Stories for 7 August 2007

Braintree And Witham Times News

Late night shopping may have had its day

Late night shopping over Christmas may come to an end in Braintree as neither traders or customers are backing it.   more...

Taxi firms' anger at police crackdown

Cab companies in Braintree are "incensed" after a crackdown on vehicles using High Street amid complete confusion over who can and cannot drive there.   more...

Didn't they do well

Volunteering Scouts have received a glowing tribute from a Braintree councillor.   more...

Play equipment 'left to rust'

BARELY used play equipment worth £19,050 - paid for by council taxpayers - has been left to rot, according to furious town councillors.   more...

Good day for golf, great day for charities

Organisers of an annual golf tournament managed to break their fundraising record and raise over £9,000 for charity in one day.   more...

Bogus callers target elderly homeowners

BOGUS callers posing as policemen stole cash from seven elderly women in one afternoon.   more...

Council toughens stance on making grants

A COUNCIL is toughening its stance on how much grant money it gives to community organisations.   more...

Vandals strike again at nature park

VANDALS have struck again at a nature park.   more...

Another children's centre given go ahead

A SECOND children's centre for Witham has been given the go-ahead.   more...

Police assure they are doing their best

A POLICE inspector has reassured town councillors of his efforts to tackle crime in Witham.   more...

Woodpeckers add to church repair bill

WOODPECKERS have added about £10,000 to a church repair bill.   more...

Retirement homes developer launches planning appeal

A DEVELOPER has launched an appeal after being refused permission to build 37 flats for elderly people.   more...

Youngsters dance for playground revamp

A GROUP of youngsters are well on their way to buying new play equipment for their village.   more...

Echo News

Attempted murder claim: Case collapses

A MAN accused of attempted murder has walked free from court after the charges against him were dropped.   more...

Wig walk cash for cancer care

MARIE Curie Cancer Care is looking for people to take part in its Devoted to Life Wig Walk.   more...

Speedboat rescue

THREE children and an adult were left stranded when their speedboat suffered engine problems.   more...

Bob downs tools to sign autographs

IT was tool time down at Basildon's Eastgate Shopping Centre when Bob the Builder made a lively appearance.   more...

Give a dog a home

A GREYHOUND faces a return to a rescue centre if he doesn't get a new home before the end of August.   more...

How will foot-and-mouth hit Orsett Show?

ORGANISERS of the Orsett Show may have to cancel several competition categories in the wake of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.   more...

Commuters face locked carriage chaos

SCORES of commuters were forced to stand on the way home after a c2c train carriage was locked.   more...

Travellers’ short move

TRAVELLERS who were kicked off a football field have hitched up just a few hundred metres down the road.   more...

Woman attacked with a hammer

A WOMAN has been attacked with a hammer as she walked her dog through a park.   more...

Warning of more traffic mayhem

DRIVERS will face more road misery when a busy stretch of the A13 closes later this month.   more...

Man jailed for £4m car scam

A CANVEY man has been convicted for his part in a £4million prestige car theft racket.   more...

Ray’s praise for his lifesaver

A PENSIONER has praised a paramedic who saved his life as he was gasping for air after his lung collapsed.   more...

Our bike safety bobbies

TWO Canvey PCSOs are among the first in the county to qualify as bike safety experts.   more...

Roots Hall scheme goes in to council

PLANS for a new Sainsbury's store and housing on Southend United's Roots Hall football ground have been submitted to the council.   more...

£250,000 to fill council top jobs

SOUTHEND Council splashed out almost £250,000 on consultants to recruit just nine posts - before a single salary had been paid.   more...

Young swimmers cramp our style

ADULT swimmers at Corringham Leisure Centre are not happy about having to share pool time with youngsters.   more...

Spade clue may dig out burglars

A SPADE could hold the key to solving a number of burglaries.   more...

Police website jibe at Tilbury

A JOKER has used a police website to take the mickey out of Tilbury and its residents.   more...

Stabbing: Man charged

A MAN accused of stabbing his partner has appeared in court.   more...

Julian stakes claim for Castle Point seat

CASTLE Point Labour Party has selected its parliamentary candidate for the next   more...

