American cars and bikes will be roaring into Towerlands, Braintree this weekend (23-24th). More than 1,000 cars have already booked for the Mustang Owners Club of Great Britain annual show at the centre which will also feature licensed bars, line dancing
The proud founder of Brentwood's Royal British Legion Youth Band has been made a Member of the British Empire in the Queen's birthday honours list. John Wyndham, 55, of Shenfield, has been awarded the MBE for services to the marching band he formed nearly
A lorry driver went the wrong way round a major roundabout in a bid to escape men he believed were trying to hijack his vehicle. The lorry, which was carrying thousands of pounds worth of camera equipment, was travelling from Harwich Port to the roundabout
Romford and Harold's local community radio station is winging its way back to the airwaves and intends on being here to stay. Starting from Sunday July 1 Link FM will be blasting out music, news and views across Havering, for 28 days, 24 hours a day,
Hundreds of pounds in damage were caused by vandals who targeted two Ongar primary schools. In what are being treated as separate incidents, a playground bench was ripped from its base at Chipping Ongar Primary School in Greensted Road, and a skylight
A call has been made to retain flood warning sirens along the Essex coast. Essex County Council is currently reviewing whether to keep the sirens, or replace them with an alternative. But the Essex Flood Defence committee has come out strongly in favour
Urgent investigations are to be carried out in a bid to save a village youth club from permanent closure. The club at Wivenhoe faces the axe after it was forced to close following attacks by young vandals in the middle of May. Now organisers have written
Pair rescue innings BENFLEET SUNDAY 197-9 WICKFORD SUNDAY 158 (Benfleet won by 39 runs) Andy Scott and Trent Glover performed a rescue act with the bat to send Benfleet to a third Essex Sunday League victory from four matches. The Woodside Park men were
Colchester United boss Steve Whitton is ready to open new contract talks with defender Joe Keith and goalkeeper Simon Brown. Whitton said today (Wednesday): "I will be talking to the two players tomorrow and I will also be having further discussions with
Hassan Kachloul has made a last-minute decision to join Aston Villa and not Ipswich Town as he had promised. Kachloul's 11th-hour decision to overlook a verbal agreement and turn his back on Ipswich Town is at best intriguing. While nothing was ever signed
Thieves made off with a haul of phone cards and cigarettes after breaking into a village store. The raiders broke into the Londis Store in Clacton Road, St Osyth, at about 1.30am today (Wednesday). A nearby resident who heard the alarms and breaking glass
Two Chelmsford schools were among schools honoured at a ceremony at Hylands House last week for their achievements in promoting good behaviour and embracing their pupils' ideas. Chelmer Valley High School and Moulsham Junior School received their trophies
Customs officers seized £1 million worth of illegally imported cigarettes at Harwich International Port. The haul of three million cigarettes was discovered at the port concealed in bundles of timber on a trailer from Poland. The discovery was part of
A woman gave chase with her dog after a man exposed himself to her. The woman acted after the sex pest struck at 6.15pm on Monday on the Great Horkesley Cricket Club field. The white, plump man in his 30s and wearing a blue baseball cap, T-shirt and trousers
Thousands of pounds is set to be spent arranging events for the people of Colchester. The idea of appointing an events co-ordinator for Colchester has been lobbied in the past but was rejected. But Colchester Council's Cabinet has now agreed to the idea
A major conference taking place in Colchester next week aims to bridge the gap between employers and people looking for work. Signpost, the town's resource centre for the unemployed, is hosting the conference at its headquarters at the Wilson Marriage
A teenage rapist has been locked up for nine years for a sex attack on a 20-year-old woman in Halstead. The youth - now 17 but 16 at the time - was told by a Chelmsford Crown Court judge that he was a danger to women. And the court also heard on Monday
Foursoldiers have owned up to an embarrassing blunder after they went AWOL - from a primary school's summer fete. The confused Colchester-based troops were meant to run an assault course for fete-goers at Highwoods County Primary School summer fair on
Scientists testing toxin levels in the Thames Estuary are no nearer giving a firm indication of when the cockling ban is likely to be lifted. It is now just under two weeks since cockling was banned on the Essex side of the estuary after toxins were found
