Thursday 4 April 2024
Our usual round-up of local news includes flooring, willows, cake, puppies and flood grants. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.
Upcoming Compton area events include live music. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.
• Flood grants
West Berkshire Council would like to remind everyone that many of the grants have timescales for applications to be made. One has now closed (business recovery grant) with others closing this month including Community Recovery Grant (upto £500) which closes at 5pm on Friday 12 April 2024 and Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant Scheme (up to £5,000) closing on Tuesday 30 April 2024. The details of the grants are available on Flood Grants – West Berkshire Council.
WBC has received a number of applications already but would like to ensure all who wish to apply have had the opportunity to do so – “so please do share this information within your community.” Any queries relating to these grants should be sent to floodgrants@westberks.gov.uk.
• Other news
• The Compton Players are excited to be performing Wind in the Willows at Compton Village Hall from Thursday 25 April to Saturday 27 April at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Book online at comptonplayers.co.uk or call 07554 842207.
• Manor Crescent, Compton will be closed from Monday 8 to Wednesday 10 April between its junction with Westfields and its junction with Newbury Lane for Thames Water repairs and maintenance. For full details click here.
• On Saturday 18 May Hampstead Norreys WI will be holding their Annual Plant, Cake and Book Sale from 10am to 12 noon in the grounds of St. Mary’s Church. Donations of plants, shrubs or nearly new paperbacks would be gratefully received beforehand. Call 07393 299948
• Earlybird tickets (offering some great savings) are now on sale for the Newbury Show on 21 and 22 September and there are also sponsorship opportunities still available. See more here.
• Quick reminder that new safer flooring is needed for the Compton Sports Pavilion which currently just has a painted concrete floor. Compton Parish Council is requesting donations for the project which Greenham Trust will match-fund through their project on The Good Exchange .
• West Ilsley Willows ladies cricket team is inviting newcomers to join them for this Summer. All abilities welcome, and no previous cricket experience is necessary. Please contact Danni on 07825 819355 for further info.
• Canine Partners is looking for volunteers in West Berkshire to be Puppy Parents (full-time) or Foster Parents (holiday cover) to its puppies-in-training who will go on to become life-changing assistance dogs for physically disabled people. If you or anyone you know would be interested in joining this wonderful community of volunteers, please get in touch here.
• Owl Club at the Hampstead Norreys Community Shop is back on Saturday 27 April with a fun and educational programme for passionate conservationists age 8 and older. In the run up to the first session, they need to collect data for a Europe-wide little owl population survey led by The Little Owl Monitoring Network. If you’d like to contribute, drop an email to hncshop@yahoo.co.uk and you’ll receive all the info on how to investigate whether there are Little Owls nesting in your neck of the woods.
• Would you like to help inspire the future workforce? Education Business Partnership helps prepare our local young people for the world of work, and to do this EBP relies on the support of local businesses and professionals. If you would like to volunteer your expertise please see here for more details.
• The Green Hub on West Berkshire Council’s website is focused on helping people make more sustainable choices collectively along our journey to Net Zero, whether you live, work or learn in West Berkshire or are a business owner or visitor. The information covers energy efficiency, taking climate action, community work and sustainable business.
• The Rural Business Grant Scheme funds micro and small businesses located in rural areas across West Berkshire to help facilitate growth, diversify, and support the rural economy. See details here and how to apply.
• For road closures and other news visit Hampstead Norreys Parish Council‘s facebook page.
• Have your say
Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:
Proposed Licensed Hackney Carriage (Taxi) Fares Deadline 11 April.
Proposed nominations for the Local List of Heritage Assets (March 2024) Deadline 12 May.
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.
• Downland Volunteer Group has a new electric HandeBus. For those wishing to use the HandeBus or volunteer to help the DVG’s work, contact 07713 813 523; dvg.handebus@btinternet.com; or at www.downlandvolgroup.org. More information can also be found here.
• U6, U7 and U16 footballers are welcome at FC Cougars. Please contact graham on graham@fccougars.com.
• 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.
• 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
• Sat 27 Apr The Monkeyfists The Swan, East Ilsley
• Sat 18 May Hampstead Norreys WI Annual Plant, Cake and Book Sale St. Mary’s Church.
• Sat 18 May Wind in the Willows – Compton Players 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.
• Tea and a Chat on Mondays from 9.30am to 11am at the Wilkins Centre in Compton: all welcome.
• Downland Practice – Social Prescribing reminds patients that Hillier’s Garden Centre is delighted to be able to host the Ladies Breakfast Club on the second Wednesday of every month.
• 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.
• 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
• 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 01635 281545 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. If the link is scored through this may be because draft minutes have been replaced by approved ones and the drafts file deleted. If so, please follow the links provided to the council’s website.
• The most recent meeting of Brightwalton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 11 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Community Co-ordinator; the Village Hall; matters arising; financial matters; the annual meeting (13 May); and replacement cherry trees.
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 11 March and you can download the minutes here. items covered included: actions from the previous meeting; the defibrillator; repairs and maintenance; speeding; D-Day; litter-collection costs; and financial matters.
To see the dates, agendas and mintues 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 5 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: financial matters; the neighbourhood plan; repairs and maintenance; and reports from councillors and the Clerk.
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 4 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a report from the ward member; footpaths and byways; highways; planning matters; speeding; financial matters; and repairs and maintenance.
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 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a report from the ward member; hedgerow works; the allotments; reports from the committees and working parties; planning matters; financial matters; and a new working group for the Institute site.
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 West Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 20 February and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: planning matters; financial matters; the Village Hall; the closure of the West Ilsley PC Trust; and flooding.
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 25 January 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 Peasemore Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 24 January 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 Beedon Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 4 January 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. Please click here for details of the planning applications currently active in the parish.
• 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.
• 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.
