More than 40 jobs are to go at ICS Triplex at Heybridge. The shock news comes as a Maldon car dealership which has 20 staff also announced its closure this week. ICS Triplex based in Hall Road which makes safety shutdown systems for the fire and gas industry
Two brothers are retiring after more than 80 years' work on a fruit farm. Richard and John Williamson are directors with Williamson (Fruit Farms) Ltd fruit growing company which is based in Langham. But their decision to call it a day after a lifetime
Motorists faced four-mile rush hour tailbacks after an accident on the A12 yesterday (Thursday). The road was left blocked after a lorry and a car were involved in a collision just after 8am on the A12 near Rivenhall. Hundreds of drivers on their way
Jason Rowland has been called up to challenge for the vacant WBU light welterweight title at the Wembley Conference Centre on October 21. Rowland will be facing world-ranked 25-year-old Michael Warrick, from Maryland, USA, a man with an impressive record
Golfers Andy Duffin and Jason Levermore have defied the odds to reach the Essex PGA Matchplay final. The prestigious event is contested by professionals from across the county - yet both finalists will be representing Clacton Golf Club in tomorrow's showpiece
Two brothers are retiring after more than 80 years' work on a fruit farm. Richard and John Williamson are directors with Williamson (Fruit Farms) Ltd fruit growing company which is based in Langham. But their decision to call it a day after a lifetime
Two brothers are retiring after more than 80 years' work on a fruit farm. Richard and John Williamson are directors with Williamson (Fruit Farms) Ltd fruit growing company which is based in Langham. But their decision to call it a day after a lifetime
You could say that last season's Southend District League Premier Division runners-up Rochford Town had a ball when the new Southend District League season got underway. For C Ball scored two of the goals as they triumphed 5-4 over AFC Hadleigh in a nine-goal
History was on the move on Thursday when 230-year-old volumes of the original Chelmsford Chronicle, one of the world's first newspapers, were transported to the new Essex Record Office at Chelmer Waterside. With post-horn blaring and four horses hauling
Strollers continued their 100 per cent start to the Southend Borough Combination Veterans League season with a 3-0 win at Chapel United, Clapton, Banyard and Waters netting the goals. Maltby kept up the pressure with a fine 2-1 win at Canvey Island, a
Unbelievable wedding-wear bargains have been announced at a charity shop - thanks to the generosity of a nearby bridal store. The British Heart Foundation shop in Furtherwick Road, Canvey, has been given more than 60 brand new wedding dresses - some worth
Villagers in Great and Little Saling were celebrating the opening of their new village hall this week. The £350,000 Salings Millennium Village Hall is the result of almost two decades of fundraising and campaigning in the two villages. Graham Bool, who
Art is what you make it and to artists Sarah Buckle and Sharon Byrne it's boxes full of favourite things, learns GARY MAC Artists Sarah Buckle and Sharon Byrne are boxing clever with their latest exhibition. Writer Sarah and painter Sharon, both from
Coping as a family member battles cancer is heartbreaking enough but for a north Essex family it is twice as hard. Both father David Hyde and his son Oliver, three, have been struck down with rare forms of the disease. Mr Hyde, 36, was diagnosed with
A former Colchester schoolgirl told how she will not travel on a train after surviving the Paddington rail crash which claimed 31 lives. Siobhan Hay, 30, whose parents live in Braintree, was due to attend the memorial service in Westminster yesterday
A Clacton mother is desperate to be rehoused after youths made her and her daughter's lives a misery. Julie Steele, 38, claims she and seven-year-old Rebecca were taunted in the streets and their home was constantly under attack. Their pet rabbit was
An extension may seem like a drastic way to prepare for a baby, but a Tollesbury couple are no ordinary parents. Jackie Rigby, 38, of Hyacinth Close, is expecting her third set of twins. The supermum had her first twins Jack and Jamie in 1986 followed
A permanent closing date could be in sight for Never Never Land on Southend seafront, as its owner admitted children are just not interested any more. Mike Dolby said yesterday (Wednesday) he was seriously considering quitting the miniature theme park
A young Para who suffered serious head injuries after he was injured in a fight in Norfolk is still improving in hospital. Glen Parker, 18, is a member of the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, based at Hyderbad Barracks in Colchester, and comes from
A pregnant woman leapt from her car as it burst into flames in a multi-storey car park. She was driving out of Osborne Street car park, Colchester, when flames burst from her Ford Fiesta just after 2pm yesterday (Wednesday). The town's firefighters put
The desperate need for extra secondary places in Clacton can be met by expansion rather than building a new school. That was the clear message from the head of the town's biggest high school, who claimed he had the backing of the other heads affected