A battle over hospital car parking has broken out in Maldon. A 50-year-old volunteer has branded clamping around St Peter's Hospital in Spital Road as "ridiculous and unfair." Barbara Webber, of Strawberry Lane, in Tolleshunt Knights, was faced with a
Arsonists have been blamed for starting a fire in a derelict Basildon bungalow - the third in a few months. The blaze took hold at the empty Nevendon Road property, and resulted in it being "severely damaged", a Basildon fire station spokesman said. Converted
Plans to erect a 20 metre One 2 One phonemast at Great Cowbridge Farm in London Road, Billericay, have been thrown out by the town's Area Committee. Basildon Council officers had recommended the five antenae monopole be given planning permission despite
A display of retro fashion and accessories, some pre-dating 1900, will be on show in St John the Baptist Church in Danbury on Saturday, June 23. The exhibition is part of a campaign to raise funds for the church roof and the items on show are from a collection
TUDOR COURT 9 INGREBOURNE 'A'17 An incident-packed match saw Ingrebourne emerge as winners; gaining their much sought-after promotion to Division One. The first quarter was very tight with both sides feeling their way slightly and, the result was a 3-
Former England captain Michael Atherton has used his county side's tie against Essex at Old Trafford to sound a battle cry to the Aussies ahead of the Ashes this summer. A magnificent 125 not out from the Lancashire opener was the bedrock of the home
Southend United defender Carl Hutchings has hinted he might reject the new deal offered to him by the Blues. The dreadlocked stopper has been offered a one-year contract by Shrimpers manager David Webb. Hutchings expects to make a decision either way
Essex-based Concord Autograss held their second successful meeting of the season at their new Hackmans Lane, Cold Norton track on Sunday. Overnight rain on Saturday ensured that the slippery surface was a real challenge for all drivers, not just those
Police are on the trail of three BMW cars worth £90,000 which were stolen from Leigh. The theft happened shortly after midnight on Monday when the three brand new unregistered BMW 330Ci convertibles were stolen from premises in Progress Road, Leigh. The
It was a knockout! Hundreds of people fought to get into the launch of a charity bookshop when it was opened by Frank Bruno. The former heavyweight star was at the official opening of the UK's first Royal National Institute for the Blind store in Exchange
Lone sailor Stuart Hill is making slow progress back to Manningtree after abandoning his second attempt to sail alone and non-stop round Britain. Doomed round-Britain sailor Mr Hill, 58, of Maltings Wharf, turned towards home on Monday after being hit
Retail bosses in Basildon have met to discuss extra opening hours as part of an effort to fight off competition from Lakeside and Southend. The latest to announce its plans was Marks & Spencer, in Town Square, which will open on Sundays during a six-week
An Essex resident who survived the Paddington rail crash has said she is not surprised by the findings of the public inquiry into the accident. The Cullen report made 88 recommendations to improve rail safety after 31 people died in the crash on October
A councillor convicted of dangerous driving will make a statement to colleagues later this week. Tim Young was banned from driving and fined after a trial in which he denied but was convicted of dangerous driving. His car had lightly struck a traffic
Two drug smugglers have been jailed for a total of 28 years after they were caught with £1m-worth of heroin at Harwich. Packets of the drug were hidden behind a panel in the boot, dashboard and seats of a car and Chelmsford Crown Court heard yesterday
The bubble burst when a duped balloon race finalist went to collect his prize. Hopeful Steve Clark rushed off to pick up his winnings -- a colour television -- from the specified shop, but found it had closed ten days earlier. Steve, 32, of Moseley Street
A war veteran has received a special award from the Dutch government - 56 years after the end of the war. Geoffrey Dowman was an ammunition driver during the Second World War with the 15/19th Hussars, who were attached to the 101st Airborne Division of
A Stansted pensioner died four hours after being involved in a minor car accident. David Valentine, 74 of Norman Court, was driving his Hyundai Accent car along the B1383 Cambridge Road when it was involved in a collision with another car near the junction
Deaneswood Youth and Berry Boys proved to be the dominant clubs when Benfleet FC staged a mini-soccer tournament for youngsters from under-sevens to under-tens at their Woodside Park ground. Deaneswood won both Lions and Tigers in the under-sevens section
