AFTER three consecutive defeats with three sendings off and his side sitting fourth from bottom in the league Brentwood Town manager Steve Witherspoon has declared: "There's no panic just a temporary loss of player confidence."

Witherspoon has seen his side go nine matches unbeaten before they were dumped out of the FA Cup and then lost their two league games last week 3-0 with experienced Danny Dafter, Darren Blewitt and Lee Blackburn all being shown red cards.

"We had a good run and now suddenly we've lost three games in a row but it's certainly not the end of the world and there's no panic inside the dressing room," he explained. "We've a decent enough squad with good players some of who have understandably lost a little bit of confidence with those three defeats.

"But we'll get the players calmed down and settled again this week and I'm sure we can get back to winning ways," said Witherspoon. "We've made a bit of money for the club in the FA Cup, we're still in the FA Trophy and if you look at the league table we're two or three games behind others.

"A couple of wins will push us up into the top half of the table and there's a long way to go this season and I'm still confident we have a side capable of being up there amongst the leaders at the end," he said.

Witherspoon, who confirmed that former defender Ted Lewellyn is set to return from his current club Waltham Abbey, said every club has blips but he was confident the situation could be turned around.

"I was disappointed with our last defeat at Aveley on Saturday because I had wanted a better reaction from the midweek loss at Potters Bar Town," he explained. "But it didn't happen and that was down to a lack of individual player confidence but we have a game tonight (against Enfield in the league cup) and are at home to Witham Town on Saturday and in both games I'll be looking for the side to comeback."

The two match suspension for the three players sent off won't come into effect for another week but Witherspoon added: "I would be worried if we were not playing our game and creating chances which we are and I think once we start scoring again then that missing confidence will return."

"Both Blewitt and Dafter were sent off early at Potters Bar for swearing by a referee who I felt had a different agenda than anyone else on the park," he explained. "Playing with nine men for such a long time was obviously too much against a team at the top.

"Blackburn's sending off on Saturday late on was a second yellow for a bad tackle but he had already been booked for mouthing off at the officials," he said. "It was unnecessary and players must learn that once they're on a yellow they are treading a fine line."

With the rest of the squad injury free Witherspoon is looking for an immediate change of fortunes starting at Enfield tonight.

TO score a hole in one in a game of golf is special – to do it twice in one round of 18 holes is very special.

But that's what 59 year-old Peter Miller did at Thorndon Park Golf Club and experts at the Royal & Ancient Golf Club say the odds for this achievement are around 67 million to one – you stand a better chance of winning the lottery.

"I was playing in the last Captain/Pro game at the club for the season and used an eight iron to tee off from the fifth," explained Peter. "It's about 140 yards but myself and the three others I was playing with – club captain Paul Harrison, Brian White and my playing partner Mark Downey saw it go straight in.

"I was pretty chuffed although over the years of playing I have made a hole in one on four other occasions but not for some time," he continued. "When we reached the 15th hole I used an eight iron with about 175 yards length to the pin.

"This time it didn't go straight in but the ball rolled back gently into the hole," said Peter. "Everyone was hollerin' and 'hoopin' and rushed to congratulate me.

"It was quite amazing and didn't really hit home till later on," said Peter, a member at Thorndon Park for eight years.

"I've been playing golf since the mid eighties but I never dreamed of scoring two hole in ones in the same round of golf," said Peter.

"It's put me in the record books I suppose but it won't change anything as I shall still carry on playing golf with my friends as I really enjoy the game." explained Peter who is now retired.

"It's a great sport and I really enjoy it and to score two hole in ones in one game is unbelievable." "Trouble is now every time I play everyone will expect me to repeat the feat."

IT DOESN'T take long to become immersed in the sparkly season of Christmas when taking a stroll around Chelmsford city centre.

From one shop to the next, Christmas is the glowing highlight; with Hallowe'en vanishing before the event has even passed.

The supermarkets have especially embraced the festive season, the shelves bursting with chocolate galore; advent calendars of all kinds and mince pie prices constantly reducing.

