorpe Bay School after Gordon Clubb dramatically quit "with immediate effect". As Southend Council
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Basildon: Police swoop on site
Dozens of police officers swooped on a travellers' site in a bid to arrest fine-dodgers and recover stolen vehicles. Around 60 officers from Basildon raided the site in Meadow Road, Runwell. Led by Insp Dave Miller, Operation Yorker was aimed at serving
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Harwich: Navy veterans to remember battle
Merchant Navy veterans from Harwich are going to Liverpool to mark the 60th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic. The Merchant Navy Association Harwich and District Branch will be in Liverpool from May 2-5 to attend a commemoration service on May
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Benfleet: Ambulance station attack
A desperate plea was today made to yobs to stop vandalising a private ambulance station before it starts affecting patients' lives. Workers at Caring for You Ambulance Service only moved into their new premises in Benfleet High Street last month, but
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American Football: Sabres seek success
Southend Sabres go in search of their first win of the American Football season when they travel to Maidstone Pumas. The Sabres have yet to score after two games in the South East Division Two campaign but will hope to open their account as the Pumas
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Cricket: Troughton shines with bat before rain stops play
There were only 11 overs of play possible at Edgbaston on Thursday after rain forced the players from the field at 11.45am. Warwickshire added a further 35 runs without loss in that time to advance their score to 446-7. Although the rain stopped by mid-afternoon
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Basildon: Free taste of college at activity fun day
People are to get the chance to taste the courses on offer at a community college at a free activity fun day. Adults will get the chance to try out over 20 of the courses on offer at Basildon Adult Community College during the activity day at Briscoes
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Swimming: Brown is now flying after flu
A golden hat-trick signalled that Nathalie Brown is well on the road to recovery after her prolonged bout of flu. Twenty-year-old Brown took top spot in the over-16s 100m and 400m freestyle at the Essex Open and Age Group Championships at Barkingside,
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Chelmsford: Mixed reaction to European market
There was a mixed reception - from delight to anger - over the European market held in Chelmsford's pedestrianised High Street this week. There was delight at its vibrant smart atmosphere but anger over France's tricolour flag being flown on St George's
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Colchester: Beast of Essex spotted
The legendary Beast of Essex has been spotted prowling the streets of Colchester. The beast, believed to be a panther, was spotted near the Severalls Hospital site in Mile End, Colchester. It was eating a dead animal on Boxted Road before slinking away
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Colchester: Heart patients wait for tests
Heart patients are being stressed by having to wait too long for vital tests, hospital staff warned today People who need coronary angiogram tests have to be admitted to hospital for up to seven weeks while they wait for treatment, which should be available
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Tiptree: Dinner lady honoured
Rolls were reversed when pupils at a Tiptree school gave one dinner lady a meal to say thanks for 27 years of service. Dinner lady Daphne Warren, from Tiptree, celebrated her retirement from Tiptree Heath Primary School in Maldon Road by sitting down
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Castle Point: Safety first approach spells joy on roads
A series of road improvement schemes throughout Castle Point have been hailed a success, thanks to a "safety first" approach. The council's lead member for transportation, Brian Wilson, will present a full report of his findings at a full council meeting
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Soccer: Claydon breaks Maldon's hearts again
Maldon Town were seven minutes from claiming revenge against their FA Vase semi-final conqeurors AFC Sudbury in the Jewson League premier division. Maldon took a 3-0 lead, but Sudbury managed to claw it back to 3-2 before Andrew Claydon, who scored twice
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Soccer: Defender Whelan faces crunch meeting
Former Southend United skipper Phil Whelan is facing a make-or-break meeting with a specialist after being sidelined for four months with a knee injury. Phil Whelan - crunch meeting with medics over his right knee The towering defender, who has made 119
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Thurrock: Four quizzed as £5m drugs haul is seized
Four men were today being quizzed after cocaine with a street value of £5million was found in a lorry in south Essex. Officers from the National Crime Squad have been given more time by magistrates to question the suspects following the discovery of the
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Castle Point: Just time for knights
Visitors making their way to Canvey's Waterside Farm later this summer could be forgiven for thinking they had wandered into the Middle Ages. Would-be knights in shining armour will be jousting for the affections of their lady-loves in tournaments harking
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Chelmsford: Cycle your way to good health
Cycle groups and environmentalists have been making the most of the fine Easter weather and now a new cycle map for the county town has been published by Essex County and Chelmsford Borough Councils. The Chelmsford Cycling Action Group has been campaigning
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Thurrock: Green belt row over new homes
A council is refusing to give the go-ahead for a development of 45 new homes even though its own planning officers were recommending approval. More than 40 neighbours sent in letters of objection to Pursebridge Homes' application to build a mixed development
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Maldon: Future's Orange for store
A clothes shop in Maldon is set to get some new accessories when mobile phone giant Orange fixes two antennae to the High Street's Peppermint store. Members of Maldon District Council's central area committee on Wednesday night approved plans for the
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Essex: Bamber - victim or psychopath?
