A 300-YEAR-OLD leather drinking bottle has returned to its long-time home after it was spotted at an auction. It is thought the vessel dates back to when the Leather Bottle pub, in Colchester’s Shrub End, was built in the late 1700s. Landlords Carol
A TEENAGER from a Colchester estate has realised his dream of performing at the London Palladium...alongside Take That. Gerry Ennew, 19, of Hawthorn Avenue, Greenstead, Colchester, took to the stage in front of the Royal Family for the Royal Variety
A COMMUNITY safety officer is to be made redundant as part of cost-cutting measures. Peter Carrington, who helped set up projects including Colchester’s SOS Bus, which helps stranded clubbers, will be out of a job from March next year. He has decided
PREMIERSHIP football clubs should be forced to pay financial contributions to replace the axed School Sports Partnership, said Bob Russell. The Colchester Lib Dem MP made the suggestion in a Westminister Hall debate, claiming massive sums were being
HEALTH bosses have launched a new campaign to stop people wasting money on medication they don’t need. The message is being sent out to people in North East Essex on flyers, posters and banners in doctor’s surgeries, pharmacies and even on the backs
HAVING a heart attack is a terrifying experience – and one many fail to survive. But a new programme at Colchester General Hospital is helping cardiac patients come to terms with their condition – and in the process, is keeping more of them alive. The
RIA Lina doesn’t like to be pinned down by stereotypes, in fact, she has made a career out of poking fun at them. With her Filipino looks and American accent, Ria has been able to bamboozle audiences over who she actually is. The fact Ria has, to this
COLCHESTER Paratroopers have led a successful operation in Afghanistan. Together with the Afghan National Army, they have advanced into the Taleban’s Helmand heartland, driving out insurgents and establishing government control. The operation was led
STAFF numbers and services will be slashed by Essex County Council to fill a budget gap of £126 million pounds. The amount, which is about £18 million more than was expected, was announced by leader Peter Martin at a meeting of the council
A CHILDREN’S play area has had a revamp, with a developer footing the bill. Dilapidated wooden fencing surrounding St Brides play area, off St Monance, near St Christopher Road, Colchester, has been replaced by a smart new metal fence. The work cost
COLCHESTER Council is still in the dark about the impact Government spending curbs will have on its budgets. Tory Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has announced Whitehall grant cuts to councils next year will average 4.4 per cent – but warned some
COLCHESTER MP Bob Russell has told a constituent to “get a life and stop whingeing” in an official response to an inquiry. Garry Burbage, of Canterbury Road, Colchester, asked Mr Russell if taxpayers’ money would be used to pay for Prince William
A FRINTON film-maker is hoping Christmas sales will boost the popularity of his award-winning movie. Tony Longhurst’s independent boxing film, Ten Percent, was released on DVD this year, with a special edition in the shops for Christmas.
A village could become a “dumping ground” for travellers after appearing on an official shortlist of sites for future legal traveller camps, a councillor has warned. Three traveller families already live in Gutteridge Hall Lane, Weeley and a further
TOWN councillors have lashed out at Essex County Council for ruining Frinton’s Christmas lights display. Frinton and Walton town councillors originally planned to have a lighting company attach festive lights to lamp posts throughout Connaught Avenue
COUNCIL bosses have warned of huge cuts to public services after the government announced a 15.5 per cent cut in their budget. Colchester Borough council had already anticipated a budget cut of around ten per cent but the 15.5 per cent figure
A SOLDIER from Colchester will be spending this Christmas on the front-line in Afghanistan. Sapper Richard Murray, a former Philip Morant School student, will miss out on spending Christmas at home as he will return to the war zone only days
A 76-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with growing cannabis following the discovery of a drugs factory at a bungalow in West Mersea. Officers based at Mersea and Tiptree found 100 suspected cannabis plants in a garage and a shed at the property
PLANS to build a new mental health unit for youngsters are to be discussed by councillors. Colchester Council’s planning committee will debate proposals for the unit at Severalls Hospital, Colchester, on Thursday. The centre, for youngsters aged 11
FOOTBALLERS will be paying a visit to sick children spending Christmas in hospital. Players from Ipswich Town Football Club will pay their annual festive visit to the children’s unit at Colchester General Hospital, in Turner Road, on Thursday. Hospital
Colchester United’s players must stay upbeat heading into the key festive period. That is the view of former U’s promotion-winning manager Steve Wignall, who has urged his high-flying former team to remain confident. After an encouraging start, play-off-chasing
A MAN has been charged with attempted rape following an alleged sex attack at Essex University. The 22-year-old man, from Colchester, was arrested in relation to an incident off a footpath near a lecture theatre on October 7. An 18-year-old
A MOTHER and son who survived cancer together are backing a charity’s calls for better patient support. Sam Dore, 14, finished his treatment for a rare nasal cancer in August after a year long ordeal with frequent trips and overnight stays in London.
