Ramsbury Village Diary - February 2007

Ramsbury & Axford Community

Village Diary - February 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 March Diary by 18 February. 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@ramsbury.org
	Nature Notes The other day I was reading an article about fungi found on bark chippings. It seems that when these are used on gardens to suppress weeds, unusual types can occur that are native to such places as Australia and North America; whether these could become pests on our native trees and shrubs, only time will tell. Bark chips and sawdust, even if of English origin, seem to be a favoured medium for a variety of toadstools including new varieties of ink caps. You may remember that last October I wrote about clustered masses of a bracket fungus on a large beech tree on White’s Hill; returning from Marlborough on 16 January I noticed a large tree had been badly damaged by the recent strong winds. I expect it is the same tree as so much fungus was a sign that all was not well with the beech; since it was raining hard I did not stop to make sure that it was the same tree. As the weather has been mild for the most part you have no doubt noticed various signs of spring, the blackbirds and great tits are becoming quite vocal at dawn and dusk, and snowdrops are showing large white buds. When visiting Wyevale before Christmas I saw a mahonia in the car park in full bloom, while mine is only in bud as yet, but winter honeysuckle and jasmine are now flowering. A good crop of pale yellow catkins can be seen on the hazel; although these develop early they do not shed their pollen until much later when the female red tiny clusters of flowers are ready to receive it. After so many dull damp days it is such a joy when there is a sunny day as on Sunday 14 January, when a group of us had the pleasure of walking on the downs of the Piggs Hill area, the venue for the village walk. In spite of recent rains it was not too muddy as the slopes drain quickly on the thin chalk soils and broken ivy clad branches did not prove a hazard. May the next Sunday walk be blessed with a fine sunny day. Rosie Pauline Bird Notes On the Axford side of Ramsbury Manor in the middle of January I saw a female Golden Eye, it was diving in one of the side streams. I don't know whether it was a wild one or part of the manor collection. These birds over winter with us in Britain, but they breed in Northern Europe. Staying with ducks, with all the floodwater around you should keep your eyes open for Teal, which are some of our smallest ducks. This last month has seen a number of Red Kite around Ramsbury, there was also a group of 7 Buzzards flying over Bolstridge Bottom. I've also seen a number of Buzzards grazing on arable land, during winter months they rely on worms and other small animals to get them through. News hot off the press, on 19 January a flock of some 500 Golden Plover was in flight over the village, for at least 2 hours. John Marshall Rainfall Rainfall for the month to 18 January was 5.62 inches, average 3.62 inches.
	Walking dogs on public footpaths There have recently been several attacks by dogs on sheep grazing on fields around Axford. This has not occurred for the past 24 years on the Ramsbury estate. The main targets seem to be pregnant ewes, which often have to be killed to put them out of their misery. This slaughter causes severe avoidable financial loss to farmers and mindless cruelty to a defenceless domestic animal. The dog causing this damage can (and will be) legally shot. Please keep your dogs on a lead when near sheep when exercising along a public foot path, bridle way or even on Back Lane Axford. Neither the Ramsbury Estate Land nor John Burrows' is Open Access Land. The dogs responsible for the recent carnage are known to the authorities, please make sure yours does not join them. Now is an especially vulnerable time for sheep. Geoffrey Treherne Ramsbury Painting Group This small group of amateur artists has been in existence for more than twenty years. With the advent of the New Year the present members would like to invite some new painters, and others who would like to "have a go". They meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Church Room, Back Lane, Ramsbury, from 10am till 1pm. There is no formal tuition just now but plenty of friendly help and advice is available. Please call Tony Fox for further information. Tel 520525. Amenity Group Outings At this time of year the Amenity Group plans its summer outings. Last year we paid successful visits to Stonor and Buscot Parks. It would be of great help to the organisers if the Amenity Group members, who probably all read the Diary, would be kind enough to reflect on where they might like to go this summer, and get in touch with Ben Tottenham on 520308 or Ronnie Price on 520652. Use them or lose them I have been asked to remind the residents of Ramsbury of the importance of the village shops. Without their support the businesses will find it difficult to continue trading. We will all bitterly regret their absence. This is as important now and throughout the year as it was at Christmas when the Chairman of Parish Council made the same appeal.
