War veterans from across Essex are expected to gather at Chelmsford Crematorium today (Thursday) for the funeral of High Ongar British Legion standard bearer Arthur Blowes. Mr Blowes, who was found dead in a river in Chelmsford two weeks ago, was a distinguished
Two teenagers proved how binding their friendship was - by tying themselves together for 48 hours to raise money for charity. Kelly Oakley and Angela Conway, of St Benedict's College, Colchester, joined themselves at the wrist for two days to make cash
Some of Colchester's most lavish areas have pockets of deep deprivation and poverty, it has been revealed. In two months' time, the newly-established Anti-Poverty Forum will hold its first meeting and report back on its findings so far. Profiles on each
If you track wildlife with a camera, whether as an amateur or professional, you could win fame and fortune by entering the BBC Wildlife Magazine and Natural History Museum backed Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, sponsored by BG, the gas-based
Six-time world snooker champion Steve Davis will be baring his soul on radio now Phoenix FM is back on the airwaves. Steve, who lives in Stondon Massey, hosts a twice-weekly show of soul sounds on the station, on 87.7FM. The 43-year-old snooker star has
Spencer Prior wants to follow in the foot steps of Colin Bell, Denis Law and Franny Lee, by becoming a Manchester City legend. The former Southend United defender has recently won his place back in the Maine Road line-up and is hoping to play a key role
The financial struggles of Third Division crisis club Hull City have struck an emotional chord at Roots Hall. Hull were locked out of their Boothferry Park ground by former Essex Wimbledon tennis star David Lloyd in a row over rent on Tuesday and were
Colchester United midfielder Andy Arnott has announced he has given up all hope of playing league football again. The 27-year-old U's man officially announced his retirement from the game today (Thursday) after admitting defeat in his agonising battle
Three days lazing on the sun-kissed beaches of Spain might be just what the doctor ordered for Ipswich Town. Because this defeat - the Blues' fourth in a row - suggests their season is in serious danger of careering off the rails. At least, that's what
So much for the argument that putting former professional footballers on the fast-track up the refereeing ladder improves the standard of officials in the Football League. Colchester were leading this game 2-0 with more than an hour of the game gone when
Southend United boss David Webb was left counting a catalogue of missed chances from his promotion chasers, following Saturday's 1-0 Roots Hall victory against Lincoln City. Ben Abbey notched his tenth goal of the season during the first-half to give
A radical proposal by the head of Ingatestone's Anglo European School could lead to a partnership with Trueloves care home which campaigners hope will save it from closure. Initial talks have already taken place between Bob Reed and Trueloves' project
A distraught Harold Hill mother is appealing for Havering Council to install a downstairs toilet and shower at their home to help her 12-year-old daughter who suffers from rheumatic fever. Paula Priest, 37, of Kingsbridge Road claims the council is failing
A second man has been charged with murder after the discovery of a man's body in a cupboard. Steven Sullivan, 39, of Byng Close, Thorpe, who faced a charge of concealing the body of Justin Chant, has been charged with his murder. The charges follow the
The Brentwood Centre will be teaming up with sports centres across the county next month to support Comic Relief. Five-time Olympic champion Steve Redgrave is supporting the sponsored rowing events at the sports halls, encouraging people to raise money
South East Essex College's £40 million relocation to Southend town centre could be under threat after councillors refused to back a key element of the proposal. Developer Martin Dawn was sent back to the drawing board as council planning officials claimed
More than 100 anxious relatives have called a helpline set up by Havering Hospitals NHS Trust to deal with enquiries about the storage of dead patients' organs. The Trust, which includes Oldchurch and Harold Wood hospitals, admitted last week that organs
A fresh bid is being launched to move Colchester's market back to the High Street. The market has been in Vineyard Street for about seven years, but traders want to see it returned to its former site. They are taking Colchester councillor Christopher
An angry resident has refused to pay two parking tickets slapped on his car in the road where he lives Mark Boyden, of St Andrew's Road, Clacton, said that he was prepared to go to court, rather than cough up the £60 for the fixed penalty fines incurred
