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Hello Basildon!

Welcome to today's edition of the Basildon Hive. We've got important community news, a chance to have your say on tackling anti-social behaviour, details of the Bank Holiday bin collection changes, and an introduction to Basildon Council's new Cabinet team. Plus, don't miss free health checks, local volunteering opportunities, upcoming community events, and plans for an exciting summer of sport. Let's dive in!

This week, we’re loving this beautiful photo of Gloucester park in the sunshine

 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, A mild and mostly cloudy week is ahead, with daytime temperatures gradually cooling from 23°C today to around 19–20°C by the weekend. Tuesday has a slight chance of rain, while the rest of the week stays mostly dry with a mix of clouds and sunshine. Nights will be cool, ranging from 10°C to 14°C, so a light jacket may be useful in the evenings.

What’s New?

Free Five-Minute Health Checks – Last Chance
Residents aged 18+ can get a free digital health check at the Unity Centre, Eastgate Shopping Centre. Check blood pressure, BMI, stress levels and more in just five minutes.
📅 Available until Friday 12 June, Monday–Friday, 9:30am–3:30pm.

Meet Basildon Council's New Cabinet Team
Basildon Council has announced its Cabinet for 2026/27, with councillors leading key areas across the borough. Residents can contact the relevant Cabinet Member directly for support, advice, or concerns relating to their portfolio.

• Cllr Andy Barnes – Leader of the Council & Cabinet Member for Finance & Strategy
 📧 [email protected] 

• Cllr Kevin Blake – Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Service Improvement
 📧 [email protected] 

• Cllr Terri Sargant – Cabinet Member for Health & Inclusion
 📧 [email protected] 

• Cllr Alex Myers – Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Economic Development
 📧 [email protected] 

• Cllr Andrew Baggot – Cabinet Member for Law & Order and Enforcement
 📧 [email protected] 

• Cllr Andrew Schrader – Cabinet Member for Planning & Infrastructure
 📧 [email protected] 

• Cllr Danny Lawrence – Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport & Youth
 📧 [email protected] 

• Cllr Phil Turner – Cabinet Member for Housing
 📧 [email protected] 

• Cllr George Jeffery – Cabinet Member for Environment & Leisure
 📧 [email protected] 

The new Cabinet will oversee services ranging from housing and regeneration to public health, environmental services, community safety, leisure, and local government reform.

Have Your Say on Anti-Social Behaviour
Basildon Council is reviewing its Anti-Social Behaviour Policy and wants residents' feedback. Your experiences can help shape a fair, victim-focused approach to tackling issues such as vandalism, intimidation and noise nuisance.
🔗 Take part here: https://orlo.uk/l1WjE

Save the Date – Armed Forces Day
Basildon's annual Armed Forces Day parade returns on Saturday 27 June 2026. The event honours serving personnel, veterans, reservists, cadets and military families.
📍 Basildon Town Centre – more details coming soon.

£65 paid for Focus group on New Home design
A focus group on new home design is looking for applicants in Basildon. Thursday 11th June. 1.5 hrs. Venue tbc. Its evening and you will be given £65 as a thank for your contribution. Its about new home design. Please do text Marilyn Besser on 07956 444204 and she will interview you and explain all. Research is conducted under the Market Research Society Code of Conduct and all contributions are confidential.

Works have started on the ALDI in town (former Argos)
Launch date coming soon. As far as we know parking is still free at the East gate on Saturdays and Sundays 10am - 2pm so ideal shopping times for when it opens?

Things to do in Basildon this week

Pathways Volunteering Fair
Thinking about volunteering or a career change? Meet local charities and community groups offering a wide range of opportunities.
📅 Thursday 4 June | ⏰ 10am–12pm
📍 Entrance to the Basildon Centre

Free Online Courses – Essex Libraries

Access LinkedIn Learning, language courses, Driving Theory, Life in the UK and more. All FREE with your library card. 🔗 https://libraries.essex.gov.uk.

Summer starts here (free gummies!)

The sun is here and we're back outside!

