Archive
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Southend, Thurrock: £7,000 available
Voluntary groups working with disadvantaged children and young people can get their hands on up to £7,000. The money is being offered by the Local Network Fund and any groups helping under-19s in Essex, Southend or Thurrock can apply. The closing date
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Basildon: Protester allowed home for funeral
Activist Simon Chapman has flown home from Greece after the death of his father, it was revealed today. Simon, of Copdoek, Fryerns, Basildon, was given special permission by the Greek authorities to return to his family in Vange for his father's funeral
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Soccer: Chelmsford City 0-0 Dover Athletic (Dr Martens Premier Division)
Chelmsford City and Dover Athletic fought out a mildly entertaining goalless draw at New Lodge as honours finished even on New Year's Day at New Lodge. In a game of few chances it was the defences that bossed proceedings, with an early opportunity falling
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Burnham: SOS call as Russian ship hits river boat
Burnham's Atlantic lifeboat was called into action on Christmas Eve, after a Russian timber ship went off course and rammed some moored boats. The ship, The Kapitan Rynstyn, had set off from the Baltic Wharf at Wallasea Island on the south side of the
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Cressing: Future of plot of land on agenda
Judgment day looms over a plot of land in Cressing earmarked for a permanent car park. Braintree Council officers have recommended permission be given for the site at Ashes Field, in The Street, Cressing, to be used as a permanent car park, and for an
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Colchester: Scooby, you DOO come home!
For a Colchester dog lover the wait is finally over as the dog she rescued from abroad is allowed to come home. Sue Hyett spotted Scooby while she was on holiday on the Maltese island of Gozo in May and spent the rest of 2003 trying desperately to raise
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Westcliff: Chaos fears as gas work starts
Motorists in Westcliff face 16 weeks of disruption as major gas works are carried out. Temporary traffic works will be in place in London Road and Valkyrie Road, Westcliff, from January 5. Transco, the gas company, will be carrying out the work, which
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Soccer: Doubts over Westlake for Derby match
Ian Westlake is the latest Ipswich Town player to be struck down with 'flu ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup showdown with Derby County. The Clacton-based midfielder has joined John McGreal and Tommy Miller as a doubt for the third-round encounter at Portman
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Braintree, Witham: Scope gives last of its cash to Parc
A charity branch serving Braintree and Witham is to close. Thanks - Dawn Simmons and Georgina Rhymes, or Parc, with the cheque for £18,000 the group got from Braintree and Witham Scope. Picture: ADRIAN RUSHTON But thousands of pounds of remaining funds
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Benfleet: Dumped pets tell sad story
A rabbit and a guinea pig were dumped at a rescue sanctuary - on Christmas Eve. Yet workers at the Rescuers' Wildlife Sanctuary in Watlington Road, Benfleet, say the traumatised pets had clearly been loved and nurtured before their family decided they
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Clacton: Residents give praise to high-profile police
A high-profile campaign to cut crime in Clacton over the festive season has been hailed a success. The problem-solving team at Clacton police station ran Operation Christmas Cracker campaign from the beginning of December until Christmas. Key aims included
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Sandra and I danced together
I was Jean Perkins and lived in Fairfax Drive prior to my marriage. I am trying to trace Mrs Sandra Lloyd, formerly Watkins. She would now be aged 58-60, as she attended Southend High School for Girls around 1957. She lived in Rayleigh, in a turning off
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Southend: Asda's bid for Victoria Plaza
Supermarket giant Asda is in talks to take over part of the Victoria Plaza shopping centre, it was revealed today. A leading Southend councillor has confirmed Asda's parent company, the American firm Wal-Mart, is interested in making a move for the run-down
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Essex: Rising cost of fire service
Essex firefighters are costing more each year because of increases in pensions, expenses and salaries. The Essex Fire Authority - which covers Southend and Thurrock as well Essex County Council areas - has spent £51.5million this year according to its
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Harwich: Richard retires from dock post
A leading harbour engineer has retired from the Harwich Haven Authority after 30 years of service. Richard Allen MBE graduated with a BSc in civil engineering in 1964 from Manchester University. He then joined John Laing's where he was involved in large
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Colchester: University game for top seminar
Top professors from across the globe will be arriving in Essex for a high-level conference on board games. Draughts, chess and backgammon will all be on the agenda at the first Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers symposium on computational
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Witham: Yobs hurl brick from rail bridge
Yobs threw a brick from a railway bridge, smashing a train driver's cab window The vandals struck at about 7.30pm yesterday above the railway line at Braintree Road in Witham. The incident has left rail users' groups and the emergency services reeling
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Rugby League: Eels face wait to learn future
Essex Eels face a nervous month before they learn whether they will be admitted to next season's National League Division Three. The Pro-Plumb Eels, who play their first team games at Basildon RFC, are one of several summer conference outfits to apply
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Witham: Police hunt pub robber
An intruder handcuffed one man and threatened a woman after breaking into a Witham pub. Guests of the licensee, a 25-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman from Nottingham, were staying at The Little Elms pub, in Dorothy Sayers Drive, Witham. They were
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Sailing: Sunshine end to sail season
Despite a cold north-westerly wind blowing up to 34 knots, the sun shone again for the Brandy Pursuit Race to close out the Adnam's Cruiser Winter Series at Brandy Hole Yacht Club on the Crouch. While the race series had ended, this fun event encouraged
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Hockley: Fire alert at women's prison
An inmate at Bullwood Hall women's prison sparked an alert after she set fire to rubbish in her cell. Firefighters were called to the jail in Bullwood Hall Lane, Hockley, at 9.21pm on New Year's Eve after one of the inmates started a fire in her cell.
