Whitton Ways June 2021

June 2021 - 60p

News from Axford, Chilton Foliat, Froxfield, Ramsbury and Baydon

Reflections on an awesome walk See page 3

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My wife, Jane, and I have just enjoyed a wonderful walk in West Woods near Marlborough. Jane cycles through the woods every day on her way to work in Pewsey and over the past week has noticed the bluebells cascading down the slopes of the woods like a waterfall. So, we thought that we must go and see them before they begin to fade.

Walking through the trees, the swathes of bluebells looked stunning. In many places, they covered large areas of the woodland floor.

I took several photographs, but know that they will not do the scene justice. The sunlight was filtering through the beech trees lighting the new leaves so that they looked more yellow than green. Shadows cast over the ground made some bluebells look darker than others.

I tried to capture the moment with portrait shots of trees and leaves against the sky and bluebells on the ground round the trunks. I also crouched down to get close-ups of the spring flowers.

Kneeling on last year’s bracken, I was aware of this year’s bluebells growing through old brambles and beside the stumps of tree trunks, which had fallen a long time ago. The stumps were covered in moss and the bluebells stood out against the bright yellow green of the moss. The sight was awe inspiring and reminded me that we worship an awesome Creator God. The natural response to worship and thank God for the beauty of nature.

On our way home, Jane and I commented that we were not so aware of the bluebells in West Woods last year. We then realised that during the first lockdown in spring 2020 we could not walk through these woods when the bluebells were at their prime. It has been a difficult year for everyone and really tough for many people, but through it all, the seasons have come and gone. The bluebells are a reminder that they came and died last year and they have grown again this year. The signs of trees from years ago and the growth of other plants from previous springs are scattered on the woodland floor. This year’s growth comes

beside and through them.

They are all part of these glorious woods.

As we reflect on our lives and our families, we understand how our past experiences and those who have gone before us, help to make us the people who we are today. We may have had to struggle at times, but we are richer for the experience. The people we have known, have helped to teach us and shape us, enriching our lives. As individuals, families, communities, churches we live and grow alongside each other, caring for one another and helping each other, especially in times like the present pandemic. Even the smallest act of kindness, or the simplest word of encouragement, may help someone through a difficult time and to flourish.

When we do these things, it is as though we are doing them for Jesus himself. He told us to love one another like he first loved us. When we do that, we will abide in Jesus and he in us, and we will flourish and bear much fruit.

How wonderful our world would be if everyone lived like that. The whole world would look as beautiful as West Woods in spring. That may be a dream, but we do pray, as Jesus taught us, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, (Matthew 6:10). We live in hope for that day, but in the meantime do what we can to share the love of God in practical, small caring ways.

The bluebells are beautiful at the moment and will flourish for a little while yet, before fading and dying. They will, however, return next year. The love of God, however, we know is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and will never fade. He is our foundation and enables us to live life to the full throughout the year.

He is with us in whatever life brings along.

I hope that you are able to enjoy the wonderful countryside around us and have a healthy and relaxing summer.

May God bless you richly today and always, Stephen Skinner, Methodist Minister WHITTON WAYSWHITTON WAYS | 3

Editor Vanya Body - 01488 686834

Distributor - Ramsbury Ethel Hutchings - 01672 520278

Designer David Leake - 01672 520721

Distributor - Chilton Foliat Ronna Bourne - 01488 684497

Advertising Ian Smith - 01672 520871

Whitton Ways Magazine

Distributor - Froxfield Vanya Body - 01488 686834

The copy date for the July issue of Whitton Ways is Friday 18th June. Please send copy to: Vanya Body - The New House, Brewhouse Hill, Froxfield, SN8 3LD Email: whittonways@gmail.com Phone: 01488 686834

CONTENTS Reflections on an awesome walk.................................. 3 Julia retires............................................................................. 5 Memories of a Froxfield childhood............................... 6 Summer Fete......................................................................... 9 Rural ramblings / 200 Club results..............................11 Allan Davison obituary....................................................12 Down on the Farm.............................................................13 A village team to be proud of.......................................15 Thank you and please......................................................17 Diary of events....................................................................17 Horticultural Society News............................................18 Ramsbury Roxy...................................................................19

Chilton Foliat WI................................................................21 Ramsbury School Quest..................................................22 Celestial Sightings.............................................................25 The Doctor Writes..............................................................26 Methodist Church Services............................................29 Wiltshire Whitethroats....................................................30 Ramsbury Street Fair........................................................33 Chilton Foliat School / Knitting Group.......................37 Komorebi / Swindon buses.............................................38 Ramsbury News..................................................................39 Axford Angle........................................................................41 Parish of Whitton contacts, register and dates.....42

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Julia retires from Whitton Ways In 2008, Whitton Ways was facing a very uncertain future when Julia Goodman from Chilton Foliat stepped up to take over the role of designer. The magazine was a simple production and had been looked after

by Steve and Mary Cook but, as strictly temporary caretakers, a more permanent solution needed to be found fast. I agreed to edit, having worked as a journalist and editor throughout my career, but I couldn’t design and at the time it seemed almost a miracle that Julia stepped forward and was happy to design — still, we took on the project with some trepidation!

The process of developing the magazine over the past 12 or so years has been hugely satisfying. Our ‘brief’ from the then Rector John Railton was to turn Whitton Ways into an attractive and informative community magazine — one that reflected the role of the Church, but also communicated the breadth of local activity across the villages of the Benefice.

Julia has worked incredibly hard to create a more modern and engaging look for the magazine. We increased the number of pages, then went to professional printing, enabling us to include photos; then to full colour production. It is largely down to Julia’s dedication that we now have a community and parish magazine to be proud of and one which has been judged among the top 5 in the country.

Julia has handed over the reins of design to David Leake of Ramsbury, so that she can concentrate on her role as Secretary of Photo by Barry Harding of Chilton Foliat

the Chilton Foliat WI and also managing the village website.

She was presented with a lovely bouquet of flowers by Rector Beth Hutton at a small ceremony outside St Mary’s Chilton Foliat.

We are enormously grateful that David has stepped into the breech. He gained a graphic design degree (from the London College of Printing in 1978.) Having worked in various London agencies, he moved with his wife Gillian to Ramsbury in 1985, when he started work for Allied Dunbar in Swindon. Latterly, having retired from his position as Global Head of Branding for Zurich Financial Services in 2009, he now supports various local organisations and societies including the Ramsbury Roxy (our village cinema) and the Memorial Hall.

We were very saddened to hear of the sudden and unexpected death of Steve Cook. Mary and Steve were instrumental in ensuring Whitton Ways was able to survive: Steve as desk-top designer and Mary co-ordinating content.

She has continued to play an active role in supporting the magazine’s production ever since, as our proof reader.

Vanya Body Editor

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Memories of a Froxfield Childhood Part 2 — GIs and Jam During WWII Littlecote House became home to the staff of the American 101st Airborne Division. In July 1941 King George VI and the Queen visited the troops at Littlecote and no doubt began their journey from London on the A4, travelling as far as Hungerford before turning off for Littlecote. I am unsure of the date, but it was on another occasion that the King and Queen visited Littlecote and we all walked down from the school and lined up on the Littlecote Road to wave flags as the Royal party drove by. From a press release later it seemed they then re-joined the A4 at Froxfield and went on to other military establishments in Wiltshire.

Some years later on a summer evening we heard on the radio that Princess Margaret was in Bath to open a new children’s wing at a hospital before returning to Windsor.

We thought it likely she would be passing by at about 7.30 p. m. So I waited on the front lawn and sure enough I saw the small procession of cars coming into view one of which had a flag flying and there she was wearing a lovely pink outfit. She waved and so did I — but not so the 3 or 4 elderly

6 | WHITTON WAYS

gentlemen leaning on the bridge over the chalk stream with their backs to the road they were unaware of Royalty passing by!

On the whole the village children seemed to deal with crossing the A4, although their mothers took them to school each morning; (probably more to make sure they actually went!) collected them at lunchtime and then again at the end of the afternoon.

