Archived News - Pirates
Set sail with the Pirates of Edlesbray
Ahoy there me hearties! The Pirates of Edlesbray (The Curse of the Village Hall) sets sail at the end of this month and a good time is expected to be had by all.
This year's festive family show at Eaton Bray Village Hall is based on a theme of pirates in response to requests from the public after this year's St Mary's village carnival when the theme was also buccanneer based.
It has been written by director Bekka Prideaux and her partner Joe Butcher who many will remember from past productions and many successful appearances for Dunstable Rep at the Little Theatre.
Pirate captain Jerk, played by Matt Flitton, is tired of pirating and is looking for a replacement to take charge of the infamous pirate ship The White Opal.
A motley collection of characters from a selection of pantos turn up to audition for the job. A variety of tasks is set to weed out the wheat from the chaff, and those who fail will be forced to walk the plank. Those who triumph go through to the next round. Unfortunately, as with all pantos, nothing is straightforward and Davey Jones (played by the larger than life Jo Butcher) wants the ship for himself. He doesn't want to go through the selection process and has his own plan to take over the ship! As the cast sing and dance their way through the show there should be plenty to entertain all ages and tastes.
The Pirates of Edlesbray runs from January 26-28 including a Saturday matinee. There is a licensed bar in the evenings run by the new Eaton Bray & Edlesborough Lions group, with all bar profits going to the charity Medical Detection Dogs which uses dogs to detect cancer, warn of the onset of epileptic attacks, the onset of low blood sugar for diabetics.
For tickets call the box office 01525 222283.
St Mary's Village Carnival 2011
St Mary's Village Carnival has grown to become one of the largest events of its kind in the country.
Run entirely by volunteers to raise money for local good causes, the event displays a wonderful community spirit.
Many thousands of people flocked to Edlesborough Green where there were over 150 stalls of all kinds. In almost perfect weather the event was opened by Rev Coralie McCluskey, who has recently been appointed priest in charge of St Mary's, Eaton Bray with help from the Carnival Queen, Rebecca Baldwin, Carnival Princess, Stephanie Tate and two attendants, Melanie Tate and Chloe Tough.
2011 saw one of the biggest processions in recent years with around 40 vehicles including nine floats dressed to the Carnival theme of Pirates. As well as ships loaded with pirates, the floats included the whole cast of Peter Pan (with pirates led by Captain Hook) and modern day Somali pirates attacking a family cruising the oceans. Results of the procession were:
- Lower School: 1st - Edlesborough U5s, 2nd – Eaton Bray Academy, 3rd - Totternhoe Lower School
- Middle: 1st - 1st Eaton Bray & Edlesborough Cubs, 2nd - Edlesborough School, 3rd - 2nd Eaton Bray Brownies
- Adult: GIFT, Cats Protection Society, Janes
One of the features of the Carnival is the way so many households dress their houses with balloons, bunting and to the theme of the event – it is a joy to walk or drive through the villages. This year the standard for the prize of Best Dressed House was very, very high and there were at least 15 houses in contention for the prizes. Trophies, donated by Ben Wright, of Edlesborough Autos, were awarded to 44-46 High St Edlesborough and 39 Moor End, Eaton Bray, with commendations to the runners up – 9 The Green, Edlesborough and 9 High St, Eaton Bray.
The star prize winners at the Carnival were all local including the winners of a weekend for two in Rome, a beautifully carved statue created by our chainsaw carver, Dan Cordell and a cheque for Clarabelle, the Carnival's pantomime cow.
The amount of money raised is unquantifiable. The Carnival Committee expects to have raised a similar total to last year – in the region of 12-13 thousand pounds, which in the economic climate is a fantastic result; beneficiaries of this sum will include St Mary's Church, the Hospice of St Francis and Weatherfield School, plus many local good causes. In addition it is estimated that another £30,000 in total was raised by stall holders – much of this money will come back to the local community.
