Southend Manor striker Ben Barnett faces the biggest game of his life at Nationwide Conference new boys Dagenham and Redbridge tonight. Barnett is currently on a pre-season trial with Third Division outfit Leyton Orient and will lead the London side's
Olympic hopeful decathlete Dean Macey presented sports awards to pupils at St Helena School in Colchester at a special ceremony. Dean, of Canvey Island, who won a silver medal at the world championships in Seville last summer and is off to Sydney for
Club captain Colin Hodges enjoyed twin success at Basildon over two days. In the North of Thames qualifying round for the National Association of Public Golf Courses national championship, he recorded the best net score in a field of over 100, the ten-handicapper
Dave Onyons, sailing Ned Kelly, in his Robber IIIe, did just enough to clinch this year's BJRC (Blackwater Joint Racing Committee) championship when the final two races were held. Though Onyons finished just behind his nearest rival, the reigning champion
Virgin Active bosses have ended speculation by confirming they will attend a public inquiry into a controversial new leisure centre they want to build in Thundersley. Their decision follows months of debate following the ruling by Secretary of State for
The long-awaited Great Notley Discovery Centre has won a top design award - before it has even been built. The £1.4 million eco-friendly centre has scooped the Environmental Initiative of the Year 2000 prize. Bad weather has delayed the opening of the
South Essex tennis clubs met with Essex LTA chiefs last night (Wednesday) to discuss club strategies for the future. Everything from coaching, finance to court resurfacing is to be reviewed as part of a drive to boost the game at the grass roots. The
Local talent shone through at the National Rollerskating Championships 2000 when Rollerworld team members scooped top awards. About 100 top-class skaters from around the UK travelled to Rollerworld in Colchester for the prestigious championships. Kym
Four fishermen were lucky to be alive today after their boat narrowly avoided capsizing. Coastguard alerted lifeboats at Harwich and Walton and scrambled an RAF rescue helicopter at 2am today (Thursday). The 30-metre Belgian vessel Goede Hoop, 18 miles
East Colchester will end up a "mess" unless a complete design framework is created for the dock area, it is claimed. Colchester Council consulted widely before drawing up its community assessment for the Hythe. The aim was to collect business's and residents
The swimming pool in the grounds of Manningtree High School could close unless extensive repairs are carried out. But the work is expected to cost about £33,000 - some £8,000 more than the original cost of the open air pool which was opened 22 years ago
The Great Baddow Ladies four of Maureen Griffin, Sheila Brickel, Viv Haste and skip Jill Polley will compete on July 27 at Aveley BC against a team from Connaught BC, from Chingford in the final of the Essex County Women's Bowling Association Fours. This
Chelmsford City will give another promising midfielder a trial in Saturday's friendly match at Jewson League Woodbridge Town. Rob Harrington, who was voted 'player of the year' at Ryman League Division Two side Hornchurch last season, will line-up with
After a gap of 20 years a one-time family favourite is set to return to Braintree. When Percival Legg retired in 1980 at the age of 72, Legg's Bakeries retired with him. Situated in Friars Lane, the main bakery supplied shops in the High Street and Market
Southend Pier traders yesterday (Wednesday) claimed they had lost vital business after being left high and dry by a water leak which cut off supplies. The leak is reckoned to have cost pier businesses thousands of pounds as daytrippers stayed away in
A mystery messenger claiming to be Victoria Beckham joined hundreds of Essex FM listeners in urging firemen who kidnapped DJ Martin Day for charity to keep him for good. Posh is believed to have sent the following message entitled At Last Revenge to the
An arsonist is thought to have been responsible for two blazes which ripped though an industrial estate on Canvey within hours of each other. Detectives probing the fires Tuesday and yesterday (Wednesday) believe there could be a link and are treating
The gay dads may soon be fathers of five - and living in America. Reports from America claim that Barrie Drewitt and Tony Barlow, of Bicknacre Road, Danbury, are expecting triplets through a surrogate mother. The millionaire pair already have twins Aspen
A driver had to undergo six hours of surgery after being involved in a collision with a double decker bus. The 51-year-old, of Colchester, was airlifted to Colchester General Hospital with serious injuries by the Essex Air Ambulance following the crash
Essex has been given a big thumbs-up by the people who really know it best - the people who live here. In a new survey on behalf of the East of England Development Agency an astonishing 92 per cent of people questioned in Essex said they were satisfied
Plans for a controversial housing estate have been dealt a bizarre blow - by a colony of rare lizards. The 54-home Nether Court development in Halstead suffered a setback after endangered amphibians were spotted at the site. Planning experts say an investigation
