Archive
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GREASE
Piccadilly Theatre Matinee + shops £67 Friday June 6 SUMMER SPECIAL PRICE Shopping + 5.30pm show £55 Fri Aug 8, 22, Sep 12 Evening Shows £67 Tuesday June 3, Wed Dec 10, Thurs Dec 18 Grease, the No.1 Greatest Musical and perfect feel-good
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WE WILL ROCK YOU
Dominion Theatre Evening Shows £47 Fri July 4, Aug 8, 22 With standing ovations every night, the phenomenal WE WILL ROCK YOU is now in its 5th triumphant year. The champion of musicals has already gone global with productions in Australia, Spain,
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LES MISERABLES
Queens Theatre Shopping + Matinee Saturday May 31 £52 Bon Anniversaire LES MISERABLES! Now in it's 21st anniversary year, this October LES MISERABLES also becomes the West End's longest running musical. This spectacular adaption of Victor Hugo's
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WICKED
Apollo Victoria, Shopping + matinee Sat May 24, Aug 2 £60 This spellbinding and spectacular family musical is currently taking America by storm, it is the untold story of the legendary witches from the Wizard of Oz, detailing how a misunderstood
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CHICAGO
Cambridge Theatre Shopping + matinee Saturday June 28 £50 Includes seat ssp £52.50, booking fees and return coaching. Murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, treachery.... all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts
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BILLY ELLIOTT
Victoria Palace Shopping + 2.30pm show £59 Thurs June 5, Dec 4 Shopping + 7.30pm show £59 Thursday August 21 Recent winner of Four Oliver Awards including "Best New Musical" and "Best Actor In a Musical", BILLY ELLIOT - THE MUSICAL is
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LION KING
Lyceum Theatre Evening shows Wed June 11 £50 Tue Dec 30 £82.50 Shopping + matinee Wed Aug 6 £60 Sat Feb 14 2009 £82.50 Matinee NO shops £82.50 Wed Dec 24 Now in its eighth year in the West End, Disney's THE LION KING stands as one
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Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE SOUND OF MUSIC
London Palladium Evening show Thursday June 12, July 10, Sep 4 £67 SPECIAL PRICE Shopping + matinee £55 Wed Aug 13 Matinee NO Shops £67 Wed October 15 Includes seat ssp £55 and coaching from convenient local collection points.
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DIRTY DANCING
Aldwych Theatre Evening shows Tues Oct 14, Jan 20, Wed Feb 4 2009£57 Matinee NO Shops Fri June 20, Oct 10 £57 Shops + 3pm Show Fri August 22, Fri Sept 19 £58 The classic story on stage by Eleanor Bergstein. "That was the summer of
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Unilver: 100 jobs axed
103 jobs are to go at Unilver's Purfleet plant, though the company is to make a £7m investment in the site over the next two years. The news comes seven months after the company announced it was launching a review of the operation at Purfleet, where
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Teachers: Why we're striking
TEACHERS warned Essex schools face a recruitment crisis, as they put their case for better pay. About 200 NUT members packed out a conference room at the County Hotel in Chelmsford, as the union's first strike for 21 years forced schools to close across
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Stars shine for Cooksey
STAR names from football, including Paul Merson, Iain Dowie and Ray Parlour, will be among the players in action at Grays on Sunday in a benefit match for cancer-stricken Athletic player Ernie Cooksey. Grays Athletic will face an Ex-Pro All Star XI at
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Runnymede quartet make a splash at Ponds Forge
RUNNYMEDE have been swimming in various competitions with some outstanding results following their great performances at the Essex age group championships. Four swimmers travelled to Ponds Forge for the qualifying to take part in the City of Sheffield
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Colts beaten
SOUTHEND'S Elmwood Colts lost 4-2 to Buckhurst Hill in the county Cordell Under-13s Cup at Stanway Rovers. Jack Power's 20-yard lob and Sam Kruger's drifted thirty-yard free kick accounted for Elmwood's goals.
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Defeats all round in NCL
THORPE Bay's ladies team suffered a 12-0 defeat away to Hertford-shire's Gosling in Division One Group F of the National Club League. And Thorpe's men went down 8-4 away to Buckinghamshire club Gerrards Cross on Sunday in Men's Division Two Group R.
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Manor appeal
SOUTHEND Manor YFC's under-13 team want to hear from footballers keen to join for next season. Players currently in school year seven can contact Colin on 07515 818039 or Andrew on 07505 665466 for further details.
