Latest news with #Danbury
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cricketers hit for six as council bans matches
Village cricketers have been hit for six after a temporary ban on the sport was extended through the summer. The ban was imposed in Danbury, Essex, after a passer-by was hit by a ball as he unloaded his car on 17 May. Parish councillors have been exploring whether a 20m-high (66ft) net could be installed around the cricket pitch at Dawson Memorial Field, but warned it could cost £100,000. Stuart Ayris, captain of Oaklands, who play at the ground in the centre of the village, said the situation was "a massive shame". The 11th-tier side shared the facility with two other clubs, Tuskers and Danbury, who have been searching for new homes for the summer. A temporary ban on them playing there has since been extended until a meeting in September, Danbury Parish Council said. The decision came after the authority commissioned a report looking at the danger of a repeat incident. The report found "it would not be possible for cricket to be played at Danbury for the remainder of this season", the council said. It was agreed in September the viability of installing a large protective net would be explored. The council added it remained committed to supporting sport while ensuring the safety of the public. However, cricket analyst and former county player Simon Hughes said the authority's response had been "pathetic". "To ban cricket from somewhere it's been played for 200 years is excessive and disgraceful – there's got to be another solution," he said. Early records kept by Danbury Cricket Club found a game had been played at the ground in 1799. Mr Ayris said the incident that led to the ban had been blown out of proportion. "They deemed that to be a high-risk incident, despite the fact no person has been hit in living memory," he claimed. "There's been six cars hit in 10 years, and that's over 50,000 balls bowled." The captain, who is also club secretary and treasurer, said not playing in a league would turn people away from the sport. "We might be left with just playing friendlies every now and then which would be a massive shame," he added. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story 'Cricket has been here for centuries, now we can't play' Related internet links Danbury Parish Council
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Danbury cricketers hit for six as council bans matches in Essex
Village cricketers have been hit for six after a temporary ban on the sport was extended through the ban was imposed in Danbury, Essex, after a passer-by was hit by a ball as he unloaded his car on 17 councillors have been exploring whether a 20m-high (66ft) net could be installed around the cricket pitch at Dawson Memorial Field, but warned it could cost £100, Ayris, captain of Oaklands, who play at the ground in the centre of the village, said the situation was "a massive shame". The 11th-tier side shared the facility with two other clubs, Tuskers and Danbury, who have been searching for new homes for the summer.A temporary ban on them playing there has since been extended until a meeting in September, Danbury Parish Council said. The decision came after the authority commissioned a report looking at the danger of a repeat report found "it would not be possible for cricket to be played at Danbury for the remainder of this season", the council was agreed in September the viability of installing a large protective net would be council added it remained committed to supporting sport while ensuring the safety of the cricket analyst and former county player Simon Hughes said the authority's response had been "pathetic"."To ban cricket from somewhere it's been played for 200 years is excessive and disgraceful – there's got to be another solution," he said. Early records kept by Danbury Cricket Club found a game had been played at the ground in Ayris said the incident that led to the ban had been blown out of proportion."They deemed that to be a high-risk incident, despite the fact no person has been hit in living memory," he claimed."There's been six cars hit in 10 years, and that's over 50,000 balls bowled."The captain, who is also club secretary and treasurer, said not playing in a league would turn people away from the sport."We might be left with just playing friendlies every now and then which would be a massive shame," he added. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ethan Allen Rated America's Best Premium Furniture Retailer for 3rd Consecutive Year
Ethan Allen: America's Best Premium Furniture Retailer DANBURY, Conn., July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ethan Allen, a leading interior design destination and manufacturer and retailer of handcrafted home furnishings, has once again been named America's #1 Premium Furniture Retailer based on data compiled by Newsweek and Statista. The recognition, now awarded to Ethan Allen three years in a row, is based on surveys asking consumers how likely they are to recommend a brand to someone else. Consumers also rated brands on their products, customer service, atmosphere, accessibility, and shop layout, with Ethan Allen scoring highest overall in the premium furniture category. President, Chairman and CEO Farooq Kathwari credits the #1 ranking to Ethan Allen's dedicated associates, its commitment to North American manufacturing and its unique combination of personal service and technology. 'Because we make 75% of our products in our own workshops, we keep quality front and center, offering products at competitive values while also ensuring consistent, high levels of service to our clients.' Mr. Kathwari continued: 'When a client walks into any Ethan Allen Design Center, they're greeted by a professional interior designer whose assistance, from idea to delivery day, is always complimentary. This comprehensive service is a strong value and one of our key competitive differentiators. It includes guidance on furniture, décor, and window treatments, on colors, fabrics, and finishes, and on room layouts, which clients can preview via state-of-the-art 3D images and 4K animations.' 'As we celebrate this success, I thank the craftspeople who safeguard our reputation for quality, the logistics teams that create an industry-leading delivery experience, and the designers and retailers who are the ambassadors of our brand. We maintain a strong focus on talent, and as a result, our people continually prove to be our greatest strength,' concluded Mr. Kathwari. ABOUT ETHAN ALLENEthan Allen (NYSE:ETD), named America's #1 Premium Furniture Retailer by Newsweek, is a leading interior design destination combining state-of-the-art technology with personal service. Ethan Allen design centers, which represent a mix of Company-operated and independent licensee locations, offer complimentary interior design service and sell a full range of home furnishings, including custom furniture and artisan-crafted accents for every room in the home. Vertically integrated from product design through logistics, the Company manufactures about 75% of its custom-crafted products in its North American manufacturing facilities and has been recognized for product quality and craftsmanship since 1932. Learn more at and follow Ethan Allen on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. CONTACT:Catherine PlaistedSenior Vice President, A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Times