"We won't be letting people down again." That was the pledge from the owner of the trendy £2million Boatyard Restaurant in Old Leigh preparing for a hoped-for re-opening at the end of this month. A top London chef has now been hired and a new management
Labour councillors have vowed to oppose any moves to axe Southend's special schools. The five-strong group will vote to keep the town's esteemed special schools as they are when a crunch decision is taken on their future, group leader Chris Dandridge
Villagers in Great and Little Saling were celebrating the opening of their new village hall this week. The £350,000 Salings Millennium Village Hall is the result of almost two decades of fundraising and campaigning in the two villages. Graham Bool, who
Steve Whitton is ready to smash Colchester United's record transfer fee for a new striker as he bids to pep up his ailing Second Division attack. But the U's boss warned after watching his team fail to hit the mark again when losing at home to Stoke City
Southend was once the fashionable place for the rich and well-connected to visit. ALEX MORROWSMITH traces the town from elite resort for the titled to kiss-me-quick destination for the day-tripping common man Once upon a time - and this is no fairy tale
You've heard of canned laughter before - but canned screaming? Blood curdling yells echoed around the Palace theatre, Westcliff last night as a gripped audience sat on the edge of their seats for a splendid performance of Woman in Black. The intimate
New Southend United boss David Webb has delivered a critical verdict after assessing the Third Division club's excessive wage bill. Webb only rejoined Blues on Monday, but has wasted no time in familiarising himself with the players' contracts, which
Mark Nicholls is preparing to face a baptism of fire when Colchester United entertain high-flying Walsall at Layer Road. U's boss Steve Whitton - desperate to pep up up his side's attack after the £2.25 million departure of Lomana Tresor Lua Lua - ended
CHELMSFORD CITY COLTS U9B 1 WILVALE B 1 (Chelmsford Mini Soccer League) A STRONG opening spell by Wilvale put the Colts' defence under pressure, which, led by Tom Cross, they withstood. The Colts, building on the passing techniques learned in training
Braintree swimmer Giles Long is on his way to Sydney to compete in the Paralympics in search of a gold medal to add to the one he won in Atlanta in 1996. Giles, who holds the world record in his class for the 100m butterfly, is one of 47 swimmers who
Essex fans' loyalties will be stretched to breaking point on Friday when, after what seems to have been an eternity of waiting, Havering's Southern Area cruiserweight champion Dominic Negus defends his title against former Commonwealth heavyweight champion
More than 40 jobs are to go at ICS Triplex at Heybridge. The shock news comes as a Maldon car dealership which has 20 staff also announced its closure this week. ICS Triplex based in Hall Road which makes safety shutdown systems for the fire and gas industry
Hockley sprinter Sarah Wilhelmy has set her sights on a gruelling winter training programme after returning from the Olympics in fine fettle. Last season, the 20-year-old Southend AC runner won her place in the British women's 4x100m relay squad despite
Canvey Island Youth had rivals Ekco Whitecaps 2nd all at sea in their Southend Junior League Under-11 League Cup preliminary round clash with O'Rawe scoring ten in a 19-0 success. O'Rawe's tally came close to matching his total for the whole of last term
David Tubbs needed to fight hard to record a memorable victory in the Redbridge Sports Centre Summer Series. The Thorpe Bay Tennis Club member had his service broken twice in the second set of his quarter-final clash with Peter French, but bounced back
Unbelievable wedding-wear bargains have been announced at a charity shop - thanks to the generosity of a nearby bridal store. The British Heart Foundation shop in Furtherwick Road, Canvey, has been given more than 60 brand new wedding dresses - some worth
A ten-year-old boy has been shot in the throat with an air gun while football training in a Vange park. Grant Bowers was knocked to the ground by the blow - believed to be fired by a sniper hiding in trees at Swan Mead park in Vange. David Orphan, Grant's
A man almost lost his arm after plunging through a glass door in a vicious street brawl. The victim was rushed to hospital following the horrific incident, which happened outside the front door of a home in Newberry Side, Laindon. Police were on the scene
Fire chiefs have hit out at arsonists as the number of 999 calls in Southend leapt by more than a quarter. Just last night (Wednesday), four of the ten calls received by the station were to minor arson attacks and one was a prank call. So far this year
Clandestine "weddings" are taking place between same-sex couples in the Chelmsford diocese, according to a leading gay Anglican priest. The Rev Richard Kirker, of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, said that despite opposition from the Bishop of
