Summary

  • Updates on Friday, 31 March 2017

  • Cambridgeshire MP calls for Longthorpe church heritage to be 'protected'

  • Cambridge prepares for battle in the 2017 Boat Races

  1. Our live coverage for the weekpublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Adam Jinkerson
    BBC Local Live

    That wraps up our live coverage for today and for the week.

    We'll be back on Monday from 08:00.

    Stay tuned to the BBC Cambridgeshire website over the weekend for breaking news and match reports, with both Cambridge United and Peterborough United in action.

    Have a great weekend.

  2. A dry night, with sunshine and showers tomorrowpublished at 17:31 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Julie Reinger
    BBC Look East weather

    Tonight will be mostly dry across the BBC East region, with clear spells as temperatures drop to 7C (45F).

    It's a mixed bag of weather for Saturday. There'll be sunny spells and the first of those April showers, some heavy with hail and thunder.

    Temperatures could reach 15C (59F).

    BBC Weather has more details for where you live.

    Weather graphic for Saturday 05:00
  3. Your pictures: Sunshine across the countypublished at 17:24 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    After my weather app told me there was a 60% chance of rain this morning, I'm rather delighted to say it's been another nice day across the county.

    Here are some of the best shots captured by our BBC Weather Watchers .

    Cambridge
    Cottenham
    Ramsey
  4. Cambridge women prepare for Boat Race battlepublished at 16:47 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Sue Dougan
    BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

    Meanwhile, Cambridge's women are preparing for a tough battle in this Sunday's Boat Race as they look to overturn the misfortune of 2016 when their boat nearly sank.

    The drama at Barnes Bridge in windy conditions led to Oxford winning the 71st women's race comfortably. 

    One of Cambridge's crew, Claire Lambe, made the final of the lightweight double sculls at Rio 2016.

    "The events themselves are on very different scales," she said.

    Media caption,

    Boat Races: Cambridge women prepare for battle

    "The history, prestige, sponsorship and media coverage of the Boat Race is massive and feels like it's on a bigger scale than the Olympics.

    "Before the hooter you're full of adrenaline and ready to give everything."

    Cambridge's women have only won twice in 10 years, but still lead overall by 41 wins to Oxford's 30.    

  5. The Boat Races: William Warr set to face ex-Cambridge team-mates published at 16:45 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    BBC Sport

    There are supposed to be only two options. In or out. Cambridge or Oxford. You can't be both.

    In the long history of one of sport's most enduring rivalries, just two men had crossed the line.

    You can now make that three.

    When the 163rd Boat Race gets under way on the River Thames on Sunday, William Warr will be going up against his old Cambridge team-mates, rowing for Oxford.

    William Warr and Ben RubleImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Warr (left) was part of the Cambridge team that lost the 2015 race to Oxford, alongside Ben Ruble (right)

    "It hasn't been easy. It was a decision I had to make, but guys I was really close with now barely speak to me any more," he told BBC Sport.

    "Some have said they really hope I lose, that they completely disagree with what I'm doing, which I understand. It is a very strong bond.

    "But life does go on. You need to think about your career - we are students, sometimes people forget that - and the research I am doing can help save lives, so to not go and do that because of some old rivalry would be selfish."

    You can read more on this story here.

  6. Shopping centre boss moves down the roadpublished at 16:15 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Tom Horn
    BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

    There's been an interesting transfer in the retail industry in Cambridge.

    The manager of the Grand Arcade has left to become the new boss of the Grafton Centre.

    The Grafton is currently in the middle of an multimillion-pound renovation, which is due to be completed next year.

    Artists impression of Grand Arcade revampImage source, Corstorphine Wright

    John O'Shea said the shopping centre "won't be going head-to-head" with the Grand Arcade.

    "The Grafton Centre will be a shopping centre for local people," he told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

    "£18.5m is exactly the right amount of money to be spending.

    "You have to have a combinations of retail, you have to have restaurants and you have to have a leisure offer."

  7. When tackles go wrong...published at 15:29 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    #PeoplesCup

    Just how did those legs end up there? Find out with our top 10 magic moments from last weekend's FA People's Cup semi-finals.

