Archive

  • Mr Canvey retains seat

    Click here for Castle Point candidates MR CANVEY - Tory councillor Ray Howard has retained his seat on Castle Point Council. Pundits suggested Mr Howard's Canvey West seat was at risk because of a strong challenge by the Canvey Independent Party. Mr

  • Tory sees off BNP in Aveley

    THE first result in Thurrock Council's election was declared just after 12.15 when sitting Labour candidate Val Morris-Cook retained her seat. BNP candidate Rob Maloney was second with 436 votes. Val Morris-Cook said: "We are delighted to keep this

  • Return of the Rayleigh carnival?

    CARNIVAL time could be returning to Rayleigh next year - after an absence of more than 50 years. The town's chamber of trade and commerce is hoping to revive the old tradition in an effort to bring more shoppers and visitors to the town. The chamber's

  • Rugby protege donates shirt

    A SPORTING student is putting his shirt on other pupils to follow in his successful sporting footsteps. Billy Smith, 16, a former student at Hassenbrook School in Stanford-le-Hope, recently donated his England rugby shirt to the school. Assistant headteacher

  • Carnival revival’s steep hill to climb

    IT is good news Rayleigh may be getting a carnival again after a gap of 50 years. At least there will be a few veteran carnival queens around to pass on advice to their successors. No doubt the first tip will be to avoid the notoriously steep Rayleigh

  • Taking our eye off the ball

    ALL together now. In the immortal words of Victor Meldrew, "I don't believe it". Parents in Wheatley Close, a quiet Rochford cul-de-sac, face arrest if their children continue to play football in the street outside their homes. Cul-de-sacs were largely

  • No love lost over kissing gate

    A GUARD was sent to protect a new gate from angry residents, who say it is worse than the nuisance bikers it was built to keep out. A £1,000 kissing gate was first installed a month ago in Dyke Crescent, Canvey, with funding from a neighbourhood forum

  • Hunt for Hannah

    POLICE are becoming "increasingly concerned" for the welfare of a pensioner who has been missing for nearly three weeks. Hannah Phillips, 76, has been missing from her home in Rayleigh since Friday, April 13. A handbag containing her belongings were

  • Smoking ban? It's such a drag for us

    SMOKERS have blasted pub and club owners for poor planning after it was revealed just a handful had applied to build outdoor smoking shelters. With just eight weeks left until the ban on smoking in public places comes into force, many premises were

  • Message hidden in a bottle

    A message in a bottle written by a Basildon Council workman has been unearthed - more than 20 years after it was buried. Mitch Bouette, 32, found the bottle near a manhole cover next to the roundabout at the junction of Uppermayne, Nicholas Lane and

  • A wizard show for delighted parents

    CHILDREN entertained their delighted parents with their production of the Wizard of Oz. The youngsters - aged between seven and nine - from Willows Primary School, Church Road, Basildon, spent eight weeks planning the two shows. In the build up to the

  • College may be forced to cut staff

    THURROCK and Basildon College is scrapping courses in an effort to cut costs. The cuts will force scores of students to go elsewhere and mean up to ten lecturers face losing their jobs at the embattled college, which has fought over the years to raise

  • George Hurd centre to start soon

    WORK to develop a replacement George Hurd pensioners' centre will begin soon. Basildon Council's ruling Tory group has moved to allay fears the replacement may not be built at Audley Way, Basildon, before the ageing centre in Fauners, Basildon, is torn

  • Mystery hero on memorial

    A WAR historian needs help to finish a book about the fallen war heroes of Wickford and Runwell. Stephen Newman's book will tell the stories of every serviceman killed in the First and Second World Wars, listed on the Wickford and Runwell war memorials

  • Council urges the use of compost bins

    HOME composting will be the focus of national Compost Awareness Week which starts on Sunday. Basildon Council's recycling teams will be setting up in the fruit and vegetable aisles of supermarkets to urge residents to compost kitchen and garden waste

  • Residents angry over homes offer

    ANGRY residents whose homes will be bulldozed to make way for a new estate claim they have been offered unfit replacements. Basildon Council tenants in Mellow Purgess on the Five Links estate, Laindon, said the authority has revoked a deal to offer "

  • Be a neighbourhood watcher

    EAGLE-EYED residents in Pitsea, your neighbours need you. The Neighbourhood Watch Scheme is being re-launched by the town's police in a bid to cut crime and drive out crooks. As part of the project, street and ward co-ordinators are needed to keep neighbours

  • Christopher sssslithers home...

