Organisations

Ely College students return to Kenya’s Rift Valley to volunteer with their partner schools in the Nakuru slums

Teenagers and staff from Ely College have recently returned from another life-changing experience, volunteering their February half term to help disadvantaged children at the Jubilee and Ungana Academies in Kenya. Over the last several years, students from Ely College have developed a close connection with two schools in the slums of Nakuru, Kenya’s fourth largest …

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Preparations are Underway for the 66th Soham Carnival

Preparations are underway for the 66th Soham Carnival to be held on 27th May, 9am – 5.30pm at the Recreation Ground, Fountain Lane, Soham. The Carnival commences with the traditional Heavy Horse Show in the main arena from 9.00am – 1pm. Followed by the judging of floats – Float procession 1.00pm from Holmes Lane through …

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Hopkins Homes’ Cambridgeshire Charity Vote now open!

Hopkins Homes is holding an online vote to decide which Cambridgeshire charities will receive a share of a £10,000 donation from the Hopkins Charitable Fund. Cambridgeshire residents can take part in the vote by choosing their favourite from a shortlist of six local charities. The charity which receives the most votes will receive a £7,000 …

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New Look for Oliver Cromwell’s House

One of Ely’s key visitor attractions, Oliver Cromwell’s House, will re-open its doors on Saturday after a refurbishment made possible by funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development through the Cambridgeshire Fens LEADER programme, co-ordinated by Cambridgeshire ACRE. The former home of the Lord Protector and Ely’s most famous resident now boasts a …

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The Stained Glass Museum opens its doors for free to celebrate its 40th Birthday

On Saturday 30th March 2019 The Stained Glass Museum in Ely will celebrate 40 years of opening to the public! To celebrate this landmark birthday, entry to the museum will be FREE* all day on Saturday 30 March, during our Family Fun Day. The Stained Glass Museum’s Curator, Dr Jasmine Allen, commented: “This will be …

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KD Theatre Productions announce a new open-air theatre experience in Ely that will keep you HOOKED to your seats

Professional Theatre company ‘KD Theatre Productions’ will be producing a brand new open-air production of PETER PAN in The Deans Garden (Ely Cathedral) Peter Pan is desperate to find the Lost Boys a mother and he finds just the girl in Wendy. But by bringing the Darling Family over to Neverland, is he putting them …

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Wood Green offers FREE neutering vouchers to local community on World Spay Day!

Wood Green, The Animals Charity is taking part in World Spay Day 2019 by offering local pet owners help to get their pets neutered. Every year, World Spay Day takes place to promote neutering as a way of not only reducing the number of unwanted litters being born, but also to highlight the additional benefits …

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Going for Gold

Cadet Flight Sergeant Rory Donoghue is jetting off to far colder climes to take part in a week long residential Snow Boarding course as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Gold Award. Over the past three years Flight Sergeant Donoghue achieved his Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award and during the last …

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Cathedral Chorister’s Big Pancake Party for Charity

Ely Choristers will be holding their traditional Pancake Race on Shrove Tuesday, 5th March. This is long standing custom at Ely Cathedral sees the choristers, and occasionally members of staff and the clergy, race down the Cathedral’s spectacularly long nave tossing pancakes as they go. As in previous years Ely Cathedral are teaming up with …

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Ely College students take the ‘Time to Talk’ about making healthy choices today, for a brighter future tomorrow

Various workshops at Ely College this week, allowed students to explore their personal wellbeing, encouraging discussion about making health choices so that each and every young person aims to reach their fullest potential. Working with outside partners, PLEDGES and Futures Day coincided perfectly with the #TimeToTalk national mental health campaign. PLEDGES and Futures Day is …

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King’s Barbers to have their voices heard on the other side of the world

King’s Ely’s award-winning boys’ a cappella group – the King’s Barbers – are being given a once in a lifetime opportunity to sing in the south-western Indian state of Goa. Music lovers from across the globe are expected to attend the Ketevan World Sacred Music Festival at Unesco Heritage City in Old Goa later this …

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Voice Trials 2019 – calling all potential new cathedral choristers!

Children with a love of music and singing are being given the chance to join the world famous Ely Cathedral Choir. And this year, for the first time ever, auditions for both girl and boy Ely chorister places are being held on the same day – Friday, January 18th. Being a chorister at Ely Cathedral …

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Ely College students organise their second ‘Charities Day’ and smash last year’s fundraising for their House Charities.