A passion for the pier has led Southenders Chris Jones and Jack Forbes to sing in its support. The duo are booked to appear at the Preview Music Club tomorrow in a programme of Southend songs. The performance will replace one originally planned for May
A residential avenue is to get an environmental overhaul. However, before work starts on Grove Avenue, Walton, residents are to be consulted over the proposals. The proposals are due to be considered by Tendring Council's environment and housing committee
A mother killed herself by drug overdose because she could not cope with the stresses of life, an inquest heard. Lynn Claydon, 35, of Thornhill Close, Kirby Cross, survived an overdose in 1995. She was diagnosed as manic depressive and over the next five
Community groups based at a church hall in Billericay were left shocked after thieves made off with television and video equipment following a night time raid. The break-in at the Methodist Church Hall in Western Road, Billericay, was discovered at around
Work is set to begin of a £90,000 environmental centre in ancient Billericay woodland. The contract to carry out the work is being put out to tender by Basildon Council, with work due to begin in September. The Government-supported Cleanaway Pitsea Marshes
A Hutton man is back from a mercy mission to bring hope to the elderly and needy young people in Croatia. During a recent five day trip, Roger Allen and the Convoy of Hope managed to provide a life-line to two long-term projects. One was a children's
Environmental officers are battling to tackle a rat infestation at King George's Playing Field before the school holidays start in earnest. Up to a dozen rats have been seen by witnesses near the tennis courts at the playing fields, in Ingrave Road, running
The anxious Harold Wood friends of a 16-year-old boy on the run for over a week with a mysterious religious cult have pleaded for him to return home to his family. Bobby Kelly, a student at Redden Court School on Cotswold Lane, and until recently a regular
Former Spurs youngster David Lee earned himself a full-time Roots Hall contract with an impressive display during Southend United's opening pre-season match at Gravesend and Northfleet. The 20-year-old was rewarded with a one-year deal following an awesome
More than 40 youngsters were put through their paces at an official launch designed to raise awareness of netball in the north Essex area. Girls from primary schools around Colchester were in action at Netball 2000 and took part in a host of training
Steve Maish was on target for major honours at the Rochford Festival of Sport darts tournament. He won the men's singles, beating Chris Purvis by four legs to nil and then, in partnership with Richard Watering, triumphed 3-1 over Ken Pearson and Trevor
BekriI Bajraktaraj could become the latest crowd-pleaser at Layer Road. The 23-year-old Dutchman, currently on a fortnight's trial with Colchester United, was the star turn as the Second Division club cruised to a 4-0 victory against Cornard in their
Alan Little's troops have been preparing for their imminent Third Division campaign in a five-day training camp at RAF Honington. Echosport's BERNIE FRIEND limbered up to find out more Southend United boss Alan Little is hoping that his team's flying
An extra 500 members of a historical re-enactment group could be coming to Ardleigh for the eagerly-awaited Millennium Spectacular this weekend. Originally just 1,000 members of the Sealed Knot Society were due to turn up to recreate the siege of Colchester
Some of south Essex's top tennis players will be in action over the weekend as they battle it out for glory in Southend and District LTA finals. The event is being held on the recently-refurbished £100,000 artificial grass courts courts at Southend Lawn
Essex and Worcestershire commenced a championship match on Wednesday at the County Ground, Chelmsford with the home side trailing their opponents by just three points, and seeking a victory that could take the side to the top of the table for the first
A woman was shocked to see a "tramp-like" man exposing himself in a Colchester park. The man was committing an indecent act as he stood near parked cars at the Middle Mill Road entrance to Lower Castle Park, at lunchtime yesterday. Det Sgt Roger Napier
A Royalist has redesigned his house in honour of the Queen Mum's birthday. Fred Savill of The Glebe, Purleigh, near Maldon has covered one side of his house with a tribute to the Centenarian royal. The Queen Mum, who will be 100 on August 4, witnessed
Asylum seekers are likely to be moved out of Maldon. They have been told to get out by Maldon District Council, and now the company which runs Mill House in Langford, where they have been staying, has decided not to fight the ruling. The council issued
A fire which gutted a car salvage yard was caused by an employee working on a petrol tank, it has emerged. The blaze at the Canvey firm on the Charfleets Industrial Estate sparked a major investigation by police and firefighters yesterday (Wednesday).
