Archive
-
Date
All aboard my bus tour with a difference
AN OPEN bus tour with a difference closes Colchester’s Gift month of arts events this weekend. Commissioned by Firstsite, Open Top Sound is the work of Colchester artist Matt Cook and will involve taking people on a unique aural trip around
-
Date
Colourful DJ Brandon is set for his escape
BRANDON Block, one of the most charismatic DJs in the country, is going to rock the house this weekend. The Blockster is bringing his uplifting party house music to Escape, in Copford, tomorrow, as part of the club’s Mighty Bash all-inclusive night.
-
Date
Dave's prescription for hearty laughter
IF laughter is the best medicine, then Dave Spikey is one of the best qualified to dish it out. Now nearing the end of his 60-date national tour, one of his last shows takes place at Colchester’s Charter Hall, on November 21. Working on the premise
-
Date
Review: Bewitched by Natacha
YOU don’t just listen to Natacha Atlas, you are bewitched by her haunting and unique voice. When she roams on to stage in a full-length kaftan, with her effortless regal air, her feline presence is already captivating. And that’s before she starts singing
-
Date
Olly always had the X Factor at school...
OLLY Murs was always something of a star at school. But the 25-year-old, of Carraways, Witham, wasn’t known for his singing skills, but for his performance on the football pitch. His former PE teacher said he was “absolutely staggered” when he heard
-
Date
What has happened to our bus shelter?
RESIDENTS have been left baffled by the prolonged absence of a bus shelter. The shelter outside Chant Court, in St John’s Road, Colchester, was removed in August for repairs and was expected to be replaced or repaired within a fortnight. It is still
-
Date
Karaoke kings Brian and Len vow to carry on singing
THEY’RE the oldest swingers in town. Despite their combined age of 154, karaoke fanatics Len Oliver and Brian Lock are regulars at the mic in Colchester’s pubs and clubs. They have won competitions and wowed much younger audiences. The Monkwick residents
-
Date
Dad was in so much pain...watching him die broke our hearts
THE daughters of a man who was stabbed and run over have spoken of their distress at watching him die. John Smith battled to stay alive for ten weeks after the incident near his home in Broadway, Jaywick, on July 11. He was able to tell his family what
-
Date
Caravan park court case ruling’s left us in limbo
RESIDENTS claim a magistrates’ decision not to punish a caravan site owner has left them in limbo. Brightlingsea Haven received an absolute discharge from Colchester Magistrates’ Court, even though it admitted flouting the conditions of its
-
Date
Hospital's fence application leads to residents' concerns
CONCERNS have been raised over plans to surround a mental health hospital with a 3.9 metre-high fence. Colchester’s St Paul’s Hospital says it wants the “anti-climb” security fence to conform with new health service guidelines. Neighbours fear it is
-
Date
Martial arts day boosted youngsters' confidence
VULNERABLE young adults were taught discipline and fitness during a martial arts session. Nacro, a crime prevention charity, asked the SD School of Martial Arts, at East Gates, Colchester, to stage the confidence-building day for 16 to 18-year-olds.
-
Date
Council is set to drop plans for 800 homes
A PROPOSAL to build 800 homes on the outskirts of Ardleigh looks set to be dropped. The plan, which could have led to the creation of 1,300 jobs in the area, would have seen development of land on the doorstep of Colchester’s St John’s ward, near the
-
Date
Supermarket giant to train unemployed people at new store
A SUPERMARKET giant hoping to build a new store in Colchester has agreed to train and employ up to 70 jobless residents. Sainsbury’s has applied to Colchester Council for permission to build a 150,000 sq ft store at Tollgate, Stanway. The chain says
-
Date
Police refuse request for DNA secrecy figures
POLICE have refused to reveal how many people in Essex have asked to have their DNA removed from the national database. A request made by the Gazette, under the Freedom of Information Act, was turned down because it would either cost too much or take
-
Date
Man who put cocaine in drink may avoid prison
A COLCHESTER man who spiked a woman’s drink with cocaine, in a bid to get her into bed, could avoid a prison sentence, a judge has said. Michael Winton, 43, of Victoria Gardens, was told by Judge Christopher Ball he could face a jail sentence of up to
-
Date
Did you see man hit by car crossing road?
