Archive

  • Athletics round-up: Southend rising to new heights...

    Southend AC's fair sex are still in with a chance of promotion from Division Four East of the Southern Women's League after piling on the points in a home fixture at Garon Park. The club finished on 237 - with nearest rivals Loughton on 183. In fourth

  • Tennis: Rayleigh take first title with last set victory

    The 50th anniversary summer tournament finished a thrilling style for the Leigh and Westcliff players. Rayleigh, Westcliff Lawn and Thorpe Bay were all locked on 33 points going into the championship deciders in Men's Division One. Lawn and Thorpe Bay

  • Soccer: Pitcher loses £1m claim

    Former professional footballer Darren Pitcher has lost his battle for £1m damages from Huddersfield Town for a tackle which ended his career. Darren, of Marlborough Road, Grays, who played at the top level for Charlton and Crystal Palace after winning

  • Dovercourt: Police injured dealing with dispute

    Three policemen were injured after being called to a domestic dispute at a house in Dovercourt. The Harwich-based male officers, two constables and an acting sergeant, were allegedly hit with a chair at about 10.30pm yesterday (Thursday). They all sustained

  • Clacton: Resort immortalised on film

    Clacton is being immortalised on film after a camera crew made a film about a trip to the town. The film entitled A Trip to the Seaside focused on a family making a day trip down to the sunshine coast and taking in all that Clacton has to offer. Aimed

  • Bicknacre: Hall to close

    Bicknacre Memorial Village Hall is set to close after 25 years owing to a lack of volunteers willing to take over the day-to-day operation of the hall. David Godfrey, clerk to Woodham Ferrers and Bicknacre Parish Council, the trustees of the hall, said

  • Braintree: Police warn of new con trick

    Police have warned cash card users to beware of a new con trick adopted by thieves to dupe users in Braintree. Two girls were victims of the new method in Braintree, one last Friday and another on Wednesday, while using the HSBC machine in the town. Crime

  • Colchester: Hilda hangs up her mop

    Staff and pupils at a Colchester school are getting ready to bid a fond farewell to a woman who has helped keep it spick and span for nearly three decades. Hilda Hinson, of Queen Elizabeth Way, went to work as a cleaner at Monkwick Infants School for

  • Colchester: Residents set to tackle youth problem

    Youth nuisance at Colchester's largest estate is set to come under the spotlight at a special meeting. Police, ward councillors, housing officers and welfare officers are set to meet and discuss ongoing problems at Greenstead estate. The aim of the multi-agency

  • Basildon, Thurrock: Speech therapy staffing crisis

    A crisis in recruiting has left many Basildon and Thurrock youngsters with little or no speech and language therapy for the last year. The therapy for children with special educational needs is provided by South Essex Mental Health and Community Care

  • Colchester: Strip Lord Archer of peerage says MP

    Colchester MP Bob Russell is calling for disgraced Lord Archer to be stripped of his peerage. Mr Russell has added his voice to a motion calling for the ex-cabinet minister to lose his title. Millionaire novelist Archer was jailed for four years yesterday

  • Essex: Countryside crisis cost put at £1.3bn

    A Writtle College study of the foot-and-mouth crisis has concluded that the outbreak may have cost Essex £1.3bn. The study was commissioned by Essex Economic Partnership. The report says that although the financial impact is potentially enormous, positive

  • Soccer: Canvey club's new goal

    Meetings have taken place to discuss how community groups can make the most of facilities at Canvey Island Football Club. Members of Castle Point Council and the club's directors have discussed how the whole community could use club buildings. Dave Blackwell

  • Soccer: City stadium gets green light

    The first step towards Chelmsford City Football Club returning to the borough has been made. Following an impassioned plea by the chairman of the club at a planning meeting on Monday night, Chelmsford councillors voted to approve the application for a

  • Speedway: Colchester team are back on track

    A speedway team has found a new site to set up a practise track - just in the nick of time. Celebrations soon subsided for the Colchester Stars group after they were given a lottery grant to pay for a new shale track, but could not find anyone who would

  • Soccer: Ex-U's man sinks Colchester

    Former U's striker Robbie Reinelt stole the show with a blistering 30-yard free-kick to give Braintree victory. The Iron's leading scorer last season stepped up in the 35th minute on Tuesday night to blast a set piece past the dive of keeper Andy Woodman

  • Angling round-up: Sugg lands his best-ever carp...

