Archive
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Swimming: Morris takes county record
Southend Swimming Club's George Morris finished the last round of the Essex Countyage group competitions for 2003 with an outstanding swim in the 11-years 200m breaststroke. Not only did Morris take the gold medal, but he recorded a national qualifying
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Chelmsford: Bring me sunshine
Fears that a new public square in Chelmsford will be devoid of sunlight were voiced at a Chelmsford borough planning committee meeting. Councillors approved the outline plan to replace the Victoria Road campus of Anglia University with a new high-rise
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Colchester: MP Bob's marathon effort pays off
MP Bob Russell has given a boost to Colchester General Hospital's children's ward after a sparkling run in the London Marathon. He raised £1,250 from his marathon efforts on April 13, to help the Evening Gazette's bid to kit out a sensory unit for poorly
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Thurrock: Warning to horse owners
Police have issued a warning to farmers and horse owners after a spate of thefts from stables. In the past few days there have been more than 20 thefts from stables in the Thurrock area, with thieves netting equipment worth around £35,000. In one incident
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Colchester: Town sites 'outdo big cities'
Colchester has more quality attractions than most major cities in the UK according to a tourism body. The town and its surrounding areas have more than 20 sites of interests given the quality badge by Visit Britain, a new body created out of the former
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Colchester: Woman thwarts conmen three times
Bogus callers tried not one, not even two, but three scams to try to con their way into a woman's home The pair turned up at their intended victim's door in Greenstead Road, Colchester, and claimed they were there to check a water leak. But the householder
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Maldon: Beer festival goes down a treat
Maldon's first beer festival went down a treat, according to organisers. The three-day event, put on by Dengie Camra, was more successful than anticipated and has set the ball rolling for future events in the town. The festival kicked off at the town
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Canvey: Fears for wildlife at new cemetery
Major fears for wildlife have been sparked by news that work on Canvey's long-awaited cemetery was about to begin. Concerned nature experts were lobbying to find out if a full ecological survey had been undertaken at the Northwick Road site. Jon Cranfield
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South Woodham Ferrers: Have a say on parking problem
Residents are being urged to contact South Woodham Ferrers Town Council with car parking problems to help resolve the town's traffic issues. Recent data of parking violations from Chelmsford Borough Council revealed a few problem areas in the town that
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Essex: Long delays for rail commuters
Thousands of Essex rail passengers are facing long delays today because of a signal failure. Engineers from Network Rail are working to correct the fault at Colchester but it could be 6pm before services are back to normal. The fault was discovered last
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Soccer: We threw it away says Wilnis
Fabian Wilnis had one word to sum up Ipswich Town's shock drubbing at the hands of Wimbledon - unbelievable. The Blues' faint play-off dream was finally extinguished as they crashed 5-1 at Portman Road on Saturday. And the Dutchman, who was substituted
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Speedway: Rain wipes out Arena return
Incessant rain that started three hours before the scheduled start time forced the postponement of the premier League match at the Purfleet Raceway on Friday between Arena Essex and Kings Lynn. Persistent earlier rain had saturated the track with further
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Soccer: Realism the key in talks
Phil Parkinson has warned Colchester United players to be realistic during contract negotiations. And with just one game to go until the end of the season the no-nonsense U's boss also said the number of out-of-contract players at Layer Road was 'far
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Chelmsford: Fun day promised for all
People who have had orthopaedic surgery, particularly those who have had joint replacements, are being asked to step out for charity at the Broomfield Hospital Walk and Fun Day. The sponsored walk, being held on Sunday June 22, is open to anyone who has
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Benfleet: Marathon man's peak challenge
A Fundraising fanatic is planning to tackle Africa's highest peak, just two weeks after completing the London Marathon. Danny Liftan of Stansfield Road, Benfleet, is back in training and looking to raise enough sponsorship so he can get to the top of
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Soccer: Canvey Island 10-1 Enfield (Ryman Premier)
