Visitors to Southend hospital will be encouraged to leave their car at home and arrive by public transport. A specialist company has been drafted in to carry out a survey of car users at the hospital in Prittlewell Chase. Due to start next Monday, the
Workmen scattered when a four foot sheet of flame burst from a gas pipe in the middle of a Benfleet road. A spark from a drill set off the blaze as contractors working for Essex and Suffolk Water dug up a main in Benfleet Road. Fire crews were called
The biggest yet appeal for foster carers is being made by Essex social services. The department says that 100 foster carers are needed urgently across the county to keep pace with the growing number of children coming into care. There are currently 474
A father of four has been cleared of shoplifting after a jury heard he was being harassed in a store by his children. Olat Ekosanmi, 42, claimed he put a £14.99 kitchen knife, which was in a cover, in his trousers to keep it away from the playful youngsters
This is the first picture of what a new arts centre in the heart of Leigh could look like. Campaigners hoping to convert Leigh's former Coliseum cinema, published a postcard featuring an artist's impression of what the completed project might resemble
Thieves broke into a Colchester tea room and stole hundreds of pounds of charity money - which customers had been saving up for more than three years. Money stored in a giant bottle at the Four Seasons Tea Room in Berechurch Hall Road, Colchester, was
The Nepalese community in Colchester was yesterday (Monday) in shock at the shooting of members of their royal family. Crown Prince Dipendra who, it is thought, carried out the killings before turning the gun on himself, has now died from his injuries
The completion of the long-awaited Parkeston bypass looks closer than ever after hundreds of thousands of pounds have been earmarked for the scheme. More than £250,000 is set to be allocated for the final stage of building the A136 road, which will take
A Basildon man accused of rape has had the charge against him dropped. Robert Carter, 21, of Hockley Road, Basildon, was due to appear at Basildon Magistrates' Court charged with rape on Thursday last week. Mr Carter was alleged to have raped a woman
Schools across Essex face a staffing crisis in September despite exhaustive efforts to fill teaching vacancies. With a record number of jobs advertised country-wide, it is expected Essex will be particularly badly hit. But the education authority hopes
The Evening Gazette's chief reporter Laurence Cawley knew Prince Dipendra through a shared talent for martial arts. Here he remembers his time with the Prince. "On Saturday I found out an old karate friend had allegedly killed eight members of his family
The gardens at The Old Vicarage in Broxted will be open to members of the public on June 24. Since moving to The Old Vicarage in 1999, Michael Goulding OBE and Michael Coates have been busy renovating its 10 acre Victorian garden after a 10 year lapse
Early morning customers and staff at Clacton Factory Shopping Village got a shock when a power cut set off alarms and closed the site's restaurant on Sunday. About 100 shoppers were already at the village on the Gorse Lane industrial estate when electricity
Cash-starved Weald Country Park is urging families to get back to nature after the foot and mouth crisis. Rangers at the 520 acre woodland attraction are welcoming back visitors with a host of major events including a survival weekend. Bookings are now
School children from Braintree's Notley High School have been invited to go ghost-hunting in a Thorpe-le-Stoken pub. The pupils will be visiting The Bell, currently closed following a fire, on June 15, to try and experience the alleged presence of the
A landmak water tower could be converted into flats if a new plan gets the green light. An application has been made to convert the historic disused water tower in Swan Side, Braintree, into flats. The applicant, John Ogilvie, of Church Street in the
A Southend man has been hailed a hero after risking his life to lead a 75-year-old neighbour to safety from her burning home. Brave John Taylor, of Shaftesbury Avenue, sprung into action after he spotted smoke billowing from a house directly across the
An opportunity to talk to tutors about part time certificate and diploma counselling courses comes with an open evening at Braintree College Conference Centre on Monday 18 June. The open evening runs from 6pm to 8pm. The Certificate in Counselling Skills
A policy to protect the coast surrounding Colchester from flooding and the sea has been accepted by councillors. Members of Colchester Council's Cabinet last night (Monday) offered their support to the plan, which will include assessing the dangers Colchester
An inquest into the death of a Basildon teenager was adjourned after a witness failed to appear. Steve Simpson, 17, also known as Bobby, died after being hit by a car as he tried to cross the A127 London bound carriageway at Basildon, on November 26 last
New road safety features in the Frinton and Walton district have been unveiled as part of the improvement package. They include a £21,500 mini-roundabout to relieve congestion and slow down traffic which uses Frinton's Frietuna Road as a rat run. The
It was honours even when Eastwood and Alexandra bowls clubs met each other in competition. Alexandra won in the Parren Shield by 26 shots when they hosted Eastwood and enjoyed victory on all three rinks. Scores (Alexandra first): M Stainer 21, A Woodley
A strong field of 62 young golfers teed off at Braintree Golf Club for the annual Junior Open. Glorious weather greeted the young golfers on Thursday for this highly competitive event. The skill level was high throughout the day and future golfing stars
