A FIVE-YEAR OLD girl who almost lost her legs after she was hit by a lorry has finally been reunited with the paramedic who saved her life.

Maria Turkowska came face-to-face with the medic who rushed to her aid last October in Waterhouse Lane, Chelmsford, when the accident with the lorry left her with open fractures, and in need of countless operations to save her legs.

Kerry White tended to Maria at the scene and was forced to cut through her much-loved coat to help with the then four-year-old's injuries, but promised to buy her a new one when the worst was over.

Kat Turkowska, Maria's mother, said: "It was really nice to meet her. We've been trying to arrange this for a while. I remember her face like it was yesterday.

"She gave Maria Next vouchers to buy the same coat that she had before the accident. It was a lovely day."

Maria had just left Westlands Community Primary School on October 21 last year with her father Jarek when she was hit by the lorry after stepping out into Waterhouse Lane.

Paramedic Kerry recalled the moment she was forced to cut through the girl's coat so she could get access to the serious injuries Maria sustained.

Speaking after the meeting at Chelmsford ambulance station, Kerry said: "It's fantastic to see them again and seeing Maria today you wouldn't believe what had happened to her.

"She was so brave and never cried once until I had to cut her coat, so I promised that I would make it up to her with some vouchers."

It had been feared the youngster would lose her legs but doctors managed to save them, and after spending months in a brace, she is expected to be able to walk again in the future, while there are plans for her to return to school on a part-time basis by January next year.

Kat said: "Right now she has a home teacher from her school, she has the normal school routine at home. She still has to go to a London hospital once or twice a week for check-ups; it's just a slow process."

Maria has undergone several operations to have metal rods inserted into her legs to ensure her bones are healing in the right way, and only recently had a plaster cast removed.

"The last time we had the frame removed was six weeks ago. The next one is August 5 to see if she needs the metal one in. She did walk with the plaster on but now that has taken a step back because of the pain she has," said Kat.

"The left tibula hasn't healed yet, so she is going to have a scan on July 28 so the doctor can decide if she needs a rod or a bone graph. The main thing is that they are improved and saved so we're not worried on how they look; we just need the left leg to heal.

"She says she is happy and feeling okay. She likes to play with the dog and face paint now. Everything is going in a good way."

FRIENDS and colleagues played a memorial cricket match to remember a popular sport teacher who died last year.

Alan Bailey was a much-loved teacher at Maltings Academy, in Spinks Lane, Witham, and its predecessor school John Bramston.

The teacher, who taught generations of Witham children, died after a short battle with cancer in July last year.

Colleagues and former students came together at Terling Cricket Club for a fundraising T20 match.

Peter Tompkin, fellow teacher at Maltings, said: "Alan played for the club and inspired so many students to join up too. Old friends of Alan's came out for the beautiful day to remember the great man.

"Alan would have been overjoyed to see so many people there. It was an absolutely packed house, with everyone throwing money into the charity tin in his memory."

The event consisted of two 20-over matches between a Maltings XI and Terling Veterans, plus Maltings against the current Terling team.

The day, which was also held in memory of club member Maureen Linnett, raised more than £400 for Macmillan Cancer Support nurses. The 100 friends and relatives of Mr Bailey also unveiled a memorial bench at the cricket club.

Club captain Alex Taylor said: "It was a brilliant day. I've never seen a crowd like that at one of our events in the 12 years I've been playing, which is testament to Alan and all the guys at Maltings Academy.

"Terling won both games but none of the Maltings guys had ever really played cricket. It was more about the spirit the games were played in which was brilliant again.

"We also raised £400 for Macmillan through the catering, organised by Cheryl Woolfenden, and the raffle."

CASES heard by Chelmsford and Colchester magistrates from Tuesday July 1 to Monday July 7.

Sent to prison

BEN WILLIAM PATIENT, 24, of Bird Lane, Tiptree, was sent to prison for a total of 12 weeks due to his appalling record of failure to comply and offences against the same victim.

He was given two weeks consecutive for using violence to secure entry into premises in Groom Park, Clacton, on June 7, and two weeks concurrent for causing £200 of criminal damage to a window belonging to Tendring District Council on June 7.

He was also given eight weeks for assaulting Abigail St George by beating her at Clacton on June 26; and two weeks consecutive for causing £50 of criminal damage to an internal door belonging to Abigail on June 27.

JOSEPH ROBERT HILL, 53, of Shaw Road, Witham, was sent to prison for seven days for stealing a bottle of whiskey valued at £25 from Tesco in Witham on July 1. The offence was aggravated by the defendant's record of previous offending.

