Villages are being forgotten by the district and county councils and not getting the help they deserve, it has been claimed. Bradfield parish councillor Peter Townsend old residents at their annual assembly on Friday: "We can't get our roads repaired
Ortho-Med (Supplies) Ltd, Colchester 01206 384747 Business Innovations Advisory Services LLP, Frinton 01255 676740 D.D.A. Services Ltd, Colchester 01206 212172 Kaba Doors Ltd, Romford 01708 383700 Sutherland Graphics t/a UK Business Exchange, Earls Colne
A unified approach to dealing with the growing problem of abandoned cars across Essex is being sought by county councillors. At present practice varies from district to district, with some councils waiting seven to fifteen days before taking action, and
Harlow finished their Division One schedule on Saturday with a disappointing 1-0 reverse at home to Tooting & Mitcham. Home form has cost the Essex side severly this term, with a promotion challenge having faded considerable over the final months
A two-man team conspired to dupe a Southend pensioner out of more than £1,000 worth of savings, it has been revealed. The duo targeted a 72-year-old woman living in a flat in Eastwoodbury Crescent. He said: "A man called at the woman's door and asked
Order was definitely in short supply as Baroness Betty Boothroyd sat at the top table for this year's Colchester Oyster Feast. Baroness Boothroyd, former Bluebell girl and Speaker of the House of Commons, would have done well to calm the boisterous nature
Police were today investigating the possible abduction of a young girl in Laindon. Three young boys told officers they saw a 12-year-old girl with shoulder-length dark hair arguing with a white man who then pulled her into a red car. The incident, between
Tiger - the Afghan hound who was adopted by Colchester soldiers when they were on duty in Kabul - has found a new home. Tiger's a happy hound - he's got a new owner! The young dog will live with Margaret Watson, the tailoress of 216 Signal Squadron, whose
Basildon's ailing Towngate Theatre should be back open for business as a thriving professional theatre within four years, the town's departing council leader has said. John Potter, who is retiring after 32 years on Basildon Council, insisted there was
A Springfield investment banker claims he saw eight glowing Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) race silently across the night sky. Twenty-five-year old Bruce Fenton had been watching a planetary alignment from the back garden of his Boswell's Drive home
Dock workers have been warned they will not get their full pension because the company they invested in is being wound up. Several workers from the Harwich Dock Company have their pensions with United Carriers. But now the company is being wound up and
Perry McCarthy will be swapping the driver's seat for the pundit's chair this weekend to provide analysis of the Australian Grand Prix for Sky Sports viewers. Billericay-based McCarthy is part of the five-man team behind the digital broadcaster's new
Plans to open Essex's first cannabis cafe have been narrowed down to near Witham's Humber Road estate. Reporter MICHAEL POWELL asked residents what they thought of the idea. Controversial it may be. But not everyone is against the idea of a Dutch-style
After 41 years as Wickford Tennis Club's treasurer Reg Iles figured it was time to stop balancing the books. So the 80-year-old stepped down from the role but did not turn his back on the Swan Lane club -- he became its president and still regularly plays
Children preparing for a Colchester dance show found themselves sharing school facilities with young offenders. The show must go on - Molly-Rose Gosling, 5, and her sister Jessica, 9, in the changing rooms with the costumes. Picture: STEPHANIE MACKRILL
Brentwood's booming sixth forms claim they are being blocked from receiving nearly three-quarters of a million pounds due to political moves at county hall. Secondary head teachers condemned the situation in a joint statement issued a week ago accusing
Traders worried about going out of business because of a proposed bus-only scheme in north Colchester have had face-to-face talks with council officers. Colchester Council plans to close off Nayland Road to through traffic - except buses and bicycles
Wickford swimming star Adam Puddick has racked up the medals both nationally and internationally. Now he wants the authorities to cater properly for himself and similarly talented sportsmen. ANDY LEES hears the views of the international ace Wickford
A controversial development that has divided Wickham Bishops for more than a decade has been given the all-clear. Developments Wickham Bishops village hall working group chairman Henry Bass holding an artist's impression of the planned village hall with
