So when he announced his engagement to Meghan Markle, she decided that being a part of the wedding welcome crowd was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Angii told Spotted in Ey: “As soon as the date was announced, I decided I wanted to go. I knew from the start it wasn’t going to be like all the other royal weddings because of who Harry and Meghan are.”

She and her sons, Caiden, nine, and Finley, seven, set off for Windsor just after 3am on Saturday, stopping to drop some wedding themed rocks near Ely Cathedral before their departure.
“Every Royal wedding needs some commemorative items and as we are a family of rockers, it seemed only fitting to do some wedding themed rocks!
“We took a few to hide in Windsor and have hidden some in Ely. We expect them to be kept but it would be great to see them travel. One of them has already been found and posted from Windsor!”

After hiding rocks of art, the three got to Windsor by 5.30am and immediately found a car park, to Angii’s surprise.
“We arrived at The Long Walk and although it was already busy, we found a great spot in front of a big screen (and toilets behind!). There was only one row of people in front of us at the barrier, who had slept there all evening. One lady was a grand age of 78 – she was much braver than I will ever be!”
The three made themselves at home on their Union Jack rug, enjoying strawberries and cream for breakfast.

“Before it got too busy we decided to head into central Windsor for a look around and to hide some of our wedding themed rocks. The streets were packed but the atmosphere was electric.
“There were an incredible amount of event staff and police on the streets, so we felt very safe. My son was a little afraid of the armed police, but they took the time to have a chat with him and put him at ease.”

Describing the day as “amazing from start to finish”, Angii said there was camaraderie among the well-wishers, with spectators exchanging items and chatting to those nearby.
“It was quite emotional watching the wedding on the big screen and to hear the crowds singing along to Stand By Me by the gospel choir during the service.
“Being so close to the carriage with the newlyweds passing by was the icing on the wedding cake!”
The day had a carnival atmosphere, with lots of quirky moments, she said.

“There were people in head to toe union flag attire, men in wedding dresses, people dressed as if they were going to the actual wedding, it was fabulous!”
Hearing that Ricky Wilson from the Kaiser Chiefs was at the Radio 2 stand in Alexander Gardens, the three decided to wander over.
“We are big fans and the boys hadn’t met him before so we went over and had a chat with him and had some pictures.”

A firm Royalist, Angii says she doesn’t have a favourite but the Queen has done “an amazing job and done our country proud”.
The Crown – partly filmed at Ely Cathedral – had given people a fascinating insight into modern royal life behind the scenes, Angii said.
“Harry is so down to earth, he’s a credit to his mother and very much like her. He’s very much a royal of the common people!”
Harry and Meghan’s wedding day will hold special memories for Angii and her sons for years to come.
“It will probably be the only royal wedding in my lifetime that I will go to with my children. It was amazing to think we were there being a little part of history in the making.”

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The Flavours of the World market will sell everything from authentic North African food to French cheese, Mexican churros and Baltic amber jewellery.

Julia Davis, of Ely Markets, said: “People love seeing something new when they come to our markets.
“We already have a fabulous selection of food, crafts and gifts every week, but this Bank Holiday the Flavours of the World market will give you even more choice than ever.”
For over a decade, Ely’s hosted Continental Markets during Bank Holiday weekends – but last year, that was expanded to include tasty treats from across the globe.

Julia said: “Whether it’s Mexican churros, Spanish paella, German currywurst or exotic sweets, we know you’ll find something you can’t resist.”
As well as a cornucopia of flavoursome foods, visitors will be able to purchase gifts, homewares and more, including scented soaps from Marseille, lavender from Provence, scented oils, jewellery and handmade wooden garden furniture.
The Flavours of the World market takes place in Ely High Street on Saturday, May 26, and in the Market Place on Sunday, May 27 and Bank Holiday Monday. It will run from 8.30am until 3.30pm.
Ely’s regular Craft, Food & Vintage Market and Farmer’s Market will be open as usual on the Market Place on Saturday.

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The Witchford sisters, aged eight and four, braved the chop at Fresh Approach Hairdressers on Saturday.

The hair has been donated to Little Princess Trust, which provides real hair wigs free of charge to children and young people who’ve lost their own hair through cancer treatment and other illnesses.
Mum Estelle Kisby told Spotted in Ely she was “so proud of them both”.
Izzy and Poppy decided to donate their hair to charity after reading about another little girl who’d undergone a similar act of kindness.

As well as donating the hair for wigs, the family is collecting sponsorship for the charity, as well as giving a percentage of money to The Rackham C of E Primary School, where Izzy is a pupil, and the pre-school, which Poppy attends.
They’ve set up a crowd funding page, with almost half of their £500 goal already raised, and set up collection boxes at the school, preschool and the village post office.

Estelle said: “I would just like to say a big thank you to Steve at Witchford’s Fresh Approach Hairdressers who cut the girls’ hair for free for the charity.
“He did a super job and the girls are really pleased with their new bobbed hairstyles.”

You can leave a donation for Izzy and Poppy at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Estelle-kisby

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He may live in the flattest part of the country, honing his skills at Clip ‘n’ Climb in Cambridge – but Alessandro’s determined to complete his epic ascend to raise money for seriously sick children.

The Ely boy’s been fundraising for children’s causes each year since he was four – and this time, he’s chosen Welsh charity Tŷ Hafan, which offers palliative care for terminally ill kids and their families.
Alessandro told Spotted in Ely: “I wanted to raise money for poorly children and their families.”
On May 31 he and his dad, Chris Rolfe, plan to climb Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, at an elevation of 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) above sea level.
Alessandro’s mum, Emanuella, and sister Flavia, two, will catch the Snowdon Mountain Railway, joining the others at the summit for a well earned treat.
Alessandro said: “I’m looking forward to the cafe at the top.”
A year three student at The Lantern School, he hopes to raise at least £250 for Tŷ Hafan.
£57 pays for two hours of physiotherapy to ease the pain children and young people experience as a result of their conditions.
£184 pays for a specially trained nurse to care for a child at the hospice throughout the night, allowing parents to get a good night’s sleep.
Chris said: “Alessandro tries and does a sponsored event each year to raise money for a children’s charity. Other years he has done cycle rides and walks to raise money for EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices) and also the Teenage Cancer Trust”.
In 2015, at the age of just five, Alessandro fundraised for Tŷ Hafan, walking up Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons – the highest peak in South Wales, rising to 886m above sea level.

Alessandro said: “I have always wanted to go up Snowdon and as we are there on a holiday, I thought it would be good to do something for Tŷ Hafan again.”
You can sponsor Alessandro here.

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The National Crime Agency said “a number of threatening emails” had been sent to schools this morning.

The National Crime Agency is investigating the threats together with police.
In a statement the agency said: “We understand that these types of emails can be distressing and while we take the communications extremely seriously we must stress there is no credible threat.
“We would ask that anyone receiving such an email contact their local police.”
Schools in our area were among those sent malicious emails today, stating that a bomb had been placed on school premises.
The hoax has coincided with many primary school children sitting their Year 2 and Year 6 SATS exams.
On March 28 the National Crime Agency and police arrested an 18-year-old man in the Abbots Langley area of Hertfordshire on suspicion of making malicious communications.
Schools in our area were among those to receive an email on March 27, threatening to kill children by driving a car into pupils as they left the premises.
On March 21 police arrested a 19-year-old man in Watford on suspicion of blackmail and making malicious communications, following mass bomb threats to schools across the UK.

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However, the Ministry of Defence told Spotted in Ely that the decision to remove the playground, known locally as the American Park, was unrelated to its recent troubles.

On April 27 the play equipment was dismantled from its site off Heaton Drive and trucked off. Spotted in Ely understands it may have been reinstalled at a Suffolk school.

Today an MOD spokesperson told Spotted in Ely: “The service family accommodation at Ely has been declared surplus to future requirements, therefore the play equipment has been removed.”

The US Air Force had been due to leave RAF Mildenhall by 2022 but this has now been extended to at least 2024.
Many of the buildings that used to house American service personnel and their families, near the Princess of Wales Hospital in Ely, have been lying empty for years.
The American Park was initially built for American military families in the area but became very popular amongst local families too.
In 2016 it was temporarily closed due to major vandalism but eventually reopened after costly work to repair it.
In October 2017 residents reported seeing a group of teens urinating on slides, having sex in the park and trashing equipment.
The behaviour of a minority of youth meant many others were scared to use the park – one of the few playgrounds in Ely catering for older children.
One resident said she saw the group vandalising fences, dumping litter and intimidating other children.
“If they behave like this with families present, I can only imagine what they do when we’re not there. When the boys took to the main apparatus it just became too dangerous, not to mention intimidating for our kids and every single family left at that point, taking refuge in the toddler park.”

 
Shortly after it was closed again – as it turned out, for the last time.

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Legwarmers, leotards and lycra were the order of the day at The Lantern Community Primary School yesterday.

Dedicated dancers proved that you can have your cake and eat it – getting into the groove before enjoying some refreshments.

The Dancefit session, hosted by Friends of the Lantern School and led by Sarah Parker from The Lane Academy, raised over £250 to refurbish the school’s playground.
Sarah said: “There was so much fun and energy from everyone, topped off with some amazing 80s outfits!
“We danced through the 80s for an hour and finished off with some delicious cakes baked by committee members.
“Thank you to everyone for their help and all the kind donations for the raffle.”

With all the retro gear on offer, organisers had a tough time choosing the winner of the coolest costume, but the prize went to Shelli Martelli for her “fab gold glitter shoes” and Kids from Fame themed leggings, FOTLS member Emanuella de Lucia Rolfe said.

 
Shelli added: “It was great to finally have a chance to dust off my glittery golden dancing shoes and dance like I’ve never danced before to raise money for my son’s school. Thanks for a fun event and here’s to many more.”
 

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At Ely’s Vegan and Vintage Fair, of course!

Ely Markets is gearing up for its iconic fair this May Day bank holiday weekend. 
This popular event brings together an eclectic mix of vegan food alongside vintage, retro and traditional market stalls.

It’s going to be an epic weekend for foodies, coinciding with Ely’s Food & Drink Festival at Palace Green on Sunday and Monday, and Eel Day on Saturday, with its annual parade planned from Cross Green to Jubilee Gardens at 10.30am.

Julia Davis, of Ely Markets, hopes the Vegan and Vintage Fair will appeal to young and old, regardless of diet or lifestyle.
“You don’t have to be vegan to appreciate it – we’ve got delicious food and drink that’ll please everyone, as well as lots of vintage stalls. 
“It’s a chance to experience something new and enjoy a bit of retro fun while soaking up the atmosphere of our beautiful city.”
There will be a diverse range of vegan food available – from meat-free burgers and Sri Lankan curry to Food by Lizzi’s famous “Scotch Eggless” and delicious cakes. 
Visitors should also look out for vegan beauty products and ethical clothing.
Julia said: “Our markets have a great reputation for vegan food. At our Vegan and Vintage Fair, we’re bringing together local favourites with food and producers from all over the region. We’ve got something for everyone.”
Street food fans can try out vegan burgers, wraps, samosas and curry, washed down with vegan-friendly coffee, tea and cake – plus a bar on the Market Place for anyone after a stronger tipple.
As well as sampling vegan food, visitors can also browse a selection of retro-inspired stalls. There will be vintage and upcycled furniture – plus collectables, clothes and records.
Julia said: “This year there’ll be everything from retro lamps to 1950s-style dresses and vinyl. People love the unique combination of delicious vegan food and quirky stalls. So whether you’re curious about vegan food, or a fan of vintage style, come and explore our Vegan & Vintage Fair this bank holiday with your family and friends.”
Ely Markets’ Vegan and Vintage Fair will take place on Sunday, May 6, and Monday, May 7, from 10am to 4pm. 
Vegan food and produce will be available on Dolphin Lane and the vintage stalls will be on the main Market Place. 

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Torn between a hummingbird top and a stripy dress, the Pymoor resident eventually went for the latter, enticed by its bright colours and bold patterns.

Mum Vicki Fickling said the unusual range offered inside the new shop was refreshing, with brands such as Frugi, known for its vibrant, organic cotton prints.
“That’s why I buy Frugi – it’s not just pink and blue.”
Based on Ely High Street, at the site of where Handmade Hotspot used to be, Little Roos is the brainchild of Downham Market grandparents Margaret and Mike Rooney.
Margaret said she saw a gap in the market and decided Ely needed a range of “good quality, branded clothing”, catering for babies and children.
“We’ve got nine grandchildren and we all love Frugi.”

The couple, who have a boat at Ely Riverside, said the city’s shoppers wanted more choice when it came to children’s clothes.
Unicorn skater dresses, seaside prints and super stripes are all the rage – with all the colours of the rainbow represented.
The brand Cut4Cloth was launched in 2004 when its founders couldn’t find clothes big enough to fit over their baby’s cloth nappies.
They launched a range of clothes from their living room and eventually grew the business, renaming it Frugi (Latin for “fruits of the earth) in 2008. 
The clothes are designed to be ecological, durable and practical – while being bright and colourful at the same time.

The award-winning brand’s headquarters are now based at an organic farm in Cornwall – but you don’t have to travel that far (or shop online) to shop Frugi anymore.
Little Roos also stocks Emile et Rose, Hatley, Petit Bateau and Angel and Rocket.

For more information, including opening hours, click here.

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Or at least, on Saturday, May 12, when Cambridge Aqua Park opens to the public.

The inflatable obstacle course has now been installed in Stretham, with a “few more finishing touches to the site” to be completed before the grand launch.

That weekend will be a busy one in East Cambridgeshire, coinciding with the open weekend at Ely’s new leisure centre, The Hive, before it officially opens on Monday, May 14.
Cambridge Aqua Park, on the same site as Hannam’s Wake Hub, is hoped to draw thousands of visitors to the area.
The family owned lakeside attraction, off the A10, is now taking bookings for its hour-long sessions, which will cater for up to 60 people at a time, aged eight or over.

There will also be morning sessions for kids as young as six, providing they are confident in the water.
Although life jackets and wetsuit hire is included in the £20 price, those taking part have to be able to swim to the inflatables.

Manager Jess Hannam hopes Cambridge Aqua Park will appeal to a wide cross section of visitors, from those seeking stag and hen do’s with a difference to local people looking for a fun, family activity.
People will be able to book the park for birthday parties and other events, with special discounts available for group bookings.
Jess and her team plan to test out the obstacle course before it opens to the public.
Cambridge Aqua Park will initially be open during weekends but throughout the summer holidays it will be open every day from 10am to 6pm.
It will close for the winter in late September.
For more information click here.

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Kids’ creative skills have been put to the test during a special competition hosted by the City Cycle Centre’s Toy Department in Ely.

Over the past three weeks, the store’s been running a competition to see who could invent the best Beanie Boo soft toy.
Over 100 entires were received, with Beanie Boo manufacturer Ty helping to judge them and send back the best designs to their headquarters.
Yesterday the winner was announced, with Ella scooping the top prize (a giant Beanie of course!), after wowing the judges with her feisty “Flutter” – a colourful creature resembling a dragon, complete with spotty tail and fiery wings.

Runner up Reuben, five, from Sutton, impressed the judges with his Beanie bird design, featuring real feathers. Both he and sister Samara, seven, picked up prizes for their creations.

Meanwhile Keira won a prize for her fabulous “Llamacorn” – a combination of a llama and a unicorn.

The City Cycle Centre is inviting everyone who entered the competition to pop by the toy counter and collect their designs. Over the next few days, more runners up will be announced.

If you ever see a Llamacorn, Flutter or Bird Beanie Boo hit the shelves, you know where the ideas originated!

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Hayley’s excited about the opening of The Hive – but the Paradise Pools hold special memories for the Little Downham record-breaker.

Nicknamed “Turbo Turner” for her super speeds, at the tender age of nine, Hayley helped open the Paradise Pools, together with Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, in April 1981.

The cabinets inside the building host trophies record-breaking Hayley’s won – including one for being the first female in the county to swim 100m freestyle in under a minute.
The Paradise Pool’s last day of opening will be this Monday, with plans by the council to demolish the building shortly after. The Paradise Centre will remain.
Hayley told Spotted in Ely: “The pool closure this week had brought back a flood of happy memories as we say goodbye to our Paradise Swimming Pool.
“For me it was my early start in my successful swimming career and it is with a heavy heart I write this and snap photos of my children and I outside in its final days.”

Then named Hayley Tooke and living in Wentworth, Hayley started swimming in local private pools at the age of six before joining the Ely Swimming Club at the old open air pool – now the cement works – where she met fellow swimmers and lifelong friends, Cheryl Letts, Tracy Nicholas and Kelly Newark.
“We then moved to the Paradise Pool. By this time I was nine years old and already had a band of wins to my name. I was selected to present Sharron Davies with a commemorative plaque when she came to open the pool. Ironically some years later I raced against her on her comeback to swimming in the Commonwealth Trials consolation final.”
The Paradise Pools served as the perfect springboard for Hayley’s athletic career – as a teenager, she was headhunted by the England swimming coach, who secured a spot for her at Kelly College in Devon, which boasts some of the best swimming facilities in the country.
“I am still winning medals at the National Masters each year and last year helped our team finish in gold position for the 4x50m freestyle relay, swimming my leg in close to 28 seconds…not dissimilar to the times I did back in my teenage years.
“The imminent pool closure has meant I have dug out the scrapbooks of photos of my team mates and I winning trophies and club gains up and down the country. I’ve shared these with my children, now six and seven years old, who have loved reading all about my swimming career. 
“And it’s a particularly pertinent time for us as they have literally recently started swimming club and are about to do their second session just before the pool closes, coached by one of my very oldest swimming buddies, Tracy Nicholas.”
At the age of seven, Hayley’s daughter, Faith, is already in Stage 8, while son Toby, six, has almost completed Stage 6. Husband Mark Turner is an Ultra Marathon and extreme triathlon competitor, while Hayley is gearing up for her third and fourth Ironman events this year. 
Hayley recently completed her Level 1 swim teacher training at the Paradise Pools and is planning to go into swim coaching.
Despite being a super sporty family, the Turners don’t plan to push their kids, who both attend Downham Feoffees Primary Academy, into the same lifestyle – unless they want to do it.
Hayley said: “Should they wish to continue their love for swimming there is no doubt in our minds that we shall do as our parents did… dedicating themselves to our competitive edges, driving us everywhere, ensuring we made morning and evening training, juggling homework.”
The former Fenland Flyer star swimmer is excited about the opening of The Hive, Ely’s new leisure centre, but the Paradise Pools will always hold a special place in her heart.

On Wednesday, Hayley went for her last swim at the Paradise with the kids.
“Faith pushed me in as a surprise and that’s a true swimmers celebratory way of doing things!”
Hayley said: “Farewell Paradise Pool…you held a lot of fond memories for me in my youth and now for my children as they start out on their swimming journey.”

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No arrests were made, but a notice was posted publicly, advising residents that warrants had been executed “at an address in your community”.

