Hazle Ceramics is to double in size and open a new visitor centre. The new enlarged studio and visitor centre at Stallions Yard, Codham Hall, Great Warley, opens on November 7 following the conversion of former stables and cow shed. Complete with mini-shop
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 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 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
Southend United boss Alvin Martin met his players last night in a bid to ensure team morale was not damaged after the trauma of Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Swansea. Blues had three players - Julian Hails, Mick Gooding and Kevin Maher - sent off by ref Andy
In this first article I should like to take the opportunity of giving some background information on Brentwood Chamber of Commerce to those who are not already members. The Chamber is over 60-years-old, originally known as the Chamber of Trade prior to
A boy of 14 has told police how he was grabbed around the neck by a man in an Essex park. The boy claimed he and a friend were watching squirrels near a large oak tree in Lake Meadows, Billericay when they were approached by a man. The man grabbed the
A shocked timber merchant discovered imported wood from Latvia was wrecking his machinery - because shrapnel was lodged in it. Barry Jones, owner of Causeway Timbers and DIY in The Causeway in Maldon, was alarmed when one of his new 16ft long band-saws
A couple were forced to cut their dream honeymoon short in Antigua after hurricane Georges ripped through the resort. Dee and Helen Patel's fairytale wedding went off without a hitch at St James's Church in Clacton and they flew out to the romantic honeymoon
The latest multi-million pound Walt Disney blockbuster is to get its UK premiere in Clacton, it has been revealed. Mulan - the follow-up to box-office smash Hercules - will be shown at Flicks in Pier Avenue next Sunday - four days before its opening night
An unlucky break forced Andy Mackinlay to use drastic measures to help raise money for deaf children. Mr Mackinlay, of Broadoaks Park, St John's, Colchester, signed up for a cycling trip in Cuba and has to raise £1,500 for the National Deaf Children's
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
Footballing fundraisers will be taking the field for a special match between William Edwards School in Grays and a West Ham celebrity XI. London's Burning star Glenn Murphy will be bringing his team to Mill Field, the home of Aveley Football Club, on
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
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
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
Three people missing from their Essex homes have been found safe and well. Philip Barnes, 48, of Leigh, missing since mid March, has been found to be living in Norwich. John Coupland, 14, of Waldegrave Way, Lawford, near Manningtree, has been found in
Peter Smith, former editorial director of This Is Essex partner company, the Essex Chronicle Series, died on Friday, after a short illness. He was 64. Peter was editor of the Essex Chronicle for 18 years and took early retirement in 1993. He was born
Angry West Horndon councillor, Roy Boggis, has vowed to write to the chief constable after it took police three hours to respond to a 999 call in the village. Jean Marriot, who owns the Happy Shopper store in Station Road, says she rang the police twice
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
A shocked timber merchant discovered imported wood from Latvia was wrecking his machinery - because shrapnel was lodged in it. Barry Jones, owner of Causeway Timbers and DIY in The Causeway in Maldon, was alarmed when one of his new 16ft long band-saws
Police who raided an address in the village of Thorrington, between Clacton and Colchester, seized 25 fully-grown cannabis plants. Seven officers, with a search warrant, raided a property early today. Two men were arrested and are helping police with
A Southend art and craft group has got its creative juices flowing to welcome a French ballet company to the county. A performance not to be missed The children's art and craft group, run by Southend Council, has been working on an educational project
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
THE Federation of Small Business has said most small firms are unaware of the implications of the Working Time Directive which becomes law from today, Thursday. The final regulations were only published on July 30 but include far-reaching changes including
Now that women can at last join Marylebone Cricket Club, victory is also inching closer for a female football agent from Westcliff, also facing sexism in sport. Rachel Anderson, 40, of Southbourne Grove, Westcliff, has gone straight to the top in her
Roy McDonough has been sacked as manager of Heybridge Swifts just six weeks into the season. The former Colchester United boss was given the boot for "poor results, falling gates and bad discipline" according to club chairman Mick Gibson. But McDonough