Longer days, lighter hangs, and THC gummies that fit the vibe. Grab a free pack of gummies from Cycling Frog! Just cover $4.99 shipping. Fruity, perfectly dosed, and made for campfires, park days, and whatever summer turns into.

Claim your free bag

Must be 21+ and only valid on 10ct bags of gummies.

NOT VALID IN OH, CA, CO, AL, LA AND NJ.

What to do this bank holiday/rest of the week

Monday

Sing Club – Billericay
Fun daytime singing sessions. No experience needed.

🗓 Mondays or Fridays
⏰ 1:30pm – 2:30pm
📍 Billericay Theatre
💷 £6 per session
📧 [email protected]

Fitness Class – Bounce Billericay (BOUNCE)

Trampoline workouts, boxing, circuits and drumming-based exercise. Suitable for all abilities.

📍 HK Dance Studio, Summerhill Farm, Hardings Elm Rd, Billericay CM11 2UJ
🎟️£6.95 per session. Book now: www.bookwhen.com/bouncebillericay

Daily Group exercise classes at the Fit Lab, Essex (First class free)
Wrexham rd, Laindon. SS15 6PX @ 6am
📅 Book here: https://thefitlab.as.me/schedule/4867abca

Sing Club Billericay (first session free)
Join singing sessions – all ages and abilities welcome, no experience needed! Sessions are £6 pay-as-you-go, run by professional musicians, and no auditions, uniforms, or dancing required. Sessions run on

• Mondays (1.30–2.30pm, Queens Park Community Church) and

• Fridays (1.30–2.30pm, Mayflower Hall). For more info, email [email protected]

Gymophobics Pitsea – Women’s Gym Sessions 

A fun, supportive gym space just for women; no judgement, no pressure, just fitness, friendship and feeling good. Scarves flying, smiles wide, and lots of laughs.
Build stronger bodies and real friendships in a safe environment.

📍 Gymophobics, Pitsea
Free consultation available.  Inbox to book your free consultation.

Woodlands School, Basildon (Sporting Village)

⚽ 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

Weekly yoga @6:30pm
Fryerns Community hall, Whitmore Way, Basildon SS14 2NN
📅 Book here: Yoga Classes | Treatments | Southend-on-Sea | Yoga4all (Check site for various other sessions)

Tuesday

GolfTots – Langdon
Free weekly golf sessions for children aged 2.5–5. No booking needed.

🗓 Every Tuesday
⏰ 9:30am – 11:00am
📞 01268 548444
📧 [email protected]

Wellness Café Launch 9:30am–1:30pm
Open every Tuesday (term time), 9:30am–1:30pm at The Beech, SS14 3RZ. Free sessions with tea, activities, armchair exercise & community support…everyone welcome! Contact: [email protected]

Wednesday

Line Dancing with Drew
📅 Starts Wednesday 3rd June
A fun weekly line dancing and keep-fit class open to all abilities. Great for fitness, confidence and meeting new people.
🕡 6:30pm – 7:30pm
📍 St Margaret’s Church Hall, Stanford Le Hope, SS17 0EP
💷 £5 per session
📞 07951 509930
📧 [email protected]

The Hive Community Café – Basildon
A warm, welcoming space to relax, chat, and connect with others.

🗓 Every Wednesday
⏰ 9:30am – 12:00pm
📍 The Hive Community Café

The Hive Gardening Club – Basildon

Wednesdays | 10 AM–12 PM
Weeding, soil rotation, painting, building veg patches & more!
📍 6 Honeypot Lane, Basildon SS14 2JZ

Women’s Cycle Ride 

Beginner-friendly cycle around Gloucester Park, followed by refreshments and a chat.

