Considering they were intended to honour the "unsung heroes" within the community, the Braintree Citizen of the Year Awards evening produced plenty to sing about. With the Bocking Concert Brass in attendance, there was suitable musical accompaniment to
Football hooligans are being warned to think twice about their behaviour, after Essex Police announced it has adopted a tough stance when dealing with so called "fans." The force has promised to be tough on those who use football matches as an excuse
Southend library will be running a multi-charity Christmas card shop. Marketing Manager Matt Holmes said, "Buying from this card shop is a great way to help the charities involved. "Last year they received 81p in every pound spent here." The scheme sells
Junior fighter Wayne Harper beat Billericay's J Hunter when Chalvdeon boxers took to the ring at Aveley Social Club. Heavyweight Tony Edwards was unable to add another victory for his club as he was beaten by W Stock of Belhurs Park at the NABC event.
Billericay won their basement battle with Ilford Wanderers to seal their first Essex One win of the season, albeit a narrow 0ne -- 6-0 at Ilford Wanderers. The match was not a great spectacle, with the point-less first half mainly fought out in the middle
A Braintree bus service has been withdrawn in the evenings after vandals attacked it while frightened passengers were on board The 21 route, which runs between Deanery Garden and Black Notley via Braintree town centre, has stopped running after 7pm because
Grays Athletic booked an FA Cup 1st Round clash with Aldershot after another epic clash with Conference side Margate last night. This was the second time in three days that these sides had shared six goals, though with Extra Time failing to produce a
South Essex Tory MPs today pledged their support for under-fire leader Iain Duncan Smith as he faced a confidence vote. Rochford and Southend East MP Sir Teddy Taylor said: "Iain is one of the most straight and honourable people I have met in politics
A former wartime bunker at Mistley is for sale again. The Secret Bunker tourist attraction, which closed last November after six very successful years as a museum, had been expected to become a secure store for document archives. But James Fox, secretary
Thousands of postal deliveries were missed today as postal workers walked out as part of a series of wildcat strikes which have spread across London and the south east. Around 300 staff based at Southend's Short Street centre - which processes and distributes
Basildon will lose thousands of pounds in funding if the district's advisory services budget is cut, the Citizens' Advice Bureau claims. Labour councillors failed in a bid to get Basildon Council to reconsider the funding, which affects the three CABs
The future of the Fortune of War site will not be decided for another five months, it has been revealed. The Government's planning inspectors have called in the application for 71 new homes on the site of the former pub in Laindon, even though it was
A young golfer was stopped by gang of boys who robbed him of his clubs but were later confrtonted by the boy's father. The drama unfolded when the boy, in his early teens, was playing on Castle Point Golf Course, in Somnes Avenue, Canvey, at 3pm on Monday
A Braintree bus service has been withdrawn in the evenings after vandals attacked it while frightened passengers were on board The 21 route, which runs between Deanery Garden and Black Notley via Braintree town centre, has stopped running after 7pm because
Rawreth C nearly caused a major upset in the Premier Division of the Southend & District Table Tennis League. Facing the high-flying Essex Police team, Alby Warner, Bill Platt and Colin Clements expected a 9-0 thrashing but only top-notch player John
Pumpkins were glowing after a creative carving session at Dorewards Hall in Bocking. Hallowe'en special - Victoria Mayle carves a pumpkin at Dorewards Hall in Bocking Picture: STEVE BAINBRIDGE More than 70 children went along for the activity at Dorewards
Work to stop St John's multi-storey car park falling down will be finished in time for festive shoppers. The 650-space car park has been closed for refurbishment and safety work to be carried out. Work was undertaken to stop the car park falling down
Billericay Town chairman Rod Moore has dismissed rumours the club's multi-million-pound bid to build a new football stadium in Basildon's Gloucester Park is to be turned down "within days". At a fans' forum at the Ryman League Premier Division club's
