HE studied Chinese at Oxford, was an associate of the Royal College of Music, appeared on Top of the Pops and wrote music scores for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies. But JOHN DU PREZ is best known and loved for composing the silly songs that
A major police incident is ongoing in Southend town centre. Witnesses have reported that a body has been found in the public toilets in Tylers Avenue this evening. Police officers are currently guarding the scene and a sheet is in place to
TWO filmmakers based in Leigh have won a prestigious competition for their script, set entirely around Southend. The win will enable them to shoot a short film to be screened in London in early May. Kerry Skinner and Stewart Alexander won the
CRICKET fans will be thrilled with the VIP broadcaster set to bowl into the Forum in Southend next week. Legendary cricket commentator Henry Blofeld will be appearing at the venue on Monday March 26, as part of the latest in the series of author-events
SOAK up the nostalgia of the decade that brought us JR Ewing, Rubix Cubes and neon fashions this Friday night by catching some of the eighties most memorable musical stars in action. ‘Icons of the Eighties’ will bring together the vocal talents
ART buffs are in for a treat this evening (Wednesday) thanks the latest documentary on the great art masters from Exhibition on Screen. This time the focus of the film will be Paul Cézanne and the film will be screened at the Civic theatre in Fairfield
IF you're on the prowl for a family theatre treat this Easter, the Towngate in Basildon could have the answer. The Immersion Theatre Company will be putting on a live musical version of Rudyard Kipling's classic tale, The Jungle Book The two hour
YOUNGSTERS raced through sub-zero temperatures to raise money for Sport Relief.A total of 56 children aged between four and 14 took on the challenge last weekend as part of the fundraising campaign, which runs between March 17 and 23. The Hawkwell Junior
A SELFLESS fundraiser is to cycle the “height of Mount Everest” in Essex in just 24 hours.Barry Gray, 27, has raised thousands over the years for dozens of charities, including Macmillan, British Heart Foundation, leukaemia charities and bowel cancer
WORK has officially started on a retail park on Canvey, with developers now able to confirm it will open early next year. Property developer NewRiver has started building the complex on brownfield land next to Morrisons supermarket in Northwick Road -
A DIVING talent of the future continued his meteoric rise by claiming three medals for Great Britain at the Eight Nations Championships in Norway. Tyler Humphreys, 15, won gold in the 1m B Boys category before claiming individual silver in the
BREAKTHROUGH talent Sam Cook is targeting another successful season following a memorable end to the last campaign. Seam bowler Cook burst into the side in the final month of last season, taking the new-ball with Jamie Porter and claiming 18 wickets
A BODY has been discovered in a river in farmland, with police treating the death as “unexplained”. Police rushed to Shopland Road, Great Wakering, just before 10.30am yesterday, after reports that a body had discovered. Police have not been
A man was arrested and the suspected haul of cannabis was seized after officers from the South Operation Raptor Team executed a warrant. Acting on intelligence the team executed a warrant at the home in Baxter Avenue, Southend on Wednesday March
The Government is investing £4.2 billion over three years to finance a pay rise for NHS workers, said Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers. Responding to the 6.5% pay offer for NHS staff, Janet Davies, general secretary of the Royal
Does this suspected stolen jewellery belong to you? It was seized in Basildon yesterday as part of a burglary investigation and Essex Police are trying to find its rightful owners. Call Basildon CID on 101.
Temporary traffic lights are causing issues in Southend. The two-way lights are on the A1159 Priory Crescent outside the the Saxon King Public House. There are delays on all approaches as a result.
