Close to local amenities, yet delightfully rural and secluded, it is perfect for holidays, business travel, family and friend celebration weekends and mini-breaks.

Dog, wheelchair and child-friendly, Gravel Farm Cottages range from a cosy one-bed to a large and contemporary ‘celebration’ eco-house sleeping ten, in superking beds and can be booked together sleeping a total of eighteen. All four cottages offer supreme comfort and luxury with high-quality mattresses, stylish bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens and light and airy interiors along with excellent levels of cleanliness and care all delivered at good value.

Nestled alongside the River Great Ouse with wonderful views across the wildly tamed Fenland landscape, acres of private space for dog-walking and birdwatching as well as instant access to the river for fishing and other activities, there is no need to leave!

Renewably powered and heated by the latest solar and air technology, the four cottages come fully equipped inside and out each with their own secure private garden, high-speed internet connection, a dedicated workspace for home-working and a brand-new hot tub for hire. Offering you a relaxing home-from-home, Gravel Farm is an ideal base from which you can explore and access the Ely area as well as the rest of Cambridgeshire.

For more information and booking information (including longer term and work travel related rental discounts), please visit our website at www.gravelfarm.co.uk, call Davina on 07723 016 965 or email her at davina@gravelfarm.co.uk.

Gravel Farm Cottages, Gravel Farm, Newmarket Road, Stretham, Ely, CB6 3LJ

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Sara Ford co-founder of FRESH on Broad Street in Ely explains the Fundraiser “For most of us, getting around on a daily basis is easy. We can walk upstairs, squeeze through tight spots and pretty much reach whatever we need. But for those of us with a disability or the need for a wheelchair, daily life looks very different. There are places you may not be able to visit, impossible obstacles in the way and only a handful of facilities at your disposal.

At FRESH we are passionate about ensuring our classes & services are available for everyone. Whether you’re rocking your own wheels, fashioning a frame or pushing a buggy; we want you to come to FRESH. with ease & comfort.

But we need a little help. As with all building work, additional costs came out of the woodwork (literally) and before we knew it the budget was stretched beyond its limits. We had naively planned for a lower cost ramp option which we discovered was not appropriate for the space… Our most used phrase for this project is: ‘You don’t know what you don’t know’.

While we are working hard to finance this ourselves, we would be so grateful for any help that you can give us towards this.

They approached Ely Radio to support the event and decided what was needed was a “Swish”.  

Swishing is an exchange of those pretty, classic and barely worn items we all have hiding in our wardrobes and finding something new instead! 

Clothes Swapping gives you all the excitement of something new to you to wear while taking an eco step forward to avoid throw away fashion.  Do your bit and have some fun!

To participate in the Swish, bring up to 5 items of clothes, shoes or Accessories. The rule of thumb is, if you would lend it to a friend you can Swish it. 

Further details are available on the Ely Swishing Facebook Group: Ely Swishing

The evening is set to be a fun, friendly and environmentally friendly occasion.  You can book tickets online in advance here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spring-swish-at-fresh-tickets-310767984407?fbclid=IwAR0vOkfLq57LO9XpAW_eJfx99Y2PZ8f8yRe48HPGSKQ5Ap10jYEti29DxBY

Press release from FRESH

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East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) has teamed up with East Cambs Street Scene to provide all of their employees and elected members with a water bottle and coffee cup.

All reusable water bottles and coffee cups were handed out to staff by ECDC’s recycling superhero, Michael, last week.

Councillor Anna Bailey, leader of ECDC, said: “We are committed to reducing single-use plastics across the district and would encourage others to do the same.

“The environmental impact of plastic bottles in the UK is phenomenal. Recent statistics have revealed that the average person uses 150 plastic water bottles a year – around three per week.

“It is imperative that we all do our bit to reduce single-use plastics and, in turn, protect the environment.”

The statistics, from Water UK, also estimate that around 700,000 plastic bottles are littered every day in the UK.

The initiative follows the Council’s purge on plastics in which it committed to several pledges including eliminating unnecessary single-use plastic packaging, helping to ensure all plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable and help increase the ease in which plastic packaging can be collected and recycled across the district.

Previously, ECDC had to send coffee cups to a specialist company to be recycled at a further cost. The cups contain a thin film of plastic which had to be removed prior to recycling.

Councillor Julia Huffer, member champion for waste, health and wellbeing at ECDC, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer our reusable bottles and coffee cups to our staff.

“The scheme proves that we are serious about reducing plastic bottle waste by encouraging everyone to refill their water bottles and coffee cups to reduce the impact on the environment.

“It is part of a wider initiative to encourage people to bring their own bottle to meetings and encourage visitors to the planning committee or full council meetings to also bring their own bottle.”

