Cambridge Edition November

Cambridge NOVEMBER 2015

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

INSIDE THIS ISSUE...

ARTS

MAGAZINE

CULTURE

NIGHTLIFE

GIG GUIDE Cambridge

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CONTENTS

Welcome

Once November rolls around it’s tempting to dip into bit of a pre-Christmas hibernation, foregoing outings in favour of cosy nights in front of the telly. But my advice is to step away from the box set – and we’ve got an awesome line-up of local events to tempt you into doing just that.

Rub shoulders with literary luminaries at the winter edition of the Cambridge Literary Festival (page 30), which this year features appearances from comedienne Jenny Eclair and bestselling author David Mitchell, or pay a visit to the ‘North Pole Cambridge’ (page 39) which makes a return to the city this November. I, for one, can’t wait to strap on a pair of skates and scoot around Parker’s Piece before slurping on a hot chocolate in the all-new Alpine Bar! There’s also our winter dining guide (page 59), to check Cambridge Edition is recruiting a out, which rounds up the best foodie locations in the city for features and web editor, please email a festive get together – don’t start planning your Christmas CVs and cover letters to nicolafoley@ party without taking a look. If you’re in the mood for a feast, bright-publishing.com. For more I recommend taking a look at this month’s beautiful recipes details on the position, visit (page 68), which show you how to create a duo of perfect www.bright-publishing.com Portuguese comfort food dishes, and as always, our food news is bursting with the latest openings, supper clubs and pop-ups around the city – get stuck in and have a great month!

We’re hiring!

NICOLA FOLEY, EDITOR IN CHIEF

EDITORIAL 5 • FIVE THINGS TO DO Edition’s pick of the crop this November 7-10 • NIGHTLIFE Comedy, music and more!

13 • MUSIC BLOG The best live gigs in the city this month

43-52 • FOOD NEWS We’ve LOTS to tell you about Cambridge foodie scene this month 57 • FOOD COLUMN Alex Rushmer’s quest for the ultimate chilli sauce

Editor Nicola Foley 01223 499459 nicolafoley@bright-publishing.com Features editor Jenny Shelton 01223 499463 jennifershelton@bright-publishing.com Sub editors Lisa Clatworthy & Catherine Brodie

59-66 • WINTER DINING GUIDE Cosy village pubs, roaring fires and hearty food galore – we run-down our favourite winter dining spots

ADVERTISING

68-71 • RECIPES A duo of warming winter dishes

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

30-31 • CAMBRIDGE LITERARY FESTIVAL Jenny Eclair, Simon Armitage, David Mitchell and more!

73 • REVIEW We investigate the cocktails and culinary options at new city centre hangout, Novi

CONTRIBUTORS

35 • CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE Cambridge artists and makers showcase their work

79 • COMMUNITY NEWS Happenings from your ’hood

36-37• CRAFT FAIRS Bag a thoughtful, handmade gift – or some nice things for your own home (more likely)

81 • FAMILY Magical family activities to get everyone involved in

14-15 • THE CAMBRIDGE SOUND Nicola Foley has a fangirl moment with The Maccabees 17-29 • ARTS & CULTURE A Jazz Festival, an Odyssey and a Breaking Bad tribute: here’s how to get your cultural fix

39 • NORTH POLE CAMBRIDGE Parker’s Piece will once more play host to an outdoor ice rink, complete with fairground and food market 40-41 • INTERVIEW: THE HOFF Jenny Shelton speaks to the man, the legend, the Hoff!

Cover Art

This month’s piece is Moonlight, Cambridge by Ian Scott Massie, whose work is available from Cambridge Contemporary Art. www.ianscottmassie.com

83 • TREKKING FOR TIGERS Shepreth’s Rebecca Willers describes her experiences in the Sumatran jungle 84-85 • LISTINGS A quick look at what’s on in Cambridge this month 87 • INDY OF THE MONTH Why family-run GoGlass are clear winners 89-92 • FASHION Top new style picks for guys and gals 96-97 • BEAUTY Dazzle on the dance floor with these bold party looks 99 • WELLNESS Looking after mind, body and soul

Senior sales executive Natalie Robinson 01223 499451 natalierobinson@bright-publishing.com

Alex Rushmer, Angelina Villa-Clarke, Charlotte Griffiths, Jordan Worland, Ruthie Collins, Charlotte Phillips, Debbie Poyser

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

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/CambsEdition FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @cambsedition

www.bright-publishing.com

101-110 • EDUCATION Expert comment from Cambridge’s schools

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

this month...

1. Bonfire NIGHT

November is the month when the evening air smells of smoke and burnt-out sparklers, leaves crunch under winter boots and it’s completely acceptable to coat apples in syrup and pop them on a stick as a snack.

Embrace the traditions of the season and head for Midsummer Common on 5 November for Cambridge’s big bonfire and fireworks display. There’ll be fairground rides to enjoy from 6pm, and the fireworks display starts at 7.30pm. www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

2. Cambridge VEGAN FAIR Vegans of Cambridge, listen up! On 28 November there’s going to be a whole fair dedicated to vegan lifestyle – the first of its kind to take place in the city.

The Cambridge Vegan Fair is happening at St Paul’s Church on Hills Road, from 10am, and will include delicious food stalls, info and plenty of inspiration.

Search ‘Cambridge Vegan Fair’ on Facebook for more details.

3. Christmas LIGHTS SWITCH-ON Setting the streets of Cambridge aglow at the Cambridge Lights Switch-On this year are X Factor hopefuls and local girl band, PYT. Naomi, Renetta, Amy, Ebony and Tonia are five girls from Cambridgeshire who release their first single, Rise Up, on 13 November in aid of Children in Need. Read more about them on page 76. They’ll be joined for the switch-on by dance groups, choirs and other local bands and artists.

The big switch-on takes place at 5pm in the Market Square on 15 November. www.cambridgebid.co.uk/events/thebig-switch-on

5.Winter IS COMING

Obsessed with of Game of Thrones? Find out about the myths, cults and Medieval cities that inspired George R. R. Martin’s elaborate seven kingdoms, from the wild, snowy world beyond the Wall to the sunsoaked cities on the eastern continent.

Carolyne Larrington is the author of Winter is Coming, a brilliant companion piece to the books and TV series, and will be speaking at Heffers on 2 December. Book now – tickets are just £4.80 and include a welcome glass of mead. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/winter-is-comingthe-medieval-world-of-game-of-thronestickets-18631282668

4. SIMON CALLOW NARRATES

Paddington Bear A stalwart of stage and screen, Simon Callow will be at Saffron Hall on 1 November to narrate Paddington Bear’s First Concert. An extended version of the story which sees Paddington arrive at that famous station for his debut as a conductor at the Albert Hall. Includes well-known favourites like Rossini’s William Tell Overture and Schubert’s ‘Unfinished’ Symphony and is a wonderful way to introduce little ones to classical music. Starts 1.30pm and 4pm, with music and craft sessions an hour before. Tickets £8/£20 (children half price). www.saffronhall.com

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NIGHTLIFE

CHECK OUT LOCAL EVENTS ONLINE cambsedition.co.uk

WILL YOUNG

V

5 NO

One of the nicest guys in music, Will Young is possibly the best artist ever to emerge from a TV talent contest.

His winning Pop Idol back in 2002 seems like a distant memory: since then the Berkshire-born musician, actor and philanthropist has become a bona fide national treasure, giving us the beautiful Leave Right Now, You and I and, more recently, Jealousy and Love Revolution, demonstrating a change of direction down a more electro-influenced route.

The Love Revolution tour – his first tour in four years – gets underway this autumn, following the release of his sixth album, 85% Proof, which topped the charts in May and drew great praise from the critics. Clash Magazine praised the album as “a masterclass in delivering a mature pop record”.

See him at the Corn Exchange, on 5 November at 7.30pm. Tickets are £37.50. www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

ANDY PARSONS Mock the Week regular Andy Parsons is back with a live stand-up tour, Live and Unleashed – But Naturally Cautious.. Expect big laughs by the bucketload from this cheerfully self-deprecating comic, plus plenty of material about politics and the state of Britain.

From his first TV writing job on Spitting Image to his sharp-witted observations on Mock The Week,, the ex-Footlighter has made a name for himself as one of our most-likeable bar-room social commentators.

Cambridge Junction, 17 November, 8pm; tickets are £16. www.junction.co.uk

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NIGHTLIFE

FUNK NATION If you like a bit of funk on a Friday night, you probably already know about Funk Nation, La Raza’s funk and soul disco. Literally an underground event, it takes place at the Cambridge cocktail bar from 9pm to 2am on the last Friday of every month. It features resident DJs and special guests on the decks, spinning top tunes from their huge vinyl collections for an upbeat, funkfilled vibe. Entry is £5 before 11pm, £6 after. www.laraza.co.uk

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THE WATERBOYS Musical shape-shifters The Waterboys will be performing at Cambridge Corn Exchange on the back of their 11th album, Modern Blues, released in January. Since their formation in the 80s, the band have explored a variety of styles, dipping into both folk and rock ‘n’ roll, and drawing on literary influences. While Mike Scott is credited with founding the group, over 70 musicians have performed on stage as part of The Waterboys. Current members are Mike Scott on vocals and lead guitar, Steve Wickham on electric fiddle and mandolin, Ralph Salmins on drums and Paul Brown on backing vocals and keys.

Modern Blues was recorded in Nashville and presents yet another new sound to add to their repertoire. They’re at the Corn Exchange on 26 November, 7.30pm; tickets £35. www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

BEARDYMAN Is it possible to make an album in one hour? Apparently so, as this comic, musician and beatboxer extraordinaire demonstrates in his eccentric, energetic new show. Based on song titles suggested by you, the audience, Beardyman (that’s Darren Foreman to his mum) will improv a whole new original album at Cambridge Junction on 5 November. This hyper-speed gig will have you hooting and leave you agog. The show earned four stars at this year’s Edinburgh Festival, where Nouse praised it as “brilliant and unexpected”.

Catch him at 8pm (7pm doors); tickets are £19. www.junction.co.uk

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NIGHTLIFE

NEW YEAR’S EVE To avoid another limp, last-minute gathering down your local, start planning your NYE celebrations now.

The Hidden Rooms are holding a do for £10 a ticket; there’ll be funk, disco and R&B at La Raza’s NYE Party (£5 on the door); or splash out with dinner, live music and an overnight stay at Hotel du Vin from £499.

THE VACCINES Indie four-piece The Vaccines have announced a string of UK dates this November following their summer of festivals, including a headline slot at Latitude in July, and the release of their third album, English Graffiti.

The band formed in West London in 2010 and have opened for the likes of The Rolling Stones, The Stone Roses and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Their new album is the result of a collaboration with Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Tame Impala, MGMT) and is led with the single Handsome.

They play Cambridge Corn Exchange on 25 November, 7.30pm; tickets £27.50. www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

THE PROCLAIMERS In celebration of the release of their 10th album, Scotland’s favourite twins bring their UK tour to Cambridge Corn Exchange on 4 November.

The Proclaimers – aka Craig and Charlie Reid – though identical, are unique in the business, their upbeat, folk-rock songs appealing to audiences young and old (celebrity fans include Matt Lucas and David Tennant, FYI).

In the 1980s they won us over with the likes of Sunshine on Leith, Letter from America, I’m On My Way and the perennially popular I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – no good party is complete without it.

The gig starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £17.50/£31. www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

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HAIRSPRAY

15-20 FEB

15-20 February 2016, Corn Exchange, various prices Big hair, big songs and huge heart, Hairspray whisks us off to 1960s Baltimore where teenager Tracy Turnblad is determined to be a star and pave the way for a more tolerant world. An award-winning musical on a brand-new UK tour, it features hits Welcome to the 60s and You Can’t Stop The Beat. www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

SARAH MILLICAN 10-12 March 2016, Corn Exchange, £27.50 The queen of comedy is back with Outsider, her new live show inspired by a new-found love of the outdoors. Expect a beautiful balance of naughty-but-nice observations from this multi award-winning stand-up and natural storyteller. www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

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NIGHTLIFE

KATZENJAMMER Norwegian rebel-punk foursome (who else can you say that about?)

Katzenjammer are a distinctive bunch, intelligent, talented and playful, who blend influences of Norwegian folk music and American pop to create a sound entirely new.

Each of them sings and they all play a range of instruments, including drums, banjo and kazoo. They formed in Oslo in 2005 after meeting at music school, and take their name from The Katzenjammer Kids, the longest-running comic strip ever.

In January 2015 they released their latest album, Rockland, and promise an excellent, and probably quite rowdy, live show.

See them on 16 November, doors 7pm; tickets £16.50. www.junction.co.uk

MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS Electro-goddess Marina Diamandis, best know by her stage name, Marina and the Diamonds, shimmered into the public eye in 2009, releasing her debut album, The Family Jewels, the following year. The album has since been certified gold and was followed up by Electra Heart, which was an instant UK number-one hit.

The Welsh-born singer continues to turn out atmospheric tunes incorporating elements of pop and indie, her guttural vocals paired with jumping electronic beats. This will be her first UK headline tour. See her on 20 November, 7.30pm, Cambridge Corn Exchange; tickets £24.50. www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

MOULETTES & NIZLOPI As part of a one-off co-headline tour, two of the UK’s top experimental music acts will perform together at Cambridge Junction on 2 November. Nizlopi had a hit in 2005 with The JCB Song, leading to performances at Wembley Arena and all across Europe.

The hip-hop musical activists – who had Ed Sheeran as a roadie – returned to the fray in 2014 after a musical hiatus, gigging around the UK and Ireland.

They will be joined by Moulettes, the Brighton-based indie outfit whose hit album Constellations displays influences from Bjork and Kate Bush. Their female-driven harmonies are underpinned by folksy sounds using an amplified bassoon, cello and synths, and in 2014 they provided the main support for Bellowhead.

Catch them both at 8pm; tickets £17.50. www.junction.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 e wrote last month about how busy October’s live schedule was here in Cambridge – and there’s no sign of it slowing down in November. There’s a host of shows we have our eye on at The Portland Arms, most noticeably Younghusband, Bully (pictured right) and VANT. Younghusband put out their sophomore record, Dissolver, last month, which offered a slice of soaring psychedelia at its most euphoric. The band close their UK tour here in Cambridge on the 17th. Making the show just that little bit better is the news that the mesmeric space-folk artist Grimm Grimm will be opening.

Fronted by charismatic vocalist/guitarist Mattie Vant, the much-tipped VANT have been compared to The Pixies with echoes of Queens of the Stone Age. London-based newcomers VANT have already made a huge statement with extensive support from Annie Mac, Zane Lowe, XFM and 6 Music, shows with Royal Blood and Hinds, and a succession of positive press coverage.

They play Cambridge on the 4th.

Bully are hands down one of the best stateside exports of 2015, and they play The Portland on the 3rd. The Nashville four-piece masterfully evoke 90s mainstays such as The Breeders, Afghan Whigs and Hole, while at the same time bringing their own unique twists to addictive grunge-rock melodies.

Other Portland tips this month include Seafret (15th, pictured right), who impressed with their bewitching vocals, honest lyricism and contemporary guitars at this summer’s Cambridge Folk Festival. Alt bluegrass outfit The Coal Porters (12th), the Bouquet of Dead Crows’ album launch (6th) and The Greenaways (2nd) are also recommended.

There’s plenty to see if you get down to Cambridge Junction this month, too.

Our top pick is a band who are continuing their quest to bring experimentation and ambition back to pop music. Everything Everything are in town on the 17th, touring

after the release of brilliantly conceived third album Get To Heaven.

Moulettes are a Brighton-based British band of Björk, Frank Zappa and Gentle Giant loving multi-instrumentalists that weave in and out of several genres with a three-part harmony of female vocals and an array of instruments. The results are an incomparable alt-pop/rock/folk universe, and they play on the 2nd in the J2. Veteran rock star turned genial 6 Music radio presenter Tom Robinson & Band are in J1 the same night.

A supergroup featuring four of the major stars of British Folk music today - Eliza Carthy, Jackie Oates, Lucy Farrell and Kate Young – play the J1 on the 15th.

Other Cambridge Junction highlights include noughties indie anthem masters The Fratellis (23rd), the utterly distinctive multi-instrumentalists Katzenjammer (16th), Lau (10th), Thea Gilmore (19th) and Dreadzone (12th).

November is truly a blockbuster month for the Cambridge Corn Exchange – possibly their biggest month in years, with a host of festival main-stage acts set to appear. Pick of the bunch has to be Foals, who bring their left-field grooves and angular art-rock anthems to town on the 16th.

Mancunian outfit The 1975 posted cryptic messages about breaking up in the summer, but it turned out to be a hoax and the band returned with their second LP in October.

They play the Corn Exchange on the 19th.

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The Vaccines are an arena-ready band these days, with a catalogue of indie gems.

They bring their high-octane dystopia and monster riffs back to Cambridge on the 25th. Break-out band Catfish & The Bottlemen are suitably shaped to propel themselves to a similar level as The Vaccines, and are playing the Corn Exchange on the 11th, while Marina and The Diamonds return to the city on the 20th.

Our final must-see Corn Exchange act this month are the impeccable Maccabees, who play on the 22nd. The band, who recently celebrated their first-ever UK number-one album with the acclaimed Marks To Prove It, never disappoint live and through a series of beautifully crafted records are a truly irresistible force in British music.

We end with a nod to the inaugural Cambridge Jazz Festival, which happens between the 19th and 29th across various venues in town. There’s a host of amazing acts scheduled, including The New York Standards Quartet and Julian Joseph Trio, but our top pick just has to be the legendary Hiatus Kaiyote at the Cambridge Junction (21st).

Tell us about your gig at www.slatethedisco.com

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INTERVIEW

edition meets the WORDS NICOLA FOLEY

Nicola Foley catches up with frontman Orlando Weeks ahead of The Maccabees’ gig in Cambridge this month he Maccabees first came to the fore in an era which saw the British charts saturated with forgettable indie, but unlike many of their peers, they’ve soldiered on. Rather than becoming irrelevant, they’ve evolved – growing more and more creatively ambitious and proving that they’re masters of their craft, capable of genuine longevity. Four albums in, a collection which includes the Mercury Prize-nominated Given to the Wild, they’ve won critical acclaim and an ever-growing following. 2015 has been their best year yet, with Marks to Prove It yielding their first ever number one when it powered straight to the top of the charts back in July.