    A 12-YEAR-OLD boy has been reunited with his beloved pet snake, after it went missing for seven months. Christopher the corn snake slithered out of William Parker's house, in Kingswood Chase, Leigh, in September, but was not found until last week - right

  • Tears as music project is axed

    HUNDREDS of young musicians have been left in limbo after a Thurrock-wide music project was axed. ReZonance - Thurrock Music Action Zone - was funded by London-based firm, Youth Music, for three years, and workshops were regularly held for children and

  • Echo reunited us with precious Leon

    JOY has returned to a family grieving for their baby boy... in the form of their beloved dog Leon. The cute cavalier King Charles spaniel was stolen from the Letch family's home last week and now thanks to an Echo appeal, he's back. The family's three

  • Land's End to John O'Groats by tandem

    A COUPLE have completed a tremendous challenge by cycling more than 1,000 miles on a tandem. Peter and Janet Walker, of East Street, Southend, have just completed a Land's End to John O'Groats cycle ride, in support of the National Kidney Federation,

  • Rage rescue was just an exercise

    FIREFIGHTERS reached new heights as they scaled a rollercoaster on Southend seafront. They took to the heights of the newest and fastest ride at Adventure Island - the Rage rollercoaster -to test the rescue procedures if anyone was trapped in

  • Meet queen Charlee

    THESE three teenagers have been chosen to lead this year's Basildon and Pitsea Carnival. All eyes will be on carnival queen Charlee Kenny and princesses Laura Gordon and Emma Booth when the parade is staged, on June 24. The carnival court was picked

  • We'll sell sea food from the food stall!

    A POPULAR seafood stall that had been closed for refurbishment has opened its doors once more - but with the addition of an upmarket restaurant. The Fish Market Restaurant and Seafood and Oyster Bar, in the Benfleet conservation area, has replaced the

  • Wanted: Your pedalling power

    STAFF from Southend's branch of the NSPCC are calling on people to take part in the charity's annual Big Bike Ride. From June 29 to July 1, people from all over the country will take part in the ride to help raise money for the charity, which supports

  • We'll clean up this square

    HOMEOWNERS are preparing to get their hands dirty in an effort to tidy up a rundown part of town. People living around Warrior Square, Southend, have united to make their area a cleaner and safer place to live. The Residents of Warrior Square Association

  • Superclinic worries voiced in Parliament

    PEOPLE opposing two new superclinics on Canvey have had their views put to Parliament. A petition outlining concerns about the quality of healthcare and the future of the community facilities at the Paddocks - where one of the clinics will be located

  • Please don't knock this house down

    CAMPAIGNERS have launched a desperate attempt to save one of the oldest houses in Hadleigh from the threat of demolition. Plans to turn Harold House, in London Road, into a 12-flat complex were refused by Castle Point Council in January this year. But

  • Freddy will be fit for Wales

    SOUTHEND United's assistant manager Paul Brush expects Shrimpers striker Freddy Eastwood to be fit enough to figure for Wales at the end of the month. The Basildon-based 23-year-old, who has missed two of Blues' last three games with a back problem

  • Archer adds GB string to his bow

    ARCHER George Fenton is setting his sights on success after receiving his first call-up into the Great Britain junior team. The 17-year-old Billericay student has been selected to represent GB at the European Outdoor Target Championships in the Algarve

