Archive
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Booze crackdown
A POLICE crackdown on adults who buy alcohol for under-age drinkers is to begin in South Ockendon. Posters warning people not to buy alcohol for those under 18 have been put up in newsagents and off licenses in the area as police look to stamp out the
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Colchester: Tour art gallery before work starts
Want to enjoy a tour of the site of Colchester's new multi-million pound art gallery? Come this way - David Grocott, of the Firstsite Gallery, will be giving guided tours of the site where Colchester's new multi-million pound art gallery is supposed to
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Colchester: Eight weeks to save bus station
Only the people of Colchester can save the Queen Street bus station now. Protest - bus park campaigners make their point before the meeting. (41249-1) The only way it can be saved is if objectors to scrapping it make their feelings known, a Colchester
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Clacton: Special police set to patrol streets
Special constables will be patrolling the streets of Clacton town centre as part of a national weekend of awareness. More than 20 special constables from Clacton, Harwich and Walton will be walking the beat from 7pm today until 3pm on Sunday, providing
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Hockley: Prison's award for helping inmates beat drug addiction
A treatment programme for inmates at Bullwood Hall women's prison has won a national award for helping prisoners beat drug addiction. The drug rehabilitation unit at the Hockley jail has been such a success that there are plans to roll it out to women's
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Manningtree: Angry commuters slam One timetable changes
Rail bosses have been warned their franchise could be on the line. Grilled by nearly 100 angry commuters in Manningtree yesterday evening, four managers from One were told the level of service was totally unacceptable. South Suffolk MP Tim Yeo pledged
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Dovercourt: Boy attacked by two girls
A teenage boy was attacked and robbed by two girls outside a railway station. The incident happened in Kingsway, Dovercourt, at about 8.45pm on Wednesday. The 14-year-old boy was approached by two girls of a similar age who knocked him to the ground.
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Harwich: Cocaine discovered hidden inside shoes
Cocaine worth more than £65,000 was found in a pair of shoes after customs officers stopped a man at Harwich. A total of 1.3 kilos of the drug were found after the shoes were X-rayed, a court heard. Louis Berkhof, 41, told customs he knew the shoes contained
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Clacton: Pensioner in seatbelt row
A defiant pensioner was held in police cells after refusing to wear a seatbelt. Gerard Parker, 74, admitted refusing to pay a fine for not wearing a seatbelt at Colchester Magistrates' Court yesterday. Parker, of Harrow Road, Clacton, said he would not
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Soccer: Ipswich will need to keep their cool
Cool heads will be the order of the day when Ipswich Town play their second home game in five days against Queens Park Rangers. The Blues were left stunned when they went down to a shock 2-1 defeat against Watford at Portman Road on Tuesday. That led
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GP phone charge hope
CALLS to some GP surgeries could get cheaper as the Government looks into banning the use of premium-rate phone lines. Two surgeries in Thurrock currently use 0870 numbers for patients to make appointments, find out test results and ask questions. Now
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Basildon: Charity under threat over cash crisis
A charity is under threat after suffering two major blows in bids to secure vital funding. The cash-strapped Basildon Community Resource Centre has launched an urgent appeal for help after pleas to Basildon Council and the National Lottery for money were
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Soccer: Defeat 'a minor setback' says Wilnis
Fabian Wilnis is backing Ipswich Town to storm back from their midweek woe in tomorrow's showdown against Queens Park Rangers. The Blues were left reeling after a shock Coca Cola Championship defeat against Watford on Tuesday, going down 2-1. Then, the
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Colchester: Hull fan too drunk for game
A football fan missed a match because he was drunk and abusive, a court heard. Hull supporter Andrew Lawday was refused entry to Layer Road football ground when his team was playing Colchester United because a steward thought he was too drunk. The 38-
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Braintree: Ton up for the Rotary
The great and the good of Braintree district gathered to celebrate the 100th birthday of Rotary International. The toast - members and guests of Braintree and Bocking branch raise their glasses to 100 years of Rotary International. Picture: NICK OBANK
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Southend: Midwife nominated for top award
A dedicated midwife has been nominated for an award for her compassionate care of bereaved parents. Niki Allen, a midwife at Southend Hospital, has been put forward for the national Child Bereavement Trust award by Allison Morrissey, who lost her first
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Braintree: New baths for old
New bathrooms and kitchens are to be put into council houses across the Braintree district as part of an £8 million project to refurbish 1,000 homes. The refurbishment project is part of the next phase of the contract to refit homes in the district. So
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Colchester: Magic break for Michael
