Antony Carpen
@acarpen.bsky.social
Ex-Whitehall type still with views on public policy, but now local historian in Cambridge (UK) blogging at https://lostcambridge.com/ - also writing about the future of the city on The Cambridge Town Owl.
Coming up next week on 01 Dec at Cambridge University's Law Faculty: "Cambridge Women in The First World War"
www.camantsoc.org/event/cas-ta...
cc @claremulley.bsky.social , @akennedysmith.bsky.social
www.camantsoc.org/event/cas-ta...
cc @claremulley.bsky.social , @akennedysmith.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Coming up next week on 01 Dec at Cambridge University's Law Faculty: "Cambridge Women in The First World War"
www.camantsoc.org/event/cas-ta...
cc @claremulley.bsky.social , @akennedysmith.bsky.social
www.camantsoc.org/event/cas-ta...
cc @claremulley.bsky.social , @akennedysmith.bsky.social
"I have found that the proposals would cause harm to the character and appearanceof the street scene/visual amenity and, by extension, to the significance of theCentral Conservation Area". Dismissed by Planning Inspector. Good.
November 26, 2025 at 10:28 PM
"I have found that the proposals would cause harm to the character and appearanceof the street scene/visual amenity and, by extension, to the significance of theCentral Conservation Area". Dismissed by Planning Inspector. Good.
Note the tension between national vs pooled sovereignty. Massive failure of leadership on an international scale.
November 26, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Note the tension between national vs pooled sovereignty. Massive failure of leadership on an international scale.
“It was a deeply deeply disappointing #COP30 - in parts it felt like we’ve gone backwards compared with the previous COP” Dr Joanna Depledge of Cambridge University
November 26, 2025 at 7:50 PM
“It was a deeply deeply disappointing #COP30 - in parts it felt like we’ve gone backwards compared with the previous COP” Dr Joanna Depledge of Cambridge University
Dr Joanna Pledge of Cambridge University. Did we get a good #COP30? (See also @nataliejones.bsky.social who was also there).
November 26, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Dr Joanna Pledge of Cambridge University. Did we get a good #COP30? (See also @nataliejones.bsky.social who was also there).
“Professor Michael Grubb, University College London, and Dr Joanna Depledge, University of Cambridge, will give a talk about key aspects of COP30” Landed at this. Is there hope for the future?
November 26, 2025 at 7:23 PM
“Professor Michael Grubb, University College London, and Dr Joanna Depledge, University of Cambridge, will give a talk about key aspects of COP30” Landed at this. Is there hope for the future?
One for architects & surveyors everywhere: Do you think this research will influence building design? Also town planning people, will future development plans reflect this research? humanise.org
November 26, 2025 at 5:46 PM
One for architects & surveyors everywhere: Do you think this research will influence building design? Also town planning people, will future development plans reflect this research? humanise.org
NEW BLOGPOST: “Another tram/light rail concept map for #Cambridge ?” cambridgetownowl.com/2025/11/25/a...
November 26, 2025 at 5:56 AM
NEW BLOGPOST: “Another tram/light rail concept map for #Cambridge ?” cambridgetownowl.com/2025/11/25/a...
Imagine working in #localgov comms & every other error, mistake, misquote or faux pas was turned into a colourful T-shirt zoebread.com/collections/... 😁
November 25, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Imagine working in #localgov comms & every other error, mistake, misquote or faux pas was turned into a colourful T-shirt zoebread.com/collections/... 😁
😱Even #Localgov social media legend Zoë Bread can’t escape the orange scooter curse!! 😱 (Every town needs a Zoë Bread to keep their council on their toes!)
November 25, 2025 at 10:12 PM
😱Even #Localgov social media legend Zoë Bread can’t escape the orange scooter curse!! 😱 (Every town needs a Zoë Bread to keep their council on their toes!)
At the start of each day Parliament publishes the list of Qs that MPs have tabled in advance. It gives civil servants the chance to research for substantive answers that assist MPs esp if it’s a constituency issue whatson.parliament.uk/event/cal53292 Today? Housing & #Localgov 👀
November 24, 2025 at 1:11 PM
At the start of each day Parliament publishes the list of Qs that MPs have tabled in advance. It gives civil servants the chance to research for substantive answers that assist MPs esp if it’s a constituency issue whatson.parliament.uk/event/cal53292 Today? Housing & #Localgov 👀
ICYMI: On e-micro-vehicles. Why can’t they be in civic colours eg Cambridge in the closest thing to Cambridge blue? cambridgetownowl.com/2025/11/16/g... Also, private firms show they are incapable of managing them properly here. 😞
November 24, 2025 at 1:01 PM
ICYMI: On e-micro-vehicles. Why can’t they be in civic colours eg Cambridge in the closest thing to Cambridge blue? cambridgetownowl.com/2025/11/16/g... Also, private firms show they are incapable of managing them properly here. 😞
And the story they switch to straight after? Major fire in an ancient forest in Iran that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
November 22, 2025 at 7:08 PM
And the story they switch to straight after? Major fire in an ancient forest in Iran that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Textbook example from Birdsite: England's most capped goalkeeper praising JRM. (Fortunately called out by his former England team mate Peter Reid - both Shilton & Reid were in the England side beaten by Maradona's 'Hand of God' (followed by the feet of said deity for the second goal!)
