Archived News
December 2006
We won't ring the changes!
That was the resounding message from South Beds District Council after Gazette readers flagged up their fears that the information database being created could be a valuable resource for criminals.
A petition has already been mounted calling for the council to prolong its condultation period.
The main organiser Alan Woolridge, who lives in Eaton Bray, has been calling on people with security concerns to withhold or withdraw details about the people with keys to their homes until the matter is given more consideration.
He could face a fine himself, as he has refused to submit full details of the people who have keys to his home.
But a statement from the council said: "We have received some enquiries but we have only had two formal requests for details to be removed from the database.
"Over 4,000 residents have registered keyholder details with us and we have received only a small number of complaints in comparison, therefore we do not think it is necessary to reconsider introducing the scheme.
"This is a positive step to reduce noise buisance and improve the environment for people in South Bedfordshire."
Mr Woolridge isn't convinced though. He said: "What they're doing is acknowledging there's a problem but they're not doing anything about it. They're not saying that because of the reaction they're going to defer and adjust it, they're just going to see what happens.
"By going ahead and letting this carry on there are people who are being forced to give information that they don't want to give because they don't think that they've got any alternative."
Mr Wollridge's petition highlights concerns that the database could allow criminals to work out which homes aren't fitter with alarms, and could mean that keyholders are targeted.
He has submitted contact phone numbers for his keyholders but he refuses to give names and addresses to identify who they are.
The alarm notification system which was given the thumbs-up by councillors earlier this year, was introduced in a bid to tackle the noise nuicance caused by ringing alarms.
Householders with burglar alarms are required to register contact information about the people with keys to their home, so that if their alarm sounds when they're away, members of the council's Envirocrime Unit can act quickly to get the alarm turned off.
There will be a warning period of two months, after which time alarm owners could face a fixed fine of £80 if they fail to register these details, and if they don't pay this within 14 days they will be fined £1,000.
Forms can be filled in through the council's website, and can be obtained by contacting the Envirocrime Unit on 01582 474031.
Source: Dunstable Gazette, 27 December 2006
Why posh frocks attracted lots of interest - and cash
Dunstable's Liz Farr, who hit the headlines with her brave but ultimately unsuccessful batter with cancer, continues to raise money from beyond the grave for the hospice that was such a help during her final weeks.
A recent sale of her clothes raised more than £700 for the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home.
Liz's husband, Clive Bevins - who she married three days before she died - said "That girl lover her posh frocks and so did the punters. Thanks to the Herald&Post we raised £768 for the hospice who looked after her so well."
Liz's son Rob, who made a moving documentary about his mother called Making a Song and Dance About Cancer, is now in South America filming his adventures from Buenos Aires to Caracas. In an emotional email to Clive, he said he'd celebrated his first birthday on his own with a meal.
"I booked a table on the terrace of a muerte sophisticato - dead fancy - restaurant but started feeling pretty angry. Not sure if it was because it was the first without mum, it's difficult to pinpoint.
"Eventually shook it off and all of a sudden it was 5am and the sun was up."
The talented young film maker is learning Spanish and attempting to blend in by buying locally made clothes "so I don't look so much of a gringo."
He expects to be back in Britain in May.
Source: Herald & Post, 21 December 2006
Helicopter hunt for missing woman
A police helicopter took to the skies over Eaton Bray on Saturday morning as officers tried to find a missing woman.
The woman - who has not been named - vanished from an address in Luton on Wednesday.
When a handbag containing her identification was found in Eaton Bray, police began to fear that she was at risk, so the helicopter was sent up shortly after 10am to try to locate her.
A police spokeswoman confirmed that while the helicopter was in the air, the missing woman was located in Luton.
Source: Dunstable Gazette, 20 December 2006
Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions
Westoning U13 - 8
EB Lions U13 - 2
Lions were without their regular keeper so Jack Coates was substituting.
Lions attacked and played well, being rewarded with a fine goal from Matt Audouard after only five minutes. Later a fine run by Morgan O'Connell produced Lions' second and he had another two shots cleared off the line. Westoning came back strongly though, and levelled the score by half-time.
Westoning played well in the second hald and were soon ahead, their centre forward making some great goals.
Lions were struggling and, at 5-2 down, drastic action was required. Lee Cavendish went in goal, Jack came onto the pitch and more substitutions were made. But it was to no avail and Westoning scored another three.
MoM to Jack for some fine saves playing in goal.
