1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

Sunday
Monday
1
2
8
9
Guided walk
2pm Tree
15
22
Tuesday
Wednesday
6
7
4
5
Flyer to Marlborough
1pm
WI. meeting
Church Rooms
7.15 for 7.30
10
11
12
13
Flyer to Newbury
11.30am
Ramsbury Roxy
7.30pm Memorial
Hall
18
19
20
25
26
16
17
Black & Green top
wheelie-bins/
Orange bags emptied
24
Blue top
wheelie-bins &
Black boxes emptied
Flyer to
Hungerford
Every Wed & Fri
The Square 1016 am
Every Sunday
Holy Cross
See notices
Methodist Church
See notices
Tennis Club 10.am
Crown & Anchor
Quiz Night 8.30pm
Saturday
3
Parish Council
7.45pm Memorial
Hall
23
Friday
Black & Green top
wheelie-bins/
Orange bags emptied
Blue top
wheelie-bins &
Black boxes emptied
Guided walk
2pm Tree
Thursday
Every Monday
Short Mat Bowls
Memorial Hall
5.30 – 7pm
Every Tuesday
Over 60s exercise
Memorial Hall 10.30am
Bella Voce Choir
Memorial Hall 8pm
Painting Group
1st and 3rd Tuesdays
Church Room 10-1pm
Every Wednesday
Ramsbury Lambs
Mem Hall 9.30 to 11.30
Training Band
Church Room 6.45pm
Senior Band 7.45pm
Axford Village Hall
Bingo 2nd and last
Wednesday 7.30pm
Ramsbury & Axford
Link Scheme
Mon-Fri 9 – 5
Tel 520111
Every Thursday
Short Mat Bowls
Memorial Hall
10am - 12 noon
Tennis Club session
9.30 - 11.30 am
Royal British Legion
Club - Bingo 8pm
Ravensbury Players Murder Mystery
14
21
27
28
Ramsbury Roxy
7.30pm Memorial
Hall
Scout Quiz 7.30pm
Memorial Hall
Ramsbury Library
free internet
Mon 2-7pm. Wed 1012pm
Thur 2-5pm. Sat 10-12.
Every Friday
Senior Band Rehearsal
Church Room 7.30pm
Charity Shop
Tue, Wed, Thur &
Sat 10 – 12.30.
Tue & Thur 2 – 4.30
Every Saturday
Junior Football 10am
______________________
February
2015
Ramsbury and Axford Village Diary
February 2015
May we have items for the March diary before 17 February.
They may be left at the Post Office or sent to diary@ramsbury.org
NATURE NOTES
At this time of year it is the wind and rain with frost and perhaps a dusting of snow that draws our
attention as this morning (Jan 17th) but usually flowers of some sort can be found. The periwinkle has a
few weak looking lowers throughout the winter. While listening to the radio on New Year’s Day they
said that by the coast in South Wales about 60 plants had flowers. Mid January and the pink flowered
viburnum is giving forth its perfume and the winter flowered honeysuckle will soon be doing the same,
but its flowers are rather small and for the rest of the year it is just a leafy shrub. Another sign of spring
to come is the hazel catkins which can now be found.
It is during the damp winter months that the mosses thrive, spreading in lawns and on tarmac surfaces
etc. To most of us it is just a pest but for a few people who study them, up to 600 different ones can be
found in Great Britain. I have a leaflet which illustrated 50 different ones but a keen eye is needed to
sort them all out. In boggy mountain areas, sphagnum which holds water like a sponge is common, there
are several different types. In the past it was used as a dressing for wounds. Nearer home there is the
curly thatch moss, as its name suggests it can be found on older thatch as well as on trees and fences. In
beech woods patches of cushion moss are common while our lawns may well have the springy turf
feather moss. Mosses don’t have flowers but send up stalks with a capsule at the top. These split to send
out spores of microscopic size.
Ramsbury seems to be fortunate in often missing much of the snow as a few days ago we had very little
but more fell to the west and at Christmas Lincoln had about an inch one night but there was none here.
What will February bring? Perhaps just the joy of seeing the years first snowdrops and aconites.
