Ely lies in the heart of the Fens and was once an island surrounded by marshland and water that contained many eels. It is thought that the abundance of eels led to the name that the city bears to this day.*

Eels were historically part of the local staple diet as well as a valuable source of income. Jellied eels were popular until recent times and clients would come from London such was the reputation of Ely’s eels.*

Eels are still caught in the Great River Ouse although only one commercial catcher still remains. *

The eel art pictured is a 3m high galvanised steel eel sculpture by local sculptor Pete Baker. It was a gift from Ely Rotary Club to the people of Ely to mark 100 years of Rotary International.*

*From the Eel Trail leaflet

At the beginning of December many Rotary clubs throughout the United Kingdom launch their annual ‘Tree of Light’.  The concept of the ‘Tree of Light’ was introduced into Shropshire from South Africa in the 1990s by a county Rotarian. For many years, since its inception, my father was a member of the small committee of Rotarians that run the Telford ‘Tree of Light’; these Rotarians are from the four Rotary clubs of Telford.

The name and symbolism of the ‘Tree of Light’ reminds us that there can be light and hope even in bleak circumstances.  The main aim of the ‘Tree of Light’ is to serve the public and the community which is at the heart of the Rotary organisation whose motto is ‘service above self”.

People are invited to sponsor a light on the tree in memory of a loved one (or a cause dear to them) and the monies raised are divided between local charities. The commemoration of a loved one around the tree provides a sense of well being to those who take part.

The names of the nominees are displayed around the base of the tree, on the ‘Tree of Light’s web page and also published in the local newspaper.  There is always one main charity to which half of the monies raised is donated; the other half is split equally between the Rotary clubs that administer ‘The Tree of Light’, for them to donate to a local charity of their choice.  This year the charities are the Severn Hospice, Neo-Natal Unit Princess Royal Hospital, Wellington Cottage Care, Georgia Williams Trust and Telford Mind.

My father spent many a long hour in the run up to Christmas attending committee meetings or sitting upstairs at home processing names and lists for publication under the tree and in the local newspaper.  His involvement included receiving phone calls from some of the sponsors who had queries   about their request.  He loved the premise and the concept of the ‘Tree of Light’ and that it provided a treasured service to people at this particular time of year.

• This is an updated version of a previous post.

Last Thursday Mark Pritchard MP for the Wrekin was invited to speak at The Wrekin Rotary club meeting. Mark talked to the members and guests about why he believed that our troops should be involved in the conflict in Afghanistan.  He explained that it was important to reduce the power of the Taliban and Al Qaeda.  So far the conflict has been successful in achieving these aims and the reason it is so important is because a Taliban led regime would pop up in other vulnerable countries and take hold of them too.

Mark said that there is a need to ensure that a proper government is set up within the country so that the country is able to look after itself without the aid of outside forces.

Mark ended his talk with some appropriate and amusing Churchill quotes and pondered on what Churchill would have done with this situation if he was Prime Minister today.  He concluded that he thought Churchill would have kept the troops in Afghanistan until the campaign objective was complete.

After the talk there were many questions from the floor.  Several revolved around the state of our country and how our heritage and customs were being eroded away by government policies and local councils applying excessive rules.  Mark said that he believed in political correctness not positive discrimination which meant equality for all not more equality for some.

Other questions touched on the threat of Muslim extremism and the effect this will have on our country and our freedoms.  Mark was quick to point out there was a difference between extremists of any religion and the vast majority of  normal citizens who posed no threat at all.

Mark concluded by saying he believed very much in the Christian heritage and traditions of our country and that it was worth fighting to keep and restore those that are being lost and that he would continue to do this for as long as it was possible.

Mark is not afraid to speak out about what he believes in.  You can find out more about his work and views on his website.

Photo courtesy of E. W, Jefferson