CULTURE CLUB
TAKE TO THE STREETS CHAMPIONS OF MILL ROAD A heartfelt celebration of diversity and community, we dive into the Mill Road Winter Fair ahead of this year’s event on 2 December
WORDS BY PHOEBE HARPER
S tanding on the top of Mill Road bridge, you will find a bench. Its inscription reads: ‘Suzy Oakes, 1950-2011. Champion of Mill Road.’ Fondly recalled by many as a charismatic figure, Suzy, along with her team of volunteers, was the driving force behind the current incarnation of the Mill Road Winter Fair. Taking place on the first Saturday of every December, the fair has heralded the start of the festive season since 2007. The event’s origins are rooted in the team’s desire to celebrate the diversity, energy and sense of community that is unique to this mile-long stretch of Cambridge. The success of the fair has since generated other initiatives that foster community engagement, namely Mill Road Fringe and the charity Love Mill Road. Beginning with just a handful of traders gathering outside Mill Road Cemetery, the fair has evolved to take over much of the street, which is closed to cars for the day. Yet despite this increase in scale, the fair itself and the growing Mill Road Fringe programme of events throughout the year are still organised by a team of volunteers, who, like Suzy, remain passionate about keeping the creative spirit alive. “Every year, it always comes down to a handful of people with tremendous energy – it’s an enormous effort by a small committee, but the ripple effect is huge,” says Kate Collins, a member of the Mill Road Winter Fair Committee, who also coordinates Mill Road Fringe. “It’s extremely rare to find a local event of this scale that is entirely run by volunteers.” Bursting with local traders, crafts, food and drink stalls – and all manner of exhibitions, workshops and performances – the fair draws crowds of thousands, who come to experience an ever-evolving roster of talent and entertainment. Although the line-up changes every year, the fair has become known for a few of its celebrated traditions, including the fire engine pull, Morris dancers, Arco Iris
2 Dec
CAMBRIDGE, UNITED The hugely popular street festival is now in its 15th year of merriment
samba band and the parade, which kicks off at midday and is led by a marching band made up of local schoolchildren. Throughout 2 December, Mill Road will be abuzz with pop-up performances and busking spots dotted along the street. There will be over 100 stalls as an eclectic array of shops are turned inside out and clusters are set up on Donkey Common, Petersfield Green and elsewhere. Events will also be taking place in various venues along Mill Road, such as film screenings at the Covent Garden Drama Studio, art at Romsey Mill and appearances from much-loved regulars including Cambridge 105 Radio and Cambridge Hands-On Science. MORE THAN FAIR Though the fair is the committee’s flagship event, charity Love Mill Road supports other projects in the neighbourhood that enhance the local arts and culture scene. Mill Road Fringe is organised by the same volunteer-led committee as the fair and has added multiple events to the local cultural calendar – from mini film festivals and sell- out poetry evenings to a Summer Shindig on Romsey Rec. Next spring, Mill Road
Eco-Chic Fashion Show will celebrate the street’s vintage and charity shop wares. “We are working with local charities, people and organisations to build a sense that Mill Road represents Cambridge’s creative cultural quarter,” says Kate. A vital thread in the vibrant tapestry of the local populace, the myriad initiatives and events overseen by the Mill Road WInter Fair Committee can only survive through investment – not just in terms of funding, but also human dedication. Indeed, the fair alone entirely relies on volunteers, even if just to act as stewards to oversee safe road closures. “We are always on the lookout for people who want to help - on the day as a volunteer steward and longer term as part of the team. There is no better way to get to know your community,” Kate adds. As the fair returns for another year and the search continues for members of next year’s committee, the community calls for the future champions of Mill Road to preserve this historic local event.
If you would like to volunteer, contact info@millroadwinterfair.org
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK DECEMBER 2023 23
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