Archive
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Boxted: Haulage firm to close because of crime
A haulage firm employing 18 people is shutting down because of the cost of dozens of crimes. The final blow came when staff arrived at East Coast Tipping in Boxted yesterday to find raiders had taken tens of thousands of pounds worth of computers and
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Great Bardfield: Biker fanatic remembered
Tributes have been paid to a family man who died in a motorcycle accident. The family of Keith Smith, of Bendlowes Road, Great Bardfield, said the much-loved and hard-working father would be sorely missed. Mr Smith died following a collision involving
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Braintree: Pensioner hit by car
A pensioner has branded a hit-and-run motorist who wrote off her mobility scooter as "horrible and mean". Evelyn Knight, 83, was left suffering from shock after a car struck her scooter while she waited to cross the road in Braintree town centre. Mrs
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Essex: Our trains are tops
Two train companies operating in Essex are more punctual than virtually anywhere else in the country. New figures released by the Strategic Rail Authority show that only Merseyside and the Isle of Wight can beat the region's First Great Eastern and c2c
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Southend: Local chemists at risk of closing
Labour Southend councillors are urging people to speak out against a shake-up in community pharmacies. The overhaul could lead to the closure of thousands of community chemists shops, and the loss of facilities to least able members of society, it is
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Basildon: Action call over travellers
Business leaders today called on authorities to take swift action against travellers who set up camp on parkland on Basildon's Miles Gray Road over the weekend. Invasion worry - some of the newly arrived caravans Picture: ROB BROWNE The site has become
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Hatfield Peverel: Reveller had broken bottle
An angry New Year reveller returned to the house in Hatfield Peverel on January 1 with a broken bottle where he had earlier gate crashed an unauthorised party. Other party goers were awoken by Nathan Collins, 18, demanding the return of his mobile phone
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Weeley: Walk of fear
A mother today told how she and her two children take their lives in their hands every time they walk to school. Helen Lally, of Bentley Road, Weeley Heath, makes the journey with Rebecca, six, and Thomas, four, each day to St Andrew's Church of England
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Southend: Charity shop's big sale
A charity shop is looking like a "densely packed jungle" and needs to get rid of some stock. The Fairhavens charity shop, in Alexandra Street, Southend, is getting so overloaded it is starting a special sale today. Public relations manager Jennie Hubbard
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Leigh: Facelift blueprint for Old Town
Major changes to improve the environment of Leigh Old Town are being examined. At a special meeting of Leigh Town Council due to be held next month the proposals will be discussed by members with top Southend councillors. Cabinet members David Garston
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Southend: Travellers to be moved on
A group of travellers are to be kicked off land after they were allegedly spotted causing criminal damage. The travellers moved on to council land behind Waitrose in Southchurch, Southend. A council spokeswoman said: "They have been served Section 61
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Thundersley: D-day for college plan
College bosses were on tenterhooks today, waiting to see whether a £200,000 sports arena dream can become reality. Seevic, in Runnymede Chase, Thundersley, successfully applied to the Government for the right to become a Centre of Vocational Excellence
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Cricket: Schools are kwik off the mark
Abbotts Hall, Stanford-le-Hope, and Stifford Clays, from Grays, were successful when the local round of the BBC Sport Kwik Cricket Festival for primary schools was staged at Basildon and Pitsea's Mopsies Park home. Plenty of effort - from Rayleigh Primary
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Soccer: Delay in naming new skipper
Ipswich Town are to delay naming their new captain. The Blues must select a new skipper following Matt Holland's £750,000 move to Charlton. Jim Magilton is the early favourite - having captained the side in Holland's absence and worn the armband for Northern
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Hadleigh: Teens in raid on store for phone
Three youths are wanted by police after they stole a mobile phone from a store. The youngsters are said to have entered Woolworths, in London Road, Hadleigh, and tried to steal two phones. A store assistant gave chase and one of the mobiles was dropped
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Karate: Leanne enjoys a golden moment
Leanne Denham has become a karate World Champion at the age of 15. Competing in the championships in Birmingham Leanne won her crown in the 14- 15 age group. Golden wonder - Leanne Denham. Picture: MAXINE CLARKE Leanne, who attends Canvey's Furtherwick
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Rugby Union: Essex gets set to stage breakaway
There will almost certainly be a completely new look to competitive rugby in Essex next season with the county RFU set to make its long-awaited breakaway from the Eastern Counties. The move should soon be rubber-stamped and should be given the green light
