Queen Edith’s magazine Winter 2020/21 issue

Independent • Non-Profit • Published by residents, for residents

Inside this issue: Road restrictions • How ‘Happy To Help’ works Integrating new communities • MBE for Sam • Pink Floyd ABOUT US

Queen the best place to live Queen Edith’s magazine Edith’s and work in – formerly Queen Edith’s Community News

Apart from being home to over 10,000 people, the Queen Edith’s area also hosts: 2020 has been a year from which many people • The region’s largest single employment site, the Cambridge Biomedical Campus will want to move on quickly. However, it’s a year • Two of the country’s most important hospitals, Addenbrooke’s and Royal that has seen the very best in our community, Papworth showing just how much we can do if we do it • The city’s biggest entertainment centre, Cambridge Leisure, with its 9-screen for ourselves, with kindness, generosity and compassion. cinema and Cambridge Junction arts and performance venue When, in October, the Queen Edith’s Community • The headquarters of the UK’s largest pharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca Ltd, Forum chair Sam Davies was awarded an MBE and the UK’s largest tech company, Arm Ltd by the Queen for ‘services to the community’, • Cambridge University’s largest college by student numbers, Homerton College it was typical that she immediately accepted it • Over half of the sixth-form students from the whole of Cambridgeshire, studying on behalf of the whole area. If you’ve picked up at six schools and colleges, as well as six more primary and secondary schools the shopping for a neighbour, that means you. If • Three Local Nature Reserves, as well as substantial countryside and a large public recreation ground • NEW 3 of Cambridge’s Top 5 Favourite Restaurants (TripAdvisor, Nov. 2020) On the front cover JAN 2020 – Tradizioni at Sorrento, Al Pomodoro and Taj Tandoori ...congratulations all! you’ve donated a few pounds to keep our Saturday morning Food Our Queen Edith’s area Hub going, or brought down some is defined by the church vegetables from the allotment, parish boundaries that means you. There are a dozen of St John and St different neighbourhoods in this James, extending out city, but I can assure everyone to the Cambridge City that Queen Edith’s is setting an administrative boundary. example in community spirit and We enclose the City organisation that can’t be found Susan Abbs was born in Singapore, but has lived Council’s Queen Edith’s anywhere else. in the UK since 1994. She says the heat and sun ward and the County There’s lots in this issue about of the Tropics continues to influence her vivid use Council’s Queen Edith’s what’s happening in the area, of light when she paints. Susan was the first local division. The area is Artist in Residence at Orleans House Gallery in including some plans that our local bordered by Trumpington Twickenham, where she developed her series councils are having to contemplate to the west, and Coleridge/ Parklife. In it, her art observes the green open for the future, which have alarmed Romsey and Cherry Hinton spaces so enjoyed by communities, especially on many of us (see centre spread). to the north. sunny days. But we’ve also found time to look Her painting on the front cover of this issue back and tell the story of one of is of Nightingale Park and is called Kickabout. the biggest names in rock music, Queen Queen Edith’s magazine is published by the Queen Edith’s Community Forum Susan teaches life drawing at Hills Road College Pink Floyd, a band which is firmly Edith’s Queen Edith’s Community Forum, an independent, magazine Chair: Sam Davies volunteer-led, grassroots organisation for the Adult Education, and also runs art lessons from rooted in these streets. We hope Website: queen–ediths.info Queen Edith’s neighbourhood of Cambridge. It Email: hello@queen–ediths.info her studio in Queen Edith’s. You can view her you enjoy reading the tales from does not represent councils or other authorities. work at SusanAbbs.co.uk or search Facebook or The group also produces the free Queen Edith’s Queen Edith’s magazine residents who were there! news email, organises and promotes community Instagram for Susan Abbs Art. Editor: Chris Rand events throughout the year, as well as initiating For the first two weeks in December Susan Writer: Chloe Brown Chris Rand, Editor and supporting local community projects. New Email: hello@queen–ediths.info is holding a window sale of her artworks, with members of the team or volunteers for individual Chloe Brown, Writer special pre-Christmas prices. Check them out at 36 projects are always welcome. Our activities are Email: hello@queen–ediths.info Kinnaird Way. supported entirely by the time and generous Website: queen–ediths.info donations of local residents.

Page 2 Queen Edith’s Magazine Winter 2020/21 issue Page 3 LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PROMOTIONAL FEATURE What do you think of the World’s largest car sharing local road restrictions? marketplace launches in Cambridge

