Archive
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Brightlingsea: Three-car smash blocks road
Two people suffered serious injuries in a three-car pile-up at a notorious accident blackspot today. The driver of an Escort XR3i was trapped underneath the wreckage for 45 minutes as emergency rescuers tried to free him. He suffered serious injuries
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Benfleet: Sale of shut post office
A post office which mysteriously closed in February is to be sold off, it has been claimed. Castle Point Council was told Hopes Green post office, High Road, Benfleet, shut due to "operational difficulties" which may need police investigation. But Essex
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Langdon Hills: These boots aren't made for walking
Angry parents today mocked Essex's planned Walk to School Week - because some youngsters face a 50-minute hike. Essex County Council will launch the campaign on Monday urging families to travel to school on foot. But parents in Langdon Hills have attacked
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American Football: Nene Valley Hybrids 9 - 23 Essex Spartans
Spartans returned to winning ways with a solid performance against league newcomers Nene Valley. Following their defeat in Sussex last week Spartans were delighted to pick up a third win of the season against the Kettering-based side which drew on some
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Basildon: Hospital's bid for new status
Basildon Hospital is set to gain more freedom to shape its own future after being named as one of 29 candidates for foundation status. The hospital will be able to raise cash through private borrowing to support services if it gains foundation status
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Basildon: Charity shop is now facing a bleak future
A charity shop in Basildon is facing a bleak future and possible closure after being told to pay nearly six times more rent. The Diamond Taskforce charity shop in Whitmore Way has been paying £75 a month but will now be forced to shell out £400 after
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Leigh: Council steps in and saves lights
The annual Christmas celebrations in Leigh have been safeguarded, thanks to town councillors. Doubt has been cast over the popular Christmas event ever since Leigh Traders' Association said it could no longer afford to run it. Traders feared business
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Soccer: Biggest ever event for Castledon
Castledon Colts Youth Football Club staged their seventh annual tournament. The event is the culmination of the club's activities for the season, raising funds and supporting their aim of promoting football in the community for all ages. Concentration
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Billericay: Poor response by students to youth service survey
A disappointing response to a survey means students in Billericay will no longer have a vast array of activities to keep them entertained in the summer holidays. Police only received 70 responses from 3,500 sixth formers in the town asking their views
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Soccer: Youth scheme as Grays go full-time
Grays Athletic have become the first club outside the Football Conference to go full time. It is a highly ambitious move that was the brainchild of manager Mark Stimson and director of football Mike Woodward, who will put a great deal of emphasis on youth
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Braintree: Mum praises public for cash donations
A young mother has praised the generosity of the public after raising £300 in memory of her baby son who died of meningitis. Heidi Clark, of Rose Gardens, Braintree, raised the money for the Meningitis Research Fund through a karaoke night in The Bull
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Colchester: Councillors vote themselves a pay rise
Colchester's councillors have been awarded a 64 per cent pay rise by themselves. The basic allowance for each of the council's 60 elected members has risen from £2,878 per year to £4,275 after a meeting of the full council approved the changes yesterday
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Soccer: Warren raring to get going
Defender Mark Warren is looking forward to taking his place at the heart of Southend United's rearguard. The centre-half has agreed a one-year deal with the Third Division club, after being released by Essex rivals Colchester, and will complete the formalities
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Brentwood, Canvey: Parents' sorrow at death of son
A heartbroken mum whose son was killed in a car smash said today: "He was a lovely bloke." Dean Ridgwell, 30, who was born on Canvey but was living in Romford at the time of his death, was killed when he was hit by a car on the A128 in Brentwood. Grief
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Chelmsford: Rare cancer centre wish
A centre which treats rarer forms of cancer could be set up in mid Essex. Lifesaving bone, throat and stomach cancer operations could be performed at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford. Mid Essex Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, is one of
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Soccer: Johnson - I'd love to stay
Colchester United's injury-hit utility-man Gavin Johnson says he's not given up hope of playing for the U's again. The 32-year-old, whose contract expires this summer, has been out of action since breaking his left leg against Port Vale last September
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Cricket: Essex wilt against Anderson hat-trick
Nasser Hussain's dismal lack of form continued at Old Trafford yesterday when he was a first ball victim for England fast bowling prospect James Anderson. The 20-year-old from Burnley included his international captain as one of his hat-trick victims
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Soccer: Stadium may be shared
Chelmsford City Football Club could share a massive new soccer stadium complex in Basildon with Billericay Town. Billericay Town chairman Rod Moore has refused to rule out continuing to have Chelmsford City as tenants if their multi-million pound stadium
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Soccer: Heartache for Bowditch in Euro Championships
Dean Bowditch faced a night of heartache after England crashed out of the Under-17 European Championships. The Ipswich Town striker scored one goal and created another but it was not enough to prevent a semi-final defeat against hosts Portugal. Bowditch
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Shoebury: Rachel breaks down the barriers
Try telling Shoebury student Rachel Burley sport is a man's world. After organising the annual charity football match between the first and second year boys at South East Essex College, she played in the match as well. Girls allowed - Rachel Burley in
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Witham: Parents warned over dangerous school parking
Witham police teams have warned off dozens of parents they found parking dangerously outside schools in and around the town. It is part of their crackdown on drivers taking children to and from school. Most schools in the surrounding villages have been
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Clacton: Why Elvis fan Mark isn't lonesome any more
