Archived News - Village Hall
Swing into Spring - Saturday 13th March 2010
You may think that it is bit early to be talking about Spring, but if you think about it, this is the last chance to talk to you before the February edition so I make no apologies in forewarning you of this fabulous event.
The same team that bring you the masterful Quizzes twice a year are at it again. We (that is the Village Hall & Tennis Club but I am sure you know that) thought what a wonderful idea to give you the chance for a dance.
We have organised a live band, Jim Balls and The Racquets. That is the Tennis club's infl uence, and they play our sort of music! Whilst the caterers are preparing a sumptuous two course meal, a choice of two main courses plus sumptuous desserts. (I suppose they are not actually preparing it now, probably on the day).
What have you got to pay for all this? Just £16 if booked by the 14th February or £18 thereafter. That is a real credit crunch beating deal!
So to book, just let me (Ross) know your requirements and remember that as usual the first person to ring me with the correct page number of our advert for this event in this month's Focus will be given 2 free tickets. Tel 221411
Well what about the quiz held on the 10th October, as you may remember I was absent (due to sister's in law 60th, is the apostrophe in the correct place? I am never sure; answers on a postcard please........). I hear that it was a great success and as usual was all the better for my absence. May I thank you all for coming and all those helpers who made it such a splendid success. Our greatest thanks must be to Keith Blackburn who continues to create the quiz questions for us all to enjoy. Don't forget after the Dance comes the next quiz in April 2010, more info in the next edition of Focus.
One last thing before I stop. The Village Hall front is being renovated and by the time you read this will be looking very smart indeed. You can see where the Village Hall is spending the money. Thank you all for your support throughout 2009 and we hope you will come to our Dance and Quiz in 2010, enjoy yourselves and help keep the improvements coming at your Hall.
Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year
Source: Focus, December 2009
Sold out 4 weeks in Advance
I know our twice yearly quiz (held jointly with the Eaton Bray Tennis Club) is popular, but can you believe it as I write this, on September 8th, we are already sold out for the Quiz on October 10th! What can we say, but thank you to all our fabulous supporters who have rallied round and done the business. And a really big SORRY to those of you who had wanted to come, but, we are unable to fit in.
See you there, don't forget 7.30 for 8.00pm.
On a very sad note I am sure many of you know of the passing of Mary French. She had been a keen supporter of the hall since its building and was, until only very recently, a trustee. She taught me a lot when I joined the trustees, as she was a “doer” not a talker and did many things to support us.
Recently she gathered many members to the 200 Club and collected their monies on a regular basis and I hope that they will continue with their support for the “Club”. She always organised a team for the quiz which, always managed to come last! We are sure they only did this to collect the special booby prize, which is usually some nice confectionery! We are delighted that Mary's ladies are coming to the quiz and we wish them the best of luck in trying to maintain their record!
You may have noticed that the inside of the hall has been repainted and that we have a new sign over the front door. We are really trying to make sure that the hall is kept in excellent condition. We will hopefully start work on redoing the paving at the front, so the entrance is user friendly and a lot smarter than at present.
We know that the car park needs a lot of attention, but that will be very costly so we need to keep fundraising. We will be announcing further fund raising events next month, do keep a look out for more information. If you have any queries or just want a chat about the hall, contact me, Ross.
Source: Focus, October 2009
Pilates at Eaton Bray Village Hall
Tuesdays from 10am-11am
Experience Pilates the Body Boost Way. You'll leave feeling Relaxed, Refreshed, Fully Stretched and wondering why you didn't join sooner!
Body Boost is dedicated to providing High Quality Pilates Tuition; Classes run each week and are designed for all levels including beginner.
Posture is re-taught with each class enabling greater understanding and execution of the techniques.
Level of work can be modified based on individual skills, strength and ability. As you progress you will become aware of your bodies strengths and weaknesses and learn how to balance those differences and bring the body back to alignment.
For more information, see www.bodyboostuk.co.uk.
Source: Focus, October 2009
New Egyptian Dance Classes Now Started
New Beginners Class started on 2nd September at 7pm. Would you like to know the difference between a hip drop and camel step, then why not come along to the Beginners Egyptian dance class held every Wednesday at Eaton Bray Village Hall, all you need is a great sense of fun! Over the weeks in the class you will learn the basic dance steps.
From ancient times this style of dance has been done traditionally by women, and is also known as Raqs Sharki. It is now one of the best ways to keep fit and supple, because of the gentle movements it is ideal for all ages - whatever shape or size you are. So don't just sit in and watch TV on Wednesday evenings join me at the Village Hall, and I promise you'll have fun and you hips will do things you never thought was possible !!
Wear comfortable clothing i.e. T-shirt and leggings or a long skirt or anything that lets you move without restriction. Cost of class is £2 per person.
To book a place or for more details please contact - Soraya on 853360
Eaton Bray Village Hall Report
Firstly as we are getting into the summer holidays and this is the last Focus until October I think I had better mention the Quiz.
This is being held in the Hall with the Tennis Club and tickets will again be just £8.
The date: Saturday October 10th
So please book early to avoid disappointment. We have already sold 4 tables after I was accosted at the Beer Festival by one of our regulars who booked 3 tables on the spot. Thank you John! See, not only are the folk of this village intelligent but they enjoy a good drink now and then.
I am, as usual, asking the editor to put an advert re the Quiz and the first person to ring me with the correct page number will be eligible for two free tickets. So go on and give me a ring, you will only need another 6 to make up a team! Remember if you cannot get up to 8 don't worry as we will make up teams and you get to make some new friends as well.
The hall is getting along fine with only Monday evenings free (most weeks) at the moment, so if you need a meeting place on Mondays then just give Norman Lee a ring, to see if he can help you - 222831. Obviously there are also plenty of various times available for all those special parties and celebrations.
The final figure from the beer festival was nearer to £3,600 so almost a record and it would have been if we had had a few more beers and the weather had been kinder.
Thanks you all for your continued support.