    For more FA People's Cup action, watch our semi-final highlights programme,  available on the iPlayer from 06:00 BST on Saturday morning, 1 April, and on the Red Button at 13:50 BST and repeated throughout the weekend.

  8. Medieval carol recorded after 500 yearspublished at 13:06 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Be Mery has been performed and recorded for an exhibition opening in the gatehouse of Battle Abbey.

    Read More
  9. Cambridge amateur photographer wins selfie prizepublished at 12:51 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    An amateur photographer from Cambridge has won Saatchi Gallery's selfie competition with her photo "The Substitute (holiday)".

    The Substitute (holiday)Image source, Dawn Woolley 2017

    Dawn Woolley's winning image was selected from over 14,000 entries by judges including artist Tracey Emin.

    However, one thing that viewers may notice is that Ms Woolley does not appear in the photo - instead a cardboard cut-out of her does.

    The Cambridge artist described her entry as an untraditional self-portrait. 

    Her picture beat nine others in the contest.

    Woolley said: "Primarily my artwork is self-portraiture, but not in the traditional sense.

    "By creating artwork that establishes me as an object, it could be argued that I produce photographs that reinforce stereotypical images of the female body, but with apparent exhibitionism I create a substitute that renders my real body invisible."

    The image, which shows a man holding her two-dimensional self as they lie on a lawn, is part of a series of pictures she has taken across Europe, including Cardiff, London, Malta and Paris, since 2008.

    The finished collection will open at the Saatchi Gallery in London today, featuring all 14,000 entries to the competition.

  10. Hacking suspect will 'consider suicide'published at 12:23 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Lauri Love, who faces extradition to the US on hacking charges, says he fears being "turned into an example".

    Read More
  11. Lunchtime weather: Sunny with some showerspublished at 12:15 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    BBC Weather

    After a bright start a band of cloud and patchy rain will move east.

    Becoming brighter this afternoon with some sunny intervals but also one or two showers.

    Temperatures a little down on those of Thursday.

    Highs of 16C (61F)

    Weather outlook
  12. Church changes 'necessary' says diocesepublished at 11:58 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Adam Jinkerson
    BBC Local Live

    Earlier we brought you news that Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson criticised plans to modernise a church in the region.

    St Botolph's church in Longthorpe is looking to bring in a new altar and pulpit and remove the pews.

    Mr Jackson told the Commons the "architectural heritage" of the 700-year-old church was at stake.   

    St Botolph's ChurchImage source, Richard Humphrey/Geograph

    Reacting to Mr Jackson's comments, a spokesperson for the Diocese of Peterborough said: "Space is tight in the church building and difficulties arise at weddings, funerals and in normal Sunday worship. 

    "The current proposals for the internal reordering of the worship space have been the subject of painstaking consultations, and the proposals have been amended in the light of feedback from the heritage community. 

    "The proposed changes are necessary in order to improve access, enhance worship and to provide new opportunities for mission."

    Brian Green, church warden at St Botolph, said: "The whole idea was to make it accessible for the wheelchair user, and to make the space more friendly and useful as well."

  13. Boat Races: A potted historypublished at 11:49 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Adam Jinkerson
    BBC Local Live

    As we've been mentioning, Cambridge and Oxford go head-to-head in the 163rd men's and 72nd women's annual Boat Races on Sunday.

    Cambridge's men will be looking to build on their win last year, while the women's team will be hoping for better fortune after their boat almost sank.

    Here's some of the most memorable moments in its history.

    1829:  After Cambridge challenged Oxford to a race, the event was born. The first race took place at Henley-on-Thames on 10 June 1829 in front of a relatively impressive crowd of 20,000.

    Oxford sealed a comfortable victory, which the official record says came by 14 minutes and 30 seconds.

    First ever boat raceImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    First ever boat race in 1829

    1877: This year saw the race's one and only tie amid much controversy.

    Among broken oars and high waves, Oxford believed they had been victorious, only for the race to be declared a dead heat.

