Edward Emmings could be forgiven today if he breaks out in a rendition of Gin Gan Goolie when he sees his birthday cake. With 93 candles burning brightly on top, it would bring back memories of sing-songs around the campfire as a Scout. Mr Emmings of
A carnival week fair could return to Castle Park in Colchester next year if councillors agree to new proposals. An annual fair was held until 1995 as a fundraising event for the Colchester Community Fund, but operator John Nichols was refused permission
Colchester United boss Steve Wignall took a good hard look at the Division Two table today and declared himself "very happy". His team's latest 2-1 win over bottom of the table Wycombe Wanderers has elevated Wignall's adventurous Layer Road squad into
Former England manager Graham Taylor positively purred when he talked about Ipswich starlet Kieron Dyer. Watford boss Taylor admitted he was relieved to get the three points from an Ipswich side which dominated for the most part but still went down by
After four decades of selling newspapers shopkeeper Vi Peters has hit the headlines on her retirement. The 82-year-old now plans to take a well-earned break after 38 years behind the counter of Newspaper Kiosk in Pier Gap, Clacton. "I really have enjoyed
Basildon and Southend councils are battling hard to hit strict new Government guidelines for recycling. With new experiments announced just last week, how do local authorities fare in their bids to hit the 25 per-cent recycling target? It always was an
Colchester United boss Steve Wignall took a good hard look at the Division Two table today and declared himself "very happy". His team's latest 2-1 win over bottom of the table Wycombe Wanderers has elevated Wignall's adventurous Layer Road squad into
Tourist beaches along the Tendring coastline could soon be flying the coveted European Blue Flag over its beaches. District councillors last night welcomed a boost by water chiefs to improve sewerage works. A joint working party with Anglian Water is
The £60,000 proceeds of a John Constable painting sold by Feering Church will go towards vital restoration work. The portrait of the Risen Christ was sold to a group of art lovers based at Gainsborough's House, Sudbury, in July. Officials at the Diocese
Rock and pop choir Choirwood are giving a concert in aid of Farleigh Hospice, Chelmsford, at the town's Civic Theatre. The event is on October 3 and 4. The choir is being backed by their own band and perform songs from the 60s to the present day. All
Firefighters braved a fierce electrical storm to help repair a roof which was struck by lightning. A rescue pump and a rescue tender from Grays were called to Cherwell Grove, South Ockendon, on Saturday night when a "massive bolt" struck two adjoining
Some rail commuters have had their daily journey to work turned into an art form. Commuters at Benfleet station became part of a huge mural created on a day-by-day basis as part of Castle Point's arts week. Every morning during the rush hour artists from
A family are hoping to raise enough money to buy a computer for their five-year-old daughter, who has cerebral palsy. Laura Thorpe, of Rachael Gardens, Silver End, near Witham, needs the computer to help her with lessons at Silver End Primary School,
This year sees Marie Curie Cancer Care mark its 50th anniversary and organisers are appealing for continuing support from the public to continue their work. EastEnders actress Barbara Windsor is a long time supporter of Marie Curie Cancer Care and is
A three-day healing crusade by worldwide evangelist Rev Melvin Banks will be held next month in Tiptree. People are expected to flock to see the Rev Banks who is claimed to have helped the blind to see and the lame to walk, at the event organised by The
More than £25,000 worth of bicycles have been stolen from Braintree town centre in just nine months - and police today claimed most of them were easy pickings for thieves. Statistics analysed by researchers have revealed that so far during 1998, 115 pedal
A new junction off the A12 could be built quicker than expected thanks to the Government's go-ahead for the northern approaches relief road. And it could also mean a new home for Colchester United. This Is Essex revealed last week that the Department
A Government ruling to reduce the size of primary school classes has been deemed "unworkable" in Southend. Teachers and the council are telling the Government they will need extra money to ensure no child aged five, six or seven is in a class of more
Sportswear giant Adidas has rapped Essex firemen after footballer Ian Wright's public show of support for them during the strike. The West Ham striker twice revealed a T-shirt bearing the company's three-striped logo, the Fire Brigades Union's initials
Jubilant Elaine Card won a court battle to prove she did not upset her neighbour by playing loud music. She pointed out to a judge: "I was not even in the flat - the music was played by my partner when I was out." Miss Card, 23, and 39-year-old boyfriend
A shipwright today vowed to honour his commitments after a fire destroyed his business. David Patient, who runs his specialist restoration firm from workshops on Fullbridge Quay, Maldon, said he was devastated by the blaze early on Saturday morning. But
Local Sports will be updated as soon as possible. This Is Essex apologises for any inconvenience caused. Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
An investigation began today after an Essex man was killed in a parachute accident. The 24-year-old victim was identified by police as Ian George of Benfleet. He died yesterday during a charity parachute jump at Headcorn Aerodrome near Ashford, Kent.
