Archived News
June 2006
Big screen scene setter for carnival
The day will start rolling at 12.30pm, when a colourful carnival procession leaves The Orchards, Eaton Bray, and winds its way through the village and into Edlesborough.
Neighbours living along the route always deck out their houses on the carnival theme and as usual, there will be prizes for each of the best-decorated houses in Eaton Bray and Edlesborough.
Then at 1.30pm the carnival will be officially opened on Edlesborough Green by a familiar figure, Mel Grundy, who founded Vansar Blinds.
Mel, who has now retired, has lived in Eaton Bray for 39 years and managed the parish fete's transformation into a village carnival in the early 1990s as carnival chairman.
This year. the packed programme of fun will include belly dancing, a kite-flying display, Jazzercise, a classic cars parade, a dog show. Dagnall School country dancing, worm charming. and a grand draw.
There will be hot air balloon rides if the weather permits, birds of prey will be on display, and there will be a chainsaw carver, other craft demonstrations, bouncy castles, giant inflatables, children's rides and lots of other things to do and see.
Clarabelle the pantomime cow will be there for her contest which involves carnival visitors trying to guess where she will leave a "message".
Presiding over all the fun will be Carnival Queen Anna Cella, with Carnival Princess Lucy Everson and attendants Annabelle French and Zara Rogers.
The Olympic Worm Charming Championship is coming to Edlesborough Green in 2012. So this year's worm charming event at the carnival will be a great opportunity to develop your technique.
The organisers say that the world record for worm charming is 511 worms in 30 minutes. So far, the St Mary's Village Carnival charmers have failed to equal that.
But this year's contestants can try to beat the results of winners from previous years. Previous winners include: 2003, Stacey Loczy, two worms; 2004, David Griffiths, five worms: and 2005, Gill Ratherham, eight worms.
Worms may not be dug out of the ground. Only vibrations can be used to lure them out. Garden forks can be stuck in the ground and vibrated manually to coax the worms to the surface.
Organisers also say that worm charming can involve music, and suggest useful tunes could include Good Vibrations or Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head. The most successful method used so far has been hand-vibrating a four-tine garden fork inserted about 15cms into the turf.
The dog show will include pedigree and novelty classes and entries are from 10.30am, with judging at noon. Entry is £1 per class.
Pedigree classes will include: any variety of puppy, aged up to 12 months; any variety, sporting; any variety, nonsporting, includes pastoral; any variety, open; and youngsters aged up to 15 can take part in a junior handling class. Novelty classes include: best local dog living within a fivemile radius; best veteran, any dog aged over seven; handsomest dog; prettiest bitch; dog with the waggiest tail; and the dog the judge would most like to take home.
Birds of Bray, a local falconry team, will bring along captivebred birds of prey to the carnival. People can chat to the team, and take pictures of the birds.
Top prize in the grand draw will be a weekend in Rome. Second prize will be a trip to the Houses of Parliament with South West Beds MP Andrew Selous.
There will be trophies for the best entry in each of three categories in the carnival procession. They are: preschool/lower school; junior school; adult/family/business. Every entry is given a certificate.
There is no charge for taking part in the procession, and you do not have to enter afloat. You could walk, push a pram, or even stilt walk.
Last-minute entries who do not need transport can just turn up at The Orchards, Eaton Bray, between 10.30am and 11.30am on the day.
Entries should be themed. Judging takes place at noon.
The carnival procession will travel from The Orchards, Eaton Bray, along the High Street, into Moor End, and then past the shops in Edlesborough, left into Brook Street, along The Green, right into Brownlow Avenue, right into Pebblemoor, finally entering the carnival site through the Memorial Hall car park.
Source: Dunstable Gazette, 28 June 2006
Clarabelle in moo-d for fun day
A pantomime cow visited a Dunstable school to teach the pupils about teamwork and get them in the moo-d for a village carnival.
Clarabelle the cow is an important part of the Eaton Bray and Edlesborough Carnival team, pupils at Ashton Middle School heard, and helped to raise more than £10,000 last year for charity.
Canon Malcolm Grant, vicar of Eaton Bray with Edlesborough, told the children: "If you want to achieve success, working together as a team is very important because in a team everyone pulls together and helps one another.
