REALITY TV personality Jade Goody was at Lakeside yesterday to sign copies of her new autobiography. It is the second installment in the mum-of-two’s life story. Jade, 27, originally found fame as a contestant in Big Brother and in the latest book she
CANVEY’S Christmas tree was in darkness this weekend after it was vandalised by youths for the second time in a week. The lights were turned off on the Christmas tree outside Canvey Library, on the High Street, after yobs destroyed the wiring. On Monday
THE GO 9 Pool Hall has now opened in Billericay. The new venue boasts four professional American nine-ball tables and world championship English eight-ball tables as well as five large plasma screens. And they also offer professional coaching to players
MORE homeowners in Southend cut their property prices than anywhere else across the country last week, new figures have revealed. Figures for the past week show 2.9 per cent of people in Southend who are trying to sell up have cut their asking price
WHEN you’re spending some Christmas pennies this year, you could do a lot worse than go to Basildon’s Eastgate Centre. The toilets in the shopping centre have been voted the best in the UK, beating some 1,700 other entries from businesses and Government
A SOLDIER joined forces with TV hardman Ross Kemp and braved the winter chill to launch a Christmas campaign for troops abroad. Colour Sergeant Tim Bull, from Vange, along with soldiers from 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers,
TOUGH conditions over night flying and the type of aircraft which can be flown from Southend Airport are set to be imposed by local councils. Anna Waite, Southend councillor responsible for planning and transport, revealed conditions would be imposed
FREE parking in Southend town centre this Christmas has been ag-reed by Southend Council as an early festive gift to beleaguered traders. The move comes after pressure from small businesses who said Southend should follow the example of neighbouring
POLICE swarmed pubs and arrested four people on suspicion of possessing drugs. The officers were backed up by riot police and cops drafted in from as far away as Colchester as they carried out the night-long operation in Stanford-le-Hope
A TEENAGER was robbed of his mobile phone after being tapped on the shoulder by a thief. Terrified and believing the mugger had a weapon, the boy handed over his black Nokia 5310 phone, worth £110. The robber then asked for cash and when the victim
TRAFFIC holdups in Biller-icay caused by a pedestrian crossing near a busy junction may soon be eased. Notices have gone up in Sun Street announcing plans to move the crossing further along the road, so it is away from the High Street roundabout
CHILDREN were spellbound by an afternoon of storytelling at Basildon Library. A Christmas-themed event saw dozens of children visit the library on Saturday to hear classic tales read out. Librarian Sandy Howells was storyteller while colleagues dressed
A WOMAN struggling to live off £15 a week after paying her mortage and utility bills, spoke of her frustration at the six-month delay on her pension. Sharon Cleasby, 54, of Boytons, Basildon, must choose between heating her home or eating, while she
EASTENDERS actor Thomas Law took a break from filming to make a guest appearance at a school fashion show in Eastwood. The 15-year-old, who plays Peter Beale in the BBC soap, dropped in to support Eastwood Primary School’s children’s fashion show, in
THE Railway Hotel in central Southend is set for an £80,000 refurbishment, with a recording studio possibly on the cards in its basement. London-based Bar Works plans invest to revive the troubled pub, which was taken over last year by Leigh
A RENAULT Clio and a Ford KA collided and smashed into the garden wall of a house. The crash occured at approximately 8.10am Monday on Perry Street, Billericay, opposite the Knoll. The collision caused the blue Renault to spin round,
Ryman Premier: Joint boss Jason Broom praised the “immense” contribution of seasoned campaigner Steven Heffer as his side took their unbeaten run in all competitions to six games. It had not been expected that Heffer would figure every week this season
Ryman Premier: After a fine undefeated five-match league run in which they had scored 17 goals, Canvey crashed in Sussex. The hosts, who play home games at Worthing as they have no ground of their own, bounced back from the previous week’s 6-1 thrashing
BASILDON snooker professional Stuart Bingham has eased his way through to the main event in the Maplin UK Championship. In yesterday’s final qualifying round at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, Bingham overcame Jimmy Michie 9-3 in the best-of
ESSEX’S Alastair Cook will return to India this afternoon as England prepare to resume their tour of India. The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed last night that a full-strength squad would complete the tour. The players were briefed on the
The former 'Star Trek' star spoke of his admiration for the ex-'EastEnders' actor as they - along with Martina Navratilova - created awards for all of the 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' contestants. Awarding Joe A Man For All Seasons prize
Ryman One North: A pulsating game at Burroughs Park saw Wakering fight back from a two-goal deficit to share the spoils with their promotion-chasing visitors. The village hosts showed their intentions in an entertaining affair when top striker Neil Richmond
Ryman One North: Rocks got their promotion campaign firmly back on track with this convincing victory against Forest’s enthusiastic but outclassed youngsters. East Thurrock took the lead on 20 minutes, Elliot slotted home from close range after a free
Blue Square South: FLEET and their Welsh visitors played out an entertaining, but goalless Blue Square South draw on Saturday with County likely to have left Ship Lane the happier side. In a match with very few clear cut chances, traveling ’keeper Glyn
Ryman One North: Canvey-based Concord maintained their placing just one spot outside the play-offs with this win at struggling Hillingdon. But the visitors had to battle back from going behind to the basement club when Sam Warrell scored for the hosts
WEST Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has described Steve Clarke as his best “signing” at Upton Park, and is bracing himself for offers to tempt his assistant into management. Clarke has attempted to bring the winning mentality of Chelsea to help Zola’s start
