| The Fourth Annual Ely Eel Day | - Saturday 28th April, 2007. The first town cry will be at 11am at Cross Green, next to the Cathedral.
- Carnival procession, including Ellie the Eel.
- 12 town criers.
- Ely's Samba band.
- Eel throwing competition.
- Call 01353 616377 for more details.
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We want your photos from the Ely Eel Day! We'll get all your lovely photos together and put them on the website. Just send them to e-mail: cambridgeshire@bbc.co.uk |
To many in the city of Ely the Eel Day is a proud celebration of the area's heritage and traditions, combining the procession of "Ellie the Eel" with dancing and music. But against the backdrop of laughter and melodic tones a spectacle more impressive than any other in the east of Cambridgeshire takes place: the annual eel throwing contest. Eel throwing is a sport dating back almost half a decade and is famed for its adherence to moral tradition, athletic showmanship, gallant competitors and measuring how far people can throw a bunch of socks. BBC Radio Cambridgeshire managed to catch up with three of the sport's leading stars, who all took time out of their rigorous training regimes to give us their thoughts on the up coming battle: defending champion Oscar Haines, Ely-boy Ian Newstead and local radio man Mark Peters. Via a telecommunications link at his secret training camp 11 year-old Oscar explained to me how he planned to retain his title.
 | | Oscar is confident of a win |
"You've just got to try and try again. Never give up," he says. "Eel selection is important. The best for me was the one with the most weight at the end." It is at this point that those unfamiliar with the sport of eel throwing (may shame be cast upon you!) might be phoning their local RSPCA office. But as Oscar points out, eel throwing is a noble sport and no animal shall ever be harmed in the throes of battle. "It's just a load of socks put into tights," explains the young warrior. Yes, socks they may be, but much like the mortal David striking down the giant Goliath with a single stone, it is the casting of the sock into the air that is paramount. The distance the combatant can throw the eel will decide the ultimate champion. Our interview was cut short by Oscar's father/trainer Alastair who was keen to not let his protege's concentration slip.
 | | Mark Peters: Talking the talk |
I managed to ask Alastair about his coaching regime and Oscar's chances this year: "Oscar has been training with Wellingtons. Of course he'll win. I don't think the boy has ever knowingly lost anything." That being said, nothing can ever be taken for granted on Ely Eel Day and Mark Peters will be looking to throw the form book out of the window. "You need to find the longest eel you can," he explains. "Also very few people take into account wind direction." I ask Mark about fellow competitor Ian Newstead - the two have a long standing rivalry of mythological proportions which saw Mark come out on top last year. "Personally I don't see Ian as a threat. He likes to talk about winning but it could be something about the pressure of the occasion which makes him fall at the hurdle." What about young Oscar?
 | | Ellie Eel |
"Now there is a challenge. He is clearly a focused young wielder of the eel. But I've been playing a bit of tennis which has strengthened the throwing arm." It wasn't long until Mark's words had drifted across the Fens to the Ian Newstead camp. The Ely Lion's warrior, who has fought for years to raise money for the people of Ely with events such as these, was in no mood for pleasantries. "Last year was a disappointment. Mark had won with beginner's luck on his first ever throw. It will not happen again. I am the best and will prove it on the day." "I have fished for a few eels in my time so I know how to handle the slippery fellas." Punters and experts alike have tried their hardest to predict who will come out on top but as you would expect the jury is still out.
 | | Oscar gets in shape |
But after the dust settles and all snake-like fish have come crashing back down to earth one thing will be for sure - eel be alright on the night. The Ely Eel Day is a celebration on Saturday April 28th 2007 aimed at raising funds for local causes and awareness of the city's heritage. Anyone is welcome to join in whether it be eel throwing, watching the town crier championships or just enjoying the parade. Call Tracey Harding, Tourism and Events Officer at East Cambridgeshire District Council on 01353 616377 for more info. | 
