Ely Magazine March 2016

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Reflecting the Richness of Ely Life

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March 2016

LOCAL GROUPS AND MEETS Details of what’s going on in Ely clubs and societies

LOCAL SHOWS & CONCERTS February reviews and shows coming up in March

POPUP GALLERY See this painting and much, much more at Ted Coney’s Waterside Gallery.

FENLAND QUIRKS Some of the more unusual Fenland pursuits

BUSINESS BOOST Details of courses supporting women in business in the area

FURTHER AFIELD News from your nearest Point to Point meetings at Cottenham

ADVERTISER DIRECTORY Find a local business or service with our directory on page 59

COMING UP IN APRIL Spring Clean your business with a ‘brand’ new look!

NOW 10,500 Copies Delivered free to Ely, Queen Adelaide, Prickwillow, Mepal & Chettisham Homes & Businesses FREE TO PICK UP IN HADDENHAM, SUTTON, LITTLE DOWNHAM, WILBURTON, LITTLEPORT, WITCHFORD, ISLEHAM & SOHAM

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Bridget Hickish Editor editor@elyimagazine.com 01353 662684 07580 689 600 Advertising info see page 55 Welcome to the March edition of the Elyi Magazine. Again we have lots to tell you.

Strangely, as it falls right at the end of March, not a dicky bird about Easter, but it’s very likely our April edition will be out Easter weekend so maybe the chicks, eggs and lambs will make an appearance then.

We have our regular features from Matt and Tony for you and a couple of new guest writers. There can’t be many shows or concerts in the area that Dr. Rosemary Westwell doesn’t attend and she reviews two performances for us this month.

We are also lucky enough to have Sara Marshall telling us all about quirky Fenland traditions.

Coming originally from the rural West Country, I find learning about Fenland rural pursuits really

interesting and I have often wondered why those Molly Dancers choose such bizarre ‘get ups’. Well now I know! Read all on page 26.

Do have a look at The Mayor’s article over the page and see if you would like to get involved with any community projects, especially the City cleanup on April 2nd and 3rd.

We say hello to the villagers of Mepal and Chettisham this month as we start deliveries there, all because someone has volunteered to get involved and distribute the magazine. As with any village groups, please do feel that you can send in posters for community and charity events. We always do our best to get them in and, with editorial, are happy to book ahead.

Keep well, winter’s nearly over!

Bridget

Thank you to our guest writers!

Matt Harvey page 41 www.facebook.com/elyartstheatre Tony Winchester page 32 anthony.winchester@btinternet.com Rosemary Westwell page 40 Theatre & Music Reviews Sara Marshall page 26 Fenland Traditions and Culture

Join us on facebook to hear about events and opportunities in Ely.

@elyimagazine

Please see our website for further details: www.elyimagazine.com Postal Address: The Old Chapel, Butchers Row, Ely, Cambs, CB7 4NA

Copy Deadline for the April 2016 issue is 10th March 2016 Cover photo: Ted Coney ‘Another Year’

Content disclaimer: The Elyi magazine shall not be held responsible for the conduct of advertisers or contributors.

It publishes articles, adverts and all other copy in good faith. By publishing articles and adverts the Elyi and its staff are not endorsing any products or services. Omission disclaimer: Any recompense agreed for loss due to omission or error in published articles and adverts will not exceed the original price paid for advertising space. Right to refuse copy: As an independent newsletter the Partners reserve the right to refuse publication of any advertising or editorial copy from a third party that is considered unsuitable for family reading. We seek to include honest, balanced and positive content that celebrates our Ely Community. We will therefore refuse content that is, or suspected to be, untruthful, biased, immoral or misleading.

Lis Every Mayor of Ely Good communication is never easy, but trying to communicate with the City of Ely’s 19,000+ residents is a real challenge! However, as elected councillors, we are mindful that this is an important aspect of the work we do. We have been trying to address this recently, with our new website which has been developed to embrace social media and the introduction of our new regular Community Forums.

Some of you will remember the Neighbourhood Panels run by ECDC. This replaces them in a more informal way, but still provides the opportunity to bring the Police and other agencies to the meeting, give updates on current initiatives and provide the forum for residents to raise their issues.

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If you would like to help please contact the Council offices on info@cityofelycouncil.org. uk or 01353 661016. Watch out for another recommendation that we celebrate the actual Queen’s birthday on 21st April with the lighting of a beacon. Details will follow.

Do come and join us at the next Community Forum, scheduled for Wednesday 6th April, at the Community Centre, High Barns, from 7.00 pm My recent visit to the Girl Guides to give a talk on the role of the Mayor was a new opportunity to talk to young people and get their views. They were full of excellent questions demonstrating just how keen they are to influence what happens in their City. Well done, girls, we are listening!

Visiting the Ely College’s Primary Careers Exhibition was another chance to listen to our even younger residents as they talk to local businesses and services to find out more about possible careers.

A recent Community Forum held at The Maltings.

Early in February we held our second Forum at the Maltings and we have been delighted that these have received such good support.

So far we have covered local policing issues and statistics, community safety, highways and speed watch, updates on the leisure centre, North Ely and the by-pass, creating a dementiafriendly Ely and the Queen’s birthday as well as the issues brought up by those attending. Issues are channelled to the relevant agencies and reported on in our newsletter which appears on the website and fed back to the next meeting.

We also made the decision to hold a huge Clean Up campaign in Ely to be held on the weekend of 2nd and 3rd April. This will also include our audit of street furniture and our ‘signs and lines’ so vital if the police are to enforce regulations.

We are looking for as many volunteers as possible to join us. We are delighted that the Scouts and the Girl Guides are interested in getting involved.

We will be creating more opportunities to hear the views of our young people by visiting schools and organisations to find out what our young people think of Ely and to answer questions about issues which will affect their future. If you would like one of us to come along to your group, do let us know (contact details above).

In addition to attending a Forum, you are also represented by local councillors in your area, so do please contact them if you have any issues or queries.

www.cityofelycouncil.org.uk Mon – Fri 9.30am – 2.30pm City of Ely Council Sessions House Lynn Road, Ely Cambridgeshire CB7 4EG 01353 661016 01353 667057 info@cityofelycouncil.org.uk

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Wine Recommendations for March from Anglia Wines, 1 High Street, Ely Why not pop into Anglia Wines during March and pick up a quality wine selected for you.

Merlot Naturalys, Gérard Bertrand, IGP Pays d’Oc 2014

Tasting notes - Deep red with purple tints. The nose is an expression of pure fruit character showing blackcurrant and wild strawberry, with a hint of spice. A smooth and elegant structure with soft tannins.

Chardonnay Naturalys, Gérard Bertrand, IGP Pays d’Oc 2014

Tasting notes - Aromas of peach are complemented by citrus notes of grapefruit. A smooth wine full of white fruit, citrus characters, a hint of vanilla and exotic fruits. Cool and generous finish with subtle notes of ripe peach and a hint of blossom.

The added attraction of both the wines this month is that they are produced entirely from organic grapes and have a low carbon footprint.

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City of Ely Bowls Club Members required for New Season Your local Bowls Club located in Nutholt Lane, in the heart of the city has, for many years, been one of the most successful sports clubs in the region. Founded in 1925 and extended in 1970 it has an outdoor green and an indoor green.

The Club is open the whole of the year with the indoor season from September to April and the outdoor season from May to September.

Outdoor bowlers are required now for the new season starting in May.

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We play in the Ely & District Outdoor League in the evenings and afternoons against all the other outdoor clubs in the area. In addition there are Friendly matches at weekends

Meet Create Think

against visiting teams to the region. Casual bowling is also available.

New members are very welcome, whether experienced bowlers or complete beginners.

We are open to all ages and you need no equipment or special clothing as we will provide bowls and coaching.

Contact us now and we will arrange for somebody to meet you at the club, at your convenience, to talk to you about the outdoor club and the game of bowls.

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Ely Sinfonia Make Saturday 12th March a date for your diary and hear Ely’s resident orchestra, Ely Sinfonia, in what promises to be a fabulous concert of French music.

Symphonie Fantastique was one of the most extraordinary pieces of its time – perhaps (to quote Leonard Bernstein) the first musical trip into psychedelia. It brought fame and notoriety to 26-year-old composer, Hector Berlioz, and its colourful, surreal nature still thrills audiences today.

