Rebecca Downham with her step-father Brian in Carlton Way. Rebecca Downham, step-daughter of Brian Downham, who was born at the Manor Farm in 1943 and lived there until its demolition, got in touch with us just before Christmas last year. It was a marvellous surprise for Andy, who had interviewed Brian several times in the very early days of the Arbury Archive. 'I was very nervous about starting the Archive,' he says. 'It was a big undertaking, but Sallie Purkis was very encouraging. She had been a great power behind the 'Arbury 1980' project and the 1981 book, Arbury is where we live! , knew a tremendous amount about the district as a teacher, historian and author, and she was very keen for an Arbury Archive to be established. She was very kind. Brian at work - sheep shearing time. A relative of Brian had contributed to the Arbury 1980 project and the 1981 Arbury is where we live! book and Andy was eager to hear Brian's memories. Andy recalls: 'When I ...
Is Arbury simply an electoral ward in the university city of Cambridge, the boundaries of which are arbitrarily redefined by Council planners whenever they choose? Or is it an area with a history of its own? We've studied Arbury, North and South, its prehistoric origins, Roman times, the old farms, the early housing estate and right up to date. We cover the original area, from Carlton Way to King's Hedges Road.