Archive
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Chelmsford, Colchester: Big response to TV crime appeal
Seventy people called with information after a television appeal about sex attacks in Colchester and Chelmsford. The three linked incidents featured on the BBC's Crimewatch UK programme and an e-fit of the suspect were shown. Detectives working on the
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Hadleigh: Man gets 13 years for saw attack on teenager
A man who almost cut a teenager in half with a petrol-driven angle grinder was today starting a 13-year jail sentence. Craig North, 28, of Meadow Road, Hadleigh, was found guilty of attempting to murder 17-year-old Gareth Thomas. Chelmsford Crown Court
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Thurrock: Furniture charity boost
A project which collects unwanted furniture and distributes it to people in need is about to be expanded. Staff and volunteers at Thurrock CVS are celebrating after receiving grants to increase the Seconds Out service. The project is to get £32,289 from
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Brentwood: Future bright for sports ground
The future of one of the county's premier sports ground is looking brighter than ever thanks to a £125,000 deal made by Brentwood's County Ground Club which has been more than 60 years in the making. The club has acquired the freehold of the site in Shenfield
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Essex: Tories make gains in local elections
Conservatives have taken control of Castle Point, Chelmsford and Basildon councils in the local elections. The gains for the Tories reflected the national trend in the local elections. Both Chelmsford and Basildon had no overall control prior to yesterday's
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Soccer: Okita doubt for Tilbury's away day
When Tilbury's own programme notes report that "we are all happy it (the season) is now coming to end", there is really little more to add. If it will be remembered for anything then that extraordinary run of 12 consecutive league defeats is likely to
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Rayne: Partial victory for war demo teenager
A teenager banned from school for 30 days after organising a demonstration against the war in Iraq today won a partial victory in the High Court. Mr Justice Collins said arrangements should be made so that 15-year-old Elena Grice, from Rayne, could return
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Tendring: Tories jubilant
Jubilant Tories were celebrating today after they took more seats in the Tendring Council elec- tions The Conservatives. who formed the administration on the district council with the Liberal Democrats and Independents before the election. increased their
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Colchester: 'Excellent gain' for Labour
There was a big cheer in Charter Hall as Labour pulled off its only Colchester gain of the night in Shrub End. Richard Bourne raced ahead of Conservative Alan Scattergood for his third election gain in four years. "I've taken a borough council seat from
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South Essex: It's a blue day as Tories run riot
Triumphant Tories today strengthened their stranglehold on the county by snatching control of three Essex councils, trouncing Labour and the Liberal Democrats. In Castle Point, activists could hardly believe their eyes as seat after seat, held by Labour
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Billericay, Wickford: Save our green belt!
Residents in Billericay and Wickford have spoken on their views on defending the green belt in their areas. A survey complied by MP for the towns John Baron was sent to the majority of householders asking for their views on local development in relation
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Benfleet: Woodland residents in sewage nightmare
Horrified residents could only watch in despair as sewage poured out from manholes into woodland near their homes after heavy rain. People living in the roads that surround West Wood in Benfleet claim the problem stems from the underground sewage system
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Canvey: Cubs send gifts to troops out in Gulf
A group of youngsters were given a military treat after collecting goodies for soldiers in the Gulf. Presents for the troops - Rhys Clarey hands over the gift boxes to Paul Billings Picture: DANIEL JONES Members of the Fifth Canvey Cub Pack stuffed 20
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Basketball: Treble treat for Swifts
Southend Swifts have a treble chance for glory this weekend when their three girls basketball teams take part in the RAF-sponsored Final Fours at Cosford in Shropshire. This major event has been running for the past four years at both under-18 (juniors
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Soccer: Burley looking to upset Blues
George Burley is hoping for an Ipswich defeat this weekend. A year ago, as the Blues went to Liverpool on the last day of a disastrous Premiership season, that would have been unthinkable. But now, with Burley at the helm of Derby, albeit temporarily,
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Mid-Essex: Amnesty nets 140 weapons
Police today said that about 140 guns had been handed in by Braintree, Witham and Halstead people during a month-long amnesty. The final figures are still being counted. But the high-profile gun amnesty in the Braintree Police division has been hailed