Even if you do not know the title, you are probably familiar with Saint-Saëns’ highly evocative Danse Macabre as the signature tune for TV’s Jonathan Creek. In contrast, a train journey through the region was the inspiration for Joseph Canteloube’s delightful, but rarely performed collection of Songs from the Auvergne, sung

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by locally-based soprano Tara Bungard.

Ely Sinfonia has gone from strength to strength since it was founded in 1999 as a millennium project. Nowadays it is one of the region’s best respected amateur orchestras, playing everything from mainstream to modern works, including special commissions. Nobody who heard it will forget the extraordinary first performance of two new pieces, Island and Hereward, in Ely Cathedral in 2015, with a choir of more than 100 local children and adults.

Ely Sinfonia’s artistic director Steve Bingham has a growing reputation both as a conductor and professional violinist, while the leader, Christina Everson, is a highly accomplished professional violin and viola player.

Symphonie Fantastique will take place in Ely Cathedral on Saturday 12th March 2016 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £22.50, £17.50 or £12 (reserved) or £7.50 (unreserved). Concessions cost £12 in the £17.50 seats.

Available from Ely Cathedral Box Office, T:01353 660349 e:box.office@elycathedral.org or online from: https://tickets.elycathedral.org To find out more about Ely Sinfonia visit: www.elysinfonia.co.uk To ask about joining, call 01353 721007 or email: publicity@elysinfonia.co.uk

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Ely 501 is back!

The creative writing challenge for East Cambridgeshire children up to the age of 13 has launched its 2016 competition and the organisers are hoping to top last year’s astonishing results. Well over seventy entries were received and the standard couldn’t have been higher.

Last year, dragons and werewolves, rockets and pirates all appeared in a wide variety of fantastical tales, making judging an almost impossibly hard task.

The chair of the judges is Julian Sedgwick, acclaimed children’s novelist, whose Mysterium books have grown rapidly in popularity. What’s he looking for in the winning entries?

“Like last year, I’m hoping to read stories that contain sentences that make me smile, that express a thought simply and elegantly, that surprise, that introduce a character in a few neat strokes, that send a chill down the spine or that make me think. And I hope to read a story or two that makes me sigh and say ‘I wish I’d written that’!”

We sell a selection of toys and gifts for the little (and not so little) people in your life. Many of the items are great by themselves, although they can be used as goodie bag fillers or given to children to amuse them during long journeys, weddings, family gatherings and similar.

2016’s competition again has few rules, except that the word limit is 501. In common with Sherlock himself Ely 501 now has a younger brother – Ely 50Crime – and entrants are invited to choose either category.

Says Julian: “I love detective stories and have read series set everywhere from ancient China to Victorian London to modern day Arizona.

Their attraction lies in the simplicity of the set up - something terrible has happened and we need to know who did it, and just as importantly - why. That’s a very compelling story hook, and coupled with our desire for justice, makes for powerful stories.”

Entry forms can be obtained from Burrows or Mr Simms Ely and need to be returned by Friday 25 March.

At a ceremony on Saturday 2nd July at St Mary’s Church, Ely the winners will be awarded with prizes and will see their work published in a specially commissioned book which will be available at Burrows.

Annabel Reddick Burrows Bookshop Ely 01353 669759

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Holiday workshops coming soon – book now!

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Witchford Karate Dojo Witchford College School, Manor Rd, Witchford, Ely CB6 2JA

All-day Sponsored Storytelling Saturday 5th March 10am- 4pm Min donation of £1 per child

Juice and biscuits available all day for little listeners!

To raise money for Brain Tumour Research Competition: How many stories do you think we will read on the day? Have a guess! Put your name on the chart in the shop, have a guess, and the one who is spot on will win a Burrows Voucher.

Drop in any time between 10am & 4pm

Witchford Karate Club is a friendly, outgoing & supportive group. Its Instructor is Sensei Ian Cheale (NIdan/2nd dan). Ian has been training and studying Shotokan Karate for over 8 years.

Training Times 6.30pm - 8.00pm Wed: (Adult Beginners/Kyu Grades) 6.30pm - 7.30pm Fri: (Junior/Adult Beginners) 7.30pm - 8.30pm (Adult/Junior Kyu Grades) Price £5.00 Adults / £2.50 Juniors FREE! one month of training!!!!

For enquiries please contact: Sensei Ian Cheale on: 07811 355 938 email:iancheale@live.com www.wskc.net

Quirky Traditions in the Ouse26Washes Landscape

The Ouse Washes Landscape in the heart of the Cambridgeshire and Norfolk Fens is a fascinating area to visit for its unique and beautiful views, perfect tranquillity, wetland wildlife reserves and rich history. It also boasts distinctive and intriguing customs and traditions only found in Fenland.

In an attempt to conceal their identities, the dancers would paint their faces with soot and wear flamboyant outfits and scarves.

You can see Molly Dancing across the Fens and throughout the year by troupes such as the Ouse Washes, Mepal and Pig Dyke Molly Dancers.

Where else would you find the sport of Fen Skating, which is literally skating on flooded Fen fields or on the Ouse Washes themselves?

Once frozen, these shallow floodplains make a perfect ice rink, which have been used for centuries, with farm workers strapping bones to the bottom of their shoes. By the late 1900s, Fen Skating had become a famous sport and thousands of people would gather to watch international competitions with famous local champions such as Turkey Smart and Gutter Percher See. If the weather conditions are right, Fen Skating still takes place at various historic skating sites including Bury Fen, Sutton Gault and Welney. You can find out more at www. fenskating.co.uk.

Fenland holds such an abundance of intriguing history that it’s impossible to mention everything here but important local stories worth exploring include the Fen Tigers who fiercely opposed and sabotaged the drainage system engineered by Cornelius Vermuyden in the 1600s; the great 1830s social experiment and utopian dream at Manea Colony; the 1816 Ely and Littleport Riots caused by hardship following the Napoleonic Wars; and the 1970s Hovertrain trials that took place at Earith.

Another tradition also very much alive today is wonderful Molly Dancing, which was first reported in the Fens in the 1820s and historically took place on Plough Monday.

Local ploughboys would tour Fenland villages performing entertaining dances to raise money to fill the tough period between Christmas and the start of the spring ploughing season.

The whole area has always been rich with distinctive customs, traditions, folklore and arts. An intriguing programme of festivals and events takes place throughout the year including OuseFest, Straw Bear Festival and Ely Potato Race. Discover the mystery of the Fens and find out more about local customs and events by visiting the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership’s What’s On Calendar: www.ousewashes.org.uk/whats-on Sara Marshall

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Children Birdwatching © WWT

Molly Dancing © Heritage Alive!

Denver Sluice © Phil Bancroft

Visit the Ouse Washes Landscape for perfect tranquillity, amazing wildlife, river relaxation and fascinating heritage and culture.

For our What’s On Calendar, Interactive Map and much more visit www.ousewashes.org.uk.

PETERBOROUGH

NORWICH

ELY CAMBRIDGE

A fortnight celebrating the Ouse Washes Landscape & Communities!

www.ousewashes.org.uk/ousefest

Natasha Chambers 01353 863006

Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership

Qualified City & Guilds Level 3 Grooming for Dogs and Cats

(formerly Elaine’s Grooming) North Fen, Little Downham, Ely, Cambs, CB6 2UG

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Small Animal A personal service & professional advice for your household pets We have extended our regular opening hours with appointments now available to suit you Our experienced team of vets offer a comprehensive service for your small animal needs Large car parking area

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Stand Up Comedy presents

Maltings the E LY

R I V E R S I D E

Friday 26th Feb 2016

Lewis Bryan Keith Platt "Unmissable" Time Out

Jay Sodagar

Keith Platt

John Mann “The man is quite simply very very funny” Radio One

John Mann

Paul Revill Bath Comedy Festival Comedian of the Year

Rhodri Rhys "Fantastic, we wont be able to afford him next year!!!!!"

Friday 25th March 2016

Lewis Bryan

Rhodri Rhys

7:15pm (bar) 8pm (doors) Find us on social media for info on all our future events

Paul Revill

Matthew Osborn

3 662633 www.themaltingsely.co.uk TO BOOK 0135 £12.95 tickets also available from burrows bookshop high street passage ely Licensed bar open from 7:15pm and during interval. Show suitable for over 18’s only.

