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Please may we have items for the August Diary by 18 July. 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 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
Are we at the start of a hot dry summer or will cooler, wetter weather
have arrived as June gives way to July? At present many plants seem to
be flowering particularly well both in my garden and in the hedgerows.
My roses are putting on a grand show at present, as are the dog roses.
The common mallow and field bindweed are also flowering well, a patch
of the latter on the path towards West Lodge is a very deep pink except
for the white centre, and another plant close by is almost white. As the
elderberry is in full bloom I must look at my gooseberries, as some cooks
put the flowers with them when making a pie. In Union Street, as in other
years, the hedgerow crane's bill is now looking pretty with its bright
flowers. At the bottom of Love's Lane is a clump of Good King Henry, not
a colourful plant as the flowering spike is green: the young leaves of
this may have been eaten in the past. At the beginning of June I had described
to me what sounded like a death's head moth. On looking into the relevant
book it seemed to be possible as some fly in from the continent early
in the season. This is the weather to bring out the butterflies - speckled
woods, peacocks and various brown ones. In meadow areas, damselflies and
the larger dragonflies are likely to be on the wing: this stage of their
lives is rather short.
As usual, foxes, rabbits, badgers and pheasants are falling victim to
cars, as the young have not yet become traffic wise. On the last bank
holiday in mid-afternoon a badger crossed the road hi front of the car
at the same time as a car was coming from the opposite direction. It was
lucky to escape both of us. Had something disturbed it? I understand that
their eyesight is not very good. To finish on a happier note, recently
when by the canal east of Hungerford, I saw a water vole swimming across
but I have not seen one in the Ramsbury area for many years. The water
was very clear by the Knapp bridge recently and looking down I noticed
about half a dozen trout, two of which were a good size. I had begun to
think that they had left this part of the river.
Rosie Pauline
Bird Notes
In the last month, I have had a sad report of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
killing itself on a window in the Paddocks. Other reports have included
a pair of Ferruginous Ducks in the Kennet behind the Fire Station. An
Egret was seen down near the Priory. These birds are Heron like, if a
bit smaller, and they are almost totally white.
Last month in Knowledge Hill we had a pair of Hobby performing a courtship
display which comprises both birds circling in the sky. Individual Hobbys
have been seen over Stitchcombe and Ramsbury. Staying with Birds of Prey,
Red Kite have been seen all down the valley from Stitchcombe to Hilldrop.
The other day I was joined on the roof of a conservatory by a hornet -
it was enormous! It had come to eat some wood that had been exposed. It
was beautiful but I would not like to meet another on a dark night.
John Marshall
Rainfall
The rainfall for the month to 18 June was 0.70 inches. Average June rainfall
2.44 inches.
Best Kept Village Competition
Ramsbury has come first in the Large Village category in the Competition.
Well done everyone who has played a part in achieving this result. The
village will now be entered in the next stage competing against twelve
other winning villages for the best village in Wiltshire. Judging will
take place at any time from mid-June to mid-July. So do not relax your
efforts and continue to keep the village tidy. Ramsbury Parish Council
Farewell Gloria
As many of you already know, Gloria will be leaving the area at the end
of August. Her last service at Ramsbury will be on Sunday 25 July at 10.30
am. On the same day at Aldbourne Methodist Church there will be a circuit
Farewell Service at 6.0 pm. All welcome at these services.
Ramsbury Surgery
The Patient's Representative Group met recently. The Practice will be
writing to those patients aged over 40 asking them to make an appointment
with the doctors for a general check up. This is a directive from the
Government in a move towards preventative medicine, which in the long
run could save patients from being diagnosed with serious illnesses that
could have been prevented in earlier years. All Surgeries have also been
asked to conduct a Patient Survey and, during the next six months, all
patients will be asked to fill in a questionnaire at the surgery while
waiting for their appointment.
The new surgery building is now progressing, the lower ground floor being
completed. It is hoped that it will be finished and ready for occupation
during December. Dr Wardley is now on maternity leave and Dr. Alison Brooks
& Dr Togher are now acting in locum tenens.
Ramsbury Wl
The next meeting will be on Thursday 1 July at 7.45 pm hi the Methodist
School Room when Dr Michael Handford will be speaking on Homeopathy.
The competition will be for a home made remedy. Visitors and new members
are most welcome.
Ramsbury Silver Band
The Band will play in the gardens of Ramsbury Hill at 2.30 pm on Sunday
July 4th. All welcome.
Ramsbury Flyer
(The Community Bus also has
its own page).
The next visit to Newbury will be on 8 July, leaving the Tree at 11.30
am and returning from Newbury at 2.30 pm. Book with Muriel Lye on 520555
or Janet Webster on 520033.
