Archive
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Busy Christmas for Southend choirs
AS Christmas creeps closer the traditional sound of a choir singing is just what’s needed to conjure up images of Christmas trees, candles, chestnuts roasting and glittering presents under the tree. And it’s a busy time of year for two of Southend’s
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Southend United 1, Swindon Town 2
SOUTHEND United’s club record equaling run of unbeaten results was ended by Swindon Town in the southern area semi final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tonight. Blair Sturrock fired Blues in front against his former side just past the hour
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Germaine Greer meets the public at pitsea’s new green centre
RENOWNED writer and academic Germaine Greer was among dozens of visitors to the first exhibition at a new environment centre. The Wat Tyler Green Centre, at Wat Tyler Country Park, in Pitsea, hosted a display on natural history and geology
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Four changes for Blues against Swindon
BLUES boss Paul Sturrock has made four changes to his starting line-up for tonight's Johnstone's Paint Trophy clash with Swindon Town. Anthony Grant has replaced Jean-Paul Kalala in midfield with Neil Harris and Blair Sturrock both being recalled
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Police appeal after couple grabbed and attacked by gang
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a robbery in which a couple were pulled into the back of a van in broad daylight. A man and woman were pulled into a people carrier, believed to be a seven seater, and the man was beaten up before both
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Burglaries almost double in Basildon
A SPATE of break-ins saw the number of burglaries in Basildon almost double last month. Thieves targeted 108 homes across the borough in November, compared with 62 in October. Burglaries have continued into this month and a £2,900 haul of jewellery
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Residents asked to report "mistaken" callers
RESIDENTS are being urged to report suspicious callers to police after a recent spate of burglaries. There have been 93 burglaries in the last two weeks in Southend, Rochford and Castle Point. This is 31 per cent more than the 71 reported the previous
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Horror stories of living in Southend’s tower blocks
A CAMPAIGNER was stunned by a string of horror stories as he launched a petition to help people living in four notorious tower blocks. Prospective Tory councillor Del Thomas, 30, has so far spent five hours talking to terrified residents in Malvern,
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New Southend football league set to be launched
THERE is a chance to start the new with a new hobby and a new way to keep fit. Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre will be launching a new five-a-side football league in January. It’s set to be a fantastic way for both individuals and
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Rayleigh MP supports bank's fundraising efforts
AN MP paid a visit to a high street bank to lend support to their fundraising campaign. Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, went to Barclays in Rayleigh High Street to support their efforts to raise money for Children in Need. Mr Francois
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Minister involved with No to AV vote visits Rayleigh and Wickford
A SOUTH Essex MP welcome a Conservative colleague involved with the No to AV campaign to his constituency. Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois hosted a visit of Mark Harper, the minister for constitutional reform, to the Constituency Women's Organisation
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Southend rubbish trucks get new look
RUBBISH trucks in Southend will have a new look to encourage more people to recycle. Cory Environmental, which performs bin collections on behalf of Southend Council, has painted three information panels on the side of its refuse lorries. The helpful
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Basildon Council rapped over golf course privatisation deal
A REPORT into the privatisation of Basildon Golf Course has found councillors who gave up the lease were not given the full details of the deal. Basildon Council was criticised by district auditor Debbie Hanson, of the Audit Commission, for the deal,
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Appeal after £2,000 of jewellery stolen
POLICE are investigating a burglary where about £2,000 of jewellery was stolen. It happened between 6pm and 6.50pm yesterday, December 5. The suspect got into the house Rectory Avenue, Rochford, through a small open window while the
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Respect those who seek death
Jeremy Clarkson says people who commit suicide by throwing themselves under a train are selfish as it delays the journey for the passengers. He makes a living with tongue-in-cheek, bad-taste comments, and he is not meant to be taken seriously. He could
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Closure of playing field car park was an abuse of power
Why has Rayleigh Town Council closed the car park in King George V Playing Field to the public? For years, this car park has been especially convenient, not only for parents, but also for many of us grandparents who often take the kids to the children
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Southend spy car sparks speeding
A CRACKDOWN on dangerous parking has allowed motorists to speed instead, according to disgruntled residents. People living in Grange Park Drive, Leigh, said frequent visits by Southend Council’s CCTV spy cars had stopped rulebreakers from using the
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New cricket week should not face a boycott
Had the venue for the Southend County Cricket week still been Southchurch Park, I have to say that, as a local resident and an Essex member for many years, I would have been at one with Mr Riley (Dec 2) in mourning the loss of the week. Southchurch
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Extend the ban on smoking
Isn’t it time the Government extended the restrictions on where people may or may not smoke? People are not allowed to smoke in pubs, clubs or restaurants. My wife and I were recently in a very nice restaurant in Benfleet when the couple on the next table
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No goodwill for motorists
Big Brother Southend Council is determined to give Southend’s motorists a very unhappy Christmas. All around town the wardens are busy hounding and fining motorists for the slightest misdemeanour, and chasing up any unpaid parking fine with clamping,
