Ramsbury Village Diary

Ramsbury & Axford Community

Village Diary - March 2007

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Nature Notes Bird Notes Rainfall Editorial Items Diary Items Thanks Advance Notices Calendar (current) Past Issues	Please may we have items for the April Diary by 18 March. 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 As is usual at this time of year we have experienced quite a variety of weather, wind ice and snow to disrupt life for us and for the wildlife in various ways. It is surprising how resilient the wild flowers are to adverse weather providing it does not last too long. Prior to the snow on a sheltered bank in the Stitchcombe area, daffodils were in flower and the cold spell did not destroy the blooms, nor the flowering hellebores in my garden. I have not seen the snowdrops at Welford this year but there are plenty flowering now locally: in fact, when on the village walk in February, we came upon a large patch of them in the Marridge Hill area. Closer to home there are many of them by the Kennet Bridge that do not seem to mind if their bulbs are under water at times, and I have noticed that the same is true for daffodils. This is the time of year when the range of flowering plants increases daily, a sure sign that spring is with us even if the winds are a bit keen at times. No doubt many of you have plenty of moss in your lawns and on the shady side of the roof, this is often the pincushion variety. Birds seem to find this of interest, whether it is the moss or the insects that over winter in it I do not know but every spring I sweep up quite large pieces that they have pulled off the roof tiles. This is good as too much moss on the tiles or thatch is not good for their life span. After nature’s pruning with the January gale, the clearing of the dead wood and repairing of fences takes a while to get done, especially if one only goes out in the garden on fine sunny days. As the days get longer the birds are singing while rabbits and hares are becoming more active. The latter can be seen jumping around in the fields but they are not often seen dead on the roads like the poor old badgers. Rosie Pauline Bird Notes Well, the last month has been quiet on the bird front. The Golden Plovers reported last month have been doing occasional sorties over the village. The largest flock was in February when I saw a flock in excess of 500 birds. Visiting Slimbridge recently we saw a flock of over 1000! Other winter visitors have been noticeable by their absence. I have not seen Siskin, Redpoll or Brambling. Redwing and Fieldfare are still here in good numbers. A highlight this month was a male Reed Bunting that turned up on a nut dispenser in Burdett Street. One Red Kite was seen at Skeets Corner, Chilton Foliat and I have had a report of a Short Eared Owl on the east side of the village. John Marshall Rainfall Rainfall for the month to 18 February was 2.08 inches, average 2.91 inches
	Ramsbury First Responder Unit Neighbourhood First Responder Units are run by Wiltshire St John Ambulance and the Great Western NHS Trust Ambulance Service They support their local communities by responding to specific emergency calls. They are all volunteers, living and working locally. After first aid training, they can attend emergency calls received by the ambulance service and provide care until an ambulance arrives. The Ramsbury unit, set up in 2004, currently has only four members covering Aldbourne and Ramsbury. They are most often called to provide First Aid to people with severe chest pains, where minutes can be vital as the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest reduce by 10% per minute delay in administering defibrillation. "Our team of four provides a surprising amount of cover, but we need more volunteers to improve the cover and make full use of the equipment the local community has helped us to buy" says Tessa Hicks, Co-ordinator of the Ramsbury Unit. "We are looking for people prepared to give some time, no matter how little, to help save lives". Anyone interested in finding out more should contact Tessa Hicks on 520336 or Linda Robbins on 01380 728362. Ramsbury Meals on Wheels needs Volunteers Four long serving and much appreciated members of the team of volunteers have retired, so we need to replace them with new volunteers, particularly those prepared to deliver and/or cook. The rota is flexible but most people cook and/or deliver about six days a year. Meals are simple, there is help with recipes and expenses are paid. If you would like to know more please contact Denise Milner on 520174. Kennet District Council - Making Plans for the future KDC is about to begin consultation with communities to discuss the main planning challenges facing the District over the next 20 years. If you are interested or wish to learn more, visit the KDC website.
	Ramsbury WI Ramsbury WI will hold its Annual Meeting on Thursday 1 March in the Methodist Schoolroom. Doors open at 7.15 pm and the meeting starts promptly at 7.45 pm. All members are urged to attend this meeting when the new committee and president will be elected. After the business there will be a team quiz. Ramsbury Roxy Friday 2 March: 'Rabbit proof Fence'. The true story of a daring escape and an epic journey for three girls who walked 1500 miles to find their way home. Cert.PG Friday 16 March: 'The Constant Gardener'. From the novel by John le Carré. Directed by Fernando Meirelles, starring Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Bill Nighy and Pete Postlewaite. Love at any cost. Cert 15. Friday 30 March: 'The Glen Miller Story'. The big box office hit. The life of the trombonist and band-leader whose plane disappeared during World War 2. Starring James Stewart. Cert. U. Doors open for drinks at 7.30 pm, film starts at 8 pm. Tickets £3.50 from the Post Office, £4 on the door. We now have a new state-of-the-art screen and projector thanks to a lottery grant. You can now print