A community stadium for Colchester has taken an important step towards becoming reality with a design proposal submitted to the Government. A planning application has been handed in to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which was hailed as "an exciting
Residents in Clacton could buy their own crime-busting officers. A similar scheme has been up-and-running in the Frinton and Walton area for about a month. The six police community support officers (PCSOs) are half paid for by council taxpayers' money
RAIL company c2c has been named as the best in London and the south east for running its trains on time. Between July and September this year, c2c had a 93.3 per cent punctuality record compared with 85.7 per cent the year before, Strategic Rail Authority
A talented pupil beat off stiff competition to win a card design contest. Jemma Harvey, 14, of Alec Hunter High School, took first place in the event organised by Barbara Fraser, owner of the Deco card shop in George Yard, Braintree. It was set up to
Enraged cabbies hurled abuse at councillors who recommended a change in taxi licensing rules. Chelmsford Council's cabinet endorsed a proposal to delimit the number of Hackney Carriages in the borough at a fiery meeting last night. Taxi drivers vowed
Taunting yobs poured white spirit over a 12-year-old girl before holding lighters up to her body. The group surrounded the youngster as she walked from school to her home in Dilbridge Road, St Anne's, Colchester, at about 5.30pm yesterday. Police recovered
Southend United manager Steve Tilson is backing young Blues winger James Lawson to succeed at Roots Hall. The Basildon-based 17-year-old, who can also play up front, has impressed in both the Shrimpers youth and reserve sides so far this season and was
New plans have been unveiled for a £1.5 million village sports pavilion. Hatfield Peverel Football Club have returned from the drawing board with designs aimed at overcoming the objections some villagers voiced to previous plans. The plans have the unanimous
A South East Essex College student is yelling "I'm not a Celebrity...Get me in there" to join a TV show based in the Borneo jungle. Gemma Willet, 18, from Central Wall Road, Canvey wants to be one of 60 contestants for a show called Rumble in the Jungle
Jason Woodham secured an impressive and comprehensive triumph in Thailand last week - beating his more experienced opponent courtesy of a technical knock out. The Southend-based 20-year-old produced a battling performance and was rightly praised by his
Thousands of motorists have been fined for parking illegally. Tendring Council's traffic wardens took to the streets in October. Since then, more than 3,000 cars have been booked for illegal parking - that works out at more than 1,000 tickets issued each
The Chelmsford Spectacular has been axed. Having fun - but the Chelmsford Spectacular was "decreasing in popularity" according to one councillor. (37991-7) The music festival has been given the chop for being outdated and losing money. Chelmsford Council's
A community stadium for Colchester has taken an important step towards becoming reality with a design proposal submitted to the Government. A planning application has been handed in to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which was hailed as "an exciting
Prime minister Tony Blair has praised the efforts of two people helping to improve services in Tendring. Clacton Hospital nurse Jacqui Denniss and the headteacher of Clacton's Colbayn's High School Nick Pavitt were invited to a special reception at 10
The Mercury Theatre in Colchester is going transatlantic. It was announced this week that the company cast for The Pull of Negative Gravity will be going across to New York to perform the play in the Brits Off Broadway Festival. The play, written by Colchester
The streets of Colchester were buzzing as thousands of people bought their Christmas presents at the town's late-night shopping evening. Drink and be merry - Ann Turner serves up mulled wine during the annual Christmas open evening at Colchester Castle
A motorist was left shocked after his brand new £120,000 car burst into flames while parked in a garage. The man had been out for a spin with his young son in the black Bentley Continental car when he spotted smoke coming from the bonnet. Thinking it
A dad has told of his horror after his daughter was burnt by attackers who sprayed a can of deodorant in her face and set light to the fumes. The 13-year-old girl was attacked in an alleyway which runs between Glebe Way and Rosemary Way, Jaywick. Her
Depleted Chelmsford Chieftains enjoyed a good weekend by securing a 5-5 draw at Telford Wildfoxes and then winning 5-2 at the Riverside against Isle of Wight Raiders. In their English National Premier League clash against Wildfoxes they could only ice
A dad has told of his horror after his daughter was burnt by attackers who sprayed a can of deodorant in her face and set light to the fumes. The 13-year-old girl was attacked in an alleyway which runs between Glebe Way and Rosemary Way, Jaywick. Her
The Gazette's Community Stadium Now! campaign has won the overwhelming support of Colchester councillors. Members of all three main political parties have supported a motion backing our bid to get the facility built at Cuckoo Farm. Before the Gazette's
A pensioner is getting a seasonal windfall thanks to a 33-year-old administrative error which led to him paying too much council tax. Now the district valuation office, which wrongly registered Bill Hipsey's modest semi as a band E house, has apologised
