Archive
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Soccer: Irons aim for a frisky finale
West Ham complete their three-match Swedish tour tonight with a match against Superettan side Friska Viljor. Viljor, who are based in the coastal town of Ornskoldvik, are finding life tough in their first season back in the second tier of Swedish football
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Clacton: Lady Emma towed to safety by lifeboat
Coastguards were called to help when a 25foot long motor boat ran out of fuel and the crew was unsure of its position. The boat, called the Lady Emma, had two people on board. After help taking direction finding bearings on the radio it was discovered
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Corringham: School launches mentor scheme
A Corringham school has introduced a new system into the classroom where older pupils act as mentors for the younger ones. Gable Hall School in Southend Road is setting up the new system of form grouping, which means six pupils from both Years Ten and
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Brentwood: Group to be wound down
A pressure group about to be disbanded after almost half a century of campaigns is to make one final last stand. Brentwood Civic Society, which has fought countless battles to make Brentwood better, will be wound down because of a lack of new members.
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Basildon: Jail for thieving firebug
An off-licence worker has been jailed for three years for a £72,000 arson attack to cover his tracks after stealing cash from the shop safe. Colin Hackett, 48, maintained his innocence throughout a trial at Basildon Crown Court but was found guilty by
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Braintree: Drugs offender on day release with customs
A man convicted of possessing cocaine with intent to supply has been working for customs officers while on day release from prison. Enzo Defoe, 35, of Blake Drive, Braintree, was jailed for three years last year after police found 12 grammes of cocaine
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Harwich: Hospital event enjoys huge turnout
Nothing could stop Harwich residents from supporting their hospital. In spite of a new venue and atrocious weather, the Harwich Hospital Fete enjoyed as good attendance as ever. And, with some funds still to come in, a cash injection of more than £5,500
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Soccer: Wignall row - settled at last
Southend United have finally agreed a settlement sum with former boss Steve Wignall. The ex Colchester United chief endured a miserable short stint in the Roots Hall hot-seat and was attempting to counter-sue the Seasiders after they refused to pay his
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Cricket: Westcliff 220 - South Woodford 224-7 (Premier Division)
Despite a two-hour rain delay, Westcliff and South Woodford engaged in a thrilling match at Chalkwell Park which was only settled off the last ball. To the rescue - Vince Bird's innings brought Westcliff back from 100-5 Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY The hold-up
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Chelmsford: Car driven at off duty PCs
Police are appealing for witnesses after an attempt was made to run over four off duty officers in Chelmsford. The male Pcs were dressed in sports clothing and jogging along Chelmer Village Way when the incident happened. As they reached the roundabout
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Bowls: Hat-trick Hennessey retains title
Vic Hennessy has completed a hat-trick of successes in the mixed fours at the Southend Men's Open Bowls Tournament by retaining the title. Not this time - Bernard Regan in action for John Clark's beaten fours finalists His Wickford Royal British Legion
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Clacton: Pregnant woman in accident
A woman who is eight and a half months pregnant had a miraculous escape after being involved in a car crash. The 28-year-old was the passenger when her car, being driven by her husband, 27, was involved in a collision with a van. The crash happened at
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Colchester: Crash witness appeal
Police today appealed for witnesses to a crash in which a teenager died. Rebecca Fenton, 15, was riding as a pillion passenger when the Honda 1,100cc motorbike her father Des was driving was involved in a collision in Mersea Road, Colchester. No witnesses
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Brentwood: Dig this
An archaeological dig in London has unearthed new information about the history of Ongar and Abridge. Part of a Roman road has been discovered in Leyton and it is strongly believed it is linked to roads previously found in the Chipping Ongar area confirming
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Speedskating: Medal glory for speedskaters
Team Rollerblade and South Woodham Ferrers Rollerspeed skaters got among the medals at the first leg of the British Outdoor Track Championships in Birmingham. Gold medals went to Chanel Moore, aged 14, getting her first win in the 200m senior ladies time
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Cricket: Benfleet 171 Harold Wood 160-7 (Essex League Division Three)
After a rain delay Benfleet were relieved to see Harold Wood run out of time just 12 runs from victory. Benfleet thus secured a draw after posting 171. Andy Prophet top scored with a stylish 78 and was backed up by both Paul Tresnor (16) and Paul Wright
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Clacton: Police hunt sex attack man
Police are searching for the man who carried out a terrifying sexual assault on a 49-year-old woman. The attack took place between 1am and 2.30am on Saturday as the victim was sitting in a shelter at the seafront end of Edith Road, Clacton. She was dragged
