Southend Referees' Society are running ten-week courses for would-be officials early in the new year. They will be held at Southend's Civic Centre on Monday evenings from 7.30pm and the Society are stressing that the courses are open to women as well
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
Southend United have apologised to fans having trouble buying tickets for Sunday's FA Cup derby between Canvey Island and the Shrimpers. Ticket office manager Lesley Vincent said the club had received some complaints from supporters who could not get
If the old adage "Never kick a man when he's down" still applies, then certainly umpires Steve Bucknor and Mian Mohammad Aslam are unaware of its existence. Two extraordinary decisions sealed Essex's Nasser Hussain's fate when batting in the Second Test
The last time Colchester played Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium they were hammered 5-2. And two goals down inside the first 20 minutes, thanks to strikes from big John Dreyer and Jonus Axeldal, another walloping looked on the cards for the U's in
Southend United won through to the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy last night (Tuesday) with a 2-0 victory over Cheltenham Town at Roots Hall. And two of Blues' players - debutant teenage striker Daniel Webb and veteran centre-half Rob Newman - are
A closely-fought FA Trophy tie ended with honours even on Saturday at a bright New Lodge. Hastings Town, although technically lower in comparative league status than their hosts, contributed fully to a match where the result was always in doubt right
The Leopards continued to dominate their group in the Uniball Trophy after Thursday's convincing victory over the Brighton Bears at the Brentwood Centre. The Leopards led from the start and although the Bears tried to cut the deficit the Leopards always
Colchester boss Steve Whitton roasted his players for starting the game sluggishly and blamed their under-par opening for his team's exit from another cup competition. He said: "Cambridge's front two caused us problems early on and it was always going
Sunday footballers up for the cup but worried they could miss Sunday's big match between Canvey and Southend have been handed a lifeline. Southend Sunday League said it had no objections to teams bringing forward their kick-off times on December 10 providing
Harold Hill's first Tenants Management Organisation (TMO) could be as little as a month away from becoming a reality for residents on the Barnstaple Estate. For nearly six months, residents' chiefs have been rallying support from the estate's home owners
Billericay and Wickford residents are being urged to use the world wide web to send in their views on the future shape of Basildon District Council. The council sent out details about the possible changes in last month's district diary. It is now encouraging
Rail giant c2c has pulled out of sponsoring Southend Airshow after 12 years, it has been revealed. But the future of the biggest event in the town's calendar remains secure after Westcliff Casino stepped in. The casino plans to take over where c2c left
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
Clacton Town boss Mick Potter sung the praises of goal hero Darren Bethel after watching his troops secure a "magnificent" 1-1 draw at AFC Sudbury. The West Bergholt striker - signed on loan for one match to cover for injuries and unavailability - formed
Essex men earned promotion while Essex ladies were relegated when the LTA Winter Inter County Championships were held at the weekend. The men were in action in Group Two at Cardiff and returned unbeaten and as Group champions and promoted. They opened
A Brentwood councillor has defended his committee against the charge of 'unreasonable behaviour' levelled at it by a Government inspector investigating Ingatestone's bus turnaround controversy. The inspector was reporting following a public enquiry into
Calls are being made for Colchester to become involved in a pilot scheme to clear the streets of untaxed vehicles. Bob Russell - the town's Liberal Democrat MP -has said he will write to environment minister Michael Meacher asking for Colchester to join
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
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
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
November 2000 has officially been named the wettest November for 26 years. Only November 1974 was wetter. Rain fell on 21 of the month's 30 days, giving a total of 115.6mm for the month. November 2000 was the only November since 1974 when there was more
It may only be December, but already, Essex cricket supporters are warming to the prospect of next summer's cricket with the county club warning that the Vodafone Challenge Match against Australia is set to be a corporate sell-out. Although bookings have
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
Two of the country's top judges were today debating the future of two Castle Point planning applications at the centre of a High Court test case. Holding and Barnes, a car salvage company on Canvey, and Premier Leisure, which was involved in the controversial
