Hope you’re having a great start to the week!

And it’s about to even be a better start to the week if your name is Jodie Hudson…because you just won 3 hours free cleaning, courtesy of Clean Canvas Ltd. Congratulations!!!See your email shortly for instructions on how to claim…

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, The week will be mostly dry and mild, with plenty of sunshine from Tuesday through Thursday and daytime temperatures around 15°C, though nights will be cooler, dropping as low as 3–6°C. Toward the weekend it becomes slightly cooler and partly cloudy, with temperatures ranging between 11–13°C.

The Crunch: Free waste disposal this Saturday

This weekend, you can clear out unwanted household items for FREE. Just take your bulky waste to any of these locations on Saturday 21 March 2026 between 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM.

• Wickford: Wick Country Park

• Basildon: Wells Gardens / Peterborough Way (Craylands Estate)

• Laindon: Aster Close, Five Links

• Pitsea: Appleford Court (off Halstow Way)

• Westley Heights: Vange Library (Southview Road) & Nightingales Car Park.

Before you load up: Make sure to check the list of accepted items to ensure a smooth drop-off: Click here to check accepted items

Weekend Free Parking from 4th April

Starting from Saturday 4 April and Sunday 5 April 2026, Basildon Council is introducing 4 hours of free weekend parking at several key locations across the borough - Wickford Main and Ladygate, Billericay High Street, Lake Meadows, Radford Crescent, Basildon Westgate from 10am – 2pm (Sat & Sun) at most locations and Lake Meadows: 8am – 12pm (Sat & Sun). The new free parking offer starts on, Saturday 4 April and Sunday 5 April 2026.

1 Day Left – Billericay Community Voices Commission
There’s just one week left to apply for the Billericay Community Voices commission. Creatives are invited to run workshops exploring local history through writing, poetry, or visual arts, ending with a multi-venue exhibition across town.
📅 Deadline: 17 March
Apply: creativebasildon.co.uk/opportunity/vacancies 

Westley Heights – Protected Wildlife Area
Authorities are responding to digging, tree-cutting and ramp-building at Westley Heights, a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest. These activities are illegal and damaging to the habitat. Rangers are monitoring the area and reporting breaches. Residents are urged to report incidents via 101 or the Essex Police website, https://www.essex.police.uk/

Electrifying Essex – EV Charging Expansion
An £8.3 million investment will install 5,000 new electric vehicle charging points across Essex by 2031. Installations begin this summer in public car parks and on-street locations. The project aims to expand charging access, improve air quality, and support residents switching to EVs.

Meet Your Neighbourhood Policing Team
Officers will be at Wickford High Street on Tuesday 17 March, 2pm–3pm. Residents can discuss concerns, ask questions about local policing, and get advice on staying safe. Patrols will also take place to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area. For more inforamtion, visit www.essexhighways.org

Things to do in Basildon this week

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.

Where to make friends in Basildon this week - Adults

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Monday

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]

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

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

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

Back to the Eighties Night – Billericay

Get ready to rewind the clock and relive the iconic sounds of the 80s!

📅 Friday 20th March
🕣 8:30pm
📍 Billericay Conservative Club

Enjoy a fantastic live showband performing classic 80s hits that will have you singing and dancing all night.

Highlights: Live music showband, Prizes for Best 80s Themed Outfit, A fun night of nostalgia and great vibes. Dust off your leg warmers, neon colours and big hair — and join the party! 

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

Where to make friends this week - young people

Monday

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.

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!