Cambridge Edition January

Cambridge JANUARY 2015

Your monthly fix of local life www.cambsedition.co.uk

INSIDE THIS ISSUE...

ARTS

FREE MAGAZINE

CULTURE

GIG GUIDE A FOODIE WORLD TOUR

of Cambridge

NIGHTLIFE

Cambridge

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CONTENTS

JANUARY 2015

42

21

52

5 • FIVE THINGS TO DO Our pick of the best things to do in Cambridge this month

52-53 • LISTINGS Your at-a-glance overview of what’s going on this January

7-10 • NIGHTLIFE Comedy, live music, clubs and bars... we’ve got it all covered

55 • FAMILY Get everyone up off the sofa and try some of these fun family events

13 • MUSIC BLOG Our insider guide to the best local live gigs this month

56-61• THE CAMBRIDGE BUCKET LIST How well do you know Cambridge? Take our Bucket List challenge and see how many of these you can tick off this year!

14-17 • THE CAMBRIDGE SOUND Put your records on! We investigate Cambridge’s record shop revival 19 • THEATRE HIGHLIGHTS Get your diaries out and plan a trip to the Arts Theatre – here’s what not to miss 21-28 • ARTS & CULTURE Highlights from Cambridge’s wonderful museums, galleries and concert halls 31 • BRAIN FOOD Make the most of living in a university city and attend these open talks and lectures 33-35 • FOOD NEWS All the gastronomic happenings and news from Cambridge’s foodie scene 36-38 • FOODIE WORLD TOUR How to eat your way around the globe without ever leaving Cambridge!

Welcome

Let’s not pretend January is anybody’s favourite month.

The Christmas hangover – literal and metaphorical – is still looming, bank balances have seen way better days, and, at first glance at least, there’s virtually nothing happening, even if you did want to leave the sofa. Which you really don’t. If that sounds familiar, we’ve hopefully got some top ideas to lure you out of your post-festive fug, starting with our Cambridge Bucket List. From a punt down the Cam to a questionable takeaway from the Trailer of Life, we’ve rounded up our essential Cambridge to-do list, and it’s pretty epic. Turn to page 56 to see how many you can tick off and find out how local you really are! If you fancy a trip to the cinema meanwhile, check out The Theory of Everything, the new Hollywood biopic based around the life and loves of Cambridge resident Stephen Hawking – turn to page 71 to read our interview with leading man Eddie Redmayne and behind-the-scenes scoop on the filming. We’ve also been munching our way around some of the city’s finest international eateries for our Foodie World Tour of Cambridge – turn to page 36 to find out who made the cut. Enjoy the issue see, you next month!

NICOLA FOLEY, EDITOR FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/CambsEdition FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @cambsedition

69 • COMMUNITY NEWS Community news and charitable events from your local hub

COVER ART The artwork featured on this month’s cover is by Roxana de Rond, an artist and illustrator living in Cambridge. See more at: roxanaillustrations.co.uk

71-74 • THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING We chat to Eddie Redmayne about his incredible portrayal of Stephen Hawking in his new film, in cinemas now 76-77 • INDEPENDENT OF THE MONTH Discovering the woman behind the success of Harriet Kelsall Jewellery 79-82 • FASHION Liven up your wardrobe with these hot new trends for men and women 84-87 • BEAUTY Read Daisy and Charlotte’s beauty resolutions for 2015

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

88-90 • WORK IT! Edition trials some alternative sports and classes to shift those Christmas pounds

Sub editors Lisa Clatworthy & Hannah Bealey

49 • REVIEW Jenny Shelton is impressed by the food and the service at Hotel du Vin’s bistro

93-94 • EDUCATION St Faith’s looks at the importance of a good computing curriculum, and we highlight the best adult learning courses

Sales executive Lauren Widdowson 01223 499451 laurenwiddowson@bright-publishing. com

51 • COMPETITION Win a luxurious mini break for two at Hotel Felix! Includes dinner and breakfast

97-105 • BUSINESS Checking out Cambridge’s best conferencing facilities

42-47 • RECIPES Snuggle up with a warming Portuguese bean stew and easy poached pear pud

ADVERTISING

CONTRIBUTORS

Alex Rushmer, Angelina Villa-Clarke, Charlotte Griffiths, Daisy Dickinson, Jordan Worland, Ruthie Collins, Margaret White, Wesley Freeman-Smith, Stella Pereira, Robin Mead

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Designer Emily Stowe 01223 499450 emilystowe@bright-publishing.com Ad production Lucy Woolcomb 01223 499468 lucywoolcomb@bright-publishing.com

MANAGING DIRECTORS Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck 01223 499450

Key account manager Maria Francis 01223 499461 mariafrancis@bright-publishing.com

www.bright-publishing.com

CAMBRIDGE EDITION MAGAZINE • Bright Publishing Ltd, Bright House, 82 High Street, Sawston, Cambridgeshire CB22 3HJ 01223 499450, www.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

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5 THINGS TO DO

1. NEW SUPPER CLUB LAUNCHES

Smart new pub The Architect, which opened towards the end of last year, is launching the first of a series of supper clubs on 4 January. The team will call on local suppliers, growers and brewers to produce a different sumptuous, seasonal menu each month. January’s menu includes goats cheese mousse with winter truffle, Norfolk lobster, roast chicken and chocolate, coffee and amaretto torte. It's £35 per person, starting 7.30pm. Places can be booked by calling 01223 563779. www.thearchitectcambridge.co.uk

THINGS TO DO

2. NEW YEAR - NEW HOBBY?

Fancy trying something new this year?

From choirs to photography clubs, there’s lots going on in the Cambridge area for those wanting to hone a skill and meet other like-minded people.

Sing! Cambridge meet for the new term on 13 January at The Boathouse pub; sociable sketchers should try Drink and Draw at Hot Numbers, 6 January; or join Saffron Walden Camera Club, who get together on alternate Fridays.

If you live in or near Grantchester, you might fancy joining the After Eights, a sociable group of women of all ages who meet on the second Thursday of every month. They hold regular film screenings, supper clubs and other events. For clubs with more of a fitness focus, see how we got on trying out some alternative activities on page 88.

THIS MONTH...

3. GO GREEN FOR 2015

Planned your summer holiday?

Cambridge Carbon Footprint are holding an informal meeting this month on how to choose a climate friendly trip this year. It’s hoped the meeting – taking place at the Fort St George pub on 29 January – will shed light on the benefits of ‘greener’ holidays and provide inspiration. Have you considered house swapping, wild camping or cycling holidays? Or holidaying on an organic farm? There’s a whole world of ecofriendly ideas out there… www.cambridgecarbonfootprint.org

4. THE CAMBRIDGE BUCKET LIST

Make this the year you finally do all those Cambridge-y things you keep meaning to get round to, like hearing the choir at King’s College; taking a punt to Grantchester; going to the Folk Festival or visiting some of our incredible museums. On page 56, we’ve compiled the ultimate Cambridge Bucket List and challenge you to tick them all off by the end of the year… And don’t forget to let us know how you get on!

5. SEE SOME THEATRE

Come out and play with quirky theatre company Nasu Enzuru, who are staging a unique reworking of Romeo and Juliet at the Comberton Sports and Arts Centre this month.

Set aside everything you thought you knew about this classic tale of ill-fated lovers and prepare for something as far from a stuffy classroom reading as you’ll get. Although officially a tragedy, it’s not all tears and turmoil: expect music and slapstick fun, folly and frolics as Nasu Enzuru re-inject all the humour and bawdiness that Shakespeare intended.

The performance takes place at Comberton Sports and Arts Centre, 2-3 January, 7.30pm, with drinks served beforehand in the lounge bar. Adults only; tickets £12 (£10 students). www.wegottickets.com/event/302014

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NIGHTLIFE

CLASSIC ROCK SHOW In what has got to be the ultimate January blues buster, the acclaimed Classic Rock Show hits the Corn Exchange on 28 January, celebrating its fifth anniversary with a journey through the greatest moments in guitar rock.

No having to listen to an hour and a half of questionable new material here: this show is like the ultimate live jukebox, taking you on a foot-stomping two and a half hour tour of classic rock’s best bits. From the iconic opening riff of Led Zep’s Whole Lotta Love to Queen’s We Will Rock You via the strutting hard rock anthem that is AC/DC’s Back in Black, there will be way more irresistible guitar hooks than you’ll know what to do with.

But this ain’t your average tribute act. The band is composed of a selection of some of the most accomplished virtuoso musicians on the planet, capable of flitting from Fleetwood Mac to Pink Floyd with ease, serving up a rare opportunity to relive these classic tracks, played to perfection in all their glory.

Tickets £25-£35, starts 7.30pm. www.cornex.co.uk

SHINDIG New year, fresh blood for Cambridge’s very own secret cinema SHINDIG, bringing a veritable bounty of treats for your eyes and ears in late January.

Friday 30th ushers in the ethereal majesty of These Ghosts, I/M/M/I/G/R/A/N/T/S and Fast Infamy – a trio of alternative pop groups hand-picked for their unique sound and visions. All masters of their separate sound worlds, they share a rhythmic dexterity, an interest in experimentation, and ears for a good tune. For fans of Radiohead, The xx and Animal Collective – see Slate the Disco’s column for more details.

SHINDIG has been running for three years now, occupying Cambridge’s most interesting spaces with music, performance art, spoken word and film. January’s feature acts are accompanied by Liam Roberts, a live video artist whose work has accompanied many eminent electronica artists. They are introduced by the wise words of Erfan Daliri, hypnotic Australian-Iranian poet, in collaboration with cellist Derek Yau. 30 January, 8pm. St Paul’s Church. Tickets £6 advance. www.wegottickets.com/event/300244

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NIGHTLIFE

FIRST AID KIT Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit hit Cambridge this month for a gig at the Corn Exchange as part of a worldwide tour. It’s been a heady few months for the pair (who are in fact sisters, hailing from Stockholm), since the release of their Stay Gold album, which saw their fanbase mushroom across Europe and further afield. The perfect soundtrack to a hazy summer, their music combines folky, country vibes with sweet, soaring vocals and heartbreaking harmonies.

So far the reception has been fantastic, with the band attracting praise left, right and centre from the critics. NME concluded that “The siblings have carefully crafted a tender batch of songs that disarm with not only their beauty but their honesty,” whilst The Sun deemed Stay Gold “A confident, beautifully crafted work filled with songs set to raise the roof in ever larger venues.”

Say goodbye to the January blues and bring a little sunshine to your new year by stopping by at the gig, which takes place on 17 January. Tickets start at £22.50. www.cornex.co.uk

SARA PASCOE VS HISTORY A comedy starlet in the ascendant, the fantastically funny Sara Pascoe pays a visit to Cambridge Junction this month to serve up some wry observations on life and the way the world works. Covering everything from dating politics to existential theory, the Dagenham-born comic’s sardonic humour is tinged with a feminist flavour and peppered with brutally honest personal revelations. She’s enjoying a burgeoning TV career too, starring recently on prime time big hitters like Stand Up For the Week, Live at the Apollo, QI, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Mock The Week.

In Sara Pascoe vs History, she’s tackling the murky matter of the past: wars, witches, ex-boyfriends and all – considering the fact that everything which has happened shapes who we are today… Cambridge Junction, 23 January, 8pm. Tickets are £13. www.junction.co.uk

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NIGHTLIFE

now

booking

DYLAN MORAN

OMID DJALILI Known for his subversive stand-up, Omid Djalili has become a regular fixture on our screens over the past decade. As well as hosting his own show on the BBC, he’s appeared in numerous Hollywood films including Gladiator, Sex and the City 2 and The Infidel – not to mention enjoying a sold-out West End residency.

Now, the British-born Iranian comic is back to doing what he does best and entertaining huge crowds, live on stage. The new show, Iranalamadingdong, serves up a typically spirited set, showcasing Djalili’s sharp wit, infectious energy and astute cultural observations. As always, the diversity of modern Britain is a key talking point, with plenty of thin ice PCbaiting, which he couples with celeb stories and lots of hilarious anecdotes and accents (he’s a fantastic mimic).

Catch him at Cambridge Corn Exchange on 30 January at 8pm. Tickets are £25.50. www.cornex.co.uk

12-13 February, Cambridge Junction, £16 The much-loved star of Black Books, Shaun of the Dead and Calvary is in Cambridge next month for an intimate gig in the warm-up to his 2015 tour Off The Hook. www.junction.co.uk

CLEAN BANDIT 8 March, Corn Exchange, £22 In a homecoming gig of sorts, Clean Bandit, who formed whilst studying in Cambridge (and hosted a regular club night at the now defunct Kambar), are back in the ’bridge this month, joined by special guest Jess Glynne, the vocalist on the smash hits Rather Be (the biggest selling single of any UK artist in 2014) and Real Love. www.cornex.co.uk

ALAN CARR

MARK WATSON Marking a decade in comedy, the award-winning Mark Watson will be in town this month as part of a 65-date national tour. Hurtling towards his mid-thirties, the comedian is feeling reflective in his new show, Flaws, which hits the Corn Exchange at the end of January.

Delving back into his past, from the weird and scary process of becoming an adult, to the equally weird and scary process of becoming a parent, Watson is set to take audiences on a thought-provoking adventure into his personal life.

One of the best-known comedians on the UK comedy circuit, Watson has a clutch of accolades to his name, including the Panel Prize at the 2006 Edinburgh Fringe, and appearances on TV shows like Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Mock the Week and Have I Got News For You. In case you were in any doubt as to his ability to spin a good yarn, Watson also has four hit novels under his belt, as well as Crap At The Environment, which documents his efforts to save the planet and halve his carbon footprint (more funny than it sounds).

He’s doing his thing on 31 January from 8pm. Tickets are £18.50. www.cornex.co.uk

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3-4 April, Corn Exchange, £32.50 Everyone’s favourite chatty man is visiting Cambridge in April, just one of the stops on his new tour Yap, Yap, Yap! Join the BAFTA award-winning comedian, author and TV personality as he returns to his stand-up roots, offering up his high camp and hilarious take on life. www.cornex.co.uk

JIMMY CARR 10 April, Corn Exchange, £27.50 The comedian who can’t seem to stay away from Cambridge, Jimmy Carr is set to tread the boards once again at the Corn Exchange in the spring.

Expect lashings of inappropriate jokes and more quick-fire gags than you can shake a stick at. www.cornex.co.uk

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NIGHTLIFE

COMMONERS’ COMEDY CLUB ACOUSTIC ROUTES PRESENT…

The Commoners’ Comedy Club will host its first event of 2015 on Friday 16 January, and it promises to be a corker. Held at the Corner House Pub on Newmarket Road, the event features some carefully selected up-and-coming acts from Cambridge and beyond, as well as established acts trying out new stuff. Headliner for the event will be the fantastic President Obonjo of the Lafta Republic, while your host for the evening is resident compere and talented local comedienne Ali Warwood. Other acts include Charley Harrison, Lucy Thompson and Thomas Rackham (starts 8pm, free entry – donations welcome). www.facebook.com/ cambridgecommoners

Three stunning acoustic acts are set to perform at CB2 Café, Norfolk Street – the perfect chance to unwind after Christmas. On 10 January, Polly Paulusma will demonstrate her songwriting skills and pure musical style which has earned her praise from The Independent, Mojo, Rolling Stone and Uncut magazine. She has played Glastonbury, T in the Park and Cambridge Folk Festival and supported Bob Dylan, Coldplay and Jamie Cullum on tour.

Joining her is Cambridge band The Coach House Company who formed in 2010 and play uplifting folk-inspired music, jigs and reels infused with rich harmonies. Also on the bill, The Chaplins are a rootsy/Americana band from Glasgow and winners of the 2014 Danny Kyle Stage at Celtic Connections. These two kooky ladies fuse meaningful lyrics and unforgettable melodies with a sharp sense of style.

The evening starts at 8.30pm and tickets are £10. www.acousticroutes.co.uk

COMEDY IN IMPINGTON As part of Impington Village College’s 75th birthday celebrations, Custard Comedy is holding a local comedy night, featuring a clutch of top comedians, on 30 January.

Headliner for the night is co-star of BBC 4’s Getting On, Ricky Grover – described as “the funniest person I’ve ever seen” by The Independent’s reviewer. An award-winning writer, Ricky will be recognised by many as Andrew in EastEnders and he also took the lead role in his 2011 film Big Fat Gypsy Gangster. He’s appeared as a guest comedian and actor in such landmark British comedy television programmes as Red Dwarf, Fist of Fun and Black Books. His first love however is stand-up comedy.

Also appearing is Steve Day who describes himself as Britain’s only deaf comedian, quipping that if there are any others, he hasn’t heard. Actually, a couple more have emerged since he wrote that joke, but still, it’s only a joke. For the past 11 years, Steve, described as “revelatory and very funny” by The Guardian, has been performing to adoring crowds around the country and abroad.

On the bill too is globetrotting Matthew Baylis, bringing his own unique brand of unashamedly middle-class comedy and sharing stories of growing up and getting old in the leafy suburbs of middle England. He has been praised for his “ticklingly dry wit and razor-sharp crowd-work” by The Gazette.

Rounding off the rib-tickling list is Ben Van Der Velde. A stand-up comedian, actor, improviser and presenter, Ben has spread joy and nonsense to all four corners of England over the past few years, gigging for the likes of The Stand, Komedia, Just the Tonic, The Backyard Comedy Club and Comedy Cafe.

Doors open at 8pm, and the show starts at 8.15pm. Over 18s only. Tickets £12.50. www.eventbrite.co.uk

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MUSIC

Jordan Worland from local music website Slate the Disco selects his must-see gigs in Cambridge this month anuary may be a blue time but there is plenty of live music in Cambridge this month to lift the spirits. Our first tip for 2015 comes in the form of an artist who was ranked by Rolling Stone magazine in their Top 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

Following the success of J Mascis’s fourth solo album, Tied to a Star, released on Sub Pop last summer, the Dinosaur Jr frontman will be heading back to the UK for a full tour, which makes a stop at the Cambridge Junction J2 on 15 January.

First Aid Kit are touring the UK this January, including a date at the Corn Exchange on 17 January. Last summer the duo made a triumphant return with their critically acclaimed third album Stay Gold, which entered the UK chart at number 11.

Soon after they sold out their UK tour and biggest headline show to date at London’s Royal Albert Hall. With Stay Gold, First Aid Kit – sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg – have honed their musical skills and blossomed as vivid storytellers in creating a ten-song collection. The record is their most mature and ambitious to date and is filled with aching beauty and wisdom beyond their years.

Ambient rock sensations These Ghosts take to the stage in Cambridge this month, with meditative, introspective guitar music and velvet delivery, reminiscent of Radiohead’s fusion of splintered guitars and electronics. These Ghosts will play St Paul’s Church on 30 January and it will be their first Cambridge show since the release of their sophomore album, Still The Waves. These Ghosts released their debut album, You Are Not Lost, You Are Here, in 2010, before university got in the way and the band put a hold on creating music.

Messers Duncan, Yager and Hall attended different universities, meaning that meant band activity was reduced, but after relocating and honing their craft and fledgling movements in music, the result

of their second release is an album full of melancholic guitars and a patient intensity.

Support comes from one of Cambridge’s finest new bands and ones to watch in 2015, Fast Infamy. Led by boy-girl vocals, Fast Infamy flux between soulful R&B grooves and sultry house beats.

January sees Hayseed Dixie bringing their unique take on AC/DC classics with their very own genre of ‘Rockgrass’ to Cambridge Junction on the 17th. The band have a sense of humour running through their core, but also have a great knack of producing complete 360° reworkings of classic tracks.

Known for his world-class guitar playing, and on-stage acrobatics, Nils Lofgren is

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a true rock legend and January sees him play the Corn Exchange on the 9th. He’s a superb frontman, both with Grin and under his own name. Recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band, Nils released his new album Face the Music in 2014.

Wednesday 21st sees The Portland Arms play host to an incredible double bill of Grant-Lee Phillips and Howe Gelb, both towering figures in alt-county songwriting.

