Tali

Owner of land used for largest Cambs cannabis factory told to pay back over £400,000

The owner of land used to grow Cambridgeshire’s largest ever cannabis factory has been ordered to pay over £400,000 by a court. Neil Badcock, 48, was convicted of conspiracy to produce cannabis in October 2013 following a trial at Cambridge Crown Court and jailed for seven years. He was arrested following a police raid on …

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Only GPs to issue repeat prescriptions in new cost-cutting scheme

Patients used to ordering repeat prescriptions at their local pharmacy may be in for a surprise: a new scheme due to be rolled out across Cambridgeshire will require GPs rather than chemists to authorise repeat medications. The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group says this would cut down on the £7.5 million worth of medicines …

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Two businesses interested in running Ely Post Office

Two businesses have expressed an interest in running Ely Post Office, which is currently being operated by a temporary postmaster. Today a Post Office spokeswoman told Spotted in Ely that the organisation was waiting for the two interested parties to submit formal applications so that it can hopefully move forward with appointing a permanent postmaster. …

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Allow extra time for tractors – and only overtake when it's safe, say police

Think tractor when driving around East Cambridgeshire is the message from police – and only overtake when it is safe to do so. The A142 is particularly congested with agricultural traffic and high sided vehicles at this time of the year. Police are advising drivers to be extra patient and take special care along this …

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The purrrr-fect welcome for Mr Sainsbury's – from Mr Sainsbury's!

Garfield’s “less than prrrrrr-fect” behaviour may have got earned him the equivalent of a cat ASBO from Ely’s Virgin Holiday store – but the new manager of Sainsbury’s was clearly thrilled to be greeted by the famous feline on his first day of the job. A black cat crossing your path may be seen as …

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Cheers! Or should we say "kanpai"! UK's first sake brewery will be in the Fens

East Cambridgeshire is earning itself a reputation for brewing booze. Quality booze, that is. The Fordham Abbey Estate has just been given the green light to set up the UK’s first sake brewery and an application has been submitted to set up a tiny micro brewery in Little Downham. With The Ely Gin Company becoming …

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Take it to the hoop! East Cambs' best basketball players awarded

High achieving (and reaching) basketball players from across the area were recently awarded during the East Cambs Warriors Basketball Club AGM. A number of players were recognised for their contributions to the club and were presented with trophies on July 20. The club’s Facebook page said: “It has been a long and successful season with …

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Garfield's "less than prrrrrfect" behaviour got him banned, say Virgin

Some “less than prrrrrfect” behaviour has got famous feline Garfield banned from Ely’s Virgin Holidays store, a company spokeswoman has confirmed. The Virgin Holidays spokeswoman today told Spotted in Ely: “We can confirm that Mr Sainsbury (aka Garfield) has been asked to leave our Ely store after some less than prrrrrfect behaviour recently. “As one …

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"Our young people deserve a better deal" – new Ely College principal speaks out on fairer funding blow

The new principal of Ely College has spoken out about his dismay at discovering that Cambridgeshire’s schools, which receive some of the lowest investment per pupil in the country, will not be getting fairer funding in 2017. Speaking to Spotted in Ely, Richard Spencer said: “In terms of fair funding, my view is simple: I …

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Ely celebrates its rich cultures at International Friendship Day picnic

Cherry Hill Park took on a carnival atmosphere as people from over 20 nationalities yesterday got together to celebrate International Friendship Day. The informal picnic, organised by Ely mum of two Kate Holmes, was a fun way of bringing together the city’s friendly, diverse community and celebrating its rich cultures. Yesterday marked International Friendship Day …

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Our Minor Injuries Unit – the story so far

Since news first broke yesterday about secret plans to axe minor injuries units in Ely, Doddington and Wisbech, things have been happening fast. Spotted in Ely’s #saveourminorinjuriesunit campaign – to keep the Minor Injuries Unit open at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Ely – has had an overwhelming response from local residents, with numerous …

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Minor Injury Unit closure risk "outrageous" says NE Cambs MP Steve Barclay

It would be “outrageous” to close Minor Injury Units at Ely, Doddington and Wisbech, North East Cambridgeshire MP Steve Barclay has told Spotted in Ely this evening. Mr Barclay said he had decided to publicise a leaked report by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group, recommending the closure of the three units. He has …

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Petition launched to save Minor Injuries Unit

A PETITION has been launched urging health bosses to reconsider secret plans to shut down Ely’s Minor Injuries Unit. As reported here, a leaked document by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) recommends axing the unit, due to financial pressure. Ely woman Emma Watson has launched a petition, calling on CHG petitioning clinical …

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Fury over closure recommendation for Ely's Minor Injuries Unit

Don’t even THINK about axing our Minor Injuries Unit is the message from local residents, following a leaked report recommending its closure. Patients from across East Cambridgeshire have reacted furiously to the news that the popular service at Ely’s Princess of Wales Hospital may be shut down due to a lack of finances. Speaking to …

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Hollywood blockbuster Assassin's Creed being filmed in Ely today

Ely Cathedral has been closed to the public today so that its interior can be filmed for Hollywood blockbuster Assassin’s Creed. The grounds immediately by the cathedral have been sealed off and visitors are being offered special deals to visit other tourist attractions, such as Oliver Cromwell’s House. Due for release on December 21, Assassin’s …

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Bad news for Cambs schools – no fairer funding for at least another year

Cambridgeshire’s schools have received some shocking end-of-term news: despite getting some of the lowest investment per pupil in the country, the government has temporarily put the brakes on fairer funding. As students and teachers prepared for the start of the school summer holidays, Education Secretary Justine Greening announced that plans to bring in fairer funding …

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Get creative, have your art displayed at Kings College – and raise cash for local charities

