Protesters are gearing up to fight proposals to stage GM crop trials on a farm at Weeley. Around 100 people packed into Tendring Council offices in the village to draw up battle lines against the trials to be carried out at Weeley Lodge. Farm-scale evaluations
Extra police patrols have been ordered after a professional gang of antiques thieves burgled eight homes in two months, stealing tens of thousands of pounds of goods. And police are warning antiques owners in rural areas of mid-Essex to lock up their
A charity which helps struggling pupils with one-to-one support to help them improve their literacy skills and increase their confidence has appealed for volunteers. Volunteer Reading Help (VRH), is a national charity that recruits, trains and places
Police in Basildon have appealed for a dog walker to help them in their search for a knife-wielding robber. The thug threatened a 65-year-old woman with the blade as she walked along Timberlog Lane on Wednesday morning. He fled empty-handed after the
Paul Parker's Chelmsford City took a giant stride towards securing Premier Division survival on Saturday with victory against Worcester City at New Lodge. Record signing Kris Lee, out of sorts for the last couple of months, made the perfect return to
A grieving mother has told how her daughter died in her arms minutes after a road crash in north essex. Julia Kettle - died of multiple injuries.(20636-1) Wendy Jipson cradled the teenager as they waited for help after their car hit a telegraph pole in
Move over Wordsworth! Taylor Baldwin, of Willow Close, Canvey, is just nine years old and will soon see one of her poems in print. In print - Taylor Baldwin is to have her poem published in Hidden Treasures. Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL 8TL541 Her poem, called
Toddler Callam Alexander is lucky to be alive after he plunged to the ground from his bedroom window. The mischievous three-year-old could have been killed when he fell more than 20ft - but escaped with just a broken left leg and cuts and bruises. Today
Southend Hospital bosses are pulling out all the stops to solve a worrying shortage of nursing staff. The number of empty posts has remained at up to 90 for the last few months - more than double the usual 38 vacancies. The dearth has been triggered by
Church leaders have revealed they never expected to see their prized font again after thieves looted it. But now the 350-year-old stone ornament, worth an estimated £30,000, is standing in the property stores at South Woodham Ferrers police station waiting
Police who chased a stolen car after spotting it at a Chelmsford garage eventually used a 'stinger' to puncture the car's tyres and stop it. The driver of the car, Brett Degaris, 18, of Manor Park, London, received 13 months youth detention at Chelmsford
Thurrock has a received a grant of nearly £250,000 to improve access for the disabled at its schools. The Department has allocated £242,000 to the borough schools to help disabled pupils to participate in a far wider range of school activities. The money
A water company which polluted the River Crouch would have been faced with an even bigger fine if the Environment Agency had been able to prosecute it, agency bosses claim. What's the problem? - Roy Hart believes the fine he managed to bring against Anglian
A stable was devastated in a fire which could have started from a stray bonfire spark. Two horses that were kept in the wooden stable in Aragon Close, Jaywick, were led to safety before the blaze fully took hold. The incident happened at about 4.45pm
A taxi firm is investing £250,000 in innovative new schemes to make life easier for passengers in Basildon. Pitsea-based A&B Taxi's latest ideas from owners Gary Brand and Steve Foster will revolutionise the way cabs are used. The 100-car company
Basildon snooker professional Stuart Bingham saw his hopes of receiving a pre-World Championship boost ended in Aberdeen yesterday. Bingham, based at Leigh's Executive Club, was playing in the main first round stages of the Regal Scottish Open in Aberdeen
The manager of one of three shops robbed at the weekend branded police "pathetic" after the force took four hours to respond to a 999 emergency call. Officers are hunting robbers after stores in Kelvedon, Eight Ash Green, and Mile End in Colchester were
The death of comic actor, Dudley Moore brought back memories for one of his old school pals who lives in Brentwood. Don Maple of Shevon Way, was in the sixth form with the talented jazz pianist at Dagenham County High School. Mr Maple said: "We were both
The Essex Cup competitions get under way next weekend. The Ladies Senior Cup has several local clubs in action in the first round. Billericay travel to Grove (Saffron Walden), Mountnessing entertain Westcliff Lawn, Brentwood Law entertain Westcliff Hard
A Clacton teenager is making a fast move up the ranks of his sport - thanks to sponsorship gained through the Evening Gazette Dan Hunter, 17, a student at Colchester Sixth Form College, has set his sights on becoming a top motorbike road racer. Last year
Residents agreed to look at providing more facilities for village youngsters after speaking with police officers. At a meeting called by Great Notley Parish Council at Great Notley community centre on Friday night, Insp Moira Owers, section commander
The historic gardens at Severalls Hospital have been listed by English Heritage - but it does not guarantee their future. The Colchester parkland has been put on its register of historic parks and gardens at Grade II level. But Sarah Rutherford, acting
