BUDDING musicians in north Essex will now have the chance to improve their skills at a new academy which has just opened above a Colchester music shop. Allegro Music in St Botolph's Street closed while it underwent refurbishment and the creation of its
MORE than 2,000 of Colchester's small businesses could save themselves nearly £9 million if they applied for business rate relief, research has found. Businesses which pay less than £15,000 in business rates are entitled to claim up to half back under
Telephone Leaflet Sales Advisor (Post 5.154) An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic individual to join our small specialist team in the leaflet sales department. Our
The total funding for Halstead CCTV should be known next week. On Monday, there will be a Braintree Council cabinet meeting to decide whether to replace monitoring and control equipment at Causeway House and nine cameras in Braintree, costing about £70,000
A medieval Essex church is looking to the future with plans for a graveyard extension. St Andrew's, Marks Tey, has recently undergone a £160,000 refit, which has seen the replacement of many features including stone flooring, heating and organ. Now
Fundraisers hit out at parking wardens for ticketing their cars while taking part in a money-raising event. But a council's charitable parking services has now written off the £30 fixed-penalty fines for nine people who were taking part in Holland's
The fate of hundreds of potential developments in Tendring - including a "new town" near Frating - are set be revealed. The district is bracing itself for a report which governs development for the next four years. It will include a decision on the
THE cost of a Business Improvement District (Bid) to companies in Colchester is one of the highest in the country, according to a retailers' group. The Colchester Retail Association said if the Bid is voted in, the 1.85 per cent levy to be charged to
An armed robber held a gun to a petrol station cashier's head during a late night attack in Marks Tey. The 33-year-old staff member was locking up the Marks Tey Garage, in London Road, at about 10pm last night when he was attacked. A man approached
IT goes without saying that travelling by train into Liverpool Street on Sundays is a bit hit and miss. For years, Sunday has been "engineering works" day. Makes sense. With no commuters and fewer "leisure" passengers than any other day of the week,
Two legs are good, but two wheels are better! PCSOs will be saving some shoe leather as they join the chain gang to patrol a Colchester neighbourhood. The congregation of St Barnabas Church, in Abbotts Road, collected £550 to buy a bicycle to help police
Green guidelines have been adopted to help builders in Colchester do their bit to save the planet. Through Colchester Council's advice on sustainable construction, developers will be encouraged to put up buildings that are energy and water efficient,
A charity parachute jump due to be undertaken by the Mayoress of Harwich was cancelled. Helen Gallagher was scheduled to jump 3,000ft from a plane for her five chosen charities on Saturday. But after a nine-hour wait, poor weather conditions meant the
A detective who led a manhunt has thanked residents in Jaywick for helping to track down a killer. Det Chief Insp Jason Gwillim, of the Metropolitan Police, praised Essex police and residents in Jaywick for helping to trace Terry O'Neil, who was sentenced
A major Colchester landmark has been sold. The Octagon, in Middleborough, is thought to be the town's biggest office complex. It houses One Railway, the Colchester Primary Care Trust's walk-in health centre, Lepra, Towergate Insurance, Atkins and MSXI
A soldier who risked his life to save his best mate in a fierce gun battle has been given a hero's reception. Private Matt Duffy lost two friends and cheated death himself while fighting the Taliban on a six-month tour of Afghanistan. He returned home
Armed robbers have attacked a petrol station in Marks Tey. The incident happened in London Road at about 10pm last night. Police were today in the early stages of investigating the incident.
A protest meeting has been called after six post offices were earmarked for closure in Tendring. Royal Mail wants to shut 67 branches in east Essex and south Suffolk by the new year. The six in Tendring are in Freeland Road, Clacton; Garland Road, Parkeston
A school has been forced to close after suffering a power cut. A caretaker at Heathlands School, on New Church Road, West Bergholt, reported the fault at 7am. Supplier EDF Energy has been unable to tell the school when an engineer will be sent out.
Ipswich Town boss Jim Magilton has been charged by the FA following the recent 2-2 draw with Burnley. Magilton is charged with the use of abusive and/or insulting words. The game saw Ipswich squander a two-goal lead and have a late strike disallowed
Essex have turned down the chance to sign Surrey and England all-rounder Rikki Clarke. Clarke, 26, an Essex man by birth, is also being linked with the captaincy role at Derbyshire. But Essex head coach Paul Grayson revealed that the player was made
Experienced Colchester United midfielder Kevin Watson today vowed to overcome his troublesome Achilles injury and make a first-team comeback. The 33-year-old played for around an hour for the U's reserves, helping them to a 2-2 draw with Norwich City