Colchester magician Michael J Fitch is about to hit our television screens in a new show that looks set to make him a star. Freaky Magic begins its run on Channel 4's Sunday daytime slot, T4, on March 6. A cross between David Blaine's street magic shows
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Cressing: Ghostly goings on
The Essex Ghosthunters group will be camping out at Cressing Temple Barns overnight from Saturday to Sunday. The spook seekers will be setting up equipment to monitor any supernatural changes in temperature, although the weather forecast looks set to
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Colchester: Terry gives live ammo the bullet
A metal detector find could have ended in disaster for Terry Mallison - he found four live bullets in a field. Live ammunition - Terry Mallison found four live bullets while metal detecting in a field. (41191-1) The 43-year-old had the ammo for several
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Colchester, Clacton: Peeping tom at swimming pool
A man spied on people undressing in family changing cubicles for sexual gratification, a court heard. Gregory Wright went to Colchester Leisure World to carry out the offence more than 100 times over a two-year period. He was caught when police set up
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Rugby: Harman calls for end of relegation fears
Kevin Harman believes his Southend side can finally kill off their National Division Three South relegation fears with victory at strugglers Weston-Super-Mare tomorrow. The third bottom West Country outfit occupy the last place in the drop zone and the
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Halstead: Man had 1,000 indecent snaps
A driving instructor admitted having more than 1,000 indecent images of children on his computer. Michael Shelton put some of the photos on to a DVD at the home he shares with his elderly mother in Bois Hall Garden, Halstead, a court heard. The rest were
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St Osyth: Campaigners 'tyred' of fly-tippers
Green campaigners have hit out at fly-tippers who dumped about 100 old tyres in an entrance to a village field. Anger - St Osyth parish councillor Michael Talbot is upset over tyres being dumped at Foxes Corner. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN 41131-1 Now they
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Soccer: Where are the Tigers' teeth?
Hull City will be looking to avenge their FA Cup third round defeat tomorrow. Colchester United comfortably waltzed to a 2-0 victory against the high-flying Tigers, knocking them out in a competition manager Peter Taylor was eager to do well in. Instead
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Tendring: Take your partners for network
The Saffron Walden Herts and Essex Building Society is planning to radically increase its agency network in the Tendring district and is looking for suitable partners. The society's agencies are third parties which are authorised to offer some of its
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Trophy test
GRAYS take on Altrincham on Saturday in what will be a tough FA Trophy fifth round test for Mark Stimson's squad. Grays dream is to make it through to the last eight - but first they have to get past a side with three decades of Cup competition history
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Rugby Union: Black and Ambers won't give up hope
Braintree rugby chief Jeff Lewis has not given up hope of the Black and Ambers avoiding the drop this season. The Beckers Green Road side remain anchored to the bottom of the Powergen London League North East division three table despite last week's 22
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Castle Point: Low-level crime "out of control"
A leading Tory councillor has described problems with speeding, youth crime and motorcycle use on Canvey as "out of control." Ray Howard, chairman of the highways and leisure committee and councillor for Canvey Island West ward, spoke at a community safety
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Boost for Arena Essex
SPEEDWAY fans in the borough have a new name to get their lips around. Purfleet's Arena-Essex speedway stars are now to wear the name of new team sponsor Husqvarna Motorcycles. As well as being a big name in motorcycling the sponsors also makeeverything
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Langdon Hills: Rabbit poachers at country park
Poachers armed with catapults are flushing out rabbits and killing them at a family country park. The illegal activity is being investigated by wardens at Langdon Hills Country Park after two men were spotted acting suspiciously in the popular Hall Woods
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Colchester: Gritters give main roads the all-clear
Gritting lorries were out in force as Colchester experienced some of the heaviest snowfalls in this cold snap. Out in force - gritters in Cowdray Avenue today. Picture: CHRIS RUSHTON (41242-1) A Colchester Council spokesman said at 7.15am today gritting
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MP's litter blast
The level of cleanliness on Thurrock's section of the A13 "is doing the image of the borough a great disservice" according to local MP Andrew Mackinlay. Mr Mackinlay said: "The A13 is an important gateway into Thurrock. For many it forms their first impression
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Southend: Shock as RNLI turns down cash for lifeboat
A MAN was left shocked when he offered the RNLI £25,000 for a new lifeboat - and they turned him down. Bill Heath, 79, was even less pleased when he discovered this week the charity had welcomed another offer from the Freemasons to raise the same amount
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Clacton: Motorcyclist had not passed test
