News

It has cost the council around £500,000 compensation payments to drivers who had their cars damaged by potholes. In the last few months many Essex roads have been resurfaced to reduce the number of dangerous potholes.

Many people across Essex rely on oil to heat their homes and businesses. The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS), along with the government, Citizens Advice and Actions with Communities in Rural England to remind, and encourage, people to fill up their tanks early.

JJB Sports has been sold to high street rival Sports Direct after it was placed into administration yesterday. It is expected that around 2,200 staff will be losing their jobs across the country.

Last Wednesday a rock was thrown at a car in Essex. The rock was thrown at a car travelling towards Colchester along the A120 near to the turn-off to Great Bentley, the B1035.

Fortunately the woman who was struck by the rock escaped unhurt this time, although previous incidents have resulted in serious injuries.

Essex has many wonderful venues to make your wedding day extra special, but choosing the venue is only the beginning of your wedding plans. Fortunately several excellent wedding fairs are held in Essex every year where you can speak to people about decorations, flowers, dresses, suits and even wedding planners. Many of the events are free to attend, however, some do charge and entrance fee.

Halstead has won the Anglia in Bloom award, beating stiff competition from Maldon, Sudbury, Chatteris, Downham Market and Woodbridge. This group was for towns with a population of between 6001 and 12000 …

The Christopher’s Cottage Sports Hall in Southend has reached the final stages of the Essex Business Awards. It has been nomited in the Community category for Southend. The winners will be announced at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend on 21st September 2012.

The development of the Chelmsford Monopoly Board is coming along well it seems. While the final details have not been announced, the latest news in is that New Hall School, Chelmsford College and St Cedd’s School have been chosen to represent Chelmsford school’s on the new board.

John Lewis have revealed plans to open department store instead of home store. The initial plans were to build a John Lewis at Home store, however, they are now planning an even larger store for Chelmsford. The department store will provide an additional 150 jobs the new “flexible format” store will provide one of the best shopping experiences in the region.

Today Primark opened its newest store in the High Chelmer shopping precinct in Chelmsford. It is the largest store within High Chelmer was previously JJB Sports, and C&A before that. Customers were queuing outside this morning awaiting for the official opening. The ribbon was cut at 9am.

Maldon Salt, the company, is now 130 years old. Legend has it that people have been using salt from Maldon for nearly 2000 years. Its Sea Salt is one of the most popular brands of sea salt in the UK and Europe.

Essex has a very strong volley ball presence. If you are interested in trying beach volleyball or volleyball, get in touch with some of our local clubs. Learn more about volleyball in Essex from the Essex Volleyball Association. The Essex Volleyball Association is the governing body of all forms of volleyball within the Essex county.

One of our highlights of this summer was a trip to Castle Hedingham to watch their annual jousting tournament. The jousting event was put on by The Knights of Royal England. In short, it was an amazing event.

When I heard that there was a lion on the loose in the Clacton area, I admit, it did not concern me. However, yesterday a friend pointed out that a mountain lion can cover 25 miles in one night, I did start to worry a little. I locked my front door and closed the patio door before going to bed.

Between the 17th and 19th August 2012 the The World Organization of Martial Arts Athletes held the WOMAA World Martial Games XIII at the Telford International Centre. Essex’s 5 Elements Martial Arts club took a team of 6 fighters to compete in Kickboxing, Submission Grappling, K1, MMA and GI Grappling.

Today it was announced that Essex Police receive around 31,000 reports of domestic abuse in Essex every year. It takes around 25% of the entire police force to handle these reports. Domestic violence is a serious problem all over the world. However, in a wealthy and civilised country there really should be much stronger measures in place to ensure that problems are detected early on and solutions found to prevent more cases like this.

Essex has so much to offer day visitors, tourists and holiday makers. Essex has excellent beaches, well stocked fishing lakes and rivers, some of the finest golf courses, many sports clubs and may museums, attractions and other entertainments.