Author Archives: Cambridge Town Owl

I still think Cambridge needs an annual societies’ fair

How does it all link to the latest research from the Government on Local Civil Society Infrastructure, and opinion polls for the 2029 General Election? I won’t repeat what I wrote at the start of the year here, which looks at the diversity of students’ groups, and the collective benefits to city and county ofContinue reading “I still think Cambridge needs an annual societies’ fair”

Crowds flock to Cambridge’s Folk in the Park at Cherry Hinton Hall

This year’s free replacement for the cancelled Cambridge Folk Festival attracted far more people than the council anticipated – as the extended queues to the beer and cider kiosk reflected! It’s worth noting that the Cambridge Folk Festival will be back in 2026. I hope by then the wealthy sci-tech sector will have re-appraised itsContinue reading “Crowds flock to Cambridge’s Folk in the Park at Cherry Hinton Hall”

Revamping old designs for new buildings in an expanding Cambridge

What happens when you put sketches and drawings of old through AI-tools? Image – John Belcher’s guildhall line-drawn design of the late 1890s put through a generator and turned into a photograph You can see the old guildhall designs that I’ve put through in this Lost Cambridge blogpost As mentioned, the aim is to tryContinue reading “Revamping old designs for new buildings in an expanding Cambridge”

Could a tax on Amazon-style businesses fund local community infrastructure?

A new proposal written by Dr Sacha Hilhorst for the Institute for Public Policy Research proposes additional measures to reverse the long term decline of community venues and spaces where people used to meet You can read the paper here Although pitched as a response to the rise of TeamNigel and groups beyond, this framingContinue reading “Could a tax on Amazon-style businesses fund local community infrastructure?”

The closure of Cambridge Community Arts – and loneliness in society

Cambridge Community Arts pleaded repeatedly for support from our supposedly wealthy city (see their IG feed here). So why didn’t we respond? “After more than a decade of creative impact, Cambridge Community Arts will formally close on 31 July 2025.” I knew a handful of people who were involved in the work of the CCAContinue reading “The closure of Cambridge Community Arts – and loneliness in society”

Will ministers scrap VAT on refurbished electronic goods?

Furthermore, can they work with the EU to compel big tech firms to maintain the software and upgrades needed to keep older items functioning, or alternatively compel them to make the continuation of that work available to third parties? Image – Cambridge & South Cambs recycling bins for small electrical appliances See The Guardian onContinue reading “Will ministers scrap VAT on refurbished electronic goods?”

MPs tell ministers that local council finances are broken. Again

And ministers will ignore MPs. Again. What is the point? (And the same politicians then wonder why democratic structures and institutions are breaking down) Image: the LGIU’s guide to council finances – comparing the current system of council taxes with the Poll Tax, and the older system of rating. “Link between paying taxes and qualityContinue reading “MPs tell ministers that local council finances are broken. Again”

The failure to fund Addenbrooke’s A&E service – the buck stops at the Chancellor’s desk

I found out the hard way what it looks like when Cambridge’s Accident and Emergency Department at Addenbrooke’s (which actually covers a much greater geographical area) it hit by an unexpected, unseasonal spike in admissions For those of you wondering why I hadn’t blogged for almost a week, it was because I got stuck inContinue reading “The failure to fund Addenbrooke’s A&E service – the buck stops at the Chancellor’s desk”