Cambridge Edition October by Bright Publishing

Cambridge OCTOBER 2013

Cambridgeshireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quality lifestyle magazine www.cambsedition.co.uk

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October 2013 26 16 5ƫđƫFIVE THINGS TO DO Our pick of the best things to do in Cambridge this October

44 đ LOCAL LIVES Meet local butler Richard Hein to discover what it takes to be a modern Mr Carson

7-9ƫđƫNIGHTLIFE Your after-hours guide to what’s on in Cambridge’s pubs and clubs

47-50 đ WEDDINGS SPECIAL Tying the knot? Browse our wedding guide for inspiration and ideas

11ƫđƫCOMEDY ! 0ƫ0$!ƫ .%66(!ƫ * ƫ$ 2!ƫ ƫ( 1#$ƫ /ƫ/+)!ƫ of the UK’s top comics visit Cambridge

53 đ TRAVEL We discover more about Cambridge Airport’s new international reach

15ƫđƫMUSIC Slate The Disco recommend some great local gigs to swing by this month

55 đƫINDIE OF THE MONTH We visit one of Cambridge's favourite corner shops, the Norfolk Street Deli

16-17ƫđƫFESTIVAL OF IDEAS Listen to talks by the world’s most brilliant minds at this University-run festival

57-60 đƫFOOD NEWS The latest gastro goings-on from Cambridge, including great new openings

19ƫđƫHALLOWEEN A round-up of spooky family fun and other ﬁendish events in the area

63 đƫRESTAURANT REVIEW Cosy charm and award-winning pub grub at The Black Bull in Balsham

20-27ƫđƫARTS & CULTURE Soak up some culture in Cambridge, from art exhibitions to music recitals

65 đƫFOOD COLUMN Spice is the variety of life, or it certainly was in days of yore, says Alex Rushmer

ĂĊƫđƫ The hottest theatre tickets in town, as picked by the Edition team

66-69 đƫRECIPES Cook up a Moroccan feast with a lamb tagine and date & pistachio couscous, and try out a milkshake with a kick

31ƫđƫFAMILY Events and activities to keep the family busy this October 32-33ƫđƫGROUP SPOTLIGHT Editor Nicola meets local artist-run group Changing Spaces 35ƫđƫCOMPETITION Up for grabs this month is a shopping spree, meal and cinema tickets, courtesy of The Grafton Centre 36ƫđƫLION YARD ART COMPETITION !ƫ 1#$0ƫ1,ƫ3%0$ƫ +$*ƫ +. +ûČƫ3%**!.ƫ of the Lion Yard Art Exhibition 39ƫđƫCOMMUNITY Achievements and news from your local community 40-41ƫđƫLISTINGS An overview of what’s on in Cambridge this month

70 đƫGET SET FOR PARTY SEASON Get planning a Christmas party to remember, here are some tasty choices 72-75 đ FASHION Replenish your wardrobe with some trendy autumn/winter staples 76-79 đBEAUTY Daisy and Charlotte report on this year’s A/W13 catwalk beauty trends 82-88ƫđƫINTERIORS Add a splash of colour and give your kitchen plenty of personality 93-102 đƫEDUCATION Your essential guide to schools and learning in Cambridgeshire 106 đƫPETS Expert advice on the best ways to care for your pet

Welcome One of my very favourite things about Cambridge is its endlessly talented, creative and mindd bendingly brainy population – and nowhere is this more in evidence than at the annual Festival of Ideas: a spectacular event which tackles the big questions in all manner of thought-provoking, amusing, imaginative and educational ways. Check out our guide on pages 16-17. Speaking of our unfeasibly talented local populace, I also caught up with Changing Spaces, a group at the forefront of Cambridge’s contemporary art revolution. Find out how they’re transforming the depressing sight of boarded-up shops into beautiful additions to our city on pages 32-33. I hope you enjoy the issue!

NICOLA FOLEY, EDITOR

On the cover The picture on the cover this month is ‘King’s Meadow ’ by Rachel Hutchins, a local artist who specialises in textile designs and hosts regular drawing and print blocking classes in Cambridge. www.rachelhutchins.com

EDITORIAL

CONTRIBUTORS

Editor Nicola Foley 01223 499459 nicolafoley@bright-publishing.com Features editor Jennifer Shelton 01223 499463 jennifershelton@brightpublishing.com

Alex Rushmer, Charlotte Griffiths, %/5ƫ % '%*/+*Čƫ *#!(%* ƫ %(( ġ ( .'!Čƫ Ruthie Collins, Charlotte Phillips, James Coleby, Jordan Worland, Heather Martin, Sarah Waddington

Sub editor Lisa Clatworthy lisaclatworthy@bright-publishing.com

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Sub editor Hannah Bealey hannahbealey@bright-publishing.com

Designer Nicole Henson 01223 499450 nicolehenson@bright-publishing.com

ADVERTISING

Designer Emily Stowe 01223 499450 emilystowe@bright-publishing.com

Senior sales executive Claire McGrath 01223 499461 clairemcgrath@bright-publishing.com

PUBLISHING DIRECTORS

Senior sales executive Lucy Nelson 01223 499451 lucynelson@bright-publishing.com Key accounts manager George Pearson 01223 499464 georgepearson@bright-publishing.com

Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck 01223 499450

www.bright-publishing.com

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Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 3

5 THINGS TO DO

this month Student night at the Grand Arcade Students in Cambridge are invited to an exclusive shopping event at the Grand Arcade on Wednesday 9 October. Taking place 6-9pm, the shopping evening brings students incredible VIP discounts on some top brands including Ted Baker, Levi’s and Office, mini treatments, a pop-up Lola Lo Tiki Bar (with ﬂair cocktail shows every half an hour) and a DJ. www.grandarcade.co.uk

See the fabulous Jennifer Saunders The Ab Fab and French and Saunders star returns to the stage this autumn to share tales about her life and career, based on her autobiography, Bonkers. There’s rarely been a dull moment in the Lincolnshire lass’s life, from growing up on an RAF base to forging a comedy career with Dawn French (who she didn’t like when they ﬁrst met at drama school). Join her as she visits the Corn Exchange on 15 October, for some funny, interesting and occasionally poignant stories. Starts 7.30pm, tickets £10. www.cornex.co.uk

From Cambridge with Love Adore crafts, cakes and all things vintage? Direct your feet to The Guildhall on 19 October when From Cambridge With Love will be holding a gorgeous craft and vintage fair, featuring lovely gift items and more from top local artisans. There’s going to be live music and a vintage tea room too, plus a beauty bar and workshops teaching bunting making. 10.30am-4.30pm; entry is just £1. www.madelocallywithlove.co.uk

Get set for Oxjam! The nation’s biggest charity music festival gets underway this month, holding a series of ‘jams’ across the country – including Cambridge on 19 October. Over 100 performers will be there on the day, playing seven venues, including The Emperor, The Alma and Q Club. Acts include Flaming June, Andrew Page, Lucid and lots more. See the Oxjam Cambridge Facebook page for details: facebook.com/ OxjamCambridgeTakeover

Have a laugh with Footlights One of the great traditions of Cambridge, the Footlights Tour Show celebrates its 130th anniversary this year. The 2013 show is Canada, which has toured the UK and USA, and spent the summer at the Edinburgh Festival. It stays true to form with quirky sketches and imaginative standup routines. 8-12 October, 11pm. £5/£6. www.adctheatre.com

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 5

BABYSHAMBLES

Bastille

Formed during a hiatus from The Libertines in 2003, when Pete Doherty was tackling problems with substance abuse, Babyshambles has had a rocky ride during its comparatively short time on the music scene. It’s a fact that may be unsurprising to some, considering The Libertines’ own share of troubles, their ﬁrst gig being disrupted when Doherty was arrested for burgling fellow Libertine Carl Barat’s ﬂat. With Doherty dipping in and out of The Libertines and Babyshambles for the next few years, and the band undergoing

several line-up changes – as well as being dropped as Oasis’s support act after Doherty failed to show up – Babyshambles still gained critical recognition including nominations for several NME awards. They have three studio albums to date, with their most recent, Sequel to the Prequel, coming out this year, accompanied by a UK tour. These will be their ﬁrst UK dates since 2010, and the tour brings them to Cambridge Junction on 17 October. Doors at 7pm, tickets £23. www.junction.co.uk

Flavour of the month Bastille bring their biggest tour to date to Cambridge. The boys have had an amazing summer, supporting Muse on tour, performing at Leeds and Reading festival and getting some serious radio play with Things We Lost in the Fire. The London band formed in 2010, beginning as a solo project until singer-songwriter Dan Smith decided to get Chris Wood, Will Farquarson and Kyle Simmons on board. They landed a record deal in 2011 and released their debut single, Overjoyed, the following year. 2013 saw them step up a gear with an album release and a number two hit for their fourth single, Pompeii, sending their star ﬁrmly into orbit. They play the Corn Exchange on 12 October – but tickets are now sold out. www.cornex.co.uk

Karaoke at the Orchid Restaurant Venture behind the doors of The Orchid restaurant on Newmarket Road for an entertaining and novel night out. The newly opened Asian fusion restaurant offers delicious, smartlypresented dishes created by their top chefs,

but it’s also a must-visit destination for karaoke fans. Upstairs, you’ll ﬁnd a series of plush, stylish karaoke booths with state-ofthe-art sound systems, comfy leather sofas and spectacular (neon!) lighting. www.orchid-cambridge.co.uk

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 7

NIGHTLIFE

Boomtown Rats 27 years after the ﬁnal show in 1986, The Boomtown Rats are back. With Bob B b Geldof G ld f on vocals, Pete Briquette on bass, Simon Crowe on drums and Gary Roberts on guitar, this month they’ll be pounding out their biggest hits like I Don’t Like Mondays and Rat Trap. The Rats exploded onto the punk scene in 1975 and became known for their fast and furious tunes and equally rebellious attitude. Then, at the start of this year, the band decided to give it another go. 23 October, doors open at 7.30pm, tickets £24. www.cornex.co.uk

The Brit Floyd Show Second only to the real thing, The Brit Floyd Show is probably the best Pink Floyd experience you’re likely to encounter. Featuring the music of David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Rick Wright, Nick Mason and Syd Barrett, plus electrifying light and sound displays, the show comes to the Corn Exchange on 27 October. Expect to hear all the songs that made Pink Floyd such icons from their ﬁve top albums, Wish You Were Here, The Wall, The Division Bell, Animals and Dark Side of the Moon. Doors open at 7.30pm, tickets £19.50-£39.50. www.cornex.co.uk

Deaf Havana Fresh from supporting Bruce Springsteen at Hard Rock Calling in June, Deaf Havana strike out on tour this autumn, stopping by Cambridge Corn Exchange on 24 October. They’ll be playing a selection of hits as well as material from their new album, Old Souls, out just last month. Hailing from Hunstanton and King’s Lynn, and having studied at the College of West Anglia, we can almost claim these alt-rockers as our own. They formed in 2005 and recorded their ﬁrst EP, Evangeline, in 2006, soon drawing comparisons to Kings of Leon. They began touring in 2010 and had their recent single Boston Square named Hottest Record in the World by Zane Lowe. Expect lots of rip-roaring punk rock numbers and some gentler melodic ones too. Doors 7.30pm; tickets £14. www.cornex.co.uk

8 | Cambridge Edition | October 2013

NIGHTLIFE

AlunaGeorge Hot on the heels of their debut album, Body Music, which was released in July this year, electronic music duo AlunaGeorge will perform a series of gigs this October, including one at Cambridge Junction on the 25th. Their slickly futuristic R&B sound looks set to make waves in 2014, and they've already caught the attention of critics as a band who are turning British pop on its head. You might already have heard their EP, You Know You Like It, and it comes as no surprise that they were shortlisted for a Critics’ Choice BRIT Award. Doors are at 7pm, tickets £13. www.junction.co.uk

Shlomo: Human Geekbox Deﬁnitely different, Shlomo is back with more mind-blowing beatboxery this October. The record-holding beatboxer, who played to sell-out audiences on his last tour, promises another incredible audio experience as he performs The Human Geekbox Tour. Join him as he explores the art and science of geekdom, gadgets and the music of the human voice. Starting out in 2002, Shlomo has won admirers in the form of Bjork, Jarvis Cocker and Bill Bailey, and aims to push the boundaries of beatboxing while bringing it to new audiences. Catch him on 10 October, 7.30pm. Tickets are £15. www.junction.co.uk

Jamie Cullum The pocket-sized jazz troubadour, most often heard heading up his evening show on Radio 2 these days, is giving his fans a chance to see him in person this month. Having released his sixth album earlier this year, he’s hitting the road for The Momentum Tour, coming our way in October. Born in Essex Essex, Cullum began his career playing the piano at Pizza Express restaurants. With only £480 to produce it, he released his ﬁrst album in 1999, followed up by a bestseller, Pointless Nostalgic, which piqued the interest of Melvyn Bragg and Michael Parkinson – who invited the young musician to appear on his show in 2003. A £1 million contract followed, then platinum status for 2003’s Twentysomething, which saw him become the biggest-selling jazz artist in the country. He plays the Corn Exchange on 25 October, 7.30pm. Tickets £25-£40. www.cornex.co.uk

M i off Magic Motown Celebrate the soulful grooves and legendary artists of one of the greatest record companies of them all as the Corn Exchange steps back in time for a non-stop musical Motown extravaganza this month. Direct from America, this all-new production promises to have crowds dancing in the aisles as a supremely talented cast pay homage to all-time classics like Stop in the Name of Love, Signed Sealed Delivered I’m Yours, My Guy, and many more. With dazzling costumes, slick choreography and spectacular musicianship, Magic of Motown is so authentic you’ll believe you’re right back in golden era 'Motor Town,' swinging with the coolest cats in town. 5 October, tickets £22.50-£24.50, starts 8pm. www.cornex.co.uk

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 9

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MUSIC

COMEDY ID E GU

Some of the finest comics on the circuit are Cambridge bound this month. Here's our pick of the bunch

Jesterlarf Comedy Club Cambridge Junction’s comedy gala night gets several special guests this month. Mock the Week and Have I Got News For You regular Jo Caulﬁeld headlines, bringing her trademark razor-sharp wit. Joining her is former Big Breakfast presenter Paul Tonkinson, who recently lent his deadpan charm to Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow. Also on the bill is Tommy Rowson, BBC Radio 2 Comedy Award runner-up. Jools Holland regular Kevin McCarthy, aka ‘Man With Beard,’ is compering. 4 October, 8.30pm, tickets £12. www.junction.co.uk

Jimmy Carr

Vikki Stone

Regular Cambridge returnee Carr is back for another round of Gagging Order. Packed with deadpan one-liners, rude remarks and clever comedy, the show invites lots of audience participation. This will be his 25th time at the Corn Exchange, where he saw his ﬁrst ever solo stand-up show, Eddie Izzard: “It was incredible,” he says. “That experience is really what started my love affair with comedy. I was studying here at the time, so it’s always fun to come back to where I got the education I’m currently wasting.” 20 October, 8pm, tickets £25. www.cornex.co.uk

Comedienne, singer and musician Vikki Stone returns from a successful stint at the Edinburgh Festival to take her show, Deﬁnitely, out on tour. Full of songs, smart stand-up and a potential appearance from her dancing dog, the show has so far gained four- and ﬁve-star reviews, with The Sun calling her the “superfunny new girl on the block”. Let her entertain you at Cambridge Junction, 25 October, doors 8pm, tickets £13. www.junction. co.uk

Joe Lycett

Bill Bailey

Russell Brand

The catchiest title for a show this month goes to Chortle Award’s Best Newcomer Joe Lycett. If Joe Lycett Then You Should Have Put A Ring On It is the current offering from this comedy newcomer, as seen on Celebrity Juice, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and 8 Out Of 10 Cats. The freshfaced former drama student comes from Birmingham and has spent the summer in Edinburgh where his show received highly favourable reviews. He’s been described by Chortle as “Following in the grand tradition of British camp – a little Larry Grayson, a dash of Julian Clary, a large part Kenneth Williams – Joe Lycett is a talent in his own right.”He will be at Cambridge Junction on 11 October, 8pm, tickets £10. www.junction.co.uk

When we heard that Bill Bailey has an enormous stuffed owl in his office, we weren’t at all surprised. The story behind said owl, along with other surreal jokes and observations, is part of the fabric of his latest show, Qualmpeddler. The hippy-rockercomic has been sharing the contents of his brilliant mind for many years, earning his place as one of Britain’s top comics. Qualmpeddler sees him cast doubts on the modern world with the help of some musical mashups and ﬁlms, while philosophising on a grand scale. 21 and 22 October, 8pm. Tickets £25. www.cornex.co.uk

Get an insight into the witty and wondrous workings of the mind of Russell Brand in Messiah Complex, his new live stand-up show. It shines the spotlight on history’s world leaders, asking whether Che Guevara, Gandhi, Malcolm X and Hitler suffered from the so-called ‘Messiah Complex’. What can we take from these ‘icons’ and the images they presented of themselves? And what would Jesus make of Christianity? Join the debate as Brand argues that all great people are ﬂawed and all ﬂawed people are capable of greatness. He’s at the Corn Exchange on 26 October. This gig has now sold out, so we hope you bagged your ticket early! www.cornex.co.uk

sold

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Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 11

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MUSIC

Jordan Worland from local music website Slate the Disco selects his must-see gigs in Cambridge this month o we’ve made it to October and this month has a frightening number of brilliant gigs to enjoy. Halloween jokes aside, there’s so much good stuff to get to. Gig of the month has to be the beautiful and delicate Daughter, whose moody folk and hushed electronica grace Cambridge Junction on 26 October. Good news if you fancy this one – extra tickets have just been released. The dreamy, textured indie rock cum folk stylings of Lanterns on the Lake on the 21st offer a brilliant alternative. Also at the Cambridge Junction this month are grindie outfit Hadouken and indie’s most troubled soul Pete Doherty with Babyshambles. One highlight will be AlunaGeorge, a duo who produce the most unique brand of slick, futuristic R&B. The biggest scare in October is the two brilliant line-ups that clash on Tuesday 15 October. At Cambridge Junction, LA indie rockers Local Natives, famed for their intricate sound comprising afropop guitars and hooky three-part dreamlike melodies, play their first ever Cambridge gig. The band are touring their Aaron Dessner produced second album, Hummingbird: a record that is filled with unhurried pop, melancholy and euphoria. Joining Local Natives at Cambridge Junction on 15 October are Aussie psych-

pop band Cloud Control. Three years after the critical success of their debut LP Bliss Release, Cloud Control have found themselves in a more reflective and sombre mood with their follow-up Dream Cave, which came out this summer. Noise pop duo Big Deal have filled a busy summer with the release of their acclaimed second album June Gloom and a string of festival dates including Secret Garden Party. They close the year by touring the UK and playing Cambridge on the Local Natives and Cloud Control bill. On the other side of town, also on the 15 October, two of this year’s most exciting emerging guitar bands play the Portland Arms. Anglo-Antipodean band Splashh take their first Cambridge bow, bringing their dreamy garage-sounding debut offering with them. Opening will be Charlie Boyer and The Voyeurs, whose debut album released earlier this year was produced by Edwyn Collins, with immaculate and melodic upfront sounds. On the subject of exciting new guitar bands, Drenge return to Cambridge for the second time this year, playing the Portland on 14 October. This time round they’re fresh from the release of their debut album; expect spiky and ferocious grunge blues from this sibling duo. Support on the night comes from

PICKS Cambridge post-punk trio Breedlings, themselves a very exciting band to keep tabs on. Superfood still haven’t released a single and yet their reputation is soaring from their brilliant live shows and killer tunes. Cambridge will get to decide if the hype is worth believing when the Birmingham-bred band play The Portland Arms on 1 October, and at the same venue are David Gibb and Elly Lucas on the 16th. They’re an exciting young duo who play a mixture of original and reworked traditional folk material; their sound oozes charm and is highly infectious. Still at The Portland, and while on the subject of folk, anti-folk and critically acclaimed British singer-songwriter Beans on Toast returns to Cambridge on the 29th. I very nearly forgot to tell you that the brilliant Welsh quartet Islet bring their experimental, psych-prog back to Cambridge on 27 October. They’re renowned for their live shows, so whatever you do, don’t miss this one. Tell us about your gig at www.slatethedisco.com

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 15

FESTIVAL OF IDEAS

WORDS NICOLA FOLEY

The Cambridge University organised event returns this month for another packed series of educational, inspirational and imaginative events. Here's what not to miss

23 Oct

The event features more than 200 talks, debates, demonstrations and activities

– 3 NOV

hould there be gender quotas in the boardroom? Do rappers make better lyricists than poets? Is Europe in terminal decline? What impact do conspiracy theories have? All of these questions and many more will be tackled in the University organised Festival of Ideas, which returns to Cambridge between 23 October and 3 November. Now entering its sixth year, the event features more than 200 talks, debates, activities and demonstrations, designed to stimulate the mind and encourage engagement in the fields of arts, humanities and social sciences. There’s something for all ages and interests, from lectures with leading academics to standup comedy, film screenings and hands-on creative workshops, as well special guest speakers including the former archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, artist Quentin Blake, Paralympian Claire Harvey, MP Frank Field and author MJ Hyland.

