It is a fresh start for the U's at Layer Road tonight (Friday) as they aim to kill a demon. Colchester United entertain York City with new manager Mick Wadsworth taking charge of team affairs for the first time. And the players are hoping they can put
A stunning performance from Robert Stannard earned him well-deserved success in the Handicapped Singles Tournament, organised by the Clacton and District Table Tennis League. Utilising his usual mixture of loops, flat hits and tricky serves, and combining
Lexden Squash Club tournament professional Lee Drew has qualified for the main draw for the National Squash Championship. In the second round he had a comfortable victory over Brendan Hickerman with a three games to nil win. Drew had a walkover in the
Darts was the winner at this year's championships at the Ford Sports & Social Club, Romford, with a maximum capacity of 354 entrants to the Singles Championship and 133 Pair entries. County secretary Keith Porter said that he had to turn away over
The Stan Berry Cup final brought the Hammers to battle with the brace of pistols. Once again, in an exciting game played to a very high standard, the brace were edged out 7-4 by the Hammers. This included numerous high starts and finishes including a
Stonyhill Bowls Club's Beryl Hope has scored a hat-trick of successes in recent matches. Firstly she booked her place in the zone final of the Champion of Champions when she beat Southend's Maureen Goodman. It was a closely contested match with Maureen
Meet Mr and Mrs Lollipop - a couple who reckon they've got the road safety problem well and truly licked! Both Lil Coombes and her husband Terry are crossing patrol people in Rayleigh and have become a friendly and familiar sight outside the area's schools
A Russian opera company who dug themselves out of a Romanian avalanche made it to a Cliffs Pavilion performance - with just hours to spare. The entire company had been trapped in a remote pass and had to use their bare hands to free themselves. The Southend
Chelmsford is hoping to become Britain's millennium city. The award of city status to the 800-year-old town a year after its birthday celebrations in 1999, would be fitting recognition of its importance. After past rejections -- the latest in 1992, when
A man was attacked around the head with a hammer as he slept at his home. The victim, who has not been named but is in his 30s, was in bed in the ground floor flat in Wellesley Road, Clacton. Acting Det Sgt Del Smith said the attacker got into the premises
Friends of a south Essex man arrested in Australia carrying more than £5 million of heroin today backed claims he was an unwitting courier. Paul Burchill, 20, from Sandhill Road, Eastwood, was arrested by customs officials at Brisbane Airport after 13.4kg
An Essex baby has died of what is believed to be the world's first case of a unique defect. Jacob Morton was born with a chromosome missing - the first recorded case in the world according to top medical experts - and died when he was six months old.
Shenfield's Mariette Mason was among five Essex fencers who emerged triumphant from the weekend's Eastern Region Championships held at Anglia Polytechnic University in Chelmsford. Mariette, who fences for the Wickford Club, proved herself the best all
Two Ipswich players have been picked for the full England squad. Kieron Dyer joins Richard Wright at senior level for the friendly against France at Wembley, next week. Wright was selected for the friendly against Czech Republic last month and enjoyed
Colchester United's new boss Mick Wadsworth will be looking for his players to "fill their boots" when the U's entertain York City and Wigan Athletic in their next two games. The games against the Minstermen and The Latics are both at home on successive
A father-of-two died after his hire car was hit by a lorry during a holiday to Florida, an inquest heard. Mark Leek and his wife Brenda were waiting in a queue of cars at a set of traffic lights on their way from Key Largo to Orlando. The inquest heard
Southend Pier was today set for a major cash injection as part of a £6.5 million council spending spree. Councillors were poised to pump an extra £224,000 into the landmark's refurbishment fund. The Palace Theatre has also won £56,000 for an overhaul
A Leigh florist was today enjoying the sweet smell of success as runner-up in the first round of Interflora's prestigious Florist of the Year 2000 competition. Belinda Price, who runs Belinda Jane's Florist, in London Road, impressed judges with her hand-tied
The teambuilding plans of Arena Essex co-promoter and team manager, Peter Thorogood, have been thrown into disarray. Following in the wake of the want-away plea by skipper Colin White, Dane and Arena stalwart, Jan Pedersen, has also indicated that he
