Thursday 21 August 2025      

Our usual round-up of local news includes a bus satisfaction survey from WBC verges in Compton, closures in East Ilsley, a newsletter in Chaddleworth, volunteer drivers, policing, reading and walks. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Compton area events include live music at The Swan and Sausage and Cider Festival in East Ilsley. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• On the buses

• This week’s news

• Hampstead Norreys Parish Council asks all residents to help keep roadside verges and pavements clear to avoid overgrown vegetation from obstructing sight lines for drivers and pedestrians. However, please note that under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, hedge trimming is generally discouraged between 1 March and 31 August to protect nesting birds. If you need to cut a hedge during this time, please check carefully for active nests and delay trimming if any are found.

• The Downland Practice is looking for volunteer drivers to support their patients, by providing transport to essential medical appointments. Even if you can only offer one trip a month, your help would be hugely appreciated. Please call 01635 578394 during office hours (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 11.30am) for more information.

• The next Fantastic Friday trips in the Downland Volunteers Group Handebus will be Friday 22 August to Bourton-on-the-Water and Friday 12 September to Bath. See here for details and how to book.

• Quick reminder about the fundraising appeal for vital refurbishment of the covered outdoor school and community swimming pool at The Downs School also used by the community. See here for how to donate or help in other ways.

• Have your say about crime in the Thames Valley by completing this  anonymous crime survey here and help shape the future of policing in your community.

• Have your say on women’s health in West Berkshire. Healthwatch West Berkshire are running a community survey to understand women’s experiences and challenges in accessing health and social care. Click here to have your say.  

• West Berkshire Libraries invite you to download the new Planet Library App to encourage your children to stay engaged with the wonderful world of books and reading, by perusing, reserving and renewing book loans.

• Local residents are invited to make more Poppies and/or Peace Doves to add to the display in Compton Church, for everyone to enjoy.

• A reminder from West Berkshire Council that garden-waste subscriptions 2025/26 are now open. To sign up click here or call 01635 503828.

• Quick reminder that Compton Parish Council has created a detailed map of scenic walks in the area, that can be downloaded here, for free.

• 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 Berkshire Council submitted its Bus Services Improvement Plan (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.

• 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.
• Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders for Shaw, Donnington, Greenham & Sulhamstead – deadline 3 September.
• SENDIASS Parent/Carer Feedback Survey (August 2025) – deadline 21 September.
• Review of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Thatcham Town Centre (August 2025) – deadline 29 September.
• 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.

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

• 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

• Every Weds until end Sept Afternoon Tea with the Giants, St Mary’s Church, Aldworth.

• Sat 23 Aug Live Music – White Ridge The Swan

• Sat 23 Aug Sausage & Cider Festival Crown & Horns, East Ilsley

• Tue 26 Aug Arms & Armour Antiques Talk Wilkins Centre, Compton.

• Sat 13 Sep Men’s Breakfast Memorial Room Hampstead Norreys

• 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.

•  Compton Pop-up Library is on the second Thursday of every month from 10.15am to 11.45am, in Compton Village Hall. What’s more, if you tell them about the sort of books you like to read they will choose a selection for your next visit.

• Leckhampstead Pop-up Library is at Leckhampstead Village Hall on the first Wednesday of each month, 10am to 12pm. See details here. New library members very welcome to join.

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

• 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 Hampstead Norreys Council for which minutes are available  took place on 24 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: hedgehogs; planning matters; financial matters; the flood warder; 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 meetings of Ashampstead Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 14 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: speeding and road safety; the ward member’s report; council policies; footpaths and byways; defibrillator training; planning matters; and financial matters.
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 Brightwalton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 14 July and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a report from the Community Co-ordinator; the Village Hall; 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 Beedon Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 3 July 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 Compton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 7 July and you can read the minutes here.
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 Aldworth Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 1 July 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 East Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 22 June 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 10 June 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 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 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.

Archives

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