Archive

  • Clacton: Man, 49, died months after op on leg

    An inquest heard how a middle-aged man died in hospital months after breaking his thigh bone. Tony Poole, 49, who was normally healthy, developed abdominal pains nine months after a routine operation to repair his leg. Colchester Coroner's Court on Wednesday

  • Cricket: County's confidence is high

    Essex begin their season in earnest this weekend when they embark on the defence of their Benson & Hedges Cup title. They could not have contemplated a more difficult opening match, with last year's County Champions Surrey the visitors to Chelmsford

  • Soccer: McGavin out for revenge

    Steve McGavin has warned Wycombe Wanderers he is ready to make them pay for nearly wrecking his career. The 15-goal U's striker returns to Adams Park tomorrow (Saturday)for a game which could see Steve Whitton's side safeguard their Second Division future

  • Rayleigh: Brewery depot to close

    The Greene King brewery has announced it will close its Rayleigh storage depot because it needs a bigger and better distribution centre. Up to 21 workers will be affected by the closure of the depot in Stadium Way. The Suffolk-based brewery is opening

  • Colchester: Paras fly their flag

    They're here. Paras celebrated their arrival at their new home at Colchester Garrison yesterday (Thursday) with a flag-raising ceremony at Meeanee Barracks. The 689 members of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment have moved to Colchester from their previous

  • Soccer: Rovers looking up

    Great Wakering Rovers are hoping for a large turnout from the village tomorrow afternoon to cheer them into the Ryman League Second Division. Rovers go into the home clash with Corinthian Casuals knowing that victory and three points will see them go

  • Skater hockey: Mixed fortunes for the Demons

    Travelling Demon Skater Hockey Club travelling to Dunstable Leisure Centre and with only two Demon teams playing there were mixed fortunes on Sunday. The Demon Shadows were missing their goalkeeper so Alec Fisher elected to go in goal. With a depleted

  • Southend, Prittlewell: Coroner told of a fatal good deed

    Gallant taxi driver Rodney Hall was killed as he crossed the road to do a favour for a passenger, an inquest heard. Mr Hall, 55, of Lonsdale Road, Southend, died from head injuries after being hit by a Fiesta in East Street, Prittlewell as he volunteered

  • Harold Wood: Vain battle to save the life of train woman, 59

    The woman hit by a train at Harold Wood Station last week died in spite of the efforts of emergency services to save her, coroners officers have revealed. Margaret Trollope, 59, of Sackville Crescent, Harold Wood, was struck by the 9.40am Liverpool Street-Southend

  • Essex: Warning as internet scams grow

    Essex Trading Standards has taken part in a major international law enforcement project to stamp out on-line get rich quick scams. The initiative has been dubbed getrichquick.con and brought together 143 organisations from 27 countries. They swept the

  • Maldon: MP plans urgent talks over 999 cover

    An urgent meeting was to take place between Maldon's MP John Whittingdale and Essex Ambulance Service's chief executive to discuss the future of the two stations in the district. Mr Whittingdale, Maldon and East Chelmsford MP, was due to meet with Gron

  • Colchester: Violent price of loneliness

    After his wife died lonely Douglas Stiff spent his life savings on a Colchester prostitute for company - then he tried to kill her. The heartbroken bricklayer gave 42-year-old mother-of-two Linda Denham, of Greenstead, £50,000 for her company for 17 months

  • Soccer: Vote for top Blues man

    Now is the time to cast your vote for Southend United's player of the season. The struggling Third Division club wants fans to vote for their favourite Shrimpers star from a list of ten players, who have made the most appearances during another disastrous

  • Mid-Essex, Colchester: Drama school for young offenders...

    A ground-breaking scheme is hoping to keep young offenders on the straight and narrow - by teaching them drama. The project has just gone on trial in mid-Essex. It aims to help persistent young offenders recognise social pressures in their lives through

  • Southend: MP's attack on local cabinet committees

    Southend West MP David Amess has launched a stinging attack on a Parliamentary Bill which claims to modernise local government. And he turned on Southend's own council by branding it a disastrous example of how local authorities will have to run in future

  • Dedham: Tourist attraction shut for summer

    One of Dedham's most popular tourist attractions will not open to the public this summer. A message to callers at the Dedham Valley Family Farm, known formerly as the Dedham Rare Breeds Farm, blames ill-health for the shock decision. Peter Harris runs

