Cambridgeshire

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Cambridgeshire
Ceremonial county
Guildhall, Cathedral Square, Peterborough (cropped).jpg
Ely Cathedral, West Entrance - geograph.org.uk - 2837574.jpg
Market Square, Cambridge - geograph.org.uk - 3490535.jpg
Cambridgeshire UK locator map 2010.svg
Ceremonial Cambridgeshire within England
Cambridgeshire - British Isles.svg
Historic Cambridgeshire in the British Isles
Coordinates: 52°20′N0°0′W / 52.333°N -0.000°E / 52.333; -0.000
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Constituent country England
Region East of England
Established1 April 1974
Established by Local Government Act 1972
Preceded by Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely
Huntingdon and Peterborough
Origin Ancient
Time zone UTC±00:00 (Greenwich Mean Time)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+01:00 (British Summer Time)
Members of Parliament List of MPs
Police Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Ceremonial county
Lord Lieutenant Julie Spence [1]
High Sheriff Dr Bharatkumar N Khetani (2023-24)
Area3,389 km2 (1,309 sq mi)
 • Ranked 15th of 48
Population (2021)852,523
 • Ranked 28th of 48
Density252/km2 (650/sq mi)
Ethnicity94.6% White
2.6% S.Asian

Cambridgeshire has a maritime temperate climate which is broadly similar to the rest of the United Kingdom, though it is drier than the UK average due to its low altitude and easterly location, the prevailing southwesterly winds having already deposited moisture on higher ground further west. Average winter temperatures are cooler than the English average, due to Cambridgeshire's inland location and relative nearness to continental Europe, which results in the moderating maritime influence being less strong. Snowfall is slightly more common than in western areas, due to the relative winter coolness and easterly winds bringing occasional snow from the North Sea. In summer temperatures are average or slightly above, due to less cloud cover. It reaches 25 °C (77 °F) on around ten days each year, and is comparable to parts of Kent and East Anglia.

Climate data for Cambridge University Botanic Garden, [lower-alpha 1] elevation: 13 m (43 ft), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1914–present
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)15.7
(60.3)		18.8
(65.8)		23.9
(75.0)		27.9
(82.2)		31.1
(88.0)		35.0
(95.0)		39.9
(103.8)		36.9
(98.4)		33.9
(93.0)		29.0
(84.2)		21.1
(70.0)		16.0
(60.8)		39.9
(103.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)7.8
(46.0)		8.6
(47.5)		11.5
(52.7)		14.6
(58.3)		18.0
(64.4)		20.8
(69.4)		23.3
(73.9)		22.9
(73.2)		19.9
(67.8)		15.3
(59.5)		10.9
(51.6)		8.1
(46.6)		15.1
(59.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)4.8
(40.6)		5.2
(41.4)		7.3
(45.1)		9.7
(49.5)		12.8
(55.0)		15.6
(60.1)		17.9
(64.2)		17.7
(63.9)		15.0
(59.0)		11.4
(52.5)		7.5
(45.5)		5.0
(41.0)		10.8
(51.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)1.7
(35.1)		1.7
(35.1)		3.1
(37.6)		4.7
(40.5)		7.5
(45.5)		10.5
(50.9)		12.6
(54.7)		12.5
(54.5)		10.2
(50.4)		7.4
(45.3)		4.2
(39.6)		1.9
(35.4)		6.5
(43.7)
Record low °C (°F)−16.1
(3.0)		−17.2
(1.0)		−11.7
(10.9)		−6.1
(21.0)		−4.4
(24.1)		−0.6
(30.9)		2.2
(36.0)		3.3
(37.9)		−2.2
(28.0)		−6.5
(20.3)		−13.3
(8.1)		−15.6
(3.9)		−17.2
(1.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches)47.2
(1.86)		35.9
(1.41)		32.2
(1.27)		36.2
(1.43)		43.9
(1.73)		52.3
(2.06)		53.2
(2.09)		57.6
(2.27)		49.3
(1.94)		56.5
(2.22)		54.4
(2.14)		49.8
(1.96)		568.4
(22.38)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)10.78.98.17.97.48.78.48.78.19.510.510.3107.3
Source: ECA&D [18]
Climate data for Cambridge (NIAB) [lower-alpha 2] , elevation: 26 m (85 ft), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1959–present
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)15.4
(59.7)		18.3
(64.9)		23.9
(75.0)		26.9
(80.4)		29.5
(85.1)		33.5
(92.3)		39.9
(103.8)		36.1
(97.0)		32.0
(89.6)		29.3
(84.7)		18.3
(64.9)		16.1
(61.0)		39.9
(103.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)7.7
(45.9)		8.3
(46.9)		11.0
(51.8)		14.1
(57.4)		17.4
(63.3)		20.4
(68.7)		23.1
(73.6)		22.9
(73.2)		19.6
(67.3)		15.1
(59.2)		10.7
(51.3)		8.0
(46.4)		14.9
(58.8)
Daily mean °C (°F)4.8
(40.6)		5.0
(41.0)		7.0
(44.6)		9.4
(48.9)		12.4
(54.3)		15.4
(59.7)		17.8
(64.0)		17.7
(63.9)		15.0
(59.0)		11.5
(52.7)		7.6
(45.7)		5.1
(41.2)		10.7
(51.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)1.9
(35.4)		1.8
(35.2)		3.1
(37.6)		4.6
(40.3)		7.4
(45.3)		10.5
(50.9)		12.6
(54.7)		12.6
(54.7)		10.5
(50.9)		7.9
(46.2)		4.5
(40.1)		2.2
(36.0)		6.7
(44.1)
Record low °C (°F)−16.0
(3.2)		−15.3
(4.5)		−9.4
(15.1)		−5.9
(21.4)		−1.8
(28.8)		0.0
(32.0)		4.8
(40.6)		3.3
(37.9)		−0.6
(30.9)		−5.4
(22.3)		−8.9
(16.0)		−12.5
(9.5)		−16.0
(3.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches)48.6
(1.91)		35.7
(1.41)		32.9
(1.30)		37.6
(1.48)		43.2
(1.70)		49.1
(1.93)		48.3
(1.90)		55.9
(2.20)		47.6
(1.87)		58.7
(2.31)		52.6
(2.07)		49.2
(1.94)		559.4
(22.02)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)10.48.78.18.07.38.78.49.08.09.610.410.5107.2
Mean monthly sunshine hours 57.277.8118.4157.2182.7182.5190.0181.3144.0110.367.653.71,522.7
Source 1: Met Office [19]
Source 2: Starlings Roost Weather [20] [21]
  1. ↑ Weather station is located 0.8 miles (1.3 km) from the Cambridge city centre.
  2. ↑ Weather station is located 3 miles (4.8 km) from the Cambridge city centre.