The highlight of all the displays by far was the pets section, solely dedicated to Christmas treats and stockings for our festive dogs and cats.

Every shop glitters with red, green and gold decorations; but it seems the gifts are becoming more peculiar.

The first thing presented to me as I entered BHS was a Heinz Tomato Ketchup gift set, containing items such as a 'Heinz Tomato Ketchup Tin Tea Towel', or a 'Tomato Ketchup Stacking Egg Cups' set.

But why has Christmas come so early? A member of staff from Tickety Boo, a gift shop in the Meadows, said their Christmas displays were only out to keep up with other traders.

"All the other shops had got their displays out about two weeks ago, you have to join in so you don't get left behind. We don't usually get our stuff out until about November," she said.

Everywhere I looked a mountain of ostentatious teddies and reindeers stood gaily, and if you're looking to buy a life-size Father Christmas, I can safely say that it's available, fluffy beard and all.

CAMPAIGNERS are demanding an end to the wait for a new crossing over one of the busiest roads in Brentwood.

Every day scores of young children and their parents can be seen making a dash through speeding traffic across Ongar Road as they make their way to and from Bentley St Paul's C of E Primary School.

On October 8, all 200 pupils had to cross the road to get to their Harvest Festival service at St Paul's Church in Mores Lane, with volunteers on hand to ensure their safety.

PCSOs had also dropped into the school every three months to escort the youngsters to seasonal church services.

But that arrangement ended when police chiefs said only fully warranted officers had the training to deal with fast-moving traffic, which would have cost the school £2,000 a year.

The go-ahead for a new £250,000 Toucan crossing had been expected on the day of the Harvest Festival, but since then county councillor Derek Louis, cabinet member for highways, has delayed the decision twice, despite already signing off the design for it.

Lisa Barrett, whose son Ethan is in Year 2 at Bentley St Paul's, is also unimpressed with county councillor John Roberts, who sits on the Brentwood Highway Panel and was the only member to vote against it when it came up for discussion on October 2.

Up until that meeting, he had not visited the site, arguing he had been too busy.

Lisa had invited him to see the crossing for the Harvest Festival, but did not receive a response.

She said: "I just do not know why he voted against it."

The crossing has been a subject of concern for almost 20 years.

Lisa added: "When are we going to get a decision? We haven't got long – winter is almost on us and the council is about to change its contractors. If the work isn't started soon then the whole thing will have to go back to the drawing board."

Another parent, Sarah Goodey, whose six-year-old son Callum also attends Bentley St Paul's, said: "It's absolutely vital that we get a crossing. Is it going to take someone getting killed for the council to make a decision on this? It has gone on too long already."

Another disappointing message from the county council highways office sent to Lisa on Monday read: "Councillor Louis was presented with information today from his officers regarding the proposed Toucan crossing at the Ongar Road/Ashwells Rd junction in Brentwood.

"He will be looking over this and liaising with his officers over the next few days to make an informed decision on this. He is waiting for further information and I will be able to update you at the end of the week."

Cllr Roberts could not be contacted before the Gazette went to press.

WHAT a difference a season makes – at least for the organisers of an annual 10k race which was postponed after heavy rain in the summer.

Numbers were down from previous years with just 186 taking part in the 23rd Brentwood 10k on Sunday, compared to the 450 who normally compete each year.

But the members of the Brentwood-based Thrift Green Trotters, who organise the event, were delighted just to hold it at all this year after the disappointment of having to call the race off in July.

It was repeated and heavy downpours that left the main practice field at Herongate Athletic Football Club, in Billericay Road, severely waterlogged.

The decision was taken to cancel the race – the first time it had been called off in its history – amid fears that scores of cars would have churned the turf into a quagmire. But that was all in the past as dry and sunny conditions greeted runners for the tough course.

Coming first was Crispian Bloomfield, from the Billericay Striders, who crossed the line in an impressive 33 minutes 42 seconds.

The 36-year-old, from Thrift Green in Brentwood, said: "For me this year that's quite a good time, although I have done it quicker. I think I was quite lucky to win. One of the other runners has only just done the Berlin Marathon, but I think it was still in his legs."

