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
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,
A former club DJ accused of abducting a 14-year-old girl and taking her to Southend has been acquitted. Homeless Gary Hill, 29, had denied two offences of taking the youngster, now 15, from her home in Margate, Kent, and detaining her last November. The
Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was knocked unconscious by four attackers in a street assault in Colchester. The victim, in his mid-30s, was beaten to the ground outside Greyfriars College on East Hill, at about 10.15pm on Saturday. Four
Willowherbs Cricket Club celebrated their 50th anniversary at Blackmore on Sunday, with their Annual Presidents Day including all sorts of players past and present in the line up. In the actual match the Presidents men proved far too strong for the Herbs
Essex will be trying to make an early breakthrough after Lancashire won the toss and elected to bat at Old Trafford in their County Championship Division One match. By 12.55pm Lancashire had made 24 with no loss off 16 overs with Michael Atherton on 16
It will be the battle of the Blues again in the Worthington Cup when Southend United take on Birmingham City. The first round ties announced today (Tuesday) pit Division Three's Shrimpers against First Division side, Trevor Francis's Birmingham City,
Lightning struck twice when Basildon AC's international hurdler Steven Surety followed his father on to the South of England Athletics Association roll of honour at Haringey. Surety, 21, became the South of England champion in the 400m hurdles - 29 years
For the latest news on the V2001 festival in Chelmsford this August, click here: v2001chelmsford.co.uk Firm Grasp of festival Grasp - who launched last years V2000 festival are out and about Essex this summer and keeping busy. In March Ian Smith replaced
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 yesterday (Monday) on the Great Horkesley Cricket Club field. The white, plump man in his 30s and wearing a blue baseball cap, T-shirt
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 massive hunt for two children feared drowned in a lake was called off after police divers failed to find anything. A team of officers from Essex Police's diving unit dredged Shoebury Park lake for three hours on Friday afternoon amid fears the youngsters
North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin has given his backing to Iain Duncan-Smith in the Conservative leadership battle. The shadow transport minister, who increased his majority by almost 3,000 in the General Election, said: "I believe he would be the best leader
Hosts Hawkwell Athletic enjoyed twin glory when they won two of the age groups at their own five-a-side competition. They took the Under-12 B event by beating Rayleigh Boys 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out and saw off Prostar 1-0 to take the under-14 crown.
Tri Sport Epping are holding their annual "Try a Tri" event this Sunday at the Ongar Leisure Centre. The event is now full with 120 entries, but spectators are more than welcome. This is a novice event for first time triathletes and the emphasis is on
A team from a Clacton hair salon proved they are a cut above the rest by raising around £500 for charity. A total of 15 staff and friends from Oxygen in High Street got on their bikes and pedalled from Clacton Pier to the Naze at Walton and back last
Motocross rider Marcus-Lee Soper is on track for a big future in the sport after national and international success in his first year. The six-year-old from Hawkwell recently finished 20th out of 80 competitors at the Mini World Grand Prix in Las Vegas
Canvey Island FC have added another top-line friendly to their pre-season list and will take on Dr Martens League Bashley at Park Lane on Saturday August 11 (3pm) - a week before the new Ryman League season gets underway. Gulls have organised a chance
Intrepid Manningtree sailor Stuart Hill was yesterday (Monday) believed to be drifting off the north Norfolk coast after setting out for a second time on a solo non-stop sail around Britain. Mr Hill, 58, of Maltings Wharf, left Cromer on Saturday morning
The controversial fight to allow girls to wear trousers at a Colchester school has sparked a new row. Student Katy Pegg won a change in school rules which allowed girls at Philip Morant School to wear trousers from September. But now parents have been
The head of the Essex Small Business Service has vowed to make the new organisation more responsive to the needs of local companies. Brian Archer, chief executive of the SBS which took over responsibility for Business Link Essex's Government-funded small
Brentwood Citizens Advice Bureau will be holding its 41st annual general meeting at the Town Hall, Ingrave Road, Brentwood, on Thursday, July 12 at 7pm. The guest speaker will be Brentwood Borough Council's Chief Executive, Bob McLintock. Converted for
