Thursday 18 December 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes a land girl, parties, the Library, coffee, a trail, bingo, twenty-two stories and a free bus day.  See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Charity Tractor Run & Christmas Market. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Other news

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 11 December 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes social housing in rural areas, carols, trees, stories, a newsletter, bus travel and recycling.  See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Civic Carol Concert and Friday Market Christmas Party. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Other news

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 4 December 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes the latest newsletter from the Town Council and advice about the 20mph speed zones – plus lights, markets, Santa, bus travel, a memory tree and a jumble sale.  See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Thatcham Christmas Lights Switch-On and Christmas Market. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• The Town Council’s newsletter

The December issue of this has recently dropped into my inbox and you can click here to read it if you didn’t receive it. Items covered included:

• The Christmas lights switch-on on Friday 5 December.
• Recycling plastic tubs with Thatcahm Refillable.
• The Christmas market on Saturday 6 December.
• The memory tree at London Road Cemetery.
• The Mayor’s Carol Service on Sunday 14 December.
• The Christmas-themed Friday market on 19 December.
• Forthcoming council and committee meetings.
• Town councillors’ surgeries.
• Information about joining the Council’s working parties.
• Events in Thatcham’s halls.
• Other forthcoming events.
• The Town Council’s roles and responsibilities.

• 20mph zones: the lessons from Theale

Several 20mph areas were introduced as a pilot scheme in Theale about a year ago (there are now five such zones in the village) and more are planned to be rolled out in other areas, starting with parts of Thatcham. There is a four-year project in place to look at all towns and villages in the district. More information is expected to be announced by WBC in the new year.

Given the amount of local interest these proposals might provoke, it seemed worth having a chat with Theale Parish Council to see how it felt the scheme there had gone.

In general, it seems to have been a success. One area is proving particularly difficult but in general it appears that it’s had the intended result of reducing speeds, if not to 20mph then to under 30. With the Police unwilling and unable to enforce these (or any other) limits except for now and then, this is as much as can realistically be hoped for.

The Council also made three other observations which other communities might want to bear in mind.

• There were initial teething problems, mainly with the positioning and visibility of the signs (to which WBC responded very promptly). On day one, therefore, check all of these and let the highways team know if anything needs improving.
• Theale asked for WBC to produce a six-month review with data, which it did. This enabled Theale PC to share with residents the proof that the measures were having an effect.
• Parish and town councils are no highways authorities and so don’t make or enforce any of the decisions. They are, however, often the first organisation to which residents complain when there are problems. When the scheme had been running for a couple of months, Theale PC invited WBC’s highways team to come to an open meeting to explain what it was doing and why. This helped people understand what was happening and made it clear to where any future comments should be directed.

• Other news

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 27 November 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes lights, a market, repairs, friendship, community champions, tubs, scams and jumble.  See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Thatcham Christmas Lights Switch-on and Hermitage Handmade Christmas Market. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• This week’s news

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 20 November 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes help needed for the Lion’s Santa, crafts, markets, a pants party, a road closure, parking, giving and badminton.  See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Christmas Fairs & Markets and Brimpton Secondhand Sale. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Other news

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 13 November 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes the PSPO is extended in Thatcham and possible parking changes – plus EV chargers, carer’s rights, Christmas cards, community champions, repairs, jumble and badminton.  See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Thatcham Mayor’s Barn Dance and Thatcham Comedy Club. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

West Berkshire Council has agreed to extend the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Thatcham town centre for another three years, after 97% of respondents backed the proposal during consultation.

A statement from WBC claims that “the PSPO, introduced initially to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour in the town centre, has proven to be an effective tool in supporting Thames Valley Police and improving the safety and wellbeing of residents, visitors, and businesses.”

Tom McCann, portfolio holder for Public Safety and Community Engagement (and former leader of Thatcham Town Council) agree, “Since its implementation, the PSPO has been an effective preventative tool in tackling anti-social behaviour,” he said. “The extension ensures that we continue to protect our community and maintain a welcoming environment for all who live, work and visit Thatcham town centre.”

You can click here to read the full statement,which includes more information PSPOs.

• Other news

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 6 November 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes questions and answers about the masterplanning exercise for NE Thatcham and the Town Council’s latest newsletter – plus fireworks, cards, champions, parking, repairs, fairs and jumble.  See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Remembrance Parades and Thatcham Mayor’s Barn Dance. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Masterplanning

We’ve written several times recently (see below and the archive section of this column, the link to which is at the foot) about the somewhat stately pace that’s been adopted by this project which the Planning Inspector insisted upon as part of signing off WBC’s local plan in June.

The following question – posed by Thatcham Town Councillor Simon Pike – was put to the WBC’s Executive on 6 November. This neatly sums up the points we’ve made and which have been expressed by others, although doesn’t refer to the rumours that, as we previously mentioned, one problem was that the developers seemed to be reluctant to get involved.

“The Local Plan adopted by this Council on 10 June stated in Policy SP14 that it will lead the development of a Masterplan supplementary planning document for the North East Thatcham development, “which will be produced in collaboration with relevant town and parish councils, the community and other stakeholders”, and that it intends “that the Masterplan SPD will be adopted within 12 months”.

“A timetable presented at a meeting with Parish Councils on 24th July indicated that during this autumn there would be both public engagement events and then the drafting of the SPD. When will the Council start this collaboration with Parish Councils and the public engagement events?”

A very similar question was asked at WBC’s Parish Conference last month, and received the reply that work was progressing and that the engagement was expected to start in earnest in the near future. The near future now having arrived, Councillor Pike decided to ask the question again.

I imagined that, its being raised at an Executive meeting, the response will be more specific and more binding than the one given at the comparatively informal Parish Conference.

It was. The portfolio holder, Denise Gaines, while admitting that the process had not yet fully started, re-affirmed WBC’s commitment to the project and said that work was being done on on both the consultation process and the supplementary planning document. She also stressed that the consortium of landowners had recently “re-affirmed its commitment to working collaboratively” on the masterplanning exercise. I presume that this referred to, or could be taken to include, the developers as well.

She added that she was planning to hold another meeting with the relevant town and parish councils before the end of November.