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“Just having the record out has felt like a massive relief to be honest”, says Orlando Weeks, The Maccabees’ magnetic frontman, when I catch up with him during some downtime ahead of their American tour. “We’re constantly giving ourselves a hard time for being disorganised, and yet somehow we managed to have all our ducks in a row with so much time to go before the actual release that it felt like it was never going to arrive. It just feels like a weight off that it’s sort of out of our hands now – that’s a nice feeling.”

It’s no wonder the relief is palpable – the process of making the album was a long and arduous one. In fact, the gestation period for Marks to Prove It was more than two and a

half years, all told, and Orlando freely admits that the reason for this is that band are dogged perfectionists, intimately scrutinising every tiny detail of every single track.

“It’s always been like that. Our way of making a record involves exhausting all possibilities and alternatives and sometimes coming back to where we started, or finding something on the way” he says, sounding tired just at the thought. “That’s the way we make a Maccabees record, it’s a slog.”

The effort, it seems, was worth it.

Released 12 years after they formed, Marks To Prove It is widely acknowledged as the band’s best album so far. The record is a bold offering, with tracks ranging from heartstring-tugging ballads to anthemic

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INTERVIEW

released 12 years after they formed marks to prove it is their best album yet

stadium rockers, via various unexpected and imaginative diversions.

The album takes inspiration from a corner of London not often credited as a creative muse, Elephant and Castle, where the band spent so many months squirrelled away in their scruffy studio. It’s less a concept album though, and more affectionate tribute to a place they feel deeply indebted to.

“We were making our own record and we were producing it in our own studio that we’d been renting for about four years and then we were just in a place… We wanted a kind of reminder that we were rooted in this area”, explains Orlando. “The record doesn’t really reference the place – there’s no lyrics about the Walworth Road or the Elephant and Castle necessarily, but we just felt like the album suited it. It feels like an urban record; a night-time record”.

The music videos, too, pay homage, as well as the album’s artwork, which depicts the Michael Faraday Memorial – a brutaliststyle steel box that sits at the centre of a busy interchange in Elephant and Castle.

“We were also making the point to ourselves that everything we would need was in our locality” continues Orlando. “And it was those kind of limitations that we put on making the record as well. We wanted it to sound like it was us playing the songs, like we could achieve the sound of the record just by playing in the room we have there.”

In addition to Marks to Prove It, The Maccabees also put out Elephant Days – a documentary companion to the album which premiered at the BFI London Film Festival last month. It chronicles both the making of the album and the lives of various Elephant and Castle residents, from members of the Peckham Pride basketball team to regulars at the pie and mash shop.

“On the last record we made a tenminute film that was kind of a mood setter,” says Orlando when asked about how Elephant Days, directed by James Cronin and James Caddic, came about. “It was kind of abstract and trying to show some of the process of birth and death

V O N 2 2 0 £25.5

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and all the life that goes on in between. We were very proud of it, but it felt short and it maybe didn’t get the recognition that we hoped it might. And so we thought, we want to soundtrack something so lets try and make a film about us making the record.

Originally I just wanted to make a film about the Elephant and Castle – it’s a very odd and eccentric and kind of wonderful place, once you get below the surface of it. But the record label said that the only way that they’d put the money into making it was if we were in it too.”

I think chasing the zeitgeist is a very dangerous road to go down The result is a stirring documentary (superbly soundtracked, naturally), which offers an insight into an oft-overlooked area of London: its colourful community and the looming threat of gentrification – as well as the band’s own painstaking creative process.

You get the impression that The Maccabees will continue to surprise us with their creative output, both with side projects such as this and also with the artistic growth of their music, which determinedly swerves any kind of chart trends.

“I think chasing the zeitgeist is a very dangerous road to go down”, muses Orlando when quizzed about whether the band concern themselves with staying ‘fresh’ and relevant. “We’ve just tried to make records that we felt like we could justify and wouldn’t feel like frauds when we put out. So that has to be, and that’s always been, the kind of acid test”.

And what of the future of The Maccabees? Aside from daydreams of collaborating with legendary composer Randy Newman, Orlando says he’s ‘not much of a targets man’, though would love another opportunity to play the Hollywood Bowl (the band supported Florence and the Machine there in 2012). Mostly though, he’s intent on simply appreciating the moment.

“I think I just hope that we can all enjoy this chunk of time”, he says. “I hope we can feel like it’s a celebration of the huge effort that’s gone into making the record”. A very well deserved celebration it is, too.

The Maccabees play the Corn Exchange on 22 November, tickets are £25.50. www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

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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

THE ODYSSEY Homer’s epic poem about the war hero returning home gets a radical updating by poet Simon Armitage. The Odyssey: Missing Presumed Dead follows a high-ranking government minister sent on a diplomatic mission to Istanbul. After a bar-room brawl sparks outrage on social media, he becomes Europe’s most wanted man. On the run, he is plunged into the ancient past to contend with witches, sirens and more other-worldly beings, while at home his wife is subjected to a siege by the press.

Armitage joins forces once more with director Nick Bagnall after their successful collaboration on the play The Last Days of Troy.

Says Armitage: “This is not a purist’s version of the story.

Something which I have always recognised in The Odyssey is its pantomimic quality. There is an element in the travails of Odysseus, as the Gods put obstacle after obstacle in his way, that is hysterically funny and I have tried to bring out this aspect of the work.”

Regarding his contemporary, political setting, he explains: “Who are the real wielders of power in this world but the humans, the mortals, the politicians? In The Odyssey, the Gods are more human than the humans. They have their foibles, they are full of jealousy and they are trying to manipulate different situations to their advantage. They may have the clout but nothing they do seems to actually work out as they hoped. We humans are an unbiddable lot, after all.”

The show takes place at Cambridge Arts Theatre, 17-21 November, 7.45pm (2.30pm matinee). Tickets from £15. www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

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CAMBRIDGE ARTS THEATRE 17-21 NOV

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ARTS & CULTURE

ONE-MAN BREAKING BAD The Netflix hit of the decade gets a comedy re-jig in this acclaimed parody show. Using just himself and his powers of mimicry, Miles Allen presents an action-packed ride through five seasons of secrets, lies, family dramas, dodgy dealings, chicken shops and pink teddy bears, giving the iconic scenes and characters his own comedy styling.

Allen has clocked up over a million hits on YouTube and performed sell-out runs at Edinburgh and Melbourne comedy festivals. What’s On Stage awarded him five stars for his “high-tempo, laugh-outloud, beautifully executed homage to one of the best TV shows of our generation”.

See it at Cambridge Corn Exchange, 15 November at 8pm. Tickets £21. Yo! www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

CAMBRIDGE MUSIC FESTIVAL Every year Cambridge Music Festival brings diverse talent to our city, celebrating classical music in all its forms. This year is no different. The festival begins on 9 November with a piano recital by Sir András Schiff and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. They will perform Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture (Fingal’s Cave) and Symphony No.3 (Scottish), and Piano Concerto in A minor by Schumann. Takes place at West Road Concert Hall.

This venue also sees American violinist Joshua Bell take to the stage on 12 November, performing Prokofiev, Mozart and Tchaikovsky with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.

At King’s College Chapel, meanwhile, Thomas Trotter will be raising the rafters with an incredible organ gala on 11 November.

Return on 18 November to hear the Choir of King’s College Cambridge sing Arvo Pärt’s Passio.

For something completely different, don’t miss Pioneers of Percussion at the Mumford Theatre, 13 November, combining three different musical cultures to create a unique experience.

Meanwhile, The Cardinall’s Musick present Thomas Tallis’s monumental Spem in alium and Ave rosa alongside smaller anthems loved by church choirs across the land – you might recognise the first from Fifty Shades of Grey. That’s at St John’s College Chapel on the 16th. Federico Colli rounds up the festival on 19 November by filling Jesus College Chapel with the ferocious piano music that has won him comparisons to some of the great composers, and the 2012 Leeds International Piano Competition.

Runs 9-19 November; for individual times and prices go online or call 01223 357851. www.cambridgemusicfestival.co.uk

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RONALD SEARLE: OBSESSED WITH DRAWING The work of Cambridge-born artist Ronald Searle is being celebrated at the Fitzwilliam Museum this month. Known for his fun, spiky cartoons, Searle had one of the longest and most varied careers of any 20th-century caricaturist.

Son of a Cambridge railway station porter, Searle enrolled at Cambridge School of Art (now Anglia Ruskin University) aged 14. As a student, he haunted the Cambridge museums, in particular the Fitzwilliam, where he pored over the works of Blake, Turner, Gillray and Rowlandson. His career began at 15 when he started submitting cartoons to the Cambridge Daily News for half a guinea each. He was taken prisoner during the Second World War, an experience that informed the dark wit evident in many of his works. He is also noted as the inventor of fictional girls’ school St Trinians.

After his death in 2011, Searle’s children made a gift of his work to the Fitzwilliam Museum. This exhibition explores his elaborate and painstaking working methods, and includes a selection of his art materials, preparatory documents and reference material. A further exhibition celebrating Searle, Coming Home: Ronald Searle and Cambridge School of Art (13 October - 19 November), will run concurrently at Anglia Ruskin University’s Ruskin Gallery.

Says artist Sir Quentin Blake: “Here in Cambridge, we can now come close to the artist’s hand at work, and not simply on its own but in the company of his great forebears, Hogarth, Gillray, Rowlandson and Cruikshank, as well as the visual tributes of his great contemporaries. Searle was deeply convinced of the beneficent effects of the bubbles in Billecart Salmon Brut Rosé. Let us raise a glass to him.”

Ronald Searle: Obsessed with drawing and Cradled in Caricature: visual humour in satirical prints and drawings are at the Fitzwilliam Museum until 31 January 2016. Admission is free. www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

MEN IN THE CITIES

CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION 4 NOV

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An emotive monologue, written and performed by Chris Goode, Men in the Cities uses the starting point of two tragic deaths to explore the nature of what it means to be a man today. Two men attack soldier Lee Rigby, a young gay man quietly plans his suicide and a pre-pubescent boy watches porn on his phone. Dark and thought-provoking, The Guardian described it as a ‘wide-ranging and depressing portrait of male lives in crisis, repressed emotions, damaged sons, untouched fathers, fantasy power trips and lost souls.’

Takes place at Cambridge Junction, 4 November, 7.30pm. Tickets £6/£10. www.junction.co.uk

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ARTS & CULTURE

BAD JEWS Fresh from the West End comes Joshua Harmon’s “blisteringly funny” (Sunday Times) new comedy. Tensions simmer – as they’re bound to do – when close relatives are forced to get together in a small flat following the funeral of a much-loved grandfather.

Two cousins lay claim to a prized medallion, symbolizing his survival of the Holocaust. One is fiercely traditional, the other not so.

A full-on feud – together with much hilarity – ensues, as faith, family and identity are called into question.

Bad Jews sold out at the St James Theatre and promises to be a must-see comedy hit of the autumn at Cambridge Arts Theatre.

Runs 2-7 November, 7.45pm (2.30pm matinee). Tickets from £15. www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

SWEENEY TODD ADC THEATRE 10-14 NOV

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Enter the wicked world of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street as Cambridge University Musical Theatre society present their rousing, Steampunk-inspired rendition of this famous tale at Cambridge’s ADC Theatre.

Returning from transportation for a crime he didn’t commit, Sweeney Todd is hell-bent on getting revenge on the man who destroyed his life – the lecherous Judge Turpin.

Todd sets up a murderous barber’s shop in the hope of catching his victim, with the help of bloodthirsty pie-maker Mrs Lovett.

A musical ideal for those who like a side of blood and black comedy with their musicals!

Sweeney Todd plays 10-14 November, 7.45pm. Tickets from £9. www.adctheatre.com

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ARTS & CULTURE

THE GREAT GATSBY Glamorous literary classic The Great Gatsby quicksteps into the Mumford Theatre at the end of the month, adapted for the theatre by Stephen Sharkey.

Jay Gatsby – played by Leonardo DiCaprio in the 2013 film – is the epitome of the American Jazz Age: a self-made man, he fought in the war and now fills his life with a succession of parties at his mansion, West Egg. Popular and adored, the only woman who eludes him is the love-of-his-life, Daisy Buchanan: beautiful, rich and, more importantly, married.

Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and published in 1925, The Great Gatsby explores the darker side to the American Dream and the shallowness behind the glitz of the Roaring Twenties. This new production features live music and sumptuous costumes to bring the text to life.

Starts 30 November (until 2 December), 7.30pm. Tickets £12.50. www.anglia.ac.uk

BYARD ART’S CHRISTMAS CRACKER Christmas always comes early at Byard Art, the popular gallery on King’s Parade.

This year, from 21 November until 31 December, stop by to take in a variety of art at their Christmas Cracker exhibition. Find sculptures, ceramics, mixed-media artwork, photography, jewellery and more, created by over 50 talented designer-makers. And because new work is delivered nearly every day, you’re sure to find something different for your Christmas wishlist each time you return.

The gallery is open 9.30am-5.30pm Monday-Saturday; 11am-5pm Sunday. Visit on the 21st and enjoy mulled wine and a mince pie. www.byardart.co.uk

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STUFF OF LIFE EXHIBITION WITH WHITE HOUSE ARTS At Stapleford Granary this month, anyone with a passing interest in art is invited to come and view beautiful works by local people, all in aid of charity.

The event, initiated by White House Arts, is a showcase of work created in response to the theme ‘The Stuff of Life’. All of the artwork will be on sale for £45 per item, with proceeds going to charities Practical Action (which uses technology to combat poverty in developing countries) and Cambridge-based charity and arts centre Rowan (which gives people with learning disabilities the chance to explore their creativity by making art and crafts).

The charity art show takes place 14 and 15 November, 10.30am-4pm. www.staplefordgranary.org.uk

CAMBRIDGE JAZZ FESTIVAL Cambridge in November is the place to be for lovers of jazz in all its forms. From 19-29th of the month, the city will host a number of events across venues such as Hot Numbers café, The Hidden Rooms, Arts Picturehouse and 12a Club. The 150+ musicians performing include Highwalk, New York Standards Quartet, Let’s Get Lost, Vij Prakash Quartet and The Gravy Train. The festival will also incorporate workshops, talks and films.

Expect to find a mix of local and nationally championed acts (plus some free events) at this celebration of a boundary-pushing genre of music, which aims to bring jazz to a wider audience. www.cambridgejazzfestival.org.uk

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CAMBRIDGE JAZZ FESTIVAL 19-29 NOV

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ARTS & CULTURE

WORDS JENNY SHELTON

LOCAL READS:

THE WATCHMAKER OF FILIGREE STREET “In one word, it’s about friendship.”

I’ve met author Natasha Pulley (pictured) in Cambridge to talk about her debut novel, The Watchmaker of Filigree Street. Released this year, it’s a Steampunk-infused fantasy adventure through Victorian London, intelligently written, with a beguiling cast of mysterious Japanese clockmakers, cross-dressing bluestockings and, my favourite, a clockwork octopus that likes to steal socks.

The author has just returned home to Soham after a year in Tokyo, which inspired the setting for part of her novel.

“My enduring impression of Tokyo was that it was almost exactly like the Capitol in The Hunger Games,” she beams. “It looks like it’s about 20 years in the future. The fashions are amazing; just bonkers. It was a wonderful place to live.”

The story follows Thaniel, a telegraphist alerted to a terrorist bombing when a strange and beautiful watch is mysteriously deposited at his flat. His quest to unlock its secrets leads him to Mori, a Japanese artisan with even more secrets to hide.

For Natasha, who grew up reading Philippa Gregory’s novels (“all of my Tudor history comes from her, so I really hope

that she got it all right!"), historical fiction offers the reader an escape into an exotic world.

“I think it’s very true that history is like another country,” she says. “The Victorian period feels quite close and recognisable – in the grand scale of things, it’s just like a trip to Paris.

The further back in history you go, the more foreign it begins to feel.

“I actually started with the characters before the setting – Mori was originally a gunner in the First World War. I can’t remember how I found out about the Clan na Gael bombings but when I did, something clicked.”

And it was while she was at Oxford University that Natasha came across her first Steampunk exhibition.

“It was amazing, there were these incredible clocks and contraptions…

I poured it all into the book.”

She explains: “Steampunk is historical science fiction, usually from the standpoint of Victorian England. That was the era of Wells and Verne, and the world was entering a new industrial age of steam and technology. And it’s a time that has only

MY ENDURING IMPRESSION OF TOKYO: IT’S LIKE THE CAPITOL IN THE HUNGER GAMES just passed out of living memory, which gives it this real fascination for me.”

Natasha’s time at Oxford provided the basis for another arm of the story, which follows false moustache-wearing undergraduate scientist, Grace.

“I was at New College, which was founded in 1379, and my room overlooked an old plague pit,” she says. “Oxford is always going to be the nicest place you’ve ever lived. And I loved that the worst insult was to call someone ‘unscholarly’,” she

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laughs. “I think it’s important that there is still somewhere like that.

“Still, everyone there has a terrible inferiority complex. Nobody feels like they should really be there. I think Cambridge and Oxford are incredibly inspiring places; it’s good to feel the pressure of 1,000 years of genius at your back.”

After graduating, Natasha did an MA in Creative Writing, landing an agent and finally a book deal.

“I never thought that being an author could be a career path,” she admits.

“I never investigated it until my friend did an MA at Bath Spa and said, ‘Natasha, this is for you!’. I applied to UEA and they made it clear that this could be a career. If I could go back, I’d tell myself to go and do the MA, don’t worry about getting a job.

I love that my life is now about researching the interior of Peru, not Microsoft Excel.”

This is in reference to book two, out in 2017. “It’s about a character who’s mentioned in this book, and set in the same world, but there’s more fantasy.

People are turned to stone and there’s a whole made-up civilisation hiding in the Amazon.” Sounds good to us.

The Watchmaker of Filigree Street (Bloomsbury) is out now, £12.99.

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ARTS & CULTURE

ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA The Cambridge Classical Concert Series gets underway on 24 November when resident orchestra the Royal Philharmonic performs music by Tchaikovsky.