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Essex Dystonia will MP's charity of the month
MP James Duddridge has chosen a group which cares for sufferers of an incurable disorder as his charity of the month. The Essex Dystonia support group has been picked by the Rochford and Southend East MP because of the hard work they have done looking
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Council looks to cut £90million from budget
Essex County Council is considering cutting £90million from its budget. Outline plans for the 2012/13 budget have been drawn up by council officers. Councillors said they couldn't rule out the possibility of service cuts across the board
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Delay on public access to new school
A LEGAL wrangle over the public’s right to use sporting facilities at a new £31million school looks set to continue for another year. Leaders at Belfairs High School, which moved into its new building in September, and Sport England say they cannot
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Dad has two heart attacks in one hour
A MAN suffered two major heart attacks in an hour and lived to tell the tale. Stephen Poole’s heart completely stopped twice even though he has no history of heart problems. Mr Poole, 52, of Rowenhall, Laindon, had his first massive heart attack while
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Police appeal to find robber
POLICE are trying to track down a robber who has broken his licence. Michael Hollinshead was sentenced to three years imprisonment at Basildon Crown Court in June 2010 for robbery. He was released on licence but has broken the terms of his
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Thieves steal £20,000 of champagne from Leigh warehouse
CROOKS stole £20,000 of rare champagne when they raided a warehouse. Thieves got into the storage facility of Worsley Wines, in Maple Avenue, Leigh, at around 8pm on Saturday, December 3, using what is thought to be a stolen key fob. Once inside
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We're still not getting our Royal Mail deliveries
A WOMAN who is still not getting her Royal Mail deliveries says she has done all she can to bring her road up to scratch. Jacqui Thornton’s is one of six properties where mail deliveries are continuing to be temporarily suspended because of
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Vote-grabbing claim over green belt plan rejection
TORIES have been accused of electioneering after opposing controversial plans for 1,300 homes on green belt land in Pitsea. A motion to condemn the “speculative” purchase of 126 acres of green belt at Little Chalvedon Hall, off Pound Lane, was carried
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Leigh toy shop forced to shut after 50 years
A TRADITIONAL toy shop, which has been in Leigh for more than 50 years, has closed. Fiona Morgan, 35, who has run Leigh Toy Fair, in Broadway West, for almost seven years, said since having twins she has found it hard to devote time to the business.
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Timlin gutted to miss game
MICHAEL Timlin is gutted to be missing tonight’s clash at Roots Hall. The midfielder is on loan at Southend United from Swindon Town. But he is suspended for this evening’s encounter and will be therefore be watching the tie from the stands. “I
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Former Rayleigh schoolgirl has first novel published
A FORMER Rayleigh school pupil is celebrating having her first novel published. Rosemary Temple, who left Sweyne Park School in 2003, wrote the fantasy novel Found. The book, aimed at teenagers, is set in a time when the world is divided into
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Echo launches Pride in Southend campaign
A NEW campaign is being launched in today's Echo celebrating all that is positive about Southend. Everyone likes a moan now and then and there are many things which need improving. But there is plenty to be proud of. The town's girls and boys' choirs
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Six cats in Basildon killed drinking anti-freeze
SIX cats have been killed by drinking antifreeze. Vets are not sure if the animals were poisoned intentionally, but are urging owners to take extra care when using the chemical. Cats love the sweet taste of antifreeze, but it crystallises in their
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Sturrock warns team to stay grounded
SOUTHEND United manager Paul Sturrock has warned his side to keep their feet on the ground ahead of tonight’s Johnstone’s Paint southern area semi-final against Swindon Town. Victory at Roots Hall this evening would make it a club record 18
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WIN £100 Choice gift vouchers all week in your Echo
Unbeatable Value At Choice THIS Christmas one store promises a veritable ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of gift opportunities for savvy shoppers. Choice discount stores are celebrating 46 years of trade, and from a small shop on the corner of Hadleigh
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Are councillors qualified to decide on Oikos bid?
A COUNCILLOR fears his colleagues are not qualified to vote on plans to increase the variety of hazardous substances on Canvey. Neville Watson, a Canvey Independent Party councillor, says no one involved in the decision making process has received
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Hockley man jailed for indecent images of children
A man has been jailed after he was found with a large number of sexual abuse images. Lee Parsons, 41, of Sudbury Close, Hockley, was jailed for 28 months at Basildon Crown Court today. Essex Police Online Investigation Team was made
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Time to have your say over Rochford green belt homes
CAMPAIGNERS are urging residents to have their say over plans for 600 new homes on green belt fields in Rochford. The proposals for a new estate and a new primary school will be discussed by Rochford district councillors early next year at
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New Rayleigh central councillor elected
THE new Rayleigh central district councillor has been announced as tory candidate Cheryl Roe. The by-election took place yesterday following the death of councillor Tony Humphries in September. Cherly Roe received 406 votes, English
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Kane eyes up dream Wembley final
KANE Ferdinand wants to fire Southend United to within one round of Wembley with victory over Swindon Town tonight. Blues face the Robins at Roots Hall in the southern area semi-final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. And Ferdinand is desperate to