16 | Cambridge Edition | October 2013

“The Festival of Ideas has grown significantly over the last few years, in terms of both the number as well as the diversity of events on offer,” says Malavika Anderson, the Festival of Ideas co-ordinator. “We were delighted to have hosted over 14,000 visitors at the festival in 2012 and look forward to welcoming even more over 12 days this autumn. The theme this year – frontiers – explores how borders, boundaries and margins are being either challenged or reinforced around the world, and has inspired the development of some exciting events.” Brought to us by Cambridge University’s community engagement team (the same group that brings us the annual Science Festival), the festival takes place in theatres, museums, lecture halls, galleries and other venues across the city. It begins with a preview event at St Paul’s Community Centre on 19 October. Head along between 12-5pm and you’ll be treated to a showcase of what the Festival

has in store, featuring everything from fortune telling to crafts and an interactive history lesson. The theme of ‘frontiers’ finds various manifestations throughout the Festival, not least with the focus on interpretations and investigations into cognition and human psychology. On Friday 25 October, join Professor Barbara Sahakian, Dr Raymond Tallis, Dr Alasdair Coles and Dr Pete Moore, as they discuss the latest developments in ‘smart drugs’ and other technologies designed to enhance brain function – looking at their increasing prevalence and assessing their effects on both individuals and society. At the other end of the spectrum, delving into the issue of care provision for when mental faculties decline, will be author Melvyn Bragg in ‘Dementia Narratives – The Art of Care’. Taking place on 1 November, this will look at Bragg’s deeply personal novel Grace and Mary, which tells the moving story of a woman

FESTIVAL OF IDEAS

suffering from Alzheimer’s through the eyes of her son, and frames it within a wider context of older people’s care. The following day meanwhile, you can catch a screening of the 1971 documentary Land of Silence and Darkness by German director Werner Herzog; an acclaimed documentary about the deaf-blind which offers a powerful study on communication and human isolation. Also considering the way that we communicate with one another will be ‘A Collective Out of Body Experience’ on 26 October, which looks at how new technologies such as Facebook and Twitter have created a new online ‘stage’ for us to present a version of ourselves. Another topic up for discussion in 2013 will be the inequalities faced by women in the 21st century. As part of this strand, Dr Jude Brown will use political theory to exlore the UK debate on corporate quotas in light of the EU’s recent draft directive calling for at least 40% of board members to be female (29 October). On 26 October meanwhile, is a discussion on ‘how to be a single woman in 2013’ – hosted by four women who are experts in psychology and relationships. This session will consider that, despite the fact that in many ways times have never

been better for single women, there still exists an enormous amount of pressure – not to mention anxiety – for partnerless females over the age of 30, and how to get around this, joyously. It’s not all debate and discussion at the Festival of Ideas however, the fantastic Bright Club (a local group of academics turned stand-up comics) will be doing their thing at the Portland Arms on Friday 1 November, whilst three poets and three rappers will be go head to head to discover who makes better lyricists at Cambridge Junction on 24 October. On Halloween, local homeless charity FLACK will present an evening of scientific, literary and musical perspectives on the ‘Wonders of the Night’ at West Road Concert Hall. Taking place between 8-10pm, this event promises to be a mustsee; after all, where else would you find a film-maker, astronomer, performance poet and neuroscientist on the bill? Fancy creating a comic? Join the team of weekly comic The Phoenix on 26 October, as they help you create your own characters, tell stories and stretch your imagination. Elsewhere on the same day, you can enjoy a pop-up art gallery at the Sidgwick Site, or head along to Newnham College for ‘Defining Pi’ – a

session highlighting how artists are using the Cambridge-created credit card sized computer Raspberry Pi for creative exploration. As well as art, there’s also music on offer too. In Soul Food, on 26 October, there will be readings from the world’s religions by poets and thinkers accompanied by instrumental interludes, whilst ‘Festival choral evensong’ will provide an evening of traditional choral music in celebration of the Festival of Ideas at Senate House on 27 October. You can also catch the debuts of new pieces by internationally acclaimed composers including Nimrod Borenstein at Anglia Ruskin on 26 October in The Trio Plays World Premiers. “When the violinist Mifune Tsuji asked me to participate in the Festival I was immediately excited by the idea,” Borenstein told Cambridge Edition. “A festival that endeavours to explore so many aspects of our humanity can only be fascinating! I will try to learn about as many new things as I can and of course I am very much looking forward to hearing the premiere of my new piece for violin and piano, Confession Op. 55.” www.cam.ac.uk/festival-of-ideas

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 17

HALLOWEEN

Halloween at Wandlebury

Halloween Ideas Spook yourself silly this month with our pick of the best ghoulish goings-on Kentwell Scaresville

Halloween Stories

Every autumn, a mysterious village appears in the grounds of the imposing, moated Tudor manor house, Kentwell Hall. The Haunted Village is one of Britain’s top scare attractions, promising an hour of pure adrenaline as you journey through dark rooms, forests and open farmland, populated by shadowy figures who may or may not be benign… Built between 1500 and 1550, the impressive Kentwell Hall fell into disrepair and by 1970 stood neglected. It was then taken on by the Phillips family who gradually brought it back to life. Tickets cost from £13.50 and scare tours run throughout October and the beginning of November; see the website.

Settle down and listen to some chilling stories with Anne French on 23 October. An experienced storyteller, she’ll lead the open-mic event which will see other members of Cambridge Storytellers take to the floor. “The stories are all sorts: local legends, so-called ‘true stories’, ghost stories from other cultures, funny ones and truly spooky ones,” says fellow raconteur Marion Leeper. “My favourite is called Feet Water, about a family haunted by ghosts because they don’t throw out their dirty bathwater. But we always try and find a new one for Halloween night.” Takes place at the Michaelhouse Centre, 8pm, Trinity Street, £5.

www.scaresville.co.uk

www.cambridgestorytellers.com

Crack o out a great Halloween costume Hallow set out for and se Wandlebury Wandle Country Park on Countr OCTOBER Saturd Saturday 26 October, where fright hunters of all age ages will be gathering for some sseasonal fun. Carve out a pump pumpkin (the more adventurous the better), then join the rangers on a candlelit twilight walk around the grounds, returning to the Stable Rooms for hot soup. Bring a torch if you wish! Early booking is advised – call 01223 243830. £8 per pumpkin (£6 CPPF members). Turn up for 5pm.

www.cambridgeppf.org

Ely ghost tours

Are you bold enough to visit a creepy old mill in the dead of night? Luckily, you won’t have to go alone, but you might have to muster up some courage as you take a spooky lantern-lit trail around Houghton Mill, out towards Huntingdon, on 26 October. As a reward, you’ll also be treated to a supper of jacket spuds, bangers, beans and a cuppa. Dating from the 18th century (though there has been a mill on the site for over 1,000 years), Houghton Mill is a living, working reminder of how flour was ground in centuries gone by. 5.30-7.30pm, tickets £6.50.

Explore the darker side of Ely on a ghost tour, running throughout October. With so much history running through its streets, it’s no wonder this diminutive city has inspired so many ghost stories. Watch out for the ghost dog making its way across the A10 from a Saxon graveyard; and the pale nurse from the old militia hospital. Benedictine Monks are reputed to haunt the cathedral lawns and ghostly goings-on have been reported within Oliver Cromwell’s House. Meet at the Tourist Information Centre (at Cromwell’s House) at 7.30pm, tickets £7.50. New this year is the riverside ghost tour, starting on 31 October at 7.30pm, tickets £15. Take to the water and hear the ghostly tales of the Great Ouse. Contact 01353 662062 or visit the website.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/houghton-mill

www.visitely.org.uk

Halloween at the Mill

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 19

ARTS & CULTURE

We explore the arts and culture scene in Cambridge, showcasing some of the many exciting exhibitions and projects taking place around the city, as well as highlighting the local artists and events to look out for

THE SAFFRON WALDEN GALLERY Head over to Saffron Walden, 15 miles south of Cambridge, to catch an exhibition at the town’s newest art gallery this month. The Saffron Walden Gallery, which opened in May this year, is situated on the high street of the pretty market town and houses an eclectic array of contemporary artworks in a variety of media. Running until 26 October, the Autumn Exhibition will showcase work produced by a group of 19 artists that reﬂects the changing seasons, and includes pieces by Daniel Orimoloye, Deborah Donnelly, Relton Marine and sculptress Rosemary Cook. www.thesaffronwaldengallery.com

A SPLASH OF COLOUR Cambridge Contemporary Crafts on Bene’t Street will be embracing the delights of autumn this month with a new exhibition that runs from 5-30 October. A Splash of Colour will showcase works that use pigment itself as their inspiration, and feature a range of beautifully autumnal works in a variety of media. Among the artists showing their work at the exhibition will be illustrator and designer Sarah Dennis, who creates whimsical paper cuttings and quirky prints by layering hand-cut coloured sheets that tell charming stories. Also on display will be the bold and beautiful glasswork of Callula, which includes light catchers, coasters and vases in a kaleidoscope of hues. Another must-see is the gorgeous range by Tatty Devine – a cult brand that combines craft and ﬁne art to produce witty statement jewellery. If you fancy getting kitted out for the cooler weather, there will also be luxurious lambswool knitted pieces by Tengent and handmade silk scarves by Ima Picó. This exhibition is free to view and open daily, from 10am-5.30pm (11am-5pm Sundays). www.cambridgecrafts.co.uk

20 | Cambridge Edition | October 2013

ARTS & CULTURE

MUSEUMS SHOWOFF We’ve had poets and scientists take to the stage in Cambridge, proving that open mic events aren’t just for musicians. Now, academics from Cambridge’s museums are taking their turn in the limelight for one night only at Cambridge Junction on 30 October. Museums Showoff invites curators, educators, directors, funders, visitors and more to share their enthusiasm for their subject. There might be singing, there might be dancing – there might even be an interpretation on a ukulele. What’s for sure is that it’ll be an informative and entertaining evening for culture vultures everywhere. Come and hear what perils are involved with putting up exhibitions and what visitors really think of them… Plus, if you’d like nine minutes to say something about museums in your own way, you can sign up at www.camunivmuseums.wordpress.com. Starts 8pm; free entry. www.junction.co.uk

THE NIGHT OF LONGING NG Lovers from literature and life are depicted in beautiful Japanese prints, woodcuts and books, displayed as part of an exhibition at The Fitzwilliam Museum this month. The night of longing: love and desire in Japanese prints looks at a selection of work from 1600-1900, depicting a range of emotions and scenarios, from chaste lovers writing letters, to dramatic scenes of thwarted love and couples engaged

in their most intimate moments. More than just an emotion, the love and desire expressed often have wider implications and consequences. The exhibition is based on the collection at the Fitzwilliam Museum and designed to complement the British Museum collection Shunga: sex and pleasure in Japanese art. It runs 1 October - 12 February; entry is free. www.ﬁtzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 21

ARTS & CULTURE

THE ARTS INSIDER It may be a little too early to start thinking about the festive season, but that most spooky (and fun!) of all festivals is nearly upon us this month – Halloween. I’m celebrating it at a ‘Haunted Mansion’ Halloween ball organised by the Neon Moon club, at a flawless setting for their decadent, ‘artistic’ parties, Anstey Hall. Headlined by ‘international bohemian muse’ Vicky Butterfly, the daughter of an Irish showgirl and an eccentric Viennese aristocrat, this looks set to be a night to remember. Butterfly, who cites the Pre-Raphaelites, surrealism and French literature as her influences, cut her teeth in theatre design at Central Saint Martins. I’ll be spending the coming weeks trying to dream up a costume – something witchy and, well, easy to do. Burlesque as an art is controversial. Indeed, with its love of all things risqué – some quarters even question whether it is art. I’ll go with an open mind, but well wrapped up for winter – very possibly in feathers (a healthy looking Black Swan, perhaps!) Check out www. neonmoonclub.com. Just a couple of miles from Anstey Hall is another stately home with stunning grounds, Burwash Manor, which has recently teamed up with artist Cheryl Warren to create a new gallery, Burwash Art (check www.burwashart.com). Already home to a clutch of independent boutiques and with artists successfully exhibiting at Burwash before, the gallery is a perfect next step; it’s showing Cheryl’s work from 4 October in her show, Places. The on-site restaurant serves up excellent food, plus there’s a farm and plenty for the kids to enjoy, too – so make this your must-try for autumn. Closer to home, I’ll be at photographers Daisy Zoll and Catherine Bullen’s show at the Cambridge Art Salon on 11 October for clever juxtapositions of similarity and difference in a safari of settings. Then from 17 October is Art/Language/Location (A:L:L), an interdisciplinary ‘celebration of art, text and location’ taking place throughout the city. I’m a big fan of conceptual artist Laurence Weiner and love that edgy interplay between the written word and visual art. Showing over 40 artists, including the boundary-pushing Susie Olczak, Erica Bohr, Rebecca Ilet, Deanna Tyson

22 | Cambridge Edition | October 2013

Grab one of 500 copies of new feminist magazine Ladybeard

Neon Ne on M Moo ooo n ar aaree pu putti utt ttin ing in ngg on a rroari oa riring oa i ngg frightfest for Hallowee n this year

are at Da isy Z oll and Cat herine Bu llen Oct obe r the Ca mb ridg e Art Salon on 11

Se e Pete r Sutto n's wo rk in Art / La ng ua ge / Locatio n and Robert Good, plus Peter Sutton, who’s showing at 9 Norfolk Street for the last two weeks of October with a new piece, Mockingbird, A:L:L is pencilled ﬁrmly in the diary (check www. artlanguagelocation.wordpress.com). Creating a bit of a buzz nationwide, is new feminist magazine Ladybeard that launches this month, produced by Cambridge University undergraduates as a vital platform for feminist writing. With fans including the likes of Susie Orbach, the publication has been dubbed ‘one to watch’ by both the Observer and the Guardian (no, not the same thing!) and is injecting fresh energy into a new generation of grass-roots girl-power activism. Check their Facebook page www.facebook.com/Ladybeardmagazine for details of the launch and try and hunt down a copy of the ﬁrst-ever

issue, themed ‘the body’, which will be distributed all over Cambridge. There are only 500 issues being printed though – so happy hunting! Finally, look out for travelling minstrel Mike Dignam who plays at CB2 in October – his feel-good, sparkling guitar-y pop has meant much of his Great Escape Tour has already sold out. The tour’s namesake track, Great Escape, is so catchy it will have you packing your bags to fly round the world before you know it. Where did you always dream of going before you, as Mike cheerily sings, got ‘old’? Pop his Paint EP into your iPod (or if you’re like me – your good old-fashioned stereo!) and fly! After all, with plenty of new flights leaving from Cambridge Airport now, it’s even easier to go adventuring. Have a happy Halloween and a fantastic October, all!

Susan Elliot

ARTS & CULTURE

CERAMIC AND STILL LIFE Still lifes, ceramic sculptures and domestic ceramics form the basis of the latest exhibition at Byard Art, the art gallery on King’s Parade. Ceramic and Still Life runs from 12 October - 10 November and will showcase work by 15 established artists, including David Gleeson, who pays close attention to detail and captures stories and stillness within his paintings of everyday items and interiors. Also exhibiting are Lorraine Taylor and Nicky Smart, who create still-life studies in clay, and new ceramicist Lucy Burley who draws her inspiration from the sky, sea and nature. Susan Elliot uses recycled items to create her unique work: “My work is made of kitchen crockery, kitsch tourist mementos, novelty mugs, badges and coins. The materials I ﬁnd when starting a new piece determine the sentiment or theme, as they are clipped, glued and grouted into a richly worked, multi-faceted story.” www.byardart.co.uk

SCIENCE SLAM If you’re a local, you might be familiar with the ‘Poetry Slams’ hosted by Hammer & Tongue at The Fountain in Cambridge: live poetry contests in which the speakers are marked out of ten for their verbal prowess under pressure. This month, a young German startup called Policult is bringing the Science Slam to our city – offering a unique opportunity to witness a scientist present their research in an entertaining and unconventional way. The location, once again, is The Fountain, and as with the Poetry Slam, it’s all about impressing the crowds in a limited timeframe (10 minutes to be precise). Scientists are free to interact with the crowds however they like, from a traditional PowerPoint presentation to an all-singing, all-dancing pantomime. After they’ve said their piece, the audience vote by applause. If you fancy giving it a go yourself (after all, if anywhere is teeming with sciencey brainboxes it’s Cambridge), coaching is free of charge to all contestants. 17 October, £7, 8pm. www.scienceslam.net/greatbritain

CAMBRIDGE CLASSICAL CONCERT SERIES October brings the Cambridge Classical Concert Series at the Corn Exchange, which begins on 17 October with a visit from the world-renowned Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio. The evening opens with Beethoven’s Symphony No.4 and features Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. On 30 October, Corn Exchange Artist in Residence Julian Lloyd Webber will be joined by a selection of his musically-talented friends: pianist John Lill and clarinettist Emma Johnson. They will play a programme which includes pieces by Beethoven, Chopin, Prokoﬁev, Lloyd Webber, Fauré and Brahms. The Cambridge Classical Concert Series continues on 26 November with a show by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, and on into the New Year with three concerts by the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Orchestra planned for 2014. www.cornex.co.uk

24 | Cambridge Edition | October 2013

ARTS & CULTURE

'Cry for me now' – Jamie Ashman

'Man looking down' – Marcus Nisbet

'Is Nothing Sacred' – Marcus Nisbet

WILLIAMS ART It’s a busy month over at Gwydir Street’s Williams Art, as the gallery hosts a duo of exhibitions, each very different in style. First up, running until 14 October, is Dark Fountain by Marcus Nisbet; a set of 16 works, all inspired by a single painting entitled Nothing is Sacred. Ranging from dark and mysterious to vibrant and playful, this richly diverse collection depicts mysterious ﬁgures that spring directly from the artist’s own memory – to the point of being confessional. Starting on 17 October meanwhile is Language Unlimited, a group exhibition from six artists, all of whom put pictures into words and words into pictures. It features Jamie Ashman, Abbas Hashemi, Louise Hashemi, Tamar Levi, Dittany Rose and Rhiannon Thomas (runs until 4 November). www.williamsart.co.uk

VISUALISING MILL ROAD Wandering up and down Mill Road of late, you may have happened ned across some intriguing bits of stencilled street art on the pavements. After a bit of digging, we discovered that this was the work of two researchers from the ICRI Cities Institute at University College London, who were keen to explore whether there is a perceived economic and social divide on either side of the railway tracks on Mill Road. The project focuses on the differences and similarities between the Romsey (south east) and Petersﬁeld (north west) areas. Research was collected at 18 shops, via a voting device displayed on the counter, which asked customers questions relating to Mill Road life and could be answered with a smiley, neutral or sad face. The questions asked of locals changed every other day over a three-week period, and covered topics including happiness, safety and street buzz. Once all data had been collected from the devices and amalgamated, a team of local artists displayed their ﬁndings outside the participating shops using stencils and chalk spray. These eye-catching pavement visualisations then gave passers-by the chance to explore what others think of the area – offering up a fascinating insight into community life, on both sides of the tracks. www.visualisingmillroad.com

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 25

ARTS & CULTURE

n a world where young teens are force-fed images of overcommercialised, over-sexualised pop stars, there’s one woman on a mission to create a role model with a difference. Nicola Foley steps into the colourful world of Cambridge-based performance artist Bryony Kimmings to ﬁnd out more.