Two people missing from their Essex homes have been found safe and well. John Coupland, 14, of Waldegrave Way, Lawford, near Manningtree, has been found in Southend. Meanwhile, Sukhvil Singh Gill, of Parklands Drive, Chelmsford, missing since July, has
Police are hunting a stolen van which has 12 explosive detonators in the back. The red Ford Escort, F505 DVG, was taken overnight on Monday from Station Road, Lawford, near Manningtree. The detonators are used by railway workers to warn train drivers
Yet more crippling cuts in services are on the cards with Essex County Council finance chiefs predicting another desperate year for cash. Early estimates indicate the council could be facing a funding shortfall of £30 million next year - meaning a big
Yet more crippling cuts in services are on the cards with Essex County Council finance chiefs predicting another desperate year for cash. Early estimates indicate the council could be facing a funding shortfall of £30 million next year - meaning a big
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
When Steven Spielberg's team homed in on Brentwood's Danny Lindeman with an offer of a part in the maestro's Saving Private Ryan, it was a chance that young hopefuls would have given their back teeth for. "I didn't even give it a second thought," said
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
The head of a crisis-torn school has been "released from her contract" after a probe into her style of management, it was revealed today. Carolyn Brown had been suspended on full pay for the past ten months following a series of allegations against her
The revival of Colchester's annual fair in Castle Park has been dealt a devastating blow by councillors. Colchester Council's arts and leisure committee voted overwhemingly last night to reject the scheme because of opposition from residents. The fair
A woman in Leigh has warned people to store household chemicals in different places around the home - after a freak accident in her garage. Neighbours in Walker Drive, Leigh, were ordered to close their windows and doors when a cloud of noxious fumes
Two men arrested on suspicion of demanding money with menaces were today due to appear at Southend Magistrates Court. The men, from Rochford and Leigh, each face four charges of blackmail. They were arrested by police on Monday following complaints from
Detectives investigating the murder of Harold Hill man Colin Birch are no closer to finding the killer and are still appealing for witnesses to come forward with information. Mr Birch was battered to death in Romford town centre on September 20 after
A campaign has been launched to raise awareness of the killer disease meningitis in a bid to save lives. And at the forefront of the campaign is Lisa Grant from Great Totham. Essex meningitis suspect dies, aged 15 Lisa, 20, knows as well as anyone the
The Archbishop of Canterbury will visit Braintree to conduct a special service celebrating a double 800th anniversary in the town. Next year marks eight centuries since both the granting of the royal market charter for Braintree and the founding of St
Thirteen-year-old Peter Hudd enjoyed a tremendous evening session at his local Lake Meadows Fishery where he landed four double figure carp. His biggest fish was a tremendous mirror of 19lb 8oz. Lovett's pole position Good pike at Lakeside Feeder works
A restaurant owner was today counting the cost after raiders stole hundreds of pounds worth of drink. Food was also ruined when the thieves left open fridge doors during the break-in at the Giulletta Romeo restaurant in West Road, Shoebury, which remains
A Southend art and craft group has got its creative juices flowing to welcome a French ballet company to the county. A performance not to be missed The children's art and craft group, run by Southend Council, has been working on an educational project
A woman injured in a collision with a car has been identified by police. The incident occurred between Hazelend and Farnham, near Bishop's Stortford, yesterday morning. Police today said the woman, aged 55, from Stoke Newington, London, was "stable but
The latest multi-million pound Walt Disney blockbuster is to get its UK premiere in Clacton, it was revealed today. Mulan - the follow-up to box-office smash Hercules - will be shown at Flicks in Pier Avenue next Sunday - four days before its opening
One of Basildon's busiest car parks is set for a major £800,000 facelift to make it more appealing to motorists. Work will begin within days at Great Oaks multi-storey car park - leading to partial closure in the run-up to Christmas. But the major upgrade
A car belonging to a Braintree resident was stolen twice inside 24 hours. The black Volkswagen Golf, GWV 479X, worth £2,500, was stolen from Mersea Fleet Way in Braintree between 10pm on Monday and 4pm on Tuesday. It was later seen by officers abandoned
More young people are leaving town as older people stay put due to housing costs. That was the thrust of findings by researchers PS Martin Hamblin which studied housing needs and trends in Castle Point. Housing committee members heard how outright ownership
