By Paul T Davies I imagine there’s a mantelpiece somewhere that is laden with the awards Mad Hatter has won. If it exists, more space will need to be cleared for the awards coming their way for this powerful, superbly executed production of one
BUMBLING burglars escaped after their petrol station break-in attempt was foiled – by a customer coming in for a fill up. Two men attempted to break into the Shell Select shop in Swan Street, Sible Hedingham at around 4am on Wednesday (September
LEAFY Lexden is no place for a proposed bus or tram system, residents have said. A consultation is ongoing for plans to create a “rapid transit system” through Colchester as part of the Local Plan. Part of proposals by Colchester, Tendring,
A SPECTACULAR Hindu ceremony celebrating elephant god Ganesh returned to Clacton for the ninth time. The annual Ganesha Visarjan festival marks the end of ten days of prayer and celebration. Offerings are made to Ganesh and a clay statue of
What a month. After years of meticulous planning, we’ve finally opened the Mercury’s pop-up theatre space Mercury at Abbey Field. While our theatre building gets a much deserved make-over we’ve found a new glorious home on Abbey Field, which I’
A FATAL plane crash which claimed the life of a pilot could have been caused by ice, an investigation has revealed The crash in Belchamp Water earlier this year which killed Stuart Penfold, 54, of Halstead, was investigated by the Air Accidents
TIME is running out to make your nominations for this year's Sport Colchester Sports Personality Awards. The deadline is September 30, with the eagerly-anticipated ceremony taking place at the JobServe Community Stadium on November 25. Sprint
A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of breaching an order just an hour and a half after receiving it. The 22-year-old was arrested in Sible Hedingham and remains in custody on suspicion of breaching a Domestic Violence Protection Notice (DVPN)
MORE than 200 new Volunteer Police Cadets started their journey with Essex Police by 'passing out' in front of friends and family at Essex Police HQ. They were representing all 13 of cadet units in Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Castlepoint and
COLCHESTER Zoo has won three awards which single out the best attractions for parents and children in Essex. The Maldon Road attraction has been voted top of the class in three categories at the Essex Mum 2019 awards. For the sixth year in a
JOHN McGreal has labelled Colchester United's game with Leyton Orient this weekend as their biggest home match of the season. The U's will be looking to follow up their impressive 3-0 midweek triumph at Swindon Town with another win, at the JobServe
A GRIEVING widow whose husband died from an industrial disease is appealing for help to find out how he was exposed to asbestos. John Webb, 88, from Clacton, died from mesothelioma, an aggressive and terminal lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos
RAIL bosses have condemned the vandals who endangered passengers’ lives by dumping objects on a train track. British Transport Police were called to the lines close to Phoenix Bridge in Dovercourt at 5.08pm on Sunday following reports of youths
WALKING through St Botolph’s Priory used to be like running a gauntlet. If you had parked up in Britannia car park and wanted to get to Colchester town centre then there was no chance you would stop and admire the historic ruins as you walked through
IPSWICH TOWN COMMENT TUESDAY night was one for the number crunchers. The most important digits, clearly, were those in the scoreline 'MK Dons 0 Ipswich Town 1'. However, there were others that caught my eye in the aftermath of the Blues' third
GPs are warning residents to get their flu vaccinations. Many GP practices across north east Essex will soon be holding flu vaccination clinics for their registered patients and those people in at-risk groups are being encouraged to attend.
A NON-profit organisation has pledged to combat food poverty in Colchester and is launching a pilot scheme to feed hungry children for free. Through its new Fuel for School initiative Q4 Collective hopes to help combat the 500,000 children across
COLCHESTER’S rich and diverse community was celebrated at the return of the popular Rice and Spice Festival. Organised by Colchester Ethnic Minority Forum and supported by a grant from Colchester Council, the event took place in the grounds surrounding
CAMPAIGNERS have criticised a veteran Tory councillor who said he is “sick and tired” of a debate on the future of a town’s library. In a leaked email, Tendring councillor for Manningtree Carlo Guglielmi referred to some Save Our Libraries Essex
COLCHESTER’S international boxer Lewis Richardson will get a taste of Tokyo next month after being selected to represent Team GB in an Olympic test event. And the talented 22-year-old is hoping his visit to the Far East will act as suitable inspiration
A BUS driver has been cleared of a number of sexual assault charges. Shaun De’Ath, 55, denied indecently assaulting two teenage girls across two separate spells between 1998 and 1999, and 2005 and 2006. De'Ath, of Albrighton Croft, Colchester
DRIVERS are being warned to be patient at busy levels crossings following two incidents on the same day. Footage released by Network Rail shows a careless driver jump the red lights at the Manningtree crossing earlier this month on the A137 Ipswich
A TRAIN operator has made it easier for drivers to see if there are spaces available at its car parks. Greater Anglia has introduced live occupancy information at 14 rail station car parks. Customers can view availability at the car park ahead
A MAN died in public toilets in Colchester town centre. The East of England Ambulance Service were called to Osborne Street, Colchester, at 4.20pm on Wednesday. They were concerned about a man's safety and contacted Essex Police who forced
A BABY born with a rare heart condition has undergone open heart surgery at just a week old. Lucy Nichols and Jake Lawrence were delighted when they found out they were expecting their baby girl, Rylee-Hope. However, 20 weeks into the pregnancy
A FOOTBALLER who suffered a horrific broken leg wants more support for self-employed workers who injure themselves while playing sport. Jack Harmon, 25, plays for St Osyth Football Club and broke his right leg following an accidental clash during
OPERA glasses dropped by president Abraham Lincoln’s wife when he was assassinated have fallen into the laps of auctioneers in Colchester. The lacquered brass and ivory glasses were found at a home in Suffolk and are more than 150 years old.
STAFF at Essex University issued a desperate appeal for help for a student who was set to become homeless. An email, seen by The Gazette, was sent out via a mass mailing list asking for ideas to support the student. The request said the young
A WOMAN woke up in the middle of the night to find a thief standing in her hallway. Police are looking at a potential link between a number of incidents over the weekend where cars or car keys were stolen from homes in Colchester. One resident
THEO Robinson has revealed he did not intend to celebrate scoring for Colchester United against his former club Swindon Town – but changed his mind after being booed by some home fans. Robinson netted twice in the U’s 3-0 win on his return to the