Police launched a manhunt for a gunman who terrorised four people in Chelmsford. Twenty police officers - including the police helicopter and dog handlers - hunted for the robber who demanded cash from two teenage girls and stole £80 from a Chinese takeaway
Campaigners were celebrating today after the consultation period for British Nuclear Fuel's plans to burn low-level radioactive waste at Bradwell Power Station was extended. The Environment Agency decided to make the move after pleas from a large number
Heavy overnight rain has again brought severe flooding and chaos to roads across south Essex. In a week beset by setbacks, travellers faced a double-edged sword with chaos on the A13 and A127 and continued disruption to rail services between the Southend
A special blue and orange-coloured ribbon has been launched in a bid to raise the profile of volunteer workers in the Epping Forest district. The move comes as the Epping Forest Volunteer Bureau takes part in this year's United Nations-sponsored International
A Wickford-based bakery has been fined more than £16,000 for breaching food hygiene regulations. Alexander's Bakery in the town centre's Willowdale Centre was prosecuted by Basildon District Council's Environmental Health department after a series of
Benefit fraudsters in the Basildon area are being forced to think again thanks to a new initiative aiming to crack down on people trying to cheat the system. The project combines the talents of Basildon Council's benefit team together with the Benefits
The emergency helpline set up to deal with public enquiries about the hundreds of body parts stored by Basildon and Thurrock General Hospitals NHS Trust has received around 200 calls from concerned patients and relatives. Health chiefs set up the helpline
Wakering enjoys the distinction of being the driest spot in England and it was in the village that the majority of the seven Hadleigh Carport Southend Borough Combination games to beat the wet weather went ahead. The Reserve Division clash battle of the
A diving club faces an uncertain future after being stopped from using Maldon's Blackwater Leisure Centre pool. Scuba 65, which instructs would-be divers and snorkellers in the pool between 6pm and 7pm on Saturdays, must find an alternative pool for six
Brentwood returned to winning form on Saturday determined to maintain their promotion challenge with a decisive victory over Sudbury. The deadlock was broken early in the first half from a short corner strike by Simon Wagstaff, and a second goal soon
The Amos Cup final, traditionally played on Boxing Day, but due to be played at Stanway Rovers' New Farm Road ground yesterday (Wednesday), has been postponed again. The Ke-Connect League's prestige final, to be contested by Eight Ash Green and Walton
ESSEX PREMIER CUP THIRD ROUND Danny Rafis scored both goals for King Harold who lost 3-2 to Lodge Athletic . Broxhill's run in the cup came to an end with a 6-3 extra-time defeat to Lita Sports . Terry Mansfield, Dave Cox and Steve Taylor scored for Broxhill
Billericay Town's fixture list became even more congested with a further set of postponements during the last week. The long awaited trip into Cambridgeshire for the FA Umbro Trophy fourth round tie against Dr Martens League Eastern Division side Histon
Southend United's owners - South Eastern Leisure UK Limited - have launched a broadside at former Blues chairman John Main. The club's joint venture company, formed by property developers Martin Dawn plc and Delancey Estates, yesterday (Wednesday) claimed
Chelmsford AC athletes have also been preparing for the summer events by competing in various indoor competitions. In the Crystal Palace Grand Prix, Ewan Graham won the Under 17 Mens High Jump with 1.80 metres. At the same event Catherine Howe won the
SATURDAY FA UMBRO TROPHY Round 4: Bilston Town 0, Canvey Island 1. RYMAN LEAGUE Premier Division: Farnborough Town 3, Grays Athletic 0. HADLEIGH CARPORT SOUTHEND BOROUGH COMBINATION Reserve Division: Sibar Sports 3 (Sexton, Jones, Webb), White Ensign
The basketball girls of Greensward College put forward another distinguished performance when their under-15 side finished seventh in the national cup competition. They travelled to Rochdale, Lancashire, to contest the final stages from the last eight
Heavy rain at the weekend decimated the Thundermite League programme. All divisions saw games cancelled and some age groups saw the whole league programme cancelled. In the games that did get played there was some hot shooting going on. Wright bagged
Country-dwellers living near Ongar and North Weald are being urged to march on the capital in protest at the erosion of rural communities. A coach for the Countryside March in Hyde Park will be leaving from Moreton at 8am on Sunday, March 18. Local organisers
Plans to move ahead with establishing a new £460,000 Christian Centre in the Queens Park area of Billericay have been announced by the town's Methodist Church. The Church Council has decided to proceed with the major building project on a site next to
