Ramsbury and Axford
Village Diary June 2002 published by Ramsbury and
Axford Amenity Group.
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Ramsbury & Axford Village Diary - June 2002
Please may we have items for the July Diary by 18 June. 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.
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to Diary@Ramsbury.com will
be automatically forwarded to Sylvia Judge without my seeing them.
Nature Notes
We may have lost the early morning frosts of a month ago, but after some warm sunny days the West country is now plagued with a severe thunderstorm, causing long delays for the train traveller. Never mind the rain will help the plants to grow and bring on the summer flowers.
Many of us enjoy seeing the daffodils, bluebells and perhaps the germander speedwell, but when with a botany group one realises how much more there is to see. When looking carefully at what appears to be bare gravel interesting tiny plants are often found,one such is the tiny wall speedwell. Tiny crane's bills also occur in such places. At this season grassland may have a few early purple spotted leaved orchids in flower. Where grassland is left untouched for many years yellow rattle may take over from buttercup. It is a parasite on the grass but it does have some green leaves, whereas the ivy parasite, a broomrape, does not. This is not a very attractive plant and seems to be more common the further south west one goes, but I have seen it in this area on occasions.
Early in May I think that I saw a dormouse dive into the undergrowth near the Kennet Bridge. I am told that they often sleep in ground level shelters in winter but their breeding nests are more likely to be up in the trees, and bird nest boxes are sometimes used. The base of a nest is often of dried leaves, and this is lined with strips of honeysuckle bark. For food they eat catkins and some berries, but in autumn grey squirrels compete with them for hazel nuts. By now it is probably too late to see the mad march hares in the field or the baby rabbits, but stoats and weasels may be seen suddenly crossing the road.
Sunny days bring out the butterflies, I have seen two red admirals and
the speckled wood recently. The blue damsel fly is now on the wing, also
the larger dragonfly, the latter can be difficult to identify as the male
and female are not always the same colour.
Rosie Pauline
Bird Notes
As I write this piece on 19 May most of the summer migrants have returned. I walked along the airfield earlier where I heard a Whitethroat calling from some stinging nettles and a pair of Yellow Wagtails were in good song with a call that sounds like a mellow "Tseep". I saw another Yellow Wagtail later between Aldbourne Warren Farm and Liddington Warren. The male of this species looks like a Canary with its pure yellow chest.
Down at Seven Bridges I have heard three Nightingales singing from deep
in the scrub. The evening I visited the area there was also a Woodcock
performing its "roding"flight. As yet Grasshopper Warblers are
not singing there. There were three Red Kite sightings in May, one at
Froxfield, one on the airfield and the last over Ashley Piece was so low
that its plumage could be seen clearly.
John Marshall
Rainfall
The Rainfall for the month to18 May was 2.90 inches, average 2.22 inches.
Ramsbury Parish Charities
The Trustees will meet next on Wednesday 3 July. Anyone in Ramsbury or
Axford wishing to submit an application for financial assistance for local
organisations, or students embarking on further education who could apply
to the Lanfear Trust, please apply in writing, or for an application form
to Miss M Dixon, 32 Knowledge Crescent, Ramsbury.
Parish Council
SKIPS
There will be Skips at Whittonditch and Axford on Friday 14 June
(Parish Council contacts and
minutes of meetings can be viewed at www.ramsbury.com/council)
Golden Jubilee Weekend
SATURDAY 1 JUNE
10:30 am - Judging at School Playground of Fancy Dress Contestants
11:00 am - Procession headed by Ramsbury Silver Band.
11 am - 3 pm Street Fair with Stalls, Entertainment, Food, Drink and Music
all with a Jubilee theme. Come dressed in Red,White and Blue.
8 pm to midnight. 50s Dance with 50s music and a "Fish and chips"supper.
SUNDAY 2 JUNE
10 am - Jubilee Celebration Church Service at Holy Cross.
2 pm - 3 pm Start time for Walking Treasure Hunt round Ramsbury.
7.30 pm - Piano Recital Concert in Holy Cross by the international pianist
Felipe Browne.
MONDAY 3 JUNE
2.30 pm Soap Box Derby (7 years and upwards)and Skateboard and Scooter
Race (4 years + ) BBQ available.
7.30 pm - late Dance with the Premium Banana in the Bell car park. Free
for all the family but donations accepted, BBQ available.
9.30pm Fireworks Finale
Axford Golden Jubilee Weekend
SUNDAY 2 JUNE
pm - Children's Picnic in the Jubilee Field
TUESDAY 4 JUNE
5 pm - Evening Street Party
Royal British Legion Club
Branch members are invited to attend the special service to celebrate HM The Queen's Golden Jubilee at Holy Cross on Sunday 2 June. Seats have been reserved for members who are asked to wear medals and gather at the Lych Gate at 9.45 am for 10 am service..