SATURDAY FA CUP Second qualifying round: Canvey Island 1, Braintree Town 1; Chelmsford City 1, Gray Ath 1; Purfleet 3, Ipswich Wanderers 1. RYMAN LEAGUE Division 2: Tilbury 1, Cheshunt 2. Division 3: Aveley 5, Kingsbury Town 2. SCHWEPPES ESSEX SENIOR
With previous top dogs Rayleigh Town out of action, Rochford Sports and Social took over the leadership of the Southend Sunday League Premier Division when goals from M Terry and P Warner gave them a 2-0 win over Spartek. Canewdon came good against Wheatleys
Troy Pratt capped a memorable campaign by winning the 2000 Supernational Marathon at Arena Essex last Friday. It will certainly not be a year that the 31 year old will forget in a hurry as he has embraced the extreme of speedway fortunes. The unfortunate
BMX bikers have finally got their new track, thanks to the building of a bowls pavilion. Young riders in Hatfield Peverel had to move from the recreation ground this year after complaints from residents and the village football club. But after getting
The radio licence for the Tendring area through to 2011 is up for grabs - and listeners are being given the chance to air their views over what they want to hear in the future. Dream 100 FM currently broadcasts to a potential adult population of more
Little Jody Niles was on top of the world after scaling Snowdon to raise money for a cause very close to her heart. Nine years ago Jody's grandmother, Anne Ward, 51, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and the six-year-old trekked up the mountain to
A pregnant woman leapt from her car as it burst into flames in a multi-storey car park. She was driving out of Osborne Street car park, Colchester, when flames burst from her Ford Fiesta just after 2pm on Wednesday. The town's firefighters put out the
The radio licence for the Tendring area through to 2011 is up for grabs - and listeners are being given the chance to air their views over what they want to hear in the future. Dream 100 FM currently broadcasts to a potential adult population of more
South Woodham skater Sally Wood has received £250 from the town's Rotary Club to pursue her sport. Sally, 16, who holds 15 national titles for in-line skating, was presented with the cheque by Rotary president John Butcher. Having recently returned from
New Southend United boss David Webb has delivered a critical verdict after assessing the Third Division club's excessive wage bill. Webb only rejoined Blues on Monday, but has wasted no time in familiarising himself with the players' contracts, which
Chelsea's Mark Nicholls has signed for Colchester United on a month's loan. The 23-year-old striker, who has made 53 appearances for the London club, travelled to Layer Road this morning (Thursday) to put pen to paper. Nicholls has slipped out of the
There was almost an air of inevitability about City kissing goodbye to an extended FA Cup run as they produced a below-par showing at Bridge Road on Tuesday. Their cause was not helped by the non-appearance of Steve Portway who was ruled out by a hamstring
Canvey Island's Olympic hero Dean Macey is taking a short break from athletics before pondering his next move. The 22-year-old decathlete admitted he had no concrete plan in the short term and plans instead to think over his long term future. "I'm going
A ten-year-old boy has been shot in the throat with an air gun while football training in a Vange park. Grant Bowers was knocked to the ground by the blow - believed to be fired by a sniper hiding in trees at Swan Mead park in Vange. David Orphan, Grant's
Little Jody Niles was on top of the world after scaling Snowdon to raise money for a cause very close to her heart. Nine years ago Jody's grandmother, Anne Ward, 51, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and the six-year-old trekked up the mountain to
Clandestine "weddings" are taking place between same-sex couples in the Chelmsford diocese, according to a leading gay Anglican priest. The Rev Richard Kirker, of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, said that despite opposition from the Bishop of
Fire chiefs have hit out at arsonists as the number of 999 calls in Southend leapt by more than a quarter. Just on Wednesday, four of the ten calls received by the station were to minor arson attacks and one was a prank call. So far this year, the town's
Thousands of patients in Essex have been warned they may have been exposed to the HIV virus by an infected dental health care worker. North and South Essex health authorities yesterday (Thursday) posted letters to more than 5,000 patients in north Essex
A long-awaited rail link between Braintree and Stansted Airport has moved a step closer. A much-debated feasibility study has been given the go-ahead. Braintree is among the main candidates for a link to the Essex airport in a North West Essex Rail Services
Two local Schweppes Essex Senior League clubs stage entertaining County Cup second round games this evening. Southend Manor take on Burnham Ramblers at Southchurch Park, while Concord Rangers are in action against East Ham. Visitors to Thames Road will
Southend United's Supporters Club Trust hailed David Webb's return as manager of the Blues as "the return of the Messiah." Fans' spokesman Paul FitzGerald said: "The whole of Southend is excited by the news of Webb's return. "He has a fabulous track record
