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Ramsbury & Axford Community
Village Diary - March 2008 |
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| 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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These bright sunny days and frosty nights suggest to nature that Spring is on its way; so it is not just the snowdrops that are flowering but also crocus, celandines, dog violets, primroses and a few buttercups in sheltered places. All these seem to be earlier than usual in this area. Since there are many varieties of daffodils they have quite a long flowering period but I was surprised to see, behind a garden shrub, a clump of daffs in full flower in early February, and by the middle of the month the small tête-à-tête were flowering. The trees are also coming into life; one tree of the prunus family is a mass of deep pink flowers near the river at Chilton Foliat, while my bullace tree will soon be a mass of white flowers. But with the sharp frosts I doubt that much of it will set to give the good crop of fruit I had last summer: this will also be true of the blackthorn that is flowering in sheltered places. As the trees are not yet in leaf, small herds of deer are easily seen, such as the group of does that I saw on the woodland edge near Great Bedwyn. The fallow deer are always seen in groups whereas the muntjak live a more solitary life and are usually seen alone. While driving to Hungerford the other day I slowed as two fallow shot across the road only to be followed by four more. What had caused them to leave the aquatic meadow for the ploughed field I don't know. Plenty of water is still lying on much of the low lying land, although the Kennet is slowly falling. The day time sunshine is also bringing out the insects and not just the winter gnats. Both hive and bumble bees can be seen, also a few butterflies such as the peacock in the back garden one morning: its colour was not very bright which is usual for one that had overwintered in a sheltered place. Whether a butterfly spends its winter as an egg, caterpillar, pupa or adult depends upon its species. Returning to my starting point, take a close look at some snowdrops: some are double while there is also variety in the colouring of the singles. Happy hunting in March. Rosie Pauline The bright blue skies and warm weather of early February certainly started some things happening in the air. The Little Grebe, or Dabchick, is normally silent in winter, but here were two in full voice with their unusual trilling mating duet on flooded water meadows to the west of the village. Later, two Kestrels were in full mating display, with the male making repeated mock attacks on the female, who dodged him by making rapid and dramatic rolls to the side. All again accompanied by a hoarse trilling from normally silent birds. Off the road to Chilton Foliat were a flock of the most acrobatic of birds, the Lapwing. Their rolling and tumbling display, low over the fields, was a sign that spring is in the air. Many of the shy birds are out and about now, and making a lot of noise. Wrens and Dunnocks are very busy, and the song of the Dunnock is very special. Strangely, they are the most common victim of the Cuckoo in the south of England, and nobody knows why! With all that energy being displayed, food is as vital as ever, and in short supply for many birds. Full bird feeders in the garden are doing a roaring trade, and a couple of hours of observation revealed 14 different kinds of birds visiting. All the usual culprits, but spiced up by two Bramblings who have been with us for a couple of weeks, and seem to eat anything. Paul Swan Rainfall for the month to 18 February was 1.70 inches, average 2.91 inches. |
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ARK (Action for River Kennet) and the Parish Council have bought the triangle of land off Mill Lane, as a wildlife preserve with public access. The Council has supported the 'Trout ARK' project in the School to raise young trout, to be released into the River over Easter. ArkWalk Overton to Swallowhead Springs 2.30 pm Sunday 30 March. For detail see posters, call 513672 or www.riverkennet.org. World War II Land Girls At last the Government has decided to acknowledge the vital services rendered to the country by Land Girls and Lumber Jills during World War II. Badges of recognition are to be presented to the survivors of these hard working ladies next year. For further information call 0840335577. If you would like an application form, Georgie Brooks has some and can be contacted on 520135. Waste The black boxes and green wheelie-bins will be emptied on Tuesdays 4 & 18 March. The black wheelie-bins and orange sacks will be taken on Tuesdays 11 & 25 March. There will be a skip at the Ramsbury Surgery from 8 am to 10.30 am on Tuesday 4 March, and on Tuesday 1 April. |
