Archive

RYMAN LEAGUE CUP: Wednesday night's fourth round tie between Aveley and AFC Hornchurch has been postponed due to pitch conditions.

ESSEX Pirates crashed out of the BBL Trophy in the first round tonight, losing 95-73 at MK Lions. Pirates were 23-19 behind at the end of the first quarter and Lions went further ahead during the second period to lead 46-35 at half-time.

ONE man who works on the frontline fighting poverty in Southend is Simon Matthews. Community pastor at Southend Vineyard, Simon runs the Storehouse project, which offers clothes, food parcels, tea, coffee and meals to people in need. The project, based

SOUTHEND United have extended Jean Yves M’Voto’s loan spell until the end of the season. The French centre-back, who has been out since September with a hip problem, has agreed to stay at Roots Hall from Sunderland for a further five months

WHILE sub-zero weather conditions wreak havoc among fixtures from the elite level down to grassroots, players, officials and supporters are being praised for their patience by the Essex County FA. They were forced to call a halt to the majority of their

CASTLE Point boatmen were given a taste of coping in an emergency situation at a life raft training session. All boats carrying passengers are required by law to carry a life raft, and the day was a chance for their crews to practice for an emergency

OLYMPIC dinghy racing hopefuls Paul Brotherton and Thorpe Bay YC member Mark Asquith finished a respectable 10th overall in the 49er class dinghy world championships in the Bahamas. Five UK teams — all ranked in the top 20 in the world — qualified for

A DISPUTE between neighbours boiled over and ended up in court. Linda Felton, 45, from London Road, Benfleet, had a long-running feud with next-door neighbours Patricia and Jonathon Frost, Southend Magistrates’ Court heard. Linda Felton was accused

A BLOCK of flats could be built on land next to a care home. Mr and Mrs K Wright have applied to Basildon Council for planning permission to knock down their house in Stock Road, Billericay, and replace it with six two-bedroom flats. The proposed building

RHYS Naylor heads into his next pair of ice speedway races with a new nickname. The 16-year-old rider from Pitsea is competing in the Extreme International Ice Racing (XIIR) series in north America this winter and has been dubbed Tigger by other riders

ALEX Revell has left Roots Hall after having his contract cancelled by mutual consent. The striker arrived back at Southend at the beginning of January following a four-month loan spell with Swindon Town. Revell, who made 12 appearance

A MAN accused of attacking two teenage boys and a teenage girl will stand trial. Michael Howe, 19, of Wimbish End, Pitsea, is also accused of causing £200 damage to a Peugeot car, in an incident which took place on February 2. Appearing at Basildon

BASILDON Council has earmarked £1million for a regeneration project in Wickford. The project is set to breathe new life into Nevendon Road, where work has been delayed since the recession took hold last year. Under the plan, Park Lodge Community Hall

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to stop controversial plans to build a housing estate on a wildlife site. Castle Point MP Bob Spink has given out hundreds of posters to residents opposing the proposals, which could see a 13-acre site off The Chase, Thundersley

HITTING the gym after a booze and food-fuelled Christmas is one thing. Hitting it after suffering a stroke, a brain haemorrhage and a double dose of pneumonia is another. Yet this is exactly what Keith Whiskin, 51, did as part of his recovery

NEW dates have been set for the quarter-finals with three of the four ties now due next Tuesday (January 19). Hullbridge Sports, the last remaining Essex Senior League club in the competition, will visit League Two Dagenham and Redbridge (7.30pm) with

On the Wednesday before Christmas I cut the back of my head after falling on an icy pavement in Baddow Road, Chelmsford. Four people came to my assistance. One of the ladies used a scarf to stem the blood while another called an ambulance. All

Looking through reports of court cases, I notice a strange anomaly with the sentences handed down, particularly with regard to driving without insurance. This week alone case one was fined £525, six penalty points and £85 costs, case two fined

Now the MPs’ expense gravy train is heading for the buffers, whoever instigated it must be named and sacked. Seemingly, it has been going on for years and years secretly and unchecked. The latest sickening revelation of council and NHS chief

I disassociate myself from Billericay Town Council’s decision to set the town’s precept at 21.8 per cent for the coming year, which I vehemently opposed at the council meeting on December 17. I was elected in 2005, opposing the 34.8 per cent

A big thank you to everyone who supported the farmers’ craft market held on December 9 at the Transport Museum, Canvey. The event was hindered by weather and licence applications which prevented a lot of our farmers being able to attend. However

Congratulations to Southend Council on reducing youth crime and in increasing recycling (Dec 30). However, it continues to amaze me that when the council goes ahead with projects like the Garons Park swimming pool and the landslide prevention

A CARE home is closed to visitors due to the winter vomiting virus. The residential home in Southend, which Southend Council is refusing to name, has been shut to contain the outbreak of the norovirus. The outbreak is also thought to be affecting

SCOTT Spencer has completed his free transfer switch to Southend United. The 20-year-old striker scored twice for the Shrimpers reserves against Colchester United just before Christmas. And he has now been signed until the end of the