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Times
The odd cracked windscreen is price worth paying for cricket
'Cricket ball hits man on leg' is not usually an unfavourable turn of events in a match. It's often a moment of triumph for the fielding side if the batter's leg has blocked a ball from hitting his stumps. But not at Danbury Cricket Club in Essex. Players in this village team have been told that play on Dawson Memorial Field — home since 1799 not only to Danbury CC, but used also by two other teams, Tuskers and Oaklands — is suspended because a man in the car park was hit on the leg by a stray cricket ball while loading his car. Does such a punishment fit what is surely a freak event? In village cricket, where a fielder on the boundary can happily spend an innings filling out their tax return without fear of being disturbed, a ball struck so solidly that it flies over the boundary and into the car park is something so uncommon that it is usually a cause for, first, disbelief at the batter's hitherto hidden prowess and, later, celebration. But not at Danbury. Instead the parish council has pulled up stumps pending 'a ball trajectory risk assessment by professional sports specialists'. Nor are Danbury's cricketers suffering alone. Last summer batters at Southwick and Shoreham Cricket Club, which was formed in 1790 near Brighton, were banned from hitting sixes because those living near the pitch fretted that their houses and cars were in the firing line. In a bewildering inversion of scoring convention, players were warned that their first six would count as no runs. If they hit a second six they would be out. Parish councils and twitchy neighbours should reconsider their antipathy. Cricket is as emblematic of village life as trading unfounded gossip and treating anyone who arrived later than the Gladstone administration as a newcomer. A cracked windscreen once every few decades resulting from a stray ball should surely be a tolerable price to pay for the communal joy village cricket brings.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FuelCell Energy CEO Jason Few Applauds 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' as Catalyst for U.S. Clean Energy Leadership
DANBURY, Conn., July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCEL) President and CEO Jason Few has issued a statement praising the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' (OBBBA) for its direct support of the fuel cell industry and its role in strengthening America's energy infrastructure, data center resilience, and clean manufacturing base. 'The 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' is a landmark for American energy leadership—and it's time to set the record straight: clean energy was not sidelined,' said Few. 'In fact, the bill includes direct, powerful provisions that support the fuel cell industry and reinforce the United States' position as a global leader in data center infrastructure and grid resilience.' Few highlighted the reinstatement of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) as a key win for the sector. He also emphasized the importance of preserving the transferability of federal tax credits, calling it 'very important—especially for small- and mid-sized companies—to maintain the ability to monetize these credits.' FuelCell Energy also expressed support for Congress' decision to modify hydrogen provisions in the bill, ensuring stability for companies that have already made significant investments in hydrogen. 'Supporters of the OBBBA deserve credit for moving the conversation toward a more inclusive, American-built and led, innovation-driven—and yes, clean—energy policy,' Few concluded. Full Statement from Jason Few, President & CEO of FuelCell Energy 'The 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' is a landmark for American energy leadership—and it's time to set the record straight: clean energy was not sidelined. In fact, the bill includes direct, powerful provisions that support the fuel cell industry and reinforce the United States' position as a global leader in data center infrastructure and grid resilience. One of the most impactful elements of the legislation is the reinstatement of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC). By maintaining full ITC eligibility for fuel cell technologies, the bill ensures that companies like FuelCell Energy can continue to deploy U.S.-built platforms at scale. This is not just about clean energy—it's about national competitiveness, energy security, and the infrastructure backbone of the AI economy. The ITC's flexibility—especially its transferability and long-term visibility—gives developers and investors the confidence to accelerate deployment. That means more resilient power for data centers, more stable grids in the face of extreme weather, and more American jobs in advanced manufacturing. We especially applaud Congress' decision to preserve the transferability of key federal tax credits. It's particularly important for small- and mid-sized companies to maintain the ability to monetize these credits. That flexibility facilitates the financing they need to grow. If a mid-size, highly specialized manufacturer can go from one full-time production shift to two or even three, that's more U.S. jobs and faster deployment of power solutions. In addition, we support Congress' decision to modify the hydrogen provisions in the OBBBA. We recognize that many companies have made significant investments in hydrogen. Congress made the right call in ensuring that those investments are not undermined by sudden policy shifts. That kind of stability is essential for long-term innovation. Let's be clear: the OBBBA doesn't pick winners and losers—it recognizes the unique strengths of each clean energy technology. Fuel cells are dispatchable, scalable, and built for the demands of a digital, electrified future. This bill gives us the tools to lead. We appreciate all the work that has been done in the House and Senate on behalf of the energy sector, and we believe the supporters of the OBBBA deserve credit for moving the conversation toward a more inclusive, American-built and led, innovation-driven—and yes, clean—energy policy.' About FuelCell Energy FuelCell Energy, Inc. provides clean, reliable future-ready solutions that allow customers to access power faster and manage their emissions while keeping their operations running. Our efficient, scalable, and fuel-flexible systems—running on natural gas, biofuels, or hydrogen—provide steady baseload, grid-independent electricity worldwide. With more than 55 years of expertise and nearly 200 modules in commercial operation, we help customers achieve their immediate and future energy goals. Learn more at Contact:FuelCell Energyir@ Kathleen Blomquistkblomquist@ while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
