Archive

Remember our days when we both lived on Prospect Road in Woodford Green? Would like to regain contact with you for "old times" sake. Best wishes. Your "OLD" friend Laurence. My E-Mail is : sundrive92@surfside.net

The future of community halls, including Witham's popular Spring Lodge Centre, has been spelled out. Owner Braintree Council held an open meeting at the Public Hall in Witham last night to discuss the four options it has drawn up. The council's "preferred

Former Southend United boss Rob Newman has expressed an interest in the vacant manager's job at Conference League Dagenham and Redbridge. The 40-year-old, who was sacked by the Seasiders in March 2003, is currently scouting for Premiership Birmingham

Slimmers celebrated losing more than 90 stones between them as part of a diet scheme paid for by their bosses. Slimming champs - Pauline Hume and colleagues from KeyMed shed 90 stones Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL Over the past 12 weeks, the group of 113 workers

A workman suffered potentially serious head injuries when he plunged from scaffolding at a secondary school. He was knocked unconscious after tumbling 10ft outside King John School, in Shipwrights Drive, Thundersley. He fell at 9am when pupils would normally

West Bergholt continue to close in on the top two in the premier division. Having beaten Clacton Town 2-0, they are now level on points with second-placed Mistley United and four points off leaders Little Oakley. Gas Recreation are fourth as they beat

Grays protected the Ryman Premier's only remaining unbeaten home record but were pushed hard by a determined Maidenhead United side looking to snatch a 13th-place finish and with it, qualification for next season's Conference South. Freddie Eastwood may

Low-fares airline easyJet has increased the number of routes it flies to from Belfast, and has announced plans to extend its Gatwick service. The carrier, which has a base at Stansted, has set up the new routes and more frequent services as a direct result

Organisers of the Essex PB5 are to combine next year's event with a fun run in an attempt to attract a larger entry. Off and running - the Essex PB5 gets underway from Basildon's Gloucester Park Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL This year's race attracted a field

I went to school with Thelma and would like to get in touch. Last heard of at Mersea Island Essex. My E-Mail is : Jennywren33@msn.com

A disability playscheme will be launched at Hockley Community Centre on Thursday. A spokesman said it would give parents, carers and their children with disabilities a chance to meet staff and find out more about the playscheme, at the Westminster Drive

You are more likely to be robbed on a Monday, Friday or Saturday, particularly between 11pm and midnight, research has revealed. Victims of street muggings in Basildon are usually white men, aged 20 to 50. The robbers are generally white males, aged 15

Ron Double best man at my wedding in Poole. Last known address Canvey Island. Friends in Billericay Ron Tate Nobby Clark and others I left behind when I returned to New Zealand in 1973 I Went to junior school - Laindon road and to senior school in School

Angry residents are declaring war on teenage tearaways who are terrorising their neighbourhood. Seventy people packed a public meeting to voice fears over a catalogue of crime which is making their lives a misery. Residents in Prettygate, Colchester,

Developers planning a block of retirement flats in the centre of Billericay today hit back at critics. Residents and councillors have attacked Hallmark Developments' plans to build 25 flats in Stock Road, claiming they will cause disruption and dominate

Police have hit out at "despicable" con artists who tricked their way into a 94-year-old woman's home and stole her pension book. Two young men duped their way into the woman's home in St Katherine's Court, Canvey, by telling her they were working on

Southend Sabres are still seeking new faces to strengthen their team for the American Football season, but chairman Hugh Cumberland was not too downhearted after an opening day defeat. Come and get it -- an Essex Spartans player, blue shirt, prepares

A minibus service for Colchester's disabled is being launched by a former coach operator. John Robinson, who spent 26 years on coaches, is building up a fleet of minibuses with wheelchair lifts for people who are unable to go out because of a shortage

I have been trying to trace the whereabouts of the Burt family last known address Talbot Road Eastham Essex. The girls names are Jean, Norma & val My E-Mail is : jackiemorgan24@hotmail.com

An extra £3m in funds for Essex Ambulance Trust will mean more vehicles and staff for the service, which has just completed a successful year. The trust hit its target for emergency category A calls, despite a huge increase in incidents. Now there are