A motorcyclist admitted fabricating a "lengthy deception" to enable him to ride his motorbike, a court heard. Mark Smith, of Acton Park Road, Clacton, was stopped by police on the A133 at Weeley after they noticed he had a defective silencer. Colchester
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Clacton: Firms inspected over Sudan 1 products
Three firms, including one from Clacton, have been inspected as part of the investigation into Britain's biggest food product recall. The visits have taken place as part of an operation co-ordinated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) following the re-call
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Clacton: Dancers step out for first showcase
Dance students are stepping out for their first public showcase next week. First public display - Hayley Lancaster, Fay Baker, Sarah Caley, Lucy Evans and Nadine Last, of Colbayns High School, in rehearsals for the big show. Picture: NICK OBANK (41105
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Colchester: Council votes for regeneration plan
Trust us! Colchester councillors have made a plea to the public to have faith in them to get the reshaping of the town right. They voted for the multi-million pound St Botolph's quarter regeneration at the Moot Hall last night. This was in face of enormous
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Soccer: Where are the Tigers' teeth?
Hull City will be looking to avenge their FA Cup third round defeat tomorrow. Colchester United comfortably waltzed to a 2-0 victory against the high-flying Tigers, knocking them out in a competition manager Peter Taylor was eager to do well in. Instead
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Heybridge: African aid plea 'Dawns' on Connor
A tear-jerking episode of The Vicar of Dibley prompted a ten-year-old boy to write a moving letter about poverty in Africa to Tony Blair. Dear Tony - Connor Amey was inspired to write to Tony Blair after watching the New Year special of The Vicar of Dibley
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Ramsey: Jane marks 100th by making a day of it
A party with friends and family and a letter from the Queen - the perfect way to reach a century. Royal recognition - Jane Myers with her telegram from the Queen on her 100th birthday. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN (41129-2) Jane Myers marked her 100th birthday
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Colchester, Clacton: Kevin's on the ball
About 50 children were in for a treat this half-term holiday as Colchester United's midfielder Kevin Watson paid a surprise visit to a soccer camp. Footy fanatics - trainee U's coach Rhys Commins puts Callum Gooch, Alex Wooten and Matthew Eden through
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North Essex: Icy pavements toll up to 12
Across north-east Essex a total of 12 people have been dealt with in hospital for slips and falls relating to the cold weather. Accident and emergency departments in Colchester, Clacton and Harwich have treated the injuries, several of which resulted
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Southend: Assault victim appeals for help to catch attacker
The victim of a vicious nightclub assault appealed for information as police released CCTV images of the suspect. Ryan Wagstaff, 21, was working part time as a barman at Zinc nightclub, in Lucy Road, Southend, when a clubber suddenly punched him. The
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Football: Flavs eyes seventh heaven
Southend United goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan is bidding to secure a seventh successive home clean sheet for the Shrimpers against Bury tomorrow. Steve Tilson's side have yet to concede a goal at Roots Hall since the turn of the year and the former Southampton
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Soccer: Fagan out to prove he's committed to U's
Colchester United striker Craig Fagan is out to prove the doubters wrong at Hull City. Proving a point - Craig Fagan (right) will be working his socks off for the U's against Hull City tomorrow. The frontman was the subject of a six-figure bid from the
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Soccer: Fagan out to prove he's committed to U's
Colchester United striker Craig Fagan is out to prove the doubters wrong at Hull City. Proving a point - Craig Fagan (right) will be working his socks off for the U's against Hull City tomorrow. The frontman was the subject of a six-figure bid from the
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Karate: Bolt from the blue thrills Jonathan
Hadleigh karate club have had plenty to celebrate this week after picking up the club and coach of the year award from the United Kingdom all star karate association. The UKASKO rewarded coach Jonathan Bolt for his efforts and the youngster admitted he
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Essex: Family escape in ski coach crash
A Writtle family have described how they survived a fatal holiday coach crash on a snow-covered German motorway. Fifty-two-year-old Steven Williams broke seven ribs, his wife Janet, 42, suffered minor cuts and bruises while their sons Martin, nine and
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Football: Gulls ready to attack Bishops
Canvey Island are likely to revert to a more attacking formation when they bid for a place in the FA Trophy quarter finals at Park Lane tomorrow. Gulls, after some bad defensive errors in the two previous games, reverted to a four across the back formation
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Clacton: Fire crews called out more in 2004
Firefighters in Clacton have seen a significant increase in call-outs over the past year, it has been revealed. Figures for 2004 were up about five per cent on the previous 12 months. Station officer Brian Bennett said crews attended a total of 1,239
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Maldon: Forced out!
