A woman drowned while swimming through canyons on a Spanish holiday with her mother. Essex University photocopying assistant Laura Davies, 32, of Compton Road, St Anne's, Colchester, and her mother, Regina Davies, enjoyed the sport of canyoning. Coroner's
One can say without too much fear of contradiction that the introduction of Craig Etherington from the substitutes' bench was the right move on Colin McBride's part. A somewhat lifeless Purfleet were trailing to a Sutton side which languishes in the bottom
Rob Newman last night (Tuesday) began his managerial career by leading Southend United into battle at Scunthorpe. The 37-year-old has been officially crowned as the Shrimpers' new boss - as predicted in the Evening Echo - and said he couldn't wait to
The destruction of more than a million tonnes of food in the European Union has been branded an "absolute outrage" by Rochford and Southend East MP Sir Teddy Taylor Sir Teddy spoke out after being told in the Commons by Environment Secretary Margaret
Controversy over a traffic barrier has moved into high gear with the threat of legal action. A residents' group has announced its intention to mount a court challenge to get the barrier in Brockley Grove, Hutton Mount scrapped. Hutton Mount Limited claims
A series of minor car accidents, a dumped vehicle and roadworks caused major hold-ups on the A12 between Kelvedon and Hatfield Peverel. Three vehicles were involved in a collision on the northbound carriageway of the A12 at the Witham bypass a few minutes
Chelmsford councillors have given the go-ahead for a 76 bed mental health unit on part of the Runwell Hospital site in spite of objections from neighbours about the proximity to their properties. The borough council's planning committee heard on Monday
Talks are under way over pioneering plans to save the Dover Sole fishing industry in Leigh. Leading fishermen are working closely with marine biologist Dr Sophie de-Clears to devise a plan to introduce a Dover Sole hatchery in Southend. As part of the
Five more Basildon care homes are to be investigated by detectives following the jailing of two paedophiles for a string of brutal assaults on vulnerable children. The homes, under Tower Hamlets Council's control until 1989 but since sold off to become
Two meetings to discuss the setting up of community forums for the east of Thurrock have been arranged. People from The Homesteads area of Stanford-le-Hope who are interested in influencing Thurrock Council's decision-making processes are invited to a
A swan has survived the odds and is winging its way to celebrity status. Mistral, a snowy-plumed regular in Dovercourt boating lake, arrived in March and touched the hearts of environmentalists, who pledged to safeguard it. But it has not been plain sailing
The soaring numbers of road accidents in mid-Essex has caused West Chelmsford MP Simon Burns to write to roads minister David Jamieson MP expressing concern and asking what can be done. In a written parliamentary answer recently Mr Burns was told 20 people
A fine tradition or old hat? Colchester's Oyster Feast has been an annual event for centuries. Top politicians and stars of stage and screen have graced Colchester Town Hall for the feast to celebrate the town's links to the oyster industry. But is it
Curry fans dug deep to help a Benfleet Indian restaurant swell the coffers of an international charity. Bosses at the Maharaja Indian restaurant in London Road have been delighted with their customers' donations to the Action Against Hunger charity. The
Young footballers are to be deprived of their clubhouse after repeated attacks by vandals forced saddened parents to call time on it. The last straw was the discovery of the latest attack in which new front doors, which cost £1,300, were smashed as yobs
Dorewards Hall Farm Shop in Bocking, held their own Pumpkin Day, which was also in aid of British Apple Weekend on Saturday. Braintree College provided a giant apple pie, which was two feet across. Slices were still being sold three days later and the
Hard-pressed medics at Southend's accident and emergency unit are treating 300 more patients a month than a year ago - with no new staff. The revelation coincides with a warning from the Audit Commission that waiting times in A & E units across the
The plight of a Witham woman whose home was crowded with cats has helped spark a major campaign by the RSPCA. The woman, who has not been named, was found to have over forty cats living in her house. They were running wild, and breeding without control
A nurse struck off for a drugs blunder claimed today (Friday) that the mistakes she made happened in hospitals all the time. Margaret Silver said that in her experience nurses were under such pressure because of staff shortages and a lack of resources
