Cambridge Edition May 2013 Issue by Bright Publishing

Cambridge MAY 2013

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CONTENTS

MAY 2013

Welcome

40 7 đƫFIVE THINGS TO DO The editor rounds up her top picks for May

9-11 đƫNIGHTLIFE From club nights to comedy, gigs and festivals, we’ve got the low-down on after-hours fun this month 15-18 đƫARTS & CULTURE We take a look at exciting arty goingson around the area and Ruthie from the Cambridge Art Salon shares the gossip from the local arts scene 21 đƫFAMILY Grab your little ones and take them on a fun-packed adventure. Here’s some inspiration! 22 đƫCOMPETITION This month we’re giving away a stay for two at Cambridge City Hotel 24-25 đƫLISTINGS A comprehensive guide to events around the county this May 29 đƫGROUP SPOTLIGHT We meet Cambridge Past, Present and Future: the local group making it their business to preserve the uniqueness of Cambridge 31 đƫINDIE OF THE MONTH Under the Edition spotlight this month is a true local gem, the lovely little Norfolk Street Bakery 33-36 đƫTHE CAMBRIDGE PUB GUIDE So many choices, so little time! Sian takes on the ever-so onerous task of visiting the city’s best drinking establishments 39 đƫFOOD COLUMN A versatile dinner staple that Alex Rushmer can’t get enough of: this month our food writer delivers an ode to pesto

15 49-50 đƫTEN OF THE BEST It’s not all doom and gloom where independent booksellers are concerned. Jennifer Shelton shuns Amazon and pays a visit to the best in town

Yes, there’s a lot happening over the winter months in Cambridge, but it’s around this time of year that I start to really relish life in the city. As the evenings get longer and warmer and we inch towards summer, Cambridge really comes into its own and the local events calendar starts to hot up for summer. There’s (of course!) the Beer Festival to look forward to this month, as well as Strawberry Fair on the first weekend in June – one of the biggest music events of the year and always bursting with colour, creativity and community spirit. We’ve also got a tasty handful of new foodie openings this month to look out for, from Sicilian café Aromi on Bene’t Street to Maison du Steak on Hills Road and the ultra swanky Dining Room at Poets House in Ely. Our food writer Alex’s new venture The Green Man in Thriplow is now open for biz too – turn to page 43 to find out more. We also welcome our brand new property supplement this month, which will be a regular fixture from here on in: check it out to get the inside track on our local property market, with features on everything from selling your home to all the latest from the new developments and insider tips on where will be the hottest postcode in town this time next year. I hope you enjoy the issue and see you next month!

NICOLA FOLEY, EDITOR

52-55 đƫFASHION Esme Benjamin highlights her top style picks for men and women 56-57 đƫBEAUTY Charlotte and Daisy demonstrate how to go from desk to dance ﬂoor in doublequick time 60-67 đƫINTERIORS Get the kitchen of your dreams with the help of our interiors specialist, Emily Brooks 69-70 đƫEDUCATION We Brits are some of the worst at languages in the whole of Europe, but being able to speak more than one language brings a wealth of beneﬁts 72-73 đƫMOTORING Sue Baker road-tests the slinky and superefficient ninth-generation Honda Civic

40-41 đƫRECIPES Try out Alex’s own twist on the classic pesto recipe, then create the perfect pesto dish

77-78 đƫPETS Local experts share their wisdom on training and treating your pets, the right way

43-45 đƫFOOD NEWS A round-up of the tastiest gastro goings-on around the county for May

80 đƫMONEY Chartered accountants PEM advise on the fraught matter of inheritance tax

EDITORIAL

CONTRIBUTORS

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

Alex Rushmer, Charlotte Griffiths, Daisy Dickinson, Esme Benjamin, Emily Brooks, Ruthie Collins, Alex Wylie, Sue Baker, Charlotte Phillips, Sian Townsend

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

PUBLISHING DIRECTORS

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

Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck 01223 499450

Key accounts manager George Pearson 01223 499464 georgepearson@bright-publishing.com

www.bright-publishing.com

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Cambridge Edition | May 2013 | 5

Things to do this month 1 Image courtesy ofJames Bowe

Get set for Strawberry Fair!

Cambridge Beer Festival As any Cantabrigian worth their salt knows, the annual Cambridge Beer Festival is one of the highlights of the local calendar. The UK’s longestrunning CAMRA beer festival, it’s had several homes over the years but since 2001 has been held on Jesus Green, serving more than 200 local, national and international ales of all kinds as well as cider, mead and wine, plus some lovely food to soak up all that booze. Cambridge Beer Festival turns 40 this year, so there’s even more reason to pay a visit – if only to see what design they’ve put on the glasses. It runs from 20 until 25 May, entry £3/£4. cambridgebeerfestival.com

Pop-up fashion boutique

A new pop-up shop is opening in Cambridge, fully stocked with gorgeous clothes and accessories – just in time for May Ball season, ladies’ days at the races and any other special events you’ve got lined up for spring and summer. It’s run by Lindsay Lapham, who recently recovered from a brain tumour, with all proﬁts from the enterprise going to Headway, the fantastic local charity that helps those who have suffered brain injuries. She’s looking for frocks to help her get started – so if you have a dress or two at the back of your wardrobe that you know you’ll never wear again (I think that’s all of us), drop them off Monday to Friday at Headway, Block 10, Ida Darwin, Fulbourn.

Midsummer Common’s enormous annual free music and arts festival returns on the ﬁrst Saturday of June, promising a packed schedule of entertainment in celebration of our creative local community. On the agenda this year is a colourful parade, a fun-packed kids area, a turn from the über-talented Cambridge Community Circus and Strawberry Shorts – the Fair’s ﬁlm festival. As ever, there will also be a bustling market of stalls selling everything from food to crafts and clothing. There’s also an eclectic line-up of music acts in store, featuring the winners of the Strawberry Fair Band Competition, amongst others. strawberry-fair.org.uk

Food & wine evening On 18 May, head over to the lovely Gog Magog Hills Farm Shop where you’ll be treated to an indulgent evening of food and drink with the Cambridge Food & Wine Society. After an intro from the owners of Gogs, there will be tutored cheese tastings (accompanied by wines), a butchery masterclass and bread making sessions. Then you’ll sit down to a hearty dinner of pulled pork with all the trimmings, and of course, some perfectly matched top-class wines and beers. Tickets £20 for members of the Cambridge Food & Wine Society, £24 for nonmembers. It kicks off at 7.30pm. cambridgefoodandwinesociety.co.uk

3 Green Door

Touting itself as ‘the night out you’ve always wanted’ – Green Door events are making big promises. And we reckon they might well deliver on their pledge to offer something completely different to anything we’ve seen in the city. The group (a mix of ad agency creatives, interior designers and film industry folk) plan to host four events per year, first around Cambridge and then nationally, with one common thread: the green door will be your entry to all. There will be a sumptuous seven-course tasting menu, entertainment, DJs and a liberal sprinkling of the unexpected. The first party is on 26 May at La Raza. £80 for full ticket. facebook.com/greendoorproductions

Cambridge Edition | May 2013 | 7

Image courtesy of Cult Media

NEWS

La Raza’s 10th anniversary On 17 April 2003, La Raza opened its doors at Rose Crescent and began a flourishing relationship with city neighbours. Ten years later, they are still here with many of the same staff and same guests frequenting the venue for eating, drinking and dancing.

E V E N T S

• Relaxed & Informal Dining • Available for Weddings, Corporate Events, Shop Openings, Product Launches as well as Garden Parties & Hen Parties • Extensive Drink & Cocktail Lists • Award Winning General Manager • Top 10 Flair Bartenders • Independent • Cocktails in the National Finals • Regional Competition Winners • Specialist Spanish Suppliers for High Quality Tapas Style Food

Music Music acts that have been part of La Raza’s journey include:

Bijoumiyo who played their first gig at La Raza after we spotted them busking on the streets of Cambridge. They since went on to tour many parts of the world but regularly returned to perform at La Raza.

Sara Mitra the wonderfully talented vocalist – who played a Monday night gig for years and who now gets regular radio play on BBC Radio 2.

Booga’s Electric Sauce who is our adopted house band headed by Booga and accompanied by an array of very talented musicians, all of whom have often toured and sessioned with some of the world’s top artists (including Tom Jones, Jamiroquai and Dizzy Rascal to name but a few).

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: pete@laraza.co.uk or info@laraza.co.uk 01223 464550

May

NIGHTLIFE Alt-J Δ

Reginald D Hunter

Their debut album An Awesome Wave, released last May, won them millions of fans across the globe and a Mercury Prize – and the phenomenal success of this indie-rock quartet shows no signs of slowing. The boys, who currently call Cambridge home, will be showcasing their unique sounds at the Corn Exchange on 14 May. A hypnotic blend of folk, trip hop, dub, rock, catchy riffs and poetic lyrics makes them hard to pigeonhole genre-wise, but their live gigs are always something special. Beg, steal or borrow a ticket to this – it’s likely to be one of the top Cambridge gigs of the year. Tune in to Edition next month for an exclusive interview with the band, as we’ll be catching up with them after the show for a chat. cornex.co.uk

No-nonsense comedian Reginald D Hunter brings his tour to the Corn Exchange on 11 May. One of the longestserving and consistently hilarious comedians on the scene, he sold out his last two tours and continues to draw praise from the critics for his intelligent delivery and stage presence. Expect all the above and his characteristic unpredictability from his new show, In The Midst of Crackers (8pm, £21-23). cornex.co.uk

La a Raza Raz aza Talented duo Griff riff & Vix will be b setting up u at La Raza on 8 May for another another acou tic session. The Th pair, who are based based acoustic ridge and London, London, perform cool coo in Cam Cambridge guitar-and voice versions off some of guitar-and-voice ed classics – ch ck out their pop’s best-lov best-loved check gutsy gutsy cover of The The Way You Make Mak Me Fee on the La Raza site. ite. Their repertoire, repe oire, Feel er than both o which is a good deal o older of ogether, ranges from old-school old-schoo them put together, th ough to 70s d co up to rock ’n’ roll through disco

oughties pop (6-9pm, 6-9pm, free entry). en y). On 9 Noughties Ma you can catch Nathan Watson & The May, Freakanomics performing perform ng soul-inspired soul-inspire Freakanomics art of The Music Mus c Kitchen. songs as part ayed at The Jazz Ja z Café and Nathan has played sou divas such as Leela L ela James opened for soul onnie Scott’s ((9pm, pm, £5). For a more at Ronnie B ats on 17 May, a urban vibe, head to Beats laying the ﬁnest ﬁne t in old-school DJ night playing ne local talent hip hop and showcasing new raza.co.uk (9pm, £3/£5). laraza.co.uk

Cambridge Edition | May 2013 | 9

NIGHTLIFE

Neon Moon Head to a May ball with a difference as the fabulous and flamboyant Neon Moon Burlesque and Cabaret Club will be hosting two very special events this month. On 5 May, pay a visit to gorgeous gastro pub The Willow Tree in Bourn for an evening out with a difference. After their nautical-themed dining event in April and Mad Hatter’s tea party in March, they’re now hosting a Big Top Ball supper club for the May Bank Holiday Sunday where you’ll find entertainment from Vintage Circus Cabaret, plus plenty of tasty locally sourced food (tickets cost £50/£25 for the ball only, 7pm-1am). On 18 May meanwhile, Neon Moon are heading back to Anstey Hall for the ‘Secrets of the East’ ball. In the spectacular stately surrounds of this grand old country pile awaits a glamorous evening of interactive entertainment, live music and plenty of surprises. From snake charmers to fire dancers, burlesque to a boutique brimming over with vintage trinkets and exquisite clothing – it promises to be an unforgettable night (tickets £25 online). theneonmoonclub.com

Acoustic Routes On Saturday nights, Cambridge’s CB2 Café basement becomes a den of live acoustic music, performed by artists from the local area and further aﬁeld. This month, come and listen to Jeana Leslie, Siobhan Miller and Polly Barrett on 11 May (8.30pm, £10). Then on 18 May you’re invited to the Basement sessions with Bob Collum and Roxanne De Bastion. Expect a great mix of music: for the ﬁrst half they’ll take it in turns to play songs, tell stories and accompany each other, then for the second half they’ll be joined by a special guest. They play songs by Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Elton John, The Beatles and more (8.30pm, £4). acousticroutes.co.uk

10 | Cambridge Edition | May 2013

Bands at Cambridge Junction Championed in their early days by the likes of Steve Lamacq and Jo Whiley, indie rockers The Pigeon Detectives have released four albums to date and are regulars on the festival circuit. Their brand of northern rock often sees comparisons to Kaiser Chiefs and Arctic Monkeys, and they play Cambridge Junction on 6 May in support of their new album, We Met At Sea (J1, 7pm, £12.50). Also in town this month are Athlete, who are on tour celebrating the tenth anniversary of their debut album Vehicles & Animals: a summery, upbeat, quirky indie-pop record full of singalong choruses that owed a lot to

Grandaddy, The Flaming Lips and Blur. On 8 May they’ll be playing old hits, newer ones and a few surprises (J1, 7pm doors, £18.50). Alternative pop band Paper Aeroplanes, who have been gigging in Cardiff and around the UK for the past ﬁve or so years, will also be hitting Cambridge on 16 May (J2, 8pm, £8). The band consists of Sarah Howells and Richard Llewellyn, who grew up on the Welsh coast, a world – and a two-hour drive – away from the nearest ‘music scene’. Lately their tours have been selling out, so it looks like this duo might be ones to watch… junction.co.uk

NIGHTLIFE

Student comedy Lola Lo Cocktail Masterclass

A genre-defying show comes to the ADC Theatre on 16 May, promising stand-up, music, poetry, special guests – and even jam. Siân Docksey and Zoë Tomalin present Carpet Diem!, hailed as ‘genuinely hilarious’ by student newspaper The Tab and sure to shake up your Thursday night (11pm, £5/£6). adctheatre.com

Over at the Corpus Playroom, the Fletcher Players are putting on a Smoker in the intimate venue on 6 May. The Playroom Smoker, similar to the ones at the ADC, is one of Cambridge’s newest and most successful comedy nights, featuring a range of acts and styles (9.30pm, £5/£6). corpusplayroom.com

Discover whether you’re harbouring an unleashed skill for cocktail mixing at Lola Lo’s new Tiki Masterclass Experiences. Already proud of their fabulous range of cocktails, the venue is now inviting you, the guests, to get behind the bar and learn the skill of mixology in a fun class with one of their best bartenders. See what goes with what and how bartenders learn to throw glasses about without dropping them – and, most importantly: you get to drink what you make. lolalocambridge.com

The Portland Arms One of the highlights of the live music diary at the Portland this month is Still Corners on 8 May (8pm, £9 adv). This London band were signed by Sub Pop records in 2011 and play dreamy, atmospheric music characterised by Tessa Murray’s fragile voice and Greg Hughes’s quietly dense arrangements. Sweet and dark by turns, their debut album back in 2010, Creatures of an Hour, was championed by NME among others, and they have a new album, Strange Pleasures, out this month. theportlandarms.co.uk

Fresh at Fez New for Tuesdays is Fez Club’s Fresh, a chic party of R&B, hip hop, garage, grime, house and bass-driven beats. Offering ‘affordable wild debauchery’ (£1 Jagers before 11pm), it’s an ideal student night, and something a bit different from the usual cheese and pop (£3, £5 after 1am). cambridgefez.com