Elvis is alive and well and living in Clacton! The undisputed King of Rock and Roll may have passed on in 1977, but music shop owner and fan Mark Farrow is no longer lonesome. Elvis isn't leaving this building - Fan Mark Farrow has no intentions of parting
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Basildon: £35,000 of film stolen
More than £35,000 worth of Kodak film has been stolen in Basildon. Crooks broke into a warehouse in the Basildon Business Centre, Bentalls, at 2.30am on Tuesday. They smashed an alarm, then used the company's own forklift truck to load up a red curtain-sided
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South Woodham Ferrers: Teenagers' booze seized by police
Police in South Woodham seized £400 worth of booze from teenagers celebrating the end of an exam on Tuesday. Up to 50 students, aged 15 to 16, thought to be from William de Ferrers school, congregated in the nearby Compass Gardens park with a large quantity
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Mountnessing: Two hour ordeal for dog trapped underground
Firefighters dug deep to rescue a dog stuck six feet underground. The four-year-old golden retriever, named Teddy, found himself in the canine calamity after chasing an animal down a fox hole. Firefighters from Brentwood and Ingatestone armed with spades
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Chelmsford, Maldon: Maintenance backlog at hospital
Ageing St Peter's Hospital has a backlog of maintenance work estimated to cost around £3.8m and will need a total of nearly £10m injected in the future to keep it operational. The sums do not include cash for services and Maldon and South Chelmsford Primary
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Southend: Airport security to be beefed up
Security measures will be tightened up at Southend Airport in a Government-led initiative to combat the threat of terrorism. Customs officers at all ports and airports are to be issued with new detective equipment in an effort to stop terrorists bringing
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Witham, Hatfield Peverel: New A12 plan 'rat run' fear
A new road to improve safety and traffic flow on the A12 could lead to worse traffic in Hatfield Peverel, a public inquiry was told. The second day of the inquiry into the planned Witham to Hatfield Peverel link road yesterday heard objections to the
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Tennis: Tiebreak triumph sees Bay home
Thorpe Bay grabbed a close away victory over Frinton in the county division of the National Club League. Rob Gordon, Jon Lee, David Tubbs and Andrew Ferguson fought out a 3-3 draw against Frinton before winning the tiebreak 2-1. Jon Lee - helped Thorpe
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Southend: Schools hit out at spending plan
Headteachers today voiced their disgust at a Government suggestion to ease a funding crisis by paying staff out of building budgets. Schools around Southend continue to demand a boost in funds, rather than dip into cash allocated for vital repair work
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Golf: SEEVIC stars are nearest the Pinner!
When the South-East Schools' Sports Association golf championships took place at Pinner Hill there was major success for Thundersley's SEEVIC College. Kings of the swingers - the SEEVIC line-up which dominated the South-East Schools' golf championships
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Athletics: Top twenty finish for Graham
Tiptree Road Runners were in action on roads, trails and tracks over the last seven days. Graham Byford followed up his excellent debut with a superb run at the Frinton Half-Marathon. His time of one hour 29 minutes 34 seconds gave him a top twenty finish
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Trampolining, Gymnastics: Parker brings home success
King John School's Amanda Parker has enjoyed top sporting success on two fronts. Double delight - for King John's Amanda Parker Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL In the national schools trampolining championships the Thundersley school's student picked up a bronze
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Jaywick: Pensioner unhappy at heart test delay
A retired insurance broker who has suffered three heart attacks faces a six-month wait for an important exercise test, before being put on another list for more health checks. Peter Jackson, 71, of Tudor Green, Jaywick, has suffered three heart attacks
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Braintree: Prince to open Tabor Centre
Braintree is to get its first royal visit for eight years. Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, will visit the newly-opened Tabor Centre for handicapped adults in Weavers Park and unveil a plaque on May 28. The royal visit will be the second of three Essex
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Stansted: Anger over airport plans
Fury spread across Uttlesford and beyond this week after BAA called on the Government to build up to two new runways at Stansted Airport with protest groups, residents, and MPs joining in a chorus of condemnation. Saffron Walden MP, Sir Aan Haselhurst
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Colchester: Ivor is appointed new High Steward
Colchester is to get its first High Steward since the death of Lord Alport five years ago. Colchester Council is set to rubberstamp the appointment of Essex University vice-chancellor Ivor Crewe at the end of June. The post is being resurrected after
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Soccer: Mosely 'delighted' with Chelmsford post
Chelmsford City have appointed former player Steve Mosely as their new manager replacing former England and Manchester United defender Paul Parker who has agreed to take over at rival Dr Martens League Premier Division side Welling United. Mosely, 40,
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Thurrock: Hospital airlift for trapped man
A worker was airlifted to hospital after trapping his right hand and arm in a press at a south Essex factory. The 42-year-old, who has not been named, was in excruciating pain as emergency services battled to remove his arm from the machine at Duffin
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Colchester: Police crackdown on truants
Police officers running a truancy sweep in Colchester spoke to 54 youngsters who were off school. But just 17 of those spotted during this week's Operation Henniker crackdown were unaccompanied. The rest were with a parent or guardian. Colchester police
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Benfleet: Keeping cabbies secure
Taxi drivers could reduce the chance of being assaulted by installing a protective shield to separate them from rowdy passengers. Benfleet businesswoman Pat Robertson believes the tough, clear polycarbonate screen her company manufactures could be the
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Basildon: Hand over your old footy shirt
Soccer fans are being asked to root around their wardrobes in search of old football shirts as part of a new charity initiative. Charity effort - Leann Cartwright sits on the shoulders of DHL colleagues Dean Gilsenan and Stewart Phelps Picture: LUAN MARSHALL
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Tendring: Councillors' fees pegged
Allowances paid to Tendring councillors are to stay the same - for the time being. The panel which considers the payments made to councillors recommended a two and a half per cent increase for 2003-4, but that has now been put on ice until at least September
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Soccer: Flavs - I'm reeling!
