Archive
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Millionaire tells of US jail hell
A FORMER millionaire who spent six years in the toughest prison in America used his extraordinary story to warn Westcliff youngsters of the dangers of drugs. Shaun Atwood, now 43, was sent to Arizona jail in 2002 for hosting drug-fuelled raves
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Judge gives tour positive verdict
Billericay’S Leanne Judge could not hide her delight after getting up close and personal with the cream of world tennis — and former England captain Rio Ferdinand — at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Having won a nationwide competition
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Southend's Christmas countdown begins
DECEMBER has finally arrived and the countdown to Christmas Day begins in earnest in Southend on Saturday. Visitors to the latest Christmas-on-sea events will be forgiven for doing a double-take as a roller-skating Christmas Pudding rolls into town.
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Please help me get my wheelchair back,I’m so lost without it
A WOMAN with cerebral palsy had her wheelchair stolen while visiting her mum. Michelle Doidge was left devastated after thieves stole it from outside the bungalow in Prince Avenue, Westcliff. She relies on the wheelchair because she
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Man arrested with knife in Leigh
A MAN was arrested on suspicion of waving a knife around in a Leigh street. Police had been alerted after a 19-year-old man was reported missing in the Leigh area on Tuesday. There were concerns about his mental health. Officers
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Updated: London Road blocked following accident
THE A13 London Road was partially blocked this afternoon following an accident involving two vehicles. Distruption was caused to traffic in both directions at Tarpots roundabout, Southend, because of the incident at 3pm. The road was cleared
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Fears over drug dealer stashes hidden near Southend school
BRAZEN drug dealers are burying their stashes just yards from a school...and right under the noses of police. The pushers have been seen regularly lurking near the fence at Temple Sutton Primary School, Eastern Avenue, Southend. There, they have been
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Wanted: an old rowing boat to complete tribute to lifeguards
A COUNCILOR has come up with a bright idea to spruce up the Canvey’s Lifeguard Gardens. Joan Liddiard, chairman of the town council wants to make the commemorative seafront area a more attractive place. Along with fellow town councillor Janice Payne
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RNLI souvenir shop set to re-open
THE RNLI souvenir shop on Southend Pier is set to re-open this weekend. The store had been closed for about three weeks for refurbishment work to be carried out. It will have an official re-opening at noon on Sunday December 4 in time
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Lane closed after A127 carriageway collapse
THE inside lane of the A127 Southend bound WAs closed after part of the carriageway collapsed. Engineers carryied out emergency repair work on the road between Progress Road and Bellhouse Road. The incident was reported at around 1.30pm
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Mum and toddler threatened at gunpoint in Vange
A MOTHER and her toddler were threatened at gunpoint by raiders who burst into their home while they slept. Police are still hunting the three thugs who targeted the flat near the Motor Star convenience store on Luncies Road, Vange and pointed
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Legionella death verdict ‘disappointing’ – chief
A CORONER is compiling a list of recommended improvements at Basildon Hospital, after an inquest ruled a patient died because of serious failings. Hospital bosses have been given a fortnight to come up with ways to stamp out Legionnaires’ disease, in
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Four charged after Southend Airport Protest
FOUR protestors have been charged with entering a restricted zone at Southend Airport. It comes after police arrested 15 people on suspicion of trespassing into the runway on Saturday, October 29. Those charged, under the Aviation Security
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Basildon’s Castle is a real tower of strength
IT has been quite an eventful year at Basildon Golf Club. After the departure of one management company, the members saw another management team take over the running of the course. But the ladies completed all competitions due to be played and had
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‘Remarkable’ Chris wins on comeback
CANVEY middleweight Chris Goddard showed inspirational determination to claim a comeback win just seven weeks after recovering from meningitis. The apprentice electrician from Benfleet came down with the illness in late September and required hospital
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Probe into caravan fires at Thorney Bay Village
arsonists have set light to caravans on a Canvey site two nights running. Police suspect local youngsters are behind the fires at Thorney Bay Village caravan park on Canvey on Sunday and Monday nights. Canvey firefighter Stuart Logan said the first
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Arsonists wreck pizza restaurant in £16k blaze
YOBS torched a fast food restaurant causing £16,000 damage. The Echo told yesterday how a probe had been launched into the blaze at Farm Pizza, Clay Hill Road, Basildon. Police have now confirmed the fire was started deliberately. The yobs set fire
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Updated: Woman arrested over bedsit attack
POLICE have been given extra time to question a woman arrested on suspicion of throwing boiling water over her boyfriend. The victim, who is in his 60s, is alleged to have been attacked at a bedsit in York Road, Southend. He was in a
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Campaigner replaces fish killed by pollution in River Crouch
A DETERMINED environmental campaigner has secured permission to personally replace thousands of fish killed in a massive sewage leak. Anglian Water was supposed to pay up to £3,000 towards replacing fish in a stretch of the River Crouch that
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When living here was a real blessing
It seems I should have specified the era I was talking about in my letter (November 23). I know the dark ages were not good for a lot of people, although my aunt, who had a large bungalow then, was extremely happy living in the countryside and didn’
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If Southend Airport is OK, why not one in the estuary?
