Archived News
February 2010
Cricket: New & Improved for 2010
With the 2010 season only 8 weeks away its time to update everyone on a number of changes and improvements being made at the club for 2010 season.
- Martin Quinn has taken over as Treasurer from Ian Jones, so all financial related matters will need to go through him. Ian Jones has taken over from Brian Hing as fixture Secretary, in force as from the end of 2010 season. Georgie Coughtrey has reprised his role of Social Events Project Director.
- Martin Quinn has now retired from work to practice his umpiring and give the treasurer's post the attention it deserves.
- CLUB COACHING & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - We have 4 club members currently going through the ECB's coaching qualifications. They will offer coaching to members if requested during our usual net sessions but we also propose to offer coaching to any under 18s (ideally 13- to 16-year-olds) involved with the club and associated with club members. The plan is to work up to running separate group coaching sessions for this age group if we have enough interest and when the coaches are qualified.
- EBCC branded gear - The club is relaunching a range of club branded gear for use at matches and practice. These items include Caps, Shirts, Jumpers, Fleeces, T-Shirts, Training Tops. Please speak to Josh Peacock about ordering items now.
Source: Eaton Bray Cricket Club
Central Bedfordshire Council Computer Problems
Central Bedfordshire Council is continuing to restore its IT systems after a major failure overnight on Monday affected many of its routine applications. It is now unlikely many systems will be restored until the middle of next week.
There is some early good news though - staff have managed to ensure that payments that were due to our benefits customers next week will now be made only a day late. Revenues and benefits and ICT staff found a “quick fix” which enabled them to access the necessary database and make these much needed payments. This included calling staff on leave for their assistance - including contacting one enjoying herself at Centre Parcs!
However other payments such as those to businesses and customers of adult social care may be delayed while systems are being restored. If receiving an adult social care payment would cause a customer difficulties they should contact 0300 300 6383.
At present Central Bedfordshire's website remains offline but a temporary site has been set up to keep local people informed of progress on restoring services. This can be accessed at: www.centralbedfordshire.wordpress.com.
Telephone lines into the council's contact centre are also limited and customers should either call staff directly if they have a direct dial number or call the contact centre only in an emergency.
Email has now been restored but a queue of over 25,000 emails, stored since Tuesday, is now being dealt with and the service is intermittent. Customers are asked to call rather than email if at all possible.
Cllr Maurice Jones, Corporate Resources Portfolio Holder, said: “Our main priority is to ensure that our financial systems are restored so that customers, businesses and carers receive the payments they are expecting. Our benefits fix means that some of the most vulnerable people in our community will now get their benefits and rent paid only a day late.
“We are taking this problem very seriously but I want to stress that our IT system has been put together in line with nationally accepted best practice and to have such a major failure is a one in a million event. This is a hardware failure and has not been caused by a computer virus and no personal data has been under threat.”
Central Bedfordshire has set up an online blog to keep the public informed of developments www.centralbedfordshire.wordpress.com.
Source: Central Bedfordshire News Release, 19th February 2010
Central Bedfordshire Offline
Update 11.25am: Central Bedfordshire Council has invoked its business continuity plan to ensure it continues providing services to local people following a major IT problem which occurred overnight on Monday, 15 February 2010.
This does mean the council will be operating a restricted service over the phone until early next week and that its website is currently unavailable. Central Bedfordshire Council has an established business continuity plan which has been put into action to restore its IT services, minimise risk to the public and ensure services continue to be delivered.
Overnight Monday the council's IT system experienced a problem which has affected many of its routine applications. We have been working on the issue since then, and will continue to rebuild systems over the coming days.
Local people are being advised not to contact the council by email at all as these cannot currently be opened and only by phone in an emergency until early next week.
Cllr Maurice Jones
Cllr Maurice Jones, Corporate Resources Portfolio Holder, said: “Even though our IT systems are based on nationally recognised best practice, problems can still occur. This is a one in a million problem. This has reduced our ability to service calls through our customer contact centre, stopped us receiving emails and means our website is unavailable. Can I assure people that we are working all hours to get the systems restored and we have a well crafted business continuity plan in place to continue services and protect vulnerable people in these situations.