Is Jeremy Bamber a scheming psychopath or a victim of a terrible miscarriage of justice? That question will be explored in a Channel 4 documentary next week on Bamber, who was convicted of shooting dead five members of his family 17 years ago. The Amazing
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Hadleigh: School dances off with glory
Students at a Hadleigh dance school are celebrating brilliant results at a national competition. The Western Dance Centre, situated in the High Road, Hadleigh took over sixty pupils to Blackpool to compete in national ballroom and latin competitions,
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Braintree: Grab a little piece of history
A community office is holding a raffle with a piece of television history on offer. Fans of ITV1's Coronation Street could be lucky enough to win a skirt as worn by the unmistakable Betty Turpin. The character, played by Betty Driver MBE, made her debut
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Soccer: Canvey hoping for a final home high note
Canvey Island's bid for Ryman League title glory may be over for another year, but it's still likely to be celebration time at Park Lane tomorrow as the club stage their last home game of the campaign. The match, with already-relegated Enfield, will be
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Canvey: Skinheads swipe cash
Skinhead ram-raiders smashed their way into a chemist shop - and stole vitamin pills. The smash-and-grab raid happened just after midnight when the pair drove a red Ford Escort through the front window of Pal Chemists, in High Street, Canvey. Moments
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Mid Essex: County gets set for elections
Essex people go to the polls next week when voting takes place in elections for borough, district, and parish councils. The three main political parties are contesting in most areas, with the Green Party challenging in some seats, also the Maldon and
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Braintree: Plastered students
A hands-on building course tackling wattle and daub is taking place near Braintree. Students on the one-day course, on Saturday, have the opportunity to help reconstruct a listed medieval farmhouse while learning traditional building methods. Course tutors
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Rayleigh: New car alert by police
Police have again urged motorists to lock property out of sight when they park their cars. Over the last few weeks there have been a number of incidents where cars have been broken into and property stolen from inside, in and around the Rayleigh area.
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Soccer: Time for some tasty football
Southend United boss Steve Wignall wants Blues to give the Roots Hall faithful a memorable summer send-off when play-off chasing Bury come to town. The Seasiders complete their home fixtures against the fifth-placed Shakers and Wignall is hoping his men
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Colchester: Nuisance neighbours are evicted from council flat
Neighbours who had suffered noise, mess and nuisance from a couple watched as the "nuisance neighbours" were evicted from their home. In a tense atmosphere, Colchester Council housing officers and a bailiff were flanked by two police officers as they
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Basildon: Burglar blames church for raids
Churchgoer John Samuels claimed he turned to burglary after falling out with religious leaders. He said they did not approve of a woman he fell in love with and decided he should be excommunicated. Fed-up Samuels, 33, teamed up with villains and carried
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Southminster: Bin and gone
Residents in Southminster are celebrating after overflowing recycling bins in a prominent part of the village were finally emptied. They claim they have had to put up with a glass bank outside the Kings Head pub in the high street for weeks overflowing
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Tilbury: Police investigate driver death
Police are investigating a crash in which a man died after his lorry overturned in south Essex. The 36-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene following the smash on the Dock Approach Road, in Tilbury. Firefighters from Orsett and Grays cut the man
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Soccer: Town focus on Dons and await results
Ipswich go into tomorrow's game knowing that their quest for promotion is well and truly out of their hands. Town have to win their final two games and hope that Nottingham Forest and Reading slip up. That may be very unrealistic, but, as captain Matt
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Kelvedon: School looks to relocate
Doucecroft School in Kelvedon, which teaches autistic pupils, is looking for a new site. The school is now in its 26th year and has 36 pupils. Clive Stobbs, who took up his post as Essex Autistic Society chief executive in February, said: "We need a bigger
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South Essex: Widdecombe plans visit
Outspoken Tory Ann Widdecombe is to voice her views on women's issues when she visits south Essex. Two hundred members of the South East Essex Federation of the Townswomen's Guild will be meeting Ann on Monday. The MP will host the guild's annual meeting
