Archive
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Our totem pole fun at school
PRIMARY pupils gazed in awe as a chainsaw artist carved up a totem pole based on their ideas. Artist Mick Burns was the centre of attention at Felmores Primary School when he sliced, cut, carved and chopped up a piece of art right before children's eyes
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Witches fly in to enchant you
LEIGH Operatic Society is hoping to cast a spell over audiences with its next production. The group is going all-out with its latest offering, a version of West End musical The Witches of Eastwick. Being staged from Tuesday May 6 to Saturday May 10,
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Updated: Gordon double fires Canvey into play off final
LEON Gordon is the pride of Canvey Island today after taking his side through to the final with two headed goals in Suffolk last night, to beat AFC Sudbury 3-2. The hosts twice came from behind after Canvey had taken the lead through Ian Luck and Gordon
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Disabled man’s legally parked car towed away
A DISABLED pensioner had to pay £150 to get his legally-parked car back - after it was towed away following a nearby accident. Bulent Selen, 69, got a call from his wife after traffic built up following a vegetable fat spill in the on the busy A1306,
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Come on, time for our walkies
DOG lovers and their canines took the lead in raising cash for charity. Hundreds of owners and their pet pooches, ranging from poodles to pitbulls, took part in the sponsored walk at the Landgon Hills Country Park. They braved the drizzly weather to
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Traveller sites petition
A SOUTHEND seafront trader has spoken of his fear that car parking will be lost along Eastern Esplanade because of the planned new "urban beach". Graham Rawlinson runs the Fantasia amusement arcade on Eastern Esplanade and is worried about the loss of
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Don't take our parking says seafront trader
A SOUTHEND seafront trader has spoken of his fear that car parking will be lost along Eastern Esplanade because of the planned new "urban beach". Graham Rawlinson runs the Fantasia amusement arcade on Eastern Esplanade and is worried about the loss of
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Cobras bite the Shooters
THE Thursday indoor community five-a-side league at SEEVIC College saw Kingdown Cobras defeat Shooters 7-3 in what was a closely-fought encounter. Mike Curtis weighed in with a fine hat-trick for Cobras. Benfleet Utd and Avalon Athletic locked horns
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Bank holiday train disruption
NATIONAL Express East Anglia has announced changes to train services to allow for engineering work over the bank holiday weekend. Work will be carried out by Transport for London and Network Rail on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. On the Sunday and Monday
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Avoid dodgy boot sales gear
TRADING Standards bosses are warning people not to buy dodgy goods at car boot sales. As the summer approaches car boot sales are getting into full swing across South Essex. But officers at Essex County Council's trading standards have warned the sales
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Echo charity cash boost
A BUS service which helps transport elderly and disabled people in Rochford is celebrating after receiving £25,000 from the Echo. Wyvern Community Transport, based at the Community Link Centre in St Lukes Place, secured the grant from Gannett, the Echo's
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Linford are the B’s knees
LINFORD Wanderers, from the Essex Olympian League, won the Section B Southend Charity Competition final at Eastwoodbury Lane when they beat Southend Borough Combination Essendon 3-1. They were presented with the Austin Cup in a final sponsored by Bergen
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Cup winners Wheatleys are out to silence Bell
HAVING won the Section A League Cup final, Wheatleys go for a Southend Sunday League knockout final next weekend. They take on Bell Sports in the Section A Charity Cup with a 10.45am kick-off at Eastwoodbury Lane. In the League Cup finals, Wheatleys
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Ashingdon ask
ASHINGDON Youth Football Club need players for their Under-nine Lions team competing in the South-East Essex Mini Soccer League next season. Training sessions are held on Saturday mornings at Ashingdon School between 9.30-10.30am. If you are interested
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Cheers, as war boat is restored to glory
AMONG the myriad of boats moored up at Canvey's Small Gains Marina a slice of military history can be seen standing proud. At first glance the novice could be forgiven for mistaking the vessel for just any other wartime naval boat. However, the Second
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Hunter takes charge
FORMER Essex Senior League player Kevin Hunter has taken over at Stambridge Football Club who compete in the Essex Olympian League. They are trying to attract new players and an assistant manager and are going to have their first pre-season session at
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Wickbeech win with Poole goal
A LATE header from Graham Poole sealed a first Essex Sunday Junior Trophy triumph for Wickbeech as Maiden were beaten 2-1 at Wivenhoe Town. In a hard-fought showpiece at Broad Lane, Poole nodded home Bobby Hardy's centre with just 60 seconds remaining
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Clash of the champions
