Stories for 21 August 2007

Braintree And Witham Times News

New industrial site falls victim to attempted break-ins

A number of attempted break-ins at a new industrial estate has caused "concern" for the managing director of a company yet to move in.   more...

Fleas infest family's home

A family has been left homeless after their flat has become infested with fleas.   more...

Lands End to John O' Groats

A Network Rail employee is making his way to Scotland, not by train but by bike.   more...

Sweeney Todd comes to Witham

A NEW community arts group is presenting a musical version of Sweeney Todd for its debut show.   more...

Gang attack boys

THREE boys were viciously attacked by a gang of about 15 youths.   more...

Residential home gets £2million facelift

A RESIDENTIAL home for elderly people has undergone a £2million refurbishment.   more...

Homeowners oppose flats plan

RESIDENTS living near a bungalow earmarked for demolition are opposing a fourth attempt by developers who want to build a block of flats on the site.   more...

Vocal coach helps fine tune Spice Girls

POP queens The Spice Girls hope to get back their zig-a-zig-ah - with the help of singer and vocal coach Zoe Tyler.   more...

Echo News

Asbo silences neighbour from hell

A NEIGHBOUR from hell who persistently blasted residents with deafening music has been silenced with an Asbo.   more...

Town walk attracts 60 enthusiasts

SOME 60 people joined the Billericay Society on its annual walk through the town.   more...

Art MInistry appeals for volunteers

A CHARITY which encourages disabled people to explore their creative potential through art is appealing for volunteers to help at its workshops during the coming term.   more...

Intimidation claim: Woman cleared

A WOMAN accused of intimidating witnesses has been cleared of the charges.   more...

Club horror attack after friends fell out

A FATHER-TO-BE left his friend with a broken leg, dislocated foot and a five-inch gash to the head after attacking him outside a snooker club.   more...

Yellow buses for schools

AMERICAN-STYLE yellow school buses could soon be a common sight on Essex roads.   more...

Was your hound the top dog?

DOGS and their owners were put through their paces at a fun day.   more...

Edith’s 100th party

FAMILY has always come first for Edith Ward, who celebrated her 100th birthday.   more...

Sound of Music role for Pia

A TALENTED youngster from Canvey is poised for West End stardom after winning a coveted role in the hit show the Sound of Music.   more...

MP brands Renaissance Southend plans a white elephant

SOUTHEND town centre redevelopment plans will become a "white elephant" because no cash is available, a Tory MP said.   more...

Recycle cartons scheme

A NEW trial service has been launched in Castle Point for residents to recycle their paper-based drinks cartons.   more...

Last chance for heroin addict

A HEROIN addict who robbed a commuter in an alleyway has been given the chance to turn his life around.   more...

Proctor and Gamble workers fear job cuts

WORKERS at a West Thurrock factory fear their jobs could be axed to improve efficiency and profits.   more...

Woman mugged at cash machine

A PENSIONER had her credit card stolen as she tried to get cash out of an ATM machine.   more...

Real book worms at library

CHILDREN enjoyed a wiggly wild read at Wickford library on Saturday.   more...

Ex-squaddie continues troop mail campaign

A FORMER serviceman has been instrumental in forcing Royal Mail to scrap postal charges for families sending parcels to loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan.   more...

Porsche driver's 20-months ban

A MAN caught while driving under the influence of booze has been banned from driving for nearly two years.   more...

Builder's van written off

A BUILDER is facing a large bill after his work van and car were hit by another vehicle.   more...

Stage show is a big hit

CHILDREN lit up the stage when they performed for family and friends at their end-of-year concert.   more...

Threat to hundreds of ChoicesUK jobs

JOBS are under threat across south Essex after entertainment retailer ChoicesUK announced it is set to call in administrators.   more...

Billy Blood Drop's hospital drop-in

BILLY Blood Drop visited patients at Southend Hospital's Neptune children's ward - including Macauley Kent, ten, pictured - to hand out games and other gifts.   more...

Drink drive clampdown

ONE man was arrested and another had his car seized as part of a police blitz on drink drivers.   more...

Power station put on explosion alert

firefighters set up exclusion zone around Tilbury Power Station after a gas cylinder caught alight inside the plant, amid fears it might spark an explosion.   more...

