SYLVIA KENT'S READING & WRITING FORUM

A history and lifestyle journal www.swwj.co.uk

Thursday, July 24, 2025

 

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

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!  




Monday, July 21, 2025

 

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.

A qr code with a black background

AI-generated content may be incorrect.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 31st.

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

Monday, July 14, 2025

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

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Sunday, July 13, 2025

FAREWELL TO OUR SPECIAL FRIEND LARRY MORGAN


Today we should have been celebrating our friend Larry Morgan's 103rd  birthday, but sadly he passed away a fortnight ago.  I have always enjoyed interviewing Larry and his wife Jean over many decades and today we have been looking through some of the fabulous photographs taken by this talented Brentwood-based photographer. He will not be forgotten.  

Thursday, July 03, 2025

BRENTWOOD WRITERS' CIRCLE MEMBERS AT SATURDAY'S BRENTWOOD ART FESTIVAL LAUNCH IN BAYTREE CENTRE

Just a few writerly pals at Brentwood on Saturday - signed and sold some of our books


 Last Saturday's fabulous day in Brentwood's Baytree Shopping Centre, with a sprinkling of jazz, art,  film, literature and, of course, history with members of Brentwood's famous Museum. And, dare I say, we sold lots of books written and published by Brentwood Writers' Circle members.  Check us out or maybe come visit us at: www.brentwoodwriterscircle.com



Wednesday, July 02, 2025

LATEST NEWS FROM OUR GREAT FUN WALK TEAM

 

Over 75 Organisations Sign Up for 2025 Fun Walk


John Baron predicts another bumper event.

The organisers of the annual Fun Walk are delighted to report that over 75 local charities and community groups have so far registered to participate in September’s Walk, with more joining each week. The Fun Walk Trust helps charities, local schools and churches, grass roots sports teams and other community groups raise funds for their projects and initiatives through an annual sponsored walk in September of each year. It tops up the money raised in sponsorship on a pro rata basis with Bonus Pot money kindly donated by local businesses and individuals.

John Baron, Chair of the Fun Walk Trustees, said:

“We are thrilled by the enthusiastic response from the community. With over 75 organisations already signed up, it’s clear that the Fun Walk continues to be a valued opportunity for local organisations to raise much-needed funds for their causes. We look forward to seeing even more groups join in the coming weeks and benefit from an estimated 30%-40% bonus on top of the monies raised in sponsorship.”

“We would like to thank the local business who have so far generously agreed to support this year’s Bonus Pot. These include Greater Anglia, Brown & Carroll (London), Sanctuary Housing Association, One Footstep (Human Kind Café, Billericay), Equi Ltd, Butyl Products Group, Tunnelcraft Ltd, c2c Rail, Mr Barrie Stone and other individuals. This bonus acts as a real incentive for participants to raise money for their good causes.”

There is still plenty of time to register on our website www.thefunwalktrust.co.uk