Get creative with a canvas, get your masterpiece displayed and raise money for local charities in the process. For the first time, the charity art exhibition, organised by Cambridgeshire Timebanking Partnership, has been opened up to entrants across Cambridgeshire. A similar contest has previously run in the south of the county. Entrants of all ages …

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Charity bingo night to raise cash for Angie and Marlene's favourite charity

Two friends who recently raised over £500 in a memorial walk to remember two fellow Tesco employees who tragically died within a day of each other are holding a bingo to raise even more money for their chosen charities. Shirley Hammond and Mel Starling, who both work at Tesco Ely, have organised the charity bingo …

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Week with Ely Police "the best experience of my life", says Ely College student

An aspiring cop who recently spent a week at Ely Police Station got to help store seized drug equipment, accompany a PCSO on a school visit and show a blind visitor around the station – and almost as importantly, he learned how to make a “perfect cup of tea”! Ely College student William Andrews, 14, …

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Selfless Sophia gets the chop for kids with cancer

Ely’s Little Princess Sophia Isaacs went for the chop last weekend, raising an incredible £765 for kids battling cancer – more than seven times her initial target. When you factor in Just Giving donations, her sponsored haircut has so far raised £882.50 for The Little Princess Trust, a charity supplying real hair wigs to youngsters …

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Wonder Women complete London to Cambridge Ultra Challenge in under 10 hours

Singing and laughing has helped five East Cambridgeshire supermums complete a gruelling 50km trek through the Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire countryside, escaping with just one blister each. Team Wonder Women were among 1000 adventurers walking, jogging or running in the London to Cambridge Ultra Challenge on Saturday to raise money for several good causes. The team …

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Local businesses celebrate Independents' Day

A cake maker, magician and secondary school were some of the 28 businesses taking part in a special celebration of local organisations and retailers in Ely today. Handcrafted Cupcakes, entertainer Sammy Magic Magic, of Razamatazz Magic Emporium, Ely College and East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices were some of the businesses, charities and organisations represented at Ely …

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Campaign group heartened by compassion for Syrian refugees

A group campaigning to resettle Syrian refugees in East Cambridgeshire is delighted by the support it received from residents attending Aquafest last weekend. The Ely Refugee Resettlement Campaign (ERRC) had a stall at Aquafest on Sunday to raise awareness about its drive to help Syrians fleeing persecution and atrocities in the war torn country. As …

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Paw Patrol pups help Little Thetford pre-school raise over £1000

Paw Patrol were on a roll at Little Thetford Acorns Pre-school & Children’s Club Fun day on Saturday. Fire dog Marshall and police pup Chase were on the case, making a guest appearance and helping the pre-school raise over £1000 towards its running costs. The annual Sports and Fun day started off with running races …

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Lantern pupils help make summer fete the best ever

An Ely primary school fundraising for a lifesaving defibrillator is £4000 better off, following its most successful summer fete in history – and its success is largely down to its pupils. Members of Friends of the Lantern School, the Lantern Community School’s fundraising committee, are thrilled by the support their Summer Fete received on June …

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Selfless Sophia set to get locks bobbed this Saturday for kids with cancer

Selfless Sophia Isaacs – the Ely schoolgirl featured on the front cover of E4Ely Magazine back in May – will have her luscious locks bobbed this Saturday to help youngsters battling cancer. She has already raised £425 (£497.50 including Gift Aid) for The Little Princess Trust, a charity supplying real hair wigs to kids who’ve …

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Calling Tigers! Places available at popular pre-school

One of East Cambridgeshire’s top performing pre-schools has rare spaces for the next academic year. Rainbow Pre-School, graded ‘Outstanding’ in all 17 areas after its last Ofsted inspection in January, has places for its Tigers group, aimed at children turning four during the next academic year. Manager Debbie Reed said: “People assume Rainbow’s waiting lists …

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Heart attack survivor thanks lifesaving crew at emotional reunion

An Ely heart attack surviver has thanked ambulance staff and volunteers for giving him a “second chance” after saving his life six months ago. Father of three Peter Swan had an emotional reunion with his life-savers on Wednesday. Peter, who can’t remember anything from the experience, is “eternally grateful” and January 13 has become his …

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Refugee poster campaign gets huge response from "compassionate" kids

A competition aimed at reflecting on the plight of refugees has had an overwhelming response, with more than 100 children from across East Cambridgeshire taking part. The Ely Refugee Resettlement Campaign organised the poster competition, which had the theme “Home/Refuge”. Children were invited to reflect on what a safe home meant to them and how …

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Green space closed for summer – Anglia Water says it had no choice about the timing

An Ely mum who lives by a park closed to the public for three months has questioned why Anglia Water has chosen to carry out sewage works during the busy summer period. Work began today to lay a new sewer pipe within the green space between Downham Road and West Fen Road. As reported in …

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Spotted at… Littleport Fun Day

Zorbing, dancing and a tug of war… And sunshine on tap! Just a few of the fabulous activities on offer at the recent Littleport Fun Day. Pictures by Philip Laver.

Fit and fun: Ely mum says Ely bootcamp makes her face each day with a smile

Party animal and fitness fanatic Jenni Homent can’t bear to miss out on socialising or exercising. So when the Ely mum of two discovered a full-on fitness regime that combined both, she was instantly hooked. Since joining JTS – which prides itself on being “the toughest bootcamp in Ely” – back in January, the dedicated …

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Children urged to think about plight of refugees in poster contest

Looking for something creative and thought-provoking to do with the kids this half-term? Children across East Cambridgeshire are invited to consider the meanings of the words “home” and “refuge” in a poster competition aimed at increasing awareness and compassion for Syrians escaping war and persecution. The competition, organised by the Ely Refugee Resettlement Campaign, is …

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