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
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
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
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
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 dull day with a fresh north-westerly breeze greeted the entrants for the Sandhopper Founders Trophy run by Thorpe Bay Yacht Club at the weekend. The conditions suited Phil Crawford and Matt Rainbow, sailing "Francis Van Looys Pray", as they proceeded
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
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 on Wednesday. Officers
Saturday sees the first Braintree Experience, which looks at the past, present and future. The town centre will be taking on a medieval theme with various activities for the whole family. Jugglers and acrobats will be keeping shoppers entertained at the
Bullies beware! A new set of Bully Busters have been appointed at St Peter's School, Coggeshall, to tackle any problems that might take place in the school day. Current year five pupils Alex Whitelock, Luke Whealing, Jonathan Matthews, Isla Haslam, Kaleigh
Customers are tucking in to fish and chips with their stamps at Mile End post office. Owners Vinny and Sarah Ranzulla opened the fish and chip shop to boost business so they could keep the Nayland Road post office open. Guests enjoyed champagne with their
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
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
Six women and five men have been charged with criminal damage following an incident on yesterday (Thursday) morning at Sunnymead Farm, Wivenhoe, where parts of a genetically-modified crop were flattened. The 11 people, who are all from the Colchester
Sick and injured children being treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital are set to benefit from this happy shopper's stroke of luck. Jo Puffett, of Glenmere, Vange, entered a prize draw at the Tesco Extra store in Pitsea whilst she was doing her weekly
Health bosses have given the go-ahead for plans to develop a new community hospital in Braintree. At a meeting last night (Thursday) between Witham, Braintree and Halstead Primary Care Group and the capital reference group of North Essex Health Authority
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
Firefighters have been praised for rescuing three babies from a house fire in Braintree. 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 house in
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
Maldon district councillors are being urged to support a new farmers' market in the town. Response from traders themselves has already been encouraging following a meeting last week. Now members of the central planning committee which meets on Wednesday
Before Kents Hill Junior School opened in Benfleet, a new team of staff was installed, starting with a newly qualified teacher. That same teacher, Mrs Lynda Glynn, 58, has just retired after working at the school in Kents Hill Road for 34 years. Grateful
A charity organiser kept more than £11,000 for himself instead of handing it over to deserving causes. A court heard how collectors working for 54-year-old John Morris handed over £11,100 which he was supposed to give to a variety of charities. Morris
A fisherman has dug up a Second World War bomb off the Essex coast - for the second time this week. Trevor Mole's boat, the Nicola Anne, which sails out of West Mersea, trawled up another device in the early hours of this morning (Friday), having already
Incidents of railway trespassing and vandalism in Southend have doubled in the past year according to Railtrack figures.The news comes as a nationwide campaign is being launched in schools to educate children about the dangers of trespassing on railway
A Margaretting man who stopped on a motorway to rescue a baby from a blazing car has received a top bravery award. Denis Clift, 63, of Maldon Road, was presented with the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire award at a ceremony at Essex Police
A father-of-three who urgently needs a triple heart bypass will have to wait at least 14 months for the operation. Brian Savill, 45, of Arnstones Close, Colchester, could die if he has another heart attack before he gets a hospital bed. He has been told
Clacton Town manager Steve Dowman has boosted his squad by signing AFC Sudbury centre-back Richard Codling. Codling started his career at Cornard United before moving to Sudbury where he played for 13 years. The 32-year-old said: "After seeing first hand
Richard Wright will not sign a new contract with Ipswich Town if he is not in goal for their first game of the season, according to his agent. Jonathan Barnett has also claimed the England shotstopper is stalling on signing a new deal because he wants
The Brentwood Schools Athletics Championships were held last Wednesday at Gloucester Park, Basildon, and the Ursuline School were in superb form. All the schools were there except the Anglo European School, who were unable to compete except for a small
EVERSLEY PARK 246-7 ESSEX CARRIERS 165-9 (Eversley Park won by 81 runs) Essex Carriers crashed to their first Reefer 90 league defeat of the season at Eversley Park. The Basildon outfit were too tasty for their Hadleigh opponents who had Spicer to thank
Southend United stepped up their pre-season campaign with a routine victory at Conference League outfit Kettering Town on Tuesday. The Shrimpers eased past the non-leaguers, thanks to goals from strikers Yemi Abiodun and Martin Carruthers, leaving Blues
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
Severalls Athletic, one of Colchester's oldest established junior football clubs, is in danger of folding through lack of numbers. Severalls Athletic is in desperate need of a manager and players for their coming Kent Blaxill Border League division two
A trail-blazing summer school for gifted children in Colchester will link up pupils by digital camera and the internet. Nineteen youngsters from Sir Charles Lucas School, in Greenstead, Colchester, will take part in the revolutionary scheme. They will
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.