"Just think the work TEAM - Together Each Achieves More.
"Good teamwork is important whether it is doing something for your school, fundraising for a charity or everyday life in our families.
"Clarabelle is a great example, helping our carnival team with its aim of having a big success on July 1 with St Mary's Village Carnival at Edlesborough Green."
This year, 25 per cent of the money raised at the carnival will be given to the Iain Rennie Hospice, with funds also going to repair St Mary's in Eaton Bray and to local charities and good causes.
Source: Dunstable Gazette, 28 June 2006
Brilliant form right through to the final
This season a small village club, which draws players from Eaton Bray, Edlesborough and surrounding villages, has taken a great step forward.
EB Lions have been awarded the FA Charter Standard and the club has grown from four to six teams, with 76 registered players.
They have fielded a girls' team (U12) for the first time and the girls have acquitted themselves well against more experienced teams in their first season.
Lions' star performers have been the U10 team, who put in brilliant performances during the season to finish runners-up to Hitchin Town in Division One of the League. They also lost to Hitchin in the cup final which was a much closer match than the 3-0 score-line suggests.
However, the abiding memories of the season for most members of the club will be of two Saturday mornings on Edlesborough Green, says Elizabeth Coates (Press Officer).
A sunny December morning saw the Green covered in a sea of black and white striped shirts and red and black training tops as three teams played home matches and two teams held training sessions.
Then, in January, about 100 supporters (including the entire U14 squad) lined the pitch to cheer on the U10 team in their cup semi-final victory.
Source: Youth Football Review 2005/06
Thousands expected at spectacular day of fun
The curtain rises on Saturday on this year's spectacular St Mary's Village Carnival which will see hundreds of people descend onto Edlesborough Green for a day of fun.
And with a "Films" theme the organisers are hoping for a box office hit that will see receipts top the £10,000 that was raised from the 2005 event.
The shop opens with a dazzling parade through the streets of Eaton Bray and Edlesborough that starts from The Orchards at 12.30pm and takes an hour to wend its way through the two villages before arricing at The Green.
Brightly-decorated floats from community groups, shops and schools will be headed by carnival queen Anna Cella, princess Lucy Everson and attendants Annabelle French and Zara Rogers and there will be a crowd of fancy-dressed "extras" accompanying the procession on foot.
And villagers will be hoping to win the carnival's coveted "Oscar" - a stunning cut glass Best Dressed House trophy that Leighton Buzzard Observer provides for the best dressed house in each of the two villages.
This year's movie theme should provide plenty of ideas for villagers - whether it's children's animations, horror, family fun or westers, so make your house an epic to remember.
Carnival committee chairman Peter Bennett, said: "This year our carnival will have more stalls and attractions than ever before, and we hope to beat last year's record sum raised for local charities.
"One of the main beneficiaries will be the Iain Rennie Hospice, well known locally for their outstanding care and support of people with terminal illness.
"Thanks to the hard work and generosity of many people we look forward to a wonderful carnival day with some fantastic prizes and entertainment for all ages."
Visitors to the carnival will be able to enjoy dozens of stalls, hot air balloon rides, stunt kite displays, chainsaw wood carving, a dog show, worm charming, belly dancers and the ever popular Clarabelle the Cow.
For more information about the event visit www.stmarysvillagecarnival.com.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 27 June 2006
Wow, so many religions!
An in-depth look at the world's religions culminated in a festival of Indian art and dance at Edlesborough School.
The aim was to foster a greater understanding of religions and religious experiences, and involved the children from Year 6 visiting a synagogue and youngsters from Year 5 taking part in an Islamic workshop.
The workshop, run by Razwan Ul Haq, a gifted teacher of Islamic calligraphy and art, gave pupils a chance to make decorative clay tiles and, later in assembly, give a performance of Islamic music.
Year 4 visited the Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Luton, where they enjoyed a guided tour of the Gurdwara and learnt more about Sikh beliefs while Years 2 and 3 visited the Hindu Temple in Neasden.
Teacher Catherine Hayden said: "Children and adults alike went 'Wow!' when the coach turned off the North Orbital Road and the magnificently-carved, white marble temple stood before them. It is an amazing sight."