Building on the success of last year, Ely College students celebrated their second ‘Charities Day’ which raised over £3000 for their chosen charities. This action packed event, dedicated to fundraising, is one of the Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust’s well-established PLEDGES and Futures Days, where students are given the opportunity to work towards their PLEDGES or …

Ely College students organise their second ‘Charities Day’ and smash last year’s fundraising for their House Charities. Read More »

Ely Outdoor Sports Association (EOSA) Celebrates 25 Years With A New Kitchen Thanks to the Support of the Local Community

Formed back in 1993 Ely Outdoor Sports Association is home to Ely City Hockey Club, Ely Tigers Rugby Club and Ely Tennis Club.  With three rugby pitches, an astro pitch and four tennis courts and a Clubhouse, it provides sporting and social facilities for not only its three member clubs but to the wider community …

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Witchford Village College Student wins debate at Westminster

College staff were very excited to take a small group of students to the House of Commons on Thursday for the final of the South East Cambridgeshire annual inter-school debating competition. Lucy Frazer, MP for South East Cambridgeshire, adjudicated whilst Head of Criminal Justice, Sir Brian Leveson, judged the debate. The final follows first rounds of debating in …

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Ely just missed out on a bonus point win against West Norfolk

It was a back and forth first ten minutes with neither side conceding. Finally, the deadlock was broken when Ely gained a penalty in the opposition twenty-two. Man of the match Mitchell Kennett opted for the quick-tap penalty and rumbled his way over the line for a converted try. The Tigers crossed again a few …

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Your last chance to enter Babylon ARTS’ Album Art Exhibition 

It’s your last chance this week for amateur and professional artists to enter Babylon ARTS’ fundraising Album Art competition. Florence Tong, Head of Project Delivery at Babylon ARTS said ‘You need to get your entries in by Monday 17 December. There’s £100 prize up for grabs for ‘Best in Show’. Entries are open to any …

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Gold Rush for Ely at British Rowing Indoor Championships

Members of Isle of Ely Rowing Club brought home a fantastic 14 Gold medals from the British Rowing Indoor Championships in last Saturday. Ely’s Captain, Duncan McCulloch, congratulated all who took part and said the performances from club rowers “did us all proud”. The Indoor Championships take place each year at the 2012 Olympic velodrome …

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12 Hours of Sport at Witchford Village College

Today the College is buzzing with one hundred and twenty-six students taking part in 12 hours of continuous sport. Students will be improving their sports skills, team building and working on their physical strengths whilst having fun. The main aim of the day is to raise money for the Malcolm Whales Foundation. Damien Whales founded …

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Littleport Café Joins Healthier Options Award Scheme

A café in Littleport is being praised after meeting requirements to become a member of the Healthier Options scheme. Fieldside Café at Littleport Leisure Centre is celebrating becoming a Healthier Options member and as a result will be listed on the members page of the Healthier Options website and receive a certificate to display on …

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Ely College enhances fitness offering for students with new strength equipment

The fitness suite at Ely College has been given a welcome boost with the addition of new strength equipment donated by Life Fitness UK. Prior to the arrival of this new equipment, the fitness suite had been more geared towards cardio exercise, with a select number of weightlifting options available to students. Now equipped with …

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Ely College’s first Christmas Market was a gift to… and from the community

On a wet and cold Thursday evening, the people of Ely turned out in their hundreds to support their local college and small businesses. Ely College Christmas market on 29th November was a fantastic festive success, raising £1400 for their PE and Drama departments. An event set to be repeated next year! Earlier this year, …

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Haddenham Beer Festival Donates Funds to Local Groups

Now in it’s 5th year the Haddenham Beer Festival has raised in excess of £28,000 for local charities and good causes including in excess of £8000 in 2018! Organisations receiving cheques this year included Arthur Rank Hospice, Multiple Sclerosis Society, The Brownies, Haddenham Over 60’s Club, The Bonfire Committee, Haddenham Pre-School, Haddenham Library, Big H …

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Horsley Hale Farm Scoops Best Newcomer Prize

Wedding and Events venue, Horsley Hale Farm announced today that it has been named the Best Newcomer at the 4th Annual 4 Counties Wedding Awards. The prestigious awards, presented by Director of the National Association of Wedding Professionals, Tracey Butterfiled, recognise and reward the hard work and dedication of wedding suppliers in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire …

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Create it!, Do it!, Record it! and Shout about it! with Ely Wildlife Watch

10 year old Jasmine McIntosh lives in Ely and is a long standing member of Ely Wildlife Watch, the junior club of the Wildlife Trust. Jasmine has been working hard to achieve her Kestrel award. This award has four wildlife challenges: Create it!, Do it!, Record it! and Shout about it!. To complete the final …

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Sporting Presentation Success for Witchford Village College Pupil

A fourteen year old from Witchford Village College took centre stage at a major sporting event this week. Jess Lonnen was successful in her application as one of two young event hosts at the School Games National Summit 2018 for the Youth Sports Trust. The prestigious celebration lunch took place at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry …

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Mayor opens valuable new service for patients in Cambridge

People in Cambridge, Ely and surrounding villages are now able to attend GP and nurse appointments in the evening and at weekends thanks to a free, new NHS service. The service, which was officially launched by Cambridge City Council Mayor, Cllr Nigel Gawthrope last night (21 November), is run by Cambs GP Network (CGPN) – …

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Record number of visitors attend Ely Cathedral’s Christmas Gift & Food Fair

Ely Cathedral welcomed over 15,000 visitors to its annual Gift & food Fair last week making it record attendance for the seventh year the Fair has been taking place. Due to the event growing in size and popularity an extra day was added this year to accommodate the growth. Many stall holders sold out and …

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Highfield Ely Academy praised as a Good School in a ‘relentless cycle of improvement to achieve the very best’

In its first inspection since receiving a Good rating in 2014, Ofsted has praised Highfield Ely Academy for its clear vision, drive and unwavering determination in a strong and effective safeguarding environment.   The report states: ‘Aspirations for all pupils are high. Staff encourage pupils with their learning and provide well-targeted support. Leaders ensure that …

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Creative Industries Event at Witchford Village College

A group of over sixty Year 8 pupils had an inspiring day on Wednesday when representatives from Creating the Future project visited the College. The aim of the project is to build effective careers education, information, advice and guidance on pathways to the creative industries. This sector is a fast-growing part of the UK economy …

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Exam Breakfasts from Waitrose at Witchford Village College

Year 11 students at Witchford Village College were given breakfast by Waitrose, Ely prior to their first GCSE mock exam today. Debbie Walker, Head of Community Liaison at Waitrose arrived laden with boxes of food donated by the store. Waitrose have generously backed the College’s initiative and will be supplying healthy breakfasts for the two-week …

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Ely College remembers with hundreds of handmade poppies as the Last Post is sounded

On Friday, Ely College students and staff marked the Armistice Centenary and remembrance weekend with a moving Last Post Ceremony. All 1100 students from Ely College and Bishop Laney Sixth Form gathered together as a community to show their respects for the fallen. They were joined by Mayor Rouse and representatives from the Royal British …

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Bookbuzz free books for Ely College students encourages a passion for reading

This week, as students at Ely College were welcomed back after the half term break, a special assembly hosted by Ms Shaw and the English department saw every Year 7 student get a FREE book. Thanks to the Bookbuzz reading programme run by the UK’s largest reading charity, Book Trust, each student was given the …

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Rainbow Preschool calls out for votes to bag a share of Tesco’s bag fund

Rainbow Preschool in Ely is bidding to bag a massive cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative. Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 raised from carrier bag sales in Tesco stores awarded to local community projects. Three groups in every …

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1094 (City of Ely) Air Cadets install “There but not there” Tommy Silhouettes in St Andrews Church Soham

This morning as part of the 100th anniversary of the Great War armistice, 1094 (City of Ely) Air Cadets installed five of their “There but not there” Tommy Silhouettes in St Andrews Church Soham. Soham’s community groups including all four the town’s schools and the town’s church got together with the Soham branch of the …

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King’s Ely Acremont Nursery staff put their best feet forward for Alzheimer’s Society

Staff at King’s Ely Acremont Nursery have raised almost £1,500 for the Alzheimer’s Society by completing the charity’s Memory Walk in Cambridge. Thousands of people put their best foot forward by taking part in the 7km event on October 14th, including nine members of the team at King’s Ely Acremont Nursery. Despite treacherous rain on …

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1094 Ely Squadron visited the old United States Air Force Base RAF Bentwaters

Here is a report from one of our Cadet Sergeants Luca Chadwick “On Saturday -20th October- a group of cadets from 1094 (Ely) Squadron visited the old United States Air Force Base RAF Bentwaters which is now known as Bentwaters Parks. The base used to be home to the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing, most famous …

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‘There But Not There’ Elys ATC Granted Ten Tommy Silhouettes

We just received the most exciting e-mail at 1094 City of Ely Squadron “Remembered and Youth United are pleased to announce that you have been successful in your application for 10 There But Not There Silhouettes, fully funded by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. We look forward to seeing the installations and Remembrance events …

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The East Cambridgeshire Gold Torc has now been on display at Ely Museum for a full year

The East Cambridgeshire Gold Torc has now been on display at Ely Museum for a full year as of the 8th October! In the spring of 2017 we began the task of raising the £220’000 we needed to purchase the torc, and public fundraising beginning that summer. It would not have been possible to acquire this amazing …

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King’s Ely Junior pupil Syrah completes Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride

A KING’S Ely Junior pupil has raised funds and awareness for good causes by completing the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. Syrah Simcock-Stow, 11, and her father, Edward, were among hundreds of people who took part in the quirky, annual fundraising event in Cambridge on September 30th. The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a global motorcycle fundraiser to …

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Ely College students showcase their design and technology learning at a key national conference.

