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EDITORIAL
Editor in chief Nicola Foley 01223 499459 nicolafoley@bright-publishing.com Senior sub editor Lisa Clatworthy Sub editors Siobhan Godwood, Felicity Evans
ADVERTISING
Senior sales executive Chris Jacobs 01223 499463 chrisjacobs@bright-publishing.com Sales executive Lee Fifield 01223 492240 leefifield@bright-publishing.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Alex Rushmer, Angelina Villa-Clarke, Charlotte Griffiths, Cyrus Pundole, Elodie Cameron, Jordan Worland, Ruthie Collins, Siobhan Godwood, Sam Cooke, Daisy Dickinson
DESIGN & PRODUCTION Editorial designer Flo Thomas 01223 492242 flothomas@bright-publishing.com Ad production Man-Wai Wong 01223 499468 manwaiwong@bright-publishing.com
MANAGING DIRECTORS Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck 01223 499450
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK find us @cambsedition CAMBRIDGE EDITION MAGAZINE • Bright Publishing Ltd, Bright House, 82 High Street, Sawston, Cambridgeshire CB22 3HJ, 01223 499450, cambsedition.co.uk • All rights reserved. Material contained in this publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior permission of the publishers. • Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Cambridge Edition or Bright Publishing Ltd, which do not accept any liability for loss or damage. • Every effort has been made to ensure all information is correct. • Cambridge Edition is a free publication that is distributed in Cambridge and the surrounding area.
This month’s cover illustration was created by Flo Thomas. See more of Flo’s illustrations on Etsy at HeydayDesignsUK or at heydaydesigns.co.uk
Author illustrations by Louisa Taylor louisataylorillustration.blogspot.co.uk
Welcome s I write this, our blissful summer sighs on with nothing but blue skies on the horizon. I’m under no illusion that we can expect more of the same (I’ve lived in this drizzle-sodden country my whole life, after all), so find myself nervously awaiting that moment that the weather does an abrupt about-face and forces us to horde glumly inside, shivering and wondering whether we dreamed the May to July portion of this year. Until that inevitability comes to pass, I intend to make the most of our suspiciously pleasant weather every way I can think of. Do the same by heading to one of the area’s splendid outdoor arts events this month, which you can read more about on page 16. From films on Grantchester Meadows to Shakespeare in a university college garden or even a spot of jazz on Jesus Green, there’s plenty of alfresco entertainment to tempt. In our summer haze we’ve also been tasting our way around the city’s best ice creams and gelato – see who’s iced treats had us swooning over on page 56. There’s plenty more deliciousness to seek out this month in Cambridge, with the local food scene yielding a late summer crop of tantalising new openings. From a new city centre pizzeria to an artisan bakery, a sushi joint and (most excitingly of all IMHO), the long-awaited launch of Parker’s Tavern, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to feasting destinations this month. Check out our food news section from page 43 to find out more. Animal lovers, make a beeline for our Arts & Culture section, where we take you on a tour of the gleaming new Museum of Zoology. Home to one of the largest and most important natural history collections in the country, this treasured local gem was reopened in recent weeks by Sir David Attenborough after a five year closure and complete overhaul. Find out what’s new on page 20. Also on my radar this month is PAUS., a completely delightful looking new outdoor hot tub retreat nestled on a hilltop in Bourn. With lovely food, drinks, workshops, saunas and more, we think this Scandi-inspired escape has all the makings of a new favourite: read all about it and find out how you could win a day of fun there on page 80. As ever, we’ve also got the low-down on all the gigs, theatre, family events and festivals you don’t want to miss, plus plenty more besides. Enjoy the issue and see you next month!
Nicola Foley EDITOR IN CHIEF
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CONTENTS 6 l STARTERS
Miscellaneous musings on Cambridge, plus our favourite social media pics of the month
12 l ARTS & CULTURE Exhibitions, art shows and theatre highlights to enjoy this month
15 l SUMMER
AT THE MUSEUMS
Explore Cambridge University’s museums this summer and join in with a host of activities
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16 l AL FRESCO ARTS
Enjoy some culture in the great outdoors this summer with these fab open-air local events
19 l ARTS INSIDER
Ruthie Collins, founder of Cambridge Art Salon, gives her arty picks of the month
20 l ZOOLOGY MUSEUM
Discover stories of survival, extinction and conservation at this newly revamped museum
25 l BOOK CLUB
A nook of Edition for book-lovers, with author interviews, special offers and more
28 l AFTER HOURS
Comedy, festivals, gigs and more nightlife fun to seek out this August
33 l FAMILY FUN
What to do with your brood this August, from outdoor yoga to computer-based fun
34 l LISTINGS
Our at-a-glance guide to the top events and goings-on this month
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37 l COMPETITION
Win a ‘staycation’ in Cambridge, including luxury accommodation, punting and dinner
43 l FOOD NEWS
The latest news from Cambridge’s buzzing food scene
52 l REVIEW
We enjoy lunch at Cambridge’s hip coffee house Espresso Library
55 l NATURE’S LARDER
67 l COCKTAIL WEEKEND
Cambridge’s three-day long festival of cocktails returns this month and we’ve got the low-down
71 l PUB GUIDE
Part two of our round-up of the best boozers in the city
79 l FASHION
We round up the top trends of the month and show you how to recreate them
56 l 5 OF THE BEST
80 l WELLNESS & BEAUTY
The finest iced treats that the city has to offer, from glorious gelato to nostalgic 99s
58 l MAKE THE BEST...
Continuing the iced treat fun, chef Alex Rushmer shares a parfait recipe
Health, beauty and wellness chat, plus a look at Cambridgeshire’s new hot tub retreat
86 l BUSINESS
A round-up of local business venues, from historic colleges to hi-tech hubs
92 l INDIE OF THE MONTH
Alex Rushmer on the highs and lows of sweetcorn season
We explore the historic Cambridge University Bookshop and discover its future plans
62 l DRINKS TROLLEY
99 l HOME & INTERIORS
Wine tips, cocktail recipes and our favourite hidden drinking dens in the city
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The best locally made drinks to quench your thirst this summer
The Gog gives us the low-down on seasonal ingredients and what to do with them
61 l CHEF’S TABLE
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64 l SIPS OF SUMMER
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A special on styling your garden, plus our regular Ask The Agent column
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AUGUST ESSENTIAL
MOV IES ON T HE M E A DOWS Under a canopy of stars against a backdrop of the glorious Grantchester Meadows – surely one of the most beautiful spots in Cambridgeshire – Movies on the Meadows returns from 25 to 28 August. As ever, there’s something to please everyone on the line up, with family classics, historical epics and an all-singing, all-dancing, blockbusting Hollywood musical. You can bring a bottle and something to eat or tuck into tasty street food. We’ve got more info on this and other open air arts events this month, over on page 16.
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STA X X RT X XEXRXSX X WITHIN T H ESE WA L L S
M A DINGL E Y HALL
THE MORE YOU KNOW
A BRIDGE HELD TOGETHER BY MATHEMATICS?
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ompared to its grander neighbour, the Bridge of Sighs, the rickety-looking wooden ‘Mathematical Bridge’ is little to write home about, and yet it’s one of the most popular attractions in the whole of Cambridge; widely regarded as a must-visit on the tourist trail. The reason, as most locals will know, is the supposedly staggeringly sophisticated design. The rumour (perpetuated by decades’ worth of punt tour guides), is that it was constructed using just wood: no nuts, and no bolts – a structure held together by clever mathematics alone. A popular additional fable is that it was designed and built by none other than Sir Isaac Newton. Sadly, neither or these are true. In fact, you can clearly see the metal fasteners holding the bridge together at the joints. The usual explanation for this is that curious students dismantled the bridge at some point in its history and attempted to take it apart and put it back together, but were unable to figure it out and forced to resort to adding nuts and bolts. The reality is that the bridge was built in 1748 (22 years after
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Newton’s death…), by civil engineer and architect William Etheridge. Even with nuts and bolts the design is impressive: although it appears to be an arch, it is composed entirely of straight timbers, arranged in a series of tangents in such a way that it’s rigid and self-supporting, with each beam supporting every other beam that it’s connected to. A sturdy, efficient and remarkably clever design, especially for its time, hence its nickname (its official name, it should be added, is the rather less intriguing ‘Wooden Bridge’). Though the real story might be less exciting than the legends that surround the Mathematical Bridge, its design is as distinctive and iconic as it ever was, and continues to inspire engineers to this day. A recent Kickstarter campaign brought a model-making kit of the Mathematical Bridge to market, meaning that the public can get to grips with the intricacies of its technical design and make their own, small scale model exactly according to the design dreamed up by Etheridge. Check out ponticulusdesign.com for more info.
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Acquired by Cambridge University 70 years ago, Madingley Hall, a beautiful former stately home, now serves as an adult education centre. But with a history dating back to Tudor times, this ancient building is one of Cambridge’s best-kept secrets, full of fascinating stories. Built in 1543, the Hall’s impressive gardens were sculpted by famous landscape architect Lancelot “Capability” Brown in 1756. He had his work cut out – in fact, his complete overhaul of the grounds involved knocking down some local villagers’ houses, and lowering their main road, so that they didn’t spoil the view! Madingley Hall has impressive royal connections too: back in 1861, Queen Victoria sent her son – the future Edward VII – to study at the University and he stayed in one of the Hall’s rooms, still called the King’s Room today. Rumour has it that the young Prince Edward was rather less interested in lessons and learning than sports and parties though, and legend tells that the staircase next to his room was used as an escape route so that he could slip out unnoticed and steal away into town for social events… Another fable of Madingley Hall’s royal lineage concerns ‘The Dog Hole’, which allegedly takes its name from a ferocious hound which is said to have guarded the room when King Charles hid here while on the run from Oliver Cromwell’s forces during the English Civil War. The jury’s out on that one though, and more prosaically, the room may also have housed hunting dogs at one point. Venture up to the dusty attic and, in one of the top turrets, you can see paintings on the wall’s plaster of hunting scenes. These large, dramatic tableaux depict dogs attacking bears, dogs chasing birds and birds chasing each other and date back to at least the 1600s. It’s thought they were inspired by Sir Edward Hynde, the second owner of Madingley Hall, who was a keen huntsman. Fancy hearing more about the stories this fascinating building has to tell? Pay a visit on 15 September, when Madingley Hall is hosting an open day as part of the Institute’s Summer Festival and Open Cambridge, to have a peek behind the scenes.
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Culture Club ART EXHIBITIONS • THEATRE HIGHLIGHTS • BOOK CLUB • GIGS & CONCERTS Escape to the magic of the silver screen in Grantchester this summer with Movies on the Meadows
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Arts Culture
AUGUST AT SAFFRON HALL Committing things to memory may be OK if you’ve got a brief speech to do or a few lines to learn in a play, but an orchestra takes things several steps further with a thrilling new approach to performing classical music. Aurora Orchestra is to play Shostakovich’s 9th Symphony on 4
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August at Saffron Hall in full, from memory. It leads to a performance style that’s more akin to an interactive presentation than the traditional sitting down in front of sheet music we’re used to. It features a musical introduction that includes Radio 3 presenter Tom Service. saffronhall.com
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ANGLIAN P OT T E R S SUMMER EXHIBITION Get fired up for all things ceramic as the Anglian Potters Summer Exhibition returns, from 11 to 26 August, at the Old Library, Emmanuel College. Among more than 60 potters whose work will be on display, a wide range from cutting-edge ceramic art to functional domestic ware will be shown. Organiser Ian Vance said: “There is always a number of potters on hand who are keen to share their enthusiasm and knowledge of the craft. With free entry and something for every taste, it’s not to be missed.” The eclectic mix features everything from hand-thrown studio pottery to wall-mounted pieces, jewellery and sculpture. The exhibition is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm, and Sundays 10am to 5pm. Any purchases may be taken away on the day. Anglian Potters celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, and membership extends to anyone with an interest in pottery. anglianpotters.org.uk
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EXPLORING THE RAVERAT ARCHIVES Gwen Raverat, the granddaughter of Charles Darwin, one of Rupert Brooke’s neo-pagans and part of Virginia Woolf’s Bloomsbury Group, was a leading figure in the revival of wood engraving in the first half of the 20th Century. Recognised as one of best in the art form from England, her bestselling memoir, Period Piece, is still in print 64 years after its first publication. Her grandson William Pryor runs The Raverat Archive, which seeks to promote Gwen’s work. William was friends with Syd Barrett in the 60s in a generation he describes as the “first teenagers”, and he sees many similarities between his grandmother, Barrett and Brooke. “The art of all of them shared one trait: nostalgia for a past that might have existed, but probably didn’t; a past where loves were complicated but intense, landscapes always romantic and well kept and childhoods always playful. “Grantchester, that idealised village five miles from Cambridge’s medieval heart, was a totemic place for all three of them, as indeed it has been for me. The deckchairs in the Orchard Tea Rooms, the punting through my childhood
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(we lived but 200 yards from the River Granta). It has become mythic simply because it occupies a corner of so many imaginations that will always be England, poetry and pubs called The Rupert Brooke.” Raverat’s work is in collections at The British Museum, The National Portrait Gallery, The Victoria and Albert Museum, The Fitzwilliam Museum, Darwin College and Murray Edwards College to name just a few. “The penetrating power of what Rupert, Gwen and Syd did lies in how they present that quintessentially English nostalgia, how they transmitted it,” says William. “With none of them was it ever commercial, cloying, clichéd or cluttered with sentiment. Rupert’s was shot through with anger; Gwen’s with incisive observation and a mastery of detail; Syd’s with an originality of whimsy and musical rule-breaking. None of them were avant garde; all of them were consummate practitioners of their crafts.” William described Gwen as a mother who had little time for her art, but still found the time to do it. Gwen wrote in 1924 to her
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cousin Nora Barlow: “[It is] a matter of life and death to keep going at [my painting and drawing] as much as I can and not lose hold. I feel I’ve got something in me of which I only get a millionth part, partly from lack of time and leisure of mind (by my own unregretted choice in marrying and having children), partly from things in one’s own self getting in the way and in between…” “Stressed with looking after two small girls (my mother and aunt) and a dying husband, she still feels it is a matter of life and death to not lose hold of her creative process,” explains William. Raverat’s cousin Ralph Vaughan Williams, was 13 years her senior. He composed music that, says William, “shared many of the same qualities as Rupert’s poems, Gwen’s art (and even, oddly, Syd’s songs): quintessentially English, lyrical, angry, tragic, startling, mythic.” A selection of prints of Gwen’s wood engravings can be found at The Fitzwilliam Museum and the New Hall Art Collection at Murray Edwards College. raverat.com
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S U M M E R AT T H E M U S E U MS
Summer at the Museums DISCOVER A WORLD OF WONDER AT CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY’S MUSEUMS THIS AUGUST WORD BY CYRUS PUNDOLE
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here’s a feast on offer for inquisitive minds as Summer at the Museums continues this month. Packed with events for those with a desire to learn and get creative, the event, organised by University of Cambridge Museums, runs until 3 September. Take your pick from storytelling, workshops, tours, craft sessions and much more. At Ely’s Stained Glass Museum on 1 August children can learn how to cut glass and create fused artworks; the beginners workshop is at 10.30am and £10, and for those who have fused glass before, it’s 2pm and £15. While on the 2nd, the Centre for Computing History hosts Bug Your Bedroom, which shows those ten and above how to protect their room from siblings using a Raspberry Pi and some clever Python code.