Christoph Koenig conducts cello soloist Laura van der Heijden, playing Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations, the lilting themes of the Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture and the impassioned Symphony No. 5.

Laura van der Heijden (pictured) won the 2012 BBC Young Musician competition at 15 and is now on tour with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra before starting her music degree next year at St John’s College, Cambridge. Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations is one of her favourite pieces of music.

A pre-concert talk, free to concert ticket holders, takes place at 6pm at the nearby Cambridge City Hotel and the concert itself starts at 7.30pm. Tickets from £28.50 (£12.50 concessions). www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE 24 NOV

SWAN LAKE & THE NUTCRACKER For a magical evening of wintery entertainment, look no further than the Corn Exchange, where the St Petersburg Classic Ballet are performing two of Tchaikovsky’s beautiful ballets, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.

On 28 November, be transported to a magical kingdom of swan queens, princes and evil sorcerers. Expect beautiful, traditional costumes, world-class dancing and a live orchestra.

Then, on 29 November, get festive with The Nutcracker – a perfect introduction to ballet and theatre for children. When Clara wishes her new nutcracker toy to be real, her wish comes true and she embarks on an enchanted adventure.

Features the timeless Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Waltz of the Snowflakes.

There are performances of both shows at 2.30 and 7.30pm. Tickets from £27.50. www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

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ENGLISH TOURING OPERA The English Touring Opera present three mesmerising operas this month at West Road Concert Hall, starting with Massenet’s Werther.

Based on the 1774 novel The Sorrows of Young Werther, by Goethe, it’s a story of forbidden love and obsession. Sung in English, it takes place on 5 November.

On 6 November, enjoy Offenbach’s darkly comic The Tales of Hoffman, which is also sung in English, then the series ends on 7 November with Debussy’s Pélleas et Mélisande – a mysterious and haunting piece with a fairytale quality. The opera is sung in French with English surtitles.

All performances begin at 7.30pm and tickets cost between £12 and £36. www.westroad.org

SISTER ACT This November, join Cambridge Operatic Society for a foot-tapping, wise-cracking production of the sensational 1990s movie Sister Act. After witnessing a crime, lounge-singer Delores Van Cartier is placed in a convent to protect her identity. Used to a wilder side of life, headstrong Dolores isn’t very impressed by the early nights, simple food and uncomfortable attire of her new-found sisters.

But an opportunity presents itself when she joins their languishing choir and decides to whip them into shape – much to the disapproval of the Mother Superior. Featuring a fabulous soundtrack of funk, soul, disco and Motown, Sister Act will be at Cambridge Arts Theatre 24-28 November, 7.45pm (2.30pm matinee). Tickets from £15. www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

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CAMBRIDGE ARTS THEATRE 24-28 NOV

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r © Louisa Taylo

ARTS & CULTURE

ovember returns, bringing an enchantment of satire and surrealism. Escape this month’s wry grey skies and need for Magritte-style brollies by heading out of town to the Stapleford Granary, where figurative fine-art painter Ophelia Redpath is exhibiting a collection of magical, musical paintings called ‘Where should this music be? I’ the air or the earth?’ – named after a quotation from Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

The delightful series of paintings features Cambridge-linked personalities, from John Cleese and David Attenborough to Henry VIII. I came across Ophelia at artist retreat, La Muse, in France, where I recently hid away to work on my novel. She’s described

by Clive James as “the most brilliant artist of her type currently working in Britain” and literature lovers will adore how she creates paintings inspired by Shakespearean quotes.

Check opheliaredpath.co.uk for more.

Cambridge’s connection to surrealism, which often slices up its imagery with a contrasting conservatism, might not

seem obvious. But dig a little and you’ll find a witty, sometimes dark, strand of oddity originating in the city and influencing British culture. Whether it’s Monty Python, whose Graham Chapman and John Cleese met here at Footlights (there’s a Footlights Smoker on 10 November at the ADC Theatre), the dark psychedelia of Cambridge-born Pink Floyd’s Another Brick In The Wall, or street artist Charlie Cavey

Below: Attenborough, Cleese and and a number of other Cambridge University alumni are depicted in Ophelia Redpath’s painting.

Right: One of Ronald Searle's surreal sketches to see in the Fitzwilliam Museum's latest exhibition.

who’s famous for, um, playing music in a bin, our city is a hotbed for surreal eccentricity.

Book early to see pop-culture surrealist Noel Fielding (of The Mighty Boosh) at the Corn Exchange, on 4 December.

At the heart of surrealism – like the fringe politics of Monty Python – is often satire.

This was key to the work of Cambridgeborn Ronald Searle – best known for inventing St Trinians and Nigel Molesworth.

His satirical, clever work was also published in Punch (who my Grandpa used to illustrate for), Le Monde and The New Yorker. Visit

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Ronald Searle: Obsessed with drawing at the Fitzwilliam, running until January.

Companion exhibition Cradled in Caricature: Visual humour in satirical prints and drawings, looks at how artists, caricaturists and cartoonists, from Gillray to the present day, create visual jokes.

Children’s book illustration is a magnet for the bizarre. Snap up award-winning Elys Dolan’s The Mystery of the Haunted Farm, launched in September at Heffers. Described as “genius” by The Telegraph, her work is attracting a bevy of adult fans drawn to her satirical subtexts and humour (check Weasels – brilliant). As any parent knows, if the book is tedious to read, unless seriously popular with your dearest, it may vanish from the shelf. Confession: I hide The Cat In The Hat from my son.

It’s torture (exhausted parents were not considered as Dr. Seuss penned those technicolour tongue-twisters). Happily, the worst Dolan’s Weasels is guilty of is teaching my three-year-old how to say “world domination”.

So next time you dismiss satire or surrealism as whimsical, think of what our culture might be like if it was banned. I’ve just been reading Azar Nafisi’s Republic of the Imagination: The Case For Fiction, whose #BooksSave campaign highlights the vital importance of fiction in culture. In a world where man is too often tempted “to judge before he understands” (Milan Kundera), imagination is a vital antidote.

Families can celebrate imagination and adventure by heading over to Cambridge Junction for a touch of enchantment on 15 November, with The Boy Who Never Grew Up (suitable for ages four and up), where happy thoughts make you fly and you can go on your own search for Neverland. Fairies may not die every time you ditch books for Facebook, but perhaps a little bit of our cultural soul does. More adventure and imagination? Yes, please.

Enjoy your month, all.

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LITERARY FESTIVAL

CAMBRIDGE LITERARY FESTIVAL WINTER 28-29 NOV

Revel in the might and majesty of words at a series of literary talks this month, courtesy of Cambridge Literary Festival. From comedians to politicians, fiction writers to poets, this event attracts some of our finest minds and best-loved personalities. Here are our must-sees 28 NOVEMBER

CHARLES CLARKE, FOLLOW THE LEADER 2.30pm, Union Chamber, £6/£12 The former Home Secretary looks back on Labour and Conservative leaders through history, and gives his take on the recent election of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour Party leader. He is joined by journalist and President of Lucy Cavendish College, Jackie Ashley, to discuss Parliament’s finest (and feeblest) statesmen, from Attlee and Churchill to Thatcher and Blair.

RICHARD MABEY, THE CABARET OF PLANTS 4pm, Union Chamber, £6/£12 The celebrated nature writer talks about his latest book, in which he celebrates the fun and feistiness of our native flora.

A chance to look with different eyes at our own gardens and countryside.

CAROL ANN DUFFY, DARK ROSE FOR CHRISTMAS 7.30pm, Union Chamber, £8/£16

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The Poet Laureate presents readings from her award-winning collections, with music supplied by Little Machine, Britain’s foremost poetry band. Expect wit, warmth and the occasional singalong.

29 NOVEMBER

VINCE CABLE, AFTER THE STORM 10am, Union Chamber, £6/£12 A previously unreported view from within the coalition, by a key figure in British politics. Cable, who read economics at Cambridge, presents his view of how the British economy should be handled now and in the future. He will be in conversation with Jason Cowley, editor of New Statesman.

THE BLANK PAGE 10am, The Winstanley, £6/£10 Novelists Jon McGregor, Elif Shafak, and James Runcie, author of The Grantchester Mysteries, lead a debate about reading and writing, and how literature can be enjoyed by everyone. The finale of The National Conversation.

JENNY ECLAIR, MOVING 11.30am, Union Chamber, £6/£12 Spend an hour in the delightful company of one of our most treasured comedians.

Eclair is one of only two women to win the Perrier Award as a solo act, and will be discussing her new, fourth novel – a gripping story laced with black humour and family secrets.

NEEL MUKHERJEE, THE LIVES OF OTHERS 11.30am, The Winstanley, £6/£10 Born in Calcutta, Mukherjee offers astute observations of the inequalities of Indian society. His novel looks into the nature of political action as a family history unfolds.

He will be in conversation with Sarah Moss, author of Signs for Lost Children and Bodies of Light.

DAVID MITCHELL, SLADE HOUSE 1pm, Union Chamber, £6/£12 The Booker Prize-winner and author of Cloud Atlas and The Bone Clocks makes his Cambridge Literary Festival debut.

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LITERARY FESTIVAL

Don’t miss this talk, introducing his latest thriller, Slade House, which began on Twitter, is set in the same universe as The Bone Clocks and has turned into a surprise novel.

ALI SMITH, PUBLIC LIBRARY AND OTHER STORIES 2.30pm, Union Chamber, £6/£12 Local literary legend Ali Smith, patron of the Festival, launches her book of short stories about what books mean to us. Concerned by the threat of library closures, she celebrates the wonders of books and reading. She will be in conversation with Claire Armitstead, books editor for The Guardian.

BEING HUMAN 2.30pm, The Winstanley, £6/£10 Take a closer look at the relationship between mind and body in this conversation between doctors Suzanne O’Sullivan and Gavin Francis, covering psychosomatic illnesses, the unchartered territory of our bodies and the secret workings of the womb.

JONATHAN DIMBLEBY, THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC 4pm, Union Chamber, £6/£12 A compelling look into the most destructive naval campaign of all. The writer, broadcaster and historian narrates the horror and the decisions that led us to victory in 1945.

Simon Armitage, Walking Away.

ANDREW MARR, WE BRITISH –THE POETRY OF A PEOPLE 5.30pm, Union Chamber, £6/£12 A very British talk from the likeable presenter and writer, charting the landscape and history of British poetry from Chaucer to Carol Ann Duffy, as well as uncovering some lesser-known poems worthy of wider recognition.

SIMON ARMITAGE, WALKING AWAY 7pm, Union Chamber, £6/£12 In this companion piece to Walking Home, the poet and modern-day troubadour trekked the coastal fringes of the south west giving poetry readings every night.

The result is Walking Away. Hear stories (and poems) from his adventure in this talk, with fellow walker and nature lover Robert Macfarlane.

ANDREW LOWNIE, STALIN’S ENGLISHMAN 7pm, The Winstanley, £6/£10 A culmination of 30 years of research, this book paints a fascinating portrait of the notorious and complex Cambridge spy, Guy Burgess. Lownie is introduced by Anna Whitelock, historian and author.

SIMON SCHAMA, THE FACE OF BRITAIN 8.30pm, Union Chamber, £6/£12 The much-loved historian, presenter of the wonderful A History of Britain, introduces his new book, which studies the history of portraiture and what it says about our nation. Includes a riveting account of the portrait of Churchill which the wartime Prime Minister hated so much that he had it burned.

Simon Schama, The Face of Britain.

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www.cambridgeliteraryfestival.com Tickets can be booked at: www.adcticketing.com

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CAMBRIDGE SHOWCASE

Showcase

CAMBRIDGE

Cambridge is full of talented artists and makers, and 15 of them are coming together this month for a spectacular festive event ambridge really comes into its own at Christmas, and there’s no better place to be for an arts and crafts festive spectacle than Cambridge Showcase, taking place on 23 November. Previously known as Cambridge Christmas, this oneday event held at the historic Unitarian Church Hall (decorated with fairy lights

THESE ARE HAND-PICKED AND DEMONSTRATE THE CREATIVE TALENT HERE IN THE CITY for the occasion) will showcase work by local artists and makers. It’s the perfect chance to pick up a gift or two and meet

the makers themselves. These are handpicked and demonstrate the wealth of creative talent here in the city. Look out for Amanda Hall’s charming illustrations, textiles by Kate Green of Flourish and Fly, and jewellery by Heather Stowell.

Returning, meanwhile, are printmaker Alison Hullyer, stained-glass artist Alison Tait, who has since moved to the Scottish Borders and is making the trip back for the show, Amanda MacPhail, Katie Lynn from Molten Wonky, the award-winning Katharina Klug, Edel Hopkin, Jo Tunmer, Jonathan Deer, Roxana de Rond and Rhiannon Thomas.

Started by painter and printmaker Jo Tunmer, the event is now in its eighth year and a great way to purchase unique work from Cambridgeshire designers directly.

So make a date with friends and enjoy a browse, along with your first mince pie and glass of mulled wine of the year.

Takes place from noon until 8.30pm, 23 November, and entry is free.

Unitarian Church Hall, Victoria Street www.cambridgeshowcase.org

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CRAFT

Christmas CRAFT FAIRS GRANTCHESTER ARTS & CRAFT SHOW In case you needed further excuse to visit the charming village of Grantchester over Christmas, there’s a Christmas Crafts & Arts Show taking place 28-29 November at the village hall. Fourteen local artists and crafters will be exhibiting a range of handmade jewellery, paintings, prints, cards, bags, chocolates, and biscuits, from 10am-5pm.

Come and grab a gift or be inspired to make something of your own. www.facebook.com/ Grantchesterartsandcraftsshow

28-29 Nov

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WOOD GREEN FESTIVE CRAFT & GIFT SHOW

ELY CHRISTMAS GIFT & FOOD FAIR

The animal charity, which has its HQ in Godmanchester, is hosting an all-day Christmas craft fair on 21 and 22 November, running 10am-5pm. As well as charming handmade gifts, perfect for a traditional homemade Christmas, there’ll be food, drink and a visit from a very special guest…

Tickets are £4 (£2 children). www.woodgreen.org.uk

On 13-14 November, 150 exhibitors will be cocooned inside Ely Cathedral for a magnificent display of crafts, flowers, music and festive cheer.

Meet the reindeer and take a ride on a vintage carousel, then hear the Cathedral choristers fill the space with soaring carols. Takes place 9.30am4.30pm (with an additional evening opening on Friday, 6.30-9pm). Entry is £3, under 16s are free. www.elycathedral.org

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CRAFT

BLACKTHORPE BARN CRAFT MARKET MANOR FARM CHRISTMAS FAIR

The very best of British crafts will descend on the beautiful Blackthorpe Barn in Rougham, near Bury St Edmunds, each weekend from 14 November in the run up to Christmas. Find ceramics, textiles, sculptures, traditional wooden gifts, decorations, edible treats and more, in a picturesque setting.

Says George Agnew, owner of Blackthorpe Barn and Rougham Estate: “We have been creating a full Christmas experience, focusing on unique British crafts, at Blackthorpe Barn for 25 years – it just goes to show that time flies when you are having fun. Each year we make an extra effort to make the Christmas event even better and this, being our 25th year, is no exception.” www.blackthorpebarn.com

Treat yourself to a glass of mulled wine and discover the lovely handmade jewellery, homeware, gifts and cards on show at Manor Farm in Bourn in the rustic, 800-year-old tithe barn. You can also pick up your Christmas tree, fresh from the fields of this familyrun farm, while you’re there. The event takes place on 28 November and is open 11am-4pm. Entry is free. www.manorfarmbourn.com

BLACKTHORPE BARN FROM

14 Nov

SAFFRON WALDEN CHRISTMAS MARKET Enjoy some late-night Christmas shopping in one of our most beautiful neighbouring towns.

Saffron Walden’s lovely boutiques open late as a Christmas market takes over the town. The hub is the Medieval market square, where you’ll find hand-crafted gifts, wreaths, steaming mugs of mulled wine and carol singing.

Takes place Friday 4 December, 9am-8.30pm.

WIMPOLE CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR

BLUE BELLES WI CRAFT FAIR Who does crafts better than the WI? On 28 November, mosey on down to St Andrew’s Baptist Church for the Cambridge Blue Belles WI Christmas Craft Fair to browse a collection of lovely handmade gifts and crafts. There’ll be lashings of tea and cake, and entry is free. Takes place 10.30am-4pm. www.cambridgebluebelleswi.co.uk

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This classy Christmas craft and produce market takes place in the grounds of Wimpole Hall over the weekend of 14-15 November, offering unique, high-quality gifts from over 60 stalls. Feel fully festive as you browse locally-made edible treats and decorations, mince pie in hand. It’s housed in a marquee, so bring your best winter woollies and footwear fit for the outdoors. Don’t miss the estate’s lovely stable-block shops on your way out.

Takes place 10.30am-5pm, entry £4, under 14s free. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ wimpole-estate

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THE NORTH POLE

20 Nov - 4Jan

Get your ay a visit to The North Pole this month as the ice rink, funfair and Christmas market returns to Parker’s Piece in the centre of town. The spacious, open-air rink covers 600m2 and holds up to 200 skaters at a time – last year 120,000 of you visited over the Christmas period. Spectators can keep warm on the sidelines with a creamy hot chocolate, or hole up in the Alpine Bar, then explore the beautiful old-English market selling a variety of fabulous festive food, traditional gifts, crafts and other

A traditional festival where you’ll find something for everyone Christmassy treats. Drink in the sweet smell of BBQ cooking on the authentic German swing grill, serving traditional German sausages, speciality beef burgers,

festive turkey and chicken stuffing rolls, then indulge in warm crêpes, doughnuts, hot chocolate, spicy mulled wine and hot cider. The market is open 2pm-9pm Monday-Friday, 10am-9pm weekends.

And if the kids are still raring to go after a few laps of the ice rink, the fairground will keep them entertained with dodgems, penguin boats, teacups, a beautiful carousel, helter-skelter, bungee, polar express and other snow-themed games.

New for this year, Santa and his elves have upgraded from their usual grotto and will be handing out gifts (to good children only) in Santa’s Throne Room – come and meet the man himself and tell him what’s on your Christmas list.

