business directory and local guide
Jemima Puddle-Duck and her Friends 5 - 30 December
With the first performance looming, Jemima Puddle-duck and her friends has confirmed a last-minute addition to the cast - Princeton, the Jack Russell puppy, playing himself!
"Princeton has been the theatre 'cat' for over a year, ever since Steve and Katie bought him last autumn," said Mark Reed, Co-Producer of this year's show. "Steve is my housemate and in 2010, not long after he got Princeton, he won a role in a national tour and so Princeton stayed behind with me, and often travelled to Brentwood Theatre. He is very at home backstage and so the shift to joining the cast was quite an easy move. The cast of seven cover over twenty roles from squrrels to foxes, fish to rats - and Princeton as one of the dogs is going to making everyone go 'aaahhhhh'."
Four Beatrix Potter stories have been turned into a magical, musical production for the young family. With nearly forty performances to choose from throughout December, this show is going to be a hit with young families across Essex. The Theatre is suggesting that children from four upwards will enjoy the gentle show, and there have been several bookings from families with children as young as two or three.
"Princeton made his stage debut this week and had the whole cast in fits of laughter as he licked Nick's face - it was very cute," said Katie-Elizabeth Allgood who stars as Beatrixc Potter - and also owns Princeton! Prices have been held from last year, so a family of four will visit for only £48, once of the best value packages in Essex. In addition, all theatregoers will receive vouchers that can save them £10 off entry in 2012 if they visit Old MacDonald's Farm (terms and conditions apply).
Tickets for Jemima Puddle-Duck and her friends are available from the Box Office on 01277 200305, Monday to Friday and cost £12.50 (£11 concessions) with a £1 booking fee regardless of the number of tickets purchased.
Theatre to be featured in 'Best Magazine' and on 'May The Best House Win' this week.
For a small venue such as Brentwood Theatre, it is unusual to receive national coverage. But, as is said proverbially about buses, you wait forever and then two come at once. This week, Brentwood Theatre will be featured in a national magazine and (hopefully) mentioned on national TV.
The true story of Katie-Elizabeth Allgood and Stephen Gunshon, who met at the Theatre's production of Fantastic Mr Fox three years ago, and who return this year in Jemima Puddle-duck and her friends has been snapped up by Best magazine (Christmas edition, out now).
"I had a lovely chat with the reporter, who had seen it in a Brentwood newspaper, and we are going to have our story told to the national stage. It's very exciting," said Katie.
"We are all laughing that Steve and I will be papp'd, alongside the TOWIE stars. Then again, Steve and I did appear in one episode, at Kirk's birthday. Ha ha ha."
In addition to the 'lovers reunited' story, Theatre supporter Simon Essex and partner Owen Thompson, both keen supporters of Brentwood Theatre will appear on May The Best House Win on 30 November.
"It was really great fun, but very intensive," said Simon. "I have done one or two daytime-type shows and this one caught my eye, not least because I am very house-proud. With Owen, we have worked hard to really transform our Brentwood property."
Through the Theatre, another key supporter, Mary Colloby took part too, so ended up face to face opposite Simon and Owen. Mary said, "Everyone knows Come Dine With Me - it's a bit like that but with more emphasis on the property. There were many long hours of filming and it was interesting to be part of the show. Let's hope Brentwood Theatre does get a mention." Of course, Simon and Mary know the outcome but are sworn to secrecy. "I am looking forward to seeing the final result," said Simon. "I played up to the camera a bit but it was all in good humour."
Brentwood Theatre is now into rehearsals for Jemima Puddle-duck and her friends which runs throughout December.
Not long now until the wonderful Festive Gift Show returns to the Brentwood Centre, with its fantastic reputation of being the place to BUY original and inexpensive Christmas presents for all the family.
With around 200 exhibitors, the Festive Gift Show features everything to make it a ENJOYABLE festive event and a major festive shopping experience.
The Biggest & Best Festive Shopping Fair in the heart of Essex! The Festive Craft & Gift Fair has built an enviable reputation as being the place to buy affordable and imaginative Christmas presents.
A fabulous Christmas shopping experience - without the hassle of the high street - all under one roof.
Brentwood On Ice is a new and exciting Festive Eco Ice-Rink that will be at the Brentwood Centre throughout Christmas from the 26th November to 21st January 2012.
Come and enjoy a fun filled day or evening of skating, Santa’s grotto, play areas for under 10’s, hot food and drink and much more.
Available for group bookings, private parties, school trips or if you just want to come and skate and have fun.
Brentwood On Ice has all the facilities that you will need to skate, including skate hire for beginners, intermediates and experts, ‘Bobby the Seal’ skating aids, skating helmets and much more.
For more information and to book your ice time then please do get in touch by visiting www.brentwoodonice.com, or just turn up at the door! We look forward to skating with you soon.
The Biggest & Best Festive Shopping Fair in the heart of Essex!
Now in its 16th year... The huge Brentwood Festive Craft & Gift Show will be returning to the Brentwood Centre this November. Crammed full of amazing, innovative and original festive gifts - there really is something for the entire family.
The Festive Craft & Gift Fair has built an enviable reputation as being the place to buy affordable and imaginative Christmas presents.
A fabulous Christmas shopping experience - without the hassle of the high street - all under one roof.
For tickets and more information, please visit: http://www.aztecevents.co.uk/brentwood_festive_gift_show_2011_home.htm
Don't miss this Saturday's firework display at the Brentwood Centre from 3.30pm onwards. There's a funfair, children's firework display and full firework display!
Tickets:
Adults Tickets are £4.99 in advance or £6 on the night
Kids Tickets are £2.99 in advance or £4 on the night
Times:
Funfair gates open at 3.30pm
Children's display at 6pm
Fireworks at 8.30pm
Address: Brentwood Centre, Doddinghurst Road, Brentwood, CM15 9NN
Telephone: 01277 215151
Come and support your local basketball team, the 'Leopards' at The Brentwood Centre this winter! Tickets are still available for the following games:
27th November - Leopards v Bristol Academy Flyers
9th December - Leopards v Westminster Warriors
18th December - Leopards v Tees Valley Mohawks
| Brentwood Prices: | Season Ticket Prices: |
| Adults: £9 | Adults: £50 |
| Juniors: £5 | Juniors: £25 |
| Family: £23 | Family: £150 |
Family: 2 adults + 2 children
Season Ticket Prices: 2011 / 2012 - Min. 12 Games
For tickets tel. 07773 607357
A musical comedy by Stephen Sondheim
2 - 5 November
Brentwood Operatic Society are delighted to be returning to Brentwood Theatre once more - and again are giving themselves the challenge of a lesser-known one Sondheim's COMPANY which did win no less than SIX Tony Awards (the 'Oscars' of the Theatre world)
Ian Southgate, the Musical Director, is enjoying the challenge. "Sondheim is indeed challenging, but I have always loved his work. From the well known shows such as West Side Story and Sweeney Todd, to less-well-known ones such as Company, he likes to set our performers great challenges. But, as ever, it is a challenge our cast are taking head on."
In Sondheim’s COMPANY, Robert has reached the ripe old age of thirty-five and is wondering if he should have settled down by now. He spots a fundamental problem with marriage –‘‘once you’ve been married, you can never not have been married again.” And therein lies the dilemma – stay single and enjoy the blissful freedom of a life free from wives obsessed with karate lessons and diets or commit to a life-long relationship with someone from whom you can never escape?
We watch snapshots of Robert’s life, revolving around his married friends and numerous lovers - such as the seductive but dippy air hostess, April (pictured) whom he mistakenly calls June in their steamy encounter - all absolutely devoted to him. We wait to see which path he will choose.
Tickets can be bought online from Society's website www.brentwood-operatic.com, through the Society’s ticket officer on 01277 223710 or via the Theatre Box Office on 01277 200305. Prices are £12-16 and performances start at 8pm.
Local actress Emma Jane Sweeney is directing her first show for Brentwood Operatic Society. "I grew up with BOS before going off to the Central School of Speech and Drama. I have performed in many shows since leaving college, including several of the Theatre's Christmas shows as well as some of my own comedies. "It is great to be working alongside Ian, and with such a great cast. I know it is going to be a great show."
Brentwood Theatre teams up with Old MacDonald's Farm for a HUGE promotion that you are going to love: Buy a ticket for Jemima Puddle-Duck this December at Brentwood Theatre and you save TEN POUNDS at Old MacDonald's Farm.
We are delighted to announce that Brentwood Theatre has teamed up with our friends at Old MacDonald's Farm, to bring you an offer that you are going to love. For EVERY ticket that you buy for Jemima Puddle-Duck and her friends, you will receive a voucher that, if you then visit Old MacDonald's Farm ANY TIME IN 2012, you save ten pounds provided that there is at least one full-paying adult. So that means if you buy four Jemima tickets, you can go to Old MacDonald's Farm FOUR TIMES next year and save a total of forty pounds.
So what do you have to do? It's easy. Just call our Box Office on 01277 200305, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. For every ticket you buy, we will also let you have the TEN POUNDS OFF voucher, whether you have your tickets posted or else collect them when you come to see the show. Your TEN POUNDS OFF voucher is valid for OVER a year, until the end of December 2012, giving you plenty of chances to cash them in. (If you have already booked, don't worry, you will still get the voucher!)
There are lots of animals to see at Old MacDonald's Farm, from Meerkats to pigs, rabbits to Alpacas - one of which tried to eat Hannah's hair (see photo!) - as well as lots of rides, games and entertainment. There's even The Wacky Worm rollercoaster, ideal for all the family. It's a great day out and we know that you will have great fun if you take your family along.
We were delighted and honoured to be joined by The Mayor of Brentwood, Cllr Mrs Joan Holmes and her grand-daughter Sidonie to meet the animals at Old MacDonald's Farm. The Mayor is a frequent visitor to Brentwood Theatre and we are delighted that The Mayor will be visiting us, with her family, once more this Christmas. So, to book your tickets, please do call our Box Office on 01277 200305. They only cost £12.50 (£11 concessions) PLUS FOR EVERY TICKET BOUGHT you get TEN POUNDS off your next visit to Old MacDonald's Farm.
Lettice and Lovage
by Peter Shaffer
17 - 19 November
One of ther oldest drama groups in Brentwood, The Hutton Players, are back once more with Peter Shaffer’s much acclaimed comedy Lettice and Lovage this November.
The show was a West-End triumph in 1986 for Maggie Smith (who won an ‘Emmy’) who starred as ‘Lettice Douffet’ an eccentric tour guide who believes in bringing history to life - with as much embellishment as is required!
Taking on the role this time is accomplished actress Margaret Goldstone, who has been a member of The Hutton Playerrs for many years - they usually perform twice a year at the Theatre and recent hits have included 84 Charing Cross Road and Hay Fever. Margaret said, "It's a lovely, eccentric role which I am having so much fun with. Lettice finds that to attract guests to the country house, she has to make up history and that does get her into trouble."
"Her visitors are spellbound with these tales but she is thrown into conflict with the starchy Miss Schoen ‘the lady from human resources’ and there is grave danger that ‘heads may roll’ in more ways than one!!! As a surprising friendship develops their activities throw them both into experiences and danger they had not foreseen. I am playing opposite a great friend, Kathy Smith and we have many years experience between us - more than we care to admit! Plus of course, the very popular Bill Wells, who recently won The Jackson Cup at the Theatre's annual awards, for the many years he supported Brentwood Theatre joins us onstage too.
Lesley Curtis, a very experienced and talented actress is directing. This is her second production with The Hutton Players (previously ‘Cemetery Club’ in 2006) and comes at a time when her life is changing as she has taken the time to enter professional theatre full time. "I have been involved in so many shows at Brentwood Theatre and I love performing there. This is a great comedy, a modern classic, and we are having great fun. It is a real honour to be directing The Hutton Players - they choose interesting plays and often sell out. "Shaffer's writing is so witty and humane it is a joy to have the chance to work with it."
Tickets cost £11 (£10 conc) and can be booked on 01277 200305, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. A £1 booking fee PER CALL applies.
Jemima Puddle-Duck and her Friends: 5 - 30 December
With just six weeks to go to the start of rehearsals, Brentwood Theatre has announced its cast of seven, following recent auditions, who will be performing up to forty times this December.
With twenty-two roles to be covered by this small team of actors, auditions were an intense affair with over two hundred applications whittled down to around thirty seen for an intensive workshop audition, leading to seven being chosen on the day.
