Please may we have items for the August Diary by 18 July. 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

In spite of early June being rather dry the wild flowers and the garden ones are looking grand at this time of year. The perennials seem to have benefitted from the very wet winter. The fields of buttercups look delightful, although they do not make for good grazing. Have you seen the Russian comfrey near Rachel’s Cottage with its deep blue flowers, I wonder if it was planted there many years ago? Another blue flower is the meadow cranesbill, usually to be seen on the road from Aldbourne to Swindon and at Eastridge. We have many varieties in the garden, many of which can be found growing wild in
various parts of the country. The hedgerow one makes quite a show in Union Street each summer with its deep pink flowers. Bell flowers are also found growing wild over a wide area, although only the dainty harebell grows on our downland. A much smaller flower is that of lambs lettuce (or corn salad) which is sometimes found on roadside gravel patches.

You may have heard the saying “a swarm of bees in May is worth a load of hay”. It was on the 30th May that I was shown a swarm of bees in an apple tree in Oxford Street. Then the hunt was on to find a beekeeper to collect them. This took about a week, and to my surprise they did not take off and build a colony in a hollow tree during that period. I now know that the police should be able to put anyone with a swarm in contact with a beekeeper to get them collected.

The other surprise was seeing a small deer cross the road near Lamplands one morning. Chinese water deer or Muntjac? The light colour and no horns suggests the former. Both are escapees from Woburn Park many years ago and now live wild over a wide area of central southern England. What will my next unexpected sighting be I wonder?

Rosie Pauline

Bird Notes

Last month’s red letter sightings included a Sparrowhawk taking Mute Swan cygnets, and a Hobby/Merlin taking frogs in Crowood Lane. A hovering Kestrel dropped like a stone and as it landed a Magpie swooped in to snatch the prey, but both left with empty beaks. With seven Red Kite seen within the village and at Burney Farm and Foxhill all these birds were flying so low the forked tail and grey head were clear. Looking like a theatre chicken the Kite compares with the compact
Buzzard. Others included the Tree Pipit in Hens Wood, Cetti’s Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler at Seven Bridges and Hobbies over Ramsbury as well. It was a pleasure to find water crowfoot above Tofts Bridge not seen in the Kennet for several years. The star of the show was a Robin nesting in an old fishing bag in a shed in Oxford Street.

John Marshall

Rainfall

The rainfall for the month to 18 June was 1.18 inches, average 2.44 inches.

Patient Representative Group

At the June meeting of the Group the following points were discussed;

1. The possibility of the Surgery, having outgrown its site in the High Street moving to where the recycling bins are located off the Whittonditch Road. This would give more space for staff and patients; also better parking. The land has not yet been acquired so the move is likely to be at least two years hence.
2. For out of hours calls the NHS is trying to get us into the co-operative system (to which many practices already belong). This is not favoured due to the dispersal of patients over a wide area, some in remote locations.
3. Staff at the Surgery have been under pressure due to the ever rising number of prescriptions and new clinics being set up, but new staff will ease this pressure as they settle into their work.

Ramsbury Luncheon Club

The AGM will be held at 1:15pm on Wednesday 18 July in the Church Room.

Ramsbury Amenity Group

FUNCTIONS DIARY IN THE POST OFFICE
In order to avoid clashes it would be appreciated if Organisers could check and enter their function in the Diary.

BEST KEPT VILLAGE COMPETITION
Ramsbury came second to Aldbourne in the competition. The Amenity Group would like to thank all those who helped to maintain a high standard, and hope that they will keep it up for the rest of the year.

THE VILLAGE DIARY
The village diary is now available at www.ramsbury.com/calendar.

VILLAGE WALKS
Barbara Croucher will be taking a party around the village for one of her celebrated “Ramsbury Walks”. Proceeds will be given to the Church. Meet at 6pm at Holy Cross on Wednesday 11 July.

Ramsbury Parish Charities

The next meeting of the Trustees will take place on Wednesday 4 July. Applications from anyone in Ramsbury or Axford for financial assistance for local organisations should be made by letter. Students embarking on further education who wish to apply to the Lanfear Trust should request an application form.

These should be addressed to the Clerk, Miss M Dixon, 32 Knowledge Crescent, Ramsbury.

Women's Institute

The next WI meeting will be on Thursday 7 June, and will be a Canal Boat Trip on the Rose of Hungerford. Please meet at at Hungerford Wharf at 6.40pm for a trip lasting 1 1/2 hours. Friends and family are welcome. Transport will be available from the village at 6.15pm.

Village Design Statement

Work gets under way on the VDS on Saturday 7 July from 9.30 to 12 in the Church Room when the village has been invited to join in a visual survey. Small teams will trawl through the village gathering information on its many aspects. The results will be sorted and collated at a follow up meeting on Wednesday 18 July from 7pm also in the Church Room.

