Please may we have items for the February Diary by 18 January. 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

It is rather a quiet time of year in the plant world but looking at the wild clematis one can see where it gets its name of old man's beard at this season. There is, however, a little cheer with the yellow flowers of winter jasmine and the blue of the periwinkle flowering in sheltered places.
The trees may be just bare twigs at this season but it does make it possible to see where the birds nested last spring and the small birds such as the tits are more easily seen as they flit from branch to branch. Someiimes, a hard fungus is found on a tree trunk, although the softer ones have withered away. Exceptions do occur as in early December I came upon jews ear on a fallen elder branch, this is cup shaped and a pleasant shade of brown.
A less welcome sight was a lethargic wasp on my bedroom curtain early one moming in December and, in spite of some sharp frosts, not all the gnats have been killed: instead, they have taken shelter indoors - not welcome.
The Kennet provides interest at any season. Sometimes the heron is to be seen standing like a sentinel in mid-stream. By the river at Hungerford Marsh, I saw a large flock of Canada geese; rather there than on the farmer's field as I saw on another occasion. Of more interest were the fallow deer down river from the bridge by the Knapp. One had crossed the river and made off towards the Littlecote track to be followed by another crossing the river to go in the same direction. May they not fall victim to poachers.
A Happy New Year to all the diary readers.

Rosie Pauline

Bird Notes

In the last month there have been red kites sighted from the Airfield and House Farm, Axford. On both occasions two birds were seen.
At the moment there seem to be a lot of fieldfare and redwings around. They are decimating the berries in the hedgerows! Another winter migrant which should be in the area, but which I have yet to see this year, is the golden plover.
In the middle of November, a flock of 17 mute swans flew over the village. In the winter, non breeding birds (birds up to three years in age) form flocks. They work on the theory of safety in numbers and if one has a full belly they all have a full belly! There are also smaller units which are made up of full family parties.

John Marshall

Rainfall

The rainfall for the month to 18 December was 1.67 inches, average 3.4 inches, a dry month.

Parish Walk

There will be a guided walk of about 4 miles to Great Coppice on Sunday 27 lanuary starting from the Tree at 2 pm, with dogs under control.

Ramsbury Luncheon Club

The Luncheon Club will be holding its Annual Party in the Memorial Hall on Tuesday 8 January. The occasion is being funded by the LJ Chamberlain Memorial Fund, together with a donation from the Ramsbury Line Dancers.

Patient Representative Group

The Doctors have again appealed to patients not to hoard or over-order their prescriptions. There is now a fixed drug budget to which the Practice has to adhere. If you have more than one item on your repeat prescription please only re-order the one that is running out. Drugs are very expensive and this will avoid needless wastage.
The Ramsbury Practice is no exception to the desperate shortage of nurses. There are three nurses on duty but if one goes sick or on holiday the remainder are put under severe strain to cover all the duties. If you receive home treatment but are able to get out, it would be very helpful if you could get someone to take you to the Surgery for your treatment, thus easing the load by enabling the nurse to see more patients in the day.
A total of 802 patients received an influenza vaccine this year, some 62% of those eligible.

Ramsbury Amenity Group

The Amenity Group will shortly be losing two members from the eight strong committee and one officer. We urgently need replacements and the active support of the younger generation in the village, since the present committee is mainly over 60.
Our aim is to reflect the concerns of all the village and be available to improve the amenities and support their interests, such as the monthly diary and the web site.
Please contact Ben Tottenham 520308, or Sylvia Judge 520748 if you can help. The Amenity Group now has its own pages on the web site.

Golden Jubilee Weekend 1-3 June

As the year 2002 begins, the diary has been asked to remind everybody to keep the weekend of 1-3 June free for a series of events organised by the Parish Council and the Recreation Centre to celebrate HM The Queen's Golden Jubilee. There will be a concert, street fair, exhibition, fire works, fancy dress parade etc., as previously reported in the November diary. Further details will follow as plans are firmed up.