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Maldon: Blue plaque honour for buildings
Four buildings in Maldon are to have their first historical interest plaques unveiled next week to commemorate famous people and sites in the town. The blue plaques, being unveiled by the Maldon Society on Tuesday have been put up outside four sites in
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Athletics: Macey insists injuries are over
Dean Macey is adamant he will make his long-awaited decathlon comeback at the end of May following a spell of serious injuries. The 25-year-old, hampered by a career-threatening hamstring injury, has been unable to undertake the 10-event discipline since
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Southend: What a load of stinking rubbish
Community-spirited youngsters took time out of their Easter break to collect an amazing 98 bags of litter. The children were hunting for rubbish at the Woodgrange Estate in Southend as part of a new community project organised by Estuary Housing Association
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Speedway: Hammers out to avenge reverse
Arena Essex are looking to bounce back from a midweek defeat to King's Lynn when they host the Norfolk outfit. Hammers went down 48-42 on their travels but will be confident of claiming the aggregate bonus point at their Purfleet home. The absence of
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Chelmsford: Race is on for women
Chelmsford's Race for Life is just 10 weeks away and training sessions are being launched to help women, including complete beginners, to prepare for the event. Thousands of women are expected to take part in the race, in aid of Cancer Research UK, in
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Southend: Ticket a tonic for Lauren
A girl left housebound after being knocked down by a car was today smiling again as she prepares to watch her Southend United heroes in action. Football fan Lauren Lewis is still battling to come to terms with horrific leg injuries suffered after she
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Chelmsford: Company scoops award
Chelmsford company E2V Technologies has won two Queen's Awards for international trade to add to the string of accolades won as EEV. The firm employs 1,200 people in Waterhouse Lane and has a smaller branch in Lincoln. One award goes to the Waterhouse
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Colchester: Brave Katy, 5, beats cancer
Courageous tot Katy Payne has defeated leukaemia after battling the disease for more than two years. The five-year-old, who lives in Tolleshunt D'Arc, was diagnosed with the life-threatening illness on Christmas Eve, 2000. After two years and two months
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Braintree: Union may take legal action over lack of notice
A union is considering taking legal action after claiming a Braintree-based print firm failed to consult staff about redundancies The Graphical Paper and Media Union (GPMU) said staff at Shalford Press were angry at the lack of notice given. Shalford
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Southend: Town sits on £25m goldmine
Southend is still sitting on a £32million goldmine - because the Government will not allow the borough to spend it. The cash, which is lying idle in bank accounts, was mustered in the 1980s and 1990s through the sale of council houses. The sales took
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Braintree: Shops dump Yo-Balls in response to killer claim
A toy which is potentially dangerous to children has been removed from the shelves of Braintree and Witham stores after it was banned by the Government The Yo-Balls are the first toys to be banned for more than a decade after tests showed that the toy
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Table Tennis: Baddow village secure title
Haydn Upson and Rykki Vansertima can be justifiably proud of their achievement in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League this season. Their team, Baddow Village K, have won the League's introductory competition, CLICK. The title was secured
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Braintree: Centre goes back to its roots
After years in temporary accommodation in Braintree the Tabor Centre for the physically handicapped has a permanent home. It has gone back to its roots in the building where it began life overlooking the town's Weavers Park. The extension and conversion
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Braintree: Housing development rises
A £26m housing development on the former Tabor High School site, just outside Braintree town centre, is rising quickly. Fairview Homes is building 91 houses, 46 two-bedroom apartments and 39 sheltered homes on the site which, before Tabor High, was home
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Soccer: Bobby waits on new deal
Bobby Bowry says he is 'in limbo' as he waits to hear whether Colchester United will be offering him a new deal. The midfielder, 31, is one of 11 U's players looking for a new contract at the end of the season. Speaking to the Evening Gazette Bowry said
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Harwich: Sea the new pier cafe!
