Stories for 15 November 2005

Echo,Basildon News

Basildon: Hundreds sign petition against new day centre

BATTLING residents stepped up their campaign to block controversial plans to build a new pensioners' day centre on a playing field, by handing a petition signed by nearly 300 residents to Basildon Council.  more...

Basildon: Fury over waste plant site

RESIDENTS have reacted angrily to plans to put the biggest waste plant in south Essex on their doorstep.  more...

Vange: We love our new library

BOOKWORMS at Bardfield Primary School, in Clay Hill Road, Vange have been devouring the books in their brand new library.  more...

Pitsea: Cabbie hit two men with a torch

A TAXI driver who hit two men on the head with a torch after a kebab was shoved in his face has been ordered to do 80 hours of unpaid work.  more...

Echo,Basildon,Southend News

South Essex: Bogus Doc's birth ops

AN unqualified doctor who worked as a gynaecologist at Southend and Basildon hospitals faces being kicked out of the profession.  more...

Echo,Basildon,Thurrock News

Basildon: £5.2m college revamp shelved

Thurrock and Basildon College has shelved plans for the first phase of the £5.2million redevelopment of its Nethermayne Campus.  more...

Echo,Southend News

Rochford: Jury hears closing Trott trial speeches

THE prosecution and defence teams in the trial of Wayne Doherty, who is accused of raping and murdering Norah Trott 27 years ago, have delivered their closing speeches.  more...

Southend: Hunt for man seen in car before attack

DETECTIVES were today searching for a car they believe may lead them to the murderer who torched Andrea Daly's home.  more...

Ashingdon: Hospital staffs' bird flu scare is probed

AN investigation has been launched into why the first couple exposed to deadly bird flu in Britain were allowed to continue working at Southend Hospital for almost a week before receiving treatment.  more...

Leigh: Britney hit means I won't quit

A SONGWRITER about to quit the music business was stunned to discover Britney Spears wants to record one of his songs.  more...

Southend: Village cops vow

ESSEX Police Authority chairman Robert Chambers has pledged policing in villages near Rochford will not be affected by the planned merger between Southend and Rayleigh divisions.  more...

Eveninggazette News

Colchester: Inquiry after sex attack claim

Police were today investigating allegations of a serious sexual assault.   more...

Colchester: Jail for PC who knifed ex-partner

A policeman was in jail today for stabbing his former partner.   more...

Colchester: Veterans angry at remembrance ban

A Territorial Army brigade was barred from taking part in the main Colchester Remembrance Day ceremony.   more...

Colchester: Father and son take the scenic 700-mile route

A father and son have handed over thousands of pounds to a school for children with special needs after a gruelling trip across France.   more...

Clacton: Pre-school needs help to stay open

Use it or lose it! That was the warning today over a children's nursery which is threatened with closure.   more...

Braintree: Owls of delight for pupils

Schoolchildren were delighted to meet some beautiful feathered friends who swooped in for a visit.   more...

Frinton: Seek help before it gets too late

A family today warned that anyone battling with alcohol addiction should seek urgent help before it's too late.   more...

Clacton: Dogs raise £1,000

Canine capers has raised more than £1,000 for charity.   more...

Chelmsford: Juices flowing at Britvic's flotation

Mid-Essex soft drinks firm Britvic has announced its intention to float on the London Stock Exchange.   more...

Braintree: £3,400 voucher bill

A scheme to offer £10 shopping vouchers to council tenants who attend meetings looks set to cost at least £3,400.   more...

Maldon: Shoppers' festive warning

Police are appealing for witnesses following two purse thefts in Maldon High Street.   more...

Chelmsford: Turning over a new leaf at park

Planting work has started to restore the grounds of Hylands House, Chelmsford, to its 18th century appearance.   more...

Colchester: Teacher - drugs are tip of the iceberg

A headteacher has warned both teachers and parents that drugs are a bigger problem in Colchester than ever before.   more...

Marks Tey, Kelvedon: Teenager died in front of train

A teenager who turned to cannabis after a motorbike accident developed mental health problems and killed himself on the railway.   more...

Clacton: Oh deer! Animal saved from freezing sea

A rescue operation was launched by emergency services after a deer was spotted in the sea off Clacton.   more...

Clacton: Holiday park jobs hope

More than £1.3 million is to be invested in improving facilities at one of Tendring's premier holiday parks.   more...

Maldon: £32,000 win for teacher

Who wants to be a millionaire? A Maldon teacher has been left "on cloud nine" after scooping £32,000 on ITV's big money game show.   more...

Halstead: High Street shop up in flames

Another High Street shop has gone up in flames in a town centre plagued by fires.   more...

Essex: Police resisting merger proposals

Essex Police bosses said today they want to resist Government merger proposals and become a stand-alone force.   more...

Eveninggazette Sport

Soccer: Ian steps up his recovery

Two first-half goals were enough for Tottenham Hotspur Reserves to beat Ipswich Town's second string at Portman Road last night.   more...

Boxing: Shanee is hopeful of maintaining her record

Shanee Martin wants to finish the year with a bang by holding on to her unbeaten record.   more...

Soccer: Darren link is scotched

Phil Parkinson has denied rumours he is about to swoop for Reading youngster Darren Campbell.   more...

Snooker: China Open excites Ali

Tiptree-based Ali Carter is heading into the China Open qualifying in bouyant mood after securing his place in another overseas event, the Malta Cup.   more...

Southend,Echo,Essex Sport

Gower gets into the groove with Madonna's fitness regime

INJURY-PLAGUED Southend United winger Mark Gower is hoping to get back into the groove by following a fitness course made famous by pop star Madonna.  more...

Essex schools make the running in English Schools Cross-Country Cup

ESSEX schools dominated the English Schools Cross-Country Cup regional final at St Albans - again demonstrating the county's strength in depth.   more...

Rugby Union: Southend collapse is costly at Albion

SOUTHEND captain Ben Green was left to reflect on a Jekyll and Hyde performance from his side as they lost at Bridgwater & Albion for the second time in eight days.  more...

Rugby Union: SEEVIC cement place in finals

SEEVIC College's seven-a-side rugby team pulled off a superb triumph when they travelled to Norwich to compete in the East England Colleges' Championships.  more...

Thurrock Sport

Dosser puts Dockers through

London APSA 0, Tilbury 1  more...

Trophy trips for borough duo

Thurrock and East Thurrock United have been handed away draws in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy.  more...

United rocked at Thurrock

Thurrock 7, East Thurrock United 0  more...