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On 6 August, discover the stories behind Great St Mary’s Church tower and have a go at designing and building a spire. Suitable for all ages, it’s £2.50. Normal admission applies if you want to climb the 123 steps to get a fab view of the city. Another tower on our local skyline is the University Library, and while you can’t climb this one, seven to 12-year olds can join the Design Your Own Dust Cover event there on 7 and 23 August. Children’s book illustrators Jeff Crosby and Shelley Jackson will be on hand with plenty of advice. Fancy joining the Roman army or becoming a fearsome gladiator? Well, you can on 13 August at the Museum of Classical Archaeology. Drop in for an afternoon of crafts for all ages. If the Egyptians are more likely
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to excite your family, then visit the Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey on 15 or 16 August for the Egyptians at Denny. Discover how the Knights Templar – in addition to building parts of the abbey – took time out to visit Egypt on a themed trail with crafts. On 17 August at the Museum of Zoology, Take a Closer Look at a rare, amazing specimen from the stores that is not normally on display. Then come back to the same venue on 29 August for Animal Journeys – the perfect chance for the family to explore the galleries and create a creature to take home. Ever heard of the slimy Cambridge bookfish or wondered why there’s a cat on a hat in the Market Square? Discover the stories behind these oddities of the market area with a special trail starting at Great St Mary’s Church on 20 August, before returning there for craft activities inspired by what you have found out. It’s £2.50. Also on 20 August, storyteller Marion Leeper engages those aged five and under with fantastic tales in a Little Explorers summer special at The Polar Museum on 20 August. Then, on 21 August, she tells the story of Atlanta in The Fastest Feet in the World, at the Museum of Classical Archaeology. On 22 August, you can join Marion for interactive storytelling at Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences. l Many of the events are free; some need booking. For the full programme visit museums.cam.ac.uk
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Al fresco
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FANCY A BIT OF SUMMER BREEZE WITH YOUR CULTURE THIS MONTH? CHECK OUT THESE OUTDOOR ARTS EVENTS
MOVIES ON THE MEADOWS
JA ZZ & BR A SS IN T HE PA R KS
Kick back with a picnic in our city’s green spaces enjoying a soundtrack of live music at the Jazz & Brass in the Parks series of concerts, which continues into August. Up this month are CSD Brass, who’ll be gracing Cherry Hinton Hall with their sounds on the 12th, followed by ACE Jazz Trio on the 19th at Jesus Green. Both performances run 3pm to 5pm and are free to attend. cambridgelivetrust.co.uk
This August Bank Holiday, slip away to Grantchester at dusk to enjoy Movies on the Meadows. A prelude to the Cambridge Film Festival, returning in October, the event showcases movies in an open-air setting on the banks of the River Cam. Guests are encouraged to bring picnics while they’re treated to the magic of the silver screen, creating a magical atmosphere. From 24 to 27 August, films include The Greatest Showman, Avengers: Infinity War, Ready Player One and Isle of Dogs. There are also family gems like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Paddington 2. Tickets are £16 for adults, £6 per child. cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk
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CH A P T ER HOUSE AT AUDL E Y EN D HOUSE & G A R DENS The manicured gardens at Audley End House play host to a duo of outdoor productions this August, both from Chapterhouse Theatre Company. On the first of the month – a play befitting the splendidly English setting – comes Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen’s lively tale of romance versus rationality in Regency society. Then, take a magical trip down the rabbit hole with Alice in Wonderland, which will be presented in beautiful Victorian costume with song, dance and original music – join the fun on the 17th. Tickets are £16 adults and £10 children. english-heritage.org.uk
CAMBRIDGE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL Sinking into a velvet lawn, glass of wine in hand, might well be the perfect way to enjoy theatre – which would explain the enduring popularity of the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival, which is still going strong after more than 30 years. The event, which runs throughout July and August each year, makes the gorgeous gardens of Cambridge University’s colleges a stage, serving up a programme of eight plays in total, all performed in splendid Elizabethan costume. This month heralds the arrival of the second part of the line-up, and will see the famous gardens of King’s College transformed into the mythical Illyria for Twelfth Night, running 30 July to 25 August. Wild mishaps abound in The Comedy of Errors, 1 to 18 August at St John’s College Garden, while Pericles, with all its stormy, startling drama, descends on Robinson College 20 July until 25 August. Finally, in the breathtakingly beautiful gardens of Trinity College, observe Macbeth’s descent into the abyss from 30 July to 18 August. Tickets to all performances are £17 for adults and £13 for concessions. cambridgeshakespeare.com
A S YOU L IK E I T AT W I M P OL E Clowns, lovers, runaways and rebels collide in Shakespeare’s As You Like It, coming to the gardens of the Wimpole Estate this month. One the Bard’s best-loved comedies, this production by the critically acclaimed Pantaloons theatre company promises a hilarious retelling of the goings-on in the Forest of Arden: expect cross-dressing, mistaken identities and pastoral romance aplenty. Wimpole’s restaurant will be open until the end of the interval for hot and cold drinks, or you can bring along your own refreshments. Adult tickets are £16 (£10 for children). nationaltrust.org.uk CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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ENCHANTED CINEMA
This vintage-inspired pop-up cinema has had the whole city enraptured with its atmospheric outdoor screenings this summer – and the fun continues into August. This month, catch the double Oscar-winning The Great Gatsby (3 August) and musical megahit La La Land (4 August) in the walled garden of the Gonville Hotel. There’s a sumptuous Baz Luhrmann duo over at Anstey Hall, when Moulin Rouge and Romeo and Juliet play on 4 and 5 August respectively, followed by The Greatest Showman the next evening. Then it’s back over to the Gonville for Blade Runner on the 17th and Thor: Ragnarok on the 18th. Expect deckchairs, fresh popcorn, drinks and other tasty treats. Tickets are £14. cambridgelivetrust.co.uk
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The Art Insider RUTHIE COLLINS, FOUNDER OF CAMBRIDGE ART SALON, GIVES HER ARTY PICKS OF THE MONTH
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enna van Praag’s new novel, The Patron of Lost Souls is sure to delight her fans. As award-winning novelist Kate Mosse says her books are a ‘treat’. Escape into the world of Jude, owner of Gatsbys, a Cambridge antique shop who makes it her mission to match customers with the special something they’re missing – a talisman to bring them their heart’s desire. Jude’s own life is lonely. But, when she ‘inherits’ a niece, it’s set to get a lot less lonely and a lot more adventurous. With many of her novels based in the city, Menna draws inspiration from its magical qualities – its cobbled streets, dreamy spires and colourful characters. “Every book I write is a tribute to a Cambridge location I love,” she explains. “This one was inspired by Catesbys on Green Street, a place that brought me much beauty, comfort and inspiration. I miss it still!” Cambridge is one of those places where the beauty of the natural world collides with creative imagination and major scientific breakthroughs all the time. Those seeking a show where this is happening should head over to New Hall Art Collection at Murray Edwards College for Reproductivities – a collaborative exhibition that explores connections between ways of reproducing life in humans, plants and art to investigate the cultures around them. Brimming with a variety of media, developed with worldleading researchers, the show mixes painting, photography, installations, short films – even horticulture and performance art. It runs until November. Look out for Gina Glover’s photography – known for its incendiary qualities. Glover co-founded London’s Photofusion Photography Centre and has a clutch of awards to her name, including the Royal Photographic Society’s Hood Medal. Her work ranges from playful explorations of the biomedical sciences to long-term studies of anthropogenic landscapes – see ginaglover.com. Also exhibiting at Reproductivities is Camilla Lyon, whose works were created in response to Murray Edwards’ garden. Like many college gardens, it’s a gorgeous delight and it grows 8,000 plants a year in its heated propagator, while New Hall holds Europe’s biggest collection of contemporary art by
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women. Go find pieces by art activists the Guerrilla Girls, Bridget Riley, plus feminist art hero Mary Kelly – whose early donations of works started the Collection. Remember to enjoy the garden – there’s a Barbara Hepworth. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy art or performance in a grand, natural setting and our area has no shortage of historical beauty spots. Why not visit Audley End during August for performances from Chapterhouse Theatre Company – take your pick from Alice In Wonderland and Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. Sounds divine. Those looking for an under-the-radar art find, make a beeline for KATO at Espresso Library before 7 August. Pop into Cambridge’s most high-end hipster café, not just for perfect coffee and plant-based food, but also a stunning sample of mixed media works that celebrate Kato Catling’s life’s work. Fusing poems with paintings, his assemblages really show what a little dash of maverick perspective can create from a range of material. Highly recommended. “I’d seen Kato’s show at Gallery 9 and was blown away. It’s nice to see his work out for longer,” says curator Loukas Morley. “Lovely works on wood, resourceful use of materials, oil paintings on tracing paper. He’s one of those belowthe-radar artists, so this is a real opportunity – it’s good to document his work now. We’ve always enjoyed it.”
“biggest collection of contemporary art by women” There’s an interactive element to the show too – with visitors very much encouraged to go and find poems hidden inside the boxes on show. Sometimes, you need to go and seek your own inspiration. Finally, if you’re looking for the perfect day trip from Cambridge (bring the kids!) then come and visit Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery this month, where I’ll be writing in situ, working on my murder mystery series at The Paston Treasure exhibition. I’ve been a fly on the wall at the museum, researching my lead detective character – a female museum curator – talking with curator Francesca Vanke. With a mystery painting at its heart, The Paston Treasure, one of the most important depictions of a schatzkammer (a cabinet of treasures), the exhibition is full of interactive fun. Happy holidays all! l
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NICOLA FOLEY MEETS A DODO, MARVELS AT CAMBRIDGE’S LARGEST RESIDENT AND EXPLORES DARWIN’S BEETLE COLLECTION AT THE MUSEUM OF ZOOLOGY
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hen Sir David Attenborough opened the doors to the newly revamped Museum of Zoology in June, Cambridge welcomed back a jewel in its cultural crown. Closed for refurbishment for five years, this cherished local institution dates back to 1814 and is home to one of the largest and most important natural history collections in the country, holding some two million objects and showcasing an awe-inspiring diversity of specimens from across the animal kingdom. The £4.1 million overhaul, in part funded by the National Lottery, includes a cafe, storage facilities and sparkling new galleries, ensuring the treasures of this remarkable collection are preserved for future generations. l TREASURES OF LAND, SEA & SKY
Creatures great and small jostle for visitors’ attention inside, from the fiercest of predators to the most delicate of insects, weaving stories of survival, evolution, extinction and conservation. The most impressive of all, and that which greets visitors as they make their way through the museum’s doors, is the enormous fin whale skeleton. At 21 metres long, it’s among the largest of its kind ever recorded, and fills the entrance hall end to end. After a 22-year stint outside the museum in the open air (to the delight of local pigeons, which happily roosted on it), he was cleaned up, brought inside and suspended in his purpose-built new residence, a process executed with military precision which took a month to complete. Having been washed up on Pevensey Beach in 1865, he’d already been on quite a journey, beginning his afterlife as a curiosity at Hastings cricket ground that punters would pay sixpence to marvel at. As well as meeting Cambridge’s largest resident, inside you’ll find contributions from history’s most famous naturalists including Charles Darwin, who was
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an undergrad at Cambridge University. Explore his beetle collection, amassed during his time studying in the city, as well as the preserved fishes that he collected on his voyage on the HMS Beagle – the seminal expedition which gave him much of the evidence for his evolutionary thinking. The displays also feature many extinct creatures, including giant mammals like the Diprotodon, a relative of the wombat that weighed in at a whopping 2.5 tonnes. You can also ogle the skeleton of a Giant Ground Sloth, which disappeared around 10,000 years ago when humans arrived in the Americas, and once stood as tall as a giraffe. The museum holds one of the world’s most complete dodo skeletons too, giving you a chance to get better acquainted with this Mauritius-native bird, learning more about its flightless, ill-fated story. Other remnants of other species snubbed out by evolution include the teeth, tusks and hair belonging to that Ice Age superstar, the huge and hirsute Woolly Mammoth. As well as the giants of the animal kingdom, the galleries give an insight into the worlds of the insects, molluscs and other invertebrates that make up the bulk of animal life on earth today. Plus, you can dive into the world inhabited by creatures of the deep sea, meeting a rare Pink Goblin Shark and a Giant Clam, then let your imagination take flight with exotic birds of paradise, admiring their kaleidoscopic plumage. The collection serves as a reminder that sometimes, evolution throws up surprising oddities. “We have some fish specimens that live their lives with their tails stuck backwards into the anus of a sea cucumber,” says Jack Ashby, the museum’s manager, of one of the more unusual exhibits on display. “The specimens – fish and sea cucumber – have been preserved together in their jars.” Not all of the museum’s treasures are on display – in fact, only around 1% is housed in the gallery, the rest
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“This marvellous museum is a place where the public can come to see, study and wonder. The University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge is of the highest importance to the study of zoology and to the understanding of the natural world by people at large. Long may it flourish.”Sir David Attenborough stowed away from view in climate-controlled storerooms. The upheaval of this huge collection for the renovation project resulted in remarkable discoveries – including the unearthing of some incredibly rare objects which even the museum’s team didn’t know existed. One such case, an unassuming box of dull brown feathers found lurking behind a wooden cabinet, bore a label reading “Feathers of Moa”. The Moa in question, a group of massive flightless birds native to New Zealand, could stand as tall as three metres, and were hunted to extinction 6-700 years ago by Polynesian settlers. “Moa feathers are incredibly rare in museum collections worldwide,” enthuses Jack. “Typically only partially fossilised bones are found. The feathers appear to be what they say they are, and we now plan to undertake genetic testing to confirm their identity. If they are proven to be Moa feathers it would represent a significant addition to the global collection, and could help us understand more about these extinct giants.” l MORE THAN CUPBOARDS OF DEAD ANIMALS
The museum is, emphasises Jack, about much more than just ‘cupboards of dead animals’. In addition to its status as one of the UK’s most significant natural history collections, it also has an important research function behind the scenes. “Unlike any other museum discipline,” he explains, “natural history collections are critically important in helping to answer enormous challenges facing the world, like climate change and biodiversity loss.” More than that, he says, seeing and learning about zoology can have a real and lasting impact on how we treat our environment. “When people visit museums like ours, which are jammed packed with thousands of incredible, real objects telling the story of life on earth and how we fit into, they can be inspired to feel a connection with the natural world in a way that images on a screen cannot achieve,” he says. “Seeing the scale of the animals up close and how they ‘work’ is an irreplaceable experience... The most important thing is awe and wonder for the natural world.” l museum.zoo.cam.ac.uk
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BOOK CLUB CAMBRIDGE EDITION
Book Club BRINGING YOU TOP NEW FICTION PICKS, AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, DISCOUNTS AND LOTS MORE BOOK CHAT, THE EDITION BOOK CLUB IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH CAMBRIDGE LITERARY FESTIVAL AND HEFFERS INTERVIEW BY CHARLOT TE GRIFFITHS
HOME FIRE BY KAMILA SHAMSIE
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his time of year sees lovers of literature wading through endless lists of “summer reads” – and sitting atop many of them is Home Fire, the critically acclaimed latest novel from author Kamila Shamsie. Longlisted for the Booker and very recent winner of the Women’s Prize For Fiction, this short book is ideally suited to being read in a scorching heatwave: it’s an uncomfortable, unblinking, powerful read that will leave your mind racing – but my goodness, it’s worth your time. The book follows three British Muslim siblings: Isma, the eldest sister, and twins Aneeka and Parvaiz, as they struggle to reconnect with one another, set against the shadow of politics, radicalisation, unblinking prejudice and unchangeable world events. Right from the off, , it’s clear that this tale has two faces: everyone seems to be going along with the status quo, or with the routes they see as inevitable, while also silently burning with white-hot frustration and fury at the situations they’ve been placed in. Home Fire is a retelling of the Greek tragedy Antigone, and is the first time Kamila had worked on top of an existing story. “All writers are always drawing on other literary texts in some way, but this was the first time I’d done it in such a knowing fashion,” she said. The idea to work with this ancient text arrived with Kamila by pure chance. “It was a conversation I had with a man called Jatinder Varma who runs Tara Arts Company in South London. I was
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between novels, and I wanted something to work on but had no ideas, and I got this email saying: “You don’t know who I am, but come in and have a coffee.’” Kamila met with Jatinder, who suggested she could write a play – though the writer had no experience with creating a work for the stage, and told him so. “He said ‘I thought you’d say that – so why don’t you adapt a play? Something like Antigone, or The Oresteia, but in a contemporary Asian or British Asian context?’” Kamila had read Antigone at university, but couldn’t recall the tragedy besides (as in all Greek tragedies) that terrible things happened, so looked at the text with fresh eyes. “I was reading the play,” she said, “and it was at that moment when the newspapers were full of stories of young Brits going off to join Isis, and Theresa May, then Home Secretary, was stripping them of their citizenship. And I thought – this [Antigone] is this story. I didn’t have
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to work to think how it would become contemporary – I just knew.” What started life as a play quickly became a book, retaining the five-act structure of traditional theatre to frame the tragic events, with each act seeing a different narrator pick up events from their perspective. “I was surprised how little of Antigone I had to throw away. That central line was just extraordinarily relevant. Right now, Antigone is the most performed play in the world, and I can see why: this figure of resistance to authority… the more we see of our democracy sliding into dark and awful things, the more we need Antigone to turn up and say ‘We’re going to stop this from happening.”” The book unsettles because of how close it skims to the bone on many fronts: primarily the parallels between Home Fire’s fictional Home Secretary Karamat Lone, and Sajid Javid – who rose to the same position after Home Fire’s u A U G U S T 2 018
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BOOK CLUB
GET 25% OFF Cambridge Edition Book Club books at Heffers Book Shop on Trinity Street
publication in 2016, and who shares Conservative politics and a PakistaniMuslim heritage with Shamsie’s character. “When I first started to think about a Muslim Home Secretary, I wondered if anyone would buy it,” she said. “But then it was late 2014, and we had Sajid Javid, Sadiq Khan and Sayeeda Warsi, and they were all figures who could go further,” she said. “By the time I was finishing the first draft, the Zac Goldsmith and Sadiq Khan mayoral contest was going on – so when the book came out, everyone asked me if [Lone] was Sadiq Khan: but he was in the wrong role. I remember that moment when Theresa May was about to announce a new Home Secretary, and someone on Twitter wrote “Sajid Javid?” – and I just thought: oh, that’s SO weird. So now I have a deep interest in everything Sajid Javid does, that fall into the category of ‘Things My Guy Would Have Said’ or ‘Things My Guy Would Not Have Said’!”. Home Fire is ablaze with secrets: I ask if Kamila is good at keeping them herself, or if they sneak out into her characters. “Different writers have different takes on it: I’ve always felt really queasy about it,” she says. “If I have a conversation with someone and they drop a good line, then I’ll use that, but if there’s something that’s very personal to someone, then I tend to not go off and do things with it.” The Home Fire siblings grow up in the Preston Road area of London: Kamila has friends who live there, and who walked her around the neighbourhood to get a sense of where the characters lived. “I then had a reading in the Preston Road Community Library, which appears in the book – and a lot of the people who I’d been chatting to before turned up again, so I got to tell
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“I have a terrible time writing in London because it’s full of distractions” them “Oh, I used your line, and your line” and so on.” Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Kamila grew up in a family of writers stretching to four generations: her mother, grandmother and great grandmother were all published authors, so it seems almost inevitable that at some point Kamila would turn to creating books. “Your own life seems normal to you – at least mine did – and it wasn’t until later that I got to look back and realise how significant it was,” she said. “It wasn’t so much that I was growing up in a family of writers, as it being a family where books mattered, and were taken seriously – but there was never any pressure to [become a writer]. I just loved books from the start. When you grow up and the soundtrack of your life is your mother’s hands on the keyboard… I remember when she gave up her typewriter for a computer and the sounds of my life disappeared – the hammering on keys disappeared.” Kamila has been writing since she was eleven and produced her first four novels back to back. “One [book] would finish, and I would know the next one – but that is no longer the case,” she says. “I’m now
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that person who seems to require time off between them: there are no ideas, and then I get to a point where I feel so bored of not writing, and my brain feels pointless – and then a novel forces itself to happen. Though I have a terrible time writing in London because it’s full of distractions,” she laughs. “My first draft gets written somewhere else – I go back to my family’s home in Karachi every winter, and I write very well there, sitting out on the verandah looking at the garden cats… and there’s also a writing retreat in Tuscany where I’ve been going for about 15 years. And then revisions get done at my desk in London.” Home Fire is an astonishing read: the complex layers of lies, of secrets, of deceit and subterfuge gradually burn away, until there is nothing left but the siblings themselves, their lives scorched by events whirling well beyond their control. The two short paragraphs of heart-stopping prose that mark the story’s conclusion left me open-mouthed in awe, and are still smouldering awkwardly in my memory long after finishing the book. If you only read one book this summer, make it Home Fire – you won’t regret it. l
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CATHY MOORE, DIRECTOR OF CAMBRIDGE LITERARY FESTIVAL, ON HOME FIRE
Kamila Shamsie is a great writer with seven novels under her belt. Her latest, Home Fire, is the deserving winner of the 2018 Women’s Prize for Fiction and her most assured. It plays to contemporary and universal themes of radicalisation, love and the conflicts of society, family, faith and politics whilst boldly re-working Sophoclese’s Antigone myth as the story of two British Muslim sisters and their jihadist brother. Home Fire is up there with the best of literary thrillers and gathers momentum at a cracking pace which takes us from the suburban streets of Wembley and Holland Park to Islamic State-ravaged Raqqa. Shamsie gives us an uncomfortable glimpse into the roots of radicalism and in particular jihadi recruitment and the devastation on families and loved ones. Unflinchingly good, this is a powerful novel with a breathtakingly tense finale. If you are as bereft as I was when you finish Home Fire you might try The Reluctant Fundamentalist or Exit West by Pakistani writer Mohsin Hamid, both of which I was compelled to read in one sitting.
BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS “I’m very glad that book clubs exist!” Kamila said. “It’s hard when you’ve written a book to know how to talk about it. One of the nicest responses I’ve had was from a teacher who taught Home Fire to her class. She said that everyone had a different favourite character, or someone who they felt passionately for or against. Often with a book, everyone feels the same way, but with this there was such a range of responses.” l What do you think is the significance of the title? l How does the opening section – where Isma sits in Heathrow – make you feel? l Does Home Fire change your understanding of the British Muslim community? l Should Isma’s loyalty lie with her brother, or with her country?
UP NEXT MONTH
EL IF SH A FA K’ S T HR EE DAUGH T ER S OF E V E
Next month we’ll be delving into Three Daughters of Eve, the latest novel by Turkish writer and academic Elif Shafak. Chosen to mark Banned Books Week 2018, which runs 23-29 September, it begins with Peri, making her way to a dinner party one spring evening in Istanbul – a night of luxury a far cry from her upbringing. When her handbag is stolen her world shifts violently. She starts to doubt how she got here: a traumatic Istanbul childhood, student years in Oxford, the rebellious professor who led her and best friends Shirin and Mona to question everything – Islam, love, life, even God – and the scandal that tore them all apart. Over one desperate night she tries to make sense of a past she has tried to forget – but can we ever escape who we once were?
JOIN THE CONVERSATION! SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THREE DAUGHTERS OF EVE BY TWEETING US @CAMBSEDITION AND HASHTAG #EDITIONBOOKCLUB.
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After Hours
NOW BOOKING
THE NIGHTLIFE EVENTS NOT TO MISS THIS MONTH
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N EON MO ON
27 OCT, JUNCTION, £30
The Neon Moon Club returns with its annual Halloween extravaganza, with burlesque, DJs and circus acts.
JESSI E J 19 NOV, CORN EX, £35.50
Pricetag and Do it Like A Dude singer Jessie J visits Cambridge as part of her R.O.S.E Tour.
PAU L M ERT ON ’ S IM P RO CH UMS
ST. VINCENT Glamorous chameleon St Vincent, aka Annie Clarke, brings her ‘I Am A Lot Like You!’ tour to the Corn Exchange on 29 August. Channelling the spirit of Bowie with her other-worldy aura, continual reinventions and exuberant natural talent, Clarke is on tour in support of her latest release, MASSEDUCTION. Her fifth studio album, it has cemented her position as one of the most exciting artists on the scene, adored by fans and critics alike. Her live shows are the stuff of legend so we recommend bagging a ticket to this one sharpish – which you can for £28. cambridgelivetrust.co.uk
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Catch the Have I Got News for You funnyman riffing with comedian pals next spring.
T HE DR IF T ER S
Still going strong some 65 years after they formed, The Drifters are the longest running active singing group in the history of pop. The line-up may change but the soulful heart of this iconic group remains intact, and with more than 50 hits to draw from, you’re guaranteed a great show when they doo-wop their way to the Corn Exchange on 11 August. Expect a whistle-stop tour of their best bits, from Under the Boardwalk to Stand By Me and Saturday Night at the Movies, and see for yourself why these Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members are one of the bestselling acts of all time. Tickets start at £25.50. cambridgelivetrust.co.uk
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Gig Guide JORDAN WORLAND FROM LOCAL MUSIC WEBSITE SLATE THE DISCO GIVES HIS TOP LIVE MUSIC PICKS FOR AUGUST
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JU N K YA R D F ES T I VA L Junkyard returns to Cambridge Junction this month with a line-up of hip-hop, funk, reggae and jungle on 4 August. Run entirely by the venue’s young apprentices, the event utilises the Junction’s various indoor and outdoor spaces to create a one-day mini festival with music, food and entertainment from 4pm. This time around they’ve got High Focus Records star Jam Baxter, the funky-jazzy, hip-hop-infused stylings of Stretch Soul Gang and DJs Ickleman, Dangerfxx and Rellik. Tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the doors. junction.ac.uk
NEWMARKET NIGHTS
It’s another busy month for live music over at Newmarket Racecourse, with four cracking open air concerts to enjoy. Up first, on 3 August, is Magic of Motown: a celebration of some of the greatest soul music ever made, from Diana Ross to Marvin Gaye, complete with stunning choreography and glittering costumes. Then, it’s over to disco legend Nile Rodgers and CHIC on the 10th, before hit-maker George Ezra stops by on the 17th. Rounding things off in style will be pop-rock outfit The Vamps, who visit the racecourse on the 25th. newmarket.thejockeyclub.co.uk
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ugust tends to be a quiet one on the Cambridge music front, but there’s still a handful of excellent gigs to check out. Our must-see pick this month takes us to the NCI on Holland Street to see Sports Team on the 17th. It’s a welcome return for this six piece, whose story started here when they met while studying at Cambridge University a few years ago. Since then, they’ve gone on to release a clutch of stellar singles, quietly but assuredly fulfilling the word-of-mouth hype around their early live shows and joining a handful of bands dragging the spotlight back on to English guitar music. They’ll be supported by Cambridge band Ugly. Scarecrow Boat and Shadowboxer play for the first time in Cambridge as part of their summer tour, which stops in at the Corner House on the 1st. Southampton pop-punkers Scarecrow Boat make music with a sad edge, catchy melodies and the energy of a toddler on blue Smarties, while Norwich alt-rockers Shadowboxer specialise in creating soundscapes and atmosphere. The line-up is completed by Cambridge noise-punk duo Self Love basking in fuzz and sharp drums, like Shoegaze’s angry cousin. We’ve got two great picks for you at The Portland this month, beginning with Flower-Corsano Duo on the 3rd. Formed in 2005, they meld the propane-lit, overdriven drone-ragas of Michael Flower’s electrified shahi baaja and the truly extraordinary free drumming of Chris Corsano: an essential conduit between the parallel worlds of psychedelic noise-rock and contemporary free jazz. Portland songwriter Haley Heynderickx, who visits the venue on the 22nd, released her debut album, I Need to Start a Garden, earlier this year. Tender without being twee, the album showcases Heynderickx’s introspective, curious lyricism, smoky, sweet vocals and knack for intricate guitar lines – we can’t recommend this show enough. Annie Clark, better known by her stage name St. Vincent, will be bringing her live band show and acclaimed recent album Masseduction to the Corn Exchange on the 29th. One of just of three UK performances ahead of her End of the Road festival headline appearance, it’s promising to be a spellbinding showcase of her resolutely unique style as an artist who has used each record to throw new, fresh, bright colours into her musical palette. Expect an avant-garde art performance that pushes boundaries – this show has all the ingredients to make it the best in Cambridge this year.
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FA M I LY DAYS O U T
TOP FAMILY DAYS OUT
N AT U R E YOG A Connect with nature at the Botanic Garden on 8 August, when eight to 11 year olds have the chance to take part in an outdoor yoga session. Practise different poses and learn how your breath gives you energy, while doing a secret garden visualisation too! It starts at the Schools’ Garden and runs from 11.30am till 12.15pm. Tickets are £5, normal admission for adults. botanic.cam.ac.uk
KNIGHTS & PRINCESSES Little ones can live out dreams of being a knight or princess at Audley End House this month. Polish armour, dust off tiaras and learn how to play the part, thanks to courtly experts who’ll pass on skills in heroic chivalry and eloquent etiquette. It runs from 30 July to 3 August, and is free for English Heritage members. english-heritage.org.uk
STOURBRIDGE MEDIEVAL FAIR AT THE LEPER CHAPEL
THE CENTRE FOR C O M P U T I N G H I S TO RY For kids fed up with siblings and pesky parents coming into their room – Bug your Bedroom is just one fun workshop at the Centre for Computing History this month, on 2 August. The next day, find out more about Elliott, the oldest working computer at the centre, and on 5 August there’s a chance to build a MyZ80 computer, based on the Z80 chip that Sir Clive Sinclair used to drive the ZX80, ZX81 and Spectrum in the 80s. On the 10th and 29th Rachel’s Robots introduces you to the newest staff member, ‘Jennifer’, there’s a musical code workshop on 15 August, Build a Pong Console on the 23rd, and if you want to make music with carrots – and why wouldn’t you? – Conducting Carrots is on 30 August. computinghistory.org.uk
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Stourbridge Fair, dating back to 1199, was once the largest medieval fair in Europe – and on 1 September you can step back in time for a taster of its glory days at The Leper Chapel on Newmarket Road. With stalls, historical re-enactments, pedlars and alchemists, the fair opens at 12pm in the traditional way. There’s nowhere better in Cambridge to soak up the past from the ground up than The Leper Chapel, Cambridge’s oldest complete building, which is normally closed to the public. Medieval singing, costumed dance, storytelling and history talks will feature. Free, runs 12pm to 4pm. cambridgeppf.org/whats-on
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What’s On A ROUND-UP OF EVENTS IN AND AROUND CAMBRIDGESHIRE THIS MONTH
27 JULY-4 AUGUST
1 AUGUST
2-5 AUGUST
HIS DARK MATERIALS
SENSE AND SENSIBILITY
CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL
When children in Oxford go missing, it’s down to Lyra to save them, but then she crosses into another world and meets Will. Philip Pullman’s epic trilogy comes to life as a double bill. 10.30am | Fitzwilliam Museum | £15-£20 adctheatre.com
Elinor and Marianne Dashwood make their first forays into Regency society – join them as they fall in love in Laura Turner’s adaptation of the Jane Austen classic, from Chapterhouse Theatre Company. 7.30pm | Audley End House | £10 children, £16 adults | english-heritage.org.uk
Tickets for Thursday, Sunday and the full festival are still available for the latest edition of the country’s premier celebration of folk, Americana and more. First Aid Kit, Patti Smith, Janis Ian, Rosanne Cash and Songhoy Blues feature on the bill. All day | Cherry Hinton Hall | Prices vary cambridgelivetrust.co.uk
30 JULY-25 AUGUST 2 AUGUST
CAMBRIDGE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
RAPADEMIC
The concluding performances at this summer’s Bard in university college gardens are Macbeth, The Comedy of Errors, Pericles and Twelfth Night. The first two end on the 18th. No shows on Sunday. 7.30pm | Various locations | £17 cambridgeshakespeare.com
A showcase for some of Cambridge’s finest up-and-coming urban talent, Rapademic promises an edgy mix of no less than 30 lyricists, MCs and DJs – and it’s all produced by young people aged 13-21. 7pm | Cambridge Junction | £6 junction.co.uk
4 AUGUST
JUNKYARD PRESENTS JAM BAXTER A multi-music festival featuring Jam Baxter, DJ Sammy B-Side, DJ sets, live bands and more, with some of the best UK hip hop, funk, reggae and jungle, including Stretch Soul Gang and Easy Dread. 4pm | Cambridge Junction | from £10 junction.co.uk 10 AUGUST
AS YOU LIKE IT A world of clowns, lovers, runaways and rebels, take a picnic and something to sit on to watch Shakespeare’s timeless comedy, in this Pantaloons Theatre production. 7.30pm | Wimpole Hall | £10 children, £16 adults | nationaltrust.org.uk 11 AUGUST
HARVEST PHOTOGRAPHY WALK
4 AUGUST
AU ROR A ORCHES T R A Four years ago at the BBC Proms, the Aurora orchestra became the first to perform a symphony from memory, without printed sheet music. A direct, communicative performance style, it changes the way audiences experience classical music. They will perform Shostakovich’s No.9 symphony. 4pm | Saffron Hall | from £14 | saffronhall.com
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Capture harvest as it happens, in your own pictures. The latest seasonal photography walk on the estate is timed to coincide with lots of activity on the farm. The walk is suitable for all abilities and children up for a walk are welcome. 10am-1pm | Wimpole Estate Farm | £10 nationaltrust.org.uk 11 AUGUST
THE DRIFTERS The longest-running singing group of all time, their hits include Saturday Night at the Movies, You’re More than a Number, Up on the Roof, Under the Boardwalk, Kissin’ in the Back Row and Save the Last Dance for Me. 7.30pm | Corn Exchange | from £25.50 cambridgelivetrust.co.uk
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W H AT ’ S O N
29 AUGUST
S T V INCEN T Touring MASSEDUCTION, her most personal and biographical offering to date, Annie Clark, the creative force behind St Vincent, rocks onto the Corn Exchange stage. 7.30pm | Corn Exchange | £28 cambridgelivetrust.co.uk
14 AUGUST
16 AUGUST
26 & 27 AUGUST
THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN
JOSHUA BURNELL
WWII WEEKEND
On their first tour in more than 12 years, Reece Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton, Mark Gatiss and Jeremy Dyson bring the dark, unhinged fiction of Royston Vasey to Cambridge. 7.30pm | Corn Exchange | £38 cambridgelivetrust.co.uk
Burnell and his six-piece folk rock band produce epic fantasy ballads and fiddle tunes aided by a distorted Hammond organ. 7.30pm | Portland Arms | £8.50 theportlandarms.co.uk
From the trooper of the D-Day landings to the maid dishing out meagre rations, prepare yourself as you’re drawn into the theatre of war. Alternatively, put on your dancing shoes for 1940s music. 10.30am-5pm | Audley End House | £12.40 children, £20.60 adults english-heritage.org.uk
17 AUGUST 14-18 AUGUST
A CULTURAL EXCHANGE Two women, both clowns, meet twice. One is French, the other English. They come across personal and political differences and work out if they want to spend time together. 7.45pm | Corpus Playroom | £5-£9 adctheatre.com 16 AUGUST
PETER PAN You’ll be Hook-ed by Immersion Theatre’s outdoor production of Peter, Tinkerbell and Smee’s adventures in Neverland, before they face Captain Hook. 2.30pm | Milton Country Park | £7 children, £10 adults miltoncountrypark.org
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ALICE IN WONDERLAND Take a trip down the rabbit hole and join Alice as she stumbles into Wonderland and meets the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts. 7.30pm | Audley End House | £16 children, £10 adults | english-heritage.org.uk 24-26 AUGUST
CAMBRIDGE COCKTAIL WEEKEND Now in its third year, featuring masterclasses and workshops, plus live music and street food, the festival features bars from the likes of locals La Raza and Novi, plus Ketel One, Chivas Regal, Luxardo and more. Times vary | Corn Exchange | £7.70 afternoons, £14.85 evenings cambridgelivetrust.co.uk
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27 AUGUST-2 SEPTEMBER
HARVEST FOLK AT THE FARM A week of folk music featuring local bands and duos. Children welcome. 2-4pm | Wimpole Estate farm | free, normal admission applies | nationaltrust.org.uk 31 AUGUST & 1 SEPTEMBER
ENCHANTÉ A fundraising, community dance production from volunteer-run Dance Ensemblé, the performance follows the journey of a young seed as it grows, seeking the enchantment that life brings. 7.30pm | Cambridge Junction | £11.50 children, £14 adults | junction.co.uk
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CO M P E T I T I O N
WIN the Ultimate Cambridge Staycation! WE’RE GIVING AWAY TWO NIGHT’S WORTH OF LUXURY ACCOMMODATION, DINNER AT THE IVY CAMBRIDGE BRASSERIE AND A ROMANTIC PUNT TOUR FOR TWO!
