|
Please may we have items for the March Diary by 18 February. 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 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 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
After so many gloomy days we now have
spring like sunshine, so it is a joy to go for a walk and see the fields
getting greener by the day as the new season's cereal crops begin to grow.
Another sign of spring is the presence of early born lambs with their
mothers appearing in a local field. In some gardens, including my own,
aconites are showing their little golden cups, and although my snowdrops
are not yet in bud, plenty of white buds are to be seen in Hungerford
churchyard. It is in the middle of February that carpets of them can be
seen in the grounds of Welford and the surrounding woodland.
About a month ago we had several frosty days with snow in some parts of
the country suggesting we could have snow for Christmas, but the nearest
we came to it was a very minor shower of flakes on 3 January. Over the
past month the temperature has been very variable from day to day; but
these changes do not seem to bother the winter jasmine or gorse, as in
favoured places they manage to bloom throughout the winter. Also the pink
flowered viburnum gives a delightful scent at this time of year. Will
the first daffodils flower in Ramsbury during February I wonder? Some
are already showing well formed buds and I am told they are now flowering
in Cornwall. Did the ones I have seen for sale come from there?
As usual my light coloured pyracantha berries have all been eaten, I think
by the blackbirds, although this morning there were a couple of pigeons
devouring the ivy berries. A surprise recently was seeing the heron, which
usually stands by the river, perched high up on a tall tree looking down
to the river.
Lots of people put nuts and scraps out for the birds, but given the chance
the squirrels will take advantage of such food and mice will come to a
regular supply of crumbs. But care is needed not to encourage rats, one
of the many creatures that get killed on country roads.
Rosie Pauline
Bird Notes
When I was in Hens Wood in December I noticed that a number of pheasants
had been put up from the undergrowth by a fox, which seemed oblivious
to my presence and far more interested in the pheasants, so I had a great
view. I have also been told of another fox story, this time in Axford.
The fox was witnessed doing battle with a Canada Goose and winning, then
instead of taking it away for a private feast it sat by the road and tucked
in!
I have also had a report of a Bat being found near Ambrose Farm. During
hibernation Bats sometimes get hungry or thirsty and they succumb to the
elements as this one appears to have done. It has been taken to a person
who knows about bats, is being warmed up and fed and is making a slow
recovery.
On another visit to Hens Wood a couple of Woodcock were put up, but a
more unusual occurrence was seeing one in the headlights on Whites Hill.
Golden Plover can still be seen on Springs Hill, but their numbers have
shrunk from 60 in late December to just 7 in early January. Closer to
home a Water Rail can be seen in the side stream by the Old Mill quietly
going about its business. A Red Kite was seen in late December near Darrells
Farm. Back to Axford, a beautiful White Hen Pheasant can be seen dicing
with death near the roadside, so watch out!
John Marshall
Rainfall
The rainfall for the month to 18 January was 4.20 inches, average 3.47
inches. The rainfall for the year 2003 was 27.34 inches, average 32.7
inches. A dry summer followed a wet spring.
Community Area Plan
During February everyone will receive a copy of 'Your Community Area
Plan' from the Marlborough Area Strategic Partnership. Community planning
is about discovering the needs and concerns of local people and finding
ways of addressing them. The Plan is based on wide consultation in the
area and is supported by Parish, District and County Councils and voluntary
organisations. Please look through it and make your views known so that
the working group which has been set up to help to implement the plan
can direct their attention to what you see as the real issues and help
to improve the quality of life of those who live and work in the area.
You can contact your Parish or District Councillors (see notice board
at North side of The Square). The Parish Council can be reached on 520045
(answerphone) or email ramsburypc@tiscali.co.uk
Recycling
From February to the end of the year there will be no recycling facility
in the village unless we can find an alternative site while the new surgery
is built. The parish council has investigated several sites with no success.
If anyone can suggest an alternative site WHERE THEY KNOW THE BINS WILL
BE WELCOME, please contact Sheila Glass on 520409. If no alternative site
is found we will have to ask if the facility at Axford can be extended
for the necessary time. Posters and notices will advertise other sites.
Ramsbury and Axford Parish Council
New Partner at the Ramsbury Practice
The Practice has announced the appointment of Dr Zoe Wardley to fill
the vacancy created through Dr Michael Handford's retirement.
Dr Wardley has been seeing some Ramsbury patients recently as a Locum
and will continue to provide locum service in February and March before
finally joining the partnership in April.
As Dr Handford has served this community so well over the past 30 years,
it is felt that many patients will wish to show their gratitude by contributing
to a retirement gift. Donations can be sent to either of the patients'
representatives, Maureen Palmer at 56 Ashley Piece; or Rosie Pauline at
Bell Cottage, Oxford Street. Cheques should be made payable to Ramsbury
Parish Council (M Handford Retirement Fund.) and envelopes marked for
Dr. M Handford's Retirement Fund. Collecting boxes will also be placed
in the village shops.