For any further information please ring Ross Bagni 221411.
Source: Focus, August/September 2009
Gird your loins!!
Yes as I said last time we re getting ready for the 6th Eaton Bray Beer Festival, assuming you have read Focus early, this will be a great reminder of the event that takes place on Friday 5th June, 6-11pm and Saturday 6th June 12am-11pm.
We will have 16 beers and 2 ciders provided by our good friends from CAMRA plus the wine and lager for those who do not do the Real Ale! Obviously we will be doing lots of soft drinks for those that don't imbibe or are driving.
There is also entertainment each evening and a children's magician on Saturday afternoon.
For full details take a look at, take a look at the Village Hall Events page.
You may remember me writing about the successful quiz we held on the 18th April before we had actually had it! This may seem strange but what with deadlines one just cannot avoid it!
We made over £1100 which was shared by the Village Hall and Tennis Club with 168 people testing their knowledge against Keith's, our trusted Quiz Master, he came first, but then he did have the answers written down, but a gallant team led by Bernie, the current Chair of the Tennis Club were announced the winners by just one point!
Thank you all for coming and thought you might like to know that we have already sold the first table for the next quiz on October 10th!
See you at the BBQ!
Source: Focus, June 2009
The Steam Railway Comes to Eaton Bray
Anybody who wanders into the church hall in Eaton Bray on the first Sunday afternoon of the month will be in for a treat, for that is where the members of the Bedfordshire branch of the 16mm Narrow Gauge Railway Modellers hold their monthly get together and demonstrate their locamotives and rolling stock.
The models, which are steam powered - some using coal or a fuel - are 1/19th of the size of the real thing. Some members have purchased the engines, carriages & wagons ready made, some are built from bits - but a few are scratch built & represent thousands of hours of painstaking work. All represent a wonderful spectacle as they chuff their way along the 32mm gauge track.
Most members have a general interest in narrow gauge railways & their models are based on a "feel" for the prototype. In some cases members focus their interest on a particular narrow gauge railway - such as the famous Ffestiniog Railway in North Wales - and set out to model all aspects of their chosen line. But above all the pleasure comes from running a working, live, steam engine.
So why not call in and on a Sunday afternoon and enjoy the spectacle. You may even want to become a member!
The next meetings are: May 3rd, May 31st, July 5th & September 6th.
For more information, see www.bag16mm.org.uk
Source: Focus, May 2009
To The Future
Last month I told you about two events that were happening in the future as if they had already happened (are you still with me?)
If you read the Dunstable Gazette you would have see some old GI's looking terribly smug at the Hall's official opening. Well, we do admit to a bit of smugness after all the hard work!
We followed that with the Food, Humour and Dance on the 28th of February, a new venture, which was attended by 120 people. May I thank all those who came along that night and all the helpers who helped prepare and do the usual on the night, we raised a considerable amount of money for both the Hall and Tennis Club.
Now the future:
We are holding another one of our fabulous Quizzes, in conjunction with Eaton Bray Tennis Club, on April 18th and hope that we can yet again get somewhere near the 160 people who turned up last October. The cost is still only £8 including supper (no surprises as to what it will be) and we hope you can get a team up or even come along by yourselves. We will try to put you with like minded people.
As to the hall itself: A working party has sat down and tried to put some order to the next phases of the continued improvements to the hall. This plan will be submitted to the trustees at their next meeting and after that we will let you know what is coming up next.
Just a reminder, that two free tickets are available, for the first person to let me know what page the advert for the Quiz is on.
Coming up in June is our 6th Beer Festival, Friday 5th & Saturday 6th, more information next time.
For tickets or any further information, contact Ross on 221411.
Source: Focus, April 2009
Been & Gone
On February 23rd we held the official opening of the hall, I hope some of you came along, it was a great do (bearing in mind it takes place 13 days after I wrote this article!).
We have also had our Food, Humour & Dance, another great do held in the future (Doctor Who, eat your heart out). Our offer of a discount worked well as we sold 90 tickets before the end of January and we hope it was a sell out by the 28th February.
Seriously, it is good to see the Hall being put to good use and lots of villagers enjoying themselves. Apart from these social/fund raising events, the hall is used regularly by many groups and associations throughout the week.
Obviously the old GI s enjoy the work involved in ensuring that we continue to enhance the hall and we work closely with the Trustees, very closely, as they are mostly trustees themselves, to see what needs doing next. We each have ideas as to what would improve the hall for the best and soon we will get a list so we can plan for the next few years!
Just to keep the momentum going, we are holding a Quiz on April 18th, you know the format, just £8 same price for the last 3 years, fabulous food, incredibly easy questions (providing you know the answers) and a great time to be had by all. I have just taken the first booking, do let me know how many tickets you want so that I can get you booked in - Tel 221411 or email Ross.
That's all from me except to say congratulations to Kathryn Coad, who rang me with the correct page number of the advert in the February Focus. She won two tickets to the dance on 28th. However, I did persuade her to buy another couple at full price!
Thanks for your continued support.
Ross
Source: Focus, March 2009
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
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
Thanks from Super-Santa
Thanks to everyone in the Four Villages (and beyond!) who sent a donation to Eaton Bray Village Hall through super-Santa and the super-Elves. Super-Santa was able to pass on £140 to the Eaton Bray Village Hall Trustees - and he sent this note to the super-Elves just yesterday!
Thanks to everyone who donated to the Eaton Bray Village Hall this year and thanks as well for all the wine, whiskey, beer, coke, milk and mince pies left out for me at Christmas - trust me they went down a treat! Weren't there a lot of Wii's and DS's on the lists this year! I'm glad I bought my Nintendo shares when I did!!
Sent from super-Santa's blackberry on a sunny Mauritius beach
Lots of love
The super-Elves
Source: Focus, February 2009
Body Boost Pilates
Enjoy an hour of gentle stretches & exercises designed to work with your body. Pilates helps to tone your muscles, promotes better posture, stronger
abdominals, back muscles & pelvic floor.