Greeves took over at the top of the Sceptre League Premier Division when goals from Gubbins and Holland gave them a 2-1 win over Brit Athletic. Newly-promoted Athletico Porters had scoring efforts from Walker, Gillitt and Atkins to thank for their 3-1
George Burley is waiting to hear whether his £1.75 million bid for FC Bruge star Gert Verheyen has been accepted. The Ipswich Town boss had an offer of £1 million rejected at the weekend but decided to up the stakes in an attempt to land the attacking
Wednesday's Open Match at Rayne Lodge, Braintree was fished on the top and middle lakes with 28 anglers in attendance. First place went to Graham Dack of Image E17 with a 98-10-0 haul. Graham fished on the top lake at peg 13, fishing with meat against
Motorists faced four-mile rush hour tailbacks after an accident on the A12 today (Thursday). The road was left blocked after a lorry and a car were involved in a collision just after 8am on the A12 near Rivenhall. Hundreds of drivers on their way to work
Rainsford High School in Chelmsford hopes to extend its already strong reputation for dance, drama and music by becoming a specialist school for the arts. The school in Fox Crescent is planning to apply for the status in the year 2001, but first needs
Two goals from Saatch helped Concord Rangers to a 5-1 win at Langdon Hills in the Vange Sunday League Premier Division. Grayburn, Gell and Larkin were also on target with George replying, while Holmes triumphed 2-1 at Signet in the other Premier match
Rail company c2c has announced it is confident that major technical problems which have plagued the new Electrostar trains have been ironed out. Progress made after a series of technical problems means that more of the new trains could be on the tracks
Trainee surgeons at Colchester General Hospital are to benefit from a new project showing them live operations being performed across the country. The hospital is being linked-up to the interactive training initiative based at Plymouth University's post
Ipswich Town have failed in their bid to sign Gert Verheyen after being quoted a figure in the region of £5 million for the midfielder. Town boss George Burley upped his original offer for the FC Bruge captain after having a bid of £1.5 million rejected
European-style toll roads could bring chaos to minor roads across the Braintree district it was predicted this week. The proposal is part of a £1 million brief to consultants who have been asked to solve the Essex transport nightmare. The study will look
"We won't be letting people down again." That was the pledge from the owner of the trendy £2million Boatyard Restaurant in Old Leigh preparing for a hoped-for re-opening at the end of this month. A top London chef has now been hired and a new management
A sparkling hat-trick from Gibbs ensured that Crouch marked their return to the South-East Essex Sunday League with an emphatic 7-1 demolition of previously unbeaten ISIS. Runwell registered their first points with a 2-1 win at Wickbeech, O'Leary and
Rail company c2c has announced it is confident that major technical problems which have plagued the new Electrostar trains have been ironed out. Progress made after a series of technical problems means that more of the new trains could be on the tracks
A brave man has been named as the most courageous in the East of England. The Evening Gazette nominated Robert Wadwell, of Coleridge Road, Maldon, for the British Red Cross Humanity Award. And this week he was presented with the award at Sixfields Stadium
Vandals have targeted a community centre in Maldon - in one attack smearing dog excrement over door handles and locks. This weekend damage was again discovered at the Flitch Room, a community meeting room at Brickhouse Farm Community Centre in Poulton
The Human Rights Act introduced this week will have little impact on the way police in Essex conduct their business, it was claimed. Officers work under strict guidelines introduced in 1984 under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, known as PACE. These
Residents at a doomed elderly people's home have been told there could be spaces for them elsewhere in the town. Essex County Council has decided to shut Beaumont Hall in Clacton as it will cost too much money to bring it up to standard. Essex councillors
A man who bought a penny farthing and restored it is now trying to trace its history. Tim Gunn, of Keers Green, near Leaden Roding, bought the bike two years ago. "I bought it from a Miss Hannah Collins, of Debden Green, whose father lived in Felsted,
A hat-trick from Miller put Landwick 2nd in jolly mood in their Hadleigh Carport Southend Borough Combination Faux Cup first round tie with Melchester Rovers. For the goal trio, plus two from Blackaby, helped Landwick to a 5-3 victory. Hill grabbed a
Maldon Town have been handed a tough draw in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup. The Mid-Essex side have reached as far as they have ever done in the competition - and will face a Cambridge City side that includes a number of former Chelmsford stars