However, one day my mother was not outside waiting so I decided to go home on my own. Those days it was possible to cross the road by the green. I had to wait because a convoy was approaching from Hungerford with a despatch rider in front on a motorbike. He saw me, slowed down, stopped the convoy and came over, took my hand and led me across and then they went on their way! To think that I stopped the War effort for a moment!!

Americans were very generous to the local children — organising Christmas parties and giving them chocolate. One day, having played with friends on the green most of the afternoon, it was time to go home at 5

p.m. I had just crossed the A4 and an army lorry came by, then slowed down to turn into Manor Farm. I saw something fall to the ground from the lorry. When I reached it I could see it was a large round tin and printed on the side it said ‘APRICOT JAM’! ……….APRICOT JAM?! No one had tasted apricot jam for years. I picked up the tin and went to the farm to hand it back. The soldier at the gate didn’t know anything about it and wouldn’t take it. So I took it home, but my mother was still worried and wanted to know how, on earth, I came by it. I said (like you would!) “...it fell off the back of a lorry” (a likely story).

Just then, my father came home from work and was told the story and my mother said he must take it back to the farm, which was only a few yards away, otherwise we would get a visit from the Military Police! He went, but was back quite

quickly still holding the tin because he was told to keep it. We were able to share it with all our neighbours along the row of houses. I have often wondered if it was a way of giving. The American soldiers were very well fed and, although they knew that we were all on tight rations, weren’t allowed to share their food.

Moya Dixon

WHITTON WAYSWHITTON WHITTON WAYS | 7

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SUMMER FETE

Saturday 10th July 2021 On The Green from 2pm to 4pm Stalls Accessories&Bathroom Janet Spath Books

Rachel Howard Bottle Tombola

Nick Whelan Bric-a–brac

Jenny Greaves Cakes

Annette Jerram Children’s Books

Marc Thomas Chocolate Tombola Clive Alexander Homestyle

Krystyna Hagerty Nearly New

Jenny Wales Lucky Dip

Sandy Martin Plants

Joanna Hobart Produce

Vanessa Mannering Toys

Eleanor Williamson

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(Please bring any contributions to The Green on the morning or contact the stall holder)

Also featuring: Carnival Queen Choosing & Crowning Event Cream Teas, Barbeque and Ice Creams, Aldbourne Band, Flower Display in Church, Bouncy Castle, Face Painting, Balloons, Fruit Machine Coconut Shy, Puppet Show, Raffle (Organizers: Hugh Bland 540958, Diana Pengilly 540341, Liz & Richard Osborne 540430 Jenny Wales 540073, Mary Willcox 540966)

Sunday 11th July 11.00 am United Church Service on The Green

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Rural Ramblings — Recalibrating the route My first experiences of sat nav were hilarious as I frequently misunderstood what my electronic assistant was telling me. I’d miss the turn, only to be told she was “recalibrating”. This is code for ,“Oh

got closed off and some of these may never re-open. However, other routes have opened up, sometimes by trial and error, or by educated guesswork, or through careful research and listening to God. It’s all part

of how God guides us, and works with us and through us.

no, you’ve done it again! Now I’ve got to work out how on earth to get you to your destination.”

Misunderstandings occur less often now, but there’s still plenty of recalibrating: I decide on a route and enlist sat nav’s help without specifying all the details. If my route isn’t the one my friendly sat nav has in mind, I have a little giggle when I wilfully “disobey” her and think to myself: “Let’s see how long it takes you to work out which route I’m taking.” Now you’re probably thinking I need to get out more, but the point of letting you in on my secret world of sat nav baiting is this: Recalibrating has become a familiar part of life as we’ve learned to adjust our plans more frequently over the past 15 months. I’ve lost count of the number of changes we’ve made to how we operate as churches in Whitton; how often I’ve had to recalibrate personal plans; and how often I and my Rural Field Officer colleagues have had to re-imagine how to fulfil our role.

Nearly every route open to us in the past

Most important is that we don’t lose sight of our destination, which for RFOs, is helping rural churches find new ways as well as old to share the love of Christ more fully with their communities, and to draw more people into a deeper personal relationship with the living God, who is the surest guide on the journey through life, if we let him do the recalibrating.

Revd Rhona Floate Team Vicar, Parish of Whitton & Rural Field Officer for Wilts Archdeaconry, Diocese of Salisbury.

JUNE RESULTS £100 to Ian Mills, £50 to each of Lizzie Wilson, Peter Cheney, Roddy Petley, Shelley Sawers and Bruce Ginger and £25 to each of Mary Hope, Rosie Pauline, John Harrod, Mary Worrall, Harry Strover and Jen Stoyle.

A big thank you to everyone for their continuing support.

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Allan Davison

8th May 1936 – 28th March 2020

Allan was born in Poplar, East London in 1936. He has a brother Peter who is 7 years older and when Allan was a toddler the family moved to Dagenham, Essex where his sister Marjorie was born in 1938.

War was declared in 1939 and the family stayed in Dagenham as his father, a bus driver, continued driving in London throughout the Blitz. Allan remembered hearing doodlebugs flying over their house which luckily escaped any damage but many houses in their immediate area were bombed by planes going or returning after raids on the Dagenham Docks and London.

Allan very much enjoyed his school days and kept up with his friends from that time, a number of whom would meet up periodically in London until as recently as 18 months ago.

Allan started his working career in the City, joining an export company as an office boy working there until he was 18 when he was called up for National Service. He joined the RAF and trained as a telephonist where he was posted around the country. In his final year he was stationed in Mildenhall, Suffolk 12 | WHITTON WAYS

attached to an American Air Base. During his National Service he earned a stripe and became a Corporal.

When he was demobbed he re-joined the Export company and met Jenny who had joined the company as a shorthand typist.

They married in 1963 and bought a house in South Hornchurch, Essex where they lived until 1974 upon their move to Ramsbury, which was as a result of Allan’s firm relocating to Newbury, and at this time we were now a family of 4.

The family settled very well in Ramsbury and were made very welcome. They never regretted the move although it was hard to move away from their roots and families.

The daily commute to Newbury was easy and Allan enjoyed his job. It was quite a shock when, after 7 years, the firm closed and Allan was out of work for the first time.

He tried to get another job in the area but ultimately, he had to go back to London to work which meant very long days for him. Allan continued working in London until he retired. He worked in procurement and export companies which he found interesting and varied. One day he could be sourcing small screws for companies abroad; the next day it could be a bulldozer!

He managed the whole process of sourcing, contract negotiation and export. He mainly dealt with companies who were based in Africa, making quite a few trips there during his working life. On one such visit to Ghana he went down a gold mine at Obuasi which was a 1.6km deep and was thrilled to hold a gold bar.

They were very lucky as a family, and usually went abroad on holiday each summer. This was special family time and resulted in many happy memories. Allan enjoyed teaching his sons table tennis and snorkelling during these times.

Allan joined the Ramsbury Horticultural Society and he served on the committee for many years and together with Jenny they stewarded the annual Shows that took place in the village.

Allan loved playing bowls and was an avid member of the Ramsbury and Aldbourne Bowls Club. He was on the Committee and was Treasurer for many years until his death. He enjoyed gardening at the Green.

Allan was also Treasurer for Meals on Wheels for a number of years.

Allan was a gentleman and one who contributed a lot to the local community and those around him. He was also a devoted husband to Jenny, a committed family man, and much-loved father of Clive and Jeff.

Down on the Farm The calendar date tells us we are in spring, but it has not felt like it for the whole of April and the start of May. Nearly all of my morning dog walks for April were in the frost. Although the crops have been growing, it has been at a slower pace especially compared to the hot April that we had last year. The wheat’s growth has been about 10 days behind this year. The winter linseed has hardly grown at all and really needs to have some good warm growing weather for it to progress.

