Archive

  • Southend: Village has skate park plan

    A village near Southend could soon be getting its own skateboard facility. Rochford district councillors are to consider the possible provision of a skateboard park at Great Wakering. This could be done at the same time as replacing wooden play equipment

  • Canvey: Youngsters compile a wish list for leisure

    Forward-thinking children have compiled a "wish list" of youth facilities they want to see on Canvey. If granted, a water park, ice rink and bowling alley would be just a few attractions to arrive on the island. They have handed their list to MP Bob Spink

  • Tendring: Residents gear up for wintry weather

    Tendring residents have been bracing themselves for a cold snap. The Met Office is predicting snow for many parts of the eastern region and authorities covering the Tendring district have been getting ready. Essex County Council has a snow plan for such

  • Colchester: Noise ban could hit fundraising

    A pub's owners are hoping a noise restriction order won't stop them running charity fundraising days this summer. Sue and Roy Britton took over the Bell pub in Fingringhoe Road, Old Heath, in November 2002 and have tried to make it a venue for families

  • Canvey: Club 'could quit island over stadium'

    Canvey Football Club could quit the island if it cannot move to a bigger ground in the area, councillors have been warned. Castle Point highways and leisure committee unanimously backed the club's plans to relocate to Waterside Farm, Somnes Avenue, Canvey

  • Southend: Infection for man bitten outside club

    A man who was bitten on the face outside a Southend nightclub spent days in hospital after he developed an infection. The 42-year-old needed surgery to his face and lost teeth after the vicious attack. It happened just after the victim left a club in

  • Shoebury: We're being cuffed for charity

    Two 15-year-olds will test their friendship to the limit when they spend half-term handcuffed together for charity. Testing time - Rachel and Melissa will be handcuffed for 120 hours Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL VNZP4 The cuffs will be snapped on Rachel Green

  • Shoebury: Shops report panic buying

    Worried shoppers have been clearing supermarket shelves of bread, milk and warm clothing to see them through the impending big freeze. Stocking up - shopper Joanne Richardson Picture: ROB BROWNE VLCK73 Warnings of Arctic conditions including sleet and

  • Darts: Maish takes Scottish title

    Southend's Steve Maish was celebrating this weekend after winning the Budweiser UK Open Scottish Regional Final in Edinburgh. He took the final by two sets to none against Steve Parsons, gradually getting into his stride after a slow start. He took the

  • Leigh: Traffic calming plan is 'pointless'

    Parents have dismissed planned traffic calming measures around a school as pointless and believe a child will die before council chiefs take sufficient action. Mother-of-two pupils at West Leigh School, Mrs Hammond, believes pavement improvements, kerb

  • Wickford: Special school could be closed

    A special needs school could close as part of a shake-up by education chiefs, it is feared. Brian Lynch, the chairman of governors at Castledon School in Wickford, said a reorganisation of special needs education may lead to the school's closure. In outlining

  • Braintree: Award remembers town ambassador

    A retailer of the year memorial award has been launched for murdered Braintree town figure Derek Salmon Award launch - Brian Cutmore, Maggie Cross, Tracy Beale and Sue Thomson in George Yard. Picture: STEVE BAINBRIDGE Organisers of the scheme are encouraging

  • Southend: Hunt starts for new carnival queen

    The hunt is on for the new Southend Carnival Queen for 2004. The winner will lead the procession on Saturday, August 21, and represent the borough throughout the year. Selection day for the Carnival Queen and her Court is February 14 and the crowning

  • South Woodham Ferrers: We rocked on Radio 1

    A band beat off more than 900 wannabe pop stars to win the chance play live on BBC Radio 1. Rock on - Tom Gibbons, Emily Adams, Greg Wells and Andrew Small, alias the Aviators Picture: RON POULTER The Aviators were among the three finalists of a nationwide

  • Colchester: Record number off to Oxbridge

    Star students at a Colchester school have surpassed themselves again. Star students - just some of the Royal Grammar School pupils who have secured places at either Oxford or Cambridge this year. Picture: STEVE BAINBRIDGE 33519-1 Last year, the sixth

