MANY graduates will look back on their time at university as the happiest and most carefree years of their life. But for the current generation of students, there is often a good deal more to three years of degree studies than going to lectures, writing
A MAJOR store has opened its doors at a Colchester retail park, creating 35 jobs. The first customer through the doors of Next’s new home store at Tollgate, Stanway, got a glass of bucks fizz and a goody bag, which were also handed out to the first 50
A MUM-OF-TWO described as a “menace” by council officials was thrown out of her rented flat after a court granted a closure notice. Environmental control officers from Colchester Council and Essex Police closed 167 Avon Way, Greenstead, Colchester, after
POLICE have apologised to a woman for an early-morning wake-up call from officers... and taking nearly two days to let her know if it was genuine. Two police officers terrified Jennifer Palmer when they called at her bungalow in Mede Way, Wivenhoe, in
A MAN who assaulted a 14-year-old girl before dragging her into his van and driving off has been jailed. Hector Seaman, 26, of Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, was sentenced to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to a charge of
A WOMAN escaped unhurt after the car she was driving caught fire in Colchester on Monday. The emergency services were called to Queen Street at 4:50pm to tackle the blaze. The road was closed between the High Street and Southway during the incident
PUPILS now have a safer journey to school after a new crossing was completed. A zebra crossing has been installed in St John’s Road, Colchester, following a four-year campaign by children at St John’s Primary School. The battle was spearheaded by Hannah
THOUSANDS of pounds worth of electrical items were stolen during a burglary in Colchester. The home, in Ipswich Road, was broken into between 5.50pm on Saturday [28/11] and 10.50pm on Sunday [29/11]. A flatscreen TV, two digital cameras
A MAN who went to a music festival with a hunting knife has been spared jail. Joseph Hale tied the 4ins blade to his leg with string when he went to the Kelvedon Music Festival. But it became visible when the 19-year-old was dancing and jumping about
I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who played a part in kick-starting Colchester’s Christmas celebrations, on Sunday, when the town centre lights burst into life. It was wonderful to see so many people out and about in Colchester, and
I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who gave so generously to my coffee morning in aid of St Helena Hospice. The response was overwhelming, as was the generosity of all the people who gave raffle prizes. We made a fantastic £1,024
I feel I must respond to Jordan Newell’s statement (Letters, November 25) that the Liberal Democrats believe someone aged 26 is “too young” to know what they are talking about. I am 26 and Martin Goss and all of the Colchester Liberal Democrats
Now the results of the offshore wind farm planning appeal are in, Clacton residents should congratulate themselves that they have moved one small step closer to the Government target, for our area, of 10 per cent of our electricity from renewables
A NEW approach to tackling crime by improving the quality of life in part of Colchester has been hailed as a great success. Police say the Safer Colchester Project’s three month focus on Monkwick has “reinvigorated and regenerated a neighbourhood”.
For years, the British people have undervalued and under-rewarded its public servants. Obvious examples are our nurses, the saviours of lives; our clergy, the saviours of souls; and our teachers, the saviours of young folk. Latterly,
What a disappointing day for the Staple team and residents surrounding the area of the now approved project of installing wind turbines. They have worked hard with councillors to fight against this proposal, but have unfortunately lost to Gove
The people of Essex should stand shoulder to shoulder against the East of England Regional Assembly. All of us who live and work here in Essex know the roads are full to bursting, yet we are still told we must accept x-amount of new houses a
WITH a fanfare of trumpets, a military judge was led off into retirement. After a career which has seen him try cases in a mountain-top hut in Cyprus and a kindergarten in Germany, Judge Robert Seymour has stepped down. He is pictured here being driven
Gardens are used as toilets WE read with interest June Ingham’s letter in the Gazette on November 19. We live in the almshouses in Winnock Road, Colchester, and as well as having our gardens used as toilets day and night, we have had three cycles
I am at the end of my tether, with all the explosions coming in from the firing ranges off Foulness Island. The house vibrates and things keep falling within the house. My dogs are so frightened, they just don’t know where to hide. An explosion
I am at the end of my tether, with all the explosions coming in from the firing ranges off Foulness Island. The house vibrates and things keep falling within the house. My dogs are so frightened, they just don’t know where to hide. An explosion
I was walking in Lion Walk, Colchester, with my wife and noticed that from Boots up to WH Smith there are at least 15 broken paving slabs. This was just to one side of the precinct, so I could only guess how many more there are on the other side
With the questionable intervention of the chief executive of Essex County Council, it is time for those involved in the future of Colchester’s secondary schools to consider their moral and ethical stances, as well as that on bullying. The Colchester
A WOMAN who claims her mother died after consultants messed up a routine procedure says she is not surprised the hospital has been criticised by health watchdog Monitor Sylvia Hall was admitted to Colchester General Hospital for a gastroscopy.