If you have a car, and you’re looking for ways to make some extra cash in time for Christmas, you may wish to consider an exciting new car sharing service, Turo. Part of the sharing economy, Turo provides a platform that allows eligible car owners to make money by sharing their cars with other verified drivers whenever they’re not using the car themselves. Luard Road’s motor traffic closure prevents cars and vans The average Turo host makes £574 per month and l Neil began sharing his car two weeks from using the road and Sedley Taylor Road as a ‘rat run’ every car listed in the UK is covered by £20 million in after Turo’s UK launch, and made over between Long Road and Hills Road liability insurance through Turo’s insurance partner, £500 within his first month. Allianz. Since launching two years ago in the UK, Turo Neil Forbes began sharing his car when Turo By Sam Davies Comments from residents are now the routes having become safer. Those has built a community of over 250,000 Brits with launched in the UK, and has since gone a long way being sought on the closures of disapproving include motorists from over 13,000 cars listed across the UK – from cute towards offsetting the costs of maintaining his Jaguar Luard Road and Nightingale Avenue outside the area who previously saved and tidy Ford KAs to roomy Land Rover SUVs, and XF. “My first concerns when joining Turo were about to through motor traffic. time using the routes as shortcuts, and pretty much everything in between. The popularity of how the car would be insured. I got past that when The Greater Cambridge Partnership was those residents driving cars who are now the service has also risen in parallel with the Covid I discovered Turo’s insurance was very transparent. given the opportunity over the summer required to take a longer route when pandemic, as people search for cleaner and safer Within the first month, I made over £500 from just to trial these schemes at several points entering and exiting their road in one in the city known to be ‘rat-runs’. The direction. alternatives to public transport. four bookings!” trials are known as Experimental Traffic According to Turo’s UK Director Xavier Collins, the Turo fits in perfectly with Cambridge’s ongoing Regulation Orders, or ETROs. Consultation details company’s mission is to put the world’s 1.5 billion commitment towards sustainability. By reducing The ETROs can be in place for up to GCP Executive Board chair Roger cars to better use whilst also empowering car owners individual car ownership, Turo helps reduce CO2 18 months, but objections need to be Hickford told us: “We hope these to turn a depreciating asset into a positive source emissions and will benefit residents by easing accepted during the first 6 months, so measures have encouraged more people of extra income. “Our top hosts earn thousands congestion and freeing up local parking spaces. now the GCP wants to find out what we to get on their bike or to walk, instead of of pounds a month sharing out a car that typically think. using their cars, as we try to create the sits there idle 95% of the time,” he says. “It’s been “Queen Edith’s has had two Queen Edith’s has had two of changes needed to improve air quality, Find out more now at turo.com of these partial closures, these partial closures, in Luard reduce carbon emissions and congestion amazing for me to see the impact this can have in Luard Road and in Road and in Nightingale Avenue. and transform how people travel around on people’s lives, without really having to do much Nightingale Avenue” It’s fair to say that there have Greater Cambridge now and in the work.” As an exclusive offer to readers in Queen Edith’s, been a wide range of responses future.” Turo will match the first £100 you make from from residents around these roads. To have your say in the public sharing your car on Turo if you list your car and Those approving of the closures include consultation on the ETRO measures, the complete a trip before 31st December 2020. Just residents who appreciate the significantly online survey is at queen-ediths.info/etro email [email protected] after completing reduced traffic in their roads, and the The consultation closes to comments cyclists and pedestrians who appreciate on 18 December. n your first trip to qualify. Terms apply. Full details at explore.turo.com/cambridge-promo

Page 4 Queen Edith’s Magazine COMMUNITY INITIATIVES Going behind the scenes at the ‘Happy to Help’ line

By Chloe Brown The community response to Covid-19 has been both generous and inspiring, and despite the pandemic now entering its eighth 64 Cherry Hinton Road month, hundreds of neighbourhood 01223 248 063 volunteers remain as committed as ever to helping those around them. Open for collection or delivery The Queen Edith’s Community Forum 5pm–10pm • Wednesday to Monday ‘Happy to Help’ initiative supports Closed Tuesdays vulnerable local residents by collecting See the latest menu and order online at prescriptions, shopping, walking dogs, tajtandooricambridge.co.uk posting mail, providing IT advice or even @tajcambridge just phoning them for a friendly chat. tajtandooricambridge Its invaluable contribution has not tajtandoori786 gone unnoticed; Cambridgeshire County Council awarded the volunteers a The No.1 rated Indian Restaurant in Chairman’s Commendation earlier this Cambridge on TripAdvisor, 2020 year. Fiona Goodwille found her daily stint Fiona Goodwille lives in Ninewells as a Happy to Help volunteer “provided and became a Happy to Help volunteer some structure to the lockdown days” administrator when the initial call went out in March. She says, “being retired, it from the initial period of lockdown, when Looking for an estate was an easy choice for me to give up a few emergency food shopping was the priority, hours of my time each day – and I enjoy to the majority of callers now relying on agent or letting agent? computer-based work.” the team for simple but important jobs Emergency food shopping She quickly found her such as prescription collections. was the initial priority but the daily stint “provided some How the system works majority of callers now rely on structure to the lockdown Did you know there’s the team for simple jobs such days”, leaving her feeling Callers contact the helpline and have the as prescription collections “very pleased to be useful.” chance to leave a message on a digital Having moved to Cambridge answering machine. This message is then an alternative? relatively recently, Fiona also found it was emailed to an administrator, who logs a brilliant way to meet new people and get it and finds an appropriate volunteer to to know Queen Edith’s better; albeit both carry out the job. The volunteer will then were done ‘virtually’ for a period of time! organise any finer details with the caller, We buy houses Fiona and the administrative arm of before completing the task and letting the We’ve the Happy to Help team created an online Happy to Help administrators know it is We let houses system within days of setting up. This is done. cracked it used to log requests and match them to Whilst some enquiries can be dealt We sell houses the most suitable volunteer from over 200 with swiftly, others require more intricate local residents who have offered to help coordination, such as arranging dog where they can. walking rotas for those temporarilty She has watched the enquiries evolve confined to their homes. While time Call 0330 330 9693 or visit nestegg.properties Page 6 Queen Edith’s Magazine COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