"What's on in Kennet"

Every three months Kennet District Council publishes "What's on in Kennet". If any village organisation would like wider publicity for an event they are organising, they should send details to Helie Franklin, Devizes Tourist Informa6on Centre, Cromwell House, The Market Place Devizes SNlO IJG, giving details of the day, date and time of the event, with a brief description, cost of tickets and contact number for tickets and further information. The deadline for the next guide is Friday 11 January and covers February, March and April.

Parish Council

AMENITY SKIP
There will be a skip at Whittonditch on Friday 4 January.

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

Epiphany Party

There will be an Epiphany Party on Saturday 5 January from 2-Spm for children of primary school age. The entertainment will be by Razamatazz. Tickets available from Mills Butchers price £1.

Ramsbury Painting Group

The Group will be holding a New Year Light Lunch on Tuesday 8 January at 12.30pm in the Church Room to which all members are invited. The Group would welcome new members. Contact Peter Brown 520776 or Bernard Brooks 520135.

Axford Bingo

Axford Bingo will be holding twice monthly Bingo sessions throughout the year. This month they will be in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on 9 and 30 January.

Ramsbury Flyer

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

Owing to lack of support, the London Shopping Trip did not take place. This was a complete turn about, as usually there is a waiting list. This month's outing to Newbury is on Thursday 10 January, leaving the Tree at 11.30am and arriving back at about 3pm. Book on 520555 with Muriel Lye.

Ramsbury Horticultural Society

The Society's Quiz against a team at Lambourn will start at 7.30pm on Thursday 10 January. It is expected that there will be some free seats available in members' cars for anyone who would like to give extra away support to our team. Please watch out for the posters which will give further details.
The AGM will take place on Monday 28 January at 7.45pm in the Memorial Hall (a week later than on the fixture list). Please try to make sure that you can come along on that occasion.
The WI will be holding a Party on Thursday 10 January at 7.30pm in the Church Room. An entertainment will be provided by Caroline Franklin and Moya Dixon. Supper will follow, and tickets priced £4.50 are available from the Post Office and Rosalie Winter 520261.

The World of Rome

There will be a course of eight weekly meetings, from 10.30am until noon, starting on Thursday 17 January in the Memorial Hall. Tom Barklem will look at how the Roman Empire grew, and will focus on personalities, sites and events, including the city of Rome, the conquest of Britain, bread and circuses, and the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The Fee is £31. Enrol by attending the first meeting or completing the form in the library. Enquiries to Rosie Pauline 520234, or Sandra Powell at Bristol University O1179 287153.

Variety Show

"Oh no it isn't productions" will be putting on another variety show on 23/24/25 May. If you are interested in being involved in any way, please come to a meeting at the Scout Hall on Monday 21 January at 8 pm to find out more. They will be splitting the profit from the show between a village charity and the Prospect Hospice. If you would like your particular charity to be considered for a donation, please leave a letter at the Post Office addressed to Rosemarie Derrick, or by email to rderrick@jacgb.jnj.com

Ramsbury Royal British Legion Club

The Ramsbury RBL Club sends cordial Season's Greetings to its members and friends. There will be a disco in the club on New Year's Eve, to which all members are welcome.
The Club's AGM is at 8 pm on Friday 25 January. All members are respectfully requested to attend this important meeting when the club's management committee for the coming year is to be elected by the members.

THANKS

WILLIAM FURBISHER
During his eight years of retirement in Ramsbury William played an active role in the community, especially as Secretary of the Ramsbury Flyer ensuring the smooth running of this facility. He was a valued member of the Bridge Club.
Penny would like to express her thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff of the surgery who gave unfailing support during William's illness, and also to her many friends who have been a comfort to her in her bereavement. Any donations, if desired, to go to the Ramsbury Surgery.

ADVANCE NOTICE

RAMSBURY BALL
The 2002 Ramsbury Ball will be held on Saturday 7 September. There are booking forms at the Crown & Anchor. The marquee and equipment will be available free of charge to any village organisation wishing to run their own fundraiser on Friday 6 or Sunday 8 September.

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