A TEENAGE rugby player who was left partially paralysed by a tackle walked back on to the pitch at the weekend to present his teammates with the super league crown.

James Barker, 14, suffered a stroke that paralysed the entire left side of his body after he was knocked unconscious during a collision whilst playing for Chelmsford Rhinos U15s, a youth team from Chelmsford Rugby Club.

But despite spending two months in hospital, James proudly handed the Super League trophy to his teammates when Rhinos beat Aylesford 38-5 at Chelmsford Rugby Club in Timsons Lane on Sunday.

James, a Felsted School pupil, said: "It's great to be back. With the help and support of my physiotherapist I am going to school five days a week now.

"I clashed heads with a teammate when we went in for the same tackle and my neck went right back and I was knocked out."

James of Billericay was taken to Broomfield Hospital where he was discharged with concussion.

However, in the early hours of the following morning he woke up to find that he could not move the left side of his body.

James was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge where he was told he had suffered a full stroke. After months recovering, James is almost back to his usual self and is enjoying socialising with friends.

He added: "I went to my first party since my accident on Saturday night and am really hoping that I can go snowboarding on the school trip and a rugby tour at the beginning of May."

Debra Glover, 46, is the coach of the Chelmsford Rhinos and set up the U15 Super League as her team performed so well they needed a more challenging competition.

The league involves rugby teams from neighbouring counties and the Chelmsford Rhinos won every single game they played in during the season, including the final match on Sunday, in which they secured the Super League crown by cruising to a 33-5 victory against Aylesford Bulls.

Mrs Glover said: "The team are over the moon that James is recovering so well and they are delighted that he presented them with the league title.

"He's been part of the team so long and they've really rallied around him – they're a great bunch of lads."

James lives with his dad Darren, who works in banking, mum Julia, and twin brothers Cameron and Marcus, both eight.

Mrs Barker, a full time mum, said: "It's been really scary. When James had his stroke it was 4am and we woke up to find him crawling across the floor.

"He'd kinked a blood vessel in his neck when he had the accident which caused the stroke. He has done so well and his teammates have been so supportive.

"When he was in hospital they came to visit on numerous occasions.

"At one point nine or ten of them came in and took over the hospital restaurant – they've helped him so much."

Alex Gilham, 15, James' classmate and a fellow player from Ingatestone, said: "James has really inspired the team to do well for him.

"I was there when the accident happened and we were worried as we didn't know what the outcome would be but we visited him lots.

"We don't want him to feel left out and it's great that he's been able to join in the fun today."

Joe Risney, 15, from Colchester Royal Grammar School also plays for the Chelmsford Rhinos.

Clutching an ice pack to his neck, he added: "We've missed James and it's great he's recovering so well."

Rugby report page 69

A MOTHER of three nearly died after suffering a spider bite while on holiday.

Sue Isaac, 58, from Braintree, was on a six-week retirement break with a friend in Almeria, Spain, last July when she felt a sting similar to that of a bee on her leg.

But after three weeks that sting developed into a life-threatening, bacteria-filled lesion on her thigh that left her unable to return home for seven months.

"I was sitting by the side of the pool, grabbed a sarong and put it under my bottom and thought, 'oh, that hurt'," said Mrs Isaac, who put antiseptic cream on the bite.

But over the next week she developed fever-like symptoms, which quickly deteriorated. That was when she began to notice a red patch developing on her leg.

"I noticed there was a little sore bit, the size of a 5p coin, and it just got bigger and bigger and bigger, with blisters that were bursting around it. On the morning of July 16 I thought I was going to die," she said.

The friend whose home Mrs Isaac was staying at asked a nurse to look at the wound – they covered it in iodine and told her to go hospital.

Mrs Isaac was immediately transferred to intensive care, where doctors gave her a number of antibiotics intravenously, none of which were able to fight the infection, which grew until she had a 10-inch wound encircling her thigh.

"They had me on every antibiotic but nothing was working. There were 14 different bacteria – they didn't know what to treat me for next. The worry was that nothing worked.

"It looked like a 10-inch creme caramel on my leg," said Mrs Isaac, whose skin was dying from the poison in her leg. In the end, all doctors could do was operate to cut away the dead flesh.

Mrs Isaac said: "I asked if I was having an anaesthetic and he said there was no need. For 40 minutes he just cut away with a scalpel."