The course, which starts and finishes at Herongate Football Club, is regarded as one of the toughest on the Essex running calendar.

Crispian, who has been running with the Billericay Striders since 2000, said: "The first 3km are very nice – but then you go up a long hill and at about 7km there is a really steep hill that carries going up for about 500 metres – that's a real killer."

Coming over the line in 47 minutes 28 seconds was Jodie Timbrel – who came 59th over all but fifth in her class.

The 30-year-old from Romford, who has run with the Thrift Green Trotters for seven years said: It's a tough course I never actually like running."

Earlier on in the day 21 runners ran the 3k fun run – with 11- year-old Kate O'Neill coming first.

Brain Harding, chairman of the race organisers, said: "We are all delighted with the way it has gone. From the depths of despair a few months ago we have turned the event into a triumph."

LABOUR Party membership in Brentwood and Ongar has rocketed by 41 per cent since the last General Election.

The constituency party now has 263 members – up from 187 when the country last went to the polls in the spring of 2010.

Over the same period, membership of the Brentwood and Ongar Liberal Democrats (BOLD) dropped slightly from 103 to 101, a fall of 2 per cent.

Brentwood and Ongar Conservatives (BOCA) could not tell the Gazette how many members it had prior to election day on May 6, 2010, citing the introduction of new polling software, Merlin.

BOCA was, however, able to confirm that it had 332 members at the end of December 2010 and 315 at the end of December 2011 – a fall of 5 per cent in one year.

But it's not all doom and gloom for the Tories locally, because according to treasurer and chairman John Kerslake, membership is expected to rise to 350 by the end of 2012 – a 5 per cent increase in two years.

The figures emerged following the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham last week.

Despite the significant increase in Labour membership, the party still has just two councillors on Brentwood Borough Council, Mike-Le-Surf and Julie Morrissey representing Brentwood South.

This is in stark contrast to the Liberal Democrats who, despite a slight fall in membership, still have seven representatives on the council.

Mr Le-Surf, who leads the council's minority Labour group, believes the unpopularity of the Lib Dem-Tory Government is responsible for the rise in his party's membership.

"I'm delighted to see this sharp increase in Labour Party membership," he told the Gazette.

"As the second largest political party in the borough we have a very strong team of hard-working members who care a great deal about the Brentwood community.

"The Lib Dems are in coalition nationally and locally with the Tories, so it's not surprising that more residents are turning towards Labour as the real opposition in the borough."

Ross Carter, chairman of BOLD and a borough councillor for Brentwood North, said: "Membership in Brentwood and Ongar has held up in spite of the tough legacy from the Labour Party, which has meant each child in Britain is born owing £22,500 thanks to their debt crisis.

"We continue to fight to put Brentwood first and challenge the Tories on issues such as weak leadership, loss of services to the county council, the William Hunter Way development and unbelievable salary increases at the top while service suffers."

Mr Kerslake, a Tory borough councillor for Hutton Central, said: "I am pleased that our membership numbers are showing an increase and we want to build on this upward momentum.

"With the Conservatives being in Government and it being mid-term, the drop in opinion polls always comes around, but I haven't seen a negative reaction in terms of membership.

"People come and go but there is not a groundswell of negative opinion towards us here."

TRAINED to use deadly weapons, petite Wendy Seager is not your typical granny.

The five-foot-one martial arts expert is a fiery international Ju-Jitsu champion who has just added another medal to her tally.

Wendy, 47, picked up a silver medal at the United Nations of Ju-Jitsu Competition in Sauerland, Germany, in August.

She said: "I have been involved in ju-jitsu since I was 31 and have won British and World Championships, as well achieving Dan Shodan (black belt) and level four in weapons.

"I train whenever I can and am due to take my next Dan grading in December. I also instruct up to four classes a week and am involved in refereeing and judging competitions."

The care-home worker, of Weald Road, Brentwood, is the proud mother of five children, aged 18 to 30, and four grandchildren, aged four to one month.

She said: "It's always something I have been in to. All my family were into martial arts and both my parents took kung fu when I was tiny.