Source: EB Lions
Parish Council Minutes - December 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 4th December 2006
The next parish council meeting will take place on Monday 8th January 2007 at 7.30pm.
Lib Dems fight plans for ID cards in Beds
Deputy leader of the Lib Dem Group Cllr Susan Gaszczak has put a motion to the council to ensure that residents' data is protected and access to services will not require ID cards.
Cllr Gaszczak said "ID cards are expensive, intrusive and ineffective. They will cost each person approximately £200-£290 in taxes that they have already paid and £90 to obtain their ID cards.
They will contain huge amounts of personal data that will be readable by many different organisations.
"ID cards will only increase identity theft. They have already proved to be ineffective. In Madrid and New York, the bombers had ID cards."
The motion calls upon the county council not to require residents to have an ID card to access services unless the law requires them to do so and that the council will oppose the introduction of these cards.
It states: "This waste of money, time and privacy should be stopped and the more people, councils and organisations who stand against them the more forcefully the point will be put across."
The executive committee will consider the proposal at a meeting on January 30. They will then feed back their comments to the full council, who will discuss the matter at their next meeting in February.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 12 December 2006
School fit for health award
Pupils at Eaton Bray Lower School can boast that they're being well looked after - their school has been given National Healthy School status.
The award was made by the Bedfordshire Healthy Schools Scheme after the school excelled at meeting government guidelines in areas like healthy eating and physical activity.
Assessors ruled that Eaton Bray Lower had been extremely proactive in providing healthier meals, and they said: "The whole school approach to physical activity in all aspects of school life is exemplary".
Headteacher Sue Hounslow said: "It's always been an important part of our work, it's wonderful to be rewarded for the hard work that everyone's been doing."
She said the school - which has 92 pupils - recently introduced a new healthy eating menu which has gone down well with children, and the number of youngsters 'having cooked school meals each day has gone up dramatically.
She also said the school has worked closely with Eaton Bray Parish Council to bring in a tennis coach, and children are even being taught how to play rugby.
Assessors, who spent a morning at the school and interviewed pupils to help decide if it met Department of Health and DfES standards, also praised it for being inclusive and diverse.
Mrs Hounslow said: "Eaton Bray Lower School has always been a place where everyone is welcome and everyone is given the chance to achieve everything they can."
Source: Dave Burke, Dunstable Gazette, 13 December 2006
Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions
St Joseph's U8 - 6
EB Lions U8 - 1
Lions game with St Joseph's Under 8s at Leagrave, Luton, was a tremendous match, unfortunately lost by the Lions 6-1.
In spite of the score, Paul Cook, Lions' manager/trainer, thought that the Lions had their best match to date, showing good passing and positional skills. Charles Gamble was in goal for the first half, making several good saves, with Jack Nevitt in goal in the second, having shown great skills as a forward in the first.
The Lions' goal was as a result of a superb effort from Jack Cook, scoring from a narrow angle.
Again, Thomas Rainbow and Elliot Whitcombe were solid in defence, with Archie Bunker, James Pratt and Callum Gardner showing promise in attack. MoM Jack Nevitt.
The squad comprised: Jack Cook, Thomas Rainbow, Archie Bunker, Elliot Whitcombe, James Pratt, Jack Nevitt, Callum Gardner, Charles Gamble.
EB Lions U13 - 4
Brickhill Wanderers U13 - 2
A sluggish start and defensive error by Lions allowed Wanderers to roll a rather feeble shot into the net.
Lions gradually picked up their pace and after two missed chances managed to equalize with a perfectly lobbed shot from Gus Thorne.
A beautifully built up attack from Lions saw Jonnie Moriarty run on to a forward pass and thread the ball through to Jack Coates who struck the ball into the net between two converging defenders. Another shot by Coates struck the goalie and Sam Marshall pounced on the rebound to score.
In the second half both sides struggled with the energy-sapping heavy conditions.
Wanderers struck a ball across the goal-face and an attacker toed it in for their second.
During a sustained attack by Lions, Andy Scott-Lewis gave Thorne the chance to score again, which he did confidently.
A solid performance in defence earned Matt Lancefield the MoM award.
NGS - 4
EB Lions U15 - 2
The cold wind and rain didn't prevent the boys from providing lots of initial excitement as both teams made constant attacks.
Lions lost striker Alex Smith due to injury early on and this probably cost a few goals as they couldn't finish off some very good probing runs. When NGS ran through it needed well timed tackles by Gareth Hemming, Adam Lancefield and Danny Law to keep out the home side.
