Which Essex schools are shut because of the teachers' strike?

A huge number of schools across Essex are closed because of teacher strike action on Tuesday (July 5).The National Union of Teachers (NUT) union, which called the strike action, is telling schools the strike is being held by its members in the face of funding concerns, along with continuing issues over working conditions for teachers.Below, we have got the latest list (as of 11pm on Monday, July 4) of schools set to be closed as given to Essex County Council. There is, however, no requirement...

Maylandsea villagers campaign to save famous peacocks after...

Appalled villagers amassed outside a farm that is home to almost 20 peacocks after a warning notice issued by the district council could see them culled.A Facebook group called Save the Maylandsea Peacocks has 1,200 supporters who enjoy the presence of the majestic blue birds in their area and are campaigning to save them.But when Maldon District Council received 12 complaints about noise and mess they issued a warning notice to the owner at Nipsells Farm Lodge, who is concerned it will be too...

​In court: Who has been in court from Chelmsford, Braintree and...

The following criminal cases were heard at Essex magistrates' courts between May 18 and 24. Sent to prisonPAVEL GRATSJOV, 27, of no fixed address, was sent to prison for six weeks for stealing six tubs of baby formula worth £67.50 from My Local store in Chelmsford on February 14. He was also given four weeks concurrent for failing to attend Chelmsford Magistrates Court on April 19 and must pay an £80 victim surcharge.Suspended sentenceJOSEPH SAMUEL BROWNING, 26, of Trotters Field,...

Greater Anglia trains delayed by hour after 'smoke seen' at...

There are long delays on trains home to Essex after an earlier fire alert at Liverpool Street. Smoke was reported coming from the public toilets. While the London Fire Brigade attended, all lines were blocked in and out of the station. All trains are now running again, but there are delays of an hour if you're heading home after a night out in the capital. Delays are expected until the last train finishes its journey. Read more: Want to go on the world's longest slide in London?A Greater Anglia...

Witham and Braintree Brexit MPs react to EU Referendum results...

Now that the dust has settled following the 17 million strong 'Leave' result in the EU Referendum, the question raised is "what do we do now?"Minister of State for Employment and Witham MP Priti Patel has congratulated her constituents for delivering a strong vote to leave the EU. She said: "Our country has spoken and it has chosen to take back control of our democracy. "Hope has prevailed over fear and we now have a huge range of possibilities ahead of us as we embark on a...

When will Essex thunderstorms stop?

The rain has hammered down on Essex on Wednesday night (June 22). Thunder kept people awake as the storm drifted from London eastwards over our county, while the lightning has no doubt produced some brilliant photographs. But when will the stormy weather stop? According to the Essex Weather Centre, there is a further storm set to hit Essex between 4am – 7am and then once again on Thursday night (June 23). The Met Office has issued a weather warning until Friday morning. It reads:...

Essex cannabis farmer paid in heroin fails in bid to have...

A cannabis farmer jailed after drugs worth up to £325,000 were uncovered in a warehouse has failed in a bid to get his four-year jail term slashed.Drug addict Donald Lovesey was paid in heroin to help set up the industrial-scale cannabis factory in a unit at Springfield Industrial Estate, Burnham-on-Crouch.The south west-Londoner was one of three men caught by police after officers raided the unit on November 21, 2014, but two heart attacks meant the 52-year-old saw little profit from the...