When we last looked at this on 23 October, we suggested some bad consequences that could ensue for the local communities if this project were unduly delayed or abandoned. The portfolio holder’s assurances were welcome but the project could do with picking up a bit more pace. Before too long we’ll be at that time of year when people will say “of course, we won’t be able to do anything now until after Christmas…”

• Thatcham’s newsletter

The excellent monthly e-missive from Thatcham Town Council has recently hit the inboxes: you can click here to read it if you didn’t receive it. The November issue includes…

Full details of the town’s Remembrance Day events on Sunday 9 November.

• An invitation to local children to enter the Mayor’s poetry competition.
• A barn dance fundraising event.
• Recycling plastic tubs through Thatcham refillable.
• The Christmas lights switch-on.
• The Christmas market.
• The Memory Tree and the London Road cemetery.
• Forthcoming Town Council meetings and councillors’ surgeries.
• The Friday market.
• Events at Thatcham’s halls and elsewhere.
• What’s on for Children and young people.

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 30 October 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes Hermitage is quorate again and a reminder about the 20mph consultation in Thatcham – plus badminton, scarecrows, plastic tubs, the people’s choice, crafts and Christmas cards. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Halloween Fun and Christmas Bazaar. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• 20mph, or not

We mentioned on 16 October week (see below) that WBC is looking to introduce 20mph zones in some streets in Thatcham. Last week (see also below) I explained why I thought it was worth taking part in this and similar consultation exercises. I’ve seen comments from people on social media and elsewhere saying that they think the plans are a bad idea (if so, respond to the consultation) and that the whole exercise is a waste of time because the councillors and officers have already decided what to do (it isn’t and they haven’t).

You can click here to read more and to take part in the consultation which closes on the fifth of November.

• Quorate again

We’ve covered the problems at Hermitage Parish Council over the last month or so which resulted in a sufficient number of councillors resigning to make in inquorate and thus unable to function. The two ward members, heather Codling and Paul Dick, were drafted in to make up the numbers. Matters then calmed down in and around the council 9though some reports suggested otherwise) and last week we mentioned that the meeting on 27 October was likely to co-opt three new members.

In what was described to me as a “very positive meeting”, this duly happened. Moreover, a fourth person is also interested is being c-opted in the next month or so. The competent currently stands at eight (the two ward members are staying on, for the time being at least), well above the minimum of four and not far off the maximum of eleven.

So that would seem to be that. If anyone wants to join this or any other parish council or volunteer to help their work in any way, then get in touch with the Clerk. Contact details for the parish councils are provided towards the end of all our weekly regional news sections, such as this one, as are links to the most recently available minutes.

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 23 October 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes a quorate council in Hermitage, slow progress with the masterplanning in NE Thatcham, why it’s worth responding to consultations and outreach library services for parish councils – plus a mass unwrap, family favourites, scarecrows, Greenham’s grants, litter and scams. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Scarecrow Trail, Amazing Grace production and Repair Cafe. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Masterplanning in NE Thatcham

As we’ve mentioned before, this is a technical but important process that the Planning Inspector said must happen before any applications are lodged at the controversial NE Thatcham sites.

The aim is that local stakeholders (including the parish councils, the developers and other interested parties) can play their role in shaping the over-arching details of the scheme. For the parishes, this represents a way of engaging with a process which they had previous opposed.

The result will be a supplementary planning document (SPD) which will be a material consideration in determining the applications that come forward.

This exercise should help to formalise the responsibilities if the developers. In Sandleford, the scheme several times ground to a halt because there was no such document and the developers were unable to agree about a number of important matters. There were only two developers in Sandleford. Here there are four.

The Inspector said that it was envisaged that this exercise would take a year. This process could – and perhaps should – have started shortly after the local plan was adopted by WBC in early June. However, here we are in late October and the project seems little further forward. I appreciate that the twelve-month date set by the Inspector is a target not a deadline. Even so…

It’s been suggested to me that one of the challenges has been getting the four developers to agree – either amongst themselves, or jointly with WBC, or perhaps both – what money thay will contribute to the project to fund the officer and the consultants. If there’s any truth in this, the project seems in trouble before it’s really started.

Moreover, the noises coming from Whitehall continue to be to “get building done” at almost any cost. It’s possible to foresee a situation where the Secretary of State, Steve Reed, sees that these 2,500 homes aren’t progressing and then announces that, despite what the Planning Inspector’s said, the masterplanning exercise is a luxury he can no longer indulge and the developers should put in planning applications regardless.

If that happens, not only might we be in for another round of bickering and legal challenges but also all the work that the parishes have done will be a colossal waste of time. I’m not saying this is going to come to pass, merely that this is the direction in which the exercise seems to be heading.

• Hermitage’s quorum

Contrary to what you might have read elsewhere, Hermitage Parish Council (HPC) doesn’t seem to be struggling to get its complement up to over four (the minimum for it to be quorate and so able to function).

We reported on 4 September (see the archive section of this column) that for various reasons the majority of members had recently resigned. The two ward members, Heather Codling and Paul Dick, were drafted in to make up the numbers.

It’s been mentioned elsewhere that the notice period for calling elections for these vacant seats has passed with no candidates coming forward. This doesn’t, however, suggest the democratic machine has broken down. Election is only one way (and a time-consuming and expensive one) for filling such vacancies. The other (far more commonly used) is co-option where, following whatever policy the council has, a candidate is invited to join the team.

The fact that no election has been triggered suggests to me that anyone wanting to go down this route was unable to attract the required ten nominations per candidate. Indeed, I understand that three people are willing to be co-opted at the next HPC meeting on Monday 27 October. Members of the public are welcome to attend (as they are all such meetings).

If this happens, HPC’s membership will rise to eight (including the two ward members, should they remain): more than enough to be quorate. Hermitage’s maximum number of councillors is eleven, but it’s rare that a parish ever has its full complement.

As to why this ruction happened, that’s not a matter I think it worth raking over. All I will say is that this can perhaps be put down to differing views as to what HPC should be doing, and at what speed. These tensions regularly crop up elsewhere and are certainly not unique to Hermitage.

“Joining a parish council is an excellent and rewarding thing to do,” I suggested on 4 September, “and I’m in awe of anyone who’s prepared to take it on. That said, it’s as well to adjust your expectations of what can be accomplished. You’ll be helping to drive an elderly steam engine that can’t go above 25mph or deviate from its pre-ordained tracks, not in sole charge of a sports car that can go wherever you wish it to at any time and speed you choose. Both are equally necessary but also very different.”

