Currently in its first year, Fodder Fen Farm was created after James originally acquired pigs to help revitalise woodland on the property. With the help of friends, including a butcher wanting to get involved, the idea quickly grew into what is now Fodder Fen Farm Sausages.

The business has already started building a growing reputation locally for its sausages and pork products, with Luke, James and Marc sharing a passion for sustainable, ethically sourced food and quality farming within the Cambridgeshire Fens.

During the visit, the team were shown around the farm, met the pigs and piglets and heard more about the day to day reality of farm life. One of the highlights of the visit was seeing the locally sourced piglets eagerly running over to greet visitors.

From feeding and caring for the animals through to preparing products for customers, it gave a real insight into the amount of work taking place behind the scenes long before products ever reach people’s plates.

With more people choosing to support independent businesses and shop locally, new businesses like Fodder Fen Farm continue to play an important role within the Ely area and surrounding villages.

Many local residents may already recognise Fodder Fen Farm from local markets, events and social media, where the business has quickly started making a name for itself with its range of outdoor reared pork products and sausages.

The visit offered a chance to learn more about modern farming and the people behind one of the area’s newest local businesses.

Fodder Fen Farm is open:

• Thursday: 12pm to 5pm
• Friday: 12pm to 5pm
• Saturday: 9am to 5pm

The team are also encouraging people to prepare early for the next bank holiday BBQ season with locally produced sausages and pork products.

To find out more about Fodder Fen Farm and their products, visit Fodder Fen Farm fodderfenfarm.co.uk and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

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Located just three miles from Ely in the village of Little Downham, Ely Dog Field has been open for less than a year. Despite being a newcomer, the field was voted for and won top place. The competition, which saw dog fields across the country voted for by the public, highlights the growing popularity and community impact of these safe, enclosed spaces for dogs.

Ely Dog Field has built a strong and supportive community of local dog lovers on their social media. Customers regularly engage and enthusiastically support the field’s fundraising events for charities and local causes, something they do regularly. There is  also a community notice board to support other dog related businesses with advertising.

The field was also recently voted Best Dog Field in Cambridgeshire by readers of Cambridgeshire Live.

Ely Dog Field’s owner, Becky, said “We are delighted to have won this award, so soon after launching our dog field. We pour our hearts into making the field a great place for dogs and their humans, and this award makes all the hard work feel so worthwhile. We thank everyone in our team who helps keep things running smoothly.”

Spanning six acres, the fully enclosed field offers private hire sessions of 25 or 55 minutes, making it ideal for dogs that are nervous, reactive, or unable to be let off-lead in public spaces. The field features a wide range of agility equipment suitable for dogs of all sizes, a wooded area with jumps, a large sandpit in winter, and a gated splash pool for summer.

Additional amenities include:

• On-site enclosed parking
• Peaceful countryside surroundings with views of Ely Cathedral
• Outdoor seating and undercover shelter
• A community notice board

Time slots are available to book 7 days a week, and pre-booking is essential via the field’s easy-to-use online system.

For more information or to book a session, visit:  www.elydogfield.co.uk

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From Reception to Year 6, the school (which is part of Meridian Trust) had Matildas, Dumbledores, Christmasauruses and everything in between! The children delighted in explaining their clothes and accessories, and some lovely conversations occurred where children introduced others to new books and new ideas for things to read. 

In classes, the event was celebrated by a range of activities. Year 6 Picasso class designed and wrote book recommendations for their favourite authors. Year 5 Da Vinci class took part in the official World Book Day Live Lesson, in which Michael Rosen explained the processes he goes through when creating a new story. Year 3 Hockney class drew maps and then created multiple different stories using the map to show how powerful they can be in storytelling. Taylor Shaw – the school’s catering company – joined forces with DFPA to provide the children with a ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ themed lunch, which proved very popular. 

