Compton & Downlands Weekly News, Thursday 11 January 2024

Compton & Downland Weekly News header

Thursday 11 January 2024

Our usual round-up of  local news includes: a closure,  clothes, volunteers, football and refills – plus an invite to the Pang Valley Flood Forum exhibition and flood support information. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Compton area events include: WI talk and mobile refill shop. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities

This week’s news

• For more support and information around the flooding situaton (see below). The Met Office also has tips on staying safe in icy conditions.

Friends of Compton Primary School request donations of Christmas jumpers and shirts to sell next year. If you can help please email Contact.focps@gmail.com.

• Compton’s very own Joli Beattie of Cloud Nine Podiatry will be talking at The Swan, Compton on Saturday 13 January at 10am about the impact of menopause on our feet and what we can do to help.

Refill your household and personal cleaning products at the Thatcham Refillable mobile shop outside Compton Village Hall Thursday 18 January, 12pm to 1pm. Deliveries can also be arranged. Contact Jenny and Tom at Thatcham Refillable for details. They are also collecting plastic sweet and cracker tubs until 30 January.

Burrell Road in Compton will be closed until Tuesday 16 January 2024. The closure is for Thames Water to repair defects within the carriageway and the work is expected to be carried out in two phases, one phase between its junction with Manor Crescent and its junction with Gordon Crescent, and the second phase from the junction of Gordon Crescent to the junction of Shepherds Mount. Residential access will be maintained throughout, and the diversion will be signed on site.  Blue light access will be available throughout. All enquiries should be directed to: Morrison Water Services on 08003 169 800. A plan of the closure can be found at here.

• Have you got a car, some spare time and would like to make a difference in your local community Volunteer Driver Service Berkshire need your help. You’ll receive 45p per mile starting from your door, organised around your availability and preferences. Please email:info@volunteerdriverservice.org.uk to find out more.

• FC Cougars currently have spaces for footballers U6s, U7s and Under 16s. If you are interested contact graham on graham@fccougars.com

• For road closures and other news visit Hampstead Norreys Parish Council‘s facebook page.

• Flood support

The flooding situation is probably going to last for a few weeks. As the ground is already saturated with water it will take a while for surface water to drain away. Here is a video statement about the West Berkshire Council’s response to flooding by Stuart Gourley, Executive Portfolio Holder for Climate Action, Recycling & Biodiversity. This short video from the Environment Agency explains what groundwater flooding is. Please see here a range of support and advice for affected communities:

• Pang Valley Flood Forum exhibition

The Pang Valley Flood Forum, in collaboration with West Berkshire Council, Project Groundwater and local parish councils, invites you to the Pang Valley Flood Protection Exhibition on Saturday 20 January, from 1.00pm to 6.00pm at the Hampstead Norreys Village Hall, RG18 0TR.

“The exhibition will,” a statement from West Berkshire Council says, “bring together an impressive collection of organisations dedicated to tackling flood-related concerns in the Pang Valley area. It’s absolutely FREE to attend, and no booking is required. Here’s what’s in store for you at this informative exhibition:

  • Discover Local Projects: Get first-hand information on the latest local flood protection initiatives and learn how they’re safeguarding your community.
  • Meet the Experts: Engage in conversations with key organisations, including the Pang Valley Flood Forum, West Berkshire Council, Project Groundwater, Environment Agency, Thames Water, and more. They’re here to listen and answer your questions, provide advice and support, and share valuable insights about flood preparedness.
  • Hands-On Experience: Witness innovative flood protection devices in action and explore the incredible ‘Floodmobile‘, a flood house on wheels equipped with around 50 different property flood protection measures. It’s your chance to see directly how to make your home more flood resilient.”

For more information, click here.

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

Latest local newsletters

Community notices

Have your say on current consulations by West Berkshire Council. Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

Drop-in café at St Mary & St Nicholas, Compton on the last Wednesday afternoon of the month at Compton Village Hall. Refreshments and friendly chit-chat. Open to anyone.

• Compton Parish Council is keen to remind residents to please take rubbish home with them if litter bins are full.

• 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. There is no shame if you do get caught out by scammers (Penny has) and you must seek help and warn others.


Local events and activities

For more information on events and activities across the Penny Post area, see the website calendar.

• Dates for the diary

Mon 15 Jan Bingo The Swan, Compton.

Thu 18 Jan Thatcham Refillable Mobile Shop, Compton Village Hall.

• 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.

• All are welcome to enjoy Tea and a Chat on Mondays from 9.30am to 11am at the Wilkins Centre in Compton.

Wellbeing and mental health free one hour introduction session with Recovery in Mind and The Downland Practice. Please contact pm.downland@nhs.net to book your place.

• Drop Off/Drop In Coffee Morning every Wednesday during term time at Brightwalton Church from 8.45 to 10am.

Free coffee and cake morning at The Wilkins Centre in Compton from 9.30 am to 11 am every Monday.

• The Aldworth Saturday Market at Aldworth Village Hall, RG8 9SE from 10.30am to midday sells fresh fruit and vegetables, groceries, stamps and cards; tea and coffee. Contact Kathy on 01635 578090 or e-mail kathyneville@outlook.com

Brightwalton footballers on the field next to Brightwalton Village Hall on Wednesday evenings. Kick off at 7pm for all players over 15 years old.

• 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 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 West Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 18 December and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: planning matters; financial matters; the Village Hall; and a report from the ward member.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees) please click here.

• The most recent meeting of Compton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 4 December and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a report from the ward member; 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 herePlease click here for the latest on Compton’s neighbourhood development plan (which has now been ratified).

• The most recent meeting of East Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 14 November and you can download 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 Aldworth Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 13 November and you can download the minutes here.
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 25 October and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click hereTo 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 Peasemore Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 25 October and you can download 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 28 September 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 12 September and you can read the minutes here. (There was also a meeting on 19 December to consider one planning application, the minutes of which you can read here.)
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.

• The most recent meeting of Brightwalton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 11 September 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 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.


Archives

To see earlier Compton & Downlands & Surrounding Area Weekly News columns, please click here.

Brian Quinn
Author: Brian Quinn

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