Archive
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Maldon: Anger at roadworks timing
A highways chief has denied claims roadworks affecting Maldon and its surrounding villages had been scheduled to take place at the same time. Traders have complained that the works to replace paving in High Street should not have taken place at the same
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Southend: Pier plan wins backing
Ambitious plans for Southend Pier including two new pavilions and a spectacular gyrotower or rollercoaster have won the backing of senior councillors. The Riviera Group wants to transfer its failed proposals for Bournemouth Pier to breathe new life into
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Soccer: 'What is going on?'
Colchester manager Phil Parkinson was dismayed his side could not reproduce the battling display that saw them beat Bournemouth a few days previously. Bemused - U's manager Phil Parkinson 41141-1 He said: "I thought we were lifeless from the first minute
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Thundersley: Special needs school is safe
The future of a special needs school in Thundersley is safe, a leading county councillor insisted Cedar Hall School was thrust into the spotlight when disgruntled mother Maria Hutchings challenged Prime Minister Tony Blair on a live televison debate.
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Mistley, Colchester: Twin blow for thief
Out-of-luck thief Paul Stiles was dumped by his long-term girlfriend just minutes before he was jailed for stealing his mum's holiday cash. Louise Smith went to court with Stiles but walked out on him before he appeared before magistrates. The court heard
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Chelmsford: Hospital to keep Holly ward shut
Health chiefs have shelved plans to re-open a 19-bed intermediate care ward. Holly ward, at St John's Hospital in Chelmsford, was provisionally closed in November after a number of recruitment initiatives failed to attract staff with some posts receiving
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Dunnmow: Pavilion fire 'suspicious'
A fire which destroyed a pavilion is being treated as possible arson. Two fire crews from Dunmow and two from Braintree were called to the blaze in the building, thought to be disused, in Braintree Road, Felsted, at 9pm on Friday Dunmow fire station officer
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Football: Irons on march to last eight
West Ham reached the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup for the third year running, but they were pushed hard by a dogged Leyton Orient side. In the end, a burst of first-half quality told for the hosts, who recovered from the shock of conceding a first-minute
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Benfleet: Mum tackles Tony Blair on TV show
The mother of an autistic boy marched up Tony Blair during a live television debate and confronted him over the future of special needs schools in Essex. Maria Hutchings's ten-year-old son Jean Paul Panzavecchia attends Cedar Hall School Special School
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Harwich: Strike action
Civil servants are getting ready for strike action next month. Public sector area workers are expected to take part in a walk-out on March 23. Picket lines look set to be drawn in Harwich for the strike, which will affect some staff from Customs and Excise
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Football: King happier with Gulls
Canvey Island soccer boss Jeff King confessed to being a far happier man - despite seeing his side sink closer to the Nationwide Conference danger area with a 1-0 defeat at Hereford. The setback at the former Football League club was Gulls' eighth on
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Thorrington: Girl, 12, thrown from car
A young girl was thrown through the window of a car and on to the roadside as it rolled over in Thorrington. The 12-year-old, of Dedham, was last night in a stable condition at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital. Police are now investigating whether
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Canvey: Island's third access road "not a priority"
A third road off Canvey has been put on the backburner because other routes in north Essex are a priority, a county councillor has admitted. Rodney Bass, county cabinet member for transport, revealed Canvey was losing out to the Great Notley bypass from
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Tendring: Fears over radical transport scheme
A move to centralise the way Essex County Council manages its transport systems has been condemned There are fears that it will lead to a reduction in the service provided for residents across Tendring. County Hall is carrying out a radical overhaul as
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Soccer: Colchester United 0-2 Bristol City (Coca Cola League One)
The only amazing thing about Colchester United's day was how they only conceded two goals to visitors Bristol City. Heads up - the U's Gavin Johnson is beaten to the ball against Bristol City. 41141-4 The Robins travelled to Essex to meet a Colchester
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Maldon: Belly good fun from the east
A flavour of the east came to Maldon. Belly high - Deniz Taylor teaches some tummy-stretching techniques. Picture: SEANA HUGHES 41124-c Thirteen women turned up to a free belly dancing taster session at the Quaker Hall in Butt Lane. The class was part