THE Southend Primary Schools FA's champion of champions matches are due to be played at Southend United's Roots Hall ground on Friday, May 16. Heycroft Girls will meet their counterparts from Edwards Hall at 5pm, with Earls Hall Boys taking on Our
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Jewellers help team to sparkle
THE year six Westerings Primary School netball team have proved real gems under the backing of Hattons Jewellers from Leigh who have sponsored their new kit. They agreed to sponsor the girls from Sunny Road, Hawkwell, after hearing how well they had
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Ashton condemns Boa Morte jeers
DEAN Ashton has hit out at the West Ham fans who jeered Luis Boa Morte during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Newcastle United. Boa Morte, who has struggled to find his best form since joining the Irons from Fulham in January 2007, appeared as a 22nd minute
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Police to look at election row flyer
AN allegation that a Tory council candidate broke election rules by advertising a free trip to Clacton for youngsters has been referred to the police. Blaine Robin, Conserv-ative Southend Council candidate for Kursaal ward, has been accused of "election
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Alsatian bites girl, 11, on the head
AN 11-year-old girl needed seven stitches after being bitten on the back of her head, and on her fingers and shoulder by an alsatian dog. Zoe Grigg and 15-year-old sister Joy, were babysitting at the home of a family friend on Sunday when the dog attacked
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Fitz girls give new kit debut
THE under-14 girls from Rayleigh's FitzWimarc School will be in top gear when they take on Westcliff High in their soccer final tomorrow night. For, after an appeal in Echosport, the girls from the school in Hockley Road have found a sponsor and they
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Girls net more glory for high school
IT's been a fabulous year for the netball girls of Southend High School. The years nine and under-16 teams both won the Southend Schools' Borough tournament, adding to the success of the year seven and eight teams who won their events in the previous
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Cops 'attacked drunk prisoner'
A POLICE sergeant held down a man who was being beaten by another sergeant, a court heard. David Joseph and Anthony Bryan, both 50, are accused of attacking David Shepard, at Basildon police station. Mr Shepard was drunk and became abusive towards the
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Vandals carve swearwords into bowling green
VANDALS have carved swearwords into the turf of Southchurch Park Bowls Club's green - the latest in a spate of attacks The incident came days before Southend's mayor Daphne White was to visit the club to launch its outdoor season. The vandals also tried
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Grindley’s bookshop is sold off
A WELL-known former Leigh bookshop has been sold to a property investor. Grindley's, in Leigh Broadway, has been bought by an un-named individual, after being put on the market since November 2007. The family-run shop was originally advertised by Sorrell
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Vandals fail to wreck playground fun
THE first two playgrounds have opened as part of Castle Point's £1.3million playground revamp - and vandals wasted no time leaving their mark. Yobs sprayed graffiti and smashed glass at the parks in Leigh Beck, Canvey, and Brook Road, Benfleet. Each
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Turn kitchen scraps into useful compost
AMATEUR gardeners in Castle Point are being encouraged to make the most of composting at home. The council is offering discounted compost bins with tips and advice on how to make the most of them. The authority is offering the scheme in partnership
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Health centre... if shops get go-ahead
LAINDON will get a new health centre if multi-million pound plans to redevelop the shopping centre are approved. Developer Collonade has started to demolish the ailing centre and hopes the landmark Clock House building will be replaced with a medical
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Travellers backed by law reform group
A LAW reform group linked to 40 MPs is backing a complaint by travellers against a controversial firm of bailiffs. The Traveller Law Reform Project has endorsed the complaint by travellers fighting eviction from Dale Farm, Crays Hill, against Constant
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Reliving the good old days
MORE than 150 people visited Laindon Library to see an exhibition on the old town. There were photos of landmarks that have long since been demolished - including a privately run cinema that stood where the library now stands, in New Century Road. Visitors
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Two years prison for burglar who ruined Christmas
A BURGLAR who stole presents from a family home on Christmas Eve while the owner was at church has been locked up for two years. Cocaine addict Ross Kelly, 21, smashed his way into the house in Falstones, Basildon, last Christmas and grabbed the gifts
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Boys arrested over BB gun incident
ARMED officers were called in after two youngsters were spotted with a BB gun in Southend. Police raced to Southchurch Avenue at 6.50pm on Saturday. Now officers are warning children and parents of the potential dangers of BB guns. The two boys, aged
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Lucky muggers
