Taylor has had a lucky escape I reckon former Blues boss Peter Taylor escaped from a fate worse than deathwhen Sven Goran Eriksson was named as the new full-time England manager. Taylor is in charge for the next friendly against Italy but then it's down
Samantha White lived for her horses and her passion for teaching. Today (Tuesday), a heartbroken father spoke of his "lovely bubbly" daughter who died trying to save the horse that meant so much to her younger sister. On Sunday, Miss White, 24, of Kingsbury
A long-established and pioneering boat-building company has been put into liquidation. Colvic Craft plc, based on the Earls Colne Industrial Park, was put into liquidation after an application was made against the company at the High Court in London on
It's a big weekend approaching in the schools' cross-country world. For the regional final of the English Schools' Cross-Country Team Cup goes ahead on Saturday at St Albans, Herts. Athletes are likely to find conditions very muddy and tough after recent
Canvey Island will be aiming to go six points clear of their nearest rivals at the top of the Ryman Premier when Enfield visit Park Lane tonight (Tuesday, 7.45pm). It's Gulls' first League match in over two weeks and they could hardly have greater incentive
Olympic decathlete Dean Macey has said he regrets a fight in a Basildon restaurant. The Canvey sporting hero has been advised to stay silent over the incident at the Pizza Hut at Mayflower retail park, Basildon, on Friday night. However, his agent, Jonathan
Phil O'Leary, the club coach at the Gidea Park Tennis Club, recently represented Great Britain in Paraguay. Phil was playing in the British Over 45 team which competed in the Dubler Cup. He had singles victories as the national team won through their
After a day of some confusion, Canvey Island have finally set admission prices for their FA Cup first round clash at Park Lane on Sunday week (November 19) at 1pm. Ground admission charge will be £13 (£10 concessions) with a limited number of seats available
A pub in Witham with a new look may have a new and novel name but it is still in touch with the past. The Norman Jarmyn Olde Ale House, in Newland Street has been named after the man who used to run it 20 years ago. Mr Jarmyn, 69, worked behind the pumps
A ferry firm has announced it is moving to Shell Haven - the first company to be part of the massive container port. Dart Line freight ferry services, based at Dartford, will move to the Stanford-le-Hope site in months. Parent company Jacobs Holdings
A young Colchester man, only 13 when severely injured in a crash which cost his mother her life, has won more than £1.7 million agreed damages at the High Court. The 23-year-old - referred to in court yesterday (Monday) only as "W" - was a back seat passenger
Detectives are probing a link between the cold-blooded killings of two south Essex men. Officers from two forces were due to hold top-level talks about the execution-style shootings of Ronald Fuller and Kenneth Beagle. Mr Fuller, a former bouncer, was
Proposals to relocate Southend's ambulance station at the A127 Tesco store moved one step closer when it emerged talks were in the pipeline. Chief executive of the Essex Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Gron Roberts, revealed at a meeting with the Community
A pensioner was found dead with gunshot wounds in the grounds of her home. Elizabeth Stanford, 66, was discovered in the garden of the house in The Street, Tendring, while her husband Julian was away in London. PC Nick Waltham, coroner's officer at Clacton
A surgeon who went home while his patient was rapidly losing blood has been banned from practising. The case against Willem Bijl, a former consultant urologist at Basildon Hospital, was found proved by the General Medical Council. The Council ruled his
A 35-year-old man was in a "critical" condition yesterday (Monday) after his car flipped over and smashed into two trees on the A12 at Witham. The motorist, from the Braintree area, is being treated for serious head injuries at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford
A lorry driver and haulage boss have been charged with manslaughter following the death of a Colchester man on the A12 last year. Lee Fitt, 24, of Canterbury Road, New Town, died after being in collision with a lorry on the A12 at Marks Tey on December
Famous visitors to sung mass took regular worshippers at St Mary's Church, Maldon, by surprise. Wearing a blue coat and matching hat, former Prime Minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher and her husband Denis attended the 70-minute service on Sunday - but
Frustrated residents are feeling let down by police in Maldon. The police station has been closed without any prior notice due to staff shortages. Ken Toner, of Hoynors in Danbury, wanted to report a minor accident on Friday, which can only be done in
Work has started to extend and rebuild Southend Hospital's accident and emergency department. The £3.2 million improvement programme will provide facilities including a much more spacious observation ward and a new look main department to deal with the
An emergency helpline is now up and running to help cope with more flood misery in and around Braintree. The telephone hotline has been launched by Braintree Council as it prepares for the worst after further downpours last night (Monday) and with more
