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spottedinely@gmail.com

Killer clown craze no laughing matter – and may lead to criminal record, warn police

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Clowning around may land you with a public order offence, warn police to anyone contemplating taking part in the latest pranking trend. Yesterday police investigated a report of a man being assaulted by someone wearing a Halloween mask in Littleport. After reviewing the alleged incident in detail, including comprehensive CCTV footage from the immediate area, …

Killer clown craze no laughing matter – and may lead to criminal record, warn police Read More »

Art Unequalled celebrates the creme of British talent

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Artists from far and wide will be displaying their creations at Art Unequalled – a special Ely exhibition celebrating the creme of British talent. Art Unequalled will feature a fabulous collection of arts and crafts from across the country, featuring the work of established contributors as well as some fresh faces. It will include work …

Art Unequalled celebrates the creme of British talent Read More »

Ely Community Against Hate to spread "love and tolerance" at market this Saturday

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A new Ely group is hoping to spread “love and tolerance”, following shocking revelations that a neo-Nazi group recently held a two-day gathering in Haddenham. Ely Community Against Hate will be holding a stall at Ely Market this Saturday to reassure people that Ely is a tolerant place that welcomes people of different nationalities. Joel …

Ely Community Against Hate to spread "love and tolerance" at market this Saturday Read More »

Busy Bees Pre-School temporarily closed but "nothing to be concerned about"

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A popular Littleport pre-school has been temporarily closed but staff say there is “nothing to be concerned about”. A source told Spotted in Ely today that parents of youngsters attending Busy Bees Pre-School in Grange Lane were asked to “collect their kids immediately” and that the facility would be shut “until at least half term” …

Busy Bees Pre-School temporarily closed but "nothing to be concerned about" Read More »

Ghostly new tour of Cromwell’s House not for the faint-hearted

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Prepare to be scared during a new tour with a twist: an alternative guided tour of Oliver Cromwell’s House this Halloween warns visitors to “be prepared for unexplained bumps and noises”. For the first time, ghost hunters will be treated to an evening look around the 12th Century building, which has “a variety of visitors …

Ghostly new tour of Cromwell’s House not for the faint-hearted Read More »

Elections today to choose North Ward councillor for Ely

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Elections are taking place today to select a candidate for Ely’s North Ward. Polling stations are open until 10pm at three locations. The four candidates battling it out for the parish council role are Mark Cooney (Spotted in Ely), Richard Morgan (no description at time of standing), Edward Carlsson Browne (Labour Party), and John Yates …

Elections today to choose North Ward councillor for Ely Read More »

Popular petition to save Ely's minor injuries unit handed to CCG boss

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A 6345 strong petition, calling for Ely’s minor injuries unit to be saved from closure, was last night handed to the NHS funding boss in our area. Campaigner Helen Wright gave the petition to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) clinical chair Dr Gary Howsam during a public meeting at The Maltings. Presenting the …

Popular petition to save Ely's minor injuries unit handed to CCG boss Read More »

Three men charged in relation to burglaries across East Cambridgeshire

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Police warn that burglaries are higher than normal for this time of the year. Burglary detectives in Ely last week charged three men in connection with two burglaries across East Cambridgeshire. On Thursday (September 22), police charged two men, aged 32 and 26, with burgling a house under renovation in Burwell on September 15. A …

Three men charged in relation to burglaries across East Cambridgeshire Read More »

Choir members moved to tears following visit to Danish refugee centre

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“The images drawn by the children moved many choir members to tears,” said Sing! Choirs director Kathryn Rowland after performing to 80 refugees near Ely’s twinned town Ribe. Members of a regional choir sang to holiday makers and church goers during a recent visit to Denmark – but it was their performance to refugees that …

Choir members moved to tears following visit to Danish refugee centre Read More »

"NO PARKING" on single yellow lines, kids remind Millfield parents

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Their message is loud and clear: youngsters, parents and teachers at Millfield Primary School in Littleport are fed up with people parking illegally during pick up and drop off. PCSO Annie Austin visited the school last week, responding to concerns about poor parking. She arranged for students to produce a series of letters spelling out …

"NO PARKING" on single yellow lines, kids remind Millfield parents Read More »

Uninsured car seized by police – and may be scrapped in two weeks

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An uninsured car being driven around Ely on Saturday night has been seized by police. Special Constable Mark Gillibrand, responsible for having the 2004 Ford Mondeo car confiscated, described driving uninsured as “a very selfish offence” because lawful drivers have to shoulder the burden in their insurance premiums – “and worse if they become a …

