Thursday 29 May 2025      

Our usual round-up of local news includes one of our work-experience students takes a look at the problem of speeding in and around Compton and the possible impact of West Berkshire Council’s service devolutions – plus an open meeting in Compton, a sports-centre survey, a sponsored walk, women’s cricket and the Pen Meadow application in East Ilsley. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Compton area events include East Ilsley Sheep Fair. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Work experience

Last week, we welcomed two work-experience students from Newbury College, Tyler and Truman. In total, we’ve had about fifteen such people, in singly or in pairs, over the last four or five years.

You hear stories of young people who turn up at an office on a Monday morning for their work experience, full of an enthusiasm which tends to wane when they’re not given anything to do beyond making tea. It’s not like that here. We make it clear we have a schedule, including a weekly newsletter, into which they must fit. We also break two pieces of news which sometimes causes initial alarm. The first is that, on Friday morning, they’ll be taking part in the show we do on 4LEGS Radio. The second is that they will, with our help, be writing two articles.

The first, a day-by-day diary of what they’ve done, is quite undemanding. More daunting is the announcement that we’ll be getting them to research and write a piece about something, local or otherwise, that interests them. To their credit, despite some initial misgivings every one of them has risen to the challenge. Topics covered to date include the modern pentathalon, the Lambourn Valley Railway, swimming, blood donation, the demise of the airplane at the Grove Industrial Park, congenital cytomegalovirus (no, we hadn’t heard of it either), marathon running and the enduring appeal of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. You can see all the articles and diaries in this section of our website.

This time, Truman elected to write about the musician Grace Petrie whom he’d recently seen play live. Tyler also chose a matter close to his heart, the very different issue of speeding in Compton.

As I happened, I knew quite a few people who’re involved in this issue, so helped him to make some calls. By the end, we had a lot of information, and more coming in. The whole point of of the exercise was to have something mainly written by the student. By Wednesday, however, we both realised that showing him how to organise all this material into a coherent article was going to take more time than we had available. The results, which you can read here, was more of a list of the main issues, coupled with the frank admission that the subject was just too complex to cover from scratch in a couple of days.

None the less, the time wasn’t wasted. He learned that some matters have many moving parts and it takes time, skill and experience to assemble them in a way that works. It was, for me, a reminder that things that you do regularly and effortlessly are hard to deconstruct and explain to someone new to the game. Anyone who’s ever taught their child to drive a car will know what I mean. For both of us, it showed how difficult the problem of speeding is to fix: but, whether by addressing it or just writing about, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try…

• Other news

• Compton Parish Council invite all Compton residents to meet with members of the parish council to share concerns, ask questions, and discuss local matters that are important to you on Monday 9 June 2025 from 6.30pm to 7pm at The Wilkins Centre.

• Should you be looking for the perfect local walking route, Compton Parish Council have created a detailed map of scenic walks in the area, that can be downloaded here, for free.

• Everyone Active, which manages the Downlands Leisure Centre, has created a short survey “to help engage with the local community and better understand how the Downlands Sports Centre can be used to meet their needs.” You can click here to take part in the survey. This has now been extended and will run until 30 June.

• On Wednesday 1 June Compton Squirrels and Beavers will be doing a sponsored walk to raise money for the charity Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, to raise enough money to sponsor a puppy. To help the Squirrels to achieve their aim, please donate here.

• You can click here to read the report provided by the Brightwalton’s Parish Council Chair, Tim Wyatt, to the annual parish meeting on 12 May 2025. Cherry trees, vandalism, maintenance lessons, a refurbished phone box, a tight budget and thanks to his fellow councillors and the Clerk are all covered.

• The deadline for the submission of comments on the Pen Meadow planning application for 14 homes in East Ilsley (25/00599/FULMAJ) has been extended to Wednesday 4 June. However, if the matter hasn’t been determined by then, you can continue to make comments until this has happened. You can click here to see the full details on WBC’s planning portal. This is not the first time an application has been made on this site. The last one failed on three grounds: highways sightlines; insufficient demonstration of the local housing need; and drainage.

• Allotment plots available at Newbury Lane allotment in Compton from £12.50 per year. If you’re interested please mail newburylaneallotmentmanager@comptonparishcouncil.gov.uk

• West Ilsley Willows welcome new members to their women’s cricket team. Whether you’re a novice or seasoned player go along to meet the team at a Thursday evening training.

• The next Fantastic Friday trip in the Downland Volunteers Group Handebus will be on Friday 6 – Sunday 8 June to Avon Beach, Mudeford. See here for details and how to book.

• The X34 bus races through the ward between Newbury and Harwell but doesn’t call in on the Ilsleys. If you feel this should be changed,  please click here and hit the “Complete our survey” button. Question 5 asks for other suggestions, so that is where you can make your voices heard about the X34.

• Check out Project Groundwater‘s Innovation Fund if you would like to empower your local community to mitigate the challenges of local flooding. They are awarding grants to groups and organisations in Compton, from £5,000 to £20,000 to deliver innovative projects that address groundwater flooding issues. Find out more 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 to check your eligibility for flu and Covid vaccines. Book now here.

• For Hampstead Norreys news visit the Parish Council’s Facebook page.

• Latest local newsletters

• Chaddleworth News.
• West Ilsley News.

• Have your say on:

Consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

• Early Help Services for Children, Young People and Families in West Berkshire Feedback Survey – deadline 31 May.
• Draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment Document 2025 – deadline 13 July.

Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.

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.

• Compton Netball, for all ages and all abilities at The Downs School Sports Hall. Please message Nadia Oriani Balfour  if you’re interested and she will send you a link to the WhatsApp group.

• 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 contact Liane on ilsleysevergreens@gmail.com 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 8 Jun East Ilsley Sheep Fair, East Ilsley.

• Sat 28 Jun Compton’s Got Talent 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 9.30 a.m to 11 a.m 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 10 a.m.

• 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 9.30 a.m to 11 a.m. 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 7 p.m 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 12 noon. 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 11.30 a.m 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 13 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the election of the Chair and Deputy; the ward member’s report; grazing rights; planning matters; financial matters; and repairs and maintenance.
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 12 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the election of the Chair and Deputy; the ward member’s report; footway lighting; repairs and maintenance; planning matters; financial matters; and formal business.
You can also click here to read the minutes of Compton’a Annual Parish Meeting on 10 March. We have also published the Chair’s address in a separate post which you can read 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 Brightwalton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 12 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the election of the Chair and Deputy; the Chair’s annual report; the ward member’s report; matters arising; planning matters; and financial matters.
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 6 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the election of the Chair and Deputy; the Chair’s annual report; the Ward member’s report; highways; a councillor vacancy; parish council policies; parking; planning matters; and financial matters.
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 May and you can read the minutes here. items covered included: the election of the Chair and Deputy; formal business; planning matters; financial matters; the Councillor Stanley Memorial; the community plan; repairs and maintenance; the Ibex; the Clerk’s report; 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 West Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 1 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the election of the Chair; a councillor vacancy; planning matters; financial matters; and repairs and maintenance.
You can also click here to read the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting on 24 April.
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 27 March and you can read the minutes here.
You can also click here to read the minutes of the annual parish assembly on 24 April.
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 10 March 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 6 March and you can read the minutes here.
You can also click here to see the minutes of the annual parish meeting on 3 April.
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 5 March 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.

Archives

To see earlier Compton & Downlands & Surrounding Area Weekly News columns, please click here.