Braintree has its own cinema again after a nine-year gap. The 12-screen multiplex was officially launched yesterday at a VIP gala event -and was the toast of the district's dignitaries. Cineworld Braintree at Freeport will be open to the public for the
Flower power has won through for a Billericay florist who has been named designer of the year in a national competition. Owner of First Leaf Florists in High Street, Billericay, Karen Sansom scooped the prize at the annual Flowergram awards held at the
Council chiefs were today urged to cancel a reptile fair because of health fears. Animal welfare campaigners believe the fair, planned for Sunday, will put public health in jeopardy because reptiles can spread a form of potentially lethal salmonella.
Tek Sing Lexden took on Team Chichester in the third round of the National Squash League in a fiery encounter. The first match of the evening featured Tek Sing's Rebecca Macree, world ranked ten, and Chichester's Linda Charman, world ranked five, and
Ray "Razor" Trendell was a cut above the opposition as Southend Hockey Club seconds continued their 100 per cent record in the Printwize League. The league leaders crushed Romford 7-0 with Razor grabbing a hat-trick. Phil Legget started the goal feast
Scott Fitzgerald is just dying to pull on a football kit again. And the Colchester United central defender and captain, who hasn't kicked a ball in anger all season, was set to get his big chance this afternoon for the U's reserves at Barnet. The 33-year-old
Thorpe Bay fencing duo Sara Green and Jonathan Bentley both enjoyed success at Brentwood's eastern region championships for epee. Sara fought well and overcame all opposition before her to become the top ladies U16 epee fencer in the area, winning a cup
Essex Chambers of Commerce has scored another networking success by helping two first class business teams secure a sponsorship agreement. Mike Lumsden, Dealer Principal at Mercedes-Benz Direct, was introduced to Witham Chamber of Commerce member Ian
Essex open their County Championship campaign next summer with the visit of Middlesex to Chelmsford. The men from Lord's finished Second Division runners-up to Essex and will be anxious to avenge their defeat suffered at the hands of Ronnie Irani and
Witham manager Tony Last admitted that his side's victory last night was a 'bitter, sweet result.' Last was part of the Braintree set-up for 25 years as a physio, youth-coach and goalkeeper. And although he was delighted to see his side win, he had mixed
A Walton couple who lost their baby to cot death have raised over £1,000 to help future research. David, 33, and Barbara Brookes, 21, of Saville Street, decided to raise funds for the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) after their three-month-old
A new Thames crossing could be an environmental disaster without new flood defences, leading councillor Ray Howard warned today. Southend councillors were to be urged in a meeting tonight to back a new road and rail crossing over the estuary. It has not
A small church has been left counting the cost after vandals smashed ten of its windows. Youngsters struck on Hallowe'en and now the Rev Paul Baker said they would be left to pick up the cost of replacing them at the Good Shepherd Church in Coppins Road
A former college student has told a jury how builder Stuart Campbell tried to take photos of her by asking if she was a model. Khardien-Daun Stephens said she was flattered by the attention from Campbell, accused of murdering his niece Danielle Jones.
Essex Chambers of Commerce is once again supporting this year's "Winning Business" Exhibition. The Event takes place at Charter Hall, Colchester (inside Leisure World) on November 20th and 21st. Individual invitations to all Chamber members will be sent
To infinity and beyond 8,000 people and a firework Buzz Lightyear celebrated Guy Fawkes Night in Colchester's Castle Park. The powder was kept dry as the only thing raining down were the trails of massive roman candles and catherine wheels. Fireworks
Firefighters were called out after around 60 wooden pallets caught fire in a yard in Basildon's Burnt Mills industrial estate. The blaze at the Recycle Pallet Company, in Josselin Road, took hold after old pallets were set alight in a skip and the flames
Southend sea angler Phil Dangerfield has scooped a national open title in north Wales. The 50-year-old member of ACES -- Anglers of Customs & Excise, Southend -- beat off fishermen from around the country to win the Civil Service's National Open Sea
It was a record turn-out at Braintree Rugby Club's fireworks display. Held at the club's ground in Beckersgreen Road, Braintree, last night, more than 4,000 spectators went to watch the 18-minute display. The display was put on by professional display
Terrified pensioners today told how a group of youngsters threw a firework through their letterbox causing damage to the porch of their home. The couple, who do not want to be named but are in their 70s, said they were unable to sleep after the incident
