Theatre-going youngsters have jumped to the defence of a pantomime slated as "one of the sparsest Christmas shows" in an Evening Echo review. Children from Thundersley County Junior School and Crowstone Preparatory School, Westcliff, saw Cinderella at
The revised draft master plan for the development of Colchester Garrison will be published as "soon as possible" in January 2002. On Monday night, members of Colchester Council's cabinet agreed to the publication of the revised draft master plan in the
An aspiring footballer who sustained serious facial injuries after plunging 30ft from a Spanish villa has told how he aims to be back playing football in six months' time. Tom English, 20, was on holiday on the Spanish island of Tenerife when the accident
Memories came bowling back for Terry and Daphne Empson of Great Baddow when they saw our 'Chelmsford Boys at the Alexandria Club' photograph from 1942. They recognised Essex and England cricket star of the post-war period Peter Smith one of the sports
Southend United are through to the third round of the FA Cup after beating Chesterfield 2-0 in a second-round replay at Roots Hall last night. It took less than two minutes for Southend to get on the score sheet with a goal from skipper Phil Whelan. But
Chelmsford Borough Council has given out times and dates for services in operation over the Christmas and New Year period. The council based at the Civic Centre, Duke Street, will close on Christmas Eve, with cashiers closing at 2.30pm and other services
Southend United boss Rob Newman, whose team extended their unbeaten run to four games last night, was very pleased with his side's display after their 2-0 win over Chesterfield. "We remained professional and finished the job we started up at Chesterfield
Injury-plagued Colchester United favourite Ross Johnson is set to return to action for the reserves at Bournemouth this afternoon. The former Brighton defender, who has been hit by a string of injuries during the past two seasons, could be back after
Rail companies operating routes through Essex are facing a major shake-up which will see three existing companies in the area merge into one super-franchise. It has emerged this afternoon that from 2004 just one franchise (likely to be called Great Anglia
Plans to widen the A13 in an effort to ease traffic congestion have been delayed for a year, council bosses have revealed. Essex County Council had planned to invest £500,000 in increasing the sizes of lanes between Sadlers Farm roundabout and Tarpots
Detectives hunting a teenager missing from her Basildon home have told of their growing fears for her safety. The man leading the inquiry, Det Supt Kevin Macey, said they hoped she had gone of her own free will, adding: "The other potentials are too frightening
Thousands of homes in Wickford and South Woodham Ferrers were plunged into darkness for nearly 90 minutes last night after sparks were seen coming from an electricity sub station. Firefighters were called to Willow Grove, South Woodham Ferrers, at 4.45pm
Boxer Danny Hunt has celebrated the launch of his own website with the eighth professional win of his career. Danny Hunt The 20-year-old Leigh pugilist's site www.dannyhunt.co.uk went on line last week after Danny linked up with Storm Media Communications
Acid leaking from the back of a lorry caused fire crews to request police to close off the second half of the A133 roundabout today. The driver of the Clacton bound vehicle which was leaking hydrochloric acid stopped between the Q8 garage roundabout and
Fifteen staff who will be made redundant at a water softener factory are victims of the company's own success. Production workers at Culligan, based at the Springwood industrial estate, Braintree, will lose their jobs in January because business has trebled
Southend United skipper Phil Whelan admitted he could not have given Blues a better start in their 2-0 FA Cup second round replay win over Chesterfield at Roots Hall last night. Perfect start - Southend skipper Phil Whelan celebrates putting the Shrimpers
A teenager who was seriously injured when she fell into the path of a taxi is out of hospital. Tamasin Green, 14, was walking home from the Harwich School with her brother and best friend when she stumbled and fell into the road. Her step-father, Andrew
We are still giving retailers an extra special Christmas. Shops and stores throughout north Essex reported customers had started spending earlier and spending locally despite talk of recession and the aftermath of September 11. Derek Salmon, manager of
A leading expert has spoken out over the possible loss of a dedicated cancer centre in Southend. Danger sign - Dr Colin Trask is concerned that Southend could lose its cancer centre. Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL 5JK563 Dr Colin Trask, clinical director of
Stock Brook Manor Golf & Country Club was pleased to welcome its new Seniors Captain Mike Slattery on Wednesday. Bill Waugh and Vic Conway won the guess the distance Mike drove the ball, which was 155 yards with a driver and 137 yards with an eight
Workers at Marconi Optical Components in Essex will all be offered new jobs as its factory closes. Marconi had refused to speculate on how jobs in Chelmsford would be affected by the sell-off of its optical components arm in a £19m deal with Bookham Technology
Essex has seen the biggest increase in numbers of police officers over the last year in the East Anglian region, according to new Home Office figures. The county saw an increase of 119 officers, a rise of 4.2 per cent. Nationally, the Home Office says
A woman was threatened with a knife in her own home after she discovered two men who had broken in. The thieves got into the house in Stifford Clays Road, Grays, through a kitchen window on Monday evening. The resident confronted them, whereupon she was
Champagne corks are set to be popping in the back of stretched limousines after a firm was given the all-clear to serve alcohol to its pampered passengers. Bubbly - Paul Thain toasts his new drinks licence. Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY FHDXE10 A ground-breaking
Essex Ambulance Service continues to smash through the Government's emergency response time standards despite a five per cent increase in demand. The Home Office sets down targets of reaching 75 per cent of life-threatening calls within eight minutes.