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iving in Cambridge, it’s easy to take for granted just what a glorious place we call home – so how about stopping, relaxing and indulging in the best our city has to offer, with a two-night minibreak right on your doorstep! Local company Your Space Apartments will provide your accommodation: a two-night stay at one of their gorgeous luxury apartments, which you’ll be able to pick out yourself from their properties across the city. Worth between £300 and £528 depending on which apartment you go for, you can be sure of lots of lovely extra touches from the team, from a welcome basket to a bottle of fizz. After a night of blissful slumber on the Egyptian Cotton bedding, you’ll be treated to a quintessentially Cambridge punting experience with local company Rutherford’s the next day. Be a tourist
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in your own city, recline and enjoy the 50-minute tour of the city’s landmarks on the Romantic Punt Tour. Your boat will be dressed with cushions, lumbar supports and blankets to make sure you’re extra comfortable, and your guide and your boat will be ready to board at the time you’ve chosen. For dinner, you and your guest will enjoy a three-course dinner and a bottle of wine at The Ivy Cambridge Brasserie. Located on Trinity Street, this stunningly beautiful restaurant offers an elegant dining destination in the heart of the city centre. Feast on modern British classics like The Ivy shepherd’s pie, truffle chicken sandwich and grilled fish, and enjoy the sparkling atmosphere at one of the city’s hottest new openings of the year. l To enter, head to cambsedition.co.uk and click on the competitions tab. Ts&Cs apply.
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Food & Drink B E ST G E L ATO I N CA M B R I D G E • LO CA L S U M M E R T I P P L E S • THE L ATE ST FO O D N E WS
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FO O D & D R I N K
A dish from Parker’s Tavern, the in-house eaterie at the new University Arms hotel
Food News A MONTHLY ROUND-UP OF GASTRO GOINGS-ON AROUND CAMBRIDGESHIRE
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AU G U S T S U N D OW N E R S The Gog continues its series of summer Sundowners this month, with events on 24 and 31 August. A dreamy way to start the weekend, they kick off at 6pm, offering treats from street food trucks plus local gins, fizz, craft beer and a cracking view of the sunset over the Gog Magog Hills. There is no entry charge and the events run until late. thegog.com
THE RETURN O F P L AT E L I C K E R S The team behind Cambridge supper club pioneers Platelickers Anonymous are rolling up their sleeves and preparing to return to the stoves for a two-night run at a very special location. The brainchild of Jo Kruczynska, owner of beloved café Afternoon Tease, and Brighton-based chef Ivana Brdanovic, the Platelickers’ feasts were the stuff of legend between 2012 and 2014 when they popped up at unusual venues around the city with their epic themed menus. On 17 and 18 August, catch them at PAUS., Cambridgeshire’s new hot tub retreat, where they’ll be serving a summer feast. They’re keeping schtum about menu specifics but we do know it will be a four-course, sharing-style meal, served on an idyllic hilltop terrasse. It’s £35 per person, which includes a welcome drink. Visit afternoontease.co.uk or ivanabrdanovic.com.
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FRANCO MANCA OPENS IN CAMBRIDGE
After a long wait and a lot of excited whispers on the local foodie circuit, pizzeria Franco Manca has now opened its doors on Market Hill. Found in the couldn’t-be-more-central building once home to West Cornwall Pasty Co shop, the restaurant will be serving up its signature sourdough pizzas which are created with a slow-rising dough using a traditional Neapolitan recipe. It’s the latest opening for this expanding chain, which launched in 2008 on Brixton Market and now has more than 40 branches across the UK. The company’s impressive expansion is testament to the calibre of Franco Manca’s deliciously satisfying pizzas, which have amassed a huge following over the years. Customers will be able to order one of the daily specials or choose from seven regular pizza options, including fan-favourite “the no. 4”, which features Gloucester old spot ham, wild mushrooms and a mix of mozzarella and buffalo ricotta. Elsewhere on the menu, choose between finger-licking combos like roasted courgette, mozzarella and ricotta, or tomato paired with a liberal sprinkling of cured chorizo. There are also colourful Italian salads and a range of indulgent desserts, while to drink you can sample the wares of Harston-based BrewBoard, whose Lakota and Ripchord ales will be on the menu. francomanca.co.uk
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SUMMER AFTERNOON TEA In celebration of summer, The Ivy on Trinity Street has given its afternoon tea a special seasonal twist. Available until the end of this month, The Ivy Nursery Pot takes its inspiration from the glorious flora and fauna this time of year yields, serving a treat for the eyes as well as the taste buds. Served in a dinky terracotta pot, it features chocolate soil, lavender cream and edible flowers, and will be served alongside the Ivy’s usual afternoon tea offerings which include truffled chicken brioche and smoked salmon on dark rye bread with cream cheese. It’s priced at £19.75. theivycambridgebrasserie.com
C A M BR IDGE OV EN T O L AU NCH Hills Road will welcome a new artisan bakery in coming weeks when the Cambridge Oven opens its doors. A family-run business, it’s the brainchild of master baker Jolita, her husband Karl and their son Matas, who will be serving up a cornucopia of heavenly handmade loaves. From rye breads to sourdoughs, gruyere cheese and Parma ham-stuffed croissants to cakes, sweets and tarts, there will be plenty to tempt. Expect a huge diversity of bread, including gluten-free varieties, created with different varieties of ancient grains and sprouted grains, such as buckwheat, spelt, kamut and quinoa. You’ll also be able to order sandwiches, plus salads and a range of artisan soft drinks. Our top tip is Cambridge Oven’s Cruffin: a croissant-muffin hybrid destined for cult status in the city. thecambridgeoven.co.uk
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PARKER’S TAVERN UNVEILED The most hotly-anticipated local restaurant launch of the year is finally upon us, as Parker’s Tavern, the in-house eaterie at the newly revamped University Arms hotel, has officially opened its doors. Helmed by chef Tristan Welch, the food on offer will feature locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, with a menu of British dishes imbued with playful flourishes. Traditional comfort food is celebrated too, with dishes like the Parker’s Tavern Spag Bol, a two-day slow-cooked recipe using topquality ingredients generously. Sweet teeth will be sated with indulgent desserts including rice pudding soufflé and a classic Duke of Cambridge Tart. The Sunday roast, with a roast beef trolley and ‘pyramid of Yorkshire puddings’ looks to be well worth sampling too. The interior, created by renowned interior designer Martin Brudnizki and legendary architect John Simpson, draws on the history of the building and Cambridge’s heritage, while adding a luxe, contemporary spin. Decked out in classic brasserie style, the restaurant has its own entrance from the street, and inside gives a nod to the university’s grand dining halls with its wall panelling and stained glass windows, contrasted with pops of vibrant colour from contemporary artworks. Chairs in burnt orange and blue velvet, chandeliers and bold carpets complete the impressively glamorous scene. parkerstavern.com
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My Favourite Table SAM OWENS, OWNER OF DRINKS EMPORIUM THIRSTY, SHARES HIS TOP TIPS FOR EATING AND DRINKING IN CAMBRIDGE l WHAT’S
YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO EAT IN CAMBRIDGE
I’m hoping it’s going to be Restaurant 22 once I’ve made my first visit this month. Owners Sam and Alex are top folk – and we need more people like them in Cambridge. l YOU’RE
HAVING A NIGHT IN: WHERE ARE YOU CALLING FOR TAKEAWAY?
I used to be a fan of Inder’s Kitchen before they shut down. In her absence, I’d probably get off my backside and wander around the corner for takeaway from the counter at the back of Al-Amin on Mill Road. Great value for money. l WHERE
DO YOU LIKE TO SHOP FOR INGREDIENTS?
No surprise that I like to favour the indie businesses. I love Culinaris for cheese and cured meats. Maison Clement for fab bread and croissants. Mill Road Butchers for their unsurpassable Cumberland sausages. And huge bunches of coriander for 99p from any one of the shops along Mill Road... l WHAT
DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE CAMBRIDGE FOOD SCENE?
The street food scene. It’s been great fun to get involved with all the guys and gals since we opened Thirsty in 2015. We are truly spoilt on this front in Cambridge. l WHAT
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE OF?
More independent businesses. For a city as young, open-minded and cosmopolitan as Cambridge, I remain dismayed that so many of our food and drink businesses are chain or brewery-run. Despite progress in recent years, the scene really should be so much better. Come on, Cambridge!
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SUSHIMANIA OPENS Cambridge has a new sushi joint in the shape of Sushimania, located on Christ’s Lane in the building formerly home to Giraffe. Founded in 2011, it’s the ninth branch for this burgeoning chain, which also has restaurants in London, Brighton and Oxford amongst others. All meals are made from scratch and using fresh ingredients, and you can expect classics like California rolls and Nigiri, colourful salads, noodle dishes and grilled skewers. The company prides itself on making Japanese cuisine affordable and accessible, and you can pick up dishes starting at as little as £3. cambridge.sushimania.co.uk
WINE & CHEESE BAR OPENS The Rutland Arms Hotel in Newmarket, which was recently acquired by Review Hotels Ltd, has unveiled a new addition in the shape of a wine and cheese bar. Launched in recent weeks, it will offer a wine list of more than 40 wines and a selection of cheese and charcuterie from across the globe. With staff on hand to advise on perfect pairings for the best flavour combinations, the choice includes a Great British Board, with tangy Westcombe Cheddar, creamy Stilton from Colston Bassett, one of only two hand-ladled pasteurised cow’s stilton cheeses made with vegetarian rennet, and a local hero: Baron Bigod, which hails from down the road at Fen Farm Dairy in Bungay, and brings an elegant mushroom flavour. From across the Channel, the French selection board will feature a rich and earthy Brie de Meaux, alongside a sweet and tangy Tomme de Savoie; both complemented by a creamy, salty, blue St Agur. All are created by small independent regional suppliers from across France. “The launch of the wine and cheese bar is one of the first in a series of renovations we’re undertaking since acquiring Rutland Arms Hotel,” said Noel Byrne, Chief Executive at Rutland Arms Hotel and sister venue the Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa. “We want to create a space for people to relax and unwind over a glass of wine or Champagne whilst catching up with friends or family.” “Our ongoing plans to invest, refurbish and develop Rutland Arms Hotel, creating new jobs along the way and ultimately a space for guests and the local community to enjoy, are firmly underway and we’re excited to see them come to fruition.” therutlandarms.co.uk
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R E S TAU R A N T R E V I E W
E PRESSO LIBRARY
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NICOLA FOLEY TURNS HER FEET TO EAST ROAD TO DISCOVER WHY THIS MUCH-LOVED CAFE IS ABOUT SO MUCH MORE THAN COFFEE
n all my food-based adventures around Cambridge, I’d somehow not made it along to Espresso Library: the huge, hip coffee emporium which sits on bustling East Road. A stone’s throw from Parker’s Piece, this sleek café opened in 2015 with the aim of creating a new kind of hangout in the city, fusing the owners’ interests of cycling, art and speciality coffee. It was an instant hit, proving as popular with mobile workers and students as with those simply in search of an excellent cup of coffee or a plate of fresh, feel-good food. The light-filled space, with its Scandicool-meets-industrial vibe, is beautiful, and it’s easy to see from the moment you step through the doors why this café has such a devoted following in the city. It’s a working art gallery too; an everchanging display of works by local artists giving you something (along with the suspended bicycles) to admire while you eat and drink. THE FOOD
The first thing which you’ll notice on EL’s menu is the abundance of plant-powered dishes. Non meat-eaters of Cambridge: this might well be your veggie Valhalla. It’s not an exclusively vegetarian eaterie, and there are opportunities to add extras like cheese and prosciutto, but by and large the lunch offerings are imaginatively v-friendly, making excellent use of glow-giving greens and on-trend meat substitutes like tempeh. We opted for a spread of dishes which included the Rainbow Bowl: an uber-
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instagrammable dish of nourishing goodness with a cornucopia of fresh veggies and grains, liberally doused in a creamy tahini dressing. From the optional extras list, we selected halloumi (which came in pleasingly chunky slices and had just the right amount of char), but you can also add feta, poached eggs and smoked salmon if you wish. Also on our table was Espresso Library’s ‘famous frittata’, a perfect summer’s lunch, with deliciously squidgy sweet potato mingling with tangy feta and sunblushed tomatoes, served with ribbons of spiced carrot and leaves. The final dish in our colourful spread – the ‘tummy loving burger’ – puts paid to the idea that burgers have to be junk food. Eschewing meat and dairy altogether, this health-conscious burger features vegan hero ingredient tempeh – a soy-based nutritional powerhouse in the tofu family which brings a satisfyingly smoky, sweet flavour and firm texture. Also overflowing from the floury bap were grilled Portobello mushrooms, strips of roast courgette, tahini and a generous dollop of minty pea and avocado mash. At a time when many of us are looking to cut down our meat intake, this bun-full of goodness manages to be indulgent, messy and roaring with flavour – everything a good burger should be – without an animal product in sight.
THE DRINKS
It should be no surprise, given the name of the place, that coffee is a serious business at Espresso Library. Made on a custom-built, ‘Cambridge Blue’ Slayer Espresso machine all the way from Seattle, the coffee is roasted by The Coffee Officina, an artisan small-batch roastery over the Cambs border in Essex. Fiori is the house espresso, blending beans from South and Central America and East Africa to create a punchy but rounded coffee with rich, dark-chocolatey and floral notes. There’s a selection of single origin coffees and a guest coffee that changes regularly, too, so there’ll always be a new blend to try for any coffee connoisseurs. The drinks list also includes a range of juices and smoothies, plus craft beers and cocktails. THE VERDICT
As the city’s café culture continues to flourish, there are ever more venues vying for the attention of Cambridge residents, but Espresso Library rightly stands out for its stylish look, excellent coffee and well thought-out food. Whether you’re stopping by for granola at breakfast, smashed avo on toast at brunch, or a colourful, wholesome lunchtime feast like we did, you can be certain of top quality food and a buzzy, friendly atmosphere. l espressolibrary.com
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FO O D & D R I N K
W H AT:
Much-loved cafe serving delicious coffee and fresh, vibrant food
W H ER E:
210 East Road, Cambridge CB1 1BG
HOW MUCH:
Breakfast from £2.90, lunch from £5.90
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Nature’s Larder THE TEAM FROM THE GOG, OUR AWARD-WINNING LOCAL FARM SHOP, BUTCHERY, DELI AND CAFÉ, GIVE THE LOW-DOWN ON THE SEASONAL PRODUCE TO SEEK OUT THIS MONTH
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ummer is in full swing and we’re all very excited about the abundance of local produce available for tasty al fresco dining. Our pick of the month is a tasty recipe with the best of the season’s flavours combined into a delicious dish: caramelised flat peaches with Saltmarsh lamb chops, Perroche goat’s cheese and rocket. Perroche is an English unpasteurized goat’s milk cheese made by Charlie Westhead and Haydn Roberts at Neal’s Yard Creamery. It is named after Beatrice Garroche who along with Perry James made this cheese in the early 1980s. It is a soft, creamy, fresh cheese, curdled using traditional animal rennet. When Perroche is ready for eating, it is moist and fluffy but has a structured texture. The flavours are balanced with a light, bright, lemony goaty essence and it comes plain or rolled in tarragon, dill or rosemary. Our top pick for chops has to be the Saltmarsh lamb from Cumbria. The Saltmarshes are fantastic for lamb as there is a wider variety of plants and herbs for them to eat which gives the meat a more sweet and complex flavour. Also the saltwater keeps the number of bugs down which means the lambs are more comfortable and enjoy roaming free. The tasty flat peaches (from Spain but available at The Gog) go by a number of names including ‘Saturn’ or ‘donuts’ due to their flat, oblong shape. With less fuzzy skin and a much sweeter taste than normal ones, they are perfect for poaching or grilling. l The Gog, Heath Farm, Shelford Bottom, Cambridge CB22 3AD | 01223 248352 www.thegog.com
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HOW TO EAT IT CARAMELISED FLAT PEACHES WITH SALTMARSH LAMB CHOPS, PERROCHE AND ROCKET (SERVES 4) INGREDIENTS
• 4 lamb chops, at room temperature • 4 large, ripe, flat peaches • 1½ tablespoons runny honey • 1½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar FOR THE DRESSING
• 4 finely chopped spring onions • A good squeeze of lemon juice • 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard • 2 teaspoons of honey • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar • A good glug of extra virgin olive oil • Pinch of salt • A good grind of pepper • 2 handfuls of rocket
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• Half a Perroche Log (or other light summery goat’s cheese), sliced or torn METHOD
• Rub the lamb with oil, salt and chopped fresh rosemary. • Sear in a hot pan for two to three minutes each side and leave to rest for five minutes. • Mix vinegar and honey together. Cut the peaches into wedges and coat in the mixture. • Sear on a very hot griddle to get lovely dark caramelised lines. • Combine the peaches with rocket and top with the goats cheese. Serve with the lamb and enjoy!
