The Bishop of Colchester said his "thoughts and prayers" went out to the families of the dead and injured. The Rt Rev Edward Holland said: "This is a dreadful tragedy. I just feel a weariness that there seems to be no end to the violence." He added: "
Soap-loving flower fans were in for a treat at the Bocking Flower Festival. Coronation Street, EastEnders, The Bill and Songs of Praise were just some of the television programmes represented in blooms at St Mary's church over the weekend. It took major
A former sports and club complex in Braintree is up for sale for £750,000. Crittall Sports and Social Club is on the market after talks between property firm Brown Harknett International, acting for the owner, and Braintree Council broke down. The authority
Milllions of pounds are being spent at Stansted to ensure the airport is not hit by the millennium bug. British Airports Authority - which runs most of Britain's major airports - is investing £46 million to ensure normal operations at all its seven UK
Jobs will be lost in primary schools dotted across Colchester as head teachers face up to major cuts in budgets for next year. And in an unprecedented move, heads have passed a vote of no confidence in Essex County Council officers to provide necessary
A bizarre coincidence saw history repeat itself when 18-month-old Chloe Chalk locked her red-faced mum Suzanne out of their house. For at exactly the same age - almost 21 years ago to the day - Suzanne was guilty of carrying out an identical prank on
A Castle Point councillor alleged to have punched a man in the face in a row over a 160-year-old oak tree is to be quizzed by police, it was revealed today. The tree, in the garden of Peter Harris, 46, of Shepherds Walk, Hadleigh, was the subject of a
An Asian shopkeeper today spoke of his terror when three youths pelted him with stones in a racist attack. The Indian man, who has asked not to be named, was locking up his shop in Appletree Way, Wickford, when he felt something hit his neck. He turned
The search for a new manager at Clacton continues after Ian Phillips was ruled out. As revealed by This Is Essex last week, Phillips had been lined up for a management role at the club. But after officials realised the amount of time Phillips needed to
Nine players who helped Colchester United win promotion last season and kept them up this year, have been released. Paul Abrahams, Joe Dunne, Simon Betts, Scott Stamps, Tony Lock, Tony Adcock, David Rainsford, Tamer Fernandes and Nicky Haydon, have all
Braintree Rugby Club's Stewart Cornelius has scored another kind of success this week - passing his Diploma in Sports Psychology with flying colours. At 15 Stewart, who has been player of the year for the Braintree Under 16s side, is one of the youngest
The vicar who married tragic bomb blast couple Julian and Andrea Dykes spoke of the "palpable sense of sadness" that the atrocity brought to their community. The Rev David Thomas, rector of St Mary the Virgin Church in Wivenhoe, said people in the village
Neighbours of Andrea and Julian Dykes have paid tribute to the tragic couple. Rebecca King, 26, who lived close by in Taragona Mews, Colchester, said: "They were genuinely nice people and would always take time to help you out if needed." The mother-of-two
Former Lithuanian international Lorestas Trumpauskas topped the individual averages in his first season in the Chelmsford & District table tennis league with a record of 92 per cent. His was a remarkably successful season in which he also captured
A soldier who had to postpone his wedding because of the Kosovo crisis has finally got married. Clacton couple Rob Kennedy and Amelia Kent were due to tie the knot in March. However, mechanic Rob, 27, has been in Macedonia caring for some of the thousands
Before joining up with the England World Cup squad I was delighted to leave Essex on such a high note with our fabulous championship win over Warwickshire. It has given the county a tremendous lift to bring to an end a run of seven straight championship
German midfielder Lars Unger has become the first casualty of Alan Little's summer clearout, the Southend United boss revealed today. Little has decided the 26-year-old - on loan from Fortuna Dusseldorf - is surplus to requirements and will return home
Glendene Cycling Club's Richard Whitehorn was crowned Juvenile Essex Champion and the All London British Schools Cycling Association Champion on Saturday. Riding at the Eastway Circuit, East London, Richard, 15, was the first to cross the line in the
The second division promotion race has ended with Frinton Memorial B joining Red Triangle Club B in the first division despite losing their last couple of games. The first division has also been settled as far as promotion goes with Conservative Club
Harwich Amateur Boxing Club's most experienced boxer, 12-year-old Marcus Poston, travelled to Purfleet in order to take on Eltham ABC's Billy Arter. Marcus showed signs of ring rust in the opening round in this contest, his first for two months, as he
Soccer fans bathed in warm Bank Holiday sunshine at Southchurch Park as the game paid tribute to one of the greats of the local game, Malcolm Frost. He died last year after a long, brave battle against cancer and the Southend Manor club staged a football
Conquest lived up to their name when they won the Southend and District netball league division one cup final. They were up against Hockley Kestrels who matched Conquest goal for goal in the early stages of the game. However, Conquest stepped up a gear
Stunned bingo players arrived at the Gala Club in Colchester where bomb blast victims Andrea Dykes and John Light worked, unable to come to terms with the tragedy. Regulars descended on the Osborne Street club yesterday and left flowers, cards and messages
An elderly woman was rushed to hospital after she inhaled smoke from a home blaze - on the other side of her street. The woman, who has not been named, was taken to Basildon Hospital after a blaze broke out in a terrace house in Appletree Way, Wickford
Ipswich are prepared to revert to the long ball in their bid for Premiership football. Town have won plaudits all season for their attractive passing game but those tactics have managed only four points from the last 15 and only two goals. Blues boss
The distraught family of mum-to-be Andrea Dykes have told how she and husband Julian had been planning for their unborn baby's future. Stepfather Trevor Hogg, 48, and Andrea's mother, Frances, 50, were being comforted at their home in Boyles Court, Colchester
IRA bomb victim Andy Mudd has offered support to the families of those murdered in the London pub bombings. Army sergeant Andy Mudd lost both his legs nine years ago after the IRA planted a bomb under the wheel arch of his car in Colchester. Mr Mudd,
A man almost crushed to death between a 40-tonne lorry and a skip was today fighting for his life in hospital. Bernard Jennings owes his life to quick-thinking paramedics who pulled out all the stops to get him the emergency treatment he badly needed.