Cheers at last for Southend! The London League One side will briefly cast aside their on-pitch woes before Saturday's home match with Woodford when they unveil a colourful new sponsorship deal with the seaside town's Yates's Wine Lodge. Fourteen flags
Southend United travel up to Yorkshire to take on Rotherham on Saturday still searching for their first win away from Roots Hall in 1999. However, the men from Millmoor will be hoping to bypass the challenge of the Shrimpers as they continue to push for
After an impressive first half display in Northamptonshire on Saturday, City lost the plot a little in the second half and allowed the home side to fight back for a share of the spoils which was probably justified over the whole 90 minutes with a draw
Essex's Julie Pratt, the World Junior 100 metres hurdle champion, produced one of the best runs of her career to win a silver medal in the 60m hurdles at the AAA indoor championships at the NIA, in Birmingham, on Sunday. The Chelmsford Athlete's 8.37,
The long-running battle for Birch footpath has finally ended as highway bosses today revealed building work will begin in days - a year after work was first set to go ahead. Worried residents have waged a 40-year campaign to have the walkway installed
A husband and wife who have been in charge of a pub for 25 years are to pull their last pints. Roy and Marian Nunn, licensees of the Swan Hotel in High Street, Maldon, are retiring because Roy is ill. The couple, both 61, will be moving to their other
Colchester's Advantage Card has been given a major revamp to take it into the millennium. The innovative discount scheme was launched in 1996 in a bid to encourage more people to pay their council tax bill by direct debit or a one-off lump sum payment
Hand, foot and mouth disease has broken out at a Basildon infant school - affecting just one child so far. The disease, not to be confused with foot and mouth in animals, is most common among young children and causes blisters on the palms of the the
Mens international tennis returns to Essex next week with the David Lloyd Centre in Chigwell hosting a satellite tournament. Up-and-coming players from around the world will join up with British hopefuls chasing world ranking points and hoping to progress
Police investigating a spate of shed and garage burglaries have made an arrest -- thanks to a minute sample of DNA evidence. They have also recovered a host of tools and other items which they believe were the proceeds of other burglaries in Corringham
A fractured gas main in Chelmsford yesterday forced the closure of two roads and the evacuation of a nearby school. An Essex Police spokesman said police, gas workers and the fire brigade were in attendance after a gas main fractured at about 2.45pm on
Billericay made the journey to Southwold a worthwhile one by winning convincingly and scoring 13 tries in the process but with the disappointment of allowing their opposition two weak tries. Centre Nick Glister led the way after just five minutes by collecting
Tony Bottrell (12) narrowly pipped Dave Topley (8) to take Division One honours in the Hanover Regency Course medal. With competitions being played on a Stableford basis due to the wet conditions, Bottrell's total of 40 gave him victory by one point.
Leopards returned to Brentwood for the fourth time this season on Wednesday to face difficult opposition in the form of Edinburgh Rocks. The Scottish team had recently beaten Budweiser League championship favourites, Manchester Giants. Leopards, who did
A soldier has been jailed for three years for subjecting a teenager to a frightening sexual ordeal. Charles Murray followed the 15-year-old in his car then grabbed her, dragged her across the road into a car port and tried to rape her. The teenager shouted
A nine-year-old blind girl is bringing venues across Essex to a standstill - after being discovered by accident singing karaoke. Justine Mears, of Pitsea, was taken on a special Christmas treat by her singing teacher to the Haven Crest Country Club, Corringham
The solicitor of the young backpacker allegedly caught with Australia's biggest ever haul of heroin said yesterday asking for bail would be his top priority. Robert Burns said that due to the serious nature of the charge, Paul Burchill could be at risk
A 14-year-old Basildon boy has died of meningitis. The boy, who attended The Appleton School in Croft Road, Benfleet, was taken to Basildon Hospital after falling ill on Tuesday night. Head teacher, Guy Naylor, spoke after his death on Wednesday. He said
