The task for the Forum this week was to find and reproduce photographs of historic Cambridge scenes. Members of the Forum were asked to: find an interesting place and position themselves (as much as possible) in the same spot, where the original photos were taken and make a modern interpretation; notice and concentrate on the differences from the original; and learn historical facts – when available. I choose two extremes, one where there has been major change and one where there is very little change.
Burlington House, Gonville Terrace
Original c. 1913; modern November 2024. – Later called Queen Anne Terrace. – 1960 occupied by a nurses hostel, a correspondence college, a tutorial press and the National Industrial Fuel Efficiency Service. – To the left beyond the last building was Donkey’s Common, occupied by post war prefabs when I was growing up in Cambridge. – The original Parkside Pool was built in 1961-3; the new building in 1998-99. – The Queen Anne Terrace Car Park was built in the mid-1960s. – Only a tree, a seat and railings remain as in the original.
Garret Hostel Lane
Original c.1906; modern November 2024. – Garret Hostel Lane crosses the river linking Trinity Lane and Queen’s Road. – The bridge is at the end of Garret Hostel Lane, which was named after a building that that was acquired in 1329 by Michaelhouse, a former college of the university (now Trinity College). Garrett Hostel was demolished in the 17th century. – Physically the appearance of the lane has changed very little, apart from the addition of a lamp post. It is now a busy thoroughfare – in 1906 there was very little college and university development west of the River Cam.