Online recruitment firm Jobserve of Tiptree has kept its place in a table of the most profitable firms in Britain for the third year running. The company, whose headquarters are at the Tower Business Centre in Kelvedon Road, is celebrating profits of
Three Southend beaches have been praised by the Marine Conservation Society for the quality of their bathing waters. Shoebury East Beach, Shoebury Common Beach and Southend Beach have been named in the Good Beach Guide 2002. Water companies have been
Bishop's Stortford had to be content with 2nd place in Ryman League Division One as, despite their impressive win at Whyteleafe, Ford United scooped the Championship with victory at home to Uxbridge. On a tense afternoon of non-league football, Stortford
Bus enthusiasts are inviting older residents to take a trip down memory lane. The Golden Jubilee has prompted the public transport historians to look back to the days when you could hop aboard a brown and cream six-wheeler coach in Wickford, Billericay
A quiet little housing estate in South Woodham may soon become the county's number one tourist attraction thanks to a new blockbuster film. The Lord of the Rings book trilogy - J R R Tolkien's legendary tale of hobbits and dwarves, elves and wizards -
Two pensioners fiddled more than £27,000 in benefits before Maldon Council found out. A court heard how Richard and Brenda Harris got four years worth of overpayments by not telling the council they had other income. The couple picked up £12,500 in housing
Colchester United are celebrating their award as the best behaved club in the Nationwide Football League's Second Division. The U's were confirmed as winners of the Division Two Fair Play League at the weekend after topping the table with just two sendings-off
A diabetes sufferer fears for her health because of "delivery problems" with the new meals-on-wheels service in Basildon. The 96-year-old woman has to eat regularly to maintain her sugar and glucose levels, and could fall into a coma if she does not maintain
Graham Gooch would prefer counties to be restricted to one overseas player and not the two being considered by the England and Wales Cricket Board. The Essex head does not think doubling the number will benefit the county game. "I can understand the reasoning
Thurrock Council is to work its way around the borough picking up unwanted fridges that can not be disposed of. Many people have been left worried and confused as to what to do with their unwanted fridges after recent European legislation introduced tough
Canvey Island manager Jeff King has been left fuming over the move of midfielder Mark Stimson to Ryman League rivals Grays Athletic. It's all over -- a glum Jeff King pays tribute to Canvey's yellow army of fans as the final whistle blows on his side's
Hundreds of children from across Europe will be coming to Colchester this weekend to take part in a mini-Olympics. The under-16s have been invited from Colchester's twin towns of Avignon, Wetzlar, Sienna in Italy and Tarragona and Tortosa on Spain's east
A Brentwood grandmother is digging deep into her past as a wartime Land Army girl and uncovering the secrets of an ancient monument. Iris Bates has unearthed the fascinating photographs she took with her old box brownie camera of Thoby Priory in Mountnessing
A vicar's son has been jailed for a shocking catalogue of abuse involving girls as young as three. Peter Hatchett, of Hall Road, Great Totham, indecently assaulted six girls over a four year period. A court also heard how he used a digital camera to take
A vicious attacker who subjected a man to a horrific homophobic assault on Southend seafront is being hunted by police. The 31-year-old victim was left with a broken cheekbone and a fractured eye socket. The attacker was a white man of medium or stocky
Vice squad detectives have raided the Basildon home of a House of Commons worker as part of an investigation into child pornography, it has been revealed. They arrested 36-year-old Philip Lyon at the £175,000 house in Bowfell Drive which he shares with
The aftermath of a fire in a town centre block of flats is still posing a danger, it was claimed today. Health fears - Brooke House resident Michael Parker, worried by residue from a blaze. Picture: NICK ANSELL 9JGUW1 Residents of Brooke House, Basildon
Southend soldier Mark Gee is so fast on skis that he once raced away with Princess Anne and left her bodyguards standing. Going for gold -- Southend soldier Mark Gee. Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY 6MH628 In less than a week, he'll be hoping to show the rest of