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Basildon: Still no refunds
Some disabled drivers promised refunds after being clamped in the town centre are still waiting to get their £95 back - two months later. Two disabled drivers are particularly angry as they claim the general manager of the company which runs the town
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St Osyth: Village publicans off to sunny Spain
The owners of a village pub and restaurant have sold up and are heading off to Spain. Gary Lloyd and his wife Chris who have run Lakeside View in Mill Road, St Osyth for the past three years said it was time to move on. The pair are likely to see out
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Colchester: Travellers' site to be 5km from A12
A new travellers' site in Colchester borough is most likely to be built within five kilometres of the A12 and will be named in a matter of weeks. Last week, the Evening Gazette exclusively revealed an internal town hall report which suggested as many
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Stansted: Flying hours fight
The British Airline Pilot's Association (BALPA) has welcomed Government opposition to new EU proposals for extending pilots' flying hours. The Department for Transport said it would instead propose all EU countries adopt the CAA's guidelines in light
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Manningtree: Children's floral display attacked for second time
Floral displays in Manningtree have been attacked by vandals for the second weekend running. A flower-filled boat created by youngsters at Highfields Primary School, in Laword, was upended along with several barrells in Station Road. Two cars were also
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Brentwood: GPs predict extra strain on health service
A group of doctors has diagnosed serious problems for GP services in Brentwood if plans for a nursing home are allowed to go-ahead. Partners at the Avenue Road Surgery are warning that general practice in the borough is already "seriously overstretched
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Rugby: Wyverns getting ready for life at higher level
Newly-promoted Rayleigh Wyverns are preparing for the prospect of higher-level rugby next season by stepping up their training programme -- they will have twice-weekly sessions from early next month. Coach Peter Buckley said: "We have decided to add the
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Castle Point: Hopping MP highlights keeping fit
Castle Point's MP has thrown his weight behind a healthy children campaign, swapping his place on the bench for a skipping rope and healthy heart. Following a meeting focusing on the need to improve children's health, Bob Spink joined forces with MPs
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Castle Point: Action urged on tip pong probe
Councillors are calling on the Government to get involved in ending a nasty niff pervading Castle Point. Residents in Hadleigh and Benfleet have had to endure a nauseating smell for months. Furious locals are inundating Castle Point Council with complaints
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Tiptree: Tommy taken from garden
A much-loved family pet has been been stolen for a third time from the front garden of his owner's home. An appeal has been made to retrieve Tommy the tortoise after he was taken from his hutch on Saturday evening outside the home of Daphne Playford in
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Essex: Truancy sweep nets 270 children
A three-week truancy sweep during May caught 270 youngsters out of school during school hours in Essex The sweep by teams of police officers accompanied by education welfare officers was aimed at stamping out unauthorised absenteeism, 80 per cent of which
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Southend: Hospital's centre hitch
The official opening of Southend Hospital's £3.4m Nightingale Centre for women's services has been deferred following the surprise resignation of health secretary Alan Milburn last week. Mr Milburn was due to have come to the unit, which houses the women's
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Colchester: Boy shot with bb gun
A child has been cautioned by Colchester police after shooting his friend with a ball-bearing gun. The youngster, thought to be 11, also had the weapon seized after firing at the boy in Churchill Way in the Barn Hall area of the town. Last night's incident
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Athletics: Essex schools track and field championships
Colchester Harriers' young athletes were in great form at Melbourne Park, Chelmsford. Representing North East Essex Schools, four of them enjoyed wins and nine others claimed medals. Nicola Gaisford won the junior girls' 75m hurdles in 12 seconds. Clarrisa
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Bradwell: Woman wins bench fight
A Bradwell woman has won her fight to remove a public bench from outside her home following disturbance and foul language from youngsters congregating there late at night. The bench was initially taken away to be repaired but now the parish council has
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Soccer: Blues' keeper search goes on
Southend United's search for a new goalkeeper continues today after another target decided not to join the club. Manager Steve Wignall was due to speak to a shotstopper yesterday about signing for the Shrimpers in place of axed duo Darryl Flahavan and
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Soccer: Thurgood given 48 hours to reconsider deal
