Ramsbury & Axford Community

Village Diary - September 2011

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


Nature Notes

Once again we cannot claim to have experienced a very hot summer, but at least it has been pleasant enough to be outside quite often. The very heavy rain at lunch time today (16th August) soon cleared to give an enjoyable, sunny afternoon. Judging by the entries in the summer show, the vegetables have been growing well, although my potato crop has been much smaller than usual. Perhaps it is my fault for not keeping the weeds well under control. I have never had so much sun spurge. This weed, usually quite small, has grown much larger than usual and has appeared against walls etc. The weather conditions must have been ideal for it.

Insects of various types don’t seem to be much of a problem; fine for us, but what of the birds trying to feed their young? So far, I have not seen many wasps which can be a problem when plums need picking. At least my Victorias are maggot free this year. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the apples. Recently, a reminder of autumn came, with the presence of a very white toadstool with its very white gills. It may have been a destroying angel, one of our most poisonous ones. It was growing in a damp, shady spot, not the type of location where field mushrooms are likely to be found.

This is the time of year when the white flowering trees and shrubs of spring are starting to display their berries. The rowan in the lower part of Loves Lane has a good crop of orange berries, while gelder rose has glossy red ones. Another hedge shrub is dogwood which has small, black berries, but the spindle, with deep pink fruits, is really delightful to behold. It is the time of year when the ivy starts to flower, giving nectar for the bees and other insects, while its berries ripen in spring to feed the birds when food is in short supply. Nature is wonderful the way it supplies something at all seasons, when man gives it the chance.

Rosie Pauline

Bird Notes

September is officially the first month of autumn and by the end of the month all of our summer visitors will have migrated south again. For those that remain with us, it will be a bumper time for feasting on nuts and berries, which should be very prolific this year. Soon the robins will be emerging and starting to fight for territories. Both male and female sing virtually all day at this time of year, which will be a welcome change from the relatively song-free August.

The highlight of our month was joining a group from the village on a trip to the Hawk Conservancy near Andover. Just under an hour away, this proved to be a brilliant day out for young and old. The team there are all hugely knowledgeable, passionate about their work, and very friendly. The flying displays were some of the best we have ever seen, and having your hair virtually parted by a low flying vulture is a memory that will last a while. Highly recommended for all, and the money you spend will help to support some vitally important conservation work.

Sighting of the month was made by a fishing friend who saw a group of seven green sandpipers on the edge of the Kennet, near Littlecote.

Paul Swan

Rainfall

Rainfall for the month to 18 August was 2.10 inches, average 2.16 inches.


Waste

See the calendar for details of waste collection and skip dates.

Vandalism

Late on Saturday 13 August a group of people entered the Summer Show marquee and threw around chairs and equipment. A goal post on the field was damaged. Anyone with information regarding these incidents please contact the Parish Council.

Recreation Centre 200 Club

The August draw winners were £100 to Cheever Hardwicke, £50 each to Viv Jones, Rob Hall and Anna Swan, £25 each to Mark Somerset, Iain Cowan, Roger Henry, Eric Jennings and Veena Nandha.

Ramsbury.org website

The new Ramsbury village website is currently in the testing phase but it can be viewed here. The old site will be replaced during September.

New Town Crier

The new Ramsbury Town Crier is Graeme Fearon. Tel 520812 for his services.


 

Ramsbury WI

Thursday 1 September in the Methodist Schoolroom, Oxford Street. Jim Osborne will talk on "The National Trust on the Coast". Non-members welcome for a small fee (includes men!). Doors open 7.15 pm for the meeting at 7.45 pm.
Competition - Photo of a Coastal View (with no people in it).

Busy Bees needlework group meet at 7.30 pm on Thursday 15 September in the Lychgate Room. Contact Mary Holdsworth 520908.

Holy Cross Churchyard

Saturday 3 September - Volunteers required for the late summer clear-up in Holy Cross churchyard from 10 am to 12  noon. Please bring your own tools, secateurs, rakes etc. Coffee provided.

Aldbourne Band

Sunday 4 September at 6.45 pm. Pond Concert in Aldbourne.

Ramsbury Horticultural Society

Monday 5 September at 7.45 pm in the Memorial Hall - talk on the ‘Great Bustard Group’

Ramsbury Flyer

Thursday 8 September - monthly visit to Newbury leaving the Tree at 11.30 am and returning from Newbury at 2.30 pm.
Monday 26 September - visit to National Trust house and gardens at Tyntesfield, near Bristol.
Monday 24 October - proposed outing to Bicester Outlet Centre.

Book these outings with Muriel Lye on 520555.
The Community Bus also has its own page - just follow the link.

Scout Group

Thursday 8 September. Scout Group BBQ and Annual Registration for Beavers, Cubs & Scouts. Look out for Posters with more information.

Ramsbury Roxy

9 September - Brighton Rock (2010) Cert 15. Crime thriller. Contains strong language and violence.
23 September - The Social Network Cert. 12. Biographical drama. Three Oscars and a Golden Globe winner.

Tickets £3.50 from Ramsbury Post Office (until 1 pm on film day), £4.00 on the door. Doors open for pre-film drinks at 7.30 pm. Films start at 8 pm. Full programme leaflet now available.

