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Hello, Basildon!

Hope you’re managing to stay cool in this weather! Before we delve into the latest happenings locally this week, we’re admiring the paintwork on The Hive as they request more publicity to the community space on Honeypot lane.

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, Basildon is set for a warm and sunny week, with temperatures building to a hot peak on Thursday before easing into the weekend.

What’s New?

Clay Hill Road closed from 7pm to 5am due to overnight works. From Monday 10 August, Essex highways team will be carrying out overnight works as part of the footbridge upgrade in Basildon (SS16 5DU). To complete the work safely, Clay Hill Road will be closed overnight from 7pm - 5am, while three-way temporary traffic lights remain in place during the day.

Eastgate Health Centre – Construction Update  On track to open by end of 2026 or early 2027 Walls are now in place and mechanical and electrical services are being installed. The new centre will bring consultation rooms, theatre rooms, retail space and bed spaces into the heart of Basildon town centre, aiming to cut waiting times for diagnostic appointments and treatment.

TG Jones and the post office (Eastgate) ate closing The post office inside T G Jones is scheduled to close on Monday 21st September, due to restructuring (according to national consultation reports)

Meadow Croft Garden Centre is looking to partner with local charities in hosting coffee mornings. They want to provide a place to come together and spend the morning feeling surrounded by great coffee & cake. They're looking for local charities to collaborate with/host a coffee morning and recommendations from the community regarding charities to support. Reach out to them via [email protected]

China City (Whitmore way) founder retires after 28 years If you’re a regular customer of China City on Whitmore way, you’ll be pleased to read this beautiful tribute sending the big boss off on his retirement. (The takeaway is still open however, and continues to serve customers under new management)

Hot Weather Safety Reminder  Protect yourself, your pets and the environment during the warm spell Watch out for falling tree branches, keep children away from ponds and lakes, keep pets off hot surfaces during the hottest parts of the day, and be mindful of fire risk in dry grass and woodland areas.

🔗 Report any hazards: orlo.uk/4AEav 

Gas Safety Inspections – Basildon Council Tenants  Annual inspections are a legal requirement – please respond when contacted The council has secured its first Warrants of Entry after tenants repeatedly refused access for mandatory gas safety checks. Tenants are urged to respond promptly when contacted to arrange an appointment.

📞 Gas service booking line: 0800 011 3241 📞 Housing Services: 01268 533333 (Option 4, then Option 4) ✉️ [email protected] 

Basildon Half Marathon 2026 – Sign Up Now  Sunday 13th September. Whether you're chasing a PB, rebuilding fitness or taking on your first 13.1 miles, it's not too late to enter! 🔗 Secure your spot: orlo.uk/uFR8A 

Backpacks Kids Actually Love Carrying

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Things to do in Basildon this 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

Summer of Superheroes – Eastgate Basildon  Put on your cape and join the fun! Meet your favourite heroes, conquer exciting challenges and follow themed trails. Come in your best superhero costume!

⏰ 11am – 3pm 📍 Eastgate, Basildon 💷 Free (Every Tuesday throughout August)

Tuesday Social Netball League
Women of all abilities are welcome to enjoy friendly weekly netball in Basildon.
📍 St Clere's School | 🕖 From 7pm

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

Summer Fun in the Park – Inflatables & Face Painting Free family fun at Wickford Memorial Park Face painting tickets are free but limited – collect from the Town Council stand from 2pm. Don't join the queue without a ticket first.

⏰ 2pm – 4pm 📍 Wickford Memorial Park 💷 Free 🌐 wickfordtowncouncil.gov.uk 

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

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

Essex Pedal Power Basildon — bike building, content creation & more 🔗 orlo.uk/AreZU | 📧 [email protected] 
Billericay Food Bank — volunteer baker needed 🔗 orlo.uk/SA38t
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 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.

Thursday

Wellness Café – Langdon Hills
Free weekly wellbeing support including weigh-ins, social prescribing, seated exercise, and refreshments.
📅 Every Thursday
⏰ 9:30am–2pm
📍 Langdon Hills Methodist Church, Emmanuel Road, SS16 6EX
📞 01268 962404

Wellness Café – Free Weekly Support
The Wellness Café at Langdon Hills Methodist Church runs every Thursday, offering free weigh-ins, digital support, social prescribing, seated exercise and refreshments. 📍 Every Thursday | ⏰ 9:30am–2pm

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]

Saturday

Free Park Tennis Session  Open to all ages and skill levels. Bring a racket if you have one – booking required but completely free! Time: 10:30am – 11:30am 📍 Mopsies Tennis Court, 26 Chittock Gate, Basildon SS14 1RL 💷 Free 🔗 Book: clubspark.lta.org.uk/MopsiesPark 

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

Langdon Nature Tots

Weekly outdoor nature sessions for children 18 months–5 years.
📅 Wednesdays, 10am
📍 Langdon Nature Discovery Park, Basildon
✔️ Forest School-inspired activities
✔️ Free parking
✔️ Café & toilets

Discounts available for siblings and eligible Universal Credit families.

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!