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Hello Basildon!

Hope your week is off to a great start, Basildon! We’ve got plenty happening across the borough to keep you in the loop, from community news and family activities to markets, live events, and local highlights.

This week, we’re loving this beautiful photo of a spring walk through Hanningfield reservoir (20-ish minutes away)

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, a warm and mostly pleasant week ahead with a mix of sunshine and cloudy skies. Light showers are expected today and again on Tuesday, while temperatures steadily rise through the week, peaking at a hot 26°C on Friday. Dry, bright, and sunny conditions are expected from Wednesday into the weekend, with Saturday staying warm and partly cloudy.

What’s New?

Wick Country Park Play Area Reopens
A newly refurbished play area has officially reopened at Wick Country Park, just in time for warmer weather. Families can now enjoy upgraded toddler and junior play units, swings, climbing features, and a wheelchair-accessible roundabout in a refreshed community space designed for all ages.

Free Health Checks Return to Basildon
Free five-minute digital health checks are back at the Unity Centre following the success of more than 200 checks carried out last year. Residents aged 18+ can drop in and receive instant results using the medically certified SiSU Health Station.

✔ Blood pressure
✔ BMI
✔ Cardiovascular risk
✔ Stress levels
✔ Smoking rate
✔ And more

🗓 Friday 22 May – Friday 12 June 2026
⏰ Monday to Friday | 9:30am – 3:30pm
📍 Eastgate Shopping Centre – Unity Centre (opposite the food court)

Residents will also be able to access pop-up health activities and speak with local health professionals about improving their wellbeing. Early prevention could make all the difference

Community Unit Available to Let in Billericay
📅 Applications Open Until Friday 22nd May
Basildon Council is inviting offers for the former Red Cross building on Laindon Road, Billericay, available on a short-term lease basis of up to two years. The unit includes communal parking and is suitable for community-focused use.
📧 [email protected] 

Gas Bottle Safety Reminder Issued
Residents are being reminded not to place gas bottles or canisters in household waste or recycling bins following recent safety incidents at waste processing facilities. Items such as propane, butane, and camping gas cylinders should be returned to suppliers or taken to approved recycling centres.
🌐 More info: https://orlo.uk/LJZEk

New Rights for Private Renters
Major changes to private renting rules came into effect from 1 May, giving tenants stronger protections and more security.

Key changes include:

✔ Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions banned.. tenants can no longer be evicted without a valid reason.
✔ No more fixed-term contracts.. tenancies now roll on monthly or weekly with no fixed end date.
✔ Fairer rent increases… landlords can only increase rent once per year, and tenants can challenge unfair rises.

🔗 More info for tenants: https://orlo.uk/YmuJg
🔗 More info for landlords: https://orlo.uk/0HQyr
🔗 Basildon Borough Council info: https://orlo.uk/r5kGI
🔗 Tenant services: https://orlo.uk/AJvuT
🔗 Housing, rent & homelessness support: https://orlo.uk/gb1xW
🔗 Citizens Advice: https://orlo.uk/10YGb

Local Business in the Finals 🎉
A local farm shop/deli has made it to the finals of the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2026.
🗳️ Vote here: https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/vote/
⏳ Voting closes 26 May

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.

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Where to make friends in Basildon this week - Adults

Monday

The Hive Community Café – A Million Acts of Hope Week
📅 This Week
A welcoming community café offering tea, coffee, breakfast rolls and friendly conversation. Ideal for anyone looking to connect, support a friend, or simply enjoy a warm and relaxed atmosphere during A Million Acts of Hope Week.
🕤 9:30am – 12pm
📍 The Hive, 6 Honeypot Lane, Basildon, SS14 2JZ

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

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]

Seated Pedal & Go 11:30am–12:30pm
Enjoy gentle seated cycling every Tuesday, 11:30am–12:30pm at The Beech Community Hub, SS14 3RZ. Boost mobility, energy & wellbeing while meeting new people…email [email protected] to join.

Potters wheel - group pottery session

Crafts @ Fobbing farm, Waterworks Ln, Fobbing, Stanford-le-Hope SS17 9HT. Book via Home | The Craft Shed

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

Meet Your Local Neighbourhood Police Team
Officers from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team will be stopping at Tesco in Wickford as part of their community patrols. Residents are encouraged to drop by to discuss local concerns and get practical safety advice.

🗓 Wednesday 20 May 2026
 ⏰ 2:00pm – 3:00pm
 📍 Tesco

You can:
✔ Raise concerns about crime or antisocial behaviour
✔ Ask questions about local policing
✔ Get advice on keeping yourself and your property safe

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

Thursday

My Type On Paper Speed Dating
📅 Thursday 21st May
Meet new people and enjoy an evening of structured speed dating for ages 30–50 at Teriss Bar in Brentwood.
🕖 Registration from 7pm
📍 Teriss Bar, Brentwood
🌐 www.mytypeonpaperdating.co.uk

Traditional Shotokan Karate at Phoenix Karate club

Classes for all ages, abilities and levels

5pm | Laindon Community Centre. Text 07884028969 to get started

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

Tuesday

Mini Athletics 🏃

Indoor sports sessions for children.

• Tuesday & Wednesday: Ages 2–4
• Saturday: Ages 2–8

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

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

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

Coming Up

Day Trip to Beth Chatto Gardens
A relaxing day exploring one of the UK’s most beautiful gardens.

🗓 Wednesday 20 May
💷 £47 per person
📞 01268 777777

That’s all folks! Enjoy your week ahead!