At the end of World Book Day, during the whole school assembly, the School Council celebrated costumes that they thought were especially well thought-out – well done to everyone at Downham Feoffees Primary Academy!

Press release from Little Downham Feoffees Primary School

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“Whilst organising a funeral for my brother, we (my niece and her uncle) spoke to a lovely lady called Shirley Jenkins who is the Warden of St Leonard’s Church in Little Downham, near Ely. St Mary’s church in Ely is closed for renovation so we were lucky enough to find this church was available.

We were going to live stream the funeral to family and friends (some are in Scotland and France) but we found out that we couldn’t as there wasn’t any Wi-Fi in the church.

Also we heard that Shirley wanted to modernise the weekly Sunday church services to encourage the younger generation to play more of a part. The internet could play a major part in this to provide live-stream, videos, hook up to other churches etc.

All they need is a phone line, a router and an internet provider and a little money to start with. Shirley said they find it difficult to fundraise and so I thought I could help a little by spreading the word.

The church will be busier next year as St Mary’s is closed so this could be very helpful to people using the church in the future.

The Go-fund-me page is below, thank you. Any donations (however small) are gratefully received.”

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-to-get-st-leonards-get-internet

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Downham Feoffees Primary Academy has become one of just 160 schools across the country to be recognised for its excellence in science.

The school, which is part of the Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust (CMAT), was awarded a Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM) for its teaching and learning in the subject.

Downham Feoffees Primary Academy’s Principal, Susan Jaques, said the award recognised the hard work, commitment and dedication of Downham Feoffees’s teaching staff. 

Susan said, “At Downham Feoffees Primary Academy, we believe that science is a fundamental part of everyday life; it is about exploring, investigating and discovering in order to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding about the world in which we live, through communication, application, investigation and observation.”

“We are absolutely delighted with this award and hope it attracts even more future scientists to our wonderful Academy we have here in Little Downham.” 

Rachel Taylor, Science Lead at Downham Feoffees Primary Academy, added, “Our pupils are introduced to a range of resources and scientific vocabulary which keeps learning engaging and enjoyable.”

“We strive for our children to enjoy and make new scientific discoveries, inspiring them and equipping them with the skills to shape how we live in our rapidly changing society.”

“Outside of the classroom, we have been working hard to provide different learning opportunities which further develop and extend participation in and enjoyment of a range of science-based activities. For example, children visited our forest school site, St. Leonard’s Church grounds, Little Downham’s Conservation Area and Pingle Wood which all supported and widened learning.” 

Three other CMAT primary schools also achieved the PSQM – Sawtry Junior Academy, in Sawtry; West Town Primary Academy in Peterborough; and Bar Hill Primary School, near Cambridge.

Associate professor Jane Turner, PSQM national director, said, “The coronavirus pandemic has made everyone aware of the impact of science on our daily lives and primary schools have an important role to ensure that children understand how science works and keeps us healthy and safe.”

“The profile and quality of science in each awarded school is very high.”

“Children are engaging with great science both in and outside the classroom, developing positive attitudes towards science as well as secure scientific understanding and skills.”

“Science subject leaders, their colleagues, Principles, children, parents, carers and Academy Councillors should be very proud.”

Downham Feoffees Primary Academy is located in the picturesque village of Little Downham and currently has places available for some year groups for the academic year 2020/21. For further information about Downham Feoffees, please visit the academy’s website downhamfeoffees.org  or contact the office on: office@downhamfeoffees.org  Alternatively, please call the office on 01353 699325 during term time.

Press release from Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust

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The cast of Youth Acts UP who are aged 7- 16, will perform a Pantomime written by local Little Downham children’s author Peter Crussell.

They will have you laughing and singing to a host of memorable songs and with a few surprises in store you will go away with a fantastic memory. This is their fourth pantomime, with all performances a sell out.

Becky Green, the Director/Choreographer states “It has taken weeks of hard work and dedication to put this show together and it is wonderful to see youngsters (some of whom started with us 4 years ago) reach their potential and perform shows such as these”.

