Brentwood – The Brentwood Buzz

S3Ep27 It’s Panto Season (Oh Yes It Is) in Brentwood

The Brentwood Buzz heads to Press Night at Sophisticated Entertainment’s Beauty and The Beast at the Brentwood Centre

There is nothing like a dame, especially one who’s singing Nessun Dorma while dressed in a glorious froth of hoops and ruffles and wearing a teapot on her head.

And that’s what you get in this year’s Beauty and The Beast Panto at the Brentwood Centre, together with some fabulous performances from a close team of young actors and a troupe of sassy and talented dancers who – in the main – are still at school.

Local production company Sophisticated Entertainment is putting on the show until 4th January 2026 (https://www.everyoneactive.com/news/the-brentwood-centre-activity-brochure/) at the Brentwood Centre, and invited The Brentwood Buzz along to press night for an all singing, all dancing night of entertainment.

S3Ep26 SNAP Goes Christmas

Brentwood is very proud to be the home of SNAP Charity, an organisation which has been helping children with additional needs and their families for more than 30 years.

SNAP has grown and developed in those years to be the source of information, support and guidance for thousands of families through some of the most difficult of times.

The Brentwood Buzz joined the SNAP team, parents and some very sticky and excited small children for a morning of Festive Fun, with Father Christmas, presents and a couple of elves.

Do find SNAP’s Christmas Survival Guide on its website at snapcharity.org

S3Ep25 Time for Brentwood, Business and a Bacon Butty

The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce brings together businesses large and small from across the Borough of Brentwood, for support, networking and making a difference in the town.

The Chamber works with the Brentwood Improvement District through Brentwood Connected, and ensures the voices of local entrepreneurs are heard when change is afoot.

The Brentwood Buzz got up very early to join some of our local businesses for a bacon butty and a spot of networking at the latest Brentwood Business Breakfast.

http://www.greentornado.co.uk

successionplancoach.com

house of colour.co.uk

djkcleaning.co.uk

brentwoodchamber.co.uk

S3Ep24 Essex Police Bring Christmas Joy to Brentwood Families

The excitement of Christmas, with presents, festive food and even the chance of some snow, on many people’s minds in Brentwood.

But although Brentwood is a relatively well-off Borough, there are some families who struggle, and some vulnerable children who are less likely to get Christmas gifts.

But this is where Essex Police’s Neighbourhood Policing Team has stepped in for the last few years, by identifying children who could do with some cheer in their lives and getting an Amazon wish list together if anyone wants to buy some extra presents for those in need.

The Brentwood Buzz has been finding out how we can all help spread some Christmas joy.

And here’s more information about what the Essex Police Neighbourhood Policing Team in Brentwood is doing this Christmas, with the all important link to the Amazon wish list:

“This festive season, we are running our Christmas Present Appeal again!

We are teaming up with local partners to bring a little extra cheer to families in need. We’re calling on our amazing community to donate new, unwrapped gifts suitable for children and young people of all ages.

Drop-off location: Brentwood NPT, Brentwood Town Hall, Ingrave Road, CM15 8AY

Deadline for donations: 12th December 2025

Every gift makes a difference and helps ensure no child goes without a present this Christmas. Whether it’s toys, books, games, or treats – your generosity can light up someone’s holiday.

Let’s come together and make this season magical for everyone.”

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/1H3LOQPTHOS4E

S3Ep23 Getting Festive with Figo, and a Conversation with a Cabbie

With Christmas and the New Year holiday season looming every closer, the Borough of Brentwood is getting ready to light up, have fun and welcome Father Christmas, many elves and plenty of parties.

The Brentwood Lighting Up Ceremony takes place this weekend – 22nd November – with a focus on bringing the magic of Christmas to the children of the town. Father Christmas will be joining the Rotary Elves on the High Street, Mrs Claus will be in her grotto at the Chicken and Frog Bookshop on Crown Street, and the North Pole Postmistress will be outside the Figo restaurant if anyone wants to send a letter to Santa.

The Brentwood Buzz has been to Figo to meet its Events Manager, Debbie Butcher, who combines events coordination with driving a cab, so is a cracking person to chat with for this latest episode of Brentwood’s most celebratory podcast.

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S3Ep22 Remembrance Day 2025 with Brentwood School

Having spoken last week on The Brentwood Buzz to the Parade Commander, Sarb Singh, of the Brentwood Remembrance Parade, today The Buzz has been to Brentwood School to join its Remembrance Day service, and speak to some of the staff, cadets and pupils as they remembered the fallen in a Drumhead Service in the School Chapel.

Brentwood School – https://www.brentwoodschool.co.uk/

A Splash of Colour for Brentwood’s Remembrance Parade – S3Ep21

Brentwood’s annual Remembrance Sunday Parade takes place on Sunday 9th November 2025, with representatives from Brentwood Borough Council, Essex Police, Essex Fire and Rescue, Royal Mail, Armed Forces, cadet groups, Scouts and Girl Guides marching through the town led by the Brentwood Imperial Youth Band.

The Brentwood Buzz has been to meet the Parade Commander, Sarb Singh, to hear more about the parade. We’ve also caught up with an old friend of the podcast, Mario Corile, whose latest mural on the side of the Spread Eagle pub marks the 80th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War, and popped in to the pub to find out from new landlady, Remi Bassett, why the mural is such a big part of the pub’s presence in the town.

The Brentwood Buzz is a podcast celebrating all that’s good about the people and places of Brentwood, Essex. Please like, comment and share using this website, Facebook or Spotify.

S3Ep20 Brentwood is the Place To Do Business – Brentwood Business Awards 2025

If ever confirmation were needed that Brentwood is the place to do business, the annual Brentwood Business Awards organised by Brentwood Chamber of Commerce is the place to go.

More than two hundred Brentwood business people, local dignitaries, friends and family gathered this week for a glittering awards ceremony at which awards were given for high Street Impact, Community Engagement, Customer Service and Brentwood Business of the Year.

The Brentwood Buzz was there to chat to as many of these fabulous people as possible.

Photos by David Hale

TBB S3Ep19 Backstage with the Brentwood Musical Theatre Society

Brentwood is fortunate to have a unending succession of keen amateur and professional singers, dancers, actors and musicians who perform regularly in musicals, plays and concerts in venues throughout the town.

This month Brentwood Musical Theatre Society – formerly Brentwood Operatic Society – is staging Rock of Ages at the Brentwood Theatre from 21st-25th October, bringing a hit of the 1980s to all those who love a ra-ra skirt and mobile phones the size of bricks.

The Brentwood Buzz joined the team for a rehearsal and to find out what makes the BMTS members give up their time and skills to put on a show.

http://www.brentwoodoperaticsociety.co.uk

http://www.brentwood-theatre.co.uk

s3Ep18 The Progress Sessions – Music, Poetry and all things Climate Action at Hey Joe Music

Brentwood has its own Climate Action Group which is a growing collection of people wanting to talk about what needs to be done to tackle climate change.

But it’s not all climate. Great effort is being made to bring together a community of like-minded people to talk, debate, have picnics on Shenfield Common and, every so often, enjoy and evening of poetry and music.

Hey Joe Music, just off Crown Street, was the venue for the latest evening of words and music, and The Brentwood Buzz was there to meet Brentwood Climate Action chair, Kat Anderson, and singer/songwriter, Lucy Blu.

https://www.lucybluofficial.com/