LUKE FRENCH, 20, of HMP Chelmsford, was committed to detention in a young offenders' institution for 21 days concurrent because of two offences within three days.

He was driving along Frinton Road at Kirby Cross on January 8 without a valid driving licence when an accident occurred causing damage to another vehicle.

He failed to stop and provide the relevant information. He was also driving without insurance and without due care and attention.

The defendant also pleaded guilty to a similar offence at Jaywick on January 11 which damaged a touring caravan.

JAMIE ROBERT PHILLIPS, 23, of Cunnington Road, Braintree, was given a 12 week prison sentence for using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause that person to believe that unlawful violence would be used at Braintree on December 12.

It was a serious offence because of the threatened use of a weapon upon a person serving the public.

MARTYN RICHARDSON, 35, of no fixed address, was sent to prison for four weeks. He was given two weeks for stealing two bottles of Courvoisier to the value of £61 from Sainsbury's at Braintree on May 2.

He was also given two weeks consecutive for stealing two further bottles, also from Sainsbury's at Braintree on June 30.

DAVID AUSTIN GARLAND, 53, of no fixed address, was given a 28 day prison sentence.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting Danny Pitt by beating him at Chelmsford on July 5, using threatening, abusive or insulting words or disorderly behaviour towards him, likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, and damaging a police vehicle to the value of £98 while being drunk.

Assault

LOLITA ROSKOSA, 47, of Brickfields Road, South Woodham Ferrers, was given a conditional discharge for 12 months for assaulting Glen Gibson by beating him at Chelmsford on June 22. She must pay a £15 victim surcharge.

ALYSON CHILTERN, 29, of Cheviot Drive, Chelmsford, was given a 12 month conditional discharge for beating Simon Chilton at Chelmsford on June 14. She must pay £85 costs to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

KIRILL KOVTUN, 24, of Rainsford Road, Chelmsford, was fined £85 for assaulting Anna Babinka by beating her at Chelmsford on June 14. He must pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS.

TARA LESLIE, 32, of Aldridge Close, Chelmsford, was given a community order for assaulting three Police Constables in the execution of their duty at Chelmsford on June 8.

She also pleaded guilty to being drunk at Aldridge Close on June 8 while being in charge of a child under seven years old and assaulting Dean Leslie by beating him.

She was ordered to participate in Education, Training and Employment for ten days, have treatment for alcohol dependency for six months, and attend appointments with a responsible officer.

She must also pay £50 compensation to each of the Police Constables.

CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY SAUNDERS, 31, of Clavering Road, Braintree, was given a two year conditional discharge for assaulting Laura Sparrow by beating her at Harlow on April 13.

He was ordered to pay £15 compensation and a £15 victim surcharge.

HELEN LOUISE PROSSER, 48, of The Withy Windle, South Woodham Ferrers, was fined £75 for assaulting Denise Owens by beating her at Chelmsford on June 6 and £75 for beating Samuel Cooper.

She also pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or disorderly behaviour towards Megan Bullock likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress on June 6, and of damaging a computer screen to the value of £200 belonging to Ann-Marie Salmon at South Woodham Ferrers on March 21 and was ordered to pay £200 compensation.

PAUL JOHN BROMLEY, 45, of Mill Park Drive, Braintree, was fined £140 for assaulting two Police Constables in the execution of their duty at Braintree on June 18.

He was ordered to pay them £100 compensation each, a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS.

Breach of order

DAMIAM RAPACKI, 24, of Dorset Avenue, Chelmsford, was ordered to carry out an additional 20 hours of unpaid, supervised work, in addition to the original requirements of a community order imposed on May 7, for failing to attend three appointments in May, June and July. He must pay £50 costs.

Criminal damage

JAMES DYLAN PYE, 44, of Maldon Road, Margaretting, was given a 12 month conditional discharge for destroying an iPad to the value of £400 belonging to Oliver Pye at Maldon on June 13.

He must pay £400 compensation, a £15 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS.

ASHLEY DAVID WILSON, 24, of Evelyn Wood, Cressing, was given a community order for damaging an internal wall valued at £100 belonging to Greenfields Housing Association at Braintree on June 10.

He also pleaded guilty to assaulting Karen Morgan. The defendant must participate in Building Better Relationships for 29 days, attend appointments with a responsible officer, carry out 120 hours of unpaid, supervised work within the next 12 months.

He was also given a restraining order not to contact Karen or go to Rosemary Avenue in Braintree. He must pay £100 compensation, a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS.

