Archive

  • Pitsea: Answering the calls of nature

    Work has started to build an £80,000 toilet block at a popular nature reserve in Pitsea. Wat Tyler Country Park is used by about 15,000 schoolchildren each year for environmental studies. However, lessons in the past have been cut short because there

  • Great Baddow: Recreation ground fight stepped up

    Gritty campaigners are refusing to give up their fight to save a recreation ground from developers. Residents thought they had finally lost their battle to save The Bringy field in Great Baddow, Chelmsford, after a failed bid to have the land declared

  • County has top achievers

    High achieving students have earned their schools places in the top ten grammar and comprehensive schools with A-level successes. According to ranking released by the Press Association and based on the average number of UCAS points achieved by pupils

  • Southend: 'Pre-sale facelift for Plaza' pledge

    The Victoria Plaza shopping centre will not be sold off until all refurbishments are completed, centre chiefs have claimed. London-based developers Bourne End Properties Ltd announced in July that they were putting all their assets up for sale and giving

  • Bowers Gifford: Office block plan for landmark site

    The last piece of Commission for New Town heritage could be razed to the ground in a bid to give the site a new lease of life. Gifford House, the old CNT office building, in London Road, Bowers Gifford, could be demolished after owners English Partnerships

  • Chelmsford: 100,000 expected at V concert

    More than 100,000 music fans will descend on Chelmsford this weekend for the V2000 music festival and police are appealing for help to ensure the event is once again safe and crime free. The festival, in Hylands Park, will feature more than 40 artists

  • Harwich: Teenage hit and run victim

    A teenage girl has been hurt in a hit and run accident. The 15-year-old girl was walking along Church Street, Harwich, at 11.15pm on Wednesday when she was in collision with a maroon Vauxhall Corsa fitted with alloy wheels. The car, which was driven by

  • South Essex: Police reach out

    If you were attacked in the street, or had unpleasant things shoved through your letterbox, you would not think twice about calling the police. But for some sections of our society - such as ethnic minorities, lesbians and gay men - that option has been

  • Maldon: Gazette papergirl saves the day

    Papergirl Emma Taylor's instincts could have saved a disabled woman from being burgled. The 13-year-old Maldon schoolgirl felt something was not right when she found the door open to a house on her round. She later returned to set her mind at rest, but

  • Benfleet: Rivals unite in bid to save care home

    Two rival politicians have joined a growing protest to keep a Benfleet elderly people's home open. Christine Butler , Labour MP for Castle Point, and the borough's former Tory MP, Bob Spink, both said they would lobby Essex County Council to demand that

  • Colchester: Councillors back primary care bid

    Aims to set up a Primary Care Trust to improve health and health care for Colchester have won the support of councillors. But members at a recent meeting of housing, community safety and policy panel said they wanted more information about a proposed

  • Renewed hope in murder hunt

    The widow of murdered millionaire Tony Fetherston is hoping for a vital breakthrough to identify her husband's killer. For the past eight months detectives have been hunting for the hooded burglar who gunned him down at their Caribbean holiday home. And

  • Pitsea: New business boosts shopping centre

    Pitsea will have just What Everybody Wants when its newest shop throws open its doors in time for the festive rush. It was revealed that the cut-price fashion store will be the latest addition to the shopping attractions in the old Sainsbury's building

  • Harwich: Hit and run car found

    A car which was stolen and was then involved in a hit and run incident with a 15-year-old girl has been found. The teenager was slightly injured when the collision happened in Church Street, Harwich, at about 11.15pm on Wednesday. The red Vauxhall Corsa

  • Chelmsford: £1,000 award for attack victim

    Two men have been told to pay more than £1,000 in compensation to a man they attacked in Colchester town centre. A judge at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday described the attack as "sickening" after he saw a video of the incident in the town's High

  • South Essex: Police tackle drug-related crime

    Police in south Essex have stepped up their campaign to tackle drug-related crime with a voluntary treatment initiative. Drug users held in police custody will soon be asked to attend treatment programmes geared at helping them kick the habit, a police