All acts are scheduled to appear as billed, however the line up is subject to change for reasons beyond our control.

The Maltings, Ship Lane, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4BB

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Ely’s First Popup Gallery, Down by the Waterside...

Ted Coney studied Painting and Printmaking at Bath Academy of Art in the 1960s and has been making work about family life for forty five years. He was Head of Art and Design at Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge for over thirty years and currently teaches Art, part time at St Andrews, Cambridge. His experience as a teacher combined with an irrepressible enthusiasm for his art make a a visit to his popup gallery on Waterside, Ely well worth the effort.

Ted has been making paintings about family life and family relationships since 1969 and as Of course, he uses his family as a starting point he usually completes about one a year and but it is interesting how often visitors remark doesn’t sell the original work, most of them are that similar things have happened to their here in his Ely home, a beautiful listed 300 year family. old cottage. The gallery re-opens for bookings on April 10th - its 9th season! a gallery visit with a difference Ted’s experience as a teacher It’s When you book a tour you in that visitors are not left to combined with an irrepressible wander aimlessly amongst can relax in the knowledge that you won’t be expected enthusiasm for his art make a the pictures but instead given to purchase anything more a visit to Ely’s popup gallery informative and entertaining than the £3 entry fee. about the work and its on Waterside well worth the detail background - a brilliant thing to effort.

He usually selects seven do as a family and to inspire any paintings to talk about on budding young artists. each tour which typically lasts an hour. It starts with a very short film to introduce some of the Ted takes up to 6 people at a time on each ideas behind his work and finishes with a visit to tour and usually likes to open on a Sunday the studio to see the latest painting in progress. (although if Sunday is impossible, still make In this way every tour is different and you truly contact, as he might be able to arrange get to see a glimpse of the artistic process. something else) and you need to book in advance, by phone, Email or through his “I’ve just finished a painting, entitled ‘Against website: The Light’ which is about two brothers who were viewed very differently by their mother www.tedconeysfamilyportraits.co.uk and father. One saw them as boys who could T: 01353 650038 E: tedconey@btinternet.com do no wrong, whereas the other had an entirely opposite perception.” Says Ted If you can’t wait until April, then do try the virtual tour which is also available from the website for a small charge of 99p!

Against The Light

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Do you enjoy ‘fun and friendship’ ?

If so come to join one of the monthly meetings at the Ely Branch of the Inner Wheel.

We meet at car thesubject Old dispensary * loan to availability at 7pm. We have coffee at the end of each meeting allowing you to mix and chat. You don’t have to have any link with a Rotary Club to be a member.

The Inner Wheel Club is one of the largest women’s service organisations in the world, stretching thoughout 103 countries across the globe. We work together to “Light the Path’ for millions of people locally, nationally and internationally, giving money, which we raise, to make a positive impact on their lives.

Please ring 01353 615074 for information.

Members achieve goals in various ways combining personal service with fundraising - all lots and lots of fun, forming lasting friendships.

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Weather Success!

For any outside event the weather plays a crucial role and thankfully the last three meetings have had reasonable going and fair weather producing plenty of runners and excellent crowds.

The Dunston Harriers held their point-to-point at Ampton on 10th January and it was Sutton based Richard Collinson who produced the first local success when his mount, Galros Lady, just got back on the line after looking beaten by the fast finishing Lule Kyle.

Berties Dream, the star of Lauren Braithwaite’s Newmarket yard had a comfortable win in the Ladies Open justifying odds-on favouritism. Ridden by Gina Andrews, East Anglian leading lady rider for many years, Gina had already visited the winner’s enclosure on her home trained Emperor Arcadius.

Berties Dream and Georgina Andrews on their way to victory in the Ladies Open at Ampton.

Photo: Graham Bishop www.gdbphotography.co.uk

Cottenham Point to Point

Higham then played host to the North Norfolk Harriers meeting and crowd numbers were exceptional. Fine weather and the presence of Victoria Pendleton led to a huge crowd who were also treated to an excellent day’s racing.

Gina Andrews was again in the winner’s enclosure riding Start Royal for Oxfordshire trainer Alan Hill but it was not until the last race that we had a real local success when Archie Wright brought home the delightfully names “Burtredgipandgump” for an easy win in the Restricted Race. Owned and trained just outside Newmarket by Nick Wright, and ridden by son Archie, this was a real family affair.

The Cambridgeshire and Enfield Chace meeting at Horseheath took place on Sunday 7th February and

whilst the weather was fine, there was a biting wind although crowd numbers were excellent Again Gina Andrews was in the winner’s enclosure firstly on Berties Dream, winning his second race of the season and in the last race completing a double when Total Compliance, trained by her husband Tom Ellis, held on from the fast finishing Wivannie, a star of Martin Ward’s Sutton yard.

Thetford trainer David Kemp bought two horses and went home with two winners. In the first race Will Fight, owned jointly by David and his father Malcolm, stormed up the final hill at Horseheath to keep odds-on favourite Featherdark in the runners up spot for the third time this season.

Later, Brave Encounter, again owned by Kemp Senior and Junior, led from start to finish in the Restricted Race to complete a 50-1 double for the Kemp yard. Both were ridden by the excellent Sam Davies Thomas.

Tony Winchester

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SWAP SHOP

YPLittleport has an objective - to make a difference, not just with young people in the local area but to all ages.

The Swap Shop is another project driven by Phil Makin, who over the past ten years has successfully brought the community of Littleport together to achieve the objective of the charity.

The Swap Shop is free of charge and the concept is focussed on children bringing a clean working toy or book and exchanging it for another clean working toy or book.

There is a play area at the YPL centre including a small ball pit so parents and grandparents can sit and have a drink while their child plays.

Please ensure your child is supervised at all times.

Elaine, who runs the tea shop is hoping to provide lunch or snack boxes for the children.

The intention is that these can then be purchased from the tea shop. We request that all food and drinks are purchased on-site as this helps to support the various projects of YPL. Phil is very keen to keep up with the needs of the Littleport community and plans his projects accordingly.

If you would like to take advantage of the facilities that YPL can provide and support their projects, then do pop along or call Phil on 07947 823 446, email: yplittleport@btinternet.com www.yplittleport.co.uk

Ely Neighbourhood Watch Free Street Signs!

There are 39 areas within Ely that have neighbourhood watch, but there are also many areas that are not covered. To establish a new neighbourhood watch scheme is very easy and normally there is just one cost involved; that of providing the street signs that are usually placed on convenient lampposts.

For most schemes two signs are required at the cost of £12 each. The City of Ely Council kindly donated money so that residents within the City of Ely can establish a scheme without this additional cost. These funds are diminishing but should last for some weeks. It is, however the case of “first come first served” and thus it would be wise to consider now whether you would like to take advantage of this offer.

It is an established fact that neighbourhood watch helps to reduce crime in a locality and it is for this reason that most insurance companies provide a discount on household premiums – so what have you got to lose!

For more information contact the secretary, Kevin Evans, on 01353 614892 or kevin.g.evans@ntlworld.com

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‘Sparkling Valentine Concert’ In Ely Cathedral on Sat 13th Feb 2016 Locally-born Warren Mailley-Smith is undoubtedly a highly talented pianist and an evening of Chopin, candlelight and subtle lighting in our magnificent Ely Cathedral was indeed a most romantic occasion.

With phenomenal technique, teasing out every nuance of emotion in the melodies of Chopin, Warren mesmerised the audience. No matter how much clarity, virtuosity and skill the pieces demanded, Warren made them look easy and shaped the sounds so exquisitely that the listeners could not help but understand the romantic essence of the great composer. It is no wonder this pianist is in demand by the British Royal Family and has been invited to play for them over thirty times. Among the works Warren played included a number of familiar scherzos, waltzes and nocturnes by Chopin along with his ‘Berceuse’, ‘Fantasie-Impromptu in C sharp minor’, two movements from his ‘Sonata number 2’, the ‘Military Polonaise’ and ‘Ballade number one’.

Susan Parkes, well renowned soprano, sang two of Chopin’s songs in Polish, his native language and entertained us with some delightful Italian opera music by Puccini (‘O mio babbino caro’ and ‘Quando m’en vo’ and Bellini (‘Ah non credea mirati’). Her powerful voice rang richly through the cathedral and her antics were highly entertaining. Warren just managed to continue with the accompaniment as her character flirted with him while he was seated at the grand piano, an instrument he said afterward seems to improve with the years.

