BRENTWOOD WRITERS' CIRCLE IS PLANNING OUR ANNUAL WRITERS' DAY - INVITING YOU ALL!

 

IT'S COMING! - THIS YEAR'S CHARITABLE FUN WALK BEGINNING ON 1 SEPTEMBER IS A RED LETTER DIARY EVENT

Here we are on 14th August and anticipation of our 2025 Fun Walk is climbing.  The team wishes all participants success in our September The Fun Walk. 

Our organisers are delighted to announce that over 80 organisations and 2,500 supporters are expected to take part in this year’s September Fun Walk, setting the stage for an outstanding charitable event. The Fun Walk offers a flexible and inclusive format, allowing supporters to complete their sponsored walk anytime and anywhere during the month. Participating charities receive sponsorship forms and guidance directly from the Fun Walk team, ensuring a smooth and successful experience for all involved. 

 There is still time for charities, local schools and churches, grass roots sports teams and other community interest groups to participate – they can register at https://thefunwalktrust.co.uk/ “We’re thrilled to see such incredible community spirit once again this year.” said John Baron, Chair of The Fun Walk Trust. “We wish every participating organisation great success in their fundraising efforts. Our Bonus Pot of over £32,000 could add an estimated 35%-40% bonus to the monies raised through sponsorship by participants – the more they raise, the bigger the bonus.” 

Our thanks go to our community-minded Bonus Pot sponsors which this year include Greater Anglia, Brown & Carroll (London), Sanctuary Housing Association, Equi Ltd, One Footstep (Human Kind Café, Billericay), Butyl Products Group, Tunnelcraft, c2c Rail, Mr Barrie Stone and others”.

 About the Fun Walk: John Baron and his team started the Fun Walk in 2002 to commemorate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. The event was so successful it became an annual one and one which continues to grow. To assist with its growth, in 2013 the Fun Walk became a registered Charity, and it is now officially known as The Fun Walk Trust (Registered Charity number: 1151626). The BONUS POT is a unique feature of the event, into which local businesses and individuals kindly donate, and which is then distributed to participating organisations on a pro rata basis in addition to the monies they themselves raise in sponsorship.

 The 2024 event raised £100,953 for local charities and community groups, and brought the total money raised since the Fun Walk’s inception to over £1,635,000. The Fun Walk Trust organises the walk and takes care of the paperwork, leaving the projects free to focus on raising sponsorship money and enjoying the event. The event is not confined to charities: any good cause or project may join us once approved by the Trust. For example, many pre-schools and schools, churches and community groups now regularly participate.

PHOENIXFM LATEST VISITS

 

STUDIO VISIT: Sylvia Kent and Rachel Arnold at Phoenix FM  The studio regularly hosts literary matters and we recently welcomed Sylvia Kent - respected local author, journalist, and long-time supporter of the arts - for our latest Book Club gathering. This is a monthly feature on Michelle Ward's morning show Eat My Brunch, although lots of authors also creep onto plenty of other shows on the station, too.

She came armed with all the latest from the Brentwood Writers' Circle, Billericay Readers, and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists - three groups that remain at the beating heart of our local literary scene.We also heard the newest instalment of her ever-popular 60 Second History feature.This month, she turned her attention to the fascinating tale of WH Smith, from Victorian newsstand to national institution to 21st-century demise.Joining Sylvia was a very special guest - Rachel Arnold, a multi-talented writer, singer, blogger, and former voice of this very station, too. Rachel opened up about her recent ADHD diagnosis in adulthood, and had a heartfelt and honest conversation about how it's shaped her life and creativity.Last week's column You can hear Sylvia and Rachel talking again at phoenixfm.com. Phoenix FM broadcasts from The Brentwood Centre in Brentwood, Essex. To check out the station's schedule, click here.

REVIEWING SOME OF MY PAST VIP DAYS AT RHS CHELSEA - MEETING SOME OF MY FAVOURITE FOLK!

Meeting Legends:  Memorable visit to RHS Chelsea Flower Show a few years back meeting some of my favourite chef and gardening legends.  Bumped into super cook Lorraine Pascale who was happy to chat about some of her (and my) favourite recipes. 