THE snow has played havoc with the plans of one of south Essex’s top Judo fighters as she plots her course towards international competition and a possible tilt at selection for the 2012 Olympics. Toni Prince trains at the JCS Judo Club in Purfleet

A CONTROVERSIAL school for youngsters with behavioural problems has been slammed in an Ofsted report. But the damning findings into the Continuum School, in Vanderwalt Avenue, Canvey, have now been called into question after the report was pulled

A MAN who tricked young women into believing he was a police officer and then kidnapped them has been told to expect jail. Lee Walker, 21, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday and admitted five counts of impersonating a police officer and counts

DESPITE a slight thaw setting in, the wintry weather continues to play havoc with fixtures. All three matches due on Tuesday night were cancelled. These were the Ryman League Cup fourth round tie between Canvey Island and Wingate and Finchley plus the

A Basildon man has been arrested in connection with an armed heist on a bank. Raiders struck at the Barclays Bank in Epping High Street on Sunday. They threatened staff with a handgun before stealing cash. Detectives probing the break-in have arrested

TONS of salt grit is at the top of Southend Council’s shopping list as it works to secure enough grit to be able to lift its priority spreading routes and resume normal service. At present the council only has enough grit to spread on major routes

RESIDENTS in Shotgate are being warned major roadworks are due to take place soon. A scheme to renovate a 340m stretch of Hodgson Way will take place between January 18 and 25. The works on the road, which is the main route to Wickford business park

THE big freeze has brought the worst out in yobs. Since the snow and ice set in, police have been called to scores of incidents across the county where youngsters have been hurling ice missiles. Youths caused more than £500 damage after lobbing ice

MORE than 10,000 Essex charities could benefit from a new national campaign encouraging people to give more to local good causes. The What Do You Believe In? campaign aims to increase local support for voluntary organisations, an aim it shares with the

A NEW pharmaceutical company which spealises in making complex medicines for individuals has opened its doors in Basildon. The £1million Waymade Healthcare facility, based in Miles Gray Road, on the Pipps Hill Industrial Estate, has created 14 new jobs

A FURTHER three companies have come out in favour of plans to expand Southend airport. ATC Lasham, Inflite Southend Ltd and Avionicare all work in the aviation industry. They believe that more airlines using the airport will bring increased

DID you play for the South Benfleet United team pictured on the right between 1956 and 1958? The photograph was sent in by Stuart Mathewson, whose late father Jim played for the team. They are shown on a day trip to Ramsgate, Kent, in 1958 and Jim

FAMILY and friends gathered to say a heartfelt farewell to a devoted father-of-three who died suddenly aged just 27. Greig Rawlinson died as a result of a blood clot on December 21, two days after he collapsed at his home in Ramuz Drive, Westcliff.

THE girls of Thundersley’s SEEVIC College have regained their crown as eastern region champions. In doing so, they have booked themselves a place in the national finals to be held at Loughborough University in April. The college in Kiln Road has had

THE demolition of York Road market will benefit traders in the area, Southend Tory councillors have said. A survey on the 90-year-old market structure revealed potentially dangerous health and safety issues, which prompted its closure on October 17

BLUES' reserve team game with Ipswich Town, which was due to be played at Roots Hall this afternoon, has been postponed because of a frozen pitch. No new date for the match has yet to be confirmed.

SOUTHEND United have confirmed that they have not been approached by Millwall for either Lee Barnard or Alan McCormack. The Lions had been linked with moves for the Shrimpers duo. But a club spokesman insisted there had been no approach

A COUNCIL has been praised after it became the first authority in Essex to enter into an agreement championing small businesses. Castle Point Council has signed up to the small businesses engagement accord at a ceremony at the council’s offices in Kiln

TANER Adu is targeting a long run in the BBL Trophy with Essex Pirates. Tim Lewis’ team travel to MK Lions in the first round of the competition tonight. And the free-scoring Adu is confident of causing an upset. “It would be great to get a run

THE slow thaw currently being experienced in south-east Essex looks like coming too late to save the midweek programme. Ryman Premier Division club Canvey Island are due to host Division One North visitors Wingate and Finchley in the League Cup, sponsored

SEAN Morrison has returned to Swindon Town. The 18-year-old centre-back was due to play the last game of his two-month long loan spell with Southend United against Walsall on Saturday. But after the game was postponed because of a frozen pitch, Morrison

OSEI Sankofa wants to soon start feeling like a footballer again by replacing Sean Morrison in the Southend United starting line up. Morrison’s return to Swindon Town on the completion of his loan spell has opened up an opportunity for Sankofa

FOOTBALL fans got their hands on the silverware at Lakeside on Sunday when the League Cup went on display at the shopping centre. Supporters were able to see the famous trophy and watch the 50 greatest moments from the League Cup’s history as part of

