OLDER people say Southend is getting better, according to a council survey. This was revealed following a survey carried out in December 2009 and January 2010 focusing on elderly residents. People from all over the borough were asked
A CAMPAIGN to promote Rochford’s shops has been shortlisted for a second national award. Rochford District Council’s Shop at My Local project has made it to the finals of the Enterprising Britain competition. Enterprising Britain is
The Hoop, in Stock, is an absolutely delightful place steeped in history, where the chef serves up an equally delightful meal. As soon as you step through the door of this 550-year-old building you get a welcome sense of relaxation, thanks to the professionalism
SOUTHEND Council has signed up to a tough ten-point pledge promising families a better waste and recycling service. Today, the council joined the national Waste Collection Commitment and vowed to provide a value-for-money rubbish collection service
MAURICE Chambers again played a starring role as Essex handed out a 143-run defeat to title-chasing Nottinghamshire at Chelmsford to claim only their second championship victory of the summer. Following a six-wicket haul in the first innings, he picked
ESSEX have signed right-arm fast bowler Andrew Carter on a month's loan from Nottinghamshire. Carter will be available for selection from Sunday, July 11, in all formats of the game. He made his debut for Nottinghamshire at Southend in 2009 when
A TEENAGE tearaway will have to hang out with his mum and dad when he visits his old haunts after judges slapped him with an Asbo Connor Gold, 16, has been terrorising shop staff since June 2009, regularly subjecting staff to racist and verbal abuse.
A DRIVER fled the scene after he smashed through a fence on Leigh cliffs. At 11pm on Sunday night, the silver Mondeo was spotted by police with no lights on. Officers tried to pull the car over but it failed to stop. They did not attempt to pursue
ARTY youngsters painted and entertained to raise money for a children’s charity. More than 100 pupils from the King Edmund School, in Rochford, starred in a show to raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to youngsters with serious
A QUICK-THINKING member of the public helped police catch a burglar red handed. Yesterday the person saw a male breaking into the house in Shakespeare Drive, Westcliff. He phoned police and they caught a man. Alan Savage, 40 of
HADLEIGH and Thundersley continued unbeaten in the Premier Division of the Active Southend Evening Cricket League after a comprehensive victory over Rankins. Batting first Joe Robbins 20, Oliver Wagstaff 29 and Dan Jackson 20 helped Hadleigh to a score
A COUNCIL contractor has been arrested on suspicion of stealing a van which was involved in a hit-and-run crash. The 28-year-old man, from Wickford, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, failing to stop
TO SAY talented twins Kostas and Yanoula Dellas are competitive is something of an understatement. The pair have constantly been at loggerheads, grappling for the best grades in class or trying to achieve better success on the sports field.
VANDALS have caused damage in excess of £11,000 to ten Minis. Someone appears to have run across the bonnets as the cars were parked up at the Fairfield Mini dealers, Arterial Road, Leigh. The damage occurred some time between 5pm on
How many head teachers will be sent to prison for the children who didn’t attend school because of World Cup matches? You can be sent to jail for non-attendance of your children to school, yet head teachers let them out of school early to watch
What would people like to see at the end of Southend Pier? Do ordinary residents or visitors truly want an open-air theatre and restaurant a mile out in the estuary? How many days in a year would it operate? Would they really like a performance
The report on the signs put up by residents to warn parents about the danger of slime and weed on Concord Beach, Canvey, Andrew Roby Smith was quoted as saying “all the weed was removed” on May 23/24 by jet washing. I visited the beach many
Don’t let them build on our playing fields (June 15). Basildon Council and its developer friends are eyeing up Kent View recreation ground, in Vange, to raise funds supposedly for the sporting village. Phil Turner, councillor in charge of our
Travelling up Nethermayne, in Basildon, I noticed some ground works. Investigation showed this to be the start of the access road to the golf course “dump”. Further investigation showed Essex County Council highways department approved this
N Davies (July 1) considers it simple to reduce the number of foxes by the use of live capture cages. I take it these will be clearly signed “Foxes only. Dogs, cats, badgers and squirrels not permitted”. As these traps will need to be baited,
Everyone I have spoken to about the matter agrees something needs to be done about the Sadlers Farm junction on the A13. But these same people also dread the construction works needed because of the undoubted upheaval they will cause. For many
Due to a burst main causing major flooding in Canvey Road, Canvey, a lot of properties also had their electrics blown. Essex and Suffolk Water is having to foot the bill. I feel sorry for these people, but I am grateful it wasn’t my property.
