Archive
-
Date
Braintree: Man, 46, dies on holiday
A Braintree man has died while on holiday in the Lake District. It is believed Raymond Didcock, 46, of Appletree Walk, died after getting into difficulties while swimming in Ullswater, near Pooley Bridge. A spokesman for Cumbria Police said it is thought
-
Date
Cricket: Westcliff 297-6 Fives and Heronians 296 (Premier Division)
Having been beaten off the last ball the previous week, Westcliff were delighted to win in similar circumstances at Chalkwell Park on Saturday. The victory means that John Pratt's men are now probably just one win away from confirming their place in the
-
Date
Hockley: Alfreda's crusade to help people speak up
An elderly spinster who believes politicians have more confidence than brains has dedicated her retirement to helping people express themselves. Repeat after me - speech therapist Alfreda Guise Picture: ANNA LUKALA Alfreda Guise, 73, of Oak Walk, Hockley
-
Date
Braintree: Man dies in holiday tragedy
A Braintree man has died in tragic circumstances in the Lake District. It is believed Raymond Didcock, 46, of Appletree Walk, drowned while swimming in Ullswater, near Pooley Bridge. A spokesman for Cumbria Police said it is thought Mr Didcock was holidaying
-
Date
Southend: Factory fire drama
A spark from a wood-turning machine caused a fire that spread to the roof of a Southend factory. The spark caused an extraction duct near the machine to catch light and send the flames to the roof of C&B Services in Redstock Road. Two fire engines
-
Date
Rayleigh: Reckless drivers face crackdown
Police are putting the brakes on boy racers and other reckless drivers in a new operation. Since the beginning of the month, police have been sending extra officers on Fridays and Saturdays to the A13 and A127 in an operation co-ordinated by Rayleigh
-
Date
Southend: Sorry, the business has burned down
A factory manager had to tell his boss his business had nearly burned down just a day into his summer holiday. Bearer of bad news - Neil Moring Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL Chris Morris was sunning himself in the Canary Islands when Neil Moring, manager at
-
Date
Southend: Vintage moment
Engines roared and spluttered as they powered a convoy of vintage cars from London to Southend for the annual Classic Car Run. Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY Thousands watched as around 150 cars cruised on to Western Esplanade, Southend, for the charity event
-
Date
Cricket: Hadleigh 250-8 dec Brentwood 238 (Essex League Division One)
Hadleigh skipper Dev Gandhi certainly led by example as his side gave their Division One prospects a massive boost with this 12-run win over second-placed Brentwood. Gandhi cracked a superb 108 as Hadleigh totalled 250-8 declared and followed up with
-
Date
Soccer: Ex-Watford pair leave U's
Colchester will not be offering contracts to ex-Watford players Sam Swonell and Elliott Godfrey, who had been on trial at Layer Road. The pair did not play in Colchester's 2-1 friendly win against Watford on Saturday. Craig Fagan scored both goals for
-
Date
Colchester: Pupils' paint job brightens up unsightly underpass
Thanks to the flicks of paintbrushes, a horrendous eyesore looks like a tropical paradise. A well-used underpass in Colchester was cleared of glass and grafitti before youngsters get to work on making it look more like a Caribbean beach. The Baronswood
-
Date
Cricket: Tense finale brings first win
Essex recorded their first win of the season in the County Championship when they beat Leicestershire by 48 runs at Grace Road but only after a brave effort from the home side. With Leicester teetering on 145-5 at the start of play Essex seemed poised
-
Date
Southend: Residents gagged in car park debate
A residents' association is furious it was not allowed to speak out about controversial plans for a multistorey car park when they were discussed at a council meeting. Councillors reviewed proposals for a new 286-space multistorey car park at Southend's
-
Date
Castle Point: Tributes to former mayor