Southend United goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan admitted today he was still in a state of shock following his Roots Hall release. The talented shot-stopper is now available on a free transfer after Shrimpers boss Steve Wignall told the 25-year-old his contract
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Clacton: Owner angry as pet cuts paw in park
A dog owner has told how she was left with a vet's bill of more than £200 after her pet cut its paw while running about on a public playing field. The woman, who did not want to be named, was with her dogs and three children at Rush Green park and play
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Westcliff: Body released for burial
A mother who was found decapitated in the street is to make the final journey to her native country of Zimbabwe where she will be laid to rest. The body of Paulina Ncube, 42, was discovered in Balmoral Road, Westcliff, just after 10am on March 24. Police
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South Ockendon, Pitsea: Violent husband going back to prison
Violent John Jennings was today sent back to jail for breaking into his estranged wife's home with a knife, beating her and dragging her semi-naked into his van. Appeal court judges insisted the initial 18-month sentence for father-of-three John Jennings
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Castle Point: Leisure centre takeover scheme
Sports centres in Castle Point could be taken over by a private contractor in an effort to boost investment and improve services, it has been revealed. Castle Point Council is prepared to hand over Waterside Farm Sports Centre, in Somnes Avenue, Canvey
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Rayleigh: Carla's stage debut
A girl who has been dancing since the age of five is set to make her stage debut in London tonight. Star turn - Carla Gentry Picture: MAXINE CLARKE Carla Gentry, 14, from Teignmouth Drive, Rayleigh, will be appearing in the London Children's Ballet production
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Southend: Tot's sponsored toddle raises £200 for NSPCC
On your marks, get set, start toddling! Thirty-five tots, aged from young babies to four-year-olds, took part in a sponsored toddle at the Royal Village Day Nursery, in Alexandra Road, Southend. United effort - toddlers start their fundraising walk Picture
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Soccer: Benfleet and Devils dominate Ramblers contest
Red Devils and Benfleet dominated the under-ten section of Leigh Ramblers' football tournament, each pipping the other to a section title. The under-tens were the first in action at the two-day footy-fest, with the Beckham Cup going to Devils and the
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Weightlifting: Qualifying weighs on Dave's mind
Dave Venables has a European Championship medal in his sights but admits a qualifying weight for the Worlds is his main aim. "I've had a few knocks and am probably about 90 per cent fit," said the Langdon Hills weightlifter. "Obviously I'd like to get
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Soccer: Shrimpers line up friendlies
Southend United have confirmed the dates for a series of Roots Hall pre-season friendlies. Two First Division sides will be the first summer visitors with Ipswich Town travelling down from Suffolk on Tuesday, July 15, before Kent outfit Gillingham cross
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Soccer: Trio sign up
Southend United striker Tes Bramble has accepted a new two-year contract. Blues boss Steve Wignall said: "Tes can be a big asset to this club. He could get 15 to 20 goals next season and we have given him two years to stop him leaving on a Bosman as he
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Soccer: Wednesday League's final whistle
The Old Ship sailed into the sunset last night with the last-ever trophy to be played for in the Southend Wednesday League. After 98 years the competition, which has brought so many thrills and spills and a legion of memories to so many since its inception
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Essex: Councils leading the way with e-technology
Essex authorities are at the forefront of realising the benefits available through e-procurement. Several councils including Essex County Council and Basildon, Braintree, Maldon, Rochford and Tendring District Councils have adopted a new software system
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Hockey: Rally good show for team
The girls' year ten and 11 hockey team from Thundersley's King John School reigned supreme in the Castle Point District Rally. They won their group and semi-final without conceding a single goal to secure a final spot against Canvey's Furtherwick Park
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Golf: Fisher hooks top position with Hull
Mark Fisher and Brian Hull from Southend Golf Club stormed to victory in Rochford Hundred's midweek guest day. The deadly duo notched 46 Stableford points in the fourball betterball morning competition to see off the challenge from Roger Newell and Andrew