    Northlands Park continues to produce some excellent carp, topped by a superb fish of 24lb 6oz for lake regular Dave Sugg. He took the personal best fish from the cafe lake, casting a single prawn to the far reed bed. Dave's session certainly started spectacularly

  • Fencing: Beevers foiled in GB final

    Leigh Olympic fencer James Beevers has vowed to bounce back after losing his foil crown at the British championships. Beevers, 22, missed out on a third successive title when he was narrowly beaten in the final by British number four Richard Kruse at

  • Canoeing: Moule in international action

    Chelmsford Canoe Club paddler Keith Moule returned to international competition in extremely high temperatures at the weekend, at Zagreb, Croatia. This was the final World Cup event of the year and witnessed Keith and K2 partner Danny Golder's best result

  • Tennis round-up: Bonham does the double...

    Simon Bonham defeated Richard Barham 6-4 6-4 to take the men's singles title at Westcliff Hardcourts' finals. The standard of play was high as befits two players who are of county standard, but Bonham's superior matchplay gave him the edge in the final

  • Soccer: U's striker disarmed

    Colchester United boss Steve Whitton has learned striker Scott McGleish cracked an elbow after falling heavily in Saturday's pre-season friendly at Bury Town. Whitton said: "It's not good news for us because Scott is our main striker. "An x-ray has revealed

  • Soccer: Bees buzz after league thumbs-up

    The Bees are buzzing again... that's the great news from Gardiners Close after Basildon United shook off fears that they might lose their senior status. They will be happily in action in the Foresters Essex Senior League in the coming campaign confident

  • Soccer: Designed to put U's in the clear

    Colchester United's supporters will be able to pick out their favourite players more easily in the new season - thanks to the A HREF="http://www.thisisessex.co.uk/scripts/addarticle.asp?id=00000047">Evening Gazette. The U's traditional blue-and-white

  • Golf: McEvoy has it all to play for

    Although he narrowly failed to win a place in the starting line-up for the Open Championship, which began at Royal Lytham St Annes yesterday (Thursday), there's still plenty of top golfing action coming up for Thorpe Hall amateur star Richard McEvoy.

  • Bowls round-up: Southend too strong...

    Southend bowls club were too strong for their Rochford counterparts as they clocked up a 93-70 win. Scores (Southend first): Mike Smith 14 GSellears 18, Ron Baines 27 JJeffrey 20, Geoff Bromley 27 DBrewer 17, Derek Swann 25 PCottrell 15. And Pegasus were

  • Chelmsford: Ed's mast message

    Pint-sized nine-year-old Edward Caton pleaded with a meeting of Chelmsford Planning Committee to veto a microwave radiation mobile phone mast being put up near his school. Nine last month, Edward is the youngest person ever to address councillors at public

  • Cricket: Ronnie retalitates

    Ronnie Irani led his Essex cricketers into their annual Southend festival on Wednesday with a swipe at the "moaners" who are making life hell for him and his team-mates. The larger-than-life Essex captain said: "There are a number of the county's members

  • Colchester: Poll praises town

    Colchester is among the best places in the country to run a store, a survey has revealed. According to the report published today (Friday), shoppers are shunning out-of-town centres and heading back to the High Street. And Colchester's popularity has

  • Women's cricket: Beth leads the way

    Colchester and East Essex cricketer Beth Wild hit top form as Essex under-17s recorded their fourth straight win in the women's county league with an 87-run win against Sussex. Beth, from Feering, scored 64 and shared a third-wicket stand of 67 with Alexis

