Archive
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Basildon: MP's outburst over post
An MP today went to war with Royal Mail claiming there was still a post backlog in Basildon despite repeated denials. Angela Smith launched an astonishing attack on postal chiefs saying there are areas not getting a daily delivery and there were "significant
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Soccer: Tilly - No fears of famine
Southend United manager Steve Tilson is backing his shot-shy Shrimpers to score on a egular basis once the League Two season starts this Saturday. Flat out -- Spencer Prior with an acrobatic effort Picture: DAVE HENDERSON Blues wasted a series of clear
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Maldon: They are the egg-men
Fourteen men lost their locks in the name of charity. The head shaving event took place at Brooke Square in Maldon on Saturday and yesterday and raised more than £5,500 for the Helen Rollason Cancer Care Centre Appeal and Cancer Research UK. The event
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Thorrington: Charlie gets the needle
A young fox cub is being nursed back to health with the help of acupuncture. Charlie was taken into Wildlives rescue and rehabilitation centre in Thorrington following a road accident. He had serious nerve damage in his front right leg, which was paralysed
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Essex: Council drops limit
Essex County Council is to stop discriminating against employing people aged over 65. The county's cabinet has agreed to drop its current policy of requiring employees to retire at 65, or not recruiting people of that age group, except in exceptional
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Soccer: Fans meet their Blues heroes
Thousands of Southend United supporters flocked to the Shrimpers "Boots and Laces" training ground yesterday as the League Two side held their annual "Meet the Blues Day." Old and new - a Shrimper veterans team takes on the current youth squad at the
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Clacton: 'We want answers over Dad's death'
A distraught widow is still waiting for answers from health bosses over the death of her husband - two years after he died. Angry - Sylvia Harper, of Clacton, daughter Tracy and son Robert with a photograph of her late husband Derek. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN
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Margaret(?)Nee Leonard
Looking for my fathers sister, Margaret(?). Last known to be living in the Harlow New Town area. Any one with any knowledge of her whereabouts please contact me. Her brothers name is John Leonard My E-Mail is : joyleonard@hotmail.com
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Robert Peter John Ryan
I'm looking for my brother Robert Ryan, last lived in Manningtree My E-Mail is : mazryan@aol.com
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Stanbridge: Firefighters tackle burning crops
The equivalent of four football pitches of crops caught fire in the midday sun yesterday. Fire crews arrived to find flames of more than 12 foot engulfing four hectares of standing corn behind Mill Lane, Stanbridge. The blaze, which a leading firefighter
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Daphine Crout
Daphine and I worked together for DHSS at HQ. Husband John, son Colin lived in the Pitsea area. Would like to get in touch re old colleagues. My E-Mail is : turfingturf@hotmail.com
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Benfleet: Rare coin find
Historians are astounded by the discovery of an ancient bronze coin by Benfleet Creek which dates back to one of the biggest battles of the borough's past. Paul Elmy, of Hall Farm Road, was digging the foundations for an extension to his house when he
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Soccer: Wayne is acting skipper
Wayne Brown is just relishing his role as Colchester United's acting captain. Leading by example - Wayne Brown And nothing will please the enthusiastic central defender more than to lead the U's into the new Coca-Cola League One season against Sheffield
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Rochford: Free-for-all on taxi fares if council agrees
A free-for-all on taxi fares in the Rochford district could be on the cards following a decision by the full council. Council members agreed officers should produce a detailed report on the possibility of deregulation of the fare tariff by the end of
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Annie Rayner
I am trying to trace my family tree. My Grandfather (George Arthur Allen) married Annie Rayner at Bradwell Parish Church on July 23rd 1906. They had a Son also called Arthur George (my Father) who was born in 1910. I know that my Dad attended Brentwood
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Essex: Jamie Oliver drops in
The UK's top celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver, was in south Essex today filming a new series of TV ads. Details of the adverts are still under wraps but staff from Sainsbury's at Rayleigh Weir were involved in the filming today. Part of the car park at the
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Billericay: Town's twin celebrates 50 years
Six members of the Billericay Twinning Association have returned from a five-day visit to its twin town of Chauvigny in France. Chauvigny was celebrating 50 years of twinning and guests had been invited from its other twin towns in Italy, Germany and
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Stansted: Six held at airport
Spot checks at Stansted Airport have resulted in six arrests. One woman and five men were arrested for various offences and two of the six were wanted on warrant. The 672 checks, held over Wednesday and Thursday, were carried by the police, customs, immigration