Cambridge Edition | May 2013 | 11

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ARTS & CULTURE

ARTS & CULTURE Made In China: John Hunter at Ruler

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

BYARD ART It’s busy at Byard this month: ﬁrst up (running until 19 May) is the beautiful Over the Sea to the Sky exhibition – a selection of mixed-media pieces which take the glorious British landscape as their muse. Artists featured include David Anthony Hall, Michelle McKinney and Jess Sutton. From 27 May until 17 June meanwhile, there’s the Writing on the Wall showcase of artwork, which features pieces that incorporate typography and quotations to beautiful effect. byardart.co.uk

SAMPLED FESTIVAL

Mandy Walden: With a rising tide they made for home under a golden moon, dancing swimmers to lead the way, Wells-next-the-Sea

This month Cambridge Junction presents a fresh, challenging and exciting showcase of performance covering dance, theatre, art, circus and everything between in SAMPLED. Divided into three strands, the festival aims to celebrate and inspire audiences and artists alike, delving into the creative process from idea to actualisation. First up comes UNFINISHED: a collection of work-in-progress shows with opportunities to discuss the pros and cons of presenting performances in an unﬁnished state. This strand features the likes of local poetry powerhouse Hollie McNish, who will be considering the curiosities of cakes, cuppas and Britishness in general in her spoken word show, A British Tea Break (5 May). There’s a turn from Ollie Smith in Cat in Hell too, which touts itself as a ‘nightmarish dismemberment of escapology acts, circus sideshows, Vegasstyle cabaret – and a black-humoured meditation on loneliness and control’. Also in the UNFINISHED strand is a show from

performance art duo Hunt and Darton, and Am I Pretty/Ugly from Louise Orwin, which asks the following: if YouTube is a mirror of our society, what is being reflected? Beginning on the Saturday evening is UNLEASHED, which presents five performances that are never fully finished, or are partially improvised or in some way unplanned. So, expect the unexpected from the likes of Tim Spooner and performance company GETINTHEBACKOFTHEVAN. The final strand, UNREALISED, invites you to gain an insight into the creative process. The foyer will be overflowing with pages of notebooks, filled with ideas from different artists – who will then pitch their idea to both you, the audience, and the team at Cambridge Junction – which will be looking to commission full performances of their favourite ideas. junction.co.uk

Cambridge Edition | May 2013 | 15

ARTS & CULTURE

THE CULTURED RAINFOREST

A Streetcar Named Desire – playing at the ADC this month

THEATRE HIGHLIGHTS May is the month for culture vultures in Cambridge, with the Richard Alston Dance Company and the English Touring Opera (ETO) taking over the Cambridge Arts Theatre. Richard Alston is possibly the most notable choreographer today, his work characterised by its humour as much as its dynamism and style. This mixed bill includes Unfinished Business, a beautiful dance to Mozart’s unfinished piano sonata, Opus K533; the quiet, tender Lachrymae, set to the music of Benjamin Britten; concluding with The Devil in the Detail, which sees him at his frivolous best (13-14 May, 7.45pm, £15/£20/£25). The ETO return with three more lavish, visually stunning and vocally proficient performances. On 21 May, see Donizetti’s The Siege of Calais; the swashbuckling Simon Boccanegra sails in on 22 to 25, and Mozart’s Così fan tutte (sung in English) reminds us that love will win the day on 23 and 24 May. Get your fill of classic theatre at the ADC, starting with a bold new production of Tennessee Williams’s A Streetcar Named Desire. The harsh lights and multiculturalism of New Orleans is a world away from the memory of plantations and soirées that faded southern belle Blanche DuBois clings onto when she visits her sister and her husband. Beneath her powder and veils Blanche isn’t all she seems – and Stanley’s going to make it his business to find her out (7.45pm and 2.30pm Saturday, until 4 May, £6/£8/£10). Later, The Marlowe Society bring us their 1980s reimagining of Hamlet, which

transports the court of Elsinore to Cold War Russia, where one young woman discovers that the most dangerous revolutions start at home (21-25 May, 7.45pm, 2.30pm Saturday, £6/£8/£10). And at the Corpus Playroom, one student actor takes on Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, narrating the epic colonial tale as Marlow, an English sailor given the task of making contact with an elusive ivory trader (21-25 May, 7pm, £5/£6). Painter, sculptor, inventor, architect… Michelangelo was the ultimate Renaissance man and his genius forms the subject of a performance at the Mumford Theatre on 7 May. Michelangelo Drawing Blood sees three performers expose the twists and turns of the artist’s life, accompanied by music performed on traditional 16th century instruments (7.30pm, pre-show talk at 6.30pm in the Lord Ashcroft Building. Tickets £5/£8.50/£10/£12.50).

This month in Cambridge, be transported to the exotic, mysterious world of the rainforest with an exhibition in the South Lecture Room, part of the university’s Department of Archeology. The eyeopening exhibition is running until 1 June. The Cultured Rainforest challenges the notion that rainforests are the last virgin landscapes of the world. It shows that these supposed natural wildernesses have in fact been shaped by humans for thousands of years. A team of archaeologists, anthropologists and historical ecologists conducted research in the Kelabit highlands of Borneo between 2007 and 2010 to study how people have transformed rainforests and vice versa by working closely with local Kelabit and Penan people. The exhibition brings their research to the public, telling the 50,000-yearold history of those who have called these rainforests home. On display will be photographs and panoramas of the lush landscapes, a reconstruction of a Kelabit hearth (around which domestic life revolves), and it will draw from the rich collections of the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, including objects collected by British colonial ethnologist Charles Hose over a century ago.culturedrainforest.com

Richard Alston Dance dances into the Arts Theatre

16 | Cambridge Edition | May 2013

ARTS & CULTURE

ARTIQUE

Ben Deakin; Hibernator, oil on canvas, 2012 – on the Marmite Prize for Painting shortlist

MARMITE PRIZE FOR PAINTING The purpose of art is to evoke a reaction – whether positive or negative is down to whoever’s looking on. The fourth Marmite Prize for Painting exhibition is currently showing at Anglia Ruskin University as part of a national tour after being unveiled at the Mackintosh Museum in Glasgow. It’s proof that the same painting can be loved by someone and hated by someone else and features a rich mix of styles and themes. The exhibition, at the Ruskin Gallery on Anglia Ruskin’s East Road campus, will feature 32 works shortlisted from almost 850

entries. A representative from each of the ﬁve galleries on the tour took part in a speciﬁc selection process, along with Marcus Cope and Stephanie Moran, the Marmite Prize curators. The winner will receive a specially commissioned ‘Marmite’ artwork made and donated by distinguished sculptor Richard Wentworth. The Marmite Prize exhibition opened on 12 April and runs until Thursday 9 May (10am-4.30pm, Monday to Saturday). Entry is free. anglia.ac.uk /ruskin

Chris and Steve Rocks, twins from Newcastle upon Tyne, represent a unique phenomenon in the art world – and they’re going to be showcasing a special selection of hitherto unseen paintings at Bridge Street’s Artique Gallery on 1 June. Every composition is a true collaboration between the brothers, in both technique and approach. It is quite remarkable that their inspiration and interpretation is so ﬁnely attuned to one another. When they ﬁrst decided to use their combined energy and creativity to produce a painting, it was simply an experiment for them, but both found it to be an amazingly liberating experience to work on their art together. The twins’ high-impact abstracts are inspired by the overwhelming power of nature. While exploring the effects of light on land, sky and water, Chris and Steve aim to capture a moment in time, a unique and therefore unrepeatable experience. Winners of the prestigious Fine Art Trade Guild Award for Best Upcoming Artist, their joint artistic enterprise has resulted in hugely successful exhibitions in prestigious galleries all over the country. artiquegalleries.com

Cambridge Edition | May 2013 | 17

ARTS & CULTURE

THE T ARTS INSIDER May is just marvellous, when you start to get a real taste of summer with longer days and bank holiday weekends galore. Perfect for exploring Cambridge’s many gardens, parks and gorgeous green spaces that really ﬂourish into bloom at this time of year. Take time out with friends and family with the hip Cambridge Sculpture Trails app (www. cambridgesculpturetrails.co.uk) to discover hidden treasures by, among others, Henry Moore and Anthony Gormley. Or trawl the city’s cafés for coffee – but dip in to see shows at the likes of Changing Spaces’ popup gallery on King Street, too – perfect for sauntering into on a sunny (or cold!) day. It’s buggy friendly, so you can bring the baby too. It’s also (deep breath) the start of wedding season... I’ve never really got the whole wedding industry thing, but embrace the art of vintage, add a bit of imagination and the whole process is ripe with creative possibility. Source your wedding pressies from independent galleries and shops in the city – Cambridge Contemporary Crafts, tucked away on Bene’t Street, is a treasure trove. I also love Urban Larder’s little gift shop on Mill Road – founder Polly (who cut her teeth as a designer-maker at London’s Cockpit Arts) not only serves up amazing food, she also cherrypicks beautiful creations by local artists. Why not wow everyone with a haute couture hat? For understated elegance and glamour try milliner Karen Lewis (www. designsbykarenlewis.com), or for headturning ﬂamboyance, Daniel Pilecki – featured in Hello! magazine in January this year (www.titfertatdesigns.co.uk). Both are based upstairs in the Art Salon and make exquisite creations which are snapped up by Ascot lovers and brides alike. Daniel also makes gorgeous bespoke headpieces for £45 a head at private parties – perfect for hens! Another popular hen trend (apart from all the bubbly) is to hire a male life drawing model for parties – so check out Neil Christie’s classes at the Makers’ Gallery as a test run – they’re often packed. Cambridgebased artist Josie Camus also does fantastic caricatures and is a real hit. If you’re helping to put together that big day and going bananas with all the pressure, then make sure your friend is worth the time. Check out Purge, 8 May at the Junction – a zeitgeist take on what happened when artist Brian Lobel decided to ask the public to

Hunt and Dart on

Urban Larder gift shop

SStrawberry Stra St t rarawb wbber erry ryy SShorts h o rtrt s ho hort

Kare n Lewis 800 vote which friends to delete on hi his 800strong Facebook friend list (live streamed, with real ‘friends’). Admit it, we’ve all been there – this is just way more public. Also at the Junction for the first bank holiday weekend in May is SAMPLED, a festival of contemporary performance, from live art and spoken word to circus. For a snapshot into the hours and hours of processing, inventing (and playing) that goes into any final creative work, go check out the likes of Hollie McNish (whose fans include Benjamin Zephania), Hunt and Darton and over 30 other artists sharing fresh ideas that are ‘unfinished, unleashed and unrealised’. We have Strawberry Shorts, an uncut selection of the films curated for Strawberry

It’s the start of wedding season... Source your pressies from independent galleries and shops in the city 18 | Cambridge Edition | May 2013

F i festival Fair f ti l here h att th the A Art rtt S Salon l for f the th ﬁrst two weeks of May (nearly festival time – hurrah!). For screenings check www. cambridgeartsalon.org.uk for details. I’m also dead excited to see Diana Probst’s second solo show at the Art Salon, Highlights of Cambridge, who’s known in our studios for her acerbic wit, ability to swear and a ‘no-nonsense’ approach to art, running from 16 until 22 May. Finally, relax into the late May bank holiday weekend at the Art Salon, with a vibrant show from Cambridge-based artist Gideon Pain – Moving On inspired by the daily commute from Cambridge to London – the ‘rich theatre of rail travel’. Yes, even while dozing on the train quietly to yourself in the morning, you could be inspiring an artist to paint! Inspiration really can be found everywhere. Enjoy those long weekends.

FAMILY

FAMILY DISCOVER THE PAST! Have you ever found an unusual or interesting looking rock or bone in your garden? Or maybe discovered a fossil on the beach? The folk at the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences in Cambridge will identify any rock, mineral or fossil specimen for you, free of charge. If it looks really interesting, they might keep it for a couple of days to identify it properly, but they’ll get back in touch and let you know once they’ve found out what it is and where it came from. You never know who or what used to live on your street or in your backyard: last year, the museum identiﬁed the caudal vertebrae (tail bone) of a dinosaur, a rare example of a lobster tail and a trilobite forgery – which had two heads! www.sedgwickmuseum.org

WANDLEBURY

Countryy Park

May is the month to get outdoors, and there’s lots going on at Wandlebury Country Park to keep you entertained. On 5 May, take your little ones along to the Activity Taster Day, where the Education Team will have them pond dipping, owl pellet dissecting and orienteering to their heart’s content. Then, on 11 May, join in the day-long May Celebration and Tree Festival at the Stable Rooms, featuring traditional activities and crafts. Bring a picnic and dress as a Green Man or a May Queen if you like. Wandlebury is also running half-term activities including nature discovery and play for under 5s on 28 May and an Iron Age Celts day on 29 May, where you’ll discover what life was like here for Iron Age settlers. Check out other child-friendly events on their website. www.cambridgeppf.org

TREASURE TRAIL: Old Cambridge Part 2

Get to know Cambridge in a whole new way with this family treasure hunt. It’s a great way to learn fascinating facts about the city and will take you on an intriguing journey through winding streets whilst you solve clues and spot hidden landmarks. Once ﬁnished, you can enter your answers online for a chance to win a prize. The Old Cambridge Part 2 trail starts at Lammas Land and takes you across Coe Fen into the south-west part of the city. It’s around two miles long and can be completed in your own time – just download the map from their website. www.treasuretrails.co.uk

HOLIDAY

SUNDAY

Instead of being stuck with a house full of kids for a week, let Cambridge Cookery School take them off your hands for a while during half term – and teach them something useful to boot. The popular cookery school, based in a shiny modern kitchen at Homerton Business Centre, is running Baking Sessions on 29 May for 7-12 year olds in the morning and teens in the afternoon (so they can have a sleep in), which teach the basics in s-on baking. The classes are hands-on with all ingredients provided,, and they can take home what at they make at the end. Prices are £40 per child. The morning class starts at 10am; the teenagers afternoon session kicks off at 1.30pm. www.cambridgecookery school.com

Make Sundays about family time and take your little ones along to Cambridge Central Library for a celebration of books, crafts and stories. Every Sunday, the library holds a story time event for parents and children from 18 months to ﬁve years. It runs for half an hour from 3pm, and includes a colouring or craft activity and a chance to snuggle up and listen to a selection of stories. It’s free and there’s no need to book. boo For more info, contact 0345 04 045 5225. www.cambridgeshire.net www

Baking Sessions

Story Time

THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s award-winning sequel to the hugely popular children’s story arrives in town this month. Cambridge Arts Theatre turns into a wintry forest as the Gruffalo’s daughter ignores her father’s warnings – after all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist… does he? Described as ‘fun, daft and a little scary’, The Gruffalo’s Child is suitable for ages three and up and features some great musical numbers. It runs from 15-19 May, all tickets £12.50. www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

Cambridge Edition | May 2013 | 21

COMPETITION

WIN!

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worth over £300!