Q: Sum up Credible Likeable Superstar Role Model for us… A: It’s a social experiment, two theatre shows, an education project and a documentary. It is inspired by my nineyear-old niece Taylor and it is very much a protest against the ﬂagrant use of obscene, objectiﬁed and sexualised images used to commodify childhood. In essence, my niece invented a pop star role model that she wanted to see becoming famous, as an alternative to the tripe she is fed. Taylor created Catherine Bennett; a palaeontologist and tuna pasta lover who sings about the future, animals and friendship. I promised I would become Catherine and make her more famous than Jessie J. The show coming to Cambridge Junction is all about what happened as a result of this promise. Q: Why was it important to you to create an alternative role model for your niece? A: It was important to me because the current offer is so limited. The current offer reads as you have to be skinny, conventionally pretty, dumb and sexualised to be worth anything. Now, we all know as adults that this is tosh, but young minds are different, they’re like sponges. They are looking to us, and unfortunately that means the media, to tell them what they are supposed to be doing. There is a great phrase: “you can’t be, what you can’t see”. I felt like I needed to put a very clear

alternative out there into the ether, so that other companies and record labels might follow suit.

Q: It seems like this project has really captured the imagination of the nation – what has the response from the public been like so far? A: It has been phenomenal! The show itself won four awards up in Edinburgh and some excellent five-star reviews from Time Out and The Independent. So the response to our story has been fantastic. For Catherine Bennett, well, it’s been staggering too. She has been written about in nearly every major broadsheet and featured in Vogue, Glamour and Grazia. She was invited to speak about activism with my niece by Yoko Ono at the Meltdown Festival, she has been on Woman’s Hour, her music has played on Radio 1 and she has been to parliament for a special tour and discussion on the ethics and ideas behind the project. People can help by visiting her website and driving the YouTube traffic up. We need one million hits in a year so visit www.catherinebennett.so! Q: This project is quite different to some of your previous incarnations like 7 Day Drunk and Sex Idiot – is there a common thread? A: The common thread is a fascination with how we operate as a society in the UK. I explode subjects that I feel are taboo, or that need talking about publically more. We are a reserved race in many ways, but when you listen to friends talking in a pub, especially women, we are a nation of gossips and sharers. I love that funny dichotomy. I decided long ago I would buck the trend and air my own dirty laundry to make people feel that it’s ok to be a dirty human being. We are animals don’t forget. Q: And finally, what’s next for Bryony Kimmings? A: I am tackling the next big subjects that are becoming more and more important to me over the next two years. The first is racism. I feel like we don’t talk enough about it at a base level, we are scared of it and that for me is a meaty subject. I feel that will be a collaboration and will probably be

ready in 2015. The second is climate change. Now if that made you wince a bit, THAT is the reason why I am taking on this tough subject. Climate change is almost a dirty word. It is full of guilt, there is no enemy and weird annoying people talk about it on the news… I want to make a show that makes it cool to talk about the climate and question what we hear and that really shines a light on who can help and how. I am never one for small subjects. I am also making the Catherine Bennett kids show and am off on tour with Taylor, my niece, across the world early next year. Busy busy B. Bryony Kimmings: Credible Likeable Superstar Role Model, plays at Cambridge Junction on 30 October.

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 27

THEATRE

THEATRE GHTS HIGHLI

Whether you fancy a show tune, a spot of humour or a bit of the Bard, Cambridge theatreland is bursting with offerings this month tart the month with The Butterfly Lion, a tale of enduring friendship by the writer of War Horse. Transporting us to the plains of Africa and the battlefields of war-torn France, it pivots around the friendship of Bertie and the white lion he rescues as a cub. When Bertie is sent to boarding school, his lion is sold to a circus – but he vows to see his friend again one day. It’s showing at the Arts Theatre, 30 September-5 October. Curtain up is 7.45pm (plus 2.30pm Thur & Sat); tickets £15-£27. Over at Cambridge Junction, New International Encounter present North North North on 1 October. A tale of adventure and daring, it tells the story of three Swedish adventurers who set out from Svalbard for the North Pole in 1897 in a hydrogen-filled balloon – and were never seen alive again. Much like the company’s Hansel and Gretel Christmas show, it features a creative mix of physical theatre, storytelling and live music as it charts this poignant journey (7.30pm, £8-£12). Musical fans should head to the Corn Exchange on 10 October for an evening led by three stars who have all played the role of The Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit show. Matthew Cammelle, Stephen John d Davis and Glyn Kerslake will be joined by other cast members to perform a stunning array of songs from the musicals, from My Fair Lady to Les Misérables. Described by one

critic as “possibly the best gala evening of musical theatre you are ever likely to see”, Three Phantoms starts at 7.30pm; tickets cost £27.50-£29.50. With the start of the university term comes an invigorating wave of new plays performed by students of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin Universities. Ibsen’s Ghosts is amongst those showing at the Mumford Theatre (14-15 October), adapted from the original translation by Alfred Enoch, best known for playing Dean Thomas in the Harry Potter films. In it, a woman finds herself trapped by the ‘dead ideas’ preached by Pastor Manders, while trying to conceal her husband’s philandering past. But the return of her estranged son brings back the ghosts she has long tried to keep at bay. Starts 7.30pm both nights, with a pre-show talk on the second night at 6.30pm (tickets £8.50-£12.50). Meanwhile, the Cambridge University Amateur Dramatics Group are putting on The History Boys at the ADC, 15-19 October. Alan Bennett’s multi award-winning play pitches us into a classroom of boys, each hoping to gain a scholarship to go to university. But there’s more going on than just learning dates and facts. Showtime is 7.45pm; tickets cost £6-£10. Cambridge University’s smaller Cam venue, The Corpus Playroom, venu offers a busy programme of off events, including The Two ev Gentlemen of Verona, 15-19 G October. In this lively touring O production, the girls play the pr boys and the boys play the girls boy against a bare stage, filled with again music, com comedy and some serious moral music dilemmas (7pm, tickets £5/£6). Then head back to the Arts Theatre between 16 and 19 October for a particularly Cambridge phenomenon: The Cambridge Greek Play. Performed every three years in original Greek (with English surtitles, just in case your Ancient Greek is a little rusty), the Greek Play draws audiences from far and wide. This year it’s a double

PICKS

bill of Prometheus and The Frogs (2.30pm, 7.45pm; £15-£25). Finally, end the month on a funny note with The Private Ear & The Public Eye, also at the Arts Theatre. This West End and Broadway hit made stars out of Kenneth Williams and Maggie Smith in the 60s, and returns to open a window on attitudes to love and manners in this decade of change. “Sophisticated and wise… It soars and sings with the enchantment of a happy, unfettered bird”, says the New York Times – go and see for yourself, 21-26 October (7.45pm, 2.30pm Thur & Sat; £15-£30).

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 29

FAMILY

FALLING LEAVES FESTIVAL S As summer turns into autumn, learn about the kinds of wildlife living in your back yard and how you can help your garden guests survive the colder months. On the day the clocks go back, and British summertime officially ends, the RSPB are off to Burwash Manor for the Falling Leaves Festival; a day of wild activities, with birds to meet and things to make and do. Try to spot some of the different wild birds at Burwash, then learn how to identify them (you might recognise some from your own garden). There will also be a chance to help the team as they ring some birds – an essential part of monitoring birdlife in Britain. If you’re all birded out, jump on board a tractor for a ride, or make a pitstop for some delicious cakes in the café… Falling Leaves Festival takes place 11am-4pm, 27 October and entry is free. www.burwashmanor.com

JAMES AND

the Giant Peach

What would you wish for if you lived with the most revolting aunts in England? Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker are probably the most horrible, nasty relatives you could ever have the misfortune to encounter, and James has to live with them every day. Fortunately, fate has more in store for young James than scrubbing ﬂoors and running errands for his aunts, and a chance encounter with a mystical old man sees him take off on the adventure of a lifetime. The Birmingham Stage Company brings Roald Dahl’s spectacular adventure to life in this exciting stage production featuring talking insects, a ﬂock of seagulls and one enormous peach. James and the Giant Peach is at Cambridge Arts Theatre from 29 October until 2 November, 2pm & 7pm (Tue-Fri); 10.30am & 2pm (Sat). Tickets £17.50 adult/£12.50 child. www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

LUNA Luna is bored. Stuck way up in the sky on her own at night, she doesn’t have anyone to play with. Until one night, as she’s racing across the sky, she spots a young boy hiding in the shadows and decides to slip down to earth and make friends with him. The only trouble is, this boy is afraid of the dark. Will Luna be able to help him overcome his fear and ﬁnd a true friend? An enchanting play by Sarah Argent and Miranda Thain, Luna is suitable for 2-5 year olds and their families. Come along for a wondrous night-time adventure on 13 October, 11.30am and 2.30pm, at Cambridge Junction. Tickets cost £5/£9 or £23 for a family ticket. www.junction.co.uk

WOOD GREEN

5 & 31 OCT

RESCUE WORKER ALIENS LOVE

Underpants

Based on the bestselling books by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort, this all-singing, alldancing children’s show promises silly songs, madcap action, original music – and aliens, of course! The fun rhymes are perfect to join in with, and Claire and Ben’s loveable, colourful characters are always off on different zany adventures. See them onstage at the Corn Exchange in this fresh and funny production, 28-29 October. It’s on at 1.30pm Monday or 10.30am and 1.30pm Tuesday. Tickets are £12. www.cornex.co.uk

for a Day

Want to work with animals? Wood Green Animal Shelter in Godmanchester is offering 15-17 year olds the chance to be a rescue worker for the day on 5 and 31 October. Join the animal welfare team and learn how they care for the animals and get involved with feeding, handling and health checking. There’ll also be an ‘ask the experts’ Q&A for those wanting to ﬁnd out more. It should be a fun and valuable day for budding vets or rescue workers, or a great gift idea for animal lovers. £65, 10am-3pm. Adults are also welcome. www.woodgreen.org.uk

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 31

GROUP SPOTLIGHT

This month, Nicola Foley meets Changing Spaces, the local group using unoccupied buildings to creatively enhance Cambridge’s high street ith the ripples of the recession still very much being felt on the high street, boarded-up windows and empty shops are a depressingly familiar sight up and down the country. But, in Cambridge at least, we’re lucky enough to have a talented group of artists working together to transform these unoccupied spaces into something truly inspiring. Changing Spaces, which formed in 2009, is a local project that negotiates the use of empty commercial properties for exhibitions and creative development. So far the group has inhabited high-proﬁle premises on King Street, Sussex Street, Regent Street, Norfolk Street and at The Grafton Centre – offering innovative visual arts events to the general public in easily accessible locations. The group, which was originally conceived and looked after by Cambridge City Council (with Elaine Midgley an especially potent force), has since become an entirely artist-led initiative and has facilitated exhibitions and pop-up galleries for around 200 artists in the area. For these artists, some of whom are young and at the very start of their creative career, it offers an incredible opportunity to show and sell their work to potentially huge audiences, as well as enabling them

to become protagonists in Cambridge’s burgeoning contemporary art scene. The diverse spaces procured by the group also offer a rather enticing challenge for those exhibiting, explains Anji Main, one of Changing Spaces’ directors. “These are not white cubes. There’s lots of weird little things going on in the spaces we get, and I think that really helps to bring out the artists’ creativity.” Creating an exhibition to fit a particular space is possibly a breeze in comparison to the extraordinary amount of time and effort which goes into acquiring a premises in the first place however, even on a very short-term basis. “There’s lots of negotiating with the landlords to be done before you can get it, but I guess because we’ve got a good reputation they know that we’re not going to squat it, which is always a worry. It’s our reputation that’s making it easier for us.” A fine reputation it is, too. From the sinisterly spellbinding mechanical figures of Giles Walker’s Last Supper at the King Street gallery, to the charming illustrations on show at the Drawing Cube via the bombastic street art of All Type No Face – Changing Spaces have been responsible for orchestrating some of Cambridge’s defining art moments of the past few years. And along with contemporary art

hot spots like Wysing in Bourn, Aid & Abet and Cambridge Art Salon – the group are spearheading a revolution in the local art scene. “We’ve all got our own niches and we’re doing different things for different people, but there’s a very good relationship between us and I think that’s what’s needed,” says Anji. “There are lots of satellite places offering different types of contemporary art and I think between us all we will push Cambridge forward… We want to get the visual arts to come together and noticed in the city. I have a passion myself to get Cambridge on the map.” She and the team are certainly doing that. One of the most admirable things about Changing Spaces is the way that they put art, sometimes at the more challenging end of the spectrum, out there where people will see it. Beyond the conﬁnes of the traditional gallery setting, they are able to tap into new audiences, making art truly accessible for all to enjoy. So how have the people of Cambridge responded? “It’s been great. We’re putting contemporary ﬁne art on the street, and we’ve found that when the art is in a window, or somewhere really easily accessible for people, it breaks down the

Chloe Leaper

6one6 Gallery, King Street

32 | Cambridge Edition | October 2013

GROUP SPOTLIGHT

Beyond the confines of the traditional gallery setting, they are able to tap into new audiences, making art truly accessible for all to enjoy

barriers. Sometimes spectators are a little bit nervous or intimidated about going into galleries. But if you put it on the street then it breaks down those barriers. It kind of gets into them subliminally. So we’ve found it’s actually a really good way of being able to show contemporary art – the more wacky stuff – to a general audience and that seems to have worked really well. And the idea is that when they see this, then they can step into a gallery, they can go to Aid & Abet, they can visit Wysing or wherever without feeling nervous. It’s breaking down those barriers and people have been really, really positive." If you fancy seeing what Changing Spaces are up to, there’s a new exhibition opening at the Drawing Cube on Norfolk Street this month. Among Secrets by Swedish artist Karin Eklund runs from 2-13 October, and features a range of new paintings and illustrations in her distinctive style, which blends childish playfulness with darker undertones. The group are also involved with Art: Language: Location; a multi-venue collection of more than 40 artists’ work which will be exploring ideas of text and place across the city throughout October. Find out more at the Changing Spaces website: www.changing-spaces.org ABOVE: Karin Eklund

Giles Walker's 'the Last Supper'

Simon Halliday

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 33

COMPETITION

WIN A GRAFTON PRIZE BUNDLE worth £300!

WIN!

his month we’ve teamed up with The Grafton to give away a fantastic prize bundle which includes a £200 shopping trip, dinner for two and cinema tickets. First up, our lucky winner will receive a £200 Grafton Gift Card, giving them the chance to go on a guilt-free spending spree at the centre’s top retailers including Topshop, H&M, Next, Debenhams and BHS. Whether you fancy revamping your wardrobe for winter or sprucing up your pad with some stylish new homewares, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing your bounty.

Next up, our winner will be treated to some tasty Mediterranean cuisine courtesy of Bella Italia, with a complimentary meal for two (up to the value of £50), as well as four tickets for the Vue cinema. To be in with a chance of winning, head over to www.cambsedition.co.uk. For more information on The Grafton Centre, visit www.graftoncentre.co.uk

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 35

NEWS WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON

LION YARD Jennifer Shelton meets John Tordoff, the winner of the Lion Yard Art Competition 2013

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

36 | Cambridge Edition | October 2013

ike it or not, when we’re out and about, most of us are used to rushing to and from shops and cafés, getting our errands done as fast as possible and not always finding the time to enjoy the sights and sounds of the city. But we all know there’s lots to see in Cambridge and an art project which ran throughout August encouraged local artists to do just that and come up with a piece of original work which celebrates all things ‘Cambridge’. 20 finalists were selected – you might have seen their work on display on the first floor of the Lion Yard shopping centre. Cambridge Edition partnered the event, hosted by Lion Yard, and we were amazed by the quality of work, and by the various ways each artist interpreted the theme. There were swans, punts and bridges, several more abstract offerings, plus an intricate East-meets-West imagining of a Cambridge riverbank, a delicate line drawing and eye-catching collages. After over 800 votes from the public, John Tordoff’s mixed-media masterpiece What’s on in Cambridge? was declared the worthy winner by Lion Yard. “The competition was smashing, so I was delighted to have won,” says John, as I catch up for a chat after the presentation. “I’m a serious painter, I paint every day, but the opportunities for an outlet to sell work are very limited. I’m part of Cambridge Open Studios and I exhibit at the Cambridge Drawing Society, so to be given space to show my work at Lion Yard for a month as my prize is a very good one.” John, a professional painter who has lived in Cambridge since 2009, took inspiration from the notices that adorn the city’s railings, announcing shows and fêtes, hoping to catch the eye of passers-by. “The brief was to create a picture that celebrates life in Cambridge and Cambridgeshire,” he explains. “One of the unusual things about Cambridge is this unique way of advertising local events by using the railings. It’s not just one place;

any set of railings in Cambridge has these notices on, and it doesn’t happen in any other city that I know of. It’s very ‘Cambridge’. I spend a lot of time looking at them, particularly for the musical events, so it was meaningful to me, too.” John’s striking artwork, which captures the light beautifully and makes clever use of paint and newspaper, certainly caught the public’s eye. “It’s a collage, or ‘mixed media’, and it’s the third version I’ve painted,” he says. “I made two similar pictures: one in winter, so all the bikes and tops of the railings are covered in snow. But this is the biggest and I think it’s the best. I’m pleased with how the sunlight shines through the paper.” Unsurprisingly, the popular painting has already been snapped up – as though by some stroke of fate, as John explains. “Somebody saw it when it was upstairs [in Lion Yard] and took an immediate liking to it, and said he wanted to buy it,” says John. “The man was born and bred in Cambridge and had only been outside Cambridge once to go to a place in France called Chalon-sur-Saône…” John leans in and points to the picture, showing me a headline still visible under the paint. “That’s the place, there. Isn’t that extraordinary? So he was meant to have it, I think.” While this particular piece might be off the market, anyone interested in seeing more of John’s work can check out his one-man exhibition in the shopping centre planned for some time in the New Year, or visit his website: www.john-tordoff.co.uk.

WINNER!

COMMUNITY

y t i n u m m Co

news

T h e late st n e ws fro m yo loca l h u b u r

La Dante The Italian Cultural Centre and language school celebrated its 5th birthday last month with a party at Trinity College. Having started in 2008 with just a small room in Norfolk Street, La Dante has since ﬂourished into an established school, now situated in The Lodge, Hawthorn Way. Describing themselves as ‘a little Italy in the heart of Cambridge’, it’s the city’s only Italian cultural centre, where students can immerse themselves in the language and culture through a range of interactive classes. The new term at La Dante started in September – visit the website for more information. www.ladante-in-cambridge.org

C mbridge Ca fashion show fa H Have you got a passion for fashion? p After a successful and enjoy enjoyable event last year, Headway Cambridgeshire is laying on a glittering fashion show, sponsored by Slater & Gordon Lawyers and John Lewis, on 16 October, at the John Lewis Brasserie, 6-8pm. All proceeds from the ticket sales will go to Headway Cambridgeshire, which provides specialist services and support to people with brain injuries. The charity needs as much help as possible from Cambridgeshire residents to help support their constantly expanding services, and warmly invite us to relax with a glass of ﬁzz and canapés, have some fun and get a look at the key autumn/winter trends. www.headway-cambs.org.uk

Party Pa P art on the hhe Hill Hil A shower sho ow of stars descended on Ely on the last day of August A for a brand new all-day festival, Party o on the Hill. Organised by Angela Oxley, in support of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, the suppor party saw acts such as Blue, Atomic Kitten and Matt Cardle, plus some more retro returnees and up-and-coming new talent, perform to fans from far and wide. Angela was delighted by the turnout. She says: “All the acts were very chilled and great to work with. Cheryl baker from OBF (Bucks Fizz) made time for the fans, chatting to everyone and having photos taken. Matt Cardle had lots of fans come to see him, including some from Dublin! “Rising star Josh Curnow sung tunes from his new EP and he's now got a whole new heap of fans that have asked us if they can see him again at our 2014 concert, which is currently in the making. To see everyone getting into the tunes made us realise what a great line-up we had achieved.”