Year 1 walked to St Mary's Church, Eaton Bray, and joined in a short service for young children. The reception children had fun being taught how to play the tambourine with Majors Paul and Jacqui Wright and their daughter, members of the Dunstable Salvation Army Corp.
The week ended with every class enthusiastically taking part in Indian dance and drumming.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 27 June 2006
Kelly will host beauty show
A former beauty queen from Leighton will present this year's Miss Bedfordshire competition.
Kelly George, 26, from Springfield Road, Linslade, was crowned the county's beauty in 1999. She returns to the spot light on July 3 at Bellows Mill, Eaton Bray, to introduce the contestants and award the title.
Nursery nurse Kelly said: "There hasn't been a competition for six years, and organisers were so pleased to hear from me. Since winning the title I have had so many exciting opportunities and experiences offered to me."
And it's not just beauty that counts in the eye of the judges. Kelly explained that on the night the experts will be looking for personality, appearance and dress attire before choosing a winner.
The mum of two hopes her past experiences, which include taking part in a fashion show run by The Sun newspaper in London to promote clothing by 'Naughty', will launch her career back into modelling or promotional work.
"I have been inspired by my mum, Donna. She was a local beauty queen also, and was crowned Leighton-Linslade Carnival Queen," said Kelly.
This year's winner of Miss Bedfordshire will then go on to compete in the Miss England competition in Leicester on July 13.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 27 June 2006
Cricket: Battling pair hit 170 for Simmons
Eaton Bray 186-8, Simmons 187-1 (Dunstable Midweek League)
Eaton Bray elected to bat on a fairly lively track but managed to score steadily with Darren Kerins (53) Andy Norris (53 no) and John Peacock (119) making the runs.
However, Simmons bowled well throughout and never allowed an Eaton Bray onslaught. Neville and James Clarke bagged five wickets with figures of 3-34 and 2-32.
In response, Simmons lost an early wicket but then a magnificent 170 run partnership won the game with seven overs to spare.
Neville Clarke (62 no) played a good supporting role for left-hander Mark Gear who struck a marvellous unbeaten 109.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 20 June 2006
Open gardens raise funds for hospital
Eaton Bray's first open gardens day was a blooming success.
The sunny weather helped attract nearly 350 visitors to the six busiest gardens, all in walking distance of St Mary's Church.
May's rain and June's warmth had left the gardens in top condition with even the roses opening up just a few days before the event. Eleven owners of gardens and allotments worked hard to make their plots look so attractive and the event a success. Their hard work also paid off financially, as more than £2,000 was raised to support the St Mary's Parish project - the Friends of Kagando Hospital in Uganda.
The garden owners spent their Sunday afternoon fielding questions about their gardens and, in some cases, talking about and learning from visitors about the history of their properties.
Already people are offering to open their gardens for 2007.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 20 June 2006
Brave shopper thwarts robber
A customer sprung into action to stop a would-be thief from raiding an Eaton Bray off-licence for possible the second time in a month.
The Good Samaritan was in Threshers, in Eaton Bray High Street, when a man made a snatch for the takings on Sunday afternoon. After wrestling the thief's arm away from the cash the crook darted for the door and made his escape empty-handed.
The incident on Sunday afternoon was a carbon copy of another till snatch three weeks ago and police are investigating to see if they are linked.
A police spokesman said: "A person walkin in, picked up a can of lager, asked for cigarettes and when the shop assistant opened up the till he put his hand in the cash register.
"Thankfully a member of the public was there and pulled the man away and he ran off empty-handed."
The thief was descibed as blank, late 20s or early 30s, with a tatoo on his neck, stubble, and wearing sunglasses, cap and baggy clothes. It is a description similar to that given after the previous theft.
Anyone with information abouyt the thief or the till snatches should call DC Vicky Clarks on 01234 841212 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, 0800 555111.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 20 June 2006
Parish Council Minutes - June 2006
A summary of this month's meeting, along with a downloadable copy of the full minutes is now available from the Parish Council website.
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting: Monday 5th June 2006
Liz will you marry me?
