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!
Calligraphy
Intermediate: Thursday, 1.00pm – 3.00pm
With Jay Ainge
Learn the superlative art of calligraphy.
Learn to Paint and Draw
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
BLOCK 4 WINTER 2026
4 NEW SESSIONS COMING SOON
29th April to 17th June 2026
Suitable for absolute beginners.
£60 for 4 sessions.
Art Summer School 2026
13th April – 27th July 2026
With Bianca Garcia
Join our weekly Summer School where you’ll unlock the secrets of Line and Form, Portraiture, Colour theory and mixing colours, Oil Pastels, Watercolour paints, Negative Space, Chalk Pastels and much more……….
£9 per session.
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!
Spanish Conversation
Learn some basic Spanish to help you get by when on holiday in Spain.
Suitable for beginners.
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!
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.
Dance Fit
With Joanne Libby
Fun, easy to follow routines to get you moving and make you smile! Suitable for all levels. Great music. Various styles. Qualified dance and fitness teacher.
Salsa Dancing
Improvers/Intermediate: Wednesday, 6.00pm – 7.00pm
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!
Negative Space & Using Blacks
Join our weekly Summer School where you'll unlock the secrets of Line and Form, Portraiture, Colour theory and mixing colours, Oil Pastels, Watercolour paints, Negative Space, Chalk Pastels and much more………. All skill levels are welcome – come explore your artistic potential!Mondays- except bank holidays: 6.00pm – 8.00pm* *April 13th to July 27th 2026– Braintree Summer school Sessions with Bianca Garcia. hellopurplehippo@gmail.com For all sessions bring an HB pencil, an eraser, your sketchpad, masking tape. (If a painting session) additionally bring water pots and at least one palette knife for mixing paint, a drawing board would be very helpful. *Please […]
Learn To Paint & Draw – Week 1 (4 Week Taster Course)
With Bianca Garcia 4 week taster course starting Friday, 5th June 2026 12pm – 2pm £36.00 for the full 4 week course payable in advance. → Week 1: Graphite and Charcoal (please bring your own mixed media pad, pencil and charcoal) Week 2: Pastels Oil/Chalk Week 3: Acrylic Paints Week 4: Watercolour Paints Materials will be available to purchase for weeks 2 – 4 at a cost of £2.00 per week. (Learner painting by J. Siebert.)For all sessions bring an HB pencil, an eraser, your sketchpad, masking tape. (If a painting session) additionally bring water pots and […]
Soft “Chalk” Pastels
Join our weekly Summer School where you'll unlock the secrets of Line and Form, Portraiture, Colour theory and mixing colours, Oil Pastels, Watercolour paints, Negative Space, Chalk Pastels and much more………. All skill levels are welcome – come explore your artistic potential!Mondays- except bank holidays: 6.00pm – 8.00pm* *April 13th to July 27th 2026– Braintree Summer school Sessions with Bianca Garcia. hellopurplehippo@gmail.com For all sessions bring an HB pencil, an eraser, your sketchpad, masking tape. (If a painting session) additionally bring water pots and at least one palette knife for mixing paint, a drawing board would be very helpful. *Please […]
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