Mark Cooney, founder of Spotted in Ely

Spotted in Ely legacy continues with help from trustees and local businesses

- 11 Jun 21

A new radio station which is building on the work of Ely community stalwart Mark Cooney is being supported by local housebuilder Vistry East Midlands. Mark, who was diagnosed with incurable cancer earlier this year, founded the Spotted in Ely community Facebook page in 2013 and has grown its online audience to more than 28,000 people. He’s since helped to establish the Good Vibes Local Community Interest Company – a new umbrella organisation for Spotted in Ely – which launched Spotted in Ely Radio in December last year. The trustees of the CIC hope to continue and build on the momentum of Mark’s work with the help of local businesses, such as Vistry East Midlands, which is now a sponsor of Spotted in Ely Radio and is contributing £300 towards buying new radio equipment and helping to cover the running costs of the station. Vistry East Midlands is part of the Vistry Group – which includes Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Vistry Partnerships – and is building new homes in Sutton and Witchford, near Ely. Joe Hemsley-Rudd, Voluntary Trustee and Sales Manager for Spotted in Ely, said: “Spotted in Ely is an important community service that has a strong presence across East Cambridgeshire, and building and enhancing its resources is key for accelerating its growth. “With many local radio stations no longer running, the team felt that a new station would be a great asset to the community – and the help from local businesses on our quest to make it bigger and better has been invaluable. “It’s great to have Vistry East Midlands on board and I’d like to thank them and all of our other sponsors for their support in helping to grow Mark’s legacy.” The not-for-profit radio station – which is already rising in popularity across Ely and East Cambridgeshire – is run by former Heart Radio presenter, Craig Dane, and former BBC Radio Cambridgeshire presenter, Sue Marchant. Nic Chapman, sales and marketing director for Vistry East Midlands, said: “Spotted in Ely is a great source of community news and events, which many residents at our Witchford and Sutton developments interact with and benefit from. “It is with great pride that we support the team’s mission to invest in the radio station for people in Ely and beyond to enjoy.” Vistry East Midlands is currently building new properties at Pemberton Park in Witchford and at Laithwaite Gardens in Sutton. For more information, visit bovishomes.co.uk and lindenhomes.co.uk/eastmidlands.