Summary

  • Updates on Friday, 2 June 2017

  • Black-winged stilt chicks 'eaten'

  • 8,000 cyclists expected on Tour of Cambridgeshire this weekend

  • Hills road gearing up for roadworks

  • Bernie Sanders talks at Cambridge Union

  • Increased police numbers at Strawberry Fair

  • Internet speeds increased across Cambs and Newmarket

  1. Cambridge sign Shrewsbury's Deeganpublished at 18:26 British Summer Time 1 June 2017

    Cambridge United sign midfielder Gary Deegan on a two-year deal after his exit from Shrewsbury Town.

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  2. Our first candidate is here...published at 18:11 British Summer Time 1 June 2017

    ... And it's Lib Dem's Julian Huppert, complete with yellow rosette.

    Julian Huppert
  3. Half an hour to go...published at 18:00 British Summer Time 1 June 2017

    Last minute rehearsals are under way for tonight's debate, which kicks off at 18:30.

    Dotty McLeod warming up
    Tech rehearsals

    I'm sure you don't need reminding, but we're geared up for an interesting debate, with Labour winning the Cambridge seat from the Lib Dems in 2015 by just 599 votes.

  4. Meet the panel: Daniel Zeichner (Labour)published at 17:58 British Summer Time 1 June 2017

    zeichner

    Daniel Zeichner lives in Cambridge and is a former student at King's College. He became MP in 2015 at his fifth attempt. Beforehand he had variety of jobs in the public and private sectors and ran his own business. He also voted against triggering Article 50.

    What he says: "I'm independent. I don't just blindly follow the party line - I rebelled over tax credits, by voting to support changing to a proportional voting system and on staying in the European Union. I do right by Cambridge. I will stick to my principles and never sell-out."

  5. Meet the panel: Stuart Tuckwood (Green Party)published at 17:56 British Summer Time 1 June 2017

    tuckwood

    Stuart Tuckwood studied nursing at the University of Glasgow and now works as a nurse at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. He is part of the "Cambridge Health Emergency" group that works to prevent cutbacks at Addenbrooke's and the Rosie maternity hospital.

    What he says: "In Cambridge the Conservatives have little chance of success. Voters here should vote for what they believe in. The Green Party are fully committed to supporting the free movement of people, a fully public and funded NHS and free higher education."

  6. Meet the panel: Julian Huppert (Liberal Democrat)published at 17:46 British Summer Time 1 June 2017

    Julian Huppert grew up in Cambridge and was the city's MP from 2010-2015.

    Dr Huppert trained as a scientist, working on unusual DNA structures and their role in controlling cancer. Since losing his seat he has returned to the University of Cambridge.

    What he says: "I worked flat-out as the MP and it is a huge commitment. However, the EU referendum and the toxicity that it has caused finally persuaded me that I couldn't just sit it out."

    huppert
  7. Meet the panel: John Hayward (Conservative)published at 17:43 British Summer Time 1 June 2017

    hayward

    Going alphabetically, here's our first candidate...

    John Hayward studied genetics at Cambridge University and has had a career in international development, and lately as professional manager of the Conservative Party policy forum.

    What he says: "Of all the candidates standing for election here in Cambridge, I am the only one who would have any influence with Theresa May and government ministers. As that famous dancer, Ed Balls, has noted, for any MP 'the only way to stand up for the people you represent is to be in government'."

  8. Festival of flowerspublished at 17:30 British Summer Time 1 June 2017

    Jill Bennett
    BBC Radio Norfolk

    The magnificent medieval church in Walpole St Peter near Wisbech will soon be a blaze of blooms for its annual flower festival.

    St Andrew's church needs to raise £130,000 to repair the roof of the north aisle which is leaking.

    A display of orange, yellow and purple flowers set in foliage

    Former churchwarden Michael Anstey believes St Andrew's was the first church to stage a major flower festival - and this is the 57th to be held there.

    Interior of church, with women preparing the flower display

    The church has some famous admirers, among them Prince Charles, who has visited the building on several occasions.

    This year's theme is "A great day out"... if you fancy popping along, the Flower Festival & Fayre, external begins on Saturday and runs until Wednesday.

    A woman wearing blue works on a floral display
  9. Where are we tonight?published at 17:26 British Summer Time 1 June 2017

    Tonight's debate comes from the Møller Centre - a dedicated conference centre at Churchill College in the University of Cambridge, established in 1953.