Animal sanctuary workers are pinning their hopes on traditional Chinese medicine to cure their oldest beloved resident. Renowned vet Chris Day had an appointment at Brentwood's Hopefield Animal Sanctuary last week to carry out acupuncture on Mabel the
A banned driver took to the roads just 24 hours before the end of his disqualification, a court heard. Darren Williams, 24, of George Street, Harwich, was made subject to a three-month ban in January for having no insurance. At a court hearing earlier
Most footballers dread a stint in the stiffs, but Southend United's players are undergoing something of a reserve team renaissance under Steve Tilson's guidance. The 35-year-old took over the second-string reins following David Webb's decision to quit
Police are hunting a man who indecently assaulted a 21-year-old woman as she walked along Dock Road, Tilbury. A police spokesman said: "He put his arm around her shoulder and walked along with her. He then indecently assaulted her and tried to pull her
Three big names are in the hat for the multi-million contract to build Clacton's new 900-place secondary school. And whichever firm comes out on top will also complete major upgrades at Colbayns High School and Clacton County High School as well as win
Stunning Hayley Coppin could be the face of the future for the swinging 18-30 holiday firm. Model search - Hayley wants to become the face of Club 18-30. Picture: TERENCE BUNCH 9GJDA5 The Billericay beauty is in with a chance of winning the company's
A draw was the predictable outcome at the end of the final day's play between Essex and Gloucestershire at Chelmsford's County Ground. The rain which had washed out the whole of day three of this Frizzell County Championship Division Two clash had made
It used to be a nightmare. Within two weeks of receiving the GP's referral letter, a patient had to be given an appointment date at an outpatients' clinic. Getting patients involved - Colchester General Hospital's outpatients' manager Pat Wood with her
A 45-year old woman has died following a collision with a car on the A127 in Leigh. The woman was pushing a pedal cycle across the Southend-bound carriageway near to the junction of Bellhouse Lane on Friday when the collision took place. A spokesman for
Boarding schools are back in fashion. Harry Potter's life at Hogwarts boarding school is the book and cinema hit of the year and the new children's programme 24/7 is proving popular. Living and enjoying a Harry Potter moment are, left to right, New Hall
A woman and her tot were cut from the wreckage following a serious car smash in Benfleet. Both mother and child were taken to Basildon Hospital for treatment following the accident, around 11pm on Saturday at the Tarpots roundabout on the A13. Two fire
A minicab driver has been branded "a dirty old man" by a judge for indecently assaulting two of his passengers. Brian Wheeler asked one woman if she was "up for an old man in the back of the cab" before he assaulted her. And an 18-year-old girl was indecently
Southend businessman Michael Woodford paid a visit to Buckingham Palace - to receive an MBE. Prince Charles invested Mr Woodford, the managing director of optical group KeyMed, at a ceremony in recognition of his work with the company in Stock Road. As
Chelmsford City manager Paul Parker knows there is work to be done over the summer after the Clarets' alarming slump over the second half of the season saw them finish just two points clear of the relegation zone in the Dr Martens Premier. Having held
Police are warning motorists to be extra vigilant, after a spate of car vandalism in the Maldon District. The call came after a number of vehicles were damaged in the past couple of weeks. A number of vehicles were damaged in Heybridge over the weekend
Police are appealing for witnesses after a man's pension book was stolen from his house. The pensioner was in the garden of his home in Blunt's Hall Road, Witham, at around 10.30am on Thursday, when two men began speaking to him. While one of the men
A former Essex head teacher who played a key role in a government report which has recognised Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ ME as a valid illness has hailed it as a breakthrough for common sense. Jane Colby, from Stock, was a member of the Chief Medical Officer's
Businesses are now eagerly awaiting the Budget, which has been confirmed for April 17. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) met with the Inland Revenue at the end of January to discuss its proposals for small companies' taxation in the Budget. BCC welcomed
