Archive
-
Date
Pigeon Racing: Wood's top flight show
Once the bad weather lifted, 285 birds birds from Pride of Laindon Pigeon Club were released into a cloudless sky. The first bird home belonged to Phil Wood, and achieved 1337 yards per minute. Jimmy Deighton had second and third places with 1336 and
-
Date
Southend: We'll clean up red light district, police vow
Police today vowed to clean-up Southend's red light district after magistrates banned a prostitute from the area. They used an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) to ensure the 35-year-old cannot ply for trade. The woman faces up to five years in jail
-
Date
Basildon, Thurrock: Ulster posts for MP
Basildon and East Thurrock MP Angela Smith has been given responsibilty for reconciliation between communities in a reshuffle of Pemier Tony Blair's team in Northern Ireland. She has also been given responsibility for the Department of Health, Social
-
Date
Bradwell: Wetland decision due in two weeks
An announcement on the controversial scheme to flood an area of Bradwell will be made "in the next two weeks", Government chiefs have promised. Project manager Mark Dixon said a decision had already been made on the future of plans to breach the sea wall
-
Date
Great Totham: Police - help catch stone-throwers
A renewed plea has been made for help in catching people throwing stones at buses and coaches in Great Totham. Police in the Maldon district issued the appeal after a stone was thrown at the windscreen of a coach as it drove along Walden House Road in
-
Date
Canvey: Fleeing couple tell of relief
A couple fleeing from Zimbabwe today told of their relief at being reunited with their family in Canvey. Christine Janse-Van-Rensburg, 40, and husband Nicholas returned to England last week after watching the life they had known collapse. They are lodging
-
Date
Essex: New role for former sheriff
Another royal appointment has been given to former high sheriff of Essex, George Courtauld. Mr Courtauld, 65, has been appointed the new vice lord lieutenant of Essex and his duties start on July 1 when the present appointee, John Norris, retires. The
-
Date
Colchester: Eureka! Dan nets TV cash
Eureka! The bathtime activities of Archimedes have won a Colchester man £21,666. Dan Sackey, 26, was competing on the national lottery quiz In It To Win It on BBC1 and managed to get through to the winning question for a share of £65,000. He was faced
-
Date
Colchester: Violent convict still on run
A violent escaped prisoner is still on the run more than three months after fleeing jail. James Yardley, who is in his 60s, was convicted in 2001 of holding a widow hostage at her home in Greenstead, Colchester, after smashing his way in with a fake gun
-
Date
Essex, Braintree: Bobby Barry back on beat
A policeman who retired after 30 years was sworn back into Essex Police two days later. Barry Kaufmann-Wright, 53, clocked up 13 years as Braintree division wildlife officer and took on countywide responsibility a year ago. He officially retired on Saturday
-
Date
Colchester: Sensory garden hit by vandals
A sensory garden for children with special needs has been vandalised, just a week after it was completed Six hard years of fundraising went into getting the £50,000 needed for the play area and its specialised equipment at Stepping Stones nursery, based
-
Date
Brentwood: Town hits top gear in cycle race
The thrills and spills of cycling powered into Essex on Sunday for a top gear event. Spectators descended on Brentwood to witness the excitement of a round of the national men's circuit race series battled out on bikes in Brentwood Town Centre. There
-
Date
Thorrington: Costly fire at rescue stables
A couple who save neglected and unwanted horses were today counting the cost of a fire at their rescue stables. The fire started in a manure heap on their farm, engulfed a trailer and looked set to spread along the stable block. Keith Jelley spotted the
-
Date
Braintree, Witham: No excuse now not to get on your bike
Residents throughout the Braintree district are being encouraged to get fit and reduce the number of cars on the road by getting on their bikes. Braintree Council celebrated National Bike Week by officially opening two refurbished cycleways, one in Braintree
-
Date
Gymnastics: Five star show for Essex girls
Five South Essex Gym Club members qualified through the regional finals to represent the East at the national finals of the British Gymnastic Club grades. Nap hand - five South-Essex Gym Club stars who enjoyed eastern delight: Rebecca Eliades, Shelly
-
Date
Southend: Boy's bike seized under new law
A motorbike seized from a 12-year-old boy in Southend is the first in Essex to be taken from its owner under a new law introduced this year. The off-road trials bike was taken from the youngster at the weekend when he was seen by police riding on private
-
Date
Pitsea: Did hoax call kill widow?
