Stories for 26 July 2007

Billericay Weekly News News

Furious row over empty Dale Farm traveller plots

A WAR of words has broken out between Basildon Council leader Malcolm Buckley and an American student living with the travellers at Crays Hill.   more...

Billericay Weekly News Sport

Mystery of cats' bodies

AN RSPCA inspector believes two dead cats, found in a cardboard box, could have been injured deliberately by a thug.   more...

Braintree And Witham Times News

Mobile phone fault causes misery for customers

VODAFONE customers in Witham have been unable to use their mobile phones for a week.   more...

Principal responds to critical Ofsted monitoring inspection

A PRINCIPAL is confident his school will rapidly improve soon, despite criticism from education inspectors who inadequate progress has been made since it was placed in special measures.   more...

Photographic competition winners announced

BUDDING photographers can now proudly see their work on public display.   more...

Top teacher Cathy picks up her prizes

Top teacher Cathy Mann was treated to a makeover and meal after winning a Braintree and Witham Times competition.   more...

Best foot forward for charity

Two charity workers have embarked on a gruelling training schedule to prepare for a 44km charity walk.   more...

Brentwood Weekly News News

Councillor accused of "scaremongering"

A COUNCILLOR has been accused of "scaremongering" and "bringing the council into disrepute" after expressing his fears that travellers were to move onto land in Pilgrims Hatch.   more...

Travellers told to leave plots

A GROUP of travellers will be forced to leave plots of land in the Ingatestone green belt after councillors refused to extend their stay.   more...

Clacton And Frinton Gazette News

Walton: Club hit by keys mix-up

AN indoor bowls club has applied for compensation after a mix-up with keys left members unable to play.   more...

Jaywick: Houses to go as part of clear-up

FOUR dilapidated houses in Brooklands will be demolished by next August.   more...

Clacton: Four generations welcome Alfie

LITTLE Alfie McLaughlin-Modos was the guest of honour at a party yesterday, attended by five generations of the same family.   more...

Clacton: Bruff issue raised in Commons

THE future of Clacton's Peter Bruff ward has been discussed in the House of Commons.   more...

Clacton: Mum's fury at school ruling

ESSEX County Council has been criticised for sending a youngster to a school outside his catchment area.   more...

Clacton, Jaywick: Second pier jump man dies

THE second man who died in a tombstoning accident at Clacton has been named as Kelvin Rothwell.   more...

Clacton: Mother sets up special film events

THE mother of a child with complex needs has organised speical cinema screenings for children who suffer from similar conditions.   more...

Clacton, Jaywick: New start for warden plan

CHANGES to a coastal warden scheme have been formally announced.   more...

Frinton: Miracle girl's progress

ALMOST five years after fearing her baby daughter might die, a thankful mum is now preparing to send her off to school.   more...

Our comment: July 26

DUE to scheduling in the court system, this week's paper seems to be packed with court cases.   more...

Postbag: Disgraceful content

I had to write to you as I witnessed a car accident on July 2 in the Clacton area where a man in a white van collided with a car at less than five miles an hour.   more...

Clacton And Frinton Gazette Sport

Soccer: signs look good for Hillier

Fierce competition for places could inspire FC Clacton to success next season, according to skipper Paul Hillier.   more...

Cricket: Seasiders denied by the weather - again

Martin Smith claimed three wickets but his Clacton side were left frustrated after bad weather forced the abandonment of their East Anglian Premier League match at Cambridge Granta.   more...

Tennis: Brits rule at Frinton

Britain ruled the way during the finals of a showpiece tennis event in Frinton.   more...

Echo News

Gallic goodbye for special head Janet

LONG-serving headteacher Janet Upton said a Gallic   more...

Children spend their holidays at school

THERE is no excuse for youngsters to stay at home watching DVDs or playing computer games this summer.   more...

Flood donation from Echo publisher

ECHO Newspapers' parent company is donating £10,000 to the British Red Cross National Floods Appeal.   more...

Huge blaze destroys home

A man admitted he was lucky to be alive after a TV set exploded and set fire to his bedroom today (Thursday).   more...

Run-down flats are targeted by vandals

A RUN-down block of flats in desperate need of repair is being neglected by a housing association, a furious resident is claiming.   more...

