For the want of a handful of points, Southend's women were forced into fourth position rather than second in their Southern League match at Ilford. After their encouraging season's start in the first match at home, which they won, it was very disappointing
A former soldier was celebrating today after receiving official recognition of his active service - 50 years after the battle he fought in ended. About time too - Alfred Papworth with his long-awaited medal Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY Alfred Papworth, 70, has
Reports of anti-social behaviour on Canvey have plummeted since the introduction of tough police powers to tackle yobs. The number of reported youth nuisance incidents is now as little as four a day compared with more than 20 before the launch of the
The most notorious woman in Colchester's history is making a return to the town she razed to the ground. Colchester Castle is on the site of the Roman temple of Claudius, which was destroyed by Boadicea and her tribe in AD60, and the temple vaults which
A young nurse has been told by surgeons she will spend the rest of her life partially blind after a violent nightclub attack. The 20-year-old woman, who works at a nursery, was punched in the face while enjoying a night out at Ikon nightclub, at the Festival
Essex cricket coach Graham Gooch today paid tribute to Nasser Hussain after he decided to quit all first-class cricket. Hussain, who played alongside Gooch in both the Essex and England side, has called it a day at the age of 36. And Gooch was the first
West Ham goalkeeper Steve Bywater is peering over the edge -- and he can't wait for the next loop of the rollercoaster to begin. The Hammers' youngster has emerged from the shadows of England international David James to secure his spot as first choice
The historic forge at Chipping Hill, Witham is the town's official entry in a "landmark buildings" project - but no-one has told the owner. Witham Town Council decided to nominate the forge when the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors asked for historic
Thorpe Bay Rotary Club picked up £4,500 when 136 players joined their annual golf day at Ballards Gore. The cash will go to the Essex branch of "Make-a-wish", which helps grant the wishes of children aged between two and 18 who have life-threatening illnesses
The new chairman of Canvey Island Football Club is Keith Johnson. Johnson, who lives close to the Park Lane ground, takes over from Ray Cross, who has stepped down but remains as a director. The new man at the top combines his new role with his job as
A development of 40 homes in Braintree could be given the green light by Braintree Council. Planning officers at the council have recommended that the development on a former electricity depot in Warley Close be approved. Barratt Homes proposes to build
Towns in Tendring have scooped an impressive hat-trick of top awards. Market towns across the East of England entered a national competition for the best completed project in five various areas. Walton was successful in the business section, Brightlingsea
What goes up will not come straight back down if West Ham manager Alan Pardew has his way. He leads his side into tomorrow's play-off final clash with Crystal Palace determined to buck the trend of promoted clubs being pitched into a grim struggle against
Police have made a fresh appeal for witnesses after a double collision on the A127. The crashes occurred within hours of each other in the early hours of Sunday, May 16. At 2.15am a Ford Mondeo collided with the Fortune of War roundabout and landed on
The Hon Mark Petre, youngest son of Lord John Petre, Lord Lieutenant of Essex, was found dead at Ingatestone Hall the family's stately home on Saturday. A press release issued by police said: "A 34-year-old man was found dead at his home in Brentwood
Doctors at a town's health centre have withdrawn their out-of-hours cover for Saturday mornings. The two GP practices which operate from Dovercourt Health Centre have handed responsibility for emergency cover to Tendring Primary Care Trust (PCT). It will
A desperate dog owner is appealing for help from the community to find her much-loved sick puppy that was snatched from a Wickford kennel. Cynthia Hunter, 55, is heartbroken after her six-month-old Blue Brindle greyhound was stolen from the training kennel
The Brentwood Gazette backed Save a Life campaign has helped establish two First Responder groups in the villages surrounding Brentwood and Billericay. Since February the Brentwood Gazette has been working in partnership with Essex Ambulance Service to
A sea of colours filled the sky above a Maldon school after more than 400 balloons were released. Youngsters, parents and teachers from Maldon Primary School, in Wantz Chase, took part in a balloon race organised by the school's parent teacher association
Abberton teenager Alexander Miller shot to success to become the under-16s British Short-Range Rifle Shooting champion. Sharp-shooter Miller, a member of Colchester Rifle Club, was taken aback at his national success but is delighted to be a champ. He
The only sixth form on Canvey is being axed because students want to travel off the island to study. Furtherwick Park School has seen its applications for classes dwindle to just 30 although it can cater for 125 pupils. After existing students sit their
A Mid-Essex school is bidding farewell to a truly senior member of staff. Time to retire - Ted Buckland with Rickstones School pupil Louise Douthwaite Picture: ADRIAN RUSHTON Ted Buckland is retiring from his job as engineering workshop technician at
Emergency services had to free a man from his car after a road accident in Thorpe yesterday afternoon. A people carrier and Vauxhall Astra collided at about 4.20pm in Sneating Hall Lane. A 50-year-old man from Kirby-le-Soken was trapped in the wreckage