NGS took the lead with shot from a narrow angle, but a superb solo effort by Rob Gadsden levelled the score just before the half-time whistle.
After a very short break it was the same pattern. NGS scored and Lions equalized with another excellent solo effort by Dylan Taylor.
Both teams were running down the wings and playing good attacking football, but Lions couldn't capitalize. Whereas NGS did finish off and scored two more goals.
MoM Gareth Hemmings.
Source: EB Lions
Patient died after error and delays in hectic hospital
Brock Shaw, a tireless worker for the Eaton Bray and Edlesborough Carnival, had gone into Stoke Mandeville Hospital for a simple routine operation to remove a small growth from his colon.
But a few hours after the surgery the Australian-born IT consultant, from Leighton Road, Soulbury, began suffering the first effects of septicaemia caused when surgeon. Zachariah Michael. accidentally burnt a hole in his colon with the endoscope.
An inquest in Amersham heard on Tuesday that Dr Michael immediately reported his fears to specialist surgeon VK Gahlot, but it took the surgeon five hours to visit Mr Shaw because he was busy running a clinic and responding to other emergencies.
In the mean time Mr Gahlot ordered that the patient, who was in excruciating agony, be given "conservative treatment" of antibiotics, painkillers and fluids rather than be considered for emergency surgery in the hope that the hole, a little smaller than a penny, would repair itself.
His shocked widow, Rebecca, told coroner Richard Hullet, that it took three requests and more than an hour for morphine to be administered while her husband curled into a foetal position to escape the pain. He began vomiting and sweating as his blood pressure and heart rate went through the roof.
As Mr Shaw's condition deteriorated it was left to the persistence of an unqualified health care assistant to raise the alarm. When it was finally agreed that 61-year-old Mr Shaw needed an emergency operation it was found that all the theatres were full.
He was finally operated on 12 hours after being diagnosed with a suspected perforated bowel by which time the father-of-three had developed peritonitis and he died the following day of multiple organ failure.
Expert witness Professor Neil Mortensen told the inquest that he would never have made a patient wait for emergency treatment and that Mr Shaw should have been pushed to the head of the queue for theatre.
He said: "It's not clear why there was a five-hour delay before Mr Gahlot reviewed Mr Shaw. Certainly earlier intervention would have prevented septicaemia. I have always found that the earlier the intervention the better the outcome.
"If I had strongly suspected a perforation I would have done all I could to find an available theatre.
"I feel there was an unacceptable delay between the suspected perforation being identified and the operation."
Mrs Shaw told the coroner that her husband had been advised to have regular tests after his father had died of bowel cancer.
"He'd had about four tests over ten years and they all went smoothly. He'd have the test, a cup of tea and we'd go home.
"This time around they found a small polyp and decided to remove it. We had expected to go home afterwards and had planned to go out for lunch."
Mr Michael said the operation to snare and retrieve the polyp wasn't complicated and was "a routine procedure." He said that the growth would develop into cancer of the colon if left.
"The procedure carries a well-recognised risk of perforation. I examined him after the procedure and a perforation was the only explanation for his symptoms.
"I have not personally experienced a perforation before but the majority of perforations respond to treatment and don't need surgery. The majority seal by themselves."
Mr Gahlot said that the afternoon Mr Shaw was admitted he had been the surgeon on call to outpatients, was running a breast clinic and was answerable to emergencies from the A & E department.
"It was pretty hectic. I was informed Mr Michael had admitted the patient during the afternoon for observation and I saw him at about 7.15pm. I reviewed him again about three hours later.
"I consulted with Mr Farouk and he advised surgery. I operated on Mr Shaw, finishing at about 4am.
"There had been no deliberate delay. As soon as I got some free time I saw the patient. Casualty is very hectic and they are always a priority. They kept calling to consult.
"I was so busy I didn't have the time to see Mr Shaw earlier but I was being informed constantly by my house officer, who is a very good doctor, about what was going on with the patient."
Consultant surgeon Marwan Farouk said he was told at about 10pm that Mr Shaw's symptoms had worsened.
"I was very concerned about him but there was no theatre available at that time."
Coroner Mr Hullet asked the doctor "Was the whole system clogging up?"
"It was clogging up which was unfortunate," he said. "I asked for him to queuejump to the head of the list. He was more important than fixing a fracture.
"After surgery I don't know why he didn't recover. Once you remove the sepsis the body usually recovers. He should have recovered pretty quickly.