In the British Club Grades competitions South Essex had 13 gymnasts competing in four grades, but that number was far from unlucky for the Basildon youngsters. Queens of clubs - back row (left to right): Laura Brealey, Laura Rose, Emily Cope. Middle row

Last known Frazerburgh Scotland 14 years ago. Had family and friends in Chelmsford. My E-Mail is : Astrea@astreasworld.co.uk

A crisis meeting has been called in Hockley after youths vandalised an NHS walk-in centre. Enough's enough - Jeremy Thomass wants to put a stop to vandalism in Hockley Picture: ANNA LUKALA Rochford District Councillor Jeremy Thomass, of Hamilton Gardens

South Essex patients have been shipped out to London hospitals for minor operations in an effort to slash NHS waiting lists in Southend. Patients who had been waiting six months for orthopaedic surgery at Southend Hospital were given the alternative of

I am trying to contact my cousin Joanne. I last heard of her when she was living just off the London Road near the Palace Theatre. Her parents were Jo and Peggy, sadly both now deceased. They lived in, I believe, South Ave My E-Mail is : mantony2@aol.com

Am a fan of Lovejoy, and want to say thank you for the fun of reading about him. will be in London week of June 27th 2004. could we buy you a pint? My E-Mail is : lafemmerenard@aol.com

Leigh Community Centre is set for a £100,000 refit thanks to Southend Adult Community College. Work will start on the interior of the Elm Road building when students take a summer break. The alterations have been justified by a change to the Disability

Footballer Gavin Cowan was eyeing-up a dream double today after blasting his team into a showcase final at Premiership ground Villa Park. Gavin Cowan in action for Canvey Island Colchester-based Cowan, who plays for non-league heavyweights Canvey Island

I am looking for Reg Prior, he was in the army with me at Sheerness between 1955-1958 we were in BHQ 11 SPHINX BTY 34 LAA REGT. I hope you can help me thank-you My E-Mail is : harry.davies87@ntlworld.com

A sponsored walk in aid of cancer research has been organised by a boys club following the death of an honorary member from the disease. Walk of honour - the boys from Trekkers are raising cash in aid of cancer research Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL Trekkers

Residents rolled up their sleeves to have their blood pressure checked as part of a stroke awareness day. The event was organised by Frinton Rotary Club with help from Clacton and District Stroke Association and medical professionals. A total of 128 people

Olympic hurdler Sally Gunnell has reached the heights of her sport. And now she hopes to inspire businesses to do the same. Picture: ROB SAMBROOK Gold medal winner Sally came home to Essex to launch the first Business Link for Essex Enterprise Week taking

The company which purchased Braintree's Freeport shopping village has installed new management. Hermes, the pension fund manager, is the new owner of a host of Freeport centres including Freeport Braintree. In keeping with several other of its purchases

A teenager accused of murdering his father with a carving knife was a free man today after a jury cleared him of all charges. Family and friends of Thomas Luscombe, 19, gasped with relief as the not guilty murder and manslaughter verdicts were read out

US casino operators investing in Southend would have to provide transport improvements and maybe even restore public buildings. The joint committee on the draft Gambling Bill called for careful monitoring of its impact, and restrictions on the development

Southend United striker Drewe Broughton is determined to fire the Shrimpers to safety after finally ending his Roots Hall goal drought against Scunthorpe United last Friday. The 24-year-old forward cooly converted his first home league goal for the resurgent

Hidden cameras and extra patrols have led to so many arrests that police have decided to continue an anti-yob operation indefinitely. Operation Breaker, launched a month ago on Canvey, has led to about 30 arrests as police step up their war against anti-social

Hi Les, remember me. We were engaged once! My maiden name was Heard. Lots of things have happened to me lately which makes me think of past events and those people who I have lost touch with. I would just like a chat with you and to find out how life

An inmate who absconded from an open prison in Suffolk could be heading for Southend. Paul Lovett, 25, from Southend, serving a sentence at Hollesley Bay for driving while disqualified, was discovered missing at 5.30pm on Monday. He was due to appear