An ex-mayor today vowed she would never return to politics. Jenifer Howlett said there was no way she was going to stand for council in Castle Point again - even after successfully suing a millionaire who waged a three-year hate campaign against her after
A new suggestion scheme for courses could help people find exactly the training they want. Southend College is launching a hotline for people to suggest new courses which they can't find anywhere else. The line allows people to leave details of the subject
About 30 pensioners turned up at Colchester town hall to protest about the suspension of hot meals at Lion Walk OAP centre. But after councillors attending Colchester Council's overview and scrutiny panel meeting last nigh heard their objections, they
New moves are being made to ensure that all residents in Tendring are able to get decent and affordable homes. Tendring Council has adopted a financial assistance policy for private sector housing. It provides a combination of grants and loans to assist
Billericay Town boss Justin Edinburgh admitted last night that three of his first-team squad had elected to take 50 per cent wage cuts rather than leave the club. The ex-Spurs star took over at New Lodge in the summer, but has seen the Ryman Premier club
Residents and businesses at a seaside resort are angry because crime-busting security cameras have been left out of action for weeks. Pointing the way - Councillor John Halls has concerns over CCTV in the town There are fears it could be some months before
Grays Athletic booked an FA Cup 1st Round clash with Aldershot after another epic clash with Conference side Margate last night. This was the second time in three days that these sides had shared six goals, though with Extra Time failing to produce a
East Thurrock United bowed out of the FA Cup last night, beaten by a case of superior fitness at Woking. Rest assured however that ETU gave a thorough account of themselves in this tense 4th Qualifying Round replay, with the Essex club refusing to be
Adrian Coote has told of his sadness at how his Colchester United dream turned into a nightmare. The U's joint record signing, who joined from Norwich City for £50,000 almost two years ago, made just 12 League starts before his contract was cancelled
A resort's Royal British Legion chairman has been left fuming after a library refused to sell poppies. John Halls, of Walton Royal British Legion branch, said: "It's scandalous." Mr Halls, who is also chairman of A Group, which covers 19 local branches
The chapel at St Peter's Hospital in Maldon is in line for major improvements following the selection of Maldon and South Chelmsford Primary Care Trust to benefit from King's Fund Enhancing the Healing Environment programme. The PCT is to receive a grant
These two new support officers will be out on the streets from next week helping police patrol Castle Point. Ready to patrol - police community support officers Kirsty Lucas and Nicola Sharp Picture: ROB BROWNE South east Essex has 27 new police community
A businessman from Tiptree is furious after his youth team's football kit was banned because it clashed with referees' shirts Robbie Cowling, chairman of Jobserve Football Club, has accused Dengie and Blackwater League chiefs of "jobsworth" behaviour
A would-be robber was foiled in his raid on a village post office after a scuffle with a cashier. The man, armed with a towbar, walked into Copford post office in London Road, near the Swan pub, at 12.50pm yesterday, and demanded cash. Police are appealing
Almost 18,000 parking fines were handed out in the first year of Colchester Council taking over traffic wardens from the police. The amount of fixed penalty notices being issued in a year has more than quadrupled since responsibility for the enforcement
The family of jailed former royal aide Jane Andrews today demanded an inquiry into her treatment at Bullwood Hall prison in Hockley. Today Andrews, 36, was recovering in Southend Hospital's intensive care unit from a suspected overdose. Published Wednesday
Quiet please! About 100 people turned out for a silent auction to raise funds for a church - and they had plenty to shout about when profits topped the £500 mark. The event was staged at Frinton Methodist Church in Ashlyns Road, Frinton, on Saturday.
