Stories for 25 March 2002

Basildon,Essex News

Runwell: Girl cubs Jodie and Georgia flag up big change for the boys

Jodie Bath and Georgia Harrod could go into the history books for breaking down the last bastion of male domination - in Runwell at least.   more...

Pitsea: Estate revamp faces final hurdle

Ambitious plans to spruce up a Pitsea estate with £1.5m of Government cash have one final hurdle to clear.   more...

Basildon: Cuddly walkers cash in

Pupils at a Basildon primary school were each given a cuddly dog to take on a sponsored charity walk.   more...

Basildon: Mums' relief as sex monster jailed

Sex monster Mark Thorne, who targeted lonely Basildon mothers in their homes at night, was today starting a seven-year jail sentence.   more...

Basildon: Kilroy's chance for needy teens

Needy young people from Basildon today visited the BBC's London studios to meet top chat show host Robert Kilroy-Silk.   more...

Basildon,Essex Sport

Athletics: Nick's on track to be marathon man

Basildon AC's Nick Wetheridge is turning his sights on the London Marathon and Commonwealth Games after one of his best results in 18 months.   more...

Athletics: Date switch boosts Pitsea Five

The Pitsea Five is going big time...   more...

Gymnastics: Compulsory title for Francesca

Francesca Humphries has another British title under her belt at the age of 11.   more...

Basildon,Essex,Southend News

Canvey: 'Giant' rats terror in island car park

An anxious mother fears children could be at risk from injury or serious illness after she spotted rats in a Canvey car park.   more...

Canvey: MP backs skate park plan

Castle Point MP Dr Bob Spink is backing efforts to secure a BMX and skate park on Canvey.   more...

Canvey: Cocaine lure to take away pain

A spinal problem led Robert Beard into the seedy world of drugs, a court heard.   more...

Castle Point: Sculptor MP Bob puts his Ladies on display

Castle Point MP Bob Spink has artwork on display in one of the most impressive places in the country - the Palace of Westminster.   more...

Canvey: Cemetery delay sparks protest

A leading councillor has hit out at delays to Canvey's new cemetery and demanded a swift start to work.   more...

Basildon,Essex,Southend Sport

Soccer: Canvey Island 3-0 Harrow Borough (Ryman League Premier Division)

Canvey comfortably overcame the challenge of relegation-threatened Harrow on Saturday, running out 3-0 winners at Park Lane.   more...

Basildon,Essex,Thurrock News

South Essex: Lorry crash shuts M25

The M25 was brought to a standstill after a three lorries were involved in a seven-vehicle pile up.   more...

Chelmsford,Colchester,Essex News

Essex: Rail chaos hits commuters

Severe train delays today between north and mid-Essex destinations and London have been blamed on the collapse of Railtrack.   more...

Essex: Railtrack blamed for rail chaos

North and mid-Essex commuters faced rail chaos today - and a train company put the blame on the collapse of Railtrack.   more...

Mid-Essex: Lights swict-on marks end of A12 works

New environmentally-friendly lights were switched on this week to mark the completion of the last stages of the major maintenance scheme on the A12 at Hatfield Peverel.   more...

Chelmsford,Essex Sport

Soccer: Chelmsford City 0-3 Havant & Waterlooville (Dr Martens League Premier Division)

Third-placed Havant were far too good for Chelmsford City on Saturday, romping home 3-0 winners at New Lodge.   more...

Colchester,Essex News

Colchester: Upgrade work on old ward begins

Work on a £183,000 project to upgrade one of the oldest wards at Colchester General Hospital was due to start today.   more...

Colchester: Drop in centre for mentally ill

Colchester will see one of the first drop-in centres in Essex for young people who are at risk of mental illness.   more...

Colchester: Bid for cyber cafe at school

A cyber cafe, nursery and plans for parents to join children in class could revolutionise a Colchester school.   more...

Colchester: Disgust at duck attack

Staff at Colchester General Hospital have been left shocked by an appalling attack by yobs who stamped to death two ducks which lived on the hospital grounds.   more...

Colchester: Refugee settled in home

A refugee from the conflict in Afghanistan is settling into a temporary home in Colchester.   more...

Colchester: Bogus officials strike again

Suspected bogus officials visited at least two more Colchester homes over the weekend.   more...

Colchester: Hospice team clocks up miles

The St Helena Hospice marathon team has been out in Colchester getting in some last-minute training as well as holding a collection.   more...

Colchester,Essex Sport

Soccer: U's skipper's point approved

Colchester captain Scott Fitzgerald was highly delighted to take a point off his old Wimbledon team-mate Lawrie Sanchez's Wycombe Wanderers team.   more...