Grant-Lee Phillips has been making memorable music since his days as the golden voice and poetic visionary front of the folk-rock trio Grant Lee Buffalo. Since recording four fine albums with GLB, he’s gone on to release seven solo albums, including his latest, Walking in the Green Corn, exploring his Native American roots.

Howe Gelb is the freewheeling luminary whose three decades of voluminous recording with Giant Sand have forged a legend of Southwestern American roots punk and international prominence. Gelb has described his solo music as erosion rock music that changes with the elements on a daily basis and described himself as ‘endlessly restlessly wanderlusted encrusted’…

Tell us about your gig at www.slatethedisco.com

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CAMBRIDGE SOUND

WORDS & IMAGES WESLEY FREEMAN-SMITH

THE CAMBRIDGE

SOUND

VINYL REVIVAL After years of silence, the record shop scene in Cambridge is enjoying an unexpected renaissance with two new vinyl traders opening up in a matter of months and a third on the way. In this month’s Cambridge Sound, Wesley Freeman-Smith examines the rise and rise of Cambridge’s vinyl frontier

Once, legend has it, Cambridge was a fine and plentiful land for music lovers. Its venues were spacious and numerous, and every other street was alive with record shops. You couldn’t move for them, or so the rumours say. Times changed.

One by one the majority of independent stores slipped out of the high street and into the history books.

Places successful in their heyday all fell victim to similar circumstances; Andy's, Jays and Parrot Records ceased trading long ago, and all that remains of Hot Numbers is the café that pays it tribute and a faded mural on Kingston Street.

Now, tentatively, Cambridge citizens find themselves at the start of a new day.

Not one but several outlets have sprung

up, seemingly out of the blue – a boom as loud as the silence that preceded it.

All specialise in vinyl – a format thought extinct, that recent years have seen boldly flourish.

After a decade of striking changes to the music industry, and the way we consume in general, is there a light at the end of the tunnel?

This sudden explosion of vinyl traders in the city seems to be more than just a local phenomenon; it’s epidemic

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CAMBRIDGE SOUND

This sudden explosion of vinyl traders in the city seems to be more than just a local phenomenon; it’s becoming epidemic. National sales of vinyl exceeded one million in 2014, the first time this milestone has been hit since the nineties. The movement is fuelled not only by a nostalgia or even by a drive towards independent retailers – one suspects it runs a little deeper than that. Despite the ease with which one can socialise, shop and stream via the Internet, the one thing the information super highway hasn’t and cannot master is physical space – a real place to meet and greet, to browse and discover.

The word is community; an idea we’re drawn to all the more as it’s perceived to be disappearing. You’re never going to run into an old friend on Amazon, or stop for a spontaneous coffee on Spotify. Authenticity can be a murky concept these days, especially in pop music, and the resurgence of vinyl as a format could be read as a response. For some, the passion never went away. “There’s a ritual involved with listening to records,” says Xavier of local psychpop band Violet Woods.

“It’s not a passive experience. You open the sleeve, put the record on, sit down and look at the sleeve (which in itself is a beautiful object). Music on digital medium is convenient, but you lose all these aspects of engaging with music.”

Relevant Records were the first to open their doors here in Cambridge, and the masses responded with unbridled enthusiasm. Twitter was ablaze in the weeks preceding – as good a sign as any quite how deeply the city has been missing something like this. Thankfully, they delivered.

“From how we’ve been received as a whole, I think the people of Mill Road have been really wanting somewhere to hang out, listen to music and drink coffee for some time – that’s one of the most recurring sentences I’m hearing,” says Angie, one half of the husband-wife team that runs Relevant. “So far I haven’t heard anything negative – only really, really positive things.”

As well as an ample supply of eclectic releases, living on the floor above is a warm and friendly café

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CAMBRIDGE SOUND

space. Their tagline and ethos is ‘records and recuperation’; and where better to meet like-minded audiophiles for a chat than in a record shop? If you’re a Romsey resident, chances are you’ve popped in already.

With locally sourced foodstuffs and regular live events on the horizon, they’ve managed to find the perfect balance of social and commercial – a great start.

To the public the abundance of new outlets may seem sudden, but behind the scenes it’s a different story.

Some have been in the process for a very long time. Lost in Vinyl founder Rob echoes a theme we’ve heard from everyone about their respective projects. “It’s always been something of an ambition to open my own shop, I just never thought it’d be feasible.

Vinyl is making a real comeback over the last few years, and for enthusiasts like myself it never went away...” The

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The rise of vinyl as a popular medium isn’t the driving factor, it’s the climate that makes the dreams possible

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CAMBRIDGE SOUND

rise of vinyl as a popular medium isn’t the driving factor, it’s the climate that makes long nurtured dreams possible.

“I don’t think there’s one specific thing that’s led to such a resurgence,” he continues. “I started Lost in Vinyl just under two years ago, primarily as an online store... A year or so ago, one of our customers sent an email saying ‘Thanks so much for the great service! I must pop down to your shop one day’. That kind of planted the seed for taking it to the next level.” Based in Magdalene Street, at the time of going to press preparations were still underway for the grand opening.

“I think our unique selling point is that we’ve placed ourselves in the heart of the city, providing a range of harder to find releases that appeal to the enthusiasts out there.” With a background opening stores for both HMV and Virgin, Lost in Vinyl are no strangers to retail. If you’re looking for that rare special edition, Lost in Vinyl will be the place.

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And what of the future? At this stage, it’s all to play for. A third shop, Legion, was said to be opening in addition to the above – perhaps by the time you read this, there’ll be more news. Speaking to music and arts blog Slate The Disco, broadcaster and writer Rich Hughes summarised the situation best.

“There’s a certain trepidation when something you’ve craved for so long suddenly becomes available. In the case of record shops in Cambridge, since the death of most of them I’ve been waiting, and praying, for someone to take a chance...

“Could we finally have a meeting place for us like-minded individuals, those of us who are only happy when strolling the streets with a bag full of new musical goodness, racing home to play them? Time will tell, and I wish them lots of luck. It is, most definitely, a start.”

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THEATRE

WORDS JENNY SHELTON

NEW SEASON After a whirlwind panto season, Cambridge Arts Theatre is gearing up for another round of top-notch theatre. Here’s what’s in our diaries in 2015 ripping yarn of mischief and folly, Three Men in a Boat will be making waves 21-24 January. Based on the story

by Jerome K Jerome, this comedy caper follows three chaps on a boating holiday in Edwardian England – said to have inspired the Pythons and Morecambe and Wise.

This lark-filled production by the Original Theatre Company promises music hall singing, a dog and some natty blazers.

Things get a little heavier with Henry V, 4-7 February. Shakespeare’s famous history play, following the young king as he battles to capture France without losing England in the process, is the latest project to emerge from Cambridge University’s Marlowe Society, who reliably deliver stunning, intelligent shows.

Crime fiction fans, don’t miss the world stage premier of Dead Simple 16-21 February, written by bestselling author Peter James and described by the Daily Mail as “one of the most fiendishly clever crime fiction plotters”.

Arthur Miller’s All My Sons runs 24-28 February, following a couple living with the ghosts of the Second World War. Then skip back to the First World War with Oh What A Lovely War, 2-7 March, for a musical, satirical and ultimately poignant reflection of the events of 100 years ago.

This one comes to us prior to a West End run and stars Corrie’s Wendi Peters and Ian Reddington (Corrie, Eastenders).

Another star treads the boards 9-14 March in The King’s Speech, featuring Jason Donovan as the stammering George VI. This West End show inspired the acclaimed film.

The devilishly delightful Lucy Worsley, historian, presenter and would-be dancer, talks about her love of the Georgians on 15 March. She’ll introduce us to the era’s most scandalous and compelling monarchs.

Having experienced the theatrical phenomenon that is The Woman in Black on previous tours, Edition can highly recommend this as one of the most thrilling plays you’re likely to encounter. It returns, in all its creepy, minimalist excellence, 16-21 March.

Thriller fans get another helping of romance and mystery in Rebecca, 23-28 March. Responsible for one of the most atmospheric opening lines in literature, “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again”, Daphne du Maurier’s Cornish masterpiece follows a young bride as she tries to step out from the shadow of her husband’s glamorous former wife.

Footlights return with their spring sketch show on 17 and 18 April, followed by A Mad World My Masters, a wild updating of Middleton’s Jacobean comedy by the Royal Shakespeare Company and English Touring Theatre, 21-25 April.

Young theatregoers, don’t miss Room on the Broom (5-9 May) which flies in after a run at the West End, or The Tiger Who Came to Tea (10-13 May), based on the much-loved book by Judith Kerr.

Then, who doesn’t love a bit of Wilde?

Especially when it stars David Suchet (Poirot) as Lady Bracknell. Look out your best behaviour and dandiest spats for The Importance of Being Earnest, 18-23 May. The English Touring Opera return with three lavish new productions, 26-30 May: La Bohème, The Siege of Calais and The Wildman of the West Indies. And Constellations (16-20 June), about free will, love and multiple universes, follows a ‘pitch perfect’ West End run where it earned five stars from Time Out. Then, see the horrors of war from the innocent eyes of two children in The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, 23-27 June, adapted from the book by John Boyne.

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IMAGES A Mad World My Masters, Lucy Worsley, Three Men in a Boat, Jason Donovan in The King's Speech, The Tiger Who Came To Tea

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ARTS & CULTURE

We explore the arts and culture scene in Cambridge, showcasing some of the many exciting exhibitions and shows taking place around the city ARTS PICTUREHOUSE SCREENINGS Cambridge Arts Picturehouse are holding two special screenings this month in conjunction with the current exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum.

You may have already been to see the intriguing mannequins on display in Silent Partners, which offers a fascinating – and sometimes rather creepy – insight into the way artists used lay figures to create masterpieces.

Still, lifeless, yet strangely like us, artist’s dummies hold a magical fascination which these two films explore.

First up at 3pm on 18 January, take your seats for Vivement le Cinema, Jérôme Prieur’s 2011 documentary on the ‘pre-history’ of modern cinema.

Discover how pioneers of optical toys and photographic studies influenced early film, followed by a Q&A with Jérôme Prieur himself and Marta Braun, professor in the history of photography and film, Ryerson University, Toronto.

Showing at Emmanuel College, Queen’s Building Theatre. £5.

Next up is 2011’s Hugo, Martin Scorsese’s beautiful Oscar-nominated picture about a boy, an automaton and the wondrous days of early cinema in France. Living a hidden, solitary life above a railway station, Hugo (Asa Butterfield) is fixated on finding the last missing part of a golden figure which belonged to his late father. Through the intelligent, imaginative Isabelle, he uncovers a deeper mystery which takes him back to the birth of cinema. This one-off screening on 18 January will follow a short animated film by Lizzy Hobbs, shot at the Fitzwilliam Museum.

Starts 6pm, £11 for an adult ticket. www.picturehouses.co.uk www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

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ARTS & CULTURE

FEMALE PRINTMAKING IN GEORGIAN ENGLAND

Caroline Watson (1760-1814), Contemplation [Elizabeth Stanhope]. 1790, stipple after Joshua Reynolds

4 January is your last chance to see this fascinating exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum. Caroline Watson and Female Printmaking in Late Georgian England showcases the work of Caroline Watson, one of the most skilled engravers working in late 18th century England – and the first professional female engraver.

Appointed engraver to the Queen herself, she made exquisitely detailed prints of people, places and dramatic scenarios from life and fiction, but despite her obvious talent, is barely remembered today.

Born in London in 1760, she learned her craft from her father, the engraver James Watson. She created numerous plates throughout her lifetime, including portraits of the royal family.

This exhibition tells her story and that of other female printmakers of the day, through images and letters, and details their relationships with the male artists, such as Joshua Reynolds, who were also working at the time.

Entry is free. www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

BRITTEN SINFONIA: SARAH CONNOLLY Mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly CBE is widely celebrated in the arena of classical music for her broad repertoire, which ranges from Wagner and more traditional composers to composers of the 20th century.

On 18 January, together with the Britten Sinfonia, she will perform a programme of American music at West Road Concert Hall.

It will combine dance rhythms, traditional hymn tunes, poetry and jazz, focusing on the music of Aaron Copland, arguably the father of American music.

Connolly, who trained at London’s Royal College of Music, will also give a talk at 6.30pm before the concert starts at 7.30pm.

Join her at the purpose-built concert venue West Road Concert Hall; tickets for the evening are £5-£30. www.westroad.org

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ARTS & CULTURE

MOSCOW CITY BALLET Keep that Christmas spirit going and take a new year’s trip to the Corn Exchange where two spectacular ballets are being performed. From 2 to 3 January, Moscow City Ballet arrive in Cambridge to present The Nutcracker, the gloriously Christmassy tale of a girl who enters a magical kingdom of dancing mice, twirling snowflakes, sugarplum fairies and nutcracker princes.

One of Tchaikovsky’s ‘big story’ ballets, it features some of his most recognisable music including The Waltz of the Snowflakes, while Smirnov-Golovanov’s direction gives a fresh, modern spin to the stunning choreography. Expect beautiful costumes too from this spectacular slice of Russian culture.

Then, on 4 January, there’s a chance to see Shakespeare’s most iconic love story performed by the same company in Romeo and Juliet. The ballet features outstanding dancers from this famous company, which boasts a long-established reputation of excellence. Journey with them to 16th century Verona where two star-crossed lovers defy their families and take their lives in the name of love.

The Nutcracker shows at 2.30pm and 7.30pm; Romeo and Juliet at 5pm. Tickets £27.50-£37.50. www.cornex.co.uk

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY POPS ORCHESTRA Fans of the music from The Lord of the Rings should make room in their diaries for this concert, taking place at West Road Concert Hall. On 23 January, join the Cambridge University Pops Orchestra for a musical fantasy adventure into Middle Earth, via Copland (Fanfare for the Common Man), Paul Patterson (Little Red Riding Hood) and Howard Shore (The Lord of the Rings). Surely one of the most accessible classical concerts in Cambridge this month, it’s perfect for seasoned concert-goers and those dipping their toes in the cultural pool of classical music.

The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £6-£10. www.westroad.org

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ARTS & CULTURE

KING’S COLLEGE CONCERT & COME AND SING

BYARD ART Byard Art’s mixed exhibition runs from 2 to 26 January, and its bright, cheering and eclectic exhibits make the perfect antidote to the January blues.

Fletcher Prentice’s delicately painted spring meadows are full of life, while Louise Dear’s vibrant and intense figurative paintings on aluminium literally shine. Charlotte Cornish paints vivid, abstract paintings that are rich in colour while Waller Hewett’s fun, bright ‘polywobbles’ – little springy furballs that move – must be touched by the viewer to be fully appreciated!

Byard also displays a fabulous collection of paper entomology artworks, handembroidered creepy-crawlies, miniature paintings of bees, domestic ceramics decorated with frogs and spawn and ceramic hares.

We’ll be keeping an eye on their packed programme for 2015, so stay tuned. www.byardart.co.uk

Join the Cambridge University Chamber Orchestra, members of the CUMS Symphony Orchestra and the choirs of Clare, Gonville & Caius, Jesus and Selwyn Colleges for an extraordinary performance at the impressive King’s College Chapel.

On 17 January at 8pm, Howard Shelly conducts this concert featuring the works of Dvorák and Brahms, with Elinor Rolfe Johnson as soprano and Jonathan Sells as bass. Starts 8pm, tickets £20-£35 (£16 students). An excellent opportunity to hear the most wonderful voices in Cambridge come together for one event.

Also on the 17th, budding singers are invited to fill their lungs at The Big Sing: Come and Sing Mozart’s Requiem. It takes place at Great St Mary’s Church and costs £10 on the door. Funds raised go towards Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust Medicine for the Elderly. Rehearsal starts at 2pm; performance at 5.30pm. www.adcticketing.com

ROYAL NORTHERN SINFONIA A royally endorsed orchestra makes its way to Cambridge this month for what promises to be an accomplished performance of recognisable and accessible – but no less enchanting – classical music.

The Northern Sinfonia was bestowed the title ‘Royal’ Northern Sinfonia in 2013 by the Queen, in recognition of its worldwide reputation for excellence. In this, the company's first visit to Cambridge, they will be presenting a programme of music

by Mozart, Barber and Saint-Saëns, fronted and directed by Kyra Humphreys on violin and Natalie Clein on cello, and including the poignant and beautiful Adagio for Strings, which has featured in several fantastic film scores including Amélie.

The concert takes place 23 January at Cambridge Corn Exchange, 7.30pm. Those interested can also attend a pre-concert talk at Cambridge City Hotel by local music expert James Day (free to ticket holders). It starts at 6pm. Tickets £28.50-£38.50. www.cornex.co.uk

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ARTS & CULTURE

THE AUTHENTIC LIFE OF BILLY THE KID

PRIVATE LIVES OF PRINT

Drama and legend collide in this gripping show by local theatre group Bawds. In turn-of-last-century America, an ageing Pat Garrett lives a solitary life with no money, having squandered his chance for fame long ago, and only his memories for company. Once sheriff of Lincoln County, Garret was responsible for putting a price on the head of the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid. When his ghostwriter Ash Upson shows up with a mysterious man, claiming to be the real Kid, myths are forced to make way for the truth.

Set to be a gripping exploration of the romance of the Old West, this production takes place at the Corpus Playroom 13-17 January, 7.45pm. Tickets £6-£8. www.corpusplayroom.com

Book lovers, and anyone who spends their lunch break Googling funny cat videos, have a lot to thank Johannes Gutenberg for. Born in Germany 1398, he is credited with introducing printing to Europe and thus bringing learning and communication to the masses. Without his printing press there might have been no books and no Internet – nor any of the benefits and detriments they’ve brought in their wake. His work, plus that of William Caxton and other pioneers, is currently being celebrated in Cambridge University Library.

The exhibition (on until 11 April) assesses how early books impacted early audiences, and gives a glimpse into their private lives. It’s the conclusion of a five-year project to catalogue the library’s world-class collection of books printed before 1501 and a fascinating journey through the history of reading and readers. It also shows the way books were used and abused by their early readers, in the form of annotations and scribblings, bindings and decorations.

Entry is free, no need to book. exhibitions.lib.cam.ac.uk

IAN BOSTRIDGE IN RECITAL Tenor Ian Bostridge was praised in a glowing five-star Guardian review for his ‘intense, vivid, and poignant’ singing last time he performed at Saffron Hall, and returns this month with a dramatic recital of Brahms songs about love in every guise. In it he will include the whole Op.32 cycle, a masterpiece of seductive beauty. He also sings works from the more exuberant and optimistic Op.72 collection, and several late lieder which demonstrate Brahms’s profound and melodic insights into the agony and ecstasy of love. Graham Johnson will accompany Bostridge on piano.

The concert takes place 17 January, 7.30pm; tickets cost £10-£25. www.saffronhall.com

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ARTS & CULTURE

NOW BOOKING

KISS ME, KATE See Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew anew in Kiss Me, Kate, performed at West Road Concert Hall at the end of the month. This fun, frothy romantic comedy sees Fred Graham directing, producing and starring in a new, musical adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew. Unfortunately, his leading lady is his ex-wife, Lilli Vanessi, and another of his stars, with a gambling problem, has run afoul of some gangsters.

As the production progresses, the lives of the actors begin to mirror the action of the plot, and the lines between backstage and on-stage are blurred.

Performed by Cambridge University’s Gilbert and Sullivan Society, it features classic tunes such as Another Op’nin’, Another Show, So in Love and Too Darn Hot. James Ireland, playing Fred, says: “I am incredibly excited to be involved in Kiss Me, Kate: one of my all-time favourite musicals. From the gorgeous score to the ridiculous yet heart-warming story, this show is an absolute classic! The unique ‘show-within-a-show’ structure offers audiences a rare view behind the scenes and highlights the relationship between life and art, real and pretend.”

Though usually performing Gilbert and Sullivan (you may have seen their production of The Pirates of Penzance last year), the company is excited to be sidestepping from operetta to the glittering world of the musical.

