At the Octospa

Dinky Doors’ latest offering isn’t actually too dinky! It’s on Sedgwick Street in the Mill Road area of Cambridge which is a great spot because it favours ad hoc eclectic additions to the streetscape. Once upon a time Mill Road was a strictly working class area and the local history project shows that residents in 1892 were the likes of police constables and dressmakers. These days, like most of Cambridge, the houses are expensive. In 1872 a PC considered himself wealthy for earning £1 3s 11d (£1.19) a week. He would be amazed to find that his small terrace would now cost him £450,000 and a larger one £550,000. So Sedgwick Street is the most modest of the Sedgwicks in Cambridge- Sedgwick Avenue is the site of Newnham College and the Sedgwick Museum is home to the Earth Science’s collection of rocks etc. Adam Sedgwick was an Anglican priest and founder of modern geology, proposing the Cambrian and Silurian periods. He opposed the theory of evolution proving that nobody can be right all of the time. Anyway the Octospa is an excellent addition to the street although squids will be disappointed as I’m afraid they are not allowed.

Weather: sun and cloud - still not impressive for June
Covid: the bridge in the middle of Mill Road is closed to cars ‘for social distancing’ - it’s frustrating the heck out of shopkeepers but the air is cleaner and the quiet road is pleasant to sit out on and drink a coffee.
Good thing: Eccentricity

[Casablanca]

Wow, that is much bigger than the others! And what a great bit of history. (unless you are a squid!)

[Lin]

Fun capture

[Judith Greenwood]

@casablanca I think they must have had some big donations after the previous one was stolen after 3 days.

[Jane Pittenger]

The bicyclist adds nicely to the story

[Kathy A]

This is really nice, great history too. I had no idea cars had to socially distance.

[Barbara Paquette]

Nice vignette! A bit more than a door! But entertaining…especially that you managed to get a bicycle in the shot, too!

[Dawn]

Lovely

[Issi Bannerman]

Love it, and the cyclist passing by!

[william wooderson]

What a fun and inventive display! Fav.

[Peggy Sirk]

That is fabulous, and not at all dinky. Love the Cambridge history... and the inclusion of a Cambridge cyclist in your shot. Well done.

[Judith Greenwood]

@kjarn it’s to make more space for pedestrians and cyclists.

[Pat Knowles]

That squid does not look happy! He’s squirming under that lighthouse! Cambridge is not a cheap place I can see…..good for you seeing your house grow in value though Judith….you can retire up here & buy a mansion!