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FIVE OF THE BEST
Ice Creams CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS SEEKS OUT SENSATIONAL SORBET AND GORGEOUS GELATO TO HELP YOU KEEP A COOL HEAD IN THE SCORCHING SUMMER HEAT
JACK’S GEL A T O I could easily write thousands of words on this consistently brilliant gelato bar, slap bang in the heart of the city. Jack’s Gelato slipped into the space left by short-lived Six, inheriting its stylish spot on one of the busiest streets in Cambridge and providing us with ice-cold delights without having to track down Jack’s bike. Need a cooling midday treat, or a late-night sweet that’s almost certainly better than the desserts on offer where you ate dinner? Turn your feet to Bene’t Street, look for the queue and get acquainted with this pocket-sized gem. As Jack is constantly whipping up new flavours based on seasonal goodness, or inspired collabs with other local foodie creators, you’ll never quite know what to expect. Earl Grey & plum, burnt sugar & salt, gooseberry sorbet... the list goes on. He even offers gluten-free cones, which made a gluten-avoiding friend shriek with joy and clutch her wife’s arm in disbelieving delight. Chances are you already know how splendid Jack’s Gelato is, but if you haven’t visited for a while, I strongly urge you to drop by, pick a flavour, and remind yourself how lucky we are to live in a city that has such talented foodie creators.
BENETS CAFE ICE CREAMS This spot’s gelato bar was a new one on me. I don’t often linger in the tourist hotspot that is this corner of King's Parade, so I hadn’t noticed this temple of iced delights. The smart little cafe serves a staggering array of flavours of homemade gelato, including an almostluminescent Cambridge Blue, and the super-friendly server was happy to talk us through what was on offer. We ended up with a cherry, dark chocolate, flaked nut and vanilla combo which was completely delicious and the perfect accompaniment to a little light people-watching from the bar in the cafe’s window. They even sell litres of their ice cream using Deliveroo – ideal if you’re in need of gelato, but don’t fancy being asked to join a punt tour multiple times.
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FO O D & D R I N K
AROMI Another place on Bene’t Street with an almost permanent queue snaking out the door; but it’s not Aromi’s main spot you’ll need if you want to indulge in a cup of their velvet-smooth Italianstyle gelato. Turn back up the road to Pea’s Hill, past the Arts Theatre, and you’ll spot yet another line of people patiently waiting their turn at the newest outpost of this super-successful independent eatery from owners Ofelia and Francesco Genovese. Aromi’s window bar serves cones and cups of classic flavours such as fragola, powered with local strawberry and organic milk, or a citrus-infused limone di Sicilia sorbet – all slow-churned by Aromi’s in-house gelatiere. The Peas Hill Gelateria is now open until 10pm every evening for the rest of the summer – so now you have absolutely zero excuse not to gift yourself one of their sensational frozen delights.
WANT TO MAKE YOUR OWN
ICED DELIGHTS?
TURN OVER FOR OUR SALTED CARAMEL PARFAIT RECIPE
CARLO’S ICES & TONI’S ICES
It is one of the truths of life in Cambridge that you’re never more than 100m from one of these almost iconic ice cream carts: their striped awnings are dotted throughout central town in prime spots for tapping into our thriving tourist trade and providing refreshment-seeking locals with cheaper but no less cheerful frozen treats. Both companies have been in business for 40 or so years, and their respective menus are straight down the line classic, with flavours like rum & raisin or toffee crunch. If you’re quite simply a plain vanilla sort (and there’s nothing wrong with that) then the two carts’ respective armies of ice cream scoopers will sort you out with a coneful of the beige stuff for under £2, which really can’t be sniffed at. Flakes are around 30-50p extra, but in my opinion, they’re well worth the investment.
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S W EE T A L LY S CO OP S Sweet Ally Scoops serves up ices from a candy-floss-pink restored vintage icecream van known as Lottie – the sight of which instantly conjures up memories of seaside holidays. She works with Jack van Praag of Jack’s Gelato to offer a range of seasonally-flavoured frosted delights, including such flavours as aged vanilla, mint stracciatella or a classic strawberries & cream. She also offers a selection of refreshing ice lollies and – as you’d hope for from a vintage ice cream purveyor – a classic softserve 99 Mr Whippy. Keep an eye on Ally’s social media to find out where she’s scooping next or better yet, persuade the boss to book her van for a suitably summery all-staff treat…
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H OW TO M A K E T H E B E S T
Salted Caramel & Bourbon Parfait A DELICIOUS DESSERT THAT’S SURE TO IMPRESS, THIS RICH, INDULGENT PARFAIT IS A SUMMER DINNER PARTY TRIUMPH
RECIPE BY ALEX RUSHMER
No special equipment is needed to make this parfait, which contains all the same ingredients as ice cream but instead of incorporating air during the churning process (as is traditional), it is whipped in prior to freezing. The result is different, but no less delicious, and it makes for a great dessert to wow guests with. I’ve flavoured this one with salted caramel and a splash of bourbon - which not only adds flavour, but also improves the texture, making for a softer parfait. A U G U S T 2 018
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INGREDIENTS
8 free range egg yolks 125g caster sugar + 50g caster sugar ½ teaspoon vanilla extract p inch sea salt 1 00ml water 6 00ml cream 5 0ml bourbon 7 5g salted caramel
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STEP-BY-STEP
l L ine a medium-sized loaf tin with cling film.
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Alternatively, you could use individual pastry rings with the bases lined tightly with cling film. C ombine 125g sugar and the water in a saucepan and place over a medium heat. Heat to 110°C. I n the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the egg yolks, vanilla extract, salt and the remaining 50g of sugar. Whisk on a medium speed until pale and creamy and the volume has increased by ¹/₃. W ith the mixer still running, slowly pour in the hot sugar syrup to cook the egg yolks Continue whisking for five minutes until the volume has increased and the mixture has cooled then place into a separate bowl and wash the bowl of the stand mixer. A dd the cream and bourbon to the bowl and whisk until the cream is thick and in soft peaks. Mix the salted caramel through the egg yolk mixture. Add a large spoonful of cream to the egg yolk mix, fold it through with a spatula and take care not to knock out too much air. Mix this back through the whipped cream. P our everything into the lined loaf tin then place in the freezer for at least four hours to freeze. R emove from the freezer five minutes before you wish to serve it, slice with a knife, plate and drizzle with more salted caramel. Grilled bananas make a wonderful addition as well.
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© CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS
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A-maiz-ing Corn CHEF ALEX RUSHMER CELEBRATES SWEETCORN, THE LAST OF THE SUMMER HARVEST AND A DELICIOUSLY VERSATILE ADDITION TO BOTH SWEET AND SAVOURY DISHES
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he arrival of the first ears of delightful, tender, locally grown corn is a bittersweet moment for me. It’s a vegetable I adore, one that remains great fun to eat, and always reminds me of lazy summer evenings, with the sun streaming in through the kitchen window and the yellow cobs bobbing happily in a pan of boiling water. But, after the seemingly endless bounty of the summer, sweetcorn is the last of the season’s crops and its inevitable arrival in the kitchen means that autumn nights are drawing in and we are getting ever closer to open fires, woodsmoke and earthy root vegetables. It is perhaps fitting that the sweetest produce comes to life just as summer is sighing towards a close. The history of maize is a fascinating one, especially for a chef who, as a student, spent many hours poring over archaeology texts concerning the domestication of plants and the emergence of agriculture. Maize, along with rice and wheat, is the third great agricultural success when it comes to the domestication of what once were merely wild grasses. Teosinte – the wild progenitor of modern corn and maize – still grows in South America but its tiny heads bear little resemblance to modern day sweetcorn which has been selectively harvested and planted for several thousand years into the plant we know today. Other varieties of corn do exist but these are often left to fully ripen (in order to make maize flour for tortillas) or even dry completely (in order to make popping corn) whereas sweetcorn is picked early at what is known as the ‘milk stage’ of plant development. Because the sugars in sweetcorn rapidly begin to convert into starches after picking, it is crucial to cook and eat it as close to harvesting as possible. I once read that the only acceptable window of time between picking and eating an ear of corn is the CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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length of time it takes for a pan of water to come to the boil. For most of us, this is a little unrealistic but freshness really is paramount – after a day or so, there is a noticeable drop off in the sweetness levels so try to find corn that has been harvested within the previous 24 hours. When it comes to cooking sweetcorn, the simplest ways really are the best: boiled in water (seasoned with salt and a little sugar) is perfectly acceptable, but it is when barbecued that it really comes into its own. Some of my finest food memories involve tucking into a charred and steaming ear of corn purchased for a few pennies from a roadside stall in Bangkok or Colombo. Butter is an obligatory addition, as is a grinding of black pepper or maybe a generous dusting of sumac. The final flourish is always a squeeze of lime juice, the acidity somehow accentuating the sweetness of the kernels themselves. As for more involved recipes, chowder remains a firm favourite, especially when made with simple boiled potatoes and plenty of any one of several cured pork
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products – bacon and sweetcorn is one of the all-time best food matches. Shellfish and sweetcorn are also a wonderful pairing, particularly with scallops or crab, or if you fancy heading towards an authentic South American route, try pairing corn with squashes and beans – it’s not for nothing that this trio are widely known as the ‘three sisters’ whilst growing together, and an affinity for each other in the soil transfers brilliantly to the plate. Finally, don’t forget that given its natural sweetness, it’s an ingredient that can be equally used in desserts, in particular in ice creams or parfaits where it matches perfectly with salted caramel. I’ve enjoyed sweet versions of corn fritters and even experimented with flavouring a panna cotta with the delicious little kernels: that was truly a-maize-ing.l A U G U S T 2 018
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PHOTOS BY DAISY DICKINSON
Drinks TROLLEY
I K N OW T H I S G R E AT L I T T L E P L AC E ...
Novi’s Living Roof Terrace A LOOK AROUND SOME OF CAMBRIDGE’S HIDDEN DRINKING DENS.
A lush, peaceful oasis in the heart of the city centre, Novi’s hip roof terrace is one of the city’s finest spots for a drink, especially on a hot summer’s day. Accessed via a steel staircase, you’re greeted by a profusion of plants, from the scented climbers which fill the air with their delicate fragrance to the botanical plants, which include herbs and edibles used in Novi’s homemade cocktails. Pitch
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up at a sleek marble table and choose your poison – perhaps an Elderflower Julep or our fave, the Dozy Girl, with rose vodka, ginger liqueur, tea syrup and lemon. The nibbles are worth a try too, especially the parmesan churros and the indulgent sharing platters. Swing by 5pm-7pm on weekdays for Happy Hour, when you can enjoy two cocktails for £10. novicambridge.co.uk
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MOCHATINI Smokeworks on Station Road shares the recipe for an after-dinner Bourbon cocktail. You could make this extra special by using a Rye or Small Batch Bourbon if you have one to hand – enjoy! YOU WILL NEED:
25ml Buffalo Trace Bourbon 37.5ml good-quality espresso (chilled if possible) 25ml crème de cacao 25ml Baileys METHOD:
Shake all ingredients hard with ice and strain into a chilled Martini glass Serve garnished with coffee beans
“An afterdinner pick-meup with a potent bourbon kick”
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F E E L I N G T H I RS T Y?
Just Add Sunshine ELODIE CAMERON FROM DRINKS SHOP THIRSTY GIVES THE LOWDOWN ON THE WINE COCKTAILS TO ENJOY THIS SUMMER When it’s as hot as it’s been this summer in Cambridge, we need something cool and refreshing to drink. What we need at this time of year, in my opinion, are wine cocktails. With these tipples, wine is still the primary ingredient but with the addition of something to lighten it up, and often another ingredient that adds flavour and zing. Fruit purees and juices are perfect for this, or herbs that add subtle but distinctive flavours. First port of call would have to be the humble spritzer – half a glass of fresh aromatic wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling, chilled and topped with soda water, ta-dah it is transformed and a perfect accompaniment to summer lunches. Some would go a step further and use red wine, or a lemon soda, or perhaps opt for a simplified Sangria known in Spain as Tinto de Verano – just add a slice of lemon. A glass of bubbly is easily transformed into a Bellini with peach puree if you are in Italy, or a Mimosa with fresh orange juice in France – just add double the fizz to juice, et voilà. Or go for the classic Kir Royale by adding a touch of crème de cassis. Of course, in recent years the simple fizz cocktail has taken on a whole new meaning with Aperol Spritz – you can’t escape those bright orange, balloon-shaped glasses dotting tables at Mediterranean resorts. The jury’s out on the ideal ratio – is it 3:2:1 or 50:50 of Prosecco,
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Aperol and Soda? Go light on soda in the latter, and either way, add plenty of ice and a slice of orange. This light liqueur gives just the right combination of sweetness, bitter orange and herbs. Just don’t forget the ‘cicchetti’, as Italians call the aperitivo nibbles they serve when drinking this with friends. But it’s not all about sparkling wine; rosé can be jazzed up if it’s fruity with orange juice, brandy and a touch of lemonade – serve long with slices of orange and lemon. If your rosé is delicate, such as a Provencal rosé, give it style with a little rose water and a dash of lime juice and a rose petal to decorate. If that’s all too elaborate for your lazy afternoon with friends, just bash up some mint and super-chilled sparkling water and a twist of white pepper for an optional boost. Some will go as far as mixing red wine and cola with a squeeze of lemon; otherwise known as Kalimotxo – a guilty pleasure indeed, originally from the Basque country. Apparently it really works. Clearly the options are limitless; the main thing to remember with wine cocktails is they are about fun and pleasure – it is summer, after all. KEY INGREDIENTS:
l M eierer Riesling (litre bottle)
– £12.50
l B el Star Prosecco – £12.20
l P ure Rosé Mirabeau – £13.60
l R ioja Aradon Crainza – £11.60
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D R I N KS
QUENCH YOUR THIRST THIS SUMMER WITH A GLASS OF ONE OF THESE LUSCIOUS, LOCALLYMADE DRINKS
ENGL ISH SPI R I T LIMONGINO
A nod to limoncello, the zingy Limongino is created using exquisite small-batch lemon gin, freshly zested lemons and a lick of sugar. It’s made by English Spirit, which hails from the village of Dullingham, and is a sticky, juicy, lemony dream – best served ice cold or added to a glass of fizz. £22 for 50cl. englishspirit.uk
CR A NES DR INK S CRANBERRY & BLOOD ORANGE LIQUEUR
We fell in love with each and every one of the cranberry-infused tipples at Cranes Drinks’ Eat Cambridge stand back in May – but this silky smooth, award-winning liqueur won the day. Made with top quality cranberries from Wisconsin, USA, blood orange juices and rind, it was created in collaboration with a top mixologist and is great for zhuzhing up cocktails. Add a splash to your cosmopolitan or G&T for a delicious twist or use it to pimp your Prosecco – hey presto: Cranbellini! It’s priced at £19.99 for 50cl. Elsewhere in the Cranes range, and equally worthy of your tastebuds’ attention this summer, are the deliciously crisp and fruity Cranes ciders, which come in flavours including raspberry and pomegranate, blueberry and apple, and cranberry and lime. They’re available at stores across the UK – check the Cranes website for stockist details. drinkcranes.co.uk A U G U S T 2 018
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CAMBRIDGE CIDER COMPANY MUCH MERRIMENT
As good as its name, this merrymaking cider is a sweet, easy-drinking delight made with a mixture of dessert and cooking apples. It comes our way from Cambridge Cider Company – a passionate boutique producer of smallbatch ciders made using apples from the region. A must-try for cider fans, you can pick it up from local outlets including The Gog and Pint Shop. thecambridgecidercompany.co.uk
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THE CAMBRIDGE DISTILLERY CAMBRIDGE SEASONAL GIN SS18
The globally renowned Cambridge Distillery have released their latest seasonal tipple: a splendid spring/summer 2018 gin with magnolia blossom, lemon balm and local honey. Created just twice a year, the seasonal gins are limited edition and distilled using botanicals foraged from the local area. It’s priced at £90 for 700ml. cambridgedistilleryshop.co.uk
THE ELY GIN COMPANY PINK GRAPEFRUIT GIN
Made using fresh, whole pink grapefruits, this refreshing number from The Ely Gin Company pairs beautifully with a splash of tonic. We love the 1920s styled branding on the bottle and the unique, tangy-sweet flavours. Priced at £22.99 for 500ml. elygin.co.uk
BR ECK L A N D ORCH A R D CREAM SODA
Nothing says English summer like an icy glass of cream soda in a country garden – and this one by local company Breckland Orchard is the top of the pops. Luxuriously creamy, with a hint of vanilla and a whisper of rhubarb, it calls to mind a melted ice cream on a childhood summer day… brecklandorchard.co.uk
BR EW BOA R D LAKOTA
An indie brewery based out in Harston, BrewBoard have been making waves with their fantastic range of craft beers and fun pop-up events. The Lakota, a light, American-style IPA, is just the ticket for a day of summer boozing, with its citrusy zing and hints of tangerine and papaya. It can be yours for £2.59 a can. brewboard.co.uk
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CA M B R I D G E CO C K TA I L W E E K E N D
Cambridge
Cocktail Weekend GET SET FOR THE CITY’S BIGGEST, BOOZIEST PARTY
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CA M B R I D G E CO C K TA I L W E E K E N D
ambridge’s festival of cocktails is poised to return this month for three days of great drinks, live music and interactive fun over the August Bank Holiday. It’s the third outing for this popular event, which will once again be transforming the Corn Exchange into a lively drinking den teeming with top tipples to try and fun workshops and masterclasses to get stuck into. Local bars like La Raza, Ta Bouche, Novi and Hidden Rooms will sit side by side with world-leading drinks brands including Diageo (makers of Ketel One vodka, Tanqueray Gin, Pampero rum and Bulleit bourbon), Chivas Regal whisky, Belvedere vodka, Luxardo liqueurs, Licor 43, ODK mixers, and more – plus there’ll be a chance to taste your way around the wares of boutique local producers like Cranes Drinks, Pinkster Gin and the Cambridge Distillery. We’ve had a sneaky peek at the expansive cocktails list, and can tell you that there’s a crowd-pleasing mix of classics like Tom Collins, Mai Tais and Cosmopolitans, alongside some innovative tipples which are sure to tickle any cocktail fan’s fancy. Here’s a taster of what’s in store! l GET HANDS-ON!