After 19 days in hospital, Mrs Isaac, who sold her Braintree hair salon in November 2011, spent the next four months going to the hospital every day to have the wound cleaned and dead flesh removed.

"You just have to be guided by people who know what they are doing," said Mrs Isaac, who missed her eldest daughter's 30th birthday, her youngest daughter's 21st birthday and her son's, 25th birthday due to her illness.

Despite not knowing what bit her, she and her family believe the likely culprit was a brown recluse spider, whose poison kills the flesh of those it bites.

"We still don't know to this day what it was," said Mrs Isaac, who is still suffering the effects. "My memory's terrible, my hair fell out and then I got shingles. Obviously your immune system has been completely shattered."

Mrs Isaac finally returned to the UK on February 5, seven months after flying to Spain for a six-week break.

Now she avoids spiders at all costs. "Now I kill them. I know you shouldn't kill God's creatures but this one nearly killed me."

Braintree defender Matt Paine is suspended for the game against Nuneaton.

Paine was sent off for violent conduct against Luton and will serve the second part of a three-match ban.

Young on-loan defender Steven Smith is again likely to take a place in the squad after joining on a one-month loan from Leicester.

Smith was an unused substitute in the 2-1 win against Gateshead last weekend.

Goalkeeper Danny Naisbitt could again take a place on the bench as he continues his recovery from a persistent ankle injury which means that Nathan McDonald is likely to start between the sticks.

Midfielder Bradley Quinton is still recovering from a knee injury and this game could come too soon for him.

Nuneaton will be without on-loan winger Connor Taylor.

Taylor suffered a broken arm in the 0-0 draw against Luton in midweek.

Midfielder David McNamee has been struggling with a slight ankle injury and was an unused substitute against the Hatters.

However, he should be in contention for a start in this game.

Midfielder Mark Noon remains on the long-term injury list with a broken leg and will not return this season but striker Adam Walker is pushing for a start after coming off the bench against the Hatters.

Striker Louis Moult has returned to Northampton after his loan deal expired but Town are keen to renew the deal.

Nuneaton have only won once in their last six games and are currently residing in the relegation zone on goal difference behind Hyde.

Julie Booker-Sawyer, Farleigh Hospice's corporate coordinator, said: "I am absolutely delighted with our business community.

"Once again they have accepted our £50 Challenge with the enthusiasm that we have come to expect from our corporate supporters.

"I have no doubt whatsoever that this year's challenge will be as exciting and as innovative as the last challenge in 2011.

"After the special reception event, each company was handed their £50 note and pledged to accept their mission.

"Now they have a total of 12 weeks to turn that £50 into as much money as possible, through whatever ways they like.

"As long as it's legal and they return our £50 note at the end of the challenge – we don't care what they do."

Witham MP Priti Patel attended the launch event alongside representatives from Boreham House and Chelmsford Radio, which are sponsoring the fundraising drive.

The £50 Challenge, which started in 2011 and raised more than £30,000, is back after a year off.

Then, companies such as B & K Taxis, R G Ford Insurance Brokers Ltd and Whitley House Surgery took part, doing anything from selling specially branded bottles of beer, to posing for a nude calendar.

Six awards were given out to winners, including categories such as Top Fundraiser which went to Balfour Beatty which raised £6,000, and Best Teamwork, which was awarded to Yaxley Hair and Beauty for their Greek-themed evening.

FURIOUS residents have accused the developers of one of the UK's biggest solar power parks of misleading them as to the true scale of the project.

The vast development proposed at Little Braxted, on the outskirts of Witham, will cover almost 90 acres, and include 62,000 solar panels, which many locals say will "devastate the natural landscape".

Representatives from the firm behind the project, Light Source, met with a group of angry villagers at Wickham Bishops village hall on Tuesday night, in a last minute addition to a parish council planning meeting agenda.

"You have done nothing to engage with the local people who will be affected by this," resident Lorna Setter told the developers after she had contacted several neighbours to ensure they were aware of the proposals.

"Indeed you have gone deliberately out of your way to mislead and tried to get this through council without anyone knowing,"

There were further allegations that information provided on the project was "disingenuous" and a "sham" in its attempt to demonstrate the panels would be shielded from view.

"I look at this not as a 'farm' but as the biggest industrial estate in Essex planned in the middle of a gorgeous area," said Mike Logan-Wood.

"This is sacrilege and it should never even be considered."

Agent Cairan Dillon, for Light Source, the biggest provider of solar energy in the UK, did his best to address concerns but met with little success.

