| The
Ely Folk Weekend was a rip-roaring, rootin tootin
monster success
and a apt way for the Soul-less ordinary people of
Ely to completely distance themselves from the criticism
levelled at Ely and put it firmly where it belongs...
on the shoulders of the Local Council and bodies who
hold the positions of power to do with Ely's Tourist
and Community attractions and infrastructure...
Here are a few
examples...
Ely Folk Festival has faced enormous hindrance by
the Council over many years to stage the yearly event
creating obstacles and objections when they should
be praising the motivation of the organisers and doing
everything they can to help..!
The Ely Folk Club, which holds regular Folk Evening
was recently "hounded out of town".
For a while the "Ely" Folk Club was held
in Haddenham and Witchford..!
Recently they have been "allowed" to hold
events in an upstairs room @ Ely's Maltings, but they
have to pay quite highly for the venue yet no members
ever pay themselves.
The Ely Folk Scene is a genuine Ely Attraction and
should by treated as such and the gallant organisers
should be members of the Ely Tourist Committee.
On the subject of the Maltings. Ely has no real Cinema
and The Maltings doubles as a Cinema yet because of
this lowly status they can not offer new films and
have to wait for months to get the rights to show
New Releases by which time local people have already
been to Cambridge to see it there. Ely needs a Cinema
Complex and if Warner Brothers are listening, phone
the Ely Council ( ELY 665555 ) and help the poor ol'sods
out of the last Century..!
The Ely Feast Committee have been asking to hold a
Music Based mini Fest in Ely for years. The Council
this year refused permission for the use of Pocket
Park and suggested Willow Walk. They then refused
the use of Amplified Music..!
A subsequent survey held by the Council resulted overwhelminly
in the support of the Mini Fest but none could understand
why it couldn't be held in Pocket Park..! -
MORE
It is not the ordinary
Ely People that have no Soul, it is the Councillors...
SACK 'EM ALL NOW..!
At very minimum, the Tourism Board of Ely should have
at least 10 or 20 ordinary people on the committee,
some of whom I could name now like Ruth Bramley, Dave
Wolfe, Til & Fil-Utting-Brown, Brian Watson, Lee
& Michael Gillett, Dil Owen, to name but a few,
plus people from local Shops and Businesses &
Residents, like many of the above, who live within
the City Limits. The meetings should be open to the
public, held @ the Maltings monthly.
Pocket Part should be improved in regard to Child
Safety, Hygiene and Security and EVERY WEEKEND during
Summer, the semi-permenent Marquee and Tent Complex
could be used by different organisations wishing to
held a Weekend Event..!
Tourist Resorts in Cornwall, every weekend the Council
put on a Firework display. They appreciate the Tourist
Industry and have done for years. It is about time
Ely took it's rightful place as "The
Gem of the Fens"
HAVE
A SAY..! email tourism@ely.org.uk
REPLIES:
From Til, a local resident, housewife, freedom fighter,
Christian & mother who used to sit on the Ely
Feast Committee until the Ely Council drove her completely
insane..!...
East
cambs are saying that all meetings and agendas can
be found on the web.
1) SO, in theory
we should be able to find the meeting where it is
minuted that Pocket Park changes status. Meeting agrees
to NO to festival!!!!! Should we not. I suspect NOT.
2) Agenda items,
are also up on the web, so if there is to be any discussion
in the future, and this has not started yet!!!!!!
we would be aware of when and have the opportunity
to voice our opinion at the meeting. I think we have
to ask for time to speak. (says the paper)
So then (according
to paper) we can fone someone for this information
or help to find it.
I have really
paid attention this summer to the fact that every
community seem to have an annual event put on by groups
within the community, for the community to enjoy,
bond whatever and to put back into the community.
There are so many benefits to this I cannot see why
East Cambs are so unsupportive. And who the hell they
think they are that they can control the city in such
a way. For the minority!!!!!!!!!!!!
We went to Shelford feast on Sunday and it was amazing.
Thousands of people, bar, teas/cakes, small craft
market, lots of tables/chairs under one marquee. Spit
Roast, amplified music, Ceilidh in the evening, they
had Queen tribute band on the Friday (pay) Programmes
sold out at 1.00 each.
In 8 years the
shelford feast has raised over forty three thousand
pounds which has all gone to village causes. It was
revived 8 years ago by Jerry Brown and five chums
to stem the effects of the education cuts on Shelford
Primary school.
At the beginning
of the programme they ask the question, 'why have
the feast'
To meet together
and have fun.
To generate a community spirit.
To celebrate being part of a village life - and of
course that includes
visitors as well as those of us lucky to live here.
It is about
helping others to help themselves.
What do you
think Ely person? Are we above such feelings?
Is there anyone out there or am I just here with my
'fancy townie ideas?
We would need
to be sure gates are well and truly fixed so no tinkers
can squat! If we could get this off the ground Rugby
club could not be a consideration as marquees cannot
be up for that long.
Willows walk
would not be big enough for this kind of event and
why should people walk/drive out of the centre of
their community when there is a perfectly good piece
of ground sitting in the centre!!!!!!
Anybody know anything about Pocket park issues when
it was a landfilled site being handed over to Ely
Society. Means nothing to me but I understand that
we can look in Ely Library for 'stuff' Best keep that
close to your belt afore the buggers remove all evidence!!!!
I feel that
our aim now should be to get together people who feel
supportive to the idea of a community happening. ACRE
who stand for Action with Communities in Rural England.(They
are in Littleport) sound like an interesting body.
Another group
may be interested in taking one end of the week and
we have the other weekend. This would put the marquees
on site for anyone else wishing to use ie Stretham
players, local radio or someone could put on something
for the young people say on the Thursday. Other areas
could be
charity auction, fashion show, quiz nite, anything
legal and fun. This would share the cost of marquees,
main cost is getting them on/off site and labour.
The bit in the middle is not what costs the money.
Individual
groups would be responsible for security/ cleaning
up for their event.
What do you
know about the Ely country fair?
Last year someone foned to say that this could re-launch
the Ely Country fair. Maybe a good way forward, may
help with the grants. Although nat lottery will help
fund community events if they meet criteria. Last
year we met most points, I still think the Council
had our forms 'hidden 'so they did not get to panel
in time!!!!
Anyone else
on this wavelength?
Any traders interested in the idea of promoting Ely
as a happening place worthy of a visit and opportunity
to spend a few shillings?
Any local groups struggling with the costs/effor of
their own fundraising event?
Any groups needing to promote themselves?
I understand our community groups do struggle to exist,
I am not surprised where would you bump in to the
local scouts, Womens Institute, Neighbourhood Watch.
All valued assets to our society.
Til x A fully paid up member of the brown paper bag
support group.
Keep on rockin' in the free world! (If you can find
it!!!)
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