Archive

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Let's Rock DJ! Robbie Williams takes over BST Hyde Park: Everything to know

The iconic singer Robbie Williams heading to American Express presents BST Hyde Park to welcome thousands of music fans this week. The annual concert series sees some of the biggest names in music on the Great Oak Stage in previous years including

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Recap: General Election 2024 updates from across south Essex

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"It's hugely important" - Blues legend Barrett says it is vital club is saved

SOUTHEND United legend Adam Barrett insists it is vital the Shrimpers are saved. Barrett grew up watching Blues before making 354 appearances for his hometown club. And the 44-year-old is desperate to see the consortium complete their takeover

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Blues and Canvey legends reunite to help raise funds for Glen Eckett

SOUTHEND United and Canvey Island legends will be reunited for a match later this month to raise funds for Gulls programme editor Glen Eckett. Glen contracted a serious brain injury just before Christmas and is currently in a state of minimal consciousness

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Southend's iconic Cliff Lift finally reopens after two-month closure

Southend’s iconic Cliff Lift has finally reopened two months after breaking down. The lift, on the seafront between Clifton Terrace and Western Esplanade, has been out of action since May 7 as volunteers waited for parts to be delivered from Germany

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Controversial plans drawn up for almost 150 new homes on south Essex green belt

PLANS have been drawn up for almost 150 new homes on green belt land on the edge of Basildon.. despite previous proposals being thrown out. Crest Nicholson Operations Ltd is behind the proposals for 146 new homes on land off Dunton Road, Dunton

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Should school sports day be banned? Mum criticises 'stress-inducing spectacle'

There are calls for school sports day to be banned after one mum recently donned the days as a "stress-inducing spectacle". The annual event takes place across many schools in the UK, as classmates take part in competitive sporting activities from

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Basildon officer committed of gross misconduct after sexual relationship with witness

A former Basildon officer, proven to have engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a witness, has been found to have committed of gross misconduct. Former PC Georgie Bean, aged 31, was convicted of misconduct in a public office in February

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Lorry driver who killed four Southend day-trippers in fatal M25 crash is jailed

A LORRY driver has been jailed after he ploughed into a stationary minibus and killed four day-trippers travelling home from Southend. Ethan Burdett, 67, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court today where he was sentenced for four counts of causing

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Photos show part of Basildon town centre fenced off amid filming rumours

PICTURES show a large part of Basildon town centre shut off as camera crews were spotted filming in the town. Barriers were put up from the "mother and child" fountain to outside the Costa Coffee shop in Town Square this morning.  Barriers

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Wickford based striker joins Dagenham from Concord Rangers

HARRISON Day says he is ready for what the National League has to throw at him. The teenage striker has joined Dagenham & Redbridge after impressing in attack for Concord Rangers last season. And the Wickford based Day is excited to be making

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Famous Red Arrows set to return to Southend Airport tomorrow - all the timings

THE iconic Red Arrows are expected to return to Southend Airport tomorrow as they take part in another display after thrilling residents last week. Crowds gathered around the airport as it hosted the famous red-painted Hawk jets on Sunday, while

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Adventure Island staff receive British Sign Language training to boost inclusivity

Staff at a Southend-based theme park have been learning British Sign Language in a bid to be a welcoming place for everyone. Adventure Island, in Western Esplanade, has had a visit from Sign Away BSL to help teach some of the staff British Sign

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Girls' athletics team make national finals

An athletics team is celebrating making the final of a major tournament for the "first time in the school's history". The Westcliff High School for Girls team qualified for the English Schools Athletics Association Track and Field cup final on

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Leigh Art Trail makes grand return as businesses are transformed into galleries

Shops, cafes, and businesses across Leigh are set to be transformed into pop-up galleries as the Leigh Art Trail returns for another year. The annual event, which commences on Saturday, promises an impressive array of painting, sculpture, mixed

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Essex security guard guilty of hatching Holly Willoughby kidnap and murder plot

A security guard has been found guilty of masterminding “graphic” plans to kidnap, rape and murder TV presenter Holly Willoughby. Gavin Plumb developed an “obsession” with the star over a number of years and assembled an “abduction kit” – complete

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Neighbours 'save lives' of couple and dog as huge fire tore through Basildon home

HEROIC neighbours saved the lives of a couple and their dog trapped in their home as a huge fire tore through the ground floor in the early hours. The homeowners called 999 at 2.23am this morning to report the large blaze at their two-storey Bridgecote

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Popular Basildon cinema could be at risk as Cineworld 'plans to close 25 sites'

Cineworld is reportedly planning to shut around a quarter of its UK cinemas in its latest restructuring. The cinema chain, which currently runs the popular cinema at Basildon's Festival Leisure Park, is expected to launch closures as part of formal

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Daughter admits murdering her parents in their Essex home four years ago

A WOMAN has admitted to murdering her parents in their home four years ago before lying to loved ones about where they were. Virginia McCullough appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court today where she admitted killing her father John, aged 70, and mother

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How to watch the results come in live overnight - general election TV guide