A distraught father told of his family's distress as his son sat in an Australian prison accused of being involved in the country's biggest heroin seizure. Paul Burchill, son of Ian Burchill - Castle Point's planning director - was found with more than
The proposed £200m second stage expansion of Stansted Airport will not be opposed by Essex County Council. But the county's planning committee said last Friday it is concerned about the environmental impact. Members are urging Uttlesford Council to seek
A man who won the lottery was today jailed for two years for wrecking his marital home. Eric Lacomte, of Lower Park Road, Brightlingsea, scooped £400,000 in the national lottery in June 1995, Colchester County Court heard on Friday. The hearing was told
Friends of Mitchell Kemp, the 14-year-old Basildon boy who died of meningitis, have been remembering him with flowers. Mitchell, who attended the Appleton School, in Croft Road, Benfleet, died in Basildon Hospital on Wednesday, only hours after falling
Chelmsford Canoe Club's Slade Warne and Paul Anderson are off across the world to represent Great Britain in the World Whitewater Championships which start this week in New Zealand. Paul flew out yesterday and Slade follows in two days to take on the
Although it finished goalless, Tuesday's match between lowly Witham and leaders Bedford was a thrilling affair, Witham thoroughly deserving the point that moved them two places up the table. Both goalkeepers were busy throughout the match as the game
A man was left shocked and in pain after he was attacked while walking his dog in Colchester. The man, in his 40s, had just turned into Boadicea Way, Shrub End, from Layer Road at 5.30pm on Wednesday evening when the attempted robbery took place. He was
Fed-up residents are threatening a backlash against drivers who are turning Kelvedon into a free-for-all car park. They claim streets are at bursting point because rail commuters are refusing to pay to park at the railway station. One angry resident has
Darren Page thought it was a case of school's out for ever when he finished his A-levels at Braintree's Alec Hunter school. But six years later he's back in his old classroom - after qualifying as a teacher. He admitted rubbing shoulders professionally
A primary school was evacuated in mid-Essex after building contractors hit a gas mains pipe. New Bowers Way and Pump Lane in Chelmsford were closed off for two hours after the incident on Thursday afternoon, minutes before children at nearby schools were
A caring schoolgirl is to take the plunge to raise cash for people suffering from a disease which has affected her mother. Gemma Wagner, 11, a pupil at Clacton County High School, will be joined by friends and classmates in a sponsored swim for the Huntington's
As the weather forecast for the weekend was good, it was decided to change Braintree Sea Angling Club's match from a beach to a boat venue. Felixstowe was the venue chosen and it proved to be the right choice as sea conditions were slight and visibility
Southend United's assistant manager Mick Gooding aims to turn back the clock 20-years onb Saturday by pushing Blues to victory against his first league club Rotherham. The Shrimpers' veteran midfielder made his debut for the Millers in 1979 and went on
Fit-again high jumper Tyrone Peacock has spoken excitedly of his new "miracle worker" coach - after he bounced back to come second in England's AAA indoor championships. Tyrone, 22, a South African, lives in Rayleigh with his south Essex wife Julie, an
This season's third Mid-Essex Cross Country League match took place on Sunday at Little Baddow. Tthe Ridge Runners based at Riffhams Chase hosted the event which followed approximately 4 .25 miles of bridle paths around Woodham Walter Common and Twitty
Chelmsford Chieftains inflicted only the second home defeat on Blackburn Hawks on Saturday and in doing so extended their own winning run to five games. Chieftains, with new signing Brian McLaughlin making his debut, came from 2-1 down to win and put
Chelmsford registered their fifth consecutive Division One victory on Sunday when they despatched visitors Oxford Hawks 4-1. Chelmsford, sponsored by Teakglobe Trading Limited, were always in command and opened the scoring in the tenth minute. Abdul Khalik
Steve Murray, Harlow's exciting young lightweight, showed why his promoter, Frank Warren, thinks so highly of him when he delivered another comprehensive victory on Saturday evening. Making his fourth professional appearance, the previous being only seven
Essex Bowlers recently played the second match of their Eastern Counties League programme against Suffolk County IBA. The match, played on a home and away basis, was won comfortably by Essex who led from the start, and the final score was 190 shots to
