Cambridge Edition July 2019 by Bright Publishing

Cambridge EDITION XXXXXXXX

YOUR MONTHLY FIX OF

LOCAL LIFE

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OPEN STUDIOS

DISCOVER AMAZING ART AROUND THE CITY

GREAT DAYS OUT

20 IDEAS FOR FAMILY ADVENTURES THIS JULY

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S I G N U P TO O U R W E E K LY D I G I TA L N E W S L E T T E R

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EDITORIAL

Editor in chief Nicola Foley 01223 499459 nicolafoley@bright-publishing.com Chief sub editor Beth Fletcher Senior sub editor Siobhan Godwood Sub editor Felicity Evans Junior sub editor Elisha Young

ADVERTISING

Senior sales executive Lee Fifield 01223 492240 leefifield@bright-publishing.com Senior sales executive Harriet Abbs 01223 499464 harrietabbs@bright-publishing.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Alex Rushmer, Angelina Villa-Clarke, Cyrus Pundole, Charlotte Griffiths, Siobhan Godwood, Sue Bailey, Daisy Dickinson, Jordan Worland, Ruthie Collins, Anna Taylor

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Designer Lucy Woolcomb 01223 499468 lucywoolcomb@bright-publishing.com Designer Emma Di'Iuorio Ad production Man-Wai Wong 01223 499468 manwaiwong@bright-publishing.com

MANAGING DIRECTORS Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck 01223 499450

CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK FIND US @CAMBSEDITION CAMBRIDGE EDITION MAGAZINE • Bright Publishing Ltd, Bright House, 82 High Street, Sawston, Cambridgeshire CB22 3HJ, 01223 499450, cambsedition.co.uk • All rights reserved. Material contained in this publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior permission of the publishers. • Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Cambridge Edition or Bright Publishing Ltd, which do not accept any liability for loss or damage. • Every effort has been made to ensure all information is correct. • Cambridge Edition is a free publication that is distributed in Cambridge and the surrounding area.

This month’s cover illustration, created by

Laura Bryant, is based on a photograph by Martin Bond, aka A Cambridge Diary. You can

see more of his spectacular snapshots of the city at acambridgediary.co.uk

Author illustrations by Louisa Taylor louisataylorillustration.blogspot.co.uk

s well as all the usual Cambridge summer staples to relish (lido trips, sunny afternoons at Grantchester Meadows, Pimm’s-fuelled punting, hazy evenings at the Mill Pond, to name a few), the local events calendar goes into overdrive at this time of year, offering up all kinds of delightful open-air events to help us make the most of those precious weeks of high summer. Pack up your picnic blanket and a bottle of something sparkling and head to one of the many alfresco concerts, theatre shows and cinema screenings which are coming up: we’ve rounded up the best of the bunch over on page 17. From Shakespeare in college gardens to a film festival on the River Cam, there’s plenty to tempt. We’re also looking forward to Cambridge Open Studios in this issue, an event that sees artists around the county welcoming the public into their homes and workspaces. We spoke to some of the artists involved on page 32. Also coming up this month, after a hiatus of a couple of years, is Independents’ Week: a city-wide celebration of our local independent businesses. For punters, it’s a chance not only to explore the many great indie shops and eateries the city has to offer, but also take advantage of all sorts of special offers and events. Get the lowdown on page 78. Our resident food historian Dr Sue Bailey heads off on another foodie flight of fancy in the latest in her Cambridge on a Plate series, which is rapidly becoming one of my favourite monthly columns. From the city’s ‘sticky bun wars’ to the ancient Greeks’ passion for biscuits, it is, as always, illuminating and hunger inducing. Have a read on page 74. Local author Beth Lynch’s beautiful nature writing is in the spotlight in this month’s Edition Book Club (page 23), in which she discusses Where The Hornbeam Grows – and if that doesn’t get you inspired to preen your garden for summer, Anna’s lyrical descriptions of the comings and goings at her Audley End flower farm (page 93) are sure to. We also chat to the couple behind the city’s restaurant on a bus, La Latina; round up the 20 best family days out, and meet the manager of Cambridge Folk Fest for a behind-thescenes glimpse at this year’s highlights. Enjoy the issue and see you next month!

Nicola Foley EDITOR IN CHIEF

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6 l STARTERS

Top things to do and see in the city, plus our favourite social media pics

9 l ARTS & CULTURE

Exhibitions, concerts and theatre highlights to enjoy in July

17 l LET’S GO OUTSIDE

Enjoy a bit of summer breeze with your culture fix at these alfresco arts events

23 l BOOK CLUB

We chat to local author Beth Lynch about her new book Where the Hornbeam Grows

29 l ART INSIDER

Ruthie Collins, founder of Cambridge Art Salon, shares her arty picks of the month

30 l THE ART OF ACTIVISM We meet the local environmental activists using art as a rallying cry

32 l OPEN STUDIOS Artists all over Cambridgeshire open their doors to the public

36 l FOLK FESTIVAL

We chat to the Cambridge Folk Festival manager to find out what’s in store

39 l AFTER HOURS

Comedy, gigs, festivals and more nightlife fun this month

45 l LISTINGS

Our at-a-glance guide to the top events and goings-on this month

48 l COMMUNITY HUB Community events, charity news and more, from your local hub

50 l SUMMER DAYS OUT Family-friendly fun to make it the best school holiday ever

57 l SUMMER AT MUSEUMS A look at the special activities taking place at the University of Cambridge Museums

62 l FOOD NEWS

All the latest news and gossip from the Cambridge food and drink scene

66 l ON THE BUSES

We discover the story of Cambridge’s restaurant on a bus, La Latina

71 l RECIPE

La Latina share the recipe for their addictive and delicious tostones

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73 l CHEF’S TABLE

Chef Alex Rushmer on what’s cooking in his kitchen this month

74 l CAMBS ON A PLATE

Dr Sue Bailey dives into local food history books, making some intriguing discoveries

78 l INDIE WEEK

The city’s celebration of independent businesses returns and we’ve got all the details

85 l BEAUTY

Daisy Dickinson rounds up the beauty products on her radar this month

93 l GARDENS

Flower farm owner Anna shares what’s happening in the garden this month

94 l INDIE OF THE MONTH

In the spotlight this month, local success story Tomas Kitchen Living

97 l INTERIORS

Angelina rounds up the latest hues for the home in a colour special

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STA RT E R S

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O U R FAVO U R I T E C A M B R I D G E I N S TAG R A M P I C S O F T H E M O N T H . H A S H TAG # I N S TAC A M B F O R A C H A N C E TO F E AT U R E ! FOLLOW @CAMBSEDITION ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE GREAT PICS OF CAMBRIDGE

E A R LY N IGH T CLU B Cambridge’s club night for the not-sonocturnal is back, bringing great tunes, cocktails and tasty tapas to La Raza on 11 July. If you love going out and dancing, but also have responsibilities and can’t risk being a zombie the next day, this is the event for you! It starts and finishes early, with a packed dancefloor by 9pm and everyone home and in bed by midnight. There’s always a great atmosphere and loads of crowd-pleasing tunes, and this month has a Club Tropicana theme, so we’re guessing 80s-tastic fun is on the cards. The La Raza cocktail makers will be whipping up classy concoctions, and there’s also a menu of tapas-style dishes if you fancy a bite to eat. Tickets are £12 and can be purchased via Ticket Tailor.

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STA RT E R S

THE GOG SUNDOWNER SESSIONS The most glorious way to wind down at the end of the working week, the Gog Sundowner Sessions begin for the season this month, taking place every Friday and Saturday night between 13 July and 21 September. A chilled-out, summery affair, guests can relax in the beautiful rural setting, sip on craft beer and prosecco, and of course – catch a famous Gog sunset. Throughout the season, there will be a line-up of local DJs and musicians, with plans for a Sundowner Unplugged open mic-style event, too. There will also be all kinds of delicious food, plus the popular silent disco will be in situ for the opening and closing events: get ready to dance like nobody’s watching! Another one to keep an eye out for this summer is the Gog Centenary Family Picnic on 31 September, which promises a village fete-style day of merriment for the family. thegog.com

C A S T L E HIL L OPEN DAY From exploring a nuclear bunker to feasting at a pop-up vegan cafe, there’s something for everyone at the Castle Hill Open Day on 13 July. It’s a chance to explore one of the oldest and most vibrant corners of the city, as venues across the area open for free, and host special activities. Visitors can enjoy a tour of the New Hall Art Collection, join in with walking tours, select herbs and make tea in the Murray Edwards Garden, get creative at an art workshop at Kettle’s Yard and learn about history at Histon Road Cemetery. You can also get the best view of Cambridge from Castle Mound, plus tuck into delicious eats at the pop-up food stations, or bring along a picnic if you prefer. Families can also enjoy the Museum of Mysteries trail at The Museum of Cambridge, and make magnets and discover secret symbols in and around St Peter’s Church. The event runs 12pm to 5pm and is free to attend. kettlesyard.co.uk

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A RT AC T I V I SM • CA M B R I D G E O P E N ST U D I O S • A L F R E S CO A RTS • B O O K C L U B

OPEN STUDIOS A piece by Paul Abbott, who will exhibit his work at Cambridge Open Studios in July. Find out more on page 32

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A RTS & C U LT U R E

WRITEON Featuring six new one-act plays, WRiTEON Stage Festival hits theatres across Cambridge between 23 and 27 July. Organised by WRiTEON, a forum for local scriptwriters, the festival is the most ambitious project the group has staged, featuring neverbefore-seen works at the ADC, Corpus Playroom and the Larkum Studio. CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK

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Pieces range from a thriller about a bodyguard (Guarded) through to the story of a couple who learn the consequences of taking role play too far (Role Play). “We’re so excited about this project. It’s a great opportunity for audiences in Cambridge to see fresh and outstanding new writing,” says Richard McNally, festival director.

“Some of it’s quite challenging, some is experimental, but each play offers something different and entertaining. All the scripts were judged anonymously, so we have plays from local writers already known to WRiTEON, and some we are working with for the first time.” writeon.org.uk J U L Y 2 019

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EDUC AT ING R I TA The story of Frank, a frustrated academic and dedicated drinker, and Rita, a hairdresser on a quest for self-betterment, comes to the Arts Theatre for a six-day run at the end of the month. Written by Willy Russell, the Educating Rita play premiered at London’s Donmar Warehouse in 1980, before famously being made into a film starring Julie Walters and Michael Caine three years later. A story of class, education J U L Y 2 019

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and friendship played out between two characters who have much to learn from one another, the play was inspired by Russell’s own experiences of night classes. The production coming our way on 29 July stars Stephen Tompkinson (Drop the Dead Donkey, Ballykissangel) in the role of Frank, and Jessica Johnson as Rita. Tickets are available from £20. cambridgeartstheatre.com

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JULIUS CAESAR Environmental theatre group in situ: returns with not simply a performance of Shakespeare’s powerful political drama Julius Caesar, but a creative response to it, in the first of several productions in July. Using Shakespeare’s original text in unusual and thought-provoking ways, in situ: creates Julius Caesar Project, a compelling walkround production at The Leper Chapel on Newmarket Road. Splicing in texts from Plutarch among others, with extended voice and complex choreographies, it circulates around the violent death of a charismatic leader and its catastrophic consequences. Democracy under threat, conspiracy, assassination, riots, death squads, civil war. The walls of the ancient and atmospheric Leper Chapel echo with cries, whispers and curses. Caesar’s angry ghost wants blood. Richard Spaul, director, says: “There are very few genuine ensemble theatre groups around nowadays and I am thrilled to be working with one

of the best. We’ve worked on voice, movement and many other themes.” On Saturday 13 July, Richard performs a remarkable solo version of Hamlet, in a tour de force of what many consider Shakespeare’s greatest play, also at The Leper Chapel. Over the next two weekends at the same venue, he performs storytelling of the strange and uncanny. The Demon Lover, on 20 July, features tales from some of the greatest masters and mistresses of the genre. Tales of Mystery and Imagination, on Sunday 21 July, has fascinating stories by the undisputed king of the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe. Ghost Stories is one of in situ:’s most popular performances, told and sung by Richard on Saturday 27 July. On the 28th, catch Beasts and Super-Beasts, which celebrates the work of HH Munro – known as Saki – one of the greatest storytellers of the 20th century. Tickets for performances, which start at 8pm, are £15, available via insitutheatre.co.uk

HOT BED T HE AT R E F ES T I VA L An annual festival of new writing and work for the stage, HOTBED returns to Cambridge Junction from 19 to 21 July. Offering a weekend’s worth of theatre, which includes world premieres, international guest performances, new plays and interactive workshops, the festival is run by Menagerie Theatre Company, a leading voice for new writing talent in the East of England. On the bill this year, see Bliss by Fraser Grace: an epic story set in Russia in 1920 which explores what it is to love in times of immense hardship. A new production of Boulder, meanwhile, offers a reimagining of Greek myth told through puppetry, while the original and moving Two Comrades comes to Cambridge straight from Prague. There’s also new plays and works-in-progress from Menagerie associates including Lucy Crowe, Steve Waters and Lucy Sheerman, plus exciting workshops and community performances including Cambridge’s social theatre company, Acting Now. junction.co.uk

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RO CK Y HOR ROR SHOW Damn it, Janet – the Rocky Horror Show is coming to town! Join Dr Frank N Furter and co at the Arts Theatre for a high camp rock ‘n’ roll romp this month, as Richard O’Brien’s legendary musical hits Cambridge as part of a sell-out worldwide tour. Directed by Christopher Luscombe and featuring classic tunes like Sweet Transvestite and Time Warp, the show tells the story of two squeaky clean college kids whose car breaks down outside a creepy mansion, beginning an adventure they’ll never forget. Grab your ticket (from £25) and join the risqué fun from 15-20 July. rockyhorror.co.uk

THE 39 STEPS

A R T AT T HE LOCK ER C A F E Often displayed at King’s Parade gallery Byard Art, the work of local illustrator Alice Thomson will take the spotlight this month in a solo show at the Locker Cafe. Running until 18 July, the exhibition showcases the charming depictions of our city which Alice has become known for. “I take my sketchbook and camera wherever I am and sometimes work straight from life,” she says. “This exhibition features the spirit of Cambridge – the cafes, streets, punts and bicycles – even the odd bus and musician! I often start with a simple continuous line, before adding more colour, collage and detail to depict a place and a moment.” alicethomson.co.uk CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK

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The 39 Steps, featuring 139 characters played by a cast of just four, blends Hitchcockian suspense with a juicy spy plot, offering a fastpaced whodunit filled with wildly inventive stagecraft. Originally a novel by Scottish author John Buchan, it was famously adapted for the silver screen in the 1930s, resulting in what is still widely regarded to be one of the finest British films ever made. The plot follows Richard Hannay, a man trudging through a dull existence until one day he meets a woman with an exotic accent who claims to be a spy. Before long, there’s been a murder and a mysterious spy organisation called The 39 Steps is hot on Hannay’s heels in a nationwide manhunt. A bona fide classic of both screen and stage, you can catch it from 2 to 6 July, with tickets from £9. adctheatre.com

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A L F R E S CO A RTS

FROM OPEN-AIR SHAKESPEARE TO OUTDOOR CINEMA, THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR AN ALFRESCO CULTURE FIX THIS SUMMER

MOVIES ON THE MEADOWS Cambridge’s original outdoor cinema experience, Movies on the Meadows, returns to its usual, idyllic spot in Grantchester this August bank holiday. A prelude to Cambridge Film Festival, the event takes place over the course of four nights, screening a total of 12 films, which range from current blockbusters to family classics. Beamed out across the meadows on giant inflatable screens, more CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK

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than 3,000 film-lovers enjoy the screenings each year, making it the largest outdoor cinema event in the country – and 2019 is set to be the biggest and best yet. Catch Mary Poppins Returns, Bohemian Rhapsody, Dr Strangelove, Avengers: Endgame and more between 23 and 26 August, plus tuck into street food under the stars. Adult tickets are £16, available now. cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk

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J A Z Z IN T HE G A R DENS Pack up a picnic and a bottle of fizz and head to the gardens at the Wimpole Estate, where you can enjoy an alfresco concert by Cambridge band Django’s Tiger this month. Taking place on Saturday 13th, it’s a chance to enjoy a look around Wimpole’s stunning grounds, which include a walled garden and a parterre, and are filled with exotic blooms, some originally sourced by plant hunters in the 18th century. Entertainment-wise, you can expect swinging gypsy jazz in the tradition of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, and a repertoire of standards plus contemporary tunes. Tickets are £10 for adults and £7 for children. nationaltrust.org.uk

ENCHANTED CINEMA The Enchanted Cinema summer 2019 season is in full swing, offering film fans a chance to catch great flicks in gorgeous locations until September. Upcoming highlights include a sumptuous Baz Luhrmann duo of Romeo & Juliet (5 July) and The Great Gatsby (17 August), both of which will be screened in the pretty walled garden at the Gonville Hotel. There’s a coterie of recent Oscar winners, including Bohemian Rhapsody, A Star is Born and Green Book, while the classics are well represented with Dirty Dancing, When Harry met Sally and Grease. EC really goes the extra mile to make sure your evening is an enchanted one, with prosecco, craft beer, popcorn, light installations and live musical entertainment. enchantedcinema.co.uk J U L Y 2 019

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A L F R E S CO A RTS T H E R I V ER C A M F I L M F EST I VA L

Punt rides, live music, delicious hot food, an outdoor bar, garden games and – of course – movies galore are all on offer at this year’s River Cam Film Festival. Running from 25 to 28 July, festivities kick off with a showing of A Star is Born on the 25th. Starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, this fourth adaptation of the classic ‘ageing star meets hopeful ingenue’ story features the Oscar-winning song Shallow as part of its fantastic original soundtrack. Next up is The Favourite on the 26th. Another Oscar winner – this time for Best Actress Olivia Colman – it’s the story of the love triangle between Queen Anne and her feuding ladies in waiting, Lady Sarah and Abigail. Box-office smash Bohemian Rhapsody, the story of Freddie Mercury’s adventures with Queen, is on the 27th, and finally the winner of the Oscar for Best Picture, Green Book, gets its turn on the 28th. Punt taxis set off from Scudamore’s punt station from 6.30pm onwards, and there will be plenty of fab food and drink options to keep you amused until your film starts, as the sun sets. A range of ticket options is available, starting at £15. starandmouse.com

SHAKESPEARE FEST The lawns of Cambridge become a stage this month when the annual Shakespeare Festival returns from 8 July to 24 August. Taking place in some of Cambridge University’s most beautiful college gardens, the festival has been enthralling audiences with timeless tales of romance, tragedy and farce for more than 30 years. Described by The Times as serving up a “tour de force of Elizabethan drama”, the programme sees four plays running from 8 to 27 July, before the programme switches with four new offerings during late July and August. Act one sees Cambridge Shakespeare Festival favourite A Midsummer Night’s Dream bring fairies, forests, magic and mysticism to St John’s College, while A Winter’s Tale serves a cold slice of suspicion and obsession (and a bear) at Downing College. We meet up with Falstaff and the rest of the gang in Henry IV Part 1 at Robinson College, while Hamlet’s spiral of self-torment and madness will play out against the really rather lovely backdrop of King’s College’s gardens. Up for round two will be The Tempest (Trinity College), Much Ado About Nothing (St John’s), Henry IV Part 2 (Robinson College), and As You Like It (King’s College). Adult tickets are £17. cambridgeshakespeare.com

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J A Z Z & BR A SS IN T HE PA R K S Bringing a programme of concerts to the city’s green spaces each summer, Jazz & Brass in the Parks runs on selected Sundays until 15 September. Completely free and open to all, you can catch music from the likes of the Brass Funkeys and Cambridge Groove Orchestra, at spots including Jesus Green. Pack some snacks and a blanket, and you’ll be all set for a perfect weekend wind down. cambridgelive.org.uk

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EVENTS AT AUDLEY END

There’s a busy calendar of outdoor events coming up in the stunning gardens of Audley End House, just outside Saffron Walden. Music on a Sunday will see live ensembles providing a soundtrack to summer frolicking on selected weekends (the next dates for your diary are 7 and 21 July), while The Luna Cinema returns from 5 to 7 July with three nights of feel-good films, a full bar and hot food available on site. Up this time are The Greatest Showman, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, and Bohemian Rhapsody. The glorious Heritage Live Concert Series, organised by Giles Cooper Entertainment, is also back between 12 and 14 July, with an array of A-list acts. While you relax and soak up the splendour of this Jacobean mansion and its beautiful gardens, you’ll be treated to live music from legendary performers including The Human League, synth-pop heroes ABC, indie poppers The Hives and The Fratellis, plus The Jacksons, Boney M and Kool & The Gang. english-heritage.org.uk

SOU N DS GR EEN As far as settings for a concert go, they don’t come more lovely than the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens, which welcomes back its Sounds Green series this July. From Senegalese salsa to classic jazz, all kinds of music is filling the gardens this summer, with visitors encouraged to pack a picnic and relax as dusk falls. The concerts take place each Wednesday in July, with music lasting around an hour, starting from 6.15pm, and there will be a bar from Thirsty plus Jack’s Gelato ice cream and street food from the likes of Pull Me Cheri. Up first, on 3 July, are Afro Tema, who bring beats from the streets of Senegal, followed on the 10th by Martin Kemp’s Organised Chaos, with a set of swing and jazz standards from the 1930s to the present. On 17 July, it’s over to Truly Medley Deeply for an exciting hybrid of live band, DJ and jukebox, before Ruth Applin and Josh Kemp Quartet take to the stage on the 31st for a selection of classics from the Great American Songbook and singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. Due to popularity, the Sounds Green events are ticketed this year for the first time, though walk-ups might also be available. botanic.cam.ac.uk

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BOOK CLUB CAMBRIDGE EDITION

BRINGING YOU TOP NEW FICTION PICKS, AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, DISCOUNTS AND LOTS MORE BOOK CHAT, THE EDITION BOOK CLUB IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH CAMBRIDGE LITERARY FESTIVAL AND HEFFERS

INTERVIEW BY CHARLOT TE GRIFFITHS

W HER E T HE HOR N BE A M GROWS FROM A FAMILY GARDEN IN SUSSEX TO THE SWISS JURA, WHERE THE HORNBEAM GROWS IS A MOVING MEMOIR ABOUT LOVE, LONELINESS AND THE HEALING POWER OF GARDENING

eth Lynch’s beautiful new book Where the Hornbeam Grows: A Journey in Search of a Garden evades easy categorisation: part memoir, part travelogue, part heartfelt nature writing, this evocative book is deeply reflective on the themes of memory, sense of place and how we choose to entangle ourselves (or not) with the world and people around us. The book follows the author from her parents’ home and exquisitely-drawn garden in Sussex to Switzerland, after her husband is offered a job there, and tracks her attempts to connect with her new country mates and possibly, maybe, begin to feel at home in

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that unfamiliar land. Of course, the book is also so much more than this, covering loss, grief, growth – both personal and plant – and a whole heap of bewitchingly written descriptions of flora that’ll leave you making a beeline for the garden centre, scribbled Latin names in hand. Ironically, for a tale about putting down one’s roots, Beth was constantly travelling while creating her book. “The whole process was very disjointed,” she says. “I started writing while we still had the house in the Jura: I was sitting at my desk and looking out at the garden when I began. Most of it was written on the move: sometimes in London, in Zurich, in cafes –

a couple of key paragraphs were written at the steering wheel in the Channel Tunnel… It’s been a really itinerant process: but the writing was something that I found bizarrely rooting, or grounding. I feel like a bit of a fraud: I think writers are supposed to have a desk with everything in place, which they sit at every day – I haven’t achieved that yet!” she laughs. Interestingly, Beth was never residing in the places she was describing as she was writing about them. “I was writing about the Sussex garden while I was in the Jura: then a lot of the writing about our lovely country garden in Switzerland was done after we’d left it.