Colchester United boss Steve Whitton was in a jubilant mood after his injury-hit squad handed him an early 40th birthday present with victory over Notts County. Whitton, who celebrated his big milestone on Monday, was making sure it was cream cakes all-round
When the going gets tough, the tough get going! And when the chips are down - as they were for Colchester's injury and illness-ravaged squad going into this intriguing encounter with Notts County - team work and team spirit counts for a lot. Manager Steve
Police have urged fans travelling to Sunday's Canvey v Southend football clash to use public transport - as c2c announced major engineering works on the line. Around 12,000 supporters are expected to flood into the area around the Roots Hall ground for
Deectives are hunting a bogus health worker who tried to abduct a baby - and have issued an alert to all parents. They are urging them to be extra vigilant in the wake of the attempted abduction, which they are linking with another incident in Basildon
Southend United boss David Webb gave youth a chance at Roots Hall last night (Tuesday) as Blues saw off Cheltenham Town in the first round of the LDV Vans Trophy. The Shrimpers chief fielded eight players aged 23 or under and, helped by the experience
A ground-breaking series of talks could see the vision of a new town park for Ongar become a reality. Ongar Parish Council has held a long-awaited meeting with district and county council representatives to discuss the future use of the Greensted Road
Rail company c2c has come under fire from a county councillor as commuters continue to sweat in overcrowded trains. Canvey councillor Ray Howard was speaking out at the annual meeting between Essex County Council and rail operators. Among the rail firms
Essex Police are already 132 officers under strength and are facing a manpower crisis, a report has revealed. New figures released at Essex Police Authority show that although the force has budgeted for 2,967 officers a snapshot taken in September shows
A controversial campaign for longer opening hours by a Brentwood High Street pub has proved successful after the council granted it a trial run. But the decision to allow The Litten Tree to stay open until 11.30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights
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 on Monday the tiny supermarket will shut for the last time on Saturday. A spokeswoman for the Colchester and East
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 yesterday (Tuesday), Lynda McWilliams, chairman of Great Bentley Parish Council
Colchester United captain Simon Clark spoke of his horror car crash for the first time only hours before returning to action for the U's Reserves. The 33-year-old former Peterborough and Leyton Orient defender was due to turn out against AFC Bournemouth
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
Colchester United captain Simon Clark spoke of his horror car crash for the first time only hours before returning to action for the U's Reserves. The 33-year-old former Peterborough and Leyton Orient defender was due to turn out against AFC Bournemouth
A senior optician at Brentwood Community Hospital has hit-out at the high cost of treating patients suffering from a virus which can leave them blind after two years. Mr Ted Watts, of Shenfield, said treatment with a revolutionary product called Visudyne
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
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.
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
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
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
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
Motorists face misery on the roads as maintenance work starts on the A12 Brentwood Bypass tomorrow (Thursday). The £10.5million scheme is necessary to repair a stretch of the A12 from Junction 28 of the M25 at Brook Street for three miles towards Chelmsford
Canvey FC fanatic Mark Hogg has waited years for the biggest-ever game in the club's history. In just over a week, the non-league side will face rivals Southend after an unprecedented win through to the second round of the FA Cup. Mr Hogg - Canvey's oldest
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
Last Wednesday's Daytime Open Match was fished on the bottom and middle lakes at Rayne Lodge Braintree, saw Graham Dack of Image E17 again take first place, with a 39-10-0 haul of mainly small carp. Dack fished from peg 6 on the bottom lake with luncheon
A magnificent near 20lb common carp landed on the lightest of tackle helped Gloucester Park regular Tom Keeble win the latest Gloucester Park Open. With just twenty minutes of Sunday's match remaining, Tom had only 4lb 10oz of roach in his net, and had
It was a night of mixed fortunes for Steve Roberts and Darren Bruce on Saturday at York Hall, Bethnal Green. Roberts, the WBF light middleweight champion from Romford, successfully defended his title against the former French champion Mohammed Hissani
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
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.