Richard Elmer, managing director of Ice Box Entertainment, says: “We’re delivering a traditional festival straight to the heart of Cambridge city centre where you’ll find something for everyone. We can’t wait to make your Christmas even more magical, see you there!”

The North Pole 2015 opens on 20

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November 2015, running through until 4 January 2016. Skate sessions take place every hour on the hour and last for 45 minutes, though you’ll need to arrive 15 minutes early in order to collect your skates. Tickets are £10.95 (peak, adult), and pre-booking is recommended. www.thenorthpolecambridge.co.uk

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INTERVIEW

WORDS JENNY SHELTON

HOFF

THE SCALE! Surfboards at the ready… Jenny Shelton speaks to the 80s icon about the cult of ‘The Hoff ’ and his upcoming Cambridge appearance he term ‘legend’ is bandied about too casually these days, but when it comes to describing David Hasselhoff, no other word will do. Actor, singer, businessman and record-breaking bungee jumper, The Hoff, now 63, commands a celebrity status all of his own.

Since his breakthrough role as Michael Knight in Knightrider, the fuzzy-chested hero has helped end the Cold War (singing from the Berlin Wall in 1989), released a number of astoundingly cheesy singles (Jump In My Car was the subject of the campaign ‘Get Hasselhoff to No.1’, which was backed by Radio 1 in 2006), launched his own social network site (Hoffspace) and played a parody of himself in sitcom Hoff The Record.

This month, he’s in Cambridge as star of Last Night A DJ Saved My Life – a shamelessly feel-good musical set in 90s Ibiza (the promo video features Hasselhoff describing the show with a cockatoo on his arm – why not?). When I call him at his London hotel room, the voice that answers is big and enthusiastic.

“HELLO!! Is that Jenny Shelton?? It’s David Hasselhoff here…”

Pleasantries exchanged, The Hoff tells me about his last visit to Cambridge. He spoke at the Union Society in 2014, platform for the likes of Winston Churchill and The Dalai Lama.

“It was a lot of fun!” he rhapsodises. “It was a really interesting room and I felt the vibes of all those people who’d spoken

WHEN I START SINGING THE BAYWATCH THEME PEOPLE GO NUTS AND TAKE OFF THEIR SHIRTS – IT’S CRAZY there before me. You think you’re going to get these amazing questions, then you get questions like ‘Is K.I.T.T. gay?’”, he laughs.

What did you say? “I said, ‘No, are you?!’”

Last Night A DJ Saved My Life is by the makers of Dreamboats and Petticoats, and The Hoff has plenty to say about it.

“The set is spectacular – it’s a big party in Ibiza (he pronounces it ‘Ibitza’) and my character is a guy who runs the clubs. His daughter comes back into his life after three years and wants to go out having fun… so we address parents’ relationships with

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INTERVIEW

their kids, but the main message of the show is ‘come and party Hoff-style!’”

The set list is a heady mix of thumping pop hits, which Hasselhoff reels off energetically: “We’ve got Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Relight My Fire, Spice Up Your Life, Believe from Cher, Can’t Touch This, Pump Up The Jam, and Everything I Do (I Do It For You) from Bryan Adams.”

He takes a quick breath. “Then we’re going to have an alternate song list which the audience can vote on. I’ll go into the crowd and involve the audience. There are a few ‘what would you do?’ moments in the show, and the audience will set the tone. I want to walk away knowing that they’ve got their money’s worth.”

He continues: “I’ve done concerts all over the place and when I start singing the Baywatch theme people go nuts and take off their shirts – it’s crazy. And with the 80s and the 90s having this resurgence, it seemed to work.”

Almost 1.1 billion viewers watched The Hoff at the height of his fame, according to Guinness World Records (overtaken in 2011 by Hugh Laurie). Our hankering for nostalgia is part of it, but there’s something more to The Hoff’s cult status.

IF YOU’RE OK WITH YOURSELF, THAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. LIFE IS GOOD He’s clearly – cleverly – comfortable playing up to his own kitschness, whether kung fu-fighting neon dinosaurs in the Kickstarter-funded video True Survivor (seriously, watch it) or taking a cameo in the SpongeBob SquarePants movie. He’s made corniness a business.

But if parallel universes exist, then there’s one in which The Hoff never was.

Teased about his name in school, when starting out in showbusiness Hasselhoff considered adopting a stage name instead of keeping it.

“They wanted me to change it but I’d taken so much heat for that name in high school that I told my dad: ‘Dad, I’m going to keep it and make it famous’.

“We went all over the world together when Knight Rider was on and I remember walking down the street in South Africa during Apartheid and somebody said, ‘Are you David Hasselhoff?’. Dad looked at me and said, ‘Did you ever think, in your wildest dreams, that we’d be walking through South Africa and someone would say the word Hasselhoff?’. It still freaks me out how crazy it is.”

How crazy, I ask?

“I’ve got the ‘good’ stalkers that follow me around,” he explains: “They’re The Hoff Army who live and breathe David Hasselhoff, then I’ve got the other file, which is a bit scary.

They write things like ‘he’s mine, stay away from him!’. We did have a ‘stalker file’, so that in case something ever happened to me we could just refer

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to that right away! But most of it’s pretty damn positive.”

It’s true. In a big, gregarious, American way, The Hoff is positivity personified: a force for good. Even when he was filmed eating a cheeseburger drunk, we couldn’t help but forgive him. Can he explain why there’s so much love for The Hoff?

“I think it’s because I keep going and I tell the truth. I don’t try to hide stuff – if I mess up, I mess up, so what? I can make a joke out of it and move forward. I told my daughters the Hasselhoffs have good hearts. If people disrespect us, just get out of the way because we know who we are.

If you’re OK with yourself, that’s the most important thing. Life is good.”

Incidentally, it was his daughter Hayley who filmed the cheeseburger video. But Hasselhoff sees it as a lesson in humility.

“My daughters are my best friends.

They’re truthful with me: they tell me when it’s time to get my s*** together: it’s good to have someone in life who tells you the truth.”

I could spend all afternoon asking him about Knight Rider (he proposed to his first wife on set) and Baywatch (is it coming back?!), but our time is up. The Hoff is in demand.

“Alright, kid, I gotta run!”, he exclaims, and exits, I imagine, in a cloud of dust to a synth-pop 80s soundtrack.

Last Night A DJ Saved My Life, Corn Exchange, 10 November, 7.30pm.

Tickets from £35. www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

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FOOD DRINK A N D

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

Winter dining guide

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FOOD

FOOD NEWS A MONTHLY ROUND-UP OF GASTRONOMIC GOINGS-ON IN CAMBRIDGE AND THE SURROUNDING AREA

THE THIRSTY NOMAD The inaugural outing for Cambridge’s new wandering wine bar, The Thirsty Nomad, is on 7 November at Afternoon Tease on King Street. This pop-up comes from new Chesterton wine bar Thirsty, who will present a selection of sparkling, red and white wines, paired with Spanish-inspired small plate dishes, including rich, meaty tomato stews, regional cheeses, seafood and bacalhau (salt cod), made by Afternoon Tease owner, Jo Kruczynska.

“As part of our mission to shake up the world of drinks retailing, we’ll spread the Thirsty gospel around town,” says Sam Owens, a partner at Thirsty. “We want to help folk explore this wonderful world of wine in the context of the cultures they hail from – and do it with a grin on our faces.” @thirstycamb

FIRST EVER ‘ASPARAGUS GIN’ GOES ON SALE We like gin, and we like asparagus – but asparagus gin? It certainly sounds… unusual. Portobello Road Gin’s director Paul Lane created the first ever London dry gin made with asparagus this June, using spears harvested in Cambridgeshire. The concept of the ‘Directors’ Cut’ edition was conceived by the four directors of Portobello Road Gin following a long-term desire to produce a unique gin with botanicals hand-sourced by themselves. The tipple has a distinctive sweet, nutty flavour and went on sale in October.

Paul comments: “We take immense pride in our craft when producing Portobello Road Gin, distilling with integrity and individuality. We’ve experimented with unusual botanicals for years and have dreamed of hand-picking our own to go into a special edition gin. This is not a gin for everybody, but those who like it love it. And before you ask, no it doesn’t…”

Only 1,000 bottles have been made and are available at £39. www.portobelloroadgin.com

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FOOD

GRUB CLUB UP FOR AWARD

HUDSON’S ALE HOUSE

Local foodie networking group Grub Club is celebrating reaching the final for both the East of England Business Champions 2015 and The Best Business Women Awards. The Grub Club is shortlisted for the former’s Networking Group of the Year and the latter’s Best Networker awards. This is a huge achievement for this relatively new networking group, which marked its first birthday last month.

Grub Club was set up by friends Vhari Russell and Kelly Molson to create a relaxed environment for local businesspeople to get together over a shared interest – food!

Says Vhari: “We are delighted to be in the final for both the awards, it’s such an achievement as there are so many networking groups on offer. We are hugely proud of Grub Club Cambridge and very grateful for all the support we get from our Grub Clubbers.”

By organising regular events, the pair aim to bring together producers, retailers, buyers and their businesses for interesting conversation, accompanied by delicious food and drinks in fabulous locations, including local institution, Fitzbillies.

Fitzbillies proprietor, Tim Hayward says: “Why we wanted to host a Grub Club is really very simple. Restaurants and food businesses talk a great game about ‘local’ producers and ingredients but that’s not something you can just buy off the shelf. The most important manifestation of ‘localism’ is a strong network with your fellow businesses. Amongst food people, connections are best made around the dinner table, so we saw an immediate commercial advantage in hosting… quite apart from the fact it was an opportunity to sit down and have some great food with some lovely people. We can’t wait for the next one.” www.grubclubcambridge.co.uk

Trumpington gained an exciting new artisan drinking spot at the end of October when Hudson’s Ale House opened at 77 High Street, where the Tally Ho used to be.

They’re promising local ales, classic pub food and live music.

Hudson’s Ale is owned by Greene King, and is part of their recent ‘Local Hero’ concept, celebrating the importance of the ‘local’ as the heart of a community. The new landlords are Steve and Dee, who bring many years’ experience of the pub trade to the table. The redesign, by Tibbats Abel, will offer ‘a contemporary twist on the traditional pub style, with an urban modern finish, while still maintaining original features’. www.hudsonalehouse.co.uk

HEALTHY COOKING COURSE Cambridge Sustainable Food, along with Fullspoon, is hosting a free healthy eating course in Cambridge this month, aimed at offering inspiration for anyone looking to create healthy, goodvalue dinners that taste great too. The course will run for five weeks, starting on 4 November, at St Paul’s on Hills Road. All ingredients will be provided, as will expert tips from Fullspoon staff, and there’s the possibility of gaining a food hygiene certificate. Week one looks at cooking with fresh vegetables and fruit, then soups and bread, mince, chicken, ending with a Ready Steady Cook-style competition in week five. Each class finishes with a big shared meal for all.

This course is designed for individuals and families, as well as those thinking of setting up a food business. www.cambridgesustainablefood.org

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FOOD

SCOOP FOR SAFFRON ICE CREAM COMPANY Micro ice cream producers The Saffron Ice Cream Company, in Saffron Walden, known for their creamy, natural and striking flavours, have been recognised at a prestigious food awards ceremony. The Fine Food and Drink Awards celebrate the best food and drink producers and sellers in Essex. The family-run business, based at Abbey Farm Barns, and who supply to numerous restaurants in the Essex/Cambridgeshire region, beat countywide producers to make it to the final and be awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in the category, Best Essex Producer 2015.

The fifth annual award ceremony took place at Down Hall near Hatfield Heath on 1 October, where the company were presented with their award.

Says Harry Bond, ice cream production manager: “It was an honour to be listed in the Best Essex Producer 2015 category and put Saffron Walden on the food map. We feel very proud to be recognised for the quality of our products and be regarded as one of the best producers here in Essex.” www.saffronicecream.co.uk

FARMLAND MUSEUM’S AUTUMN FAIR

VESPER COCKTAIL MASTERCLASS Christened in honour of Vesper Lynd (you know, Eva Green played her in Casino Royale), James Bond’s signature drink has seen him through more than 20 films and is the only way to kick back after a busy day exposing spy rings, fighting sharks and identifying giant lasers pointing at the moon (no wait, that’s Austin Powers). Learn how to make 007’s iconic vodka Martini cocktail at Hotel du Vin on 25 November at a suave, Bond-themed masterclass, then dazzle your guests when you whip one up (shaken, not stirred, of course) at your next Christmas party.

It’s £35 per person to attend, which includes three cocktails and a selection of canapés. To book call 084473 64253. www.hotelduvin.com

The Farmland Museum in Burwell will be a hive of activity on 1 November when stallholders set out their wares for the Autumn Fair. Situated out towards Ely, this historic site – which also features the stunning Denny Abbey – is a beautiful place to discover handmade crafts, gifts and edible goodies, produced by local people.

It takes place across the site and celebrates the tradition of farming which has shaped England’s calendar and countryside for thousands of years.

Takes place 10.30am-4pm. www.dennyfarmlandmuseum.org.uk

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INTRODUCING: CAMBRIDGE GIN LAB The Cambridge Distillery, maker of the now-famous Cambridge Gin, has some exciting news: they now have a city centre presence as the Cambridge Gin Laboratory. The lab, tucked away within The Vaults on Trinity Street, invites gin aficionados to learn about the ‘history and mysteries’ of gin, and partake in tutored tastings and workshops. You could even take away a bottle of gin, blended by you.

“The lab is an offshoot of the distillery,” says owner Will Lowe. “The idea is for people to get hands-on experience, by appointment, with a range of experiences available. It’s like the science museum, but for drink.”

The Cambridge Distillery has experimented with cinnamon, orange and truffle-flavoured gin. Find out more @CambridgeGinLab. www.cambridgedistillery.co.uk/ ginlab

HOTEL CHOCOLAT CAFE OPENS As of the end of last month, shoppers have been able to refuel and get their cacao kicks at the Hotel Chocolat Café. The luxury chocolatier, whose HQ is based in Royston, has applied the same level of precision and authenticity to their coffees as their expertly created chocolate. Choose from the perfect flat white and loose leaf teas to the best drinking chocolate served in ritualistic ceramic cups which look like cacao pods. As expected, the drinking chocolate menu is extensive, with choices ranging from the creamiest milk through to a serious cocoa barista 100%.

The 40-seat café can be found in Lion Yard and comes complete with a ‘Chocolate Whip Bar’, offering a complimentary topping on each hot drink. And because no hot drink is complete without a bite on the side, there is an array of brownies, nut and quinoa bars and Cocoa Nib Beef Jerky. Keep an eye out for chocolate events and classes, too.

“As a local resident I’ve always felt that Cambridge needed a more luxurious café,” says CEO Angus Thirlwell. “Somewhere that offers a sense of escapism the moment you step inside. We’ve been working on our menu and perfecting the designs for a long time, and we feel we’ve really achieved something special.” www.hotelchocolat.com

STRANGEWAYS ROAD TEA COMPANY A local couple have launched a new range of loose-leaf tea, created at their Strangeways Road home. Fred and Linda are passionate and feel that, as a nation of tea- drinkers, we should seek out the best on offer. They’ve set their sights high, starting a quiet revolution to wean Britons off plain, underwhelming teabags, instead introducing them to a new world of delicious flavours.

“We are both so fond of loose leaf teas because the flavours are so much richer and many can be steeped several times, with each steeping revealing different subtle flavours. The ceremony of preparing a pot of tea is lovably oldfashioned and it’s nice to be reminded that you’re drinking something in the way it has been done for the last 400 years in Britain.”

Loose-leaf tea has environmental benefits, too, Fred explains. “Many bags aren’t 100% biodegradable and not manufacturing them is the best way to minimise environmental impact.”

Launching last month, they offer a range of seven teas including green, oolong (“my mother’s own recipe from her time as a student in Cambridge”), black teas and their own creation: the hand-blended Ramsey Court Breakfast Tea, made in small batches at their home. www.strangewaysroad.co.uk

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FOOD

HOT CHIP LAUNCHES On 16 October, a new addition joined the ranks of Cambridge’s excellent street food vans: Hot Chip.

After two years as a restaurant, Hot Chip have gone mobile to bring their gourmet chips to a wider audience.

It’s simple, but brilliantly effective.

Plus, unlike regular chips, these golden goodies are fried in rapeseed oil which contains half the saturated fat of olive oil, meaning a portion of their Naked Chips average just 480 calories per 100g. Their delicious sauces and toppings are all freshly hand-prepared and include special barbecue sauce, garlic and mustard mayo and rich onion gravy. Or go all out and opt for a meal like ham, egg and chips, fish and chips or Turkish Delight – that’s ground lamb, Arabian spices and a minty yoghurt sauce. www.myhotchip.co.uk

CHOCOLATE & WINE PAIRING AT THE VARSITY Chocolate and wine – a girl’s two best friends? Spend an evening with both at The River Bar Steakhouse & Grill on 17 November where experts are hosting a delicious wine and chocolate pairing masterclass.

The event will introduce you to some of the finest chocolate from around the world, then pair these with exquisite Malbec and Viognier wines, showcasing how pairings can provide an exciting culinary combination that enhances the taste experience of both the wine and the chocolate.

After the pairing, there’s a chocolate quiz to take part in while you enjoy two unique chocolate cocktails: The Duke of Cambridge – a milk chocolate alcoholic infusion – and The Duchess of Cambridge – a surprising fruity cocktail made from a combination of chocolate and Malibu.

Hosts for the evening are local expert chocolatiers Chocolat Chocolat, famous for their glossy handmade sheet chocolate. Made from the finest Belgian chocolate, it is produced in a unique French style brought back from France by the brand’s founder Isabelle Chapell.

Tickets cost £35 and arrival is 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start. www.thevarsityhotel.co.uk

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FOOD

HOUSE THAI OPENS

THE NIGHT CIRCUS FEAST The Willow Tree in Bourn is the last word in experiential dining in Cambridgeshire, regularly offering delicious themed dinners served with a side of theatre and spectacle.

The decorative gastro pub invites you to a dazzling Night Circus Feast on 29 November, incorporating a seasonally-inspired three-course feast, cocktails and live performances, a magician, mind reader, hula dancer and more.

Tickets are £55 per head and the dress code is black tie, sparkles or circus-inspired.

