Witham historian Albert Poulter has died, aged 94. Mr Poulter, who lived in Homefield Road, was born and lived virtually all his life in Witham - a town he loved and knew so well. And so many Witham people knew him, and admired his zest for life and his
A delegation of top Russian scientists, psychiatrists and paediatricians visited Runwell Hospital last week to look at innovations in maternal mental health. The five delegates want to develop services in their home country to the same high level as services
Family and colleagues laid flowers in memory of PC Gary Veal at the spot where he was involved in a tragic accident. Traffic was slowed on the A12 Colchester northern bypass yesterday as the floral tributes were laid for the father-of-two at about midday
The cost of entry to South Woodham Ferrers' Marsh Farm is to soar by up to 40 per cent in a bid to save it from closure. Essex County Councillors made the decision at an Environment and Transport subcommittee meeting on Thursday in an attempt to rebuild
A motorist has been cleared of careless driving - after colliding with the wall of his neighbour's house. Shaun Tricker, of Sioux Close, High Woods, Colchester, had been checking the oil and gearbox of his automatic car when it hit Victor Haye's garden
Rochford Council tenants could soon find it more expensive to swap homes with other tenants. The council's housing management subcommittee will be recommending later this month to introduce a £135 fee for mutual exchanges within social housing. Head of
The Prince's Trust Volunteers are looking to recruit more young people in the Chelmsford, Maldon and Braintree area. They are looking for 16 to 25 year-olds to join a new team, starting on February 4, on a 12-week personal development programme designed
Campaigning residents have vowed to fight proposals to axe on-site wardens at sheltered housing centres in the Rochford district. At risk - Chignal House wardens Jenni Westgate and Louise Ridealgh, front, have the backing of residents. Picture: NICK ANSELL
Skateboarders in Canewdon will soon have new facilities on which to hone their skills. A new skateboard area, complete with ramps and its own access path, is to be built in the Canewdon Recreation Ground off Althorne Way. The application received no opposition
An arsonist is believed to be responsible for a fire at a family home. The home hit by the firebug in Jaywick Burning rubbish was pushed through the letter box of the chalet home in Morris Avenue, Jaywick, while the family was inside. It set fire to a
The future of 290 workers is shrouded in uncertainty following the launch of a Government review into New Ranges in Shoebury. Defence minister Dr Lewis Moonie confirmed the site was subject to a review and could be in doubt following a Commons question
Sunday saw the first race of 2002 in the South Essex County League which saw Thrift Green Trotters, 129 points, make it three wins in a row. Billericay Striders, with a men's team badly affected by injuries to scoring runners, had to settle for fourth
Household waste dumped at two south Essex rubbish tips has rocketed since the launch of a controversial permit system in Southend, new figures have revealed. The scheme, in which residents from outside Southend are charged £3 to use waste sites at Leigh
Wickford's newest primary school will top the list when it opens in September - and not just because its name starts with A. Abacus Primary will provide up to 210 much-needed places as housing developments in the surrounding Wick estate continues. School
Six cottages among the buildings most vulnerable to flooding in Colchester are finally to receive permanent protection. The properties along Riverside, next to North Bridge, face directly on to the River Colne and have had to rely on sandbags when the
Government inspectors have awarded high marks to Thurrock's biggest school after a three-day visit to check out its standards of teaching. A 15-strong team from OFSTED inspected William Edwards School in Stifford Clays Road, Grays, in November and has
Garons Tennis Academy launched the new year withits first in-house mixed tournament. The event, sponsored by Ballbreakers, was open to all the players aged eight to 16 years in the GTA squads and teams who play in many of the local leagues. The semi-finals
Southend Airport bosses have allayed some fears over radical plans to shift historic St Laurence's Church, warden Richard Huband said today. He attended a presentation between church leaders and airport bosses over the ambitious £6m blueprint to boost
Top hair stylists and beauty therapists of the future competed in at the annual Thurrock and Basildon College Hair and Beauty Competition recently. Students from the college's Woodview campus in Grays showed why they are at the cutting edge with innovative
Basildon's Alan Busby was the clear winner at the latest of Mick Toomer's Ridley Angling Products sponsored Gloucester Park Opens. Fishing from the cockle bank Alan weighed in 8lb 0oz 8dr of roach to win the £100 first prize by a comfortable margin. Alan
Southend United's reserves ended a run of three games without success with a stunning 3-2 victory at Avon Insurance Combination League high-flyers Peterborough. Goals from midfielder Marek Szmid, striker Tony Richards and winger Edmund Chibogu earned