There wasn't a dry eye in the house when Eaton Bray's Clive Bevins dropped down on one knee after the premiere of Making A Song And Dance About Cancer - documenting his partner Liz Farr's brave battle with the disease - and asked her to marry him.
"I was totally, totally unprepared," a stunned Liz, 55, said later. "But it was wonderful, at this stage in my life, for such wonderful things to be happening and still to be having such wonderful surprises.
"Clive is my guardian angel. I've never met such a kind and loving person and there's nothing he wouldn't do for me.
"The whole day was magic and the message I want to get across is that if you've got a life-limiting illness, you don't have to give up. You can still have a fantastic time and enjoy every minute you have left."
Clive, 64, said the only person who knew of his romantic intentions before the Rex Cinema screening in Berkhamsted on Friday was Liz's son, Rob, who made the film about his mother's uplifting and inspiring journey.
"I didn't want the premiere to be an anticlimax for Liz," Clive said. "I wanted her to have something else to look forward to, another reason to look ahead."
The happy couple, who met four years ago on a skiing trip, are hoping to have the honeymoon cruise of a lifetime to celebrate their impending nuptials.
Liz, looking frail but radiant, sang her Thank You Song - recorded as a tribute to the family and friends who've supported her - after the credits had rolled on the documentary.
The plucky mum, from Woodside, Eaton Bray, has not only lost two husbands to cancer, but was also diagnosed with breast cancer herself 17 years ago. It has now spread to her spine and liver.
Former insurance company manager Clive said they were so lucky to have got together when they did.
"She's my best friend, the loveliest lady I've ever met," he said. "I do a lot for her but I know if our situations were reversed, she'd do exactly the same for me."
And Liz is equally complimentary about Clive.
"He's the perfect partner," she said. "All my family and friends want to be around him, because he brings something special to our relationship and makes us feel complete. We enjoy being together, even if we're only watching TV." Liz also appreciates the fact he doesn't wallow in her disease.
"He pushes my illness to one side and says: 'Right, you've got this so we'll do that'," said Liz. "If I'm feeling fine, we do things. And if I'm having a bad day, we don't."
Liz was immensely moved by the documentary, which was put together over the past year.
"When it started I had tears in my eyes," she said. "It was so emotional. But as it progressed, I got more used to it.
"It's very powerful. It charts the ups and downs, what it's like to live with this condition. My son and I had some very honest conversations and I think he's done an absolutely fantastic job, bless him."
Rob is hoping to enter the film in various international festivals. And he's hoping a final version - including the romantic ending - will make it on to television.
The premiere raised more than £1,000 for Dunstable-based charity Gentle Touch Healing, whose hands-on approach has helped and strengthened Liz as she comes to terms with what lies ahead.
For more details about Liz's life and to order the Thank You Song CD, visit the www.thankyousong.co.uk website.
Source: Dunstable Gazette, 14 June 2006
No football at the pub
If soccer's not your scene, the World Cup's your worst nightmare, and all you want is a quiet drink in a nice country pub with no endless inquests into Wayne's metatarsal or the relative merits of 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 - Eaton Bray's the place for you.
Licensee David Sparrow has declared The White Horse a World Cup Free Zone! There will be no huge screen showing all the action, not even a small screen - and furthermore, he has banned all discussion of The Beautiful Game for the duration of the World Cup.
Anyone caught infringing the rules will be handed a red card in the form of a polite suggestion that they might like to make a donation to Keech Cottage, the pub's favourite charity.
Mr Sparrow said: "This is a lovely old pub with low ceilings and beams and a restaurant, and big screens showing football just doesn't fit in at all. We've had signs up informing our customers and there seems to be general approval that this is a very good idea!"
Source: Herald & Post, 8 June 2006
One getaway car in two shop raids
Two till thefts in as many days saw crooks using the same getaway car after snatching cash from shops in Houghton Regis and Eaton Bray.
One theft happened at Tithe Farm Stores in Tithe Farm Road, Houghton Regis, on Tuesday, June 6, at 7.40pm, when a man of black or Arian appearance grabbed money from the till.
He escaped in a maroon Cavalier with the registration number L956 NOO, heading towards Enfield Close.