"I would have expected him to survive the operation but he didn't survive because of the overwhelming sepsis that then affected his other organs."
In recording a narrative verdict Mr Hullet said: "On June 20, 2005, at about 10.30am, Mr Shaw underwent a pre-planned colonoscopy and polypectomy as a day patient at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
"The procedure resulted in a perforation of the colon and diagnosis of a high possibility of such a perforation was made at 1pm.
"A surgical repair of the colon took place between 1.30am and 3.30am on June 21 but Mr Shaw failed to make a recovery and died at 9.30am on June 22."
After the inquest Mrs Shaw, a graphic designer, said the couple, who were married 21 years, had given up private health insurance when they moved from America to Britain in 1984.
"Brock had tremendous faith in the NHS. He said that if we were going to live here we had to take the good with the bad and part of that was to believe in the NHS.
"You believe what doctors tell you. We trusted the NHS and they let us down. I owe it to my husband to ensure as far as I can that this does not happen to anyone else.
"Brock was a wonderful man and I miss him so much. A brilliant mathematician, an artist, he composed music. He even wrote a piece of music for our daughter, Becki's wedding.
"Everyone in Eaton Bray and Edlesborough knew him because of his work with the carnival but we were also regular churchgoers at St Mary's and lived in Eaton Bray for many years."
Source: Anne Cox, Leighton Buzzard Observer, 12 December 2006
Eaton Bray Pre-School Playgroup
We are currently getting ready for Christmas and this term our theme is celebrations, numbers and colours. We are also planning a Christmas concert on Tuesday 19th December and our party day is Wednesday 20th December. Please give Cindy a ring if you want to come and join in. We come back on January 4th 2007.
Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
More information is available about Playgroup in Eaton Bray.
Source: Focus, December/January 2007
Christmas Puzzle 2006 - 5 Out Of 5
This year's annual Charity Christmas Puzzle has now been posted, and is available to download.
For full details, please go to the Christmas Puzzle website.
Eaton Bray Lawn Tennis Club
I haven't had much time to concentrate on my normal duties over the last few weeks due to the enormous number of planning meetings I have had to attend following our development strategy for the School Lane courts and bringing Wimbledon to Eaton Bray. Apparently there's a potential issue with School Lane not being quite wide enough for the envisaged dual carriageway. No problem however, as Servya's newly appointed American architect U. Kanbe-Zerious Jnr has slipped a few dollars to the Parish Council for a new floodlit footpath between the White Horse and the Five Bells (with refreshment points along the way) and we're assured all will be OK; limited housing demolishment will be required along School Lane (you'll get a few quid and a bit of bog-land in Kazakhstan) and the central reservation will include a fully equipped motorway service station complete with Q8 petrol, beef and salami sandwiches (half price on Wednesdays) and a Travelodge for those visitors who wish to enjoy the magnificent facilities on offer in Eaton Bray without the requirement to limit the night out to just two bottles of Smirnov and a pot of Stroganoff with sprouts.
With regard to our recent improvements, I am obliged, nay delighted to offer out thanks and appreciation to the Foundation for the Sports and the Arts who contributed magnificently to our new courts and fencing. I don't think they know about the forementioned 'enhancements' with our Eastern European colleagues, so best not to mention them if someone from that organisation happens to knock on your door one day for a chat and a cup of tea. Just say that everything is in hand and ask them to call John Prescott who took a personal interest in our planning application; I have no explanation for why two Jaguars were parked outside our Chairman's house for most of November, but who am I to ask. I just write the articles and generally get sued afterwards, but I've played tennis with Tony Blair so there. And anyone who disputes that, just read Focus back in the late 90s sometime. That was a great report; political misunderstandings, wrongly-called line faults, our chairman being arrested by the flying squad, straightjackets, all night court sittings, oh what a weekend that was. And we're still here to tell the tale, albeit mostly about prison food, and some bloke called 'Lucky Bunny' which he probably was but our chairman certainly wasn't.
The Winter League has commenced and Eaton Bray is doing fine so far- our Men's team have beaten, no thrashed, Slip End (I'm sure they'll improve once their M1 bridge has been widened) and we expect to continue our magnificent results in this year's summer league where we were presented with no less than three trophies at the awards ceremony in October at the Luton & Vauxhall club. We collectively took over two tables and left all other clubs in no doubt as to which club was the rising star in 2006! So why not come and join us for what promises to be an 'Absolutely Fabulous' 2007, commencing with a Valentine's Dance at the village hall on Saturday 10th February, starring the 'Best UK Live band in 2006 (Eaton Bray South of High Street section) Jim Balls and his Racquets (don't ask…) who served us well last year. Served us… get it? Oh never mind, just join us on the night!!