The action was carried out yesterday by officers from the Cambridgeshire Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) in conjunction with the National Wildlife Crime Unit.
The warrants related to Regulation 9 of the Control of Trade in Endangered Species Enforcement Regulations 1997, specifically suspected ivory trafficking.
The notice put up in the village advised residents: “Warrants have today been executed, under Regulation 9 (1) of the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997 (COTES) at an address in your community.
“Crime and Anti-social behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated, and persons committing criminal acts of any kind will be relentlessly pursued.”
Under European law, it’s illegal to sell, keep or buy endangered species such as ivory, unless you can prove that the ivory is antique.
It’s estimated that 20,000 elephants are killed by poachers in Africa each year for their ivory – the equivalent of one elephant every 25 minutes.
The police notice has drawn a lot of speculation on the Little Thetford Facebook group.

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During an exclusive interview with Spotted in Ely yesterday, members of the East Cambs Youth Consultation Panel revealed they needed to raise at least £10,000 to bring eight students and two chaperones over in October.

They’re also hoping to raise cash to help pay for counselling for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School victims.
On February 14, a gunman killed 17 people and wounded a further 17 in the space of just six minutes in Parkland, Florida, making it one of America’s worst school massacres.

Shocked by the students’ plight but humbled by their bravery in the aftermath of the shooting, the East Cambridgeshire teens are inviting some of them over, to learn about their culture, spend time in their classrooms and stay with their families.
In a Spotted in Ely podcast, Molly Curtis, 15, said it was hard to comprehend the pain her American counterparts were going through.
“When you go to school you expect to be safe and when something like that comes into the news and people have been killed in school, it’s really shocking because we go to school every day.”
Daniel Davey, 16, said: “We want to learn by their experiences, and we want them to have an opportunity to visit us and learn by ours. Everyone believes that young people should be safe at school.”
Fran Gallelli, 15, said that while knife crime was becoming an increasing concern for young people in the UK, at least they didn’t have to worry about guns.

Ely-based police sergeant Phil Priestly, who leads the East Cambridgeshire Youth Panel, said its members had been deeply touched by the massacre.
“I remember the meeting after the shooting. We were all a bit shocked about what had happened… Everybody saw the incredible response from that community. If they can get up and do what they’ve done, we can get up and help them.”
The panel is not there to preach about American gun laws, or the Second Amendment, but to offer help and support to the Florida students, he said.
Although the fundraising target is ambitious, he hopes individuals and businesses alike will rally behind them to help them achieve their target.
A heartfelt YouTube video made by the youth panel, inviting the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students over to East Cambridgeshire, has been gaining momentum on Twitter, Sgt Priestly said.
[kad_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDfZ9kc4n0Y&feature=youtu.be” ]
The panel is in the process of setting up a crowd-funder for the project, and is looking for corporate sponsors and raffle prizes as well.
During yesterday’s podcast, Soham Village College students Fran and Molly, who helped set up the panel, were presented with a £50 Arbuckles meal voucher each, as well as a family ticket for four at Cineworld.
Sigma Embroidery, in Witchford, will provide special t-shirts for the youth panel to wear when out in the community.
The youth stereotype-busting East Cambs Youth Consultation Panel was formed two years ago as a means for police to engage with local youth.
The panel is looking for new members to join them. To qualify, you have to be a secondary school student either living or studying in the district.
For more information message Policing East Cambridgeshire on Facebook or tweet @CambsYouthPanel.

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Lucy at 35 celebrated its grand opening at midday today – and within minutes the cafe was full of foodies curious to try out its colourful cuisine.

Any stereotypes of vegan food being bland or boring were quickly shattered, with dishes ranging from three bean chilli to chickpea, squash and sweet potato curry.
Not to mention the tantalising cookies, brownies and cakes – a work of wizardry, containing neither eggs, butter nor flour.

Minutes before the launch, Spotted in Ely caught up with chef Lucy Andrew, of Little Downham, and Ely businesswoman Caroline Bailey, the forces behind Lucy at 35.

Caroline said: “We are very excited and we are very proud to be bringing a dedicated vegan and gluten free cafe to Ely.
“I’ve known Ely for 40 years. Absolutely there’s been a change. Ely’s a really special city and I think it will really embrace a healthy eating lifestyle.”
Lucy, who’d been prepping dishes into the early hours, admitted having last minute jitters about the grand opening.
“Nerves are good – it shows you care a lot.”

Lucy – who herself has followed a gluten free diet for almost a decade – needn’t have worried.
The healthy, unusual dishes she’d dreamt up were an instant hit on a busy Saturday.
The old stereotype of vegans living on tofu and lentils has gone – and “if it hasn’t, it definitely will be kicked into touch”, Caroline said.
“Vegan food has a beautiful range. It’s delicious and healthy – a rainbow of colours.”
Lucy at 35 opened today at Spa Ely, 35 Forehill. For more information click here.

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As the UK prepares to ban plastic straws, cotton buds and other single use plastics from next year, East Cambridgeshire District Council is hoping to take a lead in reducing waste.

Across the UK over 8 billion plastic straws are chucked away each year, while cotton buds flushed down the toilet are one of the biggest causes of marine pollution, and often end up being eaten by wildlife.
Last night ECDC agreed to endorse the government’s 25 year environmental plan.
Cllr Anna Bailey, who tabled the motion, said: “If all the plastic bottles that are not collected for recycling in the UK each year were placed end to end, they would go around the world 31 times.
“That is a huge amount of plastic which is damaging our seas and eco-systems. It is clear that wide-scale change is required across the whole of society to reduce our reliance on plastics, keep the plastics we do use in the economy for as long as possible and  to keep all plastic out of our oceans and seas.”
ECDC and its trading companies plan to eliminate “unnecessary and problematic” plastic packaging within the council and ensure the rest is reusable, recyclable or compostable.
Other aims are to make recycling easier within East Cambridgeshire and encourage businesses to increase recycled content in any plastic packaging they use.
The council has pledged to “impassion and enable” residents and businesses to “play their part” in cutting down on plastic packaging waste and litter.
Cllr Bill Hunt said the purge on plastics was the “start of a great journey”, adding that council staff and members would be “relentless” in their efforts to achieve their goals.
During the debate Ely Markets was singled out for special mention in its work to tackle the problem.
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The Ely Markets team has recognised changing shopping habits, with people increasingly buying smaller amounts, more flexibly, more often and has responded by introducing new mini-markets on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The team also actively encourages people to bring their own reusable shopping bags, coffee cups and containers.
Cllr Richard Hobbs said “Traders are happy to weigh fruit and veg directly into people’s own shopping bags and we are seeing more and more people arriving at Ely Markets with their own reusable coffee cup and containers.”
Since the 5p charge for plastic bags came into effect, their use has plummeted by an astonishing 90% – meaning that 9 billion fewer bags are in circulation.

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Network Rail is set to carry safety improvements at Shepreth level crossing on Station Road in May as part of the company’s railway upgrade plan.

From 10pm on Saturday, May 5, Shepreth level crossing and Station Road will be closed until 8am on Monday, May 14, so that engineers can carry out the upgrade.
The rail line will be closed on Sunday, May 6, and Sunday, May 13.
During this time, work will be carried out to replace the half barriers at the level crossing with full barriers and CCTV.
The crossing sees 166 trains a day, traveling up to 65 mph. Nearly 2300 vehicles pass over the crossing each day.
Station Road in Shepreth will be closed to all traffic from 10pm on Saturday, May 5, until 8am on Monday, May 14, while work takes place. Traffic will be diverted via the A10 and Foxton level crossing to cross the railway.
A rail replacement service will run between Letchworth Garden City and Cambridge on Sunday,  May 6 and on Sunday, May 13.
All London to Cambridge services will start and terminate at Letchworth Garden City with a train shuttle service also operating between Cambridge and Kings Lynn.
Passengers should check before they travel at National Rail inquiries.
Information about level crossings and how to use them is available here.

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The suspects were arrested and charged on Tuesday (April 17), following a ram raid at the Co-Op in Isleham at about 4.35am that morning.

They have each been charged with four counts of conspiracy to commit burglary.
The charges are related to ram raids at Co-Ops in Fulbourne in Cambridgeshire (April 6) and Long Bennington, Lincolnshire (March 20), as well as a One Stop Shop in Feltwell, Norfolk, on April 16, and the Isleham Co-op.
The arrests came following an investigation by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU).
The trio have been remanded in custody pending a court hearing.

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Spotted in Ely has received reports of pixies and dragons flying into Tindalls art supplies shop.

Witches and wizards have joined in the mischief – and despite being miles away from the coast, mermaids have managed to swim to the Market Street store.

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Under the revised timetables, rail users will no longer be able to take full sized bike on the 0858 train – a major blow for bike and train commuter Lauren Thomas.

Lauren says travelling to her job in Cambridge via public transport is becoming “a less appealing option by the day”, accusing Great Northern of having passengers “over a barrel”.

Yesterday she launched a petition, after learning that Great Northern had revised its timetables so that from May, the first off-peak service will leave Ely at 0917 – 21 minutes later than today. Non-folding bikes will no longer be allowed on earlier services.
For the past five years, Lauren’s been catching the 0858 service from Ely to Cambridge, using her full sized bike.
She told Spotted in Ely: “On this new timetable, there will no longer be an 8:58 off peak train. Instead there will be a 8:45 peak train, or a 9:17 off peak train. 
“So commuters are expected to either start work at nearly 10am (by the time the 9:17 train gets in to Cambridge and they get to their workplace), or they have to pay approximately an extra £30-odd a month to get a peak train. And of course I won’t be able to take a bike on the newly formed 8:45, so my options are extremely limited.”
She said fellow commuters were equally shocked, adding that passengers hadn’t been adequately informed or consulted on “something that was going to affect us all badly”.
Lauren said: “GNR have got their commuters over a barrel. Either we pay more (some people won’t be able to afford this) or we hope our employers will be ok with us starting 20 minutes later. 
“We’re all encouraged to use trains to try and reduce the traffic on the A10 but it’s becoming a less appealing option by the day, and will only get worse as Ely continues to grow.”
Lauren’s asking GNR to “either bring back the 8:58 train, or make the 8:45 train into Cambridge an off-peak service.”
However, a spokesman for Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which runs Great Northern and Thameslink, said the changes were part of a “major timetable overhaul” being made to “modernise the service for the sake of passengers across the network.”
He said: “We made an early change last May, giving Ely a half hourly Great Northern service in each direction all day, which added over 3300 or 40% more seats across the day by doubling the frequency in the off-peak and plugging service gaps at this station in the peak.
“This May, further changes will give passengers from Cambridge new direct Thameslink services across central London to the South Bank, Gatwick Airport and Brighton. They will double the number of seats between London and Cambridge in each peak, driving forward the Cambridge economy.”
From December passengers would also be able to reach Heathrow Airport with “one easy interchange” onto Crossrail’s Elizabeth line at Thameslink’s Farringdon station in central London, he added.
“The times of the new trains at Ely have to dovetail in with the new services and improvements we are making across the wider network. 
“This does mean that from May the first off-peak service will leave Ely at 0917 and arrive in Cambridge at 0936, 21 minutes later than today. Non-folding bicycles can be taken on this service but not on the earlier 0845 train because our services are too busy in the peak.”
The changes were made following GTR’s “biggest consultation ever carried out on the railway”, which over 18 months drew 28,000 comments, according to the rail operator.
The new timetables can be viewed at RailPlan2020.
Lauren’s petition can be viewed here.

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Bi-annual vegan fairs are already drawing foodies from far and wide to Ely – and now, the city’s celebrating the launch of its first, dedicated vegan and gluten free cafe.

“Nourish to flourish” is the motto of Lucy at 35, a cafe promising “healthy, wholesome and delicious” plant based foods, based at Spa Ely.

Lucy at 35 is the brainchild of chef Lucy Andrew, from Little Downham, and Ely businesswoman Caroline Bailey.
Caroline had a “light bulb moment” after becoming frustrated at the lack of places to eat out when she found out she was gluten intolerant late last year.
“I decided to offer vegan food at 35 Forehill, to create it as a health and wellbeing lifestyle venue, catering for people’s health and beauty needs, both inside and out.”
The grand launch of Lucy at 35 will coincide with Spa Ely’s 12th anniversary – a double celebration.
Caroline said: “Our food is not aimed just at vegans, but people who want to try delicious, new flavours that are plant based.”

Lucy’s tantalising dishes include falafel, mint yogurt, rocket, pickled red onion and toasted sesame seed wraps, white truffle and mushroom risotto, Thai vegetable and peanut noodles or a vegan twist on mac ’n’ cheese, featuring butternut squash and nutritional yeast.
For those with a sweet tooth, desserts include dark chocolate, caramel and sea salt bark and sweet potato brownie with dark chocolate frosting.
Lucy, 24, said: “The wonderful thing about these dishes is the purity of them. I believe we need to ‘nourish to flourish’, that this comes from within us and what we eat.
“We will serve gorgeous rainbow coloured foods packed with pure nutrients that are shown to have many health benefits, can increase energy and give you a glowing skin, as well as being very satisfying on the pallet.”

She herself adopted a gluten free lifestyle at the age of 15 after her former partner was diagnosed as coeliac. She found it difficult to return to her previous diet, becoming very bloated after re-introducing foods she had eliminated, such as pasta, bread and biscuits.
Lucy said: “Lots of my family and friends now follow a gluten free or vegan lifestyle. We share recipes and tips, which is fun as it can lead to trying new recipes that I haven’t tried before.”
The cafe will have a strong environmental ethos. Lucy plans to use the freshest, seasonal ingredients where possible and make her best effort to source locally.
It will also serve take-away foods in recyclable and compostable containers.
Lucy at 35 will open at Spa Ely, 35 Forehill, on April 21. For more information click here.
The Vegan & Vintage Fair will take place on May 6-7 (Bank Holiday Weekend). For more details click here. 

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Run by Cambridge Science Centre, the free COSMOS roadshow aims to make science accessible to everyone, staff member Jess Bartlet told Spotted in Ely.

“It’s been very popular. We’ve had people waiting in front of the library in the morning, waiting to come in. It’s very hands on and interactive.”

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The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) hopes to raise funds to help struggling farming families.

Established in 1860, RABI is farming’s oldest and largest welfare charity, and most of its recipients are elderly or disabled.
RABI helped self-employed farm contractor Simon turn his life around after losing his wife to terminal cancer.
Simon had cared for his wife for three years while trying to hold down his job, receiving little outside help and support.
Following her death, he became so depressed that he contemplated suicide. The only thing stopping him was the thought of leaving his dog uncared for. His work suffered as a result of his depression and by the time RABI got involved, Simon was almost penniless.
The charity helped pay off some of his debts, sorted out his council tax and housing benefit and gave him food vouchers for everyday living. They put Simon in touch with a local farming support group and helped to get him counselling for his grief.
In his early 50s, Simon is now on the road to recovery and considering training in pest control to boost his income, which RABI can help subsidise.
Last year RABI gave out grants of £1.99 million to 1260 individuals and families, including £297,000 to working families. More than £197,000 went towards paying domestic bills, while £241,000 went towards care home top-up fees for elderly farmers.
The charity’s welfare team also helped people claim around £473k in state benefits in 2017 – a 65% increase on the 2016 figure of £287k. 
Trish Pickford, RABI’s head of welfare, said: “A lot of time and effort goes into providing information for people who contact us, which does not necessarily show up in our grant-giving statistics. This includes things such as signposting people to other charities as well as giving advice on claiming benefits and local authority funding procedures.
“The nature of our work today is more time consuming and more complex than in the past.”
Anyone with a farming background in need of help can call RABI’s confidential, free helpline on 0808 281 9490 or email grants@rabi.org.uk
The Joules Seconds Sale will take place from 6pm to 8pm at the Social Centre at G’s at Barway on Thursday, April 19.

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Yesterday 172 pairs of shoes and boots, including 73 collected in Ely, were distributed to children at The Walk Centre School in Nakuru by Boots2Africa.

The charity enables children and young people living in impoverished areas to stay on the ball by distributing pre-loved sports shoes.

Millions of children across Africa have no shoes to wear.
According to Boots2Africa, thousands are killed or injured by foot related diseases, infections or snakebites each year. Many others struggle physically because of having to walk barefoot.
The charity aims to level the playing field by collecting shoes that British kids have outgrown and giving them a new lease of life in Africa.
Yesterday a team of volunteers from Colchester United Football in the Community helped fit out the donated shoes to youngsters at the school, situated in a slum area, after personally carrying them over from the UK.

On March 13, Iain Finch, who runs Boots2Africa, visited Ely to collect donations of footwear, organised locally by former Ely College teacher Fleur Patten.
In just a week, 73 pairs of shoes were collected.
Iain said children at The Walk Centre School were “very excited” to receive their footwear yesterday, immediately joining in a game of football with the Colchester United delegation.
“What a day, happy children with healthy, protected feet – what Boots2Africa is all about!”
For more information click here.

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On Tuesday East Cambs Street Scene, the council’s trading company, took over waste collection and street cleansing throughout the district.

This followed a cost-saving decision by the council in February 2017 to bring the service in-house, rather than pay for contractor Veolia.
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The days of waste collections will not be affected by the move but this week, residents are seeing a slight change to collections following the Easter break.
Normal collections will resume on Monday April, 9.
Councillor Julia Huffer said: “It was great to see the team before they headed out on their first round under East Cambs Street Scene.
“I am immensely proud of all involved in helping us bring the waste home and I look forward to the future of our waste services. The crew are now part of the Street Scene Team with new uniforms and new vehicles.”

East Cambs Street Scene director Jo Brooks said the team felt “a very proud moment” on Tuesday as the team had worked “very hard” over the past year to ensure the transfer of waste and street cleansing services could happen.
“All Veolia staff have been transferred to the new company and we are determined that residents receive the best possible waste and street cleansing service.
“Over the next coming months we will look at improving the service to our residents and improving recycling rates. The crews’ input is critical to this as is ensuring that they feel valued.”
Since February 2018, residents have been able to order a second blue recycling bin for a one-off payment of £25. The additional recycling bin will be emptied at the same time as their first blue bin.

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Silver Oak Coffee has unveiled its brew-ti-ful coffee rig to coincide with the launch of Ely Mini Markets today.

Susanne Stent, who runs Silver Oak with husband Bruce, told Spotted in Ely that since they first starting roasting their own coffee, residents have become a lot more discerning.
“The coffee market has really changed over the last five years. People have become a lot more knowledgeable and expect great coffee.”
To celebrate the growth of their business, the couple commissioned Chris Bonwick, of Masters in Sevenoaks, Kent, to design and build the two-storey coffee rig.

Seating 15 people upstairs, it measures 6m by 2.4m packed down and about 9m by 3.5m rigged.
Chris said: “We’ve built all sorts of units but nothing of this scale and nothing on two storeys. As far as I know this is the first two storey coffee trailer.
“One of the biggest challenges was being able to set it up quickly. It had to be under three-and-a-half tonnes so it’s keeping everything lightweight.”