Thank goodness we have had a decent amount of rain. The weather really does seem to give us 4–6-week periods of either wet of dry conditions. After coming through another wet winter, we needed some dry conditions for the spring crops to be planted and, luckily, we were graced with that but, surprise, surprise — it stayed dry. The spring seeds found moisture under the surface and have emerged well and the rain over the past 10 days has been most welcome. Everything has really greened up having been able to access the fertiliser that we applied and the signs of stress on the leaves are no longer apparent.

This is the first year with the reduction in direct farm subsidies as the government heads to its 2027 target of ending direct payments to farmers. In theory, all of the money that comes away from the direct payments is meant to go into environmental schemes, but we will see what happens in reality, as the budget is no longer protected — as it was when we were

in the EU. It does mean, however, that we can have an environmental and farming scheme specifically designed for our nation, rather than one for 28 different nations.

The industry is still waiting to hear what the new scheme known as ‘Environmental Land Management’ (ELMs) will have to offer when it is launched in 2024!

Over on the open access land (under the CROW Act, section 16, landowners can voluntarily create public access), it was frustrating to find the fence that surrounds the open access land above Ramsbury, Springs Hill, cut in quite a few places. I know that this will be just one or two people, but it shows such little respect for people’s property and the goodwill in allowing this access. The horses up on the hill in the summer are an important part of land management. The grass needs to be grazed and they also help prevent the scrub from encroaching. Horses or cows do not graze the grass as short as sheep and therefore do not eat the wildflowers that help make the hill such a haven for wildlife.

Please enjoy the countryside, but respect the environment.

I love this special time of year, to see the trees and hedgerows bursting back to life and the crops racing away; my favourite part out in the woods when rays of sunlight shine through the trees onto a carpet of bluebells.

Peter Wilson (as told to Claire Costello)

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Ramsbury Football Club -

A Grass Roots Village Club to be Proud Of! Ramsbury has had a football team since 1887 and a long history of pre and post war success. It has a reputation for punching above its village status with competitive adult and youth teams.

It has certainly continued to earn its reputation from the days of solid leather balls of the 19th and early 20th Century to the mullets and beers at half time of the 1970s and 80s to become a modern grass roots village club widely lauded for its ethos of fair play, never give up spirit and superb facilities the envy of much bigger clubs.

What makes Ramsbury Football FC so special is its rich history, the community that supports it and the fantastic players, coaches, parents and guardians who are the

lifeblood of the Club and make it what it is – a wonderful community football club.

Despite the many issues associated with the COVID pandemic, Ramsbury FC has continued to flourish. It has done so with great community spirit, a brilliant sponsor; Ergo Facilities Management, investment in new kit and equipment, and a long over-due refurbishment of the Clubhouse.

The club has also recruited eighteen new coaches and assistant coaches to manage the youth teams and amazing under 6 development squad.

Jon Symon

Ramsbury FC have won two Wiltshire FA Awards for ‘Grass Roots Project of the Year’ for the Clubhouse refurbishment and ‘They Only Do Positivity’ for fair play and conduct by the U16s team. The awards were accepted by the Club Chair Andy Knowles and U16s Coach Geoff Pratt.

WHITTON WAYSWHITTON WHITTON WAYS | 15

Reflective Spaces A Reflective Space for Discipleship

Our programme has been suspended during this Covid 19 situation.

We look forward to seeing you all again at our film nights as soon as possible.

As always, we welcome suggestions for films you would like to see when we return.

Please contact us at roxy@ramsbury.org

Ramsbury

Wednesday 23rd June, at 7.00pm,

by Zoom - online and telephone sharing.

See http://whittonteam.org.uk for access details.

A respite from a busy life with contemporary words, quiet songs and moments of stillness.

A short act of reflective worship based on materials from the Iona Community, on the 4th Wednesday of each month.

An opportunity to reflect on aspects of Christian teaching and living and to look at our own reflections in the mirror of belief and intention.

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. (1 Corinthians 13:12) Please join us in worship.

For further information please contact Tim Marriott [01672-541734].

Flowers Toys and Games Cash Point facilities Greetings Cards Personal Banking Dry Cleaning Foreign Currency Fresh Milk/Bread Tel: 01672 520229

Book appointments on

01672 521110

- Complete design and build service - Single borders or complete gardens - Resoration of neglected gardens - Consultation and advice Call Anya Hope Medlin (MA Cantab) on 01672 861462 or 07970 590674 anya.earthwise@googlemail.com | www.earthwisegardens.com 16 | WHITTON WAYS

“Thank you” and “please”!

Many thanks to all those who have continued to support the Swindon Food Collective throughout lockdown, by putting items in the baskets in the churches of the Whitton Parish. We have managed to keep the flow of donations going, through the generosity of our village communities.

However, even with the gradual easing of lockdown, the need is not going to go away – if anything, the problem is escalating, and the Food Collective are now feeding over 6,000 people a year, a third of them children. So please don’t forget to support those who struggle to put food on the table.

The baskets are always waiting in the churches, ready to be filled, so maybe make good use of those BOGOF offers, or just add in a few extra tins or packets – even if you are shopping online – and drop them off when you’re fetching the kids from school or walking the dog…

They particularly need: - Longlife juice - Tinned fruit - Tinned meat - Tinned fish - Toiletries (not sanitary wear) - Household cleaning products (i.e. surface spray, washing up liquid and laundry pods) Donations of cash are also extremely welcome – see: https://www. swindonfoodcollective.org/support-us/ donate-funds/ Thank you so much! Conversely, if you know of anyone who needs this kind of help, the parish is a Recommending Agency for the Food Collective; please email helpline@whittonteam.org.uk, or contact one of the clergy.

Diary of Events 2021 JUNE

7 Froxfield monthly catch up on Zoom at 11am 12 Beer & Music Festival - from 2pm

JULY

3 Ramsbury Street Fair 5 Froxfield monthly catch up on Zoom at 11am

NOVEMBER

3 Ramsbury History Talk - Memorial Hall 6 Ramsbury History Talk - Memorial Hall 12 Ramsbury History Talk - Memorial Hall 20 Ramsbury History Talk - Memorial Hall 24 Ramsbury History Talk - Memorial Hall

AUGUST

DECEMBER

SEPTEMBER

2022

1 Froxfield Annual Boundary Walk - meeting 10am at the Pelican Car Park 4 5 18

Froxfield Festival Weekend day 1 Froxfield Festival Weekend day 2 Evening of choral and organ music, Holy Cross, Ramsbury

10 Ramsbury History Talk - Memorial Hall

MAY

Ramsbury Run

If you would like your event included, please email editor Vanya Body at whittonways@gmail.com with the brief details. We will include not-for-profit, sports, charity, community social and musical events.

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Save the Date

“A Few of our Favourite Things” An evening of choral and organ music with The Clerks of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford and organist Ben Sheen.

Just a couple of updates to put in your diaries; Sat June 26th - Rose (evening) picnic.

4 -6pm bring a blanket, a picnic and a rose in a vase. Courtesy of Mrs Julia Blunt at Ramsbury Hill.

Sat 7th August - Summer Show in the Memorial Hall. Further details to follow.

Please use your 2020 schedules for classes.

Take care, Diann Barnett

Saturday 18th September, Holy Cross Church.

Table top sale Saturday 12th June 10.00 - 12.00 in the hall

at Baydon School with a children’s treasure trail around the village on the same day.

Refreshments available: hot dogs, sausage rolls, biscuits and hot and cold beverages - £5.00 a table.

If you would like a table then phone Donni on 07973 191654 If you have items you wish to donate BUT don’t want a table then phone Peter 07724 302704 Further details for the Children’s Trail will be circulated soon.

What treats we have in store for garden enthusiasts this month, thanks to the National Garden Scheme (NGS).