  • South Essex: £2 billion cure for the jams

    Traffic gridlock in south Essex could cost almost £2billion to unravel. That would be the bill to bring roads, rail and public transport up to scratch to cope with the Thames Gateway development. A report released has not ruled out motorists having to

  • Swimming: Louise yet to decide

    Swimming star Louise Gowens has yet to decide whether to compete in this year's Olympic trials. The former pupil at Rayleigh's FitzWimarc school, who is currently studying at the University of Cincinnati in the USA, is still deliberating her plans for

  • Tendring: Owner will appeal as scheme turned down

    A pub owner has revealed fresh plans for a major development of his business. Tendring Council has already turned down one set of plans to extend the Royal Oak pub in Main Road, Dovercourt. But now a new scheme has been submitted, and owner Carl Richardson

  • Harwich: Baby joy for MP Ivan and wife

    Harwich MP Ivan Henderson and his wife Jo are expecting their first child. The baby is due in the summer and the couple are delighted. "Ivan and Jo Henderson have great pleasure in confirming that Jo is expecting their first child," said a statement from

  • Trying to contact my god-father Harry Chilvers

    Trying to contact my god-father harry chilvers from the thundersley/canvey island areas, also his children anne, robert and helen. harry used to work with my father brian hart at the hornchurch childrens home. contact carole on caz.wiffen@btopenworld.com

  • Braintree: Service saved after Conservative cost-cutting revie

    Council bosses have said they are expected to keep on providing a welfare rights service for Braintree district. The service was established by Braintree Council's previous Labour administration to help people from all backgrounds claim the benefits,

  • Rochford: Green light for nursery expansion

    A nursery is celebrating the news that it has been given permission to expand. Members of Rochford District Council's planning services Committee gave permission for the Rochford Day Care Nursery to use premises next door to its current location. The

  • Clacton: Row erupts over noise at holiday park

    Keep the noise down! That's the plea from a group of residents close to one of Clacton's premier holiday parks. A number of people living in Jubilee Avenue have complained about disturbance from Highfield in London Road, Clacton. The park's application

  • Essex: Traffic delays due as A12 work start

    Traffic disruptions are expected this week around the A12 with the closure of several slip roads. Work to install traffic detector loops and provide quieter surfaces on the Chelmsford and Braintree roads will be carried out until Monday. The first locations

  • Soccer: Bentley ready to hit top gear

    Southend United midfielder Mark Bentley is relishing the prospect of returning to the Shrimpers starting line-up for this evening's clash with York City at Roots Hall. Pain game - physio John Stannard tends to Jay Smith at Mansfield on Saturday Picture

  • Essex: £5.7m overspend on child care

    Soaring costs have pushed council-run children's services almost £5.7m over budget. Essex County Council chiefs admit there are "significant" pressures on the children and families budget, but say they have started to tackle the problem. The amount spent

  • Essex: County ready for the big freeze

    Emergency services have been gearing up for plummeting temperatures and heavy snow predicted to hit the region. Ambulance chiefs said extra resources are being put on standby in case a big freeze grips the county. Essex Ambulance Service says its four-wheel

  • Rugby Union: Southend 67-22 Old Colfeians

    Southend produced a glittering performance as they ran in 11 tries to overcome Old Colfeians. Spinning away - Southend look to build from the base of the scrum Pictures: ROBIN WOOSEY VCF6E6 The Seasiders were full of confidence after last week's impressive

  • Kirby: Grandma's story book for children

    A grandmother has put together a book of stories she used to tell her grand-daughter. Retired social worker Enid Kattell, 74, used to tell stories to her young grand-daughter to relieve the boredom on long car journeys. Mrs Kattell, of Lynne Close, Kirby

  • Descendants of William John PERRIN & his wife Kate Elizabeth

    Looking for descendants of William John PERRIN & his wife Kate Elizabeth (maiden name unknown). Had children from circa 1916 Rose Jane (my grandmonther), Bill (William?), Doris, Violet, another son nicknamed Smoker.Lived in and around Moreton but

  • Essex: £5.7m overspend on child care

    Soaring costs have pushed council-run children's services almost £5.7 million over budget. Essex County Council chiefs admit there are "significant" pressures on the children and families budget, but say they have started to tackle the problem. The amount

