Councillors last week agreed to improvement plan which aims to develop and grow Ely’s Markets over the next few years.

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At a meeting of the Community Services Committee, there was a thorough debate of the options which were put in front of members to approve.

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This agreed a number of recommendations including the following:

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The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Improvement plan approved to develop markets

Residents in East Cambridgeshire are being urged to back a bid to Government that would bring the latest super fast broadband to homes and businesses across the district – including the most rural areas.

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Internet providers are already planning to lay new fibre optic cables in the more urban areas of Cambridgeshire over the next few years but this will still leave around a quarter of people in the county without access to high speed internet.

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The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Be super quick to back broadband bid

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Lecture Ely Tuesday Group: Lillie Langtree

Elections may be the last thing on many people's minds this summer but important forms are being delivered across East Cambridgeshire giving residents the chance to register their right to vote.

The annual canvass is even more important this year, with District and parish Council elections set to take place� in 2011.

To make the whole process as simple as possible the forms will arrive pre-printed so if all the information is correct all that is needed is to sign the form off and return it.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Register your vote this summer

Elections may be the last thing on many people's minds this summer but important forms are being delivered across East Cambridgeshire giving residents the chance to register their right to vote.

The annual canvass is even more important this year, with District and parish Council elections set to take place� in 2011.

To make the whole process as simple as possible the forms will arrive pre-printed so if all the information is correct all that is needed is to sign the form off and return it.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Register your vote this summer

Go here to see the original: 
Lecture WI Ely Northwold: Family History

Residents in East Cambridgeshire are getting the chance to have their say on the plans for the proposed new leisure complex for the whole of the district.

Over the next few weeks, officers will be going around East Cambridgeshire attending different events and locations to ask the views of people who may use the new centre when it is built.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Have your say on the proposed leisure facility

At Thursday's (12 August) Community Services Committee, members will be asked to review a number of developments which have been made since their last meeting. This includes:

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:CCTV proposal moves forwrd

At Thursday's (12 August) Community Services Committee, members will be asked to review a number of developments which have been made since their last meeting. This includes:

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:CCTV proposal moves forward

Just under a thousand years ago the Normans landed in England and changed the future of a nation for centuries to come.

The impact of the last invasion to successfully conquer the country is being celebrated by a special series of programmes by the BBC and as the centre of one of the greatest Norman buildings – there will be a host of activities in East Cambridgeshire this summer.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Watch out the Normans are coming

Repairs to tackle the problem of loose tiles in an Ely swimming pool are well underway and set to finish early next week.

The issue of loose tiles has closed the learner pool for the beginning of the school summer holidays.

Workman are currently donning wetsuits and aqualungs to replace and stick down the loose tiles.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Swimming pool repairs on schedule

Local residents have flocked to give their feedback on the ideas and concepts put forward for the future of Littleport.

At a meeting of the Littleport Masterplan Working Party, Members will hear how plans for a new school, improved footpaths/cycleway and employment opportunities were amongst the most important issues for local people.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Working to make Littleport great

Councillors in East Cambridgeshire met tonight (Tuesday 3 August) to discuss the outcome of the consultation on an Improvement� Plan to introduce changes to Ely Markets.

The cross party Review Team presented their report to the Internal Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their recommendations to Community Services Committee later this month.

Following extensive research and consultation, the plan highlights a number of areas for change, they include:

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Improvement plan lays out options for markets

Ely’s Jubilee Gardens has won a prestigious Green Flag award for sixth year in a row after being highlighted as one of the best parks and green spaces in the country.

Opened in 2002 by Prince Phillip to mark the Queen’s Jubilee, Jubilee Gardens were judged to be welcoming, safe and well maintained, with the strong involvement of the local community.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Our gardens have only gone and won again

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Oliver Cromwell’s House Family Activity: Beauty and the Beast

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Boogie in the Park

Burwell may appear a picturesque, idyllic village but scratch beneath the surface lies tales of knights and daring dos and villains and their dastardly plans.

On Sunday 25 July, the renown Ely guided walks are spreading their wings and are coming to Burwell. Anyone joining the walk will hear stories of Burwell life through the ages through the village's historic characters.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Uncover the secret history of Burwell

Fancy being the first to use an adiZone? Want to meet an Olympic hopeful? Or want to check out your health? Then come along to Littleport Leisure Day as part of the London 2012 Open Weekend, supported by BP.

To celebrate the Open Weekend 2010 – the UK-wide countdown to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games – a whole weekend of activities is planned for 24-25 July.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:What are you doing this Open Weekend?

