Thursday 26 March 2026
Our usual round-up of local news includes a new chapter for The Down School, East Ilsley down to one pub and new pop-up libraries – plus history, football, road closures, Easter and a residents’ survey. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.
Upcoming Compton area events include Compton Saturday Market and Compton Early History Talk. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.
• The Downs School’s new status
From 1 April, The Downs School in Compton will become part of the new Summit Education Trust which will also include Basildon Church of England Primary School and Compton Church of England Primary School. Formal meetings to discuss employee contracts and the TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations) process have been held with the schools and professional associations Union representatives have described the proposals as “good news, recognising the Federation and emerging Trust as a strong and responsible employer.”
This will leave The Willink and Little Heath schools as the only secondary schools in West Berkshire still under LEA (local education authority) control.
“One of the reasons for our remaining an LEA school for so long was our strong relationship with the LEA and the good level of support that they provided,” the Head Teacher Chris Prosser told us this week. “Unfortunately, the LEA now has a reduced capacity to support. We felt that forming a trust would enable us to develop our own capacity to support our young people.
“Our focus remains clear and steady: providing the very best education for every child in our care, now and in the future.”
His statement also included several reasons why the conversion to a trust was felt to be a good idea. These included the ability to undertake innovative projects, to increase the opportunities to develop succession planning programmes, to receive more funding because none is retained by the LEA for the provision of central services and increase autonomy in developing the school curriculum.
One person at West Berkshire Council who knows a thing or two about academies is Paul Dick, former head of Kennet and Trinity Schools and now one of the ward members for Chieveley and Cold Ash. “Academies can be a great step forward,” he told us on 25 March. “It’s an opportunity to be independent and ambitious and also enables the senior management to be brave and ambitious in the marketplace. One of the results can be that you get better services for less money, so enabling more funds to be devoted to the children – who are, let us not forget, what it’s all about.”
We wish The Downs and the other two schools all the best in this new venture.
• The Swan folds its wings
Just up the road in East Ilsley, the Swan has closed its doors. This statement on its Facebook page has more on this, and includes the reminder that, as far as the team is concerned, “it’s not goodbye forever — we hope to see you all again at The Swan at Compton in the future.”
What will happen to the pub now is currently unclear. It’s owned by Greene King which may decide to put in a manager or find a new tenant. However, with no great recent track record and another pub literally across the road, this seems unlikely. I’m told that not too long ago the village had seven pubs. It looks like that’s now been reduced to one.
The likely fate of pubs that close (this happens about once a day across the country) is that they get converted to housing. This is a listed building but it probably could be turned to residential use without too much trouble.
Another option is one that’s being taken by yet another Swan, this time in Great Shefford. There a succession of tenants and manager failed to reverse a decline in trade which had been manifest ever since a serious flood in 2007. Last year, a local resident convinced the owners that the only way forward was for them to sell her the freehold. This happened and, as we’ve been regularly reporting, it’s now in the final stages of renovation prior to a re-opening within the next few months.
• Three libraries set to pop up
West Berkshire Council is launching three new pop-up libraries in April to bring books and library services closer to rural communities.
“The new pop-up libraries in Aldworth, Shaw-cum-Donnington and Speen will join the existing services already running in Basildon, Compton and Leckhampstead,” a statement from the Council has announced. “Together, they will give more residents easy access to books, reading support, information and friendly advice from trained library staff without having to travel to a permanent library.”
Pop-up libraries are, the statement continues, provided “in partnership with the local town or parish council or village hall committee, which fund the service. It ads that feedback from residents using these services – which were initiated following the closure of the mobile library service in April 2025 – has been “consistently positive.”
For more information, please click here.
• This week’s news
• The Standard Consultation Expiry Date for the 160 homes on the Pirbright site is Wednesday 15 April. So if you haven’t commented yet on the application, you can see all the planning documents here and quote reference number 26/00261/RESMAJ. Compton Parish Council has submitted specific concerns, particularly to do with the foul-water network. You can read the minutes of the meeting by clicking here. It’s also very important that residents have their say on the issue.
• If you or yours are involved in ‘the beautiful game’ the Football in Berkshire annual Grundon Awards, are now open for 2026. There are 20 categories from Volunteer of the Season to Matchday Experience, Manager to Player of the Season covering all four corners of Berkshire. To place your nominations click here.
• Hampstead Norreys Parish Council notifies residents of a Road Closure on Newbury Hill, between its junction with Water Street from Monday 30 March to Wednesday 1 April. For full details click here.
