Our magnificent Great Gate and Waterhouse Building was illuminated in blue this evening as the country clapped for carers and key workers who are risking their own health to care for others during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The lights are part of the #LightItBlue and #MakeItBlue campaigns, which have been bringing striking visuals to some of the UK’s iconic buildings and structures including the Royal Albert Hall, Angel of the North, and The Shard.

The Caius installation, as with previous #LightItBlue and #MakeItBlue illuminations in Cambridge, was brought together, free of charge by a team of local independent event contractors including The Crane Event, Pink Lamp, JMPS, Jezo’s Events and Blueshed Events.

Justin Crane, Event Management Director at The Crane Event, came up with the idea to get Cambridge involved after he found his events business put on hold overnight.  Justin said, “We looked at how we could bring some positivity around the city with our event friends and show our support for those working on the front line. Having set up events all around the world, discussing a successful and safe delivery remotely is second-nature. We’ve been delighted how welcoming venues across Cambridge have been​.”  

The team have been lighting venues across Cambridge every Thursday, keeping the locations a secret to avoid crowds and ensuring the health and safety of the installation team, and local residents. They have encouraged the public to enjoy photos of the illuminations from the comfort of their own home, in line with the Government’s advice to ‘Stay home, protect the NHS, and save lives’.

Caius has the largest intake of Medicine students among the Cambridge Colleges and a great tradition in Medicine dating back to our second founder, Dr John Caius.

The Master, Dr Pippa Rogerson, said, “We are incredibly thankful to all key workers, and especially proud of those Caians who are on the frontline. It is wonderful to see Great Gate, such a visible landmark in Cambridge, lit up in blue in support of the valuable work of NHS staff, key workers and carers in all settings.”

Images: David Craig and Pippa Rogerson