  • Soccer: Burley's La Liga target

    Ipswich Town fans are being kept in suspense over the identity of the Blues' latest transfer target - an international midfielder who plays in Spain. Boss George Burley revealed yesterday (Thursday) a fee has been agreed with a club in La Liga and terms

  • Soccer: Kinsella men on crest of a wave

    Former Colchester United hero Mark Kinsella and his Charlton Athletic team-mates arrive at Layer Road tomorrow (Saturday) on the crest of a wave. The Republic of Ireland midfielder, who moved to The Valley for £150,000 in September 1996, guided the Addicks

  • Soccer: Blues agree Richards fee

    Southend United have agreed a £36,000 fee for Barnet striker Tony Richards. Blues boss David Webb has been searching for a targetman to compliment his current forward-line and the aggresive former Leyton Orient man would seem to fit the bill. Richards

  • Essex: Reps use scare tactics

    Police have warned security salesman are again using scare tactics to sell their wares in Essex. Elderly and other vulnerable people are often targeted with stories of rising crime in their area. Encouraging residents to buy systems to prevent this, the

  • Dovercourt: People take swan under their wing

    Swan-minders are keeping vigil over a snowy-plumed bird who has taken to waters in Dovercourt. Mistral, a seasoned visitor to the town, arrived at the model yacht pond in March and is mothering six cygnets born earlier this spring. But the plight of the

  • Cricket: Irani defends Essex coaches

    Essex cricket captain Ronnie Irani issued a "lay off our coaches" warning yesterday (Thursday) as Keith Fletcher and Geoff Arnold bore the brunt of the county's latest dismal performance. Head coach Fletcher and Excellence coach Arnold are facing increasing

  • Soccer: Bonds boost for New Lodge

    Billericay Town fans are embarking on a couple of big fund-raising schemes for the new season. They plan to issue £90 bonds in the hope of raising up to £7,500 to help towards ground improvements at New Lodge. And the Supporters Club's merchandise for

  • Soccer: Big finale for Rochford festival

    There's a five-hour extravaganza of top footballing action at King George's Playing Fields, Rayleigh, tomorrow (Satuurday) afternoon when the Rochford Festival of Sport comes to a conclusion with a host of soccer finals from 12 noon. The football will

  • East Tilbury: public meeting for Danielle

    MORE than 400 people packed out East Tilbury Village Hall for a public meeting called by concerned residents into the disappearance of missing teenager Danielle Jones. Thurrock divisional commander superintendent Ian Gruneberg reiterated appeals for information

  • Soccer: U's back to basics

    Colchester United's footballers were back on the training ground on Wednesday after losing by the only goal at Braintree in their latest pre-season friendly on Tuesday night. Former U's star Robbie Reinelt netted the all-important first-half winner for

  • Maldon: Free parking on horizon?

    Free short term parking and a pay on exit system could be installed at car parks in Maldon town centre. A review team has been looking at parking around the district and at a meeting of the Leisure Services and Community Development Select Committee on

  • Soccer: Young guns needed

    Benfleet Youth need some new blood at under-ten level for the new season. The club, who play in the Mini Soccer League, need a goalkeeper and three outfield players. Call Mark on 01268 743816. Basildon club Cross Rovers have started a new under- seven

  • Rochford: Cat caught in illegal snare

    Pet owners have been warned to be on their guard after a cat nearly died in an illegal trap. Kebab, a six-year-old tom cat, was caught in the cruel snare but managed to drag himself home still entangled in the wire trap which tightened its grip as he

  • Soccer: New clubs in as Combination shakes up for season

    Two new clubs, Track Back and Palano, have been elected to the Hadleigh Carport South-end Borough Combination for the forthcoming campaign. The Combination's annual meeting approved the reorganisation of the divisions which resulted in the reserve section

  • Soccer: Debutants make their mark

    New signings Tommy Miller and Pablo Counago scored on their Ipswich Town debuts on Wednesday night as the Blues crushed Tampere United 4-2. The pre-season friendly - the first of three matches Town play on their tour of Finland and Estonia - also reaped

