Ramsbury and
Axford Village Diary February 2001 published by Ramsbury
and Axford Amenity Group.
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Ramsbury & Axford Village Diary - February 2001
Please may we have items for the March Diary by 18 February. 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
At this time of year it is the weather that seems to occupy our thoughts
more than the flora and fauna. I have however had reports that the
odd daffodil, crocus and snowdrop are flowering in sheltered spots,
though not in my garden, only the leaves are pushing up through the
soil in spite of the dusting of snow at the close of the old year
and the hard frosts of the last few nights. My periwinkle flowers
are surviving it all quite happily and the winter honeysuckle, while
in Chapel Lane a magnolia has well developed leaf buds.
The countryside may still look rather drab on the dull days but at
least the birds are beginning to sing morning and evening so they
at least feel that spring will soon be with us. By the Kennet at the
end of December a kingfisher brightened up the scene one morning.
As you may have noticed during the past month the flood waters have
slowly subsided and although the river is still rather full the ducks
are back on it, even if they do find it necessary to keep to the sides
where the current is slacker.
The new year started with a bright crescent moon with a bright star
close by. Was it Venus? Just as it might appear on a Christmas card.
Did anyone see the eclipse of the moon in its full glory on the 10th
? When I looked out about 7pm it was too cloudy, but I did hear a
report of it being seen further north looking a dull muddy brown.
When I did see the moon about 9.30pm only a rim of black was visible
indicating that the eclipse was almost over.
What will occur in the coming month to interest us, I wonder?
Rosie Pauline
Bird Notes
I received a phone call early in January from a lady who had found
between 12 and 15 dead Greenfinches in her garden. She contacted the
RSPB who informed her that this was probably caused by salmonella.
To remedy the situation she was advised to thoroughly disinfect the
area where the birds used to feed. I would be interested to hear of
any similar reports in the local area.
Staying with Finches, I have had a number of reports recently of Hawfinches
in Savernake Forest.. These birds are very shy, but when you do get
to see them they are very beautiful with a pink, white and blue livery.
Birds at the moment over Ramsbury include Siskin, Fieldfare, Redwing
and Golden Plover. And finally after my previous note about Wild Boar
in Savernake Forest, two more people have told me of positive sightings.
John Marshall
Rainfall
The rainfall for the month of January up to the 18th was 1.90 inches.
The 30 year average was 3.47 inches. The total rainfall for the year
2000 was 42.16 against an average of 32.70 inches.
Ramsbury Post Office & Stores
John and Susan Wilkins are retiring on 31 January. We have enjoyed
running the Post Office and Stores for the past 14 1/2 years. We would
like to thank our friends and customers for their support over the
years.
Elaine Mills will be taking over as Sub-Post Mistress on 1 February.
The Post Office and Stores will remain in its current location until
6 March when it will be relocated to the empty Hardware shop.
We wish Elaine every success with her new venture and hope that she
will have your continued support.
Kind regards - John and Susan Wilkins.
Women's Institute
The next meeting on 1 February at 7.45pm in the Methodist
School Room will feature " Ramsbury at War". Mr Roger Day,
who wrote the recently published book "Ramsbury at War"will
talk to members about life in the village at that time. Anyone can
attend this meeting as a guest of members, cost £1. Husbands,
sons, fathers and partners are all welcome.
Come to hear what a different way of life there was in Ramsbury for
a fleeting period 55 years ago. New members will be welcomed.
Free Software for Schools
The Daily Telegraph is giving away tokens every day, with many more
at the weekend, to enable Schools and Home users to claim free software
for school and home use. Ramsbury School is taking advantage of this
scheme and would be very grateful if the many Daily Telegraph readers
in the village (some 125) would cut out and keep the tokens to enable
the school to get the software of their choice. The tokens can either
be handed in to the School Secretary, or to the Diary Editors via
the shop counter in the Post Office.
Revision of Church Electoral Roll
The Annual Revision of the Church Electoral Roll for the parish of
Ramsbury cum Axford is now taking place, and should be completed by
21 February, a fortnight before the Annual Parochial Church Meeting
on 8 March.
Anyone who is not already on the roll may apply for their name to
be included. Forms for this purpose are at the back of the church
in Ramsbury and Axford, or can be obtained from the Electoral Roll
Officer, Ben Tottenham, Vicarage Cottage, Back Lane 520308.
