SamBalls published Braintree and Witham celebrate start of Christmas countdown with...

THOUSANDS of people lined the streets of Braintree to witness a magical Christmas lights switch-on like no other the town had seen.The crowds packed in front of Cycles UK in High Street on Sunday last week to start the official countdown to Christmas amid festive singing, dancing and entertainment hosted by Heart FM's Chris Brooks.Liz Storey, chair of Braintree Town Team, said: "I can sleep well now. The whole event came together wonderfully and it was fantastic to see Braintree celebrate...

PeteWalkerAdv published Gridlock Chelmsford traffic after Chelmer Valley Road lamppost...

Traffic in Chelmsford has been gridlocked this morning after a serious crash on a key city link road. A black car appears to have collided with a lamppost at the Chelmer Valley Road and Lawn Lane roundabout some time shortly before 10.45am. An air ambulance was seen flying over the scene at about 10.55am. A fire engine, ERS Medical non-emergency ambulance and police were at the scene. Traffic travelling southbound, including buses, is being diverted round back towards north Springfield or...

SamBalls published Essex chef scoops national curry award at glitzy London ceremony

An Essex chef was voted one of the best curry cooks in the UK at the 2015 Curry Chef of the Year Awards at the Lancaster Hotel in London.Abdul Alim, executive chef at the Monty's Curry Centre in Stanford-Le-Hope, was one of 40 chefs to receive official recognition for his contribution to an industry worth more than £4.2billion each year.Abdul said: "To win this title is the greatest vote of confidence I could wish for, not just for myself but for my team who work so hard to make...

Essex Chronicle published Errors cost Chelmsford Rugby Club in Tring defeat

CHELMSFORD Rugby Club put in a brave performance against high scoring Tring away from home but failed to prevent a 28-13 defeat.It was a promising start for Chelmsford after as Jamie Morrish's kick favourably bounced into the hands of Will Ferrier who crossed over unopposed for a try converted by Simon Hoult to give Chelmsford a 7-0 lead.Tring then reduced the arrears to 4 points a few minutes later, when Chelmsford were penalised for not rolling away in the tackle. Unfortunately for the...

HSinclair published Is this the biggest pumpkin in Essex?

A gigantic pumpkin weighing in at almost 38 stone is currently on display at RHS Garden Hyde Hall, in Essex.Horticulturist Matt Oliver from RHS Garden, has been lavishing lots of care on the pumpkin patch this year and his efforts have paid off with the whopping 'Atlantic Giant' pumpkin. Grown from seed planted in May, throughout the summer months the pumpkin has been growing and growing, and Matt soon began to realise he had cultivated something special. Harvested last week, the pumpkin was...

Braintree Chronicle published Braintree boss Cowley could face old club if they can cause upset...

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Crew unhappy before helicopter crash

A report into a helicopter crash that killed four people, including one of Northern Ireland's richest men, says the crew was unhappy about taking off in heavy fog.