Opposition is on the increase against a mobile phone mast being planned near to a country park. Councillors and residents have begun lobbying against the BT Cellnet plans for the combined phone and street light at the bottom of Belton Hills. Tory West
Chelmsford Borough Council's 7,200 tenants are now being sent detailed proposals on the plan to transfer their homes to the Chelmer Housing Partnership. This is the organisation, set up by the borough council, which would take over the management and
Chelmsford Cricketer Eric Pulsford was just one run away from scoring the 'perfect 36 in one over' in a match. Playing for Essex County Council staff in a T. Rippon Mid-Essex League Division Six match against Springfield Third Eleven at the ECC staff
Hassan Kachloul has admitted the prospect of working under George Burley was a major factor in his decision to join Ipswich Town. The Moroccan was thought to be on his way to Celtic after the Scottish Treble winners launched an 11th-hour bid to lure him
Westcliff Hardcourts were defeated 5-1 at home to David Lloyd Bushey last weekend. Including highly-rated youngster Michael Uberoff, the Hertfordshire team are the number one seeds in the South East group of the LTA competition. But the Ridgeway-based
Fears have been raised that someone could be seriously injured at a walkway in Wivenhoe. Concerns about Riverside Walk in the town were raised by councillor Mary Hignell at a meeting of the town council last night (Monday). She told members she had raised
Heybridge Swifts are facing a player crisis before the start of the next Ryman League season. Manager Liam Cutbush quit last month and has now become Paul Parker's number two at Chelmsford. And the contracts he had agreed with ten of his squad have been
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
Ladies section members played in the monthly medal competition over 18 holes off full handicap. The results were: Division One: (1st) Ann Anderson nett 70 and (2nd) Ann Snow nett 74 (on countback). Division Two: (1st) Cyd Rodford nett 76 on countback
Yeovil Town striker Barrington Belgrave has admitted he wanted to join the Huish Park exodus to Roots Hall. Blues claim to have made a bid for the 20-year-old frontman, believed to be in the region of £40,000. However, the Conference League outfit's chairman
Blackgate Gunners Football Club have spread their wings by linking up to the Essex Association of Boys Clubs. Gunners were previously known as a junior soccer side and have won numerous league championships and a county cup in the past five seasons. But
The year 11 soccer team from Canvey's Furtherwick Park School finished the season in fine style by winning the Castle Point and Rochford District League. Head of PE at Furtherwick, Richard McIlwraith, said: "Throughout the last five years this team has
Eastwood had Whitehall as their visitors in the Parren Shield and won by 17 shots (60-43) with all three rinks finishing on top. Scores (Eastwood first): D Murray 18, D Hawkins 15; A Woodley 19, A Faux 14; J Wilde 23, A Brend 13. Eastwood continue to
It was little more than a stroll for the Arena Essex Speedway Hammers when they took on a weak Berwick side at Purfleet Raceway. The visitors were understrength as they had to lose two of the Czech riders who were back in their native country on World
An international cycle speedway rider is to re-launch a special club at Waterside Farm Sports Centre on Canvey. Grays-based Lee Galley, who rides for Great Britain and England, has won permission to reopen Castle Point Council's disused cycle speedway
A sleeping man was given a rude awakening when police called at his Shoebury flat with a search warrant, a court heard. Daniel Everitt, 26, was found lying on his sofa with a plastic bag nearby containing 23 grams of cannabis. A search of his flat, in
The long-awaited parking ban on a Lawford estate has suffered yet another setback. The village's parish council has been pressing for more than ten years for action to stop rail commuters parking vehicles on the entrance road to the Lawford Dale estate
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
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
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
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
A senior councillor has told of his concerns after Southend United's owners confirmed they wanted to sell the club. Executive councillor Roger Weaver (Con, Eastwood) spoke out after audited company accounts revealed South Eastern Leisure - a joint venture
Firefighters have described a "vision of hell" as lethal gas cylinders exploded like rockets at a pub blaze. An out-building, used to store dozens of gas cylinders and beer, at the Hoop Inn pub in High Street, caught fire at around 1.30am on Saturday.
