Essex news

• Colchester homes without power after fault on electrical network

  12-02-2026 21:31
  
  Colchester homes have been affected by a power cut after a fault in the network.
  
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• Power cuts hit postcodes across Colchester after faults in the network

  12-02-2026 21:15
  
  Power cuts affected a string of postcodes in Colchester today after faults on the network and emergency repairs.
  
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• Power cut in Essex villages after high voltage cable damaged

  12-02-2026 20:45
  
  Residents in a series of Essex villages were without power for several hours after a high voltage electricity cable was damaged.
  
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• A12 northbound blocked after crash near Witham - delays building

  12-02-2026 20:25
  
  The A12 northbound is partially blocked due to a crash near Witham.
  
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• Asda shoppers testing finding love with romantic red basket scheme

  12-02-2026 19:30
  
  Asda's new romantic shopping basket scheme might just send a few meet-cutes down the (shopping) isle.
  
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• Laughter in parliament as Reform UK compared to 'rubbish' at PMQs

  12-02-2026 19:02
  
  Nigel Farage and Reform UK was subtly compared to ‘rubbish’ at PMQs this week, prompting laughter in parliament.
  
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• Olly Murs and Danny Dyer among celebs in men's health charity football match

  12-02-2026 18:17
  
  A star-studded football match will see TV names and chart toppers lace up their boots to raise money and awareness for men’s mental health.
  
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• TV star from Mock the Week set to headline comedy night in Colchester

  12-02-2026 18:00
  
  Baptiste, seen on Live at the Apollo and Mock the Week, tops a packed bill of established names and rising comics.
  
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• Traffic expert warns Colchester and Wivenhoe roads will buckle under new homes plans

  12-02-2026 18:00
  
  Wivenhoe town councillor Rick Andrew told Wednesday night’s Local Plan meeting the area cannot cope with the extra traffic.
  
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• 'These cuts should not be happening' - students and lecturers on Essex Uni closure

  12-02-2026 18:00
  
  The closure is taking place to secure the institution’s financial future, with 200 academic roles and 200 professional service staff members set to be cut over the next two years.
  
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• Teen to be sentenced for careless driving after victims' 'lifechanging injuries'

  12-02-2026 18:00
  
  A teenager who caused potentially life-changing injuries to two friends will be sentenced for careless driving and other charges this week.
  
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• Popular wine bar and hotel announces closure with 'heavy hearts'

  12-02-2026 18:00
  
  Samuel Pepys wine bar in Church Street, Harwich, is a staple of the town, serving up great food, drinks and rooms to stay in.
  
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• Plans for new fitness studio for small village near Colchester

  12-02-2026 18:00
  
  Abberton could soon get a special yoga studio after Colchester Council received a planning application.
  
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• Essex University staff and students strike against campus closure

  12-02-2026 18:00
  
  A seven-day strike, organised by the University and College Union (UCU) is currently taking place at Essex University until Thursday, February 19.
  
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• Developer loses battle to build more than 80 homes in Colchester

  12-02-2026 18:00
  
  Port Lane Developments, which is part of Galliard Homes, submitted plans to build 83 homes on land east of Port Lane back in December 2024.
  
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• Clacton man 'feels bullied' after being told to remove late wife’s memorial garden

  12-02-2026 18:00
  
  A Clacton man says he feels “bullied” and “deeply aggrieved” after losing personal belongings in a fire at a neighbouring community hall.
  
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• Secret pop-up shop to arrive in Colchester for a limited time

  12-02-2026 17:57
  
  A 'secret' pop-up shop giving away free packets of crisps is arriving in Colchester.
  
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• Here are 7 of the best garden centres in and around Colchester for plant lovers

  12-02-2026 17:37
  
  Colchester's love affair with gardening is alive and well, with local garden centres seeming to be where half the city spends its weekends.
  
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• Lorry driver who prepared for 'race war' jailed

  12-02-2026 17:06 via bbc.com
  Thomas McKenna, 60, had set up a gun-conversion factory in a caravan in South Ockenden, Essex.
  
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• Essex's Laurence Fox denies spreading 'compromising' photo of GMB star Narinder Kaur

  12-02-2026 16:47
  
  Laurence Fox has denied sharing a compromising photograph of TV star Narinder Kaur with intent to cause her distress or humiliation.
  
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• Watch: Trapped pony rescued from septic tank

  12-02-2026 16:22 via bbc.com
  Fire crews and a farmer use a telehandler to lift 18-year-old pony Geisha from the hole.
  
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• I did not think 'gentle' XL bullies would attack mother-in-law, says owner

  12-02-2026 15:43 via bbc.com
  Ashley Warren tells a jury Esther Martin, who was killed by the dogs, was a "happy, lovely person".
  
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• U-turn on proposal to cut funding for libraries

  12-02-2026 15:32 via bbc.com
  The authority has instead announced £120,000 of new funding for library books and resources.
  
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• A12 London-bound crash causing build up of heavy delays on carriageway

  12-02-2026 15:18
  
  A crash on the A12 London-bound carriageway is causing heavy delays for motorists.
  
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• TinyTalk baby and toddler class in Colchester and Tendring celebrates 10 years

  12-02-2026 15:00
  
  TinyTalk in Colchester and Tendring, which helps babies and toddlers communicate, is marking its 10th anniversary.
  
