The Westwood Park Centre for Business, in Little Horkesley, near Colchester, has made a substantial investment in the latest broadband technology. It means companies based at Westwood Park can have a 24-hour unmetered internet connection, enabling them
Gravesend and Northfleet emerged favourites to win the gripping race for the Ryman League Premier division title last night when they edged two points clear of Canvey Island at the top. The Kent side pulled off their first win in three games after two
Three buildings which form part of the Rochford Hospital site are set to be demolished if the district council agrees a recommendation from officers. The Rochford Clinic in Union Lane, which operates on a substantial part of the old hospital site, is
Basildon Football Club's plans to redevelop scrubland in the town appear to be in tatters after it emerged the site is likely to be sold for commercial use. West London firm Integra said initial talks with English Partnerships (EP) about lifting protective
Essex cricket fans have been handed a pre-season boost with news of the early arrival of star overseas player Andy Flower. The 33-year-old former Zimbabwe captain, wicketkeeper, and top-order batsman has been granted permission to join his adopted county
Sixto Peralta is the latest fitness doubt for Ipswich Town's next game at Arsenal on April 21. The Argentinian is still struggling with a thigh strain which has troubled him for the last month. Mark Venus, another player linked with a possible summer
Three teenagers are facing prison after yelling racist abuse and hurling missiles at an Indian restaurant. The trio was part of a 12-strong drunken mob which stormed the Simla restaurant in Ferry Road, Hullbridge. They threw bricks and rocks at the restaurant
Brentwood-based Leopards hopes of reaching the Wembley final were shattered on Saturday at the Coventry Skydome when they went down to a six-point defeat to the Newcastle Eagles. The game, which pitched the fourth-placed team in the Southern Conference
After dedicating more than three decades of his life to training young divers, the well-respected Wally Morley has died. Mr Morley, 78, passed away on Wednesday March 27 at Saint Francis Hospice at Havering-atte-Bower. He died of cancer. But the last
Southend United are running the rule over a player who pushed them towards an embarrassing FA Cup exit last season - Spurs goalkeeper Gavin Kelly. The 20-year-old shot-stopper was part of non-league Kingstonian's giant-killing team, which pulled off a
Southend United boss Rob Newman will meet club owner Ron Martin for crunch talks this morning. Top of the agenda will be the futures of contract rebel goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan, left-back Damon Searle and the Blues chief's backroom staff, assistant manager
The Bank Holiday open doubles match at Hockley Angling Club was fished over five hours and was a big success. One partner fished for silverfish and the other for carp, with the winners decided on points. With 34 the overall champions were Richard Manshield
The Environment minister Michael Meacher has again said the use of toxic ash at Pitsea Tip does not pose a "significant risk" to human health or the environment. Mr Meacher was responding to a letter from Billericay MP John Baron Mr Baron has written
Basildon Football Club's plans to redevelop scrubland in the town appear to be in tatters after it emerged the site is likely to be sold for commercial use. West London firm Integra said initial talks with English Partnerships (EP) about lifting protective
Plans for an extension to the Brandy Hole Yacht Club in Kingsmans Farm Road, Hullbridge, are being recommended for refusal to Rochford district councillors. The plans for a first-floor extension, supported on stilts, would include a disabled toilet, gents
The Danbury Club have dominated the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League's Veterans KO Cup for as long as most people can remember, having provided the winners for the last seven years. From the latest set of results it appears that they have
A small piece of the history of Colchester is coming to an end. L'Aristos Nightclub at the Quality Hotel, East Street, formerly the Mill Hotel, has closed in readiness for the hotel's own demise at the end of this month. Then a plan to convert the hotel
A memorial service for broadcasting standards campaigner Mary Whitehouse was being held today. Mrs Whitehouse lived in Ardleigh for many years before moving to Abberton Manor retirement home where she died last November, aged 91, after a long illness.
