APRIL

Ely Standard: King’s Ely Boat Club succeeded in completing a gruelling 24-hour charity ‘ergothon’. King’s Ely Boat Club succeeded in completing a gruelling 24-hour charity ‘ergothon’. (Image: King's Ely)

King’s Ely Boat Club succeeded in completing a gruelling 24-hour charity ‘ergothon’.  

The team of more than 80 volunteers, including rowers, students, staff and even family members, managed to clock up over 600,000 metres on the rowing machines.  

Over £3,000 was raised for the Tearfund and the charities relief fund efforts for people affected by the Turkey-Syria Earthquake.  

Over 100 vehicles were showcased at the second Soham Car and Bike Show.  

Ely Standard: Over 100 vehicles were showcased at the second Soham Car and Bike Show. Over 100 vehicles were showcased at the second Soham Car and Bike Show. (Image: Nicky Still)

Soham Town Rangers Football and Social Club hosted the annual event which showcased everything from scooters, trikes, 4x4s, vintage vehicles, modern vehicles, limited edition vehicles, and even an old fashioned tractor.  

Owners made donations to the East Anglian Air Ambulance on arrival.  

Harry Specters Chocolate Factory received a royal visit from Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh.  

To celebrate the enterprise's 10th birthday, the Duke of Edinburgh toured the factory and even had a chance to make his very own chocolate creation.   

Ely Standard: Harry Specters Chocolate Factory received a royal visit from Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh. Harry Specters Chocolate Factory received a royal visit from Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh. (Image: Newsquest)

The visit was commemorated when Prince Edward unveiled a new plaque to celebrate the occasion. 

MAY

Thousands of people attend the Ely Eel Festival with organisers calling this year's event the “best yet”.  

The sun was shining down on festival goers as they enjoyed Ely’s samba band, folk dancers, dance troupes and more.  

Crowds gathered to cheer on Eel-izabeth on her journey through the town towards the Riverside.  

The event ended in celebration as a beacon was lit to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III on St. Mary’s Green.  

More celebrations were in order for the Coronation of King Charles III.  

Ely Standard: Hundreds of residents in Sutton came out to enjoy the sun and mark the occasion with street parties, music, dancing and food. Hundreds of residents in Sutton came out to enjoy the sun and mark the occasion with street parties, music, dancing and food. (Image: Sutton Feast)

Hundreds of residents in Sutton came out to enjoy the sun and mark the occasion with street parties, music, dancing and food.  

In true British style, the celebrations in Sutton included tombola stalls, face-painting, Morris dancing, and cream teas.  

Local elections took place on May 5 and saw East Cambridge District Council (ECDC) made up of only Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.  

Conservatives held the majority of seats with 15 Conservatives and 13 Liberal Democrats.  

A by-election held at the same time for county councillor saw Soham south and Haddenham division saw Cllr Bill Hunt gain a seat on the Cambridgeshire County council.  

Ely Standard: Local elections took place on May 5 and saw East Cambridge District Council (ECDC) made up of only Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. Local elections took place on May 5 and saw East Cambridge District Council (ECDC) made up of only Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. (Image: Newsquest)

Liberal Democrats took over the Ely East ward, gaining two seats, after the Conservative Party lost one seat.  

All three Ely wards are held by the Liberal Democrats.  

JUNE

Star Curtains won small business of the year, and overall business of the year at the SME Business Awards which were held in Ely.  

Ely Standard: Star Curtains won small business of the year, and overall business of the year at the SME Business Awards which were held in Ely. Star Curtains won small business of the year, and overall business of the year at the SME Business Awards which were held in Ely. (Image: SME Ely Awards night 2023)

Thousands of people enjoyed the Wilburton Beer Festival 2023.  

The annual event which is organised by a volunteer group of the parish council began in 1998.  

It has helped raise over £70,000 for local projects, groups, and organisations.  

Ely Cathedral celebrated the 1350 years of the founding of Ely with special guest The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York being welcomed in attendance to a weekend of worship.  

To mark the occasion, the cathedral choir sang in full voice, accompanied by Prime Brass. Guests enjoyed the performance surrounded by beautiful florals displayed in honour of Saint Etheldreda whose feast was celebrated.