Rapid progress is being made on the future of parking in Ely following a meeting of the Council’s Car Parking Working Group.

At their last meeting, it was decided to progress with proposals to look at the issues and costs of providing off street car parking in the city.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Working Party taking forward parking in East Cambs

With the Government set to change the way Councils work, deliver services and review their constitutions, East Cambridgeshire District Council has stopped a consultation looking at the best structure for the authority ahead of anticipated new policy announcements.

The consultation had presented options on the best way to make decisions in East Cambridgeshire but the present committee system will now be maintained.�����������

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Council’s constitution to remain unchanged

Soham’s new state of the art BMX Skatepark opened this weekend and was full of the wannabe street stars who helped to design the site

The Park opened on 17 July and was the culmination of work between Soham Town Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council and most importantly young people in the town.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Crowds flock to ‘catch some air’

Continued here:
Lecture Ely Tuesday Group: Pressed Flower Craft

Friday, July 9: From humble beginnings in 1985 when Ely first hosted its ‘Folk Day’ (ticket price £4.50), through years of the ‘Folk Weekend’ which was held in various venues throughout the City, to the Pocket Park Years the festival always retained a unique essence. The move to the Outdoor Centre in 2000 and the inclusion of more concerts, dances and workshops has not diminished that certain something that Ely has. As my Uncle Google says, ‘Licentia Puteus Unus’*

And so, to 2010, the Silver Anniversary of the Festival. With my Sun Dance instructions safely tucked away, the temperature at 35 degrees on the car gauge and 42 under my armpits, I set off for the festival.

Ely Online assembled at the site for our traditional Friday evening photo with the Ship of the Fens as a backdrop and the remit to capture that special quality that keeps regulars coming back year after year.

The Floozies were the first act I caught on the main stage and are so damn cool that they are like aural fans, their jazzy folk riffs bringing the temperature down with each blast from Paula Welham’s sax. Their gusts of harmony and virtuoso musicianship were a fine way to start the weekend.

Harvey Andrews was up next and the 67 year old singer song-writer enchanted the audience with his songs. With 43 years of his professional career chalked up he was proud to declare that he’s 2 years younger than Sir Cliff Richard but 2 years older that Keith Richards. The veteran was around the site on Saturday as well and he looked very chuffed after turning up for a sound-check and being sent away by the sound man as it was ‘just the same as Friday’. Very handy just being one man, a guitar and a head full of songs.

I’ve seen Colvin Quarmy 2 or 3 times before but they still have the ability to surprise. The captivating ‘Broken Man’ with its five part harmony is a tribute to NHS drugs that work and Gerry Colvin’s lyrics are a joy to listen to in these days when song writers seem scared to say what they mean.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pex90pjVgs0

The beer tent was doing brisk business and when the Dragon Slayer ran out my distraught daughter had to accept an alternative, Eelcatcher, which brought a grimace to her face. Luckily, there were many more barrels to hand and we enjoyed at various times; Reel Ale, Anniversary Ale, Dragonslayer and Shefford Bitter. Many thanks must go to the overworked volunteers who battled away all weekend to keep the beers cool and the customers satisfied.

The opening nights headliners ‘The Demon Barber Roadshow’ were, as the youth say, Awesome. Mixing traditional folk tunes and using clog-dancers and a beat-boxer (I think they’re called) as well as molly dancing themselves they earned a standing ovation.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkmobqShZGA

At one point they were doing Pete Townsend style leg splits which I’ve never seen a Morris Man perform. It was like The Who doing Riverdance. No wonder they won the Best Live Act Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards last year. I don’t know what any of the songs were called apart from the rebel yelling ‘Captain Ward’ but they were excellent and went down a storm.

Saturday: Saturday began, as per recent tradition, with a ginormous cooked breakfast at Ely’s premier Fryuperie ‘Street Cafe’, before getting into position to watch the Morris dance procession.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_hFGfwP8mM

Is it all bells and whistles? Nah – we were treated to a banging, shouting and whooping parade of a smorgasbord of English dance sides including long sword, Cotswold, north- west clog and Suffolk flip-flop. That slapping sound is rather irritating. I hope they won’t be asked back.

Back on the site later, my own thoughts were echoed when I heard a camper sigh, incline his head towards an armpit and mutter, ‘Hmm…time for some deodorant’. It was about 32 degrees at this point.