Traders in Colchester have mixed reactions on the market's relocation to the town centre. Although it may bring in more shoppers, it could block delivery entrances and be too fragmented, the Federation of Small Businesses' north east Essex branch has
The Basildon-based boss of BAE Systems' avionics division is moving to take up a place at the top of the giant defence contractor. Chris Geoghegan, group managing director of BAE Systems Avionics Group, is to leave his Christopher Martin Road office to
Three pensioners in mid-Essex have fallen victim to thieves who conned their way into their homes. In the first incident, a pensioner was left distressed and shaken after three callous thieves pushed their way in and stole her handbag. Two teenage girls
A man who brings sunshine to the lives of Maldon's elderly residents is to receive the Mayor's Award for Service to the Community. Retired local government officer Michael Leeks, 65, of Church Street, Maldon, will receive the award from the town's Mayor
Catalogue store chain Argos is putting the finishing touches to plans for the opening of its second Basildon shop. The store, at the Pipps Hill retail park in Miles Gray Road, will open officially to the public tomorrow, when a child from a town school
IN the recent regional championships for club grades six, South Essex Gym Club members qualified to represent the east region in the national finals. Hands up for glory -- six gymnasts from the Basildon based South Essex Club qualified to represent the
The decision to close Chapel Hill Primary School in Braintree has been called in ahead of a meeting with parents tonight. Emotions have been running high since Essex County Council's cabinet voted last month to close the school by the end of the year.
An important facility for the Southend community is in danger of being temporarily lost if suitable premises are not found. The Red Cross is selling its offices in Nelson Street and, although facilities are likely to eventually be rehoused in a new building
Gloucester Park season ticket holder Steve Collier scaled his tackle down to take a cracking bag of five carp and numerous tench despite the weekend's bright sunshine and easterly gales. On a day when the conditions made quality fish hard to attempt Steve
Urgent talks are planned over fears that a £1bn superport in south Essex could lead to serious road and rail congestion. Shipping firm P&O and oil company Shell want to build one of Europe's biggest container ports on a huge chunk of land on the former
Braintree could find itself short of primary places if a troubled school is closed. Following Essex County Council's decision that Chapel Hill Primary School in Braintree should close by the end of the year, parents have raised concerns about where their
Police were out in force at Tesco, West Thurrock, at a day-long roadshow to help shoppers to combat crime. Essex Police's crime reduction unit was at the store to hold a day-long roadshow, backed by Autoglass and Rates. Published Wednesday, April 10,
Matt Holland believes Ipswich Town can still defy the odds and secure another season in the Premiership. The Blues' chances of avoiding relegation were dealt a hammer-blow by Saturday's 4-1 setback at rivals Bolton. Town are rooted third from bottom,
A statement is expected today on a Colchester school which was shut by a mystery gas smell. St George's Infants School in Barrington Road, New Town, closed for several months last June after staff complained of feeling ill and an unidentified smell was
It has been another exciting year for netball teams in the area, with south Essex school teams scooping an impressive range of prizes. Having a ball -- Southend High's winning year seven netball team. Picture: LUAN MARSHALL 8CDT58C The Southend Borough
Speeding motorists in Essex have paid out £6m in fines in the past year - more than almost any other county in England. Money raised from the 100,000 fixed penalty tickets dished out will help pay for more speed detecting cameras to be set up. In the
Chelmsford City scored a thrilling comeback victory in extra time with Danielle Hoy netting twice as the Clarets lifted their fifth Women's Cup title at Maldon Town. The diminutive striker had opened the scoring on 13 and could have won the game for City
Braintree Town dropped two valuable points at home with a 0-0 draw against Harrow Borough and manager Ben Embery was not impressed. He said of last night's game: "It was our poorest performance of the season and the worst I've seen from us in a long time
The Essex County Indoor Bowling Association finals took place at Ilford I.B.C., home club of President Alan Marshall on 7th April and spectators were treated to some excellent bowling and more than a few surprises. The day kicked off at 9.30 a.m. with
Noddy left his native Toytown and paid a surprise visit to Southend's Royals Shopping Centre on Saturday where he was greeted by crowds of joyous children. The popular Enid Blyton character is in town performing at the Cliffs Pavilion in Westcliff. Dawn
A much-loved grizzly bear helped Billericay's Inner Wheel Rotary Society scoop an award for story writing. Story teller - winning wirter June Edwards is presented with her award by club president Margaret Stansfield. Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY 8KCVW8 The Daphne
Jackie Stoneman, of Key Personnel and Select Recruitment, has achieved runner-up in the East Anglian Business Women of the Year Award for 2001. Managing director for the past ten years, Jackie, 33, began her career with Key Personnel in Braintree 17 years
A large crowd of appreciative racegoers turned out last Saturday for the Essex Hunt point-to-point fixture at the ever-popular High Easter racecourse. Now recognised by all as probably the best point-to-point course in East Anglia, the going was officially
Street violence caught on CCTV in Chelmsford showed a teenager stamping on another youth's head. Matthew Cisto, 18, of Runsell Lane, Danbury, joined in an unprovoked attack and had to be pulled from the victim, Chelmsford Crown Court heard on Friday.
