Brentwood – Page 5 – The Brentwood Buzz

S3Ep17 The Golden Arches Return to Brentwood

There was a time, in the dim and distant past, when Brentwood had two McDonald’s restaurants – one on the High Street, and a drive-thru on the Mountnessing roundabout. Then they both closed and those with a taste for McNuggets or a Happy Meal had to travel to Chelmsford or even Romford for a full fat fix.

But this year, McDonald’s reopened on Brentwood High Street under the watchful eye of former McDonald’s Customer Care Assistant turned current franchisee, Joey Antwi-Kusi. The Brentwood Buzz has been to meet Joey, and to go behind the scenes in the shiny new Brentwood Maccy-D’s.

S3Ep16 Camping With 1st Warley Cubs at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome

It’s not often The Brentwood Buzz ventures outside the Borough of Brentwood, but sometimes a great opportunity presents itself and cannot be missed.

This was the case when 1st Warley Cubs decided to spend a night camping at the Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome near Danbury with the aim of earning their Stage 1 and 2 Air Activities Badge – and to learn more about this historic airfield and all that happened here between 1915 and 1919.

Here’s a podcast about the aerodrome, camping with Cubs and how a weekend with friends is just the best thing.

https://www.stowmaries.org.uk/

S3Ep14 Black and Being Essex

Brentwood is hosting its first International Cultural Festival this September (2025), with talks, films, food and activities from local people who have come to the town from a multitude of countries and cultures.

From those who came to Brentwood to work for the Ford Motor Company, and skilled workers who were invited to the UK to work in the NHS, to those who came from Ukraine to escape the war with Russia, and those who came for love, there are many people living in the town who bring different cultural experiences to this part of Essex.

The Brentwood Buzz has met Preen Chakadonha, who has set up a website http://www.blackandbeingessex.co.uk, to enable the black community in Essex to share resources, advice and – very importantly – tips on where to find a good hairdresser.

http://www.blackandbeingessex.co.uk

S3Ep13 The Heart of Brentwood – Celebrating 30 Years of the British Heart Foundation Shop

Brentwood High Street has an eclectic mix of shops, from High Street chains to independent stores to charity shops.

One of the charity shops which has been offering the chance to recycle unwanted goods, and to grab a bargain, is the British Heart Foundation outlet, which is celebrating 30 years on Brentwood High Street this year.

The Brentwood Buzz has been to visit the shop to find out what’s kept it going for three decades, and to meet some of the staff and volunteers.

The Brentwood Buzz is a podcast celebrating all that’s good about the people and places of Brentwood, Essex

2025 S3Ep9 Anything for a Biscuit – Essex Therapy Dogs Take the Lead

Spending time with a dog is many people’s idea of the best time ever. The absolute adoration and love a dog can give is so special, and the charity Essex Therapy Dogs recognises this.

They have 288 dogs across Essex who, with their owners and entirely voluntarily, spend time in schools, care homes, hospitals, airports and workplaces, just being dogs. And this means people who are sad, stressed, anxious or ill get the chance to stroke, play with and enjoy all a dog can offer.

The Brentwood Buzz has been to meet Maple and Jessie, two of the Essex Therapy Dogs for this week’s podcast.

If you want to find out more about Essex Therapy Dogs you can contact them via their website: https://essextherapydogs.co.uk/

2024 S2Ep13 Keeping Safe in Brentwood with Meridian Kung Fu and Essex Police

Brentwood is a town with low crime levels and a general feeling of safety. But some people, especially women, feel less safe when out for a run or walking home in the dark.

In the last couple of years Essex Police and Brentwood Borough Council have worked with local martial arts instructors to offer free self defence classes to anyone who wants to sign up to come along.

The Brentwood Buzz has been to join them.

2024 S2Ep5 The Beast of Brentwood

If you thought the Beast of Brentwood was a large black panther-like creature spotted roaming the town’s parks in the early 2000s, think again.

Today’s Beast is the bane of Brentwood Park Run’s participants – a lung-challenging 5k course around Weald Country Park.

The Brentwood Park Run is one of the friendliest and most inclusive free activities available in the town on a Saturday morning, so The Brentwood Buzz has donned some running shoes and headed off to Weald Park for a bit of a weekend workout.

If this sounds like your sort of thing, you can find out how to register for the Brentwood Park Run at http://www.parkrun.org.uk/brentwood

2023 S1Ep24 Chantilly – The Pink Place on Crown Street

If you’ve not popped into Chantilly aka The Pink Cafe on Crown Street for a spot of lunch, a cup of coffee, or one of their amazing afternoon teas, you’ve been missing out!

Co-owned and run by two cousins, Natalie and Sally, Chantilly is a great little independent tearoom. The Brentwood Buzz visited Chantilly and co-owner Natalie Sutherland to find out why the cafe has become the go-to place for people needing a coffee and a catch up.

2023 S1Ep6 Chicken and Frog Bookshop – Natasha Radford

Nestled in the heart of Brentwood’s wonderful Crown Street is the Chicken and Frog bookshop, run by Natasha and Jim Radford. The bookshop provides a focus for young readers wanting to find new inspiration, and for adults who want to read something which might be less widely available online or in High Street chains. The shop embraces diversity and everyone is made to feel welcome – unless they are a chicken…

This week The Brentwood Buzz visits the Chicken and Frog to meet owner Natasha Radford to find out what Brentwood, and books, mean to her.

S1Ep3 John Brandler and Banksy

Summary

S1Ep3 Tucked away on a small row of shops behind Brentwood High Street is Brandler Galleries. Its owner, fine art dealer and street art collector, John Brandler has lived in Brentwood all his life and has become known as a world expert on the art of Banksy. The Brentwood Buzz has been to meet John to find out what keeps him in Brentwood and why Banksy holds such a fascination for him.