Alison Cooney

Style and Comfort at Gravel Farm Self-Catering Cottages

Gravel Farm Cottages comprise four stylish and luxurious self-catering properties located on a family-farm near Stretham, just five miles south of the beautiful Cathedral City of Ely in Cambridgeshire. Close to local amenities, yet delightfully rural and secluded, it is perfect for holidays, business travel, family and friend celebration weekends and mini-breaks. Dog, wheelchair and …

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District Council secures three Changing Places toilets

Ely, Littleport and Soham are each to get a fully accessible Changing Places toilet after East Cambridgeshire District Council put in a successful bid for Government funds. The disabled toilets are special because they contain a hoist and a changing bench enabling people who need personal assistance to use the toilets or get changed without …

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City of Ely Amateur Swimming Club Excels at Cambridgeshire County Championships 2023

Over two weekends in January and February the counties’ top swimmers gathered in Cambridge to compete at the 2023 Cambridgeshire County Championships. Twenty one swimmers achieved the qualifying times and competed in the individual events, where City of Ely ASC finished 3rd out of all the clubs in Cambridgeshire. The swimmers achieved excellent results with exceptional performances …

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Cathedral Celebrates 1350 Years of Ely’s Foundation

2023 marks 1350 years since the foundation of Ely and the Cathedral and city will be celebrating this significant anniversary with a year long programme of events, exhibitions, creative storytelling, art, music and worship across the city.  The Cathedral have recently unveiled a visual interpretation around the life of Etheldreda, highlighting the four key stages …

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Hideout with the experts to experience winter wildlife this February half term at Welney Wetland Centre

Families can discover the UK’s greatest winter wildlife like never before this February half-term by joining WWT  Welney’s The Big Hideout. This half term the bird hides have become hideouts with activities available to take part in and the enthusiastic team at Welney on hand to help you discover the joy of birdwatching.  All the family can …

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Council approves £95,000 High Street Renewal Fund to help improve Littleport and Soham

Landlords, property owners, businesses and community groups in Littleport and Soham are being given the opportunity to apply for up to £20,000 worth of funding to improve the front of buildings or the general appearance of the town centres. Examples of projects that will be considered include minor structural or aesthetic repairs to frontages, new …

Council approves £95,000 High Street Renewal Fund to help improve Littleport and Soham Read More »

King’s Ely musician awarded Scholarship at reputable London Conservatoire

A talented King’s Ely student has secured a place at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Lauren Peck, who is in Year 13 at King’s Ely Sixth Form, has been awarded a Scholarship to study BMus (Hons) – Classical Saxophone at the London conservatoire in September 2023. She also received offers of a …

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Local BBC Radio to Recognise and Celebrate Everyday Acts of Kindness with Make A Difference Awards 2023

Nominate local heroes in your community now  BBC Local Radio is once again honouring your great neighbours, super carers, and awesome volunteers for everyday acts of kindness where they live. For this year’s ‘Make A Difference Awards’ every local BBC radio station across England needs your help to find these remarkable individuals. We want to …

Local BBC Radio to Recognise and Celebrate Everyday Acts of Kindness with Make A Difference Awards 2023 Read More »

Killer performances from Ely College students who blow the roof off their ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ whole-school musical

The new January term saw Ely College students take to the stage in their version of the B-moviesque dark comedy ‘The Little Shop of Horrors’. With audiences laughing and applauding the energised and talented company, these students laid on an impressive array of musical delights with familiar hits like ‘Somewhere That’s Green’ and ‘Feed Me …

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Grants Still Available to Local Organisations

Applications are invited from local, voluntary and charitable organisations that provide a service which benefits the parishioners of the City of Ely. This includes Ely and the villages of Prickwillow, Stuntney, Chettisham, Queen Adelaide and Shippea Hill. The Council has a small budget which is allocated to grants each year. It is still encouraging applications …

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Community groups encouraged to apply for grants up to £1000

Community groups are being urged to apply for grants of up to £1000 being offered by East Cambridgeshire District Council. The money can be spent on new or existing projects designed to improve the quality of life for residents. Cambridgeshire-based charity Blue Smile was recently successful in applying for a £1000 grant to help support …

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Spring Programme of Talks and Workshops Announced

Find out what’s happening at Ely Museum this spring Countless resolutions are made to kick off each new year, as we promise ourselves we’ll learn or try something new. At Ely Museum this spring, there are lots of opportunities to do just that! With a programme of evening talks and craft workshops, ideal for beginners …