A Basildon mother has vowed to take her fight to get her son into the school of her choice to the very top. Sue Gilmartin is determined her 11-year-old son should not be the one to suffer at the hands of an unusual catchment area ruling. If necessary
The life of a Leigh woman might have been saved had she received a heart transplant a month before her death, an inquest heard. Simone Clawson, 32, of Highbank Close, died shortly after an exploratory operation - but there was no way doctors could have
The owner of controversial High Ongar conference centre Mulberry House has hit out at critics opposed to its expansion plans. Toot Hill businessman Ray George insists the claims made about his proposals to stage functions for 100s of visitors, particularly
Brentwood Police have written to the council, concerned about the growing number of pubs in the town following a dramatic rise in violent crime statistics. Violent offences in Brentwood were up 38 per cent, according to new figures released by the police
The gay dads are moving to an American mansion - and they are expecting triplets. Barrie Drewitt and Tony Barlow from Bicknacre Road, Danbury, are selling up and moving to a luxury 15-bedroom mansion in Miami. And the couple, who had twins Saffron and
A new generation of 21st century internet homes are to be built on Southend's derelict gasworks site, it has been revealed. Laing Homes has unveiled a blueprint for 92 flats and houses for the disused land in Eastern Esplanade, which will incorporate
A dramatic night raid at a controversial genetically-modified crop site led to the arrest of 11 protesters on suspicion of criminal damage. Large parts of the crop at Sunnymead Farm, Wivenhoe, were destroyed in the early hours of this morning (Thursday
The mother of a Canvey woman killed in a road crash in Scotland has told of her daughter's zest for life and devotion to her family. Kim Guzzan, 31, of Bedford Place, had been living in Inverness and was on her way home from work in Perth when the accident
Young sportsmen and women from Havering were in jubilant mood on Sunday as they celebrated victory over 32 other borough teams in the 23rd London Heathrow Youth Games. East London's finest, the most successful borough in the history of the Games, secured
Essex batsman Stephen Peters has been playing with two stress fractures in his back - yet intends to carry on playing through the pain barrier. Peters, 21, said;, "I've had the problem for a couple of years although it's been getting progressively worse
High visibility patrols are the latest tactic in the Wickford police battle against youth nuisance. But the town's vandalism and graffiti hot spots were surprisingly quiet when we beat with Community Liaison Officer PC Geoff Whiter. The extra patrols
The hunt for a brutal sex fiend who burst into a woman's home and raped her has been stepped up. Detectives have revealed they need help to trace a white van seen in the area at around the time the 42-year-old woman was assaulted. However, they admit
An angry trader has claimed Southend Council had "double-crossed" firms at Victoria Plaza by handing control of the walkways to the shopping centre's owners. Jack Wilson, partner of Higgs Leathers, said businesses were outraged by the recent decision
Heybridge Swifts striker Simon Parker could be set for a big-money move to Nationwide League Division Three side Barnet. Parker, who netted 21 league goals for the Swifts in his first season at Ryman League premier division level last term, has been training
The owners of Clacton's premier hotel have been refused permission to use it as a hostel for asylum seekers. The Royal Hotel in Marine Parade East has been used to house refugees for more than a year - but has only just put in for planning permission
Visitors to Wivenhoe Town last night (Wednesday) had a surprise treat - an appearance from Chelsea star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's younger brother. Carlos is on trial at Norwich City and turned out in the two teams' entertaining 2-2 draw - an appearance
Mark Ilott began the championship match with Sussex last week needing one more victim to complete a tally of 500 first-class wickets for Essex. He didn't wait long to strike, removing Sussex opener Toby Peirce in his third over of the opening session
It's a case of the Iron taking on the Iron tomorrow night (Friday), when Braintree Town host West Ham United in a pre-season friendly at Cressing Road (kick-off 7.30pm). Although no clue as to the likely side the Premiership club would field had been
Teenager Andrew McGarry was the Essex star on the opening day of their Championship clash against Second Division leaders Worcestershire at Chelmsford. The 18-year-old Basildon-born fast bowler emerged from his day's labours with 3-29 from 16 overs, figures
The Environment Agency has backed "robust plans" developed by Anglia region water companies to help manage supplies in drought. The region experienced severe drought in the 1990s. The period between April 1995 and October 1997 was the driest of the century
A Harold Hill Infant School has a received a £65,000 grant from the Government to help fund its new nursery project. St Ursula's Roman Catholic school, Straight Road has been awarded £65,000 that will contribute to the project with work set to begin during
Virgin Active bosses have ended speculation by confirming they will attend a public inquiry into a controversial new leisure centre they want to build in Thundersley. Their decision follows months of debate following the ruling by Secretary of State for
Graffiti has blighted a newly-refurbished set of toilets within days of them being reopened. More than £55,000 was spent on the public lavatories in the George Yard Shopping Centre in Braintree, and the men's was finally opened on July 7. But just days
Claus Jensen appears to have chosen Charlton Athletic ahead of Ipswich Town after completing a medical at The Valley. Bolton Wanderers accepted bids of £4 million from both clubs so it was down to Jensen to decide which club he wanted to sign for. He
