SOUTHEND United advanced to the second round of the FA Cup tonight with a 2-0 triumph over AFC Telford at Roots Hall. But the victory was far from straight forward against the Blue Square North visitors. The Shrimpers were not at their
WITH eight of his West Ham United team-mates away on international duty this week, Julien Faubert's mind was cast back to August 16, 2006. That night, the 25-year-old made his one and only appearance for France, scoring the last-minute winner in a 2-
THE enduring harmonies of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel will reverberate around the Towngate Theatre, Basildon, on Thursday. Tribute act Homeward Bound recreate the best of the iconic Sixties and Seventies duo’s music, bringing to the stage such classics
A DAD-OF-FIVE who fraudulently claimed £24,000 in benefits while earning £50,000 a year has been spared jail. David Comer, 50, started claiming income support, incapacity benefit and council tax in 2004, but failed to tell benefit agencies when he started
A PUB has been put up for sale, prompting fears it could be turned into flats. The Gun, in London Road, Pitsea, is on the market for £750,000, but a councillor has warned developers against using it for housing. Estate agents managing the sale also
THE marvellous sound of cellos filled the air as Southend Music Festival got off to a flying start. Cellists from around the county took part in a day of masterclasses on Saturday at the Crowstone Christian Centre, Westcliff, marking the start
THE Royal Air Force Concert 2008 touches down at the Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road Westcliff, on Sunday. Offering a diverse mix of light classics, jazz, big band and music from popular shows, the RAF musicians will be celebrating their 90th anniversary
SOUTHEND Pier provided the finishing line for a superhero cyclist who biked 31 miles in memory of a cancer victim. Paul Thompson, 39, rode from Dagenham to the pier dressed as Spider-Man. Paul and his fiancee, Sue Margetts, 41, are aiming to raise
CHARITIES and community groups are celebrating a £70,000 boost to their coffers. The money, distributed as part of the Government’s Grassroots Grants programme, has gone to 18 voluntary groups and local organisations to help them meet essential running
FANS of the King got all shook up as Elvis impersonators shook their stuff. Wickford man John King, Pete Kilbane from Basildon and Chris Aron from London were just three of the five Elvis soundalikes performing at the Village Country Club in Southend
GOLFERS at a Rochford golf club were invited to ‘break a leg’ on Sunday morning as their new captains took part in their inaugural drive-in dressed as characters from the hit musical Oliver! Bob Paton, 61 and his wife Penny, 62, became the first married
A SENIOR Essex fire officer has spent 40 days abroad this year at conferences and meetings. Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mark Jones, an expert in wildfires who is based at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service’s new headquarters in Kelvedon Park, has been
THE victim of a vicious carjacking has spoken of his terrifying ordeal at the hands of two thugs. The victim, who asked not to be named, was standing next to his car when he was confronted by the robbers near Leigh railway station and forced to hand
A MAN was saved from drowning in the Thames. The man, in his thirties, was seen floating motionless on his back close to the Procter and Gamble factory, near Lakeside shopping centre. Dave Webb, 47, who was fishing in the area, made the discovery on
A CAMPAIGN to send a seriously ill girl to Florida has been kickstarted by a neighbour dyeing her hair pink. Nicki Nicholas, 39, of Kensington Road, Southend, underwent the transformation to raise money for Bonnie Anderson, eight, who suffers
A BOGEY five at the penultimate hole of his sixth and final round has cost Thorpe Hall tournament pro Richard McEvoy the chance of rejoining the sport's superstars on the full European Tour. The Shoebury golfer, playing in the Tour's qualifying school
MORE than £700 was raised for a hospice by mods who partied the night away. The northern soul night raised £737 for St Luke’s Hospice, Basildon. Live performances from The Most and Bif Bam Pow and a donation of art from Dean Smith Art ensured the event
THE QUEST for the most magnificent mince pie is under way on Canvey. The First Canvey Sea Scouts are running a contest to find the perfect pie at their annual Christmas bazaar at St Anne’s Church, St Anne’s Road, on Saturday. It is the first time they
