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Ramsbury & Axford Community
Village Diary - September 2008 |
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for the October Diary by 18 September. They can be left at the Post Office; or sent by email to diary@ramsbury.org |
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Autumn is approaching and we have not had the pleasure of a prolonged period of fine summer weather. However, the quite frequent heavy showers have been good for the gardens, giving rise to large potatoes and a good crop of beans. Unfortunately, the conditions have allowed the slugs and snails to thrive. I have been surprised how high the snails can climb - to the top of the bean canes. Earwigs also seem to be quite upwardly mobile as I notice when opening the whirligig on wash day. Have you been troubled by wasps? In spite of it being a poor plum year, I find it necessary to be careful when picking fruit - perhaps there is a nest of them close by. As usual the white butterflies are too numerous and I have reports of many peacocks being seen but the small tortoiseshells are scarce. I have read that a parasite is causing the species a problem. Throughout the year some yellow wild flowers are usually to be found but the mauve and pink ones, such as the knapweed (hardheads), seem to be more common in autumn. Pink is represented by soapwort, to be seen on the road leaving Aldbourne for Swindon, but this year one plant has been flowering in Tankard Lane and, nearby, the pink musk mallow with its very cut leaves. It is a wild plant of grassland but I have seen it for sale in a garden centre. It is not the only plant of the fields that can be found for sale. The other day, ajuga reptans was for sale. This is the botanical name for bugle, a blue flowered creeping perennial of damp grassland, so it pays to be careful when buying plants that could become thugs if the garden conditions suit them. It is very like selfheal that is a pest in my lawn. Another plant of shady woodland that readily spreads in the garden is enchanter's nightshade with its minute pinkish white flowers. When pulled carefully from damp soil it is seen to have many spreading white roots. This is also the season for the willow herbs - the large rosebay (fireweed) which quickly colonizes bare soil (a white variety can be seen in gardens). The great willow herb (codlings and cream) is found on river banks. Smaller types occurring as garden weeds are the broad leaved and marsh willow herbs. Will the dampness bring a good crop of fungus? Rosie Pauline It has all gone a bit quiet out there. As I write in the middle of August, many birds are going through the annual moult; hiding away as they swap old feathers for new over a few weeks. So much energy goes into this process that the birds are weakened and even easier prey than usual for predators like cats. Many birds, like Chaffinches and Greenfinches, become very dowdy at this time to help them remain inconspicuous. Some unusual sightings have been reported in terms of location. These include a Red Kite on the ground, a Coot on a birdfeeder, and a Moorhen at the top of a small tree. Although not avian, the sight of two deer in the Whittonditch playground must have been a delight as well. My favourite sighting this month was a Green Woodpecker working over my lawn for 30 minutes. As well as being stunning to look at, these birds are very specialised ant connoisseurs with a tongue that sticks out over two inches beyond its beak to wreak havoc below ground. Clearly the woodpecker was happy and at least I now know where the ants' nests are! Paul Swan Rainfall for the month to 18 August was 4.60 inches, average 2.14 inches. |
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Black wheelie-bins and orange sacks will be taken on Tuesdays 9 & 23 September. Black boxes and green wheelie-bins will be emptied on Tuesdays 2, 16 & 30 September. Skips will be at Aldbourne Pond on Tuesdays 2 & 30 September and at the Ramsbury Surgery from 8 to 10.30 am on Tuesday 16 September. Offices to Rent - Ramsbury Memorial Hall Two recently refurbished offices in the Lychgate are available for rent - total area 222 sq.ft. Lease includes toilets, kitchen and some additional storage space. Contact Robert Osmond 520568 or Gilbert Mills 520243. |
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Ramsbury WI meets on Thursday 4 September in the Methodist Schoolroom, Oxford Street, when Mr David Weller will talk about his experiences in an old fashioned repertory company performing "A Play a Week". Doors open at 7.15 pm and the meeting starts at 7.45 pm. Visitors are welcome - there is a small fee which includes refreshments. Busy Bees will meet on Thursday 18 September at 7.30 pm in the Lychgate Room. Methodist Church Ramsbury and Aldbourne Methodist Churches are changing from the Newbury and Hungerford circuit to the Swindon and Marlborough Circuit in September. Our thanks to Rev. Irena Byron and her local preachers, and welcome to our new Minister Rev. Susan Holden. Please come and join us and welcome our new Ministers. Sunday services start at 10.30 am in Aldbourne on 7 September and Ramsbury on 14, 21 and 28 September. Thursday Coffee Mornings on September 4 Cake Stall on September 11 Charity stall on September 18 Fair-Trade & Card stall on September 25. Horticultural Society Saturday 6 September coach outing to the National Amateur Garden Show at Shepton Mallet departs from the Square at 9 am and returns at 6 pm. Tickets approx £20. Contact Sheila Glass on 520409. On Monday 8 September