A woman plagued by a catalogue of disasters has now lost her passport - days before she was due to go on holiday. Sue Robertson, 32, of Burdett Avenue, Westcliff, may not be able to take her children away on a holiday of a lifetime. It is just the latest
Newly-weds Phil and Jill Wyndham were stunned to find a surprise guest mingling at their wedding - their horse Ned. The horse-lovers were stunned when the 18-year-old animal arrived at the church to see the pair tie the knot. The wedding surprise had
A group of Billericay archaeologists hopes to shed new light on the town's past - thanks to an anonymous £10,000 donation. Finds from digs more than 20 years ago are due for expert analysis - the results should reveal the extent of the Roman occupation
Following hot on the heels of their Ladies recent divisional win, Braintree Tennis Club's Mixed B team also have cause for celebration after they travelled to Castle Hedingham to play their last fixture of the season -- a postponement from the night that
At the Essex County Championship Marathon in Basildon on Sunday, Tiptree Road Runners' Alan Fisher ran through midday heat which hit the 80s to win the race with a fantastic time of 2.44.22 on a testing course. The two-lap course took runners over the
Restoration work on Canvey's seafront may grind to a halt because of a shortage of funds, it emerged yesterday. Canvey 2000, the group behind a major transformation of the area, is now down to its last £5,000. Nearly £100,000 has already been pumped into
From running nightclubs to making videos - JANE O'CONNELL finds out why life has never been happier for the multi-talented Keith Bonsor Three years ago nightclub entrepreneur Keith Bonsor had a change. Of life. He quit his job as manager of the lucrative
A group of Billericay archaeologists hopes to shed new light on the town's past - thanks to an anonymous £10,000 donation. Finds from digs more than 20 years ago are due for expert analysis - the results should reveal the extent of the Roman occupation
Two schoolchildren were today recovering after separate road accidents at the start of the new term. Luke Shepherd, 11, of Shoebury suffered leg injuries after apparently falling under the wheels of a double decker bus at the junction of Ashingdon Road
Doddinghurst fireman Jonathan Green is the toast of the town this week after becoming Britain's biggest gameshow winner. Millions of viewers were glued to their TV screens on Saturday to watch the father-of-four scoop a staggering £250,000 on the Chris
A 21-year-old man accused of murdering his mother has appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court. Jonathon Neale is alleged to have killed 52-year-old Rosemary Neale at his flat in St Peter's Street last Thursday lunchtime. Mrs Neale was found at the flat
A major probe into an Essex children's home at the centre of abuse allegations has contributed to a £6.5m social services overspend. The investigation into the home - believed to be the biggest of its kind ever in this country - has so far cost £3 million
Pace bowler Jamie Grove, released by Essex two weeks ago, has been snapped up by Somerset. The 20-year-old former England Under-19 and Colchester and East Essex right-armer has signed a new two-year contract with the West Country club, starting from next
Leeds United's England Under-21 defender Paul Shepherd could be on his way to Colchester United. And there was a reserve team trial yesterday for former Spurs, Portsmouth and England Youth striker Robbie Simpson and ex-Norwich City and West Ham full-back
ALEX MORROWSMITH recalls the life of David Jack, famous manager of Southend United in the years between two world wars David Bone Nightingale Jack, 1899-1958, Captain of England, FACup & League Championship Winner, scorer of the first goal at Wembley
A teenager faces being excluded from school for refusing to remove an eyebrow piercing. Dina Collier had her eyebrow pierced two weeks before returning to Colchester's St Helena School after the summer holiday. But the 13-year-old and about six other
Workplace parking charges have been put on ice by Colchester councillors. The suggestion of charging motorists to park at work to help pay for Colchester's future transport needs will be now held in abeyance pending clarification from the Government.
