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
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
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
A young farmer was yesterday (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
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
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,
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
A broken rail which caused major disruption for mid-Essex commuters yesterday (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
Convicted killer Jeremy Bamber yesterday (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
The postponement of Tuesday night's scheduled game at Hitchin Town is another hammer blow to Canvey's Ryman League Premier Division title ambitions. Gulls still have 17 league games to go and are involved in four knockout competitions - most importantly
Seven Essex beaches were yesterday (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
The Chelmsford Civic Theatre is to receive a vital shot in the arm with part of a £1.34 million cash injection from the Government. East England Arts has announced that theatre companies all over the region are set to benefit from the money. Due to its
Essex education chiefs knew in September that trouble-hit Chapel Hill County School in Braintree could face the axe - but kept quiet so as not to upset parents. The shocking revelation is one of several in a confidential Essex County Council document
An elderly Wickford couple have been left heartbroken after a criminal duo made off with an irreplaceable collection of collectable cars and trains put together over a lifetime. The collection included a whole range of vehicles - many still in their original
The young Colchester side put in a passionate performance in awful conditions against second-placed Upminster, but were finally beaten by an injury-time try. Following their heavy defeat at Billericay a fortnight earlier Colchester started the game well
Striker Keith Scott has made a surprise return to Colchester United 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 United
Braintree Town have signed highly-rated central defender Dave Culverhouse on a free transfer from Billericay Town. The 26-year old brother of former Norwich City stalwart Ian has been brought in to help the Iron's push for promotion from Ryman League
The Brentwood & District Table Tennis League Closed Championship saw the Mens Singles seedings with Reagan Nettleingham at No 1, Mark England No 2, Andrew Halling No 3 and Kevin Smart No 4. Both Halling and Smart fell in the earlier rounds. Unseeded
Following their win in Devon in the quarter-final of the Inter-County Championships Essex were in Daventry for the semi-finals on Sunday. The four teams were Cheshire, Hampshire, Kent and Essex who drew Cheshire. The match over 16 mats was a see-saw but
Late-night shoppers living in the Ongar and North Weald area are being encouraged to be on their guard against opportunistic thieves. Epping Forest crime reduction officer Tony Ellis has this week issued a set of informal guidelines on how to avoid becoming
Southend schoolgirl Somma Power is on the slippery slopes to top athletics glory - after dashing back from a skiing holiday to earn a medal in a major championship. Somma, of Basildon Athletic Club, travelled overnight on her return from a ski holiday
Shopkeepers have given their backing to a new crackdown on the sale of spray paints to youngsters. Police hope the new scheme will help combat the graffiti problem within the town by stopping spray paints falling into the hands of unthinking youngsters
Royal Mail staff in Brentwood have just received a special delivery - a big 'thank you' from a voluntary group. The Brentwood and District Talking Newspaper carried out a survey among its members to see how quickly its weekly tape was delivered. They
Police are appealing for information to an assault on an 11-year-old boy in Brentwood. The boy was with a group who were walking along William Hunter Way by the rear entrance to Marks and Spencers. One of the gang threw a chip with tomato ketchup on it
Vandals went on the rampage in Witham targeting a school and a sports centre. Thugs damaged ornamental trees, destroyed a willow dome and left empty alcopop bottles lying around the children's garden at Elm Hall School. Headteacher Hilary Allen described
A petition to delesect Dr Bob Spink as a Tory parliamentary candidate for Castle Point has been officially lodged. On the day shadow Home Secretary Ann Widdecombe comes to Canvey to rally party faithful, it has emerged that more than 50 local members
Results of a cancer risk study over a ten mile radius of Bradwell Power Station are expected to be completed by the end of April. The study by the Small Area Health Statistics Unit of Imperial College, London, has been examining both the excess risk of
With the new speedway season at the Purfleet Raceway just weeks away - the track reopens on Friday, March 23 - Arena Essex promoting consortium member Colin Brine has expressed his enthusiasm for the new season. He told the Essex Chronicle , "Everything