Wilton Windmill Open Day

Saturday 10 September. 1.30 to 4.30 pm. Wilton Windmill (off the A338 between Burbage and Hungerford).

Crown & Anchor

Fourth Annual Beer & Music Festival Saturday 10 September from 5 pm.

Holy Cross Tower Open

Sunday 11 September from 2 to 5 pm. The views from the top of the tower are amazing (weather permitting!!) and entry is free; just a box strategically placed for donations! For insurance purposes, only children over the age of 8 can go up the Tower and they must be accompanied by an adult.

Guided Group Walks

Sunday 11 September - Fyfield (shared cars).
Sunday 25 September - Membury Fort (shared cars) (walk no. 5) followed by tea & cake at the Crown & Anchor (£3.75).

Marlborough College Concert Series

Sunday 18 September at 7.30 pm. 'The Sixteen' will be singing in the Chapel at Marlborough College. Ticket enquiries: 01672 892566 or email tickets@marlboroughconcertseries.org

Parish Council

Monday 19 September - Ramsbury and Axford Parish Council meeting at 7.45 pm in the Memorial Hall.
All Parish council meetings are open to the public, who are welcome to attend.

Bedwyn Music Society

Members' Concert Friday 23 September at 7.30 pm St.Mary’s Church, Great Bedwyn.

Ramsbury Defibrillator Training

Saturday 24 September from 10 am to 12 noon in the Memorial Hall.

Ramsbury & Axford Golf Society

Thursday 29 September - The annual Ramsbury & Axford Golf Society ‘Bell Trophy’ competition at Sandford Springs Golf Club. Please call Bob Osmond on 01672 520568 for details.

Ladies' Night

Thursday 29 September in the Memorial Hall 7 to 10 pm. Sell unwanted nearly-new clothes, shoes etc on a 50/50 basis or as a donation to village charities. Bar and other stalls. Contact Helen Lloyd on 520142.

Macmillan Coffee Morning

Friday 30 September 9.30 to 11.30 am at Cafe Bella at the Bell in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support with bring and buy and raffle. For more information contact Tor Petley on 521134.



CHURCH SERVICES

Holy Cross

Holy Communion service every Thursday at 10 am.

Sunday 4 September. Holy Communion at 9.30 am and Evensong at 6 pm.
Sunday 11 September. Patronal Sunday. Holy Communion at 8 am and Gift Day Family Service at 9.30 am.
Sunday 18 September. Holy Communion at 9.30 am.
Sunday 25 September. Holy Communion at 8 am, Harvest Thanksgiving at 9.30 am and Songs of Praise at 6 pm followed by Harvest Supper in the Church Room. Tickets £7.50 at the Post Office and Midway Stores.

St. Michael's Axford

Sunday 4 September. Family Communion at 11 am.
Sunday 11 September. Evensong at 6 pm.

Methodist Church

We welcome our new Minister Rev. Heather Cooper to the Circuit and wish Rev. Susan Holden and her family all the best as she moves on to her new circuit in Amesbury.

Sunday 4 September 10.30 am. Joint service at Aldbourne (no service at Ramsbury).
Sunday 11 September 10.30 am. Harvest Festival Service (Rev Colin Scarrett) supporting the Farm Crisis Network. Sunday 18 September 10.30 am. Service.
Sunday 25 September 10.30 am. H/C Rev Heather Cooper (new Minster).


THANKS

 


THANKS

The Crown and Anchor has raised a total of £7952.53 for the Prospect Hospice between 4 April 2008 and 13 July 2011 through candle sales, Sunday quiz, swear box etc. Thank you to all who have contributed.

ADVANCE NOTICES

Monday 3 October Ramsbury Horticultural Society – a talk by Anna Pavord on 'Planting Partners - Star Plants & their Supporting Cast' at The Memorial Hall. Doors / bar open at 7.15 for the talk at 7.45 pm. Tickets £3 from the Post Office.

Fridays 7 & 14 October Bertie Maffoon's Bike Repair Clinic in the Memorial Hall Car Park 10 am to 4 pm.

Saturday 8 October Bella Voce Choir and Aldbourne Band in Holy Cross Church.

Sunday 9 October 6 pm St Michael's Axford Harvest Service, followed by Harvest Supper in the Village Hall. Please book with Bridget Treherne tel 512406 by 5 October. Adults £5, 12 year olds & under £2.50. Donations of fruit & vegetables to decorate the church and puddings or cakes for the supper are welcome.

Sunday 9 October Local Skills Fair on Aldbourne Village Green from 11 am to 2 pm. Stalls from those who grow food, rear animals and make craft items locally. £5 per table. Contact Caroline on 541109.

Saturday 15 October at 7.30 pm in the Memorial Hall Recreation Centre Sports Quiz with Bar and Supper. Teams of 4. £50 per team. Contact Roger Henry on 520395 or email rogerhenry@lobit.fsnet.co.uk

Saturday 29 October Ravensbury Players will be hosting a Table Top morning in the Memorial Hall. For more details, for tickets, or to reserve a table contact Chris Perkins 520515. 16-19 November Ravensbury Players will be performing 'Rumours' a comedy by Neil Simon. Tickets £8.


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