One cast member who faces a welcome return is Manchester-born Stephen Gunshon, who was first cast as the lead in Fantastic Mr Fox three years ago and having fallen for the actress playing Baby Fox, Katie-Elizabeth Allgood, has made Brentwod his new home.
"I am really excited about returning to Brentwood Theatre's stage," said Stephen who as a child actor played 'young Gavroche' for over 500 performances of Les Miserables. "Playing Mr Fox at Brentwood Theatre was truly fantastic, and it was only because I was on a six month tour last year that prevented me being in last year's show.
"I am of course doubly-pleased as my girlfriend Katie is playing one of the lead roles this year, as Beatrix Potter!"
As well as performing at Brentwood's community theatre, Stephen has also taken on another key task in the local community - as a Special Police Officer with Essex Police. Following a summer of intensive training, which culminated with a session walking through CS spray to learn first-hand about its affects, Stephen has recently started patrolling Brentwood High Street as a volunteer policeman, a Special Constable.
"This is something that I have been thinking about doing for some time, and with the current drive by forces across the country, I applied earlier this year and was accepted. I had a huge book of procedures to learn - it was a little bit like learning the biggest script in my life," Stephen added.
Stephen has been on patrol for several sessions and is already proud of the contribution he is making to ensure that Brentwood continues to be a low-crime, safe town.
With around forty performances of Jemima Puddle-Duck to perform, as well as a minimum of sixteen hours per month as a police officer, it looks like Stephen will have a very busy December ahead!
Thorndon Park Golf Club is thrilled to be hosting the EWGA County Finals all this week until Friday 16th. Please see the EWGA website www.englishwomensgolf.org for championship teams, news and results.
The course will be open to members for an hour every morning from 8.30am to play either 18 or 9 holes from the 10th tee.
The Brentwood Catholic Theatre Club
63rd Annual Drama Festival
24 - 26 September
Final preparations are being made for an annual drama festival of one-act plays in which eleven productions will be performed and adjudicated over three days.
The Brentwood Catholic Theatre Club have been organising the annual competitive one-act drama festival since 1948. This means that this year, the 63rd, possibly makes it one of the longest running one-act drama festivals in the UK.
"We think that it is one of the friendliest and we welcome old friends, new participants and young performers," said Nicola Stacey on behalf of the organisers of the Festival. "The festival was originally set up for church youth clubs in the Diocese of Brentwood but for some years now the competition has been open to any amateur group or theatre company from anywhere in the UK.
It is great that this year's festival includes three youth groups and four original plays - new work that has never been performed before. It's very exciting!"
The Festival was originally staged in Ilford then moved to St Edward’s Church Hall in Romford by Cyril Dennis, to save it from closing down, It has since been held at the Sacred Heart of Mary School in Upminster and Havering Sixth Form College in Hornchurch. The festival finally came to Brentwood in 2009. Cyril, one of the founders of the festival, successfully ran it with the support of a dedicated and passionate team of volunteers until his death in 2004. He also wrote plays for several groups. After Cyril's death, his son Mike Dennis took up the reins and carried on until his untimely death in 2006.
"Festivals like ours are becoming fewer and much gratitude is owed to the team for continuing their hard work and efforts to keep this unique festival running," added Nicola. "Some group members have passed on the Drama “bug” to their children. Two families have had three generations represented in the festival over the years, making this festival something of a family tradition."
The Festival takes place on Thursday 24 September to Saturday 26 September at 7.30pm, with a Saturday Matinee (the Youth Section) at 2.30pm. Tickets are on sale now and are available from 01277 200305 at the cost of only £8 per session (concessions £6), with a special offer for families and a four-for-the-price-of-three offer for anyone wanting to attend all sessions of this very unique event.
Full details are available at www.brentwood-theatre.org and www.brentwoodcatholictheatreclub.com
Its all change at Brentwood Theatre this autumn!
Brentwood Theatre, currently closed for its annual deep clean and re-decoration, is pleased to announce that from this September, all drinks will be served in high-quality plastic which resembles glass, meaning that patrons can take their drinks safely into the auditorium.
Administrator and Bar Manager Mark Reed said, "For safety reasons, we do not let our visitors take glasses into the auditorium, so there is always a bit of a hassle at the theatre entrance as we had to transfer drinks from glass into plastic beakers. However, I found a range of plastic 'glasses' that so closely resemble glass that when we swapped them, no-one noticed."
The Theatre is also joining the rest of the Hermitage Site by asking visitors not to smoke anywhere, inside or out. Mark explained, "People of course can no longer smoke indoors but the County Council have asked us to stop smoking as the patio area is adjacent to their building and smoke can drift in through open windows. We were pleased to comply as a small minority of smokers were choosing not to use the ash trays provided and caused a mess that we had to clean up."
The final change is that, after the current autumn brochure which is about to be dispatched, the Theatre is going to be expanding its emailing, with the hope of drastically cutting the printing and postage bill.
"We send out around two thousand brochures, three times a year which is costing about £5,000 per year, which is over 5% of our total budget and, with everyone having to make savings, we looked at the brochure budget and decided it could be reduced. Therefore, we will stop sending out a brochure to everyone on our database as we have been doing.
"Most people are on email and we send out a newsletter every Wednesday with theatre gossip, fundraising news and details of forthcoming shows, which seems to do the trick. Most of our shows continue to sell out because the groups that perform here are responsible for their own marketing.
We of course recognise that some people still prefer printed matter, and we will be making arrangements to meet their needs. If they will pay the postage, we will send them our show leaflets.
"As a community theatre, we always do our best to meet everyone's expectations and we do feel that most will prefer to save paper and postage, and will understand that we cannot afford this without having to increase our hire fees which could lead to more expensive tickets," Mark added.
All visitors have been written to explaining the changes. Patrons are urged to check in local papers and to listen to the radio as all the media are excellent at broadcasting the 'what's on' details - for which Brentwood Theatre (a registered charity) is most grateful.
Brentwood Borough Council is enhancing the efficiency of its street cleansing service by investing in new machines and equipment and increasing the frequency of road cleaning.
This new scheme, developed over the last couple of months, will see extended cleaning schedules to cover weekday, evenings and weekends with a core standard service running from Monday to Sunday through to 6pm. The changes will also provide additional capacity to operate outside of these hours when necessary.
The improved service is due to be fully implemented from September 2011, with the new scheme having been piloted in Brentwood town centre and the main access routes into the town over the last few weeks. Significant improvements to the cleanliness of these areas have been noted and the pilot is set to be rolled out further to residential areas as part of the second phase of the scheme implemented from next month.
The new arrangements will see £150,000 of investment into new and more efficient machines and equipment, replacing existing old equipment that has come to the end of its lifecycle. Schedules have been revised, along with changes to the routes, all of which have helped deliver greater efficiencies and a better front line service.
Similarly to kerbside waste and recycling collections, residents will be able to access street cleansing schedules for their local area online so they can see when their street is set to be done, via Brentwood Borough Council’s website www.brentwood.gov.uk from the autumn.
Results from a recent survey* highlighted that Clean streets’ are the 2nd most important issue Essex residents, with 39% of residents ranking clean streets most highly. Only the level of crime was considered more important.
Cllr Roger Hirst, Chairman Environment, Health and Housing Panel said “Street cleansing is of high importance to Brentwood residents and this scheme aims to improve the cleanliness of the Borough through a more efficient and frequent service. Changes we have made at the depot have freed up the funds for us to be able to invest in front line services; delivering a better service for residents, helping the environment and providing greater value for taxpayers' money.
“There have already been significant improvements to street cleanliness in Brentwood town centre and key access routes where we have piloted the scheme. I look forward to rolling out the scheme further to the rest of the Borough in September”
This Sunday, staff and volunteers hope that you will join them to celebrate the first birthday of Peggy, the rescued donkey as the ‘hidden jewel in Brentwood’s crown’ throws open its doors once more.
Peggy was rescued following a public appeal, which also saw her mum and dad, Bella and Ned, also taken into the sanctuary. Her story hit the headlines as she was very young when taken in – so much so that she was un-named, leaving the public to put forward suitable suggestions.
“These Open Days are so important to us as we can raise so much money to keep the Sanctuary open,” said Deputy Manager Lianna Angliss. “Every year we can spend around thirty thousand pounds on vets’ bills alone as many of our rescued animals are often in need of intensive care. On top of that we need to buy tonnes of food and have lots of maintenance to keep out stables safe.”
There will be plenty of entertainment for the younger family including a bouncy castle and face painting, as well as the return of Animal Show Time when some of the many animals will be paraded and described.
It is hoped that one more the Sponsorship Stall will be a great success, where animals including horses, pigs, goats and donkeys can be supported from only £10 per year.
To celebrate Peggy’s birthday there will be a children’s entertainer, a Donkey Derby and a birthday card competition. As usual, a wide variety of stalls selling bric-a-brac, refreshments, handmade cakes are very popular and are expected to raise many hundreds of pounds.
An entrance fee of only £3 (£1.50 for children) is payable, all of which goes to the cost of running Hopefield.
Open Days will continue on 12 June, 17 July, 14 August and 25 September and each of them will be specially themed (details to follow).
Dance, romance, meet new people, make new friends from 8.30pm till 1am at this fab new party night for over 30s! VERY POPULAR with top DJ, excellent music, friendly atmosphere and raffle draw. At Ashwells Country Club, Ashwells Rd, Bentley, Brentwood CM15 9SE. Monthly on Fridays 10th June, Fri 8th Jul, Fri 26th Aug, then SATURDAY 15th October.
Ashwells Country Club is set in the gentle quietness of the Essex countryside, yet it's just 2 miles from the M25 at Brentwood. The original farm buildings, lovingly and carefully restored and refurbished, go back several hundred years. Now they've been given a new lease of life and provide a setting of great charm, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere that's ideal for our party nights. See you there!
Questions? Visit www.dance-parties.co.uk or ring 07913 400444. Dress code: smart denim ok, collared shirts only. No trainers, T shirts, etc. Right of admission reserved.
Brentwood Borough Council is launching the latest round of public engagement sessions regarding the Town Hall and the future of the building.
The schedule of events across the borough will take place to offer the public a further chance to ask questions about the programme and rationale behind the project, whilst also giving their ideas, comments and opinions on how a new Town Hall could look.
Outside of the engagements listed, feedback will also be taken from members of the Youth Council and from local school children in Brentwood.
Leader of Brentwood Borough Council, Cllr Louise McKinlay said “This round of public meetings will allow residents to have an input into the final decision regarding the Town Hall. It is vital that we get this right and get the balance between maintaining civic pride and having a Town Hall, which is smaller, cheaper to run, fit for our needs and more energy efficient, allowing for taxpayers' money to be put in to front line services.
"We will be discussing some of the potential styles and designs and will also be exploring options for future use of the existing building, which is the next stage of the process. The Town Hall will remain on the current site and will have a presence and look that our Borough deserves. I am keen that residents continue to play a part in this journey of delivering the new Town Hall.”
Programme of engagement:
• 09 June 2011, 6 - 7 PM: Open Surgery, Ingatestone Library (Leader & Deputy Leader)
• 11 June 2011, 10 AM - 12 PM: Brentwood High Street (Leader & Deputy Leader & Cllr McGinley)
• 19 June 2011, 11 AM - 5PM: Strawberry Fair, Shenfield Common (Information tent)
• 23 June 2011, 1:30 - 3:30 PM: Shenfield High Street
For more information visit www.brentwood.gov.uk/townhall
No we’re not kidding Harry we have an impressive line up of sports providing this year’s Brentwood Festival of Sport and anyone attending can pick up free trial session sports vouchers from the various sports and activity clubs.
The Festival of Sport is at the Brentwood Centre Doddinghurst Road on Sunday 19th June 2011. So be like Active Harry and have a fun time having a go at trampolining, volleyball, martial arts, rugby, archery, tennis, and many many more – also see a number of wonderful demonstrations including Kayzar. What a fabulous family fun day in prospect and especially its somewhere to take Dad on that very special Fathers Day. 10 am to 4pm.
For further information Visit www.brentwood.gov.uk
Brentwood Borough Council is pleased to announce that a new free Borough and Tourism Guide is now available to promote the historic market town of Brentwood and its surrounding villages and attractions.
The full colour 36 page guide has been supported by local businesses and attractions from across the borough and has been produced to promote Brentwood and encourage visitors, shoppers and businesses to the area. It contains useful local information on what to see and do, parks and open spaces, places to stay and transport links as well as information on the local history and a Brentwood town centre map.