Rosie Pauline
BIRD NOTES
This time last year the floods were still much in evidence all around the village. This year the Triangle
has only just flooded, but the excessive water last year must have undermined the largest tree on the river
bank, which has now fallen right across the river. The bird life seems unconcerned, and a pair of tree
creepers was checking out potential nesting sites a few days ago.
Now that all the leaves have fallen it is easy to see the nests that you didn’t spot last year! In the half
mile walk along the track between Mill Lane and the Springs Hill road I have counted 16 nests – all in
the newly planted low hedge on the north side of the track. I have not managed to spot one in the mature
hedge on the south side. I am puzzled and must do more research.
The flock of golden plover on Springs Hill has swollen to around 400, and on sunny days provide a
spectacular flying display. A group of fieldfare and redwing have settled into the copse at the west end of
the recreation centre and can be seen searching for worms on the cricket field on most days. In the
garden the goldfinches have changed their diet from Niger seed to sunflower hearts. Another puzzle –
more research.
Paul Swan
RAINFALL
Rainfall for the month of December was 2.0 inches, average 2.2 inches.
Newcomers Welcome Pack
Please contact Penny Furbisher, 47 High Street tel 521187 if you are new to the village and have not
received a copy.
Ramsbury Lambs Toddler Group
The Ramsbury toddler group has now re-named itself The Ramsbury Lambs. We meet Wednesdays 9.30 11.30am (term time) Ramsbury Memorial Hall. Babies and children under school age are welcome to enjoy
the fun with their parents, grandparents or carers. FFI alilouisepayne@gmail.com 0788 4430754.
Recreation Centre 200 Club
£100 to Pete Willetts, £50 each to Sarah Swan, Rosemary Triptree, Alex Scott, George Hawes and Kevin
Jauncey, £25 to Hamish Gray, Mike Franklin, Dave Miller, Dave Rushen, Eric Jennings and John Lewis.
The club costs £60 a year to join. Funds are split 50/50 between prizes and the Recreation Centre. To join,
contact Ian Smith on 07977 473975 or oldtiff@hotmail.co.uk
Holy Cross and St. Michael’s Axford
Holy Cross
Sunday 1 February. Holy Communion at 9.30am. Evening Prayer at 4pm.
Sunday 8 February. Holy Communion at 8am. All Age Morning Worship at 9.30am.
Sunday 15 February. Holy Communion at 9.30am, with children's activities.
Ash Wednesday 18 February. Holy Communion with Ashing at 10am.
Sunday 22 February. Holy Communion at 8am. Morning Prayer at 9.30am.
Every Thursday at 10am, Holy Communion (except February 19).
St Michael's Axford
Sunday 1 February. Candlemas Christingle at 11am.
Organists visiting
Saturday February 21. Organists from several associations in the region will be coming to Holy Cross
Church to play the newly refurbished organ. All welcome to come and listen, morning or afternoon.
Refreshments available.
Singing from Scratch
Saturday February 28. Come and sing Stainer's Crucifixion in Holy Cross, led by Nigel Groome, Regional
RSCM Music Adviser. Rehearsal 2.30-4.30, performance at 5.30pm. Cost £10 includes tea before the
performance. Or come and hear the performance, tickets £8 at the door in aid of the church.
Methodist Church
Methodist church services
Sunday 1 February 10.30am local Preacher at Ramsbury.
Sunday 8 February 10.30am local Preacher at Ramsbury.
Sunday 15 February 10.30am section service at Marlborough led by Rev Heather Cooper. All welcome.
Sunday 22 February 10.30am H/C service led by Heather Cooper at Ramsbury.
Bible study 10th Feb at 2.30pm led by Rev Heather Cooper. All welcome.
Coffee centre continues on Thursdays, 9am
Ramsbury WI
Thursday 5 February. WI meets in the Church Rooms, Back Lane. Sue Arnold will give an illustrated talk
about her travels in China, “Off the Beaten Track”. Doors open 7.15pm for 7.30pm start. Visitors and new
members welcome. Contact 520501 or WI@ramsbury.org.
The Ravensbury Players
Friday & Saturday 6 & 7 February a Murder Mystery Evening: 'Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor', in
the Memorial Hall, Ramsbury. Doors and Bar open at 7pm, event starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £12 includes a 2
course meal - booking essential. Box Office: 01672 520515 chrissy@astrocruise.com
Guided Walks.
