Ramsbury and
Axford Village Diary March 2002 published by Ramsbury
and Axford Amenity Group.
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Ramsbury & Axford Village Diary - March 2002
Please may we have items for the April Diary by 18 March. 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
February which came in like a LION may be regarded as a winter month,
but it also shows a touch of Spring.
There are lots of hazel catkins to go along with the few daffodils
now starting to flower in sheltered places, also chionodoxa and other
small flowers are adding to a touch of colour in the gardens. In mid
February to my surprise I came upon a patch of deep purple violets,
the dog violets seem to range in colour from white to this deep shade,
although most are mauve and are often to be found flowering in May.
Insects are also appearing, a few days ago there were clouds of small
midges rising from some straw near where some cattle were feeding.
Of more concern were the three tiny caterpillars of the cabbage white
butterfly which I found when picking a few brussel sprouts. A few
sunny days had allowed over wintering eggs to hatch out I presume,
although my book tells me that they over winter as pupa. I hope that
the birds get busy and eat any others that may be around, after all
natural food is said to be better for their young than pea-nuts and
other bird table food.
The sun is shining as I write this so hopefully it will soon be less
muddy along the footpaths, although with the amount of rain we have
received over the last few weeks tracks across the water meadows will
remain rather boggy for a while as yet.
Bird Notes
After a quiet spell with few sightings of Red Kite, there was a flurry
in late January with sightings of singles from Priory Farm, House
Farm and Axford, pairs were seen at Ewins Hill and Axford.
The Little Egret reported in January from Durnsford Mill became a
resident in Axford for a couple of weeks. Best sightings of it were
to be had from the bridge at Stone Lane. Golden Plover are still in
residence on Springs Hill although numbers have dwindled from some
200 birds at the beginning of January to 40 at the end of the month.
A Cetti's Warbler was heard in song at Seven Bridges in the middle
of February.
The star of the show must be the Ferruginous Duck which took up residence
in the Kennet between Mill Lane and the Manor. It had been heard there
since the New Year and a male bird was reported being seen with her
occasionally. The female is drab brown in colour. It hails from the
Eastern Mediterranean.
John Marshall
Rainfall
Rainfall for the month to 18 February was 6.80 inches, average 2.42
inches
Ramsbury Amenity Group
GUIDED WALKS
All ages are welcome and those intending to take part should meet
at the Tree at 2pm with their dogs. On Sunday 10 March by car to Axford
Car Park, then 3 miles via Hens Wood. On Sunday 24 March by car to
Witcha, then 4 miles via Membury Fort.
AGM
The Amenity Group will hold its AGM at 7.30pm on Thursday 21 March
in the Church Room. The speaker will be Mr Peter Marren, the expert
on local flora.
LIST OF VILLAGE ORGANISATIONS
The Amenity Group will be preparing its usual list of contacts in
village organisations during March for issue as an insert in the April
diary. It would be very much appreciated if the Editors could be informed
of any changes which are likely to be confirmed at annual general
meetings, and of any inaccuracies in names and telephone numbers.
A copy of the current list is on the Parish Council noticeboard, and
will be available at the Post Office Counter on request for checking.
Webmaster's note: Of course, readers of the
web-based diary can check the list straight away on the
village organisations page
and send any changes using our convenient feedback
form!
Post Office News
Don't forget Mother's Day on 10 March. To celebrate our first anniversary
come and join us for a free hot drink of your choice on Friday 8 March
Enter our free Easter Competition for children aged up to 14 years
(you could win an Easter Egg). Easter eggs, cards and novelties available.
New releases this month - The Fast and the Furious - Planet of the
Apes. The Queen's Golden Jubilee stamps available now.
Royal British Legion
Come and party at the Legion Club. Did you know that you can book
the RBL Club absolutely free for an anniversary or birthday party?
There is no booking charge to use the club for functions. The Club
has recently been redecorated and provides a warm and welcoming venue,
with staff ready to assist with all your requirements. We are happy
to help with entertainment and catering, or you can provide your own
- and we can even apply on your behalf for an extension of drinking
hours. This service costs nothing, and if you would like further information,
call in for a drink and see our new steward, Greg Winters or phone
the secretary on 520530.
