Cambridge Editon November

Cambridge NOVEMBER 2014

Cambridgeshire’s quality lifestyle magazine www.cambsedition.co.uk

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GIG GUIDE ARTS

CULTURE

WINTER DINING GUIDE

NIGHTLIFE

Cambridge

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CONTENTS

NOVEMBER 2014

Welcome

44 57

5 • FIVE THINGS TO DO Our pick of the best things to do in Cambridge this month 7-10 • NIGHTLIFE Here’s what’s happening at Cambridge’s comedy clubs, bars and live music venues 13 • MUSIC BLOG Gigs guaranteed to get your toes tapping and hips wiggling this month

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57-62 • WINTER DINING GUIDE The ultimate guide to eating in Cambridge, whether you’re after cosy pubs, fine dining fare or street food markets 65 • COMPETITION Win a six-month membership for the stylish Glassworks Health Club

15-23 • ARTS & CULTURE What’s on at Cambridge’s wonderful museums, galleries and theatres

66-67 • GROUP SPOTLIGHT Edition hears about the fantastic work done by local homelessness charity Wintercomfort

24-26 • GET CRAFTY As the nights draw in, we’ve got some top ideas for some new craft projects

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

30-31 • CAMBRIDGE LITERARY FEST Get the low-down on what’s in store for the winter edition of our city’s well-loved celebration of the written word

70-72 • CAMBRIDGE AT WAR In the year of the centenary, we look back at Cambridge’s experience of WW1

33 • CAMBRIDGE CHRISTMAS Step into a festive wonderland of fabulous handmade crafts, artwork and more 35 • INDIE OF THE MONTH We pay a visit to the lovely Country Kitchen in Haslingfield

87-95 • EDUCATION We take a look at the Sixth Form College offerings in our area 99 • INDIE PICKS Here’s a round-up of our favourite bits and pieces from local clothing boutiques

39 • FAMILY Ideas for family fun this November

100-101 • FASHION Ready for the chill: Editor Nicola take a look at dressing for November – coats, capes, and all things green

44-53 • FOOD NEWS Bringing you the latest new openings, food news and dates for your diaries 55 • RESTAURANT REVIEW Jennifer Shelton enjoys top-notch Indian cuisine at Rang Mohol in Sawston

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

COVER ART The artwork featured on this month’s cover is by local artist Sonia Villiers. You can see more of her work and buy pieces at her website. www.soniavilliers.net

79-82 • BUSINESS We consider the secret recipe for a happy and motivated workforce

36-37 • LISTINGS Your complete what’s on diary for the month of November

43 • FOOD COLUMN Alex Rushmer lifts the lid on the mystical technique of braising

Every time we put together an issue of Edition, I find myself amazed by the sheer diversity of what’s on offer in the city each month – and November is definitely no exception. Whether you want to glide across an outdoor ice rink on Parker’s Piece, dance the night away at a glamorous burlesque ball, attend a literary festival or munch your way around a winter street food market, Cambridge has it covered this month.

Speaking of eating – in this issue you’ll also find our definitive Winter Dining Guide (starts on page 57).

Showcasing the now seriously impressive abundance of great eateries currently vying for our attention in Cambridge, this is essential reading for anyone planning a festive get together – whether you’re in the market for a cosy pub lunch, quick bite pre-night on the tiles, or a spot of elegant haute cuisine.

Cambridge theatreland is offering up some top shows this month too, and November’s crop of music gigs boasts appearances from bonafide icons from the worlds of rock, hip hop and reggae – turn to our nightlife section (page 7) to find out more. Enjoy the issue and see you next month!

102-105 • SPA SPECIAL There’s nothing like a bit of pampering, especially now it’s getting ever colder. We see what our fave local spas have to offer 106-107 • BEAUTY Daisy Dickinson gets prepped for the glitz and glamour of the winter parties

EDITORIAL

CONTRIBUTORS

Editor Nicola Foley 01223 499459 nicolafoley@bright-publishing.com Features editor Jennifer Shelton 01223 499463 jennifershelton@bright-publishing.com Sub editors Lisa Clatworthy & Hannah Bealey

Alex Rushmer, Angelina Villa-Clarke, Daisy Dickinson, Jordan Worland, Ruthie Collins, Charlotte Phillips, Heidi White, Charlotte Avery

