Thursday 12 February 2026      

Our usual round-up of local news includes a rubble question answered in Compton, council re-organisation, new players, plants, goalposts, pharmacies and flooding. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Compton area events include Compton FC at home & Hampstead Norreys Chinese New Year Banquet. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• Rubble at the Pirbright site

I understand that there have been concerns that a pile of earth and rubble at the former Institute for Animal Health, which was de-contaminated by Cognition in 2024, is still on site. As well as being unsightly, the fear was possibly that this contained hazardous waste.

Cognition had always proved refreshingly transparent during its time in Compton and so it proved again when this point was put to them this week. “All snagging items were addressed at the time to the satisfaction of our client, Homes England,” a statement from the company confirmed. “We also carried out the standard twelve‑month inspection in December 2025, which was fully signed off, and our contract was formally concluded. Cognition has therefore completed all works at the site and no longer has access.

• Have your say on council reorganisation

A statement from West Berkshire Council (and a very similar one from the Vale of White Horse) confirms that the government has “launched a consultation on options to reorganise local councils across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. Local Government Reorganisation is a government-led reform to change how councils in two-tier area are structured, replacing county and district councils with single unitary structures responsible for local services.”

There are three options:

• West Berkshire (already a unitary council), the Vale and South Oxfordshire (part of a two-tier structure) forming a new Ridgeway unitary with all the other Oxfordshire Councils combined into an Oxford and Shires unitary. Oxfordshire CC would be abolished. This is favoured by all WBC and all the Oxfordshire districts except Oxford City.
• As above but with an enlarged Oxford City Council forming a third unitary. This is favoured by Oxford City.
• The whole of Oxfordshire forming a single unitary. This is favoured by Oxfordshire CC.

The last option would not involve West Berkshire. The government wants to make unitaries closer to 500,000 people: even though West Berkshire’s population is only about 170,000, Whitehall’s main focus is to do away with the two-tier system. If the last option is decided upon, West Berkshire might therefore be left alone for a bit.

This option would also quell Reading’s desire to grab some the eastern parts of West Berkshire: for some reason, doing this only seems vitally important if Ridgeway comes into being, although quite why, Reading has not made clear.

The above council links have more information on the various proposals. Visit gov.uk’s webpage here to take part in the consultation by Thursday 26 March.

• The lack of social housing, particularly in rural areas,  is consistently under the spotlight, however, villages can source help in a number of ways. Click here for full details.

• A gentle reminder that Brian Quinn’s second volume of short stories and parodies, Gravity and Rust, is now available from any bookshop, including the Hungerford Bookshop, the White Horse Bookshop in Marlborough and the Wantage Bookshop. For full info 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:

• Proposed development of a Resource Base at Victoria Park Nursery School, Newbury – deadline 25 Feb.
• Draft Planning Enforcement Plan (June 2025) – deadline 9 Mar.
• Help shape Thatcham’s proposed new Community Hub – deadline 10 Mar.
• Proposals for local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire – deadline 26 Mar.

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 & Downland Villages Menopause Cafe  at The Swan at Compton on selected Saturday mornings from 10am to 12noon. To find out more or to book a space call Cathy on 07787 517871 or email catherineleatham@gmail.com. For more details visit menopausecafe.net

• Hampstead Norreys Handbell Ringers welcome new members. So if you have a musical ear and are keen on community, click here for full details.

• 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.

• Scam reminders from Citizens Advice with most common types of scam. The golden rule is if something seems too good to be true or doesn’t feel right it might be a scam, so take a moment and get advice or just ask a friend.

• 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, please call 01635 578394 during office hours (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 11.30am) or see here for more details.

• 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

• Sat 14 Feb Compton FC at home, Compton Rec.

• Sat 14 Feb Chinese New Year Banquet The White Hart, 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.

• Free safe & well visit, by The Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service. To see if you qualify click here, call Freephone 0800 5876679 or email SafeandWell@rbfrs.co.uk.

• The Household Support Fund is for 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.

• 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 noon. 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 to 11am 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 noon 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 to 11am. Providing a safe, fun and educational space, in partnership with Compton Pre-school for 0 to 5 years and costs £2 per family (cash only).

• Quiz night at The Crown and Horns in East Ilsley every Thursday from 7pm 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 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 Chaddleworth Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 13 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: planning matters; financial matters; the community plan; and repairs and maintenance.
To see the dates and agendas of Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see the minutes, click here.

• The most recent meetings of Ashampstead Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 12 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: speeding; co-operation with Aldworth Parish Council; open spaces; planning matters; dog bins; financial matters; and the precept (£11,231) and budget.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes of 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 January and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the Village Co-ordinator; planning matters; highways; financial matters; and repairs and maintenance.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes of 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 1 December and you can read the minutes here. 
You can also click here to read the minutes of Compton’s 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 Parish Council meetings (including any committees), agendas and minutes, please click here.

• The most recent meeting of Hampstead Norreys Council for which minutes are available  took place on 27 November and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes of 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 18 November and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: the weight-limit petition; planning matters; financial matters; the proposed 20mph speed limit; the Village Hall; the budget (£11,304) and the precept rise (£.76%) for 2026-27; flooding issues; and traffic management.
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 11 November and you can download the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes of Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here.

• The most recent meeting of Beedon Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 6 November and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates and agendas of Parish Council meetings (including any committees), please click here. To see minutes from past meetings please click here. Please click here for details of the planning applications currently active in the parish.

• The most recent meeting of Aldworth Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 4 November and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes of 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 24 September and you can read the minutes here.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes of 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: see the following separate sections: Hungerford area; Lambourn Valley; Newbury area; Thatcham area; Compton and Downlands; Burghfield area; Wantage area; Marlborough area.
• News and views from across the area and beyond: see the most recent Weekly News with Brian column.

Archives

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