  • Chelmsford: Preserved trees axed

    Chelmsford Borough Council wants to interview a contractor who bulldozed preserved trees and part of a protected hedge in a leafy Chelmsford lane at the weekend. Residents of a private cul-de-sac adjacent to the railway and near the demolition site of

  • Tiptree: £50,000 damages claim by former policewoman

    A former policewoman from Tiptree who claims her career was wrecked by injuries suffered in a road accident is facing an anxious wait for the outcome of her High Court battle for damages. Hayley Burton, 25, of Bainbridge Drive had been with Essex Police

  • Wickford: Police summit on shoplifting

    Shopkeepers have been summoned to an anti-shoplifting summit called by Wickford police. The move has been welcomed by businesses fed-up with thieves pilfering from their stores. The initiative is being organised by community liaison officer PC Geoff Whiter

  • Essex: Threat of 'air gridlock' over county

    A warning of gridlock in the skies over Essex if aircraft numbers keep increasing was given by a county councillor this week. Cllr Dennis Ramshaw voiced his fears at Tuesday's meeting of the county council's environment board. He called for the inclusion

  • Basildon: Charlie to celebrate first birthday

    Oh baby we made it! Proud parents Ashley and David White never thought they would make it through the past 12 months. But now, against all the odds, their miracle tot Charlie is about to celebrate his first birthday at home in Butneys, Basildon. The Echo

  • Soccer round-up: Southend District League

    Linford Wanderers have won the Essex Junior Cup. They beat Harlow based Potter Street 1-0 with an 80th minute strike from Ian Bass in the final. They can now concentrate on retaining their Southend District League Premier Division title - they need just

  • Athletics: Hadj vows to catch selector's eye

    Wheelchair athlete Hadj Lahmarr sets out next weekend to make an impression on the Great Britain Paralympic team selectors. Lahmarr, 20, has his sights set on the Sydney Olympic 100 and 200 metre races but to impress the selectors he is hoping to win

  • Soccer: U's fans plan Whitton tribute

    They wave white handkerchiefs at the Nou Camp if the fans want Barcelona's manager sacked. Disgruntled Reading supporters swung Y-fronts above their heads in protest at the club's disappointing start to the season. Burnley fans turned their backs on the

  • Cricket: Upbeat Nasser backs Essex

    Nasser Hussain is cautiously optimistic about Essex's new season - which starts with Saturday's Benson and Hedges Cup clash against Surrey at Chelmsford. "We've got talented players in the squad and 'll be looking to build upon the progress we made last

  • Soccer: Stanway's promotion in balance

    Stanway's promotion hopes from Jewson League division one took a major dent as they went down 2-1 at Ely. It was an unfortunate result for Phil Bloss's team who conceded two late goals after being in the ascendency for 80 minutes of the match. Andy Sapey

  • Southend break for EastEnder...

    Mark Homer played a gay reporter in EastEnders. Now the young father has changed artistic direction - bringing his own play to Southend You may have last seen the actor Mark Homer heading off into the metaphorical sunset with his gay lover on EastEnders

  • Soccer round-up: Vange Sunday League

    Farquhar was the top scorer of the day in the Vange League as Hodgson powered through to the Premier Division Cup final with a 14-1 demolition of Langdon Hills. The Hodgson man scored a double hat-trick in the game, with further superbstriking exploits

  • Soccer: Comfortable for City

    It was a little like 'after the Lord Mayor's Show' at New Lodge on a cold Monday evening with promotion practically gone and the hard graft of a tough season not bearing the expected fruits of promotion. But to their credit all the City players, who probably

  • Hockey: Jojo's joy at win

    A Southminster schoolgirl, who has become one of the youngest hockey players to be chosen at under 16 level, helped England to victory in the home Internationals tournament at Milton Keynes at the weekend. Jojo Anderson, 14, was in the England Under 16

  • Sub-aqua: Try-dive at Billericay

    Billericay Sub-Aqua club are celebrating a windfall from the Lottery awards scheme by holding a try-dive course at Lake Meadows swimming pool, Billericay. The organisation was awarded £4,500 by the Lottery's "Awards for All" scheme and is particularly

  • Golf round-up: Boyce duo aiming for Portugal...