• To respond or not…

We mentioned last week (see below) that WBC is looking to introduce 20mph zones in some streets in Thatcham. You can click here to read more and to take part in the consultation which closes on the fifth of November.

I’ve seen some online comments about this which are variations on the theme of ‘what’s the point of responding, the council’s going to do it anyway if it wants to.” I don’t think this is a useful assumption to make.

In the first place, I can think of several cases where WBC has either modified or abandoned proposals in the light of consultation responses. The proposed closure of Notrees care home in Kintbury (under the last administration) and the withdrawal of the Downland Centre from the leisure contract, the parking charges in Lambourn and the outsourcing of the Resource Centres (under this one) are four I’ve covered in some detail.

Others include proposals relating to adult respite in the community, dog-waste and litter bins, open-space, gully, bridge and verge maintenance, ASC transport and the closure of Willows Care Home. All these and others were cancelled or modified in the light of public comments. In some of these cases, the comments pointed out aspects that the council hadn’t initially considered.

So, your response may make a difference, if it’s done through the specified channels. However, the officers and members aren’t going to be combing through social-media posts to see what people might be saying.

Of course, the changes may happen anyway. Factors like national legislation, overwhelming cost savings, replacement services or longer-term benefits may be involved. However, we really do need to start with the assumption that public comments will be considered and given appropriate weight. These consultations aren’t binding referendums but a method of getting opinions, Just because your point of view hasn’t won the day doesn’t mean it’s been ignored.

As regards the 20mph plans, councils are generally reluctant to make such changes and, in other communities like Hungerford and Eastbury where these have been proposed, a wealth of community-driven evidence was needed. Nor can I see any particular reason why WBC would introduce these if residents had genuine misgivings. The only way the Council can know what these are is if you tell them.

In the final analysis, councils are elected to make decisions and they can’t be asking what we think about everything every five minutes. Not all the calls they make will be popular. Some will take time for their benefits to be seen (if they are). The only way a council can avoid this criticism is by doing nothing at all – and in that case, you can bet there’d be any even worse outcry.

So, if you disagree with these or any other proposals, make your points using the official response process and see what happens. At the very least, you’ll then know that you could have done no more. That’s got to be better than later wishing you could have done something.

• WBC offers outreach library services to parishes

West Berkshire Council now longer operates a mobile library. In order to give communities without a nearby library easier access to aspects of this service, WBC is working with parishes on two separate schemes which can help replace this. Click here for more information including how to contact WBC if you want to discuss how your parish can benefit from these initiatives.

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 16 October 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes ten roads in Thatcham set for 20mph limits, young poets wanted, more events to come at the Thatcham Festival, a Cold Ash fundraiser exceeds its target and a survey from the PCC – plus therapy, handbells, Christmas cards, markets, repairs and blue plaques. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Thatcham Festival, Thatcham Unplugged & Diwali Celebration. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Twenty’s plenty?

WBC has announced that it’s proposing to introduce 20mph speed limits in ten parts of Thatcham. This follows a trial scheme in Theale which appears to have worked well. The preamble to the consultation says that the Council is “committed to actions such as to work with local communities and partners to enhance our main towns and large villages and to enabling 20mph limits for residential streets where residents want it.”

You can click here to read more and to take part in the consultation. which – remember, remember – closes on the fifth of November. You can comment on individual aspects of the scheme, rather than just being pro or anti the whole thing. On 16 October, the portfolio holder assured me that residents’ comments will be taken into account if made by participating in the consultation (posts on social media, no matter how eloquent, will not count). If, for instance, a large number of people in a particular street oppose the scheme there then this will be borne in mind.

This is a consultation, not a referendum. The responses will be used to inform a decision, not to make it. There may, for example, be cases where a good number of people don’t want the change but where the presence of a school or surgery  nonetheless makes it desirable to do.

I understand that further schemes are also planned to be consulted on in the same way. The ones so far have been in urban areas. There are also a number of rural communities where such schemes have been proposed: their turn may come next.

• Thatcham Festival

This continues this week with many exciting activities still to come. A few highlights include ‘Drag Bingo’, an astronomy evening, a leisure and craft fair, a retro gaming exhibition, a wildlife walk and more. The Festival concludes this Sunday with a Final Concert, at St Mary’s Church. Read the full programme here.

• Calling young local poets

The Mayor of Thatcham, Petra Pemberton, has announced a children’s poetry competition on the theme of “What Thatcham Means to Me.” As a statement from the Town Council explains, “This creative challenge invites young people to share what makes Thatcham special to them – from favourite places and people to memories and dreams for the future. Whether it’s a heartfelt verse, a rhyming rhyme, or a free-flowing piece of expression, the competition is a chance for young voices to shine.”

The deadline for entries is Thursday 21 November 2025. The competition is open to anyone aged 18 or under who has a connection to Thatcham in any way. Information on how to enter can be found here.

• How much does crime impact your business?

“I know that crime can affect businesses,” Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber wrote this week, “and I also recognise that low crime and a thriving economy go hand in hand. So I am asking you to share your experiences.” His Local Business Survey (which has some prizes to encourage you to take part) is being done, he explains, partly for him to gather information on how crime affects your business so he can try to improve policing; and partly “to help play my part in strengthening our local economy.”

You can click here to take part in the survey which will, he assures us, take only “a couple of minutes” to complete.

• Fundraising event exceeds target in Cold Ash

After the loss of much-loved local resident Peter Seward, who suffered a cardiac arrest at The Spotted Dog in July, landlord Kevin Dobson and the community set out to make sure no-one else would ever have to wait precious minutes for a defibrillator again.

The ‘Party With a Purpose’ event at The Spotted Dog on 11 October was, the organisers told us, “an incredible success — an afternoon and evening packed with live music, food and drink, horse-and-cart rides, animals for the children, and a visit from our local first responders. Hundreds of people came together to celebrate Peter’s life and raise funds for a vital cause.

Thanks to everyone’s generosity, an amazing £12,000 has now been raised — far more than was predicted enough to purchase eight state-of-the-art defibrillators for Cold Ash and the surrounding area. These will be installed at key locations to ensure fast access in an emergency.

