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

Essex | Archive | 2007 | October

Stories for 17 October 2007

Basildon Recorder News

Our heroes return

SOUTH Essex's war heroes have made a triumphant return from the frontline in Afghanistan. more...

Relief as roadworks end

RUSH-HOUR motorists were pleasantly surprised to see roadworks on the A130 had wrapped up a week ahead of schedule. more...

Billericay Weekly News News

Our heroes return

SOUTH Essex's war heroes have made a triumphant return from the frontline in Afghanistan. more...

Relief as roadworks end

RUSH-HOUR motorists were pleasantly surprised to see roadworks on the A130 had wrapped up a week ahead of schedule. more...

Mystery of the mermaid

A BRONZE mermaid more...

Billericay Weekly News Sport

Table tennis roundup: October 17

LEAGUE MATCH PREMIER DIVISION more...

Billericay Town pocket cup earnings aplenty

BILLERICAY Town continue to build-up the cash from this season's FA Cup. more...

Rugby: Billericay crash out of EDF Vase

BILLERICAY'S hopes of a trip to Twickenham for a second straight season were dashed as they were dumped out of the EDF Energy Senior Vase at the second round stage by Rochford Hundred. more...

Hannakins match Basildon's physicality

Essex County League more...

Braintree And Witham Times News

Bar owners hope to improve nightlife

A town centre bar owner is considering applying to stay open later in a move which he said would help keep people from leaving the town. more...

Police appeal for help

Police in Witham are looking for help in tracing a man who is thought to be responsible for a theft from an industrial estate. more...

Bluetongue scuppers Christmas celebration

A town's festive celebrations have been soured by the presence of Bluetongue disease in the county. more...

Braintree And Witham Times Sport

Borg leaves Braintree Town

The board of directors of Braintree Town Football Club met on Tuesday evening and decided unanimously to end the reign of George Borg as first team manager with immediate effect. more...

Iron boss Borg sacked

GEORGE Borg has been sacked. more...

Brentwood Weekly News News

Brentwood cadets’ cop visit

AIR cadets in Brentwood had a visit from the police earlier this month. more...

Funding dismay for borough

THE leader of Brentwood Council has expressed disappointment with a funding increase to local authorities handed out by the Government. more...

Brentwood charity takes its work east

MEMBERS of a Brentwood charity are heading out to Eastern Europe next week to give lessons on better conditions for people with learning disabilities. more...

Our heroes return

SOUTH Essex's war heroes have made a triumphant return from the frontline in Afghanistan. more...

Relief as roadworks end

RUSH-HOUR motorists were pleasantly surprised to see roadworks on the A130 had wrapped up a week ahead of schedule. more...

Mystery of the mermaid

A BRONZE mermaid more...

Man airlifted to hospital after crash

AN elderly man has been airlifted to hospital after sustaining head injuries in a road crash. more...

Plans in for town centre leisure and retail development

A HUGE leisure complex incorporating a cinema, shops and a restaurant in the heart of Brentwood town centre could be decided by the end of the year. more...

Brentwood Weekly News Sport

Brentwood Town crash out of FA Cup

FA Cup Third Qualifying Round more...

Table tennis roundup: October 17

LEAGUE MATCH PREMIER DIVISION more...

Gutsy performance from Hutton ladies

Essex County Cup more...

Hockey: Brentwood 1sts maintain fine form

Men's 1s (East Div 1) more...

Chelmsford Weekly News News

Mains water restored to Hylands House

MAINS water has been returned to Hylands House after weeks of closure. more...

Our heroes return

SOUTH Essex's war heroes have made a triumphant return from the frontline in Afghanistan. more...

Soldiers return home from Afghanistan

SOLDIERS serving on the front line in Afghanistan with the Royal Anglian Regiment have now returned home. more...

Relief as roadworks end

RUSH-HOUR motorists were pleasantly surprised to see roadworks on the A130 had wrapped up a week ahead of schedule. more...

Chelmsford Weekly News Sport

Hard Knock life for Chieftains

CHELMSFORD Chieftains Premier League Cup aspirations took a massive blow on Saturday, as Guildford Flames took brutal revenge for their defeat on the opening weekend of the season. more...

Rugby: Chelmsford lack fitness in hard Vase lesson

EDF Energy Senior Vase more...

Ridley League: Flitch forced to dig deep

HOLDERS Flitch Snooker A had to dig deep to keep their Cup flame alive after yet another dominoes dogfight with their biggest Ridley rivals. more...

Clacton And Frinton Gazette News

Frinton: Manned loos are approved

The green light has been given to employ four part-time attendants at Frinton's new toilet block. more...