Comments David Rice, musical director: “Kiss Me, Kate was written in the most exciting era of musical theatre; the so-called ‘golden age’, a movement spearheaded by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Cole Porter’s work unfortunately has to stand in the shadow of that great duo, but is no less important.” www.westroad.org

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Saffron Hall has announced several shows for 2015’s spring season, which promises a diverse mix of classical music, pop culture and family events. This starts with the ‘unforgettable’ Penguin Cafe (7 February), whose music has infiltrated popular culture thanks to films like Napoleon Dynamite and many theme tunes. Selling out the Royal Albert Hall and headlining Bestival in the past, they combine acoustic folk charm and minimalism with a classical twist.

Star violinist Nicola Benedetti performs a second date after the first sold out in record time. These concerts (27 and 28 February) are Nicola’s only UK performances with Marcon and La Cetra Barockorchester in her upcoming European tour.

An evening with jazz legend Courtney Pine will take place on 16 May. Performing with MOBO award-winning and Mercury-nominated pianist Zoe Rahman, he will take to the stage for a programme of ballads taken from Pine’s upcoming 16th album, The Ballad Book.

John Retallack’s hugely popular and critically acclaimed semi-staged candlelit production of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas comes to Saffron Hall on 27 May in a reworked form, marking the Hall’s first professional opera production.

This co-production of The English Concert and The Bristol Old Vic sees conductor Harry Bicket and David Stout joined by soprano Susanna Hurrell, and includes a dramatic recount of the adventure-packed life of Aeneas before he meets Dido with music by Purcell to begin the evening.

Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic silent movie Blackmail gets a rare screening at Saffron Hall on 12 July in partnership with Saffron Screen, the independent community cinema. www.saffronhall.com

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ARTS & CULTURE

© Louisa

Taylor

THE ART INSIDER

appy new year! This is a time of year that I love, full of optimism and a real opportunity to focus on what you really want to do. For those in need of some winter pampering, look no further than Mount Amelia over in Norfolk (www. mountamelia.com), to find both exquisite art and vintage luxury.

Just a few miles from the coast, this restored 18th century country house (called Indgoldisthorpe Hall) is guaranteed to banish the January blues with gorgeous opulence – perfect for combining with seal spotting in nearby Hunstanton. Catch contemporary sculpture by the likes of Cambridge artist Loukas Morley (just brilliant) nestling in the gardens, or light artist Chris Wood, whose iridescent work glitters with morphing colour up in the trees.

“We’ve had pop-up dinners with live music, a sculpture festival with over 2000 visitors and a pop-up art shop – my background is film, I love the arts and want the place to support them,” enthuses Ben Marten, who grew up in Cambridge, inherited the estate and has transformed it with his wife into a magical place with beautiful gardens, home to vibrant art and self-catering cottages, too.

An enchanting place indeed.

Stay in enormous, impeccably transformed rooms for bed and breakfast (roaring fires included over a decent fryup in the morning), or if feeling grand, hire the entire house! With Anthony Gormley’s new home just a few miles away, the area looks set to be a significant cultural magnet in coming years. “We’re keen to host art exhibitions and are open to creative proposals,” says Ben. Feeling inspired? Send your ideas to info@ ameliahouse.co.uk.

Literature lovers, there’s a chance to catch novelists Adèle Geras (Cover Your Eyes) and Judith Lennox (One Last Dance) discussing their work at Cambridge Waterstones on 15 January at 6.30pm – a snip at just £3, with wine too (always good!). Or young budding

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Celebrate the life of the late Josie Camus on 11 January

in Norfolk is Mou nt A m elias a n up-a ndbei ng ti pped a tspot, wit h its co min g a rts ho a nd pop-up, scul pt ure g a rdmenusica l din ne rs Spend a day out visiting Loukas Morley's stunning installations bookworms, check Anglia alumna illustrator Katie Mae Green reading from her book, Seen and Not Heard on 24 January, at 1pm, with an art workshop for children to help them create their ‘double sided secret self portrait’ (intriguing!).

You can also enjoy storytelling there every Sunday at 3.30pm on the first floor, a fave with children – a fab pit stop, after coffee in the café there with the kids. Marking the 50th anniversary of the first international exhibition of concrete poetry in Cambridge, is From Line to Constellation, at Anglia Ruskin Gallery, curated by Bronnac Ferran and Will Hill, exploring visual poetry, that place where poetry and graphic design meet, plus related concepts of space within typography and sculpture. A must-see for typography lovers!

Finally, this month I am looking forward to celebrating the life of artist Josie Camus at the Boathouse pub and the Portland

Arms on 11 January, who sadly passed away in October last year, aged just 35.

A good friend to many musicians, artists, gallerists and curators in the city, you may have come across Josie working as a caricature artist in the city centre, or exhibiting with the likes of the Fitzwilliam Musuem’s Education Department where she worked, or lindyhopping, or drumming in a band – her generous spirit touched the lives of hundreds. A significant, loving person – she was incredibly talented and renowned for her kindness. Watch out for a book that friends of hers will be helping to put together celebrating her work.

I love a quote she gave me for an interview last spring, advice to her teenage self: “Don’t take anything too seriously, it’s all complete nonsense – just enjoy the days and the people you are with.” Happy new year all, just remember this year to enjoy those days, plus most of all, the people you are with.

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BRAIN FOOD

BRAIN FOOD

You’ve indulged your appetite over Christmas, now feed your brain with these intellectual exhibitions and talks. Let’s start the year as we mean to go on, or at least for January…

THE LITERATURE OF LONDON

THE MANNEQUIN: A CULTURAL DISORDER

Sometimes a hellish, seething metropolis of smog and corruption (Blake), other times a wondrous, romantic landscape of domes and spires (Wordsworth’s Westminster Bridge); London in literature is a city of many faces. Explore the mixed representation of our capital in both poetry and prose down the ages at this day school on 18 January at Madingley Hall. A theatre, a labyrinth, a monster, a prison… what is it to you? This course at the Institute of Continuing Education will look at medieval poetry and contemporary short stories plus the work of Dickens and Woolf.

The day costs £75: light lunch and refreshments included. www.ice.cam.ac.uk

Cambridge University’s Dr Rod Mengham, Reader of Modern English Literature and Curator of Works of Art, will give a free talk on 14 January about the Fitzwilliam Museum’s current exhibition, Silent Partners. Entitled The Mannequin: A Cultural Disorder, it will concentrate on artists who use mannequins to focus attention on the way Western culture has manipulated our attitudes towards women and children in disturbing ways. He will open with an example from Henry James’s Rose-Agathe in which a female mannequin – a silent, unquestioning, decorative object – is mistaken for a real woman and go on to discuss the Chapman Brothers, J M Barrie and other writers and artists and their depiction of women and children.

The talk takes place at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Gallery 12 and 13, at 1.15pm. www.fitzmuseum. cam.ac.uk

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BEFORE EAST WAS EAST The seminal film East is East, about an Anglo-Pakistani family living in Salford, led the way for other British Asian films to break into the mainstream in the 1990s and beyond. But before lots more had fallen under the radar.

This lecture at the Alison Richard Building on West Road digs out some of those British Pakistani films from the previous decade to discuss race on screen, the idea of homeland and how cinema represents culture and community.

Open to all and free to attend, the lecture will be taken by Hamza Beg, MPhil in South Asian Studies, University of Cambridge. It takes place 19 January, 4pm. talks.cam.ac.uk

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FOOD DRINK A N D

GET THE INSIDE TRACK ON CAMBRIDGE'S FOODIE SCENE WITH EDITION'S MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT

A Cambridge foodie world tour BURNS NIGHT FEASTS

New openings EXCLUSIVE RECIPES

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FOOD

BURNS NIGHT FEASTING

URBAN LARDER RELAUNCHES Duncan Mason, a local entrepreneur, has taken over Mill Road's Urban Larder. The café, launched in 2009 by businesswoman Polly Plouviez, is a much-loved presence on Mill Road, selling local produce, handmade cakes, coffee, breakfasts, lunches and gifts to a large community of loyal customers. It’s also known for its evening events including tasty chocolate-making workshops, supper clubs and crafty bookbinding courses.

Polly originally came up with the idea for a city-centre farm shop selling local produce after working as an events manager at Audley End for English Heritage. She’s going to work for the City Council as Chesterton/Mitcham’s Corner Coordinator, and says of her time at Urban Larder: “I’ve loved working on Mill Road and creating this hub in the heart of Romsey.

I always wanted to run a place that looked after local food suppliers, local artists and local craftspeople, as well as supplying local produce to customers who are sick of supermarkets, their brands and the lack of choice, and I’ve done that. It’s been a lot of hard work but it’s been extremely rewarding. I will miss my customers and suppliers immensely but after six years it’s time to take up a new challenge.

“Duncan has the right vision for the Urban Larder. He’s going to look after everyone who has come to see the café as ‘their café’, to meet friends, relax, work and socialise. He is the right person to take over the business.”

Duncan will relaunch Urban Larder with a new look in the New Year. And Polly wishes “him every success with the café. I know the Mill Road community will welcome him with open arms.” www.urbanlarderonline.co.uk

Grab your tartan and have a wee dram of whisky then head out for one of Cambridge’s Burns Night celebrations. As ever, the Cambridge Scottish Society will be pulling out all the stops for their celebration, hosting a wine reception, dinner and dancing at Sidney Sussex College on Saturday 24 January. Guests will be treated to hearty Highland fare including haggis with neeps and tatties, as well as cock o’leekie soup, which will be accompanied by the traditional Address to The Haggis.

After dinner music will be provided by the Tartan Lassies, and tickets are £35 per person.

Alternatively, mosey over to Loch Fyne on Trumpington Street for an elegant and contemporary take on Burns Night dinner, or pop along to the cosy Kingston Arms, where they always serve up a scrumptious Scottish feast in honour of the day.

WINTER ALE FESTIVAL The little brother of the much-loved Cambridge Beer Festival, which takes place annually on Jesus Green, CAMRA’s Winter Ale Festival happens each January at the University Social Club on Mill Lane. This year’s event runs 22–24 January, and as ever, will feature a wide range of choices from local and national breweries, with an emphasis on traditional winter beers.

There will also be locally produced ciders to sample, as well as a good selection of bottled beers from around the world. www.cambridgebeerfestival.com

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FOOD

RICE BOAT LAUNCHES CHILLED RANGE The wonderful Keralan restaurant in Newnham, which Edition visited in September for its authentic Onam feast, has launched a new chilled range for customers wanting to take home a slice of their traditional South Indian cuisine. Around 8-10 Rice Boat favourites are now available for home delivery (villages only) or collection from the restaurant.

According to the Rice Boat, it’s about offering Cambridge a better quality of takeaway. “Signature from Rice Boat is what we think takeaway food should be.

Our goal is to make our dishes without the time pressure usually associated with takeaway meals: this means we can concentrate on ensuring the cooking is done to the best of our ability, then we chill and pack it for safety and integrity of flavour.

Takeaway food should never mean compromising on taste or the dining experience.” www.riceboat.co.uk

JAMAICA BLUE OPENS IN LION YARD Australian café franchise Jamaica Blue has made its UK debut, opening a branch in Cambridge’s Lion Yard.

Established in 1989, the chain prides itself on sourcing and serving excellent coffee and using only the best ingredients for its lunch and brunch-tastic food. Pop in for light bites like pancakes, pastries, savoury muffins, eggs Benedict, smoked salmon potato cakes and, of course, their famous coffees (from long black to macchiato). Lunchtime fare covers the likes of noodle, pasta and couscous dishes, salads and sandwiches.

Gemma Sandells, marketing manager of Jamaica Blue in the UK, says: “Jamaica Blue has really established itself over the last 20 years as a leader in the franchise market in Australia. Each store has been very well received by customers and we’re thrilled to be able to bring the unique Jamaica Blue concept and values of quality food to the UK.” www.jamaicablue.co.uk

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BREAD MAKING FOR BEGINNERS January is an ideal time to pick up a new skill, and it may as well be one that yields tasty results we reckon. With that in mind, we recommend popping along to Cambridge Cookery School for their Beginners Bread Class, which takes place on Sunday 18 January. Guided by expert bakers, guests will discover the secrets to baking the perfect loaf, learning about the impact of different types of flour and the differences between fresh and dried yeast, as well as how to achieve ideal rising, shaping and proving. Don’t worry if you’ve no experience, the class is informal and suitable for complete novices, and there’ll be coffee and cake to start, as well as a sociable lunch with wine at the end (£125). www.cambridgecookeryschool.com

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FOOD

A FOODIE WORLD TOUR OF CAMBRIDGE

CAMBRIDGE IS DEVELOPING AN EXCELLENT REPUTATION FOR ITS QUALITY INTERNATIONAL CUISINE FROM MILL ROAD'S CURRY HOUSES TO CITY CENTRE , SMOKERIES AND ALL-AMERICAN BURGER JOINTS. WE TOOK A FOODIE TOUR TO FIND THE BEST TASTES FROM AROUND THE WORLD - NO PLANE OR PASSPORT REQUIRED

FRANCE: BEEF ROSSINI

ITALY: RAVIOLI

LE GROS FRANCK

DE LUCA

The only independent French restaurant in the city, it’s open for lunch daily and fine dining two evenings a week. Guided by award-winning French chef Franck Parmin, Le Gros Franck’s Beef Rossini is thought to be unique to Cambridge. www.legrosfranck.com

For authentic Italian cuisine you can’t go far wrong with this little family-run place on Regent Street. Modern and chic, it’s open daily and always offers a varied menu. We’re big fans of its handmade goats’ cheese and shallot ravioli, which is garnished with sage butter and caramelised red onion. www.delucacucina.co.uk

PORTUGAL: PORTUGUESE CUSTARD TARTS

SICILY: ARANCINI

NORFOLK STREET BAKERY

CAFFE SICILIA

We highly recommend seeking out this tucked-away independent bakery, not only for Adilia’s glorious signature custard tarts but also for the fresh bread, muffins and more… All inspired by her childhood growing up in a small Portuguese town where every Saturday was bake day. www.norfolkstreetbakery.com

These delicious fried risotto balls are the ideal snack and are made fresh from scratch (from a family recipe) at both Caffe Sicilia outlets, Regent Street and Hills Road. They’re perfect with their signature cappuccino or luxury hot chocolate, and you can even indulge in the evenings at the Hills Road branch. www.caffesicilia.co.uk

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FOOD

POLAND: CHEF’S LUNCH POLONIA CLUB At just £5.50, this might be one of the best-value lunch deals in town and offers a true taste of hearty Polish cooking. Choose from grilled polish sausage with chips and cabbage salad, potato pancakes with mushrooms and cheese, and other Eastern European belly-warmers. www.klubpolonia.co.uk

GREECE: MOUSSAKA THE OLIVE GROVE The fresh, Mediterranean-inspired interiors at this pretty, family-owned restaurant on Regent Street are enough to conjure the salty air and sunny groves of Greece. The food is just as good, giving a modern twist to traditional Greek cuisine: for something warming, the classic moussaka is a must. www.the-olivegrove.co.uk

TURKEY: MIXED KEBAB EFES , Med Offering a taste of Turkey and the since 1990, Efes on King Street must be doing something right. The decor might be a little dated, but hey, the food is simple, honest and authentic. The mixed kebab combines the chef’s selection of cuts of lamb and chicken. www.efesrestaurant-cambridge.co.uk

ALGERIA: LAMB TAGINE BEDOUIN Push back the heavy Souk door to this enchanting establishment and you’ll find yourself transported to a land of colour, sand and spices. Swathed from floor to ceiling in magnificent African cloth, Bedouin creates a tent-like feel in which to enjoy their slow-cooked curries, flavoured with fruits and served with tagine bread. www.bedouin-cambridge.com

KERALA INDIA: RED FISH , CURRY THE RICE BOAT , in Newnham, this Tucked away unassuming local restaurant is a must for anyone seeking out an authentic taste of the subcontinent. Run by Jacob Abraham since 2005, it specialises in full-flavoured

Keralan dishes, prepared from scratch with not a pre-mixed sauce in sight. The king fish for this dish, flown in specially each week, is cooked in a spicy, smoky sauce. www.riceboat.co.uk

CHINA: HOUSE SPECIAL HO FUN YIM WAH Sweet,, sloppy sauces be gone! This

spacious Regent Street restaurant offers traditional Chinese and Cantonese cuisine, from usual favourites like crispy noodles and dim sum to more adventurous delicacies like duck tongues and pigs trotters. The house special Ho Fun is a tasty mix of seafood and beef with Hong Kong-style fried noodles. www.yimwahexpress.co.uk

THAILAND: RED THAI CURRY THE WRESTLERS An unexpected location for one of the city’s top Thai restaurants, Newmarket Road is home to this out-of-the-way pub with an excellent reputation for Thai food, with plenty of kick. The prices are reasonable too at under a tenner for most dishes. Now which to have: pork, beef, chicken or vegetable red Thai curry…? www.thewrestlerscambridge.co.uk

VIETNAM: STEAMED PORK BUNS URBAN STREET KINGS , These local street food champions produce delicious, fresh British-Vietnamese food, which can be eaten on the hoof, and we’d do a lot to get our hands on one of their slow-cooked pork buns with hoisin srirachia sauce. They pop up at events and fairs all year round so keep an eye out. www.urbanstreetkings.com

KOREA: BIBIMBAP BIBIMBAP HOUSE

,

Expect traditional Korean home cooking from this little eaterie on Mill Road, where even the soy sauce is home-made.

Specialising exclusively in bibimbap (they offer seven to ten different kinds of this succulent mixed rice dish) means they do this dish to perfection – making choosing easy for the indecisive!

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FOOD

treacle-cured bacon, onion strings and a fried egg. The diet starts February, right? www.rhodeislanduk.com

MEXICO: BIG ASS BURRITO NANNA MEXICO This established Mexican favourite, run by the cheerful Louis, has something of a cult following in Cambridge, popular with students wanting a hearty, low cost meal on the move. Try their Big Ass Burrito from one of their funky venues on Regent Street and Petty Cury to see what the fuss is all about – or gather a group of likeminded foodies together and get the treats delivered to your door. www.nannamexico.com

JAPAN: BENTO BOX TERI-AKI Grab one of these pleasing boxes of tricks at riverside restaurant, Teri-Aki – a firm Cambridge favourite. Their sake bento is one of their most popular requests and includes a chargrilled salmon steak with ginger, rice and salad.

The ambience is great too, very light, fresh and laid-back. www.teri-aki.co.uk

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND: FLAT WHITE COFFEE BLACK CAT CAFE , This friendly local café is all about bringing the Antipodean coffee culture to Cambridge, and we’re more than alright with that. They’re credited with bringing the first proper flat white coffee to Cambridge, so make sure to try that (along with a slice of something tasty and chocolatey). www.blackcatcafecambridge.co.uk

USA: THE ‘DIRTY COW’ BURGER RHODE ISLAND , Recently hailed as the best burger our editor has ever tasted (see last month’s review), this epic meal incorporates a beef pattie topped with pulled pork,

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ARGENTINA: TAPA DE CUADRIL CAU Meat lovers ,have plenty to get their teeth into at this fun, modern steakhouse on Bene’t Street. Open just two years, CAU serves a variety of steak cuts including the signature tapa de cuadril and the enormous tira de ancho. www.caurestaurants.com

UK: COD & CHIPS (WITH MUSHY PEAS) THE SEA TREE , If all that culinary globetrotting has got you nostalgic for home, treat yourself to a classic fish & chip supper at The Sea Tree, the best chip shop in Cambridge, in Edition’s humble opinion. We’re not the only ones who think so, it was featured in The Times newspaper’s top 30 fish and chip restaurants in the country! theseatree.co.uk

ALL OVER! AL AMIN Al Amin on Mill Road is a long-standing favourite of local foodies in search of exotic ingredients. Offering tasty morsels from all over the world, it’s a multicultural bazaar of culinary inspiration and guaranteed to get you feeling adventurous in your own kitchen. Inside the deceptively large shop, stock up on ingredients for your own recipes, or visit the deli and pick up freshly cooked authentic Thai and Indian dishes to take home. www.al-amin.com

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FOOD

WORDS ALEX RUSHMER

THE RISE AND RISE OF THE

HUMBLE CAULIFLOWER IT MAY HAVE PLENTY OF BAD PRESS TO ITS NAME BUT THE CAULIFLOWER IS , BECOMING A CHEFS FAVOURITE FOR ITS DELICIOUS VERSATILITY rowing up it was hard to get excited about cauliflower.

