Archive

  • Soccer: Town slip up at lowly Heybridge

    Town struggled to get to terms with a resurgent Heybridge at Scraley Road on Monday afternoon. While their opponents are gradually dragging themselves out of the relegation zone, Billericay have fallen back from the head of the table, which they so proudly

  • Soccer: Colchester fixture in pay-per-view experiment

    It will be cheaper for some fans to watch the U's in person than by pay-per-view in March, when Manchester City are the visitors. Colchester United's game with the Sky Blues has been earmarked by Sky TV as the second competitive League match in football

  • Firefighters cut through wall to save kittens

    Two tiny kittens were today lucky to be alive after an hour's fight by firefighters to free them. The feline rascals each lost one of their nine lives after crawling behind plasterboard in the bathroom of the house in Fastnet, Eastwood. Leigh firefighters

  • Chris only has eyes for llamas

    They were a long way from their South American homeland, but Dennis and Charlie the llamas felt right at home when owner Chris Eke brought them to Great Warley. Chris, who launches a llama trekking firm in Dorset in the spring, was paying a Christmas

  • Brentwood Foyer gets £46,000 Euro-grant

    The new year looks bright for the Brentwood Foyer thanks to a £46,000 grant from the European Social Fund. The grant was applied for in October in a joint bid by Brentwood Borough Council, Blackwater Housing Association, which operates the Brentwood Foyer

  • Crash team set to recover aircraft

    Air accident investigators were today due to recover an aircraft from the River Blackwater after a pilot was killed when his private jet crashed off Bradwell-on-Sea. A team of investigators from the Air Accident Investigation Bureau are sending out a

  • Caring couple toast 60 years of marriage

    Snow was lying deep and crisp and even when Edith and Sam Bircher got married 60 years ago. The couple, celebrated their diamond wedding with a family party on Boxing Day, and recalled that far-off day in 1938 when they were married at Fairstead Church

  • Blade attack on woman walker

    Detectives are hunting a man who attacked and cut a woman with a blade during an attempted robbery in White Notley. The incident happened at 10am yesterday morning as the 40-year-old woman, who is not being named, walked her dog along White Notley River

  • Prisoner is recaptured

    Philip Wilkinson, the convicted killer on the run from Runwell Hospital, is back behind bars. Wilkinson, 53, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of his common law wife, escaped on December 18 during psychiatric treatment. He was recaptured in

  • Cricket: Top Herbs honours for Jones

    Willow Herbs Cricket Club, who, in the 1998 season, narrowly missed promotion for the fifth time in six years, held its annual Awards Dinner at the Black Horse, Paslow Common with batsman Matt Jones collecting three awards. The Herbs finished third in

  • People power will help decide Havering Council's spending

    It's your cash - and your call. That is the message from Havering Council as it takes to the road to find out how taxpayers want their money to be spent in the coming year. The council is launching into the new year with a series of forums, a roadshow

  • Meals on wheels to provide more food for thought

    Improvements are on the way to give people more choice in the meals provided by Essex County Council's Meals on Wheels service. The news came after a meeting of the council's social services community care sub-committee last week. They aim to secure the

  • It’s back to grass roots at Billericay meadow

    Basildon Council has admitted that the old ways are definitely the best - at least as far as managing Billericay's natural heritage is concerned. The council is concerned that modern mowing methods are destroying the appearance and the wildlife of Mill

  • Frinton church service on TV

    Frinton Free Church has been chosen to kick-off ITV's revamped Sunday morning religious programme. ITV is replacing its weekly Morning Worship with a new religious magazine named Sunday Morning. On Sunday Frinton Free Church's morning service will be

  • Police probe cause of fires

    Arson could have been the cause of a blaze at a house on Canvey Island in the early hours of this morning. An Essex Police spokesman said police and fire crews were called to a house on fire in Long Road, Canvey Island, just before 3am today. The blaze

  • Missing pensioner found

    A 72-year-old man who went missing from a Southend care home has turned up safe and well in London. Gerald Matthews had gone missing from a care home in Avenue Road, Southend, on Monday evening. According to an Essex Police spokesman this morning Mr Matthews

