Great Wakering Rovers may have lost the services of seasoned campaigner Steve Mosely. The ex-Billericay Town defender joined the village side after quitting Premier Division Grays following the end of their FA Cup run at Football League Reading. The experienced
It has been the season of the brolly rather than the season to be jolly, but on the Saturday before Christmas, 22 games were played with only nine postponements. ESSEX INTERMEDIATE CUP THIRD ROUND Barnston played host to Basildon Town and Barnston moved
Essex Police's flagging ranks have been swelled by a £7 million advertising campaign, according to figures released by the Home Office today (Thursday). The national campaign to boost police numbers has generated nearly 15,000 responses from interested
Mid-Essex woke to up to six inches of snow and travel chaos this week. There were scores of accidents, and open country sections of the A12 around Chelmsford were buried under drifting snow yesterday. However although there were dozens of accidents police
An Essex multiple sclerosis expert today questioned a ruling which is delaying availability of a new drug. The Government body which assesses new medicines, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice), said it would not rule on controversial
A couple who have been caught up in the conflict in the Holy Land are back at home with their family. Colin and Kathy South have returned to Essex for the first time since they found themselves caught up in the Middle East troubles in October. Even at
A new rural police vehicle that will give village residents the chance to meet local officers is launched today (Friday). Sponsored by Ford, the initiative will see officers hold rural surgeries at villages across the Chelmsford division such as Great
The emergency services and Thurrock Council have teamed up to co-ordinate a multi-agency approach to tackling anti-social behaviour. The move is in response to an increase in car and bin fires, where firefighters have been attacked, prompting the fire
The relationship forged between south Essex and Poland moved one step closer as twinning signs were put up at the gateway to Southend. Signs on the A127 now officially declare the link between Southend and Sopot which was signed in Poland last October
Thousands of bargain-hunters flocked to Lakeside to snap up bargains in the post-Christmas sales. Despite shopping till they dropped before Christmas, dedicated customers used the festive break to recharge their batteries before dashing around the stores
Be quick if you want to celebrate New Year's Eve in style this year - that was the message from nightclubs across south Essex. Tickets are selling out fast - in stark contrast to last year when clubbers protested against Millennium Eve price hikes by
The blanket of snow that fell in Essex this week could have posed serious problems for midwives trying to visit expectant mums in remote parts of the county. But thanks to a generous offer from a local Colchester garage, they are now taking the bad weather
The remarkable story of Colchester's Mercury Theatre will be featured in a special national radio programme in the New Year. It will be the subject of BBC Radio 4's Shop Talk, its business programme for non-business people, on Tuesday at 4pm. Heather
Hundreds of family and friends of Rachel Middleton packed into Pitsea Crematorium to say their goodbyes to the teenager who touched the nation's hearts. Eighteen-year-old Rachel, of Lytton Road, Chadwell St Mary, suffered from cystic fibrosis and died
A middle-aged woman has died after choking on a brussels sprout. Janice Ling, 51, got into difficulties on Christmas Eve when she was eating a meal at her home in Key Road, Clacton. Her partner was there at the time and he tried to help her when she started
This Saturday (December 30), Billericay Town are at home to Carshalton Athletic in a Ryman League fixture, kick off 3pm. On Monday, January 1, Town put on their much re-arranged Essex Senior Cup tie against Hullbridge Sports with a 2pm New Lodge kick
A second half goal from Paul Battram gave Blues a well-deserved win at Barking on Saturday, keeping them top of the Essex Senior League table. East Ham had started the match just three points behind Brentwood with two games in hand so this was an important
While much of Britain snoozed away Boxing Day morning as part of their recovery from the festivities, 51 brave souls from Southend Athletic Club battled Arctic conditions. They were taking part in the 48th annual Southend Pier handicap race where an icy
Canvey Island Swimming Club's Adam Puddick is now targeting next year's World Deaf Games in Rome after another top medal haul in Poland. Adam, 16, who lives in Wickford, returned from eastern Europe with a gold, a silver and two bronzes from his 400m
