Archive
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Classic win at last for Benfleet’s Dion
DION Macfayden beat a 420-strong field to take top spot at the Kent Classic beach open. The angler from South Benfleet was up against rivals from all over England and Wales. But he won the event for the first time to add to the two thirds he has notched
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Fire crew called to van fire
FIRE fighters attended a vehicle fire in Leigh-on-Sea. A crew were called to Sandhurst Crescent to see to a fire in the engine compartment of a Fiat Ducato van. The fire was caused by an electrical fault with the vehicle. One fire engine attended the
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London calling - with Chrystall Nicol
FOLLOWING the World Championships in Italy, I think my preparation needs to change. I was aiming to finish in the top eight for the women’s sabre in Italy but only reached the last 64, which was a disappointment. However, the team finishing 11th was
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Thieves break into Benfleet home
THIEVES broke into a Benfleet home after scrambling over a garden gate. They found a pair of garden shears to try and get in through a window in Haresland Close. But it is believed they were disturbed by the home-owner and made off in
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Blues crash out of FA Youth Cup
SOUTHEND United suffered an agonising exit in the second round of the FA Youth Cup last night, losing 2-1 to Brentford at Roots Hall. The Bees grabbed an injury time equaliser to take the tie to extra time before the Londoners’ keeper Jack Middleton
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Burglars strike in Southend
THIEVES broke into a Southend home and stole a 50 ins television. They got into the house in Canterbury Avenue by removing a pane of glass in a ground floor window. They had got into the back garden through an unlocked gate off an alleyway
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Shop fined for selling dodgy cigarettes
OWNERS of a shop in Westcliff have been forced to cough up £2,750 after being caught selling dodgy cigarettes. Innergo Limited, who own the Westcliff Supermarket, in Commercial Road, was handed a £2,000 fine and ordered to pay £750 costs at
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Attempted burglary in Westcliff
BURGLARS attempted to break into a Westcliff home. They used a tool to try to get into the house in Bridgwater Drive through a UPVC front door, UPVC French doors and rear ground floor kitchen window. But their attempts failed.
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How Kat became champion of Chile
WHEN 14-year-old Katarina Blanco was invited to Chile to take part in the country’s national open water swim championships it was a step into the unknown for more reasons than one. The Southend teenager had never previously been to the South American
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Somali gangs bring back terror to the tower block
SOMALI drug gangs have returned to terrorise residents in a Southend tower block – two years after the Echo first exposed them. The ruthless dealers, from London, drove a vulnerable man out of his home in the Pennine flats, Coleman Street. The terrified
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Wartime rations on menu for pupils during school meals week
CHILDREN got a taste of 1940s rationing. Year 6 pupils at Woodham Ley Primary School, in Benfleet, took part in National School Meals Week, with a different themed meal each today. Starting with Around the World, Five a Day and Get Creative, they marked
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Poppy Day patriots are left standing out in cold
About 100 poppy-wearing patriots were left standing “like wooden tops” at Canvey’s war memorial waiting for Sunday’s remembrance celebrations to start. Some island residents amassed at the monument at the Paddocks in Long Road, expecting the traditional
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Anger as council swaps wall for ‘prison’ railings
RESIDENTS say they feel like prisoners after metal railings were put up by the council to cut down on antisocial behaviour. A row has broken put between the homeowners and Basildon Council about the railings, which separate an alleyway and car park in
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Anger as council swaps wall for ‘prison’ railings
RESIDENTS say they feel like prisoners after metal railings were put up by the council to cut down on antisocial behaviour. A row has broken put between the homeowners and Basildon Council about the railings, which separate an alleyway and car park in
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Southend salutes its sporting heroes
SOUTHEND’S sporting heroes have been honoured at the borough’s sports awards. The prizegiving ceremony, which was held at the Cliffs Pavilion in Westcliff, recognised and celebrated the people behind the very best in sport throughout Southend. They
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Hopes dashed over a return to normal post
RESIDENTS no longer getting their post thought they’d won a reprieve when Royal Mail sent out details of a change in delivery times. Dozens of people on unmade roads no longer get letters and parcels delivered because Royal Mail said it was a health
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Odds shorten on Essex's Arianna hitting Christmas No.1
THE odds have shortened on a sweet-sounding ten-year-old Thundersley girl taking the Christmas number one slot. Arianna Morgan was placed at 25/1 at the end of last month but now she is at 8/1. Bookmaker William Hill has put Arianna – who will release
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Southend restaurant fined heavily for poor hygiene
A RESTAURANT has been fined £10,000 for not following health and safety regulations. Charlie Choy's, in London Road, Southend, which closed down earlier this year, was fined at Southend Magistrates' Court for offences dating back to an order
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Where is town’s community spirit?
Leigh Town Council voted against the planning application for a hospice to be built on Belton Hills, Leigh, but no one thought or had the courtesy to invite Havens to the meeting. Is this what Leigh calls democracy? Southend councillor Peter Wexham appeared
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Plough up Lake Meadows
I read with interest the recent article describing how difficult it was to find land for use as allotments in Billericay. Undoubtedly in the current climate, it is good that people wish to grow their own vegetables, not to mention the benefits of getting
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What is true British?