Spring Programme of Talks and Workshops Announced Read More »

101 Year-old Celebrates Birthday With Help of Local Schoolchildren

A choir of primary schoolchildren has helped an Ely care home resident celebrate her 101st birthday, presenting her with handmade cards and singing Happy Birthday. Lily Hale, who has lived at Lily House care home in Ely for six years, was joined by pupils from Isle of Ely Primary School and family members to celebrate the …

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Industrial Action Affecting Greater Anglia Train Services on 1st and 3rd February

Passengers are being advised to avoid travelling with Greater Anglia, and to check before they do travel, if they do need to make a rail journey on 1st and 3rd February, when strike action will affect train services. Members of the train drivers’ union ASLEF and train drivers who are members of the RMT union, …

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Council achieves Bronze Investors in the Environment accreditation

East Cambridgeshire District Council has achieved bronze accreditation of the Investors in the Environment scheme within a year of signing up. The Council signed up to the scheme as part of its commitment to reduce the carbon footprint at its main head office in Ely, known as The Grange. To help achieve its goal it …

Council achieves Bronze Investors in the Environment accreditation Read More »

Ely College secures £2960 ‘Love Rowing’ grant to build on their successful ‘Chance to Row’ programme.

In partnership with the Isle of Ely Rowing Club (IOERC), Ely College is pleased to announce that it has been successful in securing just under three thousand pounds of funding to continue and extend the reach of its successful rowing programmes. Building on the successes of the last three years which has seen over 250 …

Ely College secures £2960 ‘Love Rowing’ grant to build on their successful ‘Chance to Row’ programme. Read More »

Cambridgeshire to accept upholstered seating waste from Saturday

All nine household waste recycling centres in Cambridgeshire will accept upholstered household seating again from Saturday 7th January, the County Council has confirmed The council has apologised to residents affected by last week’s sudden temporary restriction on accepting upholstered seating while it worked at pace with its partners on a safe disposal method. An interim …

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Residents told items such as sofas and armchairs cannot be taken to Household Waste Recycling Centres in Cambridgeshire from 1st January

With effect from 1st January items such as upholstered sofas, upholstered chairs, cushions and beanbags will no longer be accepted at Cambridgeshire County Council-owned household waste and recycling centres, such as the one at Witchford. This is due to enforcement action now being taken by the Environment Agency from 1st January. As a result, also …

Residents told items such as sofas and armchairs cannot be taken to Household Waste Recycling Centres in Cambridgeshire from 1st January Read More »

Industrial action affecting Greater Anglia train services on 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 January

Passengers are being advised to avoid travelling with Greater Anglia and to check before they do travel, if they do need to make a rail journey, on a series of days affected by strike action next week, from 3rd to 7th January inclusive. Members of the RMT union members, including Greater Anglia’s conductors, train cleaners …

Industrial action affecting Greater Anglia train services on 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 January Read More »

‘Santa’s Toy Bank’ will be back for Christmas 2023 vows Peter

Ely’s “overwhelming” response to ‘Santa’s Toy Bank’ has convinced the man who came up with the idea that it should be repeated next Christmas. Peter Harris praised the support of individuals, church donors, shops, businesses and organisations and said he was deeply moved by the reaction of the families in need who came to the …

‘Santa’s Toy Bank’ will be back for Christmas 2023 vows Peter Read More »

Good Vibes Local – Great Little Giveaway Donates Funds to Local Organisations

Christmas came early to eleven local organisations last week, when Good Vibes Local (GVL), the Trustees responsible for managing Spotted in Ely and Ely Radio, chose the recipients of their Great Little Giveaway.  Back in November, GVL promoted its Giveaway of £100 to ten different organisations that met its criteria.  Applications were accepted throughout November …

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James goes for Gold

On Thursday – our last parade night of 2022- Flight Sergeant James Munday was presented with his Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award badge. James first joined the Squadron in October 2017 and has taken every opportunity available to him fully engaging across the whole breadth of the cadet experience. Since joining, James threw himself into …

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Councillors voice concerns on Making Connections consultation

Councillors have agreed not to support proposals to introduce congestion charging in Cambridge during an extraordinary meeting on Thursday (15th December). The meeting was held to decide the Council’s response to the Greater Cambridgeshire Partnership’s (GCP) Making Connections 2022 Consultation. While the Council supports the GCP’s aim of making public transport, cycling and walking the …

