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Please may we have items for the November Diary by 18 October. 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 September and we are still enjoying summer weather. Will it be the
autumn deluge by October, I wonder? I am sure that our shrubs and perennials
will be relieved when the rain does come. Much as we are enjoying this
fine spell it must be a worry for those working on the land, shortage
of grass for livestock and not enough moisture in the land for crops to
give a good yield.
It is in the autumn that reports of moths come my way. Some such as the
privet hawk moth are resident in this country since they over winter as
a pupa deep in the soil. A few days ago I saw the caterpillar of one of
these. It was a bright shade of green with white and purple stripes on
either side of its body, while the back was developing a brownish shade,
a sign that it was getting ready to pupate. The tail end had a distinctive
black spur. Several people have seen the humming-bird hawk moth, so called
because of the way it hovers over flowers such as valerian to feed on
the nectar with its long proboscis. The rarer convolvulus hawk moth has
also been seen in Ramsbury. It has a wing span of up to 5½ inches
and is a migrant from the continent arriving from June onwards: eggs can
be laid and caterpillars develop but they do not survive our winter. On
the radio there was a reference to the death head's hawk moth being found
in North Wales. This is another migrant, so called because of the skull
like markings on its back. Many moths and butterflies are seldom seen
because they live in the tree canopy and only descend in the autumn to
find winter shelter. From Axford recently I had a report of another moth,
the rosy underwing which over-winters as an egg. It is most likely found
where poplars and willows grow.
This is the season when young hedgehogs and badgers are leaving their
parent's home territory and seeking a place of their own but unfortunately
in so doing many cross roads and fall victim to fast moving cars as the
days shorten.
Rosie Pauline
Bird Notes
And so the summer draws to a close! You know that it is autumn when you
hear the bark of the Heron and the 'tick tick' of the Robin. There are
still plenty of summer migrants about with Chiff Chaff coming into song
again having been quiet during August. I've also seen a Hobby that was
being 'buzzed' by a Rook.
On other things avian, we have just been visited by a Hummingbird Hawkmoth
in our garden, I've also heard of the same sighting in Whittonditch Road.
It appears that there has been an influx of these moths nationally this
year. When it visited our garden it was particularly fond of our Buddleia.
It behaves exactly like a Hummingbird and with a wingspan of 5 cm it is
hard to overlook.
There are great movements of birds at the moment, the most notable being
the lesser Black Backed Gull which is currently arriving on ploughed fields,
and Wheatear and Whinchat which can now be seen on the airfield on Springs
Hill.
John Marshall
Rainfall
The rainfall for the month to 18 September was 0.45 inches, average 2.46
inches.
Patient Representative Group
After 18 years with the Practice, Cora Jackson is to retire. With the
increase in work over the years her place will be taken by Alison Davis
(Medical Secretary) and Sara Simpkins (assistant to Practice Manager).
Three houses on the present site have been approved and work will soon
start at the new location. Whilst Dr Owen Jones is closely involved with
this project, Dr Zoe Wardley, a locum, will take over some of his work.
The Equipment Fund will continue to appreciate your support, especially
as the new premises take shape.
Money for Village Organisations
If your organisation needs cash the Parish Council can award discretionary
grants for worthwhile projects (but not for running costs). If you have
such a project in mind for the near future please apply in writing to
the Clerk, The Council Office, Memorial Hall, Ramsbury by 31 October.
Walking for Health
The Parish Council together with the Amenity Group have published a pack
of twelve circular walks based on many of the twice monthly walks organised
and led by Ronny and Priscilla Price for the Amenity Group.
The packs are on sale at the Post Office, Crown & Anchor and the Bell
at £5.
BT Broadband for Ramsbury & Axford
BT Broadband operates over ordinary telephone lines allowing simultaneous
telephone conversation and access to the Internet up to ten times faster
than dial-up connections. Marlborough and Hungerford already have this
service. We need 40 more "registrations of interest" for Ramsbury's
case to be reviewed by BT. Registration does not entail obligation to
buy the service. Everyone interested in Ramsbury & Axford should register
on www.vote4broadband.com
or email brian.twigger@ntlworld.com
with tel. no(s) and address.
Bonfires
It is an offence to cause a nuisance through the creation of smoke. Only
dry garden rubbish should be burnt: soft material should be composted.
Avoid damp windless days or strong winds and check the wind direction.
Neighbours should be advised, especially if their washing is out or they
are using their gardens. The fire should not be left unattended and should
be extinguished before dark. Ronny Price
Ramsbury WI
The next meeting is on Thursday 2 October in the Methodist School Room
when Nick Baxter will speak on the History of Marlborough. New members
and guests are very welcome.
A Demonstration Evening has been arranged to Bath Aqua Glass on 17 November
and ideas are requested for next year's programme.
Charity Bridge Tournament
There will be a Charity Bridge Tournament in aid of the Kilgreggan Trust
in the Church Room, Back Lane Ramsbury on Friday 3 October at 10.30 am.
For further details please contact Gilly Doel 520686.
Volunteering Fayre
Voluntary Action Kennet invite you to a Volunteering Fayre Coffee Morning
on Friday 3 October between 10 am and 12 noon in the Memorial Hall. You
will have an opportunity to speak to people who already volunteer and
hear how volunteering can really make a difference to you and to the community.
