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Ramsbury & Axford Community
Village Diary - November 2009 |
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for the December Diary by 17 November. They can be left at the Post Office; or sent by email to diary@ramsbury.org |
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When you read this, the clocks will have changed giving us dark evenings, a sure sign that winter is upon us. We may still have colour in our gardens and hedgerows, although many leaves are falling since there have been a few night frosts. With the sunny days at the start of October, I have continued to pick a few runner beans and courgettes. Also, I had a surprise today, 15 October, when I found a ripe strawberry but I don’t suppose the flowers will give rise to any more. Recently I visited Savernake Forest, expecting to find a variety of fungi, but little was found. There were a few yellow-capped russulas but none of the red ones. There were also some flammulina velutipes, which have dark brown stipes and a cap lighter in colour, with a sort of brown cross radiating from the centre. Nearer home, I have been told of what sounded like chicken of the woods which occurs as a bract on tree trunks. It is edible but not highly recommended! This is also the season to see shaggy ink caps and the large tufts of honey fungus. There are several clumps at the bottom of Loves Lane and, once again, some in my garden. It is a serious pest as it kills trees and shrubs including roses. The toadstools and bracts are the fruiting bodies which grow from the mycellum in the ground. Some types help trees to thrive while others are destructive. The small ones are often difficult to identify as they may change colour as they develop and illustrations in books may show a different colour from the specimens we find. Just as it has been a good year for garden fruits the same is true of the hedgerow plants, with plenty of sloes and hawthorn berries. Acorns are also plentiful as are beech nuts with a lot on the ground in Tankard Lane. I saw a pigeon there and wondered if it was feeding on them. Have you noticed what a mass of flower there is on the ivy this autumn? This is good for bees, wasps and other insects; perhaps even for painted ladies, as there was one in my garden a few days ago. By spring there should be plenty of ivy berries for the birds at a lean time of year. There is always something of interest in the great outdoors if we keep looking. Rosie Pauline Last month I mentioned that the fieldfare and the redwing should be with us soon. I have not seen any yet but flocks of 2200 redwing and 600 fieldfare have been seen not far to the west of us. The lone golden plover on Springs Hill now has some company, with a small flock of 30 now in winter residence. Their calls compete with those of the dozens of skylark on the hill, now in full voice. Other sightings up there have included siskin, meadow pipit, yellowhammer and a pair of stonechat, all enjoying the bright, sunny days of mid October. November weather will probably be different but there is a lot to look forward to, particularly the large flocks of starling engaging in mass aerobatics at the end of the day. The garden feeders will get busier as the berries run out and the days get much shorter. The garden birds will spend almost every waking hour looking for food and will appreciate all the help we can give. Sighting of the month for me was glancing out of the kitchen window and seeing a sparrowhawk a few metres away on the lawn, finishing a meal and fixing me with an unblinking stare. Paul Swan Rainfall for the month to 18 October was 1.07 inches, average 4.04 inches. |
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Black wheelie-bins & orange sacks collection will be on Tuesdays 3 & 17 November. Green wheelie-bins & black boxes collection will be on Tuesdays 10 & 24 November. Skips will be at the Square in Aldbourne on Tuesday 10 November from 8 - 10.30 am and at Ramsbury Surgery on Tuesday 24 November from 8 - 10.30 am. Seasonal ’Flu Vaccines Seasonal ’flu vaccines are now available at the surgery. If you are aged 65 or over, or if you suffer from any of the following conditions:- diabetes, asthma, chronic heart disease, COPD, stroke, heart, liver or kidney disease, then you are entitled to a seasonal ’flu vaccine. Call the Surgery on 521234 for an appointment. Poppy Appeal 2009 The British Legion Poppy Appeal will be held between 24 October and 7 November. With the ever growing numbers of Service personnel and their dependants in need of support by the British Legion your generosity is more important than ever. If you wish to make a private donation please contact Paul Snook on 520970. Gazette & Herald – Ramsbury Correspondent Emma Jeffrey has taken over as the Ramsbury Correspondent for the Gazette & Herald. Please send information and local news to her at emmajeffery100@hotmail.com or call 01672 520961. Ramsbury Short Mat Bowls We have managed to reserve some Thursday evening times in the Memorial Hall from 8 to 10 pm in addition to Thursday mornings from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm. For more details contact Phil Allin 520366, George Hawes 520693 or Robert Osmond 520568. |
