Stories for 15 January 2008

Braintree And Witham Times News

Bright future ahead for young driving star

A youngster is making a name for himself as a formula one racer.   more...

Chat line shock

A mother has spoken of her surprise after finding a vacancy for sex line staff advertised in a job centre.   more...

Power cut hits nearly 3,000 homes

NEARLY 3,000 residents in White Notley were left without power yesterday after overhead power lines were damaged.   more...

A12: Overnight closures

Work is set to start tomorrow night retexturing part of the A12 meaning a stretch of the road will be closed for four nights.   more...

Sneak peek at new community hospital

THIS is how the long-awaited community hospital for Braintree could look.   more...

Young cooks teach mum a thing or two

LITTLE Jamie Olivers and Nigella Lawsons have been cooking up a treat in the kitchen, thanks to a new cookery class.   more...

Contest to win visit to Beijing Olympics

SCHOOLCHILDREN are limbering up in a bid to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Beijing Olympic Games.   more...

Children moved off village green

YOUNG footballers were banned from their village green in a dispute over muddy boots and parking.   more...

Infant school impresses Ofsted inspectors

Staff and students at an infant school have good reason to celebrate after a positive Ofsted inspection.   more...

Playgroup moves to a new home

An old wooden pavilion is to be shut down forcing a children's playgroup to move to a new site.   more...

Church concert offers chance to sing

An annual sing-a-long is set to take place this weekend.   more...

Braintree And Witham Times Sport

Super Sophia excels at Minithon

There were two outstanding results for Braintree and District Athletic Club's Sophia Diss at the inaugural Minithon at the Indoor Lee Valley Sports Centre at Picketts Lock.   more...

Renegades stunned by Casuals

There were two more shocks in the second round of the Charlie Turnbull Cup, in the Braintree and North Essex Sunday League.   more...

Workington test for Iron

Braintree Town will be hoping to ensure that their long journey is worth it tonight when they take on Workington in a FA Trophy second round replay.   more...

Brentwood Weekly News News

Thieves target High Street store

COMPUTER equipment and consoles worth £20,000 were stolen from a High Street store.   more...

Chelmsford Weekly News News

Rape allegation in central Chelmsford

POLICE in Chelmsford are investigating an allegation of rape.   more...

Play adds to understanding of care for mentally ill

An interactive play revealing the stresses and strains of living with someone with mental illness comes to Chelmsford this week.   more...

Chelmsford Weekly News Sport

Kids for a quid at Melbourne Park this Saturday

Chelmsford will show no complacency for this Saturday's Kids for a Quid' fixture as they host bottom club Leyton, kick-off 3pm, instead learning lessons from the home draw against strugglers Hastings United.   more...

Table tennis round-up

Bocking took a large step forward in their attempt to win the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League by beating last year's runners-up ECC A 7-3.   more...

Falcon IBC through to last 16

Falcon IBC Ladies met Colchester IBC Ladies in the Zone 6 Final of the English Women's Indoor Bowling Association Vivienne' Inter-Club KO Competition.   more...

Hylands hosts cross country meeting

HYLANDS Park was the venue for the final Essex cross country league meeting of the season.   more...

Clacton And Frinton Gazette News

North Essex: Security alert for country homes

Detectives fear a gang of skilled burglars could be set to target country houses in north Essex.   more...

Clacton, Frinton: Builder bailed on deception charges

A builder has been arrested on suspicion of deception after complaints from elderly and vulnerable residents in Clacton and Frinton.   more...

District Community News

North Essex Photographic Workshop: MEMBERS had an enjoyable evening undertaking evaluations of their recent exhibition at the Westcliff. The decisions reached will be reflected in the next series of images to be displayed at Clacton Library later this year. Members discussed and planned for a grant aided project they have applied for. They then viewed and commented on documentary photography images. The consensus was that there was much to be learnt from the mistakes of public participants. This weeks session is devoted to working skills with raw images as well as a demonstration of a catalogue of skills needed to get off the start line. New members welcomed, see our website -www.nepw.com or call 01255 814801.   more...

Clacton Community News

Art Club: OUR first meeting of 2008 is on February 1 at St Paul's Church Hall from 7pm-9pm. The new Chairman John Cutting and members of the club would like to welcome new people to come along and join us for a free evening at this meeting or on the fifteenth.   more...

Walton Community News

Leisure Club: MEMBERS were welcomed to the Red Triangle Hall on January 8. Most members had a good Christmas, though some were poorly, for those that still have not recovered, we wish them well. A friendly game of bingo was played.Birthday girl Glad won the bus stop.   more...