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Nel takes wicket as Derbyshire finish on 64-1
ANDRE Nel took the only Derbyshire wicket to fall as the hosts started their first innings reply to Essex's total of 270 all out. Play finally got underway at 4.30pm following rain and several pitch inspections at The County Ground. Ravi Bopara added
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Messiah’s second coming is gathering pace
KEVIN Keegan's second coming at Newcastle United looked set to end in the disaster of relegation after his reign began with six defeats in eight matches. However a run of six unbeaten - including four wins - means the fog on the Tyne is finally clearing
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Sports hunt
RAYLEIGH-BASED Grovewood Sports are looking for players at all positions to join their under-14 side. Contact Darren Emerson on 01268 763006 if you are interested in joining the Southend & District Junior League under-14 Division B team.
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Leigh search
LEIGH Ramblers are looking for one under-11 team to complete the line-up for their tournament. The side is needed to compete during the afternoon of Saturday, May 10. Contact Mark Holmes on 01702 521844 for more information.
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Cedric was lord of the skies
CEDRIC Hodgkins is an extraordinary witness to the history of flight. His experience spans almost the entire history of aviation. He flew in a veteran First World War fighter biplane. Half a century later, he took off in Concorde. His first flight
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I'll sue hospital over MRSA
A MAN says he will take legal action against Basildon Hospital after catching MRSA. Pietre Sannister, 63, was caring for his sick step-mum when he suffered a nervous breakdown. He was taken into hospital and five weeks later he fell out of bed and broke
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Bopara adds a single before Essex are all out for 270
ESSEX added just one run to their overnight total before being bowled out at Derby. The county re-started their innings on 269-9 at 4.30pm after much of the second day of their County Championship Division Two fixture against Derbyshire was lost to rain
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Basildon gears up for Olympic-style event
WHILE all eyes will be on Beijing this summer for the Olympic Games, Basildon will be hosting its own games next month. The Games is being organised by Basildon Council and Active Basildon, with the event being overseen by professional coaches from Basildon
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Tell the Echo how good I am, candidate asks friends
A MAN hoping to make it on to Southend Council has been caught trying to get relatives and friends to bombard the Echo with letters of support. Conservative candidate Blaine Robin will be fighting for a seat on Southend's Kursaal ward in the May 1 elections
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Basildon take trophy
IN the Norman Plum Trophy, a pairs better ball competition, Basildon had a great win over Lexden Wood. Each club fields six pairs, with three playing at home and the others away. Despite the bitterly cold winds the away team won by five points, while
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Essex due to resume at 4.30pm
FOLLOWING a pitch inspection, play in the County Championship Division Two match between Derbyshire and Essex at Derby is due to start at 4.30pm. Rain at The County Ground today has meant that there has been no play so far. Essex will resume on 269-
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We’re the new Spice Girls
A RAUNCHY all-girl band have crashed on to the music scene and have already landed their own TV show. Electric Dolls are made up of five feisty girls, including singer and dancer Emma Felton, from Leigh. The group formed last summer and Emma was the
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Hammers host British final
LAKESIDE Hammers stage the prestigious British Under 21 Final this Friday when the cream of young British speedway talent will be on view in an event comprising of 16 riders over a total of 22 heats. The 16 riders will compete in 20 qualification heats
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Summer clearout is 'inevitable' - Green
ROBERT Green believes it is "inevitable" that West Ham will hold a summer clearout. The Hammers have been stretched to the limit this season, with a host of first team regulars including Kieron Dyer, Scott Parker, Julien Faubert and Craig Bellamy being
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Lewis's place at school for stars
A PROMISING youngster has landed a place at a prestigious theatre school. Lewis Miller, 14, a Year 10 pupil at Bromfords School in Wickford, has won a place with the National Youth Theatre. The talented teenager beat thousands of other hopefuls to get
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Nesbitt enjoys medal joy
ROCHFORD Hundred held their qualifier for the Hodsdon Peace knock-out cup in vastly differing conditions over the weekend. Eight qualified from Saturday and eight from Sunday, but it was the first day players who found the strong wind very tough with
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Support for sex case man
THE BOSS of a man accused of sexual assault on a 16-year-old girl has spoken out to defend his employee. Father-of-two Daryl D'Cruz, 62, denies two counts of sexual assault against the teenager while repairing a wheelchair at her Shoebury home. The
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Boyce Hill academy is open to everyone
AN ACADEMY to improve the standard of golf in Essex has opened at Boyce Hill. The Benfleet-based club in Vicarage Hill, launched the adult scheme this week with Southend United chairman Ron Martin and captain Adam Barrett both attending the opening.
