Archive

  • Earls Colne: Alpine collision killed mum

    A young mother died from multiple injuries when she hit a tree in a tobogganing accident in the French Alps. Helen Kemp, 34, of Hunt Road, Earls Colne, was holidaying in the resort of Motterette with husband Simon, their six-year-old daughter Megan, and

  • Clacton: Major scheme boosts tourism

    A new multi-million pound scheme to protect and rejuvenate the Clacton and Holland-on-Sea coastline has been hailed a major boost for tourism. A programme of work, which will cost at least £25m, is being put together for final Government cash approval

  • Burnham: Caution on water call

    Burnham Lifeboat crew are urging river and sea users to be prepared after a weekend of incidents and changeable weather. The crew were called out to seven separate vessels, starting with a 24 foot yacht with three crew on board who became stranded at

  • Cricket: Nasser's bid for fitness

    Nasser Hussain took his first step on the trail to competitive cricket action when he turned out for the Essex second XI against Nottinghamshire at Halstead. In front of a 300-strong crowd at Star Stile yesterday (Wednesday), the England captain led his

  • Soccer: Rawle right again

    Southend United striker Mark Rawle declared himself fit for the new Third Division season with a 90-minute run-out during Blues' 5-0 friendly goal spree at Halstead Town last night (Wednesday). Midfielder Leon Hunter opened the scoring for the Shrimpers

  • Chelmsford: Girl, 13, died after horse accident

    A 13-year-old girl suffered fatal head injuries while riding her horse near her home. An inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday (Wednesday) into the death of Rebecca Carpenter, of Arbour Lane, Chelmsford, who died in Great Ormond Street Hospital,

  • Essex: Sabotage theory in hospital probe

    Detectives probing an incident at Basildon Hospital which could have killed a patient have been told a vital piece of equipment may have been sabotaged. Policeman Jeremy Roberts, 40, would have died from oxygen starvation had it not been for the swift

  • Canvey: Charity party in memory of Martin

    The parents of a boy tragically killed in a car crash are to hold a charity party in his memory. Martin Fletcher, 13, was killed on September 11 last year after a collision with a Ford Fiesta on Canvey Road, Canvey. When he was just 26 days old, Martin

  • Chelmsford: Gang attacks two women

    A young woman was headbutted while her friend was indecently assaulted in a "completely unprovoked attack" after a night out clubbing. In what police have described as a "disturbing and unusual" attack, one of the women had her top pulled up and was indecently

  • Canvey: Pub pals' cheers for local hero

    Cheers, Dean! Delighted regulars at the Haystack pub, Canvey, backed their home-grown hero to the hilt as he raced to a bronze medal at the World Championships. Though he was far away in Canada clinching his medal, they felt the international sports supremo

  • Chelmsford: Council backs screening campaign

    A new screening campaign to raise awareness about osteoporosis is being supported by Chelmsford Borough Council. The council is planning to host regular osteoporosis testing sessions at the Civic Centre, starting on August 21. The sessions will be run

  • Colchester: Sex shop granted licence

    A sex shop has finally got an official licence - making it the second of its type in the same Colchester road. On Tuesday night Colchester Council's licensing and appeals committee granted Jon Morss a sex establishment licence to open the Adult Private

  • Kirby: Man's burglar heartbreak

    Burglars broke into a Kirby pensioner's home and stole his savings and jewellery which belonged to his late wife. They entered the house in Quay Lane, Kirby, through the back door and ransacked the 79-year-old's bedroom. The man returned from a morning

  • Brentwood: Task force's bus improvement call

    Bus firm First Thamesway needs to put its foot on the accelerator and deliver faster improvement to services in Brentwood. That was the message this week from Brentwood Bus Task Force chairman, borough councillor David Kendall. Cllr Kendall said the bus

  • Essex: Double surgery probe

    Essex Police have launched a double investigation into the circumstances surrounding surgery at two Essex hospitals. The investigation will look into the circumstances surrounding the death of nine-year-old Tony Clowes at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford

  • Colchester: GP offering single jabs

    A family doctor from Colchester has been named as one of a handful nationwide still prescribing single dose measles, mumps and rubella vaccines. Dr Christopher Parry said he would continue to offer single doses via a private practice rather than face

  • Colchester: Chef Philip loses cancer fight at 22

    Tributes have been paid by the family of a young chef after he lost an 18-month fight against cancer. Philip Bird, 22, who during his career worked in the kitchens of Colchester Military Corrective Training Centre for a year, was diagnosed as having Hodgkin's

  • Basildon: Hospital more motorist-friendly

    Patients and visitors to Basildon Hospital will soon find their trip eased with the addition of 500 car parking spaces. The news will be welcomed by anyone using the hospital as parking has become an issue at the ever-expanding site in Nethermayne, Basildon

  • Braintree: Bomb's return

    A Second World War bomb has returned to Braintree 57 years after it was dropped on a nearby American military hospital. The fragment of a 3,000 lb German bomb was presented to Braintree Museum in Manor Street, on Tuesday. The bomb fell on the US 121st

  • Thundersley: Late Sunday drinks plan

    Sunday night wedding receptions at Thundersley's Hollywood restaurant could continue into the early hours if a planning application gets the go-ahead. The Shipwrights Drive venue has already opened a plush new wedding room so that couples can tie the

  • Clacton: Funnyman Bernie king of the castle

    Clacton's West Beach was transformed into a building site yesterday (Wednesday) as youngsters flocked to take part in the carnival sand-castle competition. A massive turnout of 125 entrants battled it out in the sun. They came up with many variations

  • Rayleigh, Hockley: Gas main work to cause delays

    Motorists travelling between Rayleigh and Hockley have been warned to expect a week of delays because of gas main work. Transco engineers are replacing the main at the junction of Hockley Road and Hambro Hill in Rayleigh. For the safety of engineers and

  • Soccer: Happy return for Webb

    Southend United boss David Webb had good reason to feel satisfied after watching his side overcome Yeovil, the club he left to join the Blues. Webb's visiting Southend side beat Yeovil Town 3-0 on Sunday courtesy of goals from Johnson, Richards and Rawle

  • Soccer: U's ready for action

    Now we are ready to go! The new Second Division kick-off is just five days away and Colchester United boss Steve Whitton is in confident mood after his U's squad wrapped up their pre-season programme with a morale-boosting win over First Division Wimbledon

  • Athletics: Macey takes bronze

    Canvey Island athlete Dean Macey has taken bronze in the decathlon at the IAAF World Championships in Edmonton. The 23-year-old fought off a groin injury to stay in contention with the Czech Republic's Tomas Dvorak after holding a slender one point lead

  • Soccer: Ipswich deny George transfer snag

    Finidi George is set to be unveiled as an Ipswich Town player today (Thursday) - despite reports his transfer had been put on hold. Real Mallorca were thought to have delayed the move because they had not received proof Ipswich have sufficient funds.

  • Soccer: Billericay seek to build at Barnet

    Hot on the heels of their 3-1 win against Chelmsford City, Billericay will be hoping to keep up the good work when Nationwide Conference outfit Barnet visit. The London side have promised to bring a strong side to Blunts Wall Road tomorrow (Friday). This

  • Soccer: Dragons disciplined

    Wivenhoe Town are among five Ryman League clubs to be punished by the Football Association for having a poor disciplinary record last season. They have been handed a suspended fine after incurring too many disciplinary points. The Dragons' greatest offender

  • Romford: Charity radio quiz

    A charity quiz night is being held by Oldchurch Radio later this month. The event will help raise money for the radio service at Oldchurch Hospital in Romford and will be held at 8pm on Friday August 31. Tickets are £6 each and this includes chicken,

  • Noak Bridge: Council success for campaigners

    After spending a year campaigning, Noak Bridge residents are set to have their own parish council. Villagers have received confirmation from the Department of Environment that their plans have been agreed in principle by the Secretary of State. Converted