    A golf trip of a lifetime awaits amateur Matthew Jones and Boyce Hill pro Graham Burroughs if they can come through the next stage of Europe's biggest pro-am competition, the Lombard Trophy. Jones took his first step towards a luxury five-day trip to

  • Colchester: Plan to reduce cars

    Employers in Colchester are being urged to reduce the volume of cars on the road. Seven major employers, including Royal London, Essex University and Colchester Institute, are meeting Colchester Council to try to draw up a a green travel plan. The director

  • Essex: £760,000 for two charities

    Two Essex charities are celebrating after receiving major lottery awards of more than £760,000. The Rural Community Council of Essex is to get £488,155 to establish a rural development centre at its base in Chelmsford, coupled with outreach work. Age

  • Athletics: Chelmsford runners have a good outing

    Chelmsford Athletic Club's road runners had a successful outing at the recent Road Relay Championships. The senior men's team competed in the South of England Road Relays and finished 13th, a position that enabled them to qualify for the National Finals

  • Motorcycling: Tyre choice error condemns Armfield

    Superbike racer Malcolm Armfield could not hide his frustration after a set-up error cost him dearly in the latest round of the Motorbike Racing Organisation series at Snetterton. Malcolm had set some excellent times on the first day of the meeting when

  • Soccer: City pass ground test

    Chelmsford City will probably miss out on promotion from the Eastern Division of the Dr Martens League this season. But at least they are assured that their 'shared ground' with Billericay Town now meets the required 'A' grading for premier division football

  • Soccer: Burley looks for five wins

    George Burley has set Ipswich Town a 15-point target from their remaining five matches. The Town chief knows a 100 per cent record between now and the end of the season will be required if they are to pip Manchester City for a place in the Premiership

  • Soccer round-up: Schweppes Essex Senior League

    Southend Manor kept up their challenge on top dogs Saffron Walden for the Schweppes Essex Senior League title with a thrilling 4-3 home win over Sawbridgeworth. The Southchurch Park side stayed three points behind Walden, who won 2-0 at Hullbridge, and

  • Chelmsford: Have-a-go raid hero praised

    A have-a-go hero was praised by police and a store manager after he chased three shoplifters and grabbed the getaway driver through their car window. And he only let go when he thought he might be crushed between the car and a tree. The brave shopper

  • Bridge: Players serve up Butler win

    Paul Spencer and Sid Prince took the honours at Basildon Bridge Club when it held their weekly session. Jean Schacht and Mike Wren, and Bill Westwick and Sonya Moorman were joint second. There are no percentage scores as this was a Butler scoring event

  • American football: Devils pip the Sabres

    Low squad numbers cost Sabres dear as they opened the new British Senior League season with a narrow 14-13 loss to Norwich Devils. The Southend side's technical superiority shone through early on and running-back Greg "Lightning" Crease inspired them

  • Stanford: Bookworm lure

    Bookworms are delighted with their new bookcase - which has been a labour of love for teacher Anna Barker. She has painted it for pupils at Stanford Infants School in a bid to inspire them to become more interested in reading The stories inside were full

  • Basildon: Club loses its licence

    A social club has lost its licence after police discovered its committee was no longer in place. Basildon police's licensing unit visited Essex Country Club on a routine visit only to find no recent annual general meeting had been held. The decision was

  • Chelmsford: 190 trolleys in river

    A total of 190 shopping trolleys were recovered from the Chelmer during a weekend spring clean of Chelmsford's town centre river. Scuba divers and volunteers carried out the operation. Barry Saunders, a borough council health chief, said: "The highest

  • Chelmsford: Pub op drama - medic's award

    Hero doctor Alastair Mulcahy, of Chelmsford's Broomfield Hospital, has been given a top accolade for helping to carry out life-saving open heart surgery on a pub floor. Dr Mulcahy, 34, and Dr Heather Clark were each presented with a Pride of Britain Award

  • Rayleigh: Policeman halts suicide attempt

    A police officer has been hailed a hero after he stopped a suicidal man from setting fire to himself inside Rayleigh police station. The quick-thinking police officer knocked a lighter out of the man's hand and managed to restrain him. The drama unfolded

  • Silver End: 'Time warp' villagers up in arms

    Angry villagers claim they are stuck in a "time warp" because of a conservation order limiting changes they can make to their homes. Residents of Silver End say the order stops them putting in double glazing or making alterations to the front of their

  • Braintree: Deputy head suspended

    The deputy headteacher of a Braintree school has been suspended after parents alleged she had been "heavy handed" with their son. Mrs Rachel Drury, who teaches at Chapel Hill Community Primary School and Nursery in the town, was suspended on March 21.

