Archive
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Benfleet: Eyesore bus stop is a protected historic structure
A constantly vandalised bus terminus looks set to stay in Benfleet due to its historical significance. Residents at the latest Benfleet Area Forum made it clear they wanted rid of the litter-filled graffiti-covered eyesore at the bottom of Essex Way.
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Rayleigh: Pavilion plan is slammed
A Tory by-election candidate has attacked Rayleigh Town Council's plans to build a new pavilion on King George V playing field. Pat Aves, who is standing for the Conservatives at the town council by-election in Whitehouse ward on Thursday, said: "I will
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Highwood: New seating for riding school
A new spectator seating area and ramp are being built at Barrow Farm, the riding school for disabled people at Highwood, near Brentwood. Work on the ambitious project started this week, and will be completed later in the month. The cost was originally
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Soccer: Myers injury blow for U's
Colchester United could be without their star defender Andy Myers for up to eight weeks. The influential former Chelsea and Bradford City full-back has been diagnosed to be suffering from a serious back problem which has kept him on the sidelines since
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Soccer: Cort out to end goal duck
Southend United defender Leon Cort is hoping to score his first goal of the season tonight as the struggling Shrimpers visit relegation rivals Cheltenham Town. Leon Cort - the Southend defender is desperate to get his first goal of this season Picture
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Soccer: A helping hand . . .
Grays Athletic will be in the rare position of trying to do Essex rivals Canvey Island a favour tomorrow afternoon. Ex-Park Lane favourite Mark Stimson takes his side to Carshalton, Gulls' closest championship challengers, and could return with some reward
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Dovercourt: Lorry crash man twice drink limit
A man who crashed his lorry through a fence, hitting two cars, was more than twice the drink-drive limit, a court heard. Anthony Hoyte, 28, of Fallowfield Close, Dovercourt, was banned from driving for two years and given 60-hours community punishment
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Southend: Old building will be 'prettiest in town'
It is currently covered in scaffolding but the man behind the restoration of a 600-year-old shop believes it will be the "prettiest building" in Southend. Watch this space - it is claimed the old Carlton bakery in Southend will be the prettiest building
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Basildon: Metro clue in Katie's death
Police investigating the mysterious death of Katie Smith are trying to track down a driver who gave her a lift just hours before she was found hanging at a flat. Detectives believe the woman, who was driving a blue Metro, is a friend. The woman picked
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Basildon: Minimum pay scheme gets the thumbs up
A minimum wage to end exploitation of young workers should be set at around £3.80 an hour, Basildon MP Angela Smith said today. Mrs Smith was a key player in developing details of the first ever national minimum wage in 1998 and is delighted with the
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Colchester: MP calls for extra funds for schools
Schools in Colchester which teach a large number of Army children should receive extra funding, the Government has been told. Lib Dem Bob Russell is one of several MPs who represent military constituencies who have been keeping the pressure on the government
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Canvey: Cop warns vigilantes
Canvey's police chief today warned islanders not to take the law into their own hands and form gangs of vigilantes to hunt down young trouble-makers. The threat of revenge attacks was sparked by the latest incident which saw around 150 hooligans run riot
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Stansted: Runway protesters pledge to fight on
No Way BAA - that was the message from defiant anti-runway campaigners fighting the expansion of Stansted airport. At a packed meeting organised by the Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) group last night, protesters outlined their plans for fighting proposals
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Castle Point: Community unites to curb yob nuisance
A high-profile meeting to tackle Castle Point's vandalism and youth nuisance problem has been planned. More than 70 members of the borough's crime reduction partnership will be gathering in Thundersley on Wednesday, January 14, to develop an action plan
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Soccer: Time to pile misery
Tilbury, fast being sucked into the Ryman Division One North danger zone, will aim to ease their plight tomorrow by adding to the misery of Boreham Wood. The Hertfordshire side are on the edge of the promotion fight, but suffered a huge blow on Tuesday
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Soccer: Problems mount for Culverhouse
Braintree Town striker Adam Parker begins a lengthy ban tomorrow when the struggling Iron visit Hendon in the premier division (3pm kick-off). Parker, signed from Hitchin Town before Christmas, has had an eventful start to his Cressing Road career, picking
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Harwich: Port's bakery set to cook last bun
One of Harwich's oldest businesses is to close, renewing concerns about the economic future of the town. Bye bye baker - Frank and Liz Humphreys will shut their bakery in Harwich in a few weeks' time. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN Humphreys, the only bakery in
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Braintree: Funding threat to council's old home
A piece of Braintree's heritage could be under threat if funding from the council is cut. Braintree Council could bring about the closure of its former home if budget plans to axe funding go ahead. The town hall centre is listed as one of the council's
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Chelmsford: Hylands House gets Hollywood makeover
A stately home in mid Essex is the new White House. Hylands House in Chelmsford was chosen as a double for America's White House in the film Chasing Liberty, which premiered in Los Angeles this week. Because of increased security now surrounding the President's
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Benfleet: Planning for a mosque?