A glass of bubbly at the interval and a welldeserved encore (‘Clair de Lune’ by Debussy) made the evening just perfect.

Viva’s production of ‘Educating Rita’ on Thurs 11th Feb 2016 at the Brook in Soham With the film of Educating Rita starring Julie Walters and Michael Caine still very much in mind, I expected it was going to be a difficult for Viva to come anywhere near the film’s standard.

However, these two actors, Kerry Hibbert and Rowan Maulder were even better – for not only did we experience the delightful contrasts between chatty hairdresser and experienced

February Reviews

university professor, we also witnessed much more clearly the gradual changes in them as Rita became the confident, informed literatureloving expert and the Professor gradually slid into a disillusioned poet and alcoholic.

The play by Willy Russell has many more layers than I had seen in the film. The Director and Producer, Sarah Dowd, explored these more fully and the audience was held in suspense as Rita struggled to perfect the art of literature criticism while the professor was frequently amazed and surprised at her unique wisdom, wit and capacity for affecting those she came into contact with on a personal level.

As the Open University student and the professor grew by learning so much from each other, their relationships with their respective partners diminished and finally ceased. However, unlike all goody-goody movies, Rita and Frank remained friends on an intellectual level with the underlying nuances of potential ever present.

The script was not only packed with knowledgeable comments on literature and culture, it carefully created a gradual linear development of each of the two main characters until their crossed paths and they swapped places, ending as they had begun: the once empty-headed chatty hairdresser who saw her tutor as a man needing a haircut, to a much changed person, deciding to use the skills she had when she first arrived and the play finished full circle as she was about to cut the professor’s hair. The acting was superb, the Liverpudlian accent a delight, the professor’s seasoned cynicism contrasting beautifully with Rita’s youth and vivacity. It was the first ever twohander presented by Viva and there is no doubt that it was a huge triumph. Exemplary sets, costumes and supporting teams also helped to make this a most memorable evening.

Rosemary Westwell

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Coming up…Ely & The Performing Arts March 2016 A little look at local, home-grown shows in the area by Matt Harvey, Ely Arts Theatre www.facebook.com/elyartstheatre Fancy a musical all about larger-than-life stories and incredible tales?

Following the success of Wilburton Theatre Group’s (WTG) musical The Addams Family, this April WTG will be bringing you Big Fish (12 chairs version)!

Packed full of heart, humour and fabulous stagecraft, Big Fish is an extraordinary new bigger-than-life Broadway musical. Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed Columbia Pictures film directed by Tim Burton, Big Fish centers on Edward Bloom - a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest.

Edward’s incredible, largerthan-life stories thrill everyone

around him, most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales.

Big Fish first premiered on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre on September 5th 2013 in previews, opening officially on October 6th 2013.

The musical was produced by Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen in association with Stage Entertainment.

Kate Baldwin and Norbert Leo Butz Neil Simon Theatre, New York, 2013 (Courtesy of The Hartman Group)

WTG’s Big Fish production will be directed by Emily Starr, with Musical Direction by Maria McElroy. Big Fish will be performed on: Thursday 7th April at 7.30pm, Friday 8th April at 7.30pm and Saturday 9th April at 7.30pm. All three shows will be at St Peters Hall, Wilburton.

Tickets can be brought online: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ wilburtontheatregroup/events Matt Harvey Ely Arts Theatre www.facebook.com/elyartstheatre

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Local groups and meets

to update or add your group events please email: editor@elyimagazine.com Green means NEW OR UPDATED INFORMATION or EVENTS in this entry.

Ely Amateur Dramatic Society The city’s oldest dramatic society first started in 1888. We produce three productions a year, from a range of genres. Visit our website or Facebook page to find out about tickets for shows and how to join. elyamateurdramatics.org www.facebook.com/elyamateurdramatics @DramaEly Ely City Amnesty Int’ Group We hold regular meetings on the first Tuesday of the month at 7.00pm at St Peter’s House, Broad Street, Ely, and would welcome new members to campaign and plan activities.

We also hold a drop-in session between 6pm and 7pm at Samovar Tea House, Forehill, Ely, on the first Wednesday of the month, when we write letters or take on-line action for prisoners of conscience, while sampling Samovar’s delicious drinks and cakes. Our website is at: http://www.amnestyelycity.org.uk email:info@elyamnesty.org.uk Ely & District Archaeological Society No March Meeting Monthly meetings held at Methodist Church Hall, Ely. Entry is via the gate at the rear of St Mary’s Street Car Park, Ely ADMISSION: Visitors £2.50 – Members free.

Want to know more? See our web site: www.elyarchaeology.org.uk or phone 01353 669326 Ely Arts Theatre Want to find out about everything that is going on in the theatre and performance arts in and around Ely? Then join the Ely Arts Theatre network. Ely Arts Theatre is a community all about promoting all things theatre and performance or visual arts in Ely and the surrounding East Cambridgeshire area. We want to get more bums on seats for Ely & East Cambridgeshire theatre and performance arts events! So join the community at: www.elyartstheatre.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/elyartstheatre or Twitter - @elyartstheatre

Ely Astronomy Club MEETING - March 11th Dr Emma Woodfield of the British Antarctic Survey (Cambridge) will be talking on ‘The Weather in Space’ MEETING - April 8th Aimee hall of the Institue of Astronomy (Cambridge) will be talking on ‘Hunting for Supernovas from the High Altitude Las Palmas Observatory in the Canary Isles’ both meeting commence at 7.30pm as usual.

We hold regular meetings, and observing evenings. The aim of the club is to be informal, friendly and exciting. Beginners and families are welcome. Join us and journey to the stars!

Meetings are the 2nd friday of the month from Sept - June (July & Aug no meetings) No admission fee, just a collection at the end of each meeting. Contact: Mike Stephens mike@sulis.demon.co.uk Facebook: Ely Astronomy Club http://sites.google.com/site/elyastroclub/ City of Ely Bowls Club see article page 12 Website: www.cityofelybowlsclub.org.uk Email: cityofelybowlsclub@btconnect.com Tel: 01353 665272 Ely Bridge Club Ely Bridge Club welcomes new members, regardless of experience. We play Monday afternoons and Tuesday evenings. Contact George Jupp at 01354 657981 or e-mail elybridgeclub@gmail.com Cambs Community Archive This is a web site for old and new photographs of Ely and the immediate area surrounding it.

Our web site is at: www.ccan.co.uk email:ely@ccan.co.uk Contribute photos etc by filling in the on line form on the website.

C.A.T. Theatre Company We perform mostly musicals and a Christmas panto, we audition, but we also have show nights without auditions, where members perform their own choice of music. Our minimum age is 14yrs. apart from the Panto, where children may be younger.

Contact info: aafdawes@gmail.com Tel: 01353 664564

43 Ely & Dis Caravan & Camping Club Ely and District Camping and Caravan Club are holding their AGM at Queen Adelaide village hall on the 5th of March at 7pm for 7.30 all welcome.

After the meeting we stay on for a social. Tea and coffee will be provided. We are a local club who have been going for about 45 years, We start caravanning March/April through to October. approx every two weeks no advanced bookings required. We cover sites mainly in the norfolk / suffolk area to include inland sites as well as coastal, The advantages of being in a club is that you get cheaper site fees, and visit sites that will not take you as an individual.

At most rallies we have competitions and games. If the weather is not as expected, either we hire a hall if available, or erect a large marquee. You are free to do as you wish on Rallies but what ever you do I am sure you will enjoy yourselves, if you are interested come to the AGM for an informal chat, A friendly club we take children and pets.

Hope to see you there! davidmalkin2010@hotmail.co.uk Ely Cathedral Events www.elycathedral.org / Tel: 01353 660300 www.elycathedral.org Ely & District Cats Protecion Your local registered charity that rescues and rehomes unwanted and stray cats. The charity also helps with the cost of neutering cats for people on low incomes and gives talks on cats and cat care to schools and community groups.