A dream of sailing alone and non-stop around Britain has been abandoned by calamitous captain Stuart Hill - at least for the time being. After more problems with his 14ft boat Maximum Exposure, grandfather Mr Hill, 58, of Maltings Wharf, Manningtree,
Staff and former patients from Mid Essex Hospitals Trust are asking local people to join them at Broomfield Hospital on Sunday, June 24, for a sponsored walk and fun day to raise money for the hospital and for orthopaedic research. The fun starts at 12.00
Finland will be the next country to be trawled for nurses to work in Southend Hospital. Following on the successful drive for a Filipino contingent two years ago, managers are now setting their sights on northern Europe. Managers of different directorates
Two days of Tudor-style fun and frolics are planned for Horndon-on-the-Hill this weekend. Henry VIII - and some of his six wives - will be enjoying the festivities and entertainment at the village's annual Feast and Fayre. Co-ordinator Kim Towlson said
Residents and businesses are paying a private security firm to patrol their village in a new bid to clamp down on vandalism. The move has been made by Little Clacton Parish Council after a spate of incidents costing thousands of pounds to repair. Linda
British Transport Police have declared war on car crime at railway stations throughout the south Essex area. The new crime prevention awareness initiative began at Billericay railway station when police spent the day mingling with commuters telling them
The last residents to leave Colchester's Turner Village Hospital have been given the keys to their new homes. Two bungalows have been built in Belle Vue Road, Colchester, on the former St Paul's Church site, and will be known as St Paul's House. Built
The first two days of the British Outdoor Championships recently took place over the weekend at Tatem Park in Enfield, which ended with skaters from the South Woodham Ferrers & Wickford Rollerspeed Skating Club winning five British Championship races
Riders from around the world descended on Wakes Colne for the THQ British Motocross Championship. But they had to battle it out in thick mud after heavy overnight rain. Competitors from all over the UK were joined by riders from the USA, Switzerland and
Steve Whitton is getting on with the job of building next season's Colchester United squad as the club bounces back from their defeat in the High Court. Both U's team boss Steve Whitton and chief executive Marie Partner stressed to the fans: "We have
Heybridge Swifts have acted to fill the void left by Liam Cutbush by appointing former player Steve Dowman as manager for the coming season. Dowman is well known in local football circles having managed in the Ryman League with Wivenhoe and more recently
Despite setbacks due to foot and mouth disease and the worst rain for 250 years, Dunmow-based Ashfields Polo Club has finally hosted its first tournament of the season. There were several teams competing in the yellowspring.com-sponsored event including
Residents have won their fight against late-night Sunday entertainment at two Colchester clubs. Members of the borough council's licensing and appeals committee last night (Tuesday) refused applications for music and dancing on Sundays from midnight to
People must invest in Essex and raise its profile. The call came in a rallying cry from re-elected chairman Joe Pike at the first meeting of Essex County Council since the election. Despite a gloomy General Election for their Party, Essex Conservatives
A shocked holidaymaker opened his suitcase after returning from Florida to find an unusual souvenir. A two-and-a-half-feet-long snake had travelled all the way from the United States. Packing to come home after the two-week break, Steve Cross, of Church
Tony Clarke had not intended fishing when he visited Gloucester Park to see how pal Mark Chamberlain was getting on. However, when Mark landed a mid double figure carp his interest was aroused. After they returned Mark's carp, which had taken his lightweight
Essex have been set a daunting first innings target of 431 as they try to respond to a strong batting performance from Lancashire. Former England captain Mike Atherton led the way for Lancashire with a superb 160, and Warren Hegg also plundered a century
Former sixties popstar, Paul Jones and a team of former East End hardmen are heading for Maldon next month - as part of a Christian mission. The week-long event from July 17-24 will take place at the town's Promenade Park and is called 'Love Maldon 2001
Detectives are hunting two youths who tried to get into the home of an elderly woman in Dexter Close, Grays. They tried to enter the flat but were disturbed by the warden who had responded to the occupant's alarm. Call 01375 391212 if you witnessed anything