Next time you drop in for a quick trim at a Pitsea hairdresser you could be leaving with a family of teddies. Staff at Hair Oasis, High Road, have put their heads together and decided to hold a charity raffle - the prize being these three furry friends
Plans are on the cards to introduce extensive parking restrictions around two schools because there is a danger to pedestrians. Essex County Council is also considering the feasibility of providing speed reduction measures around South Green infant and
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
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
Violent offenders and burglars are top of Essex Police's hit list, according to a new strategy document unveiled by the county force. The draft of the long-term strategy was revealed at an Essex Police Authority meeting. A joint foreword by Chief Constable
Fire crews from Southend went to a chip pan fire in Newington Avenue last night (Tuesday). The occupants escaped but the ground floor of the house was gutted. Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been
She may be nicknamed Lucky, but this little kitten has surely used up several of her nine lives already! She miraculously survived a fur-raising journey on a damaged car being transported to Battlesbridge-based Nevendon South East Cars on a huge lorry
A Billericay boutique has proved it has a national reputation after winning through to the final of a national competition. N. Shelley, in the High Street, was picked out as one of six finalists in the women's section of top fashion competition Drapers
Amid the euphoria of Ipswich Town's Wembley promotion, Mark Venus could be forgiven for questioning his personal destiny at Portman Road. Certainly any seeds of doubt must have been magnified in the summer when George Burley moved to bolster his squad
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
Switch made sense Thank god the police insisted that Canvey Island switched their dream FA Cup 2nd round tie against Southend United to Roots Hall. The Ryman Premier League outfit were determined that the "Essex Cup Final" should be played on their tiny
Ipswich Town were yestrday (Tuesday) 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 on Monday
The Chelmsford Bowling Club's Famous Grouse triples league winners for the 2000 seasonwere Peter Pates, Graham Robson, Norman Whent, George Wilson and John Marden. This new triples league for club members was played at the end of the season on a Friday
In their penultimate game before the Christmas break, division one leaders Brentwood dominated the first 20 minutes of Saturday's match at Ilford, and duly took the lead through a Simon Wagstaff short corner. Quick reactions from Ian Forbes helped put
Havering Cormorants Diving Club, based at Hornchurch Sports Centre, took five divers to Luton for their annual competition where the Cormorants team knew the competition was going to be tough. Their divers were Beth Ackroyd, Jay Golding, James Matthews
The old adage 'life begins at 40' is certainly fitting for Laindon karate instructor Steve Quinn. After a quarter of a century doing Ishinryu training in the town, Steve decided to mark his 40th birthday by going it alone with his own club. Now Ni-sen
Four recipients of the British Fencing Achievement Awards, received their awards from Chief Constable David Stevens of the Essex Constabulary at Billericay St John's Schools' 73rd Speech Day. Alexander White and James Bashford, both gained Grade 3 awards
A devastated bride-to-be has spoken of how her wedding plans have been ruined after the cancellation of the church booking. Kate Jarvis, of Mill Street, Brightlingsea, had most of her big day organised, including the reception, dresses for herself and
The Might Oak Brewing Company is celebrating after its end of year figures show a massive rise in the amount of real ale it has sold to the drinkers of Britain. Director of the Prospect Way, Hutton company, John Boyce, said: "Our financial year ended
Ipswich Town boss George Burley is confident he will land striker Alun Armstrong by the end of this week. The 25-year-old Middlesbrough forward has asked Burley if he can have time to consider a move to Portman Road after spending two days thrashing out
Southend United boss David Webb gave youth a chance at Roots Hall last night (Tuesday) as Blues saw off Cheltenham Town in the first round of the LDV Vans Trophy. The Shrimpers chief fielded eight players aged 23 or under and, helped by the experience
Southend United won through to the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy last night (Tuesday) with a 2-0 victory over Cheltenham Town at Roots Hall. And two of Blues' players - debutant teenage striker Daniel Webb and veteran centre-half Rob Newman - are
A derelict patch of land where a grand hotel once proudly stood could be developed into a budget supermarket. The landmark Queen's Hotel, in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff, was demolished in 1989 and the vacant site has since degenerated into wasteland
Home office minister Paul Boateng is to visit Chelmsford Prison in the wake of another damning report on the jail by the Chief Inspector of Prisons. Mr Boateng and West Chelmsford MP Simon Burns will visit Chelmsford Prison in the New Year to look at
The modified Essex and Southend Waste Plan has been accepted by Essex County Council but with an amendment which councillors hope will keep incinerators at bay. Modifications to the original draft plan have been made following recommendations from a Government
Deectives are hunting a bogus health worker who tried to abduct a baby - and have issued an alert to all parents. They are urging them to be extra vigilant in the wake of the attempted abduction, which they are linking with another incident in Basildon
Essex county councillors have rubber-stamped plans which will see an extra £2 million being channelled into services for the elderly. But half the county's 25 care homes for the elderly will be sold off or leased to "unlock" the cash. The rest of the
A train passenger was today recovering in Basildon Hospital after being stabbed outside Grays railway station by a gang of youths. The 25-year-old had serious head and back injuries but his wounds were not life-threatening. Converted for the new archive