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Chelmsford: New course for nurses
A new course for nurses is being launched at Broomfield Hospital in a bid to help ease the shortage of renal nurses in the mid Essex area. A six-month course for 10 nurses will be held at the hospital under the auspices of the University of Essex. The
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Benfleet: Cops raid dope house
Police today claimed success in the war against drug dealers after raiding a house used to grow cannabis. Officers arrested a man following the raid on the house in Benfleet, which had been converted throughout to grow the plants. It was the first discovery
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Cricket: Horndon 81 - Billericay 82-7 (Essex League Division Two)
Billericay recorded an emphatic seven wicket triumph at lowly Horndon on Saturday, thanks to a fine bowling display from Adam Samoulle. Following a rain disrupted start, Samoulle grabbed five wickets for just eight runs - including a hat-trick - to help
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Soccer: Canvey Island 0-2 Hull City (Friendly)
While the 500 plus crowd were left purring in admiration at the debut goal of Hull's ex-England man Nick Barmby, Canvey fans hailed their own new hero following this opening pre-season friendly at Park Lane on Friday night. Captain's return - Neil Gregory
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Westcliff: New era for Hamlet Court Road
The end of the beginning - rather than the beginning of the end - was how traders and residents in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff, described the final party to celebrate completion of regeneration works. Bright future - Hamlet Court Road traders celebrate
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Canvey: George books a hit with pupils
Bookworms at a Canvey school were delighted when comedy actor and writer George Layton spent a morning giving them tips on story writing. Literary star - George Layton reads to the pupils from one of his books Picture: LUAN MARSHALL The visit was the
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Southend: New restaurant opening is a sweet success
More than 200 people sipped Champagne and nibbled canapes to celebrate the opening of new restaurant Room 24. Yummy - Angela Mearis dips into the chocolate fountain with Thomas, two Picture: MAXINE CLARKE 2VGHQ12 But little Thomas, two, was more interested
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Soccer: Grays Athletic 1-2 Colchester United (Friendly)
Colchester United kept their unbeaten run going in their pre-season friendly fixtures with a narrow win at Conference South side Grays. Wayne Brown and Wayne Andrews struck the goals that secured the victory in a solid-looking first-half display on Saturday
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Basildon: Asbo break boy locked up
A teenage tearaway was today behind bars after breaching his anti-social behaviour order. Police praised a Basildon judge for imposing the four-month sentence, saying it sends a hard-hitting message to disruptive youths. District judge David Cooper handed
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Chelmsford: Car driven at off duty officers
Police are appealing for witnesses after an attempt was made to run over four off duty officers in Chelmsford. The male Pcs were dressed in sports clothing and jogging along Chelmer Village Way when the incident happened. As they reached the roundabout
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Soccer: Piror has eye on Blues deal
Spencer Prior will again be aiming to impress for the Shrimpers tonight as the League Two side host Canvey Island at Roots Hall. The experienced centre back played 45 minutes for the Blues at East Thurrock on Saturday and is keen to extend his latest
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Eastwood: Bathroom wasp attack
A pensioner was attacked by wasps after a nest fell through a ceiling into his bathroom, it was revealed today. The 76-year-old, who lives in Eastwood, was taken to Southend Hospital after being stung yesterday. The man was left shocked and dazed following
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Cricket: Ongar 164 Basildon 165-2 (Essex League Division Three)
Basildon enjoyed a convincing eight wicket win over their lowly rivals -- courtesy of an excellent all round performance from Michael Gray. Having won the toss and elected to field, Gray helped Basildon bowl the home-side out for 164 -- taking 3-42. Wayne
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Thorpe: Man jailed for sex assault on boy, 14
A former Thorpe man has been jailed for a sexual assault on a 14-year-old boy. Michael Neary, 55, of Orchard Street, Bury St Edmunds, who used to live in Frinton Road, was sentenced on Friday at Ipswich Crown Court following a three-day trial. He denied
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Colchester: Judge's death halts appeal
A lorry driver convicted of killing a Colchester motorist will have to appeal a second time following the death of a judge who heard his case. Victor Coates was convicted of killing Lee Fitt. His boss, Martin Graves, was convicted of Mr Fitt's manslaughter
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Essex: Rush-hour chaos on roads and the rails
Rush-hour travellers were today hit by two lots of chaos - on the roads and rails. Motorists were stuck in jams as four months of roadworks got under way on Pitsea flyover. Traffic was gridlocked at Sadlers Farm roundabout, Benfleet, with cars barely
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Basildon: Frank's a lot for the lift to the shops Andy