A WHEELCHAIR-BOUND man who needs round-the-clock care has been left without central heating in his council house for three months. Tony Stamford, 60, was born with cerebral palsy which means he cannot walk and relies on a carer to do nearly everything

A SIMPLE lifesaving scheme is being promoted by Southend Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership. The free Message in a Bottle scheme is being offered at libraries across the borough. It is aimed at older and vulnerable people living alone and has

A CHARITY official has warned about thieves target collection bags across Basildon. The British Heart Foundation has had several incidents reported to it where crooks stole bags of goods destined for charities. Tricksters have also been posing as

TOP Southend councillors have each claimed hundreds of pounds in travel expenses over eight months. John Lamb, Tory deputy leader, has claimed £1,265 mileage allowance, the highest of all. Other top claimers include Derek Jarvis, councillor responsible

A HAUL worth £21,000 was stolen by burglars. The crooks forced their way into the house in Central Avenue, Stanford-le-Hope. Once inside, they stole the keys to a Land Rover, which they drove awayl. They also stole two iPods and a laptop computer.

panto stars have plenty to smile about this year – with south Essex theatres celebrating record-breaking panto seasons. Brian Conley has helped the Cliffs Pavilion, Westcliff, chalk up a box office record, while Jack and the Beanstalk has been a giant

PALM trees that were ruthlessly hacked down by contractors employed by Southend Council have been replaced – with trees half the size of the originals. Three out of four of the 20-year-old cordyline palm trees, near the statue of Queen Victoria, in Clifftown

A HARDY group of fundraisers has raise more than £4,000 for charity – with a little help from Santa. Benfleet Rotary Club braved the pre-Christmas snow and ice to tow Santa and his sleigh around the streets of Benfleet and Hadleigh. The sleigh was pulled

SEVERAL events in Southend have been cancelled due to the continuing snow and ice underfoot. The meeting of the Retired Employees Association of British Gas, which was to be held today at the Conservative Club, in Clarence Street, Southend, has been

MORE than 50 homes have suffered repeated power cuts during the freezing weather. Problems started shortly after 1pm on Friday when 54 properties in Brightwell Avenue, Westcliff, lost power. Homes in the road suffered another cut between 11am and

A PRIMARY school has teamed up with Southend United to support a campaign which aims to bring an end to polio. The League One club’s captain Adam Barrett visited Kents Hill School, in Benfleet, to hand out purple wristbands. The wristbands show support

THOUSANDS of chlamydia testing kits will be mailed out to young people in south Essex in the next few months. NHS South East Essex is sending out the kits as part of a campaign to get youngsters to look after their sexual health. One sexually active

A BOOK-KEEPER who stole more than £4,000 from a school has been told she faces jail. Corinne Philpott, 26, admitted one count of fraud by abuse of position when she appeared at Basildon Crown Court. She stole the money from St Thomas

RESIDENTS in Hockley are furious a car wash built without planning permission is operating fully. James Hand Car Wash and Valeting Service, in Alderman’s Hill, has been operating since before Christmas, despite resident objections and a petition

A FURIOUS councillor wants dog owners to be more considerate. Rob Gledhill believes Delafield Park, Grays, is being ruined by dog’s muck. Mr Gledhill said: “These days, pet owners are expected to clean up. The council provides two bins in the park,

ARTISTS reunited to collaborate on an exhibition at a Southend gallery. Seven University of East London graduates came together to create their show, “Before, Between, Beyond”, which opened at the Tap gallery, in North Road. The ex-classmates produced

A GROUP of enterprising and hard-working mums have finally managed to rebuild their nursery after a two-year fundraising effort. Downhall Under Fives opened its new £150,000 pre-school building this week at the Ferndale Open Space, in Ferndale Road,

CARELESS dog owners in Basildon, who let their animals poo in public, may soon be slapped with a £75 fine. The council will vote over whether to crack down on people who are letting their dogs foul on pavements and in parks without cleaning

ESSEX County Council ought to postpone public meetings called this week to discuss Hadleigh Castle Park’s Olympic role says Castle Point MP Bob Spink. The independent MP wants meetings to discuss using Hadleigh Castle Park for the 2012 mountain biking

AN eight-month old puppy has been rescued after it was dumped in freezing temperatures in Westcliff. The brown-and-white Staffordshire bull terrier bitch, named Cassie by her rescuers, was found locked in a cage out in the cold with no food

A DEVELOPER has appealed against Basildon Council’s refusal of plans to build ten new homes near Noak Bridge. Reliant Building Contractors bought a site off Eastfield Road, Basildon, from regeneration agency English Partnerships in December 2006. However

COMMUNITY projects which have won lottery funding could be in line for an extra £2,000 from the lottery. Nominations are invited for the National Lottery Awards, 2010, a quest for the past 15 years’ best lottery-funded projects. In the past year alone

ROAD and footpath repairs are set to cause to traffic congestion in Wickford in the next few months. Contractor May Gurney is about to start resurfacing in the town on behalf of Essex County Council. Hodgson Way will face closures and