Braintree suffered at the hands of a much improved Ipswich side from last season's outfit, who offered an afternoon's entertainment for the home support, but left their guests wondering what had hit them. Witham match The first 20 minutes went well for
A Braintree police officer has been recognised for his for his role in the investigation of a triple murder. Det Con Christopher Winstone, of Braintree police, was presented with a certificate for the high degree of professionalism and commitment he showed
A former employee returned to a Colchester factory floor - but wearing his chains of office rather than his overalls. Colchester Mayor David Cannon took a job as a crane slinger at Paxman Diesels but stayed just three weeks. He returned to the Port Lane
Detectives were today hunting a mugger aged about eight years old who stole cash from an 11-year-old schoolboy. The youngster and two other boys, aged about 13, pounced on their victim as he walked through the park at Brandon Groves in South Ockendon.
Leaders at a parachute club spoke today of their shock after the death of Essex man Ian George. Mr George, 24, of Benfleet, died after his reserve parachute opened unexpectedly and tangled with his main canopy. When he tried to release the chute, he lost
Children facing months of hospital treatment have been given something to ease the pain. Eight-year-old Aaron Soanes, who has leukaemia, found that playing computer games took his mind off his needle-phobia. And now the brave youngster from High Woods
A man was dragged along the road as he clung to the side of his partner's car to stop her leaving. The 37-year-old, who suffered head injuries in the ordeal, today defied doctor's recommendations by discharging himself from Southend Hospital. Witnesses
Building work is well under way at the revolutionary Barclays site in Basildon. The site, on the corner of Nicholas Lane and Upper Mayne, has already been excavated and groundworks are on schedule. When finished, the new HQ will boast environmental initiatives
Heybridge Swifts manager Roy McDonough is still looking for the right combination in his forward line to put the side on a climb away from the bottom of the Premier Division. Jimmy Case's team to take on Swifts Saturday saw him don his boots to partner
An opportunity to go top of the Ryman League Division One table was missed by Braintree and instead they slipped to fifth place with Saturday's surprise home defeat by promotion rivals Oxford. Coming only three days after hitting the high spots with their
A rapist has been jailed for 12 years after attacking a churchgoing woman at knife-point in her home. A jury of seven women and five men took two hours to find Wayne Eiffert guilty of indecent assault and rape. They heard how the 22-year-old from Ilford
It is 15 years since the big black curtain came down on Margaret Wall - but the painful imprint it so vividly left in her memory shows just how frightening depression can be. Margaret, a vivacious, energetic 41-year-old, has only just "come out" to speak
An appeal to re-create a Victorian garden has been launched by an Essex group. Blackwater Task Force - which provides work opportunities for people with mental health problems - has launched a £22,000 public appeal. The aim is to build the garden at the
Volunteer drivers are being sought to help transport non-emergency patients from hospitals and healthcare centres. The ambulance car service, which conveys thousands of patients daily, needs drivers who are under 66-years-old, able-bodied and who are
The Diocese of Chelmsford has urged clergy to seek advice from police on how to secure churches after a spate of vandalism. Appeal launched to protect Tollesbury church. The advice comes after vandals desecrated gravestones at St Mary's and St Christopher's
Cool-headed teenager Jessica Witney was today praised by the Essex Ambulance Service after helping to save her younger brother from choking to death. Would you know what to do? The pair, both pupils at Thurstable School in Tiptree, were having an argument
Traffic police today appealed for witnesses following a three-car accident which closed the A128 at Bulphan for more several hours. There were early reports that someone was trapped after the crash. The county's emergency helicopter was joined by three
Firefighters today told how they were pelted with stones and bricks by vandals as they tackled a blaze at a derelict building. A crew from Grays was put in the firing line when they went to London Road, South Stifford, to deal with a pile of timber that
A holidaymaker today told of her horror as she sheltered in a casino from the devastating Hurricane Georges. Kathy and husband Colin Smith were holed up with hundreds of other travellers as the hurricane, now sweeping through America, caused 155mph havoc
Dismal attendances at blood donor sessions have forced the Brentwood-based National Blood Service to cut some supplies to Essex hospitals by a third. The alarm bells started ringing when stocks of group O positive - the most common type - dipped to less
Environmental projects in Colchester are to be given a nearly cash boost, it emerged today. Cory Environmental - operators of Stanway's Bellhouse tip - has helped stump up a £400,000 initial lump sum for schemes and could also contribute up to £70,000
Five illegal immigrants were arrested after an eagle-eyed villager saw them jumping out of a large lorry. The man flagged down a police officer after seeing the four men and one women make their getaway at Wormingford yesterday. The five, from Sri Lanka
A holidaymaker from Essex was trapped in the Dominican Republic for almost a week as it was savaged by Hurricane Georges. Rosemary Warren, who runs Dillons newsagency, in Frinton Road, Kirby, was unable to fly back from the paradise island at the end
A derelict office block, often the target of arsonists, is to get a new lease of live as a mini housing estate. Blackwater Housing Association will build 11 low-cost homes at the site known as the Old Poultry Market, in North Station Road, Colchester.
