Ely and District: Britain in Old Photographs

Ely in Old Photographs is a wonderful collection of archive images that records the life of Ely through the ages. Chris Jakes takes us on a journey, looking at the city’s life, streets and businesses during the Victorian and Edwardian periods, between the wars and in the postwar era. He also includes detailed information on the evolution of the drainage system in the surrounding fens, upon which the prosperity of Ely has always depended. It also shows the consequences of its failure, when nature has triumphed over man’s ingenuity. The final section of the book takes a look at the group of small villages which lie within the city boundary, but which are some 2 to 7 miles distant from the city itself. They all have their own character and sense of community, and are proud to be both separate yet part of the whole. From Ely Cathedral to the River Great Ouse, this book covers the history and heritage of Ely and the surrounding area, using images to bring the past to life.