A four-goal haul by the Ryman Premier's star marksman Lee Boylan, and a second-half hat-trick in four minutes from his understudy Bertie Brayley, highlighted Gulls' memorable final home game of the season. The match was preceded by Jeff Minton collecting
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Southend: Tomassi's set to expand popular restaurant
One of the most popular restaurants in Southend has announced plans for expansion. Tomassi's, one of the town's longest established businesses, is to be extended to a neighbouring shop to keep up with the demand of customers. This is just the latest extension
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Soccer: Grays Athletic 1-0 Billericay Town (Ryman Premier)
Billericay's three-match winning run came to an end at a Grays side who, in a very disappointing season, finally put an end to all fears of relegation from the Ryman Premier. The home outfit put out a team containing all four of the players they have
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Westcliff: Fiesta airgun sniper claims another victim
A sniper's victim is recovering after undergoing surgery to remove a pellet from his leg. Matt Golightly, 27, pleaded with police to catch the gunman quickly after doctors told him he could have been killed. It is believed the gunman, in a red Ford Fiesta
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Athletics: Great Deal for Viper triathletes
The Southend-based Team Viper triathletes made a raid on the south coast town of Deal in Kent, to take on the best in the South-East Region. The seniors raced first (17 yrs+), over a 500m pool swim and 8km road run in mild but blustery conditions. The
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Colchester: Moves to cut traffic
Highways bosses have vowed to look at ways of killing traffic speeds in a Colchester village after residents voiced growing fears. Villagers say speeding vehicles are an increasing problem in Birch. Cliff Wookey-Cracknell, resident, said: "Speeding in
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Colchester: Scouts parade for England
Hundreds of Scouts paraded through Colchester town centre to celebrate England's patron saint who is also the patron saint of Scouting worldwide. Beaver, Cub and Scout groups from all the Colchester districts took part in the St George's Day parade, marching
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Brentwood: Steering wheels for goalposts
It will be steering wheels for goalposts when soccer stars from across Europe arrive in Essex for an international tournament. But you won't find household names like Owen and Ronaldo taking to the field but instead employees of Ford plants and offices
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Basildon: Gunpoint horror for shopkeeper
An armed raider held a newsagents' shop assistant at gunpoint and stole cash from a safe. The thug even ordered the terrified man to hand over a CCTV tape which is believed to have recorded the incident at Martins The Newsagent in Timberlog Lane, Basildon
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Cricket: Club will recover from vandals
Benfleet Cricket Club is determined to be ready for the start of the new season despite vandals wrecking their changing rooms. Hooligans broke into the dressing rooms and pantry at the club's Woodside Park home on Friday night, smashing them up and leaving
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Southend: Nightclub assault girl spared jail
A teenager who admitted assaulting another girl and causing her actual bodily harm has escaped jail. Southend magistrates heard Kerry Fox, 19, of The Westerings, Hockley, pleaded guilty to punching Alexandra Stead on September 13 last year. Norman Patterson
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Jaywick: Investigators probe fire
A pensioner has died in a fire at his home. Howard Brown, 72, lived alone and was a retired building inspector. A police investigation was launched after the tragedy at the bungalow in Meadow Way, Jaywick. Fire scene: police cordon off the bungalow where
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Soccer: Ryman League Round-Up (Division One North)
Hornchurch gained the three points they needed to secure promotion to the Ryman Premier on Saturday. Steve Jones' men hit five past Berkhamstead Town to join already-promoted Northwood in the Ryman Premier Division next season. For our Essex sides, there
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Billericay: Date set for stadium inquiry
A date - September 30 - has been set for the planning inquiry into a Billericay Town Football Club development. The club wants to build its stadium, a leisure and fitness centre, a hotel and swimming facilities on the north-west corner of Gloucester Park
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Basildon: Police are handed a six-shooter
A six-shooter Colt 45 handgun and a box of live ammunition has been handed into Basildon police station. The gun was handed in as part of the Home Office national firearms amnesty. In Essex more than 500 weapons have been surrendered along with more than
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Basildon: Small firms can get free health check
