Archived News
February 2009
Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions
Langford U11 - 3
EB Lions U11 - 2
Dominic Ryan's brace of goals ensured Lions stayed afloat throughout a tough match on Sunday, but ultimately the visitors were undone by the tenacious forward work of their on-form hosts.
Langford found success from their goal kicks, with repeated shots hoisted above the Lions defenders, who were forced to scramble back. Even so, Tom Horner's lively pace was sufficient to arrest a series of attacks, and safe play by Adam Bradley, Aarin Johnson and James Pratt put paid to the majority of Langford's striking opportunities.
Heading into the second half 1-2 down, midfielders Mason Ashby, Ben Roberts, Charlie Nevitt and Chris McGee worked well to control the pace and breadth of the game, assisting forwards Alex Poynter, Will Petherbridge, Aaron Gauntlett and deserving MoM Will Juster with a sequence of striking opportunities. In the end it was left to Dominic to scoop up a pass from just beyond the halfway line and outrun the Langford defenders to score a dramatic equaliser.
Keeper Dan Kennell, who had exhibited a succession of fine saves, was ultimately beaten by a slicing shot to put the home team a goal ahead in the final 10 minutes.
EB Lions U9 Reds - 1
Bushmead Rovers - 0
This was only our second match since mid November 2008, and what a match! Playing Bushmead Rovers who are currently top of Division 1, the Lions knew that they would have to work hard to get a result. The Lions had both defenders away so new signing Findlay Christie was needed to play as a defender and did really well. Captain George Oliver and Jack Nevitt were both asked to play as a defender for half a match and they responded by playing a really solid role keeping the Lions strong in defence.
When in midfield, Oliver and Nevitt teamed up well with Dax Roe and Jack Quigley who took it in turns to play the striker role. The first half ended with both teams having played some great football at a very high tempo. The second half started as the first had finished with chances at both ends and the match very evenly balanced, with either team capable of getting a result. In the last few seconds it was Roe who scored the goal that finally separated the teams. This match is what football is all about - quality, passion, determination and entertaining. Well done, both teams.
Team: Roe, Quigley, Nevitt, Oliver, Higgs, Luff, Christie.
EB Lions U13 Girls - 0
Biggleswade - 4
This was the first time that these two teams had played, and what a great match played at high tempo!
The first 15 minutes saw Lions pushing forward and giving the opposition all sorts of problems and it was against the run of play that Biggleswade scored. With five minutes left before half time, Biggleswade scored a second and despite some good efforts on goal from Hattie French, Megan Viljoen and Shannon Byrne the Lions couldn't score. Our midfield of Darcy Ashby, Devon Ferguson and Bethan Woolsey were always looking for ways to break down the opposition.
With the score at 2-0 against, the Lions started the second half looking solid in defence with Katy Thiel, Eden Scott and Elsa Kirkwood trying to push forward to help get a goal back. The Lions goalkeeper GoM Nancy Oliver had a great match and it was unfortunate that with the Lions pushing forward there were times when she was left exposed which resulted in the opposition scoring halfway through the second half and in the last minute. This was a proper cup match with both sides giving their all to provide an exciting, high-tempo and entertaining game.
Team: Oliver, Thiel, Scott, Ashby, Ferguson, French, Viljoen, Kirkwood, Woolsey, Byrne.
Source: EB Lions
Food, Humour & Dance
Christmas was a peaceful time and New Year was heading that way when by beloved wife fell down the stairs and broke her shoulder. We saw in the New Year on the way to the L&D in an ambulance and got home at 3.30 in the morning. The upside to all this? Our guests had done the washing up and all was neat and tidy.
Next year we will do the washing up ourselves and miss the hospital trip!
Prior to all the excitement, the old GI's took the Dunstable Christmas float out and walked the streets to help boost, both our and Round Table funds.
Another joint venture happened at the Panto when once again the one or two GI's who know anything about alcohol will have run the bar. It is really a pleasure getting involved with other organisations to help at their events and all goes to show that we have a great community within our Village.
My main objective in this article (probably not an accurate description of this item) is to promote out next main event. Food, Humour and Dance.
On Saturday 28th February 2009
in the Village Hall.