  • Police fears after acid stolen

    Police are appealing for help in tracing a stolen white Ford Transit van which held canisters of a corrosive acid. An Essex police spokesman said the vehicle was taken from Overton Road in Benfleet between 10.30pm and 11pm on Tuesday. Officers warned

  • Torquay end Blues' winning run

    Southend United pressed the self-destruct button again at Plainmoor on Monday as a totally lacklustre performance handed a comfortable win to a far-from-impressive Torquay United side. Blues travelled to Devon looking for their third consecutive Christmas

  • Bowls: Stonyhill round-up

    Stonyhill Indoor Bowls Club held its annual Christmas mixed four's competition over the weekend. Attendance was excellent with many experienced bowlers taking part and everyone enjoyed the exercise after the long break. Each team played four games with

  • Soccer: Martin questions players' hunger

    Southend United manager Alvin Martin was left questioning his players' hunger and commitment after Monday's 2-0 defeat at the hands of a very average Torquay United side. The Shrimpers chief must have been praying that his side had put their indifferent

  • Young sons help heal their mum and dad's grief

    The grieving parents of a three-year-old girl who died just days before Christmas today spoke for the first time of their loss. Alan and Ruth Wray said their daughter Gail was a lovely, happy little child who would be missed by many people. Gail, who

  • Drink-drivers learn lesson

    A pioneering scheme which brings drink-drivers face to face with the families of victims has been hailed a success. Since the project, called Drive Safe, was launched a year ago it has deterred 60 drink-drivers in Colchester from re-offending. All of

  • Big-name stores eye Witham

    Dozens of jobs could be created in Witham after it was revealed a trio of big name stores were considering a move to the town. The three big-name stores - which have yet to be identified - are eyeing a possible move to the town's Grove Centre complex.

  • Unwanted gift? It's a dog's life

    A kennel in Wickford has condemned heartless dog owners after enduring its worst Christmas ever for waifs and strays. The motto "A dog is for life, not just for Christmas", was ignored by many this year, it seems. The situation was so bad that one dog

  • Review: Dick rocks on his way

    Dick Whittington and his Kool Kool Kat is a brash, beaty rock 'n' roll panto for the nineties being premiered at the Queen's this Christmas. Dick's cat Tommy talks with her master via her saxophone and is very jealous of his romance with spunky Alice

  • Tabletennis: Kegs pay the price

    In an attempt to gain some festive cheer, two of the lower placed teams in the Woolwich Junior League fought a hard battle. Kegs 'A' were one player short and paid the price, but only just, going down 3-2 to St Joseph's Bears with Chris Pope winning his

  • Pubs hit by Southend bootleggers

    Bootleggers cruising the town's estates have hit trade in Southend's pubs over the festive period, a leading landlord revealed today. Fred Spring believes drinkers are buying cheap booze which has been smuggled into the country - and jeopardising the

  • Market misery for Basildon traders

    Furious Basildon market traders today claimed town centre closures slashed their Christmas takings by thousands of pounds. Some say they lost up to £2,000 each in the normally lucrative week leading up to Christmas after developers shut the Fodderwick

  • Fox is one more road casualty

    A feisty fox was today recovering in Benfleet as an animal lover called on motorists to watch out for wildlife on the roads. The fox - who has been named Timmy by rescuers - was found unconscious and injured after being hit by a car while playing with

  • £200,000 raised for Wickford school's new pool

    Years of waiting and hoping are coming to an end for Billericay and Wickford's special needs children - with a date set for work to start on their £200,000 pool. Castledon School in Wickford has been campaigning for five years to raise the cash it needs

  • Police pleased with Southend pub-closure experiment

    Police in Southend have hailed as a success an experiment on Christmas Eve where some pub landlords were encouraged to close their premises. An Essex Police spokesman today claimed incidents of violence in the town were well down in comparison with previous

  • £200,000 raised for Wickford school's new pool

    Years of waiting and hoping are coming to an end for Billericay and Wickford's special needs children - with a date set for work to start on their £200,000 pool. Castledon School in Wickford has been campaigning for five years to raise the cash it needs