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Everything you need to know about travelling with Greater Anglia this Christmas and New Year

Greater Anglia is reminding rail passengers to check before they travel if they are making journeys by rail this Christmas – so they’re not caught out by earlier last trains, engineering works or strikes. The general arrangements for Greater Anglia train services are as follows :  In the run up to Christmas, a normal timetable …

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Ely Museum is Selected as a Regional Finalist for a Civic Trust Awards

Ely Museum has been selected as a Regional Finalist for both the 2023 Civic Trust Awards and the Selwyn Goldsmith Awards for Universal Design.  A huge congratulations to architects, HAT Projects. Hana Loftus from HAT Projects said; “The Civic Trust Awards are rigorously judged through in-person visits, and set a high bar for projects that genuinely contribute …

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17,000 students join ‘Captain Carbon’s’ mission to reduce energy waste across their schools

Thousands of students across Meridian Trust’s schools in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Lincolnshire have signed up to ‘Captain Carbon’s’ mission to battle against energy waste – helping their schools to become greener. Almost 30% of all energy used in the UK is wasted, so the Trust has launched the imaginative campaign to encourage its schools, staff, …

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Biodiversity in East Cambs to increase with each new development site

Biodiversity should increase with each new development that takes place in East Cambridgeshire, after councillors agreed a new working document to help double land for nature. As part of its plan to reverse the decline in the natural environment, the Council is requiring developers to demonstrate how the overall level of biodiversity at each development …

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Soham Station Thriving One Year After Opening

Almost 50,000 journeys have started or finished from Soham station in the first year since its opening, Greater Anglia’s figures reveal. The new station, on the Ipswich to Peterborough line, was built to give residents and local businesses of the east Cambridgeshire town better connections to the wider area and saw passenger services restart for …

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East Cambridgeshire District Council proud to become White Ribbon Accredited

East Cambridgeshire District Council has become officially committed to working to end men’s violence against women by becoming White Ribbon Accredited. As an accredited organisation, the Council is developing and delivering a comprehensive action plan to change the cultures that lead to abuse and violence and promote gender equality.  Some of the actions that will …

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East Cambridgeshire District Council Improves the Property-Buying Process

From the 5th December, buying a property in East Cambridgeshire has become quicker and simpler for everyone. As part of our digital transformation, East Cambridgeshire District Council has worked with HM Land Registry to transfer its local land charges (LLC) service to the national digital register. The LLC Register allows users to search information online instantly, enabling …

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Project Complete: Last Two Properties Let at Ovins Rise, Haddenham

Haddenham Community Land Trust formed in June 2016, and on 1st December 2022, they finally handed the keys to their last two properties over to tenants. Initially, completion was planned for 2021 but was delayed due to COVID and building materials shortages. HCLT now owns 17 rental properties and have 2 further properties under shared …

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Businesses Warned to be Extra Vigilant Following Thefts of Air Conditioning Units

Businesses across East Cambridgeshire are warned to be extra vigilant following a spate of thefts of air conditioning units. Over the last week air conditioning units have been stolen in five separate incidents from Bartholomew’s Walk in Ely, costing local businesses in excess of £60,000. Police have been notified and are increasing the number of …

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The Lantern Community Primary School Celebrate
‘Good’ Ofsted Report

An Ofsted inspection of The Lantern Community Primary School found that it continues to be a ‘Good’ school. The school, part of Meridian Trust, was inspected by Ofsted on 5th and 6th October 2022 and inspectors found there has been no change to the school’s overall judgement as ‘Good’ – a rating it has had …

The Lantern Community Primary School Celebrate
‘Good’ Ofsted Report
Read More »

Thermal Cameras to Help with Heat Loss Trialled in Witchford

Residents in Witchford are being given the opportunity to quite literally see their home in a new light as part of a new energy and cost-saving initiative launched by East Cambridgeshire District Council. The Council has purchased three thermal imaging cameras which residents can use to understand where heat is escaping in their homes. The …

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Online Virtual Tour of Ely Rail Station will Help People Travel with Confidence

Train operator, Greater Anglia, has launched an online virtual tour of Ely rail station to help people travel with confidence – which is especially useful for disabled customers wanting to check how accessible their journey is. The tour has been designed to support journey planning, give customers a clearer picture of the station before they …