Great Bentley : Lighting company sailing to success

A village company is on the crest of a wave.   more...

Brightlingsea :Heartbroken family appeal for help

A DISTRAUGHT mother of three had made an emotional appeal for help after thieves ransacked her home and made off with her children's Christmas presents.   more...

Thorpe Community News

W.I: AT the meeting on January 9 it was reported that we have received a letter from St Helena's Hospice thanking us for the donation from the proceeds of the Golden Girls Concert, and a letter from Major A Fairrie thanking us for a parcel received by his soldiers who are training the Afghan National Army. The evening then moved on to natter and nibbles'. A very pleasant evening was finished off by an excellent raffle.   more...

Little Clacton Community News

Engains W.I: OUR speaker for the meeting on January 9 was Albert Scott from the Martello Tower Museum at Point Clear. There were two tables of memorabilia from the two world wars on display. His talk was very interesting. Forthcoming events include an evening making greeting cards, a meal at the Tower Restaurant, and a trip to see Billy Elliot. The competition was for a sponge cake made from a war-time recipe which included mashed potato! The winner was Dawn O'Neill. At the next meeting on February 13 Trudy Cooper will talk about looking good and feeling good in 2008. We meet at Little Clacton Village Hall at 7.30pm. The competition is for a scarf.   more...

Kirby Community News

Social Club: THE club have held their first AGM and the Chairman thanked everyone for helping her during this time. The Secretary announced that there will be a walk on January 23. Meet at 10.30am at St Andrews Church, lunch is at 12.30pm at the Oakwood Centre. There is another walk planned for January 13 and a group activities meeting at Bradfield. Anyone interested please contact Maureen. The speaker was Mr Banks who gave an interesting talk on the Flying Squad. The next meeting is on February 6 at the baker Hall at 2.15pm, our speaker will be Rev Pugsley. Any new members will be warmly welcomed.   more...

Jaywick Community News

Ladies Club: THE club met at Golf Green Hall on January 9. Due to the absence of our speaker, the members took over the afternoon with two fun quizzes, and ended up with some very unusual singing. The club has now been going for ten years. New members are always welcome, the next meeting is at 2pm on February 13.   more...

Holland Community News

Residents' Association   more...

Frinton Community News

Frinton, Walton and Kirby Arthritis Research Campaign: WE have recently held charity two charity events. A lunch raised £199.50 and an autumn sale raised £306. The cake was won by Mrs Urbill. OUr thanks to all who attended these events.   more...

Thorpe, Kirby, Beaumont: Phone fury for villages

RURAL businesses and residents are counting the cost of at least five days without a phone line.   more...

Clacton And Frinton Gazette Sport

Top award for long-serving Alan

Multi-talented mayor Alan Goggin has received a top award from the Rugby Football Union.   more...

Echo News

Head and deputy are both retiring in July

THE headteacher and assistant head of an outstanding infants school have announced plans to retire in July.   more...

Paedophile spared jail by lenient judge

A PAEDOPHILE who told a sex offender he would love "to play with" little boys and found it difficult to control his sexual urges for children has been spared jail.   more...

Look, we've won £5,000

WHEN Imran Chokoury got a phone call telling him he had won a travellers cheque worth £5,000 he had a double shock - as he forgot he had even entered the competition.   more...

Shoplifters escape through B&Q's fence

SHOPLIFTERS stole £1,000 of goods from a DIY superstore, before escaping through a hole in the fence of the store's garden centre.   more...

Auntie Donna is saddling up for Ethen

FUNDRAISER Donna Adams is embarking on a tough 500-mile cycle ride across south-east Asia.   more...

Rock art cash for hospices

A MUSIC fan has been painting it black to raise money for Havens Hospices.   more...

Yobs destroy two new bus shelters

COUNCILLORS have hit out at vandals who smashed up two new bus shelters within months of them being put up.   more...

Compensation for commuters

COMMUTERS who endured "cattle train" carriages and lengthy rail delays at the start of the New Year are to be refunded for their misery.   more...

£1 fee for new university site

SOUTHEND Council is selling a small piece of land in the town centre to the University of Essex   more...

2012 Olympics can help boys study

A THUNDERSLEY school is hoping the 2012 Olympics can help keep boys interested in their lessons.   more...

Bed, breakfast and a dip

A PLUSH new hotel could be built at Warrior Square in place of the town's rundown swimming pool.   more...

