Cambridge Past, Present & Future will care for Grantchester Meadows in partnership with King’s College, preserving it for future.
King’s College and Cambridge Past, Present & Future, a local charity, teamed up. This will keep the meadows well-cared for while still allowing people to visit. The charity will use its know-how to boost its ecological value, balancing enjoyment and protection.
King’s College owns the meadows. They leased it for cattle grazing before, but now many more people visit. The meadows now face more pressure, being treated like a city park. This creates a conflict between different uses.
The charity will manage the meadows daily, as they already manage other green spaces like Wandlebury and Coton. People have enjoyed the meadows for ages, walking, picnicking, and swimming there, appreciating nature and the views.
Famous people liked the meadows, too. The Bloomsbury Group visited in the early 1900s. Sylvia Plath wrote a poem about it, and Pink Floyd wrote a song about it in 1969.
King’s College is happy with the partnership because the charity cares about nature and works well with local people. The charity will look after the meadows, seeing as it’s a valued green space.
The charity now owns Grantchester Tea Garden, given to them by Robert Callan after he died, in addition to Skater’s Meadow nearby.
The Orchard Tea Garden commented as well, stating they want to keep the orchard as it is so people can still enjoy tea and scones. They have been coming here since they were kids and replant original apple trees.
The charity has a long history with the area. Since 1928, they wanted to help and protect Grantchester to preserve the countryside.
They bought Skater’s Meadow long ago and paid King’s College to protect the meadows. This step prevented possible future building.
In the 1930s, when a road was planned, the charity delayed the ring road. After World War II, when the road plan failed, the charity helped create a green belt for the city, protecting special places like the meadows.
There will be no changes right away. A park warden will be present at busy times, between Easter and September, to talk to visitors. They also plan to offer some guided walks.
They want to work with local groups, hoping to understand problems better and develop a longer-term improvement plan. The plan will aim to help both nature and people. People in Cambridge and King’s College support the plan.