Award-winning music from down under is popping up at Colchester Arts Centre tonight. Singer-songwriters Cath Munday and Jay Turner met while native Englishman Jay was doing a solo tour of Australia. At one festival appearance he met up with Brisbane-based
The urban renaissance of Chelmsford was a major theme of a top-level conference sponsored by the Essex Chronicle Expert view: Lord Rogers of Riverside addressing the "Future Chelmsford" conference at the Waterfront Place in Chelmsford on Wednesday. "Future
Few things are less likely to inspire a ruthless businessman than an invitation to do good. After all, at the end of the day, companies have to make money and there is little profit in philanthropy. Confidence building - students at Crown College. Picture
No matter how tough the situation, the pilots, doctors and paramedics of the Essex Air Ambulance can at least be confident in their footwear, thanks to sponsor Magnum. The Southend-based company is supplying the flight with its speciality high performance
Trouble with neighbours is something most of us have had to deal with some point in our lives. Talk it through: Mediators Andrew Hull and Linda Bard help neighbours with disputes sort out their problems. But the Maldon and District Neighbour Mediation
Rain at the end of yesterday's match at Chelmsford couldn't prevent Essex from kicking off their Benson and Hedges Cup campaign with a win over Sussex. Essex skipper Ronnie Irani did most of the damage, rescuing his side from early trouble at 18-4 with
New boy on the block Frank Reepe is well aware the buck stops with him as he sets out to nurse the Colchester United footballers towards the Division Two promotion play-offs. The new U's physio has only been with the club for seven days yet he has already
Arena-Essex Hammers had to settle for just the league points from a 45-45 home draw against Swindon from their double-header of matches at the weekend. On Saturday, the Hammers travelled to Rye House to complete their Premier Trophy campaignand lost 47
Evil rapist Colin Blackwell was jailed for ten years after what a judge described as "a horrific catalogue of abuse" on a schoolgirl. Blackwell, 59, began offending when the child was eight years old. She is now 17. He pleaded guilty at Basildon Crown
Heybridge concluded their season with victory at Kingsmeadow thanks to a Kevin Budge double. Budge made it five in two games following on from his hat-trick at Basingstoke last weekend, though there was little sign of the striker's heroics early on as
The wild jungles of Borneo proved no obstacle for a young Southend adventurer. Justin Gent, 19, has just completed a two-month expedition to Sarawak with UK-based conservation charity Trekforce Expeditions. Justin, of Wimborne Road, Southend, and a former
Staff and customers at a Pitsea building society were evacuated after a strong smell of smoke filled the building. Firefighters were called to Woolwich Building Society in Northlands Pavement on Saturday to hunt for the cause of the smell. Station officer
House prices in Southend are rising by a staggering 4.5 per cent a month, confirming the town as one of the country's property hotspots. The cost of buying a home has increased by 25 per cent since January last year in Leigh, Chalkwell and Hadleigh, according
THE next networking lunch for the Essex Chambers of Commerce is being sponsored by Trade Partners, Business Link for Essex and UK Online for Business at the Marks Tey Hotel on April 18. The Essex Chambers of Commerce hold regular monthly networking lunches
Employers in the South-East run the greatest risk from staff fraud because they have one of the highest levels of annual workforce turnover, a new report has revealed. A total of 19.3 per cent of workers change jobs in the area every year compared to
Training for managers and their staff is provided at the internet studio at the Colchester office of Essex Chambers of Commerce. The training on offer can be specifically tailored for the needs of a company. The studio is one of three in Essex supported
There is something deeply satisfying about a cold and frosty morning in Wivenhoe. The air is beautifully fresh and filled with the tumultuous sound of birds feeding along the estuary mudflats. With a slight breeze, there is also the chiming of the sailboat
Bosses at a Wickford pub and club have won the right to stay open longer. Frasiers appealed to magistrates after council bosses refused to grant them a 1am extension on Fridays and Saturdays. Fears of late night noise and disturbance were behind the decision
Titus Bramble today insisted he has no hard feelings towards Ruud van Nistelrooy after Ipswich Town's controversial defeat by Manchester United. The Blues' survival hopes were dealt a sucker-punch when defender Bramble was alleged to have pushed the Dutchman
