Echo news from Southend, Basildon, Castle Point, Rayleigh, Rochford, Wickford, Billericay, Thurrock

Stories for 28 December 2000

Essex News

North Essex: Flu jab requests beat expectations

Demand for flu jabs in north Essex has beaten the Government target to try and prevent a major outbreak of flu.  more...

Essex: Schools face four-day week

Schools in Essex may have to adopt a four-day working week because of a deepening staff-recruitment crisis.  more...

Essex: Winter weather is snow joke...

Snow and black ice have caused treacherous driving conditions and widespread road closures across Essex.  more...

North Essex: Cashier fights off three robbers

A brave cashier is recovering after fighting off three robbers who tried to snatch the day's takings.  more...

Essex: Police recruitment drive success

Essex Police's flagging ranks have been swelled by a £7 million advertising campaign, according to figures released by the Home Office today (Thursday).  more...

Essex: 'Bungling to blame' for MS delay

An Essex multiple sclerosis expert today questioned a ruling which is delaying availability of a new drug.  more...

Essex: Deck the bins with boughs of holly...

Essex residents are being encouraged to dream of a green New Year by the county council, which has set up special recycling bins for cards and wrapping paper at County Hall in Chelmsford.  more...

Essex: More speed cameras launch new crackdown

Speeding motorists face a New Year crackdown as more than 50 new speed cameras are installed on roads across the country.  more...

Essex: Snow brings roads to grinding halt

Motorists faced a slow treacherous journey to work today (Thursday) as blizzard conditions and sheet ice brought chaos to roads across Essex.  more...

North Essex: Bargain hunters flock to sales

The pressures of Christmas shopping did not put off bargain hunters in Colchester, who flocked back for the sales.  more...

Essex: Surf the web for an insight into our past

An exciting new internet project is offering a 24-hour window on the past using images and information from a unique selection of Essex museum treasures.  more...

South Essex: Shoppers pack in for Lakeside sales

After two days of being cooped up with the relatives, thousands of stressed families found a welcome release in Lakeside shops.  more...

Essex: Snow causes road chaos

Snow and black ice have caused treacherous driving conditions and widespread road closures across Essex.  more...

North Essex: Fresh lead in hunt for axe attacker

A team of detectives investigating a triple axe attack in north Essex have received new information in their bid to track down those responsible.  more...

North Essex: Meningitis baby's parents tell of heartbreak

The parents of a baby who died of meningitis just three hours after falling ill have warned of the speed at which the illness strikes.  more...

South Essex: Tills ring merrily as sales fever sets in

Even the freezing weather with its plummeting temperatures did not deter the seasonal bargain hunters.  more...

Essex Sports

Golf: Proprietor wins the top prize

The first prize in the Forrester Park Golf Club's annual Christmas draw was a magnificent hamper and it was won by the proprietor Tim Forrester-Muir.  more...

Soccer round-up: Essex Senior League

The big three of the Schweppes Essex Senior League gave themselves plenty of Christmas cheer by pulling off good wins on Saturday.  more...

Soccer round-up: Mid-Essex Football League

ESSEX JUNIOR TROPHY FOURTH ROUND  more...

Soccer: Armada still ship-shape

Armada Sports have sailed through to the area semi-finals of the Essex Junior Trophy.  more...

Soccer: Maldon dreaming of cash windfall

Jewson League soccer club Maldon Town could be in line for a huge New Year cash windfall courtesy of former striker Neil Harris.  more...

Cross country: Striders turn in an excellent result

A team of 13 male runners from Billericay Striders, well supported by other club members, joined a total field of 180 competitors for the Essex AAA Veteran Cross Country Championships 2000 in Hylands Park.  more...

Battram goal keeps Blues at the helm

A second half goal from Paul Battram gave Blues a well-deserved win at Barking on Saturday, keeping them top of the Essex Senior League table.  more...

Soccer: Billericay out for revenge

This Saturday (December 30), Billericay Town are at home to Carshalton Athletic in a Ryman League fixture, kick off 3pm.  more...

Darts: Lloyd aims to show some bite

Colin "Jaws" Lloyd will get his teeth stuck into the Skol World Darts Championships which start at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet today (Thursday).  more...

Soccer: U's have so much to do

Whitton: 'There's a gulf between us and the top teams'  more...

