Thursday 10 October 2024
Our usual round-up of local news includes cleaning up, scaring off, popping along, community support and closed roads – plus a look at an excellent flood and groundwater dashboard for the Pang valley and a reminder about a recent interview with the local ward member. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.
Upcoming Compton area events include Scarecrow Trail & Dracula. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.
• The chief scrutineer
Carolyne Culver of the Green Party was elected as the member for Ridgeway ward on West Berkshire Council in 2019, a seat she retained in 2023. Following this election, she was appointed Chair of WBC’s Scrutiny Commission, an increasingly demanding role which she discharges in addition to all her normal ward work.
But what exactly is the Scrutiny Commission and what does it do? Who better to ask than its Chair: so, we caught up with Carolyne between meetings, casework and Zoom calls to ask her a few questions about the body and why its work is so important. You can read the interview here.
• Flooding dashboard
Groundwater levels are rising at present and doing so earlier than they were this time last year. We all know what that means: more groundwater leads to more pressure on the sewerage system as a result of the leaks in the pipes: while higher river levels increase the risk not only of flooding but also of the sewerage network becoming further overwhelmed from floodwater entering the system through manholes.
Plenty of data is available, both real-time and historical, from a range of different sources. The problem has always been how this can be obtained, updated and presented in a digestible format. Fortunately, since about 2015 raw data has been made freely available from the Environment Agency and others, it’s now a lot easier for someone who knows what they’re doing to create accurate and attractive information.
Fortunately, there is someone who knows what they’re doing in the area and they produced just such a dashboard for the Pang Valley, which you can see here (a similar one also exists for the Lambourn). The “Dashboards” menu at the top will take you to other displays, such as for sewage discharges. It’s a remarkable resource and one which the will make the Pang Valley Flood Forum, local ward members and parish councils and residents more informed about the current and likely future situation but also the historical context.
One might ask whether the EA, TW, WBC and others should have produced such a dashboard themselves. The answer may be that not only is each primarily concerned with its own data, rather than mashing it up with those from others: also, it makes sense that now raw data is available as freely as is raw sewage, it’s up to the private sector to use it as it sees fit. Lucky we are in this area to have someone who’s done this so elegantly.
Their work has also included looking at past trends and modelling this to produce statistically justifiable forecasts. One thing that I get from a brief conversation with the designer is that of the rain that falls in summer, about 25% will end up in the groundwater, usually in about three weeks. In the winter, this increases to about 100%. The difference is the amount of water that’s lost through evaporation and absorption by vegetation. A heave rainstorm in December would thus seem to be about four times fore likely to impact on groundwater levels than the same precipitation in June. We should all therefore be hoping for a dry winter.
• Other news
• Friends of Compton Primary School still need more entries for the annual Scarecrow Trail from 28 October to 3 November, and this year’s theme is Heroes & Villains. They are happy to accept businesses, organisations, and homes without schoolchildren – this is open to everyone. Email contact.focps@gmail.com for more info or click here for entry form.
• Tickets are selling fast for Compton Players‘ Dracula on October 24, 25, and 31 as well as November 1 and 2. There will also be a special one-off late-night performance on Saturday 26 October, which includes a meal. You can book now here or call 07554 842207.
• Road closure in Aldworth of Unnamed Road from Aldworth Road to Uplands from Monday 14 to Friday 18 October, between 7.30 am and 5pm each day. The closure is between the junctions of Newbury Road and Aldworth Road for kerbing and patching works. A plan of the closure and diversion can be found here.
• For other Hampstead Norreys news visit the Parish Council’s facebook page.
• See last week’s column for a summary of the decontamination work at the former Pirbright Institute site in Compton, which was completed at the end of September about six weeks ahead of schedule.
• Follow the Downlands Practice – Social Prescribing facebook page for details of social get-togethers and community support. And quick reminder it has drop-off points for West Berkshire Foodbank at its surgeries in Compton and Chieveley.
• The Funky Noodle in Chaddleworth offers a delicious take-away and delivery service. See their October menu here.
• Calling young families – do pop along to Compton Stay, Learn & Play in Compton Village Hall on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. See here for details.
• Click here to see the October 2024 edition of Chaddleworth News. Items covered include a farewell, an epic cycle tour, marrows, cricket, Halloween dogs, reports from the local schools, a harvest supper, the pub, the Village Hall and news from other local clubs and organisations. To subscribe, to contribute, to advertise and to get more information on the publication, contact David at ChaddNews@gmail.com.
• 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.
• Have your say
Have your say on current consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:
Extension to Newbury Town Centre pedestrianisation hours – deadline 5 November 2024.
Draft Waste Management Strategy 2025-2032 – deadline 6 November 2024.
Draft Carers Strategy 2024 – 27 – deadline 17 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
• West Berkshire Museum’s Focus on Compton Exhibition until 5 October 2025.
• Mon 28 Oct to Sun 3 Nov Compton Scarecrow Trail.
• Tue 5 Nov Xmas Pudding & Rum Butter Making, Hampstead Norreys Village Hall.
• 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 Compton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 2 September and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Sports Pavilion; 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 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 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.
