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Please may we have items for the February Diary by 18 January. 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
In spite of it being a quiet time of the year in the Natural History
world, not every thing is sleeping. On several occasions I have seen a
grey squirrel going along my back fence; with the ground behind being
cleared it has no doubt lost a sheltered spot. A neighbour has reported
seeing a rat, so perhaps the clearance is just as well. It is an ill wind
for some. As the days are short the active period for animals is more
likely to correspond with the busy times on the roads. No doubt this was
the reason for a dead hare lying by the roadside at Whitttonditch.
I always thought that February was the time for winter jasmine to flower,
but during the last few weeks I have seen quite a lot in flower against
sheltered walls, and by my gate in late November wild strawberry was flowering.
There have also been reports of flowers on hebe and crocus in bud.
What about insects? On a sunny day towards the end of November a bumble
bee was on the wing, and about the same time a mild day gave energy to
a bluebottle, but foolishly it came in to the kitchen and so met its end.
In mid December a mosquito had the nerve to bite my arm. They seem to
be around throughout the year on mild days. I wonder how many of you saw
the report on TV of a mosquito carrying malaria being found in a cow byre
on the Somerset levels? In bygone times the people of the Essex marshes
used to suffer from ague, or marsh fever, caused by mosquitoes. Whatever
the temperature there are advantages and disadvantages it seems.
The past month has given us variety with unseasonably mild days, some
hard frosts as on 8 December when the small river beyond the main Kennet
Bridge had large patches of ice on the almost still water. Although we
do not enjoy the very wet days that have occurred, judging by the level
of the river, a lot more rain is needed if our reservoirs are going to
be adequately filled before next summer.
May 2004 bring good health to everyone with no more bad coughs.
Rosie Pauline
Bird Notes
I have just been for a walk that took in Ramsbury Manor, Hilldrop Manor
and Bolstridge, the tally of birds of prey reads three Kestrels, two Sparrowhawks
and two Buzzards. One of the Sparrowhawks gave a superb display while
it pursued some Thrushes. The hawk, alas, ended up empty clawed! At the
end of my walk in Bolstridge I saw a flock of about fifty Linnet.
Whilst in Hens Wood recently I saw five Redpoll feeding on the seeds of
a birch tree, and in the midst of a flock of Yellowhammer and Chaffinch,
I saw one solitary Brambling. The Brambling is a visitor from Scandinavia
that over winters in this country in varying numbers.
A month or so ago I reported a sighting of a black Redstart at Witcha,
and I have just been told of another sighting, this time at the Sewage
works in Marlborough. I have also had a report of a Hen Harrier which
was sighted on the Airfield at the beginning of December.
John Marshall
Rainfall
The rainfall for the month to 18 December was 5.32 inches, average 3.40
inches.
A Happy New Year
The Editors of the Diary
wish all the residents of Ramsbury and Axford who read the Diary a Happy
and Prosperous New Year.
Club of the Year
At the Wiltshire Lawn Tennis
Association's AGM Ramsbury Tennis Club was voted Club of the Year 2003.
Patients's Representative Meeting
Dr Handford's Retirement. Dr Michael Handford has announced his retirement
at the end of March 2004, after 30 years in the Practice. The Doctors
expressed their gratitude for his commitment, cheerfulness and leadership
over the years. The Partners are actively seeking a replacement for him,
and are sure that all his patients will join them in wishing him a very
happy and well deserved retirement.
Contracts and Leases have now been signed and it is hoped that building
will start at the new Surgery at Whittonditch Road in January, and that
completion will be in the late autumn 2004.
Important changes affecting all patients at the Ramsbury Surgery. From
January 2004 there will be a change in the way care is provided to patients
between 7pm and 8am during the week and at the weekends. A duty rota with
the doctors at the Marlborough Surgery will operate providing a service
based from Savernake Hospital.
On-call Doctor at nights and weekends. Whenever urgent medical help is
required patients must telephone the normal Surgery number (01672 520366).
The call will then be put through to a duty doctor who will give the necessary
advice, and if appropriate arrange for patients to be seen by the duty
doctor or the nurses at Savernake Hospital.
New GP Contract. The National news media have publicised the Government's
changed contract with GPs throughout the country. Among the more important
changes will be a greater emphasis on Public Health and Preventative Medicine,
resulting in the setting up of more specific clinics for asthma, high
blood pressure, heart disease etc as well as the present clinics. It is
the New Contract that has brought about the changes to the Out of Hours
arrangements. The Surgery is now offering patients a same day emergency
only appointment service commencing at 11.30 am.
