Ramsbury Village Diary

Ramsbury & Axford Community

Village Diary - June 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 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 Have April and May swapped places this year I wonder? After the unusually warm dry weather of last month, May seems to have brought in April showers together with March winds at times. By June hopefully we will be enjoying appropriate weather for the month with roses at the correct time for the horticultural evening, although my rambler by the kitchen window is already in flower. As there were no frosts while the fruit trees were flowering perhaps like last year it will be a good year for fruit, including my strawberries which at present have more flowers than usual. During the warm period various insects were making an early appearance, these included cockchafers, also called may bugs: have you seen any? They are a type of beetle so have protective shields called elytra in place of the fore wings of many insects; these are dull tan in colour. It is the males that fly in the mating season. Ladybirds are also coming out of their winter hiding places, the usual red ones (often the seven spot variety). However a few days ago I found a small pale yellow one with many black spots, perhaps the 22 spot variety. June is the month when most of the grasses are in flower. Some look quite attractive when showing their anthers of several different colours as they scatter their pollen when swaying in a light breeze. Mid May and the barren broom is already flowering and hanging down its long flowering sprays. More colourful is the intense blue of the small ground ivy (not related to the ivy that infests trees and fences). A garden escapee in flower at present is green alkanet. This is tall with many deep sky blue flowers. Its name is derived from the fact that the plant was used to give green dye in past times. Baby rabbits and their young are now appearing, so with luck not too many will be killed on our busy roads. Rosie Pauline Bird Notes At this time of year a visit to Seven Bridges is very rewarding. Try a warm still evening. This year I have already heard Cetti's Warbler, Grasshopper and Sedge Warblers, Whitethroat, Nightingale and Reed Bunting. If you go later in the evening you may well see a Woodcock. As I write this on 18 May, I've had a report of six Little Egret, seen on the River Dunn west of Froxfield. Notables this month include Tree Pipit in Bolstridge Bottom, Yellow Wagtail at the top of Hilldrop Lane, Red Kite seen at Ewins Hill, Preston and on the Southward. I've seen a Hobby near Hilldrop Farmhouse. A pair of Lapwings were seen defending their territory up Hilldrop Lane at the end of April but alas on my last visit to the area they seem to have deserted. At High Down nature reserve near Aldbourne there were two Corn Buntings performing their 'jangling keys' song. John Marshall Rainfall Rainfall for the month to 18 May was 2.90 inches, average 2.05 inches.
	Retirement of Head Teacher Richard Colley joined the school in September 1988 and since then has led it through many changes and seen it grow from strength to strength. He consistently achieved excellent SATS results in recent years and three very positive Ofsted Inspections culminating in the Outstanding Ofsted rating a year ago, placing the school in the top 10% of primary schools nationally. Ramsbury School, and many parents and children, have been extremely fortunate to have had the benefit of Richard's expertise for twenty years. Everyone in the Ramsbury & Axford community will wish him all the very best for a long, healthy and happy retirement with his wife Alison and children Emily and Nick. Anyone wishing to contribute to his Retirement collection can send donations to Janet Stagg, the school secretary, marked Head Teacher Collection, labelled with their message. The new Headteacher, Joanna Price will start with a warm welcome in September. Update from Peter Page So far so good. We've made it to Stockholm with no problems. Tuesday we take the ferry for Helsinki and then the drive to St Petersburg. Fingers crossed. Peter and Louise Annual Parish Meeting (APM) At the APM the Parish Councillors and the District Councillor welcomed the new Councillors, Ian Ritchie Graham Fearon, and Tim McQue; reported on their work during the past year; and thanked the retiring Councillors, Steve Cook, Fiona Kimber, Alan Plenderleith, Anne Dixon, Mora Abell and Debbie Marshall. Village Groups and organisations reported their achievements during the year. The reports were unanimous in thanking the Council, other funds, and donors for their support with grants of money. They did however highlight the number of newcomers to the village, and the need for more younger members in their thirties and forties to come forward to ensure continuity in the running of village organisations as older members retire. The Scouts Group waiting list is 50, who will be disappointed if Troop leaders do not come forward. Bristol Sunwalk Rosemarie Derrick and Debbie Marshall are taking part in the Bristol Sunwalk in memory of their mum Betty Mills who died 15 years ago this year. The Sunwalk raises money for research into Breast Cancer. They are going to power walk through the streets of Bristol for 13.5 miles and would be really grateful for your support. If you would like to sponsor them you can do so at www.justgiving.com/RandD. There will be sponsor forms in the village shops soon.