🕥 10:30am – 12:00pm
📍 Basildon Sporting Village, SS14 3GR

• Open to all women
• Safe and supportive environment
• Learn local routes & build confidence

Need a bike? Limited bikes available to borrow.
📧 [email protected]
📞 07749 491638

Seated Yoga – Basildon Library

An hour of gentle chair-based exercise at seated yoga class. The friendly classes are suitable for adults of all ages and abilities

13.30am - 14:30am | Basildon Library, town centre | No booking required - find out more here

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

Ladies Netball – Social League
🏐 7–10pm
Fun, friendly and open to all abilities.
📍 St Clere’s School
🔗 Basildon Wednesday - Play Netball

Thursday

Adults Evening – The Craft Shed Essex
📅 Thursday 4th June
Relax with pottery painting, drinks and creative fun at this adults-only craft evening. Guests are welcome to bring their own wine and nibbles.
🕖 7pm – 10pm
📍 The Craft Shed Essex, Basildon
🌐 www.thecraftshedessex.com/workshops

Sewing Group
🧵 10am–12pm
Learn knitting, crochet or sewing. £4
📍 The Pavilion, Great Berry
📞 Ann: 07802 161021

Friday

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

Knit, Natter & New Friends – Happy Chatters
10:30 to 11:30am. Bring your yarn & join the fun.
📍 Happy Hub, Eastgate (by Asda)

Yoga for Mental Health – FREE
🧘 11:15am
📍 King Edward Centre, Laindon SS15 6GY
✉️ [email protected]

Where to make friends this week - young people

Tuesday

Mini Athletics

Indoor sports sessions for children.

• Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday: Ages 2–4

Fun running, jumping & throwing games.
Locations: Billericay, Basildon, Wickford, Grays, Brentwood.

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

Rhythm Time – Babies & Toddlers

🎵 Music • Movement • Instruments • Bonding
Confidence-building sensory play for babies & toddlers in a calm, friendly setting.
📍 Meadow Croft Garden Centre
🍼 Wednesdays
Limited spaces… Message Zoe on 07778213315

FREE Kids Chess Trial Classes

• 🕓 4:30pm

• 📍 George Hurd Activity Centre, Audley Way, SS14 2FL

• Perfect for beginners wanting to learn strategy & make new friends!

FREE Fun & Teatime at Briscoe

• 🕓 4:30–5:30pm

• 📍 Briscoe Primary School, Felmores End, SS13 1PN

• Football, crafts, board games & a warm snack. Families welcome! 📞 Kelly: 07701 365822

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

Buzz & Bloom – Parent & Toddler Group 

Warm, friendly stay-and-play group.

🕤 9:30am – 11:00am
📍 The Hive, 6 Honeypot Lane, Basildon SS14 2JZ

Fun, play and connection for parents and toddlers.

Sports & Activities at James Hornsby (Ages 12–24)

• 🕔 5–7pm Football, basketball, archery, cricket, dance & fitness + snacks.

• 📞 Jay: 07794 329833

Messy Madness at Monkey Madness

• Messy play & crafts… without the clean-up!

• 💷 £7 per session (soft play included)

• £40 per term 📞 01268 288211 to book

Junior Badminton 🏸

Sports School Badminton Course. Ages 7–11

🕓 4:45pm – 5:45pm
📍 Basildon Sporting Village
Book via everyoneactive website

Friday

The Barnhall Under 5’s Club

Stay-and-play toddler group.

🕤 9:30am – 11:00am
📍 Barnhall Social Club, Wickford SS11 7JP
🎟️ £2.50 per child | Under 1s £1

Runs term time only. Fully insured & DBS checked.

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

King Edward Teen Teatime Club

A welcoming space for teens to relax, socialise and have fun.

🕔 5pm – 7pm
📍 King Edward Community Centre, Laindon SS15 6GY

Activities include:
• Multi-sports
• Crafts
• Dance & karaoke
• Snacks provided

Completely FREE

📞 07701 365822
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.atfcommunity.com

FreeStreet Cricket at James Hornsby

FreeStreet Cricket sessions for young people aged 8–16.

🕔 5pm – 6pm
📍 James Hornsby School

Delivered by qualified ATF coaches in partnership with Essex Cricket in the Community, providing a safe, inclusive and fun experience.

✨ Completely FREE
✨ All abilities welcome

🔗 Register here:
https://chancetoshine.my.site.com/s/street-registration-form?language=en_GB&qrc=0018e00000IcqWOAAZ

That’s all folks! Enjoy your week ahead!