We offer group classes and one to one training, providing the opportunity for everybody to experience Pilates - the Body Boost way.
The Eaton Bray class has EXPANDED!, we moved out of the Coffee Tavern into the Village Hall, I am now taking on new customers for this class, if you would like to book, please email.
The sequence class at Eaton Bray has also been replaced by a new class "Pilates Plus", which is a rotation of Big Ball, Mini Ball, Dyna Band and Sequence Pilates, this will be a 45 minute session, and will have the same options on levels as the Mat-work classes so are suitable for everyone!!
You'll leave your session feeling relaxed, refreshed and feeling great!
Tuesdays
- Eaton Bray Village Hall, 10.00am-11.00am, Mixed ability
- Eaton Bray Village Hall, 11.15am-12.00pm, Equipment
Email: info@bodyboostuk.co.uk
www.BodyBoostuk.co.uk
Source: Focus, Octber 2008
Old GI has Lapse of Memory
Well there I was just thinking now that we are past the Carnival perhaps life would get a little quieter, so carried on for a few days just enjoying the beautiful weather, when I suddenly remembered that the deadline for Focus was upon me. A quick bit of writing, send it to Sally only to find that I was two days late and the publication had gone to bed. (he means been put to bed) See how I have picked up these publishing terms since I have written these articles!
So here I am making sure that I get this month's entry in, on time. Those of you who have visited the hall in the last few weeks will have noted a lack of a kitchen and lot of mess in the meeting rooms and storage areas. Well, by the time this is published, that should all have been sorted and the hall will even have the new partition in place.
If for any reason that is not the case there will be a very sorry builder who will be facing the wrath of our illustrious chairman! My money is on the job being finished on time.
That being the case, let me just remind you of the Quiz which is on Saturday 11th October. 7.30 kick off and includes a great supper and fun event for only £8. Our main advert is somewhere else in Focus and the first person to ring me to tell me the exact page will get two free tickets. Hope to see you all there.
You know I have been making that offer for at least two years for every event we hold. It is a genuine offer but nobody has ever rung me up, so go ahead and try and win these tickets!
Our Race Night is being postponed due to unforseen circumstances but I will be writing later to tell you what else is going to happen in the next few months. For information or bookings for the Quiz contact me, Ross.
Source: Focus, October 2008
Quiz - Village Hall - 11 October 2008
Quiz Village Hall Saturday 11th Oct 2008
This fabulous quiz with quizmaster Keith Blackburn
Will still include
a Free supper with the questions.
Bring you own glasses and drink.
7.30pm for 8pm
Just £8 per person.
Teams of up to 8 people
Fabulous prizes!
This event is organised jointly by
Eaton Bray Village Hall Fundraising Committee
and
Eaton Bray Tennis Club
For bookings contact Ross on (01525) 221411.
Beer Festival sets new records!
Again, at the 5th Eaton Bray Beer Festival we saw record numbers turn up over Friday 6th and Saturday 7th June.
As usual, when we met on the Tuesday before the event the weather forecast was horrible. Have we got too many burgers, potatoes, beers, ciders, perry? And I, the panicking old GI, was the most worried of all, but wait, on Friday it got worse, poor Norman dropped something on his shin and had to excuse himself to go to the A & E for a bit of bandaging. Luckily apart from having to miss the event he is now fine. So we all juggled our duties and got going.
Saturday it looked dull until about 1pm when the sun came out as did a lot of people, families, serious beer drinkers and a lot of keen amateurs, Fancy trying to drink all 17 ales on offer!
When we dragged ourselves away at midnight on Saturday, 464 people had passed through the door and drunk all the beer, cider and perry, which our gallant CAMRA friends had supplied for the event, Over 280 burgers had disappeared into people's mouths, along with 125 sausages and numerous baked potatoes (they never count theirs precisely like us BBQ'ers).
A special thanks to Neil Hines who gallantly gave up half an hours drinking time to help us get some more burgers from their shop. A life saver to some hungry drinkers!
The exact result will not be known for a few days, but will exceed last years £3,400. This will be going to Phase 3 which starts on August 4th so we will soon have a new kitchen (can we get a permanent BBQ in there Mr. Chairman?) a disabled toilet and a lovely meeting room. Where will we put the rubbish next year?
Having cleared the hall out on Sunday morning I spent a very pleasant hour on Sunday afternoon helping my neighbour by sitting on the gate at the Open Gardens event. I enjoyed all the praise about "my" beautiful garden. It was very difficult to admit that I was only the neighbour and had nothing to do with its beauty except to always feel guilty when they are lovingly tending their garden whilst I sit and read a book next door.
We are not stopping with Phase 3 as there is still plenty to do at the Hall, Our next event is the Quiz, Saturday 11th October, jointly with Tennis Club. We then get together again on November the 22nd for a spectacular Race Night. This should be a nice change.
We also run a 200 Club. This involves a max of 200 people paying £2 each month and every month there is a first prize of £100 followed by 4 prices of £25 each. That is a 1:40 chance of winning. A lot better than the lottery. Do give it a go. Contact me, Ross.
Source: Focus, July 2008
Shimmy, Shimmy – Egypt comes to Eaton Bray!
Don't know the difference between a hip drop and a camel step? Then why not come along to the Egyptian dance class held every Wednesday at Eaton Bray Village Hall from 7.00pm til 8.30pm. You don't need any previous experience - just a great sense of fun!
Over the weeks in the class you will learn the basic dance steps, progressing onto the more advanced moves of this ancient and interesting dance.
From ancient times this style of dance has been done traditionally by women, and is also known as Raqs Sharki. It is now one of the best ways to keep fit and supple, because of the gentle movements it is ideal for all ages - whatever shape or size you are. So don't just sit in and watch TV on Wednesday evenings join me at the Village Hall, and I promise you'll have fun and your hips will do things you never thought was possible !!
