IN the last decade, home broadband has changed people’s lives all across the country... and it all started in Vange. Ten years ago this week, Mark Bush, 41, of Great Mistley, became the first person in the UK to get broadband internet installed
HAVENS Hospices has been given a £146,000 Government grant. Fair Havens Hospice has been given the grant as part of a £40 million grant programme by the Department of Health. The grant is specifically for the refurbishment at the charity’s
TORY councillors in Castle Point are supporting national Conservative plans to scrap housing targets, just six months after voting to allow 5,000 homes to be built in the borough. Opposition councillors accused the Tories of electioneering, but Tories
A DRIVER who caused a horrific crash which left one of his best friends with brain damage has avoided a jail term. A court heard how no prison sentence could punish Stewart Wilson, 27, of Meadow View Walk, Canvey, more than he was already punishing himself
WORK to replace 3km of old iron gas mains in Rayleigh is entering its final stages. The last stage of National Grid’s £800,000 project to lay new plastic pipes, which began last year, will start in High Street on Tuesday, April 6 April and should
THIS is the first glimpse of the plan for a new multi-million pound nature reserve in south Essex, which should open next year. The artist’s impression is a vision of how the 667-acre RSPB wildlife haven at Bowers Marshes in Pitsea will look
A SCHOOL has been forced to close its sixth form, because of funding cuts. Eastwood School, in Eastwood, will not accept new admissions for students studying for their A levels from September. There are at least 50 pupils who had been offered conditional
A LEIGH man who has battled cancer is joining two friends to raise thousands of pounds for charity by driving 1,700 miles around Europe in a car worth less than £750. Following the rules and spirit of the Screwball Rally, Ray Holmes, from Leigh, and
A STUDENT has experienced a “bizarre” 32-hour road trip to Southend’s twin town of Sopot to capture it on film. Katrina, 38, of Southend Road, Stanford-le-Hope, is a mature student studying for a BA (Hons) in Fine Art and the trip was a key
SOUTHEND Rugby Club’s full-back Simon Hoult fully expects the Seasiders to mount a serious push for promotion next season. Ben Green’s team, who travel to bottom of the table Bridgwater and Albion tomorrow, have triumphed in six of their last eight
AN elderly woman was followed by a robber who snatched her handbag, throwing her to the floor causing a nosebleed and extensive bruising to her arm. The 80-year-old woman was walking along The Chase, Rayleigh, at around 1pm on Wednesday, March
ROCHFORD Hundred face a crunch clash at home Eton Manor tomorrow as they continue their fight against relegation. Second from bottom Rochford boosted their survival hopes with a 37-25 win at Ruislip last weekend. And their first team manager Graham
A GROUP of 18 women all touched by breast cancer have each been tattooed with a special design to raise money for charity. Pauline Langley, 44, came up with the idea after she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. The sponsored tattoo, depicting
JOHNNY Herd wants to help Southend United hurl themselves out of the relegation zone this Bank Holiday weekend. Blues host Yeovil Town at Roots Hall tomorrow before visiting Gillingham on Monday. And Herd hopes his long throw can play a part in Steve
FIRE crews raced to a fire at the Thorney Bay carvan park in Canvey. The fire had taken hold of one caravan at around 12.20am. But crews managed to put it out safely and no-one was injured. *Full story in Monday's Echo
A TEENAGER has organised a “question time” event to get more youngsters interested in politics and encourage them to vote at the forthcoming general election. James Paton, 18, anticipates an exciting debate between the three main men who will compete
HUNDREDS of former Visteon workers marched on Westminster to protest over lost pensions – a year after they were laid off. Yesterday, ex-employees of the car parts firm from Basildon, Southend, Canvey Island, London and Northern Ireland descended on
CASTLE Point Council’s chief executive has warned a referendum on an elected mayor could cost the borough’s taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds. Canvey resident Colin Letchford is carrying out a petition and needs 3,400 residents – 5 per cent of the
A NEW pizza restaurant is coming to Basildon. Pizza Express will open in the building left vacant by Romano’s Macaroni Grill, on the Festival Leisure Park, last June. It will be the first Pizza Express in the district. The nearest branches are in Southend
ESSEX Pirates are hoping for a case of third time lucky when they head to Worcester Wolves tomorrow. The Southend based side have been narrowly edged out by Wolves in the previous two meetings between the sides. But Pirates’ head coach Tim Lewis is
HUNDREDS of people have joined a campaign to get an elected mayor for Castle Point. Canvey resident Colin Letchford is carrying out a petition and needs 3,400 residents – 5 per cent of the borough – to sign up and trigger a referendum.
PLANS to build a new community hospital in Grays are finally set to move forward, with a site for the facility now in public ownership. The community hospital will be opened in Hogg Lane, Grays, to take pressure off Basildon Hospital.