Echo Business

Toast of south Essex!

TO the sound of fanfares and popping champagne corks, the Southend business community launched into its night of the year. more...

Diving into the deep...

PIGS might not fly, but they have been flourishing underwater for ten years. more...

Echo Education

It’s good to talk and we all know it

PARENTS and carers from Temple Sutton children's centre, in Eastern Avenue, Southend, have completed a new speech and language development course. more...

Echo News

Robbers attack guard

A GUARD was hit over the head with a baseball bat during an armed robbery on Canvey. more...

Help me fight superbug

A WOMAN caring for her sick partner, who suffers from a superbug, has pleaded for more resources to fight his condition. more...

Spink's new battle

A TORY MP who championed efforts to stamp out underage drinking is turning his attention to the sale of tobacco to young people. more...

We’re being killed off by store giants

A FAMILY-RUN toy shop is to close its doors because it can no longer compete with the supermarkets. more...

Creative contest draws record entry numbers

WATERCOLOURS, ceramics and needlework were on display at an exhibition of entries for a popular annual creative contest. more...

Council criticises its own survey

COUNCILLORS have criticised the way their own survey was carried out into important changes to the council's structure. more...

Updated: Pitsea arson attack

ARSONISTS torched a woman's bungalow, killing her pet cat and leaving her homeless. more...

Man crashes new car into garage

A PENSIONER has been treated for shock after he smashed his new car into a garage. more...

It’s good to talk and we all know it

PARENTS and carers from Temple Sutton children's centre, in Eastern Avenue, Southend, have completed a new speech and language development course. more...

Soccer heroes meet pupils

FOOTBALL stars visited a primary school as part of a week of activities celebrating children's heroes. more...

Bands busk for charity

YOUNGSTERS at Leigh Youth Centre in Elm Road set out to raise the roof as bands from across Southend battled it out on stage to raise money for Cancer Research UK. more...

Petition against bike track

A PETITION with 443 signatories against controversial plans for a bike jump track in ancient woodland has been handed in to the council. more...

End of the trail for scary children’s ride

A SCARY children's ride at Adventure Island is to be closed after nearly eight years of terrifying visitors. more...

£3m Canvey seafront revamp

A £3MILLION project to breathe new life into Canvey seafront is under way at last. more...

Mystery of the mermaid

A BRONZE mermaid more...

‘School walk is too risky for my kids’

A MUM fears her daughters will get knocked down by a car because they have to walk down a narrow country lane to get to school. more...

Relief as roadworks end

RUSH-HOUR motorists were pleasantly surprised to see roadworks on the A130 had wrapped up a week ahead of schedule. more...

Armed raiders threaten security guards

A WOMAN security guard was left distraught after she was threatened by armed raiders. more...

Police station shut to public for 8-week refit

WICKFORD's police station will close for eight weeks while work is done to give disabled people better access. more...

Control your children...

TOUGH-TALKING police officers have been warning the parents of teenage tearaways they could be given antisocial behaviour orders or even evicted from their homes. more...

Man robbed at cashpoint

A MAN was pushed to the floor and robbed as he withdrew money from a cashpoint. more...

Teenagers robbed at knifepoint

TWO schoolgirls were threatened with a kitchen knife and robbed of their handbags by two women. more...

Thug bit off nose in fight

A MAN faces jail after he admitted biting off more...

Killer mum loses appeal

A DRUG addict mum who killed four children, including two of her own, when she crashed a car while high on amphetamines has lost her appeal to have her nine-year jail term cut. more...

Teenager held woman hostage

A TEENAGER admitted holding a woman hostage, when she appeared at Basildon Crown Court yesterday. more...

Just outstanding!

PUPILS and staff at Wickford Junior School are celebrating receiveing an "outstanding" rating from the Government's education watchdog, Ofsted. more...

Illegal immigrants found in Basildon

NINE illegal immigrants were found in Basildon yesterday. more...

Cake marks Probation Service’s 100 years

SOUTHEND Probation Service got into the birthday spirit this week as officers celebrated the organisation's 100th anniversary. more...

Echo reunites family

A FAMILY that is spread from Canada to south Essex has been reunited after more than 40 years, thanks to the Echo. more...

£1m to get rid of bad pongs

SEWAGE storage tanks which have been blamed for overpowering odours wafting across south Essex are to be scrapped. more...

Diamond anniversary celebrations are on again

TED Booker will finally celebrate his diamond wedding, after he collapsed on the very day of his anniversary and the party was postponed. more...

