Our usual round-up of local news includes a vacancy, bus travel, adult helpers, treats, household support and jabs – plus some more detail on the usage figures for the Downland Sports Centre, a mew pop-up library in Compton, three ways you can help West Berks Foodbank and your chance to have your say on WBC’s local plan. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Compton area events include Christmas Market & Santa’s Sleigh. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• The Downlands Sports Centre

I mentioned last week (see here) that I remain concerned about the way the usage stats have been expressed in WBC’s consultation proposal to remove the Downlands Sports Centre from the leisure management contract. In summary, the bald statement that this only receives 0.5% of the district’s leisure-centre visitors is disingenuous. It fails to take into account the fact that the centre is, for reasons beyond its control, only open to the public for about 20% of the time than, say, is the Northcroft Centre in Newbury.

What’s needed for each centre, I suggested, is the number of visitors per hour each is open to the public. This would give a fairer impression. I wouldn’t like to think that people responding to the consultation argue that the centre should be closed, or that people didn’t bother to comment in support of retaining it, because of usage figures that seemed hopelessly low. The reality is more nuanced.

As to why the figures have only been presented in this bald way, it was suggested to me this week that it was because it suited WBC’s narrative. Naturally, I couldn’t comment on that.

Another way of looking at the statistical muddle would be to include all pupils from The Downs School who use the Centre (this is why it’s often not open to the public). This is a more complicated analysis than the one suggested above as it would also involve adding in similar figures for school attendance at the other centres. None the less, as this occupies so much of the Downland Centre’s usage, it’s worth having a look at these.

I’ve recently established these, something which the consultation document doesn’t mention. The approximate daily usage is 145: ten staff, 30 sixth-formers and 105 timetabled lessons in the gym. This makes quite a difference to the overall usage figures.

The consultation document is noncommittal about what will happen if the Centre is removed from the leisure contract. One option is that it will close. The Downs School currently contributes about £11,000 to the shared facilities but this doesn’t cover costs like maintenance or safety checks. Will it have the money to cover the full costs of running it? And, if it does, will the facility be open to the public, as presently, when the pupils are not there?

“The sports hall is in an integral part of the PE curriculum and without the facilities such as the gym we would not be able to deliver the national curriculum,” a spokesperson for The Downs confirmed last week. “It is so well used by our students and is so important for their wellbeing and promoting the importance of exercise. It is also a recruitment asset for us to try and attract much needed teachers to come to a more rural location to work, which is vital to continue providing an exceptional education for all our students.”

The statement added that The Downs School is “eager to explore ways with the local community for this valuable resource to continue to be used by us all, community and school alike. We are also keen to hear ideas from the community about how the school, as the building is on our site, can support the community in making the resource more accessible.”

However, the mere fact that it is issuing these messages shows that there’s currently no certainty as to what will happen if the proposals in the consultation are followed through. Once these things are gone, they’re gone. Compton will be the poorer for it, as will all the people who’ll be moving into the new homes on the former Pirbright site.

Compton Parish Council has also made a detailed response opposing the proposed withdrawing the contract, which you can read here. As well as referring to a range of community and societal benefits – which will be all the more in demand when the new homes are built and occupied – it also shares the concerns expressed above about what might happen if it closes. “We are also concerned ,” the statement reads, “that The Downs School will need to find additional funds to maintain the building, as they will no longer be able to share the costs of the facility. This could place an undue financial burden on the school and impact its ability to provide quality education.” This seems like a very valid concern.

You might want to bear all these points in mind when replying to the consultation.

• Compton’s pop-up library

Tucked away at the very bottom of the latest Residents’ Bulletin from WBC was the following paragraph:

“Don’t forget to drop in to our Pop-up Library at Compton Village Hall on Thursday 12 December, 10am to 12pm. We will be visiting Compton again in the New Year, so tell us now about the sort of books you like to read and we’ll choose a selection for you for next time. New library members especially welcome.”

This is the first publicity that I’ve seen about this. The background to this is that the mobile library service will (almost certainly) be stopping and this is seen as offering a replacement.

10am to noon on Thursday 12 December now having passed, the next dates it’s open are on 9 January, 23 January, 13 February, 27 February, 13 March and 27 March (all Thursdays). After that, we’re into a new financial year. Finding thereafter will be dependant on whether the parish council or any other organisation or individual will be prepared to fund it.

Compton PC may be even shorter of funds than usual if the begging bowl needs to be passed round for the Downlands Sports Centre (see above). Mens sana in corpore sano – a healthy mind or a healthy body? West Berkshire Council may decide it’s unable to help provide either of these things for residents of Compton. The Parish Council may not be able to afford to do so either.

• Three things for the Foodbank

West Berks Foodbank is currently in urgent need of three things: money, donations and volunteers. The first will be used to buy the food and other items that the donations may not cover; while the volunteers are required to help collect, stock and distribute what is received. Donations can be made by members of the public at a range of sites across the district. The charity is also keen to develop partnerships with local businesses. This page on the WBF website has more information on all of these aspects of the Foodbank’s work.

Why the need for this? The main one is that donations have failed to keep pace with the increase in demand. Clearly the cost-of-living crisis is with us yet. The cold weather, and the withdrawal of winter fuel payments for some, wouldn’t have helped as people are now forced to choose between heating and food. Volunteers are always required, at this season more than ever, as the logistics of dealing with all the generous donations is time-consuming.

It’s a shame that such organisations are needed at all: but, as they are, we are at least lucky that we have several, including WBF, in the district that are doing such great jobs. In any of the ways suggested above, any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated.

• Do you agree with the plan?

West Berkshire Council’s public consultation on the main modifications to the district’s Local Plan 2022- 2039 is now live. “The Local Plan sets out planned development for West Berkshire,” a statement from the Council explains, “and guides decisions on future development proposals in line with the needs of the district.

“The Public Examination stage began earlier this year with a number of public hearings, the last of which took place on 3 October 2024. During this process, the Planning Inspector required additional sites to be identified to address a shortfall in the number of houses to be delivered within the next five years.”

WBC has made the point that it had little or no choice on this. “We were ready to vote to withdraw the plan [which it had inherited from the previous administration],”Executive Member for Planning Denise Gaines said, “but we were directed to proceed to examination by the government. The sites identified in the main modifications are extremely contentious with many residents in West Berkshire, but we are in the invidious position of having to proceed to consultation.”

Consequently the Council has put forward amendments and additions to the plan which will particularly affect Thatcham, Cold Ash, Calcot, Tilehurst and Pangbourne and the surrounding parishes.

The consultation runs until Friday 31 January 2025. Residents are encouraged to have their say by clicking here.

For more on this, including sources of help and advice and help in responding to the consultation, see the 12 December 2024 This Week with Brian column.

• Other news

• A vacancy has arisen  for a Councillor on Compton Parish Council. This will be filled by election but only if 10 electors write to the Returning Officer to request one within 14 days of the notice (which was issued on 9 December). You can contact the Returning Officer at West Berkshire Council, Council Offices, Market Street, Newbury RG14 5LD. If these criteria are not met, the Parish Council will fill the vacancy by co-option.

• 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.

• 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 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.

• 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

Consultation on the Proposed Main Modifications to the West Berkshire Local Plan Review 2022-2039 – deadline 31 Jan 2025.

Proposed Admission Arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools 2026/27 – deadline 31 Jan 2025.

Short Breaks Carers services feedback survey – deadline 31 Jan 2025.

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

• Sun 15 Dec Christmas Market, The Swan.

• Wed 18 Dec Santa’s Sleigh Compton Pre- school

• 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 Beedon Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 7 November 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 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), agendas and minutes, please 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 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.