A free business health check and management training is up for grabs for small companies. Basildon Council is asking for applicants for the new project called Risse aimed to help small retailers, service companies and voluntary groups develop better business
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Essex: Brakes could be put on tolls plan
The brakes could be put on plans to charge road users for driving in the county. Essex County Council's cabinet looks likely to oppose the introduction of charging for using the area's roads. The cabinet wants to wait until the results of studies in the
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Essex: Computer help for mentally ill
People needing therapy for mental health problems are being helped by an innovative computer programme. The user-friendly programme called Beating the Blues is being run at the Chelmsford and Essex Centre by North Essex Mental Health Partnership Trust's
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Southend: School road safety plan set to get green light
Proposals designed to improve road safety for pupils of Southend High School for Girls and others are set to be given the go-ahead. The school, in Southchurch Boulevard, has applied for a new access road with a bus bay, a turning area, linked footpaths
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Thundersley: Hobbit garden created
A magical garden inspired by the characters in Tolkien's classic novel, Lord of the Rings, has been created at Little Haven Children's Hospice in Thundersley. The Hobbit Garden has become a reality thanks to developers Countryside Properties and celebrity
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Southend: Election leaflet outrage
A millionaire businessman today provoked outrage after posting up to 4,000 leaflets to residents in a pre-election storm. Terry Holding also flew his plane over Canvey, Thundersley, Rayleigh, and Basildon trailing a banner saying "vote for decency." The
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Canvey: Skateboard kids getting ready to roll
Jubilations - the wheels can roll! These triumphant kids from Images youth centre are jumping for joy after getting the go ahead for a skatepark on Canvey. Delighted : skateboarders Greg Allen, Luke Phillips, Tony Woodberry, James Caulfield and James
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Soccer: Southend United 1-2 Bury (Nationwide League Division Three)
Southend United finished their Roots Hall programme by slumping to defeat against Bury to set the worst home record of their 97-year history on Saturday. Headed goals from Michael Nelson and Lee Connell, either side of an equaliser from Blues' newly crowned
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Colchester: From lagers to lattes at former pub?
Coffee giant Starbucks is interested in taking over the lease of a former Colchester town centre pub. An offer from the international chain is one of three being considered for The Cups in Trinity Street. The seventeenth century grade II listed building
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Cricket: England skipper can't lift Essex in first game
Nasser Hussain's first appearance of the summer failed to inspire Essex to victory in their opening National League clash against Surrey at Chelmsford. The England captain made just 21 from 43 deliveries before the county, replying to a total of 268-8
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Basildon: Fancy dress sex pest groped girl
Sex pest William Allison, who molested an eight-year-old girl at a fancy dress party is starting a 12-month prison sentence. Allison - dressed as a Rastafarian at the party - also had his name put on the national sex offenders' register for ten years.
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Westcliff: Jewellery taken by burglars
Jewellery worth £2,000 was stolen from a house in Fairfax Drive, Westcliff. Thieves grabbed a sapphire and diamond cluster engagement ring and a white gold diamond and sapphire cluster ring. They also caused £200 of damage during the raid. Published Monday
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Soccer: Chelmsford City 2-2 Hednesford Town (Dr Martens Premier)
Chelmsford consolidated their top half position after a stirring fightback at New Lodge against Hednesford Town. The first period saw City rocked after a lively opener from the visitors; a side who only confirmed their Premier Divison status a fortnight
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Maldon: It's a dog's life
Patients at St Peter's Hospital in Maldon are making friends of the four legged variety in a scheme to help their recovery. Maldon & South Chelmsford Primary Care Trust, which runs the hospital, has arranged regular visits from PAT (Pets As Therapy
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Southend: Man's threat to bottle girlfriend
A man who admitted assaulting his girlfriend is starting an 18-month community rehabilitation order. Southend Magistrates Court heard Karl Wildish, 23, of Cluny Square, Southend, pleaded guilty to common assault and causing criminal damage on January
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Soccer: Leon wants a new blues deal
Southend United's newly crowned Player of the Season Leon Cort pledged his allegiance to Blues after Saturday's 2-1 Roots Hall defeat against Bury. Goals from Shakers duo Michael Nelson and Lee Connell, sandwiched either side of Cort's seventh strike