Forget parrots perched on your shoulder. This ex-punk rocker prefers his iguana to keep him company. High there - Frank hitches a ride into Basildon with Andy Matthews Picture: ROB BROWNE Andy Matthews took a stroll through Basildon town centre with Frank
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Canvey: Workers face axe in asbestos row
Council workers could face the sack over a catalogue of failures in tackling asbestos at Canvey's swimming pool. Staff and councillors were criticised following a seven-month inquiry into asbestos at Waterside Farm sports centre in Somnes Avenue. Asbestos
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Soccer: Gulls get first win
Less than 24 hours after their defeat by Hull, Canvey's first team squad were back in action on Saturday at Ridgeons Eastern Counties League Halstead. With the area being hit by a violent thunderstorm and torrential rain, the match came close to being
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Gymnastics: Amazing Grace leaps into Great Britain squad
Grace Knightbridge has earned herself a call-up to the national gymnastics squad world-class start programme after a fantastic showing at the Junior British Championships. Leap - Grace Knightbridge shows her skill on the beam The 15-year-old, from the
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Benfleet: Student secretaries win awards
Secretarial students at Seevic College have been celebrating their hard work this week. Recruitment agency Kelly Services visited the Sixth Form College in Runnymede Chase, Benfleet, to present the company's Student of the Year Award to those studying
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Colchester: Lightning strike forces stores to shut
Businesses in Colchester were forced to shut after storms cut off their power. Customers had to be evacuated from the shops after an EDF Energy substation in London Road, Copford, was struck by lightning. Tollgate Retail Park, Stanway, was affected by
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Soccer: East Thurrock United 0-7 Southend United (Friendly)
Southend United made a strong start to their pre-season campaign on Saturday, thrashing East Thurrock 7-0 at Rookery Hill. Not this time - Southend debutant Wayne Gray fails to add to his two-goal haul at East Thurrock Picture: DAVE HENDERSON A brace
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Soccer: Stimmo thrilled as Orient are beaten
Grays Athletic boss Mark Stimson admitted to being delighted with his side's 2-0 home success over a strong Leyton Orient line-up and they followed up with a 2-1 defeat by Colchester at The Rec on Saturday. Grays bring a team down to Burroughs Park tomorrow
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Relay: Rochford school are the business at relay
King Edmund School were streets ahead in the annual Hi-Tec/Rickard Keen Southend Business relay. Your turn - Will Reed hands the baton to Emma Hawes The five-strong team from the Rochford school headed a field of 20 around a two-mile course through central
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Southend: More flats fears over £39m health shake-up
A landmark car dealership will become home to a new health care centre as part of a £39million overhaul of frontline services in Southend. The first of five primary care centres will be set up in London Road, Leigh, on the Dragon Motor Company site, an
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Athletics: Last gasp Macey reaches Olympic standard
Canvey based decathlete Dean Macey will compete in this summer's Olympic Games after reaching the B standard qualifying mark at Hexham yesterday. The injury hit 26-year-old finished the two day competition with 7,842 points and admitted he was now fully
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Southend: New plans for airport
The future of Southend Airport may be more certain with the submission of detailed plans for a new terminal building and railway station to Rochford District Council. The plans were received just days before the existing outline planning permission was
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Basildon: Pavilion in park torched by yobs
A pavilion in a Basildon park was destroyed in a suspected arson attack. Wrecked - the Gloucester Park pavilion Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL Firefighters believe the fire, which swept through the 40ft storage hut in Gloucester Park, was started deliberately
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South Woodham Ferrers: Graffiti yob's £1,200 bill
An 'overwhelming majority' of police resources in South Woodham Ferrers are being thrown at nuisance youngsters in the town, a police spokesman has claimed. Sgt Graeme Dowsett said orders and initiatives to stamp out badly behaved youths have been successful
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Mid Essex: Early detection hope for eyesight problems
Eye tests are to be carried out on children in the mid Essex area, in a new screening programme to improve the detection and treatment of eyesight problems. The Primary Vision Screening programme for four to five year olds has been launched by Mid Essex
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Speedway: Bonus point comes at cost
Despite collecting the bonus point when suffering a 52-41 SkyBet Elite League defeat at Coventry, Arena Essex paid a heavy price. The match took place in wretched conditions when rain falling before the start led to an awkward surface. Then further rain
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Cricket: Ardleigh Green 205-5 Leigh 204-9 (Essex League Division Two)
Leigh's promotion hopes took a blow when they lost by five wickets at second-placed Ardleigh Green. A half-century from L Marshall saw Leigh to a total of 204-9 after they batted first at Ardleigh. And on a day of difficult batting conditions in damp