Kevin Dobson the Spotted Dog landlord and key organiser said: “It’s all in Peter’s memory. We’re unbelievably up to £12,000, which means we can buy the best ones we can get for the village. It’s been absolutely fantastic.”

“Cold Ash Parish Council has already pledged to match funds up to £2,000. With this and the totals raised we should also be able to cover ongoing training and maintenance. The fundraising team will continue to work with local partners to ensure that everyone in the parish knows where their nearest defibrillator is — and how to use it.

“A huge thank-you to everyone who donated, volunteered, played music, cooked, organised, or simply turned up to show support. Together, Cold Ash has turned a moment of sadness into a lasting legacy that could one day save a life.”

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 9 October 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes a possible community hub in Thatcham, festival o’clock is nearly upon us and a party with a purpose in Cold Ash – plus mental health, Christmas cards, learners, clothes, geology and beating the bounds. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Thatcham Festival & Charity Quiz Night. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• A community hub?

“Work is underway,” a statement from West Berkshire Council proclaims, “to explore design options, with residents set to help shape the final vision for this ambitious new space later in 2025.” the space in question is the Brownsfield Road and Memorial Fields area which will under the plans “be transformed into a vibrant community destination for everyone.”

The statement goes on to say that the plans “are taking shape, with work now underway to explore what the space could look like and how it will serve the town’s growing population.” The venture is “driven by Thatcham Town Council and supported by WBC.” The plans were, it’s claimed, “first identified and requested by residents in the 2023 Thatcham Town Centre Strategy study.”

At the same time as this Thatcham study was produced, a similar exercise was conducted for Hungerford. I’m sorry to report that about a year ago the discussions there became sufficiently divisive that all the participating organisations pulled out of the scheme and it has been indefinitely paused.

A more accurate way of describing these projects might be to say that WBC initiated them and, through a consultation exercise that many in Hungerford found slightly confusing, produced a survey to which residents then responded. The issues that elicited the most responses were, reasonably enough, dealt with first by the Hungerford steering group that was eventually set up. Unfortunately these touched on matters of pedestrianisation and parking, both of which rapidly exposed some fault lines in the town that had previously been dormant.

This Thatcham scheme, which appears to be a part of the wider strategy exercise, doesn’t appear to involve either of these factors and so stands a better chance of success. Such plans can, at worst, be seen as vanity projects by the parent council foisted on a community to do the work for. At best, they are way of gathering evidence in order to support funding bids from third-party donors. Hopefully Thatcham’s will follow the latter route.

• Thatcham’s Festival

Thatcham Festival returns from Friday 10 to Sunday 19 October bringing ten days packed with activities that celebrate the town’s local talent, creativity, and heritage. With many events completely free, and none costing more than £7, it’s the perfect chance to enjoy something new. You can view the full programme of events on the Thatcham Town Council website.

With a wide range of events, from live music, talks, and guided walks to children’s storytelling, craft workshops, and art exhibitions there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

This year, the festival places a special focus on Thatcham’s rich history, with heritage walks and talks uncovering the town’s fascinating past. Families can look forward to interactive sessions including nature activities, storytelling, and hands-on crafts, while those looking to try something new can explore everything from photography and painting to music and board games.

Local groups, artists, and performers will be at the heart of the celebrations and with so many free events, the festival is also a wonderful opportunity to spark new interests, and enjoy the friendly, welcoming spirit that makes Thatcham great.

“Whatever your interests, there’s something for everyone to enjoy,” Petra Pemberton, the Mayor of Thatcham said. “I look forward to sharing these special days with you and celebrating the creativity, heritage, and community spirit that make Thatcham so special.”

You can book online and in person at the Thatcham Town Council offices.

• Cold Ash’s party with a purpose

Cold Ash residents are uniting this Saturday, 11 October, for a “party with a purpose” — a lively community fundraiser at The Spotted Dog, starting from 2pm to raise money for new defibrillators across the parish. The event will feature live music, a BBQ, raffle prizes and family fun, all with one vital goal: to improve local access to life-saving defibrillators and provide ongoing training for the community.

The campaign was inspired by the tragic death of much-loved local resident Peter Seward, a , earlier this year. His loss highlighted how essential it is to have defibrillators quickly available in emergencies. In response, the whole parish has come together , already raising nearly £2,500 already towards a £4,000 target.

Cold Ash Parish Council has pledged to match every pound raised up to £2,000, helping to bring the project within reach. Any additional funds will be donated to the British Heart Foundation and the Fire Brigade Benevolent Fund.

“This is a true community effort,” said Kevin Dobson,  the Owner of the Spotted Dog and lead organiser. “We’ve seen the very best of Cold Ash – neighbours, families, and local businesses all working together for something that could one day save a life. Everyone is welcome to come along, enjoy the day and help make it happen.”

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

• Have your say on:

Consultations being run by West Berkshire Council:

• 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.

Thursday 2 October 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes the latest newsletter from Thatcham Town Council, the Thatcham Festival, new premises needed and blue plaques – plus beer in Hermitage, repairs in Bucklebury, unplugged in Thatcham, mental health, free soil and road closures. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Hermitage Beer Festival and Charity Quiz Night. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Thatcham’s newsletter

The latest newsletter from Thatcham Town Council has recently been published and you can click here to read it. Matters covered include…

• Thatcham Festival, which kicks off on Friday 10 October and runs until Sunday 19 October.
• A Leisure and Craft Fair, Irish and Celtic music and and afternoon quiz.
• The town’s Friday markets.
• World Mental Health Day on Friday 10 October.
• Forthcoming Town Council meetings and Councillors’ surgeries.
• Events in Thatcham’s halls.
• Activities for children and young people.
• Other forthcoming events.
• The role and responsibilities of the Town Council.

• New premises needed

With planning permission finally having been granted for the redevelopment of the Kennet Centre and work due to start in the twelve to eighteen months, the businesses which are based there clearly need to find another home. Many of these would have been renting their space on very favourable terms: none the less, re-locating anywhere is always stressful and the need to do it always seems to come at the worst possible time.