Community-spirited folk in one Basildon street have clubbed together to raise £1,000 for St Luke's Hospice. The men, women and children of Longacre raised the money by selling anything from plants to cuddly toys. Spirited - residents in Longacre celebrate
Rayleigh Boxing Club enjoyed a pair of successes at Chalvedon's tournament at Basildon's Holiday Inn on Friday. Jack Wright, aged 11, took on L Martin from the host club and after two rounds of tremendous, fast-paced action there was little to choose
A new controlled parking zone may be introduced within a radius of up to two miles around Witham railway station. Witham Town Council's planning committee last night voted to investigate the possibility after complaints from residents that commuters,
Southend United's loan winger Tony Scully revealed today he was still gobsmacked by his surprise switch to the seaside. The 26-year-old made the move from Blues' Third Division rivals Cambridge United late on Friday, after Shrimpers chief Rob Newman had
A major-league drug ring has been smashed after a dealer and his "willing assistant" were sent to jail. Kevin Rippe, 37, and Mark Beecham, 25, were part of a group supplying 6,000 ecstacy tablets, 64 kilos of super-strength cannabis and half a kilo of
Showbiz legend Joan Collins is coming to Chelmsford The star of stage and screen will be at Ottakars in the High Street on Thursday, December 5, where she is sure to attract a huge crowd. Joan Collins joins a host of famous names coming to Essex's county
A campaign has been launched to attract new families to an initiative aimed at helping children and parents in Jaywick and West Clacton. Sure Start was set up in 2001, with about £1.5 million of Government cash to be pumped into the scheme over three
Inyesterday's Evening Echo we called record-breaking escapologist Stuart Burrell by the wrong name. Stuart has set the record for the most escapes from a set of handcuffs in an hour and is now waiting for the feat to be officially confirmed by Guinness
Early years pupils in Dovercourt can look forward to brighter playtimes thanks to their artistic parents. Children from All Saints' Primary School designed a mural to add a bit of colour to the new early years' play area. It depicts scenes of Old Harwich
Choral groups from Brentwood and Billericay will be joining forces for a special concert on Saturday November 9. The Billericay Choral Society will perform alongside singers from Ingatestone Choral Society in a complete performance of Handel's Messiah
Witham's first-ever French street market has left the town begging for more. That is the opinion of organiser Ian Cass - chairman of the chamber of commerce. "It was fantastique," he said. "Even the horrible weather did not dampen the shopper's spirits
Joe Royle will use tonight's Worthington Cup clash against Middlesbrough as a chance to look at some of Ipswich Town's fringe players. Matt Holland, Darren Ambrose and Jim Magilton will be rested, allowing Tommy Miller, Jermaine Wright and Fabian Wilnis
Youngsters are being warned to think about their future health and take exercise. The warning comes from the team at Club 2K One based at the Brentwood Centre, Doddinghurst Road, Brentwood. It meets every Friday between 6 and 9pm and is aimed at teaching
A woman today told how she feared for her safety after a series of attacks on her home. Linda Seales, 49, of Wrackhall Court in Gazfelle Drive, Canvey, had two windows of her bedsit smashed at different times during the same night. Smashed - Linda Seales
A new money clinic to prevent people getting into debt has been launched by Billericay's CAB this week. The new initiative called Money Sense aims to help people control their finances, before it spirals into debt. Coordinator of the project, Barry Wickerson
An urgent call has gone out for a residents' parking scheme to be set up to prevent Christmas chaos. Pressure group Residents Parking - Value for Money, which represents people who live in Napier Avenue, Gordon Road and Ashburnham Road, in Southend -
Magician Stuart Burrell has smashed two world records for wriggling out of handcuffs. Stuart, 26, escaped from 301 pairs of handcuffs in an hour and set the fastest time for escaping from a single pair - less than ten seconds. Picture: DAVE HENDERSON
Nine-year-old Victoria Bignell twisted and twirled her way to victory in the Essex Gymnastics Qualifiers. Victoria, a member of the Witham Gyrus Olympic Gym Club, saw off 42 other competitors in the eight-to-ten year-old category to win through to the
Friday night's all-Essex clash went the way of Purfleet, who recorded a stunning victory at New Lodge. With three goals in five matches before this clash, it has not been difficult to see where Purfleet's problems have arisen from. But a brace from John
There will be no old pals' act for returning Hammer Iain Dowie when he brings his Oldham side to Upton Park tonight (7.45pm). The former Irons striker is back on Worthington Cup third-round duty having made a promising start to his managerial career.