Hospital club goes for stopgap parking

THE former Southend Hospital social club looks set to be demolished with the site used for temporary car parking.   more...

Strawberries and cream at home party

DANCING and strawberry teas have been enjoyed at a care group's annual party.   more...

Billy Walker back in Southend

FORMER boxing champion Billy Walker will be in Southend next month on a sentimental journey.   more...

Sun, sea and sand? Don’t forget safety!

HOLIDAYMAKERS and locals are being warned of the dangers of the tide following two incidents of children trapped in the sand in one day.   more...

Plans bring hope of High Street revival

RAYLEIGH town centre could be set for a revival with the help of a new development of flats and shops.   more...

Want to go bouncing around?

YOUNGSTERS have been hopping mad for a go on a bouncy castle in Priory Park.   more...

Park loses Green Flag

A PARK has lost its Green Flag status after holding on to the prestigious award for six years.   more...

Boy, ten, appears in court

A TEN-YEAR-OLD boy accused of bursting into a Basildon school and shooting pupils with a ball-bearing gun has appeared in court.   more...

Are we going to lose health centre?

FEARFUL residents have kickstarted a campaign to make sure a health centre in Billericay does not close.   more...

News farce exposes hacks and coppers

LIFE at a local newspaper will be thrown under the spotlight at Greensward College, Hockley, this month.   more...

A bumper season at theatre

THE curtain will soon fall on what's been the New Empire theatre's busiest season to date.   more...

2,000 years of Essex history

TOMORROW marks exactly 420 years since one of the most powerful women ever to walk the earth delivered one of the most famous speeches in history - and it happened right here in south Essex.   more...

Service awards for TA soldiers

TERRITORIAL Army soldiers were recognised for their loyal service at a special ceremony.   more...

Pedestrian suffers head injuries

A PEDESTRIAN has been left with serious head injuries after she was in collision with a car.   more...

UPDATED: Dramatic sea rescue of 11-year-old girl

FIREFIGHTERS dramatically saved an 11-year-old girl from drowning, as she became stuck in the sand as the tide rushed in.   more...

Cancer survivor to help counsel others

A FORMER cancer patient is using his experience to guide others through their struggle.   more...

Sculptor's horsedrawn artwork

AN unusual horse-drawn piece of artwork will soon be coming to south Essex.   more...

Fresh witness appeal over horror crash

A CYCLIST left with serious injuries after a road crash with a bus is now recovering at home.   more...

Enter a float or carnival stall

PLANS are moving ahead for this year's Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham Carnival - but there's still time to enter a float or book a stall.   more...

Shopkeeper’s anger at East Beach car park idea

AN angry shopkeeper has joined residents in opposing proposals for a commuter car park at Shoebury's East Beach.   more...

Post strike puts tennis tournament in jeopardy

ORGANISERS of a children's tennis competition claim the postal strike has put the event in jeopardy.   more...

Protest against Trident nuclear system

A CARDBOARD replica of a nuclear weapon was on display in Southend as part of an event to mark the dropping of the Hiroshima bomb in 1945.   more...

Plan to convert tea room into restaurant

A FORMER tea room could be converted into a licensed restaurant, if Rochford District Council agrees.   more...

Dave's bike ride for hospital cash

A CYCLIST has raced through the English countryside to raise £3,000 for Southend Hospital, where his wife was treated for cancer.   more...

Disabled pensioner stranded in woods

A DISABLED pensioner was stranded in Belfairs Woods for two hours when her scooter got a puncture.   more...

Train runs with 60 less seats

COMMUTERS will be forced to stand on the way home tonight after a train carriage was locked.   more...

Undercover cops tame yobs

A NEW police team cracking down on antisocial behaviour and youth nuisance in Castle Point has been hailed as a huge success.   more...

Safety event is a big hit

A MOCK burglary at the mayor's parlour and a fake car crash were two situations facing emergency ser-vices during a family safety day.   more...

Baby Liam is born in the bath

A WOMAN who gave birth to her baby in the bath has praised her sister who delivered the tot while talking to   more...

School boot sale bid

A CHARITY boot sale held at a Canvey each weekend is on the move.   more...

Flyover repairs fiasco

EMERGENCY work to stop Pitsea flyover leaking has begun after highways bosses admitted previous multi-million pound repairs failed to cure the problem.   more...