Television chiefs were so impressed with a stage school's Riverdance routine that they invited them to take part in one of their programmes. Pupils of Tip Toe Stage School, based at South Ockendon, were chosen for a programme called Dream House after
A mother of two is in training for the biggest challenge of her life - a six-day trek through the foothills of the Himalayas. Lynne Hayes, 37, who lives in Fyfield Road, Ongar, said: "I know I must be mad but it's something I really want to do." She is
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 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
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
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 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
Cool-headed teenager Jessica Witney has been praised by 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
Horse owners have been 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
Southend United chairman Vic Jobson is set to relinquish the Roots Hall hot-seat he has held for 14 years - possibly even before Saturday's home game against Rochdale. The Evening Echo , a partner in This Is Essex, has revealed that the Blues chief has
Former world heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno has been recruited to help the businesses of Ongar and North Weald to fight the Millennium Bug. Big Frank, who lives in Stondon Massey, will make a special guest appearance at a seminar on the 'bug'
A shocked timber merchant discovered imported wood from Latvia was wrecking his machinery - because shrapnel was lodged in it. Barry Jones, owner of Causeway Timbers and DIY in The Causeway in Maldon, was alarmed when one of his new 16ft long band-saws
Plans for a health and beauty complex at a Witham golf club have been put on hold. Benton Hall Golf Club wants to build a £1 million complex at its Wickham Hill site, featuring an indoor swimming pool, children's pool, gymnasium and aerobics rooms. But
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
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
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
Majorettes and dancers have put their best pom-poms and feet forward for charity. Southend bandstand in Clifftown Parade hosted dancers from the Pam Freedman school of dancing and the Southend Sapphire majorettes in aid of Bust - the breast screening
The future of the disused Blue Boar pub today hangs in the balance as its owner admitted he is selling up. Robin Levy said the famous Southend building was back on the property market after months of opposition to the project from residents. He said he
The future of the disused Blue Boar pub today hangs in the balance as its owner admitted he is selling up. Robin Levy said the famous Southend building was back on the property market after months of opposition to the project from residents. He said he
Bullying is an age-old problem - but what's the solution? One South Essex story recently was about two teenaged schoolgirls left so miserable by bullies that they felt their lives were no longer worth living. One swallowed a handful of pills but, thankfully
Footballing fundraisers will be taking the field for a special match between William Edwards School in Grays and a West Ham celebrity XI. London's Burning star Glenn Murphy will be bringing his team to Mill Field, the home of Aveley Football Club, on
For ten months, headmistress Carolyn Brown has sat in her Benfleet home - on full pay - while her style of management was the subject of intense scrutiny. Now Mrs Brown and employer Thurrock Education Authority have agreed "by mutual consent" that she
Kieron Dyer has dropped a huge hint that a move to a Premiership club is on the cards. Speaking after last night's 2-0 win at Tranmere, Dyer told This Is Essex: "I found it really hard to concentrate on the game. "All I kept thinking was this could be
A shocked timber merchant discovered imported wood from Latvia was wrecking his machinery - because shrapnel was lodged in it. Barry Jones, owner of Causeway Timbers and DIY in The Causeway in Maldon, was alarmed when one of his new 16ft long band-saws
Plans for a health and beauty complex at a Witham golf club have been put on hold. Benton Hall Golf Club wants to build a £1 million complex at its Wickham Hill site, featuring an indoor swimming pool, children's pool, gymnasium and aerobics rooms. But
Firefighters today told how they led nurses to safety from a hospital residential block after a blaze in one of the kitchens. The fire broke out shortly after 8.30pm yesterday at Orsett Hospital, and firefighters had to use breathing apparatus to tackle
One of Basildon's busiest car parks is set for a major £800,000 facelift to make it more appealing to motorists. Work will begin within days at Great Oaks multi-storey car park - leading to partial closure in the run-up to Christmas. But the major upgrade
Two pubs were today targeted today by thieves who looted fruit machines. The culprits first struck just before 6am today at the Shepherd and Dog pub in London Road, Crays Hill. Police were called to a burglar alarm going off and at first thought it was