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BOOK CLUB

“I knew what story I was telling – I didn’t map it all out” “I was writing the chapter – chapter six, I think, a total immersion in the garden – from memory, and a few notes that I’d jotted down at the time. That was a very strange phase of the writing process: I’d been dreading going back to the garden in my writing, but it turned out to be a wonderful experience, writing my way more deeply into it. We needed to leave Switzerland, but it broke my heart to leave the garden. That was the most beautiful place on Earth, and we will never live somewhere like that again…” Beth had always wanted to write: in one of her previous past lives, as she calls them, she worked in academia, teaching and researching literature. Eventually, Beth phased herself out of studying and trained as a garden designer, qualifying and planning to set up a business at precisely the same point as her husband Shaun was offered the life-changing opportunity in Switzerland. For a short while, Beth mulled over the idea of starting a garden design business in their new locale, but soon discovered that her plant-led style wasn’t an easy match with the structured, designfocused Swiss approach to space creation. This led Beth back to writing, which she pursued wholeheartedly. “I started out planning a book on enclosed gardens, and the experience of enclosure – which I suppose came out of my design training – but I kept mulling it over, and writing bits and pieces around it, and just started thinking that this wasn’t my book, this wasn’t my story,” she says. “While I was grappling with the idea, this whole... story was happening in our life: the move to Switzerland, finding the garden – and the book gradually took shape. I never set out to write a memoir – it’s not something I planned to do, to make it so personal. That was quite an interesting thing to negotiate. Despite the impression you might get from the book, I’ve always considered myself to be quite a private person. It was an interesting process of discovery about myself.” There are some parallels to be drawn between the creative act of designing a garden and writing a book – or at least, Beth’s approach to both challenges. “I trained as a garden designer, but have always had some ambivalence about the J U L Y 2 019

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design process,” she explains. “When I was training, I learnt every garden designer worth their salt focuses on the space and the layout. I remember a tutor telling me – he was trying to provoke me, but he had a point – that plants are mere decoration: you do the design, and once you’ve mapped out everything on paper and done the architectural bits, then you can do your planting plan. But the key is the design. I loved learning about that, and doing the technical drawing and how to survey, to measure – and I’ve made gardens for other people in that way – but I’ve never been able to apply that to my own way of gardening. My primary passion has always been plants, and I can’t look at a space without thinking about plants first, which is what you’re not supposed to do when you’re designing. With the book – once I realised I was telling my story, and that I knew what story I was telling, I didn’t map it all out in an orderly way – I just started writing, and wrote from start to finish: so there are some parallels. It’s probably just that I’m undisciplined,” she laughs.

LOOK OUT FOR THE CAMBRIDGE EDITION BOOK CLUB STICKERS IN HEFFERS AND GET MONEY OFF OUR MONTHLY PICK Heffers is located at 20 Trinity Street, Cambridge blackwells.co.uk

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BOOK CLUB

BET H LY NCH ’ S C A MBR I D GE THE ARCHITECT ON CASTLE HILL

I met my husband Shaun here in the nineties, when we were students and the pub was the County Arms. We go here from time to time, and though the pub is scrubbed, remodelled, airy and renamed, the old panelling is familiar beneath its light paint, and we can still pinpoint the table positions where certain evenings were spent with friends more than 20 years ago. HARVEY & SON

Now resident in Cambridge after a long absence from our city, Beth is enjoying the prospect of building another garden in the space behind her new home. “It’s the blankest canvas I’ve ever had. I’m finding that incredibly exciting, but also rather difficult: there’s so little to start with,” she says. “There’s an iris I was going to bin, with very tired-looking leaves. I didn’t get around to removing it and it’s emerged with these unbelievably rich, dark purple, velvety flowers – so I’ll be keeping that. It has to have a quince tree, and there’ll be a bit of grass left, full of clover and violets – but yes, I haven’t quite worked it out yet.” One section of Beth’s book sees her express fondness for a specific plant stall found in Cambridge’s central market, and it comes as no surprise to discover – despite a lack of space in which to plant anything – the author has paid multiple visits to her much-loved plant suppliers. “I’ve already been there!” she laughs. “It’s Mrs Jo Harvey, of Harvey & Son: they’re the most wonderful plant people. The stall I used to go to when I was in Cambridge all those years ago is still there. I hadn’t seen her for nine, ten years – we’re both a bit older, but their plants are still amazing. I haven’t been able to buy as many yet as I’d like to, but I’ve succumbed to temptation and already have a few things in pots on the patio – she managed to flog me an amazing salvia… It’s lovely that they’re still there: it’s a real sense of reconnecting.” It’s fair to say that Beth’s book has a whole host of characters besides the author and her husband: the hellebores, aquilegia, geraniums and other plants found in her gardens are so vividly and compellingly drawn, it’s hard not to stop reading and note them down. One of the key motifs of the book concerns the treasured cuttings, seeds and sometimes entire plants that Beth saves from her parents’ garden before selling the house, CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK

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and their continued adventures either in Switzerland or in the care of friends and family. It’s extremely gratifying to hear these plants and their descendants have already found their way back to Beth’s new Cambridge space. “All of the species have survived, one way or another, and will be the core plants in the new garden,” says Beth. “There was a bit of an issue with a hellebore, a treasured plant of my father’s – I passed it on to a very dear friend who lives just outside Cambridge, and by her own admission she put it in entirely the wrong place. It needed damp shade, but instead it sat on a patio in baking sun: we had quite a chuckle about that while the book was being written. Last week, we dug up the hellebore and it’s become the most enormous, thriving plant you can imagine. It’s now in a pot, in a shady space on my patio, waiting to be planted. It’s the original that had roots in the soil in my parents’ garden – that feels significant. Also my friend is just really relieved: she said, ‘Oh, I can finally sleep again – it’s not such a burden!’” Beth laughs. Where the Hornbeam Grows is a contemplative read that will be particularly enjoyed by keen gardeners and nature lovers, but even the least green-fingered reader will warm to Beth’s memorable, almost poetic meditations on family, sense of self and finding one’s place in the world. A book to be enjoyed in the summer, in as green a space as possible. l

I was overjoyed, returning to Cambridge after all these years away, to find the stall still thriving. Jo Harvey’s expertise and infectious enthusiasm make it impossible to walk past without buying a gaura or salvia (which I’ve done recently despite having, as yet, no soil in which to plant them). facebook.com/HarveyandSon MIDAN WORLD FOODS

We used this Histon Road shop as students, and when we were first married we lived nearby. We are so fortunate to have it as our local shop again. It’s a treasure trove of subcontinental, Middle Eastern and Italian ingredients, an amazing range of breads and flatbreads, bunches of the freshest coriander – and the staff are so friendly.

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RUTHIE COLLINS, FOUNDER OF CAMBRIDGE ART SALON, GIVES HER ARTY PICKS OF THE MONTH

ummer, with its ‘mad, naked’ nights (Walt Whitman) can feel like a glorious surprise when it arrives. As it gets hotter, the sea calls. But as a sense of crisis and action deepens in relation to the sea, we all yearn to protect its life and its beauty. I’ve just had a poem published in Like the Sea I Think, a new collection of maritime writing from East Anglia. Called Persephone Wakes, it’s part literary activism in response to the climate emergency, part joyous sea-quest to reawaken our connection to the planet. With East Anglia’s many beautiful coastal spots, it remains a source of inspiration for artists in Cambridge: communicating with the sea can be a rhapsodic way of connecting to the natural world. So, if you can’t get out to the beach, why not take your pick of seascape-inspired artists this month and go on a sea-quest of your own? Anja Perry’s first ever solo show is at Boudoir Femme on King Street this month, featuring sea-inspired, light, visceral acrylics on glass – not a canvas or paintbrush used, these iridescent beauties are created using acrylic pouring. A former shipping lawyer and diving instructor, Perry shows her technical and professional influences in this sparkling show. Or, as this is the time of year that art pilgrims march around the city as part of Open Studios, continue your sea-quest there. For anyone new to the city, or the initiative, which attracts thousands

of visitors every year, this is a fantastic way to meet artists face to face, or enjoy some lesser known spots opened up to the public. There are literally hundreds of artists and spaces to choose from, so I’d recommend having a cuppa, a leaf through the guide and, in addition to going along to your personal favourites, making space for new artists this year. Enjoy Alison Litherland’s wild, expressive abstracts at Artworks, or Lyz Gardner, whose studio is out in Ely, is an East Anglian oil painter whose work you can find in Cambridge Contemporary Art. Catherine Mellis’ bold, elusive monoprints are a joy, inspired by scuba diving, light and being underwater. Helen Foster, a scientist whose art teacher told her to see a psychologist if she wanted to study art – paints abstracts with a scientific twist, with startling results (choose science or art – ‘do both’ she says!). Or check out Melanie Max, whose bright, evocative seascapes are full of light. Don’t forget Cheryl Warren’s stunning abstracts: mesmerising and uplifting. Those with kids in tow, find children’s illustrators to entice the little ones – Amanda Hall, exhibiting in Romsey Town, is ace (and you’re not far from the Cambridge Waffle Company on Mill Road, with its amazing draw-on-the-walls colouring in – why not draw the sea?). I’m also making time to head to The Silence of Time: The Spaces In-Between, by Loukas Morley at the Museum of

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Classical Archaeology this month. This long-awaited solo show, at one of Cambridge’s most fascinating hidden away museums, will be a treat for fans of Morley’s work. His large-scale abstracts are striking in their modernity and bold colour in this environment. Sea-questers can hunt for the Cape Artemisium God, possibly Poseidon, Greek god of the sea, which was found in a shipwreck, while enjoying the collection of 450 casts of classical sculpture on display. Or hunt for the Lysicrates Monument (Dionysus turning pirates into dolphins – they had kidnapped him, so he punished them). “Loukas has achieved something really quite rare and exciting with this exhibition,” enthuses curator Suzanne Turner. “It is no exaggeration to say he has transformed our Cast Gallery, making time and space seem to fold upon itself with carefully placed mirrors and largescaled installations. Newly made works nestle among the casts, but even the older pieces from his repertoire seem at home. It is almost as if they had always been here, amplifying the very life force of our classical collection.” Finally, for those looking for actual sea, there’s also the chance to catch Will Self this month over in Great Yarmouth. He’s talking with Ryan Gander, whose bold sculpture, Really bad thing seen from a different perspective (The pet giraffe of the thief that stole a Barbara Hepworth sculpture from Dulwich Park), has been installed at Merrivale Model Village. On the way back to Cambridge, catch Lines of Sight: WG Sebald, at Norwich Castle; an exhibition on one of East Anglia’s most respected writers. Whatever you do, make the most of those glorious afternoons. “Summer afternoon – summer afternoon... the two most beautiful words in the English language,” (Henry James). Have a fantastic July, all. l J U L Y 2 019

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ARTISTS ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE REACTING TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS WITH ACTS OF CREATION, AND CAMBRIDGE IS PART OF THE MOVEMENT WORDS BY RUTHIE COLLINS

acing up to the ecological crisis – it’s really hard, emotional and frightening. But people react to art, they can have an emotional reaction more to art than to the concept of it all – or just the science.” Community artist Hilary Cox is talking about the wave of environmental art activism that has increased exponentially since the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued its report on climate change last October. “The act of creating something useful and being part of change is good for us,” she continues. Crisis at this level, with stark warnings of potential extinction of life issued by thousands of scientists, is an almost impossible concept to grasp for many. It’s tempting to wish it would all just go away. But it won’t. A rallying cry comes from Extinction Rebellion Cambridge, which attracts people-turned-activists from all kinds of backgrounds across the city. Art: just one of the creative tools for activism. “People are so full of ideas and creativity – with a little facilitation they really blossom,” Hilary says. “Across the world this movement is creating resources, sharing and supporting. It’s a collaborative way of working, about being the change.” Whatever your age, there are plenty of ways you can get involved and help to make a difference, from guerrilla gardening to helping with stalls and festivals, and a regular working art group is held at Cambridge Artworks on Victoria Road. Support has also been offered by Cambridge Junction to create banners, as well as by Kettle’s Yard, which has started to offer artist workshops with Hilary in environmental art activism for young people. “Making a banner one morning, then seeing it on the front page of The Guardian – you know those messages are getting out there. This is a different way of getting headlines,” says Hilary, who J U L Y 2 019

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“The act of being part of change is good for us” also led an artist talk at Kettle’s Yard on environmental art activism earlier this year. “It’s about finding different ways of sending out a message, bringing people together to create solutions, new ways of doing things.” The local group is also helping a Cambridge wing of the Red Brigade, which brought carnivalesque street theatre, with participants all dressed in red, to Extinction Rebellion’s two-week shutdown of London in March, described as “a slow motion Buto meets Venice Carnival-style procession aiming to create beautiful disruption using the architecture of the streets to create powerful and arresting imagery.” It was after the second world war that the environmental movement became politicised by writers. Rachel Carson’s pioneering book Silent Spring, published in 1962, became a New York Times bestseller, raising awareness of the impact of pesticides. One of the pioneers of the environmental movement, her work fused science and ecology, highlighting the interconnectedness of man with the planet. “In nature nothing exists alone,” she wrote. The merging of art and science in today’s environmental art activism is particularly incendiary in Cambridge, historically home to so many worldfamous scientists and radical thinkers.

“The city is full of artivists and interesting people and the group is really open. People come along to the working art group and say they haven’t made anything since school. But they get stuck in,” says Hilary. Environmental art can be about embracing sustainability and using creativity as a means to connect with nature – important in an age defined by mass extinction and separation. Clare Crossman, nature writer, runs Nature Writing in the City, creative writing workshops at Othersyde. Loukas Morley, once a judge for the Anglia Ruskin Sustainability Art Prize, has a workshop full of seedling trees, and uses found objects and reclaimed materials in his practice. “It’s really about saying to yourself, when looking at the planet – would I treat my mother like this?” he says. Cherishing nature is as important as protesting, with concepts of renewal and rewilding all key. It’s not just Extinction Rebellion Cambridge using art to raise awareness. Last March, Cambridge Carbon Zero Society took over King’s College to push for the University divesting of fossil fuels. Using stencils, they spray-painted the walls of the college – the bright colours echoing the peacefulness of their protest. This year, a motion was passed for Cambridge University to cost out all advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels; a positive shift. “Making art can help strengthen a cause,” says Hilary. “It’s a regenerative process.” As pioneering activist Vandana Shiva said, “You are not Atlas carrying the world on your shoulder... the planet is carrying you.” l For more on Extinction Rebellion Cambridge visit facebook.com/ groups/xrcambridge or email Hilary Cox on mshilaryc@gmail.com

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THE ANNUAL CAMBRIDGE OPEN STUDIOS EVENT IS A CHANCE FOR LOCAL ART LOVERS TO MEET ARTISTS AND DISCOVER WHERE AND HOW THEY WORK. SIOBHAN GODWOOD FINDS OUT MORE

ambridge may be famous for its contribution to science, technology and academia, but there is a thriving artistic community here too. Cambridge Open Studios is one of the oldest open studio events in the country, and can be traced back to the 1960s, when a small group of Cambridge artists joined forces, opening their studios to the public as part of a movement to demystify arts and make them available to all. Although Open Studios has grown enormously, the ethos remains the same, and the aim is to make art accessible and to welcome the public in to see how artists produce their work. Artists open their doors to the public over four weekends in July, and a wide variety of media are represented, from jewellery and fine art to ceramics and furniture making. Artists are spread out across the city and in lots of Cambridgeshire’s villages, as well as in Ely. The event is free to the public, and most of the artists offer a range of different items, so if a painting or piece of jewellery isn’t in your budget, you can buy some cards or a mug featuring the artist’s work. As well as a way for art lovers to discover local talent, COS allows artists and craftspeople to meet each other and have their work included in the event’s promotional materials and social media activity. We talked to some of the artists involved in this year’s event to find out about what being part of Cambridge Open Studios means to them.