For more information, telephone 01353 699430 email: elycats@waitrose.com or visit our website ely.cats.org.uk Ely Choral Society Ely Choral Society is a mixed voice community choir holding concerts in Ely Cathedral and other venues locally with professional soloists and orchestras, together with musicians from the Ely and Cambridge area. No auditions, all welcom. We prepare about four concerts a year with a variety of repertoire. There is something for everyone whatever your experience or skill level. We rehearse on Monday evenings at Ely St John’s School in St John’s Road, CB6 3BW – do come and try us out. Tel: 01638 731300 Email: chairman@elychoralsociety.org Website: www.elychoralsociety.org

Care Network Cambs Supporting Volunteers, Encouraging Independence, Developing Good neighbour projects.To contact us please call us on 01954 211919 or email us on: volunteering@care-network.org.uk or check our website: www.care-network.org.uk for more info.

We are also on twitter @CareNetworkCamb and you can find us on Facebook.

Churches Together in Ely Details of services throughout the year can be viewed on each church website.

New Connexions @ High Barns The Theatre, St Mary’s School, High Barns, Ely. www.newconnexionschurch.org.uk The Countess Free Church Chapel Street, Ely. Tel: 01353 662396 www.countessely.co.uk Methodist Church Chapel Street, Ely. Tel: 01353 662426 www.elyandnewmarket.com St Mary’s Church of England St Mary’s Street, Ely. Tel: 01353 659550 www.stmarysely.org St Peter’s Church of England Broad Street, Ely. www.elystpeterschurch.co.uk St Etheldreda’s Catholic Church Egremont Street, Ely. Tel: 01353 662759 The Lighthouse, Lynn Road, Ely. Tel: 01353 662228 www.lighthouse-ely.org The Olive Tree Tel: 01353 662172 www.olivetree-ely.org.uk Ely Consort Next Concert: Sat 12th March 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church, Burwell (see poster) Ely Consort is a Chamber choir of about 40 voices. We perform music in a wide variety of styles; our performance venues include Ely Cathedral as well as other local churches. Ely Consort has built up a performing reputation over the last 25 years, to be known as one of the premier Chamber Choirs in East Anglia. A reputation we are very proud of maintaining!

Membership by audition. Email us at info@elyconsort.org.uk

44 Countess Free Church TODDLERS Two by Two Baby and Toddler Group Meets Thursday’s during term time at the Countess Free Church in Chapel St. 9.30am to 11.30am. Entry £1.50 which includes craft, coffee and snacks. Tel: 01353 662396 or go to www.countessely.co.uk City of Ely Cricket Club City of Ely Cricket Club have been playing at the Paradise ground since 1856. We are Clubmark accredited and run a range of teams for adults and youths (from Year 4). We also run regular training sessions through the winter. www.cityofely.play-cricket.com e-mail: cityofely_cc@hotmail.com tel: 01353 662886 Octagon Cycling Club Octagon Cycling Club are a friendly local cycling club based in Ely. Formed in 2009, we are a mixed ability social group of riders......our group boasts a couple of ex-pro racers, ladies, complete novices, newbies, charity cyclists, mechanics, pub riders, tri-athletes, mountain bikers, and just about anybody who enjoys getting on a road bike.

We meet Wednesday & Thursday evenings for indoor spinning & summer training rides, and Saturday and Sunday mornings for long rides (30 to 80 miles) at varying speeds between 15 & 24+ mph depending on terrain. We aim to stay together & no rider is left behind.

We also do our bit for charity. In the past we have raised thousands of pounds for local good causes such as East Anglian Air Ambulance and Ely Foodbank. In 2016 we are planning a Charity ride of 300 miles in 2 days for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust and You Can Bike Too based in Milton, Cambs.

Octagon Cycling Club is affiliated to CTC New members are ALWAYS welcome...there is no joining fee or subscription, no commitment just the pleasure of riding a road bike on quiet Fenland roads with friends.....plus quite a bit of banter! www.octagoncycling.com octagoncyclingclub@gmail.com Contacts Robin Jones 07824 486 105 Ely Drop in 6-8pm Thursdays (term time only) The Cathedral Centre, Palace Green, Ely CB7 4EW for ages 13-18. Run by Youth support Services.

Contact Jo Hoblyn 07585 985533

Ely Decorative & Fine Arts Society Special Interest Day: Wed March 9th, “History of art on Display”. Artist and lecturer Stephen Taylor will host a series of fascinating talks that will take us through interior design from Roman frescos and the art of Renaissance Italy to the design fashions reflected in eighteenth century picture collecting and finally the art of picture hanging for interior design in modern times.

Venue: Methodist Church, Chapel Street, CB61AA, 10am start, coffee; sandwich lunch, approx finish at 2.45pm. Members £30.00/non members £35.00. To book before 2nd March, or for more information see www.elydfas.org.uk or email Maggie@upware-village.co.uk 17th March “Behind the scenes at The Fitzwilliam Museum”. An illustrated lecture

by Dr Vicky Avery, The Bishop’s Palace, 7pm for 7.30 start. An illustrated lecture by Dr Vicky Avery. More info: www.elydfas.org – non members welcome £7 donation inc tea & biscuits Ely English Language Cafe Mondays 7pm, Tues & Fri at 10.30am Just drop in - all welcome.

The Kings Arms, St Mary’s Street for info contact Bob Handley bob.hand427@hebbard3d.com 01353 666367 The Order of St Etheldreda The Order of St. Etheldreda is the fund-raising arm of Ely Cathedral Trust. If you would like further details on how to join The Order please contact oofSE@elycathedral.org or telephone 01353 660363 Fen Speak Fen Speak is a regular poetry and spoken-word open-mic night alternating between venues in Wisbech and Ely. Meetings are alternately at The Babylon Gallery, Ely and The Wisbech & Fenland Museum, Wisbech.

Every third Wednesday of the month, 7pm for a 7.30 start. Just turn up. Entry is free, with a collection to support running costs. If you would like to book an open-mic slot, please contact: jonathan.totman@gmail.com for Ely and poppykleiser@outlook.com for Wisbech More info at: www.jonathantotman.co.uk/ events/4589860186

45 Ely Film Society Ely Film Society meets on the third Monday of every month to screen the best of world cinema. We meet in The Old Palace, King’s School, Palace Green, Ely at 7.30 pm. For membership and guest ticket details, please contact us on 01353 668639 or 01353 656959.

21st March 2016: Camera Buff (1979) Comedy; Poland.

Directed by: Krysztof Kieslowski Featuring: Jerzy Stuhr, Matgorzata Zabkowska, Ewa Pokas Kielowski’s most autobiographical film follows Filip, a factory worker who has recently acquired an 8mm camera which he uses to film his newborn daughter. After Filip films some celebrations at the factory, as requested by his boss, he begins to see how his hobby can be turned into art, and perhaps change his life.

Drama-documentary at its best.

For details of our full programme visit our website: www.elyfilmsociety.com Ely First Responders Become a trained first aid volunteer. If you would like to make a difference in your community and are interested to find out more please contact 08456 013 733 for an introductory pack.

Ely Flower Club Next meeting: 3rd March 2016 Area Demonstrator: Ann Bell from Essex whose title is “My Kind of Flowers” at Needhams Hall, Ely College.

AGM & Demonstration, Start 6.45pm; Entrance £5.00 (incl. Tea/Coffee & Biscuits).

Annual Subscription Fees £17.50, per meeting, members £2.00, visitors £5.00 (incl. tea/coffee & biscuits). Contact: Grace Bent 01353 661457 elyflowerclub@hotmail.co.uk Ely Folk Club We meet monthly on the “teenth” Wednesday of the month (e.g. seventeenth February) with a concert of folk music and song featuring local and national folk artists. This is in the Old Dispensary, St. Mary’s Street, Ely, doors open at 7.30pm for an 8.00pm start.

Contact 01353 740999 or 01353 664706 or via website www.elyfolkclub.co.uk

Ely Foodbank The food bank is run in partnership with Churches together in Ely. Donations can be left at collection points at Sainsbury, Tesco & Waitrose in Ely or brought to the food bank store on Barton Road. See website for times.