Thankfully it was a vegetable that featured rarely on the family menu. School dinners provided enough reason to avoid this odd-looking white brain-like vegetable when it was always boiled into indelicate submission, yielding to the point of a knife like a weekold balloon filled with noxious sulphurous fumes. It was treated with a little more delicacy at home, but still it graced the table so rarely that I struggle to recall any specific incidences that succeeded in reversing the damage done to its reputation, in my eyes at least, at the hands of the school dinner ladies.

How times change. Recent years have seen the cauliflower rise inexorably up the ranks and become something of a king amongst vegetables, especially in the eyes of chefs – I might now go so far as to say that it is my favourite vegetable, both to cook and eat. It has become something of a running joke as to how many we manage to get through over the course of a week at The Hole in the Wall (around 30, if you must know).

This swift and significant volte-face has occurred for two simple reasons. Firstly, an understanding of just how versatile the cauliflower is in terms of how to prepare and cook it, and secondly, recognition of its incredible ability to pair with and complement other flavours.

When it comes to cooking a cauli the worst thing you can do is boil it. Steaming is marginally better, but to avoid the activation of the sulphurous compounds that give cauliflower (and all other cruciferous vegetables, for that matter) their notorious obnoxious odour, cook it using a dry heat or only minimal contact with water. Roasted cauliflower florets, brushed with garlic butter, seasoned with a little sea salt and finished with lemon juice

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straight from the oven are an absolute dream, but my favourite way to cook it is roasted whole, just like a chicken, along with brown butter and fresh herbs. Melt and lightly brown a generous amount of butter in a pan large enough to hold an entire head of cauliflower, season with salt and place a handful of fresh hardy herbs (rosemary, thyme, bay leaf – you get the idea) in the butter then place the cauliflower on top of the herbs. Cook it uncovered for five minutes or so then cover the pan tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes before being mesmerised by the transformation.

The ability of the cauli to adapt to its surroundings is also an exciting seam of inspiration for the open-minded cook.

As well as working famously with the aforementioned lemon and herbs, it will happily cohabit with spices: cumin, cinnamon and coriander make for excellent bedfellows, as in the wonderful Indian dish aloo gobi. Alternatively head towards the Levant with sumac, oregano and olive oil roasted cauliflower with chickpeas. Finally, don’t forget the incredible affiliation it has with an aged cheddar, nutmeg and bacon for a cauliflower cheese with a delicious porcine twist to see you through those long January nights.

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RECIPES

WORDS & IMAGES STELLA PEREIRA

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RECIPES

Portuguese bean stew • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 medium onion, chopped finely • 3 ripe tomatoes, chopped • 1 tbsp tomato puree • 1 large carrot, sliced • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 600g cooked borlotti beans • 1 tspn smoked paprika • 1/2 tspn sweet paprika • 500ml water • 1 bay leaf • Sea salt • Black pepper • Parsley

Step-by-step guide

Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized pan. Add garlic, onion, bay leaf and sea salt.

Sauté over medium heat, until the onions have softened and become translucent.

Add tomato puree and chopped tomatoes. Cook over a low heat. Once the paste has thickened, add the sliced carrot. Toss until well coated in the thick paste.

Add water, beans, sweet and smoked paprika. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer with the lid on for a good half an hour, or until the liquid has reduced. Stir occasionally to prevent stew from catching to the bottom of the pan. Mash a few beans using the back of a spoon to thicken the sauce. Cook for a further 15-20 minutes. Add more salt if necessary and add pepper.

Smoked paprika oil, for extra flavour:

In a separate saucepan, gently heat olive oil on a low heat. Add two cloves of crushed garlic (skin on) and a teaspoon of smoked paprika. Swirl for two minutes and remove from heat. Set aside.

Serve piping hot with fluffy white rice, a drizzle of your paprika oil and roughly chopped parsley.

Stella Pereira is a cook, cake designer and artist originally from Portugal and living in Cambridge. Visit her website at www.littlecakepot.com

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RECIPES

Poached pears in almond syrup Ingredients • 4 firm pears • 250ml water • 50ml almond liquor/ amaretto • 50g sugar • 1 tspn lemon juice • 1/2 vanilla bean • 1 small cinnamon stick • Lemon rind • Sliced almonds, toasted

Step-by-step guide

In a saucepan, bring the water, amaretto liquor, lemon rind, lemon juice, cinnamon and sugar to the boil. Carefully peel pears and add to the sugar syrup. Split vanilla bean using the tip of a sharp knife and scrape seeds into the pan. Reduce the heat, simmer uncovered for about 25 minutes or until syrup has reduced by half. Remove pears from syrup and set aside to cool.

Boil the syrup for a further five minutes until it has thickened slightly. Serve pears with a drizzle of the almond syrup. Sprinkle with toasted almonds.

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RECIPES

Apple, thyme, gooseberry & spelt pie Pastry ingredients • 280g spelt flour • 30g soft brown sugar • 180g coconut butter • 5g salt • 60g icy water Filling • 6 medium-sized apples, peeled and sliced • 30g brown sugar • 40g ground almonds • 50g gooseberry compote • 5g cinnamon powder • 3g nutmeg • 2 sprigs of thyme • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste • Egg wash

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RECIPES

Step-by-step guide Preheat the oven to 200°C. In a large bowl, mix the thinly sliced apples with the sugar, thyme, vanilla bean paste and spice and let macerate for an hour or so.

Add the ground almonds and mix it all together gently.

In a separate bowl, mix the flour, sugar, coconut butter and salt with the tips of your cold fingers until you get fine crumbs. Slowly add icy water until you have a soft dough. Cover in film and place in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

Remove the dough from the fridge.

Gently pat half of the dough on a lightly floured surface. Roll to a 3mm thickness and line a tart tin. Don’t trim the edges just yet. Add the apple filling and gently stir in gooseberry compote.

Roll the other half of the dough and cut into equal-sized strips. Weave it over the filling. Cut off excess dough and pinch the ends. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with brown sugar.

Bake at 180°C for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and leave to cool.

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EATING OUT

WORDS JENNY SHELTON

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Hotel du Vin

Jennifer Shelton dines in style at Bistro du Vin, one of Cambridge's most celebrated dining spots wise man once told me you go to a restaurant to see and be seen: if you are hungry, you go to the kebab shop: so philosophised our charismatic waiter as we gathered up our coats and hats and prepared to head home after a superb dinner at Hotel du Vin. I knew the venue by reputation of course – Matt Damon and George Clooney stayed here while filming scenes for Monuments Men at Duxford, and last time I was at the hotel’s suave bistro I was talking to Strictly’s Craig Revel Horwood about sausages (yep, really).

I’ve interviewed the head chef and heard great things about the downstairs cocktail bar, still I’d yet to enjoy the food here myself. Happily, having just moved to our new house and being without a cooker means my fiancée and myself have been frequenting Cambridge’s restaurants on a fairly regular basis: the perfect time to treat ourselves to a feed at du Vin. After catching up on our respective days in the library (green velvet chairs, candles, the comforting, faint smell of old books), we were welcomed warmly into the Bistro du Vin and shown to a cosy seat by the window, affording a prime view of the busy restaurant. Distinguished gents in well-fitting jackets talked quietly together, attractive couples clinked glasses of Very Good Wine… a veritable buffet of delights for people-watchers. Though with our straight-from-work get-ups and reviewer’s

air of softly dishevelled informality, there was less thought on our part to the ‘being seen’ side of things.

Inspired by simple French cuisine, Hotel du Vin serves sophisticated, timeless dishes created by expert chefs: it’s fine dining but without fuss or frills.

Looking for a light starter I opted for the beetroot salad – a colourful, refreshing display of yellow and red slices circling a drift of whipped goats’ cheese and topped with crunchy caramelised walnuts. I followed this harmonious combination with the lemon sole, served whole with brown shrimp beurre noisette; a softly cooked, tender dish bursting with great flavours.

Accompanied by a dish of spinach gratin, I didn’t feel short-changed on the portion front either.

My partner picked the escargot in garlic butter and a parmesan crust; absolutely worth setting aside any squeamishness for, then rib-eye steak from the grill for the main event. The steak, medium rare, was wonderfully juicy and served with a delicious creamy peppercorn sauce, a cone of crisp pommes frites and a watercress garnish.

Our waiter, Gabi, effortlessly recommended wines to accompany each course and got it spot on every time. A particular revelation was the Pinot Noir Byron, a smooth, easy-drinker from the USA where vines aren’t irrigated, allowing the roots to go deeper and take on more natural goodness. The result is a wine with a smoother finish; exactly how I like it.

Feeling too well fed for dessert (so giving us an excellent excuse to come back – I’ve got my eye on that crêpes suzette soufflé), we ended with a coffee and headed for home and our cooker-less kitchen. Though I have to say, I could easily get used to this arrangement…

15-19 Trumpington Street, CB2 1QA, www.hotelduvin.com

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COMPETITION

Win!

RELAX, UNWIND AND FEAST WITH A LUXURIOUS MINI BREAK FOR TWO AT HOTEL FELIX WORTH OVER £480!

S

et in tranquil grounds just a five-minute drive from central Cambridge, the four-star Hotel Felix offers an alluring fusion of classical elegance and contemporary chic. With 52 thoughtfully designed bedrooms and a formidable culinary reputation, this boutique hideaway boasts everything you need for an indulgent mini break.

This month, we’ve teamed up with Hotel Felix to give one lucky reader just that, giving away a luxurious two-night stay for two people, including breakfast both mornings and one evening meal in the hotel’s restaurant.

The lucky winner and their guest will be treated to dinner in the award-winning Graffiti restaurant, renowned for its exquisite menu of seasonally inspired dishes and vibrant contemporary décor, before bedding down for the night in one of the hotel’s stunning bedrooms, complete with sumptuous king-size beds. Breakfast for two is also included in the prize on both days, meaning you can tuck into a hearty full English before relaxing in style…

To be in with a chance of winning this gorgeous retreat for two, simply visit the Cambridge Edition website and head to the members’ area. www.cambsedition.co.uk Hotel Felix, Whitehouse Lane, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0LX 01223 277977 www.hotelfelix.co.uk

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LISTINGS

WHAT S ON A ROUND-UP OF EVENTS IN AND AROUND CAMBRIDGESHIRE FOR JANUARY 29 January

1

WHISPERING OF THE STARS Time: 8pm Location: Hidden Rooms, Jesus Lane Price: £12-£15 Description: Two of Scotland’s greatest jazz artists, saxophonist Tommy Smith and pianist Brian Kellock, team up to perform tracks from their latest album plus music from the great American and European songbook. cambridgejazz.org

JAN

1 January

LANTERN WALK Time: 4.30pm Location: Wimpole Hall Price: £2/£4 Description: Take an enchanting lantern-lit walk around the grounds of this National Trust estate and enjoy hot drinks at the Folly. Note: artificial lights only. nationaltrust.org.uk/wimpole-estate

2-4

January MOSCOW CITY BALLET Time: 2.30 & 7.30pm on 2nd & 3rd; 5pm on 4th Location: Corn Exchange Price: £27.50-£37.50 Description: A chance to see world-renowned dancers perform The Nutcracker (2nd and 3rd) and Romeo and Juliet (4th). cornex.co.uk

9

January NILS LOFGREN Time: 8pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £31-£41 Description: Experience guitarist and pianist Nils Lofgren live in concert, performing the likes of Shine Silently and I Came to Dance. Having toured with Bruce Springsteen 2012-14, Nils is back with a new album, Face the Music. cornex.co.uk

13 January

BRITTEN SINFONIA AT LUNCH Time: 1pm Location: West Road Concert Hall Price: £3-£9 Description: Music by composers Fauré, Saariaho and Debussy, performed by the Britten Sinfonia at this top concert hall in Cambridge. A lunchtime treat. westroad.org

14 January

ON PERFORMING THE CLASSICS Time: 5pm Location: West Road Concert Hall Price: Free Description: An illustrated lecture

by Murray Perahia highlighting his use of analytical techniques in preparing his classical repertoire.

A discussion on Chopin follows on the 15th, also at 5pm. westroad.org

15 January

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22 JAN

THE LITERATURE OF LONDON Time: 10am-4.45pm Location: Madingley Hall Price: £75 Description: A day school which delves into the representation of our capital in poetry and prose. By turns heavenly and hellish, London often becomes a character in itself. With Dr Jenny Bavidge. Tea, coffee and light lunch included. ice.cam.ac.uk

17 January

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TOMMY EMMANUEL Time: 7.30pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £25 Description: The distinctive Australian guitarist, known for his impressive ‘finger style’ of playing, performs a gig for all appreciators of good music. No interval or support: Tommy will be on stage at 7.30pm. cornex.co.uk

18 January

J MASCIS Time: 8pm Location: Cambridge Junction Price: £16 Description: The singer, songwriter and kooky hat wearer follows up his acclaimed debut album with Tied To A Star, featuring more sub-pop tunes. junction.co.uk HAYSEED DIXIE Time: 7pm Location: Cambridge Junction Price: £18.50 Description: The AC/DC tribute band will be storming Cambridge Junction with their acoustic hillbilly covers of the band’s rock classics, plus tracks from their new album, Hair Down To My Grass. junction.co.uk

22 January

21 January

21 JAN

ENDELLION STRING QUARTET Time: 7.30pm Location: West Road Concert Hall Price: £12-£26 Description: A soaring performance of Schubert’s Quartet in G and string quartets by Beethoven and Janáček. westroad.org

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LISTINGS

IMAGES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

Go back to school with the Literature of London on 18 January, and see the Moscow City Ballet live from 2 to 4 January. Rock fans should check out the Classic Rock Show on 28 January.

22 January

TREASURE ISLAND Time: 6.50pm Location: Saffron Screen Price: £9.50-£17.50 Description: Head over to this well-loved community cinema down the road in Saffron Walden to enjoy a live screening of Robert Louis Stevenson’s tale of murder, money and mutiny, performed by the National Theatre saffronscreen.com

22-24

January WINTER ALE FESTIVAL Time: Various Location: Cambridge University Social Club Price: £3 (£1 CAMRA members) Description: An excellent selection of ales, craft beers and foreign beers, all perfect for winter drinking. Organised by CAMRA, this will be the 19th Winter Ale Festival in Cambridge. cambridgebeerfestival.com

22 January

THE PERFECT REUNION Time: 8pm Location: CB2, Norfolk Street Price: £5 Description: Join Cambridge Improv Factory in action as they present an evening of comedy and sketches, based on audience suggestions, at the popular bar and café. cambridgeimprov.com

23 JAN

23 January

ROYAL NORTHERN SINFONIA Time: 7.30pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £28.50-£38.50 Description: Rousing music from one of the world’s leading ensembles, directed by Kyra Humphreys. Includes the famous Adagio for Strings. cornex.co.uk

28 January

SARA PASCOE VS HISTORY Time: 8pm Location: Cambridge Junction Price: £13 Description: The star of Stand Up for the Week and Campus presents her first ever UK tour show, Sara Pascoe vs History. In it, she considers all the things the past contains, from witches, wars and Kim Yong-Il to your ex. junction.co.uk

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30

CLASSIC ROCK SHOW Time: 7.30pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £25-£35 Description: Love classic rock?

Then don’t miss this ultimate jukebox of rock’s finest anthems, featuring the Top 20 Greatest Guitar Riffs of All Time! cornex.co.uk

JAN OMID DJALILI Time: 8pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £25.50 Description: Join “One of the most subversive, let alone funniest, comedians around” (The Guardian) for a night of quality entertainment. cornex.co.uk

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31 January

January WHISPERING OF THE STARS Time: 8pm Location: Hidden Rooms, Jesus Lane Price: £12-£15 Description: Two of Scotland’s greatest jazz artists, saxophonist Tommy Smith and pianist Brian Kellock, team up to perform tracks from their latest album plus music from the great American and European songbook. cambridgejazz.org

30 January

23 January

30 January

CAMBRIDGE STORYTELLERS Time: 7.30pm Location: Cambridge Junction Price: £8-£12 Description: Be lured into a magical story of innocence and experience with Ben Haggarty, who relays the tale of The Grateful and the Dead. Narrated with vigour and playfulness by this world-renowned performer. junction.co.uk

BURNS NIGHT Time: 7.30pm Location: Barley Town House Price: £17.50 Description: Enjoy a three-course home-cooked meal, music, reeling and more at this wonderful old building. Proceeds go to Save The Children. melbourncambridge.co.uk

31 January

31 JAN

MARK WATSON Time: 8pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £18.50 Description: Comedy reflections and self-deprecation from the multi-award winning comic. In his new show, Flaws, Watson explores the human character in his own personable style. cornex.co.uk

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FAMILY

TRY

Orienteering

Tick off one of your 50 Things To Do Before You’re 11 and 3/4 at Wimpole Hall on 4 January. West Anglia Orienteering Club will be setting off on an outdoor adventure through woods, round fields, down ditches and over fences, using a map, compass and a ready wit. Getting lost has never been so much fun!

10.30am-2.30pm, all tickets £2.

Bring sturdy boots and old, warm clothes. For a list of all the National Trust’s 50 Things, visit the website. www.nationaltrust.org.uk www.50things.org.uk

THE BIG GARDEN

Birdwatch

GO

Ice skating

There’s still time to get in a skate before The North Pole, Cambridge, packs up for another year on 5 January. The huge outdoor ice rink on Parker’s Piece is open 11am-8pm Monday-Friday, 9am-8pm weekends. There are penguin buddies to help you round if you’re not that confident, plus food stalls galore and funfair packed with rides too. Tickets for skating £7.95 (under 12), £10.95 adults. www.thenorthpolecambridge.co.uk

What kind of birds visit your garden? Do sparrows and chaffinches peck at your bird feeder, have you seen a robin hopping round the vegetable plot or heard an owl calling at night? People up and down the country will be taking part in The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch this month to help build a national picture of which birds regularly visit our gardens. To join in, on 24 and 25 January, spend an hour watching your garden (or go to a local park) and record the birds you see, as well as nonbirds – like squirrels, frogs and deer (dad pottering in the shed doesn’t count). You can also take part online.

Last year’s top feathered visitors were blue tits, starlings, blackbirds, house sparrows and wood pigeons – but someone also spotted a yellow-rumped warbler (no, we haven’t made that up). Can you do any better this year? www.rspb.org.uk

Pet care CLUB

We all know that a pet is for life, not just for Christmas – and a chance has cropped up for young pet owners to become experts in looking after their furry friends at a new Pet Care Club, organised by Wood Green. Five weekly sessions will run at the Tesco Bar Hill Community Room, starting this month, led by qualified education staff and packed with useful and fascinating info on your favourite pet. On 12 January it’s small animals: build a mouse house, make tasty rodent crackers and take the fun ferret quiz!

Next up on 19 January, it’s the turn of rabbits and guinea pigs; you’ll learn what rabbits need to stay happy and healthy, and how to make feeding time fun. At cat day (26 January) you’ll discover how many kittens Wood Green has to find homes for each year and make kitty toys, and if you’re more of a dog person, come along on 2 February for dog day, which includes a film screening. Finally, aspiring vets can learn more about the realities of the job on 9 February.

It’s £20 per child for all five sessions, and each session takes place 4.15-5.15pm. Adults are not required to attend. www.woodgreen.org.uk

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CAMBRIDGE BUCKET LIST

They say you’re never a good tourist in your own town and we think that’s totally true. How many of us have actually been into King’s College Chapel? Punted? Seen a show at the Arts Theatre? We’ve put together a Cambridge Bucket List – for tourists and locals alike – and challenge you to make 2015 the year you finally tick them all off. Go!