Online Virtual Tour of Ely Rail Station will Help People Travel with Confidence Read More »

City of Ely Council Presents Freedoms of the City of Ely

On Tuesday 29th November, Sheila Friend-Smith and Richard John Hobbs were presented with the Freedom of the City of Ely by our current Mayor Cllr Richard Morgan. The Mayors speech from the evening is as follows: Ladies and gentlemen, Members of the Council, Madam Clerk, former Mayors of the City, friends and relatives of Sheila …

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Ambitious Plan to Help Double Land for Nature in East Cambs Announced

An ambitious plan to help in our commitment to double the land set aside for nature in East Cambridgeshire, helping boost biodiversity and combat climate change, has been approved by district councillors. Working in partnership with The Wildlife Trust, East Cambridgeshire District Council has identified nine areas including Wicken Fen, the Ouse Washes and Soham …

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Council Approves £2.3 Million Funding for Community Projects

Nine projects that improve the quality of life for residents in East Cambridgeshire have been awarded £2.3million funding. East Cambridgeshire District Council originally set aside £2million for its Growth and Infrastructure Fund. However, Councillors at Thursday’s Finance and Assets Committee were so impressed with the high calibre of the nine projects which met the criteria for …

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An ‘amazing turnout’ at Ely College’s Christmas Market with impressive funds raised

Parents, teachers and friends of Ely College, part of Meridian Trust, hosted over 40 stallholders at its Christmas Market on Thursday evening, raising over £2,500 for school resources. Simon Warburton, Principal of Ely College commented “What a wonderful evening! I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks to the PTFA for their amazing efforts in bringing …

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500 young local singers to perform alongside world-renowned professional musicians in Ely Cathedral this Christmas

Thirteen local school and youth choirs will appear alongside the world-renowned Gabrieli Consort and Players in the magnificent surroundings of Ely Cathedral on Friday 2nd December for a spectacular Christmas concert called ‘In Dulci Jubilo’. The concert is part of Gabrieli Roar, a challenging training programme which invites young singers to perform alongside the Gabrieli …

500 young local singers to perform alongside world-renowned professional musicians in Ely Cathedral this Christmas Read More »

More Than One Hundred Ely Girls Raise Over £1,300 For Children In Need and Girlguiding

Over 120 girls spread out over the City of Ely in a super-charged sponsored litter pick on Saturday 19th November in aid of this year’s BBC Children in Need and Girlguiding’s appeal, raising over £1,300.  Despite the drizzle, spirits were high as they met outside St Mary’s Church with all the girls determined to do …

More Than One Hundred Ely Girls Raise Over £1,300 For Children In Need and Girlguiding Read More »

Preparations Underway for Ely College’s Christmas Market in bid to raise funds for school resources

Parents, teachers and friends of Ely College, part of Meridian Trust, will be hosting over 40 commercial stallholders at its Christmas Market this Thursday evening (24th November 6-9pm). Organisers have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the many parents and carers who have donated items for the raffle, tombola and bottle stalls at the event, …

Preparations Underway for Ely College’s Christmas Market in bid to raise funds for school resources Read More »

Everyone’s Invited to see St Mary’s Church Transformation

There’s an invitation to everyone in Ely to be the first to see inside St Mary’s Church when the doors are opened for the first time after its transformation. “The building has become the beautiful, accessible, sustainable, flexible and functional space we’d hoped for,” said the Rector, the Rev Chris Hill. “Please do come along …

Everyone’s Invited to see St Mary’s Church Transformation Read More »

Right Tree, Right Place

East Cambridgeshire District Council is encouraging everyone to get digging this autumn and winter to help boost tree coverage across the district. The Council is relaunching is ever-popular Community Orchards programme which gifts free fruit trees, stakes and other essential equipment to parish councils, community groups and schools looking to plant or restore publicly accessible …

Right Tree, Right Place Read More »

Anglia’s Bridges Take Brunt of Bashes in Top Ten List… Again!

