Article from Mike Hawkins JP - Executive Secretary of Brentwood Chamber of Commerce ; for Brentwood Gazette February 2007

Chamber’s Community Activities

Brentwood Chamber of Commerce is very proud of our long tradition of contributing to the well-being of our local community, not just focussing exclusively on our members’ business interests – though obviously that is our first priority as a trade association.

An example of what I am referring to is one of our current initiatives for which a Chamber Executive Committee member. Angela Rogers, has organised a competition for primary school children. It is a Creative Story-Writing Competition, designed to encourage children to show their narrative writing skills, and serves to complement the demands of the national curriculum.

Already we have had a good response and the entries are starting to flow in. The judges are all professionals and the winners will be presented with their prizes at a ceremony to be held at St. Mary’s CEVA Primary School in Shenfield on 1st March.

A further example of our activities in what might be thought of as not strictly business is our support for the Council-led Health Awareness week, also taking place in March (19th to 23rd). Though this is aimed at everyone who is keen to promote healthy living, including schools, of course, business can only benefit from a better understanding and focus on staff health issues. We will be encouraging our members to take part. And I would urge readers to do so too. You will be able to find out details over the next few weeks in the Press and in various publicity materials.

Why not join in and give it a go?



Mike Hawkins
Executive Secretary
8th February 2007