Emergency food needs and general enquiries: 01353 468626. email: info@elyfoodbank.org.uk www.ely.foodbank.org.uk Friends of Jubilee Gardens We are a friendly group of volunteers. Some of us enjoy fund raising, some prefer to take part in our monthly working parties but there are many other friends who like to support the gardens less actively by paying an annual subscription of £5. Friends are invited to fund raising and social events and receive a newsletter twice a year. If you would like to be involved in your Gardens please ring the current Chairman of the Friends, Pauline Sherwood on 01353 663716 www.jubileegardens-ely.org.uk Ely Heartbeat Health Walk Every Tuesday 2 pm, meets at entrance to Ely Cathedral, Minster Place, CB7 4DL. Grade 2, 60 minutes. www.walkingforhealth.org.uk Ely High Badminton Club Every Wednesday (term time) 7.30-9.30pm Ely College, Downham Road. Contact John Clarke on: 01353 699484 john.clarke@tesco.net Ely Humanists Meets at Ely Library Meeting Room First Saturday of each month, 10 -11.30am For more info go to www.ely.humanist.org.uk Knit & Knatter Yarn On The Square, 22, Market Place, Ely, CB7 4NT / Cost £2. Every Wednesday either morning (10-12) or evening (7-9pm) you can come and join us for some social knitworking.

We will offer our help and support alongside tea, coffee, a glass of wine and a few nibbles such as cakes and crisps. Anyone and everyone welcome. Hope to see you soon!

46 Ktog (Knit Together) We Meet every Thursday evening at the Kings Arms Pub on St Mary’s Street. 7-9pm It is free to join us and everyone is welcome to knit, crochet, cross-stitch etc. Tel: 01353 664472 Ely Library Coffee mornings held by Friends of Ely Library Saturday 12th and 26th March 10.00am-12.00. Held in the meeting room ALL Welcome. For events please go to: www.cambridgeshire.net The Lions Club of Littleport When people think of Lions what do they conjure up? A Great beast with a fearsome roar and a mane? Well us Lions are Great with over 1.4 million members and when we roar we do so together and make a difference to the communities we serve. The mane covers all of the continents with over 46,430 clubs spread across 210 countries of the world. Make a difference to your community and join a club. Ask a Lion and he/she will try and make it happen. As a Lion you will join a club with like-minded men and women who are working together to strengthen your communities.

You’ll also be a part of something bigger, a worldwide network of dedicated volunteers across the globe. Full details of your local club phone David and Jenny Ellis 01353 / 07817 592438. Or find us on; Twitter @LittleportLions / Facebook :Littleport Lions Club www.littleportlionsclub@yahoo.co.uk Littleport Lions Korfball Every Tuesday evening, Littleport Leisure Centre, Camel Rd. All year round, new players can get two free trial sessions at any time of year. For more information, contact Andy on andrewdunlop@hotmail.com, or visit the Lions website: www.littleport-lions.co.uk We’re on Facebook or watch our introductory video on YouTube by searching for “This is Korfball”.

Littleport Rotary Club is a thriving branch of the Rotary family with a current membership of 24 and ages ranging from late thirties to early seventies! 75% of our membership is in full or part time employment.

We meet on a weekly basis at Fen House in Littleport. As with other clubs our aims revolve around service to the community.

Website: www.littleportrotary.org.uk Contact: David Ambrose Smith 01353 861010

Lighthouse Centre Monday Social Club 2nd & 4th Monday 11am - 2pm Lighthouse Centre, 13 Lynn Rd Tel: 01353 662228 Dave@garagecommunitytrust.org Ely Milks 1.30-2.30 on Thursday afternoons at the Olive Tree on Silver Street. Breastfeeding support.

Ely Milks is a charitable organisation providing information and support for mums who are breastfeeding. For more info go to: www.elymilks.co.uk The Friends of Ely Museum.

Further info: www.elymuseum.org.uk/about Contact Pam Blakeman on 01353 663135.

Cost of meetings £2.50 Ely Museum Events For info contact: admin@elymuseum.org.uk 01353 666655 web: www.elymuseum.org.uk Neighbourhood Watch Neighbourhood Watch exists to work with the local police force to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, and also to encourage neighbourliness. This provides an increased feeling of security for the local residents. If you can’t make the open day you can still obtain information from Kevin Evans at 01353 614892 or kevin.g.evans@ntlworld.com City of Ely Netball Club City of Ely Netball Club offers netball training and competition for women and girls (from School Year 7) The Club has 2 adult squads and 2 junior teams and offers umpiring/coaching opportunities. It has England Netball CAPS accreditation. For more information: web: www.cityofelynetball.co.uk email: elycity@hotmail.co.uk tel: 01353 662886 The Olive Tree Olive Cafe:Fridays 10am -12pm (Free) Olive Tree Church, 15a Silver Street. Open Door Cafe offers a friendly setting in which to meet others over freshly brewed tea or coffee and homemade cake. There is no agenda, simply a welcome for those who might like to get out and meet other people for a couple of hours. (donations for refreshments) UNDER ONES: Parents & Babies Group. A group for babies under a year old, providing a relaxed atmosphere for babies and for parents and carers to socialise. No need to book, just turn up and there is a fee of just £1 per baby. Hot

47 and cold refreshment provided.

UNDER TWOS: Parent and carers toddler Group. This also another group aimed at parents and carers with children under two years of age. Again this is a less boisterous group for children just starting to walk and not yet in pre-school.

No booking required, just turn up and there is a fee of £1.50 per child. Hot and cold refreshments provided.

These are a highly recommended group by the community mid-wives, Ely Children center and by the mums.

The Olive Tree Tel: 01353 662172 www.olivetree-ely.org.uk Parisian Swing Gypsy Jazz in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. 1st Sunday of every month at The Cutter Inn, Annesdale, Ely, 8.0010.00. Free admission. Ring 01353 656959 for more information. www.parisianswing.com Isle of Ely Philatelic Society 3rd March: President’s Choice Evening.

14th April: Bishop’s Stortford Postal History.

5th May: Mails under London.

9th June: AGM, letters ‘Y’ and ‘Z’.

Meetings held at Ely College, Downham Road, 7.00pm for 7.30pm. Check notice board at Community Desk for designated room.

Subscription £7.00 per year.

For info. please contact our Hon. Sec. on 01354 659358 Ely Photographic Club The club meets at the City of Ely Community College, Downham Road, Ely Wednesdays 7.30pm (annual subscription) We extend a warm welcome to all enthusiasts – novices, amateurs and professionals. We have a varied programme throughout the year encompassing all aspects of photography.

Nick Bowman Tel: 01353 664085 Ely & District Model Railway Club 38th Annual Exhibition Sat 21st May 2016 City of Ely Community College, Downham Road, Ely, CB6 3DY The club has been quite successful in its efforts to grow the membership. We are very pleased with our new facilities and our efforts will continue.

We are now turning our attention to planning for our annual exhibition. This year the club will be holding its 38th exhibition. There will be a variety of layouts ranging from “N” gauge to “O” guage and possibly more. In addition there will be numerous trade stands selling a variety of goods including books as well as new and second hand model railway stock.

So do save the date. The show is not only aimed at model railway enthusiasts but families as well. There will be a layout for young children to operate. We also hope to have live steam train rides in the outdoor area. There will also be drinks and refreshments available at modest prices. Why not come and see us there? It will be an enjoyable fun family day.

So, potential members and families alike, do visit our website at www.elymrc.org.uk for further info. Further updates will appear next month.

Ely and Littleport Riot We are a Ladies Morris side based in Ely. We practice on Friday evenings in Centre E in Barton Road and perform at various events around the area, including Apple Day, the Folk festival and greeting the dawn on May Day. In particular, we are performing at both events to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Ely and Littleport Riots.

Email: contact@elriot.co.uk Website: http://www.elriot.co.uk Rocking Ukuleles of Ely Can you play a ukulele or sing?

The club meets every Monday evening at The Ely Bowls Club. (bar available) £5 subs paid on each evening of attendance Great club members, fun night and a good social event.

Members can volunteer to play at local charity events too. Call John Bassett (founder & leader) on 07785 296681 for more info or email: john@caprio-ip.co.uk All abilities welcome.

Ely Hereward Rotary Club Wednesday evening meetings at the Lamb Hotel. The meetings are a mixture of fellowship, guest speakers, events and fundraising planning and outside visits. For more information about our club, please contact Frank Connolly on 01366 386973 or email: fac@lineone.net website: www.rotaryclubely-hereward.org

48 Ely Branch Royal British Legion The Ely Branch meets quarterly at The Town House Pub, Market Street Ely at 7.30 pm.

Our meeting dates for the year are: Monday 23rd May, Monday 22nd August, AGM Monday 24th October, Monday 5th December.

All new members welcome.