WAR has been declared on yobs in the Winter Gardens area on Canvey. No-nonsense dispersal powers will come into effect from 4pm tomorrow after more than 60 antisocial offences were recorded in just two weeks. The new powers will allow police to break
BASILDON hospital is among the lowest spenders in the UK when it comes to food. The NHS Foundation Trust responsible for Basildon Hospital spends an average of £2.42 per person a day on meals – the third lowest of any foundation in the country
I wrote to Essex County Council leader Lord Hanningfield to ask him if he would like to give us low-paid workers the extra money it costs to take children away during school holidays, but so far I’ve had no reply. Why should we not take a holiday for
Recent letters to the Echo appear to paint all bus drivers the same. I use the First Group service 20 to Hullbridge on a daily basis and I find the majority of drivers helpful. Indeed, I have witnessed them leaving their seats to assist passengers with
Isn't it time fireworks regulations are reviewed? I am not one of the anti-fireworks brigade. Properly supervised, in a sensible location, they are fine on November 5. Having said that, irresponsible behaviour by adults who should know better is deplorable
Much has been written about euthanasia following the sad death of rugby player Daniel James. Most adults must know half a dozen people, including members of their own family, who would say they would wish to end their life if they suffered bad health
The latest obscenity in providing Government, rather public, money to already highly paid GPs, is to give them, on BMA insistence, a £100 bonus for annual checks on people with learning difficulties. This, after an official enquiry warned they were,
Think of a number, add a string of noughts and charge it to Southend Council – £100,000 lift repair at the Civic Centre, £100,000 leaky roof on a brand new building near the pier. A million plus Government transport grant, stupid road humps and mystery
In the Echo (Nov 12) we find plans for 2,000 new homes at Bournes Green. The developers are Robert Leonard Group along with another developer. Further on, I read plans for a four-star hotel have been put on ice, again the developer is Robert Leonard.
THE victim of a vicious carjacking has spoken of his terrifying ordeal at the hands of two thugs. The victim, who asked not to be named, was standing next to his car when he was confronted by the robbers near Leigh railway station and forced
IF you go down to the Dixon Studio, London Road,Westcliff, on Thursday you will be in for a surprise of Shakespearean proportions. Southend Shakespeare Company are performing A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of the bard’s best-known romantic comedies.
A LUXURY hotel with underground parking and up to 40 apartments could be built on the site of the Esplanade pub on Southend seafront. The scheme, which has been discussed with council planners by developers Renewal Southend, could be part of
MEMBERS of a cycling club raised hundreds of pounds by pedalling 100 miles. Essex Roads Cycling Club has supported the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal since 2003 by cycling the same distance every Remembrance Sunday. Organiser Karthic Kukathasan said
A FIVE day beer and cider festival kicks off today in Rochford. Customers can pick from more than 200 beverages at the CAMRA event in the Freight House next to Rochford Railway Station. It runs from 5.30pm this afternoon until 11pm onight
SOUTHEND Manor, having completed their own programme, will keep a close eye on tonight’s Essex Senior League Cup Group C clash between Barking and Hullbridge Sports. For, if Hullbridge avoid defeat, Manor will win through to the knockout stages, which
AFTER a nervous draw away to AFC Telford in the F.A Cup first it was time for Tranmere Rovers, where we haven’t had much luck in the past winning just once in 18 years. With Lee Sawyer and Hal-Robson Kanu playing their last games for the club
GRAYS Athletic host their first FA Cup tie against Football League opposition tonight when League One side Carlisle United visit the New Rec for a First Round replay. The Blue Square Premier side conceded a late equaliser in the first tie in Cumbria,
RYMAN One North rivals Great Wakering Rovers and East Thurrock could be excused for fielding less than full strength sides for tonight’s Ryman League Cup first round clash. But visiting Rocks will be anxious to gain some revenge for a heavy league defeat
Carly Zucker practised hanging upside down to prepare for 'I'm A Celebrity. Get Me Out Of Here!'. The fitness trainer, who is engaged to soccer star Joe Cole, installed special equipment in their home in order to train for any gruelling or
Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on Robert to forgo the salary and perks he receives as a Member of European Parliament (MEP) during his time on the show. One MEP, Glyn Ford, has reportedly tabled a formal question to European Parliament president Hans
Joe Swash will take part in his third Bushtucker Trial in as many days today (18.11.08). Viewers of 'I'm A Celebrity. Get Me Out Of Here!' voted for 'Home' camper Joe to go head-to-head against his 'Away' counterpart, former chat show host-turned-politician
George Takei has infuriated 'I'm A Celebrity. Get Me Out Of Here!' bosses after being caught urinating in camp. The former 'Star Trek' star was seen on camera relieving himself close to the double-decker bus he is currently sleeping in with 'Home'
ROCHFORD Hundred stayed top of the London Three North East table with a convincing 26-8 win over Chelmsford on Saturday. Within five minutes of the start, centre Tom Ashton once again displayed his skills to glide through the opposition defence to score
WESTCLIFF left it very late yet again before a last minute penalty by Tom Lemon secured a 13-13 draw at Eton Manor in London Two North. Despite their low position in the league table, the home-side were not to be taken lightly and Westcliff struggled
CHRISTIAN Lett is the new man charged by the Essex County FA with boosting football coaching in the county. Lett has replaced Andy Edmunds at the county headquarters in Chelmsford as the Essex FA community football coach. His brief will be to help deliver
Brian Paddick received a lukewarm reception when he visited his rivals in the 'Away' camp to give them a treat. The 'Home' team - who are living in luxury after winning the first challenge on 'I'm A Celebrity. Get Me Out Of Here!' - were allowed
Nicola McLean ate kangaroo testicles during a Bushtucker Trial - and then asked camp mates if she could be pregnant. The 26-year-old glamour model's efforts against former 'EastEnders' star Joe Swash in the 'I Scream Van' challenge yesterday
JACK Collison's rise from non-league footballer to West Ham United reserve team captain to international midfielder has been meteoric. Four years ago, Collison was making his way through the ranks at Blue Square Premier side Cambridge United when he
ROADWORKS will cause disruption to motorists using Eastern Esplanade in Southend-on-Sea until Monday, November 24. Traffic moving west along the road towards the junction with Southchurch Avenue will be diverted through Lifstan Way and Woodgrange Drive
HERITA Ilunga has confirmed that he should be fit for Sunday's Premier League trip to Sunderland. The DR Congo international left-back was withdrawn midway through the second half of Saturday's goalless draw with Portsmouth after injuring his foot
SOUTHEND’S Director of Rugby Ben Green was left pointing the finger at the referee following his side’s 40-15 defeat at Mounts Bay. The Seasiders were leading 15-9 at the break thanks to two early tries from hooker Adam Ferrier. But the home-side hit
CANVEY Island will welcome a favourite footballing son back to Park Lane tonight – and will hope to see him leave with a good beating. Mario Noto, once on Tottenham Hotspur’s books as a youngster and a regular for much of Gulls’ two years in what was
CONCORD Rangers will look to end a run of four Ryman One North league games without a win when Northwood visit Thames Road tonight. The hosts will be hoping to provide more fire power than in Saturday’s home clash with promotion-chasing East Thurrock
EVEN by her busy standards, Southend Swifts international Francesca Whitby had a particularly hectic day on Saturday. Whitby started by helping the Swifts’ Under-18 girls’ team complete a comfortable 88-59 win over Wandsworth Sting in the Sureshot National
WESTCLIFF Lions secured a hard-fought 38-29 win over Braintree 2nd XV. The sides shared 67 points between them and the lead changed hands several times before Westcliff finally made their power and finishing tell and emerge as winners. Jon Sigwart led
IT was derby day at this level on Saturday as Canvey Island saw off their local rivals Basildon 15-10 in London Four North-East. Before the game Essex RFU President Gerry Mansfield and former Essex RFU President Mick Norris were on hand to present a
LONDON Leopards’ big charity fundraising day was brought to a premature end after star point guard Carl Latham-Henry suffered a neck ligament injury. The former Middlesbrough College student was left pole-axed on the court after colliding with