A school has been given a £1,000 boost thanks to a group of workers who took part in a charity cycle ride. The group from Cargill's milling plant in Tilbury Docks took part in the annual London to Brighton cycle ride. They raised £400 for Cargill's adopted
An ambitious plan to link mid-Essex to the national canal network has been backed by councillors. Last month, the Evening Gazette reported that the WithamTown Strategy Group had floated the idea of extending the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation from
Disgruntled Southend United fans were left out in the cold last night after a ticketing blunder at Roots Hall. Dozens of supporters missed the start of the Shrimpers' FA Cup second round replay against Chesterfield when the upper East Stand ticket office
It was a case of what might have been for Halstead as they slipped out of the Millennium Trophy. "We had plenty of chances," said manager Paul Grimsey, whose depleted side battled tirelessly throughout. "But it just wasn't to be. We could have had a few
Youngsters are suspected of torching a Mercedes car which was badly burned in Westcliff. A spokesman for the Essex fire service said a cushion was set alight and thrown at the vehicle in Imperial Avenue. The side of the Mercedes was damaged in the blaze
An ambitious plan to link mid-Essex to the national canal network has been backed by councillors. Last month, the Evening Gazette reported that the WithamTown Strategy Group had floated the idea of extending the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation from
Rochford's historic St Andrew's Parish Church in Hall Road could be set for a facelift. Plans for an extension to the north aisle of the church have been submitted to Rochford District Council and will be considered in the new year. The rector, Canon
Parentline Plus, the national charity, has launched its Christmas Survival Campaign to help parents and carers who find the festive season a real struggle. The campaign is in response to the number of families who contact the charity each year seeking
Education bosses in Essex are considering how they would like to see a six-term year implemented across the county. Essex County Council, the local education authority, has until April to set down the terms it would like to see when schools switch to
Plans to demolish farm buildings at Highfields Farm, East Hanningfield, and build "affordable" homes with new access roads on a 2.5 hectare site have been approved by Chelmsford Council's planning committee. The application, from the Essex Villages Housing
Patients in Colchester and Tendring are being urged to continue the responsible attitude they showed last winter when it comes to visiting doctors. Colchester and Tendring Primary Care Trusts and Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust say the only way the
Steve Whitton has spoken of the 'lucky escape' three of his Colchester United players had after being involved in a car accident on the M25. Keeper Andy Woodman, Bobby Bowry and Scott Fitzgerald escaped without serious injury after swerving to avoid a
A man has undergone treatment to a head wound after two men forced their way into his flat and hit him with a bottle. The 21-year-old was in his flat at Marston House in High Street, Grays, when the attackers forced their way in just after midnight on
Thousands of homes in Wickford and South Woodham Ferrers were plunged into darkness for nearly 90 minutes last night after sparks were seen coming from an electricity sub station. Firefighters were called to Willow Grove, South Woodham Ferrers, at 4.45pm
Plans to demolish farm buildings at Highfields Farm, East Hanningfield, and build "affordable" homes with new access roads on a 2.5 hectare site were approved by Chelmsford Council's planning committee on Monday. The application, from the Essex Villages
Illegal flyposters plastered on a major gateway into Brentwood are giving visitors a poor impression. Advertising posters dotted around the Brook Street roundabout are spoiling the image of Brentwood before motorists have even entered the town. The posters
Southend Airport will face certain closure if expansion plans to develop the site are shelved. That is the stark warning from airport director Roger Campbell who believes the multi-million proposals are crucial to its survival. Mr Campbell added that
Millers have in recent seasons taken a bit of a dislike to the month of December. A couple of years ago they suffered a first defeat of the league season around Christmas time and last term were twice beaten at home which precipitated Paul Joynes's resignation
Workers at Marconi Optical Components in Essex will all be offered new jobs as its factory closes. Marconi had refused to speculate on how jobs in Chelmsford would be affected by the sell-off of its optical components arm in a £19m deal with Bookham Technology
