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Hello Basildon!

Before we delve into the latest happenings locally this week, please enjoy with us this vibrant photograph of the Mediterreanean gardens opening to the public for one weekend only just “down the road” in Rayleigh.

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's looking at a pleasantly warm and settled week, starting with today at 23°/15° under partly cloudy skies before temperatures edge up to 24° on Tuesday. Wednesday is the warmest day of the week at 27°/13°, then it eases back slightly, with highs of 24–26° from Thursday through Sunday. Expect a mix of sunshine and a few clouds throughout the week, with comfortable nights between 13° and 16°. No signs of rain or extreme heat, just a stretch of dry, pleasant summer weather.

What’s New?

New florist at Eastgate If you’re looking for a local florist, you’re in luck. A new florist (Kel’s flowers) has moved to Eastgate and you’ll find them where the old Bodyshop was.

Free refurbished bikes available at Motivated Minds Motivated Minds refurbishes unwanted bikes so they are in perfect condition for you to take home. Don't shop around for a bike; instead, head down to the Happy Hub and find the perfect bike to take home. They are a great local charity and if you’d like to support their work, you can do so here

Free Film & Screen Saturday Club Opens This Autumn
Creative Basildon and South Essex College are launching a FREE Film & Screen Saturday Club for 13–16-year-olds. Young people will gain hands-on experience in filmmaking, animation, digital content creation and audio production. Priority give to certain postcode - check and apply, https://saturday-club.org/.../creative-basildon-south.../ 

Veterans Coffee Morning Returns
Veterans are invited to enjoy refreshments, reconnect with fellow service personnel and access local support services at the Mayor's Veterans Coffee Morning.
📅 Tuesday 21 July | 🕤 9:30am–1pm | 📍 Towngate Theatre

Basildon Skills Show Returns in October
The Basildon Skills Show returns on Wednesday 7 October at Basildon Sporting Village, bringing together employers, training providers and thousands of young people and jobseekers. Public entry is from 3pm–5pm.

Reminder: new bus routes from Basildon to the Elizabeth line (Harold Wood) First bus Essex is introducing new bus routes: 1. B1 bus from Basildon/Laindon to Harold wood station. 2. 351 bus route to Chelmsford from Basildon Hospital. Full list of changes are on the First Bus Essex website

Artisan Market Stallholder Deadline Extended
There's still time to apply for a stall at this year's eco-friendly Artisan Market on Sunday 6 September. Applications close Monday 27 July.
🔗 https://forms.gle/nfDqSqd8mBDGy5dE6

Community Groups Wanted
The King's Head, Billericay is inviting local makers, clubs, businesses and community groups looking for a venue to host workshops, craft sessions, networking events or demonstrations.
📞 01277 637135 (Option 2)
📧 [email protected]

Domestic Abuse Support – Help Is Available Research shows domestic abuse incidents can increase during major football tournaments. If you or someone you know needs support, help is available now. 📞 Basildon Domestic Abuse Team: 01268 206798 ✉️ [email protected] 📞 Essex Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0330 333 7 444 The Basildon Centre is a J9 reporting centre – ask for J9 to get discreet help.

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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

Veterans Coffee Morning
Meet fellow veterans, enjoy refreshments and find out about local support services.
📍 Towngate Theatre | 🕤 9:30am–1pm. Tuesday 21 July

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

Weekly Quiz Night – Noak Bridge
Test your knowledge with three chances to win cash prizes, including a jackpot of more than £125. Teams of up to eight. Wednesday 22 July. 🕗 8pm
🔗 https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/essex/noak-bridge/book

English Wine Tasting – Billericay Brewery
Enjoy an evening tasting four English wines from Burnt House Vineyard, accompanied by nibbles. Wednesday 22 July 🕖 7pm | 💷 £25 per person 📧 [email protected] 

Fabric Printing Workshop – Billericay
Learn traditional block fabric printing and create your own make-up bag or pencil case. All materials included.📍 Maggio Lounge | Wednesday 22 July 🕕 6pm–9pm | 💷 £30 📞 07411 470022

Summer Fun in the Park – Wickford
Children's entertainer and free face painting kick off this year's Summer Fun programme.
📍 Wickford Memorial Park | Wednesday 22 July 🕑 2pm–4pm 🌐 www.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

Pony Pals Riding Camp
A three-day riding camp for beginners with all equipment provided.
Friday 24 – Sunday 26 July 🕘 9am–4pm | 💷 £150 📞 07890 171470

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]

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

Tuesday

Mini Athletics

Indoor sports sessions for children.

• Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday: Ages 2–4

Fun running, jumping & throwing games.
Locations: Billericay, Basildon, Wickford, Grays, Brentwood.

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!