Ramsbury and
Axford Village Diary August 2001 published by Ramsbury
and Axford Amenity Group.
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Ramsbury & Axford Village Diary - August 2001
Please may we have items for the September Diary by 18 August. They can be left with Sylvia Judge, 55 High Street or Ben Tottenham, Vicarage Cottage, Back Lane, at the shop counter at the Post Office or by email to Diary@Ramsbury.com. We have been publishing the Village Diary at www.ramsbury.com/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 visit www.ramsbury.com and 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
We seem to be having quite typical summer weather for England with
a few very hot days towards the end of June, but oh how humid. During
the following days a moderate amount of rain has fallen on Ramsbury
unlike further west with bad thunderstorms and torrential rain.
This is the season when a variety of insects are to be found, different
types of butterflies, bees and those that bite. One day a speckled
wood settled on my garage door. The red admiral and speckled tortoiseshell
are also around, there is a large variety of the latter but it is
extremely rare. The most numerous seem to be the gate keeper (hedge
brown) especially where the hogweed is flowering. There many soldier
beetles (small and brownish orange) and wasps are to be found on the
flower heads. I hope the latter are not too numerous by the time that
the plums ripen.
Some of the hogweed has grown very tall this year, but it is not to
be confused with the giant hogweed (which can be seen near the lake
at Chilton Foliat), it is not only tall but a much sturdier plant,
and that is the one whose sap can cause skin trouble. At this time
of year the flowering plants tend to be taller than earlier, such
as the thistles. The spear is much more attractive than the creeping
thistle which will soon be shedding its down in the air to alight
on the beans as they become ready for picking. Not all fungi fruit
in autumn, in fact bracket fungi can be found at any season. A highlight
for me was seeing chicken-in-the-wood (laetiporus sulphureus) which
was growing on a willow tree, but can occur on several other species.
It is a bracket fungus which can be eaten when young.
Once again I have seen a large badger dead by the road side in the
Speen area, but no squashed hedgehogs of late, I hope that it does
not signify that their numbers are at a low ebb.
Rosie Pauline
Bird Notes
Further to May's Red Kite sightings, June saw another four! Three
were reported from the Rudge area, one of which as disturbed eating
carrion on the road, the other two were in flight over Ramsbury.
A Lesser Whitethroat has visited us in Knowledge Hill, this bird is
a warbler but I would say it rattles more than it warbles! It is a
bird that likes dense undergrowth and thickets so it is often overlooked.
At the moment in Hens Wood a Nightjar can be seen, as its name suggests
it has nocturnal habits, its song is a churring, but it also has a
clapping sound in its repertoire.
Going on to things non-ornithological, I have been told of a Viper
sighting in Park Copse and a long eared bat has been seen near Hilldrop
Farm
John Marshall
Rainfall
The rainfall for the month to 18 July was 1.68 inches, average 2.03
inches.
Ramsbury Horticultural Society
The main event of the year is the Summer Show which
will take place in the Memorial Hall on Saturday 11 August from 2pm.
You do NOT have to be a member of the Society to enter items in the
show and we would like to see as many entries as possible. Please
contact the Show Secretary Karin Clemens-Cowan on 520311 for an entry
form, or obtain one from village shops (after 1 August)
Ramsbury Flyer
(The Community Bus also
has its own page at www.ramsbury.com/flyer)
The next visit to Newbury is on 9 August leaving at
11.30am from the Tree and returning at 2.30pm from Newbury.
The twice weekly scheduled trips to Hungerford on Wednesdays and Fridays
continue, leaving at 10.10am from the School and at stops around the
village
Parish Council
AMENITY SKIPS
The skips which are provided on the Whittonditch site are intended
to be used for accumulated household rubbish that is too much to go
in the weekly collection. White goods and garden rubbish should not
be put in the skip. White goods, beds etc will be collected by KDC
special collections contact number 01380-724911. IF THE SKIP IS FULL
DO NOT LEAVE RUBBISH BESIDE IT. TAKE IT AWAY AND DISPOSE OF IT AT
THE LOCAL RECYCLING CENTRE. IF THE SERVICE IS ABUSED IT WILL BE DISCONTINUED
GARDEN RUBBISH
Garden rubbish can be put in KDC green bags which can be bought from
Midway Stores. It is not enough to use just any green bags - these
will not be collected. Please do not dump garden rubbish around the
village, it is unsightly and in warm weather it smells.
WHITE LINES
Please do not park on or opposite the white lines in various parts
of the village. These lines show where parking can impede traffic
flow, or where a parked vehicle can obstruct vision on a corner. The
lines in the High Street are designed to give a clear passage, particularly
for the fire engine. Remember it could be you waiting for the fire
service to arrive, and delays could cost lives
WILTSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE
The sole purpose of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal, founded in
1990, is to raise the £200,000 needed each year to keep the
Air Ambulance flying. From its base at Police HQ in Devizes the helicopter
can reach the limits of the county in 11 minutes from take off and
is never more than 8 minutes from a major hospital. In the 10 years
that the Air Ambulance has been in operation it has flown more than
5,000 missions and airlifted more than 1,000 people to hospital for
emergency medical treatment. It is now equipped with a Boeing Explorer
Helicopter capable of carrying a stretcher and three passengers. Everyone
has a stake in the Air Ambulance and if you would like to help, contact
Steve Chesworth @ Dorman House, Malmesbury Road, Chippenham SN15 5LN
01249 - 463431
(Parish Council contacts
and minutes of meetings can be viewed at www.ramsbury.com/council)
Patient Representative Group
Dr Handford writes - The Practice is currently exploring ways whereby
the care of patients out of hours can be more effectively delivered
than the present system, in which the partners themselves provide
continuous care and which may entail a 54 hour continuous duty over
a weekend. This is neither in the interest of the doctors nor patients
and, with the increasing demands on our time during the day it is
important that the doctors are fresh and alert. The widespread nature
of the Practice geographically, means that there are a number of complications
to any alternative system, but we are looking into the various options
on offer and will keep the patients advised.