Lucky Co-op shoppers are to share in a bumper Christmas dividend payout. Shoppers in Southend, Westcliff and Leigh will share the £24,000 windfall with customers in South Benfleet and Stanford-le-Hope sharing a further £12,000. In total, £2.4m will be
Leaving Christmas presents under the tree could ruin the festive spirit. Police are warning householders not to leave gifts on show after more than £600 of goods were stolen from a South Woodham Ferrers family. Thieves broke into the Spencer Court home
Champagne corks are set to be popping in the back of stretched limousines after a firm was given the all-clear to serve alcohol to its pampered passengers. Bubbly - Paul Thain toasts his new drinks licence. Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY FHDXE10 A ground-breaking
Alyson Moran smashed a Canvey Island Swimming Club record when she scooped her first gold medal in open competition at the Waltham Forest 100m Meet. The swim comes on the back of Alyson's qualification for next year's county competitions for the first
Angling Echo reported a couple of months ago that new fish would be stocked at Crowsheath Fishery during the winter. The first arrivals have now been put into the venue supplied by Mark Simmonds, who is regarded as the country's most highly respected
A family had a lucky escape when a blaze swept through the kitchen of their home. Paul Chilver and Liz Read, of Sunbeam Avenue, Jaywick, were out at the time of the fire but returned to find firefighters trying to save their possessions and rescue their
Organisations in Thurrock have been getting a head start when applying for funding thanks to Thurrock Council's external funding unit and its 100 per cent strike rate. The unit has helped every group that has come to them in successfully getting Awards
A woman died after a four-car smash at Clacton this morning. Three other people were injured in the accident which happened near the St John's Road roundabout just before 8.30am. The scene of the fatal crash The accident was on the A133 Great Clacton
A battery operated toy is believed to have been the cause of a fire in a house in Basildon. Fire crews were called to the house in Whitmore Way after a woman went home to find a corner of her living room on fire. The house was smoke-logged but the flames
Canvey Island will receive a special presentation from the Football Association before they take on Purfleet in the third round of the FA Umbro Trophy on January 12. Gulls will receive a replica of the Trophy, which they won in such fine style at Villa
Rail companies operating routes through Essex are facing a major shake-up which will see three existing companies in the area merge into one super-franchise. It has emerged this afternoon that from 2004 just one franchise (likely to be called Great Anglia
A zero tolerance policy has prompted a drop in assaults on rail staff in south Essex. A report from the Health and Safety Executive revealed a 22 per cent increase of attacks on staff this year across the UK. A spokeswoman for First Great Eastern said
An angry resident is calling for the speedier removal of abandoned cars after his fence was damaged when one was set alight near his home. Andrew Lumb, of Crittall Close, Silver End, said there had been a continuing problem with abandoned cars in the
Plans to widen the A13 in an effort to ease traffic congestion have been delayed for a year, council bosses have revealed. Essex County Council had planned to invest £500,000 in increasing the sizes of lanes between Sadlers Farm roundabout and Tarpots
Clacton bowed out of the Essex Senior Cup following strikes either side of half-time, the second an unfortunate own goal. And boss Mick Potter described his side's performance as the worst since he took over as Seasiders manager. He fumed: "Leyton deserved
An angry motorist drove into a traffic warden to escape a parking ticket. The driver escaped and police are now appealing for witnesses to the assault in Silver Street, Maldon. Traffic warden Dave Purcell, based at Maldon police station, was writing out
Both Great Wakering Rovers and Billericay Town saw their hopes of soccer success fogged off last night. Rovers had hoped to take over at the top of the Ryman League Second Division from East Thurrock United with victory at third-from-bottom Hemel Hempstead
Southend Airport will face certain closure if expansion plans to develop the site are shelved. That is the stark warning from airport director Roger Campbell who believes the multi-million proposals are crucial to its survival. Mr Campbell added that
A £1.6m base is on the cards to provide resources and services to people with special care needs in Colchester. Plans for a base in the west of the town are to be discussed today by Essex County Council's community care select committee. The scheme has