Moving tributes today poured in after a former Castle Point mayor collapsed and later died of a heart attack. Tory Boyce ward councillor Chris Freeman, 55, of May Avenue, Canvey, was due to have heart surgery. Today, political colleagues were mourning
-
Date
Soccer: Fagan nets U's gain
Colchester United goal-getter Craig Fagan gained his reward for a summer of hard work in the gym when he bagged a brace against Watford. Bagging a brace - Craig Fagan helped himself to two goals against Watford. Picture: ROB SAMBROOK While the rest of
-
Date
Essex: Police team to probe murders
A new police team set up to probe "cold" cases has been put to work on unsolved Essex murders. The investigative review team, formed last year, is appealing for new information to help catch the killers of Colchester pensioner Thelma Avis. They have also
-
Date
Cricket: Upminster 274-4 Billericay 230-8 (Essex League Division Two)
Billericay ground out a hard fought draw at third placed Upminster, following a keenly contested and high scoring encounter. Having put the home-side into bat after winning the toss, Billericay took four wickets as Upminster eventually ended up on 274
-
Date
Mr Charles F Raffle
I am looking for my brother last know to be in the Chelmsford area My E-Mail is : velmalan.bunting@btopenworld.com
-
Date
Joe Joseph and Eddie Chandler
Looking for old wartime mates, Joe Joseph and Eddie Chandler, I'd like to hear from either of you. My E-Mail is : jackn@airnet.com.au
-
Date
Soccer: Colchester United 2-1 Watford (Friendly)
Craig Fagan's brace sent Colchester United storming to a convincing victory over Championship opponents Watford. The Hornets may be one step further up the Football League ladder than the U's but this match at Layer Road certainly left you questioning
-
Date
Cricket: Napier's heroics lift Essex hopes
Graham Napier was the star turn in front of a 4000 crowd as Essex boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation with a 30-run victory against Northants in their Totesport League confrontation at Southend's Southchurch Park. Man of the match - Graham Napier
-
Date
Southend: Euro cash boost to voluntary groups
Southend voluntary groups have attracted more than £100,000 worth of funding from the European Social Fund. Beneficiaries includes Southend Women's Aid, which has been granted £10,000, and the Share-It Muslim Community Support Centre. Maggi Howell, executive
-
Date
Benfleet: Thumbs down for 16 new flats plan
Plans for 16 flats in Benfleet have been recommended for refusal. Planning chiefs at Castle Point Council have said the proposals for 16 two-bedroom flats with 24 car parking spaces in Linden Road, Benfleet, would be out of character with the area. The
-
Date
Castle Point: Mayor Wendy on right track
Have-a-go Castle Point mayor councillor Mrs Wendy Goodwin can't wait to drive a train this weekend. She will be leaping aboard one of the engines chugging round Waterside Farm, Somnes Avenue, Canvey, thanks to Canvey Model Railway Club. Then she is set
-
Date
Basildon: Car crashes into home
A car which was driven into the front of a house in Basildon on Sunday may have been crashed there deliberately. Police have not ruled out the possibility that the driver of the Nissan Micra smashed into the home in Lincoln Road on purpose. A spokesman
-
Date
Essex: Cash boost for dental services
Essex has received interim funding of £1.5m to boost access to dental services across the county. More choice, improved access and better quality dental care have been promised by Essex Strategic Authority for people in the county, following dentistry
-
Date
Soccer: Boylan brace earns Gulls win
Canvey Island hot-shot Lee Boylan again demonstrated his goalscoring prowess with a brace during Saturday's 2-1 win at Heybridge Swifts. The man whose tally of competitive goals last season was only just short of the 60 mark missed Gull's first two friendlies
-
Date
Michael and Jackie Heard and Son James
Trying to find Mike and Jackie Heard who used to live in Sudbury Rd, Halstead. Last contacted them aprox 1982, we are visiting UK in October 2004 and would like to make contact again. We can be contacted at sawyer@paradise.net.nz Graeme and Judy Sawyer
-
Date
Southend: Should we ban HGVs here?
