FAMILIES and friends look set to be allowed to gather in parks and gardens by Easter.

Boris Johnson hinted at when the hospitality sector will reopen ahead of detailing plans to gradually ease lockdown.

Colchester has welcomed some huge bands to town over the decades including Bob Marley and the Wailers, Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones.

Here are the death notices published in the Gazette this week:

THE cold, freezing weather created fantastic photo opportunities for our Camera Club members.

The Australian version of the show has proved a hit and now TV producers are looking for single Brits to take part in the next UK series.

DRIVERS are urged to plan their route as a section of a major road will be closed this weekend.

THE stunning expanse, the fragrance of sea brine, the crunch of sand and pebbles under your feet – seaside walks are one of the things which makes Essex great.

Dozens of schools and colleges in Colchester are in areas with potentially dangerous levels of air pollution.

WHEN Lucy walked away from her career in IT to focus on fitness, she knew she had made the right decision for herself.

The man behind plans to create an entertainment venue at the former Embassy Suite has revealed he is now on the hunt for an alternative location.

These are the top ten reviewed takeaways in Colchester on delivery site Just Eat.

Essex Police fined a woman who had tested positive for Covid-19 for going back to work in Clacton before her isolation period was up.

These are the most dangerous areas in Colchester town centre for young drivers.

A CARE home has been placed in special measures after concerns were raised about the staff’s approach to infection control during the coronavirus pandemic.

Essex Police fined a group of revellers caught at a lockdown-flouting house party in Colchester

COLCHESTER’S paratroopers have adopted a “more disciplined” approach to training to balance the need to maintain readiness for global operations with the risks of coronavirus.

A CHARITY which provides services for victims of sexual abuse across north and mid Essex has been awarded £385,000.

DRIVERS can expect delays for another two weeks.

REBECCA Page is one in a million, juggling her job as a hard-working community nurse with bringing up two little ones - with a third on the way in July.

A TRAUMATISED mum who felt “trapped by fear” wept in court as an ex-partner who repeatedly breached a nonmolestation order was spared an immediate prison sentence.

A PENSIONER who stashed indecent images of children on hard drives was reminded of the “exploited victims” at the heart of his offending.

BRAINTREE'S MP is backing plans which will see surplus vaccine doses donated to poorer nations.

DOG thefts have fallen in Essex this year, despite social media frenzy surrounding the thefts of pet pooches.

The body of a dead pony was found in Billericay on Wednesday, leaving those who found it devastated at what they saw.

The Original Bowling Company has applied for a licence to 3am for its bowling alley and mini-golf site at Northern Gateway in Colchester.

POLICE are looking for a man who failed to appear in court to answer a series of charges.

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after two girls were approached by a man in Maldon.

A total of 35 patients have died in the last seven days after testing positive for coronavirus at the trust which runs Colchester Hospital.

EMERGENCY services were deployed to Maldon this morning, according to eyewitnesses.

TENDRING is ready to get back to business after Covid-19 with 33 projects in the pipeline.

Tiddles the cat had to be rescued from a balcony in Essex after getting stuck for 18 hours.

This is what data Boris Johnson will use to devise the Government's road map out of lockdown.

AN Essex firm has played a pivotal role in Nasa’s Mars Perseverance rover which has safely landed on the red planet.

Rising temperatures across Essex could see a "pollen explosion" arrive over the weekend.

A FOOD recall has been issued for a popular chicken product due to the possible presence of Salmonella posing a health risk.

BRIGHTLINGSEA WinterFest is on the crest of a wave with the renowned blues rock duo When Rivers Meet lined up for the festival’s next events.

A handful of areas in Colchester are now recording three or fewer cases of coronavirus.

RESIDENTS of a village that has been blighted by new developments are being asked for their views on a proposed neighbourhood plan.

Colchester Council has secured a £527,000 grant to make its main offices more environmentally friendly.

Both infection rates and hospitalisations due to Covid have fallen again in Essex – but residents have been warned not to “assume the pandemic is over”.

MENTION foot-and-mouth disease and most people will have some recollection of the epidemic which swept the UK 20 years ago.

Hundreds of allegations of coercive, controlling behaviour were reported to Essex Police last year.

A DAD-of-three who founded a virtual choir is ending the month on a high note after winning a competition launched by father and son TV stars Martin and Roman Kemp.

A ROAD known for its pothole problems is set to be repaired next month.

CARERS have denied defrauding an elderly woman by withdrawing money and setting up online shopping accounts in her name.

FAMILIES could have the chance to get up close with small animals, reptiles and birds as plans were unveiled for a zoo at a former garden centre.

THE rate of Covid-19 deaths in Tendring has fallen by 30 per cent in the past week.

The decision was made after conversations between Harry and members of the royal family.

FRINTON Rotary Club wants your unwanted computers and tablets.