The mobile cafe features artwork by Steph Thelwell, from Ely, who regularly sits in the coffee gazebo on a Sunday, sketching scenes from Ely Market. It shows Bruce roasting coffee beans at Silver Oak’s micro roastery in Black Bank Road.

The Stents started off roasting coffee at their garage but decided to rent out a business unit in 2016. Their roastery is based opposite Three Blind Mice Brewery and next door to The Ely Gin Company and Gourmet Brownie – all highly successful local businesses. 
Susanne said: “We’ve gone from roasting once every two weeks to sometimes roasting twice a week. The demand in Ely has really grown.”
Despite being a regular fixture at bustling Stamford and Cambridge Markets, Ely Market holds a special place for the couple as this was the first market they traded at.

When East Cambridgeshire District Council asked them to trade in Ely six days a week, they jumped at the chance.
Susanne said: “The concept of the mini market is a great one. You don’t have to buy lots of food every week with all the packaging – it’s better to buy little and often. It’s the same with our coffee. People can bring bags back to us and they get recycled in Huntingdon. All the spoons, cups and lids are biodegradable and compostable.”

As well as trading ecologically, the Stents try to operate in an ethical manner, sourcing their coffee beans from small farms and co-operatives with a good track record in their communities.
“Not only is it ethical but it’s good quality as well.”

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The colourful rocks are among a series of painted pebbles created by members Spotted in Ely Rocks to support Ely teen Paris O’Keeffe.

Paris, 17, needs to raise £2000 so that she can return the slums of Kenya, to help out some of the world’s poorest children.
Spotted in Ely Rocks is hosting a Rock for Kenya promotion, encouraging members to decorate rocks with an African theme and make a donation to Paris’s crowd funding page.

Paris was so moved by her experiences of volunteering in Kenyan schools alongside Ely College students that she’s fundraising to travel there again in August 2019.
This time she’ll be accompanied by her mum, Joanne, and friend Verity Grain, 19, who each need to raise a similar amount of cash to make their trip a reality.
Paris told Spotted in Ely: “I went to Kenya in October 2017 and it was the most rewarding thing I have done in my life. The people out there are so kind, they have nothing yet they would give up what they do have for someone they have just met.”

Humbled by her experiences, Paris recalls being given a piece of paper, decorated with stickers and a note, by one little girl on their final day at the slum school she was volunteering at.
“I was so touched that she would give up her stickers for someone like me.”
Another memory that deeply touched her was when the delegation visited the disease-infested Hilton dump, home to over 130 people, known by locals as “salvagers”.
Some of the poorest people in the world, the salvagers have nowhere else to live and survive by eating scraps found dumped on the site and selling cast away materials they can salvage, including jewellery and souvenirs.
Paris said: “it was a tough sight to see as children were walking around barefoot even though there was glass all over the ground. It didn’t bother them though, they were all playing and smiling and just being happy with what they had.”

As she had a bit of spending money left over, Paris decided to give each of the stallholders at the dump a donation.
“All of their faces lit up when I did that.”
Paris, Joanne and Verity plan to spend 12 nights in Kenya, volunteering in Nakuru’s slums and bringing over donations of much needed items.
She said: “The children have really worn down clothes, shoes and lack school equipment along with things to play with. Every day they are fed rice and bowls in a bowl which they have to eat with their bare hands.
“Some children have to wait longer and re-use a bowl from another child. Sometimes there isn’t enough food to feed all of the children so they have to go without.”
Paris is raising money through cake sales, car boot sales, and other events. Any extra she can raise will go towards essential items for Kenyan children.

“How rewarding would it feel to know that you made it possible for a little girl to have a new dress with a new pair of shoes instead of her old ones with holes in?”
For more about the Spotted in Ely Rocks’ Rock for Kenya promotion click here.
To donate to Paris’s crowd funding page click here.

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Witchford sisters Izzy, eight, and Poppy, four, have decided to donate their beautiful tresses to Little Princess Trust, after reading about another little girl who’d also gone for the chop to raise cash for the charity.

The brave girls will be having their hair cut at Fresh Approach Hairdressers in Witchford on Saturday, May 12.
Mum Estelle Kisby said: “We would really love it if we could raise some money for the charity too.”

Little Princess Trust provides real hair wigs free of charge to children and young people who’ve lost their own hair through cancer treatment and other illnesses.
The family plans to give a percentage of the money raised to The Rackham C of E Primary School, where Izzy is a pupil, and the pre-school, which Poppy attends.
People can leave donations at the school, preschool and the village post office, or by clicking here.

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This staggering figure is revealed in a just released report by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group.

Spotted in Ely launched a campaign in July 2016 to #saveourminorinjuriesunit, after a leaked memo revealed plans to close the Minor Injuries Unit.

Following a massive public outcry, the CCG decided that rather than shut down the MIU, it would pilot it as a Local Urgent Care Services (LUCS) hub, with extended services.
Since May 2017, when the Ely LUCS was launched, staff have seen almost 13,500 patients – an increase on previous years.
A CCG review found that two-thirds of patients interviewed would have gone to A&E, had the service not been available – at a time when overstretched A&E units are asking people to stay away unless they need urgent attention.
Ely childminder Nicky Evans said she would have had no option but to travel to Cambridge when she recently experienced breathing difficulties. Fortunately she was able to attend Ely LUCS instead.

The post Two-thirds of patients visiting Ely's Minor Injuries Unit would have gone to A&E appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

The Animal Experience is second on the list of Top Things to Do in Cambridgeshire, beaten only by the Cambridgeshire Wine School in Cambridge.

The Cambridge Road owned family business, which lets people get up close to animals, has gone from strength to strength since opening its small zoo in Stretham, appearing on Blue Peter, Animal Planet and Channel 4.
And now a poll created by travellers around the globe has voted the The Animal Experience the second top attraction in the county – beating numerous, well established tourism hot spots.

Hazel Price, of The Animal Experience, told Spotted in Ely she was thrilled by the rating, especially as it was based on people’s personal experiences.
“It’s what people think of us, so it means a lot. I knew we were number two in Ely and I thought that was pretty good – but to be number two in Cambridgeshire is amazing.”
One of the attraction’s highlights is Meet the Meerkats – an experience described by one recent reviewer as “the best time ever”.

 
The visitor said: “Highly recommend this AMAZING place. All the animals are loved and cared for. The guides know their stuff and love the animals. We enjoyed this so much I wanted to go back the next day! The meerkats are just as I hoped so cute and clever. Wonderful place. Definitely will visit again and take my children. Thank you.”
Established in 1995, The Animal Experience has appeared at over 2000 private parties as well as hundreds of schools, veterinary colleges and universities.

Its aim is to entertain and educate as well as helping people overcome their fear of reptiles.
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The Animal Experience also rescues and rehomes unwanted pets – mostly large reptiles that people can’t care for properly, such as Burmese pythons and iguanas.
Last year The Animal Experience rehomed a pair of chinchillas after reading about them on Spotted in Ely.
For more information about The Animal Experience click here.
Top things to do in Cambridgeshire (Trip Advisor)
1. Cambridgeshire Wine School (Cambridge)
2. The Animal Experience (Stretham)
3. Room Escape Games (8)
4. Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial (Cambridge)
5. Sightseeing Tours (17)
6. American Air Museum (Duxford)
7. IWM Duxford (Duxford)
8. Fens Falconry (Wisbech)
9. King’s College Chapel (Cambridge)
10. Peterborough Cathedral (Peterborough)
11. Ely Cathedral (Ely)
12. The Centre for Computing History (Cambridge)
13. Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge)
14. University of Cambridge (Cambridge)
15. The River Cam (Cambridge)
16. Raptor Foundation (Woodhurst)
17. Anglesey Abbey (Lode)
18. Fossils Galore (March)
19. Cambridge University Botanic Garden (Cambridge)
20. Paxton Pits Nature Reserve (St Neots)

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Tracey Arnold, of Littleport, was “thrilled” to receive her second blue bin, as well as a voucher from East Cambridgeshire District Council to say thank you for her dedication to recycling.

Last week residents who had ordered a second blue bin began receiving them as ECDC’s trading company, East Cambs Street Scene, prepared to start delivering waste and street cleaning services, rather than hiring out a contractor.
People have been able to order blue bins since February for a one-off payment of £25. The council’s aiming for a recycling target of 60%.
Tracey was first made aware of ECDC’s “dedication to improving its recycling rates” during the launch of their campaign, ‘Be like Michael, recycle”, at Littleport Community Primary School.

Michael Recycle is the council’s recycling mascot, designed by Brooke Smith, a student at the school.
Tracey said: “When I heard that I was going to be one of the first people in the district to receive a second blue bin I was thrilled! Recycling is so important to me and the second blue bin is going to make my life so much easier.
“I would encourage anyone to consider getting a second blue bin and help our community’s overall recycling rate”.
While the bins are being delivered, they will not be collected until after Tuesday, April 3, when East Cambs Street Scene start their collection rounds.
Councillor Julia Huffer said: “Residents have been telling us for a long time that they want an extra blue bin and I am very pleased to see this come to fruition. This is an exciting time for the council with the introduction of the new trading company, we are able to offer a reliable and flexible service for the district.
To order your second blue bin, visit https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/content/additional-blue-bin

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Shoppers will be encouraged to bring refillable cups and reusable bags in a bid to reduce their carbon footprints.

Julia Davis, of Ely Markets, hopes the new mini markets will also help residents cut down on food waste and packaging by buying little and often from local traders.
“If people in Ely choose to make a few small changes to the way they shop then together we can make a big difference.
“Remember your shopping bags on market days and bring along a re-usable coffee cup too. We’d love to see people start bringing their own containers for cakes and pastries.”
The first mini market will be launched on April 3 – with subsequent mini markets trading between 8.30am and 3.30pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, selling essentials such as fruit and vegetables, coffee, cheese and bread.

These new, smaller markets will complement larger, well-established markets on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Julia said: “Our new mini markets give you the chance to get more of what you want, when you want it. They’ll make everyday shopping easier and will encourage people to shop locally and support small producers…
“It’s perfect for when you’re popping into town on your lunch break, or after you’ve dropped the kids off at school. And once you’ve finished your shopping Silver Oak Coffee will be there to keep you supplied with delicious locally-roasted coffee”.
Buying little and often from a local market isn’t just convenient – it also reduces food waste and cuts down on packaging while supporting the local economy.
“We want our markets to lead the way in helping local residents to take a more thoughtful approach to their shopping.”
According to Greenpeace, an estimated 12.7 million tonnes of plastic end up in our oceans year year – the equivalent of a truck load of rubbish each minute.
In a further bid to encourage environmentally friendly shopping, the new mini markets will join the #PlasticFreeFriday movement on social media, with prizes given out on a regular basis, including re-usable coffee cups, bags and containers.
On Wednesday, April 4, there will be a special launch day to coincide with the Easter school holiday, promising extra stalls, activities and the chance to meet Michael Recycle, Ely’s local eco-hero, and to win an Ely Markets “Bring Your Own” goody bag.

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The shells of the driver’s cabs have now been built. They will form part of 58 new Greater Anglia trains currently being assembled by Stadler at its factory in Bussnang, Switzerland.

The trains will replace the rail operator’s existing Intercity, rural and Stansted Express trains.
All of the new trains will be fitted with air conditioning, plug and USB sockets, fast free wifi and more seats.
They will also have accessible toilets, cycle spaces and large picture windows.
 
From 2019-2020 Greater Anglia is replacing every single train with 169 brand new trains, being built by Stadler and Bombardier, in Derby.
Combined with a new timetable scheduling extra and more frequent services, the new trains are set to transform the railway in East Anglia, Greater Anglia’s managing director Jamie Burles said.
“We’re sure they’ll make a huge difference to our customers – everyone will be able to plug in their phones or laptops, watch films on our new infotainment system or simply sit back and enjoy watching the East Anglian countryside go past through the large picture windows.”
The new Stadler trains are financed by Rock Rail East Anglia, a joint venture between Rock Rail, Aberdeen Standard Investments and GLIL Infrastructure, and will be leased to Greater Anglia.
Click here for a 360 tour of the new trains.

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Oliver Chapman, together with mum Tracey and friend Alison Campbell-Smith, completed the 15km route in about 3.5 hours as the Mini Beast from the East hit the capital.

Oliver, who is on the autistic spectrum, refused to take The Tube back to King’s Cross – so the team ended up walking over 32km in one day, Tracey told Spotted in Ely.
“On the plus side we raised approximately £1500 for the National Autistic Society!”
The Little Thetford Primary School pupil has never let adversity get in his way.
When he was only six months old, in 2007, Oliver survived bacterial meningitis, despite his parents being told to expect the worst.

A prolific fundraiser, Oliver’s been taking part in charity events each year to give something back to causes that have supported him.
In 2014 he and his family raised over £700 for the Meningitis Research Foundation.
In 2015 and 2016 they raised about £1200 for Little Miracles, which supports families in Ely, Cambridge and Newmarket, taking part in the Great Fun Run in Milton Keynes.
You can sponsor Oliver or make a donation to the National Autistic Society by clicking here.

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Freya, six, and Esme, five, were presented with the rings by members of LGBT+ in Ely, who are organising the festival.

The unicorn prize giving afternoon took place at 11a cocktail bar last Sunday, and was a joint collaboration between Spotted in Ely Rocks and LGBT+ in Ely. 
The rock group’s parent company, Spotted in Ely, is a proud sponsor of Pride in Ely.
To promote the city’s first ever Pride festival, Claire Giannandrea painted a special rock in January and hid it in the cannon overlooking Ely Cathedral.

Rockers have been encouraged to post a photo of the Pride rock on Spotted in Ely Rocks, and then re-hide it for someone else to find. Each time someone discovers the rock, they go into a monthly draw to win a unicorn ring.
Claire said: “It’s been found 18 times in the space of three months. We haven’t seen it recently. If anyone’s got it, please share that love and re-hide it.”

Esme first found the rock in the cannon and re-hid it by the Old Fire Engine.
Since then it’s been located in Witchford, Sutton and Jubilee Gardens in Ely – which is where the Pride festival will take place on August 11.
Freya said she was excited to find the rock outside the Scout Hut on St John’s Road while attending Rainbows.

The Pride rock competition will take place every month until July, one of the festival organisers, Fritha Love, said.
“After that there will be something special so keep your eyes open.”
She said she was “very excited” about the upcoming Pride festival, and hopes it will become an annual event.
“Bring your magic unicorn to Pride for a special treat.”

Anna Bennett, of 11a, said she was proud to support the festival, which celebrates gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, but is open to everyone.
“It’s the first time we’ve ever celebrated Pride here. It’s going to be a fantastic event.”
The next Pride in Ely fundraiser will take place at Riverside Bar & Kitchen on April 27th.
LGBT+ in Ely hosts a Queer Brunch on the first and third Sunday of every month at Samovar Tea House.
The Pride festival will kick off at Jubilee Gardens at midday on August 11 – and everybody’s welcome, regardless of their sexuality, age or background.
For more details click here.

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Councillor Richard Hobbs told Spotted in Ely that a family hotel would “boost the tourist economy in the area”.

Mr Hobbs said: “This is something which I would encourage the land owner to consider.“

Yesterday we reported that major chains Lidl, B&M and Wickes would be coming to Ely after planners gave the green light for Healy Investments to develop Octagon Business Park, near Angel Drove.
Cllr Hobbs, who represents Ely East at East Cambridgeshire District Council welcomed the news but expressed concern about the impact on the city centre, particularly on local businesses.

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The South East Cambridgeshire MP has rejected claims by the Children’s Society that 10,400 children in poverty across Cambridgeshire will miss out on free meals.

Ms Frazer told Spotted in Ely today that more children will qualify for free meals, not less, under government reforms.
“It is important to be clear that under the new eligibility criteria for free school meals, no child will lose their meals during the rollout of universal credit as a result of these changes.”

According to the Children’s Society a million impoverished children across the country will miss out on free school meals, including 10,400 across Cambridgeshire, under universal credit changes.
As the new benefit has been rolling out, all families receiving it have been automatically entitled to free school meals.
A new system of means testing will create a “cliff edge” where many working families would be better off taking a pay cut, the Children’s Society says.
The Children’s Society is a Christian charity supporting vulnerable children in England and Wales.
Chief executive Matthew Reed said that under the welfare reforms, once a family with one child passes the £7,400 threshold, they would need to earn £1,124 a year more – the equivalent of working 2.4 hours more each week at national living wage – to make up for the loss in free school meals.
“There are significant, proven benefits for children’s health, education and their futures in making sure they have a healthy lunch every day, but at least one million children will miss out if this change is introduced.”

However, Ms Frazer refuted these claims, saying many families will be better off under government reforms.
She said: “The government is not taking away free school meals from children.
“In fact, the government’s plans mean an extra 50,000 children will be eligible for a nutritious meal at school by 2022.
“Channel 4 News commissioned a Fact Check on this issue, which reached the following conclusion: ‘This is not a case of the government taking free school meals from a million children who are currently receiving them: it’s about comparing two future, hypothetical scenarios. Both of them are more generous than the old benefits system.’”
Ms Frazer encourages concerned constituents to contact her directly so that she can “personally address their specific concerns.”

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Last week, East Cambridgeshire District Council gave the green light for the construction of budget supermarket chain Lidl, bargain store B&M and DIY chain Wickes, in an out of town development near Angel Drove.

But before work can start, East Cambridgeshire District Council has asked for a plan detailing how populations of water voles and bats will be protected during construction and once the development is completed.
The two species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Developers also have to supply a detailed document, stating how they plan to remove and manage pest plant Japanese knotweed from the site.
As long as they can meet these and other conditions, Healy Investments have been given permission to proceed with the new development at Octagon Business Park.

Supermarket giant Tesco had initially planned to move to the site but pulled out in 2015 after suffering financial losses.
The new development will include 313 car parks, 18 disabled parking spaces and 66 cycle parks, and is expected to create the equivalent of 604 full-time jobs.
It includes a new, stand alone Lidl store, which would take up 29,790 square foot over two floors, as well as a 20,000 square foot, one floor building housing B&M.
The third proposed unit is a 26,000 square foot, two-floor building housing DIY store Wickes.
The application includes 313 car parks, 18 disabled parking spaces and 66 cycle parks.

Construction can take place between 8am and 6pm throughout the week and from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays, with no building allowed on Sundays, Bank holidays or public holidays, to minimise disruption to neighbours.