Wear comfortable clothing i.e. T-shirt and leggings or a long skirt or anything that lets you move without restriction. Cost of class is £4 per person.
To book a place or for more details please contact Soraya.
Source: Focus, July 2008
Quiz Sold Out Again!
The latest quiz held jointly by the Village Hall fund raisers and the Tennis Club was sold out 3 weeks before the event and I was sitting on a waiting list of 10 good and honest people. Well maybe I should have sold them the tickets and not the team that won! They might not have been as good as them. The net result would have meant that our team came 11th instead of 12th. Well one must think up ways of getting better mustn't one.
It was a great night and our thanks must go to Keith Blackburn who generously gives his time to creating and presenting these quizzes. For all his efforts and our feeble ones in trying to answer the questions over £1,300 was raised on the night. Thanks to all of you who came.
Just a reminder; The next quiz is on Saturday 11th October in the Village Hall and the booking office is now open so don't be disappointed, ring Ross on 221411 to book your places!Source: Focus, June 2008
Eaton Bray 5th Annual Beer festival
Note: This article describes the 2008 event.
For details of this year's Beer Festival, please see Village Hall Events.
Eaton Bray Hall
Friday 6th June and Saturday 7th June 2008
As usual I am trying to think of a snazzy way to start this piece and as usual (as those of you who read my pieces will have noticed) I am failing miserably. So I thought I would start with some basic facts.
The Location: Eaton Bray Village Hall
The Beer: 16 Real ales plus cider & perry
The Dates: Friday 6th June 6pm till 11pm, Saturday 7th June 12 noon till 11pm
The Food: BBQ (the best as run by me!) plus baked potatoes and assorted fillings. And all the other usual bits!
The Entertainment: Friday evening Jerome Chance, Saturday afternoon Children's magician, Saturday evening Bob Thompson
Other Drinks For those of you who do not like Real Ale or are either too young or driving we will have a selection of lagers, wines and soft drinks.
All in all this should make for an excellent couple of days. We do hope you will join us and remember we are delighted for families to come and join in the fun as the bar is in a separate area.
All monies raised from the event are going to the continuing refurbishment of the hall.
The quiz, which by the time you are reading this, will have happened was sold out by the first week of April with a waiting list. So we are sorry to any disappointed villagers.
I have promised to give those people first dibs for our next Quiz on Saturday 11th October. The rest of you don't say you haven't been warned.
See you at the Beer Festival. Any further enquires please contact Ross on 221411.
Source: Focus, May 2008
Theatre Review - Old Time Music Hall
A very special event took place on 28th March at Eaton Bray village hall. Eighteen young people aged from 10-18 presented a full-scale traditional Old Time Music Hall to a sold-out audience to raise money for the Friends of St Mary's.
There was a buzz of expectation as a packed hall greeted the appearance on stage of James Lake who introduced the evening in the guise of the traditional music hall Chairman. Dressed in top hat and tails he introduced each act with witty quips, jokes, alliteration and a bang of the gavel (who remembers Leonard Sachs on The Good Old Days?!). He introduced the 'orchestra' for the evening - Ros Yalden on the piano - with traditional jibes about the quality of her playing but it was all in good humour and she accompanied the performers beautifully all evening.
The opening choruses were sung by the entire company and we could tell straight away that we were in for a good evening as the cast danced and sang with great strength and quality - they were all clearly enjoying the experience. They all looked authentic, with period costumes and props supplied by Wendy Ashman, whose husband, Peter, directed the show and provided much of the script.
The workload for the evening was fairly shared across the entire company with each performer having at least one solo performance in each of the two acts - that was a wise decision as everyone in the cast was clearly a highly competent performer - there were no weak links.
The first half consisted of fourteen separate acts starting with one of the all time greats - Daisy Bell - beautifully sung by Sophie Yalden. Other highlights in Act One included: a cheeky performance of a little known song called What's that For Eh? by Alice O'Neill who had the audience in the palm of her hand; a hilarious comic rendition of the poem The Green Eye of the Yellow God by Heather Mullett whose arm movements were provided by Emily Ann Varley; the Stanley Holloway monologue Runcorn Ferry by Sebastian Calloway (how did he learn all those lines?); Don't Dilly Dally and Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow Wow sung by the highly talented Heather and Holly Potten; Cockles and Mussels sung with great conviction by Alex Mustoe; a touching performance of Won't You Buy My Pretty Flowers by Molly Blumsom: and a melodrama which had Freddie Marshall being henpecked by a convincing Melissa Wade before getting his revenge by selling her to the local squire wonderfully played by a joke-cracking William Sanders (who went on to give us a classical guitar solo in Act Two).
After such a slick and fast-paced first Act, the audience were ready for their lovely ploughman's supper provided by Val Trantum and her vastly capable team.
In Act Two the audience were treated to delights such as I Was A Good Little Girl sung by Olivia Calloway who made several gentlemen's nights by flirting with them from the stage whilst her talented sister Sabrina Calloway attracted whistles from the audience as a scantily clad artist's model in It's Alright in the Summertime. Emily Lake gave a beautiful rendition of the little-heard Shine On Harvest Moon and the half climaxed with a performance of the melodrama The Old Red Barn which had strong comic acting from Erin O'Neill as the wronged Maria Martin and Joe Ashman as the wicked William Corder who ends up killing her - but not before he milked the boos and hisses from the audience.
The evening concluded with the Chairman inviting the audience to join in the final choruses in traditional style ("chiefly yourselves") and the entire cast sung and danced such numbers as Any Old Iron and Beside the Seaside with great energy, enthusiasm and quality.
The audience went home happy after two and a half hours - nearly a thousand pounds was raised for Friends of St Mary's and they had been entertained by a group of highly-talented young people. There were no 'stars' in this show - every performer was exceptionally strong - they looked good, were well-rehearsed and clearly enjoyed entertaining their audience. When are we going to get an encore?!
