Episode 27. Cropredy Convention Meet Elles Bailey

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 …

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

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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Renowned artist Ann Biggs kicks off awe-inspiring Autumn at WWT Welney

An awe-inspiring autumn awaits visitors to the wetlands at WWT Welney as artist Ann Bigg’s kicks off the season with her beautiful gallery. Ann’s way of capturing the beauty and wonder of wetland wildlife can be seen in her gallery at WWT Welney this September and October.  Ann’s gallery in the visitor centre is the …

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Amy Wormald’s solo exhibition is a colourful celebration of nature.

Local artist Amy Wormald is opening her solo exhibition ‘WILD’ at Babylon ARTS this October. Featuring new original paintings, this exhibition celebrates the untamed beauty of nature. Amy Wormald is an award-winning artist based in Ely. Drawing inspiration from the world around her home, her work captures the essence of wildflowers and flora in vibrant, …

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A Smashing Success: 10is Academy’s First Monthly Family Tennis Event

10is Academy kicked off its series of monthly family events with a fun-filled day of tennis, laughter, and family bonding. The inaugural Autumn Tennis Harvest event, held this September, was a fantastic success, bringing families together to enjoy tennis-themed games and activities in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. With games like Pumpkin Smash and the Corn Maze Rally, participants of all …

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Animals galore welcomed at Ely Cathedral’s annual service

Ely Cathedral’s much loved Animal Service returns next Sunday, 22 September.  For over 30 years, Ely Cathedral has hosted a special service dedicated to animals and was one of the first Cathedral’s to do so. This very special event is dedicated to celebrating animal life particularly the joy and pleasure we experience from our own …

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The Kite Trust becomes Reporting Centre

The Kite Trust in Ely has become East Cambridgeshire’s latest Third Party Hate Crime Reporting Centre (TPRC). The Kite Trust, based on Market Street, supports LGBTQ+ young people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Their LGBTQ+ trained youth workers offer tailored support to anyone reporting hate crimes and incidents.  They can also receive anonymous reports and help …

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District council plans to bring in black wheeled bins, weekly food waste collections and enhance its free garden waste service

Plans for black wheelie bins, a weekly food waste collection and the retention and improvement of a free garden waste service are to go before councillors. The aim is to provide the best possible service to residents whilst also increasing the district’s recycling rate. The plans drawn up by East Cambridgeshire District Council are designed …

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New Sporting Memories Club Sessions for the Over 50’s To Launch in Cambridge and Ely

Anyone aged over 50, who has enjoyed or is a keen supporter of sport, is invited to join two brand new Sporting Memories Clubs, which are kicking off this month at Abbey Leisure Centre in Cambridge and The Hive Leisure Centre in Ely. The Better leisure centres, run by GLL, a charitable social enterprise, have …

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Disability inclusion award for breaking down barriers in Ely

The Rich Tea Community, a local group for adults with additional needs that meets in the Countess Free Church in Ely – and its co-founder, Cate Allen – have been presented with the Luke 5 Award for disability inclusion from the Christian charity Through the Roof (www.throughtheroof.org) Beyond the barriers: Freedom of religion is a right, …

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Ely College Celebrates Impressive GCSE Achievements

Ely College, part of Meridian Trust, is celebrating another year of exceptional GCSE results, with students and staff reflecting on a fantastic set of achievements. Principal Simon Warburton expressed his pride, saying: “We are delighted with the results of our Year 11 cohort, who approached their studies with incredible maturity and dedication. They deserve to …

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Local photography club celebrates 50 years!

Ely Photographic Club are celebrating their 50th anniversary with an exhibition of their photographic prints at Babylon Gallery. Ely Photographic Club began 50 years ago, in 1974. They are a friendly local club withalmost 50 members, all of whom have a passion for photography and varying levels ofexperience. The group have held several exhibitions of …

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Sunnica Challenge Ends as Two Councils Pull Out

Judicial review proceedings from four local councils against the Sunnica solar farm project will not be pursued after West Suffolk Council and Cambridgeshire County Council chose to withdraw from the process. Suffolk County Council and East Cambridgeshire District Council remained committed to seeing through the legal challenge but were left in an impossible position to …

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Bishop Laney Sixth Form students and staff celebrate Post-16 success