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Chelmsford: Sales fever in town
Thousands of shoppers have been flocking to the stores in Chelmsford for what could be one of the busiest January sales. On Monday, roads around the town were gridlocked, with cars spilling out from the car parks. Manager of the Meadows shopping centre
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Mid-Essex: Casualty unit for drunks
Casualty units for drunks and minor injury victims could be set up in town centres in mid-Essex for next New Year's Eve, to cut down on the influx of drink-related cases at Broomfield Hospital's emergency department. The 'drunk tanks' could be set up
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Tiptree: Trio's tight cut to start off New Year
Three brave souls are facing a chilly winter after having their heads shaved for charity. Tony Brown, manager at the Oak Pub in Oak Road, Tiptree, and Trevor Hudson and Kevin Hemesely made up the plucky trio who went under the razor, wielded by pub regular
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Tiptree: Traders told - come to CCTV meeting
Traders calling for CCTV in Tiptree are planning to have their say at a meeting on Monday. The parish council has been looking at the possibility for CCTV for five years but there had been insufficient support from the community. But there has been a
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Colchester: Come on in the water's lovely!
Five new sealions have been finding their flippers in Colchester Zoo's huge Playa Patagonia pool. Making a splash - the new sealions at Colchester Zoo The girls, named Paris, Winnipeg, Atlanta, Sydney and Milan, are not all yet on public view but have
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Soccer: U's face giant-killers
Colchester United are today standing just one match away from a place in the FA Cup fourth round and a possible glamour tie. And no-nonsense U's boss Phil Parkinson firmly believes his team can reach that stage for the first time since bowing out to Sheffield
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Harwich: Official - town is housing hotspot
House price rises in the Tendring area were among the biggest in the country during 2003. New figures released by some of the country's biggest mortgage lenders say the district has seen dramatic increases in the cost of homes. But estate agents in Tendring
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A special reunion for Gibbs
"Friends with the Gibbs" have been found, thanks to Where Are They Now? and relatives living in south Essex. Sadly, we lost touch with our friends Avril and Gerry after we moved from the Army Apprentices College in 1960. They had several phone calls from
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Soccer: Dunstable Town 2-3 Great Wakering Rovers (Ryman One North)
New signing Michael Lee launched a spectacular Wakering fightback as the village visitors started 2004 by pulling off only their second Ryman Division One North victory in 12 visits to opposition territory this term. Dunstable, who went into the match
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Soccer: Maher wary of Seadogs
Southend United skipper Kevin Maher is expecting another tough tussle at Roots Hall tomorrow afternoon as the Shrimpers host Scarborough in the third round of the FA Cup. Head start - skipper Kevin Maher is hoping Southend see off the Seadogs Picture:
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Stansted: Expansion housing boom alert
The expansion of Stansted airport could create a boom in house prices in North Essex as it attracts more people to the area This is the view of the chairman of the Essex Branch of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), Terry Holmes, who sees
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Witham: Minor injury clinic as GPs axe call-outs
Witham is to get a long-awaited minor injuries clinic in the town this year. A new unit at Bridge Hospital will take over much of the out-of-hours patient care as doctors opt out of providing night visits and Saturday surgeries. Former town mayor Kieron
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Dunmow: Community offices plan
Community groups in Uttlesford are to be given the chance to rent space under one roof in the empty Dunmow council offices The old Uttlesford District Council offices have been standing vacant for over a year since the former Conservative administration
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Benfleet: Shop staff in knifepoint ordeal
Two women shop assistants endured a terrifying New Year's Day ordeal as hooded thugs armed with foot-long knives raided a newsagents. Raid - Kanagaratnam Fekaran's two women staff were terrorised Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL The robbery took place at Laceys
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Brentwood: Charity work recognised with award for Joe
The work of a giant hearted and charity minded Brentwood man has been recognised and rewarded with a coveted New Year's Day Parade Honour. The prize for 'someone who has done something beyond the call of duty' is a perfect end of year boost for Joe Browne
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Soccer: Chelmsford City 0-0 Dover Athletic (Dr Martens Premier Division)
Chelmsford City and Dover Athletic fought out a mildly entertaining goalless draw at New Lodge as honours finished even on New Year's Day at New Lodge. In a game of few chances it was the defences that bossed proceedings, with an early opportunity falling
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Soccer: Georges looks for Cup win