consuming, this turned out to be a particular success. When it comes to the more challenging issues, Fiona credits the Queen Edith’s Community Three Mutual Aid projects in Queen Edith’s Forum chair, Sam Davies, for providing excellent back-up: “She always knows the right people to contact in order to help solve the caller’s problem.” Moving experience 1 2 3 Fiona’s experience has left her reflecting on instances when “I was quite distressed by how Queen Edith’s news Community Food Hub Happy To Help scheme alone some people are.” Looking ahead, Fiona wishes more people could be reached by the The free weekly email newsletter now Free food and supplies for any local Help with tasks outside the home and helpline. She says: “Many volunteers have offered goes to over 1,300 homes. You households in need. more, for those unable to get out. telephone befriending, and whilst we’re quite sure need Why was it set up? Why was it set up? there are people who would like to have someone this! Many local families have found themselves Many local residents having to isolate to chat to, we haven’t been able to find a way to in need of food support this year, but do because of the pandemic did not have put the two together. Equally, I wish we could do not qualify to attend regular Food Banks, anyone to turn to for things outside the more in the way of ‘doorstep visits’, to support which have restrictions on who can visit. home. Others have needed someone to individuals who neighbours have identified as check up on them. Here lonely.” How does it work? to Fiona was particularly moved by the commitment Anyone in need is welcome to attend, with How does it work? help! of the volunteers, who were “prepared to help in no questions asked. Just turn up and help A team of over 200 local residents has any task asked of them, despite existing demands yourself to what you need. In the last three volunteered to be available, co-ordinated on their own time, months we have had 646 visits, from over by up to a dozen volunteer administrators. Why was it set up? 100 different people, representing families Anyone in need of help just has to call and “Without the Happy to Help whether from work or Fast communication to local residents and households of all sizes. leave a message, and the team will do their scheme, they would have home-schooling.” She was considered essential from the start of best to meet their needs. found lockdown very difficult also acknowledges the first ‘lockdown’ in March this year, so When does it take place? – it’s this that really does the flexibility and we repurposed our ‘What’s On’ newsletter Every Saturday morning, between 10.30am make it worthwhile” cameraderie of fellow to become the daily Queen Edith’s news. and 12.30pm, at St James Church, Wulfstan adminstrators Jessica, After 100 issues, it is now back to a weekly Way. Joan, Lorna, Manfred, Nicki, Sean, Viv, Wendy and edition every Friday evening. Who organises it? Claire, who adds how satisfying it has been to see A team of 30–40 volunteers, helping out on the tangible impact such a scheme has on local What’s in it? Come a rota basis. residents. What’s open. What’s closed. Events. Offers. and see Claire says: “We’ve had a number of follow-up Details of community and council services Can I help? us! phone calls and emails from the people we’ve relating to the current health situation, The Food Hub relies entirely on donations helped who have specifically thanked us and told news about local shops and restaurants, of goods and money from the community. us that without the Happy to Help scheme, they and much more. Over £14,000 has been raised so far. More What jobs can be done? would have found lockdown very difficult – it’s Who produces it? details of how to contribute or volunteer Simple tasks such as collecting shopping this that really does make it worthwhile.” The same team that writes this magazine! are at the queen–ediths.info website. or prescriptions, temporary dog walking Who can get it? arrangements, befriending or just advice l The Queen Edith’s Community Forum ‘Happy (not medical or council service-related). Anyone who has email! Just send an email To Help’ scheme is one of three headline projects to hello@queen–ediths.info and ask to be Who can use the service? organised by the local community this year to put on circulation. Or there’s a form at the Anyone in Queen Edith’s! Just leave a support neighbours in need. These continue to queen–ediths.info website. message on 01223 641 012. be made possible by your volunteering time and donations, for which the recipients are constantly Can I help? Can I help? grateful. Thank you! If you hear of anything which local people If you’d like to offer to join our volunteer For more information about how to join in with might want to know about, do tell us! Use team, you’ll be most welcome. Details can any of our projects, or to support them, see the panels the email address above. be found at the queen–ediths.info website. opposite.