LIFE imitated TV when actor Ryan Philpott, who played a cop in EastEnders, stumbled on the aftermath of a Leigh mugging. What a pity he wasn't on the scene when the crime was committed. Muggers can be star struck too. They might have surrendered to
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Fighting fire with a flyer
THE age of the flying fire engine could be upon us, as Essex Fire Authority considers buying a helicopter. There is a strong case for a dedicated machine. As Essex fills up with houses and traffic, it would be reassuring to know the fire service could
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Essex coach salutes Gallian contribution
ESSEX first-team coach Paul Grayson has praised veteran batsman Jason Gallian's impact since joining the county. The 36-year-old was drafted in from Nottinghamshire, where he won the County Championship in 2005, to provide stability at the top of the
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Blues’ U18 team keep unbeaten run intact
SOUTHEND United's under-18 side completed their season with a 2-1 victory at Brentford, leaving the Shrimpers in a respectable mid-table position after a seven-match unbeaten run. The unbeaten sequence at the end of the campaign has seen many of the
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Westcliff sign off with a win
WESTCLIFF'S fourth team put their season to bed with a high scoring 34-28 win over Braintree Veterans. Both sides decided to run the ball as often as possible with the result that tries came thick and fast. For Westcliff, Andy Adkins scored two, along
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Crash near hospital
A CAR crashed through a garden wall near Southend Hospital. The accident took place yesterday (Monday) in Commercial Road, Westcliff, about 5pm. Witnesses said that a woman driver in a grey Audi hit a red Ford Escort before reversing into the wall and
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Finding love and a career break
GEMMA Donnelly's schedule is so busy, her best friend has booked her wedding for 2011 to ensure she can get the actress to be her bridesmaid. In the past four years the 26-year-old from Brindles, Canvey, has gone from one show to the next, appearing
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Essex maul in RFU plate
ESSEX Rugby had every reason to be proud at the weekend after the County Senior XV convincingly beat an experienced Notts, Lincs and Derby XV 44-18 in the first round of the RFU County Championship Plate competition. The win puts Essex in second place
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Russian athletes eye Basildon sports village
RUSSIA'S star athletes may be coming to Basildon for the London 2012 games. The Russian Olympic Federation has asked Basildon Council about using the planned sports village in Gloucester Park as a training camp. The Echo has learned the federation approached
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Rescued by TV cop Ryan
A WOMAN hospitalised after being attacked by a mugger has paid tribute to the TV policeman who came to her rescue. Jeanette Banfield, 74, was left helpless on the pavement in Olivia Drive, Leigh, after a robber ambushed her on her way home after a night
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Win suits young Seasiders to a T
SOUTHEND'S under-17 side finished their season with a 19-12 win over Thurrock. Flanker Jack King charged down a clearance kick to open the scoring with a try which full-back Will Bannister converted. Winger Alex Wittamore then set up Kit Worsley for
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Help make your area bloom for contest
RESIDENTS across Thurrock are being urged to show their green-fingered skills and make the borough a better place to live. Five borough groups have entered the Royal Horticulture Society's Neighbourhood Awards scheme which encourages small resident-led
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Inspectors say school must improve more
GOVERNMENT inspectors say a Westcliff school has made insufficient progress in improving the quality of its teaching. Ofsted revealed its findings after visiting Chase High School in Prittlewell Chase in March. In addition to their main complaint, inspectors
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Traffic chaos guaranteed
If you thought road congestion in the Priory Park/Cuckoo Corner area of Southend is grim at the moment, have you seriously considered what it is going to be like after all the planned developments in the town are completed? Consider this:- 1
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Control dogs in public places
On April 24, due to the teachers' strike, I went with my daughter and granddaughters aged four and six to Priory Park, Southend. I was appalled at the number of dogs not on leads running about with their owners strolling far behind. At one point
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Taxi fares are set by council
I wish to take issue with the editor's comment saying the taxi trade thinks it is a special case (April 24). This is not so. I have held a taxi badge since 1972 and my own taxi plate since 1974, served on our Taxi Drivers Assoc iation as an officer
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Unfair cost to park at home
I HAVE just received a £25 bill for a parking permit. I wrote to Basildon council regarding the proposed increases, but as usual, received no reply. When this scheme was introduced it was agreed there would be no charge, as costs would be recovered
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Crash aircraft memories
In reference to PJ Stones memories of the airport (April 18), he maybe interested to know the Heinkel He111 he saw crashed during a raid of 15 aircraft. It was hit by ground fire at around 1pm and broke formation due to the damage sustained.