He assured members of the public that natural vegetation could be used to shield the site, and that the nearby Whetmead Nature reserve would not be negatively impacted.

"We're in the middle of this planning process and there is still plenty of opportunity for dialogue with local people," he said.

"Solar provides the solution to a great need in this country for renewable energy and we're at the forefront of this."

The park would produce 15 megawatts of energy, enough to supply up to 4,500 homes with power and would be one of the biggest developments of its kind in the UK.

Following more than an hour of heated debate, councillors recommended that the project be refused when it reaches Maldon District Council.

County councillor Rodney Bass told the developers: "Go away and rethink this.

"Then come back and properly engage with the community so they have a real opportunity to express their views."

FIFTEEN hundred balloons were released to celebrate a Braintree secondary school relaunching as an academy.

Formerly the Tabor Science College, the Tabor Academy was formed after the school received a notice to improve by Ofsted inspectors in March 2011.

Since then, the school's leadership team has changed and its inspections have improved.

In January 2013, the education consultation firm Lilac Sky Schools began working with the school to ensure that it achieves the grade Outstanding within three years.

Parents and the local community were invited to an evening with Champagne and canapes to formally mark the launch of Tabor Academy.

They were treated to a magic show by Michael J Fitch, renowned for his spoon-bending trick, and the launch of 1,500 balloons blown up by students during the day – one to signify each of the pupils at the Academy.

Rhianna Evans, 14, said: "We had to get a system going to make sure that they were all inflated ready for the launch. It was lovely to see them all float away. It was quite windy so I hope mine goes the furthest."

The student whose tag is returned from the furthest location will receive a £100 prize.

Staff and students gathered for a celebratory assembly, where pupils performed, speeches were made and the start of a new Tabor was marked.

It was formally opened by education minister Matthew Hancock and Brooks Newmark, MP for Braintree.

Steven Clark, principal of the academy, said: "We felt it was important to hold on to the heritage of the school, thus keeping the name. We are proud of Tabor and all that it stands for. It is important that we hold on to all that is successful and already works.

"We can then support those successes with the drive and input from our sponsors, working together to ensure that Tabor Academy strives to provide the families of Braintree with a first-class education."

Trevor Averre Beeson, director for education at Lilac Sky Schools, said: "We are delighted to welcome Tabor Academy into our family of schools.

"We are excited about the potential the school has and look forward to working alongside the staff and students in ensuring Tabor Academy becomes an outstanding school."

TWO brothers and their father have gone under the barber's clippers to raise money for charity after a third brother was diagnosed with bowel cancer late last year.

Dad Colin Craswell and his sons Martin and Stuart, all from Hutton, have raised more than £2,000 for the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity.

Their brother, Andrew, who lives in Shenfield, was diagnosed with the disease in December aged only 30, after suffering symptoms for a relatively short period of time.

Following surgery, Andrew is now undergoing an intensive course of chemotherapy.

Andrew, who was at the charity shave at Menace male grooming salon in Shenfield High Street on Thursday, said: "My case highlights the importance of early detection and diagnosis.

"It's becoming more and more common in younger age groups, and it's important that if you find anything wrong with your body then you should get yourself checked out.

"The last thing I would have expected is to be diagnosed with cancer at the age of 30."

The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity, which was founded in 1999 as the legacy of Helen Rollason MBE, is dedicated to supporting people whose lives have been touched by cancer through its network of support centres.

The charity has enabled more than 3,000 cancer patients to participate in pioneering clinical drug trials since 2,000.

It has the largest cancer research clinical drug trial program in the Essex hospitals network.

If you would like to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/andrew-craswell

The family will be organising more events during the summer of 2013 for these causes.

POLICE have launched a murder investigation after a man in his 20s was stabbed to death in a flat in Colchester today (March 9).

They want to hear from anyone who was in the general area around 1.30am when two white men - armed with weapons - went into the flat in Parkside Quarter off St Peters Street and threatened one of the people in it.

The man in his mid 20s suffered several knife wounds and sadly died at the scene.

Another man suffered a wound to his hand.

Det Ch Insp Mark Hall from the Serious Crime Directorate said: "This is the early stages of our investigation and while we are trying to establish the facts I would appeal for anyone with any information to contact police."

"Did you see these two men, described as wearing hoodies or any vehicle in the area around St Peters Street, Parkside Quarter or Middle Mill?"