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Bowls: Thrilling finale to Ladies Open
The singles and ladies' doubles provided two thrilling finals as the Southend Ladies' Open Bowls Tournament ended on Saturday. Dee Huggins (WR Gloucester Park) and Ann Nevison (Greenways) fought a cat and mouse battle that saw Nevison take a 12-7 lead
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Laindon: Centre to shut for two years
Shops at the Laindon Centre will be closed for more than two years if a scheme for the area's redevelopment is approved. Under a time-scale laid down by the centre's owners, Lakehill Investments, demolition of the shopping centre would not start until
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Soccer: Grays Athletic 0-0 Southend United (Friendly)
Southend United star Mark Gower cannot wait for the start of the new campaign after completing the first full pre-season of his career. No way through - Lawrie Dudfield's shot is scrambled to safety Picture: DAVE HENDERSON Remarkably the 25-year-old has
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Rayleigh: Cancer-ridden bank man jailed for theft
A cheating bank supervisor stricken with life-threatening tumours stole £94,000 from his employers and splashed out on exotic holidays and lavish furniture for his home. As his health became worse Timothy Burchell, 28, took the cash from the Southend
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Soccer: West Ham United 4-4 Anderlecht (Anderlecht win 5-4 on pens) (Friendly)
Adam Nowland's misguided attempt to chip substitute keeper Tristan Peersman from the penalty spot ultimately handed Anderlecht victory in this pre-season curtain-raiser. But West Ham can draw many positives from this absorbing game against the Belgian
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Harwich: Pensioner's body pulled from sea
Police today issued an urgent warning to swimmers after a pensioner's body was pulled out of the sea at Harwich. It is believed that 79-year-old Colin Wilkin had gone down to the beach for a dip - as he did most mornings. It is not known if he was taken
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Harwich: Warning after drowning
Police today issued an urgent warning to swimmers after a pensioner's body was pulled out of the sea at Harwich. It is believed that 79-year-old Colin Wilkin had gone down to the beach for a dip as he did most mornings. It is not known if he was taken
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Cricket: Old Southendian 200-9 Harold Wood 203-7 (Essex League Division Three)
Old Boys captain Chris Bunce blamed an early bowling lapse for thi defeat away to Harold Wood. Alan Lucas (53) turned in a fine batting performance, while Robert Dobson (25) and Tim Dennis (37) aided theh cause as Old Southendian reached 200-9 after 52
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Tiptree: Don't forget - lock doors
A burglar sneaked into a house through unlocked patio doors and took valuables. The intruder got into the home in Coriander Road, Tiptree, and escaped with a handbag, wallet, cash and credit cards. Det Sgt Roger Napier, of Colchester CID, said: "We would
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Steeple: Barn blaze battled by 40 firefighters
A barn was totally destroyed when fire swept through it. Eight appliances, as well as a rescue tender and aerial platform, attended the blaze at a workshop at Batts Farm, Batts Road in Steeple, near Maldon, yesterday. The fire, which is being investigated
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South Essex: Speed cut of 10mph
The speed limit on a busy section of the A13 has been cut in a bid to reduce road traffic accidents. Kiln Road, Benfleet has been the subject of the 10mph reduction to 30mph after Castle Point's highways and leisure committee voted for the proposals.
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Castle Point: Probe shows BP not to blame for bad air
A sceptical councillor has called for permanent monitoring equipment to be set up in Castle Point after BP confirmed it is not to blame for odours plaguing the borough. BP Refinery shift co-ordinator Andy Brown attended a health, housing, highways and
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Clacton: House blaze probe
Police and fire officers are carrying out a full investigation into a blaze at a house which is being converted into two flats. Two crews went to St Andrews Road, Clacton, where they found the property smoke-logged. Two firefighters using breathing apparatus
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Soccer: Tiptree United 2-2 Canvey Island X1
Tiptree battled back from two goals down to earn a deserved draw against their Nationwide Conference opponents. Adam Collier struck twice in the second half to even the score after Canvey had gone ahead by two goals either side of half-time. It was no
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Brentwood, Southend: Two injured in head-on crash
The drivers of a van and a bus involved in a head-on collision have been taken to hospital. The crash happened at just before 9am on Saturday on Lower Dunton Road, near Brentwood. Firefighters from Basildon, Brentwood, Ingatestone and Grays attended the
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Speedway: Loram revs up for GB action
Arena Essex star Mark Loram has caste aside his Hammers racejacket in favour of a Team Great Britain body colour this week as the World Cup competition as England stages this prestigious competition. The expectations of British riders are high for the
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Hockley: Four pensioners rescued from stuck lift
Firefighters were called to free four pensioners who were stuck in a lift for more than an hour in sweltering temperatures. Fire crews were called to Spa Court, Spa Road, Hockley, at 2pm on Friday. They managed to release the lift, but it has since been