Pupils in Witham are being asked to keep their ears open in the playground and tell police if they hear boasting about an act of weekend vandalism. The front window of the Spread Eagle pub in Newland Street was smashed on Saturday night. Police believe
Olympic champion Jonathan Edwards was one of a group of track and field stars who shared their experience and training techniques with south Essex athletics coaches. They were attending a seminar at Palmer's College in Chadwell Road, Grays, on Thursday
Police have issued a warning after a spate of bogus calls in the Braintree district. At about 3.40pm last Wednesday, November 1, two men called at a property in Cressing Road, purporting to be from the gas board. They said that they needed to check the
Steve Whitton has moved to bring York City target man and former Southend United striker Barry Conlon to Colchester United. The U's boss has spoken to the struggling Nationwide League Third Division club about signing the out-of-favour striker either
The Youth Scholarship Scheme introduced at Cannons Health Club, Riverside Retail Park Chelmsford in January has been a tremendous success. Chelmsford Athletic Club's Jordan Lau has benefited from his complimentary membership, which has allowed him maximum
Essex County Cricket Club are rumoured to be facing a six-figure loss this year, with some opinions suggesting a figure of £300,000. Essex's Chief Executive David East stated last week, "We cannot quote an exact figure because we have not yet reached
Great Wakering Rovers, fast becoming the draw specialists of the Ryman League Second Division, will move into the top six of the table if they can win at Burroughs Park tonight (Tuesday). With the visitors this evening being rock bottom Leighton Town,
Vaulting to the heights - that's Greensward's under-16 basketball team, who picked up some valuable fitness hints for their forthcoming National Cup defence from local Olympic pole-vaulter Kevin Hughes. Greenswar's basketball players with pole-vaulter
Brentwood Swimming Club held the last two gala's of their annual Club Championships for the Year 2000 at the weekend. Romford, Redbridge and Thurrock Swimming Clubs were represented with strong squads and provided stern competition. Andrew Groom, the
Detectives are hunting a bogus social worker after she struck for the second time in a week in Basildon claiming to be carrying out a survey on children. Police issued warnbings after a woman posing as a social worker visited the Felmores estate. Yesterday
One of Essex's most famous unsolved mysteries is being brought to the TV screen with the help of a Braintree investigator. The Beast of Essex is to be the star of an episode of Animal X on Sky TV's Discovery Channel. Called The Essex Panther, the episode
British Airways is to sell its Stansted Airport-based low-cost airline Go, it has been announced. The news came as BA announced a 37.5 per cent dip in half-yearly profits. BA said today (Monday): "Following the successful establishment of Go as a leading
A trucker has vowed to fight a £10,000 fine after five illegal immigrants were found in his lorry outside Dover. Martyn Parker, 44, of Stratford Gardens, Stanford, insists he and other British drivers are being made scapegoats by the Government. He was
Maldon could be destined for international fame. London-based company MP Productions is using the town as the backdrop for Lawless Heart, a feature film due to be screened around the world next autumn. Using the town as a location was the idea of director
A firm devastated by the floods is pulling out of Halstead - less than two months after moving to the town. Bob Burton is shutting up shop after having to wade through two feet of water to get to his joinery business. He says the devastation has forced
Concerned residents say it is not safe to cross their road and are calling on rush hour motorists to slow down. Homeowners in Faulkbourne and White Notley are demanding the road be made safer and have written to Essex Police asking them to slow cars using
Atrocious weather will bring further misery to rush hour commuters in Colchester as extensive flooding has delayed the completion of important road works. For the last four weeks, motorists have faced diversions and long queues of slow-moving traffic
The operator of Clacton's premier hotel has announced plans for a dramatic transformation after being told it can no longer house asylum seekers. Dozens of asylum seekers have been staying at the town's premier hotel, The Royal, for the past year. A planning
A pair of plucky midwives hitched a ride with 999 crews to beat the floods and reach a stranded mum-to-be as she was about to give birth. Sally Watkins and Edwina Chaplin thumbed lifts with the emergency services in a race against time to get to Allison
Traffic was delayed for almost two hours on and off Mersea Island after a school bus went into a ditch as it approached the Strood. Only a few people suffered minor injuries in the crash, which happened at about 4.30pm yesterday (Monday), as the pupils
There will be no waste incinerators in Essex, a leading county councillor pledged at a green conference in Chelmsford. Cllr Kay Twitchen, who specialises in waste for the controlling Tory group on the council, was speaking at the event on Saturday organised
Eleven men are starting jail sentences totalling almost 60 years for their part in one of Basildon's biggest drugs rings. Meanwhile, the mother of one of the dealers, Mathew Nicholls, has spoken of the agony she experienced during his seven-year struggle