"Initially, I did not have the confidence to go for it, especially as I had a tough time with bullies at school, which had really knocked my confidence.

"However, I finally got the push I needed when I went to watch a friend compete and got a massive crush on the instructor, who I started dating and was with for 15 years".

Around this time, about 1991, the instructor set up the Wakarishin Ju-Jitsu Association and as Wendy achieved more qualifications and won competitions she started to become more involved with the business and teaching.

She said: "One of the classes I have been involved with is defence at Chelmsford County High School for Girls, adapted from the classes run at Wakarishin, which is now in its 13th year".

Wendy believes Ju-Jitsu is an all-round good method of self-defence for the modern world.

She says: "It's not all about strength, I used to train with a guy who was 22 stone. It's about technique and how the body works."

There have been a couple occasions when Wendy has felt threatened, however, she has kept calm and avoided any situation from developing, which she explains is part of the training.

Regarding her most recent silver medal she said: "I was at the competition to support our club, though was not sure I was going to take part until the day"

"I have had a few tough years suffering from endometriosis and the collapse of my relationship. However, I just thought I would go for it and am absolutely delighted with my win."

Her family were thrilled with her win and daughter Yazmine Seager, 21, a full-time mum to one-month-old Elliot and 15-month-old Oliver, told the Brentwood Gazette: "We are really proud of mum and her achievements.

"This competition has been a wonderful acknowledgement of all her hard work. Also, it's nice to know that she is safer because of her Ju-Jitsu. If she is out we don't need to be worrying".

All Wendy's children have been involved in Ju-Jitsu to varying levels and she hopes her grandchildren will be too. Her two-year-old grandson John already likes to play with the nun-chukas (sticks joined by a chain).

Wendy added: "I am currently looking at venues to start classes in Brentwood and hope to be opening up in around a month's time, starting with two junior classes (from age four) and one adult class."

TERROR turned into intrigue after the bomb squad was called in to remove an unexploded hand grenade from an Ingatestone neighbourhood.

For almost two hours on Saturday morning, Essex Police cordoned off a 100-metre exclusion zone in Fryerning Lane, as dozens of residents were evacuated after a water company worker found the No 36 Mills bomb in a drain.

The potentially dangerous bomb – adopted by the British Army as its standard grenade during the First World War – was made outside the home of Moira Hook.

The 46-year-old explained how the road was closed from Willow Green to Trimble Close shortly after the maintenance man placed the grenade on her front lawn around 9.45am.

She said: "One of the men knocked on my door and said, 'sorry to disturb you, there is a hand grenade on your front garden that we have just found in front of your house'.

"I thought 'ooh'. It was a bit of a shock, you don't expect this sort of thing to happen, do you? My initial thought was 'what do I do next'?"

And before Miss Hook, a full-time carer for her autistic son Karl, had time even to dress properly, the police were trying to take her away from her home.

It is thought the weapon – which has a seven-second detonation delay – may have been washed along the drainage system from Fryerning, which was home to the Eastern Command Bomber School between 1915 and 1919.

Miss Hook added: "The woman PC asked if she could escort me up the road, but I wasn't ready yet and she seemed a bit agitated.

"I had my slumber clothes on when she arrived, but changed into my jeans, did my hair quickly and got out.

"And once we had gone out of the zone we were not allowed back into it, but I'd left my coat in the house."

By 11.40am the Army had declared the grenade safe. Although the pin was still intact, it is reported the bomb had a hole in it and the explosive had seeped out over time.

A neighbour, John Clayden, who also lived inside the evacuation zone, said he was amazed when he heard what was going on. He added: "There were only about three people standing by watching."

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "A man working for Anglian Water discovered what he believed to be a hand grenade in a drain. Police set up an exclusion zone around the area as a precaution until the arrival of experts at 11.40am.

"The device was declared safe and removed."

BOROUGH council leader Tony Ball was bombarded with hate mail and received a death threat during the operation to clear Europe's largest illegal traveller site at Dale Farm one year ago.

