ONE YEAR AGO

October 10, 2007

Shopkeepers and traders in Braintree issued a stark warning to the people of the town – use us or lose us.

The plea came as a growing number of shops in Braintree stand empty or closed, and businesses are finding it harder to make a living.

One of the town’s oldest shops, Chocolate Fayre, run by Peter and Nancy Bentham, has closed down after 20 years of selling newspapers, sweets and cigarettes to two generations of customers.

* Bosses at Braintree’s only independent bakery have told how they will be forced to introduce their highest-ever price for a loaf following a staggering rise in the price of flour, adding to the High Street’s problems.

At Legg’s Baker a large white loaf of bread costs £1.20, but it could soon be at least £1.25, after the price of their flour increased by £1.36 per 16kgs.

TEN YEARS AGO

October 8, 1998

The prospect of a multi-million-pound village bypass between Braintree and Chelmsford has moved closer.

The Government has given permission for Essex County Council to buy land along the planned route of the A131 Great Leighs bypass.

* National retail chain Woolworths is tight-lipped about plans to expand its Braintree store.

Although a detailed planning application has been submitted to Braintree Council, Woolworths press officers will not comment on the proposed development.

40 YEARS AGO

October 11, 1968

A 60-year-old man has been awarded the Royal Humane Society’s resuscitation certificate for reviving a youngster.

Alfred Smith, of Oxney Farm, Bannister Green, Felsted, was honoured after an 18-month-old boy strayed on to his land and fell into the open swimming pool in the garden.

On hearing that the youngster was missing, Mr Smith went to his swimming pool and saw the youngster lying at the bottom of the 3ft 6in deep water. He jumped in, lifted the child out and applied artificial respiration for about 15 minutes before the boy revived.

* Five generations of one family attended the christening of six-week-old Carol Anne Beard at St Peter’s Church, Coggeshall.

The most senior member of the family was 94-year-old Elizabeth Allen, of Wethersfield, who has lived in the village for most of her life and is baby Carol’s great-great-grandmother.

50 YEARS AGO

October 9, 1958

A soldier from Braintree was injured by shrapnel when a home-made bomb was thrown at the Army lorry he was driving in Cyprus.

The 20-year-old suffered injuries to his neck and left hand almost four months to the day after his twin brother Barry was also injured by Eoka terrorists in Cyprus.

* A 26-year-old man, who said he had toured the country obtaining free board and lodgings from hospitals, was remanded in custody for two weeks by Braintree magistrates.

He was charged with obtaining drugs and food by false pretences at Black Notley Hospital after going there complaining of pains in his body.