The evening kicks off at 7pm. www.thewillowtreebourn.com

Those passing along Regent Street of late may have noticed a smartlooking new Thai restaurant joining the ranks of the many Asian-inspired eateries in this part of town. House Thai is dedicated to bringing authentic flavours to the discerning diner, created by their head chef, who has 20 years’ experience working in fivestar hotels and restaurants.

The décor reveals a modern Thai-inspired design to match its colourful dishes. On the menu, find classic favourites like red Thai curry and chicken satay, rice, noodle and succulent seafood dishes, while house specials include Weeping Tiger Grilled Beef – for spice fans; Drunken Duck and Pad Kee Moa King Scallops, stirfried with long beans, mushrooms, bamboo shoots and chili paste. www.thehouseauthenticthai.com

CHOCOLATE MASTERCLASS Now, you probably won’t be interested, but we thought we’d mention it just on the off-chance that you might...

On 7 November, the lovely people at Cambridge Cookery School are inviting London-based pâtissier Javier Cervantes to share all he knows about making chocolate-based cakes.

You’ll spend the afternoon in their shiny new kitchens, off Harrison Drive, mastering flourless chocolate biscuits, white chocolate and hazelnut mousse, and Mozart cake. And there’s Prosecco, too. So it’s basically a day of chocolate, sociable baking and fizz. Well, I suppose we could be persuaded...

Takes place 1-5pm, tickets £145. www.cambridgecookeryschool.com

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THE BAKE OFF

Q Firstly, Ian, where did you watch the final?

A I watched the final at home with the family and a whole load of friends from the village.

AND ME

colossal carrot cake again for a party last night and I still haven’t tidied up all the piping bags, etc. Plus I am bending more bits of metal into interesting-shaped pastry moulds, so it’s full of far more bits of metalwork than when they filmed here.

ages.com ming/icim © Ian Cum

Q It was your wife who encouraged you to apply, so that she could go to the post-show tea party at the end. Did she enjoy it?

A No – she was far too stressed!

Q Tell us about the cake you made for the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday…

A It was a mango and cardamom cake with lime curd in the middle and lime icing.

I used moulds I’d made so that it was the shape of a lotus flower (Tibetan auspicious symbol) when viewed from above.

What did your family make of it all?

The family were very supportive but none of us expected that I would go that far.

Q A

Q You seemed to take everything in your stride – did you ever feel out of your depth?

A I guess I felt more and more out of my depth as the weeks went on. However, chocolate was something I had never tempered before GBBO, so I felt like a real amateur there. The cream horns might have been the most nerve wracking, as I got the timing so wrong.

Q Do you feel that Nadiya was a deserved winner?

A Without a doubt!

Master of precision, crafter of chocolate wells and raider of hedgerows, Ian Cumming flew the flag for Cambridgeshire when he reached the final of The Great British Bake Off 2015 last month. Ian began his culinary journey by winning Star Baker three weeks in a row early in the competition, and we’re unlikely to see the likes of his fully-operational chocolate wishing well, or Victorian ‘roadkill pie’ (hmmm) in the Bake Off tent again. In the final, his iced buns reaped mixed reviews from the judges, and despite feeling “comfortable with jam”, his millefeuille displayed unforgivable gapping.

Nonetheless, his giant, cascading carrot cake showstopper was hailed “one of the best carrot cakes I’ve ever had” by baking behemoth Paul Hollywood himself.

The photographer from Great Wilbraham took a few moments out from his busy post-Bake Off schedule to tell us what it was like to be part of one of the nation’s best-loved and most-watched programmes.

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How hard was it keeping quiet about who won?

A It has been tough keeping secrets for so long. We weren’t supposed to tell anyone apart from close friends and family, and I told no one about who won. Many people asked, but always in good humour. I told them even my own brother didn’t know!

Q

Q Did you get to know Mary and Paul much over the series?

A No, Paul and Mary were strictly there as judges. But Mel and Sue were another matter – we had lots and lots of chats with them.

Q Tell us something about the show which viewers don’t get to see…

A The washing-up all has to be done out back by hand, as a machine was too noisy.

We never saw the washing-up area. But they deserve prizes!

Q How did you come to be his official photographer?

A It came about after I’d made multiple trips to Tibet, then photographed him in India, so I was in on the Tibetan ‘scene’ here in the UK and it went from there.

Q Did photography or baking come first for you?

A Photography definitely came first. But I’ve always liked puddings – no meal is complete without one – so just enjoyed them. When family came along I just liked to provide good food for them. And I like the creative outlet.

Q Do you have any baking projects coming up?

A Nothing definite, but a lot of unpredictable things have happened this year, so goodness knows what will happen next!

Q What’s been your most unusual encounter as a Bake Off ‘celeb’?

A I’d say, bumping into Alan Carr yesterday, backstage at An Extra Slice, and him saying “Hello, Ian. I suppose you do know me…!”

Q Finally, what did you learn from your Bake Off experience?

A If you want to make something of life, you have to take a risk and think differently in order to stand out from the crowd.

Q How is your own kitchen looking, incidentally?

A [Laughs] Still a mess! I cooked the

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FOOD

WORDS ALEX RUSHMER

LOOKING FOR SOME HOT STUFF ADDICTED TO THE PAIN AND PLEASURE OF CAPSAICIN ALEX RUSHMER EMBARKS , ON A QUEST FOR THE ULTIMATE CHILLI SAUCE t all began 15 years ago in the kitchen of a Leeds University hall of residence. I was visiting a friend who told me I could help myself to anything in his food cupboard while he was at a lunchtime lecture. Next to the instant noodles, which quickly found their way into a pan of boiling water, was a neat-looking bottle of exotic-sounding sauce with a label that read ‘Encona’.

I liberally poured the vivid sauce over my bowl of cooked noodles and thrust a forkful into my mouth. The rush of heat was aggressive and instant, and the effects were both outwardly apparent – my face flushed red and my forehead began to bead with sweat – as well as perceptible only to me, as the pain washed over my lips in waves and filled my entire mouth with an intense and raw heat.

Of course, I’d eaten spicy food before: I’d never been one to shun chilli sauce on a late-night doner kebab and I shied away from the korma end of the scale whenever we ordered an Indian takeaway. But this?

This was something else entirely. This was a new level of taste and flavour perception.

I felt as if every previous flavour had been monochrome and two-dimensional, and only now was I experiencing a holistic eating experience – lurid technicolour and stunningly rendered in three dimensions.

I moved to the sink, shoved the dirty mugs and plates to the side and drank long sips,

THE PAIN WASHED OVER MY LIPS IN WAVES AND FILLED MY ENTIRE MOUTH WITH AN INTENSE AND RAW HEAT directly from the cold tap, in an effort to dull the pain. Eventually it began to subside to little more than a background hum, a teasing ripple across my poor shocked palate. And so I went back for more.

If there was a Hot Sauce Anonymous support group, that would be my origin story. The tale of how, aged 18 and flush with a sense of myself as a fully grown human adult, I had my first taste of something that had a profound physical effect on me – not just the sucker punch of searing heat but also the gentle, giddy euphoria that followed: a feeling of lucidity and consciousness that travelled in the slipstream of a wave of endorphins hitting the bloodstream from their home at the base of the brain.

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Good as Encona is, it is something of a baby in the hot sauce world. It remains a mere beginner’s sauce and, for one who has built up some level of resistance over the last decade and a half, it just doesn’t deliver the same knock-out blow that it did all those years ago. Clearly, I had to make my own. After ordering a range of peppers from my suppliers and keeping the recipe as simple as possible (a few shallots, a splash of vinegar and a hint of sugar to balance it all out), the winner was obvious. The scotch bonnet, cornerstone of Caribbean cooking, had plenty of fruity characteristics but fell some distance short in the heat stakes.

At the other end of the scale was the Carolina Reaper, a nasty, gnarled, mean, vicious-looking little pepper bred exclusively for one purpose: to become the world’s hottest chilli, a title it currently proudly holds with a mighty score of over two million on the Scoville scale (to give you some idea for comparison, a jalapeño clocks in around 8,500). It is ferocious even in the tiniest quantities, and after running the resultant sauce through the blender it was necessary to evacuate the kitchen. In short, it was simply too hot. The perfect balance came in the guise of the mighty bhut jolokia or Naga Ghost Chilli, an Indian firecracker that carries significant power on its tiny shoulders but also manages to have a wonderful rounded fruitiness that makes a truly spectacular hot sauce. If you want to try some, all you have to do is ask. And perhaps sign a little waiver first.

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WINTER DINING

6 pageS OF foodie INSPIRATION!

Let us take your coat, pour you a glass of wine and introduce you to our ultimate guide to dining out in the Cambridge area, from cosy village pubs to buzzy city hotspots

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Eschew Christmas kitsch

and pop along to one of these hip restaurants: not a tinsel garland in sight!

Cool

& contemporary

WINTER DINING

CAU

We love buzzy and stylish CAU, always a sure-fire hit for its great steaks and sides.

They’re adding a little festive flavour to their Buenos Aires-inspired dishes with an inventive Christmas menu this year: for starters, pick up pulled pork and morcilla fritters, coated in a crispy almond crumb and served with an apple and quince jam, or perhaps you fancy a blue cheese and sprout leaf salad, accompanied by cranberries, roasted chestnuts and chopped egg? For the main event, tuck into wild mushroom and black truffle tortellini with sage butter, and finish your meal with delectable desserts such as the CAU Christmas pudding sundae or the mince pie empanadas (which come with an eggnog tipple: result!). The Christmas menu costs £24 for two courses and £29 for three courses. www.caurestaurants.com

Rhode Island

Give thanks for delicious food at Cherry Hinton diner Rhode Island, where mobile dining outfit Provenance Kitchen will be hosting a special Thanksgiving supper this month.

They will be serving a ‘Farm to Table’ Thanksgiving feasting menu with all the dishes sourced from local suppliers, using the best British produce for a delicious, traditional American feast.

The Thanksgiving Supper Club is on 26 November, from 7pm, and tickets are £25 each. www.rhodeislanduk.com

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© Daisy Dickinson

© Charlotte Griffiths

LA CUCINA

Looking for something different for Christmas dinner? Those in search of lighter, more continental cuisine in St Neots should head for family-run Italian restaurant La Cucina, on the town’s picturesque market square.

In this homely, modern setting, you’ll find starters such as beef carpaccio, scallops or torta di funghi; slowcooked veal shin with risotto, roasted vegetable gnocchi or salmon in white wine and honey sauce for the main; finishing with a choice of desserts such as tiramisu or panettone pudding. The Christmas menu starts at £29.95 for three courses. www.lacucinastneots.co.uk

NOVI

If you’ve read our review on page 73, chances are your interest has been already been piqued by the establishment formerly known as The Fountain. Sleek, stylish and thoroughly modern, this is one for non-traditionalist foodies. On the carefully thought-out Christmas menu, you’ll find interesting dishes, packed with quality ingredients.

Starters include duck liver parfait served with shallot marmalade and ginger bread, whilst on the mains list you’ll find roast turkey with roasties, apricot stuffing and tarragon gravy.

Finish your meal with deliciousness like the mulled wine chocolate torte, and a couple of Novi’s cocktails of course!

The Christmas menu costs £28 per person for three courses. www.novicambridge.co.uk

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Planning an office Christmas party or a big family gathering?

Check out these local venues, all of which can cater for large groups

fine dining

WINTER DINING

Squires at Bedford Lodge Hotel If you fancy hopping over the Suffolk border to Newmarket, Squires at the Bedford Lodge Hotel is a little gem that’s well worth the trip. It boasts a modern, arty interior and fabulously innovative menu all year round, and there’s a host of seasonal treats to get stuck into this winter. The Christmas Fayre menu, available every day in December, features dishes like peppered pork tenderloin with pear gel, serrano crisp, confit potatoes and parsnip toffee, or fresh crab and spring onion risotto with sweetcorn, red chilli and avocado. It’s worth pointing out that Squires is a really good option for veggies too – with multiple, interesting vegetarian dishes on the menu like the winter root vegetable, mascarpone and nut strudel or chickpea, tofu and roasted butternut squash with ciabatta croutons (a far cry from your bog-standard cauliflower cheese or nut roast).

The hotel offers party night packages which include a three-course dinner and disco, and there’s also a ritzy black tie New Year’s Eve gala dinner and ball. www.bedfordlodgehotel.co.uk

The three Horseshoes Situated in the peaceful village of Madingley, The Three Horseshoes has a reputation for serving up some of the best food in the county (or if you believe The Independent’s review, it’s “easily one of the best restaurants in England today”). The setting is lovely: a thatched country pub with a light and airy dining room in the conservatory, and once again it’ll be offering a brilliant Christmas party menu this year. Dishes include slow-cooked beef cheek with red wine, star anise, ginger, parsnip puree and cavolo nero, and decadent desserts like roast Comice pear with hot chocolate sauce, crumble and clotted cream. It’s £32 for three courses plus tea, coffee and mince pies. www.threehorseshoesmadingley.co.uk

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Hotel du Vin

Surely one of the city’s most glamorous hotels, this Trumpington Street favourite oozes old school luxury. With its cosy nooks, crackling fires and city centre location, it’s a fabulous place to escape the chill and enjoy a French-style feast this winter. The bistro’s menu combines Gallic and British influences, serving hearty dishes that are packed with seasonal produce. The Christmas party menu includes fig and stilton galette, slow-cooked beef bourguignon, roast turkey ballotine with all the trimmings and desserts like mulled wine poached pear with gingerbread ice cream. The menu, which includes three courses plus tea, coffee and mince pies, is £26.95 for lunch or £32.95 for dinner. You can enjoy it in the bistro or, if you’re after a more intimate affair, in the private dining room. www.hotelduvin.com

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Break convention in delicious fashion at one of these local eateries

different

Festive dining doesn’t have to mean roast dinners and stodgy puds

something

WINTER DINING

CAMBRIDGE COOKERY SCHOOL Check out Cambridge Cookery School’s shiny new premises and enjoy a handson festive foodie experience this winter. On 22 November, discover how to make Scandinavian breads, from Swedish Advent bread to a magnificent saffron Christmas cake, before sitting down with your classmates to enjoy a traditional Swedish festive lunch of Jansson’s Temptation and Gubbröra (takes place 10.30am-2.30pm, £125 per person).

Then, on 12 and 13 December, join in with one of the school’s most popular annual classes, a session for parents and kids to make panettone and mince pies. Learn all the techniques and tricks you need to whip up these festive sweet treats at home, enjoy sparkling wine or soft drinks while you bake, and take home goodies you’ve made during the session (10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-4pm both days, £75 per pair). www.cambridgecookeryschool.com

ZARA INDIAN CUISINE Try spicing things up this winter with a trip to one of team Edition’s favourite curry houses – Zara Indian Cuisine. Located in Great Shelford, this top-notch restaurant is housed within a converted railway building and serves up a huge range of beautifully put together, creative Indian dishes. Going way beyond your bog-standard offerings, Zara offers regional recipes and speciality dishes aplenty, all freshly made using the finest ingredients. www.zarashelford.com

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LA RAZA

For cocktails, tasty food and music – you can’t go far wrong with La Raza.

Rose Crescent’s subterranean restaurant and club is an especially good option if you’ve got a larger group (an office Christmas party, say), or if you’re after a good all-in-one night-out destination, since you’ll be set from predinner drinks through dinner to dancing at this city centre venue.

For Christmas, they’re offering tapasstyle festive sharing dishes, suitable for groups of four to 50 diners, with prices starting from £16.95. Choices include Spanish-style roast turkey (rubbed with paprika, cumin, cinnamon and cayenne), baked crispy serrano ham and blue cheese salad, and sweets including chocolate torte with raspberry coulis and cream. The bar staff will be on hand to knock up expertly mixed cocktails, and the dance floor ought to burst into action at around 11pm… www.laraza.co.uk

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Escape the chill

© Charlotte Griffiths

warmers

winter

WINTER DINING

and enjoy a warming feast at one of these cosy eateries

KINGSTON ARMS Tucked away just off Mill Road, the Kingston Arms is a long-standing Cambridge favourite, loved for its great selection of real ales and its quality pub grub. Its tiny size, fairy lights and crackling fires make it super cosy in the winter months, and there’s a selection of board games if you’re pitching up for a long stay.

The food is great value (especially the Recession Menu), and consists of pub classics like burgers, steaks and sausage and mash. They do a mean Sunday roast too, and their chips, as previously documented in Edition, are a thing of wonder. Just be sure to book a table if you’re planning on eating – it gets seriously busy. www.kingston-arms.co.uk

RED COW

Lovely rural hideaway The Red Cow, Chrishall, has everything you might want from a winter meal out: open fires, twinkly lights adorning ancient beams and delicious food. Their Christmas menu is £24.50 for three courses or £20 for two. How about ham hock terrine or smoked haddock goujons to start?

Then roast turkey, pork belly, venison and vegetable casserole or chargrilled vegetable and goats’ cheese gratin.

Finish with Christmas pud or chocolate orange bread and butter pudding. www.theredcow.com

THE CHEQUERS

This 16th-century pub recently reopened after being taken on by the team behind The Three Tuns in Ashwell, which is known for its quality food and setting.

The Chequers, in Fowlmere, is dog and family friendly, and serves a traditional pub menu, with a contemporary twist, including a full roast on Sundays. www.thechequersfowlmere.co.uk

THE PLOUGH, GREAT CHESTERFORD Located in pretty Great Chesterford (seven miles south of Cambridge), The Plough is bursting with charm: a lovely, traditional pub which serves up a great range of modern pub favourites all year round. It's run by owners David and Juliana, who make sure to look after all their guests.

Their Christmas party menu is priced at £25 per head, and features soup of the day or smoked mackerel pate to start, a choice of roast Norfolk turkey, roast beef or pie of the day for the main event, then either traditional Christmas pudding, chocolate salted caramel torte (we'd go for that!) or baked custard tart. This can be adjusted to suit dietary requirements.

For Christmas Day itself, you'll be served a sumptuous five-course lunch priced at £47 per head (three-course children's menu £25), which you can enjoy at leisure in this friendly, rustic pub.

