Southend United have completed the loan signing of midfielder Arnau Riera from Sunderland. The 25-year-old joined the Mackems from Barcelona at the start of the season but made just two appearance while at the Stadium of Light. He has now completed
Ooh so much to write about this week. Firstly, some readers may recall my blog about facilities (or lack of them) for young people in Leigh. A group of teenagers chatted me with about their ideas and I emailed all these to Leigh town council asking
Ooh so much to write about this week. Firstly, some readers may recall my blog about facilities (or lack of them) for young people in Leigh. A group of teenagers chatted me with about their ideas and I emailed all these to Leigh town council asking
Worsdale-on-sea could be an alternative name for Southend. Jim Worsdale almost certainly knows the town better, is more widely acquainted with more Southenders, and has written more published words about the town than anyone alive, apart perhaps from
The Government has agreed to hold a public inquiry on the planned expansion of Canvey's Calor Gas terminal. The pledge came as Castle Point MP Bob Spink described the proposals to store 100,000 tonnes of liquid natural gas at the Thames Road site as
Students saw a maggot-infested mummy "brought back to life" when a leading animator paid them a visit. Phil Dale, who worked on Tim Burton's animated film Corpse Bride, gave a hair-raising presentation to digital animation students at South East Essex
A new NHS dental surgery planned for Southend's new university campus is expected to take up the slack from a dentist in the High Street who retired earlier this year. A dental outreach school from Barts Hospital, in London, is already being planned
A herd of cows have been left with very sore teats after what may have been a rather udder-hand crime. Boxes of cow teat caps have been discovered, possibly abandoned by hapless thieves who targeted a consignment bound for the Davey Pitt Farm, in Bridport
Police officers on the frontline in Essex are set to be equipped with hand-held electronic fingerprinting machines in a bid to catch crooks and save on time spent in the station. Under the pilot scheme, Project Lantern, the county's force is one of
A puppy that was close to death after being dumped in a playing field has been given a warm home by caring dog lovers. Pam Gaines, 53, and her husband Allan, 56, of Manor Road, Thundersley, picked up Tilly, thought to be about five months old, from
The leader of Essex County Council has voiced concern about the county's ability to meet the demands of the London Olympics. Lord Hanningfield questioned whether the resources were in place to meet the necessary requirements to stage the 2012 sporting
The times, they are a-changin' for Canvey. Castle Point Council is working with other Government agencies on seven major projects to try to revitalise the island and improve its education, employment and health. One of the main drivers behind this
Southend United skipper Kevin Maher is desperate to win Saturday's derby clash at Colchester for the club's suffering supporters. The Shrimpers have not won on the road for eight months in the League, with their last triumph coming at Layer Road last
It's more readily associated with stress relief and luxurious relaxation, but now massage is being brought into south Essex's classrooms. Don't be fooled into thinking our primary schoolchildren are slacking off, however - the technique is designed
Shoebury golf professional Richard McEvoy admits that life is getting harder on the full European tour. The 27-year-old ensured playing in the Tour for a second successive year when he safely negotiated the final qualifying tournament. He finished
Radical plans to make the Thames Gateway region the UK's first carbon neutral area have been unveiled by Ruth Kelly. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government believes all future development in the area can be achieved with no net
Youngsters had the opportunity to quiz a senior county councillor about the future of their education. Stephen Castle, Essex County Council's cabinet member for education, was questioned by more than 40 school councillors at Castle View School.
