Ramsbury Village Diary - January 2008

Ramsbury & Axford Community

Village Diary - January 2008

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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 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 The year has nearly run full circle as I find myself starting on the notes for 2008, and wonder whether it will bring in frost as at present or snow. The Midlands had a little sleet in mid-November: perhaps by the New Year it will be mild again. Frost may get to the fingers and toes but it is good to have some bright sunshine, rather than dull dank days. After the ground has been frozen causing the leeks etc. to hang their leaves ground-wards, it is surprising how quickly they recover when the thaw comes, providing they have not suffered for too long. The problem is that their roots cannot take up water when the ground is frozen to a depth of several inches. One surprise in mid December was the sound of a lawn mower as efforts were made to cut semi frozen grass. One good point about a few hard frosts is that a few slugs and other pests may get killed off, providing they did not go too deep as the temperature began to drop. Snails protect themselves by hiding against walls, behind undergrowth and sealing their opening. On a brighter note the blackbirds in my garden look as though they are starting to pair up ready for early nest building. When I was doing some autumn pruning at the beginning of December I found two old nests from the spring. Earlier I said that there did not seem to be many fungi about except the usual honey fungus, and when walking in the Bedwyn area I saw some birch polypore but the brackets were rather on the small side. Yet when speaking to a friend living in the Epping Forest area, the report was that it had been a good season with a great variety being found. It is surprising what differences occur between east and west, and also between north and south in our comparatively small country. The mild damp days favour the growth of moss, especially in the shady locations, not just on the lawns but on the thatch: unfortunately this all helps to rot it. 1 hope that you all enjoyed a happy Christmas, and may all go well with you in 2008. Rosie Pauline Bird Notes Cold days, clear skies and no leaves on the trees make for great bird watching – as long as you are dressed appropriately. The sky above the village has been hosting huge flocks of Golden Plover that are based on Springs Hill for the winter. There are now over 500 here, and the change of colour as they wheel under the bright sunshine is truly dramatic. Usually, the first clue that they are above you is their plaintive call. For the rest of the year these birds are in Scotland and the north of England and head south for our warmer winter! Springs Hill is also hosting a pair of Stonechat that fly ahead of you from post to post, just keeping a few metres ahead of the dogs. A flock (or charm) of about thirty goldfinch are also busy finishing off the seeds in the thistle heads. It is relatively easy to attract these beautiful birds to your garden by offering Niger seed in a special feeder – but be warned, once they find you may have to re-mortgage the property to feed their habit. Special treats in December included a stunning Bullfinch, glowing in the bright sunshine, a noisy flight of eighteen Swans doing circuits over the lake at the Manor, and five Herons in a field, doing absolutely nothing! Paul Swan Rainfall Rainfall for the month to 17 December was 2.48 inches, average 3.62 inches.
	Preston to Baydon Bridleway There is a proposal that the Preston to Baydon bridleway should be open to all vehicular traffic i.e. a BOAT. The Parish needs to make a case on this proposal which is adverse to the environmental amenity of both Ramsbury and Aldbourne parishes. Will any readers or their friends who have walked, bicycled or ridden this bridleway between 2000 & 2005 contact Graeme Fearon on 520812, 07717 573479 or email parishcouncil@ramsbury.org. Proposed Cycle Way to Marlborough A proposal for a new cycle way to Marlborough is currently the subject of consultation with landowners and others. Ian Ritchie, the Parish Councillor responsible, would like to hear on 520841 from cyclists, regular or intermittent, if they would use this track should it be upgraded. It would run from Froxfield Road past Ramsbury Manor, on to Stitchcombe and thence to Marlborough. Scout Hall The Scout Hall is available for hire. It is an ideal place for children's parties, meetings and private functions. Contact Alison Howard on 520026. Memorial Hall Offices To Let The Memorial Hall wish to let two offices. These are newly carpeted and with new lighting installed, so are ready for use. We have two enquiries for the smaller office but ideally need to let them together. Contact Robert Osmond on 01672 520568. Waste Collection The black boxes and green wheelie-bins will be emptied on Tuesdays 8 & 22 January. There will be skips at the Surgery from 8 - 10.30 am on Tuesday 22 January. The black wheelie-bins will be emptied and orange sacks taken on Wednesday 2 and Tuesdays 15 & 29 January. Skips will also be at Aldbourne on 8 January. There will be Christmas Tree recycling for one day only at the Surgery on Monday 7 January.