Row over 'fast' food

DINERS were thrown out of a pub by police at the weekend - after complaining their food had been served too quickly.   more...

Teenaged whizkids win games console

TECHNOLOGY whizzkids from South East Essex College have dreamed up their own futuristic computer games console.   more...

Con-gran may have to repay legal aid

A GRANNY who claimed benefits for five years while stashing £172,000 in her bank account may be forced to pay back £10,000 in legal aid.   more...

Graffiti vandals attack library

SPRAY-painting vandals have covered Wickford Library in graffiti.   more...

Crash teenager still in hospital

A TEENAGER who suffered life-threatening injuries in a horrific road crash is still recovering in hospital.   more...

Youth band: We will play on

THE Wickford Youth Band and Majorettes has assured people it is still open after receiving a number of concerned calls.   more...

Cabinet plan: Democracy concerns

CASTLE Point Council could adopt a "faster and clearer" system of working, which would see most decisions made by a cabinet - if new proposals get the go-ahead.   more...

Booze licence policy review

NEW bars and clubs could be built in Southend town centre if residents give plans the go-ahead.   more...

Clean up garage... or we will!

COUNCIL chiefs have demanded action over a former petrol station site which has been left to rot for nearly a year.   more...

Tenants' revolt over service bill hike

FURIOUS residents have torn up maintenance bills after suffering huge price hikes.   more...

Updated: Man rescued from flat blaze

A MAN was rescued from his flat after a smouldering cigarette set fire to his bed.   more...

MP in rant against race attackers

AN MP has joined police in a campaign against race attacks.   more...

Police investigate male rape claim

TWO men have been arrested after a Basildon man was allegedly raped.   more...

Churches prepare to share the love...

RELIGION, along with politics, is said to be one of the great taboos for discussion in polite company.   more...

Double take on wooden workers

A QUIRK of artistic taste has seen visitors to a Wickford shopping centre doing a double take.   more...

Son crashed mum’s car after boozing

A SON who crashed his mum's car after a boozing session has been banned from driving.   more...

Cabbie robbed of cash at knifepoint

A TAXI driver was robbed of his takings at knifepoint.   more...

Explosion fear at power station

FIRE crews kept watch through the night after dealing with an incident at Tilbury Power Station.   more...

Our Hurricane Dean heartbreak

A FAMILY were all strapped in and ready for take off when their dream holiday to Cancun was cancelled.   more...

Inches from catastrophe

ONLOOKERS watched in horror as a car mounted a pavement before smashing into two parked cars and a telegraph pole - inches away from a dad, his little daughter and her friend.   more...

Bouncer swindled £13,000 benefit

A CANVEY nightclub bouncer fraudulently claimed £13,260 in benefits.   more...

Gazette Features

Your town’s future – what do you know?

Seven years ago every town in the UK was told it had to have a vision.   more...

Gazette News

Clacton: Pensioner band in venue hunt

The calls are still rolling in for a veteran rocker hoping to put a band back on the road.   more...

Manningtree: Pizza the action as oven moves in

Stunned residents have been getting a pizza the action.   more...

Tendring: Inquiry call on wind farm

Controversial plans for a wind farm between Clacton and St Osyth have been criticised by the area's MP.   more...

Tendring: British is best!

Champions of Tendring's sunshine resorts have been defending UK holidays on TV.   more...

Colchester: Head injury teen back at his home

A teenager who was in a coma after being in a road accident is recovering at home.   more...

Colchester: Felled by council’s tree policy

With tree roots growing through his lawn, David Wyncoll is at the end of his tether.   more...

Stansted: Airport hangar go-ahead

A huge landmark building has been given the go-ahead.   more...

Essex: Schools ‘fail to teach basic skills’

Primary school education is failing to give youngsters a good grounding in reading and writing, according to local businesses.   more...

North Essex: Duo’s bath tub trip

Bath tubs ahoy!   more...

Colchester: Drink-drive mum had child in van

A mum took her toddler for a drive in her van while more than three times the legal drink-drive limit.   more...

North Essex: Cold callers to get cold reception

Cold callers are to be banned from more streets in Essex - including parts of Colchester.   more...

Colchester: Woman gets scooter thanks to Gazette

An elderly woman whose mobility scooter was stolen from outside her home has praised a man who has loaned her a replacement.   more...

