Archive
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Stanway: Lorry knocks down fence
Residents are worried for their safety after a lorry knocked down the fences outside their homes. The lorry was swerving to avoid a collision with a car when it ploughed into the fence outside the five Dulverton Cottages in Warren Lane, Stanway, Colchester
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Colchester: Tax man says my wife is a man
A furious dad was forced to phone a tax hotline more than 1,000 times after a benefits blunder turned his wife into a mystery man Richard Ford is livid after hanging on the telephone for hours trying to sort out his family's child tax credit. He filled
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Braintree, Witham: Train late? How high is your blood pressure?
Bashful men who find it hard to approach their doctor will be able to air their medical queries in a new environment - the railway platform! Male commuters will be able to get free health advice while they wait for the train at Witham station, thanks
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South Essex: Denise for royal party
South Essex star Denise Van Outen will mix with royalty this summer after being chosen to host Party in the Park. The concert is the flagship fundraising event for Prince Charles's charity, the Prince's Trust. It is due to take place in London's Hyde
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Clacton: 12-year-old boy punched in face by teen gang
A 12-year-old boy had his glasses taken and was assaulted by an adult then punched in the face three times by two teenagers. The assault took place on the corner of Orwell Road and Marine Parade East, Clacton at about 4.15pm. A spokesman for Clacton police
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Southend: Bouncing boost for Blocks
Delighted youngsters jumped at the chance to raise money for the Evening Echo's Building Blocks Appeal. Having fun - youngsters enjoy the bouncy slide Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL Hundreds of children turned up to Priory Park to enjoy an inflatable funday
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Essex: New standard for online classifieds
Three of Europe's largest publishers of online classifieds including, owners of This Is Essex, have joined forces to create a joint venture. FinnTech aims to create a European industry standard technology for the provision of online classifieds for regional
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Clacton: Garden blast sparks bomb fear in street
A shocked couple told of the moment an electricity cable running through their garden exploded in a ball of flames. Betty and George Pullen of St John's Road, Clacton, only moved into their bungalow eight weeks ago and could not believe what was happening
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Essex: Fatal M25 smash man is named
The driver killed on the M25 near Brentwood on Monday has been named as 22-year-old David Flint. Mr Flint, from Enfield, died after the blue Ford Escort he was driving collided with a lorry just west of the motorway's junction with the A12. The car, which
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Bowls: Double county call-up
Westcliff based Essex County Bowling Club have two representatives in this year's County squad for the national Middleton Cup competition. The line-up consists of players from all clubs in the Essex area and local players are Ian Middlemast, who was in
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Rayleigh: Leap for joy
Long-awaited plans for a new skateboard centre in Rayleigh could finally become a reality. Rochford District Council's planning committee will decide whether to give the go ahead for the latest scheme for a site in King George VI playing field, Eastwood
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Canvey: Chance for more seafront funding
Those masterminding the revival of Canvey seafront were today hoping to spark a major new chance for funding. Mary Spence, who heads the Thames Gateway project, was this afternoon due to visit the seafront and meet members of the regeneration group Canvey
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Billericay: We'll fight for our kids' school places
A group of mothers have joined forces after their children were refused places at a local infant school - despite having brothers and sisters already there. The mums are upset after their children were turned down for places at Quilter's Infant School
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Rochford: Your chance to speak on future of UK
The people of Rochford can express their views on the UK's future in Europe. A public meeting is to be hosted by the district council to discuss a national referendum on proposals for a European constitution. Conservative council leader Peter Webster
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Canvey: Pets survive blaze
A woman has been reunited with her army of pets, which amazingly managed to survive a house fire. Firefighters went to her home in East Crescent, Canvey, and found the 12 cats, seven chinchillas and ten spiders still alive. The middle-aged woman, who
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Essex: Jump in car blazes sparks call for action
Car arson figures have exploded across Essex - with the number of attacks doubling in the past six years. New figures published by the Government show a 104 per cent rise in the torching of cars in the county since 1997. Billericay and District MP John
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South Ockendon: Man lay dead with dogs
An elderly man lay dead for a week in his home with his pet dogs, it was revealed today. The remains of George Basing, 71, were discovered in Mayflower Close, South Ockendon, by a friend. An inquest is to be held. Sources said the man's two pet dogs had
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Cricket: Belhus 185-9 Grays and Chadwell 186-1
Grays shrugged off their Morrant League hard luck story to claim a nine-wicket win in the Second XI Cup final. Joe Singh's two early wickets set the tone and he went on to take 4-32 from nine overs, while Dave Carter grabbed 3-46. A good 66 from Forrest
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Soccer: Battlesbridge are spot on!
