The New Wildwood Restaurant on Ely's High Street is now open.

The new Wildwood restaurant occupying the site of the old Currys Store is now open. I popped in today and grabbed a menu which is dominated by pasta, pizza and grills (so not much different to Prezzos then!). Prices are also similar to Prezzos. Wildwood does have some dishes not available at Prezzos such as the Rib-Eye Steak (£16.50).

I look forward to trying it some time soon.

Having fun just got better at the Country Park

Work has finished on improving the play area at Ely Country Park so children of all ages can play in safety.

A material called ‘Tiger Mulch’, made of recycled rubber tyres, has been used to cover the mounds supporting the slide and zip wire as well as the ground around the bouncy see-saw.

Other developments underway at the Country Park include work with The Wildlife Trust and local volunteer group ‘Ely Wildspace’ to encourage wildflowers and develop a bat habitat on Ely Common.

Work has also begun this week on improving the parking facilities at Fisherman’s car park with better surfacing, a dedicated disabled parking space and the installation of cycle racks

The resurfacing of Fisherman's Car Park at the end of Willow Walk started on Tuesday 8 May and will finish Friday 11 May.

The car park will be closed to the public for these four days to enable the works to take place but there are alternative parking adjacent to Lavender Green, as well as at Ship Lane and Fore Hill car parks.

Later this Spring, improved signage for the park and walking trails will be put in place.

Councillor Richard Hobbs, Chairman of the Community and Environment Sub-Committee, said: "It’s lovely to see the Country Park developing and becoming a place for people to enjoy whether they are playing, walking or enjoying nature. The new material on the slide and zip wire mounds is already making a huge difference to the play area and this is just the start of further enhancements which people will see over the forthcoming months. What is most pleasing to see is the real community spirit and ownership which residents now have for the Park and I am sure this will continue in the years to come.”

For more information please call 01353 665555 or visit www.eastcambs.gov.uk

Residents in Isleham, Ely and Bottisham are set to benefit from grants totalling nearly £190,000.

At Community and Environment Sub Committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, Members heard how funding had been agreed for the following projects from the East Cambridgeshire Community Facilities (Section 106) Fund:

* Isleham Parish Council is to receive £87,752.29 to help with the construction of a new community and sports facility.

* Subject to a number of conditions including gaining planning permission and providing detailed costings, the City of Ely Council will receive £100,000 to build new storage sheds and refurbish the existing workshop at Ely Cemetery

* 1st Bottisham Scout Group will receive £3,892 to help build a disability ramp and resurface the footpath near to their club.

The Community Facilities Fund is there to support projects and schemes throughout the District with money obtained from developers as part of the expansion of East Cambridgeshire.

Councillor Richard Hobbs, Chairman of the Community and Environment Sub-Committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “I think all members look forward to seeing and hearing the projects which the Community Facilities Fund goes to support. They are always very worthy projects which will make a real difference to local people and I look forward to learning from residents in Isleham, Ely and Bottisham about the impact this money will have.”

For more information on the Community Facilities Fund please call 01353 665555.

Change to collection days this Bank Holiday

Residents in East Cambridgeshire are being reminded about revised waste and recycling collection dates due to the Bank Holiday next week.

East Cambridgeshire District Council has made the following waste and recycling arrangements:

Normal Collection Day Revised Collection

Monday 7 May - Tuesday 8 May

Tuesday 8 May - Wednesday 9 May

Wednesday 9 May - Thursday 10 May

Thursday 10 May - Friday 11 May

Friday 11 May - Saturday 12 May

For further information please call on 01353 665555 or visit www.eastcambs.gov.uk