The same vehicle was used on Monday June 5, at 6.10pm when a thief took money from Threshers in Wallace Drive, Eaton Bray.
The man, described as black and in his mid to late 20s, entered the store, picked up a soft drink and went to the counter to pay. When the assistant opened the till, the thief, who is of medium build and wore a baseball cap and heavy coat, grabbed some cash before running across High Street to the waiting Cavalier, which was driven by an accomplice.
The car drove off towards the Leighton Buzzard bypass and was later seen in the Dallow Road area of Luton.
Det Insp Mick Roach said: "Tithe Farm Road and the High Street in Eaton Bray are reasonably busy streets and it is possible passing motorists or residents saw something that may be of assistance.
"We would reassure traders we are doing everything possible to locate these offenders and they can help by ensuring CCTV and other security features are in place."
Anyone with information can contact Det Con Vicky Clarke in confidence on 01234 841212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Source: Dunstable Gazette, 14 June 2006
Cow pays a visit to butchers!
Customers at an Eaton Bray butchers had an udderly bizarre experience on Saturday when Clarabelle the pantomime cow paid a visit.
You might expect cow to be served at the butchers - but not when the cow walks into the shop to sell raffle tickets to the customers.
Clarabelle is a popular attraction at the Eaton Bray and Edlesborough Carnival, which this year takes place on July 1, and she took time out from her showbiz duties to make a personal appearance at Hines the butchers in Eaton Bray High Street.
Last year, carnival organisers handed over more than £10,000 to different local charities and they hope to maintain that success for 2006 when one of the main beneficiaries will be the Iain Rennie Hospice.
This year's carnival theme is "Films" and local organisations are getting ready to design their floats for the big parade which runs from The Orchards, Eaton Bray to the carnival venue on Edlesborough Green.
Householders are also being encouraged to decorate their homes in a bid to win the prestigious LBO Trophy for the Best Dressed House.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 13 June 2006
Eaton Bray Under 5's
The Under 5's meet every Wednesday in term time between 1.15pm and 3.00pm at Eaton Bray Village Hall and is run by a qualified Play Leader.
Babies and children under 5, Parents, Carers and Grandparents are welcome to come and join in the fun.
There is a baby play area, a general play area including a kitchen and washing machine, craft table and ride ons and the tunnel and lots more. We have introduced a reading area and hope to introduce a couple of group activities with a large ball that the children can roll and a parachute.
So far this term children have made a flower collage, number pictures, crowns and Victorian style hats. We plan to make mobile telephones (silent ones), a gift for Fathers Day and a cat in a box.
In the next issue we hope to have details of our summer picnics so watch this space.
We are planning a sale of babies and children's toys in the near future so please watch out for the notices if you want a few bargains.
Drink and biscuits will be provided at snack time. The cost is adults: £1, first child £1, any other child 50p each.
Any queries please contact Maggie or Cindy.
Wednesdays from 1.15pm to 3.00pm at Eaton Bray Village Hall.
Any Baby or child attending is the responsibility of the Parent or Carer.
Source: Focus, June 2006
Former Eaton Bray Lions Team
Village footballers from Eaton Bray won another League title this year and were unbeaten all season.
The former Eaton Bray Lions team who now play for Leighton United U11's won the Chiltern Youth league and only conceded 11 goals all season; this was the best record in all the chiltern leagues at all age groups. The Team had the following players from the village Ali Thorne, Callum Maxwell, Luke Reddington, Charlie Tickell, Josh Thompson, Seamus Ray and Alex Ellis.
Luke Reddington and Ali Thorne also won awards at the Leighton United Presentation Evening for their outstanding performances this season.
Oliver Maxwell from Eaton Bray has been signed by Luton Town Football Club for a second season. This year he has played against teams from Chelsea, Watford, Reading and Portsmouth. This has been a very hard season playing in this standard of football but Ollie has played very well to earn another year.
Source: Focus, June 2006
Cricket: Eaton Bray held to a draw
Second placed Eaton Bray maintained their unbeaten run but had to settle for a draw when they took on New Bradwell in Division One of the Morrants Four Counties League on Saturday.