  • Maldon: Residents invited to have their say

    Maldon residents are being invited to have their say on future access to historic St Giles Leper Hospital, in Spital Road, after vandals forced the closure of the site. Town councillors have discussed taking away fences and other barriers to make it more

  • Weeley: School wins classroom fight

    A village primary school has finally won its battle to increase the size of two of its classrooms - after a 15-year wait. Conditions were so cramped in the rooms for the seven to nine-year-olds that head teacher Nigel Powis even bought smaller desks to

  • Leigh: Talking over new parking plan

    A plan for residents-only parking in roads off Leigh Broadway will be discussed by a newly-formed working party. The idea was put to Leigh Town Council's transport and highways committee by member Jeanette Rowswell. Members of the committee supported

  • Colchester: Teenagers attack schoolboy

    A mother is appealing for help in tracing witnesses to an alleged attack by a group of youths on her young son. And she praised a businessman who came to her 12-year-old son's aid. The woman, who does not wish to be identified, said a group of 12 or more

  • Dovercourt: Fire crews charity clean-up for Aarron

    Soap suds and shammy leathers have helped towards making life better for an accident victim. Crews from Dovercourt fire station filled their buckets with hot water and got out the sponges to raise money for charity by sprucing up cars. More than £200

  • Chelmsford: Flagship store revamp for M&S

    Marks and Spencer is spearheading its national recovery with a £1m facelift for its Chelmsford store - one of the busiest in the county. And the town is to get a 40-seater coffee shop as part of the new-look store, scheduled to be ready by the August

  • Benfleet: Firemen give old folk a special lift

    Elderly residents were given a treat when a crew of firemen carried them upstairs to bed. Firefighters from Hadleigh were called to a broken down lift at Stafford House, a residential home in Thundersley Park Road, Benfleet. Firefighter Stuart Huxter

  • Basildon: CCTV is top priority

    Pioneering crime-busting initiatives are to be launched in Basildon town centre next year - and CCTV is still the top priority. One project is to be introduced into the town to make it more difficult for thieves to plunder shops by banning them - and

  • Colchester: Show goes on for new mum

    True to showbiz tradition, Suki Fusi believes that the show must go on. So when she gave birth to a strapping 9lb 8oz boy fours hours before curtain-up on the Saint Theresa's Repertory Society's show in Colchester, she was still on hand to conduct before

  • Pitsea: Estate residents petition police

    Residents on a council estate have demanded police action after claiming they are fed up with "living in fear" of yobs for the last two years. The people of Buckerills in Pitsea have also agreed to help police catch the youngsters - as long as their information

  • Braintree: Body found in river

    Police have recovered the body of a man from a mid-Essex river after it was spotted by a passing cyclist. A member of the public on their bike saw the partially-submerged body in the River Blackwater in Braintree at about 7.15am today (Friday). Police

  • Rugby: Basildon ready for the future

    Basildon Rugby Club are looking confidently to the new season as thousands of pounds worth of renovation nears completion. The clubhouse - twice decimated by fire - is now spick and span, while their troublesome pitch has at last been given some drainage

  • Kick-boxing: Reddey heralds glory night start

    More than 1,000 spectators packed into Purfleet's Circus Tavern to watch Basildon Kick-boxing and Karate Club power their way to glory in a master event. First prize for Basildon went to 13-year-old Lloyd Reddey who demonstrated impressive technique to

  • Athletics: Sarah's make-or-break week

    Southend sprinter Sarah Wilhelmy is facing a make-or-break week. The British 100m champion, 21, was on Tuesday named in the British squad for next month's event in Canada in the sprint relay, but is desperate to make the individual 100m. She has two chances

  • Soccer: Shrimpers cashing in on season ticket sales

    Southend United's loyal supporters have helped the club bank more than £250,000 by snapping up season tickets for the new campaign. Blues have revealed that 1,183 fans have bought season passes in the hope of cheering on their favourites to Third Division

  • Cycling: Riders ready for Grand Prix of Essex

    Cyclists from across Britain and beyond will be descending on mid-Essex this weekend for the 47th Grand Prix of Essex - now at its new home in Great Saling. Whoever wins this Sunday's international cycle race at Great Saling, Braintree will know he has