On the spot -- the Hadleigh Carport Southend Borough Combination season finally came to an end at Eastwoodbury Lane last night with Battlesbridge 4th beating Novar ED & S to win the restaged final of the Cater Cup. Picture: MAXINE CLARKE With the
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Canvey: Don strikes gold for 30 years' work with RNLI
A fundraiser has been rewarded for 30 years of hard work and dedication to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Canvey branch secretary of the RNLI, Don Maclean, 71, of St Luke's Close, Canvey, was awarded the gold badge for his money raising efforts
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Rugby League: Eels out for big name capture
Essex Eels are closing in on the signing of a former rugby league international star. Although talks are in the preliminary stages, head coach Stuart Hogg is confident that the Eels will secure his signature within the next fortnight when the player returns
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Cricket: Victory is a step too far
Maldon came within a whisker of defeating the East Anglian Premier League champions Vauxhall Mallards, but ended up having to settle for a draw after dominating the match. One wicket would have been enough to claim victory for Maldon, but despite Adrian
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Soccer: Wignall woe at rebel three
Southend United manager Steve Wignall today admitted he was disappointed not to have heard from the Blues' three contract rebels. Striker Mark Rawle plus midfield duo Stuart Thurgood and Steven Clark have all been offered new deals at Roots Hall. But
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South Essex: US firm cash to boost casino
A casino is poised for an expansion, fuelling speculation that Southend could be transformed into a glitzy gaming centre to rival Blackpool. MGM Mirage, one of the the world's leading operators, has acquired a 25 per cent interest in Metro Casinos, which
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Soccer: McGleish is holding out
Only Scott McGleish of the out-of-contract players has yet to sign a new deal for Colchester United. U's chief executive Marie Partner told the Evening Gazette: "All the rest - Scott Fitzgerald, Alan White, Richard McKinney, Joe Keith, Pat Baldwin and
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Southend: Robbers locked me in cupboard
A store manager used his mobile phone to call police after being locked in a cupboard by raiders. Darren Whitelaw said he was still in shock after his ordeal at the hands of two men at the Drinks Cabin, in Hamstel Road, Southend. Shock - Darren Whitelaw
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Braintree: Inspired by his son
A firsttime novelist from Braintree is hoping his debut children's novel has enough magic behind it to make it a bestseller. Dave Lane, 42, an engineer from Grenville Road, Braintree, was inspired to write his first work, Flapjack's Wizard Adventure,
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Southend: Free me, says 'cuffed girl
There were red faces all round when a teenage girl turned up at Southend fire station yesterday with her hands in handcuffs. The 16-year-old, accompanied by two friends, asked firefighters to cut her free because the cuffs had become stuck - but she didn't
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Burnham, Southend: Homeless man broke into caravans
A homeless man broke into two caravans at Burnham-on-Crouch. The alarm was raised when a witness quizzed Lee Maynard when he was standing on the steps to one of the vans, James Ellis, prosecuting, told Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday. Maynard told
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Tendring: Service revamp gets big boost
Plans to revamp a major service to residents in Tendring have received a £200,000 cash windfall, it was revealed today. A bid to upgrade Tendring Council's benefits and revenues service has been successful - and there could be more money on the way in
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Cressing, Braintree: Sidney, 65, hit by card cloning con at cash point
A pensioner realised he was the victim of a card cloning scam after conmen stole more than £500 from his account Sidney Cole, 65, of Tye Green Road, Cressing, was out with his wife Theresa, 62, in Braintree town centre when he was tricked by conmen, who
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Basildon: Splash out for flume fun
