Archive

  • Essex: Flying paramedic lands part in TV documentary

    These impressive biceps will soon be appearing on thousands of TV screens instead of just in the gym at Hawkwell's Clements Hall Leisure Centre. Steve Mowle, paramedic with Rayleigh ambulance station and Essex Air Ambulance, was at full stretch for a

  • Colchester: Royal London stays put after takeover

    Royal London's boss yesterday pledged its Colchester site will remain a vital part of the company when it buys out another insurance firm. The Colchester-based insurance company has launched an agreed £1.5 billion takeover for United Assurance. The deal

  • Soccer: Wright plays waiting game

    Ipswich Town goalkeeper Richard Wright must sit and wait to see if he will make his England debut against Argentina tonight. Wright - the only Nationwide League player in the squad - missed out on a starting place to Arsenal's David Seaman when boss Kevin

  • Wickford: Clampdown on car wash boss

    Legal action will be taken against the owner of a popular car wash firm if he continues to trade this weekend. Basildon Council says it will begin proceedings if Mark Kinsman refuses to comply with an order to clear his Wickford site. But Mr Kinsman,

  • Colchester: Buyout hope for Paxman

    The future of one of Colchester's biggest employers looks set to be secured after a German buyout. Paxman Diesels is in the process of being bought by the German MAN group. The deal has yet to be approved by MAN's supervisory board, but the company's

  • Southminster: Branch rail line to be re-named

    Plans to re-name the Southminster branch railway line will be unveiled in the spring. Community rail partnership officer, Linda Smart, is working with Great Eastern for a competition to re-name the line and will now be seeking residents' views on the

  • Billericay: Mike'll fix it...

    A hug contacts book and great patience have helped Mike Plummer become a world-wide business Mr Fixit. RAY BRADLEY went to meet him Mike Plummer was at the cheese counter in Tesco when his mobile phone rang. The caller was an old friend in Singapore who

  • Terling: Death crash victim named

    Police have released the identity of a motorist crushed to death under an overturned lorry on the A120. Mazda driver Shaun Yardley, of Terling Hall Road, Terling, near Witham, was certified dead at the scene after a five-car crash near Dunmow, at about

  • Colchester: Buyout hope for Paxman

    The future of one of Colchester's biggest employers looks set to be secured after a German buyout. Paxman Diesels is in the process of being bought by the German MAN group. The deal has yet to be approved by MAN's supervisory board, but the company's

  • Bocking: Robber holds two at knifepoint

    A terrified shop assistant and customer were held at knifepoint by a robber in Bocking. The 23-year-old woman cashier and male shopper were ordered to lie on the floor while the hooded attacker carried out the armed raid at the Co-op in Church Street,

  • Billericay: Library's on-line to help you

    Billericay Library has taken a leap into the electronic age, with new internet access. The popular library, in the High Street, is now on line to cruise cyberspace with a high-speed computer terminal. Jackie Gowlett, manager of the library, said staff

  • Southend: 'Stand up' are comic Mark's buzz words

    Top comic Mark Lamarr is following in his Never Mind the Buzzcocks' captain Phill Jupitus on to the stage in Southend for his own show in March. He talks to CARL EVE It's understandable that's people are wary, even scared, of Mark Lamarr, host of BBC

  • Southend: Taking a Byte at the stage

    Kate Lloyd has been playing the piano from the age of seven. Now, ten years later, she has composed her own musical, Bytes. Bytes will shortly be performed by schoolmates from St Bernard's High School, Southend at the New Empire Theatre. The words and

  • Pitsea: Moments of horror in gun raid on bank

    This is the moment a terrified woman was forced to hit the floor at gunpoint during a bank raid. She is left cowering on the floor as the masked man brandishes a handgun at bank staff. He stuffs £1,500 in notes into a carrier bag and calmly walks out

  • Soccer: 'My miss cost us the match' says Blues skipper

    Southend United skipper Simon Coleman tried to shoulder the blame for Saturday's last-gasp 1-0 defeat at Third Division pacesetters Darlington. The Quakers sealed maximum reward from this fixture three minutes into injury time when midfielder Michael

  • Colchester: Plans considered for nursery school

    Plans for a nursery school on a parcel of land in Colchester have moved a step nearer. Turner Rise Development Consortium wants to build the school and houses and create open space at Turner Rise. Residents have been fighting to save the site on the estate

  • Laindon: Drink driver fled crash

    Immature drink driver Richard Sharpe crashed his car, fled the scene and had another stiff drink to steady his nerves, a court heard. Richard Sharpe, 28, sought solace in an 86 per cent proof Filipino wine after arriving distressed on his brother's doorstep

  • Basildon: DJ Ray is just top of the pops

    DJ Ray Spiller has proved he is a number one music fan - by collecting every chart topper since 1952. The avid fan has ploughed thousands of pounds into his hobby and is now running a successful music business with his rare tunes. He launched his search

