Thursday 30 January 2025
Our usual round-up of local news includes a manager, a food bank, slip roads, plastic, trips, history, pharmacies, beer and homes in Compton (both planned and required). See also below for community notices and news from your local council.
Upcoming Compton area events include basket-making talk and pop-up pub. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.
• Compton’s homes (planned and required)
A reminder that in last week’s column we looked at three separate but related matters in Compton:
- The announcement of the plans for 40 homes at the former Baxter Healthcare site;
- The current state of play for the larger application at the former Pirbright site;
- A housing needs survey which is being finalised by Compton Parish Council.
As we explain, it’s possible that the third of these may, if it’s produced in time, influence the detail of the first two (particularly the Pirbright one for which a full application has yet to be lodged). The survey will provide hard evidence of the need for affordable and social-rent housing in the parish and can therefore be used to insist on the necessary provision on this development and on other ones which may emerge in future. It will also be used to inform any update of Compton;s NDP.
The more people who respond to this, the more weight it will carry. When the surveys drop through your letterbox (probably the next few weeks), please take the time to complete and return them and encourage others to do so.
• Other news
• Compton FC (The Green Army) have a vacant spot for a manager. If you are interested and have any questions please message them on facebook.
• Olivia Bailey MP has been contacted by residents concerned about the A34 slip roads at East Ilsley and Beedon following collisions and near misses. To build a case for change based on the views of as many residents as possible, she is asking residents to complete this survey.
• Recycle for West Berkshire are excited to announce the council has started a new collection of plastic pots, tubs and trays from your home kerbside. You just need to ensure that they are rinsed out, any foil and plastic film lids are removed, and then put them in with your plastic bottles and cans. For more information visit:www.westberks.gov.uk/recyclingcollection.
• Downland Volunteer Group Handebus’s next ‘Fantastic Friday’ trips are Friday 31 January to Didcot and Friday 7 February to Windsor. See the 2025 schedule here. Email Dvg.handebus@btinternet.com for pick-up times and to book a seat. Chartered Handebus trips also available for any group (of 10 or less) and it costs just 50p/mile.
• Quick reminder about local historian David Peacock’s talk on The Early History of Compton at West Berkshire Museum at 7pm on Wednesday 12 February to launch the museum’s new Focus on Compton Exhibition. He will take a selective look at the history of the Compton area from prehistory to the Tudor period, including a Roman pottery industry, the Battle of Ashdown, Domesday records and Tudor sheep-farming. Tickets cost £5 and can be booked here.
• Did you know that West Berkshire has the fewest pharmacies in the country? On average there is one for every 10,000 people – although, as our September 2024 article explains, there’s a lot more to successful pharmacy provision than a crude per capita headcount. West Berkshire Council is currently assessing local needs and inviting the community share their experiences of using pharmacies in West Berkshire. Your views are very important and help shape our future pharmacy services. Click here find out more and complete the survey before Sunday 16 February.
• Indigenous Brewery in Chaddleworth are pleased to be sponsoring another Leckhamstead Pop-Up Pub in St James’ Church, Leckhamstead on Friday 7 February. So please spread the word and go along to support them.
• 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.
• 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 to check your eligibility for flu and Covid vaccines. Book now here.
• For Hampstead Norreys news visit the Parish Council’s Facebook page.
• Have your say on:
• Proposed Modifications to Local Plan 2022-2039 – deadline 31 Jan 2025 (For sources of help and advice in responding to the consultation, see the 12 December This Week with Brian column).
• 2025 West Berkshire Youth Survey – deadline 14 Feb 2025.
• Consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:
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.
Draft Prohibition of Driving Order (2025) on Bastion Street, Shaw-cum-Donnington (Ref: 9839) – deadline 6 Feb 2025.
Draft Prohibition of Driving Order (2025) on Kings Road, Newbury (Ref:81664/1) – deadline 6 Feb 2025.
Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2025 – deadline 16 Feb 2025.
Proposed School Term and Holiday Dates for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools 2026/27 – deadline 28 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.
• The Downlands Practice Social Prescribing Facebook page has details of social get-togethers and community support.
• Compton Stay, Learn & Play in Compton Village Hall on the second and fourth Thursday of the month for young families. See here for details.
• 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
• Tue 4 Feb Coppicing Sun – A Journey into Basket-making Hampstead Norreys Village Hall
• Fri 7 Feb Leckhamstead Pop-Up Pub, St James’ Church, Leckhamstead
• From 12 Feb Focus on Compton exhibition at West Berkshire Museum, Newbury.
• 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 East Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 14 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: public questions; a report for the ward member; speeding; repairs and maintenance; the allotments; financial matters; and dog bins.
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 13 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: planning matters; financial matters; a grant to the Pang Valley Flood Forum; footway lighting; and the 2025-26 budget and precept (£84,403).
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 Brightwalton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 13 January and you can read the minutes here. items covered included: the fence at the school; a report from the ward member; the Church; the Village Hall; repairs and maintenance; the parish plan VE Day; financial matters; the 2025-26 budget and precept (£13,200); and the member’s bid.
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 6 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Bradfield College road closure; Police report; planning matters; weed treatment at the Recreation Ground; the phone box; the Jubliee Hall; financial matters; and the 2025-26 budget and precept (£10,080).
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 3 December 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 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 Peasemore Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 6 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 Chaddleworth Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 5 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 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.
• 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.
