Thursday 17 August 2023
This week we cover sales, arty party painting, coffee, tea, summer activities and local degrees – plus our usual round-up of other local news, local events and activities and news from your local councils.
This week’s news
• Local resident Sarah Li-Rouse is organising a village community tabletop garden/driveway sale on Sunday 3 September from 9am to 2pm. This will be a great opportunity to have a declutter and sell any unwanted clothing, toys, furniture or delicious edible treats or anything homemade, to get the kids involved. If you are interested then please contact Sarah on facebook or on sarahlirouse@gmail.com with your address and a brief description of what you will be selling, and she will create a map of Compton highlighting the properties for people to visit.
• Enjoy an Arty Party Painting Party at The Swan at East Illsley on Thursday 31 August from 7pm to 9.30pm with Jill Hobbs Art. £35 per person, all materials included. Contact jillhobbsart@outlook.com to book your space.
• There’s still time to apply to achieve a degree locally at University Centre Newbury which runs its own clearing process in-house, by the people who actually deliver and support your programmes. This gives you direct access to the information, advice and guidance you need to make an informed choice about your studies – whether you’ve just finished sixth form and have changed your mind about the university, your recent A Level results have surprised you or if you’re a professional looking to advance in your career.
• Newbury Show on 16 and 17 September is offering a special price of £300 (normally £500) on a 3m x 3m stall for local artists, artisans and craftspeople based within 15 miles of the showground. For how to apply please click here.
• The free school uniform TUXchange shop in Newbury posts its opening times each week on Facebook. You don’t have to swap – you can take items for free or make a small donation.
• The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley is urging residents to complete its ongoing local crime survey. The survey is an opportunity for Berkshire residents to share their experiences and have a say in how local policing services are shaped. Have your say here.
• On Saturday 30 September from 10am to 12noon there will be a Macmillan Coffee Morning, in the Village Hall. Come chat to old friends and meet new ones, over a cuppa and a slice of delicious cake. Free entry, just donate what ever you would like for your coffee and cake.There will also be stalls in the Hall, selling locally made, grown or picked goodies. Get in touch with Chantal Cornelius if you’d like a stall, or if you can bake/donate a cake, or help out on the day.
• The Downland Practice – Social Prescribing suggest you check out these amazing meal deals for children during the summer break. See here for details.
• Are you a local community or voluntary sports or physical activity club that would like to meet with other groups across West Berkshire. Then register here for the Sports Forum, run by the West Berkshire Volunteer Centre.
• Afternoon Teas at St. Mary’s Church, Aldworth on every Wednesday until the end of September between 2.30pm and 4.30pm. Delicious homemade cakes in the company of The Aldworth Giants statues in the church. For further details and to book groups please contact Gill on 01635 578624 or gillwilding@hotmail.com.
• Click here for the 2022-23 annual report from the excellent Citizens Advice West Berkshire which has recently been published.
• Our Summer Holiday Guide includes lots to do with your kids this summer including West Berks Council’s Summer HAF (Holiday Activities & Food) Programme which offers everything from coding to kayaking, with free spaces for children and young people eligible for free school meals.
• Brightwalton Village Hall welcomes footballers on the field next door on Wednesday evenings. Kick off at 7pm for all players over 15 years old.
• For road closures and other news visit Hampstead Norreys Parish Council‘s facebook page.
• Quick reminder about Citizens Advice West Berkshire and the Public Protection Partnership’s advice about scams and how to protect yourself and what to do if you get caught. There is no shame if you do get caught out by scammers and you must seek help and warn others.
• A quick reminder that all are welcome to enjoy Tea and a Chat on Mondays from 9.30am to 11am at the Wilkins Centre in Compton.
• There is a Drop Off/Drop In Coffee Morning every Wednesday during term time at Brightwalton Church from 8.45 to 10am.
• For the latest Chaddleworth newsletter please see here.
Community notices
• See Compton Parish Council’s website for a list of current scams going around in the area that you should be aware of.
• St Mary & St Nicholas, Compton has a drop-in café from 2.30pm to 4pm on the last Wednesday of every month at the Village Hall in Compton. Tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits are on offer and the chance for a friendly chit-chat. Open to anyone.
• Recovery in Mind and The Downland Practice host a free one hour introduction session for local adults wishing to further their knowledge on wellbeing and mental health. Please contact pm.downland@nhs.net to book your place.
• Free tea, coffee, cake and biscuits at The Wilkins Centre in Compton from 9.30 am to 11 am every Monday.
• Compton Karate based at Aldworth Village Hall is a small and friendly dojo that welcomes new members.
