A round-up of Cambridgeshire’s latest stories, including wildlife discoveries, community campaigns, charity efforts and local achievements
Top image by William Bishop
Local nature reserve home to 10,000 species
Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire has recorded its 10,000th species of wildlife – becoming, experts believe, the first known UK site of its kind to do so.
It hit the total earlier this year when a rare species of moth was recorded on the reserve for the first time. The six-belted clearwing (pictured above) has a striped, yellow abdomen that mimics the appearance of a wasp, helping it avoid predators.
The clearwing becomes the latest in an extensive line of species recorded on the site, which has long attracted natural history enthusiasts. Wildlife records date back 200 years and, during the 20th century, 13 species new to science were discovered on the reserve.
But it is during the last 25 years that records have really surged in number. Experts at the National Trust say the boom in wildlife has resulted from a major expansion of the nature reserve that started in 1999, combined with warmer temperatures that have led to many insects moving further north, and more sophisticated monitoring methods.
Local charity launches campaign to grow community farm
Hope Against Poverty CIC, which supports families, older adults and vulnerable individuals with food access, community wellbeing and sustainable growth initiatives from its Cambourne food hub, mobile food hubs and social sessions, has launched a new mission: a 4.5-acre community farm!
Hope Farm in Girton will be designed to serve the whole of south Cambridgeshire, offering volunteering opportunities, SEND-friendly outdoor sessions and nature-based wellbeing activities, while also promoting low-carbon, sustainable food production. To bring it all to life, Hope has started a crowdfunding campaign to raise £30,000. “Hope Farm shows what can happen when community and compassion come together,” said Mahesh Hettiarachchi, founder and director of Hope Against Poverty CIC. “It’s not just about growing food – it’s about growing opportunity, confidence and connection. Every seed we plant is a step towards a fairer, greener future.”
Read more and support the campaign via the Aviva Community Fund at avivacommunityfund.co.uk/p/growing-hope-haven-1
Can you help?
Hadithi CIC, a heritage-focused social enterprise in Cambridgeshire, is searching for people from a South Asian background to take part in an oral history interview with young historians from Sawston Village College. They are being trained in heritage skills and interviewing techniques, as part of a National Lottery Heritage Funded community project.
For more information, go to hiddenheritages.com
Law firm strengthens team
FM Family Law, a leading specialist firm of family lawyers and mediators, has announced the appointment of Olivia Adams, who joins its Cambridge office as a solicitor.
Commenting on the appointment, Fiona McLeman, founding member and managing partner of FM Family Law, said: “We are delighted to welcome Olivia to the Cambridge team. She has worked hard, both professionally and in her legal community, throughout her career so far. Olivia helps us to grow the Cambridge office and nurture the future generation of family lawyers in this area.”
Anibel’s Bridal Boutique reaches awards final
Ely-based Anibel’s Bridal Boutique has been nominated as a regional finalist in the bridal retailer category for the Wedding Industry Awards (East of England).
Established in 2023 on Fore Hill, the business has quickly earned a local reputation for its curated collections of designer gowns, personalised styling appointments and tailored service for modern brides.
“This recognition reflects not only our dedication to helping every bride find the dress of her dreams, but also the trust and support of each bride who steps through our doors,” said owner Sarah Smith. “To reach this stage in the East of England region is truly humbling, and it motivates our team to continue delivering outstanding experiences every single day.”
Charity updates
Musical fundraiser for CBM UK
To mark World Sight Day, dedicated CBM UK volunteers Peter and Gill Godber celebrated an incredible 20 years of volunteering by hosting a special event called Love Your Eyes – a musical afternoon tea that brought together community, commitment and fundraising to help end avoidable blindness. The celebration took place at Heathlands House Care Home in Cambridge, part of Care UK, where residents, families and local supporters gathered to enjoy live piano music, tea and cake and a charity raffle. The event raised more than £500 – a total that Heathlands House has pledged to match, doubling the impact of the day.
Somersham golf day
The Somersham community have teed off for an important cause, as 20 teams took part in a charity golf day organised by Stuart Porter, raising vital funds and awareness for the Stroke Association in memory of his father, who sadly passed away following a sudden stroke last year. With 80 players, ten volunteers and local businesses such as Allison Homes Central backing the event, the day raised a grand total of £12,000.
Housebuilder Challenge
A charity that helps young people build resilience, confidence and self-esteem through outdoor activities has received a £2,662 boost from members of the team behind the new Springstead Village development in Cherry Hinton. The group of six raised the money by taking part in the Housebuilder Challenge, an annual event organised by the Youth Adventure Trust, which this year was a 20-mile hike through the Yorkshire Dales National Park. A total of 39 teams completed the challenge, with the event raising more than £90,000.
CEO shortlisted for national award
Rebecca Wood, the CEO of Cambridge-based charity Tom’s Trust, has been shortlisted in Charity Comms’ Inspiring Communicator Awards 2025 for the Strategic Leader of the Year prize. Rebecca is being celebrated for her work at Tom’s Trust, the UK’s leading charity dedicated to providing psychological support to children with brain tumours and their families. Run by the UK’s membership organisation for charity communicators Charity Comms and sponsored by creative agency Creative Concern, these awards celebrate inspiring charity communications and the people behind them. The ceremony is set to take place on 10 December.
Local author becomes ambassador
Bestselling author and bereaved mother Ali Harris has been appointed as an ambassador for Petals, the Cambridgeshire-based baby loss counselling charity that supported her after the death of her daughter, Poppy, nearly 11 years ago. With an average of 297 losses every day in the UK, Petals provides free, specialist counselling for parents who experience the trauma of baby loss. Ali’s experience with Petals inspired her to write her novel This Wasn’t Meant to Happen (One More Chapter, Harper Collins).
Missed anything? Catch up on October’s local news and stay in the loop with what’s been happening around town.