An elderly widow died while firefighters were attending a schoolboy's hoax call, it was revealed today. The prank, which diverted a crew from the real fire in Pitsea, could have been responsible for the 73-year-old's death, a fire chief believes. Tragedy
-
Date
Colchester: Slow response to calm traffic plea
Is that it? That is the question on the lips of residents in Speedwell Road, Old Heath, Colchester, after traffic calming measures were implemented. Hopes for speedbumps, chicanes, bollards or pedestrian crossings have been dashed though, as a slow sign
-
Date
Basildon: Shaggy dog story of super Stan's heroics
Basildon angler Stan Howard always catches more than his fair share of fish at Gloucester Park lake, but his latest exploits have raised his standing to the level of superhero for canines. Stan was fishing at Gloucester Park when an off-lead dog chasing
-
Date
Hutton: Vandals strike at new shelter
A new youth shelter being built in Hutton recreation area has been knocked down by vandals even before it is completed. The attack is the latest problem to emerge in Brentwood's open spaces which are being plagued by anti-social behaviour by youngsters
-
Date
Brentwood: Skate park plans welcomed
News that a permanent skate park is to be built in Brentwood with £45,000 in Home Office funding has been welcomed. The disused tennis courts at King Georges Playing Fields have been chosen as the site for the park and discussions with young people who
-
Date
Colchester: Flats plan under fire
A major route into Colchester could grind to a halt if a new housing complex gets the go-ahead, it is feared. Developers want to build more than 30 flats in Ipswich Road, not far from the junction with Severalls Lane. But the plans have come under fire
-
Date
Shenfield: Parking pressure group - fight goes on
The arrival of pay and display machines in Shenfield have not signaled the end of the fight by campaign group STOPP (Shenfield Traders Oppose Paid Parking). At the moment they look discreet as only the small black boxes, which the ticket creating machines
-
Date
Braintree, Colchester: Burglar left his watch beside safe
A man was arrested over a £21,000 burglary when he left his watch at the scene. Stephen Byrne's black-faced watch was discovered on the floor in front of a safe that had been forced open at the Stanway Post Office in Colchester. A DNA check matched 45
-
Date
Cricket: Grayson quashes duo rift rumours
Essex vice-captain Paul Grayson today moved to quash rumours of a rift in the camp. Grayson was responding to suggestions that experienced batting duo Darren Robinson and Aftab Habib were unhappy at being left out of recent matches. The duo missed the
-
Date
Benfleet: Prestigious arts award for school
A school dedicated to providing pupils with a range of opportunities in the arts has been given a special award. Artmark of respect - Kaylea Howard, Nicola Scriven and Leanne Smith with their GCSE art coursework Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY Staff and children
-
Date
Canvey: Probe into wind generating plan
Plans to generate electricity from wind blowing across Canvey today came under scrutiny. Dave Blackwell, who represents the island's Central ward, is worried there is simply not enough wind in the area to make the project economical. Mr Blackwell was
-
Date
Stansted: Antonov puts in a big appearance at airport
The world's biggest propeller engined plane has landed in the UK for the first time - at Stansted. Last week the Antonov Airlines AN 22 landed at the Essex airport to pick up a piece of an MRI scanner, weighing nearly 42 tonnes, which was headed for Niigata
-
Date
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
-
Date
Soccer: Billericay snap up John and Trenkel
New Billericay Town boss Justin Edinburgh has brought some major summer cheer to fans of the New Lodge club by announcing his first signings. Highly-experienced goalkeeper Jerome John, who cleaned up on all the Billericay player of the year awards last
-
Date
Harwich: Protect old town from new works
More needs to be done to protect old Harwich from the proposed development at Bathside Bay, a meeting heard. The East Essex Area Forum heard the county council wanted to ensure old Harwich was protected from the effects of a new container terminal. Last
-
Date
Athletics: Hickey tipped for great future
International star Rob Denmark joined the chorus of those "hugely impressed" by Southend athlete Adam Hickey's phenomenal run in the Essex Schools' Championships at the weekend. Denmark is now in the autumn of a fabulous career that has seen him perform
-
Date
Soccer: Door closing on Blues rebels
The exit door is closing fast on Southend United contract rebels Mark Rawle and Steven Clark. Striker Rawle and winger Clark, 21, were given until yesterday to decide if they wanted to sign new one-year deals with the Blues. But manager Steve Wignall
-
Date
Harwich, Dovercourt: Hear hospital plans
Residents of Harwich and Dovercourt will be able to hear a health boss explain plans for a new hospital and health centre in the town. Harwich Town Council is to host a public meeting to discuss the plans for Harwich Hospital and Dovercourt Health Centre
-
Date
Basildon: Recycling glass is now paneless
People living at more than 14,000 households in Basildon can now help the environment without taking more than a step beyond their front gate. Jenny the Jar and Basil Bear joined up with Basildon councillor Stephen Hillier to launch a new kerbside glass-recycling
