Thursday 26 September 2024
Our usual round-up of local news includes buses, wellbeing, a curious case, cake, Compton’s exhibition and an eco award. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.
Upcoming Compton area events include Family Prize Bingo & Draghunt Meet. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.
• An eco award
The following is taken from the 20 September diary column by the Head Teacher of The Downs School in Compton:
“With only a week into the Autumn term, The Downs School wins its latest award: The Eco Schools Green Flag Award 2024. As part of the Keep Britain Tidy initiative, Eco Schools hold schools to a very high standard and awards go to schools who have followed strict criteria for over a year.
“Eco Schools said: ‘Since 1994 the Eco-Schools Framework has guided and empowered millions of young people to deliver eco-projects that make their school more sustainable, increase environmental learning, and benefit their local community. Eco-Schools’ seven simple steps can be adapted for any setting, budget, and timescale. Schools that complete the seven steps can apply for our prestigious award, the Eco-Schools Green Flag.’
“The Downs School Eco Club were highly commended for their thorough action plan for the school, keeping the community informed through social media, the Headteacher’s blog, work in the school grounds; notably with the Therapeutic Garden and our eco curriculum input. They were particularly complimentary about the Year 9 Eco Day last term. The school already has a popular vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free menu, and all food is freshly made on-site by their Chef.
“Helen Hicks, ECO-Club Leader said: ‘Eco Schools is such a great programme for motivating our students, focusing them on what’s really important and how to make a difference. We have over 20 committed volunteers and we were commended for our work in reducing plastic waste, building a super bug house, and supporting our year 9 sustainable Eco Day. We are delighted to achieve this important award for the second year in a row’.”
• Other news
• Last chance to have your say on West Berks bus services. The deadline is Sunday 29 September to complete the survey here.
• Hampstead Norreys WI welcomes new members or visitors to its talk on Tuesday 1 October on The Curious Case of the Commons (Greenham) by Prof Andy Kempe at Hampstead Norreys Village Hall. See details here.
• 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.
• 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.
Extension to Newbury Town Centre pedestrianisation hours – deadline 5 November 2024.
Draft Waste Management Strategy 2025-2032 – deadline 6 November 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 welcomes all to join its 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
• 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 its facebook group for details.
• Autumn Group regular meetings include the Hobbies Club at the Wilkins Centre, Compton. Visit its 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 12noon. 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 West Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 10 September and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: matters arising; a report from the ward member; planning matters; financial matters; parking; the Village Hall; and speeding.
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 9 September and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the ward member’s report; police matters; roads, footpaths and byways; planning matters; open spaces; speeding; emergency planning; 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 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 meeting of Hampstead Norreys Council for which minutes are available took place on 25 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 agendas of future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes click here.
• 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.
• 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.