Cllr Ball, who represents Wickford North, told the Gazette he was sent a graphic photograph of the corpse of the late Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi accompanied by a message which read: "Sewer rat" and "This should have been you".

As well as the photo, he said he received several "extremely unpleasant" phone calls, letters and e-mails during the course of the £7.2 million eviction of 86 traveller families from the six acre green belt site in Crays Hill last year.

Speaking about the hate mail for the first time, this week, Cllr Ball also revealed how Essex Police had monitored his e-mail account and post during the operation to clear the former scrapyard, which made headlines around the world.

"I have been reluctant to say anything in the past because I am not looking for sympathy," said Cllr Ball.

"But at the time there were some extremely unpleasant phone calls, letters and e-mails that came my way. I didn't take the threats very seriously and I have never responded to them but it was not very pleasant.

"There were even some phone calls to my home phone which were extremely distressing to my family and unacceptable as far as I am concerned."

Cllr Ball also received many messages of support for Basildon Borough Council during the eviction.

"The overwhelming majority of e-mails, phone calls and letters that I received were of support and that was extremely gratifying," he said.

A year on and Cllr Ball remains convinced that the council was correct to move the travellers on.

"I am still clear in my mind that what we did was the right thing," he said.

"Doing nothing was simply not an option. This was about upholding the law – something that every public body is expected to do and something that the majority of our residents supported."

Despite most of the traveller families having moved away, around 20 caravans remain illegally at the roadside in Oak Lane, the road which gives access to the now sealed-off site.

It is a setback for the council but Cllr Ball reiterated his determination to resolve the issue once and for all.

He said: "Since November 2011, the council has been working tirelessly to deal with the continued breaking of planning and civil law on Oak Lane.

"We are dealing with these issues and we are working through the legal and planning process which does take time and has to be done step by step."

He added: "Every single issue in the Oak Lane area at the moment has its origins in the persistent law-breaking of the traveller community over the last ten years."

BRENTWOOD is to host its latest royal visit next month when the Queen's daughter comes to town.

Princess Anne will be paying a visit to the Save the Children shop, in The Baytree Centre, off High Street, on Thursday, November 29.

The 62-year-old will be meeting volunteers at the shop in her capacity as the charity's president.

Adrian Hebbert, regional retail manager at Save the Children, said: "It is an honour that HRH The Princess Royal will be visiting our shop to meet the team and thank them for the work that they do.

"Everyone is excited about her visit and it will be wonderful to share with her our experiences of our first year in The Baytree shopping centre.

"The shop has been a great success thanks to our fantastic volunteers who dedicate their time to our cause and the generosity of Brentwood's residents and passers-by."

Sue Winton, the manager of The Baytree Centre, added: "I think it is good for Brentwood and we will do our best to make her feel welcome."

Councillor Ann Coe, the mayor of Brentwood, is among those who will be present for the visit, the time of which has yet to be fixed.

She said: "I have just had the invitation and ticked yes, so I will be there on the day representing the residents of Brentwood. I will have to practise my curtsy."

Lord Petre, the Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, will be on hand to welcome Her Royal Highness in his capacity as the Queen's official representative in the county.

He said: "It is some time since The Princess Royal visited Essex. Usually she comes quite frequently but this is the first occasion for quite a few months.

"It will be a great pleasure to receive her and I am sure we can make it an enjoyable and informative day for her."

The princess's sojourn in Brentwood will be the town's third royal visit since the summer, following the Duke of Kent's trip to The Marillac care home in Warley and the Duke of Gloucester's appearance at the Warley Regimental Chapel, both in June.

CRIMINALS will be given the chance to make amends for their misdeeds by clearing leaves and painting park benches and fences in Brentwood.

Louise McKinlay, the leader of Brentwood Borough Council, has revealed that the authority is preparing to begin discussions with Essex Probation about bringing in those who have committed minor crimes to work under the Community Payback scheme.

The Tory-run council has previously brought in low-level offenders on an ad-hoc basis to help with one-off projects in the community. Now it is looking at the possibility of using them more frequently.

Cllr McKinlay, who represents Hutton North, said: "I have asked council officers to discuss with the probation service about how we can get Community Payback working for us in the town.

