Archive

  • Soccer: Dream comes true for Dean

    Dean Holness, star of TV soccer soap Dream Team, will get the chance to play football for real after signing a short-term contract with Southend United. The 25-year-old star of Sky's Dreamteam put on an exciting 90-minute display during Blues' 2-0 friendly

  • Soccer: Formidable Furtherwick

    Canvey's Furtherwick Park School year seven soccer boys have taken a leaf out of the Island's hugely successful senior soccer side. While Gulls conquered all and sundry to win the FA Umbro Trophy, the Furtherwick youngsters had a smashing campaign to

  • Sandon: Residents vote yes to new oak

    Sandon residents have voted overwhelmingly to replace their 114-year old Jubilee Oak - axed after collapsing from a fungal infection in early June - with a mature oak sapling. In response to a recent parish council questionnaire sent to 600 homes, 157

  • Colchester: 'I was seconds from death plunge'

    A daring night-time parachute jump nearly ended in tragedy when a parachute malfunctioned, it has been revealed. The spectacular stunt was carried out by a member of the Red Devils team at the West Bergholt military tattoo and motor show near Colchester

  • East Tilbury: I don't think my Danielle is alive

    The anguished mother of Danielle Jones broke down after admitting that she believes her beloved daughter is no longer alive. Danielle, 15, disappeared just yards from her home in East Tilbury on Monday, June 18, as she set off for school. Since then,

  • Chelmsford: Big cash injection for homeless

    A massive cash injection to cope with increasing numbers of homeless people has been agreed by Chelmsford borough councillors. The borough's executive board voted on Wednesday to put an extra £53,500 into the budget for bed and breakfast accommodation

  • Epping: Voluntary work is 'business aid'

    Voluntary work can be the passport to success in the workplace, claims the Epping Forest Volunteer Bureau. The bureau, covering, Ongar, North Weald, Epping and the surrounds, says new research shows that voluntary work is one of the essential credentials

  • Essex: Keen eye on stun gun tests

    Essex Police are keeping an eye on how electric stun guns fare in trials on the streets of London. The gun called a taser, which temporarily paralyses its victim with an electric shock, could be introduced by the Metropolitan Police by the end of the

  • Chelmsford, Billericay: Accountant had mountains to climb

    Gill Awcock will never again complain about shopping in Billericay High Street in the winter when it is cold, wet and draughty - she will just remember trekking through the Himalayas in temperatures down to minus 15, and more rain in a hour than we had

  • Soccer: Mixed views of Gulls-Blues clash

    Canvey Island had pluses to look back on after Saturday's pre-season 1-1 draw with Southend United at Park Lane - but Blues boss David Webb wants some of his players to work harder. With Steve Ward away getting married and Micky Bennett guesting at the

  • Junior cricket: End of Wickford's winning streak

    Wickford under 13's long run of league successes came to a gripping end on Sunday at Woodside Park when they were just pipped to the post by Benfleet in the final over. Wickford now share the league leadership with Benfleet and North Stifford with one

  • Athletics: Taylor triumphs in Essex vest

    Twelve-year-old Charlotte Taylor of Colchester and Tendring produced the best race of her young career when competing for Essex over 800m at the inter county meeting held at Kings Meadow track Kingston. In scorching weather and against the top 20 youngsters

  • Soccer: McGavin turns his back on U's

    Steve McGavin was on Tuesday set to turn his back on Colchester United, claiming boss Steve Whitton wasn't interested in keeping him at the club. The attacking midfielder was set to move to Nationwide Conference side Dagenham and Redbridge after his contract

  • Cricket: Ronnie's challenge

    Essex captain Ronnie Irani is offering a reader the chance to win an Essex Eagles shirt and an Essex Eagles cap, signed by the Essex first team in an easy-to-enter competition. Just answer the following question: Which county did he leave to join Essex

  • Cricket: Essex have mountain to climb

    Essex will be trying to keep their wickets intact as they chase Leicestershire's impressive first innings total of 559. Leicestershire gave up their last three wickets for 11 just before the end of the day's play yesterday (Thursday) in the County Championship

  • Cricket: Robinson and Law battle back for Essex

    Darren Robinson and Stuart Law are putting on a battling display for Essex against Leicestershire in their County Championship match. Having made 559 in their first innnings, Leicestershire had set an impressive target for Ronnie Irani's men to chase.