Marlborough Open Studios Scheme 2004
The Marlborough Open Studios Scheme runs from 10 to 25 July. Several
artists in the Ramsbury area are taking part. Witcha Cottage studio and
garden will be open on Saturdays and Sundays between 11 am and 6 pm. Full
brochures are available from the Post Office or the White Horse Bookshop
in Marlborough, or phone 520429.
Amenity Group Guided Walks
There will be guided walks to Piggs Hill 4 miles (Walk 7) on Sunday 11
July, and to Chilton Foliat 4½ miles on Sunday 25 July. Meet at
the Tree at 2 pm to share cars, with dogs under control. All welcome.
Axford Bingo
There will be Bingo hi Axford Village Hall on Wednesdays 14 and 28 July
at 7.30 pm.
Arthritis Research
The Annual Coffee Morning and Sale to raise money for Arthritis Research
will be held on Saturday 17 July from 10 am - noon in the Memorial Hall.
Ramsbury Gardens Open
Ramsbury Horticultural Society's 'Gardens Open' will take place on Sunday
18 July between 2 pm and 5.30 pm. This year's gardens include The Old
Mill: Knapp House; Parliament Piece; Ramsbury Hill; The Old Farmhouse,
Oxford Street; Kimberley Cottage, Burdett Street; Brookside, Newtown Road;
and Witcha Cottage towards Membury, which is also hosting a Studios Open.
The Ramsbury Flyer will be providing transport to and from the Square
throughout the afternoon. Teas will be available at both the Old Mill
and Parliament Piece. The charge for entry to all the gardens will be
£2.50, retired £2, accompanied children free.
Ramsbury Conservative Association
You are invited to come and bring your friends to the Ramsbury Conservative
Association Garden Luncheon from noon to 2 pm on Sunday 18 July at Ramsbury
Hill. The Guest of Honour will be Lady Jane Ancram. Tickets are available
from the Post Office or Committee members (adults £10, children
£5). If wet, the luncheon will be held in the Church Room.
The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust is looking for people with business experience, who
have time to help a young person beginning to start a business. As a volunteer
Business Mentor, you could really help a young person setting up in business
on their own. If you have empathy with young people, are a good communicator
and would be happy giving practical advice, support and encouragement
on a regular basis, then please contact Peter Page on 520428 for a little
more information.
THANKS
I would just like to thank my many close friends in the
village for their help and support over recent weeks, in particular Margaret,
Mike, Peter, Jess and Maureen. Everyone's cards, flowers and good wishes
were very much appreciated. In particular thank you to everybody who made
a donation towards Ramsbury Surgery at my request. I hope to be back on
my feet again soon and thank you all in person. Margie Smith.
Those of us who climbed the Tower, saw the Bells and the
Ringing Chamber are most grateful to Ronny Price and the Ringers
who gave up a Saturday afternoon for our pleasure.
The Commemoration D Day Evening on 9 June at the Ramsbury
Legion Club, was enjoyed by about 60 members and guests. The Newbury
Weekly News photographed the WW II veterans present. Greg Winters, the
Club Steward and his wife Lynne had made an excellent buffet. Fred Addison
who travelled from Wantage was among those who attended. The thanks of
all are due to the Chairman, John Plenderleith, and Branch Committee Members
who ensured that everyone had an enjoyable evening.
ADVANCE NOTICES
Ramsbury Horticultural Society' Summer Show will
be held in a marquee on the Recreation Centre Sports Field on Saturday
14 August opening at noon. Exhibit staging 8 am - 10 am in the Marquee
for judging. With a lot of extra space to fill, everyone is invited to
enter the competitions. Show schedules are in the Post Office or from
the Show secretary Brian Twigger Tel 520353.
Following the success of their outing to Avington Park on
8 June, Ramsbury Amenity Group will be visiting Owlpen Manor
on 26 August. If you have not already put your name down at the AGM, please
call Ben Tottenham on 520308 to record your interest and for details.
The Ramsbury Ball will be held on Saturday 4 September,
and the proceeds will be shared between Project 2005 and Ramsbury Schools.
Tickets are already selling briskly and can be reserved at the Post Office,
the Bell or the Crown & Anchor at £40 each. Single tickets require
a £10 deposit and tables often require a £100 deposit, with
final payments to be made before 14 August. Further details phone 520871
or 520623.
The Bella Voce Choir, with musical director Lisa
Hyde, welcome new members. We sing at Ramsbury School once a week during
term time, normally on Tuesdays from 8 pm to 9.30 pm. Come and join us
for the new term starting in September. For further information and confirmation
of rehearsal day, call 520882.
Regrettably the Polperro Fishermen's Choir have had
to postpone their visit to Holy Cross, Ramsbury, which was scheduled for
Saturday 11 September, and it is hoped to rearrange this for April 2005.
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