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Ramsbury & Axford Community
Village Diary - October 2007 |
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| Please may we have items for the November Diary by 18 December. 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 | ||
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As the days shorten an autumn nip is in the air, especially in the early morning, but when I wrote in mid September with a clear blue sky it was warmer than many of the so-called summer days. In spite of deluge or drought, much of the garden produce has been good: two good fruit years together is unusual. We are now in what I feel is the scruffy season, with the rank growth of the nettles and the curled dull brown of the butterbur leaves in damp places. However, a few flowers are still to be found such as the yellow of the nipplewort, fleabane and burr marigold. Also, St John's Wort which has much smaller flowers and leaves than the garden variety, which at this season has oval berry-like red seed heads. Other plants in damp places are the Canadian fleabane which has tiny white flowers and then fluffy seed heads, the attractive pink Himalayan balsam, which is an undesirable import as it spreads along riverbanks and is hard to eradicate, as is the smaller orange balsam, which is widespread along the canal at Hungerford. One morning as I walked the dog, it felt grand. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and a small speckled wood was on the wing: then a slender damsel fly alighted on the dusty path, while a short distance ahead a rabbit was hopping along. Recently I have seen several rabbits that don't appear very active. Myxomatosis is taking its toll just as the Dutch elm disease is still with us. This does not kill the root so new stems are sent up only to die off again when the bark becomes developed enough for the beetle to lay its eggs. Perhaps a long cold winter is needed to break the cycle. Since rain is forecast, the fungus season will soon be with us. In fact, two days ago I saw some splendid brackets of dryad's saddle, creamy white with brown flecking over its upper surface. During October the autumn colours will brighten up the countryside especially when the sun shines. If one has a keen eye there is always something to be seen both in the garden and out. Rosie Pauline Two young ladies recently brought me the nest of a Dunnock. It was beautifully made, with grasses and moss making up the outside and animal hairs lining the inside. It also contained six eggs. Five of these were the blue/green of the host. Then in the middle was a green/blue one, which I can only conclude was the egg of a Cuckoo. A theory is that the Cuckoo was laying its egg in the Dunnock's nest but was disturbed by the hosts who then promptly abandoned the nest. Birds seen in the village over the last month include two Hobbies seen over Knowledge Hill. These birds will probably be in Africa when these notes are in print. A Red Kite has been seen near Axford. A Wheatear has been seen on the Southward. This sandy coloured bird is usually seen flitting low over plough as it makes its way to Africa. John Marshall Rainfall for the month to 18 September was 0.75 inches, average 2.43 inches. |
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Lost Property in the Post Office Window A number of unclaimed items are still on display in the Post Office window. They include a Skoda car key, a Philips mobile, a coat left after the boundary walk and a key ring with an elephant charm and Welsh Dragon. Millenium Project Work which commenced on The Ramsbury Millenium Project in The Square recently, is delayed while the contractor acquires the correct materials to complete the job. Project 2005 Charity Bottle It is with some sadness that we report the theft of the Project 2005 Charity bottle (containing a sizeable sum of money) from The Bell on Friday 7 September. No doubt the thief is proud of his or her actions but stealing from Charity is about as low as one can get. If anyone finds a one gallon Bells Whisky bottle (no doubt now empty) please return it to The Bell. |
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Black boxes and green wheelie bins will be emptied on Tuesdays 2, 16 & 30 October. Black wheelie bins will be emptied and orange sacks taken on Tuesdays 9 & 23 October. There will be skips at Ramsbury Surgery on Tuesdays 2 & 30 October, and at Aldbourne on 16 October. Coffee Centre at the Methodist Church The Christmas Prize Draw will commence in the first week in October. Donations of Draw prizes will be very much appreciated. (no alcohol please) Please bring them to the Coffee Centre on a Thursday morning or call Julie Coe 521085. First week cake stall, third week Fair-Trade, fourth week Cards. Ramsbury Horticultural Society Richard Cripps of Lackham College will speak on ‘Aspects of Garden Design’ at 7.45 pm on Monday 1 October in the Memorial Hall. St John’s School and Community College The courses advertised last month on international languages start on Tuesday 2 October at the College. The Masters of the Renaissance The series of lectures begin on Thursday 4 October at 10.30 am in the Memorial Hall. Ramsbury WI Ramsbury WI meets on Thursday 4 October at 7.45 pm in the Methodist Schoolroom, when Cath Knight will talk about her adventures cycling around Cuba to raise