Community Articles

What do Fenprobe, Lions Club of Littleport, K9 Project, Ely Soup, Therapy Dogs, New Connexions Church High Barns, Ely-Ribe Association, Ely Heroes, Ely Air Cadets, Prickwillow Drainage Museum Trust, Ely Amnesty International all have in common? They are just some of the organisations that we have visited during the last two months and they are all full of volunteers who help to make Ely such a strong and caring community.

The role of Mayor involves going to grand occasions like the Ely Standard Business Awards, great local events like the Prickwillow Ploughing Festival and once in a lifetime events like the opening of the amazing new Dojima Sake Brewery at Fordham, with civic visits to neighbouring authorities, but just as importantly attending as many local Ely events as possible.

I am dedicated to promoting Ely as a strong, welcoming, inclusive city and all the clubs and organisations that, for example, are listed in the Elyi, all make a vital contribution to that aim.

We are always delighted to receive invitations where it involves meeting young people like presenting the certificates at Ely Library to all the children who took part in the very successful summer reading challenge, attending the Spring Meadow Harvest Festival, or Ely Air Cadets Open Evening. The future of our country, never mind just the city, depends on our young people growing up to be confident in their abilities and realising they can make a significant contribution to society.

On the 11th of November this year there will be hugely significant commemoration of the peace at the end of World War One in 1918. There will be the customary service in Ely Cathedral followed by the Royal British Legion traditional wreath laying at the Market Place war memorial, but in addition this year in the evening at 7pm we will be lighting a beacon at St Mary’s Green, ringing the parish church bells of St Mary’s and inviting everyone to gather to remember the sacrifice of previous generations and the hope of future peace for our young people. Please join us if you can.

ELY MUSEUM

On the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, we remember the Armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France. This marked the end of the hostilities on the Western Front of World War I in 1918. This year, we mark the centenary of the end of one of the deadliest conflicts in human history.

JOURNEY'S END a commemorative performance by Ely Drama Society

8TH - 10TH NOVEMBER 2018

To commemorate the centenary of the end of The First World War, Ely Amateur Dramatic Society is putting on a production of R.C. Sherriff’s ‘Journey’s End’ at Ely Maltings on the 8th, 9th and 10th of November 2018.

ELY AT THE FRONT

Local resident, Shirley Hall is a keen family historian and was involved in a project to research all the men on the memorial in her home town of Folkestone. After attending one Ely Memorial Ceremony she decided to start a similar project here in Ely.

Do go and browse the archive at www.elyww1.net It is a worthy tribute to the people of Ely in wartime. The project continues so comments and further information from readers to improve the website and its contents are very welcome.. email: ww1ely@gmail.com

Rotary Club of Ely Christmas Collection

Father Christmas and his sleigh will be visiting Ely residents again this year, starting on Friday 7th December. They will also be in the High Street on Saturday 8th and 15th December. The Rotary Club’s annual collection raises funds for local charities and good causes. The sleigh has been visiting streets in Ely for many years although Ely was a much smaller place when we started. When my children were young hearing the Rotary Sleigh was a sign of the beginning of the Christmas season . I am sure that many Ely families feel the same way. The people of Ely are always very generous and this collection funds our charitable projects for the next year. Please come and say hello, or, if you fancy a very brisk walk, join us! Contact Viv Doji on 07984323695 or vclariced@hotmail.com for information. Visit our website or Facebook for further details.

A LUXURY FESTIVE SEASON AT POETS HOUSE

Poets House is fast gaining a reputation for being the classiest place in town! Whether you are after a cream tea, quick after work drinkies or a slap up Sunday lunch you know that, as well as great food and surroundings, the service will be top notch too. Throughout December you can book on to any of the Christmas Party nights ( 14th, 15th, 21st) which include a 3-course meal, coffee & mince pies and live entertainment until midnight - Great for couples or to go together as a group. A good night out at only £49 a head.

Alternatively, the Boardroom and Writing rooms can be hired for your own private parties with superb catering for the evening and the cocktail bar only a short walk away.

Poets House also invite you for Christmas Day, Boxing day and New Year’s Eve. Whereas most of us might not manage all three, spending one of these occasions at Poets House will certainly be a highlight of your festive season.

The Boxing day lunch sounds just the thing at £35 a head. We suggest you treat it like the usual ( but rather more luxurious) Boxing Day walk and pub lunch. No washing up and not a turkey in sight!

Call the POETS HOUSE events team on 01353 887777 to avoid disappointment.

ELY TIGERS RUGBY CLUB

Girls’ and Women’s Rugby

Last season Ely Tigers rugby club started a girls' section- the Ely Tigresses. We want this to go from strength to strength each year. The new season is starting, come and join us! The Ely Tigresses train every Tuesday from 6.30- 8.00pm and cater for girls aged 11 to 18. All the girls need to bring is themselves (and any friends who want to have a go too), a water bottle, warm layers, studded boots, a hair tie and a fitted gum shield. Our coaching team consists of Simon Cross, Simon Edwards and Charlotte Pindar. As the girls’ section grows, we are recruiting for new volunteer coaches to add to our team. So if you are reading this and are an experienced coach, looking for a new challenge and to work with a burgeoning girls' section, please contact our Girls' Chairwoman Charlotte or our Director of Rugby, Adrian Storey.

Touch Rugby for Men and Women

For over 16’s, Touch Rugby is organised on Monday evenings 7.30-9pm and is open to both women and men. Touch Rugby is a relaxed, social, non-contact game. The rules are very simple and we can teach any beginners who want to give it a go. Everyone is welcome at Touch Rugby; men, women, beginners or experienced players.

OR LADIES ONLY?

Ely Tigers have now started a ladies only touch rugby session on Wednesdays 7-30-8.30pm. If you would like to try something different and are interested in a non-contact form of rugby give touch rugby a go.

Visit the Ely Tigers Website www.elytigers.rfu.club

Make Some Noise!

The New Ely Area Music Centre will help take young musicians to the next level. Weekly sessions to help develop young musicians’ orchestral skills - Students, many of whom do not have access to school orchestras, will be able to rehearse together with support from experienced professionals.

The Ely Area Music Centre will be running at King’s Ely Junior School, Barton Road, Ely, CB7 4DB, from 10am to 12.30pm every Saturday. Anyone is welcome to attend and the opening session is free. For further information about the Centre, please visit the Cambridgeshire Music website:

www.cambridgeshiremusic.org.uk/pages/discovermusic/bands-and-clubs/ely-area-music-centre.html