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Holland-on-Sea: Garden garments
Strong winds landed a resident of Holland-on-Sea with an unexpected haul of children's clothing. Sheila Bruton, of Hereford Road, discovered nine items in her garden and pathway - and despite asking neighbours, she has been unable to locate their owner
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Soccer: Parky stages shut-in
Colchester United manager Phil Parkinson took the unusual step of shutting his side in their dressing room for more than half an hour after the U's 2-0 loss to Bristol City. The U's looked off the pace in their Coca-Cola League One clash against the Robins
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Essex: Range of events for local business
Business leaders in the county can find numerous courses to get their company working with the latest courses run by Business Link 4 Essex. The organisation has arranged a selection of events for the spring including: Top 10 Tips for Managing your taxes
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Soccer: Colchester United 0-2 Bristol City (Coca Cola League One)
The only amazing thing about Colchester United's day was how they only conceded two goals to visitors Bristol City. Heads up - the U's Gavin Johnson is beaten to the ball against Bristol City. 41141-4 The Robins travelled to Essex to meet a Colchester
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Bradwell: Wind farm scheme raises fears over badger safety
Fears have been raised over the safety of badgers if a massive wind farm is given the go-ahead at Bradwell. While the direct effect of a wind farm on badgers is not yet known, it is the potential effects of the building work which would harm the animals
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Dunmow: Pavilion destroyed in blaze
A fire which destroyed a pavilion is being treated as possible arson. Two fire crews from Dunmow and two from Braintree were called to the blaze in the building, thought to be disused, in Braintree Road, Felsted, about 9pm on Friday. Dunmow fire station
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Colchester: Disabled man, 77, hit woman
A disabled pensioner who hit a woman with his walking stick was excused from appearing in the dock at court because his walking frame wouldn't fit. Leonard Catchpole hit his victim with a metal stick in a "totally unprovoked" attack in September 2003,
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Leigh: Driver's lucky escape as truck flips over
A bathroom fitter had a lucky escape when his pick-up truck flipped over and skidded down a Leigh street. The left-hand drive Ford Ranger flipped onto the driver's side and only came to a halt when it hit a kerb, after it had collided with a Vauxhall
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Soccer: Draw gets Royle's approval
Joe Royle admitted he was delighted to glean a point from his side's draw at Deepdale. The Blues were second best for long spells of the game and manager Royle said: "It was a great result because we didn't play well. "Preston will have felt aggrieved
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Southend: Desperately seeking Marge after bingo win
A bingo fan won a £20,000 jackpot prize and promptly offered to split his winnings with a woman he had only met moments earlier. Bob Gage is seeking a woman known only as Marge because they brokered a deal to share their winnings at the Mecca bingo hall
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Colchester: Shoppers stand and stair!
Going up! That's the new £100,000 escalator at Colchester's Williams and Griffin department store. In and out - the new escalator is guided in. Picture: STEVE ARGENT 41205-2 In a carefully-choreographed operation, the six-tonne addition was manoeuvred
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Hadleigh: Landmark pub to be demolished
A landmark south Essex pub is set to be knocked down and replaced by a housing development, it was revealed today. Up to 20 staff at the Waggon and Horses pub in London Road, Hadleigh, will lose their jobs when the pub pulls its final pint and closes
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Clacton: Death crash pensioner named
Police have named a pensioner who died following a car crash. Crash scene police officers at the scene of the accident which happened in Carnarvon Road, Clacton, on Friday. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN 41098-3 Joan Barker was involved in a collision with a car
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Football: Ensign on White track
Southend's all-conquering White Ensign won through to the semi-finals of the national Cherry Red Books Trophy with a 4-2 success at Bedmond. They now visit another team from the Herts County League Premier Division, MetPol Bushey, for a place in the final
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Football: Hoops late show has Blues in a spin
Southend United reserves suffered a 2-1 reverse against QPR at Roots Hall yesterday as the Hoops netted twice in the final six minutes. The Shrimpers second string had looked set to secure just their second league success of the season. But, after a well
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Essex: Range of events for local business
Business leaders in the county can find numerous courses to get their company working with the latest courses run by Business Link 4 Essex. The organisation has arranged a selection of events for the spring including: Top 10 Tips for Managing your taxes
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Bocking: Visitor is icing on the cake