	Ramsbury WI Ramsbury WI meet on Thursday 1 February in the Methodist Schoolroom Oxford St. Derek Gale will speak on ‘How to Take Better Photographs’. Doors open at 7.15pm and the meeting starts at 7.45pm. The Annual Meeting and team quiz will be on Thursday 1 March. Visitors and new members are always welcome. Ramsbury Roxy in the Memorial Hall Friday 2 February: 'Master and Commander'. A handsome drama of derring-do on the high seas. Starring Russell Crowe. Cert. 12A. Friday 16 February: 'The Maltese Falcon'. A classic baffling mystery story. Directed by John Huston, starring Humphrey Bogart. Cert. PG. Fish & Chips will be available after this film. Friday 2 March: 'Rabbit Proof Fence' The true story of a daring escape and an epic journey for 3 girls who walked 1500 miles to find their way home. Cert. PG. Doors open for drinks at 7.30pm, film starts at 8pm. Tickets £3.50 from the Post Office, £4 on the door. Waste The black boxes and green wheelie-bins will be emptied on Tuesdays 6 and 20 February. The black wheelie-bins and orange sacks will be taken on Tuesdays 13 and 27 February. There will be a skip at Aldbourne Pond on Tuesday 6 February, and at the Ramsbury Surgery from 8 - 10.30 am on Tuesday 20 February. Axford Bingo There will be Bingo in Axford Village Hall on Wednesdays 7 and 21 February at 7.30 pm. Ramsbury Flyer The next visit of the Flyer to Newbury will be on Thursday 8 February, leaving the Tree at 11.30am, returning at 2.30pm. Book with Muriel Lye on 520555. The Community Bus also has its own page - just follow the link. Scouts Quiz Night Ramsbury Scout Group is holding its annual Quiz Night with Fish and Chip Supper on Saturday 10 February at 7.45pm in the Scout Hall, and will welcome teams of 4-6 members. We hope all our regular supporters will attend, and this year we hope some of the older scouts will help to make up teams. Everyone attending, will be found a place at a table on the night. Tickets £7.50 each to include supper available from Adrian Compton 520917. Valentine’s Day Dance A Valentine's Dance will be held at the Memorial Hall on Saturday 10 February at 8pm. Organised by 'Moondance,' a community-based company specialising in hosting social events in rural areas, the event will include a licensed bar, light buffet, disco, champagne for the best-dressed couple - and a dance contest. 'Moondance' has music ranging from vintage hits from the 50's, to the present day, and will emphasis romance. So dust off your dancing shoes, if you are eighteen or eighty, and come to banish those January blues. Tickets £5.00 from the Post Office or £7.00 on the door. Enquiries to: 01264 850257. Ramsbury Amenity Group Guided Walks There will be guided walks on Sundays 11 February to Marridge/Membury (No. 6) 3 miles, and 25 February to Axford (No. 12) 3½ miles. Meet at the Tree to share cars, newcomers, and dogs welcome under control. Parish Council The Parish Council will meet on Monday 19 February at 7.45 pm in the Memorial Hall. All will be welcome. To view current or past minutes of meetings or to view the agenda for the next meeting, please visit the council meetings page. Broadway meets Brittania On Saturday 24 February in the Church Room, at 7.30 pm, the music of Britain and America will be heard This will be the latest evening to benefit the Arthritis and Rheumatism Council's research and Jessie's fund, which takes music to very ill children. Those taking part do so quite simply because they enjoy making music. "Broadway Meets Britannia" is based loosely on the Victorian concept of people who can perform just sitting in the audience and getting up to do their 'turn' when asked. They come from various places. Ramsbury is represented by pianist Moya Dixon, the Groves family, a quartet of saxophones played by Janet Roe, Mo Squires, Sian Haynes and Simon Coles, and Matthew Haynes, of Ravensbury Players fame, who now shows he sings superbly too. Tickets £4 from Ramsbury Post Office or Caroline Franklin on 520496.
	THANKS At a ‘Thank You Party’ in January the Luncheon Club Committee entertained the volunteer helpers and most of the drivers who serve and transport Ramsbury guests to the Lunch Club. Everyone thanks the Committee for their work running the Club, and for a most enjoyable party for the volunteers. Yasmin Richards would like to thank everyone who supported her at the time of Brendan’s tragic death. She very much appreciated the many cards, flowers and messages she received and would also like to thank all those who attended the funeral and who contributed so generously to Brendan’s memorial Fund. Gordon Starling would like to thank everyone who sent cards and condolences on the death of his wife Betty. They were a great support as were Revd John Railton and Mr Michael Franklin. Thank you also for all the donations given in memory of Betty to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal. Carols round the village. We must apologise for failing to bring good cheer to some parts of the village having had to cancel two evenings. It is disappointing that so few people joined us. The collection of £400 has gone to the new Ramsbury Youth Club.
	ADVANCE NOTICES Horticultural Society Show Schedules and Fixture Lists will soon be distributed to members who have rejoined. We would be grateful if our usual members would check that they have sent in their subscriptions for 2007 so that efficient distribution can take place. Please send them to Sue Arnold, Cranmer Cottage, Scholards Lane, Ramsbury, SN8 2PL. (Fees: Family £6, Single £5, Retired Persons £4). Our talk, ‘Spring Into Action for a healthy garden’, on Monday 5 March, in the Memorial Hall, will be given by Michael Archer. Should you have any questions, concerning your garden environment, or have any plant specimens etc., that you would like examined, please bring them along. The AGM will now take place in the Memorial Hall at 7.45 pm on Monday 26 March. The English Chamber Choir returns to give a concert in Holy Cross Church on Saturday 3rd March at 7pm. The programme will include works by Bach,Theodarakis and Rachmaninoff's "Vespers",sung in Russian, as well as arrangements of well-known songs. There will be drinks available in the interval and I hope The Bell will stay open for people to dine there afterwards. Tickets will be available in February from Danny Watson 521168 and the Post Office. Offers of overnight accommodation, (no food required) on 3 March would be gratefully received as they hope to sing at the service in Holy Cross the next morning. The Diary is published in paper form, and is incorporated here by kind permission of the Ramsbury Amenity Group.