Furious Ongar and North Weald parish councillors have accused Government planning chiefs of making "no effort" to inform the public of the massive development planned for the region. The angry response follows a statement from the East of England Regional
A series of free health walks in Chelmsford's parks has been launched by Chelmsford Primary Care Trust and Chelmsford Borough Council. The aim of the twice-weekly walks is to improve the health and well being of residents in the borough by increasing
The importance of transportation to business in Essex and the county's strategic location in the international trade network will dominate this year's Doing Businesss in Essex debate. Among the speakers are Tony Ciaburro, head of highways and transportation
Two keen sportsmen have teamed up to create a new fitness centre in Clacton. Business partners and brothers-in-law Dave Caley and Bob Newman are sinking an investment of £200,000 into the project in the town's telephone exchange in Holland Road. The exchange
Gary Bellamy believes the signing of former Colchester United forward Lloyd Opara could kick-start Braintree Town's season. Bellamy snapped-up the 19-year-old front-runner just a day after he was shown the door at Cambridge United. "He was released on
Police have issued a warning to parents after £2,500 worth of fireworks were stolen from a garden centre in Chelmsford. Acting Sgt Wendy Brown said if the fireworks were sold onto children, it could be very dangerous. "Parents should be aware that these
Delays in deliveries and collections will hit Chelmsford and its surrounding postal areas today because of a walkout. Post Office staff in Chelmsford joined thousands involved in a dispute over pay in London. Workers from the South East Essex Mail Centre
A mum-of-two is planning a daring jump out of a plane - despite being terrified of heights. Mara Green and her friend Amanda Reed are planning the leap for charity. What makes their effort unusual is that Mara hates flying. But her friend loves the high
The gloves were off when Big Brother's Jade Goody stood up to Millionaire cheat Charles Ingram on Channel Four's celebrity Wife Swap. BB loudmouth Jade, 22 said she almost punched the major, 39, after confronting him about his TV quiz scandal when she
Six new community support officers will be taking to the streets of Tendring on Monday in response to demands for a high-visibility police presence. They will act as additional eyes and ears taking on tasks which do not require a police officer. The new
Lakeside Shopping Centre is to play host to a children's TV channel next week. Some of the characters appearing at the Nick Jr Live show at Lakeside Shopping Centre The pre-school channel Nick Jr will be at the centre on November 4th and will feature
Drivers faced rush-hour delays after a rail crossing barrier was damaged. Diversions were set up in the east of Colchester last night as a rail barrier was replaced on a level crossing. A Network Rail spokeswoman said a crack was spotted in the crossing
Arena Essex finished the season on a high as a second successive away win saw them climb to seventh place. But it took some careful tactical manoeuvres from coach Ronnie Russell to claw back a 24-12 deficit after the hosts took five of the first six heats
An elderly couple were recovering today after yobs threw a lit firework through their bedroom window. Neither pensioner was hurt following the incident at their home, in Woodlow, Benfleet, as the firework fizzled out but £25 damage was caused to their
Chelmsford readers can't get enough of butler Paul Burrell's disclosures about the private life of Princess Diana. His book, A Royal Duty, sold out within hours of going on sale in major booksellers in the town centre on Monday. Ian Matthews, manager
A man who was left with two metal plates in his face after a vicious beating today told how he was considering moving away from Canvey for good. The 31-year-old islander - who did not want to be identified - suffered a fractured skull, a fractured eye
A masterplan revealing a vision for the future for the Broomfield Hospital site in Chelmsford is to be unveiled to the public. Mid Essex Hospitals Trust is to put its draft masterplan on show at a special exhibition and will be asking for feedback on
Salaries commanded by council chiefs are spiralling by as much as ten per cent a year Pay hikes awarded to council bosses mirror the highly controversial rises in council tax. On average, council tax has risen by about 35 per cent during the past three
Former pupils of Billericay's first secondary school are invited to return to the classroom to find out more about its history. Author and historian Sylvia Kent will be on hand at Billericay Library on Thursday, November 6, to talk about her newly published
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has officially announced that 600 paratroopers from Colchester are off to Iraq. As revealed on Friday, the Mersea Road-based 2 Para will be heading off to southern Iraq next month. Mr Hoon made the formal announcement in a
East Thurrock United bowed out of the FA Cup last night, beaten by a case of superior fitness at Woking. Rest assured however that ETU gave a thorough account of themselves in this tense 4th Qualifying Round replay, with the Essex club refusing to be
Two Canvey councillors today criticised plans to transform a seafront car park into a block of flats. Angry - councillor Shirley Coates with residents opposed to the planned flats development Picture: LUAN MARSHALL A private developer wants to construct
Funding has been won to set up a volunteer group in Maldon which will attend medical emergencies when paramedics are unable to reach the scene in time. Basin Heartwatch is a Heybridge group made up of people trained to use a defibrillator to revive heart
A badger sett will have to be moved to make way for 52 old people's flats after Castle Point's planning committee gave the plans the go-ahead last night. Developers McCarthy and Stone had applied to Castle Point Council for permission to knock down two