  • Soccer: United hoping to silence Peacock

    Colchester United have an early opportunity to ram some choice words down Bristol City striker Lee Peacock's throat when the two clubs go head-to-head at Ashton Gate tonight. Peacock, currently topping the Robins' scorers list with 14 for the season,

  • Chelmsford: Chief praises bailiffs

    A council chief has commended the work of those who cleared an illegal travellers' site in a £100,000 operation. The praise comes after bailiffs moved in to clear the unauthorised site in Cranham Road, Little Waltham, near Chelmsford. Bailiffs were pelted

  • Soccer: U's seven out of ten

    Colchester United's cup luck was out again when they were drawn away from home for the seventh time in ten outings. The agony - Players and officials of Colchester United react after the club were drawn against Sheffield United away if they can overcome

  • Fencing: Green has Games dream

    Southend schoolgirl fencer Sara Green is looking a good bet to make the Northern Ireland 2006 Commonwealth Games team after a sparkling display. Sara Green - good performances for the Northern Ireland fencing team Picture: ROB BROWNE VEF381 Sara, 16,

  • Canvey: CCTV to curb yobs

    Fed-up David Futter has resorted to CCTV to deter yobs from attacking his home. You're on tape - David hopes CCTV will deter his house being targeted by vandals Picture: MAXINE CLARKE VKGYY1 The 43-year-old has had his car and house windows broken countless

  • Castle Point: Disabled swimmers making a splash

    Swimmers with disabilities are poised to make a splash in aid of cancer research. A dozen members of the Castle Point disabled group have started training for the charity splashathon. Their efforts will be propelled by the memory of their dedicated mini-bus

  • Canvey: Van destroyed by arsonists

    A van has been completely destroyed by fire after arsonists set light to a pot of glue inside the vehicle. Police and firefighters today appealed for people to come forward who saw what happened in Aspen Close, Canvey. Police told how it was not the first

  • Essex:: Committee slams meals decision

    Education bosses in Essex have been accused of washing their hands over the provision of school meals in the county. A meeting of Essex County Council's performance improvement committee examined plans to make schools responsible for providing dinners

  • Clacton: Opening by end of year if plan wins backing

    A new Tesco superstore could be open in Clacton by the end of the year, creating more than 200 jobs. The firm wants to build a 70,000 sq ft premises at the eastern end of the multi-million pound Brook Park development off London Road. Proposals have been

  • Essex: Trains cause commuter chaos

    Angry rail users abandoned their journeys as services ground to a halt in train chaos. No trains - rail passengers queue for buses Pictures: STEVE ARGENT Passengers faced huge delays travelling in both directions after a train broke down at Witham early

  • South Ockendon: 150 jobs go at Ford

    Ford is to shut one of its south Essex plants with the loss of 150 jobs. A top-level meeting of managers agreed the closure of the Aveley plant, in Arisdale Avenue, South Ockendon, and the news was broken to staff late yesterday. The plant, which employs

  • elizabeth ann pidgeon

    Searching for elizabeth ann pidgeon, patricia m pidgeon now believed to be p m hart, her daughter sarah louis hart, her son simon john hart, her husband roy f hart or anyone who knows them many thanks. springhoops@aol.com

  • Soccer: Braintree fall to defeat

    Despite bolstering their squad with the introduction of five new signings, Braintree Town failed to stop their win-less run and fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Maidenhead United. Lawrence Yaku opened the scoring and teed-up Luke Costello for a second

  • Castle Point: Traffic chaos at Sadlers Farm

    Traffic chaos is predicted to swamp Castle Point when work gets under way to improve the A13 between Sadlers Farm and Tarpots. The road is set to be widened to provide four traffic lanes of correct width to improve road safety, a plan estimated to cost

  • Canvey: Pavement starts smoking

    Firefighters were called to a hole in the ground which had smoke pouring from it. Boarded off : the pavement hole Picture: LUAN MARSHALL VGGWK19 Many residents had raised the alarm after they witnessed the smoke billowing out from a hole in the pavement