Ramsbury Village Diary - December 2009

Ramsbury & Axford Community

Village Diary - December 2009

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Nature Notes Bird Notes Rainfall Editorial Items Diary Items Thanks Advance Notices Calendar (current) Past Issues	Please may we have items for the January Diary by 14 December. They can be left at the Post Office; or sent by email to diary@ramsbury.org
	Nature Notes We may be experiencing rather wet days as we approach the middle of November but, when the clouds clear, the sun gives rise to very mild weather for this time of year. The result is a few bumble bees and, no doubt, some honey bees can visit the unseasonal flowering of some plants. By a sunny wall, my ceanothus has some flowers and an azalea, in a shady position, has many buds opening. Strawberry plants have flowered again and I have picked a ripe berry on two occasions, whilst at the beginning of November I picked a few runner beans; most unusual. Rain and mild weather have encouraged fungi to grow well, including several types of ink caps not just the common lawyer’s wig (coprinus comatus). On my front lawn, where rotting tree roots are beneath the surface, I have had many clumps of what I believe to be coprinus micaceus. Their caps are small, of an orange-fawn colour and the gills, pale at first, become brown as they age. The undesirable honey fungus is thriving in addition to smaller types eg candle snuff (xylaria hypoxylon) which is also called stag’s horn. This grows on dead, deciduous wood and has black stems with white tips. At the beginning of the month a painted lady landed on the wet washing. Has it now migrated south or died, I wonder? The whites have thankfully now vanished and their caterpillars have hidden away to pupate, but the slugs and snails are still actively feeding. There have been plenty of berries this year but will the holly still have plenty by Christmas? A pigeon is enjoying my cotoneaster berries and the pyracantha is fast losing its berries but at least they, and the autumn leaves, gave us beauty for a while. May Christmas bring joy to everyone, whatever the weather. Rosie Pauline Bird Notes The fieldfare and the redwing have arrived on Springs Hill. They are not in the huge numbers seen further west, but in groups of twenty or thirty. Other autumn visitors include small numbers of crossbill in Savernake. As the trees slowly lose their leaves, it is interesting to spot the nests that have gone unnoticed all summer. We found a blackbird’s nest about a metre from our bins, completely invisible until the autumn pruning. While moving a large quantity of logs over a number of days, I have been attended by a very tame robin, feasting on the bugs I have uncovered. Odd to think that on the continent the robin is still a shy bird, seldom seen outside woods. Our robin, perched on the gardener’s spade, is a piece of peculiarly British behaviour! There have been plenty of raptors around, hunting hard on the dry days. On a walk in the Cotswolds we saw a sparrow-hawk just miss out on a plump blackbird, and a buzzard being attacked by a raven. That seemed to be an evenly matched contest with the buzzard finally taking refuge in a tree. The dull days have been brightened by regular sightings of a kingfisher, flashing over the river like an iridescent bullet. Paul Swan Rainfall Rainfall for the month to 18 November was 4.38 inches, average 3.7 inches.
	Swine ’Flu Vaccines Swine ’Flu Vaccines are now available at the surgery. Currently only those patients identified in the previously advertised ‘at risk’ groups are entitled to a vaccine. The surgery will contact directly all patients who have been identified as being in an ‘at risk’ group via telephone or letter to arrange an appointment Ramsbury Meals on Wheels need your help We deliver hot, home-made, two course lunches two days a week to the elderly, the ill and people in an emergency situation. We need volunteers for cooking and delivering meals, normally about six days per year. Recipes are simple, help is available and costs reimbursed. If you are interested, please come to the AGM at 10.30 am on Friday 4 December in the Church Room, Back Lane. you will be most welcome. Road Safety Advice from The Parish Council With the short days and long nights, a word of advice to joggers, horse riders, dog walkers and cyclists. Please wear a reflective jacket or strip. Do not assume that, because you can see the vehicle, the driver can see you. Check that all bicycle lights work. Don't let us learn a tragic lesson this winter. Waste Black wheelie-bins & orange sacks collection will be on Tuesdays 1, 15 & 29 December; Green wheelie-bins & black boxes collection on Tuesdays 8 & 22 December. Skips will be at the Square in Aldbourne on Tuesday 8 December from 8 - 10.30 am & Ramsbury Surgery on Tuesday 22 December from 8 - 10.30 am. Hill’s Stores Charity Shop Please visit Hill's Stores Charity Shop – you will be surprised at the range of goods available and all at very low prices. All profits go to local organisations. You will get a good deal and the money stays in the village. Ramsbury Silver Band The senior band is still short of players and because of this was unable to march at Remembrance Day this year. If you are a lapsed brass player, particularly cornet, or percussionist who would like to start playing again, please contact Lesley Groves on 520816 or email silverband@ramsbury.org Ramsbury Short Mat Bowls Club Club bowling sessions are on Thursday mornings from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm and Thursday evenings from 8 to 10 pm. For more details, contact Phil Allin 520306, George Hawes 520693 or Robert Osmond 520568. Kings Ditch” (Ramsbury Bridleways #18B & 48) This track may once have linked Roman Cunetio (Mildenhall) with the villa at Littlecote, and remains an easy and popular route for horses, cyclists and walkers. Although these 2 bridleways span nearly the entire parish, there are plenty of opportunities to link smaller sections into circular routes, especially around Ramsbury. If the permissive path by Harbrook gets too muddy, follow the right of way itself along the tarmac drive.