  • Soccer: Dalgarno set to solve Wakering striker woe

    Great Wakering Rovers may push key central defender Tommy Dalgarno into a full-time striking role on Saturday as they attempt to halt something of a Ryman League Division Three goal drought. Rovers have taken just one point from the last six on offer,

  • Soccer: Now they can call him President Jack

    Popular football official Jack Hayward has been elected as president of the Essex County Football Association. Mr Hayward, 82, was unanimously elected to replace Hugh Ashton, who stood down last month, in the county FA's top position. He said: "This is

  • Soccer: U's expect sell-out

    Colchester United are looking at a season's first on Saturday - a complete sell-out. This morning there were only 1,500 standing terrace tickets left for the clash with Burnley and even these are being snapped up. Commercial manager Brian Wheeler has

  • Stansted: Hijacking debriefing at Hilton

    Police officers who took part in the Stansted hijack incident are to have a debriefing at the plush Stansted Hilton. The hotel was booked for officers to use during a major hijack exercise planned for early next month. But the exercise was cancelled following

  • Walton: Chris to rescue as boy injured in fall

    A six-year-old boy was given first aid by a teenager before being airlifted to hospital with head injuries after a fall from groynes at The Naze, Walton. Vincent Saunders was out with his brothers and grandfather when he fell almost 16 feet to the shingly

  • Maldon: Armed robbery suspect hunted

    A nationwide manhunt has been launched to find a suspected armed robber. Detectives made an appeal on BBC TV's Crimewatch last night for information on the whereabouts of James Sheedy. Sheedy is wanted for armed robbery after an incident at Steeple Bay

  • Clacton: Care deaths - more probed

    Police are investigating a total of six suspicious deaths as part of a probe into a Clacton care home, it has been revealed. Detectives heading the inquiry yesterday flew to Jersey to seek permission to dig up the body of one of the residents who died

  • Essex: Chaos over county's 'envelope' budget

    A dramatic showdown left Essex County Council in turmoil today, with the ruling Labour/Lib Dem administration resigning. The have challenged the Tories to try to run their "back of an envelope" economy budget. The Tories put forward their controversial

  • Southend: Just the ticket for jobs

    Up to 19 new jobs will be created in Southend to help deal with court fines, speeding and parking tickets. The borough is set to become the central accounts and fine enforcement office for the whole of Essex when the Chelmsford branch closes in the next

  • Pitsea, Vange: Fitt family fight goes on

    In a year's time, market trader Barry Fitt will be free after spending his seven-year prison term battling to clear his name - a fight he aims to keep up. KELLY CLARK talks to his wife Val on life without her husband and the failed final bid to overturn

  • Dunmow: Driver dies under lorry

    A driver died when his car was crushed beneath an overturned articulated lorry in a five-vehicle crash on the A120 yesterday. Emergency services rushed to the accident near Dunmow but were unable to save the car driver who was certified dead at the scene

  • Soccer: Whitton warns of long road ahead

    Miracle-worker Steve Whitton is refusing to rest on his laurels after guiding Colchester United to relative safety in the middle of the Division Two table. The ambitious U's boss and his Layer Road squad have worked their socks off to lift the club alongside

  • Colchester: Firefighters' marathon effort

    A kind-hearted firefighter plans to run a marathon to help his friend's severely brain damaged son. Joe Hassell, 28, of Colchester, will be joined by retained fireman Keith Wells, 41, of Walton, who was touched by pictures of children in need of wheelchairs

  • Southend: Training centre is top of class

    A training centre has been awarded top marks by the Government following a thorough Ofsted-style inspection. Prospects Training, based in Fairfax Drive and Vanguard Way, Southend, was given an unprecedented seven grade one "outstanding" marks for the

  • Castle Point: Football for girls kicks-off big time

    Girls' soccer is taking off in a big way in Castle Point, where more than 150 youngsters are playing the game. The pupils are taking part on a series of sessions delivered by Cliff McDonald of Coerver Coaching Essex as part of the borough's football development

  • Soccer: Keegan scores hit with Simon

    A young England football fan had the best day of his life thanks to his creative flair, but it wasn't on the pitch. Colchester schoolboy Simon Lemon, 13, spent Monday at the England football team's training camp at Bisham Abbey prior to tonight's friendly

  • South Essex: House prices go through roof

    House prices in south Essex have gone through the roof - with some homes earning nearly as much in a year as their owners. For the first time, the average price of a three-bedroom semi in the county has smashed through the £100,000 barrier, a survey today

  • Clacton: Man's boat propeller terror

    A teenager watched in horror as his father fell out of a dinghy into the sea and was caught by the propeller of their boat. Alan Farra, 40, of Warwick Road, Clacton, was on a pleasure trip with his 18-year-old son. He fell overboard and received injuries

  • Vange: Gang link to killing outside pub

    A young father could have been stabbed to death by a gang in Vange, murder squad detectives revealed today. Information from calls to Crimestoppers and south Essex police stations has led officers to believe more than one person was involved in the incident