  • Soccer: Opara consolation for sorry U's

    Colchester United Reserves launched their new Avon Insurance Combination season with a disappointing 4-1 home defeat to Queens Park Rangers. Lloyd Opara, younger brother of the U's Kelechi, scored the lone goal in a game described by Layer Road boss Steve

  • Cricket: Floodlit match sells out

    Essex Eagles' historic floodlit clash with Surrey Lions is set to be a complete sell-out. Delighted acting Essex secretary Malcolm Field said tickets are selling rapidly for next Wednesday's long-awaited day-night carnival of cricket. The reigning county

  • Cricket: Such spins a magical spell

    Peter Such produced a devastating late burst to leave Essex reasonably satisfied from their first day's labours against Gloucestershire at Castle Park. The veteran off-spinner put the County back on an even keel with three wickets in the space of 11 deliveries

  • Southend: History collector Ken puts pictures into print...

    Not only does Ken Crowe have in interest in old pictures, he takes tomorrow's history pictures today, he tells TOM KING Southend Museum curator Ken Crowe probably knows more about the history of Southend, and has certainly stared at more old photographs

  • East Anglia: 12,000 pigs slaughtered

    A total of 12,000 pigs have been slaughtered in East Anglia with suspected swine fever. This includes several hundred pigs on a Fordham farm - and the results are expected on pigs at a Tendring farm in the next few days. The highly infectious disease,

  • Soccer: Clarke discovers life after Southend

    Former Southend United winger Adrian Clarke was today preparing for life as a part-time footballer. The 25-year-old wideman has joined non-league outfit Stevenage Borough and will debut for his new club in their Conference League opener at home to Scarborough

  • Southend: Push to toughen anti-litter campaign

    A leading councillor has stepped up calls for tough on-the-spot fines for litter louts in Southend town centre. Mike Royston (Lab, St Luke's) spoke out after the latest phase of Southend's Millennium Makeover initiative got under way. New signs have been

  • Wickford: Canine chums in SOS

    Do you have room in your heart and home for a loveable pooch? Vicky, Astin and Ben all need lots of affection after being taken in by Gemini Kennels in Wickford. Astin is a three-year-old collie cross who is good with other dogs and loves children and

  • Thurrock: Councillors saddened by pavilion's end

    Plans to turn Lakeside Shopping Centre's pavilion into restaurants and snack bars have been met with disappointment by councillors. They are concerned that what was once described as Lakeside's answer to Covent Garden will disappear - and that they will

  • Southend: Airport's role in seafront display

    Southend Airport is to play a key role in the Clacton Seafront Airshow as many aircraft use it as their base during the two-day display. Pilots and crew from across the country have chosen to come to the town next Thursday and Friday because of the traditional

  • Wickford: Cadet's history probe

    Former cadets are being urged to contact the Wickford branch of St John Ambulance as the division seeks to find out more about its history. Member in charge Karen Goodwin said: "Were you a St John Ambulance Cadet, meeting at the Methodist Church, Western

  • Danbury: Family trophy search renewed

    A couple from Danbury have vowed not to give up their 17-year quest to find a special trophy after a search by the BBC proved unsuccessful. Mary and Ron Hensby, of Runsell Close, appeared on BBC's The Search programme. They are looking for the Roger Maskell

  • Dovercourt: Dutch cyclist died on way home from holiday

    A Dutchman who had spent 16 days on a cycling holiday around England with his wife died of a heart attack just yards from the ship home. The 56-year-old man, Hendrikus Baars, fell from his bike on the busy A120 Dovercourt bypass just short of the turn

  • Leigh, Southend: Cockle tea left me ill

    <Mum Tina Tann has told how she had to drop out of having a minor operation after she ate a tub of cockles from Leigh and was left ill and weak. Mrs Tann, 35, of Eastwood, was visiting the Old Town with her husband John and two-year-old daughter Nicole

