Ely Then & Now

The city of Ely sits resplendant above the vast surrounding fenland, dominating the scene with its eleventh-century cathedral. The city dates back to medieval days, yet today is as noteworthy for its evidence of the constant and dramatic speed of change. While the visitor wandering alongside the peaceful river may be concious of its lengthy past yet forgetful of its more recent history, it must be remembered that Ely has undergone great change in both its architecture and society within a relatively brief space of time over the last couple of centuries. This book provides an evocative insight into the history of modern Ely and its people, and affords the reader a valuable opportunity for comparisons both then and now. Extending the information given in a number of books of old photographs of Ely, this collection of images, in conjunction with the previous publication Ely in the Images of England series, provides a fascinating overall picture of a long period of development, this time carrying us into the second half of the twentieth century. Combining nostalgia with speculation for the future shaping of Ely, this detailed and memorable book is of importance for both the long-established residents of Ely and the interested visitor.