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

Stories for 20 July 2000

Essex News

Mid-Essex: Triplets confirmed for gay dads, claims friend

The gay dads are moving to an American mansion - and they are expecting triplets.  more...

South Essex: Cycle event causes white knuckle drive

Drivers claim short car journeys turned into a "white knuckle ride" as thousands of cyclists on a charity jaunt were routed along country lanes.  more...

Essex: We just love it here, votes county

Essex has been given a big thumbs-up by the people who really know it best - the people who live here.  more...

South Essex: 'Educate young on sex diseases'

Youngsters need to hear about the full horrors of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) if they are going to start using contraception.  more...

Mid-Essex: Triplets claim for gay dads

The gay dads may soon be fathers of five - and living in America.  more...

Essex: A Posh puzzler!

A mystery messenger claiming to be Victoria Beckham joined hundreds of Essex FM listeners in urging firemen who kidnapped DJ Martin Day for charity to keep him for good.  more...

Essex: County folk join in the royal parade

Scores of Essex people took part in the historic Queen Mother's 100th birthday parade.  more...

Tennis: Essex clubs planning for future

South Essex tennis clubs met with Essex LTA chiefs last night (Wednesday) to discuss club strategies for the future.  more...

Essex: Plans to counter drought backed

The Environment Agency has backed "robust plans" developed by Anglia region water companies to help manage supplies in drought.  more...

Essex Sports

Cricket: Peters vows to play through the pain

Essex batsman Stephen Peters has been playing with two stress fractures in his back - yet intends to carry on playing through the pain barrier.  more...

Athletics: Havering youngsters are cream of the crop

Young sportsmen and women from Havering were in jubilant mood on Sunday as they celebrated victory over 32 other borough teams in the 23rd London Heathrow Youth Games.  more...

Netball: Canada in Chelmsford

On their way to the World Youth Games, which are being held in Cardiff later this month, the Canadian Under 21 netball side broke their journey in Chelmsford.  more...

Cricket: Essex's opportunity to go top

Essex and Worcestershire commenced a championship match on Wednesday at the County Ground, Chelmsford with the home side trailing their opponents by just three points, and seeking a victory that could take the side to the top of the table for the first time this season.  more...

Cricket round-up: T. Rippon Mid-Essex Cricket League...

League leaders Aythorpe Roding had a `bad day at the office' on Saturday, as they went down to a 41 runs defeat at South Woodham Ferrers.  more...

Tennis round-up (South Essex): Top players line up for Southend finals

Some of south Essex's top tennis players will be in action over the weekend as they battle it out for glory in Southend and District LTA finals.  more...

Cricket round-up (South Essex): Runs dry up after Parminter shines...

WICKFORD III 169-7  more...

Soccer: Fighting fit Blues prepare for battle

Alan Little's troops have been preparing for their imminent Third Division campaign in a five-day training camp at RAF Honington.  more...

Soccer: Colt heroes do the final double

Elmwood Colts proved to be the mini-marvels when the soccer competition was the central attraction of Rochford Festival of Sports finals day at King George's Playing Field, Rayleigh.  more...

Soccer: Jensen in Ipswich talks

Claus Jensen has been locked in talks with Ipswich Town manager George Burley to discuss a £4 million move to Portman Road.  more...

Soccer: Gulls humble Colchester

Canvey Island began their pre-season build-up in winning style at Park Lane by capturing the notable scalp of Nationwide League Division Two club Colchester United.  more...

Soccer: Dragons fight Canaries

Wivenhoe Town were to kick off their pre-season campaign with an attractive friendly with Nationwide League division one club Norwich City at Broad Lane last night.  more...

Soccer: Dutch treat for U's fans

BekriI Bajraktaraj could become the latest crowd-pleaser at Layer Road.  more...

Soccer: Ipswich pair out of Baltic tour

Mark Venus and Richard Naylor have been ruled out of Ipswich Town's pre-season tour to the Baltic States.  more...

Cricket: Club celebrates 50 years

Memories of cricketing matches past were the order of the day last week as Harold Park Cricket Club staged a reunion of players who have represented the club over its 75 year history.  more...

Soccer: Narrow opening defeat for Colchester students

Colchester Sixth Form College suffered a 1-0 defeat in the opening match of their Gothia Cup campaign.  more...

Darts: Steve secures triple top in contest

Steve Maish was on target for major honours at the Rochford Festival of Sport darts tournament.  more...