Ollie Berquez, City's leading goal scorer last season, is out for at least two months with a broken right leg sustained during the first half of last Sunday's home match with Spalding United. The 20-year-old was injured in an innocuous first half challenge
Former Southend United chairman John Main returned to Roots Hall for the first time on Saturday, following his controversial sacking from the Third Division club's board. Main was removed from the Southend hotseat in August at an extraordinary shareholders
A mother has condemned a group of teenagers who put a lit rocket through her door which could have led to a fatal fire. Jackie Bilton, of Elm Grove, Great Clacton, was still awake when the group of boys struck at 1am Saturday. She said: "I was sorting
Braintree have high hopes ahead of tonight's (Tuesday's) FA Trophy first round replay with Essex rivals Romford at Cressing Road. Manager Ben Embery was pleased with the 2-2 draw at their divisional rivals on Sunday, a game in which Robbie Reinelt and
Richard Wright is being tipped to start his second match for England in next week's friendly showdown with Italy. The Ipswich Town goalkeeper looks set to replace David James - favoured by Kevin Keegan during his last few matches as coach - in the national
Win the chance to hear Naughty Rhythms It's competition time again and I have a host of goodies for those of you who are eagerly awaiting the Naughty Rhythms tour which will hit Southend on December 4. If you like the Hamsters, Eddie and the Hot Rods,
Top TV presenter Chris Evans has taken up an invitation to watch a Braintree theatre group's pantomime. The star has said he will go to local pantomime group Pantoloons version of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves when it airs in January. It all came around
A bus carrying a group of schoolchildren was involved in a crash in Little Oakley. The vehicle they were travelling in was in collision with a van. Eight children were hurt in the accident, just after 8.30am yesterday (Monday). The students were on their
A man who has kept canaries for 50 years has been left heartbroken after his beloved birds worth £5,000 were stolen from his garden. John Smith, 70, of The Chase, Wickford, discovered about 70 of his birds were missing when he went out to feed them. Thieves
A rider and her horse died in a horrific accident on the A12. Samantha White, 24, of Kingsbury Close, Marks Tey, was in collision with a Jeep on the London-bound carriageway south of Marks Tey on Sunday morning. She was out riding with her 20-year-old
A state-of-the-art zoom lens has been fitted to a seafront security camera on Canvey thanks to a donation by a local businessman. Security firm boss Dave Stephens handed over the cash to community project leaders at Canvey 2000 because he said he was
A new political party dedicated to the interests of senior citizens has been formed in Essex. Chairman of the Grey Party, Dunmow based Len Overy-Owen, said the new party had been accepted by the Registrar of Political Parties and hoped to field at least
A couple have told of their shock after the roof of their home was ripped off as gales of up to 50mph battered south Essex. Brian Kennedy, 58, and his wife Jackie, were at home watching television at 9pm on Sunday when a fierce gust got under the felt
Southend United's loan goalkeeper Andy Woodman went into Saturday's Roots Hall meeting with Macclesfield Town admitting he faced an uncertain future. The Brentford custodian has been an ever-present for Blues this season. He has played 18 league and cup
Former Southend United boss Peter Taylor has backed England's new Swedish manager Sven Goran Eriksson to be a success. The 52-year-old coach of Italian giants Lazio has agreed a five-year deal to take over the national team next summer - the first non-Englishman
George Burley was left seething after Mark Venus's second-half tackle on Alan Shearer resulted in a controversial penalty. The Ipswich Town boss said: "The referee was 50 or 60 yards away but Shearer is an experienced player who was looking for the tackle
It was back to the training ground for Colchester United's players yesterday (Monday) to sharpen up their game in both penalty areas. U's boss Steve Whitton is unhappy with his team's lack of awareness in and around both boxes -- qualities sadly missing
ESSEX PREMIER CUP FIRST ROUND Broxhill , with goals from Paul Ruby (4), Roy Smith and Steve Taylor, moved into the next round after defeating Hutton 6-3. King Harold recorded a convincing 6-2 victory over Pollards with Danny Rafis (2), Vince Boswell,
Hockley Schools dominated the mini-soccer tournament organised by Rochford Council Sports Development Officer Jason Fergus. A total of 12 primary schools competed and, after battling through groups, the youngsters took part in quarter and semi finals
New Southend United midfielder Russell Williamson has spoken of his relief at being given a chance to shine at Roots Hall. The 20-year-old schemer was released by First Division Wimbledon during the summer after more than a decade with the Crazy Gang,
An angry shopkeeper has claimed he had been let down by police after a walk-in theft at his store. Chris Keeble, of Sound and Vision Electronics at The Triangle, Frinton, said a thief made off with a £245 Dyson vaccum cleaner in August. But 12 weeks later
Bukta Southend District League outfit Sparkbridge were the bright sparks of the Section A Southend Charity Competition first round. They took on holders Shoebury Town, from the Hadleigh Carport Southend Borough Combination, and pulled off a 2-0 away win