"I do not believe this was a random attack but was shocking for the family involved at the flat and I would ask for help in identifying those responsible."

Call Essex Police on 101 or via Crimestoppers where information can be given anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A MAN wielding a kitchen knife has robbed The Carphone Warehouse in Southend.
Police are now appealing for witnesses to the armed robbery - which took place yesterday (Friday, March 8) at 4pm when the man entered the High Street shop.
The robber produced the knife and demanded mobile phones - forcing members of staff to hand over thousands of pounds worth of Apple Iphone 5s.
The man then fled the store but not before apologising for his actions.
He is described by police as being white with a skinny build - and was wearing a large black coat, faded denim jeans, a black scarf around his lower face and woollen gloves.
Investigating officer Dc Bob Evans said: "This man had a total disregard for not only the two members of staff who were in the shop at the time but for any members of the public who could have entered the shop at the time of the robbery."
"This robbery was carried out when there were large numbers of people in the High Street and they may have witnessed the suspect running from the store onto the High Street and then onto to Clifftown Road by Southend Central Railway Station."
"I would urge anyone with information to contact me."
Anyone with information about the incident or anyone who is offered new Apple Iphones should contact Dc Evans or his colleagues at Southend CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

"The Sapiano's Academy boasts a high standard of practical and administrative work" and is a "highly motivated and forward thinking organisation".

The Staff at Sapianos  pride themselves on the high quality of training offered and a truly flexible approach. Students can train around their current lifestyle and commitments making a career change more achievable. They also offer different study modes to suit all types of learner and learner needs, as well as offering payment options for those unable to pay for the course in one whole payment. Those suffering from financial difficulty are certainly not excluded, as these students can apply for a free course. Financial difficulties, not being able to keep to a timetable, lack of self confidence and basic skills is not a list of excuses, but reasons why Sapiano's Ltd can help you.

The Sapianos Academy is currently offering a Customer Service qualification aimed at individuals working in, or seeking to work in, a variety of customer service settings. These may include the hospitality industry, medical reception,  front-of-house settings in business and banking, or non face-to-face areas such as call centres. The customer service sector is exciting, full of interest and provides challenge and reward for all who work in it.

Customer service qualifications at Sapiano's Academy are currently FREE to all, regardless of your circumstances, age, earnings etc. The course is short and flexible and can be completed as a distance learning course if required with support provided throughout.

for more information please visit www.sapianos.co.uk

A MAN in his mid 20s is in hospital with a non life-threatening shotgun wound to his leg.

Four men aged 18, 18, 23 and 25 from London have been arrested by police officers in Southend following the shooting incident - which took place in the street in York Road, Southend around 00.40am this morning (March 9).

Police are conducting house to house enquries in the area but anyone who saw or heard anything in relation to this incident is asked to call police on 101 or can give information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Wet weather has put paid to much of the county's non-league football programme, leaving yet more fixture congestion on the horizon.

In-form Blue Square Bet Premier side Braintree enjoyed their last free midweek of the season last week, but must now also squeeze in a home game with Nuneaton Town after the Amlin Stadium pitch was deemed unplayable.

And Blue Square Bet South play-off hopefuls Chelmsford – who are already at home on each of the next four Monday nights – have also got to find space to entertain Tonbridge Angels after they too saw their game postponed.

At the foot of the table, there was also frustration for Billericay as their six-pointer with Staines failed a pitch inspection. The Blues have 13 games left to fit in as they fight to stay in the division.

In Ryman League Division One North, Witham Town's home clash with Tilbury was the first game to fall foul of the conditions, and that was swiftly rearranged for Tuesday April 16, while Heybridge Swifts saw their top-of-the-table clash with Grays Athletic also called off.

Leaders Maldon & Tiptree will have the chance to stretch their lead over Grays as their game with Waltham Forest passed a pitch inspection, while Brentwood's game with Harlow has also survived.

Chelmsford will be hoping their pitch dries out sufficiently in time for them to face struggling AFC Hornchurch on Monday night.

Braintree are in action at Dartford on Tuesday, when Heybridge travel to Tilbury and Maldon & Tiptree face Ware.

Billericay are also on the road, at Havant & Waterlooville and Brentwood are due to host Ilford.

