Thursday 30 April 2026      

Our usual round-up of local news includes the latest on the Bforty-home axter site and sewage-works upgrades in Compton – plus plants, evergreens, breakfast, books and a residents’ survey. See also below for community notices and news from your local council.

Upcoming Compton area events include Plant Sale and Summer Music Concert. See below for details, plus regular events and group activities.

• The Baxter site

In late 2024, an application was lodged by Archel Homes to redevelop the former Baxter Healthcare sites at the junction of Wallingford Road and Horn Street in Compton. This will involve the “demolition of existing building and erection of 40 x residential units with associated landscaping, parking, drainage, open space and other associated works.”

You can see the documents, and make your comments, by visiting WBC’s planning portal and entering the reference 24/02809/FULMAJ. You can also click here to visit the project’s website. The matter has yet to be determined so you should still be able to add any comments to the website.

The reason why it hasn’t been determined is mainly because for the last year or so the developers, Archel Homes, and WBC have been in discussion about how the surface water drainage  (SUDs) issues can be resolved. A spokesperson for the developers told us this week that they believed that the end of this process was now in sight  and that it was hoped that WBC had all the information that it has requested. The matter will then be decided by the Western Area Planning Committee, perhaps as early as June (backlog permitting).

It was also pointed out to us that virtually any development with includes gardens and permeable driveways s likely to be an improvement in SUDs terms as, at present, the site is almost entirely covered with hard-standing. WBC has requested a little bit more than merely this and Archel has, it seems, been happy to comply. Hopefully the matter will get decided upon before too long.

• Sewage-works upgrades in Compton

“I am emailing,” a recent letter from Thames Water to Compton Parish Council and others explains, “to let you know about work that will soon be starting at Compton Sewage Treatment Works (STW). These activities form part of our ongoing programme to protect the environment, improve water quality and keep our wastewater services resilient for the future.” Work began this week and is expected to be completed in June 2027.   

“Our upgrades will be taking place within the boundary of our site, but nearby residents may see an increase in vehicle movements and personnel during this time.” Anyone who has questions about the work is invited to call 0800 316 9800 and quote reference BB 0148 2780.

As for why these works are happening, Thames Water offers the following reasons:

Compton STW is located in the River Pang valley, an environmentally sensitive chalk-stream catchment. Chalk streams are rare and valuable habitats, and these upgrades will help us to:

• Better protect the River Pang and surrounding environment.
• Reduce the risk of non-compliant discharges.
• Improve the long-term resilience and reliability of the treatment works.
• Support Thames Water’s environmental commitments.

The Pang’s status has been known for many years. The discharges and the general state of the sewage station have been getting worse. Exacerbating the problem yet further, there will  within the next five years or so be two hundred more dwelling, so about six hundred more people, living in the village as a result of the two planned developments at the Pirbright and Baxter sites.

As we reported in our 9 April column, Compton Parish Council remains concerned about the foul-water situation in the village and that week issued a statement expressing its concerns. I understand that it’s still awaiting confirmation from TW that the above-mentioned upgrades will address its fears. The fact that the project is a fourteen-month one suggests it’s more than a coat of paint and a few new washers. Compton PC will be hoping that this will do the job locally for the foreseeable future and I’m sure will be continuing to see re-assurances.

• Other news

• 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:

• Planning Public Access Service feedback survey 2026 – deadline 7 May.
• Residents’ Survey (2026) – deadline 10 May.
• Proposed amendment to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2025-30: protected plates and accessibility – deadline 15 May.
• Your West Berkshire Magazine feedback survey (2026) – deadline 9 June.

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 2 May Plant Sale Casey Fields Farm Shop & Vicar’s Game

• Sat 2 May Safari Supper Compton

• Wed 6 May Summer Music Concert The Downs School

• Wed 6 May Gents Breakfast Club  Red Lion, Chieveley

• Thu 14 May Trip to Oxford Ilsley Evergreens

• Sat 16 May Plant Cake and Book Sale St Mary’s Church Hampstead Norreys

• Sun 17 May Pet Service St Mary’s East Ilsley

• Sun 7 Jun East IIlsley Sheep Fair Millennium Green

• Fri 19 Jun Compton’s Got Talent Compton Village Hall.

• Sat 4 Jul Compton Fete Compton Recreation Ground.

• Sat 27 Jun Beer & Cider Fest  The Swan Compton

• Sat 11 Jul Inaugural rock festival in aid of Berkshire Women’s Aid, Compton.

• Sat 11 Jul Red Hot Chilli Peppers Experience The Compton Festival

• 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 31 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: planning matters; and the Chaddleworth Community Plan.
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 Hampstead Norreys Council for which minutes are available  took place on 26 March 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 meetings of Ashampstead Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 16 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a councillor co-option; planning matters; a Ward Member’s report; road safety; highways; planning matters; financial matters; dog bins; 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 East Ilsley Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 10 March 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 Brightwalton Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 9 March and you can read the minutes here. Items covered included: a report from the Ward Member; the Community Co-ordinator; planning matters; 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 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 Beedon Parish Council for which minutes are available took place on 15 January and you can read the minutes here.
You can also click here to read the minutes of the annual parish assembly which took place on 9 April.
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 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.