Boxing: Lee suffers first loss

Lee Georgiou was unceremoniously brushed aside within a round at York Hall, Bethnal Green on Thursday.  more...

Netball: Seeking a higher profile

More than 40 youngsters were put through their paces at an official launch designed to raise awareness of netball in the north Essex area.  more...

Soccer: Impressive Lee earns Blues deal

Former Spurs youngster David Lee earned himself a full-time Roots Hall contract with an impressive display during Southend United's opening pre-season match at Gravesend and Northfleet.  more...

Bowls: Fab five finals round off bowls

There were thrills galore at Southend's Priory Park as five finals were staged to bring the 69th Southend Men's Open Bowls Tournament to a tremendous climax.  more...

Soccer: New trialist as City take on Woodbridge

Chelmsford City will give another promising midfielder a trial in Saturday's friendly match at Jewson League Woodbridge Town.  more...

Bowls: Dramatic end to gala

Elm Park trio Jean Hart, Jim Grey and Ken Hart scooped the honours in a gala event staged at Frinton Bowling Club.  more...

Bowls: Baddow bid for final success

The Great Baddow Ladies four of Maureen Griffin, Sheila Brickel, Viv Haste and skip Jill Polley will compete on July 27 at Aveley BC against a team from Connaught BC, from Chingford in the final of the Essex County Women's Bowling Association Fours.  more...

Roller skating: Colchester skaters turn on the style

Local talent shone through at the National Rollerskating Championships 2000 when Rollerworld team members scooped top awards.  more...

Yachting round-up: Onyons does just enough...

Dave Onyons, sailing Ned Kelly, in his Robber IIIe, did just enough to clinch this year's BJRC (Blackwater Joint Racing Committee) championship when the final two races were held.  more...

Golf roud-up (South Essex): Twin tonic for captain Colin...

Club captain Colin Hodges enjoyed twin success at Basildon over two days.  more...

Athletics: Decathlete meets pupils

Olympic hopeful decathlete Dean Macey presented sports awards to pupils at St Helena School in Colchester at a special ceremony.  more...

Soccer: Barnett's make or break

Southend Manor striker Ben Barnett faces the biggest game of his life at Nationwide Conference new boys Dagenham and Redbridge tonight.  more...

Cricket: McGarry pegs back leaders

Teenager Andrew McGarry was the Essex star on the opening day of their Championship clash against Second Division leaders Worcestershire at Chelmsford.  more...

Soccer: Iron steeled for Iron visit

It's a case of the Iron taking on the Iron tomorrow night (Friday), when Braintree Town host West Ham United in a pre-season friendly at Cressing Road (kick-off 7.30pm).  more...

Soccer: Ipswich set to miss out on Claus

Claus Jensen appears to have chosen Charlton Athletic ahead of Ipswich Town after completing a medical at The Valley.  more...

Cricket: Ilott proud of wicket landmark

Mark Ilott began the championship match with Sussex last week needing one more victim to complete a tally of 500 first-class wickets for Essex.  more...

Soccer: Dragons' surprise visitor

Visitors to Wivenhoe Town last night (Wednesday) had a surprise treat - an appearance from Chelsea star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's younger brother.  more...

Soccer: Barnet move in for Swift

Heybridge Swifts striker Simon Parker could be set for a big-money move to Nationwide League Division Three side Barnet.  more...

Essex,Ardleigh News

Ardleigh: Troops are boosted

An extra 500 members of a historical re-enactment group could be coming to Ardleigh for the eagerly-awaited Millennium Spectacular this weekend.  more...

Essex,Basildon News

Basildon: School row mum's fight

A Basildon mother has vowed to take her fight to get her son into the school of her choice to the very top.  more...

Basildon: Positive police reaction to crime rise

Basildon's top policeman has insisted the town has a lot to be proud of - despite national figures which reveal an increase in reported crime.  more...

Essex,Billericay News

Billericay: Police fence plan sparks `prison' jibe

Protests have been voiced at plans to erect a "prison-like" fence behind Billericay's police station.  more...

Billericay: Work to start on woodland centre

Work is set to begin of a £90,000 environmental centre in ancient Billericay woodland.  more...

Billericay: Night raiders shock church

Community groups based at a church hall in Billericay were left shocked after thieves made off with television and video equipment following a night time raid.  more...

Essex,Braintree News

Braintree: Firefighters rescue babies from blaze

Firefighters have been praised today for their actions in rescuing three babies from a house fire.  more...

