A row has flared up over the future of the Towngate Theatre - with the company pipped at the post to run it accusing councillors of being out of touch with the community. The National Theatre of Fun (NTF) pledged to turn the Basildon theatre into a centre
A girl who survived a battle with the deadly illness meningitis has helped to launch a national campaign to promote awareness of it. Charlotte Ray, of Great Horkesley, was struck down with meningococcal meningitis when she was three. Despite fears she
Maldon district councillors have had a change of heart over closed circuit TV for the town. Officers had recommended to the cabinet committee that a bid to the Home Office should be dropped because of high running costs, lack of partnership funding and
An escalating number of accidents and traffic queuing problems are due to be targeted in a new safety offensive along a major mid-Essex road. The best ways to beat the traffic problems on Braintree bypass are being investigated. A firm of consultants
A scheme to bring computer training to residents on a Colchester estate is proving a success. Residents on Greenstead have been able to take part in free IT courses on their doorstep. Organised by Signpost, the advice service for unemployed, and held
More than a third of the tickets for Sunday's massive FA Cup match between Canvey Island and Southend United have already been snapped up by fans. Supporters started queuing as early as 7.15am yesterday (Monday) at Roots Hall and some loyal fans waited
Paralympics triple medal winner Lloyd Upsdell has been recognised by his home town. The Dunmow teenager, who has cerebral palsy, scooped two golds and a silver in October's Sydney games. He was presented with a town award by mayor Douglas James. Mr James
Andy Arnott and Adam Tanner are vying for the chance to make a rare start as Colchester United hit the LDV Vans Trophy trail at Cambridge United tonight (Tuesday). The utility duo, who have enjoyed just three starts between them this season - two for
Injury problems have forced Southend United boss David Webb to shuffle his pack ahead of tonight's (Tuesday's) Roots Hall meeting with Cheltenham Town in the newly-named LDV Vans Trophy. First choice central defenders, Leo Roget and skipper Phil Whelan
The job of finding new families for Brentwood children who cannot live with their own families is in safe hands. This is the conclusion of Essex County councillors from the Health and Social Services select committee. As a result, the chairman, Cllr Pat
A new chest pain clinic aimed at making a swifter diagnosis of heart disease will open at Clacton Hospital in February, it has been revealed. Funded by Tendring Primary Care Trust, sessions will initially be held on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday evenings
A suspended GP has told of his living nightmare separated from his patients. Dr Salah Garas, who ran his own practice in Golf Green Road, Jaywick, said his greatest frustration was not having had the chance to answer the allegations against him. He was
Nearly 80 children need foster carers who can offer them permanent homes for the rest of their childhood, says Essex Social Services. The department's children's placement manager, Sue Cook, said, "Many foster carers look after children for just a few
A Canvey widow was shattered to find her husband's grave submerged in water - 24 hours after he was buried. The widow and her family, who do not wish to be named, visited the grave at Cemetery Corner, Benfleet, on Saturday afternoon only to find it flooded
The controversial new traffic system at Middleborough, Colchester, claimed its first victim on the afternoon it came into force - Labour's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Tim Young. Mr Young has blamed "complete confusion" among motorists after he
Beaches in south Essex have passed this year's stringent Environment Agency tests with flying colours. All the coastal areas in Southend and Castle Point secured a high score in line with the European Commission's bathing water directive. They also complied
A suspended GP has told of his living nightmare separated from his patients. Dr Salah Garas, who ran his own practice in Golf Green Road, Jaywick, said his greatest frustration was not having had the chance to answer the allegations against him. He was
Richard Barham was in confident mood as Essex bid to make the top flight in the LTA Inter-County Championship at Swansea at the weekend. The Westcliff Hardcourts player was selected along side club-mate Simon Bonham for the three-day event which will
There was a double helping of match action available for the keen angler willing to brave the weather last 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
Colchester United boss Steve Whitton has revealed that former Layer Road favourite Scott McGleish is among his new targets. Whitton said on Friday the Barnet goal-getter - currently out of favour at the promotion chasing Third Division club - has already
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
Rayleigh's Fitzwimarc totally dominated the annual Rochford and Castle Point Senior Schools' Cross-Country Championships at Sweyne Park, Rayleigh. They took all four team prizes on offer and easily captured the overall title for the Gordon Irons Trophy
Weekend Sport Colchester United were victims of a classic FA Cup giant-killing story when they were thrashed 5-1 by non-league by Nationwide Conference leaders Yeovil Town. Ryman League side Canvey Island netted twice in the last two minutes on Sunday
Young Canvey goalkeeper Glen Johnson, who is a pupil at Benfleet's Appleton School, has been called up by Essex under-15's. Johnson, who is in year ten, plays for Canvey Island under-16s and last year enjoyed a successful season as a member of the County
Senior lecturer at Anglia Polytechnic University, Mutel Kerr is establishing a growing reputation across the world. Last month she was awarded the prestigious Woman of the Year title for her pioneering health promotion work. Here she talks to SUSAN KING
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
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
Weekend Sport Tony Lock's red card capped a week to forget for Colchester, held to a goalless draw by Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday. Lock's 80th minute foul on Alan Beeton led to the red card being shown to the former Chelmsford City player during the
The woman expecting the triplets of gay Chelmsford couple Barrie Drewitt and Tony Barlow was involved in a "horrific" car crash in America, a family friend said. The un-named surrogate mum is due to give birth to the couple's children in the New Year.
