A disgusted mother has criticised a school for going soft on two pupils who made obscene phone calls to her. Jennifer Moonshine, of Punders Field, Braintree, was called at home by the two 14-year-old boys who made suggestive comments about her 13-year-old
Former Southend United boss Peter Taylor has walked out on Brighton after falling out with the club over what have been described as 'broken promises'. Taylor's agent Andrew Mills revealed the Thorpe Bay-based boss, who took Brighton up to Nationwide
Five charities have received a cash boost thanks to those that sponsored Castle Point MP Bob Spink to run the London Marathon. Celebrating -- Marathon appeal organiser George Roper congratulates Castle Point MP Bob Spink on his performance in the London
A fundraising lunch and raffle has been held by The Jack and Jill pre-school in Broomfield to help a four-year-old disabled girl, Becky Easton, achieve her dream of swimming with dolphins. Helping Becky: Residents display some of the raffle prizes Becky
There were prizes galore at New Lodge when the Ryman League Premier Division club collected their player of the year honours for the season. Club awards saw Martin Carthy collect the first team top player prize with reserve honours going to Ben Cocklin
Richard Naylor is keeping tight-lipped about his Ipswich Town future - saying it depends on whether the Blues escape relegation from the Premiership. The long-serving striker has been pushed down the pecking order this season, prompting loan spells at
First aid kits for cats and dogs and natural remedies for horses are just some of the topics up for discussion at a special pet evening being held at the Freight House, Rochford, tonight. Leading Westcliff vet Alastair England will be giving pet owners
Having strong local businesses is essential to maintain Colchester's unique attractiveness as an historic town. That was the view of more than 20 independent businesses at the inaugural meeting of the Colchester Independent Business Association. The group
Maldon Town have announced the appointment of Mick Potter as part of their management team for next season. Potter is still manager Jewson League rivals Clacton Town, but will be leaving at the end of the season for personal reasons. His appointment means
Young residents are being forced out of villages due to the soaring cost of housing, parish councillors have warned. They forecast village life will eventually die out if affordable housing is not made available. Emily Bourne, chairman of Fingringhoe
Changes to the master plan for developing the giant Chafford Hundred estate have again angered councillors and residents - this time with the scrapping of open space and access to a beauty spot. The original plans included use of land on the eastern edge
Tickets for Southend United's prestigious friendly against West Ham on July 23 will cost £15 (£10 concessions). The matches against Charlton Athletic, a Tottenham Hotspur XI and Wimbledon will cost £8 with £5 for concessions. Season ticket holders can
Rescuers were called out to the Strood after two drivers were hurt in a head-on crash. Picture: STEVE ARGENT (21055-3) Firefighters from Colchester and Mersea were called out to lift them from their cars, a Suzuki Baleno and a Peugeot 106, which were
Family members were today comforting the husband of Lesley Mansell, the cyclist killed when she was hit by a car in Leigh. He was still too upset to talk, but neighbours said their sympathies went out to the family. Mrs Mansell, 45, died when she was
Vandalism at public play areas has led to calls for parents to take better control of their children. Equipment and fencing at two Wivenhoe Town Council-maintained sites have been repeatedly damaged, wasting groundsmen's time that could be used for other
Residents in Jaywick are kicking up a stink over what they say is a pungent smell from a sewage treatment works. Brian Percival, 66, of Tudor Estate, said he has put up with a smell from the works in Jaywick on almost a weekly basis. He said: "It's like
A memorial garden plagued by vandals has now been targeted by thieves. Four stone slabs, which formed part of a pathway, were stolen from Silver End Memorial Garden. Greta Tew, chairman of Silver End Parish Council said it must have taken more than one
A campaign to raise £1.5m to restore a prominent Southend church was launched with a colourful spring fayre. Facing up to fundraising - sisters Stella and Fay Jones join in the fun. Picture: ELISE GOW 9FJUA10 Youngsters joined members of the community
Jubilant campaigners battling to save the New Empire theatre today breathed a sigh of relief as a deal was struck to keep it as a base for amateur dramatics. Relief - New Empire fund chairman Tessa Davies and trustee Roger Marlow outside the theatre,
An unemployed 46-year-old Vange man, arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, will no longer have to answer police bail. He was in the Peugeot which tragically collided head-on with a Fiesta in London Road, Vange, on April 21. Three
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
A block of 11 flats could be built on a car sales site at the corner of Leigh Cliff Road and Leigh Road in Leigh. A part two and part three storey block is proposed by Piper Construction which the company says would be "the most viable and sensible way
The Royal Shakespeare Company could be heading to Maldon to commemorate a special visitor to the town. A festival of Elizabethan life is planned for next year to mark the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's appearance in a play at Moot Hall in
Ronnie Irani is ready to lead his Essex cricketers through this season's 'group of death' to Benson and Hedges Cup glory. Essex skipper Ronnie Irani The buoyant Essex skipper is desperate for another taste of Lord's action after collecting a winner's