  • Colchester: A 'losing battle' against vandals

    The oldest youth football team in Colchester is "fighting a losing battle" against "mindless" vandalism. Colchester Athletic has had its clubhouse in Maldon Road, Birch, vandalised seven times in four weeks and within days of the mess being cleared up

  • Rayleigh: Conman poses as policeman

    A bogus policeman has been spotted conning people out of money. The man, who was described as tubby, was seen knocking on people's doors in Station Road, Rayleigh, claiming he was a police officer checking for forged banknotes. He took the notes and told

  • Golf round-up: Leach scoops President's Prize...

    Burnham-on-Crouch Golf Club's ladies section played for the President's Prize in glorious conditions which was well reflected in the scoring. The winner was Joyce Leach, with Dee Wells second and Tessa Beer third. On Sunday, the third Sundae Special was

  • Basildon: Links rebuild plans ready

    The wraps have finally come off long-awaited plans to demolish more than 100 homes on the troubled Five Links estate as part of a massive rebuilding programme. Basildon Council is working with developers to transform the Laindon estate with 237 new houses

  • Wickford: New IT suite at school

    Youngsters at a Wickford junior school will be starting the new school year with much improved facilities after Essex County Council completed the first phase of a £100,000 refurbishment programme. Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Schools Cllr

  • Chelmsford: Arbour anger

    Ten Chelmsford families are infuriated at being told their road name should change because a new estate was built alongside them. The little cul-de-sac runs at right angles off Arbour Lane and is adjacent to Bellway Homes project replacing the old Marconi

  • Colchester: Soccer helps build new community ties

    It may not have been Wembley but the atmosphere was as exciting as any Premiership match. And the success of a football tournament which brought two communities together has ensured it will become a regular fixture. At the end of the term Colchester's

  • Lawford: 20-year-old school to be knocked down

    A school built little more than 20 years ago in Lawford is to be demolished. Work is due to begin at the end of the year on replacing the section of Highfields Primary School opened in July 1978 but the extension added five years ago will remain. The

  • Wivenhoe: GM crop protesters prove point

    Anti-GM protesters have taken on a top EU scientific committee and forced a climbdown on a piece of fundamental science. Crow (Concerned Residents of Wivenhoe) has been protesting about two GM crop trials of forage maize taking place at Sunnymead Farm

  • Walton: Town's TV image fear

    Town leaders at Walton are worried about being shown in a bad light in a TV documentary. The resort has been shortlisted along with several other communities to feature in a video on "the typicality of British life". But councillors and other community

  • Heybridge: Print staff facing redundancy

    Staff at a printing works have been told they could lose their jobs. Twelve workers at ET Heron, in Heybridge, have been told they may face redundancy if they don't accept new positions they have been offered elsewhere in the plant. Members of staff working

  • Braintree: Love overcomes wedding chaos

    The bridal dress escaped fire, the hotel for the reception closed down as did the cake shop, but a couple's wedding day still went ahead. These setbacks were encountered by Louise and Andrew MacGillivray, 26, who may be forgiven for wondering if their

  • Southend: Doctor probe held in secret

    A top Southend psychiatrist will not face disciplinary charges in public. Today (Thursday), Barbara Francis, the mother of one of Dr Neal Killala's former patients, branded the decision "a whitewash" and said she was "absolutely disgusted" at the General

  • South Essex: Parke at Ford

    Ford has announced the appointment of Philip Parke, as Marketing Manager, Ford Customer Service Division. Mr Parke, who joined the company over thirty years ago, has worked in Germany as well as the UK. He will have responsibility for marketing Ford Britain's

