Thursday 17 July 2025
Our usual round-up of local news includes a further pause with the Baxter’s application in Compton, fundraising for The Downs’ pool, a hosepipe ban, home-heating options and road closures in East Ilsley – plus new councillors, foodbank collections, Reading’s proposed land-grab, scams, reading and scenic walks. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.
Upcoming Compton area events include Downs Summer Fete and Jazz at St Mary’s. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.
• The Baxter site
In late 2024, an application was been lodged by Archel Homes to redevelop the former Baxter Healthcare sites at the junction of Wallingford Road and Horn Street in Compton. 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. You can also click here to visit the project’s website.
Since then, matters have stalled somewhat. It no appears that WBC has requested the applicant do more work on various aspects including the flood risk, the environmental impact assessment and the health plan. The local plan has since been passed as well so there could be other matters that need to be tweaked to make it acceptable to WBC. Then there’ll need to be another period of public consultation. All in all, a final decision could be some time away.
Once all the new details have been agreed, I’d have thought that another public engagement event or two should be organised. Cognition and Homes England have set the bar very high with this on the nearby Pirbright site and the developers and their advisors would be well advised to try to emulate this.
Otherwise, unfavourable comparisons will inevitably be drawn between the level of communication provided at the two sites. They don’t cost a huge amount to do and the expenditure is generally handsomely repaid by a better relationship with the community. Certainly the Chair of Compton PC and the local ward member both feel that this should happen.
When, or if, such events are arranged we’ll let you know the details. In the meantime, you can still comment on the application (see link above). However it might be as well to wait until the new documents have been uploaded as these might address some concerns. We’ll let you know when this has happened, or as soon as there’s some other news.
• Pool progress
Progress is being made with fundraising for refurbishment of the swimming pool at the Downs School which is also used by the community. The pump system is failing, the surrounding surfaces are in disrepair, and general wear and tear are placing the future of the pool at risk.
This pool is not just used for school PE lessons. It supports swimming for pupils with special educational needs, hosts after-school and holiday swimming sessions for local families, provides well-being opportunities for staff, and offers a place for younger children to learn to swim.
This project ensures continued access to a much-loved and much-used facility that has served generations. The school still needs to raise £2,633 and every penny raised will be match funded by Sport England. See here for how to donate or help in other ways.
• Hosepipe ban
After the driest spring in 132 years and demand for water increasing by 30% when temperatures rise above 25º it’s no surprise there’ll be a hosepipe ban across Berkshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire from 22 July. Anyone using a hosepipe to water the garden, wash the car or fill a paddling pool can be fined up to £1,000. See more details here.
The temporary restriction covers postcodes beginning with OX, GL, SN, RG4, RG8 and RG9. But even if you live outside those areas, please be mindful of how much water you use at home as our water supply is shared with local streams and rivers. ARK (Action for the River Kennet) reports that “our fragile chalk streams are drying up and water levels will continue to drop this summer. The shallow waters are significantly warmer than the usual chalk stream temperatures and this will be having a serious effect on the wildlife, particularly fish.”
• Home-heating options
• Road closure in East Ilsley
From 23 July to 2 September, Compton Road in East Ilsley will be closed so Thames Water can carry out essential water main renewal works. The existing pipe under Cow Lane has experienced an increase in bursts, so it’s being replaced to ensure the area has a more reliable and resilient water supply with less disruption from emergency repair works due to pipe bursts.
Cow Lane (Broad Street to Summerdown Stables) will require a full road closure as it is not possible to safely carry out this work without closing a section of Cow Lane for this stage.
WBC says that it has “worked closely with Thames Water and its contractor to ensure the work is scheduled during the school summer holidays to minimise disruption. A lengthy diversion (see map) will be in place so please allow extra time for your journey. We know locals might know alternative ways to get around, but this diversion is safe and suitable for all vehicles (cars and HGVs). Provisions have been made to ensure emergency vehicles can get through if required.”
Letters will be sent to residents and businesses in the vicinity of the works to let them know about the closure.