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King Canute investigated after string of complaints
A POPULAR Canvey pub faces an investigation following complaints of underage drinking and fighting. Police have asked Castle Point Council to carry out a licence review on the King Canute in Canvey Road after several incidents in the past 14 months.
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Prince's Trust boost for young people
THE latest group of youngsters to complete Southend's Prince's Trust scheme have been recognised for their efforts. Eight young adults received certificates for their hard work in the scheme, which helps young people who are not in education, training
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Town council opposes Bell flats plan
FRESH plans to build flats on the site of the landmark Bell Hotel have been opposed by Leigh Town Council. Developer Robin Levy wants to build three blocks of 15 flats in Leigh Hill and refurbish the decaying hotel. But town councillors fear the plans
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Conman preys on elderly woman
A CONMAN escaped with a three-figure sum after tricking his way into an elderly woman's home. The crook claimed he needed to check the woman's water pressure, after knocking on her front door in Shoebury Road, Southend. After checking the taps in the
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'We can still finish second' - Tilson
SOUTHEND United boss Steve Tilson has told his team to forget the play-offs and push for automatic promotion. Blues travel to Tranmere Rovers tomorrow four points behind second placed Carlisle United with just two games to go. But Tilson believes
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Bingham out to end Perry jinx
BASILDON'S Stuart Bingham knows that he could be in for a tough time when he resumes his world championship challenge on Sunday. For he takes on Cambridge pro Joe Perry, who has come out on top in recent duels with the new towner, in round two.
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Bees look to sting Sports
TONIGHT'S local soccer programme is highlighted by Basildon United's Gardiners Close match with Hullbridge Sports in the Essex Senior League. At Eastwoodbury Lane it is the Southend Charity Competition Section B final with Essex Olympian League Linford
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Ladies win thrilling match
BASILDON beat Crondon Park in the second round of the Bronze Shield. The Ladies team of Olive Bell, Pam Gray, Vi Madle, Yvonne Clow Jen Frizzell, Denise Woolley and Judy Long managed to rise above the bitterly cold weather and unfamiliar course to take
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Teacher hopes for TV career
A TEACHER is in the running to become a presenter on GMTV after making it into the last ten out of 5,000 hopefuls. Alan Mechem, 26, of Fleet Road, Benfleet, has recorded an interview with actor Tom Hudson who plays Paul Clayton in Coronation Street.
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Spice Girls 2?
ELECTRIC Dolls, a girl band with Westcliff High School girl Kelly Rowland in the line-up, will soon hit TV screens and are being tipped as the new Spice Girls. But have we seen this sort of manufactured girl band too many times? In the longing for novelty
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Don’t put up taxi fares
THE rising cost of oil is hitting everybody around the world, whether or not they use a vehicle. Those who work in the transport business may feel particularly badly mauled, since they experience the impact directly, at the petrol pump. But the repercussions
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Pitch inspection for Essex
A PITCH inspection is due to be held at Derby at 2pm to determine whether play is possible between Derbyshire and Essex. The second day of the County Championship Division Two match has been washed out so far following rain at The County Ground. Essex
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Recycle our empty homes
With reference to Louise Hooper's letter (Apr 17), my heart goes out to genuine people like her and her husband who both work and struggle with constant rising rents, and no chance to get on the property ladder. Why, in an affluent area are our
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Season starts for Benfleet
MORE than 70 members and visitors saw the first wood of the season bowled when South Benfleet Bowls Club held their open day. Cleanaway Trust project officer Gary Baker sent down the first wood after being greeted at the clubhouse by club president Jack
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When will authorities take action?