Take your hats off to Gallon! That was the Sceptre League message after the player of that name scored both goals for Greeves as they saw off Athletico Porters 2-0 in their Andy Ward Cup Section A round one game. Barnard was also at the double when Castle
Saturday saw Brentwood consolidate second place in the Essex Senior League, and moving to within one point of Basildon United, and Blues have two games in hand on the leaders. Brentwood were without Paul Battram and Paul Brewington, both injured at Barkingside
Essex Police is playing host to the first Association of Chief Police Officers' conference on Youth Justice. Delegates from all over the UK are due to attend the conference on Thursday and Friday at Five Lakes Golf and Country Club, near Maldon. The purpose
A school headteacher has praised emergency services and the community for their help in treating pupils involved in a head-on bus crash. Pupils from St Benedict's College, Colchester, formed the majority of the passengers on board the Windmill Coaches
A group of disabled people were today involved in the third bus crash in Essex just over 24 hours. Five or six disabled young adults and their four carers were believed to be on board the minibus when it overturned on Bromley Road, Elmstead Market. None
Gladiators clashed at a Canvey school as history came alive at an open day for youngsters. The event was held for future students at Cornelius Vermuyden school in Dinant Avenue. They were given an insight into the past when fighters from Britannia, a
A school could be set for a major £100,000 facelift - if the sale of a caretaker's house adjoining the site goes ahead. Northwick Park Junior and Infant schools in Third Avenue, Canvey, have decided to cash in on the property after its caretaker turned
Recent signing Scott Fitzgerald is enjoying life at the heart of Colchester United's defence despite suffering defeat in his latest two outings. The former Republic of Ireland B international and Millwall captain said: "I am settling in well and thoroughly
Fabian Wilnis believes two debatable refereeing decisions cost Ipswich Town their 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United. The wing-back claimed Alan Shearer was offside when he latched on to Alain Goma's through ball to cancel out Marcus Stewart's early strike
Braintree Salvation Army is once again providing a full festive meal with turkey and trimmings on Christmas Day for anyone who wishes to join them at their Rayne Road centre. The meal will be provided free of charge and a special "turkey on wheels service
Micky Cook's Colchester United youngsters have been handed their greatest incentive to succeed yet by U's boss Steve Whitton. "Prove to me your worth it and you'll get your chance," promised the Layer Road chief. Whitton's pledge came little more than
Three-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer Connor Simpson will be one of the beneficiaries of a 12-hour sponsored darts marathon. Ten members of the ladies and men's darts teams at the Royal pub in Dovercourt will take to the oche on Saturday. One of the
An emergency helpline is now up and running to help cope with more flood misery in and around Braintree. The telephone hotline has been launched by Braintree Council as it prepares for the worst after further downpours last night (Monday) and with more
Residents in Wivenhoe are counting the cost after "despicable" vandals threw rocks through the window of its chapel. The damage at the chapel, in the new cemetery between Bellevue Road and Stanley Road in the town, was discovered yesterday (Monday) by
Villagers were yesterday (Monday) repelling rising flood waters as they faced a second deluge in a week. Residents in White Colne suffered a repeat of last Monday's flooding as the river overflowed again. And the water was almost coming over the bridge
West Chelmsford MP Simon Burns believes it will be "more difficult than anticipated" for Essex Police to recruit 190 extra officers this year. The MP was speaking following a question he asked in the House of Commons about the county force. Mr Burns wanted
A woman left blinded after she was viciously beaten with a pickaxe handle has told how she feared for her life. Josephine Peachey was left without any vision in her left eye following the brutal attack at her home in Grays - all for just £40. The 52-year-old
Campaigners are celebrating after Anglian Water ditched controversial waste treatment work in Stambridge. The company intends to stop producing environmentally-friendly soil conditioner at the plant early next year. Protesters, who have united under the
The only way to have a friend is to be one. It's an old saying that is alive and well in Tiptree, where two teenagers have been commended for their long-term friendship of an elderly widow. And today the Gazette adds to their praise by nominating them
A hotline urging people to report suspected abuse of vulnerable adults is already proving its worth. The 'No Secrets' campaign launched in Chelmsford almost three weeks ago by police, health authorities, and social services is initially being regarded
Essex County Cricket Club are ready to co-operate fully in any "official investigation" alleging match-fixing in two games involving Lancashire back in August 1991. David East, the county's chief executive, said today (Monday): "I haven't received any
