Brentwood's second half of the season started disappointingly on Saturday with a draw against lowly opposition. Having taken the game to Welwyn for the first 15 minutes, Brentwood found themselves behind following a display of fine passing and accurate
Southend and Westcliff rugby club officials have held shock exploratory talks about a possible merger between the two sides. Club representatives met to discuss the potential of pooling both side's resources in an attempt to strengthen rugby in the borough
Southend and Westcliff rugby club officials have held shock exploratory talks about a possible merger between the two sides. Club representatives met to discuss the potential of pooling both side's resources in an attempt to strengthen rugby in the borough
Southend United's teenage striker Trevor Fitzpatrick is hoping to recover from a troublesome groin strain in time for Saturday's Roots Hall clash with Carlisle. Fitzpatrick, who has scored five goals this season, has missed the last three league games
Damon Cooper's half-century of points proved decisive as Southend Scorpions A moved skilfully through their English Basketball Association National Founders Cup first round clash. They took on Notre Dame, from Norwich, in the first round and pulled off
Benfleet Running Club took men's and ladies' honours when the Hadleigh Country Park leg of the Today's Runner Cross Country League was staged. Tony Mead was the overall winner of the race, having come second and third in earlier rounds. He said: "At last
A three-year plan to improve public health in the Basildon district has been approved. The Health Improvement Programme also aims to develop more effective and efficient health services. It will come into effect on April 1 this year and aims to get organisations
The future of 160 workers at Witham-based English Electric Valve (EEV) have been secured in a multi-billion pound deal. For months the future of EEV - part of the GEC-Marconi group - hung in the balance and it was feared the component and device plant
Essex County Council's old lollipop signs could help save the lives of scores of African children killed in car crashes every year. The outdated school crossing patrol sticks are to be sent to schools built along busy main roads in the Gambia in West
Police have appealed for witnesses to a collision in Chelmsford which left a nine-year-old girl critically ill in hospital. An Essex Police spokesman said the collision occurred in Longstomps Avenue at about 1.15pm on Sunday January 17. A 15-year-old
Lucky 20-year-old Deborah Burgess has become the envy of Billericay by being told she can enjoy a jetset lifetime of sun, sea and sand - and all for free. Deborah beat 10,000 rivals in a contest through her job - and her prize is a holiday a year for
Councillors in Little Burstead have united to condemn heavy vehicles which are destroying grass verges and roads in the village. District and parish councillors have slammed drivers they say are destroying areas including Tye Common Road, Botney Hill
Basildon Council has apologised after Billericay's parish councils were snubbed during the consultation process for the local Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy. Furious Billericay Town councillors wrote to Basildon Council chief executive John Robb
Two busy citizens' advice bureaux are set to receive grants totalling thousands of pounds from Rochford District Council. It has agreed in principle to give Rayleigh CAB £28,016 and Rochford CAB £26,780. The council has earmarked the money in its budget
The old fashioned bobby who always added caring to community policing is set to hang up his helmet, hand over his truncheon and give in his warrant card. Ongar Crime Prevention Officer PC Bob Higgs, who officially bows out of Essex Police at the end of
A Billericay managing director has been banned from driving after he raced through a 30mph zone in his Porsche - at 106 mph. Andrew Diggory, 33, of Copford Road, was caught driving at three-and-a-half times the legal limit in Billericay Road, Herongate
These line-dancing students are getting ready to put on a show for the folks of Castle Point. Pupils at Glenwood special school in Rushbottom Lane, Benfleet are preparing for the Celebration of Youth art showcase to be held on February 4 and 5 at the
The 400 proposed homes on the Warley Hospital site could be just the start, property advisors DTZ Debenham Thorpe admitted this week. The first 15.2 hectare swathe, covering just under one quarter of the massive 63 hectare site, is now on the market and
South East Essex Sixth Form College has unveiled plans for a £1.1 million building scheme for the new millennium - one of the biggest investments in its history. Castle Point Council is considering the planning application for a new two-storey specialist