Stuart Thurgood has been given 48-hours to reconsider his Southend United career after rejecting a one-year deal with the Blues for next season. The midfielder told Shrimpers manager Steve Wignall yesterday that he would not be at Roots Hall when the
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Cricket: Leigh 80 Brentwood 84-4 (Essex League Division Two)
Leigh skipper Simon Burch admitted his side suffered a "bad day at the office" as they slumped to defeat at the hands of a promotion-seeking Brentwood side. Leigh had to settle for one point as the home side stayed within 12 of leaders Wickford. Said
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Southchurch: Nursery to bring old house to life
Charity should start at home - or at the family nursery as this bunch firmly believe. A total of £250,000 is being spent on building work at a children's day nursery and pre-school, in Wimborne Road, Southchurch. We'll fix it - Kevin Webb has a team of
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Lawford: Brickometer already full
A campaign to raise £11,000 towards a new technology suite and entrance area at Lawford Primary School has achieved its target in under three months. The brickometer set up to show how the fund was growing has reached the topmost part of the wall in just
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Billericay: Businessman sees his firm burn to ground
A businessman today told how he watched in horror as his firm burned to the ground in a massive blaze. Chris Wakefield looked on helplessly as firefighters battled in vain to save his firm, Pier Metals, as flames engulfed it. Mr Wakefield, 40, of Church
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Colchester: Set sail for auction of naval gear
Land lubbers are being given the chance to get a taste of the briny at an auction of naval treasures. Ahoy there matie - Michael Bowles with a selection of naval gear on auction at Reeman, Dansie, Howe and Son, Colchester. Picture: NIGEL BROWN The Reeman
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Clacton: Fly-tippers are ruining our lives
Angry residents have branded their council flats a "disgusting tip". They claim their quality of life has been destroyed by fly-tippers. And they are calling on Tendring Council for help. The residents, in Hadleigh Road, Clacton, reported dumped cars,
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Cricket: Irani faces end to bowling days
Essex skipper Ronnie Irani has revealed his career as a bowler could be at an end. Irani has been plagued by knee trouble for the last few months and has often flown to Germany for treatment. Ronnie Irani Now he is waiting for specialists to assess the
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Swimming: A record-breaking mission for Lizzie
Colchester swimmer Lizzie Bellinger has achieved her lifelong dream after smashing a British Masters record stretching back 11 years. The Colchester Swimming Club member, 24, clocked 29.58 seconds in a 50 metre butterfly event bettering the 29.63 secs
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Thundersley: Burglars' £8,000 raid on school projectors
Raiders who broke into a school twice in a week to steal £8,000 of projection equipment have been criticised for harming the children's education. Katrina Bentley, of King John School, in Shipwrights Drive, Thundersley, said pupils will suffer now the
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Canvey: Bungalow fire inquiry
An arson investigation was under way today after a fire attack on a bungalow. Firebugs entered the garden of the house in Kents View Court, Western Esplanade, Canvey, and set light to a pile of rubbish. Within minutes, the blaze had spread to part of
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Stansted: Watson's welcome here!
Low-fare airline Ryanair has given guide dog owners a ticket for take-off. The Stansted-based carrier has signed up to the Guide Dog Travel Charter, which means full assistance will be given to anyone travelling with a guide dog on Ryanair's Ireland-UK
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Maldon: Rare dragonfly is spotted
A dragonfly so rare it is found in just ten locations across the country has been spotted near Maldon for the first time in more than 40 years. Eagle-eyed park ranger Nigel Wood, senior ranger at Flitch Way Country Park, whose headquarters is at Rayne
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Basildon: Disabled boycott town in row over clamping
Disabled drivers are boycotting town centre shops in protest at the treatment they have received from clampers, it has been claimed. Traders in Basildon are said to have lost thousands of pounds in the last two months after the disabled motorists - many
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Harwich: Pupils learn art for art's sake
Parents and children worked together when they took part in an arts scheme. Time Together is a joint project between Essex County Council, district and borough museums and The Harwich Society. It aims to involve parents and carers creatively with the
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Canvey: Francesca's home sweet home at last
A teenage girl who was left severely physically disabled following her birth will be able to enjoy a new independence after moving home. In 1998 the Evening Echo reported how Francesca Goodwin, of Clinton Road, Canvey, received £1million in an out of
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Canvey: Skull fear for man knocked out in brawl