A stranger asked two schoolgirls the time then indecently exposed himself to them. It happened as they walked to school along a pathway at Bluebottle Grove in Lexden, Colchester, and police appealed for help. Det Sgt Roger Napier, of Colchester CID, said
An elderly woman from Great Wakering has ended her 18-year wait for a shower to be installed. Lillian Hayhoe, 80, of Bell House, High Street, Great Wakering, has lived in the council-run accommodation since it was established 20 years ago. She requested
A firm today paid tribute to one of its workers who died when fire swept through his flat. Barry Young was overcome by acrid smoke when the flat's sofa caught light. Despite the efforts of police, firefighters and paramedics he died early Monday. The
Desperate staff and governors trying to protect Chipping Ongar Primary School from repeated attacks of vandalism have applied for permission to install a state of the art surveillance system. Plans requesting permission for three six metre poles on which
Nightclub bosses face a wait to find out if they can keep their doors open longer. Bosses at Route, in Colchester's Queen Street, want to keep the club open longer during the week and at weekends. But councillors have deferred a decision, saying they
Young children learned about the dangers of fire from the experts when firefighters visited the Sugar and Spice Nursery, in Central Avenue, Southend. Hot seat - James Mills, three, takes the wheel Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL Nursery owner Trish Fagence said
The handiwork of a hard-working team from Hadleigh will be displayed at a Battlesbridge church. Members of the fabric group at the art ministry based at Hadleigh United Reformed Church, Church Road, Hadleigh, have spent months perfecting four large wall
Detectives have released e-fits to catch two burglars who stole a car from outside a home. Recognised him? - Police believe this man broke into a house and stole a BMW 323 parked outside Police released the images of two men they believe stole a BMW 323
Council contractors drafted in to mend potholes in the road near a travellers' site were given police protection to keep them safe. Carry on - a man at work while police keep watch in the distance Picture: MAXINE CLARKE Officers from Basildon police stood
Extra police are to be drafted in across south Essex to keep a grip on possible drunken violence during Euro 2004. Essex Police have earmarked an extra 100 officers to deal with potential flashpoints on England match days. Many will be sent to keep the
Rat droppings were found in the crumb tray of the toaster at a cafe, Basildon magistrates heard. Droppings from the cafe at Longwood Equestrian Centre, Dry Street, Basildon, were handed in a glass jar to magistrates as evidence. A dead rat was also found
Better lighting and CCTV are being brought in to help keep kids safe in Colchester. Flood lighting will be installed at the skateboard park at Colchester Leisure World, in Cowdray Avenue. Nine lighting poles, along with CCTV, will go up at Magnolia Field
A new surgery to serve Billericay and Wickford residents has been officially opened. Opening - MP Eric Pickles braved a leg injury to open the new Brambles surgery Picture: MAXINE CLARKE The Brambles, which will provide GP and nursing care for people
Hundreds of people flocked to take a peek at a beautiful garden opened to the public. Every year, Lesley Orrock opens her Brightlingsea garden as part of the National Gardens Scheme to raise money for a large number of nursing and garden charities. On
Football club bosses say vandals have put youngsters at risk after leaving deadly live wires exposed following a clubhouse break-in. Thieves tore down security lighting at Marks Tey FC, leaving electric cables trailing on the ground. Club chairman Ivan
A new organisation is being set up to give Essex a better image and attract investment in the county. The Essex Development and Regeneration Agency will have a three-year contract. It will encourage more women, older and disabled people into the workforce
Southend Athletics Club pulled off a superb Southern Men's League double at their Garon Park track. Over you go - Peter Smale shows his pole-vaulting technique Pictures: ROB BROWNE The first team won with 157 points -- 44 clear of runners-up Highgate
The close-knit family of Cassie Quin are still clearly devastated by the cruel murder of a much loved grandmother. Cab driver David Collier, of Masefield Court, off Victoria Road, was jailed for life at Chelmsford Crown Court for the callous murder of
Colchester United top-scorer Scott McGleish is quitting Layer Road to sign for ambitious Nationwide League Third Division club Northampton Town. McGleish, who cracked in 17 goals last season, told the Evening Gazette: "I haven't signed yet but I have
Police have condemned youths who could have killed a motorist by throwing bricks from a footbridge. A 44-year-old woman, from Billericay, was left badly shaken by the attack on the A127, near the junction of the A176. She had been driving her black Ford
The first ticket for the new annual Colchester Military Festival will be snapped up by the town's mayor. He will buy the ticket tomorrow before attending a beating the retreat organised by 13 Air Assault Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, at Colchester
Colchester's binmen face another tough test next week as the bank holiday threatens to stretch the service to the limit. Extra lorries are being brought in as council chiefs brace themselves for a huge surge in garden waste from bank holiday gardeners
A mother of four who caused a road crash which left a cyclist dead has been banned from driving for one year. Tracey Simbarasi, of Chatsworth Avenue, Braintree, admitted careless driving and refusing to submit to an eye-test, when she appeared at Colchester
