Our usual round-up of local news includes a pop-up, breakfast, helpers, jabs, local treats and household support – plus a reminder about statistical concerns regarding the Downland Centre consultation and vocational courses available through Newbury College. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Compton area events include Christmas Extravaganza & Markets. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Weighting the figures

Attentive readers will spot that this is a straight copy-and-paste from the 21 November edition of this column. What with one thing and another recently I haven’t been able to get any more details on this from WBC so I thought I’d repeat the whole thing, as I think it’s important that statistics should be presented in a fair way (and often more than one way) when people will be using them to inform their response to a consultation. It’s not just a cheap way of creating extra copy, honest…

One of the matters being considered in West Berkshire Council (WBC)’s budget consultation is to “Remove Downland Sports Centre from the Leisure Management Contract”, which will probably mean that it will no longer be open for public use. As the consultation document explains, “The facility is shared with The Downs School and therefore public access is restricted during term-time.” For this reason, “public use of the Centre is relatively low. From July 2023 to June 2024, attendance at the Centre amounted to 4,488 visits. This is approximately 0.5% of the total attendance (851,154) across the seven sports and leisure centres in West Berkshire.”

However, these figures ignore a couple of very important other factors, at least one of which needs to be taken into account if there is to be a fair reflection of the position.

The first would be to include in the visitor stats the number of pupils from The Downs who use the Centre. I’ve been trying to verify this, but am fairly sure that these are not included at present. This would reduce one anomaly but would introduce another: if the point of the figures is to express the number of people who visited voluntarily, then the school pupils could not be so described. None the less, they are users.

Another issue is the number of hours that the Centre is open to the public each year. I estimate this is about 1,350. The Northcroft in Newbury is available for about four times as long. For this reason alone – and there are clearly others as the Northcroft has way more facilities – one would expect Compton’s Centre to be four times less well-used.

Expressing this as “0.5% of the total attendance” is thus a bit misleading, much as would be saying that bus service A is a lot less well-used than bus service B without explaining that A runs only on Sundays whereas B runs every day. Numbers of visitors per hour each centre was open would be a better way. Statistics can be made to tell many different stories.

You may have read elsewhere that it’s also been reported that the Downland Centre only attracted two visitors. I’m not quite sure where that originally came from, but I’ve contacted WBC and asked it to confirm that the one mentioned in the consultation is correct, albeit without the pupil attendees or the weighting to reflect available hours of use. If you reply to this aspect of the consultation, you might want to bear these points in mind.

• Vocational courses

Looking for personal enrichment or to develop your career? Study Online vocational part-time Level 2 courses are free for over-19 year-olds and can be started at any time, with usually six months to complete the coursework. They include several Childcare & Education, Health, Social & Public Services courses as well as a range of courses in Business, Accountancy and Management.

These are provided by Newbury College and funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency. They’re available free to UK nationals aged 19 and over, who agree to take their qualification as part of a Study Online Programme. You must have lived in the UK for the past three years and currently reside in an eligible area of England (this includes West Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire), not currently be undertaking another funded course or apprenticeship and be able to meet the course’s entry requirements.

Students who fail to complete their programme within the agreed timeframe may have to pay fees. There may be an additional charge for work-based assessment visits and other costs. You will be advised of any additional charges before enrolment. Only one Study Online course may be taken at a time. However, you are encouraged to progress to the next level or a different subject of study after finishing your programme. See here for more details.

• Other news

• If you live in the Compton area, make a date to drop in to the Pop-up Library at Compton Village Hall on Thursday 12 December, from 10am to 12noon. Full dates and times here.

• Friends of Compton Primary School are pleased to announce £418 was raised from their Christmas Raffle and all winners have now been contacted.

• The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2024 has started and if you donate before Tuesday 10 December, you can double your donation here to the amazing Time to Talk service that provides free counselling to young people (11 to 25 years) and their parents/carers in West Berkshire. CAMHS cannot meet the increasing demand, schools cannot deal with the complex issues and the cost of counselling support makes it prohibitive for many to access, so the service they offer is critical to our community.

• 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.

• 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 our Christmas Guide here.

• 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

• 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 West Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 12 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: matters arising; a report from the ward member; planning matters; financial matters; flooding issues; the government’s remote meetings consultation; repairs and maintenance; funding requests; 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 meeting of East Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 12 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: apologies for the recent lack of communications; public questions; financial matters; a report from the ward member; and repairs and maintenance (Note: the minutes appear to be incomplete.)
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 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 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.

• 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.