Archive
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Hammers reserves miss title chance
A VITUOSO display from Arsenal wonderkid Jack Wilshire ended West Ham's hopes of winning the Premier Reserve League South title. The Gunners midfielder, who has only recently turned 16, put on a fantastic show as Arsenal ran out 2-0 victors in front
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Man on Scout hut body charge
A MAN accused of murdering a homeless vagrant has appeared in court. Paul Tobin, 38 is alleged to have beaten 45-year-old Mark Woodley to death. Tobin, of Witchards, Basildon, was charged with murder and appeared at Southend Magistrates' Court yesterday
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Ensign get title boost
DESPITE being out of action on Saturday, Southend's White Ensign saw their Premier Division title hopes boosted. For nearest challengers Kelvedon Hatch crashed 4-1 at home to Bishop's Stortford Swifts and are five points adrift of Ensign, who need six
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A12: lorries may be banned from overtaking
HEAVY goods vehicles could be banned from overtaking each other on parts of the A12 as part of a bid to tackle congestion. The potentially controversial move is being considered as part of a package of short-term measures to try and cut journey times
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Three-way battle goes on and on
THE three-way fight for the title continues tonight when Barkingside, Concord Rangers' main rivals for the honour, host Bowers and Pitsea. If the hosts triumph and Canvey's Concord triumph in tomorrow's difficult home game with fourth-placed Eton Manor
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Leanne's West End dream comes true
AFTER her appearance on a hit BBC talent show Leanne Dobinson said she would do anything to make her dreams a reality. And now with the current batch of West End wannabes vying for the role of Nancy in I'd Do Anything, Leanne - who took part in How Do
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Government admits misleading residents - says Baron
THE Government has admitted it misled Basildon residents in Parliament. Last month the Echo reported on plans to open a small bail hostel in Vange, which have since been scrapped. Before the decision a row erupted between local Tories, including Billericay
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Teenager attacked in High Street
POLICE are hunting two teenagers who assaulted another young girl in Southend on Saturday. The 18-year-old girl was attacked outside Costa Coffee in the High Street at 4.45pm. One of attackers pulled the girl's hair, causing her to lose her balance and
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Fines for abusive drivers
TWO drivers who verbally abused traffic wardens have been slapped with £80 fines. The incidents, which both involved drivers of construction vehicles, happened earlier this month in Canvey and Benfleet. The drivers also had to pay the £35 parking ticket
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Grays denied at the death
GRAYS found themselves the victims of the annual relegation drama at the Marston's Arena on Saturday. They proved themselves the better side, played the better football and created the better chances but still ended handing Vics the one opportunity they
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I'll not shave for a year
A MAN is growing his stubble for charity in memory of his brother-in-law. Michael Arnold, 36, plans to grow his beard and hair for a year to raise funds for Little Havens Children's hospice. Mr Arnold, a dad-of-one, said: "Last year my brother-in-law
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Cinder Path widening plan may help cyclists
A SEAFRONT path which links Old Leigh with Chalkwell may be widened to allow access for both walkers and cyclists. The narrow Cinder Path could incorporate a new boardwalk for people walking, while cyclists could use the existing track. Geoff Fulford
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Virtual bowling is coming to island
THE UK's first virtual bowling alley is set to open on Canvey this summer. Starr Snooker is fitting the system in its seafront snooker hall in Eastern Esplanade. It is hoped the new attraction, which was invented in Sweden, will be up and running by
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New recycling collections good for green waste, but not refuse
A NEW recycling scheme will start for people in the Rochford area this summer. Residents will be given two additional bins which will see kitchen leftovers, cardboard and plastics recycled. The move comes in a bid to reduce some of the 35,000 tons of
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Cabinet system on its way to Rochford
A TEAM of executive councillors is set to take over running Rochford District Council. The shake-up of the authority will be discussed by councillors and could lead to a group of eight members making up a cabinet, with a leader in charge. In a report
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Outrage at threat to raze heritage fountain
THE centrepiece to a community garden created after 18 months of fundraising could soon be demolished. The £21,000 fountain at the Heritage Gardens on Canvey seafront was introduced by Canvey 2000 in June 1999. Donations from the public and other organisations
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Girls put on a dream show
GIRLS in Westcliff have brought Shakespeare to life with a production of one of the Bard's classics. Pupils from Year 9 and 10 at St Bernard's High School performed A Midsummer Night's Dream for three nights last week. Head of drama Michelle Chen-Porter
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From daily stress to satisfaction
FOUR-and-a-half years ago I realised that if I carried on in the job I was doing, I would end up having a breakdown, or telling someone what I really thought of them, or morphing further into some cold, hard-hearted women who didn't know how to enjoy
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Group that only sees double
A NEW exclusive club has opened for families in Southend. To qualify it's not about the income you have, or the car you drive. It's about the buggy you push. It's got to have room for at least two, if not three children. The recently formed group is
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Thurrock hit back to share the spoils
AN injury-hit Thurrock and play-off outsiders Braintree shared the Blue Square South points in an even affair at Ship Lane. David Bryant and Fola Orilonishe were both denied early on, the latter being brought down by Billy Burgess when bearing down on
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Millers denied by Scott
AVELEY did their best to help borough neighbours Tilbury in this entertaining clash at relegation-haunted Wivenhoe and, while they came close to winning the match, they might also have lost in a dramatic climax to the action. Wivenhoe led at the break