Health Secretary Alan Milburn threw his weight behind the Evening Echo's donor card campaign when he visited Basildon Hospital. He pledged to hold meetings with doctors and patient groups to see how the number of card carriers could be increased to boost
A man died and the A12 was shut this afternoon (Thursday) as torrential rain took its toll on transport across Essex. During the night an estimated 15.6mm of rain fell on the county and the downpour continued into this morning. A man died on the A12 today
Youngsters from Westcliff were treated to a spot of culture when the Scottish play came to town. The traditional Shakespeare Company visited Prittlewell School in Prittlewell Chase to teach year nine and ten pupils about the famous play Macbeth. Before
Plans by Home Secretary Jack Straw to get tough on asylum seekers are fundamentally flawed, a Southend Tory MP claimed. Sir Teddy Taylor MP for and Rochford and Southend East welcomed the theory behind Mr Straw's speech which suggested asylum seekers
Southend Council has added its voice to a growing number of local authorities striving to prevent important health bodies being abolished. The Government has announced plans to scrap Community Health Councils, which provide independent advice, support
A controversial £3.1million hall for the Salvation Army is set to be built despite opposition from some Castle Point councillors. Plans for the complex in Hadleigh sparked anger from Charles Smith (Lab, Cedar Hall), who said the buildings would destroy
Farewell to true Blues' stalwart It saddened me to hear of the death last week of true Southend United stalwart John Woodcock. John was one of the all too few people to climb from holding office in the supporters club to a seat on the board and then club
An elderly woman died from burn injuries caused by sitting too close to an electric fire. An inquest at Colchester Coroner's Court heard 92-year-old Evelyn Reach, of Captains Road in West Mersea, had a history of ill health. She had been looked after
Meet Essex's answer to the Redgraves. With the amount of experience they already have between them Sam, Liberty and Carita Morris could be the next in a long line of theatrical siblings to dominate both stage and screen. Sam, 13, was the first to hit
The number of pensioners living on the poverty line will be reduced by a new initiative to help them claim the money they are entitled to. That was the promise of Government minister Alistair Darling, who chose Clacton as the venue to launch the improved
Brentwood distribution centre Railstore has come in for praise from one of the leading IT cable network equipment companies, and new contracts from a number of new customers. P&I Data Services Ltd (PANDI) has handed its contract for the storage and
Police are looking for budding designers to help them the launch of a new campaign against hate crime. They want an eye-catching logo for the 'Hate Crime - A Menace in Society 2001' campaign which is being launched this summer in south Essex. The campaign
Chelmsford Athletics Club Veterans turned out in force at the weekend for the Eastern Veterans Cross Country Championships. In conditions more suited to swimming than running the team returned home with a haul of medals. First home for the men was David
The driver of a car which hit a horse and rider, killing both, could do nothing to avoid the collision, an inquest heard. Horserider Samantha White, 24, of Kingsbury Close, Marks Tey, died from multiple injuries after the horse she was riding, Bubba,
Essex youngsters took part in a historic election when they voted for who they wanted to represent them at the first UK Youth Parliament. During the election, held at County Hall in Chelmsford, young people were able to raise the issues which really mattered
Fears about the rise in crime following the closure of Witham's cyber cafe have been realised. At a meeting of Witham Town Council's community services committee last night, Sgt David Bauckley, of Witham police, revealed an increase in calls to the Humber
A teenager who stole a bus and led police in a three-hour, 14-car chase has been sent to a young offender's institution for five months. At Witham Youth Court the 17-year-old was sentenced to five months' detention, five months' training on his release
A remand prisoner at Chelmsford prison died as a result of "a planned hoax hanging that went tragically wrong". An inquest jury returned a verdict of accidental death on Lee Adams who died at Colchester General Hospital on November 1, 1999 - the day after
World number seven Rod Harrington reached the semi-finals of the Eastbourne International Darts Open. But on Sunday he bowed out to Steve Beaton in a shock 3-0 defeat, who then beat Roland Scholten in the final. The "Prince of Style" had a tough route