  • Ridgewell: Boy, 5, 'critical' after accident

    A five-year-old boy is critically ill in hospital after he and his sister were injured in an accident at Ridgewell, near Halstead. Police say the boy and his eight-year-old sister were near the King's Head pub in the village at about 3.40pm on Wednesday

  • Billericay: Restaurant fined for 'filthy' kitchen

    A restaurant has been ordered to pay nearly £8,000 for preparing food in a kitchen described by an inspector as filthy. Pong Tai Wong, 46, who owns Charlie Wong's takeaway in Morris Avenue, Billericay, admitted seven charges brought under the Food Hygiene

  • Southend: Dad delivers twins on bathroom floor

    Newborn twins Jason and Nathan were doing well today, despite their unexpected arrival on the bathroom floor at home. The boys could not wait for mum Kerry Jarvis to get to Southend Hospital and arrived, with help from dad Jason, at 3am on Monday. The

  • Southend: Savage thug bites off his victim's ear

    A thug who bit part off a man's ear off in a late night attack in Southend is being hunted by police. Officers are studying CCTV footage of the incident which happened outside the Radio Rentals shop in the High Street. The victim, who is in his early

  • Soccer: FA discusses future of Blues

    Football League officials have been discussing the future of Third Division crisis club Southend United. The Blues' financial and boardroom struggles were on the agenda for soccer chiefs at a meeting in London on Thursday. The Football League is concerned

  • Southend: Arts festival for all....

    The first ever Southend Arts Festival is about to start. SALLY KING takes a peek at the week of events about to unfold It's an exciting time in Southend for people who enjoy arts. In ten days' time the town will come alive with everything arty. New pieces

  • Essex: What to do if exam results don't reach expectations...

    For most aspiring students A-levels are the passport to higher education. Pending results will depend on what study paths individuals take. However, there are many hidden avenues to take if marks are not as good as expected, as MAT WATSON reports Students

  • Braintree: Appeal for two girls by police

    Police are renewing an appeal for two young girls who could help their investigations into a serious assault in Braintree. Detectives appealed for the girls to come forward after a 22-year-old woman received a broken leg and stitches in her lip outside

  • Cricket: Essex given a second chance

    Essex were no doubt relieved and surprised when they were made to follow on by Gloucester in the wake of an inept batting performance at Colchester. The county finished exactly 150 runs behind on first innings but visiting skipper Mark Alleyne elected

  • CLACTON: Mother's concern for children as bus route axed

    AN anxious mum has told of her fears for her sons' safety after the bus they were due to catch to school next month has been axed. Gavin Chinery, 13, is a pupil at the Colne Community College in Brightlingsea and his 11-year-old brother, Ben, is due to

  • COLCHESTER: Gay Switchboard cash boost

    COLCHESTER'S Gay Switchboard has been thrown a lifeline after its headquarters were devastated by lightning last month. A phone system worth £1,800 has been donated to the valuable service after its old one was rendered useless by a bolt of lightning.

  • Chelmsford: Company in £2m move

    A printing and communications company is preparing to make a £2 million move to Chelmsford, bringing new jobs with it. Clifford Thames Printing Company Ltd - a part of the Clifford Thames Group - opens its new site at Dukes Park next month. More than

  • Tilbury: Tormented store boss fighting back

    A shopkeeper plagued by vandalism and burglaries, says he will not be run out of town by a minority of ignorant people. Madhusudan Kariv, owns the Delta Wine convenience store in Dock Road, Tilbury, but is struggling to cope with constant abuse and attacks

  • South Essex: Parents pay price for children's pester power...

    A South Essex helpline has sympathised with parents forced to give treats and money to their pestering children. Parentline Plus, based in Endway, Hadleigh, agreed with the findings of a new report by consumer analysts Datamonitor which claimed children

  • Colchester: Ancient Roman wall to be lifted from dig

    A unique piece of Colchester's Roman history weighing almost a tonne will be lifted from the ground before builders move in. Two specialists from the Colchester Castle Museum have been working to reveal a section of house wall since it was unearthed at

  • Mid-Essex: Turnpike rush hour delays to continue

    Rush hour delays are set to continue at the Rettendon Turnpike as work is done in preparation for the widening of the A130. The slip roads to the A130 are being upgraded to cater for an increased traffic load. The A130 dual carriageway is expected to

  • Essex exam round-up: Didn't we do well...