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Soccer: All eyes on Di Canio before Chelsea duel
London derbies are usually about local bragging rights -- but tomorrow's home clash with Chelsea is far more important for West Ham's future. And, when the big occasion beckons, it is a chance for Paolo Di Canio to return in the sort of style he would
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Colchester: More police for town
Extra police officers are being dispatched over bank holiday weekends to cover problem "hotspots" in Colchester town centre. The move comes in the wake of a successful drive to combat problems with night-time revelry at the weekend. The crackdown, which
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Colchester: Appeal won over playfields sell-off
A Colchester school today won permission to sell off its playing fields for housing. Stanway School's plans for expansion have been granted permission after a planning appeal. The school wanted to sell its playing field to developers to fund much-needed
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Soccer: Reuser targets secure future
Revitalised Martijn Reuser hopes to have secured his future at Ipswich Town. The midfielder was handed a free transfer earlier in the season after being branded a 'luxury' by boss Joe Royle. Now, though, he has forced his way back into the first-team
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Rochford: Newts' historic court victory
A man who allowed his horses to graze near a home for great crested newts has been fined following the first such successful prosecution in the UK. Mark Turner, of Lascelles Gardens, Rochford, admitted damaging grassland around a great crested newt pond
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Basketball: Treble treat for Swifts
Southend Swifts have a treble chance for glory this weekend when their three girls basketball teams take part in the RAF-sponsored Final Fours at Cosford in Shropshire. This major event has been running for the past four years at both under-18 (juniors
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Tennis: Essex men go on county trial
Trials and training sessions for this year's Essex LTA team for County Week are currently being held. The next one is on May 24 at David Lloyd Basildon between 2pm and 6pm. Another will be held at Thorpe Bay LTC on July 5 at the same times. Published
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Soccer: Rovers out to ruin Urchins' party
Great Wakering Rovers end their Ryman League Division One North season with an attractive home game with promoted Hornchurch tomorrow. The big-spending Urchins will be keen to win the game as, if top dogs Northwood get beaten at third-placed Hemel Hempstead
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Soccer: Millers set fifth spot aim
Aveley were not expected to make any impression at all this season. Having had to make a leap of what was effectively a division-and-a-half into the newly-constituted Ryman North, Millers' best hope could only have been survival. But they go into the
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Rayleigh: Police nab cannabis haul
Police believe they have stemmed the supply of cannabis in Rayleigh following a dawn raid in which dozens of plants were seized. Officers from the proactive community unit, based at Rayleigh Police, carried out an early morning search of a bungalow and
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Wickford: Carpet con trick
Cruel tricksters who prey on the elderly were today being hunted by police. Police believe the con artists in a dark-coloured BMW - one in her 50s - might be responsible for a number of bogus calls. Two elderly women were left distressed in separate incidents
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Tendring: Jubilant Roy's biggest vote
Veteran Tendring councillor Roy Smith received the biggest single vote in Tendring Council's election with 1,135. After being thrown out of the Labour Party, Mr Smith stood as a Community Representative in the Golf Green ward. Roy Smith Mr Smith said
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Athletics: Southend ladies earn winning start
Fair sex members of Southend Athletic Club got their new Southern Women's League season off to a winning start with victory at Parliament Hill. They triumphed with 147 points in their Division Three North match, 32 ahead of nearest rivals Victoria Park
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Colchester: Soldier is killed
A Colchester-based soldier has been killed in an explosion in southern Iraq. Lance Corporal James McCue of 7 Air Assault Battalion, Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers, died on Wednesda The 27-year-old came from Paisley in Scotland. An MoD spokesman
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Pagglesham: Boatyard arson probe
Flames ripped through a boatyard early today after arsonists started a potentially devastating blaze in a speedboat. Firefighters described a red glow lighting up the sky when they arrived at Shuttlewood Boatyard, Waterside Road, Pagglesham. Seven crews
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Essex: Hunt for the top of the form