Our aim is to titillate your palates, make you laugh with our pair of comedians and finish off by getting rid of those extra calories with dancing to live music. A completely guilt free evening!!
All this for just £19 per head! That has to be the best credit crunching deal of 2009! Do come along and give those winter blues a shove in the back and have a good time.
The event is jointly run by the Village Hall Fund Raising Committee and Eaton Bray Tennis Club.
We do hope to see you there and may I wish you all a Happy New Year and may it be better than 2008 in many ways.
For further information call Ross on 221411.
Source: Focus, February 2009
Eaton Bray Lawn Tennis Club
They say that 24 hours is a long time in politics.
That may be true, especially if you're a Lib Dem because that means it's been an extraordinarily long time - several hundred thousand years in fact - since David Lloyd George held office, but for us, 2 months is certainly a long time in tennis. Since our last report concerning our Final's Day results, the final positions from last summer's South Beds league were confirmed.
Best performers were our Men's C team who play in Division 4, who finished in 2nd place out of the 7 contenders, and the Mixed A team who finished a very credible 2nd out of 8 in Division2 with 5 victories. Our Men's A team managed 3rd place out of 8 in Division 1 despite winning 6 of their 7 matches, such was the overall high standard of the division. The full final standings were:
| Team | Division | Won | Drawn | Lost | Position |
| Men's A | 1 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 3 / 8 |
| Men's B | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 / 8 |
| Men's C | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 / 7 |
| Ladies A | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 4 / 8 |
| Mixed A | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 / 8 |
| Mixed B | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 / 8 |
| Boys U. 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 7 / 7 |
These are extremely satisfying results for a small village club in a league which includes big names such as Dunstable, Linslade and Luton & Vauxhall. It was great fun to play such competitive tennis during 2008 against some high quality but very friendly opposition - we always enjoyed a few sarnies with a nice cup of tea and some cake afterwards, no matter who won!* Congratulations to everyone involved in the teams.
Our focus this year will be to bring our younger players up to the same standards, and the coaching team will be working hard at this over the coming months.
So what else has been going on? Well, our membership Secretary Jon Moon has revealed that he has a secret talent which to date has remained known to only very close friends and immediate family. No, not what you're thinking. He can design Web sites, you know, those things that begin 'www' with a few random letters and numbers, which you key in (has to be in the right order or all sorts of things can go wrong) to enter an exciting world of information and entertainment.
Not to be outdone, we commissioned him (one free pint in the pub when it's finished) to develop a site for us, and lo and behold, it's up and running! The things that man will do for a free pint. Take a look at www.ebltc.org.uk and you'll find everything you always wanted to know about the club. See the photo archive page - image number 7 - for a special preview of Peter Hales new patented compact wrist-attached umpire's scoresheet illumination device.
Finally, arrangements were completed for the joint Eaton Bray Village Hall Fund Raising Committee & Eaton Bray Tennis Club 'Food, Humour and Dance' event on Saturday 28th February 2009 in the Village Hall. Our aim is to titillate your palates, make you laugh with our pair of comedians and finish off by getting rid of those extra Christmas calories with dancing to live music. A completely guilt free evening!!
Tickets are just £19; so for more information contact Ross on 01525 221411.
* To avoid libellous action from the Chairman**, when I say 'we', I don't actually include myself in that. Although I did help cut the sandwiches once. 'Cut one, eat one. Cut one, eat one. Cut etc...'
** This relates to last year's Chairman. This year's will be much more understanding!
Following the January AGM a new committee has been formed - full details next month!
For any further information about the club, including when we get together for our social tennis sessions up at the School Lane courts, or our various activities, you can visit our website at www.ebltc.org.uk
Source: Focus, February 2009
Salvation Sound - February 2009
Candlemas; the feast of the purification of the Virgin Mary, is held on February 2nd. In
the cold of the winter days Psalm 24 is sung, “Lift up your heads, O ye gates, be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in.”
Who is the King of Glory ? Why Mary's child, Jesus! He was presented, as was every month old child, to the priest, when his mother went to church to be declared “clean” after giving birth.
For centuries in this country it was called the Purification; to give thanks to God for having given birth safely at a time when to have a child could be a near death experience for many women.