60 man hole covers stolen

RECKLESS thieves are putting lives at risk by ripping out gas pipes from homes to get their hands on valuable copper - and even stealing manhole covers from the A13.   more...

Help us rearrange our wedding

A COUPLE are desperately trying to get their washed-out wedding back on track after escaping severe flooding.   more...

Row over empty Dale Farm site plots

A WAR of words has erupted between Basildon Council leader Malcolm Buckley and a US student living with the travellers at Crays Hill.   more...

£100,000 boost for our youngsters

YOUNGSTERS in Castle Point are a step closer to having better playgrounds after the council received a £100,000 grant.   more...

Escape from flats fire

FIRE ripped through a block of flats after a man's television set exploded in flames.   more...

'Flats are a death trap'

RESIDENTS of Mornington House reacted with a mixture of shock and anger after watching part of their building go up in flames.   more...

Island's new powerbase

A DISUSED town centre building could be converted into £250,000 offices for the new Canvey Town Council, it has been revealed.   more...

Hunt for man as £600,000 goes missing

POLICE are hunting a man who disappeared at the same time £600,000 went missing from his employers.   more...

Pledge to restore town's bandstand back to its glory days

SOUTHEND Council has pledged to restore the iconic bandstand to its former glory on the cliffs.   more...

Firms fight back against crime

CRIMINALS targeting Basildon businesses, will find their job harder from now on, as firms are joining forces to fight back.   more...

TV blast starts huge flats fire

A MAN admitted he was lucky to be alive, after his TV set exploded and sent fire ripping through a block of flats.   more...

The Young Killers

TWO teenagers have been found guilty of bursting into a man's home while he slept and beating him to death with bricks and concrete.   more...

MP backs waste plant campaign

MP ANGELA Smith has given the Echo's Don't Dump on Basildon campaign a boost by pledging to convince Essex County Council its plans for a massive waste plant are wrong.   more...

Stabbing: Armed police storm flat

ARMED police stormed a flat in Tilbury in the hunt for a knifeman who stabbed a man during a brawl.   more...

Why we want to help people on the streets

A PLEA for help to feed the homeless has struck a cord with youngsters who helped re-stock the cupboards of a day centre.   more...

Councillors' trip to America

REGENERATION company Renaissance Southend forked out £500 to help send county councillors on a fact-finding trip to the USA - even though it involved no Southend councillors.   more...

New church minister for Benfleet

A BENFLEET church has given a warm welcome to its new minister.   more...

Vandals on the rampage

TEENAGE vandals have kicked off the school holidays by going on a wrecking spree.   more...

Council's B&B cash shame

CASTLE Point Council spent more than £66,000 on rooms in B&Bs for homeless people that stood empty for three months.   more...

Dads dare to run Inca trail

A DYNAMIC duo of dads have conquered one of the world's most fearsome challenges - the marathon Inca Trail in the Andes mountains of Peru.   more...

Man disappears along with £600k

Police are hunting for a finance controller who disappeared at the same time as £600,000 went missing from a company account.   more...

Cleaner remains in coma

POLICE fear a cleaner attacked in a town centre bar may not survive.   more...

Grammar school unveils ambitious plans to improve facilities for pupils

A GRAMMAR school has revealed an ambitious   more...

Chess club's winning moves

WESTCLIFF Chess Club has been crowned Minor Plate National Champions.   more...

Boy, three, hit by car

A THREE-YEAR-OLD boy was knocked down by a car while crossing the road at traffic lights.   more...

Shoppers B&Q up for bargains at new store

FANS of DIY swarmed into Southend's new £3million B&Q superstore at Fossetts Farm.   more...

Bus route revived to serve new retail park

AN old bus route has been   more...

Councillors decide the battle of the 7ft fence

A COUPLE who put up a 7ft-tall fence on open land next to their garden look set to lose their fight to keep it there.   more...

Neighbours oppose plan for two houses

NEIGHBOURS fear plans to demolish a bungalow in their road and build two houses could encroach on their privacy.   more...

Smiling through the pain

DAVID Brechelt has had a tough life. Much of his ten years have been spent in hospital.   more...

Firm urges crooks to return vital jobs diary

A CATERING company desperately needs help after crooks broke into its work van to steal £400 and a diary crammed with future appointments.   more...