Source: Focus, May 2008
Village Hall Update
I am sitting in my office looking at the daffodils coming into bloom and thinking what a great time of year it is. No, I had better start again, as actually, from my office all I can see is a tiny bit of the garden and not a single daffodil, but you get the jist of my thoughts? Spring is here and like the rest of us it is a pleasure to behold the spring flowers and the garden coming into bloom.
That has nothing to do with the Village Hall except we are getting closer to the building work which we hope to carry out in June, the refurbishment of the kitchen and meeting room plus creating a disabled toilet.
This is getting us even closer to my main point. It really is a very strange way my mind works but you may just be getting used to this old man's ramblings by now!
Now where was I? Oh yes.... All these works cost lots of money so the old GI's along with our friends from the ultra fit Tennis Club are going to remind you about the Quiz.
This will take place on Saturday 26th April in the Village Hall. 7.30pm start and with an excellent supper included in the minuscule price of just £8 each. Bring you own drinks and glasses.
With my usual generosity I am offering two free tickets to the quiz for the first person who tells me on what page the Quiz advert is on (subject to the very very very kind editors putting it in!). The telephone number is on the advert.
We have run these quizzes over the last couple of years and they have been extremely popular. Do come along make up a team of 8 or if you cannot manage that, we can put smaller like minded groups together and create a super team! (Something like super food, sounds good but no one is sure if they really work).
I will babble on about the 5th Beer Festival in the next Focus but just to remind you the dates are Friday 6th June and Saturday 7th June. Make a note in your diary.
Don't forget to book your tickets for the Quiz and then keep reading those reference books so you can win a great prize and more importantly the pride of saying "We Won!"
Take from someone who has done just that. For any information just call Ross 221411.
Source: Focus, April 2008
I say I say, what a splendid evening of good old days entertainment!
The Good Old Days were brought back to life when an Old Time Music Hall rocked the rafters at Eaton Bray Village Hall.
Eighteen youngsters, aged ten to 18, presented a full-scale traditional old time musical extravaganza to a sold-out audience and raised nearly £1,000 for the Friends of St Mary's.
Music hall chairman James Lake, dressed in top hat and tails, introduced each act with witty quips, jokes, alliteration and a bang of the gavel. He also introduced the 'orchestra' for the evening - Ros Yalden on the piano (with traditional jibes about the quality of her playing) but it was all in good humour.
The opening choruses were sung by the entire company. They all looked authentic, with period costumes and props supplied by Leighton Stagecoach principal, Wendy Ashman, from Pebblemoor, Edlesborough, whose husband, Peter, directed the show and provided much of the script.
The first half consisted of 14 separate acts starting with Daisy Bell sung by Sophie Yalden. Other highlights in Act One included a cheeky performance of a little-known song called What's that For Eh? by Alice O'Neill who had the audience in the palm of her hand; an hilarious comic rendition of the poem The Green Eye of the Yellow God by Heather Mullett, whose arm movements were provided by Emily Ann Varlet'; the Stanley Holloway monologue Runcorn Ferry by Sebastian Calloway (how did he learn all those lines?); Don't Dilly Dally and Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow Wow sung by the highly talented Heather and Holly Potten; Cockles and Mussels sung with great conviction by Alex Mustoe; a touching performance of Won't You Buy My Pretty Flowers by Molly Blumsom: and a melodrama which had Freddie Marshall being henpecked by a convincing Melissa Wade before getting his revenge by selling her to the local squire, wonderfully played by a joke-cracking William Sanders (who went on to give us a classical guitar solo in Act Two).
After such a slick and fast-paced first Act, the audience were ready for their lovely ploughman's supper provided by Val Trantum and her capable team.
In Act Two the audience were treated to delights such as I Was A Good Little Girl, sung by Olivia Calloway, who made several gentlemen's nights by flirting with them from the stage whilst her talented sister Sabrina Calloway attracted whistles from the audience as a scantily-clad artist's model in It's Alright in the Summertime.
Emily Lake gave a beautiful rendition of the little-heard Shine On Harvest Moon and the half climaxed with a performance of the melodrama The Old Red Barn which had strong comic acting from Erin O'Neill as the wronged Maria Martin and Joe Ashman as the wicked William Corder who ends up killing her - but not before he milked the boos and hisses from the audience.
The evening concluded with the chairman inviting the audience to join in the final choruses in traditional style ("chiefly yourselves") and the entire cast sung and danced such numbers as Any Old Iron and Beside the Seaside.
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Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 8 April 2008
Quiz - Village Hall - 26 April 2008
Saturday 26th April 2008 (N.B. Saturday!!)
This fabulous quiz with quizmaster Keith Blackburn will still include a free supper with the questions. Bring you own glasses and drink.
7.30pm for 8pm. Just £8 per person. Teams of up to 8 people. Fabulous prizes!
This event is organised jointly byEaton Bray Village Hall Fundraising Committee and Eaton Bray Tennis Club. For bookings contact Ross on 221411.
Source: Focus, April 2008
Dunstable & District Orbit Club
Dunstable and District Orbit Club held their annual quiz on Saturday 8th March at Eaton Bray Village Hall. 19 teams took part and we raised £1,200 for BAAF, British Adoption and Fostering. It was a good night and everyone enjoyed themselves.
Orbit is a social and charitable club and welcomes anyone in their 30's or older to come and join us. We meet at the Dunstable Rugby Club every 1st & 3rd Tuesday at 8pm. You will be very welcome.
Source: Focus, April 2008
Re-live the Good Old Days!
My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen! Your attendance is requested at Eaton Bray Village Hall on Friday 28th March at 7.30pm, where you're invited to 'Come and Make Eyes' as some of the finest young performers from the villages perform, for your delectation and entertainment, a traditional Old Time Music Hall.
Yes - a cast of eighteen highly talented and gifted 10-18 year olds are performing a traditional Old Time Music Hall to raise funds for the Friends of St Mary's (preserving the fabric of our local history.)
