Ely Online | The Other Side Of Ely

Ely Urbex

Published Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 by Karl Bedingfield

UrbanX is an Ely based urban explorer.

The definition of an urban explorer: the study of parts of civilization that are normally unseen or off-limits, such as abandoned structures, drains, sewers, tunnels, etc.

UrbanX writes…

How often have you looked at the urban environment in Ely? I mean really looked, not just at the tourist trail of our beautiful Cathedral, Oliver Cromwell’s house, or Ely’s fabulous riverside views, but the truly hidden gems that abound within this ship of the Fens? I started really looking at our city during the balmy evenings of last spring, when the sky finally kicked off its winter overcoat and Ely sprang into consciousness. It was during this time that, whilst mulling over thoughts about the transient nature of architecture and sociological history, fate led me to my great discovery, the art of urban exploration.

Station House, Fordham © UrbanX 2008

Urban exploration is about pushing the boundaries of art and life, pushing oneself to discover new places and capture them for posterity. Photography allows us to document the beauty of these hidden landscapes, to revel in their richness and to contemplate their former states, before they fall into oblivion and out of our reach forever.

They didn’t come home © UrbanX 2008
continue reading

Filed: Ely Speak: 1 Comment

Ely Maltings Closed For 6 Months

Published Monday, May 5th, 2008 by Karl Bedingfield

The Maltings, the historic centre for conferences, exhibitions and banqueting in Ely has now closed for six months for essential repairs.

The Council informed the public last year that the building was coming up for a scheduled refit of it’s roof in May and the building would need to close to protect the public for a period of up to six months.

The repair work will coincide with the end of the District Council’s contract with Eliance who currently provide the catering and exhibition facilities at the Maltings. The Council is currently looking into the various options for the future of the building but has confirmed that it will continue to house a cinema when it reopens.

The Maltings, built in 1868 for the brewery of Ebenezer William Harlock, is a grade II listed building. The work which is set to begin next week will include reinstating an original pattern on the four slopes of the tower roof using a combination of traditional details.

Councillor John Humphreys, Chairman of Asset Management Committee, said: “We tried to give people as long a warning as possible about the closure of the Maltings in October last year as there are so many events which take place at the building. People have been very understanding about the need to get this work done and it will begin immediately to repair the roof.
continue reading

Filed: Ely Press Release Speak: Want to reply?

Ely Will Be Eeltastic This Saturday

Published Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 by Karl Bedingfield

Ely will be eeltastic this Saturday for the city’s fifth Annual Eel Day.

The day, to celebrate the humble eel, brings together a whole range of activities from eel throwing (don’t worry they are handmade toys) to 17th century re-enactments to highlight Ely’s heritage and historic association with the eel.

Starting at 10.30am, a carnival like procession led by ‘Ellie the Eel’, Ely’s Samba Band and 10 Town Criers will start from Cross Green next to the Cathedral and head along part of the City’s Eel Trail Heritage Walk, down to the Waterside. The procession will end in the Jubilee Gardens where a whole host of eel related events are planned.

Along with eel throwing, there will be puppet making, pottery making and tanks of real eels for everyone to learn about.

Tracey Harding, Tourism Team Leader at East Cambridgeshire District Council said: “The day is all about celebrating Ely’s culture and traditions and encouraging awareness and use of the Eel Trail. We hope to continue to build on this unique event each year and involve more and more businesses and organisations and further raise the profile of the Isle of Eels.

“This year’s procession sees the return of 10 visiting Town Criers in all their finery, as part of Ely’s Town Crier’s competition. The criers will gather on Palace Green for the first cry of the day at noon. Eight judges have been carefully selected from the local community and each one has a particular criteria to judge the criers performance on. The second cry of the day will be held in Jubilee Gardens at 3pm and the winners will then be announced.
continue reading

Filed: Ely Speak: Want to reply?

Armed Robbery At Ely Tescos

Published Saturday, April 19th, 2008 by Karl Bedingfield

Armed raiders targeted a security van at Tesco in Ely yesterday afternoon.

Offenders, who were believed to have been armed with a shotgun, struck a blue Group 4 Securicor van in the city just after 4pm.

Police cordoned the area off with trolleys and a helicopter was deployed to search the local area.
The offenders made off in a black Subaru, which was dumped in Potters Lane, near Angel Drove.

They exchanged the Subaru for a BMW and drove off along the A10 towards Cambridge.

When they were south of Stretham, near Gullivers Restaurent, they collided with another vehicle, but they pulled away and drove straight off.

Detective inspector Adam Gallop said: “If anybody was driving behind this BMW or saw the drivers or their direction of travel please contact police at Parkside police station.”
continue reading

Filed: Ely Speak: 1 Comment

The Chronicle Of A 200th Anniversary Celebration

Published Sunday, April 13th, 2008 by Karl Bedingfield

The Boat Race Founders Society was very pleased that so many of the Merivale family were able to participate in the celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of Charles Merivale’s birth. The Wordsworths were thinner on the ground, but the quality of those attending more than made up for the quantity.

It was good to welcome you all to the local communities of Ely and Cambridgeshire, and we hope we helped you re-establish some historic family links with Harrow School, the University Boat Clubs, Ely Cathedral, Glenalmond College and St Ninian’s Cathedral.

From time to time I am sure we will find good reasons to meet again, and I urge our younger members to plan ahead for another memorable party on the 10th June 2029, at a venue of their choosing.

To read the full chronicle please read this PDF file or to download click link below.

200th Anniversary Celebration Chronicle Downloads: 50 times

Filed: Ely Speak: Want to reply?