Chelmsford secured their Division One future with a comprehensive 4-2 victory at struggling Stourport on Sunday. Despite a dominant first-half performance, Chelmsford sponsored by Teakglobe Trading Limited, will wonder quite how they contrived to be still
Hungry Dean Toms popped into a shop to buy chocolate - and ended up grabbing £500 from the till. Toms, 22, snatched the money when he saw the till drawer open at Martins newsagents in Whitmore Way, Basildon. He later told police: "It was a spur of the
Southend United boss Rob Newman hopes to have injured striking trio, Tes Bramble, Mark Rawle and Tony Richards, back in action during today's afternoon's reserve match at Leyton Orient. The trio have spent the last month on the sidelines nursing groin
Grays Athletic failed to maintain the form which saw them produce a shock 2-1 win at Canvey on Saturday. Battling to finish above Purfleet as the top Thurrock side in the Premier, Grays lost 1-0 at Hendon. The two arch-rivals have similar points tallies
Chelmsford Star Co-op has cast off its 'ailing giant' image by recording a profit after a decade of huge annual losses. The society, which previously had lost £2.9m in the last four years, is entirely owned by its 42,000 Starcard dividend-sharing members
Irate Jonathan Graham decided to get revenge on the boyfriend of his former girlfriend, a court heard. So he attacked the man's car with a large torch, causing £300 damage. Graham, 22, admitted causing criminal damage and was given 12 months conditional
A 32-year-old Hatfield Peverel takeaway worker suffered a fractured skull after being felled from behind by two bogus customers. The man, who could be of ethnic origin, was first treated at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford before being transferred to
A computer failure is causing travel chaos for hundreds of passengers using Stansted Airport today. All European flights have been disrupted because of a fault with air traffic control, a Stansted spokesman said. However, most internal flights from the
Developers who wanted to build housing for the disabled on the site of former St John Ambulance headquarters have had their hopes finally dashed by a planning inspector. Turnhold Properties lodged an appeal with the Department of the Environment after
Nige, the mysterious seaman who is planning to sail across the world from Heybridge Basin, is near to completing work on his home-made catamaran but has delayed his trip. The body of the vessel is almost finished and the mast is set to go up today. Last
A gang of men who posed as roofing workers stole hundreds of pounds from an 81-year-old Leigh man. The incident took place last Wednesday around 12pm at a house in Broadclyst Avenue. The victim first noticed that three men were sat in a white van that
Bowers Gifford electrician Scott Davis got the shock of his life when he reeled in a monster fish in Thailand. What a whopper -- Scott Davis shows off the 110kg catfish he landed on holiday in Thailand. Scott, 33, caught the 110-kilo specimen, known to
Essex is a centre of excellence for adoption - one of only three across the country to win a coveted Beacon Status award. The county council this week won the award for "excellence and innovation" in its work to find permanent families for children who
A teenager needed hospital treatment after he was attacked by a group of seven men. The 17-year-old was walking home along Jaywick Lane, Clacton, on Saturday night. He was returning to a caravan park in the area with friends having been out in Clacton
First it was fish and chips, then it was ice cream - now it's beach huts. "Non-standard" beach huts, which have been put up in the prestigious seaside resort of Frinton, are causing concern they will change the look of the seafront. Robert Bucke, speaking
Benfleet racer John Gladman is revving up for the start of the new Caterham Superlight Challenge - and he's looking to go one better than last year. The 38-year-old internet company director finished runner-up -- 'first loser' as he puts it -- in last
Specialist cleaners were called to Southend Hospital when foul water flooded through the outpatients department and seeped through to a basement linen store. The ground floor waiting area, including a number of shops, had to be closed after the incident
Visitors Lewes emerged clear favourites for the Ryman League Second Division title with last night's comprehensive success at Wakering. Lewes moved to within a point of leaders Horsham, their Sussex colleagues, with a game in hand after a 3-1 victory.