    The race sparked the introduction of finishing posts and the selection of a former 'Blue' as an umpire.

    Boat race in 1877 sees dead heatImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Race in 1877 sees dead heat

    1987 : An Oxford men's team, largely made up of reserves, beat Cambridge in a year when several American members of the squad quit after coach Dan Topolski replaced their fellow American Chris Clark.

    Oxford celebrate boat race winImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Oxford celebrate race win in 1987

    2012:  The 2012 race saw what is deemed as probably the most controversial moment in its history.

    The race was stopped halfway through when protester Trenton Oldfield swam in front of the boats. 

    Cambridge went on to win the re-run by four and a quarter lengths.  

    Protester in the water of boat raceImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Protester in the water of the men's race

    2015:  This was the year the women's race took place on the same day as the men's, in what was seen as a long-overdue triumph for gender equality.

    The first women's race took place in 1927, but it did not become an annual event until 1964.

    Oxford women celebrate winImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Oxford women celebrate winning in 2015

    What will 2017 bring?

  14. GB's medal-winning autistic skate starpublished at 11:09 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Calum Titmus, who has severe autism, represents Britain in the Special Olympics.

    Read More
  15. Church heritage 'should be protected'published at 10:22 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Adam Jinkerson
    BBC Local Live

    The MP for Peterborough has criticised plans to modernise a 700-year-old Cambridgeshire church.

    The programme at St Botolph's in Longthorpe will see a new altar and pulpit and the removal of all the pews.

    Mr Jackson, Conservative, said the church's heritage should be protected.

    St Botolph's in LongthorpImage source, Julian Dowse/Geograph

    "The chancellor of the diocese of Peterborough have given the green light to ripping out the interior of the Grade I-listed, 13th Century St Botolph's church in Longthorpe, Peterborough," said Mr Jackson.

    "Is it any wonder that the Church of England is losing the support of its parishioners when it so grievously fails to protect its own architectural heritage?"

    Mr Lidington, the leader of the House of Commons, replied saying: "There is sometimes a difficult balance to be struck between what a congregation wants to meet the needs of worship and the historic fabric of a church."

    We've contacted the Diocese of Peterborough for comment.

  16. The Cambridge rower who battled pneumonia to race againpublished at 08:34 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    BBC Sport

    Cambridge and Oxford will once again take to the Thames this weekend for the 2017 Boat Races.

    But for one Cambridge rower, last year didn't turn out as expected.

    Ashton Brown ended up with pneumonia last year after her team's boat nearly sank.

    Here she talks about her battle to get fit for this year's clash...

    Media caption,

    Cambridge rower Ashton Brown battled pneumonia to race again

    You can watch the Boat Races live on Sunday from 16:00 on BBC One.

  17. Weather: Mostly bright and just the outside chance of a shower published at 08:12 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Elizabeth Rizzini
    BBC Look East weather

    It will be a very mild start to the day, with any early brightness soon clouding over.

    Through the afternoon the cloud will break up to reveal some good spells of sunshine and just the outside chance of a shower.

    It will be a little less warm than yesterday, but temperatures could still reach 17C (63F).

    Here's my full forecast...

    You can find more details on the BBC Weather website .

  18. Good morningpublished at 08:00

    Adam Jinkerson
    BBC Local Live

    Welcome back to live updates for Cambridgeshire on Friday, 31 March.

    We'll be here until 18:00 with the latest news, sport, weather and travel from around the county.

    Could that be the sun I see popping out of the clouds for another day this week?

    This BBC Weather Watcher seems to think so...

    Ramsey St Mary's

    A full forecast for the day is on the way shortly.

    You can get in touch with the team by email , Twitter , external or Facebook, external .

  19. Hacking suspect's fears over extraditionpublished at 06:37 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Lauri Love, who faces being extradited to the US over hacking charges, has said he fears being "locked away from technology".

    Read More
  20. Hacking suspect 'would work' with USpublished at 00:19 British Summer Time 31 March 2017

    Lauri Love faces extradition accused of hacking into the FBI, the US central bank and Nasa.

    Read More