Campaigners fighting for a long-awaited link road between Hatfield Peverel and Witham are preparing to take their argument to Parliament. The six-person delegation to London includes Braintree MP Alan Hurst and Hatfield Peverel district councillor John
Schools in Essex will continue to operate on the current three-term year until at least 2002. Councillors have agreed term times for the school year 2001/2002 although a working group will soon be set up to review the current patterns and report back
BERNIE FRIEND catches up with former Blues man Mike Marsh Mike Marsh and non-league football may not be the easiest of combinations to comprehend, but the former Southend United midfielder is currently enjoying something of a renaissance with Kidderminster
A milkman has proved he has got a lotta bottle by becoming a finalist for the title of Milkman of the Year. Mike Walford, 49, of The Avenue, Great Clacton, is the cream of the crop and if he rises to the top in the final he will receive a new Volvo S40
Witham Dolphins' British record holder James Gibson helped Loughborough University to a convincing win in the final of the British Universities National League. The second year economics and politics student powered his way to victory in both sprint breaststroke
Efe Sodje is set to make history as the first player to win a full international cap while playing League football for Colchester United. The impressive central defender, who made his U's debut in the Second Division win over Gillingham last Saturday,
Under-fire Basildon College head Chris Chapman has been suspended while an investigation into alleged mismanagement is launched. The college's board of governors made the decision after two days of round-the-clock crisis meetings. Chairman Tom Coventry
A long-term aim to deter all Colchester motorists from commuting into town is gathering pace. Colchester Council has appointed consultants to look at the viability of introducing a major park-and-ride scheme. If seen as an option, it could mean drivers
A tiny republic off the Essex coast is denying allegations of drug-running, gun trafficking, money laundering and internet fraud. Sealand, the former Second World War Royal Navy fort, declared independence under its owners Roy and Joan Bates in 1966.
A tiny republic off the Essex coast is denying allegations of drug-running, gun trafficking, money laundering and internet fraud. Sealand, the former Second World War Royal Navy fort, declared independence under its owners Roy and Joan Bates in 1966.
A traffic warden and a member of the public who rescued a swimmer in trouble in the sea off Southend are to be honoured by the Chief Constable of Essex, David Stevens. Town warden Roy Knott and Grant Colville dived into the sea to save struggling swimmer
The future of four south Essex pubs hangs in the balance after it was revealed they were being sold off by brewery giant Scottish and Newcastle. The Castle Inn in Little Wakering Road, Little Wakering, the Sutton Arms in Southchurch Road, Southend, the
Armed police swooped on a hotel after an armed robbery in Colchester. Just before 3pm on Monday, two men apparently armed with a gun and a knife - staged a robbery at a flat in Chapel Street North, Colchester. They demanded money and threatened the occupiers
Mark Goodson has a skill. He gets a group of investors together, forms a club, and proceeds to make shrewd investment decisions. He's also written a successful book on the sudject. TOM KING went to gets some tips An appointment with a "registered trust
Braintree police officer, PC Anthony Roll, has been commended for rescuing a man locked in a garage filled with exhaust fumes. PC Roll bent the garage door to get in and discovered the man in a car with the engine running. He dragged the unconscious man
Mystery surrounds the death of around 50 badgers, including their cubs, after their sett was bulldozed. The sett is in the heart of former Occidental refinery land on Canvey, owned by superstore giant Safeway, off the island's Northwick Road. However,
A severe volunteer shortage could force Brentwood's Citizens Advice Bureau to cut back desperately needed services, managers have warned. The bureau urgently needs an influx of new volunteers to maintain the current levels of service at its base in Crown
Runners soaked up the sunshine as they took part in the second annual charity fun run in Braintree. More than 90 runners sweated out both the three-mile and six-mile courses which started at Braintree Leisure Centre recently. The circular route then took
The local government watchdog has rapped Rochford District Council and recommended it pay £750 to a family that faced being homeless. The ombudsman found the council guilty of maladministration causing injustice after investigating a complaint and has
Police are hunting a motorist who knocked over a ten-year-old boy and drove off without stopping. Police are appealing for help to find the male driver who struck Luke Moran, of Thorpe Road, Great Clacton just after he left nearby St John's Church Hall