Ramsbury Silver Band 'Proms' Concert
There will be a 'Proms' Concert by the Ramsbury Silver Band at 7.45 pm
on Friday 3 October in the Church Room. There will be refreshments and
a retiring collection.
1st Aldbourne Guides
Claire Baker and Heather Curtis have been selected to represent England
this year at camps in Holland and New Zealand. The fund raising quiz answers
will be available in the Post Office. The next fundraising event is a
three-course Sunday Lunch at 12.30 on Sunday 5 October at Aldbourne Memorial
Hall. Tickets £9.95 (£6 child) from Aldbourne or Ramsbury
Post Office; Fiona, 4 Lottage Road; or Linda, 3 The Paddocks.
A Posh Boot Affair
There will be a Mega Car Boot and Craft Sale in aid of Ramsbury &
Axford Churches on Sunday 5 October on the Jubilee Field, Axford, open
to stall holders from 8.30 am and the public from 10 am to 3 pm. Entry
£3/car, £1/pedestrian, children under 12 free. There will
be BBQ, soft drinks, cake, plant and produce stalls.
Ramsbury Horticultural Society
At 7.45 pm on Monday 6 October in the Methodist School Room, a talk by
Maurice Sellwood "Britain's Scilly Southern Point". From 10
am on Saturday 11 October the Autumn Plant Sale 'Apple Day' in the Church
Room (one can enter several apple classes). On Saturday 18 October a visit
to Hillier's Arboretum.
Axford Bingo
There will be Bingo in Axford Village Hall on Wednesdays 8 and 29 October
at 7.30 pm.
Ramsbury Flyer
(The Community Bus also has
its own page at www.ramsbury.com/flyer).
Monthly visit to Newbury on Thursday 9 October leaving the Tree at 11.30
am.
Book with Muriel Lye on 520555.
Skips
There will be a skip at Axford on Friday 10 October and at Whittonditch
on Wednesday 15 October.
Amenity Group Guided Walks
There will be guided walks to Great Coppice (4¼ miles, walk no.
2 in the new walk guide) on Sunday 12 October and to Little Bedwyn Canal
and Stype Wood (4 miles, our Autumn Leaves Walk ) on Sunday 26 October.
Meet at 2 pm at the Tree with dogs under control.
Harvest Festival at St Michael Axford
The Harvest Festival Service at St Michael Axford will be on Sunday 12
October at 5 pm followed at 6 pm by the Harvest Supper in the Village
Hall. To book for the supper please call the Trehernes on 512406 by 6
October. Gifts of flowers, fruit/veg. or home-made produce will be gratefully
received, either beforehand to decorate the church, or during the service.
Produce will be donated later to Coombe End House as usual.
Arthritis Research
Please come and have a cup of coffee, and buy Christmas cards and calendars
to support Arthritis Research on Wednesday 15 October. Evelyn House, Ramsbury
High Street will be open from 10 am to 12 noon.
Ramsbury Painting Group
The 16th Annual Exhibition of the Ramsbury Painting Group will be held
in the Church Room. The Private View (entry by ticket £1.50, call
520135 or 810868) will be on Friday 17 October from 6.45 to 8.30 pm. Public
viewing without charge will be on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October from
11 am to 4.30 pm.
Thames Water Open Day
Thames Water will hold a riverside open day from midday to 5 pm on Saturday
18 October. The three mile walk, supported by ARK, is between Mildenhall
and Axford village halls. It offers views of stretches of the river not
usually open to the public and four completed river rehabilitation schemes
that have benefited wildlife. A shuttle bus will be there for anyone not
wishing to walk the full route. Please, no dogs or push chairs, but bring
wellies, waterproofs and warm clothing. For further information, call
Nick Lutt 0118 9577 666.
Azafady
Sylvia Judge will hold a coffee morning with sale of Christmas cards
in aid of Azafady at 55 High Street on Saturday 25 October.
THANKS
The 2003 Ramsbury Charity Ball raised £4296 for local organisations.
Thank you all for your involvement and contribution.
The organisers of the Priory Singers Concert would like to thank
all those who entertained the choir during their weekend visit to Ramsbury.
The event raised £300 towards Church funds. Jean Cocker.
ADVANCE NOTICES
The Ravensbury Players will hold a Table Top Sale in the
Memorial Hall on Saturday 1 November from 10 am to 12 noon. To book a
table (£7), call Gaye Adolph 520068 or Alison McFee 520619. Tickets
(£5) for the November 19-22 production "Murdered to
Death" will be on sale: buy early as seats will be numbered.
The Autumn Supper of the Amenity Group will take place on Thursday
6 November in Church Room. The speaker will be Ann Dixon of the National
Trust, a Ramsbury resident.
1st Ramsbury Scouts Quiz Night will be on Saturday 8 November.
Tickets £7.50 include fish & chips. There will be a licensed
bar. Call Adrian Compton 520917, acompton@waitrose.com,
to book a table of 8.
The Ramsbury Flyer will visit Bath on Monday 10 November.
To make sure of your seat call Muriel Lye on 520555.
The Committee of the Ramsbury Branch of the Royal British Legion, responding
to public request, has decided to parade in the Square and march to the
War Memorial in the usual way on Remembrance Sunday.
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