More About Ely...

The Ely Housing is located in a nice sized village about twenty minutes (A1101 to B1382 "Prickwillow Rd") northwest of RAF Mildenhall. There are 17 officer and some enlisted houses and a shoppette. The village boasts many advantages and USAF folks feel welcome and safe.

Location: Cambridge is about twenty minutes down the A10. RAF Mildenhall is easy to get to as well. RAF Lakenheath is a bit trickier because of the treacherous Sedge Fen road.

Trains: Travelers from Lakenheath and Mildenhall must come to Ely to catch the train. Travel to the airport, London or Peterborough and on to Scotland several times a day. The best benefit is when you have visitors from the States. You can drop them off at the station and let them go!

Sights: The famous and beautiful Ely Cathedral (hosting various performances), the Cathedral's stained glass museum, Oliver Cromwell's House/Museum, a town museum, cinema, the River Ouse where you can feed ducks, geese, swans and watch the rowing clubs cruise by.

Shopping: Market Day on Thursday brings all kinds of people and vendors, two major grocers (Tesco and Waitrose), a new shopping centre in the town centre is being built this year. Several bakers, restaurants, clothing stores, hardware, garden and pet supplies, etc.

Services: A nice sized library near the Cromwell House, the Paradise Leisure Centre offers a gym, roller skating, children's parties, two swimming pools (built 1999), and dance lessons. There are also lessons found for sport, art, and music. There are plenty of clothing shops and barber and beauty shops.

Schools: DoDDs children are picked up and dropped off within the housing area. Elementary children attend Feltwell. The nearest British schools for Year 6 and under are located only 1/3 mile away (nice walk). School begins early September and ends mid-July. There are three terms with a few weeks vacation between each term and a week off halfway through each term. Year 7 and above attend the Ely Community College via bus. For this age group most parents shop around to find the right school for their child and some children are accepted to schools as far away as Soham. Ely's Kings School (and Acremont) located in Ely is (by US definition) a private school for children from age four through high school. (Pounds not test scores will get your child enrolled.)

If wish further information about Ely or wish to contact someone who actually lives there.  Please e-mail Jody Severs at HGSevers@aol.com.