Although it's been the season of the brolly rather than season to be jolly, the Essex Intermediate League generally fared well at Christmas with only nine games postponed. In the Essex Intermediate Cup third round Basildon Town lost 2-1 at Barnston with
The first round of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League's Handicap Knockout Cup Competition produced its fair share of excitement with no fewer that five games decided by a 5-4 margin. On the down-side there were also five concessions which
Torquay United will welcome the French duo of striker Habib Sissoko and midfielder Khalid Chalqi back into their squad at Southend tomorrow. The pair have just completed three-match suspensions and will be eager to force their way back into the Gulls'
Colchester United will be going into the New Year with the threat of a £25,000 fine hanging over their heads. The U's and Wycombe Wanderers could both be charged by the Football Associaion with bringing the game into disrepute following a touchline brawl
Table-topping Chelmsford City may have a break from action tomorrow (Saturday), but they face a stiff test away to Baldock Town, currently in second place in the Dr Martens League Eastern Division, on New Year's Day. Although City have always struggled
A 'make or break' pre-Christmas meeting with borough council chiefs brought tidings of comfort and joy for Chelmsford City Football Club. Although neither side would say so, there is now a strong possibility of the long hoped for site next to the A12
Braintree had to fight back from a two goal deficit on Saturday to earn a draw in a keenly contested pre-Christmas joust with a hard running Worthing side. But a good second half recovery gained Iron a well deserved result and might even have seen them
With both Swifts and Billericay having achieved good wins on Saturday, confidence was high on both sides for the Boxing Day match at Scraley Road. The visitors began strongly, and it took the combined efforts of Colin Wall and goalkeeper Kingsley Banks
Southend's second string overcame a pitch full of water to walk away with the victory in east London. Priors made a slow start against the slope and conceded an early try as they adapted to the wet conditions. But they soon settled down to cross the line
THE search for a missing teenager is back on after police believed she had been found safe and well. Emma Smith, 14, of Philip Road, Witham, was reported missing by her mother after she was last seen leaving the house at midday on Thursday and failed
THE search for a missing teenager has been called off after she was found safe and well by police. Emma Louise Smith, 14, of Philip Road, Witham, was reported missing by her mother after she was last seen leaving the house at midday on Thursday and failed
ONE of the county's top police officers has received recognition from the Queen in her New Year's Honours List. Charles Clark, Deputy Chief Constable of Essex Police, was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in honour of his 30 years' service to the community
New Year party-goers in Brentwood have been warned against using rogue minicabs. Taxi chiefs are encouraging revellers to stick to licensed black cabs or well-known private hire operators. In addition, London Buses, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and Tramlink
Canvey Island will be desperately hoping to get back on the Ryman League Premier Division title track at struggling Slough tomorrow. Gulls had their minds on the FA Cup in recent weeks and have fallen away badly in their championship challenge. In fact
Two lifeboatmen from Clacton are ready to answer an emergency call in Africa. Pete Richards and Robert Bradbrook have been selected for the RNLI's rapid response unit, which is on standby round the clock to help with flood relief work. Mr Richards, 34
The sale season got into top gear in Chelmsford this week- with many traders reporting one of the most successful weeks on record. Meadows boss Malcolm Tilsed said his tenants have been doing very well - particularly the large retailers - attracting more
The parents of Chelmsford teenager Gary Pridmore are calling for an investigation into his death at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital. Gary lost his lifelong battle against cancer and kidney failure at the age of 14 in August 1998. He had undergone
A rare guitar has found its way to Colchester where it has been snapped up by an avid collector. The instrument was created by world-renowned guitar designer Paul Reed Smith, who is based in America, and is one of just 50 in the world. Only two were allocated