A host of new seafront facilities have been opened as part of a regeneration scheme. Harwich Haven Authority has completed a major project on Ha'penny Pier in Harwich. The new facilities include showers and toilets for visiting yachtsmen, a sales area
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Colchester: Troops could be home by June
The question on every Army families' lips may soon be answered with the return of Colchester-based troops from service in Iraq. Garrison commander Colonel Tony Barton, who holds regular briefings for the families of 2,500 Colchester-based troops who are
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Wivenhoe: Death crash driver jailed
A man who killed a young mother in a road crash was jailed for three years. Joanne Bardell, 31, died following the crash in September last year in Wivenhoe. Mrs Bardell lived in Denham Close, Wivenhoe, with her husband Stephen and sons, five-year-old
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Soccer: Braintree Town 3- 0 Heybridge Swifts (Ryman League Premier Division)
Heybridge Swifts hopes of Ryman Premier Division survival were dealt a serious blow when they were beaten 3-0 by fellow strugglers and Essex rivals Braintree Town. The game started so brightly for Heybridge, who really troubled the Iron early on. With
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Witham: Shoppers' anger at long wait to spend a penny
Witham shoppers and traders were today angry over delays in opening the town's new public toilets. The Newlands Drive public toilets closed last autumn, with the new loos scheduled for completion three weeks ago. But when gas engineers turned up recently
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Brentwood: Schools face crisis says MP
Brentwood's respected secondary schools are facing budget deficits totaling £1.5million this year and local MP Eric Pickles claims the problems are being caused by the Government failing to back up reforms with new cash. Mr Pickles is seeking to highlight
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Soccer: Calder's side seek fourth on the spin
Billericay Town's late-season revival could spell danger for Essex rivals Grays Athletic when the two clash in the Ryman Premier. After a ten-match run without a victory, Gary Calder's New Lodge side have won three in a row with the makeshift side they've
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Essex: Soldiers' bodies returned to Britain
The bodies of two soldiers based in Essex have been flown home from Iraq. A plane carrying the coffins of Sapper Luke Allsopp, 24, and Staff Sergeant Simon Cullingworth, 36, landed at RAF Brize Norton at noon. Following the return of the British soldier's
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Soccer: Richards wants a win finish
Matt Richards is determined to end his season on a winning note - even if the play-offs prove a bridge too far for Ipswich Town. The teenager has been a revelation during this campaign, especially in recent weeks, with several starring performances at
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Soccer: It's time for action not words says Parky
Phil Parkinson has challenged his players to bounce back from their worst home defeat for 35 years when they travel to Adams Park. The U's were thrashed 5-0 by Luton Town on Monday and Parkinson was, not surprisingly, unhappy with his side. But he said
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Braintree: Hospital could open by 2006
Braintree's new 30-bed community hospital, set to be given the go-ahead by planners on Tuesday, could be open by spring 2006. The multi-million pound scheme by Witham, Braintree and Halstead Care Trust for the development of 6.62 acres on the St Michael's
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Harwich: Charity trek for Czech relief fund
Travelling around Europe in a double-decker bus may have been Cliff Richard's ideal summer holiday. But a group of Harwich bus enthusiasts are preparing to ride 1,000 miles on board a 50-year-old bus for charity. Eastern National KSW Preservation Group
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Women's soccer: Super-sub Pritchard nets two
East Thurrock United Ladies landed three points to take them into second place in the Essex Women's League Premier Division and sending Rochford Town down into Division One. Rocks opened the scoring against a strong wind with a 35-yard shot from Jayde
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Basildon: Cabbies to act as domestic advisers
Victims of domestic violence in Basildon could be given a helping hand - by their local cabbie. The town's biggest cab company is considering joining forces with the Basildon Women's Refuge in a campaign to offer more support to battered wives and girlfriends
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Essex: Bravery awards honour heroes
Heroic men who dramatically risked their lives in the line of duty have received awards. Acting Sgt Lee Norris and PC Robert Hebden disarmed a maniac with a handgun and a knife after he stabbed someone in the throat at the Elms pub, in London Road, Leigh
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Darts: Jaws is enjoying his top season
Colin Lloyd made a remarkable comeback to retain his Antwerp Open trophy. Trailing two sets down against Mick Manning, Lloyd blew away his opponent by comprehensively winning the next three sets. Lloyd, from Witham, told the Evening Gazette: "When I was
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Canvey: Search for threat man
Police have renewed their appeal for witnesses who may have seen a thug wielding a wheel brace. The man threatened to stab another man at the Costcutter petrol station, in Small Gains Avenue, Canvey, when the unnamed victim was filling up his van. A man
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Great Wakering: Rescuer could be swamped by crocodiles
A rescuer of dangerous wild animals fears he could be swamped with reptiles, snakes, crocodiles and alligators as the cost of licences to keep the creatures have rocketed. Iain Newby, who runs the Dangerous Wild Animal Rescue Facility (DWARF) from his
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Southend: Parking fines net £1.3m in a year
Southend Council has raked in a whopping £1.27million from parking fines in just 12 months. The council's parking attendants are responsible for the bumper cash collection for the period from April 2002 to the end of March 2003. Council officers said
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Ongar: Point and vote
Ongar residents got their first taste of the future when they tested the pioneering new electronic voting system that will be used in Thursday's elections. The Spanish company, Indra, who are behind the touch-screen voting machines brought an example
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South Woodham Ferrers: Jobcentre Plus debut for town
Chelmsford's Jobcentre Plus is bringing its services to South Woodham Ferrers for the first time. Organisers hope that their visit on April 30 will help fill job vacancies in the town. Marketing officer Ron Morris said: "There is not necessarily a problem
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Basildon: L-driver jailed for drinking
A learner motorist, who was twice the drink-drive limit, has been jailed for eight months. Deryk White, 27, was also banned from driving for three years after he fled from police along the wrong way of a one-way street. White, of Lincoln Road, Basildon
