Mob Match massacre: Cambridge stumbles on Oxford’s hills

This weekend, Oxford’s hills proved too much for hundreds of Cambridge runners to conquer. On Saturday, Cambridge sent its largest delegation in a decade – three full buses of eager athletes – to take on Oxford in the annual Mob Match, part of the Cross Country Varsity competition. While Cambridge vastly outnumbered their rivals, with so many runners eager to compete that some had to stay behind, sheer enthusiasm wasn’t enough to secure a victory. Cambridge Hounds and Hares’ president Matthew Blacker likened the build-up to “Christmas Eve Eve Eve,” but the festive mood gave way to disappointment as Oxford’s dark blue triumphed in every single discipline. Perhaps this Christmas, Cambridge should wish for a few hills to train on.

Cambridge students told to ‘step’ up their game

Students at Cambridge University are being advised on how to walk down stairs in new health and safety posters. The posters include a red banner that reads “don’t get distracted” and show a photo of a man on the floor after falling while using his phone. The posters in the Engineering department encourage students to not use their mobile phones while on the stairs. They have generated discussion among students, with one observing that the “posters seem rather over-the-top”.

Cambridge fish and chip shop batters the competition

A fish and chip shop in Cambridge has been named one of the best in England at the first ever English Chippy Awards. The Viking, on Milton Road, was shortlisted in the competition. Each finalist was selected based on nominations in various categories such as bar, restaurant, and cafe. The Viking was the only chip shop in Cambridge that made it onto the shortlist, and was one of the ten finalists for the ‘Best in the South category’.

Storm Darragh cancels Christmas in Cambridge

This weekend Cambridge experienced winds of up to 56mph as Storm Darragh swept over the nation, causing festive events to be cancelled. The annual Mill Road Winter Fair, scheduled for Saturday 7 December, was called off by organisers in what they described as “a bitter disappointment and a huge financial blow” for local businesses. ‘Christmas in Cambridge’ at Parker’s Piece also closed over the weekend, along with the Botanic Gardens, both citing safety concerns.