Thursday 5 June 2025
Our usual round-up of local news includes two public events regarding the Pirbright site in Compton and news from WBC about the proposed Ridgeway Council – plus a leisure-centre survey, sailing, devolved services, scenic walks, Ashampstead’s address, water mains upgrades and allotments available. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.
Upcoming Compton area events include Brightwalton Open Gardens and Meet Your Parish Council, Compton. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.
• Pirbright events
Homes England, which owns the Pirbright site in Compton, is continuing its commendable series of public events designed to keep residents informed about the progress there and to enable them to make comments. There are two coming up: a public drop-in session, and an online webinar.
- The drop-in session is from 4.30 to 8.30pm on Tuesday 17 June at the Wilkins Centre, Burrell Road, Compton, Newbury, RG20 6NP. No registration is required – just turn up.
- The online webinar is from 6.30 to 7.30pm on Tuesday 24 June on Zoom. Registration needs to be made via this link.
Both the information displayed at the drop-in session, and the online recording from the webinar will be displayed on the project website for anyone who is unable to make the sessions outlined above, and Homes England will be able to answer questions via email.
The next big decision that will need to be made, and announced, is which developer has been chosen to take the site forward. As we’ve mentioned before, whoever it is will need to keep up the standard of transparency and good communication which first Cognition (which organised the decontamination) and latterly Homes England have displayed. Developers across the area would also do well to follow these examples.
• Ridgeway Council
Want to know more about the proposed Ridgeway Council? West Berkshire Council has put together a bulletin summarising the proposal, what it entails and what it will mean for local councils. A full list of all the public consultation events can be found here. You can also share your thoughts by taking part in the online survey.
You can also see this separate post for some more thoughts on the plan.
• Other news
• Compton Parish Council give notice of the water mains upgrade in East Ilsley to be carried out during the summer months. The project begins on Monday 23 June, in two phases. Phase 1 is predicted to last until Tuesday 29 July, incurring a single lane closure of Cow Lane, and Phase 2 will run from Wednesday 23 July until Tuesday 2 September and will involve full closure of Compton Road. For Thames Water’s official letter click here or you may want to go to a drop-in session with the company on Wednesday 11 June at The Swan Hotel car park in East Ilsley from 9am to 3pm.
• This Sunday 8 June enjoy Brightwalton Open Gardens from 2pm to 5pm in aid of Brightwalton Primary School Gardening Club and All Saints Church, Brightwalton. Entry is £5 per adult with U16s free at the church where there will be teas, cakes and plants on sale during the afternoon. You can also take advantage of the free Handybus to The Green and The Common to view the gardens. See details here.
• If you know anyone aged 12-25 living in West Berkshire who would love to join an adventure sailing holiday this summer but can’t afford it, Ocean Youth Trust South, with generous sponsorship from JPS Fuels, are offering a small number of individuals fully funded places on one of their voyages this summer. For full details, email caroline.white@oytsouth.org
• You can click here to read the text of the Chair’s address to the Ashampstead annual parish meeting on 19 May.
• Compton Parish Council invites 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.
• Everyone knows that district and similar councils are under the financial cosh. These provide hundred of services, some of which are statutory, others more discretionary. The latter are obviously the vulnerable ones and might be “devolved” down to towns and parishes. We take a look at this issue in this separate article. We consider what information WBC needs to share with parishes to enable a smooth transition of some of the services and consider some of the obstacles that these lower-tier councils may face in trying adopt them. If unattended to or not dealt with clearly and promptly, we’ll be faced with a number of avoidable inconveniences and disagreements.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 and Friday 29 June to Stonehenge. See here for details and how to book.
• 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 8 June.
- Draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment Document 2025 – deadline 13 July.
- A proposal for two new unitary Councils – Oxford and Shires, and Ridgeway – deadline 16 July.
- Springfield Primary School – School Streets Scheme – deadline 2 December.
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 Brightwalton Open Gardens, start at Brightwalton Church.
• Mon 9 Jun Meet your parish council, The Wilkins Centre, Compton
• Sat 14 Jun Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – Compton Players Compton Village Hall
• Sat 28 Jun Compton’s Got Talent Compton Village Hall
• Sat 12 Jul Beer Festival The Swan Compton.
• 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 meetings of Ashampstead Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 19 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the election of the Chair and Deputy; the ward member’s report; local road improvements; formal matters; financial matters; Police matters; footpaths and byways; repairs and maintenance; planning matters; speeding; defibrillator training; and Yattendon Estates.
You can click here to read the text of the Chair’s address to the annual parish meeting, also on 19 May.
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 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 Beedon Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 8 May and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the election of the Chair and Deputy; formal matters; financial matters; planning matters; the phone box; dog bins; litter; an a locum clerk.
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 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 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.