During June, several new gardens are open such as Urchfont Manor in the Pewsey Vale; alongside many more old favourites. There are several whole village garden openings — including six gardens in the village of Dauntsey, and even a ‘pop up’ garden at a Corsham retirement complex. As well as the individual openings, a number of gardens are open for visitors by arrangement throughout the summer. At all times the NGS suggests visitors check out the web site for up-to-date information and to book for some of our gardens. The easiest way to find out more about NGS for Wiltshire gardens is by visiting: www.ngs.org.uk/wiltshire where you’ll find the Wiltshire NGS e-booklet: NGS Wiltshire 2021 18 | WHITTON WAYS

The Ramsbury Roxy cinema was started in 2005 providing a variety of films and a social night out in the Memorial Hall.

The cinema is available to everyone, subject to the film classification.

A total of 234 films have been shown since we started, however unfortunately just like the big commercial cinemas, we had to temporarily close due to Covid-19. Film nights are roughly every fortnight and the programme runs from September to May each year. All being well, we plan to reopen on Friday 10th September 2021.

The Roxy is referred to as ‘The Big Screen Experience in the Memorial Hall’ and has high quality projection, surround sound and a super 2.5m x 4.5m screen. A new one was installed just a few weeks before the lockdown. Audiences can number up to 120 so there is plenty of room for everyone and a bar is available on arrival before the film starts. Doors open at 7.15pm and films start at 8pm - so arrive early to choose your seat.

It is run entirely by a rota of volunteers, however we can always use more help, especially those who can operate the projection and sound systems. If you can use a DVD player you already have most of the skills needed but training and support will be given to anyone who wants to give it a try. Please contact us at the address below.

Additionally more help to set up the seating, serving on the bar and managing the ticket desk is always welcome. We can also be found on the Ramsbury and Axford

Contacts list issued with the Village Diary.

The films range from the classics to the more recent issues and we always encourage suggestions from our audiences for something they would want us to include. If you haven’t tried us before please come along and see what we do. So often newcomers are pleasantly surprised and then continue to support us.

We are not a film club and therefore there is no membership fee. Just buy tickets from the Ramsbury Post Office or on the door.

Our tickets are modestly priced.

Full information on programmes can be found in our leaflets which are produced regularly and will again be found in various places including Ramsbury Post Office, Ramsbury Memorial Hall, the Crown & Anchor and Ramsbury library. If you want to be added to our mailing list please contact us on the address below and keep an eye on our website for the latest details.

Peter Kearns

WHITTON WAYSWHITTON WAYS | 19

The Church Room Back Lane, Ramsbury

Available for Church and Community use, Hire for parties, functions etc £10.00 per hour, including Heating in Winter. Seating for up to 80 with large kitchen and crockery.

For bookings contact the Team Office on 01672 520963. (If leaving a message, please provide a landline number whenever possible.)

Kevin W Nunn Interior and Exterior

Painter and Decorator High standard of work

Providing a stimulating and nurturing environment for all children aged 2.5-4 years, 5 days a week.

01488 646204 07979 481 181 liverpoolfc.kn@gmail.com 35 Laylands Green, Kintbury, Hungerford, Berks RG17 9UB

Led by a qualified teacher and experienced childcare professionals, Ramsbury Pre-School is the perfect place to start your child’s learning adventure.

BROWN & CLEMENS

Breakfast Club (Mon to Fri 8-9am) and Afterschool Club (Tues, Wed and Thurs 3-6pm) also available.

Washing machines, dishwashers, cookers.

Domestic appliance repairs

Call now to arrange a visit: 01672 520901

Established in 1972 - 40 years of local service

www.ramsburypreschool.org.uk Back Lane, Ramsbury, Marlborough SN8 2QH

01672 511077 or 01635 528058

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CHILTON FOLIAT

After these long awful months I do hope by now you have found comfort in those all important hugs, I know many of our ladies have including me!

Not only that, but later this month we will find out if at last the final restrictions will be lifted and normal life will be with us again.

I want to say such a huge thank you to all our WI committee; members and friends who have been so supportive in keeping communications together and in true WI style stayed in contact with fellow members via phone, email and zoom. Also to our new members who, despite not having ever been to a ‘real’ WI meeting, have still taken up a full membership, we are so looking forward to seeing you in person.

The final WI Zoom meeting, (oh that sounds good), for Chilton Foliat will take place on Thursday 10th June starting at 7pm when we look forward to meeting Lottie Dale and her fascinating personal account of life on the wards. This is her intro:Tales from beyond the bedpan!

My mother was a strong-willed Irish woman who was determined that I should follow her into Nursing - I wanted to be a Pilot!

Reluctantly, I complied and, as a result, experienced some of the best years of my professional life!

From Carry on Nurse to Oooh Matron, you’ll hear about my experiences and adventures in the early 1970s at Bart’s Hospital in London.

This, as with all WI meetings, is open to non members and friends so if you wish to join in to hear Lottie’s talk, please call 01488 683190 or email: Womens.institute@chiltonfoliat.com

Many of our members and friends joined our May Zoom meeting to hear Graham Hayes talk on The Tale of the Ship of Dreams” – Titanic Graham’s talk began with the idea and plans of this amazing vessel with detailed pictures of the original drawings followed by images of the actual building of the ship and the magnitude and size of every aspect. He spoke about the lives, and sadly the deaths, of the workers that built Titanic and the many incidences that led to the delay of the eventual launch. Had she been launched on her due date we would no doubt have had a very different history of this mighty cruise ship. It was a fascinating talk, with detailed video clips to add to the enjoyment and one to be highly recommended.

All proceeds from Graham’s talks he donates to his cancer charities.

Sadly, our May competition was not well received but well done to Brenda for her delightful pictures and ladies, thinking caps on for June please!

NOW, It is with great excitement and pleasure we can announce the first face to face meeting in Chilton village hall will be on Thursday September 9th when we welcome the very talented Froxfield Pelican Morris dancers. This promises to be a hoot of an evening especially as the WI will be encouraged to join in with the dance!

More details nearer the time but as always, you are very welcome to come along with no obligation to dance but we do ask for a small donation to our funds.

I look forward to seeing you very soon and if you wish for any further details about our WI please do call me on 01488 683190 or email our secretary: Womens.institute@chiltonfoliat.com Liz Outridge

WHITTON WAYSWHITTON WAYS | 21

C I T

,

ES E R T

S A PL NT

PLA

T O N

Help Class 6 at Ramsbury School with their quest

In Class 6, we have been learning about activism and about people like Martin Luther King, Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg, who have changed the world through their actions. We are all really worried about the environment, climate change and especially all the plastic we are putting into our oceans, so we decided to do something about it. We started on our doorstep and looked at the plastic pollution in Ramsbury.

You might think that a beautiful village like Ramsbury doesn’t have a plastic problem, but that’s where you’re wrong! We went on a walk around Ramsbury and, although we saw a few dog poo bags, face masks, sweet wrappers and plastic bottles, when we looked more closely at the hedges and trees, we found HUNDREDS and HUNDREDS of old plastic tree guards – clear plastic spiral guards, big green guards, mesh guards – some lying on the ground, and some breaking into small pieces. Some were even grown into the ground and into the bark of the trees! Some of the guards looked like they had been there for nearly 20 years!

We got really worried about how close to the River Kennet all these pieces of plastic were, as we have been learning about the problems that happen when plastic gets into the rivers and seas.

Did you know that 100% of baby sea turtles have plastic in the tummies? Did you know that in just over 20 years, there will be more plastic in the sea than living creatures?

22 | WHITTON WAYS

Did you know that there is already an island made of plastic in the Pacific Ocean, which is bigger than Texas? These are unbelievable truths. We even found out that when plastic gets into the ground, it can get into the carrots you eat and the water you drink!

