Evening, Basildon

Hope you're enjoying a lovely start to the week!

Before we delve in, enjoy with me this lovely (winter?) view of Wick Country park.

P.S: Any recommendations for this newsletter? Please 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, it looks yet another week with no rain in sight :-). Shame about the visibility though.

What’s New?

C2C announces price freeze until March 2027

Fares are frozen across standard class rail fares including Season, Off-Peak and Anytime are frozen at 2025 prices until March 2027. For more information see details, T&C's and exclusions.

Take Part in Paid Research

1. Residents aged 50–74 are invited to share their thoughts on the NHS National Bowel Screening Programme for people over 50. 1 hour interview. £50 incentive paid via BACS. Interested? Sign up here

2. Researchers are looking to speak with people who currently receive Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance. 1 hour 30 minute in-person interview, 3 follow-up phone calls (20 minutes each). £175 incentive. Sign up here

Applications Open – Basildon & Pitsea Carnival 2026 🎪

Applications are now open for the 2026 Basildon & Pitsea Carnival. If you would like to run a stall at the carnival field event, applications for stallholders are now being accepted.

This much-loved event brings the community together for a fantastic day of entertainment and celebration. Apply or find more details here: 🔗 https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx

Stalls Wanted – 360 Play Summer Fayre ☀️

The 360 Play Basildon Summer Fayre is approaching and stallholders are being invited to take part on Monday 8 June at 360 Play Basildon

Stalls are FREE of charge and include business promotion on the dayPlease note: food stalls or businesses competing with 360 products are not permitted.

Also remember it’s the last week to enter our giveaway in collaboration with Clean Canvas Ltd, for a chance to win a free 3-hour home clean! Imagine what you could do with three hours of pure "me-time" while a pro makes your home sparkle.

How to Win:

Very easy to enter - just click on the image below. (and if you’d like to book them directly to test out their service, the easiest way to do so is via Whatsapp - tell them Basildon Hive sent you)

P.S: If you have any recommendations for this newsletter, please reply this

Things to do in Basildon this week

Music Lessons – Kaleo Music Studios 🎵

Kaleo Music Studios, Basildon offers one-to-one music lessons for all ages and abilities.

Students also have the chance to perform at exciting events, including KaleoFest in July.

Book a trial lesson now and you could learn a song in time to perform at the festival.

🔗 https://www.kaleomusicstudios.co.uk/services-1

‘Nevendon to Wickford’ – Local History Talk

Join Geoff Whiter from Wickford Community Archive for a fascinating talk exploring the history of Wickford.

🗓 Friday 13 March
🕖 7:00pm
📍 St Andrew’s Church, London Road, Wickford

The talk includes rare and previously unseen photographs of Wickford Town Centre.

Part of the Unveiled Friday night arts and performance programmeFree 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.

Where to make friends in Basildon this week - Adults

Monday

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.

Daily Group exercise classes at the Fit Lab, Essex (First class free)
Wrexham rd, Laindon. SS15 6PX
📅 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]

Wednesday

10am 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

Sip, Paint & Flow – Charity Evening 🎨

A relaxed creative evening perfect for friends or family.

🗓 Thursday 12 March
🕖 7pm – 10pm
📍 Fobbing

🍷 Bring your own wine & nibbles
🎨 No art experience required

Only one person needs to book a table (up to 4 people).
A £5 deposit is deducted from the bill on the night.

Book your table here:
🔗 https://www.thecraftshedessex.com/workshops

Traditional Shotokan Karate at Phoenix Karate club

Classes for all ages, abilities and levels

5pm | Laindon Community Centre. Text 07884028969 to get started

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

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

Friday

70s & 80s Quiz and Disco Night 🕺

Get ready for a fun retro evening packed with music and trivia.

🗓 Friday 13 March
📍 Billericay Theatre

✔ Test your 70s & 80s knowledge
✔ Dance to classic disco anthems

£10 per ticket. Bring your friends and make it a night to remember.

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]

Free Coffee Morning – Noak Bridge Christian Centre
☕ 10am–2pm
Friendly drop-in for a warm drink & chat.
📍 Wash Road SS15 4BE

Memory Day – The Old Days at Laindon Library

If you enjoy local history or reminiscing about the past, join Memory Day at Laindon Library.

🗓 Last Saturday of every month

🕙 10:00am – 12:30pm

📍 Laindon Library

Enjoy tea, conversation and the chance to reconnect with old friends, neighbours and familiar faces.

Where to make friends this week - young people

Monday

The Hive Monday Evenings – Children’s Activities

A fun, energetic weekly space where children can play, socialise and burn off energy.

• Mondays from 9 March

• 4:00pm – 6:00pm

• The Hive

Activities include: sports, Games, Dance, Obstacle courses, Archery, Football, Stay & Play £2 per child. Under 1s FREE. No booking needed – just turn up!. Families are welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy the space. 📞 Jade: 07949 270592

Tuesday

Mini Athletics 🏃

Indoor sports sessions for children.

• Tuesday & Wednesday: Ages 2–4
• Saturday: Ages 2–8

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

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. Note: No additional childminders currently.

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

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

• 📞 Jay: 07794 329833

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

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 everoneactive 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!