Ely Scene

Hello you 👋

August is arriving with festivals, family fun, and creative flair across our city and villages. Whether you’re rocking out at a four day music festival, meeting majestic owls up close, or crafting something beautiful by hand, there’s plenty to brighten your week. Grab your diary, here’s what’s on.

🎟️ Events This Week

• 🎸 Cambridge Rock Festival - Ben’s Yard, Stuntney
  Four days of classic, blues and progressive rock are set to shake the Fens as the Cambridge Rock Festival returns from Thursday 31 July to Sunday 3 August. Up to 76 bands will play across three stages, with real ales, food stalls and a friendly family vibe on site. Camping is available. Let the good times roll! Tickets range in price.

• 🚗 Classic Car Show - Palace Green, Ely Cathedral
  Vintage wheels take over the Cathedral grounds on Saturday 2 August from 10am – 4pm. Admire 100+ lovingly restored cars from pre‑war gems to 20th‑century classics. Chat with proud owners, vote for your favourite, and watch the mayor award rosettes to the crowd picks. Free entry for all ages.

• 🍻 LOAK‑Ales Beer Festival - The Oaks, Warboys

  A short drive from Ely, The Oaks pub in Warboys hosts its inaugural beer festival from Friday 1 August to Sunday 3 August, starting from 12pm each day. Expect three days of cask ales, ciders, wines, spirits and soft drinks, plus live music and hearty food. No tickets are required, just turn up and enjoy the Feast Week finishing festivities.

• 🦋 Wildlife Festival - Kingfishers Bridge Nature Reserve, Wicken
  Celebrate three years of community conservation at this free, family‑friendly nature fest on Saturday 2 August, 10am – 9pm. Explore guided walks and bird‑ringing demos by day, then unwind with local folk and jazz by evening light. No booking is needed, just bring your curiosity!

• 🛩 Felix’s Flying Circus - Ely Museum
  Young inventors can craft and test wild flying machines at this drop‑in workshop on Thursday 31 July, 10:30am – 4pm. Fold paper planes or build contraptions from junk, then run them through hoops and targets in the Flying Circus Challenge. Materials are included with museum entry; no booking needed.

• 🦉 Wings and Talons - Ely Museum
  Meet magnificent birds of prey when the Raptor Foundation swoops in on Friday 1 August, 10:30am – 4pm. Part of the museum’s “Birds and Planes and Things that Fly” week, this live demonstration introduces owls, hawks and falcons and showcases the amazing work done to rescue and care for them. Included with standard museum entry.

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👋 Local Picks

• 🌸 Paper Flower Workshop - Wicken Fen
  Crafty kids and grown‑ups can get creative making beautiful paper blooms to take home or gift to a loved one. This fun family workshop takes place on Tuesday 5 August at 10:30am or 1pm, with a £5 booking required. Suitable for ages 5+, with all materials and instructions provided. Held indoors with accessible facilities.

• ☕ Good Mood and Creative Space Café - Haddenham Arts Centre
  Need a pick‑me‑up? Pop into this welcoming community café on Thursday 31 July at 10:30am for coffee, chat and optional crafts in a relaxed setting. It’s a friendly, all‑ages meet‑up where regulars and newcomers gather to share a cuppa and a bit of creative fun. No booking or experience needed.

• 🎷 Riverside Bandstand Concert - Jubilee Gardens
  Snap your fingers and tap your toes at a free riverside jazz session. On Sunday 3 August, 2:30pm – 4:30pm, the Stamford Stompers bring New Orleans swing to Ely’s bandstand. Kids can play nearby while the band strikes up “When the Saints” – a perfect lazy Sunday soundtrack by the Ouse.

😊 Good News in 60 Seconds

• 🎵 EACH Charity Shops Drum Up £8,564 for Music Therapy
  Kind shoppers at East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices charity shops raised £8,564 by adding 25p donations during a six‑week “Let’s Drum Up Funds” campaign. The 34,256 donations will fund music therapy sessions at Milton, Norwich and Ipswich hospices, supporting children and families with non‑judgemental expression.

• 🚶‍♂️New Men's Walking Group Tackles Mental Health in Ely
  Wicken resident James Clements launched a free men’s Walking and Talking group that meets Tuesdays at 7 pm at Ely Station. Part of a national network, its first walk on 15 July attracted five men and offers a safe space to walk, talk and raise mental health awareness.

• 🏎️ Formula One Fan's Birthday Dream Comes True at Bottisham Care Home

  Hilton Park care home surprised resident ambassador and lifelong Formula One fan John Waller with a birthday photo signed by Williams drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz. The personalised gift delighted the former Snetterton spectator and showed the staff’s dedication to making residents’ birthdays special.

Enjoy the week ahead and make the most of what’s on! 🌼