A contract has been awarded for the building of a new hospice. It was announced yesterday (Thursday) that RG Carter, of Colchester, would be the builders for the new Clacton day centre. Work is expected to begin in early January 2001, and is scheduled
Saturday saw a well-deserved and much needed victory for Magnus-sponsored Brentwood who have experienced several disappointments in their league crusade this season. The game was played in wet and windy conditions and it was a game that didn't really
Police are appealing for help after a raid at Budgen's supermarket in Maldon on Saturday. It is the second raid to hit the High Street store in less than six months - this time around £2,000 worth of cigarettes were snatched. Now the store is urgently
Thieves and shoplifters were today promised a Christmas crime crackdown by members of Witham Town Watch. The joint initiative between police and traders has proved a massive success in the six weeks since it was launched and now organisers are confident
I have to own up to disgracing myself in the Port Vale press box on Tuesday night as Canvey wrote the latest, and greatest, chapter in their wonderful history book of the past decade. When striking star Wayne Vaughan broke through the Nationwide League
The Port Vale groundstaff might well carry out an inspection of their goalposts to discover if someone has given them too thick a coat of paint. For the woodwork intervened on no fewer than six occasions in this rip-roaring FA Cup first round replay at
Firms have been urged to get their views into the Essex Chambers of Commerce about Government plans to bring a supplementary business rate levy. The extra tax has been floated in the local government Green Paper as a way of giving councils a slice of
McDonach came away with a hat-trick when Purfleet YFC beat Wilburn Wanderers in the under-eight Mars Division. Tooks grabbed a brace for the visitors but his team were unable to find the equaliser. Results UNDER-EIGHT Jupiter Division: Forest Glade Blue
Brave Matthew Aylott won high praise from Essex Fire Service for rescuing his younger sister from a serious blaze at his home. The nine-year-old was presented with a commendation by chief fire officer David Turner at a ceremony at service headquarters
Armed police officers scoured Clacton seafront after reports of a man with a shotgun. The drama was sparked when an elderly couple contacted officers reporting they had seen a man in Marine Parade East and he appeared to have a sawn-off shotgun in his
A £7.5 million revamp of a Colchester school could be paid for by selling land for housing. Outline plans for the ambitious upgrade of the Stanway School were revealed yesterday (Thursday) in a project providing facilities which pupils and the community
Police are appealing for help in tracing a man who made obscene comments to a woman through the locked cubicle door of a ladies' loo. The 39-year-old woman distressed by the incident, which happened in the toilets of the Sainsbury's supermarket in Braintree
Essex Trading Standards are backing up police warnings about bogus callers. The warning comes after three reports of burglary by men claiming to be roofers in a two-day period in the Braintree area last week. In one case, an 81-year-old man was targeted
Intricate colour-illustrated Victorian books written by the former owner of Widford Place in Chelmsford - who died 104 years ago - could fetch up to £36,000 in a special auction in Sothebys next month. Robert Warner was an avid orchid collector and reputedly
Thousands of people braved the wind and rain to flock to a giant Christmas fair in Wickford. The event, organised by Wickford Christmas Lights Association, coincided with the switching-on of the town centre lights. Police closed off the High Street between
The jury is still out on the new traffic system at Middleborough. The first vehicles tested out the route yesterday (Thursday) afternoon and today sees the first full day for commuters and shoppers as they get used to the changes. Traffic wardens were
Two teenagers died after they were flung from the back of a van which had been fitted with a dangerous and crude home-made bench seat. Hinges and wooden screws had been used to secure the bench in the Vauxhall Astra van and a court heard there were no
Father Christmas is supporting Essex Police as they launch their seasonal drink drive message. Santa was in the county on Monday supporting the campaign with the slogan: 'One Christmas Tradition We Can Do Without'. Last Christmas 209 drivers were found
Lost dog Tyree has been reunited with her owners after an amazing 25-mile journey from Colchester to Danbury. The 11-year-old working Labrador had been out chasing rabbits on farmland at Copford, near Marks Tey, when she became lost in woodland and disorientated
Plans for a £71 million development scheme for Broomfield Hospital have taken another step forward with endorsement for the proposals from Mid Essex Hospitals Trust. At a meeting last Thursday the trust's board gave its approval to the scheme to centralise
An angry family fighting to learn how a Runwell Hospital patient died are considering legal action. A Chelmsford inquest concluded that Mrs Dorothy Allen, 89, died from natural causes. However, the jury was directed to the verdict by coroner, Mrs Caroline