Our Big Clean Up Plan

We held a Zoom conference on 30th April, to talk about what we’d found out, about our big Clean Up plan and about our research into compostable alternatives to plastic tree guards. So many people came to our meeting! We had Ramsbury Estates, Ridge Farm, Hilldrop Farm, Ramsbury Recreation Ground, Ramsbury Parish Council, Greenpeace, The Green Party, Forestry England, Marlborough Transition Group, Wiltshire Council, BBC Radio Wiltshire, Marlborough News Online, Reforest Scotland, Southern Streams, ARK and CPRE! During our conference, we explained our plan to clear up the old tree guards. We had offers from the landowners to help us put the old tree guards on trailers, and from Wiltshire Council and the Parish Council to take them to the tip. We learned about compostable trees guards

from ‘Ezeetrees’ and that their guards are going to be used for all the planting along the HS2 railway line.

We are going to do our Big Clean Up to coincide with the Great British Spring Clean at the end of May and we are asking for your help. Can you come and help us clear away the old tree guards?

We’ll be putting posters up with more details nearer the time.

Since our conference, things are already starting to happen. We were on BBC radio! Ramsbury Recreation Ground are organising a clean up of all their old tree guards this week! And they are going to use compostable ones when they plant their new trees. ‘Trees for Life’ want us to be Young Tree Ambassadors and we will be their media study during National Hedgerow Week. ARK, Rudge Farm and Ramsbury Estates have helped us identify areas where we can clear old tree guards.

And we are going to plant our own trees, trialling alternatives to plastic.

Planting trees is vital, but we shouldn’t be trying to solve one problem by creating another. Help us to plant trees – not plastic!

From the 30 children in Class 6, Ramsbury School

WHITTON WAYSWHITTON WAYS | 23

Ramsbury Library

Aldbourne Library

Opening Hours Monday: 2pm - 5pm* Wednesday: 10am - 12 noon* Thursday: 2pm - 5pm* Saturday: 10am - 12 noon*

Opening Hours Monday: 1.30pm - 4.30pm & 5pm - 7pm Tuesday: 10am - 12noon* Thursday: 1.30pm - 4.30pm & 5pm - 7pm * staffed by volunteers

FREE INTERNET ACCESS - ONLINE SERVICES - wiltshire.gov.uk Axford, Baydon, Chilton Foliat & Froxfield are served by the Devizes Mobile Library

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Established 1972

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Celestial Sightings - June 2021 The June night sky is interesting because it never gets truly dark. This is because of our northerly latitude of 51°N — throughout most of June (21st June is the summer solstice), the sun is overhead on the Tropic of Cancer at 23° 26’, so that when the sun is on the other side of the earth (during our night) enough of the sun’s light ‘peeks’ over the north pole to cause an unusual twilight to the north. This means that fainter objects may be obscured, however the brighter stars should all be visible.

This is a very good time for observing the Great Globular Cluster M13 in Hercules.

‘security lights’! Now lie back in a reclining chair, because Hercules is very high in the sky. Use Vega and Arcturus as reference points to the ‘square’ of Hercules. Next, use binoculars to point to the location of the yellow ‘blob’ in the sky. Focus carefully, and what you see will astound you – a huge swarm of glittering jewels!

Firstly, please download the June Skymap from the following URL: http://astrocruise.com/skymap/

Moon Phases Last Quarter: 2nd June New Moon: 10th June First Quarter: 18th June Full Moon: 24th June Thus the ‘Dark Period’ (for observing faint objects) is roughly between 5th–15th June, though bear in in mind that in June the ‘Dark Period’ is never really dark.

Now, find Hercules, right in the centre of the map. Look for the yellow ‘blob’ on the northern arm. This is M13, though the real thing is not yellow at all!

Finding it in the sky is more challenging because the stars of Hercules are quite faint. Please turn off all forms of artificial illumination — especially

So what is a globular cluster, and why is it called M13? The first part is answered here: https://earthsky.org/space/ definition-what-is-a-globular-cluster The second part is to do with a famous French comet hunter called Charles Messier. More later – I am out of space!

Philip Perkins

WHITTON WAYSWHITTON WHITTON WAYS | 25

The Doctor Writes A Tentative Opening at Bedwyn It has been wonderful to see the front door of the surgery open as a first step to reopening. Patients who have a pre-booked appointment with a doctor, nurse or the blood pressure machine can come in and check in on the screen. You can now book telephone appointments via the online booking system and we encourage you to do this to help free up the phone lines. Anyone picking up medicines or wanting to speak to a member of the reception team please continue to go to the back window. Face to face appointments have been available throughout the pandemic based on clinical need following a telephone assessment with a doctor or nurse. Until it is safe, this, along with social distancing and mask wearing needs to continue. When it will be safe is uncertain and with the Indian variant spreading rapidly this is now likely to be beyond the 21st of June.

Again, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for your continued support, encouragement and thank you messages. We seem to be busier than ever with huge demand for appointments. In addition to providing routine, emergency and visit appointments, we are playing catch up from when the core services were suspended, delivering the vaccination programme and dealing with a large number of appointments generated from the online platforms such as DoctorLink.

It is great to see so many of you using this online resource especially for minor illness symptoms and getting advice without contacting the surgery. Other excellent online resources are the NHS and Patient. info websites. If you require evidence of 26 | WHITTON WAYS

your vaccination status for travel this can be accessed from the gov.uk website and any queries about the vaccination programme can be found here or by contacting 119.

Stay safe and well Dr Angela Paddon and the team The Old School Surgery Doors still open for patients at Ramsbury Since the Covid-19 pandemic reared its ugly head we have continued to offer medical care via alternative methods, telephone consultations, video consultations and face to face when necessary. Alongside this, we set up and are running the Covid Vaccination Programme for the local Primary care Network. Our Team have been absolutely fantastic working additional hours to staff the vaccination clinics alongside their usual hours within the Surgery. We have a wonderful team of staff and are so proud of what we have achieved over the last 12 months.

Our doors have always remained open with Covid-secure measures in place to protect our staff and patients. Over the next couple of months we are moving towards offering more routine face-to-face appointments and restarting routine health services. We are limiting the number of people within the Surgery and at times you may be asked to queue or wait outside. We continue to monitor the latest guidance and will make adjustments when required. For all the latest updates please follow our Facebook page or check out our website at ramsburyandwanboroughsurgery.com Alison Harrod Practice Manager Ramsbury & Wanborough Surgery Long Covid by Dr Noel AuYeung As the Covid-19 pandemic wears on, more information on the long-term consequences of infection with SARS-CoV-2 is starting to filter through. One of these complications is the syndrome known as ‘Long Covid’ — where following infection with Covid-19,

some people go on to have persistent symptoms weeks, or even months after their initial illness. These symptoms can include (but are not limited to) fatigue, breathlessness, chest tightness, an abnormal sense of smell or taste, joint pains and problems with concentration.

The chances of having long-term symptoms does not seem to be linked to how ill someone is when they first get Covid-19.

Current data suggests that older people, women, and those who had five or more symptoms in the first week of becoming ill with Covid-19 are more likely to develop long covid.

However, despite this emerging data, it is important to note that most people do make a full recovery within 12 weeks, and that recovery time is different for everybody.

There are also many other medical problems that can cause similar symptoms to long covid, so if you are at all concerned about any symptoms you may have, please

do make a telephone appointment to speak to a doctor.

Finally, despite an excellent uptake for the Covid vaccines, it is important to remember to wear masks and to social distance, particularly if you are coming to visit the surgery. The vaccines do not guarantee 100% protection from Covid-19 and you may still be able to catch it (although the hope is that any illness is less severe than if you were unvaccinated). As mentioned above, the chances of developing long covid are not linked to how ill someone is when they first get Covid-19, and, unfortunately, this pandemic is not over just yet despite the easing of restrictions.

For more information on Long Covid, please see the following websites: nhs.uk/ conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/longterm-effects-of-coronavirus-long-covid/ are yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/ Dr Noel AuYeung Old School Surgery

Ramsbury Tennis Club

LTA South West Region Club of the Year 2017 Welcomes new members of all standards.

We have the first artificial clay courts in Wiltshire!

