Latest news with #Ely
BBC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
People living in Littleport fear being stranded after bus cuts
A man said he will feel isolated when a "lifeline" bus service ends next month in his Buchanan, 62, from Littleport, Cambridgeshire, said he relied on the Stagecoach East route number nine bus service, which links the town to Ely and operator is due to cut the service, along with a number of others in the county, on 31 August after it said not enough people used the route. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority said Conservative Mayor Paul Bristow "shares the concerns" and was "exploring options". A spokesperson added the authority has already stepped up to fund parts of the routes under this year, Stagecoach East said: "The timetabled part of this service, which is operated by Stagecoach East, will be passed over to the [Combined Authority] in order for them to find another operator to run this service." Stagecoach East added that cuts and changes to services in the county were necessary "to keep the local bus network viable after the rise in National Insurance increased annual costs by £1m per year, putting the cost of provision up for those services already struggling to cover their cost of operation".Mr Buchanan said: "If it stops, I really will be stuck. I'd describe it as a lifeline for most people that use it."Unless you can walk the mile or so to the railway station, the bus is the only connection we've got with the outside world."Juliet Carter, 44, who also lives in Littleport, said she would be "really disappointed" if the service was cut as the train to Cambridge was "double the price". Wendy Oxley, who said she was "getting on in years a bit", said she used the bus about twice a week to meet her friends in Ely."I'd say 75% to 80% of the time [the bus] is pretty full," she said. For health reasons she said she could not get to the train station and had stopped driving two years Oxley also praised bus travel for its ability to bring people together."I've found, since using the bus, I end up chatting with people and having nice conversations and finding out stuff that applies locally," she said. A spokesperson for the Combined Authority said: "The mayor shares the concerns of local residents, following Stagecoach's decision to withdraw from the number nine service."He has been actively working with officials and others to explore options on both the nine and 31 routes. "There is a Combined Authority Board meeting next week, where action on these services can be discussed. He expects to be able to say more imminently."Stagecoach East did not respond to a request from the BBC to comment. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
Three men admit rioting in Ely, Cardiff, after e-bike crash deaths
Three men have admitted to rioting following the deaths of two teenagers in an e-bike Sullivan, 16, and his best friend Harvey Evans, 15, died in the crash in Ely, Cardiff, on 22 May disorder which followed continued until the early hours, leaving 31 police officers injured, property damaged and cars Tuesday, Callum O'Sullivan, 24, Jordan Webster, 29, and Jayden Westcott, 20, - who are all from Ely and previously denied rioting - changed their pleas to guilty at Cardiff Crown Court. Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke released the men on bail, with sentencing provisionally set for 22 others appeared before the crown court for a pre-trial review. They were:Jaydan Baston, 20, from Caerau, CardiffZayne Farrugia, 25, from CaerauMcKenzie Danks, 22, from CaerauHarvey James, 19, from Fairwater, CardiffKieron Beccano, 26, from St Fagans, CardiffLee Robinson, 37, from CardiffLuke Williams, 31, from ElyBecause of the number of defendants, the court has split the trial into three, with the seven who appeared on Tuesday expected to be included in the first were released on bail until the trial on 22 second and third trials are planned for 17 November this year and 6 February 2026 respectively.
The Independent
6 days ago
- The Independent
Three men admit rioting in Cardiff following deaths of two boys
Three men have admitted rioting following the deaths of two teenagers after an e-bike crash. Callum O'Sullivan, 24, Jordan Webster, 29, and Jayden Westcott, 20, have admitted rioting in the Ely area of Cardiff in 2023. Tensions in the area boiled over following the deaths of Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, on the evening of May 22 2023 when they crashed on an e-bike minutes after CCTV captured them being followed by a South Wales Police van. Local people and police at the scene clashed, leading to a riot that lasted several hours, during which time dozens of officers were injured, property was damaged and cars were set alight. The three men, all from the Ely area, previously denied the offence but changed their plea at a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday. Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, the Recorder of Cardiff, released the men on bail, with sentencing provisionally set for December 22. Seven others appeared before the crown court for a pre-trial review, they are: Jaydan Baston, 20, from Caerau, Cardiff; Zayne Farrugia, 25, from Caerau; McKenzie Danks, 22, from Caerau; Harvey James, 19, from Fairwater, Cardiff; Kieron Beccano, 26, from St Fagans, Cardiff; Lee Robinson, 37, from Cardiff; Luke Williams, 31, from Ely. Because of the number of defendants, the court has split the trial into three, with the seven who appeared on Tuesday expected to be included in the first group. They were released on bail until the trial on September 22. The second and third trials are planned for November 17 this year and February 6 2026 respectively.