A MAN was hit by a car on a pedestrian crossing, only to get up and walk away. The incident happened at about 8.45am, on Tuesday, on a crossing near the junction of Middleborough and North Hill, in Colchester. The pedestrian was on the crossing when
-
Date
More trees planted in Daniel's memory
THE family of a teenager who died suddenly at work have planted more trees in his memory. Tirtharaj and Purna Kumari Limbu marked the anniversary of their son Daniel’s death by planting five new trees at Thomas Lord Audley School. They joined members
-
Date
We're living life to the full
IT was time for the older generation to shine in Colchester with a variety of different events to help celebrate the aspirations and achievements of older people. UK Older People’s Day, on October 1, gave older people in the town a chance to steal the
-
Date
Completion of affordable homes is 'key to Clacton regeneration'
A DEVELOPMENT of 36 affordable homes in Clacton has been completed. Two-bedroom flats, in-cluding six for people with learning disabilities, have been built on a former industrial site, in Old Road. The £3million project is the first to be finished
-
Date
Children's home plan is rejected
PLANS for a centre for homeless and disabled children have been rejected. About two dozen residents of Ramsey cheered at a Tendring Council planning meeting, after the unanimous decision to turn down the application. Applicant Mr V Molulu had hoped
-
Date
New start for man who 'shamed' thief
A MAN is hoping to rebuild his life after a high-profile incident in which he and his brother tried to shame a thief. Andrew Cremer has moved from Tiptree to Clacton to make a new start after a stunt cost him his business. He was involved in an incident
-
Date
Colchester Jobs, Careers and Training Fair: September 2009
Looking for a new job? The Jobs & Training Exhibition was held on Thursday 10th September at the Town Hall in the High Street, Colchester from 11am - 6pm. Here is a list of companies that attended exhibited the event: Stand Number
-
Date
Bus boss will keep up talks with union
A BUS chief has pledged to keep talking to a union to try to avert a planned strike. First East England bus drivers are set to walk out on Monday, in the first of a series of 24-hour strikes. The bus company will try to run services, but said passengers
-
Date
Rocastle waits on Aidy verdict
Craig Rocastle is set to be told whether he will be given another chance to impress at Colchester United. The former Chelsea youngster played as a triallist for the U’s reserves in their 5-1 rout of Grays Athletic in midweek. The 28-year-old midfielder
-
Date
Boothroyd urges U's to play like favourites
Aidy Boothroyd has urged his in-form Colchester United side to embrace their status as favourites tomorrow. Boothroyd’s takes his high-flying U’s side to Leyton Orient this weekend, on the back of a six-match unbeaten run. For the first time in many
-
Date
Norris could make long-awaited comeback next month
David Norris could be back in action as early as next month. The Ipswich Town midfielder was ruled out for six months after suffering knee ligament damage in the Blues’ opening match of the season at Coventry. But he is making quicker-than-expected
-
Date
Mascot Eddie flies the flag for United
FOR one fledgling bird of prey, football is what life is all about. In the madcap menagerie that is the world of sports mascots, Eddie the Eagle flies high for Colchester United. The 18-year-old has been cheerleader-in-chief since the beginning of last
-
Date
Roman remains site 'has become dumping ground'
A SITE that helped archaeologists discover more about Colchester’s history has become a “dumping ground”, according to residents living nearby. The piece of land in St Peter’s Street, which backs on to Northgate Street, has been left undeveloped
-
Date
Gillespie feels he let Williams down
Steven Gillespie feels he let Geraint Williams down during his time as Colchester United manager. Williams made Gillespie the U’s record signing when he splashed out more than £400,000 for the striker in July, 2008. Gillespie scored twice on his Colchester
-
Date
Bars investigated after licensing complaint
BARS in Colchester town centre are being investigated for allegedly breaking licensing and planning laws. Colchester Council is examining whether a number of venues are sticking to the rules. Steven Prest, of Crouch Street, Colchester
-
Date
Free parking could be axed in 3 villages, admits council
FREE car parking could be axed in three villages. Officers at Braintree Council have recommended charging be introduced at sites in Earls Colne, Sible Hedingham and Coggeshall, unless the respective parish councils agree to take them on. The authority
-
Date
Public given insight into Hindu religion
A TEMPLE held an open day to teach visitors about the Hindu religion and way of life. Sushila and Dhirajla Karia invited councillors, council officials and members of the public to their temple, which they run from a bedroom in their Clacton
-
Date
Majorette mums in walk to fund uniforms
TWO mums walked from Witham to Clacton to raise cash for majorettes. Caroline Grogan, who jointly runs Platinum Majorettes, in Witham, trekked from Witham Rugby Club to Clacton Pier. She and fellow mum, Tara Luckett, camped overnight at Colchester Camping