Students at Bishop Laney Sixth Form, part of Meridian Trust, have achieved a fantastic set of Post-16 results this year. Adam Steels, Head of Bishop Laney Sixth Form, said: “I am so very pleased for all our students, whether heading to university, into employment or onto further study through apprenticeships. They should all be proud …

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King’s Ely students’ excellent A-Level results

King’s Ely students are celebrating a superb set of A-Level results today (August 15th), with almost half of all grades achieved being A*-A.    The vast majority of our 95-strong Year 13 cohort have once again secured places at their first-choice universities and institutions, not just in the UK, but across the globe. This year, a …

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Ely Tennis Club: 12-hour Tennis Marathon raises over £2000 for Macmillan Cancer Support

Ely Tennis Club’s Head Coach Jack Pearson completed a 12-hour tennis marathon on Sunday 4th July, raising over £2000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. The first ball was served at 5am and after 165 games the final rally was played out with Becky Lemkow, and counted down by jubilant members and supporters.   More than 30 members …

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Council to focus on reducing the impact of Sunnica

Following the announcement by Secretary of State Ed Miliband to grant permission for the Sunnica solar farm, East Cambridgeshire District Council has taken independent legal advice to understand the chances of success of a Judicial Review of the decision-making process.  The district council has worked closely with Suffolk County and West Suffolk councils, both of …

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Council pledges to only increase Council Tax as a last resort

East Cambridgeshire District Council is continuing its commitment to only increase Council Tax as a last resort, as part of its new Corporate Plan for 2024/25. To date the council is the only district, county or unitary authority still in operation in the country not to have increased Council Tax for the past 11 years. …

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Babylon Gallery’s Summer Open Exhibition returns for another year!

The annual Babylon ARTS Summer Open Exhibition is back for another year,showcasing a wide range of artwork, from painting and photography to ceramics,woodwork, and much more. The exhibition opens on Friday 2nd August at BabylonGallery. Babylon ARTS Summer Open is an annual celebration of work created by artists from both the local area, and further …

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Ely Arts Festival is a triumph with over 7000 people enjoying events across two weeks!

Ely Arts Festival is celebrating its largest and most successful festival to date. In 2024 there were 43 events across the two weeks (almost double the events in 2023), all enjoyed by over 7000 people.  Highlights included the festival family fun day (despite the weather) which featured musical performances on the bandstand, circus skills, dance …

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Ely College awarded prestigious national ‘Centre of Excellence’ award for Oracy

Staff at Ely College, part of Meridian Trust, are proud to have received a coveted Oracy Centre of Excellence award from the national oracy charity, Voice 21, for their work in developing students’ speaking and listening skills.  Voice 21 works with more than 1000 schools nationally, and Ely College was one of only 24 to …

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Inter School Mixed Football Tournament for Years 5 & 6

It was a beautiful day on Thursday 20th June for the year 5 and 6 inter school mixed football tournament organised by ActivePlay Education and held at Ely Outdoor Sports Association!  12 teams from 9 schools across East Cambridgeshire – Ely St John’s, Fordham, Isle of Ely, Mepal & Witcham, Millfield, Rackham, Robert Arkenstall, Stretham …

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Playful Exhibition from Artist Helen Murray Hopes to Spark Your Imagination

‘Stories from my Mother’s Cabinet’ is an upcoming solo exhibition from artist HelenMurray, taking place at Babylon Gallery throughout July. Focusing on a metaphorical ‘cabinet’, it will explore the transformation of seemingly mundane materials into new forms whether in paint, found objects or mixed media pieces. Helen uses mostly natural and organic materials, including old …

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Babylon ARTS and Highfield Littleport Academy Celebrate Nature, Art and Creative Collaboration!

