Purley on Thames Parish Council

14/08/2026

Parish Council Update – Blount's Meadow 14/08/2026

Grass Cutting

 The Parish Council has raised concerns regarding the need for the grass to be cut given the current dry conditions and heightened fire risk.

 The Estate has advised that its team is currently engaged in harvesting and silage work and has also been responding to a fire at another location on the Estate.

 The Estate has confirmed that the field is scheduled to be cut next week, hopefully early in the week, although it is not yet able to provide a confirmed date.

 The Parish Council also inquired whether it could assist by making enquiries with its own contractors. The Estate advised that it has its own team to carry out this work.

https://www.purleyonthames-pc.gov.uk/2026/08/blounts-meadow-latest-news/

12/08/2026

Please see below details of planned Temporary Traffic Lights on the West Berkshire Highway Network –

A329 Reading Road, Purley on Thames

From the junction of Long Lane to the junction of New Hill
17/08/26 – 04/09/26

24hr

To facilitate new gas connections at the junction of Long Lane and the junction of New Hill

Southern Gas Networks PLC

Contractor (if applicable)
I&G Contractors

Contact number
SGN 08009121700

Traffic Management UKTMS 01189 760002

Link to one.network

31/07/2026

https://www.purleyonthames-pc.gov.uk/2026/07/blounts-meadow-latest-news/

These updates provide information on the Parish Council’s involvement in discussions regarding Blount’s Meadow. Please note that the meadow is privately owned by Mapledurham Estate, and decisions regarding its future rest with the Estate. The Parish Council is committed to keeping residents info...

29/07/2026

29/06/2026

Double Yellow Lines Update

This is to confirm that the scheme marking the double yellow lines in Wintringham Way, has been approved and will be delivered as soon as possible.

The Parking scheme Amendment 37 proposes new restrictions in nearly 30 different locations across the West Berkshire district, and it will take some time to prepare a work programme for
West Berkshire Council’s (WBC) road marking sub-contractors.
So, this scheme is not likely to be delivered for a few months yet, which is most frustrating.

I asked, “can traffic wardens be deployed after the roads are marked to encourage compliance with the new markings by motorists”.

Again, the response was most frustrating. I was told that “we would fully expect the double yellow lines to be adhered to once they’re introduced and would anticipate that the current inconsiderate parking behaviour that’s causing problems for residents
would change for the better from then on.

If those problems do however continue then local residents would be able to report this to our Parking team through the normal channels of our ‘Report a Problem’ weblink and then the [traffic wardens] can be tasked with a patrol to resolve that issue at that time.”

So, neighbours, I urge you, once the yellow lines are in place to do precisely that; to report any violations via the “Report and Problem” on the WBC website.

Councillor Jane Langford

District and Purley on Thames Parish Counci

27/06/2026

Annual Community Award

The Parish Council has launched a new Community Award Scheme. The objective of the scheme is to recognise the individual or team who volunteer their time generously to provide outstanding activities for the enjoyment and benefit of the village and community of Purley on Thames.

We are now looking for nominations for the award, so if you wish to nominate a person or a team for the award then please complete a nomination form which will provide all the information needed.

Nominations for the 2026 award need to be returned to the Parish Office by 31st August 2026.

A Nomination Form can be downloaded to your computer from the Parish Council website (purleyonthames-pc.gov.uk/). A copy will also be available from the Parish Office.

19/06/2026

LAST POST AT GOOSECROFT BARN.

We regret to announce that the Outreach Purley Post Office will end on Monday 29th June.

The Steering Group has been informed by Collins Hardware, who run Pangbourne Post Office and provide the Outreach operation, that following a review with Post Office Ltd it has been decided to close some of the outreach operations (including Purley) due to falling numbers.

Purley PO opened in May 2021 and was averaging around 20 customers each day at the start with a Christmas high of 55. These numbers have been steadily dropping and so far in 2026 we’ve been averaging approx. 7 customers a day. We’ve also seen a big drop in the number of parcels and other higher value transactions. There have also always been technical issues with location in the Barn that have proved impossible to solve for such a small operation.

The Steering Group would like to thank Charlotte Jenkins, who has provided exemplary service and help to our Outreach customers throughout the whole operation. Also thanks to Collins Hardware & the Parish Council, who have supported us throughout. The unpaid volunteers, organised by Sue Briscoe, who set up and took down the Outreach PO and also marshaled people throughout the Covid years should also be thanked.

The whole landscape of local shops has changed so dramatically in the years since the old PO closed. It was worth doing and it was definitely a life-line during Covid for the village - closure is pity but not unexpected.

And of course thanks to all of you who used the service. We hope to see you all around and about at other village activities and we wish everyone well for the future

PO Steering Group.

16/06/2026

Goosecroft Extension Funding
This is a one-off opportunity for the Village to increase, and provide additional, recreational facilities.
The area planned for the new pitches at the Goosecroft (immediately south of the current pitches) has now been cleared. The water supply to the Goosecrfot has been upgraded. Work has started on raising the money to start the groundwork for the pitches.
We're applying for major funding from various charities and national sports bodies. There will also be a series of fundraising events over the next few months around Purley.
Greenham Trust/Good Exchange have kicked things off with a matched funding scheme. We would be very grateful for any donations or fundraising activities to assist in raising the funds required.
Please see link below...

The Good Exchange is a not-for-profit, on-line matching platform that has been designed to address one of today’s biggest charitable fundraising challenges – how to best match those organisations and individuals who have money to give to good causes to those who need it most.