WESTCLIFF A thrashed Rochford 3rd XV 55-0, with George Burgess scoring 25 points. He scored two tries, landed six conversions and a penalty goal for his personal haul. Steve Hume also had a good day scoring three tries while others came from Ross Merrick
LEWIS Johnstone is back from the FSKA World Karate Championships in Venice having completed a superb Italian Job. FitzWimarc School, Rayleigh, student Johnstone was among 500 competitors from 20 nations taking part. He said: “I performed extremely
RAYLEIGH’s FitzWimarc School will be aiming to show plenty of fizz when the national final of the Sainsbury’s sponsored English Schools’ Cross-Country Cup is staged at Shepshed, Leicester, next month. In the regional final at the Copthall Stadium, Hendon
GOAL defence Joanne Dixey starred for Duke of York as they marched to a 57-36 win over Stephens and James in the highest-scoring Southend Netball League division one game of the day. Jemma Cavanagh, who also plays goal defence, was the star for the
TWO girls from the Southend Swimming Club diving team have been swooping to success at the English Schools’ Championships. Lottie Thompson and Ellie Osbrone earned their places on the division eight team by winning their respective events at the trials
BILLERICAY Town’s joint managers Jason Broom and Grant Gordon will not be sacked after Saturday’s shambolic Ryman Premier defeat at Ashford Town (Mddx). The Echo understands that the duo, in charge for a year, both intimated that they were prepared to
YOBS piled rubbish in a bus shelter and set fire to it. Two fire crews were deployed to tackle the blaze in a shelter in Belton Way, Leigh, last night (tues), after two separate calls from mobile phones at 1am and 3.30am. Sub officer Phil Owens said
FIREFIGHTERS battled to put out 15ft flames after a garage and the vehicle inside it caught fire. A man in his early 20s, who was the owner of the car in the garage, was taken to hospital in an ambulance suffering from superficial burns. Three appliances
TWO people had to be rescued by a lifeboat after their vessel began taking on water near Southend Pier. The Southend Royal National Lifeboat Institution was launched at 6.10pm on Sunday, after reports of a 23ft clinker boat in trouble. Volunteers pumped
MANY people moan Basildon is too built up, but for two boys their town is their playground and the more buildings, walls, bollards and kerbs, the better. Antony Sillett, 17, and Dean Storey, 18, practise parkour, also known as free-running,
THE leader of Basildon Council has spoken of his relief the £247million regeneration of the Craylands estate and former Fryerns School has not fallen victim to the credit crunch. After years of delays, English Partnerships, Basildon Council
THE Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park, between Southend and Rochford, is set to more than double in size, making a total of 230 acres including an area of ancient woodland. For the past eight years, Rochford District Council has been developing
A MARKET stall has been criticised for selling deactivated guns, daggers, knives, bayonets and Nazi memorabilia, including swastikas and medals. The stall, at Basildon Market, is open three days a week and sells the goods beside stalls selling children
SOUTH Essex MPs gave a cautious welcome to possible tax cuts but there are worries among local Tories that more borrowing to pay for them could lead to problems. Chancellor Alistair Darling is expected to unveil a series of tax-cutting measures
BLUES left-back Johnny Herd wants his home debut to be remembered for all the right reasons at Roots Hall tonight. The 19-year-old, who is a product of the club’s youth system, will again replace Dan Harding in the Shrimpers back four.
JAMES Walker wants to prove his worth to Southend United - starting with tonight’s FA Cup replay with AFC Telford at Roots Hall. The striker, who made his loan move from Charlton Athletic permanent during the summer in a £100,000 deal, has now not scored
BLUES boss Steve Tilson wants a selection headache after tonight’s replay with AFC Telford. The Southend manager may have to make as many as five changes to his starting line-up. And he wants those replacements to take their opportunities to impress
AN MP and a councillor took part in a pyjama party to help support Children in Need. John Baron, MP for Billericay, joined Billericay west councillor, Tony Hedley at Goldcrest Day Nursery, in Mons Avenue. Children were sponsored to wear their pyjamas
A COMMUNITY group has won an award for helping more businesses go green. The Basildon Green Business Forum won a Green Apple Award for its work in the district, offering free advice for businesses that want to be environmentally friendly, and save money