CALUM DAVID CAMERON, 24, of Kents Grass, Tollesbury, was given a 12 month conditional discharge for damaging a television and internal door to the value of £50 belonging to Jacey-Lee Scott at Colchester on October 4.

He must pay £50 compensation, a £15 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS.

Dangerous Dog

GEOFFREY NURSE, 60, of Kelvedon Road, Coggeshall, was ordered to keep Izzy, a Mastiff-type dog, under proper control or have it destroyed.

He must keep it on a lead and wear a muzzle at all times whilst in a public place, and the garden is to be suitably fenced with a gate considered satisfactory by Braintree District Council. He was ordered to pay costs of £498.50.

HELEN NURSE, of Kelvedon Road, Coggeshall, was also ordered to keep Izzy under proper control at all times and pay costs of £498.50.

Drugs - possession

TAYLA HEWETSON BETHUNE, 19, of Ockelford Avenue, Chelmsford, was fined £73 for possessing one gramme of cannabis, a controlled class B drug, at Chelmsford on June 18.

He must pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS in addition to forfeiting the drugs and having them destroyed.

Drunk and disorderly

CHARLOTTE LUCY GRAVES, 22, of Widford Chase, Chelmsford, was fined £75 for being drunk and disorderly in New London Road, Chelmsford, on July 5. She must also pay a £22 victim surcharge.

Enivronmental protection

STACEY DAVIS, 26, of Plains Field, Braintree, was fined £600 for failing to comply with an abatement notice to clear all dog faeces from the curtilage of her property and ensure proper disposal on a daily basis at Braintree on or about February 24 and February 12.

She must also pay a £60 victim surcharge and £364 costs.

MATTHEW IAN MEAD, 30, of Panfield Lane, Braintree, was fined £500 for failing to ensure that household waste from a domestic property was only transferred to an authorised person on or about November 20.

He must pay a £50 victim surcharge and £650 costs.

LESA BLOWES, 22, of Dorset Close, Great Baddow, was fined £75 for dropping a cigarette butt in High Chelmer Shopping Centre, Chelmsford, on February 7.

He must also pay a £20 victim surcharge and £40 costs.

MITCHELL FLATTS, 20, of Allectus Way, Witham, was fined £75 for dropping a cigarette butt in Chelmsford High Street on January 27. He must pay a £20 victim surcharge and £40 costs.

MATTHEW STORRS, 27, of Park Avenue, Chelmsford, was fined £75 for dropping litter in Chelmsford High Street on March 15. He must also pay a £20 victim surcharge and £40 costs.

LIAM TINSLEY, 21, of Rookes Crescent, Chelmsford, was fined £75 for dropping food waste in Chelmsford High Street on March 14. He must pay a £20 victim surcharge and £40 costs.

Harassment

ADAM DEAN CANNON, 29, of Rothmans Avenue, Chelmsford, was fined £110 for contacting a woman on May 22 and 28, in contravention of a restraining order imposed on May 19 prohibiting him from calling her.

He must pay a £20 victim surcharge.

Pollution control

GARY MARK BLAGDEN, 52, of Jellicoe Way, Braintree, was fined £600 for failing to comply with a requirement of Braintree District Council, to produce authority to transport controlled waste at Braintree on or about January 30.

He must pay a £60 victim surcharge and £314 costs.

Resisting a constable

JULIE MARIE LONG, 47, of Plains Field, Braintree, was given a 12 month conditional discharge for resisting a Police Constable in the execution of her duty at Braintree on April 20.

She must pay £100 compensation, a £15 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS.

Social Security offences

IAN DAVID MIZEN-SHARP, 49, of Progress Court, Braintree, was given a community order for making a false representation to Braintree District Council on or about August 27, 2012 by claiming that his wife was not working, in order to obtain Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

He was placed under a curfew for two months with electronic monitoring and ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS.

Theft – shoplifting

IAIN TARR, 37, of no fixed address, was given an absolute discharge after stealing a £5 bottle of ginger wine from Tesco in Chelmsford on July 1.

MICHAEL MCCONNELL, 57, of Stapleford Close, Chelmsford, was given a conditional discharge for six months for stealing margarine, olive oil and coffee mate to the value of £7 from Poundland in Chelmsford on April 22.

He must pay a £15 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS.

Threatening behaviour

KEEGAN RHODES, 28, of Hammonds Road, Little Baddow, was given a community order for causing Celine Riordan harassment, alarm or distress by using threatening, abusive or insulting words or disorderly behaviour at West Hanningfield on December 11.

