Our usual round-up of local news includes volunteers, the food bank, consultations, extra support, buses and treats – plus a look back at the main stories we’ve covered in 2024. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

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

• A look back at 2024

We also have continued to provide the most comprehensive round-up of news from all the parish town councils in the area (including links to minutes) and provide in each weekly column a listing of community notices, local newsletters, consultations and events. All this will continue into 2025. Please email brian@pennypost.org.uk if there’s anything you’d like to contribute to any aspect of this section.

• Other news

• Compton Parish Council reminds vulnerable residents that if you live with a chronic illness, care for young children or someone with dementia, or have communication needs and require extra support in a power cut, that you can register for free on The Priority Services Register at thepsr.co.uk or 0800 294 3259.

• Congratulations go to Barbara, who has just been crowned Volunteer of the Year by Hampstead Norreys Community Shop for her beautifully crafted displays.

• 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.

• 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 volunteers are required to help collect, stock and distribute what is received. 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.

• West Berkshire Council (WBC)’s public consultation on the main modifications to the district’s Local Plan 2022- 2039 runs until Friday 31 January 2025. “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.” 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 This Week with Brian column.

• 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:

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.

Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2025 – deadline 16 Feb 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

• 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 3 December and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: flood defences; and the council’s email system which has been causing problems.
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.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.

• The most recent meeting of Hampstead Norreys Council for which minutes are available  took place on 11 November 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 11 November 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 11 November 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 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 4 November 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 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.