Four people from Galleywood who have each made an outstanding contribution over the past four years to the village have been presented with special awards by Galleywood Parish Council. Pictured from left to right with their awards are David Stacey, Stan
A mum-of-three has won a £240,000 settlement in the High Court after suing over the death of her common law husband in Basildon Hospital five years ago. Memories - Tracey, pictured at home today, with a reminder of husband Paul. Picture: TERENCE BUNCH
The under-14 hockey girls from King John School, Thundersley, have pulled off a big success by winning the Southend, Castle Point and Rochford Cup. Giving their rivals some stick -- the King John, Thundersley, under-14 hockey girls. Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY
A new course to teach people how to save the life of a baby or child is being offered by the Southend branch of St John Ambulance. The four-hour course, taught in groups of 12, will be held at the St John Ambulance headquarters in Queens Road on Saturday
A mother has warned parents to be aware that teenagers are gathering in a prime residential area of Clacton to drink alcohol and sniff solvents. The woman - who did not want to be named - said that she had seen the evidence on a number of occasions. Empty
An ancient Maldon name has returned to the town more than 300 years after it was last used. A new housing scheme built by Colne Housing Society has been formally opened in Spital Road with the name Saffron Croft. Extracts from the original deeds dating
A gas leak caused "absolute chaos" in Harwich after a major road had to be shut. Firefighters and police were called to the United Breaks container at about 7.30pm last night. Firefighter Kevin Pawley said: "When we got there, it was a large cylindrical
Westcliff contractor Wilson James has become the toast of the building industry after picking up not one but two prestigious industry awards in the space of a week. The company, which provides security and logistics support services to companies in the
Life on the ocean wave is good for a former Rochford pupil who has just become the youngest merchant sea captain in the county. Lee Wayer started his training with a cadet ship as soon as he left the King Edmund School and has continued to rise through
A would-be thief cut the wires to an alarm box at Alexandra Yacht Club in Clifftown Terrace, Southend, while attempting to get into the building. Around £300 worth of damage was caused when the thief smashed the glass window to the men's toilets and tore
More caravans have parked on farmland in Witham despite travellers being asked to leave. A couple more trailers have joined the previous six that have parked up on off the Chelmsford-bound A12 slip road at Witham. Landowner Andrew Wood asked them to move
A remorseless criminal who burgled homes while awaiting sentence for a car crash which killed his young girlfriend is starting a six-year jail term. Vincent Phillips, 21, of Pendal Drive, Basildon, pleaded guilty to a number of charges, including one
Braintree dance act Prodigy are set to make their first major UK appearance for four years. This summer the group will headline a batch of weekend festivals, it was announced today. The band will be among the crowd-pullers at the sister festivals Reading
Residents are gearing up for another battle to stop a mobile phone mast being put up in their neighbourhood. Bosses at Orange last week altered plans to erect a 15m mast in Wickford after a campaign by homeowners. However now rival phone firm O2 UK -
The parents of two teenage girls killed in a horrific car crash which left a third sister injured, have paid a moving tribute to their daughters. Heather, Hollie and Shona Davis were travelling in a Ford Fiesta when it collided head-on with a Peugeot
If, like me, you adore New Orleans boogie blues - think the great Dr John and his spiritual descendant Jools Holland - then this Sunday (May 5) at the Vocalzone at the Ship pub, New Road, Leigh will be a jelly-roll treat. Lush Life are a piece of heaven
A former Jewish youth club in Westcliff could be taken over by Southend Council to give children a better start at school, it was revealed today. The Southend Jewish Youth Club used the building in Ceylon Road until June 2001, but has now moved to the
Nerissa Cole found more than old friends when she decided to organise a school reunion five years ago for fellow ex-pupils from Brentwood County High School - she found love. Romance blossomed between Nerissa and fellow ex-Brentwood High pupil Peter Lynn
Firefighters struggled in vain for three hours to help a collapsed horse to stand up. However, the vet who was called to the scene at a stables in Daws Heath Road, Thundersley, was finally forced to put down the 26-year-old animal. Station Officer Jim
England captain and Essex star Nasser Hussain insists fellow Essex wicketkeeeper James Foster remains ahead of Surrey veteran Alec Stewart in the England pecking order. Hussain, the Essex batsman, said of Foster, also one of England's centrally-contracted
Police hunting a vicious attacker who bit off half his victim's ear in Southend have issued CCTV pictures of a man they want to trace. Officers are now hoping the images will shed new light on the investigation into the shocking assault in the car park
The undisputed master of quiz shows, and one of the most famous names on Radio 4's Brain of Britain show, has died at the age of 74. Ian Gillies, from Leigh, was known to millions of radio listeners as "Mycroft" the quiz compiler on the long running show
Strong winds caused fowl play when a wild bird got blown off course and crash landed through a window. Joan Burgess examines the hole in her window left by the flying pheasant Joan Burgess was at home yesterday when she heard an almighty bang and thought