Soccer: Abbey habit keeps Shrimpers smiling

Ben Abbey kick-started Southend United's festive celebrations early as he continued his amazing scoring streak at a bitterly cold Shrewsbury Town on Friday night.  more...

Soccer: North Essex round-up...

Jimmy Clewley celebrated his arrival at Clacton Town with two goals in the Seasiders' 2-2 derby draw with Harwich and Parkeston.  more...

Swimming: Bathers show ice-cold courage

Courage beyond doubt!  more...

Soccer: Amos Cup postponed

The Ke-Connect Colchester League's traditional Boxing Day Amos Cup final, this year due to be contested by Eight Ash Green and University, was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch at Stanway Rovers' New Farm Road ground.  more...

Soccer round-up: Colchester crushed by leaders...

Colchester United's hopes of upsetting the odds against league leaders Millwall were dashed by a 6-1 Boxing Day drubbing.  more...

Soccer: D'Urso receives UEFA call-up

Top-flight Billericay referee Andy D'Urso has received a tremendous early Christmas present after a call from European football's governing body, UEFA.  more...

Hockey: After 26 seasons, Tracy calls it a day...

Gary Stubbings meets Tracy Goodchild who has recently retired from playing for Chelmsford Hockey Club after 26 years.  more...

Soccer: Romford faces battle for survival

Homeless Romford Football Club could be facing a make-or-break battle to secure its existence.  more...

Sailing: A sad end to a fine series

Crouch Yacht Club's Nutcracker Trophy, the final series of the year, fizzled out like a damp squib last Sunday, it being a victim of the calm weather.  more...

Running: 'We're only here for the Pier!'

While much of Britain snoozed away Boxing Day morning as part of their recovery from the festivities, 51 brave souls from Southend Athletic Club battled Arctic conditions.  more...

Cross country: Man triumphs over machine

Given the choice of going by cycle or on foot for a five-mile race, most people would bag the bike every time.  more...

Athletics: Run for children

East Anglia's Children's Hospices is looking for competitors in next year's London Marathon to run in aid of the charity.  more...

Soccer: Howard's Say...

Whistle-happy referee ruined big day  more...

Soccer: Conlon pleased with Oxford win

Man-of-the-match Barry Conlon enjoyed his best game yet in Colchester colours against Oxford, scoring one of the goals, having a big hand in the other two and twice hitting the crossbar into the bargain.  more...

Soccer: Webb wants to reward Maher

Southend United manager David Webb has revealed that he wants to reward Shrimpers midfielder Kevin Maher with a brand new contract.  more...

Soccer: Lua Lua shock set us back

Steve Whitton takes his Colchester United squad into the second half of the season with the admission it has taken them longer to recover from the sale of Lomana Tresor Lua Lua than he had hoped.  more...

Swimming: Adam's the apple of Canvey's eye

Canvey Island Swimming Club's Adam Puddick is now targeting next year's World Deaf Games in Rome after another top medal haul in Poland.  more...

Karate round-up: Students make the grade...

Hadleigh-based Westwood Karate Club enjoyed a successful competition at Bournemouth, collecting nine gold medals from the 12 events.  more...

Rugby: Brentwood's easy derby victory

Brentwood entertained their old rivals on a raw afternoon but with conditions ideally suited to an open game of rugby.  more...

Soccer: Rovers' Great display

Village side Wakering have good reason to be ending the year 2000 in contented frame of mind.  more...

Soccer: Spencer's late strike gives Billericay draw

For the third successive Ryman League Premier Division game Billericay Town struck in injury-time to gain some reward.  more...

Soccer: Rovers up the tempo after Heffer red card

The village side bounced back from having skipper John Heffer sent off after what they considered to be a clear case of mistaken identity to earn a point in an entertaining clash with one of the Ryman League Second Division pacesetters.  more...

Essex,Basildon News

Basildon: Fire couple are saved by alarm

An elderly couple had a lucky escape when they managed to flee their blazing home uninjured after they were alerted to the flames by their smoke alarms.  more...

Basildon: Hit-and-run appeal renewed

The hunt for a driver whose car hit and killed a devoted wife and mother is to be renewed nearly three years to day after her death.  more...

Essex,Braintree News

Braintree: Rumours of school closure denied

Essex education chiefs have confirmed a problem-plagued school in Braintree is top of their hit list for the New Year.  more...