The New Year, like Jesus, is already a month old - we are growing older, we carry within us all kinds of experiences, so ideally, we should be mature. Our characters have been formed by what we have thought and done in the past.
The year 2009 will grow up and grow old in just twelve months, Spring flowers will bloom, harvests will be gathered before another winter comes, and the year dies.
Probably nothing very outstanding will happen to us, the horrors of the world's problems will be restricted to our television screens; as each day dawns our turbulence will be as confined as our activity allows.
Growing older can mean growing in grace and fruitfulness, becoming more mellow, less critical of others, less impatient; and as our physical strength abates, and health deteriorates, and our memory is not as sharp as it once was, we must not despair but make sure that every day can be a new beginning.
Advice from Patience Strong -
“Have something to show for the winter.
Don't sit between supper and bedcontented
with mere entertainment.
Do something constructive instead.
Create something useful or lovely,
employing your hands and your brain -
or study and set yourself lessons,
new regions of knowledge to gain -
Those hours of long winter evenings
much pleasure and profit can bring.
Do something to prove you've not wasted
the months between Christmas and spring...
What will this year bring ? Hardship, trials and tribulation ? yes for some no doubt.
Adversity is a way that God uses to produce good results. Trouble, if it turns us to the Lord, could be good for us. We have become complacent, and too, used to the good life. Romans 5 : 3-4.
Tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character hope. Jesus' life on earth was short but He lived it to the maximum. Do you likewise. Walk by faith, then each day will be a challenge, live your life fully, our time is fleeting too.
Who knows, no-one but God, what 2009 will bring.
Forgive us Lord, for failures past,
Then help us start anew
With strength and courage to obey
And closely follow You.
Source: Focus, February 2009
Parish Council Minutes - February 2009
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting: Monday 2nd February 2009
The next Parish Council meeting to be held at the Coffee Tavern on Monday 2nd March 2009 at 7.30pm. Items for the March agenda to be requested no later than Tuesday 17th February 2009.
Bus Service disruption due to further Snow
Update for Friday 6 February 2009
Arriva anticipate that the adverse weather conditions will again affect services in some areas. Buses will not be able use roads that haven't been gritted and in some severely affected areas of the UK buses may not be able to operate.
Please check with your local customer services team by calling 0844 800 44 11 regarding individual local bus services. Please be patient as lines are very busy. Arriva appreciate your understanding and will answer your call as soon as possible.
Update 6-Feb-09: It has just been confirmed that Grant Palmer and Arriva have suspended all bus services in Bedfordshire due to severe weather.
Source: Arriva website
Snow closes schools again
Due to the heavy snow overnight, Eaton Bray Lower School will be closed again today (5th February 2009).
Update 6-Feb-09: Eaton Bray Lower closed today as well.
Kansas City reports on snow in Eaton Bray
Snow chaos across the pond in the UK
By Larry Marsh, Kansas City Star Midwest Voices columnist 2009
London slides to a halt with 10" snowfall. The prudent stay home. The brave spin their wheels. Businesses and schools close. The kids are lovin' it!
London Mayor Boris Johnson suspends the congestion charge for one day. I suppose with all that snow on the cars, the cameras probably can't read the license plates anyway.
Cousin Richard up in Eaton Bray is frustrated with all those young people driving very, very slowly. I guess old-timers like Richard remember the driving skills they learned 18 years ago in their last big snowfall.
Maura in Brighton on the coast reports "swimming in the snow." I don't know quite what she's doing, but it sounds cold!
As if the financial freeze was not enough, with snowploughs few and far between, it may take the Brits a while to dig themselves out of this one.
Source: Midwest Voices
Snow forces schools to close
Lessons in tobogganing and snowballing will be on the cards today and tomorrow (2nd/3rd February 2009) after school closures were announced across the Dunstable and Houghton Regis areas, including Eaton Bray Lower School due to the severe weather conditions.
Source: Dunstable Today
Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions
EB Lions Blues U8
St Martins Blues U8
EB Lions kicked off with a confidence that was to shine through for the entire game. Facing an accomplished side, the Lions channelled new energy into the game from the starting whistle.
