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Hello, Basildon!

Hope you’ve had a great weekend. Before we dive into today’s edition, we’re loving this colourful new mural in Basildon Town Centre, celebrating inspiring women and shaped by the voices of local teenage girls.🎨

P.S: If you have any recommendations for this newsletter, please reply this or email them to [email protected]. Every single email is read by a real person :-)

Weather in Basildon this week

According to the Met Office weather forecast, Monday brings sunny periods with highs of 14°C, before Tuesday turns wetter, with rain and drizzle. Wednesday stays cloudy and breezy, with a chance of showers, while sunny spells return on Thursday. Friday and Saturday look cooler, with some rain and stronger winds, before brighter conditions return on Sunday. Overnight lows range from 6–11°C.

What's On?

Drug Alert – Potentially Contaminated Heroin Reported in Basildon Essex Police have issued an alert about a potentially contaminated batch of heroin that may be linked to two overdoses. The information has not yet been confirmed, and investigations are ongoing.

Basildon First Time Buyer Event – 22 October Basildon Council’s First Time Buyer Event returns on Thursday 22 October, offering practical advice on mortgages, deposits, affordability and the legal and financial steps involved in buying your first home. 📍 Wickford Community Association, Nevendon Centre | 🕒 3:30–6:30pm | 🔗 Book your place: orlo.uk/qA30M

Lake Meadows Car Park – Proposed Parking Changes Parking enforcement has been suspended while a public consultation takes place, meaning parking fines will not be issued during this period. Proposed changes would make parking free except between 2pm and 3pm, Monday to Friday, to discourage all-day commuter parking. Consultation closes Thursday 12 November. 📧 Email [email protected], quoting LAKE MEADOWS OCT 2026. 📞 01268 207870 to arrange an appointment to view the documents at Barleylands Depot.

Basildon Community Together Fund – Grants of up to £5,000 Basildon Council has £100,000 available to support community projects across the borough. Community groups can apply for grants of up to £5,000 to bring people together, improve wellbeing and strengthen local communities. 🔗Find out more and apply

Keep Your Costs Down – New Council Campaign Basildon Council has launched a new cost-of-living campaign to help residents access money-saving advice, winter support schemes, help with rent difficulties, employment opportunities and mental health support. 🔗Explore the cost-of-living support page

Your Money, Your Say – Have a Say on Council Spending Residents, businesses and community groups are invited to help shape Basildon Council's 2027/28 budget through its Spending Choice consultation, running until Tuesday 17 November. It takes around 10 minutes to complete. 🔗Have your say

Broadmayne Lane Closures – 19–23 October Vegetation reduction works continue across routes connecting Basildon, Wickford and Billericay, between 9:30am and 3pm. This week, works affect Timberlog Lane Roundabout to East Mayne on 19–20 October, followed by Timberlog Lane Roundabout to Basildon Town Centre from 21–23 October. 🔗 More details

Black History Month 2026 This October, Basildon is celebrating the contributions, achievements, culture and heritage of Black communities. Residents are encouraged to take part in activities, conversations and learning opportunities taking place across the borough. 🔗Find out more

Don't Fall for a Rubbish Deal – Waste Collection Warning Basildon Council is urging residents to check waste collectors before handing over rubbish. Ask for a waste carrier licence, verify it on the Environment Agency register and request a receipt. An attractive price or professional-looking advert does not guarantee a legitimate service. 🔗 Find out more | Report dumped rubbish

Dispose of Batteries and Vapes Safely Incorrectly discarded batteries and vapes can cause serious fires. Use designated battery recycling bins, return used vapes to retailers, or take hazardous items to Barleylands or Pitsea Recycling Centres. Please don't put them in your household bin. 🔗 Find your nearest recycling point

New Stumpery Garden Opens at Wickford Memorial Park Friends of Wickford Memorial Park have unveiled a new garden created from upturned tree roots, trunks and decaying wood. Volunteers have contributed more than 1,000 hours of work, planting trees, shrubs, pond plants and more to create habitats for fungi, invertebrates, amphibians, birds and pollinators.