We're giving away indulgent stay at the Cambridge City Hotel

ancy being treated to a mini-break right here on your doorstep? You could be in luck, because this month, Cambridge Edition has teamed up with the four star Cambridge City Hotel to offer one lucky reader a luxury city centre stay for two. Situated on Downing Street, the hotel boasts a fantastic central location and offers the perfect base from which to explore Cambridge in all its glory. Here, you’re surrounded by the city’s oldest, most beautiful colleges and cultural hot spots, plus

fantastic shops, cafés and restaurants. Worth h over £300, this prize package has everything g covered. As well as an overnight stay in one of the hotel’s spacious, contemporary d rooms (breakfast included), you’ll be treated to a bottle of champagne on arrival, plus a three-course dinner for two with wine at the Bloomsbury restaurant, which specialises in fresh, seasonal food with a traditionally British ﬂavour. You’ll also have use of the ﬁtness suite if you fancy a workout. For details on how to enter, head over to our website at www.cambsedition.co.uk

Cambridge City Hotel, Downing St, Cambridge CB2 3DT, 01223 464491, www.cambridgecityhotel.co.uk

22 | Cambridge Edition | May 2013

LISTINGS

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

SPRING CAR SHOW

Time: 10am-6pm Location: IWM Duxford Price: Normal admission Description: The airﬁeld will be awash with classic cars at the Spring Car Show. Come and chat to the owners and marvel at their ﬁne four-fendered friends at what should be a fantastic day out for the family. iwm.org.uk

MAY

30 April - 4 May

1-2 May

WAY BACK Time: 9.30pm Location: Corpus Playroom Price: £5/£6 Description: Beachy Head is the third most popular suicide spot in the UK, and Carol has her work cut out when it comes to saving people from the brink. Sometimes, it even means going above and beyond the call of duty in this daring comedy. corpusplayroom.com

TEECHERS Time: 7.30pm Location: Mumford Theatre Price: £8.50/£10/£12.50 Description: In this fast-moving comedy, three Year 11s put on a play which sketches their teacher’s progress through two terms of unruly classes, cynical colleagues and grouchy caretakers. anglia.ac.uk/mumfordtheatre

1 May

THE GOLDEN FLEECE Time: 11pm Location: ADC Theatre Price: £4/£5/£6 Description: Glory. Obsession. Sheep. This comedy takes us to rural New Zealand, where rubbish farmer Murray is hoping to win the Golden Fleece award. A goal which suddenly looks achievable when Murray’s nephew from Auckland arrives… adctheatre.com

MAY DAY MORRIS DANCING Time: 5.30am Location: Wandlebury Country Park Price: Free Description: Watch the Devil’s Dyke Morris Men carry on the tradition of dancing to greet the summer sun as it rises above the trees at Wandlebury. cambridgeppf.org

1 May THE WEDNESDAY SESSIONS Time: 8.30-11pm Location: The Boathouse Price: Free Description: One of Cambridge’s most popular riverside pubs, The Boathouse is a great place to head to if you're looking for a relaxed evening of live music. Each week, it holds the Wednesday Sessions, which see varied acts from the worlds of pop, rock and blues play mixed sets. lemonrock.com/boathouse 24 | Cambridge Edition | May 2013

1-4 May

1-4 May I WAS A RAT! Time: 7pm (plus matinees) Location: Cambridge Arts Theatre Price: £15/£12.50 children Description: This modern Cinderella story follows pageboy Roger, who turns up on the doorstep of a middleaged couple, claiming he once was a rat. Expect colourful characters, elaborate costumes and a sinister edge but a big heart. cambridgeartstheatre.com

5 May

7 May

CAMBRIDGE MODERN JAZZ Time: 7pm doors Location: The Hidden Rooms Price: £8/£10 Description: The Alex Hutton trio perform as part of the Cambridge Modern Jazz Club this month. Hutton is one of today’s leading young pianists, and his original compositions move away from convention and experiment with a broader spectrum of sounds. cambridgejazz.org

P-IAN-O Time: 8pm-9.30pm Location: The Geldart Price: Free entry Description: Boogie-woogie piano music will be drifting from The Geldart as p-IAN-o plays his diverse repertoire of classic tunes and popular numbers, for a laidback, relaxing night of music. the-geldart.co.uk

6 May

SURGEONS: A FARCE Time: 9.30pm Location: Corpus Playroom Price: £5/£6 Description: An original comic play, Surgeons is set in the staff room of a failing hospital during an inspection. With some black comedy and farce, it's Peep Show meets the Carry On ﬁlms. corpusplayroom.com

CITY OF LONDON SINFONIA Time: 7.30pm Location: Ely Cathedral Price: £10-£25 Description: City of London Sinfonia perform their Fauré Requiem Tour Concert. The Requiem celebrates the beauty of our churches and cathedrals, so it’s a very ﬁtting location. elycathedral.org

7-11 May

THE NOISE NEXT DOOR Time: 8pm Location: Cambridge Junction Price: £8/£10/£12 Description: Join the chaotic comedy troupe on their ﬁrst UK tour at Cambridge Junction’s J2.

As improv specialists, they’ll be relying on the audience to supply weird and wonderful suggestions which they’ll turn into a hilarious ‘anything could happen’ show. junction.co.uk

11 MAY

7 May

8 May

BLAST FROM THE PAST Time: 11pm Location: ADC Price: £5/£6 Description: The CU Show Choir present an all-new selection of hits from across the ages, including showstoppers from Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Madonna and more. Prepare for harmonies and great choreography galore! adctheatre.com

CRIMECRACKERS Time: 6pm Location: Heffers Bookshop Price: Free Description: The Crimecrackers reading group meet on the second Wednesday of every month and this month they’ll be discussing Anthony Horowitz’s new Sherlock Holmes novel, The House of Silk. To join, contact Richard on 01223 463223. blackwell.co.uk

LISTINGS

IMAGES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: IM

Ely Cathedral welcomes the City of London Sinfonia on 6 May, modern Irish dance makes its way to the Corn Exchange on m 13 May with Footstorm, and Lucy Rose pays the Cambridge Junction a visit on 15 May Ju

10 May SHAOLIN WARRIORS Time: 7.30pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £10-£21.50 Description: The internationally acclaimed kung fu artists bring us their new show, Return of the Master, a vivid display of strength and skill featuring 22 trained masters of the art. cornex.co.uk

13 May FOOTSTORM Time: 7.30pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £17.50/£25/£35 Description: Prepare to encounter a new style of Irish dance, which fuses powerful, modern performance styles with traditional music. It’s led by Alan Keneﬁck, dubbed the Michael Flatley of his generation. cornex.co.uk

13 May LORD HURON Time: 8pm Location: Cambridge Junction Price: £8 adv Description: American musical and visual project, Lord Huron takes to the J2 stage to showcase the Lonesome Dreams album. The brainchild of Ben Schneider, Lord Huron started out as a solo project with songs inspired by Lake Huron, but since 2011, has been touring as band, with Schneider joined by four other musicians. junction.co.uk

LUCY ROSE

15 MAY

Time: 7pm Location: Cambridge Junction Price: £12 Description: Singer-songwriter Lucy Rose is shaping up to be quite a talent, with her music videos mostly tipping one million viewers. She’s toured with Noah and the Whale and Bombay Bicycle Club, and her debut album is entitled Like I Used To. She’ll be visiting J1. junction.co.uk

ELIZA CARTHY & JIM MORAY

MAY

T Time: 7.30pm Location: Corn Exchange L Price: £20 P Description: Two great ﬁgures from English D ffolk unite for a double bill. Each has an aanniversary to celebrate: Carthy has been ttouring 21 years and Moray for 10, and tthey’re marking their milestones with a one-off tour cornex.co.uk o

14-16 May

17 May

A PINT OF SCIENCE Time: 8pm Location: Portland Arms, Price: Free Description: Science is coming to the pub in this three-day festival, where speakers from Cambridge University will chat about everything from brains and madness to love and sex. pintofscience.com

MOSCOW STATE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Time: 7.30pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £12.50-£34 Description: Opening with ‘Introduction’ and ‘Three Miracles’ from RimskyKorsakov’s Tsar Sultan Suite, this promises to be an evening of music on a grand scale, starring one of the brightest pianists to emerge from Russia in recent years, Ksenia Kogan. cornex.co.uk

14-18 May NINE Time: 7.45pm Location: ADC Theatre Price: £8/£10/£12 Description: It’s less than a week before cameras are due to roll on Guido’s new ﬁlm, but he hasn’t even written the script yet. Wildly searching for ideas, he turns to the nine women in his life for some inspiration. Set in 60s Rome, Nine touches on passion, sorrow and romance. adctheatre.com

16 & 19 May SEAN LOCK Time: 8pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £21 Description: Expert satirist Sean Lock is with us for two nights this month, performing his stand-up routine that takes a look, not at the white van man’s, but the purple man’s view of the world. cornex.co.uk

26 & 27 May ANTIQUES FAIR Time: 10am-4pm Location: Burgess Hall, St Ives Price: £2 Description: Have a rootle around the jewellery, furniture, silver and antiques stalls at this large local fair. Food and drink will also be served throughout the day. huntingdonshire.gov.uk DOG SHOW Time: 9am-5pm Location: Wood Green, Godmanchester MAY Price: £2 Description: 2013 is the East Anglian Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club’s Ruby Anniversary, and to celebrate they’re holding a dog show at Wood Green. A day’s worth of events is in store, and judging starts at 10am. woodgreen.org.uk

19 May

30 May

THE SUNDAY KITCHEN Time: 10.30am Location: The English Vodka Company, Dullingham Price: £43.50 Description: Spice up your food with a shot of vodka with the help of local distillery English Vodka Company. There will be tasters, demos and adventurous recipe ideas aplenty. cambridgefoodtour.com

THE JAM CLUB Time: 9pm-1am Location: La Raza Price: £3 Description: If you’re looking for fellow jazz and funk musicians to jam with, get down to La Raza on the last Thursday of each month. It’s a relaxed and fun evening of great music, and drinks are cheap. laraza.co.uk

22 May LADIES DAY Time: 2.10pm (gates open 12.10pm) Location: Huntingdon Racecourse Price: £10-£26 Description: As well as lots of glamorous outﬁts and the chance to have a ﬂutter, there’ll be stands, spa treatments and musical entertainment to enjoy at this popular event. huntingdonracecourse.co.uk

31 May CAMBRIDGESHIRE GARDEN SHOW Time: 9.30am-5pm Location: Wood Green, Godmanchester Price: £5 adult Description: Discover a world of horticultural excellence as an assortment of nurseries, plantsmen and garden companies exhibit their collections in a stunning visual display of plants and ﬂowers. woodgreen.org.uk Cambridge Edition | May 2013 | 25

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GROUP SPOTLIGHT PROFIL LE

GROUP SPOTLIGHT

CAMBRIDGE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE This month, month Edition catches up with local group Cambridge Past, Past Present and Future, the volunteers working hard to keep Cambridge unique ach of us who lives in or visits Cambridge on a regular basis has parts of the city we particularly love, whether it’s the market, the churches, the Backs, or a favourite college or street. Cambridge has a unique feel – something to do with its history, glorious buildings and the fact that you’re never more than ﬁve minutes away from a green space. Fortunately for us, an enthusiastic team of volunteers is working behind the scenes to keep Cambridge a place people will continue to love, into the next generation and beyond. Cambridge Past, Present and Future (CPPF) has been working since 1928 on conservation and education projects in the city and beyond. They’ve also rescued a few pubs in their time (The Penny Ferry being a recent success story), lobbying and campaigning with Cambridge Campaign For Real Ale and others to keep Cambridge’s pub scene unique. Wandlebury Country Park is another of their projects. “Cambridge is somewhere I’ve always loved,” says Mary Nealon, head of development at CPPF, which has its offices in the beautiful central building at Wandlebury. “I grew up on the Suffolk/Essex border and have lots of family connections with Cambridge – not least that my parents got engaged here! So it always has a special place in my heart. “I’ve worked here for four years,” she continues, “which was when we relaunched the charity as Cambridge Past, Present and Future. We were originally the Cambridge Preservation Society and have been around since 1928, so we’re celebrating our 85th anniversary this year. “We have about 1,800 members at the moment, but we’re always looking for new members and people who

can help. It’s not expensive to become a member: £25 for the year, and that gets you into Wandlebury for free all year round and into our countryside reserve at Coton. “We also look after a number of historic buildings that we open to the public, including the Leper Chapel on Newmarket Road which, as one of the oldest complete buildings in Cambridge, is a bit of a hidden gem. And by being a member, you know that you’re supporting the work we do to look after the green areas and historic spaces around Cambridge. “We also run outdoor environmental educational programmes for schools, so there are lots of people from different generations getting involved.” With the city experiencing a development boom in recent years, CPPF has also been keeping an eye on these new projects in the hope of helping them keep in line somewhat with Cambridge’s character and needs. “I think we all need to make sure that Cambridge isn’t overly developed – obviously there are pressures to expand the city, but we need to give thought to where these developments are taking place. As an organisation, we’re keen to make sure the developments are appropriate for the city, that there are still green spaces and that things like transport links are considered.” They have a history of success, as Mary explains: “One of the things we’re really proud of is work we did to help prevent development on Grantchester Meadows. It’s such a lovely space to walk in, and our early forefathers helped to make sure that was secured. We also secured Wandlebury Country Park in the 1950s as a place that everyone could use. “More recently, we’ve funded a project to develop orchards in Coton Countryside Reserve, which was originally an orchard, but over the last 20 to 30 years the orchards disappeared. Now it’s both a farmed area and somewhere people can come and visit to enjoy the countryside, which has lots of beneﬁts for the community. But we still have aspirations to do more!”

There are details of their other projects, plus information on how to join on the CPPF website www.cambridgeppf.org

Cambridge Edition | May 2013 | 29

NEWS

Independent of the Month

NORFOLK STREET BAKERY This month Jennifer Shelton visits Norfolk Street’s bright and bustling little bakery that has locals raving

hen you’re wobbling through the streets of Cambridge from the pub at 2am on a Friday night, spare a thought for Adilia Frazao, owner of the Norfolk Street Bakery. Her day begins as many of ours are just ending, when she opens up the bakery at the back of the shop (she lives in the flat above) and sets about making her sought-after cakes and artisan loaves for the day ahead. But it’s no chore: Adilia is truly passionate about baking, and has been since her childhood days in Portugal. Today, her family inspired recipes bring an authentic slice of the Med to this peaceful corner of Cambridge. There’s been a bakery at 89 Norfolk Street for over 100 years, and Adilia is proud to be adding to Norfolk Street’s legacy of bakers. It opened under her name last September after she and an architect friend had worked all summer, turning what was a damp, neglected building into the bright, inviting establishment we see today. “I’ve got a copy of the first lease from 1868,” she tells me when I pop my head in for a chat (and one of her famous custard tarts) on a bright spring morning. “A lady from Bristol wrote saying that her great grandfather used to own it back then. She asked if she could come to visit and gave us a copy of what we think is the first lease. About 20 years ago, it was run by two brothers who made really traditional loaves, and now I’ve brought my own twist.”

Born and raised in rural Portugal, Adilia completed her hospitality and management degree there in 2005 before making the leap and moving to London. “My English was very bad,” she grins, “and I knew I had to learn English to work in the industry, so I came to England to learn. “I’d always wanted to be a chef… I started baking when I was about nine or ten. I come from a tiny village where everyone bakes on Saturdays, and I was shown how to do it by my grandmother. We’d use a really big oven and it was quite a difficult job. It was hard for her because she was quite old, so we used to make it together, with her doing the easier bits and me ﬁnishing up.” Adilia’s delicious offerings include breads, cakes and the ever-popular pasties de nata (Portuguese custard tarts), all of which have been enthusiastically embraced by local residents. “The custard tarts are very popular,” she says, “and the brownies – though I think that’s an English thing. We do great sourdoughs, made with just water, organic ﬂour and salt, and this one,” she points to a basket full of rugged-looking loaves, “is a special Portuguese bread. I try to change things seasonally too, so at Christmas I’ll use more spices and now, for spring, I’m using more fruit. Later, I’ll make up some nice rolls for the barbecue season.”

