This year has been designated as the United Nations International Year of Volunteers - and the IYV2001 initiative is being led locally by the Chelmsford Agency for Volunteering. Anne Fitzgerald reports on one of Chelmsford's leading charities, InterAct
A body set up to improve standards throughout the NHS is preparing to take a patient's eye view of Southend Hospital. The Commission for Health Improvement visit, scheduled for June, is part of a rolling programme to scrutinise every trust, health authority
Contract talks have been opened by Ipswich Town in a bid to secure the future of Richard Wright at Portman Road. The Blues want to tie their England goalkeeper to a long-term deal because his current contract expires in the summer. Wright would only sign
Southend United boss David Webb has urged his men to make a solid headstart against Brentford during tonight's (Tuesday's) LDV Vans Trophy southern area final first leg at Roots Hall. Victory against the Second Division Bees is all that stands in Blues
Going for a Spin The Palace Ballroom in Pier Hill, Southend will host London band Spin tonight. The venue is hoping to attract out-of-towner bands as well as local bands and promoter Tony Pontius is keen to hear from anyone fitting the bill. He said:
Staff threatened by redundancy at a Colchester college are to vote on taking strike action. At a meeting of members of the largest lecturers' union, NATFHE, on Friday, a ballot was approved which will mean staff will decide what action to take to protest
Ministers have been visiting Southend to praise councillors' pioneering vision for the future. A Government delegation arrived at the Cliffs Pavilion in Station Road, Westcliff, to speak about a £99 million Euro cash handout for the East of England. Trade
While they may not work in a profession associated with tough team-building exercises, a group of Essex hairdressers proved everyone can benefit from improving the ways in which they work together. This year, when the entire staff from the Headlines hair
The New Hall School, Boreham swimming team were overall winners of the Mid-Essex Secondary Schools Sports Association Swimming Gala where 12 schools from the Brentwood and Chelmsford compete in a yearly event every February. Hosted by New Hall School
Less than two per cent of thieves who break into cars in Essex were caught at the beginning of the year, a new report reveals. The figures, due to be put before Essex Police Authority yesterday (Monday), show there is less crime but, of those committed
Bosses at Colchester Zoo have spoken of their fears for its future following a foot-and-mouth outbreak just a couple of miles away. The popular attraction has been closed voluntarily for two weeks since the first outbreak of the disease was announced.
A 17-year-old American judo champion with sights on the Olympics managed to defend his girlfriend and himself from serious injury when they were attacked by a frenzied group of around 12 girls in Chelmsford trying to rob them. Now his father, Stephen
A bid for £45,000 from English Heritage for a regeneration project in Southminster is to be sought. Members of Maldon District Council's environment and economic development select committee last week agreed that an application be supported and they approved
A man was stabbed during a late-night street argument in Braintree town centre. The victim, who comes from Braintree and is in his 20s, was attacked in High Street. He was returning from a night out with friends when the incident happened between 2am
A man is facing a "lengthy" jail sentence for killing a man he never laid a finger on. Jason Goodhew was so scared of being beaten up by violent traveller Daniel Benney he jumped into a lake in a bid to get away. But Mr Goodhew drowned at the South Ockendon
On Saturday Falcon entertained Thames Sports and the hosts won a close match by 100 shots to 93. Details (Falcon first): R. Sibthorpe, Margaret Katterhorn, R. Coleman, Pat Woodward, 16; T. Martin, 23. Helen Calver, Renee Gathercole, F. Solari, I. Shipton
Chelmsford City have snapped up 23-year-old Sittingbourne full-back Paul Campbell and he goes went into the side for Saturday's Dr Martens League Eastern Division home game with Burnham (kick-off 3pm). The former Charlton Athletic youngster, who impressed
A chance meeting with top promoter Frank Maloney has belatedly opened the door to boxing success for Leigh's Danny Percival. At 27, the heavyweight thought his chance at the big-time had gone. Although compiling a solid record of 10 wins in 14 amateur
Bedsit lodger Ian Robertson cheated Southend Council out of more than £13,000, a court heard. He was claiming housing benefit through an application form which asked if he was staying with relatives. Robertson, 50, ticked a box to answer "no" when he
Canvey Island drew the toughest opponents yesterday (Monday) afternoon when the draw was made for the semi-finals of the FA Umbro Trophy. The Gulls, who beat Telford United 1-0 in the quarter-final at Park Lane on Saturday, have home advantage for the
SENIOR DIVISION CUP FIRST ROUND Following an exciting match on Sunday, Havering Nalgo ran out 4-3 winners over Romford Town. Nalgo's scorers were James Aveling (2), Dave Willis and an own goal to which Micky Stubbs, Steve Perry and Tony Cowan replied.