MP hands over mast petition

A PETITION opposing the installation of a mobile phone mast in a densely-populated residential area has been presented to Parliament.   more...

Landlord stung by hefty royalties rap

A LANDLORD said he felt unfairly treated after he returned from holiday to face a hefty High Court bill.   more...

Churches united in Love Basildon drive

ALMOST 30 churches in Basildon have united to remind young people and the community that "God loves Basildon".   more...

Echo Sport

Grayson is frustrated as rain prevents play

ESSEX first team coach Paul Grayson was left frustrated as rain washed out the first day of the county's championship match against Gloucestershire.   more...

Palladino pens new contract

ESSEX fast bowler Tony Palladino has signed a new two-year deal with the county.   more...

Gazette Features

Glimmer of light at the rail tunnel’s end

The trouble with the Government's latest "strategy" on rail travel is it doesn't really say anything.   more...

Gazette News

Tendring: Lottery chiefs face public

The Big Lottery has defended its funding of the voluntary sector in Tendring.   more...

Colchester: Listed centre set for revamp

Plans for renovations to the Grade-II listed Wilson Marriage Centre have been submitted to the council.   more...

Colchester: Jodie’s fright night in historic town

Celeb model Jodie Marsh hopes she's found Mr Right - on a ghost tour of Colchester.   more...

Dovercourt: Man is cleared of indecency

A man has been cleared by a court on indecency charges.   more...

Colchester: Police clamp down on boozers in park

Police today warned they are to clamp down on problem drinkers in a Colchester park.   more...

Colchester: Hospital bid for better access road

A new access road is planned for Colchester General Hospital to give ambulances faster access to accident and emergency.   more...

Frinton: Vandalism sparks seaside outburst

Outraged seaside beach hut watchdogs have broken their silence to highlight the trail of human misery left by wanton vandals.   more...

Boxted: Council fights to evict van man

A council says there are no special reasons to allow a man to continue living in a mobile home in the countryside.   more...

Colchester: Teddy in trouble with the law

Colchester United footballer Teddy Sheringham has been cautioned for perverting the course of justice.   more...

Essex: Prepared for the big jamboree

Scouts are famous for being prepared.   more...

Colchester: ‘Please leave mummy alone’ pleads son, 8

A father with a drink problem tried to choke his wife during an alcohol-fuelled row.   more...

Ramsey: Bike bid to cut road deaths

A firefighter has relaunched a campaign to cut the number of children being killed and injured on the roads.   more...

Colchester: 'You're making town grubby'

Litter louts were today blasted for wasting public money and making Colchester a "grubby town".   more...

North Essex: Police swoops on drug dens increase

Nearly three drugs dens a month were raided by police in Colchester last year - double the number of nearby Tendring.   more...

Colchester: Cyclists sought in murder hunt

Two bike-riding men could hold vital clues as to who killed 24-year-old Helen Maughan, murder detectives have revealed.   more...

Tendring: 80mph chase

A depressive van driver forced cars out of his way as he charged through roadworks in a high-speed police chase.   more...

Colchester: Murder probe - fresh appeal to trace man

This is the man detectives want to trace over the murder of Colchester nurse Ella Chimweta.   more...

Frinton: Mark bowls maiden over!

Bride and groom Suzanne Herring and Mark Brown mark their wedding at Frinton Cricket Club with a quick game.   more...

Walton: New loos are a big relief

New seafront toilets worth more than £200,000 have been opened at Walton.   more...

Tendring: Meals on wheels workers face axe

Up to 25 jobs will be lost when the meals on wheels service in Tendring changes hands.   more...

Colchester: Measures school ‘making progress’

A school in special measures has succeeded in driving up standards in maths and science.   more...

Colchester: Murder probe - fresh appeal to trace man

This is the man detectives want to trace over the murder of Colchester nurse Ella Chimweta.   more...

Frinton: Parents are urged to stay alert

Fears over children going missing on the beach have prompted a renewed call to parents to stay aware.   more...

Dovercourt: 93-year-old tells of robbery ordeal

A pensioner who was attacked and robbed of his holiday money in his own home has spoken of the moment the robber struck.   more...

Frinton: Waterbiker to return after coastal challenge

Charity waterbiker Justin Humphrey was due back on dry land this weekend after a coast-hugging trip around the UK.   more...