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Bricknell spoils Horsham party
BILLERICAY Town proved party-poopers in Sussex on Saturday as a 1,150-strong crowd gathered to say farewell to football at Horsham's Queen Street ground. Before the match a parade of former players and officials took place as the curtain came down on
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School run parents may have cars towed away
SELFISH school-run mums and dads who endanger lives through their perilous parking could have their cars towed away under tough new measures. Cops are set to seize vehicles belonging to parents who persistently clog up roads outside schools gates. The
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Canvey on the very brink
AS Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson would say, it is "squeaky bum time" at Canvey's Park Lane ground next Saturday. For Gulls will go into their final game of the season, at home to an Enfield Town side with nothing but pride to play for, knowing
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Armed robbery: Man injured
A MAN was struck with a hammer during an armed robbery on a phone shop. Two men entered the Fone Works shop in London Road, Westcliff, brandishing a hammer and a stanley knife and demanding all the phones in the store. They stole 60 phones to the value
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Fuel thieves caught red-handed
HAIR-BRAINED thieves attempted to get away with transporting more than 3,000 litres of stolen fuel in the back of a van. The thieves made a run for it after getting caught during a routine inspection at Stephensons of Essex Bus Depot in Rochford on Sunday
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It is a free ride for the train fare dodgers
The Echo reported (Apr 14) rail passengers can now "shop" fare dodgers by text. Can c2c tell us what it then proposes to do? It is difficult enough to buy a ticket with ticket offices left unmanned and ticket machines frequently out of order, but after
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The danger of no ciggy bins
I believe Henry McGill (Apl 9) may be a tad premature in his belief that, should the council provide special bins for smokers and chewing gum chompers, they would not use them. I was a smoker, but am now a nicotine replacement gum addict, courtesy of
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Priory road is a pointless plan
Camp Bling must remain, as the threat of dualling the second half of Priory Crescent is far greater if the plan for the first half goes ahead. It is naive to think that this plan will be dropped if there is a chance the Government will pay for it, but
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The facts about grammar schools
In reply to Nigel Blore (Apr 10), my letter attempted to deal with facts and data, not opinions. Firstly, having retired just over two years ago after 33 years of teaching, I can hardly be said to be out of touch. Secondly, the local authority is responsible
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Wakering end home run with joy of six
LOVERS of free-scoring all-out attacking football should make a note of the dates of matches between these two sides next season. For this 6-2 home success on Saturday means that the teams have shared no fewer than 16 goals in their two games this term
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"Frustrated" Curbs eyes settled future
ALAN Curbishley has re-stated his "frustration" at his inability to name a settled West Ham team this season. The Irons boss was jeered by Irons fans during Saturday's narrow 2-1 win over relegated Derby County at Upton Park, a result greeted with
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Official opening for hospice extension
A £174,000 extension at Fair Havens Hospice will be officially opened this week. The hospice will now be able to care for more local people living with cancer and other serious illnesses thanks to funding from the Department of Health's "Dignity in Care
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"Ljungberg is staying put" - Duxbury
WEST Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury has rubbished rumours that Sweden international captain Freddie Ljungberg will leave Upton Park this season. The 30-year-old has been in decent form in recent weeks, but recent reports suggested the former Arsenal
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Lee-thal Barnard has made massive difference
IT was somewhat fitting that Southend United made sure of their place in the play-offs with another win which was earned through striker Lee Barnard. For the Billericay-based forward has made a massive difference to the Shrimpers since signing and
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Keeping town graffiti at bay
RESIDENTS picked up paint brushes to help rid their town of unwanted graffiti. Fourteen volunteers from South Woodham Ferrers painting over graffiti in Clements Dam West. Working with Chelmsford Council's Neighbourhood Environmental Action Team, the
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Homes for cats
ANIMAL lovers are being asked to log on to the internet to find their perfect pet with a new online rehoming service from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. Mike and Jane Hopkins of Hillside Road, Hockley, used the internet to find their cat Tommy. The couple
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Postitive report for special school
A SPECIAL school is celebrating after being given a healthy report by inspectors. The Kingsdown School in Southend was rated outstanding for how much pupils enjoy their lessons and other parts of the school were rated satisfactory and good. Inspectors
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Castle Point has hopes for pink sacks
A COUNCILLOR has pledged to increase the amount of recycling collected in Castle Point. Ray Howard, cabinet member for waste and environment, was asked at a full council meeting why the borough did not have a pink bag recycling scheme. It has been successfully
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Victory for Hammers, but it was not pretty
IF you thought a first win in five matches would be enough to cheer up most West Ham fans, then you'd be sorely wrong. Instead, a narrow, slightly fortunate success against a Derby County side who had tasted victory just once all season was not enough
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Third supermarket hopes for Rochford
ROCHFORD could get a third supermarket, as new plans have been revealed by the industry giant Tesco. For many years, the town has been seeking to get a large chain into the town centre to stop residents leaving the town for their shopping, rather than
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Car destroyed by fire
FIRE crews tackled a car fire in Southend. The vehicle was set alight at 1.20am today in North Road and was totally destroyed.