• Other news
• Compton Parish Council is currently seeking new councillors to join their dedicated team. If you are interested in making a difference in your community do get in touch with contact@comptonparishcouncil.gov.uk
• 1st Compton Guides have set up a temporary food bank collection point at the Scout and Guide Hut until the end of July. They are only accepting tins, and request items that are in date with a minimum of a month’s expiration date.
• Quick reminder about afternoon teas with ‘the giants’ at St Mary’s Church, Aldworth on Wednesdays throughout July, August and September from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Groups are welcome but need to be pre-booked with Gill on 01635 578624 or gillwilding@hotmail.com. The teas are in aid of the church and there is disabled access.
• How does Reading Council’s desire for a land grab of the eastern part of West Berkshire affect the proposals for a new combined unitary Ridgeway Council for West Berkshire, the Vale and South Oxfordshire Councils? In this separate article we take a look at why it might be important and what WBC thinks of it, as well as at the other decisions that have yet to be taken.
• The Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service is offering a Free Safe & Well Visit to a whole host of individuals, see here. To see if you qualify call Freephone 0800 5876679 or email SafeandWell@rbfrs.co.uk
• West Berks Foodbank. are looking for support for their Hungry Holidays initiative. Every little donation makes a huge difference. Donate quickly and easily via The Good Exchange here.
• For details of the engagement exercise which Homes England has been carrying out on the Pirbright site in Compton (which has now reached a pause), please see this separate post.
• West Berkshire Council has teamed up with Warmer Homes to obtain funding for energy-saving grants to help the community reduce energy bills, cut carbon emissions and enhance home heating. The scheme is open to homeowners or private tenants only, housing association properties and council owned housing are not eligible. For further information or to register your interest click here.
• See the 26 June edition of this column for the latest on an important housing-needs survey which has been conducted in Compton, the preliminary results of which are now in. With about two hundred homes set to be built in the village, this will help ensure that WBC and Compton PC can insist that the developers contribute the number of affordable and social-rent homes that the exercise has identified as being required.
• Compton Parish Council is keen to shine a light on exactly what its part-time Parish Council Clerk does to keep the Parish running smoothly. From legal advice to litter bins, the Clerk keeps the wheels oiled. Click here for more info.
(BSIP) to the Department for Transport in October 2021 and received £2.6 million to make improvements to buses by March 2026. It established an Enhanced Partnership with local bus operators in April 2022 and received further funds in May 2023 and June 2025 to continue the work. To show the impacts the Enhanced Partnership is having on the local public bus service, WBC needs to measure customer satisfaction. The Council is therefore asking local residents to share their views by 31 August.
• Check out the latest scams to look out for, highlighted by Angela Money BEM from West Berkshire Neighbourhood Watch, here.
• West Berkshire Libraries are inviting all children aged four to eleven to join this year’s free Summer Reading Challenge starting Tuesday 1 July. The 2025 theme is Story Garden, celebrating imagination, nature, and the joy of stories. Read up to 6 books, earn rewards along the way, including a medal and certificate when you complete the challenge. Click here to see more.
• You can click here to read the text of the Chair’s address to the Ashampstead annual parish meeting on 19 May.
• 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.
• 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 Friday 25 July to go punting in the Cherwell Botanical Gardens. See here for details and how to book.
• 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.
• 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:
- West Berkshire Bus Service Survey 2025 – deadline 31 August.
- Extension of pedestrianisation hours for Newbury Town Centre from 10am-5pm to 10am-11pm trial – deadline 19 Nov.
- 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
• Fri 18 Jul Summer Fete at The Downs School, Compton.
• Sat 19 Jul Jazz at St Mary’s, Aldworth.
• 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 Aldworth Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on i July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the ward member’s report; litter; repairs and maintenance; 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 10 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: planning matters; and the annual governance and accountability return.
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 9 June and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: planning matters; financial matters; the salt bin; vandalism and ASB; and the sports pavilion.
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 Hampstead Norreys Council for which minutes are available took place on 23 May 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 21 May 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 19 May and you can read the minutes here.
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.
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 12 May 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 8 May 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 West Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 1 May and you can read the minutes here.
You can also click here to read the minutes of the annual parish meeting on 20 May.
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.