  • Benfleet: Electrician fined £400

    A electrician who falsely claimed to be a member of two trade associations has been fined £400. A resident complained about work by John Miles, of Woodside View, Benfleet, which prompted an investigation by trading standards officers. Miles, who trades

  • Tiptree: Husband made abusive calls

    A father-of-three subjected his estranged wife to numerous phone calls, once telling her she would not look so attractive with her "face shot off", a court heard. Greengrocer Paul Lewis was sentenced to a 140-hour community punishment order at Colchester

  • Essex: Jailbreak entries needed

    The Essex Association of Boys' Clubs is welcoming entries for its annual fund-raising jailbreak in Chelmsford, to be held in October. This year's event is sponsored by Priory Services For Young People and entries are growing already. For more information

  • Essex: Pay PO bills on-line

    Paying bills at the Post Office may soon be a job of the past for the people of Essex, thanks to a new Bills Online service developed by Consignia. The website - www.consignia.com - will provide a one-stop-shop for bill management, allowing customers

  • Essex: Hospital workers on leave after boy's death

    Three Broomfield hospital anaesthetists present when nine-year-old Tony Clowes died following a blockage in an oxygen pipe are on indefinite sick leave. They are suffering severe shock following the tragedy last month, it was revealed at a press conference

  • Essex: Teenagers on tenterhooks

    There will be tears of joy and disappointment as teenagers across the district receive their A level results today (Thursday). And education chiefs are expecting another record breaking year for schools and colleges across the county. Mike Barnett, Essex

  • Colchester: More town analysis - for £18,000

    Taxpayers are set to fork out £18,000 for a consultancy firm's ideas about how Colchester's historic town centre should be managed. It comes in the wake of £25,000 being paid to another firm tasked with "branding" Colchester to make it more attractive

  • South Essex: Heartless thieves take generator

    Heartless thieves have stolen the generator used to power the Essex Police's mobile incident office set up to gather information on missing teenager Danielle Jones. Danielle disappeared on her way to school in June and police believe the teenager was

  • Chelmsford: Daniel's Army dream

    A boy's dream of serving Queen and country is coming true - after he applied to join the Army at the tender age of seven. Little Daniel Keating wrote a letter to the Army Careers Service telling them he wanted to sign up as soon as possible. With help

  • Thurrock: Till thieves grab £200

    Thieves snatched £200 from a till at the Ikea restaurant in Lakeside on Monday evening after one feigned injury to distract staff. The two men asked an assistant for a sticking plaster for a hand injury, and as she turned to get one, she spotted one of

  • Swimming: Aquacess finish fourth

    Aquacess Disabled Swimming Club entered their swimming team into the Halliwick Association of Swimming Therapy London Area championships at Leystone Cathall Road pool. There were 14 events and Aquacess competed in five and their results were: Men's 25

  • Essex: Frank Bruno set to divorce

    Boxer Frank Bruno is set to finally divorce from his wife of 11 years. The boxer, who lives in the Brentwood area, has hit national headlines recently talking of his wife Laura's constant moaning. It is claimed he went on BBC's Celebrity Sleepover - where

  • Rochford: Travellers moved from business site

    Police praised the quick actions of a landowner and court officials after a large band of travellers were evicted from an industrial estate in less than 24 hours. Around 15 caravans and 15 other vehicles set up camp outside a unit owned by Rochford Mouldings

  • Soccer: Charlton edge out Gulls

    A strong Charlton side got the better of their Essex hosts at Park Lane, with Canvey Island losing out 4-2 in an entertaining game. Charlton's strikers showed their class, with Clive Mendonca and Shaun Bartlett both bagging a brace last night (Wednesday

  • Athletics: Relay wait for Sarah

    Southend sprinter Sarah Wilhelmy finds out today (Thursday) whether or not she has been selected to run in the women's 4 x 100m relay here in Edmonton. The 21-year-old was originally chosen alongside seven other athletes from whom four will eventually

