Singletons v. happy in 'lifestyle' community

ONE of Cambridgeshire's newest communities is being marketed as a singles hotspot.

The developers behind Cambourne claim residents are revelling in the Bridget Jones lifestyle.

Bovis Homes, Bryant Homes and George Wimpey - the Cambourne Consortium of developers - have cited various facilities and activities which they say give singles "great opportunities" to socialise.

They include a luxury leisure suite at Cambourne's Cambridge Belfry Hotel, the Cambourne Summer Festival, and a yet-to-be-built pub - The Monkfield Arms - opening in 2006.

Not forgetting the recent evening of Strictly Come Dancing at The Hub community centre hosted by professional dancers Camilla Dallerup and Ian Waite, who are appearing on the third series of the popular BBC television show.

John Slater, spokesman for the consortium, said: "More and more of us are living in single households.

"Recent research from the Unilever Family Report 2005, based on a sample of 1,142 people aged 25 to 44, shows the number of people living solo in the UK has doubled over the past 30 years.

"But does this Bridget Jones lifestyle mean that people are less happy? Definitely not in Cambourne.

"A quick look at any of the community notice-boards at Cambourne will show the astonishing range of clubs and societies that have sprung up."

He said Cambourne attracted a broad mix of people - including a significant number of singles.

"It's an attractive place to live if you're living alone as there's a strong community spirit, so it's easy to get to know others," he said.

John Vickery, clerk of Cambourne Parish Council, said: "Not being single, it's difficult for me to say if I agree. Most of the people I meet are in couples or mothers with children.

"But there are lots of events organised and lots of things going on and more and more coming online."

As reported in the Cambridge Evening News