Cllr Mark Reed, Chair of the Business, Community & Culture Panel said “I’m delighted that after a lot of hard work we now have an excellent publication available to promote our borough and to welcome visitors and shoppers. I’ve had great feedback already and am so pleased that so many local businesses and attractions in the borough are showing their support by stocking the guide and helping to encourage more visitors to share in what we have to offer in our wonderful borough.”
Guides are available at the Town Hall, local libraries and at businesses and attractions across the borough. An online version will also be available to download at www.brentwood.gov.uk/leisure
- Nightingale Centre, Warley, Friday 08 July 2011, 9.30am to 12.30pm -
Brentwood Borough Council has teamed up with the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) to deliver an initiative called Project ARGUS (Area Reinforcement Gained Using Scenarios).
The completely free event will take place on 08 July 2011 at the Nightingale Centre in Warley and has been organised for local businesses, to take them through a simulated terrorist attack and identify the measures to take for preventing, handling and recovering from a terrorist attack.
Cllr Mark Reed, Chair of the Business & Community Panel said, "Whether you are a national chain or a small business, Project Argus will be providing a unique opportunity to learn from and contribute to valuable lessons. It will be helping to protect you, your business and your community will help you prepare and have the necessary plans in place to help safeguard your staff, customers and your company assets. We haven’t received a specific threat but given our key strategic position, it's going to be a great way to increase awareness of counter terrorism issues and help make us more resilient and aware as a community."
Brentwood Borough Council and Essex Police are providing this exercise free of charge and invitations have been sent to all businesses in the Borough.
To book a place business should email shelley.king@brentwood.gov.uk or call 01277 312693.
Following the unprecedented success of the Easter Sunday Open Day, staff and volunteers at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary are looking forward to their second Open Day of 2011, this Sunday 22 May.
The Sanctuary, which is fast becoming one of the most popular tourism attractions in Brentwood, Is open daily to the public so that people can drop in, but these monthly big events attracts hundreds, if not thousands, of people.
“These Open Days are so important to us as we can raise so much money to keep the Sanctuary open,” said Deputy Manager Lianna Angliss. “Every year we can spend around thirty thousand pounds on vets’ bills alone as many of our rescued animals are often in need of intensive care. On top of that we need to buy tonnes of food and have lots of maintenance to keep out stables safe.”
There will be plenty of entertainment for the younger family including a bouncy castle and face painting, as well as the return of Animal Show Time when some of the many animals will be paraded and described.
It is hoped that one more the Sponsorship Stall will be a great success, where animals including horses, pigs, goats and donkeys can be supported from only £10 per year.
Following the completely unexpected visit of international singing sensation Leona Lewis in April, who tweeted her support, it is hoped that even more people will come along.
The wide variety of stalls selling bric-a-brac, refreshments, handmade cakes are very popular and are expected to raise many hundreds of pounds.
An entrance fee of only £3 (£1 for children) is payable, all of which goes to the cost of running Hopefield.
Open Days will continue on 12 June, 17 July, 14 August and 25 September and each of them will be specially themed (details to follow).
Fairlop Brass Band is delighted to be making their debut concert at Brentwood Theatre on Sunday 12th June at 3 pm.
The Hainault based Band was founded in 1968 as the Fairlop Junior School Band by its current President Dennis Carney. The Band became independent of the School two years latter, but for many years, being a past or present member of one of the Fairlop Schools was a requirement to be a member of the Band.
The current Musical Director, Kelvedon Hatch resident Kevin Jordan, has lead the Band since 1984, having joined the Band as a player just three months after it was formed, and is proud of the fact that the existing membership of some 30 players totals over 700 hundred years of combined membership. Under Kevin’s guidance the Band has enjoyed considerable success, undertaking three European Tours (to Germany, France – including performing at Disneyland Paris and Italy) and producing two CDs (one of which was involved in a NASA Space Shuttle Mission), with a third scheduled to be released later this year.
The Band has enjoyed fantastic Contest success that has seen it gain a host of honours and represent the London & Home Counties Region in four National Finals performing at the Wembley Conference Centre, Birmingham Symphony Hall and the International Centre in Harrogate, however, the highlight was in 1995 when the Band were crowned National Third Section Champions of Great Britain.
The Band has always had a wide range of concert performances within its annual programme, playing at prestigious local venues as well as supporting Charity and Community events, and has built up an enthusiastic following. Kevin Jordan said, “In the past the Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford has been our principle concert venue, but with more of our members and audience no longer living in and around the Ilford area it seemed sensible to stage a concert closer to where our players and audience live. We are very excited about the prospect of playing our first concert at Brentwood Theatre and do hope that this becomes a regular concert venue for us.
"The Theatre has excellent facilities for both performers and audience and I have been so impressed by the professional and welcoming way all the staff have dealt with us.
"The fantastic sound of Brass Bands is a great British tradition, and they have developed so much in the last twenty years, particularly the range of music now accessible. We hope the audience will contain a considerable number of people who are new to this Band, and maybe to Brass Bands. I am sure that after the concert they will have a very different view of Brass Bands and look to attend more of our concerts."
Theatre Administrator Mark Reed said, "We are delighted to welcome Kevin and the band. We already have an excellent rapport with Kevin and cannot wait to hear the Band play here. Tickets are selling very well - its already our best selling concert this season."
Tickets are on sale from 01277 200305 and cost £8.50 (£7.50 conc) with a special rate of only £1 for all accompanied under 12's.
THE EVENT
Brentwood Cricket Club is hosting a Brentwood wide event, supported by Brentwood Borough Council and attended by the Mayor. This event will help us to raise funds for our Pavilion rebuild project as well as provide an opportunity for other clubs in Brentwood to raise funds for their own projects.
The event will take place on 15th May 2011 and the race will be started by the Mayor of Brentwood at 09:30. We anticipate the race taking around three hours in total.
I am sure that you are aware that funding sources and opportunities to raise funds for sports and raise awareness of sports clubs are limited. This project aims to achieve both while also helping to increase the profile of Brentwood CC.
We are being joined by a number of clubs in this event from many sports – cricket, hockey, tennis, football and rugby to name a few.
The concept is simple – each club will enter a team (or in our case two teams – one Colts teams and one Senior team) to run a marathon distance “egg and spoon” race. Each runner will run round the boundary twice which means they will cover ½ mile each (we will need 52 runners in each team) with our very special egg and spoons!
Each runner is asked to raise sponsorship (form attached) and we would like each runner to aim to get £200 sponsorship each although we understand that this may not be possible for everyone to reach and this should not put off volunteers to run. There will be a prize for the individual who raises the most sponsorship within each team.
We are currently working with Essex Cricket Club to see if we can have an Essex cricketer to run the final 385 yards (a marathon of course being 26 miles and 385 yards). We will let you know as soon as we hear.
Please join us in this activity and volunteer as a runner. If you would like to run in the Colts team please contact Gill Bell at (dufferdark@hotmail.com).
Nearer the time we will need help with the following:-
Brentwood Cricket Club egg and spoon event co-ordinator
Roger Durowse
RHDurowse@aol.com
Mob – 07791 331815
Home – 01277 214492
PLEASE HELP US MAKE THIS EVENT A MASSIVE SUCCESS AND HELP US RAISE FUNDS FOR OUR CLUB IN THE PROCESS.
Following the success of the Brentwood Arts and Heritage Trail project in the last 2 years, Brentwood Borough Council brought the Art Trail back for 2011 with a difference.
Taking place from 14 to 31 May 2011, at venues all over the Borough, the trail now includes some additional local heritage features and events as well as new inspirational work by over thirty talented local artists.
Cllr Roger Hirst, Chair of the Environment, Housing & Community Panel said "The trail always proves to be a fantastic cultural event for our borough. There is lots to see and explore this year at over twenty venues so I do hope people will take advantage of what's on offer, exploring culture and also our important and fascinating local heritage."
Included in the trail are twenty two different places to visit in Brentwood including local cafes, shops, parks, restaurants and listed buildings. Also included are some great events, including Brentwood Museum's ever-popular Memories Exchange event at Brentwood Library, at which local people will be able to share memories and add to the collection of information about life in Brentwood.
To download a brochure for the Brentwood Art and Heritage Trail 2011 visit www.brentwood.gov.uk or pick one up at the Town Hall, Library and other participating venues.
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
Members of the Brentwood in Bloom Strategy Group have launched Brentwood in Bloom 2011, the annual competition that aims to make Brentwood a better place to live and work.
The competition aims to reward and encourage those who have worked hardest to brighten up the Borough and entry forms are available now for the competition which will last through the spring and early summer months, culminating in the Brentwood in Bloom Prize Presentation in July.
In all the categories, the judges will be looking for attractive, well maintained schemes, and where appropriate, consideration given to wildlife and environmental issues such as reducing water usage and recycling. Categories will be as last year with three residential garden classes, the very popular Schools Project, classes for businesses, pubs, religious grounds, residential accommodation and the best team effort.
Entry forms are available now from; Brentwood Town Hall reception; Brentwood Community Transport (Pepperrell House, 44 High Street); Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone Libraries; and online at www.brentwood.gov.uk. Entries will accepted up to the 24 June 2011 so don’t delay in getting yours in. Details are shown on the entry forms.
Organising a competition of this nature, would not be possible without the help of our sponsors and the Strategy group expresses it’s gratitude to the following companies and organisations;
• Adult Community College, Brentwood
• Bennetts Funeral Directors
• Brentwood Borough Council
• Brentwood Chamber of Commerce
• Brentwood Horticultural Society
• BST Printers
• Clintona Coaches
• Franklin Jewellers
• M J Bushell
• Océ (UK)
• The Viper – Mill Green
• Wortley Byers
Additionally to The Guild of Brentwood Gardeners, Hutton Horticultural Society, Ingatestone & Fryerning Horticultural Society and Shenfield Garden Society our thanks for their support of the Schools Project Class.
For further information visit www.brentwood.gov.uk or contact Peter Baggott on peterbb@talk21.com / 01277 352650
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
Multi-award winning Kytes Theatre Group will present Caryl Churchill’s Vinegar Tom at 8pm on 12, 13, and 14 May 2011 at Brentwood Theatre.
Director Julia Stallard told us: “The frightening thing about witch trials are that no-one is safe. History tells us that women and men across Essex were tried and hanged on the sparsest of evidence. One only had to share cross words with a neighbour to find oneself accused of witchcraft.”
Written in 1970, Vinegar Tom examines gender and power relationships through the lens of the 17th century witchcraft trials in England. The play outlines society's rejection of people with differences – the old, the poor, the single, and the sexually unconventional. Based not on specific historical events but in a period when England’s last major witch hunt occurred, the women’s offences are petty to a contemporary audience but enough to find themselves accused of witchcraft, an offence that carried a death penalty.
Romy Brooks, who plays Ellen, “the Cunning Woman” in the play, added: “None of these women are witches but they are different from the norm and it is these differences that set them apart enough to find themselves facing the noose.”
This fascinating, yet macabre play has given the group plenty of technical hurdles to overcome. It requires that some of the characters will be hung on stage, a technical nightmare for the backstage crew and a challenge to the actors’ abilities. The specially formed Gruesome Death Band, playing original music on a range of instruments including the ukulele, trombone and harmonium, provides live, promenade music.
To see a preview, please click here
Kytes Theatre Group are an established, popular group, having achieved considerable artistic success at drama festivals, both locally and countrywide. For more information or to book tickets, visit www.kytes.net or call 01277 200305. Tickets are priced £12.
Submitted by: Mark Reid, Brentwood Theatre
Contact email: mark@brentwood-theatre.co.uk
Brentwood Theatre is once more raising fund to 'bring the kids this Christmas' to see Jemima Puddle-Duck and her friends, by Beatrix Potter - and is auctioning items signed by Sir Roger Moore and Rosemary Conley.
In 2008, around a hundred celebrities were contacted and asked to donate items to be sold off in aid of the Theatre's new dressing rooms - with those works complete, some of these items have come to light and are now on sale on Ebay to raise money in aid of the Christmas show.
Co-Producer Mark Reed said, "For the past two years, the fans of our Patron Stephen Moyer have led a campaign to raise funds to pay for kids to see our Christmas show, and we have given away hundreds of tickets. One very generous lady pays for a whole performance herself, and it is lovely to be able to help local schools who otherwise could not afford to come along.
"This year we have already had several hundred pounds donated and through auctioning off these items, we hope to give the funds a boost."