“It will help us if people could only call us in an emergency until early next week and please note we will not be able to respond to emails at this time.
“We will keep people informed through the local media about developments.”
Update 2.00pm: Central Bedfordshire Council is still experiencing major IT problems so has invoked its business continuity plan to ensure it continues providing services to local people.
As part of this, www.centralbedfordshire.wordpress.com has been created so residents and partners can see key information updates, important emergency numbers and useful websites.
This facility also enables you to sign up to email alerts so you can be notified when new updates have been added on.
We are still advising people not to contact the council by email at all at the moment as these cannot currently be opened and only by phone, on 0300 300 8000, in an emergency until early next week.
Source: Central Bedfordshire News Release, 17th February 2010
Curtain's up on new theatre group in Linslade
A veteren panto dame and leading light in the local am-dram scene is launching Linslade's first theatre group.
Families in the town will be spoilt for choice next Christmas when Gavyn Lugsden's new company, the Curtain Call Theatre Group, opens at The Raven Theatre with Aladdin.
Gavyn, former chairman and member of the Wing Players, an ex-Butlins Redcoat and a children's entertainer, has been involved in am-dram for more than 21 years.
And he knows his stuff when it comes to giving family audiences what they want. He's written seven pantomimes and has had his work performed at The Grove Theatre, in Dunstable.
But what the Eaton Bray actor and writer really wants is to give Linslade its own theatre group based in the second largest theatre in South Bedfordshire.
He said: "It will be the largest drama group in the area and will be based at the 360 seat Raven Theatre at Cedars Upper School.
"It is open to all budding actors, singers, dancers or to those who fancy dressmaking, scenery design, stage management, lighting and working behind the scenes.
"Initially, it will be open to everybody over 15 years of age but plans for a youth group are in the pipeline.
"Our first performance will be a spectacular pantomime - Aladdin - next January and yes, this will put us in competition with the Leighton Buzzard Drama Group!
"We then intend to showcase two further productions in 2011 before getting ready for the pantomime for 2012.
"We have a fantastic theatre and no-one is really taking advantage of it. The LBDG and other groups in Leighton use the Library Theatre but that has a third of the capacity of the Raven.
"I think this is the first drama group for Linslade, something the town has been crying out for. It'll be good to have a bit of healthy competition in the town.
"I have spent nearly 25 years in am-dram and I wanted to get more hands-on. This group will receive expert tuition and advice from qualified individuals, there will be workshops, a big social side, and three shows a year.
"We will be starting from scratch so we need people to help fund-raise and create scenery, backdrops, costumes etc.
"Our Aladdin will be truly extravagant production."
Rehearsals start in August but until then the group plans to enter a float into this year's Leighton Carnival.
"I'd really like as many people to register their interest, via the website, as soon as possible, so I can ascertain the level of interest at this early stage.
"We are also looking for a number of local businesses to sponsor the group, as starting from scratch will be quite an awesome task - but I fancy the challenge!"
For more details call Gavyn 01525 220525 or go to the website www.curtaincalltheatregroup.co.uk.
Source: Curtain Call Theatre Group
Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions
EB Lions U9 Blues - 2
Sundon Park Rangers U9 - 1
Lions retained a top place with a comfortable home win over Sundon Park on Saturday. A clinical finish from Ollie West in the first half gave Lions the lead, Joe Rabey tapping in cleanly for the second following a jinking run that left the visitors defence confounded.
Sundon's goal came from a penalty following a Lions hand ball and despite an accomplished stop from keeper Cameron Burchell, the visitors slotted in the rebound.
There was no paucity of chances for the hosts to increase their tally, Sam Carter, Toby McGee and Sam Bramston all shooting wide. Laser guided corners from Joe Thorne and resolute defending by James Glover kept Lions on top in a game which could have finished with a much broader goal margin.