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Increase in Community Bus Fares & Charges The Committee have announced an increase in charges with effect from 1 April. This has been necessitated by the sharp rise in fuel and maintenance costs, particularly over the last two years. The service to Hungerford on Wednesday and Friday will now cost £1 return. Hire by local groups will be charged at 45p per mile (to include all fuel costs) plus a £10 booking fee. We regret these changes, the first increase in fares and group hire mileage charge since the Flyer's inception in 1993. We believe that the new prices are still very competitive. Continue to book the Flyer by calling Muriel Lye on 520555. Swindon Concert Band A concert by Swindon Concert Band with Bella Voce Choir and Ramsbury School Choir will be held in Holy Cross Church Ramsbury starting at 7 pm on Saturday 1 March. The evening will include band and choir items and the fantasy "To the Stars" for both wind band players and singers. Horticultural Society The first talk on Herbs will be given by Bob Biggs from Wanborough Nursery in the Memorial Hall at 7.45 pm on Monday 3 March. Bob will bring some plants for sale. The Quiz will take place at 7.30 pm in the Lambourn Memorial Hall, near the Square. on 13 March. Some subscriptions are still due. Family £6, Single £5, Retired £4 Please send to Michael Handford, Hon. Treasurer, Millstream, High Street, Ramsbury. Ramsbury WI The Annual Meeting of Ramsbury WI will be held on Thursday 6 March at 7.45 pm in the Methodist Schoolroom, Oxford Street. All members should try to attend this important meeting when the new president and committee will be elected. Then Lois Smith will give an update on legal issues. Questions for Lois can be left at 27 Oxford Street in advance of the meeting. Methodist Women's World Day of Prayer Friday 7 March Women's World Day of Prayer at the Methodist Church at 7.30 pm. Speaker Ann Massey. Bella Voce Choir Their AGM will be held on Friday 7 March at 8 pm in the Memorial Hall. It will be followed by a sing-a-long round the piano and a light buffet supper to which the men who sang at Christmas are invited. Ramsbury Scout Group 1st Ramsbury Scout Group invite you to book a table for a Quiz night on Saturday 8 March at 7.45 pm in the Memorial Hall. There will be teams of 4-6 contestants. The cost is £10 per person to include a hot supper. There will be a licensed bar. For tickets call Adrian Compton on 520917. Ramsbury Amenity Group Guided Walks These will be on Sundays 9 March to Whiteshard (No 10) 4 miles, and 23 March to Littlecote (No 3) 5 miles. Meet at the Tree; share cars; newcomers and 'good' dogs welcome. Contact Sheila Morgan 520501. Ramsbury Amenity Group (RAG) RAG's AGM will be held on Tuesday 11 March at 7.30 pm in the Church Room. Martin Cook of the Marlborough Area Development Trust (MADT) will speak on 'A perspective for the future'. Axford Bingo There will be Bingo at Axford Village Hall on Wednesdays 12 & 26 March at 7.30 pm. Ramsbury & Aldbourne Bowls Club Their AGM will be held on Tuesday 11 March at 7.30 pm in the 'Chapter Room' of the Bell. New members are always welcome. Ramsbury Flyer The monthly Newbury trip will be on Thursday 13 March departing from 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
Doors open 7.30 pm with licensed bar: film starts 8 pm: tickets £3.50 from the Post Office, £4 on the door. Easter Services in Ramsbury and Axford
Pub Quiz Nights Every Sunday starting on 16 March a Quiz will be held at The Crown and Anchor from 8.30 - 10 pm. For more information, telephone 520335. Parish Council The Parish Council will meet on Monday 17 March at 7.45 pm in the Memorial Hall. All are welcome. Correction A Diary reader who was at Arnhem in September 1944 has pointed out that the only formations that fought in the Battle for Arnhem were the 1st British Airborne Division and the 1st Polish Parachute Brigade. The 101st US Airborne Division was dropped at Eindhoven and north for 16 miles towards Nijmegen. |
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Memorial Hall Trustees have been awarded a grant of £70,000 from Kennet District Council, towards the purchase of Lychgate premises. They are extremely grateful, and are now able to let the Lychgate premises at advantageous rates within the village. Coffee Centre at the Methodist Church has donated to Ramsbury Methodist Church £150, Bruce Trust £130, Prospect Hospice £130, Douglas Arter Centre £130, Ramsbury Surgery £130, East Kennet District Community Transport £130. Thanks to helpers and for donations in 2007. Centre open Thursdays 9.30am. On Sunday 3 February £2,228.17 was presented to Jane Kendall Community fund raiser for the Prospect Hospice by Whitehill Close residents. The money will cover the cost of over 400 home visits. Thank you very much for all donations given during December and New Year. |
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Horticultural Society's Spring Show & Bowls Club Fête Memorial Hall; Saturday 5 April at 2 pm. Schedules available at the Post Office. Ravensbury Players will present "The Battle of the Sexes?", an evening of one act plays on 23-26 April. Tickets available from 10 March from Ramsbury PO and Midway stores or tel 520068. Ramsbury Community Bus AGM Thursday 15 May at 7.30 pm in the Alexander Room, Ramsbury Memorial Hall. The Diary is published in paper form, and is incorporated here by
kind permission of the Ramsbury Amenity Group. |
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