Parish Council
SKIPS
There will be skips at Axford and Whittonditch on Friday 8 March.
(Parish Council contacts
and minutes of meetings can be viewed at www.ramsbury.com/council)
Ramsbury Flyer
(The Community Bus also
has its own page at www.ramsbury.com/flyer)
This month's trip to Newbury will be on Thursday 14 March. The Flyer
will leave from the Tree at 11.30am and return from Newbury at 2.30pm.
Please ring 520555 to book.
The Committee are anxious that more people should join them to run
your bus. If anybody is interested they are asked to ring John Lambley
on 520730. See advance notices for the date of the Bus Committee AGM.
Axford Bingo
Axford Village Hall Bingo will be held at 7.30pm on Wednesdays 13
and 27 March in the Village Hall.
Ramsbury & Axford Conservative Branch
The Ramsbury and Axford Conservative Association
Branch will hold its Annual General Meeting on Thursday 14 March at
7.30pm in the Church Room. The guest speaker will be Cllr Chris Humphries,
and the subject of his address will be "Changes in Local Government".
BrendonCare Nursing Home
The League of Friends of Brendoncare Nursing Home are holding their
Annual General Meeting at the Croft Hall in Hungerford on Monday 18
March at 11am. Please join them for Soup and Sandwiches afterwards.
Tennis Club AGM
The AGM of the Tennis Club will be held in the Church Room at 8pm
on Tuesday 26 March. Existing, New and Prospective Members are most
welcome to join us. Come and have a glass of wine and have your say.
We will also show a short extract from the latest LTA Club Vision
video that features Ramsbury.
Church
GOOD FRIDAY
The Bishop of Ramsbury will lead the three hour Meditation Whitton
Team Service in Church from 12 to 3pm on Good Friday. A String Quartet
from the Royal College of Music will play Haydn's "Seven last
words from the Cross".
EASTER SUNDAY
There will be Holy Communion at 8am at St Michael's at Axford and
at 9.30am at Holy Cross Ramsbury.
There will be a Sonrise Service at 6.30 am (Summer time) at the Roundabout
Wood on the Froxfield Road, followed by Hot Cross Buns at 15 Union
Street. All ages will be very welcome.
THANKS
COFFEE CENTRE
During February the following donations have been sent to local charities.
£100 donations each to Kennet District Community Transport,
Ramsbury Surgery Equipment Fund, Douglas Arter Centre, Ramsbury Medical
Loan Fund, Prospect Hospice and the Bruce Charitable Trust.
ADVANCE NOTICES
RAVENSBURY PLAYERS
The Ravensbury Players will be presenting - 'Night Callers' - an evening
of short plays with cheese & wine on Friday & Saturday 12th
& 13th April. This production will be supporting CALM - Children's
Cancer And Leukaemia Movement. Tickets will be on sale at the end
of March. For further information contact Peter Kearns on on 01672
520986 or Gaye Adolph on 01672 520068.
GOLDEN JUBILEE WEEKEND
This will be a weekend with a programme of events that everyone in
the family can enjoy and remember.
Saturday 1 June
The Silver Band will head a Fancy Dress Walking Procession, and there
will be a Street
Fair. There will be lots of stalls and events, and prizes for the
best fancy dress, as well as for the best "King"or "Queen"in
history. In the evening come and step out at a 50s Dance.
Sunday 2 June
There will be a Jubilee Church Service and a Walking Treasure Hunt.
In the evening there will be a Piano Recital in Holy Cross.
Monday 3 June
There will be a Soap Box Derby & BB
In the evening there will be a Fireworks display and a Dance with
the Premium Banana.
Exhibitions and a Flower Festival with a Jubilee theme will be a feature
of the weekend. So please put this advance programme in your diary
and keep the weekend free to enjoy the Golden Jubilee.
If you think that you can help the organisers in any way or require further information please get in touch with Sheila Glass 520409 of the Parish Council, or Ian Smith 520871 of the Recreation Centre.
RAMSBURY BALL
The 2002 Ramsbury Ball will be held on Saturday 7 September. Booking
forms are available at the Crown & Anchor. Make sure of your table.
40% are already reserved!!
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