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Welcome to Little Downham Parish Council's new website. It is work in progress at present, but if there is anything or information that you cannot find, please make enquiries with the Parish Clerk.
The Parish of Little Downham comprises of two villages and settlements, with over 10,000 acres of arable farming land, which makes Little Downham the largest parish in East Cambridgeshire for arable land. The Parish, as a part of the Fens, is a prime agricultural area. The main farming products are wheat, oil seed rape, potatoes and sugar beet. It is one of the largest Parishes in the country encompassing several miles of the Ouse Washes drainage system which was devised by Cornelius Vermuyden in the early 17th Century. These washes are internationally important for bird wildlife including three species of swans and black tailed godwit.
Little Downham (approximately population 2640) is a linear village set on slightly elevated ground amidst the wider fen, approximately 2 miles north-west of Ely. The village has a good range of facilities that includes food and non-food shops, outreach post office, primary academy, two public houses, petrol station and car showroom, Church, Village Hall and Book Café that provides a full library service and a welcoming venue for friends and visitors to meet up for refreshments and home made cakes. It has over 25 organisations that cater for all age groups and interests from Brownies and Scouts to the Good Companions (Over 50s), from Carpet Bowls and Dancing to Conservation Volunteers. Outdoor facilities include a children’s play area, sports field and all weather sports pitch where 5-a-side football and tennis can be played. Little Downham has a cricket team that plays on Saturday afternoons in a local league during the summer. There are no village football teams, but Witchford Colts Football Club use Little Downham as home ground for eight of its junior teams, ranging from ages U11 to U16. A bus services runs through the village five days a week.
The village of Pymoor is smaller (population 340) and situated approximately 5 miles north-west of Ely. The village facilities include a Methodist Chapel and Sports Social Club adjacent to the recreation field and children’s play area. The Chapel alternates its service weekly with Coveney Chapel. The Social Club is run by a management committee and arranges discos, bingo, line dancing and social evenings throughout the year. Little Downham & Pymoor Swifts Adult Football Club uses Pymoor Recreation Field as its home ground and takes part in local Saturday afternoon leagues during the football season.