Colchester: ‘No regrets’ says glued protester

A protester who was spared jail after super-glueing herself to Department of Transport property says she does not regret the stunt.   more...

Essex: Defence over role of community cops

A top police watchdog has hit back at critics who labelled police community support officers (PCSOs) as cheap "con tricks" who can't solve crimes.   more...

Colchester: Cemetery awards bid

A cemetery which has seen burials spanning 2,000 years has been shortlisted for a national award.   more...

Colchester: ‘No-one will get rid of the rubbish’

A flytipping victim says no-one will help him stop people dumping stinking rubbish outside his home.   more...

Colchester: Ancient church to show town’s heritage

An ancient church is welcoming visitors as part of Colchester's contribution to next month's Heritage Open Days promotion.   more...

Tendring: Car vandals havoc spree

Vandals left a trail of destruction when they damaged 16 vehicles over two nights.   more...

Colchester: Seven’s hopes hit by transport costs

A Colchester dancer could see her dreams of the stage dashed by the costs of transport.   more...

Marks Tey: New police appeal on lorry hijacking

Police are renewing their appeal for information about a lorry hijacking.   more...

Clacton: Thieves leave disabled Steph stranded

A disabled badge holder has been left immobile after thieves stole hers.   more...

Tendring: Cash trick warning to small traders

A gang of quick-fingered tricksters are conning shops on the coast out of hundreds of pounds.   more...

Brightlingsea: Train guard to appear in court

A train guard at the centre of a two-day strike will appear in court.   more...

Harwich: Couple refurbished pub just for the locals

An artist and a jeweller have taken on an extra role - being the new owners of a Harwich pub.   more...

North Essex: Natasha - answers call over cameras

The tragic death of teenager Natasha Coombs has led to calls from a council for answers.   more...

North Essex: Plans to shut mental health unit ‘suicidal’

Plans to close a mental health unit in north Essex have been described as "pathetic", "disgraceful" and "suicidal" by councillors.   more...

North Essex: Protest over new name

Health bosses have been told the omission of Tendring from its proposed new name is unacceptable.   more...

Mersea: Look who took the bait

Watch out for your bait, there's a thief on the loose!   more...

Witham: Railman swapping tracks for a bike

A Network Rail employee is making his way to Scotland, not by train but by bike.   more...

Essex may soon see US-style school buses

American-style yellow school buses could soon be a common sight on Essex roads, thanks to a campaign by a local bus company.   more...

Halstead Gazette News

Garage owners say 'you are safe in our car wash'

Garage owners are concerned customers are avoiding their car wash, as it keeps stopping due to voltage problems.   more...

Maldon And Burnham Standard News

House plans criticised by MP

AN MP has criticised house-building plans in his town.   more...

Road safety campaign hitch

NOTHING can be done to reduce the speed limit on a road where a teenager was killed because the relevant council policy is out of date.   more...

Motorists make unlocked cars easy target for thieves

A SPATE of thefts from motor vehicles have been made easier by owners who are leaving their vehicles unlocked.   more...

Beer will be flowing this bank holiday

IF you are at a loose end this bank holiday weekend, why not head down to the Jolly Sailor.   more...

Gardening club's autumn show

A GARDENING club is holding its autumn show.   more...

Thurrock Gazette News

Teenager attacked by young thugs

A TEENAGER was punched and kicked to the floor by a gang of thugs in Grays.   more...

Two arrested after alleged male rape

TWO men have been arrested by police on suspicion of raping another man.   more...

Cleared of intimidation

A THURROCK woman accused of intimidating witnesses has been cleared of the charges by a court.   more...

Grays action day hailed a success

THE latest action day by police, fire officers, council staff and the DVLA in Thurrock has been hailed a big success.   more...

Pensioner is cashpoint snatch victim

A PENSIONER had her credit card stolen as she tried to get cash out of a hole in the wall.   more...

PCSO arrested over suspected deception

A POLICE community support officer has been arrested on suspicion of deception.   more...

Explosion fear at power station

FIRE crews kept watch through the night after dealing with an incident at Tilbury Power Station.   more...

Thurrock Gazette Sport

Stimmo backs Kightly to fly even higher

MICHAEL Kightly will continue to shine at the highest level of the game, according to Mark Stimson - the man who rescued him from the footballing scrapheap.   more...

  
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