We rededicated the rights of the river Cam and its tributaries, on Jesus Green on Midsummer's Eve. Around 150 people gathered to hear and participate in wonderful music, singing, readings and talks from as far afield as Taiwan, Serbia and Yorkshire. As every year, the collective reading of the rights of the river was powerful and moving. The sun shone, and artful objections to Cambridge Water were created (more on this later).
Cambridge City Planning Committee turned down the application by Queens College for a new development of student housing, which would have involved the demolition of existing student housing and a recently constructed nursery. Friends of the Cam was one of the local groups, and 2000 signatories to a petition, which opposed its construction based on the likely disruption to Paradise Nature Reserve, including its rare biodiversity and valuable wetland. FotC steering group member Jean Glasberg was a key opponent of the scheme, as a member of Friends of Paradise Nature Reserve.
30 March 2023, 6.30-pm. St Philips Church Centre, Mill Road, Cambridge. Booking (and directions) at Eventbrite here
Bill McGuire talks about the magnitude of the climate emergency facing us and what we can do about this, based on his latest book Hothouse Earth. Cambridge is located in one of the most vulnerable parts of the UK - its hottest, most low-lying, and most drought prone region - and yet those who govern us, invest in and plan for the area fail to address this.
The latest Cam Valley Forum newsletter draws attention to pollution in the Cam. In its response to the Anglian Water DWMP Consultation, CVF has established elevated counts of indicator bacteria suggesting microbial faecal source material pollution. During data collection untreated sewage was witnessed being discharged into the Cam. The Citizen Science project collected samples from 47 sites over 16 parishes on 7 occasions over a period of 16 months, which were analysed at a specialist laboratory.
Liz Cotton from Save Honey Hill brought her brilliant show to the Cambridge Junction, where it played to a capacity audience - Freinds of the Cam got several mentions! There are plans for a repeat performance in March, on the larger stage. We'll post further information in trhe new year.
Lisa Foster, a Partner with Richard Buxton Solicitors, offered unique insights into post-Brexit legislation, specifically the The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, and the Environment Act (EA)2021, and what these mean for those involved in environmental activism and campaigning. A recording of her talk and the Q&A can be found on Friends of the Cam YouTube channel here.
Wed, 12 October 20221 9:00 – 21:00 BST Guy Shrubsole provided a fascinating insight into land ownership and its impact on sustainability.
Friends of the Cam fully understands the concerns of the communities of Longstanton, Swavesey and Northstowe with respect to the damage being done to important village buildings, to the drying up of local ponds and other water bodies which must be restored, and to the damage already done to the underlying aquifer and the resulting effects on trees, plants, wildlife and local farm businesses. The damage to local groundwater has been fully documented in the report by HR Wallingford commissioned by South Cambs. District Council (SCDC).
Tuesday 21st June at Jesus Green between the lock and the tennis courts.