Red Cross

A One Day First Aid Course will be held at the Red Cross Centre in Dyers Yard on Saturday 7 July from 9 am to 5 pm. The cost will be £35.25 (inc VAT). Contact Bob Woolford on 01488 683872.

Ramsbury Pre-School

The Fun Week 2-6 July will be a week filled with frivolities from Monday to Friday. An adventure on a train in search of fun, Fourth of July celebrations American style, time to explore the Fire Station and more.

The Open Day on Saturday 7 July will be an opportunity to meet and talk with the staff, committee members and other parents about the direction of the Pre-school and spend some time in your children’s play environment. Doors open at 10am. There will be light refreshments. A “Pre-loved Uniform” stall for clothing suitable for Ramsbury Pre-School and Primary School will be available. Anybody wishing to donate clothes please contact Rosemarie Court on 520181.

Ramsbury Football Club

The Club is registering players for the 2001/2 football season on Saturday 7 July from 10-12noon at the Recreation Ground. A photographer will be available. The Club offers a warm welcome to new and existing members. It offers players an excellent chance to improve their football at the same time as having fun. The Club has developed good links with three Schools of Excellence in the region, so there are good opportunities for the most talented players to get spotted!

Ramsbury Flyer

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

The next trip to Newbury is on 12 July leaving the tree at 11.30am and returning from Newbury at 2.30pm. These outings are very popular and it is advisable to book early. Don’t forget the biweekly runs to Hungerford on Wednesdays and Fridays. Starting at the school at 10.10am, picking up around the village and returning from Hungerford Town Hall at 12 noon.

Arthritis Research

The Annual Coffee Morning in aid of Arthritis Research will be held in the Memorial Hall; on Friday 20 July from 10-12 noon. Donations and articles for all the usual stalls will be gratefully received by Anne Tiplady and Juma Lance.

Open Studios

During the weekends between 14 and 29 July many local artists will be opening their studios in association with the Marlborough Festival. A full brochure giving exact times and dates will be available in Ramsbury Post Office, and at many venues in Marlborough Alternatively call Susan Kirkman 520429, whose garden will also be open.

Conservative Summer Lunch & Swimming Party

The Ramsbury and Axford Branch of the Conservative Party invite you to celebrate the re-election of Michael Ancram QC MP at a Lunch from 12.30 - 2.30pm at Hilldrop Farm on Sunday 15 July. Tickets £10, children under 12 years £4 from Mills Butchers and members of the Committee.

Gardens Open Day

On Sunday 15 July some eight lovely gardens in Ramsbury will be open from 2-6pm. Tickets for all gardens, available from the first garden visited, will be £2.50 for adults, £2 for seniors, free for under 16s. Teas, etc will be available at Parliament Piece, and the Old Mill, Scholards Lane. Proceeds will be divided between the charities Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths, Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Marlborough Brandt Group and Ramsbury School Funds.

Ramsbury Bowling Club

The Club’s Open Day in May succeeded in bringing new members to the club, but we are still looking to increase active interest in the game. Our club evenings are on Tuesday and Thursday and we would be pleased to welcome any person interested in the game on these nights.

Our home matches are Wednesday 4 July v Lambourn, Monday 9 July v Faringdon, and Wednesday 11 July v Kintbury- all at 6.30pm. Spectators would be especially welcome to the ground then.

Ramsbury Meals On Wheels

We are looking for volunteers for cooking and delivering. The rota is flexible but most people cook and or deliver about six days a year. Meals are simple, help with recipes is available and expenses reimbursed. If you feel that you could join us and would like to know more please contact Mary Cook, 51 Ashley Piece, 520685, you will be very welcome.
Jane Handford

THANKS

NINA FOX & FAMILY
would like to thank all those who have sent cards, letters and have offered to help at this sad time. Ken will be missed by his many friends.

IRIS FUND
I am discontinuing collecting used and unused stamps on behalf of the Iris Fund Charity, and take this opportunity to thank you very, very much for helping me in this task, over some fifteen years. Our contribution has been much appreciated by the charity.
Priscilla Price

RED CROSS
The total sum collected in Red Cross Week in Ramsbury and surrounding villages amounted to £2789.12. The combined total with Marlborough reached £4167.84. Many thanks to all who supported the Appeal and to the collectors who worked hard to achieve this excellent result.

Congratulations to Bob Woolford, the Centre’s Training Instructor for being presented with a Badge of Honour for his outstanding service at the Wiltshire Branch Annual Assembly in June.

ADVANCE NOTICES

RAMSBURY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
The Horticultural Society Summer Show will take place on Saturday 11 August in the Memorial Hall.
As well as other prizes, children submitting the best entries in the four children’s age groups will
receive special RHS Award of Merit Certificates. The winners of the children’s Literary Prize classes
will receive £5 as well as the cups. There will be a visit to Wisley on 8 September.

THE 2001 RAMSBURY BALL
The Ball is sold out - waiting list only. Balance of ticket payments due by 31 July.

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