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North Essex: Missing Shantel found in Northern Ireland
A teenager who had been missing for more than a week has been found safe and well. Shantel Summerfield, 16, was discovered in Northern Ireland on Friday where she had been staying with her 19-year-old penfriend. She had been missing from her home in Oakley
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Walton: Driver, 34, cut free from car
A driver had to be cut free from his car by firefighters after it left the road and overturned. The 34-year-old man, of Walton-on-the-Naze, was trapped in the Rover after it left the A133 slip road at Hare Green. Colchester firefighters used heavy-duty
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Southend: Hovercraft rescues trapped youths
Officials have praised the performance of Southend's RNLI hovercraft following its first time in action last week. Installed at the town's lifeboat station earlier this year, the £135,000 craft had an embarrassing debut day after getting stuck in a creek
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Basildon, Billericay: MP raps Trojan Horse deal over homes site
Plans to build nurses' homes on a greenfield site in Basildon have provoked protests from an MP and conservationists. The Thames Gateway initiative has confirmed the development will be on land in Dry Street, near Basildon Hospital. It would be the only
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Brentwood: High drama as old Odeon hit by fire
Hundreds of shoppers and shop staff were evacuated from a south Essex shopping centre after a fire broke out in a former cinema. The fire at the former Odeon in Chapel High, Brentwood, was discovered at peak shopping time on Saturday lunchtime and caused
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Clacton: Pair held after boy is burned
A 12-year-old schoolboy is recovering in hospital after suffering serious burns to his face and chest. Police were called to a house at The Parade in Walton, yesterday afternoon. They found the boy, who is believed to come from the Frinton area, at the
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Cricket: Orsett 252 Hornchurch 256-2 (Essex League Division One)
Orsett's woes at the wrong end of the table continued with an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of high-flying Hornchurch. The hosts were in third place in the table but moved up to second as a result of bagging 18 points to Orsett's eight. David Sherlock
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Joseph Charles Lee
Ugently seeking Joseph Charles Lee born Epping 1924, ex RAF, aka Rocky and perhaps John. Joseph married my aunt Moira Selina Kelly born 1928 in South Shields. The family moved to Nottingham where Moira met Joseph, she left the family home in 1949 to marry
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Little Clacton: Villagers have got it taped
Residents are learning about what is going on in their village through specially made talking tapes. The talking tapes were first produced in Little Clacton seven years ago. Maureen Carter, chairman of Little Clacton Community Care, said: "One of my friends
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Chelmsford: Swimmer angry at pool condition
A swimmer says she will not be taking the plunge at a mid-Essex pool again for fear of what she may find in the water. Lucy Martin, 29, of Great Waltham, paid £2 for a dip at Riverside Ice and leisure in Chelmsford but said she got more than she bargained
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Canvey: Liquid gas store fears
Canvey could be used to store a potentially explosive substance capable of causing "catastrophic" damage. Calor Gas's application to store liquefied natural gas at its premises in Thames Road within metres of family homes will be discussed tonight by
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David Jordan
I would like to get back in touch with Dave Jordan formally of Chadwell St Mary Essex who was a close school friend in the late sixties early seventies and went to Torells school. Has a brother Peter and a sister Ann.. My E-Mail is : johnhillsx@blueyonder.co.uk
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Braintree: Children's chance to tee off for free
Free golf lessons will be on offer to schoolchildren if a new golf complex gets the go-ahead. And the man behind the plans for a site on the outskirts of Braintree hopes the initiative will uncover the "champions of tomorrow." The plan for a 16-bay, floodlit
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Rochford: It's so wet, wet, wet
Residents were today mopping up after a water main burst leaving their street under more than a foot of water. Firefighters successfully used pumps to stop the water entering homes in the Ridings, Rochford. But the flood was made worse because the cul-de-sac's
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Cricket: Westcliff 280 Shenfield 281-7 dec (Premier Division)
Westcliff suffered a hiccough as they bid to win their fifth win of the season away to Shenfield. But John Pratt's men lost by three wickets as lowly Shenfield picked up 20 valuable points. Pratt (68) anchored the Westcliff innings and found support from
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Walton: Girl, 14, in scare
A teenager was pulled from the sea after she got into difficulties swimming off Hipkins Beach. Walton lifeboat was called out but was stood down almost immediately on Saturday lunchtime as it was not required. A spokesman for Thames Coastguard at Walton
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Soccer: Town ready for Osasuna friendly
Ipswich Town are gearing-up for their final pre-season friendly of the summer when they tackle Spanish side Osasuna. The Blues have enjoyed a successful summer campaign, having beaten Premiership sides Crystal Palace and then Newcastle last Wednesday.
