Archive
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Braintree: Parents vow to fight new rules
A group of parents are vowing to do all they can to prevent a controversial new schools admissions policy coming into effect The Notley Admissions Action Group (NAAG) was formed by a group of parents whose children go to John Ray Junior School, in an
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Soccer: Jay faces agonising wait for recovery
Shrimpers midfielder Jay Smith will not start his rehabilitation from a groin problem until September. The 21-year-old, who cracked five goals after joining Blues from Aston Villa last term, missed the last two months of the season with the injury. Southend
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Southend: Sir Teddy blasts spin
Spin and propaganda in Parliament have become such a nightmare in recent times that the public do not know who to believe, a Tory MP has said. Sir Teddy Taylor, MP for Rochford and Southend East, launched the attack when he spoke to the Southend Headteachers
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Cricket: Eagles grounded by Thorpe blitz
Graham Thorpe kept his composure to condemn Essex Eagles to a three-wicket defeat at the hands of National League leaders Surrey Lions at The Oval yesterday. The "forgotten man" of England scored a magnificent unbeaten 79 to steer his side to a success
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Great Bentley: Schools parade for new building
A pageant of pupils celebrated their school's history as they welcomed the opening of its new building. Children from Great Bentley Primary School paraded around the village in costumes from different eras since the original building opened in 1896. Every
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Tendring: Boundary shake-up support
Support has been given by council chiefs to proposals to carve up Tendring's electoral boundaries. Tendring Council's cabinet met to give its opinions on the proposals, which could see the the district divided between two constituencies instead of the
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Castle Point: Let the buildings rot
Crunch talks will take place about the deterioration of key council buildings throughout Castle Point. Members of the central services committee were set to discuss the problem of bringing Castle Point's leisure centres, public toilets and civic halls
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Essex: No Euro for Britain yet, says Brown
Gordon Brown today announced Britain was not yet ready to join the European single currency, the Euro. In a statement in the House of Commons this afternoon, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that our economy had not yet converged sufficiently with
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Harwich: £10,000 poll bill
A referendum on Bathside Bay could cost taxpayers up to £10,000. Harwich and Dovercourt residents are set to be asked their opinion on the plan to expand Harwich International Port. Tendring Council will organise the "parish poll" but will then bill Harwich
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Cricket: Battling Bopara takes plaudits in Essex draw
Ravinder Bopara earned warm praise from head coach Graham Gooch as he played the major role in earning Essex a draw in their Championship battle against Middlesex at Lord's. The 18-year-old followed up his 48 in the first innings with an unbeaten 40 in
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Athletics: Juniors give it best shot
There were some stunning performances by a trio of Southend AC athletes in the UKA Young Athletes League Southend Division One East match at Ashford. The match produced some fine performances with 16 personal bests in the boys team but three results stand
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Clacton: Grand effort for charity
A charity trolley dash has raised more than £1,000. The event was run by Clacton Lions and about £500 has been donated to the Clacton and District Occupational Workshop Society for its minibus appeal. A further £500 was given to Tendring Community Transport
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Southend: MP's help for captive
An MP has been in talks with the Egyptian Ambassador to ensure the humane treatment of a man held prisoner in Egypt. Southend West Tory David Amess met Ambassador Adel El-Gazzar earlier this week to discuss the trial of Maajid Nawaz. Nawaz, 24, is due
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Leigh: Disabled man stuck in brook
A disabled man who spent hours in a brook in a Leigh park was recovering after being rescued by firefighters and paramedics. The man is believed to have crawled along the brook in Bonchurch Park trying to find a way up the 5ft banks but was unable to
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Cricket: Bopara resists as Essex fall apart
Essex's batting line-up was blown away with embarrassing ease as Middlesex established a solid grip on their Championship clash at Lord's. They went into the third day on 95-8 and 119 short of avoiding the follow on after their opponents had posted a
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Colchester: Woman handed 3-year drive ban
A woman has been banned from the road for three years after she failed twice to give police a breath specimen after being stopped on suspicion of drink-driving. Donna Pearce, 28, admitted two charges of failing to give specimens and one of failing to
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Essex: Fixed rate for bus travel?