Nurse struck off for horror attack

A NURSE has been struck off for smashing a glass into his estranged wife's face in a jealous rage in front of their three children.   more...

Police in high visibility patrols

POLICE officers were out in force across Laindon and Langdon Hills yesterday.   more...

Our idyllic life on a farm that was sunk

ANN and Robert Cooper know what it is like to live at the   more...

Echo Sport

Ravi receives Twenty20 call

ESSEX star Ravinder Bopara has been included in the England squad for the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup.   more...

Gazette Features

Ninety-nine years on – there’s still no place like it

If bricks could tell stories, Margaret Playle's cottage would be her perfect biographer.   more...

Gazette News

Braintree: Motorcyclist dies in collision

A motorcyclist has died after a collision with a van.   more...

Colchester: Tip opens as a park

A huge act of recycling has been officially completed.   more...

Frinton: Beach huts for tax payers

Six beach huts are to be provided for local residents in a popular seaside resort.   more...

Braintree: Late-night shopping has no festive cheer

Late-night shopping over Christmas may come to an end in Braintree as neither traders or customers are backing it.   more...

Wivenhoe: Pride-of-place for Liam’s painting

A prize-winning painting has gone on display in Wivenhoe.   more...

Langenhoe: Nice time for ice-cream makers

Summer's come just in time for ice-cream makers Ellie and Warren Goff.   more...

Kelvedon: Hopes for new play apparatus

A group of youngsters are well on their way to buying new play equipment for their village.   more...

Colchester: Bid scheme will help to keep our town special

The town's MP has thrown his support behind a scheme to boost Colchester's town centre.   more...

Halstead: Life-size statues not a good i-deer?

Life-sized deer statues have been removed after they were deemed to be on county council land.   more...

Frating: Firefighter taken to hospital

A firefighter was taken to hospital with heat exhaustion after fighting a 150-acre field blaze.   more...

Tendring: Hot and hectic as sun arrives

The sunshine coast is celebrating after a bumper weekend boosted takings.   more...

Langenhoe: TV show blamed after burglary at £1m home

A couple whose £1 million home appeared on a hit television show have blamed the exposure after burglars broke in and stole a valuable painting.   more...

North Essex: Violent conmen target elderly

An 81-year-old pensioner was left bruised and in shock after violent conmen pinned her to a chair during a raid on her home.   more...

Clacton: Generous readers help little Lucy

Relieved mum Lindsey Chadwick can now afford a vital machine for her disabled daughter.   more...

North Essex: Missing Natasha is a ‘lovely person’

The managing director of the company the missing Dovercourt teenager had just started work for has described her as a "lovely person".   more...

Tendring: Free parking call is turned down

A call for free parking for Tendring residents has been rubbished.   more...

Walton: Lively pier hosts lifeboat

Walton Pier came to life at the weekend with the town's annual lifeboat day.   more...

Clacton: Centrepiece is complete

The centrepiece of Clacton's £3.2 million revamp is complete.   more...

Colchester: Body found

Police have launched an investigation after a man's body was found in undergrowth beside a busy Colchester road.   more...

Clacton: Worried mum slams health care for son

A concerned mum was left feeling like an "inconvenience" at an out-of-hours medical practice.   more...

Harwich: MP denies right wing group link

Douglas Carswell has denied being a member of right-wing Conservative group Cornerstone.   more...

Clacton: Abby sees her way to final

Clacton's own Abby Potter is one step closer to becoming the international spectacle-wearer of the year.   more...

Colchester: Armed police in road drama

Armed police surrounded a house after a man was reported to be firing a weapon in a garden.   more...

Harwich: Ferry set to return to port

A former ferry which has spent the last 14 years out of service is set to return to Harwich.   more...

Earls Colne: Fire victims told to clear their homes

Flat fire victims may have to wait a year before returning home.   more...

Great Horkesley: Driver arrested after van overturns

A man has been arrested after a van overturned on a country road.   more...

Kelvedon: Lorry blaze on A12

Firefighters were called to a blazing lorry on the A12 at rush hour.   more...

Wormingford: Skip hire plan anger

More than 50 worried residents attended a meeting to express their concerns about plans to expand a skip hire centre in their village.   more...