"Painting park fences and other basic maintenance tasks are among the things that have been undertaken in the borough before by Community Payback and we will be looking for more of the same again.

"We act vigorously against anti-social behaviour and other crimes in the borough and so I think it only right that "wrong 'uns can make good" by paying their dues back to the community they live in.

"It is important that the public can see those who have broken the law at work, making amends, and that Brentwood can benefit from their efforts clearing leaves, painting park benches and lots more."

UNION flags will be out in force when one of the British Army's most battle-hardened battalions parades through Romford.

The town centre will host a march past of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, affectionately known as the Vikings, on November 6.

The parade, the time of which has yet to be announced, will take place after the regiment returns from its fourth, and probably final, tour of Afghanistan later this month.

Those who attend will be treated to the sight of the soldiers in full parade uniform, with colours flying and bayonets fixed.

The parade will be accompanied by music from the regimental band and will conclude with an inspection of the troops under the Union flag in Market Place.

The Royal Anglians were given the freedom of the borough of Havering in 2010 – an honour required to permit next month's march to take place.

Councillor Robbie Benham, cabinet member for community empowerment at Havering Council, said: "Everyone is incredibly proud of the work, not just of the Royal Anglian Regiment, but of all our Armed Forces that do an amazing job on our behalf.

"I, for one, plan to be on the streets of Romford on November 6 when the Vikings will parade.

"It is bound to be a glorious sight and fitting to mark the end of their final tour in Afghanistan. They will be handing over responsibility for their area to local security – a job well done."

He added: "Earlier this year Havering Council signed the Armed Forces Covenant, which establishes a special relationship between the armed forces, council and residents. The military is an essential part of our culture, and we've pledged to support them in every way we can."

Romford MP Andrew Rosindell added: "We owe a great debt of gratitude to the men and women of the armed services who display the utmost commitment and professionalism in working to defend the interests of our country."

Since the war in Afghanistan began in 2002, 16 soldiers from the Royal Anglian Regiment have been killed in action and many others have been wounded.

As well as Romford, the Vikings will visit Basildon, Ipswich, Diss and Peterborough next month.

The news comes in the wake of the announcement that the Queen will visit The Drapers' Academy in Harold Hill on October 26.

THE portrait of shamed former county council leader Lord Hanningfield was removed to stop employees facing awkward questions, the current chairman has revealed.

Kay Twitchen said the oil painting was removed from the corridor outside her office at County Hall, in Chelmsford, because it was "not fair" on council staff to have to field difficult questions.

As reported in the Chronicle, the artwork, which depicts the former Tory during his time as county council chairman from 1989 to 1992, was taken away to the Essex Record Office in Wharf Road, Chelmsford, about three months ago.

The expenses which Lord Hanningfield claimed while he was leader of the council between 2001 and 2010 are currently being investigated by City of London Police.

The 72-year-old peer spent nine weeks in jail last year, after a court found him guilty of fiddling his House of Lords expenses by nearly £14,000.

Mrs Twitchen, who represents Billericay and Burstead, explained her decision this week, after returning from a two-week cruise.

She said: "A couple of members of staff were saying that when they bring visitors in they would always comment when they saw the painting.

"I felt it wasn't fair for those members of staff to have to get involved.

"We still have the police investigation going on and I decided that it should come down because of the awkwardness it was causing."

Mrs Twitchen stressed that the portrait, which was painted by the renowned British artist June Mendoza, was in safe hands at the Essex Record Office, adding that she expects it to return to County Hall.

"There is no way it isn't going to reappear," said Mrs Twitchen, who became chairman in May.

"When this is all done and dusted, I think most members would want it to come back."

Mrs Twitchen paid tribute to the service which Lord Hanningfield, an ex-pig farmer born Paul White, had given to the county council.

"He was a bloody good chairman and made a real contribution to the community in this county," said Mrs Twitchen, who was first elected to the council in May 1989.

"He was a good friend to me when I first joined the council and I won't forget that."