Dogs messing the pavements
The Editor has again been asked to remind the many dog owners who walk
their dogs in the village to clear up after their dog has emptied out,
especially on the High Street pavements. Bags can be bought from pet shops
in Marlborough and Hungerford, and from the pet sections in large supermarkets.
Royal British Legion
Only 10% of the Membership have not renewed their subscriptions. With
twenty new Members or Members renewing their lapsed membership, numbers
are higher than last year. A visitor who is not a member of the Branch
and of the Club must be signed in as a guest by a Member. This rule does
not apply to visiting teams. Visitors wishing to use the Parish Council
computer at the Club should consult the Bar Steward who can explain Committee
policy. John Lye, Hon. Secretary
Ramsbury WI
The next meeting will be held in the Methodist School Room on Thursday
5 February at 7.45 pm when Mr James Young will speak on Green Issues.
The competition will be for a bunch of snowdrops, and the Trading Stall
will be selling pies, puddings and preserves.
Amenity Group Guided Walks
There will be guided walks to Hens Wood (No. 12) 3 miles on Sunday 8
February, and to Membury (No. 5) 4 miles on Sunday 22 February. Meet at
the Tree at 2 pm with dogs under control.
There will also be a Walk on Sunday 15 February meeting at 2 pm at the
Tree to join the Northeast Wilts. Ramblers to Loves Copse. But no dogs
please.
Axford Bingo
There will be Bingo in Axford Village Hall on Wednesdays 11 and 25 February
at 7.30 pm.
Ramsbury Flyer
(The Community Bus also has
its own page).
The next visit to Newbury will be on Thursday 12 February, leaving the
Tree at 11.30 am and returning from Newbury at 2.30 pm
Aldbourne Senior Section Guides
The next fundraising event for the Aldbourne Senior Section of Guides,
which includes girls from Ramsbury, will be a Table Top Sale from 10 am
- 12 noon on Saturday 21 February. It will be held at the Aldbourne Scout
Hut, off Lottage Road. If you wish to book a table please ring Sara Curtis
on 520988 (£10 a table).
Marlborough Lent Lecture
The Marlborough Lent Lecture will be given at 8 pm on Wednesday 25 February
in Marlborough Town Hall. The speaker will be Clare Short, former International
Development Secretary. Her subject will be "Reducing poverty and
spreading justice: the only route to a safer and more sustainable world".
Tickets available from MBG Office (1a London Road, Marlborough 514078),
or from the White Horse Bookshop, Marlborough. See posters for more details.
A Message from RAG's last Chairman
Tony and Louise Brown have started running their Holiday home business
in France. They live close to a small town called Saint Sauveur le Vicomte.
They are only 15 minutes from Ste Mère Eglise which is where 101
Airborne landed their gliders from Ramsbury. One of their gîtes
is called La Ramsbury. Their website is www.happyholidaysinnormandy.com
THANKS
The total amount of money raised by the Whitehill Close Christmas
Lights came to a grand total of £1,323.32 towards Wiltshire
Air Ambulance Appeal. This was a very pleasing result and well worth doing.
Whitehill Close would like to say a big thank you to everyone who visited
over the Christmas period to donate money
The Coffee Centre Christmas Raffle raised a grand total of £150.50
towards local charities. We would like to say a big thank you to all who
donated prizes for the raffle, and to all who helped on the morning of
the raffle. The total of money raised over the year came to £514.17
Julie Coe
Sara Curtis from Ramsbury would like to thank all those who took
part in her recent guiding Quiz which was won by a fellow guider in Marlborough.
The money raised is going towards Sara and two other members of the Senior
Section who are travelling to India to take part in a Community Project
during July 2004. This very interesting, challenging work is part of their
Queen's Guiding Award and as there are few Guides in Wiltshire to hold
this prestigious Award, they are very eager to complete their challenge.
Therefore the fundraising goes on!
ADVANCE NOTICES
The Ramsbury Tennis Club
AGM will be held at 8.30 pm on Tuesday 9 March in the Chapter Room
of the Bell. All existing, new and prospective members are most welcome
to attend.
The Ramsbury Amenity Group
AGM will be held either on Thursday 18 March or 25 March. A talk will
be given by an airline pilot living in Ramsbury - the date to be confirmed
when his duty roster is known.
The Watermill Theatre
'Watermill on Tour' programme will be bringing 'Mr & Mrs Schulz'
to Ramsbury Memorial Hall on Wednesday 21 April. Details will be given
in the March Diary.
The Boundary Walk
will take place on Monday 3 May. Would walkers please put the date in
their diaries. Helpers for the tea are urged to get in touch with Geoffrey
Treherne on 512406.
The Axford Fete will take place on Saturday 21 August.
|