New PlayZone Approved for Pitsea Central Open Space Plans have been approved to replace the existing multi-use games area at Elm Green with a Football Foundation PlayZone. The scheme will include a new playing surface, sports fencing, LED lighting and hardstanding for spectators, creating more opportunities for football, netball and basketball. 🔗 More information

Further Anti-Social Behaviour Action in Fryerns Basildon Council has secured another Partial Closure Order following persistent reports of late-night and early-morning disturbances, including shouting, verbal abuse and arguments. The order restricts access to the property to named individuals, council officers and emergency personnel. 🔗 Report anti-social behaviour

Wat Tyler Country Park – October Half-Term Family Fun Looking for family-friendly activities during half term? Wat Tyler Country Park is offering seasonal crafts, outdoor exploration, soft archery and pond dipping. 📞 Call 01268 205267 between 10am and 4pm for booking information. 🔗 Find out more

Remembrance Sunday – 8 November Basildon Council is inviting residents, veterans, service personnel and community groups to take part in Remembrance Sunday ceremonies across the borough on 8 November. Locations and timings will be announced soon. Lest we forget.

Autumn Garden Waste Offer – Half Price for Six Months Basildon Council is offering half-price garden waste collections for six months, covering 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. 🔗Subscribe here

Free NHS Flu Vaccinations for Eligible Children Eligible children can get a free NHS flu vaccination as part of the Super Bodies winter health campaign. Find out who can have the vaccination and where to get it. 🔗Find out more

Free Mental Health Support for Adults in Basildon NHS Talking Therapies by Vita Health Group is offering free short-term psychological therapies and online mental health courses for adults aged 16 and over registered with a Basildon, Brentwood, Billericay or Wickford GP. Self-referral is available online or by phone. 🔗Find out more

Film & Screen Saturday Club for 13–16 Year Olds Creative Basildon and South Essex Colleges Group are offering free weekly Film & Screen classes for young people aged 13–16, starting Saturday 7 November. 🔗 Apply via the Saturday Club website.

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Things to do in Basildon this week

Monday

Menopause Awareness Day – Breathing Space Class @ Basildon Sporting Village 

Everyone Active is hosting a free Breathing Space class led by Angela, offering a gentle opportunity to pause, breathe and take some time for yourself. Stay afterwards for a cuppa, a chat and information and support around menopause. 📍 Basildon Sporting Village | 🎟️ Free | 📲 Book through the Everyone Active app or website.

Community Football

⚽ 6:30 PM
Weekly friendly football for local lads — all abilities welcome (16-18yrs).
Balls, bibs & ref provided. Great for fitness, stress relief & fun.
📍 Woodlands School, Basildon
£10 per player | 1-hour game on 3G pitch
📲 WhatsApp: 07723 615546
🔗 Join online: https://footyaddicts.com/football-venues/1489-woodlands-school-basildon-essex

Tuesday

STEM Careers Event @ South Essex Colleges Group | 5:00PM–7:00PM

Young people interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics can drop in for interactive demonstrations, meet employers and explore careers in the sector. The event runs alongside the college's open evening. 📍 Centre for Digital Technologies, Basildon town centre | 🎟️ Free drop-in, no booking needed.

Community Pastors Information Evening | 7:00PM 

Find out more about the work of Community Pastors at this online information evening. 📍 Online | Contact the organisers by direct message for the Zoom link. 🔗Learn more about Community Pastors

Wednesday

Dragonfly Coffee Morning @ Mother's Kitchen, Pitsea | 10:00AM–12:00PM 

Join Dragonfly Mind & Wellbeing CIC for a friendly cuppa and a chat. The welcoming gathering brings people together, supports wellbeing and offers a friendly space for anyone feeling lonely or isolated. ☕ Free tea and coffee | 📍 Mother's Kitchen, 6 Felmores End, Pitsea, Basildon, SS13 1PN.

Men's Shed – FREE Weekly Sessions 

A free welcoming space for men to come together, share skills, build confidence and have fun — crafts, furniture restoration and simple electronics. Hand tool donations also welcome! 📍 King Edward Community Centre, King Edward Road, Laindon, SS15 6GY 📅 Every Wednesday | ⏰ 10:00am – 1:00pm 🆓 Free — just pop in! 📧 [email protected] 📞 01245 944321

Social Community Football – Friendly Men’s Games (Woodlands school)

⚽ 7:00 PM
Keep fit, meet mates & enjoy friendly competitive football.
📍 Basildon Sporting Village
£7 per player
📲 WhatsApp: 07723 615546
🔗 Join online: https://footyaddicts.com/football-venues/289-basildon-sporting-village-essex-basildon

Thursday

Wine & Cheese Night @ Wickford Railway Club | 7:00PM 

Enjoy a selection of wines, a range of cheeses, a fun quiz with prizes and plenty of company, hosted by Joe Sanganella. The event is in aid of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. 🍷🧀 🎟️ £10 per ticket | 📍 Wickford Railway Club.