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A NS T E Y G A R R ICK GR EEN ANSTEY’S COLLAGES AND MIXED MEDIA ARTWORKS ARE VIBRANT WITH COLOUR AND USE A VARIETY OF MATERIALS INCLUDING PAPER, FELT, ENCAUSTIC AND THREAD

I’ve done Open Studios about five times before, and I exhibit out of my studio, which is at the bottom of my garden. There’s a lot of preparation involved, producing new artwork, getting cards printed, thinking about how everything is going to be displayed. I’m in Hemingford Grey; there are five of us in the village exhibiting this year and we have been getting together – it’s nice to be able to support each other. Most people who come to Open Studios are interested in art and like to talk about it, and it’s a lovely thing for artists to talk about their work. I particularly enjoy getting repeat visitors and showing them how my work has developed. A lot of the time, as an artist, you’re working on your own; you have belief in what you’re doing, but it’s not often you get the opportunity to see how your work affects people and how they respond to it. I get commissions out of it too – people can see things I’ve done, and ask for something similar but with slightly different elements or colours; I like doing pieces for people I’ve met face to face. As well as larger works, I always have cards to sell; some prints of larger works and some little handmade pieces. ansteyart.com COS 2019 weekends 1, 3 & 4

C A ROL W HI T EHOUSE CAROL’S WATERCOLOURS TAKE INSPIRATION FROM HER LOVE OF FLOWERS AND SHE INTERPRETS THEIR SHAPE AND COLOUR IN A LOOSE AND VIBRANT STYLE

This will be my first time taking part in Cambridge Open Studios. I’ve been painting for a number of years, and am involved in painting groups in Fulbourn – quite a few artists locally take part every year and they encouraged me to get involved. The Open Studios team offers lots of help for new artists, with new members’ evenings that you can attend to get advice. I’ll be exhibiting from my house, in the small room that I paint in, and also in my conservatory. It’s tricky knowing how much work to exhibit, but it depends a lot on the amount of space that you’ve got. I’ve also got cards ready for visitors who like the paintings but might not have the budget for a full framed work. In previous years I’ve been to see lots of different artists; it will be quite strange to be actually exhibiting myself this year! For me, it’s about saying ‘this is me, this is what I like to paint, and I’d like to share it with you’. If I sell some work, that will really just be an added bonus. COS 2019 weekends 1 & 2

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A RTS & C U LT U R E M A R I NA Y EDIG A ROF F MARINA MAKES INTENSE, DECORATED PAINTINGS AND PAINTED FURNITURE, BOWLS, BOXES AND FABRICS I’ve been doing Cambridge Open Studios since 1985; I’m one of the most long-standing artists. In the early years, I exhibited in Cambridge itself; I was in Gwydir Street, where there was a cluster of artists, and it was quite rock ‘n’ roll in those days. I exhibit in Ely now, and it’s getting busier each year. I’ve built up quite a clientele, and send out cards to people to remind them of the dates. It’s nice to see the same visitors year after year, and they tell their friends, so it’s quite a word of mouth thing. I keep doing it because it’s a very successful way to sell my work, through commissions and selling art on the day – much more so than exhibiting in galleries. Of course it’s nice to meet people and talk about my work, but I don’t think many artists would open their homes and their studios up just to be stared at – we all want to make a living! I do try to make the place look amazing, so it is a lot of work. I mural my walls and take out the furniture, too, so it’s not just paintings: the whole ground floor of my house is part of the show. It’s quite stressful – you have to be ready all the time, as you never really know when the next visitor will turn up, or 15 at once – but I enjoy it very much. I wouldn’t keep doing it if I didn’t! yedigaroff.com COS 2019 weekends 1, 2 & 4

CLARE CROUCHMAN

CLARE IS EXHIBITING HER HAND-PRODUCED FINE ART PRINTS INSPIRED BY RHY THMICAL AND GEOMETRIC PAT TERNS FROM NATURE

I have been doing Open Studios for many years – I started in about 1997, although I have missed a few. I exhibited at Wysing Arts Centre for a long time, but for the last few years I’ve done it from my own home. People seem to like having a look at how I work, and seeing all the equipment, finding out about my process. What’s great now is that there are a lot more people doing it in Histon, where I live, so visitors can do a little tour and visit several different artists in the village, and it gives me the chance to get to know the other artists, too. I get repeat customers coming back year after year; people that I’ve built up relationships with, who don’t necessarily buy something every year, but come back to say hello and see what I’m up to. I’ve decided to stop doing ceramics, as I’ve been doing it for 25 years and I want to take a break. It’s a big decision for me, as ceramics has been my main income for a long time, but I’m going to carry on with my printmaking and go in a new direction. So this year I’ll be selling the last of my ceramics – it feels like the end of an era! clarecrouchman.com COS 2019 weekends 1 & 2

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PAUL ABBOTT PL A N N I NG YOUR V ISI T S

Cambridge Open Studios runs annually over four weekends in July: this year it takes place on 6/7, 13/14, 20/21 and 27/28

PAUL’S OIL PAINTINGS CAPTURE RURAL AND COASTAL LANDSCAPES FROM AROUND EAST ANGLIA IN A LOOSE AND DYNAMIC STYLE This is my 11th year taking part in Open Studios. I’m not a full-time artist – it’s a hobby for me, as I have a day job – so taking part in something like this feels like a bit of an escape. It’s nice to get a bit of affirmation that someone likes what I do. Things get a bit stressful in the lead up to it every year as I have to get plenty of work together, get things framed and presented, and tidy the studio up. This year in Swaffham Prior there’s a group of established artists exhibiting in one of the churches in the village, and another group who have got together to get involved for the first time, so hopefully people will enjoy coming to the village and it will give them a reason to come all the way out here. I do all four weekends; once I’ve got it set up, I just feel that I might as well do the whole thing. The downside of that, of course, is that I don’t get the opportunity to go and see other artists, so each year I think to myself that I’ll take a year off and just be a visitor for a change. Then every year I find myself signing up again! vividicity.com COS 2019 weekends 1, 2, 3 & 4

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Visit camopenstudios.co.uk to download the free guidebook and find full details of the artists involved, and to check which weekends each artist is exhibiting. You can also download the app to search for artists and plan your visits. The guidebook is available in galleries, museums, independent cafes, and park and ride sites throughout Cambridgeshire. Find details of the artists and information about trails or collaborations on Twitter @CamOpenStudios or on Facebook. Look out for the yellow flags that artists display to show that they are open to visitors.

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Folk Tales

Folk Tales AHEAD OF THIS YEAR’S CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL, NICOLA FOLEY TALKS TO OPERATIONS MANAGER REBECCA STEWART FOR A BEHIND-THE-SCENES PREVIEW OF WHAT’S IN STORE

rom small beginnings in the 1960s, Cambridge Folk Festival has flourished into one of the best-known and best-loved gatherings of its kind in the world. It’s a festival cherished by many for its friendly atmosphere and delightfully eclectic line-ups, which embrace folk music in its many guises. A merry melting pot of traditional fiddlers, pipers and folky troubadours with acts at the cutting edge of the contemporary scene, the programme spans blues and country, too, along with gospel and world music performers. In total, some 14,000 folk fans make the pilgrimage to Cherry Hinton Hall each summer, many of whom return year after year – but what makes this event such a favourite, and how do the organisers keep guests coming back? “I think it holds a really special place in people’s hearts, because every aspect of the festival is considered important to us,” says the festival’s operations

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manager, Rebecca Stewart. “It’s not just about what happens at the main stage; it’s every stage – and the audience is key, too. We try and look after them to the best of our ability from the booking of their tickets to their arrival on site to the camping; the whole thing is thought about. It’s the attention to detail and the care we give that makes it special.” Rebecca is part of the small team at Cambridge Live responsible for the monumental task of bringing everything together for the festival each summer, and for whom it’s a year-round job. “There’s three of us on it full-time, and we’re already thinking about next year’s event,” she explains. “That’s mostly in terms of getting artists sorted. We do get a bit of a break after the festival and some time off. Then it’s straight into debriefing and planning again. It’s definitely a rolling process.” While around 200 staff will come together on the weekend itself, Rebecca

and her colleagues are the lynchpins of the behind-the-scenes organisation, taking care of everything from sourcing artists to organising the caterers and traders. “My role is a bit logistics, a bit admin – and a bit of talking people down from having paddies,” she laughs. “One of the best bits of the job, of course, is going and seeking out new stuff and seeing what’s out there – so that’s always a bit of a joy; finding the next thing.” Alongside headliners like Graham Nash and José González, this year’s event includes a guest curator in the shape of acclaimed singer-songwriter Nick Mulvey, an artist who is no stranger to CFF. “Nick’s been on the list for a long time,” says Rebecca. “He’s a local boy done good, and he’s played on every stage at the festival over the years. He always goes down incredibly well with our audience, and because of his ties to the area, it was a perfect fit for us. And Cambridge Folk Festival is special for him as well, because CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK

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“It’s not just about what happens on the main stage” he can see the route he’s taken through his career and his own progress.” Nick picks up the mantle from last year’s guest curator Rhiannon Giddens, and has taken to his role with gusto, assembling a motley collection of artists which reflect his love of world music. Among them are Welsh harpist Catrin Finch and Senegalese kora player, Seckou Keita, who’ll delve into their respective musical heritages for an utterly unique collaboration, plus Fofoulah, a group that fuses West African sabra drumming with hip-hop, pop and dubby baselines. One addition to this year’s festival that Rebecca is particularly looking forward to unveiling is The Sisters of Elva Hill, an original ballet commissioned especially for the event. Based on Kate Crackernuts, an old folk tale, it blends dance with a beautiful score woven from traditional British songs. “It has classical ballet in it, but a contemporary feel, and there’s an amazing interplay between the live musicians on the stage and the dancers. I went to a sharing performance they did recently and it was just amazing,” she beams. “I’m so excited for everyone to see it!” The organisers have been running a connected outreach project with Netherhall School, where students are

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creating their own piece based on an element of the ballet. The pupils have been invited along to the festival to watch The Sisters of Elva Hill on the stage, before showing their own performance in the flower garden later in the day. Other performances to look out for, says Rebecca, are the unique pair-ups and collaborations that the festival is known for orchestrating. “There are a couple of really nice one-offs that you’ll only see at our festival. Nancy Kerr and James Fagan are doing a Saturday afternoon slot with friends – so there’ll be a few surprises and special guests joining them, and Daoirí Farrell is doing a similar thing on Sunday, with some amazing Irish and Scottish musicians coming down to join him – that’s going to be really good.” It might be perceived as a pretty traditional affair, but there are ways in which CFF pushes boundaries and innovates in its space, leading the way for other festivals. As well as being award-winningly eco-friendly (the event

picked up a Greener Festival Award for its planet-positive practices), it’s also committed to maintaining a 50:50 gender split on its line-ups. “It’s something we’ve been doing for a number of years, and it’s really important,” says Rebecca. “You know, in most people’s minds we’re a bit of an old fuddy-duddy folk festival, but we’re actually quite pioneering and ahead of the other festivals. In 2017, the main stage was all female-fronted artists; in fact, we ended up having a day of only female artists on the two stages – and it was just a great day of music.” The 2018 bill continued in this vein, pushing beyond a 50:50 balance to a split that was 60% female, in a move that was applauded by many, including The Guardian, which praised its “verve and energy in a female-focused weekend”. “Interestingly, though, we had a number of complaints about it…” smiles Rebecca, wryly adding that she found responding to those particular emails to be “quite a cathartic thing”. “It was an interesting experience for us, and it’s something we’d be looking to do again in the future, for sure. You’ve got to keep pointing these things out, keep highlighting them. It’s important.” As the big weekend draws closer, Rebecca is most looking forward to those moments of calm when she and her team can relax and soak up the atmosphere. “There’s this feeling that usually hits you around Friday afternoon: suddenly there’s a lull in what people are asking, and you realise that it’s all working, and it’s all fine… For me, it’s the little things. It’s when I’m wandering around at midnight, and there’s people just having a lovely time, and just seeing people’s enjoyment – that’s when you know that you’ve done a good job.” l Cambridge Folk Festival runs 1 to 4 August, weekend tickets available at £179. cambridgelive.org.uk

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NIGHTLIFE

THE NIGHTLIFE EVENTS NOT TO MISS THIS MONTH

25JU-2LY8

STANDON CALLING Since small beginnings as a garden party 14 years ago, Standon Calling has flourished into one of the area’s top music festivals. Known for its boutique, quirky feel and family-friendly vibe, the festival takes place from 25 to 28 July on a sprawling estate in Standon, near Hertfordshire. The site, which is nestled in the valley of the River Rib, is a lovely mix of woodland and rolling meadows, complete with a heated outdoor pool that festivalgoers are welcome to hop into. For this year’s event, artists including Rag ‘N’ Bone Man, Chic & Nile Rodgers, Friendly Fires, Roisin Murphy and Echo and the Bunnymen will be taking to the stage, plus you can expect quirky entertainment, great costumes (this year’s theme is Twisted Creatures: a strange evolution), and a colourful parade. Tickets start at £159 for the weekend. standon-calling.com CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK

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NIGHTLIFE

NOW BOOKING

L ON D ON A F R IC A N GOSP EL CHOI R 21 SEPT, CORN EXCHANGE, £28

They’ve performed with Mumford & Sons and been praised by Annie Lennox and Paul Simon.

N EW ROU T ES

J U LY

Fancy a folk festival warm-up, or alternative option? A family-friendly special from the New Routes team takes over Cambridge Junction on 28 July. With music from 3pm to 10pm, fun activities for all in the foyer and an epic raffle, all artists are donating their time and talent. Proceeds are going to SOS Children’s Villages, a Cambridge-based charity that works in more than 550 communities around the world. Acts include George Breakfast, Annie Dressner, Dan Wilde, Rosalie’s Lover, Honey & the Bear, Boxwood Chessman and Max Bianco & the Bluehearts. Tickets £10, £5 children. junction.co.uk

BI L LY BR AGG 26-28 NOV, CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION, £27.50

Three dates from the master singersongwriter, each with a different set.

A N DY C 16 NOV, CORN EXCHANGE, FROM £22

He’s released anthems such as and New Era, as well as being the go-to drum and bass remixer.

BIG W EEK EN D Get your picnic rugs and camping chairs out and head to Parker’s Piece for the Big Weekend, which runs from 5 to 7 July. Friday features Doctor and the Medics, Craig Charles and his ‘trunk of funk’, plus Kid Creole and the Coconuts reviving their 80s classics. Saturday features top local talent, rounded off by Big 10, purveyors of ska floor-fillers, before House Gospel Choir and Legend take the stage. Legend are seven top musicians and singers dedicated to Bob Marley’s music. Sunday is Cambridge Mela day, with Panjabi MC, Apache Indian and SonnyJi Sounds. cambridgelive.org.uk

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L EN N Y H EN RY 25 NOV, CORN EXCHANGE, FROM £34.50

An evening in the company of one of the country’s best-loved comedians.

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NIGHTLIFE

Gig Guide JORDAN WORLAND FROM LOCAL MUSIC WEBSITE SLATE THE DISCO GIVES HIS TOP LIVE MUSIC PICKS FOR THE MONTH AHEAD

he past couple of years have seen Dublin emerge as the epicentre for a new crop of exciting, gritty guitar bands. This new era of bands, including Girl Band, Fontaines DC and Just Mustard, has featured several stylistic trends, overlapping garage rock, punk, indie and post-punk, but all united by a nonchalance and unabashed nature. The Murder Capital are the latest addition to this raft of Irish bands, and this month sees the five-piece release their much-anticipated debut album. With a bolshy, cacophonous sound and unstintingly honest lyrics, The Murder Capital’s show at The Portland Arms on the 15th is our must-see gig of the month. LA duo Girl Pool (10th) are near impossible to pin down to a genre. Their most recent album is their most expansive yet, and flutters between indie-rock, dream pop and grungier sounds. The duo’s Portland Arms show is one of only three in the UK this summer, so definitely not to be missed. Bringing more noise to The Portland is Part Chimp (4th); expect heavy, fuzz-laden seismic rock. Support on the night comes from Newts, plus Cambridge outfit The Furious Sleep. Our final Portland Arms tip is The Catenary Wives, who bring their emotive indie sounds on the 17th. We have a trio of recommendations at the Blue Moon this month. There’s a night of psych and garage featuring Moonstrips on the 19th, charismatic folk punk singer Jake Martin plays on the 26th, while Cambridge’s best indiepop exports, Mammoth Penguins, gear up for festival season with a show on the 23rd. The Penguins’ recent album was released in the spring and is a cathartic and joyous listen. For nearly a decade, Sharon Van Etten has been treasured as an artist whose songs flow with a rare and honest vulnerability and courage. Her recent album, Remind Me Tomorrow is both brooding and brave, and considered by many as her best record. She plays Cambridge Junction on 2 July. The same venue hosts returning heroes Bombay Bicycle Club (27th) as they resurface from a four-year hiatus. On another plane of the jazz spectrum sit legendary New Orleans outfit, The Hot 8 Brass Band, who have been blowing for more than 20 years. They are among the best exponents of big brass jazz, blending classic covers with new and funk-fuelled original tunes, and they return to the Cambridge Junction on the 15th.

ELY FOL K F ES T I VA L Enjoy folk and roots music, family activities, fab food and more at Ely Folk Festival, from 14 to 16 July. Among the Morris dancing displays, ceilidhs and workshops, catch folk icon Martin Carthy, plus Oysterband, Cara Dillon, Nancy Kerr and many more. Weekend tickets are £89, children £29, with day tickets also available. elyfolkfestival.co.uk

SUMMER WHOOSH! Funk, disco, house, drum and bass and good vibes combine at Whoosh!, a one-day festival at The Missing Sock in Stow-cum-Quy on 20 July. Krafty Kuts and A.Skillz head up the DJ sets, plus there’s live music from Keltrix and Kill Retro, UV/glitter face-painting, immersive games, fire displays and food. Tickets, from £25, are available via Skiddle. CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK

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NIGHTLIFE N EWM A R K ET N IGH T S Newmarket Nights, the winning combination of a day at the races followed by top live music, is back. The West End comes to the racecourse on 19 July with Thriller Live, a show that has been seen by more than five million fans across 30 countries. Genredefying Rudimental play a DJ set on 26 July, then Pete Tong and The Heritage Orchestra play Ibiza classics on 2 August. Bananarama roll back the years on 9 August, with support from Heather Small, the voice of M People. Years & Years, the multiple Brit Awards winners, round off the series on 16 August. thejockeyclub.co.uk

19 J U LY

M A L LORY K NOX Mallory Knox have had a number one album in the iTunes rock chart and two LPs in the UK top 20, plus main stage performances at the Reading\Leeds festival and Radio 1 Big Weekend. Hailing from Cambridge, they play a homecoming gig at the Junction on 16 August, when fans can expect a wild ride through their three albums so far: Wired, Asymmetry and Signals. Tickets are £17. junction.co.uk

HOT 8 BRASS BAND Playing traditional marching music in their own inimitable style, Hot 8 Brass Band are set to bring the spirit of New Orleans to Cambridge Junction this month. With a raw energy and unique fusion of hip-hop, jazz and funk, you can expect covers of classics like Love Will Tear Us Apart and Marvin Gaye’s Sexual Healing. Catch these Grammynominated wonders on 15 July, tickets are £20. junction.co.uk CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK

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W H AT ’ S O N

YOUR AT-A-GLANCE GUIDE TO EVENTS AROUND CAMBRIDGE THIS MONTH

2 JULY

3, 10, 17, 24, 31 JULY

5, 7, 18-21, 26

SHARON VAN ETTEN

SOUNDS GREEN

ENCHANTED CINEMA

New York’s Van Etten brings her latest tour to Cambridge in support of her long-awaited fifth album, Remind Me Tomorrow. In this new work, she turns with full force toward the darker moods that have previously illuminated the edges of her output. 7pm | Cambridge Junction | £25 junction.co.uk

A series of Wednesday evening concerts at the Botanic Garden, with Afro Tema on the 3rd, followed by Martin Kemp’s Organised Chaos, Truly Medley Deeply, Noga Ritter, and Ruth Aplin and Josh Kemp Quartet. 6.15pm | Botanic Garden | Retiring collection, plus general admission to garden cambridgesummermusic.co.uk

Alfresco films this month – with deckchairs, headphone hire, street food and more – include Romeo + Juliet, Top Gun, Bohemian Rhapsody, If Beale Street Could Talk, The Favourite and Kill Bill Volume 1. Times vary | Gonville Hotel | £14.50 enchantedcinema.co.uk

2-6 JULY

4-6, 13, 20, 21, 27, 28

THE 39 STEPS

IN SITU THEATRE

HINXTON WATERMILL OPEN DAY

It’s a legendary Hitchcock masterpiece but packed with non-stop laughs, as four actors play 139 zany characters. Expect an on-stage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers, romance and more! 7.45pm plus 2.30pm on Saturday | ADC Theatre from £9 | adctheatre.com

In situ theatre returns with Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar on 4 to 6 July, a solo performance of Hamlet on the 13th, and storytelling of the strange and uncanny from the likes of Edgar Allan Poe on the final two weekends. 8pm | Leper Chapel, Cambridge | £15 insitutheatre.co.uk

Look around this stunning working watermill that dates back to the Domesday Book. Guides will explain how it works and the history of an incredible building. There’s also a ‘Where’s Ratty?’ contest for children. 2.30-5.30pm | Hinxton Watermill £3, children £1 | cambridgeppf.org

7 JULY

8-27 JULY

CAMBRIDGE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL Celebrating its 32nd year of performing the Bard’s plays in college gardens, the festival is again split into two halves. The first four plays, until 27 July, are Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Winter’s Tale and Henry IV (Part 1). 7.30pm | Various college gardens £17, £13 concs | cambridgeshakespeare.com 9 JULY

REVEREND RICHARD COLES Hear how – and why – one half of 80s duo The Communards went from Top of the Pops ‘mayhem’ to being a priest, Radio 4 presenter and TV show panellist. 7.45pm | Cambridge Arts Theatre | from £25 cambridgeartstheatre.com

5-7 JULY

T HE BIG W EEK EN D

9-13 JULY

The major free festival has the customary fireworks on Friday, preceded by Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Doctor and the Medics, and two sets from Craig Charles. Saturday features ska from Big 10, and the Cambridge Mela is on Sunday. Various times | Parker’s Piece | Free | cambridgelive.org.uk

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SEPARATE TABLES Terence Rattigan’s two interlinked plays, Table by the Window and Table Number Seven, set 18 months apart, feature the struggle to come to terms with the changes in post-war Britain. 7.45pm plus 2.30pm on Saturday | ADC Theatre | from £9 | adctheatre.com

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W H AT ’ S O N

17 JULY

W IN E A N D TA PA S TA S T ING Que Rico Tapas and Cambridge Wine Merchants combine to offer a wine tasting, featuring Spanish grapes native to the country’s east coast, including how these grapes taste when they are grown in other parts of the world. 7pm | Cambridge Wine Merchants, Cherry Hinton Road | £37.50 | cambridgewine.com

12 JULY

13-27 JULY

17 JULY

ARMADIA

CAMBRIDGE SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL

THE CATENARY WIRES

A new musical from Sparks theatre group. Join Aliana on a journey that will change her life: yearning for the father she wished she had, searching for the mother she needs to find. 7.30pm | Cambridge Junction £12, £10 concs | junction.co.uk 12-14 JULY

WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT Direct from the West End, this family show based on the book by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury follows young adventurers and their musical dog through swishy swashy grass and oozy mud to find a bear. Suitable for ages three and up. 10.30am, 1.30pm (Saturday and Sunday), 4.30pm (Saturday) | Cambridge Arts Theatre | £15.50 | cambridgeartstheatre.com 13-14 JULY

URBAN STYLES: A HISTORY OF HIP HOP Bodywork present a showcase of music and dance from their street, hip-hop and commercial dance classes. Sit back and enjoy tap, lindy hop, popping and more. Times vary | Cambridge Junction £17, £11.50 concs | junction.co.uk

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Top-quality live classical music comes to town, with David Hill directing. This year’s festival showcases two themes: music by female composers, and music by and inspired by JS Bach. Times vary | Various venues | Various prices cambridgesummermusic.co.uk 15 JULY

Duo Amelia Fletcher and Rob Pursey – previously in Talulah Gosh and Heavenly – specialise in emotive indie duets, capturing the spirit of Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood. 7pm | Portland Arms | £8.80 theportlandarms.co.uk 19-20 JULY

MOTHS AT WANDLEBURY

A fabulous fusion of raw and funky brass band sounds from the streets of New Orleans. The hard-working octet coax sounds from their well-loved, well-worn horns – and the result is unlike anything you’ve quite heard before. 7pm | Cambridge Junction | £20 junction.co.uk

Home to hundreds of species of common and rarer moths, with names such as flounced rustic and powdered quaker. On Friday, a bright light will be used to attract them. On Saturday, get up close to see moths caught overnight, before they are released. 7.30pm Friday, 6am Saturday | Wandlebury Country Park | Free, donations welcome cambridgeppf.org

15-20 JULY

29 JULY-3 AUGUST

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

EDUCATING RITA

Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical, featuring much-loved classic songs such as Time Warp and Sweet Transvestite, is touring the country as part of a world tour. It features Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Joanne Clifton as Janet. Various times | Cambridge Arts Theatre from £25 | cambridgeartstheatre.com

Stephen Tompkinson stars as Frank in Willy Russell’s classic comedy drama. A jaded academic is less than keen to welcome Rita into his class, before the two realise they both have much to learn. 7.45pm, 2.30pm Thursday and Saturday Cambridge Arts Theatre | from £20 cambridgeartstheatre.com

HOT 8 BRASS BAND

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CO M M U N I T Y H U B

ECO LIVING

nowing how to be green and environmentally conscious as an individual or family unit can seem hard, but the Eco Living Festival aims to make it easier. Sustainable Diva Design is transforming part of Lion Yard into a pop-up eco living advice centre from 10am to 4pm on 6 July. The festival’s focus is on how to create zero waste and lead a low-impact lifestyle. There’s a workshop where you can learn how to make your own cleanser and bath bomb, as wells as talks on hidden plastic in toiletries, eco-swaps for feminine hygiene products, how to turn sweet wrappers into eco bricks, zero-waste kitchen skills and more. All events are free, with some drop-in, while others need pre-booking. cambridgeecolivingfestival.uk

“Many households struggle to feed the whole family when schools close”

SHELFORD FOOD AND DRINK FEST

helford Rugby Club hosts its second Food and Drink Festival on 26 July. Last year attracted 400 people and this year there’s once again plenty to feast on from local food vans, pop-up bars and more, including stone-baked pizzas, churros, award-winning mac ’n’ cheese and a specialist gin bar. The fun starts from 6pm at The Davey Field, and there’s live music, too.

SUMMER COUNTDOWN

ambridge City Foodbank is calling for donations as the countdown to the summer holidays begins. Many households struggle to feed the whole family three meals a day when schools close, so it’s a busy time for the food bank, but also a time of year when donations fall to the lowest level. The team has come up with a list of 16 items for people to collect on a one-a-day basis from 5 to 20 July, to be put into a strong shopping bag. Then, on 21 and 23 July the food bank warehouse opens to receive the items from 2pm to 7pm. The list is: rice pudding, custard, tinned tomatoes, tinned potatoes, UTC milk, tea bags, coffee, fruit juice, tinned fruit, pasta sauce, pasta sauce mix, noodles, pulses (not baked beans), cooking oil, tinned meat and tinned veg. Don’t worry if you don’t get all the items; all donations are gratefully received and much needed. The warehouse is at Orwell House, Orwell Furlong, Cambridge.

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LET’S GO GIRLS

emale, aged 16 or above and want to try new a new fitness activity? Then head to the Let’s Go Girls Festival on 10 July for an evening packed with things to try from the Active Lifestyles team. Try bounce, cardio tennis, pilates, bootcamp,

coreXperience, yoga, kettlebells, disco and even a class called Strictly Come Dancing. It takes place at Hills Road Sports and Tennis centre, with registration at 5.30pm, events from 6pm. eventbrite.co.uk

RADIO GAGA CAMBRIDGE 105 RADIO’S BREAKFAST PRESENTERS JULIAN CLOVER AND LUCY MILAZZO REMEMBER WHAT’S GREAT ABOUT KEEPING IT LOCAL

he future of local radio has come into focus these past few weeks with the decision by Heart to drop its local breakfast shows, regionalising its operations in Milton Keynes. Cambridge was a relative latecomer to local radio. BBC Radio Cambridgeshire was part of the second wave of local stations when it made its debut in May 1982, some 15 years after BBC Local Radio made its debut in Leicester. Independent Local Radio started in the UK in 1973: LBC was the first, with Capital a week later. Radio Orwell from Ipswich was the first station in the east in 1975. Then came CNFM, the first commercial station to have only an FM frequency, the name coming from Cambridge and Newmarket. It became Q103 in June 1994, and ten years ago, Q103 became Heart. Over time, the decision was taken to reduce the amount of local programmes on the station. Our own Cambridge 105 Radio, where we’ve presented Cambridge Breakfast since August 2018, launched on 9 July 2010, having taken over the licence from the old 209 Radio. -But what makes a local show? If you’re sitting in a radio studio playing songs that have been decided by a computer in London, telling jokes written for you by someone in Worcester, then it really doesn’t matter where you are. Ofcom, which is responsible for media regulation, tells us that people value local news, and radio is second only to TV here. Four in five users say they are satisfied with the quality of the news

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provided through these platforms. More than two fifths (44%) of adults consume news through the radio. Of these, three quarters (74%) use any BBC station for news and just over half (55%) use any commercial radio station for news. So, we know our half-hourly bulletins will be heard and hopefully appreciated. If you live in the city or South Cambridgeshire, you’ll want to know if you can get into work or school, so a local station like Cambridge 105 Radio will give you up-to-the-minute travel updates. But South Cambridgeshire is about more than news and travel. It’s surely also about local voices, which doesn’t necessarily mean a Cambridgeshire accent, though a few help! We know the area in which we live, and firmly believe

that meaningful community engagement is at the heart of active local democracy. And all of this starts with us all listening to local voices. On Cambridge 105 Radio we also know that local means getting out there to events like The Big Weekend or Cambridge Folk Festival. We’ll also reflect who’s on stage at those events through shows like The New Music Generator and Strummers and Dreamers. Back in those early days of local radio there were regular features and music shows during the week and at weekends. On Cambridge 105 Radio, we give that a contemporary slant with food, books, cinema, plus soul, rock, country and folk. Despite the many brands that have come and gone, local radio in Cambridge continues to thrive. J U L Y 2 019

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FA M I LY

HAVE THE BEST SCHOOL HOLIDAYS YET WITH A DAY OUT AT ONE OF THESE TOP LOCAL ATTRACTIONS F I T Z W I L L I A M MUSEUM Pay a visit to the grand old Fitzwilliam Museum for a summer holiday culture fix. Entry is always free and there are lots of paintings, sculptures and more to explore. While away a few hours viewing the collection, and don’t forget the huge bronze sculpture by Henry Moore out the front. There’s hours of fun to be had with kids sketching what they see in the galleries, and you can pick up a trail guide or Fitz Kit at the information desk.

KETTLE’S YARD A jewel in Cambridge’s cultural crown, Kettle’s Yard offers a variety of arty activities for visitors old and young. Pick up an activity sheet (from the café) or grab a fold-out family guide before you make your way around this impressive gallery-museum, or join in with the freeto-attend practical art-making workshops, which run on selected dates.

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FA M I LY

CEN T R E FOR COMP U T I NG H ISTORY

GR A N TCHES T ER

A sunny day in Grantchester is the stuff childhood memories are made of. Make your way down the ‘Grantchester Grind’ to the village, or follow the riverbank through the meadows for the most scenic route (you can also punt from the Mill Pond). However you arrive, you’ll be greeted with heavenly meadows, fabulous pubs and a magical tea room hidden amongst the orchard trees.

BE ACH @ BU RY L A N E

If your kids love gaming, ferry them along to the Centre for Computing History: an Aladdin’s cave of retro tech fun. Housing more than 800 vintage computers, old-school consoles and other memorabilia, the collection tells the story of the Information Age, with plenty of opportunities to get hands-on playing nostalgic games. CCH’s dizzying array of perfectly preserved artefacts is so renowned that when Spielberg and co were making Ready Player One, they approached the museum for authentic props, many of which can be seen in the finished film. The centre hosts regular special events, such as the Family Gaming Night on 31 August: a chance to battle it out on Space Invaders, Pac-Man and more with your nearest and dearest.

Enjoy the fun of the seaside at the Beach @ Bury Lane, a new attraction at Bury Lane Farm Shop on the border of Herts and Cambs. Ideal for kids up to 12 years old, it’s got diggers, trampolines, bungees, go karts, a climbing boulder and more to keep little ones entertained, as well as a sandy beach! The Beach Shop’s got buckets and spades while the Refreshment Hut has drinks and ice creams to cool you down on a hot summer’s day.

LAMMAS LAND

For some frolicking about in the great outdoors, turn your feet to Lammas Land on the west of the city. One of the most popular parks in the city, it’s got a huge paddling pool and a large play area, plus plenty of grass to run about in and picnic. Once you’re all played out, you can walk on to Coe Fen and across the river, or explore the peaceful Paradise Nature Reserve. CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK

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FA M I LY

SHEPRETH WILDLIFE PARK

MUSEUM OF ZOOLOG Y

Wildlife-loving kids will adore a walk around Shepreth Wildlife Park, which is home to a northern lynx, red pandas and a pair of Sumatran tigers, Ratna and Kelab. There’s plenty more, too, from otters to owls and tortoises to tarantulas. You can see the sights aboard the safari train, plus catch demos including a birds of prey display and otter feeding. There’s a cafe for when hunger strikes, and a soft play area for kids to let off steam in, too.

Discover stories of survival, evolution, extinction and conservation at the Museum of Zoology, which reopened last summer after a £4.1 million revamp. Home to one of the UK’s most significant natural history collections, creatures great and small jostle for visitors’ attention inside, from the fiercest of predators to the most delicate of insects. The most impressive of all, which greets you as you enter the building, is the enormous fin whale skeleton – at 21 metres long, it’s among the largest of its kind ever recorded, and fills the entrance hall end to end. You can also explore Darwin’s beetle collection, ogle one of the world’s most complete dodo skeletons and see the teeth, tusks and hair belonging to that Ice Age superstar, the woolly mammoth. Admission is free and there’s an on-site cafe.

CLIP ’N’ CLIMB Celebrating its third birthday this month, and over 150,000 happy customers so far, Clip ’n’ Climb combines a mini theme park and climbing centre at its Clifton Road site. There are loads of fun challenges that the whole family can enjoy together, from climbing commando style on the Jungle Gym to lighting up the board on the Checkerplate. For the most daring, there are extreme challenges such as the vertical drop slide (eek), but you don’t need any experience or special equipment to take part.

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AUDL E Y EN D HOUSE & G A R DENS Explore the grandeur of what was one of the largest and most opulent homes in Jacobean England with a trip to Audley End house and gardens, located just outside Saffron Walden. In addition to the stately home, there are beautiful gardens to run about in (designed by Capability Brown, no less), horses to meet at the Victorian stable yard, plus a play area in which kids can burn off some energy. There’s a busy programme of events over the summer months, from alfresco concerts and cinema screenings to living history events where you can see the house as it was in its Victorian heyday, with costumed characters.

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FA M I LY

A DAY T R I P TO ELY Ely can be a lovely destination for a day trip with the family. The Cathedral – a marvel of the medieval world – is a sight to behold, and you can take to the Ouse with a Liberty Belle river cruise. There’s escape game fun to be had at the historic Oliver Cromwell House, while Ely Museum takes visitors on a journey through time with fossils, Roman remains and original prison cells, plus archive film of Fenland life. When you get peckish, the afternoon teas at Peacocks are superb.

F UN ON T H E PUN T S The most quintessential Cambridge activity of them all, we couldn’t omit punting from our round-up of Cambridge summer fun. Pack up a picnic and head down to the Mill Pond or Quayside and hop aboard: for relaxation and interesting facts and fables about the sights, go for the chauffeured option, or go DIY and hone your punting skills.

MUSEUM OF TECHNOLOGY

MILTON MAIZE MAZE

It might be better known for its dreaming spires, but Cambridge also has a fascinating industrial heritage to discover at the Museum of Technology. Located on Riverside, this recently reopened attraction offers all kinds of fascinating and functional contraptions, from engines to printing presses. The grassy area surrounding the museum is known as Othersyde, offering space to run around in, grab a drink and soak up river views, while the old Engineer’s House runs escape room games themed around the history of the site.

Reopening for its 2019 season on 19 July, the team at Milton Maize Maze have spent months creating this year’s corn-based labyrinth, which this time celebrates the first moon landing 50 years ago. A hugely popular summer day out, the attraction has been running since 2003, proudly offering “traditional family fun without an iPad in sight”. As well as getting hopelessly lost in the giant maze, kids will love the Field of Fun, with its go karts, tractor rides, inflatables and water games, plus you can grab a snack from the BBQ.

W I M P OL E ES TAT E

It’s hard not to be impressed by Wimpole Hall, Cambridgeshire’s largest house. Now managed by the National Trust, it’s had a rich tapestry of owners in its long history, with many lords, ladies, dukes and earls calling the estate home since it was established in the 17th century. Today, a visit yields treasures including spectacular architecture, beautiful gardens and a library with more than 6,000 books. Not to be missed is the Home Farm, where you can meet a wide range of rare breed animals, goats, cattle, sheep, pigs and horses; learn more about them and how they’re looked after day to day.

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FA M I LY

C A MBR I D GE AQUA PA R K

I WM DU X FOR D

Experience over 100 years of aviation history at IWM Duxford, where you can be awed by iconic aircraft including the B-52, Concorde, Spitfire and Vulcan Bomber. Explore the Operations Room – Duxford’s nerve centre during the second world war, recreated to look exactly as it did in 1940, try on a replica uniform, fill a pilot’s brain with flying knowledge and see the personal items of the people who worked at Duxford. For an extra special experience, visit during an air show; dates for your diary are 13-14 July (Flying Legends) and 21-22 September (Battle of Britain).

If your family loves nothing more than a swim and a splash about, make a beeline for Cambridge Aqua Park, a huge, Total Wipeout-style water-based obstacle course just north of Cambridge. Don your wetsuit and lifejacket and you’ll be on your way, navigating trampolines, slides, a blast bag and more – and having plenty of laughs as you go. The site is on farmland in the Fens at Hannam’s Wake Hub, and there’s lots of room for picnicking at the side.

BOTANIC GARDEN

Lovely at any time of the year, the Cambridge University Botanic Garden is especially gorgeous during the summer months. You can easily lose a day strolling through the 40+ acres of gardens and marvelling at the flowers, ancient trees and peaceful lakes, stopping off at the glasshouse to admire its exotic floral inhabitants and the prickly cacti collection. Special events range from arty workshops and open air concerts to science talks – pay a visit to the website to see what’s coming up.

C A MBR I D GE SCI ENCE CEN T R E Pay a visit to Cambridge Science Centre for hands-on fun, unique exhibits and workshops. Located at Cambridge Leisure Park, the centre makes science fun and accessible. The permanent LifeWorks! exhibition is a voyage of discovery from cell to survival, while throughout the day during weekends and school holidays, there’s a range of scientific shows and activities.

JESUS GR EEN L IDO Nothing says summer in Cambridge like a day at the Lido – our very worthy cover star this issue. Tucked behind a cluster of trees on Jesus Green, this huge open-air pool feels totally secluded despite being right in the heart of the city. One of the longest outdoor pools in Europe, it’s also got plenty of space for sunbathing and relaxing, plus a refreshment stand which sells drinks and ice cream. There’s also the recent addition of a sauna to enjoy. It’s open between May and September yearly, and a swim will set you back £4.80 for adults and £2.50 for kids. CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK

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M U S E U MS

Summer at the Museums

A WORLD OF DISCOVERY AWAITS THIS SUMMER AT CAMBRIDGES MUSEUMS. CYRUS PUNDOLE INVESTIGATES

he long weeks of the summer holidays are just around the corner. Weeks off school, weeks abroad maybe, and definitely a long stretch ahead for inquisitive minds to learn and discover during Summer at the Museums. There’s a huge number of events from 25 July to 3 September, organised by University of Cambridge Museums & Botanic Garden. From prehistoric-themed crafts and ancient archaeology, to pirate adventures on the high seas and naturebased fun, families can choose from more than 140 free or low-cost events in the city and nearby throughout the county and just beyond. Museums and collections across the region are ready to deliver a summer of entertainment, with a mix of handson activities, events and trails, as well as storytelling and performances, plus interactive workshops. Whether it’s a fun day out, or something to fill a rainy day, there’s sure to be something to keep the family engaged. Perhaps explore the world of dinosaurs at Ely Museum, or learn more about climate change at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. There’s a chance to join the Strong Women circus scientists’ performance at The Fitzwilliam Museum, or become a science detective with things to do and find across several different museums. “This year’s programme is our biggest yet,” says Summer at the Museums coordinator Susan Miller. “We are looking forward to welcoming families and helping them to discover the amazing collections on their doorstep.”