Carol, the producer says “At all of their performances you’ll see that many of the cast have blossomed over the years with increased confidence and self-esteem and can demonstrate their new skills with exceptional talent and show a zest for being on stage”.

Youth Acts UP is in its fourth year with previous sold out productions of Cinderella, Aladdin, Peter Pan, Dracula Rock Show and Seussical The Musical.  The group promotes all things theatrical and encourages all to get involved. It runs Saturday mornings (term time) 10.30 -12.30 for ages 7+. Their summer production will be The Wizard of Oz Youth Version.  Contact rebekahgreen2016@outlook.com for more information.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be on Saturday 25th January 2020 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm at Little Downham Village Hall.

Tickets for Snow White are available on line at www.ticketsource.co.uk/youthactsup or in person at NISA, Main Street, Little Downham.  Doors open 30 minutes before performances and refreshments/bar are available.

Press release from Youth Acts UP

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A ladies shopping and pampering night is being organised in Little Downham to raise awareness and much needed funds for Petals, the baby loss charity that has been forced to suspend services due to lack of funding from the NHS.

Laura Warner, a Risk Co-ordinator at Eazipay Ltd in Ely, is organising the event, which will take place on 19th October at Little Downham Village Hall from 7pm to 9.30pm.

Over 25 stalls will be offering a range of homemade crafts, pampering products and beautiful gifts, and local businesses, stall holders and national retailers have donated prizes for a raffle at the end of the night. Entry costs £1 and all monies raised will go to the charity.

Due to lack of available funding, Petals, which provides specialist support for people affected by miscarriage, still birth and depression following childbirth, had to suspend its counselling service at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge earlier this month.

Thirty year old Laura from March, and her husband Sam, had a miscarriage four years ago and had no support where they lived at the time.

Laura said, “I want to be able to raise funds which will go towards helping other parents get the support we didn’t have as well as raising awareness of the charity and for parents to know they are not on their own.”

Press release from Laura Warner Event Organiser

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What they are agreeing to do, is to jump out of a plane, strapped to someone they have never met before at 10,000ft. The aim – to raise as much money as they can for Magpas Air Ambulance. You know they are either mad or have had far too much to drink. (Or both)

A discussion continues, a determination sets in. A pact is made and it seems there is no going back. Our “ Band Of Jumpers” are ready to fly.

And so the adventure begins.

The heroes (all adventures need heroes) of this adventure are the Plough Jumpers, with their trusty ground crew supporting them along the way. So who are the mad people who have volunteered to do this:

• Jason Cridford ( Gentleman Jumper)
• Andy Sears ( Artic Jumper)
• Debbie Pellant ( Crafty Jumper)
• Geoff Goff (Terminator Jumper)
• Steve McGowen ( Del Boy Jumper)
• Neil Mortlock (Ginger Jumper)
• Jim Parkes ( Red Jumper)

Now known as “The Little Downham Plough Jumpers” aka The Magnificent Seven. They may pick up some other names along the way!

This band of local celebrities needs to raise a Jump Chest ready for the 6^th July and they have been putting there collective minds together to come up with ideas to provide family fun and activities to support the local communities and also to provide the Jump Chest with more doubloons. This will range from Charity Car washes – Car Boot Selling – Car Treasure Hunt – Golf Day – BBQ and Band at the Plough plus more. For more details, have a look at:-

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LittleDownhamPloughJumpers (Watch out for Motivational Monday Songs and even make a suggestion) Or watch for the local posters/social media as events come up.

The support from local business to date has been fantastic and warming, this is a great team working, for a great cause —come on the adventure with them. Contact us on 07443 430195 or email – Norman.Highnam@outlook.com

Your support saves lives 24/7 Registered charity no. 1119279 – https://www.magpas.org.uk/

From The Little Downham Plough Jumpers

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