A councillor today called for a ban on heavy lorries in key areas of Leigh affected by a cliffs slippage which has damaged walls and pavements. Dr Alan Crystall also believes action is needed to repair the cliffs between Leigh Hill, Cliff Parade and Grand
-
Date
Little Burstead: Church glass smashed
Church leaders and police today expressed outrage after intruders smashed a historic stained glass window at a church. The vandals caused thousands of pounds of damage to St Mary's Church, Rectory Road, Little Burstead, after ransacking cupboards and
-
Date
South Woodham Ferrers: Roger's visit to Royal house
A former South Woodham Ferrers headteacher has been to visit Prince Charles. Roger Leeke, who was headteacher at Woodville Primary School, attended the event at the Prince of Wales's Highgrove home in Gloucestershire. He was one of 84 headteachers invited
-
Date
Braintree: Bright and the best
The brightest and best in Braintree commerce have been recognised at a glittering awards dinner. The winner of the Derek Salmon retailer of the year award, held in memory of the murdered George Yard shopping centre manager, was announced at a dinner and
-
Date
Hockley: Calls to police could fuel yob crackdown
Dispersal orders designed to prevent antisocial behaviour could be extended to a vandalism hotspot in Hockley. Acting Insp Kevin Diable-White said residents should report any incidents they witness at Plumberow Mount so police can make the area a priority
-
Date
Grays: Cyclist has leg pierced
A youngster had a " lucky" escape from serious injury when the brake handles of his bike pierced his thigh. Paramedics said that the 13-year-old from Grays was lucky to have missed all the arteries in his leg. The teenager was riding down a steep slope
-
Date
Basildon: Firefighters' chip pan danger warning
A dangerous chip pan fire in a family home has prompted firefighters in Basildon to hammer home the basics of safe cooking. Fire crews from Basildon tackled a fire which left a house in Hollands Walk smoke logged and with fire damage to its kitchen on
-
Date
South Essex: Teens in dramatic A13 crash
Two teenage boys are fighting for their lives after a head-on crash into a concrete pillar on the A13 destroyed the front of their BMW. The driver - who had borrowed his mum's powerful 320i- and his friend had been on a night out and were travelling home
-
Date
Colchester: 999 as wasps' nest crashes on to bed
A wasp attack victim made a desperate call to police as a swarm of the insects filled his bedroom. The man was asleep at his home in Friday Wood Green, Colchester, when a nest crashed through the ceiling and the wasps started to buzz around him. Det Sgt
-
Date
Colchester: Glorious day for a fun event
Glorious weather brought the crowds out for a community fun day. Stacey Barrett, Jessica Le Chalmers and Kelly Hall on a teacups ride at the Greenstead community fun day in Colchester Picture: NIGEL BROWN Kids had the chance to try their hand at singing
-
Date
Braintree: Hammer vandal hunt
Police are hunting a youth seen hitting cars with a hammer in Dukes Road, Braintree, about 9.15pm yesterday. He is described as white, aged about 14 to 16, wearing a brown t-shirt or jacket, and possibly living in the Beech Avenue area. Information to
-
Date
Soccer: Billericay Town 5-0 Grays Athletic (Friendly)
Billericay Town's first New Lodge appearance of the season gave plenty of hope to home fans. The shield - this Billericay Town player puts his body in front of the ball Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL With ex-Heybridge Swifts man Neil Cousins collecting a hat-trick
-
Date
Brentwood: Leisure complex moves closer to reality
A long-awaited hotel, leisure centre and restaurant complex is a step closer to becoming a reality now that the owners of the site have submitted details of a proposed new access road. The Carroll Group, which owns the former Mountnessing scrapyard site
-
Date
Jonathan Pitch
Would like to find information on Jonathan Pitch family last known to be in Ilford. Jonathan was married to Sarah Harding and believed to have had two son's. One of which was Charles Pitch. Any information at all would be appreciated. Sincerely, Dorothy
-
Date
Canvey: Skatepark poised to pick up lottery cash
A £100,000 skatepark on Canvey could receive a huge boost if plans finally submitted to Castle Point Council are approved. If the proposal, which has been in the offing for more than a year, gets the thumbs up from the planning committee on Tuesday, August
-
Date
Cricket: Irani joy at first Championship win
Ronnie Irani said today 'it's never over until the fat lady sings' after Essex broke their Frizzell County Championship duck for the season with victory over Leicestershire. Essex saw off their fellow Division Two strugglers by 48 runs at Grace Road on
-
Date
Benfleet: Old boy donates bumper cheque
A 23-year-old man donated £1,973 to his former school after running the London Marathon earlier this year. In the money - Luke Fordham holds up the huge cheque Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY Staff and pupils at Cedar Hall School, Hart Road, Benfleet, were delighted
-
Date
Cricket: Southend 218-8 dec Basildon & Pitsea 219-2 (Essex League Division Three)
