Waterbeach Mysteries
Waterbeach Mysteries are historical mystery novels by Marie-Camille Grangier. The novels are set in the Cambridgeshire village of Waterbeach.
The novels will appeal to young adults and and adults that are young at heart. The novels in the series have the universal theme that taps into our inner desire to discover our historical roots and find elements that keep us rooted.
A village at the edge of the Fens
Waterbeach is a small historical village in Cambridgeshire. It sits on the edge of the Fenlands or simply the Fens. For a long long time, the Fenlands used to dominate the eastern part of England. They Fens supported an extraordinarily biodiverse ecosystem. The Fens were drained in the 17th Century to create agricultural land. The biodiverse ecosystem of the marshy fens was lost and with it a way of life slowly disappeared.
The legends of the marshy Fens are still alive in Waterbeach, often told in candlelit rooms during the dark winter months. They are often cautionary tales of what happens when humans don't respect nature. When the legends of the marshy Fens are told in dark rooms, they are scary. That is because, they could be about the past, but they could also be about the future.
Waterbeach and Landbeach
Waterbeach used to often get water-logged and its residents would seek refuge nearby on higher ground in Landbeach. The relationship between Waterbeach and Landbeach is one of deep friendship as well as friendly rivalry. The friendly rivalry extends to football and is captured in the Waterbeach Football Team Chant.
Waterbeach Football Team Chant
'Waterbeach, Waterbeach
We're way better than Land-beach!
Nothing's for us out of reach,
Your defences we know how to breach!’
The chant refers to the fact that Landbeach remains safe in the knowledge that it is on high ground and always remains safe and dry. It is the Waterbeach team saying to the Landbeach team, don't get cocky about your defences, we know how to breach it!
Historical Facts about Waterbeach
Who was the football legend Sid High?
Sid High was Waterbeach’s most famous professional football player. Born in 1922, he spent his early life on the Denny Abbey Farm . He played for Cambridge Town, Abbey United, Wasps, Luton Town and King’s Lynn from 1941 to 1951.
Sid was a prominent member of the Waterbeach community over the years and was part of the team that launched the Waterbeach village magazine Beach News in the 1970s. He coached the Waterbeach School football team in his later years. He passed away in September 2015.
If you would like to know more about Sid High, here is a link to a beautifully written obituary.