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Plaques across city demand people play

Cambridge Playlaws Someone painting a yellow plaque with a black trim. The sign reads 'Wiggle Bottom Park, named by Ella, aged 4 and her dad. Anyone offending against these playlaws will be evaporated immediately'Cambridge Playlaws
The new signs encourage people to let themselves go

Plaques demanding people play by jumping in puddles and saluting birds are among new "playlaws" across Cambridge.

A total of 10.6 plaques have been put up across the city, with rules encouraging passersby to be more playful.

The last 0.6 plaque will be just over half legible, a nod to the way the project was funded through Section 106 developer contributions, secured by Cambridge City Council through the planning process.

Anyone who sees one of the new playlaws in situ will be able to follow a QR code on the plaque to find out more about the stories behind the playlaws.

Cambridge City Council A yellow sign says 'Jumpers for goalposts' and 'Cambridge Playlaws'. The sign is on a metal railing and bikes can be seen in the backgroundCambridge City Council
A QR code on the signs provide more information for people

Cambridge City Council and the Cambridge Junction commissioned the public art in 2021 to explore the theme of playfulness.

The suggestions for each plaque came from children's ideas and adult's memories of playing.

Ella, aged four, and her dad suggested a 'Wiggle Bottom Park' and came up with a dance that can be performed on the lawn beind the Clayton Hotel.

A plaque stating 'Mary played here on haybales in 1959' is in place at the Travelodge at Cambridge Leisure Park.

Mary, her sister and a friend played in the haybales there when she was a child, when it used to be the Cattle Market.

Cambridge City Council A yellow plaque stated Mary played here on haybales in 1959Cambridge City Council
Members of the public made suggestions about what could be included

Other plaques include:

  • Loiter well, at Cambridge Junction
  • Salute the first bird you see, on the railings of Coleridge Recreation Ground
  • Champion beers and bottle top bling, at Dales Brewery on Gwydir Street
  • Can you do a 360 flip? on the railings next to the skate park on Donkey Common
  • Make big strides at the entrance to Parker’s Piece on Gonville Place
  • Jumpers for goalposts at the entrance to Parker’s Piece on Gonville Place, a nod to informal games of football played on the land
  • Every puddle must be jumped in at the entrance to Vicar’s Brook at Brooklands Avenue and Trumpington Road
  • Why here and not there? at the Leys School Wall on The Fen Causeway

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