Stories for 4 April 2007

Braintree And Witham Times Sport

Cricket: Braintree's net gain

Braintree Cricket Club have become one of the first clubs to benefit from the Government's £9.4m Community Club Development Programme.   more...

Football: Battle not over says O'Donnell

Witham Town's footballers resume their battle against relegation from Ryman League division one north on Saturday with a trip to play Potters Bar Town.   more...

Rugby: Witham crowned league champions

Witham Rugby Club have been crowned Essex League Division Three champions.   more...

Football: Iron waste their chance

Braintree Town missed their chance to take over second place in the table after a thoroughly disappointing second-half performance at Fisher Athletic on Monday.   more...

Echo News

843,000 smuggled cigarettes from eastern Europe

SMUGGLED cigarettes worth £170,000 have been found in a series of raids on a freight transport depot.   more...

Teenager on drugs charges

A TEENAGER accused of possessing two different drugs with intent to supply them to others, will stand trial.   more...

Shifting sand piles up by beach huts

SAND is piling up around beach huts in Thorpe Bay after being washed down the shore from Jubilee Beach.   more...

Police baffled over screwdriver attack

POLICE are baffled as to why a man with "no enemies" was repeatedly stabbed with a screwdriver during a frenzied attack.   more...

Centre for kids approved

A NEW children's centre at Doggetts Primary School in The Boulevard, Rochford, has been given the go-ahead by Essex county councillors.   more...

Shifting sand piles up by beach huts

SAND is piling up around beach huts in Thorpe Bay after being washed down the shore from Jubilee Beach.   more...

Fun park will not expand

A SEAFRONT amusement park will remain the same size after expansion plans were turned down by Castle Point Council.   more...

Restaurant sign refused

AN application for a free-standing sign outside a restaurant has been turned down by Castle Point Council.   more...

Home birth is best, says mum-of-four

CHILDBIRTH - that ultimate labour of love - often takes on a rosier hue in the mother's eyes as the memory of it fades.   more...

TV spotlight on talented dance group

SOUTH Essex has got talent - television's Mr Nasty said so.   more...

Teenager robbed by mother and son

A TEENAGER was robbed at a cemetery by a mother and son who slashed him across the arm with a knife.   more...

Disgust over gay sex in the park

DISGUSTED familes have called for an end to gay sex activity in a country park.   more...

End of the road for boy racers

BOY racers using an industrial estate as a racetrack are finally being shown the red light by cops and transport bosses.   more...

Taxi driver mugged

A TAXI driver was punched and mugged during a racially-motivated attack.   more...

Neighbours oppose care home plans

A COMPANY which wants to build a four storey care home for the elderly is facing stiff opposition from prospective neighbours.   more...

Rosanna's off on Brazil trek

AN adventurous teenager will brave poisonous spiders, wild snakes and fierce crocodiles during a trek through Brazil.   more...

20,000 bikes in Shakedown

THOUSANDS of bikers are expected to descend on Southend seafront this weekend as part of an annual charity ride.   more...

BMW driver in horror crash

A BMW driver was critically injured after hitting a lamp post on a busy dual-carriageway.   more...

Brother who 'laid down his life'

THE devastated sister of a murder victim has paid tribute to her loving brother.   more...

Car shot at with air rifle

A MOTORIST had a lucky escape after his car was shot at by thugs.   more...

Pupils' big stitch up

EVERY pupil at Noak Bridge Primary School helped create a giant mural.   more...

How did rider get burned?

POLICE are continuing their inquiries into how a boy sustained serious burns while riding an off-road motorcycle in a Thurrock quarry.   more...

David is running for eye appeal

A Territorial Army captain will soon be pounding the pavements to raise money to help save people's sight.   more...

How green is the Greens' house?

WHEREVER there is a cause to be fought, Canvey's Irene Willis is not far away.   more...

MP samples school’s organic grub

RAYLEIGH Tory MP Mark Francois got the chance to sample an   more...

Dad's agony at son's Samurai sword killing

THE DEVASTATED dad of a man killed with a Samurai sword has told of his shock and despair after reliving the horrors of his son's trial.   more...

'Happy slapping' attack on boy, 15

A GANG of "happy slappers" filmed a teenager being kicked in the crotch.   more...

Teachers unite against cyber-bullies

TEACHERS have united against students who bully them, saying their behaviour is "totally unacceptable".   more...

Music and dance to reach out and help autistic kids

SPECIALIST workshops involving actors, musicians and dancers to help youngsters with Asperger's syndrome - a form of autism - are being set up in south Essex.   more...

Masked raid on Wickford petrol station

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a masked man driving a stolen car robbed a petrol station.   more...

Letting older people find a voice

RESIDENTS aged over 60 are being encouraged to take part in a training programme to get their voices heard.   more...

Southend beaches win 7 quality coast awards

BEACHES across Southend have been selected for a clutch of awards.   more...

Ford showroom work starts with a VIP dig

BOSSES made a ground-breaking start to introduce a new £6.5million Ford dealership.   more...

Tesco store for B&Q site?

TESCO could move into the B&Q site next to Southend Victoria station when the DIY store moves out later this year.   more...

Updated: Chaos on c2c line

RAIL commuters have continued to criticise train company c2c, calling their trip home on Monday night a "train ride from hell".   more...

Ducknappers alert

THE mystery disappearance of ducks on Canvey Lake has ruffled a few feathers.   more...

Schoolboy stands for council

SCHOOLBOY Llynus Pigrem is standing for Southend Council, in the hotly-contested Prittlewell ward.   more...

My hospital miscarriage nightmare

A WOMAN who suffered a miscarriage has claimed she was left bleeding in hospital waiting rooms for five hours before she was seen.   more...

