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Ramsbury & Axford Community
Village Diary - May 2009 |
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for the June Diary by 18 May. They can be left at the Post Office; or sent by email to diary@ramsbury.org |
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What a joy it is, when stepping into the garden, to feel the warm sun on quite a few afternoons recently; even if some mornings have started off cool and cloudy with sometimes a little rain. The clouds at least have kept the frosts at bay so, hopefully, the blossom will have set on the plum and other fruit trees. Prior to Easter the weather forecast was not very good, but it did seem to vary, as, while it was overcast here on the weekend, Reading had rain, and, on a cloudy Saturday, Weston-Super-Mare was enjoying warm sunshine. I have noticed the forsythia has been loaded with blossom this spring. Has the recent weather been especially favourable to it, or has it benefited from all the rain last year I wonder? Mid April and the dandelion has reached its peak flowering time, as I noticed on the grass verges when approaching Swindon the other day. Unfortunately, a few too many have found their way into my garden. This is the time of year when growth becomes quite rapid making colourful gardens and hedgerows, but the downside is the fast growing grass and garden weeds. Sunny days bring out the bumble bees and one day a black insect appeared on my windowsill. I think it was a digger wasp. Some types feed on aphids, so they are a gardener's friend. Butterflies seem to be appearing quite early. In addition to the usual brimstones, peacocks, the dreaded cabbage white and a comma have all been seen. The latter usually becomes more numerous in autumn as the plums ripen. At the end of March I was in Cornwall where I saw a rather dingy looking fox. Was it rather old or are they a duller colour in that area? I do know that on Holy Island (Lindisfarne) they are a lighter colour in the dune area. We seem to have the traditional rufus ones in Wiltshire. Recently two rooks were probing my front lawn. I wondered what grubs they were eating. Rosie Pauline Wow, it is going crazy out there! There is a steady stream of returning regulars including swallows, house martins, chiffchaff, blackcap and willow warblers. I have yet to hear my first cuckoo, but they have been heard a few miles north of the village. After a number of reports of a 'small white bird' on the bridleway past Harbrook, I was delighted to have a lengthy viewing of the unusual bird. It turned out to be an albino chaffinch, or, to be very specific, a 'leucistic' Chaffinch (an entirely new word to me, meaning 'partly albino'). Another white bird becoming increasingly familiar is the little egret, recently seen at the bottom of Mill Lane and on the Manor Lake. While other unusual visitors to our area have included a reed bunting, and a raven, flying down the valley being mobbed by a gang of jackdaws. Special treats of the month have included a pair of grey wagtails, busy nest building near the Manor Lake, and a pair of nuthatch engaged on the same task at the bottom of Mill Lane. However, a friend living on the Newtown Road had the special pleasure of watching a little egret and a kingfisher in his garden, both staring intently down into the stream, probably focused on the same fish! Paul Swan Rainfall for the month to 18 April was 1.67 inches, average 3.43 inches. |
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Would you like to learn to play a musical instrument free of charge? Perhaps you used to play but stopped because of school exams, or raising a family? The Band is seeking new players of any ability including absolute beginners. Instruments are provided for the use of band members and there is no subscription. If you are interested, contact Lesley Groves 520816 or Edward Judge 520748, or come and see us during one of our practise sessions on Fridays between 8 and 9 pm in the Church Room. You will be very welcome. Newcomers Welcome Pack The Ramsbury Amenity Group, the publishers of this Diary, also provide a Newcomers Welcome Pack. Please contact Rolf Mitson on 521366 if you are new to the village and have not received a copy. Short Mat Bowls The Ramsbury Short Mat Bowls Club is now set up. Annual subscription is £10. For more details and to join, please contact one of the Committee - Phil Allin 520306, George Hawes 520693 or Robert Osmond 520568. If enough members are interested we will arrange club meetings throughout the summer, with regular meetings from September. Waste Black wheelie-bins and orange sacks will be taken on Tuesdays, 5 & 19 May. Green wheelie-bins and black boxes will be emptied on Tuesdays, 12 & 26 May. Skips will be at the Square in Aldbourne on Tuesday 12 May from 8 am to 10.30 am and Ramsbury Surgery on Tuesday 26 May from 8 am to 10.30 am. |