A motorcyclist lost an arm and broke a leg in a collision with a lorry. Robert Husband, 55, was in a collision with a Volvo articulated lorry on a bend. The accident happened at 5.20pm yesterday and the road was closed for four hours. Both Mr Husband
A new field officer has been appointed to advise villagers in the Rochford district. Maddie Keogh has been appointed by the Rural Community Council of Essex. She will give help and advice to rural community groups such as parish councils, village clubs
An "exciting" scheme for Colchester's Hythe has been given the thumbs-up by councillors. The major development comprising flats - some seven storeys high - offices and restaurants was given planning permission at a Colchester Council meeting last night
A young thug was spared a lengthy spell behind bars despite robbing three strangers of mobile phones. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, joined a gang of yobs on a crime spree in Southend last year. The teenager, who was being fostered
A Southend van driver has been jailed for five years for stabbing to death a wine bar boss who objected to his Frank Sinatra impression. Kenneth Kullman, 40, from Kilworth Avenue, plunged a steak knife into the back of Ray Bayliss after being told to
A physiotherapist has hit back at claims his plans to build a three-storey block of flats would destroy a country lane. Improve - physiotherapist Wayne Espie insists his application would be for the better Picture: MAXINE CLARKE Wayne Espie intends to
Police are warning that strong and positive action will be taken to tackle anti-social behaviour across Tendring. That is the message from the district's police boss, who believes the community is now pulling together in the same direction to combat the
New Tiptree United boss Jody Brown plans to tap into his local knowledge as he aims to push for promotion back to the Ridgeons League premier division. Brown lives only a stone's throw from Chapel Road in Great Totham - a significantly shorter distance
Come on down to Tendring's golden sands and clean seas. Two of Clacton's beaches, and those in Jaywick, Holland-on-Sea, Frinton, Brightlingsea and Dovercourt have been named in a top national guide. They are among 100 beaches in the region recommended
Action to clamp down on illegal parking in Tendring will lead to a bill of more than £400,000 a year. The money will be used to pay for staff taken on to enforce parking restrictions across the district, the Evening Gazette can reveal. But it is expected
Two of Southend's most popular beaches have lost precious recommendations in one of the UK's top seaside resort guides. Three Shells and Westcliff Bay passed the EC mandatory standard for the amount of sewage germs in the water, but their water quality
Pupils at Lawford Primary School have learned modern technology is not the only way to communicate. Terry Waite is shown round the new information, communications and technology suite. Terry Waite, who spent several years as a hostage in Beirut, was at
Ronnie Irani confessed today to being 'shocked' by Nasser Hussain's decision to quit cricket. Irani claimed he was not surprised by the decision itself but by the fact he only learned that his Essex team-mate was turning his back on the game at all levels
A top-level inquiry will be launched by a Government agency after one company was awarded the franchise to run rail services out of south Essex. The Office of Fair Trading has asked the Competition Commission to investigate the possible impact on commuters
Postal delivery rates in mid and north Essex are the worst in years. First-class deliveries in the area are also among the worst in the country, according to the latest Royal Mail delivery statistics. The Colchester and Chelmsford postcode areas - which
A man has told how he raced to the aid of a driver whose car overturned on a slip road. David Barnes, of Tiptree, was driving north along the A12 between Hatfield Peverel and Witham on Tuesday at about 8.30pm when he spotted a Fiat Punto driving past.
Still smarting along with his team-mates after last week's FA Trophy defeat, Canvey Island's Steve Ward has another important soccer date this weekend. Channel crossing -- Steve Ward (left) seen in beaten FA Trophy final action, is looking for better
Postal chiefs in Essex have vowed to "redouble efforts" after services in mid and north Essex were ranked among the worst in the country. In the latest yearly Royal Mail figures, Colchester and Chelmsford postcode areas, which include Braintree, Maldon
Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision in Colchester which left a 12-year-old girl needing crutches. The accident happened in Beaconsfield Road when a grey motor vehicle collided with the child. She was thrown over the bonnet of the car and
Two top dancers have beaten off stiff competition from hundreds of others to win places in prestigious dance schools. Going places - dancers Sarah, left, and Courtney, right, with proud teacher Yvette at the Yvette Twinn School Picture: DAVE HENDERSON
Two clergymen from Tanzania met with Castle Point mayor Wendy Goodwin yesterday as part of a cultural trip to England. Council tour - the Rev Nahason Mutabazi, Castle Point mayor Wendy Goodwin and the Rev Stanley Kinyaruvu Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY The two
Ronnie Irani returns to lead Essex during tomorrow's Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy clash against Notts at Trent Bridge. Irani was having a net at Chelmsford this morning before linking up with his colleagues for a tie from which the winners will move
Andy Flower at last found his touch as Essex piled on the runs and left Somerset a victory target of 475 at Taunton. The Zimbabwean struck a magnificent 172 , only the second time this season he has passed 50 in the Championship, and in the process became
