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Please may we have items for the October Diary by 18 September. 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
With clouds in the sky and September as the heading, it makes one feel
that autumn will soon be with us, yet it was only a week ago that the
heat was so great that many of us were glad to stay inside during the
afternoons. It has however been good for the butterflies, not just the
whites but also small tortoiseshells. Two people have told me about having
clusters of these in their houses. While out I have also seen peacocks,
red admirals, painted ladies and smaller varieties which have included
meadow browns, gatekeepers (hedge brown) and some blue ones. Moths of
various types are entering open windows in the evenings but the hawk moths
usually stay outside. There are several varieties of these so unless I
see an example or get a good description I do not know which one has been
seen. They often live well hidden in trees.
So far we are not too bothered with wasps, although there were a few around
my small plum crop a few days ago. I fear that the spring frosts were
at the wrong time for them to set. Last autumn I had a report of hornets
being seen in the Whittonditch area. These are larger than our wasps and
are brown and yellow banded so are easily distinguished from them. Their
sting can be serious.
During the last two weeks of July the rain kept the soil quite moist but
the August heat wave has led to it becoming very dry where it is exposed
to the sun, at least lawns do not need to be cut so often. With warm soil
some rain would quickly bring on autumn fungi. Recently from my lawn I
plucked a beautiful white toadstool - the destroying angel (Amanita Virosa)
so called because it is deadly poisonous. Unlike a mushroom it has white
gills but these discolour with age, so be very careful if you ever gather
wild fungi to eat.
This hot weather does not suit black, green or grey fly and there are
few ladybirds about which I believe feed on greenfly, nor have I noticed
any lacewings. But until recently the swifts, swallows and house martins
were much in evidence so there must have been plenty of insects for them.
Yesterday (17 August) when opening my back door I surprised a green woodpecker,
which took off from my lawn. Was it eating ants or leather jackets I wonder?
As the days shorten and the nights get cooler may we all enjoy pleasant
autumn days.
Rosie Pauline
John Marshall is on holiday. Bird Notes will return next
month.
Rainfall
The rainfall for the month to 18 August was 1.22 inches, average 2.46
inches.
Amenity Group Welcome Pack
The Amenity Group has revived the Welcome Pack that used to be given
to newcomers to the village. Members of the group will be on the look
out for 'for sale' notices and will then hope to call and give a friendly
Ramsbury welcome to newcomers to the village. It would be helpful if any
reader of the Diary who is leaving, or knows of a neighbour planning to
move, would let the editors of the diary (at their usual address) know
the date of the move and if possible the name of the new owner.
Royal British Legion
Ramsbury is one of the few villages to have a Legion Branch and a Legion
Club, which also serves the neighbouring villages of Aldbourne and Chilton
Foliat. The membership of 160 is divided evenly between Service &
Ex-Service and Associate Members. Anyone over the age of 18 is eligible
to join the Ramsbury branch, but the Committee has to have a majority
of service or ex-service members. John Plenderleith the present chairman
has held office since 1980. John Lambley has been treasurer for three
years, and John Lye secretary for 6 months.
The club is mainly used by the Associate members. The Ramsbury Branch
is in urgent need of three or four more service or ex-service members
on the committee, which meets monthly and is concerned, as a charity,
with charitable works.
The Ramsbury Branch also acts as landlord for the Royal British Legion
Ramsbury Club, so the branch has an income. But if the branch fails to
survive, the club will lose the landlord. The Branch AGM is Friday 31
October. John Lye, Branch Secretary.
Home-Start Kennet
Home-Start is a voluntary organisation offering support, friendship and
practical help to families at home with children under the age of five.
Some parents may feel overwhelmed and Home-Start volunteers can help them
through a difficult period. Reassurance, a listening ear and confidentiality
are paramount. Volunteering complements rather than substitutes the work
of paid staff. People volunteer to learn new skills and use their existing
skills. Home-Start Kennet provides training, ongoing support and out of
pocket expenses. Our scheme has been established for 16 years and we work
in Marlborough, Tidworth, Devizes and RAF Lyneham. Contact 01672-515686
for further information.
Green Garden Refuse Sacks
Green refuse sacks are now available from the Post Office.
Parish Council
The Parish Council have made a donation towards the costs of the safety
notices on display at Ramsbury Primary School. These were designed
by the school council to help children avoid accidents on the road and
in the car park.
A request has been received for gardeners to refrain from having bonfires
during this lovely weather. Residents have been using their gardens for
'al fresco' meals and entertaining guests and the smoke does cause needless
concern.