Essex residents are being encouraged to dream of a green New Year by the county council, which has set up special recycling bins for cards and wrapping paper at County Hall in Chelmsford. According to county waste reduction officer Nicola Beach, following
Schools in Essex may have to adopt a four-day working week because of a deepening staff-recruitment crisis. Paul Lincoln, Essex County Council director of education, has written to Education Secretary David Blunkett to make him aware of the dire shortage
A great-grandmother has been left in tears after a faulty telephone connection has made her life a misery. Kathleen Peck of Walthams Place, Pitsea, relies on her phone to keep in regular contact with Basildon Hospital and her family. The 75-year-old widow
Billericay Town Council has confirmed it is to stop subsidising the 256 bus route following a poor response from passengers. The council announced earlier this year that it was reviewing the route, launched in August, after it emerged that no more than
Youngsters have been banned from a New Year's Eve party at a Billericay community centre. One member of Outwood Common Community Association said she was angry at the decision to exclude families from the event, at their centre. She said: "In the new
A supermarket has been hit by raiders for the second time in under a week. In the latest heist, four men went into the Colchester and East Essex Co-op in Nayland Road, Mile End, Colchester. At about 4pm yesterday, they distracted staff and while they
Steve Whitton takes his Colchester United squad into the second half of the season with the admission it has taken them longer to recover from the sale of Lomana Tresor Lua Lua than he had hoped. "Lomana's transfer was a massive blow to us all," said
The final scoreline flatters to deceive because, although City in the end did just about enough to deserve grabbing all three points, this Boxing Day game between two of the best footballing sides in the league was a much closer affair. City, never at
Helped by the new facilities at Melbourne Park Athletics Centre, Chelmsford Athletics Club have had a remarkable increase in their membership, which has led to one of their most successful years in recent history. During the summer the Women and Under
ESSEX JUNIOR TROPHY FOURTH ROUND Old Brentwoods beat visitors Springfield Rouge 5-3. Rouge took the lead but by half-time the home team had scored twice to take the lead. They extended their advantage with a third goal before Rouge hit back to level but
Chelmsford Chieftains' leading scorer Andy Hannah has decided to leave the club. He made his intentions known in a short letter to Chieftains' Head Coach Shaun McFadyen just before warm-up for Saturday's game at the Isle of Wight. Hannah claimed that
Passions ran high as hunt protesters and supporters hurled insults at each other across Maldon High Street during what could be the last traditional Boxing Day meet of the Essex Farmers and Union hunt. About 1,200 spectators -- equally divided between
A controversial planning decision in Wickham Bishops may have to be reconsidered. Maldon District Council approved a 26-home plan in the village to allow a new village hall and playing field to be financed - but residents were split over the scheme. More
A FAMILY of four face the new year without a home after fire swept through their house. Fire crews were called to the house of John and Jane Rendall and their sons David, 14, and Michael, 11, in Skitts Hill, Braintree, at 3.05pm on New Year's Eve. They
SELF-defence classes will be set up for teachers as part of a bid to boost security in schools. Lessons on how to diffuse and avoid problems as well as break away techniques will be taught to teachers who work in schools where there is deemed a need for
SEASONAL drink-drivers ignored warnings and got behind the wheel, according to figures released by Essex Police. Since December 1, 10,811 motorists in the county have been breath-tested by police officers. Of these, 283 have given positive alcohol readings
A car crashed into a cottage in Rayne, engulfing it in flames, just as the owners had finished their Christmas Day dinner. The Ford Escort hit a wall and somersaulted into Dennis and Brenda Ryan's 17th century home on the A120. Neither they nor the driver
Security in Essex schools is to be stepped up thanks to a national £22 million cash grant to boost CCTV surveillance and safety in schools. The county's learning establishments will get £560,231 to improve security - half from the Government and half