Among the fab things to try out is “There’s a WHAT in the Garden?” at the Botanic Garden on 26 July, a storytelling and drama session inspired by the book There’s a Tiger in the Garden. Expect laughs and fun for five to seven year olds. On 1 August, at the University Library, children aged seven to 13 can design their own book and cardboard cover, inspired by the library’s collection of cartoneras from Latin America. “Walk like a Dino” at the Sedgwick Museum on 6 August features palaeontologists looking for clues as to what colour the dinosaurs were. Children aged four and above can do their own research from 10am till 1pm. The Centre for Computing History, with its treasure trove of home computers from the not-so-distant past,

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is always a great place for a rainy day during the holidays. And when children have discovered old computers are fun too, the centre’s team of tutors provide easy access to getting to know modern tech much better. “Making Mischief with the Micro:bit” is coding made fun for ages eight and up; you can catch that on 30 July or 29 August. If you’re more interested in clothing than coding, try finding out all about e-textiles at a session on 27 August for ages 11 and above. All Saints’ Church will be telling the tales behind its stunning stained glass windows on 20 August, in a free event for five to 11 year olds, while nature under threat, in particular corals and the vital role they play, is under discussion at the Museum of Zoology on 15 August. Storyteller Marion Leeper weaves her magic for ages three to five when she relates Odysseus the Pirate at the Museum of Classical Archaeology on 13 August. Saffron Walden Museum’s mascot, Wallace the lion, is celebrating his 200th birthday this year. Visitors are being asked to create a cake for his birthday bake off, maybe win a prize and learn more about his history, and that of the museum itself, on 9 August. l museums.cam.ac.uk

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R E C I P E S • N E W O P E N I N G S • C H E F ' S TA B L E • CA M B R I D G E O N A P L AT E

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FO O D & D R I N K

A MONTHLY ROUND-UP OF GASTRO GOINGS-ON AROUND CAMBRIDGESHIRE

T HIR S T Y SPICED U P Succulent spice-infused joy comes to Thirsty on Chesterton Road on 5 July, when Melanie Hanspall, chef and nutritionist from lovenutritioncambridge, creates a fivecourse vegan Indian menu to savour. Samosas with mint and coriander chutney are followed by spiced potato cakes and tomato and chilli tarka daal. Tickets are £26 and include a choice of a vegan beer or wine. wearethirsty.co.uk

GRAIN CULTURE BAKE SHOP Back in January, we pegged Grain Culture for success this year in our Ones to Watch in 2019 feature – and it looks like we were on the money. After building a huge fan base through regular appearances on Ely market, this microbakery has opened the doors to a bricks and mortar shop on Fore Hill in Ely. The new enterprise sees owner Luca Fiorio creating small batches of exceptional bread plus irresistible sweet treats like cinnamon and salted caramel buns or Polish babka. There’ll be cheese from Hum-Closen too, plus natural and low intervention wines from Cambridge Wine Merchants, and an exclusive blend of filter coffee in collaboration with Brew Project. “The idea behind Bake Shop is simple,” explains Luca. “I want to put bread in the centre and offer, as well, some of the best produce that goes hand in hand with it. Therefore I’m collaborating with a bunch of cool people to bring the best experience possible!” Follow Luca on Instagram at @grainculturehq

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FO O D & D R I N K

SMOK EWOR K S P OP - U P AT T H E T H R EE HOR SESHOES The Three Horseshoes in Madingley will serve up a BBQ extravaganza each Friday during the summer, hosting a weekly pop-up by sister eaterie SmokeWorks. Experts in low ‘n’ slow barbecue food, and voted as one of The Telegraph’s top ten barbecue joints in the whole of the UK, SmokeWorks’ food will be available from 5pm-9pm. Perfect for a Friday feast to kickstart the weekend in style! cambscuisine.co.uk

SENATE’S CHAMPAGNE TREAT Treat yourself to a decadent seafood delight at The Senate on 3 July. Tickets are £40 for lobster and champagne, with oysters to start and a refreshing sorbet dessert to follow. Food will be served from 6pm, and a non-refundable deposit of £10 is required. Reservations on 01223 315641. thesenatebistro.com

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FO O D & D R I N K

SHEL FOR D F E A S T Foodie heaven and plenty more fun spread across a whole week, Shelford Feast packs live music, comedy and community events in, too, from 7 to 14 July. Highlights include Feast Day, on 14 July, with traditionally roasted meats, barbecues, vegetarian and vegan dishes, plus a huge bar specialising in real ales and ciders, alongside live music, a car show and stalls. On the 13th, from 12pm to 6pm, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a beer, craft and food fair, with around 30 real ales and six real ciders, mostly from local breweries, and food vans including Al Chile, Fired Up Pizza and Spoon Struck. Then, from 7pm, 1986 Brit Award-winners Go West take the stage, with support from Back to the 80s. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ska night on the 12th, with Bad Manners and local heroes Big 10 belting out floor fillers from 7pm. Sicilian food from Questione di Sapori, and Argentinian barbecue specialists The Vargas Brothers, will complement the usual Feast fare on the night. Most events take place in the Grand Marquee on Woollards Lane, Great Shelford, with a comedy night, quiz night, live theatre and more earlier in the week. shelfordfeast.co.uk

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FO O D & D R I N K

PINT SHOP PIZZA POP-UP Just when you thought a trip to the Pint Shop couldn’t get more appealing, it goes and ups the ante with a new pizza shop pop-up. The Pizza Shop is running Wednesday to Saturday nights alongside the usual Pint Shop offering, serving up a selection of mouthwatering hand-stretched sourdough pizzas. The slow-cooked broccoli with kale pesto caught our eye, as has the nduja, beer-braised pork belly, bacon jam and mozzarella number, plus there’s dipping sauces like blue cheese and nduja aioli. The outdoor space has had a spruce up too, with colourful parasols, cushions and fairy lights, making it a perfect spot for catching some evening rays while you make your way through the new summer cocktail list – ours is a blood orange G&T. pintshop.co.uk

PINKSTER SUMMER PARTY The Grub Club team is hosting a summer party at Pinkster Gin’s distillery near Fowlmere on 11 July. A gin tour and tasting will be followed by a supper cooked up by Bread & Meat, while local producers will have a tasting table to showcase their delicious goodies. For your main course, you can choose from porchetta, British homecooked glazed gammon or rare topside of beef, with Pinkster brownies sounding tempting for something sweet. Tickets are £48. eventbrite.co.uk

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FO O D & D R I N K

aboard WE CATCH UP WITH THE CAMBRIDGE COUPLE BRINGING UNFORGETTABLE LATIN FOOD TO A BUS NEAR YOU WORDS & IMAGES BY CHARLOT TE GRIFFITHS

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FO O D & D R I N K

tepping up onto a bus is rarely a memorable moment: anyone familiar with public transport will reflexively turn right round the corner to hunt out a seat – but one of Cambridge’s buses provides a different experience entirely. Instead of a brief nod from a driver and a wall of grey commuters clutching tickets, you’re greeted by a riot of colour, diners carrying trays of piping-hot, flavour-packed Latin food, and beaming smiles from Catalina Uribe and Nelson Rodrigues, working the neat kitchen packed in the back half of the ‘bustaurant’ – AKA La Latina, one of the simplest yet also most exciting eateries that our city has to offer. The double decker’s winding stairs lead to the top floor, where every second seat has been flipped to make comfortable booths for four, smartly upholstered in hardwearing coffee sacks. Tables of varnished chipboard and strings of colourful bunting are illuminated by light from the bus’s large windows, even on the greyest of days. And the bustaurant becomes even more impressive when you discover that the transformation was carried out by the duo standing behind the stove downstairs. “We didn’t have the money for a proper restaurant, so we had to start from somewhere,” Catalina says. “I said ‘Let’s do a food truck,’ and my mum said ‘You know – the food you want to sell is different, so think out of the box: find a

way to stand out.’ The idea of the bus got into my head, as Nelson used to work for Stagecoach for many years, so he knew how to fix the bus, he had the bus driver licence: everything just… fit, you know?” Catalina and Nelson have been together for ten years, meeting when Catalina arrived in Cambridge for postgraduate study. “I’m originally an environmental engineer – I came to Cambridge to do my Masters, and then I met Nelson and life just… got hold of me,” she laughs. “The plan was to come here for two years, but then I met him…” Prior to arriving in Cambridge, Catalina spent two years working for an engineering firm in Colombia – and though she enjoyed her work, something

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was missing. “Having a restaurant was definitely on my to-do list,” she says. “I grew up with my mum and my granny running businesses and restaurants, working for themselves. I always wanted to do that but they never allowed me to cook – they sent me to uni instead!” The idea for La Latina was born after the arrival of Catalina and Nelson’s second child: faced with the prospect of returning to her office job at the end of maternity leave, Catalina decided it was now or never to press go on the pair’s long-held dream of running their own restaurant. “Let’s start the business, let’s give it a go!” she says of their conversations at the time. “If it works, it works – if it doesn’t, we can do other things.” After long discussions with her entrepreneurial mother (who was visiting the UK at the time to help with her newest grandchild) Catalina and Nelson travelled all the way to Liverpool to pick the bus that would become La Latina back in September 2016. “It was a proper passenger bus,” Catalina smiles. “When I did the business plan I planned in the conversion for three months: it actually took us eight months, J U L Y 2 019

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FO O D & D R I N K because Nelson was working full time, and I had a six-month-old baby.” The bustaurant took up residency in a friend’s space at Quy Waters while Nelson worked on the restoration and Catalina handled the paperwork and permissions, playing to their individual strengths to move the project forward. “He was in charge of the transformation of the bus, and I was in charge of all the documentation, the admin that he didn’t want to know anything about. I don’t have any clue how to do handy things – so it worked!” she says. At the same time as the bus was taking shape, the menu was being whittled down from the world of possibilities presented by Catalina and Nelson’s heritage to just three dishes: tostones, arepas and empanadas. The short menu was partly a necessity, caused by the shortage of space in the bus: “It’s impossible to have a huge menu in a tiny kitchen and still make everything fresh every single day,” Catalina says, “so we needed to focus on two or three things that we can do from scratch easily without wasting food. So we decided to do the empanadas, the arepas and the tostones: that’s it.” Even though the trio definitely deserves its place on the menu (and in many local diners’ hearts), Catalina is constantly searching for ways to improve La Latina’s offering. “I would always remember my mum and granny’s words – you need something that makes you unique, but even if you have a good product, every time you have to think about how to improve. So our tostones are very good, but every day I’m thinking ‘ok, this is good – but how can I make this better?’. I feel my granny saying this to me here, you know?” she grins, pointing at her

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shoulders. “The tostones have been a revelation: the empanadas and the arepas are popular: people know them – but the tostones are our bestseller, definitely.” La Latina is also popular with diners with dietary requirements: Catalina explains that their vegetarian tostones are selling more and more every day, and as the bustaurant’s food is entirely gluten free, Cambridge’s residents with wheat intolerances are starting to make beelines for La Latina’s fresh, vibrant cooking. “We only use corn flour for the arepas and empanadas, and the plantain is gluten free anyway – so we have coeliac people come in and say: ‘This is paradise!’” On its first outings the bustaurant moved around to different locations, with customers keeping up on social media, but Catalina wanted to find a permanent pitch for La Latina to call home. “I found a location with the Cambridge Retail Park: I approached them about the space, but it took four months – they had to ask the city council to change the licence – so we missed that first summer. We’ve now been trading here since October 2017 and it’s getting better: people know where we are, we have free parking, it’s close for us as well – obviously we pay rent, but the good thing is that the bus stays here, permanently.” Their bus, now the only independent business trading on the Retail Park, is nestled to the side of Homebase just off the Beehive roundabout, where its cheery top deck can easily be spotted through the trees that soften the superstores. An average day for the couple begins at 6.30am, when Catalina wakes up for a few moments of time alone with her coffee. She takes her sister to the station, to commute to her studies in London –

then returns to the house to wake and breakfast with their two children before the school run. “Between 9am and 10am I do the emails and admin, while Nelson is busy with his chili plants in our greenhouse. At ten o’clock we arrive at La Latina: we open at midday, and have two rush hours: one for lunch and then again for dinner, but we don’t close between – we stay open from 12 until 9pm. At 3pm I leave to get the kids; sometimes Nelson goes – I pick up the kids and at 4pm our other staff member arrives, and they’ll work with Nelson or me here for the evening. We close at 9pm: if I’m with the kids at home, I put them to bed while my sister arrives back from London – she then stays with the kids, while I come back here to help Nelson close down the kitchen, getting everything ready. We go back home about 10pm, have a cup of tea, go to bed about 11pm… and then do it all over again the next day!” In between, Catalina strives to find time for her own interests. “I always want to have a book to read: I try to be a good daughter, sister, niece – life is getting very busy. Plus all my kids’ after school activities: swimming, piano lessons, birthday parties. We don’t stop. I’m always thinking: what should I do next? Let’s do a new event, let’s do a supper club, let’s contact that person… we’re always on the move. Life is so short: you have to give thanks that for most of your days you are healthy, you work properly – it’s now or never. Because you never know. I always thank God because we have our healthy family, we have a house, we have food on our table – but you never know what’s going to happen.” La Latina is a family business in all senses of the term: whether it’s Catalina’s mother providing business advice via Skype, Nelson’s graffiti-artist cousin designing La Latina’s exterior paintwork or his parents helping upholster the bus in coffee sacks, their family is what powers the bus forward – both in terms of physical backup but also emotional support. In its first year of trading La CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK

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FO O D & D R I N K

Latina suffered from two burglaries in quick succession which, though the couple philosophically say that they learned a great deal of lessons from the experience, was extremely hard – but it was family that pulled them through. “They’re all so involved: they’re so happy, and proud of us,” Catalina says. “I remember one day when I was so, so tired – around the time of the break-ins – I was just so down. I remember coming back home, and talking with my daughter who was six at the time – I said: ‘You know what? I’m thinking about selling the bus.’ And she was like: ‘You can’t DO THAT!’” Catalina puts her hands on her hips and widens her eyes in mock child outrage, smiling from ear to ear: “‘I LOVE our bus! Where am I going to work?!’ And I thought – she’s already seeing a future: she’s seeing herself working in La Latina. That was a lot to me: that pushed me to keep going.” “We try to keep that balance: family first, but also keeping the business up and running. Being an entrepreneurial couple and having a business together is obviously testing us in all ways possible,

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but I say to Nelson, ‘Probably I will get old with you: we survived kids, we survived the business, so we are child-proof and business-proof – we’re a good pair!” Though even a short visit to La Latina in the lunch rush – surrounded by happy families, office workers, shoppers seeking respite, all tucking into the three delicious dishes served up by this hardworking couple – would leave you in no doubt that it’s quite definitely already a much-loved eatery, Catalina’s dream is to have a ‘proper’ restaurant one day: a bricks and mortar establishment where they can expand their offering. “Fingers crossed,” she says. “Though I would like to take the bus with me: it’s like another baby for us! We need the perfect location where I can place the bus and have a proper restaurant there too – I’m always on the lookout. Kids love coming to the bus, having a meal here: it’s the whole experience, it’s not just the food. So I don’t want to leave it! We are Latin: I want to have a restaurant where people can have food, and nice cocktails, and maybe they can dance, with live music…” she grins. “That’s the plan: fingers crossed.”

“It's the whole experience, it's not just the food”

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RECIPE

THE TEAM FROM LA LATINA BUSTAURANTE SHOW YOU HOW TO MAKE THEIR FAMOUS TOSTONES, AKA CRISPY FRIED PLANTAINS

I NGR EDI EN T S

l Green plantain (as many as you want to eat!) l Rapeseed Oil l Salt to taste

ST EP -B YST EP GUI DE l Peel the plantains: the easiest

way to do this is cut the edges and then use a knife to make shallow cuts all around to peel back the skin.

l Cut the plantain into chunks

of about 2.5cm.

l Heat the oil to a medium

high temperature – you need enough oil to cover the plantains – and fry until cooked. When ready, they’ll become yellow. It should take two to three minutes.

l Take them out of the oil,

and with the help of a tortilla press squeeze the plantain: you could also use two plates, or the bottom of a bowl to smash them and prevent the plantain from sticking.

l Reheat the oil and fry the

smashed plantain slices until gold: add salt to taste and enjoy! They are very good on their own, but even better with dips and toppings! Try avocado or sour cream.

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FO O D & D R I N K C H E F ’S TA B L E

ALEX RUSHMER RECALLS THE DISAPPOINTMENT OF FOODS THAT ARE ONLY THEORETICALLY DELICIOUS. BUT IS IT TOO LATE FOR HIM TO CHANGE HIS MIND?

here are some foods I enjoy solely on a hypothetical level. For several years, I very much enjoyed century egg, despite never having actually consumed one to confirm my hypothesis. The combination of familiar and exotic was enough to convince my brain that, yes, century egg is something I can, and will, enjoy. When I finally sat down to a Thai breakfast of congee and topped it with spring onion, ginger, chillies and a generous amount of egg preserved in quicklime, it came as something of a surprise to me that the egg aspect of it was utterly horrendous. From then on, I vowed my breakfast would always be ammonia free. Lobster is another food I enjoy on a theoretical basis. There is a ceremony to it that pleases me, an element of luxury, not to mention the inevitable addition of French fries, mayonnaise, herbs and much melted butter. But I’m yet to eat one that has convinced me it is worth either the fuss or the expense, and I know for sure I would be equally happy if left with just the chips, and happier still if I was given a couple of Cromer crabs as an alternative. Other foods that fall into this category of ‘great in theory’ are almost all expensive mushrooms (most of which are only ever equal to – and never better than – the humble button mushroom) and a classic (British) Chinese takeaway, the desire for which occasionally takes hold early in the day and cannot be shaken until I’ve picked up the phone and actually ordered it. From that precise moment, the excitement wanes until the point at which I pop the first sweet and sour chicken ball into my gob and realise that my memory has once again failed me, and I’m destined to spend the next 45 minutes ramming a series of claggy, deep-fried items into my face and wiping sickly, cornflour-thickened sauces from around my mouth until I collapse into a sweaty mess on the sofa before finally admitting defeat and going to bed. For many years, the mango has also been a food I was a hypothetical fan of. I remember, as an undergraduate, seeing an older (and far cooler) architecture student effortlessly preparing a mango - carefully slicing off the sides and diligently crossCAMBSEDITION.CO.UK

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“I was delighted there are still new flavours to be discovered” hatching the fruit before pushing it out from the underside so the flesh popped up like a cubist hedgehog. But the promise of a mango was always far greater than the reality. A muted scent, surprisingly starchy fruit that offered little in the way of flavour and a frustrating amount of stringy bits that got caught in the gaps between my teeth convinced me there was something I just didn’t get about this particular fruit that seemingly made others go dewy-eyed. But then my wife returned from north London last week with a box that, judging by the retro branding, seemed to be from the early sixties: a case of 12 Kesar mangoes imported directly from India, each housed in a little foam jacket to protect them on their journey. The advice she had been given was to wait until the pale green tinge on the fruits’ skin had all but transformed into a golden yellow, but we are impatient. We plucked the ripest one from its little

house, sliced off its sides and trimmed the skin from the central piece. And then we ate. It would be an understatement to say the experience was revolutionary. The perfume was joyous: complex, dark, almost savoury, the sort of cologne I imagine the Oscars smell like. The flavour, too, was staggering: a playful interplay between sweetness and acidity that bounced around the palate, dazzled the tongue and surprised my brain. I was delighted there are still new flavours to be discovered, and frustrated at the sad, substandard supermarket mangoes I’ve eaten over the years – pale, underwhelming facsimiles of what they should be. But it wasn’t their fault. As it happens, all I needed was a new dealer. l J U L Y 2 019

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CA M B R I D G E O N A P L AT E

WORDS BY DR SUE BAILEY

WITH THE HELP OF LOCAL FOOD WRITERS, THIS MONTH’S EPICUREAN ADVENTURE TAKES US FROM CAMBRIDGE STICKY BUN WARS TO TRACKING A BISCUIT CRUMB TRAIL THROUGH HISTORY TO ANCIENT ROME ou may ask why people want to know about food history, and why Cambridge is blessed with such an abundance of food writers with a lively interest in the subject. Dr Annie Grey, Tim Hayward, Bee Wilson and Lizzie Collingham are just some of those who lavishly spread a feast of words in books, articles and speech. Over this issue and the next, I’ll be finding out why this subject is so endlessly fascinating to readers and writers. When I meet Tim Hayward, owner and revitaliser of Fitzbillies together with his wife Alison Wright, he is fizzing with energy. He is a food writer with four books under his belt, who shows

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a fascination for well-honed knives, DIY cookery and the neglected history of those weird kitchen objects: cherry stoner, anyone? He is part way through a photo shoot and putting together recipes and key moments from Fitzbillies’ history for a book out early next year. This is to celebrate 100 years of Cambridge’s own “fancy cake shop”. It’s a six-week writing and photography sprint, but he took a break to sit outside Fitzbillies for a chat. “We realised that we were one of the last surviving high street English fancy cake shops – at no point had it pretended to be a patisserie or a Viennoiserie,” he

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says. “We started digging into the history of cake shops and it’s something of an untold story. Pre-first world war, Austrian and German immigrants had set up sugar refineries, bakeries and cake shops. But when the war came, anti-German feelings meant many closed down.” Tim continues: “When the war ended, men were coming back with demob money and bakery equipment manufacturers were really keen to finance these guys. So when the Mason brothers came back they found it very easy, as throughout the war their dad had been running a confectioner’s in Cambridge. So the two brothers set up the famous Fitzbillies with their demob money.” Originally there were four branches of Fitzbillies, but we are lucky still to have two. Sadly, other cake and tea shop establishments such as the Whim have gone, but Fitzbillies upholds the tradition of macarons, the famous sticky Chelsea buns and lesser-seen treats such as Japonaise (which used to be known as Jap) cakes: a nutty meringue and buttercream sandwich. Tim even tells of cake wars in Cambridge. “There was a competition to see who had the stickiest buns. The waitresses used to put the buns in the window at a 45° angle and every 15 minutes the waitress would come out, scoop up the syrup and pour it back over the top. Now our trade secret is that we store our buns upside-down with half a kilo of syrup, then we pull them out and flip it over onto your plate. This stuff of the high street was real showmanship.” Tim does his research and writing in a light and friendly manner and his books have achieved immense popularity. His

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“I wanted to find historic Cambridge recipes” book Knife: The Cult, Craft and Culture of the Cook’s Knife has even been translated into Japanese. He also regularly appears on BBC Radio 4’s The Kitchen Cabinet with Jay Rayner and local food historian, Dr Annie Grey. The cultural, historic and marketing parts of food and cooking equipment are Tim’s passion. But trying to prove the impossible history of jam or cream first on a scone is not what makes him enthusiastic. Different writers have different approaches. Dr Lizzie Collingham is an academic with a love of chasing facts down, particularly little-known food history. She is an independent historian and has written three food history books, beginning with one on curry, then a look at food in the second world war and, more recently, an exploration of the food stories of the British Empire. She is now writing a book on the history of biscuits. Her research goes back to the GrecoRoman times, with the origin of a twicebaked, thick barley rusk-style product of the historic name Paximadia, originating in Greece. “I was in Corfu and thought it

would be impossible to find Paximadia, but then I went to a supermarket and I was delighted to find the whole wall covered with its namesake. The Roman name, ‘panis biscoctus’ in fact gives us the name biscuit.” Currently, Lizzie is tracking the crumb trail through biscuit history. “I find it a bit difficult knowing when to stop – the trouble is, the history of contemporary biscuits gets a bit boring. I really don’t want to get into globalisation and palm oil. I am trying to decide if there’s a biscuit that sums up the 70s – Penguin or Club biscuits perhaps, nibbling the chocolate off the edges to enliven the packed lunch...” Leaving Lizzie to her research in the university library, I reflect on when I started being fascinated by food history. I was 17 and I wanted to find out about historic Cambridge recipes. When we should have been drinking and partying, instead I dragged my fairly uncomplaining boyfriend to hunt recipe notebooks in the depths of the Castle Hill Cambridge county archives. We found an early Victorian recipe book by Emma Currie, written in 1826 in spiky, elegant handwriting. She was the housekeeper and cook for the Vinter family of Thriplow Manor. Her recipe was my first encounter with the famous Trinity Burnt Cream, made with a pint of cream, eggs, lemon peel, orange flower water and a hot salamander. Next month I’ll be following up the history of this dish with Parker’s Tavern’s Tristan Welch, plus interviewing more Cambridge-based food writers. In the meantime, go hunt your salamander and try making Trinity Burnt Cream. l J U L Y 2 019

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WHAT IS LOVE CAMBRIDGE?

