Ramsbury & Axford Community

Village Diary - June 2006

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Please may we have items for the July Diary by 18 June. They can be left with Sylvia Judge, 55 High Street; Ben Tottenham, Vicarage Cottage, Back Lane; at the Post Office; or by email to diary@pccare.ltd.uk


Nature Notes

What a joy it is to have the Spring and early Summer flowers in bloom. The blackthorn and bluebells may have been a bit late this year, but they seem to have put on a special show for us to enjoy. Other countries in Southern Europe may have some colourful trees and shrubs such as jacaranda, bougainvillea and hibiscus, the latter often cut to make a hedge, but here in Ramsbury we have colour in the gardens with wisteria, laburnum and a Judas tree. They may put on a grand display but all these in both areas are introductions from other parts of the world.
I expect that you have noticed that plants always seem to grow faster when one goes on holiday. When I departed for ten days' holiday, the potatoes were hardly showing and now I have two good rows, while the cow parsley (Queen Anne's Lace) is now in full bloom and the dandelions have reached the clock stage.
Warmer conditions bring out the insects so there is food for migrants and for feeding the fledglings; also bats which have been on the wing for a while now. At the beginning of May, one got into my house when I opened the door for the dog before going to bed. It got into the kitchen but vanished, but the next evening I found it in a corner in the hall in a torpid state and I quickly put it in a bush. Where it had spent the previous 24 hours I will never know.
When the level of the Kennet rose a little, quite a large trout appeared by the bridge, and at Easter in the stream in Mill Lane there were two very small eel like fish, one of which appeared to be making a hollow in the gravel. I think these may have been brook lampreys, the smaller of the two types that occur in fresh water: they have sucker like mouths.
This is not the fungus season except for the St. Georges toadstool that occurs in late April. It is never very common but one was growing in my garden at the correct time and two weeks later there was another in Loves Lane.

Rosie Pauline

Bird Notes

An outstanding month started with a sighting of a Rough Legged Buzzard which flew over the main road at the Soley turn off. It has a head and neck which look like a turkey's as opposed to our common buzzard which looks very solid in comparison. Talking of Common Buzzard, a pair were seen talon-holding over Hilldrop which is part of their courtship display. A pair of Hobby were seen soaring over Crowood lane and then scaring the Martin population with a dive. Also seen here were three Red Kites flying high in a loose group.
Another highlight was a Curlew which burst into song with the dawn chorus. The last time I heard a Curlew in the village was 27 years ago. Another highlight was a flock in Bolstridge Bottom which consisted of three Wheatear and a Whinchat. Other notables include Cetti's Warbler, Nightingale and Grasshopper Warbler at Seven Bridges. Again at Bolstridge Bottom you can hear the scolding of a Lesser Whitethroat: you can also see its cousin the Whitethroat perform its display flight.

John Marshall

Rainfall

Rainfall for the month to 18 May was 2.52 inches, average 2.05 inches.

Editorial Items

There are no editorial items this month.

 

Ramsbury WI

Ramsbury WI will meet on Thursday 1 June at 7.45 pm in the Methodist Schoolroom, when the speaker will be Angie Saunders on 'Pilates'. There will be the usual trading stall for plants and produce postponed from May, so can any members with spare bedding plants please bring them along.

ARK's Spring River Walk

ARK's next river walk will be held on Sunday 4 June from 2 - 5 pm. It will start at Elcot Lane by the Marl-borough Tile Factory, and continue through Minal and Stitchcombe, ending from Stone Bridge Lane up to the Axford Road. There will be transport back to the start.

Ramsbury Youth Club Needs You

Come to an open meeting on Monday 5 June 7.30 - 9 pm in the Church Room if you would like to see a youth club back in the village. Children age 11 - 16, Helpers and Committee members. Call Rosemarie Court 520181, or Jenny Harker 520273.

Amenity Group outing to Stonor Park

The Amenity Group will be visiting Stonor Park on Wednesday 7 June. Transport will leave the Square at 1 pm. Please let Ben Tottenham or any committee member know if you wish to come, if you did not put your name down at the AGM.

Ramsbury Flyer

The next visit to Newbury will be on Thursday 8 June, leaving the Tree at 11.30 am and returning from Newbury at 2.30 pm. Book with Muriel Lye on 520555.

At the AGM of the Bus Committee, Janet Webster resigned as Co-ordinator of drivers, and Nigel Evans as Treasurer. The Chairman Peter Raper thanked them both for their long service and hard work. Carena Dennis had volunteered to be the new Co-ordinator of drivers and Edward Judge the new Treasurer. We welcome them and wish them well.

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

'Shakespeare & Others'

On Saturday 10 June, the Ravensbury Players will present 'Shakespeare & Others', readings from plays by William Shakespeare, Sue Townsend, Alan Bennett and others. The gates of Harefield House, off Swans Bottom and Crowood Lane, will open at 5 pm for a 6 pm start: bring a garden chair. Refreshments will be on sale, and tickets at £3 are available from Midway Stores and the Post Office.

Ramsbury Amenity Group Guided Walks

There will be guided walks on Sunday 11 June to Park Farm (3½ miles), and on Sunday 18 June (a week earlier than usual so as to avoid a clash with the Gardens Open day) on three ancient roads to Mildenhall (5 miles). Meet at the Tree at 2 pm on 18 June to share cars.

Black Box, Wheelie Bin and Skip Collection

The Black Boxes and Green Wheelie Bins will be emptied on Tuesdays 13 and 27 June. The skips for plastic bottles and cardboard will be at the Surgery from 8 am to 10.30 am on Wednesday 14 June.

Axford Bingo

There will be Bingo in Axford Village Hall on Wednesdays 14 & 28 June at 7.30 pm.

