Coming Together In Billericay

Billericay is one of the county’s popular commuter towns, situated just 28 miles east of Central London, but it is also a location with a thriving community. Petra Hornsby takes a closer look at two projects that have enhanced the town and its appeal

- Petra Hornsby

 BILLERICAY is believed to date back to the Bronze Age and there is also significant evidence unearthed from various locations that reveal the Romans were also probable occupants. However, Saxons opted to make Great Burstead, two miles south of Billericay, their base and indeed Billericay was officially part of the parish of Great Burstead – adding to the growing number of urban settlements during the 13th century.

Like most towns today, Billericay is served well by pubs, restaurants and cafes as historically the town had a need for a good quota of inns due to the many pilgrims passing though during the 13th and 14th centuries en route to Canterbury. Pilgrims were certainly less interested in downtime entertainment than today’s population, but it seems that Billericay’s residents have come up with two great ways to provide not only purpose through recreation, but enjoyment too – and both with community in mind.

The idea for Billericay’s Community Cinema started in May 2015. Essex County Council was running Billericay’s Big Do and looking at introducing other activities into the library to maximise its use. Local people and library users were asked to submit their suggestions, which included bee keeping on the flat roof and drama classes, but the idea for a cinema which screened films regularly seemed most popular.

Adam Adshead, who is now chairman of the cinema committee, explains how this idea was developed. ‘We went away and did plenty of research, and six months later, with a committee formed and through successful fundraising and backing from both Essex County Council and Billericay Town Council, the first show went ahead in October that year,’ says Adam.