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Soccer: Aab Aalborg 2-0 Ipswich Town (Friendly)
Ipswich Town ended their pre-season tour of Denmark on a low note by crashing 2-0 against Aab Aalborg. Despite dominating the first half, Joe Royle's side faded badly after the break and ended up soundly beaten on Friday. Town had drawn their other game
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Cricket: Irani ton can't stop mauling
Even a brilliant century from Ronnie Irani failed to save Essex from another crushing defeat when they met Lancashire in their Totesport League clash at Old Trafford. Irani, returning to the ground where he first embarked upon a professional career well
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Braintree: Better maternity service demanded
Parent power came to Braintree when more than 500 mothers, fathers and supporters marched through the town centre calling for a 24-hour birth unit at William Julien Courtauld Hospital. Maternity campaign - parents and supporters make their point outside
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Colchester: Crowds battle storms
Visitors to a war-themed event showed the traditional British spirit by turning up in their hundreds despite the storms at the weekend. More than 700 people took part in The Home Front, at St Botolph's Priory, Colchester, in spite of the appalling weather
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Southend: Guy was burning well in lift shaft
Southend firefighters were called to a block of flats to find a "guy" well alight in the lift. Fire crews from Southend and Leigh attended the scene at Malvern flats, Coleman Street, Southend at about 6pm last Thursday. They had to call the lift down
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Brentwood: Re-launch for drug service
A drug and alcohol service targeted at young people is sending out a loud and clear message at a series of re-launch meetings. The Essex Young People's Drug and Alcohol Service has secured new funding to take its vital work forward and turn around the
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Billericay: Town licensees facing underage booze blitz
A crackdown on licensees who sell alcohol to underage youngsters has been pledged in the wake of rising crime in Billericay. David Dadds, Basildon Council's portfolio holder for licensing, spoke out after Billericay police accused many local retailers
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Bowls: Thorpe Bay back on winning trail
Tom Coster and Brendan Glyde triumphed in the Southend Men's Open Bowls Tournament pairs competition to give Thorpe Bay their first success in the tournament for five years. Glyding to victory - Brendan Glyde in action as he won the pairs final with Jon
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Stansted: Money bags!
Having squeezed just about every other frill out of its service, low-cost giant Ryanair is considering charging people to take luggage. At a monthly media briefing the Stansted-based carrier's firebrand chief executive Michael O'Leary talked about introducing
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Colchester: Uncle's tribute to his caring niece
She was a loving and caring person who had time to spend with all her family. That was how Micheal Fenton described his 15-year-old niece Rebecca who died in a motorbike accident. Rebecca was riding as a pilion passenger when the Honda 1,100cc motorbike
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South Essex: Drivers warned over parking tickets
Drivers who flout the car park charges at country parks in Essex could face the threat of legal action...even if they are raising money for charity. Essex County Council has warned that anyone visiting a county council run country park will be taken to
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Tennis: Thorpe Bay's Taylor-made success
Thorpe Bay Lawn Tennis Club were pleased to welcome new England under 21 football manager, Peter Taylor, who visited to support his daughter Chloe, when they hosted their summer finals. And his backing helped her and partner Lucy Lauretta to success in
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Billericay: Guild membership for pair
Two creative and talented Billericay people have been accepted into the prestigious Guild of Essex Craftsmen. Tracy Everard, of Laindon Road, makes hand-painted moulded ceramics while Douglas Payne, who has a studio at the Barleylands Craft Village, creates
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Ramsden Heath: Paramedics airlift horse fall woman
A 44-year-old woman was today recovering in hospital after her horse fell and landed on her during a riding lesson. The rider was knocked unconscious following the accident at the Ramsden Riding School, Dowsett Lane, Ramsden Heath, at around 3pm yesterday
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Cricket: Debut for Adams?
Essex new boy Andre Adams could get his first taste of Twenty20 cricket tonight. And vice-captain Paul Grayson is confident the competitive New Zealander, who celebrated his 29th birthday on Saturday the day he signed for the county could play a big part
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Colchester: Give my son a second chance
A plea has today been made to give a teenage "terror" another chance. Education plea - Sheena Barnham with son Aaron. Picture: NIGEL BROWN Aaron Barnham was issued with an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) for "terrorising" Colchester's Greenstead estate
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Cricket: Adams arrives to bolster county squad
Andre Adams, a 29-year-old New Zealand allrounder, has been signed by Essex as a replacement for Pakistan legspinner Danish Kaneria. The Kiwi, a medium paceman and late order batsman, put pen to paper on Saturday and was immediately included in the side