For further details please phone Branch Secretary on 01353 610446 or visit our website www.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/ely Ely Runners Tues & Thurs 7pm Paradise Centre Membership Sec: Richard Hill - secretary@elyrunners.co.uk Ely Scrabble Club Alternate Thursdays 1-3pm, Ely Library. £1.50 members, £2 non members For more info call: 07939 104 173 Ely Sailing Club Ely Sailing Club is based at Roswell Pits in Ely, over 40 acres of attractive fresh water with islands, trees and banks. The sailing is always interesting, challenging and fun. There is dry launching directly from jetties, and crews are able to sail without getting their feet wet. We are a recognised Royal Yachting Association (RYA) training centre and have also been awarded RYA Champion Club status for our race coaching.

Sailing takes place between Easter and the end of October on Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Full details can be found on our website www. elysailingclub.org St Mary’s Church Monday Club We meet in St Marys Church Hall on the 1st and 3rd Monday at 2pm for a 2:30pm start to the afternoon. We have speakers on the 3rd Monday and a social afternoon on the 1st Monday. All meetings include afternoon Tea, Cakes and a raffle. For more info phone Anne Marie on 01353662016 Email p.burfield50@btinternet.com Ely Sinfonia See article page 17 Ely’s community orchestra plays regular concerts and services in Ely Cathedral and other local venues. New players always welcome in most sections, or join the Friends for discounts and free concerts.

To find out more call 01353 721007 or see www.elysinfonia.co.uk.

Sing! Choirs – Ely Tuesday or Thursday evening (you choose one of the evenings). No auditions, no need to be able to read music, just enjoy singing!

Contact Kathryn Rowland on: kathryn@singchoirs.com or call 01353 662022 for more details on how to join.

Sit & Sew at Sew Much to Do Every Wednesday 9.30am-2.00pm and/or 6-9.30pm £3/session - we share ideas, help and support each other, and have a lot of fun along the way! Tel: 01353 664000 Sew Much To Do, 7 High Street Passage, Ely The Stained Glass Museum The Stained Glass Museum holds workshops, family drop-ins and lectures throughout the year. For more information please visit www.stainedglassmuseum.com or contact curator@stainedglassmuseum.com or 01353 660355.

Sugar in the Isle Meets monthly (except Aug & Dec) 7.30pm The Hub Tea Room, Lynn Rd Demonstrations by local experts. Membership fee £20 / Meeting fee £1.50 & £5 visitors Ely Theatregoers Club Eileen Pick founded the Ely Theatregoers Club in 1981 when she placed an advert in the local paper to see if anyone would like to join her on theatre trips. The Club now boasts some 300+ members whose continuing support to the Club’s activities (both in the theatre and social) see it continue and grow. The Ely Theatregoers Club hold Quarterly Coffee Mornings on the first Monday of the months of March, June, September and December at The Ely Cathedral Centre (the old Ely Library) at 10am - 11.30am. For further information on future events see our website at: www.elytheatregoers.co.uk or contact Sandra at: stb.butler@ntlworld.com or 07887 240483 Ely Table Tennis Club Located in the Village Hall at Prickwillow, just outside of Ely. We welcome new members of all ages and abilities but especially anyone wanting to get back into the sport. Practice night is every Monday from 7:00pm throughout the year. Match nights are Wednesdays and Fridays during the season for both the Ely District and Cambridge Leagues. Informal

49 coaching offered to help improve your skills along with two annual club tournaments and other social events. First session FREE and subsequent sessions just £4.00. For further info contact the Secretary, Karen Byford on elytabletennis@gmail.com, Tel: 01353 664271 or www.tabletennis365.com/Ely Ely Watercolour Workshop The Ely Watercolour Workshop is an informal group of aspiring, (or sometimes, perspiring), artists, of varying levels, who get together, weekly, on a Tuesday evening, at Ely Community College. The evenings run, officially, from 6.30 pm to 9.00 pm but members may come and go as time or commitments allow.

The ‘group’, in one form or another, has been going for 30 years. There is no formal tuition, but the members do try to help each other and will, occasionally, do demonstrations of various aspects of watercolour painting.

A programme of ‘topics’, for each week, is produced, for each term, although the subjects are not mandatory. Members are free to ‘do their own thing’, if they so wish, but are invited to participate in the programme, as much as possible.

In the summer term and holiday period, the EWW tries to encourage ‘outdoor’ painting with a selection of suggested venues, in and around Ely. We do, occasionally, arrange an all day workshop with an outside ‘professional’ artist, for extra tuition and experience.

Each year, the EWW arranges TWO exhibitions of paintings, together with the ever popular hand painted greetings cards. One at Easter and one in October school half-term holidays.

The usual venue is the Almonry restaurant, off the Market Square, in central Ely. The fees are £20, per half-year, payable at the first meeting in January, and first meeting in September. Contact: 01353 666954 Ely Wildlife Watch Wildlife watch is a junior branch of the Wildlife Trust. Children under 8 must be accompanied by a parent or carer. For further information contact Clive on 01353 610224.

Ely Local Group of the Wildlife Trust 7.45 pm Vernon Cross Room, Ely Museum For info contact: Will on (01353) 661339 or willburdett@btinternet.com

Ely City Women’s Institute 14 March 2016, Board games night and nibbles, Competition: Easter garden in a saucer Where:The Old Dispensary, 13 St Mary’s Street, Ely, Cambs, CB7 4ER When: Second Monday of each month Time: 7.30 pm to approximately 9.45 pm (feel free to turn up from 7.15 pm onwards) Further information: Ruth Sindall 07976 747712 or ruth.g.sindall@btconnect.com www.wielycity.wix.com/home, Twitter: @ ElyCityWI, Email: ruth.g.sindall@btconnect.com Ely W.E.A. At WEA we believe learning is for everyone and learning is for life. It can be life-enhancing and life-changing – improving health, selfconfidence and creating positive changes that ripple out from individuals to communities.

Founded in 1903, the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) is a charity and the UK’s largest voluntary sector provider of adult education. In 2013/14 we delivered 9,700 parttime courses for over 70,000 students in England and Scotland with classes in almost every local authority area. More information can be found at : www.wea.org.uk

ELY WATERCOLOUR WORKSHOP EASTER EXHIBITION and SALE OF PAINTINGS AND HAND-PAINTED CARDS To be held in the Almonry Restaurant, in central Ely, from Saturday, 26th March, 2016 until Sunday, 3rd April, 2016.

Open Sunday 26th March, 11.00am to 5.00pm, weekdays 10.00am to 5.00pm Sunday 3rd April 11.00am to 4.00pm.

Entrance is free.

50

Business Boost in Ely for Women in Business The tenth in a series of twelve one-day funded events supporting women in business as part of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Connecting Cambridgeshire programme takes place in Ely on Tuesday 8th March. Delivered by The Bratton Group, the event will be taking place at The Maltings, Ship Lane, Ely, CB7 4BB, from 9.30am-4.30pm.

The day will consist of workshops and 1-2-1s with business coaches, IT and social media experts. The events are suitable for all skill levels, from those with no knowledge at all to those who use technology but want to get more out of it to grow their business. Women can learn how to set up and run various social media platforms, use Microsoft Office more effectively and create or update their own website using WordPress as well as get support on how to set up or grow their business.

All events are completely free and open to women in business or thinking of setting up.

As the events are funded by The Government Equalities Office, it is a great opportunity for women to access practical business support, get help with IT problem-solving and receive training from experts who can explain things in a non-technical way.

Jayne Bratton, Managing Director of The Bratton Group commented: “Developing confidence and the ‘digital’ know-how of women in business is key to their success. The Bratton Group is absolutely passionate about empowering and developing women who are expanding or setting up new businesses. We are delighted to be working with Connecting Cambridgeshire to achieve this common goal.

There are two further events remaining after this one, taking place throughout Cambridgeshire and places are filling up fast. For booking and more information go to: www.thebrattongroup.co.uk/dd

There are also a limited number of free stands available at each roadshow for local womenled businesses to promote their company in exchange for providing useful support to the women attending.

To be considered for a free stand, please email dd@thebrattongroup.co.uk with details of your business. For more information, call Sophie on 07802 76548

51

Ely & District Branch

Annual Cat Show And Homing Day

ely

On

visit

Saturday 12th March Open to the public between 11am – 3.30pm at Little Downham Village Hall, Main Street, Little Downham, Ely, CB6 2ST Come and see the lovely cats in competition.