    The centre is one of the iconic sights of Cambridge, standing proud at the back of a flowing green, parallel to Madingley Road.

    It has a history of connections between political leaders, not least as the building was inspired by the connection between Sir Winston Churchill and Danish shipping magnate Maersk McKinney Møller, whose vision and benefaction created a unique "Centre for Excellence".

    More unusually, it houses the Danish-made chairs that were seen at the televised 1960 American Presidential debate between John F Kennedy and Richard Nixon. The Møller Centre has the largest collection of Danish furniture outside of Denmark.

    It's also home to a rather lovely roof terrace...

    View from top of Moller Centre
  10. Tonight's debate is all to play forpublished at 17:07 British Summer Time 1 June 2017

    Hannah Olsson
    BBC Radio Cambridgeshire political reporter

    If I had a pound for every time someone has asked me who is going to win in Cambridge, I'd be a happy political reporter.

    Labour won the seat by just 599 votes in 2015, and there's a tightly fought battle for who is going to win in 2017.

    Labour are campaigning hard to keep their man Daniel Zeichner in Parliament, but it's the number one target seat for the Lib Dems and former MP Julian Huppert is putting up a strong fight to get it back.

    If you drive around Cambridge and see all the boards up you'd be forgiven for thinking it's a two-horse race, but the Conservative candidate John Hayward and Green's Stuart Tuckwood have both been working hard to get votes and are confident of improving their party share from 2015.

    There are some perennial issues in the city that will no doubt come up tonight, including housing and tuition fees, but Brexit is the unknown factor of this election. There's an awful lot of disappointed Remain voters in Cambridge, and we'll have to wait and see whether the political water that has passed in the last two years has changed where they put their cross in the ballot box.

    A quarter of our audience tonight is undecided, as are many people in Cambridge, so for the candidates at today's debate it's all to play for.

  11. Welcome to live coverage of the Cambridge election debate 2017published at 17:00

    Good evening and welcome to live coverage of tonight's general election debate between the candidates standing in Cambridge.

    We're coming live from the The Møller Centre in Cambridge, where four candidates will battle it out in what is set to be a fiery contest.

    The Møller CentreImage source, Jim Barton/Geograph

    Kicking off a 18:30, tonight's hustings will see incumbent Daniel Zeichner (Lab) face up against Julian Huppert (Lib Dem), John Hayward (Con) and Stuart Tuckwood (Green).

    Keith Garrett (Rebooting Democracy) is also standing in the seat.

    Housing and student fees will no doubt be some of the big issues tonight, with Brexit also playing a part.

    Labour won the seat from the Lib Dems in 2015 by just 599 votes - something that the Lib Dems will be hoping to overturn.

    But with the Conservatives and Greens also battling hard to get your vote, who will come out on top?

    Stay tuned...

  12. Time for the debatepublished at 17:00 British Summer Time 1 June 2017

    Our regular updates for Cambridgeshire are coming to a close - we'll be back with the latest news, sport, weather and travel from 08:00 tomorrow.

    But stay with us as we bring you live coverage from Cambridge, as the candidates vying for your votes in the city take part in a special general election debate.

  13. Tiger death keeper 'living her dream'published at 16:46 British Summer Time 1 June 2017

    Keeper Rosa King who died at the Cambridgeshire zoo when a tiger entered an enclosure was 'living her dream' say parents.

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  14. Home of Thomas engine turns 40published at 16:17 British Summer Time 1 June 2017

    Nene Valley Railway's star attraction is a blue engine named by Rev W Awdry.

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  15. Family pays tribute to 'dedicated professional'published at 16:07 British Summer Time 1 June 2017

    Rosa KingImage source, Family photo

    The family of Rosa King who died after a tiger entered an enclosure at a Cambridgeshire wildlife park have paid tribute to her.

    Her parents, Peter and Andrea, from Chippenham, Wiltshire, described Rosa as a "dedicated professional" who "lived and breathed a vocation that meant the world to her".

    "Rosa was passionate about animals from the age of 2 when she first sat on the back of a horse. After that, her life was always going to be about animals," her parents said.

    "She would stand up for those who couldn't stand up for themselves including the animals and campaigned and raised money for animal charities.

