A MAN who received more than £50,000 in benefits he was not entitled to has been jailed. Michael Craney, 74, claimed benefits under the name Gregory Kelly between 2004 and 2010 before he was finally caught. He set up a National Insurance card under
VILLAGERS turned out in force to have their say on blueprints for thousands of homes on the edge of Colchester. Tendring Council’s local development framework, setting out where homes will be built in the next 15 years, includes plans for 3,000 properties
PROPOSALS for more than 1,300 houses in Little Oakley will not get off the ground because housing demand is “non-existent”, it is claimed. Tendring Council’s development plan manager Gary Guiver told more than 100 residents in the Memorial Hall there
Colchester United have been handed a home draw against non-league opposition in the fourth round of the Essex Senior Cup. The U's will host the winners of the Thurrock v AFC Hornchurch tie, at the Weston Homes Community Stadium. Colchester progressed
COLCHESTER fell silent to remember its fallen heroes. Hundreds of residents and shoppers gathered outside the Town Hall, with others in offices and schools throughout the borough, to observe the two minute silence on Armistice Day. The
I read with interest the article, headlined: “Thousands of jobless lose their benefits” (Gazette, October 27). It reported that thousands of people have been deemed fit for work, which sounds great. However, it leaves a few questions. My wife
Councillor Tim Young says tenants were consulted about the sale of Joyce Brooks House at the Sheltered Housing Tenants Forum (Letters, November 9). As a former community housing officer with Colchester Borough Homes (CBH), I know its housing
My name is Scott Horton and I am a fairly familiar face within our community. I own Hercules Gym and Hercules School of Combat in Colchester and I have been prompted to write in respect of the bad press which appears to surround Colchester General
While I have every sympathy with the students over the flooding of the underpass (Gazette, November 7), most of them won’t use it anyway, which is why the 50mph speed limit was brought in for Clingoe Hill. Now, with the building of the university
I recall in this paper in June, the MP for Colchester stated Tymperleys was “safe”, and he labelled my petition and campaign to save it “grossly misleading”. Bob Russell owes the people of Colchester an apology, as we now discover Colchester’
If any readers have been lucky enough to secure a place in the 2012 Virgin London Marathon, then I’m sure, like me, you’re extremely excited. This will be my third marathon, and what keeps me going is the thought of raising vital funds for veterinary
I write in response to a letter from Bob Curry (November 8) with regard to the recent Parliamentary vote on an EU referendum. I respect his loyalty, jumping to the defence of the MP for Colchester. But, whatever way you look at this situation
So now we all know the end game at Colchester Council. It is, as suspected, the big sell-off. Get rid of Joyce Brooks House and Abbeygate House – and let’s chuck in Tymperleys for good measure – and in doing so our elected representatives are
EMERGENCY crews have rushed to the scene of a crash involving a HGV and a motorcyclist. Langham Road in Boxted was closed between Straight Road and Severalls Lane by 3pm today. More to follow.
NEXT week is self care week. Residents are being urged to take advantage of support offered by the NHS to try and reduce hospital admissions. The focus is on people with long term conditions and their carers. Residents are also being asked to remember
A WOMAN was rushed to hospital after falling unconscious on a bus following a drug overdose. The 33-year-old local woman is currently in a stable condition after being cared for by the driver and passengers before an ambulance crew arrived.
Andrew Bond has admitted being released by Crewe Alexandra has made him more determined to be a success in the Football League. The Colchester United midfielder returns to Gresty Road tomorrow for the first time since being released by the Railwaymen
A BUSINESSMAN has been unveiled as the possible new owner of Colchester’s former Garrison Theatre. Tim Fergus, who grew up in Colchester, is planning on turning the site into a nursery, eventually employing up to 25 full-time staff. Although he has
Colchester United will hand Casey Thomas his first senior start in their FA Cup clash with Crewe Alexandra tomorrow. And boss John Ward is hoping that the youngster will make the same kind of impact for the U’s as former loanee Michail Antonio. Thomas
A CEREBRAL palsy sufferer nearly choked to death on a lump of metal in her ready meal. Sarah Judge, 27, of Claremont Heights, Colchester, was sitting down for a meal with her mother when she came across the metal in a Tesco Chinese chicken curry.
A RESERVIST who introduced a dressing which saved the lives of Colchester soldiers has been awarded for his efforts. Major Robert Dawes, who served with the town’s 16 Medical Regiment in Afghanistan earlier this year, was named healthcare reservist
MORE than 42,000 people have visited Colchester’s Firstsite arts centre since it opened six weeks ago. Bosses had hoped free exhibitions at the £28million gallery would attract 150,000 visitors in its first year. If the rate of 7,000-a-week continues
A NEW film is available on the internet commemorating Essex Police officers who died on duty or during the First and Second World War. The film details the work the Essex Police Memorial Trust carries out to remember them. Essex Police
ESSEX police will be projecting giant images of its latest campaign slogan on Colchester landmarks. The ‘One Punch’ campaign logo will be pictured on Colchester castle and shop faces from 8.30pm Friday night. It will be also be projected onto buildings
A judge has warned thieves if they travel to Colchester to steal, they will go to jail. District Judge David Cooper jailed two Romanians who had travelled to the town from London and who tried to pickpocket an 86 year old lady. * Firstsite smashing
A MEMBER of the bus users’ group campaigning for a permanent bus station in the town, poured scorn on the cycle plans. Tim Oxton said: “We have got enough cycle paths – the Crouch Street path says it all really, a waste of money. I have nothing against
A NEW network of cycle paths could be built throughout Colchester. Developers building homes would contribute to the paths, under proposals drawn up by Colchester Council. A wishlist to further improve life for cyclists is being drawn up and includes
