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John Downing is a senior journalist at the Cambridge Independent and joined the paper in 2017. He stared his career in journalism in 2001 and previously worked as a reporter and sub-editor.

Rare Alan Turing wartime papers saved for the nation for nearly £400,000 will join collection at King’s College, Cambridge

09 April 2025
Rare Alan Turing wartime papers saved for the nation for nearly £400,000 will join collection at King’s College, Cambridge

Rare Alan Turing wartime papers saved for the nation for nearly £400,000 will join collection at King’s College, Cambridge

09 April 2025

An export bar was placed on the documents relating to the Delilah project to prevent them being taken abroad.


It’s about time… chapel clock hand taken in 1930s student prank is returned to Gonville & Caius College

06 April 2025
It’s about time… chapel clock hand taken in 1930s student prank is returned to Gonville & Caius College

It’s about time… chapel clock hand taken in 1930s student prank is returned to Gonville & Caius College

06 April 2025

Two undergraduates took the clock hands in a 1930s prank and the daughter of one has returned the hour hand.


Smartphone bans alone do not equip children for healthy use of technology, say Cambridge and international academics

05 April 2025
Smartphone bans alone do not equip children for healthy use of technology, say Cambridge and international academics

Smartphone bans alone do not equip children for healthy use of technology, say Cambridge and international academics

05 April 2025

International experts call for a rights-based approach to technology use where children are better protected from harm by age-appropriate design.


Cheffins celebrates its 200-year anniversary by pledging £200,000 for charity

01 April 2025
Cheffins celebrates its 200-year anniversary by pledging £200,000 for charity

Cheffins celebrates its 200-year anniversary by pledging £200,000 for charity

01 April 2025

The funding will provide a playroom for the Cambridge Children’s Hospital as well as supporting other local charities.


Tributes paid to late ‘gifted teacher and committed tutor’ and Trinity Hall fellow Dr Isabelle McNeill

11 March 2025
Tributes paid to late ‘gifted teacher and committed tutor’ and Trinity Hall fellow Dr Isabelle McNeill

Tributes paid to late ‘gifted teacher and committed tutor’ and Trinity Hall fellow Dr Isabelle McNeill

11 March 2025

Dr Isabelle McNeill, who has died from cancer, was associate professor in French and Film and a key figure in Cambridge Film & Screen.


Ground-breaking ceremony marks start of project to deliver 84 new homes at Cambridge’s Fanshawe Road

06 March 2025
Ground-breaking ceremony marks start of project to deliver 84 new homes at Cambridge’s Fanshawe Road

Ground-breaking ceremony marks start of project to deliver 84 new homes at Cambridge’s Fanshawe Road

06 March 2025

The development will include 45 council homes and 39 market sale homes and replaces 30 properties built in the 1950s.


University of Cambridge scientists develop ‘smart pyjamas’ to monitor sleep conditions at home

20 February 2025
University of Cambridge scientists develop ‘smart pyjamas’ to monitor sleep conditions at home

University of Cambridge scientists develop ‘smart pyjamas’ to monitor sleep conditions at home

20 February 2025

Researchers said the garment has an ‘ultrasensitive sensor array directly printed on the collar, capable of identifying multiple sleep patterns’.


St Philip Howard Church £3million redevelopment will almost double seating capacity and add a community hall

20 February 2025
St Philip Howard Church £3million redevelopment will almost double seating capacity and add a community hall

St Philip Howard Church £3million redevelopment will almost double seating capacity and add a community hall

20 February 2025

The Roman Catholic church is expanding as the city population soars and 12,000 new homes are planned nearby which will be served by the parish.


Investigators release new image in bid to identify woman killed on A1 while walking barefoot 50 years ago

19 February 2025
Investigators release new image in bid to identify woman killed on A1 while walking barefoot 50 years ago

Investigators release new image in bid to identify woman killed on A1 while walking barefoot 50 years ago

19 February 2025

The mystery of the woman’s identity could be a step closer to being solved after the release of a picture of what she may have looked like.