Sure Start centre welcomed

PARENTS have welcomed the opening of the latest Sure Start children's centre in Southend, designed to give help, advice and support to families.   more...

This teacher's pet is definitely not to be sniffed at!

LOOK who might soon be kicking up a stink at a school near you...   more...

Students go radio ga ga

A GROUP of media students had their work played live on air at a community radio station.   more...

Lily’s birthday singalong

A CENTENARIAN has celebrated her birthday with a wartime singalong.   more...

Film shows 30 years work of Women's Aid

FROM a three bedroom house in Laindon to accommodation for nearly 30 families and an advice centre - Basildon Women's Aid has come a long way in 30 years.   more...

Overhead line trouble causes long delays

COMMUTERS are suffering long delays, as trains between Pitsea and Southend have ground to a halt.   more...

Media students go on air

MEDIA students had their work played live on air at a community radio station. The youngsters, from South East Essex College, in Southend, made adverts and jingles which were broadcast on Basildon community radio station Gateway FM. The adverts were to promote the college's evening and weekend vouchers.   more...

Gazette Features

Life’s a game to an all-round sportsman

If you need a definition of sportsman, you'll find it in Alan Hills.   more...

Gazette News

Colchester: Robber punches teenager

A teenager was punched in the face by a robber who escaped with a large sum of cash.   more...

Colchester: Freedom for Army?

Pland to give Colchester-based troops the Freedom of the Borough look set to be moved forward.   more...

Colchester: Police track sex pest

A man has been spotted committing an indecent act on a public bridleway.   more...

Brightlingsea: House raiders take presents

A distraught mother-of-three has made an emotional appeal for help after thieves ransacked their home and made off with her children's Christmas presents.   more...

North Essex: Security alert for country homes

Detectives fear a gang of skilled burglars could be set to target country houses in north Essex.   more...

Clacton: War veteran gets his medals at last

A MODEST Second World War veteran, who did not bother to collect the medals he had earned, describing them as "just pieces of metal," has been reunited with them 62 years on.   more...

Colchester: Influx of pupils for school?

A school under threat of closure will be oversubscribed by 2012 if allowed to stay open, latest figures show.   more...

Colchester: Sad farewell for a giant tree

A giant beech tree is for the chop - to prevent it falling on a language college.   more...

Colchester: School places shortage

Rapid housing growth will create a shortage of primary school places in Colchester.   more...

Essex: Commuters to get refunds for railway misery

COMMUTERS have welcomed compensation awarded after over-running engineering works brought new year misery to Essex's railways.   more...

Tendring: Warning over home alarm sales tactics

Crimefighters have issued a fresh warning about companies using "high pressure" tactics to sell burglar alarms.   more...

North Essex: Going for Gold award

Young people going for gold in Essex have been honoured by a bronze medal-winning Olympian.   more...

Tendring: Cabinet meeting takes to the road

Tendring Council's cabinet is travelling to Walton this month.   more...

Colchester, Langenhoe: £250 clamp fee drives plumber round the bend

A fuming plumber was left in hot water when his car was clamped while he was on an emergency call.   more...

Colchester: Hannah joins the Disc-Drive appeal

A schoolgirl is joining a nationwide fundraising campaign to help children who look after their sick or disabled parents.   more...

Clacton: Special help in tracing family histories

Period costumes and memorabilia will be on show while Clacton library helps families trace their ancestry.   more...

Jaywick: Surprise closure as funds run out

Parents and staff are reeling after it was announced a seaside pre-school would close.   more...

Tendring: Cut off for days

Rural businesses and residents are counting the cost of at least five days without a phone line.   more...

Essex: Region facing lottery cash blow

The spiralling cost of the 2012 Olympics could cost the region £200 million in lost lottery cash, it was claimed today.   more...

Colchester: Ex-soldier jailed for assault

A former soldier was sent to prison for six months after assaulting police officers and threatening hospital staff.   more...

Colchester: Funding bid to keep streets clean

A new warden cleaning the streets of Myland has been so busy that his hours are set to be   more...

Brantham, Mistley: Factory man’s fireball ordeal

A man has described in detail how he was burned while handling a dangerous substance at a Brantham factory.   more...

Mersea: Island’s status under threat

Mersea could lose its proud island status if a new nuclear station is built at Bradwell.   more...

Ipswich murders trial

The trial of an Ipswich man charged with the murder of five prostitutes began yesterday.   more...

Tiptree: Tax cut plan for residents

Tiptree is to get a tax cut.   more...

Colchester: Rucksack blown up

The Army Bomb Disposal Unit blew up a bag abandoned outside a Colchester barracks.   more...