A family have gone into hiding following a terrifying knife attack at their home. The mother, in her 20s, of Bockingham Green, Basildon, and her two sons, aged two and five, have been moved by police to a safe house at a secret location. They were offered
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 yesterday
Mourners have been left "heartbroken" and "deeply disgusted" after tributes left on memorials were removed by Basildon Council. Flowers, lanterns and teddy bear ornaments were among the items left for loved ones at Pitsea Crematorium - all of which have
A grandfather tackled flames after his grandson's toy car sparked a garage fire. Malcolm Daniels, of Giffins Close, Braintree, jumped into action after the fire broke out on Friday night. Mr Daniels and his wife Doreen were looking after their six-year-old
Families are being urged to blast off for two days of fun when South Weald Festival 2001 is launched next Friday. This year the annual event is being promoted under the banner of 2001 - A South Weald Odyssey. The weekend is a joint venture organised by
A Leigh-based catalogue has taken off at such a rate that the company behind it is looking to almost double its workforce within the space of a year. Sales of goods through Ironmongery Direct, run from the offices of the Essex Fittings, in Rectory Grove
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
An animal charity has angrily attacked a heartless dog owner who dumped a litter of two-day-old puppies at a bus shelter. The eight Labrador-cross pups, close to starvation, were found curled up in a sports bag by a member of the public. The animals were
South Essex takes centre stage next month as it bids to ensure that companies worldwide discover its undoubted potential as an international business location. A delegation from the East of England Investment Agency will be touring the area on July 17
High-speed computer links are possible at a Canvey community centre after a state-of-the-art wireless aerial was installed yesterday (Monday). Experts have stressed that communication will be by radio waves - not the controversial microwaves used by mobile
A family has been made homeless after their bungalow was badly damaged in an early morning blaze. No-one was hurt in the blaze at the home in The Greenway, Great Clacton, in the early hours of Sunday morning. A fire spokeswoman said it was not known how
Premier Division Saturday's games were badly disrupted by the heavy rains as thunderstorms rolled across the county. There were only two overs possible at Coronation Park where Springfield made seven without loss against leaders High Roding before rain
New Heybridge Swifts boss Steve Dowman has acted quickly to secure the services of three key members of the current Heybridge squad. John Pollard, Kingsley Banks and Mark Cranfield have all agreed to stay at Scraley Road under the guidance of Dowman,
Colchester United chairman Peter Heard has urged the fans to give their whole-hearted support to the club both on and off the pitch. The Layer Road chief was speaking today (Tuesday) in the aftermath of the U's High Court action against soccer agent Barry
Lancashire opener and former England captain Michael Atherton has proved a thorn in Essex's side as the two teams clash at Old Trafford. Essex have been looking to make early inroads after Lancashire won the toss and elected to bat today (Tuesday) on
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 yesterday (Monday). It
Raiders got away with a haul worth more than £40,000 in cigarettes, spirits, mobile phones, cash and drugs after ransacking a superstore. Police believe the burglary, at Dovercourt Fiveways store, was carried out by professionals and they have launched
After being full of Eastern promise, youngsters from Canvey's Cornelius Vermuyden School were today (Tuesday) bidding for more success in the nationwide seven-a-side soccer competition organised by Manchester United. The year seven boys took the Eastern
The state of a key cycle route in Colchester has been branded "appalling". Cyclists in Colchester claim the cycleway between Colchester and Wivenhoe has fallen into disrepair, sparking calls for the problems to be dealt with urgently. Colchester Council's
The Wednesday evening 10-mile time trial series for the Shaftesbury Cycling Club has now reached the half-way point and as usual the fight for supremacy is just as great this season as it has ever been. The overall handicap position after nine events
The Fitness Academy in Boreham, Chelmsford, has achieved yet another major successful competition result when three of its members returned home recently from the 2001 WUMA British Open Kickboxing Championship with Medals. The prestigious WUMA (World
A former Mayor of Colchester, a conservationist and a campaigner against domestic violence are among those celebrating honours in the Queen's birthday list. Dr John Sanderson, of Parkfield Street, Rowhedge, has been awarded the MBE for his community work
Steve Whitton was today (Monday) 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
Vandals could have caused a catastrophe when a train hit an iron bench they threw on to the track. The vandals responsible have been criticised for putting the lives of train travellers in danger by hurling the bench on to the line at Marks Tey station