Sunday Club morning 10am; Please book to attend with Chris Wilson at chriswilson61@icloud.com For membership enquiries please contact Chris Snelling on 07887 550700 or at cjsnelling@btinternet.com

E TE PIP

WAS

NK GULLY SI E

K PIP

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AINN DDRRAI TERR ASTE M MAS

WHITTON WAYSWHITTON WAYS | 27

Green Machines

an Eco-Business extending the life of garden machinery Mower servicing & repairs Collection and delivery in Ramsbury, Aldbourne and Axford

Call Pete Randall: 07774 711729

Residential Property Business Property Landlord and Tenant

Company Dispute Resolution Employment

Wills, Trusts and Probate Notarial Services

The Old School House, 42 High Street, Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 0NF T 01488 683555 E dhc@dhc-solicitors.co.uk Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority - Registration number 468087 28 | WHITTON WAYS

Methodist Church Services Sunday 6th June, 10.30am - Service led by local Preacher

Sunday 20th June, 10.30am - Local Arrangement Service

Sunday 13th June, 10.30am - MHA Service led by local Preacher

Sunday 27th June, 10.30am - Service Led Revd Mark Barrett

All Services held at Aldbourne Methodist Church. All are welcome to join us.

Dear All, As we are now open for worship, and our congregation members are feeling safer following the government guidelines on returning to worship — however, we still can’t sing, but it’s so special to join together for worship in God presence!

Making time for that special time; going out again, meeting with our neighbours and friends, making the first steps to socialise again but still taking care to remember ‘Hands, Face, Space’. If you’re happy to follow our services online, just give me a call, and I’ll send them by email: 01672 521085.

Coffee mornings are starting again, in our garden. Our first was held on April 22nd at 10am and, was it the noise of the birds? Or the chatter of our friends and neighbours enjoining their coffee? Everyone seemed really pleased and excited to see, and catch up with their friends again.

Coffee morning will run every two weeks, always on a Thursday morning from 10am in our Garden at Whitehill Close.

Puzzles and books are available to swap and there is lots to catch up on, so come long and join us in the fun!

Take care, blessings Julie Coe, Your Church Steward

The Ramsbury Flyer - Greener Transport The RAMSBURY FLYER is operating a restricted service to Hungerford Tesco for essential shopping only.

Wednesday only – maximum five return passengers, leaving The Pond in Aldbourne at 10.00am and The Square, Ramsbury at 10.16am.

STRICTLY BY BOOKING IN ADVANCE

To book please call Janet on 01672 520682 or 07584 253117.

Surgery Transport continues every Tuesday and Thursday.

For news about Surgery transport or further information please visit ramsburyflyer.org or call Janet on 01672 520682.

WHITTON WAYSWHITTON WAYS | 29

Wiltshire Whitethroats Common Whitethroat

It’s usually the second or third week in April that I hear my first Common Whitethroat of the year. It’s a short, fast little verse in a scratchy voice. I always think it sounds like an exasperated Dunnock until I tune back into the song — an annual process for me, a reminder of the year before. By the second week of May the hedgerows around Froxfield are alive with them. These birds are major beneficiaries of the 18th Century Enclosure Acts, they love hedgerows.

Brewhouse Hill is clearly a favourite area but also the hill over to Ramsbury — and the bushes along the canal, and railway

lines to Bedwyn, are invaded every year.

I have heard and watched Whitethroats singing on the water meadow near the A4 and they nest just opposite the college on the rough ground that has been recently flooded.

They can be infuriating. Their song is so loud you almost think they are within touching distance but their habit of singing from deep inside the hedgerow means they can be hard to see. Their human ‘tolerance’ distance seems to be around 10m; so it’s just a matter of waiting patiently and sooner or later they will be right out on the

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top of the bush, in full view and in full song.

Their ‘call’, as opposed to their song, is a harsh scolding note. Usually saved for passers-by from deep in the undergrowth.

I won’t translate it, it is very clearly Anglo-Saxon!

The Common Whitethroat is quite a big, sturdy Warbler. Male (greyish head) and female (brownish head) are usually easy to separate.

They arrive in numbers in May and are gone by September apart from a few passage birds seen as late as October. Our Winter is not to their liking, so they head off south of the Sahara. This small bird, only 14cm long and weighing just 15g flies from Africa every year just to serenade us!

Their population fell dramatically in 1969 following the drought in the Sahel region, but there has been a steady recovery since then.

The Lesser Whitethroat is much harder to find in our corner of Wiltshire. I have read reports from fifty years ago of the species being common along the canal but last year I found only two individuals. They are very secretive birds and rarely show themselves.

Almost every photograph people send me asking ‘is this a Lesser Whitethroat?’ is in fact a Common Whitethroat. This is

definitely a song worth learning as it is distinctive and these birds are more often heard than seen. The constant arguments about shades of grey and darkness of ear coverts and legs are irrelevant if the bird sings — there is no confusion between our two Whitethroats then.

My year is defined by birds and the annual appearance (and disappearance) of so many different species gives me a sense of order; that all is well despite mankind’s best efforts to destroy nature. I am still in shock having learned that the Italian Government intends to ‘allow’ every Italian hunter a bag of 15 Turtle Doves each year. There are half a million hunters in Italy! So that’s seven and a half million Turtle Doves — about the entire European population. If the Whitethroat’s arrival announces that Spring is here, then the purring of the Turtle Dove is a sure sign of Summer — but not any more. I saw just two last year in the whole of the UK. For now let’s celebrate the arrival of the Common Whitethroat — they are here in numbers already. Something to smile about.

Ted Smith, Froxfield

Turtle Dove WHITTON WAYSWHITTON WHITTON WAYS WAYS | 31| 31

PLUMBING & HEATING

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Central Heating Installation & Repairs Boiler Installation & Repairs Landlord Certificates Bathroom & Kitchen Installations All domestic Plumbing No call out charges Free estimates 24hr service Fully Qualified & Insured Mob: 07720 245333 Home: 01793 791542 Email: faplumbing@hotmail.com

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All makes of new machines Trade-ins taken Collection and Delivery Spare Parts Servicing & Repairs Warranty

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32 | WHITTON WAYS

Mike Dunne

Member of the ICS

Church View Cottage,

28 Froxfield

Marlborough SN8 3LD

01672 551529 and

01488 682308

chimneymen@gmail.com www.mjdunne.co.uk

STREET FAIR

3RD JULY Our Street Fair is back!

Saturday July 3rd from 11am until 3pm in Ramsbury High Street.

The road will be closed from 9am to allow stalls to set up.

There will be lots for everyone.

Most Village Clubs will have a pitch (or two) and there will be a Licensed Bar, food stalls and live music from Steve DeGutis.

Ramsbury Band will be playing and I hope there will be some children’s entertainment.

let me or Karen Rees know to make sure you are in the count! The theme for decoration is ‘Sunflowers’ – anything goes so long as Sunflowers are involved.

If you do not have a stall yet and would like one please contact me.

This is a great opportunity so lets make the most of it!

Ian Smith – oldtiff@hotmail.co.uk

The theme this year is ‘Rainbows’ in recognition of the magnificent work the NHS has done over the last 15 months. So, please dress brightly and stallholders please decorate your stalls!

We are also going to have a competition for the best decorated window/house. This is not limited to the High Street so if you live in another part of the Village please

WHITTON WAYSWHITTON WAYS | 33

Ian Barnes - Electrician Part-P Qualified

NICEIC Registered

Sockets, Lights Re-wires Extensions Fuse-boards & more T 01672 520147

R COPP Tree & Hedge Planting Fencing & Seeding All Grass Cutting Undertaken

Tractor-drawn mower available for large jobs Ride on or hand mowers for smaller jobs

Tel: 01672 520637 Mobile: 07502 265 376

M 07747 414493

Leverton Framers Bespoke Picture Framers & Mirrors

2 Leverton Farm Buildings, Leverton, Nr Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 0TA Tel: 01488 684077 www.levertonframers.co.uk

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Tuesday – Saturday Closed on Sunday and Monday

Fully insured, high quality home improvements and private/commercial property maintenance Contact us on: Enquiries@cfvh.co.uk or Bookings@cfvh.co.uk or 07435 307279 for further information and pricing

07917 434466 or 07770 878800 nickwaite.qps@aol.co.uk

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01672 512185

Brand new from Miracle Theatre . . . a “feel good” cosmic comedy about obsession and the rekindling of love, hope and possibility.