A donation of £55,000 from developers in Wivenhoe will have to be returned because it was not spent in time. Town councillors say they are "outraged" the money will have to be returned and plan to write to the developers at Wivenhoe port to appeal to
Four Colchester United players had a lucky escape after their car ended up sandwiched between two lorries in a crash on the M25. The players team up for their journeys to training from their homes in Surrey and Kent and take turns in driving. Yesterday
NHS bosses would have the shock of their lives if they tried to touch Southend's "excellent" cancer services, a leading councillor said today. Reg Copley believes the public could campaign fierecely against any threat to the town's cancer centre at Southend
The revised draft master plan for the development of Colchester Garrison will be published as "soon as possible" in January 2002. On Monday night, members of Colchester Council's cabinet agreed to the publication of the revised draft master plan in the
Tough new speed restrictions are causing near-miss road accidents on Canvey, it has been claimed. Furious - Tony Richardson at the double mini-roundabout he claims has made matters worse. Picture: MAXINE CLARKE 5HL528 Furious Tony Richardson told how
Fifteen staff who will be made redundant at a water softener factory are victims of the company's own success. Production workers at Culligan, based at the Springwood industrial estate, Braintree, will lose their jobs in January because business has trebled
Braintree were stunned by lowly Hitchin Town who inflicted their first home defeat of the season. The visitors arrived as the team second from bottom in the Ryman League premier division to face a Braintree side who had won nine of their previous ten
The scent has run cold for the future of bloodhound sniffer dogs in Essex. Toni with her new pet, Sherlock The county's police force has turned its nose up at the idea of using the breed to track offenders by odour after it claimed a three-year trial
A school has been given a £1,000 boost thanks to a group of workers who took part in a charity cycle ride. The group from Cargill's milling plant in Tilbury Docks took part in the annual London to Brighton cycle ride. They raised £400 for Cargill's adopted
Leigh Crispin was the surprise winner of the William Edwards 10k Road Race on Sunday. This is now a slick well-organised event and on a fast course around Grays and Orsett it attracted a big entry. Nonetheless it was Thurrock Harriers who were to dominate
A £2m resource centre for adults with learning disabilities is on the cards for Witham. The new base will allow people with learning disabilities to meet friends, find out information and get help with personal problems, and for parents of special needs
A ward at Southend Hospital that was forced to close by a mystery virus has finally reopened. Chalkwell Ward, which has 28 beds, was sealed off for four days last week and staff were taken ill as the outbreak took a grip. As a precautionary measure the
Essex Chambers of Commerce's trainee of the year awards have been hailed as a triumph by bankers HSBC. The ceremony at the Civic Centre, in Southend, at which a select band of 37 of the county's top trainees both young and old received awards or certificates
A popular Christmas display in Wivenhoe was put out of action after thieves stole a 4ft Santa. Don Knight - missing Santa! They ripped the festive friend from his connections causing the electricity to fail to all of the lights outside Don Knight's home
Men over the age of 60 in Castle Point could soon become eligible for senior citizens travel concessions, it has been revealed. Castle Point Council is planning to extend its scheme of travel concessions for senior citizens and disabled people to men
Hard-up voluntary groups in Walton are missing out on cash. Earlier this year, a jackpot of £10,000 was announced for the resort's organisations. But the take up has been poor. And yesterday there was a warning they could miss out if they don't meet the
Council bosses have been disappointed by the response from residents to multi-million pound plans to build new headquarters in South Woodham Ferrers. However they say they are set to go ahead with the plans which, while adding £4.50 to council tax bills
Ipswich Town's Mark Venus looks to have recovered from an ankle injury sustained in their 2-1 defeat at Villa Park. He should be fit for the weekend trip to Tottenham Hotspur. The only other doubt is striker Alun Armstrong, who suffered a recurrence of
The cross-country runners from Thundersley's SEEVIC set the pace at the qualifying rounds for the British College finals. On a wet and muddy course at Kings Lynn, the SEEVIC men's team qualified in style by winning the regional event. Jon Weaver was the
