A CONCERT will see the renowned Leigh Orpheus Male Voice Choir show off their talent while raising money for a hospice. The singers will be performing a range of show-stopping musical classics on Saturday, at Basildon’s Towngate Theatre. Money raised
ESSEX captain Mark Pettini scored his first championship century in almost three years to bat his side into a commanding position in the LV County Championship Division Two match against Kent at Canterbury. While home skipper Rob Key continues to struggle
ESSEX wicketkeeper James Foster has set his sights on extending his England career after an impressive showing with the gloves during the World Twenty20. Foster was picked as a specialist keeper for the competition, despite the England management opting
TRADERS claim drunks who constantly booze and linger outside their shops are driving customers away. Bosses at the tiny parade of shops in Rectory Road, Pitsea, have started a petition demanding Basildon Council makes the area an alcohol exclusion zone
BEST friends Maria Browes and Michaela Bliss have been through more than most pals after taking part in a gruelling weight loss challenge – on TV. Maria, from Canvey, and Michaela, from Basildon, have spent nearly two months away from their families,
DANIEL Heeney can be seen making several appearances in the film Telstar. Daniel is not quite clear where, although he has watched the film as a guest at the premiere. “I’d had a few drinks before I went, and to be honest it’s a bit of a blur,” he
TELSTAR, the 1962 instrumental hit by the Tornados, was created as a tribute to the world’s first communications satellite. It was composed and produced by a pioneering electronics genius, Joe Meek. Like its namesake, Joe’s musical satellite also orbited
Q-BALL Snooker Club manager Brian Salmon shocked himself when he hooked two former world champions on his way to winning an eight-man tournament at the Basildon venue. More than 50 devotees of the game turned out to watch the inaugural eight-ball pool
WORSHIPPERS fear a Southend mosque is being targeted by an organised group of racists. The windows at the Essex Jamme Masjid mosque, in Chelmsford Avenue, have been repeatedly smashed by vandals, who strike at night. Samsu Miah, chairman
THERE was an large turnout at Boyce Hill Ladies who found the course in immaculate condition when guest day was staged. Apart from entertaining lady captains from Thorpe Hall, Belfairs, Burnham and Romford, guests invited travelled from as far a field
JUNIOR players from David Lloyd Basildon will be flying the flag for Essex when they take on the eastern region’s top tennis teams. The quartet from the centre on the Festival Leisure Park emerged as Essex champions following an 18-2 win over Harlow
EKCO Monarchs and Trojans were unable to stop Fyfield’s recent Division Four success as they lost by five wickets after a successful stands by visiting batsmen Harris (44no) and Walden (39no). Ecko batted first and after impressive batting from Norfolk
A SCHOOLGIRL riding through a scenic wood was left terrified after a snarling dog chased her then ripped a chunk out of her beloved horse’s leg. Megan Brooks, 13, was on the trotting track at Belfairs Wood, Leigh, with her horse, Midnight, when the lurcher
TWO of the three men who were arrested following an armed robbery on a Westcliff bookmakers on Monday have been named. Reza Mahdavian, 35, of Kursaal Way, Southend and Dorian McCallum, 30, of Park Street, Westcliff will appear at Southend Magistrates
AN ALCOHOLIC has been jailed for terrorising his family. David Binks, 30, smashed a window at the home of his terminally-ill mum in New Century Road, Laindon, just before she died last month. A week later he was arrested in possession of a knife at
THE men played the midweek medal at Thorpe Hall, the highlight of which was the net 68 of Paul King, off four handicap. One of the stars of the club’s Thornton Cup team, he has had his handicap reduced to three. In second place was Mickey Davis, with
A MIXTURE of perfect golfing weather plus a course in great condition produced some superb scoring in the June medal at Rochford. Nearly all the divisions were keenly contested with one player even returning an incredible net 59! Vice-captain Peter
TWO teenage sweethearts had the shock of their lives when they were both struck by lightning as they sat under a tree in a park. The 14-year-olds were sheltering under the tree in King George V Playing Field, in Rayleigh, during the violent storms of
WITH the course in excellent condition it was a busy week at the Lord’s Golf and Country Club (Rayleigh) with the ladies starting the competitions with their mid-week medal. Taking the prize was Susan Sage who had a gross 86 (net 68). Following close
FORMER Australia spinner Shane Warne doubts England batsman Ravi Bopara has what it takes to make an impact in this summer's Ashes series. Warne, who took more than 700 Test wickets in a glittering career, has played down Bopara's impressive start
DON Smith started his 75th birthday celebrations in style by helping Crowstone to victory. Don partnered Paul Bundock to a 6-2 6-1 win over Wickford’s Bob Chapman and John Kirk in their The League Division Three fixture, which was played the evening
CAPTAIN'S Day at Three Rivers consisted of a nine hole Texas Scramble in the morning and 18 hole individual Stableford (qualifying) competition in the afternoon. Despite a wet weather forecast, 116 members turned up to support this event. The morning
A VERY successful Memorial Day was held at Garon Park Golf Complex with a large field playing in teams of fourballs with their best three Stableford scores counting. This annual event is held to celebrate the memory of departed friends, prominent amongst
Some batsmen are obsessive, lying awake at night picturing their glorious cover drives, replaying the moment they struck that reverse sweep sailing over the Grandstand at Lord’s for six. Others, like me, try not to get too wound up in it all.