Three people were lucky to be alive after a road smash which saw the driver undergoing emergency surgery. Ambulance crews said it was a miracle the three men were not killed after their R-registered Ford Escort slammed into an iron girder supporting a
South East Essex Sixth Form College has unveiled plans for a £1.1 million building scheme for the new millennium - one of the biggest investments in its history. Castle Point Council is considering the planning application for a new two-storey specialist
Children at Harold Hill Community School will be taking part in a pilot scheme warning about the dangers of paedophiles. The move comes in the wake of a number of attempted abductions from schools around Harold. The Metropolitan Police have previously
Kindhearted Billericay businesses have been praised for their help in a huge fundraiser for a disabled youngster. Officers at Billericay police station are busy raising funds for 14-year-old Simon Larn, of Burlington Court, Basildon. They are hoping to
A man accused of the South Ockendon pub killing has been cleared on the murder charge. Craig Wicks, 19, was freed by Chelmsford Crown Court after the prosecution offered no further evidence against him. The move followed legal submissions in his joint
Murder hunt detectives have revealed a man stabbed in a drugs feud was forced to flee for his life by smashing through a window. Omar Locke, 26, was knifed three times by a gang at a home in Cranes Court, Basildon, before he made his desperate escape
Headteachers say they would consider moving to a five-term school year after education chiefs put the idea to Prime Minister Tony Blair during his visit to Chelmsford on Tuesday. Iris Pummell, chairman of Essex County Council's education committee, has
A teenager was lucky to be alive after surviving a horrifying 30-foot fall at a railway station. The 19-year-old man suffered serious head and back injuries in the incident at Chelmsford Railway Station on Thursday night after apparently climbing on to
A multi-million pound deal which will help create thousands of jobs for Colchester is about to be signed. The Department of Health is expected to sign contracts in the next few weeks to sell its land in north Colchester - including the Severalls Hospital
IAN TUCKEY gets deep with Basildon Sub Aqua Club instructor Ken Smith You can go down under without leaving Basildon - and then, using all you have learned, explore the world's watery wonders. Sounds enticing? Many people are beginning to think so too
Blues boss Alvin Martin is desperate to recruit new players who can help the Seasiders climb back into the Third Division promotion race. German midfielder Lars Unger jetted into Roots Hall on Tuesday to try and earn a permanent contract with Southend
An 80-year-old war widow spent 14 hours on a trolley in the casualty department of Oldchurch Hospital, Romford, waiting for assessment and a bed. Now despite praising the medical staff for their "skill and care", Mrs Ruth State has condemned the conditions
Damon Cooper's half-century of points proved decisive as Southend Scorpions A moved skilfully through their English Basketball Association National Founders Cup first round clash. They took on Notre Dame, from Norwich, in the first round and pulled off
The latest vintage 'Roller" for sale at Britain's top Rolls Royce specialists in Great Easton has an unusual body and more prominent wings than its showroom compatriots - because it's a Spitfire aircraft. The 'Spit' built late in the Second World War
New Town golfers were shocked at news of the death of Basildon professional Bill Paterson. The highly-popular pro at the New Town course died in Basildon Hospital after a short illness at the age of 59. Apart from a short break, Bill served the New Town
Colchester United manager Steve Wignall - recently rated as one of the Blues' best ever managers - has resigned. According to the Essex's club's website, Wignall took the surprise step after explaining to the board that he felt he could not take the team
Fears have been expressed that the Government's new proof of age scheme will cause confusion in Great Dunmow because a similar initiative is already up and running. Dunmow councillor David Westcott, who chairs the Essex County Council community safety
Club captain RICHARD WILKINS: Everybody at the club was shocked by the gaffer's decision and as a member of the team I'm sure most of us feel guilty that we helped to force him into it. I think he's worked miracles on the limited budget he's had to work
Steve Whitton threw his hat into the ring today in a bid to become Colchester United's new manager. The post was sensationally vacated by the shock resignation of Steve Wignall - arguably the U's most successful team boss ever - yesterday afternoon. And