Striker Gareth Williams is hoping for an explosive return to form after breaking his goal-drought for Colchester United. On target - Gareth Williams is hungry for more goals after breaking his drought against Hull City. 39592-6 The Welshman struck five
A group of musicians from Colchester are seeking legal advice after two top rock stars formed a new supergroup using their band name. Super group Carl Barat of The Libertines, who has formed a group called The Chavs with Tim Burgess, of The Charlatans
Schools could be pushed beyond their limits if a new housing estate is built in a village, it is claimed. Concerns about primary school capacity are among a list of objections to 57 homes being built in Parkeston. Other fears about developing the former
A village church group has been thwarted in getting its own church. The Friends of the Great Notley Church had its planning application for a new church deferred by the Braintree area committee last night. It decided against the plan on the grounds of
Southend United skipper Kevin Maher today labelled the current Shrimpers squad the strongest he has played in since joining the club. Maher, the longest serving Seasiders player, arrived at Roots Hall in January 98 and believes this Blues side is among
A fatal road traffic accident near Maldon has claimed the 96th life on Essex roads this year. A 25-year-old man died after his blue Ford Escort vehicle was involved in a collision with a black Mercedes carrying four women. The accident happened at about
All three of the sections in Rochford Hundred's Saturday December medal were so close they had to be decided on countback. Division One action saw Andy Gilling (76-8=68) pip Timothy Wade (78-10=68) thanks to a better back nine, with Danny Hill (74-5=69
A man who died in a road accident has been named. Aftermath - the accident scene. (39997-9) Lorry driver Steven Drewett, 39, of Ranger Walk, Colchester, died when his Vauxhall Astra car crossed the central reservation on the A133 between Colchester and
In just under a year, Jackie Smith has transformed herself into a Christmas cracker. What a result the new-look Jackie after her makeover at Icarus hair salon in Colchester. Picture: SEANA HUGHES (40075-a) The 44-year-old mother of three has lost an amazing
Former Southend United boss Rob Newman is helping out at League Two crisis club Cambridge United. Another Blues old boy - ex-youth team coach Ricky Duncan - has been handed the caretaker managerial reins at the Abbey Stadium following the sacking of Frenchman
It was a week of surprises in this week's Handicap Knock-Out Cup round two matches, organised by the Clacton and District League. Five sides from division one succumbed to opponents from division two, the biggest shock and the closest match seeing Brotherhood
Martial arts ace Sara Healy has been picked for a prestigious international event in China. And the 20-year-old member of Dragon Martial Arts School is being tipped for success at the forthcoming pre-Olympic Friendship Games in Beijing. Healy, from Clacton
A community stadium for Colchester has taken an important step towards becoming reality with a design proposal submitted to the Government. A planning application has been handed in to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which was hailed as "an exciting
Alex Delicata was the pick of Runnymede's swimmers at the Waltham Forest winter open, dominating the 200m events in the 9/10 years age group. Alex secured podium finishes in all the races he competed in, winning the 200m freestyle, 200m backstroke and
Protesters fighting for the future of swimming at Maldon's Marine Lake are facing another battle with each other. Infighting among the Friends of the Prom spiralled out of control after some members began voicing their opinions out of turn at a meeting
A school secretary is retiring today- after years of loyal service. Farewell - Irene Dewitt, centre, with colleagues Barbara Falco and Gill Dawkin. (40080-1) In September, Irene Dewitt celebrated 24 years as school secretary at Rayne Primary School, Braintree
Detectives are hunting a sex attacker who targeted a 17-year-old girl near the Royals shopping centre in Southend. The ground floor of the car park and a section of Church Road was cordoned off after the 17-year-old reported being attacked late on Wednesday
David Blunkett did the right thing by stepping down as Home Secretary, a Southend MP has said. Sir Teddy Taylor, Conservative MP for Rochford and Southend East, said: "I am very sorry for him. I always feel sorry for someone who has spent a long time
Southend United striker Drewe Broughton has joined Wycombe Wanderers on a month long loan. The tall targetman recently returned to Roots Hall after a short stint with Rushden and Diamonds. But Blues boss Steve Tilson has now let Broughton leave once again
Police in Essex have been hit by a training crisis which could lead to a shortfall in officer numbers. The county force has 615 recruits interviewed and ready to start. But because of a lack of places on Government courses it can expect to send just 256
Buss bosses failed to turn up for a meeting with Colchester Council's transport supremo, the Gazette can reveal. Opposition councillors last night called on Richard Gower, portfolio holder for planning and transport, to hold talks with bus firm Network
Delancey's deputy chairman Colin Wagman today confirmed he had received an approach from Shrimpers supremo Ron Martin for the company's 50 percent of shares in Southend United. Delancey have invested millions in helping to secure the future of the League
