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Good evening, Basildon,
Hope your week is off to a great start!

Spotted this sign at Maria’s Café (next to Iceland in the town centre) offering free kids’ meals with every adult order throughout January & February.

Later, we’ll be sharing a bonus edition with free/paid half-term clubs around Basildon plus local businesses offering free/cheap food for kids over the half term. If you’re a business offering something for kids over half term, email us to be included - [email protected]

Weather in Basildon this week

According to the Met Office weather forecast, the week ahead looks mostly cloudy with a few light showers midweek and cool temperatures throughout (roughly 7–12°C). Not the brightest of weeks, but at least Wednesday and Saturday look promising.

What’s New?

Warning: the Norovirus bug is circulating locally

Norovirus is currently circulating in the community and has affected some wards in our local hospitals.To help reduce the spread and protect patients, staff and vulnerable residents, we’re asking everyone to follow this important advice.

Baby formula (Aptamil/Cow&Gate) recall throughout Essex
Danone has recalled selected Aptamil and Cow & Gate baby formula products due to safety concerns. Customers should stop using affected products and return them for a full refund. Customers who have already purchased Aptamil products can check which batches are affected or call the careline on 0800 996 1000. For, Cow & Gate products, check which batches are affected or contact the Careline team on 0800 977 8880.

Work begins on Pitsea’s new medical hub/library/community centre

Exciting news for Pitsea as the site at Northlands Pavement has been fully cleared to make way for a massive transformation! The project is bringing a brand-new community centre, a modern library, and the region’s largest Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) right to Pitsea by Spring 2027. Once the doors open, the CDC will house eight-room endoscopy unit and high-tech CT and MRI scanners to help thousands of residents get faster diagnoses and better health outcomes.

200 free boxes of noodles at Eastgate to celebrate Chines 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 with Your Library Card
Access free courses on LinkedIn Learning, Transparent Language, Theory Test Pro and Go Citizen. All available online through Essex Libraries with a valid library card.

Business Networking & Pitch Day – Basildon 💼🚀

Join the Launch-It Creative Tech Accelerator for an evening of networking, live business pitches, and speed networking with investors. Perfect for entrepreneurs looking to connect with like-minded founders and key players in the local business ecosystem.
📍 South Essex College
🗓 26th February | 6pm–9pm
🎟 Register: orlo.uk/Kv4O4 (limited spaces – book early!)

Where to make friends in Basildon this week - Adults

Monday

Sip, Paint & Pizza Night – Heidi’s 🍕🍷

Relaxed social paint night with pizza, wine and lots of laughs.

📅 Monday 9 February
🎟️ £32.50 per person
📍 Heidi’s

Includes:
• Canvas, paints & aprons
• Bottomless pizza
• One free glass of wine
• Music & social vibes
• Take your artwork home

🔗 Book via: https://heidisrunwell.co.uk
Limited spaces – book early.

Tea & Toddlers ☕👶 (Adults with little ones)

A friendly space for toddlers to play while adults relax and chat.

🕙 10:00am – 11:30am
📍 Ramsden Bellhouse Village Hall, CM11 1RH
Free parking | Tea & coffee available

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.

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

Daily Group exercise classes at the Fit Lab, Essex (First class free)
Wrexham rd, Laindon. SS15 6PX
📅 January is filling up. Book here

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]

Simplify Your ADHD Management with Science

Finding the right way to manage ADHD can be exhausting. Inflow changes that by combining therapy-backed strategies with an easy-to-use platform.

Access bite-sized modules, live coworking sessions, and focus rooms to keep you on track. Whether you struggle with impulsivity, anxiety, or executive function, Inflow offers practical brain hacks to help you reclaim your time.

Take the free assessment to see how you can improve focus and create lasting habits in just 5 minutes a day.

Take the free assessment today

Tuesday

Chord Companions – Guitar for Retired Adults 🎸

Group guitar class for beginners to intermediate players.

🕥 10:30am – 11:30am
📍 Camena Music School, Basildon SS15 6ED
💷 £10 per session

📞 07827 933260

Wednesday

The Hive Gardening Club 🌱

Community gardening session.

🕙 10am – 12pm
📍 The Hive, 6 Honeypot Lane, Basildon SS14 2JZ

Weeding, painting, building veg patches and more. Everyone welcome

Men’s Woodland Wellbeing Group 🌲

Nature-based wellbeing group for men.

🕔 5pm – 9pm
📍 Billericay
Monthly overnight camps also available.

🔗 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1302565334555694

Intermediate Guitar Group at SS15 3FT

Every Wednesday, 6 - 7pm. Intermediate guitar group session led by expert guitar tutor, Peter offering opportunities to jam and share ideas. Book via Kaleo Music

Women’s Cycle Ride at Basildon Sporting Village

10:30am – 12:00pm at Basildon Sporting Village, SS14 3GR. Beginner-friendly cycle around Gloucester Park, followed by refreshments and a chat.

• 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

Heart of Pitsea Men’s Shed (Now Open to Women too!) 🛠️

10am - 2pm. Creative and social space next to the Chalvedon Community Centre SS133QX. Free. Just bring yourself.

Traditional Shotokan Karate at Phoenix Karate club

5pm | Laindon Community Centre. Text 07884028969 to get started. Classes for all ages, abilities and levels.

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

ONE NIGHT ONLY – Music & Pizza Night 🎶🍕

Live music with special guest Kieran Eldridge.

📅 Friday 13 February
🕢 7:30pm
📍 Great Berry Pavilion

Support act: Firenze Pizza (5pm–9pm)

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

The Lion Inside – Story Sparkler 🦁

Interactive storytelling session.

📅 Monday 16 February
🕥 10:30am – 11:30am
📍 King Edward Community Centre, Laindon

For ages 4–9 with grown-ups. Book here

Tuesday

After School Kids Club 🎒

Hands-on activities & safe social space.

🕞 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Ages 5–16
📍 Motivated Minds 🔗 www.motivated-minds.co.uk

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

Junior Badminton @ BSV 🏸

🕓 4:45pm – 5:45pm
Ages 7–11
📍 Basildon Sporting Village. Book here

Karate – Family & Youth 🥋

📍 Wickford
Tue 6pm – Family
Thu 6pm – Children
Thu 7:15pm – Adults & Teens

2 free trial sessions. Join online: https://seitouryukarate.com/book-a-free-martial-arts-trial/ or WhatsApp 07899 827476

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

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.

Friday

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

That’s all, Basildon! Make it a good week :-)