The final go-ahead has been given for the £3m plan to construct a new primary school at the Warley Hospital site. For more than three years the county council has been developing proposals to establish a purpose-built 420 place primary school to replace
Police are hunting an attacker who stabbed a Clacton soldier in the leg three times during a night out. The man suffered serious stab wounds after an argument in a fast food chicken restaurant. Acting Sgt Mike Sheeran, of Clacton CID, said the attack
Two South Essex scout leaders have had their efforts recognised with special awards. Dick Vale of the 4th Thorpe Bay group and Derek Goodyear of 12th Southend group were rewarded for their outstanding service to the scout movement of more than 60 years
Aveley all but clinched promotion to Ryman Division Two on Saturday with a 2-1 home win over Chalfont St Peter. Only Epsom & Ewell can now deny the Essex club from promotion, which will be achieved with a solitary point from their remaining three
Frugal Castle Point councillors will tonight reject a recommended instant 100 per cent pay rise. An independent panel told them they ought to more than double their money from May. However, at the finance and policy committee meeting, the council's ruling
Winnie Heard's cheeky sense of humour was ringing throughout the halls of Seven Arches Nursing Home, Brentwood, as she celebrated her 101st birthday with family and friends last week. Winnie celebrating her 101st birthday. The well loved resident was
Both Canvey and Gravesend are staggering towards the finishing line in the most exciting Ryman League Premier Division title race in years. While most were expecting a thrilling "fight to the death" for a place in the Nationwide Conference next term,
Fabian Wilnis conceded that it's going to be 'very, very difficult' for Ipswich Town to escape relegation after Saturday's 4-1 battering at Bolton. Fredi Bobic netted a first-half hat-trick as the Blues saw their faltering Premiership survival bid shot
Springfield can expect to wait a little longer for the arrival of a library. At a meeting of the Chelmsford Council executive, leader of the council Mike Mackrory said it was unlikely a new library would be seen in the Springfield area of Chelmsford before
Jimmy McFarlane's injury time goal rescued a point for Purfleet on Saturday at home to Chesham United. The Essex side would have expected all three points from this clash, continuing their excellent recent form that has seen them climb to 3rd place in
A motorist who was over the drink-drive limit has been banned from driving for two years by Basildon magistrates. Tim Watling, 39, was also fined £200 with £55 court costs after he admitted the offence. Watling, of Gun Hill Place, Basildon, told the magistrates
Luton Town went top of Division Three as Plymouth Argyle were denied a controversial penalty against Southend this afternoon. Pilgrims centre-back Paul Wotton pumped the ball forward towards striker Michael Evans after 69 minutes. But as he ran into the
Essex rivalries were renewed on Saturday, with Grays putting a serious dent in Canvey's Championship aspirations with a shock 2-1 success at Park Lane. A tight and pressure-filled encounter burst into life after only four minutes, as expert build-up play
An Essex soldier had to fly back from holiday in Greece to take part in processions for the Queen Mother's funeral. Former Coggeshall schoolgirl Irini Economou, 21, of Long Green, Marks Tey, is now part of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery. She is
Christian Pride in Chelmsford is being expressed in a brand new guide released in time for Easter. The Prayer for Transforming Chelmsford is the brainchild of Peter Balls, pastor of Chelmsford Community Church and chairman of the local evangelical fellowship
Having enjoyed a great cross-country season, Andrew Livingstone will be looking to further glories when the new track and field campaign gets underway. Before then, the Thurrock Harriers and his great rival Adam Hickey will be among a host of young runners
After a three year absence, Bishop's Stortford celebrated promotion back to the Ryman Premier on Saturday with a 2-0 home win over Walton & Hersham. Stortford knew three points would be enough to be mathematically certain of regaining their top flight
Billericay eased past hapless Maidenhead at the weekend, romping to a 2-0 success that sees the Essex side hold 6th spot in the Ryman Premier. A goal in each half did the damage against a demoralised Maidenhead outfit that rarely found their rhythm. Danny
Southend United boss Rob Newman praised referee Ray Olivier for bravely changing his controversial penalty decision against Blues during Saturday's gutsy 0-0 draw at Plymouth Argyle. Homecoming - former Pilgrim Barrington Belgrave tussles with Paul Wotton
Rettendon's post office will close this month because the owner can no longer afford to keep it open. End of an era - Oakdene Stores is being sold off because the owner can't make ends meet 8WE7W1 The business has been struggling for some time, but the
Jon Dakin was the star turn as Essex won both their one-day warm-up matches against Kent at Chelmsford. The hard-hitting left-hander, who recently joined the county from Leicestershire, announced his arrival with a couple of half-centuries at the weekend