Martijn Reuser is planning an early return to pre-season training to make sure he is in peak condition for the new campaign. It was only in the second half of last term that the Ipswich Town midfielder established himself as a regular in the starting
It will be the battle of the Blues again in the Worthington Cup when Southend United take on Birmingham City. The first round ties announced today (Tuesday) pit Division Three's Shrimpers against First Division side, Trevor Francis's Birmingham City,
Elderly people living in council-owned flats in Colchester feel "threatened and vulnerable" because of younger people moving in. The fears of people living in council flats in Nelson Road are now being looked into as "a matter of urgency" by Colchester
A patient who was taken ill on holiday in Greece and seen within minutes will now have to wait weeks to see her own GP. Iris Mayes, 60, of Dorset Close, Maldon, was "amazed" at the contrast between the British health service and the attention she received
About 60 people plunged 220 feet off a platform, attached only to a rubber rope, to raise money for two children's charities. Organisers of the bungee-jumping marathon at the Swan pub in London Road, Stanway, hope to raise £1,000 for The Institute for
An asthmatic sufferer fought her way through thick smoke to make sure council flat residents were safely evacuated after a suspected arson attack. The fire broke out in a block of storage sheds behind flats in Meadgate Avenue, Chelmsford, in the early
Sex offenders and paedophiles who try to work with children and vulnerable adults could be more easily weeded out under new proposals. Southend Council will consider at tonight's (Tuesday's) cabinet meeting whether to follow a recommendation to become
Danbury Bowling Club held its annual Invitation Mixed Fours event on Sunday. Twenty-four teams were entered from clubs in the area. Despite the cool weather, the day was enjoyed by players and spectators and there were some fine performances in the league
In this year's Non-League Programme of the Year survey, Chelmsford City Ladies FC's match programmes were placed as one of the best in the country. The Reserve Team programmes led the way being placed in first place in the 'Other Women's League' section
Pitsea shooting star Betty Jeffery fired the British Paraplegic Shooting Squad to victory at the Dutch Open air target rifle competition. Betty, the chairperson of Basildon Disabled Sports Club, played a pivotal role as Great Britain won gold in the ladies
Fears about children using a caravan parked in a layby are to be taken up with a village parish council. Residents told Lawford parish councillors at their meeting yesterday (Monday), children were sleeping in the caravan and they were concerned for their
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
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,
Rumours refuse to die down that Aaron Skelton is set to quit Colchester United for Luton Town. Despite two assurances to the Evening Gazette from the player himself that he has not yet done a deal with Hatters boss Joe Kinnear, sources close to the Kenilworth
Steve Whitton was yesterday (Monday) 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 full list of friendlies for Billericay Town are as follows (home games in caps): Saturday July 28 (3pm) Great Wakering Rovers; Monday July 30 SOUTHEND UNITED (7.45pm); Saturday August 4 Hemel Hempstead (3pm); Tuesday August 7 CHELMSFORD CITY (7.45pm
Braintree Town boss Ben Embery has bolstered his squad by signing experienced duo Gary Waters and Craig Davidson. Centre-half Waters arrives from Ryman League premier division rivals Heybridge Swifts while midfielder Davidson joins from Canvey Island.
A string of arsons, prank blazes and hoax calls saw Southend firefighters stretched to the absolute limit. Ten fire engines were in action in less than two hours after being called to a succession of deliberate rubbish fires, a hoax, a potentially explosive
Former Southend United and Chelsea striker Bill Garner is running a varied series of courses for youngsters aged three to 14 under the Sport Action banner throughout the school summer holidays. All will be based at Southend High for Boys in Prittlewell
An RSPCA inspector was chased down the road with a broom handle when she tried to examine a cat being kept in filthy conditions, it was alleged. The incident came to light during the Southend branch's annual meeting, during which the organisation was
Messing about in a boat could bring glory to a team from south Essex. Martin Thomson, of Wickford, and Keith Jackson, of Laindon, have designed and built an energy saving car capable of more than 2,000 miles to the gallon - from an old canoe! The pair
Lightning struck a house, hitting a water tank and causing a flood. The chimney of a house in Thistledown, Panfield, near Braintree was hit between 2.30pm and 3pm on Saturday while the owners were out. The lightning surged down the chimney and struck
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
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
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
Budding entrepreneurs from the Hedley Walter High School were praised for their high standards and excellent teamwork in a technology project to design a hotel and leisure complex. The project was planned in collaboration with Posthouse Hotels, which