The parents of a baby girl who died from meningitis just three hours after being struck down by the illness, have warned at the speed at which the disease can strike. Sarah Redman, 14 months, died from meningococcal septicaemia at Colchester General Hospital
Stansted Airport directors are carrying out their own investigation into why more than 600 passengers were left stranded because of festive transport timetables. The inquiry follows the plight of Boxing Day passengers who arrived at the airport to discover
A bikers' pub often involved in controversy could be set to close early next year after the landlords submitted planning applications for a change to residential use. George and Carole Scott, who took over the White Bear in Stanford Rivers, near Ongar
A survivor of domestic violence spoke out about her experiences last week in a bid to promote a new support package that was launched in Braintree. Reporter Clare Berrett Reporter's e-mail: clare.berrett@essex-chronicle.co.uk went to meet "Jane" to find
The parents of a 29-year-old Great Baddow man released unharmed by guerrillas for Christmas never lost faith he would eventually return, according to their parish priest. A month before 29-year-old Paul Winder and fellow hostage Tom Hart Dyke, 24, from
Essex is facing a weekend of snow and ice causing treacherous conditions. Thursday's snowfall caused chaos on the roads with emergency services going into overdrive. From 6am until the afternoon they were called to more than 60 accidents ranging from
Given the choice of going by cycle or on foot for a five-mile race, most people would bag the bike every time. But add a few hazards like fences and trees - and an awful lot of mud - and it's a different story. Every Boxing Day man does battle against
John McGreal has vowed to win back his place in Ipswich Town's starting line-up for the weekend clash with Tottenham Hotspur. The centre-half was replaced by Titus Bramble for the draw with Chelsea on Boxing Day as manager George Burley tried to nullify
Witham Town had a good Christmas, when apart from all the seasonal fayre they won four Ryman League Division Three points from their two games, as they drew 2-2 with Bracknell Town on Saturday at Spa Road, and then beat their Boxing Day hosts Aveley 1
George Burley has urged his troops to cast their minds back to the opening day of the season in a bid to help cut out lapses in concentration. The Ipswich Town boss was left fuming after sloppy defending allowed Eidur Gudjohnsen to hand Chelsea a rapid
The Chieftains turned in a tremendous display on Saturday, and it was a performance in which every player gave 100 percent on the league's smallest rink, and against what they felt were some bizarre refereeing decisions. Although Chieftains went down
Southend United boss David Webb is hoping to wrap up a deal for Bristol City midfielder Carl Hutchings. The Shrimpers chief failed in a bid to bring the dreadlocked star to Roots Hall ahead of last weekend's hectic Christmas programme. But Webb is confident
Essex duo Rod Harrington and Colin Lloyd kick start their campaigns tonight in a Skol World Championships that have already seen a major shock. Number one seed Peter Manley exited the competition on the first day of play at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet
Christmas cards and trees can gain a new lease of life through recycling after the festive season. Essex County Council will locate card recycling bins at the three main reception areas at County Hall, Chelmsford, until the end of January. Cards may also
Hundreds of passengers temporarily stranded at Stansted Airport have criticised the lack of onward public transport from the terminal on Boxing Day evening. Many people arrived on UK internal flights and from international destinations to find that train
Police are concerned for the safety of a 14-year old Witham girl who has been missing overnight. Emma Louise Smith, of Philip Road, Witham, was last seen at midday yesterday (Thursday) by her mother. Miss Smith is said to be suffering from depression,
THE search for a missing teenager has been called off after she was found safe and well by police. Emma Louise Smith, 14, of Philip Road, Witham, was reported missing by her mother after she was last seen leaving the house at midday on Thursday and failed
Boom time. Basildon is one of the most successful towns in Britain, a new report has revealed. And jubilant council leader John Potter said the news was a just reward for years of hard work and a sign of things to come. A league table based on factors
Good homes and loving owners are desperately needed for hundreds of animals at the RSPCA Danaher animal sanctuary in Wethersfield. Kelly Brooks, deputy shelter manager, said: "We're full up to the brim right now, we've got no more room. We had a large
