Our usual round-up of local news includes breakfast, helpers, paying for policing, a raffle, animals, household support and a consultation about the government’s groundwater advice. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Compton area events include Advent service and Christmas market. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Spreading the word

One of the challenges for any organisation such as the government and local councils is providing clear, accurate, comprehensive and timely information about a particular problem. In these digital-by-default days, this will be provided online. However the organisations also need to provide information in the form of an A5 or A4 poster which other businesses can use to circulate and, if necessary, print for use by the significant number of residents who live largely or entirely off-line.

The pandemic provided the first real test of the effectiveness of this approach. Dither and confusion at the very top led to some perplexing and often contradictory messaging coming from Whitehall. In general matters improved once local councils became more involved in the response.

Information about flooding is in many ways just as complicated. There are many different kinds of flooding and each may be the responsibility of a different organisation. Some is also down to residents to deal with. We’ve been pressing West Berkshire Council (WBC) for some clear leaflets which summarise the main people to contact and how to do this. As flooding problems are more likely to require immediate action than does a pandemic, people won’t have time to reach across several websites. Something printable is also important as flooding incidents can also result in power outages which knock people off-grid.

With all this in mind, one organisation, Project Groundwater, has been working with the Environment Agency (EA) regarding its Groundwater Flooding Guidance page on the gov.uk website. As the name suggests, this only deals with this particular water issue.

The EA is looking at possibly updating it and is keen for feedback before doing so. To assist in this, Project Groundwater has created a short survey which you can see here. If possible, PG would like to get responses by 30 November: if the link is still available thereafter, responses might be accepted after then.

• Other news

• The Downland Practice – Social Prescribing invite all women in the area to attend its Ladies Breakfast Club Xmas Lunch on Wednesday 11 December at 12noon at The Mulberry Restaurant, Hillier’s Garden Centre Hermitage. In order to reserve the correct size table please contact the restaurant on 01635 200442 by the end of November to secure your place. The table is booked under Social Prescribing (Nicky Ager).

• Compton Guides are looking for Volunteer Adult Helpers on Monday evenings. You don’t need any experience in Guiding but there will be the opportunity to take an active role in planning and delivering activities, as well as working towards a leadership qualification, if desired. Please contact, Vanessa 1stcomptongirlguiding@gmail.com.

• What areas would you like the policing element of council tax to focus on in the 2025/26 budget? The deadline to have your say is 12pm on 3 January. Click here to read more about the proposal and the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner’s statement.

• The rescheduled Community Forum on cost of living, flood prevention and winter preparedness will be online from 6.30pm on Tuesday 3 December. Email communityforumquestions@westberks.gov.uk to register your attendance and click here to find out more.

• We are excited to bring you our 12 local businesses and treats for Christmas which include Luna’s festive fashion, Barbury Hill Hampers and Christmas at Home boxes from The Five Bells in Wickham. See all details here.

• The Friends of Compton Primary School’s “Win Christmas” raffle is back and bigger than ever with multiple prizes to draw, including a hand-stitched advent calendar, a Walters Farm turkey, Wolfe Walks gift set, mulled wine, chocolate, £50 Amazon voucher and much more. There is no limit to the the number of tickets you can purchase, and it is open to the village, so share with friends and family – just please be aware they will need to be local enough to collect their prizes.

• Sharon Gardiner is collecting for Ukrainian animals, and is looking for donations from Compton residents. She is after dry/wet food, out-of-date meds, beds, cages, blankets and old towels. Money donations are also needed to help fuel the lorries required, as it’s getting very difficult and the drivers volunteer their time. The address to drop off is 3 Roden Down Mews, Compton RG20 6QP.

• Quick reminder about free bus travel in West Berkshire on Saturday 14 December and Saturday 21 December, extending to some neighbouring areas including Reading, Didcot, Basingstoke and Swindon. More information can be found here.

• Don’t forget the Household Support Fund is there to support those most in need. Priority will be given to households who are ineligible for other government support and vulnerable groups regarding the cost of living crisis. To apply click here.

• West Berkshire Health & Wellbeing encourages and reminds everyone that, as winter approaches, it is time to check your eligibility for flu and Covid vaccines. Book now here.

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

• Due to adverse weather conditions WBC postponed the Community Forum about cost of living and flood prevention that was due to take place in Hungerford on 19 November. The forum will be rescheduled in the very near future online.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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:

Proposed Fees for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles and Private Hire Operator’s Licences 2025/26 – deadline 19 December 2024.

Budget Proposals 2025/26 – all deadlines 23 December 2024:

• Remove Downland Sports Centre from the Leisure Management Contract
• Reduce the number of winter gritting routes
• Discontinue the Mobile Library Service
• Turn off streetlights in residential roads between midnight and 5am
• Create a voluntary charitable contribution (via Council Tax payments) scheme
• Increase some Adult Social Care (ASC) fees and charges above the rate of inflation
• Cease providing the Adult Respite (ARC) in the Community Service
• Explore options to deliver Adult Social Care (ASC) Resource Centre services through an alternative provider or in a different way
• Remove a proportion of the litter bins and dog waste bins from the Grounds Maintenance Contract

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

• Latest local newsletters

• Chaddleworth News.
• West Ilsley News.

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.

• Sun 1 Dec Charity Christingle, St Mary & St Nicholas Church, Compton.

• Sun 1 Dec Candlelit Advent Service, St Mary’s Church, Hampstead Norreys.

• Sat 7 Dec Christmas Extravaganza and Market, Compton Village Hall.

• Sun 15 Dec Christmas Market, The Swan.

• Sat 21 Dec Xmas Bingo, 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’s 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 12noon. 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 meets 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 meetings of Ashampstead Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 11 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a ward member’s report; speeding; footpaths and byways; roads; planning matters; repairs and maintenance; the telephone box; financial matters; and the 2024-25 budget.
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 11 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the phone-box library; cherry trees; a report from the ward member; news from the Community Co-ordinator; the Village Hall; the Pump Track; repairs, inspections and maintenance; planning matters; financial matters; dangerous driving; remote meetings; and fences at the School.
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 7 October 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 Hampstead Norreys Council for which minutes are available  took place on 26 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 Aldworth Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 16 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 West Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 10 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 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 Peasemore Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 4 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 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 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.