Sue Marchant's Podcast Archives - Spotted in Ely

Episode 31. Yes it’s another – Ely Professional Panto – KD Theatre Productions

Thomas Watkins — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 12:27:56 +0000

For my family it has become a tradition to support the KD Theatre group and their amazing professional pantomime’s. Every costume glitters, every song lifts the spirit and there are plenty of laughs within the show, its absolute treasure! I went along to the launch of the 2025 show for a catch up and preview …

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Episode 30. Ely Professional Panto – KD Theatre Productions

Thomas Watkins — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 10:30:13 +0000

I Love Ely its full of fascinating folk and has a wonderful landscape. This episode is all about two people with the same dream and love of Panto, listen to their story of how they have inspired many young people to perform at their academy’s, plus how they have built their theatre company to deliver quality professional pantomimes.

It all started in Ely for them and as a company they have provided many hours of laughter and entertainment. Meet Dan Bell and Katherine Hickmott two talented professionals with their hearts in Panto. O yes they have…….

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Episode 29. Haddenham Steam Rally

Thomas Watkins — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 10:28:50 +0000

Richard Freeman has a passion for Tractors and events hear all about a Steam Rally that is a tradition every September.

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Episode 28. Cropredy Convention – Meet Simon Nicol

Thomas Watkins — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 10:26:35 +0000

Simon Nicol is a founding member of the mighty Fairport Convention, If your looking forward to Cropredy festival or have never attended yet, listen to his story of the beginnings and the future.

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Episode 27. Cropredy Convention Meet Elles Bailey

Thomas Watkins — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 10:24:23 +0000

Elles Bailey is an independent artist playing Cropredy Convention 2024. Her positivity and passion for her fusion of Blues/Rock and Americana music is the result of her talent, force of nature personality and dedicated hard work. A unique and friendly festival, 2024 celebrates the forty-fifth Cropredy with a brilliant line up curated by Fairport’s Dave Pegg with a little help from the rest of the Band. Its not a folk festival – it’s “Cropredy Convention” offering a diverse mix of music, a gathering to make new friends, and feel part of the family. Elles chats about her beginnings and her music.

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Episode 26. Ely Folk Festival Meet Band Competition Winner Thomas Bradley

Thomas Watkins — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 10:19:37 +0000

Ely folk festival prides itself in giving all musicians a platform on which to play and every year there’s a band competition to enter. The artist committee listen to all entries and after careful deliberation chose a winner – 2024 will see The Thomas Bradley Project open the Peregrine stage on July 10th. Have a …

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Episode 25. Highfield Friends and Parents Association

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 09:56:14 +0000

Meet Steph and Catherine two marvellous mums who for the benefit of the students at Highfield Academy raise funds for equipment and Treats.

They are fearless in their approach to fundraising and have raised bucket loads of money for special equipment to allow special needs students get more out of life and have many ongoing projects to improve the wellbeing of all who attend the school. Full of energy and drive they really are making a difference!

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Episode 24. Ely Folk Festival – Andy Wall retiring Chairman

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 09:20:09 +0000

Meet Andy Wall our retiring chairman. Volunteering takes all sorts of people to worthy experiences and Andy has given so much to the festival in Knowledge and music. In fact, it was Andy who suggested to me that I should join the committee who are a varied and lovely bunch of people, all set on delivering a wonderful festival every year. Andy Wall has been a rock, supported by wife Joan for Ely Folk festival we will all miss his input and his steadying influence. Enjoy his story.

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Episode 23. Cropredy Convention – Meet Dave and Matt Pegg

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 09:18:32 +0000

If you have never taken yourself off to Fairport’s Cropredy Convention, be assured it is a family affair and a festival with a rich history. One big field, One big crowd and lots of friendships. Meet two bass players Dave Pegg and son Matt for an inside family view of the festival – lovely peeps!

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Episode 22. Ely Folk Festival 2024 – Meet Kitewing

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 09:15:49 +0000

A beautiful fushion of two accomplished folk performers, Ely Folk festival is very happy to have Kitewing on the bill. I caught up with them after their performance at Folk on the pier in Cromer, they really are a lovely set of friends.

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Episode 21. Ely Folk Festival – A love story

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 09:13:34 +0000

Ely Folk festival is run by a volunteer committee and we have a wonderful team of stewards. Love and music go together well as you will hear when you listen to my chat with Tom and Sarah Sennett from Frog on a bike Ceilidh band.

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Episode 20. Ely Folk Festival – Romy Gensale Showcase Performer

Thomas Watkins — Tue, 21 May 2024 10:03:43 +0000

Friday night is opening night of Ely Folk festival and on the Kingfisher stage we celebrate local performers with a showcase evening. Romy Gensale is bringing her band Rome to the proceedings. Romy is an experienced performer with a wonderful voice and a happy disposition about life in general. The showcase has four acts through …

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Episode 19. Ely Sound Bath Meditation

Thomas Watkins — Mon, 06 May 2024 08:35:05 +0000

I love chatting to Ely people and hearing their stories for my podcasts, I am aiming to leave an audio representation of Ely and the people who serve the community. Meet Laura Walsh, totally passionate about music therapy and bringing positive vibrations to Ely people with her sound bath meditation. Every cell of our body has its own vibration which can be effected by the sound of instruments deep vibrations, helping to calm and heal us.

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Episode 18. Brooks Williams

Thomas Watkins — Mon, 06 May 2024 08:31:34 +0000

Virtuoso Guitarist singer songwriter Brooks Williams talks about his love of Ely Folk festival and an insight into The Patrons concert for 2024.