Page 8 Queen Edith’s Magazine Winter 2020/21 issue Page 9 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT How can the council play a part Dunstan Court in integrating new communities? Bengali Cuisine Local Community Services Cherry Hinton Road’s fresh takeaway. ü Homecare – our fully trained carers visit By Chloe Brown Queen Edith’s is no stranger to at Nightingale Recreation Ground, Come and taste what they’re all talking about. you in your home. issues of expansion and growth. For Netherhall School and Long Road Sixth the community to continue to thrive, Form College. “You really leave feeling like you’ve learned ü Sitting service – a visit from our experienced staff gives family carers time it is crucial that new families and Debbie says she is “fortunate to work in a something about what Indian and Bengali for themselves. individuals moving into the area are city where diversity is celebrated, but one cuisine has to offer” able to integrate easily. of the biggest challenges is inequality.” She – Cambridge Curry Community, Facebook ü Day Centre – based at Dunstan Court, Debbie Kaye (below left) is head of points to Cambridge’s unenviable position with a friendly and sociable atmosphere No delivery charge for Queen Edith’s residents and includes a tasty 2 course lunch. Community Services at Cambridge City as a ‘social mobility cold spot’, based on Council, a department which she says outcomes for young people’s educational Check out the menu at our website! ü Meals service – nutritious, hot works to “help settle new residents and attainment, employment and the housing lunchtime meal delivered to you. 01223 412 268 support initiatives for communities to market: “Inevitably, tackling this is an ü Housekeeping – we do those jobs which flourish.” focus for much of our work.” you can no longer manage, from Acting as an interface between cleaning and ironing, to bed changing and shopping. communities and developers, the team A new way to work comments on planning The coronavirus crisis, whilst financially “As new neighbourhoods join applications and produces challenging for the city and the Council, To find out more, just call us at Dunstan Court on “strategies that establish has opened up new conversations and 01223 241330, or Queen Edith’s, the Council’s role in palkee.co.uk email : [email protected] supporting community integration the Council’s requirements opportunities for local communities, has never been more important” and aspirations on a which Debbie is keen to foster. range of issues – from She feels that “this crisis has brought Proud to serve community facilities to swimming pools about a new way for the Council to work Queen Edith’s and the Cambridge and cultural infrastructure.” in partnership with communities, and area since 1971. On bigger developments, ‘developer it’s one we should try to build on for the We are dedicated contributions’, otherwise known as future.” to providing the highest level ‘Section 106 agreements’, will often fund Debbie mentions in particular the of veterinary community development officers, who establishment of the city-wide network medicine along work alongside the existing community of voluntary groups that she says has Fitness Sessions with friendly, and the developer. Their role focuses “worked tirelessly to provide help to those compassionate for all abilities service. We have on encouraging community cohesion who needed it.” a reputation for and strengthening relationships with Certainly, community spirit has been a at Hills Road Sports and Tennis centre treating exotic developers, residents and the local positive and tangible takeaway from the species from and online via Zoom – just £6 tortoises to authority. more austere effects of the coronavirus Debbie Kaye is parrots, snakes to pandemic. If recent events have taught head of community Outdoor group sessions currently on small mammals. COVID-19 response us anything, it is the importance of local We can also services at Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9.00am, At Your Service As head of community services, Debbie cohesion and as new neighbourhoods offer many Cambridge City 12.30pm and 6.45pm services including oversees leisure, sports, arts, community join Queen Edith’s, the Council’s role in Council acupuncture, safety, community centres, community supporting community integration has Zoom sessions currently on Monday, K-laser, dental development and grants – as well as now never been more important. x-ray and we Wednesday and Friday at 7.00am and 6.00pm; have a certificate coordinating the Council’s community Overleaf we look at some of the potential Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 10.00am holder in imaging COVID-19 response. new sites that housing developers have offering advanced She is no stranger to Queen Edith’s, their eye on. While these are unlikely to all Check out can-b-fit.co.uk for more scans and x-rays. having worked here as a swimming come to pass, there will be a role for new Opening hours: teacher in her early career. She has also community development for many years Paul Risdon Monday to Friday been involved in community projects to come. 8.30am to 6.30pm Personal Trainer Saturday More details? 8.30am to 12pm Call Paul on 07568 592 995 • Email [email protected] Services may be slightly Page 10 Queen Edith’s Magazine reduced due to COVID-19 restrictions COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

West Pit and East Pit Local Nature Reserves

159 hectare site. “Up to 1,500 ‘Netherhall Gardens’ residential units and 600,000 to (already under 1.5 million sq.ft. of employment development) – 200 floorspace. Two access points dwellings could be created on Fulbourn Road”. Supported by landowners Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity and ‘Newbury Farm’ Peterhouse. (already under development) – 230 dwellings Local Nature Reserve

Addenbrooke’s Hospital Extension (2.2 hectares). Affordable housing for 13 hectare site. “The site could hospital workers accommodate 380 dwellings”, with “potential for a high quality business park and leisure uses”. Adjacent to the Beechwoods. Supported by landowner 33 hectare site. “The site could Cambridgeshire County Council. accommodate up to 132,000sq.m of employment uses and/or 990 dwellings”. Access from Babraham Road. Supported by landowner Cambridgeshire 29 hectare site. “Development County Council. Local Nature of approximately 880 dwellings Reserve including affordable housing 16 hectare site. “Development and open space”. Access from of approximately 490 dwellings Babraham Road or Hinton including affordable housing Way. Supported by landowner and open space”. Supported Total proposed dwellings: 4,200 Cambridgeshire County Council. by landowner Cambridgeshire For comparison, the Ninewells development is about 270 dwellings, and the County Council. entire Queen Edith’s city council ward is about 3,500 – 4,000 dwellings.

This is a visualisation of the six major might expect, many more sites are proposed than are our area take more than its share. Much of the land is sites which local councils have selected as ‘preferred’ developments in Queen Edith’s which have required or will get permission. This time, Cambridge owned by Cambridgeshire County Council. ones, and we will keep you up to date in future issues been submitted as part of the next Greater and has found itself with If all of the six developments proposed above were of Queen Edith’s magazine. Cambridge Local Plan’s ‘Call for sites’. 220,000 new homes being proposed, when 30,000 or built, they would comprise 4,200 homes, more than In the meantime, search online for ‘Greater Local Plans are created once every few years and are fewer are being asked for by the authorities. doubling the population of Queen Edith’s. If things Cambridge Local Plan frequently asked questions’ the chance for developers and landowners to propose However, the agricultural land to the south of Queen went through quickly (although history suggests this to find out more, and ensure your councillors (and major building plots, including ones like those above Edith’s is far more attractive to developers than most is unlikely), the building could be done in 10–15 years. the candidates in next year’s elections) know your which would be taken out of the Green Belt. As you other areas, so there will be a lot of pressure to make There will be public consultations in 2021 on the opinions. n

Page 12 Queen Edith’s Magazine Winter 2020/21 issue Page 13 QUEEN EDITH’S PEOPLE Our roots are in It’s an your community MBE for

Bush is one of Cambridge’s leading sales and letting agents and Sam we offer expert advice and a full professional service to property owners in Queen Ediths. Discover the Bush difference and join us on our GrEEn journey

01223 246262 01223 508085 bushsales.co.uk bushlettings.co.uk Established. Independent. Passionate.