A Basildon digital printing company has been taken over in a deal that looks set to create one of the biggest firms of its type in the world. Communication in Print, of Repton Close, which employs 84 people, has been bought by Pims UK, creating the largest
Entrepreneurs from Essex will be heading to Finland and Estonia later this year on the next trade mission, organised through the Chambers of Commerce. The mission will leave the UK for Finland on November 3, giving delegates two days to visit new and
Small businesses will be going online through a support group which is to be launched by the Essex Chambers of Commerce on April 10 at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Rivenhall. Memebers of the new e-business club will receive information, guidance and practical
Support for rural businesses is to be provided through a new county network. The Essex Chambers of Commerce has joined forces with Essex County Council, Business Link Essex and Writtle College to launch a new initiative called Essex-hub.net. It is aimed
Having lived and worked in Afghanistan, Beryl Jonseng spoke to Gazette reporter JEREMY PRICE about the time she described as a "renaissance" for the country Kabul in 1959 became home to newlyweds Beryl and Cyril Jonsen. Mr Jonsen secured a job in the
Four people suffered smoke inhalation and "were lucky to be alive" following a fire at their flat. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were called out to tackle the blaze at the first floor flat in The Gore, Basildon in the early hours of Saturday
Tories in Basildon have fired a dramatic salvo ahead of this week's local elections by pledging a referendum on council tax. The vote could give residents the chance to cut, freeze or increase the amount of tax they pay for Basildon Council services.
Billericay finished the season 9th after a 2-0 home success over Essex counterparts Purfleet on Saturday. Victory for Purfleet at New Lodge would have secured a very impressive 3rd-place finish, though after a long and tiresome season, 'Fleet never got
Princes Trust volunteers from Southend YMCA have celebrated the last three months of work with the presentation of certificates from deputy mayor, Alan Crystall. Happy - the YMCA youngsters take a rest after getting their awards. Picture: ELISE GOW 9GJJ52
Chelmsford Prison and the town's courts were among more than 1,400 properties affected by a power cut today. The town's police station on New Street was also hit by the blackout, which was believed to have been due to a high voltage cable fault. More
A new application to convert Rettendon's old post office into a house has been lodged with council planners. Applicant John Kingham, who closed the post office and Oakdene Stores last Monday, has lodged a second application after the first was turned
Beach hut owners in Frinton have enjoyed a year where the least amount of damage caused was recorded. Jack Shields, of the Frinton Residents' Association said 630 of the 1,000 beach huts along Frinton sea front belonged to members. He said: "One of the
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is to lobby the Department of Trade and Industry to remove red tape tying up many businesses. The BCC has published a red tape audit document, which contains contributions from chambers across the country. It is
Chelmsford Prison and the town's courts were among more than 1,400 properties affected by a power cut today. The town's police station on New Street was also hit by the blackout, which was believed to have been due to a high voltage cable fault. A spokesman
Tory MP Bob Spink has demanded an urgent Commons debate over suggestions of a new airport just across the Thames Estuary from Canvey. A blueprint for a new airport at Cliffe, an area of the north Kent marshes, is believed to be under consideration by
A report showing a rise in confidence by the UK's service sector has been welcomed by David Crozier, chief executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce. The rise in confidence for the first time in a year is reported by the Confederation of British Industry
European leaders are being urged to provide an environment in which small businesses can thrive. EU leaders were asked at their meeting in Barcelona last month to consider small businesses when drawing up policy making. The call came from the British
Anne-Marie Nicholson fought her way to a gold medal at the United Kingdom Karate championships. The 11-year-old from East Tilbury started competing for the Tokon Kai Karate club after just six months of training. And during the last year she has gone