He was ordered to carry out 100 hours of supervised, unpaid work within the next 12 months, pay £100 compensation, a £60 victim surcharge, and £600 costs to the CPS.

He was also given four penalty points on his driving licence for driving at Woodpecker Service Station in Stock Road on December 11 without due care and attention.

DAVID AUSTIN GARLAND, 53, of no fixed address, was fined £50 for using threatening, abusive words or disorderly behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress at Chelmsford on July 2.

He must also pay a £20 victim surcharge and £40 costs to the CPS.

Driving offences – not stopping

IAN WILKINSON, 47, of Kingston Avenue, Chelmsford, was given three penalty points for crossing the stop line of a red traffic light at Parkway on the junction with Broomfield Road, Chelmsford, on November 24.

He was fined £155 and must pay a £20 victim surcharge and £90 costs.

Drink-driving

GEORGE COCKLIN, 19, of Bramwoods Road, Chelmsford, was banned from driving for 18 months for driving along Bond Street in Chelmsford on June 5 after he had been drinking.

The proportion of alcohol in his breath measured 70 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, double the limit. He was fined £115 and must pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS.

ANDRAS OTT, 25, of High Street, Maldon, was given a 17 month driving ban after driving along Waterhouse Lane in Chelmsford on June 16 after he had been drinking.

The proportion of alcohol in his breath measured 61 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, more than one and a half times over the limit.

He was fined £350 plus a £35 victim surcharge and must pay £85 costs to the CPS. He also pleaded guilty to driving without a valid driving licence.

LEE ANDREW DEVINE, 37, of Canney Road, Steeple, was given a community order and disqualified from driving for 26 months for driving along Valley Bridge at Chelmsford on June 15 after he had been drinking.

The proportion of alcohol measured 112 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, more than three times over the limit.

He was ordered to have treatment for alcohol dependency for six months, participate in Building Better Relationships for 19 days, attend appointments with a responsible officer and carry out 60 hours of unpaid, supervised work within the next twelve months.

He must also pay a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS. The defendant was also in the company of Gemma Louise Charlotte Saye when a restraining order had been imposed on November 14 prohibiting him from being so.

Traffic offences

LEE RUSSELL, 34, of Spruce Avenue, Dunmow, was disqualified from driving for 18 months and fined £500 for failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis at Braintree on June 1.

He must also pay a £50 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the CPS.

KATIE BENNETT, 31, of Mashbury Road, Great Waltham, was disqualified from driving for 18 months for failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis at Chelmsford on May 3.
She was fined £320 plus a £32 victim surcharge and must pay £85 costs to the CPS.

SHANE WILLIAM HADDERTON, 25, of Goldhangar Road, Maldon, was banned from driving for 12 months due to repeat offending.

The defendant had failed to give information to the police relating to the identification of the driver of a vehicle alleged to have been guilty of an offence on January 6.

He was fined £600 and must pay a £60 victim surcharge and £90 costs.

PUPILS at Cold Norton Primary School buried a time capsule on the school grounds to mark the end of its centenary year.

The youngsters buried a number of items from school life, a DVD, and samples of their work to show any future generations of schoolchildren what primary school life was like in 2014.

The school, in St Stephens Road, has also held a summer fair, created a mural with local textile artist Nicola Hughes and performed in a Dancing Through The Decades show.

Kay Turner, Year 1 teacher, told the Chronicle: "We have had a great time commemorating our centenary year.

"Burying the time capsule was a nice way to finish our celebrations and an exciting end to our term – hopefully the children will remember this week for a long time as some are leaving this year too.

"The children really enjoyed burying the time capsule and so did we."

Cold Norton Primary School was opened on January 5, 1914, with just one classroom and a handful of pupils.

Some of the classes still retain original Edwardian features, but the school has been added to significantly over the years and now has 154 pupils.

Mrs Turner, who has taught at the school for the last ten years, said: "The school has changed a lot in the past 100 years and maybe in the future another group of schoolchildren will be amazed at the findings."

The children read some old school logs and saw pictures of the building as it was in 1914 before the capsule was buried on July 11.

Drew Symonds, 11, said: "It was a lot of fun, we put in some school work that some of us had done in class.

"There are lots of things in the capsule that I'm sure they will enjoy. The DVD we included was funny and I think whoever finds the capsule will like it."

Gloria Gold, a parent governor who helped to co-ordinate the events, said: "It's important to celebrate the school's history, particularly as it opened at the start of 1914, a year which is being commemorated all over the country.

"I think events like the centenary bring together the community and give our pupils the opportunity to experience live history. I also think it's right that our children are aware of the bigger picture. A hundred years is a really long time."

