Midsummer Common

A vigil and lantern floating ceremony took place on the common on Hiroshima Memorial Day in 2006.

Cambridge Midsummer Fair was granted a charter by King John in 1211, and was originally held on or near the feast of St Etheldreda.

The landscape setting affords opportunities to hold large events in a variety of formats.

[citation needed] Midsummer Common, along with wide swathes of Cambridge City, has been a designated area under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, s 20(3)-(5).

[citation needed] To quote from the order made by Superintendent Simon Megikcs:[citation needed] I give this order with the consent of the Cambridge City Council on the grounds that despite interventions to curb significant and persistent antisocial behaviour caused by groups of persons collecting and settling in the local area such problems persist.

Owing to what we think is an unintended quirk in the legislation, DPPO controls cannot be enforced on land where a "premises license" is in force.

Its founding chairman was Geoffrey King who resigned from the Brunswick & North Kite Residents Association before setting up the Friends of Midsummer Common.

[9] Their objectives include: "to work with organisers to ensure that events have minimal impact and cause no nuisance to local residents;".

Alistair Wilson, Cambridge City Council's Green Space Manager was reported to have wanted a Friends of Midsummer Common group set up in May 2006.

View of Midsummer Common, looking east. Boathouses can be seen on the opposite bank of the River Cam , and houseboats are visible on the river
The River Cam at Midsummer Common with the Fort St George public house on the left and the Victoria Avenue Bridge in the background
The footbridge across the Cam at Midsummer Common, with houseboats
Cambridge Midsummer Fair on Midsummer Common, 2005
Red Poll bullock on Midsummer Common
Photograph of the area of Midsummer Common designated under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act
Plan of the area of Midsummer Common designated under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act with the designated area hatched (grey)