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Ramsbury & Axford Community
Village Diary - November 2008 |
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for the December Diary by 18 November. They can be left at the Post Office; or sent by email to diary@ramsbury.org |
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At the beginning of October a few cold days suggested winter was starting early, but warmer days soon returned, so on the village walk on the 12th no coat was needed. Whatever the temperature, with the changing of the clocks, the dark evenings will make us feel winter is setting in and the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness is over for another year. As yet I have not noticed any frost on the grass, but the autumn colours are now developing as I write this in the middle of October. The time for sweeping up fallen leaves will soon be with us. The only fungus I have noticed so far are the clusters of a small yellowish one on my front lawn. They seem to be associated with the dead roots of a tree which was cut down a couple of years ago. These small ones always prove more difficult to identify than the larger types. One morning recently a dead Pipistrelle bat was lying on my garden path, so I took a close look at it. The under fur was almost white and on the wings and feet were very tiny claws which would allow it to cling to slightly rough surfaces within its roost. It appeared to be an adult. Had it died of old age? They do live for several years, some types having a longer life span than others. We may feel it has been rather a poor summer, but there are compensations. Although the rain has been bad for ripening the wheat, root crops have done well and my carrots are the best I have had for many years. In September there was a small, second crop of broad beans and also large potatoes without the blight that was around last year. May the grand, bronze colours of the beech trees persist well into November, with plenty of sunshine to add to their glory against a blue sky. Rosie Pauline Now we are really into autumn, there are new visitors near the village. There are small groups of Redwings to the west, and a wonderful flock of over 300 Golden Plover have already arrived on Springs Hill. A recent walk along the Kennet to Axford on a crystal clear morning provided lots of entertainment. A family of Nuthatch were busy in the trees, storing food for the winter by wedging seeds and nuts into the cracks in the bark, and sometimes covering them with bark or moss. Further on a group of Siskin was hanging around in an Alder tree, while a pair of Dabchicks were calling to each other, which is only supposed to happen in spring. Closer to home more hoarding of food is going on. A small family group of Coal Tits have been regular visitors to the bird feeders. Frightened that the larger Tits will steal the food, they fly away after a few seconds to hide their food to eat later. Unlike the Nuthatches, they often forget these caches after a few days, so the work goes on. Sighting of the month was a Black Swan at the mill, repeatedly paddling into the white water below the weir, and then 'rafting' out again. It looked like great fun! Paul Swan Rainfall for the month to 18 October was 1.55 inches, average 4.04 inches. |
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Black wheelie-bins and orange sacks will be taken on Tuesdays 4 & 18 November. Black boxes and green wheelie-bins will be emptied on Tuesdays 11 & 25 November. Skips will be at the Ramsbury Surgery from 8 am to 10.30 am on Tuesday 11 November and at Aldbourne Pond on Tuesday 25 November. The Ramsbury Amenity Group The RAG has worked for 30 years on many projects for the good of the parish. The Diary and Welcome Pack will continue but younger members are needed to allow the long serving members to retire. 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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Saturday 1 November 2008 at 9.30 am to noon in the Church Rooms, Back Lane. Large selection of cards and gifts for sale, including hand carved wooden items, puzzles, croquet bags, jewellery, Ramsbury Recollections CDs, fudge, beauty products and clothes. Raffle tickets on sale for White Hill Close lights supporting the Prospect Hospice. Contact Denise Edwards on 07867 921878. Methodist Church Sunday Services at 10.30 am on 2 November, 9 November (United Service of Remembrance at Holy Cross), 16 & 23 November. No Service at Ramsbury or Aldbourne on 30 November. Circuit Service Advent Sunday at St Joseph's Catholic College, Swindon. Chat shop Friday 14 November 2 pm. Coffee Centre and stall sales every Thursday. Prize Draw on 18 December. To donate a prize, drop in on a Thursday or call Julie Coe 521085. Holy Cross and St. Michael's Churches Remembrance Services will be at Holy Cross at 11 am and Axford Church at 6 pm on Sunday 9 November. Ramsbury WI