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Please may we have items for the September Diary by 18 August. They can
be left with Sylvia Judge, 55 High Street; Ben Tottenham, Vicarage
Cottage, Back Lane; at the Post Office; or by email to Diary@Ramsbury.com.
We have been publishing the Village Diary since July 1998 and have regular
readers around the world. If anyone in Ramsbury would like to find out
more about the Internet, please contact Peter
Raper by email or phone 521092.
Webmaster's note: Contributions sent by e-mail
to Diary@Ramsbury.com will be
automatically forwarded to Sylvia Judge without my seeing them.
Nature Notes
It seems that we are not in for a hot dry Summer after all, but these
cool damp conditions certainly help the foliage to grow. They should give
rise to a good runner bean crop this year. Recent years have been too
hot and dry for good bean crops.
Have you noticed how garden plants appear to grow twice as fast when holidays
are taken, so one returns to a jungle and a lawn in desperate need of
a cut. I have been attacking the jungle this morning and have had last
night's rain showering me.
So far this year, I have seen few greenfly and ladybirds which feed on
them. While picking soft fruit I did see a small black one with yellow
spots. They are never so numerous as the red ones, of which there are
many varieties. The two and seven spot ones are the most common. A much
larger beetle is the cockchafer with reddish tan elytra.(the hard wing
cases) I saw a dead one a little while ago after the nettles and hedge
parsley had been cut down along the track leading to Littlecote.
During the sunny part of yesterday while walking in the Chervil area lots
of butterflies were on the wing, the usual whites and hedge browns and
also dark brown ones with a fine white line round each wing edge. When
one stayed still long enough the detail eye spots on the lighter under
side were noticed, these can vary in number. Later I realised we had been
looking at Ringlets which feed on bramble flowers so I must look out for
them locally when walking my dog. This is the time of year when Red Admirals
and Painted Ladies may be seen.
As I write this I notice the leaves of Virginia Creeper are already getting
a red tinge and also those of a Viburnum (the Snowball plant). As it is
only mid July it seems rather early. Perhaps an indication that some recent
nights have been a bit cool for the season.
May real Summer weather return when the school holidays start.
Rosie Pauline
Bird Notes
It has been a bad couple of months for the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
population in Ramsbury as I've had a report of another one flying into
a window and killing itself, again in The Paddocks! On a happier note
I've also had a report of a Redstart which was seen at the bottom of Springs
Hill. This beautiful bird was once a regular breeder in Savernake Forest
but lately has all but stopped.
For a time of year which is usually quiet on the bird front I've seen
a good number namely A Yellow Wagtail on the Airfield, a Tree Pipit on
Springs Hill and also in Hens Wood and I saw a male Reed Bunting calling
from the top of a bush at Severn Bridges, I did see another one in a less
traditional position - the middle of a field of Oilseed Rape!
Red Kite have been seen all over the parish. One was seen being mobbed
by a Heron who kept up the persecution for over 15 minutes! Hobby's have
been seen over Back Lane and The Knapp, but the bird that gave me the
most enjoyment must be the Little Owl I saw near West Lodge perched on
a fence post and not bothered at all by our presence!
John Marshall
Rainfall
Rainfall for the month to 18 July was 3.61 inches: average July rainfall
2.03 inches.
Oral History Project
The Parish Council is about to start an oral history project for Ramsbury
in order to preserve memories of life in the village which have not been
recorded and which may be of interest to future residents. We would be
interested to hear from anyone who has memories of life over the last
80 - 100 years, whether personally, from anecdotes from family memories
or from written records, diaries etc. which may go back further than this,
and who would be willing to talk to a local interviewer. If you are interested
in helping with the project, please contact the Parish Council at the
Memorial Hall, call 520045 or contact any Parish Councillor.
Nature Reserve - Help Needed
With the help of a small but dedicated group of Horticultural Society
members, Roy Alexander has been trying to make major improvements to the
Nature Reserve. These efforts are now bearing fruit and were commended
by the judges in the Best Kept Village Contest. The Wiltshire Wildlife
Trust is in full support and the Parish Council is providing funding but
more "Hands On" help is urgently needed. Come and enjoy the
open air in a beautiful area and do some gentle pruning or more energetic
cutting to maintain the new boardwalk, footpaths and river viewing area
for everyone to enjoy.
If you and your friends could spare a few hours from time to time Roy
would be most grateful. Contact him on 520304.
Pavements
A resident requests that car drivers, horse riders and cyclists would
remember that it is an offence to drive, ride or park on the pavements.
These are for pedestrians only for their safety.
Kennet Care & Repair
This "not for profit" organisation provides a service to those
over 60 or disabled in this area. Its aim is to enable people to remain
living in their own homes by making simple Adaptations, Handihelp, Garden
Clearance and free Home Safety Checks. It is funded by Supporting People,
Kennet & North Wilts Primary Care Trusts, Kennet District Council
and Wiltshire County Council. Information about Kennet Care is available
in Ramsbury Library and by phone to Eileen Beech, Caseworker Manager on
01380 735333.