Mark Venus believes Ipswich Town should hold their heads up high - despite crashing to their fourth straight defeat against Leeds United. The Blues tumbled to a 2-1 reverse at Portman Road on Saturday and Venus had the dubious honour of scoring at both
Just call me 'Rent a play-off' said Colchester United's larger-than-life goalkeeper Andy Woodman. "I've taken almost every club I've been with into the promotion play-offs and now I'd love to do it again with Colchester," said the tall, 29-year-old athletic
DIVISION ONE In the only game to survive Sunday's torrential weather,Willowbrook played host to Intersports on a rain sodden pitch. Despite leading 3-2 at the interval, Willowbrook were eventually overcome as Intersports reversed the deficit by netting
Former Lithuanian international Lawrence Trumpauskas secured his third Chelmsford Mens Singles title on Monday at the Old Chelmsfordians Club in front of an excellent crowd but he didn't have it all his own way in the final against Dave Cole. The evening
Forrester Park Golf Club Ladies Section played the fifth round of their 12 hole winter league this week. The top scores of the day were returned by Eileen Bolton and Jan Price with 20 points and Barbara Luxford was close behind with 19 points. At the
Witham recorded an excellent win at Spa Road on Tuesday, and the victory moved them further towards the leading pack in Division Three. A downpour about an hour before kick off time made the pitch very wet, but the referee decided to play the game, and
A bleak and desolate outlook last Sunday morning saw the rain cascading down onto already sodden pitches, and just one match of the league programme was completed. Quite simply no-one can remember a season like it and there appears to be no sign of any
Only seven games managed to beat the weather on Saturday, but between them there were 44 goals scored with the top scorers being Wanstead Town, who beat Linford Wanderers 7-3 in their Reserve Division Three match . SENIOR DIVISION ONE Metpol Chigwell
A man was kicked unconscious in a fight outside a Harold Hill pub last week. The altercation happened outside The Alderman pub, Dartfields between 8 and 8.11pm on Wednesday January 31. A 31-year-old man from Harold Hill suffered a serious cut to the back
A firefighter has died after collapsing on duty at Colchester Fire Station. Mark Allen, 45, who had served with the brigade for about 20 years, was pronounced dead at the town's hospital after colleagues' efforts to revive him failed. Station Officer
Two former councillors allegedly ripped off their own council of thousands of pounds in housing benefits while using a flat in Braintree, a court heard. The former Labour councillors got between £7,000 and £10,000 in extra benefits over a nine-year period
Mystery surrounds the origin of an appalling stench drifting over Canvey causing dozens of people on the island to feel sick. Castle Point Council has been flooded with calls from irate residents who are becoming increasingly unhappy at the increase in
Angry Dean Stoker kicked his girlfriend's brother in the head outside a Canvey nightclub because he thought he had offered her drugs. A Basildon Crown Court jury found Stoker, of Gills Avenue, Canvey, guilty of battery following a fracas outside the Kings
Ongar's young people are set to benefit from a new purpose-designed youth club, it was revealed on Saturday. Building work on the high-tech centre will go ahead once the long-awaited sale of the town's former comprehensive school at Fyfield Road is finalised
Volunteers are being sought to help people struggling to recover from drug and alcohol abuse. South Essex Mental Health and Community Care NHS Trust runs three treatment centres across south east Essex at Rochford Hospital, Grays and Pitsea. The services
Over 400 sponsored walkers have signed up to take part in City's 'Return to the Borough' 10-mile walk on Saturday, March 3, which will leave the Billericay Town FC ground at 11am. There will be a staggered start for walkers with the aim of all meeting
Concerned Ongar parents have stepped up their fight to have a mobile phone mast removed from the corner of Chipping Ongar Primary School's field by forming an action group. Following an informal meeting in St James church hall called by campaigning Woodland
Colchester United have revealed how the club took steps to prevent Millwall fans from purchasing seats in areas of the ground reserved for home supporters for Tuesday's Second Division game at Layer Road. U's chief executive Marie Partner said: "A number
Southend and District LTA are set to break with tennis tradition in the county by forming men's and ladies' singles leagues next year. The plan was rubber-stamped by member clubs at Monday's annual meeting and will make the leagues the first singles competitions
Chelmsford City's promotion ambitions re-ceived an unexpected three points bonus last weekend without Gary Bellamy's side even kicking a ball. With City's Dr Martens League Eastern Division match at Rothwell rained off two of their nearest promotion rivals