To my shame I’d missed Les Barker on his previous visits to Ely so I was determined to catch his set and I’m glad I did. Although obviously old favourites with the packed marquee (cos they chanted most of the tag lines) I sat and giggled my way through ‘Occasional Table’, ‘Deja Vu’, ‘Mange Tout’ and the rest of Les’s gloriously surreal poems.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwn1g8_JM-U

Next up, Lau, the band I had looked forward to with the most anticipation. I had ‘discovered’ the band by a tortuous route about 3 years ago in a way most music lovers will recognise. Whilst flicking through the folk cds in Ely Library I picked up Kris Drevers ‘Blackwater’ and noticed that he’d covered ‘Harvest Gypsies’, written by our very own Boo Hewerdine. I took it out, loved it and googled Kris to find Lau. That led me to their website and I clicked on the audio link for the frenetic ‘Hinba’. Result? Me continuously playing the song in the office for the next 4 days. I got some strange looks from colleagues, I can tell you, sitting there with my headphones on playing air accordion.

Lau didn’t let me down. Corking renditions of ‘Winter Moon’, ‘The Burran’ et al met with raucous applause from a packed Marquee. I was slightly disappointed that by the end of the set they hadn’t played my favourite tune. So, when they took a breather before starting the encore I was nonplussed when they announced they were going to treat us to a song called ‘Hitler’. Hitler! Who the hell would write a folk song about Hitler? I misheard – yep, it was Hinba, in all its manic glory. As the young people say, LOL and LMAO.

Whilst I was working up a sweat just watching Martin Green manhandle his accordion, Ely On Line’s chief lensman, Karl, was at the French dance workshop given by Bof! I had planned to join him but unfortunately I’d left my dancing trousers at home.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCXrIPUsPxI

I’m writing this on a normal Sunday morning, sitting in my boxers, mug of tea to hand and typing the words, ‘death’, ‘cake’ and ‘burial’ into Google. I’m doing some research into a tragic story I read about years ago and I’m trying to find the details. I did write it all down in a diary but it’s faster to use the interweb than sit and read through 25 years of WH Smith diaries to find a paragraph of writing. And, I found this little nugget of information – Until 1823 suicides were buried under the public highway, usually at a crossroads, with a stake driven through the heart. Hmm – I feel a song coming on.

Why do I relate this gloomy tale? Because it’s only at a folk (and probably Goth) festival that you’ll happily stand there as the band say, ‘Here’s another song about death’. Yup, The New Essex Bluegrass Band played a fantastic set of snappy tales of murder and mayhem from the Deep South. With an ‘Elvis’ style microphone to the fore they took turns to step up for their solos and received an ovation from an enthusiastic Marquee 2 . Brilliant.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7058047865226C4

As the refreshing evening breeze finally began to cool down the site the Ely online team promenaded between marquees 1 and 2 via the beer tent, taking in snippets of Chris & Kelli While, Chris Sherburn & Denny Bartley and the fantastic Wizz Jones. At 71, Wizz can still make his guitar weep and he almost had me blubbing with ‘Burma Star’, a song about his dad coming home from the war.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=462CFCA33F62C8BC

The evening was rounded off by the evergreen Oysterband. They pounded their way through an energetic set of crowd pleasers defying their 30 years experience and with the sides of the marquee down and people spread almost half way across the site to listen, it was an apt way to conclude the Saturday night of the 25th Ely Festival.

Sunday: Sunday began with Dogan Mehmet and some exquisite fiddle playing and the percussionist apparently playing bongos on an upturned electric flower-pot. They created an alluring anglo-turkish vibe and I particularly enjoyed the sing along ‘Dillirga’ with more ‘La La’s’ in the chorus than an Andy Williams song.

Tyde were up next and I can see why they were finalists in the Radio 2 Young Folk Awards last year. Their set was awash with hooky melodies and I’m looking forward to catching them again on the Thursday evening of the Cambridge Folk Festival.

As the sun continued to shine, the New Essex Bluegrass band were back, this time on the main stage and they played a completely different set including the tear-stained declaration of everlasting love, ‘All I Ever Loved Was You’. So -- probably another song about death.

We decided to make a detour to a ‘meet me’ with Wizz Jones and he proceeded to give a fascinating insight into how he developed his style over the years, learning (and cribbing) from the best – mainly Big Bill Broonzy. Wizz has a witty self-deprecating sense of humour and managed to teach some old dogs some new tricks at the same time.

Now -- a dilemma. The Sunday of the festival coincided with the World Cup Final. My wallchart was up to date and I’d enjoyed a month of the greatest game on earth (apart from Kerplunk) and I really did want to watch it. C’mon -- Holland v Spain. What have I done before? In 1986 I passed over the opportunity to watch Madness on the Main Stage at Glastonbury in favour of watching England play Argentina in the Quarter Final. The ‘Hand of God’ was watched on a 2” portable tv with 6 lads crammed into a 2 man tent. In 2006 I missed I missed Zidane’s chest butt whilst enjoying Zambula at Ely. So – what to do?