KDC 'Activate' Roadshow
The KDC School Summer Holiday Programme 2004 comprises three-hour sessions
of fun and games for children including Arts & Crafts and Sports,
and will be held in Ramsbury at the Recreation Centre (Memorial Hall if
wet) on 4, 11, 18 & 25 August from 1.30 - 4.30 pm. Further information
from Tom Hanson, email Tom.Hanson@Kennet.gov.uk
Ramsbury Wl
The 5 August meeting is different from normal. There will be a guided
tour around Holy Cross Church led by Barbara Croucher. Please meet at
the Church at 7 pm. There will be supper afterwards at the Crown &
Anchor.
Amenity Group Guided Walks
There will be guided walks to Buttermere, 4 miles, on Sunday 8 August;
and to Membury (Walk no. 5), 4 miles, on Sunday 22 August, returning for
tea at 18 The Paddocks. Meet at the Tree at 2 pm to share cars and with
dogs under control. Everyone welcome
Axford Bingo
There will be Bingo in Axford Village Hall on Wednesdays 11 & 25
August at 7.30 pm.
Ramsbury Flyer
(The Community Bus also has
its own page).
The next visit to Newbury will be on 12 August leaving the tree at 11.30
am and returning from Newbury at 2.30 pm. Book with Muriel Lye on 520555
or Janet Webster on 520033.
Horticultural Society - Summer Show & Fete
Following our advance publicity leading up to our main event of the year,
The Summer Show, we hope that everyone has ear-marked this special event
in their diary. It will take place this year on the Recreation Centre
field on Saturday 14 August from 2 pm. There will be many other attractions
to enjoy at the fête. Please note that you DO NOT have to be a member
of the Society to enter items in the show. For the extra space allocated
to us in the marquee, we would like to see as many entries as possible
to ensure it is filled up. Entry forms are included in our Show Schedule
- available from the Post Office or from our Show Secretary Brian Twigger
(Tel. 520353, email: brian.twigger@ntlworld.com) or Allan Davison (520591).
This schedule gives details of the various stewards who will be able to
help answer any queries. There is sure to be something in your garden
of which you are proud - so why not enter it (or them) in the show?
Axford Fête
The Axford Fête will be held on Saturday 21 August from 2 - 5 pm
in the Jubilee Field - Entry 50p (under 10s free). Events include Classic
Car Display, Car Boot Sale, Duck Race on the Kennet, 'Stars in their Eyes'
Karaoke Contest (entry on the day), 'Doggy Fun' Dog Show (entry on the
day), Ramsbury Silver Band and Dance Display. These events will be supported
by a wide variety of stalls and sideshows, children's rides and refreshments
in the form of Teas, Beer Tent and BBQ. Tickets are on sale for the Grand
Draw - 1st prize DVD Home Cinema System, and many prizes generously donated
by local businesses - and the Sporting Draw - prizes include a Day's Partridge
Shoot, Fly Fishing on the Kennet, Golf at Marlborough Golf Club. Please
contact Jeremy Young on 520605 for Draw tickets and Suzy Connell on 513300
for Car Boot Sale pitches and other enquiries about the Fête.
Ramsbury Amenity Group
The Amenity Group will be visiting Owlpen Manor on 26 August. It is a
partly Jacobean house and gardens in a Cotswold valley near Wootton under
Edge. Transport will be by The Flyer and supplemented by cars as necessary.
If you did not put your name down at the AGM please call Ben Tottenham
on 520308 to record your interest and for details.
THANKS
Despite an unpromising spell of weather leading up to our
"Gardens Open" day we had a very pleasant day for the
public to tour and to enjoy the diversity of our lovely village gardens.
The nett proceeds of the event exceed £1,000 and will be donated
to 'Project 2005' and other local charities. The Society would
like to thank the owners of all participating gardens, to all the helpers,
the providers of teas & refreshments and to Anthony Setter for supervising
all the arrangements.
The Coffee Morning on 17 July in aid of Arthritis and Rheumatism
Research raised £1,400. Ann Tiplady sends thanks for the always
generous support given by her usual helpers and contributors. Over £30,000
have been raised during the past 28 years. Anne would be very grateful
if someone would volunteer to organise it in the future. There will be
endless help and advice from what has always been a most loyal team of
supporters.
ADVANCE NOTICES
The Organisers of The Ramsbury & Axford Link Scheme
have decided to hold a tea party in the Memorial Hall on Sunday
l9 September. Invitations will be sent to volunteers and clients, and
transport will be available for those clients who need it. More details
later.
In September, The Flyer will be going to Newbury
on the First Thursday of the month, 2 September. It will be going to the
Newbury Show on Sunday 19 September. Book your seat with Muriel
Lye on 520555
The Ravensbury Players next production will be "Rebecca"
by Daphne du Maurier on 17 - 20 November (Wed. - Sat.) in the Memorial
Hall.
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