 |
Ramsbury & Axford Community
Village Diary - December 2008 |
 |
| Welcome Community Organisations News & Events Contact Us Village Map |
| Please may we have items
for the January Diary by 16 December. They can be left at the Post Office; or sent by email to diary@ramsbury.org |
||
|
As I write this in mid-November many of the trees have now lost their leaves, although the beeches are still displaying their copper colour which looks particularly attractive when set against a blue sky. (It does happen!) On one such day I visited Westonbirt Arboretum. It was late October when the different acers were showing their best colours. However, the earlier rains had made the ground very muddy. In spite of being subjected to many dull, damp days there are still some flowering shrubs to be found, such as the pink flowered viburnum which has a delightful perfume. Unfortunately, my tree died last year due, I think, to honey fungus which attacks a wide variety of trees, so can be a serious problem for the Forestry Commission. It is not just fungus that causes damage as, with mild weather for the most part, slugs and snails remain active for much of the winter. This is the time of the year when the slugs start attacking carrots and other root crops, while snails go for green leaves. I think it is the tiny snails that are peppering my spinach leaves with holes. At last the caterpillars are no longer feeding on the brassicas, so some have started recovering from the summer devastation, but I don't think any good brussel sprouts will grow this season. We need more birds in the gardens; tits and sparrows in summer to eat the caterpillars and thrushes to devour the snails. Blackbirds are also welcome. The other day in Isles Court I saw one with so many white feathers it looked as though a brush of white paint had been shaken over it. Anything to do with its diet, I wonder? May all go well for everyone as Christmas approaches. Rosie Pauline Surprise of the month was the sighting of a Rose ringed Parakeet near the Manor. This was almost certainly an escapee from an aviary but it is interesting to note that there are now over 30,000 of these birds in greater London, where they are believed to be the descendants of a flock that escaped from Shepperton studios in 1951 during the filming of African Queen. Perhaps we will be inundated in due course. Springs Hill is extremely busy in avian terms at the moment. The large flock of Golden Plover has been joined by a number of Fieldfare and Redwing. I have recently seen Stonechats and Yellowhammers up there, and the dogs put up a pair of Woodcock that exploded into the air from their daytime resting place in some thick brambles. These are some of the best camouflaged birds in Britain, with eyes set so high in their heads that they have full 360 degree vision. Special treats of the month have been a pair of Goldcrests on a creeper-covered wall in the garden, and a Kingfisher that flew straight under me as I stood on the bridge at the end of Mill Lane. Paul Swan Rainfall for the month to 18 November was 4.70 inches, average 3.70 inches. |
||
 |
The Railtons retired in November and the Benefice will be without full-time clergy until new incumbents are appointed. Meanwhile, you may contact the Team In an emergency you can contact a member of the Ministry Team: Ann Massey 01980-630256; Jackie Hollander 01488-71012; Joan Prout 540465 or Tony Eyles 520789. Newcomers Welcome Pack The Ramsbury Amenity Group, who publish this Diary, also produce a Newcomers Welcome Pack. Please contact Rolf Mitson on 521366 if you are new to the village and have not received a copy. Waste Black wheelie-bins and orange sacks will be taken on Tuesdays 2, 16 and 30 December. Black boxes and green wheelie-bins will be emptied on Tuesdays 9 and 23 December. Please note greeting cards must not be included with paper waste, but real Christmas trees may go into green wheelie-bins and in a special area in George Lane car park, Marlborough between 5 and 12 January 2009. A skip will be at the Ramsbury Surgery from 8 to 10.30 am on Tuesday 9 December. There will be no skip at Aldbourne Pond in December. Exercises for the Over 60s An exercise class is held every Tuesday in the Memorial Hall from 10.30 to 11.30 am. This is a social hour exercising to music suiting all levels of mobility. Fee £1. Contact Yvonne Griffiths on 01380 723086. Highways Maintenance To report any drainage, lighting or other highway problems please telephone Freephone 0800 232323 and you will be connected directly to the Highways Agency who are responsible and not the Parish Council. |
|
|
|
Sunday 30 November at 10 am in Axford Village Hall. Christmas lights at Whitehill Close Monday 1 December in aid of the Prospect Hospice. Raffle tickets on sale from 5 pm. Ronny Price, the Ramsbury Town Crier & Father Christmas will join us to switch on the lights at 7 pm. Ramsbury and Axford Link Scheme AGM Monday 1 December in the Memorial Hall at 7.45 pm. 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 and social appointments and needs helpers. 