Ramsbury and Axford
Village Diary September 2002 published by Ramsbury
and Axford Amenity Group.
You can read this page from top to bottom, or click on these links to jump straight to the bit you want.
Amenity Group
Ramsbury Flyer
Newbury Show
Parish Council
Thefts
Treasure Hunt
Ramsbury WI
Line Dance
Harvest Festival
Axford Bingo
Concert
LINK Scheme
Watermill Theatre
Liberty March
And on other pages.
Ramsbury & Axford Village Diary - September 2002
Please may we have items for the September Diary by 18 August. 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
The past month has given me several opportunities to observe the plants
and wildlife of the chalk downlands. The first was when Peter Marren led
a walk on the downland south of the village. The sun was shining so butterflies
were on the wing, these included small and Essex skippers, also marbled
whites. It was the time of the year for the campanulas to be flowering,
in the woods it was the nettle leaved one while on the open downland the
clustered bell flower was in bloom. This had a smaller flower head than
the garden one, and the colour was a little paler. A few days later I
found harebells flowering on the banks of Barbury Castle when walking
part of the Ridgway. Other plants of both areas included fairy flax, rock
rose, salad burnet and both the small and common scabies. On the downland
early and pyramidal orchids occur but the ones we found were past their
best.
This was also true of the twayblade, with its two broad leaves and greenish
yellow well spaced flowers on a single spike. Where the grass was short
the quaking grass grew, while in the woods clumps of tufted hair grass
and wood melick grew. During the afternoon about twelve different grasses
were pointed out to the group.
On waste ground in a corner of a cornfield the habitat was quite different
with smaller plants on the dry earth, such as swines cress with small
greenish white flowers, easily overlooked, also the poisonous fools parsley,
an umbellifer. Here grew black bent grass, also called slender foxtail,
a grain field weed. A few days before I had found it growing by my flint
wall, the seed having no doubt fallen there last autumn when the grain
lorries were passing
Rosie Pauline
Bird Notes
August is always tinged with sadness as summer migrants prepare to move
to warmer climes, I last saw a Swift in Ramsbury on 17 August. The star
of this last month’s sightings has to have been the pair of Osprey
which took up residence in the Kennet Valley for a couple of days. I saw
one of them at Littlecote and then followed it to Seven Bridges where
it flew into a tree in Park Coppice. Alas a Carrion Crow started mobbing
it and it took off Southwards. A Carrion Crow looks like a large bird
until you see it next to an Osprey.
Over Ramsbury at the moment it is worth watching large groups of Swallows
and House Martins calling in an agitated way, you may be rewarded with
a view of a Sparrow hawk or even a Hobby. A Grass Snake was seen on the
Ramsbury - Froxfield Road, and I have also had a report of a Barn Owl
seen in the same area
John Marshall
Rainfall
The rainfall for the month to 18 August was 1.86 inches, average 2.46
inches
Ramsbury Amenity Group
GUIDED WALKS
The Guided Walks will continue if enough people come on the 2nd and 4th
Sundays of the month. We meet at the Tree at 2 pm with dogs under control.
It is hoped that now holidays are over more people will come and join
us, and bring a friend. It is suggested that Walks Guides might be produced
for these walks. The next walks are on 8 September to Pentico sharing
cars to Manor Hill and on 22 September to Littlecote.
VISIT TO AVEBURY
On Saturday 14 September, the Flyer will leave the Tree at 1.45 pm. After
the 20 minute talk in the Alexander Keiller Museum there will be an hour
to walk round. The Flyer will return at 4.30pm for 5pm in the Square.
Ramsbury Flyer
(The Community Bus also has
its own page at www.ramsbury.com/flyer).
The Committee of the Ramsbury Flyer needs more volunteer drivers due
to the loss of three regular drivers. Anyone who would be prepared to
consider helping should leave a message with Chris Henn on 521241 asking
for further details.
This month’s trip to Newbury will be on Thursday 12 September leaving
the Tree at 11.30 am and returning at 2.30 pm.
NEWBURY SHOW
The Flyer's visit to the Newbury Show on 22 September will leave the Tree
at 9.30 am - fare £2. Please book with Muriel Lye on 520555, or
Pat Scott on 520294.
Anyone intending to go to the Newbury Show on Saturday 21 or Sunday 22
September can obtain their tickets in advance from Peter Rapson's office
in the Square and make considerable savings. Tickets can be bought for
14 days before the show and up to 5 pm on Friday 20th, and can be used
on either day.
Ramsbury Parish Council
The Parish Council is seeking an honorary internal auditor. New audit
regulations mean that we must perform a preliminary audit on the accounts
before submission to the Audit Commission Auditor. We need someone who
is numerate to confirm that our records and processes meet the statutory
requirements. The accounts are simple equiring less than ten hours work
annually. Any public spirited person who feels that they may be interested
should contact the Parish Clerk at the Memorial Hall annexe or leave a
message on 520045.
SKIPS
There will be no skip at Whittonditch or Knowledge Crescent during September.
(Parish Council contacts and minutes
of meetings can be viewed at www.ramsbury.com/council)
Thefts - Beware
On 22 August, a power-drill and tool-roll belonging to a Memorial Hall
trustee were stolen from the car-park entrance of the Hall whilst he was
undertaking maintenance voluntarily. We hope that the thief will return
them to the Hall or leave a message of their whereabouts with the Hall
Manager, John Lye on 520555.
