High Sheriff celebrates Eddington’s thriving community

Eddington welcomed the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, Francis Burkitt, for a special visit celebrating the people and organisations helping to make the neighbourhood a thriving community.

The visit coincided with the eighth anniversary of Eddie’s Café at Storey’s Field Centre, the weekly community café run by volunteers from New Life Church. The High Sheriff joined organisers, local charity groups and residents to mark the milestone and thank those who give their time to support and connect the community.

There was a suitably ceremonial moment when the High Sheriff put his sword to excellent purpose with the cutting of the birthday cake for Eddie’s Café. The local community spoke with the High Sheriff about their work, passions, and local good causes.

Following the celebrations, the High Sheriff and his wife toured Eddington with Matt Johnson, Head of Development, to hear more about the neighbourhood and its future, before meeting representatives from Cambridge Archaeological Unit to explore the history of the area. The visit had a particular personal resonance for Francis Burkitt, whose family has longstanding connections with Cambridge University’s Archaeology Department. His grandfather, Miles Crawford Burkitt, lectured at the Department and the Burkitt name is commemorated in Eddington’s street naming. Prof Chris Evans and Prof Cyprian Brookbank presented the High Sheriff with their new book about the site’s archaeology.

Reflecting on the visit, Francis Burkitt, High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, said:

“I was delighted to visit Eddington and to meet members of the local community. History, civic duty, community and the future, were explored in the many conversations during the morning, and it was a real pleasure to meet so many people who are contributing to this thriving neighbourhood and the wider Cambridge community.”

Eddie’s Café meets every Monday from 9.30am-11am at Storey’s Field Centre. It is run by volunteers from New Life Church and is open to the community serving free tea and homemade cake.