Archived News
May 2005
The Last Hurrah!
Carnival preparation is coming down to the wire and as usual it is a mixture of both new and old.
Clarabelle the Cow is back! Is there anyone out there who doesn't know about Clarabelle? For heavens sake please tell them! She will be selecting a winner on the 2nd of July on Edlesborough Green at the end of the big day and that leaves you plenty of time to invest in the "real estate", a piece of most desirable property - to be precise, a square of your choice ready for Clarabelle's visitation. Before the day, there will be Friends of Clarabelle out collecting around the villages and you can get a head start of marking out your territory for the big day. If you are missed out in the two or three weeks leading up to the Carnival, you will still have a chance on the Green.
Another returning event is the Duck Race. The contestant ducks can be chosen at the Carnival but the actual race (down the mighty Ousel) will take place the next Saturday. So, have a little flutter on a duck! But don't forget the Worm Charming! Can we have a Carnival without it?
More of June's Carnival news here.
Source: St Mary's Village Carnival website
Cheers! Villagers roll out the barrel
Real ale fans are in for a treat when the second CAMRA beer festival is held in Eaton Bray at the weekend, following last year's successful inaugural event.
The Campaign for Real Ale festival will see live music on Friday and Saturday evening, as well as beer and cider chosen especially for the event.
Lager and wine will also be on sale, as well as soft drinks and hot and cold food.
Friday will see guitarist Paul Green, who has performed with Suzi Quatro, playing at 8pm, while the Shambles big band will get the festival swinging on Saturday at 8pm.
Magician David Andrews will keep all the family entertained on Saturday from 2pm.
Last year's festival raised £2,000 towards the village hall refurbishment and it is hoped to repeat the success this year.
The festival will run on Friday from 6pm to 11pm, Saturday from noon to 11pm and Sunday from noon to 3pm at Eaton Bray Village Hall in Church Lane.
Admission on Friday and Saturday is by raffle ticket, which costs £2 per adult in advance or £3 on the day. Children go free and there is no admission charge for Sunday.
Source: Dunstable Gazette, 31 May 2005
Eaton Bray Lower School Fete
Bad weather failed to stop the crowds from pouring through the gates at Eaton Bray Lower School for their annual fete on 21st May.
The word 'summer' was not a word on anyone's lips on Saturday as the heavens opened but spirits were high as visitors took part in a variety of games, raffles and relaxed with refreshments.
Arts and crafts were also on sale and face painting proved extremely popular with the younger generations.
School spokesman Liz Constable said: "The weather was terrible so many people stayed in-doors but somehow we raised more than £1,300 for the school which was an incredible achievement."
Source: The Citizen, 26 May 2005
Paula's riding high again
An horrific riding accident saw Paula Salis-bury almost lose a leg after she was thrown, then trampled by her panic-stricken horse.
But now the Dunstable horse rider, 36, of Grove Road, is not only back in the saddle but has also won her first major contest – on the same horse.
Looking at Paula's beaming smile, it's hard to believe that doctors had feared that her leg might have to be amputated. And it was a special moment when she and her 17-hand showjumper, Dennis, won a dressage championship in Eaton Bray.
Paula, who is an auditor with Leighton Buzzard accountants Everett Collins & Loosley, said: "I was over the moon, I couldn't believe it, because of what we had been through together."
On top of Paula's injury, her horse has also had leg problems in recent years. "To come through and win the championship…I never thought I'd do that with him, I really didn't," she said.
Source: Dunstable Gazette, 25 May 2005
Eaton Bray website
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Eaton Bray Hall Upgraded Stage Facilities
Having recently updated readers of focus with the progress of refurbishing the main hall it seemed appropriate to also tell you about the improved stage facilities.
These have been funded separately and in total approximately £7,000 has been spent on the new stage facilities. These included new overhead dimmable stage lighting, two Front of House sage spotlights and a pre-wired Front of House lighting bar (to be installed shortly).
New black rear stage curtains, side drapes and overhead borders.
We have also installed a first class sound system, which has inputs for CD players, Keyboards and a permanently installed radio microphone.
These facilities are all easy to use and can be made available to all hall users. They have greatly improved stage effictiveness and appearance for functions and dances.
Our thanks to the following for their donations to make this possible:
- Edlesbray Players
- The Villagers
- Front Row
- St Mary's Church
Source: Focus: May 2005
Christian Aid Week - 15th to 21st May 2005
"We believe in life before death" is part of the Christian Aid logo and is an important message. This has given hope, to many thousands in our world, during the last fifty years. Last year the national collection was a record £14.3 million pounds and this was achieved through the 300,000 plus collectors - and we did our bit, with a magnificent £3,000!
Please help us this year, as again our collection is needed more than ever. This year is important, as it is the year of speaking up for trade justice. Let's make 2005 a real "Make Poverty History" year - this is the first time that all the major charities, Christian Aid, Cafod, Oxfam, Tearfund and others, have all combined to confront world governments on Fair Trade with the developing world. You can help us in our events.
Source: Focus Magazine, May 2005
Three Cheers for the Carnival Queen
On Sunday the 10th of April in the Eaton Bray Village Hall, we had the selection of the Carnival Queen from amongst a group of young ladies who entered their names in the draw. Our of the hat, the first name chosen was Amy Ryder, 10, who will be this year’s St Mary’s Village Carnival Queen. Her name was followed by Elizabeth Ranson, 12, to be Carnival Princess. Finally, Heather Potton, 9, and Grace Shrowder, 8, became their Attendants. Although time was tight for the selection this year, the event nevertheless went off well. The Leighton Buzzard Observer, who sent a photographer, and the Dunstable Gazette both were anxious for the names of the winners as early the next day as they could.
So, on Carnival Day, the 2nd of July, these four young dignitaries will lead the Carnival Procession from The Orchards in Eaton Bray to Edlesborough Green in a horse-drawn carriage from Honeywick Carriages of Eaton Bray. They will be dressed in gowns from Confetti Bridalwear of Tring and their hair will be styled by Chick’s Crop Shop of Dunstable. The flowers will come from Edlesborough’s Village Flower Shop. They will add a note of elegance to the procession.
More of May's Carnival news here.
Source: St Mary's Village Carnival website