On 11 February 2025 Mill Road History Society hosted a Zoom talk from Gerald Smith on the subject Cambridge’s Original Green Belt: Our Urban Commons,
What exactly is a common and how have these areas featured in the growth and development of Cambridge? This talk by Gerald Smith examines how these open spaces were used over the centuries and the way their appearance was influenced not only by the underlying topography but also by diverse groups of townspeople – including sheriffs, nuns, monarchs, millers, hermits, zealots, scientists, academics, merchants and sporting types.
In recent years Gerald has studied at undergraduate level with the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Continuing Education, covering topics such as Local History, Medieval Studies, Landscape History and Historic Building Conservation. He qualified as a Cambridge Green Badge Guide in 2016. He takes delight in helping local residents appreciate our City and has led walking tours for U3AC, CALL, and Open Cambridge. This talk originated as a cycling tour, so please feel free to watch whilst pedalling an exercise bike!
https://www.millroadhistory.org.uk