funds for Denman College. There will be a trading stall selling cakes, puddings and pies. Visitors and new members always welcome. Methodist Church Anniversary The Methodist Church Anniversary will be celebrated on Sunday 7 October at 10.30 am. The Rev. Tom Stuckey, the Past President of the Methodist Church in England, will be preaching. Please come and join us. Cake tea and coffee will be served after the service. Axford Songs of Praise and Harvest Festival Everyone and all ages are invited to the Axford Harvest Festival in St Michael’s Church on Sunday 7 October at 6 pm followed by a Harvest Supper in the Village Hall. Remember to book before Wednesday 3 October. Bridget Treherne 512406 or Rose Russ 520499. Adults £5, children £2.50. Pay at the door. Radio 4: Gardeners’ Question Time Gardeners’ Question Time, Tuesday 9 October. Memorial Hall doors will open at 5.30 pm and the recording will start at 6.30 pm. The team will be Bob Flowerdew, Pippa Greenwood and Anne Swithenbank. The Chairman will be Eric Robson. Applications for tickets to Sue Arnold 520322, or email hortsoc@ramsbury.org There will be an opportunity to buy a £3 voucher which will include a glass of wine or soft drink, and entry to a draw for a £50 garden voucher. All profits will go the Pre-School appeal. Axford Bingo There will be Bingo in Axford Village Hall at 7.30 pm on Wednesdays 10 and 24 October. Events at The Bell There will be a Jazz evening at The Bell on Wednesday 10 October from 8.30 to 10.30 pm. This will be followed on Thursday 11 October by ‘Wine and Port from Quinta de la Rosa’. Both events will include dining. For further details contact The Bell 520230. Ramsbury Flyer The next visit to Newbury will be on <>, leaving the Tree at 11.30 am and returning from Newbury at 2.30 pm. Book with Muriel Lye on 520555. The Community Bus also has its own page - just follow the link. Ramsbury Roxy At the big screen cinema in
Ramsbury Memorial Hall Ramsbury Amenity Group Guided Walks Sunday 14 October - Martinsell 4 miles. Sunday 28 October - Great Coppice (no. 7) 4 miles. Meet 2 pm at the Tree in the Square. Shared cars. Dogs on leads. Parish Council The Parish Council next meets on Monday 15 October in Axford Village Hall at 7.45 pm. At the September Council. Ms. Joanna Price, the new Head Teacher, met Councillors and members of the public and received their good wishes for herself and the school. Autumn Fruit Day – Ramsbury Horticultural Society Autumn Fruit Day - Saturday 20 October. Entries for this event can be made and staged between 9 am and 9.30 am on the day. The show is open from 10 am until noon. Schedules from the Post Office or from Allan Davison on 520591. The plant sale would welcome any contributions - before 9 am if possible. Ramsbury Horticultural Society Mike Burgess will give three talks with the aim of helping anyone who may be new to gardening and who wishes to learn how best to start to produce vegetables and fruit from their garden from which all of us will learn. The first is on Monday 22 October on 'Soil Care and Cultivation' in the Memorial Hall at 7.45 pm. Ravensbury Players’ Tabletop Sale On 27 October in the Memorial Hall from 10 am to noon there will be a Table Top sale to help raise funds for their November production of “ 'Allo 'Allo ”. For Table Reservations, telephone 520619 or 520068. |
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Many thanks go to Robert Rosch-Iles who joined Bella Voce to rehearse and play the music for the wedding of Adam Blanchard and Anna Wilson in Holy Cross Church. The Choir sang a selection of music while waiting for the arrival of the bride. They also sang Love Divine during the signing of the Register. Good news – a new accompanist has joined us and we welcome Joanna Taylor to the Choir and hope it will be a long and happy partnership. Many thanks to all who helped find our pianist. |
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Jazz at The Bell on Wednesday 7 November. Beaujolais tasting at The Bell on Wednesday 14 November. The Ravensbury Players are presenting the comedy 'Allo 'Allo by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft on Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 November in The Memorial Hall. Tickets available from mid October from Ramsbury Post Office or Midway Stores or call 520515. Due to previous demand, the performances have been increased to five but please book early to avoid disappointment. Christmas lights at Whitehill Close. This year we will be raising money for the Prospect Hospice at Wroughton. Ramsbury Silver band, Father Christmas, and we hope Jenny Pitman, will join us again for the switch-on at 7 pm on Saturday 1 December. If you would like to donate a Prize for the Raffle, please contact Charmain Matthews at 10 Whitehill Close or call 07789 284260. The Ramsbury Ball is back on Saturday 7 June 2008, to get the summer off to a great start! Entertainment is from the brilliant Red Stripe Band. Tickets are £55 each and are on sale now. Tables of 10/12 as usual. Contact Ian Smith 07977 473975 or Pete Appleyard 01672 520623 for booking or further details. Booking forms will be available in the Post Office and all the usual village outlets. Don’t delay! The Diary is published in paper form, and is incorporated here by
kind permission of the Ramsbury Amenity Group.
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