the Roxy programme for the current quarter by following this link! English Chamber Choir The English Chamber Choir returns to give a concert in Holy Cross on Saturday 3 March at 7 pm. The programme includes works by Bach, Theodarakis and Rachmaninoff's 'Vespers' sung in Russian, and arrangements of well-known songs. There will be an interval bar, and The Bell will stay open for dinner, so please pre-book and order. Tickets price £10 (concessions £5) from 521168 and the Post Office. Offers of overnight accommodation (no food required) would be gratefully received. The Choir hopes to sing at Holy Cross the next morning. Beer & Curry Night Ramsbury Pre-School invites you to Ramsbury's first Beer and Curry night; 8pm till late on Saturday 3 March in the Memorial Hall. Enjoy a relaxing night with friends sampling local beer, wine and cider with delicious food. Tickets, price £10, are available from Ramsbury Post Office, Hills Stores and Midway Stores. Included in the price will be a choice of curries (including vegetarian), nibbles and one free drink. Horticultural Society A talk 'Spring into action for a healthy garden' will be given by Michael Archer in the Memorial Hall at 7.45 pm on Monday 5 March. If you have any questions or plants for examination please bring them along. Waste The black boxes and green wheelie-bins will be emptied on Tuesdays 6 & 20 March. The black wheelie-bins and orange sacks will be taken on Tuesdays 13 & 27 March. There will be a skip at Aldbourne Pond on 6 March, and at the Ramsbury Surgery from 8 - 10.30 am on Tuesday 20 March. Quiz Our quiz against Lambourn Valley Horticultural Society will be held in the Memorial Hall on Thursday 8 March at 7.30 pm. Please come to support our 'winning team' and enjoy the usual supper afterwards. Ramsbury Flyer The next visit to Newbury will be on Thursday 8 March, leaving the Tree at 11.30 am and returning at 2.30 pm. Book with Muriel Lye on 520555. The February visit was cancelled because of the snow. The Community Bus also has its own page - just follow the link. Ramsbury Amenity Group Guided Walks There will be guided walks on Sundays 11 March to Marridge (No 8) 4 miles, and 25 March to Park (No 13) 3½ miles. Meet at the Tree, newcomers and dogs under control are welcome. Axford Bingo There will be Bingo at Axford Village Hall on Wednesdays 14 and 28 March at 7.30 pm. Parish Council The Parish Council will meet on Monday 19 March at 7.45 pm in the Memorial Hall. All are welcome. Ramsbury Luncheon Club Ramsbury Luncheon Club are holding a coffee morning and gorgeous cake sale on Saturday 24 March at the Memorial Hall, 10 am - noon. Also on sale will be bric-a-brac and more. Please come along and enjoy! If anyone would like to donate a cake or bric-a-brac for sale, please contact Mair Reed on 520969. Horticultural Society AGM The AGM takes place on Monday 26 March at 7.45 pm, in the Memorial Hall. The committee asks for your particular support at this AGM as there are some important matters to discuss. There are still a number of renewals of membership outstanding and they should be sent or delivered to Sue Arnold by the AGM. Bella Voce The choir will hold its Annual General Meeting in The Memorial Hall on Tuesday 27 March. It will be followed by their 'End of Term' practice.
	THANKS The Bus Committee thanks Eric Webster for all the hard work he has done with the Ramsbury Flyer as a driver and previous Co-ordinator. In particular, the passengers on the monthly visits to Newbury thank him for taking them there for over eight years, missing only three times. The Committee will miss you Eric. £1706.88 was raised by the Christmas Lights during December for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance. £656.27 was raised at the Coffee Centre for local charities during 2006. £100 each has been donated to The Bruce Trust, Ramsbury Methodist Church, The Ramsbury Surgery Equipment fund, The Douglas Arter Centre, Prospect Hospice, East Kennet District Community Transport. Thanks to all for their support. Once again many thanks to all those who have sent me stamps. The British Eye Foundation (formerly the Iris Fund) have now merged with 'Fight for sight', and over recent years the donated stamps have raised £2800 for eye research projects. Please keep the stamps coming. Evelyn Smith, 3 Townfield. Many thanks to all who gave me their old glasses. We collected a full basket. Ronnie Price, 15 Union Street.
	ADVANCE NOTICES There will be a 5km Fun Run, and Children’s 1.5km Run on Sunday 1 April at The Science Museum, Wroughton. For further details call 01793 853933, or email triferris@btinternet.com for entry forms. St Michael's Church, Axford will hold its annual 'Easter Surprises' service at 3 pm on Sunday 15 April. Everyone is welcome to celebrate the Easter story with us. The service will be followed by Tea and an Easter Treasure Hunt. Please contact Maria Foster on 515633 for further details. The Ravensbury Players 30th year. Their Spring production is ‘The Play’s the thing’, three one act comedies with a break for supper. Performances Wed 25 – Sat 28 April. Tickets will be available in April. If you would like to get involved with any aspect of the production, please contact Cora Jackson on 515683. The Annual Coffee Morning held in aid of The Treloar Trust will be held in the Memorial Hall on Saturday 21 April from l0 am - noon. More details will follow next month. Parish Council elections will be held on Thursday 3 May. If you would like to stand for election, or would like to know more about what is involved, please e-mail clerk@ramsbury.org or contact the Clerk, Sue Arnold on 520322 or the chairman, Sheila Glass on 520409. Sugarhill Sunsplash will be holding an event at Liddington Hill Farm on Saturday 14 July in the afternoon. The proceeds will be shared between Ramsbury Primary School and Muscular Dystrophy. The Diary is published in paper form, and is incorporated here by kind permission of the Ramsbury Amenity Group.