Love Cambridge is the brand developed by Cambridge BID to deliver events and projects designed to animate and entertain our city. These include the Love Cambridge gift card, open-air cinema nights, Wimbledon screening, magazines, maps and much more. Follow us on social media to be kept up to date with what’s going on in Cambridge this summer. LoveCambridge_ love-cambridge.com

Love Cambridge

lovecambridge_

Cambridge BID’s alfresco cinema returns this July with fantastic, family-friendly films. Run in partnership with the City Council, these much-loved summer events animate a usually quiet space with an evening of fun. The next date is 26 July, when you can catch up with everyone’s favourite superheroes in Pixar’s Incredibles 2, plus join Jack Black for the hilarious School of Rock later on the same night. The event runs from 6.30pm to 10.30pm alongside a night market selling artisan food, beverages, crafts and gifts. Around 100 seats are available on a first come, first served basis, though people are welcome to bring their own chairs and rugs. Becky Burrell, marketing and commercial manager at Cambridge BID, says: “Our outdoor films and night markets are becoming a summer tradition for Cambridge residents, who enjoy the opportunity to see their favourite movies for free on the big screen, with a variety of delicious refreshments close at hand.” cambridgebid.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT ON STATION SQUARE Having undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, Station Square is now a gleaming gateway to the city, with all kinds of dining and retail on offer. You’re never more than a few steps from something delicious to eat in this area, whether you’re after an on-the-go snack before hopping on a train or fancy a leisurely sit-down meal. The Old Ticket Office, located – you’ve guessed it – in the spot where rail tickets used to be sold, is a smart gastro pub with a fine line in G&Ts, craft beer and bar snacks, plus hearty meals including home-made curries and towering burgers. Across the piazza, Station Tavern is another popular pub, serving Sunday roasts, Friday night fish and chips, brunches and pub grub classics. Wasabi and Pret A Manger are good for a morning coffee or a quick bite to eat, plus you can pick up essentials at the Sainsbury’s Local on the corner. If you’re looking for new cycling gear, or need a quick fix on your cycle to get you on way, pop in to Rutland Cycling, which sells bikes and related accessories, plus offers repairs and servicing. The store also has a fleet of hire bikes available, ideal for cycling to work or for exploring the city. If you need somewhere for you or guests to the city to rest their heads overnight, The Tamburlaine is a glamorous four-star hotel with a stylish in-house cocktail bar and restaurant, or the Ibis is modern and affordable, with a nice coffee shop and bar downstairs, Chill#2. M A Y 2 019

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STRAWBERRIES & SCREEN The sights and sounds of Wimbledon will once again provide a feel-good factor for the CB1 area this July. Cambridge Business Improvement District (BID) will be setting up a giant LED screen between One The Square and The Tamburlaine Hotel, so all tennis matches televised by the BBC can be broadcast live between 1 and 14 July. The 4,500 employees and residents in the CB1 area are invited to experience the ‘pock’ of tennis ball against racket, the grunts of the players and the cheers of the crowd – and all for free. Cambridge BID will supply 100 chairs on a first come, first served basis, and viewers are welcome either to bring their own refreshments or to purchase from the food vans and ice cream sellers that are available, mainly at lunchtimes. “We want to foster a sense of community in this rapidly changing part of the city by enabling people to take time out to relax in the sun over lunch, or in the early evening after work,” comments Becky Burrell, marketing and commercial manager at Cambridge BID. “We recognise employers choose to come to Cambridge not just for the talent pool, but because the city is a special and unique place in which to live and work. We’re here to enhance the experience of employees and residents alike – and what better way to do that than by televising the thrills and spills of Wimbledon?” For more information visit cambridgebid.co.uk/wimbledon

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FROM THURSDAY 4 TO SUNDAY 7 JULY, ENJOY WORKSHOPS, DISCOUNTS AND COMPETITIONS CELEBRATING CAMBRIDGE’S INDEPENDENT SCENE

ith so much doom and gloom in the national news about the fate of the British high street, you’d be forgiven for forgetting that, here in Cambridge, we’re fortunate to have a vibrant shopping hub in the city centre – and one that is especially notable for its abundance of independent retailers. From great indie restaurants and cafes to clothing shops, gift shops, art galleries and, of course, the bustling market, there are all kinds of gems to discover. This month is the ideal time to explore and celebrate Cambridge’s flourishing indie scene, as the Cambridge BID (Business Improvement District) Independents’ Week is returning from

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4 to 7 July. Part of a national campaign that supports independent businesses across the country, the event will see stores and eateries in a celebratory mood, offering all kinds of special offers and in-store events. For punters, it’s a chance to snap up everything from bargain meals and discounted books to free goodie bags, revisiting old favourites and discovering new treasures. For retailers, meanwhile, it’s a chance to “shout from the rooftops that there are over 200 of us in the city centre!” enthuses Anne Bannell, owner of Jacks on Trinity. “These shops bring uniqueness and vitality to Cambridge’s high street – and it’s a case of use it or lose it,” she continues. “We’ve sadly seen

“These shops bring uniqueness to Cambridge” a lot of indies disappear from our streets. Cambridge is a victim of its own success as national stores want a presence here and can afford much higher rents, consequently making it more difficult for small businesses to compete. But there are many success stories, too, so seek them out and be proud to shop with independent stores.” Jacks on Trinity will be getting in the spirit with a very special guest during Independents’ Week (more details on page 82), while other Trinity Street residents – including Cambridge Contemporary Art and Cambridge University Bookshop – will be getting in on the action, too. Anne’s sentiment is echoed by Indira Bir, studio coordinator at Green Street’s Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery, who says the superior experience of shopping at independent retailers makes them worth cherishing. “You get excellent one-to-one customer service and knowledgeable staff at an independent – and better value for money,” she explains. “In our case, our jewellery is made locally and by hand, and our bespoke service is not something a chain could offer at the standard we do.”

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All participating businesses will have branded bunting outside, and free Love Cambridge Independent branded cotton bags to give away. For updates and full details of offers, visit cambridgebid.co.uk/ independents-week-2019

Images (clockwise from top) Egg waffles and freakshakes from Bubble Tap, gemstones at Harriet Kelsall, Signorelliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Deli, Primavera gallery and clothes from Cuckoo Clothing (bottom left) Cambridge University Bookshop

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Images (clockwise from top) The studio boutique Elegant Atelier, a selection of shops down Trinity Street in Cambridge, and Bridges cafe

“Cambridge is an amazing and beautiful place, and an obvious tourist attraction,” she adds. “A range of interesting, local and unique independent shops is what the tourists want, alongside the historic buildings and other attractions. It adds to the charm and gives the centre of Cambridge much of its character.” Pop along to Harriet Kelsall during Independents’ Week and you can see a display of exquisite gemstones from around the world; an exhibit that focuses on unusual cuts and colours, handpicked by the store’s gemologist. After you’ve admired these dazzling stones, venture further up Green Street to Harriets Café Tearooms, where you can indulge in a traditional afternoon tea with all the trimmings for a discounted price. Another foodie favourite joining the initiative is De Luca Cucina & Bar, Regent Street’s long-standing Italian restaurant. For the team there, Independents’ Week is a way to support the indie community in the city and rally together against current challenges, encouraging the public to do the same. “It’s a difficult time for the high street”, says Robin Phillips, from the restaurant.

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“There’s pressure from online offerings and uncertainty over Brexit, which has led to a lot of big chains closing over the past few years. But we know people value the independent offering in Cambridge and we urge people in the city to use the power of their patronage to support the businesses they are fond of.” And despite many challenges, there are positives to be found, suggests Robin, who adds: “We do see that when times are tough, people come back to the businesses they trust, owner-run businesses that are friendly, remember you and focus on quality, consistency and customer care – places that have a passion for local produce and supporting the local economy in any way they can.” Another benefit of buying from independent businesses is the variety of choice they can afford shoppers, says Pippa Sandison, owner of King Street fashion boutique, Boudoir Femme. “Independents continue to offer something really different on the changing UK high street: individually selected and often unheard-of new brands, together with the chance to connect with an owner who has a story

to tell, a passion for their brand and who can really make shopping a pleasurable, personal experience. The Cambridge shopper knows they can rely on us to provide something niche and special.” One thing every retailer we spoke to agreed on was the fact that independent businesses are a very fundamental part of what makes Cambridge special as a shopping destination, and a city. We’ve come a long way since that now-infamous think tank damningly concluded that Cambridge was the ‘worst clone town in Britain’, but the challenge of retaining the city’s uniqueness and creating an environment where indies can thrive continues. “We don’t want an indistinctive, unembellished town with homogeneous offerings” concludes Meggy Yip, coowner of Bridges cafe. “Independent shops have brought individuality to our city, making Cambridge more appealing not only to visit, but also to live in. There is such an excellently established entrepreneurial spirit here and we hope to be brought together to celebrate what we are doing and to demonstrate the diversity and charm Cambridge has.”

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INDEPENDENTS’ WEEK DIRECTORY H A SH TAG # C A M BR IDGEIN DEPEN DEN T S W EEK CAMBRIDGE GIN LABORATORY, GREEN STREET

Garnishing your gin: how to decorate your gin at home using simple ingredients and easy-tomaster techniques. A 20-minute lesson with the garnish expert, which includes two drinks, for £15. Classes are running at midday, 2pm and 4pm during Independents’ Week. Places are limited to ten people per lesson. CAMBRIDGE CONTEMPORARY ART, TRINITY STREET

An evening of delicious mocktails and cocktails on Thursday 4 July, with art from all over the UK to admire. RSVP is required via Eventbrite. THE TAMBURLAINE HOTEL, STATION ROAD

The Tamburlaine Hotel will be offering a discounted menu, where diners can take advantage of a three-course menu for £15, or a two-course course menu for £10. TINDALLS, KING STREET

Thursday 4 July and Friday 5 July: a two-day calligraphy course following modern calligraphy and brush lettering. Saturday 6 July: children’s workshop, aimed at those seven years and up, looking at creating work inspired by Matisse. There will also be in-store demonstrations every day, from alcohol ink to acrylic, where you can engage with the artist and get hints and tips. As well as this, there will be 20% off all Lamy pens, plus 20% off all Da Vinci Casaneo watercolour brushes. JACKS ON TRINITY, TRINITY STREET

Jacks on Trinity has tracked down the long-lost cousin of Professor Dumbledore – Colonel Crumbelclaw – an alumnus of the ancient, little-known Cambridge college of St Barnabas, found at 34 and Three-Quarters, Trinity Street. He will be visiting between 2pm and 4pm on Thursday 4 July and has promised to show all the Cambridge muggles some spectacular magic! Just turn up for this one-off opportunity to meet a real wizard!

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS BOOKSHOP, TRINITY STREET

Buy one get one half price on texts by Shakespeare and ELT readers, 30% off concise histories, 30% off writing and research guides, 20% off primary education, and a summer reading promotion. The main window will be connected to a walking tour map designed around illustrious authors connected with Cambridge. HARRIETS CAFE TEAROOMS, GREEN STREET

Traditional afternoon tea: enjoy Harriets Special Blend No. 6 tea, six finger sandwiches including cucumber, chicken and egg mayonnaise, followed by two fresh scones with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry jam, finished with a home-made fudge brownie, a macaroon and a handmade sweet tart. Cambridge Independents’ Week Price: £16.95. This is the original afternoon tea served at Harriets in its first year, 20 years ago in Bury St Edmunds. It expresses the traditional values of Harriets, with fresh-baked scones, daily-baked bread and handmade patisserie. Clotted cream is from Cornwall, the jam is especially made and can be taken home in jars, and the tea is blended just for Harriets. CAMPKINS CAMERAS, KING ’S PARADE

• Take a selfie, then upload to Instagram using the hashtags #MyFujiPrints and #IPC for a chance to win a Fujifilm Instax camera. •C hance to win 500 free prints by entering competition in store. • Buy one get one half price on canvas printing. • £5 off montage printing. • Purchase a frame and receive a free image. • £ 15 saving on camera servicing, for example sensor cleaning. • Free 16GB card with any DSLR or CSC camera purchase. • 10% off binoculars and telescopes.

GILES & CO, TRINITY STREET

Giles & Co will be at Cambridge Market on 7 July, offering customers a taste of three award-winning extra virgin olive oils, and a chance to try out olive oil-based natural skincare products. Available to all. Win a Cambridge goodie bag, including a sweatshirt and a selection of gifts. To enter, all you need to do is complete the entry form in store. A name will be picked out of the hat on Monday 8 July. HARRIET KELSALL BESPOKE JEWELLERY, GREEN STREET

Stone exhibit: pop in to the Green Street jewellery shop to view a beautiful collection of precious gemstones that have been personally picked by a gemologist. A unique collection of unusual cuts and colours has been gathered together from Harriet Kelsall’s gemstone traders around the world to view from 4 to 6 July in the Cambridge shop. From rich purple sapphires to watery aquamarines, discover the possibilities! Pop in to see them, or if would like to arrange a free consultation with one of HK’s designers to create a unique bespoke piece of jewellery, call 01223 461333 or email cambridge@hkjewellery.co.uk LAIRD HAT TERS, GREEN STREET

Laird Hatters is offering 15% off all hats, free copper hatpins, or a free feather or shot of whisky. OSKA, GREEN STREET

Free style-coaching experience and gift on purchase, plus a glass of champagne throughout Independents’ Week.

Nanna Mexico is offering a £5 burrito and soft drink deal, or £6 for a burrito and Corona beer.

BOUDOIR FEMME, KING STREET

TA BOUCHE, MARKET PASSAGE

Ta Bouche will be running a buy one, get one free on coffee, plus a buy one get one free on cocktails (excluding Saturday). SAGEBROWN, TRINITY STREET

SageBrown will be offering 20% off handbags and 10% off everything else in store.

*One gift per customer and available only on Rachel Jackson jewellery purchases on 6 July.

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• Buy one coffee, get one coffee free. •T wo cocktails for £10 during happy hours 5pm-7pm & 9pm-10pm, excluding Saturday. • Live music on Thursday and Friday. • DJ on Saturday night.

NANNA MEXICO, REGENT STREET, PET TY CURY, FITZROY STREET

Rachel Jackson, London jewellery pop-up shop and styling event on Saturday 6 July, 11am-3pm, free gift with every purchase. Meet the team from London and get tips on styling the jewellery collection. A wide range of styles to choose from in store, from bestsellers to the new SS19 collection. Refreshments will be served in store on the day.*

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NOVI, REGENT STREET

Novi will be offering lunches for £5 and dinners for £10. CAMBRIDGE PROPERTY INVESTMENTS LTD, EAST ROAD

Cambridge Property Investments Ltd will be offering free landlord set-up and a free agency switch service, plus two months commission free letting service. BRIDGES, BRIDGE STREET

Bridges cafe is offering a main (a savoury, toasted sourdough sandwich or panini) with a drink (hot or cold) and a sweet treat for £10, or a Chinese rice or noodle dish with a drink (hot or cold) and a sweet treat for £10. ELEGANT ATELIER, ROSE CRESCENT

To celebrate Independents’ Week, Elegant Atelier will be serving fizz in store, plus a there’s a chance to win a personal styling session. This will include a one-to-one styling appointment covering up to three outfits presented over a glass of fizz. The summer sale will also be in full swing – and the store is offering 10% off sale prices with every purchase of three or more sale items. BYARD ART, KING'S PARADE

Byard Art, the independent gallery on King’s Parade, will be offering glasses of prosecco and strawberries to visitors on 6 and 7 July, plus a 10% discount on all framing ordered in the gallery throughout Cambridge Independents’ Week.

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SIGNORELLI’S DELI, BURLEIGH STREET

Signorelli’s Deli is offering 10% off all food bills, Italian wines, spirits and dry deli. Not to be used in conjuction with any other offers. DE LUCA CUCINA & BAR, REGENT STREET

De Luca will be offering 20% off for parties of six or fewer from 4 to 6 July until 6pm. PRIMAVERA, MAGDALENE STREET & KING ’S PARADE

Primavera is supporting Cambridge Open Studios during the weekend of Independents’ Week, and featuring Sarah Allbrook’s painting at 13 Magdalene Street. Celebrating local jewellers: Primavera exhibits the best contemporary work by British artists, and this July it’s showcasing collections by jewellers based in Cambridge. In the downstairs room on King’s Parade, you can find work by Tricia Taylor, Jutta Robinson and Hannah Souter among others. Marcella Cooper is also showing her work at King’s Parade from 4 July. Visitors can get 25% off any future purchase of one item of the same amount from 4 to 7 July. CUCKOO CLOTHING, ST MARY’S PASSAGE

Win an amazing summer goodie bag featuring a hand-picked selection of Cuckoo’s favourite summer accessories, worth £170! CAFE ABANTU, HOBSON STREET

Buy one get one free on all hot drinks or iced teas and coffees.

OPEN AIR, GREEN STREET

Open Air is offering a free Rab enamel mug with any Rab clothing purchase, a free Rab enamel mug with any Lowe Alpine pack purchased and a free 12L dry sac with any Osprey pack purchased (while stocks last). There will also be other sales running in store. THE CAMBRIDGE FABRIC COMPANY, PEAS HILL

Free lampshade making demo: 11am daily, 4 - 7 July. Join in and learn how to make The Cambridge Fabric Company’s lampshades. Learn how to create a 30cm drum rolled-edge lampshade using any fabric, gain insider tips and the confidence to have a go yourself. Ideal for beginners, no sewing involved. CHARCOAL GRILL, HILLS ROAD

Charcoal Grill will be offering a three-course meal for £14.50. BUBBLE TAP, LION YARD

Visit Bubble Tap for one waffle, one gelato and one topping, all for £5. POCO KIDS, MAGDALENE STREET

Poco Kids is offering 50% off its summer collection, including brands such as Bobo Choses, Repose AMS and Sometime Soon.

CAMBRIDGE SATCHEL COMPANY, ST MARY’S PASSAGE

Staff from the factory will be in store on 4 and 5 July to demonstrate how Cambridge Satchel Company’s bags are made, plus there’s a free gift to anyone who spends over £250. l

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B E AU T Y

ho doesn’t love sunny weather? There’s nothing better than feeling the warmth on your skin, but it’s so important to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays, not just in the summer, but all year round. I’m a big believer that having a decent SPF in your beauty arsenal will keep you healthier – and looking younger – for longer. Sunscreen isn’t always the most pleasant of products to apply, and I certainly have less-than-fond memories of being slathered in sticky lotion as a kid, but thankfully products have moved on, and it’s possible to stay protected without compromising your beauty regime or risking break outs on sensitive skin. As an absolute minimum, I’d encourage all to choose a moisturiser with an SPF present, which means your face will have a base level of protection all year around. I love Murad Age-Balancing Moisture with SPF 30 (£65, murad.co.uk) for its deeply nourishing, balancing effects on hormonal skin, and with broad spectrum sunscreen for protection from UV rays. Something to be aware of when selecting your beauty sunscreen products – that tends to be concentrated just to beauty products, rather than dedicated sunscreen – is the use or inclusion of retinyl palmitate. Also known as retinol, this powerful antioxidant is an incredible agent

for combating skin ageing, but studies have shown it can increase the damaging effects of the sun when applied to skin exposed to sunlight. For getting the most out of your retinol products, it’s sensible to apply at night, before you go to sleep. And for protecting your bod (without that icky, sticky feeling), I love Piz Buin for reliable hydration. The One Day Long Long Lasting Sun Lotion, available in SPF 30, feels comfortable to apply and helps keep sunny skin nourished (£10, Boots). And for those hard-to-reach areas, Nivea Sun Cooling Suncream Spray SPF 30 (£7.50, Boots) is also available in SPF 50 with UVA/UVB protection and a cooling effect, and is easy to spritz over skin without rubbing in. For an innovative way to stay sun-savvy, Lush offers The Sunblock (£9/100g, Lion Yard), a solid sunscreen wash bar which, incredibly, promises allday protection at SPF 30, simply by gliding on while showering. One bar lasts for three applications. Of course, with any sunscreen, it’s still advisable to avoid the midday sun, keep topping up your hydration levels and ideally, cover up to be extra safe – after all, sunburn is never a good look.l

THE ONE THAT I WANT Launching mid-July, Murad is upping the game with the new Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 (£40, murad. co.uk). It offers high levels of protection while minimising the appearance of pores and controlling oil – perfect for conditions where your skin needs all the help it can get. I tested it out on safari in Zimbabwe in 30°C+ weather. My make-up stayed flawless and my skin was protected.

