Ely Through Time

Ely Through Time contains 180 photographs of Ely of which 90 are old photographs - some of the photographs are printed in a sepia tone and some are printed in full colour. Each page takes a different view of the past, complements it with its modern day equivalent and provides factual captions to explain the changes. The contrasting illustrations show how the area has changed and developed during the last 100 years. Today Ely is a rapidly expanding market town with a population of nearly 20,000 but the Cathedral and medieval precincts of the former monastery, with the streets and buildings that form the heart of the city, reflect its continuity and stability. Since the middle of the 19th century many business premises have remained the same but shops have changed owners and trade - several times in some cases. There have been many changes on both sides of the River Great Ouse; the east side is almost entirely marina while trade has developed on the west to include an antique centre, restaurants and a prize-winning tea shop. But despite these changes most of the buildings in the old town centre remain relatively untouched.