THE boss of Colchester’s hospitals has been sacked amid concerns about death rates, waiting times and leadership. Richard Bourne, chairman of Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, was removed by health watchdog Monitor, only
Residents have been invited to have their say on rubbish collection and recycling. Colchester Council is drawing up a new strategy. Residents will be asked their thoughts on four waste and recycling collection options, which could include
PLANS to knock down, lease or sell rundown accommodation for the homeless look set to get the go-ahead. Colchester Council’s cabinet will vote on plans to dispose of 102 rooms and chalets on Wednesday. Selling off the properties would bring in about
TIPTREE got into the festive spirit in style at its first Edwardian Christmas Fair. Church Street was packed with revellers, who enjoyed a merry-go-round, hog roast, arts and crafts demonstrations, tractor rides and various stalls. Michael McKell, who
A DINNER lady sacked from her job after an alleged breach of trust has lost an appeal against her dismissal. Carol Hill could go to an industrial tribunal after county education chiefs upheld Great Tey Primary School’s decision to sack her. Meanwhile
POLICE are urging developers not to put up benches in a housing estate, over fears youngsters could congregation there. Five parking bays, in Caxton Close, Tiptree, are set to be discarded to make way for trees and benches, after Colchester Council enforced
MUSIC was in the air and the streets full of people for the Colchester Christmas Market yesterday. The annual event saw the High Street closed to traffic, as stalls sold everything from food from around the globe to tombolas and win-a-toy games. Colchester
SPY planes are set to take to the skies over Essex within two years to help combat illegal immigration and drug smugglers. Essex Police have teamed up with their colleagues in Kent to customise spy drones, which are used by the Army in Afghanistan to
X Factor star Olly Murs has survived the public vote. The 25-year-old, of Carraways, Witham, impressed the judges in Saturday's show by performing Take That's Love Ain't Here Anymore and Elton John's Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting.
THE death of a pensioner is likely to have been caused in part by a burglary at her home three hours earlier, an inquest has heard. Thelma Avis, 90, died within hours of bogus callers stealing £1,000 from her home in Barnhall Avenue, Colchester. Police
Aidy Boothroyd urged his Colchester United players to put the FA Cup to the back of their minds after they were handed a tough tie at Coca-Cola Championship side Preston North End in the third round. The U’s will travel to Deepdale to take on the two-time
Roy Keane hailed the character of his Ipswich Town side after their against-the-odds victory at Cardiff. The struggling Blues turned round a half-time deficit to win yesterday’s Championship match 2-1, thanks to goals from Jon Walters and Jon Stead.
Aidy Boothroyd admitted Hereford United's confidence in the lead-up to the tie served as additional motivation for his U's side. Boothroyd was aware of the Bulls players talking up their chances ahead of the FA Cup second-round game, in their local media
Paul Reid did not celebrate Colchester United’s dramatic winner at Hereford United at first – because he did not see John-Joe O’Toole score. The U’s centre-half initially thought Anthony Wordsworth’s low cross had gone to waste, as his view was obscured
MOTORISTS were caught in traffic chaos as flood waters covered roads in and around Colchester. Traffic piled up around Hythe Hill, Hawkins Road, Military Road and Mersea Road and people struggled to get into the town centre. Flood