As part of the commitment to the purge on plastics, all cups will be removed from the Grange from October 1 for all committee meetings.

Press Release via East Cambridgeshire District Council

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The Prospects Trust will open its GREEN grocery, Farm Food Servery and Refill Larder this September in Ely.

Eager to fundraise for the first stock of the shop and to create a series of Eco/Local events, Eco Ely, Spotted in Ely and the expertise of Ely Swishers have come together to host the first fun fundraiser for Prospects Trust Unwrapped – THE BIG GREEN SWISH 2019

Prospects Trust Unwrapped will open its new venture in Ely in September, but on the 19^th July, an evening event of ‘Swishing’ will be held in the recently converted store front and community room at the Lighthouse Centre, Ely (13 Lynn Road, CB7 4EG).

Doors open at 7pm, with homemade cakes and bakes, refreshments and a raffle. Entrance fee of £5 will be donated (minus booking fees) to Prospects Trust (Registered Charity 1048584) and Eco Ely to create a programme of other Eco-events for Ely.   

For more event details please visit: https://www.facebook.com/EcoEly/   Swishing tickets can be purchased online: https://elysbiggreenswish2019.eventbrite.co.uk

Tom Cockerton, Prospects Trust Unwrapped Manager said, “I have been amazed by the local support, volunteers, donated goods and offers of help I have received since we took over the shop renovation in June.  The Swishing Event was suggested at our Public Consultation Events held in May and I am delighted to say our shop conversion is now at a phase where we can host our first ever shop out of hours event.”

Hayley Ellis, Eco-Ely Founder said, “Eco Ely is a group aimed at like-minded residents of Ely and surrounding villages, who are interested in environmental issues, sustainability, recycling and making a difference where we live. With help from Spotted in Ely this group has reached over 1300 members in just 2 months. We are hoping to increase eco-awareness in Ely and work with a wide variety of people in the community to improve our city.  We would love to raise funds to put on local events, eco-friendly workshops and raise awareness”.

Mark Cooney, Editor of Spotted in Ely, “I was delighted when Hayley contacted SiE about her Eco Ely idea and it’s been a pleasure to work with her to develop this group. We’ve worked together on an interactive recycling map for the area and we are honoured to be co-hosting and promoting this local eco-friendly event.“

This event will showcase local businesses, handicrafts and Eco products, adding more fun to an exciting evening of Swishing. Stalls will be in the main community hall of the Lighthouse with clothes rails for the Swish dotted around the new Unwrapped shop.

Ruth Buckley, the Ely Swish Co-ordinator said, “Swishing is an exchange of those pretty, classic and barely worn items we all have hiding in our wardrobes and finding something new instead! Clothes Swapping gives you all the excitement of something new to you to wear while taking an eco-step forward to avoid throw away fashion.  Do your bit and have some fun! To participate in the Swish, bring up to 10 items of clothes, shoes or Accessories. These must be wearable, ironed where relevant and clean. My rule of thumb is if you would lend it to a friend you can Swish it. The points system is as follows: 10 points for high street names, 20 for premium high street and up to 50 points for outfits, suits, evening dresses and designer items.  The check in volunteers are experienced and fair. When you check in your items, you will be awarded points according to what you have brought and your “Swicket” will be stamped in multiples of 10 points. This event welcomes previous Swishers and new people who wish to trade their clothes, rejuvenate their wardrobes AND do their bit for the environment.”

Prospects Trust Unwrapped will be a new social venture offering a Green Grocery to the shoppers of Ely and real retail experience to people with additional needs.  Prospects Trust will offer a supported training package for young people and adults to learn food hygiene, retail and customer service in their shop. The shop will stock local, seasonal and eco product ranges alongside the organic vegetables, fruits and preserves from Snakehall Farm.  A refill wall of pantry staples and a refill service of household liquids will enable Ely consumers to shop single-use-plastic-free.

Press release from The Prospects Trust

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On Monday 24^th June, a team from Tesco, NW Ground Works and Shane White arrived at The Isle of Ely Primary School with a JCB Digger and Mini Dumper Truck. They were here to dig out a pond and kick start the school’s journey to becoming more Eco-friendly.

At 7am, the team were snuck in to the school’s ‘Garden Area’ to avoid interception by children and as the morning progressed, rumors and excitement spread; “Do Tesco’s now sell ponds?”, “Do we have a digger making us a swimming pool?” The pupil’s interest had been captured: so with trips up to see the digger in action they realised, although there will be no swimming pool, they will soon get to discover all the exciting wildlife found in the murky depths of a pond.