Finally, congratulations to club coach Nick Boys and his wife Karen who have recently become the proud parents of Daisy Elizabeth. Mother and daughter are doing well; husband is running around like a headless chicken. Mind you, don't all us new fathers do the same?!
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, please contact either Chairman Ross Bagni, Coach Nick 'where've I put that baby?' Boys, or if they're all out and I'm not at a planning meeting, me, Andy Cross.
Source: Focus, December/January 2007
Edlesbray Players: Raising The Roof
The Edlesbray Players present a revue entitled "Raising The Roof", to be held in Eaton Bray Village Hall on Saturday 3rd February 2007.
Doors open at 7.00pm. Show starts at 7.30pm. Ploughman's Supper included in ticket price of £7.50. Bar also available. In aid of St Mary's Roof Appeal.
Box Office - (01525) 222283 - opens Jan 2nd 2007.
Source: Edlesbray Players
Eaton Bray Youth Group
An opportunity will occur in January 2007 for a Youth Club Leader in Eaton Bray as the present Leader will be leaving.
This established and successful club provides a vital and rewarding position giving an essential facility for the young folk in the village.
The needs are:-
- To organise and oversee Youth Club Activities at the Coffee Tavern as well as on special arranged outings
- To liase with the Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity Team and Luton & Beds Youth Association on organised events
Supported by:-
- Two experienced helpers and a treasurer
- Support from the Parish Council
- Help for special projects from the Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity Team & L&BYA
The rewards are:-
- A monthly salary during school term time
- All school holidays off
For further information contact M Beal (01525) 221185, or apply to;
The Parish Clerk
Mr E Bird
8 Gardner Close
Dunstable
Bedfordshire LU6 2AJ
Tel: (01582) 699722
Source: Focus, December 2006
Youth Football: Eaton Bray Lions
EB Lions U8 - 0
Crawley Green U8 A - 3
Tom Sage and Elliot Whitcombe had very good shots at goal, unfortunately unsuccessfully, and Charles Gamble also narrowly missed. In spite of the Lions being dominant, the first half closed at 1-0 to Crawley Green.
The second half was just as exciting, with good performances from Dylan Karavadna in attack and Thomas Rainbow in defence.
Jack Nevitt substituted for Jack Cook in goal and had several excellent saves, one of which was from a penalty, and he was awarded Man of the Match. Despite their excellent play, the Lions finally lost 3-0.
Luton Borough Youth U15 - 5
EB Lions U15 - 0
The referee asked the players to mind their language, consider their tackling and shake hands. This approach paid dividends - it was a pleasure to watch the ensuing display of sportsmanship.
Lions missed an early chance but Borough scored from a penalty resulting from a mistimed tackle.
The Lions squad, depleted due to injuries, battled well and Rob Dasden narrowly missed scoring from two free-kicks whilst Alex Smith's lob was brilliantly saved.
Borough made no mistake with their chances, scoring twice more, and their goalie again showed his worth in saving Dylan Taylor's long shot towards the top corner.
Lions increased their efforts in the second half and frequently looked likely to score - stringing together great passes but always failing to finish off the attack. Despite making most of the play, Lions conceded two more goals, the latter being a particularly well-worked effort.
Lions' MoM was Adam Lancefield.
Source: EB Lions
School wins award for focussing on good health
Eaton Bray Lower School has earned National Healthy School Status.
After a series of inspections by the Bedfordshire Healthy Schools Scheme, the school demonstrated that it was meeting the standards and criteria in four core themes: Personal, social and health education (including sex and relationships education and drug and alchohol education); healthy eating; physical activity; and emotional health and well being (including bullying).
Headtecher, Sue Hounslow, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be awarded the healthy schools status. It's always been an important part of our work at this school with all four aspects being high priorities, so it's wonderful to be rewarded for it."
Two teachers and two pupils will attend a ceremony to collect the school's award on January 23 at the Rufus Centre in Flitwick.
More information is available about Schools in Eaton Bray.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 5 December 2006
Christmas Float
The Village Hall fundraisers are operating Dunstable Round Table's Christmas Float on December 2nd, 9th and 13th.
The float is staffed by our volunteers, of which, we can always use more. Free food and drink afterwards! If you want to volunteer for a brisk walk then please contact Ross.