More agricultural land is coming onto the market, but Essex farmers are fighting back against a tide of non-agricultural wealth buying up homes and land in the county, it was reported this week. "With more and more of these non-agricultural buyers, often
The parents of an eight-year-old boy with severe learning difficulties are locked in a battle with Essex County Council over his education. They have said they are so concerned about him going to a suitable school, they say they are prepared to move house
Police are looking for a cyclist who attacked a young mum in Braintree. The attack happened on Tuesday at 11.45am when the 21-year-old mum was robbed by a teenage cyclist, who made off with about £70. She had just collected the money from a post office
The amount of housebuilding the county could be forced to accommodate over the next 15 years continues to be resisted by Essex County Council. The county's executive board has agreed to tell the Government that it strongly objects to the new regional
Southend Council has vowed to launch an investigation into the amount of cash schools are holding back. Officials are to look into balances being held at schools to make sure they are spending as much money as possible directly on pupils. In total, schools
Opportunist thieves are believed to have taken advantage of a front door being left open by mistake to steal £180 pension money as an elderly couple slept in their Harold Hill home. The pair, aged 88 and 94, awoke to find the money missing from the Charlbury
On Valentines Day don't let your heart rule your head and get duped by bogus charity collectors - that is the message from Basildon Council. The council gets reports around Valentine's Day of people selling roses and claiming the proceeds go to charity
Canvey moved confidently into the last 16 of the FA Umbro Trophy on Saturday - but they needed a superb late save from goalkeeper Ashley Harrison to make sure. Despite dominating their Black Country hosts throughout Gulls had only Steve Parmenter's 32nd-minute
Southend United finally clocked up their first home league win of 2001 on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over perennial away-day strugglers Lincoln City. Ben Abbey headed the all important match winner, maintaining his phenomenal strike-rate for the Shrimpers
Southend boss David Webb was more than happy with a home draw against Second Division Swindon Town in the semi-finals of the LDV Vans Trophy. Southend United will meet the Robins at Roots Hall on Tuesday, February 13, for a place in the southern final
The long wait is over - Colchester United have played a League game at Layer Road for the first time in 46 days. But even this one was placed in jeopardy by a torrential cloudburst just over half-an-hour before kick-off. The aptly-named referee Tony Leake
Police in Ongar have launched a new scheme aimed at providing reassurance for anyone living alone who suffers a medical emergency. Known as Message in a Bottle, the scheme is the result of a partnership between Neighbourhood Watch and Essex County Council
The only Southend Junior League under-11 side to get into action on a rainswept weekend were Blackshot Colts, who were on another planet when taking on Saturn X1 in the fourth round of the EASY Cup. Despite the poor conditions caused by the bad weather
Another wet Saturday resulted in only seven matches going ahead out of the 37 scheduled, and there was a complete wipeout of the Premier Division programme. DIVISION ONE Marconi Reserves recorded their first victory of the season, with a 2-1 success at
George Burley is thought to be ready to step up his interest in Birmingham City midfielder Bryan Hughes. The Ipswich Town boss has been away with his first-team squad on a winter mini-break in Spain this week. But, with club chairman David Sheepshanks
Rochford Hundred's new Captain Andy Dawbarn turned the clock back for the competition which preceded his traditional drive-in on Sunday. He and club secretary Alan Bondfield went back through the records and came up with some of the original holes in
Social services bosses have allowed an Essex couple to foster four children - even though the "father" used to be a woman. The couple, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were originally looking after the children - aged between seven and 11 - for
An attacker who tried to drag a woman into bushes in an attempted sexual assault is being hunted by Brentwood Police. Now women are being advised to take extra care while walking alone at night, following the "nasty attack" which happened in the early
Things have certainly tightened up in the Basildon and Thurrock district badminton association American League after Waterside A claimed four wins in the latest round of matches. For their latest clean sweep saw them close the gap on fourth placed East
