Issue 5 - East Cambridgeshire District Council

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feature Oliver Cromwell’s House Dressing-up games... it is not just adults who will appreciate a visit to Oliver Cromwell’s House. A house fit for a A major refurbishment to Oliver Cromwell’s House in Ely incorporates state-of-the-art facilities into this historic building, as Simon Cobby found out Imagine how the course of history would have changed if Oliver Cromwell had been king. In all but name he was. From 1649 to 1653 he effectively led England after concluding that Parliament, which was running the country at the time, wasn’t doing a very good job. But more importantly, imagine how much more famous Oliver Cromwell’s House in Ely would now 4 be. Cromwell lived in the house in St Mary Street between 1636 and 1647, having inherited control of several properties in Ely from his uncle – as well as his uncle’s job as tithe collector for Ely Cathedral. As a result, his income would have been between £300 and £400 a year – a huge amount at the time and one which would have put him within the ranks of the gentry. east cambridgeshire magazine summer 2008 king As it is, the house – which incorporates the city’s Tourist Information Centre – welcomes thousands of visitors a year. But a recent refurbishment has brought it right into the 21st century, with state-of-the-art facilities to make the Cromwell experience even more memorable for visitors. The refurbishment, which was completed in March, was the most extensive the house has undergone in the last 15 years, according to the <strong>District</strong> <strong>Council</strong>’s tourism team leader Tracey Harding: “Visitor numbers had started to stagnate so it was time for a makeover. More than 100,000 people a year visit the Tourist Information Office, but only 10 or 12 per cent of those stay in
the building and take a tour of the house. We wanted to change that. We want to make it an attraction that tourists and local people will want to look around as part of their visit to Ely and the Tourist Information Centre. “The makeover has been considerable. The house was decorated throughout, a new fire alarm system was installed and the electrics were renewed. The shop at the front of the house was refitted and new audio handsets – used extensively in other properties open to the public throughout the world – have been introduced. Some of the rooms were reorganised and one has now been set aside for functions. Visitors to the house are now greeted with a scene-setting film at the start of their tour.” This all adds up to a pretty impressive monument to a man famous for his Puritanism and deeply-held religious beliefs. As Tracey explains, Cromwell “Visitors to the house are now greeted with a scenesetting film” believed that everybody should lead their lives according to what was written in the Bible. “The word Puritan means that followers had a pure soul and lived a good life. Cromwell believed that everybody else in England should follow his example. One of the main beliefs of the Puritans was that if you worked hard, you would go to heaven. “Pointless enjoyment was frowned upon. Cromwell shut many inns and the theatres were all closed down. Most sports were banned. Boys caught playing football on a Sunday could be summer 2008 east cambridgeshire magazine 5
Page 1: east cambridgeshire ISSUE 5 SUMMER
Page 6 and 7: feature Oliver Cromwell’s House O
Page 8 and 9: feature new recycling centre Recycl
Page 10 and 11: feature conservation areas Past mod
Page 12 and 13: feature conservation areas not repe
Page 14 and 15: focus noise pollution Turning it do
Page 16 and 17: feature sport for youngsters Star-s
Page 18 and 19: feature sport for youngsters “Chi
Page 20 and 21: photo focus strawberry growing 20 e
Page 22 and 23: feature days out A summer of fun Da
Page 24 and 25: feature days out Haddenham Steam En
Page 26: news from east cambs Maltings close
Page 29 and 30: Summary of 2007/08 accounts Details
Page 31 and 32: REFUSE Your weekly collection dates

Issue 5 - East Cambridgeshire District Council

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