Today, Thursday, July 4, millions of Brits will be heading to the polls as they vote for who they think should be the next Prime Minister of the UK and the next government. This is the first general election since the 2019 edition that saw the

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LISTED: All the south Essex schools in Echo's photo special pull-out next week

Schools across south Essex will be featuring in a 32-page school's out photo special in the Echo next week. The photo supplement in Tuesday's paper (July 9) will feature photos of classes from more than 70 schools across Southend, Basildon, Castle

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GMB viewers mock 'p***take' voter ID question for 2024 General Election

Viewers of Good Morning Britain have mocked a question relating to voter ID that was posed on the day of the 2024 General Election. Presenters Kate Garrway and Adi Ray were discussing voter ID on the ITV programme, but a viewer question that was

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EastEnders legend to return to Albert Square after 20 years of jail time

The BBC has confirmed that EastEnders legend Chrissie Watts will be returning to the soap after almost 20 years of jail time. Watts, played by actress Tracey-Ann Oberman will return in the role this autumn for a short stint on the soap, after only

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Rare 1p coin expected to fetch £200,000 at auction

A rare 1p coin is expected to sell at auction for more than £200,000 as Brits have been warned to be aware of the value of their coins. Coin collecting is a hugely popular hobby, and if you are lucky enough to come into ownership of a sought-after

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Smash-hit show 'Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' heads to Southend

Smash-hit London Palladium's production, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, is set to return to Southend. This sensational production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph is embarking on a major UK tour. The multi-award show

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Impressed Lord Sugar praises police after daughters of burglar told to pay back £100k

Lord Alan Sugar has praised Essex Police after the daughters of a serial burglar were ordered to pay back £100,000. A money laundering investigation into Tailah Morris-Buisson, 30 and Bella Morris-Buisson, 26, was launched following the conviction

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Opening date revealed for long-awaited new Basildon cinema - here's when

The opening date for a new £27 million Basildon cinema has been revealed - with films to start screening this month. Following three years of delays that resulted in Vue taking over the empty Empire Cinema in the town centre earlier this year,

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London Underground Service: Full list of TfL stations affected this weekend

With the weekend upon us, it's time to check what planned TfL closures are taking place from Friday to Sunday. As with most weekends, some stations will be closed or partly closed for TfL to carry out essential work. We've broken down a list

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What time do the polls close today? All to know for 2024 General Election

The 2024 General Election is now upon us, with millions of people set to head to the polls on Thursday, July 4. Rishi Sunak will be hoping to maintain a majority for the Conservative Party in government, whilst Keir Starmer is looking to get Labour

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5 pets at RSPCA Essex who are looking for loving new homes

Numerous pets from around Essex are looking for their forever homes - could you help them out? Whether you want to adopt a dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pig or hamster, someone always wants to find a new owner. There are several RSPCA branches in

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Essex Police considering permanent introduction of Live Facial Recognition technology

Live facial recognition technology could be introduced on a more permanent basis as Essex Police look to secure their own equipment after a successful trial. Back in October 2023, Live Facial Recognition (LFR) was utilised for the first time in

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Number of homes slashed in new Fossetts Farm scheme as part of talks

THE number of homes planned at Fossetts Farm has been slashed by 500 as part of talks between Southend Council and Ron Martin. Plans to build up to 1,300 homes in apartment blocks seven to eight storeys high have been scrapped in favour of houses

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Work begins on transforming 'pigeon-infested' south Essex police station into flats

Work has finally started on transforming a dilapidated “pigeon-infested” former police station into new flats at the “gateway into Rochford”. Rochford police station, on South Street, closed back in 2011 and was sold for £1.25million last year

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Widow 'frustrated' after being refused Southend seafront memorial bench for husband

A WIDOW is “saddened and frustrated” after being told a seafront bench memorial to her husband cannot be installed because of the risk of vandalism.  Nina Stephenson-Camps has been involved in a six-month battle with Southend Council to get a memorial

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Developers hoping to transform Southend's former Empire theatre lodge appeal

DEVELOPERS behind plans to transform Southend’s former Empire Theatre into a block of plush flats with shops on the ground floor have lodged an appeal against the decision to veto the proposals. Initial plans to clear the site, on Alexandra Street

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'Help amazing Benfleet twins, 3, get the life changing back braces they need'

A FUNDRAISER has been launched to buy “life-changing” back braces for twin brothers who have been in and out of hospital their whole lives because of a rare life-limiting condition.  Three-year-olds Rafferty and Sidney Whyman were born with type

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Revealed: Southend Airport owners 'want to expand terminal' to 'hit 10m passengers'

THE new owners of Southend Airport have revealed lofty ambitions to expand its terminal and hit the huge milestone of 10million passengers a year. The Carlyle Group took control of the airport on May 16 and president and chief executive officer

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Health centre dropped for bigger Lidl as part of south Essex 130-homes plan

A NEW health centre and care home have been dropped from plans for a 130 home development to create space for a huge Lidl, it has been revealed. New documents submitted to Basildon Council, by developer Scott Properties, show the development off