  • Cricket: Acfield blames work pressure for quitting

    David Acfield has blamed the demands of juggling business and cricket commitments for his decision to resign as Essex chairman. Acfield quit the post he has held since 1993 at the weekend before jetting off on holiday to Spain. "The role of chairman in

  • Soccer: Hard work pays off for Blues

    Southend United continued their pre-season build up with a 2-0 victory at Ryman Premier League neighbours Billericay Town on Monday night. First-half goals from strikers Daniel Webb and Tony Richards put Blues in the driving seat. And Southend manager

  • Southend: Stop-search in crime cut bid

    Police in Southend are to use controversial stop-and-search powers in a crackdown on teenage robberies, it emerged today (Friday). Officers are launching the high-profile operation following revelations that 75 street robberies have taken place in the

  • Chelmsford: Fears for 390 jobs

    There was more jobs gloom for mid-Essex today. The future looks uncertain for international telecommunications firm Dolphin Telecom Services, which has a base in Hedgerows business park, Chelmsford. Workers say 390 redundancies are on the cards after

  • Braintree: Council reject call to oppose A120 route

    A call for Braintree Council to publicly oppose plans for an upgraded A120 route cutting through acres of countryside has been turned down. Green councillors presented a motion to members at a meeting on Wednesday night asking them not to support the

  • Colchester: Paras put new twist on traditional ceremony

    Traditionhas been given a new twist at Colchester Garrison at this year's Beating Retreat ceremony. It has its origins in early warfare when drums were used for all signals on the battlefield and Beating Retreat was a signal for troops to disengage from

  • Wickford: Baker gets some stick!

    Giving some stick to French bread has landed a Wickford baker in hot water after police visited his shop to tell him he could face prosecution unless he removes a poster deemed to break race relations law. Kevin Barke, 47, owner of the family run Barke's

  • Brentwood: Big interest in new homes

    Both developers of Clements Park - Countryside Properties and Crest Nicholson - are reporting great interest. Record numbers are flocking to see the newly-opened two-bedroomed apartments created by Crest, and interest in the 'back to the Victorian' era

  • Cricket: Duncan paves way to Hadleigh victory....

    Premier Division Colchester 191-7 Hadleigh 192-6 (Hadleigh won by four wickets) Duncan Paveling turned on the style to steer Hadleigh to an important Premier Division victory against Colchester. The batsman-wicketkeeper - who was due a good score - smashed

  • Cricket: Last-gasp loss for sorry Essex

    A blistering run-blitz in the last hour of play brought Northamptonshire a win against Essex despite some batting heroics from Paul Grayson. Grayson made 149 in Essex's second innings yesterday (Monday) as with less than an hour's play remaining the visitors

  • Cricket: Herbs bounce back

    WILLOW HERBS 201-9 GREAT WALTHAM II 144 all out (T Rippon League Division Four) (Willow Herbs won by 57 runs) The Herbs bounced back to winning ways at Blackmore on Saturday. After winning the toss and electing to bat first they compiled a disappointing

  • Angling round-up: Coster triumph at Tiptree...

    This week's match at Brookhall Lake, Tiptree was won by John Coster of Team Ockendon with 161-8-0. John fished peg 32 with pellet, up in the water, and his haul included 40 carp. Second place went to Dean Swift of Baitstream with 147-8-0. Dean fished

  • Cricket: Irani left angry at defeat

    Ronnie Irani was an angry and disconsolate figure after his Essex side had crashed to a ten-wicket defeat against fellow strugglers Northants. It was not so much losing that left him venting his fury as the manner of it. "With 75 minutes remaining a draw

  • Soccer: Birthday goal will suit Nabil

    Nabil Abidallah is hoping for an early birthday present when Ipswich Town face Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven. The midfielder turns 19 on Sunday - less than 24 hours after the European heavyweights arrive at Portman Road for a glamorous pre-season friendly

  • Cricket: Bentley back to winning ways...

    SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS I 178-6 BENTLEY I 182-6 (Bentley won by four wickets) (T Rippon League Premier Division) Bentley returned to winning ways thanks to a fine unbeaten half century by Ross Marder (59 not out) in partnership with skipper, Gavin Johnson

  • Soccer: Fans' bond bid to boost Billericay coffers

    Billericay Town Supporters Association have launched a bond scheme to raise funds for the club. The organisation want to raise around £7,500 to cover the team's travelling costs and ground developments this campaign. The cost is £90 for the season spread

  • Brentwood: Hundreds say final farewell

    Hundreds of family and friends attended the funeral of a 20-year-old sports fanatic,who died after a workout on the athletics track of his former school. Former Brentwood School pupil Michael Polden, of Brentwood, died from the same rare blood vessel

  • Brentwood: Business role in new school sports college

    The announcement of a new community Sports College has highlighted the opportunity for Brentwood business to play a significant role. The Endeavour Community Sports College is believed, by the Hogarth Avenue special educational needs school, to be unique

  • Hastingwood: £9,000 for hospice

    St Clare Hospice has raised almost £9,000 from its recent successful summer fete, with familiar and new attractions drawing in the crowds. Hot sunshine helped the Hastingwood hospice raise £4,600 on the day, with a further £4,300 from donations in lieu

  • Essex: Schools enjoy Business Day

    Schools from all over Essex took part in the 15th Business Day, designed to bring education and business closer. Among the winning teams was the Mayflower of Billericay who came third in Creative Writing and top in Food Technology - but this group which

  • Colchester: Plea after third bag snatch

    Police have warned shoppers to be on their guard after the third bag snatch at a Colchester supermarket in just over a week. In the latest incident, which happened at the Tesco store in High Woods just before noon on Tuesday, a woman had her bag stolen

  • Clacton: Krystal's prize bike stolen

    A youngster won a mountain bike in a competition - only to have it stolen three weeks later. Krystal Morris, 11, scooped the bike in a competition at Safeway in Little Clacton. Her dad Carl Morris said she was delighted with the prize and had been riding

  • Walton: Burglar seen on raid

    Neighbours alerted police when they saw a burglar breaking into their elderly friends' house. Ann Reeve, 68, who lives opposite the house in Kirby Road, Walton, was in an upstairs bedroom when she saw a young man approach the house at about 2pm on Tuesday

  • Tendring: Groups' £500,000 cashpot

    Two voluntary groups in Tendring were today celebrating scooping a cashpot of more than £500,000 from the lottery. Both Essex Voluntary Association for the Blind at Frinton and Little Pals Opportunity Pre-School in Jaywick were major winners with their

  • Stansted: New pledge on airport scheme

    The Labour group on Essex County Council has pledged to strictly examine plans for a dramatic increase in the numbers of people travelling through Stansted Airport. The proposal to increase capacity from 15m to 25m people a year was lodged with Uttlesford

  • Maldon: Lake reopening hope

    Chemicals have failed to curb potentially toxic algae plaguing Maldon's Promenade Park Lake, but officers are still confident it could reopen by the weekend. A strong chemical solution has been used to reduce the ph levels before chlorine can attack the

  • Laindon: Climbing crook

    Police are hunting a nimble burglar who climbed up a wall on to a first-floor porch to get into a house in Markhams Chase, Laindon, while the owners were away. It is believed the crook stole around £500 of jewellery. Anyone with information should contact

  • Brentwood: New firm created

    The announcement by Liverpool Victoria recently that it has bought Bishopscourt Financial Holdings and some of its subsidiaries, have resulted in a new Brentwood company working out of Academy Place in Brook Street. Some of the BFS operation was not included

  • Athletics: Triathlete Lewin storms to victory

    Colchester Harriers' latest trail race held at Lavenham saw a fine win for the talented triathlete Colin Lewin. He finished the 14-mile course in joint first place with Tiptree's Alan Fisher. Both men clocked 1hr 42mins in the extreme weather. RAF Harrier