  • Essex Boys film hits West End

    The new movie which is set to put Essex on the map - Essex Boys, starring Sean Bean and Alex Kingston - was premiered in the West End before a 600-strong audience. It is scheduled for a nationwide release on July 14. The movie is loosely based on the

  • Clacton: Break-ins lead to vigilance warning

    Police are warning residents to be extra vigilant after 11 burglaries were reported in 24 hours in Clacton and the surrounding area. Shops and houses were targeted in the break-ins which police are now investigating. A house was broken into in Pork Lane

  • Witham: Hero set for big honour

    A hero who averted a horrific train crash in Witham could soon be immortalised in the town centre. Quick-thinking Ben Sainty saved hundreds of lives after the doomed Cromer Express train came off the rails in 1905. The railway worker, who lived in the

  • Chelmsford: Thoughtless parking woe

    Busy police were unable to respond when a thoughtless driver parked across Rob Brandon's driveway in Oaklands Crescent, Chelmsford, and he had to walk to work. So 55-year-old Mr Brandon decided to park across his own driveway to stop the same thing happening

  • Soccer: Little's plea for patience

    Southend United manager Alan Little has urged his team to remain patient as they attempt to end their depressing goal drought against Torquay United. Blues have failed to hit the back of the net during any of their previous four matches and a total of

  • Colchester: Town 'must take asylum-seekers'

    Colchester can expect to have to house around 20 asylum-seekers a month under new government regulations. Members of Colchester Council's new housing, community safety and health policy panel were given the approximate figures last night after commenting

  • Clacton: Happy landing for pilot Marty

    A stunt pilot has landed his plane on the world's smallest aircraft carrier. Martyn Carrington undertook 18 months of training for the daredevil stunt which was carried out by the Kia Aerobatic Stunt Team. Mr Carrington, 26, from Clacton, had to match

  • Soccer round-up: Southend Borough Combination Veterans League

    Strollers made it through to the final of the Southend Borough Combination Veterans League Executive Cup with a 2-0 win at luckless Maltby. It was Maltby's third semi-final defeat of the season. Ford Basildon still harbour outside hopes of the title after

  • Soccer: Hectic spell could see Manor clinch double

    Southend Manor's brave bid for a Schweppes Essex Senior League championship and cup double will be decided over a hectic last fortnight which starts tomorrow (Saturday). They should certainly get the three points on offer when they visit Woodford Town

  • Soccer: Gulls boost as Ward hits comeback trail

    News that defensive kingpin Steve Ward is back in training will bring a huge sense of relief to Canvey Island soccer fans. Since central rearguard man Ward dropped out of the action three weeks ago with an ankle injury Gulls have taken just one point

  • Soccer: Calder eyes future

    BillericayTown boss Gary Calder draws towards the end of his first season in charge with a "the times they are a changing" message for the fans. The New Lodge club visit Walton and Hersham, the bottom club, tomorrow (Saturday) in the Ryman League Premier

  • Billericay: The job that no-one wants...

    Public apathy has seen elections for Billericay town and parish councils abandoned. Just why is no-one interested in grass roots politics? SAMUEL SMITH reports. Dingy meetings, glamourless and wielding little power. Is this your impression of parish and

  • Southend: Deal could save Royal Hotel

    A deal has been revealed which could save one of Southend's most beautiful and historic buildings from dereliction. An agreement has been reached on the leasehold of the Royal Hotel, a Grade II listed building at the estuary end of Southend High Street

  • Southend: Kosovan race attack victim still wants to stay

    A Kosovan refugee who was left battered and bloodied by two thugs wielding a hammer still spoke of his respect for the people of Southend. Nrek Kuveni suffered deep gashes to his face and head and bruising to his back after a frenzied attack by two men

  • Rettendon: 'Drugs gang behind murders'

    A notorious gang of East London drug dealers was behind the Rettendon murders, according to a book by a friend of the victims. Pat Tate, Tony Tucker and Craig Rolfe were gunned down in a vengeance attack by the gang after they ripped them off. They were

  • Motor racing round-up: Matt fails to finish...