With James Flecknall scoring 68 and Paul Harris 33, Eaton Bray totalled 208-9.
Flecknall also had success with the ball, taking 4-30, but the visitors held on for a draw at 160-7.
Mentmore have slipped to fourth place after losing by two wickets to North Crawley.
Mentmore totalled 147-8 with Howard Sayers scoring 54 and Henry Kircher 41.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 6 June 2006
Missing body mystery!
After a break of a year, popular local theatre group Front Row returns to Eaton Bray Village Hall this week with a period comedy murder mystery. 'Wanted - One Body' by Charles Dyer is set in a spooky country mansion following the death of its owner, Mr Barraclough.
When solicitors arrive to read the will, they discover the body is missing from its coffin!
What part has Faith, his stepdaughter played, who is Nikkamopoloffkis and what has George got to do with it? Add to this an eccentric doctor, a miserable undertaker and assorted domestics and you have a very complex mystery!
How the solicitors solve it, with many other twists and turns along the way, makes for a very funny evening's entertainment.
So ditch the TV for a night and support your local community talent!
The play runs from Thursday June 8 through to Saturday June 10 and tickets are priced at £6. The play begins at 8pm and there is a licensed bar from 7.30pm.
Call the box office now on 01525 222 283.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 6 June 2006
Gardens on show to raise hospital cash
Forget Chelsea.
The only place to be this Sunday is Eaton Bray for an opportunity to look at and discuss all things horticultural.
From the lowly to the grandiose, houses in the area are throwing open their gardens in the first of what the organisers hope will become an annual event.
A total of 11 gardens in the area are up for viewing between midday and 6pm, and their owners will be on hand to answer questions.
The open gardens event which includes a plant sale from 11.30am in Eaton Bray Village Hall, is part of the St Mary's parish project to raise funds for a Ugandan hospital.
There's a chance to tour both St Mary's Churches in Eaton Bray and Edlesborough and enjoy a cup of tea among the foliage in the village hall.
Visitors can either look for signs around the villages to see which gardens are open or pop to Eaton Bray Village Hall for directions. Admission is £3 (accompanied children free).
More information about the parish project can be found on www.stmaryseatonbray.org.uk
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 6 June 2006
Boy hurt in hit and run
A 13-year-boy was sent reeling when a motorist reversed into him outside Eaton Bray village store on Thursday.
The teenager was on his bike leaning against a wall outside the High Street shop when the driver of a Toyota reversed into him and then drove off without stopping to check that the youngster was all right.
Anyone with information about the accident, just after 3pm, should call police on 01234 841212.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 6 June 2006
Make our Carnival a Box Office Hit!
Saturday 1st July
Make sure you don't miss our village carnival on Saturday 1st July! Even if you are not in a local organisation which has booked a float for the carnival procession, you can still be part of the big parade. Why not get together with your neighbours and have a float for your street? For information about the parade, please contact Gordon Gray.
We also want lots of people to get dressed up and join in the parade on foot - so start looking out your costume for our Films theme now so that we have a procession full of movie stars!
Best Dressed House
Once again, thanks to the Leighton Buzzard Observer, we will have a Best Dressed House competition. We have had some excellent competitors in recent years and would love to have some more village homes turned into film theme scenes this July.
Carnival Goods Collection Day
New this year, we have a special carnival Goods Collection Day to help you to get those donated items handed in with ease. If you have goods to donate, please bring them to Eaton Bray Village Hall on Sunday 11 June from 12.00noon - 3.00pm. We are happy to receive unwanted gifts, books, plants, white elephant items, home baking (which can be frozen) and plants. What a great opportunity to clear out your clutter and help our carnival! But please, no junk or bulky furniture.
Clarabelle the Panto Cow's special advance visit
This year, we are privileged to have an advance visit to the village by Clarabelle, our tame pantomime cow (all the way from Clowns Fancy Dress store in Dunstable) for the weekend of 10 and 11 June. Clarabelle will be helping to promote the carnival - so look out for her round the village shops on Saturday 10 June and at Eaton Bray Village Hall on Sunday 11 June, our goods collection day. You will have a chance to enter the special competition for Clarabelle's hugely popular performance on the green at the carnival. She will also be helping to sell tickets for our wonderful raffle which has some fantastic prizes.