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Accessibility manger Rebecca Richardson said some passengers on the autism spectrum found using public transport a daunting experience.
“We want all of our customers to have a good experience while travelling with us.”
World Autism Awareness Week takes place from March 26 to April 2.
Greater Anglia has partnered with the Sycamore Trust, a charity supporting parents, carers and individuals affected by autism spectrum disorders and/or learning difficulties.
A number of training sessions are being held for staff around the Greater Anglia network.
People who are on the autism spectrum can get overwhelmed by loud noises and crowds, making public transport particularly challenging.
The idea was championed by Alex Thompson, who works at Greater Anglia’s Stratford training academy, and is autistic.
Alex said: “Autism awareness is very close to my heart, so I am very pleased that Greater Anglia is offering these sessions to colleagues.
It’s really important that people are aware of ways in which they can help someone on the autism spectrum, so we can continue to offer a first class service to all passengers.”
The sessions will aim to equip staff with the skills to support autism in the workplace, learn how to help affected customers and gain a greater understanding of the autism spectrum.

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A decade on, amazing Oliver’s gearing up for a nocturnal trek through London – his fourth epic charity mission to help causes close to his heart.

This Saturday Oliver, 10, and mum Tracey are planning to take on the 15km London night walk to raise funds for the National Autistic Society.

Diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum at age five, the Little Thetford Primary School pupil has never let adversity get in his way.
When he was only six months old, in October 2007, Oliver was rushed to hospital with bacterial meningitis, a potentially fatal infection of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Tracey said: “We were initially informed he may not survive the night in intensive care. Despite this he pulled through.”
A fighter through and through, Oliver refuses to let his autism stop him from taking part in charity events – even if his condition means he sometimes gets stressed by loud noises and crowds.
It means the family have to be flexible and plan ahead, Tracey said: “At our last run in Milton Keynes, Oliver refused to join the crowds of people at the start but then once the crowds had thinned out, he was ready to join the run so we have to be patient, often think on our feet and make adjustments that work.
“We just focus on the positives and cherish what Oliver can do.”

Oliver’s strong sense of justice means he will always challenge anything he perceives to be unfair – which can land him in trouble, especially as he appears like any other 10 year old on the surface, Tracey said.
“Taking part in charitable events has encouraged Oliver to consider others.”
The family decided to take up fundraising in 2014 to give something back to the charities that had supported them.
The first year, they raised over £700 for the Meningitis Research Foundation. In 2015 and 2016 they raised about £1200 for Little Miracles, which supports families in Ely, Cambridge and Newmarket, taking part in the Great Fun Run in Milton Keynes.
And despite forecasts of snow this weekend, they’re determined to complete the 15km London night walk this Saturday, March 17.
“So far, we have raised nearly £800 for the National Autistic Society, taking Oliver’s grand total of fundraising to over £2600 for charity.”
Keen fans of Spotted in Ely Rocks, Tracey and Oliver will be dropping autism awareness pebbles that they’ve decorated along their route.

You can sponsor Oliver or make a donation to the National Autistic Society by clicking here.

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Thirty cats were entered into the charity show in Little Downham yesterday – but it was friendly tabby Charlie that stole the judges’ hearts.

Charlie, who lives in Welney, won the non-pedigree category of the long established cat show, which celebrated its 24th year this weekend.
Charlie was one of a litter of kittens born into Cat Protection care after her mother was brought in, suffering from terrible cruelty.
Alex Fisher, who fostered the cat and kittens until they could be rehomed, said despite the mother cat’s tough start in life, she had a sweet, gentle nature.
“The mum had been mistreated, her ears had been cut off, but she was the friendliest cat you could hope for. The kittens had a beautiful temperament too.”
The kittens and their mum had all been rehomed quickly.

“It was Charlie who really stood out for us. Last year was her first show and she had a fantastic day. She managed to repeat it this year.”
The pedigree section was won by Emmie, a silver mackerel tabby and white cat, from Haddenham.

The show included “cats of courage”, some of whom had undergone amputations for various reasons.
Guest of honour Garfield, Ely’s most famous feline, had to pull out at the last minute after feeling poorly – possibly as a result of a scrap with another cat – but has since recovered.
Garfield – who gained celebrity status and the nickname Mr Sainsburys, after becoming a permanent fixture at the Ely supermarket – is an ambassador for Ely Cats Protection.
Over the years the ginger tom, with the help of his owners, has led a cat food collection campaign at Sainsburys.

The cat show is the charity’s main annual fundraiser. Last year’s event raised over £1000.
During yesterday’s show, at least six cats were rehomed, show manager Linda Hutchinson, of Little Downham said.
“Cats Protection currently have 17 cats looking for a home. The older ones are hardest to home.”
For more information click here.

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You can capture a glimpse of some of these designs on building site banners next to The Shade Primary School in Soham.

Youngsters at The Shade were invited to enter a competition to draw their “home of the future” by developers Palace Green Homes.

The drawings are now displayed on printed banners at the building site next door to the school.
Construction has been underway on The Fledglings site since September on 13 new dwellings, including four houses and nine apartments, on land opposite the school, on the corner of Kingfisher Drive.
Katie McKay, assistant head of The Shade, said children had shown great interest in the building works, which are due to be finished this summer.
“We took our reception class over in November to meet the site manager and learn about how houses are built, which they thoroughly enjoyed.The children are so proud to see their artwork printed onto the banners in the playground. The subject matter has been a great talking point in class.”
The winning artworks were chosen by representatives of Palace Green Homes and partner community land trust, Thrift CLT, with the winners awarded book tokens.
Phil Rose, head of development at Palace Green Homes, said: “We are delighted that the children have shown such enthusiasm towards our competition. The artworks look fantastic and really brighten up the site boundary.
“We have always maintained a strong relationship with The Shade Primary School and will continue to keep in close contact with them throughout the construction period.”
He said The Fledglings will provide “much needed affordable homes for local people.”
Meanwhile site manager Paul Elliot, of constructors E N Suiters, has been nominated for a ‘Pride in the Job’ award by inspectors on behalf of the National House Building Council (NHBC).
The prestigious award is awarded to those who demonstrate high standards for site management, presentation and working conditions.
Click here for more information on the development.

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Police are warning residents to remove bags, clothes, Sat Navs and other personal items from cars and vans in a bid to deter crooks.

“Most thieves are opportunistic and want to take as little time as possible to steal from a vehicle. Making the process as attention seeking and drawn out as possible – for as little obvious reward – means your vehicle is unlikely to be targeted.”

Police say their officers are “patrolling with a view towards protecting vehicles” but advise residents to take measures to protect their vehicles.
“We do not want you to be a victim of crime. Adopting one or more of the ideas above could make the difference for you.
They are particularly warning the owners of commercial vehicles, such as business vans, to take extra care in protecting their property.
People are advised to ideally lock their vans in garages overnight, but failing that, they can take other security measures, police say.
These include parking in well lit areas, leaving vans empty at night – or at least hiding valuables out of sight, and fitting window blanks to block the view.
“If you leave your commercial van on your driveway consider security lighting and CCTV options that work on PIR sensors.”
In addition, vehicle storage boxes can be bolted to the floor of the cargo area and “a vehicle alarm is a must”.
Older vans would benefit from having immobilisers fitted, police say, adding: “factory fitted locks are often good but can be improved with after market locking devices.”
Police also advise getting GPRS tracking systems to help track down stolen vehicles and marking property and registering it on www.immobilise.com to improve the likelihood of having stolen gear returned.
“We recover lots of stolen goods that cannot be reunited with owners!”
Catalytic converters can be protected at  www.securebydesign.com.
Suspicious behaviour should be reported to police by calling 101. In an emergency always call 999.
You can report information anonymously by calling CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

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The Littleport Community Hub was launched on March 1, and will open its doors to residents no the first Thursday of every month at Littleport Village Hall.

The hub will cover a range of topics, including mental health issues and problems with antisocial behaviour.
Organisations on hand to give advice include the Community Safety Partnership, Inclusion, Red2Green, Christians Against Poverty, Rainbow Saver Anglia, Sanctuary Housing, CHS Floating Support, Littleport Churches Together and East Cambridgeshire District Council’s housing team.
Tesco in Bar Hill will supply hot meals, while Starbucks coffee will be provided to those visiting the hub.
Littleport parish and district councillor Jo Webber said she had seen first hand the difference that Ely’s community hub has made to struggling residents.
“I am very glad that Littleport was chosen to hold the second hub in the district.
By bringing together all these key organisations in one room, we can offer residents a great opportunity to gain instant access to professional advice without leaving the village.
“I would encourage anyone who feels that they need assistance on matters such as antisocial behaviour, mediation or homelessness to visit the hub.”
Since opening its doors on February 28 last year, Ely Community Hub its doors has assisted with 1,564 enquiries, with mental health support being the main reason for people visiting.
With a number of organisations at hand to directly help with mental health, people don’t have to go through a referral process to access advice. These organisations can also help with setting up GP appointments and benefits support to help people get back on track.
A frequent user of the Ely community hub has praised the service, saying it’s helped her to rebuild her life.
“I can access a hot meal and a hot drink and there is always someone there to answer my questions and provide an ear.
“One of the team from the council came with me to set up a bank account and sort all of my benefits. They set to work within the hour of me walking into reception and found me a room in a shared house and also sheltered accommodation.
“People in Ely are very generous. I was making around £50 a day on the streets but the council team worked with me to get me into housing and help get my life back on track.”
The Littleport Community Hub is held on the first Thursday of every month from 10am until 1pm at Littleport Village Hall.

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A number of plots have already been snapped up at St James’ Park, off Cam Drive, since going on the market last month.

Hopkins Homes promise “an exceptional location within a thriving new community at Orchards Green.”

The developers say the new neighbourhood will encompass “a variety of amenities from a primary school, local supermarket, parkland and play area to a family pub, community centre and allotments.
But some residents have expressed their dismay on the Ely New Developments Facebook group, saying the prices are unaffordable for many locals.
The cheapest accommodation starts at £222,995 for the two-bedroom ground floor Yves Apartments, offering two car parking spaces.

These will have a living/dining area of 3.905m x 3.625m (12’10” x 11’11”). The kitchen will be 3.280m x 2.400m (10’9” x 7’11”), while the master bedroom will be 3.495m x 2.918m (11’6” x 9’7”). The second bedroom will be 3.145m x 2.315m (10’4” x 7’7”).
On the top end, the four-bedroom Apollonia, boasting a double garage and parking, is retailing at £519,995.

This will include a living room of 4.698m x 3.716m (15’5” x 12’2”), kitchen/dining room of 8.948m x 3.199m (29’4” x 10’6”) and master bedroom of 4.698m x 3.716m (14’9” x 12’1”).

According to Ely New Developments, Hopkins Homes sold three houses on the first day they were released.
One resident has described the prices as “eye watering”, saying the rising cost of housing will “turn Ely into yet another commuter town”.
Another said the development was “totally unaffordable for the majority of the local population.”

In its marketing material, Hopkins Homes describes St James’ Park as being “just a five minute drive from the centre of history Ely, a city which dates back to the 7th century.
“Its rich heritage is evidenced all around you, not least in its sumptuous cathedral whose magnificent towers can be seen for miles around.
“However, this mediaeval city offers everything you could want for 21st century living, with useful amenities including supermarkets, GP and dental surgeries, a selection of banks and a post office. Pubs and restaurants are also in abundance along the city’s pretty streets including the 15th century inn The Lamb Inn.”
It describes “the bustling” city of Cambridge as “just a 35 minute drive away”, adding that it’s “easily reachable for work, leisure or both”.
According to the UK House Price Index, the average property in East Cambridgeshire sold for £280,066 in December 2017, less than the Cambridgeshire average of £291,679, and far less than the Cambridge average of £462,033 during the same month.
As of December 2017 the average house price in the UK was £226,756. Property prices have risen by 0.4% compared to the previous month, and risen by 5.2% compared to the previous year.

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The struggling Italian chain plans to shut down a third of its restaurants in a bid to save the company.

But the Ely restaurant, overlooking Ely Cathedral, is making enough profit to stay on the company’s safe list.

Yesterday Prezzo announced it had entered into a company voluntary agreement (CVA), a procedure under the Insolvency Act, “in order to deliver a sustainable long-term plan for its business”.
Prezzo has submitted a restructuring plan to its creditors and will seek their approval of the CVA at a creditors’ meeting on March 23.
If given the go ahead, it will shut down 94 of its 300 restaurants across the country – but the Ely branch is set to remain open for now.
The popular High Street eatery is classified as a “category 1” lease restaurant, meaning it’s performing adequately at the current rent.
The group operates a number of chain across the country, including Chimichanga, Caffe Uno, Cleaver and MEXIco, but its core brand is Prezzo.
Over the years, Prezzo has suffered stiff competition from other brand names, such as Pizza Express, ASK Italian, Zizzi and Bella Italia.
The CVA allows a company to come to an arrangement with its creditors over the payment of its debts.
If the agreement isn’t approved, Prezzo is likely to enter into administration.
Prezzo was bought by private equity firm TPG in 2014 for just over £300 million.
It’s been a tough week for retailers, with Maplin and Toys R Us both going into administration.

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On Monday, career criminal Michael King, 37, of Orton Drive, Witchford, was sentenced to over three years for the Burwell theft, which luckily only left the officer with minor injuries.

The court heard that King had attempted to snatch the keys to the detective constable’s Vauxhall Astra after she dropped it off at the Co-op Jet filling station in Burwell just after 4pm on January 2.
When she refused to hand over her keys, a struggle ensued, with King trying to scramble into the driver’s seat.
Eventually the key ring snapped, allowing the mugger to drive off – with the brave officer half inside it, still trying to stop him.
Shortly after, the injured officer was let out of the car at Ness Road and was able to call for help.
The crook made off in the stolen car but was tracked down by CCTV.
King’s own car had been previously seized by police in relation to other matters and he’d been on the run for several months.
He was arrested the following day. The stolen car was eventually found with false plates in Bedfordshire.
The Witchford man initially denied charges of robbery and taking a vehicle without consent, aggravated by dangerous driving.
He changed his plea to guilty at the last minute at Peterborough Crown Court on January 31.
On Monday (February 26) he was sentenced to three years and eight months for the former and 12 months, to run concurrent, for the latter, and also disqualified from driving for two years.
Just after being arrested for the robbery, King had also admitted committing a string of other crimes when he appeared at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court.
These included 22 thefts across Cambridgeshire, mostly shoplifting.
He was sentenced to 28 weeks in prison for those offences, which means his sentence for the robbery won’t start till April 12.
Detective Constable Mark Beaven, who led the investigation, said: “King is a serial offender who has been a prolific thief in East Cambridgeshire and more recently Cambridge for years.
“The robbery incident was terrifying for the officer involved, who bravely attempted to prevent the car being stolen but had to get out due to serious concerns for her safety. Luckily, she only received minor injuries but it could have been a lot worse.”
 

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Beware: you will now get stung with a parking notice if you outstay your welcome – even if it’s because you got stuck in a traffic jam trying to leave!

Motorists have contacted Spotted in Ely after receiving parking charge notices – despite getting to their vehicles within the two hour time slot.

The recently installed, CCTV style automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, installed at the entrance and exit to Waitrose car park, record the exact moment a car enters and leaves the Britannia Parking controlled park.
Resident Malcolm Howard was one of a number of shoppers who got caught out on Saturday, January 27, when he said it took him over an hour to vacate the car park, after returning to his car.
Other people have also received parking notices, which start at £40 and rise if unpaid.
The cameras operate 24/7, which means you will also get a ticket if you park for over two hours in the evening, which was previously exempt from the two hour limit.
Timed photographs are taken of each vehicle entering and leaving the car park, as well as close ups of its number plate.
The duration of the stay is calculated from the times registered on the two sets of photographs.
If a driver exceeds the two hour limit, they’ll receive a charge certificate in the post from Britannia, which accesses their details from the DVLA’s Vehicle Keepers database.
Issues with ANPR
As well as the fact that ANPR cameras don’t take traffic jams leaving a car park into account, there are other issues with this automated system.
According to the British Parking Association, repeat users of a car park inside a 24 hour period sometimes find that their first entry is paired with their last exit, resulting in an “overstay”.
And some “drive in/drive out” motorists that have activated the system have received charge certificates even though they haven’t actually parked.
The BPA says that operators should “be factoring in a small ‘grace period’ to allow a driver time either to find a parking space (and to leave if there is not one) or make a decision whether the tariff is appropriate for their use or not”.
The grace period, however, is at the discretion of the landowner.

Know your rights
According to the BBC’s Your Money Their Tricks, private companies have no legal power to fine you – only the police or councils can do that.
“In fact, they are not even allowed to use the word penalty. But some private parking companies can make their parking charges look very similar to official penalty charge notices.”
If police or a local authority issue a fine, it will usually be labelled as a PCN (Penalty Charge Notice) and may come in an official yellow cellophane wrapper.
“Some private companies now use similar packaging and even label their notices with PCN, but this time it stands for Parking Charge Notice. Others may even use the term ‘enforcement’ but they don’t have any enforcement powers.”
What should you do if you get a parking notice?
The British Parking Association says motorists issued with tickets must first decide if they are “in the right or wrong” and decide whether to pay or appeal.
They advise those who agree they have overstayed their limit to pay the charge immediately, as the cost will rise if they wait.
However, if they believe the ticket shouldn’t have been issued, they should appeal to the operator (in this case Britannia), stating their case.
If the operator agrees, the ticket will be cancelled.
What if your case is rejected?
If your case has been declined by Britannia and you feel you’ve been unfairly ticketed, you can make an appeal online to Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA), which is administered by The Ombudsman Service.
You should include any evidence supporting your case, including photographs (for example, if you think the signage was inadequate), witness statements and other information.
POPLA must receive your appeal within 28 days from the date of the operator’s notice of rejection.

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Massive leisure company GLL, who’ll be running The Hive, are advertising for lifeguards and fitness instructors in readiness for the grand opening.

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At around noon today, the tent was seen being loaded onto two vans from a meadow on Lisle Lane, where it had been based for some months.