Reckon you can mix up a margarita with the best of them? There’ll be plenty of chances to unleash your inner mixologist at the event. “The Cocktail Weekend isn’t just about the tasting of cocktails,” says Charlie Anderson, co-organiser of the Cocktail Weekend and owner of La Raza and Ta Bouche. “It provides an
opportunity for anyone that wishes to get involved in making them too.” With workshops and masterclasses taking place throughout the event, most of which are free to join in with, you’re sure to pick up some new skills and tips to impress your pals next time someone suggests a cocktail. Superbrand Diageo will be pitching up on the balcony at the Corn Exchange to show you how to create cocktails using everyday ingredients, while Chivas Regal will be taking over an entire room, giving you the opportunity to blend your own whisky. Under the guidance of Chivas’ UK ambassadors, you’ll be provided with five different whiskies to blend together, creating your own unique whisky in a small bottle. Popular around the UK, it’s the first time these classes have been offered in Cambridge, and you can join the fun at a discounted price of £15 for a 45-minute session (prebooking recommended). Perhaps you’re more of a gin lover? Be sure to seek out the pop-up Cambridge Gin Laboratory, where you’ll be able to blend botanicals to create your perfect gin, which you’ll then get to take home. La Raza, meanwhile, will be hosting a speed cocktail-making competition: you’ll get a quick tutorial on daiquiri making and then duke it out with other budding mixologists to see who can recreate it in the quickest time, before relaxing and enjoying the fruits of your labour. l MIXOLOGY WITH FLAIR
The world’s best bartenders will be flying in from around the globe to take part in the prestigious World Flair Association Grand Slam World Championship competition, which will take place live on stage at this year’s festival. Among those battling will be the current World Champion, Poland’s Marek Posluszny, along with other movers, muddlers and shakers from the worlds’ top 10 ranked. It’s promising to be quite a spectacle watching these world-leading bartenders doing their mesmerising thing, while turning out perfect cocktails – the ideal entertainment while you relax with a drink or two and enjoy the music. Some of the competitors will also be bartending behind the WFA bar – swing by for a chance to have a cocktail whipped up by the world’s best! l
MUSIC It’s not all about the drinks: there’ll be some top-notch live music to enjoy on each day of the festival, making for a great atmosphere. Friday night will see local band Swagger take to the stage to play their crowd-pleasing classics with a spin: expect a mix of 60s groove, 70s funk, 80s cheese and 90s favourites – with a few surprises. On Saturday, it’s over to the Indietones, who’ll be delivering a highenergy mash-up of greats from The Beatles to the Beastie Boys. Completing the line-up on Sunday is Booga’s Electric Sauce, who always get the crowd moving with their heady, funked-out covers.
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5 TO TRY THE INSIDE SCOOP ON SOME OF THE FESTIVAL’S MOST INTRIGUING TIPPLES
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CRUNCHY NUT BANANA COLADA (LA RAZA AND TA BOUCHE)
A nutty, tropical twist on pina colada using crunchy nut cornflake-infused Havana rum, banana, pineapple and coconut.
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EAST & STORMY (NOVI)
Havana rum with fireball cinnamon whisky, angostura, vanilla syrup and ginger beer.
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SPANISH MARTINI (LICOR 43)
A fruity, zingy blend of Spanish liqueur Licor 43 with lemon juice, pineapple juice and fresh raspberries.
4
SOUR CHERRY GIN & TONIC (LUXARDO)
Luxardo’s latest invention is their sour cherry gin with Thomas Henry Tonic and garnish of your choice.
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MR PIZZLE’S SUNDAE SWIZZLE (LA RAZA)
What happens when you combine Jack’s Gelato’s inspiring ice cream with the creative cocktail-makers at La Raza? Pete Rawlings and the team at the bar have been experimenting with tiki cocktail-inspired ice creams along with old familiars like espresso martini and Aperol spritz. Apart from that, he’s keeping tight-lipped about which flavours will be available at the Cocktail Weekend, saying “Maybe we will decide once we know what the weather will be like, or perhaps we will let our customers decide with a flavour trial at La Raza.” Best keep an eye on La Raza’s social media then for when the taste trials will be held!
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N E E D TO K N OW Cambridge Cocktail Weekend runs at the Corn Exchange from 24 to 26 August. Sessions run on Friday 4pm to 1am, Saturday afternoon 1pm to 5pm, Saturday night 6pm to 1am, Sunday afternoon 1pm to 5pm and Sunday night 6pm to 12am. Sessions cost £13.50 per person for evening slots and £7 for afternoon slots. cambridgecocktailweekend.co.uk
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PUB GUIDE
Cambridge Pub Guide Part two
BRILLIANT BOOZERS, GREAT GASTRO PUBS, BEAUTIFUL BEER GARDENS: OUR PINT GLASS RUNNETH OVER WITH OPTIONS FOR WHERE TO HEAD FOR A BEER AND A BITE. HERE’S OUR PICK OF THE BEST!
T H E PET ER SF I EL D
A Johnny-come-lately to the Mill Road pub scene, this pub forms part of the City Pub Co collection and is found in the building previously home to the well-loved Backstreet Bistro (RIP). Inside, as we’ve come to expect from this group, the style is smart-vintage, and they’ve made the most of the venue’s courtyard, which is now a small-but-perfectlyformed, fairylight-adorned little haven (and definitely one to add to your list when you’re looking for an alfresco pint in the neighbourhood). There’s a nice beer selection, and the food is of the gourmet pub grub variety (think beerbattered haddock and chips, steaks and pies). You can also pick up brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
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THE GELDART Another gem amongst Mill Road’s backstreet pubby riches, The Geldart is all about interesting drinks, food and live music. Art by local artists lines the walls, menus are scribbled on old vinyl records, there are reams of rums, a whopping whisky list and a range of intriguing speciality meats to sample, including crocodile and kangaroo. Mains are served on a ‘hot rock’, on which you can continue to sizzle your exotic fare at your table, making for a fun, interactive dining experience. There’s also more typical pub grub on offer, such as fish and chips, as well as live music events, too.
THE PICK ER EL INN
T HE C A M BR IDGE BLU E No round-up of great Cambridge pubs would be complete without a nod to The Cambridge Blue: a watering hole many Cambridgeites call their favourite. Walk through its quaint Gwydir Street doors and you’re met with a wall of bottled beers from every corner of the globe – a selection so dazzlingly large it gets the CAMRA crowd frothing at the mouth with excitement. It’s also famous for its large beer garden, which backs onto the Petersfield cemetery and offers a veritable sea of picnic tables. A U G U S T 2 018
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Allegedly the oldest pub in the city centre, dating back to the 1500s, The Pickerel Inn is steeped in fascinating stories from its colourful history. The building’s previous incarnations include gin palace, brothel and an undertakers – and legend has it a ghost haunts the building to this day. It pulls in a regular crowd of students, locals and tourists, lured by the promise of a good, old-fashioned British pub, with good beer and a bustling atmosphere.
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OLD BICYCLE SHOP
Steeped in history, but with a very modern twist, the Old Bicycle Shop takes its name from Howes Cycles, which closed on the site in 2013. It claimed to be the oldest bicycle shop in the country, and rumour has it that Charles Darwin once bought a bike from Howes. Now a bar and restaurant, the Old Bicycle Shop features saddles and handlebars as wall art, and bike parts refashioned into ornaments and table lamps. From a quick coffee and brunch to a special dinner, fresh locallysourced food – with plenty of vegan and veggie options – is available on the menu. So grab a pint, and if you’re really pushed for time, brunch or lunch to go is an option.
KING WILLIAM IV (HEYDON) An inn that dates back to the 1500s, King William IV in Heydon boasts a restaurant perfect for dinner for one or a party up to 70, making it an ideal venue for business lunches or dinner parties, by prior booking. A homemade Billy burger with chips is just one of an impressive six main options on the children’s menu, and wild mushroom and cashew stroganoff one of eight vegetarian mains. Chargrilled steaks, antipasti platters, shortcrust pastry pies and lighter lunch bites are also on offer, with a wine list high on quality. The inn can also cater for wedding parties and similar groups, with room for up to 100 guests in a marquee.
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PUB GUIDE
FORT ST GEORGE
FLYING PIG
Amble across Midsummer Common, minding the cowpats, to find your way to The Fort St George in England (supposedly so-named because at the time it resembled the East India Company’s Fort St George in Chennai). This charmingly traditional watering hole serves up hearty British pub grub, and the location is just stunning – it might only be a few minutes from the city centre but it feels like the heart of the countryside, and the outdoor area is large enough that you’re almost always guaranteed a seat. On a sunny day in Cambridge, it’s hard to beat.
As its Hills Road surroundings continue to be modernised beyond recognition, the threat of demolition has loomed large for the Flying Pig. Should the developers get their way and the bulldozers raze it to the ground, we’ll have lost a truly great Cambridge pub. We’re by no means the only ones who’d mourn: a petition to save this much-loved pub rapidly garnered some 8,000 signatures last year, and when Edition asked our Facebook followers to tell us about their favourite watering holes it received by far the most love. Why? It’s cosy, friendly and puts on loads of live music; a proper pub with bags of charm. Long may it live.
E A R L OF BE ACONSFIEL D ‘The Beaky’, as it’s affectionately known, is a bustling community pub situated just over the Mill Road bridge. Strolling past you can often hear the sounds of live music emanating from the pub, which hosts regular live music nights including acoustic jams for musicians, open mic nights, and special guests performing on Saturday nights. To drink, there are Cask Marque real ales from around the UK permanently on tap, including brews from Woodforde’s and Bishop Nick, as well as an ever-changing roster of guest ales to explore. There’s also a range of very reasonably priced stone-baked pizzas if you’re feeling peckish.
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THE EMPRESS If the backstreet boozers of the Mill Road area gathered for a family reunion, The Empress would be the flamboyant older uncle. It’s famous for its splendidly OTT Christmas decorations, the jukebox stocked with all your favourite tunes (sort of), billiards, the dartboard and the outdoor terrace – once home to a large pig. It tends to close later than the other Mill Road pubs, making it a good final port of call on a pub crawl. We hear good things about the regular quizzes, too.
THE ALEX
T HE C A R PEN T ER ’ S A R M S Recently acquired by Pizza Pots & Pints, the group also responsible for the much-adored Salisbury Arms on Tenison Road, the Carpenter’s Arms is now delivering its winning formula of crispy artisan pizzas, bubbling pots of comfort food and great craft beer to Victoria Road. Pints are made at the Charles Wells’ brewery in Bedford, which owns the pub (using water from their very own natural water well, no less) and the pizzas are universally acknowledged to be amongst the finest in the city. Stop by on a Monday and you can pick up two of these mozzarella-laden discs for the price of one, or stave off Sunday blues at the Carpenter’s Arms retro games nights, where you can go nostalgia crazy on vintage consoles each week.
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The enduring appeal of The Alex revolves largely around two, crucially important factors: (a)beer garden and (b)burgers. Tucked away on Gwydir Street, the garden is a cracking spot for a sunny day beer, while the legendary burgers will have you daydreaming for days after. Our top pick is the Brex In, a juicy 6oz beef patty layered up with a slab of chorizo and a blanket of blue cheese, slathered in sticky onion marmalade(there’s also a kids’ menu for little appetites). Another top tip is the Saturday night ‘supper club’, where you can bag yourself a free bottle of house wine when you buy two main meals.
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PUB GUIDE
OLD CROWN Having reopened at the start of this year with a smart new look, Girton’s Old Crown has swiftly become a favourite. Now a high-end gastro pub, it boasts a sleek copper bar, plush furnishings and a fantastic cocktail menu (ours is a Clementine Mojito), and has become a welcome hub for a part of town previously a little under serviced on the pub front. The food is based around elegant takes on pub classics, with dishes such as Hereford sirloin steak with triple cooked chips, confit shallots and beef sauce. The latest string to the Old Crown’s bow is the brunch offering, which is available Monday to Saturday and includes a bottomless option with unlimited refills of Prosecco, Bloody Marys or milkshakes.
T H E BLUE MO ON
Regularly running 20 different keg lines, you can sip your way around a world of beers at this Norfolk Street pub, sampling brews from America, Norway, Belgium, Germany, Austria and all over the UK. There are more than 100 gins, too, plus pizzas and nachos for when you need to soak up all the booze. Keep an eye out for upcoming gigs – this pub knows how to party.
DEVONSHIRE ARMS
A stripped-back, traditional pub with a jolly red exterior, ‘The Dev’ is another well-trodden stop on the Mill Road area drinking trail. Since reopening in 2010, the pub has become known for its selection of real ales, picking up CAMRA’s Cambridge Pub of the Year accolade in 2012. If you fancy a tipple, there’s a lovely selection from Milton Brewery, as well as choice beers from other British microbreweries, while food-wise you can expect pizzas, nachos and the like, steaming their way out of the kitchen. The location on Devonshire Road makes it an ideal spot for a quick pre-train bite or beer.
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FAS H I O N
MADDIE POLKA DOT TOTE
THERAPY RAINBOW STRAW BAG
£40, House of Fraser
£45, Oliver Bonas, Sidney Street
STRIPED JUMPSUIT
£9.99, Zara, St Andrew’s Street
LOVE BY JULIEN MACDONALD SWIMSUIT
£20, Matalan, Beehive Centre
STUDIO BY PREEN SKIRT
£65, Debenhams online
The Holiday Edit SPOT PRINT SHIRT DRESS
£69.50, Oliver Bonas, Sidney Street
LOLLYS LAUNDRY TROUSERS
£85, House of Fraser
RUFFLE STRIPE TOP
£25, Accessorize, Lion Yard
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PAUS.
for Thought WE EXPLORE CAMBRIDGE’S NEWEST WELLNESS RETREAT
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ancy losing an afternoon relaxing in a hot tub in the open air, sipping on champagne and soaking up the gorgeous Cambridgeshire countryside? PAUS., a stunning new ‘bathing and breathing’ retreat located on an idyllic hilltop in Bourn, could be just the thing. Taking inspiration from glamping, spas and festival pampering, with a sprinkling of Scandinavian style, this beautiful bolthole features traditional wood fired, red cedar hot tubs which are exposed to the elements so bathers can enjoy a canopy of vast sky and acres of rolling countryside. PAUS. comes our way from Bathing under the Sky’s co-founders Alexandra and Bart, who started the company in 2010 as a way of providing festivalgoers with some relaxation and rejuvenation when they need it most. “We had such an amazing response to Bathing
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Under the Sky that we wanted to find a permanent home for the concept,” says Alexandra. “It’s all about relaxing in the way the Scandis take for granted. A combination of water warmed to 38° which is soothing, a refreshing cool pool which is great on hot days, invigorating open air and being with family or friends which is just nice and keeps you grounded.” Co-founder Bart adds that they chose Cambridge because they felt its peaceful, picturesque countryside would be perfect, and that “people have such a positive take on life, but they’re also incredibly busy so they sometimes forget to pause and switch off.” In addition to the hot tubs, the site boasts a barrel sauna plus cooling showers where you can refresh before heading to the Hilltop Terrasse where a range of delicious refreshments can be enjoyed sat by the open fire (if the weather allows). PAUS. will also be hosting a number of exclusive events throughout the year, from outdoor cinema screenings to yoga, handson workshops and author’s readings. Tickets range from £17 to £95 for a day’s relaxation and can be purchased from the PAUS. website. l pauscambridge.com
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WIN A ONE-DAY HOLIDAY AT PAUS.! We’ve teamed up with PAUS. to give away a day of indulgence for two at the retreat. We’ll be announcing two winners, both of whom will receive a pair of tickets for a one-day holiday, priced at £95 per head, which can be redeemed at any open weekends during the subsequent 12 months. This includes access to the wood-fired hot tubs, the Finnish dry barrel sauna with cooling shower, hot showers with toiletries, the plunge pool, chill-out areas and pampering areas with GHDs and hairdryers, plus locker, bathrobe and sarong towel use. Our winners will also receive a freshly brewed/mixed drink served to the hot tub (you’ll pick from a choice of herbal teas, homemade juices, Prosecco or G&T), plus a two-course lunch served at the Hilltop Terrasse between 1pm and 3pm, including one drink (you will have a choice of two set menus). To really zen you out, you’ll also be treated to a head and shoulder massage while you’re in the hot tub, plus there’ll be garden games and plenty more fun to enjoy. Sound good? Head to cambsedition.co.uk and click the Competitions tab to enter!