The RBL Club will be open at lunchtime on Saturday 1 June. All are welcome
to come and try their skill at the new Bar Billiards table.
Ramsbury WI
The next meeting will be on Thursday 6 June at 7.45 pm in the Methodist School Room. A speaker from Bath Aqua Glass will talk about the history of Bristol Blue & Bath Aqua Glass and there will be an opportunity to buy glassware. Members of Lambourn WI are joining Ramsbury WI for this meeting.
On Saturday 29 June the WI are visiting Basildon Park near Pangbourne.
The names of those wishing to go will be taken on 6 June.
Brendoncare, Froxfield
The League of Friends are holding their garden party on Wednesday 12
June 2 pm - 4 pm at Brendoncare. Teas, cakes, plants, raffle etc. Admission
(incl tea) £1. Indoors if wet.
Ramsbury Flyer
(The Community Bus also has
its own page at www.ramsbury.com/flyer)
The Flyer will leave for Newbury at 11.30 am from the
Tree on Thursday 13 June, leaving Newbury at 2.30 pm.
There are a few seats left, to book ring Muriel Lye on 520555.
At the AGM, Eric Webster stepped down and was succeeded as co-ordinator
of drivers by Simon Henn. We would like to thank Eric for all his hard
work over the five years and wish Simon every success in the necessary
job of co-ordinator without whom the bus wheels would not turn.
Ramsbury Horticultural Society
The Society's "Rose Evening"will be held on Saturday 22 June
in the Memorial Hall at 7.30 pm commencing with the award of cups for
the winning entries followed by light refreshments. Members should have
received details in their "Newsletter" but the Society would
welcome entries from non-members who should contact Simon Blunt on 520358.
Ramsbury Amenity Group
GUIDED WALKS
There will be a Guided Walk on Sunday 23 June of 5 miles via Burnt Wood.
Meet at the Tree at 2 pm with dogs under control.
NATURE WALK
Following the success of the Nature Walk via Seven Bridges led by Peter
Marren, a second walk is planned for further afield in high summer. Details
will be notified in the July diary.
Ramsbury Scout Group News
The Ramsbury Scout Group is pleased to report that in line with national practice it will now be accepting girls as well as boys into the Group. There are currently waiting lists for both Beavers and Cubs but girls are very welcome to add their names to the list if they think that they might like to join. When there are spaces available at Cubs or Scouts, priority is given to those moving up. If you would like more information contact Heather Snook on 520970.
There is now a small but growing Scout Troop led by David Pinney. An
assistant leader is urgently required to cope with the increasing number
as the cubs move up. If you think that you could help, or would like to
know more, please contact David Pinney on 519344 or Paul Gill, Chairman
of the Scout Group, on 521227.
Marlborough and District Talking Newspaper (Charity No 298866)
Do you have a relative or friend who is poorly sighted
or has a disability that makes reading difficult? They may be entitled
to receive a free 90 minutes weekly tape of local news from the talking
newspaper. It is distributed in the Ogbournes, Ramsbury, Tidworth, Ludgershall
and eastwards to Avebury and Netheravon. Contact Julia Blunt on 520358,
or Ian Philpott at the office on 512302.
THANKS
FIRE AT THE CROWN & ANCHOR
Philip and Marco wish to express their grateful thanks to the village
community for their massive support and help. We will of course be able
to show our true appreciation when we re-open in June.
THE RAVENSBURY PLAYERS
The Players' production in April raised enough money to donate £300
to CALM (Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Movement).
TRELOAR TRUST
The Annual Coffee Morning held on 26 April was a great successs and £1200
was sent to the Lord Mayor Treloar College, which does an admirable job
in educating and caring for physically disabled boys and girls. Evelyn
Parsons and Doris Dennison are extremely grateful to all those who gave
their support by attending and contributing to the stalls. The coffee
morning could not take place without the help of an excellent team of
helpers whose support is much appreciated.
The first Treloar Coffee morning was held at "Millstream" by
the Misses Peck in the 1960s and the college is grateful for the continued
support given by our local community over many, many years.
LOST PROPERTY
A man's navy Nike Jacket with red lining - size XL - was found on the
Flyer after the Boundary Walk on 6 May.
Please ring the Judges 520748.
ADVANCE NOTICES
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
The Society's "Gardens open in Ramsbury"day will be on Sunday
14 July from 2 -5.30pm. Please keep this date free in your diary to visit
these gardens and to help support the charities that will benefit. Further
details will appear in the July diary.
CONSERVATIVE LUNCH
The Lunch Party of the Ramsbury Conservatives will be held on Sunday 14
July at Ramsbury Hill, Back Lane by kind permission of Simon and Julia
Blunt.
RAMSBURY BALL
The Ramsbury Ball will be held on Saturday 7 September. Book now at the
Crown & Anchor (which will be back in action at the beginning of June).
85% of the tables are already reserved.
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