Stories for 14 August 2007

Billericay Weekly News News

My song for Madeleine McCann

GREASE is the Word finalist Joanna Power has penned a ballad for missing girl Madeleine McCann.   more...

Tidy the electricity wires

A COMMUNITY group wants power cables which hang over Billericay streets to be buried.   more...

Braintree And Witham Times News

Great Leighs racecourse is unlikely to be ready in time - again

Great Leighs racecourse faces a vital inspection next week that will determine if it meets its October opening date, but the British Horse Racing Authority (BHA) admitted there was the "possibility" it would not be ready in time.   more...

Store manager leads the way with green-thinking

The little man in a big corporation has taken the lead to protect the environment by introducing a new scheme in Braintree.   more...

Camera cuts antisocial behaviour

NUISANCE behaviour on a housing estate has quietened down, thanks to a new CCTV camera.   more...

Polar bear teddies enjoy a picnic

Children and their families enjoyed a polar bears picnic with a serious message about climate change behind it.   more...

Father reflects on nightmare year

A FATHER jailed in Cyprus is still trying to come to terms with the events that turned his world upside down a year ago.   more...

Building work starts on new cricket ground

WORK has begun on a new cricket ground.   more...

Fun with scarecrows at workshop

Scarecrows destined for the Gosfield Scarecrow Trail were made at a workshop with local artist Georgie Roy.   more...

Tributes paid to granddad crash victim

Tributes have been paid to a Braintree granddad named as the 64-year-old man who died in a head-on collision with a truck on the A120 near Harwich on Saturday.   more...

Jetting off to lend a hand

An accountant has offered her services to a home building project in South America.   more...

Full of beans for fundraising

A cook is set to bathe in a bath of beans and raise money to help treat a toddler suffering from a rare eye cancer.   more...

Young People of the Year nominations

A horserider who has been volunteering at a Rayne riding centre for the disabled has been nominated for an Intercounty Young People of the Year award for an "outstanding" contribution.   more...

Chelmsford Weekly News News

Park knifepoint robberies

POLICE are linking two knifepoint robberies in Chelmsford's Central Park.   more...

Clacton And Frinton Gazette News

Clacton: Booze crackdown

POLICE will have new powers to crack down on boozy behaviour in Clacton from Friday.   more...

Frinton: Howzat? Not happy..

ANGRY cricketers say fed up residents who have called for action to stop them supposedly being blasted by loud music during its annual cricket week are on a sticky wicket.   more...

Echo News

Police hunt hammer attacker

DETECTIVES have released this efit of a man they believe attacked a dog walker with a hammer.   more...

Enjoying the fruits of their labour

THERE is no greater satisfaction than eating the fruits and vegetables of your own labour. So says allotment holder Jim Clarke.   more...

Badger sign thieves put drivers at risk

VANDALS who have repeatedly stolen badger warning signs from the A127 are putting motorists' lives at risk, according to a group which fights to protect the animals.   more...

Fears grow for missing patient

POLICE are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of a man missing for nearly five weeks.   more...

Gas repairs are a hole lot of trouble for residents

FED-UP residents face another six weeks of   more...

MP praises police after night on patrol

CONSERVATIVE MP James Duddridge admits he was pleasantly surprised by what he found when he joined police on patrol in Great Wakering.   more...

Are missing paedophiles in Essex?

DETECTIVES are hunting two sex offenders who pose a serious risk to children and are believed to have links to Essex.   more...

How any old iron is a target for thieves

FEW would have thought a shortage of raw materials like copper and iron in the Far East would lead to a crime spree on the streets of south Essex.   more...

It’s a reality: We’re the big thing on TV

SOUTH Essex is rapidly becoming the reality TV capital of Britain.   more...

Plan for flats block on bungalows site

TWO bungalows in Rayleigh will be demolished and replaced by a three-storey block of 14 flats if planning permission is granted.   more...

Children’s day of fun and fitness

SPORTY youngsters were fit for fun when they headed to Shoeburyness High School to enjoy a day packed with football, dance and other activities.   more...

Holly will sniff out drugs at V

MOVE over Glastonbury because Chelmsford is about to be gripped by V fever.   more...

Arsonists force comic Carr off stage

COMIC Jimmy Carr led an evacuation of more than 700 fans after arsonists struck during his set.   more...