Rochford actress Karen Barnes is looking forward to performing close to home next week she tells SALLY KING When a handsome young man walked up to actress Karen Barnes at a party she thought he had the most novel chat-up line she'd ever heard. Karen,
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
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
Parking charges at Southminster and Althorne stations start on Monday, but a parish council chairman fears that there will be 'gridlock' on the streets as people refuse to pay. Notices have been put up at the two stations stating new parking charges -
As the school summer holidays descend upon us, the Essex Chronicle Series Ltd has teamed up with West Ham United's Football in the Community programme to give youngsters an opportunity to take part in coaching sessions throughout the county. The coaching
A pupil from Felsted School represented the British Schools Small Bore Shooting Team in a National Championship in Denmark. Simon Atterton successfully competed in the team competition, winning a silver medal. Simon, captain of Shooting at Felsted, is
Police have been unable to trace a man dressed in a Superman outfit who was running in and out of traffic on the A130, Chelmsford. Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Andrew McGarry could be handed his National League debut when Essex take on Derbyshire at Chelmsford on Sunday. The 18-year-old fast bowler is poised to play after Mark Ilott limped off with a pulled hamstring in the current Championship match with Worcestershire
Southend United is battling against a financial crisis which could see the club in the hands of the administrator within days. With the new soccer season less than a month away, Blues face a winding up order at the Royal Courts of Justice next Wednesday
Long-standing supporter of St Helena Hospice in Colchester, Gwenyth Jefferies has died. She lost her battle against cancer in Colchester General Hospital on Monday - her 87th birthday. Miss Jefferies, who moved to Copford Court in Copford when her illness
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 Wednesday's parade were the
A fire-hit school is now almost as good as new. Templars Junior School in Witham has nearly recovered from the suspected arson attack in April. Two classrooms were completely written off in the blaze which left the library and stairwell with smoke and
One of the four most important street car venues in the world is Braintree. The annual rally, which is the biggest of its kind in Europe, is the centre piece of the Braintree Extravaganza and organisers are putting the final touches to this year's event
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
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
Southend Manor striker Ben Barnett faced the biggest game of his life at Nationwide Conference new boys Dagenham and Redbridge last night (Thursday). Barnett is currently on a pre-season trial with Third Division outfit Leyton Orient and was to lead 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
Hopes were high this week that plans for Braintree's long-awaited community hospital would take a major step forward. Representatives from Braintree's primary care group and from Mid Essex Hospitals Trust were due to present the strategic case for the
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
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
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
Finchingfield residents face the prospect of a 70ft high mobile phone mast being erected in their picture postcard village. The planning application for the village - regarded as one of the prettiest in England - has been made by Vodafone Ltd. The mobile
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
We are still in with a shout of promotion despite only drawing with Sussex last week. Australian star Michael Bevan, who really is a top player, played a big part in it for them and the score that they set for us was always going to be difficult to reach
Five eco-warriors who set up a 40 day underground protest were today (Friday) learning their fate. They remained defiant after being found guilty by Basildon magistrates of obstructing officials during their tunnel eviction at the A130 Rettendon bypass
The parents of a girl killed in a tragic fairground accident have pleaded for Wickford inspector Barry Ramsey to remain suspended from work. Helen and Rob Rowe's 12-year-old daughter Stacey, from Truro, Cornwall, was thrown off the Top Spin ride at a
Health bosses whose books are millions of pounds in the red are being faced with a soaring bill for drugs next year across the Witham and Braintree district North Essex Health Authority have been fighting to slash the £12 million deficit built up by doctors
BILLERICAY 170 all out GIDEA PARK 172-4 (Gidea Park won by 6 wickets) Billericay remain in next to last place after failing to capitalise on a cracking start - but no-one at the club is panicking. Bowler Gary Marshall said:"There are nine games left and
Ray Morton had his gating skills to thank as he scooped the annual Essex championship at the Purfleet Raceway. On an evening of high drama and one or two nasty crashes, the Isle of Wight rider soared through in the final ahead of Arena Essex's Troy Pratt
