How far away the 2012 Olympics seemed when London’s successful bid was announced just 18 months ago. But here we are in 2007, just 5 years to go and suddenly it starts to seem not far away at all, especially when there is so much to be done to make sure the London games are the best ever.

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.

Next month we have our annual members’ meeting, hosted this year by chamber member Brentwood School. It will mark the start of a fresh set of challenges for us, as it will for all our members.

Brentwood Chamber of Commerce’s annual members meeting in May, splendidly hosted by Brentwood School, was characterised by a general feeling of optimism for the future of Brentwood. The school celebrates its 450th anniversary this year and they are naturally proud of their historic traditions, but, at the same time, they are very focussed on the future and what they need to do to equip their pupils to meet the challenges of the modern world.

I Saw The Past

Maisie Grover Year 4 Mountnessing C. Of E. Primary School

St Mary’s School, Shenfield

Lara Segal, Year 6, Herington House School

An Adventure in Brentwood

Michael Adams, Age 7 Class 2SW, St Mary’s School, Shenfield

Lucy Millet, Year 1, Woodlands School Hutton Manor

By James McLeish, Year 3, Woodlands School Hutton Manor.

Rachel Loos-Bennett, Year 4, Larchwood Primary School

Anna Yoganathan 5KB, Brentwood Prep School

By Ewan Whannell, Class 5JG

Hutton All Saints School

St Mary’s School, Shenfield

Businesses in Brentwood will be able to find out how the new fire regulations affect their businesses and how to plan to minimise risk of fire, when a senior officer from Essex Fire and Rescue Service is the guest speaker at the next Networking Lunch. This is being held by Brentwood Chamber of Commerce on Thursday 25 January 2007.

Brentwood Chamber of Commerce is inviting businesses across Brentwood to bring their staff along to a special Christmas lunch on Thursday 14 December 2006.

For our November meeting we are pleased to have with us the Leader of Brentwood Borough Council, Councillor Brandon Lewis.