Southend Council will be run by a full-time leader and a cabinet of seven "super" councillors dictating policy from secret meetings, it was claimed today. Tory leader Charles Latham fired his warning shots after a package of wide-ranging reforms of key
Vandals have sawn down a 15ft cedar tree in the gardens of Leigh library - the latest in a series of attacks. The tree was planted more than ten years ago, and those responsible were today condemned by Southend Council. Leisure services' recreation officer
BILLERICAY I....................................263-9 dec HAINAULT & CLAYHALL I..........205 all out (Billericay won by 58 runs) (Shepherd Neame Essex League) Billericay's last home league fixture of the season resulted in a fine victory over Hainault
A knife-wielding drunk terrorised an off-licence assistant in his quest for free beer before escaping with nothing on Saturday night. He produced the knife from his camouflage trousers after the assistant refused his request for credit at Whitchurch Wines
Essex staged a superb recovery to enter the second day of their Championship clash against Worcestershire at Chelmsford today with honours even. They were due to resume on 10-1 in reply to a visiting total of 308 - and that's a position they were glad
Colchester United's former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international David Greene is ready to pledge his future to the Layer Road club. A delighted U's boss Steve Whitton revealed today his 25-year-old former Luton and Brentford central defender was
Essex all-rounder Ronnie Irani has been selected as part of the England A squad touring Bangladesh - and he may yet join the test squad in South Africa. The popular Essex all-rounder has experienced the highs and lows of emotion in the past three weeks
HAROLD PARK...............................139-5 REDBRIDGE PARKS.......................139-5 (Match drawn) (Friendly) Redbridge Parks were Harold Park's visitors on Saturday and they returned home having somehow managed to make a draw of a match they should
HUTTON I.....................................180 all out ONGAR I........................................137 all out (Hutton won by 43 runs) (Shepherd Neame Essex League Division Three) Hutton entered Saturday's match looking for the victory which would
A junior football club formed just 20 months ago has won a major tournament - after finishing runners-up in another prestigious event. Thunderfleet Rovers under-nines hit 20 goals without reply in their six-game route to victory in a seven-a-side competition
Clearview men's second team playing in the Essex Singles league recorded a 4-2 win over Langdon Park to retain their unbeaten record this season. Only their No 1 player Matthew Kennison failed to win a singles win. Sean McPhee, John Stringer and John
Billericay racing driver, Matt Davies made the best of a weekend of car problems to charge into the points in the British Formula 3 Championship round at Donington last weekend. Davies managed to haul his Fortec Motorsport Dallara-Mugen Honda from a lowly
Starting next Monday (September 13), and continuing for a month, during the grand opening of Crondon Park Golf Club's new teaching academy, readers have the opportunity to have a personal one-to-one video lesson with Greg Norman. Using the very latest
Essex are currently engaged in their penultimate County Championship match of the season as they meet Worcestershire at the County Ground, Chelmsford. This game and the final match which starts next Wednesday at Trent Bridge against Nottinghamshire are
The annual Arakliti Crystal Golf Tournament will be held on Friday week at the Essex Golf Club, Garon's Park, in memory of Michael Arakliti, who died last year. Organisers had spoken with Michael regarding his wishes before his death and he asked that
A troubled housing estate could have a brighter future thanks to people power. The rift between residents and youths living in the Humber Road estate in Witham, has led to years of confrontations but now community spirit is fighting back. In recent months
Suspected arsonists caused thousands of pounds of damage to a hotel and two cars today. It is believed the firestarters set light to a car in Marine Parade East, Clacton, in the early hours of the morning. Fire spread to another car and on to the Grand
A leading seafront trader has been warned by magistrates he could be jailed for attacking a DJ. Kevin Chinnery, owner of Chinnery's pub and the Jack of Clubs nightclub, denied hitting out at student and DJ Robert Watson when he ignored requests to turn
Essex folk may be sweltering, but the butterflies in Hockley Woods are enjoying the late summer. The hot weather has encouraged the rare heath fritillary butterfly to hatch a second time this summer, something unheard of among butterfly fanatics. Patrick
Triplets who were never expected to live to see their first birthdays were today preparing to draw their pensions. Pam Peckover and John and Gerald Budgen celebrated their 65th birthdays with a special family meal at Lodge Country Inn in Battlesbridge
