The Brentwood Buzz

There's a lot to be proud of about the NHS in Brentwood, from Brentwood Community Hospital to our GP surgeries and pharmacies. Overseeing the services on offer in the Borough is Brentwood resident, Tom Abell, who has worked in the NHS for almost twenty years and is now the Chief Executive of the NHS Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) which commissions health services across Essex.

Tom met The Brentwood Buzz to talk about what new services could be coming to Brentwood, why having people on the end of a phone could help some people access NHS services, and what's on offer for water loving dogs in Hartswood.

Clearly, those of us who live in Brentwood know what a great place it is - The Brentwood Buzz was created to reflect some of the great places and people we have here.

But for those wanting to move here, finding a property in the right price range and in the right place can be tricky. That's where estate agents come into their own, and one of the newest faces in town is personal estate agent Josh Vaux-Blake from The Agency UK.

Josh was one of the sponsors of Brentwood Pride and we met up with him there for a chat about buying in Brentwood.

Brentwood's first Pride celebration this last weekend was full of sunshine, rainbows, glitter, music and art, from Brentwood Theatre to the High Street and Crown Street.

The Brentwood Buzz previewed the day's events on Sunday (see S4Ep29) but stayed around for the rest of the day to meet some of those taking part, including drag performers Sirena Hart and Aria Close.

It's Brentwood Pride Day today (6th September) and the High Street from Brentwood Theatre to Crown Street is full of actors, musicians, face painters, artists and rainbows¬

The Brentwood Buzz will bring you chats with some of those who've been taking part in the next week, but for today here's a little taste of what is going on.

This week's episode of The Brentwood Buzz celebrates what it is to be young, ambitious and ready to - as they say in recruitment - demonstrate transferable skills.

Jon Hegan lives in Brentwood and now runs the Jon Hegan Academy in Upminster, teaching Krav Maga, self defence and martial arts.

But before this he was a cadet in Cranham, joined the Marines, left to set up his martial arts business and spend fifteen years working in secure units for young offenders.

It's been a fascinating and varied career, and Jon is this week's guest on The Brentwood Buzz.

https://www.kravmagacombat.com

School's out for summer, and if you're looking for somewhere to take the children without having to go all the way up to London for a show, the summer pantomime - The Wizard of Oz - at Brentwood Theatre could be just the thing for you.

Staged by friend of the podcast (see S4Ep24 and S3Ep27 on Spotify), Sophia-Marie Hornsey, the show runs for three days and promises fun for all the family.

The Brentwood Buzz has been to Brentwood Theatre to meet the cast.

Running your own business is no easy task, as we've heard many times on The Brentwood Buzz when interviewing some of our local independent businesses.

The Lemon Curd Lady - aka Sandra Harnor - sells her curds and marmalades at local farmers markets, fetes and fairs, having set up the business as part of an unexpected retirement plan.

Brentwood's celebratory podcast, The Brentwood Buzz has been to meet The Lemon Curd Lady to find out what brought her to Brentwood and, most importantly, to have a look through the goods in her fridge!

The latest guest on Brentwood's celebratory podcast, The Brentwood Buzz, is Andy Thorn. Currently the General Secretary of the Essex Police Federation, Andy has worked for Essex Police and the Met Police, he's managed the Savoy Theatre in Monmouth, training for the ministry and offered pastoral care to the National Citizen Service when it was running in Suffolk.

We managed to pin him down to ask how many careers one man needs, and how his current work makes sure the police officers who keep us safe in Essex are protected and supported when the demands of 21st century policing hit home.

Brentwood born and bred founder of Sophisticated Entertainment, Sophia-Marie Hornsey is this week's guest on The Brentwood Buzz, Brentwood's celebratory podcast.

Sophia-Marie appeared on the podcast last Christmas when she brought a panto version of Beauty and The Beast to The Brentwood Centre. Now she's back having a chat about how she moved from Pilgrims Hatch Primary School to performing in the West End and on cruise ships to bringing panto to the town.

The latest The Brentwood Buzz is another in our series of podcasts celebrating businesses which are part of Brentwood Connected, the innovative three-High-Street Business Improvement District for Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone.

Nish Patel owns the Shenfield Wine Company, which is the go-to place in Shenfield to pick up a decent bottle of wine, a good whisky and a fine cigar.

The Brentwood Buzz joined him in his Cigar Lounge to talk screw tops, business and Cuban cigars.