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Please may we have items for the December Diary by 18 November. 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 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 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
Mid October and as I look out of the window the aspen against a clear
blue sky looks grand with its bright yellow leaves, but the Virginia creeper
which showed an intense red a while ago has shed them. Both could well
have graced an autumn month on a calendar. This is the time of year for
chrysanthemums to flower and some white ones are doing just that. Nature
is now preparing for winter whether it is nuts being stored to meet winter
shortages or the leaves changing colour before falling to the ground.
There they will provide a little soil insulation for insects that may
over winter as eggs or pupa. Not all use the ground, some hide in the
crevices of tree bark, where they may well be eaten by tree creepers and
other birds as they forage for food.
Recently I travelled through the Forest of Dean where the colours were
wonderful - yellow, orange and red mixed with various shades of green,
no need to go to New England. In either place it is just a matter of being
there at the right time. Weather conditions and when frosts occur all
influence the intensity of colour from one year to the next.
At this season few wild flowers are in bloom, ivy being one of the few
exceptions to give nectar to bumble bees during sunny periods. As it has
been so dry locally I am not expecting to see many toadstools, although
should we get a few wet days while the soil is still warm it is surprising
what may appear, such as a member of the ink cap family or mushrooms.
Remember there are several varieties of the latter, some better to eat
than others. The yellow staining type is not good to eat, at least not
for humans. Mice and other small mammals will often eat toadstools not
suitable for human consumption.
Rosie Pauline
Bird Notes
Late September and October are always exciting times from a bird watching
point of view with summer visitors heading for Africa and winter visitors
streaming in from Scandinavia and Russia. Even after a strong northerly
wind on 4th and 5th October there were small number of Swallows and House
Martins still over Ramsbury. In late September the airfield hosted a group
of nine Wheatear and two Whinchat which were feeding on insects. These
birds are summer visitors, but on the same day in the neighbouring field
were a flock of about 54 Golden Plover resting having travelled in from
the north. Other winter visitors to be seen and heard around the village
are large flocks of Redwing and lesser numbers of Fieldfare. Less noticeable
is the Siskin which is a tiny Finch. This bird occasionally visits gardens
and has a particular penchant for peanuts in red nut dispensers.
Also seen in the last month were two Merlin, one of which was being noisily
mobbed by two Rooks. The Merlin looked small by comparison. A Red Kite
was seen near Rudge in the middle of October. Cetti's Warbler can now
be heard at Seven Bridges and Axford. I wonder if anybody can help to
solve a mystery? I saw what I think was a Hummingbird Hawkmoth but it
was at least 50% smaller than usual. Its behaviour and colour were identical.
Any ideas?
John Marshall
Rainfall
The rainfall for the month to 18 October was 0.64 inches, average 2.75.
April to September 9.55 inches - only three summers since 1968 had slightly
less rain.
Ramsbury Royal British Legion
Subscriptions of £12.50 are now due for the year 1 October 2003
to 30 September 2004. Anyone over 18 is allowed to apply to join the Ramsbury
British Legion. Persons who are not ex-service may join as Associate Members.
It has around 150 members, some from nearby villages. Application should
be made to the Hon. Secretary, John Lye; to the Bar Steward Greg Winters;
or to any member of the Committee.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY - 9 NOVEMBER
Ramsbury Royal British Legion will parade at 10.30 am in the Square and
march to the War Memorial for the wreath laying ceremony before the Remembrance
Sunday service.
Parish Council Vacancy
The Parish Council has a vacancy unfilled since the last election. Residents
of Ramsbury are eligible for co-option to fill the vacancy. Anyone who
is interested should contact the Clerk, Ros Eyles, c/o the Parish Council
Office, Memorial Hall, High Street. Tel 520045 (Ansaphone) for further
details.
SKIPS
There will be no skips in Ramsbury or Axford in November and December.
Influenza Jabs - a Reminder
Appointments are now being made for a preventive influenza jab. Please
telephone the Surgery on 520366 for an appointment.
First responder scheme for the Ramsbury area
Wiltshire Ambulance Service and Wiltshire St John Ambulance are keen
to develop a First Responder Scheme for the Ramsbury area. Willing individuals
will be fully trained to be First Responders, responding to certain 999
calls locally to offer basic life support and appropriate care until an
ambulance arrives. The idea is to help to provide an earlier response
- minutes saved can save lives. If you would be interested to find out
more, or discuss the other ways in which you can help (e.g. administration,
scheme coordination) so that this worthwhile service can become available
in the Ramsbury area, please contact Tessa Hicks on 520336.
Ravensbury Players - 'Murdered to Death'
Tickets for the November production 'Murdered to Death' are on sale at
the table top sale on 1 November. To book a table ( £7) call Gaye
Adolph 520068 or Alison McFee 520619.
The play runs from Wednesday 19 to Saturday 22 November at the Memorial
Hall with curtain up at 7.45 pm, tickets priced £5. Please book
early as all tickets will be numbered. This play by Peter Gordon will
provide great entertainment for all the family and is a hilarious spoof
in the best Agatha Christie manner.