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Ride with Rutland this Summer
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earn how to keep your bike in tip-top shape and fix simple mechanicals with the help of Rutland Cycling. Their maintenance classes are friendly, interactive sessions run by the expert in-house workshop team. Puncture? No problem: you’ll learn how to replace tubes and get pro tips and techniques that’ll have you speeding off again in no time. You’ll also learn how to replace a pin and quickly fix a link in your chain. How to properly clean your bike to keep it in optimal condition is also covered, as is how to carry out a safety ‘M Check’, to ensure your bike is always safe to ride before you set out. Maintenance classes take place on 16 August (Cambridge Station store), 4 September (Grafham Water store) and 11 September (Barnwell Road store), all at 6pm, costing £5.
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You can also join Rutland Cycling for weekly road rides every Thursday evening throughout the summer. The rides are non-drop (meaning no rider is left behind) and will be led by Rutland’s experienced staff. The pace is 15-16 miles per hour and the distance is 20-25 miles. Meet at 6.15pm outside the Histon store on 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 August – it’s free but booking is essential. Over at the Grafham Water store, meanwhile, you can get out and about in the great outdoors and join in with one of Rutland’s popular mountain bike evening rides, or take an electric bike out for a spin. Join the fun on 16 August and 11 September at 6pm, when you can cycle 12-17 miles at a steady pace (suitable for intermediates), at 6pm. It’s free with your own bike or £5 to hire one. Book online at rutlandcycling.com/rides. l
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JOIN THE C YC L I N G H I R E COMMUNIT Y! Not got your own bike but want to get cycling this summer? Rutland has a full range of hire bikes from their Grand Arcade and Cambridge Station stores. The hire fleet includes standard, premium children’s and electric bikes plus extras like helmets, child seats and buggies. The bikes can be rented hourly, daily or on a more long-term basis. rutlandcycling.com/hire
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B E AU T Y
the
BEAUTY bible
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estival season has to be my favourite quarter of the make-up calendar, and in celebration I’m going to share the lowdown on some of the products I’m enjoying – there’s lots to cover this month! Anything long lasting is a huge win for me – it’s going to be sweaty, it’s going to be gross, and the showers… Well, you probably won’t get one! Dyeing lashes and brows will set you up and I’m loving Colorsport 30 Day Brow Tint (£8.25, Boots), and 30 Day Mascara (£8.25, Boots) – easy to apply and gives that fuss-free, effortless look. Wash your hair the morning you head off and take a decent dry shampoo to freshen up and keep grease at bay. Phil Smith Be Gorgeous Dry Clean Dry Shampoo (£2.50, Sainsbury’s) is also available for brunettes, so no more granny hair! Or try the pocketable Batiste minis, just £1.50 from Boots. Something which may sound a little weird – bear with me – is Christophe Robin Purifying Hair Vinegar with Sage (£32.50, lookfantastic.co.uk). It works to refresh hair without the chalkiness sometimes left behind by dry shampoo, making it ace for those with really dark hair. Amazingly it doubles as a soothing remedy for insect bites, too. Assuming it’s a scorcher, you’ll need protection. Murad’s City Skin Broad Spectrum SPF 50 (£55, murad.co.uk) is the one if you hate the feel of sticky sunscreen on your face – wear it comfortably under moisturiser or make-up. Don’t forget how damaging the sun can be to your hair, too: Nanogen Root Boost Hair Thickening Spray with Sun Damage Protection (£12.95, Boots) prolongs colour vibrancy, gives oomph and protects from
the rays. And for when you might have been letting loose and dehydrating yourself a little too much, H30 Hydration sachets (£24.95, rejuvenated.co.uk) are plant-based drinks packed with minerals, ions and electrolytes for promoting inner and outer beauty. Of course, you need glitter. Don’t scrimp on this, and don’t worry about being heavy handed. Once you’ve got your eco-conscious sparkle – such as the In Your Dreams biodegradable range (£6-£7, inyour-dreams. com), just let your creative side run riot! If you’re a little glitter-shy, then try the shade Rose Gold Rush dabbed over balm under eyes for a pretty effect. For the biggest selection, and a solid favourite of mine, hit up Dust and Dance, and treat yourself to the Sustainable Sparkle Super Set (£52.50, dustanddance.com). This includes 15 bio-glitters and two gamechanging glues; with the price making the glues free. Check out Mayan Gold – so pretty! Forget about eyeshadow neutrals: go bold or go home. The new Too Faced Festival range has your back, and the Life’s a Festival palette (£35, Debenhams) is an ethereal mix of duo-chromatic shades ready to make eyes pop. Pick up the Magical Crystal Lip Topper Gloss (£16, Debenhams) in Mermaid or Unicorn Tears to transform your lip colour to something mythical. When you’re out all day and night, stash your essentials in a bumbag – the MASQD travel set of brushes is ace for this. Four double-ended mini brushes for just £14 from Boots will see you saving space (for more glitter). l
“Forget about eyeshadow neutrals: go bold or go home” CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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THE ONE THAT I WANT
All that partying (and gluing glitter to your face!) can certainly take its toll on your complexion, so something I like to do to unwind from a festival is a good skin detox. If, like me, you find it hard to take time out, you’ll want a speedy skin solution. Introducing the weirdly wonderful Foreo UFO (£249, Asos). This dinky device uses LED technology and cryo-therapy to offer fast facials with sheet masks applied to the pod. Delivering targeted treatments with hot and cold, and clever T-Sonic pulsations, it takes just 90 seconds!
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MEET MARKET IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT MEETING SPACE? WE TAKE A LOOK AROUND SOME OF THE AREA’S TOP CONFERENCING AND BUSINESS VENUES
ALLIA FUTURE BUSINESS CENTRE From its vibrant green building to its support for new start-ups, the Allia Future Business Centre – the home of Cambridge’s ‘impact entrepreneurs’ – is a meetings venue with a difference. The £9 million purpose-built facility provides a fantastic setting with a conference room for up to 77 people, two meeting rooms, a roof terrace and an inspiring open-plan atrium space flooded with natural light. The Centre also boasts an on-site café, car parking and free charging points for electrical vehicles. Along with state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, great catering packages and excellent customer service, every event booking supports Allia, an independent not-forprofit with a social mission, dedicated to helping impact organisations and initiatives to grow. Throughout August, Allia Future Business Centre is offering free event and meeting room space for new customers. Get in touch via hello@futurebusinesscentre. co.uk or 0845 4562432 and quote CEFREE2018. Subject to availability; terms and conditions apply. futurebusinesscentre.co.uk
K ET T L E ’ S YA R D Reopened to the public in February after an extensive refurbishment, Kettle’s Yard offers a truly unique business venue which is sure to inspire creative thinking. There are a range of spaces on offer, ideal for anything from elegant drinks receptions to product launches and meetings, and the team can also arrange private tours of the gallery’s remarkable collection of modern art. The Galleries, which can hold up to 200 guests for a drinks reception, are bold and beautiful, while the Ede Room and the Clore Learning Space both offer light, airy, modern meeting and working facilities with all mod cons. You can even hire the House itself, which many consider to be a work of art in its own right, and in the summer months, the doors can be opened to make the most of the terrace area and Jim Ede’s exquisite cottage garden. kettlesyard.co.uk
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M A DINGL E Y HALL Steeped in history and surrounded by glorious gardens, Madingley Hall offers stunning facilities including 14 meeting rooms and 62 en-suite bedrooms. Owned by the University of Cambridge, this grand old Tudor house is located four miles from the centre of Cambridge, and has year-round availability for groups of five to 100. It’s accredited by the Meeting Industry Association, and has top-notch eco credentials too, having recently achieved Platinum status at the University’s Green Impact awards. The food also has an excellent reputation and staff will be happy to work with you to deliver a delicious feast, be it a hearty breakfast, buffet lunch, barbecue or sit-down meal. madingleyhall.co.uk
MURRAY EDWARDS COLLEGE With two self-contained conference centres, on-site parking and an experienced events team, Murray Edwards College can provide the perfect venue for a range of residential and day meetings, product launches, lectures or training sessions. Its Buckingham House Conference Centre is a modern and flexible space, with a lecture theatre to seat 140 and additional adjacent syndicate rooms. Refreshments are served in the foyer, overlooking an attractive outdoor deck. The Kaetsu Centre, meanwhile, is a sleek, contemporary facility comprising eight meeting rooms over four floors. A lecture theatre including an extensive range of high-quality audiovisual equipment and free Wi-Fi, is adjacent to the foyer and seats 150 delegates. “Our two self-contained conference centres are very popular with clients wanting their own dedicated space for all aspects of their event,” says Freya Vaughan, marketing and events officer. “Both Buckingham House and the Kaetsu Centre are available all-year round and our on-site car park is a major plus for a Cambridge venue.” In advance of the event, the knowledgeable team are happy to answer queries, and they are also on hand during events to deal with any questions that arise. murrayedwardsevents.co.uk
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YOUR SPACE APARTMENTS Creating a comfortable, stylish homefrom-home, Your Space Apartments are a great option if you’re in search of overnight accommodation for your delegates. The company has a range of apartments around the city which can be booked for as little as two nights at a time, and guests are met in person on arrival and shown around. Your Space go
the extra mile to ensure guests have all the creature comforts they might need, delivering a welcome basket filled with provisions and ensuring that the kitchens are stocked with essentials like salt and pepper and herbs, and bathrooms are fully equipped with fluffy towels, soaps and shampoo. Handy mod cons like a washer-dryer and ironing equipment are
provided too, while guests are guaranteed a cosy night’s sleep on the luxurious Egyptian cotton bedding. There’s a 24-hour support service for all guests too, and apartments come with a tablet computer preloaded with handy local recommendations and up-to-date information on the city. yourspaceapartments.com
G R A N TA C E N T R E A spacious, purpose-built conference facility situated seven miles from Cambridge in Granta Park, the Granta Centre benefits from a countryside location while being easily accessible from the city centre. Light and contemporary throughout, the centre boasts hundreds of free parking spaces and an events team with more than 35 years’ combined experience. Whether you’re planning an exhibition, conference or team building day, the centre can accommodate your needs, with a range of flexible meeting, breakout and shared spaces, plus outdoor areas. Every meeting room is equipped with the latest audiovisual tech, including flexible, multiple microphone configurations, with everything easily accessed via intuitive touchscreen controls and plug-and-play connectivity. Food-wise, there’s both the Granta Restaurant and The Street Café, which serves freshly ground coffee and offers relaxing views over the cricket pitch. grantacentre.co.uk
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Cambridge University Press Bookshop AS A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS FOR CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY BOOKSHOP, SIOBHAN GODWOOD FINDS OUT ABOUT THE SHOP’S HISTORY AND ITS PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
esidents of Cambridge are extremely fortunate to live and work in such a beautiful and historic place. There are so many unique things about it, and it sometimes feels that around every street corner there is another historic gem waiting to be discovered. It can be easy to take some of these for granted, so you may well have browsed and bought books in the Cambridge University Press (CUP) Bookshop without realising that it is one of the oldest buildings in the city, with a fascinating history of its own. The shop – at number 1, Trinity Street, in the heart of the city centre – is one of the most historic sites in bookselling, and believed to be the oldest bookshop in the whole of the UK, with books having been sold from the shop since at least 1581, and possibly as early as 1505. In the late 16th century, small, individual printing shops began to spring up on what used to be Regent Walk and is now Senate House lawn, and the printers would sell their pamphlets through the shop on the Trinity Street site. Letters Patent – like a Royal Charter – were granted to the university by Henry VIII in 1534, giving it permission to set up a printing press, although printing didn’t
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as that of a young girl with long, fair hair, who is accompanied by the smell of violets! Cambridge University Press took over the bookshop in 1992, and since then it has been exclusively selling CUP books. In 2008 a new chapter in the history of the CUP bookshop began, when the Schools and English Language Learning Bookshop opened around the corner from the original Trinity Street shop, on Market Hill. Cambridge University Press is a world leader in English language teaching materials, and of course Cambridge is a major centre for the teaching of English as a foreign language, with students coming here to study from all over the world. The bookshop sells all the books and course materials that the Press publishes, as well as schools’ materials for UK GCSE, A-level and International Baccalaureate exams, plus international GCSE and A-level courses. It has a thriving online business selling education and English language learning books to customers all around the world, but there is nothing like seeing books in
IMAGES BY ANDREW WILKINSON PHOTOGRAPHY
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actually begin in Cambridge for another 50 years due to the monopoly held over the trade by London printers. But in 1584 a University Printer, Thomas Thomas, was appointed and began printing and selling works from the Trinity Street bookshop. Groundbreaking works produced by the Press include Lycidas by John Milton in 1638 and a second edition of Isaac Newton’s Principia Mathematica in 1713 that saved the book from obscurity and improved significantly on the original. From 1845 onwards the bookshop was run by Alexander and Daniel Macmillan, who became so successful on the publishing side that they gave up running the shop to concentrate on the now world-famous publishing house. Relatives of the Macmillans then ran the shop as Bowes & Bowes, and it bore this name from 1907, despite being taken over by W H Smith, until 1986, when it became Sherratt & Hughes. The bookshop even has its own ghostly legends: it’s said to be haunted by the ghost of a Victorian gentleman, as well
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the flesh and having a really good browse to find the perfect materials, and that’s where the CUP bookshop really comes into its own. The store is a fantastic hub for both students and teachers who have any questions or need to find the best materials for their studies, and the staff who work there are all experts in the field who are extremely well equipped to answer questions and to help track down the perfect books and resources. “We are so fortunate in the staff that we have working in the shop,” says Alice Tranah from the CUP Bookshop. “They all know all of the subjects inside out, so not only is the shop a great place to browse for and buy course books and materials for a whole range of English language and Education topics, it’s also
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“The shop is a brilliant resource for anyone who is studying or teaching” a brilliant resource for anyone who is studying, teaching or planning a course.” The team at CUP decided that after ten successful years, it was time for the shop to have a well-deserved revamp, and as well as a redecoration and reorganisation, the store has seen the introduction of new technology to make the most of the digital side of the Press’s resources. “The digital material that goes with the books that we sell is something that we are proud of,” says Alice, “and although we could demonstrate that part of what we do before, the new technology and bigger screens that we have introduced as part of the refurbishment make that a lot easier and a much better experience for our staff and our customers.”