Braintree: Bakery set to return

After a gap of 20 years a one-time family favourite is set to return to Braintree.  more...

Braintree: Toilets vandalised days after opening

Graffiti has blighted a newly-refurbished set of toilets within days of them being reopened.  more...

Essex,Brentwood News

Brentwood: More pubs blamed for rise in violence

Brentwood Police have written to the council, concerned about the growing number of pubs in the town following a dramatic rise in violent crime statistics.  more...

Brentwood: Plague of rats in play area

Environmental officers are battling to tackle a rat infestation at King George's Playing Field before the school holidays start in earnest.  more...

Essex,Brightlingsea Business

Brightlingsea: Jobs blow as electronics firm closes

An electronics firm is to shut in a major blow to business in a small town.  more...

Essex,Brightlingsea News

Brightlingsea: Jobs blow at electronics firm

An electronics firm is to shut in a major blow to business in a small town.  more...

Essex,Canvey News

Canvey: Woman dies in crash

The mother of a Canvey woman killed in a road crash in Scotland has told of her daughter's zest for life and devotion to her family.  more...

Canvey: Worker started blaze

A fire which gutted a car salvage yard was caused by an employee working on a petrol tank, it has emerged.  more...

Canvey: Island hit by firebug

An arsonist is thought to have been responsible for two blazes which ripped though an industrial estate on Canvey within hours of each other.  more...

Essex,Chelmsford News

Chelmsford: Shops scheme for store site

Plans are being discussed for new retail units at the former Bolingbroke and Wenley site in Chelmsford's High Street.  more...

Chelmsford: Urban village project on Marconi site

An urban village providing homes and new jobs looks set to be created in Chelmsford.  more...

Essex,Clacton News

Clacton: Hotel refugees snub

The owners of Clacton's premier hotel have been refused permission to use it as a hostel for asylum seekers.  more...

Essex,Coggeshall News

Coggeshall: Thwarted lover had cleaver for threats

A businessman threatened to cut his love rival "in pieces" with a meat cleaver after breaking into his former girlfriend's flat.  more...

Essex,Colchester Business

Colchester: Bus lane 'keeping customers away'

A Colchester trader has joined in the St Botolph's bus lane controversy - blaming it for a drop in customers and profit.  more...

Colchester: Warning over docks scheme

East Colchester will end up a "mess" unless a complete design framework is created for the dock area, it is claimed.  more...

Essex,Colchester News

Colchester: Sex pest upsets woman

A woman was shocked to see a "tramp-like" man exposing himself in a Colchester park.  more...

Colchester: Life of misery on estate revealed

Squatters and drug addicts have been making residents' lives a misery.  more...

Colchester: Warning over docks scheme

East Colchester will end up a "mess" unless a complete design framework is created for the dock area, it is claimed.  more...

Colchester: Morals crusader Ernest dies at 85

Ernest Whitehouse, husband of morals campaigner Mary Whitehouse, has died aged 85.  more...

Essex,Corringham News

Corringham: Police step up hunt for rapist

The hunt for a brutal sex fiend who burst into a woman's home and raped her has been stepped up.  more...

Essex,Great Notley Business

Great Notley: Centre's design award

The long-awaited Great Notley Discovery Centre has won a top design award - before it has even been built.  more...

Essex,Great Notley News

Great Notley: Centre's design award

The long-awaited Great Notley Discovery Centre has won a top design award - before it has even been built.  more...

Essex,Halstead News

Halstead: Lizards halt housing estate

Plans for a controversial housing estate have been dealt a bizarre blow - by a colony of rare lizards.  more...

Essex,Harold News

Harold: £65,000 boost for nursery project

A Harold Hill Infant School has a received a £65,000 grant from the Government to help fund its new nursery project.  more...

Essex,Harold Wood News

Harold Wood: Please bring Bobby home

The anxious Harold Wood friends of a 16-year-old boy on the run for over a week with a mysterious religious cult have pleaded for him to return home to his family.  more...

Essex,Hutton News

Hutton: Roger's mercy mission brings hope to needy

A Hutton man is back from a mercy mission to bring hope to the elderly and needy young people in Croatia.  more...

Essex,Kirby Cross News

Kirby Cross: Mother was unable to cope

A mother killed herself by drug overdose because she could not cope with the stresses of life, an inquest heard.  more...

Essex,Laindon News

Laindon: Tot almost drowns in pond drama

A father and grandfather have begged families to fill in their fishponds after a year-old boy almost died.  more...