Welsh international Mark Bowen is set to become Colchester United manager Mick Wadsworth's first new signing for next season. And there are exciting new moves afoot for seasoned Welsh dragon Geraint Williams and teenage youth team goalkeeper Andy Walker
Tiptree Road Runners started the Bank Holiday weekend with some fine results at the Witham Half Marathons. Brigid Wallen ran an excellent personal best by four minutes to finish second lady overall and first veteran. Alan Fisher hit top form again, having
Braintree Rugby Club finished their season with the usual round of 'Sevens' matches. The seniors went to Thurrock for the B.L. Office Centre Essex Merit Table Tournament with a mixed third and fourth team. The first matches sorted out the teams going
The proud girls of Thundersley's Kingston Primary School did not shout it from the rooftops when they achieved double netball success . . . but they did the next best thing. For they faxed the sport department of This Is Essex partner paper the Evening
With the majority of motorcycle Road Race fans heading for Donnington Park for the World Superbike Round, a larger than expected contingent of Colchester enthusiasts travelled to Snetterton in Norfolk to watch their local riders in action. They certainly
Southend Wheelers notched a string of fine placings at circuit races in Eastway, London, promoted by Gravesend Cycling Club. Bob Barber was one of six riders to break clear and finish one minute ahead of the rest of the field in the veterans' 25-mile
For their last game of the season on Saturday, Heybridge made their first ever visit to Hampton with the home side needing a win to guarantee their own Ryman League Premier Division status for next season. Swifts were without Tony Adcock, who had flu
Although there is natural disappointment at not being able to celebrate their centenary season by being one of the three teams promoted to the Premier Division, Braintree can draw considerable satisfaction from finishing in a final fourth position. This
Sir Alf Ramsey's memorial service will be held in Ipswich and not London. Hundreds of senior figures from the game, including the victorious 1966 squad, will assemble in Ipswich for the service in what appears to be a calculated snub to the football establishment
Clacton Town under-16s have been robbed of a league and cup double after officials cut their season short with six games left to play. The Seasiders beat Great Wakering Rovers 1-0 with a Chris Senk goal to take the Essex County Cup but Witham have been
The Conservatives have lost their overall majority on Essex County Council after a shock resignation. Brentwood county and parish councillor Alison Enkel decided to stand down from the Conservative group - a day before she stands in the local parish elections
A man is starting a life jail sentence today for a "savage attack" on another man in a Braintree pub. John Cowland was left with a broken jaw and a mis-shapen face after he was given a severe beating by Troy Willing, 33. Chelmsford Crown Court heard how
Three Colchester families have been devastated after losing loved ones in the London pub bombing. Mum-to-be Andrea Dykes, 27, of Taragona Mews, Colchester, died instantly in the carnage of the Admiral Duncan pub on Friday night. She took the full force
The Labour party's election bandwagon hit the rails yesterday - after police seized its campaign van's number plates and launched an investigation. Red-faced Labour bosses were shopped by a rival Tory after the election van was seen parked on Canvey with
Gridlock hit Southend as day trippers flocked to the town to enjoy some seaside fun in the bank holiday sun. Motorists from across Essex and further afield poured into the town from 10am on Monday causing major traffic congestion. Cars clogged up Eastern
A man has appeared at Basildon Magistrates Court charged with murdering a neighbour. Darren Cullen, 31, of Redgrave Road, Vange, is accused of killing Leon Murphy, 20. Two other men arrested following the incident at Mr Murphy's Redgrave Road flat were
The decision to strike off a Basildon GP for serious professional misconduct against two female patients has prompted more women to come forward. Dr Karikkassery Rajan was struck off the medical register following his appearance before the General Medical
Lifelong Colchester United supporters Dawn and Roger Dicker got the result they wanted at Layer Road. The diehard fans did not want to miss the last home game of the season - and held their wedding reception at Layer Road. The football bug was passed
Eastenders stars are in Southend recording shots for a summer edition of the top soap. The summer special will feature Ricky and Bianca Butcher and Bianca's family including Robbie, Sonia and Carol Jackson. New heart throb Dan Sullivan will also be involved
A former Colchester soldier has lost his High Court battle to avoid extradition to Hong Kong. Barry Miller, 41, is to stand trial over the death of a man in a bar fight. He was based at Colchester Garrison between May 1997 and November 1998 and worked