November 22, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Textbook example from Birdsite: England's most capped goalkeeper praising JRM. (Fortunately called out by his former England team mate Peter Reid - both Shilton & Reid were in the England side beaten by Maradona's 'Hand of God' (followed by the feet of said deity for the second goal!)
*The Future of Cambridge* Workshop No2 starts in a few minutes at the revamped Cherry Hinton Library. Several landowners/developers/speculator have promoted agricultural sites east of Cherry Hinton for development.
November 22, 2025 at 10:48 AM
*The Future of Cambridge* Workshop No2 starts in a few minutes at the revamped Cherry Hinton Library. Several landowners/developers/speculator have promoted agricultural sites east of Cherry Hinton for development.
My general advice re any new city east of Cambridge is this:
See all the buildings built in Cambridge after say 1945? Yeah, don't do that. cambridgetownowl.com/2025/11/19/i... 2/2 🤢
See all the buildings built in Cambridge after say 1945? Yeah, don't do that. cambridgetownowl.com/2025/11/19/i... 2/2 🤢
November 21, 2025 at 8:34 PM
My general advice re any new city east of Cambridge is this:
See all the buildings built in Cambridge after say 1945? Yeah, don't do that. cambridgetownowl.com/2025/11/19/i... 2/2 🤢
See all the buildings built in Cambridge after say 1945? Yeah, don't do that. cambridgetownowl.com/2025/11/19/i... 2/2 🤢
"A new city is being planned to the east of Cambridge, we need to make it beautiful." Re @shivmalik.bsky.social 's Forest City. They're putting together a design guide for the various different features - starting with lamp post design at www.forestcity.uk/design-compe... Followed by more. 1/2 -->
November 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
"A new city is being planned to the east of Cambridge, we need to make it beautiful." Re @shivmalik.bsky.social 's Forest City. They're putting together a design guide for the various different features - starting with lamp post design at www.forestcity.uk/design-compe... Followed by more. 1/2 -->
***Woo Hoo!!!*** Hobson Street planning appeal against Cambridge City Council by the developer refused. acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.asp... Now. Restore the building properly.
November 21, 2025 at 5:26 PM
***Woo Hoo!!!*** Hobson Street planning appeal against Cambridge City Council by the developer refused. acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.asp... Now. Restore the building properly.
Has your telly gone down on BBC2?
November 20, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Has your telly gone down on BBC2?
NEW BLOGPOST: "If Cambridge is to grow, can we get the development plan to insist on visually healthier buildings?" i.e. please refrain from what Commercial Estates Group wants for South Cambridge around the Babraham Road P&R. cambridgetownowl.com/2025/11/19/i...
November 20, 2025 at 8:38 PM
NEW BLOGPOST: "If Cambridge is to grow, can we get the development plan to insist on visually healthier buildings?" i.e. please refrain from what Commercial Estates Group wants for South Cambridge around the Babraham Road P&R. cambridgetownowl.com/2025/11/19/i...
NOOZE: "Corporate chaps create new canvas for graffiti artists everywhere to brighten up!" www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambrid... 😞
November 20, 2025 at 5:07 PM
NOOZE: "Corporate chaps create new canvas for graffiti artists everywhere to brighten up!" www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambrid... 😞
NEW FOI Reply: I asked for copies of any feasibility studies on Cambridge East Railway Station.
Zapped under S22 FoI Act 2000. But hey, at least we know it exists , and also will be published.
Zapped under S22 FoI Act 2000. But hey, at least we know it exists , and also will be published.
November 20, 2025 at 3:42 PM
NEW FOI Reply: I asked for copies of any feasibility studies on Cambridge East Railway Station.
Zapped under S22 FoI Act 2000. But hey, at least we know it exists , and also will be published.
Zapped under S22 FoI Act 2000. But hey, at least we know it exists , and also will be published.
ICYMI here’s the original proposal from 1950 for an eastern entrance to #Cambridge Station. 75 years later the Transport Secretary confirmed it will now be built as part of East West Rail cambridgetownowl.com/2025/11/19/m...
November 20, 2025 at 1:59 PM
ICYMI here’s the original proposal from 1950 for an eastern entrance to #Cambridge Station. 75 years later the Transport Secretary confirmed it will now be built as part of East West Rail cambridgetownowl.com/2025/11/19/m...
This one? www.parallelparliament.co.uk/APPG/east-of... (scroll down). Or the summary paper at eastofenglandappg.org.uk/wp-content/u...
November 20, 2025 at 6:41 AM
This one? www.parallelparliament.co.uk/APPG/east-of... (scroll down). Or the summary paper at eastofenglandappg.org.uk/wp-content/u...