Police are on the hunt for thieves who stole shotgun ammunition, jewellery and a small quantity of cash from a Tiptree house last Thursday.

The burglars forced forced open the front door of a house on Millwrights between 8am-4pm on July 24 before proceeding to ransack the property.

Officers conducted a forensic examination of the scene with house-to-house enquiries also being completed and Investigating Officer, Dc Emma Jones is hoping that residents of the area can help with the search for the culprits.

She said: "This burglary took place at some stage during the main part of the day so we're hoping that someone would have noticed the burglar spending a bit of time at the front door, forcing it open before then entering the house.

"We're also appealing for local residents and retailers who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously or unusual to the area to contact us."

Anyone with information regarding the burglary should contact detectives at Colchester police station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

The family of Josh Marlow, who died in a road traffic collision on the A132 in South Woodham Ferrers on Friday have paid tribute to him.

The 22-year old, from South Woodham Ferrers was killed when his motorbike collided with a Volkswagen Golf prompting friends to flood social media with tributes.

Josh's family have now recalled their memories of a keen mountain biker, countryside shooting enthusiast and apprentice mechanic who had hoped to one day run his own business.

The statement said: "Josh was taken too soon. He fought many battles in his younger years and overcame personal difficulties. He grew into being a happy, solid, hardworking, loving young man who touched the lives of many."

FOR YEARS Chelmsford mum Lucie Hartley has faced assumptions that she is gay simply based on the length of her hair, even wearing wigs in an effort to fit in.

But now the 28-year-old is taking a stand and shaving it all off to prove that regardless of gender or sexuality "what you look like should be nothing to do with it" and to raise cash for charity in the process.

"I'm not going to be told how to live my life. It's better to be happy in your own skin; it's your damn birthright as far as I'm concerned," said Lucie, a singer.

"I'm sure that there are other people who have been through what I've been through but who may not have the guts to say something. I've had to stand up for myself my whole life and it's only recently that I've found my voice."

Nicknamed 'BoyGirl' at school when she was growing up Lucie had always opted for the shortest hair her parents would let her get away with, but didn't face judgements on her sexuality until she left college as a teenager.

"As soon as I left people were asking 'Are you a lesbian, are you gay'?

"It was only then that the reality hit that apparently my hair was something to do with my sexuality," added Lucie, who even recalls attending a barbecue with her mum a few years ago and being asked if they were a couple.

"People are making a judgment before they even speak to you.

"Firstly, it's none of their business, and, secondly, how would they like it?"

Lucie, who has a seven-year-old son Rafe with her ex-partner, has even resorted to wearing long wigs after men she was interested in assumed she was gay.

But in an effort to weed out those who were interested only due to her longer locks, the mother-of-one would often wait until the end of the evening before pulling off her wig briefly to scratch an itch and await their reaction.

"It's great seeing some people's faces, you could tell who was just shallow," added bisexual Lucie.

Determined now, however, to "put her foot down" and prove that she's happy with how she looks, the 28-year-old will be having all her hair shaved off at The Red Beret pub, on July 31, with all sponsorship monies raised going toward Macmillan Cancer as part of their 'Shave or Style' campaign, a charity close to the Chelmsford mum's heart after losing her grandmother Joan more than a decade ago to the disease.

"Watching someone slowly disappear in front of you is something else.

"Everybody has the same feeling toward cancer, everyone just wishes it didn't exist," she added.

To sponsor Lucie go to https://www.shaveorstyle.org.uk/shavers/lucie-hartley/

A CARE home manager has left her job after the Chronicle confronted her when it emerged she was sacked from another home and struck off by the NHS.

An interim manager is now running the 158-room Admirals Reach care home for people with care needs, including dementia, after Kulvinder Sidhu left the Chelmsford institution after just three months in charge.

Bupa, which runs the home on Ridgewell Avenue, stood by its decision to appoint the ex-nurse to the position in March, saying it was "aware of the issue".

Sidhu was described by the Nursing and Midwifery Council as having "deep-seated attitudinal problems", "multiple acts of dishonesty" and "persistently abusing her position of trust as a manager" as it struck her off the nursing register.

In 2010, she was a general services manager for the East London NHS Foundation Trust, in charge of 100 members of staff, responsible for the running of two GP practices, phlebotomy and urgent care services.

In August that year, massive discrepancies were found in her monthly salary during a routine check.

On 58 time sheets over an 18-month period when Sidhu claimed for stand-by and on-call duties, the forms were signed off by a junior member of staff, including 17 occasions when that person was actually off work sick by using a photocopied form.