Half of the county's care homes for the elderly will be sold off or leased, while the rest will still be owned by the county council. But councillors agreed that none of the 25 homes in Essex should close. As angry pensioners protested on the steps of
Saturday saw the Essex Short Mat Bowls 'B' team travelling to play East Sussex in Midhurst looking to get back on the winning trail after two defeats against Kent and London. With the first half going to Essex by 11 points to five a tight finish was in
Doddinghurst's John Renwick, one of Britain's top show-jumpers and currently ranked sixth in the country, recently gained two places at next Spring's Blue Chip Championships. John began with a win in a Blue Chip Performance qualifier staged at the BSJA
Dickie Bird's return to Chelmsford was a huge success. More than 500 fans queued to meet the umpiring legend when he visited Ottakars in the High Street to sign the paperback edition of his book White Cap and Bails. Book seller Carl Nurse said: "He seemed
Motor enthusiast Jim Pocklington is celebrating after a top gear performance in a saloon car race meeting at Brands Hatch. Jim, 37, of Alpha Road, Hutton, builds and races his own saloon cars and in the Guy Fawkes Trophy meeting he notched up second,
The possible creation of an all-Britain football team, suggested by home secretary Jack Straw, was today (Thursday) criticised by Colchester MP Bob Russell in his capacity as shadow sports minister. Mr Russell said: "It would seriously reduce our influence
Mark Alexander, the reserve for the Olympic Games, is to undertake his training at Team Trampoline Promotions based at Brentwood High School. Mark, since returning from Sydney, has joined Middlesex University to study for a Sports Science Degree and has
Witham Town were unable to bridge the gap of two divisions as they were knocked out of the Essex Senior Cup on Wednesday, beaten 1-0 by visiting Ryman League division one side Romford. Despite the result, manager Tony Kinsella was upbeat, commenting:
George Burley is hopeful injury-plagued striker Richard Naylor will be back in action before the New Year. The Ipswich Town boss on Thursday played down fears of a long-term lay-off and said Naylor, who visited a specialist on Monday, might even be available
The Demon Force, the Demons Skater Hockey Clubs senior first team, finished in an excellent second place in the NSHL Senior Puck Tournament at Harlow Sports Centre on Sunday. The Dunmow based team took part in the tournament along with teams from their
NEW ASH OAKS COLTS 5 WESTCLIFF COLTS 60 Good work by the Colts enabled Westcliff to run out convincing winners against a team made up of a combination of Sevenoaks and New Ash Green players. The visitors were 14 points up with only nine minutes gone and
A scheme to make speeding motorists pay for more speed cameras is already reaping benefits. Elaine Beckett, Essex County Council's road safety officer for Braintree, spoke at a meeting of the Braintree Division Police and Community Consultative Group
Chelmsford were left ruing their luck on Saturday, when a catalogue of unfortunate incidents contributed to a 3-2 defeat at Doncaster. Already reeling from the shock news that player/coach Craig Fulton's knee injury would keep him out of the match, Chelmsford
A quick-thinking window cleaner was praised for his actions after saving a house from going up in flames. Martin Hastings, 22, was cleaning windows at Maldon Road when he spotted smoke billowing from a customer's house. The owner had gone out and accidentally
A post office manager was left shaken after a robbery at his store in Eastwood Boulevard, Westcliff. Two men asked to buy chewing gum and cigarettes. As manager Tony Moltino, 42, went to serve them he was punched in the face. One leaned over the counter
Westcliff will be using tomorrow's (Saturday's) friendly against Billericay to blood a few youngsters and hand the captaincy to another. Skipper Matt Stanford is unavailable and is replaced by Peter Hall but the captaincy goes to flanker Ian Henderson
Southend United's troubled striker Martin Carruthers wants to get back to doing what he does best at Hartlepool - hitting the back of the net! The 28-year-old hitman has been a pale shadow of his former self in recent weeks, following a contract wrangle
Just eight matches survived the weather on Saturday, and now some teams have played just two league games, and the season is already into its 13th week. SENIOR DIVISION ONE Rayleigh Town comfortably beat hosts Hatfield Peverel 6-0, Edwards leading the
Conway helped Elmwood Colts strenghten their challenge for honours in the Bukta South East essex mini league under-10 division one. His two goals, plus an effort from Hunter, saw them home 3-0 against Ashingdon Boys. Shoebury Boys hang onto top spot in
The chairman of the Friends of Foundry Court Day Centre Shirley Horrigan said today the delay in making a decision about the Manningtree home was "demoralising" for the staff and residents. "They don't know what is going to happen to them. They are on
Talented students from Thurrock College have been working their way to the top of the television industry. James Datlen and Rory Marks, spent an exciting four days at Lakeside Shopping Centre obtaining work experience from Talent TV, whilst Hannah Cox
