All Kinds Of Things In All Kinds Of Places

I've mentioned before that Cambridge has more than its fair share of sculpture. Most of us who live here take very little notice of it as we go about our daily lives. Odd people write letters of complaint to the local paper; and even odder people stop to take a photo. But not many.


"Mother And Child" by Sophie Dickens

High on the wall of the new John Lewis department store is this very human study of a mother and child. It's constructed of carved wood which is added to a metal "skeleton", making it look as though we can see the internal musculature. It's housed in a glass case which makes it difficult to photograph, especially in bright sunlight, as all sorts of unwanted reflections creep in. 

House Sparrow by  Gordon Young....and Andrew Motion

I showed you several of these "bird stones" which have been erected in the old Mill Road Cemetery. Here's one I didn't include in that earlier post. The House Sparrow stone stands in clear sight of a row of Victorian houses. Despite the sparrow's apparent ubiquity its numbers are sadly declining, which former Poet Laureate Andrew Motion reflects in his words.


"Gathering Of Owls" by Christine Fox

I came across these Owls in the garden of Murray Edwards College and learned that they were by Christine Fox. She lived and worked in Coton, the next village to where I grew up. It's made of slate and incised with labyrinthine symbols, I love its prehistoric feel.

"Duma - Cheetah" by Jane Ackroyd

Also at Murray Edwards College was this remarkable iron cheetah. It took a bit of research to find the artist as the sculpture is not mentioned on the college's web site. But eventually I found the Jane Ackroyd's web page and I advise you to take a look too as she does much fine work.


 "Chauvinist" by Helaine Blumenfeld

This massive granite work stands on the corner of Brooklands Avenue in Cambridge. You can see some more work by this sculptor here.


 Virgin Mary And St Peter - Fifteenth Century Medieval Alabaster (unknown artist)

I don't know much about this and neither does anyone else. But it's very attractive, particularly in the glow of the bulbs which light it, and nowadays resides in the chapel of Pembroke College, if you want to view it.

And finally.....the fairy tale was not to be. Last night our local soccer team was ejected from the FA Cup in a replay at Manchester United's ground. Despite the score they were not disgraced and left with heads held high - and pockets very full; the TV money and their share of the night's takings will keep the little club out of debt for a while. 

Good luck to Bradford, Preston and the other less fashionable clubs still left in the competition!

Take care.