Archive

  • Jo-Jo has smashed UK record

    SWIMMING sensation Jo-Jo Cranfield has broken the S9 long course 1500m freestyle British record. The Paralympic hopeful, who was raised in Westcliff and now attends Millfield School in Somerset, set the mark, which is still subject to ratification, in

  • Greensward put stop to Hawkwell’s strong run

    GREENSWARD Thirds, the Veteran Division One leaders in the Southend and District Badminton Association League, extended their advantage with a resounding 5-1 away win to end Hawkwell’s unbeaten run. The home side started well with a win for Ron Lucas

  • Hand injury puts Val title mission on ice

    VALENTINO Petrescu’s hopes of winning the British light-heavyweight title were dashed by a broken right hand. Petrescu, who is a member of Westcliff-based Team Suregrip (TSG), was scheduled to fight Jamie Hearn for the crown at the Ultimate Challenge

  • ‘We need a speed camera before someone is killed’

    A MUM had her garden wall destroyed after a motorist ploughed into it – then demanded a speed camera was put up at the accident blackspot. Denay Walton, 28, was at her home in Church Road, Ramsden Bellhouse, with her three children when she heard a crash

  • Robber fires gun in Canvey store

    A ROBBER fired a gun at a store on Canvey during an attempted heist. He entered the Mace Store in Canvey High Street and fired a black air pistol in the air at about 9pm on Wednesday. A 66-year-old male shop assistant in the shop was not injured

  • Traffic warden has cigarette stubbed in face

    A TRAFFIC warden had a cigarette stubbed out in his face by a passer-by. The 55-year-old warden was writing in his notebook in Quebec Avenue, Southend, when he was approached by a man and a woman. The man started to use offensive language which made

  • Tory breaks ranks over Canvey pool

    A CONSERVATIVE cabinet councillor has broken ranks to voice his opposition to plans to demolish Canvey’s seafront paddling pool. Ray Howard, Castle Point councillor responsible for waste, flood and water management, said he wanted a public

  • Worry over fate of museum’s 50 boats

    A COLLECTION of nearly 50 motorboats could be moved elsewhere in the country after a specialist museum closed. Basildon Council’s Motorboat Museum in Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea, closed to the public in December, but now it has emerged

  • York Road shops are safe, says councillor

    SHOPS opposite York Road market will not be knocked down, according to a senior councillor. Anna Waite, Southend councillor responsible for planning, said there was no intention of knocking the shops down, despite the demise of the market. Martin Terry

  • Council wants to save £10m in next 3 years

    BASILDON Council wants to save £10million over a three-year period by giving work to private firms. The council plans to make the savings by contracting maintenance of its grounds, catering and marketing to outside companies. The controversial proposal

  • Sea-Life Centre reopens after £1m redevelopment

    SEA-LIFE Centre on Southend seafront reopens on Saturday after a £1million redevelopment. It now boasts a tropical shark tank holding over 195 tonnes of water, with black tip reef sharks and an array of colourful fish such as tangs and wrasses

  • Anger at state of Laindon shopping centre

    DEMANDS are being made for Basildon Council to buy back a rundown Sixties shopping centre – and let residents decide how they want it rebuilt. John Dornan, a Tory councillor for Laindon Park, has had enough of waiting for the centre to be revamped

  • Basildon MP backs Robin Hood tax

    MP ANGELA Smith has joined south Essex charities in backing calls for a new Robin Hood tax on banks to help the poor. Pirates of the Caribbean star Bill Nighy and Blackadder creator Richard Curtis are backing the “world’s greatest bank job”

  • Lawn close in after marathon

    SOUTHEND Lawn’s ladies closed to within a point of Division Tow leaders Westcliff Hard II following a marathon match. Lawn travelled to Thorpe Bay II seeking to put pressure on the leaders and did so by winning 4-1 to get five points to Bay’s one.

  • Drive-in harks back to golf’s golden age

    PETER Leslie certainly kept up a family tradition when he drove in as Rochford captain on Sunday following his dad and father-in-law into a golf club’s top job. Both father David and wife Mandy's dad Fred Laws are past skippers at Thorpe Hall and nine

  • Petition launched to save shopping parade

    MORE than 750 people have signed a petition opposing plans to tear down a parade of shops and replace them with flats, offices and retail units. Residents fear the proposed development in High Road, Benfleet, would block light to nearby homes and does

  • Government home care costs wrong, says Essex county boss

    AN Essex County Council boss is leading criticism of a Government plan to offer free support to help residents live at home. David Finch, County Hall’s cabinet member for adults, has written a letter signed by more than 70 of his counterparts