An outdoor performance on

Wednesday, 14 July in the garden at

Maizey Lodge, Ogbourne Maizey nr. Marlborough SN8 1RY Performance starts 8.00pm (whatever the weather!)

Tickets: Adults £14.00 Children (under 16) £8.00 Family £40.00 (2A and 2C)

Approx. 70 minutes – no interval Gates open from 6.00pm for picnics. Bring your own chairs.

Tickets in advance only. Call 01672 512125 or email maizey50@gmail.com

Note: Government regulations will apply.

Please observe social distancing at all times and be prepared to be directed to an area in which to sit. Bar/coffee/ice creams/ WC/parking.

For more information go to; www.miracletheatre.co.uk in aid of Miracle Theatre and the Performing Arts

Froxfield Beer & Music Festival For under 10’s after school...

Wednesday 16th June

Ramsbury Church Rooms 3.15pm - 4.15pm.

(Doors open 3.00pm) REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE

Sat 3rd July from 1pm - SN8 3JP Beer from Hop Kettle Brewery Local Bands & Musicians Evening Disco - Tickets £2 Contact Barry Adams on 01488 683136 adamsbarry24@gmail.com

FREE but donations accepted.

To be covid safe please let me know by email or text if you are coming.

Contact: Liz Nash at; liznash@john-lewis.com or call; 07710 211 353

WHITTON WAYSWHITTON WAYS | 35

Parade Mews The Parade Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 1NE Tel: 01672 511836 enquiries@claridgefuneralservice.co.uk

Every funeral is individual and tailored entirely to your wishes, within all budgets. www.claridgefuneralservice.co.uk

Dennis White

Repair and Restoration of Longcase and other Pendulum Clocks.

Estimates given without obligation.

59 High St, Ramsbury, 01672 520261 Established over 40 years.

Bring an old friend back to life.

01488 658445 For parties, weddings, funerals, dinners at your home Let us take the strain, so that you can enjoy yourself Angell’s Catering, 34 Queensway, Kintbury, Hungerford RG17 9XP

Stone, Marble & Granite Memorials | Additional Inscriptions Cleaning & Restoration | Free Home visits

Open: Mon-Fri 9am–5pm Sat by appointment

Workshop & Showroom: Pelham Court, London Road, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 2AG

Tel (01672) 516797 martin@mjsly.co.uk www.mjsly.co.uk 36 | WHITTON WAYS

RENOVATION AND CONSERVATION FOR OLD AND LISTED BUILDINGS 07727687535 or 01793741185 limeway2010@gmail.com www.limewaywiltshire.co.uk

250 years of Chilton Foliat Primary School This year Chilton Foliat Primary school will be celebrating its sestercentennial anniversary, that’s 250 years of our wonderful village school!

In 1771, when a charitable endowment was made by Roger and Elizabeth Spanswick to provide an education for the children of the parish, could they have imagined that the school would still be going strong and welcoming pupils from the parish and well beyond 250 years later?

A new “250” page has set up on Facebook, along with an email address, 250@ chiltonfoliat.wilts.sch.uk for alumni to get in touch and share any happy memories or anecdotes from their time at the school.

We plan to hold a Service of Thanksgiving with Bishop Andrew on 14th October and other celebration events later in the year, but these will both be dependent on Covid restrictions so we shall share more on this as soon as we can.

As part of the anniversary, we’re going to be producing a recipe book… with a twist! The

recipes will all be provided by members of the community (village, school, and alumni) – we’re looking for the secret sponge cake recipe from Granny, or the best chicken soup for when you’re poorly!

We want this to be a unique collection just for us; a recipe passed down through the generations perhaps. We will include some of the best photographs of the life and times of the school.

We shall be running a competition for the school children to design the front and back covers of the book, and Sophie Conran will be choosing the winners. As you may know Sophie is an interior designer, cook and author and most importantly, a former pupil of Chilton Foliat Primary School!

If you would like to get involved and submit a recipe, please email 250@chiltonfoliat. wilts.sch.uk or drop it into the school marked “250 recipes”.

Closing date 16th July 2021.

Ali Payne

The Ramsbury Knitting Group... ...continues to knit; we do need more DK yarn for blankets if anyone has any to spare; don’t think small amounts are useless we’ll find a use for everything you give us.

Please look out for us at the Street Fair which is being held in Ramsbury on July 3rd; we will probably be in Holy Cross as we have too much to show on a stall so do come to see what we have achieved in the 15 month’s of lock down.

We always are pleased to welcome new members, either to our meetings or to knit on your own at home.

Please contact Estrid Eyles, 55a, High Street, Ramsbury. 01672 520789.

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Komorebi...

is a Japanese word that roughly translates as “the scattered light that filters through, when sunlight shines through trees”, onto a carpet of, in this case, bluebells.

Dylan Thomas called this “windfall light”, G.M Hopkins used “shivelight” and C.S.Lewis “shafts of delicious sunlight.”

ORANGE KEY A R C H I T E C T U R A L

Would you like to play cricket?

We’re looking for players to play in a beautiful setting!

Saturday league matches Sunday friendly matches Nets; 6.30pm Thurs evenings Ramsbury Recreation Centre Hilldrop Lane Ramsbury Contact: Peter Osmond 07971 288761 osmondpeter@gmail.com

D E S I G N

Are you contemplating extending or improving your home?

New life can be given to any property by renovating, adding an extension, loft conversion or garage conversion.

Contact us for a friendly chat and a FREE design consultation to find out how.

4 The Cuttings, Hungerford 01488 682918 info@orangekeyltd.co.uk | www.orangekeyltd.co.uk

Swindon Buses - weekdays

Ramsbury departures AM - 07.38, 08.43, 09.58, 10.58 PM - 13.08, 14.48, 15.58, 17.03, 18.23, 19.23.

Swindon departures AM - 06.30, 07.10, 08.40, 09.40, 11.35 PM - 13.15, 14.10, 15.30, 16.50, 17.55

All buses stop at the GW Hospital. Check times at bus stop

Automatic Garden Watering Systems professionally designed installed and maintained

Rainwater Harvesting Systems SHAUN MEDLIN Tel : 01672 520144 | Mobile : 07799 893520 shaun@waterwisegardens.co.uk | waterwisegardens.co.uk Hightown, Whittonditch, Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 2QA 38 | WHITTON WAYS

News from Ramsbury Saturday 15th May; The Allotment Association hosted the Ramsbury Does Springtime Event

Ramsbury Allotment Association in conjunction with Hills Stores Charity Shop raised £488.50. Paul New with fabulous assistant Keith Mantle raised £660 with plants & Rosalie Winter & Lyn Curtis £250 on the cake stall for the Treloar Trust. Ramsbury Royal British Legion & the ladies at Made In Ramsbury also raised good amounts of money. We would also like to thank Just The One, Amazing Blades, Rosie Noon & Margaret Swan for turning out to make an excellent morning. Of course thank you Ramsbury Memorial Hall for use of their car park.

Thanks to Robert, Tony, Josh & Nick for showcasing their vintage tractors in the square. Our town crier John Barker crying on such a wet morning.

Amazing blades are coming again soon please check press for dates. Our next sale will be advertised shortly (mid June) which will be more perennials and later growing vegetables. In the meantime Hills Stores Charity Shop do hold a supply of plants.

Any pots and carriers can be returned to the pot return crate just inside the allotment gate.

Over £1500 was raised in 2 hours for village charities thank you to all your purchases.

Anyone interested in an allotment plot please contact me Dee Edwards on 0786 792 1878 or email allotments@ramsbury. org or visit ramsburyallotments.co.uk

LINK

LINK is available to organise lifts for housebound and non driving clients for medical appointments, hairdressing,

shopping etc.