Ever wonder why the tourist industry isn’t booming in Southend? Perhaps my story will be instructive. It was a rainy afternoon, so I took my baby daughter and our elderly dog to one of the canopied cafes on the seafront. I ordered a cup of tea
Which council bosses have put forward what pay and display plan for the Southend hospital area? (June 11). At the last meeting of the traffic and parking working party, chaired by councillor Waite, officers and ward councillors discussed a new
A TEENAGER who took a car and wrecked it in a crash after smoking cannabis has been locked up for two months. Ashley Wade, 18, of Leighfleets, Benfleet, was driving an MG ZR in Belton Way, Leigh, when it smashed into another car and a lamp
I went to see James Duddridge MP some six weeks ago to discuss a couple of issues. I was rushed out of the meeting with a promise my MP would e-mail when he had read the papers concerning the issues. No e-mail was sent, so I sent him an e-mail
ROCHFORD Hundred golfer Danielle Anderson played for Essex schools in the south-east 36-hole regional final at Bedford and County Golf Club. She was forced to battle through wet and windy conditions, but came in with rounds of gross 77 and 81 which were
PETER Clarke will begin his Huddersfield Town career back at Southend United. The 27-year-old defender, who made 150 appearances in three years with the Shrimpers before opting to leave this summer, will return to Roots Hall on the opening day of the
Until recently I had some sympathy with the dog lovers who wish to continue to walk their dogs on Southend’s beaches. Unfortunately I saw something recently that made my blood boil and I'm now in favour of dogs being banned from our beaches.
There is a poem which describes the differing attitudes of the French and Americans as compared to the British in respect of war veterans (June 12): When danger threatens and war is nigh, God and the soldiers are the cry. When war is passed and
Shoebury Conservatives have a poll on their website regarding the proposed development of East Beach. As of approx. 9.50pm on June 14, 15 per cent of voters were for the proposals and 84 per cent were against. The poll has backfired. Again,
Nicola Smith (June 11) claims she “didn’t get any answers” at my public meeting. She is unfair. She asked why, even though I claimed below average expenses and still managed to deliver the best work output of any MP, my expenses were higher in
We read with interest a letter from Mr Free regarding the impact on St Laurence Church of proposals for Southend Airport (June 5). While Mr Free is entitled to his opinions, we regret this is misleading. The airport and church have been working
I understand the House of Lords is not willing to review the plan by Basildon Council to evict travellers from Dale Farm, which the High Court has granted. Sadly, this is what happens when political issues get into what is essentially a humanitarian
As a responsible person, with two dogs, I wholeheartedly agree with those who protested against the ludicrous dog ban (June 15). The majority of dog owners would not dream of leaving behind any mess, whether it be on a beach or anywhere else
So, after the abortive putsch we end up with two leaders. One is surrogate and one surreptitious, but which is which and where is the democratically elected leader in waiting who will rid our weary nation of this unelected duo and the rest of
While media and public attention is on our fiddling MPs and the new, unelected, aristocracy governing us, the banks are busy shafting us all. Our bailed-out banking cartels are busy raising interest rates. The half a per cent base rate is totally
PUPILS are going all arty for their school project. Youngsters from St Teresa’s Primary School, Basildon, are taking part in an environmental creative arts events this week. Victoria Kelly, art and design teacher at the school, in Elsenham Crescent
CHILDREN will get the chance to create their own bicycles from unclaimed parts left with Laindon police. The summer holiday project, called Pimp My Bike, will involve youngsters from the Five Links estate, Laindon. John McKay, tenants representative
ABOUT 40 workers have lost their jobs after two restaurants on the Festival Leisure Park, Basildon, became the latest casualties of the recession. Chili’s and Romano’s Macaroni Grill closed yesterday. Customers were greeted by a sign from administrator
THE number of people out of work in south Essex has more than doubled in a year to over 17,000. According to the Office for National Statistics, in May there were 17,035 people claiming jobseekers’ allowance. In May last year there were 8,498 jobless
A CONVICTED killer, who blamed his violent rage on the trauma of surviving the Paddington rail crash, has no right to claim compensation, the House of Lords ruled yesterday. Kerrie Gray, 49, was locked up for manslaughter after he admitted
A NEW series of walking and cycling guides has been launched in a bid to get more people to spend their holiday in Essex. The county council is behind the guides, which showcase the county’s long coastline and tourist attractions. Nicholas
MP Andrew Mackinlay wants unelected cabinet ministers to be forced to defend their policies in the House of Commons. The Labour MP locked horns with Gordon Brown over the issue during Prime Minister’s Question Time yesterday. He said
BOSSES at a Coral bookmakers have praised quick-thinking members of the public following a raid on their Westcliff branch. Shoppers saw two robbers burst into the bookies in London Road brandishing a samurai sword and an axe. Police arrested one of
A CHURCH has come under fire after residents alleged it employed contractors who hacked down trees containing bird nests. Wildlife enthusiasts said they were forced to call police to stop the destruction of sparrow nests with young in, in the grounds
TWO childhood friends are limbering up for a 25-mile charity walk. Josie Osborne and Shelley Ayres, both 57, will set off, on July 3, for a two-day trek along northern England’s historic Hadrian’s Wall, to raise money for Christian Aid.
A DISABLED man was attacked and robbed in his own home by vicious thugs who beat him with his walking stick. The men approached Richard Mathis’ home in Victoria Road, Southend, after they saw a car for sale on the driveway. When Mr Mathis,
MORE than 2,000 people turned up to see a 15-year-old girl triumph in the second year of Canvey’s Got Talent. Georgia Garrett, a pupil at Castle View School, was voted the winner of the variety show for her rendition of Gladys Knight’s Licence
GENEROUS Basildon shoppers have donated thousands of supermarket vouchers to help kit out a schoolroom for sick children in hospital. More than 150,000 Tesco and Sainsbury school vouchers, which can be cashed in for learning equipment, have
FOOTBALL fans are being invited to put a team together and score some goals in aid of Basildon Hospital’s Scope in Time appeal. Maldon Town Football Club is playing host to a special charity seven-a-side football tournament on Sunday, July 5. The hospital