at 7.45 pm there will be a talk on 'Spring Bulbs' by Michael Archer in the Memorial Hall. Bella Voce Choir Bella Voce invites new members (male and female) to join them for the next term. Tuesday rehearsals start on 9 September at 8 pm until 9.30 pm in the Memorial Hall. We will perform Carols by Candlelight in Holy Cross on Sunday 21 December and Vivaldi's Gloria on Saturday 7 March 2009. For details phone 520369. Axford Bingo There will be Bingo in Axford Village Hall on Wednesdays 10 and 24 September. Ramsbury Flyer The next visit to Newbury will be on 11 September leaving the Tree at 11.30 am and returning at 2.30 pm. Fare £3. We hope to visit the Newbury Show on 20 September leaving the tree at 9.30 am and returning at 4 pm. Fare £3. Newbury Show Tickets are available from Kidson-Trigg. Book with Muriel Lye on 520555. The Community Bus also has its own page - just follow the link. Ramsbury Roxy Fridays 12 September La Vie En Rose cert 12A 26 September The Bucket List cert 12A. Doors and bar open 7.30 pm. Film starts at 8 pm. Full details in programmes available in Ramsbury Post Office and Library, and on the Roxy pages. Ramsbury FC Saturday 13 September - Home game versus Swindon Irons. Kick off 3 pm and drinks in the Bell after the match. Holy Cross and St. Michael's Churches Annual Gift Day Our churches are there for everyone to use; for christenings, weddings and funerals as well as for regular services. The congregation pay for the day-to-day running but we need help to keep a beautiful Grade I listed building in good repair and we ask everyone to contribute towards the upkeep of the church buildings. You will shortly receive a letter – please give generously for the Holy Cross Annual Gift Day appeal. Gift Day is 14 September when services will be Holy Communion at 8 am and Family Service at 9.30 am. A Deanery Confirmation Service at 3 pm will be taken by the Bishop of Ramsbury the Rt. Revd. Stephen Conway, at which former Holy Cross Church Wardens will be made Wardens Emeritus. Please join us on the day and stay for tea and cakes afterwards. Ramsbury Amenity Group Guided Walks Sundays 14 September Snap 4 miles and 28 September Pentico (no. 11) 4 miles. Walks with numbers in brackets are in the “Short Walks near the Village of Ramsbury” pack, available in the Post Office. Come and join us on our local walks, get to know the local area and make new friends. Meet at the Tree in the Square at 2 pm. Shared cars and dogs on leads. Contact Sheila Morgan on 520501 for more information. Ramsbury and Axford Golf Society On 16 September, the Bell Trophy at Donnington Grove near Newbury with a meal at the Bell in the evening. On 5 October, Inter Society Match Play event at Ogbourne. Marlborough vs Ogbourne with non-members of those clubs playing for either team. Register with Bob Osmond on 520568 or osmond48@btinternet.com Baby Sensory Classes Starting Friday 19 September 10 am to 2 pm in the Memorial Hall. Experiences and activities to help your baby develop. First class free. Contact Jane on 07738 969358 or www.babysensory.co.uk for further details. Charity Walk for Hope & Homes for Children Sunday 28 September meet 10.30 am at the car park just north of Alton Barnes on the Lockeridge road for a 5 mile walk. Bring a picnic. Contact Louise Andrew, 4 The Square, Ramsbury or call 521210 for details. |
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Axford Fête on 2 August raised almost £2,500, shared between St Michael's Church and Axford Village Hall, and £180 for the Ramsbury Recreation Centre. Thanks to all who helped and supported the Fête and special thanks to Alistair Ewing who bravely stood in the river catching all the ducks at the end of the Duck Race! On a pouring wet 9 August at Membury Service Station, hundreds of rain soaked Brits in shorts and tee shirts contributed £1080 to Help for Heroes. Alan Steel and Ben Tottenham thank them and all of the collectors. Despite the rain, the Horticultural Society Summer Show on 9 August was a great success. Our thanks to all who participated, in whatever way. It is hoped that our show next summer will be in the traditional marquee at the recreation field. Thank you for the support for Ramsbury FC in our pre season friendlies, both of which we won! Our season got off to a great start with a 9-2 win against Castle Combe Reserves. Ramsbury came joint 4th in the County round of the Best Kept Village competition. Results: Winsley 99, Mere 97, Blunsdon 95, Box 93 and Ramsbury 93 out of 125. Thank you to everyone who helped to show the village at its best. The school children, those who maintain the Churchyard and Nature Reserve, are to be particularly congratulated. See comments sheet on the Parish Council noticeboard. Sheila Glass Ramsbury & Axford PC |
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St Michael's Church Axford, Harvest Festival Service on Sunday 5 October at 6 pm, followed by Harvest Supper in Axford Village Hall. To book for the Supper please phone Suzy Connell 513300 or Rose Russ 520499 by 1 October: adults £5, under 10’s £2.50. Gifts of flowers, fruit or vegetables will be gratefully received. Fruit & vegetables will be donated afterwards to Coombe End House. The Ravensbury Players will be presenting Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde from the 18 to 22 November. Tickets £7 will be available from the Post Office, Midway Stores or telephone 520515. The Diary is published in paper form, and is incorporated here by
kind permission of the Ramsbury Amenity Group. |
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