Southend United are giving away free T-shirts and flags in an effort to bolster public support for their new stadium plans. The club wants to encourage people to write to Southend Council and Rochford District Council in favour of the planned 22,000
Hockley and Hadleigh Park's men's second teams fought out a thrilling match in Leigh and Westcliff Men's Division Five. But it was the visitors from Hadleigh Park who prevailed to maintain third place in the table. Tony Lamb and Mark Ludlow took
The future of a fast food store in Southend High Street remains a mystery. Meanwhile, two new cafes are due to open. Subway, which sells torpedo rolls, closed last winter, and a handwritten sign saying refurbishment work was in progress was placed
An abused women's shelter has been given almost £500,000 to continue running its children's contact centre. Southend Women's Aid will use the £486,097 lottery grant to keep its Fledgelings centre, in West Road, Westcliff, running for another three
A trio of students from Westcliff's St Thomas More High School could be heading for international basketball glory. Year nine pupils Luke Matthews, Joe Hart and Chris Lloyd, have all been selected by England Basketball for advanced training, with a
Hundreds of loyal fans queued for hours in the rain for coveted tickets to Southend United's Carling Cup quarter final clash with Premiership side Tottenham. Buoyed up by the victory over Manchester United in the last round of the cup, supporters started
LUKE Guttridge has joined Leyton Orient on loan until January. The 24-year-old has fallen out of favour at Southend United in recent weeks and has now opted to sign for the struggling League One side. The Romford based midfielder chose a move to
It would be easy to mock Tony Blair's "supernannies" campaign, which targets 77 UK towns - including Southend - with a scheme to teach parenting skills. What should really be scorned, though, is the inertia that preceded it. Polls reveal a surprising
It's time this illegal sofa situation (Echo, Nov 16) was put to bed once and for all. The residents of Crays Hill have been complaining about this situation and reporting on it over a number of years, but still nothing of any significance has been done
I was surprised to read of the intention to cut the No 35 bus service, Southend to Chelmsford. It is causing a great deal of concern and anxiety to residents. It is an invaluable service, particularly for the elderly who are asking why have they been
Pupils who get their A-levels may be guaranteed a local further education place in an effort to get more skilled and educated youngsters into the workplace. The proposals, released yesterday under the new Thames Gateway Interim Plan, could give a significant
As voluntary chairman of the trustees of the Peaceful Place charity we are deeply disappointed over our failure to convince a planning inspector we should be allowed to build a home and day centre for early onset dementia sufferers on a site at Hullbridge
Festive lights have been axed because traders in Hamlet Court Road and Southchurch Road have not collected enough cash to have them put up. Both roads will be without their usual festive sparkles because traders have not managed to collect together
A couple agreed to pay £10,000 to a hitman to execute a relative's boyfriend, a court was told. Cherie French, 37, and Andrew Bertram, 25, both formerly of First Avenue, Canvey, are charged with plotting to have Hadleigh man John Gibbs murdered.
I sympathise, but am not surprised, about the problems securing a disabled parking space at Billericay's St Andrew's Centre. Such abuse of these designated spaces is sadly now commonplace. I have held a disabled badge for more than 30 years and cannot
A heroic teenage shop worker was left with a head injury after he bravely tackled a robber. The 18-year-old boy, who works part-time at Martin's the Newsagents, in Timberlog Lane, Basildon, was serving customers when he was approached by a man wanting
It was with a sense of shock that I read about the suspension of Dr Satya Das (Echo November 17) Dr Das has been my GP for more than 16 years, and I have always found him to be a caring, kind, and very helpful doctor. I would be the first to admit,
A Royal protection officer has been arrested after he allegedly threatened a photographer at gunpoint after a high-speed chase. Paul Page, 35, of Chafford Hundred, was still in police custody as the Echo went to press, following a clash with photographer
Ambitious plans to transform healthcare, education and sport in Basildon have been revealed by the Government. Ruth Kelly, communities and local government minister, revealed proposals including a medical research and development park on the A127.
I would like to send a big thank you message to Glyn Evans and Marina Wright who helped to organise a high profile Kilworth Ave, Hastings Rd, Cromer Rd, Southchurch Ave, York Road Neighbourhood Watch Meeting at Porters on November 14. Thanks to the mayor
As a Christian I have great respect for Muslims and their beliefs. Whilst I sympathise with the problems of suspicion faced by innocent Muslim women who choose to wear a face veil (which is not required by their religion) in a country that does not recognise
