Elly Goes To Ely

Some towns have festivals to celebrate the beauty of their flowers or the quality of their beer. Ely prefers to say it with eels! Eels once formed the basis of both the local economy and the people's diet, nowadays Elly the Eel leads a parade through the main street of this tiny city. Well, it might not be Elly, as in recent years the centrepiece of the procession has been re-created as Neel and Denzeel, though most of us like to stick to the old name.

Providing rhythmic accompaniment to the eel's progress are community samba band, Arco Iris, who we met back in December at Mill Road's Winter Fair. Yesterday the weather was much more in keeping with the streets of Rio.

And following on behind come all those who are going to provide entertainment down at the Jubilee Gardens down by the riverside, as well as a fair proportion of the population of Ely.

Oh, there's Avril Hayter-Smith, Ely's town crier, here to organise the British Criers' Championships later in the day.

The Rockin' Ukuleles of Ely.

Singer and guitarist, Josh Aitken.

Yes, of course you can get some eels for lunch.

And the hot-dog seller was  doing a brisk trade, as were the other food outlets. And on such a warm day so was the bar.

Suitably refreshed you might want to compete in the World Eel-Throwing Championships. Don't worry they're just stuffed toys!

Here's another world record attempt - the longest line of painted rocks!

Down beside the river the Town Criers were in full voice for the British Criers Championship.

Back in the arena there's entertainment from the Elysian Belly Dancers.

And some historical re-enactment from the Medieval Knights. I suppose they're all the best of friends but they certainly clattered into each other with real aggression! 

Take care.