Mercy was shown to a woman battling leukaemia who swindled more than £42,000 in housing benefits. Divorcee Jacqueline Hardy, 38, cheated Southend Council out of the money over a ten-year period, Basildon Crown Court heard. Hardy was told by a judge that
A landlord was attacked by a Yorkshire Ripper lookalike when he discovered the robber breaking into the pub safe. The landlord of the White Horse pub, in Main Road, Dovercourt, discovered the raider with his head in the safe at the back of the pub. The
Radio listeners in mid Essex were puzzled to find a station off air - but later found out thieves had stolen broadcasting equipment. They struck midway through a Chelmer FM programme, leaving the radio station out of action for 12 hours. They took broadcasting
Market traders in Colchester have refused to pay rent for three days because a lift giving access to stalls has been out of order. But Colchester Council's market manager has said he will eventually get what he is owed from stallholders. The Vineyard
Basildon AC's Nick Wetheridge is on target for the world half marathon championships after setting the fastest time by a UK athlete this year. Thundersley's British half-marathon champion, 29, clocked 64.05 minutes while winning a race on England international
Just three months into his first year of motorcycle racing, Ian Davenport has made it into second position of the British Motorcycle Racing Club Bemsee Rookie 600 championship. On his Suzuki GSXR600 Supersport bike, the Brightlingsea rider has achieved
Southend's airshow will continue to wow crowds every year despite two fatal crashes in as many days at Biggin Hill. Thousands of people flocked to Southend seafront to watch the air extravaganza over the sun-drenched bank holiday at the end of May. However
Stansted Airport this week announced a record operating profit of £28.1 million for 12 months to the end of March 2001. This compares to £21.1 million in 1999/00 an increase of over 33 per cent. "Our success in achieving such a significant profit improvement
A man was today (Tuesday) left naked after he was robbed of his clothes while out for an early morning walk. The victim had gone to stretch his legs in High Woods Country Park, Colchester, at 5.30am as he could not sleep. He told police he was approached
Just one Essex beach has won the coveted Blue Flag award this summer. Proud Dovercourt will be flying the European flag for Essex tourism - and is the first in the county since Southend Shoeburyness East in 1998. Residents, councillors and local officials
Canvey has at last achieved worldwide fame - thanks to a spoof website taking off the hit ITV show Survivors. People from Croatia to Canada are logging on to www.survivor-sucks.co.uk to read about the imaginary exploits of 16 make-believe pensioners braving
Veterans from the Korean War marched along Clacton seafront as part of a service of rememberance for those who died in battle. Members of the newly-formed Clacton Korean Veterans' Association organised the event and they were joined by other ex-servicemen
It has outlived civilisations and some consider it the aristocrat of vegetables and in Coggeshall there is an annual festival to celebrate its harvest. Asparagus has been grown and cut by hand at Abbey Farm for 16 years. Hundreds flocked to the weekend's
The mystery of the peacocks which have been spotted by residents all over the St John's estate in Colchester has been solved. Brian Clarke, of St Austell Road, bought the four birds, two cocks and two hens, nine months ago. In the last few weeks residents
The first ever Essex Garden Show at Little Bentley Hall attracted more than 5,000 visitors and raised £25,000 for charity. Volunteers from the village of just 200 residents worked tirelessly to ensure the event's success and they were rewarded with a
Ben Smith will become Southend United boss David Webb's latest summer signing today (Tuesday). Webb has returned to his former club Yeovil Town for a second time to capture the signature of the 22-year-old central midfielder, who will follow ex-Glovers
Great Wakering Rovers will enter the 2001/02 soccer campaign with a new manager and chairman at the helm. At last night's (Monday's) club annual general meeting, the appointment of ex-Leyton Orient striker Alan Hull, who had previously been assistant
Steve Whitton has hinted that Colchester United could be in the market for Oxford United's attacking midfielder Matt Murphy. The cash-strapped Manor Ground club are ready to unload the 30-year-old in a bid to cut costs as they approach the new season
Ricky Anderson, the country's leading wicket taker, will have a workout in the nets before deciding if he is fit enough to play against Glamorgan at Chelmsford tomorrow (Wednesday). The Essex fast bowler has been under treatment since limping out of Sunday's
TV broadcaster Chris Packham has launched Essex County Council's Festival of the Countryside. The naturalist and children's favourite was at Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers, which suffered during the recent foot and mouth outbreak. But with the county
Prepare to be Swindled Punk tribute band Swindle are back in town, alongside Jam tribute band Not The Jam at the Riga Music Bar in London Road, Westcliff, on June 2. The last time Not The Jam played the Riga it was a sell out so with a double-dose of
Churches Together in Witham launched a successful series of events last week at the town's Maldon Road Park. A holiday club ran from Tuesday to Friday and there were evening events for adults including a barn dance, parenting skills talk, songs of praise