Canvey moved to within one win of the Ryman Premier title on Tuesday night with a narrow success at struggling Kingstonian. Three points against Thurrock on Good Friday will confirm the Gulls' long overdue promotion to the Nationwide Conference. Following

Welcome to "Condom-chester". Not only can Colchester boast its credentials as Britain's oldest recorded town but also as the global storage centre for the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). The IPPF is the world's biggest voluntary organisation

Essex girls will be getting some top tips when England ladies international Charlotte Edwards holds a coaching session at Chelmsford. Edwards was part of the national team that won the recent one-day series with South Africa. The batswoman will be advising

Pensioner Alan Nicholls has finally got his medal for serving in the Suez conflict in the 1950s. Proud old soldier - Alan Nicholls with his medal, 48 years late Picture: DAVE HENDERSON Mr Nicholls, 69, of South Hill Crescent, Horndon-on-the-Hill, was

I'm looking for my friend Geraldine last heard of in Chelmsford essex My E-Mail is : linda_ann@libero.it

Secret deals are being brokered which could lead to the closure of post offices in Southend, a Tory MP said today. Compensation payouts are being discussed with at least one sub-postmaster in the Southend East and Rochford area even before the closure

Liberal Democrat councillors and local residents met at a Southend traffic trouble spot to welcome the news that a new crossing could soon be in place. Delighted - councillors Jim Klinkscales and Graham Longley with residents John Harrold, Shirley O'Riley

Work on an £8m redevelopment of Trinity House at Harwich has begun. As well as providing a new depot and buoy yard for the lighthouse authority, the scheme could also change the face of the town's quayfront. Harwich MP Ivan Henderson initiated construction

Crunch planning inquiries into the future of two controversial travellers' sites in Harold Hill will be held later this summer. Families living on the extended illegal developments at Hogbar Farm East and Fairhill Rise in Lower Bedfords Road have been

First time visitor Tony Basire took just ten minutes to break the Northlands Park carp record landing a tremendous 27lb common. Tony fished the cafe lake where the big fish picked up his ready made Nash bait boilie just ten minutes into his first ever

Police are warning residents in the Witham area to be vigilant after reports of bogus callers operating in a new way. Several residents in the west of the town, who regularly use a local window cleaning company, say they have received telephone calls

A pair of burglaries took place at Dunmow homes in the same road last week with expensive televisions stolen in both. The first of the Godfrey Way burglaries occurred on Wednesday March 31 between 7pm and 11pm while the occupants were out. The owner returned

My old school friend and I Carol Taylor are looking for our friend Angela Eliassen from Harold Hill, Essex last heard of living in Scotland My E-Mail is : linda_ann@libero.it

Former Beirut hostage Terry Waite was in Colchester to share his experiences of captivity. Former Beirut hostage Terry Waite has been visiting Essex University. Mr Waite gave a talk at Essex University to about 300 members of the Essex Agricultural Society

Would now be aged about 32. Someone in October last year telephoned my mother looking for their father, stating that her father was working in London at the time and moved back to the Colchester area. If this is you please get in touch as new information

My great grandfather Alfred Nichols was born in Lexden West Mersea in 1856 his parents were Thomas Nichols a shepherd and his mother was Sarah, maiden name Mann they were born about 1820? I would love to know more and any other reletives who might still

Tesco could soon be seen in St John's, Colchester. The company bought the One Stop chain of convenience stores, including the one at St Christopher's Parade, St John's, last year. Now, it has applied to Colchester Council for permission to extend from

Despite Scott Witney giving Tiptree the lead, Jam-makers boss Neil Farlie admitted he was just grateful to get a point at the end of his side's 1-1 draw with Mildenhall. "In the second half Mildenhall looked the livlier team and there were moments where

Mark Smith enjoyed a profitable few days off work when he made his first visit to Rochford's Doggetts lake. The Hadleigh angler landed three mirror carps weighing between 20 and 23lb, plus a ghost carp of 13lb. Leigh's David Leiper used three grains of

Angry residents are demanding workmen finish off bathroom and kitchen work in their council homes. Tenants have claimed contractors for Colchester Borough Homes have been working on their homes for weeks, but have not finished before moving on to other