Spectators attending the Southend and District Jubilee Cup final at Westcliff Lawn Tennis Club received a treble treat. The weather was good for mid-January, the tennis great and the sportsmanship was excellent as Westcliff Lawn and Westcliff Hard Courts
Nationwide were due to increase their links with football by announcing a major new sponsorship programme today. The building society were expected to reveal details of deals with the England team, the Football League and the Football Conference. Nationwide
Witham Town have completed the permanent signing of prolific midfielder Mitchell Springett from Dagenham & Redbridge after he had been at Spa Road on loan for the last month. Springett is a major signing for Witham manager George Young, who has also
With injuries and illness taking hold of the club, Springfield Striders just managed to muster a team for the latest North Essex cross country fixture, at Hadleigh. The ladies squad was particularly badly hit and the bare minimum of three ladies ran for
Saturday night will see Gary 'The Hammer' Delaney in action at the Grundy Park Leisure Centre at Cheshunt. The popular former Matchroom cruiserweight will be taking on Birmingham's Mark Smallwood for the vacant WBO Intercontinental title. Delaney, a former
Chelmsford Chieftains overcame some jittery moments to eventually win Sunday's important league clash against Essex rivals, Romford Raiders. With goalkeeper, Chad Macleod, making his league debut for Chieftains and Jon Cotton and David Heavey playing
Staff at Witham railway station are celebrating after being voted best large station. A panel of judges from the First Great Eastern awards commended the station for cleanliness, information and the helpfulness of staff, voting Witham joint winner with
Maldon district has the lowest levels of crime in Essex, a new audit has shown. The audit collated official statistics from police, probation service, social services and other agencies along with a postal survey of 1,000 households in four selected wards
New Town golfers were shocked at news of the death of Basildon professional Bill Paterson. The highly-popular pro at the New Town course died in Basildon Hospital after a short illness at the age of 59. Apart from a short break, Bill served the New Town
Disused defence land in Shoebury is being looked at as a possible site for a controversial waste incinerator plant. Officials are to carry out a feasibility study of land at New Ranges - due to be sold off soon. The Shoebury land is one of several sites
A fitness fanatic is to take on a gruelling 12-mile assault course - in aid of a charity set up to help severely burnt children. Rob Kleinberg, 24, of Lord Roberts Avenue, Leigh, travels to Wolverhampton at the end of the month for the challenge, which
Council tenants in Castle Point are to face rent increases of just 1.6 per cent from April - less than the rate of inflation, it was revealed today. Borough housing chiefs have approved a rise of 89p a week on the average £53.98 weekly rent. Garage rents
Carp angler Stephen Ray has his pal Mick Goodall to thank for a super session at Basildon's Gloucester Park Lake. Stephen was in the doldrums after having his tackle stolen from his garden shed, when Mick offered to lend him his own prized tackle. Stephen
Benfleet Running Club took men's and ladies' honours when the Hadleigh Country Park leg of the Today's Runner Cross Country League was staged. Tony Mead was the overall winner of the race, having come second and third in earlier rounds. He said: "At last
A flu outbreak forced a school to abandon lessons after more than half the staff were stricken by the bug. Pupils at Templars County Infants School, in Cressing Road, Witham, were told to stay at home until Monday after their teachers fell ill with the
Jaywick is to get its own parish and parish council next year in a bid to unite the community under one banner. But the announcement sparked a furious debate with councillors split over the decision. The way for a parish council has been cleared by Deputy
Hopes that 100 jobs at Colchester's specialist Army clothing agency would remain in the town are likely to be dashed. After three years in limbo, staff at the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency, formerly known as SCREDE, may soon be told the organisation
Essex County Council's old lollipop signs could help save the lives of scores of African children killed in car crashes every year. The outdated school crossing patrol sticks are to be sent to schools built along busy main roads in the Gambia in West