The evening will include all the great songs of the Victorian and Edwardian period including 'Down at the Old Bull and Bush', 'Daisy Daisy', 'Waiting at the Church' and 'Any Old Iron' along with comedy, sketches and a harrowing melodrama! The evening will be introduced and hosted by your own, your very own, traditional Music Hall Chairman.
The ticket price includes a ploughman's supper and there will be a licensed bar where you can buy all the drinks you need to make the evening go with a swing!
So 'Let's All Go to Eaton Bray' and imagine we've gone back a hundred years to 1908! Please dress in period costume if you like, and enjoy a good old-fashioned evening of family entertainment provided by the young people of 2008!
Tickets are £8.00 for Adults and £6.00 for Children - available from Fiona O'Neill on 222058.
Source: Focus, March 2008
Don't miss out on community cash, MP urges
Community groups in South Beds have been urged not to miss out on valuable funding by MP Andrew Selous.
He has called on groups in need of cash - including Houghton Regis Bowls Club, which is hoping to upgrade its changing facilities - to make sure they apply for grants from WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd).
The company is responsible for distributing money for good causes, and in the past three years has awarded more than £250,000 to groups in the district.
But Mr Selous said that the rest of Bedfordshire is faring far better, with more than £3.44 million paid out across the county in the same period.
The Tory MP said: "It would be very good to see South West Bedfordshire receive an equal proportion of the funding provided among the six Bedfordshire constituencies."
WREN's contact details are: WREN House, Manor Farm, Bridgham, Norfolk, NR16 2RX. Interested groups can also phone 01953 717165, or email wren@wren.org.uk for more information.
Related News
- Village hall project gets £37,900 grant
The completion of Eaton Bray Village Hall has been moved forward three years after receiving a grant of £37,900 from WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd).
Old GI's Take the Long Road
It was December the 15th, the frost lay heavily on the roads and cars, 12 very cold GI's walked alongside Dunstable Round Table's Christmas Float. The carols (well King sings Christmas actually) were coming out at a fair rate of decibels and we all felt that wonderful feeling when the children look up at Father Christmas with absolute trust and belief. The last 3 hours of freezing feet and hands is all forgotten and the thought of that young GI's (Katrina) chicken casserole waiting in the warmth oilier and Paul's home kept us going for the next half hour or so. It really does seem to put a little belief back into Christmas after all the commercialism that exists in this day and age. Talking of which, by helping Round Table on two nights and standing outside Asda for two half days we will benefit the village hall to the tune of nearly E1,000. Huge thanks to all the villagers who came out and helped. Like all organisations we are nothing without people like you. Thanks! The Village Hall Fund Raising is coming on. As you know we need to raise £10,000 by June of 2008, to add to the Wren Grant of £37,800 which we have been promised. We have had the Quiz and the 200 Club has put £2,000 into the coffers, Thanks you all who are members, December's winners are listed elsewhere in this esteemed publication.
We are then running a bar at the Panto Thursday 24th January through to Saturday 26th January. After that we are holding our bi-annual joint Quiz with Eaton Bray Tennis Club on Saturday 26th April. Book early as we sold out last time!
Then we have the Beer Festival in June, Friday 6th and Saturday 7th, similar format to the last 4 years. Why change something that everybody seems to enjoy. Bring on the burgers I say!
Well before the end of the summer, we will have completed the majority of the major refurbishment on the Hall. I am sure everybody in the area will be delighted with the results.
Following on from that, we still need to do the car park, a new partition, and many smaller items that will keep us fundraising for a few years more but perhaps not with the ferocity of the last 4 years!
We hope you all enjoy the various events we hold and we really enjoy organising them.
P.S. Honourable Chairman of the Village Hall did everything right this year, did not run out of fuel or get his key stuck in the ignition lock on the lorry. So I cannot even have a dig at him. Or can I? He did forget to bring the money bags at the end of one night, so we had loads of piles of cash with nowhere to put it. Does that count? Answers on a postcard please to...........!
Source: Focus, February 2008
Quiz Question - What Animal Lives in a Holt?
Yes, on Friday 5th October, 171 people sat comfortably in Eaton Bray Village Hall to hear the Super Quizmaster, Keith Blackburn, ask that very question. We all sat and thought! Was it a beaver, was it a badger - no it's an otter!
At this event, the fourth joint effort organised by Eaton Bray Tennis Club and the Village Hall Fund Raising Committee, we raised a staggering £1,400.00, which was split equally between the two groups.
The Tennis Club have three newly re-surfaced courts and the Village Hall nice new toilets! Well, from Monday 8th October they did. Unfortunately, despite everyone's best efforts they were not completed until 48 hours after the quiz. However, they are really nice, so do go and try them out next time you are in the Hall!
The Village Hall has also benefited from two Grants. The 1st was £5000 from South Beds Village Hall Grant Scheme and this has gone towards the toilets. The 2nd Grant of £37,000 from WREN has been promised towards our next project. This will be the re-furbishing of the kitchen, meeting room and the creation of a new disabled toilet, along with replacing the roofing above these areas. This will cost approximately £50,000, so you can see that we still need to raise more than £12,000 by next June.
This project will complete the essential refurbishments to bring our Hall into the 21st Century.
So please keep supporting us. The next event is being run by the Villagers and is a Race Night on Friday 16th November 2007. Tickets are £7.50, please contact Graham Chappell for tickets and more details.
In December the GI's will be helping Dunstable Round Table with their Christmas Float. Some of the proceeds will come back to the Village Hall. It's really great fun going round with Santa and seeing the children's eyes light up. Any extra volunteers will be very welcome. Those of you who are interested, please contact me (Ross Bagni) on 01525 221411.
Lastly, by popular demand, we are holding another Joint Quiz with the Tennis Club on 26th April 2008. So, as we sold out again in October, please book your place early.
Thanks for all your support. Ross Bagni
Source: Focus, November 2007
Christmas Fayre
St Mary's Church will be holding a Christmas Fair in Eaton Bray Village Hall on Saturday 17th November between 12.30pm and 2.30pm.