-
Date
Angling: Ground-baiting Duprey's Doggetts delight
Doggetts fished well this week for anglers who ground-baited seriously, with good hauls of tench to 5lb and bream to 6lb being reported. Brian Duprey fished the South bank for a morning to land 12 tench plus eight bream, the total bag weighed in at 48lb
-
Date
Rochford: School's staff get award
Rochford Primary School in Ashingdon Road has been successful in gaining a school achievement award in the third round. The awards were given out by the Department of Education and Skills for schools which substantially improved their results between
-
Date
Maldon: I wanna tell you a story
Dads from Maldon have swapped a hectic morning in the office for a bit of storytelling. Once upon a time - dad Neil Salmon reads to pupils James Cole, Connie Rapley, Nicole Tinham, Jack Salmon and Alex Colbert at Wentworth Primary School, Maldon. Picture
-
Date
Leigh: Pupils display their international culture
Tasty dishes and lessons from the world of art and literature formed the perfect cocktail for a celebration of diverse culture. The event was held at Belfairs High School in Leigh. Cultural coup - Henna Begrum,17, James Webber,13, Trevor Ndlov,13, Emma
-
Date
Braintree, Chelmsford: Challenge to learn sax... in 2 weeks
A wannabe musician has been challenged to learn the saxophone from scratch - in just two weeks John Rawnsley has wanted to learn the sax since he was a boy. Musical challenge - John Rawnsley has just two weeks to learn the saxophone Now he is 40 and is
-
Date
Dovercourt: New community centre proves to be a success
A community centre has officially opened its doors and is already a huge success. Long Meadows Community Centre in Dovercourt has been open for more than a year and many groups use it regularly. Yesterday the £450,000 centre was officially opened by Harwich
-
Date
Tendring: Private eyes to get the tippers
Private detectives could be hired to help win the fight against fly-tippers in Tendring. New measures, including the use of mobile cameras to catch culprits on tape, are also to be considered as part of the ongoing effort to help clear up the district
-
Date
Great Notley: Lightning bolt strikes homes
Residents in a block of flats were forced to leave after a bolt of lightning struck their homes Neighbours looked on in horror as a bolt of lightning hit the rear of a block of flats in Stanstret Field, Great Notley. One neighbour described how the freak
-
Date
Basildon: Workers douse fire
As shoppers walked unsuspectingly along the aisles below, this picture captures the moment when fire broke out on scaffolding above them at Basildon's Asda supermarket in Miles Gray Road. Blaze - workmen used an extinguisher to put out flames on scaffolding
-
Date
Southend: Schools stick to three term year
Schools in Southend are set to stick to a tried-and-tested three term year unless change is forced upon them by the Government, it was revealed today. A debate over changes to the school year - possibly including a move to six terms - has been going on
-
Date
Maldon: Town on the menu for more retailers
Pizza Express is not the only high-profile chain trying to get into Maldon, it has been revealed. Murray Foster, town centre manager, told the Evening Gazette he had received a string of inquiries from "large names" keen to establish themselves in the
-
Date
Marks Tey: A quack team of squatters
A single mother of 12 is squatting at a village home. But this particular visitor, a duck raising her brood on a garden pond, has been welcomed by the neighbours in Marks Tey. Home,sweet home - the family of ducks in Paul Coffey's pond Picture: STEVE
-
Date
Great Bardfield: Drivers asked to call police
Police investigating the death of motorcyclist at Great Bardfield are trying to trace two drivers who may have vital information. Keith Smith died following a collision involving a horse box at Bell Lane, on Saturday and Essex Police would like to hear
-
Date
Maldon: Parents urged to keep eye on illegal drinkers
Police in Maldon are again appealing to parents to keep an eye on their youngsters following a number of reports of underage drinking in the area. Complaints have been received by police over the weekend as the hot weather continued. Ray Stannard, crime
-
Date
Dovercourt: Petition to open access
A protest petition is being organised after the main entrance to a popular area of open space was shut off Tendring Council shut off the access point to the Hangings from the Vineway in Dovercourt. The council took over the ownership of the land recently
-
Date
Basildon: Residents can have their say
A shake up of Basildon Council will give residents more of a say in the way decisions are made. People will get a chance to comment on everything from traffic matters to how entertainment licences are awarded. The council's plan to eradicate area committees
-
Date
Colchester: The price of progress
Taxpayers in Essex face a £200,000-a-year bill to help get a proper park-and-ride scheme off the ground in Colchester. Getting a scheme set up in Colchester has been a key aim of town planners for years. Now comprehensive plans have been drawn up - and
-
Date
Soccer: Parky search to continue
Colchester United boss Phil Parkinson refused to be downcast at missing out on Gareth Williams' signature and declared that the former loan star could one day return to Layer Road. Parkinson admits he was keen to lure Williams back to Essex. But the 20
-