The hunt is on to find the top business students in the UK. Winners of the 2003 Association of Business Schools Awards will go forward to the National Business Awards. The closing date is June 27 and full details and entry form can be found at www.the-abs.org.uk
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Soccer: Term end is welcome for Grays
This was meant to be the year Grays would take over the mantle as Thurrock's top team and a lot more besides -- as things turned out they have only just avoided relegation. Blues bring the curtain down on their campaign against Craig Edwards' Ford --
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Rayne: Woman injured by escaping car thieves
A private car seller was injured as car thieves sped off in the BMW they were test driving. Yesterday afternoon in Rayne, a woman selling her daughter's convertible BMW car fell victim to the thieves who took the car keys and drove off, knocking her over
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Rugby League: Eels grab a slice of history
History will be made on Satuday when Basildon hosts its first ever rugby league game. The Essex Eels entertain Cambridge Eagles in their inaugural Eastern Conference League clash, played at Basildon Rugby Club (3pm). But the club's progress has been disrupted
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Colchester: Pensioners wake to find burglars
A horrified elderly couple awoke to find three burglars searching through their bedroom. The victims were in bed at their home in Marks Tey, Colchester, when they came face to face with the raiders. They fled, taking £2,000. The man and woman, aged 90
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Billericay: Family wanted to host child
A last ditch plea is going out to kind hearted Billericay residents to host a child affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster for a summer holiday. Supporters of Chernobyl Children's Lifeline - Billericay Link, are desperately trying to beat the clock
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Bicknacre: Traffic calming under spotlight
Hopes that traffic calming measures would soon be undertaken in Bicknacre are becoming a distant dream, it was claimed this week. Parish council chairman, Chris Saltmarsh, accused Essex County Council of pushing the scheme - which was to benefit from
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Soccer: Wignall - We'll give Exeter no quarter
Southend United finish their latest Third Division campaign at Exeter City tomorrow, aiming to hammer the final nail into one of their oldest adversaries' relegation coffin. The 23rd-placed Grecians are clinging on to Football League survival by the skins
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Soccer: Gulls look to sign off with cup glory
Canvey hope to cap another very successful season by collecting some more silverware on Monday. But before they take on Division One North Yeading at Hornchurch for the Bryco Cup, Gulls will bid to bring their Ryman Premier campaign to a winning end tomorrow
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Chelmsford: Renewed appeal for man
Police are renewing their appeal for information on a man who tried to lure two children into his car. A better description has been given of the man by the youngsters who were approached in Plane Tree Close, Chelmsford, during the afternoon of Sunday
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Westcliff: Bedside vigil for tragic tot Kieron
A 15-week-old baby was today fighting for his life after "dying" for more than seven minutes following a heart attack. Tiny Kieron Bird is in a critical condition at Great Ormond Street Hospital after his father managed to revive him. He has also had
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Maldon: Watchdog concern over 'bully boy' tactics
The case of a Maldon family wrongly accused of not paying their gas and electricity bills is being highlighted by industry watchdogs complaining about "bully boy" tactics. The watchdog, energywatch, says that energy suppliers are too quick to assume that
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Soccer: Young fans select their Town star
Billericay Town's young fans will present the trophy to their choice as the club's player of the year prior to tomorrow's final Ryman Premier match of the season when relegated basement club Hampton and Richmond come to New Lodge. But one of the favourites
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Soccer: G-lovely day for U's fans
Simon Brown and Richard McKinney have promised to repay U's fans who are set to honour them with a special tribute. The Colchester United keepers will be giving away a pair of their autographed gloves to supporters. U's fans are being asked to turn up
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Tendring: New party makes history
The Community Representatives' Party made history when it won its first seats on Tendring Council. Party leader Steven Henderson was delighted with the four seats gained. He said: "I'm elated, absolutely elated. "These are the very first seats that we've
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Grays: Man dies at tunnel rail link
An investigation was today under way after a man plunged more than 35ft to his death from scaffolding at the Grays section of the Channel Tunnel rail link. It is believed that as the man fell from the scaffolding, he hit the structure before landing on
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Braintree: Corks fly for jubilant Tories
