Thursday 6th January 2011 Jack Tweed arrested
Jack Tweed, widower of the late Big Brother star Jade Goody's has been
arrested on suspicion of affray following a fight at a nightclub in
Chigwell in Essex. The 23-year-old was questioned by police on
Wednesday December 5, 2011 after at a police station in Ilford, east
London. He was subsequently released on police bail. Mr Tweed married
Jade Goody shortly before she lost her battle against cervical cancer
in March 2009 at the age of only 27. Essex

Friday 24th December 2010 A pint for helping to clear football pitch
Those ready to volunteer to help clear snow from Braintree Town’s
football pitch are being offered a pint of beer and entry to a game in
exchange for their labour. Lee Harding, the chairman of Blue Square
South side Braintree Town FC, has asked for people to come forward to
help shovel snow on Thursday evening and Christmas Eve. The snow needs
to be moved ahead of the game against Bishop's Stortford on Boxing
Day. Groundsman Dave Green said: "The incentive is you get to see a
game on Sunday. And the chairman promises free beer so come and help
us get the game on." Essex

Friday 26th November 2010 Essex man loses £80,000 in cash off car roof
Many of us will have left our lunch, a bag or even a mobile phone on
the roof of our car and driven off and lost the item. But an Essex man
did it in style when he left £80,000 in cash on the roof of his car
and drove off. The incident, which happened early on 18 November in
Westcliff-on-Sea, is now the subject of a police inquiry. CCTV and
forensic evidence found at the scene is now being looked at by the
force. "Police were contacted on Friday 19 November by a man reporting
that he had lost £80,000 in Prince Avenue," a police spokesman said.
"He later realised what he had done. Essex Police has seized evidence
found at the scene, to be checked for fingerprints." Essex

Friday 3rd September 2010 Man blows himself up attempting to kill a spider
A 28 year-old man suffered severe burns when his attempts to kill a
spider literally backfired on him. The man tried to destroy the
creature in his home in Clacton in Essex by spraying it with an
aerosol. He was subsequently unable to see if it was dead because his
bathroom light bulb had blown. The man then used a cigarette lighter
in an attempt to check his handiwork but this ignited the gas fumes
and caused an explosion. The blast resulted in flash burns to his
head, legs and torso. A spokesman for Essex Fire Service said: "It
appears the wife had spotted the creepy crawly in the bathroom and
asked her husband to capture it. He sprayed it first with an aerosol
where it was lurking behind the toilet bowl and when that didn't
appear to work, he lit up his lighter to spread some light on the
situation. There was an almighty explosion which blew the man back
into his hallway and lifted the hatch on the loft.” Essex

Monday 14th June 2010 Mobility scooter man handed ASBO-style warning
An elderly man has been given an official reprimand after he caused a
four mile of traffic jams on the A12 in Essex. Essex Police received
calls from drivers telling them that a man driving his mobility
scooter at 8pmh on the southbound carriageway, which has no hard
shoulder, near Chelmsford. The police escorted the man, who is from
Chelmsford, off the A12. He was subsequently issued him with a Section
59 warning, for using a vehicle in an anti-social manner.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "Police received numerous calls from
drivers concerned for the welfare of the scooter rider. Instead of
tying up the court's precious time we decided that the best way to
deal with this matter was to use powers given to us normally for
dealing with boy racers. We see it as an Anti-Social Behaviour Order
(Asbo) for road users." Essex

Monday 17th May 2010 Superferry sails out of Harwich on maiden voyage
The brand new ferry the Stena Hollandica, dubbed the 'superferry', has
started sailing between Harwich and the Hook of Holland crossing. The
crossing from Essex to Holland takes six and a half hours in normal
conditions. The German-built Hollandica is the first of two new ships
to go into service on the route, its sister ship the Britannica will
make her maiden voyage in Autumn.

Thought to be the largest of their kind in the world, the ferries have
a capacity of 1,200 passengers and 230 cars. Passenger comfort is
taken care of with 538 cabins, a cinema, restaurants and a sundeck.
The ship’s designers thought of absolutely everything - there are even
12 dog kennels on board! Essex

Thursday 7th January 2010 Eat Like a Roman in Colchester
To raise funds for the Roman Circus Appeal Fund, The Roman Circus will
be holding a sumptuous Roman feast and night of entertainment in
Colchester. Some of Colchester's most talented people have donated
their time to present sketches, singing, and music for listening and
dancing. The event will give you a chance to be served by a Centurion
or even Salome.

The Roman Dinner takes place on Friday 29th January at the Officers
Club, St Johns Green, Colchester. It gets underway at 7.30pm with
chariots (OK, carriages) at 12. It promises to be a glittering night
to remember, with all the profits will go to the Colchester
Archeological Society for the Roman Circus Appeal. Roman food will be
served but, don't worry, togas and armour not required.

The menu has been carefully chosen to reflect Roman times but also to
appeal to modern tastes. Vegetarian options are available. A full bar
is available with very reasonable prices. Free parking is available to
all guests. Essex