Trains are getting back to normal after long delays today. Buses replaced trains between Colchester and Ipswich after a tree fell on to a rail track early this morning. Firefighters were called to reports of a train hitting a tree near Manningtree at
My great aunt Florence Rosa Slipper (known as Rose) m William St George. They and their son Edward Cyril lived at Cartref-le, 13, Bromley Rd, Parsons Heath from at least 1939 until the late 1960s. Edward m Venus "Nina" Alexander who at the time of their
Ellen Daniels thinks she is very lucky. There aren't many Good Samaritans about, but she reckons she got one of them. This particular good Samaritan came up with a £100,000 loan when no bank would give Mrs Daniels the time of day. The loan was crucial
An ambulance manager was unfairly disciplined by bosses he had previously blown the whistle on, an employment tribunal has found. Paul Holmes took Essex Ambulance Service NHS Trust to a tribunal after a "humourous" letter to Braintree Council ended in
Radio star Liz Mullen has been unveiled as the new voice of Garrison FM. Liz is the new breakfast DJ and manager for the Colchester-based station, which broadcasts to the town as well as Wattisham and Bassingbourn. And she said she was looking forward
A real life Humphrey is swiping daily pintas from people's doorsteps. The crook has been snatching deliveries in thefts reminiscent of the 1970s' Unigate Dairy advert, which saw an army of striped straws steal milk. More than half a dozen households
Mersea islanders have defied strong winds and a foul tide in their bid to save their beloved Packing Shed Island. Stormy weather in recent years has eroded shell banks on which the packing shed, a former oyster distribution centre, has stood since the
A man has lost his bid to continue living in a mobile home in a countryside conservation area. Thomas Coyle, 59, tried to overturn a council ruling ordering him to remove the mobile home and a caravan from land at Mouse Hall, Boxted. He claimed he had
An historic Colchester workhouse is set to be converted into housing. St Albright's - set up in the 1830s for the poor and destitute - could become desirable apartments in the converted workhouse. ESHA Homes has applied to Colchester Council for planning
It's that time of year again. Cricket lovers from all over Essex will be packing their picnic hampers and cool boxes for the start of the annual Colchester county cricket festival today. But with a mixed weather forecast for the next couple of days,
A Sea Scouts training ship will be getting a makeover thanks to a £5,000 prize. Colchester's Sea Scouts scooped the top prize in the annual B&Q You Can Do It Awards after creating energy and water saving solutions to benefit the community. Thanks to
A man landed in court after he dropped a knife on the pavement - right outside Colchester police station. Robert Bell was spotted picking up the blade by an officer watching from an upstairs window, magistrates were told. The 46-year-old will be sentenced
Stansted Airport is facing its busiest weekend of the year this Bank Holiday, with up to 320,000 passengers expected to take to the air. Airport staff are reminding people using Stansted of the safety restrictions in place with a Prepare for Summer campaign
Police have launched a multi-force operation to crackdown on illegal raves. Hundreds of officers from Essex and surrounding forces have drawn up battle plans to stop events across the region in time for the Bank Holiday weekend. They hope to disrupt
Youngsters flocked to a beach in Walton to find out who is king of the castles. Dozens of children, parents and holidaymakers took to the beach with their buckets and spades to take part in the town's annual sandcastle competition. The contest, which
The first cinema screening for special needs kids in Clacton was a "huge success". Karen Fowell organised the event at Flicks when she had trouble finding suitable summer entertainment for her autistic son Aaron, six. Together with around 60 other children
An environmental action group is looking for more people to get involved and help improve the area. The Harwich Environmental Action Team (HEAT) works hard to tackle environmental issues in Harwich, Dovercourt and the area surrounding the towns. Eileen
The first "twinning" trip between Jaywick and its mirror-image resort in Kent has been hailed a success. Residents discovered in April there is a strikingly similar estate to Jaywick's Brooklands just 27 miles across the North Sea in Studd Hill near
Patients will get better access to their GP, health bosses have pledged. A recent survey of GP services showed most patients are satisfied, but some issues have been highlighted at a small number of surgeries in north Essex. Bosses in north Essex have
Hospital bosses have defended figures which show 13 people suffered serious injuries following incorrect treatment. The figures emerged after the Gazette put in a Freedom of Information Act request for details of patients affected by incorrect treatment
S-Club 7 star Bradley McIntosh wowed young fans in Colchester. The pop star posed for pics and signed autographs ahead of tonight's show for teenagers at Club Valentino. He chatted with fans in Impressions fashion shop in High Street. A group of 14
