CAMBRIDGE

Cambridge is most famous for its historic university. However, Cambridge is far older than the university.

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The original settlement was north of the river, on Castle Hill.

There is evidence for pre-Roman activity in the area, but the Romans built the first town. It was a convenient crossing point of the river Cam, on the edge of the marshy fen land.
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The town was a port, since it was the head of the navigation of what was then known as the River Granta. The area by Magdalene Bridge is still known as Quayside, although now it only has punts. St Peter's Church, halfway up Castle Hill, has pieces of Roman tiles in its walls.

Name History

The town was known as Grentebrige or Cantebrigge. Eventually the name became Cambridge.

However, the river was still called the Granta. Someone thought "Cambridge must be the bridge over the Cam, so the river should be called the Cam instead of the Granta", and so the river's name was changed! Upstream, where it flows through Grantchester, the River is still called the Granta (one way to get around it!).

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A bit of lateral thinking, old boy. Rather! (picture old man with toffy English accent).

Universities

The story of one of the world’s oldest universities began in 1209 when a group of scholars from Oxford, seeking refuge from some hostile townspeople, arrived here in ‘Granta Brygge’.

I need to point out the.at the 'hostilities with the townspeople' came from the scholars:
- not paying their bills,

- impregnating the local girls and refusing to 'do the honourable thing', and

- delinquent behaviour i.e. vandalism, drinking to excess, etc.

Hence they were run out of town. (One could argue that things haven't change that much.)

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To begin with, masters and scholars lived in lodgings or hostels throughout the town. But in 1284, the first college – Peterhouse – was founded by the Bishop of Ely, providing self-contained accommodation. Many further Colleges were founded along these lines in the 14th and 15th centuries. By 1600, the basic layout of the town and the University had been established.

The first scholars who arrived here 800 years ago changed the town of Cambridge forever. They also instigated a knowledge revolution which has never really stopped.

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Today, Cambridge University comprises 31 independent Colleges and over 150 faculties, departments and institutions, with over 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is now in the middle of the greatest expansion in its history, with a new science and technology campus to the west of the city, and plans to expand further to the North West. The University’s high quality teaching, research and academic achievements continue to transform and benefit the world.
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Lunch Break

Now, we've seen some of the many buildings so lets go to a pub for lunch. Better yet, lets sit outside the pub on the river bank and drink a pint or two.

What was even better was the punting boats were going past so you could pretend you were in a period drama.

The Bridge of Sighs

In 1831, St John’s expanded over the river, via the iconic Bridge of Sighs. New Court was the first major building by any College west of the river. Its distinctive neo-gothic silhouette is topped by an octagonal centre-piece familiarly known as the ‘wedding cake’.

On two separate occasions, students have pulled the prank of dangling a car under the Bridge of Sighs at St John's. In the first incident (in 1963), a 1928 Austin Seven was punted down the river using four punts that had been lashed together then hoisted up under the bridge using ropes. The second incident (in 1968) involved a "Reliant Regal" (a three-wheeled car) being dangled under the bridge; it was cut down by the fire brigade in the morning. In neither case was the bridge damaged.

University Challenge Moment

A popular program in the UK is 'University Challenge'. It's host asks two university teams (of four students) a series of questions. The one with the most points at the end wins.

Host (in distainful, arrogant voice) - "Now for a starter of 10. Why are degrees called Cantabs?"

Host (excitedly) - "University of Melbourne, Wayward child?"

Wayward Child - pauses for five seconds.

Host (in even more distainful and arrogant voice with a reproachful scorn on face) - "Come on. Come on!"

Wayward Child - "The Latin name for Cambridge is Cantabrigia, which is why degrees are called Cantab."

Host (now bored) - "Correct."

Wayward Child (pure relief on face but still completely scared).

Peeking Through The Key Hole

Actually, it's through the arch way. I decided to bet a bit arty and my theme for the day was to frame my pics with a doorway.

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Even Jim and Kath weren't able to elude this theme.

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Inside Some Of The Churches

.I found this interesting as the dog pictured is a greyhound. (Not that I know anyone with one or even likes one. heee heee)

In one of the churches was a section devoted to the colonies of England.

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This is one heavy chest, even without the contents (often goblets, coins, etc). It is made of led and is 2ft long.

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Below left is a nun carrying a castle whilst standing on a rather miffed man. (Not quite sure what it's supposed to represent). Whilst on the right is a rather niffty candle holder.

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The ornate swan feeding it's young door stopper caught my eye.

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Wondering Around Town

Whilst wondering around Cambridge we saw lots of interesting things. Here are but a few.

Most people would take a picture of a stairwell from the top. Being different I took one from teh bottom.

Now, really!


Where was Sherlock Homes' room?

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Believe it or not (with theme song in background) this is a clock. It has no hands; just funky fluro lights to indicate the time.

Yes, they defaced a beautiful landmark building to stick this on the side.

It was very popular but I found it a bit scary.

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Guess what this is.....! Yep, that's right.

A horse feeder. You dump the bail of hay in it and the horse can stick its head through the gaps to get the bits on the bottom without it all blowing away.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that there were a few tourists running about.