Sunday 8 February Pentico s/c 4miles
Sunday 22nd February Marlborough + tea 3.5miles. Meet at tree, car share to Marlborough. The walks are
a great way of getting to know local footpaths without fear of getting lost and also having good company.
We meet 2pm at the Tree and the walk normally lasts 2hrs. All ages welcome and dogs on leads. (s/c) –
Shared cars. For further information contact Sheila Morgan – Tel 01672 520501
Ramsbury Flyer
12 February Flyer to Newbury leaving the square at 11.30am and returning at 2.30pm. Fare £3.00.
Wednesday 4 February to Marlborough calling at Chiton Foliat at 1pm, Ramsbury at 1.10 and Aldbourne at
1.25pm returning from Marlborough at 2.40pm. Bus Passes may be used. To book call 07584 253117.
Ramsbury Roxy
Friday 13 February Before I Go To Sleep Cert 15 Mystery Thriller
A woman wakes up every day, remembering nothing as a result of a traumatic accident in her past. One
day, new terrifying truths emerge force her to question everyone around her. Stars: Colin Firth, Nicole
Kidman
Friday 27 February What We Did On Our Holiday Cert 12A Comedy Drama
A heart-warming, feel-good comedy about an eventful family holiday in the Scottish Highlands to celebrate
Gordie's (Billy Connolly) birthday. Written and directed by Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin, creators of
'Outnumbered' Stars: Celia Imrie, Ben Miller, Billy Connolly, David Tennant, Rosamund Pike
Tickets £4 from Ramsbury Post Office until 1pm on film day or on the door Bar and doors open at 7.30pm,
film starts at 8pm. Full programme available at Post Office and Library or on Ramsbury website
Parish Council
Monday 16 February. The next Parish Council meeting will take place in the Memorial Hall at 7.45pm. All
meetings are open to the public, who are very welcome to attend.
The Parish Council is considering doing a Neighbourhood Plan and as a prelude we hope to have an officer
from Wiltshire Council come to speak to a meeting in late February or March. We are awaiting a response
from WC as to dates and will advertise the meeting when a suitable date and venue has been arranged.
Annual Ramsbury Scout Quiz
Saturday 28 February The Scout Quiz will take place in Ramsbury Memorial Hall from 7.30pm. Tables of
up to 8 people. Tickets £12.50 per person to include supper. To reserve a table please contact either anneeastlake@gmail.com or 07775566244 or maggiew9@yahoo.co.uk or 0781581619
Yoga
Yoga classes in Ramsbury on Wednesday evenings and Friday mornings. Please call Amanda on 01672
841267 or 07823 886695 or email info@trescohouse.com.
Crown and Anchor
Thursday 5 February. Jenny and Ray are celebrating their first year at the Crown & Anchor with live music,
finger buffet and a free drink for the first 50 people. January and February all lunches from Monday to
Saturday are 2 for 1. 6 Nations Rugby matches will be shown on a big screen in the top bar. Live music on
Thursdays and Sunday Fun quiz in aid of Prospect Hospice.
Waste Collection
See the calendar on page 4 for details of waste and recycling collection dates.
THANKS
A big thank you from the Methodist Church for the following:- carol singing round the tree with the
Ramsbury Silver Band. Gift Day in October which raised £491.50. Christmas fair which raised £219.50
Charity shop helpers and the Lucky Prize Draw which raised £110 making a yearly total of £510.33.
The total donated thus far to the Prospect Hospice up to 7 December from the Crown and Anchor Sunday
pub quiz etc is £14,944. Thanks to all who have contributed.
ADVANCE NOTICES
Aldbourne & Ramsbury Conservative Association Branch: Public Meeting, at which Claire Perry, MP
will speak, and to which all are welcome followed by the Branch AGM: Thursday, 12 March at 7.30 pm in
The Memorial Hall, Ramsbury.
Ramsbury Horticultural Society Thursday 12 March, Church Rooms, Back Lane, Ramsbury: Annual
Quiz against Lambourn Valley Horticultural Society
Edited by Emma Jeffery
Printed by Whitton Benefice, Ramsbury