Prayer without Ceasing

The Methodist Church will be open from 4 - 5 pm on Friday 16 June: all are invited to come. If you have a favourite or special prayer reading or hymn, please send to Rosie Pauline, Bell Cottage, Oxford Street. All Methodist Churches in England have committed to non-stop prayer this year. Their enthusiasm has been infectious and is an opportunity to look afresh at our work with God through prayer. Those who cannot come please try to pray wherever you are. Join us for 'our hour'. Priscilla Price Council Secretary

Flowers in a Church Setting

Barbara Croucher's sister, Mrs Elizabeth Bacon, NAFAS Area Demonstrator and Chelsea Gold Medallist, will be at Holy Cross on Friday 16 June at 7.30 pm for an evening's flower arranging. Tickets at £5, to include a glass of wine, from the Post Office or Barbara Croucher 25 Ashley Piece, telephone 520329.

Coffee Centre Party Sale

Please come along and join the fun for the last time at the Red Cross Centre on Saturday 17 June from 10 am - noon. Raffle, cakes, books, nearly new clothes, brie a brae etc. If you can provide a cake or something to sell, this would be much appreciated. The Coffee Centre will reopen on 6 July at the Methodist Church.

Horticultural Society Rose Evening

This members' only event takes place at 7.30 pm on Saturday 17 June in the Memorial Hall. Entries have to be staged between 6 & 6.45 pm. You can check your membership status by ringing Rosalie Winter on 520261 or Sue Arnold on 520322. Entry forms are in the Show Schedule but call 520544 or 520591 if in difficulty.

Police Surgery & Parish Council

There wiil be a Police Surgery from 6.30 - 7.30 pm in the Memorial Hall before the Parish Council meets at 7.45 pm on Monday 19 June.

Coffee Morning for Arthritis Research

The annual Arthritis Research Campaign Coffee Morning will be held in the Memorial Hall on Saturday 24 June from 10 am - noon. Any contributions for this event will be welcomed e.g. home produce, books, bottles, raffle prizes. For collection, please call Marion Young on 521126. We look forward to seeing you there.

'Gardens Open' in Ramsbury

Gardens will be open in Ramsbury between 2 & 5.30 pm on Sunday 25 June. Details will be given in the shops.

Possible Closure of Savernake Hospital

There is to be a meeting in the Memorial Hall, Marlborough College at 6.30 pm on Monday 26 June to discuss the radical proposals of Kennet & NW Wiltshire Primary Care Trust, which include the possible option to close Savernake Hospital, with 24-hour minor injury units only in Chippenham and Trowbridge. The only regional maternity unit will be at Chippenham, If you care about the future of health care in this area it is important to make your feelings known. Chippenham is a lot further away than Marlborough.

'National Veterans' Day

There will be a 'get together' of veterans of all services at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 27 June in the Legion Club.

THANKS

Annual Boundary Walk. 100 walkers were led by lan Ritchie, nearly half finishing. Thanks to all; at the stops, cake givers, bus drivers, gate closers and special thanks go to those who allowed access to their land.

Mr Leslie Hawkins and family of 4 Whitehall Close, would like to thank everyone for the cards and kind messages of sympathy following the sad loss of Muriel Hawkins, beloved wife and mother. They would also like to thank everyone who attended the funeral and made donations to cancer research. A special thank you to the residents of Whitehill Close for all they did and for keeping an eye on Les. Thank you once again.

The Horticultural Society is again very grateful to Dr & Mrs Handford for the use of their lovely garden and to those who were able to donate plants or support this event. The funds benefited by around £615.

200 Club Draw winners were £100 Mike Dyer, £50 to Steve Doone, Mark Graham & Graham Cherrington.

On 1 May Ramsbury and Axford Closed Golf Tournament. 50 golfers took part. The overall winner was Lee Cowan, age 9 (44 points), second Kevin Jauncey (40), third junior Alex Ballard (38). Sachiko Yoshioka won the ladies (38 points) and longest drive prizes, second Sue Keen (33). Clive Glass won 'Nearest the Pin' prize. Gordon & Liz Kennedy hosted the celebrations, which were sponsored by the Ramsbury Brewery.

The Treloar coffee morning in April raised £2000. This includes a large donation from Gilly Doel's art exhibition.

ADVANCE NOTICES

Open Air Service at 7 pm on Saturday 1 July at Knowledge Crescent Green, accompanied by Ramsbury Silver Band. Everybody is warmly welcomed.

Ramsbury Conservative Association Summer Lunch Party at Harbrook House on 9 July. Tickets £12 from the Post Office. Transport by Ramsbury Flyer from the Square at 12.30 pm. Guest of Honour, Rt.Hon. Michael Ancram QC MP.

On Friday 14 July in the Memorial Hall, Ramsbury Roxy is showing 'Mrs Henderson Presents' (Cert 12A) with Judi Dench, Bob Hoskins, Will Young and Thelma Barlow. The performance is part of the Hungerford Arts Festival. The Autumn programme is now being planned.

Booze & Blues presents Sunsplash in aid of Ramsbury School and Project 2005 on 14,15 & 16 July on the Recreation Ground. Gates open at 7 pm. Poster with details is in the Post Office window.

Axford Fête. Saturday 29 July on the Jubilee Field, with the Ramsbury Silver Band, the Classic Car Display, the Arena Entertainments, traditional Children's Rides, BBQ, teas, beer, duck race. Grand Draw tickets on sale from the Red Lion, the Post Office or from Maria Foster on 515633. To join the Classic Car Display, ask Ashley de Safrin on 519331. For Pitch Bookings for the Car Boot Sale. call Suzy Connell 513300. Diann Barnett on 520139 needs volunteers willing to man stalls and the entrance gates, and prize donations for the Tombola and the Draws. Do invite all your friends to come and support the event.

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