Uninsured car seized by police – and may be scrapped in two weeks Read More »

North Ward candidate Richard Morgan says north of city not "treated fairly" when it comes to expansion

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Former school governor Richard Morgan says it’s important to ensure that there are enough school places to cope with Ely’s rapid development. One of four candidates standing for the City Council (North Ward), Richard says residents in the north of the city are not being “treated fairly” when it comes to expansion. “800 homes are …

North Ward candidate Richard Morgan says north of city not "treated fairly" when it comes to expansion Read More »

Outpatients services safe – but minor injuries unit still at risk

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Outpatients services at Ely’s Princess of Wales Hospital are safe for now – but the future of our minor injuries unit is still uncertain. Yesterday Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group announced that Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has agreed to work with it to provide outpatients clinics at the Princess of Wales …

Outpatients services safe – but minor injuries unit still at risk Read More »

Let them eat cake! Spotted in Ely's Macmillan fundraiser raises over £150 for cancer care

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What’s even better than cake? Cake that raises cash to help cancer patients. Spotted in Ely’s second ever Macmillan Coffee Morning today has so far raised over £150. Hosted at Ely’s new Market Street Brasserie, the charity fundraiser featured cupcakes, brownies and other sweet treats made by friends, supporters and members of Spotted in Ely. …

Let them eat cake! Spotted in Ely's Macmillan fundraiser raises over £150 for cancer care Read More »

Wonderful Dahl-ing! Lantern kids celebrate centenary since Roald Dahl's birth

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There’s never a Dahl moment at The Lantern School in Ely. Actually on Friday, year two students got to experience a whole Dahl day! The children were taking part in celebrations across the country to celebrate 100 years since the birth of legendary children’s writer Roald Dahl, the talent behind Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, …

Wonderful Dahl-ing! Lantern kids celebrate centenary since Roald Dahl's birth Read More »

Boost for jobseekers with gardening scheme as unemployment rates released

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Job seekers in Ely are being encouraged to sign up for a gardening project that aims to improve their chances of finding work. Helping Hands Gardening Programme, part-funded by Sanctuary Housing and managed by Voluntary and Community Action East Cambridgeshire (VCAEC), will support applicants with free training and valuable work experience that can make them …

Boost for jobseekers with gardening scheme as unemployment rates released Read More »

The Road to Hull

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The road to Hull is now becoming a regular trip for Ely District/B&T Motor Repairs Cycling Club member, Matt Eley, and this weekend saw a fruitful one aswell, taking part in the SSLL Racing Team event on the V718 course, Eley posted a time of 19 minutes 28 seconds over the 10 mile course, a …

The Road to Hull Read More »

Racing Potatoes! 

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By Austen Dack The countdown to this year’s Ely Potato Race is now on – with the team behind the event celebrating its fifth year. The annual relay race, organised by Isle of Ely Produce in conjunction with over 30 local potato farmers, is being held on Saturday, October 8 and will be offiicially statrted …

Racing Potatoes!  Read More »

Sewage works at popular park due to finish this week – but other work to continue

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Sewage work at a popular Ely green space, closed to the public throughout the summer, is due to be completed this week. A spokeswoman for Anglian Water told Spotted in Ely: “The new sewer has been installed and we’re carrying out the final works this week. “Our works will be completed by Friday. “We’d like …

Sewage works at popular park due to finish this week – but other work to continue Read More »

Spotted in Ely's Mark Cooney to stand in Ely North Ward by-election

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Spotted in Ely editor and creator Mark Cooney has thrown his hat into the ring, announcing that he will stand for the Parish of Ely’s North Ward By-Election, and promising more transparency from local politicians if elected. The by-election for a new parish councillor will take place across three polling stations from 7am until 10pm …

Spotted in Ely's Mark Cooney to stand in Ely North Ward by-election Read More »

Drivers warned to put the brakes on speeding – or face the consequences

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Kill your speed or face the consequences, police warn speeding motorists, following a crackdown in East Cambridgeshire today. This morning special constables Tom Howard and Mark Gillibrand clocked two drivers whizzing through Ely Road between Ely and Littleport at speeds of 44mph and 48mph in a 30mph zone. Both drivers were pulled over and served …

Drivers warned to put the brakes on speeding – or face the consequences Read More »