The action has been slammed by numerous residents on social media, with many expressing sympathy and solidarity for the popular man, often seen hanging out in central Ely.
One woman wrote: “How dare the council treat people like that? Where is their humanity? It’s totally disgusting and theft.”
Another called the decision “cruel”, with many others expressing concern for the man’s welfare and questioning the timing of the confiscation.
Today the Met Office issued a weather warning across the country, particularly across southern and eastern parts of England.
Yesterday local police put a statement on their Facebook page, advising residents not to give money to beggars and insisting that there are no rough sleepers in Ely.
Today the council’s housing and community safety manager Angela Parmenter defended the decision to seize the tent, saying the man had been warned in advance.
“We have advised this individual on several occasions alerting him to the pending removal of the tent. He has also been offered numerous rooms in shared houses and temporary accommodation in one of our hostels.”
Council officers were out and about today, talking to “three people who appear to be homeless”, including the man in question, she told Spotted in Ely.
“The East Cambs homelessness team goes out daily into the district and with the launch of severe weather provision procedures (SWEP), they will go out and offer night accommodation as well.
“All three have again been offered emergency accommodation but all three have refused and have stated that they are not actually sleeping rough.”
According to the council and police, there are no homeless people in the district.
But the council does work together with The Lighthouse in Ely to provide temporary shelter when temperatures plunge below zero, under the SWEP policy.
Pastor Giles Cornell said the church has been open at night for over a week but so far, no one’s taken up the offer.
However, they do sometimes provide shelter for people of no fixed abode, he said.
“We will give them a nice, hot meal and a bed for the night and breakfast in the morning.The most we’ve had is two at a time. We can take three.
“We only take men because the women can be housed somewhere else.
“The message is we’re open.”
Pastor Cornell said the Lighthouse has opened under the SWEP policy several times already this year.
When temperatures are likely to dip, he receives a notification from the council, and visits locations where known vulnerable people tend to hang out, advising them that the church will open its doors to provide shelter.
The pastor said he’s regularly pleaded with the man whose tent has been seized to take up the offer, but it has been declined.
“People in Ely are so kind and generous. I know he gets food and drinks all the time. It’s a temporary fix. What is needed is a longterm solution.”
Homelessness is a complicated issue, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all response, he added.
“We come across people with traumas in their lives, maybe mental health issues, maybe substance abuse. We can give them a bed for the night. It can’t be a longterm solution.”
He advised against giving money to potential rough sleepers, saying it’s better to contact organisations such as Shelter, or ECDC, whom he says take a proactive stance on the issue.
“If people give [them] a couple of quid they could be funding a drug habit.”
According to Shelter, most homeless people aren’t on the streets, although government records released in January show that in Autumn 2017, 4751 people  were sleeping rough in England –  a 15% increase in a year and the highest number since records began in 2010.
You could be legally homeless if you’ve been illegally evicted by a landlord, an ex-partner’s changed the locks, have nowhere to stay, at risk of violence or abuse, staying in a night shelter, emergency short-stay hostel or women’s refuge or can’t afford to stay in your home.
Pastor Cornell advises anyone coming across a suspected rough sleeper to contact the council’s out of hours emergency hotline on 07710 978900.
“There’s no reason for anyone to be homeless or go hungry in this day and age.”

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Sid and Sally Bibby will don their bandannas with pride during the coffee and cake fundraiser at Sid Bibby’s Turf & Landscaping on March 2 – almost a decade after daughter Ella-Rose was diagnosed with the deadly disease.

For the first time, brave Ella, 12, has agreed to share her heartbreaking story in the hope it will help support other families in the same situation and raise awareness about brain tumours – the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40.

These days Ella lives life to the full, enjoying horse riding, sports, shopping and hanging out with friends.
But things could have been very different had her tumour not been discovered and removed in time.
Cause for alarm
Rewind to Father’s Day, June 15, 2008. What should have been a family celebration at The Anchor at Sutton Gault turned sour when it became apparent that all was not right right with Ella, then aged two. Throughout the meal, the toddler’s arm and hand were stuck to her head and she couldn’t move it, mum Sally said.
“We kept telling her to stop it and eat her dinner but it carried on throughout lunch. We put her to bed as usual and went to bed.”
The following day, Ella was doing a “weird thing with her arm” and wouldn’t wake up.
Sally was about to call a doctor but former neighbour Ron Harper advised her to call an ambulance immediately, suspecting a brain blockage.
First responder Simon Wicker arrived shortly after. Having worked on a brain unit for many years, he quickly realised that Ella needed urgent attention.
Sally says: “He was brilliant with us and really put us at ease… He even came up to see us on the ward several days later to see how we all were.
“Many months after Simon admitted that seeing Ella that day had affected him and he had to take a little time out of his day for a chat with some colleagues to make him feel better as he knew he was sending us off for bad news. We still keep in touch with Simon, we feel very lucky to have someone working in our area that is so special and a hero.”
The family was taken by ambulance to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where Ella spent several days on a children’s ward.
“We thought the worst case was that Ella had epilepsy as her seizures were happening all day and night, the meds they gave her helped a bit but we could tell that the doctors were still looking for something.”
“Terrible” news
After days of tests, the family was summoned to see Ella’s consultant.
“The walk to his office was the hardest and longest walk we would make. At this point we knew by how the nurses were treating us that they knew we were walking into some terrible news.
“I still find it hard to talk about what happened in the consultant’s office. We came out with the news Ella had a brain tumour.”
The following days passed in a haze. Sally recalls the anxiety of doctors trying out different medication, of breaking the news to Ella’s brother James and sister Livvy, and of telling family members that Ella would be admitted to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital.
As Ella’s tumour was slow-growing, the family got to go home in between hospital visits, carrying on with normal daily life – only now with the knowledge that the baby of the family had epilepsy and a brain tumour.
“Days turned into months with endless trips to GOSH for scans and appointments, GOSH were treating the brain tumour and Addenbrooke’s looked after her epilepsy.”
Sid and Sally wanted to keep things as normal as possible for Ella in between appointments, so the toddler returned to nursery and an Addenbrooke’s nurse advised staff on how best to look after her.
“A couple of times they had some horrible emergencies with Ella but they handled it well and we will always be thankful to them for letting her go to school and looking after her so well.”
Traumatic times
One day the family received the news they’d been dreading. Ella’s tumour had grown and had to be urgently removed.
The night before the life saving operation at GOSH is one the Bibbys will never forget.
“I don’t think any of us slept apart from Ella, who took everything in her stride. Nothing troubled her, even being put to sleep! She had got so good at it she didn’t need any numbing cream or anything – they could just put the needle in.
“The anaesthetist was very impressed with her, she was such a brave girl. Unlike her Mummy and Daddy who cried at most things!”
Waiting for her surgery to be over was heart wrenching. The couple recall weeping, nit picking at each other and staring at notice boards but not taking anything in.
“The time she should have come out came and went, the seconds turned into hours.”

Eventually the Bibbys were summoned to see their daughter. Before the operation they’d been warned that she’d lose a lot of feeling in her left arm and that even though this could be helped with physiotherapy, it may always be weak.
With that in mind, Sally recalls the euphoric surprise she got when the first thing little Ella did was squeeze her hand with her left hand.
“Our little fighter was going to be fine!”

After the operation, Ella was left with epilepsy and a stammer but after eight years, her fits had reduced so much that she could come off her medication.
A fighter through and through
Fast forward to 2018. Strong-minded Ella still receives therapy for her stammer but lives every moment to the full.
“She has good days and bad but she has ways of getting around it. Ella is amazing.”

Ella’s hoping to raise at least £300 for The Brain Tumour Charity, which funds lifesaving research as well as supporting people with brain tumours, through her Just Giving page.
The Bibbys are hosting a Bandanna and Bake session, providing coffee and cakes in exchange for donations to the charity, from 9.30am to 4pm on March 2, at Sid Bibby Turf & Landscaping, Ely Road, CB6 2AB.

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Had the work not been carried out, speed restrictions would have been imposed on the line, leading to delays and cancellations, Network Rail says.

Between February 12 and 16, 24 steel plates were installed to strengthen the bridge. It was also given a “thorough” coat of paint to prevent corrosion.

The six-span bridge is a key part of the line between Ely and Kings Lynn, which carries up to 76 passenger and freight trains a day at speeds of up to 80mph.
The work took place during half term, when fewer passengers travel.
The five-day closure allowed the work to be done fast with less disruption for passengers, Network Rail says.
The agency also carried out maintenance work at level crossings and removed vegetation to make the most of the closure.

Meliha Duymaz, Network Rail’s route managing director for Anglia, said: “This package of improvements was imperative to providing a safe, reliable and efficient service for passengers travelling between Ely and Kings Lynn as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan. I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carried out this essential work.”

Great Northern’s passenger services director Stuart Cheshire said: “We are grateful to our passengers for their patience during this essential work by Network Rail. We are confident that passengers will appreciate the improvements it brings as part of the modernisation of the region’s railway.”

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Cambridge Aqua Park will open on the last weekend of April, Spotted in Ely can reveal.

The family-owned lakeside attraction, off the A10, will include a variety of inflatable obstacles, appealing to daredevils as well as those wanting a less challenging experience, manager Jess Hannam said.

“It can be as exciting or as tame as people want it to be. You can just climb onto the obstacles or go down the tallest slide.”
The hour-long sessions, catering for up to 60 people at a time, will be open to people aged eight or over.
There will also be morning sessions for kids as young as six, providing they are confident in the water.
Although life jackets and wetsuit hire is included in the £20 price, those taking part have to be able to swim to the inflatables, Jess said.
“We want people to feel comfortable in the water.”
She hopes Cambridge Aqua Park, on the same site as Hannam’s Wake Hub, will help put Stretham on the map, appealing to a wide cross section of visitors.
“I think we will get people coming from further afield for stag and hen do’s but hopefully it will give local people something fun to do as well.”
People will be able to book the park for birthday parties and other events, with special discounts available for group bookings.
The team had initially planned to open in May but thanks to a Cambridgeshire Fens LEADER grant to help boost local tourism and jobs, they’re opening ahead of schedule.
Jess and her team plan to test out the obstacle course before it opens to the public.
“I’m dying to have a go – it looks like so much fun!”
Cambridge Aqua Park will initially be open during weekends but throughout the summer holidays it will be open every day from 10am to 6pm.
It will close for the winter in late September.
For more information click here.

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The event is part of a police day of action on Wednesday (February 21) across Cambridgeshire.

It’s Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s biggest ever crime prevention event, involving 40 police officers, 80 PCSOs and 12 special constables as well as crime prevention officers and cadets.
People will be encouraged to take simple steps to make their houses and cars more secure, as well as being given the chance to buy security products, such as alarms and simulators, at cost price.
The Fordham workshop will include a presentation and question and answer session with Detective Chief Superintendent Chris Mead at 7.30pm.
Protecting your home and business from criminals is “easier and cheaper” than you may think, and reduce your chances of being a victim of crime, Superintendent James Sutherland said.
“We want to make life as difficult as possible for criminals and need the public’s help in achieving this. While we will work tirelessly to attack criminality it is vital that we use every opportunity we can from preventing it happening in the first place.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Jason Ablewhite said: “There are so many simple things we can all do to stop ourselves becoming a victim of crime and this day of action is the ideal opportunity for people and businesses to take positive steps to protect themselves.”
The Fordham crime prevention workshop will take place from 5pm to 10pm, at Victoria Hall, Carter Street, CB7 5NG.
For more information click here.

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Last week the Haddenham Community Land Trust was given full backing by East Cambridgeshire planners to go ahead with its development.

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The college hosted its annual careers event, bringing together year five students from six different primary schools and year eight secondary students.

Littleport Community Primary School, Millfield School, Downham Feoffees Primary Academy, the Lantern Community School, St Mary’s C of E Junior School and St John’s School all took part.

Throughout the day, business representatives talked about different roles within their organisations in a bid to encourage young people to think about their career choices and the steps required to fulfil their goals.
Mayor of Ely Richard Hobbs also attended the event, open to schools within the Ely Schools Partnership.
Partnership co-ordinator Janice Townsend said: “It is so important that young people are made aware of possible career paths when they are younger so they can take the right steps to achieving their goals as they progress through their education. Thank you to Ely College for offering to host the event again this year.”

College principal Richard Spencer said: “As part of CMAT (Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust), we firmly believe in providing a high quality well-rounded education that means our students are offered wider opportunities encouraging them to have high aspirations in the future.”
Pictures by K. Vella

 

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Police are reassuring residents they’re taking a firm approach in dealing with troublemakers at the Ely Leisure Village, and that any lawbreakers will be prosecuted.

Over the past week they’ve identified a number of suspects regarding a spate of misconduct at the complex, particularly at McDonald’s.
Parents will receive letters over the coming days, informing them of the ban.
McDonald’s Manager Spencer Rollings told Spotted in Ely: “I would just like people to respect other customers and staff.”
Since late January the restaurant has been forced to shut its seating area early on weekends as a result of abusive and disruptive behaviour, as reported by Spotted in Ely.
Staff have had to deal with a group of antisocial teenagers regularly hanging out on the premises from around 5pm, a time popular with families with young children.
Customers and staff have had to deal with rude and disruptive behaviour. There has also been a spike in littering, tagging and vandalism in the area, and electronic ordering equipment at McDonald’s has been damaged.
Police have received complaints of staff dealing with “foul and abusive language and the throwing of food”.
Last Thursday (February 1) two members of the local policing team visited a school to speak to a number of teens regarding antisocial behaviour, including knocking on doors and running away and being “loud and abusive” in McDonald’s.
Three days later police attended the restaurant after receiving further reports of youths “causing problems at McDonald’s”.
As a result, a “number of specific individuals” were identified, resulting in bans.
Police say the decision to close McDonald’s early had been a responsible one to prevent disorder escalating.
Sergeant Ash Godfrey said police will support the management team at McDonald’s in enforcing bans.
They are also checking whether any of the antisocial behaviour comes under the Public Order Act 1986.
“Where criminal offences have been disclosed, there will be robust consequences.”
Police are working together with East Cambridgeshire District Council and local businesses to ensure that the leisure complex remains a “safe and family friendly” location in Ely.

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As celebrations start to commemorate the centenary of some British women being granted the vote, Spotted in Ely looks back on an unlikely visit to the Fen village.

The hall was completely rammed during Mrs Davidson’s visit, with anti-Suffragette demonstrators trying to disrupt the meeting, according to an article published in the Cambridge Independent Press on December 9, 1910.
“The hall was besieged by a large crowd, and as soon as the doors were opened, there was such a rush of people that the building was packed in a very short time.”

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Fed up with mistaking muck for psychedelic stones, a growing number of rock collectors are combining the fun of finding rocks of art with a clamp down on trash.

Armed with bin bags and litter pickers, Karen Sheail and her family managed to fill an entire bin bag with bottles and cans for recycling and another with general waste – and even found a scooter dumped in a ditch, during a rock and rubbish hunt yesterday.
During their short trip they binned 10 bags of dog poo, dumped along Ely’s Cathedral View estate.

Karen told Spotted in Ely her family regularly picked up rubbish dumped along the estate while out and about but have amped the ante since joining the rock craze that’s sweeping the district.
“When rock hunting we keep thinking we’ve seen a rock – only to discover it’s rubbish.”

The litter problem seems to be getting worse, Karen says, adding that black bin bags often split or are ripped apart by foxes, spilling rubbish onto the ground, which remains uncleared.
“A lot of households have shared drives or places to put the bins which means that mess left after bin collection belongs to everyone or no one. This means it’s easy to say, ‘Oh it’s not mine, I’ll leave it’. Also recycling bins blow over, causing more rubbish to be drifting around.
“Also the age old problem of people just being lazy and not bothering to put stuff in the bin.”
Another problem is overflowing bins in play parks, she says.
“Then the wind gets up and there is rubbish everywhere.
“It’s something I think we should all do something about. I love my city, Ely and wish it to look as lovely as it can and be a nice place to live, so yes, I pick up rubbish. This is not the first tie we as a family have done a litter pick and it won’t be the last.”
Fellow rock and rubbish hunter Sarah Follett says the lack of rubbish bins along the Cathedral View estate don’t help.
Yesterday she and her son Lex collected beer cans and bottles dumped in the area.

“I think some of the rubbish problem would be solved by wheelie bins for household waste, rather than bags that get split/ripped and the rubbish gets left behind to blow around.”
Meanwhile Soham childminder Kathy Murray often collects recyclable rubbish, such as bottles and cans, on her school run.
During the 10 minute walk from St Andrew’s School to the library last week, she and some of the children she looks after collected an entire sack of rubbish.

Kathy plans to make her litter picks a weekly pursuit and already has plans to meet up with other families in Soham to address the issue.
“The boys already know their routes due to the amount of litter that is there!”
Ely mum Jayne Brennan collected three bags full of rubbish and recycling with her four and two-year-old boys yesterday.
“They’ve both always been really aware of the rubbish and ask why people drop it and not put it in the bin. There’s so much broken glass about at the moment.”
A regular visitor to the city, Susan Lake says she’s “really noticed an increase in litter on the verges approaching Ely since the leisure village appeared”.
Fleur Patten, who runs Spotted in Ely Rocks, says there should be more public bins in new housing areas and recycling bins in the centre of Ely. She wants public bins to be emptied more often and a longterm plan to tackle littering.
“Also, why are households putting bottles and cans in black bags? My opinion is that we don’t need a third enormous plastic bin, we need people to be encouraged/pressured to recycle as much as possible.”
She’s noticed lots of “logoed fast food litter” on the A10, close to the leisure village.
“Plastic kills wildlife on roadside verges…I think the companies would be horrified to see the impact of their presence on the A10. A long term plan has to be made. Why are people dropping their fast food litter yards away from the restaurant?”
Steve Smith, who manages the Burwell Co-op, is offering rockers rolls of bags for rubbish collections.
“We have litter collections in Burwell by the community by I’m more than happy to help where i can in Ely as I live here.”
Spencer Rollings, who manages Ely McDonalds, told Spotted in Ely the restaurant are proactively tackling litter but a lot of the problem comes down to a lack of education. He’s witnessed people chucking wrappers and cups out of car windows.

McDonalds employs a maintenance person who picks litter along the site, as well as around KFC, Costa and the surrounding area, between 6am and 3pm, from Monday to Friday. In addition a litter van, owned by a franchisee, occasionally visits the area to tackle the problem. The restaurant has eight bins on its property, in addition to other public bins at the Ely Leisure Village.
McDonalds regularly pick up rubbish left along the underpass and on the other side of the A10, not just on their property, Spencer says.
“A lot of the litter problem comes down to education. It’s not McDonalds who chuck the empty bottles out. We do our best.”
Spencer is planning to host a public litter picking session in the spring as part of McDonald’s “Love Where you Live” campaign. More details coming soon.

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Year nine students got a special visit from Anglian Water on January 31 as part of a nationwide Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) programme.

Pupils worked in small teams to design, build and test their own ideas in a series of tasks, including a water supply challenge and Lego build time trial.

In a separate STEM day held across all year groups in October, the college was visited by the RAF Youth Engagement Team.
The day was spent building towers, investigating kinetic speed cars, exploring the world of robotics and learning basic coding.
Inspired by their centenary anniversary, the RAF workshops also offered historical context to their innovative advancements in technology to inspire students to pursue a career in the service.
The school’s science curriculum leader Sam Craven said Ely College was committed to ensuring students were prepared for the world of work and understood the range of careers available to them, as well as the skills and qualifications required.
“We work with organisations like Anglian Water and the RAF Youth Engagement Team to connect with industry and provide our young people with opportunities that enable them to apply theory into practical experiences, helping them to understand that working hard during education can lead to a rewarding career further down the line.”

The college aims to develop the next generation of digital leaders who can continue to innovate technology, using maths, science, engineering and creative skills.
Principal Richard Spencer said: “Through the experiences, projects and placements that take place in STEM programmes, our pupils can put their creative thinking into action and learn vital skills such as time management, team work and problem solving.
“By collaborating with partners and agencies, our students are learning more about local employers and national industry. We would like to say thank you to Anglian Water and the RAF Youth Engagement Team for visiting Ely College and giving our students a taste of working in these industries.”