On three further occasions, Sidhu submitted duplicate forms for stand-by and on-call periods, which saw her paid six times for three shifts.

In total, she claimed 268.5 hours – equivalent to 33.5 eight-hour shifts – more than the next highest claiming manager, despite only being down to do 17 more shifts than him.

Sidhu also doctored her mileage claims. After discovering she had put in for more than 250 miles a month on a regular basis, these claims were also examined.

The Local Counter Fraud Services found she had claimed four times on weekends and bank holidays she had not worked, even submitting expenses for 54 miles while on sick leave.

On "more than one occasion", Sidhu had claimed double the nine-mile distance for a return journey between the centre she worked at and a warehouse, claiming it was due to road works, congestion and diversions.

She was sacked in October 2010 for her actions and a subsequent appeal failed. Sidhu was removed from the nursing register last November after she admitted "multiple acts of dishonestly" to the NMC.

The panel "took into account the fact that Mrs Sidhu did not admit to dishonesty straight away, and that she has attempted to justify and rationalise her conduct. The panel could find no evidence of insight, remorse or remediation." It added: "The dishonest nature of the actions is fundamentally incompatible with continuing to be a registered nurse."

In December 2012, Sidhu became home manager at Tower Bridge Care Centre in London.

But she was sacked in January 2014, with home owners HC-One refusing to go into further details.

A Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in May 2013 found the home, which also cared for those with dementia, was lacking in the management of medicines and supporting workers.

A section of the next inspection in May this year read: "Since the new manager had been in post, staff commented that the leadership they were lacking was now in place."

When the Chronicle asked Sidhu about her employment history, she said it was "an issue for the press office".

A Bupa spokeswoman said Sidhu had informed it of the issues during the recruitment process and they "have been providing all the appropriate support for someone in this position", a non-nursing role.

But on Monday, June 30, Bupa contacted the Chronicle to say: "After discussions, Kulvinder Sidhu is no longer the home manager. While we recruit a replacement, an experienced interim manager is running the home. We cannot comment any more as this concerns an individual."

TEACHERS and students at a special school are celebrating after government inspectors graded it outstanding for the second time in a row.

Ofsted inspectors commended every single area of Chelmsford's Columbus School and College, which has 226 pupils with severe learning difficulties aged from 3 to 19.

When they dropped in for a routine check-up last month, they could find virtually no fault in the teaching, learning, achievement of pupils, their behaviour and safety, and the way the school is led.

Principal Ginny Bellard said she was over the moon and described the inspectors' verdict as "a befitting accolade for staff, pupils and their families".

She told the Chronicle: "It acknowledges and rewards the dedication, commitment, professionalism and care that all our Columbus colleagues show our children and young people on a day-to-day basis.

"The report recognises the achievements of our very special young people and praises them wholeheartedly.

"Our Ofsted inspection was a positive experience which is empowering us to strive for even higher standards."

The school, which has become an academy, was last judged by Ofsted in early 2010 and was found to be outstanding in all areas.

When inspectors returned this time they found there had been major changes to the school with a brand new college building opposite the original, but revamped, school site in Partridge Avenue.

This is also the first inspection for Mrs Bellard as principal. Inspectors were impressed with the way teachers have high expectations of pupils and set them challenging but reachable targets.

One parent told Ofsted she appreciated how the school "goes the extra mile" to support not only the child but also the whole family.

SEVERE weather warnings are in place across Essex today ahead of "heavy thundery showers" expected across the region. 

The MET office is warning residents of disruption as a result of the heavy downpours predicted with the possibility of localised flooding. 

A MET office statement said: "Isolated thundery downpours are now developing over East Anglia, extending further north into Norfolk, thus the extension to the warning area. 

"These will become more widespread across East Anglia and southeast England by morning, dying out for a time later in the morning, before further isolated heavy showers and thunderstorms develop again in the afternoon. 

"There is also a risk of heavy rain affecting the far southeast at times later today and into Monday night. The public should be aware of the risk of localised flooding, especially if the downpours affect urban areas."

Torrential rain has caused havoc in Thaxted today (July 28), with roads flooded and people forced to leave their homes.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service received 60 calls to reports of roads under three-and-a-half feet of water, cellars under 8ft of water and many homes and businesses left completely flooded.

Two cottage basements in Park Street were completely flooded, as were four cellars in Watling Street, and three houses in Weaversfield Close and a flooded boiler house at a primary school in a Bardfield Road.

Firefighters were also dispatched to two cottages with their basements flooded. Crews are using a light portable pump at the incident to pump water from the basements. This incident is ongoing.

