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Then & now

Life on Gwydir Street, past and present

In 2024, Gwydir Street residents took part in a survey to help compare what life is like now with the people living on the street over 100 years ago.

From this survey and data from the 1911 census alongside what we know about the local history from other sources we can make some observations and hypotheses about how life has changed over the years. The types of occupations that residents have now compared to in the past has changed in response to things like the changing environment (for example in 1845 Cambridge Railway Station had opened) and the evolution of technology. In 1911, there were many tailors, railway workers, builders and publicans. More people were living in a typical house on the street in 1911 compared to today (household sizes in England and Wales today are almost half of what they were at their recorded peak in 1750–1821), sometimes up to 12 occupants! It seems that in 1911, families tended to live together for longer and there were more teenagers/ young people living on the street, where today it is perhaps occupied with more academics moving to the street to study and work at the University or people in their retirement. It appears that many residents today remain on the street for a long time and 24% of respondents have lived on the street for over 40 years. The objects that residents most value in their homes today are often not the latest digital devices, but things with heritage and a special story, or less tangible things (such as their gardens) connecting them with the world around them.

Occupations

Gwydir Street – Occupations in 1911 & 2024. Image courtesy Gwydir Street Friends.

Age distribution

Gwydir Street – Age distribution in 1911 & 2024. Image courtesy Gwydir Street Friends.

Size of households

Gwydir Street – Size of household in 1911 & 2024. Image courtesy Gwydir Street Friends.

Number of years residents have lived on the street in 2024

Gwydir Street – No. of years residents have lived on the street in 2024. Image courtesy Gwydir Street Friends.

Residents’ favourite objects in their house in 2024:

• The garden view from in the house through lovely windows.
• Kitchen step, original to the house and worn down over the years.
  Police uniform button belonging to a Victorian occupant of the house.
• Bronze bust of French writer Voltaire, which belonged to my great aunt.
• Paintings drawn by our daughter.
• Dog statue made by an artist in 1930s.
• My 80 year old teddy bear.
• My record player and records.
• Wedding ring.
• White marble fireplace (original).
• Wooden sash windows.
• Guitar.
• Beckerleg harpsichord.
• The kettle.

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