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Ramsbury & Axford Community
Village Diary - October 2008 |
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for the November Diary by 18 October. They can be left at the Post Office; or sent by email to diary@ramsbury.org |
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Mid-September is the time of year when insects are finding sheltered places ready for winter hibernation. Some go deep into the soil while others, such as the cabbage white caterpillars, climb walls so as to pupate under the eaves. After heavy night dews spiders' webs become noticeable, suspended from brambles and on the open spaces of garden gates. The garden spider is one of many web spinners. It can be seen in the middle of the web waiting for its prey, while others hide away to one side, ready to dart out when a fly gets caught in the web. The cobweb spider has a much smaller body, but with very thin, long legs gives the impression of being quite large. Its web is just a mass of very finely tangled threads and is often seen by garage windows or within the house, if given the chance. Not all spiders spin webs. The wolf spiders don't. They carry their eggs with them and when they hatch the young ride on mother's back for a few days. House spiders are amongst the larger ones. They usually live outside during the summer but, in autumn they may crawl up drain pipes and so can appear in the bath. Many spiders are quite small but when closely looked at have distinctive patterns on their abdomens. One such is the hunting spider which I think was the type on my shed door the other day. The crab spider is also small but its abdomen is balloon-like and a whitish colour. Britain has over 600 species of spider but few of us try to find out how many different ones inhabit our gardens. This autumn I seem to have noticed quite a variety: perhaps the damp weather has suited them. Will we likewise have a good variety of fungi by mid-October? On the village walk to Snap one dead branch had jews ear growing on it (deep russet brown). Elderberry wood is its preferred host. It is now time to start looking for other fungi while enjoying the last of the summer flowers such as scabious and yellow toadflax. You can also see the ripening autumn berries of gelder rose, honeysuckle, rowan etc. Rosie Pauline It has been a good month for flocks. Almost every day for the past month there has been a flock (or 'charm') of over fifty Goldfinches on the Harbrook wildflower meadow. The flock included a number of very young birds, as they are one of the few species to keep laying into late August. Over the Manor Lake there have been equally large mixed flocks of Swallows and House Martins, taking on fuel for the long journey south. Now that the moult is over, a number of birds have re-emerged. Most noticeable are the Robins, newly feathered and back into the fray. At this time of year they are busy acquiring and defending their feeding territories for the autumn and winter. If you think that all robins are singing at the moment, you are right. Unusually, the females sing and battle for territory now, competing head to head with the males. As well as mixed gangs of Finches and Tits raiding the bird feeders, the garden has had some special visitors this month. I saw a female Blackcap, probably heading south already, and a Grey Wagtail on the side of our modest pond. The Wagtail didn't stay very long, as the obvious lack of fast running water, and a bridge to nest under, made our garden unsuitable for development. Paul Swan Rainfall for the month to 18 September was 3.5 inches, average 2.43 inches. Rainfall April to September totalled 20 inches, the highest since our records began in 1968. |
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Black wheelie-bins and orange sacks will be taken on Tuesdays 7 and 21 October. Black boxes and green wheelie-bins will be emptied on Tuesdays 14 and 28 October. Skips will be at the Ramsbury Surgery from 8 am to 10.30 am on Tuesday 14 October and at Aldbourne Pond on Tuesday 28 October. Newcomers’ Welcome Pack The Ramsbury Amenity Group, who publish this Diary, also produce a Newcomers' Welcome Pack. Please contact Rolf Mitsom on 521366 if you are new to the village and have not received a copy. |
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Ramsbury WI meets on Thursday 2 October in the Methodist Schoolroom, Oxford Street. Mr Ian McGuire will speak on conserving British owls and will bring a live owl with him. The competition will be for the best representation of an owl in any medium. Visitors welcome at a charge of £2.50. Doors open 7.15 pm and the meeting starts at 7.45 pm. Busy Bees meets on Thursday 16 October at 7.30 pm in the Lychgate Room. St. Michael's Church Harvest Festival The Harvest Festival Service is on Sunday 5 October at 6 pm, followed by Supper in the village hall. To book Supper, telephone Suzy Connell 513300 or Rose Russ 520499 by 3 October. Methodist Church Services - Sunday 5 October, no morning service at Ramsbury or Aldbourne. Instead, at 4.30 pm there will be a welcome tea (bring & share) followed by 6 pm Section service H/C at Ramsbury. 