POTTER ROUND THE FITZWILLIAM MUSEUM

Cambridge’s classically beautiful museum contains a vast collection of treasures, from Egyptian mummies to famous paintings. Built in 1816, it has been described as “one of the greatest art collections of the nation and a monument of the first importance” by the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries. www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

SINK A PINT AT THE EAGLE

This quintessentially English pub not only serves great ales and food from its cosy, wood-panelled interiors, but has a fascinating history. The RAF bar features graffiti made by Second World

War pilots who burned their names into the ceiling, and ask about the upstairs window which must be kept open at all times… Famously, in 1953, Francis Crick burst in to announce that he and James Watson had ‘discovered the secret of life’ after identifying the structure of DNA.

TAKE A PHOTO OF THE CORPUS CLOCK

A more recent but no less beautiful addition to the tourist trail, the Corpus Clock was unveiled in 2008 by Cambridge physicist Stephen Hawking. The dragonlike insect on top is a locust or grasshopper, said to eat time. It is entirely mechanical, and the clock is actually only accurate once every five minutes. It is expected to run for at least 200 years.

EAT A CHELSEA BUN FROM FITZBILLIES

Cambridge’s most famous bakery has been supplying treats for the city’s townsfolk and students (Stephen Fry was a big fan during his time at Cambridge) for nearly 100 years. It’s most sought-after delicacy are its sticky Chelsea buns: warm with slightly crispy edges, they’ve been featured in books, in the news and are delicious. www.fitzbillies.com

VISIT THE LEPER CHAPEL

Thought to be Cambridge’s oldest surviving building, the Leper Chapel off Newmarket Road is a must for anyone interested in the past. This atmospheric 12th century chapel often holds events, from carols and ghost stories to the medieval Stourbridge Fair.

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CAMBRIDGE BUCKET LIST

WATCH FIREWORKS FROM CASTLE MOUND

Unfortunately Cambridge Castle itself is long gone, but if you visit the site on Castle Hill you’ll be able to climb up Castle Mound for a panoramic view of the city. This is particularly popular on bonfire night, or for watching the May Ball fireworks, as you’ll be able to see several college displays going off around you.

VISIT THE WREN LIBRARY

This striking building within Trinity College was designed by Christopher Wren, 25 years after he designed St Paul’s Cathedral.

It contains the original Winnie the Pooh manuscript by A A Milne, who read mathematics at Cambridge at the turn of last century, plus early Shakespeare editions and books by Sir Isaac Newton. www.trin.cam.ac.uk/wren-library

HAVE SUNDAY LUNCH AT THE FORT ST GEORGE

GET TICKETS FOR CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL

Every summer Cambridge hosts one of the country’s biggest, most celebrated folk festivals, showcasing music from a varied array of top artists. It always sells out, and last year celebrated its 50th year with appearances from Sinead O’Connor and Van Morrison among others. Takes place at Cherry Hinton Hall, 30 July-2 August 2015: tickets on sale now! www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk

Spend a cosy Sunday afternoon devouring a plate of hot roast beef and gravy at this favourite riverside pub – as visited by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Despite its royal connection the prices are more than reasonable and in the summer months you can sit outside and watch the world going by on Midsummer Common.

The perfect country pub, and just minutes from the city centre.

CYCLE ALONG THE BACKS IN SPRINGTIME The Cambridge experience isn’t complete without hopping on a classic bike and whizzing through town with the wind in your face. Our best cycling spot would be The Backs, which offer beautiful views of many of the prettiest colleges (including King’s) and in early spring are carpeted with purple and white crocuses. Just pop some books in your basket and a scarf in your hair to complete the picture!

TAKE STOCK OF YOUR LIFE AT REALITY CHECKPOINT

Bang in the middle of Parker’s Piece stands a seemingly nondescript lamp post. On closer inspection, you’ll see it is covered in graffiti (each time it’s painted it reappears). It’s known as the Reality Checkpoint, supposedly where people go to reflect on life...

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CAMBRIDGE BUCKET LIST

SEE THE FOOTLIGHTS

With a global reputation for top-notch comedy, the Cambridge University amateur dramatics club is a cut above your average student theatre group.

Combining sketches, skits, songs and stand-up, Footlights regularly host late night ‘Smokers’ at the ADC Theatre, as well as their annual tour show at the Arts Theatre, which they take to the Edinburgh Fringe and across to America each year.

Known as a finishing school for the cream of Britain’s comic entertainers, Footlights counts John Cleese, Eric Idle, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and more recently, David Mitchell and Robert Webb, amongst its illustrious alumni. www.footlightstheatre.co.uk

SEE SOME OUTDOOR SHAKESPEARE

SEE A SHOW AT CAMBRIDGE ARTS THEATRE

GO TO THE CAMBRIDGE BEER FESTIVAL

One of the largest events of its kind, the annual Beer Festival is a bonafide Cambridge institution. Taking place each May on Jesus Green, the event has been running since way back in 1974, and always supplies a brilliant selection of beers from local and national breweries, as well as cider, perry, mead and wines to try.

If you need a bit of sustenance while you’re sipping your way around the festival, it also has plenty of grub on offer including freshly baked bread, cheeses, pork pies and other tasty savoury snacks. Ideal for soaking up some of that booze... www.cambridgebeerfestival.com

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One of the city’s most popular events, the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival offers period costumes and top-quality performances in the beautiful university college gardens. Running throughout July and August each year, the festival presents a combination of the Bard’s bestloved and lesser-known plays, with guests invited to bring along picnics. www.cambridgeshakespeare.com

You don’t have to go all the way to the capital to catch a West End show.

Cambridge Arts Theatre is on the touring circuit of many prominent productions – sometimes we even get to see them before they start their London run. Highlights for 2015 include The King’s Speech, Daphne du Maurier’s haunting Rebecca, The Woman in Black, Constellations and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

GO PUNTING ON THE CAM

Cambridge is famous for its punting, which started as a way of transporting goods up and down the river. You can hop aboard one of these flat-bottomed boats at any time of the year, either along The Backs, up towards Jesus Green or out of the city to Grantchester. Take a chauffeured tour or have a go yourself – just remember we punt from the back here in Cambridge!

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WATCH THE BUMPS

The Bumps, a true local tradition, sees rowing crews take to the water at Fen Ditton. Because the Cam isn’t wide enough to race side by side, the University developed the ‘Bumps’ technique which sees crews gain points by ‘bumping’ the boat in front. If you’re bumped, you’re out!

Watch the Lent Bumps from the banks in February/March, the May Bumps (confusingly) in June, and Town Bumps in July. www.cucbc.org/bumps

DO THE GREAT COURT RUN

TAKE A DIP IN THE JESUS GREEN LIDO

When summer arrives, the bold make a beeline for the Jesus Green Lido for a dip.

The outdoor pool is one of the longest in Europe so there’s plenty of room, and it’s open from May to September. And if you don’t fancy a dip, you can just sunbathe on the grassy lawns nearby instead. www.cambridge.gov.uk

HAVE A DRINK AT THE MILL POND

On a warm summer’s day, the population of Cambridge migrates, en masse, to the Mill Pond to laze around and enjoy a drink or two in the sun. With its riverside location and sweeping willow trees, it’s a ridiculously picturesque part of Cambridge, and there’s entertainment too, provided by the steady stream of punters milling on by – some more skilled than others (you might even catch a tipsy tourist going overboard).

There are a couple of pubs in close proximity which will furnish you with takeaway drinks in plastic cups when you need to do a booze run, and The Mill also does loads of great takeaway dishes for when you get peckish.

Tip: watch out for the cow pats!

Attempting to run round the Great Court at Trinity College in under 43 seconds is one of Cambridge’s greatest traditions, and was recreated in the 1988 film Chariots of Fire. The 43 seconds relates to the time it takes the college clock to strike 12 o’clock and the course is approximately 370 metres long. Cue theme music! www.trin.cam.ac.uk/great-court-run

SIP A COCKTAIL AT THE VARSITY HOTEL’S ROOFTOP TERRACE

We reckon the roof terrace at the Varsity Hotel has to be one of the best spots in the city for a drink. Admiring the spectacular panoramic views of the Cambridge skyline, sink down into the luxurious sofas and enjoy a glass of champagne, or get stuck into the cocktail list – there’s a tasty BBQ menu in the summer months too. The hotel runs special events on the roof, from live theatre to film screenings, so keep an eye on the website to see what’s on. www.thevarsityhotel.co.uk

HAVE AFTERNOON TEA AT THE ORCHARD Just a few miles from Cambridge (and a picturesque 15-minute cycle ride) lies the pretty village of Grantchester, once home to the war poet Rupert Brooke. Its Orchard Tearooms serve excellent scones, which you can eat in deckchairs in the dappled shade of its pretty garden. Finish your trip there with a riverside walk along Grantchester Meadows. www.orchard-grantchester.com

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CAMBRIDGE BUCKET LIST

HEAR CHRISTMAS CAROLS AT KING’S

If you can face the queue (which you’ll need to join before 9am in the morning), the Christmas Eve carol service at King’s College Chapel is one of the highlights of the festive season in Cambridge. Broadcast live on BBC Radio 4, the concert is performed by some of the finest choristers in the country, beginning each year with Once in Royal David’s City, always including one new, specially commissioned carol. www.kings.cam.ac.uk

WALK OVER THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS

We’re a bit spoilt for choice when it comes to tourist attractions in our photogenic city, but the majestic Bridge of Sighs has to be one of the most impressive of the lot. Named after the Venice Bridge of Sighs, it was built in 1831 and crosses the River Cam at St John’s College. Trivia fans may like to hear that it’s said to have been Queen Victoria’s favourite spot in Cambridge, and has also had cars dangled from it on two separate occasions in elaborate pranks by students…

GET STUCK INTO CAMBRIDGE’S STREET FOOD SCENE

There’s no question that Cambridge is in the midst of a street food revolution right now, and there’s almost too many fantastic traders to mention. That said, special nods must go to Steak & Honour, who’ve left the entire city doe-eyed for their incredible gourmet burgers. The dreamy steamed pork buns from the Guerrilla Kitchen should

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also be on your hit list, as well as the heavenly hot dogs slathered in toppings from Dogtown. Those with a sweet tooth should seek out Warming Your Cockles for antipodean-inspired cakes and treats, plus great coffee. Your best bet is to check out foodPark, the city’s street food collective, which hosts markets and pop-up events around the city. www.foodparkcam.com

HAVE A MICHELIN-STAR MEAL AT MIDSUMMER HOUSE

Recently named the second best restaurant in the world and the best in the UK at the TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards – Midsummer House is Cambridgeshire’s most celebrated fine dining spot, boasting not one but two Michelin stars. Diners choose from a five(£47.50pp), seven- (£82.50pp) or tencourse menu (£105pp), including beetroot baked on open coals, quinoa, goat’s cheese and mizuna; roast quail, shallot puree, grapes, celery and sourdough; and compressed strawberries, elderflower sponge, crème fraiche and sorrel. www.midsummerhouse.co.uk

WATCH A CAMBRIDGE UNITED GAME Cambridge might be best known for its rowing, but our local football team Cambridge United, aka The Amber Army or ‘The Us’, had a great year in 2014. Cheer them on at Abbey Stadium, where they’ve been playing since 1932, for a great family day out. Football fans should also visit Parker’s Piece, where the rules for The Beautiful Game were first laid down. www.cambridge-united.co.uk

VISIT THE TRAILER OF LIFE

A trip to this philosophically named fast food van after a night on the razz is a rite of passage in Cambridge. Want to tick this one off the list? For the full experience: eat something greasy while waiting for your taxi to appear and have slurred conversations with strangers.

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CAMBRIDGE BUCKET LIST

CATCH A FLICK AT THE CAMBRIDGE FILM FESTIVAL

Serving up a varied programme of cinematic treats in the late summer each year, Cambridge Film Festival offers screenings of Hollywood blockbusters, treasured classics, quirky indie flicks and little-known documentaries. The Arts Picturehouse is the main hub of the event, but you can also watch films in a variety of more unusual locations, like the Jesus Green Lido, the roof garden at The Varsity and Grantchester Meadows. www.cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk

HAVE A DANCE AT STRAWBERRY FAIR

Strawberry Fair, which has been taking place on Midsummer Common for 40 years, is a free arts and music festival run solely by volunteers with the aim of bringing the community together and celebrating all that’s unique about Cambridge. Pay a visit for live music, dancing, circus performers, a parade and lots of family activities. www.strawberry-fair.org.uk

EXPLORE THE BOTANIC GARDENS

The Cambridge University Botanic Garden, which opened to the public in 1846, displays over 8000 different plant species in 40 acres of beautiful landscapes.

It’s a gorgeous place to wander around, especially during the summer, when they host regular al fresco concerts, which guests are invited to bring picnics along to. Be sure to pay a visit to the fantastic Garden Café too, for a wedge of cake or a bowl of home-made soup. www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

MUNCH YOUR WAY AROUND EAT CAMBRIDGE

Cambridge’s food scene has been flourishing in the past few years, and nowhere is this better showcased than at the annual EAT Cambridge festival.

2015 will be the third outing for this already hugely popular event, which hosts a day-long food and drink fair, packed with food from great local producers, as well as a programme of fringe events that includes supper clubs, cocktail parties and a night-time street food market. www.eat-cambridge.co.uk

© Adam Cash

GO TO THE MILL ROAD WINTER FAIR

A colourful community celebration of one of the most vibrant streets in Cambridge, the Mill Road Winter Fair attracts thousands each year. Taking place at the start of December, the event features a huge array of food and drink stalls, a carnival style parade, loads of live music and entertainment and a good dose of Mill Road’s bohemian spirit. www.millroadwinterfair.org

SEE A BAND AT THE CORN EXCHANGE

Grab a beer and watch your favourite band or artist at the Corn Exchange, which hosts great acts all year round.

Already confirmed for next year are Paul Weller, Elvis Costello, Belle and Sebastian and comedian Alan Carr – stay tuned to Cambridge Edition over the coming months to find out who else will be stopping by in 2015… www.cornex.co.uk

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LOCAL LIFE

IS A PROUD PARTNER OF THE MILL ROAD SHOP AWARDS

MILL ROAD SHOP AWARDS

With delicious food, great service and extensive local knowledge, The Garden Kitchen is this year’s pride of Mill Road ast month, the Cambridge public and experts were asked to vote for the shop offering the best service on Mill Road. Judges scored on first impressions, prompt and timely service, specialist knowledge, local area expertise, going the extra mile and overall shopping experience.

The Garden Kitchen – an offshoot from the Botanic Garden’s Garden Café – emerged as the clear winner, scoring ‘excellent’ in each area with the judges, as well as gaining the most public votes on Twitter.

Run by Andrew Smith, The Garden Kitchen opened last spring to offer freshly prepared, tasty food for people on the go, with a focus on imaginative salads, falafel and other lunchables,

brownies and home-made cakes.

Breakfast fare includes healthy granola or fruit salad, plus indulgent home-made pastries. Their self-service salad bar is a fun twist and part of their buffet style approach. There are great gluten-free and veggie options available too. The runner-up was independent wine shop Cambridge Vinopolis.

The Mill Road Shop Awards emerged from a community suggestion as a means of recognising the area’s unique independent businesses. Each year, the Mill Road Traders’ Association, chaired by Piero D’Angelico, arranges the Pride of Mill Road shop award. Last year’s competition saw traders vie for the best shop front award – won jointly by Urban Larder and Hillary’s Greengrocer. The panel of judges included John Lewis’s visual

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merchandising team and the City Council’s Design and Conservation officer. A public vote was held on local radio station Cambridge 105 FM. Says Ceri Ann Littlechild, Mill Road Co-ordinator: “The Mill Road Shop Award is an opportunity to publicly celebrate the success of a local business which goes the extra mile.

“Running a successful small business is very hard work and I’m really pleased to be able to give the Pride of Mill Road certificate out each year to somebody to show that their efforts are recognised. The Garden Kitchen is a fantastic addition to Mill Road both in terms of the quality of the food and service, so I think the certificate is really well deserved. Well done to Andrew and the team.”

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NEWS

CAMBRIDGE BID MONTHLY UPDATE

Welcome Happy New Year from all of us at Cambridge BID! We were so impressed by all the festive shop windows in Cambridge last month, and below are details of our winner – new retro toy shop When I Was A Kid. Our spotlight this month is on Market Street, and there’s a first look at Cambridge Style Week 2015 opposite. And, if you’re hoping to get fit for 2015, read on…

What is the

Cambridge BID? Launched in April 2013, Cambridge Business Improvement District (BID) is funded by businesses and organisations in the city to deliver a range of projects and events that enhance and promote Cambridge and encourage people to visit and enjoy our fabulous city.

Find out more at www.cambridgebid.co.uk Follow us on Twitter at @cambridgebid

Christmas Window Competition Competition was tough, with over 30 participants in this year’s Independent Christmas Window Competition, but a shortlist was whittled down to the final eight which appeared in the Cambridge News on 6 December. Contenders included last year’s winners Ark, When I Was A Kid, Podarok, Cambridge Framing Centre, Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery, Catesbys, Harriets Cafe Tearooms and Bridges Patisserie.

Cambridge residents and visitors were asked to cast their vote over the week and we are delighted to announce that the new toy shop to the city, When I Was A Kid, is this year’s winner! The window included a snippet of all the fantastic toys that are available from this Aladdin’s cave plus a snow scene that had us all mesmerised. When I Was A Kid will receive £100 from us for the charity of their choice.

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NEWS

Get set for Style Week 2015!

Cambridge BID are delighted to announce we are partnering with Cambridge Style Week again this year.

With fashion shows, city centre offers and events, and a red carpet film event taking place at the Arts Picturehouse, this year’s Style Week looks to be bigger and better than ever before. Cambridge Style Week have partnered with The Cambridge Roar and will be holding the fashion shows at Quy Mill Hotel, 4-6 March. To keep up to date on the full schedule of events please visit www.cambridgebid.co.uk. Tickets for the fashion shows can be purchased online at the CSW website. www.cambridgestyleweek.com

Spotlight on Market Street The heart of any city is its market, and Market Street remains an integral artery of Cambridge’s lifeblood. This busy thoroughfare (watch out for cyclists!) is home to High Street giants such as WHSmiths, Monsoon, Starbucks and French Connection, as well as local outlets such as jewellers Trollbeads and Café Carringtons, the champions of home cooking established 30 years ago. Stationery geeks can also enjoy having a poke about Paperchase, or grab a bite at the West Cornwall Pasty Company.

At the top of Market Street stands Great St Mary’s Church, the University Church, constructed between 1478 and 1519 and paid for largely by Richard III. Did you know that University officials must live within 20 miles of the church, and undergraduates within three?

The market runs daily, with the general market Monday-Saturday selling the likes of fruit and veg, flowers, books, clothing and gifts, and the Sunday market shifting the focus onto crafts, arts and local produce. A walk beneath its colourful awnings is a must for all visitors.

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NEWS

Get fit!

Bang in the centre of the city, Kelsey Kerridge is an extensive gym and fitness centre offering a range of regular classes and indoor sports activities. It is open seven days a week. Situated on the top floor and overlooking Parker’s Piece is Outlooks Gyms.

Weights, treadmills, crosstrainers, rowing machines, bikes and steppers are provided, and no induction is required. There’s also a roof terrace hot tub which is well worth a visit. Classes include boxercise, energy blast, circuits, insanity, Pilates, spinning, thighs, bums & tums, yoga and Zumba. Meanwhile, indoor sports such as archery, badminton, basketball, squash and volleyball, can be played.

Next door, Parkside Pools provides a gym, exercise studio and 25-metre long pool with flumes and a dive pool.

Glassworks Gym at the Varsity Hotel on Thompson’s Lane occupies a stunning building for an atmospheric workout in the city centre. There is a sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi overlooking the river, as well as the large air-conditioned gym itself. Classes include yoga, spinning, Pilates and dance aerobics. And don’t forget to check out their Elemis Spa, a modern spa with a lovely boutique feel.