    Billericay racer Matt Davies was forced to retire from his Formula 3 foray at Croft after making good progress. Matt qualified 14th but made his way up to eighth at the two-mile circuit before an engine misfire halted his progress on the 17th lap. "I

  • Soccer round-up: Southend Junior League

    There were goals galore in the Southend Junior League Under-11 Premier Division with Dons Academy leading the way with a 12-0 thrashing of Islanders United. Broadmore grabbed three. Paterson and Rumsby both notched hat-tricks as Regis Boys won 10-2 at

  • Langdon Hills: Parents will go to European Court

    Parents have vowed to take their battle for a new secondary school in the Basildon area to the European courts. Campaign leader Derrick Fellowes maintains the failure to build a new school will mean Essex education authority is failing to provide adequate

  • Chelmsford: Missing lawyer is struck off

    A former Chelmsford solicitor who disappeared after £660,660 of clients' money went missing has been struck off the solicitors' roll. And Brian Maisch, 53, who lived at Peregrine Drive, is presumed dead after getting mixed up in a diamond deal in Switzerland

  • Southend: 'Freezing flat death' report out soon

    A final report investigating the death of a Southend pensioner in a freezing council flat is set to be published next month. The probe into whether Southend Council could have done more to help 73-year-old Josef Krasy, who died in November 1998, was launched

  • Soccer round-up: South Essex weekend non-league results

    SATURDAY RYMAN LEAGUE Premier Division: Billericay Town 1, Basingstoke Town 0; Canvey 0, Boreham Wood 1. Division 3: Flackwell Heath 1, Great Wakering Rovers 0. SCHWEPPES ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE Concord Rangers 3, Woodford Town 0; Eton Manor 3, Brentwood

  • Rugby round-up: Champs sign off in style...

    ROCHFORD HUNDRED 27 SHELFORD 7 Rochford proved they were worthy champions by signing off with a win against the team who had led London Three for much of the campaign. Shelford, out to prove a point, came out in determined mood but Rochford were in the

  • Soccer: Germans come to Borough

    On Easter Sunday, April 23, the Southend Borough Combination will be staging their 32nd international tournament - 26 of which have been held at Easter - at their Eastwoodbury Lane headquarters. Taking part will be seven Combination teams and one touring

  • Soccer round-up: Spall Brentwood Sunday Football League

    DIVISION ONE CUP FINAL In a hard fought cup final on Sunday, Old Cooperians took a 1-0 half time lead through Mark Nagle's goal. After the break Mowbrays took five minutes to equalise through Paul Carlier's goal, and further goals from Jamie Trew and

  • Soccer round-up: Southend Wednesday League

    Rayleigh Lodgers really had a ball as they won the Southend Wednesday League's Lamkin Cup with a 4-1 final success over Southend Postmen in the final at Eastwoodbury Lane. Chris Ball and Mark Terry grabbed two goals apiece for the winners as Postmen's

  • Rugby: Chelmsford's invaluable win over Braintree

    With the uncertainty of the league restructuring for next season, Chelmsford knew that their last two league games of the season could prove crucial. Chelmsford were currently placed just above mid-table and visitors Braintree languishing at the bottom

  • Soccer round-up: South East Essex Sunday League

    Runwell Raiders made it two trips to Roots Hall in a row as they defeated Old Island Boys A in the semi-final of the Charity Cup. The Premier Division runners-up were expecting a tough game against the runaway winners of Division One. But they built up

  • Soccer: Basildon Colts need players

    Little Basildon Colts are on the look-out for talented under-9s and under-11 players for next season's Thundermite campaign. Call Phil on 01268 550946 (under-9s) and Mick on 01268 287035 (under-11s). Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001.

  • Golf: Duley the highest of the high fives

    There were high fives all round again at Colchester with five-handicapper Peter Duley taking the April Medal. A week after Nigel Hilliard triumphed off the same mark, Duley brilliantly spreadeagled the field to win by four shots. With conditions again

  • Cricket: Paul in bat for Maldon school

    Howzat! Cricket star Paul Prichard performed ribbon-cutting duties to officially open a £1 million primary school extension. Six extra classrooms, a small hall and an IT room have been added to Wentworth County Primary School, Viking Road, Maldon. Numbers

  • Billericay: Taking big strides towards school crossing

    Imaginative parents today vowed they will manage to raise £11,000 for a school crossing at their children's school. The parents association at Buttsbury Infants School in Perry Street, Billericay, has rolled up its sleeves and is ready to fight all the

