Ramsbury and
Axford Village Diary March 2001 published by Ramsbury
and Axford Amenity Group.
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Devizes Conservative Association
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Ramsbury & Axford Village Diary - March 2001
Please may we have items for the April Diary by 18 March. 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
One could be lulled into thinking that Spring is with us after five
sunny days and a forecast of good weather to follow. The peacocks
at Denfold seem to think so, as they were all on show yesterday. March
however can be a fickle month with all four seasons occurring in rapid
succession. Whatever is in store for us one thing is certain from
now on the scene will be brightened by spring flowers and bursting
buds. The snowdrops are now in full bloom, but I have not studied
them closely enough to know whether those in the hedgerows are all
the same variety. I think that they must get dispersed by the birds
or mice. Down by the river at the Knapp in spite of the flooding the
snowdrops are carpeting the ground as usual. While elsewhere crocus
and a few lesser celandines are adding a touch of yellow. Next will
come the daffodils and primroses, the cultivated ones of the latter
in varied colours seem to get attacked by the birds, especially the
deep yellow ones.
A few days ago I noticed a bush of hazel catkins, while the willows
are taking on that glorious orange tinge as their buds develop. This
is the weather to tempt one into the garden for a bit of spring pruning
perhaps, but the ground is too wet for digging, as indicated by the
Kennet which quickly rises again with a wet day as on one Monday in
February.
Rosie Pauline
Bird Notes
Furher to the item in last month's Diary on Greenfinchs dying of Salmonella,
I have been informed that a farmer, living west of Marlborough who
breeds game birds, has had to close down his entire operation this
year however, due to an outbreak of Salmonella.
In a wood near Hilldrop at the beginning of February I saw two Marsh
Tits in a courtship chase through the trees, and within a few feet
of them was their cousin the Willow Tit. The flock of Golden Plover
on the airfield had swollen to around 500 birds at the beginning of
the month, but about two weeks later had dropped to about 70. At this
time of year the birds get restless and noisy and perform some amazing
aerial displays. Other winter visitors include Siskins in good numbers
especially in Hens Wood., although the Redwings and Fieldfare have
gone quiet.
Celebrity of the month goes to a male Stonechat by the Manor Gates.
John Marshall
Rainfall
Rainfall for the month to 18 February was 4.89 inches, average 2.42
inches.
Village Design Statement
Prompted by the Amenity Group and the Parish Council a Steering Group
for the preparation of a VDS met in January and February, and John
Kirkman was elected Chairman. They are studying VDS produced by other
villages of equivalent size, and will be organising a public meeting
at which the views of the whole village will be canvassed. Anyone
interested in helping should get in touch with Sheila Glass on on
520409.
Amenity Group
BEST KEPT VILLAGE
The Amenity Group has again been asked to organise our entry in this
competition. Please would every householder begin to tidy up as Spring
approachs and watch out for litter and perennial weeds. A concerted
clear up day will be organised in April.
AGM
The AGM of the Group will be held on Thursday 15 March at 7.30 for
8pm in the Church Room, Back Lane. M/s Sarah Britton will speak about
the new hospital at Swindon.
Members are reminded that the visit to the National Record in Swindon
has been arranged for Monday 12 March and the Flyer will leave from
the Square at 5.15pm Those wishing to go please telephone the Chairman
on 520308, or the Secretary on 520192.
Buses through Ramsbury
From 19 February there have been important improvements in the bus
service between Ramsbury, Marlborough and Hungerford. with changes
to the timing of services 46 and 48. For telephone enquiries ring
the Wiltshire Bus Enquiry Line 08457 090 899 It is hoped that the
time table will be displayed on the Parish Notice Board.
Women's Institute
The WI will hold their AGM on Thursday 1 March at
7.45pm in the Methodist School Room. After the AGM Dr Trevor Tiplady
will give a talk on Ramsbury Surgery 40 years ago. A bring and buy
stall will be held to help fund Sara Curtis International Guide Trip.
Horticultural Society
Following the AGM in January, four new members have joined the Committee
and Lavinia Clarke has been appointed Hon Secretary. The first meeting
of the season will be on Monday 5 March at 7.45pm in the Methodist
School Room, when Mike Burgess will be discussing the growing of "Container
vegetables". The new Press Officer is Allan Davison to whom queries
should be referred on 520591.
Annual Parochial Church Meeting
The meeting will be held in the Church Room at 7.30pm on Thursday
8 March.
Parish Council
SKIPS & STREET CLEANING
There will be skips at both Whittonditch and Axford on 9 March and
the "Green Machine"on 22 March.
FOOT & MOUTH OUTBREAK
Due to the outbreak the Boundary Walk 2001 is cancelled.
Anyone wishing to contribute in a practical way to farmers suffering
distress and hardship from the Foot and Mouth Crisis may like to have
the address of suitable charities.
The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, Shaw House, 27 West
Way, Oxford OX2 0QH. Tel 01865 724931 Email rabi@btinternet.com.
ARC-ADDINGTON Fund, National Agricultural College, Stoneleigh Park,
Warwickshire, CV8 2LZ, or by Credit card tel no 024 7669 2333
These addresses and others were printed in the Daily Telegraph on
Friday 16 March.Ramsbury Methodist Church
There will be a Jumble Sale and Coffee Morning in aid of Methodist
funds on Saturday 10 March from 10 -12 noon. Details from Rose Nicholls
520906.
