But if you take away the estate agents, charity shops, coffee shops, restaurants and fast food outlets and there really isn’t enough left to get excited about.

AFTER much consideration, I have decided to start up a surgery for the people of Ely. Although Ely-based, and primarily intended for the people of Ely south, I am happy to welcome residents from other wards within the city. Due to it being the first one of what I hope will become a series; I am quite flexible with regards to the arrangements and the topics of discussion and I imagine my conversations will range from specific individual concerns and queries to more generalised discussion about Ely.

My first surgery will be held at the Girl Guides building on St John’s Road, Ely, opposite St John’s Primary School on Saturday, November 5 between 9:30am and 12:30pm. Due to it being the first such session, I am unsure about numbers. I am sure that the arrangements for the first surgery will be subject to changes in the future. I will aim to keep each meeting down to 10 minutes in order to fit everyone in.

As the leading group on the council, we are committed to exploring the different ways in which we engage with those we represent, personally, civic engagement is something I am passionate about and I will continue to think about the different ways that I can better represent and listen to the people of Ely south.

I look forward to meeting with as many people as possible.

THOMAS HUNT

FOLLOWING the Inner Wheel Club variety concert in aid of Magpas, president Betty Flack would like to sincerely thank everyone who supported this event, especially our talented artists, Inner Wheel secretary and music advisor Constance Heald and treasurer Jenny Axford. We were so grateful to have the support of community leaders and local companies, but also so importantly, charity-minded people who attended the concert.

This was a most enjoyable event raising in excess of �3,500 for MAGPAS – a truly worthy cause.

Thank you

BETTY FLACK

President of The Inner Wheel Club of Ely

THE proposed relocation and enlargement of the Tesco store in Ely is to be welcomed. I understand the concerns of local traders, but the fact is, if you take away the estate agents, charity shops, coffee shops, restaurants and fast food outlets and there really isn’t enough left to get excited about. The relocation would create an opportunity to negotiate the current Tesco car park to remain insitu and be used in conjunction with British Rail, as an out-of-town transport hub. It would provide much-needed additional parking for the railway station, including more disabled bays, a park-and-ride site, a long distance coach pick up and drop off point and even bike hire for arriving tourists and visitors. This should then become the only fee paying car park in the city.

STEVE HOWARD

By email