One organisation that finds itself in this position is TUXchange, a “preloved school uniform exchange service for Newbury and Thatcham.” It’s offered a “help save our service” appeal, which you can read here. Do get in touch with them if you know of any suitable premises along the lines that the appeal described.

Short-term space is still available in the Kennet Centre for the time being – click here for details.

• Blue plaques

A reminder that Thatcham Town Council is inviting residents to help shape the future of the town’s much-loved blue plaques by putting forward suggestions for 2026 and beyond. “Whether it’s a remarkable local figure, a historic building, or an event that left its mark on Thatcham, the Town Council – working alongside its Heritage Working Party – wants the community to have its say,” a statement from the Council says.

Blue plaques are “a much-loved way of sharing stories that might otherwise remain hidden – from pioneering inventors and wartime heroes to cultural milestones and iconic landmarks. Each plaque helps bring Thatcham’s heritage to life for future generations.”

You can make your suggestions by completing the proposal form on the Thatcham Town Council website, emailing officer.events@thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk or visiting the Town Council offices in person at Brownsfield Road.

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 25 September 2025

We’re taking a bit of time off so there’ll  be no update this week. Normal service will be resumed on Thursday 2 October.

Thursday 18 September 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes blue plaques in Thatcham, Newbury Show is here and bin-collection changes – plus coffee, recycling, rugby, trustees, eco offers and a drop-in event from Let’s Talk. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include MacMillan Coffee Morning and Thatcham Eco Market. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Blue plaques

Thatcham Town Council is inviting residents to help shape the future of the town’s much-loved blue plaques by putting forward suggestions for 2026 and beyond. “Whether it’s a remarkable local figure, a historic building, or an event that left its mark on Thatcham, the Town Council – working alongside its Heritage Working Party – wants the community to have its say a statement from the Council says.

Blue plaques are “a much-loved way of sharing stories that might otherwise remain hidden – from pioneering inventors and wartime heroes to cultural milestones and iconic landmarks. Each plaque helps bring Thatcham’s heritage to life for future generations.”

You can make your suggestions by completing the proposal form on the Thatcham Town Council website, emailing officer.events@thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk or visiting the Town Council offices in person at Brownsfield Road.

• Showtime…

The wait is nearly over and Newbury Show is opening its gates to thousands of visitors this weekend at Newbury Showground. Celebrating all things farming and rural life, showcasing agricultural technology, animals, artisan products, local produce, and more – all with an educational focus.

Timetables have just been released for the Main Ring, Demonstration Ring, Countryside Ring and Lake, Show Theatre and Live Music. Plus Dogs Trust Dog Show classes on both Saturday and Sunday.

Expect a fantastic day out packed with displays, competitions, shopping, an unrivalled food hall, craft marquee, rural crafts, have-a-go activities, and all your favourite traditional county show attractions. Don’t forget, tickets are cheaper if you buy them online here for £20 instead of £25 at the gate.

• Bin collections

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 11 September 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes the bin collection arrangements are about to change, Hermitage Parish Council is quorate again and a look at the (rather slow) progress with the masterplanning exercise in NE Thatcham – plus a centenary in Cold Ash, a festival in Thatcham, eco-friendly offers, heritage open days and family history. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Thatcham Market & Autumn Gift Fair. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Bin change day approaches

As recycling bins will still be collected every two weeks, this means that every six weeks all bins will need to be put out at once. WBC has told us that the officers are aware that this might be an issue in residential areas with limited kerbside space. We’ve been assured that they will monitor the situation closely and work with collection crews to come up with any solutions required.

• Hermitage’s parish council

West Berkshire Council has said that it is “working to support Hermitage Parish Council while it holds elections.”

It follows the resignation of councillors that have left the council with three parish councillors, with four the minimum its constitution requires to be able to formally hold meetings or make decisions. Where this happens, legislation allows district councils to step in and appoint enough parish councillors for it to continue to operate.

“Over the past few days West Berkshire Council has been working with the clerk of Hermitage Parish Council and is proposing to temporarily appoint West Berkshire Councillors Paul Dick and Heather Codling to the parish council.” This was considered at an Extraordinary Council meeting on 11 September.

When the list of apologies was read out, I wondered for a moment if this extraordinary meeting might itself be inquorate, so many absentees were there. This would have been an unfortunate, though rather delicious, irony. It appeared not, however.

In introducing the motion, WBC’s leader Jeff Brooks said that he didn’t propose to discuss the circumstances which had led to this situation. He also stressed how important parishes were to the workings of the local democratic machine. After a short debate, the motion to appoint the two ward members was carried unanimously.

This arrangement will, WBC has confirmed, “remain in place until an election for parish councillors can be held or otherwise for a councillor to be co-opted onto the council.”

• Masterplanning still in prologue stage

This issue, which we covered in this column on 31 July and 7 August, concerns the work that needs to be done (as defined by the Planning Inspector) on producing a supplementary planning document (SPD) for the massive development to the NE of Thatcham.

I understand that, following a pause for the summer holidays, staff absences and the late submission of a response, work is now underway on this. It’s expected that by the end of the month there’ll be a detailed timetable and confirmation of what officer resources will be available. Some of this time is to be funded by the developers.

The adoption of the local plan – and thus the official start of this exercise – took place three months ago yesterday. I expressed surprise in July that things hadn’t moved forward more quickly. At least we now know that a guillotine won’t descend on 11 June 2026.

The work has to be done properly but it can’t continue indefinitely. The day may come when the developers claim that the delays are intolerable and not of their making and put in an application which doesn’t reference the uncompleted SPD at all. This would be, at the very least, highly divisive.

An even worse option would be if, for some reason, the progress on this got completely stuck in the mud. Opportunistic developers might lodge speculative applications elsewhere. If granted, by WBC or on appeal, they would require no masterplanning exercise and so would in those cases remove the level of influence that the local community currently has over this site. This seems unlikely: mind you, back in the day few would have thought that Sandleford would still be unstarted nearly twenty years on. It certainly proves that all those involved need to work together.

Bucklebury ward member Chris Read, a project manager by profession, points out that “until you have a detailed plan underpinned by resource, funding and senior sponsorship you have no proof you will be able to complete on time.” The masterplanning exercise cannot be so described at present and so, until it can, is still in preface, prelude or prologue stage.

