Heard the one about health and safety officials stopping kids playing conkers because it's dangerous? Well, one safety advisor hopes to dispel the myth - by aiming to become a winner at the World Conker Championships this weekend. Ray Hurst and his
Fears that patients in Tendring might suffer following a shake-up of the new out of hours urgent health care service have been dismissed. It follows the amalgamation of the Tendring and Colchester areas under one new service provider which took over
Extra buses have been laid on to ease overcrowding on routes where services were axed in Colchester. First Essex director Bob Dorr admitted today the firm was "probably wrong" to remove so many buses from the 65 and 66 timetables, after a summer shakeup
The fight against infections in hospital is being boosted with an infection control roadshow. It is organised by Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Colchester General Hospital, to promote good hygiene in the fight against bugs such as MRSA
Education watchdogs gave a secondary school a satisfactory rating during an Ofsted inspection. They found the Colne Community School in Brightlingsea had boosted in GCSE exam results over the last three years. Students performed well in English but
Youngsters may get the chance to run things in Tendring next month. The area's district youth council is preparing for the first 11 Million Takeover Day on November 23, which would see young people around the UK taking over organisations for the day.
Elderly people in Frinton and Walton have been having their first look at a new purpose-built day care centre which has been opened. The centre, which has replaced Hewitt House, was opened by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Lord Petre, on Wednesday. The
A man has been jailed after he attacked his brother and sister and hit a friend over the head with an ashtray. Christopher Frost, of Groom Park Avenue, Clacton, was sentenced yesterday to 16 weeks in prison, after he admitted three charges of assault
A coastal MP has stepped up his campaign against Tendring Council reproducing documents in foreign languages. The authority offers consultation documents in a range of tongues, including Urdu, Polish and Gujerati. No-one has used the service to date
Axe-wielding robbers attacked security guards outside a bank in Brightlingsea. The robbery happened at about 2.30am on Thursday outside the Nationwide bank, on Brightlingsea High Street.
A dog owner believes her two stolen jack russells could be in the Clacton area. Fred and Bella, three-year-old brother and sister tri-coloured pets, were stolen from Narborough, Norfolk, three weeks ago. There is particular concern for Fred who needs
An elderly blue badge holder is warning others not to get caught out by parking fines. Fay Douglas-Smith, 85, was hit by a £30 penalty notice for parking with her permit displayed incorrectly, with the photograph to the front. "It was so petty," said
Angry community leaders and sub-postmasters have vowed to fight back against the Post Office decision to axe branches in the region. The backlash began after it was announced that six branches in Tendring were facing closure, out of 67 targeted for the
A teenager has told a court how he saw a fight minutes before a man was fatally stabbed. Krishnan Patel was staying at the Highfield holiday park in Clacton with his family at the time of the incident. The 15-year-old told a jury he was woken by shouting
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A bus could soon be pulling up in Colchester to serve as a refuge for drunk and vulnerable revellers. Police today revealed they have been offered a vehicle to use for an SOS bus scheme. A Colchester version of initiatives running in Norwich, Southend
A woman who attacked her ex-partner threatened to claim he had raped her if he reported it to police. Jessica Lucas, 18, repeatedly punched and kicked Colin Harding during an argument about access to their son, Colchester Magistrates' Court heard. Amrik
An energy boss claims his company was overlooked in making Colchester United's new stadium eco-friendly - even though it sponsors the club. Allan Berry, chief executive of Colchester-based Smart Energy, could not believe the business had not been contacted
Managers have spent the budget for upgrading Colchester's council houses - with dozens of homes still untouched, it has been claimed. Paul Smith (Lib Dem, St John's) predicted a report next month will show there is no cash left to bring more than 70
Plans have been put forward to turn one of the Halstead's few remaining free car parks into a 43-home development. Halstead shoppers and traders have enjoyed free parking on the Bayer Site, Colchester Road, for four years, during which time plans for
A call from the Royal British Legion for war veterans to get more Government help has been backed by Colchester Council. Members last night unanimously voted to support the Honour the Covenant campaign, which demands increased compensation for injured
A man who had been assaulted was discovered in the gutter by a police patrol car. The officer spotted three men walking along Cromwell Road, Colchester, at about 3am yesterday, carrying what appeared to be a white stick. When he turned around to have
Two teenagers have admitted carrying out a string of house burglaries across Colchester. Daniel Jones and a 17-year-old girl, who cannot be named because of her age, were caught red-handed as they left a house in Hereford Road, Riverside estate When
The opening of a medical centre has been delayed amid fears the building is unsafe. North East Essex Primary Care Trust (PCT) revealed today it is in talks with contractors over the Bluebell Surgery and Community Centre in High Woods, Colchester. Tenants
Job seekers, house hunters and prospective car buyers have finally been freed from spending so much time in front of their computers! This is thanks to fish4, the UK's leading classified listings website which has made its advertisements available via
Ipswich Town manager Jim Magilton will consider asking the FA for a personal hearing, after he was charged with using abusive words to a match official. The charge relates to Magilton's reaction to referee Colin Webster's decision to rule out a late
Essex are gearing up for the next county cricket season without two of their star players. Head coach Paul Grayson told the Gazette he fears Essex won't see too much of their England starlets Alastair Cook and Ravinder Bopara next season and the county
Luke Guttridge has admitted it has been a difficult' start to his Colchester United career. But the midfielder is nevertheless determined to force his way into manager Geraint Williams' long-term plans. The 25-year-old arrived at Layer Road in the summer
A SHOPKEEPER has called on adults to stop buying alcohol for children after he had his licence suspended. Kwik Serve, Clacton, formerly known as 7 to 11, had its licence suspended for three months by Tendring Council. Licensee Jonathan Dunkin was called
THE victim of a terrifying armed robbery has told how he is now scared to be alone. John James was locking up at Marks Tey Garage, London Road, when a man held a gun to his head. The assailant demanded that the 38-year-old unlock the door, but when
