Ely's Country Park Gets A Makeover Work begins this week on revamping and upgrading the key area of open space, which includes Pocket Park. New state-of-the-art solar lighting is also being installed in the park. Around £70,000 is being spent on the refurbishment. New play equipment for toddlers A new outdoor fitness trail for older children An accessible trampoline and roundabout New picnic tables with windbreaks and shelter New cycle parking Wheelchair accessible

Just been announced that The Paradise Pool in Ely is taking part in the World’s Biggest Swim on Saturday and Sunday, March 22 and 23 in aid of Sport Relief which supports Comic Relief the charity fighting poverty in the UK and abroad. Swimmers of all abilities and all ages can chose to swim 1.5km, 2.5km or 5km, plus there are team challenges of 1.5km or 5km. For more information viit The Paradise Pool, call 01353 665481 or visit the ebsite www.everyoneactive.com. Paradise

The 1944 Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race was held in Ely Archive footage of the Oxford-Cambridge boat race normally held on the river Thames was in 1944 held at Ely. The footage was left gathering dust in an attic for nearly 70 years before being rediscovered by the son of one of the Cambridge rowers. The Boat Race was moved to the River Great Ouse because V1 rockets, doodlebugs as they were known, were raining down on London making it a dangerous place to be. They used the long straight

Not 1 but 2 new delicatessens are due to open in Ely shortly. The owners of Carrington’s based in The Cloisters  have announced they are opening a ‘Village Deli’ on the cafe’s first floor the first week of April. Tony Wuidart who owns Carrington’s which has been trading for more than 30 years is joining forces with the award-winning chef Darrell Haylett. Darrell already runs a successful deli in Spaldwick, Huntingdonshire. Plus ‘Allgoods of Ely’ launching at the end

Hollywood is knocking at Ely's door again. Just announced, Ely Cathedral is again to be used in an upcoming film. A new adaptation of William Shakespears 'Macbeth' is to have scenes filmed inside Ely Cathedral. The film will star Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard and be directed by Justin Kurzel. There will be a chance for some local residents to appear as extras in the scenes. Contact 020 8391 2979 or visit www.thecastingnetwork.co.uk for more details. Some scenes are to

The Queen Came To Ely In 1987 In 1987 Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire was the personal choice of the Queen as the venue for the traditional Maundy money ceremony. Every year at Easter The Queen presents special Maundy money to local pensioners. The presentation takes place on Maundy Thursday in recognition of the service of elderly people to their community and their church. In 1987 she chose Ely. Watch a video online here ITV.com 'The Queen in Ely in

Real stories from the 2nd World War are brought to life in the exhibition 'Anne Frank + You' inside Ely Cathedral until the end of February 2014. The exhibition shows how a jewish schoolgirl lived and survived for two years hiding away from the Nazis during World War II. There is a life-sized replica of the bedroom she lived in for two years, never being able to leave for fear of being seen. The exhibition is being held inside The Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral until February

The Elysian Winter Beer Festival is set for February 7th & 8th. Organised by real Ale group CAMERA and now in it's fifth year. It is being held at The Ely Maltings on Friday 7th & 8th February. Opening times are from 10.30am - 10pm on Friday 7th and 11am - 8pm on Saturday 8th. Entry is £1 or free for card-carrying CAMRA members.   Picture from last

Do You Want To Be An Actor? Casting event for a new film will take place at The Performing Arts Centre in Littleport on Saturday February 8th between 2pm and 4pm. The Field Theatre Group are looking for actors for a new community film exploring the history of heavy horse keeping in the fens. Successful applicants will be invited to a workshop in June and July and filming starts in September. Not only actors are required, but researchers, story and history gatherers are also

New Superstore Coming. It's not mega news but worth a mention. Asda is opening a store in the Ely area. Sorry, if this is a bit misleading, it's not exactly coming to Ely, but close. The Budgens in Soham is going to be replaced by a new Asda store. No date has been given as yet but sometime later this year. Meanwhile Budgens remains open and all current staff are reported to be keeping their jobs after the