Books by Sainsbury, trainers by Nike and pens and pencils by Tesco - this could be the future for Canvey's schools as they band together to go on a sponsorship shopping spree. Schools on the island are banding together in a unique experiment to win sponsorship
Detectives and fire investigators are sifting through charred remains after arsonists went on the rampage across Colchester. Firefighters were first called to a fire in a derelict timber house on Elmstead Road, just after 6.35pm on Monday. It took them
A mystery gas has forced a Colchester school to close after staff felt unwell. Parents of nearly 300 three to seven-year-olds have been told St George's Infants School, in Barrington Road, New Town, will be shut until at least the end of the week. The
A wind of change will sweep the corridors of Braintree Council under a new constitution set to be debated by councillors. At a meeting tonight (Wednesday), councillors will decide whether to adopt a new council constitution which will radically alter
Restaurateur John Hurley of The Beehive, Great Waltham has been in hot water with some of his more 'mature' diners after pleading for his 'grey trade' to return last week after a drop in revenue during the foot and mouth crisis. "Some people have taken
The Essex countryside is now fully open for business for the first time since Draconian measures were introduced to combat Foot and Mouth Disease on February 28. Since then paths, bridleways and unmetalled by-ways had been banned to use for fear of spreading
A bid to stop potentially poisonous waste leaking into the sea from Two Tree Island has been unveiled. The plan for the site at Leigh would involve a partnership between Southend Council and the Environment Agency. Pat Ripton, environment protection officer
Two elderly brothers who visit Canvey once a year to tend the grave of their parents are desperate to solve the mystery of who has been looking after the plot. Stuart McCrerie, 73, and his brother Douglas, 81, live in Wiltshire and Hampshire and visit
Upset relatives have met council officers to demand explanations for the dumping of floral tributes in a corner of Pitsea cemetery. Flowers, lanterns and teddy bear ornaments are among items taken from graves at Pitsea New Cemetery and piled up in a corner
George Burley has hinted he is ready to shatter Ipswich Town's record transfer fee in a bid to bring further glory to Portman Road. The Blues boss wants to sign two new players in time for next season - and is willing to eclipse the £4 million paid for
Cricket-crazy Colchester schoolgirl Beth Wild is ready to put her studies behind her to play for England. Beth, 14, who lives at Kelvedon and attends the Colchester County High School for Girls, is today celebrating her call-up to the England Under-15
ST MARGARETS 207-3 HAROLD PARK 160-3 (Match drawn) Harold Park played host to old adversaries St Margarets in Raphael Park on Saturday, and despite the inclement weather managed to complete a match which only saw six wickets fall. Batting first, St Margarets
Staff at Colchester's Mercury Theatre are planning a production of their own - but it will be performed well away from the stage. With ropes, harnesses and hard hats as their props, they are doing a charity abseil down the ten-storey maternity ward at
Winners of South Woodham Town Council's litter poster competition were recently presented with their prizes. Chairman of the environment committee, Paul Betts, handed over goodie bins and book tokens to overall winner Nadia Haines, Jason Bradley, who
An inquiry into the Home Office application to build a secure unit for young offenders on the St Charles site, Weald Road, will take place at Brentwood Town Hall at 10am on September 11. A planning inspector will determine the application, after the Home
A mother has told of her grief after a man was jailed for causing the death of her beloved son in a drink-drive crash. Charles Coyle, who was twice over the limit, was given a five-year sentence and banned from driving for eight years. Coyle, 29, was
A bogus official stole an elderly man's savings when he tricked his way into the pensioner's home. The 76-year-old victim, of Dean Way, Chelmsford, had £1,400 taken when he let the man posing as a gas board official into his home on Thursday to read the
An Arab court was today (Wednesday) due to hear an appeal on behalf of a young Southend woman who was jailed for life for smuggling drugs into the Middle East. Anna Bartlett was jailed in May after a trial which saw her admit to taking hashish and cocaine
A major road into Clacton, which has been down to one-way traffic for four months, is set to reopen fully next week. The Little Clacton bypass has been closed to vehicles coming into the town since March for structural repairs to a bridge. The roadworks