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Episode 17. Forager and Chef Leon Lewis

Thomas Watkins — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 12:24:12 +0000

Ely Folk festival always has a wonderful selection of food available and this episode explores the world of Leon Lewis a well known caterer and charactor who is one of the traders where you can fill a plate for 2024.

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Episode 16. Meet Ely Tourist Guide Nora

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:51:26 +0000

So much to see and do in Ely and for a number of years Nora has been assisting folk to enjoy the city. A mind of information and a passion for history listen to Nora’s story and why not pay a visit to Oliver Cromwell’s House.

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Episode 15. Folk Festival 2024

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:50:46 +0000

As the 2024 Ely folk festival gets closer I thought it would be good to catch up with some of the performers for a natter!

Musicians are sometimes shy about blowing there own trumpets or in this case pipes, all the way from the Isle of Skye meet the Peatbogs.

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Episode 14. Sing Choirs

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:49:44 +0000

There’s nothing quite like a good sing song and Kathryn Rowland decidied Ely should have a choir of its own!

With two Ely sessions a week and also the All in Sound dementia choir which is growing in other areas Kathryn’s musical magic is bringing people together for wellbeing and a lot of fun. This is a breezy chat on Ely market square.

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Episode 13. Spotted In Ely – Pay it Forward Day

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:48:29 +0000

Mark Cooney had his heart in the local Ely Community, he started a facebook page and website to embrace all the good things happening in Ely with incredible gusto, I have watched over the years how a social media Facebook page has connected my community with each other and the world. Mark was a fabulous positive person and we were all saddened when he left us after his fight with cancer in 2021.

Spotted in Ely continues Mark’s positive vibes with all sorts of grants and interactions spearheaded by his partner Alison under the umbrella of “Good Vibes Local” the community interest company Mark helped to set up. Kindness carries us forward on life’s journey have a listen and embrace Pay It Forward Day.

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Episode 12. Ely Writers

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:47:39 +0000

Once a month the Ely Writers meet at the Prosper Café in Ely, a perfectly formed friendly bunch helping each other with their work. Ideal if you want to meet likeminded folk and improve your craft. If you write your very welcome.

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Episode 11. Ely to Edinburgh – Fair Weather Son – Part Two

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:46:53 +0000

Part two of my chat to musician Mark Ellis, born and raised in Ely who is off on an adventure to Edinburgh……Will Ely still remain as Home?

The rain is all part of the sense of place.

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Episode 10. Ely to Edinburgh – Fair Weather Son – Part One

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:45:38 +0000

My podcast for this episode (part one) is a good catch up of a young man I first encountered at Ely Band Competition many moons ago. Being a musician is not all glamour and excitement but Mark Ellis created some pre crowdfunder history and is born and raised in Ely.

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Episode 9. EJ Stone – Songwriter and Musician

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:44:39 +0000

Coming to live in Ely has boosted has boosted EJ’s confidence to finally get his Christmas song out there with a collection of locals to play and sing.

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Episode 8. Spotted in India

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:43:46 +0000

Just to prove its a small world on my recent trip to India I met Janet who was born in Ely.

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Episode 7. Prosper Café – Ely’s community place for coffee and friendship

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:42:20 +0000

I just love living in Ely and that’s why I create this podcast to celebrate the places and people. Meet Rachael and Phil who have totally changed theirs lives with Prosper, a very special café in the heart of Ely. Everyone is welcome and it’s very dog friendly.

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Episode 6. Sally Dunham – Sculptor of Garfy and Mr Herbert

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:41:02 +0000

Garfy was a beautiful friendly cat who frequented the Sainsbury’s store in Ely spreading the love and making shoppers smile.

Sally Dunham has created a wonderful image in his memory as a commission and my chat with her explores her craft as a Sculptor and her support of other artists. http://www.artunequalled.co.uk

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Episode 5. Ben’s Yard

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:39:45 +0000

Ely is such an interesting and beautiful place, I love it I live here! One of the coolest places to reside in and has become a real destination when visiting Cambridgeshire. The rich soil supports the growth of plenty of veg for our tables. Meet family farmers Alistair and Victoria who are cultivating a very special place.

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Episode 4. Joan Wall – Always Helping Others

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:37:51 +0000

Always love chatting to Ely Residents and Joan Wall is a force of nature, just like me Joan Loves living in Ely and her story is full of hope and love for others. From Litter picking to helping young people learn English and helping Ukrainian refugees Joan is a bundle of Energy! Be inspired.

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Episode 3. Jacen Bruce – Dragonara

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:21:43 +0000

The Great Ouse is the heartbeat of Ely river-life. The marina is a glorious site and many visitors enjoy temporary moorings to visit the City, Jacen Bruce lives on his boat Dragonara I went to pay him a visit.

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Episode 2. Concert Pianist Neil Hillgrove Colledge

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:21:12 +0000

Here is episode two for my podcast where I have a chat to a Concert Pianist who loves Ely, in fact you have probably noticed a tall guy wearing a Hawaiian shirt around town if you live locally.

Discover the musical journey of Neil Colledge and the friends who inspired him to follow a dream and to whom he dedicates his next concert series visiting Cambridge Churches.

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Episode 1. Ely Folk Festival

Thomas Watkins — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 19:19:55 +0000

Ely in East Cambridgeshire is such a wonderful place to visit and live in. Spotted in Ely is a website for the community of Ely and beyond for those interested in what’s going on. In my podcasts I am going to visit people and places to give an audio picture of this beautiful Market town. Close to my heart is the Folk festival now in its 37th year.

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