Archive
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Songs for the girls
A NIGHT of musical favourites is on the cards at the Headgate Theatre, Colchester, this weekend. West End Women will feature a host of songs for the girls from stage musicals, including Chicago, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked and Les Miserables. Organised
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Supple quits Ipswich Town and gives up football
Shane Supple has shocked Ipswich Town by quitting football after falling out of love with the game. The Republic of Ireland under-21 international goalkeeper has had his contract cancelled and will now pursue a career outside the sport “It’s something
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92 years young, so Leonard goes skydiving
A FORMER Desert Rat is taking on a 12,000ft tandem skydive to raise cash for injured ex-soldiers – at the grand old age of 92. Stanway grandad Leonard Stephenson will make the first parachute jump of his long life with son Adrian, 50, on September 9.
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Crowds and traffic jams as summer heat arrives
MOTORISTS were caught in 11-mile queues as holidaymakers and daytrippers flocked to Tendring’s sunshine coast. Leisure bosses had predicted a tourism boom this summer as people choose to holiday at home due to the recession. Trafficlink, which supplies
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Residents' ranges fire worries
CONCERNS have been raised about “a little reminder” of the dangers presented by fires on Middlewick Ranges. Firefighters were called out just after 4.30pm to tackle burning grassland near houses in Speedwell Road, Old Heath. The flames were quickly
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Iraq visit lawyer caught up in bombings
A LAWYER has told of the terrifying moment he was caught up in bomb blasts in Iraq. John Tipple, of Harwich solicitors Linn and Associates, was at the Al-Rasheed hotel in Baghdad when a series of bombs went off yesterday. At least 75 people were killed
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Can town finally cash in on its Roman past with a visitor centre?
COULD it be that the Roman god Apollo, who is said to drive the chariot of the sun across the sky, has an eye on Colchester? For several years, the town’s mortals have pondered how to make the most of the sensational discovery of Britain’s
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Dunne enjoying life in U's hot-seat
Joe Dunne is determined to enjoy every minute of his caretaker spell in charge of Colchester United. Dunne will take charge of the U's for a second time on Saturday at MK Dons, after leading them to victory over Gillingham on Tuesday night.
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Council short of £500,000 savings target
COLCHESTER Council is struggling to hit a £515,000 savings target because none of its staff want to leave their jobs. Finance chiefs at the town hall set themselves the target of saving more than half a million on on the £26million annual pay
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Armed robbers steal cash and cards
ARMED robbers took cash from a man after threatening him with a gun. The drive-by robbery took place in broad daylight in Anchor Road, Clacton. Two men in a turquoise L-reg Ford Mondeo drove up to the 23-year-old victim. Donna Veasey, Essex Police
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A level joy for teenagers
SIXTH form students in Colchester are today celebrating record results in their A levels. Every student at the selective Colchester Royal Grammar School and Colchester County High School for Girls passed all of their exams. 96 students
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Ready, steady...sail
MORE than 130 competitors set out on the annual ten-mile race around Mersea Island. They had to cross the island’s causeway, the Strood, on foot with their boats and race on again in the hope of winning a trophy or beating a record. Children as young
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Pub supports town's real ale festival
A VILLAGE pub is raising a glass to the 14th Clacton Real Ale and Cider Festival. The Blacksmiths Arms, in Little Clacton, has put its weight behind the event, and is sponsoring the glasses for this year’s festival, which has a Sunshine Coast Line theme
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Tributes removed from seafront
MESSAGES of support for the family of Stella Akanbi have been removed from Clacton seafront. Police officers took the cards and soft toys at lunchtime. Officers want to reassure residents and visitors that the items have been taken now
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Rotten tomato for Government
Environment minister Hilary Benn has recently talked about the UK becoming more self-sufficient in its food production and has stated that “it’s about people eating more food seasonally”. Disappointing, therefore, that the Government does not
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In praise of our fantastic fete
Coucnillor Roy Smith and I would like to thank all those involved in this year’s summer fete in Jaywick. This is the second year the fete has been running and it seems more successful each year. We went round all the stalls and spoke
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How to bin the road litter louts
Regarding the motorcyclist who was hit by rubbish thrown from a moving vehicle. Would it not be possible, with today’s technology, to have the wrappers from drive-through take-aways printed with the registration of the vehicle from which the
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Let train take strain in drive to woo shoppers
I am very concerned regarding reports in the Gazette concerning development of a park and ride scheme for east Colchester. Such a scheme would be likely to damage the existing rail service from Clacton and Walton to Colchester Town station,
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Wind farm powers up
THE first turbines at a wind farm, under construction off the coast near Clacton, have started to generate electricity. Two turbines at Gunfleet Sands, about four-and-a-half miles from the resort, started to produce power on Tuesday afternoon. Another
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Colchester's new parking deals are just the ticket
HUNDREDS of people have taken advantage of a scheme to encourage visitors to park in Colchester, one month after it launched. The Colchester Council initiative, offering special deals on parking at various locations, began on July 1.