Sam Carter, Toby McGee, Joe Rabey and Ollie West were on rotation for mid-field duties, and all made enterprising plays which manifested in some tantalising shots on goal. Forward Myles Frederick likewise found success with impressive runs into opposition territory, and within the first half netted an awesome goal. Solid saves from star keeper Cam Burchell kept the Lions heading for victory.
Joe Thorne, who picked up MoM honours, was on searing form in defence, along with Sam Bramston and James Glover, whose gritty determination maintained a clean slate up to one minute before the half time whistle when an unstoppable St Martins goal equalised for the visitors.
The second half remained goalless but the seesawing play from both teams thrilled spectators right up until the final whistle.
EB Lions U11 - 1
Beecroft Rovers U11 - 1
An in-form Lions side inched ahead of their talented visitors after the break when Dominic Ryan slotted in from ten yards, establishing a 1-0 lead. Beecroft responded and for a time bombarded the host team's goal, but it was only with ten minutes remaining that keeper Dan Kennel was, for once, unable to deny the visitors who drew level to 1-1.
Lions rallied with a succession of corner opportunities, any of which might have been on target. Vigorous attacking plays from Charlie Nevitt, Sean Woodhouse, Aaron Gauntlett, Will Juster and Alex Poynter all contributed to an almost overwhelming offensive strike, but in a match that swung back and forth, defenders Aarin Johnson, Adam Bradley and Tom Horner had their work cut out for them too. MoM Mason Ashby never missed a tackle, setting up a string of tidy passes to return the ball to a forward position time and again.
A last gasp effort to wrest victory from the game came as Chris McGee's strike hit the bar, but the final tally was a fair result for two determined teams who played with spirit.
EB Lions U13 Girls - 2
Leighton United - 0
Lions started strongly and with a goal from Hattie French after five minutes and a second from Megan Viljoen only four minutes later.
With the midfield of Darcy Ashby and Devon Ferguson dominating totally the Lions kept the pressure on Leighton who to their credit defended well, frustrating the Lions for the rest of the first half. In defence Katy Thiel and Eden Scott covered well when needed and pushed forward to try and increase the lead. In goal Nancy Oliver who was GoM) kept another clean sheet, her distribution of the ball is very often the start of another great move from the Lions. All three substitutes, Emily Hudson, Shannon Byrne and Elsa Kirkwood made an impact when they came on and helped keep the Lions in control.
In the second half uphill and against the wind the Lions again came close with French, Viljoen and Ashby all nearly scoring what would have been a well deserved third goal. The Lions can feel very satisfied with a great win in the local derby match. Again this match showed what a well disciplined and well organized team the Lions are.
Team: Oliver, Thiel, Scott, Ashby, Ferguson, Hudson, French, Viljoen, Kirkwood, Byrne.
Source: EB Lions
Village Hall News
The deadline for the Focus publication is approaching fast - and it's time to update the village on what has happened, and what is planned to happen down at the Village Hall. A flowing script from the 'Old G.I.' normally entertains focus readers, but on this occasion, the chairman of the Trustees has been coerced into putting a few words together - from the quiet one!!
Well, some said it would never happen, some wondered what was happening, and some watched what was happening and a few made it happen - but it gives me great pleasure to announce that, other than a few odds and ends, we have now completed the renovation of the Village Hall!
Yes, the 'heart-throb' born in 1964, has had a total face-lift and significant surgery to her interior. She now stands in splendour to face the ups and downs of the 21st century - that's when the current lease runs out.
The major renovation programme has been completed over three phases incurring expenditure of over a quarter of a million pounds - all raised locally by numerous fund raising events and donations. It is a credit to all concerned and to the Eaton Bray village and surrounding communities.
The hall now has new heating and lighting systems; new flooring and refurbished kitchen and other improvements including facilities for the disabled. It has to be seen to be believed and this is when I say - enough is enough - and extend an invitation to the village community to come and join us at an open evening on Monday 23rd February to see for yourselves, the transformation of the Eaton Bray Village Hall.
Before I forget - if you can find a slot in your busy schedule to join us, light refreshments and a glass of wine will be there to welcome you - from 7.30 p.m. onwards.
From me, a big thank you to all who have supported us over the past four years, and a thank you to the Trustees who have supported the three phases of the renovation programme - see you on Monday, 23rd February.
-- Norman H. Lee, Chairman - Hall Trustees