Great Wakering Rovers will have home advantage as they bid for a place in the last 64 of this season's FA Carlsberg Vase on Saturday November 10. For they came out of the hat first when the draw for the second round proper, where winning clubs will collect
Before Andy Douglas' season came to such a cruel end he was leading the Premier Division's goal-scoring lists. How then do you replace someone like that? Quite simple really, certainly as far as Grays are concerned, you just find another prolific scorer
Ipswich Town boss George Burley has been left counting the cost of Sunday's drawn game with Fulham in the Barclaycard Premiership. For Burley and the Blues are going to be without the services of their £3m Nigerian winger Finidi George for some time,
Chelmsford's 2-0 home defeat against Bourneville on Sunday leaves them with no points from the opening two fixtures in English Hockey League Division One. With Chelmer Park under water after torrential rain, the decision was taken to switch the fixture
Officials at a swimming club which has produced three Olympians claim that a rent hike for Warrior Square pool will force them out of business. Borough of Southend Swimming Club say they have been told they must now pay almost three times as much for
Southend United striker Tes Bramble is aiming to blast Blues back up the Third Division table - with a little bit of help from his flat mate Mark Rawle. During recent weeks, Bramble has shown glimpses of the form which saw the 21-year-old score six goals
If you ask managers what they want from a cup draw the usual reply is to be at home. So they'll be no complaints from Tony Cross and Steve Mosely that Tilbury and Aveley respectively will find themselves on familiar territory for the second round of the
Former Olympic silver medalist Sarah Hardcastle has spoken of her fears that Borough of Southend Swimming and Training Club may be forced to close. The Borough Club was facing showdown talks with Glendale Leisure today over a proposed rent hike at the
Humbug just wasn't sweet enough to be top dog. Maldon and East Chelmsford MP John Whittingdale is licking his wounds after much-loved pet Humbug failed to scoop the title of Westminster Dog of the Year. The nine-month-old blue roan cocker spaniel made
The family of murdered mother Toni Mills today expressed relief after her killer was jailed for life. Speaking to the Gazette last night (Thursday), Toni's mother, Susan Aris, 45, said they had not been expecting the outcome. The family had been in court
Green Party councillors have called for an end to plans for a new A12, and all other new major roads in mid-Essex, in a bid to reduce traffic pressures on the area. In a report out this week, the Party focuses on the need for a high quality public transport
Veteran midfielder Mitchell Springett has been released by Clacton Town. Springett, last season's Jewson League player of the year, has struggled to get into the side recently and is seeking first-team football. Seasiders boss Mick Potter said: "It's
You have proved that you can win at home - now let's go and do it away. Colchester United manager Steve Whitton will be drumming that point into his players as they prepare for tomorrow's (Saturday's) vital Withdean Stadium clash with highflying Brighton
Southend United midfielder Carl Hutchings has said he doesn't regret turning his back on a move to tomorrow's (Saturday's) Roots Hall visitors Kidderminster Harriers. The 27-year-old was offered the financial security of a three-year contract with the
Maldon district could have new or bigger primary schools within the next few years. Essex County Council education spokesman Mike Barnett confirmed that due to pressure on schools in the Maldon area, the authority was to conduct a "close review" of primary
The man in charge of social services in Essex is to get an honorary doctorate. Chelmsford's Anglia Polytechnic University (APU) has announced the last of six honorary awards to be presented at its October graduation ceremonies. Michael Leadbetter, director
Forrester Park Golf Club veterans enjoyed the warmth of the Indian summer for their October stableford, especially Ken Gibson who won the gold division with 40 points. Ron Ketley with 37 points took second place beating Mike Angel by one point. Dave Reynolds
It's an old cliche but a true one nonetheless that ten-man can often play better than 11. There was no better example than at Rookery Hill on Saturday in one of the surprises from the first round of the FA Vase. Mid-table Sussex County League side Ringmer
Larry Blunden's first goal of the season brought much relief to Aveley because it finally ended the stubborn challenge of FA Vase opponents from the Combined Counties League. The superb strike by the substitute on Saturday in the second period of extra-time