Colchester United boss Steve Whitton has made a bold bid to bring £2.25 million star Lomana Tresor Lua Lua back to Layer Road for the rest of the season. Whitton, under fire following a sequence of poor results, revealed on Friday he has contacted Lua
Two cars crashed, with one bursting into flames and the other hitting the wall of a day care centre. Five people suffered minor injuries in the accident at the junction of Orwell Road and Pallister Road, Clacton, last night (Tuesday). Three fire engines
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
Essex and England captain Nasser Hussain finally recaptured his form with the bat as he helped the national side level their Test series in Sri Lanka at 1-1. An England victory by three wickets to level the series with Sri Lanka at 1-1 was the statistic
Campaigners battling against a proposed super stadium have stepped up their demands for air quality tests before Southend Council gives the plans the go-ahead. Peter Bliss, chairman of action group Karers - keeping our amenities, recreational and environmental
Brentwood School's Under 19 squash team, who have just played their way into the national finals by beating Millfield 3-2, could rewrite the record books later this month in Winchester, having previously won the British all schools title in 1999 and 2000
Southend United manager David Webb has revealed he made an ambitious bid to try and re-sign Blues' favourite son Stan Collymore. The 30-year-old striker shocked football last week by announcing his decision to quit the game, following an ill-fated move
The Pope & Smith Chelmsford Junior Tennis League still continues to flourish with 90 teams entering the competition this summer. At the Annual general Meeting held last week Kelvedon Hatch were welcomed for the first time although a couple of clubs
The detective who led the police investigation into the Whitehouse Farm massacre said he still believed Bamber was guilty. Mike Ainsley, who retired from Essex Police ten years ago, said: "I am aware that the biologist who carried out the original blood
Convicted killer Jeremy Bamber has called for everyone to log on to his website - www.jeremybamber.com - including the jurors who convicted him. Bamber was jailed for life after a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court convicted him of murders of five members
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
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
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
The cousin of Jeremy Bamber has told how giving the green light for an appeal hearing against conviction has forced relatives to re-live the horrific events of 16 years ago. Bamber was given five life sentences after he was convicted of murdering five
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
A three-car crash and faulty traffic lights caused chaos in Colchester town centre today (Wednesday). The accident outside the fire station in Cowdray Avenue, which wiped out bollards on a central reservation, caused lengthy delays for commuters entering
Jim Magilton will miss the trip to former club Southampton after receiving a one-match ban from the FA. The Ipswich Town midfielder was hauled before the authority on Thursday charged with using abusive language to referee Andy D'Urso. Magilton was infuriated
Basildon band Depeche Mode are to tour Britain after a three-year break. The three dates in the UK - part of a five-month world tour which starts in Canada in June - will take place in October at venues in London, Manchester and Birmingham. Depeche Mode
There was no happier man on the pitch than livewire man-of-the-match Karl Duguid once the final whistle signalled a tremendous Colchester United victory. The never-say-die, all action striker said: "The lads played brilliantly and the margin of victory
Southend United boss David Webb believes his team are far from finished in the LDV Vans Trophy, following last night's (Tuesday's) first leg Roots Hall defeat. Bees defender Michael Dobson stung Blues with two second-half strikes either side of a header
If ever there was a game crying out for a goal, Saturday's was it. And while in other weekend League games five goals were scored at Heybridge Swifts, eight at Sutton United and ten at Hitchin Town, these two mid-table sides managed not one between them
Colchester-based AJN Steelstock Lexden have become the first squash club from the south of England to win the National Squash League's northern division. They defeated a strong Manchester side 4-1 last night to take the crown ahead of Edgbaston Priory
Shoppers have been warned to be extra vigilant after a spate of pickpocket thefts in Brentwood High Street. A police spokesman said there had been numerous cases with elderly women the main target. The majority of the incidents happen on Thursdays when
The grieving parents of a mother-of-four today spoke of their relief that a criminal investigation against them has been dropped. Roy and Kath Ratcliffe, of Gurney Benham Close, Shrub End, Colchester, were devastated when police investigated a complaint
Primary school youngsters are set to hit television screens to show off the world's first cardboard classroom. Westborough Primary School in Westcliff will feature on BBC One's Live Lab (cor) on March 21 when project leader Andrew Cripps will discuss