Tickets for the FORTY performances are already on sale from 01277 200305, with two local schools having already booked their tickets, even though it is only May.
Submitted by: Mark Reid, Brentwood Theatre
Contact email: mark@brentwood-theatre.co.uk
And international superstar Leona Lewis popped in too, pledging her support!Hopefield Animal Sanctuary held its first Open Day of 2011 – and was inundated with visitors, including international mega-star, singer Leona Lewis who dropped in ‘unannounced’.
Within ten minutes of the gates opening at the popular tourist attraction, over 150 people had poured through the door. Manager Lianna Angliss said, “People can drop in any day between one and four, but for our monthly Open Days throughout the summer, we organise extra entertainment. Being Easter, we had an Easter Egg Hunt, bouncy castle as well as a variety of side-shows.
“We estimate that nearly a thousand people came through the gates, which is about as busy as we have ever been. The money earned will pay for the feeding all of the animals – which includes SIXTY FIVE horses as well as sheep, goats, chickens, pigs and a tame bull! – but we need to keep fundraising to pay for new equipment and vets bills.”
The Sponsorship stall proved to be a great success, with over fifty people pledging at least £10 to support named animals.
One of the biggest surprises on the day was when international singing sensation Leona Lewis arrived, which no-one had been expecting. The singer who came to fame when she won X-Factor has topped the charts in over twenty countries, including the US, is known for her pro-animal beliefs, even turning down the invitation to open the Harrods sale as she has strong feelings about real fur.
Leona came along as her manager Nicola Carson used to be a volunteer at Hopefield over ten years ago, and had told Leona all about it.
“Leona dropping in unannounced was a real surprise, and word quickly got around. I spent a long time showing Leona around and she was very interested about how we first started and the background on the animals we care for, many of which are mal-treated and need a lot of care when we take them in.
“She promised to come back and help – she owns horses herself in LA so won’t mind even mucking out. She tweeted about her visit later that day, so she already a great fan! We cannot wait to see her here again.”
Leona tweeted ‘Visited Hopefield animal sanctuary today! They are doing amazing work please support them hopefield.org.uk’
The next Open Day will be on Sunday 22 May from 1pm to 4pm and will feature animal grooming, art and craft stalls, tombola and a bouncy castle.
An entrance fee of only £3 (£1 for children) is payable, all of which goes to the cost of running Hopefield.
Open Days will continue on 12 June, 17 July, 14 August and 25 September and each of them will be specially themed (details to follow).
Come along to the Ingrave Community Market to sample some of the best produce and crafts from the local area. Every month you will find stalls selling fresh produce such as organic vegetables, sausages, bacon, cakes, jams & chutneys alongside some lovely handmade crafts. Ingrave Community Market is the perfect one stop shop for your food and gifts.
The market takes place at the Knights Way Centre on the 1st Sunday of every month and takes place indoors come rain or shine. Our café is open all morning serving hot breakfasts, teas and coffees so why not make a whole morning out of your visit.
Knights Way Centre, Knights Way, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 2AZ
9.30am – 12.30pm
Dates for 2011
For further information visit www.ingravecommunitymarket.blogspot.com and enjoy interviews with our stallholders, recipes and special offers.
The market is organised by Claire Mackaness who can be contacted on 01277 230769. Please call for more details or if you are interested in taking a stall at the market selling your locally produced food or craft.
Are you looking to take up a new hobby or learn a new skill? Claire Mackaness has been creating Beautiful Things from her home studio in Brentwood for the past 10 years and has recently started sharing her knowledge with people like you.
Claire teaches groups and individuals on a one to one basis and also offers a bespoke service so that you can learn exactly what you want to at a time and location that suits you.
These are just a few of the classes currently available:
+ many, many more.
For a full prospectus please visit www.clairemackaness.com and click on the courses & classes link. You can also download it by clicking here.
For more information or to book a class, please call Claire on 01277 230769 or e-mail clairemackaness@btopenworld.com
Members of the Brentwood Labour Party will not let Brentwood Town Hall be sold off by the Tories. After a high profile visit to Brentwood last week party members kept up the pressure and hosted a street stall on Saturday gaining over 350 signatures on their duel petitions
"Save our Town Hall" and "Brentwood against the Cuts."
Cllr Mike Le-Surf said: "We had a great launch to the campaign with Ed Ball's visit last Thursday and what a fantastic response from local residents who love their Town Hall and cannot understand why the Tories are going to sell it off. Three signatures a minute is a pretty fast going and we could have got hundreds more. Never have local elections been so important as vote for the Conservatives this year means goodbye to this iconic building."
"The petition will be presented at Annual Council in hope that the Conservative administration will finally listen to public opinion and overturn this dreadful decision to decimate our civic centre and our civic pride."
Submitted by: Cllr. Mike Le-Surf
Contact email: mikelesurf@hotmail.co.uk
Once upon a time, there was a woman called Beatrix Potter. She loved animals. She painted pictures of animals and wrote little books about their adventures. We’re going to tell you some of these stories.
Brentwood THEATRE Company is pleased to announce that it’s Christmas show for December 2011 will be Beatrix Potter’s Jemima Puddle-Duck and her friends. Following huge successes with Roald Dahl stories in recent years such as Fantastic Mr Fox and The Twits, this new direction is already creating great attention, with some groups booking in to see the show at this early stage
Beatrix Potter ‘herself’ introduces you to the magic of theatre and the wonder of four of her stories, written especially for the younger family in mind.
The first story that Beatrix Potter introduces is about Jemima Puddle-Duck. Jemima is a little upset as she wants to lay a nest-full of eggs and hatch a family of ducklings, but the Farmer’s Wife keeps collecting her fresh eggs for baking. Jemima flies off to a distant, green wood where she meets Fox – but never having ventured from the farmyard she does not suspect danger.
Fox offers her a ‘safe’ nesting place – his summerhouse which is curiously overflowing with feathers and which Fox frequents to count the growing number of eggs. Fox invites Jemima to a ‘dinner party’ for which she helps by collecting ingredients – without realising that it is her family that is at risk. But Kep, the faithful Collie, realises Fox’s plans and, with the help of two beagle pups, sets off to Fox’s summerhouse.
Standing up to Fox, they find that he has locked Jemima away and so, with a noisy chase, see him off before taking Jemima back to the farm, where the Farmer’s Wife does let her hatch a brood of four ducklings, the Puddle-Duck family.
Beatrix Potter will also introduce you to the stories of Squirrel Nutkin and how he lost his tail, Jeremy Fisher and the perils of his fishing trip, and The Roly Poly Pudding when a fearsome Rat catches Tom Kitten!
So join us for an interactive, fun, musical production of some of the best stories ever written for children, brought to life in front of your very eyes. Jemima likes to have lots of friends, and we hope that you will become her friend too!
Tickets are already on sale for the forty planned performances. “We are delighted that through a lot of hard work – together with the support of so many people who are happy to give up their time for nothing – we have managed to keep our prices the same as last year at only £12.50, and £11 for concessions,” said co-Producer David Zelly.
“Our invitations to audition have gone out to around a hundred actors who have said they would like to work with us, and we have had back some very excited responses.”
Submitted by: Mark Reid, Brentwood Theatre
Contact email: mark@brentwood-theatre.co.uk
Conservative Candidate for the forthcoming election in Brentwood South, David Bishop, has presented a petition to The Mayor of Newham calling for action on the empty shops that blight the Eastham Estate in Brentwood.
For a number of years, shops have stood empty on the Newham-controlled Eastham Estate, and the community is now calling for the London Council to take action to bring to the vibrant community much-needed local shops.
David Bishop commented, “In just three weeks, I managed to get 289 signatures to my petition, thanks to the support of so many people. Some of these units have been standing empty for up to four years, and these Brentwood residents feel that Newham Council, who they pay their rent to, are just ignoring them.”
In an unusual arrangement, many properties within this area of the Brentwood Borough are actually controlled and maintained by The London Borough of Newham and this causes many residents to feel that they are often forgotten by their landlords. As a result, rumours abound about the possible mis-use of the units and, more importantly, the huge number of families living on the estate do not have adequate local shops.
“I have recently presented the petition direct to The Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales ahead of a meeting between him and our own MP, the Rt Hon Eric Pickles, The Minster of State for Communities and Local Government as they will be meeting shortly, and I hope that this will be high on their agenda,” added David.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Mrs Louise McKinlay said, “At a time when Brentwood Borough Council is successfully attracting new businesses into the Borough so that we have one of the best occupancy rates in the country, I am disappointed that Newham Council is not doing more to bring these units back in to use for the benefit of the community. Despite having had Labour councillors for years, it is left to the Conservatives to try to resolve. I hope that we can work with Sir Robin to achieve this for the good of local residents.”
Submitted by: A P Baxter on behalf of Brentwood and Ongar Conservatives
Contact email: brentwoodconservativecouncillors@hotmail.co.uk
Brentwood Theatre is the place to be – with shows selling out week after week!
At the end of March, The Hutton Players sold out all three performances of Hay Fever, and this week has seen two of the three nights of ‘Allo ‘Allo with full houses (and just a small number of returns on the opening night, effectively giving a full house too!)
Theatre Administrator Mark Reed commented, “We do not choose the shows, it is up to the groups themselves to select and produce whatever production their performing members and anticipated audience would like to see on stage. Therefore, the accolade for selling out these shows must go to The Hutton Players and The New Venture Players, and to their members for selling so well to their family and friends.”
The summer season has just been launched, which opens with The College Players’ production of Blithe Spirit, another show that is expected to sell well.
Twenty two different productions will be making up fifty five performances with musicals including The Mikado and Guys and Dolls, drama including Vinegar Tom and a new amateur national premiere of Really Old, Like Forty Five, and young people performing in a variety of shows from Terry Pratchett’s Mort to two versions of Bugsy Malone.
A brand new production for this summer has already sold all 135 seats – Everybody Dance Now is a showcase by performers from Funky Vibes Dance School including street, cheerleading and lyrical dance. Principal of the School, Hayley Davies, has performed on TV and at The London Palladium and even toured England, Ireland and Mallorca before returning to the UK.
Hayley commented, “I used to perform at Brentwood Theatre when training at Havering College, and I set up my own dance school a couple of years ago.
“This is my first showcase and I was delighted when the Theatre called me to say we had sold out, and offering a second performance. The kids and the parents are really excited – and we still have nearly three months to go.”
Many people have queried how the recent arts grants have affected Brentwood Theatre. Mark commented, “Essex County Council charge us no rent, and the Borough pay our rates, but other than that we make ends meet by earning income from hiring out the venue, using volunteers to manage the Theatre, and by constant fundraising which many individuals are generous to support.”
The Theatre’s Box Office is open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday, and tickets range usually around £10 - £15, depending upon the production.
Full details of all productions are posted on www.brentwood-theatre.org which is regularly updated.
Submitted by: Mark Reid, Brentwood Theatre
Contact email: mark@brentwood-theatre.co.u
Brentwood Theatre is moving into the twenty-first century and expanding its
e-marketing – thanks to sponsorship from local estate agent, Russell Quirk & Co.
With ever-greater dependence on the internet for marketing shows, and increasing popularity for the unique community venue, Administrator Mark Reed is changing his marketing to rely more on email communications. New email software will encourage recipients to click onto a digital version of the Theatre’s brochure, which then links back to the Theatre’s website where full details of forthcoming shows are displayed, and even mini-video clips.
Administrator Mark Reed commented, “We have over forty groups performing regularly and we work with them to help to sell more tickets for their shows. Shows are constantly being added and we can barely keep up with our old-fashioned printed brochure, but by email we can ensure everyone is up to date. We will, of course, keep posters and leaflets for those who like to have a bit of paper in their hand with show details – I do myself – but this new, smart stationery will help us communicate more effectively with those who like to receive emails.
“The change has only been made possible through support from the e-marketing supplier, Andy Cummins of CJV Digital who has helped me to make the change, and Russell Quirk of Russell Quirk & Co who has sponsored the whole system.”
Russell Quirk & Co was founded by former High Street estate agency boss who realised that 90% of property searches were online, and that by no longer relying on estate agents shops, he could save sellers thousands of pounds.
Russell commented, “I have known and supported Brentwood Theatre many times and when asked to sponsor this change, was delighted to do so and pipped others at the post! As a community theatre, they provide not only a place for good, local productions but support people with special needs, disabilities and those with confidence issues.