Top railway planners have asked local rail travellers for full details of their idea for a second Witham railway station. The Witham and Braintree Rail Users Association call for a new £ 1.5m Witham North station was revealed in the Essex Chronicle recently
Although local soccer excitement is building over the three big home FA Cup final qualifying round ties involving Billericay Town, Canvey Island and Grays Athletic at the weekend, more immediate spotlight is on the youngsters of the area. Both Canvey
Canvey-based Concord Rangers continue to fly the Foresters Essex Senior League flag in magnificent style in the FA Carlsberg Vase following an extra-time thriller at Thames Road. Rangers, having earned a replay at previous winners Diss Town with a Greg
New Southend United boss Rob Newman promised to bring in fresh faces following last night's 2-0 Third Division defeat at promotion-chasing Scunthorpe. Blues took the game to their hosts at Glanford Park during the opening period, but a second-half collapse
Colchester United boss Steve Whitton expressed great pleasure with the manner in which the U's and Wycombe battled out a highly entertaining draw before the biggest Layer Road crowd of the season - 5,186 - on Tuesday night. He said: "I thought we played
A Thorpe Bay leisure centre is set for a major facelift, thanks to a £1.5m takeover by a leading national company. The former Courtlands Health and Country Club is to be converted into an LA Fitness gym. The refurbishment will get under way on November
Canvey Island will be without the services of one of their great cult heroes for tomorrow's (Saturday's) FA Cup fourth and final qualifying round home tie with Stafford Rangers. "Ginger Sex God" Steve Ward, a colossus at the heart of defence during Gulls
Billericay Town boss Gary Calder admits that he will feel sympathy for FA Cup opponents Tiverton Town if, as he hopes and expects, they leave New Lodge without any financial reward but for their share of the gate receipts tomorrow afternoon (Saturday)
Don't even whisper the word relegation within earshot of Colchester United favourite Ross Johnson. "The word doesn't exist in our dressing room," said the powerful central defender. And as he warmed up for tomorrow's (Satuday's) vital Division Two top-eight
Pitsea's Wayne Chambers enjoyed a hectic evening session at his local Northlands Park Lake landing nine big bream and a number of smaller fish. Wayne fished from the middle spit, casting into the road lake. Within minutes of starting his waggler tactics
Archaeologists are carrying out an excavation at Colchester Castle before installing lights there. The Castle used to have spotlights shining up at the building until the system was scrapped because of technical problems. After a long search to find other
A road was left closed for nearly an hour following a road smash involving a motorcyclist and two other vehicles. The accident happened around 7.05pm in Essex Way, Benfleet, near the old water tower. The biker collided with a car and police today said
Brentwood Town Ladies Football Club's new women's team made a successful debut on Sunday, coming second in a national charity five-a-side tournament at Wembley. They fought their way to the final, scoring more goals than any other team, but came up against
Two High Street businesses are aiming to put Ongar on the tourist and business maps of Essex by providing visitors to the town with a place to stay. First in line to offer accommodation is the King's Inn public house, which - under its new tenants Dale
The Essex Police helicopter and police dogs were called in to search for a youth who absconded from an ambulance. The ambulance had been called to an address in Black Notley on Wednesday to take the unnamed 17-year-old, who had taken a quantity of tablets
Staff at a Colchester jewellers foiled a gang of fraudsters trying to buy more than £2,000 worth of watches with a stolen credit card. Two men and two women went into Upchurch and Son Jeweller, St Nicholas Passage, on Tuesday, and chose £2,100 worth of
A meningitis victim left wheelchair-bound and unable to speak or hear has had her vital communicator stolen from her lap. Yesterday (Thursday), Vanessa Quinney appealed for the return of the vital equipment. Mrs Quinney, 48, has not been able to speak
An investigation was continuing yesterday (Thursday) to determine how murderer Derek Ive was found hanging in his prison cell. The 54-year-old was serving a life sentence for murdering his wife Jean Parry, 53, who ran Chalkwell Lodge nursing home in Westcliff
Extra funding worth millions of pounds could be pumped into Colchester to make it part of a "regional hub" of cultural excellence. It could mean more jobs, more liaison with schools and more people using the borough's museums and galleries. A report for
Animals at Basildon Zoo could be boarded up away from the public's gaze until they are found new homes, bosses have admitted. The business, run by the Surcouf family in London Road, Vange, will lose its zoo status from November 12, after declining to