Sacred and Profane Treasure Hunt
There will be a Car Treasure Hunt in aid of Ramsbury Church Funds. Drive
through beautiful countryside following clues to churches and pubs on
Sunday 1 September starting from the Church Room, Back Lane between 3
& 5 pm. Cost will be £5 per car with a £50 prize and wine
for the runners up. There is a separate quiz for children with Toys-R-Us
vouchers as prizes.
Ramsbury WI
Ramsbury WI will meet in the Methodist Church Room at 7.45 pm on Thursday
5 September. It is hoped that friends from Aldbourne, Baydon and Chilton
Foliat will join us to hear “Ladies in Pigs”tell us all about
British pork, and demonstrate some new pork recipes. The competition will
be for the best daisy-like flower, with a trading stall selling garden
produce and preserves. Visitors and new members are always welcome.
Charity Line Dance
There will be a Charity Line Dance with Tessa Hicks
in aid of Village Charities on Friday 6 September from 7.30 pm to 11.30
pm in the Ramsbury Ball Marquee. Bring a plate of finger food to share
for an American Supper. There will be no Bar, so Bring your own. Tickets
price £5 from Ramsbury Post Office and Midway Stores.
For further details or tickets ring Tessa on 520336
Harvest Festival at St Michael’s
Axford
St Michael’s Harvest Festival will be celebrated
at Evensong at 6 pm on Sunday 8 September followed by the Harvest Supper
at Axford Village Hall. Supper tickets price £4 for the supper should
be booked from Mrs Hart no later than Thursday 5 September on 520626.
Please do not forget to bring your own cutlery.
Axford Village Hall Bingo
There will be Bingo at Axford Village Hall on Wednesdays
11 and 25 September.
Organ & Choir Concert
An Organ and Choir Concert "A Miscellany of
Sound"will be held in Holy Cross Church on Saturday 14 September
at 7.30 pm. The proceeds of the Concert are to go to Church Funds. Tickets
price £5 can be obtained from Peter Rapson, Midway Stores or from
Jean Cocker, 20 Isles Court..
Ramsbury & Axford Link
Scheme
There will be a public meeting in the Church Room
on Tuesday 17 September at 7.15 for 7.45 pm to encourage volunteers to
come forward to take part in the scheme. Leaflets will be distributed
to every house in the village early in September.
“I dreamt I dwelt in Marble
Halls”
There are still a few tickets left for the Watermill
Theatre Company’s performance of “I dreamt I dwelt in Marble
Halls” in the Memorial Hall on Saturday 21 September at 7 pm for
7.30 pm. There will be a licensed bar for wine and soft drinks. Tickets
£5 may be had from John Lye 520555, Roy Alexander 520304 or Peter
Page 520428.
Liberty March in London
There are still a few seats left on the coach going from Ramsbury on
22 September to the Liberty March in London. To book call 520308 or 520776.
THANKS
VARIETY SHOW
Grateful thanks to all those who helped raise a substantial sum of money
at the Variety Show in May for the Prospect Hospice and Ramsbury Pre-School.
Each organisation received £850, and with specific donations to
the Hospice they received £1000.
JUDITH STENHOUSE
May I thank everyone who contributed toward making my retirement from
Ramsbury School such a truly happy and memorable occasion. The surprise
at our musical concert and the "This is your Life" were such
fun and your gifts and good wishes almost overwhelmed me. I can only reiterate
what I said on the day itself - "It has been a good part of my life
to know and work with you all".
RAMSBURY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
The Society’s Summer Show attracted over 400 visitors and there were
120 entrants who entered over 350 exhibits. Many thanks are due to the
Show Secretary Brian Twigger, and all who helped make the show a success
- not least the entrants without whom there would be no show!
MILLS BUTCHERS
Gilbert and Dennis thank their many customers and friends for their great
support and generosity shown on the occasion of their recent retirement,
which made their tea party a resounding success. We were both deeply touched
with the gifts to each of us. The amount of cards and good wishes amazed
us. Thank you all.
ADVANCE NOTICES
RAMSBURY RECREATION CENTRE AUCTION
The Recreation Centre plan an Auction Sale on Saturday 5 October at 2
pm with a professional auctioneer in aid of their Capital Fund, and the
Major Project on the Sports field. Viewing will be from 10 - 12 noon.
If you have anything to sell or would like to discuss any aspect of the
Auction Sale please call Ian Smith on 520871.
Please see local posters for possible items for sale and those which are
excluded.
ART & CRAFT
There will be an exhibition of Art & Craft in Ramsbury Memorial Hall
on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October from 10.30 am to 5 pm. Talented artists,
some known and some new, will be participating with demonstrations on
both days. A portrait service will be available on Saturday. The proceeds
from the 50p entrance and teas will go to local charities.
RAVENSBURY PLAYERS ANNIVERSARY YEAR PRODUCTION
The Players celebrate their 25th anniversary year production of "Crown
Matrimonial" from 20 to 23 November. They would be very happy to
hear from anyone who can lend suitable furniture, drapes or costumes for
this 1930s period play.
If you can help please contact Sheila Hobbs 521163 or Jessie Gunton 521055.
RAMSBURY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY CHRISTMAS PARTY
The date of the Christmas Party has been changed to Saturday 14 December
in the Memorial Hall. Further details will follow.
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