“I’m a big believer that having a decent SPF in your beauty arsenal will keep you healthier – and looking younger– for longer” CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK

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MOVE TO THE MEADOWS Cambridgeshire buyers encouraged to consider five-star homebuilder’s Trumpington Meadows development

five-star homebuilder is encouraging those seeking a luxury property that provides the best of town and city living to consider its lavish Trumpington Meadows development in Cambridge. Barratt Homes has been awarded the five-star rating for the tenth year in a row from the 2019 Home Builders Federation (HBF) annual customer satisfaction survey, which asks customers who have bought a new home if they would recommend it to a friend. The popular housebuilder is the only large national housebuilding company to achieve this. With the survey revealing that 90% of the leading developer’s customers are happy to recommend the developer, Barratt Homes is encouraging Cambridgeshire buyers to view the high quality of its collection of properties at Trumpington Meadows. Set within an expansive 148-acre scenic country park, the award-winning Trumpington Meadows is located on Hauxton Road in Cambridge and has two- to five-bedroom homes for sale. The properties on the development are built to the highest specification and provide a stylish way of living within open plan, contemporary layouts. Expertly crafted with modern family life in mind, the variety of apartments and homes are perfect for young couples, working professionals and families. Neighboured by Trumpington Meadow Country Park, the development provides residents with spectacular green scenery,

while offering an array of essential amenities and quick travel links to the nearby city. For working professionals, there is quick access to the M11 and a convenient Park and Ride service is on your doorstep, while Cambridge city centre is just three miles away. Growing families can benefit from the variety of schooling options nearby, including Trumpington Meadows Primary School, located on-site, and the Perse Upper School, just two miles away. Great days out will never be too far from home with an abundance of shops, bars and restaurants for the whole family to enjoy in Cambridge. Annette Hurst, sales director at Barratt Homes Eastern Counties, said: “Receiving five stars for the tenth year in a row is a testament to the high-quality homes and service we deliver to our customers. “At Trumpington Meadows, the astounding homes featured will be a wonderful place for a variety of buyers to

call home, including those taking a step on or up the property ladder. “With an array of moving schemes available, we would encourage those interested in living at the development to visit the sales centre on-site to find out more about how they can make a move today.” There are plenty of schemes househunters can use to help them when reserving a property at a Barratt Homes development, including Help to Buy with just a 5% deposit, Part Exchange and Movemaker, all designed to make the moving process simpler for buyers. Trumpington Meadows homes are priced from £429,995. l To register an interest in any of the properties at Trumpington Meadows, please visit the on-site sales and information centre, open: Monday 12.30pm to 5.30pm and Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5.30pm. For more details about any of the Barratt Homes developments in the area, visit barratthomes.co.uk or call the sales line on 033 3355 8488.

TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY

Offer available on selected plots only. Terms and conditions apply. See website for details, subject to contract and status. Prices correct at time of going to press. Images include optional upgrades at additional cost. Following withdrawal or termination of any offer, we reserve the right to extend, reintroduce or amend any such offer as we see fit at any time. Calls to 03 numbers are charged at the same rate as dialling an 01 or 02 number. If your fixed line or mobile service has inclusive minutes to 01/02 numbers, then calls to 03 are counted as part of this inclusive call volume. Non-BT customers and mobile phone users should contact their service providers for information about the cost of calls.

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21/06/2019 14:58

E D I T I O N LO V E S • S U M M E R GA R D E N I N G T I PS • I N T E R I O R S

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GA R D E N S

ANNA TAYLOR, OWNER OF ANNA’S FLOWER FARM IN AUDLEY END, SHARES WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE GARDEN THIS MONTH

nd… relax. Leaves, once verdant, settle down to rich green. The fresh, frothy lusciousness of May and June has gone, and the hot summer months have checked in. In July, the main task in the garden is to eat as many meals outside as possible. We move our houseplants outside (into the shade first to ‘harden off’), giving the roots a good soak in the pot, re-potting where appropriate and showering the dust off the leaves. We continue to sow seeds, direct into the soil for late summer produce, herbs and extra early annuals for next year. The soil is warm, so plants establish quickly. Taking cuttings is a task most gardeners don’t do, out of fear, but it is hands down the most popular activity on our ‘grow your own cut flowers’ classes. Plants for free! And so easy; they require no sacrament or alchemy. Essentially one cuts off a piece of the plant, sticks it in soil, watches it grow roots, then plants it out. Success is most likely if you pick the right time of year for each type of cutting: soft wood, semi ripe, hard wood or root. Right now, take cuttings of shrubs that have just flowered like philadelphus, shrub roses and viburnum opulus. Snip off a stem about 15cm long, put in a plastic bag to retain moisture, and get into soil as soon as possible. Cut just below a leaf node, at an angle and poke at least 2.5cm into the soil at the edge or corner of the pot. Cover with that plastic bag and put somewhere sunny. You know the plant has ‘taken’ and rooted on the appearance of new leaves. No matter how much work one did in the spring, the garden is running away. I love working on the plots or in my own garden, but there is no fun in the feeling of fighting a losing battle. So, consider the essential work. Do you need to cut the grass as often? It looks lusher longer. Never have bare soil; throw annual seeds around to fill the patches with poppies, CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK

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borage and cornflowers. This reduces water evaporation and space for weeds to grow. The one job to do if you are strapped for time but want the garden to look its best is to trim the edges. The garden will look smart and the lawn and beds framed, without even weeding borders or cutting the grass. My favourite cut flowers are those I can enjoy both in a jug in the kitchen and pinch off for decoration of cakes, salads and drinks. It’s a massive multitasking pleasure. I cut tendrils of nasturtiums, snapping off spicy leaves and colourful flowers and pickling seeds, as well as roses, courgette flowers, cornflowers and borage, plus all the abundant botanical herbs (my favourites are mint, dill and basil) for sundowners in the hammock. Floating a few petals in a drink at the end of a long, hot day is a simple but real luxury. l

THIS MONTH

The next open day at Anna’s Flower Farm is Saturday 6 July from 11am to 3pm, plus look out for tickets going live for the ‘Dine among the flowers’ event on the weekend of 16-18 August. annasflowerfarm.com

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INDEPENDENT OF THE MONTH

Tomas Kitchen Living FROM A SHED IN NEWNHAM TO DESIGN STUDIOS IN THREE CITIES, THIS UNIQUE KITCHEN COMPANY HAS HAD QUITE A JOURNEY, AS SIOBHAN GODWOOD DISCOVERS

n 2009, Tomas Hinton and his wife, Mette, had the idea of setting up a bathroom and kitchen business. “We were working in property development, which is quite up and down as a business, so we thought doing kitchens and bathrooms would be a good, steady, bread-andbutter thing we could do on the side,” explains Tomas. “We went round looking at suppliers for kitchen cabinets, which took us out to Italy, but at some point on that trip we started to think we might be able to do something better ourselves, something more suitable for our market. The idea – which still lies behind everything we do – was the concept of Classic Modern design. All the kitchens in Europe at the time were very contemporary and shiny, which we felt dated quickly and wouldn’t suit every English home. We wanted to do something different.” To begin with, Tomas and Mette set up as CROFTHOUSE, on Cherry Hinton Road. “Initially, we weren’t sure if there was a market for our Tomas kitchens, so we did bathrooms as well, and carried on with the property services business, too. We started doing trade shows, and we quickly realised people really liked the concept and the design we were doing. So we changed the name to Tomas Kitchen Living and started to really focus on the kitchen side of things. “After a while, we started to feel that we needed full control of the manufacturing of our own brand, so we took another huge leap and started our own production and manufacturing in Mercers Row, which is where we are now.” J U L Y 2 019

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The design of their kitchens combines beautifully functional design details with solid oak drawers, plywood cabinets and earthy colours, inspired by the paintings of Tomas’s father and grandfather. Tomas says the look is best described as “modern, but not too modern”. “We make kitchens that are functional, with clean lines, but not clinical like that standard contemporary look you see everywhere. It has a sense of tradition about it – it’s timeless and tactile,” he explains. The most popular range of cabinets that Tomas Kitchen Living produces is SHEER – a handle-free cabinet featuring a continuous rail, which can be customised with either natural, minimalist or deco design elements. There’s the quirky, stylish SCOOP range for those who prefer cabinets with handles, and the SKATE kitchen for a more industrial vibe. All the kitchens are designed from scratch for each customer; Tomas Kitchen Living provides

a complete kitchen service all under one roof, from detailed kitchen design and appliance specification, right through to manufacturing and installation. “I love getting really hands-on with the front-end design side, so I don’t have sales people,” says Tomas. “Customers are often quite surprised when they make an appointment for a design consultation and they get me. It’s a process I call ‘liveDESIGN’, and it’s very collaborative. I sit down with clients and there’s a lot of back and forth on all the design options. It’s a lot of fun, and that’s the part I like best – and people like that they’re sitting down with the company’s founder and not simply a commissionbased sales person.” As well as the kitchens, Tomas and Mette produce beautiful furniture, including Turner tables and sideboards, and their CASE range of free-standing cabinets. They are also dealers for some of the high-end Danish furniture and lighting brands,

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INDEPENDENT OF THE MONTH

“The look is best described as modern, but not too modern” such as Carl Hansen and Louis Poulsen, that go along with their design ethos, so customers get a complete service. Tomas and Mette have also opened up a London showroom in Hampstead Garden, and another one in St Albans, and continue to sell the kitchens at shows and exhibitions all around the country. But the Tomas Living Kitchens ‘southern invasion’, as Tomas describes it, is on hold at the moment, with plans to expand into Guilford and Tunbridge Wells temporarily on ice while Brexit grinds its way to some sort of conclusion. “You can date the pause of our geographical expansion pretty much to the day of the referendum,” says Tomas. “But in many ways this is a positive thing; we’re still growing in terms of our turnover and we’ve had the chance to consolidate the business we already have and get stronger. We’re not dependent on

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European imports or exports, but we are aware that if there’s any kind of economic downturn, the first thing that happens is people stop doing up their kitchens.” For now, Tomas is happy with the success the company is enjoying at its existing sites, and is particularly proud of being a Cambridge-based company. “We sell more kitchens here in Cambridge than we do anywhere else,” he explains, “and there’s something about Tomas Kitchen Living that really strikes a chord with Cambridge customers. They like the fact the kitchens are completely made to order and that they get a very personal service. Local customers also love that it’s a Cambridge brand, and everything is made literally down the road.” l Tomas Kitchen Living , 20a Mercers Row, Cambridge CB5 8HY, 01223 778330, tomas-kitchen-living.co.uk

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INTERIORS

WHETHER ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RESTFUL NEUTRALS OR VIBRANT ACCENT COLOURS, THE LATEST HUES FOR THE HOME REFLECT THE WAY WE WANT TO LIVE. ANGELINA VILLA-CLARKE GOES ALL OUT FOR COLOUR

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INTERIORS

ature has always been a source of inspiration for interiors and, according to Crown Paints, earthy tones at the lighter end of the spectrum are on trend for this year and work beautifully as a ‘new’ kind of neutral. “Crown’s Powdered Clay shade takes inspiration from earth minerals and shell clay, and it’s a colour that evokes warmth and reassurance, creating a calming environment,” says Judy Smith, colour consultant at Crown. “A soft pastel palette works well with other chalky hues, or for a pop of colour, bright oranges and reds will add drama. For earthiness and keeping a more muted colour scheme, add raw organic textures in soft furnishings and lighting.” Paint expert Farrow & Ball is also pushing for the new neutrals, which are bolder than before. “People are welcoming colours that are altogether more rich and dramatic in their homes,” says Charlotte Cosby, head of creative at Farrow & Ball. “Sulking Room Pink, for instance, is the perfect mix that sates our desire for both grey and pink – ideal for kitchens and living rooms. Jitney, meanwhile, offers the ideal lift from white, creating warmth to the walls. It is an effortless backdrop for bold pieces of art and a variety of wood.” While botanical prints and rich florals have been on trend for a while, there’s been a geographical shift in our tastes from the jungle to the woodland, with mushroom, taupe and fern shades key to a modern look. Wood flooring perfectly complements the palette and by introducing teak or oak furniture and rough-hewn textiles, you can achieve a tactile, raw aesthetic.

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INTERIORS

Previous page Barnaby Chairs in Royal Houdini velvet, £28 per metre, Andrew Martin Opposite left Sulking Room Pink paint colour, from £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball Top left Bancha paint colour, from £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball Top right Powdered Clay paint colour, £14 for 2.5L, Crown Above Steam Engine Period Collection paint colour, £23 for 1.25L, Crown

“A soft pastel palette works well with other chalky hues” CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK

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INTERIORS

EASY ON THE EYE PAINT & PAPER LIBRARY’S ARCHITECTURAL COLOURS PALET TE OFFERS SUBTLE NUANCES OF SHADE, SAYS ITS MARKETING DIRECTOR, RUTH MOT TERSHEAD. HERE ARE HER TIPS

Neutral does not mean bland – create focal points through colour blocking Use neutrals to frame bolder colours Use the colour families in combination to add a subtle depth to the room: it will expand the sense of space

Top right Architectural Palette Cotton paint colour, from £49.50 for 2.5L, and Aloe Walk wallpaper, £284 per roll, Paint & Paper Library Clockwise from above Eliza Bedstead, from £625, Button & Sprung; Golden Effie carpet, £89.99 per square metre, Brintons X Timorous Beasties; Rural Oak Parquet, £55 per square metre, Amtico

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“The focus in 2019 is on handcrafted and handworked finishes – scraped, sawn and treated grain effects, in extra wide and mixed length planks, add depth and individuality to a space,” advises Sarah Escott, Amtico flooring’s design manager. “Mindfulness and well-being remain an important part of how we want to live, and creating restful spaces is more important than ever.” These wood textures also work very well with pale pinks and powdery blues, which are taking over from the standard magnolia and greys that have long-been popular, for a barely there paint effect. For a sense of calm, these colours translate best in the bedroom to offer a quiet place to retreat to at the end a long day. “Choosing the right colours for your bedroom design scheme is important when deciding how you want your personal space to make you feel,” says Adam Black, co-founder at bed specialists Button & Sprung. “Choose a headboard or bed in a neutral upholstery fabric and pair with bright bedlinen for maximum effect.” Match with a pastel-coloured carpet from Brintons, the flooring experts, which says putty tones are on trend this year and are gaining popularity as the colour of choice for under foot. Meanwhile, for those after a feminine feel, the brand’s gentle florals and butterfly designs, produced in collaboration with Timorous Beasties, give a fresh, modern look to bedrooms and beyond.

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INTERIORS

“For those after a bolder look, nature’s deeper shades are a good source of inspiration” For those after a bolder look, nature’s deeper shades are also a good source of inspiration. Hunter green, sunshine yellow and living coral – the latter is this year’s Pantone colour of the year – add a sense of vibrancy and work well with muted neutrals. Farrow & Ball advises using dark green in rooms that overlook scenes of nature so that they reflect off each other and frame the outdoor space. While Ruth Mottershead, marketing director at Little Greene, says that green and pink is a natural pairing that work well together. “More muted tones, such as Sir Lutyens Sage and Blush, combine perfectly for a scheme that both soothes and inspires. Green is the true colour of nature, one that we feel comfortable with in the home. It is a shade that we associate with the tranquillity of the outdoors.” For those after an injection of personality, more dramatic swashes

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S TAT EM EN T EF F EC T THREE BUYS THAT WILL BRING THE SUNSHINE IN

Sofa Workshop’s Alba Chair in Turmeric velvet gives a visual appeal My Furniture’s Daphne Floreale Maise Chair brings a sense of cheer Sofa.com’s Hugo Footstool in Canary Yellow will make you sing

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INTERIORS STO CK IST S Amtico 0121 745 0800 amtico.com

Artisanna London artisannalondon.com Andrew Martin 020 7225 5100 andrewmartin.co.uk Brintons 0800 505 055 brintons.co.uk Button & Sprung 03333 201 801 buttonandsprung.com Crown Paints crownpaints.co.uk Farrow & Ball 01223 367771 farrow-ball.com Little Greene 020 7935 8844 littlegreene.com My Furniture 0845 309 6356 my-furniture.com Paint and Paper Library 0845 880 5844 paintandpaperlibrary.com Sofa.com 0345 400 2222 sofa.com Sofa Workshop 0808 149 9250 sofaworkshop.com

of colour are often best introduced with a statement piece of furniture or a collection of vibrant home accessories. Jessica Pownall, founder of Artisanna London, which is renowned for its glamorous occasional chairs, agrees: “A vibrant pop of colour is sometimes all your space needs to give it a well-needed refresh. Though statement walls are popular, it can often seem like a big move and this is where furniture comes in. Adding a statement armchair or sofa in a rich, contrasting shade can be the perfect option to give your space an uplift.” Adding vibrant cushions is another simple and inexpensive way to inject a bold hit of colour into a neutral room. “Start with the soft base linen colours for your sofa, and then try mixing in bolder colourways, such as hot pink cushions, for added zing,” says David Harris, design director at Andrew Martin. It’s easy when you know how. l

Opposite page, from top Boringdon Green paint colour, £25 for 1L, Little Greene; Alba Chair in Turmeric velvet, £539, Sofa Workshop; Hugo Footstool in Canary velvet, £220, Sofa. com Above Rufus Bookcase, £1,475, Andrew Martin Right Florence Chairs, £1,450 each, Artisanna London

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INTERIORS

FOX & IVY BERRY QUILTED VELVET CUSHION

£16, Tesco

PINK SENIO CIRCULAR STOOL

£99.99, my-furniture.co.uk

THE CHATEAU BY ANGEL STRAWBRIDGE BAMBOO NATURAL CUSHION

£20.99, belfielddesignstudio.com

EDI T ION

FLAMINGO TABLE LAMP

£69.99, my-furniture.co.uk

ROSE GLASS VASE

£14, shop.roh.org.uk

HADEN THROW IN CINNABAR

£79, sheridanaustralia.co.uk

MILO CHAIR

£1,900, artisannalondon.com

VILLA WATERCOLOUR FLORAL RUG

from £49.99, carpetright.co.uk

FOLIAGE TILE

£144 per square metre, sacw.co.uk

BANANA LEAF TRINKET DISH

£7.50, joannawood.co.uk

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AWARD-WINNING HOUSEBUILDER HILL SHOWS US AROUND ITS DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CAMBRIDGESHIRE AREA

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Be part of the award-winning Team Hill Hill are looking for talented individuals to join our enthusiastic, award-winning and ambitious team. We place great value on our people and offer our staff many different benefits and rewards, including highly competitive salaries and a generous pension scheme.

As an expanding business, Hill recruit at all levels, from trainees to senior management, and we are always happy to hear from suitable candidates ANDY HILL, CHIEF EXECUTIVE

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CURRENT VACANCIES, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: hill.co.uk/careers

hill.co.uk

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WELCO M E

04 4 NINEWELLS

A stunning new neighbourhood on Babraham Road

6 THE ORCHARDS

Forty-five characterful homes in the village of Great Abington

8 MERIDIAN FIELDS

A blend of country charm and modern life in Hardwick

10 FARRIERS YARD

A collection of family homes in the quaint but thriving village of Balsham

10 16

INTRODUCING EDDINGTON

Explore the University of Cambridge's new neighbouhood

16 ATHENA

A collection of stunning apartments and family homes at Eddington

18 HILL LOCATIONS

An at-a-glance guide to where to find Hill homes around Cambridgeshire

20 THE HILL PORTFOLIO

A look at some of the award-winning Hill developments so far

22 FIVE-STAR HOMES

Local Hill home owners discuss their experiences

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WELCOME Welcome to Hill Edition, a showcase of homes by Hill around the Cambridgeshire area. Hill is one of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top housebuilders, specialising in developing distinctive new homes across London and the South East. It brings together contemporary design, sustainable materials and a sympathetic approach to create stunning, individual new properties and communities. By employing some of the very best in the business, Hill has been able to successfully deliver many exciting development projects and win awards for its achievements. Each Hill development is unique and each is designed to work in perfect harmony with its surroundings. A home is a personal space â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and choosing a Hill property is the chance to buy a truly unique new home. Registered office address: The Power House, Gunpowder Mill, Powdermill Lane, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1BN. Company registration number: 4251718 Place of registration: England & Wales. For further information contact us on tel: 0808 178 9063 or email: sales@hill.co.uk

HILL.CO.UK 21/06/2019 16:54

B R O U G HT TO YOU BY HI LL

NINEWELLS C

Discover Ninewells – a stunning collection of contemporary, high-specification four and five-bedroom family homes and one and two-bedroom apartments in Cambridge esign is at the heart of Ninewells. It shines through the architecture, inspired by the location on the southern fringe of Cambridge as it blends into rolling countryside. Design shapes the Ninewells landscape; green spaces, allotments, attenuation ponds and outdoor artwork nurture a deep-rooted bond between people and nature. Design helps to build the Ninewells community; it’s a safe and sustainable place where families flourish and people interact in harmony. And design makes the Ninewells way of life; it’s a place that promotes health and wellbeing and offers easy access to the vibrant city centre, making these the perfect new homes. The Ninewells team has worked closely with award-winning architects PRP to develop a future-focused plan for both people and place. In its overall vision, Ninewells is designed to embrace and protect the positive features of the landscape and local identity. At the heart of this vision is the ‘green fingers’ concept: a series of green spaces that make a connection with the countryside and act as viewing corridors to the Gog Magog Downs. As well as providing an inspiring backdrop to everyday life, the resulting green areas encourage a healthy outdoor lifestyle in a safe, open space. Landscaping is rich and diverse and enhances the recreational aspect of living here. Areas of grass and wildflowers blend seamlessly with the countryside, while other areas have a visual relationship with the urban environment. The architecture is also inspired by its location. Externally, styles and materials make reference to local buildings, and internally the optimisation of space, views and natural light have been the guiding principles. As a modern, forward-looking community, Ninewells puts sustainability high on the agenda. All homes are designed with energy efficiency in mind by incorporating energy-saving features such as well insulated cavity walls, large windows to maximise solar gain and highly efficient boilers. What’s more, the provision of footpaths and cycle paths encourages you to leave your car at home, presenting you with a simple way to improve your carbon footprint.

