Stories for 30 July 2007

Braintree And Witham Times News

Darth Vader pops in Freeport for some shopping

Science fiction fans had a treat at Freeport outlet this weekend when characters from popular films and TV shows turned up to greet shoppers.   more...

Head-on collision in Rayne

An elderly couple had to be cut from their car following a head-on collision in Rayne.   more...

Dance show raises £1,500 for PARC

A Witham dance troop of all ages raised £1,500 for charity with a weekend of shows.   more...

Jogger takes on Manhatten

Newly fit Glenn Broad has ditched the drink and cigarettes and has been training for 27 mile jog around New York city.   more...

Three car accidents in Dunmow

A child was injured when two cars collided in Dunmow. Dunmow fire service was called to the scene at Chelmsford Road at 12.30pm on Saturday, July 28. A seven year-old boy was taken to the Broomfield hospital with chest pains, and a 19 year-old man suffered cuts and bruises.   more...

Brentwood Weekly News News

Calf rescued from swimming pool

A FARMER walking at the back of his house was surprised to find a calf in his swimming pool.   more...

Chelmsford Weekly News News

Chelmsford is aherd of the rest

Chelmsford now has a herd of goats named after it.   more...

Clacton And Frinton Gazette News

Clacton: Filmmaker's US debut

A CLACTON filmmaker has directed his first feature documentary in Los Angeles.   more...

Clacton: Crabby event

A CHARITY crabbing competition in Clacton is back - and promises to bigger and better.   more...

Echo News

Extreme sports in park for a fun day

KITE-SURFING, skateboarding and free-running were just a few of the extreme sports teenagers revelled in at Basildon's Gloucester Park.   more...

Comic Mike’s final curtain

COMEDIAN Mike Reid, who was due to perform in south Essex next month, has died aged 67 from a suspected heart attack.   more...

300 knife thugs let off with a caution

ALMOST 300 people caught with knives in Essex were let off with a caution - and 11 of those were youngsters carrying weapons in schools.   more...

Mother admits charity scam

A YOUNG mother who conned people out of cash by claiming she was collecting for a dog charity has been given a community order.   more...

Work aims to make blackspot bus lane safer

CONTRACTORS have chopped down a tree and put up new warning signs close to a controversial bus lane in an effort to make the road safer.   more...

Snipping his way to the top

A YOUNG hairdresser has snipped his way into the finals of a national competition.   more...

Cruel jibe provoked dad to lash out

A MAN who lost his temper and broke a piece of plastic cladding on his neighbour's house has been ordered to pay a total of £475.   more...

Ralph’s road rage at yellow line ‘muck-up’

BUNGLING council contractors covered up yellow lines during resurfacing works - just three weeks after they had been painted.   more...

Couple escape through sunroof

A YOUNG couple were lucky to escape with their lives after their car flipped over in a crash.   more...

Lib Dem's petition for return of bandstand

SOUTHEND'S Lib Dem leader Graham Longley has launched an online petition calling for the bandstand to be reinstated at a temporary location as soon as possible.   more...

Updated: Biker dies on A13

A MOTORCYCLIST killed in a horrific road smash in south Essex has been named by police.   more...

A classic convoy

AN impressive convoy of shining vintage motors turned heads along Southend seafront as they crossed the finishing line.   more...

Man accused of kidnap could face second trial

A MAN accused of kidnapping a man who he said was like his "little brother" could face a retrial.   more...

Police hunt hit-and-run nightclub attack driver

A WOMAN was lucky to escape with her life when she was hit by a car and dragged along on its bonnet after a nightclub row.   more...

Man punched by would-be van thief

A WOULD-BE van thief punched his victim in the face, then ran off empty-handed.   more...

Warning over contradictory road signs

A worried resident has labelled a junction in Grays a death trap.   more...

Deaf children lose out because of signing class delays

deaf children are losing out because it is so hard for parents to find courses teaching sign language so they can communicate with them.   more...

Couple get wed in Wild West style

A COUPLE celebrated their big day with an unusual twist - by inviting guests to come dressed as Wild West characters.   more...

Our park is not dirty

A TOP councillor has hit back at claims that Gloucester Park is falling into rack and ruin.   more...

A crazy day at Craylands

RESIDENTS' community spirit shone through as hundreds of families flocked to a fun day.   more...

Annual 5km race for Little Havens’ coffers

BIG-HEARTED residents are being urged to lace up their trainers for this year's Basildon 5K run, in aid of Little Havens.   more...

Councillor dies at Lincolnshire home

A FORMER councillor has died after a long battle with cancer.   more...

Our Scouting spectacular!

THOUSANDS of Scouts from across the world are forging friendships at a huge jamboree in Essex.   more...

