Tag Archives: Businesses

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

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.

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.

2023 S1Ep2 Julian Goode – If I Could Walk 500 Miles

In memory of Julian Goode

This episode was recorded in January 2023 on a sunny day at the Pavilion at King George’s Playing Fields when Julian was in good health and keen to get back to walking. Sadly, the ailments persisted and Julian died at the end of December 2025. He is greatly missed, and this second ever episode of The Brentwood Buzz exists in memory of his cheerful, determined, stoicism and humour.

Summary

S1Ep2 The Brentwood Buzz is back, with walking boots on and out in the open air with Julian Goode. Julian’s survived leukaemia and lockdown in the the last four years and has walked 500 miles across all four countries of the UK to raise money and awareness. And, in the words of the Proclaimers, he will walk 500 more as he’s set up a business giving all of us the chance to have a good walk in the countryside and woods around Brentwood and Essex.

The Brentwood Buzz is hosted by Kay Bellwood. You can find out more about Julian and his walks at GoodeWalks.co.uk

2023 S1Ep1 Cllr Mark Reed…and a hedgehog

S1Ep1 The Brentwood Buzz’s first guest is Mark Reed, a current Brentwood Borough Councillor and a former Mayor of Brentwood, who used to run Brentwood Theatre and now wrangles animals at children’s parties.

Addendum

My lovely friend Mark died suddenly on 5th July 2025. Hundreds of people attended his funeral at St Thomas’s Church in the centre of Brentwood, and his coffin was adorned with his Mayoral hat.

Mark’s animals were rehomed with friends and fellow animal wranglers.

A bench in his memory was installed by Brentwood Borough Council, with the encouragement and support of his fellow ward councillors, Mellissa Slade and Roger Hirst, and his sisters, Kim and Lynne.

We all miss Mark. He was the best of men.

Photo by Mark – Chesney Hawkes, Alex Burghart MP and Cllr Mark Reed – combining Mark’s passion for theatre and politics.