A 30-year-old man stands accused of ten gruesome rapes - and of inviting his brothers to join in the abuse. Thomas O'Connor's 29-year-old alleged victim claimed she was repeatedly raped by him - then sexually assaulted by his three brothers. The divorcee
An inventor from North Weald has won influential recognition for a new device he has designed for the DIY market. A drilling tool accessory conceived by Richard Smith, who operates from Basset Business Centre in the village, has been granted Millennium
A student who claims he was attacked by Southend publican Kevin Chinnery as he DJ-ed in a seafront club has said he was left crying, shaking and bleeding. Robert Watson, who was one of three DJs at the private farewell party, admits he played one record
Confused council chiefs still do not know why a lottery cash bid for the Cliffs Pavilion was refused - two months after the controversial decision. The Arts Council has still not given any reasons for refusing to even consider granting matchfunding to
A ambitious scheme to turn methane gas at Pitsea's landfill site into enough power to supply 12,000 homes is close to getting off the ground. Plans are afoot to turn the pongs from the tip into electricity that will be routed directly into the national
A teacher has been jailed for a series of indecent assaults on two girl pupils. Chelmsford Crown Court was told on Tuesday that Paul Hilton's behaviour left the teenagers devastated. They have both tried to kill themselves. Hilton, 54, was head of art
A policeman has lost his job after he made obscene telephone calls to his neighbours. Eric Doherty, 40, terrorised his Langdon Hills neighbour with calls which were of an explicit sexual nature. Victim Gill Hazlewood, who did not know who was making the
The new boss of Essex Rivers NHS Trust has told of his plans to guarantee the future of services at Clacton and Harwich hospitals. And he revealed yesterday that if the Trust's board accepts his proposals, to be put forward next week, no services would
Walton is set to lose its only bank. Barclays Bank is planning to close its branch in High Street on November 12 as part a nationwide policy. The bank is looking at closing around 50 branches across the UK. It is believed the closure will not result in
Blues' assistant boss Mick Gooding rated Neil Campbell as "at least another game away from fitness" after the bustling target-man enjoyed a brief but hectic comeback. Substitute Campbell's 18-minute role in Southend United reserves' fluctuating Football
Police are hunting a knifeman who violently stabbed a man in Colchester's Castle Park. The victim, a 27-year-old Colchester man, was yesterday recovering in hospital with serious head injuries. Police sealed off an area of the park near the bandstand
A company is still using part of a Colchester factory it closed down - and not paying a penny in taxes. A portion of the former Colchester Lathe Company building has been used by its parent company for administration offices, without paying any business
It proved quite a day for Amy Blackwell in the Colchester and District Individual Tennis finals held at Frinton. She won four of the titles at stake on Saturday including a walkover in the girls under 16 singles against her doubles partner Lauren Thompson
Heybridge Swifts are to play Stamford or Congleton Town in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup - if they beat Romford on September 18. The area's other surviving non-league side, Witham Town, face a trip to Chesham United or Baldock Town, if they
With the end of Burnham Week and many of the Burnham players committed to sailing it was decided to field a mixed side for the remaining players on Saturday and although the players came from the three sides of last season they seemed to gel well. From
Vandals carved obscene words into the paintwork of a dark green Ford Fiesta parked in Nicholson Grove, Wickford. The damage will cost about £100 to repair. Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost
Yobs threw a plank of wood through the window of a Wickford firm, causing £500 of damage. They struck at Wernick and Sons Ltd, a company which makes prefabricated mobile buildings, in Russell Gardens. Among the goods damaged were windows and doors. Converted
Budding Basildon youngsters are being offered the rare chance to perform on a West End stage and raise thousands for charity. Born To Perform, a Pitsea-based organisation, is holding auditions on Sunday to find the cast for a production planned at the
Police are hunting a knifeman who violently stabbed a man in Colchester's Castle Park. The victim, a 27-year-old Colchester man, was yesterday recovering in hospital with serious head injuries. Police sealed off an area of the park near the bandstand
Two families have been made homeless after a massive fire ripped through a row of historic cottages on Canvey. More than 55 firefighters battled for almost three hours to control the blaze as it threatened to engulf the homes, more than a century old.
