Ramsbury & Axford Community

Village Diary - September 2010

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Please may we have items for the October Diary by 17 September.
They can be left at the Post Office; or sent by email to diary@ramsbury.org


Nature Notes

Mid-August and it feels like a touch of autumn with the rain showers and bit of thunder, but also a rainbow this evening.

In spite of the soil having been very dry when the vegetables needed the moisture to help them develop, some crops such as carrots and beetroot have done well, but not the early potatoes, peas and beans. Whatever the weather, the wild plants manage to bring forth their flowers each year as I noticed towards the end of July, when I found nettle-leaved bellflower in Spring Hill woodland, while on the downland, clustered bellflower was in bloom. It was much smaller than the garden variety. On the thin Ridgeway soil there were not just harebells, but also yellow ladies’ bedstraw, bird’s foot trefoil, selfheal, small wild carrot plants and the small variety of scabious. The more common, larger type was in flower not far away.

During the sunny period the small holly blue butterfly was quite numerous and on a Sunday village walk, there were lots of green-veined whites clustered on a damp patch of mud. August 3rd seemed to be the “day of death”, with a grey squirrel killed outside my front gate. The same fate met a hedgehog in Back Lane; a pity as they are needed to eat slugs. Speaking of which, a dusky slug found its way into my house the other day. They feed mainly on decaying vegetation. This is the time of year when house spiders and harvestmen, with their thin long legs appear in the house.

May September bring mild sunny days, even if the nights are getting longer and cooler?

Rosie Pauline

Bird Notes

Well, it is all quite quiet on the bird front. As I write in the middle of August, many birds are going through the annual moult, hiding away as they swap old feathers for new over a few weeks. As we head into September many garden birds will reappear and start to sing again. The male robin will face some unusual challenges in attempting to establish a territory; it could be in competition with a female, or even one of its own offspring, wearing a smart red breast for the first time.

The skies are also quieter in the evening, as the swifts have almost all gone south already. Those born this year will be making this extraordinary journey for the first time and may spend the first two years of their life without touching the ground!

The memorable sighting of the month was coming almost face to face with a sparrowhawk, as I walked over the bridge at the Triangle and it hunted low over the water. I am not sure which of us was the most surprised, but he certainly reacted the fastest.

Paul Swan

Rainfall

Rainfall for the month to 18 August was 1.65 inches, average 2.16 inches.


Best Kept Village Report

Ramsbury came second to Rowde in the District Round - Large Villages in Kennet. The report from the Campaign to Protect Rural England is on the Parish Council notice board in the Square.

Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust

Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust is a charity offering free security and fire risk assessment to those over 60 or in a vulnerable position. The Trust will upgrade locks, door viewers etc free of charge. Call 01225 794652.

Recreation Centre 200 Club

Recreation Centre 200 Club Draw result for August was - £100 prize to John Herbertson, £50 each to Martin Vigors, Suzie Wray, Sue Crozier and £25 each to David Leake, Linda Nicholson, Penny Willetts and Robert Brownilow. The club costs £60 a year to join. Funds are split 50/50 between prizes and the Recreation Centre. To join, contact Ian Smith on 07977 473975 or email oldtiff@hotmail.co.uk

Methodist Church

All Sunday services in September will be in Ramsbury starting at 10.30 am. Coffee morning every Thursday from 9.30 am. For more information see church notice board or please contact Julie Coe 521085.

Harbrook Flower Meadow

The Flower meadow behind Harbrook plans to remain open for walkers for a few more weeks while the flowers are looking good. It will then be closed in preparation for the sheep to graze. You will find a list of the wild flowers at the two gates. Please do not take this list away. The easiest gate to access, if you are not familiar with the meadow, is behind Riverside Cottage down Mill Lane, off Ramsbury High Street.

Waste

Tuesday 7 and 21 September. Black wheelie-bins and orange sacks collection.
Tuesday 14 and 28 September. Green wheelie-bins and black boxes collection.
Tuesday 14 September. Plastics and cardboard recycling lorry at Aldbourne Square 8.30 am to 10.30 am.
Tuesday 28 September. Plastics and cardboard recycling lorry at Ramsbury Surgery 8.30 am to 10.30 am.


 

Ramsbury WI

Thursday 2 September: A talk by Jim Osborne on ‘Putting a National Trust house to “bed” for the winter’. The Methodist Schoolroom, Oxford St. Doors open 7.15 pm and meeting starts at 7.45 pm.

Thursday 16 September: Busy Bees needlework group at 7.30 pm in the Lychgate Room. Please ring Mary Holdsworth 520908 or email wi@ramsbury.org for further information.

Pilates

Monday 6 September. Pilates in the Memorial Hall 9.15 am until 10.15 am. For further information please contact Caroline McCord 511360, 07817 503546 or caroline@backinbalancepilates.com

Ramsbury Horticultural Society

Monday 6 September. A talk by our regular judge, Carol Moore, on ‘Hints and Tips for Floral Art Showing’ at 7.45 pm in the Memorial Hall.

We will have a stall at the Street Fair on Saturday 11 September. If you have anything to contribute, or would like to help, please contact Di on 521363 or email hortsoc@ramsbury.org

Ramsbury Flyer

Thursday 9 September the next Flyer visit to Newbury leaving the tree at 11.30 am and returning from Newbury at 2.30 pm. Fare £3. Book with Muriel Lye on 520 555.