Christmas Gala Dinner

Bookings are now being taken for the Christmas gala dinner at St John’s College Cambridge in aid of The Eastt Anglian Air Ambulance (14 December, from 7pm). Get ther for a festive your friends and family together extravaganza and experience traditional Cambridge College dining in this stunning atmospheric setting. Features of the evening will include a picture raffle with works by well-known artists, an auction of exclusive prizes hosted by John Foster of the Antiques Roadshow and a three-course meal with musical accompaniment. Tickets are £85 per person and places are limited 0 or so early booking is advised. Call 01473 209330 visit the website for information and booking.. www.eaaa.org.uk

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 39

LISTINGS

WHAT’S ON A round-up of events in and around Cambridgeshire for October 4 October

9 October

RAT PACK LIVE Time: 7pm Location: Burgess Hall Price: £19.50 or £18 each for bookings of 10 or more. Description: Step back in time for a night of classic tunes with a tribute act to the coolest cats of them all; Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davies Jr. huntingdonshire.gov.uk

POETRY SLAM Time: 8-11pm Location: The Fountain Price: £3-6.50 Description: Writer and comic Ross Sutherland, fresh from a successful stint at the Edinburgh Festival, heads up the ﬁrst round of Hammer & Tongue’s poetry slam. Fancy a go yourself? Get in touch! thefountain.co.uk

4 October HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY RADIO SHOW Time: 7.30pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £22-27 Description: Enter the wacky and wonderful world of Douglas Adams with this smash hit radio tour show, featuring a live band, wild sound effects, HD projections, and the narrative skills of Simon Jones as Arthur Dent, plus other guests. cornex.co.uk

5 October BABY CROCHET CLASS Time: 10am-1pm Location: The Sheep Shop Price: £25 Description: Expectant mothers, come and crochet items for your baby at special mothers-to-be classes, held at The Sheep Shop in Cambridge. 5 October is the ﬁrst of three (feel free to come to just the one or all three), where you’ll learn to make a baby bonnet. Suitable for beginners. sheepshopcambridge.co.uk

10 October THRESHOLD & RECORD OF EVENTS Time: 7.30pm Location: Mumford Theatre Price: £8.50-£12.50 Description: A cast of alpha females perform a stunning display of dance, taking inspiration from classical ballet, pop culture, commercial dance, fashion and ﬁlm. This powerful double bill explores a darker side of femininity and the creativity of the human body. anglia.ac.uk/mumfordtheatre

12-13 October ARTS, CRAFT & FOOD FAIR Time: 10am-4pm Location: Wood Green, Godmanchester Price: £3 Description: A two-day craft event, held indoors, featuring work by local crafters. Browse the stalls and maybe come away with a unique gift or item for your home. oakleighfairs.co.uk

CHOCOLATE GALORE

OCT

Time: 2-4pm Location: Cambridge Cookery School Price: £40 (or £75 for two) Description: Indulge in all things chocolatey at a fabulous chocolate workshop. You’ll create a molten chocolate fondant to eat in class, paired with a perfect glass of bubbly, plus truffles and the school’s legendary brownies to take home. cambridgecookeryschool.com

16 October

16-19 October

ALISON MOYET Time: 7.30pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £25-£45 Description: The musical icon returns to Cambridge to play music from her new album, The Minutes, out this autumn. With sales of more than 20 million and counting, both as a solo artist and with Yazoo, Moyet is one of the most captivating artists of her generation, and her new work fuses her synth-pop past and modern club sounds. cornex.co.uk

PROMETHEUS AND THE FROGS Time: 7.45pm (2.30pm matinee) Location: Arts Theatre Price: £15-£25 Description: Performed every three years, The Cambridge Greek Play is a unique chance to see a classic play performed in original Greek (with surtitles). This year it’s a tragic-comic double bill of Prometheus and The Frogs. cambridgeartstheatre.com

OCT

14 October

OCT

MUSICAL THEATRE BAR NIGHTS Time: 8pm Location: ADC Theatre Price: £5/£6 Description: Head to the ADC bar to hear songs from the musicals, performed by the talented Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society. This intimate cabaret evening includes a live band and singers, with plenty of breaks for you to top yourself up at the bar. adctheatre.com

40 | Cambridge Edition | October 2013

BAKA BEYOND

Time: 8pm Location: Cambridge Junction Price: £12 Description: World music pioneers Baka Beyond play a mix of African and Celtic Music to create a hugely danceable sound. As well as gigging around the UK, the band have a close relationship with their inspiration, the Baka Pygmies of Cameroon, who they send royalties to. junction.co.uk

LISTINGS

IMAGES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

Rat Pack Live is at Burgess Hall on 4 October, Wood Green's second annual Dogs’ Day Out takes place on 19 October and the Festival of Ideas is back on 23 October

19 October DOGS’ DAY OUT Time: 10am Location: Wood Green, Godmanchester Price: Free (fee for some events) Description: Back for its second year due to popular demand, is the Wood Green Dogs’ Day Out! Bring the family, and your fourlegged friend, to discover a whole host of fun activities. There’ll be games, competitions, talks and treats, including how to speak ‘dog language’, staying safe around dogs and lessons in the basics of dog agility. woodgreen.org.uk

JAMIE CULLUM

OCT

Time: 7.30pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £25-£40 Description: The jazz virtuoso returns to the touring circuit with The Momentum Tour. It combines the talents of producer Jim Abbiss (Arctic Monkeys, Adele) and the inﬂuences of old-time jazz, including a version of Pure Imagination, as sung by Gene Wilder in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. cornex.co.uk

BILL BAILEY 23 October-3 November

21-22 OCT

Time: 8pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £25 Description: The master of wit and whimsy brings his new show, Qualmpeddler, to Cambridge. In it, he’ll be voicing his qualms about the modern world, playing some crazy music, philosophising and presenting a dub version of Downton Abbey. cornex.co.uk

OCT THE GENERAL Time: 7.30pm Location: Mumford Theatre Price: £8.50-£12.50 Description: Sink into the charming world of the silent movie with this one-off evening of music and cinema. Followed by a pre-show talk at 6.30pm, musicians Ric Elsworth and Simon Hanson will provide a live soundtrack to Buster Keaton’s The General, the classic comedy from 1926. anglia.ac.uk/mumfordtheatre

26 October

FESTIVAL OF IDEAS Time: Various Location: Throughout Cambridge Price: Various Description: A fascinating series of talks, walks and other unique and engaging activities, The Festival of Ideas returns for its sixth year, promising an impressive array of speakers and activities which will certainly give the old grey matter a workout. cam.ac.uk/festival-of-ideas

HALLOWEEN PARTY Time: 9pm Location: Nusha Price: £4 before midnight, £5 after Description: Felicity Flappes pays a visit to Nusha for a Halloween event to die for! The bar is open ’til 3am so you can get your ﬁx of cocktails and spooky Halloween ghoulishness – with added glitz. facebook.com/nusha.cocktailbar

29 OCT2 NOV JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH Time: 2pm & 7pm Tues-Fri, 10.30am & 2pm Sat Location: Cambridge Arts Theatre Price: £17.50 (£12.50 children) Description: Watch as Roald Dahl’s fantastical adventure unfolds before you on stage, taking you on an epic, fruit-tastic voyage, complete with talking insects, magic powers and, of course, the biggest peach you’ve ever seen. cambridgeartstheatre.com

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 41

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Visit, Shop & Enjoy St Neots www.visitstneots.co.uk St Neots’ new destination website was launched this summer www.visitstneots.co.uk The website was created to act as a comprehensive online town guide for use by residents and visitors alike. Everything one needs to know about St Neots can be found on the site from things to do and places to see to comprehensive listings of local businesses, shops and organisations. Visitors will also ﬁnd key information about activities and events taking place in the local area. The website was developed by St Neots Town Council, local news website AboutMyArea/PE19 and St Neots Town Initiative, who are working collaboratively to promote St Neots.

Later Shopping in St Neots & Free Parking after 3pm this autumn… Many shops in St Neots Town Centre will be open until 7pm every Thursday this autumn. The special promotion launches on Thursday 17th October and will run on consecutive Thursdays until Christmas – the last later shopping date will be Thursday 19th December. Huntingdonshire District Council is offering shoppers free car parking after 3pm on Thursdays to coincide with Later Shopping in St Neots. Live entertainment will also be organised on some evenings Then, from December, car parking will be ‘Free after 3pm’ Monday-Friday until 23rd December in council-operated car parks. Parking is already free in the town centre car parks on Sundays. Come into St Neots after the school run or work to take advantage of the extended store opening hours this autumn. Participating retailers include Beales Department Store, Boots, Barretts of St Neots, New Look, Dorothy Perkins, M&Co plus many more.

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Or contact St Neots Town Centre Manager: katie.williams@stneots-tc.gov.uk / 01480 388912

LOCAL LIVES

It might seem a remnant of a bygone era, but there is still a huge demand for butlers today. As Downton Abbey returns to our screens, we meet Richard Hein, head butler at Peterhouse College, to find out what it takes to be a modern-day Mr Carson Q: Who are you a butler for? A: I’m head butler for the master and fellows of Peterhouse College. It’s the oldest and smallest of Cambridge’s colleges, founded by the Bishop of Ely in 1284. It’s a very special place, especially the Hall, where we serve most of the dinners. The thought of working in a place that has been standing since before America was colonised is quite amazing. Q: Do all the colleges have a butler? A: Not all; some have a butler but others may have a dining room manager or someone with a different title. Q: What is your daily routine? A: I mostly look after functions and dinners at the college, as well as training staff. Today I’m serving a big corporate dinner, so I’ll be in at 11am to prepare the cutlery, go over staffing and make sure we have everything in order. Q: When did you become a butler? A: About three years ago. I come from a hotel background and have worked in hospitality since I was 15. My father is a head chef and I was introduced to that sector through him. Q: What are the most important characteristics of a butler? A: Courtesy, respect, discretion, dignity, integrity and patience. Though, of course, these are tested sometimes. Guests coming from abroad for a conference

might have different customs, so at times they may seem rude without meaning to be, and that’s when patience and tolerance come into play. Q: What does the ‘butlers’ code’ involve? A: For me personally, once I've put on my uniform, it’s to keep in mind those virtues described. I also like the quote from Henry Ford which says: “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.” Q: Have shows like Downton Abbey increased the popularity of butlers? A: Yes. According to an article in Mail Online last year, the number of butlers doubled in a year. The demand has been mostly from wealthy London families. Q: Have you seen Downton Abbey? Does Carson make a good butler? A: I have watched it, and it seems quite accurate. Jim Carter is a very good actor so yes, he makes a convincing butler. Q: What are the main differences between these TV butlers and your role? A: A domestic butler working in a grand house would be more involved with matters of the house, like bills. Traditionally, the butler might have been required to sleep in the pantry with the silver, to make sure it stayed safe! And, if your employer woke at 3am and wanted something to eat, you’d be on hand. I live in Cambridge with my family, so I’m

fortunate in that I get to spend plenty of time with my children. Q: Has technology had an effect? A: Yes, on certain elements. I use my smartphone a lot: I send texts to my staff ahead of a dinner, when in Mr Carson’s day they would have sent letters. My diary and calendar are also on my phone, which is very convenient. My smartphone could be compared to the traditional ‘butler’s bible’: a notebook containing all kinds of information about staffing needs, what wines to buy and their employers’ likes and dislikes. Q: Have some customs stayed the same? A: Yes, my role is quite traditional; many customs have remained the same for hundreds of years. For example, we use a serving platter and offer food to the guests from the left, which avoids the drink on the right. Q: Have you ever ironed a newspaper? A: No, we don’t need to iron papers any more; this was done when the ink they were printed with would transfer to the reader’s hands, making them black! Q: What’s the best thing about the job? A: Probably meeting important people who come to the college. I can’t say speciﬁcally, but we’ve had prime ministers and dignitaries visit, as well as famous people from the media. That adds a nice little twist to my day.

Very good, sir: Parker and Lady Penelope, Will and Geoffrey in The Fresh Prince, Downton Abbey’s Mr Carson and the inimitable Jeeves and Wooster

44 | Cambridge Edition | October 2013

WEDDINGS

WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON

Wedding bests... Planning your big day? From perfect venues to showstopping dresses, our essential local weddings guide has got it covered

Best for… Location DoubleTree

Madingley Hall

Right beside the River Cam, with gardens sweeping down to the water’s edge, the DoubleTree by Hilton lets couples put a real ‘Cambridge’ spin on their nuptials. Several packages include a chauffeured wedding punt for the bride and groom, allowing you to arrive in style; or take your guests on a pre-wedding picnic punt for a uniquely Cambridge guided tour. Their Granta Suite holds up to 150, and there’s also an option to have the ceremony outdoors, at the water’s edge. www.doubletreecambridge.com

Set within graceful gardens designed by Capability Brown, Madingley Hall makes a stunning wedding venue. The Hall dates from the 16th century and, despite its beautiful rural setting, is just four miles from Cambridge. It can accommodate just over 100 guests: choose the magniﬁcent panelled Dining Hall, stately Saloon or a marquee in the garden for your wedding breakfast, with full use of the grounds for reception drinks and photographs. They also have accommodation available. www.madingleyhall.co.uk

South Farm An unspoilt wedding venue in Shingaycum-Wendy, South Farm is perfect for lovers of the outdoors and those looking for a wedding they can really put their stamp on. You’re certain to fall for the romantic barn, while the gardens make a beautiful backdrop for photos. South Farm offers four en-suite bedrooms, plus ﬁve fantastic Romany Caravans and Showman’s Wagons. And brides with a sense of fun have the option of being driven to the door on a tuk tuk or buggy! www.south-farm.co.uk

Bedford Lodge Newmarket’s luxury country hotel caters for charming weddings and civil services, with ﬁve self-contained banqueting suites holding up to 150 guests. An elegant 17th century building, it’s close enough to the town centre yet still nicely tucked away. “Within all our packages we offer a complementary bridal suite, and for the bride the night before, so she can get ready here too,” says wedding coordinator Vicki Jones. “We also offer discounted rates for the bridal party.” www.bedfordlodgehotel.co.uk

Cambridge City Hotel The perfect city centre venue, Cambridge City Hotel offers luxurious accommodation, parking and a range of function rooms. General manager Ernesto Santarelli says, “Every wedding is a truly unique and original event. Our bespoke wedding packages are designed to suit all tastes and requirements and can be individually tailored to create an occasion unlike any other. If there is anything you particularly desire, just ask your wedding co-ordinator for options and advice.” www.cambridgecityhotel.co.uk

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 47

WEDDINGS

’ Karen Forte, ‘Lansi

Best for… The Dress

Karen Forte If you’re not sure what style you want or what shape best suits you, Karen Forte in Bassingbourn have friendly, knowledgeable staff who can help find the perfect dress. “When the girls come in we have a chat, find out what kind of wedding they’re having, then bring out the dresses,” says Karen, who set up in 1999. “We take them through different shapes and fabrics: sometimes what you like and what suits you are two completely different things, and with wedding dresses it’s all very new! “We also have bridesmaids’ dresses, motherof-the-bride outfits and menswear, so we can kit out the entire bridal party. For men, light tails are popular and we’re seeing a trend for dusky pinks and a softer, more romantic look nowadays for bridesmaids.” www.karenforte.com

48 | Cambridge Edition | October 2013

Established no less than 30 years ago, with 28 years of bridal experience, Brides by Solo in Newmarket are one of the longest-running bridal shops in England. “Our ethos is to offer beautiful dresses at competitive prices,” says Odette Lister, boutique owner. “We’re a one-stop wedding shop; we have dresses, bridesmaids’ dresses, veils, shoes and accessories. We’re a family business and have an excellent standing within the local community, which I think is why we’ve been going for so long.” Currently seeing a trend for ﬁtted lace, Odette also has her ﬁnger on the pulse in terms

From a collection by Lillia n West, at Honeys Bridal & Events

‘Bro nwy n’ b y

Mag gie Sott ero at

Brid es b y

Solo

Brides by Solo of future fashions. “The trend for the next couple of years is going to be for statement backs – low-cut backs, keyhole backs or lots of detail on the back of dresses. There’s also going to be a return to the ballroom skirt.” Whatever your preference, Brides by Solo have a wide range (with something for all budgets too), plus that all-important fitting service. “People want a dress that brings out the best in their figure,” says Odette. “That’s why the fitting is important – few people buy a dress and it just fits them perfectly. So we offer that service within the shop.” www.bridesbysolo.co.uk

Honeys Bridal One of Cambridge’s newer bridal shops, Honeys Bridal & Events is a lovely independent boutique run by Michelle Honey. She pools her expert experience to offer excellent service and guidance in ﬁnding that dream dress. After an initial consultation, the team will introduce you to the collections, giving you time to browse and let your friends and family share in the experience too. Honeys Bridal & Events also offer venue dressing and unique wedding photography, plus a wide range of bridesmaids’ dresses for both children and adults. www.honeysbridalandevents.com

WEDDINGS

Best for…

Elouise Lingerie

Notforgetting…

Jewellery

Elouise Lingerie

Catherine Best Online jewellers Catherine Best have a stunning range of wedding rings, engagement rings and bridal jewellery. Each piece is lovingly crafted with care and made to last. There’s a huge choice of styles on their website, from traditional to modern – have a look and see which catches your eye. www.catherinebest.com

We all know that feeling great in any outfit starts with lovely, wellfitting underwear – the ultimate confidence boost for your big day. Elouise Lingerie in Buckden provide an extra special service for the bride-to-be, offering private fittings in the sumptuous boudoir, where there’s plenty of space for your dress! Experienced lingerie stylists will apply their expertise to help you select correctly fitting lingerie in the best style to suit your natural shape, always taking into account what is needed to enhance that very special dress. Heather Smith at Elouise says: “We offer sizes 30AA to 46H in a variety of top-quality brands. For the wedding night and honeymoon, we have a fabulous selection of exquisite nightwear, too.” www.elouiselingerie.co.uk

Cellini Everyone loves a good engagement story and Antonio Denunzio at Cellini has heard a few – ask him about the ring in a champagne glass which nearly choked its intended recipient! Established in Cambridge in 1981, Cellini have a shop and onsite workshop in Rose Crescent. “Couples can design their own rings here,” says Antonio. “Diamond solitaire rings are always popular, and there’s some yellow gold coming back, but it’s still platinum and silver metals in the majority.” www.cellini.co.uk

Set in the heart of the city, Mia Sposa Bridal and Menswear in Homerton Street, Cambridge, has a beautiful collection of gowns to suit all tastes and budgets. Designers include Ronald Joyce, White Rose, Amanda Wyatt and Coco Couture, while the boys have a great selection too. Don’t forget to have a peek in the sale section, which features gorgeous gowns that have been discontinued by the designer – often making them a one-off! “We also have our own range of dresses which are customisable,” says owner Carly Baillie. “So the girls are able to have a real say in the design. If you want to change the neckline or have pearls instead of diamanté embellishments, we can do that.” Getting honest advice from someone you trust is another important element, and Mia Sposa are happy for brides to bring friends and family along. “Usually it’s their mum, sister or a close friend.” www.miasposacambridge.co.uk

Mia Sposa, ‘Garne t’

Mia Sposa

Trinity Street Jewellers They’ve created jewellery for the Burlington Arcade, Fabergie and Richard Ogden, so you’d be in excellent company should you turn to Trinity Jewellers for your wedding rings or jewellery. Started in 1955, the business is run by the founder’s grandson, Luis Millington, and uses centuries-old techniques to create bespoke, i handcrafted pieces to last a lif lifetime. www.trinitystreetjewellers.com

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 49

WEDDINGS

Best for… Something a bit different… Cambridge University Ceilidh Band

Ice cream van Everyone remembers the childhood joy of hearing the ice cream van jingle and rushing out to buy that ﬁrst 99 of the summer. If you’re planning a retro wedding, an ice cream van is sure to put a smile on everyone’s faces, young and old. They’re becoming a trendy addition to summer weddings, bringing a fun, vintage feel. You could keep it simple with a trike or trolley, or go all out and bring in a classic van – cheesy stickers, big plastic cones and all. Toni’s ices, usually found ﬁlling up cones outside King’s College on sunny days, hire out vans and carts for weddings. www.tonis-ices.co.uk

Dates for your diary: 12-13 October Open weekend at Honeys Bridal & Events

27 October Join Mia Sposa at Wyboston Lakes’ Wedding Fayre

27 October Hotfoot it to the DoubleTree Wedding Fair 27 October Enjoy 10% off at Brides by Solo

50 | Cambridge Edition | October 2013

Image courtesy of Vintage Style Hire www.vintagestylehire.co.uk

Want to ensure everyone gets up dancing? Book a ceilidh band. Cambridge University Ceilidh Band play events throughout the year and they're headed up by a charismatic caller, who’ll take everyone through the steps, making sure no-one’s stripping the willow the wrong way or getting in a tangle with their Gay Gordons. “We choose the caller to suit the wedding,” says Paul Martin, who plays mandolin and guitar and has been with them for nine years. “So far this year we’ve done 14 weddings, and we’ve got a few more coming up. We usually play around 15-20 weddings a year.” www.cucb.co.uk