Southend Night Shelter has urged Basildon Council to start paying its way and support its homeless people. Staff said they had figures to prove Basildon people were using the shelter after being referred from the council and other organisations in the
An elderly Leigh man fell to his death after an alcoholic binge, a court heard. An inquest concluded that Leonard Stubbs, 80, died of head injuries suffered when he tumbled down a staircase at his home on Stonehill Road. His landlord Christopher Pithers
A TEENAGE boy is in hospital after being knocked off his bicycle in a hit and run accident last night. The 13-year-old was left lying in the road after being thrown over the top of a car which failed to stop. Police are appealing for witnesses to the
USING the train could be a difficult business over the Christmas period. The urgent engineering work following the Hatfield crash means that train companies which run the main line routes from Colchester will not be going into Liverpool Street on Christmas
A rail users' group has attacked a fare price increase announced by train operator First Great Eastern - while passengers face misery from emergency timetables. The Rail Passengers Committee of Eastern England said the rise of up to 3.3 per cent in some
Train company c2c says it is hopeful passengers will start seeing the new Electrostar trains back in service by the New Year. Spokesman for the company, Alan Wheeler, admitted the unexpected problems with the promised Electrostars meant the company only
When Canvey Island and Southend United clash in their FA Cup second round tie, Glenn Pennyfather and David Webb will confront each other firmly on opposite sides of the camp. However, the pair have known the joy of celebrating great soccer success in
A man was killed in the early hours of Sunday morning when he was hit by a car as he sat in the middle of a busy road. The 30-year-old man - who is from the Rayleigh area - is believed to have been drinking with friends at a nearby pub in Rayleigh Road
After their recent run of good form, Chelmsford were disappointed with both the scoreline and their performance against a Sutton side which up to Saturday's match had failed to win a single league point this season. It was not the greatest game of hockey
George Burley has been boosted by the return to fitness of three key players for tomorrow's Premiership clash with Derby County. The Ipswich Town boss has Jim Magilton, Mark Venus and John McGreal available for selection again after the trio missed the
Great Wakering Rovers will be without Tommy Dalgarno tomorrow (Saturday) as they attempt to win their second Ryman League Second Division game on the trot when they visit Marlow. Last weekend's 3-1 home success over struggling Leyton Pennant was a stormy
Long-suffering Witham residents will have to endure roadworks into the new year. Originally, work being carried out to remedy years of trouble with pot holes and subsidence in The Avenue was due to finish today (Friday) but now it will continue until
Braintree District Council has renewed its view that Stansted Airport should not be expanded to allow 25 million passengers a year. Following a consultation report from the British Airports Authority and a report by the council's head of forward planning
Essex Police have been called in to investigate a town mayor. Witham Town Council has asked them to look at a possible breach of the Local Government Act, which regulates councillors' behaviour. Last week the council said a formal investigation would
Bus passengers in Witham have had to bear the brunt of the wettest autumn on record without a bus shelter. The previous shelter, in Newland Street, was taken away by supplier Adshel two months ago because it was old and dangerous to the public. And the
Groups and organisations from across Uttlesford have met councillors to share their hopes for the future of the district. Hosted by Uttlesford District Council, the community conference was attended by representatives from the voluntary sector, local
Two men claiming to be from the water board stole cash from an elderly man in St Edmund's Fields, Dunmow on Monday. Some time during the evening the men called at the pensioner's home and told him they were water board officials. He was asked to turn
A plan to put an electricity substation in a prominent position near the Writtle Green conservation area has caused uproar. The site, on the triangle junction with Ongar Road, has been chosen by 24seven -- formerly Eastern Electricity -- as the most convenient
The true measure of success at a school is not league tables, but the fact students are doing the best they can, according to a headteacher. That was the message from Stephen Wyatt, in charge at Alec Hunter High School in Braintree, as he prepared for
Southend United and Torquay did their best to send both sets of supporters to sleep during a low-key opening to Tuesday night's FA Cup first round replay at Roots Hall. After a slug-like start to the game, Blues finally stirred the watching fans out of
Southend Junior League side Island Boys need two players for their under-12 Premier Division team. Anyone interested in joining the Canvey-based club should contact Steve Blackaby on 01268 512493 between 6pm and 9pm Monday to Friday. Island Boys are also
A major arts company has been chosen as the front runner in the race to reopen Basildon's Towngate Theatre. Basildon district councillors on Wednesday voted to enter into negotiations with Hetherington Seelig Theatres, one of two companies which came
