There’s often debate around the big bang versus the bible, but in Cambridge it seems there’s been a form of reconciliation from way back. Isaac Newton believed ‘God is the God of order and not confusion.’ This gave him the confidence to study and test scientifically, whilst retaining his faith, to find those orders, including gravity.
The Round church, built 1130 (almost a century before the university) to replicate the church in Jerusalem where Jesus is reputedly buried, now holds a series of information boards which outline social, scientific and religious change over the centuries.
But more change is in the wind for Cambridge. With a population of 120,000, how will the tacking on of a new subdivision designed to house 48,000 affect their social structure, let alone the city’s tone?
Speaking of tone, three ‘posh’ women from London had been visiting Cambridge for the day, and were having afternoon tea prior to catching the train. Their next outing was to be Dior, prebooked for three hours, but would that be enough? Apparently yes, since they wouldn’t be buying anything this time. However, they did think that though they had ‘done’ Cambridge, they might like to come next summer and ‘do’ the town again then. I hope Cambridge is prepared!
The same three women spent ages trying to figure out what they’d spent on each other during, so they could settle up. Despite using their phone calculators, it was a struggle. Eventually they got a sub-total of all costs, divided by three, but what flummoxed them was taking off what each had paid, who was owed what, and by whom. My brain was being tortured by their ineptitude! How had these women ended up wealthy? Were they trophy wives? Clearly maths had not been on the checklist. In the end they realised that just one was owed by the other two, at which point she said ‘Don’t bother about it; it’ll all work out in the wash.’ I wanted to strangle her.
At the same cafe, the owner realised she had overcharged a customer. She insisted on giving the reluctant customer a refund, and in the end the customer took the cash, only to then, with a grin, drop it in the tips jar!
Wandering the streets of Cambridge is an absolute pleasure. Nearly every railing in the centre is wall-papered with fliers advertising everything from markets to opera, theatre to protest marches. It speaks of a city alive and thinking.
Another example is the fabulous book shop; three storeys of reading, from around the globe, and touching a myriad of subjects. The autobiographical section alone would have filled my suitcase very nicely, and that’s with just the folk I was personally interested in. They even have a seperate children’s bookshop next door.
Some reading outside of books brings a smile too:
In the luggage storage, based at a shop advising and selling all things hair, other than haircuts, works an absolute treasure of a woman. She gifts her knowledge freely, and I had the privilege of hearing her essentially refuse to sell a customer what they had come in for. This lady took the time to listen, then advised a completely different course of action, explaining that the wanted product would be a short term fix but eventually cause more harm than good. The customer left very happy, commenting that no wonder her friends had recommended the store, and she would be back. Proper goodwill is worth gold.
Walking around Cambridge, tempting snippets of colleges tease the curiosity.
But the absolute highlight in Cambridge is an event which occurs daily at 5.30. You have to book online and then queue in front of two beautifully suited gents outside Kings College, which is currently hugged by scaffolding …
When allowed to enter through an archway into the inner sanctum, spotless lawn stretches across the open expanse, and large windows peer down, only looking welcoming if lit from inside. Follow the path around the lawn, to an elastic barrier near the chapel entrance.
From here, see the choristors (the youngest just nine) in flowing white gowns, as they quickly cross into the building. Then come the alumni, more important than we lesser mortals. At last we are led into Kings Chapel, and Wow! What a sight it is. Our feet follow the guide obediently, but our eyes don’t know where to look first. The sheer magnificence of this building deserves every minute.
We are ushered to seats between the podium and the choir. And from that moment on, I was willingly transported into another world. The singing, augmented by phenominal acoustics, tingled the spine. I wanted to shut my eyes and float high into the music.
Afterwards, few wanted to leave. It wasn’t just the power of the singing, nor the desire to talk. This place is an oasis, where beauty lies in carved stone and coloured glass. The Chapel welcomes all faiths, and non-believers, in a way which dispels pressure and allows room for inclusion. All power to them for their christian gifts.
Walking back out into the city, I was struck again by how vibrant and empowering Cambridge is, even if you’re not a student. It may be flat physically, but it’s certainly sharp in the music of life and learning.
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