Perhaps the greatest indication of the success of the bottled water industry is that those who find the very idea of selling the stuff of life absurd - once the overwhelming majority - are now forced to keep their doubts to themselves, terrified of being
Firefighters today tackled a blaze at a house in Kingsmere, Thundersley, after reports of flames leaping from the first floor. Safe - firefighters prepare to leave the home today. Picture: TERENCE BUNCH 9NBBQ3 Two fire crews from Hadleigh arrived within
Television presenter Valerie Singleton is teaming up with Colchester-based leprosy charity Lepra. Miss Singleton will travel to India with members of the charity to spread the message that leprosy is curable. She will leave on Sunday as part of a small
Heartbreak for Canvey, who face another season in the Ryman League Premier Division after Gravesend scooped the Isthmian Championship with victory at Bedford Town. Jeff King's pre-season favourites have never been able to shake their Kent rivals this
Danny Hunt is aiming to mark his 21st birthday with the 11th win of his professional career. The Leigh boxer goes into the ring at Bethnal Green's York Hall on May 4, three days after he celebrates his coming of age. And Danny is hoping the end of his
The white envelope landed on her doormat in early November. It was On Her Majesty's Service and insisted the contents were private and confidential. She remembers thinking the sender couldn't have thought it too private and confidential because the envelope
Weekend sport Colchester United reversed the problems of recent weeks with a 3-1 victory over QPR at Layer Road in Nationwide Division Two. There was also good news for Southend United in Division Three as they beat Lincoln City away with a Steven Clark
Essex rivals East Thurrock United and Great Wakering Rovers ended the league season with a 0-0 draw at Thurrock Hotel. In a season where both sides have slipped away from the Ryman Division Two championship race, Saturday's goalless draw provided a fitting
Burglars have seized a haul of antiques in a raid on a house in Wivenhoe. The raiders broke into a house in West Quay through a back window, searched the house and grabbed the items. Their haul included a 19th century rabbit tureen, a Victorian folding
A village rector investigated by police over a complaint about inciting racial hatred is praying the experience will make him a better parish priest. The Crown Prosecution Service has thrown out a formal complaint about the Rev Nigel Cooper, who wrote
The fifth annual dinner of the Essex Chambers of Commerce is to take place on April 12 at the Fennes Estate, Braintree. The main sponsor for this year's event is the Essex & Suffolk Water Company. The guest speaker is to be Rory Underwood MBE, who
Government officials are stepping up negotiations with the Egyptian government to secure the release of a former Westcliff man arrested by the country's security forces. Maajid Nawaz, who lived in Westcliff with his family, was arrested in Alexandria
A family is flushed with happiness after regaining full drainage services following 118 horrendous days without sewerage. The sewer serving two properties in Dovervelt Road, Canvey, collapsed on Boxing Day, leaving occupants with blocked drains and a
George Burley was left cursing a 'joke' refereeing decision which cost his Ipswich side against United. Town suffered a blow in the quest to avoid relegation when Titus Bramble was alleged to have pushed Ruud van Nistelrooy. Ipswich lost the game at Portman
Bullying should be less of a problem for youngsters in at least one school. Well done - youngsters get their certificates from PC Neil Brand. Picture: MAXINE CLARKE 9FDVR1 Police were at St Clere's in Stanford-le-Hope to reward pupils who had designed
Results this weekend have gone against relegation-haunted Ipswich Town, who lost to Manchester United and saw their nearest Premiership rivals snatch a vital point. At Portman Road today a controversial penalty from Ruud van Nistelrooy on the stroke of
Investigations into the failure of breathing equipment which could have killed a Basildon Hospital patient are set to continue. Police officer Jeremy Roberts, 40, from Grays, was last year saved after alert operating theatre staff discovered a blockage
The impact of the rail service on business is to be highlighted by the British Chambers of Commerce. All businesses will have the chance to contribute their views to the online poll set up by the British Chambers of Commerce but time is running out to
Warning on data register SMALL firms are falling victim to a scheme where they pay three times the price to notify, or register, under the Data Protection Act. They are paying this even when they may not have to, warned the Essex Chambers of Commerce.