Soccer: Ipswich Town 0-0 Aston Villa (Barclaycard FA Premiership)

Football can be a cruel game. That's the conclusion Ipswich Town fans will reach if the unthinkable becomes a reality this May and their side suffer relegation from the Premiership.   more...

Soccer: U's on the brink of survival

The richly-deserved point won by Colchester United's footballers from Saturday's goalless draw at Wycombe Wanderers has hoisted the club to the brink of Second Division safety.   more...

Soccer: Stewart's pride hurt by Villa

Marcus Stewart admitted his pride had taken a dent after Ipswich Town's goalless draw with Aston Villa.   more...

Soccer: Hell of a year for Keeble

Life has been hell for Colchester United midfielder Chris Keeble since he ruptured an Achilles tendon at Wycombe Wanderers in the final game of last season.   more...

Soccer: Wycombe Wanderers 0-0 Colchester (Nationwide League Division Two)

Colchester United recorded their third away draw in five outings against Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park.   more...

Essex Business

South Essex: Firms unite to spread ideas

Firms based in some of south Essex's least prosperous areas are being targeted in a new multi-million pound scheme designed to ensure a more equitable spread of new ideas and technology.   more...

Silver End: Stuart calls it a day

Billions of years of history are coming to an end with the closure of Silver End's "Fossil Hall".   more...

Wickford: Our double delight

A Wickford construction firm has scored an unusual double by winning two Investors in People awards.   more...

Wickford: Baking during bombing

Being surrounded by exploding bombs in Northern Afghanistan is not the most conducive of conditions in which to bake bread but Wickford baker Kevin Barke made it work for him.   more...

Rayleigh: Town centre may get high life and fast food

The heart of Rayleigh could have high-rise flats, a multi-story car park and a new fast food outlet if ambitious plans for a revamp are adopted by councillors.   more...

Southend: Sorting office set to close

Southend's Short Street sorting office is to close in a radical national shake-up of postal services which will result in thousands of workers losing their jobs.   more...

Tiptree: Superstore forces shop to cut back

A family-run store has been forced to downsize following the imminent arrival of a major superstore.   more...

Braintree: Sticky problem solved

Retailers have given a council a "pat on the back" for steam cleaning Braintree town centre.   more...

Battlesbridge: Slice of royal history

Antiques dealer Jim Pooley thought he had pocketed a bargain when he picked up a sword at an auction in north Essex.   more...

Clacton: Fingers crossed

Daring customers put their faith in hairdressers who were blindfolded - and on rollerskates.   more...

Clacton: Revamp for superstore

The oldest town centre supermarket in Clacton is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a month-long revamp.   more...

Basildon: Regeneration boost for town

A joint agreement to transform Basildon's Gardiners Lane South into a multi-million pound business park has been signed.   more...

Essex Features

Witham: Site for cannabis cafe revealed

Plans to open Essex's first cannabis cafe have been narrowed down to near Witham's Humber Road estate. Reporter MICHAEL POWELL asked residents what they thought of the idea.   more...

Essex News

Essex: On-the-spot fines to hit crime

Drunken thugs and vandals are to face instant fines of up to £80 as part of a pilot scheme to be launched in Essex.   more...

Elmstead Market: Rollercoast world record bid

A rollercoaster fanatic is planning a world record attempt ñ travelling on 11 white-knuckle rides in less than an hour.   more...

Walton: New plan for leisure centre

A major scheme has been unveiled to improve Walton's leisure complex.   more...

Stansted: Sorry - I can't land - it's foggy!

A pilot flying to Stansted Aiport told passengers he had to divert because he was not qualified to land in fog.   more...

St Osyth: Robber raids shop till

A robber threatened a teenager shop assistant with a knife before grabbing money from the till.   more...

Wix, Wrabness: Pupils find eggs at end of Easter arithmetic hunt

Little egg-hunters went in search of the Easter Bunny - with the help of a few mathematical clues.   more...

Essex: Authorities urged to make training date

The Essex Association of Local Councils (EALC) which represents most of the parish and town councils in the county, is urging members to attend a training day on May 11 to learn more about the new Code of Conduct under which they must abide.   more...

Clacton: Purse-snatcher jailed

A thief who preyed on an 86-year-old woman waiting at a bus stop has been jailed.   more...

Maldon: Beer gift for pair who halted robber

Two workmen have raised a toast to each other after they stopped a robber in his tracks following a dramatic till snatch.   more...

Heybridge: Derring-do at herring do

In a hard-fought match between England and arch rivals Holland, the Brits have finally walked off with the cup. Not in football - but in herring eating.   more...