Date
Southend: Balloons? It's Chris's pop art
Artists struggling to create masterpieces in draughty billets with scarcely a farthing to rub together may be a rarity these days, but Southend has at least one. Off the wall - the title of this item is Lost Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL Chris Moon, 26, has
-
Date
Soccer: England are on their way
David Sheepshanks today described as a 'tremendous honour' the news that England are coming to Portman Road. After more than a year of speculation, Ipswich Town and the Football Association staged a press conference this morning to confirm Croatia's visit
-
Date
Harwich: Poster drive to tackle truants
A major scheme is to be launched to combat truancy in Harwich. The Harwich School will place posters around the town centre and encourage traders not to serve pupils during school hours. The school has held talks with the police, Harwich and District
-
Date
Laindon: Red card likely for travellers
Travellers who have settled on a Laindon football pitch are set to be given the red card by Basildon Council. A small group arrived in Laindon on Monday, setting up camp and stringing a line of washing across the goals. A spokesman for the council said
-
Date
Southend: Complaints mount up as leisure fees rocket
Southend Council leader Howard Briggs has pledged to take a fresh look at price increases at the borough's leisure centres following scores of complaints. There have been concerns from many users at the new scale of fees which came into operation on May
-
Date
Canvey: Lightning hits family home
A family's new home was struck by lightning and damaged during yesterday's storm. Fire crews spent two hours tackling a blaze at the house in Southwick Road, Canvey, just after 5pm. It is believed lightning struck a TV aerial, then used metal bed springs
-
Date
Soccer: Rovers to make FA Cup debut
Stanway Rovers will be competing in the FA Cup for the first time next season. The Ridgeons League division one club will play a preliminary round tie on Saturday, August 23. The draw will be made on July 1. Stanway boss Steve Ball said: "It's a great
-
Date
Stanford-le-Hope: Lottery boost for garden project
Community association members were celebrating today after hearing they had won a £4,000 grant to build a garden for disabled, handicapped and elderly people. East Thurrock Community Association in Stanford-le-Hope has received the National Lottery Awards
-
Date
Athletics: Alleyn shine at championships
Athletes from Thorpe Bay's Alleyn Court School made their mark when the regional finals of the Independent Schools Association athletics championships were staged at Garon Park track. Shields of honour - Flo Marriner and Ben Thomas display the year six
-
Date
Harold: Number plate readers to combat crime
Hi tech number plate readers are set to help police in Harold in the fight against crime as the lightning fast technology will be used to detect crooks entering the town. The cutting edge machinery will be used by forces across Havering under Operation
-
Date
Angling: Bren enjoys totally tropical taste of the Blackwater
The girls led the way as the Blackwater Challenge enjoyed tropical conditions. The flotilla enjoyed a record-breaking festival with more than 200 fish landed over the two days. And Thorpe Bay's Bren Marron led the way, bringing in a top-class haul of
-
Date
Swimming: By George! Another fast time
Southend Swimming Club's George Morrisadded to his collection of national qualifying times when a small squad of their swimmers competed at the Waltham Forest Open. Morris had wins in the 200 individual medley in a national qualifying time and the 200
-
Date
Benfleet: Wedding venue gets nod
A new wedding venue proposed in Benfleet has finally been accepted. Bosses of former clothing factory Jill Duke in Benfleet Road, Benfleet, popped the question to Castle Point Council, asking permission to change the use of its first floor premises to
-
Date
Southend: Parking permits idea poised to be scrapped
Controversial proposals for residents-only parking in Leigh and Chalkwell look set to be abandoned. Members of Southend Council's cabinet will be recommended by technical services director David Watts to drop the scheme after it met with strong opposition
-
Date
Braintree: Fears over rat run accident danger
Residents fear someone will be killed if speed and parking restrictions are not introduced in their street. People living in Sunnyside, Braintree, are about to launch a petition to get Essex County Council's highways department to stop motorists using
-
Date
Southend: Cop's mum so proud
The mother of a detective injured when trying to arrest a man has told of her relief that her daughter is still alive. Det Con Kerry Tolliday, 34, was knocked unconscious in the incident in Farringdon car park, off Southend High Street, on Monday afternoon
-
Date
Brentwood: Shopping precinct redevelopment to boost town
The proposed £20million redevelopment of the former Chapel High shopping precinct is set to revitalise Brentwood and give a massive boost to businesses in the town centre if it gets the green light from the borough council. Developers Halladale (Brentwood
-
Date
Billericay: School rallies to beat vandals
Resilient parents and pupils have managed to raise more than £4,500 despite mindless vandals attempting to ruin their charity fun day. Months of planning were put in by organisers at Billericay's Buttsbury Primary School to make the summer fete a roaring