10151 Queenb Edith half pg ad. .indd 1 04/02/2020 14:31 Examination Invigilators By Chris Rand Sam Davies, chair of the Queen for children and our series of ‘Summer in Casual contract • £9.93 per hour inclusive of holiday pay Edith’s Community Forum, has been Queen Edith’s’ walks and activities. And awarded an MBE in the Queen’s we’re not stopping here: we’re residents We are looking to employ additional birthday honours list. who want to ensure that this area works Examination Invigilators to assist in The award, for ‘services to the community’, for every other resident, whatever their exams throughout the academic year. reflects the leadership role which Sam has age or needs.” been playing since the start of the current Sam lives on Hills Road with her Looking for local, As an Examination Invigilator you will support the health crisis. husband and two sons, and is currently Examinations Officer and Examinations Assistant by Sam says: “This is an extraordinary studying for a Masters degree in urban reliable electricians in providing effective and efficient Invigilation during our and unexpected honour, which I’m studies at University College London. busy examination period. The ideal candidate will proud to accept on behalf of the whole She is particularly interested in how Queen Edith’s? have previous experience working within an Education environment, as well as with students, however no area. We know there is a huge amount of communities work. As a member of previous Invigilation experience is necessary as full untapped goodwill in many local Smarter Cambridge Transport, Sam can You ve found us. ’ training will be provided. Good communication skills, communities, and in Queen often be seen and heard in the media. “We know there is a huge DS Electrical are your local domestic electricians just working with discretion and flexibility to working hours Edith’s during the events of last You may have seen her appearance on around the corner, ready for any electrical work in the are required for this role. amount of untapped March and April this did not take BBC One’s The One Show this summer home. With over 20 years of experience in the trade, For further information and for an application pack, goodwill in many local long to come to the surface.” discussing the Fendon Road roundabout. we can boast many satisfied local residents who come please visit www.longroad.ac.uk / vacancies communities” “Apart from the headline Sam was one of many additional people back to us time and again. initiatives we set up, over the around the country honoured by the summer we were able to organise other Queen this year for their contributions in 07830 349 199 • [email protected] community-inspired free events, such as tackling the COVID-19 pandemic on the a book and toy exchange, exercise groups frontline and in communities. n Long Road Sixth Form College is committed to the promotion of equality and the elimination of discrimination. We welcome applications from all members of the community. We do not accept CVs as valid applications for our advertised roles. Page 14 Queen Edith’s Magazine NOTICEBOARD

FOOT PROBLEMS? Queen Edith’s magazine in 2021 More than a hedge Chiropody/Podiatry

Next year could the most important year yet for this Advertise with us. If you’re a long-term Treatments cover: magazine, but we need your support. Here are four reader, you’ll notice that most of our Corn and callus reduction ways in which you can help keep it going! 4 advertisers feature in every issue. There’s Nail conditions You see all the adverts like those opposite? a reason for this: the advertising works. So if you The dozen or so lovely local businesses who have a local business, give it a try. We’ll create the Ingrowing toenails 1support us each issue pay for the printing of advertisement for you free of charge, and the cost starts Fungal infections and athletes foot 6000 copies of this magazine. All you have to do is (a) at well under £100. For details of our 2021 rates and Hyperhidrosis use these businesses, and (b) don’t forget to tell them offers, see our website queen–ediths.info or ask Chris Verruce/warts that you saw their advert here. That’s all! by email at hello@queen–ediths.info Help us with delivery! We’ve got an amazing What’s coming up in 2021? One thing we do know team of 60–70 local residents who offer to is that we’ll have the biggest set of local council Call: 01223 315541 2 deliver copies of the magazine to their streets, elections ever in Queen Edith’s. We’ll be electing three The Beechwood Practice or those nearby. It takes about an hour, and it’s only city councillors, one county councillor, a Combined 41 Hills Road once every three months. If you’d like to join in next Authority mayor and a Police & Crime Commissioner. Cambridge year, let our editor Chris Rand know by email at Yes, all of them! The bundle of ballot papers you’ll be hello@queen–ediths.info given next May will be nothing like you’ve ever seen Several locations in Queen Edith’s are finding Call: 07939 227195 Would you like to write for us? If you’ve got before. their natural habitats put under pressure by the a subject you’d like to write about for our local Our first two issues of the year will provide increasing number of new transport schemes. For home appointments 3 history series, we’re all ears. Or are you a everything you need to know about these elections, One such area is the wide green area separating budding journalist who’d like to be given an article to and Queen Edith’s magazine will be the only place you the set-back residential part of Hills Road from research and write? Again, let Chris know by email at can get the big picture on what’s happening. Don’t the main road, between Worts’ Causeway and hello@queen–ediths.info miss it! Addenbrooke’s roundabout. According to local residents, this important ‘wildlife corridor’ has hosted hedgehogs, David Gilmour muntjacs, foxes, badgers, toads, slow worms, Queen Edith’s bats, owls, pheasants, quail, woodpeckers, wrens, book launched jays, greenfinches, thrushes, blackbirds, robins, Favourite sparrows, magpies and collared doves. Warren Dosanjh, an authority The Queen Edith’s Community Forum thought on the Cambridge music scene, Window it would be good to put the residents in contact was a big help to us with our with the City Council’s Tree and Biodiversity Cleaning Pink Floyd article overleaf. officers, who have now met with them to discuss Along with Glenn Povey, he potential enhancements to the hedge and tree Service has just published High Hopes, line. The land is managed by the City Council on the most detailed biography behalf of the County Council and it was agreed of Floyd guitarist and vocalist that the strip provides an important contribution • Professional, safe, David Gilmour’s early history. to the city’s tree canopy cover and a corridor for and fully insured High Hopes includes a wealth wildlife. of previously unpublished • Exterior and interior Possibilities for the future include working photos, anecdotes from school window cleaning together to identify potential planting locations friends, former band mates for replacement trees and perhaps changing the • State of the art pure and family, and is available as maintenance regime of the nearby grass verge to water cleaning a limited edition run of 500 A wonderful selection of ‘tree huggers’ have been created by local benefit flowering plants and their pollinators. The books, numbered and signed by • Gutter cleaning residents for trees in Cavendish Avenue. Take a look at them after dark Queen Edith’s Community Forum is delighted to the authors. It’ll make an ideal • Fascia cleaning and a torch will reveal reflective thread in them too! There are also some have helped make this co-operation happen. Christmas gift! Search online for • Patio cleaning reflective stars and bats in trees and a fence cat. If you’ve spotted any If you know of a wildlife spot in the area ‘Mind Head Publishing’ to order • Conservatory cleaning street decorations of note in Queen Edith’s, we’d love to hear about them. which you think needs protecting, or different your copy. Or why not think about creating your own? treatment, do let the City Council know. n Give us a try! 07803 578 357 Page 16 Queen Edith’s Magazine Winter 2020/21 issue Page 17 [email protected] www.shortleproclean.co.uk LOCAL HISTORY