	Ramsbury Painting Group The Painting Group will meet at 10 am on Tuesdays 1 & 15 December in the Church Room, Back Lane. Holy Cross & St. Michael's Compline service every Monday night during Advent (from 29 November) at 8.30 pm. Family service at 9.30 am on 13 December. Carols by candlelight at Holy Cross at 5 pm on 20 December. Christingle at 4 pm and Midnight Communion at 11.30 pm on Christmas Eve. Bishop Stephen will be taking Christmas Day family Communion at 10 am. Team service at 11 am on 27 December in Axford. Ramsbury WI Ramsbury WI will meet on Thursday 3 December at 7.45 pm in the Methodist Schoolroom. Maureen Hinton will demonstrate "Victorian and Traditional Christmas Flower Decorations". Visitors are welcome for a small fee. The Group Carol Concert will be at St Nicholas' Church, Baydon on Monday 7 December and members wishing to attend should be in The Square at 6.50 pm. There will be no Busy Bees in December. Methodist Church Services Sunday services - 10.30 am on 6 December a Joint service at Aldbourne (no service at Ramsbury), 10.30 am on Sunday 13 December at Ramsbury and at 6 pm Carol Service with Ramsbury Silver Band at Ramsbury, 10.30 am on Sunday 20 December Holy Communion, 10.30 am Christmas Day (Holy Communion), Sunday 27 December no Service. Christmas Fair 10 am – 12 noon on 5 December at the Methodist Church – book tables with Sue Barnes 520558. Coffee Morning at the Methodist Church at 9.30 am on Thursdays 3, 10 & 17 December. Parish Council Meeting The Ramsbury and Axford Parish Council will meet on Monday 7 December (not the normal third Monday) at 7.45 pm in the Memorial Hall. Mince pies and wine will be served at the December meeting. All Parish Council meetings are open to the public, who are welcome to attend. Axford Bingo There will be Bingo in Axford Village Hall on Wednesday 9 December at 7.30 pm. Ramsbury Flyer The next visit to Newbury will be on Thursday 10 December, leaving the tree at 11.30 am and returning at 2.30 pm. Fare £3. Book with Muriel Lye on 520555. The Community Bus also has its own page - just follow the link. Ramsbury Roxy Friday 11 December – Breakfast at Tiffany’s, cert PG. A young New York socialite becomes interested in a young man who has moved into her apartment building. Memorial Hall Bar opens 7.30 pm, film starts at 8 pm. Tickets £3.50 are available in advance from Ramsbury Post Office or £4 on the door. Ramsbury Horticultural Society The Ramsbury Horticultural Society Christmas Party will be at 7 pm on Saturday 12 December in the Memorial Hall. Tickets, £7 each for a wine tasting and festive supper, on sale in the Post Office or, if sold out, email hortsoc@ramsbury.org to enquire about cancellations. Ramsbury Amenity Group Guided Walks Sunday 13 December to Littlecote (walk no. 3) 4 miles followed by mince pies at the Crown & Anchor £3. Boxing Day Village Walk 3 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. For further details call Sheila Morgan on 520501. Axford Carol Service At 3 pm on Sunday 13 December, traditional carols, with tea and mince pies after the service. If anyone would like to bring mince pies or biscuits, or has any queries please phone Bridget Treherne on 512406. Bella Voce Christmas Concert On Friday 18 December at 7.30 pm in the Memorial Hall. Tickets from Midway Stores, P.O. and choir. Ramsbury Carol Singing Carol singing around the Tree in the Square at 7 pm on Monday 21 December (with the Ramsbury Silver Band) and around the village on Tuesday 22 December and Wednesday 23 December starting at 7 pm at the Tree. On Christmas Eve we will be singing along Oxford Street, the Square and the High Street, before finishing at Ramsbury Hill, the home of Mr & Mrs Simon Blunt. Any queries call David Hunter on 512110. Ramsbury & Aldbourne Golf Society Christmas Cracker at 10 am on 29 December at Ogbourne Downs. Non members £10. Contact Bob Osmond on 520568 for further details.
	THANKS Ramsbury PCC would like to thank everyone who gave so generously to our Gift Day appeal which this year raised a total of £5,301.50. All of this money will go to maintain and improve the church premises. This year’s Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal raised £2926.03, an increase of 20% on last year. £526.30 was generously donated by the congregation during the village Church Remembrance Day Service. A huge thank you to all those who gave their time and enthusiastic support - the 'House to House' collectors, businesses owners and to the creator of the splendid window display in the Post Office. The President thanks all those who helped to make Remembrance Sunday a success. The half muffled ring, the Parade Marshall and Standard Bearers, the church flowers, the Rev Ann Massey’s support and the Ramsbury Silver Band: also, the club’s reception afterwards. The Arthritis Research Campaign Christmas Card Sale, which took place on 16 October, raised £206.20. Thank you to all supporters who contributed. Mr & Mrs Owens of Birkenhead extend their heartfelt thanks to all those volunteers involved in the upkeep of Holy Cross Churchyard where their daughter Christine Husselbury is buried.
	ADVANCE NOTICES Pilates classes will start in the Memorial Hall on Mondays from 11 January at 9.15 to 10.15 am and Thursdays from 14 January at 1.30 to 2.30 pm. All levels welcome. £35 for 5 week course. Please contact Caroline McCord on 07817 503546 or email caroline@backinbalancepilates.com for more information. The Diary is published in paper form, and is incorporated here by kind permission of the Ramsbury Amenity Group.