A fresh bid for a new multi-million pound university campus in the heart of Southend has been launched. Talks are under way between South East Essex College and property developer Martin Dawn to buy the former Odeon cinema as a part of a two-phase development
A Hadleigh teenager who suffers from cystic fibrosis has danced her way to the top and scooped a national award. Prize winner - brave Hannah Lawrence, 14, got her award from pop group A1 at a glittering ceremony. Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY 9AJ8T2 Hannah Lawrence
A crackdown is to be launched as part of a new strategy to win the war on rural crime in Rochford. The crime and disorder strategy, which aims to reduce rates of criminal damage, is to be backed by police, council chiefs and other agencies over the next
The coach driver involved in a crash which killed a Brightlingsea couple has had his sentence axed. John and Marian Clifford, of Red Barn Road, died in the accident along with 25 others in South Africa in 1999. Father-of-five Titus Dube admitted causing
A sinister encounter with two pistol-packing Bulgarian heavies has made Juho Rantala appreciate his move to Billericay Town all the more. Heading for a brighter future -- Billericay's Finnish defender Juho Rantala. Picture: TERENCE BUNCH 9HGRX8M The Finnish
It could be the end of an era for Maldon because there are no plans to have paddle boats at Prom Park lake this summer. Almost a year since the paddle boats and shed at Marine Lake in Maldon were burnt to the ground by vandals, nothing has been done to
A record of more than 1,000 trans-Atlantic and trans-European contacts were made in around 20 hours by members of the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society to mark Marconi Day. Radio days: Dr Bowles with a short wave set. The radio operators set up shifts
A rector is beginning a marathon Bible reading session in an effort to raise money for a new church roof. The Rev Sharon Swain, rector of Brantham, aims to read the entire Bible aloud, from cover to cover, during the next five days in a marathon fundraising
Denise Van Outen is enjoying her return to the West End stage in hit musical Chicago after receiving a rousing ovation on her first night back. The Essex star has just completed a successful run as Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of the high-kicking
The Essex jazz scene is mourning the loss of star keyboard player Pete Jacobsen. Pete played with numerous groups, particularly in Southend, and was active on the national scene, recording with bands including Level 42 and Morrissey-Mullen and playing
A popular stopping spot for motorists has been turned into a "bomb site" by thoughtless flytippers. Some of the debris left by fly-tippers, above and below Fruit machines, an exercise bike, masses of cut conifers, black sacks, deck chairs and other general
Students who have developed useful skills in the workplace are being presented with the first Essex Skills Awards. The scheme has been introduced by Essex University to help prepare its graduates for employment and involves employers and the university
A fresh bid for a new multi-million pound university campus in the heart of Southend has been launched. Talks are under way between South East Essex College and property developer Martin Dawn to buy the former Odeon cinema as a part of a two-phase development
People are being warned to check their homes' security after a woman discovered an intruder in her house. The woman was in an upstairs bedroom at her home in Braxted Road, Great Braxted, when she heard someone moving around. As she went downstairs to
Firefighters were on standby for two hours following a petrol vapour leak in an electrical store room in High Road, Benfleet. Two appliances from Hadleigh fire station attended the scene on Friday at 2.30pm. Published Tuesday, April 30, 2002
A quartet of south Essex cricket clubs won through to this weekend's Essex Cup second round. Billericay enjoyed a 26-run win over Stanford-le-Hope at Blunts Wall Road. The hosts made 249-4 off 45 overs, with Nathan Batson scoring 65. Other notable performances
With personal debts skyrocketing above £2,000 for every person, Billericay and Wickford Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) have issued a strong financial warning to everyone to try and keep in the black. The CABs recommend a financial spring-clean to ensure
Plans have been unveiled for a golden jubilee party to be held in High Woods at the end of May. Organised jointly between the High Woods Community Association and the Older Voices Group the party will see a variety of events taking place. Colchester mayor
Controversial Canvey welcome signs have made a return - 18 months after being pulled down because they were labelled a distraction to drivers. Senior Labour councillor and fundraiser Dennis Williams has received positive public feedback since the sail-shaped
South Woodham Ferrers celebration for the Queen's Golden Jubilee will officially be unveiled on Saturday May 18 by the mayor of Chelmsford Christine Rycroft. The town council has designed and created a Jubilee walk around the town which will go past some
The design of a landmark building up to 15 storeys high at Shoebury Garrison is to be chosen by a competition. Ross Brodie, managing director of Gladedale Homes, said Southend Council will be holding a competition to choose the best style for a block
A police unit to tackle fraud has been launched after it emerged credit card crooks cost Southend £1.2m last year. Thumbs up - for the innovative new thumbprint signature scheme. Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL 9NNX52 Latest figures from the Association for