  • Soccer: Kanu's role in Finidi move

    Finidi George has revealed that Arsenal star and Nigerian team-mate Nwankwo Kanu helped him decide to join Ipswich Town. The winger was due at Portman Road today (Thursday) to complete his £3m transfer from Real Mallorca. And he said: "Nwankwo told me

  • Colchester: Oodles of noodles at new bar

    Hot on the heels of some of the trendiest eateries in London, the doors have opened on Colchester's first noodle bar. The North Hill Noodle Bar hopes to offer a unique eating experience with a range of oriental dishes, including Chinese, Japanese, Thai

  • Southend: Mentally ill nurse poisoned her son

    A nurse has been indefinitely confined to a mental hospital for poisoning her seven-year-old son with anti-depressants. An attempted murder charge was dropped against the 30-year-old mother because it "was not in the public interest" to pursue. Judge

  • Southend: Homes boom greed factor

    Spiralling house prices are leading to unrealistic expectations, sellers have been warned. Land Registry data for the three months to the end of June reveal an average £7,000 rise in the price of the average home - bringing the national average to £117,398

  • Basildon: Archbishop called in over belltower

    The Archbishop of Canterbury has been called on to intervene in Basildon's beleaguered belltower project. Engineering firm Burro Happold, owed more than £50,000 for consultancy work, has written to Dr George Carey asking for his help. The Bath-based firm

  • Dovercourt: Woman killed in crash

    A woman died when her van was in collision with a car in Dovercourt. Valerie Upson, 57, of Main Road, Dovercourt, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident in Fronks Road last night (Wednesday). Emergency services, including four fire engines,

  • Chelmsford: Travel agent's charity trek

    Staff from Travelcare in Chelmsford are walking from Tollesbury to Tolleshunt D'Arcy and back as part of a national campaign to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Their efforts will be part of an overall initiative by Travelcare's 360 branches around

  • Colchester: Town hopes for tourism high

    Colchester looks set for one of the busiest tourism seasons ever. But it could be two years before exact visitor numbers to the town are available. Apart from bustling town centre shopping and swarms of day-trippers at the town's varied attractions, the

  • Brightlingsea: Docklands-style plan thrown out

    Developers are going back to the drawing board after their controversial scheme to regenerate a former town shipyard was thrown out. Hampstead Homes (London) wanted to build 181 residential units, a marina, shops, leisure club and cafe at Waterside, Brightlingsea

  • Harwich: Council backs port expansion

    Harwich's anticipated port expansion has won support from councillors. After discussions with port bosses and environmental action groups, Harwich Town Council agreed to support the major development at Bathside Bay in principle. Councillors gave their

  • Essex: 'Beast of Essex' spotted again

    The beast of Essex has been spotted in the county for the first time since the foot-and-mouth crisis, with the latest sighting near Felsted. The large greyish-black cat-like creature was seen by Debbie Lowe and Barry Hasler, 35, as they were driving towards

  • Brentwood: Bell's new role

    Former Brenwood and Ongar general election candidate Martin Bell is to become a humanitarian ambassador for Unicef. The unpaid, part time job will involve the ex-broadcaster and one-time MP for Tatton visiting some of the most war-torn and disaster-hit

  • Leigh, Westcliff: You're a lifesaver!

    A lifelong friendship faced the ultimate test during a dramatic rescue off the coast of Leigh. Neil Hawkins made the split-second decision to risk his own life when his friend, David McGill, nearly drowned off Bell Wharf in Leigh Old Town. The pair were

  • Maldon: Flood danger work needed

    Emergency measures are being drawn up to stop widespread flooding in Maldon. The Environment Agency has declared the seawall in Fullbridge too weak to hold expected rainfall this winter. And there is a high risk of the River Blackwater breaching the tidal

  • Holland: Takeaway shop 'has its chips'