As things are opening up we are becoming busier. We are very grateful to our volunteer drivers but we also need new drivers so if you are interested in volunteering as a driver or need a lift please contact Penny Willetts on 520111

Parish Council

There were Parish Council elections on May 6th but Ramsbury & Axford Councillors were returned in an uncontested election because we had 15 candidates for 15 seats (two in Axford, 13 in Ramsbury).

This is the first time for some years that we have had a full complement. We are glad to welcome three new Councillors, Alison Foale, Dawn Gill and Maggie Waugh as well as the 12 existing Councillors. A full list can be seen on www.ramsbury.org.uk or on Parish noticeboards. Parish Council meetings are held on the third Monday in each month. From May we are returning to face to face meetings in Ramsbury Memorial Hall.

James Sheppard was re- elected as County Councillor for Aldbourne & Ramsbury ward.

Hills Stores Charity Shop

The Charity Shop is continuing to do well with substantial amounts raised for the village organisations who help in running the shop-Scouts, Bowls Club, Holy Cross Church, Lunch Club, Rec Centre, WI, Ravensbury Players and Ramsbury British Legion. In the summer months we have plants courtesy of Paul New as well as bargains in toys, books, kitchen equipment, small electricals, glassware garden items etc.

We are grateful for donations but please no hard back or non fiction books.

Sheila Glass

WHITTON WAYSWHITTON WAYS | 39

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40 | WHITTON WAYS

Axford Angle Recently, Nieve, who so ably wrote the Axford Angle and her mum Caroline, moved from the village and I would like to thank them both for all the help they gave us while they were here and wish them well in their new home.

and with the present pandemic although we are normally a quiet village, we must at the moment appear almost comatose.

I would like to welcome them though and hope they will enjoy our beautiful valley, with its many footpaths, tracks etc.

Vanya kindly asked me if I could write something from time to time; I will try, but it is more likely to resemble Axford Ramblings.

Things will get better with time I am sure and then we can plan Gardens Open, fete and Harvest Supper to start with. We just have to be patient and take things a step at a time.

We have had some new people moved into the village over the last few months

Diann Barnett

WHITTON WAYSWHITTON WAYS | 41

The Parish of Whitton Contacts

Clergy

Churchwardens

Team Rector

The Revd Beth Hutton The Rectory, Back Lane, Ramsbury SN8 2QH 01672 520235 rector@whittonteam.org.uk

Team Vicar

Revd. Sue Rodd 16 The Garlings, Aldbourne, Marlborough, SN8 2DT 01672 541571 revsuerodd@btinternet.com

Licensed Pastoral Assistant (LPA) Coordinator Mrs Estrid Eyles 01672 520789

Licensed Lay Minister

Mrs Jackie Hollander Hidden House, 6a Child Street, Lambourn, RG17 8NZ 01488 71012

Chaplain Froxfield College Reverend Ann Massey

Team Vicar

Methodist Minister

Lay Minister

Team Office

Revd Rhona Floate The Vicarage Back Lane Aldbourne SN8 2BP 01672 540523 rhonafloate@aol.com Mr Tony Eyles 55a High Street, Ramsbury, SN8 2QN 01672 520789

Revd. Stephen Skinner 18 Priorsfield Marlborough SN8 4AS 01672 512457 rev.stephen.skinner3@gmail.com

Ramsbury with Axford

Paul Trickey 01672 520630 George Hawes 01672 520693

Ramsbury Methodist Steward

Julie Coe 01672 521085

Chilton Foliat

Tim Williams 01488 682987 Peter Camfield 01488 685457

Aldbourne, Baydon and Froxfield

Krystyna Hagerty 01672 540698 Chris McGowan 01672 541362

Church Room, Back Lane, Ramsbury 01672 520963 (Answerphone) teamoffice@whittonteam.org.uk Office hours Monday & Thursday 9 am - 2 pm

Bookings Chilton Foliat Village Hall 07435 307279 enquiries@cfvh.co.uk Froxfield Memorial Hall David Watson 01672 841315 Ramsbury Church Room Fiona Mair 01672 521158

From the Parish Register BAPTISMS NONE WEDDINGS 20 April 2021

Hugh Stevens and Victoria Craig

FUNERALS 21 April 2021 12 May 2021 21 May 2021

42 | WHITTON WAYS

Dr William McCleery Mr Eric Graham Huntley Mrs Hedwig Goodfield

Baydon Chilton Foliat Chilton Foliat

Worship in the Parish in June Sunday TRINITY 1

When

Where

Type of service

June 6th

8.00am 9.30am 11.30am

Aldbourne Ramsbury - Livestreamed Zoom / Phone-in

BCP Communion Team Communion Informal Worship

June 13th

8.00am 9.30am 9.30am 11.00am 11.00am 11.30am

Ramsbury Froxfield Ramsbury Aldbourne - Livestreamed Chilton Foliat Zoom / Phone-in

BCP Communion Informal Morning Worship Holy Communion Matins / Wildlife week Holy Communion Informal Worship

June 20th

8.00am 9.30am 9.30am 11.00am 11.30am

Chilton Foliat Ramsbury Baydon Aldbourne - Livestreamed Zoom / Phone-in

BCP Communion Informal Morning Worship Informal Morning Worship Holy Communion Informal Worship

8.00am Aldbourne 9.30am Ramsbury 9.30am Baydon 9.30am Froxfield 11.00am Aldbourne - Livestreamed 11.00am Chilton Foliat 11.30am Zoom / Phone-in

BCP Communion Matins Holy Communion Holy Communion Informal Morning Worship Matins & Baptism Informal Worship

8.00am Ramsbury 10.00am Aldbourne 12.30pm Aldbourne

BCP Communion Team Communion Baptism

TRINITY 2

TRINITY 3

TRINITY 4

June 27th

TRINITY 5

July 4th

Other services ‘Phone-in services’ will continue (not Holy Communion) at 11.30 each Sunday, followed by an opportunity to chat.

Phone in on: 020 3481 5240 or

020 808 06591 or join us via the internet using ZOOM if you are able: Meeting ID; 9483407 2630 Password: 343860 Service sheets are downloadable from the Team website. The main Sunday service is also recorded and uploaded on Facebook. Please note that masks are now mandatory in church unless you are exempt.

Private Prayer; Axford church is closed completely

at present. Holy Cross remains closed but with an invitation to anyone who would like to enter for private prayer to contact the rector or churchwardens.

Please see the notice boards for up to date information.

Email pcc@whittonteam.org.uk if you’d like to be added to our mailing list for resources.

See also our Facebook page: @WhittonTeamNews and the Team website: whittonteam.org.uk Please also email helpline@whittonteam.org.uk with any requests for prayer and/or practical help at this time – we are here to serve you.

WHITTON WAYSWHITTON WAYS | 43

THE BELL AT RAMSBURY

ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY THIS SUMMER Our 300 year old former coaching inn is known for outstanding food and comfortable accommodation, so why don’t you pay us a visit? Part of the Ramsbury Estate with our own brewery, distillery and smokehouse, our menu features European cuisine and pub classics. Great walking. Dog friendly. Close to Marlborough and Hungerford.

The Square, High Street, Ramsbury, Wiltshire SN8 2PE

|

tel. 01672 520 230

|

email. thebell@ramsbury.com

www.thebellramsbury.com

Ramsbury Memorial Hall The ideal venue for receptions, dances, stage performances, conferences, exercise groups, presentations and family gatherings

Registered charity number 272112

- Hall of character - Modern facilities - Full disabled facilities - Stage - Alcohol Licence - Free Wi-Fi available - Public address system - Comfortable chairs - Seating at tables for 120 - Licensed for cinematography Also available separately The Lychgate meeting room for gatherings for up to 25 people with kitchen and toilets.

Enquiries and Bookings at ramsburymemorialhall.org or call Robert Osmond on 01672 520568

44 | WHITTON WAYS