GET snapping and take part in the new #InstaEssex open photography competition. Offering a diverse range of culture, Essex provides something for everyone. Budding photographers are invited to start capturing images of buildings and architecture; our artwork and theatres; street art and local contemporary social…

A LORRY carrying a group of suspected illegal immigrants was stopped and searched by police. Officers uncovered a group of people hiding among cargo after passing motorists reported hearing noises. The incident happened around 2pm on Thursday, December 3 in Nazeing as police approached the…

A SHOCKING video released by Essex County Fire and Rescue highlights why it’s so important to be fire safe around Christmas trees and decorations. The video – which can be found at https://vimeo.com/147861024 – shows that once alight a Christmas tree will become a fireball…

Trading Standards warns consumers and businesses over safety of imported ‘hoverboards’ Trading Standards officers in Essex are warning consumers as well as retailers and would-be importers in the county about the risks associated with self-balancing scooters, also known as ‘hoverboards’. Essex County Council’s own product…

NORTH Weald Market is open for business as usual on Saturday 5 December 2015. Airfield manager Darren Goodey said: “I happy to announce that North Weald Market is on tomorrow. After being closed for 2 weeks due to high winds I’m pleased to say it…

Nicole Barr hit the headlines recently with a mark of 162 in a test set by high IQ society Mensa – two points higher than the famous geniuses. The score puts her in the top one per cent of intelligent people in the world. Nicole,…

WITH more heavy rain predicted this autumn, landowners are being urged to check their drainage ditches and make sure they are cleared. Essex County Council is reminding landowners they have a duty to keep their ditches clear and make sure they do not cause flooding…

In recent weeks the free car park on River Way used by walkers, dog walkers and local people fishing was completely taken over by employees of a local business parking there. Black tarmac rubble has also been spread across the car park without the Council’s…

A 14-mile stretch of the M11 between Bishop’s Stortford and the M25 is to be closed for resurfacing work. The 12-week project involves resurfacing sections of the carriageway in both directions between junctions 6 and 8, which means there will be both full and lane…

OFSTED Annual Report reveals thousands more Essex pupils now attend good or outstanding schools Essex County Council is congratulating Essex schools after Ofsted’s Annual Report showed more than 18,000 extra pupils are attending good or outstanding schools than last year. According to today’s report, which…

A ground-breaking energy-saving initiative which has already saved Essex residents almost £1 million is reopening for new applications. Essex residents and small businesses are being encouraged to register for the switch from today (1 December 2015) to potentially save hundreds of pounds on their energy…

THEY’VE given over 500 children a home but now Essex’s longest serving foster carers Maureen and Jeff Cushing have taken the difficult decision to retire. The couple, who live in Harlow, have fostered for 49 years caring for a wide range of children including sibling…

AN ORDER to seize a total of £4,000 using the Proceeds of Crime legislation was made against a Harlow couple. The orders were made against Charlotte Lee and Karl Newell, of Primrose Field, Harlow at Basildon Magistrates Court. The application for Lee read: “Order made…

HUNDREDS of parents have already signed their support for a new free school and sixth form for Harlow. The Burnt Mill Co-operative Academy Trust has been gathering signatures from parents of children in current Years 3, 4, 9 and 10 to test the water to…