Firefighters were today praised after leading terrified horses to safety during a farm inferno. One horse owner said many horses would have perished without the quick-thinking crews. Despite their best efforts, the blaze claimed the lives of two horses
Furious coastguards today hit out at a trickster who sent them on a wild goose chase. Emergency services launched a massive search off the Southend coast following a call from a member of the public who claimed to see a man having difficulties in the
Mark Ilott's six-wicket haul against Warwickshire at Chelmsford has boosted his chances of reaching the target set for him by Geoff Arnold, the county's bowling coach. "Before the start of the season, Geoff said he wanted 75 first-class wickets from me
With the majority of motorcycle Road Race fans heading for Donnington Park for the World Superbike Round, a larger than expected contingent of Colchester enthusiasts travelled to Snetterton in Norfolk to watch their local riders in action. They certainly
Southend United chairman John Main yesterday promised to launch a full inquiry into the Seasiders' financial demise. The Blues supremo has sold Roots Hall for £4 million to pay off the Third Division strugglers' crippling debts, but Shrimpers fans are
Crowds gathered to cheer on toy jockeys racing real sheep during a rather unusual race! The event was held at Marsh Farm, in Marsh Farm Road, South Woodham Ferrers, to raise money for charities at this year's town show. The race was run over the Bank
Burns experts at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, are helping to treat two men hurt in the bomb blast in London's Soho. The two victims, who have been identified as Gary Partridge and a man named only as Andy, suffered serious burns at the blast on Friday
Bosses of the bingo hall where three of the blast victims had worked spoke of their shock and sadness over the attack. Andrea Dykes who had worked at the club for nine years, met Julian while he was employed at the Osborne Street site during his holidays
The ninth Witham Tens Tournament for women is being held on Sunday. Although Witham Rugby Club no longer has a women's team - Witham Amazons disbanded in 1996 after seven years but were the first women's team to form in north and mid-Essex in 1990 - the
Sunday saw Burnham Rugby Club take a squad of 10 players comprising of Barclay, Bennett, Doddings, Earing, Edwards, Hart, Kelly, Morris, Tonbridge and captain of the squad Terry Wilson to the BL Sevens Tournament at Thurrock. The first game was a close
Campaigners calling for the most dominant building on Colchester's skyline to be bought for public use have presented the town's mayor with a petition. The Save Jumbo for Colchester Campaign gave David Cannon the petition with more than 1,000 signatures
Students are facing an anxious wait - after vital papers went missing. Up to 15 students at the Harwich and Clacton centres of the Tendring Adult Community College took exams in accounts and databases. They were studying under the newly-formed Oxford,
A businessman has launched a project to buy a waterfront site in Brightlingsea to preserve it for public use. Retired sailmaker Jim Lawrence hopes to raise the funds to buy the former James and Stone shipyard site to turn into parkland for the town. Mr
Councillors today defended their decision to give the thumbs up to a tattoo and body piercing parlour opposite a South Woodham Ferrers school. Chairman of the development control sub-committee Christine Rycroft, speaking after last night's meeting, said
Shoebury Conservative councillor Tony North is to be Southend's next mayor. Deputy headteacher Mr North, of Church Road, Shoebury, will be the first mayor appointed under a new convention signed by the three major political parties. Council leader Liberal
A retired Methodist minister leading the campaign against a controversial teenage village today claimed a spate of vandalism on the site proved it was unsuitable. Castle Point's crime prevention officer, PC Gordon Sinclair, put forward the site on the
Basildon angler Paul Dale is riding high after landing a superb 24lb mirror carp at Billericay's Lake Meadows. Paul's cracking fish was the best taken during a week which saw numerous big fish landed at the venue. Paul Dale displays his personal best
Essex County Cricket Club have admitted that they would like to move from their current Chelmsford headquarters - to boost their hopes of staging top England games. Although the county have no firm plans to switch at present, they do have a potential
A £4,000 cheque bound for Harwich Labour MP Ivan Henderson today found its way to the offices of the Harwich Constituency Conservative Association. Surprised workers at the Tory office in Station Road, Clacton, could hardly believe their eyes when they
Bowers United's bid to complete a clean sweep of all three Schweppes Essex Senior League trophies ended in glorious failure on Monday. Having clinched the championship on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Saffron Walden at Crown Avenue, to add to the League