BBC News
02-07-2025
- BBC News
Littleport man who stabbed wife after relationship ended jailed
A man who stabbed his wife with a large kitchen knife after their relationship came to an end has been jailed for more than four Crow, 54, had already agreed to move out of the couple's home in Little Downham, near Ely, Cambridgeshire, when he attacked his wife with a 10-inch (25cm) knife on 25 January, police said. His wife, who was in her kitchen, managed to free herself from a headlock and call police after escaping to the bathroom. She suffered multiple cuts, bruises and puncture wounds to her stomach, arms, hands, face and body. Crow, of Lawn Lane, Littleport, was arrested later that day in Forehill, Police said a number of weapons were recovered from his car, including two cans of pepper spray, a flick knife, a metal whip with a bayonet on the handle, a knuckle duster and Monday, 23 June, Crow was jailed for four years and six months at Cambridge Crown Court after admitting wounding with intent, possessing a knife in public and possession of a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid/gas/electrical incapacitation Con Luca Bellomo said: "The victim was fortunate to escape this incident with relatively minor physical injuries – thankfully, she fought back with all her strength and was quick-thinking enough to call the police."I truly hope that this sentence will give her the peace of mind she needs and an opportunity to move on with her life." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
South Wales Argus
30-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
School relishes 'once in a lifetime opportunity' at Lord's
The Ely school battled through regional rounds to take on 11 other schools at the Home of Cricket and while they didn't take home the trophy, they made memories for life playing at an iconic sporting venue. The school set off at 5am to get to Lord's and Nathan Griffith-Williams, teacher and part of the school's sport development team, revealed how the excitement had swept through the pupils. 'It's fair to say, over the last few weeks, the students have been like bottles of pop, ready to explode,' he said. 'They've been so excited, and they were all there before me when it came to meeting for the minibus at five o'clock this morning. 'To be here with them today is absolutely fantastic.' Table cricket is a fully inclusive, adapted version of the game aimed at young people living with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities played on a table tennis table. Teams of six compete to avoid fielders and hit specific scoring zones while the ball is bowled using a ramp. The Lord's Taverners runs its national competition each year, with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schools from across the country taking part. Griffith-Williams also expressed the importance of having inclusive events such as the National Table Cricket Finals Day for students to aim for. 'Things can be quite limited, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity,' he continued. 'It meant the world to the students and to us when they qualified because I knew the magnitude of the day would blow them away. It's so fulfilling for them and long may these events continue. 'And the way they've conducted themselves too, across the regional events and here at Lord's. I'm just really proud of them.' For the first time in the competition's history, National Finals Day took place as part of Disability Cricket Day, the biggest ever one-off showcase of disability cricket hosted by the MCC, ECB and Lord's Taverners which saw all formats of disability cricket on display from grassroots to elite level. The day was brought to a close by the first ever international disability cricket fixture on the main ground at Lord's, the third of a seven match Vitality IT20 Mixed disability series between England and India. 'I saw table cricket for the first time a few years ago now and coming to the final here at Lord's today, you are struck immediately by the competitiveness, the keenness and the camaraderie,' said Lord's Taverners President and former England batter David Gower. 'Everyone's spirits are high and it's fantastic to see people getting everything they want from the game, who, as we know, wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity. Events like this are hugely important. 'The players are all so good, and they are all having immense fun. The atmosphere is just vibrant, and I love being a figurehead for Tavs, especially on days like today.' The Lord's Taverners impacts the lives of young people facing the challenges of inequality. The charity works across the UK and beyond to provide inclusive and impactful cricket programmes, empowering young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged communities – visit
