COMMUNITIES secretary and Brentwood and Ongar MP, Eric Pickles has dismissed calls to switch street lights back on in Essex, saying he wouldn’t do it “on the off chance someone wants to get out and do aerobics at 3am.” The Secretary of State for Communities…

OFSTED have written a glowing report as they monitor the progress of St James’ school in Harlow after it slipped into special measures. The school is now being led by an executive head, Mary Evans, who divides her time between St James and Henry Moore…

3,759 ADULTS and children have received three days’ emergency food and support from Harlow Foodbank in the last 12 months, a shocking 67 percent rise on numbers helped in the previous financial year. Despite signs of economic recovery, the poorest have seen incomes squeezed even…

POLICE in Harlow are no longer seeking a 23-year-old man wanted in connection with an incident in Bishopsfield, Harlow, which happened in the early hours of January 18. The man was arrested on Monday April 28 and taken to Harlow Police Station for questioning before…

YOU WOULD think that this should be straightforward. Hard working Conservative councillor (and a man with arid wit), Tony Hall should hold onto the seat. Tony won by a thumping 1714 in 2010. However, that was on a crest of a wave as the Tories…

THE FACT that UKIP are fielding a full slate of candidates in Harlow has not gone un-noticed in the town. They are uncertainly a party with an upward trajectory. Whether it can be sustained is a debate for another day. All we know is that…

POLICE in Suffolk are renewing appeals for information to trace a Hollesley Bay prisoner who failed to return following a period of home leave, who may now be in the Harlow area. Prison staff contacted police just after 1am on Saturday 26 April to report…

The Tory Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Nick Alston has defended the fall in PCSO numbers in Essex. Mr Alston said: “I am committed to local policing. I have met many of our PCSOs and found them impressive, professional and highly knowledgeable about their…

POLICE are appealing for information about a teenage girl who robbed three 11-year-old girls of their mobile phones. The victims were approached whilst they were walking in Tendring Road in Harlow between 2.25pm and 2.40pm on Saturday April 26. Detective Mike Ferguson said: “The suspect…

THE Barron Knights are back at the Harlow Playhouse. They are a humorous pop group bound to have you laughing and dancing. After forming in 1960, The Barron Knights have built up a very impressive resume, including opening for The Beatles and Rolling Stones, and…

A £30 refund is on offer for parents in Essex who buy cloth nappies or sign up to a nappy laundering service. Cloth nappies are a real alternative to using disposables, and there are a number of reasons to make the switch. From just £80,…

LABOUR councillors and campaigners were joined by MPs Gavin Shuker and Ivan Lewis as they kicked off their campaign for the Harlow District Council elections. Labour seemed in confident mood that they could defend and extend their hold on the District Council. YH spoke to…

Blog-post by Harry Tennison THEY say that the main difference between amateur and professional theatre is that professionals rehearse for days and play for months, whilst amateurs rehearse for months and play for days. In Harlow, we are blessed with two excellent amateur dramatic companies…

HARLOW MP Robert Halfon has welcomed news that crime has fallen once again over the last twelve months. Latest figures from the independent Office for National Statistics show that since 2010 recorded crime in Essex has fallen by 3%. This trend of falling crime is…