Falconry display CJs Birds of Prey in Cambridge, who run experience days and falconry courses, also do weddings for couples who love animals – or who just want something a little different at their wedding. “It’s becoming quite popular – and it’s good for keeping everybody entertained while the photography is going on. It’s that period of time that people can end up standing around, and the children get restless… so this is great,” says Charlotte Hill, who runs CJs with her father, John, and who did a wedding at Anglesey Abbey last summer. “It was great at the Abbey last year because we let people handle the birds and did a couple of displays, and got some lovely pictures of the bride and groom ﬂying the birds.” www.cjsbirdsofprey.com

Finishing touches Often it’s the quirkier, more personal touches which make your big day truly special. Handmade table decorations, personalised gifts, vintage games or ideas like a sweetie buffet (as above) can work beautifully. “You don’t have to have a big budget to have a stylish wedding,” says Kate Fletcher from Vintage Style Hire. “Use items from your home such as small tables and books for guestbook tables and vintage tins and crates for ﬂoral arrangements.” For more info and inspiration, see vintagestylehire.co.uk

TRAVEL WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON

With flights to Amsterdam now available from our city’s airport and more destinations in the offing, Cambridge just got international f I told you it’s quicker to get from Cambridge to Amsterdam than Glasgow, Birmingham and even London, you’d probably tell me to think again. But as of last month, it’s possible to fly from Cambridge International Airport to Amsterdam Schiphol in 40 minutes. Amsterdam is one of four new destinations being rolled out by Cambridge Airport; others include Paris, Geneva and Milan, with more expected to follow in 2014. I joined Cambridge Airport Deputy Chairman Terry Holloway on the first Amsterdam flight on 2 September, enjoying the effortlessness of parking outside the terminal and being on the plane in less than half an hour. It’s this convenience that Cambridge has over other airports, as Terry explains: “People really enjoy flying from a local airport. It’s great to be able to leave your car there and have a 30-yard walk to the terminal. And you know that when you get back, tired, you’re not going to have that hassle of a long journey home.” The routes, he says, were chosen having researched the habits of local holidaymakers and business people. “People are booking the Geneva flights for winter holidays, and one or two for Milan for late summer sun,” says Terry. “What’s exciting is the business people who want to travel every Monday and come back on the Friday. You can also do it in a day trip.” With 24 weekly flights to Amsterdam, the new service is perfect for city-breakers, and they’ve been booking up so well that Cambridge Airport has plans to extend its reach in the near future. Connections from its four current destinations can link Cambridge travellers on to the Middle East and even Australia, while Terry also has the States in his sights. And it’s not just Cambridge’s wings that are being stretched. For those who don’t fancy flying, Stena Line and Greater Anglia’s ‘Dutchflyer Rail & Sail’ service whisks you right from Cambridge station to Harwich, where you’ll board a ferry and cruise through the night to Hook,

then to any other Dutch city you wish. I took the opportunity to visit Rotterdam for the World Food Festival, which takes over the city between 18 September and 27 October, offering markets, chef jam sessions and other events. One of the locations for the Festival was the incredible Uit je eigen stad, an urban farm with a restaurant in the middle. A tour and tasting at the Van Toor distillery for some traditional Dutch gin is another top port of call, and Las Palmas, owned by TV chef Herman den Blijker, served up an exquisite evening meal. There’s also chocolate making at Chocoholic to try your hand at, or visit Hotel New York on the waterfront for a meal with a view. Having spent most of my childhood holidays taking ferries to Europe, a night aboard one of Stena Line’s Superferries was a trip down memory lane and a relaxing start to my Dutch foodie adventure. While ﬂights are great for speed, there’s still something romantic about an overnight sea voyage. Whichever way you choose to get there, there’s certainly lots to be said for a Dutch city break. With Cambridge’s culinary scene growing rapidly, perhaps our new links with Rotterdam might fuel our chefs’ imaginations further, while anyone who’s navigated Hills Road at rush hour will be well placed to join the ranks of Amsterdam’s 700,000 fearless cyclists. Keep an ear out for new international developments too – this new gateway to the lowlands is only the start.

FACTS: Darwin Airline offers ﬂights from Cambridge Airport to Amsterdam Schiphol for just £159 return. Book with www.darwinairline.com. For details of The Dutchﬂyer Rail & Sail, visit www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/ rail-and-sail/holland. Jennifer stayed at the Quartier du Port Hotel, Rotterdam: www.quartierduport.nl. For more on the World Food Festival, see www.worldfoodfestival.nl/en. Find out more at www.holland.com

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INDIE OF THE MONTH WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON IMAGES CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS

Independent of the Month

NORFOLK STREET DELI Tucked away on a quiet Cambridge street, this charming treasure trove of foodie delights g is well worth a visit, says Jennifer Shelton

hey say you should ould never go shopping when you’re hungry, and the same goes for paying a visit to Norfolk Street Deli with a rumbling tum, just before lunchtime. The charming shop on the corner of Norfolk and Blossom Street is an established go-to destination for tasty daytime bites and, with its trays of inviting pastries, fresh loaves and colourful deli counter, it’s almost impossible to leave empty handed. If anyone’s hungry, look away now.w “We do a house special which is prosciutto and pesto, mozzarella, tomatoes and rocket,” says owner Caroline Best, as the daily sandwich run begins. “Then there’s a lovely chicken, bacon and mayonnaise, and we have some delicious vegetarian sandwiches too, like goat’s cheese, sunblush tomatoes and balsamic dressing. We do falafel with hummus, lettuce and sweet chilli, and great fresh pizza, too.” Caroline, who worked in engineering until recently, took over the business earlier this year and is enjoying her role as part of the local community. “People come in for eggs, bread and milk, so we always have those core products, as well as jams, pickles, oils, rices and pastas, wines and cheeses. On Saturday mornings, a jazz band who play at the pub across the road come in for coffee and rolls. It’s a nice community.”

It’s certainly a change from her previous life, as she explains, “I worked for an engineering company before but got a bit disillusioned. So I thought, now I’ve got two grown-up children, it might be a good opportunity to try something new. It’s been going really well; I would say I actually work much harder now!” She continues: “The people before me had it as a deli for about four years, and I think it was an Italian deli before that. The owner had a South African girl working for him so they introduced lots of South African food. As well as that we have Italian, French and some Spanish food too. We get really good partially baked bread,” she adds, “which we ﬁnish ourselves every morning and make our sandwiches from.” Norfolk Street Deli is known for their daily sandwich round, which you may have taken advantage of if you work on the Science Park. “That was an established sandwich round when I bought the business,” says Caroline. “We also do business lunches which are really beginning to take off.” But does she ever get tired of looking at bread and butter? “No, not really,” she laughs, “the time actually goes really quickly in the mornings.” Don’t forget to look up when you’re in the deli too: hanging artfully from the rafters are homely trinkets, from wicker hearts to pretty food covers. “We have some lovely bowls and mugs too, and

we’re looking at some really lovely things for Christmas – I did some of my Christmas ordering in June!” she laughs. “I’ll probably put some of it out in October, but mostly wait for the end of November.” Caroline commutes from Hitchin, where she’s lived all her life. “It’s a lovely place and I’ve got lots of friends there, plus my daughter was doing her A levels there when I took the business on last year and I didn’t want to move her. But my partner lives in Cambridge and he works for a large sandwich company in London, and he’s been very helpful with everything.” Despite her corporate career, Caroline has fond memories of a restaurant her parents ran which gave her a deep-rooted love of good food. “When I was young, my parents bought a rundown transport café and turned it into an English restaurant. That was in a little village outside Hitchin called Langley. We lived in the ﬂat above it and I helped out as a waitress. We even had a local artist who painted pictures and we sold his art in there; it was just really beautiful. “After I ﬁnished school I left and got an office job, and my parents sold the restaurant and moved to Canada. But I’ve always been interested in food, so this is like a bit of a dream for me.” Norfolk Street Deli, 67 Norfolk Street, Cambridge CB1 2LD, 01223 302442, www.norfolkstdeli.co.uk

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FOOD

F OOD N EWS

A monthly round-up of gastronomic goings-on in Cambridge and the surrounding area Big Cup Little Cup If you’re a coffee lover, listen up, because this month we’re pleased to introduce Big Cup Little Cup; a brand new Cambridge-based independent business which specialises in luxurious premium coffee capsules, delivered to your doorstep. The company, which is based in Millers Yard on Mill Lane, is taking on corporate giants Nestlé in the wake of a High Court ruling ending the company’s patent on Nespresso capsules – offering an alternative but fully-compatible pod in a range of nine blends. While Nespresso traditionally focuses on Continental-style espressos, Big Cup Little Cup’s USP is that they offer coffees designed speciﬁcally for ‘UK tastes’ – which will work as a long Americano or a milky latte. It’s quick to order online, and they start in boxes of ten – with a 100% money back guarantee if you’re not happy. “Our part of the collaboration originated from our office in Millers Yard, Mill Lane. We felt we needed to pay homage to the city which has inspired this exciting coffee concept, so we named our punchiest espresso Millers Yard,” said co-founder Ciaron Dunne. “Big Cup Little Cup is all about giving consumers choice in a previously monopolised market: choice of coffee, choice of brand and choice of price.” www.bigcuplittlecup.com

NATIONAL

CHOCOLATE WEEK Calling all chocoholics! National Chocolate Week 2013 falls from 14-20 October, offering the perfect time to indulge your love of all things cocoa. If you fancy celebrating locally, we recommend a trip to one of our favourite local indies, Burleigh Street’s Jocalatte, which specialises in beautiful handmade Continental chocolates (and delicious cakes and coffees). If you fancy getting a little more hands-on, pay a visit to Cambridge Cookery School on 12 October for their Chocolate Galore workshop, where you’ll create a gorgeous molten chocolate fondant, paired with bubbly, as well as enjoying sumptuous homemade truffles and chocolate brownies. The session takes place 2-4pm and costs £40 per person (or £75 for two). www.cambridgecookeryschool.com

Black Cat Café Supperclub Mill Road favourite the Black Cat Café has recently launched an evening supper club, due to take place every two to three weeks. This new dining experience, which caters for up to 20 people, involves a set themed menu, with a suggested contribution of £35 for three courses, and guests may bring their own drinks. Last month the team hosted a hearty autumn feast, and there are six more options this month. On 5 October, head down for a selection of delicious desserts at the pudding club, enjoy a good ‘ruby’ at the curry club on 10 October, or tuck into a Caribbean feast on the 19th. If you enjoy a little intrigue with your indulgence, there’s a murder mystery night on 26 October, and ﬁnally, a ‘psychic supper’ planned for Halloween night, with medium Lindsay Duncan. Arrive for the events at 7.30pm. www.blackcatcafecambridge.co.uk

WINE TASTING It’s another busy month for Cambridge Wine Merchants, kicking off with a tasting at the Cherry Hinton Road branch on 2 October. Taking place at 7.30pm, this session will offer a tour of Italian wines, taking tasters on a journey through the mountainous north of the country, through the hills of Tuscany, down to the Apulian heel and onto Sicily, guided by a knowledgeable wine tutor. Described by the Greeks as the ‘land of vines’, Italy has a well-deserved reputation as one of the world’s best and most proliﬁc wine-producing countries, turning out an array of top-quality tipples. For £15, you’ll enjoy some of the cream of the crop, along with antipasti, Italian breads with olive oil and a selection of cheeses. Also at the Cherry Hinton Road shop this month will be a tour of some more world-famous wine regions: the Loire Valley, Bordeaux and South West France. Attendees will sample some of the Loire Valley’s ﬁnest, as well as a selection of more affordable wines from Bordeaux (19 October, 7.30pm, £15). www.cambridgewine.com

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CAMBRIDGE OCTOBERFEST It’s ale o’clock this month, as the city welcomes its seventh annual Octoberfest. The event, which is organised by Cambridge & District CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), takes place at the University Social Club on Mill Lane from 18-19 October and will feature a selection of beers from Munich breweries, together with other German beers, plus 30 real ales from both local and national breweries. There will be a carefully selected range of local ciders, and as ever, some tasty grub to tuck into. Octoberfest is open 5-10.30pm on Friday 18 October and 12-10.30pm on Saturday 19 October. Admission is £3. www.cambridgebeerfestival.com

Apple Day at Burwash Over at Burwash Manor in Barton you can enjoy a day-long celebration of everything apple this month, which includes a host of special activities, tasty things to eat and drink and lots more to do and see. Taking place on 12 October, the day will begin with a vintage ploughing match and hedge-laying contest at 9am, after which you’ll be able to take a ride on a miniature stream train, enjoy the fairground, try your hand at archery and watch traditional activities such as willow weaving, beekeeping and chainsaw sculpting. Apples will be getting pulped (bring along your own and the juicing crew

will press them for you) and cooked in all sorts of delicious ways in the Food Hall, where there will also be a series of cookery demonstrations. You can even slurp on some apples, in the form of cider, and have the option to purchase some of the many local varieties that will be on show to take home and concoct your own appley delights. There’s plenty for the kids too, with a magician, face painting and tractor and trailer rides around the farm on offer, in addition to a range of food stalls. Entrance is £3 per adult, children under 12 free. All proﬁts go to The Sick Children’s Trust. www.burwashmanor.com

NEIDE'S DELI CAFÉ Café Brazil on Mill Road has recently re-branded as Neide’s Deli Café, and is revamping its menu to include a tasty new array of breakfast options and Portuguese and Brazilian home-style cuisine, inspired by the heritage of the owners. Run by husband and wife team John and Neide Carvalho, the café has been running for ten years, becoming a favourite of the Mill Road community. It will now be open from 7.30am, serving

58 | Cambridge Edition | October 2013

breakfasts including the ‘Brazilian Wake Up’ (ham and cheese toasted croissant with coffee, tea or OJ), the ‘Rise ’n’ Shine Goodness’ (tropical granola, natural yogurt, fruit and honey), and a full English with all the trimmings and meat sourced from a local butcher. As part of the revamp, the café will be offering a range of delicatessen products also, selling cheeses, cured meats, olives, pickles and freshly baked artisan bread, as well as produce

from Portugal, Mexico and Brazil such as dried salt cod and paella rice, salsa and sauces. Come the weekend, there will also be home cooked speciality dishes like feijoada and bacalhau. www.neides.co.uk

FOOD

CAMBRIDGE VINOPOLIS Cambridge Vinopolis will host a Georgian wine tasting evening on 17 October, offering a selection of wines from the region and a buffet. Situated on Devonshire Road, Cambridge Vinopolis opened in May this year, having undergone a rather miraculous transformation from its previous incarnation (as an ‘adult interest’ shop). It now houses a huge array of European wines, from affordable tipples to fine wines, and holds regular special events. Excitingly, in what’s believed to be a first for Cambridge, it also offers a range of wine on tap – allowing customers to sample whites and reds from the Languedoc in Southern France, and bring in their own vessels to fill up directly from the barrel – from just £7.95 a litre. Twitter: @CamVinopolis

Lalbagh wins Curry Award

GAME WEEK AT AUDLEY END HOUSE Although game season technically begins in late August, it’s during October that our feathered and furry friends start to feel like a truly seasonal dining option. After all, chilly autumnal evenings are inﬁnitely better suited to hearty dishes of venison, pheasant and others of their ilk than balmy summer days. If you fancy celebrating game in all its glory this month, head over to Audley End House (just outside Saffron Walden), which will be hosting its annual Game Week from 28 October – 1 November. Perfectly timed to coincide with half term, there will be lots to see and do; from watching the house cook Mrs Crocombe making the most of hunting season with some amazing recipes, to learning more about the whole gaming process from sky to skillet, including falconry displays. Runs 11am-4pm, adults £13.40, children (5-15years) £8. www.english-heritage.org.uk

If you like a good curry (and who doesn’t?), a trip to Lalbagh in the pretty Cambridgeshire village of Bourn is a great bet. And we’re not the only fans of this restaurant and takeaway – last month Lalbagh was recognised in the Oscars of the Indian cuisine scene, the English Curry Awards, scooping the accolade for the ‘Best Restaurant in the East of England’. Beating off ﬁerce competition from hundreds of others, the Lalbagh team were awarded their prestigious prize at a glittering ceremony in Manchester in September. This sought-after award is sure to further boost the popularity of this great eatery, which specialises in freshly prepared, authentic Indian and Bangladeshi dishes, created using top-quality ingredients, and also offers a takeaway service. www.lalbaghrestaurant.com

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FOOD

THE MILL aking its name from the two huge mills which stood next to it in the 19th century, The Mill is one of Cambridge’s most popular and friendly pubs. With a focus on smart décor and an interesting range of drinks behind the bar, it’s run by Andy Pierce, who also owns the Cambridge Brewhouse, and Lauren Hodges, and recently won a CAMRA award for ‘most improved pub in Cambridge’. “It’s one of the archetypical sights on the river; everybody who comes to the Mill Pond for punting, or anyone coming over the bridge on Silver Street, can see us,” says Lauren. “It’s like a quaint village pub in the city centre, that’s what we’ve been trying to build.” The Mill reopened on 1 June last year after an extensive refurbishment, and the results speak for themselves. “We spent quite a lot of money improving it and giving it lots of character,” she explains. “We’re really happy with what we’ve done and what we’ve got available.” CAMRA’s interest in the pub was piqued by its ﬁne array of ales, many of which are brewed locally. “We’ve got some great craft beer and ales. I’m an absolute beer geek, I love getting to choose which ones we’re going to have each week and making sure people have a wide range of interesting things to drink.