Essex,Leigh News

Leigh: A new heart might have saved Simone

The life of a Leigh woman might have been saved had she received a heart transplant a month before her death, an inquest heard.  more...

Essex,Maldon News

Maldon: Asylum seekers told to get out

Asylum seekers are likely to be moved out of Maldon.  more...

Maldon: Fred's special toast to Queen Mother

A Royalist has redesigned his house in honour of the Queen Mum's birthday.  more...

Essex,Manningtree News

Manningtree: Cash aid call for swimming pool repair

The swimming pool in the grounds of Manningtree High School could close unless extensive repairs are carried out.  more...

Essex,Ongar News

Ongar: High Street blitz on shoplift gangs

A new drive to deter criminals is to be launched in Ongar.  more...

Ongar: Court move in Mulberry row

The owner of controversial High Ongar conference centre Mulberry House has hit out at critics opposed to its expansion plans.  more...

Essex,Ongar,Epping News

Ongar, Epping: Council move to get rail line back on track

Council chiefs have swung into action in an attempt to get the troubled Epping-Ongar railway back on track.  more...

Essex,Romford,Brentwood News

Romford, Brentwood: £30,000 boost for brain unit

The neurosurgery unit at Oldchurch Hospital has received a £30,000 cash bonanza, with the help of a Brentwood man.  more...

Essex,Southend Business

Southend: Walkways move angers traders

An angry trader has claimed Southend Council had "double-crossed" firms at Victoria Plaza by handing control of the walkways to the shopping centre's owners.  more...

Southend: Water leak costs traders

Southend Pier traders have claimed they lost vital business after being left high and dry by a water leak which cut off supplies.  more...

Essex,Southend News

Southend: Cyber-style homes for gasworks site

A new generation of 21st century internet homes are to be built on Southend's derelict gasworks site, it has been revealed.  more...

Southend: Passion for the pier set to music

A passion for the pier has led Southenders Chris Jones and Jack Forbes to sing in its support.  more...

Southend: Water leak costs traders

Southend Pier traders yesterday (Wednesday) claimed they had lost vital business after being left high and dry by a water leak which cut off supplies.  more...

Southend: Walkways move angers traders

An angry trader has claimed Southend Council had "double-crossed" firms at Victoria Plaza by handing control of the walkways to the shopping centre's owners.  more...

Essex,Thundersley Business

Thundersley: Virgin bosses set for inquiry

Virgin Active bosses have ended speculation by confirming they will attend a public inquiry into a controversial new leisure centre they want to build in Thundersley.  more...

Essex,Thundersley News

Thundersley: Virgin bosses set for inquiry

Virgin Active bosses have ended speculation by confirming they will attend a public inquiry into a controversial new leisure centre they want to build in Thundersley.  more...

Essex,Tilbury,Brentwood News

Tilbury, Brentwood: Rare bird's recovery

This tiny bundle of feathers got itself in a right flap after flying into unknown territory.  more...

Essex,Tollesbury News

Tollesbury: Mystery over man's death

Mystery still surrounds the death of a backpacker whose body was found at a hotel in Vietnam.  more...

Essex,Walton News

Walton: Residents to have say in overhaul

A residential avenue is to get an environmental overhaul.  more...

Essex,Walton,Harwich News

Walton, Harwich: Fishermen 'lucky to be alive'

Four fishermen were lucky to be alive today after their boat narrowly avoided capsizing.  more...

Essex,Westcliff News

Westcliff: Human skull found on beach

A major investigation is underway after a human skull was discovered on the beach at Westcliff.  more...

Essex,Wickford News

Wickford: Mystery donor is saviour of CAB

A mystery benefactor has come to the rescue of Wickford Citizens' Advice Bureau.  more...

Wickford: D-day for advice HQ

A crunch meeting last night (Wednesday) held the key to a future for Wickford's cash-strapped Citizens' Advice Bureau.  more...

Wickford: Writing is on the wall for young hooligans

High visibility patrols are the latest tactic in the Wickford police battle against youth nuisance.  more...

Essex,Wivenhoe News

Wivenhoe: GM crop site wrecked by protesters

A dramatic night raid at a controversial genetically-modified crop site led to the arrest of 11 protesters on suspicion of criminal damage.  more...

Essex,Wrabness,Colchester News

Wrabness, Colchester: Drivers injured in crash

A driver had to undergo six hours of surgery after being involved in a collision with a double decker bus.  more...

  
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