Bedford Park Rangers U12 - 5
EB Lions U12 - 2
Lions slipped to defeat despite promising glimpses of their evolving potential. Undone by some pacey Bedford runs and strategic deliveries, the visitors nonetheless defended resolutely, Aarin Johnson, Alex Poynter, Tom Horner, Mason Ashby and Adam Bradley clearing well to the wings. Lions' persistence at goal paid off, Charlie landing a well timed shot to grab the first of two, but Bedford were able to strike back too easily.
Regrouping after the break, Lions put together some talented runs, Chris McGee working the right wing effectively, and a barrelling through ball from Ben Roberts finding the feet of James Hurley.
The ensuing goal mouth scrabble resulted in Lions' second, credited fifty-fifty to James and Charlie. Gritty attacks by Will Juster almost secured a third but the defensive skills of Aaron Gauntlett were well tested and Bedford drove in hard to the final whistle, inspiring Dan Kennel into some athletic saves.
Source: EB Lions
Parish Council Minutes - February 2010
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting: Monday 1st February 2010
The next Parish Council meeting to be held at the Coffee Tavern on Monday 1st March 2010 at 7.30pm.
Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions
EB Lions U9 Blues - 4
Luton Borough Dragons Whites - 3
In an intriguing match-up Lions claimed most of the early chances with a handful of goal attempts from Sam Carter and Myles Frederick. Borough were dangerous on the counter and despite excellent defensive work from Sam Bramston and James Glover were able to snatch the opening goal. Lions maintained a frenetic pace and a blistering Joe Rabey run brought about the equaliser. He followed up with a second but not before Borough had slotted in two.
The tempo remained high and good forward plays by Toby McGee and Ollie West looked set to pull the hosts level, until a Myles Frederick strike added the third goal ahead of the whistle.
Lions took the lead again in the second half as a perfect Joe Thorne corner found Ollie West, who netted the hosts' fourth.
Excellent keeping from Cameron Burchill held off a resurgent Borough who attacked up to the final whistle. Lions go top of the table.
Eastcotts U12 B - 2
Eaton Bray Lions U12 - 3
Slick finishes from Sean Woodhouse and James Hurley contributed a goal to each half in a match Lions dominated throughout.
Even so Eastcotts were able to match the visitors piece for piece on scoring, sneaking in twice on the counter. Slicing runs from Charlie Nevitt and Will Juster looked set to increase Lions' tally in the second but the hosts were still dangerous on the break forcing Dominic Ryan, Aarin Johnson, Mason Ashby and MoM Tom Horner into some crunching tackles.
With 10 minutes remaining, an Adam Bradley free kick found Sean, who netted for the lead, but Eastcotts seemed to establish their on momentum as the clock wound down and some tense moments ensued for well tested stand-in keeper Jake Draper.
There were scoring opportunities at both ends though, with Alex Poynter, Chris McGee and Aaron Gauntlett all in position to force possession and ultimately the visitors were able to hold on for a deserved win.
Source: EB Lions
Much Ado About ... Saying Thank You
The booing and hissing, laughing and jeering has all died down. The scenery has been dismantled and all the wonderful costumes have been packed away for another year.
This year's panto was an experiment, and we hoped the idea of a Shakespearean connection would not put people off, and it was noticeable from the reaction to the jokes that we had a very knowledgeable audience who really got into the spirit of the thing.
We would like to thank everyone involved for their assistance with the show. We had around 60 people involved, all of which except 4 from the local villages. From the director, through script writer, sound and lighting, actors, make up, hair, costumes, props, painting etc, everybody put in fantastic efforts, battling with the weather and other difficult outside situations, to put on a show (hopefully) enjoyed by nearly 500 people.
We are always impressed with our youngsters since as an age group they are always being criticised in the media. This year we gained quite a few more new actors and helpers but we are always on the lookout for more, particularly organisers. You don't need to go on stage, build scenery or sew costumes but we do need people to run publicity, organise rehearsal dates, and assist with general administration. If you think you've got some spare time, give it a go, it's great fun and very rewarding.
Once again, thanks to everyone who helped and all of you who came. And for all of you who didn't - boo and hiss.
We are always pleased to have feedback, good AND bad, so try the website on www.edlesbrayplayers.co.uk and contact us.
-- Pete and Ronnie