  • Benfleet: Gypsy grandma loses fight over caravans

    A gypsy grandmother fined £1,000 for keeping caravans on her North Benfleet landholding has had her appeal overturned. Rachel Cooper, a Romany gypsy, admitted at Basildon Magistrates Court in November 1998 that she had breached an enforcement notice by

  • Basketball: Saints players put on sizzling display

    Gianni Lettieri, Jon May and Andy Mathurin put on an exhibition show as Southend Saints hammered Colchester Tigers in Division One of the Essex Basketball League. Lettieri (27 points), May (27) and Mathurin (24) scored the bulk of Saints' points, but

  • Colchester: Royal London stays put after takeover

    Royal London's boss today pledged its Colchester site will remain a vital part of the company when it buys out another insurance firm. The Colchester-based insurance company has launched an agreed £1.5 billion takeover for United Assurance. The deal will

  • Southend: Baby Jack's rare diabetes

    Little Jack Neighbour could be suffering from a rare type of diabetes that affects just one in 400,000. Jack remains on four injections of insulin a day while experts continue tests into the condition that affects just two people a year in Britain. Mum

  • Clacton: Second murder charge in care home deaths probe

    A second person has been charged with murder as part of a probe into deaths at a Clacton care home. Angela Postill, 41, the owner of Carnarvon Lodge Residential Care Home, is accused of murdering Eunice Fifield. She was charged with the 62-year-old's

  • Bocking - the forgotten village?

    Bocking: the forgotten name, the forgotten place. Once clearly defined from Braintree the two have now become so intertwined that people often only refer to the latter. Tony Manning of Bocking, spoke to reporter CLARE BERRETT about why he feels disappointed

  • Hullbridge: A weight off Diana's mind...

    If your new year's decision to lose weight has long since waned, take heart. JANE O'CONNELL talks to Diana Butterworth who lost more than seven stone in two years When Diana Butterworth's husband of more than 30 years mildly agreed with his wife's comment

  • Leigh: July closure for childcare centre

    A childcare centre in Leigh could be closed by July after Southend Council's cabinet recommended shutting the Narnia Centre. The proposal comes after a two-year battle to keep open the Highlands Boulevard complex which offers nursery and after-school

  • Rawreth: Reward to catch thieves

    A film-maker could be forced to close his company after thieves broke into his workshop and stole nearly £9,000 worth of equipment. Christopher Watling set up Jasper Audio Visual 15 years ago and the film company has been his pride and joy ever since.

  • Essex: House prices booming

    The average cost of a house in Essex is now nearly £103,000. It has risen from £89,542 to £102,963 - a 14.99 per cent increase, according to figures out today. The Land Registry report uses completed sales data to compare figures from October/December

  • Colchester: New cinema owner will build multiplex

    The new owners of the Odeon cinema chain have promised to go full steam ahead with an £8 million scheme for a multiplex in Colchester. Cinven, which bought the chain from the Rank Group for an estimated £280 million yesterday, said it would forge ahead

  • Southend: Cash plea to bury husband

    A destitute widow must find £1,300 for her husband's funeral after the Benefits Agency refused to stump up the cash. The agency turned down Jacqueline Harvey's plea to pay for her husband's funeral because he had saved a meagre £400 for Christmas before

  • Soccer: Derby win boosts Gulls' high hopes

    Canvey Island gave their bid for a high finish in their first season at Ryman League Premier Division level a massive boost with a 3-0 home derby success over Billericay Town on Saturday. Although leaders Dagenham - who recovered from their recent bad

  • North Essex: Co-op sells nine of its 10 chemists

    The Co-op has sold nine of its ten pharmacies to Moss Chemists. The sale, for an undisclosed sum, will take effect on March 1 and involve 49 full and part-time staff. Announcing the deal today, Colchester and East Essex Co-op chief executive Chris Blanchett

  • Laindon: Angry traders in rent protest

    Shopkeepers at the Laindon Shopping Centre may withhold part of their rent in protest at what they call the poor level of security. A letter is being drawn up by Laindon Traders' Association chairman, Sonya Bishop, to tell the centre's landlords that

  • Angling round-up: John's frost bite proves a winner...

    A superb common carp of 14lb 9oz boosted John Musson's total catch to a match-winning 16lb 14oz at Sunday's Gloucester Park Open. The event followed a hard overnight frost, and the majority of competitors scaled down to light hook lengths and tiny hooks

  • Boxing: Anglians through to semi-final

    A team of boxers from a Colchester-based regiment are making their mark in the National Army championships. The team from the 1st Battalion Anglian Regiment, stationed in Londonderry, have made it through to the semi-finals to be staged in Aldershot tomorrow

  • Southend: Charity night in memory of Roy

    One important person will be missing from a Southend bar's charity evening raising money for research into heart disease. Organisers hope to raise up to £2,000 for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) at the Victoria Court Bar in Victoria Avenue on March

  • Basildon: L-driver's hell in chase drama

    A learner driver who became embroiled in a high-speed police chase was today urged to contact detectives. The driver and his instructor narrowly escaped serious injury after they were nearly shunted off the road by a car thief. The pair were half way