scarlet fever. All the class were asked to Roger ‘Syd’ Barrett write letters to the invalid and many of (on the left) at them enclosed pictures. Roger’s was an Homerton College abstract design in bright colours based Saturday morning on the shape of a hand, orange and blue art class in 1960, being predominant. Not a normal 8 year aged 14 old’s artistic offering!” Meanwhile, Roger Waters progressed to the Cambridgeshire High School for Boys on Hills Road (now the home of Hills Road Sixth Form College). He did not enjoy the academic life, describing the school as ‘a battery farm’. Watch the famous music ARCHIVES COLLEGE HOMERTON video for Another Brick in the Wall Part 2 Gilmour attended Cambridge College and the Gerald Scarfe cartoon of a school of Arts and Technology in Collier Road. Syd Barrett and Roger Waters on ‘The Look of the Week’, BBC TV, May 1967 being operated as a meat mincer is almost Gilmour – always the best musician of certainly based on the Hills Road building, the three – joined a band called The and the headmaster Arthur Eagling. Newcomers. Barrett would hang around Roger Barrett would follow Waters to ‘the and join in with various acts, including Pink Floyd: our very own County’, but David Gilmour was sent to the Those Without and, in 1962 at the United even stricter Perse School for Boys, then in Reformed Church Hall on Hartington the city centre but soon to move to Grove, Geoff Mott & The Mottoes. Hills Road. Like Waters, Gilmour “I remember him (Roger At the age of 18, Barrett also made Queen Edith’s rock legends does not seem to have enjoyed his Barrett) as bright, good the move to London, to take up a education. He would often meet looking, creative and fun place at Camberwell Art College. He By Chris Rand The story of Pink Floyd is that of one I can still remember a beautiful tree and Barrett outside school, and it’s to be with. When he visited was offered a place in a shared house of the biggest names in the history landscape. said that the two eventually played our house he impressed my with Roger Waters and two other of rock music. It’s also the story “Roger Waters’ Mum, Mary, was a music together for the first time father by picking out a tune Cambridge friends, Dave Gilbert of a group of young friends from brilliant teacher. At her funeral in 2009, at the Scout Hut in Perne Road. on the piano, never having and Bob Klose. That autumn, Mason Cambridge, and Queen Edith’s in Roger told me that when he revealed his Barrett would become known as had any lessons.” and Wright joined Waters, Barrett, particular. musical intent his Mum most forcefully ‘Syd’ during his teenage years, Klose and (for a while) yet another Our tale begins in June 1944, when Mary told him he’d be an architect. But she told getting his nickname from a bassist in a Cambridge friend, Chris Dennis, to form a Waters moved with her two young sons me once she was mighty proud of him ...as jazz band at the Riverside Jazz Club, Sid band which over the next few years would from Surrey to start a new life at 42 Rock a ‘sort of’ musician!”. Barrett. be known variously as The Tea Set, The Road, here in Queen Edith’s. Her husband In 1962, Waters went to Regent Pink Floyd Sound, The Pink Floyd and just Eric had been killed a few months before Art classes at Homerton Street Polytechnic in London to study Pink Floyd. at the Battle of Anzio when the younger Roger Barrett had attended art classes architecture. On his course were Nick In May 1965, the group made the son, Roger, was just five months old. on Saturday mornings from the age of Mason and Rick Wright, later to become trip home to play (as Pink Floyd) at the By 1951, Roger Waters was in his third 6, at what was then Homerton Teacher the rest of Pink Floyd. Homerton College Summer Dance, with year at Morley Memorial School in Blinco Training College opposite. Here he Back in Cambridge, both Barrett and the Boston Crabs and Unit 4+2. Klose Grove, where Mary had become a teacher. befriended another boy, David Gilmour, left soon afterwards, but the now four- One of the new intake at the school that whose family lived in Newnham, and who piece band got themselves their first year was Roger (later known as ‘Syd’) would also join our story. Lyrical ties to Cambridge contract towards the end of 1966, and Barrett. Local resident Ursula Stubbings was Although the three musicians would become worldwide turned professional a few months later. Barrett’s family lived around the in the same class as Barrett. She says: “I stars, they always acknowledged their Cambridge roots. There’s another Cambridge curiosity corner at 183 Hills Road. Morley teacher remember him as bright, good looking, Early Pink Floyd recordings include songs like Grantchester from around this time: go to YouTube Mike Bowyer recalls: “Roger (Waters) I creative and always fun to be with. When Meadows and Into The Beechwoods, while High Hopes, the and search for ‘Syds first trip’ to see a remember as quite tall and thin, rather he visited our house he impressed my final track on the band’s last album, over 25 years later, bizarre home movie showing Barrett and quiet and clearly very able. Syd was a little father by picking out a tune on the piano, would contain the lyrics: “Along the Long Road and on down others in the West Pit or Cherry Hinton chap, a bundle of fun and forever laughing. never having had any lessons. the Causeway, Do they still meet there by the Cut?” Chalk Pits. It’s a sign of things to come. He always liked painting and drawing and “I had a long absence from school with (contd overleaf)