East Colchester will end up a "mess" unless a complete design framework is created for the dock area, it is claimed. Colchester Council consulted widely before drawing up its community assessment for the Hythe. The aim was to collect business's and residents
A Colchester trader has joined in the St Botolph's bus lane controversy - blaming it for a drop in customers and profit. Andy Robinson, 29, who owns Smith's Butchers in Priory Walk, said the new road layout had damaged his business. And he predicted shoppers
Southend Pier traders have claimed they lost vital business after being left high and dry by a water leak which cut off supplies. The leak is reckoned to have cost businesses on the pier thousands of pounds as day-trippers stayed away in their droves
A major investigation is underway after a human skull was discovered on the beach at Westcliff. Pathologists from Southend Hospital were conducting forensic tests in a bid to uncover how the person died and how old the skull is. They will then be faced
Scores of Essex people took part in the historic Queen Mother's 100th birthday parade. She defied terrorist attempts to disrupt her pageant and ensured the long-awaited royal centenary parade went ahead. Among the 7,000 in yesterday's (Wednesday's) parade
An urban village providing homes and new jobs looks set to be created in Chelmsford. Fairview New Homes has applied to the borough council for outline planning consent to build 520 houses and a business centre on the site of the former Writtle Road premises
Ernest Whitehouse, husband of morals campaigner Mary Whitehouse, has died aged 85. Mr Whitehouse died on Saturday at Abberton Manor Nursing Home, near Colchester, where the couple recently lived. The couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary
The long-awaited Great Notley Discovery Centre has won a top design award - before it has even been built. The £1.4 million eco-friendly centre has scooped the Environmental Initiative of the Year 2000 prize. Bad weather has delayed the opening of the
Elm Park trio Jean Hart, Jim Grey and Ken Hart scooped the honours in a gala event staged at Frinton Bowling Club. They were up against Clacton's Marilyn Crane, Laurie Freeman and Joe Crane and a classic match was capped by a dramatic finish. With Marilyn
Squatters and drug addicts have been making residents' lives a misery. A father-of-two says his children are so petrified of the individuals they are scared to come and see him for their weekend visits. The man, who asked not to be identified, said the
Basildon's top policeman has insisted the town has a lot to be proud of - despite national figures which reveal an increase in reported crime. The comparison between the April 1998 to March 1999 figures and for the same period the following year shows
A crunch meeting last night (Wednesday) held the key to a future for Wickford's cash-strapped Citizens' Advice Bureau. Before the meeting bosses were confident of thrashing out a survival package to stop the vital service from folding. Manager Diane Storey
Youngsters need to hear about the full horrors of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) if they are going to start using contraception. This is the view of young people attending an innovative conference. The Sexual Health Information Conference brought
An electronics firm is to shut in a major blow to business in a small town. Bosses of Brightlingsea-based Osec say increased foreign competition has led to its demise with the loss of 34 jobs. The Chapel Road firm has been based in the town since the
Drivers claim short car journeys turned into a "white knuckle ride" as thousands of cyclists on a charity jaunt were routed along country lanes. Almost 3,000 cyclists turned out for the 54-mile London to Southend bike ride at the weekend for the British
There were thrills galore at Southend's Priory Park as five finals were staged to bring the 69th Southend Men's Open Bowls Tournament to a tremendous climax. During the second finals afternoon, no fewer than five trophies were contested - and an extra
Lee Georgiou was unceremoniously brushed aside within a round at York Hall, Bethnal Green on Thursday. The Harold Hill flyweight succumbed to his first professional defeat at the hands of Chris Emmanuel, a last minute stand-in for original opponent Tommy
Colchester Sixth Form College suffered a 1-0 defeat in the opening match of their Gothia Cup campaign. But they produced an excellent performance against the professional Swedish premier league club side Frolunda - hot favourites to win the tournament
Memories of cricketing matches past were the order of the day last week as Harold Park Cricket Club staged a reunion of players who have represented the club over its 75 year history. Harold Park's Derek Fenton, who was born in the year that the club
Mark Venus and Richard Naylor have been ruled out of Ipswich Town's pre-season tour to the Baltic States. The injury-plagued pair delayed surgery at the end of last season so they could star in Town's 4-2 play-off final triumph against Barnsley. Defender
Wivenhoe Town were to kick off their pre-season campaign with an attractive friendly with Nationwide League division one club Norwich City at Broad Lane last night. A healthy crowd was expected at the Dragons' home for the clash. New signing Robbie May
Canvey Island began their pre-season build-up in winning style at Park Lane by capturing the notable scalp of Nationwide League Division Two club Colchester United. A 20th-minute headed goal by Steve Parmenter following a corner settled the issue in front
Claus Jensen has been locked in talks with Ipswich Town manager George Burley to discuss a £4 million move to Portman Road. Bolton Wanderers have accepted Town's improved offer for the Dane although Charlton Athletic have also tabled a bid for the 23-
Elmwood Colts proved to be the mini-marvels when the soccer competition was the central attraction of Rochford Festival of Sports finals day at King George's Playing Field, Rayleigh. Elmwood won both the under-seven and under-eight events, beating Rayleigh
WICKFORD III 169-7 FIVES & HERONIANS 141-9 (Match drawn) Wickford opener Keith Parminter batted well to give the home side a boost after winning the toss. The hosts were at 100 for the loss of one wicket when the runs dried up in the middle order.