“We support lo local breweries, including Cambridge Brewhouse, which is our sister pub,” b ” she h continues. “James at the Brewhouse is making a winter beer for us called Redshift, and we have an autumn beer on at the moment called Blaggard, which is a spiced coconut milk stout.” The Mill is currently hosting a bottled beer festival, running until 22 October. Lauren explains: “We’ve got American beers, Belgian beers, British craft beers and world beers. I think we’ve got over 50.” The pub is also well known for its food, with chef Paul Patching cooking up some beautiful home-made dishes using the best local ingredients. “He cooks everything on our menu from scratch, each day, so everything’s made in-house,” says Lauren. “The fish comes from a little bit further away, from Lowestoft, but the meat comes from Saffron Walden, the bread is baked by Balzanos and we get eggs and sausages from local farmers.” Anything she’d recommend? “Our burgers are really good, but my favourite dish is the fish and chips. It’s ginormous and the batter has half a pint of lager and half a pint of real ale, so it’s got a really intense flavour.” As the nights close in, The Mill will also be laying on some lovely loose-leaf teas, served in pretty teapots and cups,

while their traditional Italian hot chocolate deﬁnitely sounds worth a try. The Mill has a long tradition of serving the Cambridge community, dating from the 1860s, when it served the mill workers of the local area. As Lauren explains: “The building that we’re in now was tucked between two large mills, so the pub was basically serving those. The site got redeveloped in the 1890s but the pub remained as it was. It used to be The Hazard Arms then changed to The Mill in the mid 70s.” Lauren, who has been working in and running pubs in Cambridge since she was 16, admits it’s a particularly nice crowd at The Mill: “It’s a really nice little place and we just want to keep people coming through the door and having a good time.” www.themillpubcambridge.co.uk

La Raza Events L We excited to report that the team behind two of Cambridge’s hottest cocktail bars, La Raza We’re and Ta Bouche, are now offering their skills and expertise for private parties, whatever the theme an or location. La Raza Events can bring their amazing mobile cocktail bar to your event, complete with wi expert mixologists and top-quality tipples. Cocktail lists include classics like mojitos and cosmopolitans, and they’re happy to create bespoke drinks, as well as offering a great selection of co ch champagne and wines. If you fancy having a go behind the bar, the team can also put on cocktail w workshops – perfect for a fun hen party or team-building activity. From weddings to corporate events, garden parties or birthdays, they’re sure to provide a great addition to any event, and handily, they’ve also got tons of contacts for bands, DJs, caterers, g m marquees and magicians to help you get everything else in place. www.larazaevents.co.uk

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EATING OUT

WORDS & IMAGES CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS

THE BLACK BULL, BALSHAM Charlotte Griffiths finds shelter from an autumn chill at the cosy Black Bull pub, where she’s welcomed by a feast of hearty fare e made the short trip from central Cambridge on a drizzly Friday night and were very pleased to slip into the cosy pub nestling in the heart of this beautiful village. The sprawling layout meant that even though there were clearly lots of happy eaters and drinkers enjoying the start of the weekend, it didn’t feel overly cramped. Clusters of wingback chairs and low sofas added to the warming feel and a young musician was setting up her guitar: we felt at home straight away. Mike Champion, the pub’s manager (aptly named, considering his recent triumph as 2013 Front of House Manager of the Year at the UK’s Gastropub Awards) showed us the extensive renovation they’d carried out to lovingly restore the pub to its full glory. No expense had been spared, with clever design touches that played on the pub’s bovine branding. Cowskin rugs appeared in most rooms, and a vintage-style sign celebrating award-winning bulls from Balsham had been made to hang in the main restaurant area, the pub’s beautifully restored oak-panelled barn. Mike seated us at a snug table and brought us two gin and tonics made from Adnams’ award-winning spirit, adding that he’d recently been invited to make his very own gin with the

legendary brewers but sadly the bottle was at the pub’s sister site, another excellent foodie destination – The Red Lion in Hinxton. My dining companion for the evening is vegetarian, which still sometimes causes issues for restaurants or gastropubs, but the Black Bull had a good selection of meat-free dishes on offer. She started with a light goat’s cheese mousse with confit tomatoes, a red onion marmalade and walnut dust, while I went for the lasagne of crab ‘salad’ with beurre nantais on Mike’s recommendation, who was continuing to look after us very well despite a late night at the 2013 Great British Pub Awards in London. The Black Bull was 2013’s regional winner of the Best Freehouse category at the Great British Pub Awards and though the team narrowly missed out on the top spot on the night, they’re delighted with this new accolade. For mains, my friend opted for the summer vegetable ballotine with mozzarella and basil crisps pecial while I went for a pie from their special – again, award-winningly so – pie menu, which offers four different fillings, mashes and gravies to choose from. I decided against their signature ‘Black Bull Pie’ of Balsham-raised beef after hearing Mike’s advice that it was “big – seriously big”, as I wanted to sample as many of the dishes as possible – for the purposes of research, you understand. Instead I plumped for a chicken, mushroom and bacon pie, with champ and mustard gravy. Our mains arrived and we tucked in: my pie was extremely welcome, with crumbly shortcrust pastry encasing a rich creamy sauce and succulent meat, while a selection of vegetables and the heap of champ got quickly doused in the tasty mustard gravy. For desserts, my companion went for sticky toffee pudding, which came

w a butterscotch with sauce s and vanilla ic cream, while I ice chose c an orange c crème brûlée accompanied a by an cola sorbet. We orange shortbread and gave both dishes our undivided attention but had to throw in the towel about three quarters of the way through each, sadly beaten. Coffees arrived and we relaxed, listening to the buzz of the barn, which had become quite busy as the evening went on. The musician had packed up, having played at least one encore at the audience’s request, and it was time for us to slip out into the drizzle – though stopping in one of the restaurant’s fivestar rooms was extremely tempting. The residents of Balsham should be very proud of this multi award-winning pub and restaurant, and there’s no doubt that the team at The Black Bull will continue to pocket commendations left right and centre: so pay a visit before they’re booked out. Good hearty stuff – definitely appropriate for the weather.

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FOOD

WORDS ALEX RUSHMER

SPICE the variety of life Make mundane meals magnificent by adding a sprinkling of spice to your life, says Alex Rushmer

The history of English food is a catalogue of exotic flavours and adventurous combinations In simple terms, the history of English food is a catalogue of exotic flavours and adventurous combinations characterised by the use of spices. It’s no surprise that curry has so firmly ingrained itself into the national diet in such a short period of time, or that chicken tikka masala is now rated as one of the most quintessentially English dishes. It is perhaps because of this proliferation of Indian restaurants that spice has become synonymous with heat, but there is no reason the two have to co-exist – spiced food need not necessarily have you reaching for the water jug. Indeed, there are no references to chilli peppers in The Forme of Cury, chiefly because they didn’t make the transatlantic leap until a century later. My own introduction to the world of spices came in the north Indian state of Rajasthan where the cuisine is aromatic, full of flavour and perhaps a little reminiscent of some of the dishes served at 14th century royal banquets. The spice markets of Jodphur were wonderful, and on returning my spice shelf grew fourfold with new jars of aromatic seeds and powders appearing with wanton regularity. The same thing now happens

Images courtesy of Waitrose

ysters in gravy: shell oysters and cook them in wine and their own broth. Cool the broth through a cloth. Take blanched almonds, grind them, add to the broth and ally it with rice ﬂour. Finally add the oysters and cast in a powder of ginger, sugar and mace. Heat through and serve immediately. Admittedly this recipe might seem dated and the combinations a touch jarring for modern tastes but there is good reason for that: it was conceived and written over 600 years ago. The Forme of Cury documented the recipes of the royal household in the reign of Richard II and is thought to be the oldest cookbook in existence. What surprised me most when I ﬂicked through a copy of this was the heavy and regular use of spices that even today many view as exotic and adventurous. In addition to liberal sprinklings of cinnamon, cloves, anise and ginger throughout most of the dishes, there is a recipe for galangal soup and an intriguing cocktail consisting of wine, ginger, almonds and fennel juice. This is ambitious cooking and a far cry from the bland, stodgy food that we English used to have a reputation for. Admittedly there is a vast gulf between what the royal court dined on and how the rest of the populace sustained themselves, but this reliance on spice is an obsession that continued long into the 19th century.

in the kitchens of my restaurant, where spices are used daily and diligently to lift dishes from mundane to magnificent. If you’re new to the world of spices then I’d recommend beginning with four or five spices from a similar flavour family, combining them in different ways in both sweet and savoury applications. Cinnamon, cloves, anise, cardamom and black pepper all harmonise wonderfully and take your food in a variety of directions. Cumin and smoked chillis lean towards Mexico. Replace cloves and cardamom with smoked paprika and oregano to head to North Africa, or add dried chillis to take your food towards India. The same combination can be used to add warmth to autumnal fruit desserts such as apple crumble or pear tart tatin – or replace traditional vanilla in a crème brulée to take a firm favourite in an exciting new direction. For this month's recipe I'm using a combination of warm spices in two dishes that complement each other wonderfully. The first is a sweet, sour and savoury tagine of lamb which is warmed with cinnamon and cumin. The second is a fragrantly smoky and delicate couscous flavoured with rose and paprika.

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 65

EATING IN

WORDS ALEX RUSHMER IMAGES CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS

of lamb Ing red ien ts on ed 1 shou lder of la m b, de-b be s cu m 3c an d diced into 2tsps coria nder se eds, lightly cru sh ed 2 la rge white onion s, pe ele diced

d an d

2tsps groun d cin na mon 2tsps groun d cu mi n 50g groun d al monds , 1 la rge un wa xed lemon es dg we cut into 6 or 8 1 litre chick en stock 50 ml honey or r 50g soft da rk brown su ga sea sa lt 50 ml olive oil

66 | Cambridge Edition | October 2013

We buy whole lambs from a local farm and once butchered, we are left with a reasonable amount of stewing meat that needs cooking slowly â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ideal for this recipe.

Step-by-step guide 1. Season the lamb with sea salt and brown in a frying pan over a high heat. Brown on all sides then remove to a plate. Meanwhile heat the olive oil over a medium heat in a casserole or tagine. 2. Add the coriander seeds then turn down the heat and add the onion. Cook over a low heat for 15 minutes to soften, but not brown, the onion. 3. Next, add the cinnamon, cumin and ground almonds and cook for a further ďŹ ve minutes, stirring regularly. 4. Add the lamb and the lemon to the onions and spices, cover with chicken stock, stir in the honey or sugar and leave to simmer gently for two hours until the lamb is tender.

EATING IN

Ingred ien ts 500 ml couscous 500 ml cold wate r or stock 2 red onion s, fine ly diced

4 clove s of garlic, minced 15g cinn amon

rose couscous

½ tsp smo ked paprika 1tsp grou nd paprika ½ tsp caye nne pepper

The most important thing with couscous is to use cold water. I acquired this tip from a fellow chef who had in turn learned it from fusion cuisine guru, Peter Gordon. It makes for a wonderfully light and clump-free texture, and is ideal for making well in advance. The ﬂavour comes from the spices, onions, garlic and fruit, all folded in after the couscous has rehydrated. It can then be heated through in the microwave before serving. You will need equal parts by volume of couscous and water.

2tsps sum ac 2tsps dried oregano 100g date s, chopped 100g pista chio nuts

Step-by-step guide 1. Rehydrate the couscous with the cold water or stock in a large baking tray so the couscous is in a thin layer. Leave for 10 minutes. 2. Soften the onion and garlic in olive oil over a medium heat in a frying pan for 10 minutes without browning. 3. Add the spices and cook for a further 10 minutes and ﬁnally stir in the dates,

15g cumin

pistachio nuts and rose essence. Allow to cool slightly then fold through the couscous. Sprinkle in the chopped parsley and mint. 4. Keep in the fridge until ready to use. Then place into a microwaveable bowl, cover with cling ﬁlm and heat for a minute on full power or until warmed through. Serve with the tagine.

rose esse nce or rose wate r, to taste olive oil sea salt, to taste 1 bun ch flat leaf parsley, chopped 6 mint leave s, chopped

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DRINK

WORDS JAMES COLEBY IMAGES CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS

James Coleby, mixologist and new head bartender at The Hole in the Wall, reveals his drink of the moment – the hard shake

HERE’S AN AUTUMNAL HARD SHAKE FOR YOU TO RECREATE AT HOME * Simply remove the Bourbon for a non-alcoholic version.

TOPPING 100g of caster sugar 100g of pecan nuts 1 shortbread biscuit (crushed)

ilkshakes have a well-earned place in most people’s fondest childhood memories, but those giant cherry topped tins of cream shouldn’t just be for kids: they’re undeniably both fun and delicious, however old you might be. The current trend for an alcoholic milkshake, also known as the ‘hard shake’, taps right into the drink’s heritage. Shakes date back to the 1880s and were originally created around a spirit – usually whiskey – and thickened to resemble an alcoholic eggnog. A 19th century barkeep might serve up a milkshake with the same regularity as a 5 o’clock G&T, rather than the ‘dessert in a tin’ that we order to share on the advice of a waitress in a burger joint. 1919 saw liquor well and truly dropped from the recipe when Prohibition banned the sale, production and distribution of alcohol. Booze was replaced with ice cream, syrups, newly popularised malts and sodas, and the milkshake as we know it today was born. Back in the present day, the milkshake is on its way back – only this time, traditional recipes have been adapted and new ﬂavours are being tried and tested nationwide. You need only turn

the corner in London to ﬁnd a kitsch Americana-themed diner creating their own hard shakes funnelled out of a Slush Puppy machine, serving them alongside a sloppy medium-rare beefburger, bowls of BBQ buffalo chicken wings, or some kind of overwhelming mile-high pulled-pork sandwich concoction. Feeling like a big kid with a tumbler full of calories in front of you is certainly part of the fun. Throw in a generous slug of whiskey and you’ve got the grown-up version – and just like when you were a child, you won’t care who’s looking when you slurp up the last drops. When it’s too cold for Pimm’s and too warm for mulled wine (and the thought of Christmas makes you shudder) – we’ve got the perfect shake to take you from summer to autumn and onwards.

■ To make the pecan praline, caramelise caster sugar over medium heat until it reaches ‘hard crack’ at 150°C. Remove from heat, add the pecans. Pour onto silicone paper and leave to cool for 20 minutes. Break into shards, place in food processor and blitz to a ﬁne powder.

DRINK (Serves 1)

■ Simply break shortbread biscuit with your ﬁngers. ■ Sprinkle half of the cream topping with a dusting of pecan praline and the other half with broken shortbread.

35ml Bourbon 100ml full-fat milk 20ml acacia honey 25ml Canadian maple syrup 4 scoops of good vanilla ice cream 1 pinch salt ■ Put all ingredients into blender and blend for 20 seconds, pour into glass and top with squirty cream. Add straw and topping and serve.

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 69

NEWS

GET SET FOR

PA RT Y SEA SON! With the season to be jolly just around the corner, savvy socialisers are planning ahead to make theirs a soirée to remember. Here’s some inspiration on what’s on offer around Cambridge, for parties large and small

Hotel Felix

Cambridge Cookery School h l Christmas is all about the kitchen – as the hub of the house, not to mention where all the food is, why would you want to be anywhere else? Cambridge Cookery School, who boast the kitchen of all kitchens, are holding some special Christmas events this December, from cocktail making to wine quizzes, private dining or cooking courses. See the chefs in action as they create a Christmas meal before your eyes – or join in and have a go yourself! Gift vouchers are also available if you’re looking for a gift for that hard-tobuy-for foodie in your life. www.cambridgecookeryschool.com

The impressive Victorian villa between Cambridge and Girton is an enchanting option for Christmas parties. Take advantage of the sophisticated bar, with its top wine selection and extensive cocktail list, and take the office out for a seasonal knees-up. p to 60 Their choice of function rooms can accommodate up people for a three-course lunch or dinner, and a disco or casino can be added if requested (lunch prices are £25 per person, £41 for dinner). They’ll also put you up for the night if you’re after an extra special treat. Or, leave the washing up to someone else and make it your destination for Christmas Lunch on the day with the family (canapes, followed by y a three-course menu, plus coffee and truffles, is £87 per person). www.hotelfelix.co.uk

De Luca Cucina & Bar e Add an Italian flavour to your festive feasting at De Luca’s, the family-run Italian restaurant on Regent Street. Dine in the Skylight Restaurant, hire out the Regency Room on the first floor (suitable for up to 30 guests) or book the Regency Lounge, their laid back, top-floor cocktail lounge, which holds up to 45. The Christmas menu is priced at £28 for three courses. www.delucacucina.co.uk

Slepe Hall The charming, boutique-style St Ives hotel has plenty on offer this Christmas. Make the most of their function rooms – the Brunel which takes around 60, and the Cromwell which can host up to 250 – for office parties. £30 per person will get you a three-course meal and disco. Increasingly more of us are deciding to eat out for Christmas lunch, and Slepe Hall offer a £75 per person Christmas Day menu, with all the traditional trimmings you’d get at home. Served in the sophisticated Ramsey’s Brasserie, expect the finest ingredients cooked with flair. Deals run throughout December – get in touch to find out more. www.slepehallhotel.co.uk

70 | Cambridge Edition | October 2013

Gonville as Celebrate Christmas in traditional style at the Gonville Hotel, Cambridge. O Offering a more i informal, relaxed a affair, choose T Gonville for drinks inkss before for ore r re The t Christmas break and the hotel the w provide the room hire and nibbles will c completely free (6.30-9.30pm, preb booking is required). Make a ‘meal’ of it and book a C Christmas Lunch for £16.95 per person, served throughout the season from 12y with all 2pm. Friends looking for a party the trimmings could also go for the Dinner Party Option. www.gonvillehotel.co.uk

FASHION WORDS NICOLA FOLEY

SWEATSHIRT £10 PRIMARK

Revival You’ve probably already got a few leopard print pieces kicking around in your wardrobe, so you’ll be happy to know that this trend is back with a vengeance for autumn/winter 2013. Rather than opting for classic black, brown and white prints however (although it seems these will be forever in style), this season it’s all about having some fun with a splash of colour. We love these unique takes on the trend from the high street, sure to brighten even the mostt dreary of winter days.

MULTI LEOPARD SIDE STRIPE TEE £34 TOPSHOP

FL FLUORO ANIMAL CROP CAMI £22 C TOPSHOP

LEOPARD NEOPRENE SWEAT £32 TOPSHOP

DKNY LEOPARD PRINT BAG D £105 HOUSE OF FRASER 72 | Cambridge Edition | October 2013

Army Tartan is set to be the biggest trend for the new season; as featured all over the catwalks at Saint Laurent, Mulberry, Givenchy and Versace. You'll have the pick of the high street when it comes to selecting your checked bounty, from tartan leggings and jeans for a punky aesthetic, to preppy skirts and rock chick bags gs à la Vivienne Westwood. If you only buy one item this month, make it tartan.

Image courtesy of Miss Selfridge

FASHION

H! BY HENRY HOLLAND CHECK TRO TROUSERS £22 DEBENHAMS DEBEN

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD TARTAN BAG £450 HOUSE OF FRASER SHELLYS PLAID DERBY LACE UP BROGUE £55 BANK LIMITED EDITION MCGREGGOR TROUSERS £39.50 M&S

PU & TARTAN SHIRT DRESS £13 PRIMARK

Pink

RED CHECK TOP £32 MISS SELFRIDGE

BUTTON UP PINK COAT £199 JAEGER

Word on the street is that pink is the new black, according to the likes of DKNY, Jonathan Saunders and Roksanda Ilincic, anyway. From bold fuchsia to dusty hues through to vibrant neon, pink was proliﬁc. Our favourite high street takes on the catwalk pieces are the many man and varied pink coats – perfect pa partners for the plethora off slate greys, inky blacks and navys also so set to hit th the rails this season. COAT £25 PRIMARK

KNOWSLEY JUMPER £79 REISS

COLOUR BLOCK SHELL £30 TOPSHOP

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 73

JO SE PH

TU RV EY

AW 13

FASHION

TS CA HIR RD T IG £35 AN , T £4 RO 5, US AL ER L S RI £5 VE 0 R , SH IS A LA W ND L ‘T UX BO ’ G OT REY S £6 SUE 5 D TO E PM HI AN TOP

TH E £7 MIS 4. SU 99 S O SU FF N IC BR E O GU E

AS K

TR RI AI VE NE R RS IS LA £3 ND 5

Fashion dipped its toe into neons frequently last season, and that trend is (literally) continuing with gusto into AW13. Fluro footwear accents were all the rage on the catwalks of Katie Eary, Jonathan Saunders and Vivienne Westwood, and the high street is already brimming with copycat styles. Our favourite has to be Office’s 'Ask the Missus' brogue. Bang on trend and perfect for adverse weather conditions to boot.

AN TH O SH NY O M ES IL £1 ES 30 N TO AVY PM D AN ER BY

JO NA TH AN AW SA 13 UN DE RS

W T- HIT SH E IR HE T M £1 L 8 EO TO P PM AR AN D

W O RN T- B SH Y IR ‘HE T N £2 DR 8 TO IX’ PM FLO AN RA L

TSH C IR AR T TO £2 O 8 N RI P VE RI R NT IS LA ND

Black and white combos were all over the place at the AW13 shows. From Dalmatian prints at Joseph Turvey to a multitude of stained-glass window style designs, monochrome patterns reigned supreme. Get the look with this white leopard print accent tee from Topman or this quirky, cartoony River Island shirt.

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 75

BEAUTY

WORDS DAISY DICKINSON & CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS

A W13 TREND REPORT Summer’s over and we’re seeing a switch from SS13’s pretty pastels to more striking looks. We’ve scoured the lookbooks to ﬁnd the key catwalk-inspired AW13 styles

Get the look:

EYLURE ACCENT & LENGTHEN LASHES £5 ASOS

ORIFLAME BEAUTY EYEBROW KIT £7.95 ORIFLAME.COM

Image courtesy of Front Cover

SLEEK MAKE-UP BROW KIT DARK £8.49 SUPERDRUG

SMASHBOX BROW TECH TO GO £19 BOOTS

MAGNIFIBRES NATURAL BRUSH-ON FALSE LASHES £20 MAGNIFIBRES.COM

BOURJOIS INTUITIVE LINER £6.99 BOOTS

60S MOD A favourite with us, and a perennial style classic, the 1960s Mod girl look made another appearance on the AW13 catwalks (think Twiggy or Breakfast at Tiffany’s). Get inspired by Marc Jacobs, who was seen using double downwards ﬂicks, or for a more subtle look, try a good quality eyeliner such as one of the new Bourjois range, like the Intuitive Liner for beginners. Look straight ahead into a mirror and start from your inner eye, tracing a thin line

76 | Cambridge Edition | October 2013

along to the outer corner, adding a ﬂick out. Work the product into the lash line, then go over the line making it thicker until you are happy with the look. Bold brows frame this look, and for real 60s chic, Magniﬁbre’s natural brush-on false lashes offer added length to your lashes. Use a white eyeliner on your lower lid such as MAC Eye Kohl in ‘Fascinating’ (£14, MAC) to make your eyes pop; or highlight under your eyebrow arch, with a smudge.