After a few years of working in kitchens in London, Adilia set about looking for a venue where she could start up on her own – discovering the quaint Norfolk Street premises on the Internet. “Cambridge seemed a bit small, but when I came here I fell in love with the area completely,” she says. “People in Cambridge appreciate good cooking. I think they’re happy to buy a loaf of bread now and again which is a bit more expensive, but is fresh and organic and made locally. That’s really important to us: we get our eggs from a local farm and always try to ﬁnd the best ingredients on the market.” Summing up what Norfolk Street Bakery’s about, she says: “It’s a mix of my recipes and traditional English staples, all baked fresh on-site. This year has been about gaining experience and learning about the area, but I’m thinking of opening somewhere in the centre – probably a shop selling our cakes and breads.” Judging by its tremendous success so far, tucked away as it is on a quiet, residential street, I’d say a city centre outlet would be a deﬁnite winner. Best start queuing now. Adilia’s Norfolk Street Bakery, 89 Norfolk Street, Cambridge CB1 2LD, 01223 660163 Independent of the Month in association with...

leave as usual this month

Cambridge Edition | May 2013 | 31

PUB GUIDE

THE

CAMBRIDGE

PU B GU I DE selection of great We’re lucky to have a huge gourmet gastro pubs on our doorstep. From uses, there’s joints to traditional ale ho ere are some of something for all tastes. H best of the bunch

Best for… real ale THE KINGSTON ARMS There are a lot of people in Cambridge who call the Kingston their favourite pub, and for good reason. It’s always buzzing with a varied crowd, there’s lovely pub grub, a nice little garden and a stack of board games to keep you busy. In fact, it’s so popular with locals that you often need to book a table to enjoy the home-cooked food and real ale selection here. If you too fall in love with the Kingston, then luckily they have a choice of recession ales from £1.90 a pint and a recession food menu too, with dishes from £4.99 to keep things easy on the wallet. 33 Kingston Street, CB1 2NU 01223 319414, 414, kingston-arms.co.uk kingston-ar

THE CAMBRIDGE BLUE A proper local institution, it’s not hard to see why people from across the city and beyond make the pilgrimage to this pub. There’s a beer garden (with a heated marquee in winter), as well as an ever-changing array of ales and over 100 bottled beers from all over the globe. Local couple Jethro and Terri run the pub, and the pair have also just taken over the old Longbow in Stapleford, now re-named The Three Horseshoes. 85-87 Gwydir Street, CB1 2LG, 01223 471680 the-cambridgeblue.co.uk

THE BREW HOUSE

THE MILL

It’s only been open a couple of months, but the Brew House (formerly the Bun Shop) on King Street has already become something of a favourite. It’s décor is seriously cool, with mismatched furniture and a sort of industrial meets vintage vibe, and it delivers on all counts, with great ale and fabulous food too. We recommend a pint of King’s Parade bitter or Misty River pale ale, which is made on site by head brewer, James at the pub’s very own microbrewery. The equally funky Locker Room upstairs is ideal for watching a bit of sport with a pint and a bite to eat, plus there’s an outside terrace for sunny days too. 1 King Street, CB1 1LH, 01223 855185 thecambridgebrewhouse.com

Situated right on the River Cam just beside the Mill Pond, locations for a great boozer don’t come much better than this. It’s recently enjoyed a revamp inside but has retained its charmingly traditional feel. The ever-changing menu always includes plenty of hearty homemade grub, with current dishes including Cumberland sausage and mash and beer battered haddock with hand-cut chips. The pub boasts eight hand-pulled ales, one of which will always be from within 20 miles – part of the CAMRA’S LocAle campaign. Local favourites Milton Brewery, Fellows and Moonshine all supply the pub so you’re guaranteed to get a good ‘un. 14 Mill Lane, CB2 1RX, 01223 311829 themillpubcambridge.co.uk

Cambridge Edition | May 2013 | 33

PUB GUIDE

Best for… great food

THE PUNTER The £5 weekday lunch at The Punter is pretty much a Cambridge institution nowadays – and for good reason. Head chef Ben Pope presents a menu jammed with tempting seasonal options. Dishes are simple but well executed; think Nigel Slater’s simple style crossed with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s ﬂair. It’s that good. There’s a laid-back atmosphere and a pleasant outside area for an alfresco pint as well. 3 Pound d Hill, CB3 0AE, 01223 363322, thepuntercambridge.com

THE TICKELL ARMS This blue wonder in the peaceful village of Whittlesford is finally back to its former glory, under the care of the CambsCuisine group, who have introduced a great seasonal menu that changes focus every two months. Recent dishes include Braised Beef Cheek & Oyster Tempura and Slow Roasted Pork Belly, served with Apple & Black Pudding Tart and Cauliflower Purée. The décor is gorgeous too, and the large garden and selection of fine wines secure its position as a must-visit out of town pub. 1 North Road, Whittlesford CB22 4NZ 01223 833025, cambscuisine.com

THREE HORSESHOES AT MADINGLEY Few local chefs know how to whip up a menu like Richard Stokes at The Three Horseshoes. His inﬂuences range from The River Café in London to Momofuku in New York so you are always guaranteed a gastro feast. This pub has a reputation for ﬁne dining and quite right too, but it also serves a lighter menu for lunches or a relaxed evening meal in the bar or large suntrap of a garden. The High Street, Madingley CB23 8AB, 01954 210221 threehorseshoesmadingley.co.uk g y

THE WILLOW TREE Take our word for it: this delightful village pub in Bourn is something rather special. As well as being ever so tastefully decorated in a manner worthy of the most aspirational homes and gardens magazine, the food is superb. Head chef Craig Galvin-Scott is constantly evolving his seasonal menus and works up a daily specials board to make you salivate. So highly regarded is the food, in fact, that it was recommended by The Michelin Pub Guide 2013, and they endeavour to keep the dishes as fresh and local as possible, using producers such as Burwash Manor, Wimpole Hall Farm, South Farm, Tilbury Meadows and the Stickleback Fish Company. 29 High Street, Bourn CB23 2SQ, 01954 719775, thewillowtreebourn.com

34 | Cambridge Edition | May 2013

PUB GUIDE

Best… out of town pubs THE RED COW AT CHRISHALL

HOLE IN THE WALL Former Masterchef finalist Alex Rushmer and fellow chef Ben Maude have taken this spot in Little Wilbraham to a whole new level of food glory over the past couple of years. Yes, it might be a bit out of the way for many, but it’s definitely worth the trip. We’re not the only ones who think so either: the pair picked up two nods in the Observer Food Monthly magazine’s 2012 Awards (runners-up in both the Best Sunday Lunch and Best Restaurant in the UK categories). Dishes reflect the changing seasons and the packed menu is bursting with delicious dishes prepared with local produce. Primrose Farm Road, Little Wilbraham CB21 5JY, 01223 812282 holeinthewallcambridge.com

This rural gem, which was recently awarded the Les Routiers Pub of the Year Award, caters for all the family. There's a high-end à la carte offering, lighter bar menu and even a Chrishall afternoon tea. There is also a menu for youngsters; just £4.95 for a main, dessert and activity pack to keep them entertained. Wednesday night is steak night, Thursdays are for pie lovers and the ﬁrst Sunday of every month sees the pub’s very own quiz night, the Moo-niversity Challenge. 11 High Street, Chrishall, Royston SG8 8RN, 01763 838792, theredcow.com

THE GREEN MAN AT GRANTCHESTER Sat in pride of place in the heart of gorgeous Grantchester, and with a beer garden that leads right onto the glorious meadows, The Green Man is a village pub to be reckoned with. The food is top notch, with pub classics given a modern twist. Their slow roast venison loin with venison shin hotpot sounds divine, as does the steak, oyster and stout suet pudding. They also have six hand-pulled beers and ciders to choose from. 59 High Street, Grantchester CB3 9NF, 01223 844669 thegreenmangrantchester.co.uk

THE CROWN AND PUNCHBOWL This restaurant with rooms boasts a fine, locally sourced menu and five cosy chambers to stay in. It has recently been taken over by a group of chaps who seriously know their stuff so if you haven’t visited for a while, then might we recommend you do so now. Chef Paul Curry has devised a menu that mixes classics, such as fish and chips and sausage and mash, with fillet steaks, venison and belly of pork. You can also join their loyalty scheme for £25 a year and enjoy ten per cent off every food bill. High Street, Horningsea CB25 9JG, 01223 860643 thecrownandpunchbowl.com

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Image courtesy of Thomas Skovsende

PUB GUIDE

Best… city centre pubs THE PICKEREL INN

THE MAYPOLE

THE EAGLE

The Pickerel has a rather chequered past, having been a brothel, a gin palace and an opium den in its time. While a gin palace sounds rather divine to us, it is now a great pub serving all manner of tipples. It is beer soaked in the best way, with that cosy feeling of nipping out of the bustle of the city streets for a time to enjoy a pint and some traditional grub. Of course, the riverside location also sets you up for a nice meander to work off the grub. 30 Magdalene Street, CB3 0AF, 01223 355068, taylor-walker.co.uk

It’s always nice to support local businesses, so you might be pleased to hear that The Maypole is one of the city centre’s few completely independent free houses. It’s been run by the Castiglione family for over 30 years now and they have a warm welcome, killer cocktails and proper Italian food down to a ﬁne art. There’s also a lovely covered courtyard and the promise of sport for those who want to watch the match. 20a Portugal Place, CB5 8AF, 01223 352999, maypolefreehouse.co.uk

When it comes to pubs with history, it’s hard to beat the Eagle’s boast of being the spot where the secret of life was announced. As well as brainiacs Crick and Watson’s famous DNA discovery speech, the pub is also home to a ceiling full of RAF scribblings and a lovely courtyard garden. But we reckon the very best part is that, situated as it is just around the corner from the market square, it’s one of the most friendly and welcoming pubs around, which the always buzzing courtyard is testament to. 8 Bene’t Street, CB2 3QN 01223 505020, gkpubs.co.uk

THE ALMA With live music on Saturday nights, a quiz every Thursday and all major sports events shown on the big screen, The Alma has all the essential elements of a great pub. It’s nicely positioned in the city centre too and has a selection of great real ales. There's a menu of proper pub food that includes classics like bangers and mash, pies and steaks and there's a weekly 'Ruby Tuesday' curry night on offer as well. 26 Russell Court, CB2 1HW, 01223 316722, thealmacambridge.co.uk

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FOOD

WORDS ALEX RUSHMER

PASTA

LA VISTA

esto was never a quick ﬁx for me in the way it was for my university compatriots. Rowers in particular, who required a near-constant supply of carbohydrates, would tuck into cauldrons of penne pasta covered with nothing more than a jar of supermarket pesto, shovelling the sludgy green mess into their hungry mouths with the same precision, speed and rate as they would heave an oar back and forth through the murky waters of the Cam. Pesto should have an inherent zingy freshness, almost a hint of spice and a bright, chlorophyll colour – all of these are dulled to the point of unpleasantness when it is stored in a jar on a supermarket shelf at ambient temperature for months. The cheesiness becomes overpowering and the sauce takes on a dull fustiness which is just plain unpleasant. Even as a wet behind the ears undergraduate, there was more than a hint as to the fussy sod I would become. Proper pesto on the other hand is a wonderful and balanced composition. A whiff of the exotic from fresh basil leaves; a

Images courtesy of Waitrose

Its subtle yet distinctive flavour makes pesto a colourful and versatile addition to almost any dish. And this delicious sauce has Alex Rushmer under its spell

Pesto should have an inherent zingy freshness, almost a hint of spice and a bright, chlorophyll colour salty richness from finely grated parmesan; peppery spice from good olive oil and a tiny bite of texture from pine nuts or even, as I prefer, almonds, creates a truly harmonious unit. Before accusations of perfectionism fly in my direction I shall state that it needn’t necessarily be home-made – Limoncello, the Italian deli par excellence on Mill Road, makes one of the finest pestos (or should that be pesti?) this side of Genoa with a few excellent variations on the classic recipe, including a paesano pesto which comes with a bonus hit of chilli and a vegan red pepper version sans cheese. However, as a chef, it’s only natural that I find myself heading down the homemade route which is really the only true guarantee of being able to chow it down at its absolute peak of freshness. You can chop everything by hand or pound it down to the correct consistency using a pestle and mortar but a food processor does speed up

the whole affair in a significant way. Once you’ve mastered the basics you can freestyle to your heart’s content, replacing each ingredient with an alternative depending on what you have to hand or what is in season. Pecorino, an Italian ewe’s milk cheese made primarily in Sardinia, is a great alternative to parmesan, and walnuts add a pleasing bitterness. Rocket leaves are a personal favourite and have the added benefit of being considerably cheaper than basil, allowing you to bulk out your yield at little extra cost. For the slightly more adventurous, try using young, fresh nettle tops which are particularly good at this time of year. Blanch the leaves first in boiling water for 90 seconds before shocking in ice cold water to negate their sting. Squeeze out as much water as you can before proceeding in the usual fashion and you should end up with a fresh and grassy version of this stone cold classic sauce.

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EATING IN

WORDS ALEX RUSHMER IMAGES CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS

HEY PEST O

You just can’t beat a good dollop of pesto, this month Alex Rushmer shares his secret recipe...

Basil & rocket pesto FINALLY, AFTER MUCH experimentation, this is the version of pesto that I’ve hit upon as a personal favourite. It’s a little offpiste but all the better for it. The key to tempering the bitterness which can sometimes be present is to only add the olive oil right at the end so the mixture doesn’t bruise in the food processor.

Ingred ients

Step-by-step guide 1. Blitz the almonds in the food processor until they are halfway between chunks and dust – too coarse and they will dominate texturally, too ﬁne and they will thicken the sauce to an unpleasant sludginess.

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2. Add the cheese, rocket, garlic and basil and continue to process until the leaves are ﬁnely chopped. 3. Transfer to a bowl and add enough olive oil to turn it into a sauce. 4. Season with lemon juice, sea salt and pepper and serve straight away.

50g blanched almonds 50g grana padano cheese, ﬁnely grated 1 bunch of basil leaves roughly the same amount of rocket leaves as basil 1 clove of garlic juice of 1 lemon extra virgin olive oil (you’ll know how much) sea salt black pepper

EATING IN

Griddled bream fillet, roasted vegetables & pesto We’ve cooked a version of this dish at The Hole in the Wall ever since we opened. Sometimes we use sea bass but bream is an excellent alternative. It’s the sort of dish that tastes even better outside, preferably within sight of the Italian coastline, but rural East Anglia will just have to do. A griddle pan adds an extra dimension of ﬂavour; a barbecue would be even better but results will be almost as good if cooked in a hot frying pan.

Step-by-step guide 1. Drizzle the tomatoes with olive oil, season with sea salt and roast in a preheated oven at 180°C for ten minutes until they begin to caramelise and break down but not fall apart completely. 2. Sauté the potatoes over a moderate heat in a little plain cooking oil until they begin to colour slightly and crisp up around the edges. Preheat a cast-iron griddle pan over a high heat until it is smoking hot. Rub the skin side of the bream with neutrally ﬂavoured cooking oil and season both sides with a little sea salt. Cook skin side down for three to four minutes until

Serves

Ingredients the skin is crispy and beginning to char in places. Carefully flip over the fish and turn off the heat underneath the pan to allow the fish to cook through – no more than 90 seconds to two minutes. 3. Meanwhile, remove the tomatoes from the vine and stir through the cooked potatoes. Add the pesto and a handful of rocket leaves and you will end up with something resembling a warm salad as the rocket begins to wilt slightly. Spoon this salad mixture onto plates, top with the bream and finally drizzle with a little olive oil.