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Blues secure play-off place with dramatic victory
FROM the moment the match ball arrived on the pitch in an RAF helicopter just before kick-off you somehow knew this was not going to be just a normal League One encounter. The spectacular start thrilled the watching spectators and was a sign of things
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Last-gasp Lee floors Carlisle
LEE Barnard shot Southend United into the League One play-offs on Saturday and then fired out a warning to the rest of their promotion rivals. The in-form striker headed home a last-minute winner to secure a 2-1 victory for the Shrimpers at high-flying
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James strike denies Ford Basildon
A SINGLE goal settled the often tense and hard fought Green King Essex Veterans League match between Premier Division league leaders Ford Basildon and third placed Writtle. It was a tremendous strike worthy of winning a match and it came from the boot
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Device stops kids looking at web porn
A DAD has launched a company to try to stop youngsters from looking at internet pornography on wireless game consoles. Dan Makin, 34, from Rochford, thinks parents often don't know devices like the Nintendo Wii and iPod Touch can connect to the internet
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Curbs "disappointed" to hear fans' jeers
Alan Curbishley admitted both he and his players were shocked and disappointed to be booed off the Upton Park pitch after Saturday's 2-1 Premier League win over relegated Derby County. Despite securing their first win in five matches through Carlton
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Pool is closed again
WARRIOR Square swimming pool in Southend has been closed again - following an electrical fire. On Saturday, the fire happened in a light above the pool and broken glass fell in and around the pool. David Garston, councillor responsible for culture,
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High-speed camera wins Queen's award
SCIENTISTS have captured unique footage of water suspended in air and bullets fired from guns using a prize-winning video camera. The team at KeyMed in Southend have developed the i-SPEED 2 camera which can film 33,000 frames per second, compared to
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Cumbrians in a flap over Raven red card
CARLISLE boss John Ward was left questioning the decision to send off defender David Raven following his side's 2-1 defeat to Southend on Saturday. Raven saw red following a strong tackle on Blues midfielder Nicky Bailey midway through the second half
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Charity loses £77k in lost bid confusion
AN organisation which supports disabled people in Essex has been denied funding for a new headquarters and training centre. Disability Essex was told to make two bids to raise money for the centre. Rather than receiving money, however, the charity ended
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Teachers' strike will 'close many schools'
TEACHERS across south Essex are joining thousands of union members on their first national strike for 21 years. The National Union of Teachers is in dispute about pay. It is not clear how many schools will be affected, but the local branch of the union
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Anger at sewage lorries’ bad stink
RESIDENTS are angry as sewage is being carried on uncovered trucks to a treatment plant in Hullbridge. Lorries filled with waste have been seen driving into the West Rayleigh Sewage works, on Beeches Road. Smells have come from the treatment plant over
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Inquest into death of speeding biker
A PASSIONATE biker who died in a road crash had been travelling at speeds of up to 94mph before his motorcycle hit a car, an inquest heard. Popular Martin Bush was riding along Cranes Farm Road in Basildon when the horrific accident occurred on August
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Duke of Edinburgh awards for youngsters
AWARD WINNERS: Students celebrated after securing silver and bronze Duke of Edinburgh awards. The determined youngsters from St Clere's School, Butts Lane, Stanford le Hope, had to complete a series of physical and mental challenges, as well as doing
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Antisocial bikers are ruining our heath
A special meeting is to be held to discuss ways of stopping antisocial behaviour on Orsett Heath. The Chadwell Community Forum devoted will be trying to thrash out ways to stop quadbikers and motorcyclists illegally using the heath. The meeting will
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Shocked Sally's £16,000 makeover
A WOMAN had £16,000 spent on her home after a television crew turned up at her home. The team from ITV's 60 Minute Makeover team visited Thurrock for the second time this month. Shocked Sally Stokes of Boyce Road, returned home from the country to a
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60 drivers caught without seat belts
MORE than 60 motorists were caught not wearing their seatbelts in just three hours, as part of a road safety crackdown. Police stopped the drivers at the junction of Southend Road and Sutton Road in Rochford to try to encourage them and passengers to
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£1 Middle Eastern table sells for £1,400
THE OWNER of a 19th century table saw a healthy return at an auction in Leigh. The Middle Eastern occasional table reached £1,400 even though the elderly seller bought it 30 years ago for just £1. It was expected to make £200 at the sale at Stacey's
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Group step up action to limit new builds
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to limit the number of new homes built in Wickford have called a public meeting. Wickford Action Group, fighting against Basildon Council's masterplan which promises up to 700 flats and houses for the town centre, will be holding