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. Ramsbury WI Ramsbury WI will meet on Thursday 4 December in the Methodist Schoolroom, Oxford St. Mrs Clements will speak on "Toys and Games of Yesteryear". Doors open 7.15 pm for a 7.45 pm start. Visitors welcome. Methodist Church Please check notice board for service details in December. Coffee Centre on Thursdays, 4 December cake stall, 11 December homemade bags for life and cushions etc (made to order) and 18 December lucky prize draw at 10 am. If you would like to donate a cake or prize please call Julie Coe 521085 or call in. Christmas Carols service with the Ramsbury Silver Band on 14 December at 6 pm with Rev Susan Holden. Horticultural Society The Horticultural Society members Christmas Party will be on Saturday 6 December at 7 pm in the Memorial Hall. Wine Rack will bring a selection of wines to taste, followed by a festive supper. Tickets £5 each at the Post Office; when sold out email Hortsoc@ramsbury.org for possible cancellations. Axford Bingo There will be Bingo in Axford Village Hall on Wednesday 10 December at 7.30 pm. Brand New Ramsbury Flyer - Excursion to Cribbs Causeway The next visit to Newbury will be on 11 December leaving the Tree at 11.30 am and returning at 2.30 pm. Fare £3. There will be an excursion to Cribbs Causeway on Monday 15 December departing the Tree at 9.30 am. Fare £8 (£4 for children under 14). Book with Muriel Lye on 520555. Why not have a ride in the brand new bus to Hungerford (using your bus pass) or to Newbury - no petrol or car parking charges. The Community Bus also has its own page - just follow the link. Ramsbury Amenity Group Guided Walks Sunday 14 December Littlecote (no. 3) 4 miles and Boxing Day Village walk 3 miles. The Boxing Day walk is a tradition started by Ronny and Priscilla Price and is just round the village, suitable for push-chairs etc. You can do as much or as little as you want. Come and join us on our local walks, get to know the local area and make new friends. We meet at the Tree in the Square at 2 pm, usually on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month and everyone is welcome. Shared cars and dogs on leads. Further details Sheila Morgan - tel 520501. St. Michael's Carol Service The Carol Service at St Michael's Axford will be on Sunday 14 December at 3 pm. This will followed by tea & mince pies in the church. Everyone and all ages are welcome. If anyone would like to donate mince pies or biscuits please call Bridget Treherne on 512406. The Future of Unitary Government - Meeting Area Boards, made up of Unitary Councillors (who can vote) and Parish Councillors (who cannot vote) will make local decisions after May 2009 when Wiltshire County Council goes unitary. There will be a pilot Board meeting on Tuesday 16 December at 7 pm in Mildenhall Village Hall. The public is welcome to attend and see how the new system will work when WCC goes Unitary. This is the future - will it work? Bella Voce and Ramsbury Silver Band Christmas Concert The concert will be in the Memorial Hall on Friday 19 December at 7.30 pm. Tickets will be on sale in the Post Office and Midway Stores in early December. The choir will be carol singing at the Crown & Anchor on Sunday 21 December at 8 pm and at The Bell on Tuesday 23 December at 7.30 pm. The Silver Band will be playing in Ramsbury during the week before Christmas and early on Christmas Day in the High Street! Holy Cross Christmas Church Services Holy Cross Carols by Candlelight with Bella Voce on 21 December at 5 pm. Christingle on 24 December at 4 pm and Midnight Mass with the Bishop of Ramsbury, Stephen Conway, at 11.30 pm. Family Christmas Communion on Christmas Day at 10 am. Everybody is most welcome. Christmas Carol Singing round the Village Monday 22 December at 7 pm at the Tree (with Ramsbury Silver Band) followed by refreshments at the Methodist Church at 8 pm. Tuesday 23 December at 7 pm in Isles Road. Wednesday 24 December at 6.30 pm at the Crown and Anchor. Please do come - we need you. Enquiries Ronny Price tel 520652. Ramsbury and Axford Golf Society The Annual Christmas Cracker Golf event will be on 29 December, at Ogbourne Downs Golf Club. Arrangements will be the same as previous years. Please confirm with Bob Osmond if you wish to play on 520568 or osmond48@btinternet.com, by the beginning of December so that tee times can be organised. |
|
|
|
Thanks go to everyone in the Whitton Benefice who contributed so generously to John and Sandy's retirement collection. We were able to present them with a cheque for £5,000 at their farewell service. In addition £500 was sent to each of John and Sandy's nominated charities, Cancer Research and Asthma UK as a result of the collection and donations at the service. The Methodist church would like to say thank you to St John 6th formers Alex, Iris, Emma, Holly, Laura and Emily who kindly painted our kitchen during half-term in October. |
|
|
|
There will be no films shown at the Ramsbury Roxy in December. The new season starts with Mamma Mia starring Meryl Streep, with two screenings on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 January. The remaining programme for the New Year is being finalised and will published soon. The Horticultural Society AGM will be on Monday 26 January at 7.45 pm in the Memorial Hall. Please come along to contribute to our discussions on past events and on future plans. The Proteus Theatre are presenting Hans Christian Anderson's classic tale, 'The Snow Queen' on 29 January in Ramsbury Memorial Hall. An event for all ages from five and above! This has been arranged by the Ravensbury Players. The Diary is published in paper form, and is incorporated here by
kind permission of the Ramsbury Amenity Group. |
|
|
Information on this site is provided in good faith. If you are aware of any information which is incorrect, please contact the Webmaster © Ramsbury and Axford Parish
Council 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 |