Lord Hanningfield, on police bail while the probe into his expenses continues, said: "I am disappointed that my portrait has come down and I don't feel that I have been very well treated by Essex County Council.

"They've moved the portrait so I guess they will now want to knock down the extension at County Hall which I was responsible for."

DALE Brightly has been axed as Billericay Town's goalkeeper.

The stopper was sent off in the FA Cup replay against Cambridge City before he allegedly aimed a head butt at an opponent as he stormed off the pitch.

After several poor performances between the sticks the Gazette understands this was the final straw for Brightly who had failed to impress the club's backroom staff with his displays this term.

"It was mutually agreed that he's gone," said manager Craig Edwards. "As it stands he's played his last game for us and we agreed it was for the best." The club will wait for the referee's report of the game and the player could be fined by the FA and Billericay Town depending on the contents of the reports.

The player hasn't yet joined another club and The Blues still hold his registration

After that FA Cup reverse Town bounced back with an excellent 3-1 victory at home to second-placed side Dorchester Town.

New signing Charlie Taylor, recently released from Barnet, got on the score sheet while new boy Joe Benjamin came off the substitutes' bench. French custodian Alex Bonnard started between the sticks. "They showed bundles and bundles of character and I was very proud of them," said Edwards.

"It was a big pressure game for us. Things haven't been going well the last three or four games. We had an awful performance against Cambridge in the replay. There was a 15 minute period and I've never seen a team defend as badly as that in my whole life. We were all over the show.

All four of their goals were horrendous mistakes."

On the signing of Taylor, Edwards said: "He's quality. He hasn't done much for a couple of months but I had no hesitation throwing him in. He scored and created the second goal."

Last night (Tuesday), Town were due to take on AFC Hornchurch in the Essex Senior Cup and Edwards will use the fixture to give some fringe squad members a game.

At the time of going press it was unclear whether or not Town would have a fixture on Saturday.

Their scheduled opponents Welling United are in FA Cup action so Edwards has contacted Maidenhead United about moving forward their league game.

"I can't imagine a side not wanting to play," he said.

"We'll have to wait and see what happens."

BOROUGH council planning officers have been criticised for a series of errors, and will be given extra training.

Poor record-keeping and failure to provide the right information are just two of the concerns raised in a leaked report, compiled in the wake of the failed application to build a four-storey development of 17 flats and shops in Crown Street.

The proposal, dubbed Towie Towers after it was first revealed in the Gazette in December 2011, was rejected by Brentwood Borough Council's planning development control and licensing committee in July after members decided it would be too large.

Following the decision, councillors expressed concern that a nearby taller development featuring 12 apartments at Hanover House in High Street had previously been approved by officers but had not been mentioned at the committee meeting.

Brian Partridge, the council's head of localism and partnership, subsequently carried out a review of the two applications and circulated a report of his findings to members last week.

The document, which was subsequently passed to the Gazette, described the "lack of record keeping" in the run-up to submission of the application as a "contributory factor" to what happened.

Mr Partridge also wrote: "Planning officers need to consider which plans should be displayed before members at the meeting, which will help with consideration of all the planning issues and help with determination of the application."

The report also raises concerns about an unnamed councillor who met with the developer and encouraged a different design, stating that any such discussions should, in the first instance, have taken place through planning officers.

Shenfield Tory councillor Phil Baker said: "I have concerns but the report goes some way to bring these concerns to light and gives us a way forward to get a better planning regime in the future."

When asked if the report might prompt residents to conclude that planning officers don't know what they are doing, Cllr Baker replied: "They may conclude just that."

Liberal Democrat opposition group leader David Kendall said: "This isn't the first time we have had issues regarding planning advice and the way that the planning committee is being operated. I was given assurances that things were going to improve but this situation would suggest that there is still a lot more room for further improvement."

He added: "Members need to sit down and discuss the findings of this report because this raises more questions than it provides answers."

Another councillor, who asked not to be named, added: "Planning officers have been found wanting on this one."

A council spokesman said: "The council has an adopted protocol for pre-application planning meetings.

"Members and officers are and will be trained in the protocol and this includes the delivery of the best pre-application planning advice by officers.