A wealthy widow of an oil magnate with connections to Colchester has left more than £5.5 million to charities and her friends. Margaret Leonard died in Brighton in the spring just after her 95th birthday and has left the proceeds of the sale of Horkesley
The needs of young people in the Braintree district are to be targeted thanks to more than a year's work by a youth scrutiny panel. At a meeting of the district councils' strategy committee last week, members approved a report by corporate director Rob
Passengers are letting the plane take the strain following the Hatfield rail crash. Stansted low cost airlines Ryanair and Go have both recorded increased passenger numbers to Scotland since the Hertfordshire incident on October 18. Irish carrier, Ryanair
Sliding doors on a rush-hour commuter train were opened on a viaduct 30 feet above Chelmsford on Friday evening. The driver stopped the busy train four coaches short of Chelmsford station because he momentarily forgot that it was 12 coaches long. David
A Clacton teenager has been found guilty of the manslaughter of his four-month-old stepdaughter. David Sandiford, 17, showed no emotion as the jury of nine women and three men returned their verdict yesterday (Thursday) after one hour and ten minutes
Twist and Shout's unfortunate incident last month when her mast snapped in two seems to have done nothing to dent the enthusiasm, nor expertise, of her crew, as Pat and Nick Elmore demonstrated in the opening race of Crouch Yacht Club's Nutcracker Trophy
Southend United versus Canvey Island is game on thanks to Blues defender Leo Roget's stunning extra time goal which settled the Shrimpers' FA Cup first round replay against Torquay at Roots Hall pon Tuesday night. The centre-half cracked home a wicked
Canvey Island and Southend United are set for the greatest ever local David v Goliath battle following their FA Cup first round replays. For both pulled off tremendous first round replay extra-time successes by 2-1 scorelines to set up an eagerly-anticipated
Southend United are being linked with Plymouth Argyle's 20-year-old centre-half Adam Barrett. Reports in the west country suggest the defender was pencilled in as a trialist for Blues' cancelled reserve match at Bournemouth on Wednesday afternoon, which
Micky Cook's Colchester United youngsters are still in the running for a glamour tie in this year's Times AXA FA Youth Cup. The Layer Road kids drew 2-2 in Wednesday night's round two clash at Stevenage Borough, thanks to a Dean Morgan strike and an own
Olympic decathlete Dean Macey will be the guest of honour at a presentation night on Canvey to recognise the work of three young people. On Monday, he will be presenting certificates to three young people who have given up their time for the good of the
The year seven football team from Canvey's Furtherwick Park School have really been seeing red. For they proved to be tops in a competition organised by Manchester United. Furtherwick's head of PE Richard Mcilwraith said: "Manchester United have been
The ladies veteran teams of Gidea Park and Brentwood Lawn finished in third and fourth places respectively in Division One of the Essex Veteran League. In Division Two Billericay were runners up to Grove with Brentwood Lawn II sixth, and Mountnessing
St Martins School pupil Emma Camp, 13, has been selected for the England Basketball squad after representing South East England in a national tournament at Lilleshall. Emma, from Hutton, has also gained selection for the District and Essex under 15 Essex
There was a double helping of match action available for the keen angler willing to brave the weather this week at Rayne Lodge, Braintree. Wednesday's Daytime Open Match was fished on the bottom and middle lakes, and first place was taken by regular Mickey
It was a black Sunday for Chelmsford Chieftains as they crashed to only their second defeat of the season to arch rivals Romford Raiders at Rom Valley Way. Ironically, Chieftains had gone 14 games since their last defeat, also inflicted away at the hands
The great local turnout for tomorrow's (Saturday's) English Schools Cross-Country Cup has had an 11th hour boost. For Hockley's Greensward School have been called into the junior boys' competition after one of the qualifying teams was disqualified. It's
Colchester United boss Steve Whitton has revealed that former Layer Road favourite Scott McGleish is among his new targets. Whitton said the Barnet goal-getter - currently out of favour at the promotion chasing Third Division club - has already been watched
Southend and Canvey have both welcomed the news that their FA Cup clash will now be staged at Blues's Roots Hall stadium. Southend United and Canvey Island will now contest the second round tie at Roots Hall on Sunday, December 10, kick-off 1pm, and not
COWARD CUP FIRST ROUND Heybridge Social were made to work hard early on by Directa Hotspur and it was only a Carly Boutwell strike that separated the sides at the break although Social will have felt that they should have scored more. Boutwell rolled
ESSEX JUNIOR CUP THIRD ROUND Hullbridge recorded a narrow 3-2 win over Sparkbridge on Saturday to make progress in this major competition. Leading by a Steve Ogilby penalty at the break they needed another Ogilby spot kick four minutes from time to go