Helpers wanted!
We know St Mary's Village Carnival is one of the biggest and best across Beds and Bucks - but that is only because of the generosity and sheer hard work of many people and we can never have too many helpers. We really want more helpers for Friday Evening - 30th June; with setting up the green on Saturday morning - 1st July, or for a short spell helping on a stall. Please contact Peter Bennett. Most importantly though, make sure you come to the carnival with your friends and family for a fantastic day out on July 1st.
Get full details about the carnival on our website: www.StMarysVillageCarnival.com
Source: Focus, June 2006
Eaton Bray Pre School Playgroup
The Playgroup welcomed the Ofsted Inspection by Margaret Coyne on 29th March and we are happy to confirm that Ms Coyne has provided a glowing report.
The purpose of inspection is to assure government, parent and the public of the quality of childcare and this is done by measuring against five criteria. These are Helping children to be healthy, Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them to stay safe, Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do, Helping children make a positive contribution, and finally Organisation.
Ms Coyle found all aspects of the provision were strong, and rated each section as good, and that overall the quality and standards of the care are good.
The topic for this half-term is 'Health and Hygiene', and with the summer approaching we shall be encouraging the children to 'slip slap slop' (t-shirt, hat and sun cream!). Healthy foods and drinks will be enjoyed, and we shall have fun playing with water safely.
If you would like to visit the playgroup, or discuss the Ofsted inspection, please contact Playgroup leader Cindy.
Source: Focus, June 2006
Northall and District Age Concern
'Friday night is music night' is a very well known expression. On Friday 28th April Len Rawle, international theatre organist, proved it to be absolutely true. He played his fabulous Yamaha H58 electronic organ to a packed house at Eaton Bray Methodist Church and what a superb evening it was.
The original idea for the whole event came from Maurice Saunders, a lifelong Eaton Bray resident and an active member of Eaton Bray Methodist Church and Northall and District Age Concern, who are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. The proceeds of the evening have been shared between both organisations.
Northall and District Age Concern members aim to enjoy themselves each Wednesday, to forget about aches and pains for a little while, to spend time with other people and eat tasty freshly cooked meals. If you are on your own and a little bit lonely why not come along and try us out. {Most of our members tell us they wish they had joined sooner!}
The only thing we ask is that you are over 70 and live within the area served by Focus.
If you are interested and want to know more, please contact Helen.
Source: Focus, June 2006
Public Meets the Parish Council
In response to the village folk who visited us on April 8th we can advise on the following subjects.
Traffic Calming
We are holding an open public evening on July 6th at 7.30pm in the Coffee Tavern.
Parking Wallace Drive
Advice sought from Bedfordshire Highways.
Water Mains
Now repaired.
Nuisance Youths
Police (from the end of May) now have the authority to move these people on. If you have a problem please call PC Neville Johnson on 01582 473 418 or 077 6817 7719.
Hedges
To be investigated
Source: Focus, June 2006
Open Gardens - 11 June
Please come along and support the inaugural village Open Gardens event on the afternoon of Sunday 11 June - 12 to 6pm. Tickets for adults, price £3, will be available from 11.30 on the day from Eaton Bray Village Hall where there will also be parking, refreshments and stalls. Alternatively you can get tickets in advance from Gordon Gray or Sally Taylor or from St Mary's church at 11.15 on Sunday 4 June.
Ten gardens will be open to the public during the afternoon, six are located within a few hundred yards of St Mary's church; of the remaining four two are on the outskirts of Eaton Bray and two in Northall. In addition, it is hoped that we will have permission from the Parish Council for access to an allotment garden in Edlesborough. The gardens range from small plots to plots of several acres - you will see a range of garden features from traditional herbaceous and perennial borders to more unusual scree gardens, lakes and woodland and the occasional 'secret' garden.
Refreshments, toilets and plant sales are located at the Village Hall but will also be found at some of the gardens you will visit. Wheelchair access is available at most of the gardens. We would be grateful for donations of plants or cakes, brought to the Hall on the day.