A hooded gunman who threatened to shoot a postmistress during a terrifying raid is being hunted by detectives. The man burst into the village post office brandishing a shotgun and swearing and screaming "I'll shoot you" as 65-year-old Pamela Hill froze
An engineer had a "miracle" escape when he jumped to safety seconds before an out-of-control lorry careered towards him. The man, who has not been named, was working inside a manhole on a path alongside High Road, Laindon, when a series of collisions
Vandals struck all over Brentwood at the weekend throwing bricks from a van at cars parked around the town. Already more than 10 incidents have been reported but police fear that the gang may have damaged more cars during their destructive trail in a
Exhausted staff in Basildon Hospital's overcrowded Accident and Emergency department have threatened to walk out after finally reaching the end of their tether. After months of battling on in cramped and dangerous working conditions they have now told
A man was today (Wednesday) being questioned by detectives in connection with the killing of gay pensioner Roger Turnell. A 35-year-old from Clacton was arrested by police yesterday. He was today being questioned at the town's police station. Mr Turnell
Amir Karic is resigned to the fact his future might lie away from England after being sent back to Ipswich Town halfway through a loan spell at Crystal Palace. The Slovenian, signed by Blues boss George Burley for £700,000, joined the Eagles in a bid
Keith Scott is set to become a Colchester United player by next Thursday's transfer deadline. The Reading target man, who was a huge hit with the U's fans during a loan spell last October, showed Layer Road boss Steve Whitton he still has what it takes
Canvey Island's already hideously-overcrowded fixture programme was thrown into further confusion on 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 line-up of
Rebel Colchester councillors refused a request for £7,500 for a survey after hearing the first attempt brought just 150 replies. Members of a panel were asked for the cash to fund a second consultation of residents' views on the structure of the council
Chris Makin refused to be downbeat after kicking off his Ipswich Town career with defeat at Aston Villa. The Blues were doubled for the first time this season after Julian Joachim struck with a two-goal salvo to overturn Alun Armstrong's fortuitous opener
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
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
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
Colchester General Hospital was put on "red alert" as staff struggled to cope with admissions. And the situation on Monday night meant bosses had to call on other hospitals to help ease the pressure. This is only the second time this winter that the green
A hooded gunman who threatened to shoot a postmistress during a terrifying raid is being hunted by detectives. The man burst into the village post office brandishing a shotgun and swearing and screaming "I'll shoot you" as 65-year-old Pamela Hill froze
A 25-year-old Tilbury man is critically ill in Basildon Hospital today (Wednesday) after being shot in the stomach. The man - who is not being named by police - was injured following an incident in Darwin Road, Tilbury, between 10pm and 10.30pm last night
Plans to create two new neighbourhoods at an award-winning development have been given the go-ahead The green light has been given for 151 new homes in Great Notley, near Braintree. Councillors rubber-stamped the proposals at a meeting of Braintree Council's
Dog lovers are invited to take part or just watch at a new 'hands-on canine event' which is to take place at the Brentwood Centre in May. All About Dogs is being hosted and organised by the award-winning Essex Dog Display Team, and is designed to promote
Worried Navestock residents have petitioned Brentwood Council calling for a cut in speed limits in country lanes. The campaigners claim their lives are at risk by 'rat run' motorists driving at 60mph. And last week they handed in a 150 name petition to
Basildon AC's Helen Smith has picked up the first major award of her blossoming athletics career. The 16-year-old high-jumper, from Rayleigh, was named junior sports personality of the year at the Rayleigh council sports awards. She beat off several other
Vandals have gone on a wrecking spree at a Billericay school smashing windows, ripping up fencing and hurling paint on its wildlife garden. The gang paid a visit to Sunnymede Junior School, Meadow Way, over the weekend causing more than £1,000 damage.
Basildon AC's Nick Wetheridge must be one of only a few sportsmen to have the foot-and-mouth crisis work in his favour. For the spate of cancellations means the 28-year-old distance runner now has more time to recover from injury in time to defend his
The Colchester Sea Angling Club fished on Walton Pier yesterday (Sunday). Fishing was poor with a lot of undersize whiting, but seven out of the 22 anglers who fished managed a weigh-in. The result was: <UL1st Ken Rook 1lb 7ozs 2nd Mick Carlin 13ozs