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Sixteen iPads, 30 laptops and an interactive classroom board have now been delivered to the Ely primary school, which will help children stay on the cutting edge of technology.

Digital leaders, made up of students, are piloting the new equipment, with every class benefitting from at least one weekly session on the new laptops.
The upgrade was totally funded by a £18,000 cheque, presented to the school at the end of last year by Friends of the Lantern School (FOTLS), the Lantern’s PTA committee.
It was the result of years of fundraising, from school fairs to uniform and cake sales, movie nights, school discos, quizzes and other events.
A small sum of that money will go towards an eSafety drama workshop at the school.

Coding is now part of the National Curriculum, with students taught elements of computer programming right from reception, so having modern devices to use in the classroom makes a world of difference, the school’s computing co-ordinator, Katie Holmes, told Spotted in Ely.
“They stay engaged because the equipment is so much faster and more reliable.”
The iPads are being piloted in Swans class (year five) but other classes are also using them.
“We hope to integrate them into everyday lessons such as literacy and maths, not just computing.”
With children frequently using tablets at home, the need to have modern technology at school has become all the more important, Mrs Holmes said.
“When they come to school, if they’re not using them frequently, they’re not making the best out of that knowledge.
“We’re teaching them that iPads aren’t just for playing games, how to use that technology in a really positive way. They feel so privileged to use them.”
Doves class (year 1) has benefitted from a new Clevertouch interactive touchscreen, replacing a very old model.

The new, state of the art board boasts a much crisper picture, superior sound and a host of educational tools.
“You can have more children using it at the same time. It’s far more interactive than the old board.”
Eventually the school hopes to be able to roll Clevertouch screens across all of its year groups.
Jenny King, who teaches Doves, said the board was used for telling stories, playing videos and teaching art, handwriting and phonics to five and six-year-olds.
“The children are much more engaged by it, it’s a very visual tool.”
The Lantern School caters for about 450 primary school children and is also responsible for the Lantern Goslings pre-school.
Mrs Holmes has a last message for FOTLS and the families that have supported the school through years of fundraising.
“A big thank you. I would love parents to know what a difference it makes. It makes such a huge difference for the teachers, for the TAs, for all the staff in the school – and especially for the children.”
FOTLS is planning a host of further fundraising throughout the year, including its popular Summer Fayre, which will take place from 12pm to 3pm on June 23.

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That’s 250 bags of smooth Scottish pebbles, to be precise!

From tomorrow (Wednesday, January 31), people will be able to collect stones from Sid Bibby Turf & Landscaping Ltd, near Sutton, at set times.

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Spotted in Ely Rocks are hoping to “cover the garden in love for a spectacular sight” on Valentine’s Day.

Young and old alike have been leaving love-themed rocks of art – aimed at warming the stoniest of hearts.
The display aims to spread happiness throughout the city and “demonstrate how much love there is in Ely”, organiser Fleur Patten says.
“We Ely Rockers wanted to do something special for Valentine’s Day and LGBT. The beautiful Prince Albert garden seemed the ideal place to display the rocks until Valentine’s Day in half term.
“The pub has been very generous and accommodating. They are an important part of Ely, the pub is placed in an ideal central location.”
Anyone is welcome to drop a love rock in the garden, and visitors are asked not to disturb the love rocks but to enjoy the display.

The family friendly pub will host a celebration at 2pm on Wednesday, February 14 (Valentine’s Day), hosted by Spotted in Ely Rocks.
“After the event, folks will be invited to take a rock away for a loved one or to rehide and to make a small donation to the British Heart Foundation and Pride in Ely, which will host its first Pride Festival on August 11.
“We want to demonstrate how much love there is in Ely.”
Prince Albert chef Ben Andrews said customers have been chatting about the growing display, and that he and girlfriend Shannon had also painted a couple of rocks.
“It’s a good community thing. I went into work yesterday morning and found one in the car park and got quite excited.”

His mum, Emma, and brother Lincoln, five, also enjoy decorating, hiding and searching for rocks.
Last week, Spotted In Ely Rocks gained its 2000th member – and that number keeps on growing, with hundreds of rocks being dropped around East Cambridgeshire each week.
Fleur said: “Rockers’ generosity of spirit is absolutely breathtaking. I’m overwhelmed by the growth of the project. I think it has taken off because Ely folks have so much to give.
“There is a heartwarming story on the group every single day. I feel privileged to be part of such positivity. It’s amazing!”

Today (January 29) nursery school kids in Littleport are taking part in an intergenerational rockfest with residents at The Grange care home.
Community rockfests are taking place throughout East Cambridgeshire and beyond, with more free or cheap events planned throughout half term.
Last week, three-year-old Oliver was surprised with a colony of penguin rocks before having to go into hospital for tests.
A number of Spotted in Ely Rocks members are also picking up litter during rock hunting sessions, sorting them into separate bags for landfill or recycling.
We think our rockers are amazing!

For more about the Valentine’s Day display click here.
To join Spotted in Ely rocks click here.

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The hugely popular unit has been running for almost three years, catering for 30 teens, aged between 13 and 18.

The team volunteers in the community, supporting local police, delivering crime prevention advice and acting as mystery shoppers for age restricted items.
But unless the unit can find a new, inspiring leader to help them grow and learn, they may have to close.

Sergeant Phil Priestley said: “The group is oversubscribed which speaks volumes for the young people who keep coming back each week.
“However, if we don’t find new volunteers then we will sadly have to question whether we can see the group through into 2019.
“This is a heart breaking situation for all involved.”
Principal group leader, PC Emma Wilkinson, said previous police experience and qualifications aren’t necessary as training is given to volunteers. Leaders don’t have to give up much of their time to take up the role.
“Being a leader will enable you to have a better understanding of British policing and give you opportunities locally, nationally and even internationally in support of social action.”
The East Cambs Cadets meet weekly and learn about a variety of policing activities, gaining an overview of the law.
They frequently help the public at community events and deliver crime prevention advice.
All volunteers are subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.
Those interested in finding out more are invited to go along to Witchford Village College on February 5, between 6pm and 8pm.
To register your interest email eastcambscadets@cambs.pnn.police.uk

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When members of Spotted in Ely Rocks found out about a penguin-loving, poorly three-year-old, they decided to make him rocks of art, decorated with his favourite Antarctic animal.

Spotted in Ely Rocks administrator Fleur Patten launched Mission Penguin last week, putting a shout out for themed stones to be made to cheer little Oliver up and help ease his anxiety.
Before Oliver underwent tests at the Princess of Wales Hospital yesterday, he was surprised with a dozen penguin keepsakes, made by Ely rockers, as well as penguin themed cards and pictures, created by local children, touched by his tale.

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The Adams Heritage Centre is hosting another of the Field Theatre Group’s Button Tree sessions on Saturday.

Its organiser says: “Remember when folk used to get together, to laugh and talk, and share their news, stories and memories?
“Step back in time and experience the Old World charm of the Adams centre, and enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of a good old-fashioned get-together.”

People will be able to add family stories to a community Button Tree and share their own experiences.
“We have recorded some extraordinary memories, some funny, others touching. Amazing stories about ordinary people! And we’re looking forward to hearing more.”
A specially commissioned book, The Littleport Button Tree, immortalises residents’ memories for generations to come.
People are invited to bring buttons, photographs and stories to share between 2pm and 4pm on Saturday (January 27).
The event is open to residents of all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult) and the venue caters for people with disabilities.
For more information see www.fieldtheatregroup.btck.co.uk or email thefieldtheatregroup@hotmail.co.uk

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Anyone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes living in the county can now attend a free course, with more staff and sessions available, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group announced today.

The group’s clinical lead for diabetes, Dr Mark Brooks, said: “You can make a new year’s resolution to learn more about your diabetes.”

The DESMOND (Diabetes Education and Self-Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed) courses, available to anyone with a GP referral, helps people take control of their diabetes, he said.
“It’s really important that people living with diabetes understand their condition, and how they can make changes to their lifestyle which will help them to live a longer and healthier life. This could help to reduce the amount of medication they need to take, as well as improving their chances of living longer without the long term effects of diabetes.”
A patient who attended a DESMOND course described it as “full of information and friendly”.
About 57,000 people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are thought to have diabetes.
The disease can cause serious long-term health problems.
It’s the most common cause of vision loss and blindness in people of working age, is responsible for most cases of kidney failure and lower limb amputation, other than accidents.
People with diabetes are also up to five times more likely to have cardiovascular disease, such as a stroke, than those without diabetes.
The day-long DESMOND courses, held throughout Cambridgeshire, help people understand how best to manage their condition.
There are also extra places available on free courses for those with Type 1 diabetes.
The additional courses and the recruitment of additional staff followed a £1.5m government investment in diabetes education and prevention in April last year.
To get a referral or more information speak to your GP.

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Oliver Cromwell’s House will once again host its iconic event, showcasing a range of historically inspired traders and craftspeople on Sunday, January 28.

As well as going on an historical shopping spree, visitors will be treated to unusual demonstrations and talks.
Traders confirmed include food, clothing and jewellery stalls, with names as intriguing as The Historical Haberdasher, Mr Fossil, Spearman supplies, The Roving Apothecary and The Hungry Roundhead – to name just a few.

Councillor David Ambrose-Smith, of East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “I am really excited to see how Oliver Cromwell’s House is going to be transformed for the day.
“It’s such a good chance for visitors to learn more about the period at the same time as being able to purchase unique goods”.
The Lord Protector’s Historical Fayre talks place at Oliver Cromwell’s House from 11am to 4pm on January 28.
Tickets cost £3.
For more information and a full list of traders see www.olivercromwellshouse.co.uk.
You can also follow Oliver Cromwell’s House on Twitter and Facebook.

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Today the body responsible for managing railways issued a warning, blaming “selfish” drivers for endangering lives at the crossing on Lynn Road, Ely.

Cameras have caught motorists recklessly ignoring red lights, shooting across the crossing while the barriers are lowering.
The risk of a serious smash at the Lynn Road, Ely, crossing are “very high”, Network Rail says.
The road speed limit is 60mph while trains pass the crossing at 75mph, meaning the consequences of a collision would be disastrous.

So worried are Network Rail about an imminent crash that its Anglia level crossing manager, John Priest, issued a stark warning today.
“This is selfish behaviour which not only puts safety of the driver at risk but also risks the lives of others.
“Level crossing barriers, warning lights and signals are there to help road users, pedestrians and railway users stay safe. Misusing crossings in this way, in order to save just a couple of minutes, can result in serious injury or death.”
British Transport Police (BTP) Inspector Stephen Webster said impatient motorists weren’t only playing Russian roulette with their lives but also risking the lives of rail passengers.
“I can’t stress enough, don’t run the risk. Always stop for a red light, those couple of minutes that you have to wait could save your life.”
On the Anglia route BTP are using CCTV, fixed cameras and mobile safety vehicles to monitor crossings as well as a special route crime tasking team.
“This has led to a high number of prosecutions in the last year resulting in motorists losing their licences and even going to jail.”
The Chettisham crossing has full barriers, warning lights and alarms to warn traffic that a train is approaching.
Drivers should understand the warnings and always stop if they activate unless it’s unsafe to do so.
By law they have to remain stationary until all the warnings clear, checking it’s safe to exit before driving across.
More information about staying safe at level crossings is available at www.networkrail.co.uk/levelcrossings

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At a time when mental health of children and young adults is increasingly hitting the headlines, the college, together with Talking FreEly, hopes to give students a chance to access help and voice their concerns in a groundbreaking event, provided “by students for students”.

The two have organised a special evening to focus on teen mental health issues next week, with renowned author, campaigner and pundit Natasha Devon MBE invited to speak.
Natasha tours schools and colleges throughout the UK, delivering talks as well as conducting research on mental health, body image, gender and social equality.

She regularly gives evidence to the Education and Health Select Committees, representing the interests of teenagers and teachers.
In 2016 she was named one of the 500 most influential people in Britain by The Times and Debretts and was awarded an MBE for services to young people in 2015.
Anthony Sigrist, who heads Talking FreEly said he hoped the evening would make a real difference to the lives of local youth.
“Incidence of mental illness amongst young people is increasing more rapidly than within any other age group yet it is often overlooked.
“Projects like ours are essential in supporting our young people and making a lasting impact on how society perceives and tackles mental illness, now, and in the future.”
Ely College principal Richard Spencer said he hoped the event would bring Ely residents of all ages together to share their experiences and solutions.
“Talking openly about mental health is critical to identifying issues and targeting support.”
The mental health of children and young adults has increasingly gained media coverage, with organisations such as Young Minds campaigning for the government to place more emphasis on preventative measures and to give young people a voice when it comes to their own mental health.
Talking FreEly has run similar events in the past but for the first time, sixth-form students at the college will play an active role.
The pop-up cafe will be run by Bishop Laney sixth-formers, who will invite younger students and other local schools to take part in the discussion as part of their PLEDGES and Futures Day.
Talking FreEly at Ely College takes place on Monday, January 22. From 4pm the free event will open to the general public with a Talking FreELY pop-up cafe and a discussion hosted by Natasha Devon MBE.
There will be information on mental health for all ages, as well as other support and advice.
For more information see https://www.facebook.com/events/910407249112077/

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That’s because the Ely mum of two is doing RED (Run Every Day) January to raise funds and awareness for mental health charity MIND.

Having just passed the halfway mark of her epic challenge, Emma says she’s running “for the many people I know who have had battles with depression and mental illness, including me. There are one in four of us, so chances are one of your family or several of your friends make up that number.”
Emma says the nature of the challenge appealed to her – the fact that it’s supporting “such a great charity” a bonus.
She hopes events like RED January will make people  more aware about mental health issues and feel able to talk about the topic openly.
“There is still a stigma attached to it, which only exacerbates the problem for the sufferers.”
The main challenge has been getting out – whatever the weather – but having friends join her on jogs, including running instructor, Arran Selhi, has helped to keep her motivated.
“Arran’s had a big part to play in getting me running and lots of encouraging words this month.”
It was through Arran’s Ely-based group, Get Your A:Run, that Emma first heard about RED January.
Although Emma’s never done a running streak before, she decided it was the perfect way to “start the year with a challenge” and build up her stamina.
She doesn’t have a target mileage for Red January but tries to mix up longer runs with shorter sessions and vary her routes, admitting that fitting it all in can be quite a task. She’s averaging about 5km a day.
On day seven, her daughter Sophie, age six, tagged along.
“She hopped, jumped, skipped and ran the route, chatting the whole way.”
Yesterday (Day 16), to celebrate the halfway mark, Emma completed a 10.5km run, her furthest so far this month.
Despite joining other A:Run members once a week and jogging independently, Emma doesn’t consider herself a seasoned sprinter.
Joining the running group has helped her build her confidence, improve her technique and recover from injury.
“Running helps mentally and physically, it blows the cobwebs away and you set the pace, distance and route. It’s free – aside from some decent running trainers.”
Her advice to others contemplating future Red January challenges?
“Just do it. It doesn’t matter how far you run. Some people are walking some days or doing another form of exercise.
“It’s about getting out there and showing January that it can’t beat you with its grey skies and post Christmas slump.”
You can sponsor Emma here.

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However, even with the offer, Ely will be paying twice as much as Cambridge travellers to visit London – because it’s classified as being in the furthest zone, even though it’s only a stop or two away from Cambridge.

Under Greater Anglia’s Wake Up Your Weekday deals, off-peak returns around its network start from £10 for travellers in Zone 1 in a bid to entice regional tourists to use trains during the bleak winter months.
Greater Anglia has divided its stops into three zones, with tickets on sale for £10, £15 or £20, depending on which zone they’re in.
This means that because Cambridge is classed as Zone 1, a week day, off-peak day return to London Liverpool Street would cost £10 using the deal.
Ely has been placed in Zone 3, pushing the offer up to £20 – twice as much as Cambridge but still cheaper than the regular off-peak price of £31.20.

Commercial director Andy Camp said: “January is often a difficult time of year with dark mornings and cold weather and the excitement of Christmas is over. Now people can book some trips to give themselves something to look forward to in the coming months.
“The offer’s available for Londoners wanting to visit East Anglia or people in East Anglia wanting a trip to the capital.”
The Wake Up Your Weekdays offer is only available either online using the Greater Anglia website or the Greater Anglia app.
The tickets are for day return off-peak travel on weekdays only and only for Greater Anglia trains, so most trains from Ely to London Liverpool Street are covered in the deal but not to King’s Cross.
Up to two children can also travel with any adult for just £2 each.
For more information and to book travel click here.

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During Mrs May’s cabinet reshuffle last week, Ms Frazer was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice.

Before becoming an MP in 2015 Ms Frazer practised as a barrister and was appointed as Queen’s Counsel in 2013. 
Since being voted into Parliament, she’s served on the Education Select Committee and has been Parliamentary Private Secretary to both the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice and, prior to that, the Paymaster General and Minister to the Cabinet Office.  

Ms Frazer said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as a Minister to the Justice Team.
“Working in a department that supports people when they are often most in need – helping victims, those needing access to the courts and ensuring offenders receive appropriate punishment but are also rehabilitated – is a privilege, and I am pleased to have an opportunity to play a role in these areas.
“As we leave the EU it is also vitally important that the future of the UK’s thriving legal services industry is secured. Some outstanding Ministers have left the department but I am looking forward to working with a dynamic new Justice team to continue to improve our justice system.”

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The city will join the ranks of San Francisco, London, Sydney, Tel Aviv, São Paulo, Hong Kong, New York, Brighton and Johannesburg (to name a few) in what organisers hope will be an annual event.

The colourful festival will kick off at midday on August 11 – and everybody’s welcome, regardless of their sexuality, age or background, Fritha Love says.
One of the organisers of the festival, Fritha says she’s been overwhelmed by the support residents, businesses and the council in Ely and surrounding areas have so far given to the event, and hopes it will become an annual celebration.
“We are really excited to be organising this – the first ever Pride in Ely – and hope everyone takes the opportunity to come on the day.”

The event is hosted by Pride in Ely, an organisation sponsored by Spotted in Ely, supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and “related identities” locally.
The group was formed to highlight “inclusivity and acceptance” of LGBT plus members, Fritha says.
“Pride in Ely is just that – proud to be part of this amazing community and to contribute back to the city of Ely by creating a happy, fun, family orientated, free day-festival.
“This is a time for everyone to enjoy and celebrate together, find out more or just have fun and soak up the atmosphere.”

The family friendly event, officially launched next month, will include entertainment, kids’ activities, refreshments and educational stalls.
As well as the main festival, there will be an evening Pride After Party for adults afterwards.
At a time when reported hate crime is nationally on the rise, organisers hope the first Ely Pride festival will help raise the profile of LGBT+ people and demonstrate the group’s support locally.
Festival organisers are looking for more sponsors, stallholders and entertainers.
To find out more email hello@prideinely.co.uk

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The Secretary of State for Transport visited Ely Station on Thursday (January 11) to talk about ways of “improving” track and train reliability in the area.