Terry Conder of the Essex Economic Partnership outlines what the immediate future may hold for Essex firms There are several good opportunities for the Essex economy to expand and grow coming up this year. The launch of the Small Business Service (SBS
Tiptree's own internet cafe - Sip'n'Surf in Church Road - is celebrating its first birthday this weekend. Proprietor, Rob Blyth said they see a wide range of ages use the facilities although most are aged over 21. Facilities include computer courses,
Clean-up campaigners have warned they would report anyone found fly-tipping in a small park used by children. The Harwich Environmental Action Team also sent out a stern message to dog-walkers to clear up after their pets. More than 20 people spent seven
Seven Essex beaches were today (Tuesday) named as winners of the Tidy Britain Group's annual seaside awards. The scheme promotes high standards including water quality, beach management, safety, cleanliness and provision of information. Of seven beaches
Convicted killer Jeremy Bamber today (Tuesday) said he hoped to be free within two months after his case was referred to the Court of Appeal. Bamber was convicted in 1986 of the murders of five members of his family at White House Farm in Tolleshunt D'Arcy
Canvey Island drew the toughest opponents yesterday (Monday) afternoon when the draw was made for the semi-finals of the FA Umbro Trophy. The Gulls, who beat Telford United 1-0 in the quarter-final at Park Lane on Saturday, have home advantage for the
Look out Kate Moss and Claudia Schiffer, there's a new face on the block. Eight-year-old Lauren MacKenzie has been chosen as one of only three girls to star in a new Asda television commercial. She was picked from about 30 youngsters who attended auditions
Residents in an area of Colchester were kept awake until the early hours of the morning by an illegal "rave" style party. Police were called to the event in the early hours of Sunday after angry neighbours rang to complain about the noise. A spokesman
Plans to improve the environment of the villages near the route of the northern section of the new A130 - due for completion in the autumn - are now out for public consultation. In a bid to direct through traffic to the new road, and give the long-suffering
A new village scheme to support carers has just been launched in Burnham. The Maldon Carers have appointed Sue Palmer, carer support worker, to restart a group that was initially set up in Burnham in 1998 but because of various reasons was unable to continue
Parents campaigning to save Braintree's Chapel Hill County School are all set to take their protests to County Hall on March 26, when the matter is due to be discussed by the education panel. This is the latest in a line of action from campaigners who
Sports college status would bring a "buzz" to Thurstable School akin to being promoted from the First Division to the Premier League. Nick Hammond, headteacher at the school in Maypole Road, Tiptree, spoke of the undisputed benefits of gaining specialist
Leigh heavyweight Danny Percival suffered mixed fortunes in his third pro bout at Bethnal Green's York Hall. Percival decked Blackpool's Eamonn Glennon within 30 seconds of the first-round in the contest, before easing to a comfortable points win over
Canvey Island's already hideously-overcrowded fixture programme was thrown into further confusion last night (Monday) when their Ryman League Cup tie at Croydon was washed out due to a waterlogged pitch. Gulls manager Jeff King had planned to field a
Striker Keith Scott has made a surprise return to Colchester United today and if everything goes well he could be a fully-fledged U's player by the end of the week. The 33-year-old Reading target man was included in the U's Reserves side to play Cambridge
Golf courses in Essex have been forced to take steps to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. The Warren Golf Club, in Maldon, and Burnham Golf Club have laid disinfected straw at entrances while footpaths around the courses have been closed.
Two Essex residents are about to take part in an endurance game to win a Toyota Land Cruiser The bizarre televised contest has the simplest rules. All the 20 contestants have to do is to touch a £40,000 vehicle - and the one still left standing at the
The Essex Countywide Business Awards mean a great deal to all companies big and small throughout the county. The benefits of becoming a winner in the awards include excellent prizes and coverage in prestigious publications both locally and nationwide.
Two young footballers were taken to hospital suffering from suspected hypothermia after their coach abandoned a league match during freezing weather. Now their coach Kevin Cullis could be fined and banned by the football authorities - because the referee
Arsonists who caused £6,000 damage to a portable building outside a Southend school were not pupils, maintained the headteacher. Bob Hellen, head of Cecil Jones School in Eastern Avenue, Southend, was convinced no members of the school had carried out
Burning of more than 1,000 animals has begun at a farm near Colchester following the first outbreak of the disease in north Essex. Vets from the Agriculture and Food Ministry, Maff, confirmed the worst fears on Friday after taking samples from animals
If you are starting or expanding a new business, then you must visit Business Start Up 2001 on April 28 and 29 at the NEC, Birmingham. The event, sponsored and supported by BT Small and Medium Enterprises, is being opened by Sir John Harvey Jones and
A Braintree man is currently holding his first-ever photographic exhibition at Braintree Library, which looks at nature from home and abroad. Trevor Mace, who is married to Judith, is a part-time business studies teacher - but his love of nature and wildlife
The organisers of an illegal rave party in Colchester have defended the event which they say was a huge success. Despite the fact they did not have permission to be on the disused site of the former railway social club in Magdalen Street, the pair say
Chelmsford Chieftains missed out on the chance of defending the League Cup after letting a three-goal advantage slip at the hands of the Isle of Wight Raiders. Close to the end of the second period of Sunday's second leg tie, Raiders fans were already