I will not be holding my breath awaiting a quick response by the authorities following the recent reports by Jon Austin. Essex Police is already turning a blind eye it seems. Was it not the same police force who stood by and watched as traveller
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Dudley saves Basildon’s day
BASILDON Boys Club goalkeeper James Dudley was the hero as he saved two Lexden Saints' penalties in a dramatic conclusion to the Essex County FA Andrews Under 14s Cup at Wivenhoe Town's Broad Lane ground. The shot-stopper dived to his left to save successive
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What a surprise! More plans to save our pier
Yet another set of plans for the pier are trundled out for us to debate. I suppose the media have to give coverage, but quite honestly how can we believe anything on pier proposals after decades of being presented with plans that always result in nothing
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Seniors triumph caps impressive week for Garon Park’s golfers
IT has been a hectic week at Garon Park Golf Club. Midweek saw the seniors play Gosfield Lakes in their Essex Championship and triumph 7.5-3.5 with fine performances. Saturday saw the club host Woolston Manor in the Jubilee Cup and they won again with
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Graveyard row turns heat up on councillor
MORE than 1,300 people have signed a petition calling on Basildon Council to abandon controversial plans to limit grave lengths in cemeteries. The petition also urges a vote of no confidence in leading Tory councillor Tony Hedley, who is in charge of
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Darts legends at the Tavern
EIGHTIES heroes Eric Bristow, John Lowe, Bob Anderson and Bobby George will be tossing the tungsten in south Essex next month. The quartet are among eight players taking part in the BetFred.com League of Legends, which opens at Purfleet's Circus Tavern
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Ian secures Stableford
TOUGH conditions saw some modest scoring at Boyce Hill Golf Club's annual spring meeting on Sunday. Gary Newman (4) and John Benedetto (13) triumphed on the day to take home the Bill Laws Trophy after a respectable 82 points. The better ball Stableford
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43 enough for winners
ON a windy and damp weekend, Thorpe Hall squeezed in two days of men's competition for the St George's Trophy, a fourball betterball Stableford and a greensome mixed foursomes competition on Saturday afternoon followed by a dinner. The winners of the
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Fuel costs are hitting hard
SOARING fuel prices are hitting businesses all over south Essex, as the cost of petrol and diesel hits record highs. Haulage firms, driving instructors and cab drivers have all said the rising price of crude oil is costing them dearly. In Southend,
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Candidate stands down
GARRY Sheen, Independent candidate in Milton Ward at Southend Council's elections has been forced to stand down for personal reasons. Independent group leader Martin Terry said: "It is a graet shame as he had been working hard in the ward."
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Massive weekend for Canvey and Concord
CANVEY is bracing itself for the island's biggest footballing weekend in four years. Not since Jeff King's Conference Gulls played in the second of their FA Trophy final back in 2004 has the area known such soccer excitement. At Park Lane Canvey will
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Moore cash the better
WEST Ham fans will honour the memory of the great Bobby Moore at Saturday's Premier League clash with Newcastle United at Upton Park. The Irons have dedicated their penultimate home game of the season to raising money for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer
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Trust demands return of £250,000
AN organisation that has pumped millions of pounds into Thurrock has asked for £250,000 of it back, because it is concerned the council is not maintaining the facilities it has funded. Cory Environmental Trust gives money to the borough which is meant
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Ramblers title
LEIGH Ramblers have been crowned Division Two champions in the Southend Sunday League. They finished five points clear of second placed Royal Park Rangers and lost just three of their 18 matches this season.
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New Boys are required
BASILDON Boys are looking for three players to strengthen their squad for next season's under 16s. Ideally they are looking for a centre forward and defenders. Players must be of a good standard to play in the A division of the Southend Junior League
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Narrow loss for Belfairs
BELFAIRS took part in the Essex Seniors team championship with a home match against Canons Brook and lost 6-5. Despite the cold and windy conditions the match was a very close encounter played in a friendly manner in the true spirit of the game and was
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Foster thumb injury hands Wheater debut
TEENAGE wicketkeeper Adam Wheater was handed an unexpected LV County Champion-ship debut for Essex against Derbyshire yesterday after James Foster was ruled out with a thumb injury. Vice-captain Foster was ruled out on the eve of the fixture after cutting
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Bingham to face Perry
BASILDON'S Stuart Bingham continues his world championship challenge with a second round match against Joe Perry. Their best of 25-frames clash will start on Sunday afternoon and be completed in two sessions on Monday. Perry beat former champion Graeme
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Updated: Commons debate on Basildon Golf Club
BASILDON MPAngela Smith lead a Commons debate tonight about the decision to allow building waste to be brought on to Basildon Golf Course. The Labour MP is unhappy Basildon Council is allowing developer Jack Barker to reshape the course's contours with
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Anti-suicide fence for car park’s roof