Former war reporter Martin Bell will stand as an Independent candidate in Brentwood and Ongar at the next General Election. But sitting Tory MP Eric Pickles revealed he had held talks with Mr Bell - and remained confident of beating him. Mr Pickles spoke
A judge expressed his admiration for an Essex mother who has devoted her life to the care of her brain-damaged son, and who has been awarded £1.7 million in compensation. Samuel Keen, now aged seven, has suffered from acute cerebral palsy since his birth
Police and council chiefs have hit out at a BBC series which painted Essex as the gangland capital of Britain. Over three days morning television viewers watched a parade of self-confessed murderers, former bouncers, police officers, nightclub owners
A motorist was taken to hospital with head injuries after he was attacked by dog owners The incident happened after there was an accident involving the motorist and a dog. Three men were walking with a dog along Old Heath Road, Colchester, opposite the
Elderly and vulnerable residents are being trapped in their own homes by sand blown over the sea wall at Jaywick. The sand has been piling up against doors since the beach was recharged as part of a £7.4 million scheme to improve sea defences. Tendring
One of the oldest foodstores in Harwich town is to close after more than 100 years' trading. Staff at the Co-op in Church Street were told yesterday (Monday) the tiny supermarket will shut for the last time on Saturday. A spokeswoman for the Colchester
The week in review November 18-24 Weekend Sport Colchester United were victims of a classic FA Cup giant-killing story when they were thrashed 5-1 by non-league by Nationwide Conference leaders Yeovil Town. Ryman League side Canvey Island netted twice
Future regeneration of a run-down part of Colchester is expected to be given the green light. The ambitious plans to revamp Magdalen Street and Barrack Street in New Town will be considered by councillors this week. Councillors will be asked to adopt
The year seven football squad from Canvey's Cornelius Vermuyden School could soon be showing their skills on the same Old Trafford turf currently graced by the likes of Teddy Sheringham and David Beckham. They are through to the last 16 of the Manchester
Two prestigious European Blue Flags could be flying high over Tendring's beaches within three years. Dovercourt looks set to get one next year and after an encouraging set of water quality results, Clacton could follow suit by 2003. Last year, Clacton's
Colchester United's blood-stained hero Barry Conlon is hoping he has done enough to earn another loan spell with the U's - or to sign for the Layer Road club permanently. Scorer of the all-important second goal that finally killed off Notts County - his
Ipswich Town are on the brink of signing Middlesbrough striker Alun Armstrong. The two clubs have agreed a fee, believed to be £800,000, for the 25-year-old hitman. He met Town boss George Burley and chairman David Sheepshanks yesterday (Monday) to discuss
A royal award was presented at the election of Brightlingsea's new deputy. The freemen of the Cinque Port Liberty of Brightlingsea gathered at All Saints Church yesterday (Monday) to elect one of their members, John Stannard, as deputy. At the end of
It's simply the best - and now it's official. Great Bentley has scooped the prestigious title of Great Britain's best village of the year. In a presentation at a London ceremony today (Tuesday), Lynda McWilliams, chairman of Great Bentley Parish Council
The county's top police officer has described the continuing increase in accidents on Essex roads as "disappointing". A new report shows that in the 12 months to September, there were 1,190 collisions causing death or serious injury - a rise of 68 on
Major Essex roads may be producing pollution above national targets. Brentwood Council has been carrying out a review of air quality within the borough and has discovered that the M25, A127, and A12 all have levels of pollutants which may be exceeding
The week in review November 25-December 1 Weekend Sport Tony Lock's red card capped a week to forget for Colchester, held to a goalless draw by Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday. Lock's 80th minute foul on Alan Beeton led to the red card being shown to the
Cruel thieves smashed their way into a father's car and stole a host of gift-wrapped Christmas presents for his three young children. Alex Blyth, 33, had just finished buying gifts for his children, Natasha, ten, Leigh, eight, and five-year-old Alice
A proud father has welcomed home in style the baby he feared he would never see outside a hospital ward. Alan Carrington, 34, arranged a stretched limousine to pick up his tiny tot who has been in Basildon Hospital for four months - two of those in intensive
Ring in the changes over the festive season by recycling outdated mobile phones. Braintree Council is appealing for clubs and businesses to help people recycle old mobiles. National charity Child Advocacy International, which provides medical support
The mother of a teenage cyclist who was the victim of a hit and run driver has spoken of how lucky he is to be alive. Stephen Hill, 13, was knocked off his bike and left lying in the road after the accident in Layer de la Haye at 9.30pm on Friday. The
A family is mourning the death of a man who was hit by a car as he sat in the middle of a busy road. The 30-year-old man from the Rayleigh area was believed to have been drinking with friends in the Brookside Tavern, in Rayleigh Road, Eastwood, on Saturday