The Conservative Party was today confident it would take over running Braintree Council after Labour suffered major losses Champagne corks were flying for the Tories, which became the biggest party on Braintree Council in last night's elections. The Labour
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Colchester: Man stopped vandals' raid
A courageous have-a-go hero was threatened with a wooden pole after foiling a late-night theft attempt. The man spotted three criminals as they tried to break into the cash compartment of a telephone box in Ipswich Road, Colchester, just after midnight
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Soccer: Purfleet sign off with Shots
It is not often that a final game of the season that has no bearing on promotion or relegation attracts a bumper crowd. But tomorrow Purfleet will surely surpass their best figure so far of over 600 -- against Canvey -- when league champions Aldershot
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Swimming: Southend standards are on the up
Southend Swimming Club hosted their annual meet with clubs from all over the country joining the seasiders for this popular gala. The standard of the meet continues to improve with 20 new event best times being set this year. Jenni Lawton set two new
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Langdon Hills: Kids' school hike sparks dispute
Angry parents today claimed that a shortage of primary school spaces in Langdon Hills will force them to walk their young children miles to school. Tracy Palmer says she will have to take her daughter Megan, five, on rigorous 45-minute hikes from her
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Billericay: Pair badly injured after head-on smash with taxi
Two young men today suffered serious injuries after their powerful car collided head-on with a London taxi. Police and fire crews were called to Western Road, Billericay, after the collision at around 12.40am today. Car carnage - the horrendous crash
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Tennis: Treble delight for Kent Elms
Kent Elms celebrated a hat-trick of wins when Leigh & Westcliff LTA held its winter championship tennis finals on Sunday. Members from the Aviation Way club won three of the four finals they contested at Invicta Tennis Club in Crosby Road, Westcliff
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Colchester: Hung council on election night
The new make-up of Colchester Council has been decided - but voters will notice little change Residents went to the polls to select councillors for a third of the council's 60 seats. But at the end of the night, there was still no overall control. After
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Southend: Town at standstill after bomb scare
Southend town centre was today thrown into chaos after a suspect package was discovered at the town's Customs and Excise building. Hundreds of people were evacuated and surrounding roads sealed off as bomb squad officers were called to Alexandra House
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Swimming: Runnymede look to final success
Runnymede's swimmers have made a big splash this year to demonstrate how much improvement has taken place within the club over the past 12 months. The Thundersley club were promoted to Division One of the Speedo Diddy League last season after finishing
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Southend: School fire heightens arson fear
Concerned parents have withdrawn their children from a school after it suffered a third suspected arson attack in less than a month. The fire was discovered in an empty classroom in Southend High School for Girls, in Southchurch Boulevard, yesterday.
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Witham: Gifts go missing in post
An investigation is under way and a Royal Mail worker has been suspended amid complaints about post not arriving at a Witham home. Spencer Dyer and Pauline Gough noticed the flow of mail to their address had become less regular since the end of February
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Braintree: Students score with memorial
Students have paid tribute to a much-missed teacher at a charity football match held in her memory. Pupils, past and present, from Alec Hunter High School, Braintree, organised the match for English teacher, Annabel Ballantine-Woods who died in October
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Soccer: East Thurrock Ladies 2-2 Harlow Ladies (aet, Thurrock win 4-3 on pens)
East Thurrock Ladies have won the Essex League Cup after reaching the final for a third year in a row. After finishing second in the Premier Division of the Essex Women's League, it capped a fantastic season for the team. They looked lively from the start
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Brentwood: Residents celebrate rethink over pipes
Residents are celebrating at a block of flats in Pilgrims Hatch after they forced gas transportation giant Transco to go back to the drawing board to reroute 'eyesore' pipes installed on the side of their building. Dounsell Court residents claimed the
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Southend: 'I was hurt in clash with Tory'
A campaigner today claimed he was hit in the face with an election board during a heated row with senior Tory Roger Weaver in the early hours of the morning. Chris Ford put up 60 signs in front gardens across Southend reading "Don't Vote Conservative.