  • Deadline for Ongar homes grants

    Owners of historic houses in Ongar have been given a New Year deadline to seek a council grant to improve their property. They have until March to apply in what is probably the last year the scheme will run in the Ongar conservation area. Many listed

  • Christmas joy for heartbreak family

    A Southend family has finally received the Christmas gift it has longed and prayed for across more than 60 years - news that their brother Bob is alive and well. Bob Lee, last heard of when he was pictured as a smiling Aussie soldier during the war, has

  • Harwich's £10m grant hopes dashed

    Hopes of a £10 million bid to help Harwich and Jaywick have been dashed. Tendring Council wanted to apply for Government cash to help the two towns. However, the Government Office for the Eastern Region has said the Single Regeneration Budget bids could

  • Farmer's 'mistake' at hedge removal

    A farmer from Tolleshunt Major, near Maldon, looks likely to escape prosecution for illegally removing a hedge on his land. Alec Ferguson, of Grove Farm Road, removed part of the hedge which consisted of mainly blackthorn, plus oak and wild rose, near

  • Colchester pig-snatcher at large

    A pub landlady is distraught after thieves trotted off with a large part of her collection of ceramic pigs. They took more than half of her collection, which were on display during a karaoke night at the Beer House, in Magdalen Street, Colchester, leaving

  • Big-name stores eye Witham

    Dozens of jobs could be created in Witham after it was revealed a trio of big name stores were considering a move to the town. The three big-name stores - which have yet to be identified - are eyeing a possible move to the town's Grove Centre complex.

  • Sales fever grips Brentwood

    Sales fever held Brentwood in a vice-like grip as the town enjoyed a late Christmas and pre-new year shopping boom. For the three day run up to Christmas Day traffic gridlocked as shoppers poured into the town on a bumper spree. And shops reported a High

  • Tennis: Bradford a winner

    Gavin Bradford won the mens singles event when the finals of the 'Whirlpool' LTA Ratings tournament were held at Clearview on Sunday. This traditional post-Christmas finals day gives the finalists a chance to get some exercise and work off the seasonal

  • Local lottery's last day

    Today is the end of an era. After 20 years during which more than £1million has been raised for local clubs and organisations, the Havering Lottery will draw to a close. Despite the efforts of Harold Hill pensioner Ron Wells, 77, of Tring Gardens, and

  • Dynamic start to 1999 in Ongar

    Residents in Ongar are poised to celebrate a New Year boost as final touches are put to an exciting asset to the town. The new Arts and Education Centre on the Great Stony School site is scheduled to open in February after months of hard work by a team

  • Purse thieves hunt their own bargains

    Shoppers out hunting a bargain in the sales were today warned to take extra care to make sure they are not hunted themselves for their purses. Purse thieves are at work in Southend High Street, and according to police reports, theyb are having plenty

  • Paint job on Southend pier's a beauty

    Southend's Pier Museum is opening tomorrow, giving the public the opportunity to view the newest painting of the world-famous landmark. Leigh artist Robert Pinnock has recalled the 1930s in his evocative work entitled Pavilion Sunset. Commissioned by

  • Wickford homes plan set for go-ahead

    A huge housing and flats development on an "island" in Wickford looks set to be given the thumbs up by councillors. Twenty-three houses and 33 flats are being planned for the island-style piece of land on the roundabout near Nevendon Road and Halstead

  • We're having a ball for charity

    Chuckling youngsters used up their festive energy - and raised cash for charity. More than 30 deserving children, aged one to 11, were nominated by their parents to be on the guest list at Chuckle City. Each had come through hard times - many were still

  • Racetrack row may go to Europe

    A motorcycle club has vowed to take its fight to turn a piece of Basildon land into a racing track all the way to Europe. Basildon Motorcycle Training Club has been trying to get its own practice ground for three years. Its chairman, Alf Viccaray, says

  • Billericay scuffle prompts police appeal

    Police in Billericay are hoping to speak to a group of people waiting for a bus as they believe they may have witnessed a fight. An Essex Police spokesman said the people were waiting at a bus stop in Outwood Common Road, Billericay, just before 11am