Cans of lager were taken from a store in Hamstel Road, Southend, by a teenager. The boy, described as white, aged 14 or 15 and around 5ft tall with short blond hair, took 12 cans of Stella Artois from the Drinks Cabin shop. He was wearing a white baseball
Youngsters are risking their lives -- simply by walking to school every morning, it has been claimed. Pupils at St Katherine's Primary School and Winter Gardens Primary School, both in Hilton Road, Canvey, have to dodge cars to get to their school gates
Thorpe Bay squash star Ahmed Safwat has fought his way back to the top of the world. Safwat, 54, won the World Grand Masters in Melbourne by beating New Zealand's Trevor Colyer 3-0 in the final. It was the fourth time that Ahmed, who was eight times the
A season that promised so much and yet failed to deliver ends with Arena Essex hoping to avoid defeat at a Conference League track. Tomorrow (Saturday) is the second leg of the challenge against Rye House, in which the Premier League side have a six-point
A long-running bingo club's number could soon be up unless more fans of the game are found to take part. This is the message from Mountnessing Bingo Club organiser Eileen Gosling, who this week launched an appeal for bingo enthusiasts from the Brentwood
Despite missing a couple of key players, the Essex Under 16 Boys hockey team rose to the challenge in their first matches in the East Region County Championship. In the first game against Hertfordshire, they created numerous opportunities putting a lot
On Saturday Falcon played The Bees Circle BC and won by 133 shots to 89. Details (Falcon first): R. Miller, G. Godbold, Vera Bayliss, M. Smith 18, P. Pisawi 26 Kit Simpson, Lorraine Miller, Dee Taylor, B. Simpson 27, R. Gare 19. D. Wiskin, Joy Wade, R
On this showing together with other recent form Gravesend must be one of the main contenders for promotion to the Conference next season. They have a big club set up at Stonebridge Road with good support and a team to match. It was a tough assignment
Witham recorded their second win in three days by overcoming Edgware at Spa Road on Tuesday. It was surprising how good the pitch was after the heavy rains that caused all the flooding in the area but it was in excellent shape for the game with the teams
What a cracking advert for Division Two football these two old rivals produced. This floodlit thriller had everything - especially the first half. Blood and thunder, incident and goals - two for each side. End-to-end attacking play and exciting adventurous
A family stranded on an island near Maldon were rescued after they called for help on a mobile phone. Kate Dewis, 29, and her two sons, aged nine and seven, and eight-year-old niece, found no way back to their holiday home after a walk on Osea Island
Killer Jason Mills is starting a life jail sentence today (Friday) for the brutal murder of his girlfriend. Mills showed no emotion as a judge at Chelmsford Crown Court said he was a "dangerous young man". Six foot tall, 14-stone Mills carried out a vicious
An important step towards establishing Chelmsford as a sports venue of national importance was taken on Wednesday when work began on a major new indoor athletics training centre at Melbourne Park. The centre, being built with Sport England lottery funding
Passion and fashion retailer Ann Summers has opened its first store in the north and mid Essex area. The doors opened for saucy underwear, games and toys in the new shop at the The Meadows Shopping Centre, Chelmsford. The store, the 51st in the country
Relaxing cannabis laws will make life harder for landlords, according to the licensee of a Colchester pub. Home secretary David Blunkett this week announced plans to cut penalties for having the drug and take away police powers to arrest people for possessing
Ipswich Town may have come back from two goals down twice to earn a point at Southampton but captain Matt Holland reflected on what might have been. The Blues had to settle for a 3-3 draw against the Saints at St Mary's on Wednesday night as Marcus Stewart
Plans to move historic St Laurence Church could cost millions and take up to a year to complete, an expert has warned. As part of Southend Airport's long-awaited expansion, the church in Eastwoodbury Lane, Eastwood, will have to be shifted 100 metres
Temperatures have hotted up in the ice cream war on Frinton's genteel sea front. The man who began the controversy in the summer by offering ice creams to beach users today (friday) said he now intends to ask permission to change the use of his deck chair
A rape victim took her own life by throwing herself beneath the wheels of a train, an inquest jury heard. Mother-of-five Catherine Weeks walked off the platform at Rayleigh station into the path of an incoming London-bound train on May 17. Horrified morning