Southend United striker Martin Carruthers said it was business as usual following his match winning goal against Rochdale - the club who have been trying to sign him for £60,000. Carruthers had been unsettled by talk of a move to Spotland, before Saturday's
Southend United owner Ron Martin revealed that Blues should have a new chairman in place within a month. Former Shrimpers supremo John Main was removed from the board at an extraordinary general meeting on August 30. "A new chairman should be in place
David Webb made promotion a priority on his return to Third Division Southend United as manager. The 54-year-old begins his third stint in the Roots Hall hot seat on Tuesday and he immediately set his sights on making the step up to the Second Division
Karl Duguid and David Gregory look set to win their fitness battles in time for Colchester United's Division Two meeting with Walsall on Friday. The pair missed the weekend defeat against Stoke City after picking up knocks but look set to return against
Woodham Athletic Under 13s, last season's Chelmsford Division One cup and league winners, require good standard players for this season due to players joining professional clubs. For details, telephone 01621 828345/828322 Converted for the new archive
Chelmsford athlete Keith Cullen was the second Briton home in Sunday's men's marathon event at the Sydney Olympic Games. Cullen finished in 19th position in a time of 2.16.59 in one of the final events of the games. The event was won by Ethiopian Gezahgne
European-style toll roads could bring chaos to minor roads across the Braintree district it was predicted this week. The proposal is part of a £1 million brief to consultants who have been asked to solve the Essex transport nightmare. The study will look
Retired farmer Alf Woodford visited Thorpe Hall and provided a fund of knowledge about the club as it was in the middle of the last century. Early during World War Two, head greenkeeper Jock Glass departed on active service and the club, based in Thorpe
A brave man has been named as the most courageous in the East of England. The Evening Gazette nominated Robert Wadwell, of Coleridge Road, Maldon, for the British Red Cross Humanity Award. And this week he was presented with the award at Sixfields Stadium
Vandals have targeted a community centre in Maldon - in one attack smearing dog excrement over door handles and locks. This weekend damage was again discovered at the Flitch Room, a community meeting room at Brickhouse Farm Community Centre in Poulton
Trainee surgeons at Colchester General Hospital are to benefit from a new project showing them live operations being performed across the country. The hospital is being linked-up to the interactive training initiative based at Plymouth University's post
Essex needs a more prestigious business image and increased numbers of office and home workers if it wants to grow economically in the future. These are two key strategic ideas proposed in a county-wide study carried out by the Essex Economic Partnership
The Human Rights Act introduced this week will have little impact on the way police in Essex conduct their business, it was claimed. Officers work under strict guidelines introduced in 1984 under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, known as PACE. These
A former Colchester schoolgirl told how she will not travel on a train after surviving the Paddington rail crash which claimed 31 lives. Siobhan Hay, 30, whose parents live in Braintree, was due to attend the memorial service in Westminster today (Thursday
Coping as a family member battles cancer is heartbreaking enough but for a north Essex family it is twice as hard. Both father David Hyde and his son Oliver, three, have been struck down with rare forms of the disease. Mr Hyde, 36, was diagnosed with
A mother is desperate to be rehoused after youths made her and her daughter's lives a misery. Julie Steele, 38, claims she and seven-year-old Rebecca were taunted in the streets and their home was constantly under attack. Their pet rabbit was killed and
History was on the move today (Thursday) when 230-year-old volumes of the original Chelmsford Chronicle, one of the world's first newspapers, were transported to the new Essex Record Office at Chelmer Waterside. With post-horn blaring and four horses
They stood with their heads bowed for a woman they never knew. A handful of mourners - including police and pall bearers - paid silent tributes to the mystery woman whose body was washed up on a Foulness beach. Despite exhaustive police inquiries, her
Following the sacking of manager Alan Little, Southend United club have appointed former boss David Webb to take over - his third spell in the hot seat. Echosport asked Blues fans in Southend High Street their views on the appointment of the man who took
Essex needs a more prestigious business image and increased numbers of office and home workers if it wants to grow economically in the future. These are two key strategic ideas proposed in a county-wide study carried out by the Essex Economic Partnership
Fencer James Beevers was today duelling with a financial dilemma after his funding dried up in the aftermath of the Olympics. In the 18 months before the Sydney Games, the young Southend athlete received a small grant from the British Fencing Association