With the Black Friday and Christmas delivery rush fast approaching, and more large vehicles on Britain’s roads, Network Rail has revealed the most-struck railway bridges in the country as it urges lorry drivers and haulage operators to ‘Wise Up, Size Up’. This year, the Stonea Road bridge on the B1098 has the unflattering title of …

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District Council appoints new Director of Operations

Isabel Edgar has joined East Cambridgeshire District Council as its new Director of Operations. Isabel is the former Assistant Director of Corporate Improvement and Customer Services at Reading Borough Council where she was responsible for the Council’s Transformation and Efficiency Strategy, as well as oversight of frontline service delivery. In her new role at East Cambridgeshire District …

District Council appoints new Director of Operations Read More »

An installation of ribbons at Ely Cathedral in support of victims of abuse

As part of a programme to mark a ‘Season of Safeguarding’, members of the public are being invited to show their support for victims of abuse by tying a ribbon onto an iron gate inside Ely Cathedral.  In addition to the installation from 14th-18th November Ely Cathedral and the Diocese of Ely will be acknowledging …

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Council grants help take sports centres to another level

East Cambridgeshire District Council has agreed to invest £230,600 in three sports centres to help them pay for vital improvements. Ross Peers Sports Centre in Soham has received a Community Sports Fund grant of £179,500 towards the £228,000 cost of replacing the roof which leaks onto the sports hall floor. Littleport Leisure Centre has been …

Council grants help take sports centres to another level Read More »

East Cambridgeshire Careers and Skills Fair

Meeting of minds and aspirations – our students discuss careers with businesses and post-16 providers Ely Cathedral opened its doors to over 800 secondary and primary school students from all over the District on November 8th. Over 60 local businesses, charities and post-16 providers from Further and Higher Education worked all day discussing career possibilities …

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Christmas Gift and Food Fair Set to be a Sell Out!

Ticket sales for this year’s Christmas Gift and Food Fair at Ely Cathedral have taken staff by surprise with some sessions already sold out. Following two years of uncertainty, cancellations and extra precautions due to Covid, this popular event is back with some exciting new  developments.  The Festive Village in the Cathedral grounds has expanded …

Christmas Gift and Food Fair Set to be a Sell Out! Read More »

Council’s Community Bus Offers Cost of Living Hope

Are you struggling to cope with the cost of living crisis? East Cambridgeshire District Council’s community bus will be on tour throughout the district next week to offer residents advice on housing, welfare benefits, debt and money, energy, consumer rights, work, family and health. As well as helping to make sure you are receiving benefits, grants …

Council’s Community Bus Offers Cost of Living Hope Read More »

Seventy Girl Guiding Members to Descend on Cambridgeshire City Centre to Wage War on Waste in Aid of Children in Need and Girl Guiding

Around seventy girls are preparing to clean up the streets of Ely in Cambridgeshire to fundraise for this year’s BBC Children in Need and Girlguiding appeal. The sponsored ‘clean-up-athon’ will start at the cathedral, with the participants – who are all members of Girlguiding – then fanning out to cover different areas of the city …

Seventy Girl Guiding Members to Descend on Cambridgeshire City Centre to Wage War on Waste in Aid of Children in Need and Girl Guiding Read More »

Councillors unanimously agree not to support Sunnica at Special Planning Meeting

Councillors at East Cambridgeshire District Council have agreed they will not support Sunnica during a special hearing of the planning committee on Thursday (3rd November 2022.) The meeting which took place at Mandeville Hall in Burwell considered the installation of solar photovoltaic generating panels and electrical battery storage technology on Sunnica East and Sunnica West …

Councillors unanimously agree not to support Sunnica at Special Planning Meeting Read More »

Women’s Institute Make Poppies for Remembrance Day

Ely City’s WI did something they’re becoming a bit renowned for to mark Remembrance Day this year. A stunning display outside the old Courthouse and also on the railings of the Market Square features a countless number of handmade poppies to honour the fallen.  The touching memorial is yet another offering from the group’s members …

Women’s Institute Make Poppies for Remembrance Day Read More »

New tennis event launched this weekend at 10is Academy

The ‘10is race’, a new internal event that carries ranking points, opened this weekend at 10is Academy Ely.  The event involved junior and adult competitors in 8 different age categories playing matches to gain points in four competitions before fighting for the title.  The new tournament was launch in September with the first Open on …

New tennis event launched this weekend at 10is Academy Read More »

Calling all eek!splorers: Half Term at WWT Welney Wetland Centre

Calling all eek!splorers: Put Your Courage to the Test on eek!citing Interactive Trails this Half Term at WWT Welney Wetland Centre Families can test their bravery as they explore the eek!citing and mysterious world of wetland nature  this October half term at Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust WWT Welney Centre in Norfolk. From the feathered and …

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