New business expected to create over 100 jobs in the area

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Plans for a large agricultural development in Chittering have been welcomed by councillors, saying it would bring up to 120 jobs to East Cambridgeshire. Earlier this month East Cambridgeshire District Council’s planning committee unanimously approved the proposal for four glass houses to be built off Ely Road. Councillor Lisa Stubbs wished applicants AGR Renewables Limited …

New business expected to create over 100 jobs in the area Read More »

You're Invited for MacMillan Cake and Coffee Morning

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September is known for “The Biggest Coffee Morning” from MacMillan Cancer and Spotted in Ely is hosting its own event at The Market Street Brasserie, next Saturday 24th from 10am till midday and you’re all invited. We also need cakes. Our kitchen is busy with preparation but the more the merrier. For more information see https://www.facebook.com/events/1640932182885379 …

You're Invited for MacMillan Cake and Coffee Morning Read More »

New pet supplies shop opening in Ely

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A popular Ely veterinary surgery will be opening up a shop in October. The Isle Vet Group on West Fen Road has started ordering stock for its new Isle of Pets store, which plans to sell pet food, healthy treats, toys and accessories. For more information click here.  

Take care on wet roads, warn police after a spate of Saturday smashes

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Take care on wet roads – particularly in rural areas, warn police, following 11 smashes in under eight hours last weekend. With tomorrow (September 16) forecast to be a wash out for some of the afternoon, motorists and cyclists should take extra care during Friday rush hour. Last Saturday, 11 crashes were reported to police …

Take care on wet roads, warn police after a spate of Saturday smashes Read More »

Happy Birthday, Roald Dahl!

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What do Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Tales of the Unexpected have in common? They were all penned by Roald Dahl. Schools across Cambridgeshire have been taking part in celebrations to mark the much loved author’s centenary this week. Children at Spring Meadows School and The King’s School in Ely …

Happy Birthday, Roald Dahl! Read More »

Littleport could move to SW Norfolk in radical electoral shake-up

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Littleport could become part of South West Norfolk in a radical shake-up of Parliamentary boundaries. The Boundary Commissions for England and Wales have announced plans for sweeping reforms which would see the number of MPs in the the House of Commons slashed from 650 to 600. In its proposals, the Boundary Commission for England recommends …

Littleport could move to SW Norfolk in radical electoral shake-up Read More »

Blogging – not blobbing out in front of the telly – creates glorious challenges for adventurous mum

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Two years ago, exhausted Ely mum Emma Smith decided she’d had enough of vegging out in front of the telly and wanted to push herself out of her comfort zone. Since cancelling her pay TV subscription, she’s taken part in 10km races, acted as an extra in MacBeth, been part of the team behind Cambridge …

Blogging – not blobbing out in front of the telly – creates glorious challenges for adventurous mum Read More »

Modified car meet called off, organisers promising a "bigger and better" legal event

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The organisers of a local car enthusiast group has called off their End of Summer Meet at an Ely car park, following warnings from police to stay away. Last night East Cambs Modified posted on their Facebook page that the controversial event would be changed to a different day at a “legal location”, as police …

Modified car meet called off, organisers promising a "bigger and better" legal event Read More »

Tracy Allgood makes heartbreaking decision to close successful deli: "The last six weeks have broken me"

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The owner of a successful Ely delicatessen says the difficult decision to close down her business was cemented after an exhausting summer. With just over a week to go until Allgoods of Ely shuts its doors for the last time, Tracy Allgood told Spotted in Ely she will miss the people coming into the shop …

Tracy Allgood makes heartbreaking decision to close successful deli: "The last six weeks have broken me" Read More »

Car park closed to deter boy racers, opinions divided

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An Ely car park will be closed tomorrow night in an unusual step to prevent boy (and girl) racers from congregating there, following complaints from local residents. Yesterday East Cambridgeshire District Council announced that Angel Drove Car Park would be closed from 7pm on Saturday, September 10, until 7am the following day, apologising for “any …

Car park closed to deter boy racers, opinions divided Read More »

Rose Barn owners may appeal after planning application rejected by council

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The owners of a popular Sutton events venue are disappointed that an application to operate as a mixed use premises has been rejected by East Cambridgeshire District Council. Speaking to Spotted in Ely afterwards, Sally Bibby said she and her husband Sid were “disappointed” that the Rose Barn off Ely Road had been refused the …

Rose Barn owners may appeal after planning application rejected by council Read More »

Sew creative: young stitchers on the cutting edge of budget design win fabulous prizes!

