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Happy Monday, Basildon

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

This week, we’re loving this cute photo of the little lambs recently born at the Barleylands farm.

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

If the Met Office’s weather forecast is correct, it looks like there will not be a single drop of rain to be seen on Tuesday, and on Thursday. For a change!

What’s New?

Will Wickford Police Station become a new Civic Centre?
According to the Wickford Town Council, negotiations are underway to take over the former police station on London Road. The plan is to transform it into a new Civic Centre serving the whole community, supporting local services, community activities, and commercial opportunities to keep the building sustainable long-term.

New store alert at Eastgate
In case you missed it, there’s a new lingerie store (Venus by A&G Essentials) launched at Eastgate Shopping Centre. If you’re looking for a business to start, now’s the perfect time to look into a Mothercare-style baby store at Eastgate to complement!

£70,000 Investment for Women & Girls Safety
Basildon Council has approved £70,000 to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls. This includes £45,000 for the Make Space for Girls project and £25,000 for a new Fight Back Fund offering legal, travel, and confidence-building support. For more information, visit https://orlo.uk/SEqIS and https://orlo.uk/jQ3YA

Big Investment for Chalvedon & Lee Chapel North
Chalvedon and the Five Links area of Lee Chapel North have been selected for the national Pride in Place programme, with up to £20 million each over 10 years. Local residents will shape plans for safer streets, better spaces, and stronger communities. Find out more at Pride in Place -https://www.basildon.gov.uk/pride-in-place

Advertise Your Business on BBC Essex.. For Free
BBC Essex is looking for businesses to take part in their ‘Trading Places’ feature, airing weekdays at 12:40pm. Email Robyn Wallis at [email protected] with your business name, location and contact details to get free radio promotion.

200 free boxes of noodles at Eastgate to celebrate Chinese New Year
To celebrate the Chinese New Year on Tuesday 17th February, Chopstix (Eastgate Shopping Centre) will be giving away 200 FREE small boxes of noodles, each with a choice of sauce, to the first 200 customers in store!

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

Community Football – Friendly Men’s Games (Sporting Village) - 7pm.
Weekly friendly football for local lads… all abilities welcome (18+).
Balls, bibs & ref provided. Great for fitness, stress relief & fun.
📍 Woodlands School, Basildon
£7 per player | 1-hour game on 3G pitch
📲 WhatsApp: 07723 615546
🔗 Join online: https://footyaddicts.com/football-venues/1489-woodlands-school-basildon-essex

Daily Group exercise classes from 6:15am 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)
Looking for a fun new hobby or social event in January? 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]

Tuesday

Mothers’ Union – St Mary Magdalen

Tuesday 17 February | 3–4:30 PM
Christian care for families, enjoy pancakes, coffee & tea.
Men are welcome too!
📍 The church in the High Street
📞 Pauline Randall: 07939 102945 | ✉ [email protected]

Gemma’s Ladies Golf – The Heron Country club, Brentwood

Confidence, coaching & community for all abilities.
💷 £25 – includes range balls & tuition.
📅 February & March sessions live now.
🔗 Book: gemmafryatt.proagenda.com

Wednesday

Over 50s Slipper Swap Event @ George Hurd Activity Centre
Join Basildon Community Transport Services on Wednesday 18th February, 9:30am–12pm at the George Hurd Activity Centre. Bring your old slippers and get a free pair, plus support from AgeWell East and Technology Enabled Care promoting digital awareness.

7pm Quiz Night – Noak Bridge Pub

Wednesday | 7:30 PM
Test your brainpower, win prizes, enjoy drinks & a fun atmosphere.
📍 45 Wash Road, Laindon, Basildon SS15 4BS

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

10:30am 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

Need a bike? Limited bikes available to borrow.
📧 [email protected]
📞 07749 491638

1pm 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

13.30 - 14:30 | Basildon Library, town centre | No booking required - find out more here

7pm Social Community Football – Friendly Men’s Games (Woodlands school)
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

7pm Ladies Netball – Social League
🏐 7–10pm
Fun, friendly and open to all abilities.
📍 St Clere’s School
🔗 Basildon Wednesday - Play Netball

Thursday

1pm Jazz Cafe – Towngate Theatre, Basildon

Thursday 19 February | 1–3 PM
Groove to Dom Pipkin & Bubu Otis, top New Orleans piano & drums.
📞 Book tables: 01268 205 300
🔗 Info: towngatetheatre.co.uk

30 - 50s speed dating event at Hackers, Billericay

Book here as spaces are running low!

Beginners Crochet Workshop 

Friendly, relaxed workshop for complete beginners.

📅 Thursday 5 February
🕖 7–9pm
📍 The Craft Shed, Basildon

Learn the basics and start your crochet journey.

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

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

P.S if you’re looking for a good after-school tutor, check out APA tuition meeting at Ballards Walk every Saturday.

Monday

Theatretrain Wickford – Half Term Workshop

🎭 Monday 16 February | 9 AM–3 PM
Sing, Dance, Act, Games & Activities
👶 Ages 5 (Year 1+)–12
💷 £3
🔗 Book: theatretrain.co.uk/wickford

Tuesday

February Half Term – Crash Course

🎭 Monday 16–Thursday 19 February, Wickford
👶 Ages: Stage 2–5+
💷 £25.50–£34 depending on stage
📍 Market Avenue, Wickford, SS12 0AG
🔗 Info: everyoneactive.com

Lambing Week – Barleylands Farm Park

14–22 February – live lambing, bottle feeding, biscuit decorating & farm fun!
Tuesday 17 February | 10:30–1:30 – Pancake fun & flour workshop
📍 Barleylands Road, Billericay, CM11 2UD
🔗 Save 15% when you book online.

Black Dragon Freestyle Martial Arts. Suitable for ages 7+

6:30pm till 7:30pm at James Hornsby School, Leinster Road, SS15 5NX. Free uniform for new members, and you also learn about personal safety awareness and self-defence principles as well as a comprehensive freestyle martial arts system. Award winning tuition, Enhanced CRB, DBS, Full Safeguarding policy as well being fully insured. To book, contact Paul Church (Chief Instructor BDFMA & BeSafe Personal Safety Programme) on 07903 361286 or [email protected]

Wednesday

Bowers Community Football Camp – February Half Term

Wednesday 18 & Thursday 19 February | 9 AM–3 PM
Children 5–13, skill-building, confidence, small-sided games & match play.
📍 The Dome Group Stadium, Crown Avenue, Pitsea, Essex SS13 2BE
💷 £20 per day
📞 Book: Nick 07780605322

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

Princess Belle Magical Afternoon – Fobbing

Thursday 19 February | 3–5 PM
Crafts, glitter tattoos, songs, storytelling, games, and a one-to-one meet & greet with Princess Belle.
📍 Fobbing Studio
🎟 Ticket: One adult + one child. Limited spaces.
🔗 Book: thecraftshedessex.com

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.

Junior Badminton 🏸

Sports School Badminton Course. Ages 7–11

🕓 4:45pm – 5:45pm
📍 Basildon Sporting Village
Book via everoneactive website

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

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!