Martijn Reuser set his sights on the Premiership after his last-minute winner against Fulham. Ipswich Town's latest recruit, brought in on loan from Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem on transfer deadline day, wants to showcase his talents in the big time. Reuser
Concord Rangers appear to have one foot in the final of the Schweppes Essex Senior League's Harry Fisher Memorial Trophy final. However, Basildon United's bid to join them in the battle for the cup at Barking on May 1 would appear to be fading fast. Canvey
Two MPs are now backing the fight by rail bosses to reopen the Ongar to Epping line amid a growing crisis over the project's future. The new initiative comes as Epping Ongar Railway chairman Bill Camplisson admitted: "We have a major problem." And Brentwood
Youngsters at a Rochford school have been finding out how exciting science can be. Hundreds of pupils at the King Edmund School in Vaughan Close took part in a series of events and challenges organised by the school's science department to mark National
Afternoon tea served in bone china, seated at a table cocooned by Victorian charm - the very image of the quintessential English tearoom. But with 165 million cups of tea being drunk across Britain every day, there is some strong competition brewing as
Two revellers sustained severe head cuts after being glassed while trying to stop a fight at a party. The 30 and 46-year-old victims were injured during the large fight outside a party at Harold Wood Hospital Social Club, Gubbins Lane, Harold Wood at
Wildlife enthusiast Brian Dawson takes a refurbished lifeboat on birdwatching cruises to watch the river based wildlife of Essex. On Wednesday, April 4, he will be on dry land giving a talk about the varied and beautiful birds and beasts on our shores
Following his triple successes in cross-country running for 1999, namely Essex League U17 Champion, Essex County Champion and Essex Schools U17 Champion, Robert Smith, from Billericay, has moved on at 17 years of age to the senior boys age group. His
This was just the result and the performance that Harold Wood needed, firstly to kick-start their promotion push and secondly to restore the team's confidence going into this Saturday's League Cup final against Rayleigh Town. Wood started the game a little
Brentwood, currently 11th in London 2, travelled to play Diss, currently fourth, in the penultimate fixture of the League season. Brentwood's form has varied somewhat over the past few weeks but they were still hoping to give a good account of themselves
Runaway First Division leaders Charlton Athletic could provide attractive pre-season Roots Hall opposition for Southend United - as the main attraction of former Seasiders star Ron Pountney's long overdue testimonial match. Pountney should have been awarded
Matt Davies, from Billericay, started his British F3 Championship challenge in fine style on Sunday driving his Renault Elf Promatecme F3 car to finish in an excellent fourth place at the Thruxton Circuit, in Hampshire. A torrential downpour just before
Blues' £120,000 a year chief executive Peter Storrie would seem set to carry on collecting his huge salary for the forseeable future. Club owner Ron Martin told the fans forum last week that any decision on Storrie, whose contract runs out in July, would
The first two rounds of the new BGA national grade 1 trampoline competitions had strong competition from Brentwood-based Cloud Nine Trampoline Club. This grade replaces the old BTF grade A and, as in that format, has a short competitive year culminating
Outwood Common and White Ursa met for as place in the final, the sides having been the cup finalists last season. Common took the lead with a strike from Dan Atkinson, but the lead was shortlived, as Ursa equalised, and thereafter, neither team could
Ingrebourne produced a dazzling display of skilful netball to outplay old rivals, Star. They finished the first quarter 6-2 ahead and extended this lead to 12-4 by half time. In the third quarter, thanks to some amazing shooting by Lois Lomas and Sarah
Miscreants and speeding motorists in Ongar and North Weald have had more than the local police to deal with: the local sheriff has also been on their case. For the past year Ronnie Capel Cure, latest holder of the ancient office of High Sheriff of Essex
A range of services tailored to women's needs has been launched by the Priory Hospital in Springfield, Chelmsford. The services include a women's group where the mental health needs of women are shared in a supportive environment. The hospital has also
A new initiative aimed at building solid citizens out of young Harold offenders had been launched this week. Instead of carrying on in a life of crime, the new Havering Youth Offending Team is hoping to change the error of young criminals' ways by encouraging