Benfleet could be the chosen site for a new south Essex mosque. It is believed a group of the town's restaurateurs are behind the plans, although no formal scheme has been put to Castle Point Council yet. Among the areas in Benfleet being looked at as
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Pitsea: Cooking up a big gift
Accessible cooking for all is now on the menu at Chalvedon School, Pitsea, thanks to a firm's £2,100 charity donation. The money, from Visteon Corporation, will pay for adaptations to the Wickford Avenue school's home technology cookery area, so disabled
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Mid Essex: Patients quizzed on hospital care
Patients who spent time in hospital recently may find a questionnaire dropping through their letterboxes. A selection of people who have been treated by Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust are being asked for their opinions about the service. It is
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Leigh: Leaping to defence of under-fire salmon
Fishmongers have criticised scientists who claim Scottish farmed salmon is toxic, labelling them "scaremongering boffins". Toxicologists at the University of Albany sparked the furore by claiming their study - which included fish bought in Britain's south
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Wivenhoe: Mum missing in India
A family was today growing increasingly concerned after a woman went missing while travelling in India Angela Brown, 65, of Wivenhoe, has not been seen since last November after she boarded a train in Bombay. She arrived at her destination but there have
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Rochford: Chance to quiz town planners
Rochford residents are being urged to call at the Parish Rooms in West Street on Wednesday between 7pm and 9pm. They will have the opportunity to speak to Rochford District Council planning head Shaun Scrutton, look at the latest revised plans for the
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Soccer: Dave faces old club
Dave Barefield will start his first league match in a month for Halstead Town tomorrow - ironically against former club Tiptree United. It will also be the prolific striker's first visit back to Chapel Road since he quit the Jam-makers for Halstead last
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Jaywick: Rita kicks up a stink
A pensioner told how her garden had been left resembling a bomb site after a sewage pipe exploded. What a mess - repair work gets under way in Rita Kirkham's back garden. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN Rita Kirkham, 60 of Crossways, Jaywick, said she was woken
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Chelmsford: Town enjoys good sale season
Chelmsford's sale season could be the best ever for buyers as top stores discount to the bone to grab custom. More people have been buying in the January sales than in the lead-up to Christmas, says the management at High Chelmer shopping precinct. WH
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Dovercourt: How cash could be spent on town
Heritage experts are drawing up an action plan to show how £800,000 could be spent revitalising run-down parts of Dovercourt. Harwich Conservation Panel yesterday heard further details of how the Townscape Heritage Project might be put into action. Paul
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Colchester: Nick gives school wall-to-wall colour
An artist in Colchester has made an entire school his canvas. Bright and colourful - Nick Turner weaves his magic at Sir Charles Lucas College, Colchester Graphic artist Nick Turner is gradually transforming the walls of Sir Charles Lucas Arts College
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Soccer: Steve is new Town boss
Billericay Town have a new chairman and majority shareholder in the shape of self-confessed soccer nut Steve Kent. Shake on it - departing chairman Rod Moore (right) has handed over control of Billericay Town to Steve Kent Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL Kent
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Wickford: Pre-school unit up and running again
Youngsters have once again breathed life into a pre-school unit forced to close last year due to lack of support. Headteacher Angela Savill, who joined North Crescent Primary School, North Crescent, Wickford, in September, said she was confident the Early
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Soccer: Bowditch dreams of his League baptism
Dean Bowditch is chomping at the bit for his first League start with Ipswich Town. The 17-year-old is doing everything right - working tirelessly in training and taking opportunities with both hands when he emerges from the bench. But, so far, that first
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Laindon: Traders welcome plans for centre
Traders have welcomed plans for a multi-million pound redevelopment saying it is just what the Laindon Shopping Centre needed. Run down - the Laindon Centre is set to be demolished Picture: ROB BROWNE Bert Sawyer, who runs World of Flowers, says plans
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Soccer: Stockdale - Hammers have turned corner