Southend West MP David Amess is one of 14 MPs who have written to Theresa May warning that her Brexit transition deal will be voted down in the House of Commons unless she tears up "unacceptable" proposals for fishing. Some 14 of the PM's backbench
A man was stabbed in the face after two men tried to force their way into his home. Emergency services, included an air ambulance, rushed to the scene shortly after the incident at 10.30am this morning. A man in his 50s has been taken to hospital
Fourteen victims of modern slavery have been rescued and placed into safety. Officers from Grays Criminal Investigation Department worked in partnership with the British Red Cross, officers from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GMLAA
Snow could be returning to Essex in time for Easter. The Essex Weather Centre has warned that there is a high chance that snow and the cold weather could return. The current cold snap ends in the next couple of days but there is a high
OL’ Blue Eyes himself will be the subject of a musical evening in Thorpe Bay this evening (Wednesday) The latest‘Our Kind of Music’ event at Thorpe Bay Bowling Club will focus on the work of Frank Sinatra during his later years, as well as featuring
SEVEN bags of rubbish have been cleared up by kind-hearted residents.Organised by Tracy Menzies, the small group carried out a litter pick in Lewis Walk, the Wick. They collected seven bags of rubbish after covering just 200 yards.Mayor and Wickford councillor
A man has been arrested on suspicion of rape following an incident near Basildon town centre. The victim, who is in her 30s, had been on a night out with friends, when a man who she had met earlier that evening offered to walk her home. When
ANTHONY Wordsworth is keen to keep on impressing for Southend United as he bids to win a new deal with the Shrimpers. The 29-year-old’s current contract expires at the end of the season. But Wordsworth wants to remain at Roots Hall. “I
TINA Leslie has been selected in the England under-18s’ Centre of Excellence. The 16-year-old - who plays at hooker - has already attended her first training session with the squad. And Tina’s mother Ann was delighted to see the youngster get
A TALENTED teenager from has held his first photography exhibition after being talent scouted by an art expert.Belfairs Academy student Alfie Winters, 14, has been showcasing his work at gallery 70 The Broadway, in his hometown of Leigh-on-Sea, for the
SOUTHEND Saxons’ struggles continued with a 31-22 defeat at Sutton & Epsom - but head coach Josh Ward was still keen to remain upbeat. Saxons now seem certain to suffer relegation from the London & SE Premier Division. But Ward is still
A NEW gym has been opened by Olympian Fatima Whitbread.Runway Fitness, in Laurence Industrial Estate, Southend, has been officially opened and will be holding an open weekend.Founders Dannielle Emery and Caroline Elman said: “What makes us different is
WESTCLIFF were seen off 26-12 in their rearranged London & SE Premier Division clash at Tring. Westcliff were missing a number of key players for the contest. But their director of rugby Rick Compton was still frustrated to return home
TWIN brothers from Barling have set their sights on becoming the best doubles pairing in the world. George and Freddy Ward may still be aged just 10 but they are already concentrating on playing alongside each other on court. And their mother
COMMUNITY-SPIRITED volunteers and youngsters proved they had enough elbow grease to make Southend High Street sparkle.Youngsters from two Southend schools were among a team of volunteers embarking on the latest Make Southend Sparkle project which aims
A man described as a "prolific and professional burglar" has been jailed after pleading guilty to four counts of burlgary - including one of a primary school. Warren Gordon, 31, of Pantile Avenue, Southend, appeared at Basildon Crown Court today
People across Essex are being asked to be alert to the signs of suspicious activity, in order to help prevent terrorist atrocities.The latest phase of the Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) campaign launched yesterday and the new head of UK Counter Terrorism
A SHOCK report has revealed nearly a quarter of adults in Southend are inactive and at risk of developing a range of debilitating diseases.A report to Southend Council’s health and wellbeing board shows latest data from Public Health England reveals 23
GREAT Wakering Rovers manager Iain O’Connell is relishing the Essex Senior League run-in as he bids to guide his side to promotion. Rovers sit top of the standings on goal difference with nine games remaining and travel to 10th-placed Woodford
BOULDERS and bollards have been installed on a field to stop travellers from pitching up there in the future. Noak Bridge Parish Council took the decision to install the nine one-tonne boulders and two bollards on the playing field at South Wash
POLICE have issued 15 banning orders against professional beggars and others who are blighting Southend’s town centre and intimidating shoppers. The criminal behaviour orders, which have been secured against 15 people, often have conditions to
A school has changed its policy over its toilets after concerns were raised about a transgender pupil being told she was not allowed to use the girls loos. King Edmund School, in Vaughn Close, Rochford, has announced that students will now be able
A manager who stole £326,000 from his company to fund his chronic gambling addiction has been jailed for two-and-a-half years. Daniel Bell, 45, admitted stealing the money from scaffolding company Durston Scaffolding Ltd, which was based in Laindon