• Downland Volunteer Group offers shopping trips to Newbury and Wantage and regular Fantastic Friday trips, the next one being to Salisbury on Friday 10 April. See details here.
• Families who may struggle with the additional costs associated with the Easter break are advised by West Berks Foodbank to contact their child’s school as soon as possible and ask for a foodbank referral.
• Have your say in West Berkshire Council’s 2026 Residents Survey on topics like waste and recycling, planning, education, social care, street maintenance, communication, feelings of belonging and safety, and optional questions about wellbeing. Click here to complete the survey by Sunday 10 May.
• As part of its endeavour to raise funds for new school goalposts, The Downs School is holding a raffle for two tickets to see Harry Styles on his Together Together Tour on Tuesday 23 June at Wembley. For full entry details, click here.
• A quick reminder to get in touch if you would like a stall at the East Ilsley Sheep Fair on Sunday 7 June either via Facebook messenger or email eastilsleysheepfair@gmail.com.
• West Berkshire Council has extended the deadline for its Call for Sites to 11.59pm on Monday 13 April. This an opportunity for landowners, site promoters, developers, and other interested parties to suggest land within West Berkshire that could be developed. These will be considered during the refresh of WBC’s current local plan. For more information click here.
• Don’t miss the Pop-up Library at Compton Village Hall on the second Thursday of each month, from 10.15am to 11.45am. West Berkshire Council is working with Compton Parish Council to provide this service. See more library information here.
• Compton Players invite you to their spring production of Cluedo on April 23, 24 and 25. Join a very unusual dinner party with iconic oddballs known as Scarlet, Plum, White, Green, Peacock, and Mustard, for a fun night out.
• On Saturday 11 July, a private field in Compton will host an inaugural rock festival dedicated to raising funds for Berkshire Women’s Aid – a local charity supporting survivors of domestic abuse. The lineup includes The Funky Monks Red Hot Chilli Pepper experience, Sterofakeits and The Hormones. Every ticket sold directly contributes to providing crucial financial support for Berkshire Women’s Aid. Organisers hope the event will be a feast of music and community solidarity. Tickets will be available online here.
• Compton Parish Council is gathering further evidence of recent flooding issues. If you have any photos or videos from winter 2024/25 showing flooding, surcharging sewers or tankers operating on Aldworth Road and are happy for the parish council to use them, please email them to contact@comptonparishcouncil.gov.uk.
• 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.
• Brian Quinn’s second volume of short stories and parodies, Gravity and Rust, is 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 nominations for the Local List of Heritage Assets (March 2026 – deadline 30 Apr.
- Residents’ Survey (2026) – deadline 10 May.
Parish and town councils also run consultations from time to time: see the appropriate website/s below under Council contacts.
Volunteering and jobs
• Click here for local volunteer opportunities.
• Click here for local jobs (includes volunteer roles).
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 28 Mar Compton FC v Didcot Town Didcot
• Sat 28 Mar Saturday Morning Market Compton Village Hall
• Thu 2 Apr The Early History of Compton Wilkins Centre, Compton
• Sat 4 Apr Prize Bingo Compton Village Hall.
• Tue 7 Apr Secret Garden Hampstead Norreys Village Hall.
• Fri 10 Apr Call My Wine Bluff Hermitage Village Hall.
• Sun 12 Apr Quiz Night White Hart Hampstead Norreys
• Sat 18 Apr Games Event Compton Village Hall.
• Sun 19 Apr One Lump or Two The White Hart Hampstead Norreys
• Fri 19 Jun Compton’s Got Talent Compton Village Hall.
• Sat 4 Jul Compton Fete Compton Recreation Ground.
• 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.
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. For more details visit menopausecafe.net or contact Cathy on 07787 517871 catherineleatham@gmail.com.
• 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.
• Sick or dead wild birds might be infected with bird flu so please don’t touch them. Report any dead wild birds you find to the Animal and Plant Health Agency. You can report it online or call 03459 33 55 77.
• 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.
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 3 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: planning matters; financial matters; the Chaddleworth Community Plan; a memorial free; repairs and maintenance; rights of way; road safety; Councillors’ reports; the the Clerk’s report.
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 meeting of Compton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 2 March and you can read the minutes 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 22 January 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 Beedon Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 15 January 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 East Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 13 January 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 meetings of Ashampstead Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 12 January 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 Brightwalton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 12 January 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.
To see the dates, agendas and minutes for future Parish Council meetings (including any committees) please click here.
• 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.