Crews were delayed after they were forced to abandon their cars as they could not get through to the fire station due to floods and had to wade through the water on foot.

ESSEX County Council has announced it is targeting the 700 worst roads in the county as part of a £17.5million facelift.

Thoroughfares and routes in much of the county, including Chelmsford, will under go maintenance by the end of March 2015.

Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, Rodney Bass, said: "These roads are in urgent need of repair and we are making the manpower available to get the job done - recently doubling the number of maintenance crews to 36 to bring the County's roads up to standard."

The 36 crews will also fix all current carriageway defects, but not those that may subsequently emerge, on the main priority 1 / priority 2 networks and rurall roads, by the end of March 2015.

See below for the roads

Chelmsford district

BANCROFTS ROAD - South Woodham Ferrers

BARNARD ROAD - Galleywood

BELLMEAD - Chelmsford

BRICKFIELDS ROAD - South Woodham Ferrers

BROOMFIELD PARADE SERVICE ROAD - Chelmsford

BUSHEY CLOSE - South Woodham Ferrers

CELEBORN STREET - South Woodham Ferrers

DAEN INGAS - Danbury

DORSET AVENUE - Great Baddow

DOWNLEAZE - South Woodham Ferrers

DUFFIELD ROAD - Great Baddow

EAST BRIDGE ROAD - South Woodham Ferrers

ELM ROAD - South Woodham Ferrers

GILMORE WAY - Great Baddow

GREEN LANE - South Woodham Ferrers

HAMBERTS ROAD - South Woodham Ferrers

KEITH AVENUE - Runwell

KINGS WAY - South Woodham Ferrers

LOCARNO AVENUE - Runwell

LONGFIELD ROAD - South Woodham Ferrers

LONGMEADS CLOSE - Writtle

LORIEN GARDENS - South Woodham Ferrers

LUCAS AVENUE - Chelmsford

MANOR ROAD - South Woodham Ferrers

MEADOW ROAD - Rettendon

MERCHANT STREET - South Woodham Ferrers

MILDMAY ROAD - Chelmsford

NABBOTT ROAD - Chelmsford

ORMONDS CRESCENT - Woodham Ferrers And Bicknacre

OVERMEAD DRIVE - South Woodham Ferrers

PARKDALE - Danbury

PLANE TREE CLOSE - Chelmsford

PRIORY CLOSE - Chelmsford

PYMS ROAD - Galleywood

READERS COURT - Great Baddow

REEVES WAY - South Woodham Ferrers

SHERBORNE ROAD - Chelmsford

SOUTH VIEW ROAD - Rettendon

ST CATHERINES ROAD - Chelmsford

ST JOHNS ROAD - Chelmsford

ST PETERS ROAD - Chelmsford

THE TABRUMS - South Woodham Ferrers

TYRELLS WAY - Great Baddow

TYTHE BARN WAY - South Woodham Ferrers

VICARAGE ROAD - Chelmsford

WALLASEA GARDENS - Chelmsford

KING EDWARDS ROAD - South Woodham Ferrers

CHIPPING ROW - South Woodham Ferrers

TRINITY SQUARE - South Woodham Ferrers

Braintree district

ALLECTUS WAY - Witham

BIRKDALE RISE - Hatfield Peverel

BISHOPS AVENUE - Braintree And Bocking

BLACKTHORN ROAD - Witham

BOWER HALL DRIVE - Steeple Bumpstead

BOWERS CLOSE - Silver End

BROTON DRIVE - Halstead Urban

CAVENDISH GARDENS - Braintree And Bocking

CEDAR DRIVE - Witham

CHARLOTTE WAY - Witham

CHELMER ROAD - Braintree And Bocking

CHURCH STREET - Witham

CHURCHFIELD ROAD - Coggeshall

CLAY PITS - Braintree And Bocking

COGGESHALL WAY - Halstead Urban

CUCKOO WAY - Great Notley

DE VERES ROAD - Halstead Urban

DEFORD ROAD - Witham

DUGGERS LANE - Braintree And Bocking

EDITH CAVELL WAY - Steeple Bumpstead

FAIRFIELD ROAD - Braintree And Bocking

FOUNDRY LANE - Earls Colne

FRANCIS WAY - Silver End

GLEBE CRESCENT - Witham

GLEBE ROAD - Kelvedon

GREAT NOTLEY AVENUE - Great Notley

GREENWAYS - Gosfield

GROOMS LANE - Silver End

GURTON ROAD - Coggeshall

JOSSELIN CLOSE - Earls Colne

KINGFISHER WAY - Kelvedon

MARSHALL CLOSE - Feering

MEADWAY - Gosfield

MEDWAY AVENUE - Witham

MONKS ROAD - Earls Colne

NEW ROAD - Gosfield