1 400-500g gilthead bream, ﬁlleted and scaled 300g cooked new potatoes, halved or diced 10 cherry tomatoes on the vine 2tbsps basil & rocket pesto handful of rocket leaves olive oil sea salt cooking oil

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FOOD

F OOD NEWS A monthly round-up of gastronomic goings-on in Cambridge and the surrounding area

Asparagus Feast

The Green Man Thriplow Open MasterChef ﬁnalist Alex Rushmer and fellow chef Ben Maude have opened The Green Man – a pub restaurant in the picturesque village of Thriplow in South Cambridgeshire. The pair will be hoping to replicate the considerable success of their ﬁrst venture, The Hole in the Wall in Little Wilbraham. “Alex and I are thrilled to be opening The Green Man in Thriplow,” says Ben. “We hope that by providing fresh, seasonal food along with carefully sourced and properly kept beers, we can help secure the future of this historic pub in a wonderful village.” The Green Man was saved from development by a group of passionate

Thriplites who clubbed together and bought it in 2012. They auditioned for chefs to run the kitchen – and Alex and Ben made the grade. Kevin Clarke, Thriplow resident and member of the company set up to own the property, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Ben and Alex and are excited at the prospects for the pub. All the hard work and money invested so far is testament to how important local people think a village pub is in Thriplow.” The Green Man opened its doors last month and is now serving lunches and evening meals. To reserve a table, phone The Green Man on 01763 208855 or follow them on Twitter @TGMThriplow.

On 4 May, Burwash Manor in Barton is inviting you to its fabulous new Food Hall and its asparagus ﬁelds to learn all about the delicious mighty spears of spring. There will be tastings in the Food Hall from residents The Larder, Leech & Sons butchers and Biscotti di Debora, as well as The Dip Society, Capsicana Chilli Company and Burwash’s own wine cellar, Cozzi and Boffa. Jack’s Gelato will also be on hand to serve up something sweet. Craig Galvin-Scott, chef at The Willow Tree in Bourn, will be giving cookery demos too, and farmer Michael Radford will even take you for a ride on his tractor to see the asparagus ﬁelds and have a go at cutting it yourself. There's entertainment for the kids too, with a funfair and miniature steam rides. burwashmanor.com

LA MAISON DU STEAK NOW OPEN Local steak lovers are being seriously spoiled this year. After CAU set up shop on Bene’t Street, Cambridge has gained yet another fantastic-looking steakhouse in La Maison Du Steak. Run by the proprietors of Le Gros Franck, this newly opened restaurant is located at 125 Hills Road in a converted traditional building and boasts a gallery kitchen. It’s the only property on the CB1 development run by an independent company, and is headed by award-winning chef Franck Parnin. Both the food and wine are strongly inﬂuenced by his Alsace roots, featuring French favourites such as beef bourguignon and cassoulet de canard, alongside a large choice of classic steak dishes. They’re open now for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. lamaisondusteak.co.uk

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FOOD

Café Aromi opens on Bene’t St If you’re dreaming of sizzling sunshine and mouthwatering Mediterranean cuisine, you’ll be delighted to hear about Aromi – Bene’t Street’s brand new Italian eaterie which opened at the end of last month. Billing itself as ‘more sophisticated than a coffee shop’ but ‘more relaxed than a restaurant’, Aromi is the brainchild of the Genovese family, who have more than 50 years’ experience in the hospitality business. “Our menu is designed for customers wanting quick, tasty bites that won’t eat into their busy day,” says co-owner Francesco, who hails from Catania in Sicily. “Using our original authentic recipes and fresh ingredients, we’re creating highquality, delicious Italian/Sicilian dishes that customers can either take away or enjoy in our cosy and relaxed seating area.”

The menu consists of freshly made focaccia and ﬂatbreads, delicious Sicilian arancini, home-made gelato during the summer, Sicilian coffee and an enticing selection of bite-sized pasticceria. But the star of the menu is likely to be the authentic pizza slices known as ‘pizza in pala’. Made freshly on the premises, the dough for this traditional pizza is left to prove for more than 40 hours before being baked twice, generously loaded with delicious toppings and then displayed on rustic boards. “We wanted our café to reﬂect the Sicilian spirit and philosophy of life,” says Francesco. “It was important to us to create a place where customers can relax, have a quick meal if they like, and feel at home.” aromi.co.uk

CHOCOLATE, COLATE WINE & COCKTAILS Those three little words a girl loves to hear: chocolate, wine, cocktails. Whether it’s for a hen do or just an excuse for a catch up, Chocolat Chocolat has a great new idea for a girl’s night out. The independent chocolate shop, situated on St Andrews Street, runs a range of tasting and making courses, all with the aim of showing you how beautiful artisan chocolates come into being and helping you discover enticing new flavour combinations. This class lasts for an hour and a half and takes you on a tour of the chocolate world, from the home of great chocolate in Belgium and France to more exotic destinations where their many eclectic flavours are sourced. Chocolat Chocolat always has unusual flavours nestling amongst the more traditional favourites, so put your taste buds to the test and see if you can identify the secret ingredients. You’ll also be treated to wine, perfectly matched to go with your chosen chocolate, plus cocktails, with a chance to win a bouquet of goodies at a quiz at the end of the night. chocolatchocolat.co.uk

Museum of Cambridge The art space formerly known as Cambridge & County Folk Museum is holding g a tribute to tea this month. Now known as the Museum of Cambridge, it regularly puts on talks and events, and this one will see visitor services officer Susan Miller take a light-hearted look at attitudes towards tea and health through history. The talk will be followed by tea tasting with Cambridge company Kandula Tea. It’s on 12 May at 3pm and costs £7.50 per person – booking is essential. folkmuseum.org.uk

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FOOD

THE SUNDAY KITCHEN Cambridge Food Tour has launched a brand new event inviting you to discover even more about the great food and produce in our local area. Every Sunday from 19 May, Gerla Pusey-de Boer will be inviting local foodies into her kitchen to share their favourite recipes. They’ll introduce you to new ﬂavour combinations, tips and tricks and there’ll also be a food and drink demonstration. The ﬁrst event sees the English Vodka Company take centre stage. It starts at 10.30am, but if that sounds a little too early to start knocking back the shots, don’t worry – you’ll mostly be looking at how vodka can pep up many staple savoury dishes. It costs £43.50 per person and includes a tour of the Dullingham distillery, three-course tasting menu and a snifter of some local spirits. cambridgefoodtour.com

Dining Room at Poets House

Chocolicious Cakes launch A new kid on the chocolate block is Chocolicious Cakes, run by devoted mum and expert baker, Ann-marie Carey, from her home in Barrington. Having baked lovingly for her ﬁve children for the past decade, Annmarie began to receive orders from friends and neighbours and so decided to start selling her cakes and brownies for the wider world to enjoy. We’ve tasted the results ourselves and can’t recommend them highly enough! Her goods – including seriously delicious rocky roads, millionaires’ shortbread and Great Taste Gold 2012 Award-winning brownies – are stocked at Gog Magog Hills Farm Shop, The Larder at Burwash Manor and Bridges Patisserie in Cambridge. You can also order them online; baked freshly that day, they’ll arrive beautifully wrapped, ready to devour – perfect as a gift. chocoliciouscakes.co.uk

In an exciting new addition to our local food scene, The Dining Room at Poets House hotel, part of The House Collection, opens for bookings at the start of this month. Situated in the luxury boutique hotel in Ely (which has already been named by The Times newspaper as one of the world’s top 20 ‘cool new hotels’), the new restaurant is promising to offer ‘the very best in British cooking with a contemporary twist’. At the helm is newly appointed chef Leah Jensen, who has more than 12 years’ experience in a variety of award-winning and Michelinstarred restaurants. Using high-quality, fresh and seasonal ingredients, she’s aiming to bring her signature style to the table, which she describes as “modern-traditional, with an emphasis on taste, ﬂavour and beautiful presentation”. The ﬁxed-price Market Menu features dishes such as slow roast blade of Riverside beef with oxtail ravioli, or pan roast hake with salt-baked

leek, baby gem lettuce and ﬁsh cream. The à la carte menu, meanwhile, offers specials such as hay smoked rump of spring lamb, and there is also, uniquely, a dedicated vegetarian selection on the Garden Menu. “I am so excited to be joining the House Collection and launching The Dining Room,” says Leah. “We will be sourcing the ﬁnest produce from local suppliers to create clean, honest, inspirational menus. We hope to create memorable dishes for our diners and ensure the experience is a joy, whether a formal threecourse dinner or afternoon tea in the bar.” If all this sounds rather appealing and appetising, you’ll be delighted to hear that The Dining Room concept will also be on offer at Paddocks House in Newmarket (formerly Swynford Paddocks) from June onwards, which The House Collection group has also recently acquired. thehousecollection.com

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all your leisure needs in one destination

www.cambridgeleisure.co.uk

TEN OF THE BEST

WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON

10 of the best...

BOOKSHOPS You might think it’s all doom and gloom as far as independent bookstores go, but don’t lose heart, we’ve got some gems in Cambridgeshire. Here’s our pick of the best

top 10

LOCAL BOOK SHOPS

G DAVID BOOKSELLER Opposite the Haunted Bookshop (below) is another bookhunter’s paradise. It started as a market stall, then in 1896 owner Gustav David set up shop – and it’s still expanding. Don’t just glance at the academic books and then leave – venture further in to see a striking room that’s wall-to-wall antiquarian books. They’re beautiful to behold and would smarten up any bookshelf. (Why buy a cheap-looking Pride and Prejudice when you could own one bound in leather with elegant, gilded lettering?) Their best sale, says Rory, a bookseller for 30 years, was: “a ﬁrst edition Oliver Twist, in as beautiful condition as the day it was printed.” 16 St Edward’s Passage, 01223 354619 www.gdavidbookseller.co.uk

CAMBRIDGE MARKET Though not strictly a shop, Cambridge Market is a great destination if you’re looking for books. Ex-proprietor of the Cambridge Bookshop, Hugh Hardinge is found on his stall most weekdays, selling a range of second-hand paperbacks, hardbacks, antiquarian and academic books. While Paul Neeve also has an extensive bookstall at the weekends, and on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

PLURABELLE BOOKS Near Cambridge train station, in an old stonemason’s workshop, Plurabelle Books is an Aladdin’s cave of old books, newer titles, music and illustrations. The prices are great (most items are under £5), and there are some quirky touches too, like the paper stars made out of old pages from 18th century law books and an old printing press. A great place to explore. Homerton Business Centre, Purbeck Road, 01223 415671, www.plurabellebooks.com

THE ANGEL BOOKSHOP Located on Bene’t Street, the olivefronted Angel Bookshop is one of the prettiest on our list. “We’ve been open about three years now,” says manager Lizzie. “Everything we sell is overstock, so our prices stay low. We do a lot of kids’ book and toys: the most exciting thing that came in recently are these Jellycat toys – I love them! Then we’ve got all the character-based products like Gruffalo aprons and Miffy bags.” They too are ﬁnding there’s still a market for ‘proper’ books: “It helps that our books are cheaper, and certainly with kids’ books people want to have an actual book that they can read to their children.” 2 Bene’t Street, 01223 316244 www.angelbookshop.co.uk

SARAH KEY BOOKS (THE HAUNTED BOOKSHOP) This tiny, atmospheric shop is piled high with old books, specialising in illustrated vintage editions of childhood favourites, rare ﬁrst editions and beautifully bound classics. A former worker’s cottage, the building has also been a pub and student accommodation and, according to local legend, is haunted by a mysterious woman who appears on the stairs. Sarah’s most prized item in stock is a gorgeous illustrated collection of poems by Christina Rossetti. “There are wonderful

pre-Raphaelite illustrations and the poetry is beautiful.” She’ll clearly be sorry when it goes, but equally enthuses that people need to buy, not just browse. “If they don’t, shops like this, where you can see and touch a book, won’t exist. A book is more than just a collection of words; it’s something tangible. If we lose that, we lose 2,000 years of our culture.” 9 St Edward’s Passage, 01223 312913 www.sarahkeybooks.co.uk

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TEN OF THE BEST

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS BOOKSHOP

Toppings regularly attracts top speakers, and this month they’ve got Audrey Niffenegger, best-selling author of The Time Traveller’s Wife, giving a talk about the dark fairy tale elements of her new novel, Raven Girl, on 8 May.

A one-of-a-kind bookshop, the Cambridge University Press store is a temple of learning. They’ve two ﬂoors packed full of academic titles, published by the Cambridge University Press, and books have been sold here since at least 1581, making it the oldest bookshop site in the country. Cambridge University and Anglia Ruskin students (and alumni) get a discount, and they hold events too, while their Learning Centre next door is full of resources for teachers and students. You’ll also ﬁnd some great ‘Cambridge’ books, from guides to the colleges to a book of Cambridge jokes.

9 High Street, Ely, 01353 645005 www.toppingbooks.co.uk

1 Trinity Street, 01223 333333 www.cambridge.org/uk/bookshop

TOPPINGS BOOKS Described as ‘one of the finest bookshops in the world’ by Alexander McCall Smith, Toppings has a fiercely loyal following, and it’s easy to see why. With views of the cathedral from the windows, vases of flowers on the ledges, and cups of tea made for you while you browse, it’s an idyllic place to spend a Saturday morning.

HEFFERS Dating back to 1876, Heffers is part of the very fabric of Cambridge. It offers everything from the latest fiction, children’s books, academic books and non-fiction to beautiful cards, prints and geeky-cool gifts. It’s this diversity that’s helping them meet the challenges of the new e-book age. Sales manager Penny explains: “Cambridge is a traditional book-buying city and we still have a good core of customers. Our fiction sales are holding up, and books still make lovely presents. Still it’s made us do things differently, like getting the Cambridge Satchel Co on board. You’ve got to diversify, and we have the freedom to do that – we’re not told what we have to promote.” 20 Trinity Street, 01223 568568 www.bookshop.blackwell.co.uk

OXFAM BOOKSHOP A spree at the Oxfam bookshop is the perfect way to indulge your love of books while helping a good cause. Far superior to a charity shop with a few novels in the corner, it has sections on modern ﬁction, classics, biographies, travel, art and more, as well as cards, fair trade food products and a music range. Currently all ﬁction is a very reasonable £1.99 – and you can even collect Nectar points, too. “We have serious collectables down to more affordable ones around £6.99,” says manager Deborah, as we pour over some colourful vintage hardbacks. “Some of these are like looking into the past – they’re a real insight into how people thought and felt.” 28 Sidney Street, 01223 313373 www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/local-shops/ oxfam-bookshop-cambridge

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BOOKS FOR AMNESTY On Mill Road you’ll ﬁnd Books for Amnesty, a friendly charity bookshop covering a real range, from rare and unusual books, Latin texts and foreign language ﬁction to art and philosophy tomes. They also have a vinyl collection, sheet music and even maps. Proceeds go towards helping Amnesty’s human rights campaigns across the world, and donations are always welcome. 46 Mill Road, 01223 362496 www.amnesty.org.uk

FASHION

WORDS ESME BENJAMIN

ELLA LACE DRESS £195 WHISTLES

JOULES LACE SLEEVE TOP £59 PHASE EIGHT

LACE CROP TOP £18 TOPSHOP Yup, lace is still a major trend for SS13, officially making it one of the most persistent fashion themes of the last few years. This time around Dolce & Gabbana made it sheer and teamed it with retro underwear while Carolina Herrera showed the fabric in eye-popping orange. The choice on the high street is just as varied – brave Topshop’s lace cropped number, opt for a contrast pastel dress from Whistles (perfect for wedding season), or go bright with this gorgeous M&S blouse.