All this makes it hard to say when it will be completed. Perhaps a year from when the thing gets going in earnest – so, perhaps 15 October 2026 – might be something to aim for. Anything that slipped in 2027 would risk making WBC look as if it has lost control and set the developers circling.

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• Cold Ash Community Bulletin
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 4 September 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes Thatcham Town Council’s September newsletter and an inquorate council – plus litter picking, bereavement, a public spaces protection order, kids’ activities and an outdoor party. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Great Thatcham Duck Race and Charity Dog Walk. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Thatcham’s newsletter

The September newsletter from Thatcham Town Council has recently been published and you can click here to read it. Items covered include…

• The stories behind some of the town’s blue plaques.
• Thatcham Festival.
• A barn-dance fundraiser.
• An eco-living market.
• A new dog bin.
• Thatcham Business Connect.
• Town Council surgeries.
• Forthcoming meetings.
• Events in the halls.
• Events for children and young people.
• Dates for the diary.
• Thatcham TC’s functions and responsibilities.

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• Cold Ash Community Bulletin
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 28 August 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes decisions to be taken on two separate matters connected with anti-social behaviour in Thatcham and Cold Ash – plus free trees, repairs, Shakespeare, bus services, no left turn, a party and cadets. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Repair Cafe and Great Thatcham Duck Race. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

A statement from WBC explains that “the PSPO was introduced to provide an additional tool to deal with a number of anti-social issues.After the consultation has concluded, findings will be taken to the West Berkshire Building Communities Together Partnership (a sub-group of the West Berkshire Health and Wellbeing Board) for a recommendation on the final decision which will be made in early November 2025.”

You can click here to read more and to have your say. You need to have done this by 29 September.

• Cold Ash’s decision

Cold Ash Parish Council, on behalf of The Poor’s Allotments & Recreation Ground Charities, is planning a community safety initiative aimed at enhancing security in the car parks around Hermitage Road Recreation Ground.

Following feedback and reports of occasional anti-social behaviour in the area, Thames Valley Police recommended in October 2024 that CCTV could serve as an effective deterrent. Thanks to a grant from the Police Crime Commissioner, the budget for this has been increased  to £2,000 and CAPOC plans to move forward – subject to feedback from residents.

“If the project goes ahead,” a statement from CAPC says, “we’ll put clear policies in place to ensure full legal compliance. Footage won’t be unnecessarily monitored, and access will be strictly limited to the Parish Clerk (acting as Data Controller/Processor), with law enforcement agencies granted access only when necessary.

Our current plan includes the installation of three cameras: two at Hermitage Road car park and one at the Rifle Shed car park on Ashmore Green Road. We’re looking forward to hearing your thoughts and working together to make our community even safer. Please click this link to go to the survey.” CAPC will be meeting to discuss and agree the matter on 9 September so please get your responses in by midnight of Friday 5 September.

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• Cold Ash Community Bulletin
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 21 August 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes a decision to be taken about a PSPO order and a bus-satisfaction survey – plus VJ Dy, Shakespeare, darts, kids, singing, refilling, a challenge and repairs. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Charity Darts Marathon and KidsFest. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

A statement from WBC explains that “the PSPO was introduced to provide an additional tool to deal with a number of anti-social issues which caused concern to those who live, visit or work in Thatcham town centre. The consultation will be live between 18 August and 29 September 2025.

“After the consultation has concluded, findings will be taken to the West Berkshire Building Communities Together Partnership (a sub-group of the West Berkshire Health and Wellbeing Board) for a recommendation on the final decision which will be made in early November 2025.”

You can click here to read more and to have your say.

• On the buses

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• Cold Ash Community Bulletin
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 14 August 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes the masterplanning process takes shape in NE Thatcham and work under way to improve Kennet School – plus refills, markets, a building-society challenge, repairs, singing and Age UK. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Charity Darts Marathon and U3A Sing-along. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• The masterplanning takes shape

I’ve seen the slides that West Berkshire Council presented at the stakeholders’ meeting on 24 July regarding the NE Thatcham masterplanning exercise. This explained to the participants the main issues that it would cover, with the final aim of producing a supplementary planning document (SPD) by next June or as soon as possible afterwards.

These issues included: who would be leading the exercise; the scope of the SPD (the topic areas to be included); the area covered by policy SP14, and thus the SPD; the various constraints (such as flood risks and ancient woodlands); the estimated timetable; and the opportunities for public engagement and consultations.

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• Cold Ash Community Bulletin
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 7 August 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes two masterplanning questions in NE Thatcham and an invitiation to tea with the Mayor – plus a fundraiser, two repair cafés, singing, library events, fire cadets and nature discovery. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Mayor’s Summer Garden Party and U3A Sing-along. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Masterplanning for NE Thatcham

We wrote about this last week (see below). Following the meeting on 24 July, I understand that Bucklebury PC will be responding to WBC quite soon (so, well in advance of the 5 September deadline) and that Thatcham TC, Midgham PC and Cold Ash PC are intending to.

Aside from agreeing details like who will be on the working group/s, how often they meet, who the consultants will be and what role they’ll play, there seem to be two issues that need to be resolved.

The first is everyone having a clear understanding of what is in and what is out of the project’s scope. I’m told that WBC’s presentation was fairly clear on this point but some grey areas might remain. As I understand it, in-scope matters include anything on the site or directly impacted by the development: out-of-scope matters would include ones further away such as, perhaps, some of the highways concerns in Cold Ash.

There are also matters ranging from sewage works to the permitted hours of operation which will be dealt with later, either when organisations with statutory responsibilities like Thames Water get involved or when what promises to be the very long list of planning conditions are agreed. Some of these will therefore be several years away.

The parishes, however, have been looking at all these issues for a long time, often acting on feedback from their residents. If the parishes are going to stop mentioning them now, they’ll need cast-iron reassurances that they will be dealt with at some point. The alternative is that the sessions get bogged down in points which can’t be developed and fed into the supplementary planning document which this exercise will produce. Some deft chairmanship is called for.

The second matter is that the developers are producing some outline proposals, which will be more fleshed-out versions of what were considered in the Main Modifications of the local plan. Only on sight of these can the participants understand what it is that they need to react to and, as necessary, influence. As mentioned before, this is the communities’ last chance to do this.

