In this illustrated talk, Tony Kirby looks at the changing built environment of Cambridge from the eve of the Reformation to the present day, using what survives today as a guide to what had happened over the past five centuries as a result of the combined – and often conflicting – activities of the Colleges, […]
“Fenner’s” is well known in Cambridge, even amongst those who know little about cricket, but being named after the University Cricket Ground is currently Frank Fenner’s only legacy. When he died in the late 19th century no obituary was published in local papers. Why? Nigel Fenner is related to Frank Fenner, currently writing a book on […]
In 1614, Thomas Hobson founded a Trust and left money in his will to ensure that Cambridge had a permanent fresh water supply. This talk will examine why Cambridge needed a fresh water supply, who suggested the idea, where the water came from, how it came about and who has benefitted from this innovation. Max […]
Claire Martinsen will talk about the Gray family - five Cambridge born brothers who achieved world renowned status in the sport of racquets. Indeed it is said 'there is no record of any family obtaining such a high standard in one sport as that of the Gray family'. Three of the siblings were world racquets champions, and eldest […]
Every school child hears about the Great Plague of London but what happened in the rest of the country? For our November talk Dr Evelyn Lord takes us nearly 450 years back to look at the plague's effect on Cambridge. This is the story of the people who lived, worked and died in Cambridge during […]
Excavation in a sewer shaft in central Cambridge revealed evidence from almost the entirety of Cambridge history - and not a few surprises along the way! Alison Dickens BA MCIfA is the Director of Granta Heritage Ltd. and has been a professional archaeologist in the region for over 30 years. A Project Manager for the […]
On a cold February in 1875 George Brewster, an 11-year-old Chimney Sweep’s ‘apprentice’, was sent up a boiler chimney at Fulbourn Lunatic Asylum by his master. He sadly suffocated – nothing out of the ordinary for Victorian England – however, the story afterwards is remarkable! Hear Joanna's story about how she 'Found George' and how […]
Roger Lilley looks at the relationship between a local history museum and a local history group and the opportunities presented for their interaction. Roger will be talking about the Museum of Cambridge, its history, trials and tribulations and future development. He'll be talking about the way it can interact with local history societies and in […]
2024 is the 75th anniversary of the first woman to fly around the world but do you know her name? A blue plaque is being unveiled to commemorate her flight later this year at Marshall's Airfield. Richarda Morrow-Tait (1923 - 1982) known as 'Dikki', was a local girl who was inspired to learn to fly whilst […]
Between 1922 and 1950 Newnham College and the Workers’ Educational Association ran a pioneering series of residential summer schools specifically to meet the educational needs of working women. Organised largely by women for other women, these remarkable schools were inter-generational, inclusive and non-hierarchial. Mary Joannou’s richly illustrated presentation draws on the voices, reports, letters and […]