The Brentwood Buzz

There's no shortage of places to go on Brentwood High Street to grab a coffee or a snack, including multiple coffee shop chains, but one of the longest establish independent cafes is Cafe Whittakers.With a menu which includes liver and bacon, shepherd's pie and cheese on toast, not to mention fabulous breakfasts, Cafe Whittakers is a place to go to make and to meet friends.In this week's episode of Brentwood's celebratory podcast, The Brentwood Buzz has been to Cafe Whittakers to meet owner Mario and cafe manager, Charlotte.

The Brentwood Buzz is proud of its support of strong, independent women living and working in Brentwood. This week female empowerment and political satire combine as Ginger Soumise brings her Tassels 360 burlesque show to Brentwood Theatre.The Brentwood Buzz has been meet Ginger and discuss the true meaning of burlesque.www.thebrentwoodbuzz.co.uk

Do you like Kipling? I don't know, I've never Kippled. Or so the joke goes (thanks to science teacher Mr Kipling, 1983)The Marlborough Dramatic Club is hoping the audiences of Brentwood like Kipling, because the Club's next show is My Boy Jack by David Haig, based on the heart-breaking story of Rudyard Kipling and his son John (Jack).MDC have done some research and have found there's a Brentwood connection to the story, so The Brentwood Buzz has been to meet some of the cast to find out what and how.My Boy Jack is being performed by the Marlborough Dramatic Club at Brentwood School's Memorial Hall from 22-24 October 2026.https://marlboroughdramaticclub.uk

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!