NEW STREET - Halstead Urban

PARSONAGE STREET - Halstead Urban

PHILIP ROAD - Witham

SHERWOOD WAY - Feering

SPEEDWELL CLOSE - Witham

ST NICHOLAS ROAD - Witham

STATION ROAD - Witham

STEPFIELD - Witham

TOULMIN ROAD - Hatfield Peverel

TOWN END FIELD - Witham

TRINITY ROAD - Halstead Urban

WINDERMERE DRIVE - Great Notley

YEW CLOSE - Witham

Maldon district

BATE DUDLEY DRIVE - Bradwell-On-Sea

BEACON HILL - Maldon

BEECHES ROAD - Heybridge

CHEQUERS LANE - Maldon

CHURCH GREEN - Wickham Bishops

THE COLLIERS - Heybridge

D'ARCY WAY - Tolleshunt D'Arcy

DEVONSHIRE ROAD - Southminster

DORSET ROAD - Maldon

DRAYTON CLOSE - Maldon

DUKES AVENUE - Southminster

ELIZABETH WAY - Heybridge

ELYSIAN GARDENS - Tollesbury

FESTIVAL GARDENS - Tolleshunt D'Arcy

FOUNDRY LANE - Burnham-On-Crouch

GARDEN FIELDS - Steeple

GLOUCESTER AVENUE - Maldon

GRANGER AVENUE - Maldon

HEATHGATE - Wickham Bishops

HIGHLANDS DRIVE - Maldon

HUNTS FARM CLOSE - Tollesbury

JERSEY ROAD - Maldon

KATONIA AVENUE - Mayland

LAWLINGE ROAD - Latchingdon

MASEFIELD ROAD - Maldon

MEADWAY - Maldon

MELL ROAD - Tollesbury

NEW MOOR CRESCENT - Southminster

NEWNHAM GREEN - Maldon

ORCHARD ROAD - Burnham-On-Crouch

PARK ROAD - Maldon

PEMBROKE AVENUE - Maldon

POPLAR GROVE - Burnham-On-Crouch

QUEENBOROUGH ROAD - Southminster

RAMSEY CHASE - Latchingdon

ROYAL COURT - Maldon

SCEPTRE CLOSE - Tollesbury

ST JOHNS COURT - Tollesbury

STATION ROAD - Maldon

STATION ROAD - Tollesbury

TESCO ACCESS ROAD - Maldon

THISTLEY CLOSE - Goldhanger

THURSTABLE CLOSE - Tollesbury

THURSTABLE ROAD - Tollesbury

VIKING ROAD - Maldon

WAGTAIL DRIVE - Heybridge

WARWICK CRESCENT - Maldon

WASHINGTON CLOSE - Maldon

WEST AVENUE - Mayland

WITNEY ROAD - Burnham-On-Crouch

WOOD ROAD - Heybridge

WORDSWORTH AVENUE - Maldon

A man has been convicted of handling stolen goods after a series of boat outboard engines were stolen to the value of approximately £6,000.

Matthew Lamb, 34, from Elm Close, Tiptree received a 14 month prison sentence for handling stolen property and drugs offences.

In February 2014 Essex Police Marine Unit were alerted to a number of thefts, from Burnham Yacht Harbour, and started the police investigation which led to an arrest and searches of several premises.

A small quantity of drugs and a large amount of high value property estimated to be around £10,000-£15,000 was recovered from across the UK.

Since that time much of the property has been identified as belonging to victims of thefts from areas all over Essex.

Some victims have been reunited with the stolen items including a man from Chelmsford whose outboard motor was traced by police to an address in Cheshire by searching Ebay.

Owner of the outboard motor, Graham Woodward, said: "I am exceptionally impressed with Essex Police tracking down and returning my outboard motor and the successfully prosecution of the person responsible."

The investigation was carried out by Pc Shaun Heckles and Mersea officer Pc Shaun Hammond with help from the boating community and culminated in one of the men involved, Matthew Lamb, from Elm Close, Tiptree appearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on July 21.

Investigations are still ongoing into a second suspect.

Pc Heckles said: "The case demonstrates the positive outcome that can be achieved by recording property serial numbers and underlines the importance of taking certain crime prevention measures such as, where feasible, the removal of outboard engines when not in use.

"It also shows the determination of Essex Police to pursue and prosecute those involved in marine crime."