“As a business that relies so much on the internet, this was a great way to support them and I wish them the best of luck,” Russell added. “My logo (which connects to my company website www.russellquirk.com) will be seen by many thousands of people as it will appear on every email. Personally, I have always supported green issues, and this of course cuts down on paper.
“In these tough times, we need to pull together, and I am delighted that
Russell Quirk & Co is supporting this excellent independent charity.”
The Theatre’s next project is to install digital screens to display show posters, further cutting down on the cost of printing posters, and is seeking sponsors whose adverts (both digital posters and videos) can be played alongside details of forthcoming shows.
Submitted by: Mark Reid, Brentwood Theatre
Contact email: mark@brentwood-theatre.co.uk
National Grid is poised to deliver the latest phase of its essential gas mains replacement to Brentwood. Over the coming months two major gas mains replacement projects will take place in the town which will see ageing metallic gas mains replaced with tough new plastic pipes.
Work has been carefully planned in close discussion with Brentwood Town Council and Essex County Council to ensure it is delivered with a minimum of disruption. Wherever possible the new pipes will be inserted into the old gas mains. This reduces the amount of digging needed and also means the work takes less time. However technical factors such as the size and position of existing gas mains means the new mains cannot always be inserted. National Grid is carrying out the work as follows:
Scheme 1: Westwood Avenue
Work began this month and should be complete in July 2011.
Mains along the full length of Westwood Avenue will be replaced. Rolling road closures will be implemented in sections of the road as work is carried out. Additionally 75m of gas mains will be replaced in Kavanagh Road and 50 metres will be replaced in London Road. Two way traffic lights will be used while this work is carried out. For technical reasons we cannot insert the new mains in the old pipes for this section.
Scheme 2: London Road/Brook Street
Work is scheduled to begin in June and is due to be complete by September 2011.
This work will involve the replacement of gas mains in Brook Street and London Road.
Work will be carried out by insertion. We will avoid lane closures where possible, however some may be necessary and two way traffic lights will be used to manage these. Project engineer Andrew Farnfield said: “This essential work will help ensure that people of Brentwood continue to enjoy safe, secure and reliable gas supplies in future years.”
The work will be carried out by the North London Gas Alliance, a partnership between National Grid and Skanska.
People who require more information can call our helpline on 0800 096 5678. The project is part of National Grid’s ongoing national mains replacement programme. Agreed in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive this involves replacing all metallic gas mains within 30 metres of property.
Submitted by: Michelle Smedley
Company: National Grid
Contact email: michelle.smedley@uk.ngrid.com
With Local Elections and a UK-wide referendum taking place on Thursday 05 May, Brentwood Borough Council is urging voters to make sure they are registered to vote in time.
“The deadline to register is Thursday 14 April so if you’re not already registered, don’t delay”, says Brian Keane, Electoral Registration Officer at Brentwood Borough Council. “It only takes a few minutes: call the election office helpline on 01277 312708 or print off the form from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.”
“The Electoral Commission, the independent elections watchdog, is sending a booklet to every household in the UK with information about how to have your say on 05 May“, says Phillippa Saray, Electoral Commission South East Regional Manager. “Don’t let the deadline and the chance to have your say pass you by!”
The referendum is on the voting system used for elections to the UK Parliament. The question being put to voters on Thursday 05 May is: “At present, the UK uses the ’first past the post’ system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the ‘alternative vote’ system be used instead?”
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
Staff and volunteers at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, which has donkeys, pigs, geese and horses in its care, are making preparations for the first of six special Open Days which regularly attract hundreds, if not thousands, of people from Brentwood and all across Essex.
“The Open Days are very much like an old-fashioned village fate with items for sale and fun sideshows,” said founder Ernie Clark who is very much looking forward to the first Open Day. “Last August, I was diagnosed with terminal cancer but I refuse to give in and the good work continues. These Open Days are so important as they bring in the money we desperately need to let us continue to care for the animals.
“Our new Geese Pond will be ready by then, so that our noisy geese can inspect everyone as they come in, and give them that special welcome as only geese can.”
Hopefield is a non-profit organisation that relies upon donations to continue caring for sick, unwanted or mistreated animals. “When people can get so close to the animals – including our tame Bull, Max, it is quite special as they ARE allowed to pet them,” said Jane Palk who looks after the Adoption scheme. “People can choose to adopt any of our animals and the cost is only £10, all of which goes to keeping Hopefield going. I hope to sign up lots of new sponsors – perhaps instead of buying Easter Eggs, mums and dads might adopt an animal instead.
“We are open every day from 1pm to 4pm for people to drop in to see their adopted animal so children can come in every day to see how their new friend is getting on,” Jane added.
The first Open Day of 2011 is on Easter Sunday, 24 April from 1pm to 4pm and will feature and Easter Egg Hunt, animal grooming, art and craft stalls, tombola and a bouncy castle.
An entrance fee of only £3 (£1 for children) is payable, all of which goes to the cost of running Hopefield.
The Sanctuary’s Patron, Brian Blessed, has been invited to come along!
Open Days will continue on 22 May, 12 June, 17 July, 14 August and 25 September and each of them will be specially themed (details to follow).
This week, Brentwood Theatre will be publishing details of its May to July season, with yet another amazing crop of shows expected to attract huge audiences to the popular community venue.
Twenty two different productions will be making up fifty five performances with musicals including The Mikado and Guys and Dolls, drama including Vinegar Tom and a new amateur national premiere of Really Old, Like Forty Five, and young people performing in a variety of shows from Terry Pratchett’s Mort to two versions of Bugsy Malone.
The popularity of the shows performed at the Theatre continues to grow. “In March, Noel Coward’s Hay Fever sold out every night and we had to turn people away on the door, and the April production of ‘Allo ‘Allo is going the same way too,” said Theatre Administrator, Mark Reed. “I think people are coming to realise what great value our shows are, plus the groups that perform here do seem to be working harder and harder to rehearse and to publicise their shows.”
Brochures will be posted out by the end of the week, a month ahead of the first show listed to open, Blithe Spirit, by The College Players. The Theatre’s Box Office is open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday, and tickets range usually around £10 - £15, depending upon the production.
Full details of all productions are posted on www.brentwood-theatre.org which is regularly updated – there are already two more productions about to be confirmed which have been booked in since the brochure went to print!
Submitted by: Mark Reid, Brentwood Theatre
Contact email: mark@brentwood-theatre.co.uk
Brentwood Borough Council is asking residents to take a first step towards implementing localism in the Borough, by taking part in a series of neighbourhood consultations. These will provide an opportunity for people to put forward their ideas about the issues and priorities for their area.
Sixteen local community drop-in sessions will take place across the borough over six weeks beginning on 07 May 2011. Details of the consultation will be sent to every household from early April 2011 and a range of local stakeholders, offering a chance for local residents, business and other members of the community to influence the Borough’s future planning policies. Once adopted, these policies will shape the future of development in the Borough for the next 15 years.
Cllr Louise McKinlay, Leader of Brentwood Borough Council said, “This is a chance for residents, business and all other members of our community to join us and have a real input in to the future of their local neighbourhood. We welcome the opportunity to really embrace localism and give people a chance to have a say in their local areas. This will help us draw up policies to guide new development and changes in how land and buildings are used for the next 15-20 years.
“Giving communities greater influence over the planning of their areas is at the heart of Localism, so engaging the whole community now is essential for this approach to succeed in Brentwood so please do put forward your views, aspirations and priorities about your own neighbourhood and help us prepare a new Local Development Plan for the Borough.”
Cllr Linda Golding, Lead Member for the Local Development Plan said, “We need your help to let us know what you value about your area, what you think needs improving and what changes you would like to see and what should stay the same. The drop in sessions will include maps and plans about your own neighbourhood and the borough as a whole, to help you interact. You don’t need to book, and you can attend any event taking place, so please do come along, join in and tell us what you think.”
The consultation will also include a short questionnaire which will be available to return by post or complete online during the consultation period.
| Location & Venue | Time & Date |
| Brentwood - High Street (outside M&S), CM14 4RH | 9.30am - 2.30pm - Sat 7 May |
| South Weald - Parish Hall, 85 London Road, CM14 4NP | 10.30am - 1.30pm - Wed 11 May |
| Doddinghurst - Church Lane Shops, CM15 0NG | 3.30pm - 6.30pm - Wed 11 May |
| Kelvedon Hatch - Blackmore Road Shops, CM15 0AZ | 10.30am - 1.30pm - Tues 17 May |
| Stondon Massey - Bricklayer’s Arms, Ongar Road, CM15 0EQ | 4.30pm - 7.30pm - Tues 17 May |
| Ingatestone - Parish Church, High Street, CM4 9DU | 10.30am - 1.30pm - Thur 19 May |
| Shenfield - Hutton Road (by the library), CM15 8JD | 9.30am - 12.30pm - Sat 21 May |
| Warley - Keys Shopping Centre, Eagle Way, CM13 3BP | 10.30am - 1.30pm - Tues 24 May |
| Navestock - Village Hall, Navestock Side, CM14 5SD | 4.30pm - 7.30pm - Tues 24 May |
| Mountnessing - Village Hall, Roman Road, CM15 0UG | 10.30am - 1.30pm - Thur 26 May |
| Herongate - Cricket Green, Brentwood Road, CM13 3NY | 3.30pm - 6.30pm - Thur 26 May |
| Blackmore - Village Green, CM4 0RT | 9.30am - 12.30pm - Sat 4 June |
| Pilgrims Hatch - Harewood Road Shops, CM15 9PD | 2.30pm - 5.30pm - Sat 4 June |
| Brentwood - Community Centre, Knight’s Way, CM13 2AZ | 9.30am - 12.30pm - Sun 5 June |
| Hutton - Parish Hall, Rayleigh Road, CM13 1LZ | 10.30am - 1.30pm - Thur 9 June |
| West Horndon - Village Hall, Station Road, CM13 3NJ | 4.30pm - 7.30pm - Thur 9 June |
For further information please call the Planning Policy Team on 01277 312 610 or e mail planning.policy@brentwood.gov.uk or visit www.brentwood.gov.uk
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
Brentwood Borough Council has today launched the Localism & Partnership Board, a Big Society initiative aimed at delivering an increase in community activity and strengthening work with partners.
The launch took place with a community volunteering event, where volunteers joined the council to help to undertake a small project at King George’s Park that the whole community will benefit from.
Louise McKinlay, Leader of Brentwood Borough Council said “The Localism & Partnership Board is the start of a new way of thinking and working together with our partners for the issues that matter most to the community. Painting the railings today is just one of many volunteer activities that go on everyday in our borough and we want to celebrate these and take them one step further and use the support networks that exist to develop something bigger in Brentwood that we are all proud and familiar with.
“We’ve had a fantastic week where we’ve delivered just a few examples of how we’re working closer with the community and seeing the Big Society in action. With the help of the council, Thriftwood Scout Camp has set up its own Chill Out Holiday Club scheme for local young people, local community groups have come together to form the Strawberry Fair Team to organise this summer’s event, and helping to raise the profile of local charity Brentwood Community Transport by giving them a more prominent home in Pepperall House are just a flavour of how local residents, volunteers and local groups have worked in partnership with us. It also sets the perfect backdrop for us to launch today, with our intention to carry on this work and support and help to inspire even more local people in Brentwood.”
The launch of the Localism & Partnership also coincides with the Council contacting the local community, inviting them to submit ideas to help improve their communities. The “Call for Community Ideas” was issued earlier this week and is aimed at encouraging individuals, families and groups from Brentwood and all across Essex, to come forward with ideas on how people can play a more active role in improving their areas.
Further information on The Localism & Partnership Board and the ‘Call for Community Ideas’ is available at www.brentwood.gov.uk.
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
As part of the 2011/12 Budget setting process, Brentwood Borough Council is taking a new direction to provide customer services in the most efficient way. To deliver value for money and continue effective delivery of frontline services for residents, Brentwood Community Transport will take up residence in Pepperell House from 4 April '11.
Cllr Louise McKinlay, Leader of Brentwood Borough Council said: “Brentwood Community Transport moving into the building is a great example of the Council working together with the local community. We can help to raise their profile in the Town as a local charity by giving them a more prominent home and by having both Community Transport and the Chamber of Commerce on the same site we can also claim the benefits of rate relief on the building.
Brentwood Community Transport have agreed to support us by continuing to stock information leaflets and we are already working with over twenty local independent retails to stock the garden waste sacks, which we know is what the centre is most commonly used for. We hope this will encourage more people into our local shops and these new arrangements are a common sense, win-win approach to dealing with the need to make savings and provide a great opportunity for some joined up working."