Essex pensioners and children, including students, could be set to get a new deal on bus fares. The county council is trying to arrange a flat rate fare for these groups, which could mean they would be able to travel anywhere within the county at a fixed
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Aldham: Crowds flock to vintage show for a good old time
A vintage time was had as visitors flocked to a huge display of classic vehicles and engines at the weekend. Crowds didn't let a heavy downpour dampen their spirits at the 26th annual Aldham Old Tyme Rallye on Saturday and Sunday. With 140 vintage cars
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Braintree: Woman tells of 'severe pain'
A Braintree woman has told how she was left in severe pain for weeks after a hospital bungle delayed the diagnosis of a rare skin condition. Mrs Liz Smith, 48, was stunned when she was told at Broomfield Hospital that a biopsy tissue sample taken nine
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Triathlon: Rees battles for runners-up spot
Matt Rees put in a sterling performance in Sunday's Sainsbury's Braintree District Triathlon. Essex policeman and Braintree resident Rees came in just behind Karl Webster from Derbyshire Police. More than 100 men and women from all over the area assembled
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Speedway: Russell sorry as meeting is axed
Arena Essex promotor Ronnie Russell today apologised to speedway fans after he was forced to call off the Hammers' British League Cup meeting. The Hammers were due to meet Peterborough at the Purfleet track on Friday evening. But the match was called
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Cricket: Premier Division, Hadleigh 179, Five & Heronians 181-8
Hadleigh's hopes of chalking up their first Premier win of the season at the expense of the only team below them at the start of play went crashing. Losing the toss and being put into bat, visitors Hadleigh found it hard trying to combat a ball that did
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Basildon: Pensioner, 81, mugged
An 81-year-old woman with poor eyesight was pushed into a bush by thugs who stole her pension money. The woman from Basildon had just collected her pension when a car pulled alongside her. A man pushed her into a hedge and stole her handbag. She was left
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Essex: Fire crews cut man free
Fire crews had to cut a man free from his car after it was involved in a three-vehicle crash on the A12 on Sunday. A spokesman from the Chelmsford fire and rescue team said it took about 20 minutes to rescue the trapped man, who was then taken to Broomfield
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Essex: Dramatic drop in bogus caller crime
Police have welcomed news of a dramatic drop in the number of people falling victim to bogus callers. A number of high profile campaigns in Essex have seen the number of people being duped by conmen decrease by almost a third in the last year. New figures
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Southend: Attack 'racially motivated' say police
An unprovoked attack on an Asian man in which he had his throat slashed was racially motivated, police have said. The incident took place at 11.45pm on Friday evening on a footpath which runs alongside the road at Pier Hill, Southend, next to the entrance
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Soccer: Merry-go-round takes Ben home
Two leading local Essex Senior League teams have appointed new managers. Taking over the reins at Canvey-based Concord Rangers is Ben Embery, while Mark Jenkins, who resigned as Southend Manor boss at the end of last season, has been installed at Basildon
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Athletics: Pearce takes top spot at last
Peter Pearce won the Southend Half-Marathon by leading home a 700-strong field. Pearce, a 38-year-old pension transfer analyst who lives in Harwich and runs for Great Bentley Harriers was runner-up in 2002. He covered the course which began and finished
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Southend: Lifeguards plagued by violence and abuse
A lifeguard has spoken out on the violence and abuse he and his colleagues have to endure at Southend Council's Warriors swimming pool. The teenager, who asked not to be named, says lifeguards need security from the rising tide of aggressive visitors
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Soccer: Keeper Evans is Blues target
Southend United boss Steve Wignall revealed today he is trying to tempt England under-21 goalkeeper Rhys Evans to Roots Hall. Blues are currently without a shot-stopper after releasing Darryl Flahavan and Danny Gay at the end of last season. And Wignall
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South Ockendon: Brutal attack on abducted man
A man was abducted from a residential area and hit around the head with blunt weapons until he was unconscious, say police. The 22-year-old was today in a critical condition in the neurosurgery unit of Oldchurch Hospital in Romford and has still not regained
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Holland-on-Sea: Man conned by bogus cleaner
A 94-year-old man has told how a woman conned him out of up to £800 in his own home. The pensioner, who asked not to be named, said the woman offered to do cleaning work, but when his back was turned she made off with his purse and two wallets. The man
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Colchester: MPs pledge to fight any Army cutback
Essex MPs have vowed to fight any plans to cut the size of an army unit with strong historical links to Colchester. Despite British troops being increasingly called into action around the world, fears have been raised that the 2nd Battalion of the Royal
