News in Basildon

THE A13 was closed eastbound for several hours at the Five Bells roundabout while emergency services deal with a multi-vehicle accident which happened around 8.45am.

Traffic was diverted up and over the roundabout.

A CRICKET match remembering a local man who died in the battle of the Somme more than 100 years ago will take place this week.

The Richard Bartlett Memorial match is organised by the Basildon Borough Twinning group's The Forget Never Project and takes place at 5pm on Wednesday, 11 August between between the youngsters of Wickford and Billericay cricket clubs.

WITH theatres now opening their doors and shows returning to the stage after the long Covid-19 lockdown, live theatre and concert fans in South Essex are looking forward to returned to the region's venues.

And there is a real treat in store at Basildon' Towngate Theatre on Thursday, 16 September when the acclaimed Whitney: Queen of the Night tribute show comes to town.

A BASILDON mum and her friends have completed their challenge and smashed a fundraising target in support of Basildon Hospital's neo-natal unit.

Basildon Nub News reported last week on the planned Three Peaks Challenge to be undertaken by Lauren Hatful as a way of saying thank-you to the unit.

A CHILDHOOD friendship between a Basildon girl and a Turkish family that has stood the test of time has resulted in an appeal to try and help the friends whose home and livelihood has been devastated by the bush fires sweeping through a holiday resort.

Kirsty Gratton is hoping South Essex residents will be kind enough to support a fundraising page she has created to help the family of Hasan Karademir, who she first met as a 12-year-old more than 26 years ago.

A FAMILY who are still grieving over the death of a much-loved 21-year-old woman earlier this year have highlighted her story by way of a tribute to her bravery and memory and to highlight the work of Basildon's St Luke's Hospice that cared for her through her final months and gave support to them.

In December 2019, when she was just 20, Becca Ridley from Chadwell St Mary, where she lived with mum and dad Vicky and Jim, was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer.

POLICE officers investigating the murder of Terry Leeks in Basildon have been carrying out checks in the area where he was attacked a month ago.

Mr Leeks, 46, was stabbed in Northlands Park at around 1.30am on Sunday, 11 July. He was taken to hospital where he later died.

POLICE who believe a misguided friendship may be stopping a missing boy from being found have renewed a plea for information.

Officers are continuing the search for Druie Price, who is missing from his home in St Leonards in Sussex.

RESIDENTS in Basildon are being urged to share their views on how the district council should best spend money on local services, how could it raise more money to support those services and which services matter most to them.

Basildon Council is asking residents for views before it sets its budget for 2022/23, which must balance spending on services with the resources available.

ON World Ranger Day (Saturday 31 July) a restored carving of the Woodsman was unveiled at a special event at Langdon Hills Country Park, Westley Heights, in honour of the sculptor Dave Chapple.

Guests including Thurrock Mayor Cllr Sue Shinnick, East Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe, Basildon Deputy Mayor Cllr Luke Mackenzie and Basildon Cllr Chris Allen (Langdon Hills ward) attended the unveiling under COVID-19 secure guidelines.