Details of arrangements from 04 April 2011 for the following services:
- Information Leaflets will be available from Brentwood Community Transport and at the Town Hall reception.
- Garden Waste Sacks can be purchased from Robert Dyas, Paradise Stores, and the Town Hall reception in Brentwood, and from over 20 additional outlets¹ across the borough.
- Bus Passes (New and Lost) can be purchased at the Town Hall.
- Golf Registration Card applications can be downloaded at www.brentwood.gov.uk or collected from the Town Hall or the Golf Shop.
For further information visit www.brentwood.gov.uk or call 01277 312500
For further Information on Brentwood Community Transport visit www.brentwoodct.co.uk or call 01277 228080
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
The Strawberry Fair team is pleased to announce that this year’s event will take place from 11am-4pm on Fathers’ Day, Sunday 19th June 2011, and is looking for local businesses and members of the local community to take part on the day.
Brentwood Borough Council is working closely with local community organisations and businesses to deliver a community-led traditional English fair, which attracts up to 2000 people annually. The organising team of key partners include Calcott Hall Farm, who is also confirmed as a sponsor. Other partners helping to deliver this year’s event include the National Childbirth Trust, the PTA Network, the Breast Friends Cafe, the Brentwood and District Evangelical Fellowship, and the Essex Federation of Small Businesses.
The organisers are keen for local residents and families to join them in celebrating Fathers’ Day at a high quality community event. The fair will be a day for the whole family with arts and craft stalls, children’s entertainment, food and drink stalls, demonstrations and displays, and of course, a steady supply of strawberries and cream.
Cllr William Lloyd said, “This is an important event in Brentwood’s calendar and is a great opportunity for local businesses and community groups to come along and help us to deliver a wonderful fair for 2011. We have formed some great partnerships to help us deliver a really strong event that promises to be the best yet.”
The team is looking for local businesses and members of the local community to take part and run a stall or provide activities on the day. As it may not be possible to accommodate everyone, priority will be given to local businesses and those who meet the theme of a ‘traditional English fair’.
Anyone interested in participating should download an Expression of Interest Form from www.brentwood.gov.uk or contact strawberryfair@brentwood.gov.uk for a copy. Forms need to be completed and returned by 13 April 2011.
For an informal discussion please telephone Cllr William Lloyd, event organiser on 07590 283888.
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
With Census day approaching, Brentwood Borough Council is reminding residents of the importance of filling out a copy of the 2011 Census questionnaire. Every household should have now received the distinctive purple and white envelopes containing the questionnaire which needs to be completed before, on or after 27th March 2011, but the answers must be about that day.
The Census is carried out once every ten years by and it is the only national survey that counts everyone in the country, aiming to give a clear picture of the people living in each area. It enables Brentwood Borough Council along with Essex County Council and central government to determine which services are required in the area like housing, education, healthcare and transport.
Leader of Brentwood Borough Council, Cllr Louise McKinlay said, “The information provided will help us to discover more about who we are as a borough, a county and overall as a nation and help shape future policy. I hope residents will take the time to complete the questionnaire and fill it out online or send it back in the post. Most importantly, if you haven’t had a questionnaire, it’s not too late to contact the Census helpline to request one.”
The Census questionnaire needs to be filled out and sent back, or alternatively it can be filled out online at www.census.gov.uk. It is also important to note that it is a legal requirement to take part in the census.
If residents have any questions about the census, they should visit www.census.gov.uk or call the Census helpline 0300 0201 101 (charged at local rate), providing help and advice in English, Welsh and over 50 other languages.
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
Local actor Lionel Bishop faces up to one of the major challenges of English theatre when he plays Hamlet for Brentwood Shakespeare Company this April. Brentwood-born Lionel is well known to Brentwood audiences for a series of sexy performances and Calendar poses.
But as Hamlet the Dane he moves into the top league in a fast-moving edited version of the famous play, directed by award-winning Glenda Abbott, in a performance which seeks to capture the wit, the passion, the charm and the nobility of this most famous part.
The play runs from Wednesday 13 to Saturday 16 April at Brentwood Theatre. Box Office 01277 200305.
Submitted by: Mark Reid, Brentwood Theatre
Contact email: mark@brentwood-theatre.co.uk
Brentwood Theatre is delighted to be launching a new coffee bar, Jean’s Coffee Beanery this Saturday as a new meeting place for the community.
A couple of week ago, Joy Dunn hosted a Community Seed Swap to raise money for the Sensory Garden in King George’s Park which resulted in many people dropping by, and so the idea to open a regular Saturday coffee bar was launched.
Becky Foreman, who will be looking after the bar said, “I am really excited at the idea. All of our drinks are individually prepared so that they are fresh and hot. Whether its a single filter cup, or a cafetiere of hot, fresh coffee, we can provide a variety of flavours - and even decaffeinated. And all served with a delicious Rumbouts Cafe Biscuit.
“Where possible, in support of Brentwood as a Fairtrade town, we will supply Fairtrade products, mainly because we think it tastes better plus, of course, it supports the excellent work of the Fairtrade Foundation. With a range of teas from teapigs, including English Breakfast, Darjeeling Earl Grey and even Superfruit, let us know how you would like it served.”
As well as just serving hot drinks, local community groups will be setting up stalls to promote themselves to visitors, plus there is the opportunity to catch a glimpse the set for whatever production is in place as the auditorium will usually be open. Highlights include a mini Ingrave Community Market on 16 April, and a drop-in fun workshop for kids on Easter Saturday.
Jean's Coffee Beanery is named after Jean Armitage. Through the Theatre’s Patron, international actor Stephen Moyer from True Blood, many friends have been made in America and all around the world. The biggest-hearted of all is Jean, who has been truly amazing in supporting the Theatre, and it was thought right that she should be thanked in this way!
The scheme will be run as a pilot for two months and continued if there is sufficient support.
Submitted by: Mark Reid, Brentwood Theatre
Contact email: mark@brentwood-theatre.co.uk
Dance, romance, meet new people, make new friends from 8.30pm till 1am at this fab new party night for over 30s! VERY POPULAR with top DJ, excellent music, friendly atmosphere and raffle draw. At Ashwells Country Club, Ashwells Rd, Bentley, Brentwood CM15 9SE. Monthly on Fridays 25th March, 29th April, then 10th June, etc.
Ashwells Country Club is set in the gentle quietness of the Essex countryside, yet it's just 2 miles from the M25 at Brentwood. The original farm buildings, lovingly and carefully restored and refurbished, go back several hundred years. Now they've been given a new lease of life and provide a setting of great charm, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere that's ideal for our party nights. See you there!
Questions? Visit www.dance-parties.co.uk or ring 07913 400444. Dress code: smart denim ok, collared shirts only. No trainers, T shirts, etc. Right of admission reserved.
Submitted by: Gill Barrow - Dance Parties Plus/Singles Scene
Contact email: info@dance-parties.co.uk
Brentwood’s Conservatives have welcomed the news that no less than four excellent retailers are moving into Brentwood High Street, bringing yet more choice to Brentwood’s residents.
Golf store Nevada Bob’s, surf-wear Fat Face, Shoe Zone and kitchenware shop Steamer Trading are all making final plans to revamp stores and to move into the heart of the town, which already boasts some of the best occupancy rates in the country.
‘I was in Brentwood High Street recently and was delighted to see all the signs of ever-improving business in our High Street,’ said Cllr Phil Baker, Chairman of the Business and Economic Development Panel.
‘Nevada Bob’s is entering into its final phase of shopfitting – and advertising new jobs – and should be open in about a week. Shoe Zone, moving into the Baytree Centre, is also progressing very well. I have also seen that Fat Face and Steamer Trading are both making planning applications to move into two of our older shops, and I am especially pleased that Steamer Trading are looking to replace the former Curry’s shopfront with an in-keeping, hard-wood framed design.
‘Together with the first of the approved tables and chairs outside coffee shops, we are starting to create a new ambience in the town that I am very excited about.’
A recent survey has shown that with as few as 10% of shops in Brentwood are standing empty, the Borough is ahead of most town centres, with the national average of 13%. Brentwood’s Conservatives have been working hard over recent months to bring in new business into the town through intensive marketing and lobbying at the highest levels to bring this figure down.
‘I have spent a lot of time meeting with major national companies based in our Borough, and we are all working together to promote the excellent facilities and way of life here,’ added Cllr Baker. ‘The new Brentwood First group is going to continue to promote our Borough and attract new businesses into the town.’
‘I am very concerned – and residents tell me they are very angered - by the Liberal Democrats who have done more to try to scare businesses away than try to help. They tell residents that the High Street is in meltdown – but with plenty of new businesses moving in, and others wanting to move in, it is thriving. They say they want to support businesses – and then their leader walks away from the Renaissance Group.
‘They also spent the last few months calling for free parking – and then when challenging our budget, could not find a way to deliver it. They had wanted to introduce a tax on the night-time economy with their £3 evening levy to park. It is yet another Lib Dem broken promise. No wonder their support has plummeted nationally and locally in all the polls,’ he added.
With 100% of participants at the last web chat session citing they would like another session and 100% saying they found it a useful tool to ask questions, Brentwood Borough Council is holding a second Web Chat on the subject of the Town Hall. Hosted by Leader of the council, Cllr Louise McKinlay, residents are invited to ask any further questions and feedback any comments about the project on Monday 21 March 2011 between 6.15 PM and 7 PM.
Cllr Louise McKinlay, Leader of Brentwood Borough Council said: “The last web chat was a great way to engage with our residents answer their questions and comment on their suggestions. This session will be an hour-long opportunity to continue the conversation around the future of the Town Hall addressing the two options which are being taken forward to see a Town Hall maintained on the current site.”
The conversation will be held over an hour and the questions and answers will be visible for all to see. Brentwood Borough Council is also encouraging residents to send in their questions and comments in advance via Twitter to @Brentwood_BC or by email to budget@brentwood.gov.uk.
Replay the last Web Chat session on the Town Hall at www.brentwood.gov.uk/townhall
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
Brentwood Borough Council’s annual sell-out Chill Out holiday scheme is to be delivered by local activity providers, as part of Brentwood’s Big Society to build a stronger community with services run more independently. With the help of the council, Thriftwood Scout Camp has set up its own Chill Out Holiday Club scheme for local young people. Thriftwood have worked alongside the Council for the past ten years to help to deliver the popular holiday scheme to over 1000 young people each year between the ages of 9 and 16.
Thriftwood Scout Camp will ensure that young people continue to be engaged in positive activity during the school holidays at the low cost alternative holiday club for local families with an excellent reputation. The handover will support Thriftwood Scout Campsite as a local business and also provide the Council with savings of around £20,000. The scheme has previously been supported by the Home Office, Essex County Council and Essex Police to name but a few.
Cllr Louise McKinlay, Leader of Brentwood Borough Council said, “We have spent a long time developing and strengthening this project into a very good and very popular scheme that is renowned Borough-wide. This is a fantastic example of the Big Society in action, showing how we can support the handover to a local organisation, by providing them with a strong ready-made project to develop and expand independently of the Council and to their advantage. We would like to thank our partners for all of the hard work and commitment they have given to help us build the project over the years and reassure parents and young people that the ethos of Chill Out will be maintained, keeping the scheme accessible, affordable and fun.”
The Council will be supporting Thriftwood Scout Camp with the handover by helping with marketing and advice for the upcoming Easter school holidays, when the Thriftwood Chill Out Holiday Club will run from 11 to 21 April 2011, offering all its activities as before for local young people aged 8 - 16. Other long-term Chill Out partners Brentwood Karting and Rope Runners, along with newer partners Trailnet and HENs Theatre Company will also be offering participants affordable and accessible activities.
Colin Tilbrook, Thriftwood Scout Campsite Manager said, “Thriftwood is very pleased to be able to continue to provide activities for local young people during the school holidays by taking on the Chill Out schemes from the Council. We hope it will be beginning of a successful venture for us.”
For more information about Chill Out please visit www.brentwood.gov.uk or www.thriftwood.org.uk
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
Dragon Sculpture Back in BrentwoodA four year Brentwood Borough Council celebratory project for the 2012 Cultural Olympiad will continue this week, with a 3ft dragon made by local Brentwood artist Dan Peppiatt returning to Brentwood. The artwork, created in partnership with Brentwood Arts Council for the first Brentwood Art Trail, has been visiting schools since 2009, and continues touring with a visit to Doddinghurst Junior School on Friday 18 March 2011.
