Archive
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Roads quieter but drivers still urged to stay home
EMERGENCY services had a quieter day on the county's roads but have repeated their advice to people to stay at home. Essex Police said there had been no major incidents but with temperatures once again plunging overnight drivers were told to
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Grays comic Russell Brand set to get hitched
Russell Brand and Katy Perry have become engaged during a romantic holiday. The 34-year-old comedian, who grew up in Grays, is said to have proposed during a spiritual ceremony in India on New Year’s Eve, and the relationship was blessed by
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Snowcat helps out in Leigh
DRIVERS finding themselves in distress in the snowy conditions could find themselves be brought to safety by a rather unusual rescue vehicle. Kind-hearted Peter Frasle, from Leigh, has volunteered the use of his all-terrain Haaglund Snowcat as ice
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Hospice faces cash shortfall in recession
FUNDRAISERS from St Luke’s Hospice are making an urgent appeal for help as alarming figures show donations are at least £80,000 down. The hospice, based in Nethermayne, Basildon, is coming to terms with a major shortfall in donations, due to the recession
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Dance group Diversity nominated for prestigious award
BRITAIN’S Got Talent winners Diversity are among the nominees at the last ever South Bank Show awards. The 11-strong dance group, who hail from Wickford, South Ockendon, Rainham and Dagenham, have been nominated in the dance category at the
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Snow advice from Southend Council
SOUTHEND Council is reiterating its warning to residents to be mindful of their personal safety during the current adverse weather conditions. More snow is forecast and the weather is expected to deteriorate dramatically from the early hours of Sunday
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Table topping Duncan still upset about cups
HIS team may be top of the table but Southend United’s youth team manager Ricky Duncan is not completely satisfied. For Duncan had hoped to do better in the cup competitions. And he still feels his side are capable of performing on a
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Police urge motorists to stay at home as freeze continues
Police are warning motorists to stay at home on Friday as the big freeze continues. Helen Cook, spokeswoman for Essex Police, said the county's roads are deserted as schools close and people opt to stay at home. She said officers are
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Barrett's Banter: Herd's wad of hair a highlight
JOHNNY Herd has been getting plenty of stick this week about his choice of haircut. With a number eight all over, a long bit at the back and a bit sticking up at the front we all think he has a bit of a Chris Waddle going on. His new
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Blues deny failing to pay the players
SOUTHEND United have denied failing to pay their players on time for December. Several sources close to the Shrimpers claim that some of the team had not yet received their wages and that the whole squad are still waiting for their appearance
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South West Essex Community health care services disrupted by snow
COMMUNITY healthcare services are being disrupted by the snow. The drop in baby clinic, which is held regularly at the Queens Park doctor’s surgery, in Billericay, was cancelled today, Thursday. NHS South West Essex warned a range of other community
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Three days of record snowfall 'on the cards'
SOUTH Essex could be engulfed in more snow than it has seen in decades, according to a weather expert. Snow could fall constantly for three days, breaking all local records, Essex weatherman Tom Defty has warned. Danbury-based Mr Defty, who runs the
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Promising young soccer player charged over bottle attack
A PROMISING young footballer has been charged with attacking a teenager with a broken bottle. Alex O’Leary, 18, from Rayleigh, plays for Colchester United youth and reserve teams, and is currently on loan to Halstead Town. The former FitzWimarc School
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Hero is whipped around the head with dog chain
A have-a-go-hero re-called how a thug whipped him around the head with a leash after he tried to stop a vicious dog attacking a woman. Geoff Blain, 59, from Pitsea, stepped in as the man verbally abused a woman while his dog, believed to be a pitbull
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Snow onslaught forces 470 Essex schools to close
THE heavy snowfall has resulted in 470 schools across Essex closing their gates today (Thursday). The full list of school closures is as follows: *Information comes from the BBC Essex Snowline Abacus Primary School, Wickford Abbs
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Danny is Dancing on Ice for his latest challenge
HE’S been an actor, a footballer and a soap pin-up – now south Essex’s dance hopeful, Danny Young, is hoping to glide to success on the ice. The 24-year-old former Coronation Street star will take to the rink as one of the 14 celebrity hopefuls
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Helpline for elderly Canvey residents
ELDERLY residents on Canvey are being reminded they can phone the Age Concern helpline during the bad weather. The charity has temporarily closed its base at The Paddocks, in Long Road, Canvey, due to the bad weather conditions. It is the first time