"Training has ensured that additional briefings are now held with officers prior to planning development committee meetings.

"It has also ensured that the committee is always fully informed on the latest determination of relevant applications.

"Our working practice is that all relevant planning history and relevant current applications are always brought to the attention of members considering applications."

THE man accused of murdering former Witham vicar John Suddards wanted to kill the Archbishop of Canterbury, a court has heard.

Stephen Farrow had also planned to crucify Rev John Suddards when he broke into his home at St Mary's Parish Church vicarage in Castle Street, Thornbury, Gloucestershire, in February, it was claimed.

Bristol Crown Court heard that Farrow, 48, told people he had been abused by a priest as a child.

Mental health nurse Richard Evans said he assessed Farrow, above, after his first appearance before magistrates in February following Mr Suddards' death.

"He told me he watched him die and there was a significant amount of blood," said Mr Evans. "He said it was about 7pm and he spent time trashing the house to make it look like a burglary had taken place.

"He said he arranged items around the body, such as a mirror and a picture of Christ next to the body."

Mr Evans said Farrow acknowledged that the killing of Mr Suddards was likely to be considered psychopathic.

The nurse told the jury: "He told me about a bag that contained a hammer and some nails in Eastbourne. He had initially thought about using the hammer and nails to crucify the vicar, but changed his mind. He told me he had been to Canterbury several times to work out if he could kill Rowan Williams, the Archbishop, but there was too much security."

Farrow alluded to being sexually abused when aged six, Mr Evans said.

Mr Evans said: "He made it clear, without prompting, that he didn't do it for the notoriety or recognition. He felt something was going to happen in his life in 2012. He talked about the second coming of Christ."

Farrow did not discuss his second alleged victim Betty Yates, Mr Evans said, except to deny killing her.

He added that before stabbing Mr Suddards to death, Farrow accused the church of sexually abusing him.

Farrow also told police surgeon Naveed Tippu he had been abused by a priest at boarding school when he was aged 11, the court heard.

A volunteer worker at another church frequented by Farrow also gave evidence.

Michaela Rowsell said he had sent her a series of threatening text messages. In one, he said: "As you reject me, you will suffer. I will be just round the corner and you will never know when I will be there."

Shortly before Mrs Yates was found dead, he texted: "I've already started my work and won't stop 'til I'm caught.

"You will soon know the truth and the Church will be the first to suffer and I don't lie about what is about to happen. You can all go to hell. Watch the news, Piggy, because you will know it was me."

Farrow admits manslaughter of Rev Suddards in February but denies murder. He also denies the murder of Mrs Yates in January.

He admits burgling another home in Thornbury in December.

The case continues.

A MAN from Brentwood is due to be sentenced after pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply Class A drugs and being in possession of a AK47 assualt rifle.
Peter Jacovou, a 31-year-old construction worker from Rollason Way in Brentwood, is due to be sentenced along with six other men next month who all pleaded guilty to drug offences.
The seven men were arrested after police officers recovered an assault weapon and 5kg of cocaine worth a street value of £250,000.
They appeared at Basildon Crown Court in August and pleaded guilty to these offences before being remanded in court custody.
Peter Jacovou, a 55-year-old car valeter from Capstan Close in Romford, pleaded guilty to one count of allowing his house to be used for drug-dealing and one count of being in possession of a Class B drug.
Richard Wiltshire, a 34-year-old unemployed man from Alders Avenue in Woodfood Green, pleaded guilty to one count of being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug. He was the only defendant not to be remanded in court custody and instead was released on court bail.
Richard Hassell, a 30-year-old builder from Kidman Close in Romford, pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply Class A drugs.
Mark Roberts, a 34-year-old unemployed man of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to two counts of being in possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply.
Dean Hoskyn, a 30-year-old unemployed man from Waterside Close in Barking, pleaded guilty to one count of being in possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply.
Kevin Gibbs; a 30-year-old carpenter from Academy Fields Close in Romford, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to supply a Class A drug.
All seven men are due to be sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on Monday, November 12.