On Thursday 6th June, Babylon ARTS and Highfield Littleport Academy celebrated the culmination of a large ongoing creative project, made possible by funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This event showcased the creative work completed by the students and artists involved, while also offering further creative activities and reflectionon the project. In 2023 Babylon …

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WWT Welney Promises a Summer of Wonder with New Postcard Adventure Trail

Families looking for a fresh adventure that will deepen their connection with nature can enjoy a new postcard adventure trail launching for the school summer holidays at WWT Welney. The trail is one of many activities planned that will offer a summer of wonder for all exploring the wetlands. Giant postcards, designed by children’s illustrator …

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East Anglian Stitch Textiles present an exhibition that celebrates“women of inspiration”

Open soon at Babylon Gallery is ‘Bridging the Gap’, a fascinating and inspiring groupexhibition by East Anglian Stitch Textiles (EAST) that explores the role of women, past and present, through a variety of textile artworks. EAST was formed in 1995 when founder member, Carol Dixon, created a group for textile artists in East Anglia who …

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Greener Together Connecting our Communities to Grow our Action Together

This community event showcased local community led green initiatives.  In addition to hearing about the climate friendly retrofit of Gardiner Hall and the blossoming Repair Café movement, there was also opportunities to learn about Community Energy plans and digital mapping technology which can empower local councils. Over 50 individuals from voluntary groups, parish councils and …

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The City of Ely Council Announces Retirement of Long Serving Councillor

The City of Ely Council announces the retirement of one of its long serving councillors.  Cllr Sue Austen has decided to retire from her role as a parish councillor. The Mayor of Ely, Cllr Chris Phillips said “I was very sorry to hear that Sue Austen had decided, for health and family reasons, to step …

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Councillors vote to make playgrounds in East Cambridgeshire more inclusive

Councillors have agreed the first step towards making playgrounds in East Cambridgeshire more inclusive for all children and young people. They unanimously agreed a cross-party motion at Thursday’s Full Council meeting (23 May 2024), which recognises the essential role of play in child development. The motion also highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for outdoor …

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Ask for Ani domestic abuse campaign launched ahead of Euros

A campaign targeted at kicking domestic abuse out of East Cambridgeshire has been launched ahead of the Euros. One in four women and one in six men experience domestic abuse. These numbers can increase dramatically during major football tournaments. During the last European championships in 2020 reported rates of domestic violence increased as much as …

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51st World Peashooting Championships – Enter today!

Get ready to aim, shoot, and hit the target as the 51st World Peashooting Championship returns. Pea shooting enthusiasts and curious spectators alike will gather this summer for this eccentric annual event, taking place in Witcham, near Ely in Cambridgeshire, on Saturday, July 13th, 2024. From humble beginnings over 50 years ago, the World Peashooting …

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Five Ely Vikings Players to Represent England on the International Stage

Ely Vikings Korfball Club will have three representatives at the Under 17 Korfball World Cup this year, with two more players being selected for the England Under 15 squad. Sam Oakhill, Madison Ford and Elena Fraser will all represent England Under 17s in Eindhoven at the end of June, whilst Josh Braybrook and Piper Froment …

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Episode 20. Ely Folk Festival – Romy Gensale Showcase Performer

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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Grant Funds New Wildlife Habitats at Lantern School

CHILDREN at an Ely primary school hope new wildlife habitats will encourage newts and lizards to their Forest School. Last week youngsters at the Lantern Community Primary School helped install four small bird nest boxes and four open nest boxes around Forest School, as well as admiring new refuges for amphibians, reptiles and bugs. The …

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Community Voices – Your Perspective Matters for End of Life Care

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity invites local people from diverse backgrounds and ethnic minority communities to join their “Community Voices” sessions, where your thoughts and experiences regarding care for life-limiting conditions and at the end-of-life, are valued and much needed. The Charity, which provides palliative care, recognises that Cambridgeshire has a diverse population, and its care …

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King’s Ely student triumphant in 2024 Young Organists’ Competition

A skillful musician at King’s Ely is celebrating success in a national competition. Thomas Strudwick, who is in Year 10 at King’s Ely Senior, has been crowned the ‘Intermediate Class’ winner of this year’s Young Organists’ Competition. The contest is organised by the School Organists’ Association, which was launched in 2020 to support organists and …

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His Majesty King Charles III retains his patronage of The Stained Glass Museum

Following His Majesty The King’s Accession in September 2022, a major review ofmore than 1,000 Royal Patronages and charity Presidencies has been undertaken. To mark the anniversary of Their Majesties’ Coronation, the outcome of this review hasbeen announced, and The Stained Glass Museum is amongst the charities to beretained. As HRH The Prince of Wales, …

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Years 5 & 6 Inter School QuickSticks Hockey Tournament

Five teams from Fordham Primary School, Isle of Ely Primary School and Littleport Community Primary School took part in a Years 5 & 6 QuickSticks Hockey tournament on Friday 10th May.  Organized by ActivePlay Education, the tournament was held on the astro pitch at Ely Outdoor Sports Association and the teams played 15 minute games …

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Soham’s fantastic fun family festival offers huge value for money!