There were happy faces all round as members of the Mid-Essex Police Horsewatch presented a hospital with £1,000. The Post-Natal Unit at St John's Hospital, in Chelmsford, received the money at South Woodham Ferrers police station. Hand over - Mark Long
A new primary school for Clacton looks set to be built on part of the site of the existing Windsor School. Education bosses have earmarked the land in Holland Road, which is owned by Essex County Council, for the £1.7 million seven-classroom building
Frightened shop assistants were today recovering after three masked men, one wielding an axe, broke into their off licence. Staff at the Sanders off licence, in Golden Cross Parade, Rochford, were left shaken after the men burst in and forced the 36-year-old
Firefighters today blasted "irresponsible" bonfire builders who left a blaze unattended near a wooded area. Martin Avent, station officer at Colchester fire station, said it tied up three fire engines on the busiest night of the year, meaning cover had
The opening of a new McDonald's restaurant in Hadleigh has attracted controversy for some months. Residents have mounted protests, furious at the restaurant's location in the High Street opposite a grade one listed building, the St James the Less Church
Southend United's ticket office has come under fire for a lack of information about upcoming matches. Mike King, a Wrexham fan who now lives in Leigh-on-Sea, tried to contact the club for details of tickets for his side's visit to Roots Hall last Saturday
Shoppers can get some early Christmas presents at a ladies evening in South Green Memorial Hall in Billericay. Gifts, make up, jewellery, crafts and candles are among the items on offer at the sale at the hall in Southend Road on Wednesday November 13
A company has come up with an invention which could help thousands of caravan and mobile home owners across Tendring stay high and dry protecting their property from serious damage. The firm has developed a device which raises the structure up above rising
Former Heybridge Swifts goalkeeper James Pullen is in line to make his first-team debut for Ipswich Town tonight. Manager Joe Royle has told the 20-year-old that he will come on for the second half of Town's Worthington Cup tie against Premiership side
Jobs at the Basildon plant of baby product manufacturer Graco were today feared to be under threat. Its headquarters in the USA announced a restructuring plan that could lead to hundreds of redundancies in its British operation. The job losses would affect
Residents are to take legal advice as part of their bid to halt plans for a travellers site in their village. People living in Little Clacton are preparing to launch a campaign to object to a scheme put forward by Essex County Council. It wants to set
Richard Naylor believes the arrival of Joe Royle has 'reopened the door' for him at Ipswich Town. The striker found himself frozen out at Portman Road after being cast aside by former chief George Burley. But, under the leadership of new boss Royle, Naylor
A courageous mum today told how she rescued her daughter from their burning home. Dawn Cuthbert rushed to nine-year-old Chantelle's aid as flames engulfed the first floor of their terraced council house in Bourne Close, Laindon. The mother-of-two was
The president of Essex Chambers of Commerce, Robert Leng, has been chosen as the first president of the newly formed East of England Chambers of Commerce (EECC), which has been set up to give a stronger voice on regional business issues. He will take
A sheltered housing complex of up to 20 homes is proposed for a site in Hart Road, Thundersley. The warden-assisted scheme, applied for by Chelmsford company Ryan Hallmark Ltd, would be a two to three-storey building with 18 two-bedroom flats and two
Tiptree progress to the next round of the cup after a 4-0 victory against Stanway despite a poor performance. Manger Neil Farlie said: "Although we scored four goals, we didn't play particularly well. "What was pleasing was the fact that we managed to
The first part of the major refurbishment work in Southend High Street will not be completed by Christmas as originally planned, it has been revealed. Partly funded through European money, the Sshape project is part of the revitalisation of the town centre
Teenager Hollie Pritchard whose brave fight against cancer has touched the hearts of friends and family has been given a second award for her courage and the opportunity to meet Prince Charles. Hollie,17, travelled to Prince Charles home at Highgrove
Murder squad detectives were today sifting CCTV footage in an attempt to solve the mystery surrounding the killing of Barry Redsull. Officers revealed there is still no definite motive for the attack on the supermarket manager outside his home on the
A sudden influx of emergency cases caused a bottleneck of ambulances waiting to deliver patients to Colchester General Hospital. At one stage, there were eight ambulances queued up with patients awaiting admission to accident and emergency at the Turner
Youngsters from Alleyn Court school got a boost to their on-court skills when they were visited by top players from two local sides. Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY London Leopards' Gianni Lettieri joined forces with members of Southend Swifts ladies club to offer
Youngsters from Chalvedon Boys football club completed a two-lap sponsored walk of Eversley Park, Basildon, on Sunday to raise funds for the club. Picture: MAXINE CLARKE Around 70 youngsters from Chalvedon's five teams took part and officials are now
An inventive youngster has scooped the top prize in a national competition. Catherine Gooding, 12, of Powers Hall End, Witham, won the award in the Robinsons Fruit and Barley Bright Ideas Competition for her power bath which washes peoples' hair for them
Steve Maltby and Duncan Taylor were the stars as Rayleigh beat Hullbridge B 8-1 in the Southend and District Table Tennis League Premier Division. In Division One, Hullbridge C opened up a gap at the top after two good wins over struggling Lentern B and
Drinkers craving a tipple are being warned of fake bottles of whisky contaminated with dangerously high levels of methanol. So far only 50 bottles of the counterfeit Johnnie Walker Black Label Whisky have been found on sale in Hackney, London, but Southend
Rovers' FA Trophy hopes reached the end of the road last night as Ford United stepped up a gear in extra time. Having held the Ryman Premier team to a 2-2 draw on Saturday, Ryman One North Wakering again came back to force an extra 30 minutes in this
Colchester has been given a major boost with news that music giant HMV is coming to town. HMV is set to take over the former Mothercare centre in Lion Walk Shopping Centre. It will be the firm's first ever outlet in the town. The 15-year deal was secured
As well as its three main offices in Colchester, Chelmsford and Southend, Essex Chambers of Commerce also has a large network of Affiliated Chambers. Essex Chambers Director Dave Gronland explains: One of the features which distinguish Essex Chambers
It was third time lucky for a school which desperately needs more classrooms as councillors gave the twice-deferred plans the thumbs up. Governors, staff and children at Stisted CofE Primary School have been fighting for two new classrooms, a new staff
