Thursday 19 September 2024
Our usual round-up of local news includes bags, books, buses, giants, clowns, cake – plus a reminder about a water consultation and this weekend’s Newbury Show. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.
Upcoming Compton area events include Happy’s Circus and Family Prize Bingo. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.
• Project Groundwater
Project Groundwater is working to identify, design and test measures that could increase property flood resilience to groundwater flooding, reduce the risk of groundwater flooding reaching properties and improve community resilience during groundwater flood events.
The latest newsletter explains: “This will support the creation of a best practice toolkit for communities at risk of groundwater flooding. Therefore, we are releasing our Flood Experience Questionnaire in the Pang Valley and the Lambourn Valley. We will release this questionnaire in our other communities in the future; see our website for more information on when.
“This questionnaire has been developed to increase our understanding of how groundwater flooding impacts you and the existing levels of resilience within your community. The responses to this questionnaire will help shape the research and innovation to be undertaken as part of the project, with the aim of identifying and implementing measures that will help you respond to future groundwater flood events. This questionnaire will be used to identify properties to receive a free Property Flood Resilience Survey as part of this research.”
For more information and to take part in the questionnaire (which closes on 30 September), please click here.
• The Newbury Show
The 2024 Newbury Show takes place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September – indeed, this very weekend. More information can be found by clicking here.
Recently updated news include arable farming in action, a driving experience, tweaks to the layout, parking advice and the 2024 Showground map.
• This week’s news
• There are a few tickets still available for Happy’s Circus this Saturday 21 September from 12noon in aid of Friends of Compton Primary School. Get your tickets here.
• The Downs School and Compton C of E Primary School will be at the Newbury Show this Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September. Find them in the Education Tent as part of The Downland Federation. Newbury Show tickets are available here.
• Quick reminder that Afternoon Teas with the Aldworth Giants, St Mary’s Church continue until the end of September. A selection of delicious homemade cakes and treats is served with teas, coffees and much more from 2.30pm to 4.30pm on Wednesdays.
• Did you know that West Berkshire Library Wellbeing Bags include a great mix of books, activities and ideas to help you maintain your health and wellbeing? As shorter days approach this is a great resource which you can borrow for free with your West Berkshire Libraries card or reserve via its online catalogue here and then collect it from any library or the Mobile Library. Book groups can also borrow sets of 10 copies of your chosen title and have over 200 sets for you to choose from. Please email library@westberks.gov.uk for details.
• Calling local authors – showcase your work at Newbury Library’s Local Author Book Fair on Saturday 23 November. It’s a perfect opportunity for members of the public to chat to local authors about what they have published and to network. A table costs £10. If you would like to learn more, get in touch at library@westberks.gov.uk.
• West Berkshire Council needs your views on the bus services it offers, specifically on ticketing improvements over the past year, known as £2 National Single Fare Cap Scheme, as well as other schemes like the West Berkshire Community Connect. The deadline has been extended to 29 September to have your say here.
• Would you like to volunteer your business expertise to help Education Business Partnership prepare our local young people for work? EBP needs volunteers for in-school sessions across Newbury, Thatcham, Hungerford and Kintbury. It is also looking for work-experience placements this autumn, and invites local businesses and organisations to join its Destinations Expo 2024 on Thursday 10 October at Newbury College. See here for more details and how to apply.
• There will be a Macmillan Tea and Cake Afternoon on Saturday 28 September at the Chaddleworth Village Hall, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. As well as tea and delicious cakes, there will also be a raffle and a second-hand book stall. If you can bring along any cakes, prizes for the raffle or old books they would be most appreciated. Proceeds raised will go to Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Quick reminder about West Berkshire Museum’s Focus on Compton Exhibition from 2 October 2024 to 5 October 2025.
• Quick reminder about West Berkshire Foodbank drop-off points at The Downland Practice surgeries in Chieveley and Compton. The foodbank has sadly experienced a drop in donations in recent months which has made it extremely difficult to ensure it can provide the support to those in crisis in the area. Even if you could add just one item to your shopping list each week, it would make a huge difference.
• 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:
West Berkshire Bus Service Survey 2024 – deadline extended to 29 September 2024.
Argyle Rd, Hampton Rd and Derby Rd, Newbury: Proposed 20mph speed limit by Traffic Regulation Order (Ref: 9529) – deadline 3 October 2024.
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 consultations 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.
• Ilsley Evergreens welcome all to join them on their coach day trips. Just call Tony on 07780 994297 or 01635 281997 to book a place.
• Downland Volunteer Group has an 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 on its website. 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 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
• Every Wed until end Sep: Afternoon Tea with the Aldworth Giants, St Mary’s Church, Aldworth.
• Sat 21 Sep Happy’s Circus, Compton Recreation Ground.
• Sat 28 Sep Family Prize Bingo, Compton Village Hall.
• Sun 29 Sep Newcomers Draghound Meet, Compton.
• Sat 23 Nov Candlelit Market, Hampstead Norreys Community Shop.
• 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.
• Aldworth Saturday Market at Aldworth Village Hall, RG8 9SE from 10.30am to 12noon sells fresh fruit and vegetables, groceries, stamps and cards plus 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 meets 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 its 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 9 September and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a possible bicycle pump track; a report from the Community Co-ordinator; the telephone box; village housing; new trees; repairs and maintenance; planning matters; financial matters; and drainage issues at Butts Furlong.
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 5 September and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: reports from the councillors and the Clerk; Cross Lanes House; planning matters; WBC’s consultations; repairs and maintenance; the Parish Council website; 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 meetings of Ashampstead Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 15 July 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 3 July 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 2 July and you can read the minutes here. There was also an extraordinary meeting on 1 August to consider one planning application 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 Compton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 1 July and you can read the minutes here.
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 Aldworth Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 1 July 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 25 June 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 23 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 West Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 14 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.