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY H ILL

Four-bedroom homes at Ninewells are available from £899,950

Sales & Marketing Suite Babraham Road, Cambridge CB2 0RA Opening times: 10am - 5.30pm daily

ninewells-cambridge.co.uk

Call us on 01223 792000 to arrange a viewing

“NINEWELLS IS A PLACE THAT PROMOTES HEALTH AND WELLBEING AND OFFERS EASY ACCESS TO THE VIBRANT CITY CENTRE”

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B R O U G HT TO YOU BY HI LL

THE ORCHARDS Enjoy the best of village and city life at The Orchards, comprising 45 homes less than ten miles from Cambridge

G R E A T

A B I N G T O N

he Orchards lies close to the village centre of Great Abington; a picturesque village on the edge of Cambridge that boasts a primary school, village shop, a well-regarded public house, a cricket club and a village hall. The Orchards is within easy walking distance of all that the village has to offer, while also giving you close proximity to the surrounding countryside, the vibrant city of Cambridge and excellent road connections to destinations further afield. The Orchards takes its name from the community orchard that is being created for all to enjoy. To the front of the orchard is also a children’s play area. Comprising 45 new homes, featuring two, three, four and five bedrooms, The Orchards is designed to create homes that respect and enhance the local surroundings, using highquality materials and a restrained colour palette. As you wander around The Orchards, you will find secluded courtyard areas, landscaped spaces and character homes with traditional features, along with views of big skies and open countryside. With the village’s friendly community for all ages, Great Abington is a fantastic location for those wanting the convenience of being less than ten miles from the cultural city of Cambridge and just a few miles from the M11 – making this new development ideal for commuters. Welcome to The Orchards – not only a place where you can enjoy being part of a community while remaining close to a city, but also a perfect place to put down roots.

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY H ILL

Two-bedroom homes at The Orchards are available from £399,950

Sales Office & Show Home Linton Road, Great Abington, Cambridgeshire CB21 6AA Opening times: 10am - 5.30pm, Thurs to Mon

hill.co.uk/new-homes/ the-orchards

Call us on 01223 734204 to arrange a viewing

“IT IS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF ALL THAT THE VILLAGE HAS TO OFFER, WHILE GIVING YOU CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE COUNTRYSIDE”

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B R O U G HT TO YOU BY HI LL

MERIDIAN FIELDS H

ordering open countryside, Meridian Fields has been designed to combine the rural serenity of village life with modern homes. Situated just five miles west of Cambridge, Hardwick is a convenient location for people of all ages and stages of their lives, being wellserved by local amenities, including an excellent local pub and schools. Named in honour of its proximity to Earth’s meridian line, Meridian Fields is a development of 98 homes in total.

A perfect location, balanced between the bustling city and serene countryside

These range from two-bedroom houses and bungalows to large, detached fivebedroom houses. Inside the homes, you’ll find stylish and modern kitchens equipped with Caesarstone worktops, sleek Bosch appliances and LED feature lighting, plus underfloor heating across the ground floor. Bathrooms are given a touch of elegance with dark wood-effect vanity tops and bath panels, plus heated chrome towel rails. The quality specification continues throughout the homes, which also have decorative finishes, such as white-painted timber staircases and built-in sliding wardrobes to the master bedroom.

Step outside to see traditional courtyard arrangements of homes with black timber weatherboarding, brick facades and pitched roofs. Coupled with open green spaces, play areas and allotment gardens, Meridian Fields is an ideal choice for those who seek a simpler way of life that’s in keeping with village tradition. With far-reaching countryside views to the south, conservation areas and open spaces on your doorstep, and not forgetting that the city of Cambridge is within easy reach, Meridian Fields is the perfect middle ground in which to make a home.

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Two-bedroom homes at Meridian Fields available from £339,950

Sales Office & Show Home Via The Pastures from Main Street, Hardwick CB23 7AH Opening times: 10am - 5.30pm, Thurs to Mon

hill.co.uk/new-homes/ meridian-fields

Call us on 01223 734205 to arrange a viewing

“AN IDEAL CHOICE FOR THOSE WHO SEEK A SIMPLER WAY OF LIFE THAT'S IN KEEPING WITH VILLAGE TRADITION”

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FARRIERS YARD B

Contemporary living meets traditional village life at this beautiful Balsham development arriers Yard is a beautiful collection of family homes, featuring three, four and five bedrooms, located at the heart of the quaint but thriving village of Balsham, Cambridgeshire. Built on a site that served as a blacksmithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forge in the 1800s, all the homes have been thoughtfully designed to blend perfectly with this traditional village setting. Balsham benefits from two pubs, a village hall, a convenience store, preschool and primary school and is just ten miles from Cambridge, with excellent links to the A1307 and A11. Among the homes on offer at Farriers Yard is a stylish three-bedroom, semi-detached house that offers the best of open-plan living, with a contemporary kitchen/dining/ living room with integrated kitchen appliances and French doors opening out to the rear garden. Upstairs, all three bedrooms are doubles and the master bedroom has the benefit of a fitted wardrobe and elegant en-suite shower room. This home also benefits from an integrated garage. For family living, look to the stunning four-bedroom home set across three floors. The ground floor benefits from a stylish kitchen/dining room with French doors leading out to the rear garden, plus a separate living room and an integrated garage. The first floor offers three double bedrooms, one with an en suite, and an elegant family bathroom, while the top floor is dedicated to the spacious master bedroom with fitted wardrobes and a beautiful en-suite shower room.

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Three-bedroom homes at Farriers Yard available from £449,950

Show Home & Sales Office Off High Street, Balsham, Cambridge CB21 4DJ Opening times: 10am - 5.30pm, Thurs to Mon

hill.co.uk/new-homes/ farriers-yard-balsham

Call us on 01223 214214 to arrange a viewing

“BALSHAM BENEFITS FROM TWO PUBS, A VILLAGE HALL, A CONVENIENCE STORE, PRESCHOOL AND PRIMARY SCHOOL AND IS JUST TEN MILES FROM CAMBRIDGE”

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INTRODUCING EDDINGTON s Cambridge races to keep up with its own exuberant growth, gleaming new developments are springing up all around the city, but the latest, Eddington, is attentiongrabbingly unique for a number of reasons. For starters, this latest extension to the city – which will eventually include 3,000 homes – has been conceived and delivered by Cambridge University. A decade in the making, Eddington is the realisation of an ambitious project by the university to help secure its long-term future through creating homes for key workers and academics. In the face of rising property prices and a shortage of affordable housing, the development is part of a campaign to stem the ‘brain drain’; to keep Cambridge appealing and viable to the postgrads and staff without whom the university cannot function. Eddington is the first phase of the north west Cambridge development, which occupies a vast 150-hectare site, located between Madingley Road and Huntingdon Road. Of the 3,000 homes in the pipeline for development, half will be allocated to those associated with the university, alongside an additional 2,000 postgrad student beds, and the other half will be privately sold to the general public. The sheer scale of the development is another marker of its uniqueness – close in size to 90 football pitches, this new suburb for the city represents the largest investment by a university in a new community. A colossal £1 billion project undergirded by an admirable commitment to sustainability, it encapsulates not just housing but 100,000 sq m of research facilities, 50 hectares of green open space, the University of Cambridge Primary School and a variety of community facilities.

Take a look around the University of Cambridge’s ambitious, eco-friendly new neighbourhood

EDDINGTON IN NUMBERS

150

3000

2476

HECTARE SITE

HOMES

TREES

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A NEW COMMUNITY FOR CAMBRIDGE Take a wander around Eddington and something that shines through is the commitment to creating not just a collection of houses, but a living, breathing community. Far from an afterthought, community has been designed in from the outset; a sense of identity carefully woven into the fabric of the place in a way rarely seen in new residential developments. The on-site primary school opened early (around three years ago in fact – before the first homes had been completed), meaning families moving in are able to enrol children immediately, and that Eddington didn’t add to a school-place shortage in Cambridge. The school, which combines an innovative circular design with an equally innovative approach to education, serves not only to educate the children of Eddington families, but also as a primary teacher training school for Cambridge University – the first of its kind in the UK.

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There’s a community and performing arts hub too; the stunningly state-ofthe-art Storey’s Field Centre. Boasting an impressive 180-capacity main hall for concerts, classes and clubs, two smaller multipurpose rooms and a walled garden, the centre is available for both local residents and the wider Cambridge community to use. Adding to Eddington’s unique character are the numerous pieces of public art, which are peppered around the site, animating both the built and natural landscape. Through the Fata Morgana Teahouse, a steel pavilion on the edge of the lake, and the Pixel Wall, a mirrored surface that reflects its surroundings, passers-by are invited to see the landscape from a different perspective, continually engaging with and enjoying their surroundings; lingering rather than hurrying through.

“EDDINGTON IS NOT JUST A COLLECTION OF HOUSES BUT A LIVING, BREATHING COMMUNITY”

HILL.CO.UK 21/06/2019 17:48

A GREEN DREAM Alongside community, another guiding principle across the Eddington development is sustainability. The eco features are endlessly impressive, from the rainwater-harvesting system – the largest of its kind in the UK – which is designed to reduce consumption per person while also protecting against flood risk, to the innovative waste management solutions and the dazzlingly energy-efficient homes, the site is an exemplar of sustainability. Eddington also lays claim to the city’s first district heating system, which sees individual boilers in homes replaced with one central network that provides hot water and heat across the site. The site is green in a physical sense, too, with an abundance of parklands, play areas, allotments and sports pitches. Residents are encouraged towards a sustainable lifestyle, with a car share club and top-notch walking and cycle routes – which there is little reason not to embrace when it’s just a brisk two-mile pedal to the Market Square in the city centre.

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15 ATHENA If you’re sold on the Eddington vision, look to Athena: the 249 sleek new homes located opposite the University of Cambridge Primary School. Named, fittingly, after the Greek goddess of wisdom, the development offers a collection of cleverly designed studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments and three and four-bedroom houses. “These are what we call 21st-century period homes, combining contemporary design and vernacular with walkable streets more commonly found in historic places that have evolved over many years,” explains architect, Alexis Butterfield, associate partner, Pollard Thomas Edwards. “The restrained palette of facade materials has been inspired by the robust qualities of Cambridge; brick, metal and stone.” Filled with natural light, the homes take inspiration from Cambridge’s period properties (large windows, spacious rooms), while reflecting contemporary lifestyles with underfloor heating, terraces and hi-tech appliances. It offers an appealing mixture of modern and traditional. When asked about what they’re most pleased with though, the architects say it’s the way the residents’ needs have been put at the heart of the design. “Open space in our towns and cities is increasingly precious, and with our design each piece of the available space

has been planned to put people first and cars second,” says Alexis. “Residents’ parking is kept off the street. Two whole streets are landscaped and given over to community use entirely – transforming the street from a traffic space into a social space, and providing an attractive walk to the new local centre.” The compact, low-rise design at Athena is a perfect demonstration of how developers can answer the need for highdensity housing, without compromising the overall aesthetic of a development – or, of course, marring the skyline.

“THE HOMES TAKE INSPIRATION FROM CAMBRIDGE’S PERIOD PROPERTIES, WHILE REFLECTING CONTEMPORARY LIFESTYLES”

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E D D I N G T O N Stylish and sustainable homes available now at the award-winning Eddington development t the heart of Eddington is the award-winning Athena: a collection of 249 cleverly designed studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments and two, three and fourbedroom houses. Filled with natural light, these homes offer an appealing mixture of modern and traditional; taking inspiration from Cambridge’s period properties while reflecting contemporary lifestyles, with underfloor heating, terraces and top-ofthe-range appliances. Athena is an exemplar of sustainability, with every home boasting high levels of insulation, triple glazing, underfloor heating, energy-efficient kitchen appliances, aerated shower heads and taps, plus photovoltaic roof panels – all helping the homes achieve Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5, the gold standard in environmentally conscious homebuilding. Book a viewing now at Athena Eddington, an exciting new place to call home.

“FILLED WITH NATURAL LIGHT, THESE HOMES OFFER AN APPEALING MIXTURE OF MODERN AND TRADITIONAL”

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Apartments are available from £299,950 Houses are available from £699,950

Sales & Marketing Suite Eddington Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0QZ Opening times: 10am – 5.30pm daily

athena-cambridge.co.uk

Call us on 01223 607200 to arrange a viewing

“INSIDE ATHENA HOMES, YOU’LL FIND CONSIDERED AND CONTEMPORARY DESIGN, WITH QUALITY IN ALL THE DETAILS”

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OUR LOCATIONS

DRY DRAYTON

With new homes all across Cambridgeshire, there’s a Hill home for everyone, whatever your lifestyle Whether you seek a sleek city centre abode or a tranquil rural retreat, there’s a home in the Hill collection to serve your needs. We have homes ready to move into in sought-after locations and we are always working on bringing new homes to Cambridge and the surrounding villages. Coming next is Ironworks on Mill Road, CB1 and Marleigh on Newmarket Road. We are always adding to the Hill collection, so keep an eye on the hill.co.uk website where new developments are featured.

GIRTON

MADINGLEY

ATHENA

A428 A1303

CAMBRIDGE

HARDWICK

MERIDAN FIELDS COMBERTON BARTON

GRANTCHESTER

M11

LITTLE EVERSDEN HASLINGFIELD

HARLTON

HAUXTON LITTLE SHELFORD

HARSTON ORWELL BARRINGTON A10

SHEPRETH

NEWTON

FOXTON

ATHENA

A collection of 249 dwellings at the city’s new Eddington neighbourhood.

NINEWELLS

A beautifully designed collection of 162 contemporary, high-spec homes.

MELDRETH

IRONWORKS

FROG END

Launching in autumn 2019, Ironworks is located on Mill Road, Cambridge.

THRIPLOW

MARLEIGH

A new community on Newmarket Road launching early 2020

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HORNINGSEA

SWAFFHAM BULBECK

MILTON

FEN DITTON

A14

STOW CUM QUY

BOTTISHAM

MARLEIGH

IRONWORKS

LITTLE WILBRAHAM

TEVERSHAM

GREAT WILBRAHAM

WESTLEY WATERLESS

FULBOURN

A11

WESTON COLVILLE

NINEWELLS GREAT SHELFORD

WORSTED LODGE

WEST WRATTING

LE ORD

BALSHAM BABRAHAM

FARRIERS YARD

SAWSTON GREAT ABINGTON

WEST WICKHAM

PAMPISFORD WHITTLESFORD DUXFORD

MERIDIAN FIELDS

98 new homes in Hardwick that border open countryside.

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THE ORCHARDS LINTON

THE ORCHARDS

45 new homes in the village of Great Abington on Cambridgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outskirts.

HORSEHEATH

FARRIERS YARD

3, 4 and 5-bedroom family homes located at the heart of Balsham.

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THE HILL PORTFOLIO Hill is renowned for the high standards it brings to the design, architecture and environment of all its homes he Hill portfolio ranges from rural family dwellings to sleek city apartments. Over the years, Hill has created stunning new homes across the south east. Completed developments in and around Cambridge include multiaward winning The Avenue in Saffron Walden, recognised for its design and architecture, centred around a treelined avenue. In the heart of Cambridge, a stone’s throw from the railway station, you'll find Hill’s conversion of Spillers Mill – a landmark Cambridge building now home to 19 stylish apartments. And on the outskirts of the city is Anstey Hall Barns, a conversion of former farm buildings.

ANSTEY HALL BARNS Contemporary newly built homes sit comfortably among the conversion of existing barns to create a collection of homes like no other

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VIRIDO Embracing the best in energysaving technology to create a model of sustainability within a vibrant community

THE AVENUE in Saffron Walden is an exciting development of apartments and houses, including homes exclusively for those aged 55 and over

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CERES An exciting, ambitious and striking development of studios, and one, two and three-bedroom apartments

MAGNA A joint project by Hill and Homerton College, Magna is located on a private road just off Hills Road, offering a thoughtfully designed community of stunning properties

SPILLERS MILL The iconic centrepiece of the Ceres development, this collection of stylish apartments is located within a landmark Cambridge building

GRANARY COURT features beautiful family houses built to the high standards Hill is renowned for and located in the sought-after village of Bourn

“OVER THE YEARS, HILL HAS CREATED STUNNING NEW HOMES IN AND AROUND CAMBRIDGE“

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FIVE-STAR HOMES Hill is a multi-award winning housebuilder, as these testimonials prove

TRADING IN 19TH-CENTURY CHARACTER FOR 21ST-CENTURY STYLE The Staples family’s move from their 1850s period house in the village of Willingham was a difficult decision, but one that improved their quality of life. Being closer to the children’s schools and reducing their commutes were the main drivers for Chris and Nicola Staples. However, with stiff competition for family homes and house prices in Cambridge often equalling those of London, the family’s search was turning into a nightmare – until they came across Hill’s Ninewells development on Babraham Road. ”After living in our previous house for 12 years, we were reluctant to move,” says Chris, “but we really needed to create more of a work-life balance. Our children, Isabella and George, are now 14 and 13, so they need to be close to the city centre amenities and we also wanted them to be near to their schools. We looked at a

number of options, but were priced out of a lot of properties in the locations we wanted, so we were really struggling to find anything that ticked all the boxes. “Having always lived in older properties, we had never considered a newly built home, but we were really impressed with what we saw,” he continues. “It was a total surprise compared to what we expected.” The Staples bought a threestorey, four-bedroom mews house at Ninewells, with a studio above the garage. Chris continues: “The main difference I have noticed between this house and our older property is the insulation. We’ve never had the heating on, and the noise doesn’t travel at all, which is amazing considering how open plan it is (and much needed when you have two teenagers!). The development itself is surrounded by countryside, so it really reminds us of the

“THE WHOLE FAMILY LOVES THE OPEN-PLAN KITCHEN/LIVING AREA, ESPECIALLY MY WIFE, WHO IS A CHEF. IT'S WHERE WE SPEND MOST OF OUR TIME“ village we moved from, but the children have a lot more freedom here and are able to cycle to school. “The whole family loves the open-plan kitchen/living area, especially my wife Nicola, who is a chef. It is where we spend all of our time and has become the hub of the house. The kids also love the studio. We had intended for it to become a guest room for visitors, but they have taken it over and are already hosting sleepovers and after-school get-togethers.”

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GRANDPARENTS SIZE DOWNAND TRADE UP WITH NEW HOME IN CAMBRIDGE Roger and Tina Booker were no strangers to moving, having lived in Manchester, Suffolk and south London. They decided to downsize after their son and his partner announced they were having a baby. The soon-to-be grandparents were keen to find a home that offered a similar atmosphere to their previous rural homes, while still providing the amenities they enjoyed in the capital. Hill’s Athena development delivered on all counts. “We loved visiting Cambridge when we lived in Suffolk, so we looked at a number of homes in the area”, says Roger, a 59-year-old director of a social care company. The couple also looked into the cost and effort of renovating a property, before deciding a new-build home was the best choice for them. Tina, 58, explains: “We visited other developments, but none compared to the high quality of Athena. We wanted to walk into our home and enjoy it from day one, but also to be part of a growing community, which was possible here. “We loved the look of the mews houses. The layout of our new home is similar to our previous house in London. It is naturally smaller – only three bedrooms – given that we wanted to downsize, but it still has plenty of room for when family comes to stay. Remarkably, moving to Cambridge has made the journey to visit our grandchild much easier. Despite our son and his wife living in London, it only takes 50 minutes to reach them, which makes it better for everyone.”

Some of the awards Hill has collected for its new homes:

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AWARD-WINNING HOUSEBUILDER HILL SHOWS US AROUND ITS DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CAMBRIDGESHIRE AREA

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