The Dragon sculpture, fondly nicknamed Dave, tours local schools to enthuse local school children about celebrating art and culture, and was created to celebrate English heritage, culture, and our patron St. George, and is designed to inspire local young people to get creative with recycled materials in the run up to the forthcoming 2012 Olympic Games.
Cllr Roger Hirst, Chairman of Environment, Community and Housing Panel said, “This is a lovely symbolic way to promote the arts and celebrate our heritage. Schools who have hosted the sculpture already have been very pleased with the visit. The project raises awareness of the forthcoming Olympic Games amongst our young people and encourages them to get creative and involved.”
Headteacher of Doddinghurst Junior School, Margaret Cooper said, “We are thrilled that Dan will be visiting the school; the children will be so excited. Dan regularly teaches at our school and the children will really benefit from his wonderful skills.”
The sculpture is created entirely from locally sourced recycled metals, and has rusted and aged throughout the tour until 2012. The Dragon has over 200 scales made from recycled tin cans, solar lights, some slatted blinds for wings, and even has some wheels for head spikes which were taken from the artist’s grandmother’s bed. Until now, the Dragon has peacefully perched at various local spots, including the balcony at the Town Hall, Shenfield St Mary’s Primary School, Warley Primary School, and the Anglo European School. It will stay at Doddinghurst Junior School until the end of May before moving onto the Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School, Willowbrook Primary School, Mountnessing Primary School, and finally visit Larchwood Primary School before the 2012 London Paralympic Games.
Each of the dragon sculptures visits are accompanied by the artist, Dan Peppiatt, who also gives the pupils an exciting interactive assembly about how to get creative.
Press interested in attending Doddinghurst Junior School on the morning of Friday 18th March should contact press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk / 01277 312569
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
Brentwood Borough Council, a partner of the Essex Air Quality Consortium¹, is supporting the launch of the new Essex Air Website. The Website, designed by King's College London, launched last week (08 March 2011) and aims to provide residents and visitors across the County with comprehensive information about air quality in our region.
Brentwood residents can now check on local air quality levels in their area, find out about the current forecast for air pollution levels where they live, and learn more about the National targets and how the County is responding to these. Schools and young people are also encouraged be get involved with interactive games, learning and information sections and discussion forums², along with the opportunity to interact with the site through Twitter and Facebook.
Cllr Roger Hirst, Chair of the Environment, Housing & Community Panel said "Our air quality in Brentwood is generally good but being close to major roads such as the M25 and A12 means it is important that residents can access local information and are aware how their local air is monitored. This new website provides a great example of Councils and other organisations working together to improve awareness of air pollution issues across Essex."
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
Brentwood First is a new initiative launched by Brentwood Council, which brings together the Borough's core big businesses, who are passionate about promoting and strengthening the local economy. Launched on Friday (11 March 2011), the group of leading corporations based in Brentwood have come together and pledged their commitment to work with the local business community, employees and other stakeholders, to develop and execute a strategy to position Brentwood competitively and make it more attractive to new investment.
Eric Pickles, MP for Brentwood & Ongar, and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government welcomed Brentwood First in his key note address, saying “Brentwood First puts enterprise firmly at the heart of localism and enables Brentwood to exploit the tremendous economic opportunities in the South Essex. Brentwood is ahead of other local authorities in this respect and I am confident that Brentwood First will take a lead in developing the area’s economic opportunities.” He also referred to the new international port DP World and the economic development planned for Thames Gateway South Essex and the Brentwood area.
In welcoming the Secretary of State and representatives of the business community to the inaugural meeting on 11 March 2011, Nick Abbott, General Manager, BT and Chair of the newly formed group said “I endorse the opportunity Brentwood First has had to set a vision for the area which it can directly assist in delivering. I welcome the support of the Secretary of State in supporting local economic initiatives like Brentwood First, to help to develop Brentwood and the sub-region and I am pleased that the Business community is taking ownership and helping to ensure Brentwood is successful.”
Cllr Louise McKinlay, Leader of Brentwood Borough Council said, “Brentwood First gives us an exciting opportunity to deliver more for Brentwood and is all about businesses coming together with the Council and working as one. With the knowledge and business insight and advice from these senior businessmen, we can deliver new initiatives to market Brentwood both to prospective new businesses and to the public. Brentwood First will also play a bigger part in encouraging stronger community involvement and external funding to help the independent delivery of some popular community events in Brentwood such as Lighting Up Brentwood.”
The Brentwood First group agreed to consider a range of different exercises which will look at the different facets of economic performance in Brentwood and opportunities for improving the area. It will meet again shortly to review the findings and finalise a work plan. Brentwood First is made up of leading corporations with major offices located in Brentwood who operate on both national and international platforms. All are major players in the local economy, providing over 3500 jobs in Brentwood and are crucial to the local supply chain.
Businesses represented on Brentwood First include Chief Executives, Chairmen and senior executives of businesses including:
• BNY Mellon
• BT
• Countryside Properties PLC
• East of England Business Group
• Equity Insurance Management
• Ford of Britain
• Liverpool Victoria
• Marks and Spencer
• Martin McColl
• Oce UK LTD
• Sector Marketing Ltd
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
Brentwood Borough Council is warning some residents that they need to act now if they are to have their say at the Local elections and UK referendum on the voting system to the UK Parliament taking place on Thursday 05 May 2011.
Figures published by the Office of National Statistics last week show that there are 55,824 people registered to vote in Brentwood.
Brian Keane, Electoral Registration Officer at Brentwood Borough Council said, “To avoid disappointment at election time, I am urging all Brentwood voters to make sure that they are included in the register, especially anyone who may have moved house in the past few months. It’s also worth applying now to vote by post or proxy if you are planning to be away on 05 May, given the extra Bank Holiday for the Royal Wedding. Forms can be printed from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk and takes just a few minutes to get set for 5 May.
Eligible voters can print a voter registration form at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or by contacting the Brentwood Borough Council election office on 01277 312708
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
Brentwood Borough Council is offering food outlets in Brentwood a half day workshop to help raise their standards towards higher food hygiene rating scores. The workshop, taking place on 14 March 2011 at Brentwood Town Hall, follows the introduction of the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme in Brentwood, which helps businesses understand the requirements of food law and put food safety management into practice.
The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme* where ‘5’ is ‘Very Good’ and ‘0’ is ‘Urgent Improvement Necessary’, is part of a national scheme developed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), and showcases food hygiene inspection results for food businesses across the Borough. Food outlets are given a sticker and certificate to show their rating, and scores are available for anyone to view online, to provide information on food hygiene standards and to help people choose where to eat out or shop for food.
Cllr Jan Pound, Vice Chair of the Environment, Housing and Community Panel said, “We are here to support food outlets and the workshops we have introduced are an excellent tool to help local businesses provide and maintain the best food hygiene within their business. The new scheme is all about transparency and it is often the absence of food hygiene management systems that can impact on hygiene scores. By offering these workshops we want to help low scoring businesses learn what they can do to improve and raise their standards of hygiene and legal compliance in Brentwood.”
The workshop costs £50 + VAT for each person attending and an attendance certificate is awarded on completion. Businesses interested in attending the workshop should call 01277 312504 or email Caroline.harrison@brentwood.gov.uk.
For further information on food outlets in Brentwood visit www.brentwood.gov.uk/food or www.food.gov.uk/ratings
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
Brentwood Borough Council is reminding residents of the importance of filling out a copy of the Census questionnaire, which are due to be distributed from tomorrow, 04 March 2011.
The Census is carried out once every ten years and it aims to give a clear picture of the people living in each area of the country. It enables Brentwood Borough Council along with Essex County Council and central government to determine which services are required in the area like housing, education, healthcare and transport.
Leader of Brentwood Borough Council, Cllr Louise McKinlay said, “I would like to remind residents that they will be receiving the questionnaire through the post and would ask that they spend some time filling it out and sending it back. The information provided will help us to discover more about who we are as a borough, a county and overall as a nation and help shape future policy.”
Census Day is Sunday 27th March 2011, and residents will receive the questionnaire over the coming week. It needs to be filled out and sent back, or alternatively can be filled out online at www.census.gov.uk. It is also important to note that it is a legal requirement to take part in the census.
If residents have any questions about the census, they should visit www.census.gov.uk or call the Census helpline 0300 0201 101 (charged at local rate), providing help and advice in English, Welsh and over 50 other languages.
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
Brentwood Fairtrade fortnight began this week and Brentwood Borough Council is giving its full support to this campaign and encouraging residents to buy Fairtrade.
On Saturday 12 March 2011, next to the Chapel Ruins in Brentwood High Street from 10am to 1pm, there will be a Fairtrade festival, which is part sponsored by Brentwood Borough Council. Residents will be able to taste Fairtrade food, take part in Fairtrade competitions, and find out all they need to know about buying Fairtrade products.
Leader of Brentwood Borough Council, Cllr Louise McKinlay said, “Fairtrade products make a difference to over 7.5 million people in the developing world. By purchasing Fairtrade products, Brentwood residents will be playing a part in helping them to have a more secure future. I would encourage residents to come down to the High Street on Saturday 12th March to give their support and join in with all the festival to learn more about the work of Fairtrade and difference it can make to producers of many of our day to day items.”
At the festival, there will also be performances from the Bluebirds Choir and the Oxjammers group, Amoriste. Residents will also be able to gain information from the Brentwood Fairtrade Campaign Group’s efforts to turn Brentwood into a Fairtrade town. To find out more about Fairtrade products and what benefits it gives to those in the developing world visit www.fairtrade.org.uk
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
Inspired by the 2012 London Games¹, the third Brentwood SX Urban Games at the Brentwood Centre takes place on Saturday 12 March 2011 and has been designed as an alternative sports day for teenagers. The day packed full of urban style activities offers residents from Brentwood and across Essex the chance to try street sports, and will also form part of the celebrations to mark 500 days to go until the London 2012 Olympic Games².
The event, organised by Brentwood Borough Council and supported by Brentwood Leisure Trust, Essex County Council’s 2012 Legacy team, Pro-gression, and The Street Team; has been set up to promote new activity to young people inspired by the London 2012 Games. Skateboarding, speed skating, dodgeball, street20 Cricket and streetball are just a few of the activities on offer, all proving you don’t need to play mainstream sport to be active. The day will also include performances from hiphop dance crews, Essex Executioners Roller Derby team, a snowboard rodeo to have a go at, ramps, a skate shop, a chillout area and a café for parents.
Cllr Roger Hirst, Chair of the Environment, Housing & Community Panel said “This is going to be a fun packed day and is all about encouraging young people in Brentwood to try street sports and fulfil their potential. With the ‘500 days to go’ countdown for the Olympics starting soon this is a great opportunity for us to promote participation in sport and active leisure, and a great way of getting the local community involved.”
The event will run from 12PM to 6PM on Saturday 12 March 2011 and entry is £3 per person participating (with free entry for adults supervising). Suitable for teenagers, families and adults, everyone is welcome and there is a café for parents. You can also pay £1 extra and join in with the popular 3.30pm splashtime at the Brentwood Centre swimming pool (12 March only).
For more details visit www.sxurbangames.co.uk or contact Brentwood Borough Council on 01277 312692 / jo.cory@brentwood.gov.uk
COUNTRY WEEK-END INVITATION
The Bliss family have each invited a guest to stay for the week-end. Judith, recently retired from the stage but still hankering after the spotlight has invited a fan. Her husband, David, a novelist wants to ‘observe’ a young flapper in a ‘domestic environment’. Their two children, Sorel and Simon also have invited a guest each.
Unfortunately, they have not told each other or the domestic help!!! Chaos ensues and far from being the idyllic break promised it turns out to be the week-end from hell!!
Direction is by Marjorie Dunn
Production dates are 24/25/26 March at 8pm at Brentwood Theatre.
Box Office 01277-652787 Tickets £11 and £10 (conc)
Submitted by: Mark Reid, Brentwood Theatre
Contact email: mark@brentwood-theatre.co.uk
Brentwood Borough Council has entered into a unique partnership with Sector Marketing, a specialist marketing and sponsorship agency, as part of an initiative to take advantage of income generation opportunities in the Borough. Faced with an increasingly tough economic climate,the Council is working with Sector to help develop existing sponsorship opportunities and create new ones, to continue to improve and enhance our environment and local community for the Borough’s 73,200 residents.