Year 8 students from Ely College were invited to showcase their exceptional work at the Design and Technology Association conference in Birmingham on Monday 1st October. The conference aimed to influence government policy on how we train the next generation of British designers and engineers. Enjoying keynote speeches and panel discussions at the event hosted …

Ely College students showcase their design and technology learning at a key national conference. Read More »

Storm Thorgerson Exhibition at the Babylon Gallery

Arts charity planning a treat for fans of Pink Floyd, Ian Drury, Audio Slave, Biffy Clyro, 10cc, Cranberries, Steve Miller and Muse Ely-based charity Babylon ARTS is planning to stage an impressive exhibition of album art at its riverside gallery in Cambridgeshire later this year. The exhibition will be officially launched on Saturday 17th November …

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King’s Ely Acremont pupils have a blast at Ely Fire Station

There were smiles all round when children from King’s Ely Acremont visited Ely Fire Station. Reception pupils took the short walk along Egremont Street to the station, where they were able to get up very close to one of the fire engines. Members of Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service were on hand to educate their …

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Talented King’s Ely riders qualify for NSEA Championships

King’s Ely’s Equestrian Team was on top form at the National Schools Equestrian Association’s (NSEA) Arena Eventing Qualifiers. Two of King’s Ely’s teams and three of the school’s individual riders qualified for the National Championships at the qualifiers, which were held at Forest Edge Arena in Swaffham, Norfolk. The 90cms team of Adele Shaw, Ellie …

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Make some noise: Brand new Ely Area Music Centre will help take young musicians to the next level

A new venture for young musicians who want to take their music to greater heights by playing in a proper ensemble is being launched in Ely at the end of September. The Ely Area Music Centre starts on September 29 and will run on Saturday mornings during term time. It is open to school-age students …

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Holst’s The Planets Suite: 100 Years To The Day

Ely Cathedral to host centenary celebration of one of the UK’s best-loved musical works exactly 100 years to the day after the first performance. One hundred years to the day after its first performance, Gustav Holst’s magnificent Planets Suite will ring out in Ely Cathedral, on Saturday 29th September 2018, when Ely Sinfonia takes to …

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Royal Air Force Association charity street collections in Ely

On Saturday 15th September twenty three cadets from 1094 (City of Ely) Squadron spent the day collecting for the Royal Air Force Association in Ely Market Square. RAFA believe that every generation owes a debt of gratitude to the RAF and their families. To protect the peace and safety we enjoy every day, they sacrifice …

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Ely Cathedral roses are a welcome addition to King’s Ely gardens

King’s Ely has taken delivery of three stunning Ely Cathedral roses. The Dean of Ely, Mark Bonney, visited the school to present Principal, Sue Freestone, with the roses, which are a welcome addition to the gardens of the Old Palace and a reminder of the close links between the cathedral and King’s Ely. The Ely …

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Awards at Ely Squadron with three sets of blue ATP wings for Cadets

Awards and smiles all round tonight at Ely Squadron with three sets of blue ATP wings for Cadets Ethan Saggers, Cameron Hudson and Finn Elcombe for passing the first phase of their Aviation Training. The cadets completed their basic Airmanship training and then moved on to the Part Task Trainer simulator course at 614 Volunteer …

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New Heads of School, Deputy Heads, Prefects and Heads of Houses appointed

Felix Hawes and Maria Campbell have been formally installed as King’s Ely’s new Heads of School. Over a thousand people gathered inside Ely Cathedral on September 3rd for the school’s Beginning of Year Service, which includes the robing of incoming Heads of School in their prefects’ gowns. The new Heads of School then robe the …

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Ely College students get a ‘rocking opportunity’!

Starting this term, a group of lucky Year 7 Ely College students will be benefitting from the generosity of THE LLOYD-REASON FOUNDATION. A talented delivery team of tutors will work with four selected students in Year 7 who have shown the potential and willingness to develop their interest in learning and playing a musical instrument. …

Ely College students get a ‘rocking opportunity’! Read More »

Ely Runners Autumn Beginners’ Course

Ely Runners are pleased to announce their next 10 week beginners’ course – commencing on the 17th of September 2018. The course is run by qualified coaches and supported by established club members. It is very friendly and aimed at runners of all abilities: speedy types, long distance types, and those who want to go steady and just enjoy it! The aim …

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