Jul 4, 20223 min read

Preview: A Brief History of Cambridge Skateboarding

Several years in the making, July 16th sees the official release of Sim Higginson and Joe Lewis' independently published book A Brief History of Cambridge Skateboarding. The 176 page full colour book dives into the history of the Cambridge scene, utilising a wealth of archival photography, newspaper cuttings, artefacts and stories from influential individuals to tell the story of skateboarding in the city. Naturally starting out with the unexpected 1970s nationwide boom, Sim and Joe work their way through to the present day, weaving a story that covers the early locals, spots, events and tussles with authority that shaped the decades that followed, the 'great extinction' of 1979-1980 and the subsequent backyard ramp movement, skateboardings mid-1980s resuscitation and the rise of street skating throughout the 1990s. The book brings you right back to 2022 for the final few chapters, discussing latter day spots and council provided facilities, local companies, shops and skate schools, and the efforts of Girl Skate Cambridgeshire to bring together female skaters in the area. Despite touting itself as being 'a brief history', the hardback book certainly covers a lot of ground, and if you have any interest in local scenes of the U.K., or are from Cambridge itself, then this one definitely deserves a place on your shelf. A Brief History of Cambridge Skateboarding is available to pre-order now - click here - with a launch event taking place in Cambridge at Hot Numbers Cafe, Gwydir Street on Saturday 16th July, 6-9pm. Have a scroll below for a preview of some of the material that's included in the book, then pick up a copy ASAP to enjoy Sim and Joe's work in full!

Lastly, follow the project on Instagram for updates and further info: @cambridgeskateboardingbook

Eddie Collinson at the East Anglian Skateboard Championships 1978, Kelsey Kerridge Sports Hall. Photo: Cambridge Independent Press.

Francis Brewster carving up on a Sunday session at the Sidgwick site L-Banks.

Photo: Brewster family archive.

Little Luke with a melon/tailgrab over the Jesus Green driveway, before the park was demolished and rebuilt. Photo: Sim Higginson.

The woman on the right holding the ribbon is owner Peter Claydon’s mum. A proud day indeed. Just seconds after this photo was taken, Ally Barr hit the bottom cone and went head over heels. Photos of event: Cambridge News staff.

The ramp being transported from Cheddars Lane to its new home in Grantchester by Hazel Offord on the back of a trailer. Perhaps the flat bottom was left behind?

Photos: Brewster family archive.

Straight out of the 'how-to-build-a-concrete-bowl' manual. Why wouldn’t you hang upside down from a ladder with the finishing trowel? Photo: Brewster family archive.

Front 5-0 by Chris Frazer Smith on a classic teenage DIY number. Who needs purpose built when you have tables, boxes and plywood? Photo: Brewster family archive.

Whether it be black and white or colour, acid drops or hand plants, the Pulley was the place to be in the 80s with its short but steep transition, testing skaters from across the city.

Photos: Chris Wells and Ewan Bishop.

Dave Whitehead admires the creation. Photo: Charles Bradford.

Ewan tweaks a frontside air into the summer sun. Photo: Ewan archive.

Yush Kawamoto flies over the hip with a melon grab, the pushing probably started from the West Road entrance. Photo: Dave Copsey.

Ben Mansfield going over the bin with a melon grab on the way out of class at Long Road.

Hats off to Seb Squire for this backside flip. Photo Sim Higginson.

Josh Blyth frontside rock ‘n’ rolling at the Pulley, just like they used to in the decades before.

Photo: Rob Salmon.

Adrian Ruja kickflips his way through some Cambridge brickwork. Photo: Rob Salmon.

2019 and 2022 UK Street Skateboarding Champion Joe Hinson lipslides in the back streets of Chesterton. Photo: Sam Cooper.

Charlie Munro with what must be Cambridge’s biggest hammer to date. No run up and a patchy landing and a 360 flip which would be the ender on his Sidewalk haunts article. Photo: Jamie Harold.