Blue Square Premier: Grays Athletic debutant Wesley Thomas secured the troubled club’s first away points of the season in a 1-0 victory at York City. Thomas, signed on loan from Dagenham and Redbridge, netted on 26 minutes to inflict defeat on Martin
‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ winner Joe Swash had to spend 10 minutes in a darkened pit - but was delighted. All three remaining celebrities had to take part in a final Bushtucker Trial to win a slap-up meal, and because the actor was convinced
TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp is hoping for a warm reception from West Ham supporters when he returns to Upton Park tonight. Redknapp was Hammers boss for seven years, bringing the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole through the ranks and signing Paolo
Martina Navratilova thought she was signing up for a camping show when she agreed to appear on this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’. The Czech tennis legend, who finished runner-up to ex-‘EastEnders’ actor Joe Swash on last night’s show
The former ‘EastEnders’ star beat tennis legend Martina Navratilova and ex-‘Star Trek’ actor George Takei to be named the winner of this year’s ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ last night (05.12.08). Upon being told he had won the public vote
A DOG who was feared dead after he went missing down a fox hole has turned up safe and well. Firefighters launched a search for the Jack Russell on Saturday morning using specialist listening equipment and a snake eye camera near to where he
It is now almost five months since Rochford Council introduced the new three-bin recycling scheme and, from what we are lead to believe, it is an overwhelming success with very high levels of recycling. This is to be applauded and I am all in favour
In the current economic climate, it is a disgrace the Labour Government is continuing to maintain the toll at the Dartford Crossing under the pretence that it is a congestion charge. Every week day tens of thousands of vehicles are held up, sometimes
Everyone in “lower class” Britain has an awful prospect in the next few years because of this Government, and possibly the next. But don’t forget whatever they promise now never comes to fruition. There are very few MPs who will stand up to whatever
COUNCIL chiefs are hoping to secure Government cash for a number of road schemes, including imp-rovements to the A127. The south Essex schemes are expected to cost more than £200million over the next five years, but the Government’s allocation for the
ON a bitterly cold December night on Canvey, councillor Neville Watson and I are investigating the effects of new police dispersal powers to curb antisocial behaviour on the island. We are walking down Link Road, the main artery of the Winter Gardens
IT MAY be a few weeks before Father Christmas visits, but his sleigh will be a common sight on the streets of Billericay in the coming days. That is because Billericay Lions is making its 20th annual sleigh run around the streets of the town to raise
A GROUP of teenagers organised a talent show for young people from Basildon schools and youth centres to raise money for the RSPCA. Five members of the Space for Young People Youth Centre, in Basildon, organised a Teens Got Talent show. Ten acts performed
POLICE believe whiskey and toys stolen during a gunpoint robbery are being sold across Basildon and Thurrock. Detectives have now issued pictures of the imported American Wild Turkey bourbon and toy snails, identical to those taken during the hold-up
FORMER transplant patients have backed Gordon Brown’s drive to encourage more people to become organ donors. The Prime Minister wants more people to sign up to the Donor Card scheme. He has also encouraged more debate on making people opt out of donating
A FATHER-OF-SIX has died after falling from a roof while working. Paul Kempster-Butler, a roofer with more than 25 years experience, fell while working on a property in Leigh Hill, Leigh. Mr Kempster-Butler, 45, of Puffin Place, Shoebury
MORE than 600 Santas delivered an early Christmas present of £15,000 to Little Havens Children’s Hospice yesterday. They were taking part in the hospice’s first ever Santas on the Run event to raise money for the charity. Contestants
GORDON Brown would be proud of Martine Greenwood. The 41-year-old mother-of-three went from being unemployed and relying on benefits to starting her own business running a market stall in Basildon. Martine’s success story fits in well with the Prime
A TRAVELLER mum who is getting legal aid to fight to stay in a caravan has confessed she owns a nearby £230,000 family house. But married Cathrine McCann from Hovefields Avenue, Wickford, insists she did not pay for the plush property in the
CONTROVERSIAL plans to allow 5,000 new homes and create 2,500 jobs in Castle Point over the next 20 years will be voted on tonight. But three of the borough’s leading councillors are legally barred from voting – because of personal or business
BURGLARS ripped the doors off eight beach huts, causing more than £2,000 damage. The late-night attack was carried out on huts opposite Maplin Way, Thorpe Bay, leaving owners devastated. However, the crooks only stole a pair of binoculars. John Clarke
CASTLE Point MP Bob Spink visited a lunch club for the elderly to support the Canvey branch of Age Concern. Mr Spink tucked into food with members of the Canvey Island Age Concern Luncheon Club at the Paddocks, in Long Road. He said: “As Christmas
CONTINUITY has been the secret to Southend United’s success during the past few seasons. The Shrimpers have regularly fielded a settled side and that has enabled a real understanding to develop between team-mates. When winning League
A GROUP of friends raised £3,550 for St Luke’s Hospice and Macmillan Cancer care with a night of live music. Louise Payne, 39, of Ash Way, Corringham, and friends Theresa Bigwood and Tracey Wallace organised the event at East Thurrock United Football
ADAM Barrett is hoping history can repeat itself for Southend United this season. Last term the Shrimpers came on strong during the second half of the campaign to secure a place in the play-offs. And the Blues captain is now looking
ALAN McCormack insists Blues must begin to believe in themselves if they are to work their way back up the table. The midfielder was unable to stop the Shrimpers suffering a 3-0 at league leaders Leicester City on Saturday. But McCormack