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Sundays 1 November All Souls' Service 6 pm; 8 November United Service of Remembrance at 11 am. Advent Sunday 29 November, Team service at Aldbourne at 11 am with the Bishop of Salisbury. Christmas cards drawn by Priscilla Price £2.50 for five or £5 for ten and 909 celebration tumblers at £7.50 each excellent for whisky, whiskey, water or juice! - on sale at Kidson Trigg in the Square or in the church. All profit to the church fabric fund. Any questions ask Jane 520545 or Carol 520783. Methodist Church Sunday Services 1 November 10.30 am joint service with Geoffrey Rhodes (no Aldbourne service); 8 November United Service of Remembrance at Holy Cross; 15 November 10.30 am with Paul Adams; 22 November 10.30 am with Gill Moton; 29 November 10.30 am Advent Sunday with Kate or Andrew Trowbridge. Coffee morning every Thursday at 9.30 am. Church & hall available to hire, please ring Sue Barnes 520558. Saturday 5 December Christmas table top sale. Book tables (£8) with Sue Barnes 520558. Ramsbury Painting Group The Painting Group will meet on Tuesdays 3 & 17 November at 10 am in the Church Rooms, Back Lane. Ramsbury WI Ramsbury WI meets on Thursday 5 November in the Methodist Schoolroom, Oxford Street when Brian Barber will recount his adventures in a "Radio Station Under Fire". There will be a competition for "Autumn Glory" - bring a spray of autumn foliage or berries, or just one beautiful leaf. Doors open at 7.15 pm and the meeting will start promptly at 7.45 pm. Busy Bees will meet at 7.30 pm on Thursday 19 November in Bell Cottage, Oxford Street (by kind permission of Mrs R Pauline). Remembrance Sunday On Sunday 8 November, Remembrance Sunday, the British Legion Standards will parade in the Square at 10.30 am. After the inspection the parade will march to the War Memorial where wreaths will be laid and the Last Post and Reveille sounded. Amenity Group Guided Walks Sunday 8 November, Pentico (walk no. 11) four miles followed by tea at the Crown & Anchor (£3.50). Sunday 22 November, Snap four miles. Walk numbers are from the Ramsbury Amenity Group Short Walks pack available from the Post Office. Shared cars and dogs on leads. Everyone is welcome. Further details Sheila Morgan – tel. 520501. Ramsbury Horticultural Society The Ramsbury Horticultural Society’s final talk of the year will take place on Monday 9 November at 7.45 pm when Jenny Whitham will talk on the "Gardens of Florence and the Italian Lakes". Ramsbury Flyer The next visit to Newbury will be on 12 November leaving the tree at 11.30 am and returning from Newbury at 2.30 pm. Fare £3. Book with Muriel Lye on 520555 or 07769 570239. The Community Bus also has its own page - just follow the link. Ramsbury Roxy Friday 13 November - The Changeling Cert 15 directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Angelina Jolie. A mother's prayer for her kidnapped son to return home is answered, although it doesn't take long for her to suspect the boy who comes back is not hers. Three Oscar nominations. Friday 27 November - Gran Torino Cert 15 starring Clint Eastwood and Christopher Carley. A Korean War veteran sets out to reform his teenager neighbour who tried to steal his prized Gran Torino. Memorial Hall Bar opens 7.30 pm, film starts at 8 pm. Tickets £3.50 are available in advance from Ramsbury Post Office, £4 on the door. Full Roxy programme to December available. Hill’s Stores Charity Shop Saturday 14 November - Christmas items for sale, many brand new, from 9.30 am to 12 noon. Normal opening hours Tues, Wed, Thurs and Sat 9.30 am to 12 noon. Tues and Thurs 2 pm to 4.30 pm. We welcome donations (anything but clothes, VHS cassettes and TVs ) when the shop is open, or call Sheila Glass on 520409 or 07979 327505, or Ian Smith 520871 for collection. Parish Council Meeting The Ramsbury and Axford Parish Council will meet on Monday 16 November at 7.45 pm in the Axford Village Hall. All Parish Council meetings are open to the public, who are welcome to attend. The Ravensbury Players The Ravensbury Players are presenting a community production of “The Wizard of Oz” from 18 - 21 November in the Memorial Hall. All tickets have been sold. Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service Community Information Day with free electric blanket testing at Marlborough Town Hall on Wednesday 18 November, 9 am - 2 pm. A host of agencies with free admission, advice, information and refreshments. ARK AGM The ARK (Action for the River Kennet) AGM will take place on Wednesday 25 November at 7 pm in St. Mary's Church Hall in Silverless Street, Marlborough. After routine business, there will be refreshments, then presentations from Rose Timlett (WWF) and John Lawson (ARK's technical adviser). All welcome. |
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The Axford Harvest Celebration on 4 October was a wonderful evening and great success. The Church was beautifully decorated, ablaze with autumn colours, and filled with the wonderful sound of the 50 participants, including lots of children, singing lovely hymns. Afterwards we enjoyed an excellent Harvest Supper organised by Di Barnett. Thanks to Di and to all who contributed and took part. The Ramsbury Horticultural Society Autumn Show, with its extended class range, was a great success and we were very grateful for the support not only by the efforts of the entrants, and for the quality of the entries, but to all who attended and, of course, for the help of our stewards and committee members. |
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Methodist Church Christmas Fair on Saturday 5 December from 10 am to 12 noon. Contributions for this event will be collected on Sunday mornings, or call Senior Church Steward Julie Coe on 521085. The Horticultural Society Christmas party will be on Saturday 12 December in the Memorial Hall. There will be NO Christmas lights at Whitehill Close this year. The Close sends many thanks to the Ramsbury Silver Band and everyone for their support over the last eight years. A total of over £8,000 has been raised for The Great Western Hospital, Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Contact a Family & the Prospect Hospice. The Diary is published in paper form, and is incorporated here by
kind permission of the Ramsbury Amenity Group. |
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