12 October at 10.30 am with Brian Hunter, 19 October at 10.30 am with Len Wheeler and 26 October at 4 pm Tea Service with Rev Susan Holden. Friday 10 October Chat shop at 2 pm. Coffee Centre on Thursdays - 2 October Cake stall, 9 October Charity stall, 23 October Fair-Trade Stall and 30 October Card Stall. Donations of Christmas Draw prizes on Thursday mornings or call Julie Coe 521085. (No alcohol please). Horticultural Society Monday 6 October at 7.45 pm talk - Pests and Diseases by Carl Gill in the Memorial Hall. Autumn Show on Saturday 11 October at 2 pm in the Memorial Hall. Full details are in the show schedule which is available from the Post Office or contact Diann on 521363. The WI will have a cake and preserves stall and will also be serving refreshments. Proceeds to local charity. There will not be a plant sale at this show. Monday 27 October at 7.45 pm talk - What you need to know about greenhouses and greenhouse cultivation by Carl Gill. Axford Bingo There will be Bingo in Axford Village Hall on Wednesdays 8 and 22 October at 7.30 pm. Ramsbury Flyer The next visit to Newbury will be on 9 October, leaving the tree at 11.30 am and returning from Newbury at 2.30 pm. Fare £3 - book with Muriel Lye on 52055. With effect from 1 October bus passes may be used on the Flyer Hungerford run as this is a scheduled service. Bus passes may not be used on any other service. The Community Bus also has its own page - just follow the link. Ramsbury Roxy Friday 10 October - There Will be Blood, Cert 15 and Friday 24 October - Kite Runner, Cert 12A. Doors and bar open 7.30 pm. Film starts at 8 pm. Full details can be found in programmes available in Ramsbury Post Office, the Library and on the Ramsbury Roxy pages. Bella Voce Saturday 11 October - Marlborough Choral Society workshop on Mozart's Requiem and Vivaldi's Gloria. Sunday 19 October - Bella Voce workshop run by Fiona and Sian in Ramsbury Memorial Hall between 10 am and 4 pm. Cost £5. Please bring a packed lunch. Tuesday 21 October at 7.15 pm rehearsal (ladies only) for John and Sandy Railton's last service, followed by normal rehearsal for the full choir at 8 pm both at Holy Cross Church. White Horse Strings Concert A newly-formed string orchestra, White Horse Strings, will present a concert in St Mary's Church, Marlborough on Saturday 11 October at 8 pm. The programme includes works by Boyce, Grieg and Tchaikovsky and features the exciting young violinist Hideki Tanimura playing "Spring" & "Summer" from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. Tickets £5 are available from Sound Knowledge, Marlborough; from Edward Judge, 55 High Street, Ramsbury (520748); or at the door. Ramsbury Amenity Group Guided Walk Sunday 12 October, St Katherine's Savernake, 4 miles. Meet at the Tree in the Square at 2 pm. Come and join us on our local walks. Shared cars and dogs on leads. Get to know the local area and make new friends. Contact Sheila Morgan on 520501 for more information. ARK Walk Sunday 26 October ARK walk from Marlborough to Axford. Starting point and parking at Elcot Lane, by the Marlborough Tile Factory, between 2 pm and 3 pm. Three mile walk follows private land and public footpaths along the River Kennet. Refreshments will be available at The Old Forge, Mildenhall. No dogs on the ARK walk. The Ramsbury Flyer will return walkers to Marlborough, or you may walk both ways. www.riverkennet.org John and Sandy Railton's last service It is with great sadness we heard that John and Sandy Railton will be leaving us at the end of October. Their last service will be Team Service at Holy Cross at 11 am on Sunday 26 October. There will be refreshments afterwards in order that everyone can have a chance to speak to them. |
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The Crown and Anchor fund-raising BBQ on Saturday 30 August raised £500 for the Link Scheme. Our thanks to all who contributed and were involved in this most enjoyable evening. Serenade for a Summer Night - Hope and Homes for Children came to life at the inspiration of an officer in the Gurkhas 15 years ago. The charity is aimed at children orphaned or displaced by AIDS or war, and to reunite them with their birth families. Louise Andrew has worked tirelessly for 'her' charity and the concert in August was followed by a fund raising walk from Knap Hill near Alton Barnes in September.The 'Serenade for a Summer Night' was a most successful and elegant affair. Thanks to Louise, those who contributed, and the performers Graham Bond, Michael Bauer, Adrian Scott and Sophie Pullen. Members of the Ramsbury & Axford Golf Society played for the Bell Trophy at Donnington Grove on 16 September. A close contest was won by Peter Osmond 36 points, second Guy Piercey 35 points and third John Lawson 34 points. Nearest pin Ian Walker, longest drive William Dale Harris. Thanks to Jeremy Parke for sponsoring the day, which concluded with an excellent dinner and prize giving at the Bell. |
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Remembrance Services will be at Holy Cross at 11 am and St Michaels, Axford at 6 pm on Sunday 9 November. The Ravensbury Players will present Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde on 18 22 November. Tickets £7, will be available from the Post Office, Midway Stores or telephone 520515. Whitehill Close Ramsbury Christmas lights. Join us for a great evening on Monday 1 December with The Ramsbury Silver Band. Our chosen charity this year is the Prospect Hospice. There will be a large Raffle. To donate a prize please contact Charmain Matthews at 10 Whitehill Close or tel 07789284260. The Diary is published in paper form, and is incorporated here by
kind permission of the Ramsbury Amenity Group. |
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