I am surprised by Ian Robertson’s comments (Nov 11) at Chalkwell Ward Residents Association quoted in the Echo. He states white British people are being ignored as a result of efforts to help Southend’s ethnic minorities. He further expresses his concerns
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Take my money – and any respect I had for council
My car was photographed by Southend Council’s spy car while it was there for three minutes outside my house. The car was never unattended for longer than 40 seconds at a time, as I was loading it with garden refuse destined for Leigh tip. Without so much
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Royal appointment for teen Charlotte
A TEENAGER who led a youth volunteer group has been honoured by the Princess Royal for her outstanding dedication. Charlotte Olden, 17, earned the title of “inspiring indidual” in the 2011 National Citizen Service Mix It Up awards, in recognition of
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Campaigning MP wants driving tests back in Southend
AN MP has launched a campaign to allow learner drivers to take their tests from makeshift venues across Southend. James Duddridge, Tory MP for Rochford and Southend East, said too many of his constituents were either facing long waits for
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Three police stations in Basildon district closed to the public
THREE police stations across Basildon and Thurrock have now closed their doors to the public as sweeping cuts take hold. Stations in Wickford, Corringham and Laindon – all of which already had their opening hours cut earlier in the year
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Road rage attack in Southend
A COUPLE were subjected to a road-rage attack in a Southend Street. A 20-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman were in Southchurch Road, Southend, when the rear windscreen of their VW Golf was smashed. The driver of a silver Ford Fiesta
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Dimitri flies flag for Blues - in Australia
PLENTY of Southend United supporters follow the team’s fortunes from afar. But hardly any of them can be further away than Dimitri Panagis. For the 18-year-old regularly tracks the action at Roots Hall, despite being more than 11,000 miles away in
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Barker: Focus on the league
SOUTHEND United skipper Chris Barker has told his team-mates to remain focused on their push for promotion. Blues could be facing five games in three different competitions during a busy 17-day schedule, which starts at Dagenham on Saturday. But Barker
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Travellers' eviction sparks rise in pupil attendance a Crays Hill Primary School
MORE traveller children have been attending Crays Hill Primary School since the eviction at Dale Farm. There had been fears Basildon Council’s clearance of the illegal site could threaten the village primary following repeated claims there
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Southend slash the cash for agents
SOUTHEND United have dramatically reduced their fees to agents. Blues paid £27,048 to agents between October 2010 and September 2011. But the year before they spent £50,400 and 12 months previously it was £56,104. Southend’s chief
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Fleet for new Southend and Rochford bus route is launched
A FLEET of new buses for a route going through Southend and Rochford have been launched. Arriva have invested £1.8million on the 12 vehicles which will be used for the No. 9 bus route, which goes through Shoebury, Southend and Rochford.
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A130 northbound opened after long running roadworks
THE A130 northbound is now open after work to resurface the road over ran through to this morning. There are still long delays around Sadler's Farm and it has been taking some motorists two-and-a-half hours to get onto Canvey Island. There are along
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Long-running firm closes with ‘regret’
A FAMILY business which helped decorate homes across south Essex with soft furnishings for more than 70 years has suddenly closed. The Irish Linen House, in London Road, Leigh, which made and sold curtains and blinds, now stands empty.
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Yob smashes window of moving bus
A YOB smashed the window of a moving bus after they threw a stone. A group of youngsters were hanging around in Link Road, Canvey, when the stone was launched. Luckily not passengers were hurt, but police want to speak to anyone who was at the scene
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£26k may be lost as golf firm goes bust
TAXPAYERS could lose out on £26,000 after the company previously running Basildon golf course went bust. Basildon Golf Centre has gone into liquidation owing £185,000 – including £55,000 to the tax man. This means it is now highly unlikely
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Traffic chaos at Sadler's Farm
THERE are currently long delays on the A13 Southend bound between Basildon and the Sadler's Farm roundabout. This is due to over-running engineering works on the A130 going towards Thundersley. Drivers cannot turn left off Sadler's Farm
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Travellers return to Dale Farm
TRAVELLERS were last night returning to Dale Farm. Families evicted from the illegal site appear to be carrying out a threat to move back on to a legal part of Oak Lane within the unauthorised site, which was not cleared during the Basildon Council operation
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Residents urged to lock up after three break-ins
RESIDENTS in Grays are being urged to lock their doors after three break-ins. None of the homes targeted had their doors locked properly. Heathviews Road, Oval Gardens and Nutberry Avenue were all hit and one home had a £25,000 Audi car stolen. All
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Arnie, 16, sets up cancer help group
A TEENAGER who refused to let cancer grind him down is planning to start up his own charity to stop other youngsters from feeling isolated by the disease. Arnie Higgs, 16, wants to reach out to other young people enduring gruelling operations and chemotherapy
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Royal Mail challenged over Benfleet postal deliveries
ROYAL Mail has been challenged to reveal reasons behind stopping mail deliveries in parts of Castle Point. Council leader Pam Challis has arranged a meeting with the postal service to find out what action is necessary to reinstate services
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Company in switch to open at Basildon's Eastgate
A “BIGGER and brighter” Carphone Warehouse store complete with its own “geek squad” will open in Basildon on Friday. The Carphone Warehouse, in Town Square, will be closing for good on Thursday. But it will re-open the next day at its new home
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Shoebury teenager's honour from Princess Anne
A TEENAGER was rewarded for her selflessness by Princess Anne. Shoebury High pupil Maisie Beck, 15, was invited to the young achievers’ reception at Buckingham Palace. She had the opportunity to meet Princess Anne, in recognition of
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Ofsted praises the success of kids’ centre
A LEADING family centre in Southend has been rated outstanding for its work in providing support, advice and guidance to parents. The Cambridge Road Children’s Centre, run by the Family Action organisation, was given the accolade by education watchdog