You can enjoy a Ploughman's Lunch, buy a cake for tea, win a prize in the raffle and do some early Christmas shopping without leaving the village! This year we are also expecting a visit from Santa Claus so do bring the children along.
Any contributions for the chocolate tombola, cake stall, recycled presents stall or the raffle would be very welcome. Please contact Peter Bennett.
Source: Focus, November 2007
Villagers Race Night
The Villagers present A Race Night at Eaton Bray Village Hall, in aid of Hall Funds, on Friday 16th November at 7.30pm.
A ploughman's supper is included. Bring your own drinks and glasses.
Tickets £7.50
Tickets available from Hall Trustees.
Source: Focus, November 2007
Village hall project gets £37,900 grant
The completion of Eaton Bray Village Hall has been moved forward three years after receiving a grant of £37,900 from WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd).
The bumper grant will enable phase three of the refurbishment to take place next year.
The involves creating a disabled toilet along with a new kitchen and meeting room.
Ross Bagni, of the Eaton Bray Village Hall Trustees told the Citizen: "We've got £50,000 to raise and this will help towards that significantly. It will being us forward by about three years. Usually we'd only be able to raise £10-12,000 a year so this is a massive help.
"The hall will be a big boost to the village when it's done. We've spent a lot of money on making sure we've a decent 21st century hall that everyone can use."
Phase three marks the end of the major work that has been carried out over the last three years.
In 2004 the main hall was completely refurbished at a cost of £150,000, the main toilets have just been completely revamped along with the entrance hall (£32,000).
Phase three will cost approximately £50,000 so even though some of the balance has been raied, the Hall Trustees need to continue fundraising for the foreseeable future to complete the job by summer 2008.
The news was announced at a joint fundraising quiz with Eaton Bray Tennis Club. Over 170 people attended and the two organisations shared the £1,400 raised on the night.
The trustees have raised nearly £250,000 over a five year period to bring the village hall up to date. They are well aware that the hall will continue to need minor improvements over the next few years, along with regular maintenance and their efforts will continue with regular events, including a beer festival (first weekend of June), quiz nights, and other social events that bring the villagers together to help in maintaining this vital village facility.
Source: The Citizen, 25 October 2007
Eaton Bray Village Hall 4th Annual Beer Festival
I'll be honest this is going to be a very quick report as this sad old git (G I), went on holiday for 10 days immediately after the beer festival so I have got to write this very quickly or the honourable editor will not let me get it into print (if you see this then you know, as I do, that she is a very kind person).
The weather was just as good as last year and even though we did get more beer, burgers, sausages, potatoes, fillings and other alcoholic drinks along with the soft drinks we had almost sold out of everything by late Saturday and that was after a slightly quieter Friday (we think due to England v Brazil football match).
On Saturday the weather blessed us again and by early afternoon lots of families had turned up to watch the magician and then stayed in party mood 'til late into the evening.
Our biggest thanks must be to those who turned up to enjoy the Festival, but the sacrifices the CAMRA volunteers made just to make sure that every pint was up to their usual high standard were well beyond the call of duty. They did so much tasting that they had to get a taxi home each night!
Again it is the G I volunteers who also make it possible and our thanks to all of them.
With all that effort how could we fail? The final profit is in excess of £3,400. All this will be going into the work to be carried out on the toilets in the very near future.
Thank you all for your support again. We will definitely start planning the 5th Beer Festival which will take place on the first weekend of June 2008. Don't forget!
To more immediate things, our next event is a joint quiz with the Tennis Club which is to be held in the hall on Friday 5th October. We sold out last time so please book your places early. More details from Ross.
P.S. Where did I go on holiday? This is really sad but I loved it. I rode 1,600 miles around the UK on my motorbike visiting friends and family and enjoyed it tremendously. Makes coming back and writing this all worthwhile.
Source: Focus, July 2007
Eaton Bray Village Hall Public Meeting - 18th June
Your Hall Needs You!
A public meeting will take place at
Eaton Bray Village Hall
on
Monday 18th June, at 7.30pm
The trustees of Eaton Bray Hall invite ALL villagers to see the plans for the refurbishment of the existing toilets due to be carried out this summer.
The trustees would also like to discuss with you the progress being made towards the next major phase of the refurbishment, which will include a disabled toilet, creation of a meeting room along with a completely refitted kitchen and completion of replacing the present roof.
It is important to the trustees to have your input.
Please do come along.
Source: Focus, June 2007
Old & Young GIs Unite to Take First Prize at Largest Ever Quiz!
On Friday 29th April the Village hall was throbbing, with 173 eager minds just waiting for the off. Keith Blackburn (the greatest living quiz master in Eaton Bray) took the microphone and we were away. What a night, with difficult questions great banter, as exceptionally talented teams fought it out to become the champions.
In the middle of all this we had a lovely supper and I didn't win one of the fabulous prizes in the raffle. Still you can't have everything, can you?
Into the final round and 5 teams at the top could all win the title. "Art's Cool" led "The Team with No Name" by just half a point. After the last round with all the contestants waiting with baited breath while Keith in classic style announced the results in reverse order.......at last the final result: The Team with No Name were winners by half a point!
Well would you believe who was in the winning team? Yes the old and young GI's united in their brilliance (well actually it was two of our guests who answered 90% of the questions) but we will happily take the glory. Perhaps even happier was the Mary French team who had a great evening and went away with a large carton of Celebration for being the best non winners. Congratulations ladies.
The real winners, The Village Hall and the Tennis club, who will split the £1,483 profit between them. Our thanks go out to all the villagers and guests who come along and make the organisers life so easy.
A special thanks to Keith who gives up a lot of time to make these quizzes so special.
And so onwards, towards our 4th Annual Beer Festival on Friday evening 1st June and all day Saturday 2nd June, with the beers chosen and served by volunteers from CAMRA. We will be having 14 beers, 2 ciders and a Perry, not to mention lager, wine and soft drinks for non real-ale types. We will also have entertainment on both evenings plus a magician for the whole family on Saturday afternoon. Hope to see you all there.
