Ramsbury Village Diary - January 2007

Ramsbury & Axford Community

Village Diary - January 2007

Welcome Community Organisations News & Events Contact Us Village Map

Nature Notes Bird Notes Rainfall Editorial Items Diary Items Thanks Advance Notices Calendar (current) Past Issues	Please may we have items for the February Diary by 18 January. 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 Despite a few frosty days it has been mild for the season, and this is reflected in the flowers to be seen. It is not unusual to see the yellow of winter jasmine in recent years but it is the first time I have seen flowers on ceanothus in a sheltered spot near the library. The blue winter irises are also in flower when February is the more usual month, and Ben has narcissi in flower. By my patio door the low growing campanula has a few flowers, this is a sunny spot but not so for the azalea which is also having a flower now and again. Our country will soon be like the tropics with flowers at all seasons. The scented pink viburnum can also be seen in full flower. On 29 November a male yellow brimstone was seen in my garden enjoying the sunshine, had my pruning disturbed it? In December a bumblebee was buzzing round the heather flowers beneath the bedroom window. Indoors I found a two spot ladybird, which is much smaller than the more common seven spot variety. When sunny the occasional blowfly is on the wing. I hope none gets on the food. One evening west of Axford a tiny muntjac was by the roadside. I hope it went back into the hedge and not on to the road, it appeared very small, perhaps a young one? The Kennet is now very full and flowing swiftly so the ducks are keeping well to the side, hopefully the water meadows will not become lakes as happened a year or so back; at least we have been spared the damaging wind of the type that did so much harm in part of London. The birds are now eating the holly and pyracantha berries. At least they have started on my orange ones which each year are taken before the red ones, although I have heard naturalists say that it is the other way round for the pyracantha berries. May all go well for everyone in ’07, with some interesting natural history finds. Rosie Pauline Bird Notes My finest view this month was a Peregrine Falcon which I saw in Bolstridge Bottom. There was total silence from all the other birds as it flew over, the only other bird which I've seen earn such respect was a Merlin. This month I saw a number of Crossbill in Hens Wood, also a flock of some 40 Goldfinches. I've seen very few Siskin this winter. Other Finches are here in good numbers, such as Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer and Linnet. Even the reclusive Bullfinches have been seen in small numbers. I have also seen a Blackcap this year, which as it is a warbler usually migrates to Africa for the winter, some hardy individuals do however over-winter here. John Marshall Rainfall Rainfall for the month to 18 December was 5.10 inches, average 3.62 inches.
	Spectacles for the 3rd World Please leave any spectacles for the 3rd World at 15 Union Street. Thank you. Priscilla Price. Diary 20th Anniversary It is still hoped that a special edition of the Diary will be published in January, and the Editor looks forward to receiving contributions from those who have not yet responded. He is thankful for what he has received.
	Ramsbury Roxy in the Memorial Hall Friday 5 January: 'Kinky Boots'. A comedy from the same production company as 'Calendar Girls'. Cert 12A. Friday 19 January: 'The Thirty Nine Steps' The 1959 version of this classic film starring Kenneth More. Cert U. Doors open for drinks at 7.30 pm, start at 8 pm. Tickets £3.50 from the Post Office, £4 on the door. Waste Collection The black boxes and green wheelie-bins will be emptied on Tuesdays 9 and 23 January. There will be skips at the Surgery from 8 - 10.30 am on Tuesday 23 January. The black wheelie-bins will be emptied and orange sacks taken on Wednesday 3 & Tuesdays 16 and 30 January. Skips are also at Aldbourne on 9 January. Axford Bingo There will be Bingo at Axford Village Hall on Wednesdays 10 and 24 January at 7.30 pm. Ramsbury Flyer The next visit be on 11 January, leaving the Tree at 11.30 am, returning at 2.30 pm. Book with Muriel Lye on 520555. The Community Bus also has its own page - just follow the link. Ramsbury WI The WI New Year Party will be held in the Memorial Hall at 7.30 pm on Friday 12 January. Tickets at £5 on sale at the Post Office . Ramsbury Amenity Group Guided Walks There will be guided walks on Sundays 14 January to Piggs Hill (no. 7) 4 miles, and 28 January to Whiteshard (no. 10) 4½ miles. Meet at the Tree to share cars: newcomers and dogs welcome. Parish Council The Parish Council will meet on Monday 15 January at 7.45 pm in the Memorial Hall. All will be welcome. Ramsbury Link Scheme At the AGM of the Link Scheme Ken Taylor expressed the wish to retire as Co-ordinator. Members were sorry and a small presentation was made to him in appreciation of the conscientious and warm way in which he had performed his rôle. We are delighted to welcome Wendy Jordan as our new Co-ordinator who can be contacted on 520111 as before. Volunteers and clients will shortly receive an invitation to a party at 2.30 pm in the Memorial Hall on Sunday 21 January. Bella Voce will sing. New Volunteers are welcome to come. Ravensbury Players AGM The AGM will be held at 8 pm on 22 January at the Scout Hall. There will be drinks and nibbles. The Players welcome anyone interested in any aspect of drama production. Come along and find out what it is all about.