Living Well Health Club at the Doubletree by Hilton is another great place to shift those extra Christmas pounds. Work out in the gym, take an aerobics class in the studio or do a few lengths in their superb indoor pool, complete with glass ceiling, watching the clouds drift by as you perfect your backstroke.

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NEWS

Communit y NEWS EACH SANTA RUN SMASHES TARGET

ST FAITH'S ARSENAL DOUBLE CLUB The Spanish-speaking world has brought us Don Quijote, chocolate, salsa and tapas.

But leading the way among the most successful Hispanic exports today are surely los futbolistas, both managers and players: from Agüero and Fabregas to Sánchez and De Gea, from Benítez and Martínez to Pochettino and Pellegrini.

Now, with the support of Arsenal in the Community and the Education Office of the Spanish Embassy, the Arsenal Double Club is coming to Cambridge. The club is open to any child in Year 5 and will run at St Faith’s School throughout the summer term. This is a unique opportunity to embark on the life-changing adventure of learning a new language, while having fun playing football.

The Arsenal Double Club is a well-established and highly successful means of combining language-learning with football skills, using dedicated multi-media resources on a football theme. Sessions take place on Saturday mornings from 11am-12.30pm and include 40 minutes in the classroom, led by the School’s Spanish teaching team and 40 minutes on the football field, led by a qualified and experienced native-speaking coach.

Children need no prior knowledge of Spanish – or even football! – but must be keen to learn. And those who complete the course will have the opportunity to participate in a bespoke visit to the Emirates Stadium in London, where children can practise their language skills while visiting the Directors’ Box, media and changing rooms, and go pitchside to see the famous turf.

The cost of a term’s participation is £11.50. www.stfaiths.co.uk/arsenaldoubleclub

BLANKETS FOR BABIES Edition has been finding out all about the wonderful work done by Cambridge Quilters, a group of creative local ladies who make quilts for friends, family, themselves and for charity. Since 2004, they have been carefully crafting cot quilts for newborns at the Rosie Maternity Hospital, which cares for 700 premature and sick babies in the East of England each year. Parents can choose their quilt, which becomes a treasured item to keep. Organiser Susan Ross says: “One of the mothers was so touched that she named her baby after the lady who had made her quilt!”

The Quilters also make heart-shaped cushions for breast cancer patients and ‘fidget blankets’ for people with Alzheimer’s – beautiful, tactile creations covered in buttons, ribbons and fur designed to keep fingers nimble and the mind occupied.

Find out more in next month’s magazine. www.cambridgequilters.org.uk

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The Granta Park Santa Run, which took place in early December, succeeded in raising thousands for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) – almost doubling its target of £2,350.

On 3 December, more than 200 runners in red and white – including a team from the Edition office, above – braved the chilly temperatures to partake in a 2.5km lunchtime dash around Cambridge’s Granta Park. They have so far raised £4,000 for the charity, which does fantastic work with children with lifethreatening conditions and their families.

Find out more and make a donation at their JustGiving page. www.justgiving.com/teams/ GrantaParkSantaRun

A FIFTH WI FOR CAMBRIDGE? Our city is so bursting at the seams with creative, outspoken and inspirational women that it seems just one WI isn’t enough to satisfy our sociable appetites. In fact, Cambridge currently boasts four WI groups – Cambridge Cam City, Cambridge Blue Belles, Cambridge LadyBirds and Mill Road WI – and plans are afoot to create a fifth in 2015.

A meeting will be held on Tuesday 20 January at 7.30pm in the Epworth Room at the Castle Street Methodist Church, Cambridge.

Everyone is welcome.

Sally Kingman is federation chairman of the WI in Cambridge.

She says: “2015 is a major year for the WI as it is the centenary of the forming of the movement in Anglesey in 1915 so there are many celebrations being planned throughout England and Wales.

At the moment there are 6,371 WIs with approximately 212,350 members and new WIs are being opened all the time.” www.cfwi.co.uk

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INTERVIEW WORDS JENNY SHELTON

As a new film about Stephen Hawking is released, Eddie Redmayne tells Edition about portraying the mind – and body – of a genius orn 8 January 1942, exactly 300 years after the death of Galileo, Stephen Hawking – cosmologist and author of A Brief History of Time – is one of the great geniuses of our age. A brilliant and charismatic student, while studying for his PhD at Cambridge he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and given just two years to live. A new film, out 1 January and tipped for Oscars success, reveals his extraordinary story.

EDITION: One of the most incredible things about Stephen Hawking is how he has lived with his disease. Is this down to his optimism?

EDDIE REDMAYNE: Hawking was diagnosed aged 21 and given two to five years to live – that was 50 years ago. I

imagine it’s to do with the specific strain of the illness, but I’m sure there is also positivity and optimism in the mix, plus an extraordinary mental life that is always looking forward.

How was it portraying a real person?

Mildly terrifying! As I know they’ll be the ultimate judges. But I wanted to meet him to learn as much as I could. I’d spent four months meeting with specialists and people dealing with the illness. I read everything I could and talked with Stephen’s family, so when I met him I was really nervous: I spent the first half an hour with him telling Stephen Hawking about Stephen Hawking!

He can move so few muscles now that it takes him so long to speak. In maybe three hours he said eight sentences to me.

A lot of it was spent observing and sitting together. Even though he is able to move so few muscles he has the most charismatic face I’ve ever seen. To find the glint in his eyes, that mischief and humour, and try to channel that was really important.

You portray Hawking at different stages of the disease. Was there a big challenge in that?

The problem with filming is that you don’t shoot chronologically. In photos of Stephen, he gets substantially skinnier through the years, so there was a question over how to achieve that. I worked with our make-up and costume designers and would wear collar shirts that were tight, and makeup that made me look healthy, then

Hawking was diagnosed aged 21 and given two to five years to live – that was 50 years ago

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INTERVIEW

gradually the shirts would get bigger.

The problem with ALS [motor neuron disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis] is that nobody knows exactly when it starts. I came to the conclusion that in the beginning of the film it is already there in some shape, in his hands or his slightly ungainly gait.

When I spent time at the ALS clinic meeting people with the disease and getting to know their families, the details were the extraordinary things.

The love story between Stephen and Jane is one of the highlights of the movie. Were you and Felicity (Jones) close beforehand?

Yes, our careers started at the same theatre with the same artistic director. For the movie, we started with our friendship and jumped into the intimacy of their relationship.

Jane did everything for Stephen. She became almost an extension of him.

Not just his body, but his mind as well.

She really is an incredibly bright and brilliant woman.

Les Misérables was a huge movie for you in 2012. Do you think Theory will change your life?

Hopefully each new piece of work changes people’s opinion of you or pushes you to new places and forces you to learn brand new skills. I’m sure that this film came about as a result of Les Misérables – without it I doubt I’d have been considered to play the role of Stephen Hawking.

He did an interview and was really nice about it. It meant the world to me that he enjoyed the movie How did you like filming in Cambridge?

It was amazing for me because I was lucky enough to go to university there myself.

It is a breathtakingly beautiful place, with history everywhere. It reminds you of time due to its amount of history and heritage.

Such formidable minds have been through that place.

The idea of the film is that we are telling this very intimate micro story about Stephen, and at the same time the frontiers in his mind are huge. It is just like Cambridge, which has this intimacy, but when you look at some of those buildings your breath is taken away by what human beings can achieve.

Hawking and his family came to watch the May Ball scene. What was it like having them on set?

It was so intimidating, but at the same

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time amazing! Their story is so special and they allowed us in and enabled us to tell the story as well as we could. Hawking also gave us his voice to use in the film. We were going to use a synthesised version, but after seeing the film he offered us his real voice.

Did you get word from Hawking after he watched the movie?

He did an interview and was really nice about it. It meant the world to me that he enjoyed the movie.

The greatest thing I’ve taken away is what I’ve learned from the ALS patients I’ve met, particularly Stephen; a man who was given this diagnosis but who chose to live his life fully. Stephen says when your notion of time changes like that, the years after are gifts and he feels every minute of his life.

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INTERVIEW

Features editor turned film star Jenny Shelton shares her exclusive behind-the-scenes account of being an extra on The Theory of Everything. She’s the one in the blue dress in the distance…

31 August 2013: Casting call, Cambridge

Having seen a poster advertising for extras in Cambridge, I arrive with a crowd of hopefuls at the Arts School Lecture Theatre off Bene’t Street. The film being cast is The Theory of Everything, starring Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking, who was diagnosed with motor neuron disease while studying at Cambridge, just as his brilliance was beginning to emerge.

All shapes, sizes and ages have turned up and we’re measured, photographed then herded into what feels like an exam hall to fill in our personal details. For some reason I panic and put ‘dancing’ in the box marked ‘special talents’. I can throw some moves on a Friday night but I’m hardly RADA trained – I really hoped they wouldn’t look too much into that one.

11 September 2013: Costume fitting, Borehamwood

This place is huge! I’m in what looks like the biggest fancy dress shop ever. There are walls of hats and gowns from every era – even a whole row, 20ft high, dedicated solely to trench coats in varying shades of beige. By a rail of 1960s ballgowns I meet my costume lady, armed with my measurements and several garments for me to try. The attention to historical detail is unflinching: all costumes are 100% authentic, down to my pointy 60s style bra.

I’ve been selected for three days of filming and the dress I’m trying is for a May Ball scene where the leads share their first kiss. It’s full length, pale blue and rib-squeezingly tight, but gives me a tiny waist I could get used to. Then I’m handed a less glamorous wool skirt and frumpy (very battered) shoes for a day scene. I look like my 90-year-old grandma. Next: hair. At the casting call they’d made a big fuss of my barnet – it’s gingery blonde, but apparently that’s unusual and therefore good. I watch the extra beside me receive a miraculous updo and giddily await the sophisticated transformation I’m about to undergo.

“Here we go, just hold this at the front!” comes a voice, and a stretchy stocking is forced onto my head, followed by a cropped, wiry ginger wig. It’s more Cilla Black than Joan Holloway.

25 September: First day of filming

10am: A marquee has appeared at St John’s College playing fields. Outside it doesn’t look like much, but inside it’s abuzz with chattering extras. We’ve been ferried in from designated pick-up points (everything is VERY organised) to film a day scene in St John’s quad where Eddie, as Stephen Hawking, trips up – poor co-ordination being an early sign of the disease.

There’s a split in the marquee between young guys and girls (playing students) and older blokes (dons). I’m not-so-secretly smug at having been cast as a student at 27.

Not that mine is the biggest ego here. My first conversation is with a don who proudly recalls playing a soldier in the Elizabeth films and making Cate Blanchett laugh. There are theatre students everywhere, clearly believing this could be their big break.

In make-up (hello, wig), I discover the lady working on me as also worked on Mila Kunis – new claim to fame in the bag.

The department is huge: there must be 20 ladies working on the extras alone. We also have our own director, a wiry chap whose main job is to tell us off for talking on set and remind us not to look at the camera. For all this, says my make-up lady, sticking bobby pins into my skull, week-long scenes with hundreds of extras in complicated prosthetics can be scrapped just like that.

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Predictably, there’s a lot of sitting around. Phones are strictly forbidden so some read; others knit. We’re given a cooked breakfast in the marquee then finally get the call and tramp en masse into college for our first glimpse of the set.

1.30pm: Eddie Redmayne has fallen flat on his face in front of me. I’m supposed to chat with a don about my thesis on the lawn (it’s Oscar-winning miming), before we rush towards him, looking shocked. Actually, Eddie has a stunt ‘collapser’, dressed in the same brown tweed and glasses, and the pavement too is false: a convincing painted sponge which people keep walking on, to the annoyance of the director.

We shoot this scene all afternoon, the action freezing and unfreezing to the sounds of ‘cut!’ and ‘background action!’ (this gets the extras moving first, so the stars walk into a scene already in motion). I also learn about ‘banana-ing’ – walking in a curved trajectory which apparently looks more natural in a long shot.

7.30pm: De-wigged, back into my 21st century togs and home.

26 September

2.30pm: A morning at Edition towers then back to film the May Ball scene. There’s a preparty buzz in the marquee as we get dressed up: the guys look adorable but awkward in their tuxes – even more so when we’re given an impromptu dance class and told to invent a backstory with our new love interests.

6pm: It’s dark and chilly when we’re called and my vintage sandals hurt, but all’s forgotten at the sight of the St John’s grounds dressed for a 1960s ball. The lawns are festooned with twinkling lights, there’s a spectacular, working steam carousel and little tables set with champagne glasses everywhere.

Eddie and Felicity (Jones, playing Jane Hawking) arrive in big coats, talk seriously and do some mouth exercises before the cameras roll. With my new friend for the scene, I stagger tipsily (though it’s actually ginger ale in my glass) towards some fairground mirrors, laugh, then repeat.

Later: It’s very cold. The costume department throw blankets over us between scenes and I stamp my bare toes on the wet grass to keep them from going completely numb. I’ve noticed Eddie and Felicity get hot water bottles as well as coats… I guess that’s what they call star treatment.

2.30am: Done. I drive home to snatch a few hours sleep before my 7.30am alarm rings for work. Why did I sign up for this?!

27 September

2.30pm: Same drill: gown, wig, make-up, food, wait.

6pm: Back to the ball, but this time I’m dancing. There’s no music, so we groove to our own beat in what’s hopefully an early-60s style. Like a rare beast the camera snakes among us and we keep our eyes averted, everyone dancing like their lives depend on it, secretly hoping we’re that bit better than everyone else…

Later: There’s a rumour flying that Stephen Hawking is coming to visit the set. Sure enough, a big shiny van rolls up and the genius behind black holes emerges. We’re firmly instructed NOT to talk to him, instead he and Eddie hang out. Earlier, on our dinner break (hot chicken dish wrapped in foil – delicious actually) I stole away to watch a cameraman looking back over an earlier scene. It showed a figure in a wheelchair crossing the Bridge of Sighs and I honestly couldn’t tell if it was Stephen or Eddie. This film is going to be good.

1.20am: The food tent is filled with hunched bodies. Some cluster round the heater, another is asleep on the ground. Bow ties and posh shoes peep from grey blankets and silence reigns: it looks like we’ve been rescued from the Titanic.

We haven’t been in a scene in hours. Eddie and Felicity are kissing on St John’s Bridge but for us the magic has gone. I poke my itchy, bewigged head out of the tent and spy a group escaping early. I abandon my fellow refugees (and all thoughts of stardom) and flee after them, dreaming of my bed.

The following day, Saturday, I sleep until noon then wake with a temperature. My first experience as an extra has been incredible: I’m broken, but it’s been a rare treat to glimpse behind the scenes of such a beautiful film. I’ve attended my first ever May Ball – in the 1960s, no less – and been paid for the privilege. And while my phone’s hardly ringing off the hook with movie offers, if I spot the back of my head in just one scene, well, that’s good enough for me.

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INDIE OF THE MONTH

WORDS JENNY SHELTON

INDEPENDENT OF THE MONTH

Harriet Kelsall

She spends her days surrounded by gemstones making people the jewellery of their dreams – could Harriet Kelsall have the best job in the world? hat girl wouldn’t want a ring made especially for her, inspired by the colour of her eyes? Harriet Kelsall has been helping would-be Romeos earn serious brownie points for 16 years after launching her award-winning bespoke jewellery company, based in Cambridge. A designer by qualification, she rose through the ranks at a successful tech firm before returning to her first love: jewellery. Now she and her team of designers and goldsmiths make a profession of telling other people’s love stories – something she’ll never tire of.

“Mostly we work on engagement and wedding rings, which is such an emotional and personal event. To be part of that is just wonderful,” she says.

As well as their range of beautiful, readyto-wear jewellery in store, Harriet Kelsall is the UK’s leading creator of bespoke jewellery (winning Boutique Jeweller of the Year 2013), meaning customers can have something unique created from scratch.

They also pride themselves on their friendly approach. When I visit their modern shop in Green Street it’s abuzz with chatter from eager couples relaying their ideas. There are no counters, no looming salespeople and you don’t need to press a buzzer to come in and browse.

“People can just pop in and talk to us,” Harriet comments, seated under a pinboard filled with thank you cards from happy customers. “We don’t want people feeling intimidated – a lot of our reasoning for starting this business was to break down those barriers and make bespoke jewellery

accessible for everyone.”

Naturally, many of Harriet Kelsall’s customers are nervous men wanting the perfect engagement ring for their partner – but with no clue where to start. That’s no problem, explains designer April Page.

“We arrange a consultation for everyone – whether they have ideas or not – then go through the options so we can design their perfect piece of jewellery. We ask certain questions to help us build up a picture of

the girl in question,” says April. “Like her colouring, her job, her dress style, does she wear any other jewellery… Sometimes they don’t know the colour of their partner’s eyes, but some guys come in with a folder of ideas!”

Harriet adds: “I’ve been known to ask questions like what kind of kitchen she would choose, to work out whether she’s traditional or modern at heart.”

The team have had all kinds of unusual

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INDIE OF THE MONTH

briefs, says April: “Someone here made a mushroom-inspired pendant – and not just any mushroom. It had to be an exact type because she was some kind of doctor of mushrooms. Only in Cambridge!”

Harriet laughs: “There was another where the couple were both software programmers, and they’d been flirting in binary, so we made a ring which had 1s and 0s in rubies and engraved lines. Not everyone has to have a wacky idea though, the ring could just be inspired by the doodles she does on the pad by the phone or the colour of her eyes.”

Harriet established her jewellery business in her late 20s, inspired by her dad’s passion and her mum’s business sense. “My dad was a talented hobby jeweller, so I grew up watching him. But I’d never considered it as a career because my mum, who’d gone to art school, was adamant that I shouldn’t go into a creative profession because I needed to be financially independent. So I studied industrial design.”

Harriet then moved into computing, becoming engineering manager at Tectonics UK at 27. She says: “Then I had this big pull to start a creative business and thought, if I don’t do it now I never will! At the time, if you wanted something made for you bespoke, you either had to go to a bloke with a bench or go to Bond Street.

There was no way of getting something designed and made in an unpretentious way. I chose Cambridge because I love it and also because, like us, it’s a marriage of tradition and cutting-edge technology.”

Naturally, her dad is immensely proud – and provides fatherly support from time to time. “I remember getting this big commission from a countess who had these huge, amazing pearshaped emeralds – priceless – with diamonds set round the outside, one of

Diamonds really are forever - they can go through generations

which had come out. She said, ‘Harriet, will you set this diamond? I can’t trust anyone else and no one will touch them!’

I couldn’t say no,” Harriet admits.

“But I felt a bit sick: emeralds are one of the most brittle stones, not much tougher than your fingernail, and I would have to go right up against it with a big metal tool. So I took it to my dad’s and he made me a cup of tea, and said, ‘By the time that’s made you’ll have done it.’ And I did. It’s so nice to have his support – and the countess was really thrilled.”

Harriet sources gemstones from around the world: ethically where possible.

“We never get tired of working with gemstones,” she smiles. “There are so many unusual ones, like colour-change sapphires.

In daylight they’re an intense blue but in electric light they’re bright purple – it’s like magic. We can advise on metals too, from rose gold to white gold… For us it’s all about getting it right for the customer.”

Repurposing antique or inherited jewellery is another mainstay of the business. “If someone has inherited some rings but doesn’t like the style, we can refashion them using the same metal and stones,” says Harriet.

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“That way they keep the sentimental value while getting something in a design they absolutely love. They say that diamonds are forever, and they really are. They can go through generations of families and so can gold. I think it’s quite glamorous – glamorous and green, which can’t be a bad thing!”

Adds April: “People’s reaction when we show them something made anew is wonderful. And it’s much better than having something sitting in a jewellery box not being worn.”

Customers can see the goldsmiths at work at Harriet Kelsall’s Hertfordshire studio in Halls Green: an award-winning converted barn with showroom and café.