Music fans from across south Essex are in mourning following the death of Ian Dury - one of Britain's best loved cultural icons. Dury, 57, who claimed to have caught polio after swimming in a pool along Southend seafront when he was seven, was hailed
Colchester United boss Steve Whitton has survived another test of his managerial mettle - a grilling by the club's supporters. Whitton attended the latest fans' forum at Colchester Institute last night and answered numerous questions from some of his
Tiptree snooker star Ali Carter progressed to the second round of the £400,000 Regal Scottish Open yesterday. He beat fellow Englishman Lee Gilbert 5-0 at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre. Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001
Unions have warned car giant Ford they will fight any move to end production at its biggest UK factory. The firm is reviewing its operations across Europe and there are fears that car assembly at Dagenham could be scaled down or even closed. A decision
Up to 100 volunteers have been combing the streets searching for a 14-year-old Southend schoolgirl who has been missing for three days. Catherine Walsh, 14, of Newington Avenue, Southchurch, has not been seen since Saturday morning. Her desperate family
Villagers could be asked to vote on whether Stanway, near Colchester, should become a town. Parish councillor Ian McCord claims rapid development of houses and businesses, including shops and restaurants at Tollgate, means Stanway has outgrown village
If Brentwood Swimming Club coach Dave Pettengell was on 'cloud nine' after the first round of the Essex county championships, he was most definiytely 'over the moon' following the second weekend of county competition. Brentwood swimmers landed their best
A modest teacher told how she felt humbled by the glowing tributes heaped on her by top actress and singer Martine McCutcheon. Martine has revealed how Anne Smith, deputy head of Thorpedene School, Shoebury, first showed faith in her abilities and kept
A tiny republic off the Essex coast is denying allegations of drug-running, gun trafficking, money laundering and internet fraud. Sealand, the former Second World War Royal Navy fort, declared independence under its owners Roy and Joan Bates in 1966.
A snarling teenager threatened a policeman with the Aids virus, a court heard. Sam Jarman-Hall, 19, spat at the arresting officer and snapped: "I've got HIV and I am going to kill you." However, there was no evidence to suggest that Jarman-Hall, of Mendip
A new chiropractic clinic has been opened in Chelmsford by husband and wife, Kelvin and Deb Murray. The Complete Chiropractic Clinic is based at 88 Broomfield Road and has been fitted out with equipment from the UK, Europe, the USA and the couple's home
A fast food drive-through restaurant could be included in the development of the former Yardley factory site, Basildon. The 400,000 sq ft site in Miles Gray Road was sold to property investment and management company, Minton Group and Mirravale Holdings
A tiny republic off the Essex coast is denying allegations of drug-running, gun trafficking, money laundering and internet fraud. Sealand, the former Second World War Royal Navy fort, declared independence under its owners Roy and Joan Bates in 1966.
A millionaire who was facing drug charges when he died in a high-speed crash has left a fortune to crimefighters. Computer tycoon Christopher Dawes, 39, died when his £640,000 McLaren F1 sports car crashed into a tree at more than 100mph and exploded
Green gardeners can get even greener thanks to Rochford Council's home composter deal. The Dalek-like tubs will once again be on offer on May 7 for everyone who wants to start being a bit more environmentally friendly with their garden and kitchen waste
Billericay residents battling a controversial five house development in Perry Street have been left bewildered after Basildon Council's environment committee failed to reject the proposals last week. Billericay's area committee, Residents' Association
Security at schools is the topic hot on the lips of Harold head teachers following the recent spate of playground vandalism. Altogether, 35 windows were smashed at St Ursula's Junior School, Straight Road, Harold Hill during the night on Sunday, March
On the face of it Great Wakering's failure to win at bottom club Southall, who had avoided defeat in only seven of their 30 Ryman League Division Three games previously, looks a bad result. In reality, Southall, whose very existence in the League was
Schoolchildren in Westcliff are at the centre of a ground-breaking experiment which could change the way buildings are designed for ever. Westborough Primary School has been chosen as the site for what is believed to be the world's first cardboard classroom
A motorist was dragged to safety after a blazing lorry fell on top of him. He had stopped on the A12 at 6.20am today to help a trucker whose lorry cab was on fire when the good deed turned to disaster. The trucker called the fire brigade for help. But