Take time to meet the cats looking for homes.

Could you offer one or more of our cats a home?

Cats Protection Stall, Bric-A-Brac, Tombola, Cat Photo Show and Refreshments available.

Enquiries and pet cat show entry details: Telephone: 01353 699430 Email: elycats@waitrose.com

Oliver Cromwell’s House 2 for 1 ADMISSION ON PRESENTATION OF THIS ADVERT IS VALID TO 31/03/16 Visit the former Lord Protector’s family home.

Experience what domestic life would have been like in the 17th Century in a variety of re-created period rooms as well an exhibition detailing the Civil War. Visit Mrs Cromwell’s kitchen, try dressing-up or playing with the toys of the time or venture into the Haunted Bedroom if you dare!

Audio handsets bring the story of this impressive House to life. Guided tours and group visits welcome.

Also Gift Shop and Tourist Information Centre.

For further enquiries check out our website at www.olivercromwellshouse.co.uk or call 01353 662062.

@visitely

NEW STOCK NOW IN!

Monday - Saturday 9.30am-5.30pm - 36F Fore Hill, Ely, Cambs CB7 4AF 07881 643439 - info@thequeensshoes.co.uk

52 Ely Choral Society

Rossini Stabat Mater

Schubert Mass No 3 in B flat Iff MUSIC be the food of LOVE… LOVE

St Mary y’s, Burwell Saturday 12 March, 7.30 th

soprano Elisabeth Rauch Chloe Latchmore mezzo-soprano tenor Daniel Joy bass William Gaunt

Hertfordshire Chamber Orchestra Stefan Bown Edmund Aldhouse

pm

Featuring fabulous new settings of Shakespeare Shakespeare’ss texts

Guest Soloist

£10 (

in advance & on door)

u16s

£25, £20, £15, £8, U18s £5 Ely Cathedral Box Office 01353 660349 and www.elycathedral.org

free

Burwell PO, Hurrells, Tina’s & CentrePeace https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/elyconsort (+10% booking fee) 2016

elyconsort

@elyconsort

elyconsort.org.uk

Conductor Andrew Parnell

Tickets

Aldeburgh Young Musician Olivia Petryszak (Recorder)

leader organ

www.elychoralsociety.org Registered Charity No: 802308

Saturday 19th March 2016 7:30 pm Ely Cathedral Ely Cathedral Photo by DAVID ILIFF. Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0

info@elyconsort.org.uk 2016

An Evening with Blue Haze Choir and Special Guests.

St Mary’s Church, Ely Saturday 19th March Pre-concert drinks served at 7.00pm Concert starts at 7.30pm Tickets £5.00 and £2.50 available from: Ely St Mary’s CE Junior School, High Barns, Ely 01353 662163 St Mary’s Church, St Mary’s Street, Ely or by calling The Elyi 07739 260029

Please come and support our special event concert.

Hazel Law, Musical Director welcomes you to what promises to be a unique evening.

53

54

Madeleine Funnell Advertising Manager advertising@elyimagazine.com 01353 664920 07739 260 027

I hope you enjoyed the March Edition of the Elyi . Bridget and I have such fun putting the magazine together, connecting with advertisers, supporters, contributors and the people of Ely who simply want to be involved in the magazine.

Great news for the villages! We have now added Mepal and Chettisham to our door to door deliveries, giving us even more readers to respond to your advertising.

Our deadline for advertisers and editorial is tighter now we are monthly. Apologies for hassling you for your copy, but I know the majority of you are happy for the reminders.

Everyone is incredibly busy with the hussle and bussle of everyday life but early submissions are always appreciated.

LOCAL COST EFFECTIVE RELIABLE ADVERTISING

Please do contact me if you require further flexibility on the packages we offer: advertising@elyimagazine.com or telephone 01353 664920 / 07739 260027.

We have now added printing to our business repertoire, please contact us for a quotation.

Mad March is certainly here!

Madeleine KICKSTART PACKAGE 6 months advertising £399.

Annual Block of 11 consecutive adverts 30% discount when booked before 10th March.

STAY WITH US Re-book your advertising block and get one free advert.

EASY TERMS If your booking is for over £300 we offer monthly payment terms.

Our copy deadline is the 10th of every month Our objective for our advertisers is to supply a flexible advertising solution to meet the needs of individual businesses: with that in mind, we have the following offers running until the 10th March: Kick Start Package - one full A5 colour page, followed by 5 quarter page ads, 250 word editorial, including one image & complimentary advert design. Spread the payments: £399 for six months of advertising = 1 x £99 deposit, followed by 5 x payments of £60.

Terms and conditions apply.

Book eleven adverts - get a 30% discount Payments can be spread on orders over £300.

Terms and conditions apply.

Re-book your advert after your advertising block expires and get one month free.

(Adverts have to run consecutively) Leaflet distribution - starting at £45 per 1,000

We can now PRINT and DELIVER leaflets for your business Let The Eye take the strain! prices include print and delivery single sided A5 flier £120 / 1000 double sided A5 flier £150 / 1000 8,000 single sided A5 flier £500 8,000 double sided A5 flier £550 Zero VAT Lead times are four days upon receipt of print ready pdf.

55

ADVERTISER DIRECTORY

BY PAGE NUMBER Business Services

Household Services

Local Shopping/Retail

Ely Tax & Accountancy

9

BM Aerials

21

4LittlePeople online store

24

ClanPress Ltd Printing

9

Complete Kitchens

23

My Shop is Local

6

E-Space Ely

12

Cade Wood Burning Stoves

21

Something Special

7

Paula Ingram Tax Technician

19

Dream Doors

5

It’s Wonderful

10

Red Shoes Accounting

22

Ely Cleaning Services

35

The Eel Catcher’s Daughter

6

Simon Airey Mortgage Broker

20

Ely Roofing

20

The Queens Shoes

51

Ely Electrical Services

21

Sew Much to Do

15 15

Eating & Drinking Out Grand Central

53

Ely Skip Hire

21

Witchford Lighting

The Town House

33

Ely Tile Centre

20

Mind, Body & Wellness

Fenland Spirit Services

20

Beverley Day

14

Events, Clubs & Classes Cats Protection

51

J T Cycles

30

Energie Fitness for Women

25

Ely Ballroom

15

Johnson Construction

34

Footprints Surgery

7

Littleport Lions

6

K & J Cleaning Co.

23

Real life Therapy

14

Local Groups and Meets

42

Lisa Bartley Music

16

Sanctuary 365 (support)

35

Monkey Music

24

Langtry Furniture

7

Westminster Homecare

7

Oliver Cromwell’s House

51

MAM Tiling

30

Motor Trade

Ousefest

27

Mi Homecare

13

Criteria Cars

20

Time Bank

9

Millrose Telecom

19

LG Car Sales Ltd.

31

The Maltings

28

Paul Barrow Builders

21

Security Services

Witchford Karate Dojo

25

Port Plumbing

30

Bargate Locksmiths

19

YPL Auctions, Littleport

37

Reeds Furniture Store

Back

RGP Security Services

13

Silcock Construction

18

Pets

Anglia wines

14

Simon Bridges Piano Tuner

16

Ely Aquatic

18

Anglia wines - Wine of the month

11

TW Electrical Ely

21

Isle Vets

27

Aspect Cuisine

11

I.T. and Web Services

Little Critters

27

Harpers Deli Boxes

9

Ely Computers

20

North Fen Grooming

27

Sugar Design

10

NotAdrill App Development

22

Photography

Sunflower Catering

8

Local Shopping/Retail

Wiltshire Farm Foods

15

All Eyes Spectacle Makers

10

Taxi / Prof Car Service

Burrows Book Shop

25

Noble Cars

Cutlacks

2

Wedding Attire

Food & Drink

Garden Serv’s & Supplies Cambridge Pond Cleaning

18

Littleport Timber Buildings

18

Ian Stacey Photography

Peter’s Bridal Warehouse

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T HE HOME OF A MA Z ING CHOICE S.

Come and visit our homes in Witchford, Ely and in Downham Market. reedshomestore.co.uk

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Reeds Furniture & Bed Centre, Lancaster Way Business Park, Ely CB6 3NX 01353 669754 Reeds Homestore, Bridge Street, Downham Market PE38 9DS 01366 382213