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The official reopening of the CUP Schools and English Language Learning Bookshop was on 11 July, with a celebratory launch and anniversary party on the 18th, and the team are very much looking forward to welcoming customers into the newlook store. There’s a huge amount of English language teaching going on in Cambridge, and of course this continues all through the summer while the city’s university students and schoolchildren are having a well-earned break, making this a brilliant time for the shop to showcase its facelift. l CUP Bookshop, 1 Trinity Street, Cambridge, CB2 1SZ | 01223 333333 Facebook: Cambridge University Press Bookshop | Twitter: @CUPBookshop
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Home Edition © HOUSE OF FRASER
GA R D E N ST Y L I N G T I PS • E D I T I O N LO V E S • AS K T H E AG E N T
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STEP
Outdoors
TURN YOUR GARDEN INTO A SECOND LIVING SPACE WITH PRETTY PATIOS, LAVISH LAWNS AND VERSATILE VERANDAS. ANGELINA VILLA-CLARKE REVEALS HOW TO MAKE YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE IDEAL FOR ENTERTAINING AND A PEACEFUL REFUGE
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N ow that summer is firmly here, many of us want to leave the confines of our houses and retreat to the outdoors. Peaceful corners to read in and stylish areas to bask in the sun are the dream. With long, warm days to enjoy, more and more of us are also entertaining in our gardens, with sunken fire pits, hi-tech barbecues, pizza ovens and even outdoor kitchens all the rage. According to Houzz UK’s 2018 Landscaping Survey, three in five homeowners spend more time entertaining outside after completing landscaping projects, so there’s never been a better time to create the ultimate al fresco space. Declan Walsh, managing director at Morsø UK, which offers a range of modern outdoor ovens and grills, agrees: “Al fresco cooking is a favourite of mine – there’s nothing like making your own home-made pizza or grilling steak and vegetables on an open fire, and then once your guests are positively full, continue the evening by gathering around, toasting marshmallows. Adorning your chairs with fleeces and blankets means that when the evening starts to get cooler your guests can cosy up while still enjoying spending the evening outdoors.” From Dunelm’s 1950s-inspired bistro set to Indigo’s industrial tables and benches, there’s a wonderfully wide range of furniture available on the high street to add a sense of style to dining outside. Charlotte Cosby, head of Creative at Farrow & Ball, also advises uplifting old furniture with splashes of colour to liven things up. “Applying colour to old furniture, summerhouses and bird boxes is a simple way to breathe new life into outdoor spaces,” she says. “Try painting furniture in statement colours like Charlotte’s Locks for a dramatic look, or create a work of art in the garden by painting plant pots in Pelt, Studio Green and Drawing Room Blue to make them an unusual decorative feature.” Matthew Brown, Sandtex’s technical consultant, also gives his view on the rising trend of using colour in the garden. “While moss greens and browns blend effortlessly into u
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LET ME ENTERTA IN YOU CAROLINE MANN, BUYER FOR WYEVALE GARDEN CENTRE, GIVES HER TOP THREE GARDEN TIPS
“There’s nothing like making your own home-made pizza or grilling steak on an open fire”
Patterned cushions, knitted throws and floor lanterns are a simple way to dress your outdoor space.
Look for furniture with enhanced offerings such as built-in ice buckets.
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Previous page Orson Sunlounger, designed by Gordon Guillaumier for Roda, £1,944, at The Conran Shop Top MorsØ’s Gas Forno Oven, £399 Left Dunelm’s Harp Egg Two Seat Bistro Set, £129 Right Breathe new life into your garden with bright paint colours by Farrow & Ball, prices vary Above right Light it up with lanterns, prices vary, available at Wyevale Garden Centres
Dining sets in subtle shades offer the perfect blank canvas for those looking to play around with colour.
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“Source brightly-coloured bistro sets and wicker alcove seats” natural surroundings, there has been a rise in the demand for more brightly-coloured exterior paint. Why not upcycle your old furniture in a bold pillar-box red or perhaps a striking Oxford blue? Colour is a great way add to add character to any outside space.” Valspar’ Paints, marketing manager, Kasia Wiktorowicz gives her advice: “Consider the space your blank canvas and bring it to new bloom with creative and brave colour choices inspired by the flora around you. Shades like coral, light teal and yellow are growing in popularity as more and more DIY enthusiasts
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look to use their gardens as a platform to showcase they individuality.” For smaller gardens, a beautifully curated patio can bring the feel of the Mediterranean to your home. Invest in a variety of pots – such as the terracotta tubs and tin vessels from Petersham Nurseries – and fill them with blooming plants and flowers. Source brightly-coloured bistro sets and wicker alcove seats from John Lewis, while for a more urban feel, there is a varied selection of contemporary furniture and compact barbecues at The Conran Shop. u
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Top Add a Mediterranean feel to your patio with the Cuba Garden Table and Chairs Set, £549, at John Lewis Above Be brave with paint choices and add character. Here Valspar Paints’ Cabana Glow on the bench contrasts with the wall in Moroccan Resort, both paints from £25 for 2.5l
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Above Cotswold Artificial Grass, £32.99 per m2, at Carpetright Opposite Tarifa Rug, from £169, Juno Cushion, from £61 and Diamond Blanket, from £45, all at Weaver Green
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“Use lovely outdoor scatter cushions, floor pillows and rugs to take the hard edges off”
When it comes to underfoot, Stone and Ceramic Warehouse’s Boardwalk Porcelain paving tiles offer a practical solution. Chris Grainger, managing director, explains: “Boardwalk porcelain pavers offer a hightechnology alternative to natural or composite wood decking. They feature a simulated wood grain finish, which differs with every tile, making them very realistic, and they are durable, frost proof and anti-slip as well as being fade, stain and fire resistant.” While lush lawns are heaven to look at, the upkeep can be a problem for busy homeowners lacking time. Consequently, in recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the trend for artificial grass, with sellers such as Carpetright reporting an increase of 25% in sales over the past year. The company’s buyer, Jemma Dayman, u
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THE INSIDER’S VIEW TASHA GREEN AT WEAVER GREEN GIVES HER TOP TIPS
COMFORT – Use lots of lovely outdoor scatter cushions, floor pillows and rugs to take the hard edges off outdoor furniture and benches.
LIGHTING – Soft candlelight in rows of jam jars and storm lanterns looks amazing. You can also buy excellent solar and battery-powered fairy lights for outdoor use, but ensure they are ‘warm white’ so the light is not too harsh. HIDDEN CORNERS – Create little areas to escape the madding crowd. I love using rugs as roof canopies to create cool shaded areas over dining tables or benches.
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Top Create a living room feel outdoors with a corner sofa: Chiltern Casual Corner Dining Garden Furniture, (currently on sale), £999.50, at Wyevale Garden Centre Above Look for hardwearing materials for outdoor furniture, such as steel as used in Neptune’s Provence range: Provence Table, £695, and Provence Armchair, £210 each, Antibes Parasol, £407 Opposite Cushions from the Fauna fabric range at Extex, prices start from £149 per linear metre.
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explains: “With its natural, vibrant and lifelike appearance, artificial grass offers homeowners a cost-effective way to take pride in their outside space, without the hassle of maintaining it. While it gives a similar underfoot sensation to the real thing, it is very child and pet friendly, with busy parents not having to worry about mud and mess after rain.” For larger gardens, you can add a ‘living room’ feel with corner sofas – like those from Neptune – and Chesneys’ outdoor heaters. Christopher Wray’s modern solar lighting is a good way to add interesting features, while Shimu’s scarlet Chinese lanterns bring an exotic touch. Layer your space with a variety of accessories – such as Extex’s weatherproofed cushions, outside rugs and My Furniture’s cube lights. Local Cambridgeshire companies such as Secret Garden at Burwash and Scotsdales Garden Centre are also brilliant one-stop shops where you can discover interesting finds for your garden. Tandine Rawkins, design director at Extex, sums it up: “Look at your garden as an extension of your indoor living space. Consider longevity when designing your garden. Although it’s fun to follow the latest trends, it’s important to create your own unique garden style with pieces that you will love for years to come.” l
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STOCKISTS Carpetright 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk Chesneys 020 7627 1410 chesneys.co.uk Christopher Wray 020 7013 0180 christopherwray.com Dunelm 0345 165 6565 dunelm.com Extex 01634 718871 extex.co.uk Farrow & Ball 01223 367771 farrow-ball.com Houzz houzz.co.uk Indigo 01892 578000 indigofurniture.co.uk John Lewis, Cambridge 01223 361292 johnlewis.com MorsĂ˜ morso.dk My Furniture 0845 309 6356 my-furniture.com Neptune 01793 427 300 neptune.com Petersham Nurseries petershamnurseries.com Sandtex sandtex.co.uk Secret Garden at Burwash 01223 260040 burwashsecretgarden.co.uk Scotsdales Garden Centre 01223 842777 scotsdalesgardencentre.co.uk Shimu 0800 088 6800 shimu.co.uk Stone and Ceramic Warehouse 020 8993 5545 stoneandceramicwarehouse.co.uk The Conran Shop 0344 848 4000 conranshop.co.uk Valspar Paints valsparpaint.co.uk Weaver Green 0844 414 2155 weavergreen.com Wyevale Garden Centres wyevalegardencentres.co.uk
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£39, ellajames.co.uk
LINKS POUFFE CHARTREUSE
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BRIGHTEN PATIO SET
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LARGE MEDITERRANEO BOWL
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INTERIORS S TO R E O F T H E M O N T H
Cambridge Classics
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small final flourishes that make a big difference to customer satisfaction.” Keeping an eye on trends, the company is benefitting from the current move away from uPVC windows and back to wooden sash windows, with many homeowners wanting a certain amount of authenticity when it comes to home design. “We are seeing a trend away from uPVC and back to wooden windows for sure. Especially in the current climate where renewable products are at the forefront,” says Camilla. “The architectural ‘furniture’ of a house is very important and the windows and doors you choose can make all the difference to the look of your home. They need to be in keeping with your surroundings, and, in Cambridge, there are lots of period houses with original features that many customers want to keep. Sometimes it’s not viable, due to the damage they have sustained over the years, but where possible we will always restore before replacing.” Whether it is replacing or renewing, Cambridge Classics offers a design service to ensure each customer is happy with the end result. “Many customers have requested new stained glass for their doors and windows, for instance, and so we work on the design with the client – we don’t stop until they are happy.” As well as restoring original features, Cambridge Classics also has a wide range of new designs of windows, doors and interior shutters on offer. From the Cambridge University-named range of doors to the Norfolk Sliders windows (which open with a sash sliding left or right rather than upwards or protruding), there is a wide selection to choose from. What’s more, many items will soon be on show once the company’s planned new showroom opens. “We are looking forward to opening the showroom and being able to show people a range of products. Being a small, thriving business seems to be appealing for customers and is great for us, too,” concludes Camilla. “We have a great team here, from the office staff who take the initial call right through to the joiners, carpenters and decorators. Without each and every person the company wouldn’t be what it is and what it will be in the future.” l Cambridge Classics | 01223 313185 cambridgeclassics.co.uk
specialist in traditional window and door replacement and refurbishment, Cambridge Classics has been an independent company for the past 18 years. From casement to sash windows, period front doors to charming stable doors, the company is able to replace or restore these cherished, important features that make many older houses so appealing. Cambridge Classics is also an expert in stained glass and lead light windows and it offers a number of ways to save original stained glass features, or, indeed, create a brand-new design. “Cambridge Classics was originally started by my father some 18 years ago,” says Camilla Carter, who now runs the company with her husband, Stuart. “He identified a need in the local area for a traditional wooden window company, due to the high number of listed and period properties that can be found in and around Cambridge. My husband and I bought the company in 2017, and it is going from strength to strength.” Placing the satisfaction of each customer at the heart of the business, Cambridge Classics prides itself on its local roots and its hands-on approach to business. “We employ local people for all our work – from the joiner to the company that does all our stained glass,” continues Camilla. “Being small and independent gives us the ability to be more customer focused. From the moment we quote for a job to the finishing touches, we keep the customer informed. We are always on the end of a telephone or an email – something that many of the larger national companies are unable to do. We can also offer those
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A DV E RT I S E M E N T F E AT U R E
UNIQUE CHANCE TO VIEW YOUR DREAM HOME IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE Four-bedroom home view home opens its doors at Northstowe
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ive-star homebuilder Barratt Homes Eastern Counties recently opened the doors to its new view home at Northstowe in Longstanton (21 July). A range of thoughtfully designed two-, three- and four-bedroom homes are already available to reserve at the exciting development on Pedersen Way and properties are selling fast. The Chesham Plus view home is now open for visitors, providing property seekers with the chance to take a look around and see the high quality and modern layout for themselves. The four-bedroom property features an open plan kitchen and dining room, which is filled with light from the French doors leading out to the rear garden. There is also a spacious lounge and handy cloakroom on the ground floor. The first floor hosts the four bedrooms, with the master bedroom benefitting from an ensuite, as well as a family bathroom. The view home also benefits from an upgraded kitchen and flooring package and is ready to move into for keen buyers looking to be in their dream home as soon as possible. Purchasers of the Chesham Plus will also benefit from a £5,000 contribution towards their stamp duty. Jason Colmer, sales director at Barratt Homes Eastern Counties, said: “This is
a great opportunity to see the Chesham Plus as a blank canvas and see how your home could take shape at Northstowe. “The property is ideal for growing families and we expect it to be hugely popular, so I would encourage anyone interested to visit our expert sales adviser at Northstowe to view the home for themselves.” Northstowe is an exciting new town north of Cambridge, which will deliver up to 10,000 new homes as well as a vibrant town centre and facilities including schools, healthcare centre and shops. Residents of Northstowe will be able to take advantage of the upgrade to the A14 via a new access road. The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway also links the development to Cambridge, making Northstowe a haven for commuters. The Chesham Plus is priced from £414,995. Barratt Homes also has two-,
three- and four-bedroom homes for sale at Northstowe with prices starting from £234,995. l For more information please visit the sales centre on Pedersen Way, open Monday 12:30-5:30pm and Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5:30pm. Alternatively call the sales information line on 0844 811 4888 or visit www.barratthomes.co.uk.
TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY
Limited offer available on selected plots only. See website for details, subject to contract and status. Prices correct at time of going to press if mentioned. Images include optional upgrades at additional cost. See barratthomes.co.uk for full details. BDW Trading Limited (number 03018173) whose registered office is at Barratt House, Cartwright Way, Forest Business Park, Bardon Hill, Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 1UF (“BDW”) is a subsidiary of Barratt Developments PLC. The Homes and Communities Agency (“HCA”) provides an equity loan for 20% of the purchase price of the property. The equity loan provided by the HCA is secured as second charge on your property. The amount you have to repay to the HCA. *Calls to our 0844 numbers cost 7 pence per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.
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P RO P E RT Y
Damned Statistics A S K T H E AG E N T
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SAM COOKE, PARTNER AT LOCAL AGENTS COOKE, CURTIS & CO, ON THE SMOKE AND MIRRORS SURROUNDING PROPERTY SALE STATS
love a bit of data. I’m currently on holiday in Switzerland and am eyeing up a strawberry dessert, but without knowing how many calories there are in it, how am I supposed to know if my run this morning (54 minutes, 777 calories, average heart rate 156, training effort 3.8) burned off more or less than I’d be taking in if I scoffed it? It’ll just have to stay in the illuminated glass case and tempt someone else. Luckily for me, getting a bit of data on the housing market and how well CC&C are doing is pretty straightforward. Rightmove has it all. Rightmove knows when a house went on the market, how much for, when it was reduced, when it was sold and how much for. So I know with high accuracy how well I’m doing and how I compare with my competitors. The only difficulty is, Rightmove won’t let me tell you. For example, there are three Cambridge estate agency offices who duke it out for second place in the number of houses they put on the market each month. One is me,
the others I can’t say. The sharp amongst you might spot that there is therefore one agent who generally puts up for sale more than everyone else. Well done to you and to them, you both win. Or do you? Because what does that mean practically? It’s great to put loads of stuff up for sale, but what should matter to a potential client is how much of that sells. And that’s where I’m up there fighting for first place, and not in fact, with the first place agent for listings, but one of the other three. During April and May 2018, in what we consider our postcode areas, I put up for sale a total of 51 houses and found buyers for 49. That’s 96%. Not bad. Another estate agents listed 86 and sold 62, both more than me, but actually only a sales rate of 72%, so you’d have a better chance of finding a buyer with me than them. A 24% better chance in fact. So I win. Other fun stats to look at are price reductions. There is one big estate agent in Cambridge who reduces a far higher proportion of their houses than anyone else. For April and May, on average, they had to reduce the price on 100% of their properties to sell them. 100%. The average is a little under 30%. Mine was 14%, since you ask. If I could only give you this data, you could very easily see that the agent that gave you the super-high valuation is
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demonstrably using this as a tactic just to get your business and that, on average, there is a 100% probability that you will have to reduce the price to sell with them. Another good one is percentage of asking price achieved. When the market was flying the best Cambridge agents were usually over 100% on this one. It’s now either side of that, maybe 99% one month, 101% the next. For some agents it’s in the low 90s. That’s potentially tens of thousands of pounds a good agent can get you with their negotiation skills above a poor one. Then there’s time on market. That’s the time from when something is first launched on Rightmove to the date when it completes. A good agent will typically want that to be around 100 days. Ours for April and May was 107, one of our close competitors was 99. No one was under this, other than a few anomalies who maybe sold one house in that time. But two estate agents you probably consider quite successful have much higher averages – one was 160 days and one 180. So if you unwittingly chose one of those two you’d probably be moving two or three months later than with other agents. What I’d love to do is share with you all this data in detail. Who these agents are, their stats versus mine. It’s only the truth. But Rightmove says no, it’s their ball and I’m not allowed to play with it. I don’t really blame them. Imagine how grumpy those other agents would get if I could incontrovertibly prove to you how much better I am at selling houses than they are. They wouldn’t like it one bit, no matter how true it was. Unlike that strawberry dessert thing. Which I liked very much. Stats are great, but sometimes you have to take an educated guess, and I don’t reckon it had anything like 777 calories in it. l CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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