• More local hosts are needed for people escaping the war in Ukraine. If you could consider hosting a Ukrainian refugee or family, please get in contact with the local support group or visit westberks.gov.uk/homesforukraine.
• For how to avoid scams and what to do if you unluckily get caught, please see important advice here from Citizen’s Advice.
Local events and activities
For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.
• Regular events and groups
• Stay, Play and Learn at Compton Village Hall on Thursday mornings during term for children 0-4 years to socialise with others, exploring a variety of play activities and crafts. Book online with West Berkshire Council here.
• The Handybus service to Wantage picks up Chaddleworth and Leckhamstead residents from their homes on the second and fourth Tuesday morning. The round trip will cost £4. See here for more details and how to book.
• Marcham Cricket Club welcomes new cricket players and officials.
• The Aldworth Saturday Market at Aldworth Village Hall, RG8 9SE from 10.30am to midday sells fresh fruit and vegetables, groceries, stamps and cards; and also offers freshly-brewed tea or coffee and biscuits to customers for only 50p. For further details please contact Kathy on 01635 578090 or e-mail kathyneville@outlook.com
• The Gents Breakfast Club created by The Downland Practice – Social Prescribing is proving popular. If you would like more information please contact nicky.ager@nhs.net.
• Compton Tots on the first and third Thursday of every month at Compton Village Hall from 9.30am to 11am. Providing a safe, fun and educational space, in partnership will Compton Pre-school for 0-5 years and costs £2 per family (cash only).
• Quiz night at The Crown and Horns in East Ilsley every Thursday from 7pm with prizes to be won. You can reserve a table by calling 01635281545 and see more information here.
• Brickleton Babes Baby and Toddler Group in Brightwalton Village Hall. Join their facebook group for details.
• Autumn Group regular meetings include the Hobbies Club at the Wilkins Centre, Compton. Visit their facebook page for details. Anyone from surrounding villages very welcome.
• Aldworth Art/Painting Group at the Aldworth Village Hall on first and third Tuesday of every month from 9.30am to noon. Details on the East Ilsley Communicator (issue 105, p 21) here.
• Aldworth Craft Group meet at Aldworth Village Hall on the second and fourth Monday of every month (within the school term time) from 10am to noon. More details in the East Ilsley Communicator (issue 105, p 16), which you can download here.
• Hampstead Norreys Village Hall club and event information is on Hampstead Norreys Community website.
• Ilsley Under Fives meet every Wednesday between 10am to 11.30am at various locations throughout the Ilsley villages. Please join their Facebook group or a see details here.
News from your local council
Note: “the most recent meeting” refers to the most recent one for which minutes (in some cases draft) or some other summary is available. Other meetings may have taken place since. Some councils publish minutes more promptly than do others.
• The most recent meeting of Compton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 18 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a report from the ward member; reports from the working parties; the Memorial Gardens; the play areas; planning matters; and financial matters.
To see the dates of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the agendas, please click here. To see the minutes click here. Please click here for the latest on Compton’s neighbourhood development plan (which has now been ratified).
• The most recent meeting of Brightwalton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 17 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a councillor co-option; the community co-ordinator; the Village Hall; matters arising; dog bins; repairs and maintenance; speeding; highways; financial matters; and an aggressive dog.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Peasemore Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 11 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a report from the ward member; the parish plan; the village website; the SSE outage; the proposed bike track; and financial matters.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Aldworth Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 10 July and you can download the minutes here. items covered included: the defibrillator; repairs and maintenance; overhanging vegetation; financial matters; and a Thames Valley Police drop-in session, provisionally agreed for 29 July.
To see the dates, agendas and mintues for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Beedon Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 5 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: reports from councillors and the Clerk; planning matters; PC assets; and financial matters.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see minutes from past meetings please click here. Please click here for details of the planning applications currently active in the parish.
• The most recent meeting of West Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 22 June and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see minutes from past meetings please click here.
• The most recent meetings of Ashampstead Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 22 May and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Hampstead Norreys Council for which minutes are available took place on 18 May and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of East Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 16 May and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• The most recent meeting of Chaddleworth Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 9 May and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.
• Compton & Downlands area council contacts
Parishes: Hampstead Norreys Parish Council, Compton Parish Council, Ashampstead Parish Council, Beedon Parish Council, Chaddleworth Parish Council, Brightwalton Parish Council, Peasemore Parish Council, Aldworth Parish Council, West Ilsley Parish Council and East Ilsley Parish Council.
West Berkshire Council: click here to visit the website.
News from other areas
Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Burghfield area; Wantage area; Marlborough area.
News and views from across the area and beyond: please see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.
Archives
To see earlier Compton & Downlands & Surrounding Area Weekly News columns, please click here.