Guns and ammunition have been stolen from a house in West Mersea. Six shotguns, two rifles and 250 rounds of live ammunition were taken from the property in High Street yesterday. Colchester police fear they are now in the wrong hands and could prove
Trained security guards are needed at north Essex hospitals, a nurses' spokesman said. Des McCarron, chairman of the Royal College of Nursing in north-east Essex, said staff felt there was not a quick response when they had problems with patients. He
Angry manager Alvin Martin and his assistant Mick Gooding lashed out at Birmingham referee Andy Hall after Southend United had three men sent off and lost a highly controversial encounter at Swansea 3-1 on Saturday. Match report Facts and figures Who's
Bosses at Southend Airport are stepping up their campaign against the scrapping of duty free as Stansted Airport - in the other corner of the county - warns that jobs could be on the line. European Union officials plan to stop all duty and tax free sales
Any business that wants to stay pennywise, needs to prepare for the euro. Britain may not be part of the Economic and Monetary Union - yet - but its currency will inevitably affect British businesses. "It may not affect them on January 1 when the euro
A young persons' drop-in centre is getting a new look for the autumn. A range of new services and longer opening hours are being offered at 185 London Road, Westcliff, which has helped out many young people since it was set up over a year ago. Housing
A road crash in Florida has left a Dovercourt man dead and his wife with serious injuries. Officials at the Foreign Office today confirmed that Mark Leek, 44, of Beach Road, died when the Chevrolet car he was driving was in a collision with a lorry. Two
A dream could come true for hundreds of sporting youngsters if a project by a youth football club gets cash backing. Valley Green Youth Football Club in Witham has been searching for a home of its own for ten years. At present its players have to train
Record goal-hero Gary Bennett scored an amazing six goals on Thursday night as Braintree walloped Leyton Pennant 8-2. But modest Bennett shrugged off the accolades and said: "The lads set them up, I just tap 'em in." The six strikes takes Bennett's tally
Jason Dozzell will hold potential signing-on talks with Colchester United within the next 48 hours. Wignall confirmed he would be meeting the former Ipswich and Spurs star after watching him play for the reserves against Wimbledon. Dozzell is believed
Former England manager Graham Taylor positively purred when he talked about Ipswich starlet Kieron Dyer. Watford boss Taylor admitted he was relieved to get the three points from an Ipswich side which dominated for the most part but still went down by
The son of suspected murderer John Piccolo has paid tribute to his father whom he described as a fighter who had a zest for life. Standing by his father's coffin, John Piccolo, who shares his father's name, choked back the tears and proclaimed: "Our Dad
Plans for a major new road and up to 700 houses in north Colchester have been give the green light by a Government inspector. A public inquiry into the northern approaches road and large scale development at Mile End was held in January by the Environment
Due to injuries and suspensions, Witham were forced to make many changes, so it was a young and inexperienced side that took to the field for Saturday's Ryman League Division Two match at Spa Road. However, they took the lead in the 11th minute Lee Guiver
He's back! And for staff at Thameside Community Healthcare Trust in Grays, it was cause for jubilant celebrations. Popular chief executive Patrick Geoghegan had been reluctantly prised away from the job he loves while health service investigators probed
It was a case of apples with everything at a village fair. White Colne Apple Fair was awash with pies, chutneys, juice and over 20 varieties of apples at the village hall on Saturday. But the event was not just aimed at apple aficionados as fun and games
A 61-year-old Stisted man shot his two dogs and then himself after receiving a letter from the bailiffs about unpaid debts, an inquest heard at Chelmsford. The body of Robert Church, who lived by himself in a caravan at Greyhound Kennels, Lords Lane,
Police uncovered the UK's largest haul of its kind in hi-tech video equipment during two raids on Wickford homes. Officers from the Essex Police support unit joined an operation spearheaded by investigators from the Federation Against Copyright Theft