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YOUR SNOW STORIES
WANT to thank a guardian angel who came to your aid in the snow? Or have you got a remarkable story of how the winter weather has affected you? We want to hear your snow stories. Leave your comments here, call the newsdesk on 01702 321159 or 01268
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164 homes planned for former gym club site
A NEW housing estate could be created on the site of a former sports club. Developer Bellway Homes wants to build 164 houses on the South Essex Gymnastics Club land off Cranes Farm Road, Basildon. Spokesman Julian Kenyon said: “Our plans involve building
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Cops want this man in burglaries probe
A MAN wanted in connection with burglaries across Basildon is still being hunted by police. Darren McGrath, 33, is white, around 5ft 8ins tall and slim. He has blue eyes, cropped or shaven grey hair with a light brown beard and moustache. McGrath speaks
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Men caught growing dope in spare room
TWO men who grew cannabis in their spare room have narrowly avoided jail. Anthony Ferryman, 41, and Gary Faetz, 40, were given suspended prison sentences after the judge accepted their venture was too poorly conceived to have made money. Police discovered
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Latest on Southend refuse collections
SOUTHEND Council is recommending residents continue to put out their rubbish for collection. The council says collection services are currently suspended because of icy side roads but rubbish can be put out for when collections resume.
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Schools to benefit from £30million investment
SIX schools in Southend will be given a share of £30million to refurbish and expand over the next financial year. The money has been allocated in the council’s budget and over the next four years, £50.7million will be spent on the schools. Belfairs
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Hopes raised as price of Gun pub drops £200k
HOPES have been raised a landmark pub could be revamped and reopened after its asking price was slashed by £200,000. Pub chain Admiral has cut the price for the Gun, in London Road, Pitsea, from £750,000 to £550,000. The struggling pub was shut down
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We’ll freeze parking charges
CAR parking charges will be frozen this year to help recession-hit traders and boost the local economy. Southend Council announced the move for all car parks and on-street bays it runs across the town, as part of the budget for the next financial year
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Leaders dampen speculation over council coalition
SPECULATION about plans to form a rainbow coalition of opposition parties in Southend after the next local elections has been knocked back by councillors. There are currently 27 Tory councillors and 24 opposition members, split between Labour, the Independents
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Dad, 22, jailed for threatening men with sword
A YOUNG father who threatened a gang with a 4ft sword has been jailed for two years. Ben Bettis, 22, said he confronted the men with a Samurai sword to protect his heavily pregnant girlfriend and their two-year-old daughter. Bettis was arrested by police
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Updated: Blues' game with Walsall called off
SOUTHEND United's match against Walsall on Saturday has been postponed because of a frozen pitch. Hertfordshire based referee Paul Taylor attended Roots Hall this evening to inspect the playing surface. And he decided that the pitch
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Basildon day centres are open
COUNCIL-run day centres are open despite freezing weather and icy roads. Basildon Council has said it is business as usual at all its day centres. However, people who rely on the community transport service to get to their centre will have to find alternatives
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Rochford bin collections suspended
BIN collections in Rochford have been suspended due to the bad weather. Rochford District Council stopped collections across the district because of the ice and snow. Residents are advised to keep checking the council’s website at www.rochford.gov.uk
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Schools shut and buses delayed by snowstorm
ICY roads mean bus operators in Essex are struggling to get passengers to their destinations. Bus companies First and Arriva said their local services were mostly running but subject to severe delays. The following First services have been affected:
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Seven arrests after spate of burglaries
SEVEN people have been arrested following a string of burglaries on Canvey. Police launched an operation, which combined high visibility patrols and stop checks, after 46 raids across Castle Point in December. Chief Insp Keith Davies thanked residents
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Tour classic movie scenes filmed here in south Essex
FILM buffs looking for something different can tour around Essex locations which have been used for famous movies and television shows. A new website, called Scene on Screen, has been dedicated to famous and lesser known film locations. It lists more
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Lack of family properties at reasonable cost is criticised
YOUNG people trying to get on the housing ladder will know how difficult it is to juggle finances, come up with a deposit and find the money to pay the mortgage. The solution, as many people see it, is more low-cost homes – properties owned by councils
