Stretching from the northern fringes of London almost as far as the Wash, and from the borders of East Anglia to the edge
of the East Midlands, Cambridgeshire is a large and diverse county currently enjoying significant and sustained economic growth.
Ask people to describe their impressions of Cambridgeshire, and most would focus on the city itself, complete with University and students on either bicycles or punts. Pressed further, they'd mention quiet country lanes and quaint churches, medieval towns and curious museums, English country gardens and lazy summer days. Everything that's 'typically English', in other words. There's some truth in this stereotype - but it's only a half-truth. In addition to the cities of Cambridge and Peterborough, there are others towns of similar historic interest: St Neots, Huntingdon, St Ives, Wisbech and Ely with its notable cathedral. In the surrounding countryside, you'll find Neolithic burial grounds, lakes and waterways, sleepy English villages and a significant area of 'The Fens' where, instead of punts you'll find motor launches, and water-skis instead of bikes. In other words, everything that's 'traditionally' English. But 'Englishness', with its broad range of influences, has always represented diversity, and in Cambridgeshire, you don't have to look hard to discover another, less expected side.
Were you aware, for example, that Cambridgeshire is enjoying a significant - and sustained - boom? To put some figures to this claim, population numbers grew by 28% between 1974 and 1997. It's still growing strongly even now, and will carry on doing so for the foreseeable future. Take a look around, and you'll quickly see why.
There's the lifestyle, for a start, with pleasant surroundings that give the impression of escape, while still being extremely well connected. London is just an hour from Cambridge and the railway shuttles tourists and commuters regularly between the two. Similarly, the Midlands and the coast are easily accessible, as are Heathrow, Gatwick and Stanstead airport, so forget the idea of a quiet backwater. Of course, a quality lifestyle needs a quality infrastructure. Leisure? Take your choice: theatres, walking, sailing, windsurfing, shopping, fishing, sports, festivals, concerts? Whatever it is, there's enough here to attract millions each year just as visitors, so as a resident you won't be deprived of things to do. Housing is similarly diverse: rural and town, old, new, houseboats, executive, terraced, flats, thatched… when it comes to a roof over your head, there's a whole world at your feet.
There's one other big factor in Cambridgeshire's boom, and that's inward investment from many large and well-known international businesses (and from others that will be large and well-known soon). Most are in the hi-tech arena, where Cambridgeshire is establishing an international reputation. The roots of all this began with the University's research activities and the presence of many extremely talented - and entrepreneurial - individuals. Innovations soon led to success. Success bred investment and investment resulted in a proliferation of R&D parks. Plenty of other industries have followed the lead. None are heavy, or polluting - so you'll find surroundings that are attractive, affluent, vibrant and optimistic. So much so that the region is confident that it can become Europe's 'hi-tech and learning centre' within the next 20 years. So when we say that growth in Cambridgeshire hasn't come to an end, we mean it.
Representing some 552,658 people across this diverse and rapidly growing county, Cambridgeshire County Council is also undergoing a period of evolution, and planning for the future. Our objective is to deliver innovative services and high quality customer care, and we're involved in a wide range of initiatives including community portals, web sites, 'one stop shops'. If you'd like to work in a pleasant environment, with a progressive authority, and would enjoy support, training and development opportunities (plus, wherever possible flexible working), we'd like to hear from you.
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