Ramsbury WI
On Thursday 4 September in the Methodist School Room there will be an
open meeting with the WIs of Chilton Foliat and Baydon, together with
any other visitors who will be warmly welcomed. Our speaker will be Mr
Hankin who will tell us about Wiltshire's Wildlife. The competition is
for a china animal. We shall be having a trading stall of garden plants,
produce and preserves.
On 7 August Peter Redmond described his cycle ride from Amman to Aqaba
in aid of the National Deaf Children's Society.
Alison Judge also gave an illustrated glimpse of her work in aid of Azafady
in Madagascar.
Axford Bingo
There will be Bingo at the Village Hall on Wednesdays 10 and 24 September.
Ramsbury Flyer
(The Community Bus also has
its own page at www.ramsbury.com/flyer).
The next visit to Newbury will be on Thursday 11 September leaving the
tree at 11.30 am and returning from Newbury at 2.30 pm. 2.30 pm. Book
with Muriel Lye on 520555.
The Flyer will also be going to the Newbury Show on Sunday 21 September,
leaving the tree at 9.30 am. The fare will be £2. Reduced price
tickets for the show will be available from Peter Rapson from the beginning
of September.
Horticultural Society Lecture
Roy Lancaster will present an RHS lecture, "A Plantsman's Garden",
in the Memorial Hall on Thursday 11 September at 7.30 pm. There are just
a few tickets left, available from Sylvia Judge , 55 High Street (tel.
520748), price £4 (£3 for Royal Horticultural Society members).
Sixteen Types of Happiness
'Sixteen Types of Happiness' will be performed in the Memorial Hall on
Friday 12 September by Big State Theatre, a professional touring group.
The visit has been arranged by Rural Arts Wiltshire in conjunction with
the Memorial Hall Trustees. This is a highly energetic and inventive show
packed with delightfully recognisable characters. Tickets: Adults £6,
Concessions £3, Family ticket £15, will be available from
the Post Office and Midway Stores. The doors and drinks bar will open
at 7.30 pm and the show will start at 8 pm.
Priory Singers
The Priory Singers will be paying a return visit to Holy Cross Church
on Saturday 13 September and performing a Musical Medley at 7.30 pm. Tickets
price £5 are obtainable from the Post Office, Midway Stores and
Jean Cocker 20 Isles Court.
Amenity Group Guided Walks
There will be guided walks to Piggs Hill (4 miles) on Sunday 14 September
and to Minal on firm tracks on Sunday 28 September. Meet at 2 pm at the
Tree to share cars with dogs under control.
Do you know what Regional Government is?
There will be a public meeting in the Memorial Hall at 10 for 10.30 am
on Saturday 27 September at which the governance of the South West Region
will be explained. The purpose of the meeting is to inform you about significant
changes in the way the Region is governed and the possibility of a referendum
on whether the members of the present Regional Assembly should be directly
elected.
THANKS
Sally Mildenhall and family would like to thank all family and
friends for all their support and generosity in their recent sad loss
of Tim. Please accept this as a personal acknowledgement.
ADVANCE NOTICES
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.
There will be A Posh Boot Affair in aid of Ramsbury and Axford
Churches on Sunday 5 October on the Jubilee Field, Axford, open to the
public from 10 am to 3 pm. Is it time for a clear out? Book a pitch and
bring your 'Treasures' to a Mega Car boot and Craft Sale. There will be
a Barbecue and soft drinks, cake, plant and produce stall. A 15 ft wide
pitch will cost £30 (pre-booked). Entry will be £3 per car
- pedestrians £1, primary school children free.
The Harvest Festival service at St Michael Axford will take place
on Sunday 12 October at 5 pm followed by the Harvest Supper at the
Village Hall at around 6 pm. To book for the supper please contact the
Trehernes on 512406 not later than Monday 6 October. Gifts of flowers,
fruit, vegetables or home made produce would be gratefully received, either
beforehand to decorate the church, or to be taken up during the service.
The produce will be donated afterwards to Coombe End House as usual.
The Ravensbury Players Annual Table Top Sale will take place in
the Memorial Hall on Saturday 1 November at 10 am. Book a table at £7
by phoning 520068 or 520619. The Players will have a Cake and Produce
table and will be serving refreshments. The Players next production is
from 19 - 22 November in the Memorial Hall and is entitled Murdered
to Death by Peter Gordon.
The Flyer will be going to Bath on Monday 10 November,
and to London on Saturday 6 December. Book with Muriel Lye on 520555
or Janet Webster on 520033.
The Committee of the Ramsbury Branch of the Royal British Legion
has decided not to march from the Bell to the War Memorial on Remembrance
Sunday. Members of the Legion and those who usually march from the Tree
are asked to assemble with those laying wreaths at the Cross.
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