Annual Parochial Church Meeting
The meeting will be held in the Church Room at 7.30pm on Thursday
8 March.
Ramsbury & Axford 99 - Survey Update
Copies of the Survey Update are available in the Post Office
Horticultural Society
The first events in the Society's programme for 2001 are :
Talks in the Methodist School Room on Container Vegetables and Fuschias
on 3 March and 2 April respectively. The very popular Spring Plant
Sale and Coffee Morning on 5 May. These events are open to all, please
mark your diary.
After the AGM on 22 January the Society was still short of committee
members to carry out the programme of events in 2001 which the members
present clearly supported. There will be more on this in the March
issue of the diary!
The Countryside in London - Sunday 18 March
"Liberty and Livelihood"is the theme of the countryside
supporters who will march in London on 18 March. There is serious
concern about countryside issues such as closing shops, post offices,rural
transport, farming income and regulations as well as legislation to
discriminate against a minority.
It is hoped to run a coach from Ramsbury, for which a generous supporter
has volunteered to pay, so the charge should be minimal. Please get
your family and friends in the surrounding area to join in. All those
who wish to support the march should contact Peter Brown Tel 01672
-520776 Fax 521330 as soon as possible.
Amenity Group
The Amenity Group is planning a visit to the National Record on Monday
12 March. Members will remember the very interesting talk given by
a speaker from the National Record at the autumn supper.
They will be holding their AGM on 15 March and will be sending notices
to all members during February.
Parish Council
SANDBAGS
Several households in the village acquired sandbags during the recent
monsoon season. Kennet District Council have requested that those
who have them please keep them, preferably in a dry place or covered
with plastic or tarpaulin if stored outside. Hopefully they will not
be needed, but if the rains begin again then a reissue will not be
necessary. Edward Judge, 55 High Street has a few extras if need be.
VILLAGE SERVICES USE THEM OR LOSE THEM
While the Library is not under threat at the moment, it does not come
well out of Wiltshire County Council's best value survey, and increased
use is the best way to ensure its continued presence. Shops can only
be viable if they are used regularly and not simply as a backstop
in an emergency. Please try to use the facilities in the village more
and help to ensure that Ramsbury does not join the list of dying villages.
WHITE LINES
It would be appreciated if car owners would avoid parking their vehicles
on white lines in the village, or opposite either, because both cause
an obstruction..
SKIPS
There will be a skip at Whittonditch Road on 16 February, and skips
at both Whittonditch and at Axford on 9 March. There will be no "Green
Machine"during February, the next one is due on 22 March.
(Parish Council contacts and minutes
of meetings can be viewed at www.ramsbury.com/council)
Red Cross Link Group
The Group wants to hear from all VADs and former Red Cross Members
in order to bring them up to date with what the Group is now doing.
Call Allan Hazelgrove 513083, or Branch Headquarters 01380 - 730130.
Ramsbury Flyer
(The Community Bus also
has its own page at www.ramsbury.com/flyer)
The Flyer will be running the usual Wednesday and Friday trips to
Hungerford. The Visit to Newbury will take place on Thursday 8 February
but is already fully booked and there is a waiting list.
THANKS
GUIDE REPRESENTATIVE FOR BRITAIN
Sara Curtis would like to thank all her friends and neighbours who
supported her coffee morning on 16 December. The monies raised will
go towards her trip to represent Britain as a Guide abroad this year.
Sara is one of three girls chosen from Aldbourne Guides but as yet
no details as to where they are going have been issued.
COFFEE CENTRE NEWS
The Christmas Raffle at the Coffee Centre on 21 December raised £120.52
for local charities, which brings the total for the year to £589.60.
We would like to thank everyone for their support over the year, and
all those who donated a prize for the raffle, and everyone who helped
on the day.
We look forward to another good year for 2001, and we would like to
wish everyone a Happy New Year.
The Coffee Morning will be open every Thursday from 10am at the Red
Cross Room. Everyone is welcome to come along.
ADVANCE NOTICES
THE 2001 RAMSBURY BALL
The 2001 Ramsbury Ball will be held on Saturday 8 September. Details
and table booking forms are available at the Crown & Anchor 01672
- 520335
THAMES WATER KENNET REHABILITATION PROJECT
Representatives from Communique, the organisation which is carrying
out work on the River Kennet on behalf of Thames Water, are coming
to make a presentation to the Parish Council at the meeting at 7.45pm
on 19 March in the Memorial Hall. Members of the public are very welcome
to attend the presentation which will be followed by an opportunity
to ask questions.
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