Friday

Community Café @ Bartlett Park Café | 9:00AM–12:00PM 
Pop in for refreshments, a friendly chat and a chance to meet new people. Everyone is welcome! ☕ Hot drinks from £1.50 | Soft drinks from £1.20 | 📍 Bartlett Park Café, Southend Road, SS11 8RZ.

Wickford Networking Event @ Wickford Town FC, Bartlett Park | 10:00AM–12:00PM 
Whether you run a local business, represent a voluntary organisation or simply want to learn more about what's happening in Wickford, come along, meet local people and make new connections. Everyone is welcome. 📍 Bartlett Park, SS11 8RZ.

Dream Boats & Petticoats Live @ The Kings Arms, Orsett | 8:00PM 
Step back into the fabulous 1950s for a rock 'n' roll night packed with feel-good classics, music and dancing. 📍 The Kings Arms, Orsett.

Halloween Drive-In Movies @ Barleylands, Billericay 
Settle in for a Halloween movie night under the stars. Friday's screenings are The Lost Boys at 7:00PM and Tucker & Dale vs Evil at 9:15PM. 🎟️ Book tickets

Pathways Basildon Job Club @ Basildon Library
Looking for work or need some help with your job search? Pathways Basildon runs a weekly Job Club where an advisor is available to offer guidance and support. You can also use the library computers for your search. No booking required.
🕚 Fridays, 11am–12pm
📍 Basildon Library, The Basildon Centre

Basildon Skills Show
Looking for more career inspiration? The Basildon Skills Show is returning with opportunities to explore careers, skills and training.
🔗 More information: orlo.uk/lKcP2
🔗 Book your place: orlo.uk/uAggI

Men’d Model Making – Happy Hub
12pm. Enjoy a relaxed creative atmosphere with good company.
📍 Happy Hub, Unit 11, Eastgate SS14 1AE

Knit, Natter & New Friends – Happy Chatters
10:30 to 11:30am. Bring your yarn & join the fun.
📍 Happy Hub, Unit 11, Eastgate SS14 1AE

Where to make friends this week - young people

Pokémon Mondays

Learn to play the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
📍 Mother's Kitchen, 6 Felmores End, Pitsea, SS13 1PN

🕓 Under 16s: 4–6pm
🕡 All Ages: 6:30–8:30pm
💷 £6 (decks supplied)

🌐 www.dungeonsandjoypads.com

Wednesday

Baby & Toddler Rhyme Time – Basildon Library

Songs, stories and rhymes for babies and toddlers.

10am - 10:30am | Basildon Library, town centre | No booking required - find out more here

SEND sensory stay and play – Basildon Library

Come and enjoy our safe SEND area, meet other parents and make friends!

15:30 - 16:30am | Basildon Library, town centre | No booking required - find out more here

Chess Classes for Children in every Wednesday

Elite Chess Academy welcomes children aged 5–16, from complete beginners to experienced players. Our fun, interactive lessons help children develop concentration, confidence, logical thinking and problem-solving skills.

♟️ All abilities welcome
♟️ Friendly and engaging lessons
♟️ Classes are every Wednesday in George Hurd Centre at 4:30pm

Interested in joining? Contact us at [email protected], call:07858975335 or visit www.EliteChessAcademy.co.uk to find out more.

Thursday

Leapsprogs for Toddlers (18 months–5 yrs)

• 🕥 10:30–11:30am

• 📍 Langdon Hills Methodist Church, SS16 6EX

• Fun, active sessions for early learners

Free Yoga for Children. Ages 6 - 12

• 🕓 4 to 4:45pm

• 📍 Northlands Park Family Centre

• FREE 🔗 Book: https://www.yoga4all.co

Friday

Well Youth Club – Wickford 

Supportive weekly youth community.

🕕 6pm – 8pm
📍 Downtowner Centre, Wickford
👥 Ages 11–18
🎟️ £6 per person

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.motivated-minds.co.uk

Want to volunteer locally?

Essex Pedal Power Basildon — bike building, content creation & more 🔗 orlo.uk/AreZU | 📧 [email protected] 
Gold Geese Charity — sports events & fundraiser volunteers 📧 [email protected] 
Human Kind Café — front of house & story time assistants 📧 [email protected] 
Healthwatch Essex — various volunteer roles available 🔗 orlo.uk/QyERY
Wickford in Bloom — floral volunteering 📧 [email protected] 
Wickford & District Talking Newspaper — editor volunteers needed 🔗 orlo.uk/qQb70 | 📧 [email protected] 
Search all opportunities: orlo.uk/PZNnBFree 

That’s all folks! Enjoy your week ahead!