Generous youngsters raided their piggy banks for spare change to help pupils less fortunate than themselves. Year seven and eight students at Cecil Jones School in Cromwell Road, Southend, brought pennies and tuppences to class to raise a huge bucketful
An elderly woman was pushed to the floor and left with a broken arm after bogus callers struck at homes in the Braintree area, stealing hundreds of pounds. In the first incident, a male with black curly hair and a grey jumper called at a house in Braintree
A special ceremony is to be held in memory of a pupil who died from an asthma attack while on holiday in Spain. Pupils and staff at the Thorpe Bay School will take part in a tree-planting and dedication service for Joanne Dyer tomorrow (Wednesday). The
The search for patients who were exposed to the HIV virus by a dental worker is still going on two months after it began, it has been revealed. The major lookback exercise was launched by the North Essex Health Authority in October and involved contacting
A Canvey widow was shattered to find her husband's grave submerged in water - 24 hours after he was buried. The widow and her family, who do not wish to be named, visited the grave at Cemetery Corner, Benfleet, on Saturday afternoon only to find it flooded
All three lifts at the George Yard, Braintree, shopping centre car park were out of use yesterday (Monday). One of the elevators is currently under repair, the second broke down on Saturday and the third stopped working yesterday morning. That meant stairs
Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Blackpool and even Southend are all famous for the lure of their bright lights. And this Christmas one Braintree man is doing his best to make the mid-Essex town the newest name on the list of luminaries. Steven Jarvis spent
A giant chocolate sculpture is being devoured by lucky children from a Colchester school. When dad Shaun Gravett won the raffle for the chocolate statue of landmark Jumbo, he decided to donate it to Stanway Fiveways Primary School. But this gesture may
Seventeen Colchester boys have represented East Anglia at the 28th National Swimming Championships for Independent Schools, held in Coventry. A large part of the team was made up of pupils from Colchester High School - and they excelled. A total of 13
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 last Sunday. The Dunmow based team took part in the tournament along with teams from their
The recent wet weather forced Rochford Ladies to play their Essex Centenary Stableford competition over 14 holes but that did not stop club champion Jo Rumsey continuing her recent rich vein of form. Jo ran out a comfortable overall winner with 30 points
An historic stained glass window at a village church has been smashed in an attempted burglary. The damage to the Victorian stained glass window at St Nicolas Church, Witham, was discovered on Sunday afternoon after would-be thieves tried to gain entry
Cash has been put aside to ensure the Greenstead estate in Colchester gets a much-needed £600,000 community centre. For several years residents' group Greenstead Community Association has been working to raise funds for the facility, to be built at the
Colchester United's blood-stained hero Barry Conlon is hoping he has done enough to earn another loan spell with the U's - or to sign for the Layer Road club permanently. Scorer of the all-important second goal that finally killed off Notts County - his
Canvey Island, with excitement building to a frenzy over the big Cup match, have been handed an excellent chance of making the last 32 in the FA Umbro Trophy. The Islanders, with minds not surprisingly on the big Southend clash, were held 2-2 at Ryman
Westwood Karate Club made it a family day to remember at the Shotokan World Karate Championships in Lisbon, Portugal. The club returned with five golds, six silvers and four bronze - with the Stevens, Dunlop and Souster families coming up trumps with
Police are warning youngsters not to play on garages after a child fell through a roof and landed on a car. The incident happened in Christmas Fields, Sible Hedingham. Sgt Simon Dobinson, of Halstead police, said: "Children were climbing on the roofs.
In the latest round of the Essex League, the team from Runnymede Swimming Club achieved a creditable overall fourth place amongst a highly competitive field. The closely-fought event saw excellent winning performances from Lauren Hunt in the girls' under
A pilot scheme to find visitors to visit disabled people is to be launched in Maldon and Chelmsford. The Independent Visitor Scheme is a unique project set up by the Essex Coalition of Disabled People, an organisation run by and for disabled people, which
A man was injured in an attack in Colchester. He was treated for head injuries and a broken arm after he was hit with a baseball bat by two men who got out of a Mercedes at about 2.30am on Saturday. The 40-year-old housing officer was walking home near
Detectives are closing in on bogus callers after a "terrific" response to a press appeal. The pictures of six men - believed to be involved in doorstep hoaxes in Braintree and Witham - were published by the Evening Gazette on Thursday. Detectives are
A schoolboy who planted a hoax bomb at his school cried as he was locked up for Christmas. The 15-year-old - who cannot be named for legal reasons - planted the device because he had not completed an assignment for geography lesson, Witham Youth Court
Girl power! Forget Father Christmas - Mrs Christmas made a rare appearance to help launch a superstore's festive activities. Mrs Christmas, alias cashier Ruth Clark, arrived at the Safeway store in Centenary Way, Little Clacton, in a pony and trap. The
