FIREFIGHTERS are continuing to battle a blaze at a block of flats after rescuing three people. Two crews from Grays, one from Orsett and another from Wennington in London were called to theflat at Brightstone Court, Oakhill Road, Purfleet, at 7pm
TWO aspiring politicians have been chosen to lead a youth council after their captivating speeches. Isabella Blair, 16, a Southend High School for Girls pupil, was elected as the Southend Youth Mayor and Elena Johnson, 16, a student at Westcliff
TRAFFIC lights at Rayleigh Weir are now working after almost three weeks of disruption to traffic. Commuters have endured rush hour misery each day since the lights failed on September 4 and temporary traffic lights were brought in along with the
THE Firemusic International Contemporary Music festival reaches an inspirational finale this week with a unique artistic collaboration between music and the visual arts. The project’s title, Different Journeys, stems from composer Trevor Taylor
MEET the drag queens who are fighting cancer – and looking fabulous while doing it. Cancer IsADrag is a charity thatmarries serious fundraising with some classic, camp, end-of-the-pier entertainment that blurs gender roles in a shower of sequins
THE Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating why Essex Police took a month to arrest a man for breaches of a restraining order and why officers did not take action sooner. A Southend woman told the police on 27 May 27 this year
AFTER going more than a year without a win, Canvey Island made it two Essex One victories in a row with a 36-0 triumph against Pegasus Palmierans Pegasus's small pitch restricted Canvey's lively backs but did not stop them coming out on top. Canvey's
FAMILY and friends went above and beyond to ensure a great-grandma enjoyed her 90th birthday, despite being in hospital. Almost 30 guests, some from as far as Sydney, Australia, arrived at Basildon Hospital to help Rose Brown celebrate the landmark
FIT-AGAIN prop forward Aston Bevans-Royston was a happy man after helping Southend Saxons secure their first victory of the season. The Saxons beat Dings Crusaders 52-14 at Warners Bridge having started the National Two South season with two straight
INJURY-HIT Westcliff suffered their third successive defeat at the start of the National League Three London & SE season, losing 27-5 at Hertford. The reverse left Westcliff second from bottom in the early standings with just two points to
IT WAS huge for us to get our first win of the season at the weekend. I’m not going to lie, losing the first two games was extremely disappointing and of course it led to a few questions being asked. However, I didn’t think the level of the
ROCHFORD Hundred saw off local rivals Basildon 20-0 to secure their first London Two North East victory of the season. From the off Rochford looked a different side from the one which suffered a disappointing opening day defeat to Chelmsford.
HEAD of youth Ricky Duncan always knew Southend United’s very own ‘Little Messi’ would have a big future with Blues. Jack Payne earned the comparison with the Barcelona star as he worked his way up the youth ranks at Roots Hall. And Duncan,
JOHN Coventry has called on his East Thurrock United team to be more clinical in front of goal against Witham Town after they missed a host of chances at the weekend. Rocks lost 2-1 at struggling Hampton & Richmond Borough on Saturday, and
NEW Basildon United boss Craig Gillam says he is ‘up for the challenge’ after taking over the reins at the club. Gillam takes over from outgoing boss Colin Cook, who left the club on Saturday, having worked with Cook at Bowers & Pitsea, Concord
LORRIES should be banned from a Canvey road over fears the damage they cause leads to flooding, residents claim. People living in Seaview Road, Canvey, claim buses and lorries are destroying their street, homes and drainage system. There is
A JOYRIDER who drove the wrong way on the M11 for 40 miles in a stolen van has been jailed for 15 months. Unemployed Ryan Nee, 19, stole the white van from Stock Road, Billericay, before leading police on a high-speed chase all the way to Cambridge
FORMER servicemen and women and local dignitaries packed a church to remember the fallen of the Battle of Britain. Southend Air Cadets led the march from the Royal Naval and Military Club to St John’s Church, in Southend, where a service of remembrance
SEVENTIES heart-throb Les McKe-own will be coming to Thurrock next month to sing for fans of his former chart-topping band, the Bay City Rollers. The singer, whose face was to be found on tens of thousands of teenage girls’ walls in the band’s heyday
HUNDREDS of teachers and school staff will be on a health kick in Benfleet and Thundersley thanks to an unexpected £80,000 hand-out. Sixteen schools will be part of the new Active Colleagues scheme, run by Active Rochford and Active Castle Point
A BUSINESS leader has hit out at ongoing roadworks at Rayleigh Weir which have caused major disruption for motorists and traders. Contractors working for Essex County Council are working to repair faulty cabling on the roundabout, just off the
CROWDS flocked to see Strictly Come Dancing star Steve Backshall officially open the Canvey Wick nature reserve. The award-winning naturalist and TV presenter took time out from the dance studio where he is rehearsing with dance partner Ola Jordan
FOUR police officers will take part in a police chase of a different kind when they drive through 11 countries in four days in a beaten-up motor. Switching their blue lights for an old Ford Galaxy, sergeants Rob Brettell and Mark Ammo and PCs Mark
A PUB that has stood on Southend seafront for more than 100 years is to be knocked down and replaced with a plush restaurant if the new owners have their way. The Esplanade pub in Western Esplanade, Southend – up for sale for years – has finally
MORE than 50 students were honoured for their academic achievements in an awards ceremony. Seevic College, in Thundersley, congratulated 54 students from the Class of 2013/14 on their outstanding achievements on vocational courses and in A-level
A NUISANCE 999 caller who describes himself as “Victor Meldrew” has been ordered to pay more than £1,000. Roy Haines, 68, says he was calling to report a driver who he believed did not have insurance, tax, a licence or an MoT, but accepts he got
A LUXURY apartment block, which remains empty despite being built two years ago, is annoying neighbours so much, many are moving away. Residents are fed up with looking at the empty Nirvana development in The Leas, Westcliff, where apartments were
DRIVERS were temporarily trapped after a fallen tree blocked a road at one end and a carnival procession barred their exit at the other. The tree fell in IrvonHill Road, Wickford, on Saturday, at 9.30am and it was still blocking the road hours
TRADERS left devastated by another major flooding incident on Southend seafront have called for independent inquiry into the incident. Owners of amusement arcades, pubs, shops and restaurants along Marine Parade have been left counting the cost
A SHOP owner feels “completely let down” after the yobs who threatened to kill his family had their prison sentences overturned. Joseph Reno, 34, said he and his heavily pregnant wife still live in fear after becoming the victims of a racist hate
KELLY BUCKLEY catches up with the delightfully chatty Brian Conley as he is walking through the stage door of some theatre or another, where he is two weeks into the tour of Barnum. It’s coming to our sunny shores from Tuesday, September 30, until
A FAMOUS face appeared on a wall by a takeaway, prompting more than a few doubletakes from passers by. The black and white painting is of Michael Caine as Lt Gonville Bromhead in Zulu shouting “Don’t point those bloody spears at me!” Rochford
