Please may we have items for the March Diary by 18 February. They may be left with Ben Tottenham, Vicarage Cottage, Back Lane, with Sylvia Judge, 55 High Street, at the shop counter at the Post Office or sent 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

This is the time of year when the weather becomes a concern to all of us - especially for those with long journeys. Will we wake up to fog, ice or a dusting of snow, and oh the mud, the past month has brought all of these. On a brighter note when walking the dog in mid January, I noticed the golden orange hue of the tall willows, a sign that the buds were developing in spite of the hard frosts which have occurred. In sheltered places a few plants are managing to flower and the leaves of various bulbs are now well above ground. The first snowdrops are flowering as I write. Perhaps the hard frosts will have killed some of the garden pests, slugs, snails and the eggs of butterflies etc, thereby making for better fruit, flowers and vegetables when summer comes again.
It is while the trees are bare that the ferns become more noticeable. Shortly before Christmas while walking along the bank above the road from Hungerford to Chilton Foliat, I noticed a tree with a green fern on its trunk. This was Polypody, which is more likely to be found in the West of England than in the North or East. It also grows between rocks or on stone walls. Some of the smaller ferns are usually confined to walls, such as the Rustyback (so called because of the colour of its spore cases) and the Wallrue, both of which grow on some of the flint walls in the village. The larger ferns such as the Maze fern and various species of the Buckler fern are found in the local woods. These are green for most of the year unlike the bracken which badgers use for bedding in the winter when brown and dry. It prefers a sandier soil and is not widesprea.d in this area.
Have you seen the fallow deer near the Kennet? On two occasions in the past month I have seen a couple in the scrub close by the bridge.

Rosie Pauline

Bird Notes

Having commented last month about the lack of Golden Plover in the area, about 30 graced us with their presence on Liddington Hill and then in mid January some 200 birds were seen in a field near Bridge Farm. I was also told about a Treecreeper in amongst a flock of Tits, a short while later I was watching a flock of Long Tailed Tits when I saw in their midst a female Blackcap. I have been working on Springs Hill where their bird nuts were frequently visited by both Marsh and Willow Tits. These birds are almost identical but when you see them together at close range the differences become more apparent such as the Willow Tit's bull neck and black cap which extends further down the back. In early January a flock of some 18 Cormorant were seen in the trees at the far end of the Broadwater at Chilton Foliat. Exotics this month include an Egret at Durnsford Mill and Reed Bunting at Bolstridge Bottom. There have been no Red Kite this month and fewer Buzzard except one sighted grazing in a field just below Aldbourne Warren Farm.

John Marshall

Rainfall

Rainfall for the month to 18 January was .65 inches, average 3.47 inches.
Rainfall since 1 October has been well below average which explains the low river level.

Village Design Statement

A first draft of the Ramsbury VDS has been produced and reviewed by the VDS Project Team. Additions and improvements to the text will be made during the next month. The draft will then be made available for scrutiny and comment throughout the village for a period of six weeks. The March diary will carry full details.

Parish Council

PARKING IN BACK LANE
A partieular problem is caused by drivers parking opposite Loves Lane. Parking opposite a junction is contrary to advice in the Highway Code. So please try to avoid parking there if you are attending a function in the Church Room or at the School.

LITTER
As well as organising lots of events for the Jubilee weekend, we feel that it would be a good idea if some effort was made to smarten up the village in time for the Jubilee celebrations. At present, the whole village is less than wonderful - litter and dog faeces loom large. The former is unsightly, the latter is disgusting. Everyone can help by making an effort. As well as not dropping litter please pick up any you notice. Dog owners; there are bye-laws forbidding dog fouling but we should be able to depend on responsible dog owners clearing up after their dog: poop scoop bags are available in village shops. The Parish Council will be making efforts to improve the appearance of the village but we would appreciate your co-operation.

STREET LIGHTS
The new lights in The Square have attracted many approving comments and the suggestion that the High Street would benefit from a similar treatment, the yellow sodium lights being replaced with lanterns like those in The Square. We are happy to organise this but cannot fund the project so we are seeking sponsors. Anyone who is interested should contact the Parish Council at the Memorial Hall office or speak to any Parish Councillor.

AMENITY SKIP
There will be a skip at Whittonditch on Friday 15 February.

(Parish Council contacts and minutes of meetings can be viewed at www.ramsbury.com/council)

Axford Otters

Axford Otters meet regularly on Tuesday mornings from 10 - 12 noon, for babies and toddlers in the Village Hall. For furrher information call Chris on 520057.

Ramsbury WI

On Thursday 7 February Robin Radley, the Director of Community Support for the Treloar Trust, will show a film about the work of this remarkable school for physically disabled children. The meeting will be at 7:45 pm in the Methodist Schoolroom. Everyone interested in the work of the Trust is very welcome.

Ramsbury Amenity Group

GUIDED WALKS
Those taking part should meet at the Tree at 2 pm. There will be a walk on Sunday 10 February sharing cars to Manor Farm, and thence 4 miles to Pentico. On Sunday 24 February sharing cars to Axford Car Park at 2: l5 pm the walk will be 3 miles to Hens Wood. Everyone welcome with their dogs.

Axford Bingo

There will be Bingo at the Village Hall at 7:30 pm on Wednesdays 13 and 27 February.