Southend United boss Rob Newman played down the angry reaction of substituted midfielder Stuart Thurgood during Saturday's 1-0 Roots Hall victory over Mansfield Town. The 20-year-old seemed reluctant to shake hands with his replacement, winger Scott Forbes
Burnham Clinic is to undergo a £16,000 upgrade, which will result in improved facilities for patients and better working conditions for staff. Maldon and South Chelmsford Primary Care Trust (PCT) that runs the Crouch Road clinic, has sanctioned the work
Trophy holders Canvey Island booked a fourth round tie against Grantham Town thanks to an Adam Miller wonder goal. Neither Ryman Premier side could find the breakthrough in normal time but the Gulls midfielder struck from 35 yards with five minutes left
Rochford District Council's planning committee has called for special powers to combat the rising problem of unauthorised caravan sites in the area. At present over 20 cases are under investigation by the council enforcement team. The council feels a
Grays Shopping centre is planning to celebrate Easter in true East End style. Once the schools break up on Friday, March 22, the town's shopping precinct will echo to the traditional sounds of the East End. Centre manager Keith Evans says his staff have
Southend Airport bosses have allayed some fears over radical plans to shift historic St Laurence's Church, warden Richard Huband said today. He attended a presentation between church leaders and airport bosses over the ambitious £6m blueprint to boost
Two large Thurrock councillors are planning to shed pounds to raise funds for the Thurrock Community Chest. Current mayor, Barrie Lawrence and chest founder Carl Morris launched their sponsored slim on Friday at the Blackshots leisure centre in Grays.
Jilted Herbert Larnder carried out a campaign of threats and harassment against a former policeman and parish councillor who went off with his wife. Larnder, 48, made death threats to Robert Cordery and distributed 300 "obituary notices" around the village
An artist who only took up painting after travelling around Australia for a year has been signed up by a restaurant chain to create Aboriginal-style pictures for them. Susie Ross fell in love with the style of abstract painting during her tour Down Under
A new campaign has been launched by the National Blood Service to encourage more people in Essex and across the UK to come forward as blood donors. Campaign crew: The National Blood Service mascot Billy Blood Drop pictured with Essex Air Ambulance Crew
The winners' cup for the best kept playing field in Essex was presented to Chelmsford Borough Council's staff after Chelmer Park took first prize. Park prize: Groundsmen Shane Orrin (left) and Mervyn Coe (centre) were presented the Tom Kelly Memorial
A student who had paint sprayed in her face by a would-be robber as he grappled for her bag has spoken of her fear at the attack - the third since she moved to the town four months ago. First year psychology student Verena Balli was attacked in Avon Way
Concerns about the way Billericay and Wickford Citizen Advice Bureaux are funded have been raised by the area's MP John Baron Mr Baron raised his worries after a visit to Billericay's High Street bureau. He said: "One of my concerns is that both Billericay
Police are hunting for thieves who stole a number of satellite dishes from the Bruces Wharf area of Grays on Friday. At least three residents discovered their dishes had been taken, and police say it is believed more may have been stolen. Anyone with
A man from south Essex will lead the crusade to save the forgotten and injured animals of Afghanistan when he travels to the volatile area today. Trevor Wheeler, of Highland Road, Bowers Gifford, is the operations director with the charity the World Society
A child disturbed a burglar as the intruder rifled through his parents' bedroom. The parents left the house at Dugard Avenue, Stanway, Colchester, at about 10.30am on Saturday, leaving the children playing upstairs supervised by the oldest child. At about
Southend police are supporting a campaign for reform of the courts system to prevent criminals escaping justice. The police division is supporting the national campaign, launched by Britain's top police officers, which calls for a major overhaul of the
Mistley's secret bunker is to close. Two main reasons have been given for the tourist attraction being shut - a seven-fold increase in ground rent four years ago and the loss of new income following opposition to a mobile phone mast. Hotline - Dr James
Essex businessmen are being offered a helping hand as they fight their way through the increasingly dense maze of employment law. Business Link for Essex, in association with Harlow-based human resources specialist HR Central, is staging a free seminar
A mother-of-four is set to take legal action after becoming pregnant for a fifth time - despite believing she had been sterilised. Lisa Fenner with her children Dillon, Owen, Briana, and baby Calvina Lisa Fenner, 24, of Colchester, said she was "disgusted
Colchester Council will save £14,000-a-year if a move to get all its members and officers using e-mail proves successful. The council will save the cash by reducing the courier service to one day a week, forcing information to be distributed among members
Andy Marshall is desperate to cling onto the goalkeeper's jersey after taking his Premiership bow for Ipswich Town against Spurs. The shotstopper - who made his debut last weekend at Dagenham - impressed between the posts after ousting Matteo Sereni.