Basildon and Pitsea batsman Kiran Sangani proved his worth again as he steered the new towners to an eight-wicket victory. Sangani hit an unbeaten 118 at Mopsies Park as Basildon scored 219-2 in reply to Southend-on-Sea's 218-8. Earlier the seasiders
-
Date
Braintree: Suspicious fires probed
Police and fire investigators are looking into a spate of suspicious fires in Braintree. The first suspected arson attack happened at 12.45am on Sunday, when fire crews from Braintree, Coggeshall and Halstead were called to CSS Recruitment's premises
-
Date
Basildon: Stress caused offence
The stress of a police investigation and £60,000 debt were among the factors that led to a 54-year-old man to drink drive, a court heard. James Thorpe of Southwark Pass, Basildon, pleaded guilty to drink driving at Basildon Magistrates. He was disqualified
-
Date
Vange: Fight for control of flats finally settled
A bitter tug-of-war over the Chestnut Road housing estate in Vange has moved closer to being resolved. Dispute - Chestnut Road estate Picture: ANNA LUKALA More than 100 residents and leaseholders left the meeting in Vange finally content following more
-
Date
Rayleigh: Hunt for raiders of security van
Detectives hunting an armed gang which raided a security van today feared the robbers could strike again. They believe the gun-toting thieves planned the attack for weeks and today urged the public to help them catch the gang. They appealed to the public
-
Date
Clacton: Girl banned from estate
A teenage girl who has "caused misery" to residents has been banned from a Clacton estate for two years. Shaan Timothy, 16, has also been barred from meeting up in public with two sisters who are banned from the same estate. She was issued with a two-year
-
Date
Hadleigh: Urgent repairs to castle
Hadleigh Castle is undergoing £80,000 worth of repairs to save it from total collapse. Work to conserve and stabilise the crumbling castle, is expected to take about three months, a move which could effectively kill visits from tourists through the summer
-
Date
Cricket: Leigh 212-6 Horndon 213-7 (Essex League Division Two)
Leigh sunk to an unexpected three-wicket defeat at struggling Horndon after being ripped apart by bowler Dave Goldstone. The Horndon seamer took all six of the Leigh wickets to fall for just 85 runs during an impressive 26 overs of action. Despite Goldstone's
-
Date
Arthur Bass of Radwinter. Born 1859
I am searching for any relations of the Bass family who may have information about the Bass name being originally Bassano. My grandmother knew that the family came from Bassano del Grappa in Italy but I can't find the early connection - I would be gratefull
-
Date
Cricket: Full house at festival as Essex clinch win
Good weather and exciting cricket brought the crowds flocking to Southchurch Park, Southend, as Essex brought County Cricket to the town. Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY And the change of scenery clearly suited the county's one-day side as they held their nerve
-
Date
Cricket: Orsett 65 Wickford 68-2 (Essex League Division One)
Wickford quickly made amends for having the previous week's game abandoned due to rain when they obliterated hosts Orsett. The home side batted first and were bowled out for 65 with Jamie Went taking 5-15 and Andy Baker, very often only third or fourth
-
Date
Soccer: Prior verdict looms
Southend United manager Steve Tilson will today discover whether experienced centre back Spencer Prior will be joining the Shrimpers. The former Manchester City man has impressed while on trial with the Blues in recent weeks and Tilson would love to bring
-
Date
Stisted: Police stop man's 20ft suicide jump
A police officer scaled scaffolding to rescue a man who was threatening to kill himself. Officers were called to a house under construction in Rectory Road, Stisted, near Braintree, soon after 2am yesterday. They found a 36-year-old man perched on scaffolding
-
Date
Soccer: Connors sale is a 'gamble'
West Ham boss Alan Pardew admitted that the sale of striker David Connolly represents a gamble as he looks to build a promotion-winning squad. Speaking for the first time since Connolly departed for Championship rivals Leicester City, he explained the
-
Date
Southend: Lardi-Dah celebrates gay pride in style
A colourful parade kick-started a day of festivities for the south Essex gay scene as they celebrated the third annual Lardi-Dah party. Scores of people turned out to celebrate Southend's answer to the national gay Pride march in style by wearing a variety
-
Date
Soccer: Dagenham and Redbridge 3-3 Southend United (Friendly)
Southend United skipper Kevin Maher insisted the Shrimpers were still set for a successful season despite surrendering a 3-0 lead during Saturday's draw at Dagenham and Redbridge. Still upbeat - Blues skipper Kevin Maher remained positive despite seeing
-
Date
Soccer: Peterborough United 1-1 West Ham United (Friendly)
New West Ham signing Teddy Sheringham was not too impressed with life after his first appearance for the club. The striker lasted the full 90 minutes of a 1-1 friendly draw at Peterborough, but acknowledged the afternoon's action was a disappointment.