EYELASH LACE SHELL TANK £16 TOPSHOP

PEPLUM BLOUSE £18.99 MISSGUIDED

LIMITED COLLECTION TOP £32.50 SKIRT £29.50 NECKLACE £15 ALL M&S

OPULENT ORGANZA PENNY ICE TOP NOW £65 REISS

PREMIUM ORGANZA PLEAT TEE £38 TOPSHOP

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The spring/summer collections were imbued with lightness and femininity thanks not only to designs and colours but also textures. Silk and organza dominated at Erdem, John Rocha and Chloé, and thanks to the fabric’s innate lavishness you’ll be able to ﬁnd budget pieces which look just as impressive. Try Topshop Boutique’s velvet and organza minimalist dress, Apricot’s ﬂowery collared blouse, or Reiss’s icy blue top.

VELVET ORGANZA DRESS BY BOUTIQUE £120 TOPSHOP

WHITE ORGANZA BLOUSE £25 APRICOT

ORLA KIELY CLOUD ORGANZA DRESS IN WHITE £330 ASOS

FASHION

Kate K ate Midd Middleton’s dleton’s coveted cov veted collection of of coat dresses d resses must go some som me way towards towaards explaining this th his season’s fascination fascinattion with the e summer sum mmer coat. coat Chanel channelled an ultra-feminine trapeze shape while Balenciaga opted for mannish tailoring, but our favourite warm weather cover-ups on the high street come in the form of Zara’s Long Flowing Trench, Topshop’s slouchy biker jacket and this zingy lime number from River Island.

AVANTI PIP £195 REISS

SUNGLASSES £12 SHIRT £25 MIDI SKIRT £30 JACKET £70 ALL RIVER ISLAND

TEXTURED SLOUCH BIKER JACKET £85 TOPSHOP

TWIGGY PINK BLAZER £59 M&S

LONG FLOWING TRENCH COAT £79.99 ZARA

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FASHION BLACK MIXED ANIMAL PRINT HIGH ROLLER SHIRT £23 TOPMAN

Burberry has gone crazy for animal prints this season. Tiger, leopard and zebrainspired pieces all feature heavily in what is one of creative director Christopher Bailey’s most lauded menswear ess ss collections to date. Get the look for le less with these pieces from ASOS, River Island and Topman, and be sure to wear them with a fearless sense of humour – a ﬂamboyant, wild trend like this isn’t for the fainter hearted of males. T-SHIRT £16 JACKET £55 CHINOS £30 BOOTS £45 SUNGLASSES £16 ALL RIVER ISLAND

YELLOW AND BLUE LEOPARD DIP DYE HOODY £34 TOPMAN

SUNSEEKER WAISTCOAT £125 REISS

ASOS SWEATSHIRT WITH ALL OVER ANIMAL PRINT £15 ASOS

BLUE LEOPARD HAT £4 PRIMARK

RICHARD JAMES LINEN JACKET £149.50 TIE £29.50 WATCH £35 CUFFLINKS £12.50 ALL M&S

WINDOWPANE JACKET £340 JAEGER PORTOFINO PINSTRIPE SUIT BRIGHT BLUE £425 REISS

BOW TIE £5 RIVER ISLAND Gucci referenced English fabrics in its show notes and wasn’t alone in its appreciation for traditional suiting – Louis Vuitton featured some handsome checks and DAKS showed plenty of its signature heritage tweeds. Rock Marks & Spencer’s Mad Men style two piece, Jaeger’s retro 'windowpane' jacket or Reiss’s classically smart, navy pinstripe with a crisp white shirt for a more classic look.

BERTIE BOWIE £75 DUNE

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BEAUTY

WORDS DAISY DICKINSON & CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS

FROM DESK Image courtesy of House of Fraser

Winter seems determined to overstay its welcome this year, but we think it’s high time everyone halted their hibernation and headed out on the town for a little early summer socialising. With these all-rounders in your team, you can duck out of the office super fast for that after-work drink

DHC BLOTTING PAPERS £4 WW.DHCUK.CO.UK

BE BENEFIT HOW TO LOOK THE BEST AT EVERYTHING TH £25.50 DEBENHAMS £2

WIPE AWAY THE 9-5

DERMALOGICA MULTI-ACTIVE TONER £11.30 ELAJE

NATIO CLEVER STICK £11.60 TESCO

As the clock hits half ﬁve, banish the daily grime via a pit stop at the office bathroom. Our favourite wipes are Neutrogena’s Norwegian Formula Hydrating Cleansing Wipes (£4.99 for 25, Superdrug), or use DHC’s cute Blotting Papers to wipe oil from your brow and nose. After cleansing, this multi-active toner from Dermalogica offers instant refreshment in just one spritz. A few pumps from this soothing spray leaves your face ready for the next step. Then it’s back to basics with the Beneﬁt How To Look The Best At Everything complexion kit, which looks like a tiny book and contains everything for perfect skin, plus idiot-proof guidance.

If you’re really running late, grab a Natio Clever Stick, swoosh it anywhere that requires a little extra coverage and quickly blend with your ﬁngertips. It offers three-in-one coverage: foundation, concealer and powder – plus SPF15 protection to boot.

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BEAUTY

THE EYES HAVE IT

TAME AND FRAME A well-shaped brow is a sure-ﬁre way to a groomed look, and these Mini Brow Rescue Kits from industry legends Tweezerman (£25, feelunique.com) have everything you need for taming and shaping. Tweezers, mousse to hold errant hairs in place, brush and highlighter are all contained in a tiny travel case. Keep it in your desk drawer to quickly get to grips with any unkempt brows.

BOOST YOUR BARNET Dry shampoo is an absolute godsend d and everyone’s got their favourites. You can’t go wrong with Batiste for value, but this Umberto Gianni ‘Backcomb in a Bottle’ (£5.61, Boots) is our pick of the moment.

Tired eyes are a dead giveaway that you’ve been in front of a computer all day. Pop a little white eyeliner such as this one from Illamasqua in Elate (£13, www.illamasqua. com) on the inner rim of your lower lashes for an instant brightening effect – then dab a smudge of highlighter or pearlescent eyeshadow where your upper and lower lids meet at the inner eye, to draw attention to the shape of your eyes.

BRILLIANT BALM Our new must-have-inmu your-han your-handbag product is the Ev Everything Balm from Tril Trilogy. This is an all-round all-round, totally natural fixer-upper that soothes, fixer-upp moisturis moisturises and glosses in a mere matter m of seconds. This hard-working multitasker can be used on lips, face, body, flyaway hair and well… anywhere! (£20.50, www.trilogyproducts.com)

READY, SET, GLOW

Image courtesy of Accessorize

A hint of bronze or a gently ﬂushed face is an instant way to give yourself a healthy glow, so even if you’ve no time for the full routine, a dab of blusher onto the apples of your cheeks and speedy blending up and out towards your ears will add life to even the most tired of faces. Stila’s Convertible Colour (£16, Boots) compact is pocket sized and suitable for dabbing onto lips and cheeks – we love it in

Poppy for an instant burst of colour. If powder’s more your thing, Seventeen’s Oh So Spring Cheek Stamps (£4.99, Boots) let you apply blush on the go without a separate brush – simply press the sponge on the powder hidden in the lid, use the mirror on the outside and you’re away. Rimmel’s new anti-fatigue Wake Me Up line includes this gorgeous Instant Radiance Shimmer Touch blusher in Radiant Rose (£4.99, Superdrug) which is a great affordable option, while Bourjois’s spray-on bronzing powder (£7.99, Boots) is a game changer for those who just love a ﬂash of bronze.

Image courtesy of Marks and Spencer

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INTERIORS

JOHN LEWIS OF HUNGERFORD Mix up colours and materials with ﬂair to create something unique and personal to you. This shaker kitchen is ﬁnished in Earl Grey and Blossom, with a Cool Fridge unit in Sugar Candy Pink. From £20,000 inc VAT and installation (07002 784726; www.john-lewis.co.uk)

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INTERIORS

WORDS EMILY BROOKS

The biggest trend in kitchen design is creating a space that’s unique to your tastes – which could mean a bold mix of colours and materials, rather than a sea of white gloss… hen the house market was buoyant, it had a knock-on effect on interiors. People played it safe with bigticket purchases such as kitchens and bathrooms, because they thought they might quickly move on, and therefore they would need something more attractive to potential buyers: this perfectly explains the vogue for white and cream gloss that has dominated the kitchen market over the last decade. But now, stuck in a much slower market, we’re looking at spending the long haul in our homes – and that means having a kitchen that you really love, not one that just plays it safe. Talking to Cambridge’s kitchen designers, you can almost feel a sigh of relief. “It deﬁnitely makes the kitchen much more interesting now,” says Erika Zytynska from Cambridge Kitchens & Bathrooms (01223 213266; www. cambridgekitchens.co.uk). “Although the minimalist thing is still around, people are now going for something more personal. It’s got to be something that they want to live with, and although they might have one eye on the future, it’s not all about resale any more. It’s more about what suits them as a family, and something that feels homely. That’s why it’s a lot richer in texture and materials.” She cites a kitchen installed in the newly redesigned Newmarket showroom: a glamorous mix of curvy walnut and painted grey cabinetry, with a boldly patterned granite work surface and glass breakfast bar. It’s a feast for the eyes, a delicate interplay of pattern and texture that looks balanced rather than overly busy. Rich, strongly grained walnut is a material that seems to have come in to its own of late. It’s the anti-white gloss, in a way: warm rather than clinical, absorbing light rather than

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INTERIORS

KITCHEN BY NICHOLAS ANTHONY Nicholas Anthony create stylish and luxury kitchens with prices starting at £25,000 (01223 368828; nicholas-anthony.co.uk)

THE BALLERINA RANGE (in GL Matt Laquer, High Gloss) from By Design. Prices start at £15,000 (01223 248409; www.bydi.co.uk)

ABSTRACT 5 SCOOP KITCHEN BY TOMAS featuring Faber’s Nest extractor hood above the island. From Crofthouse, where kitchens cost from £20,000 (01223 300858; www.ckbh.co.uk)

reﬂecting it. Crucially it’s also more ‘domestic’ in character, a key to its renaissance at a time when our kitchens have become catch-all living spaces for dining, homework and lounging around, as well as cooking. In short, kitchens are looking softer and more homely, often with furniture that matches the units to make a single large space feel more coherent. “For big kitchen-diners, built-in banquette seating is becoming quite popular, so you can have it built in the same material as your kitchen,” says Erika. Crofthouse (01223 300858; www.ckbh.co.uk) is also expanding its Tomas range of kitchens to include walnut, as well as fumed oak and ash (in addition to oak and whitened oak). Responding to the demand for freestanding pieces that have the same look and feel as built-in units, company director and

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designer Tom Hinton says: “We are now producing beautiful side pieces for dining and living areas – we call them Tall Wall Elements – to complement the kitchen furniture.” Look out, too, for the forthcoming Full Height Pantry Element, which has oak drawers and a marble top. Sarah James, regional sales manager at John Lewis of Hungerford’s Cambridge showroom (07002 784726; www.john-lewis. co.uk), also says that mixing up built-in and freestanding furniture has come in to vogue; its furniture range includes dressers, larders and tables as well as a cabinet specially designed to hold a fridge. For more modern kitchens, though, it’s all about “taking your cabinets to

Rich, dark green-grey, MAGNET’S Somerton Fern kitchen is ontrend; units feature a full-height larder cupboard – also making a comeback. From £4,901 (01325 744094; www.magnet.co.uk) BELLING BY SEBASTIAN CONRAN Show your colourful

side with this new built-in appliance range. SCBI90FP 900mm double oven, £599, John Lewis (08456 049049; www. johnlewis.com)

the ceiling, incorporating as much storage as possible, with no compromise on clean lines – ie. no clutter, and no dust.” The company’s painted wooden kitchens are its signature, so if you have a penchant for colour, seek them out – you can even have a different colour on the inside and the outside, revealing a burst of zingy yellow or hot pink every time you reach in to grab a saucepan.

THREE GENERATIONS OF BUILDING CARMELCREST CAN... EXTEND, REFURBISH OR DESIGN & BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME...

BUILDING YOUR CITY, BUILDING YOUR TRUST, AND NOW WE CAN BUILD YOUR HOME. Cambridge: 7 Chalky Road, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AT

01992 718 231 www.carmelcrest.co.uk info@carmelcrest.co.uk

INTERIORS

RATIONAL CASALE KITCHENSMITHS Cambridge’s Kitchensmiths sells German kitchens that are built to last, like this Casale range from Rational, price on request (01223 236456; www.kitchensmiths.co.uk)

When it comes to ovens and hobs, think about your style of cooking, that way you won’t waste money “It brings out the cheeky side of people,” says Sarah. “They’re conservative on the outside but they want to see a flash of colour inside. Grey and navy are popular for cabinets, but with an accent colour, so it’s sophisticated, with a splash of fun.” Sarah also echoes what Erika says about customers now wanting a more exciting mix of styles, colours and materials: “People are having a different-coloured island, and they’re mixing up granite and wood. They want something that is tailored to them and that suits the house – something that will bring them a little bit of luxury, and a little bit of fun. They don’t want a boring kitchen any more.” And how it feels to the touch is just as important as how it looks, says Martin Smith of Kitchensmiths (01223 236456; www. kitchensmiths.co.uk). “People are looking towards matte finishes and more natural finishes, but also texture – we’ve just put a woodgrain laminate on display that feels just like wood when you put your hand across it. We’re finding that even on granite worktops people are looking for something that’s not high-gloss shiny; it’s got a bit of texture and depth to it. If they’re shiny, you have to keep polishing them to keep them like that!” Using darker shades such as grey and navy is just

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one way to add some glamour to the kitchen, as long as you make sure that it’s tempered by something else – a snow-white Corian countertop, for example. Black and white remains a classic combination; look for curvy styles that are easy on the eye and echo classic art deco design, and pair black granite worktops with a black sink (try Astracast’s Razor sink) for an unbroken look across your work surfaces. If you’re happy with your existing kitchen layout, these sorts of updates can be done with relative ease by a firm like Granite Transformations (08008 223410; www. granitetransformations.co.uk), which can replace doors and fit a new countertop on top of your old one, leaving the carcasses intact. Refurbishing your kitchen is also about taking stock of your appliances, and there is a mass of competition out there to grab your attention for the latest must-have features. Even humbler items like the extractor fan have been given a designer uplift of late – Italian firm Faber (supplied by Crofthouse) and Spanish brand Pando make extractor fans of sculptural beauty that are meant to be the centre of attention. When it comes to ovens and hobs, think first about your style of cooking – that way you won’t waste money on features you’ll never

ABOVE: Spanish brand Pando’s extractor hoods are more like sculptural works of art; this Onna hood is made from curvy Corian. RRP £4,118.40, Pando (www.pando.es) ABOVE RIGHT: With multiple functions, a range cooker is perfect for serious foodies, and it makes a great focal point; this one also features pyrolytic cleaning for mess-free maintenance. Rangemaster Professional FXP, £1,769, Appliances Online (08443 249222; www.appliancesonline.co.uk)