  • Daniel’s sailing challenge

    A MAN who has twice battled against leukaemia is planning to join a gruelling sailing race around the UK as he awaits the all-clear from doctors. Daniel Monk, 23, plans to take part in the race around Britain and Ireland in June, just two months before

  • Town clerk stands down after 14 years

    A LONG-SERVING town clerk says he won’t be drawn on his reasons for quitting his post with immediate effect. Geoff Fulford clocked up nearly 14 years at Leigh Town Council, but has resigned for personal reasons. He held the post since the council was

  • Councillors ignore people’s views

    There can be no doubt Southend Council will be forced to make drastic cuts in its expenditure. Even what are considered to be essential services will not be exempt. I suspect a small executive committee of the ruling party holds private meetings

  • Trust happy to answer MP

    Bob Russell MP implied issues on the basis of “what was not included” in an article on the Academies Enterprise Trust. As he points out in his letter (Jan 27), he also raised similar questions in the House of Commons and in writing to the Minister

  • No sense in filling in pool

    I have lived on Canvey just over a year and several of my grandchildren have stayed with us. Their ages range from five to 13 and they have thoroughly enjoyed being on the beach. When the weather has been nice they have paddled, splashed and

  • We’re making our town centre safer at night

    I would like to respond to Joan Jarvis’s letter “Town centre is being destroyed” (Feb 4). Basildon Council understands and sympathises with residents who are frustrated by the short term disruption caused by the town centre improvement works

  • Health drive launched for Basildon's over 55's

    RESIDENTS in Basildon who are over 55 are being urged to get fit and healthy. Basildon Council has launched a five week health and fitness course. It includes activities such as aerobics, fitness walking, circut training, resistance work-outs and yoga

  • Adu wants to build on win

    ESSEX Pirates star Taner Adu wants his side to build on last weekend’s win over Plymouth Raiders. Adu top scored with 25 points for Pirates as they worked their way off the bottom of the BBL standings. And the 25-year-old now wants more of

  • Southgate is England star at top contest

    THORPE Hall’s Matthew Southgate finished as leading points scorer for England as they finished second in the annual Costa Ballena Quadrangular Tournament title they last won in 2006. English golf’s first international tournament of the year was played

  • School boost from Park club

    GOLFERS from the club have raised £10,000 plus for the St Christopher Special School in Leigh. A cheque for £10,646.81 was presented to St Christopher's head teacher, Jacqueline Mullan, by the club's 2009 captains. They are Raymond Crowhurst, Carol

  • Calver joins the Iron

    BLUES’ young striker Craig Calver has joined Blue Square South outfit Braintree Town on a month-long loan.

  • O’Keefe under knife

    SHRIMPERS midfielder Stuart O’Keefe will undergo surgery on a hernia problem on Monday. The 18-year-old is expected to be sidelined for between four to six weeks.

  • Big night for Lords at trophy ceremony

    WITH a respite in the weather, the golfers at the Rayleigh based golf and country club were able to let their hair down at the annual presentation dinner. More than 180 members and guests attended to receive their rewards for the 2008/2009 season.

  • Scott up for massive match

    SOUTHEND United striker Scott Spencer has labelled Saturday’s showdown with Tranmere Rovers as a massive match for his side. The struggling Shrimpers are now just two points above the relegation zone, which currently includes Tranmere.

  • Jack set to sign

    KELVIN Jack is set to sign for Southend United on a non-contract basis and be the club’s second choice goalkeeper for this Saturday’s clash with Tranmere Rovers. Blues are currently without their usual reserve shot-stopper Ian Joyce who is on a seven-day

  • Groundsman Dave says life’s a pitch at moment

    COLCHESTER United’s head groundsman David Blacknall has vowed to do everything in his power to help improve the playing surface at the Weston Homes Community Stadium. The U’s pitch has been criticised following the televised derby against Southend United

  • Tilly does the cup double!

    SOUTHEND United manager Steve Tilson has got his hands back on some silverware. And now fellow football lovers can do the same. For replica European and FA Cups are now available for fans to be pictured alongside at the Sport and Star Autographs shop

  • Updated: Pharmacy staff rally round after arson attack

    STAFF at a Thorpe Bay pharmacy have rallied round to get prescriptions out after an arson attack caused severe damage to the rear of the store last night. Bansals Pharmacy, in The Broadway, was discovered alight at around 8.45pm on Wednesday night

  • Scam has left me with no phone line

    A BUSINESSMAN has warned of a scam which has stopped him from using his telephone number. Ruben Caruana, 53, runs the Glass Studio, in London Road, Southend. For the past three years his phone service has been provided by XLN Telecom.