WORK to expand two Essex primary schools will begin in the coming weeks after final business cases were approved. St Andrew’s CoE Primary School in North Weald Bassett and Pear Tree Mead Academy in Harlow will both be expanded for the new academic year. The…

PLANNING applications could be processed by a “designated person” rather than a local planning authority, under an amendment put forward by the government in the Housing and Planning Bill. Communities secretary, Greg Clark, has tabled an amendment which says a planning application can be “determined……

AT least 40 new foster families are needed across Essex in 2016 to provide stable and loving homes to children and young people according to figures provided today by Essex County council. With a number of foster families retiring from service every year there is…

PEOPLE who want to help saves lives in 2016 and beyond are being urged to join the legion of ambulance volunteers in the East. As people make their new year’s resolutions, community first responder schemes at the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST)…

A 25-year-old man from Waltham Abbey is due to appear in court next month charged with five offences. Adam Moore of Theydon Court will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on the morning of February 8, 2016 charged with four counts of indecent exposure and one…

Harlow Council will need to save over £1m in 2016/17 now the full impact of the Government’s Local Government Settlement is known. On 17 December 2015 the draft Local Government Settlement was announced which sets out how much money Councils will receive from the Government.…

A chance to see the premiere of Madam Butterfly at your local Theatre The highly acclaimed Russian State Opera returns with the perfect tragic opera Madam Butterfly – one of the most colourful & exotic operas Music by Giacomo Puccini Italian libretto by Luigi Illica…

Ryman Div One North Harlow Town 1 v 0 Thamesmead Town HARLOW made it four wins in a row as they overcame a resolute Thamesmead Town side to move closer to the playoff positions. A solitary second half goal from Junior Dadson secured the three…

A level 3, Essex School Games Boccia Competition will take place this week at Mark Hall Academy with VIP guest John Willis. The competition includes a mix of both primary and secondary schools and has been designed to be inclusive, enabling all pupils to participate.…

ESSEX Police are no longer looking for Jason Gittens. The 21-year-old from Harlow attended Harlow Police Station on Monday, January 4. Mr Gittens, who is unemployed, and of no fixed address in Harlow, was charged with obstructing a police officer on December 3 and appeared…

IN the East of England, 47% of adults are not aware that having a poor diet increases the risk of developing cancer, making them the least aware in Britain (41% national average), a poll for World Cancer Research Fund has found[1]. Eating a poor diet,…

A SERIES of options setting out the future role and shape of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, which will be discussed by the Essex Fire Authority at its meeting on Wednesday next week (13 January), have been revealed. Three preferred options for change have…

GIVE you and your mates have something different to look forward to in the New Year by signing up for the First Round of the FA People’s Cup, which takes place nationwide from 22nd-24th January in Essex for male and female adults and youths. Following…

PRISONERS at HMP & YOI Chelmsford are being given a unique opportunity to turn their lives around thanks to a Reading Agency initiative backed by Essex Libraries. Reading Ahead, formerly known as the Six Book Challenge, offers offenders a chance to improve their reading skills…