Ramsbury WI meets on Thursday 6 November in the Methodist Schoolroom, Oxford Street. Ken Hutchings will talk on "Code Breaking and the Enigma Machine". Visitors (men included!) are very welcome for a nominal charge of £2.50. Doors open at 7.15 pm for a 7.45 pm start. Busy Bees meets on Thursday 20 November at 7.30 pm in the Lychgate Room. Amenity Group Walk Sunday 9 November - Piggs 4 miles, Sunday 23 November - Membury 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. Axford Bingo There will be Bingo in Axford Village Hall on Wednesdays 12 & 26 November at 7.30 pm. Ramsbury Flyer The next visit to Newbury will be on 13 November, leaving the Tree at 11.30 am and returning from Newbury at 2.30 pm. Fare £3. Book with Muriel Lye on 520555 The Community Bus also has its own page - just follow the link. Arthritis Research Christmas Card Sale The Arthritis Research Campaign Christmas Card Sale will take place at Evelyn House, High Street on Friday 14 November at 10 am - noon. Ramsbury Roxy Friday 14 November - Michael Clayton, Cert 15, starring George Clooney. The fixer at one of the largest corporate law firms in New York, Clayton faces the biggest challenge of his career and his life. Friday 28 November - Cool Runnings, Cert PG. A comedy loosely based on the true story of the first Jamaican bobsled team trying to make it to the 1988 winter Olympics. Doors and bar open 7.30 pm. Films start at 8 pm. Full details in programmes available in Ramsbury Post Office and library and on the village website Roxy page. The Ravensbury Players The Ravensbury Players will be presenting Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde on 18 to 22 November at the Memorial Hall. Doors and bar open at 7 pm and curtain goes up at 7.45 pm. Tickets £7 available from the Post Office, Midway Stores or telephone 520515. Ramsbury Meals on Wheels The AGM will be held on Friday 21 November at 10.30 am in the Church Rooms, Back Lane. We are looking for volunteer cooks and deliverers. Members of the charity must be over 18 and help on about six days a year. Meals are simple and expenses reimbursed. Please come to the meeting if interested in helping. Ramsbury Pre-school Beer and Curry Night Saturday 29 November at 8 pm in the Memorial hall. Tickets £10 on sale in village shops.
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At a packed service on 26 October a fond farewell was said to John and Sandy Railton. A further report will appear in the December Diary, and Whitton Ways this month. The 2008 British Legion Poppy Appeal house collections will be between 25 October and 9 November. Please give generously. If you wish to make a private donation please contact Paul Snook on 520970. Every Sunday at 8.30 pm The Crown and Anchor have a pub quiz raising funds for the Prospect Hospice. Since starting in April 2008 a total of £1200 has been collected. Ramsbury & Axford PCC Gift Day has so far raised £6,583 all of which will be used to maintain the fabric of the church. Our very grateful thanks go to everyone who contributed so generously. Glasses Reminder - Please bring your old spectacles to 15 Union Street. Thank you. |
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The Ramsbury and Axford Link Scheme AGM will be held in the Memorial Hall at 7.45 pm on Monday 1 December when Dr. Owen-Jones will give a talk on Surgery Life. Mulled wine will be served and anyone interested will be warmly welcomed. The Link provides volunteer drivers to transport people to various medical appointments and needs volunteers. If you would like to help as a committee member, driver or non-driver, please contact Joy Wilson on 520848 or Tessa Rissone on 520712. The committee hold only four meetings each year and drivers expenses are paid at 40p per mile. Whitehill Close Ramsbury Christmas lights. Monday 1 December with the Town Crier, Ramsbury Silver Band and Father Christmas. Raffle in aid of the Prospect Hospice. Tickets on sale from 5 pm. Lights on at 7 pm. To donate a prize contact Charmain Matthews at 10 Whitehill Close or tel 07789 284260. The Horticultural Society members Christmas Party will be on Saturday 6 December at 7 pm in the Memorial Hall. Ticket sales will be restricted and available in the Post Office from Saturday 1 November at £5 each. Following the success of our Autumn Show we intend to increase the number of classes next year. If you have any ideas, suggestions or criticisms regarding our shows or any aspect of our programme, please email us at hortsoc@ramsbury.org or hand a note to any committee member. To continue the old tradition of Christmas carols round the village we need volunteers to sing on three evenings before Christmas. All ages, no experience required and great fun. Contact Ronnie Price on 520652. The Diary is published in paper form, and is incorporated here by
kind permission of the Ramsbury Amenity Group. |
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