Drug factory men 'victims of slavery'

A JUDGE showed mercy on two young Vietnamese men who admitted running a drugs factory - because he was convinced they were victims of "modern slavery".   more...

Countdown at Barn Hall

THE fight to stop a beauty spot being covered in homes has become a race against time.   more...

Driver who died of a heart attack named

A PENSIONER who died at the wheel of his car has been named.   more...

Anger at plan to cut down trees

RAIL bosses have vowed to chop down trees alongside a rail track in Stanford-le-Hope.   more...

We must stop mothers-to-be dying

A RETIRED science teacher from Billericay says more must be done to stop women dying in childbirth in poverty-stricken Chad.   more...

Mum heartbroken as grave vandalised

THE mum of a boy killed in a fight has spoken of her heartbreak after vandals attacked his grave.   more...

Gas repairs cause 'hole' heap of trouble

FED-UP residents face another six weeks of   more...

Council won’t remove graffiti at club

A VANDAL-plagued social club in Canvey could remain covered in graffiti after the council refused to clean it off - because it isn't "racist or rude".   more...

Anger as flytippers strike again

FLYTIPPERS have dumped building materials on farmland again, days after the council spent £500 removing junk from the same site.   more...

Herpes outbreak shuts Canvey Lake

POPULAR Canvey Lake has been declared a no go area for anglers after it emerged fish are being wiped out by a devastating herpes virus.   more...

Granny, 53, guilty of benefits fraud

A GRANNY claimed thousands of pounds in benefits - despite having £172,000 stashed in a bank.   more...

Don’t miss farcical comedy

A FARCICAL comedy about a man, his wife, and a French mistress began a five-night run at Westcliff's Palace Theatre last night.   more...

Blues stadium: Plans scaled down

SOUTHEND United have radically reduced the number of flats and shopping space planned for the new 22,000-seater stadium site at Fossetts Farm.   more...

Sneak thief swipes bags from salon

A BOLD crook breezed into a hair salon and escaped with a £500 haul of cash, phones, car keys - including a stylist's passport.   more...

MP praises police after night patrol

CONSERVATIVE MP James Duddridge admits he was pleasantly surprised by what he found when he joined police on patrol in Great Wakering.   more...

Block would be in keeping, inquiry told

A BLOCK of flats planned in the heart of Leigh would be sympathetic to the landmark Grand Hotel, developers told a planning inquiry.   more...

Youngsters shine – but not sun

THE sudden surge of wet weather didn't dampen revellers' spirits at Southend Carnival's children's competition event, held at Prittlewell Priory Museum.   more...

Dear Trevor ...come to Southend

DEAR Sir Trevor, before I take a dim view of you, please come and take a gander at what I reckon is one of Britain's favourite views.   more...

Guard threatened at gunpoint in raid

A SECURITY guard was threatened by gun-wielding raiders and robbed of thousands of pounds during a hold-up.   more...

Policewoman cleared of assault

A WOMAN police officer has been cleared of assault and criminal damage at a riding stables on Canvey.   more...

Cancer cyclist's second marathon challenge

A DETERMINED cyclist is to bike his way from John O'Groats to Land's End - despite undergoing treatment for cancer.   more...

Old radios may share a home with Saxon king's treasure

A NATIONAL museum dedicated to one of south Essex's best-known companies is being planned by Southend Council.   more...

No 16-year-old PCSOs for Essex

ESSEX Police hasn't ruled out following the Thames Valley force's controversial example and hiring   more...

Dear Trevor ...come to Southend

DEAR SIR TREVOR, before I take a dim view of you, please come and take a gander at what I reckon is one of Britain's favourite views.   more...

Business on the deck

TRADITIONAL Southend seafront trades have been hit hard by a glum summer.   more...

It’s a tall order

FORGET strawberries, the chance to pick your own sunflowers is enticing crowds to a farm in Canewdon.   more...

Crash causes tailbacks

MOTORISTS were stuck in hour-long tailbacks today following a crash on the A13.   more...

We must stop these mothers-to-be dying

A RETIRED science teacher from Billericay says more must be done to stop women dying in childbirth in poverty-stricken Chad.   more...