Essex Sport

Soccer: Basingstoke Town 1-2 Braintree Town (Ryman League Premier Division)

Braintree inflicted Basingstoke's first home league defeat in over three months as a storming first half-hour of this match in Hampshire.   more...

Soccer: Enfield 0-2 Billericay Town (Ryman League Premier Division)

Enfield failed to follow up last week's win over Braintree with a second successive win against Essex opposition, instead going down 2-0 at home to Billericay.   more...

Soccer: AFC Sudbury 0-2 Tiptree United (FA Vase semi-final first leg)

Underdogs Tiptree United's fairytale FA Vase run continued with an inspired 2-0 victory at AFC Sudbury in the semi-final first-leg.   more...

Soccer: Heybridge Swifts 1-6 Hendon (Ryman League Premier Division)

Heybridge suffered their biggest Premier Division home defeat on Saturday against Hendon, a side who began the day three places below them.   more...

Soccer: Bishop's Stortford 1-2 Northwood (Ryman League Division One)

Bishop's Stortford relinquished top spot in Ryman Division One with a disappointing home defeat to Northwood at Woodside Park.   more...

Soccer: Bognor Regis 0-0 Harlow Town (Ryman League Division Two)

Harlow and Bognor frustrated each other's promotion ambitions on Saturday with a 0-0 draw on the South coast.   more...

Essex,Southend News

Southend: Seafront set to go its golden jubilee mile

Southend's seafront illuminations are set for a £50,000 revamp to mark the Queen's golden jubilee.   more...

Thundersley: Denise to teach with stick of rock

An adventurous teacher will be bringing a taste of Essex to Canada when she embarks on a special teacher placement this Easter.   more...

Westcliff: Theatre seeks midnight drink limit

The Palace Theatre, Westcliff, could soon be serving alcoholic drinks after 11pm - if managers get their way.   more...

Rochford: Man charged with spying offences

A 45-year-old man from Rochford has been charged with spying offences under the Official Secrets Act.   more...

Southend: Campaign to save theatre

A campaign is under way to safeguard the future of Southend's New Empire Theatre.   more...

Southend: Pier man in jump fear

Southend police and lifeboat crews were called out on Friday after it was feared a man might jump off the town's pier.   more...

Southend: Balloon race for Easter

A total of 100 balloons were released in the centre of Southend as part of a special promotion that aims to spread a touch of Easter cheer.   more...

Ashingdon: Head's last bit of horseplay

A headteacher who has retired after 25 years bowed out gracefully when he arrived at the school in a horse-drawn carriage.   more...

Shoebury: Probe's `concern' over day centre

An investigation into working practices at a day centre for adults with learning disabilities has found there was "cause for serious concern".   more...

Essex,Southend Sport

Soccer: Blues not reliant on TV cash

The loss of ITV Digital cash would not be catastrophic to Southend United, club chief Ron Martin has declared.   more...

Soccer: Southend United 2-0 Scunthorpe (Nationwide League Division Three)

Southend United finally achieved back-to-back League victories for the first time in 15 long months with an impressive 2-0 Roots Hall win over high-flying Scunthorpe on Saturday.   more...

Soccer: Decision day for Maher

It's contract D-Day for Southend United midfielder Kevin Maher - and Blues are believed to be close to coming to an agreement with the 25-year-old.   more...

Athletics: Hickey's best of British

Southend's hugely talented athletics star Adam Hickey capped his first international appearance by proving he is the best in Britain.   more...

Soccer: Newman a happy man

Southend United chief Rob Newman was a happy man after watching his side cruise to a 2-0 Roots Hall triumph over Third Division promotion candidates Scunthorpe on Saturday.   more...

Essex,Thurrock News

South Ockendon: Savage dogs kill livestock

Police are trying to track down the owners of two American pitbull dogs which savaged and killed livestock.   more...

Aveley: Man is jailed for car theft

Car crook Michael Hymes could not believe his luck when he saw an empty BMW with its engine running.   more...

Grays: One-man crime wave caged for four years

Thief Dean Fraser, described by a judge as "a one-man crime wave", has been locked up for four years.   more...

Essex,Thurrock Sport

Soccer: Ryman League Round-Up (Divisions 2 and 3)

Great Wakering slipped further back from the title hunt on Saturday as they lost 2-0 at struggling Chertsey Town.   more...

Soccer: Purfleet 3-0 Hampton & Richmond Borough (Ryman League Premier Division)

Six wins out of six now for Purfleet, who went third in the Ryman Premier with a resounding success against Hampton & Richmond Borough on Saturday.   more...

Soccer: Gravesend 2-0 Grays Athletic (Ryman League Premier Division)

Grays put up a good fight at title favourites Gravesend & Northfleet, succumming eventually however in a 2-0 defeat in Kent.   more...

  
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