For pictures and more, see the St Mary's Village Carnival website and Facebook pages.
St Mary's Village Carnival 2011
The Carnival Queen, Carnival Princess and Attendants have now been chosen for the main event on 2nd July!
- Carnival Queen – Rebecca Baldwin
- Carnival Princess – Stephanie Tate
- The Attendants – Melanie Tate and Chloe Tough
The four young ladies will lead the procession from the Orchards to the Green in a Bentley convertible. Follow the procession and cheer them on their way.
The Carnival theme for this year is – "Pirates" – So come and join the procession representing anything associated with Pirates; Buried Treasure, Dastardly Deeds, The Skull and Cross-Bones or anything else that might push a happy reveller to the end of the plank .. let your imagination run wild !!
Why not decorate your house as part of the Carnival Theme and brighten the route as the procession makes its way through the villages. Could you transform the outside of your house into a Caribbean galleon, will there be a plank out of your front bedroom, will Black Beard be adorning your front door, does the "X" mark the spot in the front garden where the buried treasure lies? For the less faint hearted (me hearties .. Haaa Haaa !) just how large a "Skull and Cross –Bones" can you fly from your chimney stack, I mean mast?!
This year it looks like there will be a superb number of stalls on the Green, with more exciting entertainment and activities than ever before.
- A whole range of entertainment and spectacles will take place throughout the afternoon in the Grand Arena, starting with the arrival of the Carnival Procession led by the Carnival Queen and Princess accompanied by their Attendants
- Look out for the special techniques and contraptions used at the worm-charming event as contestants pour water, jump up and down, dance and play music into the ground to entice as many worms from the soil as they can in the allotted time.
- Listen out for the silent auction with the huge list of items to bid for.
- Watch out where you put your feet when Clarabelle the cow decides where to drop her special load which will provide a lucky person with a special cash prize. Be sure to buy your Clarabelle square on the Green; don't miss out or man'ure going to be sorry.
- There will be a wide range of tombolas and raffles for adults and children with instant prizes and non-stop fun. Make sure you get tickets for the Grand Draw too with extra special prizes!
- If it's breath taking thrills you are after be sure to try the giant bouncy castle and slide that will be on the Green on Carnival day.
- Are you a budding young artist? Be part of the massive picture that will be put together on the Green made from many individual paintings; all coming together on Carnival day.
- Don't miss the dog show! Whether you have a pooch or a pedigree the dog show is a don't miss event at the Carnival. This year wonder at the pooch and owner sausage eating competition; the canine that wins this is going to be a really "Hot Dog"!
- If your garden needs that final splash of colour or you wish to nurture something for summer salads you can pick up beautiful plants at the charity plant stall.
- Be entertained and amazed by the wood carving demonstration and perhaps you'll head home with a carving of your own.
- Whatever your taste buds might fancy there will be something for you at the Carnival. Homemade cakes, sponges and sandwiches of all kinds with a cold drink or a cup of freshly made tea from the Tea Tent. Perhaps you would prefer something hot from the barbeque with an ice cold soft drink! There will be something for everyone at the various food stalls.
- Be sure to visit the newly introduced Coq au vin Corner where a portion of France will be available providing the freshly prepared classics, Coq au vin and Boeuf Bourguignon, to tingle your cosmopolitan taste buds.
Carnival 2011 will be a day out for the whole family to look forward to; free entry, free entertainment, and free parking. Various hot and cold foods and drinks will be available throughout the day on the Green, from the early hours until close down with non-stop entertainment. Make this a date in your diary!
Would you like to help at the carnival? - Contact Gordon
For example:
- Can you provide prizes, of any sort, for the various raffles and tombola stalls.
- Items for the silent auction.
- Can you assist with transport or provide the use of a lorry or van?
- Can you provide help on the day of the carnival at any of the many charity stalls, even for a few hours?
- Can you provide help with the early morning crew setting up tents and facilities on the Green? Egg and bacon rolls are served from about 7am!!