The pub, which is Cask Marque accredited, also boasts a lovely wine menu and real ales on tap. www.ploughgc.co.uk

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WINTER DINING

warimnerts er w

RED LION

Located in Hinxton, the Red Lion is a smart pub-restaurant bursting with country charm. The interior of the rustic building is all cosy chesterfields, exposed beams and roaring log fires.

On the Christmas menu you’ll find traditional festive fare like roast turkey with stuffing and pigs in blankets, and home-made Christmas pud with brandy sauce. For veggies, there’s pumpkin and pear soup with roasted pomegranate seeds and home-made bread and quinoa and stir-fried winter vegetables with truffle oil and parmesan crisp. Desserts include baked chocolate cheesecake, sticky toffee pudding and passion fruit posset. It’s £23.50 for two courses and £27.50 for three. www.redlionhinxton.co.uk

Rejuvenated Cambridge pub The Carpenters Arms, on Victoria Road, is a wonderful place to enjoy a relaxed winter afternoon. Sink into one of its leather chesterfields, real ale in hand, and peruse the warming winter menu.

This Christmas, the kitchen is offering three courses for £25 or two for £19, including root vegetable soup, duck salad or treacle-cured salmon to start; traditional roast turkey, fish stew, shoulder of lamb or nut roast with all the trimmings; followed by Christmas pud with brandy butter, sticky toffee pudding, chocolate mousse, lemon posset or a selection of cheeses. carpentersarmscambridge.co.uk

THE WILLOW TREE It’s really easy to fall in love with Bourn’s gorgeous gastro pub. Listed in the Michelin Guide, its menu ranges from elegant takes on pub grub to more refined, ambitious offerings, and the pub hosts special events throughout the year, such as this month’s Night Circus Feast (29 November).

The festive dining menu looks typically lovely, featuring dishes including venison haunch with pomme dauphine, Brussel leaves, turnips and port jus, and decadent desserts like a dark chocolate pot with whiskey cream. There are some delicious sounding vegetarian options too – we love the look of the pistachio and blue cheese nut roast with rosemary and garlic roasties.

It’s £30 for three courses, £25 for two.

On Christmas Day, the Willow Tree will be serving up a spectacular five-course menu with cocktails at £85 per head. www.thewillowtreebourn.com

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© Daisy Dickinson

CARPENTERS ARMS

KING WILLIAM IV A quirky, atmospheric dining destination, the King William IV in Heydon is an imposing 16th-century village pub with a sumptuous menu.

For Christmas 2015, they’re serving up a three-course feast for £26.95 per head including starters such as cream of celeriac soup, ham hock or whole baked Camembert; roast turkey, a game and chicken wellington or vegetable arrosto with truffle polenta for main course; and finish with Christmas pud with brandy sauce, fig, plum and pistachio tart, black cherry cheesecake or crème brûlée with orange and cranberry compote. Mmmm… www.king-william-iv.co.uk

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Planning an office Christmas party or a big family gathering?

Check out these local venues, all of which are perfect for large groups

Best for

big groups

WINTER DINING

GRAFFITI, HOTEL FELIX

One of the city’s most renowned restaurants, Graffiti at Hotel Felix offers innovative British cuisine in a sleek and modern setting. Take away the stress of entertaining on Christmas Day itself with a sumptuous three-course feast, complete with champagne and canapés, or see in the New Year in style with fine dining, fizz and live music.

Hotel Felix can cater for groups of up to 60, making it an ideal venue for those with an office Christmas party to plan (or indeed a huge family shindig). The Christmas party lunch menu costs £25 for three courses, including dishes like duck rillette with orange compote and toasted brioche and steamed hake with cider and onion cream, wilted spinach and parsley mash. There’s a Christmas party dinner menu too, which begins with a glass of fizz, features an indulgent three-course feast and finishes with a disco (£50 per person). www.hotelfelix.co.uk

CAMBRIDGE CANTEEN Also good for bigger groups of diners is Cambridge Canteen, located in Whittlesford. Edition paid a visit to this new-ish eaterie a couple of months back and fell in love with the gigantic burgers and intriguing toppings. The restaurant is spacious and stylish, with long tables designed for sociable dining – making it ideal for a group night out.

They’re upping their game this Christmas on the burger front, with The Ultimate Christmas Burger: a turkey and chipolata pattie with cranberry stuffing, topped with smoked cheddar, bacon and cranberry dressing, served in a toasted brioche and your choice of sweet potato fries or rustic chips. Wow. Also new for the festive season is the Partridge in a Pear Tree Burger: a partridge burger topped with sliced fresh pear and melted cheddar cheese, served with apple and raisin coleslaw, in a toasted brioche. www.cambridgecanteen.com

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HALLMARK HOTEL, BAR HILL There’s a huge array of Christmas packages at the Hallmark Hotel, Bar Hill, from three-day residential stays over the festive period (which include a non-stop schedule of indulgent dinners, full English breakfasts, cinema screenings, afternoon tea and more), right the way through to the Christmas party nights.

Perfect for large groups, the Christmas disco party nights (20-22 and 27-29 November and 4-6, 10-13 and 17-22 December) feature a traditional Christmas dinner and dancing. The all-inclusive Christmas party meanwhile, which takes place on 16 December, includes a threecourse all-you-can-eat carvery menu with roast turkey, pork loin, gammon and more, as well as unlimited Buck’s Fizz and canapés to start the evening, plus a full-blown disco and party games (you even get late-night mini fish and chips!). The all-inclusive night costs £49.99 per person, and bed and breakfast is available from £72 per person. www.hallmarkhotels.co.uk

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RECIPES

WORDS & IMAGES STELLA PEREIRA

is a cook, cake designer and artist, originally from Portugal and now living in Cambridge.

Visit her website at www.littlecakepot.com

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RECIPES

Stuffed kuri squash with spinach, orzo and goat’s cheese Ingredients • 2 red kuri squash • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 10ml olive oil • 1 cup spinach, wilted • 200g orzo • 100g goat’s cheese, crumbled • salt and freshly ground black pepper • nutmeg • extra olive oil for drizzling

Step by step: Pre-heat oven to 200°C (fan) or 220°F (conventional).

Wash the kuri squash and cut off tops. Bake for 20-30 minutes. Remove from oven and scoop out seeds (discard) and as much squash flesh as possible (keep for later).

In a separate pan, bring water to a boil. Add orzo and cook for slightly less time than directed on the pack (it will cook further in the oven). Drain and drizzle with a little olive oil. Set aside.

Meanwhile, in a medium pan over low heat, soften garlic in olive oil for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add the squash flesh and spinach, season with salt, pepper and a pinch of nutmeg. Stir on low heat for ten minutes for flavours to infuse. Add a scoop of the orzo cooking water and simmer gently.

Add orzo and combine thoroughly.

Place squash in a baking tray, drizzle the inside of the squash with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Alternate layers of orzo and squash filling with goat’s cheese. Top with cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes, then grill for an extra five minutes to add more colour.

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RECIPES

Marmelada

(Portuguese quince cheese) Ingredients

• 1kg quince • 600g golden caster sugar • one cinnamon stick • lemon peel • 250ml filtered water

Step by step: Scrub and wash quince thoroughly. Carefully peel, core and cut into quarters.

Place quince peel, cores and water in a large pot on medium heat. Cook for ten to 15 minutes. Drain the cooking liquid and set aside. Discard peel and cores.

Add quince quarters, sugar, cinnamon stick, lemon peel and cooking liquid to the pot. Stir over medium heat until sugar has dissolved. Brush the sides of the pot with a wet brush to remove sugar crystals. Turn heat to low and cover the pot. Cook quince segments in the syrup for one hour. The quince and syrup will turn a deep coral colour. Remove and discard lemon peel and cinnamon stick.

Transfer poached quince into a jug and blend into a smooth puree with a hand blender. Return to pot and stir continuously over low heat for a further ten to 15 minutes to reduce and thicken. Transfer paste into sterilised jars or ramekins.

Cut discs of parchment paper and cover the surfaces. Allow to set overnight.

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RECIPES

www.littlecakepot.com

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EATING OUT

NOVI A

lot’s been happening at number 12 Regent Street of late. The Fountain, known for its pumping tunes and late nights, has gone, making way for the altogether more refined Novi: an innovative coffee bar and cocktail lounge with some rather exciting foodie plans on the horizon.

Walking in you can’t help but be impressed by the stylish fit-out, with its sleek furnishings, marble-topped tables, atmospheric lighting and air of understated cool. It’s been utterly transformed from its previous incarnation, and now feels more like a glamorous corner of Mayfair than the city centre of Cambridge.

By day, Novi operates as a sophisticated coffee bar, serving up speciality espressos,

YOU CAN’T HELP BUT BE IMPRESSED

© Daisy Dickinson

BY THE STYLISH FIT-OUT

light bites and brunches at the weekend, and if you pop by on a Sunday, as we did, you can sample their irresistible roast dinners.

My partner shotgunned the classic – roast beef – so I went for the local free-range chicken with all the trimmings. I’d assumed it was impossible to make a mound of gravy-soaked meat a thing of beauty, but Novi achieve it effortlessly, presenting a dish that looks as delicious as it tastes. This is a roast for the discerning diner: the succulent skin-on breast and juicy leg of chicken with voluminous Yorkshire pudding, was accompanied by delicately cooked greens with just the right amount of crunch. Add to this roasted baby carrots, sweet, creamy turnip and swede mash, and roast potatoes that were crisp on the outside, hot and fluffy on the inside, and we might just have the recipe for the best Sunday roast in town.

Across the table, the slices of pink, tender beef, given a spicy hit by the home-made white onion and horseradish puree, were proving just as big a success.

On the drinks front, we were impressed by the wine list and range of ales, but it’s the killer cocktail list which really sets Novi apart from the crowd. They take their drinks seriously here, offering an intriguing selection of botanical concoctions which range from the sweet and zesty Tickled Pink (rhubarb vodka, rhubarb syrup, fresh lemon juice,

© Daisy Dickinson

STYLISH AND SOPHISTICATED NOVI IS ALL ABOUT SPECIALITY COFFEES STUNNING COCKTAILS , , AND AN EVER-CHANGING FOODIE LINE-UP

lemonade and citrus tincture), to the rich and smooth delights of the Fair Trade (vanilla vodka, Fair Café, Mozart white chocolate, gomme syrup and Aztec chocolate bitters).

The evening food offering is where things get really interesting. Rather than a single menu or style of cuisine, Novi will be hosting a series of pop-ups and kitchen residencies, showcasing the cream of our local food scene and offering a constantly changing line-up of deliciousness to tempt diners.

First up, from mid-November, local burger heroes Steak & Honour will be pitching up in the Novi kitchen for a stint over the winter months, so you’ll be able to pop by and sip on an artfully created tipple while you enjoy one of their now-famous gourmet burgers (we approve!). There’s plenty more to come too, from supper clubs to appearances from more local street food favourites. We reckon it sounds like a winning combination, offering a chance to sample the best of Cambridge’s burgeoning foodie revolution in an undeniably luxurious setting. We can’t wait to see what Novi has in store – stay tuned to Edition and keep an eye on Novi’s website and social media for announcements. www.novicambridge.co.uk

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NEWS

Welcome As the festive season fast approaches, Cambridge has a host of exciting events and activities planned for residents of all tastes and ages. The Big Switch On, rather than just the flick of a switch, incorporates a whole weekend of fun on 14-15 November, meanwhile Cambridge BID has been scouting out the shops with the best customer service.

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, encouraging people to visit and enjoy our fabulous city.

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

Loving Christmas Magazine – Out Now! Packed with fantastic gift ideas, essential local information and unmissable events, the Cambridge BID 2015 Loving Christmas magazine is out now. To help you on your way with your festive retail therapy, we profile what you can expect from our city’s shopping centres, as well as what the many and varied shops on our historic streets will be offering, and of course, some of the wonderful and surprising finds that you might encounter in Cambridge Markets. There’s also an extensive gift guide, with perfect presents for every budget, plus some inspiration for dining out in the city this Christmas.

From a traditional panto to the Mill Road Winter Fair, we also offer some seasonal events highlights to make sure you make the most out of your Cambridge Christmas.

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NEWS

The Big Switch On 2015

Cambridge BID Awards Following the success of last year’s Mystery Shop and Awards Programme, Cambridge BID held their third awards evening last month to recognise and reward high levels of customer service from Cambridge businesses.

The event, held at Magdalene College, was attended by representatives from city centre businesses that were rated anonymously by mystery shoppers during two visits in March and July and rated on selling skills, staff attitude, store standards and local knowledge.

Edward Quigley, Cambridge BID manager, says: “A company can provide the best products, however without great customer service the shopping experience is somewhat lacklustre. Research has shown that 66% of customers have spent more with companies where they have a history of positive customer service.”

Two overall winners, who received 100% satisfaction across all the criteria they were being judged on, were Lush and Kuoni. Other winners included fashion retailers Cuckoo (‘The staff members tried very hard to show me outfits that I would like, and listened to me as a customer’), The Snug on Lensfield Road (‘top class’) and Cambridge Science Centre.

Adds Edward: “This year Cambridge BID has worked hard to support businesses in driving up standards and we’ve been delighted with the way they’ve embraced our feedback. There’s always room for improvement and throughout 2016 we’ll once again be helping businesses build on these tremendous results by arranging targeted training courses based on the feedback from the mystery shop reports.”

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The Big Switch on is taking place on the weekend of 14 and 15 November and Cambridge BID invites you to join them for the festivities.

The fun begins on Saturday at The Grafton with a special appearance from everyone’s favourite porker, Peppa Pig. Heart FM will be there, too, to entertain the crowds until the lights are switched on at 4pm.

The fun continues on Sunday with circus performers throughout the city, various activities at Lion Yard and Grand Arcade, and entertainment from midday at the Market Square to include choirs, dance troupes, hula-hooping and a special performance from the Corn Exchange’s hilarious Christmas Show, Horrible Christmas.

This year we are delighted to announce that X Factor starlets and local girl band PYT will be turning on this year’s Christmas Lights. PYT are a local five-piece girl group who starred in this year’s series of The X Factor and have just recorded their first single: a cover of Beyoncé’s Rise Up. It is released on 13 November with all proceeds going to BBC Children in Need. www.cambridgebid.co.uk @cambridgebid

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NEWS

… h it w s e t u in m Five

PYT

Having wowed audiences and judges alike on the X Factor, Cambridge-based girl band PYT will take a break from their starry schedule to switch on the city’s Christmas lights this November. Says Becky Burrell, marketing and commercial manager, Cambridge BID: “Every year our Christmas lights add sparkle and festive cheer to the city centre in the run-up to Christmas. Our Big Switch On weekend will be jam-packed with live entertainment across all the main shopping areas, and we’re delighted that PYT will be our guests to turn on the lights.”

Edition grabbed a word with the girls – here’s what they told us.

Hi PYT. How are you feeling about switching on the Cambridge Christmas lights?

We are so exited! It really is such an honour to be asked to be a part of the Big

20

Nov

The North Pole Christmas Festival Cambridge BID are delighted to be supporting the return of The North Pole Christmas Festival from 20 November until 4 January 2016. The North Pole features an outdoor open-air ice rink and undercover Alpine-themed bar, thrilling rides and games for all ages, an English market and Santa’s Throne Room (Santa arrives 28 November). www.thenorthpolecambridge.co.uk

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Switch On this year and we really can’t wait to get out there and meet the lovely people of Cambridge.

How did you all meet?

Ebony and Renetta were in a band before that were featured on Britain’s Got Talent and they received the Golden buzzer from Alesha Dixon but it didn’t work out (thankfully – as now we have them!).

But we all answered an audition that was run by our management team, and we all literally get on so well. We’re like five sisters with one mission!

Who is your biggest music idol?

We have many, Michael Jackson was a massive musical influence on us hence the name ‘PYT’, but we also love Beyoncé and the independent woman attitude she has.

What was it like being on X Factor?

It was a lot of work, the judges are lovely though, as are all the team behind the scenes. We did long hours with no sleep, so we really had to apply the make-up to cover the sleep lines!

Were you happy to get Cheryl as a mentor? What is she like?

We couldn’t be happier! Cheryl is amazing, such a kind, genuine lady. I think because she originally came from a show like X Factor she understands the pressures and can relate. She really is a normal, downto-earth beauty.

How did you decide what to sing for your audition?

We have a vision of what we want to be

in the music industry. It was a joint decision with our management who are amazing, and we wanted to show versatility, energy, but above all the fact that we can all sing.

How would you describe your sound?

Ummm, Cheryl said we are like the British Fifth Harmony and, to be honest, we would agree: a pop sound with a little PYT twist.

Who is the biggest diva in the group?

Ha ha! Umm, we are all a little diva-ish at times but one thing is for sure, our feet are firmly on the ground and that’s where they will stay.

Your new single, Rise Up, is in aid of Children in Need and includes videos sent in from members of the public. Were you impressed by the clips?

I have to say the response has been amazing, we feel so lucky with all the opportunities we have had recently that we really would like to give something back. It’s so important to support people – sometimes we forget just how lucky we are.

We can’t thank everybody enough who has taken the time to send videos in. Regarding the best, wow, there have been so many.

What will you each be doing for Christmas?

We are all very family orientated so will work up till Christmas then have a family Christmas with our loved ones.

Any final words for your fans?

We would like to thank everyone that has supported us, the papers and radio, the continued love from the people of Cambridge and Cambridge BID for asking us to perform this year, we can’t wait to see you all on 15 November! We are all overwhelmed. Big kisses from PYT xx

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COMMUNITY

Community news FOSTER CARERS NEEDED Cambridgeshire people with a spare room could provide vital aid to young sanctuary seekers from countries such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Under the Children Act 1989, it is the responsibility of local authorities to care for under 18s who arrive in the country from abroad seeking sanctuary.

However, with local authorities struggling to find places, Foster Care Associates (FCA) is urging people with a spare room to get in touch.

Says Lynn Webb, chief operating officer for FCA: “These children and young people are often extremely traumatised after a dangerous and long journey. As a society, we have a legal and moral obligation to care for them and they should not be viewed as just a statistic.

“We urgently require specialist foster carers who can provide the security and stability that these young people need, whilst helping them to adjust to their lives in a new country.