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Friday 1 May - Slumdog Millionaire - the Danny Boyle 'feel-good film of the decade'. Cert. 15 Doors open for pre-film drinks at 7.30 pm, film starts at 8 pm. Tickets £3.50 from Ramsbury Post Office. We frequently sell out, so please book early to avoid disappointment. Open Studios Witcha Cottage studio and garden will be open to show the art work of Susan Kirkman and Arran Miles from 11 am to 6 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and both Bank Holiday Mondays 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 & 25 May. For further details or for an appointment at other times call Susan Kirkman on 520429. Beating the Bounds Boundary Walk Sunday 3 May. The Flyer will be in the Square at 7 am, but it would be preferred if walkers could make their own way to the start on the B4192. You will find further information and other Flyer times in the Boundary Walk booklet. This year we are encouraging all walkers to seek sponsorship for the Ramsbury School Great New Space project. The school wishes to erect a much needed new building for music, drama and the creative arts, along with a library and a quiet reading area. Sponsorship forms are in the Boundary Walk booklet Methodist Church Sunday Services - at 4 pm on 3 May and at 10.30 am on 10, 17, 24 & 31 May.. Thursday Coffee Mornings on 7, 14, 21 & 28 May. Table top sale on Saturday 16 May. Tables £8 each. Tea and cake stall in the church. Book with Sue Barnes on 520558. Funds in aid of the Methodist Church. Ramsbury & Axford Golf Society Ramsbury Trophy at Marlborough Golf Club on Monday 4 May. New members welcome. Contact Bob Osmond on 520568 or visit RAGS website at www.ragsgolf.co.uk for more information Ramsbury WI Ramsbury WI meets on Thursday 7 May in the Methodist Schoolroom. There will be a discussion and vote on the resolution concerning the health of honeybees that is going to this year's National AGM. Following this, Sue Arnold will talk about the exciting journey she made to Siberia last year. Doors open at 7.15 pm and the meeting starts promptly at 7.45 pm. New members and visitors are always welcome. Busy Bees 21 May. Ramsbury Flyer The Ramsbury Flyer Bus Committee AGM will be held in the Lychgate Room at the Memorial Hall on Thursday 7 May at 7.30 pm. All are welcome. The next visit to Newbury will be on 14 May, leaving the tree at 11.30 am and returning from Newbury at 2.30 pm. Fare £3 Book with Muriel Lye on 520 555 or Text Mobile 077 695 702339. For latest news and information, just follow the link. Horticultural Society The Spring Plant Sale & Coffee Morning in the gardens of Millstream will be on Saturday 9 May, from 10 to 11.30 am, courtesy of Dr and Mrs Handford. Village Wildflower Walk is planned for the Saturday 23 May at 2.30 pm. Meet at Newtown Lodge, Newtown Road, Ramsbury. Please wear sensible footwear. Wilton Windmill Victorian Day Sunday 10 May from 1 pm to 4 pm. Meet Alex Langlands from the TV series The Victorian Farm. Tickets available from Great Bedwyn Post Office, The Swan Inn Wilton and Mar Green Farm Shop Burbage. ARK and Amenity Group Guided Walks The ARK Spring River walk from West Overton to Lockeridge and back (and Teas) will be on 10 May from 2 pm onwards (open to non-members). The Flyer will be available at the Tree at 1.45 pm, returning at 4.30 pm. To book a seat on the Flyer email bus@riverkennet.org. Please note dogs and feeding the ducks are prohibited on the ARK walk. Ramsbury Amenity Group walk on Sunday 24 May to Hens Wood (12) 4 miles. Meet at the Tree at 2 pm. Parish Council Meetings Parish Council meetings will be on Monday 11 May for the Annual Parish Assembly and on Monday 18 May for the AGM, both at 7.45 pm in the Memorial Hall. All Parish Council meetings are open to the public, who are welcome to attend. The Ramsbury School PTA 5 mile Circuit Run The Ramsbury School PTA Circuit Run will start at 10 am on Sunday 17 May at the Recreation Ground. Application forms are available in the Post Office or downloaded. Bedwyn Music Society Summer Concert Friday 22 May at 7.30 pm in St. Mary's Church, Great Bedwyn. A Kirckman Society concert with Evelina Puzaite (piano). Enquiries to Andrew Hutchison tel. 870970. Tickets - members £8 or £10 on the door with children free. |
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Thanks from Evelyn Smith (3 Townfield, Ramsbury) to all those who have donated their used stamps to the British Eye Research Foundation, now operating as Fight for Sight. Please keep them coming to help this very worthwhile cause. The annual Coffee Morning in aid of Treloar was held on Saturday l8 April and the organisers would like to thank the village for their support and particularly the willing help given by the people manning the stalls. Details of the funds raised will be given in next month's diary. |
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Ramsbury Amenity Group AGM, which will include discussion on rule changes, will be held in June. Details of the meeting will be confirmed in the June Diary. The Crown & Anchor will be holding monthly Farmers' Markets selling local produce, coffee, cakes and bacon butties starting at 9 am to 12 noon on Saturday 13 June. No charge to stall holders, but a donation to the Prospect Hospice box would be appreciated. Contact Wendy and Richard on 520335 for further details. Ramsbury Open Gardens this year will be on Sunday 28 June. The Diary is published in paper form, and is incorporated here by
kind permission of the Ramsbury Amenity Group. |
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