Weekly BBCA Classes
Our classes and workshops generally run weekly during term time (September to July) and are delivered by experienced tutors.
Art, craft, and language classes: £9.00 weekly.
Exercise and yoga classes: £7.50 weekly.
Arts and Crafts
£9.00 weekly
Creative Sewing
With Essex Handicrafts Association
A creative sewing opportunity as well as work with group sessions. The a chance to just sit and slow stitch, social stitch and learn a stitch. All welcome.
Acrylic & Watercolour Art
Tuesday, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
With David Pasfield
Relaxed learning about and practise of acrylic or watercolour painting skills. David will work with you in your chosen medium.
Prick 'n' Stitch
With Carol Vince & Ellen Payne
A wonderful artistic card can be produced by pricking tiny holes in card and then stitching into them. Join the group to learn how easy stunning detailed pieces can be made!
Learn to Paint and Draw
12.00pm – 2.00pm from 11th September
With Bianca Garcia
Start drawing and painting with step-by-step demonstrations, practical exercises, and insightful tips.
Mastering Watercolours
With Bianca Garcia
An encouraging environment to explore, experiment and develop the process of painting; to find your own unique way of using the wonderful medium of watercolour.
Patchwork From The Start
16th September – 9th December
Explore patchwork techniques while getting to know your sewing machine in these fun, relaxed sessions.
£105 for the full 7-week course.
Creative Writing for Fun
8th – 29th October 2026
With Bianca Garcia
This four-week foundation creative writing course is designed to help absolute beginners overcome the blank page, discover their unique voice, and learn the foundational elements of storytelling in a supportive environment.
£36 for the full four-week course.
Art History for Beginners
7th – 28th January 2027
£45 for the full four-week course.
Illustration
12th November – 10th December 2026
With Bianca Garcia
A Beginners Guide to Traditional Illustration. A five week course aimed at beginners with no industry experience.
£45 for the full course, payable in advance.
Languages
£9.00 weekly
French Conversation
With Peter Schaad
We offer beginners and intermediate learners the chance to speak conversational languages with well practised tutors. Register for the language of your choice to brush up your holiday skills!
Italian Conversation
With Peter Schaad
We offer beginners and intermediate learners the chance to speak conversational languages with well practised tutors. Register for the language of your choice to brush up your holiday skills!
German Conversation
With Peter Schaad
We offer beginners and intermediate learners the chance to speak conversational languages with well practised tutors. Register for the language of your choice to brush up your holiday skills!
Spanish Conversation
With Gema Jimenez
Learn some basic Spanish to help you get by when on holiday in Spain.
Suitable for beginners.
Spanish for Beginners
With Gema Jimenez
Exercise & Wellness
£7.50 weekly
Chair Yoga
Chair Yoga offers a gentle yet effective way to enhance flexibility, build strength, alleviate joint pressure and overall well-being.
Pilates
Thursday 5.45pm – 6.45pm
With Joanne Libby
Pilates is a fantastic method used to help improve strength, flexibility, mobility, overall movement and tone.
Serenity Yoga
With Louise
Mindful Movement – Meditation – Breath Work. Gentle Hatha Yoga. Suitable for every BODY.
Beginners very welcome.
Salsa Dancing
Beginners: Monday, 7.15pm – 8.15pm
Yoga with Louise
With Louise Marshall
A friendly, fun and inclusive yoga session.
Vinyasa Flow Yoga
With Katie Stewart
An uplifting, energetic yoga class designed to support physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Swing & Sway
Starting 5th February
With Jackie Scott
Learn some simple steps that will make you feel amazing. Beginners welcome.
Go on … give it a go!
Workshops
We also run a variety of special workshops and courses outside of the weekly class programme, which can be a great opportunity to have a go at something you’ve always wanted to try, or just spend a few hours on a fun project. Look out for our occasional Saturday School classes, as well as the Braintree Summer School!
Textile Hub October 2026
Rehoming Sale of Craft and Textile Goods At Braintree Community Centre Tea and coffee available. We have stocks of fabric, buttons, cottons, card making & some good papercraft items for sale at affordable prices.
Gold Leafing: Embossing and the Art of Illuminated Manuscripts
Elevate your artistic practice with the timeless craft of illuminated manuscripts. Join us for an immersive, hands-on workshop where you will master metal leaf gilding techniques and intricate metallic embossing to create stunning, radiant artwork. What You'll Learn: The delicate art of applying genuine metal leaf and creating raised, textured embossing inspired by historic illuminated manuscripts. Who It's For: Designed specifically for adult learners of all skill levels—from curious beginners to practicing artists seeking to add a luxurious dimension to their work. We will also look at the traditional colours and illustration style of the times to enhance your work. Space is strictly limited to ensure individual guidance.
Late Autumn Gardens – In Thick & Thin Acrylics
With David Pasfield. Using an underpainting technique to apply a first impression painting, followed by texture build-up using a palette knife with heavy body acrylics in an impasto style. Equipment & Materials - Acrylic paints – vibrant colours (Winsor & Newton Galeria range are good) – do not worry if you do not have a large range of colours, the tutor can provide some extra. - Extra heavy matt gel (impasto). - Canvas or MDF or hardboard, pre-primed with white gesso. At least 50x50 cm in size. - Large bristle brushes and palette knife - Easel – preferably free-standing but a table easel will suffice. - Palette – stay-wet palette or greaseproof paper sheets clipped to cardboard backing is adequate. - 2 water pots and roll of kitchen towels. Free refreshments provided, but bring or buy your own lunch. Please arrive around 9am to set up your equipment.
Other Classes and Meetings
These sessions are run by outside hirers so fees will vary and are paid directly to the organiser.
For further information and contact details, please see our Community Partners & Affiliates page.
Rethink Art Group
Tuesday, 1.00pm – 4.00pm
A mental health support group – not a drop in group.
Armchair Exercise
Wednesday, 9.30am – 10.30am
Easy exercise class.
Parkinson’s UK
Fourth Thursday of the month, 2.00pm – 4.00pm
People with Parkinson’s, family and friends – come along and enjoy our friendly meetings and take part in gentle exercise and singing if you wish to – suitable for all levels of ability.
Dolphin Women’s Institute
Fourth Thursday of the month, 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Dolphin WI is a member of The Essex Federation whose head office is based in Hatfield Peverel.
Al-Anon
Tuesday, 8.00pm – 9.30pm