Pupils and staff have celebrated a special needs school's milestone anniversary. School celebrations - Pam Jealous with Edith Borthwick School pupils Layla Earley, 10, Shaun Mower, 10, and Dominic Addie, 11. Picture: ADRIAN RUSHTON 41134-1 Edith Borthwick
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Colchester: Man's threat to police
A man threatened to slash police officers after he was spotted banging his head against a shop window. CCTV cameras caught John Barrett hitting his head outside Henley's club in St Botolph's Street, Colchester, on December 19 last year. Police said there
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Stansted: Bus blaze causes traffic tailbacks
There was traffic chaos around Stansted Airport when a bus caught fire on a busy road. Four fire crews were called to the scene of the blaze, on the A120 dual carriageway near the airport, at 3.40pm on Friday. They spent 40 minutes tackling the blaze
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Colchester: Child's toy sparked armed police alert
A gun seen in a car sparking an armed police swoop on the family inside turned out to be a child's toy. Firearms teams were called out after a member of the public reported seeing what looked like a weapon in a Colchester road. Half an hour later officers
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Walton: Benefits cheat escapes jail term
A woman escaped prison after admitting cheating a council out of thousands of pounds in benefits. Kelly Haley, 33, claimed housing benefit to pay rent, despite living in her husband's house. Tendring Council fraud officers launched an investigation after
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Essex: Rallying call for hunters
Hundreds of pro-hunting campaigners were out in Essex to show that hunts can continue legally. Simon Fordham is pictured addressing the crowd at Wethersfield. Picture: SEANA HUGHES 41143-d Strongly criticising the Government's hunting ban, huntmasters
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Witham: Clothes show backs fair trade farmers
Models will be strutting their stuff to promote fair trade in Witham. A fashion show, in aid of fair trade fortnight, will parade men's, women's and children's clothing provided by fair trade companies People Tree and Traidcraft. The show will be at 3pm
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Athletics: English title for Southend runners
Southend AC's all conquering under-17 men's cross-country squad added the English national title to the Southern crown they won earlier in the year in freezing conditions in Birmingham. The seasiders' quartet of Adam Hickey, Mark Bailey, David Crichton
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Colchester: Call to charge drivers in town
A cycling group has called for congestion charges in Essex's major towns to help tame the county's traffic. Colchester Cycling Campaign proposes that charging motorists to enter the county's towns should be included within the local transport plan. This
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Pitsea: Warning over new sports craze after teenager is injured
Youngsters were warned about the free running craze after a teenager was seriously injured. The adventure sport involves people running and jumping down public stairways, between buildings and across rooftops. A 15-year-old boy was treated at Basildon
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Colchester: Thieves used diggers on site
Thieves used mechanical diggers to steal a generator from a Colchester building site. They got into the site in Severalls Lane through gates then broke into and started up the excavators to help with the theft. A Colchester police spokesman said the crime
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Cricket: Wickford mourns fan George
Cricket fanatic George Scoble, whose dedication to his beloved Wickford club saw him buy a house backing onto their Patmore Memorial Ground home, has died at the age of 70. George was a club stalwart for four decades, playing 1,172 matches for Wickford
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Essex: Businesses urged to make their views known
Make your views known before it's too late, was the urgent plea being put out to Essex businesses. The local structure plan that will determine the county's future development for the next 20 years or more is in its final stages of consultation - and
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St Osyth: MP joins in at pre-school
Top marks! It was a time to celebrate for staff and children at a village playgroup as they were given national recognition for their efforts. Hair-raising experience - Bernard Jenkin MP gets a new hair-do from three-year-old Emily Smith, watched by mum
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Kirby Cross: Accident victim awarded £5m damages
A 21-year-old man who broke his neck in a car crash has been awarded £5 million in damages. Alex Campbell - he was a passenger in a car crash three years ago. His injuries left him tetraplegic and wheelchair-bound. Picture: STEVE BAINBRIDGE (29686-1)
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Colchester: Woman admits charge
A woman will be sentenced next month for diverting £13,000 into her bank account. Anna Trudgian, 45, admitted five charges of false accounting when she appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court for a plea and directions hearin The case was adjourned for reports
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Football: Barrett silences goal jibes