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

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

PUBLISHING DIRECTORS Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck 01223 499450

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

www.bright-publishing.com

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

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5 THINGS TO DO

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thingsthistomonth do FIREWORKS Wrap up warm and head over to Midsummer Common on 5 November for Cambridge’s annual fireworks spectacular. One of the city’s bestloved and longest running events, the city’s bonfire night attracts around 20,000 punters each year and always offers a great, family-friendly evening out. The fun begins at 6pm when the Thurston Fun Fair opens, followed by a fire show at 6.45pm. The main display kicks off at 7.30pm, after which the bonfire will be lit. Donations of £1 per person are encouraged. www.cambridge.gov.uk

NORTH POLE CAMBRIDGE! Already counting down the days until 25 December? You’ll be delighted to hear that this festive season, Cambridge will play host to a huge Christmas festival, right in the heart of the city on Parker’s Piece.

Running from 21 November to 5 January, The North Pole Cambridge will feature traditional entertainment, fairground rides, a range of interactive side stalls and a spectacular 600m open air ice rink. There will also be tasty edible treats from foodPark – our city’s fantastic street food collective. Sound good? Head over to www.cambsedition.co.uk, where we’re giving away three family tickets (worth £33 each), and stay tuned to the next issue of Cambridge Edition for lots more news on the event. www.thenorthpolecambridge.co.uk

CAMBRIDGE MUSIC FESTIVAL

CHRISTMAS BEGINS AT BURWASH Begin your festive season in style this month at Burwash Manor’s Christmas Begins event on 6 November. As well as picking up pressies from Burwash’s many independent retailers, all of which will be open later than usual, there will be festive entertainment and seasonal treats like mulled wine and mince pies to enjoy. The magical Christmas marquee will once again be brimming with lovely decorations and gifts too, and there will be special discounts on the night. www.burwashmanor.com

From 12 ’til 22 November, Cambridge will play host to a unique boutique festival featuring performances from nine worldclass musicians. Taking place at a number of venues around the city, this year’s event includes a visit from one of the 20th century’s most influential composers, Philip Glass, who’ll be making a rare visit to Britain with his ensemble.

Also on the bill is sensational hang player, Manu Delago (who has been voted into the top 30 music videos on YouTube), as well as a performance of Mozart’s stunning clarinet quintet by the Borodin String Quartet with soloist Michael Collins. www.cammusic.co.uk

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THE BIG SWITCH ON Heralding the beginning of the countdown to Christmas, this year's Big Switch On takes place over the course of the weekend of 15 and 16 November.

There’ll be fun at the Grafton Centre with kids TV favourites Ben and Holly on the Saturday, as well as appearances from Santa and his helpers. We’ll also get to hear the winner of the Cambridge Has Talent competition perform plus lots more, with the the Grafton lights getting switched on at 4.30pm.

There's more entertainment planned for the Sunday inlcuding circus performers, a rock choir, the Sin Cru breakdancers, and of course, a mystery celebrity! (But can they top Chico?). City Centre lights are switched on at 5pm.

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NIGHTLIFE

ROBERT PLANT A rare chance to see a bonafide rock legend in Cambridge this month when the one and only Robert Plant plays the Corn Exchange on 20 November with his new band, The Sensational Shapeshifters.

Plant, now in his sixties, rose to international fame as part of Led Zeppelin – widely regarded as one of the most influential, innovative, and commercially successful rock bands of all time. Monster hits including Stairway to Heaven and Whole Lotta Love helped make these English rockers one of the biggestselling bands ever, shifting some 300 million records worldwide since the late 1960s.

Fast-forward to 2014 and the former Led Zep frontman’s creativity shows no signs of waning. His latest incarnation, fronting the Sensational Shapeshifters, shows him exploring an intriguing blend of folk, blues and electronica, infused with diverse influences, from African to Celtic.

Back in September, the band released their second album Lullaby and… The Ceaseless Roar, described

by Plant as being “A celebratory record; powerful, gritty, trance meets Zep.” The album, produced and largely written by Plant, offers up a fascinatingly experimental sound, featuring 11 new recordings that showcase a menagerie of musical instruments.