  • Colchester: Spinster story wins award for Maureen

    A writer's story about a spinster's secret past won her a literary award. Mother-of-three Maureen Lee, 57, overcame competition from best-selling writers Erica James and Cathy Kelly to scoop the Parker Romantic Novel of the Year award for her sixth book

  • Colchester: Residents get say over garrison land

    Residents who turned up to workshops discussing the future of garrison land will be invited to join a focus group to have their say. Workshops in February attracted 175 people who had their own ideas on what they wanted to see on the 100-acre site between

  • Colchester: Police witness appeal after road crash injury

    Police are appealing for witnesses after a pedestrian fractured his neck in a collision with a car. The 29-year-old Colchester man was taken by ambulance to the town's general hospital where he was detained. He had been crossing East Street, Colchester

  • Woodham: Internet cafe plan

    A South Woodham man hopes to add vibrancy to the town with an internet caf for young people. Grant Scott-Douglas got the go-ahead from Chelmsford Borough Council this week for the scheme which involves converting a disused shop in Guild Way. Members of

  • Woodham: Con man steals £120 from purse

    South Woodham Police are appealing for people to be alert after an elderly woman had £120 stolen from her purse. The woman answered the door to her home in Hayes Chase on Monday to a man who asked for a glass of water and to use the bathroom. After he

  • Soccer: South Essex non-league weekend fixtures

    SATURDAY RYMAN LEAGUE Premier Division: Heybridge Swifts v Canvey Island; Walton and Hersham v Billericay Town. SCHWEPPES ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE Basildon United v Brentwood; Bowers United v Sawbridgeworth; Eton Manor v Saffron Walden; Hullbridge v East Ham

  • Witham: Car dealership loses franchise

    Car giants Nissan have dealt a blow to a family-run firm after it decided to pull its dealership franchise after almost 30 years. Lynfield Motors, of London Road, Witham, was told its contract was to be terminated by the Japanese company as part of a

  • Soccer round-up: Southend Borough Combination League

    White Ensign have threaded their way to the Southend Borough Combination Premier Division title - thanks to the goal-scoring efforts of Cotton. His two-goal show had team-mates reeling with delight as they beat close rivals Shoebury Town 3-2 to keep the

  • Shoebury: Fraudster forces playgroup closure

    Heartbroken kids have been told their playgroup is closing down - because a crooked treasurer pilfered £3,600 from its funds. Volunteer accountant Lorraine White, 40, had been stealing cash from Tiny Toes Play Centre, in Delaware Road, Shoebury, since

  • St Osyth: Village 'nearly torn apart' in crop row

    A village has been nearly torn apart by plans to test genetically modified crops, it has been claimed. Michael Talbot, a member of St Osyth Parish Council and Tendring district councillor, said: "We feel the parish has been let down by the Environment

  • Soccer round-up: South East Essex Mini Soccer League

    The last League honour in the Bukta South East Essex Pimary Mini Soccer was decided on Sunday when, in Division Two of the Under-10s, Ekco Whitecaps took the title from Island Boys by one point following their 2-1 win over Deaneswood. Goals from Tidd

  • Yachting: The Crouch club are delighted to cheque in

    The Crouch Yacht Club have broken the bank to help the British Heart Foundation. At this Sunday's prize-giving for the first racing series of 2000, the Hydd Gwynn Trophy, the Crouch commodore Frank Curtis will hand over a cheque for around £1,500 to representatives

  • Soccer: Swifts face Islanders

    One of the top Essex non-league local derby games takes place at Scraley Road tomorrow (Saturday), when a revitalised Heybridge Swifts take on high-riding Canvey Island in an all Ryman League Premier Division clash (kick off 3pm). Swifts, not long ago

  • Showjumping: Ian Stark at Towerlands

    Triple silver Olympic medallist, Ian Stark will be presenting his latest action packed series of lectures featuring his famous team of international event horses and Olympic hopefuls at Towerlands Equestrian Centre in Braintree, next Tuesday (April 18

  • Golf round-up: Three Rivers run dry...