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Useless PCSOs should just get on their bikes
Bobbies in Castle Point will be getting on their bikes after officers received four new cycles (April 23) I thought Bobbies meant police officers. The PCSOs pictured are like stuffed guard dogs - they look the part from a distance, but on closer
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Pier could be famous for all the right reasons
I have spent the past 11 years in Falmouth, Cornwall, where I work as a volunteer at the Maritime Museum. We volunteers are very proud of our beautiful building, which won an award for the best attraction in Cornwall 2007. The architects, Long and Kentish
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Pension anger for firefighters
Changes to firefighters' pensions have been labelled "morally flawed". Essex's chief fire officer David Johnson has vowed to fight the Government over proposed alterations to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme. There are fears that proposed changes to
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Barrett: Blues can crack the play-offs
SKIPPER Adam Barrett insists Southend United have what it takes to succeed in the play-offs, despite being forced to play the second leg of their semi final away from home. Following Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Tranmere Rovers the Shrimpers cannot finish
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Goal king Hooper is back at Roots Hall
BLUES manager Steve Tilson is looking forward to welcoming back striker Gary Hooper today. The 20-year-old former Grays Athletic player has been in fine form while on loan at League Two Hereford United, scoring 11 goals in 19 games to fire the Bulls
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Southend should’ve won, claims Harman
SOUTHEND Rugby Club ended their first ever season in National League Two with 27-23 defeat at Stourbridge on Saturday. The Seasiders, who finished eighth in the table following the reverse, more than matched the high flying hosts for the majority of
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Gulls fired up for play-offs
ALL roads lead to Suffolk tonight as Canvey Island Football Club step-up their bid to win promotion to the highest level of the Ryman League. Gulls gained a place in the Division One North play-offs after a superb second half of the season run saw them
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Accident blocks London Road
A DRIVER is suspected of suffering whiplash injuries following an early morning collision in Southend. A double decker Arriva bus and a grey Rover 416 were involved in the incident at around 7am this morning. Traffic built up while emergency services
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Robbers spray couple in face
A COUPLE were sprayed in the face and robbed of cash. The man and woman, both in their 20s, were in a newsagents in The Triangle, Laindon when the attack happened. They were in the post office area of the shop with their cash when they were approached
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Mugger steals boys' phones
A ROBBER threatened to stab three young boys unless they handed over their mobile phones. The boys, two aged ten and one 11, were playing in Chalkwell Park, when a man on a silver bike rode up and made the threat. They handed him a Motorola L6, a Nokia
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Labour group open to cross-party alliances
LABOUR councillors say they would work with other parties if the Conservatives lost overall control of Southend Council. The Tories majority would be wiped out if they lost four seats in the local elections on May 1. Ian Gilbert, the party's candidate
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Woman beats and robs man for...£2
A MAN was punched, kicked and then robbed by a woman - for just £2. The victim, a 24-year-old from Grays, was sitting on the ground at a bus stop on Claudian Way, Grays, when the woman asked if he would give her £1. When he said he had only enough money
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Geri Halliwell coming to Lakeside
SPICE Girl Geri Halliwell will be promoting her new children's book at WH Smith at Lakeside shopping centre. She will be signing copies of the book, Ugenia Lavendar, from 3pm to 4pm on Monday May 5. The book, aimed at five to eight-year-olds, was inspired
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Canewdon comes clean
VILLAGERS are being urged to roll up their sleeves and get involved with a bank holiday clean-up in Canewdon. The event is being organised by Canewdon Parish Council from 10am to 2pm on Sunday. Parish council chairman Victor Newby said: "If you love
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Raving about the Ravens
FIVE raven chicks have been hatched in captivity. Ravens Ramsey and Remmington, who live at Tropical Wings wildlife centre, in South Woodham Ferrers, are the proud parents of the jet-black clutch. Anna Noys, spokesman for Tropical Wings, said the hatching
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Firefighters may get their own helicopter
ESSEX firefighters could soon answer some 999 calls in a helicopter - as a way of beating traffic congestion. Essex Fire and Rescue Service is considering taking to the skies in response to growing congestion caused by new homes and businesses in the
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I knit, therefore I am
SOME people use it to store the lawnmower, while others find it handy as a place to build stuff. But one town's bookshop is using its "shed" for philosophising and knitting - except not at the same time! After the success of a Philosophy Breakfast last
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I knit, therefore I am
SOME people use it to store the lawnmower, while others find it handy as a place to build stuff. But one town's bookshop is using its "shed" for philosophising and knitting - except not at the same time! After the success of a Philosophy Breakfast last
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A night to remember for the many old Crocs
STEVE Strange should be a national treasure. One of the great music industry icons, the flamboyant pioneer of the Eighties New Romantic scene - dubbed the Peacock Prince - rose to fame running the legendary Blitz club, in London, and fronting his own
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Crowds at town council
THERE was a packed house at the annual Rayleigh Town Council meeting. About 100 people came to the meeting at Holy Trinity Church in Rectory Garth, Rayleigh. They included pupils from local primary schools and winners of the annual awards, as well as
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Visionary collection
THE Lions Club of Southend has thanked residents for their generosity during an appeal for used glasses and hearing aids. The club was given 131 pairs of spectacles and eight hearing aids, which will be reconditioned and sent to Third World countries
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Royals marks 20 years
TWO decades after it was opened by celebrity Jason Donovan, the Royals Shopping Centre celebrated its 20th birthday with a champagne breakfast. Southend mayor Daphne White was one of many dignitaries who tucked into smoked salmon and other culinary treats
