Chelmsford News, Chelmsford Sport, Leisure and local info from the Chelmsford Weekly News

Stories for 8 February 1999

Essex News

Scholar who battled odds....

TOM KING meets ex-docker Les Reynolds, MBE, honoured for many achievements - but not all of them...  more...

Pitsea Sainsbury to close in supermarket war

Sainsbury's Pitsea store is to close, a move being blamed on fierce competition from two major supermarket rivals.  more...

Hockley school holiday changes sparks outrage

Trail-blazing plans to revamp term times at a south Essex school today sparked outrage among parents and pupils.  more...

Basildon's homeless get helping hand

Homeless people are getting helped off the streets - thanks to a £45,000 Government grant to Basildon Community Resource Centre.  more...

Two hurt in head-on crash

Two people were seriously injured after their cars were in a head-on collision on the A133 at Little Bentley.  more...

Wickford education gets off to early start

A new Early Years Unit has been officially opened at the oldest school in Wickford.  more...

Decision due on Canvey road cash

Castle Point Council was today eagerly awaiting the final budget from County Hall to see if vital road improvements will get the go-ahead.  more...

Vendetta fears of Clacton pet shop owners

The owners of a pet shop today told of their fears that a vendetta is being waged against them in an attempt to drive them out of town.  more...

Maldon maternity unit fight not yet over

A leading campaigner fighting to secure the future of the maternity unit at St Peter's Hospital in Maldon has warned the fight is not yet over.  more...

Getaway driver mum jailed

A mother who acted as a getaway driver in a £3,000 burglary was starting a jail sentence today of two years and nine months.  more...

Driver jailed for sex with girl, 14

A man is behind bars today after he admitted having sex with a 14-year-old girl during a three-month relationship.  more...

Quick-thinking saves sinking ship

Coastguards at Walton called in emergency services and put other vessels in the area on mayday alert after an 84 metre long cargo ship started sinking in rough seas off Clacton.  more...

Superdrug hit by serial raiders

Police were today hunting serial thieves who made off with £14,000 from Superdrug in Billericay.  more...

Superdrug hit by serial raiders

Police were today hunting serial thieves who made off with £14,000 from Superdrug in Billericay.  more...

'Meningitis took my perfect son'

The grieving mother of a teenage meningitis victim told her "perfect" son she loved him as he was wheeled away to intensive care.  more...

Judgment time for sacked Chelmsford doctor

A docotor sacked from his locum job in a busy accident and emergency department and banned from practice will discover this week whether he was unfairly treated.  more...

Neighbourhood Watch appeal for Hockley

Volunteers are needed to help kick crime off the streets of Hockley.  more...

Little Voice: Blind Justine, nine, is a singing sensation

A nine-year-old blind girl is bringing venues across Essex to a standstill - after being discovered by accident singing karaoke.  more...

Widow distraught after carpet con

Police are warning pensioners in Corringham and Stanford-le-Hope to be on their guard after a con woman duped an elderly widow out of £150 of her savings.  more...

Bingo fan scoops £111,000 win

A bingo fan from Colchester has scooped a £111,000 prize.  more...

Teresa's Viagra fears

Maverick Essex MP Teresa Gorman has called for women colleagues to be offered chastity belts - after it was revealed several male MPs are on Viagra!  more...

Essex Sports

Braveheart Blues stage escape act

Ten-man Southend United turned the form books upside down at Rotherham as Blues' bravehearts staged a Great Escape act that would have made Steve McQueen proud.  more...

Ahletics: Julie's silver success

Essex's Julie Pratt, the World Junior 100 metres hurdle champion, produced one of the best runs of her career to win a silver medal in the 60m hurdles at the AAA indoor championships at the NIA, in Birmingham.  more...

Boxing: Murray so impressive

Steve Murray, Harlow's exciting young lightweight, showed why his promoter, Frank Warren, thinks so highly of him when he delivered another comprehensive victory.  more...

Speedway: Arena's plans in disarray

The teambuilding plans of Arena Essex co-promoter and team manager, Peter Thorogood, have been thrown into disarray.  more...

Soccer: Purfleet rocked by Roberts' blitz

With top rivals Aylesbury and St Albans away on FA Umbro Trophy duty, Purfleet had hoped to move back to the top of the Ryman League Premier Division with home success over relegation-threatened Slough Town.  more...

Rugby: Barber cuts it fine for classy Rochford

Rochford's awesome display of power and speed dismantled London League Three pacesetters Hadleigh.  more...

Soccer: Rovers lifted by Manor's draw

Southend Manor did neighbours Great Wakering Rovers a massive favour on Saturday when they went to league leaders Burnham Ramblers and pulled off a goalless draw.  more...