Mum heartbroken as Ryan’s grave is vandalised

THE mum of a boy killed in a fight has spoken of her heartbreak after vandals attacked his grave.   more...

Joanna's song for missing Maddie

GREASE Is The Word finalist Joanna Power has penned a ballad for missing girl Madeleine McCann.   more...

Trio face jail for unprovoked beating

THREE men face jail after being convicted of beating up a group of revellers in an unprovoked attack.   more...

Echo Sport

Essex line up double Spitfires swoop

ESSEX are in talks to bring two Kent Spitfires players to the Ford County Ground.   more...

Benfleet take 20 points from Old Boys win

BENFLEET'S hopes of grabbing the second promotion spot in Division Three were given a shot in the arm by a four-run win over Old Southendian & Southchurch.   more...

Bate: Wickford will battle to the end...

WICKFORD'S hopes of escaping relegation from the Premier Division are fading fast.   more...

Westcliff keep in touch as Horndon boost safety hope

WESTCLIFF kept themselves on the fringes of the promotion race with victory over seemingly doomed basement club Loughton.   more...

Walthamstow give Basildon dream a knock

LEAGUE leaders Basildon & Pitsea suffered a dent to their promotion hopes after suffering a shock defeat against Walthamstow on Saturday.   more...

Gazette Features

The town it is a-changin'

There was truth in the rumours.   more...

Gazette News

Tollesbury: Plane crashes on marshes

A pilot had to be rescued after his two-seater plane made an emrgency landing on marshland.   more...

Brantham: Pond body identified

A body found in a river has been identified.   more...

North Essex: Body on rail line was Natasha’s

Police have officially confirmed the body found near railway tracks on Friday night is that of Natasha Coombs.   more...

Tollesbury: Pilot's amazing escape

A stunt pilot had an amazing escape after he made a crash landing on remote marshland.   more...

Chelmsford: Fans fear stars will not show

Fans are fearing stars Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen may not show up at this weekend's V Festival in Chelmsford.   more...

Halstead: Restaurant worker attacked

A "random and cowardly act of violence" left a man with serious head injuries after leaving work in the early hours of the morning.   more...

Mersea: Island groups in volunteer search

Mersea needs more volunteers to help boost island organisations.   more...

Mersea: Camp site geared up for festival

It's all go at Mersea Outdoors.   more...

Essex: Teen police a possibility

Police watchdogs are not ruling out employing 16-year-olds to work as police community support officers (PCSOs) in Essex.   more...

Tiptree: Residents’ safety fears over nursery scheme

Safety concerns have been raised about plans to convert a bungalow in Tiptree into a nursery for 16 children.   more...

North Essex: Catalogue of misuse of NHS drivers

A bizarre catalogue of misuse of hospital transport has been revealed by health bosses.   more...

Jaywick: Opinions sought over healthcare

Patients are being asked to help shape future GP services before the contract for a surgery in Jaywick is put out to tender.   more...

Tiptree: Police targeting young boozers

Police resources are in danger of being stretched to the maximum because officers are tied up controlling underage binge-drinkers.   more...

Harwich: Charity in funding crisis

A charity that provides support for parents and children is facing closure.   more...

Chelmsford: V Festival traffic delays

Drivers travelling from north Essex to Chelmsford could face snarl-ups when the area's biggest music festival gets going.   more...

Walton: Six lucky to beat smash

Six teenagers were lucky to escape with their lives when the car they were in - a convertible with its roof down - overturned in Walton.   more...

North Essex: Bridge work closes A12

The final stage of a bridge replacement programme is due to finish this weekend.   more...

Tollesbury: Pilot's amazing escape

A stunt pilot had an amazing escape after he made a crash landing on remote marshland.   more...

Clacton: Derby day thrills and spills

Hold on Dobbin!   more...

Brantham: Discovery in river was man of 41

A body found in a river has been identified.   more...

Birch: Couple wed again sixty years later

A blushing bride got the white wedding she wanted - 60 years after she first went down the aisle.   more...

Colchester: Film is a family affair

A Colcestrian has come Back to the Future, returning home from New York to shoot his first film and hopefully begin a new career as a director.   more...

Halstead: Roof climbers cause damage

A shopkeeper has called for better policing after youngsters climbed on shop roofs for the fifth time.   more...