A homecoming fit for our Afghan heroes

RETURNING soldiers from the Royal Anglian Regiment were welcomed back on British soil with tears, cheers, and a huge round of applause. more...

20mph zone idea under attack

A LEADING councillor has criticised plans for speed cameras to detect people breaking 20mph limits in residential areas. more...

Our heroes return

SOUTH Essex's war heroes have made a triumphant return from the frontline in Afghanistan. more...

Row over fundraiser at school

A SCHOOL has defended a decision to set aside more than half the money it raises from a charity non-uniform day. more...

Blackspot sparks plea for safety measures

RESIDENTS fear a spate of accidents at a dangerous spot could lead to a serious injury. more...

Hospital’s new look unveiled

SOUTHEND United manager Steve Tilson was on hand for a celebration to mark the start of a new era for a hospital in Southend. more...

Passenger spat at bus driver

A MAN spat in the face of a bus driver and verbally abused him after failing to produce enough money for the fare. more...

Club’s fifty years of art

AN art club held a special exhibition to celebrate its 50th anniversary. more...

Stick it to 'em!

POLICE are trying to stem the rise of thefts from cars in Hockley by handing out stickers warning thieves there are no valuables to be taken. more...

Teens cleared of trashing house

A GROUP of teenagers have been cleared of trashing a friend's house in a booze-fuelled rampage that caused £50,000 worth of damage. more...

Train delays after car hits bridge

TRAINS were delayed for about thirty minutes after a car hit a bridge. more...

Council's £17m black hole

SOUTHEND Council claims it is facing a £17million budget deficit over the next four years, foreshadowing more cuts in expenditure. more...

Creative contest success

WATERCOLOURS, ceramics and needlework were on display at an exhibition of entries for a popular annual creative contest. more...

A homecoming fit for our Afghan heroes

RETURNING soldiers from the Royal Anglian Regiment were welcomed back on British soil with tears, cheers, and a huge round of applause. more...

Young singers win acclaim

A TUNEFUL teenager hit the right note with judges when he was crowned the 2007 Voice of St Luke's. more...

Ex-Blues stars back on the field

A host of former Southend United footballing favourites will be back in action on the pitch next week to pay tribute to a tragic Shoebury teenager. more...

Island run raises more than £2,000

MORE than £2,000 was raised for charity in this year's annual Canvey 5km and 10km races. more...

Mixed audit results for south Essex health trusts

SOUTH Essex's mental health and learning disability trust has come out top in the whole country in an annual audit. more...

MP Amess calls for law change on unborn baby deaths

TORY MP David Amess wants the law to be changed so dangerous drivers can be charged with causing the deaths of unborn babies as well as that of their mothers. more...

Man accused of assaulting baby

A MAN is on trial accused of smashing a toddler's head against the floor in a brutal assault. more...

Echo Sport

Ten Doeschate extends Essex stay until 2010

ESSEX all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate has committed his future to the county by signing a two-year contract extension until 2010. more...

New boy Gallian plans his summer run feast

ESSEX new boy Jason Gallian is aiming to mark his arrival at Essex by inspiring both himself and his team-mates to great things next summer. more...

Gazette Features

Looking back over Jeremy’s long fight

A courageous and talented reporter has lost his eight-year battle with cancer. more...

Gazette News

Frinton: Woman admits drink driving

A woman was 2 times the legal alcohol limit when she got behind the wheel in Frinton. more...

Manningtree: Leaflets in bid to stop new store

The battle lines have been drawn by a group who say they will fight any proposal by a supermarket giant to build a store in their town. more...

Frinton: Manned loos are approved

The green light has been given to employ four part-time attendants at Frinton's new toilet block. more...

Colchester: Pumpkins on seasonal menu

PUMPKINS are very much on the seasonal menu in north Essex, where farmers are defying a national shortage. more...

Great Oakley: Crash sparks safety fears

Fears have been raised for children's safety as they walk to school after a car left the road, crossed the footway and smashed through a garden wall. more...

Colchester: Drug charity wins lottery funding

Lottery funding will help a Colchester charity rebuild the lives of families blighted by substance abuse. more...

Colchester: Lorry driver fell asleep at wheel

A lorry driver fell asleep and careered off the A12. more...

Heroes welcomed home from Afghan war zone

ESSEX'S war heroes have made a triumphant return from the frontline in Afghanistan. more...

Stop the coast rot

REGENERATING historic aspects of run-down seaside towns is the key to stopping economic decline, it has been claimed. more...

Colchester: Roman pots take centre stage

GET your pots, lovely pots. more...

Vicar's fears for the young

A VICAR says people are living in fear of violent youth crime sparked by poor schooling, family breakdown and a lack of moral values. more...

