For some time I have marvelled at the size and number of the potholes and craters at the Fisherman s car park near the River at the end of Willow Walk and wondered how they came to be there and why they are being protected seemingly in perpetuity. Perhap

For some time I have marvelled at the size and number of the potholes and craters at the Fisherman's car park near the River at the end of Willow Walk and wondered how they came to be there and why they are being protected seemingly in perpetuity.

Perhaps the attached poem will go some way to explain the origin of the craterial species.

Once upon some years ago in Ely as I lay abed

I heard the sound of engines passing overhead

I quickly rose from my bed and raced to the door

And stood in amazement at the sight that I saw

An airship was cruising in the stillness of the night

I clearly saw the outline a really imposing sight

I watched the airship slowly head toward the river

And in the darkness I felt cold and began to shiver

The zeppelin cruising like a tiger on the loose

Began to bomb the bridge across the Great Ouse

But the aim was faulty, the bombs missed their mark

They fell in profusion on the Fishermans car park

I knew not the damage but I clearly heard the sound

The whistle, the explosion, as the bombs hit the ground

Then the airship turned and headed on its homeward way

To hit some other target before break of another day

When the coast was clear and silence had come back

I rode my bike quickly toward the place of the attack

The smell of smoke dust and cordite still filled the air

A scene of devastation with craters everywhere

There was nothing I could do so I slowly rode away

And wondered how the Council would mark the historic day

Just recently I returned to Ely and went to the scene

Expecting to see the carpark restored and pristine

But the area remains the same as it was at last sight

The terrain still carries the scars from that horrific night

Clearly the council wanted to preserve the scene intact

So they left the craters there as a memorial to the attack

Dear friends believe me - I deceive you not for sure

the craters are as many now as they ever were before

and the cars as they enter swerve to avoid those craters

and in the winter they swerve to avoid the skaters

As you stroll beside the water you pass the historic site

the spot where all the bombs fell on that fateful night

And the crater filled car park, the place of which I talk

Is now a protected place, it's known as Zeppelin Walk.

W (Bill) Conroy (AKA Tuckerman)

Barton Road

Ely

- Do you want to flex your poetic muscles in the pages of the Ely Standard? Is there a burning local issue you feel should be set to verse?

Please send in your locally-themed poetry at the address above, or by e-mail: ian.ray@archant.co.uk