INTERIORS

GRANITE TRANSFORMATIONS updated this kitchen with its Black Star worktop material and Brillante ‘mosaics on a mattress’ splashbacks; pricing on request (0800 822 3410; www.granitetransformations.co.uk)

NEFF’s B16P52N3GB oven comes with a Slide & Hide door, which tucks under the cavity for easy access to what’s inside. Around £900, Cambridge Kitchens & Bathrooms (01223 213266; www.cambridgekitchens. co.uk) SMEG'S: multi-zone hob features a clever cooking area - just place the pan down and it only heats up the space directly underneath. SIM942B 900mm hob, £1,035, Appliances Online (08443 249222; www. appliancesonlines.co.uk)

use. If you love to stir-fry, specify a central wok burner for your hob, whereas committed bakers might want a tall fan oven for turning out the tastiest cakes. Appliance manufacturer Caple offers a modular hob system, where you can choose from features like a teppanyaki grill, and a mix of gas and induction rings, and line them up in whatever order you like. Local kitchen designers cite induction hobs, steam ovens and boiling-water taps as the three must-haves of the moment. Erika at Cambridge Kitchens & Bathrooms says that induction hobs “were once quite a bit more expensive than gas, but they’ve come down in price and now they’re mainstream. They’re much easier to keep clean – it’s just ﬂat glass with no control knobs – and they’re more energy efficient than gas.” Gorenje’s latest launch, IQcook, is an induction hob that comes with a sensor that you can stick to the top of the pan, preventing it from boiling over or boiling dry. And the next generation of induction hobs are ‘zoneless’, so you can place the pan anywhere on its surface – Kitchensmiths will have Siemens’ new model in its showroom shortly. Steam ovens are either available as a separate oven, or a combined appliance with your regular oven (such as NEFF’s AquaAssist

FRANKE’S Minerva Mondial three-in-one tap (hot, cold and boiling water), £1,195, By Design (01223 248409; www.bydi.co.uk)

range): the steam keeps food moist, with less nutrients lost during the cooking process. Sarah James at John Lewis of Hungerford says that the double oven set-up of steam plus regular oven, and a separate hob is starting to become as popular as a range cooker; built-in appliances also have the advantage of being at waist or eye level, so you don’t have to bend down to get out a heavy roast. Erika at Cambridge Kitchens & Bathrooms likes NEFF’s Slide & Hide oven doors. “A really practical, functional design. You pull the door down and instead of it staying stuck out and you having to lean over it, it slides away, so you can get in and quickly test your cake or whatever without having to take it out of the oven.” Ease of maintenance is a big driver when it comes to appliances: look for features that will make your life easier, like ovens with pyrolytic cleaning – it runs the oven at around 500°C, reducing any food and grease to ash. Like induction hobs, hot water taps are now much cheaper and much more readily available, with a raft of manufacturers joining the market. Choose from an all-in-one model that will do your ambient, hot and boiling water from one tap (such as Franke’s Minerva tap), or have a stand-alone, hot water only

HEATRAE SADIA Aquatap boiling and chilled water dispenser, £1,990 (01929 426292; www.heatingnplumbing.co.uk)

one on the countertop. “Boiling water taps can also offer energy saving credentials, as they utilise a lot less energy than a regular kettle by boiling water only in response to usage,” says Jon Cockburn from Heatrae Sadia, makers of the Aquatap. Ultimately, although gadgets and appliances will make your life easier, it’s the whole package that will make your kitchen say ‘home’. Sarah James at John Lewis of Hungerford says her aim is “to produce something so beautiful that people won’t want to leave it.” Beauty will mean different things to different people, but it looks like we’re becoming less afraid to express ourselves, and as Sarah points out, there’s one thing that’s universal: “The kitchen is still the heart of the home, and always will be.”

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INTERIORS

Brighten up the hub of your home with cheerful accessories

9 8 11 10 12 1) NEON WATER BOTTLES £5.95 EACH OLIVER BONAS 2) NEON 5 PIECE KNIFE BLOCK SET £60 OLIVER BONAS 3) RAINBOW MUG £15 CULTURE LABEL 4) ALESSI AAM32 1 PARROT SOMMELIER CORKSCREW, PROUST £35 JOHN LEWIS 5) JME PASS IT ON CARAFE

£14.75 JOHN LEWIS 6) MILK BOTTLES WITH RETRO PRINT BY HOMESTEAD STORE £11 NOT ON THE HIGH STREET.COM 7) COLOURED PICNIC GLASSES £1 DOBBIES 8) TEAPOT 50CL WITH INFUSER STUMP £23.95 STEAMER TRADING 9) BIRDIE POT HOLDER £7.50 MAGPIE 10) LE CREUSET STONEWARE 11CM

‘TEAL’ ROUND CASSEROLE DISH £12 DEBENHAMS 11) FRANJIPANI ENAMEL JUG £28 SELD 12) COLOURED WOODEN CHOPPING BOARD BY THELITTLEBOYSROOM £14.95 NOT ON THE HIGH STREET.COM

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EDUCATION

WORDS CHARLOTTE PHILLIPS

A SKILL FOR LIFE Language lessons are evolving, imparting not just verb tables and spellings, but a love of the country and its culture. Charlotte Phillips speaks to local experts to find out more ANGUAGE IS SUCH A fundamental part of what makes us human; our flexibility to change learned behaviour so crucial to our survival that, y considered objectively, it is truly extraordinary that, for so many of us, the very idea of venturing away from our mother tongue and learning a second language comes with as many hang-ups as it does. It’s something Dr Heather Martin encounters all the time. As head of languages at St Faith’s School, she regularly talks to parents whose own experiences are, to say the least, slightly on the negative side. “Often the first thing they’ll say to me is, ‘I was terrible at languages at school’, or ‘I did French for ten years and still can’t speak a word’. There’s this cultural legacy, this sense of failure, that we’re no good at languages.” Cambridge’s many language experts are right behind her. Every time a survey comes out that reinforces the picture of the average Englishman or woman not just as hopelessly monolingual but proud of it, their hearts sink. The latest research to follow this familiar pattern appeared earlier this year. Carried out by the European Commission (and involving Cambridge Assessment, amongst others) it tested the second language skills of 15-yearolds in 14 countries. To no one’s surprise, and perhaps the saddest thing of all, it named and shamed English teenagers as the worst of the bunch, with many barely able to understand the most basic of words and phrases, highlighting a national approach that sees our children learning languages later than their European counterparts, spending less time on them when they eventually get cracking and less able to see the point in learning a language in any case. And it’s this point that language experts contest so fiercely. “I’m a bit fed up with the media saying that English children are not capable of learning a language. The English are good at it,” Pat Dalby, head of business development at Alliance Française, Cambridge, says emphatically. While she acknowledges the inexorable rise in English as the world’s top business language, she emphasises that this is no time to sit back and take things easy. At a time when there’s a worrying shortage of high-

I IMAGE: Innovative teaching approaches are giving pupils of all ages a real chance to master languages p

flying career opportunities, fluency in another language could, she believes, become the make or break factor at job interviews as employers attempt to distinguish between an array of sparkling candidates. “We’ve got so many parents who take their children to learn French because they realise that English is not enough any more. If you have two English speakers looking for a job with exactly the same skills, except that one of them also speaks French or Spanish, which one would you employ?” Turn to St Faith’s, and you’ll find a school that has embraced the need to up its pupils’ linguistic abilities with a vengeance. On its website, it even features a short film that would gladden the heart of any distressed linguist. The winning entry in a national competition, it features pupils in search of a kingfisher, commenting lucidly on the threats to the environment and speaking in Spanish so authentic sounding it makes you want to head straight for the nearest tapas bar after you’ve watched it. And this cinematic debut is the tip of the iceberg. In an epidemic of subject creep, some other lessons at the school – notably maths – are also taught in Spanish, with the unexpected benefit that some pupils who find the subject tricky regain confidence

when it is dressed up in the guise of a language lesson. Getting to this level of wholeschool competence does, as Dr Martin acknowledges, require commitment from staff as well as students. Many of her colleagues have been seduced by the delights of Spanish, chosen over other languages because its relatively simple pronunciation and spelling rules could have been designed for maximum ease of use by non-native speakers. Such is their enthusiasm that ten members of staff have enrolled for an online course to boost their own linguistic skills in their spare time. And as the school’s approach demonstrates, language teaching is very different now. Those old-style lessons, dominated by endless lists of verb endings and tenses and little else, have gone forever, says Giulia Portuese-Williams, director and founder of La Dante in Cambridge. A passionate advocate for making language a living, breathing thing, she gives students what she calls “a 360° immersion” in the culture, history and lifestyle of the country they are studying. An Italian married to an Englishman, her involvement in La Dante, a not for proﬁt, international organisation which offers a

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EDUCATION

Open your minds, get more exposure, that’s the secret of successful learning. There are no barriers range of Italian courses, was born out of the desire for her own young children to be bilingual. An ardent champion of the benefits of learning a second language, she has seen Dante’s Cambridge students, from toddlers to those well into their eighties, achieve sometimes remarkable results. Some work towards formal qualifications – enquiries from parents are, she says, increasing all the time; not surprising given students’ impressive GCSE results, many passing with top grades. Adult learners may want to get more out of their holidays in the country or may need to master the language for work. And she’s firmly of the opinion that age need be no barrier to fluency. What holds us back as a nation, she says, is our own rigid ways of thinking about language. It’s not helped by assorted myths, such as only those who learn a language in early childhood will ever become truly bilingual. Leave it until they’re six or over, goes the thinking, and the so-called language window will slam shut forever. Just not true, say today’s language experts. “There are people who haven’t naturally taken to languages at school so haven’t bothered with more than one,” says Heidi Sladen, programme manager at ABC

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languages, a family run firm which offers courses, interpreting, translating services and cultural briefings and caters for everyone from foreign students learning English to UK businesses expanding overseas. Her advice is to treat learning like an academic expedition and enjoy the process, though she stresses that “you can’t just show up to a class a week and expect to be fluent in a year. It’s about working hard, immersing yourself in the language and culture as much as possible, and focusing on your goals.” It’s helped when, as increasingly happens, businesses ask ABC to come in and run courses for a group of workers, which means that everyone is in the same boat. It’s generally reckoned that you need 200 hours of study to acquire a beginner’s knowledge of a language and about the same amount again to make significant gains in fluency. While a sound grasp of grammar gives you an essential insight into the language structure, learning is about far more than that. At Spanish Amigos, children learn ‘through a multi-sensory approach that stimulates their natural learning style’, with everything from music to acting, crafts and competitions on offer for young pupils, written work coming in when they are that bit older.

Youngsters at La Dante, meanwhile, learn songs, dance and join in with Italian fairy tales. Older students can listen to Radio Dante, download podcasts, watch ﬁlms, then discuss them and attend cookery classes, “everything to do with tagliatelle, ravioli and orecchiette,” says Giulia Portuese-Williams. It’s a full-on cultural experience and necessarily so. You simply can’t, she stresses, learn a language by “going to a little class for a couple of hours and going to Italy once a year”. Alliance Française, too, adopts a similarly holistic approach to learning French. “We teach them to learn the culture through cinema, wine and food. It’s not difficult… because they love it,” says Pat Dalby. The more advanced learners can develop an appreciation of the giants of French literature such as Hugo and Balzac. It’s all about gaining insights into a country’s tradition and values. “To learn a language is to learn all of this,” she says. But while our area, so well known for its thirst for knowledge, embraces second languages with enthusiasm, is there likely to be a similar shift in attitude elsewhere? If the government has its way, the answer has to be a reasonably resounding ‘yes’ (and hopefully ‘oui’ and ‘ja’ too). Currently compulsory only in secondary schools up to the age of 14, languages are, says Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education, also to be taught to primary school pupils, starting at the age of eight in year three. Of course, we still have some way to go. Giulia Portuese-Williams points out that other nations such as Sweden and Denmark do not dub English language ﬁlms, something that, she believes, has contributed to the enviable multilingual skills of its citizens. With The Killing taking off here, subtitles and all, and leading to a mini-wave of imported foreign language dramas, could the same thing happen here? Why not? “Open your minds, get yourself more exposure, because that’s the secret of successful learning. There are no barriers, language is for everyone.” We’ll just have to take things little by little and step by step. Or poco a poco and paso a paso, as they say in Italy and Spain.

MOTORING

WORDS SUE BAKER

Motoring Review

HONDA CIVIC Safe, efficient and thoroughly futuristic, Sue Baker presents the ninth-generation Honda Civic NE OF THE MORE memorable car commercials of recent times featured a continuous series of interacting mechanical events. Cogs rolled, screws swivelled, wipers swished, tyres trundled, all in amazingly choreographed sequence. Not until the very end of the ad did the car brand become apparent. This two-minute marvel of mesmerising precision was Honda’s message that what most of us want out of a car is that it just, well, works. Impeccably. Every time. Generations of Japanese cars have schooled us to expect just such trouble-free reliability. They have earned a reputation for it. So a car like the Honda Civic comes with the expectation of utter efficiency. Except that it is not made in Japan, 6,000 miles away in the land of the rising sun, but is manufactured about 100 miles to the south-west of Cambridge, in Swindon. Honda Civics have been produced in Swindon since 1994, in a factory that is structured around Japanese ways of doing things. Everyone from the assembly workers to the plant manager is called an ‘associate’ and wears the same egalitarian uniform of overalls. The factory runs to a philosophy of ‘kaizen’ – the Japanese word for improvement. Continuous improvement is the company slogan. It is a remarkable fact that there have been nine generations of Civic. Cars wearing the Civic badge have been around in various guises since the early 1970s. Until 2006 they were all conservatively styled, but then the eighth-generation Civic took a remarkable visual leap with its teardropshaped body and space-age interior. It stood out for its radical design, but did not take quite the same jump forward in driving calibre. It looked exceptional, but was rather ordinary to drive.

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Which brings us to the current Civic, which arrived on the UK motoring scene late last year. Its design is a little softer, somewhat toned down and not quite as starkly drawn as its ‘look at me’ predecessor. It has the same short, curvy bonnet and horizontally split rear window as the previous car, but the styling has been smoothed off and become a little more normalised. It has improved aerodynamics and better fuel economy as a result. It remains quite radical in its interior design. At a stroke, the Civic makes the cabin of anything else of a similar size look a bit staid by comparison. There is a big swathe of space where other cars have conventional dash panels, and the instrument display would not look out of place in a spacecraft. The Civic’s cabin is bold and bright, and an interesting place to be. In the driving seat, you feel like you are commanding the Starship Enterprise. The big change is in the car’s driving dynamics. This latest five-door hatchback Civic has taken a distinct step forward in road behaviour. It is crisper and more poised, with a superior driving calibre that distinguishes it as the best Civic Honda has ever produced. It comes in a choice of two petrol and two diesel models, six-speed manual or five-speed auto, and four trim levels, starting with the SE and peaking with the EX GT as the range-topping flagship model. MODEL TESTED: Honda Civic 2.2 i-DTEC SE PRICE: £20,300 ENGINE: 2.2 litre, four-cylinder turbo diesel, 148bhp GEARBOX: 6-speed manual TOP SPEED: 135mph FUEL ECONOMY: 67.5mpg average HOW GREEN? 110g/km CO2

IMAGES The ninth-generation Honda Civic is the best the company has ever produced

Automatic engine stop-start, to save fuel in traffic jams or while waiting at red lights, is now standard on every Civic with a manual gearbox. The system makes no demands on you, and the restart when you dip the clutch is efficient and instant. The car rides comfortably, sopping up surface bumps more efficiently than the old Civic, and this one is also much more fun to drive. It is quiet and refined, too. It isn’t perfect. The steering is a touch on the light side, and rearward vision is not the best. You look backwards in the rearview mirror past a spoiler that cuts right across the rear window, and is just a touch annoying, so you find yourself concentrating more on the view in the wing mirrors instead. The boot is a decent size at 487 litres, and is split level to let you stow items under a concealing floor. An unusual feature is Honda’s ‘Magic Seat’. As well as the rear seat folding in hatchback fashion, it has a seat base that can be raised like a flip-up cinema seat, to let you stow items behind the front seats when there is nobody in the back. The choice of engines in the Civic is 1.4 and 1.8 litre petrol, 1.6 and 2.2 litre diesels. For power the 2.2 litre diesel tested here

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MOTORING

Honda Jazz 1.6 i-DTEC

Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC

WHAT’S COMING

This latest five-door hatchback Civic has taken a distinct step forward in road behaviour is the one to go for, but the best engine for its combination of good performance and fuel efficiency is the new 1.6 litre diesel. Its combined fuel figure is an exceptional 78.5mpg and the CO2 emission is 94g/km, which is low enough for a free annual tax disc and exemption from the central London congestion charge. The Civic has strong safety credentials. It is a topranking five-star car under the Euro NCAP crash test programme. Higher-spec models come with a low-speed collision mitigation system to help avoid minor traffic bumps, and adaptive cruise control that monitors and manages your distance behind the vehicle in front. Honda Civics are a familiar sight on Cambridge roads, and across the UK. Since the first-generation model arrived here in the early 70s, more than 650,000 Civics have found homes with British motorists. It is a big endorsement for continuous improvement.

