Cambridge - 'Backs', Trinity, Kings & Queens Colleges aerial RP by Metcalfe

• Postcard

   

• Picture / Image:  Cambridge - "Backs" - Trinity, Kings' and Queens' Colleges - real photo postcard from air
• Publisher: Metcalfe & Co Ltd. Cambridge
• Postally used: no
• Stamp:  n/a
• Postmark(s): n/a
• Sent to:  n/a
• Notes / condition: 

Please ask if you need any other information and I will do the best I can to answer.

Image may be low res for illustrative purposes - if you need a higher definition image then please contact me and I may be able to send one. No cards have been trimmed (unless stated).

------------------------------------------------

Postage & Packing:

Postage and packing charge should be showing for your location (contact if not sure).

No additional charges for more than one postcard. You can buy as many postcards from me as you like and you will just pay the fee above once. Please wait for combined invoice. (If buying postcards with other things such as books, please contact or wait for invoice before paying).

Payment Methods:

UK - PayPal, Cheque (from UK bank) or postal order

Outside UK: PayPal ONLY (unless otherwise stated) please.   NO non-UK currency checks or money orders (sorry).

NOTE: All postcards are sent in brand new stiffened envelopes which I have bought for the task. These are specially made to protect postcards and you may be able to re-use them. In addition there are other costs to sending so the above charge is not just for the stamp!

I will give a full refund if you are not fully satisfied with the postcard.

----------------------------------------------

Text from the free encyclopedia WIKIPEDIA may appear below to give a little background information (internal links may not  work) :

*************

The Backs is a picturesque area to the east of Queen's Road in the city of Cambridge, England, where several colleges of the University of Cambridge back on to the River Cam, their grounds covering both banks of the river.

Simon Jenkins rates the view of The Backs and King's College as one of the top ten in England.[1]

The name "the Backs" refers to the backs of the colleges. The area consists of the rear grounds of the following colleges (north to south):

St John's — buildings on both sides of the river, spanned by the St John's kitchen bridge and the Bridge of Sighs

Trinity — buildings on the east bank, spanned by Trinity bridge.

Trinity Hall — buildings on the east bank but with no rear grounds on the west bank.

Clare — buildings on the east bank, spanned by Clare bridge.

King's — buildings on the east bank, spanned by King's bridge.

Queens' — buildings on both sides of the river, spanned by the Mathematical Bridge.

Historically, much of the land was used by the colleges for grazing livestock or growing fruit. Cattle can still be found grazing behind King's College. The river was also an important commercial thoroughfare to the mill at Silver Street.

In the 16th century, the area consisted of pasture, gardens and orchards owned by colleges of the University, with wooden bridges across the Cam. Over time, the colleges planted avenues of trees and built sturdier bridges. In 1772, St John's College consulted English landscape architect Lancelot ("Capability") Brown (1716–1783), who laid out a "wilderness" on the college side of Queen's Road which still exists today.[2]

In 1779, Brown presented a plan to the University of Cambridge to create country-house style parkland with its focus on King's College's Gibbs Building. The plan would have involved removing avenues, transforming the river into a lake, and planting clumps of trees to screen the other colleges. It was never implemented, possibly because it would have removed historic college boundaries and three important bridges.[2]

In response to many elm trees succumbing to Dutch elm disease, a Backs Committee was formed in 1979 so that a joint approach could be taken to the problem facing The Backs. As a result of the committee's work, trees were cut down and new ones planted in their place. However, the committee stopped meeting in 1994.[2]

In 1995, English Heritage listed The Backs as a Grade 1 Historic Park.[3]