North Essex: Missing girl's grandparents offer reward

The grandparents of missing teenager Natasha Coombs have described the days since she disappeared as "a nightmare".   more...

Clacton: Phil's one-man thank you

A cancer sufferer who looks set to beat the disease has launched a one-man fund-raising mission.   more...

Colchester: Silence as cattle auction closes

Stalls are empty and the auctioneer's hammer is quiet as the foot and mouth disease outbreak shut Colchester's livestock market.   more...

Colchester: Club’s hours bid sparks protest

A nightclub's late-night opening bid has sparked anger with fed-up residents who have vowed "enough is enough."   more...

Colchester: Sat nav driver gets lost in Dutch Quarter

A lorry driver bound for Halstead got lost - and ended up stuck in Colchester's historic Dutch quarter.   more...

Gazette Sport

Tom powers his way to a new record

If someone is going to break your record, you might as well be that person.   more...

Duo make a huge contribution

After so many rain-soaked meetings, it was a welcome change for members of Colchester and Tendring Athletic Club to take a sunny trip to Bury St Edmunds for the final round of the Eastern Young Athletes League.   more...

Harwich And Manningtree Standard News

Dovercourt: Direct Plea Made To Missing Teen

POLICE have released CCTV images which show the last known sighting of missing teenager Natasha Coombs.   more...

Maldon And Burnham Standard News

Derek closes shutters on a 40-year career

FOR more than 40 years, one name has been linked with the Maldon and Burnham Standard.   more...

A plantsman’s dream

AN inspirational new garden has opened at the Royal Horticultural Society garden Hyde Hall in Chelmsford.   more...

Have your say over future

RESIDENTS can now deliver their verdict on the future of their town.   more...

Dengie keep fit boost

A SCHEME giving young people a chance to keep fit and have fun has been backed by Burnham Town Council.   more...

Hospital: ‘We’re winning fight against superbugs’

A HOSPITAL trust is fighting back against the superbugs.   more...

Emily’s Patagonia challenge

HELPING people in South America is an unusual way for youngsters to choose to spend their summer holidays - but that is exactly what a girl from Althorne has decided to do.   more...

Mourners say farewell to Tim

MORE than 500 mourners attended the funeral of a teenager killed in a road accident.   more...

Security sales tactics set alarm bells ringing

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

Cricket club pays tribute to president

A CRICKET club has paid tribute to its president who died during a game.   more...

Brewer's pint spills over

AN amateur brewer's pint glass is running over after he took control of a professional brewery.   more...

Post office opens for business

A POST office has reopened after a major revamp.   more...

Come and see us in Burnham!

THIS week's Maldon and Burnham Standard surgery is to be held on Thursday August 9.   more...

Foot and mouth fears close park

FOOT and mouth disease fears led to a farm closing over the weekend.   more...

We have moved!

THE Maldon & Burnham Standard is this week settling in to its new offices in High Street, Chelmsford.   more...

Sun shines on Maldon carnival

THOUSANDS made the most of the scorching weekend temperatures to line the streets of Maldon for the annual carnival.   more...

Council staff fear for jobs

STAFF at Maldon District Council fear they could lose their jobs if a merger with Chelmsford Council goes ahead.   more...

Thurrock Gazette News

Trickster steals from 91-year-old woman

A CRUEL trickster stole a nearly £600 haul of cash and jewels from a 91-year-old woman.   more...

Discarded body parts shock

DISTRESSED mourners have told of their shock after finding artificial body parts near the graves of their loved ones.   more...

New plan for borough young people

FOLLOWING government criticism of its strategy for dealing with young people, Thurrock Council has announced a blueprint for future care and provision.   more...

Beach loses green flag

COUNCILLORS and residents are up in arms after Grays Beach Park has lost its prestigious Green Flag status.   more...

Hammer horror attack in Aveley

POLICE have sealed off an Aveley park after a woman suffered a hammer attack on Tuesday morning.   more...

Thurrock Gazette Sport

Debut for Spurs ace at Grays

KEVIN Prince-Boateng will make his Tottenham Hotspur debut in tonight's friendly at Grays Athletic.   more...

  
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