Two of the Ryman League's form sides battled out a 1-1 draw on Saturday, with Braintree leaving Hertfordshire satisfied with their day's effort. For long periods though it looked as if the Essex outfit were set for another three points on the road, as
A headteacher has told of his amazement at a council decision which could deprive his school of a £2.5m grant. St Thomas More School for Boys in Kenilworth Gardens, Westcliff, was refused planning permission by Southend Council for a new building despite
Residents in a Tiptree road had a narrow escape from their homes flooding after a water main burst. Water started to pour out of the ground in Grange Road at about 11am on Friday and villagers alerted police to the situation. A spokesman for Stanway Traffic
A horse had to be put down after the box it was travelling in flew across a busy road into a parked lorry. The horsebox was attached to the back of a Land Rover but came loose in Radford Way, Billericay. The box swerved across the road and hit a lorry
A major recruiting campaign is being held at the Lakeside Shopping Centre later this week. The National Blood Service (NBS) will be at the West Thurrock complex for a two-day campaign aimed at attracting new donors, nurses and volunteers. Staff from the
An 'expectant' father was given the chance to see the birth of his first child by Southend magistrates who decided not to send him to prison for damaging a car. Alex Stephens, 19, of Finchley Road, Westcliff, admitted tampering with the car after drinking
A successful project aimed at cleaning up and improving safety in Basildon is to be extended to the rest of the town, Wickford and Billericay. The project will move around the district to clean up litter, improve street lighting, remove abandoned vehicles
A man who had visited a shop in Westcliff was later seen leaving the shop having stolen clocks from a store room. The burglary took place around 2.45pm on Thursday when a man was seen leaving the back of the shop, Presence, in Hamlet Court Road, having
A robber snatched a briefcase holding thousands of pounds from two businessmen in the car park of a hotel. The criminal threatened his victims after grabbing the case at the Marks Tey hotel at 10am yesterday. The two middle-aged Asian men had travelled
A grieving sister has begged bikers to sign up to Essex Police's Responsible Rider scheme. Sarah Simons spoke out at a special launch day held at police headquarters in Chelmsford yesterday. The force is introducing the scheme to encourage motorcyclists
A man who is fighting for access to see his son is setting up a new group to represent men's rights. New Zealander Chris Pyle has set up home in Basildon and is trying to recruit members to work with him. The group, Forlorn Hope, will provide a forum
The Essex County Indoor Bowling Association finals are taking place at Ilford Indoor Bowling Club on Sunday 7th April. They start at 9.30 a.m. when the Over 60 Double Fours final will be contested between Barking and the Jacks Centre Latchingdon. The
Essex County Fire and Rescue service is to go into battle to impress upon children the dangers of hoax calls. With hoax and arson attacks on the increase among young people, the worrying trend is damaging the service's ability to get to real fires on
People who want to express their views about cancer services are being asked to take part in discussion workshops organised by the Mid Anglia Cancer Network. The workshops are taking place during a three-month consultation period which start tonight.
A powerful form of amphetamine which may have killed a 29-year-old man could be circulating in Southend, police have warned. Detectives from Southend CID are investigating the death after the unidentified man was taken ill at an address in Southend on
A first half goal from much travelled Spencer Prior earned promotion chasing Cardiff City all the points from this scrappy, windswept, Layer Road affair. Nothing separated the two teams, despite the massive financial gulf between them, until the former
Visiting Cardiff football fans have been condemned after a minute's silence for the Queen Mother had to be abandoned at Colchester United. A section of the 1,200 Cardiff City fans at Layer Road could be heard chanting abusive language during the attempted
An appeal is being made for specialist music therapists to come the aid of mid-Essex children with special needs and learning difficulties. Relatives say their children make big advances with this form of therapy involving singing, playing with instruments
Supermarkets across Essex are planning to close tomorrow for the Queen Mother's funeral as a mark of respect. Some shops in the county were planning to observe a two-minute silence at 11.30am, while others planned to close for the duration of the service
The Essex business community is to get the chance to debate Chancellor Gordon Brown's Budget almost as it leaves his lips, thanks to Business Link for Essex. The Government-backed business support organisation is hosting a live Budget Special event at
Inconsistent Heybridge hit top form on Saturday, easily rolling over Sutton United in a 2-0 win. Sutton appeared strong in midfield, and it took the Swifts a while to exploit the attacking threat of Andy Tomlinson who was prominent throughout. The first
Harlow went down battling at title challengers Aylesbury United, suffering a 1-0 defeat that ends the Essex side's promotion ambitions for another year. The hosts leapt into life in this tight encounter, taking the lead on 11 minutes as hesitation by