A widow targeted by vandals might now leave the home she has lived in for 50 years. Devastated - widow Mary Ruggles wants to move from her home of 50 years after the latest attack by vandals. Picture: ADRIAN RUSHTON (41215-2) Mary Ruggles, 75, of Maldon
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Boxing: Poston - 'I Khan win!'
Marcus Poston's big chance of lining-up on the same bill as Olympic silver medallist Amir Khan is hanging in the balance. The Harwich Amateur Boxing Club fighter will take on Liverpool's Mike Robinson as they vie for a semi-final berth in the Amateur
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Football: Experience vital for Hammers
West Ham travel to Leeds United on Saturday hoping for a big lift from their golden oldies. Two years ago these sides met in Premiership action, with the Yorkshire side winning a bad-temeperd game 1-0. But one of just two survivors from the Hammers team
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Clacton: Teaching changes 'could hit morale'
A governor at a Clacton school has told how he fears changes to teacher's working practices will seriously hit finances and morale. John Hughes, vice-chairman of governors at Alton Park Junior School, claimed he was concerned about the effects it would
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Boxing: Martin puts fight doubts behind him
Canvey boxing coach Terry Dainty is urging Johnny Martin to continue his preparations as normal for tomorrow's proposed showdown with Amir Khan. Grays-based Martin had been expected to take on the Olympic silver medalist in the quarter finals of the amateur
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Harwich: Man had £500,000 of heroin
A Dutchman has been jailed for ten years after half a million pounds of heroin was found in his car. Customs officers at Harwich found 3.9 kilos of the drug in eight packets hidden behind the back passenger seat after searching a Ford Escort car on January
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Essex: Park plan is a threat to arcades
Bold plans for the redevelopment of Maldon's Promenade Park have taken another step forward. Teams of contractors have begun to survey the area so they can quote on district council's proposals. Key elements of the scheme include a statue of the Anglo
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Colchester: Sledging yobs destroy saplings
Tobogganing yobs have laid waste to commemorative trees planted in Colchester. Angry - Sonia Lewis and Doug Henshall re-plant damaged saplings. Picture: STEVE ARGENT (41247-3) Youths took advantage of the snowy weather to destroy a line of saplings, planted
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Athletics: Hickey's fit for world challenge
Southend's sporting superstar Adam Hickey will be fully fit to run for Great Britain in next month's World Cross-Country Championships. The teenager will be back in action on Saturday, March 5, to lead the Essex bid for the under-17 inter-counties crown
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Council take charge
THURROCK Council has been busy this week letting residents know that from April parking in the borough will be under their control. Posters have been put up across the borough warning residents that as part of the Decriminalisation Bill, the police will
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Colchester: Officials get ready to move
Colchester Council is getting ready for a big move to new offices. The council said it had carried out its review of office accommodation, with the move starting on Monday. About 350 staff are set to move offices during the next week. Staff from financial
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Rugby: Rochford have promotion in sight
London Four North East leaders Rochford Hundred can clinch promotion with a win at lowly opponents Wymondham tomorrow. Rochford are four points clear of nearest rivals Westcliff and will be confident of sealing the jump up in level at the struggling Norfolk
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Tiptree: Action group vows to fight centre plans
An action group today pledged to halt proposals for a new community centre outside its village. Protesting - members of the Tiptree Action Group at the site in Pods Wood where a landowner wants to build the new village community centre. Picture: STEVE
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Dovercourt: Co-op's £500k project
Work has started on the Co-op's £500,000 redevelopment project to help modernise a town centre. The creation of a one-stop superstore in Dovercourt, which will house four Co-op outlets under one roof, is now under way. Fiveways, in Main Road, has had