A walk and cycle route taking in all ten gardens will be available from the Village Hall during the event. We do hope many of you will take advantage of these to explore the local countryside.
All the money raised by the event will go to St Mary's Parish Project for 2006 - Kagando Hospital in Uganda. No doubt many of you will by now be familiar with Rebecca Baldock's letters in Focus from there. The needs at the hospital are enormous but the intention will be to use money donated to procure intensive care equipment and beds.
Hopefully this event will become an annual event in the village calendar. Do come along and support us and pray for good weather.
For full details, see the Open Gardens pages.
Source: Focus, June 2006
Eaton Bray Lions AFC - End of Season Report 2005/2006
The final matches of the season were played in early May and the team managers have written end of season reports.
Under 9 Boys
This is the 2nd year the team have been together and on the whole another quite successful season. This year we took on 4 more players, so have had a big squad to choose from. We played in Div 2, after just missing out on qualification to Div 1. Our final league position was 5th our of 10 with a record of won 8, lost 9 and drawn 1. All the boys have played to the best of their ability, and we certainly have been involved in some great matches. I would like to thank all 15 boys for their commitment throughout the season, as well as the brilliant support from all our parents. All I can say now is that we are looking forward to September when it all starts again.
Adrian Bush - Manager
Under 10 Boys
The U10's played in Division 1 of the Chiltern Junior Sevens League which comprised 40 teams overall and four divisions. It was thus a superb achievement to finish second in the top division for the third consecutive season. Not only that, but we reached the Cup Final (where we were Cup holders) but sadly lost to Hitchin Town.
We may increase to two teams next season in the final year of 7-a-side or instead go straight to 11-a-side. We do need just 3 more players to achieve either option, so any year 5 boys (2005-6) who are interested would be most welcome. Please contact manager, Tim Sanders.
Under 12 Girls
Our first season as EB Lions only girls side, has been an exciting new challenge. We have come up against highly experienced sides and another start up team like ourselves, with mixed fortunes. Our high spot of the season was a thrilling 5-4 home victory over the then League leaders Leighton Utd with what seemed like most of the village watching and cheering us on. We finished 3rd place in our small League with the two more experienced and bigger clubs above us. At the end of the season, we can say we have learned a lot, improved considerably and can look forward to the new season with plenty of confidence. Not at all bad for a team of girls that had never played football before!
The team are looking for 2 or 3 new players for next season. Players need to have been born between 1.9.93 and 31.8.95. Any girls who are interested should contact manager, Julie Fox giving name, phone number, email address, date of birth and details of any footballing experience.
Under 12 Boys
This was our first season at 11-a-side and the team benefited from a hectic pre-season schedule to help us get to grips with the offside rule. A superb early run of results saw us top the league after the first third of the season, but once again we showed inconsistency with poor results mid-season.
Later we gained some great away wins and signed off with a home win which secured us a mid-table finish (7th in Division 4 of the Chiltern Youth League). This was a great achievement for our first season at 11-a-side considering our squad size and catchment area.
Vince Moriaty - Manager
Under 14 Boys
We started off strongly, winning our first match against Kempston Raiders. During the season we had a huge win against Bedford Grasshoppers and wins against Houghton Wanderers and Limbury Saints. The matches we lost were usually very close and we also drew two matches. We were encouraged to see how closely fought the matches were this year and have great hopes for next season. Unfortunately the attitude, enjoyment, abililty and commitment of the boys was not reflected in their league position (9th in Division 5 of the Chiltern Youth League).
Dave Kirkwood - Manager
Source: Focus, June 2006
EB Lower School - Links with the Community
Our School would like to run a computer club for local Eaton Bray people. This would be free of charge. I hope that it will become a valuable village resource.
The club will be a general introduction to computing, for example, creating documents in Word, inserting pictures, cutting and pasting, sending emails and surfing the web.
The club will be run by Mrs Matthews who is our Early Years teacher and ICT co-ordinator. So don't worry about how little you know, just imagine how much patience she has spending her day with forty, four year olds!
We look forward to meeting you, and welcoming you to our School.
First session, Friday, 9th June in School at 1.30.
Mrs S Hounslow
Head
01525 220 468
Source: Focus, June 2006