Page 18 Queen Edith’s Magazine Winter 2020/21 issue Page 19 LOCAL HISTORY

Glass and Mirrors create a feeling of light and space began to grow that Barrett could never shake off. He spent the rest of his life in Cambridge, pursuing his ‘thinking, writing and painting’ and trying to avoid any fuss. In later years he lived at 6 St ARE YOU IMPROVING YOUR Margaret’s Square, which became a point of pilgrimage for fans from all over the HOME? world, although Barrett was not interested. Frequently spotted by local residents walking around the neighbourhood, he was not the recluse of myth – his sister Rosemary said that he would often make trips to London on his own. This recent social In February 1967, Pink Floyd recorded media post from their groundbreaking first album, The The Dark Side of the Moon Pink Floyd shows Piper At The Gates Of Dawn. Local resident Meanwhile, led by Waters and Gilmour, a photo taken Margaret Dickerson went with her Pink Floyd found a new direction. In 1973 outside 42 Rock boyfriend to one of the early shows that they released their masterpiece, The Dark Road in the late year. She says: “Psychedelic patterns were Side of the Moon. This went on to be one of sixties projected on to the walls and the sound the top 10 best selling records of all time. was loud and exciting. Once seen, never Roger Waters’ insanity-themed lyrics forgotten.” to the song Brain Damage are thought of There was a problem, however. Barrett as being a reference to Barrett, with the Be inspired...visit our website, goglass.co.uk was not coping with events. Whether it line “And if the band you’re in starts playing was the drugs that were so prevalent at different tunes...” describing Barrett’s last Thanks for the the time, an underlying mental health performances in Pink Floyd. memories to Mike condition, the effects of the sound and Two years later, the band released the Bowyer, Margaret light show or a combination, we shall album Wish You Were Here, which continued CHERRY HINTON LIBRARY IS BEING UPGRADED INTO A MUCH NEEDED COMMUNITY CENTRE Dickerson, never know. He became increasingly to celebrate Barrett with the track Shine On Warren Dosanjh, distracted and unreliable, and the other You Crazy Diamond, recalling their friend Malcolm Douse, band members decided to call up their with lyrics such as “Remember when you Libby Peachey, old friend David Gilmour to join them and were young, you shone like the sun”. Ursula Stubbings help out. Pink Floyd tried to play as a five- Roger Waters left the band in 1985 and and Prof. Geoff piece, but in January 1968, the end came began his own solo career. Now under the Ward of Homerton when the others simply decided not to direction of David Gilmour, Pink Floyd College. An online pick Barrett up on the way to a gig. It had recorded two more albums in 1987 and version of this all become too much for him, and he was 1994, as well as releasing a number of article is longer out of the band. compilations and previously unreleased and contains material. Both acts would stage huge live links to a number Return to Hills Road gigs for many more years, and in 2019

of videos, radio Although Gilmour had replaced Barrett, Roger Waters was listed as one of the top Cherry Hinton and Queen Edith' s residents will be able to use the new venue for meetings, social programmes and they remained close. Barrett’s state of ten highest grossing acts of the decade. events, workshops, film shows, concerts, ehibitions or simply as a place to rela in a much publications about mind improved enough for him to make In 2006, a few months after his 60th needed community caf.