With residents rating parks, open spaces and access to nature in their top ten priorities locally¹, opportunities for potential sponsorship to maximise sites across the borough will provide a key investment to enhance the local environment as well as promoting brand awareness.
Cllr Phil Baker, Chairman of the Business and Economic Development Panel said“We know the economic climate has meant tough decisions and hard times for many of us and the Council is a business like any other, so we are taking a fresh look at the opportunities around us to see how we can earn income.
“Many businesses see marketing their products and services and supporting the community, to stand out from the competition, as even more of a priority during recession and many choose to do this by investing in the community around them, to remind their customers that they care about local people, the environment and economy during the tough times as well as the good.
“The new partnership with Sector Marketing offers us the opportunity to secure increased investment and revenue for the Borough. By increasing private sector engagement we can continue to improve and enhance our environment and local community despite the restricted budgets the Council is operating under.”
Sponsorship is open to all businesses, no matter how big or small and the local business community is encouraged to consider opportunities such as sponsoring flowerbeds, hoardings, car-parks, the Golf course at Hartswood, publications or events.
For further details sponsorship opportunities available, contact Katy Grey or Lauraine Rayfield at Sector Marketing on01277280505, or email sector@brentwood.gov.uk.
A networking event, for people to find out more about how to apply for arts grants, and how to get involved in the celebrations taking place in Brentwood and Essex for the 2012 Olympics, is being held at Brentwood Town Hall on 23 February.
The event, with presentations from Essex County Council and Brentwood Borough Council, will inform participants how to tailor their creative ideas to link with the events happening in and around Brentwood, and how to obtain funding. There will also be information about what’s being planned elsewhere around the county.
Cllr Roger Hirst, Chair of the Environment, Housing & Community Panel said: “I hope that people in Brentwood will come along to this session and find out how to take part with their own ideas and projects to join us in celebrating this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
To book a place for the event at Brentwood Town Hall on 23 February call 01277 312645 or email Lucy.gill@brentwood.gov.uk
Brentwood Theatre is delighted to be holding another ‘brand new’ event – a Community Seed Swap in support of The Sensory Garden in King George’s Park.
The Swap is the idea of Warley resident Joy Dunn who is leading the project to refresh the Sensory Garden by working with a weekly club for adults with profound learning disabilities or sensory impairments.
Brentwood Theatre is supporting the event by providing the Theatre free of charge to ensure that every penny goes toward the Garden. Co-Producer of the Theatre’s Christmas shows, David Zelly said, ‘Joy has designed and made costumes for us for many years and does so out of the kindness of her heart. To return that kindness, we are delighted to be supporting this great project and hope that it is a great success.’
Gardeners are urged to save their surplus seed and bring them along to Brentwood Theatre on Saturday 26 February from 10am to 1pm. The cost is only £1 – children are free – and all proceeds will be spent on supporting the work at the King George’s Sensory Garden.
Joy Dunn commented, ‘I am very excited about this event. Whether you have half packets of unused seeds, or else free seeds from gardening magazines, please do bring them along. Seed swaps are help all over the country and I am delighted to be bringing one to Brentwood at last!’
Refreshments, including home baked cakes, will also be on sale along with a plant stall.
For further information, please contact Mark P Reed on 01277 230833 or by email to mark@brentwood-theatre.org
From 14 February 2011 customers will be better informed when eating out in Brentwood, thanks to the introduction of Food Hygiene Ratings. Part of a national scheme developed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the new ratings scheme will showcase food hygiene inspection results for food businesses across the Borough. Food outlets will be given a sticker and certificate to show their rating, and scores will be available for anyone to view online.
The rating scheme* where ‘5’ is ‘Very Good’ and ‘0’ is ‘Urgent Improvement Necessary’, will be used for each food premises to provide information on food hygiene standards, to help people to choose where to eat out or shop for food. The ratings are based on information gathered during routine food hygiene inspections carried out by Environmental Health Officers to ensure they meet the legal requirements on food hygiene.
Cllr Roger Hirst, Chair of the Environment, Housing and Community Panel said, “We have joined this scheme because we believe that both local people and local food businesses will benefit from the transparency of food hygiene ratings. Displaying a good hygiene rating is good for business and we hope that all food companies will display their stickers and certificates in the entrance to their premises so that consumers can clearly see them and make an informed choice about where they want to eat or buy food in the borough.’
Catriona Stewart, Head of the Food Hygiene Ratings Team at the FSA said, “It’s great news that Brentwood is the latest authority to announce their intention to use the scheme. Around one million people suffer from food poisoning every year, and our aim in introducing the scheme is to reduce this. The ratings will give consumers a glimpse of what is going on in the kitchen when they eat out, or behind the scenes at the places they shop, before they make their decision about which place they prefer to visit.’
For further information on food outlets in Brentwood visit www.brentwood.gov.uk food or www.food.gov.uk/ratings
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
Following a Special Council meeting on 07 February 2011 to decide on the future of the Town Hall and accommodation for Council services, Brentwood Borough Council has agreed to explore options that will see the Civic Centre maintained on the current site. After a full review of the Council's future requirements was carried out, two options will be taken forward, so a final decision can be made once more detailed information has been drawn up.
The two options, keeping the north wing of the building where the civic aspect of the Town Hall including the chamber is housed and extending on to the car park; and building a new town hall on the north car park, both provide a good value for money solution. They will also provide a more economically efficient building, with better green credentials in modern offices, necessary for an effective authority. Further detail on the design guide of the building, tender details, plans for the remainder of the site, and actual projected costs will be brought to Full Council, for a final decision on the option to be taken forward.
Leader of Brentwood Borough Council, Cllr Louise McKinlay said:
“I am pleased that we can now begin to move forward with this project, one that has been hugely emotive and sensitive for everyone involved. Resident feedback has played an important part in our decision making and both options we are now exploring mean that we will stay on the current site, and maintain our civic pride in Brentwood. The all important end result will mean that we will be running a building, which is smaller, cheaper and more energy efficient, allowing for taxpayers' money to put in to front line services, including the protection of weekly rubbish collections."
Further information on the Town Hall project is available at www.brentwood.gov.uk
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
Brentwood Borough Council has published its Rural Settlement Map, indicating the areas within the Borough, with a population of 3000 or less, that currently qualify for Rural Rate relief for the 2011/12 financial year.
In recognition of the importance of local facilities to the life of rural communities, the Council is asking businesses to comment on the map,prior to its adoption on01 April 2011.
To be eligible, businesses must have a rateable value of not more than £16,500, and be the single provider of a useful retail service, whose loss would detrimentally affect the quality of their local rural community
The Council can grant mandatory rate relief tovillage shops, post offices, petrol filling stations and public houses in the Borough, and also has the discretion to give further relief (discretionary rate relief) to top up any mandatoryrural rate relief that hasbeen granted. The Council also has thediscretion togrant relief to other businesses in rural areas, if a business is operating and isof benefit to the localcommunity, but does not qualify for mandatory rural rate relief.
To comment or see a more detailed copy of the Rural Settlement Map before 01 April 2010, businesses can go to www.brentwood..gov.uk or call 01277 312880 to arrange to see a copy at the Town Hall
Submitted by: Catherine Campling, Brentwood Borough Council
Contact email: press.desk@brentwood.gov.uk
Marketing International Holocaust Memorial Day 2011. A joint initiative of Shenfield, Brentwood and Districts Synagogue & Christian Friends of Israel. Guest Speaker Survivor from Kindertransport, plus Bookstalls and Information stalls will be available.
Where is the event being held?
At the Town Hall, Ingrave Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 8AY on Friday 28th January 2011 from 10am - 4pm and Saturday 29th January from 10am - 1pm.
The event will the move on to: The Main Hall, Shenfield High School, Alexander Lane, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 8RY (for car parking, use Oliver Rd entrance).
Followed by a Meeting of Commemoration at 7pm with guest speaker Kindertransport Survivor, Otto Deutsch, and a short film 'The Children who cheated the Nazis'.
When is the event being held?
28 January 2011 - 10:00 am
How can I attend this event?
Just come along to the Town Hall from 10am-4pm on Friday 28 January or from 10am-1pm on Saturday 29 January.
What will it cost?
Free, but donations will be welcome.
Following the hugely successful production of The Wedding Singer at Brentwood Theatre earlier this month, Brentwood Operatic Society are now turning their sights on a classic piece of theatre, Guys and Dolls – and they are looking for men!
Guys and Dolls is based on the books by Damon Runyon and was turned into one of the best-known films ever, starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra. Featuring classic songs such as Luck Be A Lady and Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat, this huge production is expected to be a runaway success.
Society Chairman Jean Wilson said, ‘The Wedding Singer was a great success as so many people knew the film. It was great fun and everyone had a great time on stage, and the audience loved it.
‘For Guys and Dolls, we need around a dozen men, so if you think you are the next Sinatra or Brando, then why not give it a try?’
All performers are expected to undertake a short audition to become a member of the society, and a fuller audition if they want to be considered for a named part in any show. Auditions for Guys and Dolls will be on Sunday 20 February so there is still time to get involved.
‘I make sure that rehearsals are fun,’ said Maggie Kiel who is directing this show. ‘We are very friendly – a lot of people go to the pub after weekly rehearsals – and that community feeling helps to make a better show.
All societies find it difficult to find men wanting to commit to a show – a bit like how Adelaide in Guys and Dolls has difficulty getting her man to commit – but as we know, it all comes right in the end,’ Maggie added.
Anyone interested in joining Brentwood operatic Society – especially men! – should contact the Membership Secretary on 01277 230343. The group meets every week for rehearsals and a small fee is payable when performing.
Tickets for the show will go on sale shortly.
Message From: Brentwod Theatre
Date: 22/12/10
Play: The Plotters of Cabbage Patch Corner, By David Wood, December 2010
Message: Brentwood actress Emma Jane Sweeney has stepped in to save the day, taking on the role of Ladybird who fell ill and lost her voice!
Emma has performed at Brentwood Theatre on many past occasions, not least as Sarah Elf in The Great Sleigh Robbery when she infamously carried on despite badly twisting her ankle – and making every front page in Brentwood!!! Due to other commitments, Emma was unable to audition for ‘Plotters’ but was asked by the producers to ‘be at the end of the phone – just in case.’
Just before she went onstage (22 December) Emma commented, ‘I got the phone call last night to say that poor Sarah was not feeling well. I spent the evening reading the script and then got up this morning for my daily stint on Phoenix 98 FM, and part-way through my broadcast I got a text asking me to go on this afternoon.
‘I have had a couple of hours to walk through my moves and learn the songs. Luckily, Ladybird uses a notebook as she is the Secretary, so I can take the script onstage. I am looking forward to it – it’s quite exciting in a funny sort of way.’
Director Ray Howes was most complementary. ‘Until today I had not actually met Emma myself but had heard lots of good things about her. Emma has seen the show a couple of times and it did not take me long to take her through her key scenes.
‘She is an accomplished actress and I know she will do a very good job.’
Performances run until 30 December and tickets are on sale from 01277 200305, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm and cost £12.50 or £11 concessions, with a £1 per phone call booking fee.
Message From: Mark Reed of Brentwood Theatre
Date: 13/12/10
Message: I just had to share this with you all. Thanks to our lovely cast, Chris Faulkner at All Media Works, and the generosity of David Wood, the playwright, we can bring you the finale of The Plotters of Cabbage Patch Corner on YouTube.
The show officially opened on Saturday evening and we were honoured to have The Deputy Mayor of Brentwood, Cllr Mrs Joan Holmes, present who has contacted me to say it was 'just wonderful'. And so, if you don't mind me saying, it is. We have THE most wonderful cast to work with (we are so lucky every year with the people we get to work with) and this is the result.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUjOhkv9npA
Please click through. And, if you have not yet bought your tickets, please phone 01277 200305 to book. This has to be the best value show around, full of music, dancing, colour and a great story that you will love.
David Wood came to see the show today and we are so pleased that he loved the show. That is great news.
Very best wishes from the whole team.
Mark P Reed
Co-Producer
01277 230833
BRENTWOOD THEATRE COMPANY
This enterprising theatre… is going from strength to strength. Their previous productions of my plays have been inventive and enjoyable.
David Wood, Playwright
15 Shenfield Road Brentwood Essex CM15 8AG
www.brentwood-theatre.org
www.twitter.com/brentwoodtheat
01277 200305 (Box office)
01277 226658 (Stage door)
Share
Favourites
Twitter
Facebook
Email