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South Essex: Only one pub gets in guide
Angry landlords have hit out at a new guide recommending just one pub in south Essex. The Les Routiers Pubs and Inns Guide has picked out the Bell Inn and Hill House, in Horndon-on-the-Hill, as the area's sole pub of note. Made it - John and Christine
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Southend: Week for the unsung heroes
The unstinting efforts of people who look after others joined in a celebration to mark National Volunteers' Week. Exhibitors from voluntary groups including Southend Bookstart, Cape, Bar-n-Bus, Growing Together and the Citizens Advice Bureau, were among
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Cricket: Hadleigh target first victory
Having moved off bottom spot in the Shepherd Neame Essex Cricket League Premier Division last week, Hadleigh and Thundersley will be hoping to pick up their first win of the season tomorrow. They visit Fives and Heronians, the only team below them. Top
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Soccer: Spurs in the running for Holland
Spurs are ready for a tug-of-war with Portsmouth over the signature of Ipswich Town midfielder Matt Holland. Glenn Hoddle's side - who have long been linked with the midfielder - are believed to be preparing a bid which will match the £750,000 offered
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Witham: Councillor calls it a day
After 30 years as a Witham councillor, Helen Pitchforth is calling it a day - not that she's likely to be sitting back and putting her feet up though. Doing nothing doesn't come easy to Mrs Pitchforth. If there's a problem or an issue needs tackling,
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Vange: Repair our street lights plea
An elderly woman has pleaded for street lighting in her area to be restored after weeks of darkness. Dorothy Hudson, of Gambleside, Vange, claims the lighting on local streets has been cut off since before April. She no longer feels safe walking near
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Maldon: Councilors approve road plan
Parish councillors are protesting road safety concerns after a large extension of a nursing home in Tolleshunt Major was approved last week. Councillors believe plans to increase the Beckingham Court Nursing Home in Brickhouse Road to double its size
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Essex: Woodland good for region
Woodland areas throughout the East of England could be worth up to £680 million for the region, a report has said. The report was commissioned to estimate the value of the woodland spread around the region and has said the money could be raised through
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South Essex: Bird survey finds wetlands decline
Fears of slumping bird numbers in south Essex have been backed by a shocking survey. A report by the Royal Society for Protection of Birds revealed "continuing declines" in numbers of wetland birds - such as the redshank - in lowland areas. Birdwatcher
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Castle Point: Safety course makes pupils think
A community safety initiative aimed at educating youngsters on the possible dangers they face in their day to day life has been a resounding success, the organiser said. PC Jacque Barber, Castle Point's schools liaison officer, ran the week-long workshop
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Canvey: Travellers set up camp on recreation ground
A group of travellers have set up home on Canvey. The travelling band, made up of around a dozen caravans, continued to arrive at the Smallgains recreation ground, next to Kings Holiday Park, over the weekend. Castle Point Council is aware of the development
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Benfleet: School fete terrorised by youths
Nuisance youths threatened to vandalise a school and tip over a barbecue as youngsters enjoyed a summer fete. The organisers of the event at Kents Hill Junior School, in Benfleet, were forced to call the police after a gang of teenagers threatened to
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Hadleigh: Girl tells of attack terror
A teenager today told how she burst into tears after being pursued and attacked outside her home. Kristy Brown, 17, was walking home from her grandmother's when a cyclist with rotten teeth stopped her in London Road to ask for directions to Hadleigh's
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Essex: Green wish list for Gateway cash
Green campaigners have given a mixed response to a shopping list of potential schemes in the Rochford district which could be funded with Thames Gateway cash. The Thames Gateway scheme will regenerate areas on both sides of the River Thames from Southend
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Benfleet: Diving star to boost healthy living message
A school will be making a splash this week when healthy living gets put firmly on the curriculum. Kents Hill Junior School, in Kents Hill Road, Benfleet, has an action-packed week planned with the culmination being a visit from a sporting star. Karen
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Little Wakering: £100 reward to catch thugs who shot cat
An animal welfare group has put up a £100 reward to help catch snipers who shot a cat in the jaw with an airgun. Members of the voluntary-run Animal Rescue centre, in Rayleigh, are hoping the cash incentive will lead to the arrest and conviction of the
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Basildon: Drugs worker Ian's Number 10 advice
A drugs worker is due to meet Tony Blair to reveal his views on how to tackle addictions which lead to crime. Ian Swift is an arrest referral worker at Basildon police who meets everyone arrested by officers to see if they have problems with drugs or