Football won.

I’d already decided that this would be my last review of the EFF (my 10th) so I’ll be hanging up my stubby pencil and Oxfam diary and enjoying the festival in future as a lover of folk. No more jokes about beards and spangly waistcoats from me.

A Footnote:

During the weekend I was able to catch up with Kim Mahler Garton, the Tai Chi instructor. I asked her if she’d be able to teach me how to do the splits. ‘Well…’, she replied hesitantly, ‘…it isn’t really part of my routine but I might. How flexible are you?’ she asked. I thought about it and replied, ‘I can’t do Tuesdays’.

Top Ten Songs – In No Particular Order

1. Floozies -- Coolest Girl in School
2. ColvinQuarmby – Broken Man
3. Demon Barber Roadshow – The Fantastic Clogs and beatbox song.
4. Doghan Mehmet -Dillirga
5. Les Barker – Occasional Table
6. Lau – The Burrian
7. NEBB – Cold Wind
8. Oysterband – Oxford Girl
9. Wizz Jones – Burma Star
10. NEBB – All I Ever Loved was You

See You Next Year! -- 8th, 9th, 10th July 2011

*Leave Well Alone

A new concept developed by young people and local agencies to set acceptable and responsible behaviour is to launch this month.

YouthSafe, to be piloted with the opening of the Soham Skatepark area, aims to create a safe haven for young people.

As long as the children and young people abide by the rules which they have helped to create, they will not be asked to be moved on by the Police or other agencies.

The YouthSafe rules are simple:

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:YOUTHSAFE – Young People Setting Their Own Rules

As one of the fastest growing districts in the country, the District Council is presenting a range of options for growth over the next 15 years in order to deliver the right development in the right place.

Residents will be able to look at site options for housing and employment growth, town centre improvements as well as the infrastructure improvements for East Cambridgeshire as part of the Local Development Framework process.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Options for Growth in East Cambridgeshire

To make it easier for residents to recycle their waste in East Cambridgeshire, new recycling points and banks are being introduced.

Along with a new site in Littleport to recycle glass and plastic, the District Council has reintroduced Tetrapak carton banks at the following locations:

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:More Recycling Banks for East Cambridgeshire

Free swimming sessions for people aged under 16 and over 60 in East Cambridgeshire are to end.

From August, normal charges will apply at the Paradise Pool in Ely and Bottisham Swimming Pool.

The Government announced it was to stop funding this activity due to the current financial situation and research which they claimed showed the majority of free swimmers were swimming already and would have paid to swim anyway.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Free Swimming to End

Continued here: 
Lecture WI Ely Northwold: Life of a Celebrity Auctioneer

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Ely Society Lecture: The Guided Busway

Ely Online’s traditional Ely Folk Festival review is forthcoming. In the meantime take a look at a few of our home video’s we shot during the heatwave that was Friday July 9 -- Sunday July 11.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB1F8B7EDD85EABF

The Mayor of Ely, Councillor Brian Ashton will visit the festival site on Friday evening to have a look at the activities taking place and to meet some of the hard-working volunteers who are responsible for making the festival happen.

The annual morris dancing procession will kick off at 11am on Saturday morning, proceeding along the High Street, Ely to the market square. This year 14 morris dance sides will take part. The morris sides will dance in various spots around Ely city centre during the afternoon.

Please note that NO tickets will be available for sale at the Box Office on the festival site over the weekend.

Ely's Farmers’ Market is celebrating its tenth birthday on Saturday 10 July with celebrations everyone can enjoy.

Since launching as a monthly event in July 2000 with 21 stalls, the Farmers’ Market has become an integral part of the city.

The Market is now a regular fixture, taking place every second and fourth Saturday, with residents and visitors coming to Ely specifically for the high quality local produce.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Happy Birthday Ely Farmer’s Market

With admissions up, gift shop sales up and guided tour income up, Oliver Cromwell House in Ely is attracting more visitors than ever to the district.

The House was set ambitious targets last year to increase visitor numbers and income and despite the recession and budgetary restraints more people than ever are visiting the famous site.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Oliver Cromwell’s House doing better than ever

Young and old people throughout East Cambridgeshire will benefit from grants approved this week totalling nearly �3,000.