Braintree: Cycleway to be completed after 10 years

A cycleway is to be constructed between Springwood Drive and Panfield Lane, Braintree, completing the route that was started 10 years ago.  more...

Essex,Brentwood News

Brentwood: New Year cab warning

New Year party-goers in Brentwood have been warned against using rogue minicabs.  more...

Essex,Canvey News

Canvey: Back to square one for TV quiz show winner

A mum-of-four who won £32,000 on a hit quiz show has revealed how her family's two-year life of luxury has finally come to an end.  more...

Essex,Chelmsford News

Chelmsford: Appeal to find assault victim

Police are appealing for a man who was injured in a street assault on Christmas Day to come forward.  more...

Chelmsford: Woman’s knife terror ordeal

A woman was subjected to a terrifying ordeal when her former boyfriend wrecked her Chelmsford flat.  more...

Essex,Clacton News

Clacton: Lifeboatmen ready for Mozambique SOS

Two lifeboatmen from Clacton are ready to answer an emergency call in Africa.  more...

Clacton: Boy robbed at sword-point

A teenager was robbed at sword-point by a gang at the side of the road.  more...

Essex,Colchester News

Colchester: Rare guitar sold to avid collector

A rare guitar has found its way to Colchester where it has been snapped up by an avid collector.  more...

Colchester: Lessons to be learned from new road layout

Lessons learned from drivers' reactions to the Middleborough roundabout scheme in Colchester will be used in a bid to make sure residents get the message about future projects.  more...

Colchester: Early twins are special Christmas present

Twins Molly and Ellen Williamson certainly made this a Christmas to remember for their mum and dad.  more...

Colchester: Cash snatch from shop

Police are hunting a thief who snatched cash from a shop till.  more...

Colchester: Newborn get festive VIP visit

Babies receiving special care at Colchester General Hospital had a festive visit from the town's mayor.  more...

Essex,Little Oakley News

Little Oakley: Widower found dead in flat

A widower was found dead on the floor of his flat on Christmas Day.  more...

Essex,Maldon News

Maldon: Passions run high at hunt

Hundreds of people - both for and against - gathered to mark what could be the last ever Boxing Day hunt in Maldon.  more...

Essex,Ongar News

Ongar: Controversial biker pub under threat

A bikers' pub often involved in controversy could be set to close early next year after the landlords submitted planning applications for a change to residential use.  more...

Essex,Pitsea News

Pitsea: Hunt for knife raiders

Two raiders threatened a female cashier with a knife before making off with £300 in cash from a Pitsea convenience store.  more...

Pitsea: Disabled woman's ordeal

Cruel thieves stole a disabled woman's pension money and winter fuel vouchers as she shopped in her wheelchair.  more...

Essex,Rayleigh News

Rayleigh: Driver escapes unhurt in central barrier crash

A driver quite literally went off the rails after her car mounted the central reservation and came to a halt straddling the barrier.  more...

Essex,Rayne News

Rayne: Couple tell of miracle escape

A couple had a miraculous escape after a car smashed into their house after landing on the garage roof.  more...

Essex,Southend News

Southend: Vital sea wall work put back

Council leaders denied that hundreds of residents have been left in the dark over vital repairs to sea defences in Southend.  more...

Southend: No answer over Bleach release call

Foreign Office officials have dismissed reports that jailed arms dealer Peter Bleach, formerly a prominent Conservative campaigner in Southend, is on the verge of being released from prison in India.  more...

Essex,Stanford-Le-Hope News

Stanford-le-Hope: Tattoo dad fixes it for twins

Toolfitter Glenn Mayell's two-year-old twins Ben and Toby are mad about Bob the Builder - the chirpy cartoon character who topped the music charts at Christmas.  more...

Essex,Thurrock News

Thurrock: Gunman holds up salesman on test drive

A gunman stole a luxury car after pulling a gun on a salesman during a test drive.  more...

Essex,Thurrock,Brentwood News

Thurrock, Brentwood: Crime victims offered seasonal helpline

Victims of crime should not suffer in silence this New Year but can call the Victim Support line for practical advice and emotional support.  more...

Essex,Witham News

Witham: Couple back from war zone

A couple who have been caught up in the conflict in the Holy Land are back at home with their family.  more...

  
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