Tomb of missing pharaoh Thutmose II found in biggest discovery since 1922 by University of Cambridge-affiliated project

19 February 2025
Tomb of missing pharaoh Thutmose II found in biggest discovery since 1922 by University of Cambridge-affiliated project

Tomb of missing pharaoh Thutmose II found in biggest discovery since 1922 by University of Cambridge-affiliated project

19 February 2025

It is the first tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh to be found since the discovery of Tutankhamun more than a century ago.


Trains damaged by ‘projectiles’ near Cambridge North station

04 February 2025
Trains damaged by ‘projectiles’ near Cambridge North station

Trains damaged by ‘projectiles’ near Cambridge North station

04 February 2025

British Transport Police are investigating incidents on Saturday and Sunday (1 and 2 February).


Cambridge spy Kim Philby said ‘I would probably have done it all again’, files reveal

02 February 2025
Cambridge spy Kim Philby said ‘I would probably have done it all again’, files reveal

Cambridge spy Kim Philby said ‘I would probably have done it all again’, files reveal

02 February 2025

Newly declassified files show the moment the notorious Cambridge double agent finally confessed to his treachery.


Cambridge Spies papers: Elizabeth II was left in the dark over traitor Anthony Blunt, declassified files show

30 January 2025
Cambridge Spies papers: Elizabeth II was left in the dark over traitor Anthony Blunt, declassified files show

Cambridge Spies papers: Elizabeth II was left in the dark over traitor Anthony Blunt, declassified files show

30 January 2025

Newly-declassified files show the Queen was only told the full story a decade after the Cambridge don and royal courtier confessed he was a KGB spy.


COEL pledges its support for FutureIN construction apprentices

12 December 2024
COEL pledges its support for FutureIN construction apprentices

COEL pledges its support for FutureIN construction apprentices

12 December 2024

The design and build fit-out company will supply apprentices with the tools and bags they need to support them with their work.


Celebrating all things Ukrainian at the Craft, Art & Music Studio

01 November 2024
Celebrating all things Ukrainian at the Craft, Art & Music Studio

Celebrating all things Ukrainian at the Craft, Art & Music Studio

01 November 2024

The opening of the Ukrainian CAM (Craft, Art & Music) Studio in Cambridge was billed as a day ‘for everyone from 4 to 104’.


Hill endorses Own New Rate Reducer that opens the door to lower mortgage rates

18 October 2024
Hill endorses Own New Rate Reducer that opens the door to lower mortgage rates

Hill endorses Own New Rate Reducer that opens the door to lower mortgage rates

18 October 2024

New home buyers can reduce monthly payments for the first two years through Own New.


Get in gear with a month of events in the Cambridge Festival of Cycling

23 August 2024
Get in gear with a month of events in the Cambridge Festival of Cycling

Get in gear with a month of events in the Cambridge Festival of Cycling

23 August 2024

An exciting month of events for the fourth Cambridge Festival of Cycling gets rolling on Sunday (25 August) with the first Cambridge Criterium.


Spark integration takes Flare to the next level for Cresset

04 August 2024
Spark integration takes Flare to the next level for Cresset

Spark integration takes Flare to the next level for Cresset

04 August 2024

Cresset’s latest Flare platform aims to unleash the potential of creative molecule design in the early drug discovery process.


New files show British Library sought to buy traitor Kim Philby’s archive

02 August 2024
New files show British Library sought to buy traitor Kim Philby’s archive

New files show British Library sought to buy traitor Kim Philby’s archive

02 August 2024

Philby was recruited by the KGB in the 1930s as part of the infamous Cambridge spy ring.


Treasure trove of antique collector Eve Clarke goes under the hammer at Cheffins

24 July 2024
Treasure trove of antique collector Eve Clarke goes under the hammer at Cheffins

Treasure trove of antique collector Eve Clarke goes under the hammer at Cheffins

24 July 2024

A vast array of artefacts, furniture, textiles and more from the larger-than-life character from Fulbourn will be on sale on 25 July.


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