  • Soccer: Rainy day is no washout for The Dons

    Despite the heavens opening at just the wrong time, The Dons junior soccer club scored a hit with their open day at Belfairs High School, Leigh Secretary Simon Thorsian said: "The showery weather didn't help, but we did have some new boys and girls of

  • Athletics: Walker King on song for Europe

    Race walker Dominic King is preparing for his first major outing this weekend when he represents Great Britain over ten kilometres in the European Junior Championships. King, who lives in Great Horkesley and is a member of Colchester Harriers, will compete

  • Tennis: Blast from the past

    Remember this face? It belongs to the man who at one stage was reputed to have the fastest serve in tennis. And this week one-time Wimbledon finalist Roscoe Tanner served up a blast from the past for members of Frinton Tennis Club. Tanner, who lost to

  • General: Greensward home in on glory

    Happiness began at home for Hockley's Greensward College when they hosted Rochford Festival of Sport's inter-schools competition. They not only won the overall honours, but also captured glory in both the boys and girls competitions. Individual sportswise

  • Cricket: Bowl duo lift low Essex spirits

    Teenagers Justin Bishop and Ashley Cowan provided Essex with their brightest moments against Kent at Southchurch Park on the second day of their Championship battle. Each picked up a couple of wickets either side of a lengthy stoppage for rain, but they

  • Cricket: Walsh coming to Hadleigh

    Courtney Walsh, the most devastating bowler in cricket history, is all set to make a comeback at Hadleigh's John Burrows Ground. The retired West Indies pace ace has been pencilled in to play in the annual charity cricket match hosted by Hadleigh and

  • Golf: Curry on Tiger's tail

    Former Colne Valley Golf Club owner Paul Curry was just one shot behind odds-on favourite Tiger Woods after the first round of the 130th Open Championship. Curry, who hails from Halstead and now lives in East Bergholt, had a one over par round of 72 on

  • Soccer: Can Lee grab U's chance?

    Frontman Christian Lee has the chance to land himself a Colchester United contract with a stellar performance at home to Charlton Athletic. The ex-Bristol Rovers striker is on trial at Layer Road and will start against the Addicks tomorrow (Saturday).

  • Cricket: Kent crush Essex

    A merciless Kent side have condemned Essex to an innings defeat inside three days in their County Championship clash at Southend. Essex were bowled out for just 114 this afternoon (Friday), losing by an innings and 132 runs. The visitors had chosen to

  • Colchester: Union calls for open council

    Secretive reports being withheld from the public have prompted Colchester Council's own staff union to take action. Council workers' union Unison claims some confidential council reports may have "stepped beyond the guidelines" which enables the council

  • Colchester: Romans' water out of the tap?

    Roman Colcestrians might have had water on tap, according to evidence uncovered by archaeologists. During a dig at the former St Mary's Hospital site, members of the town's archaeological trust have unearthed remnants of pipes which could have carried

  • Essex: Another vulture on the loose?

    Missing Syd the vulture, may not be all he seems. The English School of Falconry found their missing bird just five miles away from their Bedfordshire base yesterday (Thursday) after 11 days at large. But it appears another vulture may still be on the

  • Colchester: School on the move again

    PUPILS have said goodbye to their temporary home - but do not know what the future holds for them. Colchester's Sixth Form College stepped in to provide a temporary home from home for staff and pupils from St George's Infants School after the school was

  • Clacton: Child stuck in house

    Firefighters came to the rescue of a mother who had become locked out of her house while her child was locked inside. A fireman climbed through a window at just before 11am on Friday, in Farmleigh Avenue, Clacton. He then managed to open the door to the

  • Wivenhoe: Controversial GM crop is cut down

    A genetically-modified crop has been destroyed at a Wivenhoe farm in the second attack in two weeks. The crop is part of a trial into GM maize at Sunnymead Farm on the Alresford Road and the biotechnology firm Aventis, which provided the seeds, today