Angry manager Alvin Martin and his assistant Mick Gooding lashed out at Birmingham referee Andy Hall after Southend United had three men sent off and lost a highly controversial encounter at Swansea 3-1 on Saturday. Match report Facts and figures Who's
Bosses at Clacton's oldest market have been given a last-minute reprieve - just 24 hours before it was due to close. The Tuesday market in Jackson Road was due to be held for the last time tomorrow. But due to a late change of heart from site owners National
Horse owners were today warned to be vigilant after a number of attacks in four villages. Horses in Hullbridge, Hockley, Hawkwell and Rochford have had their tails slashed while grazing in their paddocks over the past month. In the latest incident, which
A teenage girl was today recovering in hospital after she was in a collision with a coach in Colchester. Pedestrian Gemma Davies, 15, of Butt Road, was in a collision with the vehicle at the junction of Salisbury Avenue and Maldon Road at 1.15pm on Saturday
A vicar has condemned vandals who desecrated gravestones at a Braintree church. Two tombstones were pushed over and another smashed at St Mary's and St Christopher's Church, Panfield Lane. The Rev Philip Meader said: "It is upsetting for people who own
People in Maldon and Heybridge have good cause to remember the Battle of Britain as it raged over the skies of north and mid-Essex. Former Royal Marine Fred Yuill reveals the quite extraordinary events of one fateful day in August 1940 are about to come
The battle to stop the axe falling on three Southend old people's homes looks set to be lost. Councillors are recommended to agree the closure of Blenheim, Balmoral and Friars homes to offset a £1.36 million deficit in this year's budget. The effect on
A heartbroken mother has appealed for the return of a video tape with precious footage of her son's wedding day. The video camera containing the tape disappeared as family and friends celebrated at a reception held at the Coach House, Saling, near Braintree
A new initiative is under way to attract more visitors and promote tourism in Braintree district. The first ever Tourism Forum is due to take place on Thursday in Braintree's Town Hall Centre. The idea of the meeting was to highlight how various organisations
Any business that wants to stay pennywise, needs to prepare for the euro. Britain may not be part of the Economic and Monetary Union - yet - but its currency will inevitably affect British businesses. "It may not affect them on January 1 when the euro
Southend was today set for a Christmas jobs bonanza as more than 400 new vacancies were registered at the town's Job Centre. Bustling businesses lodged details of their new posts at the Tylers Avenue centre in a bid to recruit staff early. As part of
Saturday saw a comfortable win for Ramblers, against an able but inexperienced side who are struggling to get results, and it preserved Burnham 100 per cent league record, four wins from four games. After a first half in which they huffed and puffed in
Building work is well under way at the revolutionary Barclays site in Basildon. The site, on the corner of Nicholas Lane and Upper Mayne, has already been excavated and groundworks are on schedule. When finished, the new HQ will boast environmental initiatives
A breakfast banquet was gobbled up by pyjama-clad youngsters - all in aid of a good cause. About £70 is to be donated to Children In Need after pupils at Whitmore Infants School in Basildon put on their nightwear and started the day with a feast. Tesco
The Harwich School could be linking up with a new sixth form college in Sweden. Teachers Alan Perks and Kate Fender were special guests at the opening of the Donner College on the Swedish island of Gotland. One of the main aims of the visit was to investigate
It is still not too late to enrol in this autumn term's classes in dance, music and drama in the Maldon district. The Maldon Music School takes place on Tuesdays at the Plume School's Mill Road campus between 5pm and 8pm. A group of qualified teachers
A paedophile indecently assaulted a four-year-old girl just six months after being released from prison, a court heard. Michael Scott, 37, of Seabrooke Rise, Grays, touched her and exposed himself. He later admitted that he found it difficult to keep
A loyal dog owner severed her finger during a dramatic rescue to save her drowning pet. The woman desperately clung to her german shepherd dog's choker chain after it fell down a 35ft cesspit near Ramsden Park Road in Ramsden Heath. Friends lowered her