An 87-year-old pensioner was left in a state of distress after crooks raided her home. The three posed as landscape gardeners before one of them tricked their way into her Colchester house, stealing a purse containing more than a £100 cash. Police today
A fundraiser's dream is set to become a reality with the opening next month of a nursery for children with special needs. The Colchester Children's Day Care Centre has been a dream of Colchester grandmother and the charity's founder, Ellen Daniels, for
A church warden has spoken of his "upset" after vandals attacked his church for the third time in six months. Ken Wheeler, warden at All Saints church, Dovercourt, said that after vandals removed a window from the church in broad daylight, something
Punters can whet their appetite and help raise money for the Preserve Our Palace Appeal at the same time. The newly-established Harwich Brewery has created a special brew called EPA (Electric Palace Appeal). The beer was launched yesterday, at the historic
It's like an Aladdin's cave - wall to wall there are trinkets and tasters of a town's brimming seagoing history. But at the heart of Harwich's Maritime museum is a team of helpers in need of an extra boost. Volunteers are needed to lend a helping hand
Enforcement action could be taken against the developer of a golf course in Thorpe. Permission for a nine-hole golf course and driving range at the former Rose Quarry in Thorpe Park Lane was granted in 2002. But Tendring Council officers have now been
Controversial plans to build houses on a former school field in Clacton have been deferred. Cosy Developments wants to build 24 houses on the land, next to the Windsor School in Holland Road. But a committee of residents from east Clacton want the site
Rumours that Colchester Zoo is to host the celebrity bash of the year have been scotched. Glamour model Jodie Marsh is currently starring in a television show to find a "husband", a search which saw her date local lad Justin Hubbard. National media
Concern has been voiced at plans to axe psychiatric beds in north Essex. Colchester Council has issued its response to the plans, which would see a mental health ward in either Colchester or Clacton closed down. North Essex Mental Health Partnership
Snap-happy youngsters have been taking to their local streets to get creative. The Arty Party workshop in Manningtree got under way on Monday when, cameras in hand, children took pictures of the town. The children, aged between eight and 16, were capturing
Family and friends have said a sad goodbye to teenager Natasha Coombs. The 17-year-old was laid to rest yesterday after her funeral took place at St Nicholas' Church, Harwich. The Rev Peter Mann, who conducted the service, said more than 300 people
A seaside council's bid to clear its resorts of yobs has taken a step forward. Councillors at Frinton and Walton are considering providing a building for recreational activities to keep them off the streets. And while they have not committed themselves
Halstead Town bowed out of the FA Cup in an extra preliminary round replay at Wellingborough Town. The Ridgeons League division one side were beaten 2-0 by their high-flying United Counties League opponents. After going close through Warren, Halstead
Brother and sister Mark and Louise Pennell will be bouncing for Britain in Sheffield this weekend. Mark, 14, and Louise, 18, from Alresford, have been selected for the Great Britain team in the trampolining, tumbling and double mini trampolining international
Sailors turned out in force for a showpiece regatta and it was a case of double delight for Simon Clarke. The Gunfleet member tasted victory in both races - just as he did last year - at the event hosted by Clacton Sailing Club on Sunday. Jubilant Clarke
Aidan Davison is cautiously optimistic about returning for Colchester United's trip to Preston North End on Saturday, after playing 45 minutes for the club's reserve side. The 39-year-old goalkeeper has been sidelined for the last month with a back injury
James Middlebrook was bursting at the seams today to get back out in the middle at Castle Park. The 30-year-old Essex off-spinning all-rounder, who has just signed a new two-year contract, enjoyed one of his most memorable innings when hitting a century
A string of unexpected events has unravelled the history of a wedding dress which lay forgotten for nearly 90 years. A village flower and fashion festival prompted a St Osyth family to find the designer dress, veil and honeymoon diary which dates back
An angler landed a million-to-one catch as he randomly plucked his friend's fishing rod out of the sea. Jim Last cast his line into water off Mersea and thought he had a fish when he felt a tug on the end. But instead of reeling in a slippery supper
Hundreds of rail commuters faced major delays this morning when high winds brought down tree branches, hitting overhead power lines and catching light. Firefighters were called to reports of a train hitting a tree near Manningtree at 6.40am. But it
An ancient church is welcoming visitors as part of Colchester's contribution to next month's Heritage Open Days promotion. The 14th-century St Leonard's on Hythe Hill, maintained by the Churches Conservation Trust, opens its doors just a handful of times