    Chelmsford Golf Club has been involved in two County Competitions for the ladies - the first round of the Munro Foursomes and the first of the Bronze Team matches. All the clubs involved in the Munro Foursomes play their games on mutual grounds and Chelmsford

  • Cycling: Beale makes a good start to his title defence

    Grahame Beale started his defence on Wednesday of the evening 10 mile series that he won in 1999 when he won the first round of this year's championship. Grahame recorded 25m 39s on the Downham-Ramsden Heath circuit Malcom Judd was second in 26m 36s with

  • Soccer round-up: Chelmsford Invitation Football League

    DIVISION ONE By virtue of having scored more goals, New Lodge moved back into pole position after Sunday's 4-3 win over Willowbrook. Things weren't looking too good for Lodge as they went 3-1 down at the break, Wayne Harriss (2) and Gary Stewart the Willowbrook

  • Southend: Grieving family help unit

    Southend Hospital's baby unit has received vital new equipment, thanks to a family who raised money rather than collect flowers after a relative died. The monitoring device, which warns staff if babies' blood sugar levels drop too low, was bought with

  • Benfleet: Easter pal? Watch the birdie!

    Young Charlotte Pestell paraded her special fluffy chick at her school's Easter bonnet parade. The six-year-old joined classmates from Kents Hill Infants School, in Kents Hill Road, Benfleet, as they showed off their hard work. Her straw hat with the

  • Wix: Student Jenny has eyes on Africa

    Not everyone would describe a year in one of the world's poorest countries as the trip of a lifetime. But 19-year-old student Jenny Onneryd, of Harwich Road, Wix, is relishing the chance to teach in Malawi in August. A language specialist, Jenny will

  • Southend: Dancing for Dean

    When the performers from Pam Freedman's dance school take to the stage at the New Empire Theatre on Monday, they know they will be doing it to help other people. All the money raised by the dancers, aged from just three years old, will be going to the

  • South Essex: Lottery cash for charities

    Three south Essex charities were today gearing up to expand their services, after receiving more than £500,000 in lottery cash handouts. Southend Women's Aid is using its £450,000 grant to develop a centre offering therapy and training for women and children

  • Colchester: Out-of-court deal in zoo fall claim

    A woman who claimed she broke her leg after falling over a paving block at Colchester Zoo has been paid £7,500 in an out-of-court settlement. Eileen Broadhead, 57, said she could not walk properly, was scarred, and had to use a stick following the accident

  • Coggeshall: Woman officer hurt in police raid

    A policewoman needed hospital treatment after being struck by a police car during an armed surveillance operation. The officer, who works for the force's support unit, was taken to Colchester General Hospital after the accident at Coggeshall. She suffered

  • Colchester: Ex-prostitute - 'It should have been six years'

    A former prostitute has criticised the jail sentence imposed on a client who hit her over the head 13 times with a rolling pin. Mother of two Linda Denham, 33, of Greenstead, Colchester, said today (Friday) Douglas Stiff should have beeen jailed for six

  • Leigh: 'Robbery' is Fanta's idea of fun

    A drinks giant has defended its decision to send a group of friends on a dream holiday as a reward for staging a mock armed robbery. The 17-year-olds are off to the Maldives next week after scooping first prize in a Fanta competition which asked entrants

  • Canvey: Firemen slam selfish drivers

    Lives are at risk on Canvey because selfish drivers are blocking the way for fire crews on 999 calls. Only yesterday (Thursday), firefighters were held up for precious minutes on their way to a car fire because residents in one road had parked so badly

  • Mid-Essex: River Brain 'unharmed' by oil spill

    The River Brain was this week declared unharmed by a spill of between 2,000 and 3,000 litres of oil into its waters last month. Environment Agency workers constructed a boom across the river to contain any possible damage after the spill was discovered

  • Bicknacre: £6m to cover cost of raid

    Essex County Council has set aside £6 million to cover costs of the police and social services raid on the Family In Trust home at Bicknacre in 1998. The social services committee budgeted £3 million last year -- and a similar amount has now been agreed

  • South Essex: Rape! Bogus calls spark real fears

    False rape allegations often lead to a great deal of heartache for all involved. JAMES TAYLOR looks at whether bogus claims deter genuine victims from seeking help Police launched a full-scale rape inquiry last Saturday after a young woman claimed she

  • Rayleigh: Hospital missed mum in hepatitis C scare

    A mother treated by the surgeon infected with hepatitis C has spoken of the hospital's failure to send her a warning letter. The Rayleigh woman, who asked not to be identified, said she did not want to cause a panic but felt it was possible others had