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Giant mug takes flight during Storm Darragh

The High Flyer A large mug decoration on the ground at the side of a redbrick building. The mug is white is painted with an image of Alice in Wonderland looking at a tree. The mug is partially broken.The High Flyer
The mug flew off The High Flyer in high winds on Saturday night

A giant mug that decorated the side of a building took flight from the aptly-named The High Flyer pub and coffee shop during high winds at the weekend.

The large polystyrene mug, painted with scenes from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, had adorned the establishment in Ely, Cambridgeshire, since 2021.

However, it flew off on Saturday evening as Storm Darragh hit the city.

The mug has been the subject of an ongoing planning row with East Cambridgeshire District Council, and while the pub had agreed to remove it in January the storm appeared to do that job for them. However, the pub said it intended to put the mug back before the deadline next year.

The High Flyer A large mug decoration on the side of a redbrick building. The mug is white with a floral handle and is painted with an image of Alice in Wonderland looking at a tree. There is a grinning cat in the tree. The mug is advertising the name of the pub and coffee shopThe High Flyer
The brightly painted mug was attached to the side of the pub before it blew off

The council became involved shortly after the mug first appeared, after comments from residents that it was "hideous" and a "monstrosity".

However, others were delighted by the addition to Newnham Street, describing it as "quirky".

DeeDee Doke A large mug decoration on the ground near a redbrick building. The mug is white with a floral handle and is painted with images. It is dark and the pub's lights can be seen in the background.DeeDee Doke
The mug came to rest close to the building

It was given temporary planning permission and painted brightly with scenes from the popular children's book.

A spokeswoman from the council said: "The two-year temporary planning permission for the mug expired on 24 August 2024, and when the planning enforcement team contacted the business they were advised that the mug was due to be removed in early January 2025."

Although Storm Darragh removed the mug from its position before that time, some said they would be sad to see it go.

Ely resident DeeDee Doke said she heard a rumour at the weekend that the mug had toppled and went to see for herself.

The mug is currently resting on a grassy area near the pub building.

"It blew off the wall - and the handle has come off," she said.

"We had horrific winds here on Friday and Saturday, and it continued into much of Sunday."

She is a fan of the mug and said: "I love it. I think it's rather idiosyncratic - something you don't expect on the side of a pub - and it's beautifully painted."

The High Flyer A large mug decoration on the chimney breast of a redbrick building. The mug is white with a floral handle and is painted with an image of Alice in Wonderland looking at a tree. There is a grinning cat in the tree and a bird to one side. The mug is advertising the name of the pub and coffee shopThe High Flyer
The mug has been the subject of mixed views in the local community

Jan Grochal, general manager of The High Flyer, said the mug blew off on Saturday evening, although no-one heard it land as it was "quite light".

"We had an issue with the strong winds but didn't have a clue it had come off until my assistant noticed it."

He said while they had been "instructed to take it off [by the council] in January", they intended to put it back up this week.

"It's a sad thing - but it is very popular, attracting lots of people," he added.

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