Throughout the process, the parishes will need to temper proactivity with realism. It isn’t going to give them everything they want and they’ll need to pick which battles to fight: and when to fight them.

• Tea with the Mayor

All are welcome to join the Mayor of Thatcham, Petra Pemberton, from 2 to 3.30pm on Friday 8 August at the Julbilee Sensort Garden in front of the Council Offices in Brownsfield Road, RG18 3HF.

“This relaxed community event,” a statement from the Town Council explains, “offers a unique opportunity to meet the Mayor, enjoy a warm summer afternoon, and connect with neighbours in one of Thatcham’s most beautiful outdoor settings. Guests will be treated to a variety of refreshments, including tea, coffee, non-alcoholic Pimm’s, and a tempting selection of cakes.”

Entry is free but donations are welcome in support of the Mayor’s three chosen charities – Swings and Smiles, Home-Start West Berkshire and Bridge for Young People.

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• Cold Ash Community Bulletin
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 31 July 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes the masterplanning exercise finally gets under way, Thatcham’s newsletter and a statement about the Memorial Fields – plus a market, breast-feeding, summer fun, plastic, sticks and a neighbourhood plan. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Mayor’s Summer Garden Party and Berkshire AfroFest. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• The masterplanning takes off

As mentioned last week, a meeting finally took place recently to get the masterplanning exercise for NE Thatcham started. This was chaired by the Portfolio Holder, Denise Gaines, and included officers from WBC and representatives from all the affected parishes. The first step is (along with the last) often the hardest and it was one that WBC for some time seemed reluctant to take. Anyway, it’s happened now.

For those unfamiliar with this issue, this represents the last opportunity for the local community to have any say in the nature of a development which will effectively create a town the size of Hungerford between Thatcham and Bucklebury. All the wrangles and discord of the last four years must now be set aside. This development will happen. The question is what the parishes and other stakeholders can do to influence its final form.

So: what have we learned from this initial session?

The first is that although the Planning Inspector mandated this process, its result (a supplementary planning document or SPD) and it’s timescale (a year), he will have no part in its creation or approval. This is for WBC to manage.

The second is that the 365-day deadline (10 June 2026) remains an aspiration but is not set in stone. No guillotine will descend. However, it’s hard to see that the developers (who’re paying for this and who will want to get on with the work), the exhausted officers and the punch-drunk local councils will want to prolong this beyond then if they can avoid it.

It must, however, be done properly. This really is the last chance. There’s still a lot to be agreed and not an infinity of time in which to agree it. We’ll look at some of these at the end.

Other points that seem to have been addressed, in whole or in part, at the meeting included:

• At least two community engagement events, probably in September or October.
• Confirmation that the the aspects relating to healthcare will we developed in conjunction with the local integrated care board.
• An infrastructure delivery plan will be created to define the sequencing of the development.
• An email address will be set up for comments and questions.
• A full-time planning officer, also paid for by the consortium of developers, may be appointed.

Other questions remain. These include the exact geographic scope of the work, what opinions will be sought from others, how the meetings will be structured and whether minutes will be produced, how progress will be measured, how much influence parishes will have on matters beyond their boundaries and who the consultants will be who’ll be conducting the engagement and the formal consultation.

The suggestion was also made that the Scrutiny Committee be asked to consider the results. Given the absence of the Inspector (which in some ways simplifies things), this would seem to be a useful check. The Committee has proved itself to be an effective instrument to challenge and question the Council and – when it has been able to have its reports published – has made some valuable comments. This might add a month to schedule but would seem to be time well spent – another matter in the “TBD” box.

Summer holidays or not, the next couple of months seem crucial. The pace needs to be kept up and these points agreed so that everyone knows what’s expected of them. This is the last-chance saloon. No one wants a chaotic brawl when closing time comes round next summer. WBC has started – now it needs to crack on and take all these participants with it.

• Thatcham’s newsletter

The latest newsletter from Thatcham Town Council was published this week and you can click here to read it. If you want to subscribe, click here. Items covered this month include:

• Kidsfest on 28 August.
• The Mayor’s Garden Party on 8 August.
• A different way to get to Thatcham’s (and Hungerford’s) markets.
• A new digital noticeboard in the Broadway.
• A new WhatsApp Channel for local businesses.
• Congrats to those who recently did some volunteer restoration work at the Cemetery.
• Town Council surgeries.
• Town Council meetings.
• Activities in the town’s halls.
• Activities for children and young people.
• Dates for the diary.
• Information about the Town Council’s work.

• Thatcham Memorial Fields

The following statement was issued by West Berkshire Council on 312 July in response to complains that the work on the landscaping work there was not proceeding as planned:

“West Berkshire Council is committed to fully re-opening the Thatcham Memorial Playing Fields with work continuing on the site over the coming months.

“We know that residents are keen to see the space fully open to the public again following work on a flood alleviation scheme which will protect more than 70 homes in the area from flooding. Construction of the scheme has finished ahead of the winter and plans are in place to complete the landscaping and reinstate a dog exercise area.

“New fencing is due to be installed in the next three weeks but unfortunately the particularly hot summer has delayed the landscaping of the area. It needs to be re-seeded but this cannot now be done until early autumn when the growing conditions are better. At this point the re-seeding and last of the landscaping will be completed. This has had other knock-on consequences for the project including the re-provision of equipment for ball games.

“A new location on the playing fields has been found for the dog exercise area, but the weather is delaying the preparation of the area as that too needs seeding and time to grow so this is likely to be open in the spring 2026.

“The work to restore the playing fields follows the creation of a flood alleviation scheme on the site. Part of a broader scheme to protect Thatcham from flooding the scheme will protect more than 70 houses from flooding by helping to manage surface water – with a water detention basin and swale storing water during extreme storms and releasing it slowly back into the Thames Water surface water sewer.

“Since the significant flooding in 2007 where more than 1,200 homes were flooded a comprehensive programme of flood alleviation schemes built in Cold Ash Hill, Tull Way, Floral Way and South East Thatcham are protecting 913 properties from the impact of surface water flooding.”