A pupil from King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford, is one of only two UK students to be awarded a place at the prestigious Armand Hammer United World College of the American West. Andrew Melvin, of Year 12, has received a scholarship to attend the
The mother of two young men sent to prison has spoken of her shock at their crimes, anguish for the victims, and of her own personal abuse. The sons of Jacky James, 53, of Witham, were sentenced last week for several crimes, including stealing and crashing
Harwich lifeboat joined the search for a hotel worker who died after going missing on an early morning canoe trip. The rescue crew was drafted in by coastguards when a 30-year-old Suffolk man was reported missing after he failed to return from a canoeing
An angler drowned in just 18 inches of water at Layer pits. A post mortem examination showed the 26-year-old died from immersion, as he fished on the first day of the angling season. He has not been named but police said he was diabetic and it is thought
A teenage girl was left shaken and distressed after a man attacked her in an alleyway in Kirby Cross. The 18-year-old girl was approached by a man who grabbed her arms and forced her against the fence when she was walking home through an alleyway between
A Mistley company looks set to be sold. Carlsberg-Tetley has announced it has reached a provisional agreement to sell its School Lane complex to the Berwick-upon-Tweed based Simpsons Malt. Fifteen people work at the site and are now being consulted on
Charity fundraiser Mildred Hawes of College Court, Manningtree, has died. She was 73. Over 13 years, Mrs Hawes raised more than £12,000 for hospitals in London and Colchester and for the elderly. In 1994 she was honoured with an Essex County Newspapers
A proud dog owner is celebrating her pet scooping a prestigious title at this year's Crufts. Julie Skelton, from Benfleet, has only been breeding and showing dogs for four years and was delighted to scoop the top award. Her dog Georgie, a five-year-old
Rotary club members swung into action with a charity golf day in aid of the Helen Rollason cancer care centre appeal. Rugby ace Matt Dawson, the most capped scrum half in English rugby history, headed the event at Benton Hall Golf Club, Witham. This year
Benfleet Villa is building for next season's junior and mini soccer campaigns. The club wants outfield players and goalkeepers for its under-eight, under-nine and under-ten mini soccer teams. Footballers are also needed for Villa's under-13 11-a-side
A proof of age scheme aimed at reducing illegal sales to youngsters in Tendring has been hailed a success. Research by trading standards shows the project - which has also been run in Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, and Maldon - is working. Officers carry
ENJOY the delights of Noak Bridge Nature Reserve at its first ever Open Day on Saturday June 23 from noon to 4pm. The Open Day will focus on wildlife and conservation with many displays and activities based on that theme. Events will include a guided
All these young skateboarders want is a place in Southend to practice their tricks. The four teenagers yesterday (Monday) set the wheels in motion for a campaign urging Southend Council to get a new skateboarding arena built in the town. They say the
Darryl Stone, Somma Power and Laura Shirley spearheaded the Basildon AC challenge at the South of England junior championships in Watford. Benfleet high-jumper Stone added the South of England outdoor title to the indoor one he already holds. The 17-year-old
Tonnes of precious porcelain which lay at the bottom of the sea off the Singapore coast for nearly 180 years has a new home - here in Essex. Divers recovered the sunken treasure - which will fetch millions of pounds on the open market - in 1999 from a
A major sporting project is to be set up in Clacton to provide children with free activities during the summer. Various cricketing schemes will take place around the town in a bid to improve children's self-confidence and skills. Last year, 29,000 young
Former Commonwealth champion Rob Denmark gave his world championship challenge a timely boost with victory in the London Marathon Initiative 5,000m. The 32-year-old Basildon AC runner beat many of his national rivals to win the British Milers Club event
A family fun charity cycle ride is being held at Little Totham on Saturday June 30, with barbequed food served all day. Cycle, Skate, Scoot or Run along 10 miles of quiet country lanes for a charity of your choice or the charity of the day Farleigh. Register
The historic Endeavour fishing boat arrived back in Leigh last night after a lengthy battle to bring it home. The 77-year-old boat was famed for its part in the Second World War rescue at Dunkirk. Its homecoming coincides with tomorrow's (Wednesday's)
Television cameras were in Colchester as BBC News 24 focused on the town as a key three-way marginal in the General Election. Presenter Bill Turnbull was at town employer Paxmans to find out the mood of voters and what their key issues are. The town is
An action plan is being drawn up to reduce breast cancer deaths in Maldon, which has the highest rate in north Essex. Maldon District Council wants the number of deaths caused by the disease cut by a third in less than nine years. The plans will also
Gipsies are celebrating after winning a 19-year battle for a permanent home in Runwell. Council chiefs have revealed that plans to make land in Meadow Lane into a legal site for more than 30 caravan families were almost finalised - bringing to an end
A sports and social club could be turned into a gym and fitness centre. Braintree's Crittalls Sports and Social Club is set to be sold to a health and fitness firm. Norcross Estates, owners of the Springwood Industrial Estate site, said the sale could