Young water lovers can splash around as much as they like this week as Basildon holds its very own Flume Extravaganza. To tie in with the school's half-term holidays, Basildon Council's Gloucester Park swimming pool is holding flume sessions every day
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Angling: Matchmen enjoy bountiful practice
With Tony Cheeseman's Colmic-sponsored Northlands Park Evening Series starting tomorrow, both matchmen practicing for the event and pleasure anglers have been taking big mixed catches at the venue. Pole angler Steve Langdon took a cracking 50lb-plus mixed
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Basildon: Hospital unveils new parking bays
A new car park has been built for patients and visitors to Basildon Hospital. The parking provides an extra 89 spaces for the public at the increasingly busy site. More spaces - chief operating officer Alan Whittle for the hospital trust by the new car
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Thundersley: Turning vandals into wall artists
Young vandals in Benfleet could be transformed into radical contemporary artists, if an innovative scheme gets approved next Monday. Castle Point Council's highways and leisure committee is being asked to approve a project for a major new community mural
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Colchester: Hop over to the real ale festival for a good brew
Cheers! Visitors to this week's Colchester Real Ale and Cider Festival have more than 100 brews to choose from. This year, there are no excuses for not popping in before the fun runs out on Saturday at Colchester Arts Centre. Even if real ale doesn't
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Benfleet: Old folk's charity in closure fear
A charity faces closure unless kind hearted volunteers step in to save the day. Age Concern in Benfleet is calling for people who can spare just a couple of hours a week to help their ageing neighbours. Shutdown worry - Valerie Wells, of Age Concern,
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Doddinghurst: No entrance for fooball club
A charity event planned to raise money for a Doddinghurst football club had to be scrapped because of a 50-year-old act. Doddinghurst Olympic Football Club was hoping to boost its funds by staging a Hypnotist Night at the village hall in School Road.
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Clacton: 'Residents' anger at roadside sales
Angry residents in Clacton have called for the brakes to be put on the sale of cars from the roadside. People living along London Road and Valley Road are fed up with vehicles parked along the side of the road and want the practice stopped and have the
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Canvey: Bid to halt yacht club's new jetty
Ambitious plans to create a £14,000 jetty are meeting fierce opposition from people living nearby. The Island Yacht Club at the Point, Canvey, is looking to build a 45ft-long pontoon that would enable youngsters to take their boats out into a sheltered
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Southend: Blue star's new love
Pop heart-throb Duncan from boy band Blue dropped by a Southend showroom to collect a rare Volkswagen car. Dream machine - Duncan, from boyband Blue, picks up his new car at the VW showroom in Southend Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY Crowds of excited youngsters
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Brentwood: Companies to tender for secure training centre
The Home Office is stepping up the pace to establish a secure training centre in Brentwood. The Youth Justice Board is inviting companies to tender for the building and management contract for the controversial youth jail on the former St Charles Site
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Soccer: Sereni could return
Ipswich Town's record-signing Matteo Sereni could return to Portman Road this summer. The shot-stopper is expected to report for pre-season training on July 2 if a club does not snap him up before then. Town paid £4.7 million for the Italian in August
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Basildon: Artistic day for library
Hundreds of children have been pouring through the doors of a library to try their hand at a variety of art and craft activities. Something fishy - children work on a scaly design at Fryerns Library Picture: ROB BROWNE Fryerns Library, in Whitmore Way
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Colchester: Private security to patrol centre?