Southend United centre back Adam Barrett responded to the taunts of his team-mates by bagging a brace in a vital 2-1 victory at Northampton Town on Saturday. The determined defender headed home two second half corners to end a three-month barren spell
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Castle Point: Spink survives deselection call
Tory MP Bob Spink was today jubilant after calls to oust him failed. Mr Spink was delighted after a petition demanding his deselection came to nothing. The petiton was circulated among Tory members after Mr Spink's controversial and much-publicised court
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Rochford: Yobs prompt calls for playground closure
Residents are campaigning to close a playground, claiming gangs of youths who gather are subjecting them to a reign of terror. A Rochford District Council sub-committee will meet on Monday to discuss what to do with the playground in Sutton Court Drive
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Football: Bramble wants more games
Southend United frontman Tes Bramble today admitted he is determined to hold down a regular slot in Blues' starting line-up after making a surprise return at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday evening. The powerful forward partnered Lawrie Dudfield in attack against
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Tendring: Antique dealers warning
Police in Tendring have warned against doorstep antique dealers. The "dealers" have been offering large amounts for seemingly valueless property as well as asking for a glass of water. And, while no reports of burglaries have been received yet, there
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Stansted: Both sides claim airport victory
Airport bosses said the debate over a second runway at Stansted should now be "put to bed" despite the High Court judgment finding Government policy on the siting of the runway to be too prescriptive. Both sides in the campaign claimed victory on Friday
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Athletics: Sarah's happy hurdles display
Sarah Claxton was delighted with her latest indoor showing at the Norwich Union Grand Prix in Birmingham. The Colchester and Tendring lifelong member beat an international field in the 60 metre hurdles to clock 7.98 seconds. The 25-year-old said: "It
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Football: Pardew puts hold on signings
There will be no transfer signing until the end of the month as Alan Pardew aims to ensure any loan captures are available for the play-off final. A temporary signing for West Ham would only be able to stay for three months, putting any deal on hold until
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Harwich: Dinghy people rescued
Lifeboatmen from Harwich went to the rescue of two people whose dinghy had capsized. Harwich RNLI inshore lifeboat, coastguard, police and an ambulance attended to the occupants of the dinghy, Suffolk Warrior, which ran into trouble at Felixstowe on Saturday
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Chelmsford: Fire started in prison cell
Firefighters were called to a cell fire at Chelmsford Prison. The call was made just after 5pm on Saturday after a prisoner had set fire to his cell. Three appliances attended along with the aerial ladder platform but the fire was out on arrival. The
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Colchester: Search for missing man continues
The search for a journalist who has been missing on Britain's highest mountain for more than a week was continuing today. Missing - Gavin Nightingale Gavin Nightingale, 39, has not been seen since he left the Glen Nevis youth hostel in the Highlands to
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Bradfield: Burns victim treated
An elderly woman had to be airlifted to hospital after setting her clothes on fire. The woman, in her 90s, suffered severe burns to her hands and feet after the blaze at her home in Mill Lane, Bradfield. Fire and ambulance teams were called at 10.15am
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Clacton: Death crash pensioner
Police have named a pensioner who died following a car crash. Crash scene police officers at the scene of the accident which happened in Carnarvon Road, Clacton, on Friday. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN 41098-3 Joan Barker was involved in a collision with a car
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Basildon: Thieves rip out BT cable plunging businesses into chaos
Hundreds of businesses were left without telephones and email for more than a week after thieves ripped out 100m of BT cable. One company hit by the theft claims its bills for lost revenue will run into £20,000 and health workers based in the area were
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Athletics: Kim recaptures teenage success
Outstanding Basildon AC athlete Kim Wall, although only 21, can be said to have turned back the years. She produced a great win at the Norwich Union European trials and AAA Championships, where she counted established international Catherine Murphy among
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Soccer: Smiles at Rookery Hill, frowns elsewhere
All four of the borough sides in action Saturday suffered disappointment, with only non-playing East Thurrock United having a big smile at the end of the day. That came as a result of Southern League Division One East strugglers Erith and Belvedere beating
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Soccer: 'What is going on?'