Community street wardens are coming to Colchester as part of a £50m nationwide initiative. Today (Friday), the borough was named as the location of one of 100 new community warden schemes, which will see more than 700 wardens becoming guardians of local
A Rayleigh woman has spoken of her relief after winning a High Court battle to keep a £300,000 gift from a sick and elderly neighbour. Susan Osborn, of Grosvenor Road, cooked, cleaned and handled the finances of Dennis Pritler before he died in November
Essex fire chiefs are toasting a £22m cash injection to improve services across the county. Shoebury fire station, off Shoebury Avenue, is set to receive £1m for a major facelift or a move to an alternative site shared with police. Fire service headquarters
A man was made homeless after a fire at his flat. Firefighters went to the blaze in Groom Park, Clacton, at 2.20am today (Saturday). A fire spokesman said the fire had started in the kitchen, and all of the flat had been damaged by smoke, while 20 per
Only one of Ipswich Town's 35 professional playing staff has failed to back the impending players' strike. Another two are undecided while the rest are in favour of industrial action over the PFA's share of TV revenues. The news will come as a blow to
Goal poacher Kevin Rapley just knew he was going to score against Wycombe. He said: "I told my girlfriend and dad I was going to get a goal in this match and that's exactly how it turned out. I felt good and had very positive vibes about the match and
Witham started Saturdays match as they had ended their last home game, with their Witham forwards exerting immense pressure. Once the rain had stopped early in the first half Witham s attacking back line were able to demonstrate their skills, constantly
Southend and Benfleet Ladies first team scored a whopping eight against Clacton in a weekend of 21 goals for the seaside club. Mance Milne scored a stunning four goals, while Lora Sharples bagged a brace. Kerry Marriott and captain Anne Johnson netted
Grays could be welcoming a very special spectator to Saturday's FA Cup game against Margate. Andy Douglas, their popular striker who almost died in a knife attack less than a month ago, hopes to be fit enough to make the journey from his parents' Cheshunt
Grays had to give a debut to a goalkeeper in the last round of the FA Cup and expect to have to do the same tomorrow (Saturday) against Margate. The continued refusal by Southend to have Melvin Capleton cup-tied is the reason. To be fair to the Nationwide
Injured trio Scott Fitzgerald, Joe Dunne and David Gregory could be facing a long wait to to force their way back into a winning Colchester United team. U's boss Steve Whitton said yesterday (Thursday): "If the team carries on playing well and getting
George Burley and his men welcome West Ham to Portman Road on Sunday for what is a crucial game to both sides. The Blues showed glimpses of the form that saw them storm the Premiership last season during the second half at Southampton in midweek where
Maldon Town have issued a "hands-off" warning to clubs looking to snap up the services of manager Colin Wallington. After Wallington had been linked with vacancies at other clubs, Maldon chairman Bob Large today (Friday) issued this statement: "Maldon
A family has told of their horror after their pet cat was savaged to death by two dogs. Paul White, 48, lives with his wife Linda, 47, and their two sons Craig, 18, and Myles, 14, in East Street, Prittlewell. Linda let Kissmet, their five-year-old black
A second visit to Bracknell within a week for the Chelmsford Chieftains, led to an exciting match. The start was completely different to the previous match with Bracknell Hornets firing on all cylinders from the start. After the initial period of attack
Southend Manor continued their run of shock successes in knockout competitions this season when they knocked Ryman League Third Division high-fliers Aveley out of the Essex Senior Cup. Like their hosts, Foresters Essex Senior League Manor left some of
Colin Wallington must lift his players for tomorrow's (Saturday's) visit to second-placed Lowestoft Town following last week's FA Vase defeat against Jewson League division one side Hadleigh United. Sean Tracey, Stuart Jarvis, Coe, Younan and Terry Warwick
The regeneration of east Colchester was highlighted when Transport Minister Sally Keeble visited the town. The MP praised the way hotspots had been effectively targeted in the town. She said partnerships between public and private organisations had proved
Ipswich Town staged their own version of the Great Escape, twice coming back from two goals down to claim a point on the South Coast. Marcus Stewart, who had a quiet game by his standards, still did enough to notch two goals to take his tally to five