Eastenders' bad boy Grant Mitchell lived up to his reputation when he visited a packed pub in Walton. Hundreds of soap fans were at the Sanctuary Bar for its official opening on Wednesday night. Actor Ross Kemp, who plays Grant, signed autographs and
Major changes are being planned for this year's Southend Carnival procession, after scores of youngsters were disappointed with the 1998 event. Following a delay on Marine Parade, the procession was very late arriving west of the pier and along the seafront
Work is due to start in the next two weeks on the next phase of the South Benfleet conservation area. Around £37,500 will be spent to continue the theme of protecting and preserving the important heritage of that part of Castle Point. The scheme includes
Residents are to be consulted again over plans for a wide range of parking restrictions in Billericay. The restrictions are designed to stamp out commuter parking in residential streets in and around the town centre and railway station. Councillors on
A man accused of the South Ockendon pub killing has been cleared on the murder charge. Craig Wicks, 19, was freed by Chelmsford Crown Court after the prosecution offered no further evidence against him. The move followed legal submissions in his joint
Outraged Ingatestone residents have vowed to fight back after finding themselves at the centre of a huge 24-hour a day operation to repair the A12. The disused Essex County Council Highways depot on the Roman Road has been transformed into a base by civil
Sportsmen and women who want to give their coach an extra special thank-you for all their hard work, still have time to nominate them for the Sports Coach of the Year Awards. Closing date for nomination forms, now available from local authority leisure
IAN TUCKEY gets deep with Basildon Sub Aqua Club instructor Ken Smith You can go down under without leaving Basildon - and then, using all you have learned, explore the world's watery wonders. Sounds enticing? Many people are beginning to think so too
Sportsmen and women who want to give their coach an extra special thank-you for all their hard work, still have time to nominate them for the Sports Coach of the Year Awards. Closing date for nomination forms, now available from local authority leisure
Southend director of social services Jane Held this week said the closure of three council-run old people's homes in the borough was going well, with no complaints from those who have been moved into privately-run homes. Here, a well-known local commentator
Major changes are being planned for this year's Southend Carnival procession, after scores of youngsters were disappointed with the 1998 event. Following a delay on Marine Parade, the procession was very late arriving west of the pier and along the seafront
A Billericay managing director has been banned from driving after he raced through a 30mph zone in his Porsche - at 106 mph. Andrew Diggory, 33, of Copford Road, was caught driving at three-and-a-half times the legal limit in Billericay Road, Herongate
A disabled woman today appealed for help to catch thieves who stole her puppy from her garden. Janet Wilson, 50, left the four-month-old Bichon Frise cross poodle at the back of her home in Cornflower Road, Jaywick, for just 15 minutes last night. The
Three people have been arrested in connection with the police investigation into the death of Omar Locke. An Essex Police spokesman said a 24-year-old man and two women, aged 20 and 19, all from the Basildon area, had been arrested. On Friday the three
Three star members of Basildon Athletic Club competing in the South of England Indoor Championships pentathlon all got among the medals. The three high-fliers were Samma Power, Lara Carty and Serina Mantle. Samma, who lives in Southend and attends Southend
Spectators attending the Southend and District Jubilee Cup final at Westcliff Lawn Tennis Club received a treble treat. The weather was good for mid-January, the tennis great and the sportsmanship was excellent as Westcliff Lawn and Westcliff Hard Courts
Nationwide were due to increase their links with football by announcing a major new sponsorship programme today. The building society were expected to reveal details of deals with the England team, the Football League and the Football Conference. Nationwide
Tourists who flock to the picture postcard village of Finchingfield at weekends have forced the parish council to consider building a new car park on green land. Traffic congestion and parking in private driveways has become such a problem in the village
A Witham woman whose car collided with a herd of deer on the A12 is calling for action to make the road safer. Sarah Hanness, 31, of Powers Hall End, was driving three friends home in the early hours of New Year's Day when six large deer ran in front