Halstead Gazette News

Dr hangs up the stethoscope, as new one joins

A popular doctor has retired after 11 years with a village practice.   more...

U-turn over dentist for the disabled?

A health trust which planned to axe a dentist for the disabled looks set to do a U-turn, thanks to public pressure.   more...

New doctor, new practices

A well travelled doctor has doubled the staff at a village practice and is introducing new ideas.   more...

Brother make shoppers happy again

Two brothers have taken over a vital community service delivering food and household goods.   more...

Roadworks cause mayhem

Roadworks are causing mayhem for traders and pedestrians on a busy High Street.   more...

Harwich And Manningtree Standard News

Parkeston: Fire Investigation Under Way

INVESTIGATIONS into the blaze which swept through businesses in Parkeston last week are continuing.   more...

Dovercourt: Vandal Attack Forces Toilets To Shut

VANDALS have targeted a Dovercourt toilet block in the latest in a spate of similar incidents across the town.   more...

Harwich: Warm Welcome To New Vessel

CROWDS flocked to Harwich port to welcome a new vessel.   more...

Manningtree: Mayor's Praise For Cleaning Staff

A TOWN mayor has been swept away by the cleaners who ensure her town is spotless.   more...

Ramsey: Cycling Scheme Relaunched

A FIREFIGHTER has relaunched a campaign to cut the number of children being killed and injured on the road.   more...

Thurrock Gazette News

People award renewed

THURROCK Council have been recognised for successfully retaining their national Investors in People status.   more...

Tall, dark and growing

TILBURY'S Jordan Gray, who performs under the name 'Talldarkfriend', has been busy gigging this summer, establishing a reputation as one of the most promising young artists in the region.   more...

Manhole thefts put lives at risk

THIEVES have put lives in danger by stealing £100,000 worth of valuable metals from roads, churches and homes.   more...

Jade's a 100 per cent star

STAR pupil Jade Potterton who attends Bonneygate School, South Ockendon, received a certificate in recognition of an unbroken 100 per cent attendance record over the past five years.   more...

Armed raid follows stabbing

ARMED police stormed a flat in Tilbury in the hunt for a knifeman who stabbed a man during a brawl.   more...

Harry Potter special delights kids

YOUNGSTERS from Thurrock enjoyed a magical train journey to mark the start of the school holiday period.   more...

Publisher's cash for stricken region

THE Gazette's parent company is donating £10,000 to the British Red Cross National Floods Appeal.   more...

Comic Russell in police probe

FUNNYMAN and former Grays schoolboy Russell Brand is being investigated by police over crank calls he allegedly made during a stand-up show.   more...

Weekend rail delays from Grays

COMMUTERS using the c2c rail line are being warned to expect delays on Saturday and Sunday.   more...

Grays goes MAD

PUPILS at the Grays School Media Arts College enjoyed two MAD' days in the last week of term.   more...

Second bomb made safe

FOR the second time in a month, workers at a Thurrock site had to stop work while bomb disposal experts went to work.   more...

Anglian soldier killed in Afghanistan is named

TRIBUTES have ben paid to the Royal Angian Regimnt soldier who was killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday.   more...

Morgan breaks through

FLEET-footed Morgan Robertson has taking his first steps to dance success.   more...

MP's ports police lead followed up by PM

PRIME Minister Gordon Brown has hopped aboard a bandwagon started by borough MP Andrew Mackinlay, and recently pushed along by the Conservatives, by outlining plans for a unified border police force to combat terrorism.   more...

Yorkie makes regional final

A GUIDE dog who turned his owner's life around has been chosen as a regional finalist in prestigious BBC Breakfast Guide Dog of the Year   more...

Death of former borough councillor

TRIBUTE has been paid to a former Thurrock councillor who has died after a long battle against cancer.   more...

Borough fundraisers’ hospice efforts praised

FUNDRAISERS from the borough have been praised for their support of Little Havens Children's Hospice.   more...

Council says no to gipsy pitch plea

Thurrock Council have given a resounding no to the possibility of more spaces for gipsies or travellers in the borough.   more...

Thurrock Gazette Sport

Match called off

EAST Thurrock United's friendly with Bowers on Thursday evening at Rookery Hill has been called off.   more...

  
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