An access road to be used for major events at Hylands Park in Chelmsford has been given the go-ahead. The road will be on the London Road part of the A414 where there are currently two disused access roads. Chelmsford Borough Council gave the green light

Mersea islanders are set to decide whether they will fund the appointment of a police community support officer. The idea was broached earlier this year by resident Peter Clements, who said he felt extra policing would deter vandalism and anti-social

Carl Watson and his wife Helen are keeping the very English tradition of afternoon tea alive. Time for tea - Carl with regular customers Ken Diller and his daughter Hanna, ten Picture: ANNA LUKALA They run Squire's Tea and Coffee Shop, in Rayleigh High

With the advent of Roman's roubles, Chelsea might be able to afford to buy any player they want - but a training scheme in Billericay could be providing them with their next generation of stars. The PASS soccer school, which runs two sessions a week at

Opposition was today growing over plans to convert a historic seafront boathouse into a three-storey restaurant. More than 100 people have signed a petition against the proposals for the old lifeboat house in Western Esplanade, Southend. Paul Van Looy

Ryanair is continuing its conquest of Europe with a new route to Italy. From April 29, the Irish airline will fly daily from Stansted to Brindisi, with fares from £29.99. The new destination brings the total Ryanair network to 147 routes across 16 European

A transport watchdog has given a guarded welcome to the region's new rail operator. National Express's One franchise took over the running of all train services between East Anglia and London at the start of this month. The change means Stansted Airport

BAA has scooped a top business award for social responsibility. Stansted airport's operator has been rated top of the transport sector in the annual Responsibility Index, produced by Business in the Community (BITC). The Responsibility Index measures

A cat knew exactly where to go when it went missing Clacton police station. Tiny, the 19-year-old black and white cat, went missing four weeks ago when her owner Rose Jump was away visiting her daughter and her nephew was cat-sitting in Ellis Road, Clacton

Health bosses in Colchester today warned that in the future parents may outlive their obese children. The warning came from Essex Rivers NHS Trust as Essex University announced it will run "fat camps" for overweight children this summer. A spokesman for

Colchester United hot-shot Scott McGleish is back and ready to spring into action. Scott McGleish And, if everything goes well for the U's top scorer after an eight-game lay-off through injury, he could find himself back among the League goals against

Marathon woman Lee-Anne Cann agreed at short notice to to take part in the London Marathon on April 18 in honour of her friend's son who suffers from Down's syndrome. Bernadette Rignall, of Blenheim Chase, Leigh, originally had another volunteer lined

Looking for Jenny Jones has a sister Peggy married US Air Force man Paul Jones last address Halstead, Essex. Would like to hear from you. My E-Mail is : jpappa@earthlink.net

Trials for the Great Britain Olympic Squad will today get underway at Sheffield's Ponds Forge pool. The five day event, which doubles up as the British Longcourse Championships, will determine the identity of the GB squad for this summer's games in Athens

James Foster and Mark Pettini had most to smile about before rain brought the curtain down on Essex's first friendly of the season against Nottinghamshire at Chelmsford. The pair both scored half-centuries before the weather washed out further play with

Youngsters on school holidays are the suspected culprits for a spate of burglaries and vandalism on garages in Galleywood. Police have had 12 incidents involving garages around Barnard Road and Dorset Avenue reported since Sunday and estimate up to £1000

James Henry Barnett DCM. Worked for Steamline Taxi's in the 60's anyone who has any info or photo's please comtact Chris Barnett My E-Mail is : chris.barnett1@ntlworld.com

Canvey Boxing Club are hosting the Eastern Counties Youth ABAs tomorrow evening. Fighters expected to be in action in the seniors are middle-weight Ryan Mah-oney, welter-weight Dave Robinson and light-weight Wesley Dugan. In the youths, England cadet

They say you don't have to be mad to be a motor-cycle racer - but 34-year-old Malcolm Hobbs is a perfect example of the fact that it helps. For Bowers Gifford trainee electrician Malcolm is embarking on a new season of chasing two top 250cc titles, just

A 17-year-old who terrorised a community was behind bars today after breaking his anti-social behaviour order seven times. Locked up - James West James West was sentenced to a four-month detention and training order at Basildon Magistrates' Court yesterday