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Hello, Basildon!

Hope you’ve had a great weekend after week 1 of school traffic coming back :-) Before we dive into what’s happening across Basildon and beyond this week, we’re kicking things off with a splash of local colour, check out this scenic view of Little Burstead

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, Tuesday brings a chance of rain, followed by mostly cloudy and partly cloudy skies through Friday. The weekend stays mild and cloudy, with highs of 21–22°C and overnight lows of 13–16°C.

What's On?

Basildon Reaches Final Stage of UK Town of Culture 2028 Artist open call now live – deadline 9th September Basildon is looking for 20 artists and creatives with a connection to the borough to help develop the Town of Culture bid. Successful applicants receive a £1,000 commission to create new work exploring the people, places, stories and culture that make Basildon special. Music, film, photography, visual art, fashion, performance, writing, digital media and more – all welcome.
📅 Deadline: 9th September 2026 💷 £1,000 commission 🔗 Apply: orlo.uk/SkBmD

Community Wellbeing Consultation – One Week Left Closes Wednesday 9th September Tell Basildon Council what makes your community great and how to build healthier, more connected neighbourhoods. Your feedback shapes strategies for Connected Communities, Health & Wellbeing, Equality & Inclusion, and Sport & Physical Activity. Paper copies available from the Basildon Centre reception.
📞 01268 208070 🔗 orlo.uk/CJXM9

Basildon Activity Awards 2026 – Nominations Open  Celebrating the champions of sport, activity and wellbeing in Basildon Ten award categories including Sports Club of the Year, Inspiring Young Lives, Wellbeing Award, Basildon Activity Hero and Young Sports Personality of the Year. Nominations close: Wednesday 30th September 2026 🔗 Nominate: orlo.uk/z0uk4

Northlands Park Wins Green Flag Award A huge milestone for the park and everyone who helped make it happen Basildon Council is celebrating Northlands Park's first ever Green Flag Award with a free community event on Saturday 12th September. The Mayor of Basildon will raise the Green Flag near the park entrance shortly after 10am.

Free Flu Jab Bookings Now Open Book through the NHS website or NHS App Appointments open from 1st September for pregnant women and children, and from 1st October for other eligible adults including those aged 65+ and people with certain long-term health conditions.
🔗 essex.icb.nhs.uk/area/south-west-essex/vaccinations-south-west-essex

Power Up – Food Recycling Campaign Launches This September Around 30% of Essex general rubbish is still food waste Basildon and nine other Essex councils are launching the Power Up campaign to help 400,000 households make better use of their free weekly food recycling service. Eligible households will receive a free roll of compostable liners, a recycling guide and a reminder sticker.
🔗 loveessex.org/food-recycling

Could You Foster? Essex Needs More Families There is no typical foster carer Essex County Council is looking for more fostering families so children in care can stay close to their schools, friends and support networks. If you can offer stability, empathy and patience, you could be a great fit.
🔗 essex.gov.uk/great-fit

Local Plan Consultation – Still Open Closes 22nd September 2026 Residents, businesses and stakeholders can still have their say on Basildon's future Local Plan. Paper copies and pre-booked officer appointments available for those who need support.
🔗 basildon-lp-reg19.commonplace.is

External Assurance Review Underway Central government-appointed review teams are assessing Basildon Borough Council's procurement, commercial decision-making and contract management frameworks.
🔗 theyworkforyou.com

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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

Mum and baby yoga @ 11 - 12 noon
Laindon Community Centre
📅 Book here: Book A Class | Southend-on-Sea | Yoga4all (Check site for various other sessions)

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

Tuesday

8th September
Basildon Women's Safety Forum – Online A dedicated space for women to be heard and shape local action Open to women who live, work, study or visit the borough, alongside partners from education, health, policing and community organisations. Updates on Make Space for Girls, the Underpasses Project and forum priorities.
⏰ 6pm – 7pm | Online 💷 Free 🔗 Sign up: orlo.uk/5kZLn

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]

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]

Wednesday

 Paint & Pour – Women's Wellbeing Event No experience needed – just come and unwind A relaxed evening of painting, refreshments and good company. All materials provided free of charge.
⏰ 6:30pm – 8:30pm 📍 Laindon Community Centre. Free 🔗 Book: forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=GnBlDaGVW0exA17plR1010MgyDmbZv9Jj8B-1-qNhENUMzcwRks2OFFNSDhSMTdIM0gxU1hHNEwyVy4u

 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

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

Free Level 2 Food Safety Course For 16–19 year olds not in education, employment or training. 11th September, 2026.
⏰ 9:30am – 4pm 📍 Colchester Town House, CO1 1SS 💷 Free ✉️ [email protected]

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

Northlands Park Green Flag Celebration Free family activities to mark the park's first ever Green Flag Award Football, tennis, cricket, fishing and a chance to explore new parks maintenance equipment. The Mayor of Basildon raises the Green Flag shortly after 10am. 12 September.
⏰ 10am – 1pm 📍 Northlands Park, Basildon 💷 Free

Wickford Carnival 2026 One massive community party on the streets of Wickford! The parade leaves Runwell Park at 12 noon, travelling via Swan Lane and through Wickford High Street before finishing at Nevendon Park. A free Young People's Zone runs from 12 noon with a climbing wall (must be 4–17 stone), smoothie bike, Bar n Bus Youth Team and a chance to meet your Town Councillors. Parade expected to arrive around 1:30pm. 12 September.
⏰ 12pm – 5pm 📍 Nevendon Park, Wickford 💷 Free Want to join the parade? Sign up: form.jotform.com/253064665015353

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

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!