Pink Floyd in two solo albums, but he was still in bad birthday, Syd Barrett was diagnosed Much of the funding is in place but the local community has been asked to raise k towards the Cambridge – see shape. At the end of 1970, he locked the with pancreatic cancer. After a stay at completion of the proect. Can you help us? queen-ediths.info door to his room in London, leaving all his Addenbrooke’s, he returned home quietly Please keep an eye out for details of the crowdfunding initiative which will be launching soon. In for more. Warren’s possessions, and returned to his mother’s and passed away on 7 July, one of Queen the meantime, please visit the new website www . cherrychub. org where you can find more new book ‘High house at 183 Hills Road. Edith’s most artistically talented and information about the development and the ways in which you can support it practically and Hopes’ is featured During 1971, myths started to grow famous sons. Now in their seventies, financially. We welcome your epressions of interest, suggestions and offers of support. on page 16 of this about the formerly glamorous recluse Gilmour and Waters remain creative to

issue. now quietly living in a basement. A cult this day. n CHERRY HINTON WANTS A CAFE WWW.CHERRYCHUB.ORG Page 20 Queen Edith’s Magazine What’s news at our local library Local services and help in Queen Edith’s ‘Happy To Help’ Volunteer Line Community Food Hub In conjunction with the Friends of Rock Road Library The Queen Edith’s Community Forum’s The Queen Edith’s Community Forum’s volunteer-run neighbourhood support weekly Community Food Hub offers free food service can help with tasks such as collecting and household items for all local residents shopping or prescriptions. Call our 24-hour needing support. This continues to run voicemail on 01223 641 012 with details of thanks to generous donations from residents. your request. Note: for complex needs, call Every Saturday from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Cambridge City Council on 01223 457 000. St James Church, Wulfstan Way. Just turn up.

Did you know? Access to the amazing PressReader Queen Edith’s news email Queen Edith’s magazine website and app is available to Every local resident should be reading This magazine is published by the Queen all library members for free! the free weekly local news email! Events, Edith’s Community Forum and is a non-profit Just sign in with your library planning news, details of business openings venture by local residents, supported by barcode number. There are and closures: it’s all there. If you’re not local advertisers and volunteer delivery. The hundreds of newspapers and already getting it, just add yourself to the next issue will be published in February. For magazines available, from circulation at our queen–ediths.info website information on advertising in 2021, please all over the world, with back or send an email to hello@queen–ediths.info email hello@queen–ediths.info issues online too. Emergency Calls Non-Urgent Crime Libraries have been allowed to continue to provide The Friends of Rock Road Library is a charity whose In any emergency, call 999. For serious and life- To report less urgent crime or disorder, or to essential services during the November lockdown. In mission is to share its enthusiasm for nurturing Rock threatening injuries and conditions, the nearest contact the police with a general enquiry, dial 101 common with other libraries, Rock Road cannot allow Road Library as a vibrant resource at the heart of our medical Emergency Department for Queen at any time. The system will connect you with the you to come in to browse and select your own books, community. The subscription is free for the next year. Edith’s is at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. police for this area. but it does offer: Please ask for a membership application form at the • Select and Collect (order online and pickup) library, or visit our website (below). Pharmacies Smell gas? No electricity? • Reservations Future library improvement plans are for expenditure For non-emergency problems, seek advice from To report a gas emergency, call the National Gas • Public access to computers on an appointment on lighting, a new noticeboard, painting the metal your GP or pharmacy, or call the NHS 111 phone Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. To report a basis (essential use only) railings in the rear garden, and activities to encourage service, where a nurse will give confidential power cut, the number to call is simply 105. • Digital Services people back to the library. advice 24 hours a day. The area’s pharmacies The library is still running on shorter opening hours, This year we’ve not been able to put on the usual are Numark on Cherry Hinton Road, Kay’s on Drug-related or dangerous litter which are 2pm to 6pm on Tuesdays, and 10am to 2pm events, or do improvement work, so the trustees have Wulfstan Way and Boots on Cherry Hinton Road. The City Council will collect and safely dispose on Thursdays. decided to renew all current FRRL members without of needles and drug-related litter as soon as During this second period of national restrictions, asking for any subscription fee! Queen Edith’s Councillors possible. Please call to tell them about any The City Council deals with planning, housing, which currently runs until 2 December, there will be The recent announcement that there could be a concerns immediately on 01223 458 282, or leisure and rubbish collection. Our city no reservation or overdue charges. COVID-19 vaccine in the new year is good news, but the alternatively 0300 303 8389 outside of normal councillors are Colin McGerty on 07785 577 370 Did you know that you can join Cambridgeshire emphasis is on the ‘could’. Once we all have our jabs, business hours. and Jennifer Page-Croft on 01223 729 492. Libraries, search for titles, and read books, without perhaps we can get back to some sort of normality. We The County Council deals with schools, Post Offices leaving home? You can borrow eBooks and eResources, have in mind to put on a celebratory event when we libraries, social services, roads, streetlighting There are two post offices in Queen Edith’s, both access business resources, and attend online events. can safely do so. in local convenience stores. They are: The library is also on Facebook, where you can That’s something to look forward to, meanwhile and trading standards. Our county councillor is Cherry Hinton Road Local Store join us for our Rhymetime and Storytime sessions, as we do what is possible. Our AGM will be held via a Amanda Taylor on 01223 249 787. 206 Cherry Hinton Road, next to Balzano’s well as Twitter and Instagram, where you can find Zoom link, on Friday, 4th December. Details are on our Note that some readers will be in neighbouring information about other events and activities. website. council wards, and you may be directed to those Essentialz Store councillors, depending on the issue; details 146 Hills Road, opposite Cambridge Leisure The Royal Mail Cambridge Delivery Office on the Search: cambridgeshire libraries Search: friends of rock road library can be found on the City Council or County Council websites, which contain a lot of useful Clifton Road estate has the latest collection time information about council services. in the area. Call 03457 740 740 for details. Free Potted Hyacinths from the Friends of Rock Road Library! First come first served. Collect from 24 Rock Road on 12th December between 10am and 12 noon. All welcome. For information on advertising in our next issue please email hello@queen–ediths.info