  • Soccer: Tilson brace gives Gulls the honours

    Steve Tilson's tremendous recent run of scoring form continued at Park Lane on Monday as Canvey enjoyed a real Bank Holiday bonanza in their Ryman League Division One clash with fellow promotion-chasers Braintree Town. Former Southend United favourite

  • Darts: Harrington hopes to claim Burgess scalp

    Top seeded Rod Harrington believes if he beats Shayne Burgess of Hastings in the second round today he will go through to the final of the Skol World Darts Championship which ends at Purfleet on Sunday. Harrington, who won his opening match against young

  • Market misery for Basildon traders

    Furious Basildon market traders have claimed town centre closures slashed their Christmas takings by thousands of pounds. Some say they lost up to £2,000 each in the normally lucrative week leading up to Christmas after developers shut the Fodderwick

  • Hi-tech £400,000 unit for Colchester hospital

    A hi-tech £400,000 unit which reduces the need for surgery has been opened at Colchester General Hospital. The new endoscopy suite - which allows doctors to examine patients' internal organs without a conventional operation - will also help cut waiting

  • Colchester pig-snatcher at large

    A pub landlady is distraught after thieves trotted off with a large part of her collection of ceramic pigs. They took more than half of her collection, which were on display during a karaoke night at the Beer House, in Magdalen Street, Colchester, leaving

  • Chris only has eyes for llamas

    They were a long way from their South American homeland, but Dennis and Charlie the llamas felt right at home when owner Chris Eke brought them to Great Warley. Chris, who launches a llama trekking firm in Dorset in the spring, was paying a Christmas

  • Brentwood Foyer gets £46,000 Euro-grant

    The new year looks bright for the Brentwood Foyer thanks to a £46,000 grant from the European Social Fund. The grant was applied for in October in a joint bid by Brentwood Borough Council, Blackwater Housing Association, which operates the Brentwood Foyer

  • Blade attack on woman walker

    Detectives are hunting a man who attacked and cut a woman with a blade during an attempted robbery in White Notley. The incident happened at 10am on Tuesday morning as the 40-year-old woman, who is not being named, walked her dog along White Notley River

  • Police identify girl, 15, killed after crash

    A teenage girl who died after she was involved in a collision with a car has been named by police. An Essex Police spokesman said Michelle Condon, 15, of Totlands Drive, Clacton, was crossing Thorpe Road in Clacton when the accident happened. The Clacton

  • Drink-drivers learn lesson

    A pioneering scheme which brings drink-drivers face to face with the families of victims has been hailed a success. Since the project, called Drive Safe, was launched a year ago it has deterred 60 drink-drivers in Colchester from re-offending. All of

  • Hi-tech £400,000 unit for Colchester hospital

    A hi-tech £400,000 unit which reduces the need for surgery has been opened at Colchester General Hospital. The new endoscopy suite - which allows doctors to examine patients' internal organs without a conventional operation - will also help cut waiting

  • Police identify girl, 15, killed after crash

    A teenage girl who died after she was involved in a collision with a car has been named by police. An Essex Police spokesman said Michelle Condon, 15, of Totlands Drive, Clacton, was crossing Thorpe Road in Clacton when the accident happened. The Clacton

  • Louie ... public enemy number one!

    With Christmas shopping frenzy having reached fever pitch and New Year sales looming ... that means it is the busiest time of year for Colchester's only freelance store detective Louie Anderson. To the shoplifting fraternity he is public enemy number

  • Panto guide

    Cinderella Cliffs Pavilion, Southend Stars: Bobby Davro, Bella Emberg, Bob Carolgees Date: Dec 18-Jan 16 Box Office: 01702 351135 Snow White . . .The True Story Theatre Upstairs, New Empire Theatre, Southend Strictly for adults only. Live music by The

  • New Year's resolutions

    I'm going to visit the gym every day until my chocolate-stuffed belly regains its usual washboard look, I'm going to stop drinking reservoirs of smuggled lager and I'm never going to use my credit card again. Yeah, right. Every New Year we delude ourselves