Gazette Sport

Swifts tie is off

HEYBRIDGE Swifts' fourth round Ryman League Cup against Dartford tonight has been postponed due to the adverse weather.   more...

Replay rewards on offer

BRAINTREE TOWN make the long trip to play Workington today - with plenty of incentive to win their FA Trophy replay.   more...

Harkin set to make Swifts debut

REPUBLIC of Ireland Under-17 international Ruairi Harkin is set to make his full debut for Heybridge Swifts in tonight's fourth round, Ryman League Cup tie against Dartford at Scraley Road.   more...

Historic cup win for Islanders

MERSEA Island recorded an historic cup victory, beating Sudbury 28-6 to book the club a place in the Suffolk Cup semi-final against Bury St Edmunds.   more...

Narrow Plate defeat for Harwich

Harwich and Dovercourt went into this Suffolk Plate semi-final on the back of some impressive league form which has seen them win all but three of their Eastern Counties League games this season.   more...

Delight at indoor title

WITHAM Hockey Club's men's first team recaptured the Essex Indoor Cup at the Brentwood centre with a hard fought 8-6 win over Redbridge & Ilford in their final game.   more...

A1 Team GBR call up for Winslow

WITHAM driver James Winslow will make his A1 Grand Prix debut this month after being called up by Team GBR for the competition's next two races.   more...

Women's match is called off

TONIGHT'S women's representative football fixture, Essex v Suffolk, which was due to be played on the Royal Oak, at Harwich, has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.   more...

Halstead Gazette News

More roadworks in store for town centre

Resurfacing work is set to take place causing town centre road closures.   more...

Harwich And Manningtree Standard Sport

Crushing derby win for Harwich

Harwich's Essex Men's Darts Superleague team enjoyed an 11-1 success at rivals Walton.   more...

Narrow Plate defeat

HARWICH and Dovercourt went into this Suffolk Plate semi-final on the back of some impressive league form which has seen them win all but three of their Eastern Counties League games this season.   more...

Women's match is called off

TONIGHT'S women's representative football fixture, Essex v Suffolk, which was due to be played on the Royal Oak, at Harwich, has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.   more...

Maldon And Burnham Standard News

Lock Hill development defeated

ELATED residents are celebrating after developers failed in their bid to build the controversial Lock Hill Development.   more...

Maldon district pets get their own ambulance

A NEW ambulance service for animals makes life easier for pet owners.   more...

Schoolgirl chased by man in Maldon

A YOUNG girl had a terrifying experience on her way to school.   more...

Possible memorial for former Burnham mayor

A MEMORIAL to three members of the same family who were killed in a plane crash is to be considered.   more...

Thurrock Gazette News

Major chemical spill outside Tilbury docks

EMERGENCY services turned out in force on Tuesday evening to combat a major chemical spillage in Tilbury.   more...

Police seek witnesses to town centre attack

A MAN was attacked from behind and robbed in an alleyway.   more...

Mother-in-law tells court she trusted man accused of baby murder

A WOMAN told how she trusted her son-in-law who is accused of killing her granddaughter.   more...

Thurrock field where horses are reared for meat

FARMING horses to sell for meat on the continent is on the increase in south Essex, a charity claims.   more...

English lessons for county's new police dogs

SPECIAL English lessons are being introduced by Essex Police... for its dogs.   more...

Zulu talk at heritage centre

THE heroics of Basildon historian Tony Jones's great grandfather will be the subject of a lecture at the Purfleet Heritage & Military Centre.   more...

Take first steps to a healthier lifestyle

THURROCK people are being urged to walk their way to healthier lifestyles.   more...

Holocaust memorial events planned

THOSE who suffered at the hands of the Nazis during the Holocaust are to be remembered through a host of events in Thurrock.   more...

Home fire death numbers cut by alarms

ESSEX Fire and Rescue service has announced that the number of people who died as a result of fires in their homes has been cut by more   more...

Thurrock Gazette Sport

Rocks game is off

AS expected, East Thurrock United's home Ryman Premier League clash with Staines at Rookery Hill became the second of the borough's scheduled matches tonight to be called off after a lunchtime inspection.   more...

Grays' FA Trophy replay washed out

FOLLOWING a pitch inspection at Grays Athletic's New Rec ground this morning tonight's FA Trophy Replay against York City has had to be postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.   more...

Rain puts matches in doubt

THE wet weather has put at least one of the two games in the borough tonight in jeopardy.   more...

  
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