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South Essex: Chinese families axe Far East trips
Fears over the spread of the deadly Sars disease have forced members of south Essex's Chinese community to abandon trips to the Far East. They have put a hold on plans to visit relatives in Hong Kong and China as worldwide concern over the virus grows
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Tilbury: Pub landlord gambled takings
Gambling fever led to pub manager Brendan Doyle taking a risk by stealing £47,000 from his bosses - but he lost. The 28-year-old former university student got into such a muddle that he confessed everything to auditors when they checked account books
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Castle Point: Council to launch £25,000 website
Hi-tech Castle Point Council, which is upgrading its communication systems, is launching a £25,000 interactive website on May 1. The site is still being uploaded and developed, but when finished will offer much more information than the current website
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Southend: Concern at plan for caravan park
Plans to convert a caravan site into permanent mobile "park homes" have sparked fierce opposition from residents. Southend Council are considering an application from the owner of the site, Leshome, to replace the static caravans at East Beach Caravan
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Soccer: Coaching sessions for women
The Essex County FA will be running a female only FA Level 1 coaching course at Chelmsford's Marconi Sports and Social Club in August. The course covers a variety of drills and practices suitable for children, coach and player development, laws of the
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Southend: Waterbomb boy is kidnapped
A 14-year-old boy was abducted and taken on a terror ride by a man pretending to be a policeman. The unidentified boy and his friends were playing with waterbombs at Clements Hall leisure centre in Clements Hall Way, Hawkwell. The youngsters were throwing
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Colchester: Dog owner admits causing suffering
A dead dog was found in a "terrible state of neglect" when its owner took it to the vet's, a court heard. Georgina Pollard, 35, took the pekinese to Colne Valley vets, Colchester, wrapped in a sheet. "She asked the nurse whether someone could confirm
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Benfleet: Blooming good welcome for you
Say it with flowers. That is the view of Castle Point Council which is preparing to welcome visitors to Benfleet with a unique sign. The pretty new "Welcome" sign was dreamed up by council bosses. But instead of the word being printed on the official
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Essex: Signal failure hits rail commuters.
Thousands of Essex rail passengers have faced long delays because of a signal failure. Engineers from Network Rail are working to correct the fault at Colchester but it could be 6pm before services are back to normal. The fault was discovered last night
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Soccer: Uxbridge 0-0 Great Wakering Rovers (Ryman One North)
Having suffered two heavy defeats over the Easter period, Wakering produced a much-improved performance at a high-flying Uxbridge side who have only just missed out on Ryman Division One North promotion. In an entertaining affair, only top quality displays
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Billericay: Teresa's in bother over London home
Teresa Gorman is in trouble with council planners for installing plastic framed windows in her 18th Century London home. It is the second time the controversial former Billericay MP has fallen foul of planning laws by carrying out unauthorised alterations
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Westcliff: Parents' vigil for crash biker, 16
A 16-year-old boy is in a critical condition following a motorbike crash in Westcliff. The youngster and his 17-year-old passenger were thrown from the off-road bike as they smashed into railings on London Road, Westcliff. The driver, from Southend, suffered
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Soccer: Wycombe Wanderers 0-0 Colchester United (Nationwide League Division Two)
Despite more than ten years passing since Colchester pipped Wycombe on goal difference to win the Conference, there is still rivalry in abundance between the sides. Colchester seized the initiative from the off and within the first minute a resolute Dean
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Essex: Fish rivals battered in survey
Fish and chip lovers in south Essex are celebrating as the their traditional dish knocked curry off the top spot as Britain's number one takeaway choice. A poll has revealed that the previous top dish - chicken tikka masala - has tumbled to fourth place
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Southend: Booking in for fun...
There's nothing better than a good book to keep you entertained. Youngsters found this out at first hand when they enjoyed Roald Dahl classics such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and George's Marvellous Medicine. The library, in St Martin's Square