FENCING has been put up around the top of the Victoria shopping centre car park to stop people trying to commit suicide. The new measure is part of the £21million redevelopment scheme of the centre and the car park by Delamere Estates. Bill Harkness
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Housing manager up for top service award
A HOUSING manager who has helped out arson victims, bought food for the elderly following a power cut and tried to stamp out antisocial behaviour has been shortlisted for a national award. Traci Dixon, who works for South Essex Homes, is up for the top
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Tenants surveyed over 'no sale' poll
TENANTS in Castle Point are to be surveyed about why they voted against the transfer of their homes to a housing association. At the council's cabinet meeting, members voted to approve a consultation likely to take months, involving questionnaires and
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Trust’s glowing report
A HEALTH trust which serves people with mental and learning disabilities has recieved top marks in an inspection. South Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust scored excellent in all five categories of the latest Patient Environment Action Team inspection
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Parents vow to fight school closure vote
PARENTS, staff and governors have vowed to save their school after council chiefs voted for its closure. The proposal to close down Chetwood Primary School, in Gandalf''s Ride, South Woodham Ferrers, was agreed by Essex County Council's cabinet on Tuesday
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Blues open contract talks
SOUTHEND United chairman Ron Martin today revealed that the Shrimpers have opened contract talks with four of their players. Midfielders Nicky Bailey, Alan McCormack, Mark Gower and Franck Moussa have been offered new deals by Blues, while negotiations
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Ladies in the swim
A SWIMMING coach swapped her whistle for the water to raise money for a cancer charity. Jeanette Payne, 45, of Westminster Drive, Hockley, joined three colleagues from Stokes Swim School to tackle the 5,000-metre swimathon. The fundraiser was inspired
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Robot outfit was my favourite says Lloyd
ROBOTIC runner Lloyd Scott, has successfully completed this year's London Marathon in his most challenging costume to date. Lloyd, 46, crossed the finishing line in the 9ft tall, 70lbs robot suit, designed by Laindon sculptor Aden Hynes. The fundraiser
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Let battle commence
THE judgment day is almost upon us. This weekend sees the culmination of the 2008 Essex Battle of the Bands competition at Eastwood School with a live final. The five bands selected from 15 in the audition stages of the Echo-backed competition,
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Bowler Richard was an inspiration
A HUGE turnout of national and local bowlers is expected at Southend Crematorium next Wednesday when the funeral of one of the sport's top names takes place. International player Richard Hart, from Hockley, died from a rare form of cancer at the age
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How I’ll fight against Islamic extremism
A FORMER Islamic extremist has described how he changed his beliefs during his four-year incarceration in an Egyptian jail. Maajid Nawaz, a former Westcliff High School for Boys pupil, was jailed in 2002 with two other British men for belonging to the
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Wheelz turn to raise cash
HAVE fun being a fundraiser by attending the Stargate 08 charity variety show at the Towngate Theatre, in Basildon, on Sunday, April 27. Starring Kid's Choir and popular band Wheelz, the show features local acts giving up their time for free to help
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We’re behind you, Lara!
A SOUTHEND Chinese restaurant is supporting a woman's charity trek. Lara Basnett, who is fundraising co-ordinator at Southend Hospital, will complete a six-day trek along the Great Wall of China in October. The Pearl Dragon donated £250 to Lara, who
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I'm heading to the bird murder capital
ORNITHOLOGIST Fiona Hazelton, 30, spends much of her life looking at birds in the sky, but this week she has flown off on an adventure of her own. Fiona, from Vange, has headed for Malta on a mission with more than a whiff of combat about it. Her week
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Depression turned me into an author
A WOMAN who suffered a mental breakdown following abuse during her childhood has written two inspirational books on how she recovered to raise a happy family. Lindsay Westfall, 45, of Long Riding, Basildon, is delighted both books, called Mother and
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Updated: Teachers' strike today
UNIONS are out on strike today in a national day of action against poor pay. Across South Essex teachers, college lecturers Coastguards, Jobcentre and pensions staff, and other public sector workers are picketing outside workplaces in a row over unfair
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We returned to medieval times for special day
PUPILS at a Canvey school were transported back in time thanks to a theatre company. Year 7 pupils at Furtherwick Park School took part in Medieval Day. They were entertained by the Arriane-bann Theatre Company - experts in the medieval period. The
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70 years of worship at church
CORRINGHAM Baptist Church celebrated its 70th anniversary with food, music and memorabilia. Organisers packed in a range of activities for guests at the church, in Springhouse Road, including a performance from the Martin Claydon swing band, a flower
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Families to help with community spruce-up
FAMILIES who want to make their community a more attractive place to live are being urged to step out in force in Vange on Friday, April 25, and join in a spring clean up. The community event is set to take place from 10am to 3pm to give Kent View Recreation