TV starlet Gemma Cray is wowing viewers across the country after landing a starring role in a national ad campaign. TV star - Gemma Cray features in the latest Nationwide Building Society advertisement. Picture: ELISE GOW 8ZLEX5 The talented ten-year-old
Basildon's Broadway star, Denise Van Outen, whose role in the show Chicago won rave reviews, says she may quit Britain for good. When asked in New York what she'd write if she ever used a personal ad, she said: "Cheeky blonde twenty-something seeks handsome
The organisers of the prestigious Ongar-based Essex Young Musician of the Year competition have issued an appeal for sponsorship. Now in its 19th year, the contest is once again set to return to the Budworth Hall in Ongar High Street on the weekend of
Baby Charlie Iglesias will have a tale to tell his friends when he grows up - thanks to his proud grandad. In the nick of time - Rev Henry Heath with Charlie Iglesias The Rev Henry Heath, of St Albright's Church, Stanway, had planned months in advance
Clacton were denied a deserved share of the spoils as Sudbury snatched a 90th-minute winner at Rush Green Bowl. The Seasiders equalised twice through Sean Hillier and Steff Falla, only for the visitors to move back to the top of the premier division courtesy
Residents in Thurrock are being urged by the council and police to continue reporting incidents of graffiti in a bid to clean up the borough. The call has been made as part of Thurrock Council's Thumbs Down campaign against anti-social behaviour. More
A move to cut back on the amount of refuse bags has been criticised. Tendring Council wants to reduce the amount of bags sent to residents from 1.7 a week to one. It is thought the move will save the council £60,000. The council wants to use the money
Jellied eels are slipping back onto the menu as food fans help to boost demand. Scrummy - Stephen Lawrence tucks into a tub of jellied eels in Old Leigh. Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY 92JRL54 The slippery seafood favourite of Cockneys is becoming popular among
Thrilling rides at Basildon's Festival Leisure Park have been hailed a huge success as organisers prepare to pack up and leave. The bungee ball, a metal framed ball attached to expanding ropes, and a buzz bomb, a ride which spins people through the air
Police have warned about the growing problem of fly-tipping after suspected asbestos was found dumped at a farm. About ten large sheets, thought to be asbestos, were dumped in two batches at Great Oakley Hall Farm, in Harwich Road. Sgt Peter Wood, of
Determined council worker Mike Gosling will run the London Marathon in memory of his father - despite having suffered two collapsed lungs. Man on a marathon mission - Mike Gosling Mr Gosling, who works for Braintree Council, is limbering up for the marathon
Human skulls and other remains have been discovered around Colchester Castle. The findings have only been revealed this week by Colchester Council, after workmen came across partial remains of skeletons at the historic landmark, in Castle Park, last year
An armed raider who subjected a terrified shop worker to a gunpoint robbery is being hunted by police. The male cashier, who has not been named, was left shaken by his ordeal shortly before 11pm on Monday at the Save Service Station in Eastwood Road North
An investigation is under way into the cause of a fire which ripped through a scrapyard. Raging fire - firefighters battle the flames 92K4Y11 Firefighters from Basildon, Orsett and Grays spent yesterday afternoon battling the flames. The fire was reported
Would-be burglars tried to smash their way into an off-licence in Southend. Their attempted break-in at Threshers, in Woodgrange Drive, failed. However, £400 of damage was caused. The suspects took a wooden palette and used it to try to break a main window
Urgent talks are planned over fears that a £1bn superport in south Essex could lead to serious road and rail congestion. Shipping firm P&O and oil company Shell want to build one of Europe's biggest container ports on a huge chunk of land on the former
Quality pace bowling from Martin Bicknell and Alex Tudor brought Essex crashing down to earth at Chelmsford as they suffered a 101-run defeat in their 50-over clash with Surrey. Replying to a total of 253-8 ,they only managed to respond with 152-9 - their
A new action group has been started to fight a housing development in Dovercourt. Bovis Homes wants to build 50 new homes in Valley Road, with a single entrance and exit to the estate via Stour Close. But residents say their road is not big enough to
A small piece of the history of Colchester is coming to an end. L'Aristos Nightclub at the Quality Hotel, East Street, formerly the Mill Hotel, has closed in readiness for the hotel's own demise at the end of this month. Then a plan to convert the hotel
April activity has burst out all over the place at Chelmsford Golf Club. Club events here and there, top amateur events at other venues and internal competitions make a very full programme. The ladies have played three of their competitions, their March