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New things are on the way from Honda. Recently added to the range are an updated version of the CR-Z, the company’s perky little sports car, and the new smaller-engined diesel variant of the Civic, the Civic 1.6 i-DTEC. That same frugal new engine will gradually be rolled out in other models across the Honda range. Later this year it will appear in an additional, more economical version added to the CR-V range, the CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC. Next year there will be an estate model joining the Civic range, called the Civic Tourer. Also coming next year is a new diesel version of Honda’s popular small car, the Jazz 1.6 i-DTEC.

Cambridge Edition | May 2013 | 73

PETS

IMAGES DAISY DICKINSON

CRATE

EXPECTATIONS This month, Scampers Natural Pet Store advise on the process and benefits of crate training dogs both young and old It’s a relatively new concept, but crate training can be a highly effective tool for training both adult dogs and puppies. Yes, it might be time-consuming initially, but it’s a great way of teaching boundaries, keeping your dog safe, encouraging them to feel comfortable when travelling in a conﬁned space and even making them more independent and therefore less noisy and destructive when they’re left alone. Crates (or puppy dens as we like to call them) are also invaluable when it comes to toilet training your dog, no matter what its age – but there are a few key things to remember. Firstly, make sure you take your dog or puppy outdoors to toilet on a regular schedule and especially before leaving him alone for a prolonged period of time. Also, always take your puppy outside on a leash

to the same area in your backyard to toilet and introduce a command (like ‘wee wees’), so you can praise him when he’s finished. This also means he’s learning a new word to encourage him to do what you want him to do – hopefully taking some of the guesswork out of his visits to the backyard. Getting your puppy used to the crate can be one of the trickiest parts of the whole process, and it needs to be done carefully. It is essential that puppies regard the crate as their base in the house. Place the crate in a quiet corner of a room which is well used by the family, lay bedding on the floor (which covers the whole bottom of the crate), and put in some toys to keep them entertained – come in and have a chat with us if you’re unsure about what kinds of toys are suitable. Start off by throwing titbits of food into the crate, letting the puppy go in and retrieve them in his own time. He will begin to get accustomed to it, and at first, you should give him a small treat each time he goes in. Your puppy may be fed in there and should have a secured water bowl, though we recommend this is removed overnight. As the puppy becomes older, he can be given more freedom and the door of the crate can be left open so he can use it as m a refuge for sleep or to escape from e persistent children or other pets. He ht need then only be locked in at night h and when you go out (starting with very short periods, maybe just ten hat minutes), until you feel confident that all lessons have been learned.

Once your puppy has become used to the crate, it can be used to transport him safely in your car. There may also be a time after injury or veterinary treatment that he will need to be confined for recuperation and because he was crate trained, he will find this much easier. You’re sure to find it won’t be long before the crate be becomes the second best friend for fo both you and your pooch. y need more advice we offer If you one-to one-to-one puppy consultations at Scam Scampers where you can ask any questions question and get helpful guidance, free of charge.

Crate Training Dos & Don’ts DO: Always take your dog into the garden after eating, when he has just woken up and after a play period before he goes back into his crate. DON’T: Regard the crate as a way to leave your pup alone for long periods of time. DO: Select the right sized crate for your dog. There should be enough room for the

puppy to stand up without his head ad touching the top and to stretch and nd turn; but equally, don’t get a crate which is too big, as he will likely use one corner for sleeping and the rest as a toileting area. DON’T: Use the crate as a punishment sin bin. It must always be a secure, safe area for your puppy to enjoy.

DO: Alwa DO Always remember to ensure your puppy pup or dog is well exercised and all ‘nature breaks’ have been taken before putting him into the crate, and only put him in when he is in a calm state. DON’T: Punish your dog if he has an unfortunate ‘accident’ in the crate or on the ﬂoor overnight.

Cambridge Edition | May 2013 | 77

PETS

WORDS ALEX WYLIE

FLEA FRENZY

They are the pesky parasites every pet owner dreads. Alex Wylie from Eastgate Veterinary Group offers expert advice on guarding against and controlling fleas ver the last couple of years we have seen an explosion in the ďŹ&#x201A;ea population in the UK. These irritating little creatures have enjoyed the humid, wet summers and central-heated milder winters. There is no longer a seasonal freeze-out to naturally halt their invasion. It is crucial, therefore, that pet owners are proactive all year round with ďŹ&#x201A;ea control. There is no shame in admitting that your pet has ďŹ&#x201A;eas. It is easier for a cat or dog to catch ďŹ&#x201A;eas than it is for us humans to contract a cold. Fleas are natural parasites affecting dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets and a host of other animals. Almost all our pets are at risk of suffering from an infestation. For the sake of your animals and your home, therefore, it is important that you seek expert advice to control the situation. Note how I use the word â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;controlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, not â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;cureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Fleas will always be in the environment so, unless you conďŹ ne your pet inside a ďŹ&#x201A;ea-free house all the time, complete eradication is not realistic â&#x20AC;&#x201C; instead, you need to focus on killing these pests quickly on your pets and preventing them breeding in your homes. Many veterinary practices offer ďŹ&#x201A;ea clinics, free of charge, which are run by veterinary nurses, so information and assistance from professionals is easy to access.

FLEA FACTS Ä&#x2018;ĆŤĆŤOne ďŹ&#x201A;ea can lay 50 eggs a day, producing over 1000 ďŹ&#x201A;eas in just three weeks! An infestation can spread extremely fast so you need to act quickly. Ä&#x2018;ĆŤĆŤ *(5ĆŤ,!0/ĆŤ0$ 0ĆŤ .!ĆŤ ((!.#% ĆŤ0+ĆŤĂ˝! /ĆŤ3%((ĆŤ/ . 0 $Ä&#x2039;ĆŤ +1.ĆŤ,!0ĆŤ +1( ĆŤ !ĆŤ.% (! ĆŤ3%0$ĆŤĂ˝! /ĆŤ 10ĆŤ/$+3ĆŤ*+ĆŤ/%#*/Ä&#x2039; Ä&#x2018;ĆŤĆŤFleas can kill. Like vampires, they feed on blood â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which can be fatal for kittens. Sadly we see many preventable deaths from ďŹ&#x201A;ea bite anaemia every year. Veterinary ďŹ&#x201A;ea sprays can be used on kittens and puppies from as young as two days old. Your vet can also supply products that are safe to use on a bitch or queen while she is pregnant or feeding her young. Veterinary products are different to non-prescription ďŹ&#x201A;ea treatments and are safe and effective. Ä&#x2018;ĆŤĆŤ +)!ĆŤ+2!.ÄĄ0$!ÄĄ +1*0!.ĆŤ +#ĆŤĂ˝! ĆŤ0.! 0)!*0/ĆŤ *ĆŤ'%((ĆŤ 0/Ä&#x152;ĆŤ/+ĆŤ (3 5/ĆŤ.! ĆŤ0$!ĆŤ( !(ĆŤ * ĆŤ*!2!.ĆŤ,10ĆŤ ĆŤ +#ĆŤ,.+ 1 0ĆŤ+*ĆŤ ĆŤ 0Ä&#x2039; Ä&#x2018;ĆŤĆŤ95 per cent of the ďŹ&#x201A;ea population lives in the environment, which could mean your house and garden as well as lots of other areas. If you only kill the ďŹ&#x201A;eas on your pet you will not control the problem. It often takes six months or longer to treat an infestation so prevention is an easier, more sensible and more affordable option. Ä&#x2018;ĆŤĆŤ (! /ĆŤ *ĆŤ(%2!ĆŤ%*ĆŤ ĆŤ + ++*ĆŤ"+.ĆŤ1,ĆŤ0+ĆŤ ĆŤ5! .ĆŤ !"+.!ĆŤ$ 0 $%*#Ä&#x2039;ĆŤ +1/!$+( ĆŤ/,. 5/ĆŤ * ĆŤÄ&#x2122; +) /Ä&#x161;ĆŤ *Ä&#x161;0ĆŤ'%((ĆŤ0$!/!ĆŤ,1, (ĆŤ /0 #!/Ä&#x152;ĆŤ/+ĆŤ5+1ĆŤ)1/0ĆŤ3 %0ĆŤ1*0%(ĆŤ0$!5ĆŤ$ 0 $ĆŤ0+ĆŤ !/0.+5ĆŤ0$!)Ä&#x2039;ĆŤ % . 0%+*/ĆŤ!* +1. #!ĆŤĂ˝! /ĆŤ0+ĆŤ$ 0 $ĆŤ/+ĆŤ2 11)%*#ĆŤÄ¨+.ĆŤ &1),%*#ĆŤ +10Ä&#x201C;ÄŠĆŤ !"+.!ĆŤ/,. 5%*#ĆŤ0$!ĆŤ$+1/!ĆŤ%/ĆŤ%),+.0 *0Ä&#x2039;ĆŤ ĆŤ3+1( ĆŤ!40!* ĆŤ0$!ĆŤ1. *ĆŤ)50$ĆŤ +10ĆŤ + '.+ $!/ĆŤ /1.2%2%*#ĆŤ*1 (! .ĆŤ3 .ĆŤ0+ĆŤ%* (1 !ĆŤĂ˝! ĆŤ,1, !Ä&#x152;ĆŤ /ĆŤ0$!.!ĆŤ%/ĆŤ *+0$%*#ĆŤ%*ĆŤ+1.ĆŤ ./!* (ĆŤ0$ 0ĆŤ *ĆŤ'%((ĆŤ0$!)Ä&#x2039; Ä&#x2018;ĆŤĆŤBubonic plague â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which most people associate with the Middle Ages â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is carried by ďŹ&#x201A;eas and still exists in this century. An average of ten cases of the bubonic plague are seen yearly in the US but luckily it no longer exists in the UK. Ä&#x2018;ĆŤĆŤ +0ĆŤ ((ĆŤ,!+,(!ĆŤ%*ĆŤ ĆŤ$+1/!$+( ĆŤ3%((ĆŤ#!0ĆŤ %00!*ĆŤ 5ĆŤĂ˝! /Ä&#x2039;ĆŤ +)!ĆŤ,!+,(!ĆŤ !(%!2!ĆŤ0$ 0ĆŤ0$+/!ĆŤ 3%0$ĆŤÄ&#x2122;/3!!0!.Ä&#x161;ĆŤ (++ Ä&#x152;ĆŤ(%'!ĆŤ % !0% /Ä&#x152;ĆŤ .!ĆŤ )+.!ĆŤ 00. 0%2!ĆŤ0+ĆŤĂ˝! /Ä&#x2039;

For more info on Eastgate Veterinary Group, see www.eastgatevets.co.uk

78 | Cambridge Edition | May 2013

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MONEY

MONEY TALK Sanchia Norris, tax partner and head of the private clients team at Cambridge-based chartered accountants firm Peters Elworthy & Moore, talks inheritance tax and the gift of giving ENERALLY, INHERITANCE Tax (IHT) only becomes an issue when someone dies and is paid on the taxable value of the deceased’s estate – the threshold of which is currently set above £325,000. For any value over this threshold, IHT is charged at 40% unless more than ten per cent of the estate is given to charity when IHT is reduced to 36%. To work out how much IHT needs to be paid, the executors of the estate will need to assess the value of all the assets, and then deduct any debts, bills and funeral expenses. However, there are ways to reduce the amount of IHT your family will pay after you have gone and also benefit you while you’re living. One compromise would be to take capital out of your estate but retain the ability to receive regular payments, without affecting your current or future standard of living. It is difficult to do this without creating significant tax issues – Gift with Reservation of Benefit (GWROB) or even pre-owned asset charges. Have your cake... Say for instance, you have a metaphorical cake worth £100,000, which you want to give away. If you do so with strings attached, so that you can get all or part of it back at any time, this would be a classic GWROB, and the gift would fail. As part of a tax-planning arrangement, it is suggested that you cut a slice out of this cake and keep it for yourself, before giving away the remainder. This arrangement would not be a GWROB; the slice you have retained has not been given away and there is no reservation in the remainder given away. It is actually possible to achieve this financially using a Discounted Gift Trust (DGT), which is designed to allow you to give away a substantial sum, yet retain

IMAGE: Donate money now to save on your tax bill later

the right to receive regular capital tax-free payments for the rest of your life, without creating a significant tax issue. The ‘slice of cake’ retained represents your right to receive future capital payments, paid monthly just like an annuity, but tax free. What is left after this right has been satisfied is the remainder, which is put into a settlement for your beneficiaries. The ‘slice’ of the £100,000 that is used to provide you with future capital payments cannot be a gift – it is retained for your own benefit. However, the value placed on that slice will depend on many factors, including your age and state of health, the amount of each capital payment you will receive and current interest rates, but it has to be only a proportion of the original £100,000. Discounted Gift Trust In a recent case I advised on, an actuary

Say you have a metaphorical cake worth £100,000 to give away. As part of a tax-planning arrangement, cut a slice out of this cake and keep it for yourself 80 | Cambridge Edition | May 2012

calculated the value of the retained slice to be £45,000, where Mr Smith had retained a right to receive £5,000 a year for the rest of his life. The actual gift Mr Smith has made is only £65,000 for Inheritance Tax purposes. In other words, there is in effect a 45% discount on his total investment of £100,000, which is why the arrangement is known as a Discounted Gift Trust (DGT). The value of the retained ‘slice’ for IHT purposes is immediately reduced to zero at the point that the gift is made. If Mr Smith were to die within seven years of making the gift part of the remaining ‘cake’ would be taken into account when calculating IHT on death. However if Mr Smith survived the gift by more than seven years, there will be no taxable value of the gift in his estate. This means that Mr Smith will receive regular capital payments for the rest of his life and has escaped IHT on the £100,000 gifted out of his estate. Peters Elworthy & Moore, Station House, Station Road, Cambridge CB1 2LA, 01223 728222, pem@pem.co.uk