“FCA will provide all the support and training needed in a highly structured and tailored package for both the carer and the young person in care – all underpinned by our Team Parenting model of support.”

For more information call 0800 022 4012. www.thefca.co.uk

On 12 September, 46 teams gathered on Ditton Common to take part in the annual Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival, organised by Gable Events. The event was in support of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) and raised over £8,500 for the charity.

Winners on the day were ‘Turntanic’, representing Turner & Townsend, who completed the course with a time of 55.67 seconds. They were followed by ‘G&T On The Rocks’ (Gardiner & Theobald LLP) and ‘Turnado’ – a second team from Turner & Townsend.

An array of colourful costumes were on display, and Gilead Sciences, dressed as superheroes, took the title of Best Dressed. Competitors and spectators were also treated to traditional Chinese dances and a Spitfire flyover.

Carol Lester, director of Gable Events, says: “We were delighted with this year’s Dragon Boat Festival, the atmosphere was fantastic and it was great to see so many people enjoying themselves in the lovely weather. The feedback from teams and visitors alike was positive, and many people commented on how much they enjoyed the colourful lion dances and the spectacular flypast from the Spitfire.

“A huge thank you goes to all the teams that took part and helped to raise vital funds to support Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust. It is the 200th anniversary of the hospital next year, so we are hoping the next event will be another sell-out, with substantial funds raised for this great cause.” www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk

CHARITY RECRUITS IN ST NEOTS © Vanessa Barton Photography

DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL RAISES OVER £8K

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity is looking for people in St Neots with an hour or two to spare every other month to help with street and supermarket collections around the town.

The charity supports people living with life-limiting illnesses. Says community fundraiser Amy Bidwell: “Without volunteers we wouldn’t be able to raise much-needed funds or awareness. Volunteering fits around your life, whether you are a student with a few spare hours between lectures, employed but still able to give up some time at the weekend, or retired and looking to give back to the community. Your time really makes a difference to our patients and their loved ones.”

Email: amy.bidwell@arhc.org.uk

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FAMILY

THE BOY WHO NEVER GREW UP Warner Bros’ big-screen take on J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan came out last month, but there’s another chance to set sail for Neverland with The Boy Who Never Grew Up. This interactive show uses puppetry and music to create a vivid story of pirates, mermaids and lost boys, live on stage.

Suitable for ages 4+, and adults who never really grew up. Plus, before the show, there’ll be a free arts and crafts session. Show times are 11.30am and 2.30pm, 15 November.

Tickets £10 (£6 children, £27 family ticket). www.junction.co.uk

TIME CAPSULE MARKS 40 YEARS OF LION YARD

A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS The Victorians really knew how to do Christmas. The 1800s gave us the Christmas tree, Christmas cards, the tradition of the turkey and many of our most popular carols. Find yourself back in the era of Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens at Audley End House this month, and experience Christmas as it used to be. On 28 and 29 November, the great halls will be well and truly decked, Christmas trees trimmed and the kitchens put to work preparing the festive feast of the year.

Opening times are 10am-4pm, tickets £15.75 (£9.81 children). www.english-heritage.org.uk

What will you remember about 2015 in 20 years’ time? At Lion Yard, on 31 October, a time capsule was buried to mark the shopping centre’s 40th anniversary, containing items from everyday life in 2015.

These include British currency; a mobile phone with the latest apps to show how technology has changed; shop receipts to show how prices have changed; photos of the centre, staff and shoppers, as well as local publications to show what was taking place in the city in 2015. The time capsule also includes a letter from Princess Anne, who opened the centre in 1975.

“I love the idea that in 20 years time we will be able to dig it up and see how things have changed in two decades,” says centre manager Amy Rhys-Davies. www.thelionyard.co.uk

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A MUSICAL RUMPUS On 8 November, Saffron Hall presents Spitalfields Music’s award-winning Musical Rumpus series – an interactive concert made especially for children aged 0 to two-and-a-half. Inspired by the Australian lyrebird – an incredible animal which can mimic any sound and make it into song – this latest production invites babies and parents to explore sounds, textures and instruments. Sessions are at 11am and 2pm, followed by a specially-designed free-play session. www.saffronhall.com

THE GRUFFALO Clever Cambridge kids all know, there IS such a thing as a Gruffalo! Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved story comes to the Cambridge stage, inviting you into the woods to meet characters from the cunning fox to the eccentric owl – and the star himself: the warty, tusky Gruffalo.

Tall Stories’ musical adaptation has been performed all over the world to great acclaim. See it at Cambridge Arts Theatre, 10-15 November. Tickets are £12.50. www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

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TIGER TREK WORDS JENNY SHELTON

TIGER

Rebecca Willers: Why I braved leeches and dangerous jungle terrain to help end poaching n 2014 she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for polar bears and last month returned from a dangerous trek through the Sumatran jungle to help end tiger poaching. It seems there are no lengths to which Rebecca Willers, curator of Shepreth Wildlife Park, won’t go to safeguard our planet’s most endangered animals.

The fate of the Sumatran tiger looks bleak: hunted for their skin and bones, which are used in traditional medicine, there are only around 500 left in the wild.

Rebecca, pictured below, joined the Tiger Protection Conservation Unit (TPCU) on a seven-day trek through the Kerinci Seblat National Park to find out about their work apprehending illegal poachers.

“My expectations of what it would be like were far removed from what it was actually like,” says Rebecca. “We didn’t see much wildlife, but we were constantly coming across illegal loggers, snares and live poacher camps.”

Rebecca was joined by friends from other UK zoos including Colchester Zoo, Paradise Wildlife Park, Linton Zoo and Woburn Safari Park.

“I approached them a year and a half ago when we’d just finished Kilimanjaro, asking if they were up for another challenge. Then I got in touch with Debbie Martyr, who runs the TPCU project, and asked how she felt about letting us tag along with her rangers.”

Speaking about the conditions they faced, she says: “The terrain is so difficult and we were carrying over 20kg on our backs, in 30° heat. We’d step over gaps

where, if you missed your footing, you’d be done for! One day I swear it was raining leeches – my friend pointed out there was blood on my neck, then we realised it was everywhere. After a while you become hardened to it. On the first day we were careful about getting out boots wet, but by the end we were wading through rivers, waist deep.”

She continues: “We slept in the open, on ground sheets. At night the jungle is so loud with insects. Then to wake up in the morning looking into a jungle is surreal.”

Did they ever feel in danger?

“A couple of times we trekked through the dark and you think, wow, at any point a tiger could just take us out. It’s always in the back of your mind. But what was apparent was that, by having tigers in the forest, this is preventing some people going in. If you take the tiger out of the equation, what’s to stop the illegal loggers?”

Rebecca has a huge affection for Shepreth’s two tigers, Amba and Rana, so was naturally moved when they found evidence of tiger cruelty.

“We came across an old snare by a tree stump which had tiger marks all down it.

The guide said this is where a tiger had been snared and you could imagine it writhing around in pain. I think that stopped us all in our tracks for a minute.”

She continues: “We found out that it’s not just tigers that are being poached. We came across a tapir, and we thought ‘what on earth do they want the tapir for?’ But of course they don’t – they use it to catch a tiger. It’s a live-bait trap. And you realise then that there are two species in danger.”

The group also discovered a camp full of caged birds which had had their flight feathers pulled out.

“Almost every home in Indonesia has a bird, so they’re sold for the pet trade,” says Rebecca. “The poachers weren’t there, but we weren’t sure when they’d return. We had a dilemma as we wanted to take all the birds with us, but then of course they’d catch just as many as we’d taken all over

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again to replace them. And we still had three days to walk through the forest so we couldn’t carry them all. In the end we took half with the aim of letting them recuperate then releasing them. And we left notices up, warning the poachers that what they were doing was illegal.”

DONATE:

www.justgiving. com/Tigertrek

Later, the group caught some illegal loggers in the act.

“When we saw them, the TPCU boys dropped everything and ran at them. They got away, so we took their equipment. So now our rangers were carrying bags, birds and a bunch of chainsaws and tools, while crossing ridges hanging onto bits of vine!

“What the TPCU do is amazing,” adds Rebecca. “Without these patrol guides there is just no hope at all. They just need more funding.”

You can help by donating to Rebecca’s JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/ Tigertrek

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LISTINGS CHECK OUT LOCAL EVENTS ONLINE

cambsedition.co.uk

A ROUND-UP OF EVENTS IN AND AROUND CAMBRIDGESHIRE THIS NOVEMBER 8 NOVEMBER DAVID STARKEY Time: 7.45pm Location: Arts Theatre Price: from £12.50 Description: Quite frankly, what David Starkey doesn’t know about kings and queens probably isn’t worth knowing.

The Cambridge-educated historian, known for his forthright views, will be discussing the Magna Carta and the monarchy in this one-off talk. cambridgeartstheatre.com

4 NOVEMBER THE PROCLAIMERS Time: 7.30pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: from £17.50 Description: The Scottish twins who gave us I’m On My Way and the timeless I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) present what’s sure to be an excellent live show. cambridgelivetrust.co.uk 5 NOVEMBER FIREWORKS DISPLAY Time: from 7.30pm Location: Midsummer Common Price: £1 donation Description: Cambridge’s annual fireworks display, with fairground and bonfire, too. cambridge.gov.uk/fireworks 5 NOVEMBER PATRICK KIELTY Time: 8pm Location: Cambridge Junction Price: £17 Description: The stand-up and radio presenter is attempting to write the rule book for love, life, and happiness. He needs your help. Bring along your stories and advice, and he’ll do the rest. junction.co.uk

10-15 NOVEMBER THE GRUFFALO Time: Various Location: Arts Theatre Price: £12.50 Description: The family favourite comes to the Cambridge Arts Theatre stage direct from the West End, inviting you on a daring adventure through the woods.

Packed with songs, laughs and plenty of scary fun. cambridgeartstheatre.com

13 NOVEMBER CAREY MARX Time: 8.15pm Location: Comberton Sports & Arts Price: £8 Description: A comedian for those who like their humour dark and mischievous, Carey Marx tackles edgy topics and has performed at Reading, Leeds and Glastonbury Festivals. custardcomedy.co.uk

13-14 November FESTIVAL OF THE SPOKEN NERD: JUST FOR GRAPHS Time: 8pm Location: Cambridge Junction Price: £16 Description: Science and comedy – what could be more Cambridge? The trio behind Full Frontal Nerdity offers up an assortment of graph-a-minute experiments live on stage. junction.co.uk

15 NOVEMBER CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON Time: TBC Location: Market Square Price: Free Description: Gather for the official start of the festive season as dignitaries from the city and special guests PYT flick the switch and light up the streets of Cambridge.

15 NOVEMBER ONE MAN BREAKING BAD Time: 8pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £21 Description: Yo, listen up, b****!

In this five-star parody of the Netflix phenomenon, Miles Allen condenses Breaking Bad into one awesome show, doing all the voices and iconic scenes. cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

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LISTINGS

21 November

NINA CONTI Time: 8pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £21 Description: Beautiful, talented and hilarious, Nina Conti brings her acclaimed show In Your Face to Cambridge. Audiences provide the inspiration in this unique part-puppet, part-improv show. cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

19 NOVEMBER THEA GILMORE Time: 8pm Location: Cambridge Junction Price: £23.50 Description: Come and hear songs from Thea’s new album, Ghosts & Graffiti, which has proved the biggest selling in her 15-album career. junction.co.uk 21 NOVEMBER VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS Time: 7.30pm Location: Great St Mary’s Church Price: £23 Description: Possibly the most popular piece of classical music ever, La Serenissima perform The Four Seasons to celebrate their 21st anniversary. cambridgeearlymusic.org

22 November

VOCALESE WORKSHOP Time: 11am Location: Arts Picturehouse Price: Free Description: Singer and pianist Robin Phillips leads a musical workshop for anyone wanting to learn the art of writing and singing lyrics, to an instrumental solo or improvisation. Best suited to those with some musical experience; part of Cambridge Jazz Festival. cambridgejazzfestival.org.uk 24 NOVEMBER MARY BEARD Time: 7.30pm Location: Ely Cathedral Price: £10

Description: Delve into the myths and stories of ancient Rome with the celebrated Cambridge historian. Part of Ely’s Autumn Festival, and in conjunction with her latest book, SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome. toppingbooks.co.uk 24-28 NOVEMBER SISTER ACT Time: 7.45pm Location: Arts Theatre Price: from £15 Description: A disco diva, sent to live in a convent for her own protection, helps her fellow nuns become the singing sensation of the town – much to the disapproval of the Mother Superior. Performed by Cambridge Operatic Society. cambridgeartstheatre.com

28-29 November

A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS Time: 10am-4pm Location: Audley End House Price: £15.75 (adults) Description: Fill your boots with Christmas spirit at the English Heritage stately home and discover the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas in the 1800s. english-heritage.org.uk

29 NOVEMBER THE PERSONALITY OF POWER Time: 5.30pm Location: The Winstanley Price: £6/£10 Description: Author Dan Hodges and an ensemble of political writers discuss the dramatic fallout after the 2015 election and what it takes to be the leader of our country. Part of Cambridge Literary Festival. cambridgeliteraryfestival.com

28-29 Nov

25 NOVEMBER-5 DECEMBER ROBIN HOOD Time: 7.45pm Location: ADC Theatre Price: £9-£15 Description: The eagerly-awaited CUADC/Footlights pantomime.

Think of the story of Robin Hood, then add some socialist commentary and singing trees, and you’ve just about got it. adctheatre.com 27 NOVEMBER THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN Time: 7.30pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: from £26 Description: Motown brought us some of the best music of the 20th century; now hear hits by the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five, Diana Ross and more at this feel-good show. cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

28-29 NOVEMBER ST PETERSBURG CLASSIC BALLET Time: 2.30/7.30pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: from £27.50 Description: The company perform two beautiful ballets, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker to a full live orchestra. The perfect pre-Christmas treat. cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

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INDIE OF THE MONTH

Go Glass From Hampton Court to your new shower screen, Edition meets the family business with a varied repertoire family firm established in 1978, Go Glass still has family values at its core. Based at a small showroom and workshop on Cherry Hinton Road, Go Glass is headed up

by Clive Sparkes, whose parents opened the shop in Cambridge, offering a friendly, local service for all manner of household and business projects.

“The work is so, so varied,” explains Clive.

“Sometimes a client will come in having done their own sketch for a Victorian-style door panel and the next might just say: ‘I’m looking for something a bit different on my new shower door... I like Peacocks’.”

From glass doors to decorative sculptures, Go Glass is always up for a challenge.

When Edition visited the workshop some weeks back, the space was dominated by a larger-than-life-sized glass athlete, which Clive had finished at 3am the previous

morning ready for its unveiling. He hopes to sell it for charity.

“We are in talks with CLIC Sargent at the moment to find a suitable place to exhibit the runner but I have already had an offer from a client who hadn’t even seen it, but knew of my other work,” says Clive.

The impressive, two-dimensional runner – depicted in a traditional-style running vest and trainers – took over 100 hours of work, using carving and sandblasting techniques to

create different textures and shapes.

There’s no eraser, so if anything had gone wrong, Clive would have had to start over.

Says Clive: “My first task was to find a suitable image that didn't have extended arms or legs, as these would have exploded in the kiln as the glass was heated. I then made a computer file of the outline of the runner so that the glass could be cut to shape.”

Clive honed his interest in glasswork while helping out his parents as a child.

“I was etching pieces of glass with a hand engraver from about the age of 12, making coasters and mirrors for friends at school,” he explains. “I have been very lucky to have worked on some fantastic projects. We were asked to design and etch an image of Hampton Court to go in a reception area, on four 50kg glass panels bolted to the wall. That job was the closest that I’ve come to throwing in the towel.

At Hampton Court, the chimneys all have elaborate brick patterns, and to meet the deadline I had to work through the night. By the end my fingers were a little sore, to say the least, from cutting and removing pieces of stencil!”

Clive works alongside sisters Tracy and Emma, and the rest of the staff are like an extended family. Meeting some of their young apprentices, the enthusiasm and pride they have for their work is wonderful.

“Our production team are multi-skilled and continuously learning; nobody wants to do the same thing all day long, every day,” says Clive. “We’re very lucky in that we have different challenges all the time. We use the latest computer-aided designs alongside traditional glass-cutting and etching techniques – I don’t think it’s just about

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passing on skills, as the world is continually turning, and the way I did something 20 years ago isn’t necessarily the best way now.

So we need the young ones with fresh ideas and designs.”

Go Glass can lend their expertise and enthusiasm to all kinds of projects, offering advice and inspiration and working with only ethically sourced materials.

Go Glass, 127 Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge. www.go-glass.co.uk

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FASHION NEWS

LEATHER HOLDALL £115 ARK, PEAS HILL

Check out our top picks this month from some of our favourite local independent fashion boutiques

BUTTON SHIRT £95 & LUXE JOGGER £109 ANNA, SAFFRON WALDEN

JOHN AND PEARL COMET NECKLACE £124.95 CUCKOO CLOTHING, BURWASH MANOR & ST MARY’S PASSAGE

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TROLLBEADS! Trollbeads, a Danish family business founded in 1976, has craftsmanship and creativity at the heart of its ethos.

The original charm bead brand, every bead is a work of art, designed to perfectly adorn their bracelets, necklaces and bangles, made from silver, gold and five other materials.

Beautiful earrings and rings make up the rest of the Trollbeads collection.

The jewellers opened its first concept store in the UK on Market Street in Cambridge in November 2014, which will this month mark its anniversary with a birthday celebration. Pop in to the store on the weekend of 21-22 November and enjoy bubbles, sweet treats and competitions, as well as live glass-bead making. There will also be giveaways, including free glass beads (worth over £35) for customers spending over £50. www.trollbeads.com

BY-LIN OBEROI BAG £250 PODAROK, BENE’T STREET

VALLEY OF THE DOLLS DENIM SHIRT DRESS £59 LILAC ROSE, BRIDGE STREET

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FASHION

NUDE AND SILVER SEQUIN DRESS £69.99 NEW LOOK, LION YARD & GRAFTON CENTRE

FAUX FUR COAT £179, SEQUIN SKIRT £99, ALICE GLITTER/SUEDE SLIP ON TRAINERS £89 MINT VELVET

SEQUIN BOMBER £130 PHASE EIGHT, GRAND ARCADE

all that

glitters

WORDS NICOLA FOLEY

GOLD SEQUIN TOP £14 PRIMARK, BURLEIGH STREET

SEQUIN CAMI £30 NEXT, GRAFTON CENTRE

In a move from the fashion world that elicits an enormous high five from me, sequins and glitter are officially back in vogue (after seasons of yawny pared-back, minimalist styles). As seen on the catwalks of Rodarte, Sonia Rykiel and Michael Kors, to name a few, designers went mad for shimmery embellishments in their AW15 collections – sometimes even incorporating the glittery fun into casual daywear – we approve!