  • Essex: GP notes faxed by mistake

    More than 100 confidential GP patient notes were sent to a medical newspaper because of an administration blunder. The forms, which name patients in the Chelmsford and Colchester area, were sent to Doctor, a weekly publication for GPs. A branch office

  • Braintree: Future brighter for threatened school

    Governors at axe-threatened Chapel Hill County School in Braintree today (Friday) said they are looking forward to a positive future after receiving an encouraging report. But education chiefs warned there is still a long way to go to bring the troubled

  • Athletics: Macey's ready despite injury

    Dean Macey has insisted it's all systems go for the world championships - despite renewed fears that injury might force him to withdraw. The Canvey decathlete was named in the British squad for next month's event in Canada on Tuesday. But the gold medal

  • Essex: Nine arrested in drug swoop

    More than £1.5m of drugs bound for the south east of England were seized in a police swoop. Nine people were arrested yesterday (Thursday) after 20 kilos of cocaine and 200 kilos of cannabis were seized during a multi-force operation led by the National

  • Tennis: Final action at Westcliff

    Sunday sees the Southend and District LTA finals take place at Westcliff Hardcourts in The Ridgeway, Westcliff. Play starts at 10am with the men's singles final, the mixed veterans doubles and the ladies' veterans doubles. OTHER MATCHES 11.30am: ladies

  • Soccer: Ipswich-PSV ticket prices announced

    Ipswich have announced that tickets for their friendly with PSV Eindhoven at Portman Road on August 4 will cost £12 for adults, £8 for children and £4 for concessions. They will be available from July 27 and sold on a priority basis via the booking line

  • More train strikes loom

    COMMUTERS are set for further transport chaos after union leaders upped the pressure on train operator c2c by announcing a 48 hour walkout. The two day strike is expected to effectively wipe out services on the line for a three day period from midday

  • Golf: Ongar charity day a big success

    A charity golf day in memory of an Ongar man who died of a rare form of leukaemia has delighted organisers by raising over £1,000 more than they initially hoped for. Kettlebury Way resident John Collins, who was 58 when he died in November, had himself

  • Soccer: Sports follow Blues

    Foresters Essex Senior League side Hullbridge Sports are following in Southend United's footsteps. For they are taking on Potters Bar Town, beaten 4-0 by Blues away last Wednesday, in one of four home pre-season build-up games they've got planned for

  • Soccer: Gulls tribute for 'Mad Al'

    Despitethe fantastic finale to the last campaign, when the club collected their first ever national prize by winning the FA Umbro Trophy, the new Canvey Island soccer season will get off to a sombre start at Park Lane tomorrow (Saturday). The whole club

  • Athletics: Sarah's GP test

    Sarah Wilhelmy could take on Olympic 100m champion Marion Jones at the Norwich Union Grand Prix on Sunday. The Southend sprinter is at Crystal Palace chasing a qualifying time for the world championships and could meet the US superstar in the 100m. Action

  • Athletics: Iron man Russell lines up world bid

    Benfleet iron man Russell Kober is gearing up for the ultimate test of endurance in Edmonton. The 25-year-old triathlete makes his international debut in the world championship tomorrow (Saturday) after qualifying with second-place finishes in events

  • Colchester: Zoo staff mourn death of Buster

    Keepers and staff at Colchester Zoo were today (Friday) mourning the death of Buster the mandrill. The charismatic and prolific 11-year-old baboon died after a severe twist in his stomach was identified. He had seemed perfectly well on Sunday night but

  • Basildon, Grays: Doctor's appeal wait

    Basildon Hospital consultant urologist Willem Bijl must wait to hear if he will be reinstated after Law Lords reserved judgment on his appeal. Bijl was struck off by the General Medical Council last November for his treatment of 61-year-old Mary Love.

  • South Essex: Union's threat over c2c strikes

    The bitter dispute over driver-only trains on the c2c line is to escalate after union leaders threatened to ballot members working elsewhere in the country over strike action. However, the rail company has warned they may be prepared to go to court to