LOVE YOUR LOCAL MARKET
SIX HISTORICAL FACTS THE MUSEUM OF CAMBRIDGE SHARES AN INSIGHT INTO THE MARKET’S PAST 1 There was a great fire in the market square in 1849, which destroyed several houses making up the L-shaped market. This led to large parts of the market, and surrounding houses, being torn down and the rectangular shape being established. 2 There would be meat, fish, live animals for sale, vegetables, candles, stationery, chemists and remedies. 3 Cambridge is one of the farthest inland places you could travel by boat, and the narrow punts continued to move easily through shallow waters. Being so close to the agriculture of the Fens, it became a central place for bringing goods to the Midlands and rest of the nation. 4 Markets – as a central location that everyone needed to access for food, supplies, clothing and tools – attracted travelling merchants, those bringing reports from London and the monarchy, as well as the place to announce and disseminate the law. There are very good reasons why town halls, jails and courtrooms were built near markets. 5 As well as a fast place for food, news and trade, the market was also a central hub for hygiene. Thomas Hobson (of Hobson’s Conduit) built a market connection to the freshwater conduit that ran through Cambridge. 6 There is the story of the Cambridge Book-Fish – found in the market one morning in 1626 was a tiny book wrapped in canvas, inside the belly of a cod fish. This book contained writings that challenged the prevailing religion at the time, sparking concern that the sea was sending a message to England!
EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN In the shade of the stalls, you can find all sorts of gems – from beautiful ceramics, bouquets and garments, to tasty food, fresh vegetables and toiletries. Produce from the grocers and growers can be a great way of keeping in touch with the seasons
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