Culture

Sports

Various forms of football have been popular in Cambridgeshire since medieval times at least. In 1579 one match played at Chesterton between townspeople and University of Cambridge students ended in a violent brawl that led the Vice-Chancellor to issue a decree forbidding them to play "footeball" outside of college grounds. [22] During the nineteenth century, several formulations of the laws of football, known as the Cambridge rules, were created by students at the university. One of these codes, dating from 1863, had a significant influence on the creation of the original laws of the Football Association. [23]

Cambridgeshire is also the birthplace of bandy, [24] now an IOC accepted sport. [25] According to documents from 1813, Bury Fen Bandy Club was undefeated for 100 years. A member of the club, Charles Goodman Tebbutt, wrote down the first official rules in 1882. [24] Tebbutt was instrumental in spreading the sport to many countries. [26] Great Britain Bandy Association is based in Cambridgeshire. [27]

Fen skating is a traditional form of skating in the Fenland. The National Ice Skating Association was set up in Cambridge in 1879, they took the top Fen skaters to the world speedskating championships where James Smart (skater) became world champion. [28]

On 6–7 June 2015, the inaugural Tour of Cambridgeshire cycle race took place on closed roads across the county. The event was an official UCI qualification event, and consisted of a Time Trial on the 6th, and a Gran Fondo event on the 7th. The Gran Fondo event was open to the public, and over 6000 riders took part in the 128 km (80 mi) race. [29]

The River Cam is the main river flowing through Cambridge, parts of the River Nene and River Great Ouse lie within the county. In 2021 the latter was used as the course for The Boat Race. The River Cam serves as the course for the university Lent Bumps and May Bumps and the non-college rowing organised by Cambridgeshire Rowing Association.

There is only one racecourse in Cambridgeshire, located at Huntingdon.

Contemporary art

Cambridge is home to the Kettle's Yard gallery and the artist-run Aid and Abet project space. Nine miles west of Cambridge next to the village of Bourn is Wysing Arts Centre. [30] Wisbech has been home to the Wisbech Gallery, South Brink since 2023. Cambridge Open Studios is the region's large arts organisation with over 500 members. Every year, more than 370 artists open their doors to visitors during four weekends in July. [31]

Literature

The annual Fenland Poet Laureate awards were instigated for poets in the North of the county in 2012 at Wisbech & Fenland Museum. [32]

Theatre

The county was visited by travelling companies of comedians in the Georgian period. These came from different companies. The Lincoln Circuit included, at various times, Wisbech and Whittlesey. The Wisbech Georgian theatre still survives as an operating theatre now known as The Angles Theatre. In Cambridge the ADC Theatre is the venue for the Footlights.

Media

Television

The county is covered by BBC East and ITV Anglia which broadcast from Norwich. Television signals are received from the Sandy Heath TV transmitter. [33]

Radio

BBC Local Radio for the county is served by BBC Radio Cambridgeshire which broadcasts from its studio in Cambridge. County-wide commercial radio stations are Heart East, Greatest Hits Radio East, Star Radio, Cambridge 105, Connect FM (covering Peterborough), and HCR FM (for Huntingdonshire).