Privately-funded security guards could be employed to patrol a shopping area in Colchester. The idea is being considered by a problem-solving group set up to look at difficulties at The Centre, in Greenstead. Greenstead library and the Co-op already have
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Basildon: One million cigs are seized by Customs
Customs officers who seized one million cigarettes from a lorry in Basildon believe they were smuggled in by big-time crooks. Officers swooped on the German-owned lorry - parked in a layby on the Southend-bound A127 between the A128 and Five Bells junctions
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Colchester: No action against war objection duo
Two soldiers who were sent home from the Gulf after refusing to fight have been told that no further action will be taken against them. The pair from Colchester-based 16 Air Assault Brigade were sent home in March and their case was taken up by Forces
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Harwich: Library quiz boosts its own identity in town
A special competition aimed at raising the profile of Harwich library proved a huge success. Families were encouraged to go along to the building to take part in a quiz about what could be found inside. The event was run in conjunction with Harwich School's
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Southend: Frank's message on how to avoid drug addiction
The launch of a major new Government initiative tackling drugs has been welcomed. Southend Drug Action Team has welcomed the programme aimed at tackling drugs misuse among young people. The agency echoed the Government's concern about the increasing problem
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Essex: BBC slammed for planning to show bodies on television
The Braintree father-in-law of a soldier who died in Iraq today declined to publicly step in to the row over the BBC showing his body and that of another dead soldier on television. Neil Thorpe, the father-in-law of Staff Sergeant Simon Cullingworth,
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Canvey, Hullbridge: Mum's fury at farm ban after fire mishap
The mother of a seven-year old boy who set fire to a barn today said the farmer had banned him from visiting again. Donna Langridge, from Canvey, admitted her son Keith had been playing with matches and a lighter in the barn at Malyons Farm, in Malyons
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Rochford: Hospital unit at brickworks
A disused brickworks on the outskirts of Rochford is to be the site for Southend Hospital's new diagnostic and treatment centre, it was revealed today. The site is off Cherry Orchard Way and close to Southend Airport and has been out of use for some years
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Youngsters to develop Youth Charter
Young people in Essex are being asked what they want in a new Youth Charter. Connexions is a new advice service set up to provide information, guidance and support to 13-19 year olds. The level of service young people can expect will be written into a
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Thurrock: Ten-year plan for schools
A wide range of proposals for education in Thurrock over the next ten years has been backed by the council's cabinet. They range from building new schools in Aveley and Grays, to looking at combining headteacher posts at combined infant and junior schools
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Cycle Speedway: Rebels pick up second triumph
Rob and Richard Hughes turned on the style for Great Wakering Rebels as they won their second league meeting of the season. The Rebels saw off Norwich 85-74 in their South East League Division Two fixture thanks to good team pairings and use of reserves
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Soccer: Let's hear Roots Hall roar again - Wignall
New Southend United boss Steve Wignall is the man responsible for giving all Shrimpers fans one great big painful kick in the teeth back in 1998. Making the depressing freefall from the promised land of Division One straight back into the more familiar
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Great Bentley: Stars and strife over flagpole
Village councillors are refusing to allow their flagpole to be used to fly the stars and stripes to welcome visiting American students. In a majority decision, Great Bentley parish councillors say the flagpole, which stands on the historic green, is for
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Soccer: Youth is key to Billericay future
New Billericay Town boss Justin Edinburgh is looking to homegrown talent to build a successful future for the Ryman Premier club. The New Lodge boss now has his backroom team in place and has emphasised the importance of developing the club's own players
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Southend: Needy pupils get big cash windfall
Education chiefs in Southend are celebrating a £1.4million handout to give hundreds of special needs children the best start in life. The Government grant will pay for new learning centres to be built at two secondary and two primary schools. The pupils
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Basildon: Concern over services
Basildon is overcrowded, services are at breaking point, fear of crime is high and residents do not feel part of a community, a survey by the town's Strategic Partnership has revealed. Basildon Council, the partnership's biggest stakeholder, says the