A group of Billericay archaeologists hopes to shed new light on the town's past - thanks to an anonymous £10,000 donation. Finds from digs more than 20 years ago are due for expert analysis - the results should reveal the extent of the Roman occupation
The countdown continues for the biggest and best event in town, the 13th annual Brentwood Town and Country Show, which organisers say promises to be the best yet. And now five lucky readers can win family passes to the show, which will be held at the
A businessman had his drink-drive ban overturned after an Old Bailey judge accepted his friend had spiked his orange juice with vodka to "cheer him up". Now the decision could set a precedent in drink drive law after Daniel Hart, 51, of Aylsham Lane,
A revolutionary scheme enabling patients to book their own appointments and operations directly with hospitals is to be piloted at Basildon Hospital. The two year IMPACT (Improving Patient Access, Convenience and Treatment) project will see £370,000 of
Braintree and District Athletic Club's Senior Men's team completed their season of six fixtures in Southern League division three with their final match, at High Wycombe. There was a season's record turnout of 17 athletes for this fixture in which success
Stuart Law is still in talks with Essex that will hopefully lead to him parading his rich talents with the county again next summer. "I want to return but nothing is signed and sealed yet," said the Aussie run machine on Tuesday. "We are still in discussions
The body of a man killed in a road accident lay hidden in a ditch for 33 hours before police and fire crews managed to locate it, an inquest heard. Graham Smith, 24, was thrown through the windscreen into a water-filled ditch on the A134 at Great Whelnetham
Gipsies have made a no-nuisance pledge to concerned residents after setting up camp in a field near Colchester. About 25 caravans and mobile homes moved on to the field yesterday through a fence which had been broken at a turning point on the A12 sliproad
A top slimmer from Toot Hill was inspired to lose six stone in just over a year when she had a dose of the Bathtime Blues. For 43-year-old Lesley White lost enough weight to become a slimmer of the year after she had difficulty getting in and out of the
Central Essex Bowling Club elect a new Mens Club Captain annually. During his term of office one day of the year is set aside and known as Captain's Day. This year it is David Palmer's Day and it was celebrated at the weekend rather like a bowls social
Brentwood cruiserweight Garry Delaney faced Lincoln's Lee Swaby at York Hall, Bethnal Green on Saturday evening, beating his man on points over eight rounds. "It wasn't a brilliant performance," admitted Delaney afterwards, "but at least I did the job
In a heatwave, Brentwood got their season off to a fine start on Saturday against their near neighbours and last season's Tetley Vase winners, Billericay. Billericay, no strangers to the playing pitch which they borrowed on several occasions last season
Thetime triallists of the Shaftesbury Cycling Club were out in force at the weekend and 'super veteran' Terry Anderson has taken the lion's share of the awards. On Saturday, Anderson and Tony Hanlon travelled to the super fast ten miles course situated
It was again a case of youth to the fore when Southend Athletic Club staged their final Southern Women's League meeting of the season. For it was the under-15 section which collected most of the victories on the day with Sandeep Brar (4.59m), and Kristina
Five members of Thundersley's Stock Shotokan Karate Club made the grade when they went for their black belts at Crystal Palace. Forty people took their grading at the London venue, but only ten passed - and five of them came from the club which meets
An outspoken councillor has landed himself in hot water with a jibe about Hitler. Former wartime commando Roy Smith was speaking during a row over an official delegation to Tendring's twin town of Biberach in Germany. He claimed it ought to be made up
Health and safety inspectors have today said they are satisfied that carbon monoxide had not leaked at a holiday park. Today Tom Cassidy, of the the Orchards Holiday Village parent group Bourne Leisure, said he was "delighted" with the all-clear. He said
A grieving dad today vowed to continue his fight against a ruling stopping him from planting flowers on his son's grave. Tony Tatam's pledge came after he failed in his attempt to claim cash from Great Cornard Parish Council which removed flowers from
Experts were today working alongside the owners of a row of historic cottages as the task of restoring them after a fierce blaze got under way. Two cottages were gutted and several others damaged when a fire ripped through Coastguard Cottages in Haven
A Stondon Massey family say they are at breaking point after suffering what they claim is a campaign of vandalism. Jon and Kay Randall, who live in the Clapgate area, in Chivers Road, say they have had their fences pulled down, windows smashed and telephone
A millennium makeover for Southend should be a priority. That was the reaction of councillors considering the results from a Mori poll on improving the quality of life in the town. If weeds growing in the pavement cracks, graffiti and dog fouling are
History buffs are being given a sneak preview of the new Discovery Centre at the Central Museum in Southend. Until September 24, visitors have the opportunity to try out exciting new computers and video microscopes at the centre, funded by the Millennium
Kind-hearted villagers have raised a quarter of the £40,000 they plan to donate to charity through their millennium project. Little Burstead folk boosted their funds with a fun day at the weekend and are on course to meet their mammoth target by the end
Residents of Canvey have been finding out more about the work of the Salvation Army. The Canvey Corps held an awareness day in the Knightswick Shopping Centre in Furtherwick Road to showcase its work. It invited the Mayor of Castle Point, Tony Hurd, along
A new drive to improve health services in the Ongar area may be held up because local doctors are not sure they want to take part. The GPs, based at the Banson's Lane practice, are locked in talks with local health chiefs after the town was chosen for