ESSEX JUNIOR TROPHY THIRD ROUND Tollegion made progress after seeing off Springfield Reserves , the match going to extra-time before a winner could be decided. The match finished at 2-2 with John Hill and Scott Harbour netting both Tollegion goals. Tiredness
A group of Tiptree residents were finally reconnected this week - after nearly a month without telephones. Six residents in Maldon Road, including two registered disabled, went off line on October 29 and despite contact with BT and visits from various
Maldon's river estuary and huge swathes of mid-Essex hill country is to be enhanced by the removal of 50 electricity pylons. A major project to upgrade the power network in Essex is being carried out in the Maldon area by the new utility network operator
One of the biggest charity carol concerts in Essex has been launched by Essex television personality Jeremy Spake. Every Star Shall Sing A Carol takes place at 7.30pm on Friday, December 8, and includes 14 carol concerts held simultaneously across the
A man accused of murder has been released on bail by Colchester magistrates. Lee Smith, 21, of Seymour Road, Clacton, is accused of murdering Justin Chant at Guy Wright House, in Byng Close, Thorpe le Soken. The alleged murder is said to have taken place
A complex development including a new Colchester United stadium has reached a crucial stage. After years of behind the scenes negotiations, a draft masterplan which guides the transformation of part of north Colchester has been finished. It outlines development
Shopkeepers have called for more police patrols in Braintree, claiming the town is being targeted by gangs of shoplifters. Mike Walkner, chairman of Braintree Town Centre Strategy Group and manager of Woolworths, said there has been a rise in the number
Orders for Canvey FC football kits have been flooding in from around the world as the team prepares for its FA Cup clash with Southend United. Non-league side Canvey meet third division Southend on December 9 after they both won their first round FA Cup
A squad of health and social care workers are in training to help Southend Hospital battle through the busy winter period. The workers are being drafted in to help keep as many hospital beds as possible free for those who most need them over the coming
Stockbrokers can beat the internet investment trade by providing the personal touch, declared a Leigh broker celebrating his firm's 125th birthday. Redmayne-Bentley Stockbrokers has seen plenty of market ups and downs and so has Leigh manager David Strang
A NEW women's refuge is planned for the Colchester area because of an increase in the numbers of domestic violence victims coming forward. The building would cost just under £1 million to complete and would offer accommodation for 12 women and their families
Police have seized heroin with an estimated street value of £15,000 from a Colchester estate. Officers from the force's undercover drug unit swooped on the house in the Monkwick area of the town. A quantity of what officers believe to be crack cocaine
Punters across south-east Essex will be flocking to the bookies in the run up to the match to place their bets on the outcome of the big match. Ladbrokes were quick off the mark to get their odds for the outcome of the Canvey v Southend FA Cup 2nd round
A MAN was killed and five people seriously injured in two separate car crashes in Fobbing over the weekend which brought misery and chaos to the area. In the first tragedy a man died and his son was seriously injured when their car left the road at the
The annual conference of the British Speedway Promoters' Association was held at the weekend and as expected, agreed to maintain the 45 points limit for team strengths in both the Elite and Premier Leagues. With the sport heading in a positive direction
Chelmsford City are facing a major player crisis before one of the most important games of the season tomorrow (Saturday), when they visit fellow promotion favourites Grantham Town in the Dr Martens League Eastern Division. Definitely out is experienced
SATURDAY FA UMBRO TROPHY Round 2: Billericay Town v Hastings; Harlow v Canvey Island. SCHWEPPES ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE Sawbridgeworth v East Ham. Ancient Order of Foresters League Cup: Barkingside v Leyton; Bowers United v Southend Manor; Hullbridge Sports
Bowers United must win tomorrow's (Saturday's) home game with Southend Manor if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Schweppes Essex Senior League's Ancient Order of Foresters Cup. Pitsea side Bowers could have made
Gangs of tricksters plaguing the elderly in Chelmsford are now targeting the blind and hard of hearing. People in their 80s and 90s, mostly women, are the victims. There are about six similar crimes a week and, at times, police have been investigating
A lorry driver got a shock when noises in the back of his truck turned out to be coming from two Albanian families. Chelmsford police were called to the A12 between Mountnessing and Hatfield Peverel to intercept the lorry on its way to Colchester. Insp
A knockout night is in store for Ongar traders and revellers when the town's Christmas lights are switched on by former world heavyweight boxing champion, Frank Bruno, tomorrow (Friday). Many shops will be open to join in the fun when the lights go on