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Braintree: Getting cycling in towns
Braintree Council is to celebrate bike week between June 14 and June 22 by officially opening two cycleways. In a bid to encourage residents to get out of their cars and on to bikes, the council will be officially opening a cycleway between Millennium
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Southend: Teenagers cleared of assault
Three teenagers charged with one count of assault causing actual bodily harm have been cleared by a jury at Southend Crown Court. The court heard how the three youngsters, who cannot be named for legal reasons and who have all denied the accusation, were
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Colchester: Mamma mia, it's Lina's Gazette
Mamma mia! Lina Arlenghi may not speak a word of English - but that doesn't stop her enjoying her favourite daily newspaper. She fell in love with Colchester when visiting son Alberto in Coggeshall Lina adored our Roman connections and historic walls
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Grays: Shoppers asked to pick a logo
A shopping centre undergoing a massive revamp is preparing to take on a new identity with the creation of a new logo. Shoppers in Grays are being invited to pick one of four shortlisted designs which will herald a new era for the centre. Chainbow and
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Essex: Bamber turns to European court
Convicted murderer Jeremy Bamber is taking his case to the European Court of Human Rights. Bamber lost an appeal last autumn against his conviction for killing five members of his family at White House Farm, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, in 1985. His case was dismissed
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Rayleigh: Charity bet pays off for pub
Customers at The Spread Eagle pub in Rayleigh came out tops in a Ladbrokes' top tipster competition. Their prize was a £100 charity bet which they split between favourite Refuse to Bend, second favourite Brian Boru and Kris Kin, the outsider that won
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Essex: Police release e-fit
Detectives have released an e-fit of the man they believe kidnapped and raped a 21-year-old woman with learning difficulties. Officers from Essex are working with colleagues in Kent in a joint operation after the woman revealed details of her horrific
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Colchester: Park and ride plan up for discussion
A six-day-a-week park and ride scheme for Colchester has moved a step closer to realisation. Planning applications for the new development, thought to be up and running by 2006, will be put before Colchester Council's planning committee this week and
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Southend: Netball court fees rocket
Netball teams fear they may be forced to disband after the cost of hiring a court in Southend nearly tripled. Saxon netball team was left in "complete shock" when they booked a court at Garon Park and were told instead of paying £11.50 they would have
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Clacton: Sex shop's owner is jailed for porn tape
A man has been jailed for having what a judge described as some of the most disgusting pornography he had ever seen. A police and trading standards raid on William Samler's Clacton sex shop netted more than 600 videos, and a court heard how many of them
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Soccer: Maher sticking with the Blues
Southend United skipper Kevin Maher has pledged his allegiance to the Roots Hall club. The 26-year-old is believed to be a summer transfer target for Third Division rivals Leyton Orient, who made an unsuccessful attempt to capture the cultured midfielder
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Southend: Firefighters rescue driver
Firefighters using specialist cutting equipment sliced open a vehicle so paramedics could treat the driver following a collision near Sadlers Farm roundabout. The accident happened at 6pm on Saturday when a Ford Transit van collided with Vauxhall Frontier
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Basildon: Thai girl's hell in a Basildon vice den
A teenager forced to have sex with strangers in a Basildon brothel has spoken of her terrifying and humiliating ordeal. Mary Pondee from Thailand was only 16 when she was sold into prostitution after believing she was coming to England to become a maid
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Canvey: Allan's First World War
First World War enthusiast Allan Reed crosses the channel every year to gather more of his "iron harvest". This is his name for the metal relics of war which keep being ploughed up by French and Belgium farmers tilling the former battlefields. Allan,
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Soccer: Pobjoy set to lift Town
Billericay Town have appointed a new commercial consultant to help promote a bright future for the club. Dennis Pobjoy arrives at New Lodge having held commercial posts previously at Conference club Stevenage and fellow Ryman sides Hendon and Boreham
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Wickford: Police hunt for rail station sex attacker
Transport police want to question a man in connection with a serious sexual assault. A white man, described as between 18 and 25, attacked a woman as she left a toilet cubicle at Wickford train station. The woman, in her late 20s, managed to fight the
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Benfleet: Robbers kick in window
Police are hunting thieves who kicked a hole in a shop window during an attempted robbery. The incident occurred at the Chelmsford Star Co-op store, in Church Road, Benfleet, but the thieves were put off from stealing anything after a burglar alarm was