“It’s fascinating watching what they do,” says April. “Customers can come and watch while having a coffee.”

Harriet adds: “The connection with the customer is key. You could say we just make jewellery, but what we really do is tell people’s love stories.”

Harriet Kelsall, 6-7 Green Street, CB2 3JU, 01223 461333 & North Barn, Halls Green, Herts, SG4 7DP. www.hkjewellery.co.uk

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FASHION NEWS

CIRCLE BAG £49.50 ARK, ST MARY’S PASSAGE, CAMBRIDGE

ACNE BOOTS £379 ANNA, HIGH STREET, SAFFRON WALDEN

THE GRAFTON LAUNCHES CHRISTMAS SAVINGS CLUB

Kit yourself out for January in these top style picks from local independent fashion boutiques

CARHARTT EAGLE T-SHIRT £75 DOGFISH, TRINITY STREET

PICKS FROM THE

Indies

WOOL BLEND FLECKED SCARF £22 ARK, ST MARY’S PASSAGE, CAMBRIDGE

ALBANY SQUARE GOLD HEART SILVER NECKLACE £25 PODAROK, BENE’T STREET, CAMBRIDGE

Feeling the pinch this month after the expense of Christmas? If you’re currently too scared to open your credit card statements, listen up. The Grafton Centre have just launched a Christmas Savings Club, designed to help shoppers spread the cost of the festive period across the year.

The idea is simple: shoppers simply pay a small amount into the savings club until November when they receive a gift card, to the value of the savings, to spend anywhere in The Grafton Centre. There’s lots of perks too: members who sign up before the end of January will receive a free piggy bank and customers who make regular deposits will receive a VIP card which will give them access to a host of special offers. The Grafton will also be giving away free top-ups each month to randomly chosen customers and in December one lucky saver will win a Christmas hamper worth over £100. www.graftoncentre.co.uk

GET DOWN TO GREEN STREET! Boasting an ever-growing array of independent boutiques and cafés, as well as some big name brands, Green Street is becoming one of Cambridge’s hottest shopping destinations. Pay a visit to discover indie shoe shops Modish and Sundaes, stylish womenswear at Oska, and be sure to pop into the lovely Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery, our Independent of the Month. There’s all the more reason this month as the retailers have joined forces for a special promotional event, which will take place on Wednesday 7 January. There will be plenty of special offers and treats to take advantage of, including free fizz and nibbles at Modish, along with a 10% discount and goodie bags with purchases.

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FASHION

WINTER Nothing brightens up dreary January like adorning yourself with vibrant patterns. This season’s winter prints are all about bold graphics, geometric shapes and loud colours. Take inspiration from the Dries Van Noten autumn/ winter show and go for head to toe print, or take one attention-seeking centrepiece like Topshop’s geo print kimono.

CHEVRON DRESS JEWEL £44.99 NESS, PETTY CURY, CAMBRIDGE

JONATHAN SAUNDERS DRESS £60 DEBENHAMS, GRAFTON CENTRE, CAMBRIDGE

SLEEVELESS DRESS £17.99 ZARA, ST ANDREW’S STREET, CAMBRIDGE ETHNIC PRINT SEQUIN DRESS £69.99 ZARA, ST ANDREW’S STREET, CAMBRIDGE

GEO BIRD PRINT KIMONO £50 TOPSHOP, GRAFTON CENTRE AND GRAND ARCADE, CAMBRIDGE JUMPER £12 SKIRT £10 BOTH PRIMARK, BURLEIGH STREET, CAMBRIDGE GEO TEXTURED SKIRT £36 TOPSHOP, GRAFTON CENTRE AND GRAND ARCADE, CAMBRIDGE

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FULL SKIRTS

FASHION

BLUSH KNIT AND WET LOOK SKIRT £45 MISS SELFRIDGE, LION YARD, CAMBRIDGE

MIDI SKIRT IN BOLD CHECK £50 WWW.ASOS.COM

BLUE LACE SKIRT £45 OLIVER BONAS, SIDNEY STREET, CAMBRIDGE

AZTEC MONO LANTERN SKIRT £45 TOPSHOP, GRAFTON CENTRE AND GRAND ARCADE, CAMBRIDGE

HATS WE KARAH FAUX FUR HAT £49 TED BAKER, GRAND ARCADE, CAMBRIDGE

FULL SKIRT WITH ELASTIC WAIST £39.99 ZARA, ST ANDREW’S STREET, CAMBRIDGE

The midi skirt is a trend which shows no signs of waning, and we’ve loved the full, feminine cuts that have been floating around, as seen on the Marc by Marc Jacobs catwalk. For extra fashion points, team with chunky footwear, and if you’re super savvy, this is a purchase which will last you well into spring…

BUNDLE MACLAREN MILLINERY HAT £153 WWW.BOTICCA.COM

CARA FEDORA £29 ACCESSORIZE, LION YARD, CAMBRIDGE COLOUR BLOCK FEDORA £28 TOPSHOP, GRAFTON CENTRE AND GRAND ARCADE, CAMBRIDGE

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FASHION

VILLAIN NAVY CHECK TROUSERS £110 TOPMAN, GRAND ARCADE, CAMBRIDGE GABSY CHECKED POCKET SQUARE £25 TED BAKER, GRAND ARCADE, CAMBRIDGE LONG SLEEVE SHIRT WITH HANDDRAWN CHECK £25 WWW.ASOS.COM

CHECK IT OUT A style which shows no sign of disappearing, checks remain one of the most persistent menswear trends of the last few seasons. The catwalks saw chessboard designs (Jonathan Saunders), gingham shirts (Richard Nicoll) and punk-inspired tartans at Alexander McQueen. Go high fash with Topman’s bold check trousers or brighten up your outfit with this Levi number.

CHECK JUMPER £28 NEXT, GRAFTON CENTRE, CAMBRIDGE

DARK TAN CHECK COAT £159 ZARA, ST ANDREW’S STREET, CAMBRIDGE

LEVIS VINTAGE CLOTHING SHIRT 1950 NEW LONGHORN LARGE FLANNEL CHECK £155 WWW.ASOS.COM

CANNE WOOL CHECK JACKET NOW £241 TED BAKER, GRAND ARCADE, CAMBRIDGE

CHELSEA BOY GRENSON JACOB CHELSEA BOOTS £210 WWW.ASOS.COM BERTIE CAMPING BOOT £110 DUNE, MARKET STREET, CAMBRIDGE

LUX BLACK LEATHER CHELSEA BOOTS £85 TOPMAN, GRAND ARCADE, CAMBRIDGE

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19/12/2014 13:40

BEAUTY WORDS DAISY DICKINSON & CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS

resolutions

BEAUTY

nottheninetofive.com

For many the new year means adopting a new attitude towards what you eat, and how much you work out – but how about your beauty regime? It’s time to clear out those products you’re not using, clean your make-up brushes, and get stuck into some new beauty resolutions.

1. I will cleanse, tone and moisturise

Taking care of your skin will make you look healthier and feel better about yourself. Fact. Take time every day to properly cleanse your face, tone up and add moisture. You don’t have to go the full hog with serums, although we do love them: check out Angela Langford’s Perfect Pores natural serum (£26.50, www. angelalangford.com), full of gentle and natural goodies, or Rajeunir’s moisture serum for an all-in-one approach to lock in moisture (£42, www.rajeunir.co.uk).

A basic balm or oil cleanser such as Murad’s Renewing Oil Cleanser (£29, murad.co.uk); or the Merumaya Cleansing Melting Balm (£14.50, www.merumaya. com); a simple toner like Janjira’s Pomegranate & Acai Micellar Water (£28, janjira. co.uk) which removes make-up and unclogs pores, or a moisturiser such as Pure and Light’s Organic Essential Face Cream (£49, www.pureandlightorganic.eu) are amazing for improving your visage. Treat yourself to a bit of luxury: bareMinerals have a new range out called Mineralixirs, packed full of rosehip oil, which helps anti-ageing, soothes skin, and smells gorgeous (from £21, John Lewis).

2. I WILL WASH MY BRUSHES AND THROW AWAY MY OUT-OF-DATE MAKE-UP Gross, but so many people just leave years of powder or foundation lingering on brushes, sponges and other applicators without bothering to wash them. You don’t need to spend a fortune on dedicated brush soap: baby shampoo will do just as good a job for a fraction of the price.

If you’ve not overhauled your beauty products for six months, your make-up is probably past its best.

Cosmetics which have gone past their use-by date are more than just a bit crumbly or odd smelling: they can harbour harmful bacteria.

Expired mascaras can cause eye infections, ancient cream blushers can irritate or result in rashes. Do yourself a favour: review your cosmetics and face creams with the following mantras. Do I use this? Does it suit me? Is it still in date? And if the answers to any is no, then you have our blessing to discard – which means shopping. Hooray!

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BEAUTY

3. I WILL SORT OUT MY SKIN WORRIES Most people will suffer with some kind of skin complaint and you may not be using the correct products. Cloud 9 Skin Solutions have a fab range including Clarity Skin Clearing Spot Gel (£32, www.cloud9skin.com). We also love the Proactiv+ range; try the introductory kit for £19.99 (www. proactive.co.uk) – skin exfoliator, pore targeting treatment, complexion perfecting hydrator and more. But if you’ve been battling with a problem for more than a few weeks, seek advice from a dermatologist or your GP.

4. I will learn how to properly apply make-up Gone are the days of using your fingers to swipe foundation and hope for the best. A decent foundation brush is the ideal way to apply without leaving streaks. Use a little product and work in – you don’t need to apply it everywhere, with a true colour match you only need to apply to areas needing coverage. The latest must-have is the Beauty Blender (£16, www.beautyblender.co.uk). An egg-shaped sponge, this clever little tool is designed for perfect make-up application – and no mess. For a super-modern approach, SkinPep offer an Auto Make-up Professional Applicator which gently vibrates for a flawless finish (£29.99, www.skinpep.com).

6. I WILL LOOK AFTER MY HAIR If there was ever a good time to be good to your hair, it’s during winter. The combination of cold weather and central heating, mixed with heat styling and products can leave hair weak, brittle and flyaway. A hair mask is the ideal way to replenish poorly locks – we love Electric Hair Intensive Masque for hydrating your follicles and nourishing through to the ends (£23.50, www.electric-hair.com) or Original Mineral Seven Day Miracle Moisture Masque (£9, Selfridges), an intense moisture mask for colour-damaged hair.

If you’re one to suffer from split ends, a decent hair oil can be worn through the ends during the day without making your hair look unwashed. Use a product like Ayumi Organic Coconut Enriched Hair Oil, which is wonderfully rich and moisturising and full of Omega 6, sesame oil and coconut oil (£7.99, www.ayumi.co.uk).

5. I will experiment wit h my look

It’s easy to get stuck in beauty ruts, relying on the same techniques year in, year out. Chances are that make-up technology has moved on since you decided on your chosen few. Why not head to Boots, John Lewis or Debenhams and let the make-up counter assistants work their magic? Boots in Cambridge also offers a Benefit Brow Bar, where the make-up marvels tend even the most neglected of brows. We also love L’Oréal’s new Paris Perfection Brow Artist Plumper. And for the quickest way to change your make-up look? Go for a bold statement lipstick – we love Lord & Berry’s Crayon Lipsticks in Scarlet and Plum (£10, www.ASOS.com) or Artistry’s signature colours (£19.60, www.amway.co.uk).

© Accessorize

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BEAUTY NEWS

BeautyNEWS SOOTHE WINTER SKIN WITH ESPA

Respected skincare range ESPA has brought out two new products perfect for winter skin. Its Optimal Skin ProCleanser is a three-in-one, multifunctional companion to your beauty regime. It suits all ages and skin types, and though perfect as an everyday product, has a definite luxurious feel. Use as a cleanser, exfoliator and mask to leave skin feeling nourished and radiant.

Meanwhile the Optimal Skin ProSerum uses a groundbreaking formula to strengthen skin on a cellular level while leaving it soft, smooth and protected from drying winter temperatures. The serum – best applied to the face, neck and décolletage before moisturising – is 99% natural, with a silky texture, and incorporates white lupin extract, rosehip and echium oil and sunflower seed extract.

Both luxury products are now available from John Lewis in Cambridge, and are used in facials at The Spa at Bedford Lodge, in Newmarket. www.espaskincare.com

JANUARY DETOX You’ve indulged over Christmas, now show your skin some love and treat yourself to The Ultimate Detox at Esse, the picturesque beauty boutique located in Melbourn.

This two-and-a-half-hour treatment consists of an invigorating lime and lemongrass body scrub, mini facial (specialised to suit your skin type), green tea energising and detoxifying body wrap followed by a Lovely Legs Glacier Shells detox massage. This last treatment uses hot and cold tiger clam shells to perform a deep leg and stomach massage – ideal for achy legs and to get sluggish circulation on the move. It’s priced at £145. www.esse.uk.com

TREAT YOUR BFF Say thank you to your best mate for being so brill and treat her (and yourself!) to the Best Friend Day Spa Package at The Boutique Wellness Spa. Situated on Lensfield Road, within an elegant period building, the spa is a fragrant oasis of calm within the bustling city centre. This 75-minute treatment, priced at £99 for you both, includes a cleansing SUNDARI facial using holistic and botanical ingredients and adjusted to perfectly suit your skin type, followed by a soothing scalp massage to help you relax.

You’ll also have use of the thermal facility and receive a welcome drink on arrival, making it a wonderful chance to relax and enjoy a post-Christmas catch-up. www.theboutiquewellnessspa.co.uk

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FITNESS

In a bid to get fit for the new year, Edition’s Jenny Shelton, Zena Toscani and Nicola Foley take on five different – and fun – ways to shape up for 2015 ALPHA + MET AT FULL CIRCLE FITNESS

If you need to kick-start your fitness routine for the new year and want fast results, make a beeline for Full Circle Fitness in Dry Drayton – a small, friendly gym with a great buzz. In addition to boot camps, Full Circle runs Alpha sessions: a no-nonsense strength-building programme which will get you stronger and leaner, making serious gains in minimal time.

The classes, led by experienced coaches, will have you learning the basics of Olympic weightlifting, but if that sounds terrifying/not at all like something you'd be into – chuck your preconceptions out of the window right now. Olympic lifting offers a dynamic, truly full-body workout conducive to fast, noticeable results for both guys and girls. Learn your ‘snatch’ from your ‘clean’ and work it like a pro in classes small enough to get you lots of personal attention, but also give you the motivation and support network that the group element brings. Full Circle also offers Met classes, geared towards helping you strip body fat fast (which let's face it is exactly what we need at this time of year!) through exercises like squats, core work and circuits. Both classes come in at less than a tenner a pop, and members get added benefits such as detox saunas and subsidised sports massages. Check out the website for more details and times – plus if you’re in need of some extra support and motivation, they also offer a wide range personal training options. www.full-circle-fitness.co.uk

BARRE CONCEPT

If a barre class conjures up images of lithe ladies slowly stretching in metres of tulle you might want to check your expectations before heading to CamYoga’s hugely popular Barre Concept class. Run by former professional dancer and choreographer Amy Holly, expect to plié until your legs shake, sweating all the while to the tune of In the Navy. Plié isn’t the only move you’ll do (the karate kicking was a personal favourite), but it gives you a taste of the fun atmosphere in the packed-out class. Amy explains the key exercise principles worked in barre concept. “We focus on movements in the full range such as a plié where you move through to the fullness of your ability; end range which are pulsing movements at the full extent of the movement; and static holds which push you that little bit further at the very end range.”

The practice is strong so you can expect to ‘feel the burn’ during and after but the encouraging, lively atmosphere that Amy creates makes it well worth the literal legwork.

“Having open hips is really useful for a good turnout,” Amy explains. “So naturally it’s the perfect complement to yoga.” ZT :: Drop-in classes are £16, a ten-class pass is £120 and valid for a year and memberships start from £45 per month. Various times. www.camyoga.co.uk

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FITNESS

BOULDERING

Build your upper body strength and embrace your inner monkey with bouldering: rock-climbing’s burlier younger brother. Those who may avoid climbing for fear of heights need not shy away from bouldering. In this permutation of the sport, walls or boulders are typically only a few metres high, so the need for ropes, harnesses and nerves of steel is eliminated.

As the only facility with a public wall in Cambridge, the Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre is a great place to try out this fun sport. Manager of the centre Liane Shadrack reveals the key health implications: “While pulling yourself up overhanging routes (or ‘problems’ as they’re known in bouldering) is a great way to gain strength, a lot of climbing is actually about flexibility so stretching is absolutely essential for skill improvement and to prevent injury.

“Climbing is about keeping your weight over your feet so core strength is crucial here; if you don’t have a lot to begin with, bouldering is a great way to rectify this.”

Bouldering isn’t really harder or easier than traditional rock climbing, instead it focuses on a different style; it favours stronger, more dynamic movements in short bursts as opposed to the long muscle endurance needed for a big wall, and the problems are set with this in mind so you may find yourself needing to jump or ‘dyno’ from one handhold to the next.

“We employ some of the best route setters in the country to reset all of the problems every six weeks, so there’s always something new to try. We’ve also recently purchased additional holds and volumes to enhance the variety of route sets,” Liane adds. ZT :: Unlimited use monthly memberships are available from £15.75 but you can drop in as a non-member from £3.80 too. Open 9am-11pm every day. www.kelseykerridge.co.uk

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FLEXITONE

Improve your flexibility and get a full-body workout at Flexitone, a brand new dance/fitness class launched by Sara Ford in Ely last year. Starting with a zumbastyle cardio warm-up, Sara leads the class in a series of deep stretches with the aim of toning the whole body and slowly transforming you from stiff, desk-bound fitness phobic to limber, dancer-like goddess. All ages and abilities are welcome, and don’t be put off by all the bendy people doing the splits and touching their toes: apparently they started off just like us and are proof, if anything was, that the class really works.

Says Sara: “A lot of the stuff we do in Flexitone is what I do in my dance warm-ups, and so many of my friends said they needed to get more supple that I thought, why not start up a class just for that?”

She adds: “On top of aiming to make you a fitter and healthier version of yourself Flexitone is about creating a fun and friendly atmosphere. The class isn’t meant to make anybody hate the instructor or to dread the pain every week. All members are guaranteed a good giggle and hopefully to make some new friends.”

Sara is hoping to launch Flexitone throughout the UK in the New Year. “I put the feelers out on a fitness forum to see who’d be interested in becoming a Flexitone instructor in their area, and within a day I’d had a dozen replies. I’m hoping it’ll really take off this spring.”

Could it be the new Zumba? Watch this space! JS :: Classes run on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 7-8pm, at St Mary’s School, Ely. £5 per session. www.facebook.com/4DFlexitone

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FITNESS

JUST KARATE

Offering classes in Cambridge, Impington and Ely, Just Karate teach Shokotan, a popular style of karate which focuses on big, powerful movements and deep stances. Don’t worry if you’ve never done anything like it before or you’re a little bit out of shape, there are sessions suitable for complete beginners, from children through to adults.

“Most people come to us with no martial arts experience at all,” says Ashley Martin, Just Karate’s founder and chief instructor. “We teach everything from the ground up starting with learning how to do the basic punches and kicks and then building up from there. Most learning is done together as a class but without a partner. That way you can build up the technique without having to worry about an opponent.

“When we do partner work it tends to be collaborative, especially for beginners.

Obviously it’s a martial art so as you get closer to black belt level, it can get a bit more competitive, but even then there are always clear rules and routines to keep it very safe and under control.”

The benefits of practising karate are wide-ranging, from good joint mobility to increased flexibility and leg strength, but, says Ashley, there are benefits beyond the physical too.

“Karate is a good confidence booster,” he explains. “The format of the classes is based around the karate belt system which is very incremental. This means that confidence and ability are built up gradually – you’re never thrown in at the deep end. Instead, you’re always presented with achievable challenges, gradually building up practical skills which is hugely rewarding. Every time a student reaches a new grade and is awarded the next coloured belt, it is a celebration of their achievements.” www.justkarate.co.uk

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FENCING

If you’re looking for a sport with a bit of finesse, which allows you to indulge your inner buccaneer, why not give fencing a go? Mistakenly seen as a public school sport, fencing is actually one of the most inclusive sports you could try, where men and women train together and all ages and abilities are welcome to join in.