SONIA RYKIEL AW15

RODARTE AW15

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CREAM FAUX FUR GILET £45 MISS SELFRIDGE

METALLIC BOOTS TOP 5

HAT £7, COAT £35, TOP £6, JEANS £15, TRAINERS £12 PRIMARK, BURLEIGH STREET

CAT FOOTWEAR COLORADO BURNISH BRIGHTS ANKLE BOOTS £110 ASOS

SHINY HEEL ANKLE BOOT £39.99 ZARA, ST ANDREW’S STREET

ROKSANDA AW15 KURT GEIGER SAFFRON BOOTS £59 DEBENHAMS, GRAFTON CENTRE

Cosy, colourful and a bit crazy, we love the larger-than-life fluffy coats currently popping up all over the high street (and adorning every fashion blogger worth her Insta account).

On the AW15 catwalks, there were shearling numbers at Lanvin, playful fluffy coats in bright colours at Roksanda and huge maxi fur coats at Stella McCartney. We reckon these beauts will see you right through the winter months, as well as festival season next year.

VAGABOND DAISY GOLD METALLIC LEATHER ANKLE BOOTS £100 ASOS

FAUX LONDON FLUFFY FAUX FUR HOODED COAT £110 ASOS

PRESLEE BOOT £115 DUNE, MARKET PASSAGE

GILET £18 PRIMARK, BURLEIGH STREET

PREMIUM PATCHWORK SHEEPSKIN COAT £695 TOPSHOP, GRAFTON CENTRE & GRAND ARCADE

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Keep snug in style with our top coats and jackets from the high street

WRAP UP

FASHION

ASOS WOOL HARRINGTON JACKET £55 ASOS

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RED BLACK CHECK SHERPA COLLAR JACKET £30 PRIMARK, BURLEIGH STREET NEW LOOK DENIM JACKET £24.99 ASOS

KHAKI MARVIN FLEECE LINED PARKA £120 HOUSE OF FRASER

MAC £120 HAMMOND & CO BY PATRICK GRANT, DEBENHAMS, GRAFTON CENTRE

COAT £89.99 ZARA, ST ANDREW’S STREET

PENDLE TWEED OVERCOAT £399 JAEGER, TRINITY STREET

TED BAKER T FOR TALL MACKRUL DOUBLE BREASTED PEACOAT £329 JOHN LEWIS

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BEAUTY

GET YOUR FESTIVE

N O E C A F

Whether you’re going from desk to dance floor or have a little longer to plan your look, Daisy Dickinson has picked the must-have trends to get you party-ready

nottheninetofive.com

1.

WORDS DAISY DICKINSON

CONQUER

2.

contouring

Not quite as scary as it may seem, contouring is a clever way to add definition and give an airbrushed look that's just perfect for parties. If this seems completely alien to you, visit nottheninetofive.com and search ‘contouring’ for a stepby-step guide, or absorb a few YouTube tutorials first. The idea is to exaggerate where light casts shadows and adds highlights to your skin. If you like a cream base, the new Contour Stick Trio from Smashbox 1 are so easy to use, or try their powder Step by Step Counter kit (both £35, Boots) 2 , complete with handy guide. For those on a budget, Seventeen’s Define and Conquer Contour kit (£5.99, Boots) 3 comes with two shades in light and medium options for a very reasonable price. One you’ll definitely want to see under the tree this season is Charlotte Tilbury’s Filmstar Bronze and Glow (£49, charlottetilbury.com) 4 . Packaged in gold metal, the bronzer is delightfully smooth to blend, with a rose-gold highlighter that gives a subtle glimmer to cheek and brow bones – gorgeous!

3.

4.

1.

4.

SASSY strobing 3.

2.

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If contouring still sends you running for the hills, strip it back and give highlighting a high-five. Called strobing in the make-up world, highlighting should add a flattering illumination to cheekbones, brow bones and cupid’s bow. Fair-skinned lovelies should try Smashbox LA Lights stick in Hollywood & Highlight (£25, Boots) 1 , a smooth stick that glides easily on and is super-blendable. For an all-natural option that gives a hydrating, creamy glow, we’re loving Lavera’s Soft Glowing Highlighter in Shining Pearl (£9.50, Holland & Barrett) 2 . Medium to darker skin tones should head to QVC to get their hands on cult cosmetic brand Tarte’s Glisten Cheek Stain 3 for a sassy sheen. It also smells very similar to Refreshers sweets – yum! Another brand we’re excited to see stocked is Becca Cosmetics, whose Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Powder (£26.95 and £28.95, both QVCuk.com) 4 is a favourite with beauty bloggers, thanks to its warm glow with velvet finish.

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BEAUTY

1.

Get lashed

BE bold 2.

The quickest way to add a little glamour, and ideal if you’re short on time, is to go all out with a bold lip. You can’t beat a classic red, and MAC’s Ruby Woo (£15.50, John Lewis) 1 has got to be one of the best. I also love Rimmel’s Kate Moss in 30 (£5.49, Superdrug) 2 for a sultry pout. Another beauty job to complete before your big night is getting your nails done. Head to Cambridge Spa and Nails on Burleigh Street for a Shellac manicure, or go DIY with Accessorize’s beautiful new range of polishes 3 just £5 each. Feeling crafty? Ciaté’s Caviar (£18, ciatelondon. com) 4 beads should definitely keep you busy for an evening.

4.

3.

My favourite part of completing party make-up is the lashes!

Eylure are getting in the seasonal spirit with their new and wonderfully sparkly Snow Queen limited edition range (£6.95, Boots) 1 or, for a more fluttery look, try the new Fleur de Force range (£5.25, Boots) 2 . However, if you’re ready to unlock your inner glamour queen, you have to get your mitts on MUA Vegas Nay’s range – my favourite being the Grand Glamour set (£6.95, Superdrug) which I’ve used below in six fail-safe steps for easy eyelash application…

2.

1.

How to apply false lashes

FRAME YOUR features I’m a firm believer that practice makes perfect, and this definitely applies to eye make-up. A subtle nude shade with shimmer is ideal for those nervous about overdoing it – simply sweep over eyelids for a flattering flutter, Seventeen’s new Easy on the Eye palette in Birthday Suit (£7.99, Boots) 1 is perfect for this, and can also be used for a full-on smoky eye – just remember to keep the darkest areas to the outer corners, with lighter towards your inner eye.

For power brows, Kiss Beautiful Brow set (£8.99, Asda) 2 or SEVENTEEN’s Brow’s That! (£5.99, Boots) 3 will add a defining finish. To keep your face on fleek, stash PÜR Minerals Love Your Selfie kit (£32, feelunique.com) 4 in your handbag. Everything you need for touch-ups: eight pigmented eyeshadows, lip gloss and mascara, bronzer, blush and my favourite highlighting powder.

2.

1.

ly 1. Hold lashes firmly and app p stri lash the to rally libe e glu

3. Make sure you have successfully covered both ends of the strip with glue blobs then wait for 30-40 seconds until glue starts drying slightly

2. Apply a second coat of glue, checking that the whole lash strip is covered – even the underneath

ly 4. Half close your eye & app looking down into a mirror

4.

3.

re ly until you’ 5. Press light ent em ac pl ith happy w

tips!

6. Allow the glue to dry and brush a little mascara through

and just go for it • Don’t over-think it, be confident it off and start again • If it goes wrong, don’t panic! Peel er will conceal mistakes • Used too much glue? Liquid eyelin

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WELLNESS

WELLNESS BROOKE’S SPA OPENS

NORDIC WALKING AT WANDLEBURY

A new spa and beauty centre has opened at Bourn Golf and Leisure, offering a range of treatments, a luxury pool, gym and purpose-built salon.

Brooke’s Beauty and Spa opened this summer on Toft Road, Bourn. Treatments include facials, massages, manicures, lash extensions and make-up lessons, including bridal packages, all performed by their team of fully qualified staff. www.brookesspa.co.uk

Discover the benefits of Nordic Walking at beautiful nature reserve Wandlebury Country Park, near the Gog Magog Hills. Wandlebury’s friendly group of walkers set off three times a day every Wednesday in November, led by well-being coach and Nordic Walking instructor Oliver Glynn.

Nordic Walkers use more of their entire body than regular strollers, so while taking in the beautiful scenery of the park and chatting with the group you’ll get a great workout without even noticing. Beginners, fear not – instruction will be given and there are three levels of walk: 1pm start for those with restricted mobility, 2pm for a ‘healthy-lifestyle speed’, and 3pm total beginners. Poles can be borrowed free of charge. The instruction fee is £5 and the car park is £3, unless you’re a Cambridge PPF member, in which case it’s free.

For more information and to book, email info@nordicwellbeing.co.uk

FESTIVE PARTY PACKAGE PACKAGE UNDER £100!

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Prepare for the party season at The Spa at Bedford Lodge, where they're running a Festive Party Spa preparation package for under £100.

Perfect to do with friends, for £95 per person you’ll receive an exfoliating body scrub (goodbye chapped winter skin!), a full Kissed by Mii body tan, mini manicure, mini pedicure and mini makeover.

The Spa at Bedford Lodge is housed in a beautiful building just outside Newmarket town centre, with stylish treatment rooms and a gorgeous pool. They use quality products by ESPA for body treatments and natural Jessica Cosmetics for hands and feet. Just add on an eyebrow and eyelash tint for the complete party look. www.bedfordlodgehotelspa.co.uk

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EDUCATION EDITION Post-GCSEs there’s a whole host of possibilities awaiting the city’s students, from traditional A levels and university to Baccalaureates and apprenticeships SIGN UP TO THE EDIT NEWSLETTER AT CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK

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Š The Stephen Perse Foundation Sixth Form College

EDUCATION

WORDS CHARLOTTE PHILLIPS

CONSIDER THE OPTIONS Sixth-form studies used to be regarded as the inevitable gateway to university, but students are increasingly considering alternatives to kick-start their careers SIGN UP TO THE EDIT NEWSLETTER AT CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK

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EDUCATION

It used to be such a clear, unambiguous decision. The academically inclined studied for A levels for two years then usually headed off for university. Those keen to draw a line under their schooldays and move into training, earning – or both – tended to leave at 16 for their first experience of the wonderful world of work. Both paths were well-trodden and – in many cases – largely separate.

Now, however, sixth-form studies and the onward destinations that go with them appear as multi-faceted as a disco ball – and potentially just as glittery.

In addition to A levels and their tried-andtrusted subject range – French to further maths, English to economics – there’s a host of additional qualifications and courses out there. Some, like the International Baccalaureate Diploma, are firmly rooted in classical academic teaching, though with the twist of a broader subject range (everyone takes maths, for example); others, such as BTECs, combine classroom study with a far more hands-on, practical dimension.

And just about any course can lead to a multitude of destinations these days. A BTEC might earn you a university place, while a clutch of A levels might be your springboard into an apprenticeship.

For many, the goal will remain higher education. The majority of sixth formers leaving The Leys School this summer are heading to destinations including Oxford, Durham and Birmingham.

Leavers at St Mary’s, too, are embarking on degree courses at high-profile universities – but the school is also seeing former

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© The Perse

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students starting apprenticeships or moving straight into employment. Headmistress Charlotte Avery confirms that sixth formers are going on to a wider range of destinations than ever before.

These include the prestigious EY School Leaver Programme, which lasts five years and leads to a sought-after professional accountancy qualification and a hotel – management traineeship. More unusually, one pupil has taken her first steps towards a career as a professional jockey with a post-GCSE apprenticeship.

So what’s prompted the change in thinking? A lot of the momentum has come from the students themselves, says Pauline Clarke, careers progression and HE advisor at CRC (Cambridge Regional College).

“Young people are now looking at their options more carefully. A lot realise that they don’t have to go to university to achieve at a high level in their career, even if they have the grades to do so.”

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EDUCATION

Today, with increasing numbers of schools and colleges actively preparing their students for a future in which higher education is seen as just one destination among many, life for sixth formers is clearly both more interesting and more complex than it used to be.

One website, the self-explanatory ‘Not going to uni’, congratulates visitors on their decision to leave formal education at 18 for having “proved you can think differently.”

HIGHER EDUCATION IS SEEN AS JUST ONE DESTINATION AMONG MANY University won’t always be the right choice, agrees Hannah Morrish, education community manager at The Student Room.

“It can be a stepping stone to a great career.

Having said that, though, it won’t be the be-all and end-all for your future.’ She points to full-time work, internships and apprenticeships – all highly successful ways of kick-starting careers.

According to a recent survey by the organisation, 13% of those who didn’t go on to university said they didn’t have the grades or qualifications they needed to do so. On a more positive note, however, over half who opted not to go into higher education did so because they wanted to “get on and start earning” – a far more positive reason.

Making the right decision is crucial. So before finalising their sixth-form choices, pupils – and their families - should seek enlightenment on planning for life post-16 and beyond well in advance, from the people in the know: sixth-form experts in our area.

Visiting a range of schools and colleges, keeping an open mind about courses and talking to other students can all be invaluable in weighing up the pros and cons of different qualifications and course structures.

Very academic courses with lots of high-pressure exams suit some people down to the ground. Others fare a lot better if there is more emphasis on practical learning or coursework, stresses Pauline Clarke at CRC. Courses can look amazing, but it’s important to ensure that they’ll take you where you want to go, she says. “The first question I would ask is ‘Where do your students go on to – what are their destinations?’ I’d also want to know if the school or college can help me achieve my aims – will my course get me to university, or to an apprenticeship or into a good job?”

Good guidance is essential in helping pupils opt for a pathway that will lead to the right university and the right course,

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© Cambridge Regional College

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EDUCATION

confirms Stuart Jack, head of The Stephen Perse Foundation Sixth Form College.

“Students should receive individual attention to help them make the right choices, for example, whether to follow the A level or IB curriculum,” he says (The Stephen Perse Foundation offers both).

Some courses, including medicine and veterinary science, have highly specific requirements. Elsewhere, there is considerable flexibility. “In most cases, a combination of good academic A levels will open the way to a huge range of university courses,” says Ray Mordini, head of sixth form at Friends’ School.

YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOW LOOKING AT THEIR OPTIONS MORE CAREFULLY And, as Charlotte Avery explains, it’s also important to find out how you’ll be supported during the crucial sixth-form years. “We believe it’s important to explore all the opportunities that are available, which is why personal and social education, coupled with sound careers advice and access to valuable work experience, play an intrinsic role in our girls’ education.”

Inevitably, as in so many other areas of education, there’s also a fair amount of

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© The Perse

misinformation and confusion out there – so it’s definitely worth scotching any myths at the start.

Most stem from outdated ideas, says Ray Mordini, who emphases the importance of good research. ‘Don’t just go for something because it’s in the “top ten” – it might not guarantee your personal success – and take plenty of informed advice, not just about what’s hot among your friends. The perfect destination for them may not be the right place for you.’

The bottom line is making full use of the expertise available in our area’s schools and colleges, planning ahead so you have a clear idea of where, what and how you would like to study post-16 – and where the courses might lead.

“The sixth form is a bridge from senior school to university, and personalised guidance is key to facilitating a smooth transition,” says Stuart Jack at the Stephen Perse Foundation.

Get it right and your final two years at school or college can offer the perfect blend of challenge and enjoyment – with the promise of even better to come after you’ve left.

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

UTC CAMBRIDGE real problems and at UTCC students are given the opportunity to work alongside industry partners on current projects. Partners currently include the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, MedImmune, Babraham Institute, Mott MacDonald, Napp Pharmaceuticals, Amey and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The career prospects for post-16 studies are wide and varied and are made accessible through our industry partners and/or higher education.

There are two pathways for post-16 studies at UTCC: the Academic pathway, offering A levels and the Applied Technical pathway, offering the BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Applied Science, with the option to combine with one of our AS levels on offer.

All UTC Cambridge students are required to participate in specialist studies provided in conjunction with our sponsors. Students model the workplace, working on site between 8.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Approximately 40% of each week is spent on specialist studies, including Challenge Projects, master classes and work-based learning.

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These naturally lead to extended project qualifications such as EPQ (carrying UCAS points) and Core Maths (a oneyear AS equivalent). Students can gain professional qualifications from the Duke of York programme, MatLab, AutoCad and Microsoft.

Set in state-of-the-art facilities, UTCC is designed to deliver the best education for students wishing to focus on science and technology. As you enter the Learning Plaza, you will find students gathered informally, intent on learning. The top floor, based on the MRC Super Lab, is filled with industry-standard science and IT equipment, a young scientist’s dream and it is the first academy/school to be on the Eduroam network.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Cambridge has one of the world’s fastest growing business clusters of biomedical, biotech and IT industries. The rapid expansion of these business sectors has resulted in a skills shortage in scientific and technological roles from entry-level through to post–doctoral, with companies finding it increasingly difficult to find the right people. Many employers – famous and emerging – are offering their best resources to support science and technology students at UTC Cambridge (UTCC). These world-leading companies recognise that UTCC is an ideal place to train the next generation of scientists and technologists. Students will leave UTCC ready to enter the workplace fully skilled and equipped with a strong work ethic.

Cambridge leads the UK in the cleantech industry sector. The desire for sustainability is driving innovation – in novel engineering solutions, construction techniques, building design and power generation. Employers are looking for employees with the skills to deliver and maintain these new technologies.

Science makes a positive impact in people’s lives. Scientists use their expertise to develop real solutions to

For more information on UTC Cambridge please call 01223 724300, visit our website www.utccambridge. co.uk and visit us on one of our upcoming Open Days: Tuesday 24 November, 5.307.30pm or Sunday 20 March, 11am–2pm.

UTC Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SZ

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