Facebook-f Twitter Youtube Rss

Compton & Downlands Weekly News, Thursday 7 November 2024

Compton & Downland Weekly News header

Thursday 7 November 2024      

Our usual round-up of local news includes generosity, feedback, scripts, boots, floods, champions and free bus services. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Compton area events include Prize Bingo & Candlelit Market. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• On the buses

West Berkshire Council (WBC) is once again partnering with local bus companies to provide free bus travel in West Berkshire during the run-up to the festive season, thanks to government funding received after submission of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). On Saturday 16 November, Saturday 14 December and Saturday 21 December, all journeys that begin and end in West Berkshire will be completely free. This extends to some neighbouring areas including Reading, Didcot, Basingstoke and Swindon. More information can be found here.

This is welcome, especially given the government’s announcement that the £2 bus-fare cap, introduced in 2023, will increase to £3 from 1 January 2025. Figures recently provided to Penny Post by WBC show that passenger journeys between 2009-10 and the start of the pandemic were generally between 2.1m and 2.5m a year. In 2020-21 they unsurprisingly fell sharply to about 828,000. Since then they have recovered well and are now almost back to pre-pandemic levels.

These provide an interesting contrast with bus-passenger numbers for the whole of England produced by the government. These show the same largely flat figures for the decade before the pandemic and the same sharp fall when Covid struck. Nationally, however, bus usage has yet to return to its pre-Covid levels, whereas in West Berkshire it more or less has. The £2 fare cap can’t explain this difference as it applied across the country.

WBC has suggested that “we have seen increases in passenger trip numbers due to our successful free fares initiatives (which was copied by other councils).” Some more evidence for this has been requested. In particular, it would be worth knowing if the free-travel days were followed by an increase in people using the paid service thereafter.

Whatever the reason, West Berkshire seems to have done well in this respect. Hopefully the three free bus-travel days mentioned above will continue this upward trend.

• Other news

• Chairman of the Compton, Ilsley’s and Norreys Branch of the RBL, Steve Allison, is “humbled and overwhelmed” by the generosity of  villagers and businesses raising £1,600 for this year’s Poppy Appeal.

• Compton Parish Council has been notified that SP Broadway is running a consultation on behalf of Archel Homes on the redevelopment of the Baxter Healthcare Site on Wallingford Road prior to submitting a planning application to WBC. A dedicated consultation website is now available to view here, including an initial layout plan for the new homes, illustrative images of the proposed building designs, and an online feedback form that you can fill in and submit with the click of a button. Please provide feedback by 6pm on Friday 8 November.

• After its successful autumn production, the Compton Players is already looking to its next in the spring of next year. Subsequently it will be holding a play reading next Tuesday 12 November, at 7.30pm of a variety of potential scripts at Compton Village Hall. Aspiring actors and backstage crew are invited.

• The Downs School & Sixth Form runs a Football/Rugby Boots Loan Scheme and is looking for boots donations for this autumn. It urgently requires men’s boots adult size 11 and 12, and would be grateful for any support in this regard.

• Recent heavy rain (September had three-and-a-half times the historical average) means that the groundwater around Compton is as high as it has ever been at this time of year, and there is a real chance of further flooding in the coming months. The Pang Valley Flood Forum website has all the latest data on groundwater levels as well as links to other useful information.

• There is still time to make your nominations for WBC’s Community Champion Awards which close on Monday 11 November. The awards aim to celebrate the amazing work that residents, groups and volunteers do across the area. Click here to fill out the online nomination form.

• Quick reminder how to stay safe this Halloween and bonfire season with important reminders from the Royal Berkshire Fire Service and the Environment Agency about fireworks and bonfire safety for people and animals, including the fines you can receive if you burn polluting household waste (you should only burn dry, untreated wood).

• Mindful of the autumnal leaf fall, combined with an excess of rainfall and mild temperatures, The Kennel Club UK is advising dog owners of the dangers of the fatal disease Alabama Rot. Little is known about the disease, as yet, although its effects are being felt countrywide. Its advice is to take preventative measures such as avoiding extra muddy walking routes and to wash and dry your dogs’ paws thoroughly after countryside rambles. Lethargy, vomiting, lack of appetite and sores and ulcers on the skin are the signs to be wary of and a speedy trip to the vet essential.

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

• 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:

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

• 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.

• Sat 9 Nov Family Prize Bingo, Compton Village Hall.

• Thu 21 Nov Spirit of the Vale Christmas Fair, Sparsholt.

• Sat 23 Nov Candlelit Market, Hampstead Norreys Community Shop.

• 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 meeting of Compton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 7 October and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: reports from working parties; planning matters; financial matters; grant applications; and the Recreation Ground.
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 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 meetings of Ashampstead Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 9 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 Brightwalton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 9 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 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.

Archives

To see earlier Compton & Downlands & Surrounding Area Weekly News columns, please click here.

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print

You may also be interested in...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sign up to Penny Post
Donate to Penny Post

Penny Post Coverage Area:

Transport, Traffic & Travel
Police & Councils

Sign up to the free weekly

Penny Post
e-newsletter 

 

For: local positive news, events, jobs, recipes, special offers, recommendations & more.

Covering: Newbury, Thatcham, Hungerford, Marlborough, Wantage, Lambourn, Compton, Swindon & Theale

Subscribe Now