	THANKS Ramsbury & Axford Golf Society held its inaugural event on 14 December at Ogbourne Downs Golf Club and nearly 20 members of the society played. The winner was Tom Reseigh, with Malcolm McFee as runner up. The next event is planned for March, probably at Tidworth G.C. with the Ramsbury Trophy being held at Marlborough G.C. on 7 May. New members are welcome; application forms available in the local shops or from members. 200 Club winners - December: £200 George Hawes, £100 Martin Vigors, £50 Simon Mark Smith, Joy Dixon, Ian Hart, John Pinches. Work will start on the Recreation Centre lower car park in the New Year, which will make a big difference to the general appearance of the area. We are putting in further grant applications and also hope to light the MUGA shortly too. Subscriptions are now due. Thank you to all for your generous support during 2006. We look forward to a busy 2007. Ian Smith Tony and Maria Barrett would like to thank all the kind people who helped to make their 50th wedding anniversary such a special event with so many gifts, cards and good wishes. Christmas lights. A big thank you for Friday 1 December at Whitehill Close. We have already raised over £800 on the evening for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance. The grand total will follow at a later date. Coffee Centre The Christmas lucky draw raised a total of £110 towards local charities. This year £656.27 has been raised. Thank you to everyone for your support and donations. A Happy New Year to everyone, and please come and join us on Thursday 11 Jan at 9.30am at the Methodist Church. Julie Coe. Simon Coles writes: "A huge thank you to all who came along to my Pianothon. I was delighted with the response and with the £830 raised on the day. With other donations, I was able to send £1850 to Children In Need. Thank you also to all those who helped with organising, page-turning, brow-wiping, etc! On Sunday 19 November the Christening took place of Joseph and Bridget Ann, the two youngest children of Julie & Patrick Carty of South View. We wish them all a long and happy life in Axford! The Axford Traditional Carol Service took place on Sunday 10 December. About 60 adults and 20 children attended taking part in the service by reading lessons, dressing the crib, and gathering around it to sing 'Away in the Manger'. Maria Holstead & Eleanor Foster sang solos, and Vicky Murray and Maria Foster sang some descants.The youngest created a lively background sound which encouraged the congregation to sing their loudest! John Railton led the service with his usual inspiration. Sandy was not well enough to attend. The Church was decorated by Rose Russ, Estrid Eyles & Michelle Beckingham and the War Memorial by Pauline Waind. The service was followed by tea, organised by Di Barnett, and mince pies provided by several members of the congregation. Howard Alloway of Dove Cottage died on 2 December and his funeral was held on 12 December. St Michael's was well filled with many family members and old friends, as well as many locals. He will be sadly missed by everyone. We offer our condolences to Lorna and all the family. It was a beautiful service with moving readings and hymns, and John Railton's address gave a very interesting history of his life and his service in the R.A.F. He was buried behind the Church. The congregation then foregathered in the Village Hall for refreshments organised by Jennie Hart, Rose Russ and Mandy Holstead.
	ADVANCE NOTICES The annual musical evening in aid of Arthritis Research and Jessie’s Fund, which takes music to sick children, has moved to a different time of year. Please make a note in your new 2007 diaries that Saturday 24 February is the date for Broadway Meets Britannia, a gorgeous mix of music and words from two countries. This event, which started life when I heard of a small boy with chronic rheumatoid arthritis has attracted excellent singers and performers for many years and this latest show is no exception. That small boy is now a man, but the need for funds is still great. Here is a chance to mix enjoyment with a good cause! Tickets (£4) will be available from Ramsbury Post Office or Caroline Franklin, 5 Oxford Street, Ramsbury from 12 January. Axford Gardens Open Day is planned for Sunday 17 June 2007. The Diary is published in paper form, and is incorporated here by kind permission of the Ramsbury Amenity Group.