Charity Stalls - If you want to book a charity stall at the Carnival, contact Chris Banks.
Classic Cars - If you have a Classic Car you would like to show off for all our pleasure, contact Roger Wilkinson .
Notes from the Chairman
- The event relies on hundreds of people volunteering to help in various ways in the period from 6pm on Friday 1st July to 8pm on Saturday 2nd July. Please consider offering your services and if you can help please contact me.
- Many families have children who are participating in the Carnival Procession. If your child is joining a float please do not attempt to drive a vehicle into The Orchards. Instead, please park in Northall Road and walk to the Orchards via The Comp. We will arrange for the children's floats to be conveniently positioned so that the walk is not a long one.
- If your organisation / good cause could benefit from a donation from the Carnival Committee then please send a request via the Carnival website – www.stmarysvillagecarnival.com.
- Four members of the Carnival Committee will be standing down this year; they share around 50 years of experience in running the Carnival and will be greatly missed. However, this may be an opportunity for you. Do you have good organising skills that could be put to good use on behalf of our village community next year? If so please get in touch with me.
I look forward to sharing another wonderful day with you all. See you at the Carnival.
-- Gordon
St Mary's Village Carnival 2011
The Carnival this year is on 2nd July and the date draws ever nearer. The theme for the Carnival this year is – "PIRATES" – Why are we going to be Pirates this year? Well, because we AAAAARGH HAHAHAAARGH. All parrots welcome.
- Dress in Carnival theme and join the procession as it leaves The Orchards heading for Edlesborough green.
- Decorate your house as a Galleon, fly the Skull and Crossbones from your chimney and brighten the route as the procession makes its way through the villages.
- Can you provide any help to the carnival?
For example:- Prizes, of any sort, for the various raffle and tombola stalls.
- Items for the silent auction.
- Can you assist with transport or provide the use of a lorry or van?
- Can YOU provide help on the day of the carnival at any of the many charity stalls, even for a few hours?
- Contact Gordon Gray
- Charity Stalls - If you want to book a charity stall at the Carnival, contact Chris Banks.
- Classic Cars - If you have a Classic Car you would like to show off for all our pleasure, contact Roger Wilkinson.
- Advertising in the Carnival means you become part of these villages. For advice on the benefits of advertising in the Edlesborough Carnival program contact Pauline Glen.
Source: Focus, May 2011
Carnival Queen selected for Village Carnival
Rebecca Baldwin has been chosen to reign as Carnival Queen for the St Marys Village Carnival on Edlesborough Green on Saturday 3 July.
Supporting her will be princess Stephanie Tate assisted by Chloe Tough and Melanie Tate.
The Carnival will be a celebration of Rural England at its Best and organisers hope to beat last year's sum of £12,800 for local charities.
Source: St Mary's Village Carnival
St Mary's Village Carnival 2011
The Carnival will soon be upon us once again; 2nd July 2011. Here are a few bullet points to make sure you don’t miss out!
- The Carnival theme for this year is – "PIRATES" – Why are we going to be Pirates this year? Well, because we AAAAARGH HAHAHAAARGH. All parrots welcome.
- Decorate your house as a Galleon, fly the Skull and Crossbones from your chimney and brighten the route as the procession makes its way through the villages.
- Can you provide any help to the carnival?
For example:- Prizes, of any sort, for the various raffle and tombola stalls.
- Items for the silent auction.
- Can you assist with transport or provide the use of a lorry or van?
- Can YOU provide help on the day of the carnival at any of the many charity stalls, even for a few hours?
- Contact Gordon Gray
- Charity Stalls - If you want to book a charity stall at the Carnival, contact Chris Banks.
- Classic Cars - If you have a Classic Car you would like to show off for all our pleasure, contact Roger Wilkinson.
- Advertising in the Carnival Programme means you become part of these gorgeous villages. For advice on the benefits of advertising contact Pauline Glen; she is available!