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Fabric-cadabra! Two girls are celebrating their sewing skills after winning a Summer Stitch competition, run by Sew Much to Do. Over the summer holidays, the Ely High Street Passage shop asked budding young stitchers to submit their sewing, knitting and crochet projects. Entries had to contain a summer theme and all material had to cost …

Sew creative: young stitchers on the cutting edge of budget design win fabulous prizes! Read More »

CCTV VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED

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The monitoring and recording of the CCTV in Ely and Soham is a local responsibility. The City of Ely Council, Soham Town Council & Ely Constabulary are working in partnership to provide this service. We are preparing to recruit more volunteers to assist and play an important part in the monitoring and recording of the …

CCTV VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED Read More »

Ely hopes to host its own Pride party, joining cosmopolitan cities around the world

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London, New York, Paris, Tel Aviv and Teipei all have gay Pride parades – so why not Ely? The founders of the newly formed Pride in Ely and Cambridge group hope a fundraiser on September 10 will set the wheels in motion for Ely’s first Pride event in 2018. A spokeswoman said: “We are all …

Ely hopes to host its own Pride party, joining cosmopolitan cities around the world Read More »

Ely's post office could move for the third time in as many years

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Ely’s current Post Office may have to relocate once a new postmaster has been selected, Spotted in Ely can reveal. A Post Office spokeswoman said today that the company had received two applications from applicants interested in running the Ely branch, which is currently being operated by a temporary postmaster, with reduced opening hours and …

Ely's post office could move for the third time in as many years Read More »

Council defends scaled down pool design, responding to accusations of it being “a sub-optimal, boring, out of town swimming box”

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Ely’s new swimming pool will not have water flumes due to costs – but it will have transferrable play equipment for children’s activities instead, the councillor responsible for the development has told Spotted in Ely. Councillor Richard Hobbs, of East Cambridgeshire District Council, was responding to criticisms about the scaled down design for the new …

Council defends scaled down pool design, responding to accusations of it being “a sub-optimal, boring, out of town swimming box” Read More »

Ely's first Health and Happiness Day planned for this month

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Try a new form of exercise, sample a mocktail and learn about healthy living at East Cambridgeshire’s first ever Health and Happiness Day. The day, planned at empowering residents to make healthier lifestyle choices, will take place at Ely Country Park on Sunday, September 25, from 11am to 3pm. Organisers from East Cambridgeshire’s Health and …

Ely's first Health and Happiness Day planned for this month Read More »

Food! by Lizzi goes fully vegan

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A popular stall holder at Ely Farmers Market, locally famous for her vegetarian Scotch eggs, has just moved over to selling completely vegan homemade goodies on her stall. Elizabeth ‘Lizzi’ Flaherty, the creative force behind Food! by Lizzi, announced last week that she would be selling her last batch of veggie Scotch eggs that weekend. …

Food! by Lizzi goes fully vegan Read More »

Injured rider thanks rescue crews, urging fellow riders to support the air ambulance

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A horse rider who suffered a fracture after falling off her horse near Witchford has written a heartfelt message to the medics who treated her at the scene. Clare Andrews publicly thanked the East Anglian Air Ambulance on their Facebook page on August 23, a fortnight after the accident. Her friend raised the alarm after …

Injured rider thanks rescue crews, urging fellow riders to support the air ambulance Read More »

The Robins give The Brecklanders a helping hand in taking all 3 point

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Ely came into the game after two successive away wins while Thetford after a good start had narrowly lost both of their last two games. Ely City manager Brady Stone was forced into one change from the Hadleigh starting line up with Liam Griffin not being available so central defender Ollie Brookes came back into …

The Robins give The Brecklanders a helping hand in taking all 3 point Read More »

Bon appetit! The Continental Market returns to Ely tomorrow.

