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Good morning, Basildon

Hope you’re having a happy Monday!

This week, we’re loving this nostalgic photo (AI-remastered, we think!) of Basildon market from the 1970s

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,

What’s New?

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Westgate Multi-storey car park changes

Heads up! Westgate Multi-Storey Car Park is no longer managed by Reef parking. Parking is now PAY ON ENTRY (not on exit), so don’t get caught out and risk a fine.
It’s cashless and ticketless. Pay via the MiPermit app or by phone.
New Parking charges:
• 0–2 hours: £1.55
• 2–4 hours: £2.45
• All day (6am–10pm): £3.75
• Evening (6pm–10pm): £1.55
• Sundays & Bank Holidays: £0.75. Pay via Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Visa using the MiPermit app, AppClip, NFC tap, QR code, or online portal.

Poolpods coming to BSV, Wickford swim & fitness centre

Thanks to a £284,000 accessibility investment for the borough, the council plans to improve accessibility and support disabled people across the borough. Part of this plan includes installing PoolPods at:
• Wickford Swim & Fitness Centre
• Basildon Sporting Village teaching pool.

PoolPods provide safer, more dignified, and more independent access to swimming for disabled users, helping remove barriers and encourage physical activity. More updates coming soon.

New games area coming to Whitmore park

A new MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area) is coming to Whitmore Park, with planning consent now approved. It’s funded by Basildon Borough Council and the Football Foundation, replacing the old courts. Located near Flex Youth Club, The Jolly Friar, and Whitmore School. Designed to be a central hub for sport and activity in the Whitmore community. The project will give local children and young people a modern space to stay active and thrive.

Eastgate mini-hospital’s services released

An extensive list of services will be on offer at a new mini hospital at the Eastgate shopping centre has been revealed. The new health centre is set to open in the summer at the former Debenhams in Basildon’s Eastgate Shopping Centre. Apparently, the facility should offer: MRI services, CT services, Ultrasound services, GP services, Urgent Care services, Ophthalmology, Blood tests, Echocardiography and cardiac testing, Health screening, Orthopaedics, Physiotherapy, Health and wellbeing services, Dental and orthodontic services, General surgery, Urology, Breast services, ENT, Paediatrics Outpatient consultations across all specialties and Respiratory testing

Things to do in Basildon this week

Volunteer with Motivated Minds

Support young people at weekly youth clubs and help create a safe, inclusive space.

You can help by:
• Supporting sessions and activities
• Encouraging participation
• Working alongside experienced youth workers

📧 Apply or find out more: [email protected]

Basildon Women’s Safety Forum – Get Involved

A safe and supportive space for women to share experiences and help shape positive change around safety and wellbeing in Basildon.

📅 Monday 19 January
🕖 7pm (Online session)

Open to women who live, work, study or visit Basildon, as well as partner organisations.

🔗 Sign up here: Basildon Women's Safety Forum: A platform for Women's safety, voice and action - Basildon Borough Council
Your voice matters — together we can make change happen.

Where to make friends in Basildon this week - Adults

Monday

Community Football – Friendly Men’s Games (Sporting Village)

⚽ 7:00 PM
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 at the Fit Lab, Essex (First class free)
Wrexham rd, Laindon. SS15 6PX
📅 January is filling up. 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

Men’s Health & Wellbeing Event 💪

An opportunity for men to chat with local organisations offering advice, guidance and support around health and wellbeing.

📅 Tuesday 20 January 2026
🕒 3pm – 5:30pm
📍 Great Wakering Rovers FC

Free to attend.

Wednesday

Taoist Tai Chi Society Open House 7:45pm The Chantry Centre, Billericay, CM11 2BB The Taoist Tai Chi Society of Great Britain invites you to an Open House. All are welcome—no need to register, just come along.

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

Community Talk – Basildon Heritage

📅 Thursday 22 January
🕐 1pm
📍King Edward Community Centre

Topic: Fraud, scams & cold callers Delivered by Essex Police. Free to attend and open to all.

FREE Fitness Class – Bounce Billericay
💪 10:30am. Book here
Inclusive PT session for all abilities.
📍 HK Dance Studio, CM11 2UJ

Sewing Group
🧵 10am–12pm
Learn knitting, crochet or sewing. £4
📍 The Pavilion, Great Berry
📞 Ann: 07802 161021

Friday

Women’s Self-Defence Sessions 🥋

Funded by Active Essex and delivered by Zenshin-Do Women’s Self Defence, these sessions are designed to build confidence, awareness and practical self-defence skills.

📅 Starts Friday 23 January
🕡 6:30pm
📍 Luncies Road Meeting Hall, Basildon SS14 1SB

🔗 Join here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk

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

Various / One-Off Events

Women’s Wellness Meet-Up 🌿
Nourish Not Punish: A Kinder Way to Detox

A gentle, realistic approach to wellbeing without extremes.

Topics include:
• How your body detoxes naturally
• Detox myths
• Simple nutrition & lifestyle support
• Reducing everyday toxins
• Sustainable wellbeing habits

📍 Downham Hall, Essex
🎟️ Free to attend

🔗 Register here: https://landing.ilovegreens.co.uk/womens-wellness-meet-up

Where to make friends this week - young people

Monday

Baby & Toddler Rhyme Time – Basildon Library 👶📚

Weekly rhyme time sessions for babies and toddlers, with songs, rhymes and stories in a relaxed setting.

🕚 11am
📍 Basildon Library

No booking required.
🔗 More info: https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/events/category/childrens-events

Tuesday

Baby & Toddler Rhyme Time – Basildon Library 👶📚

🕙 10am
📍 Basildon Library

Weekly drop-in session. No booking needed.
🔗 https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/events/category/childrens-events

Wednesday

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

Baby & Toddler Rhyme Time – Basildon Library 👶📚

🕙 10am
📍 Basildon Library

A fun, friendly weekly session for little ones.
🔗 https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/events/category/childrens-events

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

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!