League leaders Aythorpe Roding had a 'bad day at the office' on Saturday, as they went down to a 41 runs defeat at South Woodham Ferrers. The hosts totalled 183 all out, with Matthew Bridger (58) and Martin Wensdale (43) among the runs and Liam Rosewall
On their way to the World Youth Games, which are being held in Cardiff later this month, the Canadian Under 21 netball side broke their journey in Chelmsford. They stayed at New Hall School and on Wednesday evening played mid-Essex sides Kea and Teagate
Mystery still surrounds the death of a backpacker whose body was found at a hotel in Vietnam. Daniel Frost, 28, of Crescent Road, Tollesbury, died after taking a "lethal cocktail" of morphine and alcohol on February 6. Mr Frost - a chartered accountant
A businessman threatened to cut his love rival "in pieces" with a meat cleaver after breaking into his former girlfriend's flat. Dennis Hooper, 51, later threw the cleaver into a river and told police who arrested him: "I just went crazy." Chelmsford
An angry trader has claimed Southend Council had "double-crossed" firms at Victoria Plaza by handing control of the walkways to the shopping centre's owners. Jack Wilson, partner of Higgs Leathers, said businesses were outraged by the recent decision
An electronics firm is to shut in a major blow to business in a small town. Bosses of Brightlingsea-based Osec say increased foreign competition has led to its demise with the loss of 34 jobs. The Chapel Road firm has been based in the town since the
A father and grandfather have begged families to fill in their fishponds after a year-old boy almost died. Little Callum Bartlett is lucky to be alive after being found face down in the family's fish pond at their home in Byron Court, Laindon. His mother
Plans are being discussed for new retail units at the former Bolingbroke and Wenley site in Chelmsford's High Street. Chelmsford Council's environment committee will look at the proposals by Chartwell Land Development Ltd for the two or three storey development
Protests have been voiced at plans to erect a "prison-like" fence behind Billericay's police station. Officers at the High Street site want to step up security around premises which contain valuable equipment and data by building a two metre perimeter
A new drive to deter criminals is to be launched in Ongar. The Neighbourhood Watch style scheme will be introduced in the High Street following retailers' concern at what they say is the lack of a visible police presence in the town. A meeting of police
Council chiefs have swung into action in an attempt to get the troubled Epping-Ongar railway back on track. Following a meeting with local MPs Eric Pickles , Eleanor Laing, and Bill Rammell, Epping Forest District Council's chief executive John Burgess
This tiny bundle of feathers got itself in a right flap after flying into unknown territory. The rare nightjar - believed to be the first of its kind found in Essex - was found on the brink of death in a shed at Tilbury Docks. Thousands of people across
The neurosurgery unit at Oldchurch Hospital has received a £30,000 cash bonanza, with the help of a Brentwood man. David Tee, of Little Warley, is one of the directors of the Hornchurch Feast Committee and recommended that the committee donate the money
Firefighters have been praised today for their actions in rescuing three babies from a house fire. Two crews arrived within four minutes of mum Anita Somerville raising the alarm when her tumble dryer caught fire in the kitchen. They dashed inside the
A mystery benefactor has come to the rescue of Wickford Citizens' Advice Bureau. The struggling organisation's management committee agreed a rescue package which will keep it afloat for at least another year. Manager Diane Storey revealed the committee's