He told Spotted in Ely that his “core challenge” was to “get this right” first because Ely Station was not just an important link across the region but also between ports and the Midlands.
“Until we’ve sorted out the track problems in Ely itself, we won’t be able to make any improvements at Ely North.”
During the Autumn 2017 budget the government announced funding for the Cambridgeshire Rail Corridor Study.
Expansion of the Ely North Junction was central to future rail growth across Cambridgeshire, Mr Grayling said.
His visit to Ely Station was arranged by South East Cambridgeshire MP Lucy Frazer. He talked with a number of stakeholders including Councillor Charles Roberts, deputy mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council.
“It’s so much easier to work on a project if you’ve been and seen for yourself so I wanted to come and understand the nature of the challenge, I wanted to see what needed to be done. I’m very committed to driving forward improvements.”
During his visit, Spotted in Ely quizzed Mr Grayling about whether he would look at the cost of rail fares, which increased by an average 3.4% on January 2.
The average season ticket for an Ely commuter travelling into London has risen by about £178.
Mr Grayling said he wanted to keep fares “as low as possible” and that the recent rise was less than the rate of inflation, which peaked at 3.1% in November.
“What I can’t promise people is no fare increases.”

The Transport Secretary said he wanted to improve both rail and road infrastructure in Cambridgeshire and supported mayor James Palmer’s bid to dual the A10.
“We want to help make it happen. We’re going to sit down in the coming weeks and look at how we can best help him achieve that ambition.”
No timeframe had yet been agreed on, he said.
Ms Frazer said that cycling provisions would be included in improvements to the A10.
The SE Cambs MP also took Mr Grayling to Queen Adelaide to discuss concerns over proposed closures to level crossings.

She said the Ely Area Improvements Programme would bring benefits to the region but she had supported Queen Adelaide residents’ concerns about the potential impact of closures.
“I am grateful to Chris Grayling for taking the time to come with me to Queen Adelaide, to see for himself the situation and to have a clearer idea of the impact certain proposals could have on residents in this area.”

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If so, Ely Station may have the answer, thanks to a new scheme launched by Greater Anglia today.

The rail carrier is opening up empty spaces in stations to local communities, with Ely, Cambridge and Cambridge North stations among 20 to offer short term, temporary exhibition or event spaces free of charge for non-profit making organisations.
Nearby Shippea Hill and Lakenheath stations are among a number of smaller stations with properties available to lease to companies on a not for profit basis. Most of these rooms, offering “small community space”, would need some remedial repairs.
Greater Anglia’s corporate affairs chief Jonathan Denby said: “We’re passionate about the positive role the railway plays in the region and we’re looking forward to strengthening that role by increasing the part our stations can play in supporting local communities.
“Our new community stations scheme will offer up existing space for community use at some stations. This is already happening at some of our stations and we are looking to extend that approach across the network.”
For more information and to apply click here.

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Alison will be talking about her latest page turner during the launch of I Did It For Us on January 23, hosted by Toppings Bookshop.

Set largely in East Cambridgeshire, the thriller follows Emily, who moves into a converted house in Wicken to rebuild her life after a disastrous court case. Things take a turn for the worse after she befriends her neighbour…
“From the first time I saw them together I knew it felt wrong. I didn’t like the way he touched her or the self-conscious way he played with Molly and Luke. Joanne saw none of it of course. So I did it to prove to her that she was wrong. I did it for us.”

Alison, who teaches creative writing at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, told Spotted in Ely that the idea for her latest novel came into her head “in the space of 30 seconds” during a literary event in London.
“My agent was leaving at that point and I walked to the Tube station with her and sat in Trafalgar Square for a couple of hours, thinking through the characters and plot.
“She phoned me the next day and asked if I was okay as I had seemed very quiet. I explained about the book idea and she told me to write it down. She sent it to my publisher and they immediately offered me a deal.”
At the time, Alison was penning a different book and had to wait to finish it before embarking on I Did It for Us. Her latest novel took about a year to complete.
The author of eight crime novels and two non-fiction titles, Alison’s literary career was ignited at the tender age of 14 when her poem was published in the Pony Club Annual.
Her advice to aspiring authors is “don’t give up”, as well as reading books in their chosen genre to understand the skills required and then “ruthlessly” editing their manuscripts to polish them up.
Born in Croydon, the crime fiction fan moved to Cambridgeshire in 1998, working as an electroplater, taxi driver, band promoter and IT specialist before leaving to concentrate on her first novel, Cambridge Blue, published in 2008.
A champion of local libraries, Alison is the patron of Lakenheath Library in Suffolk.
I Did It for Us is published by Constable as a hardback and is currently on sale at Toppings and Burrows bookshops in Ely, as well as in e-book and audiobook formats, available via Amazon.
You can also get a signed copy and hear Alison speak at 7.30pm on Tuesday, January 23, at St Peter’s Church, Broad Street, Ely.
For more information click here.

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A ram raid in Fordham in the early hours of this morning is the latest in a string of ATM related thefts across the area.

Police are appealing for information after crooks smashed the brick work and window of a convenience store in Carter Street in an attempted raid on a cash machine.

At about 1.30am a silver BMW X3, later dumped at the scene, was used to ram into the building, while a rope was used in a failed bid to drag the ATM cash machine out.

The men fled after the rope snapped.

It’s thought they then took off in two other vehicles.

The brazen crime is the latest in a spate of ATM thefts across the area.

The offenders are believed to have left the scene in two other vehicles, leaving the silver BMW X3 behind.

On December 15, BP Littleport was targeted by thieves, who used a tele handler to bash into the building before trying to steal an ATM.

In November a cash machine at the Co-op in North Street, Burwell, was targeted twice in the same week.

Anyone with information regarding the Fordham raid should call police on 101 quoting CF0015500118 or report it online . Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or online.

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In about six weeks, Spotted in Ely Rocks has attracted 1085 members, with numbers soaring each day.

Visitors and residents alike are choosing Ely and surrounding areas as rock hunting destinations, while local art shop Tindalls has devoted its window display to promoting the colourful craze.
The creative pursuit has also got locals chatting to one another, encouraged young and old to get outdoors and allowed residents to show off their artistic talents.

Spotted in Ely Rocks moderator Fleur Patten says Ely’s community spirit has helped fuel this latest rock craze.
“I think that it has become a massive phenomenon in Ely because Ely folk are not ferocious Fen Tigers, they are kind and giving, and Ely hosts an ideal city centre for rock dropping. Local shops have been very supportive. In a world of control, rules and avarice, Ely is showing it is motivated by kindness, creativity and generosity.”
It’s estimated that at least 100 rocks of art are being dropped around East Cambridgeshire each week, with finders urged to post photographs of their discoveries on our dedicated Facebook group, Spotted in Ely Rocks.
Finders can then decide whether to keep their treasures or rehide them so that others can join in the fun.
Sam Knightly and her daughter Sofia, five, have already hidden around 65 of their creations around Ely under the name “Sofia and Mummy”.

Sam said: “Sofia gets so excited leaving them.
We started off leaving them around her school. She checked every day to see if they had been found. Either we each design our own or I draw and she colours.”
Sam has described the time she spends with her daughter as “lovely quality time without resorting to TV.”
Ruth Hemingway, also a member of Spotted in Ely Rocks, said: “The exercise and fresh air, combined with the time with an adult helping to paint the rocks, is a perfect way to spend time together, inside and out!”

Spotted in Ely Rocks was recently featured on Sue Marchant’s show on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
Fleur helped bring the craze to Ely after being inspired by a rock artist in St Ives, Cornwall.
Two of her pioneering creations were matryoshka Russian doll rock twins, one of whom went on an adventure after boarding a train at Ely Station, heading for London!
Fleur said that the attraction of rock art was that it was cheap and anyone could do it, regardless of age or skill.
“Most things these days are about some kind of payment and accumulation.
“What I like about rock painting is that there’s no money involved and no ownership. Whoever paints the rocks likes to see where they go and that makes it easier to part with the rock. But the painter has no control. If the finder wants to keep it, well it is kept. There are no rock police!”

Rock hunters will find designs to please everyone, ranging from beloved children’s storybook, television and film characters, such as Paddington Bear, Harry Potter and Lady Glitter Sparkles from Trolls, to mermaids, rainbows, animals – and everything in between.
Some rocks contain social messages, such as those promoting mental health charity Talking FreEly.

Stones frequently reposted on the Spotted in Ely Rocks group include a colourful array of rock art made by youngsters from The Weatheralls School in Soham before Christmas, which has been rehidden around the East Anglia region.
Plans in the pipeline include a rock painting session at a care home, bringing together residents and nursery kids.

Fleur said: “Rock painting’s not just for little people. It gets all ages out of the house and even talking. The group is very supportive of one another and a rock can bring joy to even the stoniest of hearts.”

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The two busy bridges are used by over 170 trains each day travelling between Ely and Manea.

The speed restriction was lifted last week on the rail line at Manea following completion of a £1.5 million package of structural repairs to the bridges over the Christmas period.

Thirty Network Rail engineers worked the equivalent of 2400 hours to replace 13 pairs of rotting timbers and make steel work repairs to the bridges, which also included replacing sections of track.
Before the work took place a speed restriction was implemented to protect the bridges from further deterioration.
This was removed upon completion of the work, allowing trains to travel at their normal speed.

It’s led to fewer delays and a more reliable service for passengers travelling between Cambridge and Peterborough, Network Rail says.
Its Anglia route director Meliha Duymaz said: “This work was an essential part of our Railway Upgrade Plan to enable the smooth and reliable operation of services in this area.”
Network Rail has thanked passengers for their patience during the work.

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A prestigious children’s art exhibition in Ely has attracted a record number of entries this year, with organisers staggered by the quality of artwork.

Over 200 pieces were submitted to the East Cambs Schools Art competition, which held a private viewing tonight (January 5) for youngsters whose artwork had been selected to be displayed at The Babylon Gallery.

Gallery director Caroline Cawley was impressed not just by the number of entries submitted by schools – but also by the pieces themselves.
She told Spotted in Ely: “The quality of the artwork is amazing.”
She added: “I’ve never seen so many people in the gallery at once. It’s one of our favourite shows of the year.”
Nine schools from across East Cambridgeshire took part this year, with participants aged between four and 18.

Winners announced
The Foundation (early years, ages four to five) category was won by Lillie-Anne from Littleport Community Primary School, with schoolmate Skylar named runner-up. Peter from Sutton Church of England Primary School got third prize.

Eden from Sutton Church of England Primary School scooped first prize in the Key Stage 1 (ages five to seven) category, with Charlie F (Sutton) coming second and Charlie S (The Lantern Community Primary School) getting third prize.

Poppy S (Sutton) won the Key Stage 2 (ages seven to 11) category, with KS1 runner-up Charlie S’s big brother Aidan (Lantern) coming second and Alex F (Fordham Church of England Primary School) getting third prize.

The Key Stage 3 (ages 11 to 14) section was won by Alex B (Ely College), with Ruth T (Soham Village College) coming second and Eliza J (Ely College) winning third prize.

Soham Village College dominated the Key Stage 4 category (ages 14-16), with Gabija Zvaigzdyte declared the winner and Hannah Richard and Hannah Hansen getting second and third prizes respectively.

The final category was Key Stage 5 (16 to 18 year olds), in which Kings Ely made a clean sweep, with Kate Feng getting first prize, Maisie Barlow scooping second, and Lexy Chen coming in third place.
Eden in paradise after scooping first prize
The Key Stage 1 category alone attracted over 100 entries from youngsters aged between five and seven.
Eden Kottman, six, told Spotted in Ely she was “surprised” to win the category with her charcoal depiction of the London skyline, featuring St Paul’s Cathedral.

Although the Sutton Church of England Primary School pupil has visited the capital, she’s not been to that part of London and used a photograph as her guide.
She said she loved art and was delighted to receive an art set from her grandparents for Christmas.
The Lantern Community Primary School had submitted entries to the competition after holding a special art day for the entire school last term. Brothers Charlie and Aiden Sigrist both won prizes for their age group, with older sister Eve, from Soham Village College, also having her artwork displayed.

Everyone a winner
The event, which is celebrating its ninth year, is co-hosted by The Babylon Gallery and the Ely-Hereward Rotary Club. Ely-Hereward Rotary president Jeff Hide said the quality of the exhibits had improved with each year, and thanked local businesses for supporting the event, especially Tindalls, which had donated prizes.
“We are so pleased to offer our young talented artists studying in the district the opportunity to see their work displayed in this professional gallery setting.”

Artist Ted Coney, who helped to organise the competition, said everyone who had taken part in the competition was a winner.
“Every child gets a certificate at the end. The prizes are vouchers for art materials because we want to encourage children to do more art.”

The exhibition is open to the public until Sunday January 14 at Babylon Gallery on Ely’s Riverside.
Entry is free and the gallery is open every day but Monday from 12 noon till 4pm.
If you would like your school to take part next year contact caroline.cawley@babylonarts.org.uk 

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Friends, family and supporters of the Liam Fairhurst Foundation gathered at The Speaker House earlier this month to pay tribute to an incredible teen who lived by the motto: “Life Is measured in achievement, not In years alone”.

Liam lost his battle with cancer aged just 14 – but his courage, selflessness and optimism lives on through the Liam Fairhurst Foundation, which helps young people affected by cancer, disabilities and illness.

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Parking facilities in the village will be doubled as a result, with residents able to use the new spaces from 8.30am.

East Cambridgeshire District Councillor Bill Hunt, assisted by Littleport Councillors David and Christine Ambrose-Smith, Jo Webber and Paul Cox, will officially open the car park and present the first customer with a bottle of Champagne to celebrate.
Cllr Hunt said: “This is a fantastic addition for Littleport Train station and we are thrilled to have been able to fulfill this promise to residents before the end of 2017.”
He said it was a key priority to encourage commuters off the A10 and provide viable alternatives. He also hopes it will entice more people to live in Littleport.
“It is also important that we provide the facilities for those wanting to travel via the new Cambridge North station and the pending Cambridge South station.”
Prices for the new car park will remain fixed until at least May 2019.
Councillor David Ambrose-Smith said: “This is great news for Littleport and the whole of East Cambridgeshire. We are thrilled to have been able to deliver this for residents before Christmas and look forward to seeing locals and visitors make the most of it”.
The car parking area will also soon benefit from new bike racks and additional planting, both of which are expected to be complete in the New Year.
 

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A revised timetable will be running across the Greater Anglia network on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Passengers should check before they travel to find out about last train times on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and details of rail replacement services.
Passengers can check their journeys online, via the Greater Anglia app or by following @GreaterAnglia on Twitter.
Customer service director Andrew Goodrum said, “Apart from Christmas Day and Boxing Day, trains will be running throughout the festive period.
“I would just like to take this opportunity to wish all our customers a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.”Network Rail is carrying out engineering works from December 23 to January 1 between Shenfield and London Liverpool Street.

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Those in charge of investigating the case believe Deborah Steel was murdered – and that someone in Ely holds the answers.

The former Royal Standard landlady was last seen at around 1am on December 28, 1997.
Despite a thorough police investigation at the time, Deborah could not be found.

Case re-opened
In 2014 the case was re-opened and Deborah’s half-sister Virginia Secker appealed for information.
As part of the investigation officers excavated areas inside and outside the Royal Standard and her home in Longfields.
Three men were arrested but released with no further action taken and detectives were still no closer to finding Deborah.
[kad_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/rq85kzuX6as” ]
Answers “lie in Ely”
DCI Adam Gallop, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “I believe Deborah was murdered and I am convinced the answers to what happened to her lie in Ely.
“Somebody here knows what happened to her and can provide key information.
“I would like to speak to people who came forward before but maybe did not tell us everything they knew or people who have information about the case but didn’t want to talk to police at the time.”
All information would be treated in confidence, and could be left anonymously.
“Deborah has not been seen for 20 years and her parents died without knowing what happened to her. The rest of her family deserve to know what took place.”
Family devastated
Virginia, from Nottingham, said: “Debbie has been missing for 20 years and I still have no idea what happened to her.
“I knew the first few weeks after her disappearance that she was no longer of this world because I hadn’t heard from her.
“It’s very sad that our father went to his grave without laying Debbie to rest.
“Someone knows about her fate.
“Please, if you know anything, no matter how insignificant you think it is, please tell the police.”
Anyone with information regarding Deborah’s disappearance should call police on 101 or report it online.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

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The Ely “elves” spent their last day of term today visiting Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, delivering gifts to children on cancer wards.

The team had all recently participated in a 12 Hours of Sport fundraiser, which allows Key Stage 3 students at Ely College the chance to raise money on behalf of the Malcolm Whales Foundation (MWF).
After sweating it out for 12 hours in the gym and fitness suite, the pupils raised over £2000.

PE teacher and MWF trustee Stuart Patman was not only impressed by students’ dedication on the day but also by their leadership qualities.
“While we like to keep it interesting for them by facilitating games and different sports, this year students really stepped up and worked exceptionally well together.”
Twelve students who’d particularly shone were invited to take £500 of the money raised to Addenbrookes – and become elves for the day.

They visited the C2 children’s oncology and haematology ward in Addenbrooke’s to deliver sacks full of presents, board games and puzzles that would benefit the ward for months to come and help put a smile on poorly children’s faces this Christmas.
Year 9 student, Josh Lawrence, said: “A lot of kids are going through painful treatment now so they can spend recovery time at home for Christmas.
“It was nice to play a game of Connect 4 with them and put a smile on their face. They were so grateful for the gifts, as were the nurses at Addenbrooke’s.”

Ely College will continue its work with the MWF, with a Dorset Walk planned for July.
Other local schools keen to join Ely College in for 12 Hours of Sport 2018 are welcome to contact Mr Patman via the college.

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Ely resident and rock art enthusiast Fleur Patten last week hid painted stones around the Weatheralls School for children to find on their way home – to say thank you for their rock art donations.

Recently Fleur helped year 1 children at the Pratt Street primary decorate stones before leaving them around East Cambridgeshire for people to discover, photograph and rehide.

People have been posting numerous photographs of the children’s creations on Spotted in Ely Rocks, Spotted in Ely’s Facebook group, dedicated to rock art in Ely.

The Weatheralls rocks have been brightening many people’s days, so to say thank you for their contributions, Fleur decided to carry out a mass rock drop at the school.
“I thought that some children may have been anxious about being separated from their masterpieces. In fact, nothing was further from the truth.
“The children of the Weatheralls Primary have been selfless in their creativity by handing their work to the community and joining in the fun.
“In some families, three generations have engaged.”

The has project helped children with learning to share and appreciate their community as well as developing their art skills, Fleur said.
“The feedback from all age groups on the group has been overwhelming. It continues to provide joy for painters and finders. I’ve loved every minute.
“I want to say a big ‘thank you’ to Jennie Lucy and her Year 1 team for having the energy and interest at the end of a long and busy term and thank you to the young artists who impressed me with their behaviour and their thoughtful creativity.”