Neighbours’ misery over all-night party

FRUSTRATED residents were left sleep-deprived and angry when an all-night party kept people awake more than a mile away.   more...

Amess attacks own party

A CONSERVATIVE MP has attacked his own party members for applauding Tony Blair when he left the House of Commons for the last time as Prime Minister.   more...

Police warning over burglar alarm salesmen

HOUSEHOLDERS are being warned to beware of security alarm salesmen falsely claiming to be working with Essex Police.   more...

Health secretary tours new health unit

GOVERNMENT minister Alan Johnson received a warm reception when he breezed into south Essex yesterday to see how local health services are being run.   more...

Victim’s terror at knifepoint robbery

A MAN was bundled into his home and threatened at knifepoint by a gang of masked robbers.   more...

Why did Labour not give traveller view?

BASILDON'S Labour group has been attacked for not coming up with any solution to the district's ongoing traveller site crisis.   more...

Shut alleys to stop drugs and damage

RESIDENTS and councillors are calling for a maze of alleyways on an estate to be closed in a bid to stem the tide of antisocial behaviour plaguing the area.   more...

We’re still not back in our own homes

SOME residents forced to flee a block of flats after a huge blaze ripped through it are still waiting to move back home.   more...

Dream comes true for beauty therapist

A BEAUTY therapist has received her dream birthday present - the leasehold on a salon.   more...

Avast! Park’s treasure chest of entertainment

LANDLUBBERS swashbuckled their way along to Wat Tyler Country park to enjoy an open air performance of Treasure Island.   more...

Fight to deliver a new town

THE developers who will fight it out to deliver the £900million Basildon town centre masterplan will be revealed in September.   more...

Sex offender is returned to care

A convicted child rapist who went on the run from a mental unit following a shopping trip has been banned from any further outings - for now.   more...

Impaled boy: I'll walk again

A TEENAGER who impaled himself on his bike's handlebars in a horrific fall says he is determined to walk and ride again.   more...

Ralph’s road rage at yellow line ‘muck-up’

BUNGLING council contractors partially covered over yellow lines during resurfacing works - just three weeks after they were painted.   more...

MP renews attack on quango’s plans

AN MP renewed his attack on regeneration company, Renaissance Southend, when he met members of a protest group.   more...

Hi-de-hi, it’s a holiday comedy

A BUDDING scriptwriter hopes to take her sitcom about the crazy world of holiday reps on to the nation's screens.   more...

Tributes pour in for dedicated councillor

TRIBUTES have been pouring in for former Southend mayor Allan Cole, who has died after losing a long battle with cancer.   more...

'Measures fail to stop cruisers'

TRAFFIC measures to drive away boy racers have failed, frustrated residents claim.   more...

Krista takes a ride in her dream motor

A NINE-YEAR-OLD girl who suffers from cerebral palsy was treated to a ride in a Jaguar that was re-built from scratch.   more...

Post Office walkout

POST office counter staff picketed outside their workplace to call attention to their own dispute over pay.   more...

Letters go undelivered

THOUSANDS of people are getting their mail late because an overtime ban on postmen has meant piles of letters are not being delivered.   more...

Talk about jumping the lights...

MAN flattened a set of traffic lights in a stolen van, before legging it from the scene.   more...

Woman hurt in nightclub hit and run

A WOMAN was lucky to escape with her life after she was hit by a car and dragged along on its bonnet.   more...

Lucky escape for crash couple

A YOUNG couple were lucky to escape with their lives after their car flipped over in a crash.   more...

Toilet fire: Five teenagers arrested

FIVE teenagers have been arrested after two female police community support officers were locked in a smoke-filled toilet block in Priory Park, Southend.   more...

New era for Basildon by Malcolm Buckley

BASILDON has long been the most forward-looking council in Essex, and continues to work for a better future.   more...

Echo Sport

Hants crush Essex hopes by two runs

HAMPSHIRE beat Essex by two runs in the Pro40 contest at the Rose Bowl yesterday in a match reduced to 25 overs per side.   more...

Wickford off bottom after maiden victory

WICKFORD finally have something to celebrate after winning their first Premier match of the season - at the 12th attempt.   more...

Wade shines as Wetscliff see off leaders

WESTCLIFF kept up the good work in Division One by capturing their second successive 20-point haul.   more...

Basildon despatch rivals Fives by sweet 16

BASILDON and Pitsea saw off their closest challengers Fives and Heronians by 16 runs in a vital top of the table clash in Division Two.   more...

Fleet climb on top of the Hill

BENFLEET maintained their push for promotion by defeating close rivals Buckhurst Hill by 93 runs.   more...

Essex County Standard News

Village fears for skip firm expansion

ANGRY residents are setting up a campaign group to fight plans to expand a skip hire centre in their village.   more...