Family ticket offers over £270 worth of activities for just £80 Soham’s exciting new family festival, SoFest, is set to offer local families huge value for money, with a range of activities worth over £68 per person.  A group of two adults and two children will save nearly £200 compared with having to pay for …

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Walk this May

There are so many good reasons to get out for a walk, especially with the promise of some fairer weather. Walk this May is a campaign to get everyone thinking about making walking a new healthy habit and a reminder of all the health benefits associated with it. Keep an eye out for some helpful …

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Share your thoughts on new hedgehog guidance for developers

Members of the public are being asked for their thoughts on new planning guidelines aimed at helping increase hedgehog numbers across East Cambridgeshire. The Hedgehog Recovery Design Guidance supplementary planning document – believed to be the first of its kind in the country – asks developers to put measures in place to help hedgehogs when planning new …

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Ely Cathedral to Host Thought Provoking Exhibition by Celebrated Artist and Sculptor

Am I My Brother’s Keeper is a new exhibition by British artist and sculptor Sean Henry.  Curated by Visual Arts Advisor Jacquiline Creswell, the exhibition prompts reflection on the extent to which individuals may support each other and can be interpreted as an enquiry into one’s moral responsibility toward others.  Sean Henry presents over 25 hand painted terracotta and bronze figures, which will populate …

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Photography Competition Victory Continues for King’s Ely!

Eleven King’s Ely photography students had their images shortlisted in an international competition – two of whom proceeded to be crowned category winners. Hundreds of photographers from across the globe entered this year’s ‘Beyond the Frame’ competition, which is organised annually by Norwich University of the Arts (NUA) and Canon to celebrate the creativity and …

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Cathedral Choristers to Welcome Springtime in Song

The Ely Cathedral Boy Choristers, famous for their regular singing of choral music at services, will soon be stepping away from their usual repertoire to perform uplifting and beautiful, music celebrating the joys of spring.  Edmund Aldhouse, Director of Music at Ely Cathedral said, “Seasons and Charms is a chance for our twenty  boy choristers …

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Vivid Paintings of Paper Wildlife Scenes will Fill this Exhibition from Artist Mark Ward

Still life paintings of vibrant animal characters made from rescued materials, form the distinct style of Suffolk based artist Mark Ward. His upcoming solo exhibition at Babylon Gallery is entitled ‘Birds, Beasts and Even More Bendy Stuff’, and opens on Wednesday 1st May 2024. When he left teaching Art and Design to produce his own …

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Celebrating 50 years of City Status – Eel Day Festival 2024

Eel Day 2024 is celebrating its 20th year this year. This quirky event was born in 2004 and has grown over the many years to a full, three-day celebration of all things ‘Eel’ and Ely! You’ll find the event team at Cross Green from 10 am, Saturday 4th May as they prepare the annual parade. …

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Surging Success – Ely Swimming Club Weekend Triumphs and Achievements

The Newmarket Masters event fielded a team of 11 competitors from Ely, all of whom won medals. The team members ranged in age from 17 to 62.  Despite the diversity in age, each competitor demonstrated a shared love for the sport, showcasing the enduring appeal and inclusivity of swimming as a lifelong activity.   A team …

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Littleport Players Win NODA Award for Best Pantomime!

On Sunday 7th April, Producer Becky Smith, made her way to Ipswich for the annual NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) award ceremony, as the Littleport Players had been nominated for the ‘Best Pantomime’ award, for their production of Alice in Wonderland, that took place in December. They were up against fellow local theatre groups, …

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Voter ID needed for Police and Crime Commissioner election

Residents across Cambridgeshire are being encouraged to check they have Voter ID for the Police and Crime Commissioner election due to take place on Thursday 2nd May. Government legislation means all voters must take with them an acceptable form of ID when voting at polling stations. Without it, potential voters risk not having their say …

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