Heavy is the head that wears the mortar board

A number of influential thinkers, researchers, and celebrities were awarded Honorary Degrees by the University on Wednesday (25/06). Among the honorees were Stormzy and Angela Davis. Rapper Stormzy, who created a scholarship for Black UK students, received a Doctorate in Law. After receiving his degree, Stormzy was shouted at by nearby pro-Palestine protesters; Stormzy has faced significant criticism for partnering with McDonalds, which is on the on the Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) Movement list, which urges individuals to cut ties with companies linked to Israel. Meanwhile, Angela Davis, a Marxist and feminist political activist who was awarded a Doctorate in Letters, was given a keffiyeh by the protesters to wear during the ceremony. She also spoke at a panel hosted at the Lockon, a squat and host of a community kitchen near the Grafton Centre the following day (26/06).

Hop on! Driverless bus rolls into Cambridge

A free driverless bus is being trialled in Cambridge, and has begun carrying passengers. The 15-seater bus carries passengers from Madingley Road Park and Ride to the Cambridge West Innovation District, in an 18-minute loop that operates Monday-Friday. The project is operated by Whippet buses, and cost £6.9m to develop. There are also plans for another trial circuit to open in September, carrying passengers from Babraham Park and Ride to the Bio-Medical Campus. Jim Hutchinson, CEO of Fusion Processing, who designed the bus, said that he is “confident its reaction speed is better than a human’s”.

(Don’t) raise the roof!

The Varsity Hotel and Spa has been denied permission to extend its rooftop once again. The hotel on Thompsons Lane submitted a renewed planning proposal to build a retractable canopy on top of its rooftop terrace. Under this plan, which involved “extensive consultation” to conserve surrounding heritage buildings, all Cambridge visitors and residents wou; d have been able to experience panoramic views of the city free of charge. However, this latest plan for a “stepped in” canopy was rejected by the council on Wednesday (25/06). This is the latest development in the hotel’s bid to develop its roof, with multiple plans being rejected over the years. Roberto Pintus, the hotel’s General Manager, said that “We are grateful for the huge public support and will continue to amend designs and submit new proposals, in the hopes that the councillors and ourselves can come to an agreement allowing us to move forward with the plans and create a year-round venue that will benefit all Cambridge residents and visitors,” according to Cambridgeshire Live.

Tree-mendous effort to prevent felling 

A group of London plane trees that line St Matthew’s Piece have once again been saved from felling, according to the BBC. The trees, which are around 125 years old, have been described as “amongst the most glorious in Cambridge”. The application to fell the trees came from the insurance company of a residential property, who have argued that the trees could cause subsidence at the house. They have suggested that the council could face a compensation claim and be responsible for underpinning work at the house. However, a number of objectors protested the application, and the Cambridge City Council planning committee unanimously denied permission to cut down the trees.