Ramsbury Horticultural Society
The Society's final talk in 2003 will be on Monday 3 November at 7.45
pm in the Methodist School Room. Patricia Elkington will speak on 'Humour
in the Garden'. Members and prospective members might find the evening
more amusing than the usual TV fare.
Ramsbury Amenity Group - Autumn Supper
The Amenity Group invites members and friends to Supper at 7.30 pm on
Thursday 6 November in the Church Room. Anne Dixon, a resident of Ramsbury
will speak on the National Trust. Tickets priced £5 are on sale
at the Post Office and Midway Stores. There will be a wine bar. Please
book early.
Ramsbury WI
The next meeting is on Thursday 6 November in the Methodist School Room
when the talk will be on Craft Enamelling. The competition will be for
a spray of autumn foliage and the Trading Stall will be selling unused
gifts. New members and visitors are welcome.
Extra News. The producer of the film " Calendar Girls"
will be talking to the Membury Group about the making of the film, on
Wednesday 26 November at 2.30 pm in The Memorial Hall. There will be a
retiring collection to cover costs and provide a donation for the Leukaemia
charity around which the idea of the film was born. All WI members are
welcome. Maximum number for the hall is 170!!
Scouts Quiz
1st Ramsbury will hold a quiz evening on Saturday 8 November in the Scout
Hall at 7.30 pm. Tickets £7.50 to include Fish and Chips for supper,
and there will be a licensed bar. To reserve a table for 8 please phone
Adrian Compton 520917 or email acompton@waitrose.com
Amenity Group Guided Walks
There will be guided walks to Pentico (Walk No 11), sharing cars, on
Sunday 9 November; and to Littlecote (Walk No 3) on Sunday 23 November.
Meet at the Tree at 2 pm with dogs under control.
Ramsbury Flyer
(The Community Bus also has
its own page).
The visit to Bath will be on Monday 10 November, leaving the Tree at
9.30 am. The fare will be £6, children half price. The next visit
to Newbury is on Thursday 13 November leaving the Tree at 11.30 am.
Axford Bingo
There will be Bingo in Axford Village Hall on Wednesdays 12 and 26 November
at 7.30 pm.
Meals on Wheels
The AGM of the Ramsbury Meals on Wheels will be held on at 10.30 am on
Monday 24 November in the Red Cross Rooms. Membership of the Charity is
open to all cooks and deliverers and anyone over the age of eighteen.
Anyone who may be interested in becoming a member will be most welcome.
League of Friends of Froxfield Brendoncare
If you are interested in roses there will be a lecture at 7.15 pm on
Tuesday 25 November in the Memorial Hall. Roger Phillips of "Roger's
Roses" will give a talk with a slide show and will answer questions.
A glass of wine will be available on arrival and a finger buffet with
coffee. It will all be in aid of the League of Friends of Froxfield Brendoncare
Home. Tickets price £10 will be available from your representative
Bryan on 520085 or Constance on 520470.
THANKS
Susie Eliot-Cohen writes about The Posh Boot Affair. "What
a really great day. I think that everyone had fun, the weather was wonderful
and what a site. Many thanks to the Committee for being so very competent
and I hope that it was not too much hard work for everyone. The final
figure, before expenses, which were not much, was £ 4471 a terrific
result. The stalls raised - Raffle £37,Crafts £135, Cakes
£300, Plants £120, Bric a brac and Books £530, BBQ £150,
Entrance and Donations £3199."
The Horticultural Society's Autumn Plant Sale and Apple Day was
a successful event. There were a reasonable number of entries in the apple
and pear classes, and the sale of plants raised £120 for the society.
The WI stall made £123. We would like to thank all contributors
to the event, helpers and, of course all who attended and purchased items.
Many thanks to everyone who has passed on their used stamps to me. I
have received a very appreciative letter from the Iris Fund, which
researches into the prevention of blindness. So please keep those stamps
coming. Evelyn Smith
Marilyn Roberts would like to thank everyone who offered help
and support and messages of sympathy after the death of her father.
The Axford Harvest Festival on Sunday 12 October was very well
attended with an age span from 6 days to 89 years! The Church was beautifully
decorated with flowers, fruit and vegetables. The Village Hall was full
to overflowing for the Harvest Supper that followed and grateful
thanks are due to the many helpers and to Kevin Light who cooked the food,
backed up by two huge pans of hot potatoes from Seamus Lecky at the Red
Lion. Also, many thanks to the Village Hall Committee.
ADVANCE NOTICES
Come and see the Christmas Lights at Whitehill Close and join
the party for drinks, mince pies and sweets for the children. The lights
will be switched on at 6.45 pm on Monday 1 December. It is hoped that
Ramsbury Silver Band and BBC Wiltshire Radio will join us for the ceremony.
Boxes will be available for donations to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance every
day until 3 January 2004. A colouring competition will be launched that
night.
The Flyer will be going to London on 6 December. This will
be a leisurely trip to the heart of the capital, leaving the Tree at 8.30
am. The fare will be £8, children half price.
Reservations - Tel 520555.
Ramsbury Horticultural Society is planning the final event of
the year on Saturday 13 December which promises to be full of Festive
Fun.
The Carol Service at St Michael's will be at 3 pm on Sunday 14
December, followed by tea and mince pies in the church.
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