The Community Bus also has its own page - just follow the link.

Ramsbury Roxy

Friday 10 September 'Julie and Julia', a comedy starring Meryl Streep.
Friday 24 September 'Sherlock Holmes', starring Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr.

Tickets are £3.50 from Ramsbury Post Office until 1 pm on the day of show and at previous shows, or £4 on the door.

The Ramsbury Street Fair

Saturday 11 September. Ramsbury Street Fair from 11 am to 3 pmin the High Street. All village organisations are invited to run a stall and any individuals wanting a pitch should please contact Ian Smith on 07977 473975 or email oldtiff@hotmail.co.uk

Holy Cross Tower and Bells

Saturday 11 September from 11 am to 3 pm.The tower will be open to visitors (over 8s and under 16s accompanied by an adult) to enjoy stunning views of Ramsbury. You will be able to see the bells and ringing chamber. New ringers are always welcome - please speak to one of the stewards on the day if you are interested in learning.

Ramsbury Amenity Group Guided Walks

Sunday 12 September Little Bedwyn (s/c) and Sunday 26 September ARK Walk (West Overton) (s/c). Walks normally last 2 hours and depart the Tree at 2 pm with shared cars (s/c) and dogs on leads.

This is a great way of getting to know local footpaths without fear of getting lost. Everyone is welcome. Please contact Sheila Morgan on 520501 for more information, or to make suggestions to encourage more walkers.

Holy Cross and St. Michael’s

Sunday 12 September at 9.30 am. Family Service to celebrate Holy Cross Day.
Sunday 19 September at 4 pm.Leaving Service for our hard-working team curate Revd Ann Massey, before she becomes team vicar in Derry Hill. Refreshments in the Church Room afterwards.
Sunday 26 September at 9.30 am. Back to Church Sunday, a national event. Everybody is welcome

Bella Voce

Saturday 11 September. Bella Voce will sing a variety of songs from their summer programme at the 3rd Beer Festival in the Crown and Anchor Pub in the evening.

Tuesday 14 September. Bella Voce will begin to learn the choral work Faure's Requiem and will welcome the return of people who sang the Vivaldi Gloria in 2009. Contact Margaret Swan 521233.

The Marlborough College Concert Series

Sunday 19 September at 7.30 pm. The London Jazz Orchestra at Marlborough College.
For tickets and full details of the concert series see leaflets in Ramsbury Post Office and Library, call Marlborough College on 892566 or email tickets@marlboroughconcertseries.org

Parish Council

The next Council meeting will take place on Monday 20 September in the Memorial Hall at 7.45 pm. All members of the public are welcome to attend.

Bedwyn Music Society

Summer Concert Friday 24 September. Members Concert (open to all) at 7.30 pm in St. Mary’s Church, Great Bedwyn. Enquiries to Andrew Hutchison tel 870970. Tickets – members £8 or £10 on the door and children free.

Jumble Sale

Saturday 25 September. There will be a Jumble Sale at the Methodist Church from 10 am until noon.

Macmillan Support Coffee Morning

Saturday 25 September. Ramsbury Primary School music/drama room from 11 am to 2 pm. Coffee and cakes. Entrance is free and donations will be welcome. Contact Christine Young on 520592.

Swish and Shop

Saturday 25 September. “Swish and Shop” in the Memorial Hall, 7 pm until 10 pm. A chance to buy, sell or swap unwanted ladies’ and children’s clothes.

Ramsbury & Axford Golf Society

Tuesday 28 September. The Bell Golf Trophy at Donnington Valley. Contact Bob Osmond on 520568.


THANKS

Sir Martyn Arbib supported by John Austin, a Past President of Bowls England, officially opened the Ramsbury & Aldbourne Bowls Club new facility on Saturday 31 July. The Chairman was able to publicly thank all the people and organisations that have made it possible.

The Wiltshire Air Ambulance thanks all who have contributed to their appeal fund. The Appeal raises funds in many ways including recycling mobile phones and computer ink cartridges. For more information visit www.wiltshireairambulance.co.uk or call the appeal office on 0845 122 1234.


ADVANCE NOTICES

Friday 1 October: Village Harvest Supper in the Church Room at 7.30 pm. All welcome. Tickets £6 will be available from the Post Office. Harvest Thanksgiving service will be on 10 October.

Tuesday 19 October: Marlborough Area Board Meeting St John’s School, 6.30 pm for 7 pm. Open to all.

Saturday 16 October: Horticultural Society coach trip to Kew Gardens. Contact Sheila Glass (520409) immediately if you wish to go. Tickets will be £25 for everyone.

Thursday 21 October: an illustrated lecture on “The Vanderbilts” - a glimpse of the elite in Newport Rhode Island at the turn of the last century, in the Memorial Hall - 10.30 for 11  am.Tickets £4 phone 520449.

17 to 20 November: The Ravensbury Players autumn production “Hobson’s Choice”. Pre-order your tickets from Chris Perkins by emailing Chrissy@astrocruise.com. Tickets will then be available from the first week in October in the Post Office, Midway stores and Chris Perkins 520515.


The Diary is published in paper form, and is incorporated here by kind permission of the Ramsbury Amenity Group.
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