On-loan defender Robbie Stockdale believes that West Ham are on the verge of putting their home blues behind them - starting tomorrow against Preston. The right-back has been back in the squad for the last couple of games and is seeing a new spirit in
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Soccer: I loved my time with U's - Rankin
Isaiah Rankin is hoping for some of his Colchester United loan luck to rub off on him when he returns to Layer Road for the first time since his days with the U's. The 25-year-old flying former Arsenal winger is in high-flying Barnsley's squad for tomorrow's
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Essex: The number of speed cameras has tripled
The number of speed cameras in Essex has trebled in the last three years, Government figures show. The figures were revealed on the request of Billericay MP John Baron, who is concerned about the use of cameras. He said: "There is a growing concern that
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Essex: Road deaths and drink driving figures up
Road deaths dramatically increased across Essex last year, and drink driving figures for the Christmas period also reached a five-year high. An alarming 116 people - 43 drivers, 24 motorcyclists, 22 passengers, 23 pedestrians and four cyclists - were
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Southend: Library display for pensioners
Southend libraries have teamed up with Club 60 to to put on a week-long display about services for pensioners. On two days next week, specialist staff will be on hand at Club 60 headquarters in Queensway House, Essex Street, to talk about library services
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Canvey: Stable planned next to cemetery
Two stables could be built on land Castle Point Council planned to turn into a cemetery if planning officers give the scheme the green light. Horse owners are looking to install a shelter for their animals on the site off Northwick Road, Canvey, which
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Soccer: Seeking repeat show
Thurrock go into rare Friday night action later hoping that this latest excursion will prove equally successful as the last. On that occasion Colin McBride's men played on Friday at home in the FA Cup against Luton to satisfy SkySport TV cameras. Thurrock
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Braintree: Head helps PM at Number 10
A headteacher from Braintree has been one of a handful of people selected to help shape Government policy. Roger Abo Henriksen, headteacher at Tabor High School, travelled to Downing Street yesterday to meet Prime Minister Tony Blair. He was part of a
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Hadleigh: Pupils link up with Ugandan school
The third world has never been closer - at least not for over 100 youngsters in Hadleigh. Making the first postcard - Alisa Shorter, ten, writes to Uganda Picture: MAXINE CLARKE Hadleigh Junior School, in Church Lane, has been linked with a primary school
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Soccer: Fans love cheap Scarborough fare
Southend United fans will be flocking to Scarborough for Wednesday's FA Cup third round replay with the Seadogs. Organisers reckon five coach-loads will be heading to Yorkshire thanks to the Blues subsidising travel to the match. Coach seats are available
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Brentwood: Conservatives slam questionnaire
Budget consultations by Brentwood Council have been branded a farce by Conservative councillors after only 130 residents returned a questionnaire on the borough's spending plans. The ruling Lib Dem administration has described the response as "very disappointing
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Westcliff, Leigh: Sloppy parking purge is made to measure
Controversial plans to fine drivers up to £100 for sloppy parking today received widespread backing. Getting the measure of it - leading firefighter Nigel Norfolk is pleased with the plans Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY Under proposals in the new Traffic Management
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Leigh: Botox doc's cocaine and Ecstasy shame
A doctor recovering from his marriage break-up admitted turning to Ecstasy and cocaine. Dr Julian Franklyn, 43, who ran a Leigh clinic specialising in the use of botox injections, was caught with more than £300 of illegal drugs, Southend magistrates heard
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Rugby: Southend plotting to avenge night-Mare
Southend play their first home match of 2004 tomorrow and are looking to avenge their most miserable result of the season. At the end of November, director of rugby Kevin Harman was furious with his side after their worst performance of the year ended
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Cricket: Indoor cricketers step up
Summer is a long way off - but Thurrock's cricketers are already honing their bat and ball skills. The borough indoor cricket competition series starts on Sunday. And despite the winter gales, the covered season of Sunday and midweek matches should provide