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• Cold Ash Community Bulletin
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 24 July 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes getting going with the masterplanning, a digital display and the local landscape – plus story-telling, summer fun, a garden party, nature and a proposed land-grab. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Thatcham’s Friday Market and United Service of Remembrance. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Getting going with the masterplan

We’ve mentioned several times recently that the NE Thatcham masterplanning exercise – mandated by the Planning Inspector as part of his final report into WBC’s local plan – seems to have taken some time to get started. I questioned in May why work hadn’t begun in expectation of (and with out pre-judging) WBC’s decision to adopt the plan on 10 June. The significance of moving fast is because there’s a lot to do and, as the Inspector has specified, only a year in which to do it.

A meeting, involving hopefully all the participants, is scheduled for the evening of 24 June. A number of issues need to be addressed at this. This include: how detailed it needs to be; who exactly will be involved and in what ways; what the timetable will be; who will need to sign it off; whether the separate health, education and transport plans will be in addition to this or part of it; what geographical area it will cover; what level of influence parish councils will have on aspects that are outside their boundaries; and how progress will be measured and success identified.

Many of these can be summarised as the all-important question of “what does meaningful engagement with the parishes and other stakeholders look like?” Hopefully this will be more then five minutes of meet and greet followed by fifty-five minutes of a Power Point presentation. We’ll have more on this when there’s more to say.

“As we’ve mentioned before, we’re past the point of the opposing the local plan,” Cold Ash PC Chair Ivor McArdle told Penny Post on the eve of the meeting. “We need to work with WBC and act as its critical friend. We want to bring our own specialist knowledge of the area to help create the best result for the whole district.”

• Digital data

As part of Thatcham Town Council’s “continued work to enhance the Broadway area, ensuring the town centre remains vibrant and welcoming for all,” a digital noticeboard has been installed. This has been funded by Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds.

A Town Council spokesperson described it as “a fantastic addition to our town centre, ensuring residents and visitors can easily stay up to date with what’s happening in Thatcham.”

The screen will display details of upcoming town events, local initiatives, and key council information, supporting Thatcham’s ongoing commitment to improving communication with residents and embracing technology that benefits the community, whilst reducing the amount of paper being used.

• Local landscape

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• Cold Ash Community Bulletin
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 17 July 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes a hosepipe ban, home-heating options, a festival, children’s events at the Library, remembrance, plastic and nature discovery. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Thatcham’s Friday Market and United Service of Remembrance. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• 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.

• Home-heating options

Do you heat your home with oil? CCB (Connecting Communities in Berkshire) runs an Oil Club that helps households save money by bulk-buying heating oil. Right now, CCB is running a quick survey to better understand how people heat their homes and whether there’s interest in switching to greener alternatives in the future.

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• Cold Ash Community Bulletin
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 10 July 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes continuing concerns about the delays to the master-planning exercise and an online greening event – plus heat, youth nominations, plastic, remembrance, sports, games and stallholders. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Thatcham’s Friday Market and United Service of Remembrance. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Master-planning delay: an update

The main thing is that this there is no update: and that’s kind of the point.

As described in this separate article (see “The master-planning exercise” section), the Planning Inspector mandated in April 2025 that such a task be embarked upon with a vew to creating a supplementary planning document (SPD). This must be accomplished within twelve months.

Officially, this twelve-month period started on 10 June 2025 when West Berkshire Council voted to adopt the local plan. Unofficially, however, much could have been done in the period between the publication of the Inspector’s report on 8 April and this meeting in expectation of, and preparation for, Council approval. If it was then, as mentioned below, none of the participants were apprised of this.

We’re now four weeks on from this vote and it seems that still very little has changed. What we surely should have by now is the people involved in the process (“site promotors, relevant town and parish councils, the community and other stakeholders”, whoever exactly the last two comprise) being clear clear as to what was involved and the timetable; and a public announcement saying “we’ve started” to let local residents know. Neither of these things appear to have happened.

I understand that there’s to be a meeting on 24 July on the subject. This, however, seems merely be to get the ball rolling. By then, however, over ten percent of the time allowed will have been used up. The summer holidays will also be about to descend, so making early September the likely start date for any real work. That will then be a quarter of the way through period. Even by the standards of planning departments and councils generally, this seems like exceedingly leisurely progress.

It must be assumed that the deadline of 10 June 2026 is a serious one. If the project hasn’t been done by then, the developers – who can’t lodge even outline applications until this has happened – will have a case that the SPD should not be waited for. This case would be strengthened by any evidence of perceived heel-dragging by WBC. If this is indeed the outcome, any work that’s been done on it will have been collossal waste of time.

If it is completed but, because of this slow start, rushed and less good than it might have been, the local communities will feel they’ve been let down. They may be starting to feel this way already.

This is the last remaining chance to influence what these area-changing developments will look like. The Inspector has provided a clear timetable and outcome, and ordered the developers to stand back until it was accomplished. If this exercise falters then, come next June, it will be the developers who’re calling the shots, not WBC or the local communities. It will, in short, be development by appeal – exactly the unwelcome outcome that the whole drawn-out process of doing a local plan at all was intended to avoid.

• Greening via Teams

The following invitation to local groups and residents concerned about the environment has recently been issued by West Berkshire Council (WBC):

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• Cold Ash Community Bulletin
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury

Thursday 3 July 2025

Our usual round-up of Thatcham area news includes questions regarding Ridgeway Council, litter, a look back at the Fun day, refills, second-hand goods, sports, gems and hydration heroes. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Thatcham area events include Thatcham Litter Pick and Mum2mum Market. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Ridgeway Council

With every week that passes, more and more questions are being asked about the effect that local government re-organisations will have and how this will work. Given that nothing’s been decided, there are very few answers. In this separate article we take a look at some of issues that have recently come up, suggest a possible similarity with post-unification Berlin, consider the challenge of re-positioning officers and reflect that councils are damned if they do or if they don’t by considering the matter in detail at this stage.

Various consultation events are taking place on the Ridgeway proposal and we have links to these in the article.

• Latest local newsletters

• Benefice of Aldermaston and Woolhampton
• Cold Ash Community Bulletin
• The Oaks, which covers Bucklebury.

Please note that this section is presented as an archive of past columns and is not updated. Some web links may no longer be active (usually indicated by a score-through), for instance when a consultation has closed. For reasons of space, the Events, Community Notices and News from Your Local Councils sections have been deleted from the archive posts.