Former British Windsurfing Champion Guy Cribb passed on tips to members of West Mersea Windsurfers and Ardleigh Watersports Centre during a visit to Essex. Cribb runs coaching sessions across the UK and was on hand to put ten enthusiasts - ranging in
Athletics coach John Hyland has slammed the "foolhardiness" of having two athletics clubs in Colchester. The Colchester and Tendring Athletics Club coach says the sport would flourish in the area if his club joined forces with rivals Colchester Harriers
Heybridge Swifts Football Club are staging a Charity Fun Day at their Scraley Road ground this Sunday (July 23), in aid of the Essex Air Ambulance Appeal. The day will feature a football match between Heybridge Veterans (including former West Ham United
The Sirco Southend Evening Cricket League was again decimated by bad weather and only two matches were played. League chiefs reckon it is now going to be hard to fit all of the remaining fixtures in unless the weather improves. Brad Everett played his
With ROY MARSDEN, Artistic Director, Palace Theatre As I think about writing this column I often cast about to see what else is in the papers. It's particularly interesting to find out what's been happening when I'm in the focused world of rehearsal for
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
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
The Demons Skater Hockey Club, one of the largest in the UK, organised the first ever Demon Skater Outdoor Challenge Cup seven a side tournament at the weekend. The tournament was sponsored by Demon Skater (the inline & ice specialist store) in Harlow
Chelmsford Athletic Club's Jordan Lau travelled to Blackpool at the weekend for the Home Internationals Schools Athletics Championships and returned with a silver medal. Lau, 16, was second in the long jump with 6.89 metres, while the winner had a marvellous
A complex development project including a new Colchester United stadium, link road and business park has suffered a setback. The long-standing scheme rests on many parts of a planning jigsaw - including council-owned land at Cuckoo Farm and NHS land at
Essex and England captain Nasser Hussain will be in Chelmsford's Waterstone's bookshop next Monday (July 24), to sign copies of his new book 'Cricket's Greatest Battles'. The book is co-written with producer of BBC Radio's Test Match Special, Peter Baxter
Chelmsford Chieftains have continued to build their roster for the forthcoming season and assistant coach Shaun McFadyen has been busy securing the services of players. The club have added to the signatures of netminder Simon Smith, club captain Jake
The visit of Premiership West Ham to Braintree tonight (Friday) is the highlight of the local pre-season friendly programme this weekend. The east Londoners have promised to send a strong side to Cressing Road for the clash, which could see a number of
Lomana Tresor Lua Lua is gearing himself for a return to action as Colchester United aim to return to winning ways at Chesham. Lua Lua has been named in manager Steve Whitton's squad for a pre-season friendly in Buckinghamshire tomorrow (Saturday). The
Essex's Laura Louden will be flying the flag for England this weekend -- at the age of just 14. The talented Althorne rider has been selected for the England 138cms showjumping team at the Welsh Home Pony International (July 20-23). She will partner the
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
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
Four fishermen are lucky to be alive after their boat narrowly avoided capsizing. Coastguard alerted lifeboats at Harwich and Walton and scrambled an RAF rescue helicopter at 2am yesterday (Thursday). The 30-metre Belgian vessel Goede Hoop, 18 miles off
Mobile phone giants One 2 One are to fight Braintree Council's decision to refuse their application to build a 50ft mast in Great Notley. The mobile company has lodged their appeal to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and Regions,
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
Calls have begun to flood into a new insurance service centre which is expected to create more than 100 jobs. Marsh, one of the country's leading insurance services and Witham's largest employer, has officially opened the affinity group centre at its
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
Bobby Mayes scored on his debut as Maldon Town fought out a hard-earned pre-season friendly draw with Millwall. The Second Division side sent a strong squad to Park Drive, including Maldon old-boy Neil Harris and recent Colchester United target Scott
Angry residents are demanding further action after claiming a new traffic calming scheme on a village road has failed. Essex County Council has nearly finished a major £100,000 programme in the London Road area of Black Notley. The aim of the scheme,
Police have warned householders to be on their guard against bogus carpet sellers. The advice comes after an elderly woman was tricked out of £240 by two conmen who called at her home in Drury Road, Colchester. The pair said they were working on a new