The show starts at 7.30pm, tickets from £42.50. www.cornex.co.uk

EXAMPLE Example has been riding high in the UK charts since the release of his album Won’t Go Quietly in 2010, which generated two top 10 singles with the relentlessly catchy Kickstarts, and the album’s title track, Won’t Go Quietly. His exuberant follow-up album Playing in the Shadows meanwhile offered up two number one mega hits; Changed the Way You Kissed Me and Stay Awake. Marrying wistful lyrics (often about the ladies), with anthemic melodies and huge, ravey drops, Example is at the forefront of the kind of commercial dance music currently enjoying an explosion, and his onslaught of the charts has carried on throughout this summer with the success of his latest album Live Life Living.

Catch him raising the roof at the Corn Exchange on 17 November at 8.15pm, £30. www.cornex.co.uk

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NIGHTLIFE

JIMMY CARR One of the most prolific comedians on the circuit – whether guesting on TV panel shows or his seemingly constant tours – Jimmy Carr finds his way back to Cambridge once again this month for a gig at the Corn Exchange on Saturday 8 November. This time around, he’s treating us to a brand new show, Funny Business, which promises ‘witty and incisive musings on the human condition’.

As always with Carr, his standup gigs are even cruder than his telly appearances (if you can believe that), so it’s not one for the easily offended. But, if you can handle the inappropriateness level being notched up a gear, you’re guaranteed quickfire gags aplenty and a good few belly laughs.

The show starts at 8pm and tickets are £25. www.cornex.co.uk

THE KOOKS Brighton indie rockers The Kooks first sprang into the charts back in 2006, churning out hit after hit from their debut album Inside In/Inside Out. With echoes of sixties Britpop, the group provided the soundtrack of a summer with tracks like Ooh La, She Moves in her Own Way and Naïve. Their follow-up album, Konk, in 2008, featured more of the same quirky pop-infused rock, peaking at number one and serving up hits including Always Where I Need to Be. The four piece had gone deathly quiet until releasing their latest album, Listen, in September this year.

Representing a totally different direction for the group, this latest offering envelopes frontman Luke Pritchard’s distinctive vocals in funky, soulful beats, spliced with electro synths and energetic gospel elements.

The critics have been raving about this reinvention of The Kooks, with The Telegraph stating that “The Kooks have come out fighting, completely re-evaluating and overhauling their sound, and the result is an exuberant fourth album bristling with character.”

Catch them in action on 18 November at 7.30pm, tickets start at £22. www.cornex.co.uk

LEE SCRATCH PERRY Good music of the reggae/ska/dub persuasion isn’t always easy to come by in Cambridge, but if that’s your scene, you’re in luck. Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry – one of the most recognisable and charismatic names in Jamaican music, is coming to town for a gig at Cambridge Junction. Perry’s career has seen him producing for the likes of Bob Marley and the Wailers, Junior Murvin and The Heptones, and he’s often credited with the invention of dub as a genre. On 28 November he’ll be revisiting his vast back catalogue, including his most recent album, Jamaican E.T (2003), for which he received a Grammy. There’ll also be some completely fresh beats from his new album Back on The Controls to enjoy as well. Doors at 7pm, tickets £23.50. www.junction.co.uk

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NIGHTLIFE

now

booking

BRUSSELS PHILHARMONIC 3 December, Corn Exchange, from £28.50 Enjoy a performance from this world class orchestra next month as part of the Cambridge Classical Concert Series. www.cornex.co.uk

NOT UNTIL WE ARE LOST 18-21 December, Corn Exchange, £17.50 See Cambridge Corn Exchange like you've never seen it before with this breathtaking aerial and physical theatre show. www.cornex.co.uk

SIMON AMSTELL 11 March 2015, Cambridge Junction, £22 Following sold-out residencies in New York and London, Simon Amstell embarks on his fourth international stand up tour: To Be Free. Allowing a peek behind his usual wisecracking persona, this new show sees Amstell explore love, death, adventure, art, peace, sex, regret and success.

THE STRANGLERS

GRAND HALLOWEEN BALL For one night only the fabulous and flamboyant Neon Moon club are uprooting from their usual home of Anstey Hall for an evening of cabaret, burlesque and debauchery at The Guildhall – right in the heart of the city centre. Taking place on Saturday 1 November, The Grand Halloween Ball will see this Cambridge landmark transformed into a secret playground, filled with glamorous characters and mesmerising entertainment. On the bill is burlesque dynamo Bruise Violet, magician and illusionist Equador the Wizard and snake charmer Good Gracious. There’ll be dancing and cocktails all evening too, as well as plenty of other surprises, such as the Steampunk Insectarium (the mind boggles), and a boutique full of clothing and trinkets to explore.

