COLCHESTER Institute is to get a long overdue overhaul after landing nearly £3 million from the government. The Sheepen Road campus will benefit from a new reception, lobby and conference centre along with a new block featuring eight IT suites.
A HUSBAND and wife from Colchester have been punished for their part in a £2.3million VAT repayment fraud. Manchester Crown Court heard Simon Hicks, 43, and Maxine Hicks, 45, both of Harbourgh Hall Lane, Messing, lived extravagant lifestyles. They
Finn O’Reilly broke a club javelin record as Colchester Harriers finished fifth in the latest round of the Eastern Young Athletes League, in Bedford. O’Reilly smashed Harriers’ javelin record with a throw of 27.62 metres, in the fourth round of
Emmanuel Ogunleye took the sprints by storm as Colchester and Tendring Athletic Club took part in their latest Eastern Young Athletes League meet. Competing in the under-15 boys, Ogunleye’s photo-finishes were the highlights of the track meeting
A centre that supports young adults with learning difficulties is celebrating the birth of a baby alpaca. Penny Meadow, which has a site in East Lane, Dedham, welcomed the cria early on Saturday afternoon. Nick and Jan Johnstone, who run the
Magnus Okuonghae has admitted he allowed his high standards to slip last season. But the Colchester United defender says he is ready to recapture his best form in the forthcoming campaign. Okuonghae, 27, experienced a turbulent period in his
A WELSH activity centre run by County Hall will be sold off. The Maes y Lade outdoor education centre in the Brecon Beacons made just £57,464 in the last financial year despite costing £150,768 to run. Owned and run by Essex County Council
A YOUTH club, dance school and a film group have been urged not to accept defeat after the council-owned community centre where they were based was closed. The groups are now homeless with the closure of by Essex County Council of the Phillip Road
NEW advice for dementia sufferers in the East of England has been published. The Alzheimer’s Society has today released its comprehensive Dementia Guide after the number of patients with the disease who are yet to be diagnosed in the region hit
REVAMPED traffic restrictions in the town centre could be launched alongside Colchester’s first park and ride by the end of next year, highways bosses have revealed. A controversial trial ban on cars and lorries from using Colchester High Street
Live music, face painting and a lucky dip competition are just some of the things that will be on offer at a Colchester care home’s open day. Tall Trees Care Home in Mile End Road is hosting the free event, which is open to members of the public
AN ELDERLY driver has been airlifted to hospital after falling ill at the wheel and crashing into a wall. Police and paramedics were called to Plume Avenue, Prettygate, at about 11am today following reports a car had left the road and gone into
THE NHS service which pulled out of operating a non-emergency phone number in north Essex has revealed it plans to withdraw from nine other regions. Earlier this month, NHS Direct cancelled its contract to run the 111 number in Colchester and Tendring
GREEN treasures across north Essex have been recognised with prestigious Green Flag awards. Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy has handed the national awards to Colchester’s Castle Park, with its flower gardens, children’s playground and boating
Teenagers whose lives are affected by epilepsy will be able to share their experiences through acting during a drama workshop next month. Colchester’s branch of national charity Epilepsy Action is organising the free one-day event for people aged
POLICE need help to piece together events after a crash left four injured. Officers are specifically hoping to speak to a motorcyclist and a group of cyclists who were in the area at the time. Police and paramedics were called to the A134 Nayland
Mark Kinsella has played down fears over Sanchez Watt’s fitness after the forward limped out of Colchester United’s 2-1 friendly win at Maldon and Tiptree. Watt was left needing treatment for what appeared to be a shin injury following a strong
A MAN suspected of breaking into Debenhams to steal perfume has been charged. Unemployed Shane Cartwright, 50, of Canterbury Road, is accused of smashing his way into the Culver Street West store just before 10pm on Friday, May 24 and taking £650
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In today's Gazette: Colchester Institute has landed £2.9 million for a rebuilding project. The cash comes four years after the Government pulled the plug on a massive redevelopment leaving the college to pick up the pieces. * Four people were