    Jubilant students are toasting years of blood, sweat and tears with an impressive crop of A-level results. Cheers went up at south Essex schools as hundreds of teenagers notched up first-class grades in the gold-standard exams, guaranteeing a coveted

  • Braintree: Man in tights raids store

    A robber picked up a pair of tights in a Braintree store and put them over his head before stealing money. The man entered Alldays in Mountbatten Road on Thursday at about 4pm. After asking where he could find a pair of tights, he disappeared from view

  • Hawkwell: Richard's back in the saddle

    Schoolboy Richard Harle has been reunited with his bike which was stolen two weeks ago. Richard, of Rectory Road, Hawkwell, had his bike snatched from a field behind his home on August 2. The nine-year-old thought he would have to spend the long summer

  • Leigh: Victim of a drunk's rage

    <B A man who kicked his dog in a drunken rage has been told he will never get her back - and has been banned from keeping any dog for a year. Magistrates were told that Ian Sturton's Jack Russell terrier bitch was taken away by RSPCA inspectors called

  • Shoebury: Driver 'had no chance to avoid boy'

    A six-year-old boy was killed when he ran into a road and was hit by a car, an inquest heard. Little Jamie Damant was going home to Shoebury with his mother Jane and three-year-old sister Shannon after tea with his grandmother when the accident happened

  • Countywide: 999 nonsense calls put lives in danger

    Exasperated staff who answer 999 calls have warned lives could be at risk if nonsense calls continue. Recent emergency calls to the county's 999 line include one caller who rang because he had run out of credit on his mobile phone and another who locked

  • Athletics: James out to track down Olympic glory

    A Hadleigh runner is preparing the chase his Olympic dream this autumn - on the end of a small piece of string. James Wagstaff, 23, is the running guide for top visually-impaired athlete Tracey Hinton and is going for gold in both the 400m and 800m at

  • Theatre: Jared's midsummer dream in the park...

    Most youngsters hate to be in the middle of two squabbling adults. Jared Aggarwal, however, willingly puts himself in the line of fire three times a week. He is playing the part of the Little Prince - the subject of Oberon and Titania's fighting - in

  • Benfleet: Mothers' Union faces shutdown

    A Mothers' Union group is set to close at the end of this year - despite celebrating its centenary. Membership of the branch at St Mary's Church, in Benfleet, has dwindled with many regulars now too elderly to play an active part. Unless the group can

  • Polo: Lions roar to a memorable win

    The only remaining polo club in Essex celebrated a memorable win at Rugby Polo Club at the weekend. Ashfields Black Lions, who are based at Great Canfield near Dunmow, overcame several teams to clinch a place in the final against Rugby's ASP Architects

  • Rallying: Wood and Imber ready to capitalise

    Witham rally driver Neil Wood, 39, partnered by his regular co-driver Justin Imber, 29, from Braintree, bounced back after their impressive, but ultimately disappointing, performance in July's Jim Clark rally. Competing at last weekend's Colin McRae Stages

  • Soccer: Blues boss seeks travel sickness cure

    Southend United boss Alan Little wants his players to find a cure for their Third Division travel sickness when they visit Torquay United tomorrow afternoon. Blues have failed to win on the road this year - a woeful run of 11 games without a victory -

  • Athletics: Sarah's race against time fo Olympics

    Southend's Sarah Wilhelmy may have secured her sprint relay berth for the Sydney Olympics but she is still trying to qualify for the 200m. Sarah was named in the British 4x100m team for the games on Tuesday and now has race plans in hand in order to crack

  • Soccer: Tinkler loves Blues sweeper role

    Mark Tinkler has revealed how much he is enjoying his new sweeper's role at the heart of Southend United's defence. The 25-year-old, who was originally brought to the Third Division club as a central midfielder, has been handed a much deeper position