Post Office News
Congratulations go to Peter
Brown the winner of the reindeer whose name was Gordon. As a result we
raised £140 for Children in Need. World Cup rugby stamps are now
on sale. New Video releases include Pirates of the Caribbean, Legally
Blonde 2, also available on DVD Terminator 3.
Services at St. Michael's Axford
As from 1 January 2004 the regular services at Axford will consist of
8 am Holy Communion (BCP) on the 1st Sunday and 6 pm Evensong on the 2nd
Sunday of each month.
Ramsbury Horticultural Society - Quiz
The Annual Quiz against the Lambourn team will take place on at 7.30
pm on Thursday 8 January at Lambourn. As before we hope for a good attendance
and that members will consult other members with a view to car sharing.
Ramsbury Flyer
(The Community Bus also has
its own page).
The next visit to Newbury will be on Thursday 8 January, leaving the
Tree at 11.30 am and returning from Newbury at 2.30 pm. Many thanks to
all the drivers for their dedication during the year, and a special thanks
to Brian Hunter for driving to Bath and for stepping in at fairly short
notice, when Edward Judge who had always driven to London, was unable
to do so. With the extra drive round the Lights the outing was very memorable.
A Ladies grey mackintosh size 14 has been found on the flyer on 5,6 or
7 December. Will the owner please telephone 520033.
Ramsbury WI - New Year party
The next meeting will be on Thursday 4 December in the Methodist Schoolroom
at 7.45 pm when Mrs P Clement will speak on "Christmas Yesterday".
The competition will be for a Christmas decoration. Tickets will be on
sale for the New Year Party on Friday 9 January. Visitors and new members
welcome.
Axford Bingo
There will be Bingo in Axford Village Hall on Wednesday 10 December at
7.30 pm.
Amenity Group Guided Walks
There will be a guided walk to Littlecote (walk no. 3) on Sunday 11 January,
and to Whiteshard (no. 10), cars to Manor Hill, on Sunday 25 January.
Meet at the Tree at 2 pm with dogs under control.
Marie Curie Cancer Care
Ena Wordsworth's Sale in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care will take place
on Saturday 17 January from 10 am until noon at 18 High Street.
Churches' Welcome Party for Newcomers
Ramsbury Churches Together plan a party to welcome all newcomers who
have come to live in the two villages during the latter part of 2002 and
the whole of 2003. It will be held in the Memorial Hall on Saturday 24
January starting at 4 pm with refreshments. Organisations and societies
in the villages have been invited to display the details of their objectives
and facilities at individual 'pitches'. The party will be open to all
comers from 5.30 pm. Invitations will be sent to newcomers in January.
Constituency Conservative Association
The AGM of the Ramsbury & Axford Branch will be held on Monday 26
January at 6 pm in the Church Room. The AGM will be preceded by a meeting
open to all at which Cllr Brian Twigger will speak on 'What it is like
to be a District Councillor'. Nominations and resolutions by members for
the AGM should be submitted to Mr Simon Blunt by Monday 19 January.
Ramsbury Horticultural Society
The AGM of the Ramsbury Horticultural Society will be held at 7.45 pm
in the Memorial Hall on Monday 26 January. One member of the Committee
is standing down and the position of Secretary is still vacant. If anyone
wishes to be considered for election they should advise Geoffrey Rissone
on 520544, or make their interest known on the night. An interest in horticultural
matters is the only qualification; no technical knowledge required.
Royal British Legion
The Annual General Meeting of the Ramsbury Branch of the Royal British
Legion is on Friday 30 January at 8 pm in the Club. Support your local
club or lose it. The club has some 150 Members, but some live outside
the village. The talk given in December by Anita Fisher was a well attended
and enjoyable evening.
THANKS
We would like to thank everyone who came to see the Christmas Lights
at Whitehill Close on 1 December and in the run up to Christmas, and
gave donations to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance. Also thank you to the Silver
Band, Brownies and Fire Brigade and all who came to chat on the radio.
It was a lovely evening when so many people came. Look in the February
Diary to see how much was raised.
VILLAGE HALL CONTEST 2003
As winners of the Millennium contest, the Memorial Hall trustees hosted
the 2003 presentation supper and awards evening on 3 December. Representatives
of 65 Wiltshire village halls entered. The overall winner was Coome Bissett.
Ramsbury Memorial Hall won the prize (£300) for "Community
Involvement" being cited as "head and shoulders above all others
in that category". The trustees much appreciate the co-operation
of village organisations and, in particular, of Elaine Mills and her staff
at the Post Office, which has resulted in such high praise.
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