Health campaigners fighting for a better service in Tendring have welcomed a move for better out-of-hours cover, but vowed to watch the situation closely. Tendring Health Action Group has been pressing for extra cover at times when the minor injuries
Last week Maldon traders announced their intentions to set up a town promotions group to attract more visitors to discover its unique features. Now on a wider scale district councillors have announced a programme to develop the district as a tourist destination
A man poured petrol around his flat and threatened to set light to himself. Six flats in Porter Way, Clacton, were evacuated and the road closed off as trained police negotiators tried to talk to the man. The incident began at 7.15pm yesterday (Monday
A broken rail which caused major disruption for mid-Essex commuters today (Tuesday) could not have caused an accident, according to Railtrack. The crack was discovered by a train driver at 6.30am between Witham and White Notley on the Braintree branch
A teenage boy pointed an imitation handgun at a teacher at a Southend school, it has been claimed. The terrified teacher froze as the youngster pulled out the gun during lessons at Thorpe Bay School in Southchurch Boulevard, Southend. The boy has since
Essex NFU chairman John Jolly, owner of Mangapps Railway Museum, said he risked losing up to £100,000 through cancelled Thomas the Tank Engine weekends if he cannot reopen the museum by the end of May. The museum attracts tens of thousands of visitors
A young farmer was today (Tuesday) waiting anxiously to hear whether his 300-strong flock of sheep and lambs has fallen victim to foot-and-mouth disease. Richard Easton, 25, who farms in Assington, on the Essex/Suffolk border, called in Maff representatives
Parents and teachers in Writtle fear a tragic road accident involving a young child because the village schools no longer have a crossing patrol. Writtle Junior and Infant schools have been without a patrol since the February half-term holiday, and fears
Former Southend United manager Ernie Shepherd has passed away following a short illness. Shepherd, who guided Blues' fortunes during 114 league matches between April 1967 and October 1969, was 81-years-old. "This is very sad news indeed as Ernie was a
Colchester General Hospital was put on "red alert" as staff struggled to cope with admissions. And the situation last night (Monday) meant bosses had to call on other hospitals to help ease the pressure. This is only the second time this winter that the
The proposed development on fields between Maltings Lane and the A12 bypass at Witham has been given a mixed welcome. With 840 homes, plus business premises, it will attract about 3,000 people to the town over the next few years. Criticised as too much
Antisocial behaviour by weekend revellers in Colchester has prompted a shop to apply for permission to put up new security grilles. Staff regularly arrive for work at the long-established school outfitters Newson and Son Ltd on a Monday to find vomit
Parents are being warned they should apply now for a primary school place for their child - or miss out. Essex County Council is urging mums and dads to make sure they are first in the queue to avoid disappointment. The vast majority of children should
The grim discovery of a man's body in a field near Colchester has sparked a major police investigation. The man, thought to be about 30, was found in the field at the border of Colchester with Wivenhoe by a couple walking their dog on Sunday. He was fully-clothed
Stories giving villages their own identities make fascinating reading. Histories, people, events, legends and ghosts all add up to shed new light on familiar surroundings. And while the stories in a new book have been compiled by individual members of
Residents in Layer de la Haye were shocked to find the foot-and-mouth disease had spread to their village. As farmers and Government vets carried on with the business of destroying the animals and trying to contain the disease people spoke of their surprise
A woman who pleaded guilty to smuggling drugs into the Middle East was today (Tuesday) due to stand trial. Anna Bartlett, 22, from Rochford, has already admitted bringing cocaine and hashish into the Emirates, but denied intending to use, sell or trade
A huge mast put up in hospital grounds already has one mobile phone transmitter and receiver on it and is attracting interest as a site for more. The 55-metre mast at Colchester General Hospital is home to an Orange base station. Now BT Cellnet has put
Chelmsford Partners men started their National League match against Plymouth well and looked to be in command with a 2-0 lead, but they then saw the match squared before losing out in a tense and tight deciding set to go down 3-2. This was a game where
The Witham Lions' half-marathon has been cancelled due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. The race, which was scheduled for Sunday, April 1, has been abandoned on the advice of the South of England Athletics Association and there are no plans
Chelmsford City have made an audacious bid for former fans favourite Ian Cambridge, who has not been starting regularly for Dr Martens League Premier Division side Cambridge City. A former Player of the Year, Cambridge left City in the summer of 1999
A horse owner has hit out after her animal was left with a gaping wound after being impaled on a pole. Caroline Neale had been celebrating her 33rd birthday when she heard her horse had been injured. It is thought youths had been chasing Flicker in a
Businesses in Harold can look forward to another year of breakfast briefings thanks to a sponsorship deal between Havering College and Business Plus Publications. The agreement will lead to six meetings in Havering next year at The Bistro, the college's
A decision over the future of maternity services across Tendring has been welcomed. Tendring Primary Care Trust has agreed to continue to commission services from Essex Rivers Healthcare Trust, but will purchase some locally to meet the recommendations
Colchester Institute managers were accused of "breathtaking arrogance" for not consulting the public about plans to axe jobs and cut courses. More than 100 people packed a public meeting last night (Monday) to show their disgust at the way the proposed