BEAUTY

CASHMERE NEUTRALS A perfect nude look always features in new season collections – we reckon this is because a) it makes everyone look good and b) it allows you to indulge in some more daring fashions elsewhere on your person. The trick to pulling off this ‘supernude’ effect is completely ﬂawless skin, so, as ever: proper preparation prevents poor pore-formance. We’ve fallen in love with a classic product that – when you get help ﬁnding the correct shade – gives the

Image courtesy of Mac

Get the look:

VASELINE £1.99 BOOTS

LAURA MERCIER SECRET CAMOUFLAGE CONCEALER DUO £26 JOHN LEWIS

MAX FACTOR COLOR ELIXIR LIP LINER £4.99 BOOTS

OMBRE GOTHIC Another autumn sneaks into view, and once again the fashion bigwigs are dictating that the trend this year is: gothic. No, don’t sigh – this doesn’t have to mean black eyes and deathly pale foundation. We have a sneaky tip to give you a nod to goth without scaring your co-workers. Darker lips are key, but tricky to pull off – so an ombre, graduated lip is what we’re aiming for. You’ll need red lipstick and a dark, plummy lipliner or lipstick. Use darker tones around the edges and have them fade inwards to the lighter colour. First, apply lipstick to both lips, then gently use the darker-coloured lipliner to

line around the edges, just a hair’s-breadth in, so a teeny bit of the original colour can still be seen. Work the two colours together, drawing short brushstrokes towards the centre of your lips. Once you’re happy with the blending, keep it the way it is for a matte ﬁnish or apply a coat of gloss or balm. Keep the rest of your face neutral and be sure to put down your summery peaches and corals in favour of brown-toned blushers for sculpting your facial contours. Add a slick of deep nail varnish (we love Mavala for their seasonal colours) and ta-dah! A gothic, autumnal style statement minutes.

Get the look:

RIMMEL EXAGGERATE LIP LINER £3.99 BOOTS

MAC PRO WEAR GLOSS COAT £12.50 JOHN LEWIS MAVALA NAIL POLISH £4.50 JOHN LEWIS

Images courtesy of Mac

LANCÔME TEINT MIRACLE FOUNDATION £27 BOOTS

perfect finish to any skin. Lancôme’s skin-perfecting Teint Miracle gives great coverage and crucially lasts the test of a day in the office. Apply gently with your fingertips as a little goes a long way. For eyes, our killer tip for this look is to apply a light smoothing of Vaseline to your lids to give a glossy glow. For a little more coverage, try MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Groundwork (£15, MAC). When it comes to lips, we’re trying out a new trick: simply use a lip pencil in an almost nude tone all over your lips, then when you’ve got the coverage sorted, pop some balm (or Vaseline again) over the top for a colour-rich, sheened finish that’ll last for hours without smudging.

BOURJOIS ROUGE EDITION LIPSTICK £7.99 BOOTS MAC INDULGE LIPSTICK IN SWEET SUCCULENCE £15 JOHN LEWIS

COLLECTION GOTHIC GLAM NAIL POLISH £3.19 SUPERDRUG

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 77

COMPETITION

WIN!

A YEAR’S FREE MEMBERSHIP AT CAMYOGA!

Camyoga, Cambridge’s most established yoga studio, is three years old this month! To celebrate, we’ve teamed up with them to offer Cambridge Edition readers the chance to win a year’s FREE Gold Membership, enabling you to visit Camyoga’s studios in central Cambridge and Great Shelford as often as you like, even during peak times. AMYOGA is a leading destination for yoga in the UK, with superstar yogis such as Duncan Wong coming from all over the world to teach at their state-of-theart studios. Camyoga is also an established teacher-training school, training the yoga teachers of the future, with a reputation for excellence. With over 60 classes a week, including a diverse range of hot yoga styles taught in a dedicated hot studio, you’re sure to find a yoga style to suit your needs. Classes include pregnancy and family yoga, ashtanga, jivamukti, vinyasa flow, hatha as well as a wide range of workshops and beginner classes. Camyoga’s personal yoga advisor is always on hand to answer any questions you might have and each site has its own dedicated café serving renowned vegetarian and vegan superfoods, juices and smoothies to eat in or take away. Ready to discover what Camyoga can offer you? Join in the birthday festivities on Saturday 5 October at A Celebration of Yoga – a full day retreat dedicated to an exploration of all things yogic. Perfect for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike. Visit www. camyoga.co.uk for more information. New client? Then be sure to take advantage of the 30 Days For £35 offer – a great way to find the yoga that’s right for you. Call 01223 847930 to find out more.

RUNNERS UP WILL REC EIVE A FREE C AM YOGA CLA SS

To be in with a chance of winning a year’s free membership, head to www.cambsedition.co.uk. We wish you the best of luck! Camyoga Central: Thomas House, 14 George IV Street, Cambridge CB2 1HH Camyoga South: Chaston House, 1 Mill Court, Great Shelford, CB22 5LD Visit www.camyoga.co.uk for full schedule and class details.

camyoga

Terms & Conditions. The prize is one 12 month unlimited pass, valid at both Camyoga Central and Camyoga Shelford (South) studios for both peak and off-peak classes. This membership is valid for one person only. The 12 month unlimited pass also has other perks such as subsidised masterclasses, discounted products and discounts on special events. Please see www.camyoga.co.uk for more information. This membership cannot be transferred to another person at any point. There is no freeze option and no early surrender option. This prize must be claimed (and the memberships started) prior to 15 December 2013. For further information please email info@camyoga.co.uk.

BEAUTY NEWS

Beauty

NEWS

Perfect pairing We’re delighted to announce a very special new partnership between two of our favourite local companies. The luxurious Hotel du Vin has teamed up with fabulous independent fashion retailer Cuckoo, which has branches in St Mary’s Passage and at Burwash Manor, to host special events and offer discounts to their guests. Take advantage of this match made in heaven on 27 October at a ‘Pamper Day’ which will include treatments from local spa Finn Jordan and fashion advice from Cuckoo. The indulgence will continue with a cocktail class and delicious lunch prepared by the supremely talented chefs at Hotel du Vin. There’s lots more planned so stay tuned for future events – and remember that if you’re staying at the hotel you’re eligible for a 15% discount at Cuckoo Clothing. www.cuckooclothing.co.uk & www.hotelduvin.com

Offers at Fusion Studio Enjoy £5 off your ﬁrst massage at Fusion, the holistic body care studio in Cambridge and Newmarket. Using advanced massage techniques, including holistic body care and relaxing hot stone therapy, the studio can tackle a number of aches, pains and anxieties. Treat yourself to an Indian head massage, get a sports massage or ask about their pregnancy and postnatal yoga, too. This great deal runs throughout the whole of October. www.massage-movement.co.uk

Fitter Food Like to eat healthily? Pop along to a talk at the Frank Lee Leisure & Fitness Centre, Addenbrooke’s, on 19 October where Keris and Matt from Fitter London will be giving a talk on nutrition. Dedicated to helping people look and feel great through eating well, their Health, Fat Loss and Performance seminar takes place at 10am (until 12.30pm). Matt is a strength coach and rugby player with a passion for good food and cooking, while Keris has a diploma in Public Health Nutrition. Together they’ve brought out a cookbook, Fitter Food, and given talks across the country. Tickets are £25. www.ﬁtterlondon.co.uk

Refer a friend at Pure

25% F

Because good things are worth sharing, and good friends are worth pampering, Pure Day Spa are inviting guests to treat a friend to 25 per cent off at their spa at One Leisure in St Neots. Plus, you’ll receive a £5 gift voucher for yourself, just to say thanks. Simply ﬁll in a voucher and give it to a friend who’s in need of some pampering, and they’ll receive 25 per cent off their ﬁrst appointment. Perfect! www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/oneleisure

Julia Gaudio shortlisted for business award Julia Gaudio, owner of Cambridge’s Elajé Hair & Beauty, was among a handful of salon directors shortlisted for the Business Director award at the HJ British Hairdressing Business Awards in London on 9 September. Presented by hairdressing magazine Hairdressers Journal, the event celebrated success stories of the salon industry, with individuals, major salon groups and independents recognised for their incredible business acumen. The night was hosted by DJ Dave Barry and finalists and winners were announced in front of an audience packed with VIPs from the worlds of hair, fashion and media. “It was fantastic to be a part of this amazing event,” said Julia. “This year Elajé celebrates five years in business during which the salon has grown from strength to strength. It is an honour to be recognised.” Hairdressers Journal’s publishing director Jayne Lewis-Orr said: “The level of skill and foresight demonstrated by winners and finalists in the Awards assures us that hairdressing is in safe hands.” www.elaje.co.uk

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 79

INTERIORS

WORDS ANGELINA VILLA-CLARKE

Cooking with

SUNNY SPACES The new Yellowcake shade from Farrow & Ball was inspired by kitchens of the 1960s but has an ‘of the moment feel’. Paint prices start at £19.50. (01202 876141; www.farrow-ball.com)

82 | Cambridge Edition | October 2013

INTERIORS

ISLAND RESCUE Martin Moore & Company’s ‘English’ kitchens are hand painted. This predominantly neutral space has an island in a warm blue as a focal point. Kitchen prices start at £35,000. (0845 180 0015; www.martinmoore.com)

Gone are the days when taupe, mushroom and beige were the height of sophistication. Our homes are now bursting with colour and our craze for shades of all hues has even reached the kitchen, once the enclave of neutrals. Angelina Villa-Clarke finds out more here’s a frisson of excitement in the world of interiors. Farrow & Ball, the hallowed brand of paint that homemakers the length and breadth of the UK bow down to, has launched a collection of nine new colours. It’s a oncein-every-three-years event and, as you’d expect, the heritage brand have got them just right. The new shades have captured the zeitgeist for boldness, giving them an up-to-the-minute modernity. Yellowcake, for instance, is a zingy, citrus hue – ideal for sunny kitchens, while Nancy’s Blushes is a rich, girly pale pink – fantastic for teaming with dark greys or blue-blacks. While there’s nothing new in ‘Farrowites’ applying a bright lick of paint on a statement wall in a bedroom, or indeed choosing a bold colour scheme for

a living room, what is interesting is the fact that there is a mini revolution occurring in our kitchens. Once the domain of whites, creams and natural woods, kitchens have become colourful. As well as bold wall colours, zany tiles and statement ﬂooring, kitchen manufacturers are seeing an increased demand for more daring shades of units and requests for white goods, which are, well, no longer white. “The kitchen is the perfect place to introduce colour, whether it’s a soft accent or a bold statement,” says Sarah Cole, Marketing Director at Farrow & Ball (www.farrow-ball.com). “Green hues, for instance, help to bring a hint of nature to the home, especially if you have a kitchen that looks out onto a garden. Choose a shade such as Mizzle, a beautiful grey-green that could be used on your

BRIGHT CORNERS Paint small areas in bright colours and add bright accessories.

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 83

INTERIORS

BELOW Candy colours still remain popular in contemporary room schemes. Create a kitchen that stands out from the crowd by using a combination of Marshmallow Glass and Matt Anthracite Grey units to stunning effect. This Poggenpohl kitchen is from Nicholas Anthony, where kitchens start from £25,000. The Glass Colour Changing Light panel adds a new sensory dynamic to the room and can be incorporated into all kitchen schemes (01223 368828; www.nicholas-anthony.co.uk)

Kitchen by local company By Design which offers an extensive range of traditional and contemporary kitchens (01223 248409; www.bydi.co.uk)

cupboards to complement a neutral shade on the wall. Pigeon is another easy to live with colour and a good choice for painting a kitchen island, to accentuate the focal point of the room. “For those seeking some real excitement, there is the retro boldness of Yellowcake,” she continues. “This sunny yellow provides a wonderful injection of colour into a kitchen, whether it’s used on walls, accessories or furniture.” But while a wall can be easily repainted if you realise that you’ve overdone it, the investment of a whole kitchen can be a different matter and is not for the fainthearted. While white and cream kitchens will always keep their style factor, there is that enduring fear that a bright, colourful kitchen can quickly look tired and dated. To counteract this, a key point to remember is not to choose one shade for

the whole kitchen. Pick out elements and match darker hues with bright neutrals to achieve a timeless look. Tony McCarthy, Commercial Director at Crown Imperial (www.crown-imperial. co.uk), one of the UK’s leading kitchen manufacturers, favours using colour on an island: “A great way to create a focal point is by creating an island. As a stand-alone piece of furniture, it offers an opportunity to use colour to contrast with the rest of the kitchen. Going as far as choosing an alternative material for the island work surface can create an even bolder feature. “Crown Imperial has a wide range of styles that marry colours from intense tones to pastel shades. We also

offer a wide range of materials, from contemporary gloss to matte colours, for a truly individual look. Curved cabinets add the wow factor to a large kitchen island and are a stylish choice for standalone pieces, particularly if chosen in a contrasting or bright colour.” Richard Moore, design director at Martin Moore & Company (www. martinmoore.com), which has six kitchen showrooms across the UK, has witnessed more clients having fun with colour in the kitchen recently, with some truly inspiring results. “Flashes of colour, for example deep pink or ruby red, are being used for accent pieces,” he says. “Light worktops in

An island offers an opportunity to use colour to contrast with the rest of the kitchen Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 85

INTERIORS

Strong colours work best when they’re not challenged or overcrowded with other dominant colours polished marbles and limestone work well with these contrasting paint colours.” Luxury kitchen designers Nicholas Anthony (www.nicholas-anthony.co.uk) pride themselves on constantly evolving and moving with the times, incorporating the latest technology and interiors trends into their schemes. Simon Lecomber, Design Director at the Nicholas Anthony Cambridge showroom agrees that the use of colour in the kitchen is currently very popular. “Colour and tone mixes are in! Clients are definitely becoming more confident with colour and are opting to use a mixture of different materials like lacquers, woods, natural stone and composites together. Our designers are confident when using colours and textures in kitchen schemes. Fusing gloss, matte, silk, rough, embossed and smooth finishes creates visual interest and added depth."

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Tomas Hinton, director of Cambridgebased Crofthouse (www.ckbh.co.uk), supplies a wide choice of kitchens, including the Tomas range of bespoke kitchens designed and made in the UK. “The Tomas brand of cabinets has its own colour palette – the Abstract Five Collection,” he reveals. “These are inspired by the colours found in my father’s and grandfather’s abstract oil paintings – both were talented artists. “While most of our shades are quite muted and soft, there are exceptions. Our Poppyﬁeld Orange and Haven Agua are really striking and work extremely well in the right proportions. The key is not to overdo it! Strong colours work best when they’re not challenged or overcrowded with other dominant colours.” Another stylish way of updating your kitchen is to choose a ‘heritage’ colour – sage green, sea blue, dove grey – on

CONFIDENT COLOUR Team Farrow & Ball’s dramatic new Stiffkey Blue shade with silvers and light greys for a modern room. (01202 876141; www.farrow-ball.com)

PICTURE PERFECT Crofthouse use Poppyﬁeld here on Scoop cabinets. (01223 300858; www.ckbh.co.uk)

INTERIORS

SUBTLE TOUCH Crown Imperial’s Midsomer range is shown here predominantly in white but contrasted against a blue island and blue cupboard doors. (www.crown-imperial.co.uk) ACCENT AREA Using bright tiles is a practical way to add interest to a kitchen. Topps Tiles has a huge selection to choose from. (0800 783 6262; www.toppstiles.co.uk) Use colour sparingly for visual impact, as with this kitchen from local company Crofthouse (01223 300858; www.ckbh.co.uk)

It’s as if we’ve been denying ourselves colour and now we can’t get enough of it

CAMBRIDGE FARMHOUSE FURNITURE Enjoy a unique shopping experience at Cambridge Farmhouse Furniture, where the team will work with you to design and create your dream dining set. Prices from £295 www.cambridgefarmhousefurniture.co.uk

pieces of stand-alone furniture, such as dressers, table legs and dining chairs. Cambridge Farmhouse Furniture (www. cambridgefarmhousefurniture.co.uk) create bespoke furniture – think dining tables, bookcases, refectory benches and sideboards – from reclaimed wood and salvaged pieces and can adapt colours according to a customer’s needs. A peacock blue dresser or a farmhouse table with neon yellow legs will give a current feel to your space without a huge expense. Tiling is another way of adding a splash – or indeed a splashback – of interest. “Our new Batik range is a stunning yet durable choice for a splashback, giving plain walls an uplift,” says Beth Boulton, Head of Marketing at Topps Tiles (www.toppstiles. co.uk). “The tiles have an intricate decorative pattern, in a Moorish earthy palette, and you can create a charming patchwork effect by mixing and matching

contrasting Batik patterns for eye-catching appeal, scattering colours randomly for added impact.” When it comes to appliances, you might have thought these would be the last bastions of non-colour. But leading kitchen company Cambridge Kitchens and Bathrooms (www.cambridgekitchens. co.uk), have even noticed a demand for colourful cookers: “White and cream have taken a back seat to a riot of colour. It’s as if we’ve been denying ourselves colour and now we can’t get enough of it!” comments Erika Zytynska, kitchen designer at the company. “Lots of the manufacturers, especially of free-standing appliances like range cookers and American fridge-freezers, are offering a bespoke colour service so you can match your appliance to your curtains if you want to. You can just send them a colour swatch.

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 87

INTERIORS

“Of course, kitchen furniture makers have offered this service for a long time,” she continues. “But we were mostly asked for slightly varying shades of cream, linen or mushroom. Now we’re seeing much more adventurous choices; greens, blues and even bright red.” However you choose to update your kitchen, the best thing about this growing trend is that the use of colour is an instant brightener. Done tastefully – by using unusual tiles, a primary coloured ﬂoor or a bank of richly glossy cupboards – it can make your space an inviting room to be in. Colour is deﬁnitely hot right now and if you can’t take the heat, then you know what to do.

FREE AND EASY: Use colour on freestanding units such as this Bristol model in ash lacquer in agate blue by Cambridge Kitchens & Bathrooms

COLOUR MATCH Cambridge Kitchens can even match your white goods and ranges to your colour scheme. (01223 213266; www.cambridgekitchens.co.uk)

Other ways to instantly update your kitchen 1 1. Use industrial lighting, such as the Cluck chicken wire shade from Habitat (£40, www.habitat.co.uk); or the Samuel pendant (£95) adds a splash of colour.

2. Change your cupboard handles to coloured ones, from Rockett St George (£5.95, www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk). 3. Incorporate stand-alone furniture, such as a dresser, but painted in a vibrant tone. 4. Update a neutral kitchen by adding colourful accessories, like this Newgate Pantry clock, £28, and LSA Centro Carafe, £14, both from Oliver Bonas (www. oliverbonas.com). Have a look at John Lewis’s range of colourful pieces, too (www.johnlewis.com). 5. Botanical prints and shades of green are big with stylists right now. Natural History has a selection of ceramics and tiles all featuring painted birds and plants (www.natural-history.myshopify.com). Set of eight cards, £16; 10" coupe plate, £25; cushions £62.50 each.

