Compton & Downlands Weekly News, Thursday 17 October 2024

Compton & Downland Weekly News header

Thursday 17 October 2024     

Our usual round-up of local news includes scarecrows, community champions, noodles, closures and coffee – plus a reminder about an excellent online resource providing information about flooding a sewage issues, a peek in a ward member’s in-box and the most recent Pang Valley Flood Forum meeting. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Compton area events include Scarecrow Trail (hopefully) & Dracula. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• A ward member writes

Ridgeway ward member Carolyne Culver has recently penned her regular update in Broadsheet which is delivered to residents in Frilsham, Hampstead Norreys and Yattendon. The main matters covered were as follows (several of these will also be of interest to people in wider areas):

  • The proposed clawback of money from The Downs School has been abandoned. We’ve covered this in some detail over the last few months. Carolyne Culver concludes her remarks by saying: “Unfortunately, a lot of damage has been done to the relationship between the council and the school, for no benefit whatsoever. In fairness to the leader of the council, he apologised at a subsequent council meeting. Many politicians would have doubled down.”
  • Thames Water and the Environment Agency back at the Scrutiny Commission (which she chairs). For more on this, see the 17 October This Week with Brian column.
  • The previous meeting of the Scrutiny Commission on 24 September which looked at SEN high-needs block funding. You can click here for the agenda and to see a recording of the meeting.
  • The completion of the demolition and decontamination of the former Pirbright Institute site in Compton. We covered this in the 3 October edition of this column.
  • The former Baxter Healthcare site, also in Compton, which has been sold to Archel Homes which has (so far) earned a good relationship for community engagement with projects in Newbury and Hungerford.
  • Pang Valley Flood Forum’s recent meeting: see next section.

• The Pang Valley Flood Forum

Still with Carolyne Culver’s Broadsheet article…

“I attended Pang Valley Flood Forum on 9 October in my capacity as flood warden of East Ilsley. The groundwater level is higher than it was this time last year, and it has started to rise a month earlier than last year. We were told that this is the ‘highest low level’ on the flood forum’s records.

“All flood wardens were asked to remind people in their villages to be prepared. Thames Water has been sealing manhole covers and lining pipes in Hampstead Norreys to try to stop sewage leaks. If your home has been affected by flooding or sewage leaks in the past, or if you are concerned in any way about this issue, please contact the flood warden for your village. If you are unsure who this is, ask your parish council.”

If you’re worried about flooding or have a drainage problem to report, these links will be of use:

  • Advice about flooding can be found here.
  • Sewage incidents can be reported to Thames Water by clicking here.
  • You can report specific problems with drainage and flooding here by zooming in and pinpointing on this map.
  • See also the section below for information on a new online dashboard which provides a range of useful historical and real-time information about flood-related matters.

• Flooding dashboard

A reminder here about an excellent online flooding, groundwater and sewage information resource that’s available for the Pang Valley, which you can see here (a similar one also exists for Lambourn Valley). 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 will keep the Pang Valley Flood Forum, local ward members and parish councils and residents more informed not only about the current and likely future situation, but also the historical context.

• Other news

Friends of Compton Primary School still need a few more entries for the annual Scarecrow Trail to be able to go ahead from 28 October to 3 November. The entry deadline is Friday 18 October 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.   

Compton Parish Council has announced that Aldworth Road in Aldworth will be closed from Friday 25 to Tuesday 29 October, between its junction with Coombe Road and its junction with Haw Lane to enable Thames Water to install new mains and service connections. All enquiries should be directed to Network Plus on 03339 960672. A plan of the closure can be found here.

West Berkshire Council is inviting residents to nominate individuals and groups for The Community Champion Awards 2024. All nominations will be judged by an independent panel and the winners will be presented with their award at a ceremony to be held in February 2025. Say a big thank you to those who have contributed to your community by nominating online here. The closing date is 11 November 2024. Paper nomination forms can be obtained by calling 01635 503973.

Don’t forget to take advantage of the West Berks Council soil conditioner giveaway this Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October between 10am and 4pm at its Padworth Waste Management Facility, Padworth Lane, RG7 4JF. No appointment is needed but take ID or a recent utility bill to prove you’re a West Berkshire resident. Take your own container so you can easily carry and load the soil conditioner into your car as these will not be provided. Expect some queues during peak times.

• Tickets are selling fast for Compton PlayersDracula 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.

• For other Hampstead Norreys news visit the Parish Council’s facebook page.

See the 3 October 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 its 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.
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 Chaddleworth Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 3 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 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 herePlease 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 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.


News from other areas

• Penny Post area – please see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn ValleyNewbury 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.

Brian Quinn
Author: Brian Quinn

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