Ben Sheen

I sometimes feel that Cambridge is losing its charm. As a photographer, I can't help but notice the crawling deterioration of scenes that I was once compelled to capture as part of my diary project. The year-round 'summer bins' and commercial waste bins that have become a fixture in our streets, the broken lock and filthy water at Jesus Green, the growth of gaudy pavement and street signs and of course the proliferation of dubious Harry Potter souvenir and American fast-food shops in our historic city centre - all contribute to what appears as a city that has lost its identity and self-respect. Today's news has left me even more down-hearted. Not one, but three of our Richardsons Candles, the vertical street-lamps unique to Cambridge have been stolen. These irreplaceable antiquities, inspired by the Festival of Britain, were installed in 1951 and have wonderfully ornamented the city's streets - until last week when some crooks decided to make a few quid for themselves. Looking back at my photographs from ten years ago, I'm glad that I captured my home town looking so beautiful and wonder if it will ever be as alluring again. Here's a picture I took last week of the Sir Albert Richardson designed street-lamp outside Pembroke College.