Places of interest

Key
AP Icon.svg Abbey/Priory/Cathedral
UKAL icon.svg Accessible open space
Themepark uk icon.png Amusement/Theme Park
CL icon.svg Castle
Country parks.svg Country Park
EH icon.svg English Heritage
Forestry Commission
HR icon.svg Heritage railway
HH icon.svg Historic House
AP Icon.svg Places of Worship
Museum icon.svg
Museum icon (red).svg 		Museum (free/not free)
NTE icon.svg National Trust
Drama-icon.svg Theatre
Zoo icon.jpg Zoo

Notable people from Cambridgeshire

See also

Explanatory notes

  1. ↑ Components may not sum to totals due to rounding
  2. ↑ includes hunting and forestry
  3. ↑ includes energy and construction
  4. ↑ includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured

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References

  1. ↑ "Lord Lieutenant". Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  2. ↑ "Cambridgeshire"  . Encyclopædia Britannica . Vol. 5 (11th ed.). 1911. pp. 97–99.
  3. ↑ Malim, Tim (September 2010). "The environmental and social context of the isleham hoard". The Antiquaries Journal. 90: 74. doi:10.1017/S0003581509990485. S2CID   161572936.
  4. ↑ Stephan Schiffels and Duncan Sayer, Investigating Anglo-Saxon migration history with ancient and modern DNA (2017)
  5. ↑ The Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Order 1964 (SI 1964/366), see Local Government Commission for England (1958 - 1967), Report and Proposals for the East Midlands General Review Area (Report No.3), 31 July 1961 and Report and Proposals for the Lincolnshire and East Anglia General Review Area (Report No.9), 7 May 1965.
  6. ↑ The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972 (SI 1972/2039) Part 5: County of Cambridgeshire
  7. ↑ The Cambridgeshire (City of Peterborough) (Structural, Boundary and Electoral Changes) Order 1996 Archived 10 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine (SI 1996/1878), see Local Government Commission for England (1992), Final Recommendations for the Future Local Government of Cambridgeshire, October 1994 and Final Recommendations on the Future Local Government of Basildon & Thurrock, Blackburn & Blackpool, Broxtowe, Gedling & Rushcliffe, Dartford & Gravesham, Gillingham & Rochester upon Medway, Exeter, Gloucester, Halton & Warrington, Huntingdonshire & Peterborough, Northampton, Norwich, Spelthorne and the Wrekin, December 1995.
  8. ↑ "County Flowers". Daily Telegraph. 5 May 2004.
  9. ↑ "Cambridgeshire Regiment". www.cambridgeshireregiment1914-18.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 February 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  10. ↑ "Cambridge American Cemetery | American Battle Monuments Commission". www.abmc.gov. January 1956. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  11. ↑ Grose (1790). Provincial Glossary.
  12. ↑ Francis Pryor (October 1991). Book of Flag Fen: prehistoric Fenland centre. Batsford. p. 18. ISBN   978-0-7134-6752-9.
  13. ↑ "Cambrdgeshire flag information". British County Flags. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  14. ↑ "Wicken Fen Nature Reserve". National Trust. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  15. ↑ "Wisbech Grammar School". www.wisbechgrammar.com. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  16. ↑ "Housing Development in Cambridgeshire 2013" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  17. ↑ "Dwelling Commitments in Cambridgeshire" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  18. ↑ "Indices Data - Cambridge (B. Gdns) Station 1639". KNMI . Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  19. ↑ "Cambridgeniab 1991–2020 averages". Station, District and regional averages 1981–2010. Met Office. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  20. ↑ "Monthly Extreme Maximum Temperature". Starlings Roost Weather. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  21. ↑ "Monthly Extreme Minimum Temperature". Starlings Roost Weather. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  22. ↑ Association, The Football. "Sorry. Something's wrong with the pitch. - Cambridgeshire FA". www.cambridgeshirefa.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  23. ↑
  24. 1 2 BBC. "A handy Bandy guide..." Archived from the original on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  25. ↑ "Federation of International Bandy-Olympic". Internationalbandy.com. 12 August 2004. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
  26. ↑ "Cambridgeshire – History – A handy Bandy guide". BBC. 21 February 2006. Archived from the original on 27 April 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
  27. ↑ "Members - Federation of International Bandy". www.worldbandy.com. Archived from the original on 27 January 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  28. ↑ "Fen Skating Scrapbook". www.ousewashes.org.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2020.[ permanent dead link ]
  29. ↑ "Tour of Cambridgeshire marks UK's first Gran Fondo cycle ride". BBC News. 7 June 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  30. ↑ "cultunet". cultunet.com. 3 December 2012. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  31. ↑ "Cambridge Open Studios |". Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  32. ↑ David Wright (2012). Fenland Poet Laureate 2012. Atelier East. p. 1.
  33. ↑ "Full Freeview on the Sandy Heath (Central Bedfordshire, England) transmitter". UK Free TV. 1 May 2004. Retrieved 21 February 2024.

Bibliography

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