    Rosa's whole attitude to the animal kingdom is probably best summed up in the following statement:

    Quote Message

    When I look into the eyes of an animal I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul

    Rosa King

  16. All quiet at Hamerton Zoo todaypublished at 15:45 British Summer Time 1 June 2017

    Helen Burchell
    BBC News

    Meanwhile, Hamerton Zoo where keeper Rosa King died on Monday appears eerily quiet today, with it remaining closed to the public.

    Police have confirmed they are still jointly investigating with the district council to determine events that led to the death of the 34-year-old, and have been interviewing members of staff who might have seen what happened.

    Rosa King
    Tiger in pool at Hammerton Zoo

    One of the tigers could be seen today drinking from the pool in its compound.

    The zoo has both Malayan and white Bengal tigers at its site, but it's not yet clear which tiger entered the enclosure on the day Ms King died.

    Hamerton Zoo Park

    The 25-acre site looks largely empty today. Usually crowds could be expected to flock to the attraction on a sunny day during the half-term holiday, but there's been no word yet from staff about when it might reopen or how long the investigation into what the park called a "freak accident" might last.

    Tiger in pool at Hamerton Zoo Park
  17. Family tribute to killed zookeeper releasedpublished at 15:41 British Summer Time 1 June 2017

    The parents of zookeeper Rosa King, who was killed by a tiger at Hamerton Zoo Park on Monday, have released a statement and new picture through Cambridgeshire Police.

    In it, Peter and Andrea thank people for the "abundance of love and sympathy at the passing of our beloved daughter".

    Rosa KingImage source, Cambridgeshire Police

    "Rosa was a dedicated professional when it came to her work. She lived and breathed a vocation that meant the world to her, living her dream," the statement says.

    "She had a care and understanding of her animals that was a joy and privilege to behold.

    "As well as our daughter, Rosa was a big sister to her brother Mark, who, like his parents, had nothing but love and admiration for her.

    "Rosa was passionate about animals from the age of two when she first sat on the back of a horse.

    "After that, her life was always going to be about animals.

    "She lived her life to the full and was a very caring, generous person.

    "Rosa's whole attitude to the animal kingdom is probably best summed up in the following statement - 'when I look into the eyes of an animal I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul'."

  18. Full steam ahead! The Nene Valley Railway turns 40published at 15:23 British Summer Time 1 June 2017

    Ben Stevenson
    BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

    It's the home of Thomas and it's 40 years old today.

    The Nene Valley Railway is run by enthusiastic volunteers.

    Here's a potted history of the site...

    Media caption,

    Peterborough's Nene Valley Railway turns 40

  19. Cambridge election debate 2017published at 14:59 British Summer Time 1 June 2017

    Adam Jinkerson
    BBC Local Live

    Tonight sees the candidates hoping to become the MP for Cambridge going head-to-head in an election debate.

    The hustings, which is taking place at the The Møller Centre in Cambridge, will pit the incumbent Daniel Ziechner (Lab) up against Julian Huppert (Lib Dem), Stuart Tuckwood (Green) and John Hayward (Con).

    King's College

    Cambridge is one of the most hotly-contested seats in the region, with Labour taking control of the seat from the Lib Dems in 2015 by just 599 ballot papers - earning 36% of the vote.

    One of the main things that could turn this election will be whether the city's very vocal 34,000 university students have all registered to vote - their voice may be crucial.

    The debate tonight is set to be a fiery one, as the Lib Dems look to overturn Labour's 2015 gain.

    Live coverage will begin on this page from 17:00, with the debate beginning at 18:30.

  20. What will these driverless pods look like?published at 14:37 British Summer Time 1 June 2017

    Earlier we mentioned a study has begun to see whether driverless pods could carry workers from transport hubs to the Wellcome Genome Campus at Hinxton and Cambridge Biomedical Campus to ease congestion.

    Dr Richard Fairchild, the director of connected and autonomous mobility programs at RDM Group - which is developing driverless vehicles - has shown us what these pods could look like.

    Below in the orange livery is the "generation 2" pod that the company has developed.

    Driverless podImage source, RDM Group

    Meanwhile, this is a render of the latest "generation 3" pod, which the company says is hoping to go into service in Milton Keynes from May 2018.

    Driverless podImage source, RDM Group