Colchester manager Phil Parkinson was dismayed his side could not reproduce the battling display that saw them beat Bournemouth a few days previously. Bemused - U's manager Phil Parkinson 41141-1 He said: "I thought we were lifeless from the first minute
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Football: Dud banking on goalscoring bet win
Lawrie Dudfield has good reason to hope his rich vein of goalscoring form continues at his former Northampton Town side tomorrow. Not only would a goal prove vital as Blues search for a win against their fellow play-off hopefuls, it would boost the Southend
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North Essex: Weather causes A12 crash chaos
Bad weather caused traffic chaos in north Essex. There were tailbacks on the A12 after collisions left motorists in ever-lengthening queues. Police issued a weather warning as heavy sleet hit the county's roads and some motorists failed to adjust their
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Southend: Rescue plan for the Palace
Campaigners battling to save the Palace Theatre from closure are spearheading a last-ditch rescue plan to keep it open. Actors Michael Heath and Sebastian Abineri revealed the scheme at a packed public meeting on Saturday which included former Palace
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Clacton: Overwhelmed by public support
Hundreds of people have joined the fight to get a new hospital in Clacton. Signing up - Ivan Henderson MP signs the petition for improved health facilities in Clacton with Tony Sargent. Picture: STEVE BRADING 41338-j The Gazette's Let's Make It Better
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Brentwood: Olympic medallist visits for London bid
Former Olympic medallist Frankie Fredericks was one of the visitors to Brentwood on Saturday as part of London's bid to host the 2012 Olympics. The Namibian sprinter, who won silver in 100m and 200m at the Barcelona Games in 1992 and the Atlanta Games
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Billericay: Spice scare
A Billericay spice factory has admitted supplying the chilli powder containing the illegal Sudan I food colouring which can cause cancer. Herb and spice specialist, Unbar Rothon based in Radford Way, is involved in the scare, which has led to 359 food
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Essex: Post office plea is supported by 600
A 600-name petition to the Post Office, demanding that a new operation be set up in Stansted, has been handed over by councillors. Uttlesford District Council leader Alan Dean, deputy leader Peter Wilcock and Stansted Parish Council chairman Catherine
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Dunmow: Hoax 999 caller puts lives at risk
Hoax callers put lives at risk when the emergency services wasted resources searching for a phoney car crash. Firefighters from Dunmow fire station, plus two police units and an ambulance, spent two hours searching around Bury Farm, Great Canfield, following
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Toppesfield, Great Yeldham: Van man's daring feat
A man leapt onto his van in an attempt to stop thieves driving it away, and was carried two miles to the next village. The man, in his 50s and from Toppesfield, jumped on to his grey Austin Maestro van as thieves stole it from Gt Yeldham. The thieves
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Castle Point: Councillors' delight at new council boss
Councillors have hailed the appointment of Castle Point's new council boss who beat off competition from 26 other applicants to get the job. David Marchant, who lives in the borough, said he was confident his previous experience would help turn the failing
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Colchester: Head starts bid to win back job
A Colchester headteacher today launched a campaign to win his job back after governors suspended him. The Gazette revealed on Thursday how governors at Philip Morant School had told Russell Moon not to come back to the school until allegations against
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Soccer: Clacton Town 3-1 Wisbech (Ridgeons League Premier Division)
Boss Alan Dilloway targeted a top-four finish after the end of a fantastic week for Clacton Town. Midfield tussle - Cameron Gove starts another attack for Clacton Town against Wisbech. Picture: STEVE BRADING 41341-b The Seasiders picked up three more
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Chelmsford: Four hour protest in tree ends in tears
A tearful tree campaigner claimed Essex County Council used bully-boy tactics to thwart her peaceful protest. Sarah White, 24, handcuffed herself to a 50-year-old ash tree outside her home in Baddow Road, Chelmsford, to protest against the destruction
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Brightlingsea: Swim pool 'bullies' blamed
A town council claims a district council bullied it into handing over £15,000 to keep a swimming pool open. Brightlingsea Town Council members say Tendring Council forced them to choose between offering the cash or losing the town's much-loved open-air
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Colchester: Parcel sparks bomb alert
A bungled delivery attempt led to a High Street store being evacuated amid bomb fears. Police and firefighters were alerted to a suspect package at Colchester's Marks and Spencer store just before closing on Saturday. But after investigations it turned
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Soccer: Parky stages shut-in
Colchester United manager Phil Parkinson took the unusual step of shutting his side in their dressing room for more than half an hour after the U's 2-0 loss to Bristol City. The U's looked off the pace in their Coca-Cola League One clash against the Robins
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Football: Mac goal glee for Hammers
Birthday boy Malky Mackay gave himself the perfect present with his second goal of the season as West Ham enjoyed a convincing home win. Famed for his headers, the big defender unusually scored scored with his feet to help Hammers to their 5-0 thrashing
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Soccer: Preston North End 1-1 Ipswich Town (Coca Cola Championship)
The sense of relief was unmistakable as, not for the first time in recent weeks, Ipswich Town were nowhere near their best yet still forged a useful result. They did it at Sheffield United a fortnight ago, winning 2-0. And they repeated the trick last
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Chelmsford: Hospital to keep Holly ward shut
Health chiefs have shelved plans to re-open a 19-bed intermediate care ward. Holly ward, at St John's Hospital in Chelmsford, was provisionally closed in November after a number of recruitment initiatives failed to attract staff with some posts receiving