Country and western singing legend George Hamilton IV is coming to Frinton. The American crooner is to give a special free performance at the town's parish church. The star - who scored a string of hits in the 1950s - visited north Essex two years ago
Police who raided an address in the village of Thorrington, between Clacton and Colchester, siezed 25 fully-grown cannabis plants. Seven officers, with a search warrant, raided a property early today. Two men were arrested and are helping police with
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
Hundreds of schoolchildren were led from a Billericay junior school after a gas leak. In the wake of the alert at South Green Junior School on Hickstars Lane, some worried parents are calling for local schools to be given extra cash to ensure that their
Norman the nomadic gnome is home - and today This Is Essex can reveal who was behind the hoax. Having left the garden of owner William Hill, in Park Square West, Jaywick, Norman issued statements keeping his owner informed of his adventures. In a letter
A man who suffered serious head injuries in a horrific road smash is today counting the cost of travelling in an uninsured car. David Mighell, 32, of Puffin Place, Shoebury, has had his claims for damages under European Union law dismissed by three top
An 11-year-old boy has single-handedly organised a charity event to prove some good can come out of his father's untimely death. Clifford Riggs, 48, fought an 18-month battle against the cancer which had spread to most of his body, but he finally lost
A Basildon firm is predicting an end to the yo-yo economy - as sales of one childhood favourite toy keep on moving up! PMS International has never had it so good when it comes to the centuries-old yo-yo - it just can't import enough of them. Normally
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
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
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
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
The revival of Colchester's annual fair in Castle Park has been dealt a devastating blow by councillors. Colchester Council's arts and leisure committee voted overwhemingly last night to reject the scheme because of opposition from residents. The fair
The very best of British blues came to Brentwood for the sixth International Blues Festival at the Hermit and Brentwood Theatre. Organiser Denny Newman said at the start of the festival: "Last year we had six American acts, this year we've gone for a
Colchester United captain Richard Wilkins will take the first steps on his latest comeback when he plays for the U's in tonight's Avon Insurance Combination League clash at Peterborough. Wilkins, who hasn't kicked a ball since injuring his back in the
A three-day healing crusade by worldwide evangelist Rev Melvin Banks will be held this 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 300 new jobs are to be created at Stansted Airport as British Airways' cut-price airline Go expands its fleet. Go announced today it is to double its workforce and add eight planes. 100 jobs go at packaging firm More than 200 new jobs are to
Police are hunting a serial sex pest who they believe is responsible for three terrifying assaults on schoolchildren - including a sickening strike on a seven-year-old girl. And they warn that if he is not caught soon the man could strike again - and
A Basildon firm is predicting an end to the yo-yo economy - as sales of one childhood favourite toy keep on moving up! PMS International has never had it so good when it comes to the centuries-old yo-yo - it just can't import enough of them. Normally
The headteacher of a doomed Basildon school today claimed it will be business as usual until September 1999. Dave Anderson said the remaining 149 pupils at Fryerns Community School - set to close at the end of the school year - are setting their sights
Country and western singing legend George Hamilton IV is coming to Frinton. The American crooner is to give a special free performance at the town's parish church. The star - who scored a string of hits in the 1950s - visited north Essex two years ago
Technician Carl Stacey's drill rings the changes at Peter Pan's on Southend seafront. The demolition of the Lucky Strike attraction is just one of many changes planned to the Adventure Island during autumn and winter. Major investment this year has already
A club can look forward to safer buses after a donation from Shell UK. The Phoenix Club, based at the Paddocks on Canvey, will use its donation of £400 to fit seat belts in its minibuses to bring them up to standard with new laws. Canvey clown Eddie Stacey
A bit of give and take is all that's needed for 60 years of wedded bliss, according to a Westcliff couple. Alf and Emily Horning, of Yeovil Chase, were due to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary with a party for family and friends over the weekend
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