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Clacton: Clubber had 4inch knife
A chef narrowly escaped prison after he took a 4in knife to a nightclub, a court heard. Andreas Eracleous, who works at a fish and chip shop in Rosemary Road, Clacton, took the knife with him on a night out clubbing at Rumours in the town. However, he
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Witham, Colchester: Builder cleared of badger kills
A building site manager accused of recklessly destroying a badger sett on a housing development has been cleared by magistrates. Richard Beadle , of James Carter Road, Colchester, denied the charge between February 19, and March 1, 2003 at the Bovis Homes
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Soccer: Six-point start for Cross
Tony Cross should be confident of getting his Great Wakering Rovers managerial career off to a winning start tomorrow. Club officials are hoping that Cross' appointment in place on Alan Hull will lead to renewed enthusiasm among fans and a large gate
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Southend: Borough patrol faces axe
A crack team tackling crime in Southend town centre could face the axe after just two years, it was revealed today. Uncertain future? - Borough patrol officers Paul West and Shirley Morris Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL The borough patrol, which tackles dog
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Soccer: Gulls duo facing late fitness tests
Canvey Island will give late fitness tests to midfielders Jeff Minton and Ty Gooden before finalising their line-up for tomorrow's FA Trophy third round home tie with side Farnborough Town. Minton has missed two matches with a hamstring problem, while
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Canvey: Vandals target church
Young vandals were today blamed for targeting a Canvey church hall. The hooligans removed the wire fence protecting to a 4ft by 3ft window before shattering it at Our Lady Canvey Roman Catholic Church hall in the island's Long Road. It was not the first
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Tennis: Clubs take it to the max
Westcliff Lawn recorded a 4-0 drubbing of Cranston Park in Essex Winter League Division One. The top-flight triumph came courtesy of Diana Carradus, Sandra Ball, Lyndsay Watt and Gill Sanderson. And there was a 4-0 victory for the ladies from Westcliff
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Boxted: Delivery driver is hijacked in village
Hijackers bundled a delivery driver into the back of his van and stole mobile phones worth £10,000. The driver told police he was doing a drop-off in Langham when two men forced him into the back of his vehicle and taped up his hands They drove around
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Southend: Council tax could rocket
Families could face a 22 per cent rise in council tax next year. Southend Council is spelling out a series of grim choices in a newsletter dropping through letterboxes this weekend. It will feature a questionnaire asking residents how much extra they
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Golf: Cross-country with a difference
Thorpe Hall played a cross-country competition over ten holes in pairs with the best two-ball score winning. The competition uses the whole course, but involves having to go in and out of bunkers, over ditches, over trees and using several fairways. The
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Soccer: Edinburgh goes on the offensive
Billericay Town boss Justin Edinburgh hopes to mark a new era at Billericay Town with an all-out attacking thrust on tomorrow's Ryman Premier visitors Bedford Town. With Danbury businessman Steve Kent being named new club owner and chairman last night
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Colchester: More help needed for Nightshelter
Staff at Colchester's Nightshelter need more willing pairs of hands to come and help out. The 20-bed shelter has had one of its busiest Christmases of recent years and needs more volunteers. Co-ordinator Pernille Petersen said: "We have been busier than
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Essex: The number of speed cameras has tripled
The number of speed cameras in Essex has trebled in the last three years, Government figures show. The figures were revealed on the request of Billericay MP John Baron, who is concerned about the use of cameras. He said: "There is a growing concern that
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Chelmsford: Hylands House gets Hollywood makeover
A stately home in mid Essex is the new White House. Hylands House in Chelmsford was chosen as a double for America's White House in the film Chasing Liberty, which premiered in Los Angeles last night. Because of increased security now surrounding the
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Basildon: £8.5m hospital boost
Basildon Hospital's accident and emergency department is to undergo an £8.5million expansion and modernisation. Another storey is likely to be built on top and an eight-bed observation ward is also planned. The work could be completed as soon as the end