    Hopes of converting an off-licence into a fish and chip shop have been battered, due to fears of traffic problems for nearby residents. People living in Hillside Crescent, Holland-on-Sea, were worried customers calling at the takeway in Holland Road would

  • Frinton: Music bid at pub

    Music could soon be playing at Frinton's first town centre pub if brewery giant Shepherd Neame gets its way. Under planning conditions imposed when the controversial Lock and Barrel was given the go-ahead, music cannot be played at the Connaught Avenue

  • Colchester, Greenstead: Ex-student, 30, died from cold

    A former Essex University student died from the cold in a flooded field after drinking heavily, an inquest heard yesterday (Wednesday). Robert Lewis, known as Matt, came to Colchester in 1998 to read English and American studies at the university. He

  • Soccer: Ipswich 'taught a lesson'

    Alun Armstrong felt he and his Ipswich Town team-mates received a footballing lesson after being soundly beaten by PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch champions triumphed 2-0 in front of almost 15,000 fans at Portman Road on Saturday. He said: "The only disappointment

  • Cricket: Hussain on comeback trail

    England captain Nasser Hussain is hopeful of being fit for the next Australia game after a successful run-out playing for Essex's second team at Halstead. The former Essex and current England captain has missed the last two Ashes Tests after breaking

  • Southend: Top gardeners reap their reward

    Keen gardeners are celebrating success after their hard work paid off in the annual Southend in Bloom competition. Judges again had a hard time deciding the winners in a bumper crop of entries from residents, businesses and schools. In addition, an extra

  • Witham: Store defies trolley tirade

    Supermarket giant Tesco has defied calls to install a coin-operated system in a bid to stop trolleys being abandoned in Witham. Witham town councillors want the superstore at the back of Grove Centre in Newland Street to introduce the coin slots to prevent

  • South Essex: 20,000 homes struck by power cut

    More than 20,000 homes in south Essex were blacked out early today (Thursday) after a suspected cable fault. Homes and businesses in Wickford, South Woodham Ferrers, Rayleigh and Southend were left without power after the failure of the 33,000 volt cable

  • Dovercourt: Boy, 11, robbed while fishing

    A child was robbed while fishing at Dovercourt seafront. The 11-year-old boy was by himself on the West End beach when a man approached and robbed him. He made off with the boy's mobile phone, penknife, fishing net and a loaf of bread. The boy was unharmed

  • Essex: Sabotage theory in hospital probe

    Detectives probing an incident at Basildon Hospital which could have killed a patient have been told a vital piece of equipment may have been sabotaged. Policeman Jeremy Roberts, 40, would have died from oxygen starvation had it not been for the swift

  • Essex: New air tube 'would have cost pennies'

    A re-used oxygen tube which became blocked - leading to the death of a nine-year-old boy - would have cost just "a few pennies" to replace, it was revealed today. But health bosses insisted it was for convenience, not cost-cutting, that the tube was re-used

  • Southend: Girl, 3, freed after siege

    Police in riot gear dramatically stormed a Southend house after a three-year-old girl was held by an armed man. Officers first rushed to reports of a domestic disturbance at the home in Southchurch Avenue, Southend, at around 11.30pm yesterday (Wednesday

  • Essex: Supergran does it again

    The sky is not the limit for fun-loving 93-year-old Frances Barnett. The daredevil Colchester supergran has broken the age barrier again with a breathtaking flight over Essex in a light aircraft. So far in her quest for thrills Mrs Barnett has driven

  • Clacton: Panto horse race

    Clacton Carnival's pantomime horse race set off in comedy style to bring a ray of sunshine to a rainy day. A few dozen hardy souls braved showers and high winds on the greensward opposite Fourth Avenue to watch or take part in the calamitous race meeting

  • Castle Point: Burners threat to recycling record

    Castle Point's excellent recycling record could be jeopardised by the controversial Essex Waste Plan, it has been claimed. Joe Cooke, Castle Point Council's environmental health committee chairman, spoke after it was revealed the authority has already