Gazette Features

Here comes the sun king

There was very definitely something of the Sir Richard Branson about him.   more...

Gazette News

Colchester: Maughan killing - new lead

Murder detectives are investigating new leads after closed circuit television pictures of two men wanted in connection with the killing of Helen Maughan was shown to club and pub-goers.   more...

Harwich: Police hunt missing girl

POLICE are today searching for a missing teenager after she disappeared following a night out.   more...

Colchester: Teen survives 80ft fall

A BOY survived falling 80ft from a cliff - by dialling 999 on his mobile to get winched to safety.   more...

Fordham: Schoolboy flying solo at just 16

A fledgling glider pilot is already soaring solo on the thermals - before he's even old enough to drive a car.   more...

Colchester: Knives worry of mum

Almost 300 people carrying knives in Essex were given a caution rather than being taken to court, figures show.   more...

Marks Tey: Police hunting for pair in burglary

A hunt has begun for a man and his tattooed accomplice after a pensioner came face-to-face with a would-be burglar in her kitchen.   more...

Colchester: Wow, what a party!

Blushing brides-to-be were among the thousands of music-lovers who flocked to Colchester's Castle Park for a three-day music extravaganza.   more...

North Essex: First lung run will help fight disease

A charity fun run is likely to be a bittersweet occasion for one of its organisers.   more...

Frinton: Jubilation for round coast waterbiker

A charity waterbiker is back on dry land after a 2,600-mile round trip of the British coast.   more...

Dovercourt: Doorstep attack on pensioner, 91

An elderly man has been assaulted on his doorstep, exactly a week after an almost identical incident in the same area.   more...

Clacton: Man convicted of sex assault on woman

A man has been told he could be jailed for sexually assaulting a woman.   more...

Dovercourt: Tributes to instant millionaire

Tributes have been paid to a great-grandmother who became a millionaire overnight.   more...

Tendring: New warning over dinghy dangers

A warning is being given to sea-lovers about the dangers of using inflatable dinghies without proper supervision.   more...

Dovercourt: Vandal spree hits chapel

Two churches and two chapels have been the latest targets in a vandalism spree.   more...

Harwich: Crowds flock to festival of the sea

A coastal extravaganza attracted sailing vessels, sea-shanties and sunshine.   more...

Colchester: Man attacked and left scarred

A man has been left scarred for life after he was attacked with a piece of wood.   more...

Colchester: Danger drugs grabbed from car

Warnings are being issued after thieves stole a batch of high-strength - potentially lethal - prescription drugs.   more...

Halstead Gazette News

Two sisters share same day birth

It is said to be one of the most scary and exciting experiences when your daughter gives birth, but imagine that feeling times by two.   more...

Man critical after tree crash

A man suffered critical injuries after becoming trapped in his car following a collision with a tree in Bulmer Tye.   more...

Harwich And Manningtree Standard News

Dovercourt: Plea To Fill Empty Seats

A FAMILY day out is being planned to help raise money for a school's funds.   more...

Tendring: Parents To Get Say Over Services

FIVE fun days have been planned in a bid to give mums and dads a say in how children's services are run.   more...

Maldon And Burnham Standard News

Motorcyclist killed in road tragedy

A MOTORCYCLIST from Steeple died on Friday after colliding with a van.   more...

Thurrock Gazette News

Police seek witnesses after couple survive car flip

A YOUNG couple were lucky to escape with their lives after their car flipped over in a crash.   more...

Students' tip message

STUDENTS from the Chafford Hundred Campus have been backing Thurrock Council's recycling drive by creating two mosaics to encourage others to go green.   more...

Hospital friends need help

AFTER years of raising money to help others, Basildon Hospital's League of Friends is now in desperate need of help of its own.   more...

Alison back as pirates return

FORMER BBC Essex Drivetime presenter Alison Hartley is returning to radio after her early retirement forced by a brain tumour.   more...

More support for Canvey access road through borough

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a £70million toll road between Canvey and Thurrock have moved a step forward with a report that says they are economically viable.   more...

Woman dragged on car bonnet after late night attack

A WOMAN was lucky to escape with her life after she was hit by a car and dragged along on its bonnet during a late night row.   more...

Warning to town centre cyclists

POLICE have sent a stern warning to cyclists who are putting shoppers' lives at risk by illegally riding through town centres.   more...

Out of jail and bailed to Reading hostel

A THURROCK woman has been released from jail on bail after appearing at Basildon Crown Court.   more...

Possible retrial after jury fails to reach decision in kidnap case

A MAN accused of kidnapping his "little brother" could face a retrial after a jury failed to reach a verdict.   more...

Early morning raiders strike at Chafford home

A MAN was bundled into his home in the early hours of this morning and threatened at knifepoint by a gang of masked robbers.   more...

  
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