Police were today hunting two men after a man was viciously assaulted and knocked unconscious outside a nightspot. The victim, who is thought to be in his 20s, was attacked outside Emily's bar, in Eastern Esplanade, Canvey, at 1am on Saturday. Passers-by
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Canvey: Children leafleted at drugs workshop
Youngsters are learning the dangers of drugs through a drama workshop run by a prestigious acting group. The London Bus Theatre Company visited children at St Joesph's Primary School, in Vaagen Road, Canvey, for the initiative. Leaflet advice - youngsters
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Soccer: New team settles in at New Lodge
Home is where the heart is -- Billericay Town's new backroom team get dug-in at the New Lodge dugout as they prepare to lead the Ryman Premier side in the hunt for honours in the forthcoming campaign. Picture: MAXINE CLARKE They are (right to left) first
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Witham: Victory for jobless in signing-on row
Campaigners have claimed victory in their battle to stop Witham's unemployed having to travel to other towns to sign on. All benefits claimants in the town are now to be given the option of signing on by post from next month. The Witham job centre, in
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Chelmsford: Police hit out at 'clowns'
Police have hit out at the actions of revellers after tragedy nearly struck on the River Chelmer They have urged drinkers at Chelmsford's nightspots to keep away from the waterways after a 21-year-old Braintree woman nearly drowned. The rescue was hampered
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Brentwood: Councillor wants agenda change
A leading Conservative councillor is calling on the Liberal Democrat administration at Brentwood Borough Council to change the way it prepares agendas for its meetings, so they finish at a reasonable time. Cllr Frank Kenny, the deputy leader of the Conservative
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Southend: Car hits woman detective
A woman detective was today recovering in hospital after being run down by a suspected rapist she was trying to arrest. The officer suffered a serious head wound when she was thrown from the car's bonnet while trying to stop it leaving Farringdon car
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Southend: Garden centre closure blasted
A council-run garden centre staffed by people with severe learning difficulties has been axed. Southend Council officers decided to pull the plug on the venture at the Maybrook Training Centre in Southchurch Road because it was costing them too much money
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Rugby League: Cambridge Eagles 0 - 74 Essex Eels
The Eels returned to winning ways with a devastating 13-try blast to shoot down the Eagles. Coach Stuart Hogg was full of praise for his side's "awesome" performance as they completed the double over the Cambridge outfit. Essex Eels head coach Stuart
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Southend: Cycle routes show way to a safer town
New cycle routes are being planned by the council to make Southend more user friendly to those on two wheels. Members of the Southend Council traffic and parking committee will be looking at the latest proposals at their meeting on Wednesday, June 18.
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Basildon: No foul play
Police said today they were satisfied there was no foul play involved in the death of 46-year-old Joan Carter, who was found at her semi-detached house in Waldegrave, Basildon, on June 3. A post mortem examination revealed she died as a result of head
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Southend: Thank you to young carers
The work of young carers in Southend has been recognised with a special event. Southend Council treated them and their families to a buffet dinner and entertainment evening at the Savs Centre in Alexandra Street, Southend. Thanks - young carers complete
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Athletics: Southend on track for cup finals
It was a case of glory all the way for Southend when the regional finals of the English Schools Track and Field Cup were staged in warm sunshine at Basildon's Gloucester Park Track yesterday. Southend High won both boys' competitions to earn a place in
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Gymnastics: Carousel stars scoop level seven medals
Five gymnasts from the Wickford based Carousel Club were entered with outstanding results in the latest County level seven competition. Four of them returned with medals from the Colchester event. Showing their metal - Carousel gymnasts (left to right
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Basildon: Turkish trucker's home from home
For one Turkish man, Basildon has become almost a home from home. Truck driver Fetih Katran, 55, has been ferrying textiles between Istanbul and the Bowden Terminal, in Luckyn Lane on the Pipps Hill Industrial Estate for the past 15 years. Second home
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Colchester: Bus workers admit fuel theft
Four bus company employees have appeared in court after stealing diesel from their firm. About £1,000 worth of diesel fuel was stolen from the Arriva bus company in Colchester last December and January. Terrence Edwards 59, of Warren Farm, Stanway, admitted
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Chelmsford: Girls throw off old uniforms for new styles
History is in the making as a Chelmsford school's uniform gets a total revamp for the first time in nearly 100 years. Pupils will be stepping out in style as New Hall School unveiled its new look uniform. Fashionable - Millicent Hailes, Lauren Rowntree-Taylor