Georges Santos wants Ipswich Town to kick-off the New Year in style with victory in the FA Cup. The Blues defender is hoping to banish the memories of Sunday's 3-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace in the Nationwide League Division One when they entertain
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Dovercourt: Garden makeover
Green-fingered helpers have been teaming up together to do a garden makeover for people with learning difficulties. Residents of Earlham Mews, Oakley Road, Dovercourt, were disappointed when building work to their homes left their gardens in a bad way
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Southend: Man's body found at block of flats
Detectives were today investigating the death of a man whose body was discovered on a walkway at a block of flats. Police sealed off the block on the Woodgrange Drive Estate in Southend. A post mortem to establish exactly how the man died, was inconclusive
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Darts: Mardle stages great escape
The dream of an Essex PDCWorld Darts champion is still alive after Wayne Mardle and Kevin Painter both won through to the quarter finals in Purfleet last night. Mardle, who hails from Dagenham, sent the Circus Tavern crowd wild by coming back from the
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Witham: Student's film festival hope
Witham is to be the backdrop for a new film which will document the problems facing deaf people Charles Castell, a 24-year-old graduate film student, is recruiting a cast ready to start shooting next May. Film debut - Graduate film student Charles Castell
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Braintree: GPs axe night and weekend home call-outs
Most family doctors in Braintree and surrounding villages will stop caring for their patients during out of surgery hours this year. The GPs are ready to ditch weekend and evening cover when a new deal from the NHS begins in April. The contract will allow
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Southend, Rochford: Teddy's clinic reveals worsening problems
Sir Teddy Taylor says people's problems are getting worse. Sir Teddy, MP for Rochford and Southend East, estimates about 24,000 people have come to him with their problems in his Saturday surgery since he became a member in 1980. During his 24-year career
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Soccer: Pardew - Wigan-na be up for taking on Latics
A trip to Wigan is not a game to conjure up romantic thoughts of FA Cup glory - but West Ham boss Alan Pardew is demanding a good cup run from his players. "It's the FA Cup and I always get inspired by that," said the one-time cup finalist with Crystal
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Benfleet: Yobs smash glass at six bus stops
A gang of youths went on the rampage and damaged every bus shelter by a town's railway station. Broken pane - a traveller waits for a bus beside one of the vandlised shelters Picture: DAVE HENDERSON Horrified Paul Eastop watched from his bedroom window
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Clacton: Knife robber is hunted
Detectives were today hunting a robber who "viciously" stabbed a pensioner in Clacton. The 80-year-old man suffered a knife wound to his left upper thigh during the attempted robbery at 1.10am yesterday. He had been walking along St Osyth Road with a
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Darts: 'Jaws' misses out
Colin 'Jaws' Lloyd once again saw his hopes of winning a world title fall by the wayside as he lost the final set to Wayne Mardle in an epic fourth-round tie at the 2004 Ladbrokes PDC World Darts Championship at Purfleet's Circus Tavern. It all looked
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Soccer: Hoskins aims for UK contest
Veterans' football stalwart Tony Hoskins today looked back on a busy 12 months as he prepares for an exciting two years ahead. The Southend Borough Combination Veterans League secretary has seen changes at the top in the league's hierachy and the successful
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Chelmsford: New Year, new life
Proud parents had more than just fireworks to contend with when they brought new life into the world with the New Year. Babies born on New Year's Day made the start of 2004 even more special at a mid Essex hospital. Baby Harry, at 6lb 15oz, was one of
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Soccer: Hayes 1-1 Billericay (Ryman One North)
Improved Billericay Town took their recent Ryman Premier run to just one defeat in five games by sharing the spoils at a Hayes side who went into the match standing fourth. Manager Justin Edinburgh made changes to both formation and team selection with
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Essex: Big rise in county road crash deaths
The number of lives lost on Essex roads rose by more than a quarter from 2002 to 2003. Although the official results are still being compiled, early figures for crash deaths in Essex last year show a big rise compared with the year before. According to
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Essex: Advert idea for county coffers
Essex County Council has come up with a new idea to try to put a lid on council tax hikes - by offering up its land to would-be advertisers. The county council, which is the biggest landowner in Essex, is setting course on this unusual route of allowing
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Wrabness: Trio reach Spain in rally to Dakar
Daredevil drivers are making good and steady progress in a clapped-out motor they hope will carry them 3,000 miles across Africa. Brothers Alasdair Ritchie, 30, and 26-year-old Duncan embarked on the Plymouth to Dakar Rally on Boxing Day to raise money