Businesses in East Hanningfield have joined together to demand action over what they claim is a third rate postal delivery service. Many of the village's 40 strong business community have not been receiving their first class mail until between noon and
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
There were plenty of all-star showings when Southend Athletic Club staged their minithon with more than 40 youngsters from school years five, six, seven and eight competing at their Garon's Park track. Not surprisingly, it was established athletes from
Billericay Town and Southend United meet head-on in friendly action at New Lodge tomorrow (Saturday), kick-off 3pm, in what should be a lively affair. And there should be a big crowd in attendance as Billericay have slashed turnstile admission prices
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
A campaign is being launched in Braintree against petrol prices. The Braintree branch of the Conservative Association is to launch a Stop the Sting campaign in George Yard, on Saturday, July 29. Those involved in the campaign will also travel to other
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
South Essex tennis clubs met with Essex LTA chiefs on Wednesday evening 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 move
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
Essex Police are to receive a cash boost of £251,315 for rural policing, Home Office Minister Charles Clarke announced today. The money from the Home Office's £15 million for rural policing, announced last month, has been made available to forces in England
The parents of a 29-year-old Great Baddow man are still praying for a miracle after their adventure-loving son disappeared in Central American jungles four months ago. Brian and Anne Winder have been told by the authorities concerned that they have only
The fifth annual Basildon Festival will be taking place next weekend. SALLY KING takes a look at what will be on offer for the family at Wat Tyler Park The good times will really be rolling this weekend when Basildon enjoys its fifth annual festival.
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
An off-duty police officer fought off an assailant who jumped on her while she was enjoying an evening cycle ride. A spokesman for Clacton police said the man, who was aged about 25, leapt out and grabbed the officer around the shoulder as she was cycling
Stock Brook Manor Golf Club Seniors section has achieved further success in reaching the semi-finals of the Essex Seniors Team Trophy. The composition of the Team Trophy is that clubs affiliated to the Essex County Amateur Golf Union can enter teams of
Residents in sheltered housing complexes in Castle Point will not have to evacuate their homes should a fire break out if the council agrees to a proposal by Essex fire service. Residents will be able to stay put until they are escorted out of the building
An elderly woman was tricked out of more than £300 by callers who simply cut her grass. The men called at the 84-year-old woman's house in Rigby Avenue, Mistley on Wednesday. They offered to cut her lawn. But after the job was done they asked her for
The parents of a three-year-old boy left fighting for his life after an accident are pressing for specialist treatment in a bid to improve his recovery. Alex Wakeling was in a collision with a car in Key Road, Clacton, 11 weeks ago. The youngster spent
A police and social services probe into child cruelty allegations at a care home for vulnerable children and adults has found no grounds for prosecution. All charges in relation to the allegations against Jeanette Roberts, who was in charge of the Old
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has revealed Canvey's traffic problems will be looked at as part of the Government's ten-year transport plan. Canvey is part of the East of England region and was named as a possible area for investment. Prescott, outlining
Southend United chairman John Main has demanded financial assurances from the cash-strapped Third Division club's two main benefactors, property developers Delancey and Martin Dawn. The news came on Monday as Blues faced a winding up order from the Inland
Heybridge Swifts have an impressive list of pre-season friendlies with Colchester United first team the first to appear at Scraley Road on Tuesday (7.30pm kick off). This will be followed by a particularly attractive home match when a full Ipswich Town
Fyfield's Ross Zerafa was in fine form at the All England Schools Track and Field Championships in Sheffield last week. Ross, 14, who attends Brentwood County High School, was representing Essex County Schools in the Junior Boys Under 15 Shot, and against
We are still in with a shout of promotion despite only drawing with Sussex last week. Australian star Michael Bevan, who really is a top player, played a big part in it for them and the score that they set for us was always going to be difficult to reach
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
Chelmsford Athletic Club men competed in a Southern Mens League Division Two fixture at Brighton and finished a creditable second, a position that gives them an outside chance of promotion. This was a remarkable achievement as due to injuries and other