Rock art fever is spreading like wildfire.
Set up about a month ago, Spotted in Ely Rocks already has almost 600 members.

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Hoping that Jack Frost may grace us with his presence when the big man comes down the chimney? Looking forward to snowball fights with your mince pies? 

If the answer is yes, you’re likely to be disappointed.
Despite the recent spell of snow, chances of a white Christmas appear slim, according to the Met Office.

After the cold snap we’ve been experiencing, this week is expected to be relatively mild, with dry weather expected across the country in the run up to Christmas.
High pressure will dominate the weather in the south, leading to a chilly start to the week and the potential for some widespread fog to form on Monday night.
A good deal of dry weather is expected across the country through this coming week and in the run up to Christmas, although some rain is likely at times, mostly in the north.
Chief Meteorologist Steve Ramsdale said, “After a taste of winter with frost and some snow in the last couple of weeks, high pressure looks to dominate the weather this week with a lot of dry weather in the forecast and only a couple of short periods of rain.”
Mr Ramsdale warns of chilly nights, with travellers maybe needing to watch out for fog at the start of the week.
“As for Christmas itself, well it’s still a week away but the early signs are that most of us will have a green Christmas rather than a white one and there’ll be some rain around. That said there may be some wintry showers in the north.”
It’s still too early to predict whether a named storm will affect the UK after Christmas, although the Met Office is expecting “more changeable” weather, with spells of wind and rain.

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The college held its first Charity Day yesterday, with the five houses competing to raise the most cash for their chosen charities.

This action packed event, raising almost £2000, was one of the Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust’s (CMAT’s) PLEDGES and Futures Days, where students are given the opportunity to develop extra skills and take part in extra-curricular experiences.

Head girl Jaden Coe described the day as “awesome”, saying the games and activities had put everyone in a “very Christmassy” mood.
Before the big day, students got to vote for their house charities and then came up with a range of fundraising ideas.
The five charities benefitting are Arthur Rank Hospice (Scott House), Little Miracles (Etheldreda House), C9 Cancer Ward at Addenbrooke’s Hospital (Franklin House), Make a Wish Foundation (Turing House) and the Restricted Growth Association (Bishop Laney Sixth-Form College).

Jaden said: “I enjoyed working with everyone in my form group to come up with an idea to raise the most money… While it is nice to add some friendly inter-house competitions to the mix, we are really pleased the money will go to help children and their families who deserve it. We want to thank our form tutors for helping us raise so much.”

Throughout the day the school was divided into event areas including a food court, media zone, disco and haunted house.
Staff did not get off lightly either – a “soak the teacher” event proved very popular!

From karaoke to Elfie Selfie stations, console room to sweet casinos, there was something for everyone!
The event was supported by the local community, with Gourmet Brownie and the Ely Fire Service joining in the fun.
College principal Richard Spencer thanked everyone who supported the event.
He said: “PLEDGES and Futures Days are so important because they play a vital part in helping our students to develop empathy as well as more tangible skills such as the teamwork and responsibility that comes with event planning.”
More fundraising events will take place later this year.

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Travellers can now press a button, connecting them to a real person who can help them buy tickets and find the best fares.

Greater Anglia is the first train operator in England to roll out the ViTA “virtual ticket agents” across all its existing ticket machines, so that passengers can connect to a real person – via an audio link.
Speakers and microphones have been installed in 196 ticket machines across the network, along with software and application updates.

The machines are connected to a central in-house call centre, staffed by 13 Greater Anglia ticket sellers in Essex, which operates around the clock.
All passengers have to do is press the “Ticket Assistance” button on the machine to be put through to a call centre agent.

Spokesman Andrew Goodrum said being to connect straight away to a “friendly voice” would help customers who may have felt intimidated using electronic machines.
“We hope it will result in ticket machines being used more, helping to reduce queuing time at ticket offices and offering customers a better level of customer service, enabling them to buy with ease and confidence.”
[kad_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/37upigpZgT8″ ]
 
 

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The two students, representing Soham Village College and Ely College, were among 14 Year 11 students to battle it out last week in the finals of MP Lucy Frazer’s Parliamentary Inter Schools Debating Competition 2017, held at the Palace of Westminster.

Arguments on both sides were well considered, well articulated and persuasive, Ms Frazer said.
“When I first came up with the idea to hold an inter school debating competition, I could not have known that I would have so much support and positive feedback from all the teachers who make the competition possible, giving so much of their time to helping organise the students.
“Four years on, the level of commitment and calibre of debating is clear to see and I am glad I was not the one judging as it was so hard to choose a winner.
“I hope everyone involved, including all the students who didn’t make the final, have gained a taste for how exciting it is to have the confidence to speak in public and that they will take this forward with them as they continue into higher education and the workplace.”
Katie, of Soham Village College, said she was thrilled to win and have the chance to visit Parliament.
Ellen, of Ely College, said the experience of debating at Westminster had been incredibly inspiring.
“There was some hot competition and great debaters with a lot of experience.  I’m just so grateful for being offered this opportunity. I enjoyed the feeling of a debating environment and seeing how The House of Commons works; gaining an insight into the diversity of voices.
“I had never done anything like this competition before, this is a new skill which I am keen to build upon.  We have discussed the potential for a Debating club which I’m sure would be well supported in school.”

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Government inspectors have praised the ‘journey of systematic improvement’ at the Diocese of Ely Multi-Academy Trust (DEMAT), saying the quality of education in many of its schools had risen.

Established in 2013, DEMAT is one of the biggest multi-academy trusts in the country, headed by the Bishop of Ely and responsible for 27 faith primary schools across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Peterborough and Suffolk.

In a review, OfSTED inspectors praised DEMAT chief Andrew Read for his ‘candid reflection, decisive leadership and clarity of purpose’ which they said had done much to improve effectiveness of provision.
“He models very well the behaviours he expects of others. He quickly gained a precise understanding of the strengths and weaknesses in DEMAT and has established the correct priorities for improvement,” they added.

Mr Read said: “The encouraging findings of the inspection reflect the hard work of the staff and pupils within the trust’s schools. The many positive statements about the leadership team are well-deserved, but we also recognise the helpful areas for further improvement identified by OfSTED, many of which mirror the national challenges we face within the education system for which we all share responsibility.”

 
DEMAT board chairman Peter Maxwell added: “I am delighted with the positive findings by the Inspectors – it is a real credit to our leadership team, and to all those who work so hard in all our schools.”

According to OfSTED, the trust understood each of the schools it worked with due to good communications, regular visits and systematic checks on school performance.
“Over the past 18 months there has been a significant improvement in the quality and effectiveness of leadership, and operational systems across the trust,” it added.
Any under performance in leadership and in teaching was challenged effectively – and in 10 of the 13 schools inspected since they joined DEMAT, leadership and management were judged to be good, OfSTED said.

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The whole village has rallied together to show their incredible community spirit – raising almost £800 in just 48 hours, more than five times the money thought to have been inside the four charity boxes.

Shelley Davies, who runs the post office, has been blown away by the support and outpouring of love and support she’s received since the cruel theft happened on Tuesday.
“After one of the worst things that has happened in my shop for 12 years, one of the most amazing things happened.”

Unknown to Shelley, locals Jemma Tyler and Phil Speed had set up two separate Just Giving sites to replace the stolen cash.
Within 48 hours £748 had been raised – and people keep coming into the shop to hand in donations.
Shelley said: “Money came in from all walks of life, teenagers I have know for years were horrified and handed over £5 of their own money, local businesses were amazing. Martin of Digital Creations, Graham Mayle, Eel Catchers Daughter Barbs Cakes to name a few.
“Our social club, new customers, customers who have been in for years, the local traveller community and people I didn’t even recognise!
“You are all such amazing people. Customers? No, FRIENDS and it just goes to show that when we all stand together, good reigns over bad!”
The village’s online notice board has been flooded with messages of support for Shelley.
Sharon Mann said that it was about more than replacing the money stolen from worthwhile causes.
“We felt that the person affected most was you… You are the victim here, your trust in us and our friendships.
“This is why everyone has come together. To put the trust and faith into someone we all love so dearly.
“I am so proud of our village.”
The causes affected were Witchford Rackham Pre-School and charities supporting breast cancer victims, guide dogs and blind people.
You can donate here or here.

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Called ‘Ely Through the Lens’, it features stunning photography, with profits from the sale of prints going to East Anglia Children Hospices (EACH).

The other twist is that all those taking part were complete novices just 10 weeks ago!

Local photographer Emily Paxton, who teaches Photography to adults at Ely College, said the display was proof of “the many hours of hard work, in all weathers, dedicated to capturing Ely as an interesting, unique and alternative city.”
All those exhibiting started their course as absolute beginners in September.

In the space of just 10 weeks, the students have moved from using automatic modes on their cameras to mastering manual photography.
“This has given the students a greater sense of creativity, confidence and control when using their cameras.
“The group have specifically learned how to control depth of field, capture movement and master the art of night photography.”

The course culminated in a major challenge: to create an online portfolio on Flickr and create an exhibition.
‘Ely Through the Lens’ will run until Christmas Eve at the former magic shop on 21 Market Street, Ely, mostly during weekends.
Prints are for sale at £20 to £25 and all profits will go to EACH.

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The South East Cambridgeshire MP, who’s promised to make agriculture a top priority, yesterday urged Prime Minister Theresa May to “confirm her government’s commitment to supporting UK farmers” once the UK leaves the European Union.

The Prime Minister responded by highlighting the “continued expansion of markets for British food around the world and the opportunity presented by Brexit to design a new approach to agricultural policy – a policy that supports UK farmers to grow and sell more of their world class products.”

According to the government’s industrial policy, the world will need 60 per cent more food by 2050. Ms Frazer says the government has undertaken to put the UK “at the forefront of the global move to high-efficiency agriculture and to grow markets for innovative farming technologies and techniques.”
Ms Frazer’s question in the Chamber follows numerous meetings with local farmers and other people and organisations involved in agriculture.
In late October she met with the National Farmers Union to discuss trespass by travellers, amongst other issues, and has since been in contact with Cambridgeshire County Council to discuss how to assist local farmers with clear-up costs from debris left by travellers.

Ms Frazer has also raised the issue repeatedly with the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Southern Area Commander of Cambridgeshire Police to see what more can be done to enforce existing laws against unlawful trespassers.
She has also been in touch with police to do more to tackle other illegal behaviour that affects local farmers, such as hare coursing and plant theft.
The MP said: “it is clear from the Government’s Industrial Strategy that farming is vital to the future of the UK’s economy and has an essential role to play in the future prosperity of the UK.
“I was pleased that the Prime Minister [yesterday] confirmed her support for UK farmers and I will continue to push for agriculture to be at the top of the Government’s agenda.
“Farming is also at the heart of South East Cambridgeshire’s many rural communities and it is a key priority for me to ensure that farmers are supported in tackling the issues that make farming difficult – whether that be trespass or hare coursing.
“To this end, I will continue to meet with local stakeholders to find effective solutions to these problems.”

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In his funeral instructions, Frank asked that instead of well-wishers bringing flowers, they would leave a donation to Rainbow Pre-School.

Each car bears the number plate “FRANK” – and inside the pre-school there is a framed photograph of Frank, a lasting tribute to a man dear to staff, parents and pre-schoolers alike.

On a sunny day, the keen nature lover would always be found sitting in his porch at Fairfax Court opposite the pre-school, known for his big smile and friendly words.

Rainbow Pre-School manager Debbie Reed told Spotted in Ely: “Children, staff and parents built up a lovely relationship with Frank over many years.
“He joined in Christmas activities with the children at Lavender House and the setting every year.
“He will be missed dearly”.

Mum Beth May said daughters Hollie, six, and Emily, four, had adored Frank.
“They always loved saying hello to him because he was always sat outside his house.
“He was always happy to see the children and they were happy to see him too.”
Over the years, the pre-school had formed a special relationship with Frank, with staff visiting him before he died on October 18, aged 85.
His funeral was held at the Countess Free Church in Ely on November 6.

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Raft racing, survival camps and participating in Ely’s Remembrance Day Parade are just a few of the activities the thriving 3rd Ely Scouts pack have taken part in this year, with a trip to France planned next summer.

Scouting’s more popular than ever – but the group’s in urgent need of more volunteers.
Scout leader Brian Calvert is appealing for civic minded individuals to get in touch so that the pack can continue to run its huge array of activities, aimed at boys and girls aged from about 10-and-a-half to 14.
After seeing a similar call for help four years ago, Brian joined the 3rd Ely group – and has never looked back.
“I’d been a Scout many years ago, and thought it would be fun to get back into it now as an adult. I’d help out for a few hours once a week, but after a while, I really got into it and started doing more.”
The group’s very proactive in the local community and members aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. They’ve taken part in projects to tidy up a sensory garden, clean up open spaces and participated in litter picks.
“It brings a real feeling of pride to give back. Then we take part in events like Aquafest where they get to build rafts and race against each other on the river, or parading through the city at Eel Day and St George’s Day.”
The group decides together which activities they’d like to do. As well as traditional scouting pursuits like outdoor cooking, making fires, navigation and first aid skills, the adventurous pack takes on different challenges. Last week youngsters had a go leading dogs around a course during a dog agility session in Stuntney.
Rhys, 12, said: “Scouting is brilliant and allows you to do things you’ve never been able to do before.”
Meanwhile Aron, 11, said: “Scouts is full of great adventures. We get to spend time with friends we already know and make new friends.
“Some of the best things that I have done are the camps – including survival camps where we had to build our own shelters and cook our own food in the wild – as well as being introduced to new activities like tomahawk throwing and bushcraft.”
Every other year, the group travels to Europe for its summer camp. Next summer, they’ll be heading to Le Mans in France for 10 days.
Brian said: “There’s so many opportunities to take part in fun things – but it’s all on your terms, you only put in the time that you want to.
“I’ve also found that all of the volunteers in Scouting are really nice people, taking part in it for the same reasons, and in my first four years I feel like I’ve made some life-long friends already.”
The 3rd Ely Scouts meets every Wednesday evening during the school term.
Volunteers are given full training and support. You don’t need to have previous experience or an outdoor survival specialist to apply (although Bear Grylls types are certainly welcome too!).
For more information contact Chris Beale at dc@elydistrictscouts.org.uk

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This Wednesday (December 6) kicks off a trio of Ely Market Festive Lates, a family friendly shopping night promising sumptuous street food, live music and entertainment as well as a host of gift stalls.

Mulled wine, mince pieces, cocktails and artisan hot chocolate will also be on offer during the three Festive Lates, running from 4pm till 8.30pm on Ely Market Place on December 6, 13 and 20.

As the countdown to Christmas ramps up, the week before the big day will offer a celebration of markets to help shoppers grab some last minute presents and treat themselves to a variety of food.
This includes Christmas Mini-Markets on December 18 to 20, from 10am until 3pm.
If that’s not enough to get you into the festive spirit, there’s the annual Special Christmas Market on December 22, from 8.30am to 3.30pm, offering a selection of festive stalls including crafts, artisan food & drink, street food, vintage and Farmers Market producers with seasonal gifts and entertainment.
Plus there will also be a very special visitor all the way from the North Pole.
These special events are in addition to Ely Markets’ regular weekly Charter Market on Thursdays, Craft, Food and Vintage Market on Saturdays and Sunday Market, which will all be taking place as scheduled with a “festive sparkle”.   
Emma Grima, of East Cambs Trading Company, said: “We are so excited to hold these additional festive markets for residents and visitors to enjoy.
“We hope that they will add to the Christmas spirit in the city and provide a unique option when buying presents for loved ones. The Festive Lates will also allow people to meet with friends and family to enjoy the entertainment on offer.”   
For more information about Ely Markets click on their website or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

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Perhaps ironically, the former home of the man rumoured to have banned Christmas will be opening its doors to visitors this festive season to celebrate Christmas through the ages.

Perhaps you’d like to find out how Cromwellians celebated the festive season? Maybe tasting old recipes is more your thing? Or you’d like to brave ‘A Cruel and Creepy Christmas’ tour with the infamous Professor A Bismal, taking in the darker side of Yuletide?
Whatever floats your boat, the Lord Protector’s former residence will be opening its doors to visitors as part of its ‘Behind Closed Doors’ season throughout December, offering everything from guided tours and talks to festive food tastings.
Visitors to Cromwell’s House can already participate in a Christmas trail, titled ‘What would Oliver Cromwell say?’
The trail is a chance to learn more about Christmas traditions as well as hear what the Cromwell’s might have said about some of ways that homes are decorated today. The trail explains how families did indeed celebrate Christmas in Cromwellian times – even if it was behind closed doors.
‘Festive Food’ with Nora Gardner on December 6 gives visitors a further chance to discover how Christmas was celebrated in secret during the Commonwealth. Explore the ingredients and flavours that inspired 17th Century Christmas meals with a local guide and historian and watch and sample old recipes being cooked in Mrs Cromwell’s original kitchen.
Professor Martyn Bennett, author of internationally acclaimed works on the English civil wars and a popular biography of Oliver Cromwell will present “Cromwell, Christmas and Confusion” on December 14 at 7pm. Professor Bennett’s newest publication ‘Cromwell at War’ will also be available to purchase on the night.

On December 21 and 22 December, Professor A Bismal will be holding his “Cruel and Creepy Christmas” tours, taking visitors through the history of Christmas traditions from the times of King George the IV through the World War One trenches and finishing up with a Christmas tale from the Victorian era.
Tracey Harding, tourism and town centres manager said: “With guided winter walks also running throughout the festive period, we are thrilled to be able to offer such a wide variety of Christmas events this year and hope that there is something for everyone to enjoy”.
To find out more click here or find them on Facebook.

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That’s because Natasha’s a rock of art, crafted by Ely College teacher Fleur Patten – and for the past fortnight, she’s been on an adventure!

Her last sighting was in London’s Richmond Park, but intrepid Natasha appears to be headed for more fun and frolics.

Kate Proudman, who found the intrepid matryoshka doll on Sunday, has since taken Natasha “up the motorway to be hidden in another far away destination as we speak”, she told Love on the Rocks Cambridgeshire.
On 17 November Natasha was stashed away at Ely Station to be discovered by station staff.
After posing for a selfie, they re-hid her between platforms two and three. Later that day she was spotted boarding a train to King’s Cross!
Meanwhile Natasha’s twin sister Natalia is having her own adventures closer to home.
Hidden by Fleur on the same day that Natasha was dropped off at Ely Station, Natalia was first left at St Mary’s Surgery but has since travelled onto March – only to end up at Ely Waitrose this week!

Jane Emms, who found Natalia on Monday, posted: “Spotted in Waitrose this little beauty! She has brought a smile to my face and I think she’s a true work of art.”
Matryoshka mania appears to have hit Ely, with three more Russian doll rocks made by Fleur being discovered in Wellend Place, Allan Road and The Eel Catcher’s Daughter.

We’d love to hear where they end up next – so be sure to keep us posted on Spotted in Ely Rocks, our own Facebook group celebrating rock art!

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