VIPs on leaking ferry

A SKIPPER was forced to evacuate ferry passengers after he feared the boat would sink.   more...

Alfred's death: Please to boy racers

BOY racers could be the key to solving the cause of a horrific smash in which a 20-year-old man was killed.   more...

Diamond smiles

A HAPPY couple who met on an ice rink are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary.   more...

Castle Point stalwart John retires after 33 years’ service

A LONG-serving council officer bade a fond farewell to life in local government at his retirement party.   more...

Testing time for recruits

THREE Territorial Army recruits have passed a military training course with flying colours.   more...

Day centre minibus roars on to the road

ELDERLY people will be able to get out and socialise more thanks to a £12,000 grant for a new minibus.   more...

Gas plant campaigners to hold public meeting

CAMPAIGNERS against the expansion of a gas storage terminal on Canvey are to hold a public meeting on Thursday, April 19.   more...

Councillors are quizzed about football tickets

CASTLE Point Conservative councillors say they are angry at being forced to fill in a questionnaire about how they paid for their football tickets.   more...

Hundreds sign petition for third island road

AN online petition, calling for a third road off Canvey has attracted hundreds of signatures in just two weeks.   more...

Artist puts his work on show

A CANVEY school will soon be playing host to an exhibition of artist Pete Kennedy's work.   more...

Fancy that! Costume event starts campaign

SHOPWORKERS dressed up as Wonder Woman, Bob the Builder and Shrek to launch the Co-op's charity fundraising drive.   more...

90 patients escape from 'secure' mental units

ALMOST 90 patients escaped from mental health units in south Essex last year, raising concerns about the facilities' security.   more...

Gazette Features

Know your rights!

As shoppers, we've always felt protected by the unwritten rule that "the customer is always right".   more...

Gazette News

Colchester: Man jailed for killing former partner

A "jealous and obsessive" killer was in jail today for murdering his former partner.   more...

Colchester: What of the old Army church now?

The last ever service at Colchester's Garrison Church takes place on Sunday - sparking fears over the landmark building's future.   more...

Colchester, Weeley: Crash woman recovers

A woman who was left fighting for her life after a motorbike crash is said to be making her recovery.   more...

Colchester: Lads’ mag brands town as well ’ard

Colchester has been named one of Britain's "hardest" towns and cities.   more...

Colchester: Drivers urged 'do your best'

Sunday afternoon motorists are being urged to steer clear of Colchester town centre later this month.   more...

Coggeshall: County’s 17th consecutive course ...ring any bells?

The bells, they are a changin'...   more...

Colchester: Blanket ban for drunken yobs plan

Drunks could get blanket bans from entering all 80 pubs and clubs in Colchester in a bid to make the town's streets safer after dark.   more...

Colchester: Shoplifter walks free from court

A shoplifter was given a custodial sentence after stealing £17 worth of razor blades.   more...

Dedham: Nothing streaky about bacon award

A village butchers has scooped a hat-trick of awards after going back to basics with its bacon.   more...

Earls Colne, Coggeshall: Distracted driver hit gas truck

A woman crashed a Vauxhall van after becoming distracted by a heavy goods vehicle behind her.   more...

Colchester: Choo-choo zoo deal

Zoo bosses in Colchester are urging visitors to let the train take the strain to get people to leave their cars at home.   more...

Colchester: Staying one step ahead of criminals

A community safety website dubbed the "most comprehensive" in the country was due to be unveiled today.   more...

Frinton: Well-behaved fans praised

Young fans who attended Frinton's first rock concert have been given a pat on the back.   more...

Harwich: Model vessel's visit

A model of a famous ship which led the expedition to America will sail into Harwich later this year.   more...

Clacton: Couple’s savings spent on surgery

An elderly couple have criticised NHS waiting lists after being forced to spend their life savings on private treatment.   more...

Tendring: Our beaches just great

It's official - if you want a nice beach to build sandcastles on, go for a paddle or take a stroll, come to Tendring.   more...

Harwich: Cash point cloning danger alert

Residents are warning others to be on their guard after their bank cards were cloned and hundreds of pounds was spent in Italy.   more...

Tendring: Traders banking on good weather

Businesses on the sunshine coast look set for a busy Easter weekend, thanks to predictions of good weather.   more...

Jaywick: Rocky road

A village road is in such disrepair that bus drivers have suffered back and neck injuries.   more...

Gazette Sport

Rugby: David set for World Cup mission

Rugby ace David Smith is chasing global glory when he pulls on England's famous strip at the IRB Under-19 World Championships.   more...

Hockey: Colchester beaten at semi-final stage

ICSA 4   more...

Soccer: Halstead recover to gain vital point

Two goals in the last five minutes from Nicky Love and Stuart Fergus gave Halstead Town a priceless point when they looked down and out against Cambridge Regional College in a vital relegation clash at Rosemary Lane.   more...

Thurrock Gazette News

Eight years in jail for former Grays footballer

SHAMED footballer Ashley Sestanovich has been jailed for eight years after masterminding a robbery that left a have-a-go hero dead.   more...

Mum's plea to death crash witnesses

BOYRACERS could be the key to solving the cause of a horrific smash in which a 20-year-old man was tragically killed.   more...

Tilbury swoop on smuggled fags

NEARLY one million smuggled cigarettes worth more than £140,000 were seized by customs officers in just one day.   more...

Patrol car roof cut off to 'rescue' injured woman

FIREFIGHTERS from Grays were involved in a bizarre rescue' in the early hours of this morning.   more...

Thames drama as ferry floods

PASSENGERS on the Tilbury to Gravesend ferry were told to evacuate the sinking boat moments after it had docked followed a Thames crossing on Wednesday.   more...

A13 airlift after crash

A MAN is fighting for his life after a collision on the A13 near Purfleet.   more...

  
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