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Ely Markets will play host to a range of continental delicacies and delights over the long bank holiday weekend. From tomorrow (Saturday August 27) until Bank Holiday Monday (August 29), visitors to Ely Market can indulge in what the visiting continental market has to offer. An array of food stalls will hold everything from freshly …

Bon appetit! The Continental Market returns to Ely tomorrow. Read More »

Turn out at MIU public meetings "exceeded our expectations", CCG says, announcing more

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More public meetings about the future of three threatened minor injury units will take place in Ely and Fenland, following the huge turnout at meetings held over the past fortnight. Today Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Health Group, which makes financial decisions about the NHS in our area, announced four further meetings planned for next month, …

Turn out at MIU public meetings "exceeded our expectations", CCG says, announcing more Read More »

Paradise (Pools) lost when new leisure centre opens but existing gym to remain

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The opening of Ely’s state of the art leisure centre will signal Paradise lost for lovers of the existing swimming pools – but pool staff employed by the council will get to keep their jobs, enquiries by Spotted in Ely reveal. This week Councillor Richard Hobbs, chair of East Cambridgeshire District Council’s commercial services committee …

Paradise (Pools) lost when new leisure centre opens but existing gym to remain Read More »

Ely Progressives blame government underfunding and "poor management" for minor injuries debacle

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Underfunding of the NHS and “poor management” by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group are to blame for the potential closure of Ely’s minor injuries unit, according to Ely Progressives. The group, a coalition of Labour, Green, Liberal Democrat and non-aligned members, today added its voice to organisations calling for the unit at the …

Ely Progressives blame government underfunding and "poor management" for minor injuries debacle Read More »

"No decisions" made about future of minor injury units, CCG says, calling further public meetings

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More public meetings are planned regarding the future of three threatened minor injury units and other outpatient services, following the large turnout in Ely this week. Today Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group, responsible for making financial decisions about NHS services in our area, announced that it would be holding further meetings in East Cambridgeshire …

"No decisions" made about future of minor injury units, CCG says, calling further public meetings Read More »

East Cambridgeshire Leisure Centre boosted by £1.5M Sport England grant

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Sport England’s Project Committee has approved a conditional lottery award of £1.5M towards the development of the East Cambridgeshire District Leisure Centre. At its full council meeting in June, East Cambridgeshire District Council agreed to proceed with the new District Leisure Centre project, subject to receiving £1.5M funding from Sport England. Confirmation of lottery award …

East Cambridgeshire Leisure Centre boosted by £1.5M Sport England grant Read More »

Council leader throws support behind minor injury units

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The fight to save minor injuries units at Doddingham, Wisbech and Ely has won the support of the leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, who expressed concerns that public consultations were just a “box ticking exercise”. Councillor James Palmer, who leads ECDC, has backed Northeast Cambridgeshire MP Steve Barclay, who was handed secret documents by …

Council leader throws support behind minor injury units Read More »

Lib Dem councillor slams CCG over handling of minor injury unit plans

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“Anodyne”, “bland” and “dreadful” are the words that Liberal Democrat councillor Lorna Dupré has used to describe the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group’s blueprint for health in our area. On her blog, written after the public meeting in Ely to address the future of minor injury units and outpatient services, the county councillor for …

Lib Dem councillor slams CCG over handling of minor injury unit plans Read More »

We should expand local health services, not axe them, Ely Mayor tells public meeting

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Rather than slashing services at the Princess of Hospital, we should be looking at boosting them as our city continues to grow, Ely Mayor Ian Lindsay told a packed public meeting yesterday. A former RAF physician, Mr Lindsay said expanding services at the hospital would make more sense than scrapping them, saying that none of …

We should expand local health services, not axe them, Ely Mayor tells public meeting Read More »

"No options have been ruled out" – Lucy Frazer on future of Minor Injuries Unit

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No decisions have yet been made about the future of Ely’s minor injuries unit, Southeast MP Lucy Frazer says. Ms Frazer last week attended a meeting set up by East Cambridgeshire District Council cllr Anna Bailey (Conservative, Downham Villages ward) to discuss the threatened units at Ely’s Princess of Wales Hospital as well as at …

"No options have been ruled out" – Lucy Frazer on future of Minor Injuries Unit Read More »

"There was a loud metal bang and then a lot of debris" – passenger describes moment train smashed into car

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A passenger on a train involved in a collision with a car at Stretham this afternoon has praised staff for their quick actions following the crash. A man was airlifted to hospital with head injuries following the horrific smash at Nairns Level Crossing, near Stretham, just after 2.30pm. The passenger, who Spotted in Ely has …

"There was a loud metal bang and then a lot of debris" – passenger describes moment train smashed into car Read More »

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

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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 …

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

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

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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 …

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

Two businesses interested in running Ely Post Office

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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. …

Two businesses interested in running Ely Post Office Read More »