At Monday's (5 July) Community Services Committee, Councillors heard how applications for funding had come from a charity looking to help older residents and a not for profit company needing help to provide help running an after school club.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Using grants to improve the place we live

Work to tackle road congestion around Ely's Railway station is to progress with investigations set to establish the full extent of the problem and what can be done in the short and long term to relive the pressure.

District Councillors are set to ask officers to clarify the impact that the closure of the level crossing has on a daily basis – as well assess the effect of the proposed increase in rail freight traffic through Ely station in the future.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Solutions to A142 gridlock under investigation

Artist's impressions and concept drawings of the new leisure complex for the whole of� East Cambridgeshire have been unveiled.

The ideas of what the environmentally friendly and sustainable building may look like includes proposals for:

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Leisure concepts show potential to get whole district fit

As budgetary pressures increase and the authority receives more requests from city and town councils to devolve powers to them, East Cambridgeshire District Council is looking again at the best way to deliver CCTV in the district.

At Community Services Committee on Monday 5 July, members will be asked to review a number of options for the discretionary service from maintaining the status quo to bringing in a recorded system or withdrawing the service all together.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:CCTV options to be reviewed

Runners were under starters orders, hockey players twitched for the bully off and rugby players nervously awaiting kick off at today's East Cambridgeshire Youth Games.

The games, which took place at Littleport Leisure Centre, was the largest youth sporting event ever held in the District. The competitors, who were aged from seven to eleven years olds, came from schools all across the district to enter activities ranging from Quicksticks (Hockey), Tag Rugby, Mini Tennis and Quadkids (athletics).

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Youth Games to tap into spirit of the Olympics

More than 750 people gave their thoughts and ideas this spring on what makes East Cambridgeshire a safe, well-served and enjoyable place to live and work.

The East Cambridgeshire Strategic Partnership, a body representing public services, voluntary groups and businesses asked what people wanted to see in the area over the next 20 years, and have used the feedback they have received to devise a new strategy.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Tell us what’s important to you

Every company in e-space north and south – two business centres in East Cambridgeshire – say it is a great place for firms in the region to do business.

In a survey of the tenants in the District Council run buildings – 100 per cent of the companies would recommend the centres to other start-up and growing businesses.

The report also revealed high levels of satisfaction with the reception services, management arrangements and even the cost of renting space in the building.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:e-space – The place to do business

Ideas and concepts of what Littleport could look like 20 years from now are being put up for public debate and scrutiny.

At the Village Hall on Sunday 27 June and Monday 28 June, local residents can see some of the options which may become part of the Littleport Masterplan and give their views on how their town can change, develop and grow over the next twenty years.

This work has already seen a huge amount of public support build for plans which area looking to develop the town in the future.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:What do you think could make Littleport great?

With the Government preparing its emergency budget to tackle the nation’s budget deficit, local authorities are yet again bracing themselves for difficult decisions.

In East Cambridgeshire, the District Council heard last week its revenue grant would remain at just over �6million but with over �1.6 billion taken out of local government this year, the authority is mindful that tough choices may lie ahead.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Council warns of even tougher times ahead

The Ross Peers Leisure Centre has been the site of many a great football match but thanks to �20,000 of Section 106 money no one can now blame the pitch for a wonky shot.

The five a side pitch outside the centre now has now been refurbished following work between East Cambridgeshire District Council and Soham Town Council.

Since new pitch has been in place The Ross Peers Sports Centre has received great reviews from users.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:New pitch to test your skills

With the success of the recent Fenland Ride in aid of Help for Heroes, residents in East Cambridgeshire are being reminded that a canter can do wonders for your health.

The Sports Development Team at East Cambridgeshire District Council is promoting the activity to residents as a different way of exercising.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Trot along to improve your heart

Owners of empty homes in Soham can now take advantage of a project that has brought life back into empty homes in Littleport.

Launched last year, the Empty Homes Project has assisted with the renovation of five empty homes in the Littleport area and is committed to bringing a further four homes back into use over the next 12 months. This has been achieved with grants and interest free loans worth over �160,000.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Homes in Soham no longer need to be empty

Graffiti, abandoned vehicles and fly tipping can seriously blight an area which is why East Cambridgeshire District Council is looking at powers to stop small problems ruining a community.

The new Environmental Enforcement Strategy approved by Councillors last week looks at how best to tackle littering through education, encouragement and enforcement.

The full ECDC press release can be viewed here:Tackling litter in all its forms

Continued here: 
Lecture Ely Tuesday Group: Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture

Ely Folk Festival 2010 is now almost sold out with only a limited number of tickets left for Friday evening & Sunday only. Check out the festival website elyfolk.co.uk for updates on ticket availability.

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Music in the Park

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Romeo and Juliet