Hope you’re having a great start to the week! The Easter holidays are still in full swing, and there’s plenty happening for children and families across town.

Before delving in, enjoy with me this lovely sunny photo of the new Padel court at Noak hill.

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, there’s your weather strip for the week. A cool start with chilly mornings, then gradually warming through the week, reaching 19° by Saturday. Mostly cloudy with a few brighter spells, still decent conditions for getting out and about!

What’s New?

Play Area Reopens at The Paddocks

Families can now enjoy the newly improved play area at The Paddocks, offering a safer and more exciting space for children to play and explore.

Wick Country Park Upgrade

Big improvements are underway at Wick Country Park, with new swings, slides and an inclusive roundabout coming soon, all set to create a more accessible and fun environment for everyone.

Basildon Bids for UK Town of Culture

Basildon is aiming to become the first-ever UK Town of Culture, with a potential £3 million cultural programme on the horizon, a major opportunity to showcase local talent and community spirit. Get involved: [email protected] 

ParkPlay Celebrates 5 Years

From lockdown beginnings to over 200 sessions, ParkPlay in Basildon marks five years of bringing families together through fun and fitness. Join in: https://orlo.uk/7s2jA

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Things to do in Basildon this week

Kids still eat for £1 – Four Seasons, Laindon. Running all through the Easter holidays – bring the whole family and make the most of the break!

📅 Monday–Friday, 30th March–17th April 2026 📍 Festival Way, Basildon SS14 3WB 💷 Kids eat for £1 T&Cs apply

Pottery Painting – Peacock Pottery Barn 🖌️🐣
Easter-themed pottery painting for all ages. £6 deposit covers session fee, paints, glazing & firing. 📍 The Village at Barleylands, Billericay CM11 2UD
🎟 Book: peacockpotterybarn.co.uk/book-pottery-painting

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.

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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]

Community football Woodlands School

⚽ 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

Community gardening @ St James rd, SS16 4XS

Join us every Tuesday 9am–1pm. Interested in joining us? Email [email protected] 

Table top flower and plant sale by Friends of northlands Park.

At Mother’s Kitchen, 6 felmores end ss131pn. All funds raised will be going into improving the Mediterranean garden in Northlands Park, so if you are into your gardening and want to grab a bargain please pay them a visit from 10am onwards.

Wednesday

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

Neurodiverse Careers Fair

📍 The Basildon Centre, SS14 1DL
📅 Thursday 16 April | ⏰ 1:30pm – 4:30pm

A welcoming event connecting neurodivergent individuals with employers, training providers and support organisations — no diagnosis required.
Book your free place: https://orlo.uk/LtWlZ

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

Hannah’s Cakes & Co Opening

📍 35 Oakhurst Drive, Wickford
📅 Friday – Sunday | ⏰ 9am – 6pm

A brand-new cake shed serving freshly baked treats, loaded cookies and brownies — perfect for a weekend family treat.

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

Saturday

Veterans Breakfast Club

📍 Campanile Hotel, Pipps Hill
📅 Saturday (this week) | ⏰ From 9am

A relaxed and friendly coffee morning where local veterans can connect, share experiences and build community.
👉 https://orlo.uk/TBFj6

Quiz Night

📍 Local club (see venue)
📅 Saturday 18 April | ⏰ 8pm

A fun social evening of trivia, teamwork and laughs, perfect for a night out with friends.

Where to make friends this week - young people

Monday

Infant Massage Training

A great opportunity for families with non-crawling babies to learn soothing techniques that support bonding and development.
📞 01379 677335
📧 [email protected] 

Tuesday

Wat Tyler Country Park – Soft Archery 🏹 A safe, fun introduction to archery. All equipment provided – no experience required. Great for kids and families wanting to try something new together.

⏰ 12:30pm daily (half-hour sessions) 📍 Wat Tyler Country Park, Basildon 💷 £5.60 per child | Recommended ages 4+ 📞 01268 205267 | wattylercountrypark.org.uk or email: [email protected] 

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!