Colchester: Council splashes out on WCs

Spending a penny is a wee bit easier in Colchester after the council splashed out £70,000 giving a set of public toilets a facelift. more...

Colchester: ‘Town is ideal for support centre’

A victim of child abuse hopes to open a £20 million support centre in Essex for those who have also suffered. more...

Essex Rivers: we did better than grade shows

HOSPITAL bosses claim health watchdog rules stopped them achieving a higher grade in this year's performance tables. more...

Clacton: Call to cut road's speed

ROAD safety campaigners are calling for action on a busy road outside a school after the death of a motorcyclist. more...

Mistley: Art is just the ticket for new look station

The dreams of two artists to turn an empty train station into an art gallery will finally be realised this weekend. more...

Clacton: ‘Sleepwalker’ banned from driving

An alcoholic sleepwalker was four times the legal drink-drive limit when he was stopped driving through Clacton. more...

Colchester: Family question care of stair-fall pensioner

The family of a pensioner who died in hospital after months living on a drip feed said they are "shocked" over the care he received. more...

Colchester: Tagged tortoises can be tearaways

AN animal lover has electronically tagged her tearaway tortoises - to stop them going AWOL. more...

Colchester: Hungry couple stole food

A couple stole food because their benefit payments had been delayed due to the postal strikes and they were both "feeling sick from hunger", a court heard. more...

Colchester: Cracking down on pavement cyclists

A zero tolerance operation has been launched to tackle Colchester cyclists who continually flout the law. more...

Colchester: Halloween treats without the trickery

There will not be a skeleton or witch in sight at a series of non-frightening events organised to mark Halloween in Colchester. more...

Dovercourt: Jamie raises cancer funds

A teenage fundraiser is set to walk from Dovercourt to the top of Mount Snowdon in aid of a cancer charity. more...

St Osyth: Firework thrown at cyclist

A cyclist was hit by a firework thrown from a car in St Osyth. more...

Halstead: Sisters' salon hit by thieves

TWO sisters will not let burglars ruin a business. more...

Colchester: School supporters hand in petition

WE want our school to stay open! more...

Colchester: Firefighters tackle blaze in warehouse

Fire crews from Colchester and Wivenhoe tackled a blaze in a derelict warehouse in Jarmin Road, Colchester. more...

Colchester: Bloody Mary or Hail Mary?

Christians will swap church pews for bar stools and dance floors as they offer help to revellers in Colchester. more...

Gazette Sport

Seasiders are the kings of Essex

CLACTON'S water polo heroes retained their Essex League title after a gripping victory at Hornchurch. more...

Another win for Ali

Ali Carter made it two wins in two matches after sweeping past Marcus Campbell at the Royal London Watches Grand Prix. more...

Iron boss Borg sacked

GEORGE Borg has been sacked. more...

Halstead Gazette News

Vandals could kill themsleves on trains, warning

Vandals "could quite happily kill themselves" playing on a tourist railway and treating it like a toy, its manager has warned. more...

Harwich And Manningtree Standard News

Wix: Added Danger to Busy Road

A DANGEROUS stretch of road is being made even more hazardous because of mud, fear drivers. more...

Maldon And Burnham Standard News

Broken down car is stolen

A CAR which had broken down on the A130 near South Woodham Ferrers has been stolen. more...

Our heroes return

SOUTH Essex's war heroes have made a triumphant return from the frontline in Afghanistan. more...

Relief as roadworks end

RUSH-HOUR motorists were pleasantly surprised to see roadworks on the A130 had wrapped up a week ahead of schedule. more...

Maldon And Burnham Standard Sport

Crouch Log: Races complete, despite conditions

The summer-like weather brought mixed blessings for sailors on the Crouch this weekend. more...

Rugby: Match abandoned after caded player won't go

Burnham-on-Crouch 18 Runwell 12 more...

Kingswell and Yeats to represent Forrester Park

The ladies at Forrester Park Golf Club played their qualifier for the Daily Mail foursomes competition. more...

Tiptree 10 sees Bloomfield win again

Crispian Bloomfield notched up his second successive victory in the Tiptree 10, making it four victories in a row for his club Billericay Striders. more...

Southend Standard News

Our heroes return

SOUTH Essex's war heroes have made a triumphant return from the frontline in Afghanistan. more...

Thurrock Gazette Sport

Edinburgh upbeat after hard-fought draw

GRAYS Athletic boss Justin Edinburgh emerged from a troubled week in bullish mood after his side fought hard for a goalless Blue Square Premier draw at Halifax on Tuesday night. more...

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