WHEN David O’ Connell and Alice Nevard realised they couldn’t afford a lavish reception after their wedding day, they came up with an unusual plan. Alice, 21, was desperate to have the traditional first dance with her new hubby. So after
A BID has been launched for Colchester to become a city. Destination Colchester is drawing up the application as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations next year. It is pinning its hopes on the town’s Roman heritage and has adopted the slogan
THESE powerful pictures lie behind a heartbreaking story only too familiar to hundreds of thousands of families across the UK. Photographer Mark Edwards has been charting the effect of Alzheimer’s disease on his 74-year-old mother, once a vibrant
COLCHESTER bookworms are gearing up for a night of literature-themed activities this Saturday. More than 300 bestsellers specially printed for World Book Night will be given away at Slack Space in Queen Street. Colchester residents, including Dorian
Matthias Vilhjalmsson has left Colchester United and returned to Iceland after being recalled by his parent club FH. The 24-year-old forward will start pre-season training in his native country, after making just three substitute appearances for the
A BARRIER which stops parts of north-east Essex from being flooded will open for members of the public to look around. The Colne Barrier is operated by the Environment Agency to protect low-lying areas of Colchester, Wivenhoe and Rowhedge. Staff will
THE quality of army housing has been slammed as unacceptable by a Colchester MP in the House of Commons. Lib Dem Bob Russell has repeated calls for upgraded accommodation for army families in towns including Colchester. He said: “Not only do families
A TEAM of rangers and volunteers have started to clear up Colchester’s Salary Brook. The countryside rangers from Colchester Council yesterday joined councillors and other volunteers at the reserve around Titania Close and Oberon Close to clear rubbish
THE head of the coastguard service has vowed lives will not be put at risk if stations are forced to close. Vice Admiral Sir Alan Massey, chief executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, visited Walton coastguard station to discuss the controversial
ONCE a month Joyce Lucking puts on her coat and heads out to meet her friends at West Bergholt Women’s Institute – just as she has done for the past seven decades. Mrs Lucking, 87, is thought to be one of the longest-serving members of the WI in the
AN area of Colchester does not deserve its poor reputation, claim organisers of a community safety initiative. Colchester Safety Partnership launched its eighth day of action in the town’s St Anne’s area yesterday. Colchester Council and Essex Police
A MAN has been charged with making indecent images of a child and possessing an image of bestiality. Paul Adams, 50, of Greenstead Road, Colchester, appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court. However due to the serious nature of the
A NEW watersports club is being formed on the Colne. The Essex University venture is looking to breath new life into Essex University's facilities on Brightlingsea Waterside. Brightlingsea Waterside Yacht Club (BWYC) will cater for all
THE search for the country's strongest man will be held in north Essex this summmer. England's Strongest Man will be determined as part of the Valhalla Festival of Muscle and Power at Layer Marney Tower on Saturday July 23 and Sunday 24. Twelve
THE family of courageous Arwen Card have been told she could only have a matter of months to live. Arwen, six, of Garland Road, Colchester, has battled a brain tumour for three years. Now doctors say there is little more they can do. Volunteers and
HISTORY enthusiasts took the chance to get a rare glimpse of the remains of a 900-year-old abbey. Colchester Archaeological Trust held an open day, after spending a fortnight digging trenches in the grounds of the former Colchester Garrison
A TRAVELOGUE with a difference is the next show by acclaimed theatrical duo Lone Twin. The pair – Gary Winters and Gregg Whelan – are favourites in Colchester following a number of projects, including carrying a telegraph pole through the town centre
COMMUNITY leaders discovered a four-inch kitchen knife in a children’s play area. Danny and Stephen Mayzes had organised a clear-up in the nearby woods and play area close to Oakwood Infants’ School, in Windsor Avenue, Clacton. But the
John-Joe O’Toole says he is determined to salvage something from his injury-ravaged season. And the Colchester United midfielder believes his ten-month injury lay-off has made him even hungrier for success. O’Toole’s welcome appearance
