Ancient grazing rights for the famed cattle are at risk in budget rethink

Since the middle ages, they have grazed on the commons of Cambridge, crossing paths with the scholars of colleges beside the River Cam. But the sight of cows chewing the cud on public land in the centre of the city could soon become a thing of the past.

Cambridge city council is considering budget cuts that farmers say will force them to withdraw their cattle from grazing on council-managed sites such as Midsummer Common, Coe Fen and Sheep’s Green.