This playlaw was suggested by a member of the public who attended a playing out session hosted by Playbox on Parker’s Piece in July 2023.
Making big strides is a playful act in itself as we take great steps perhaps pretending to be giants.
Or perhaps it’s a warning to cross the space as quickly as possible on a dark winter’s night… Students were warned not to go past Reality Checkpoint (1) which represents another invisible boundary between ‘town and gown’. (2)
Alternatively, perhaps ‘Make big strides’ is more of a welcome – an invitation even – to newcomers to be forward thinking and push the boundaries of their chosen field. Many people who have lived or studied in Cambridge have changed the course of history.
A stride can also be a step or stage in progress towards an aim. This reminds us of the history of Parker’s Piece as a place of sporting achievements in football and cricket and as a site of protest and struggle that paved the way change.
The boundary of the Cambridge Playlaws cuts right across this space. Perhaps you can trace it with your big strides!
Above: Akua at the playing out session in 2023 with her Playlaw plaque.
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(1) Read about the history of Reality Checkpoint on the Lost Cambridge website.
(2) Read about the history of Town and Gown on the British History Online website.
