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Courtesy of Shelly Lockwood

Allan Brigham

Allan Brigham 1951-2020

Allan Brigham was a long term trustee of the Museum of Cambridge and valued researching and showcasing the history of the town rather than the gown. But as a Blue Badge guide he was also very able to bridge the gap and lend the same authority to both worlds. He delighted in talking about and demonstrating the architectural detailing and infinite social nuancing in a terraced street off Mill Road with the same architectural historian’s eye as when talking about King’s College Chapel or any other prestigious building or street in the city.

Allan also had another passion however – the building and protection of successful local communities, with housing and amenity space for all. He had both an historian’s eye and also that of a street-sweeper and local activist. Visitors and residents loved his walking tours not only because of his ability to shed intriguing light on so many aspects of Cambridge life – opening our eyes to the wealth of social and economic history that is preserved in our built environment – but also because they were always laced with views on planning history and present day issues.

Allan’s Writing

Capturing Cambridge hosts many articles that Allan wrote or contributed which can be found at the following link.

Silver Broom Award

In 1999 Allan became county winner of the Silver Broom award presented to those who have ‘gone the extra mile’ to keep the local environment safe and clean.

Allan gave many workshops for children on litter and recycling; here is a City Council leaflet from 2010 on the subject.

Allan in his own words

An interview with Allan Brigham from 26 November 2013, filmed by Alan Macfarlane and edited by Sarah Harrison. Taken from the University of Cambridge collection “Film Interviews with Leading Thinkers”.

Making a Clean Sweep of Cambridge – a short film by Kip Loades about Allan.

Tribute

Leigh Chambers of Cambridge 105 Radio presented a tribute to Allan Brigham, historian, tour guide and street sweeper, including memories and reflections from those who knew him best. Contributors include his brothers Robert and Nigel, his niece and nephew, those who worked with him at the Cambridge Folk Museum and the Mill Road History Project, friends from the Cambridge Labour Party and others whose lives he touched.

More Info

Wikipedia entry.

Obituaries in the Guardian, Cambridge Independent and by Mill Road History Society.

Memorial exhibition at the Museum of Cambridge.

Comments from people who knew him on Facebook.

Fundraising link for the Arthur Rank Hospice who looked after Allan.

Allan at the Cambridge Arts Theatre around 1980

Contribute

Do you have any information about the people or places in this article? If so, then please let us know using the Contact page or by emailing capturingcambridge@museumofcambridge.org.uk.

License

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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