Thursday 6 February 2025
Our usual round-up of local news includes beer, an award, history, libraries, slip roads and household support – plus a reprieve (and new investment) for the Downlands Centre, WBC’s budget and a forthcoming public forum on the subject of highways. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.
Upcoming Compton area events include Pop-up Pub and Compton History Talk. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.
• The Downland Centre
One bit of good news – and there wasn’t much of it – from West Berkshire Council’s recent budget announcement is that the Downland Centre in Compton will not be withdrawn for the leisure contract. This would almost certainly have led to the centre needing to close, or perhaps being taken over by The Downs School and any longer not available to the public at all.
I also understand that further investment is planned, though what form this will take and who will pay for it (WBC, The Downs, Everyone Active or Compton PC) is currently less clear. As soon as we have any further news – in particular if there’s any action, through a consultation or similar, that people need to take to influence this – we’ll let you know.
One consultation that you may have recently taken part in was WBC’s about the budget on this very matter. About 1,700 people responded to the various consultations overall but I don’t know how many did so to this one. As WBC changed its mind regarding the Downland Centre, it was probably a decent number.
I trust some of the responses were influenced by what I explained more than once were some misleading statistics in the document about the usage figures for the Downland Centre. These ignored the fact that it’s open to the public for many fewer hours a week than is any other leisure centre in the district. “Number of users per hour that the centre was open” rather than “actual users” would have been the way forward here. This would have created accurately comparable figures of all the centres.
If you spot any other cases, relating to here or anything else, where you feel that stats have been used in a way that obscures rather than explains the truth, do let us know. They can be tricky things…
• WBC’s budget
WBC’s 2025-26 budget has now been finalised (though requires approval at Full Council later this month). It doesn’t make for particularly happy reading. Similar documents, with similar conclusions, are currently being published up and down the country. Please click here to read our article covering this.
In it, we take a look at some of its main aspects, including a government loan, some proposed savings that have been re-thought, the probable need for further cuts and a number of capital projects that are planned or are already underway. The exercise also exposes two aspects of current accounting sleight of hands created by the government which seem to risk seriously confusing the true problems faced by local councils.
There’s also a welcome and imaginative retreat by the administration from its previous position about garden-waste charges and a consideration of how town and parish councils may in some cases be able to take over some of the services that WBC can no longer afford to provide. We also get the reactions of the opposition parties on West Berkshire Council.
The budget will be considered by the executive on 13 February and then debated at the Full Council meeting on 27 February. Links to these events, and other sources of information, can be found in the article.
• Tarmac talks
Many of us would like understand more about the work of West Berkshire Council’s Highways Department and its approach to maintenance and roadworks. We will have the opportunity to do just that at the next Community Forum when officers from the Highways Team will be in attendance along with councillors to discuss the work they carry out. WBC says it wants to hear what local people feel and want. So whether you’re a resident, councillor, local organisation or business concerned about potholes, signage or road closures, this is the chance to discuss the state of our highways network.
The Forum is at 6.30pm on Tuesday 25 February at Upper Bucklebury Memorial Hall RG7 6QH but you can also join by zoom. To register, email CommunityForumQuestions@westberks.gov.uk and state if you will attend in person or online. You can also send questions to that email address by midday Fri 21 Feb and they’ll be answered during the Forum. The event will also be streamed live on WBC’s YouTube channel.
• Other news
• 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. Tickets cost £5 and can be booked here.
• February news from West Berkshire Libraries includes Pop-Up Library at Compton Village Hall on Thursday 13 and 24 Feburary from
• As mentioned previously, an application has been lodged by Archel Homes to redevelop the former Baxter Healthcare site in Compton at the junction of Wallingford Road and Horn Street. This will involve the “demolition of existing building and erection of 40 x residential units with associated landscaping, parking, drainage, open space and other associated works.” You can see the documents, and make your comments, by visiting WBC’s planning portal and entering the reference 24/02809/FULMAJ.
• 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.
• Quick reminder that you can now put your plastic pots, tubs and trays in with your plastic bottles for home kerbside collection by the council. You just need to ensure that they are rinsed out, any foil and plastic film lids are removed. For more information visit: www.westberks.gov.uk/recyclingcollection.
• An Illegal Money Lending and Loan Shark Awareness Raising Event is taking place at the West Berkshire Council Offices in Newbury on Monday 3 March between 6pm and 7.30pm. No booking is necessary and the event is open to any resident of West Berkshire. Further information 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.
• 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:
• 2025 West Berkshire Youth Survey – deadline 14 Feb 2025.
• Consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:
Draft Prohibition of Driving Order (2025) on Bastion Street, Shaw-cum-Donnington (Ref: 9839) – deadline 13 Feb 2025.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Thematic Review (2025) – deadline 13 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
• Fri 7 Feb Leckhamstead Pop-Up Pub, St James’ Church, Leckhamstead.
• From 12 Feb Focus on Compton exhibition at West Berkshire Museum, Newbury.
• Thu 13 Feb Pop-Up Library, Compton Village Hall.
• Thu 27 Feb Pop-Up Library, 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 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.