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EDUCATION

Education Your essential guide to schools and learning in Cambridgeshire, packed with useful information and expert advice

PAGE SPECIAL

Cambridge Edition | September 2013 | 93

EDUCATION

WORDS SARAH WADDINGTON

Early Sarah Waddington, head of the Perse Pelican Nursery and Pre-Prep for children aged three to seven, shares her tips on how to help your child get a great education before they start school t this time of year thoughts turn to fresh new uniforms, pencil cases and book bags. My diary ﬁlls with parents of toddlers coming to take a look around the Pelican. They often ask me what they themselves should do to ensure their child’s education gets off to the best possible start. When should their child start learning to count or write? What is the most effective way to teach them? Young children love learning – discovery is fun after all. Consider the joy of an autumn walk spent searching for different leaf forms, colours and textures, or delving in the mud unearthing worms. Think about the simple pleasure of discovering acorns and conkers, then counting them or ordering them in terms of size, shade or shape. Activities like these help children begin exploring and making sense of their world. Playing a simple game can help children learn about rules and develop the idea of structure. There is an enormous range of puzzles and construction toys that are great fun and are quite literally building blocks for their physical and mental development. One of the greatest things you can do with your child is share a book every day. When you read to a child, trace the words with your ﬁnger so they have the chance to gradually understand the concept of a word. Spend plenty of time talking about the story and pictures, encouraging the

child to look in detail and explain what he or she sees. However, ensure that at intervals they focus on listening to you rather than interacting with you or the story. This can be brilliantly helpful for developing those sometimes elusive listening skills. Their first teacher will thank you for it! Children understand symbols long before they can read. Help your child to make sense of the world as you travel from place to place. The symbols they see while out and about are tremendously powerful – research suggests the ‘golden arches’ are one of the first symbols children recognise. It is wonderful for a child to learn to write their name, but stick to lower case letters rather than capitals. There is no need to focus on learning the alphabet – it will be a while before they need to search alphabetically for anything – instead teach them the sounds of letters, which we use all the time as we blend them together to form words. Do not worry about children writing large letters – the larger the better – and encourage them to do this in sand, snow, paint or by running their hands over letters cut from materials with different finishes. Children love tactile experiences. Counting is fun and anything can be counted, one at a time. Encourage your child to touch each item as they count to develop the idea of one-to-one correspondence. Count apples, apricots and avocados, bricks, balls and beans,

eventually linking the number names to their written digits. Young children’s use of digital devices tends to polarise opinion. What is certain is that using them is not essential for a child’s early development and no substitute for the learning that happens when children engage one-to-one with you and others. Developing their muscles supports their gross and fine motor control. Materials that can be squidged and twisted like Play-Doh, plasticine and modelling clay of all sorts really help little muscles develop and moulding smaller shapes develops a child’s dexterity. Helping your child learn to share, negotiate and accept deferred gratification will equip them with skills that will ensure they thrive at school and in general life. While your child is enjoying learning with you, make sure that you too begin learning about their education options. It is never too soon to start this process, and any good school will welcome an early approach. For example, many parents first visit the Pelican when their child is one or two years old as our main entry point is in Nursery, once children are three years old. Places to join us at Reception are more limited, meaning parents who delay until then are in danger of being disappointed. Perhaps one of the best ways you can help your child is to do your own homework in good time.

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EDUCATION WORDS CHARLOTTE PHILLIPS

SCHOOL

OPEN DAYS Open days give you an unparalleled insight into what a school can offer, but it pays to be prepared, says Charlotte Phillips

n schools up and down the country, head teachers are polishing up their words of welcome, science labs are trying out their most exciting whizz-bang experiments and choirs are sounding more like hosts of angels by the minute. Autumn term is the season for open days, the time for parents, whose children are about to take the next (and for many their ﬁrst) step in the great educational journey, to work out which school will best match their child’s interests, abilities and temperament. Schools have got the format down to a T, giving parents what effectively amounts to an immersive experience that offers an

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amazingly impressive ﬂavour of school life, condensed into just a couple of hours. Indeed, seeing how schools grapple with the logistics can be an eye-opener in itself, points out Ed Elliott, head of The Perse School. “Open days should show a school at its best. A good institution will pull out all the stops. A lacklustre open day is a bad omen. If a school can’t get things right for its main public event, then when will it?” For some open day novices, the school they are looking at will be their son’s or daughter’s ﬁrst foray into formal education at the age of four. Others will be looking at 11+ or 13+ entry to senior schools. Older pupils, meanwhile, might

Date: 12 October Time: 9am-12pm Location: Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 8AG Description: St Faith’s will be buzzing with activities: take one of two pupil-led tours to discover why St Faith’s was awarded ‘Outstanding’ for academic standards, pastoral care, pupils’ personal development, quality of teaching, extra-curricular activities, and parent links. Meet the teachers and experience the facilities. To book a tour and ﬁnd out more, visit www.stfaiths.co.uk.

EDUCATION

Schools are at pains to ensure that visitors are able to relax

Prep School Date: 4 & 5 October 2013 Time: 9.30am-12pm Location: Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 8EX

Nursery & Pre-Prep Date: 12 October Time: 9.30am-12pm Location: 92 Glebe Road, Cambridge CB1 7TD

be contemplating a post-GCSE move to a new sixth form. For the parents who have somewhat mixed memories about their own schooldays, there’s no need to worry. The atmosphere is anything but forbidding and you’re well looked after. At St Faith’s School for example, you’ll hear non-stop music, watch a variety of games in progress, enjoy delicious snacks from a Spanish café and even sample selections from the pupils’ lunch menu. There are teachers on tap to answer parents’ queries, however big or small. Sensibly, it’s organised with the head’s speech in the middle, sandwiched, like a luxury filling, between two sets of guided tours of the school. And though events, formal and informal, are in plentiful supply, schools are at pains to ensure that visitors are able to relax rather than being compelled to take a one-size-fits-all forced route march through the facilities. Down the road at St Mary’s School, an independent girls’ senior school, prospective pupils and their parents will find places to sit, soak up the atmosphere and swap notes with other parents – with cake, a school speciality, in plentiful supply for the girls. But the best source of information of all is often the pupils themselves. You’ll get warts and all feedback which means parents won’t find it hard to discover what life at school is really like – and feedback comes with the school’s blessing. Friends’ School in Saffron Walden is one of the many where pupil-led guided

tours are the norm. “We try hard to match the age to that of the visiting child, which allows for a real insight into what your child will do at school, in lessons, activities and sports,” says the school’s marketing manager, Kirsten Batcheler. “Children can always be relied on to spill the beans and tell you what the school is actually like. If children really like their school they just won’t be able to hide their enthusiasm for it,” conﬁrms Ed Elliott of The Perse School. Whatever the age of the child, it pays for families to do their own homework, counsels Emma Hall, the assistant head at St Mary’s. Not only does she organise the school’s open days but, as the mother of an 11-year-old, now happily ensconced at the school, she also has ﬁrst-hand experience of being on the receiving end of the open day experience. Before attending an open day, she wrote her own list of what mattered to her when it came to choosing a school. Her daughter did the same thing. Then they got together and compared notes. It’s a useful exercise because it teases out worries your child might have, which can be very different to yours. “It meant we were both aware of what the other person was looking for so if I came in on a question, she would understand why I was asking,” she says. As a follow-up, she also suggests that parents and children write down their impressions immediately after the open day before the memories fade. It’s a useful aide-memoire that can help families plan

Description: Education is an adventure at The Perse, full of discovery and challenge for girls and boys from three to 18. Discover the beneﬁts of a Perse education at one of this month’s open days. There is no need to book and all are welcome. Experience a range of activities, talk to staff and take a tour of the school. For more info, see www.perse.co.uk.

Junior School Date: 5 October Time: 9.30am-12.30pm Location: 6 Chaucer Road, Cambridge CB2 7EB

Senior School Date: 12 October Time: 9.30am-12.30pm Location: Bateman Street, Cambridge CB2 1LY Description: St Mary’s School Cambridge is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged four to 18. Find out more about by attending an open morning. You’ll be able to tour the school, talk with teachers and students, and join in interactive lessons. To book your place visit www.stmaryscambridge. co.uk or telephone 01223 224167.

Cambridge Edition | October 2013 | 99

EDUCATION

Date: 12 October Time: 10am-12.30pm Location: Mount Pleasant Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 3EB Description: There is coffee and cake available in the marquee on the front lawn for early arrivals, with the head’s address taking place at 10am in the Assembly Hall for visitors to both the Junior and Senior Schools. Tours with students will then take place, with tours of the boarding houses available for those interested. Teachers are available in all departments to answer any questions you may have with an opportunity to then relax in the marquee, enjoy some refreshments and chat to the head, deputy head and bursar.

their next step – which often means going back for a second visit. Open days are just the start: all-singing, all-dancing showcases, with teachers, head and children very deﬁnitely on show. “Don’t be seduced by prestigious facilities,” says Ed Elliott at The Perse. “Olympic-sized swimming pools and golf courses are magniﬁcent, but how much use will your son or daughter get from one? The facilities that matter most are those that are in everyday use by all pupils: the classrooms, labs, libraries etc. Are these well resourced and equipped?” And what open days can’t show you, explains Simon Armitage, director of communications at the Stephen Perse Foundation, is the nitty-gritty of the everyday school life. “It is pretty obvious that the school doesn’t always look exactly like it does on an open day. Think of it a little bit like going around a show home. It isn’t how people live most of the time.” His advice is to come back and see just how a school functions on a normal working day. “Watching what happens in a school at a lunchtime or a break, or at the end of the day is a very good test of the atmosphere of a school – you won't see that on an open day but you could ask to come back. Most schools will be happy about this. If they aren’t, you might wonder why.” Emma Hall at St Mary’s suggests going one step further and asking for your

Making the right choice means taking your time, doing your research and following your instincts child to go and spend time in the class that they’d be going into. “If it’s a choice between two schools, ask if you can go in and be a year 7 or year 9 for a day.” For 15- and 16-year olds, she points out, spending a day in the lower sixth can also be a valuable way of discovering whether the subjects you’re interested in, particularly if they’re new to you, are really going to hold your attention for the next two years. So think of the open day as a beginning where, as Kirsten Batcheler states, your aim is to “look beyond the freshly polished ﬂoors and number of free giveaways and try and get a real feel for the place and the true atmosphere of the school you are visiting.

“Look for engaged teachers, pupils who are the sorts of young adults you’d like your child to become, heads with a clear vision for their school and the energy and determination to deliver it.” Finally, advises Emma Hall, keep your eyes open for the tiny details that can sometimes reveal the real character of a school. “If somebody drops something, does somebody else kneel down and say, ‘do you want a hand picking that up?’” Your child is going to be spending a minimum of eight or nine hours a day in term time at school. Making the right choice means taking your time, doing your research and following your instincts, too. “They’ve got to feel at home, so your gut feeling says an awful lot.”

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EDUCATION

WORDS DR HEATHER MARTIN

Chocolate and gold: Dr Heather Martin from Cambridge school St Faith’s explains just how enriching a day off-timetable can be owards the end of their years at St Faith’s, our senior pupils have the option of spending a week abroad: perhaps in Andalusia, putting their growing knowledge of Spanish to the test, or perhaps in Rome and Pompeii, venturing boldly into the life-and-death drama of the Colosseum and Vesuvius. As part of their preparation we run enrichment days that offer deep immersion in history and culture, in stories of Moorish kings and Roman emperors, of chocolate and gold, Columbus and Odysseus. Storytelling lies at the heart of successful enrichment, and the secret link between the two is time. It takes time to tell a story properly and follow where it leads. A day off-timetable is a luxury, allowing time not only to tell a story but reﬂect upon it too, and then re-tell or re-present it in new and creative ways. The normal school day, by contrast, is all about the ability to switch attention from one thing to the next at the ring of a bell, like the learning equivalent of speeddating. At St Faith’s, enrichment days are planned to accommodate a change of pace. Children and teachers press the pause button on daily routine to share ideas and deepen understanding, giving the lie to the cliché that children can only concentrate for ten minutes at a stretch. One of our favourite events, at the high end of the academic spectrum, centres on the short stories of the Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges. As perfectly encapsulated in the title of The Garden of Forking Paths, inspiration lies in the way the initial story radiates outwards to embrace so many intellectual and practical disciplines: from maths and philosophy, to science, design and technology, and art. Enrichment means having the time to digress from the straight-and-narrow path of predetermined learning objectives. In his essay The Cynegetic Paradigm, Carlo Ginzburg likens the process of storytelling to a dog tracking a scent, sniffing clues,

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hunting down his quarry, rather like Sherlock Holmes. He might equally well be defining the nature of enrichment, which provides teachers and pupils with the opportunity to escape the artificial boxes of conventional subject boundaries and follow a complex cross-curricular trail. Extended learning fosters ambition: think big and aim high. At St Faith’s we’ve tackled Japanese in a day (learning hiragana and a smattering of kanji, counting to 100 and trying calligraphy) and studied French via the topic of light (so that children learn colours while grappling with the distinction between refraction and reflection). These challenges are nothing compared to ‘From Zero to (Ancient Greek) Hero’. Innocent parents dropped their nine year olds off at school one morning only to find them transformed by 3.40pm into fledgling classicists thanks to a team of benevolent experts from the University of Cambridge. They could read Ancient Greek and were beginning to write it, not to mention declaiming the psalms in Greek from memory. Sustained collaboration allows children to play to their individual strengths while discovering how a team can be greater than the sum of its parts. Last year saw the introduction of ‘The Green Car Project’, with a group of intrepid

pupils across the age range forming the Extreme Green Racing Team to design, programme, build and then race the school’s ﬁrst-ever eco car. This project tested their ingenuity and daring while remaining true to its Green Flag ethos. The successful culmination of the project heralded the appointment of St Faith’s as an Associate School of The Royal Society, following hot on the heels of the school’s inaugural Science Fair. Sometimes off-timetable days lead us to Grantchester Meadows or the Fitzwilliam Museum, or the archives of the St John’s College library; sometimes they allow us to welcome inspirational guests. Mostly, however, they simply invite teachers to collaborate in unexpected ways and spend longer working alongside the children they teach. In all cases, there is the warmth of shared discovery and achievement. As one girl told me, looking back on an unforgettable experience: ‘I have a box where I keep all my treasures from that day, the photos, the drawings, even the stone that I found.’ ” Dr Heather Martin is Head of Modern and Classical Languages and Head of Enrichment and Extension at St Faith’s Independent Prep School in Cambridge. She is also an IAPS Subject Leader for Modern Foreign Languages.

See The Difference It Makes!

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Summer is almost a distant memory and autumn is well and truly upon us. For some this may mark the countdown to spring, but for me autumn is my favourite time of the year. It is a beautiful time of transition, with stunning reds and browns appearing on the trees, swirled and buffeted by blustery winds. It is the time to embrace winter warmers for dinner and the stark contrast between indoors and out. For children, it is a time of new beginnings: settling into new classes and, for some, new schools. However this leads me to the one thing I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like about autumn: the changing of the clocks. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the fact that I lose an hour of sleep, although that is something of an inconvenience; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the sudden change from travelling home in the light to travelling home in the dark. This change, even though it happens every year, still takes some getting used to. You travel to school or work in the morning and it is light. You hop on your bike, not even considering that coming home you are likely to need your lights. You send the kids off to school, forgetting that their dark uniform is much harder to spot as dusk approaches and they are heading home. It probably comes as no surprise then, that this time of year sees a peak in road casualties, particularly for pedestrians. However, there are very simple things that everyone can do to make sure they can see others and be seen themselves:

Drivers: s !LWAYS USE LIGHTS IN DARK AND GLOOMY CONDITIONS s 5SE FOG LIGHTS WHEN VISIBILITY IS SIGNIl CANTLY REDUCED AND make sure to turn them off when visibility improves so as not to dazzle other road users. s 4AKE EXTRA TIME TO LOOK FOR PEDESTRIANS CYCLISTS AND motorcyclists who may be harder to see. s !DJUST YOUR SPEED SO YOU CAN ALWAYS STOP WITHIN THE distance you can see is clear ahead.

Cyclists: s !LWAYS USE LIGHTS IN DARK AND GLOOMY CONDITIONS s 7EAR BRIGHT COLOURS THAT STAND OUT BETTER DURING THE DAY s 7EAR REm ECTIVE MATERIALS THAT ARE MORE VISIBLE IN THE DARK s %NSURE REm ECTORS ON YOUR BIKE ARE CLEAN AND NOT obscured by clothing or luggage.

Pedestrians: s 7EAR BRIGHT COLOURS THAT STAND OUT BETTER DURING THE DAY s 7EAR REm ECTIVE MATERIALS THAT ARE MORE VISIBLE IN THE DARK

Motorcyclists: s !LWAYS USE LIGHTS IN DARK AND GLOOMY CONDITIONS s 7EAR BRIGHT COLOURS THAT STAND OUT BETTER DURING THE DAY s 7EAR REm ECTIVE MATERIALS THAT ARE MORE VISIBLE IN THE DARK s !DJUST YOUR SPEED SO YOU CAN ALWAYS STOP IN THE distance you can see to be clear ahead. s !DJUST YOUR POSITION TO INCREASE YOUR VISIBILITY TO OTHER road users. 7HETHER YOU LOVE OR LOATHE AUTUMN ) HOPE YOU CAN SEE the difference a little thought can make to your safety.

Have your say; join Cambridgeshire Road Safety on Facebook.

PETS

DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT YOUR PETS ARE EATING?

Scampers Natural Pet Store steps into the (sometimes murky) world of the pet food industry to help you choose wisely when it comes to feeding your dog or cat e’ve recently looked into what kind of diet is good for your pets, how to understand pet food labelling and some of the tricks of the trade that big companies sometimes use to mislead consumers regarding what they’re feeding their animals. This month, with a little help from the experts, we’re going to have a look at the process of pet food creation, from the ingredients, techniques and methods – not all of which are especially pleasant – to how a brand comes to market. That way, you’ll be equipped with all the facts before deciding what to feed your beloved pet. INGREDIENTS When looking at pet food labels, the ﬁrst thing you might consider is how much meat is in the product – and indeed whether this is declared in a straightforward and understandable way. Elsewhere, are you able to understand the ingredients and why they are in the food? Whilst the label might say ‘meat’ – you need to ascertain whether it’s ‘meat meal’ or a high-quality meat product. Something else to consider, which we’re becoming used to doing with our own food, is how the animals used for the meat were fed and kept. This is worth thinking about because additives and preservatives present in the feed of the animal will be present later in the dog food. Many dogs have problems with digesting gluten, so this is another

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thing to look out for. Any and all other ingredients should be listed with an explanation of their use. So look out for preservatives, synthetic additives, or anything which could be used as a ‘filler’. PET FOOD CREATION At the heart of good food, for both people and pets, is good ingredients. Simple, right? Well, no. Sometimes ingredients are treated in ways that significantly lower their nutritional value during the manufacturing process. Extrusion, a method which the pet trade has used for over 50 years, is when foods are sheared and heated under high pressure, forced through a spiral-shaped screw and then through the die of the extruder machine – the result is a ribbon-like product which is then cut and dried. High temperatures (up to 400°F) are used to heat the food in a very short time frame, which has a negative impact on the ingredients, including causing protein degeneration and vitamin loss. This process also creates, in many cases, a food which cannot absorb water and will swell in the dog’s stomach – potentially causing many health issues. It is also very unlikely that any molecule structures, fibres, vitamin or enzymes can stay intact during this process, meaning they need to be added again. A GENTLER WAY In order to retain the goodness of ingredients, companies such as Gentle

Dog Food use a ‘cold-pressed’ method. This uses a maximum heat of 45°C for less than a second to create a kibble that’s both tasty and healthy for your furry friends. We at Scampers are delighted to have been involved in the creation of the this great new brand. So much so in fact, that we even went over to Germany to taste all the ingredients and see how it was made (as well as giving the company its name!), so we’re excited to see that it’s already proving a hit with pet owners looking for the best for their animals. “The chunks can absorb water and do not swell,” explains Gentle’s founder Beate Rothon. “We want the dog to use their teeth. The digestibility is high and therefore you need to feed them less. All this is beneficial to the dog’s overall health and it reduces the risk of bloating or torsions. By using the cold-pressed method the ingredients are staying as natural as possible, and it’s close to the animal’s natural eating habits. “Most of the molecule structures, fibres, enzymes and vitamins will not be destroyed during this process and it’s suitable for all dogs and breeds.” Gentle, a family run business, also prides itself on creating gluten-free food with no artificial flavours and colourings, meaning that you know exactly what you’re feeding your pet. They also, rather uniquely, exclusively use hydro power – so you’re being kind to the planet, as well as your pets!

All Roads Lead to Scampers

“The Scampers Experience” s .ATURAL (EALTHY PET FOODS s 1UALIl ED PET CARE ADVISERS s /NLY THE BEST NATURAL 4REATS s /NE n TO n ONE PERSONAL GUIDANCE s 5NBELIEVABLE RANGE OF TOYS AND BEDDING s !N (OLISTIC !PPROACH s &REE TASTING TABLE s 2AW FOOD SPECIALISTS s ,ATEST PRODUCTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD s %XPERT PUPPY AND KITTEN ADVICE s 'REAT TRAINING TIPS

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