Angry parents have been left reeling after learning their children's school is failing. Special measures are needed to rescue Old Heath County Primary School from closure after an official report revealed pupils are behind in lessons. A row has split
Colchester United manager Steve Wignall - recently rated as one of the Blues' best ever managers - has resigned. According to the Essex club's website, Wignall took the surprise step after explaining to the board that he felt he could not take the team
Essex train users could soon be able to catch through services to Basingstoke, Watford and Northampton under plans unveiled by Anglia Railways. The company intends to introduce innovative new services around London between now and 2002. Details of the
A Clacton headteacher today backed Government moves to crack down on truancy - despite the extra work it will create for schools. Nick Pavitt of Colbayns High School, Clacton, said his school was running a pilot project aimed at reducing its truancy rate
David Kerridge has turned his attention Down Under to try to solve his lack of hair on top. Retired science technician Mr Kerridge, 68, started losing his crown when he was just 26. He tried a variety of treatments and potions but nothing seemed to work
With possibly their strongest line-up of the season, Chelmsford extended their lead at the top of Division One to six points with a comfortable 6-2 win over second-in-the-table Berkhamsted at Chelmer Park on Saturday. While Chelmsford never really got
Family, friends and sporting colleagues have been left saddened and stunned by the death of Martin Bawden who died suddenly on January 12, aged 43. Martin, of Cherrytree Rise, Witham, had been a leading light in the local county and national table tennis
Murder hunt detectives have revealed a man stabbed in a drugs feud was forced to flee for his life by smashing through a window. Omar Locke, 26, was knifed three times by a gang at a home in Cranes Court, Basildon, before he made his desperate escape
Former Heybridge Swifts goalkeeper, Simon Royce, fulfilled every young footballers dream on Sunday, when he made his premiership debut, for Charlton Athletic against Ruud Gullit's Newcastle United. Included in the Newcastle line-up were the likes of England
Arena Essex boss Peter Thorogood is hoping that Leigh Lanham will return to the Purfleet raceway for the 1999 season to spearhead the Hammers Premier League side. Thorogood is confident that the 21 year old will be available to don a Hammers racejacket
The selection of Chelmsford's next mayor - to serve from May 1999 to May 2000 - looks set to prove controversial. The Liberal Democrat group, which runs the borough council with a large majority, presented current deputy mayor, Cllr Mike Mackrory, to
Gary Howell, a member of the Junior section at the Brentwood Hard Court Club, won the boys' 12 and under singles title at the recent Cranbrook Castle Ratings tournament, after beating Simon Bitton from Cranbrook Castle 6-1, 6-1 in the final. The girls
What differences there were in skill levels between the two sides on Saturday were neutralised on a heavy pitch which was deemed to be just about playable when Chingford started the game playing into a strong wind. Early failure by Brentwood to take their
An Essex University professor will be lecturing next week at one of the highest-profile addresses in the country. Jonathan Gershuny, director of the Institute for Social and Economic Research, has been invited to 10 Downing Street to give the first in
Arts lovers in Ongar this week sounded a fanfare to celebrate the reprieve of the town's threatened music school. It was a triumphant finale to a vigorous campaign by the This Is Essex to save the establishment - which faced closure because of cash cuts
Residents are to be consulted again over plans for a wide range of parking restrictions in Billericay. The restrictions are designed to stamp out commuter parking in residential streets in and around the town centre and railway station. Councillors on
Plans to increase parking charges in Southend have been branded "ludicrous" by Tory councillors. They blasted the Lib-Dem and Labour council, claiming the hike would turn shoppers away from the town. Council chiefs defended the increases as part of a
It's full steam ahead for champion fundraiser Joyce Long in her attempts to raise cash for Southend Hospital. Joyce, who runs a charity shop in Thundersley, now has some old toy boats and fine oil lamps for sale. All cash will be ploughed into a fund
Colchester United are planning to move into the new millennium with their future secure in the Football League. Plans for a major new share capital in the company, raising the second division club's profile from £250,000 to £2million are to be put forward