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Southend: Candles spark blaze
Fire engulfed a bedsit used as homeless accommodation after the occupant fell asleep with a candle burning. Five people living in the rest of the three-storey building, in York Road, Southend, had to be evacuated after the candle set a chair alight, at
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Sailing: A hat-trick for champs
Mersea Cadet Week's defending champions have won their third consecutive title as overall winners. Jack Grogan and Jonathan Banks, racing a 29er dinghy, a small scale version of the Olympic 49er class boat, won six races in the Fast Handicap Fleet to
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Basildon: Councillor dies at 50
Basildon Council was today reeling from the shock death of one of its most prominent councillors. David Walsh, 50, left, represented Laindon Park on Basildon Council and Westley Heights on Essex County Council. The father-of-two died of a suspected heart
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Cricket: Brentwood 279-5 Wickford 238-6 (Essex League Division One)
Leaders Wickford got their fourth draw of the season against the side who were second going into this match. Chris Gladwin - scored an unbeaten 58 for Wickford Picture: ROB BROWNE The Dick Patmore Memorial Ground side won the toss and put Brentwood in
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Cricket: Leigh 165 West Essex 167-5 (Essex League Division Two)
Leigh skipper Simon Burch labelled his side's showing against West Essex as "rubbish" as the visitors sealed an easy five wicket win. Batting first, Leigh were bowled out for a poor 165 -- despite the best efforts of Stuart Elliott who top scored with
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Cricket: Billericay 287-7 Hutton 187-9 (Essex League Division Two)
Billericay earned a frustrating draw against local rivals Hutton despite a strong batting display. Having won the toss and electing to bat, Billericay finished on 287-7 with Andy Bethal top scoring on 67. The free-scoring batsman was assisted by Paul
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Cricket: Hadleigh & Thun 261-8 dec Chelmsford 191-8 (Essex League Division One)
Dev Gandhi led from the front as Hadleigh & Thundersley secured a draw with mid-table rivals Chelmsford. The Hadleigh skipper hit 139 at John Burrows Rec as his side set a decent enough target of 261-8 before declaring after 52 overs. Chelmsford mustered
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Cricket: Ongar 140 Benfleet 144-0 (Essex League Division Three)
Benfleet crushed bottom club Ongar by 10 wickets to earn their fourth win of the season. And spokesman Ron Steed freely admitted it was one of the team's easiest win of the season. "We took 35 overs to get the runs," he said. "Wins have been few and far
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John Bagget or Chris Fraser or David Burnett or Vic Chandler
I used to work at Writtle Road prior to Gt. Baddow Research Labs of Marconi. I am keen to make contact with any old friends from Goodmayes/Ilford area, I used to live in Wellwood Rd. I would be keen to hear from, the Garrard Brothers Peter and Roger,
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Soccer: Billericay Town 1-5 Canvey Island (Friendly)
Canvey Island striker Lee Boylan blasted another hat-trick as the Gulls thrashed Billericay Town 5-1 at a boiling New Lodge on Saturday. Scramble - Canvey get the ball away following a rare Billericay attack The former West Ham United trainee, who bagged
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Southend: You're ace, says casino
Thanks for saving our casino! Thanks - the casino's Mike Phillips and Denise House hand a case of wine to the red watch Bosses at the Westcliff Casino handed a case of wine to Southend fire station's red watch for swiftly quelling a blaze which threatened
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Colchester: Super 16 in river swim
Fundraisers took the plunge to swim all the way from Colchester to Brightlingsea. Sixteen hardy souls completed the gruelling journey from The Hythe along the River Colne, generating thousands of pounds for Essex Air Ambulance in sponsorship cash. Adrian
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Cricket: Epping 150 Basildon & Pitsea 107 (Essex League Division Three)
Basildon skipper Paul Ayres was left scratching his head after he saw his side fail to capitalise against the leaders. Epping skipper Geoff Maynard's 63 was the only talking point of the hosts' innings as Mark Amos (4-22) and Steve Brown (4-32) did the
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Bradwell: Gag claim over N-plant 'cancer'
A Government scientist, who believes radiation from Bradwell Power Station has increased cancer rates in north Essex, claims he has been gagged by civil servants. Dr Chris Busby said he and a colleague were prevented from publishing a minority report,
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Southend: Airport safety improvements near completion
Works on improvements to Eastwoodbury Lane creating barriers to protect traffic from aircraft will be completed near Southend Airport by the middle of next month. Currently flashing lights are in place as a barrier between the two. Airport director Roger
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Vange: Para fun for kids
A new holiday club has officially opened to keep kids aged three to eight entertained over the six week holidays. This is fun - youngsters have fun with a parachute Picture: DAVE HENDERSON The Serendipity Holiday Club is open from 9am until 5pm every
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Soccer: Wayne is acting skipper
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Colchester: No progress on stadium scheme
Colchester's community stadium plan is still being delayed by legal issues, a year after councillors gave their backing. The Cuckoo Farm and Severalls Hospital regeneration project was given outline planning permission by Colchester Council's planning
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Colchester: Strangers seen in gardens
Colchester residents are being warned to lock up after strangers were found creeping around gardens. In one case, the owner of a house in Mill Road, Mile End, found three white men about to go in through the back door at about 1.30pm on Wednesday. One