  • Tomkins to undergo shoulder surgery

    BASILDON youngster James Tomkins is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after dislocating his shoulder for the second time this season. The West Ham defender, who turned 18 in March, suffered a recurrence of the injury while in action for the Hammers

  • Jenny spins way to Essex crown

    JENNY Pease, who topped the qualifiers and was in sparkling form over the three days, won the Essex Ladies Golf Championship. The event was staged at Thorpe Hall as part of the club's centenary celebrations and Pease (21) from Brentwood beat Emma Cutmore

  • Teams gear up for final games

    IT is one of the biggest days on the local soccer scene on Sunday when the Southend Junior League cup finals are staged at Roots Hall. Hundreds of mums, dads, aunts, uncles, grans and grand-dads, plus brothers, sisters and pals will pile into Southend

  • Opposition to alcohol sale hours

    PLANS by a Southend convenience store to sell alcohol from 6am to midnight, seven days a week, are being opposed by local people. Thilakasekaram Inthrajith, of the Londis Mini Market in Westborough Road, is currently allowed to sell alcohol from 6am

  • Rental Properties for week ending 4th May 2007

    Properties to Let in South Essex Units to Let Office & Workspace No Leas - No Legals All Inclusive of Business Rates Also Available on Site Large Commercial Units From 2,000 sq ft - 60,000 sq ft Call 08000 723348 Workshops & offices to let little

  • Gail bows out with final win

    GAIL Webster marked her retirement from tennis with victory in the ladies' doubles at Leigh & Westcliff LTA held its annual winter championships. The win crowned more than 20 years of competition with the association that has seen the Kent Elms player

  • Carter takes on Europe

    ROBERT Carter is continuing to make fine progress up the junior tennis ranks. The 13-year-old player from Thorpe Bay broke into the top six in the national rankings back in December. And since then he has been invited by the Lawn Tennis Association

  • Irani: 'I won't take cash if I can't play'

    RONNIE Irani revealed today he will "not hang around and take the money from Essex" if he is not fit enough to play. The charismatic Essex captain has been offered a new two-year contract by the county, but will not sign it until he can guarantee his

  • Crook steals Essex's thunder

    ESSEX were bowled out for 334 on the opening day's play at Wantage Road after a dramatic post-tea collapse. The visitors lost their last 8 wickets for just 68 runs, including four without a run being added, as Northamptonshire roared back after taking

  • Barret's Banter

    I HAVE had the perfect pick-me-up from relegation this week by becoming a father for the first time. Harrison Barrett came into the world at Southend Hospital on Tuesday, weighing 7lbs 13oz. I'm happy to report that both he and my wife Clare are

  • Swifts make it a hat-trick for finals

    THE brilliant basketball girls of Southend Swifts will have three teams contesting the RAF sponsored final fours at Cosford later this month. The under-18s had already won through the previous week and, on Saturday at Hockley's Greensward College,

  • Jack’s on top of the world

    A CANVEY teenager's dreams of an RAF career are off to a flying start after he won a prestigious scholarship. Air Cadet, Sergeant Jack Watson, 17, of Komberg Crescent, Canvey, was one of only 125 young people in the country to be offered a coveted place

  • Baron's Prime Minister's question time

    MP John Baron quizzed Prime Minister Tony Blair over Iraq during PM Questions. Tory Mr Baron asked the PM what basis he had to claim, on September 24, 2002, that it would only be a year or two before Saddam Hussein acquired a usable nuclear weapon.

  • Watch out! - bogus callers about

    ELDERLY people in Southend are being warned to be on the alert for bogus telephone callers asking for their bank details. Southend Council's trading standards officers have issued the warning following reports of someone claiming to be an official from

  • Louisa carries it off!

