Memories – Gwydir Street

A collection of memories from Gwydir Street residents

Gwydir Street residents share their memories – moving in, the people, what they most enjoy about living here…

“We were pleasantly surprised how friendly this street is, and how much many residents care about its appearance and its history. I’ve enjoyed seeing more and more window boxes appear along the street. At Christmas, it’s fun to see all the decorated windows as part of a ‘street advent calendar’.”

Window box and display of drawings on Gwydir Street. Image courtesy Gwydir Street Friends.

“Street parties when we closed the street and had bands.”

“People had posters in their windows against cruise missiles, or pro bollards (the Alex ones which were being installed). We suggested Bollards against Cruise missiles (which travelled along streets)! The Beaconsfield Club was still there, with regular punch-ups outside, and frequent burglar alarms in the middle of the night. Very glad to see that demolished!”

“Moving just before COVID and having the support of the community here.”

Gwydir Street Tea Party, August 2019. Image courtesy Gwydir Street Friends.

“My neighbour let me put my food in her freezer when I locked myself out with a load of frozen food from the supermarket. It’s a really friendly street.”

“You always feel connected to life and never alone on this street. It’s a posh street (though people would prefer not to admit it) ‘did you see how much that house there sold for?!’. It’s a friendly street (to a point – this is Cambridge after all, still a bit snooty and suspicious of those appearing less affluent).
”

“We moved in in 1986 and the garden was a jungle. We tamed it and put most of it down to grass so our son could have space to play. In time we reclaimed parts of the grass for vegetables and wild flowers. We have upgraded the house to a modern level of insulation, but it has cost a huge amount, both in cash and the stress of builders.”

“For my children this was their grandma’s house with lots of visitors. It was the first street where I have known many of my neighbours.”

“Shortly after moving in we received the great news about pregnancy so our life at Gwydir street was also the start of our life as a family. ”

Memory: “Mr & Mrs Cockell and their grocer’s shop.”

Betty Sanderson responds to Down Your Street, Gwydir Street news article about Mrs Spilman 1982.04.15

“Not long after we moved in a note came through our letterbox from Beelin to ask if anyone wanted to share cooking ingredients – that led to the wonderful community group that we have now. ”

“I love living on this street. It’s 100 paces from our house to a brilliant pub (the Cambridge Blue). The old graveyard behind our house is alive with nature – huge trees, numerous birds, blackberries and elderflowers to pick and people enjoying all of this. It’s a street full of life – bikes always whizzing past, families going to and from school, neighbours stopping to chat, delivery vans from Amazon and Ikea parking on pavements, builders shouting to each others, people talking or singing as they walk out of the pubs at closing time.”

Memories of brewing beer and public baths. 2012.03.29 Cambridge Evening News. Image courtesy the Cambridgeshire Collection.

“What we enjoy: The many pubs scattered around the area. The people have all been amazing! All so friendly!!”

“We are lucky to live so close to Mill Road Cemetery because it provides a valuable green space for us and the local wildlife to enjoy.”

View of Gwydir Street with hanging baskets. Image courtesy Gwydir Street Friends.