POLICE are appealing for information on several burglaries in the Colchester and Tendring areas.
The first incident happened on the night of March 3-4 when a family's Vauxhall Astra was stolen after suspects entered a home in Wivenhoe and stole the car key.
They also stole a laptop and an empty red handbag during the burglary in Chaney Road.
On the same night (March 3-4) another house in Chaney Road was burgled and thieves stole cash, credit and debit cards, an Olympus camera and other items.
A few days later on March 7 a garden ornament was used to smash the rear door window of a Colchester home in Knights Field.
The burglary took place between 7am and 2pm and saw the suspects steal thousands of pounds worth of items – including pieces of jewellery, a laptop and a watch.
Anyone with information on these three incidents should contact DC Emma Jones at Colchester police station on 101.
The next day (March 8) - at around 11am - a woman walked into her home in Worcester Road, Colchester, to find a stranger coming down the stairs.
The young man ran out the back and may have climbed over the garden wall into Leicester Close.
He had smashed a rear window and searched the home but nothing was taken.  
The woman has described the suspect as being white, aged between 16 and 20 years old, 6ft tall, skinny to medium build with dirty blonde hair.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Andrea Ford at Colchester CID on 101.
Another property was broken into in Bockings Green, Clacton on March 8 when someone forced a window and entered the property - stealing a small sum of cash but causing damage.
Anyone with any information should contact DC Lee Winfield at Clacton CID on 101.

TWO people became trapped in their car following an accident on the A13 Stifford Roundabout.
The pair had to be rescued by firefighters following the road traffic collision - which involved just one vehicle - at 11:53am yesterday (Saturday, March 9).
Fire crews from Grays and Orsett were called to the scene and had successfully released the people from the vehicle by 12:33pm.

A MURDER investigation has been launched by police after a man who was brutally assaulted in a Grays car park later died from his head injury.
The 35 year old man had been out with friends at the Euro Lounge last night (Saturday, March 9) before he was assaulted in the car park area near Morrisons supermarket on London Road in the early hours of this morning (Sunday, March 10).
He was taken to Queens Hospital in Romford with a serious head injury - from which he sadly died. 
His family have been informed.
Police investigating the case urgently need to speak to any witnesses who were in the club or saw the assault - which took place in the car park around 2.30am.
Det Chief Insp Simon Parkes said: "This investigation is in its early stages. A man has died and I need to capture those responsible for his death. If you have any information please contact detectives at Grays on 101 or you can give information anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111."

FIVE months after their springer spaniel disappeared, a desperate couple have put up posters, visited a psyhcic and even used the services of a trained tracker dog to find her.

But the last thing the couple expected to face was vicious hate mail branding them 'sad idiots' for carrying out their search.

Clive Denney, 60, said: "So many people in the community have been so supportive but this person has sent us texts, e-mails and even covered up posters.

"I've reported it to the police but it has left me and my wife really unsettled. It seems like someone is watching us."

The abusive messages come as owner Linda, 59, is still spending up to 12 hours a day searching for Molly, a seven-year-old spaniel who vanished on a walk near her home in Stebbing in October last year.

"We're sure that she's alive. We've even caught her on camera in the Springfield area of Chelmsford a week ago," added Linda, who has been setting up CCTV in areas where Molly has been seen.

Shortly following her disappearance, ex-firefighter Clive used his contacts to organise a low-level helicopter search of the immediate area, while a "no questions asked" reward of £5,000 is also on offer to any person returning Molly safely.

The couple, who together run a company restoring aeroplanes, estimate they have put up about 10,000 posters and have even turned to former athlete Jenny Brown, and her tracker dog Tiga, who travel down from Kent voluntarily to assist with the search.

Linda said: "I wouldn't even like to imagine how many miles I've walked around Chelmsford with Tiga.

"He picks up a scent and we just follow, walking till the early hours of the morning sometimes.

"I've learnt so much about tracking lost dogs.

"If and when we find Molly I'd love to help others in the same position using my experience."

However, their determined efforts are being damaged by the anonymous saboteur, who also appears to have taken down posters from the Springfield area.

One e-mail claims to come from Molly herself and reads: "I have left home for good and I'm not coming back... so stop this mad poster campaign in Chelmsford."

"Whoever is doing this is just petty," added Linda.

"I had one woman who believes she saw Molly but didn't realise until hours later she was missing as the posters had been removed.

"I try not to let it get to me but sometimes it's really upsetting.

"I'll be delighted when I'm able to take down all the posters as it means we've found Molly."

Anyone with any information should call Linda and Clive on either 01371 856739 or 07710 809763.