This year’s fortnight full of events kicked off with an invitation for any passers by to play any one of the 15 pianos that suddenly appeared around the city this morning!! The University of Cambridge Festival of Ideas celebrates the arts, humanities and social sciences. This years’ theme is “Dreams & Nightmares”. Events, talks, walks and more..and …
The Gog Magog Molly was formed in 1996. As far as I can make out they took their inspiration from Morris Dancers and are particularly active in East Anglia. Tradition has Plough Monday (the first Monday after Epiphany) in January as cause for a dance. Not sure what the relevance of today’s date was but all the same it …
Cambridge holds on to many of it’s old traditions and one of these was acted out today. Just after 2pm the Trinity Bell started tolling. At 2.20pm a robed figure walked slowly down Trinity Street and approached the Great Gate at Trinity College. Sir Gregory Winter, for it was he, then delivered 3 loud knocks with the help of a stone onto the …
A glorious September morning in Cambridge lifted the spirits. Spirits soared even higher on the arrival in the Market Square of a young RAF officer with a radiant smile. Davina was collecting for RAF charities on Battle of Britain day. Davina told me about her time in the RAF, her tours of duty to the various troubled spots. She is soon …
Patti Smith and Lenny Kaye were browsing Paul’s book stall on Cambridge Market on Monday. They were in town to play The Corn Exchange that evening and took the chance to take in some on the city, which, they told Paul, they had thoroughly enjoyed. Patti probably best known for her hit with the Bruce Springsteen penned “Because the …
Nick is one of the few full time punt chauffeurs, working the river all year around. The punt companies hire in casuals for the main tourist season, some of whose commentaries can be “economic with the truth”! Such a shame and so unnecessary as the history, the architecture, the characters and the real stories are fantastic enough with no need for embellishments. This is not the case …
6am Sunday morning. Just had to stop and take a picture. Dawn breaking over Midsummer Common, the early autumnal mists are hanging just above the ground and the shadowy figures are Red Poll Cattle. The Red Poll are owned by the wife of a local vet and grazed on various of the city’s common grounds. …
The restoration of the Trinity Great Gate doors nears completion. Today saw the left hand door lifted back into the position that has been it’s own since 1523! It reurned on a flatbed lorry from Exeter where it received a bit of tlc and some highly skilled craftsmanship to allow it to see out another …
Filming of an adaptation of the William Boyd spy novel “Restless” has been taking place around the city for the past few days. Locations have included Jesus Green, Madingley Hall , St John’s College and yesterday the Market Squre where The Guilhall became The Castle Keep Hotel! The Spy drama will be screened in 2 …
Today saw the mayor Shelia Stuart unveil a statue/art piece to commerate the charity fund raising of Snowy Farr. Snowy died 5 years ago but was fondly known to locals and visitors alike. I remember him parking his tricyle in Petty Cury. Dressed in a red military style uniform children and adults alike would be amazed as …