Ely Standard Review of the Year: January – March 2023

Take a look at some of the biggest and best stories from 2023.  

JANUARY

Debbie Hitchings decided to brave the shave at Emma and Co Hair in Soham to raise money. (Image: Debbie Hitchings)

After being diagnosed with stage 3 Breast Cancer in December 2022 Debbie Hitchings decided to brave the shave at Emma and Co Hair in Soham to raise money.  

Debbie has raised over £800 for the Cambridge breast cancer unit to say ‘thank you’ to them for saving her life.  

Another amazing feat in fundraising was also seen by Ely College on their ‘Charities Day’.  

The students and staff raised the ‘biggest total ever’ with over £5,000 donated over the day of festive and fun activities.  

The students and staff raised the ‘biggest total ever’ with over £5000 donated over the day of festive and fun activities. (Image: Ely College)

The donations will be split between the chosen charities which were Spectrum, C9 Cancer Trust, Arthur Rank Hospice, Ely Foodbank, EAAA and Save the Children.  

A World War Two bomb, hidden for around 80 years, was found under a vacant property at the Isleham Marina on January 23.  

Residents of the area were affected when they had to leave their homes but fortunately the unexploded mortar was found and successfully removed on the same day by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from Colchester.  

A World War Two bomb, hidden for around 80 years, was found under a vacant property at the Isleham Marina on January 23. (Image: Suffolk Constabulary)

FEBRUARY 

On February 7 Lucy Frazer, MP for South East Cambridgeshire, was chosen by prime minister Rishi Sunak to lead the Department for Culture, Media and Sport DCMS).  

On February 7 Lucy Frazer, MP for South East Cambridgeshire, was chosen by prime minister Rishi Sunak to lead the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). (Image: Lucy Frazer MP)

A High Street Renewal Fund was approved to help Littleport and Soham.  

The £95,000 allocation helped to fund small improvement projects to allow businesses to improve the front of buildings and to better the general appearance of town centres.  

Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, Cllr Anna Bailey, said that the funds would benefit the local economy by encouraging residents, shoppers, and visitors to spend more time in the town centres.  

Brian Paddington stepped down as coach at the Ely Roller Skating Club after 24 years in the role.  

Brian Paddington stepped down as coach at the Ely Roller Skating Club after 24 years in the role. (Image: Alice Figgins)

In 1999, Brian took on the role of coach after being sought out by the Ely Roller Skating Club to take on the position.  

Brian taught around 300 children at Ely Roller Skating Club over his career. Many of those under Brian’s tutelage have become British champions in figure, dance and free-skating disciplines.  

After announcing his retirement to spend more time with his wife, Brian received dozens of letters and cards expressing thanks from many children and parents.  

MARCH

After months of doubt as to whether Prior Fields Surgery would remain open, a health chief said she was committed to finding a permanent solution for patients and residents.  

After months of doubt as to whether Prior Fields Surgery would remain open, a health chief said she was committed to finding a permanent solution for patients and residents. (Image: Newsquest)

Jan Thomas, chief executive officer of the NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System confirmed in a letter to patients that primary care services would remain available to the surgeries patients from the same location.  

Mailing Health were implemented as caretaker to deliver primary care services on April 1 and are contracted to do so for 12 months from the Prior Fields Surgery location.  

Floral tributes were laid at the houses of two men who were murdered in their own homes by Stephen Alderton, 66 on March 29.

Alderton fatally shot father and son Gary and Josh Dunmore, and was charged with two counts of murder and one count of possession of a firearm.

Several floral tributes were laid on the street where Joshua Dunmore lived. (Image: Newsquest)

Following the incident, members of the community left an outpouring of flowers outside the homes of both men, in Bluntisham and Sutton. 

In October Alderton was jailed to life in prison with a minimum term of 25 years by His Honour Judge Mark Bishop at Cambridge Crown Court.  

To commemorate the late Queen Elizabeth’s platinum jubilee, 30 saplings were donated by The Woodland Trust for The Queen’s Green Canopy which sits in Jubilee Woods, just off Williams Close.  

To commemorate the late Queen Elizabeth’s platinum jubilee, 30 saplings were donated by The Woodland Trust for The Queen’s Green Canopy which sits in Jubilee Woods, just off Williams Close. (Image: Sue Smith)

The Ely project was coordinated by Sue Smith in her role as a volunteer champion for the Professional Association of Childcare and Early Years.  

The event was attended by the King’s Representative, Colonel Roger Herriot OBE DL, Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridge.  

Ely Amateur Dramatic Society (Ely ADS) marked its 135th anniversary this March.  

To commemorate the occasion, the society put on a performance of ‘The Madness of George III’ by Alan Bennett at The Maltings.  

Ely Amateur Dramatic Society (Ely ADS) marked its 135th anniversary this March. (Image: Ely Amateur Dramatic Society)

Director and committee member Matt Harvey said that the play had a ‘focus on a very modern concern for many around mental health.’  

Ely ADS donated £1 for each ticket sold to a mental health charity.