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How you can get yourself in shape for the Run4Fun
IT’S that time of the year again when everyone you know seems to be taking part in a sponsored climb, cycle, run, walk or hike to raise money for some worthy cause or another. But if the biggest challenge you have set yourself this summer is not to eat
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Classic flying boat takes to sky at Clacton Air Show
A SECOND World War flying boat is to take a starring role at next week’s Clacton Air Show. The Catalina will take part alongside the Red Arrows, aeroplanes from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight collection, and other classic aircraft. The flying
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Village gridlock fears as wheelie bins arrive
RESIDENTS fear wheelie bins, which will be rolled out to 5,000 homes in the villages around Halstead, will cause gridlock on narrow lanes. The bins, which are 48cm wide, are likely to add to existing traffic flow problems in Castle Hedingham, villagers
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Dicks is keen on U's top job
THE Terminator is ready to throw his hat in the ring to become Colchester United’s new manager. Former West Ham legend Julian Dicks says he wants to fill the U’s hotseat and feels his playing experience could help him lead the club to glory. Dicks,
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Five will be on shortlist but Sheringham not interested in U's job
Colchester United will draw up a final shortlist of no more than five candidates for their vacant manager’s post. The U’s have been delighted with the response they have received for the role, following Paul Lambert’s switch to Norwich City. The club
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Messy run is costly for Claxton in Berlin
A season of injury nightmares haunted Sarah Claxton’s bid for a place in the final of the women's 100 metre hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin. The 29-year-old from Colchester had battled against back and Achilles problems but finished
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Essex made to wilt in the sun
Essex squared up to Surrey on day one of this four day LV County Championship encounter yesterday. Surrey won toss and batted first at Castle Park. By lunch Essex were satisfied with their morning’s work. They restricted Surrey to 103-3 which included
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Braintree stay top of Blue Square South
BRAINTREE TOWN stayed top of Blue Square South after drawing 2-2 draw at Hampton and Richmond Borough. Iron fell behind just before the break when Craig Dundus converted, after Yaku had cut the ball back. Braintree were back on level terms midway through
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Teen swimmer rescued
A TEENAGER nearly drowned after getting into trouble in the sea off Jaywick. The 15-year-old boy, who suffers from learning difficulties, had been playing in the water for several hours with a float when he got out of his depth and started to struggle
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Critical report about seaside town ‘is fair’
COMMUNITY leaders claim a warts-and-all assessment of their “shabby” seaside town is fair. The draft Walton Regeneration Framework report, which is aimed at improving the ailing resort’s economy, criticises the town for having too many vacant and dilapidated
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Family pays tribute to their special girl
THE devastated family of the youngster who drowned in the sea at Clacton have paid tribute to their special girl. Ten-year-old Stella Akanbi went missing while playing with a friend on Sunday afternoon, sparking a huge search and rescue operation. Search
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Maldon market set for another move?
A MARKET could be on the move again in an attempt to revitalise trade in Maldon. The district council’s community services committee is expected to consider the relocation of the Butt Lane market at its meeting on September 1. Brenda Keighley, chairman
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Harwich Raft Race takes to water
BUDDING sailors are set to take to the sea for the Harwich Raft Race. Rafts, crewed by teams in fancy dress, will battle it out in the water off Harwich beach, on Sunday. Organiser Tony Woods said: “Everyone is really looking forward to it. We hope
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Travel bug still biting Ken at 80
AN 80-year-old former headteacher plans to visit every American state before he dies. Ken Smale, from Halstead, believes the five to ten miles he cycles every day keeps him young. The widower, who was married to Betty and has three sons and six grandchildren
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Which of Colchester's buildings are worth saving for posterity?
A GROUP of experts is asking you to help come up with a list of Colchester buildings which deserve better protection from the wrecking ball, or unsympathetic developers. Council officials say they’ll use the list to help councillors make decisions
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Last chance to see Glen Chantry gardens
Glen Chantry gardens in Wickham Bishops will be open to the public for the final time on Monday, August 31. Wol and Sue Staines are retiring after 20 years of opening their gardens for charity. The last open day runs from 2pm until 5pm
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Pastor's family complete their charity treck
THE big smiles belied the aching feet as pastor David Bavister and his family completed their charity coast-to-coast challenge. Their 190-mile Wainwright trek raised more than £1,000 for Whispers, a charity which supports Kenyan children.
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Leala's legacy for her young friend Tatum
MONEY raised in the memory of a young cancer victim has been donated by her family to help another Clacton girl, who has a rare and incurable lung disease. Leala Milleare, lost her long and brave fight against cervical cancer two months ago. Leala was