The school is nearly 5 years old and the decision to be Eco-friendly will mean pupils gain a deeper understanding of the importance of the world they live in and how to interact with it. Children that develop a relationship with their environment now, will be more understanding and proactive custodians of the planet in the future. However, building a pond also greatly enriches many areas of their learning, for example when lessons on life cycles and habitats can be witnessed first-hand they become so much more memorable.

The Garden Area started off being an overgrown patch at the corner of the school grounds. But now, the produce beds are full of food, the children have new tools in their shed and there is a great big hole (the future pond), courtesy of the Digging Team. The team were visited by the School Gardening Club whilst working and one pupil, Evie in Year 3, was particularly excited to see its progress as her hopes for a pond began over a year ago when she cut off her long hair to raise money to create it.

The school’s enthusiasm for the environment is steadily growing. The next steps for the school Garden Area are adding bird hides, bee hives, sensory gardens and weather stations. For now though, thanks to the time donated and tools brought by Julia Hamit, Vicky Woodruffe, Neil Woodruffe, Jed Drake and Shane White, Isle of Ely Primary School have a pond that has aided in bringing a little more of the world’s eco-friendly push to the Ely Community.

Julia Hamit, Community Champion for Tesco’s, Ely said, “This was a great pleasure but would not have been possible without the help from Vicky Woodruffe from Tesco her husband Neil Woodruffe, NW Groundworks and Shane White for his generosity.”

By Mrs Annie Hunter, Outdoor Lead at Isle of Ely Primary School

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Lucy at 35 celebrated its grand opening at midday today – and within minutes the cafe was full of foodies curious to try out its colourful cuisine.

Any stereotypes of vegan food being bland or boring were quickly shattered, with dishes ranging from three bean chilli to chickpea, squash and sweet potato curry.
Not to mention the tantalising cookies, brownies and cakes – a work of wizardry, containing neither eggs, butter nor flour.

Minutes before the launch, Spotted in Ely caught up with chef Lucy Andrew, of Little Downham, and Ely businesswoman Caroline Bailey, the forces behind Lucy at 35.

Caroline said: “We are very excited and we are very proud to be bringing a dedicated vegan and gluten free cafe to Ely.
“I’ve known Ely for 40 years. Absolutely there’s been a change. Ely’s a really special city and I think it will really embrace a healthy eating lifestyle.”
Lucy, who’d been prepping dishes into the early hours, admitted having last minute jitters about the grand opening.
“Nerves are good – it shows you care a lot.”

Lucy – who herself has followed a gluten free diet for almost a decade – needn’t have worried.
The healthy, unusual dishes she’d dreamt up were an instant hit on a busy Saturday.
The old stereotype of vegans living on tofu and lentils has gone – and “if it hasn’t, it definitely will be kicked into touch”, Caroline said.
“Vegan food has a beautiful range. It’s delicious and healthy – a rainbow of colours.”
Lucy at 35 opened today at Spa Ely, 35 Forehill. For more information click here.

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Shoppers will be encouraged to bring refillable cups and reusable bags in a bid to reduce their carbon footprints.

Julia Davis, of Ely Markets, hopes the new mini markets will also help residents cut down on food waste and packaging by buying little and often from local traders.
“If people in Ely choose to make a few small changes to the way they shop then together we can make a big difference.
“Remember your shopping bags on market days and bring along a re-usable coffee cup too. We’d love to see people start bringing their own containers for cakes and pastries.”
The first mini market will be launched on April 3 – with subsequent mini markets trading between 8.30am and 3.30pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, selling essentials such as fruit and vegetables, coffee, cheese and bread.

These new, smaller markets will complement larger, well-established markets on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Julia said: “Our new mini markets give you the chance to get more of what you want, when you want it. They’ll make everyday shopping easier and will encourage people to shop locally and support small producers…
“It’s perfect for when you’re popping into town on your lunch break, or after you’ve dropped the kids off at school. And once you’ve finished your shopping Silver Oak Coffee will be there to keep you supplied with delicious locally-roasted coffee”.
Buying little and often from a local market isn’t just convenient – it also reduces food waste and cuts down on packaging while supporting the local economy.
“We want our markets to lead the way in helping local residents to take a more thoughtful approach to their shopping.”
According to Greenpeace, an estimated 12.7 million tonnes of plastic end up in our oceans year year – the equivalent of a truck load of rubbish each minute.
In a further bid to encourage environmentally friendly shopping, the new mini markets will join the #PlasticFreeFriday movement on social media, with prizes given out on a regular basis, including re-usable coffee cups, bags and containers.
On Wednesday, April 4, there will be a special launch day to coincide with the Easter school holiday, promising extra stalls, activities and the chance to meet Michael Recycle, Ely’s local eco-hero, and to win an Ely Markets “Bring Your Own” goody bag.

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