Village Design Statement
What features of Ramsbury do you value?
The VDS Project has started well. In two special "working"
meetings, 25 people have been involved in photographing and making
notes on the features that make Ramsbury an attractive place to live
and work in. From the information gathered during this activity, the
Project Committee will eventually produce a statement saying, in effect
"Villagers prize these features and qualities of Ramsbury, and
wish any future developments to fit harmoniously with them".
We need expert help with architectural matters. Also how the river,
farming, business & industry, and social evolution have contributed
to the present form of Ramsbury. If you can help, or if you have views
on the future design of Ramsbury and its environment, please contact
John Kirkman 520429
Silver Threads
The next meeting of the Silver Threads will be on Tuesday 16th May at 2.30pm. Regular meetings will be on the third Tuesday in the month except in August when there is no meeting.
Community First
Are you a real live member of the community? Age immaterial. Have you ambitions to benefit yourself and the community and need help and money to make your dream come true. Then the MILLENIUM AWARD scheme is for you and do not forget the WRIF start-up grant. For more information call 01380 722475 or local contact 520612.
Ramsbury Library
Courtesy of Ramsbury PC and Wiltshire CC free access to the Internet is available to all members. Come and join - it's free. A summer activity session "Carnival of Animals" for children aged from 4 to 11 will be held in the Library on 8 August from 2.30-3.30pm Fun Reading Challenge. Just read 6 books this summer and you could win a prize. Choose any children's books in the Library.
Skateboarding
It is sad that a small minority of immature children
have abused the kindness of a local club, thus jeopardising the pleasure
of the main group who stand to lose a concession through this thoughtlessness.
THANKS
1st ALDBOURNE GUIDES
We congratulate the winner of our fund raising quiz, Mrs M Roberts
of Knowledge Crescent, Ramsbury. As the Diary goes to print we will
all be taking part in our adventures abroad and we are very grateful
for the generosity of the local communities in supporting all our
fund raising campaigns. Sara Curtis, Katharine Martin, Catherine Startin.
GARDENS OPEN DAY
A lovely day contributed to a successful event when over £1,000
was collected for allocation to the four nominated charities and to
Church Funds. The Society would like to thank the owners of all participating
gardens, all the helpers and Anthony Setter for supervising all the
arrangements. During the years from 1993 to 2000 the Society has raised
£11,072 (including proceeds from the teas) for a number of charities,
local organisations and institutions.
The PCC is most grateful for the £260 taken at the teas and
to the ladies who arranged and served the teas.
AMENITY GROUP
The response to the appeal to meet the printing costs of the Village
Diary has been magnificent. The Editors wish to thank all those individuals
and organisations who contributed, and also those who added £92
to the collection during the Street Fair.
ANCIENT ORDER of FORESTERS FRIENDLY SOCIETY
Roger Doore thanks Kevin Wallis, the Secretary, and the Society for
their gift of a wheeled walking aid.
CONGRATULATIONS to Paul and Sue Kingman on the birth of Verity Elizabeth
on 12 July. A sister for Eloise
ADVANCE NOTICE
THE 2001 RAMSBURY BALL
Saturday 8 September. Waiting list for whole tables but we can accomodate
a few couples on their own! All enquiries to the Crown & Anchor
01672 520335 Balance of ticket payments now due and payable.
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
A visit has been arranged to Wisley on Saturday 8 September A coach
will leave the Square at about 9.30am and it is hoped that the return
time will be around 5.30pm. The cost inclusive of entry to Wisley
will be £10 depending on numbers. Further details will be announced.
ABRACADABRA
There will be a Festival of Talents from 11am to 9pm in the Ball Marquee
(by kind permission) on Sunday 9 September organised by the Churches
Together.
AMENITY GROUP
The Amenity Group is organising a guided tour of Salisbury, Cathedral
and Close led by an expert guide on Saturday 15 September. The Flyer
will leave at 3pm and the cost will be about £8. Please register
your interest with Rosemary Lee on 520192
DIAL MOBILE DISABILITY INFORMATION
Dial Mobile provides the latest information to enable people with
any level of disability to ensure that they are aware of help, and
support available to them now. There will be a demonstration in the
Memorial Hall Car Park from 1.30 to 4pm on Tuesday 2 and Wednesday
3 October.
RAMSBURY PAINTING GROUP
The 16th Annual Exhibtion of the Ramsbury Painting Group will be held
in the Church Room Ramsbury. There will be an evening Preview on Friday
5 and an all day exhibition on Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 October
Published by Ramsbury Amenity Group
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