 

What's on

Always happy to promote the British Library's upcoming events, particularly now that they have launched a new season of gatherings at the Library, featuring bestselling authors, award-winning poets and inspiring thinkers. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming up.

The Thursday Murder Club: An Evening with Richard Osman, Chris Columbus and Special Guests Tuesday 19 August, 19.00 At the Library and online Join them for a special evening celebrating The Thursday Murder Club from page to screen. With author Richard Osman, director Chris Columbus and special guests. Discover how this much-loved tale has been brought to life in the forthcoming film adaptation, released globally on Netflix on Thursday 28 August. Book now

CURRENTLY WRITING ''HAIR FASHION' - NOTHING REALLY NEW ON THE HORIZON! SAME OLD!!!

I knew the flick up would come back into fashion one day!  Courtesy of super hairdressers and friends Vidal Sassoon and Roger Thompson way back in the sixties. Both interesting and likeable personalities. Was honoured to be one of their first hair-styling models.  It's strange looking back at old images! Sure, we used false eyelashes, but no messing around with lip-jobs!  

 

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 14/07/2025

The people of Brentwood gear up to save Bishops Hill for community use.

Residents of Hutton, Shenfield and Brentwood have come together to save the historic Bishops Hill and its iconic Hall.  Who hasn’t attended a performance or been invited to a celebration in the magnificent hall with its hammer beam roof?

For over a century, from when it was built in 1906, as part of the Poplars Residential School and Children’s Home Village for destitute children from Poplar, it has stood as a reminder of how young children with little prospect of a decent future can be provided with what they need to lead productive and fulfilling lives.

The building now faces an uncertain future; Essex County Council are moving adult education classes to other venues in the town.  The council has no plans for the teaching areas freed up, now that proposals, to relocate council offices there, have fallen through.  Ominously, Essex County Council have been unable to suggest what fate awaits the Hall.

Although the Residential School closed in 1982 there are plenty of residents that have family connections with ex pupils of the school.  Even more have benefitted from the building’s later use as a base for Adult Education Classes or have enjoyed concerts by Brentwood Philharmonic Orchestra and Essex Chamber Orchestra.

Some users of the hall have set up the Bishops Hill Action Group (BHAG) to encourage Essex County Council to find a way to retain the Hall for community use.  The petition to keep it open has already gained over 3,000 signatures, with local businesses lending their valuable support.  It is also intended to get Bishops Hill designated as a Community Asset of Value, registered with Brentwood Council.

BHAG would also encourage everyone, who values this piece of our history, to contact their local councillors and urge them to add their weight to saving the hall for the community.

If anyone has not signed the petition or knows someone who hasn’t, then they can go to the on-line petition by using this QR code.

Time is short, Essex County Council has given notice that it is closing the site to the public from July 31^st.

ü Sign the petition.

ü Contact your local councillor.

ü Spread the word through your social media.

For media enquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact:

Clive or Sue Waddington

sue.waddington@yahoo.co.uk

LOOK BACK TO HAPPY TIMES WITH THE LATE MARK REED - A SUPER PAL AND FORMER BRENTWOOD MAYOR

 

BRENTWOOD'S SUPERB THEATRE - ADMINISTERED BY MARK REED

For a town to have its own theatre is of huge benefit and Brentwood, Essex, England is so fortunate in having such a gem. But it was not an easy achievement and many local ardent fund-raisers can be proud of the work put in place many years ago. Mark is the great enthusiastic Administrator of the Brentwood Theatre which is growing in popularity throughout the south east. Here is a little article about him and his beloved theatre which appears by courtesy of the Brentwood Weekly News (written by yours truly). Click twice on the feature in order to read text.

Here's a recent comment from a keen theatre-goer: "This theatre is absolutely great. It caters for everyone in the community from local organisations who use it for shows of all kind to the disabled who love to come here to perform. It has something for everyone and all are welcomed by the friendly staff and volunteers."


Labels: Brentwood Theatre