SUSAN KING takes a look at memories of old Witham in a new book by two local authors Train rides to Maldon on the Crab and Winkle Line, courting days at the Nicky Nocks and swimming in the 'Pea Hole' pool - Witham memories of life more than 50 years ago
Cheers! Restaurant owner Tony Tomassi took time to celebrate today after scooping Southend's top accolade. Tony, 74, was cock-a-hoop after Southend Council awarded him a Millennium Freedom of the Borough title. Nineteen others - including two people who
People power may win the day after a Southend cinema agreed to rethink a decision over showing a film about the life of Jesus. Churchgoer Paul Fox was among those disappointed to hear The Miracle Maker film, a new animated production, might not be coming
Barking and Havering Health Authority is taking steps to improve hospital services to residents. In an effort to speed up the waiting process for operations, the authority is carrying out a review of the waiting list to help plan services for the future
Three resounding victories helped St Aidans-Leigh retain their Ladies Premier Division crown with a game to spare in the Southend and District Badminton League. A maximum from Westcliff's Crompton/Norris failed to prevent Saints from securing a 6-3 home
Braintree Town have been rocked by the resignation of manager John Bennett. Bennett went after Saturday's 4-1 defeat by bottom side Chertsey that left the Iron languishing in 12th place in Ryman League division one. His resignation, just five months into
Detectives investigating an armed robbery in Colchester are renewing their appeal for witnesses. The robbery took place in Chapel Street North at about 2.45pm on Monday when two men entered a flat and demanded money from the two men inside. One of the
A fresh attempt to ease a serious overcrowding crisis in Southend's secondary schools is poised to be launched. Executive councillors have backed moves to create 143 new secondary places across the town to cope with an expected surge in pupils. Many secondary
A South Essex weekly newspaper series has closed, less than a year after its launch by the Yellow Advertiser group. The Southend Mail and Basildon Mail were on sale at newsagents for 30p. It is understood the papers, which also covered the Castle Point
Saturday April 15 sees Wickford Lawn Tennis Club staging it's annual Barclays finals day at the club's Swan Lane in Wickford headquarters. This event, which consists of two mixed doubles finals, has been supported by Barclays bank for over 10 years. The
DIVISION THREE CUP FINAL A nap hand of goals from Steve Pearce added to an opening goal from Dave Smith after two minutes to give Demla a comfortable 6-2 win over Heath Park B. Heath Park scored twice in the last three minutes through Chris Wolfe and
An elderly man was today believed to be seriously hurt after he was hit by a bus taking youngsters to school. The A13 was closed following the accident, which happened at about 8.35am in Shipwrights Drive, Thundersley. A police spokesman said an elderly
Journalist PETER BAKER and photographer GRAHAM LIDDELL were this week given exclusive access to the site of the Stansted air disaster which happened on December 23 to view progress on the clear-up operation. Across the wooded north Essex countryside big
Three children have been killed and two others severely burned in an horrific house fire in Hutton, near Brentwood. A brave neighbour tried in vain to battle through the flames to rescue the family of five from the maisonette in Tollesbury Court, Woodlands
Shalford Police Station is now fully staffed and ready for business, seven months after it first opened. The station, which covers an area with a population of around 25,000, is currently based at a temporary site in The Street, but the officers are working
A slice of Euro cash could be used to boost South East Essex College's £55million relocation plans, it has been revealed. Chief executive Tony Pitcher hopes to secure a portion of Objective Two funding to support the college's move to a prime town centre
Broken glass and discarded syringes on a Canvey beach could seriously harm toddlers and dogs, it has been claimed. Councillor Sylvia Waymark has warned youngsters and dog walkers to be on the lookout for shards of glass buried in the sand on Concord Beach
If Saturday's child works hard for its living, Terri Hawkins' children could well start their own business boom. Her fifth child, Robson, followed in his four siblings' footsteps when he was born on Saturday. Miss Hawkins, 31, and partner Ian Osborne
This Is Essex partner the Evening Gazette has just presented its 36,000 name petition fighting to keep cancer services local to North Essex Health Authority. Chairman Alec Sexton accepted it from one of our ardent campaign supporters, Phyllis Richardson
A Chelmsford shopping centre manager has attacked a decision to build an amusement centre in the town. Mick McDonagh, manager of the High Chelmer precinct, said an amusement centre in the Grade II listed building in High Street, would "devalue" the town