Grays Shopping centre is planning to celebrate Easter in true East End style. Mayor of Thurrock, Barrie Lawrence, will launch the fortnight at noon on Saturday, March 23, immediately followed by Cockney rock stars Chas and Dave on stage for an hour, playing
A High Street crammed with watering holes and eateries is to get yet another restaurant, it has been revealed. Taste of things to come - the building in Billericay High Street that is set to become a restaurant. Picture: TERENCE BUNCH 6DHAW3 Plans to
Bars and nightclub operator Luminar has reported buoyant New Year's Eve figures despite new laws allowing pubs to offer round-the-clock drinking. The company, which operates more than 60 Chicago Rock Cafes, including sites in Chelmsford, Colchester, and
Colchester United have been hit by a thunderbolt with the news that club captain Simon Clark has quit. Saying goodbye to the U's - skipper Simon Clark Clark sprung his shock decision to quit Layer Road on U's boss Steve Whitton less than 48 hours after
DVD users are being encouraged to borrow a DVD from their local libraries for £2.50 a week. Essex Libraries have a collection of over 900 titles to choose from ranging from the latest releases to golden oldies. Chelmsford, Braintree, Witham and Maldon
BAE Systems Avionics, which is based in Basildon, has landed a contract to equip a French helicopter fleet with a hi-tech safety system. The company, which has its headquarters on Christopher Martin Road, will supply, install and support its integrated
Marconi workers in Chelmsford and Basildon are on tenterhooks again as the troubled telecoms group announced it will axe a further 1,000 jobs in the UK. The company is aiming to cut 4,000 jobs worldwide in order to claw back £200m. Of the cuts, 25 per
The racing was close and exciting at Braintree BMX Club's meeting on Sunday despite the damp and sticky conditions but the opportunity was there to get in more practice before next week's regional event at Royston. New rider, Dale Gladwin, seven, was
Ricky Anderson has been given until the end of the week to decide if he wants to be part of Essex's future. The 25-year-old fast bowler was offered a new contract at the end of last season but has yet to put pen to paper. Since then there have been ongoing
American blues man U P Wilson arrived in south Essex one month early for a planned gig -- and ended up putting on a free show. The Texan singer and guitarist, now living in Paris, is booked for the Clubroom, above the Ship pub, Leigh, next month. But
Well-known Shenfield doctor Clive Sexton, 72, died in hospital on December 31 after a stroke. Dr Sexton suffered a stroke on Thursday, December 27, and was treated by Dr David Ainsworth, who he had practised with at Rockleigh Court Surgery in High Street
Billericay Town have ruled out the idea of moving out of their New Lodge ground while redevelopment work costing £6m is carried out bringing them up to Nationwide Conference standards. Room for improvement - John Stacey (left) and Rod Moore survey New
Forrester Park Golf Club Veterans played the January Medal competition as a stableford, with winter league partners Bill Easton and Max Bonner taking the honours, in their respective divisions, with excellent scores in the frosty conditions. Bill won
Harwich and Parkeston boss Adrian Gray is 'quietly confident' of causing a cup upset tonight when his side host Tendring rivals Clacton. The Jewson League sides come head-to-head at The Royal Oak in the first round of the East Anglian Cup. And Gray, hoping
A headteacher acclaimed for boosting standards at a Westcliff secondary school is to retire at the end of the summer term. Retiring - inspirational Prittlewell School headteacher Margaret Barr. 5480C However, Prittlewell School's Margaret Barr, known
