Vicky and Vanessa put their glad rags on for the Ely Hero Awards on Friday 11th September, and we were glad to be part of it, this year sponsoring the table wine for the evening.

The theme was cocktails with a cause, and The Maltings looked the part all night. Party Malarky Events dressed the tables beautifully, Blueshed handled the lighting and sound, and Jeremy Sallis kept things moving as host with his usual warmth. Star Struck Theatre Group performed a couple of numbers from Matilda, which went down a treat.

Eleven categories of finalists were recognised across the evening, each one recognising something genuinely good that someone in our community has done for another person. It's the kind of night that reminds you how much quiet good work goes on around Ely without much fuss made of it.

It was an extra special evening for us too. Glenn Cooper, husband of our own Vicky, won the Environmental Champion award for his work as Site Manager at Littleport Community Primary School.

The judges said: 

Glenn may be the Site Manager at Littleport Community Primary School, but his impact on the environment goes far beyond his job description. Over five years, he has transformed the school grounds into a thriving ecosystem, outdoor classroom and food-growing space. Glenn has planted more than 5,000 saplings, restored a wildlife pond, installed bat and bird boxes, hedgehog houses and woodpiles, improved the school's energy rating and helped achieve the highest possible National Travel Plan rating. He has also secured the school's place on a solar panel installation programme. What makes Glenn truly exceptional is his creativity and determination to reuse rather than waste. Old light covers became a greenhouse, a salvaged TV cabinet became an owl box, and discarded decking and pallets were transformed into useful equipment and raised beds. His Gardening Club attracts 36 children each week, teaching them to grow and harvest their own food. Glenn has created something remarkable - a greener school and a generation of young environmental champions.

A very proud moment.

The evening's biggest moment came with THE Ely Hero 2026 award, introduced by His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Julie Spence OBE, and won by Dr Zoe Hutchinson from St George's Medical Centre in Littleport, chosen from among the winners of every other category on the night. A very well deserved result.

This year's charity partner was Arthur Rank Hospice, who support people across Cambridgeshire living with advancing serious illness and those needing end of life care. Between the raffle and auction on the night, the evening raised £4,000 for their work, with Martin Millard from Cheffins Fine Art helping keep the energy up in the room.

We're an Ely business through and through, and evenings like this are a genuine highlight of the year. Congratulations to Dr Zoe Hutchinson and to every finalist who was recognised on the night.