It is strange the Echo believes it can simultaneously hold two conflicting opinions and still be taken seriously. It is unstinting in its praise of Southend Airport and nothing about it is too trivial to report. When people in Eastwood and Leigh express
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Lions thanks commuters
The Lions Club of Castle Point would like to thank commuters, who travel via South Benfleet Station, for their generous donations for BBC Children in Need which raised £606. Many thanks also go to C2C for allowing us to collect at the station. Ron and
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So what is your job?
You have to smile at the reasons given by the councillor for regeneration when questioned as to why he was not informed or advised about results of meetings concerning the proposed building of 1,300 homes, plus a possible further 800 on green belt. Stephen
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If it ain’t broke don’t fix it
With regard to your story Big Debate Over Green Belt Hospice (Nov 21) Gay Frith states: “There would be a special nature area to encourage butterflies, insects and birds to thrive.” I support South Essex Natural History Society which asks on its website
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On strike…but I had no say
While I appreciate we all have a right to strike, as a Unison union member I was not offered the opportunity to vote for it due to the fact that at that particular time I was unemployed. Now I have started to work and there’s a strike, and while not
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Realities of the fur trade
It is shocking to see how many shops in Leigh are selling fur. This is Anti-Fur Week and demonstrations have been taking place across the country. The fur industry trades in the suffering and torture of defenceless animals. These animals live a life
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‘Karl did us proud in national final’
BILLERICAY boxer Karl Davis came away with his head held high after giving a great account of himself as he fought for a national title in Harlow. The 16-year-old southern counties champion lost on points against the very strong northern England champion
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Coughlan: ‘Our reserves missed the chance to shine’
BLUES’ reserve team boss Graham Couglan was a frustrated figure after seeing his side crash out of the Essex Senior Cup against Grays Athletic. Blues were beaten 4-1 on penalties by the Ryman One North visitors after Tuesday night’s third round
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Neil by Mouth: Two big cup ties to look forward to
OUR attention turns back towards cup football this week, with two knock-out games in the space of four days. First up is Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup at Roots Hall on Saturday and it’s a cracking tie for us to be taking part in. We’re one win away
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Benfleet gran's Africa mission to help children
A GRAN is set to follow in the footsteps of Angelina Jolie by visiting one of the world’s poorest countries with Unicef. Jacky Newman, 65, will fly to the African country of Benin this week to tour around orphanages, schools and villages supported by
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Blues launch Jemal probe
SOUTHEND United’s chief executive Tara Brady has launched a thorough investigation into Jemal Johnson’s conduct after the winger was suspended by the club. Johnson was questioned by police and released on bail following an alleged assault outside
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Dogs attack pushchair containing child in Southend
A HORRIFIED mum fought off two dogs who attacked her daughter’s pushchair. Allicia Mullen was taking her three-year-old daughter to nursery when the animals cornered them in Norwich Avenue, Southend. The dogs leapt at little Nancy who
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Chancellor gives fresh hope for new Thames crossing
A ROAD and rail tunnel connecting Essex and Kent is back on the Government’s agenda. The Chancellor, George Osborne, revealed part of a £5billion infrastructure cash pot would be ploughed into creating a new lower Thames crossing, although
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Accident in Basildon town centre
A MOTORCYCLIST is being treated by paramedics after a crash in Basildon town centre. The accident between a HGV and a beige motorbike happened at 8.15am this morning (Thursday) at the junction of St Nicholas Lane and Upper Mayne. The road was partially
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New home for disabled woman in Laindon after Echo campaign
A DISABLED woman who couldn’t climb the stairs in her house because her condition had deteriorated so badly has finally been offered a suitable home, thanks to the Echo. Susan Wade, 50, of Victoria Road, Laindon, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
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Respected Westcliff High for Boys head may turn to politics
A WELL-RESPECTED grammar school headteacher is set to retire. Andrew Baker joined Westcliff High School for Boys as headmaster in April 1990, after a stint as a deputy head at a school in Manchester. He recalled how he was primed
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My karate black belt birthday present
LOOK out Jackie Chan – a high-kicking youngster has already gained her karate black belt the night before her tenth birthday. Erin Jackson, from Benfleet, took up the martial art at the age of four and has become one of the youngest in the