Again thank you all for your support for the quiz and as I had to turn 3 people away on the morning of the quiz book early for our next one, Friday 5th October Eaton Bray Village Hall.
Source: Focus, June 2007
Real ales, magic and dancing at festival
The Eaton Bray Hall Fund-raising Committee and volunteers from CAMRA are joining forces to stage the village's fourth annual beer festival.
The event will be held in Eaton Bray Village Hall on Friday June 1 and Saturday June 2.
The two groups aim to raise money for the refurbishment of the hall.
The festival will run from 6pm to 11pm on Friday evening and from 12 noon to 11pm on Saturday. Visitors can sample 16 real ales, two ciders and two perrys, all organised by volunteers from the Campaign for Real Ale.
The non purists can get lager, wine and soft drinks from the hall committee volunteers, who will also run a barbecue and baked potato stalls.
Live entertainment on Friday evening will be supplied by Bob Thomson. There is a special magic show for children on Saturday afternoon and Paul Green (Greenie) will be there on Saturday evening to help everyone dance the night away.
Proceeds from the event will help to revamp the toilets and to bring the hall into the 21st century.
Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 29 May 2007
4th Annual Beer Festival - June 1st and 2nd 2007
Friday 1st June: 6pm to 11pm
Friday night: Live entertainment - Bob Thomson
Saturday 2nd June: 12noon to 11pm
Saturday afternoon: Family Magic Show
Saturday night: Live entertainment - Greenie (Paul Green)
16 Real Ales + 2 ciders and 2 perrys
Soft drinks, bottled lager and wine available.
Hot food and BBQ available
Lunchtime and evenings
Entrance £3 on the day
Half price to CAMRA members at all times
This annual event now in its fourth year will have over a dozen real ales plus Cider, Perry and various lagers and wines for non Ale drinkers.
Food and entertainment on both days will add to the atmosphere along with Saturday afternoon when we will have a children's magician so all the family can have a great time.
Source: Eaton Bray Village Hall
Dunstable & District Orbit Club
Dunstable & District Orbit Club held their Annual quiz night recently at Eaton Bray Village Hall. 18 teams entered and we raised just over £1,200 for the Paul Strickland Scanner appeal for Mount Vernon Hospital. The quiz was in memory of a very dear friend and member of Orbit who left us recently.
A few weeks ago the girls of Orbit arranged a "Boy's Night" for the boys. The boys came as scouts and the girls as guides. to celebrate 100 years of scouting We had games, worked for badges, sang round the campfire and had great fun.
Orbit meet in the centre of Dunstable every 1st & 3rd Tuesday at 8pm. For more information please contact 01582 755147 or 01525 222441.
Source: Focus, May 2007
Ever seen the Chairman hot wiring a truck?
They say, "the young never feel the cold". Well it may be true but us old GI's certainly do. Along with a lot of helpers from our community we took over the Round Table Float for 3½ nights/days to help raise money for the Round Table and the Village Hall refurbishment.
To be honest it wasn't that cold and walking round the houses seeing all the children so delighted to see Father Christmas outside their homes was worth the odd 5 mile walk. We have raised over £1250 from the efforts put in by many people. You know who you are but we again say thank you!
What's this about the Chairman hot wiring a truck? Well it all started 3 years ago when the same gallant GI forgot to check the diesel in the lorry and we had to hang around while he and an elf went to get some. This year he went one better. As I was arriving, a little late at Asda, a couple of Saturdays before Christmas, I rang the said person to say sorry for being late. He told me not to worry as he was locked out of the lorry with the float on and the key was broken in the ignition.
Some two hours later a "very nice man" came from a breakdown company and got the key out and showed Nor... oops sorry nearly gave the name away there, how to hot wire the lorry. This, he has been doing ever since!
Since this bit of education, I have been locking my car in the garage (and I don't even have one)) you can't be too careful.
All GI's, old and young(ish) would like to thank everybody who has helped us in Fund Raising during 2006 and wish all villagers a very Happy and Healthy New Year.
Don't forget our next events. These are, the Joint Quiz with Eaton Bray Tennis Club Friday 20th April, in the Village Hall, Tickets £8 from either: ROSS or KATRINA
The 4th Annual Beer Festival, similar format to previous years, Friday June 1st and Saturday 2nd June, in the Village Hall. More info to come. Just put the dates in your diary and get extra aspirin in!
Last, but by no means least; the Villagers are holding a Race Night on Friday 4th May 2007. All proceeds will be going to the Village Hall refurbishment fund. So if you fancy a little flutter look out for further information later on.
Source: Focus, February 2007
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.
What is the Answer?
That was the question on everybody's lips at the Largest Quiz ever held in the Village Hall on October 6th!
YES. When the old GI's (Village Hall Fundraising Committee) got together with Eaton Bray Tennis Club to organise this great Quiz Night, none of us realised that it would be a sell out and that we are now about to be entered into The Guinness Book of Records, as the Largest quiz ever held in Eaton Bray. We expect ratification within the next few weeks!
The benefit of these numbers was a massive £1,300 to be shared equally between the toilets in the Village Hall and a load of tarmac at the Tennis Courts. Thanks to all of you who came and helped it to be such a success.
A special thank you to our quizmaster Keith Blackburn who volunteered his services to set totally impossible questions (well for some us anyway).
The saddest part? Well, as a member of the winning team last time, it was being beaten by the 2 youngest GI's (no names to protect the innocent) Katrina & Paul Hurley led a team to first place. I suppose congratulations are in order to them and their obviously very intelligent friends. Honestly no hard feelings on my part.
We hope you all enjoyed yourselves AND if you did, we are all doing it again next year, on Friday 20th April. Same venue, same quiz master, BUT unfortunately different questions!
Tickets available from Katrina or me (Ross). OR is that a bit too early? Answers on postcard please, to .........
Source: Focus, November 2006