	Axford Bingo There will be Bingo at Axford Village Hall on Wednesdays 9 & 30 January at 7.30 pm. Ramsbury Flyer The next visit to Newbury will be on 10 January, leaving the Tree at 11.30 am and 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 New Year Party The WI New Year Party will be held in the Memorial Hall at 7.30 pm on Friday 11 January. There will be supper followed by a musical entertainment given by Moya Dixon and friends. Tickets at £5 at the Post Office . Ramsbury Amenity Group Guided Walks Sunday 13 January to Pentico (walk no. 11) 4 miles. Sunday 27 January to Loves Copse 4½ miles. We meet at the Tree in the Square at 2 pm. Everybody is very welcome; dogs on leads please and shared cars. Ramsbury Roxy in the Memorial Hall “Atonement” starring Keira Knightly and James McAvoy will be shown on Friday 18 January. This 2007 film by Joe Wright, director of 'Pride & Prejudice', was nominated for seven Golden Globes. Cert 15. Doors open 7.30 pm with licensed bar: film starts at 8 pm. Tickets £3.50 from the Post Office or £4 on the door. Parish Council The Parish Council will meet on Monday 21 January at 7.45 pm in the Memorial Hall. All will be welcome. Ravensbury Players AGM The AGM will be held at 8 pm on 21 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. Horticultural Society AGM The AGM will be held on Monday 28 January at 7.45 pm in the Memorial Hall. There will be a quiz, and mulled wine will be served. Please come and contribute to the discussion on future plans. Subscriptions, now due should be sent to Michael Handford, ‘Millstream’, High Street, Ramsbury. (Family £6, Single £5, Retired £4). Ramsbury & Axford Golf Society The Society's first anniversary AGM is set for 8 pm on 29 January at the Bell. All members are welcome for the meeting and perhaps the odd tincture afterwards.
	THANKS The combined churches of Ramsbury and Axford are pleased to report that this year's Gift Day raised a pre-tax amount of £7,997. The importance of these contributions cannot be over-emphasised as other sources of income, principally regular giving, have fallen drastically in the past three years. The church is now reliant on the Gift Day contributions to meet the day-to-day running costs and would therefore like to thank all who gave so generously. At the AGM of Ramsbury Link a report was presented on the finances of the Link and the increased number of tasks the volunteers had been asked to do. Carole Walker gave an interesting talk on the Marlborough Jubilee Centre. Ramsbury Silver Band and Bella Voce, who temporarily metamorphosed into Belle Voci (by the addition of male singers), thank the village for their support at their annual Christmas concert given to a full house in the Memorial Hall. The choir also sang by candlelight at the traditional service of Nine Lessons & Carols at Holy Cross Church. The Carol Service at St Michael's on Sunday 9 December was a great success with a full congregation of 60 including about 15 children, all of whom took part in the Service. We are most grateful for the support of the Foster family with others for the music and readings, and for organising with Suzy Connell the teas afterwards, and to several members of the congregation for mincepies etc.. John Railton took the Service with his usual aplomb & made it another memorable occasion.
	ADVANCE NOTICES Ramsbury Pre-school “Beer And Curry Night” at the Memorial Hall Saturday 1 March 8 pm ´til late. Ramsbury Circuit 5 mile run on Sunday 18 May starts at 1l am from Ramsbury Recreation Ground. Contact Jacqy McQue on jacqymcque@hotmail.com. My granddaughter, Tatty Bullard, will be one of the youngest runners in the April 2008 London Marathon. She is raising money for Breast Cancer Haven as her mother, Amanda, has received enormous help from them while she has been coping yet again with chemotherapy. If you would like to sponsor her please send a cheque made out to the charity to Mill Farm, Higham, Suffolk IP28 6UE or sponsor her online at www.justgiving.com/tattybullard. Susie Eliot-Cohen. Ramsbury Roxy plans to screen 'A Bridge Too Far' in the week preceding the May Bank Holiday when there will be a commemoration of the part played by the US 101st Airborne Division in the Arnhem battle in 1944. The Axford Fete 2008, in aid of St Michael's Church & Axford Village Hall will take place on Saturday 2 August, in the Jubilee Field as usual. If anyone would like to help organise, beforehand or on the day, or suggest some new event or sideshow, please contact BT 512406. We hope to have an Open Meeting in Axford Village Hall sometime in early February. A concert will be given by Swindon Concert Band & Bella Voce at Holy Cross Church on Saturday 1 March. Details next month. The Scouts Quiz Night will be on Saturday 8 March in the Memorial Hall; priced at £10 to include a hot supper. Tickets will be available in the New Year. The Diary is published in paper form, and is incorporated here by kind permission of the Ramsbury Amenity Group.