Police Meeting

There will be a meeting in the Memorial Hall for members of the public to meet the police at 7 pm on Wednesday 13 February.

Ramsbury Flyer

(The Community Bus also has its own page at www.ramsbury.com/flyer)

The next trip to Newbury will be on Thursday 14 February, leaving the Tree at 11.30 am. The usual runs to Hungerford on Wednesdays and Fridays will continue.

Ramsbury Library

"Creepy Crawlies" Stories and Crafts for 5 -10 year olds on Wednesday 13 February from 2:0 - 3:15 pm. Free tickets available at the Library.

Free Concert

There will be a free concert on Saturday 16 February at 7 pm in the Memorial Hall. Will Brown cordially invites any and all to participate in an evening of entertainxnent and dancing, as we showcase the unique talents of Tony Jones and Magdalen Hollings, while introducing a very special guest - Miss Abbi Rossi. The musical performances will range from Classic Rock to current chart toppers. You will also hear a number of original songs written by these unique performers. The doors will open at 6:30 pm - B.Y.O.B.

Axford Garden Forum

The next Axford Garden Forum will take place on Tuesday 26 February at 7:30 pm in the Village Hall. The entry fee at the door of £1.50 will include light refreshments. Do come.

Ramsbury Parish Charities

The next meeting of the Trustees will be on Wednesday 27 February. Anyone in Ramsbury or Axford, local organisations, or students embarking on fiu-ther education, can submit an application for financial assistance. Please apply to the Clerk, Miss M Dixon, 32 Knowledge Crescent, for an application form and submit it at least 14 days before the date of the meeting.

HM The Queen's Golden Jubilee Weekend 1 - 3 June

This will be a family weekend with something for everyone to celebrate and enjoy.

Saturday 1 June
A STREET FAIR with a Fancy Dress Walking Procession headed by the Silver Band. There will be prizes for the best fancy dress plus the best "King" or "Queen" in history. Lots of stalls and events.
In the evening there will be a 50's DANCE

Sunday 2 June
The JUBILEE CHURCH SERVICE , a WALKING TREASURE HUNT In the evening a MUSICAL CONCERT .

Monday 3 June
SOAP BOX DERBY and BBQ
In the evening a DANCE with the Premium Banana and a FIREWORKS DISPLAY.

Throughout the weekend there will be EXHIBITIONS and a FLOWER FESTIVAL with a Jubilee theme.
Please put this programme in your diary now and keep the weekend free. For any information, ideas or offers of help, contact Sheila Glass (520409) of the Parish Council or Ian Smith (520871) of the Recreation Centre.

THANKS

ENA WORDSWORTH
Ena Wordsworth would like to thank all the people who took part in the "Faces Quiz" in aid of the Red Cross. £100 was raised. The results were:
Ist Marilyn Roberts 96.5 out of 100.
2nd The McCloughlins 96
3rd Mick Allman 95
4th Marianne Garner (of Hills Stores) 94
Congratulations and prizes to those people.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
The Horticultural Society wishes to thank those who supported the Ramsbury team in the Quiz at Lambourn where all had an enjoyable and social evening. Ramsbury managed to win an exciting quiz, and the trophy by just one point. If members were unable to be present and pay their subscriptions at the AGM,please send them to Roy Alexander, 55a High Street.
Family membership is £4.50, Single £3.00, Retired £2.00

COFFEE CENTRE CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
The Coffee Centre Christmas Raffle raised £157.00 which with the £470.64 raised during the year makes a total of £627.62 for the full year. Over the last six years £3,626.45 has been donated to local charities. The Coffee Centre would like to say thank you to all those who have donated prizes for the raffle and to everyone who has supported the Centre and helped out or given donations over the year.
The Coffee Centre will be open every Thursday from l0 am and looks forward to welcoming everyone.

ADVANCE NOTICES

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Sarah Coles will give the first Horticultural Society Talk of the year on "Old Roses at Mottisfont Abbey" on Monday 4 March at 7:45 pm in the Methodist School Room. Prospective members very welcome.

CHURCH ELECTORAL ROLL
The Church EIectoral Roll for the Parish of Ramsbury and Axford is due to be wholly revised in 2002. A fresh form will have to be filled in by each church member. Copies of the form will be included in the March Parish Magazine and will be available in the churches.

OPERA CONCERT
Ena Wordsworth will be holding an Opera Concert at 18 High Street on Sunday 21 April at 6 pm. The tenor will be Edmondo Rohme who sang at Crowood four years ago . He has performed in many British theatres, in a three tenors concert and sung for various opera companies, both here and abroad. The soprano is one of Israel's leading opera singers and has a truly superb voice. Margaret Brownridge will once again be the accompanist as well as playing two solos. She is the musical director of the London Opera players as well as being a well known solo pianist. The programme will be the usual mix of Opera, Operetta and Light Opera. Tickets will be £11 and there will be a raffle in aid of the Red Cross Refugee Appeal. Contact Ena on 520442 at the above address. She will be circulating all previous supporters but new audience members will be very welcome.

AXFORD FETE
The Axford Jubllee Fete will be held on Saturday 24 August.

RAMSBURY BALL
The 2002 Ramsbury Ball will be held on Saturday 7 September. Booking forms at the Crown & Anchor. The Marquee & Equipment are available free of charge to any one wishing to hold their own fund raising event on Friday 6 or Sunday 8 September.

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