A MAN was left with a fractured eye socket after being attacked by a gang of teenagers. Fredrick Spinks, 75, was targeted in Charles Pell Road, Greenstead, Colchester. He was taken to Colchester General Hospital with a fractured eye socket and severe
COLCHESTER’S Eld Lane and Sir Isaac’s Walk have undergone a mini-revival. Three shops have opened, with two saying a drop in business rates and landlords reducing rent were the reasons for moving in. The streets, traditionally full of independent stores
A man who threatened to kill his mother has been jailed for seven months. Nathan Mills, 23, of New Hythe, London Road, Stanway, admitted making his mum Susan fear for her life and stealing from her. Gary Sparrow, prosecuting, told Chelmsford Magistrates
A CHARITY wants to extend its retirement homes to meet urgent demand for places. The Mersea Island Trust has put in outline plans for six extra rooms on each of its two warden-controlled complexes at Akhurst Court, in Melrose Road, and Mersea Court,
WATER use has dropped in north Essex after the introduction of a hosepipe ban. Anglian Water introduced a ban on hosepipes on April 5 after the region saw the driest 18 months in a century. Although north Essex has seen rainfall in the past two weeks
THOUSANDS of drivers faced days of disruption after roadworks on a busy Colchester junction. Queues built up in Old Heath, the Whitehall Industrial Estate and the Hythe after temporary traffic lights were installed on Old Heath Road and Abbots Road.
I’m writing in response to the letter from Amanda Stannard (April 13) headlined: “Greenstead is getting worse and our concerns are ignored”. Like Amanda, I have lived on the estate for five years, and during that time I have noted a gradual
I am writing with reference to the new waste collection sytem being introduced by Tendring Council How mind-blowingly out of touch with reality can an authority be to phase in this complicated fiasco? For example, lidless boxes for paper. It
I read with utter disgust that the former Essex County Council leader, Lord Hanningfield, is to be allowed to retake his seat in the House of Lords. This man is a convicted criminal, who has served time in prison for his crimes, and yet, as unbelievable
In response to the naming of new roads on the Severalls Hospital site in Colchester on an Olympics theme, what a ridiculous list of names. More importantly, Colchester Council is once again ignoring its paymasters, the voters. Please let us
I am writing in response to your article (Gazette, April 13) headlined: “Families fight £15m academy expansion”. I wish to clarify that nobody sees investment in a previously hard-up school as anything, but an opportunity for regeneration of
A PIONEERING project is improving the way patients are moved from north Essex hospitals to care homes and back again. Communications problems in the past have prompted homes to complain hospitals had not told them when patients were being returned to
A PETITION opposed to another Sainsbury’s store in Colchester has gathered the support of more than 1,500 people in three weeks. Shopkeepers have launched a campaign to try to block the store opening at the former Drury Arms pub, in Layer Road. The
STAFF and customers at Williams & Griffin, in High Street, Colchester have raised more than £4,000 for St Helena Hospice. Rachael Gordon, marketing manager at Williams & Griffin said the charity, based in High Woods, Colchester, is close to many people
A SOLDIER who lost his legs in a bomb blast was due to find out today if a 13.5-hour operation to help him walk again has been a success. Sapper Ashley-James Hall also celebrates his 22nd birthday today at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Birmingham.
A SELF-PROCLAIMED preacher made homeless after being evicted for being a nuisance neighbour claims he fears for his health. Paul Shaw, 64, has lived in his car since December 17, when bailiffs and police evicted him from his flat in Duffield Drive, Colchester
THE GAZETTE has launched an online web gallery with marathon runners from north Essex. If you see someone you know click on the picture and see how you can sponsor them online. This will be updated as more runners get in touch.
A QUIZ is being held to raise cash for a school group. The Broomgrove School Association is hosting the event. The quiz begins at 7.45pm on April 27, with entry £3 per person and teams up to eight strong. Quizzers can bring their own drinks and
A MAN was assaulted by a gang of youths in a Colchester underpass. The victim, who had only moved to the area recently and works for Browser Media, was attacked by four boys at around 8.30pm on Monday. He was punched in the side of the
We have drawn far too many games – that is the simple fact. That was Colchester United assistant manager Joe Dunne’s honest assessment of the U’s season ahead of their game against Sheffield Wednesday which finished as.....a draw.
A former Iron Maiden guitarist will play a fundraising gig in Wivenhoe, organised by the mayor. Dennis Stratton played with Iron Maiden on their self-titled first album and their first British TV appearance on Top of the Pops. The event, in aid of
THE Accident and Emergency department at Colchester General Hospital is in good health, according to the latest figures – and the patients! The average time someone waits to begin treatment fell by a third between April 2011 and January this year, recent
A CRASH on the A12 caused mile long tail backs. A blue Renault Clio overturned at junction 28 on the Colchester bypass, London bound, at around 8.10am. A male driver was taken from the scene by ambulance to Colchester General Hospital
COLCHESTER’S Lib Dems say they have helped residents through the tough times and have earned their backing for a brighter future. In 2008, the Lib Dems became the dominant power on Colchester Council after a Conservative collapse which saw them lose
A CORNER shop could close after the man running it defrauded out of nearly £50,000. Harendra Patel, 31, sub postmaster at Hitesh General Store and Newsagent in Berechurch Road, Colchester, has been jailed for seven months for the scam. He used £47,337