Peter Lennard is chairman of the Cambridge Fencing Club, which meets on Thursdays at the Netherhall Upper School Sports Hall, Queen Edith’s Way. So, what makes a good fencer? “Fencing is a very intensive sport and requires short bursts of energy – like a sprint rather than a marathon. Having good balance and co-ordination helps, but practice is the main thing.

“I’ve been with the club for seven years. I fenced at university in Reading, then had a break for about eight years, came to Cambridge and took it up again. It’s a nice friendly club. There are some people who want to compete but equally if you want to come along and have a knockabout with a sword and have a bit of fun, that’s ok as well.”

There are three weapons in fencing, and Cambridge Fencing Club lets beginners have a go at each.

“Foil is a small, light weapon where you only aim at the torso,” Peter explains.

“Epee is a heavier weapon and represents the old dueling swords. The whole body is the target. It’s based on how hard you’d need to hit to draw blood [also historically why fencers fence in white] but of course there’s none of that here!

“Then there’s Sabre which represents the cavalry officers’ weapon. The top half of the body is the target, and instead of landing with the point you hit with the side of the blade. If you’ve had a hard day at work, being able to hit someone and score a point is quite satisfying! It takes your mind off anything else that might be going on.”

Does it hurt?

“Strangely enough it’s a very safe sport. You can get a few bruises, but fencing is probably safer than most other mainstream sports. You’re wearing padding and the worst you’ll get is a bruise or a sprain.” JS :: The next beginners’ course starts on 22 January, and costs £92 for ten weeks which includes all equipment. There’s also a £20 taster session on 8 January for newcomers. www.camfc.org.uk/courses

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ADULT EDUCATION

The new year is the perfect time to finally make good on that goal of learning a new skill, starting up an evening class or getting back into an abandoned hobby. We take a look at what’s on offer in Cambridge if you’re looking for a little self-improvement in 2015

Hills Road offers a huge range of classes in recreational and academic subjects, both during the daytime and evenings.

There’s an enrolment evening on 5 January (5.30-8pm), which is a great opportunity to have a chat with the course coordinators and ask any questions. On offer you’ll find creative subjects including paper craft, felt making, life drawing and jewellery making, as well as a range of language courses including Arabic and Spanish. With a varied array of courses in other subjects, from bookkeeping and Shakespeare appreciation to yoga and salsa dancing, you’re sure to find something to inspire you for the new year. www.hillsroad.ac.uk

assertiveness, being your own life coach and yoga and t’ai chi.

There’s a whole host more on offer too, whether you fancy breadmaking, novel writing or singing. www.parksidefederation.org.uk

Cultural Centre and language school La Dante offers classes designed to help you brush up on your Italian or learn from scratch, as well as a range of sociable events such as cookery sessions and film screenings. There are classes suitable for all levels and ages, as well as business Italian, intensive one-to-one tuition and simple holiday conversation skills, and the centre offers small class sizes with a high level of individual attention, helping students to progress quickly in a relaxed atmosphere. www.ladante-in-cambridge.org

Cambridge Regional College offers leisure classes geared towards learning a new hobby or developing skills, with options including pottery and printmaking, as well as a range of free English and maths courses, all with experienced and encouraging tutors. Specialist business and management courses are also available, ranging from industry-specific short workshops to specialist accounting qualifications, as well as apprenticeships and training for the unemployed. www.camre.ac.uk

The Institute of Continuing Education at Madingley Hall offers a huge array of subjects for personal and professional development, giving everybody the chance to experience a Cambridge education and learn in a magnificent, historic setting. Courses include archaeology and anthropology, philosophy, property investment and research and coaching and leadership amongst many others, and Madingley Hall is known for its excellent teaching and research facilities. Find out more at their annual open day, which takes place on 2 April. www.ice.cam.ac.uk

Hosting classes at Coleridge and Parkside Community Colleges and elsewhere in the community, Parkside Federation has a packed schedule of courses on offer for 2015. For the crafty and creative among us, there’s dressmaking, upholstery and drawing and painting to get stuck into, or if you’re looking to brush up on your computing skills, there are courses in Photoshop, IT skills for the workplace and getting online for the over 50s. There is also a range of foreign language courses, as well as maths and English, plus mind and body boosting sessions dedicated to

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EDUCATION

WORDS MARGARET WHITE

Margaret White, Director of Studies at St Faith’s, Cambridge considers the value of a strong Computing curriculum or the current generation of children, IT is as natural a part of the world as books and bicycles – arguably more so.

Born into a digital world, from the earliest moments of play children engage with digital toys, graduating rapidly to all manner of mobile and wired digital devices. For our children, IT is neither special nor novel; it is simply an integral part of any world they have ever known.

IT is also likely to be a highly significant element of the world they will enter as adults, so that not only will good IT skills and understanding be important for employment, but for playing any part as a fully integrated and responsible citizen.

It follows that schools have a burden of responsibility to equip this generation fully and effectively for the challenges and responsibilities that living in a digital world will bring. They must deliver the best possible Computing curriculum, which will enable pupils to become both skilled users of IT (through digital literacy), and skilled creators and developers of IT (through Computer Science).

St Faith’s is in its second year of teaching its own entirely new Computing curriculum, which covers both areas fully, and its exemplar curriculum has resulted in the school being awarded Lead School status in the Network of Teaching Excellence in Computer Science.

From the youngest age, the Computing curriculum teaches children how to use computers, other digital devices and associated software, responsibly, safely, creatively, effectively and efficiently both within school and beyond. Pupils grasp the operation of the most widely-used software packages and Computing devices and learn about how digital technologies can be beneficial for accessing, organising and communicating information, thus growing up as its masters – rather than its servants.

An obvious challenge is that the hardware and software that children will be using in their later lives is yet to be invented, so instead of being concerned with detailed functioning of

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a specific package, St Faith’s pupils are taught the operational fundamentals of computers and programs, which can be transferred to future developments.

The Computer Science element of Computing offers a unique opportunity to stimulate creativity, curiosity and interest.

Inherently cross-curricular, it includes programming, often likened to learning a foreign language, pure mathematics topics such as binary, robotics, which overlaps with science and engineering, a rich history during its short life as an academic discipline, and topics such as web design and fractals.

St Faith’s pupils are introduced to the concept of programming from the age of five, when they generate sequences of instructions for programmable floor toys.

As the children get older, the Computing curriculum evolves into a rigorous academic course in Computer Science, teaching children the rules and tools, languages and protocols of computing, and consequently helping them to organise their thoughts in a formal, unambiguous and structured way.

Once children know what the building blocks are for programming and understand the structures which they form, they can acquire the skills necessary to become architects of novel applications themselves.

The practical implementation of these applications – possible in many contexts – is hugely enjoyable, while encouraging imagination and inventiveness to flourish.

Such enjoyment and success are key ingredients in fostering a lifelong love of learning, exploration and creativity. Pupils who truly understand the power and process of such technology will also understand something of its potential. The St Faith’s curriculum encourages the imagination and perseverance needed for the future creators of new technologies which have the potential to be developed and used for the wider benefit.

St Faith’s new syllabus falls neatly within the school’s aspiration of providing a broad, balanced, rigorous and engaging curriculum which encourages all pupils to excel. Computing is a rapidly evolving discipline and teachers need to be keen, astute followers of the field, constantly on the watch for developments so that pupils experience the best practice in the teaching of both digital literacy and Computer Science. That way, they will be inspired to become the next generation’s developers of novel and exciting new technologies that can be used to help make the world a better place for all.

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BUSINESS

WORDS NICOLA FOLEY

CONFERENCING We take a look at what’s on offer around Cambridge to help you select the perfect venue for your conference t’s no overstatement to say that choosing the right venue can make or break your conference.

With the reputation of your brand at stake, it’s crucial that everything runs like clockwork and all elements, from the tech equipment to the teas and coffees, are spot on.

So, once the guest list is sorted and the agenda planned, where do you start?

As the designated event co-ordinator in any company will tell you, there’s plenty to consider, starting with location. Is it imperative that delegates have an easypeasy route from a train station? Are you

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planning post-conference entertainment that requires quality eating and drinking establishments in proximity to the venue?

Perhaps the big idea is to be surrounded by verdant woodland and fields to encourage a bit of creative blue-sky thinking. Either way, it’s key that you do your homework on a potential venue before committing – which might well include a site visit beforehand.

This offers an invaluable opportunity to assess whether the venue is up to scratch, from the technical facilities to the car parking and crucially, the customer service.

“A key consideration should be the environment of the venue,” says Rebecca

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BUSINESS

Burgess, sales manager at Madingley Hall, a Tudor manor house which offers historic grandeur combined with state of the art meeting facilities. “Look at whether it can offer a relaxing environment conducive to good discussions and learning.”

Also, and perhaps somewhat less tangibly, it’s important to consider whether a particular venue fits in with your corporate image – does the venue say what you'd hope about your brand ideals?

And finally, says Maya Bullen from CB1 Business Centre, the success of your event depends on thinking through all the details in advance – no matter how small.

“Make sure your delegates know where they are going, where parking is available near the centre, the best public transport routes, and what to do when they arrive – you want them to arrive on time and not flustered!” she says. “Try and allow time at the beginning of your booking to check the room set-up and familiarise yourself with any equipment (projector, conference call facilities, for example). Much better to do this before delegates arrive.”

Fortunately, we’re spoiled for choice in Cambridge when it comes to finding the perfect place to host a conference.

Whether you’re in the market for traditional charm or an all-singing, all-dancing, state-of-the-art purposebuilt conference centre, the facilities in Cambridge are second to none. This month, we take a look at some of the best venues on offer, ranging from Cambridge University’s majestic colleges to the tucked away but mighty impressive Møller Centre.

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Based on Station Road, CB1 Business Centre offers flexible office space and virtual office services, such as call answering and mail handling, which are ideal for smaller start-ups. There is also a large meeting room available for hire, which can accommodate up to 16 delegates in a boardroom layout. It comes fully equipped with projector and screen, sound, flip chart, whiteboard and stationery, and refreshments and catering are available if required.

To make sure that everything goes off without a hitch, help is on hand in the shape of the receptionist and centre manager, who’ll provide a warm welcome for delegates and help co-ordinate the day with the event organiser. As far as location goes, CB1 Business Centre is pretty much unbeatable if you’ve got attendees arriving by public transport, since it’s just a moment away from Cambridge train station, and if green credentials are high up on your priority list, you’ll be pleased to hear that environmentally friendly features have been incorporated into all elements of the centre. If you’re looking for a regular venue, there will be a loyalty scheme in place for 2015 too, offering cost savings. www.cb1businesscentre.co.uk

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The Møller Centre, located at Churchill College on Storey's Way, is a multi award-winning purpose-built conference and executive education centre which offers top-flight facilities for both day and residential events. Established in 1992, the centre was funded by a donation from the A.P. Møller & Chastine Mc-Kinney Møller Foundation, a Danish institution established by shipping magnate A.P. Møller. His grand idea was to create a centre of excellence which would bring together business and academia, offering the highest standard of continuing education to international businesses wishing to develop their current and aspiring leaders.

The result is impressive. Visually, The Møller Centre certainly packs a punch, with a large octagonal tower (complete with roof terrace, pictured right) at its centre, stylish Scandinavian design touches throughout and surrounded by the stunning grounds of Churchill College. Inside, you’ll find 20 purpose-designed, flexible meeting and training rooms, including a lecture theatre with tiered seating which can accommodate 100 delegates. The Møller team are big on pro-active IT support and free Wi-Fi is available across the site – the meeting rooms even include Apple TV allowing delegates or presenters to share content on screen from iOS devices or Mac using AirPlay.

For residential conferences, there are 92 en-suite bedrooms, all of which come with tea and coffee making facilities and study space. When it comes to refreshments for your delegates, you can choose between drinks in the second-floor Tower Lounge Bar or even pop up to the roof terrace, which boasts panoramic views across Cambridge’s skyline.

There’s also a rather cool circular restaurant on the ground floor, which serves up everything from fine dining feasts to casual buffets, all freshly prepared on site. www.mollercentre.co.uk

If it’s historic grandeur you’re after, look no further than Madingley Hall, a 16th century country house situated in tranquil gardens just three miles west of the city centre. Owned by Cambridge University, the venue is a top spot for both day meetings and residential courses, as well as award ceremonies, banqueting and garden parties in a truly impressive setting.

The facilities on offer include 14 well-equipped conference and seminar rooms to accommodate up to 90 delegates, along with ample car parking and free Wi-Fi. There are also 62 ensuite bedrooms, fully equipped with a study area and digital TVs, if your conference runs for more than a day.

The catering at Madingley is a cut above too, with lots of interesting seasonal offerings to choose between.

For a full conference pack or further information on availability at Madingley Hall contact Rebecca Burgess, sales manager, on 01223 746222 or email enquiry@madingleyhall.co.uk www.madingleyhall.co.uk

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BUSINESS

AN EVENT PLANNER’S

Katharine Grisham, head of event planning at The Møller Centre, offers her top tips for conferencing success 1. Understand your budget, along with the aims of your event, and keep to them.

2. Create a master task list encompassing all the areas that will need to be covered and set individual task deadlines to keep all on track.

3. Start planning early; there is always something which is unforeseen and the more time you have the better!

4. Have a plan B – along the way there will be something that does not go to plan. Always have a fallback position to help alleviate sticking points.

5. Create a planning support network of those that you will need input from in order to complete the planning task. This might include speakers, suppliers, venue, IT technicians. This will also help you to develop a resource file to use with future events.

6. Review your progress regularly against the master task list, and adjust timescales and the overall task list accordingly.

You’re probably aware of The Leys’ reputation as one of the country’s most prestigious private schools, but you may not be aware of the outstanding conference facilities which have been added to its offering. Opened in January 2014, Great Hall is The Leys new science and performing arts centre and is now available for external hire. Located in the school’s 50-acre city centre campus, it’s one of the largest conference facilities in central Cambridge, boasting an auditorium which can seat up to 337 delegates, as well as five supporting spaces which can accommodate between 18 to 100 delegates. There’s also a large foyer area which is ideal for exhibitions, registration, networking and catering.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available, as well as a range of AV/IT equipment, with a dedicated duty manager and technician on hand to ensure that all aspects run smoothly.

Food and drink options are supplied by the in-house catering team, and the rest of The Leys campus affords opportunities for a range of team-building activities. There is no residential accommodation on site, but Great Hall at The Leys works in partnership with local hotels and colleges to provide overnight packages, as well as arranging activities such as traditional college dinners and chauffeured punting tours. www.theleys.net/greathall

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7. Gather/create templates to help co-ordinate information. This might include delegate diets, travel logistics, agenda. Can your venue offer any key templates to help with collation?

8. Look for areas to engage your audience, your delegates, how to monitor feedback.

9. Stay calm and focused. If deadlines slip, ask for help, and stay on track!

10. Following the event, review feedback, share successes, debrief and develop improvements.

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Set in eight acres of peaceful, picturesque woodland gardens, Robinson College is located just a short distance from the city centre and offers a state-of-the-art conference centre with top quality on-site accommodation. In all, the venue boasts 19 meeting rooms, from the two purpose-built theatres complete with audiovisual facilities, to the smaller meeting rooms and breakout areas for larger conferences. Robinson College also boasts excellent residential facilities if you’re looking for a venue where delegates can stay overnight, with 270 study bedrooms that come with free Wi-Fi, en-suites and in many cases, private balconies (rooms available only during university vacation periods). The college also has a great reputation for its quality culinary offerings, with an enthusiastic team of chefs creating exciting menus featuring lots of fresh and locally sourced ingredients, whether you’re after a banquet or a buffet.

As a result of growing demand for Robinson College as a conference venue, construction has begun on a new £5,000,000 seminar building to develop the college’s facilities. Work on this 1200m2, two-storey building is expected to be completed in the late summer of this year, and when complete, it will offer a flexible space suitable for between 80 and 100 people. www.robinson.cam.ac.uk

Last November, Robinson College hosted the inaugural Clic+ conference and trade show, an event geared towards exploring new ways of maximising delegate engagement. Covering topics such as technology, networking, social media and even nutrition, the conference included workshops, talks and networking opportunities, “We are absolutely thrilled with the feedback we have received from Clic+ attendees.

The purpose of Clic+ was to put on an event that would be both inspirational and engaging for delegates from start to finish,” commented Robinson College’s conference and catering manager, Nick Milne. “From the enriching talks by Fay Sharpe and Harriet Fear, to the workshops and networking activities, delegates were constantly being offered new and thought-provoking content. It was great to see that attendees could really benefit from the day but also enjoy themselves, which is exactly how an engaging event should be.”

Don’t worry if you missed out this time, the organisers have announced that the next Clic+ will take place on 1 October 2015. www.robinson.cam.ac.uk

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BUSINESS WORDS ROBIN MEAD

PENSIONS SPECIAL PART II

CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO PREPARE? Robin Mead from Payplus advises on the responsibilities of employers with regard to the new Pensions Automatic Enrolment legislation p to September 2014, 180 compliance notices/fines were issued to employers. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, we urge employers to understand the employer responsibilities arising from the Automatic Enrolment legislation and plan for the impact on their business.

Who will be enrolled?

Any worker aged 16 to 74 who works in the UK could be affected – it does not matter if they are full- or part-time, permanent or temporary. This will include employees, but can also include people who, whilst not employees, are personal services workers (for example IT contractors or carers).

Workers need to be automatically enrolled into a pension scheme if they are: • Not already in a qualifying workplace pension scheme • 22 years of age and above but below state pension age • Earning the equivalent of £10,000 per year (2014/15 tax year) or more • Work or ordinarily work in the UK What are qualifying earnings?

From your staging date onwards, you will need to assess all relevant workers based on their qualifying earnings in each pay cycle.

Qualifying earnings include: • Wages/salary • Overtime • Bonuses • Commission • Statutory sick pay • Statutory maternity pay • Ordinary or additional statutory paternity pay • Statutory adoption pay • Any pay considered as any of the above

It is your responsibility, as the employer, to correctly determine the qualifying earnings used for assessment purposes.

You should find out from your payroll provider whether the payroll software can carry out this worker assessment.

How do I inform my staff?

Communicating the changes brought about

by Automatic Enrolment to their employees is one of the biggest challenges faced by most employers.

Employers are required, by law, to explain to all of their workers how automatic enrolment will affect them individually. You will need to be organised, because you will be required to provide specific information to the right workers at the right times.

It will be important that you, the employer, communicate changes brought about by Automatic Enrolment to your workers. Some pension providers can send out these communications, but it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that this is done.

www.ukpensionsautoenrolment.co.uk We are not ready for our staging date yet – help!

It is worth noting that although your staging date is fixed (but this can be brought forward by arrangement), there is a way to delay the Automatic Enrolment assessment for individual workers or groups of workers.

Postponement allows the automatic enrolment assessment to be delayed for up to three months.

Postponement is a tool that you may want to consider. However, you shouldn’t let it put back your preparations for your staging date and you should remember that all workers do have the right to ask to join a pension scheme during the period of postponement.

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What next?

This article is the second in a series and is a brief overview of employer responsibilities. We recommend you visit www.tpr.gov.uk and utilise their resources to help you plan.

We are running a series of seminars to give you all the information you need; the Cambridge seminar will be on 26 February at 5.30pm, at Homerton College – register your place at http:// cambridgepae.eventbrite.co.uk.

In the next issue of Cambridge Edition, we will be answering questions on how this will affect you as an employee. Do you have any questions that you would like to have answered?

If so, please email nicolafoley@brightpublishing.com and we will feature your questions in this employee special.

The figures provided are as reported, with thanks, from The Pension Regulator: www.thepensionsregulator. gov.uk/docs/automatic-enrolment-useof-powers-september-2014.pdf.

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