FRUSTRATION I'm sorry. George Young has apologised to Witham fans and committee after seeing red for the third time this season. Young faces a lengthy touchline ban after being sent from the dug out during their goalless draw with leaders Bedford. A contrite
It is the return of the conquering hero as Matt Holland goes back to his birthplace Bury on the verge of being an Irish international. Ipswich go to Bury on Saturday in search of three valuable promotion points while Holland faces a family reunion and
Brightlingsea will be looking for victory in their East Counties Division Four home tie against Norwich Union on Saturday, a victory that would almost certainly seal promotion, according to club chairman Colin Gould. Skipper and flanker Adam Brown will
It's derby day in north Essex on Saturday in the Essex Women's League when arch rivals Colchester and Clacton clash at Colchester Leisureworld (11am start). But the teams, placed fourth and seventh respectively in the Premier Division, have had fluctuating
Great Wakering Rovers, yet to finish on the winning side since returning to action for the first time in 1999 in the middle of last week, badly need to end their barren spell on Saturday. After a lengthy period without play due to the wet weather, Rovers
It needed a moment of inspiration from someone to break the deadlock in this unusual mediocre local derby at Ship Lane on Monday evening. Unfortunately for the City fans in the meagre 355 crowd it came from the wrong side. In a game that really had a
The Thaxted-based Barnard family made a repeat journey to Ampton on Saturday in order to retain the silverware that has graced their mantlepiece for the last 12 months. A year ago Hannah Barnard landed the Ladies Open race at the Suffolk fixture aboard
Teenager Danielle Peacock, who flouted the rules by dyeing her hair plum-coloured, was today back at school - but her mum insists she has not changed her locks. The 14-year-old was told by Furtherwick Park School on Canvey that she must either wash out
A pyjama-clad man was killed accidentally when he was hit by two cars as he tried to cross a major road. Homeless Colin Harding, 51, died instantly from multiple injuries, an inquest heard. He had been evicted from his flat in London days before his death
Sainsbury's today announced its Pitsea store is to close because of increasing competition from other supermarkets in the area. The store will close its doors on May 1 after trying desperately to attract more customers. Sainsbury's plans to provide a
A family doctor took his own life rather than face the humiliation of standing trial for indecently assaulting patients. Dr Gamesh Malvankar, 55, hanged himself in his Tilbury surgery four days before he was due to face eight charges of indecent assault
Detectives have launched an arson probe following a petrol bomb attack on a Colchester house. Officers spoke with the victims and carried out door-to-door inquiries in Ipswich Road after Thursday night's attack. They appealed for witnesses to the incident
A Hockley school today became the first in Essex to introduce a new five term year. Pupils at the Greensward School will begin the new learning structure of five eight week terms from January 2000 after the move was approved by the school's governing
Grief-stricken mourners have accused Chelmsford Borough Council of heartlesslness. The council is enforcing a bylaw which bans more than two flowerpots from being placed beside gravestones at the town's cemetery. Under strict rules wind chimes, artificial
The Burnham and District League Individual Closed Championships will be held on Saturday and Sunday March 20 and 21 1999 at Tiptree. This is a reminder to everybody that the entry forms (in middle of hand book) must be sent to Keith Mays by February 12
A pensioner feared to be close to death after developing a devastating asbestos-related cancer has won £87,500 compensation. Edward Ding, 68, of Toppesfield Avenue, Wickford, received the money in an out-of-court settlement from the London Co-operative
A pensioner celebrating her 78th birthday with her husband had a lucky escape after a freak road accident on the A13 at Orsett. An Essex Police spokesman said the woman and her 79-year-old husband, who have not been named, were driving from their home
Fresh talks aimed at safeguarding the future of the Palace Theatre in Southend were today hailed a major success. Jubilant MP David Amess emerged from the two-hour meeting with the Eastern Arts Board with new hopes of keeping the venue alive. He said
TOM KING meets ex-docker Les Reynolds, MBE, honoured for many achievements - but not all of them... The walls of Les Reynolds home in Chadwell St Mary are lined with pictures of Sir Winston Churchill. "A giant of a man," says Les. It takes one to know
