Ely Scene

Hello you 👋

Autumn’s in full swing and the calendar’s stacked. Ease into the weekend with a soulful Barry White tribute at The Maltings on Friday, lace up for the 10 in the Fen at Sutton Gault on Sunday, and rally a team for the Arthur Rank Hospice charity quiz in Littleport on Friday. Makers can browse Textiles East in Newmarket all weekend, while little ones get muddy smiles at Wicken Fen’s Mucky Pups on Friday morning.

🎟️ Events This Week

• 🎤 Barry White – Let the Music Play – The Maltings
  On Friday 17 October The Maltings welcomes William Hicks and the Supreme Dreamgirls with a live orchestra in a tribute to Barry White. Doors open 7pm and the show runs 7:30pm – 10pm; expect hits like “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love.” Tickets are £30.89. Bring your dancing shoes and soak up the groove.

• 🏃 10 in the Fen – Sutton Gault

  Join the 25th anniversary 10 in the Fen race at Sutton Gault on Sunday 19 October. Registration opens 9am, with a mass warm‑up 10:40am before the 10km race at 11am and the 5km at 11:10am. Entry fee varies for the 5k and 10k run and a medal is awarded at the finish line. The flat course supports Breast Cancer Now and boasts beautiful fenland views.

• 🧠 Charity Quiz Night - Arthur Rank Hospice - Littleport Ex-Servicemen’s Club

  Gather your team for a quiz that tests your general knowledge while raising funds for Arthur Rank Hospice in memory of Kerry Giles‑Brown. The Littleport Ex‑Servicemen’s Club hosts the event on Friday 17 October at 8pm, and prizes await the champions. Phone the club for ticket details and come laugh, guess and do good.

• 🧵 Textiles East Fair – Newmarket Racecourse

  Thread lovers and crafters head to Newmarket Racecourse for the Textiles East Fair on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October. Doors open 10:30am – 4:00pm, with hundreds of stalls showcasing fabric, yarns and demonstrations by artists. Admission is £8 on Saturday and £7 on Sunday. Bring a tote for treasures and be inspired.

• ⚡ ELO Encounter – The Maltings

  ELO Encounter returns to The Maltings on Saturday 18 October with doors at 7pm and a 7:30pm showtime. This high‑energy tribute recreates Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra with lush harmonies, huge guitars and dazzling lights, featuring hits like “Mr. Blue Sky”, “Evil Woman” and “Don’t Bring Me Down”. Bring your friends for an electrifying night under the lasers.

• 🧒 Mucky Pups – Wicken Fen

  Let your little ones aged 2–5 splash, craft and explore at Wicken Fen’s Mucky Pups session on Friday 17 October, 10:30am – 12pm. Each week has a seasonal theme with outdoor play, crafts and stories, and booking is required. Tickets are £7 per child (siblings under two go free). Wrap up warm and expect muddy smiles.

👋 Local and Sponsored Picks

• 👻 In A Dark Place – Adams Heritage Centre, Littleport (Sponsored)

  Settle in for spine-tingling storytelling as Field Theatre Group presents immersive ghost tales of madness, mystery and the supernatural. Join acclaimed storytellers on Friday 24 October & Sunday 26 October, 7pm. Tickets £10 (£5 over-60s), run time ~90 mins, suitable 12+. Fully accessible venue with free parking, refreshments and a bar. Bookings are made by emailing [email protected].

• 🚖 AlphaCEC – Executive Airport Transfers (Sponsored) 

  Calling all PAs, account managers and leisure travellers: give your travellers a smooth, reliable airport run for business or holiday. Account facilities for regular bookings, a dedicated booking team (speak or email a real person), and professional drivers with meet-and-greet as standard. Comfortable vehicles, flight tracking and stress-free planning for Cambridge & Ely. Book your trip here or email [email protected].

• 💆‍♀️ Evolution Beauty & Aesthetics – Ely & Littleport (Sponsored)

  Warm, friendly salons welcoming new and existing clients. Specialists in massage, facials, brows & lashes, Vitamin & hayfever injections, dermal fillers, anti-ageing treatments and more. Qualified therapists, personalised treatment plans and a relaxed, professional vibe across Ely & Littleport. Refresh your routine or get event ready. You can book here.

• 🎨 Little Explorers at Ely Museum - Ely Museum

  Bring your little ones to a creative session of themed activities, crafts, stories, and songs at Ely Museum on Friday 17 October from 10am to 12pm. This workshop for accompanied pre-school children is a great opportunity for social interaction and imaginative play. Tickets are £3.50 for children and should be pre-booked.

😊 Good News in 60 Seconds

• 🚆 Improved Rail Reliability as Greater Anglia Goes Public

  Greater Anglia's rail franchise returned to public ownership this week, with the operator praised for 93.9% punctuality and plans to work closely with partners. A new station at Beaulieu Park is due to open later this month, with Cambridge South following in early 2026. The change aims to make services more accountable and secure for local commuters.

• 🍎 Ely's Apple and Harvest Fayre Marks 25th Anniversary

  Ely celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of its beloved Apple and Harvest Fayre on 11 and 12 October at Palace Green and Cross Green. The free family-friendly event featured entertainment, food and craft stalls, bringing the community together to celebrate the harvest season. This milestone marks a quarter century of this cherished Ely tradition that has become a highlight of the autumn calendar.

• 🏆 King's Ely Students Excel in National Maths Competition

  Congratulations to King's Ely Sixth Form students Vivian Guantan and Yufei Wang for their superb achievements in this year's Mathematical Olympiad for Girls. The skilful Year 12 duo both attained Merits in the competition organised by the UK Mathematics Trust. The contest celebrates the mathematical talents of female students from across the UK, with challenges designed to test knowledge, creativity, critical-thinking, perseverance and problem-solving skills. Topics range from algebra and geometry to number theory and combinatorics.

Wishing you a fantastic week filled with great experiences ✨