    A FASHION student proved she has bags of talent after winning a top prize in a bag design competition as part of Graduate Fashion Week. Students were asked to design for River Island carrier bags. Louisa Balls, 21, of High Road, Rayleigh, is a second

  • Road 'should have been made safer'

    CAMPAIGNERS behind a road safety petition in Leigh say local roads should have been made safer years ago. With the Echo's help, Mark and Faye Turffrey have gathered around 2,000 signatures, calling for safety improvements around the junction of Rectory

  • Carjacked: Man dragged from vehicle

    POLICE are searching for a thug who dragged a driver out of his car and drove off in it. Two men were making a fast food delivery in Cunningham Close, Shoebury, when the carjacking happened. One got out to deliver the food, while the other sat in the

  • Christian singer records shows for Link Radio

    A COMMUNITY radio station has teamed up with folk singer Rick Christian to record two half-hour programmes. Link Radio, which broadcasts to residential homes in Castle Point, is recording the programme called Rick Christian at Thundersley Christian Spiritualist

  • Will we get to cast our votes?

    AN elderly couple may miss out on voting for the first time in nearly 60 years following an administrative error. Frank and Patricia Ingrams, who are in their seventies, sent off both their applications for a postal vote in March, in the same envelope

  • Cut off: Residents angry at power loss

    AN electricity fault caused hundreds of homes to lose power, some for almost two days. About 300 homes around Kilworth Avenue, York Road and Southchurch Road, Southend, suffered a power cut following a fault on the underground electricity network at

  • Arrest threat over children's footie

    PARENTS living in a quiet cul-de-sac have been warned they could be arrested for allowing their children to play football in the street. After neighbours complained about children kicking balls in the road and cycling on the pavement around Rochford,

  • Kings of the charity castle

    BEAVERS have been competing to be king of the castle and raise money for charity. The 1st Prittlewell Beavers managed to build more than 26 sandcastles on Shoebury Common beach as part of their marathon challenge, called Cheeky Monkey. The challenge

  • Give NHS cash to people who deserve it

    I am very sorry Joe Morgan lost his wife. (Letters April 26). This is a very sad time and he has my sincere condolences. I don't doubt the care workers were extremely kind to his wife and looked after her with loving care. I have done this job myself

  • IVF gave us 3 tots for the price of one

    A COUPLE who wanted a baby brother or sister for their first IVF baby got more than they bargained for - when they ended up with triplets! Ann-Marie and Chris Conway, from Leigh, managed to conceive on their first round of IVF treatment and gave birth

  • 7-month escape is over

    A 12-YEAR-old boy has been reunited with his beloved pet snake, after it went missing for seven months. Christopher the corn snake slithered out of William Parker's house, in Kingswood Chase, Leigh, in September, but was not found until last week - right

  • Pitfalls of trying to board number 7 bus

    A touch of drama is sometimes experienced when attempting to board the No 7 buses at the open air southbound stop, across the way from the new Southend bus station building. Since approximately six differently numbered routes jostle to pull in here,

  • Let us not forget the debt we owe America

    In one of his innumerable letters to the Echo, Trevor Murdin informs us he does not particularly like Americans. My late father, who lived through two world wars and served as an infantryman throughout one of them seeing much combat, was very pleased

  • Blame car cloners for thefts not skateboarders

    I was amazed to read skateboparders are being blamed for the theft of car number plates (Apr 17). I jumped up, grabbed a tape measure and measured the number plate on my car, my dad's car and van, and my sister's car. I than measured the base underneath

  • IVF gave us three tots for the price of one!

    A COUPLE who wanted a baby brother or sister for their first IVF baby got more than they bargained for - when they ended up with triplets! Ann-Marie and Chris Conway, from Leigh, managed to conceive on their first round of IVF treatment and gave birth

  • Secret life of a hidden gem

    THE archaeological secrets of a medieval manor have at last been uncovered. A new book by historic buildings expert Nigel Brown tells how excavations at Southchurch Hall, in Southend, over the past 30 years have uncovered evidence of a bridge and gatehouse

  • Please let us tear your car apart!

    GIVE us your old cars - that is the plea from Basildon firefighters. The fire station, in Great Oaks, has recently taken delivery of new Holmatro cutting equipment and officers want to try it out. Leading firefighter Pauline Holden said: "The new equipment