Walton, Frinton: Youngsters set sail for seaside fun

An annual yacht club fun day was a sailaway success.   more...

Frinton: Historic convent set for demolition

A Frinton convent is set to be knocked down and replaced by luxury flats.   more...

Essex: Back to the days of sweet Caroline

Pirates have been spotted off the Essex Coast.   more...

North Essex: Youth facilities boost

A charity for vulnerable teenagers has scooped a share of a £114,000 jackpot.   more...

Clacton: Latest scheme for Cann Hall

A fresh bid has been tabled for 30-plus homes in the grounds of Clacton's oldest farmhouse.   more...

Gazette Sport

Double delight for birthday boy Dale

Dale Whitnell had more than one reason to celebrate his 19th birthday.   more...

Hewett's joy at first win

Golfer Jonathan Hewett held his nerve to win a prestigious county title.   more...

Halstead Gazette News

Liam Bret brings back the A-Team

A Halstead hairdresser turned heads when he drove to work in his self-made A-Team van.   more...

A dazzling day for the four Colnes

The four Colnes met again for another successful show under blue skies, dazzling sun and the sugary smell of sweets.   more...

Young People of the Year nomination for horserider

A horserider from Little Maplestead has been nominated for an Intercounty Young People of the Year award for an "outstanding" contribution to helping disabled people horseride.   more...

Harwich And Manningtree Standard News

Harwich: Fundraising For The Palace

A SPECIAL event is being held to raise money for an appeal to help preserve Harwich's Electric Palace.   more...

Manningtree: Theatre Group in Props Plea

A PLEA for props is being made by a theatre company as it gets ready for its autumn production.   more...

Dovercourt: Town's Sense of Grief

POLICE have confirmed the body found near railway tracks at Manningtree is that of Natasha Coombs.   more...

Maldon And Burnham Standard News

One-stop cop shop turned down

BURNHAM residents will not get police services back in the town as hopes for a one-stop-shop for community services are dashed.   more...

Heleneia goes for gold!

MORE than 200 people welcomed a weary but jubilant fundraiser from Burnham back to dry land.   more...

Underage drinkers keep police busy

POLICE resources are in danger of being stretched to the maximum because bobbies are tied up controlling underage binge-drinkers.   more...

Safety concerns over nursery

SAFETY concerns have been raised about plans to convert a bungalow into a nursery for 16 children.   more...

Missing girl search moves to Maldon

POLICE have extended the search for a missing teenager to Maldon.   more...

Treasure trove mystery solved, thanks to Standard!

A TREASURE trove of photographs and memorabilia found in a skip in Latchingdon more than 30 years ago has been returned to its rightful owners.   more...

'Despicable' thieves target charities

CRIMINALS have been branded "despicable" after targeting charity shops and their volunteers with a spate of thefts.   more...

Hats off to master milliner!

HATS off to Sarah Mason who has become a master at millinery in just 18 months.   more...

Have-a-go-hero saves robbery victim

A VICIOUS attempted robbery in Maldon was foiled by an unknown hero.   more...

Thurrock Gazette News

Canine capers at fun show

AFTER being washed out in the spring, the second annual Woofers Hounds and Mutts Fun dog show will take place next month.   more...

New bid to find bikers a home

THURROCK Council leader Terry Hipsey is calling for an all party committee to work together to find a permanent home for the borough's off road bikers.   more...

Trust uses clubs to spread message

HEALTH officials in Thurrock have turned to the borough's football clubs to help spread an anti-smoking message.   more...

Balloons going up for kids

YOUNGSTERS at Stanford -le-Hope's Blooming Babies Day Nursery will be going up in the world next week - or at least their names will be.   more...

Death of top musician Clifford Benson

A WORLD-renowned Thurrock musician has died aged just 60, just months after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.   more...

Cops release hammer attack e-fit

DETECTIVES hunting a man who hit a dog walker over the head with a hammer have released an e-fit of the man they are looking for.   more...

Police renew witness plea as crash victim's widow grieves

THE partner of a biker killed in a road crash is still coming to terms with losing the love of her life.   more...

Thurrock Gazette Sport

Dockers face tough test in opener

TILBURY boss John Lawrence and club Physio Steve Taylor have a race against time this week as they get ready for Ryman Division One North season opener with Redbridge.   more...

  
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