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• New MRI scanner unveiled at Springfield Hospital

  12-02-2026 15:00
  
  Springfield Hospital in Chelmsford has unveiled a second MRI scanner to increase its diagnostic capacity.
  
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• Colchester PDSA shop appealing for donations to help sick pets

  12-02-2026 15:00
  
  Staff and volunteers at a Colchester charity shop are encouraging people to donate to help sick and injured pets.
  
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• Several items of 'unique' jewellery stolen from Essex home during burglary

  12-02-2026 14:55
  
  Several unique items of jewellery stolen in a burglary at a home in Essex with police appealing for information.
  
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• XL bully dog attack trial day 6: Warren 'was terrified dogs would be taken away'

  12-02-2026 14:30
  
  Warren said he stopped taking the dogs outside because new laws were set to come into place which restricted the ownership of XL bullies.
  
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• Last chance to visit Colchester Zoo for as low as £10 as sale ends

  12-02-2026 14:00
  
  It is your last chance to grab tickets for Colchester Zoo for as low as £10.
  
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• Christmas card received on January 25, missed appointments and more Royal Mail woes

  12-02-2026 13:23
  
  A number of residents have had their say on experiences with late Royal Mail deliveries amid reports of 10-day waits.
  
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• Visitors 'absorbed by history' at interactive exhibition of Essex finds

  12-02-2026 13:00
  
  A history lover who unearths forgotten treasures loved the 'warmth and curiosity' of visitors absorbed by history at her latest exhibition.
  
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• Nearly 3,800 objections not enough to stop Liverpool Street transformation approval

  12-02-2026 13:00
  
  Objections from more than 3,700 people were not enough to halt the approval of transformation plans for London Liverpool Street.
  
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• In pictures: Thousands enjoy week two of the Brightlingsea WinterFest

  12-02-2026 13:00
  
  Hundreds of people enjoyed a whole host of activities and attractions on offer
  
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• Free comedy club coming to Colchester with emerging and seasoned acts

  12-02-2026 13:00
  
  George said people can expect a proper night out filled with big laughs, fresh ideas and emerging talent from Colchester alongside seasoned comics.
  
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• Boxted pupils learn about 'overlooked' engineer Peter Bruff

  12-02-2026 13:00
  
  The ‘Peter Bruff: The Forgotten Engineer’ project was launched on Tuesday when KAT Marketing streamed an online workshop to youngsters.
  
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• First day of strikes at University of Essex set to begin shortly - here's why

  12-02-2026 12:18
  
  The first day of strikes is set to begin at the University of Essex in light of the closure of their Southend Campus this summer.
  
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• What announcement of GAME administration means for Colchester branch

  12-02-2026 12:08
  
  With news of Game going into administration, could its Colchester branch be at risk?
  
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• Everything half price in huge sale at nostalgic Colchester jewellery shop

  12-02-2026 12:08
  
  Claire's Accessories, in Colchester, announced its closure down this week, along with more than half of the outlets in the UK.
  
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• Live: Essex University staff to walkout as strike set to begin over job cuts

  12-02-2026 11:11
  
  A strike and rally are set to begin later today against Essex University plans to cut more than 400 jobs.
  
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• Essex music icon Damon Albarn releases new song as part of charity record

  12-02-2026 11:01
  
  Colchester's Damon Albarn, who’s also known for creating the Gorillaz, has shared a new song called Flags today.
  
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• MP visits The Alma pub in Copford to discuss future of industry

  12-02-2026 11:00
  
  Witham MP Priti Patel visited The Alma pub in Copford and met the new landlord Edward Beha.
  
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• Consider running for election at Essex County Council

  12-02-2026 11:00
  
  Essex County Council is encouraging people living and working in Essex to stand for election.
  
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• Colchester Tots sessions at sports park to expand with new equipment

  12-02-2026 11:00
  
  Colchester Sports Park is expanding its Colchester Tots sessions for babies and young children.
  
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• Colchester-born Olympic boxer Lewis Richardson visits Trinity School

  12-02-2026 11:00
  
  An Olympic athlete from Colchester shared the story of his journey to Paris 2024 with students.
  
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• Aldi offering apprenticeships with pay of over £12 an hour across Essex

  12-02-2026 11:00
  
  Aldi is offering new apprenticeship opportunities with roles available across Essex.
  
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• Essex to get more snow this weekend according to weather forecaster

  12-02-2026 08:48
  
  The Met Office weather forecast has predicted the possibility of snow across the east of England, including Essex.
  
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• Fast-food chain submits high street shop front plans at former KFC site

  12-02-2026 08:26
  
  Miss Millie's, a fast-food chain which is set to open in Colchester High Street at the former KFC site has submitted plans for their shop front.
  
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• Email error delays quarry expansion bid

  12-02-2026 07:34 via bbc.com
  The application to extend Orsett Quarry will be now be discussed by Thurrock Council on 24 February.
  
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• Royal Mail deny backlog of letters across Colchester amid reports of 10-day wait

  12-02-2026 06:00
  
  Royal Mail has denied reports of a 10-day backlog of letters for residents across Colchester with some said to have missed NHS letters.
  
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