In North Street, Rochford, I was stopped by an American couple with two small children who asked for Market Square. They were studying a book of Rochford and were fascinated by North, South, East and West Streets crossing over, as they had
VALUABLE jewellery was stolen during a break in at a house in Westcliff. A number of personal items were stolen including silver Tiffany bracelets, necklaces and charm bracelets. Also taken in the burglary in Finchley Road were distinctive Batman and
Jon Austin’s investigation into the finances of Southend United revealed land off Ferry Road, Benfleet, might belong to Sainsbury’s if certain liabilities are not settled. This is, of course the creek that was defended by locals in 1995 when
In a recent article about the paddling pool on Canvey, the Echo quoted Jeffrey Stanley, Castle Point councillor, as saying the council can only afford the upkeep of one pool. He called this “prudent financial management”. He should know, as I
Many Southend residents feel the council is not their council. It has destroyed the town’s traditional image and at the same time managed a disastrous series of events which have cost the taxpayers a fortune. The list is endless, but I list
THE hot weather understandably started to slow the daytime fishing last week at Doggetts, although most early morning anglers landed some good fish. The carp anglers enjoyed sport with numerous doubles leaving the bigger fish to tease as they were very
AN elderly woman saw her Yorkshire terrier mauled to death in her own front garden. Grace Baldock, 82, was left in floods of tears after a dog charged through her garden gate and attacked 13-year-old Toby. She was standing in the doorway
THE final of the Active Southend Evening Cricket League knock out cup was a low scoring game, but it provided an exciting finish with Prittlewell winning by two wickets off the fourth ball of the last over. The pitch, which was devoid of grass and with
DOZENS of fish have been killed again in the River Crouch following a second leak in under a year. Members of the River Crouch Conservation Trust made the gruesome find. The group was told a leak had been flowing into the river off Saxon Close, Wickford
A BLUES fan has explained why he confronted Southend United chairman Ron Martin in the club’s car park. John Campbell, 29, of Southchurch, talked with Martin for 10 minutes ahead of a press conference unveiling Paul Sturrock as the new manager. Campbell
HARRY Crawford has signed his first professional contract at Southend United. The teenage striker forced his way in to the Blues first team towards the end of last season and has now signed a two-year deal. “I’m really proud to commit
BLUES reserves have gained re-entry to the Combination League. Former Southend manager Steve Tilson had opted to take the second string out of an organised format. New boss Paul Sturrock has reversed that decision.
PETER Gilbert is the first player to be linked with a summer switch to Southend United. The 26-year-old left-back, who was with Northampton Town last season, has previously worked with new Blues boss Paul Sturrock at both Sheffield Wednesday
A WOMAN who struggles to speak and laugh because of the effects of cystic fibrosis is backing a campaign for people to join the UK organ donor register. Jennifer Grannell, 25, from Hockley, is waiting for a lung transplant and hopes to survive until
THOUSANDS of people flocked to Stanford-le-Hope in the sunshine for this year’s music and street festival. The event was held at the Billet Recreation Ground over the weekend with the music festival celebrating its tenth birthday. Terry
OPENING more stores has been the key to tackling the recession for one of Essex’s most enduring businesses. Choice, the fashion discount store, which celebrated 44 years of trading last month, is still going strong, according to managing director Con
FAR below the typhoon-tossed surface of the Pacific and the cold wastes of the Atlantic, lies the handiwork of an Essex company, defying the oceans to bring the modern world the instant communications we all take for granted. Global Marine Systems operates
THE mere thought of exploring family history would widen the mouths of most young adults into a distinctive yawn shape. New Zealand-born soprano Hayley Westenra admits she was one of those youngsters until she made a shock discovery that would come to
JEAN Swain sits in the rose garden of her Southend home, presiding over an afternoon tea table. Cakes and cream scones are arranged picturesquely on a tiered stand, the china is fine English bone. It’s the picture of English elegance – but
DELUXE laptops, a state-of-the-art recording studio and a room which can simulate Arctic and Sahara-style temperatures are just some of the hi-tech wizardries on offer at the county’s first specialist learning centre. The £3.5million facility
BASILDON Council may soon privatise more jobs in its drive to cut costs. A report to councillors suggests the work of the eight staff who look after the maintenance of its vehicles, might be done more cheaply by a private company. Officials are recommending
CAMPAIGNERS fear plans to widen a country lane in Hadleigh to take traffic to and from the 2012 Olympic mountain bike race site could open the door to unwanted extra housing. Essex County Council is considering widening Chapel Lane and nearby
A SCHOOLBOY was left with a broken leg following an early morning crash. The accident happened when the 12-year-old boy, who was riding on his bicycle, along East Mayne, Basildon collided with a blue Ford Ka. Police and paramedics raced to the scene
TOLL booths at the Dartford Crossing could be replaced by hi-tech cameras similar to those used in London’s congestion charge zones. Transport Minister Mike Penning has given his strongest indication yet that the barriers could go to speed
TEACHERS at a south Essex sixthform college are taking strike action over pay reductions. Staff at Seevic College, in Runnymede Chase, Thundersley, are furious after changes to their job descriptions saw approximately 20 teachers’ pay reduced