THAMES WATER KENNET REHABILITATION PROJECT
Representatives from Communique, the organisation which is carrying
out work on the River Kennet on behalf of Thames Water, are making
a Presentation to the Parish Council at their meeting at 7.45pm on
Monday 19 March in the Memorial Hall. Members of the public are very
welcome to attend the presentation which will be followed by an opportunity
to ask questions.
(Parish Council contacts and minutes
of meetings can be viewed at www.ramsbury.com/council)
Ramsbury and Axford Branch - Devizes Constituency Conservative Association
The AGM of the Branch will be held on Monday 12 March at 7.30pm in
the Church Room, Back Lane. Nick Martin Prospective Parliamentary
Candidate for Swindon North will be the speaker.
Kennet Valley Riding Club
The Club (formerly the Aldbourne & District Riding Club) which
bases most ridden events in Ramsbury and Aldbourne, taking advantage
of the fantastic downland countryside and abundance of good bridle
paths, plans several events for the Spring. A Bring n Buy Sale at
the Methodist Hall Aldbourne on 10 March at 2pm, and, First Aid for
Horse and Rider at 7.30pm on 20 March at Loves Farm, Ramsbury. Further
events in April and May are listed under advance notices. To find
out more about these events or to join the Club, contact Jane Collett
on 01672 516602.
Guide Representatives for Britain
The destinations for the three girls chosen from Aldbourne Guides
to represent County and Region at International Camps in 2001 have
now been confirmed. Sara Curtis (Ramsbury) has been selected to go
to British Columbia, Canada, Katharine Martin and Catherine Starton
(both Aldbourne) to Switzerland. To raise funds for the girls the
Unit is holding a Spring Bazaar and Soup Kitchen on Saturday 24 March
in the Memorial Hall, Aldbourne from 11.30 - 2pm. Entrance to the
Bazaar is free with a 3 course lunch costing only £4. Please
come along and support our girls. Lunch tickets are avaibable in advance
from Sara Curtis on 520988.
Axford Bingo
Axford Bingo will hold their regular sessions at the Village Hall
on the 2nd and last Wednesday of the month with Eyes Down at 7.30pm.
The Flyer to Axford will leave from the Tree at 6.45pm (Please confirm
with Paul Rosier on 520850).
THANKS
JOHN & SUSAN WILKINS
John and Susan Wilkins would like to say thank you to all those who
have shown kindness to us in so many ways. We are delighted with all
the cards and presents that we have received, and the beautiful bouquet
of flowers from the Amenity Group.
It was lovely to see so many people at our party. We were overwhelmed
by Gilbert's kind words and the travel token that we were given. Thank
you very much. We are looking forward to doing some travelling but
feel very lucky that we are going to continue to live at Ramsbury
with all our friends.
THE LAMBLEYS
John, Jo, Nicky and Alex Lambley would like to say how touched they
were by all of the messages of sympathy that flooded into Stanley
House (along with donations of £2,468 to Action against Breast
Cancer). When we moved to Ramsbury, to be close to old friends shortly
after Jenny first knew that she had cancer, we never dreamed that
the village was home to such very special people.
COFFEE CENTRE NEWS
Money from the Coffee Centre has recently been donated to the following
charities.
£50 to East Kennet District Community Transport
£100 to the Prospect Hospice
£100 to the Bruce Trust
£100 to the Ramsbury and Wanborough Equipment Fund
£100 to the Douglas Arter Centre
£100 to the British Red Cross
We would like to thank all those who support the Coffee Centre.
ADVANCE NOTICES
RAVENSBURY PLAYERS
The Players will be performing two evenings of One Act Plays on Friday
6 and Saturday 7 April in the Memorial Hall. Part of the proceeds
will go to the Ramsbury Surgery Equipment Fund. More details will
be published in the April Diary. Contact 520068.
SPRING ART EXHIBITION
There will be a Spring Art Exhibition in the Memorial Hall from 10am
to 5pm on Sunday 6 May and Bank Holiday Monday 7 May. The event will
consist of an exhibition and sale of paintings by Wiltshire's finest
Artists. The entrance will be 50p for adults. Refreshments will be
available, and all proceeds will go to the Ramsbury Red Cross.
RAMSBURY SCHOOL PTA
A quiz night will be held on Friday 11 May and further details will
be published in the April Diary.
RAMSBURY BALL
The 2001 Ramsbury Ball will be held on Saturday 8 September. Please
book your table now at the Crown & Anchor (01672 - 520335).
ABRACADABRA
A Christian Arts Event for all ages will be held on Sunday 9 September
in the Marquee on the Recreation Ground Ramsbury A Technical Coordinator
is needed to stage manage the whole event. Please let Diana Trickey
know on 520630 if you can help.
KENNET VALEY RIDING CLUB
On Sunday 8 April there will be a Dressage Lesson at 2pm at Loves
Farm. On Sunday 22 April there will be a Combined Training Competition
( Dressage Test followed by Show jumping) . Ian Norton will be present.
On Sunday 20 May there will be a Charity Pub Ride leaving from Loves
Farm at 10.30am
For further details and to enter apply to Jane Collett on 516602.
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