	Ramsbury WI Visit to The Vyne Saturday 2 June at noon from The Tree. Ramsbury WI will also be visiting Chisbury Lane Farm on Thursday 7 June. Please meet in the Square at 6.40 pm for transport by the Flyer and cars. Contact Rosalie Winter on 520261 if you wish to go. Ramsbury Silver Band - Link Scheme By kind permission of Mr and Mrs Simon Blunt, there will be an afternoon of light musical entertainment with Ramsbury Silver Band at Ramsbury Hill on Sunday 3 June from 3 - 5 pm. It will be in aid of the Link Scheme. There will be teas, a raffle and a retiring collection. Link will offer lifts to this event, which will be in the Church Room if wet. Waste The black wheelie-bins and orange sacks will be taken on Tuesdays 5 and 19 June. The black boxes and green wheelie-bins will be emptied on Tuesdays 12 and 26 June. There will be a skip at the Ramsbury Surgery from 8 - 10.30 am on Tuesday 12 June, and at Aldbourne Pond on 26 June. Bella Voce Choir Bella Voce Choir with the Adam Biggs Jazz Trio will be performing in a concert at St Mary's, Chilton Foliat on Saturday 9 June at 7.30 pm. Tickets £12, to include interval wine and light Snacks, are for sale at The Wheatsheaf, Chilton Foliat; from Bob Bourne 01488 684497; or at the Gate from 7 pm. Kennet River Walk The Kennet River Walk will take place on Sunday 10 June from 2 - 5 pm. Starting at the end of Elcot Lane Marlborough, it will follow the Kennet through Mildenhall, Stitchcombe and Axford. Tea will be available at the half way point and there will be transport back to the start. It is free to ARK members. Membership costs £10 per year. Call 513672 for more information. Ramsbury Amenity Group Guided Walks There will be guided walks on Sunday 10 June to Woodland St Mary 4 miles, and on Sunday 17 June (avoiding the Open Gardens Day) to Fyfield 4 miles. Meet at the Tree to share cars, dogs under control. Amenity Group Outing The Amenity Group will be taking an outing to Welford Park on Wednesday 13 June. Contact 520308. Axford Bingo There will be Bingo in Axford Village Hall on Wednesdays 13 & 27 June at 7.30 pm. Ramsbury Flyer The next visit to Newbury will be on Thursday 14 June, leaving the Tree at 11.30 am and returning from Newbury at 2.30 pm. The Outing to Beaulieu on Saturday 16 June will leave from the Tree at 9.30 am. The fare is £6 . Book with Muriel Lye on 520555. The Outing to Cribbs Causeway on 14 May was a great success - thanks to Mick Mabbett for driving. At the AGM on 17 May, John Lambley resigned as Secretary and was warmly thanked for his many years of service. The Community Bus also has its own page - just follow the link. Rose evening and Member’s Supper The Rose Evening will take place in the Memorial Hall on 16 June. Some members' subscriptions have not yet been renewed. Please contact Rosalie Winter on 520261 or Sue Arnold on 520322 or email to hortsoc@ramsbury.org. Rose Evening entries must be staged between 6.00 and 6.45 pm and the show opens at 7.30 pm. Entry forms are in the Show Schedule but please contact Allan Davison on 520591 in the event of any difficulty. Axford & Stitchcombe Open Gardens and Flower Festival The gardens will be open on Sunday 17 June from 2 - 5.30 pm, with a Flower Festival and recital in St.Michael's Church, an art exhibition in the Hall, teas at Stone House with produce and plant sales, free car park and transport from Ramsbury in the Flyer. Evensong at 6 pm. For info call 520406 or 521287. Parish Council The Parish Council next meets at 7.45 pm in the Memorial Hall on Monday 18 June. All are very welcome. ‘Gardens Open’ in Ramsbury Several of Ramsbury's Gardens will be open on Sunday 24 June between 2 pm and 5.30 pm. Royal British Legion Veterans' Evening The Legion is inviting ex-service personnel to a Veterans' Evening with their ladies on Wednesday 27 June at 8 pm. Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP to the Club on 520579 by mid June.
	THANKS The April Treloar Coffee Morning raised £2400 including generous donations received prior to the day. The Spring Plant Sale raised £500+ which will help the Horticulural Society to maintain events throughout the year. Axford Church Bible has now been repaired, and will be on display during the Church Flower Festival (with Harpsichord Recital) and Gardens Open on Sunday 17 June. The cake stall at the Horticultural Society's Spring Sale in aid of Axford Church made £116, many thanks.
	ADVANCE NOTICES Marlborough Open Studios, (all within approx 8 mile radius) - 7/8, 14/15, 21/22, 28/29 July. Over 50 artists are showing drawings, paintings, prints, photographs & ceramics. Free brochures in local shops & libraries, or phone 01488 686 333. Launch Sunday 1 July 12 - 2 pm at the White Horse Bookshop, Marlborough. Bella Voce Choir will perform their new repertoire in a concert in the Memorial Hall on Friday 6 July. Tickets to include light refreshments will be available at P.O. and Midway Stores from June 10th. Further details in posters and the July diary. The 30th annual Arthritis Research Campaign Coffee Morning will be held in the Memorial Hall on Saturday 14 July from 10 am to noon. There will be a home produce stall, bric-a-brac, plants, books, raffle etc. Please call Marion Young on 521126 or Anne Tiplady on 520288 for further information. The Diary is published in paper form, and is incorporated here by kind permission of the Ramsbury Amenity Group.