Guests are encouraged to let their imaginations fly with their costumes, and what with it being Halloween, we’re sure there will be plenty of fabulously ghoulish efforts to admire.

The night runs 8pm-2am and tickets are £28.50 in advance. www.theneonmoonclub.com

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20 March 2015, Corn Exchange, £25.50 Marking an incredible 40 years in business, legendary new wave rockers The Stranglers stop by in Cambridge next March. Known for their impressive live shows, the band will play a set that nods to their history, including tracks like Peaches, No More Heroes and Golden Brown, alongside some lesser performed numbers from their extensive collection.

SIMPLE MINDS 21 April 2015, Corn Exchange, from £42 One of the most influential bands of all time, Simple Minds are alive and kicking again and will this month release their 16th album. Catch them next spring in Cambridge as they relive a back catalogue that includes immortal hits like Don’t You Forget About Me and Belfast Child, as well as playing brand new material.

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NIGHTLIFE

AN EVENING WITH NOEL FIELDING Known and loved by many as the star of cult TV show The Mighty Boosh, comedy wunderkind Noel Fielding brings his new live show to Cambridge this month as part of a UK-wide tour.

Hitting the Corn Exchange on 13 November, An Evening with Noel Fielding promises a heady blend of stand-up, animation and music, plus guest appearances from some Boosh favourites including The Moon and Fantasy Man. It’s the first live tour in five years for Fielding, who also fronted Channel 4’s Luxury Comedy, as well as introducing his surreal brand of hilarity to shows including Never Mind The Buzzcocks.

Doors 8pm, tickets £27.50. www.cornex.co.uk

DAWN FRENCH National treasure Dawn French stops by at the Corn Exchange this month with 30 Million Minutes, a new show based on her life and career. French originally won the hearts of the British public in the late 1980s with TV show French and Saunders, which she starred in with her long-term sidekick Jennifer Saunders. Since then, she’s been a regular presence on our screens, most notably with her role of the perennially cheerful Geraldine Granger in The Vicar of Dibley – one of the UK’s best-loved and most popular TV shows.

The new show, which runs 29-30 November, will see the comedienne taking the audience through the delights and tribulations of her life (all 30 million minutes of it), offering some life lessons – in the inimitable, laugh-a-minute French style. Tickets start at £37.50. www.cornex.co.uk

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GRANDMASTER FLASH Hip hop fans have been waiting eagerly for this gig, originally scheduled to take place at Cambridge Junction back in August but cancelled and rescheduled to this month. All being well, we’ll finally get to see Grandmaster Flash: king of the turntables, Grammy award-winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and allround hip hop legend on 7 November.

It’s hard to overstate this artist’s influence on the world of music; not only is he often credited as being one of the founding fathers of hip hop as a genre, but his pioneering use of the turntables as a musical instrument elevated the DJ from humble track spinner to artistic maestro. He’s also responsible for forming Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five – one of the earliest and most successful rap groups of all time, releasing multi-million selling tracks including White Lines and The Message.

With a famously eclectic taste in music and amazing turntable skills, Flash always puts on a great show that makes the crowd go wild – definitely not to be missed.

8pm-12am, tickets £18.50. 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 t seems a tad pointless mentioning our top tip for November seeing as this show sold out in under 60 seconds.

However, if you can or did manage to get your mitts on tickets for Royal Blood at the Cambridge Junction on the 8th then you’re in for a treat as the duo’s primal rock ’n’ roll thrill is one hell of a live show.

November seems to be the month of sold-out shows with Robert Plant and his new band The Sensational Space Shifters’ gig at the Corn Exchange on the 20th and Sam Smith on the 3rd at the same venue both selling out months ago.

Intrigue is at the heart of Marika Hackman’s music but there’s something gloriously attainable about her as an artist and her commitment to touring and meeting with a receptive audience who are searching for the very same antidotes to the challenges of modern life. After releasing a series of hugely revered singles and EPs over the last year, Marika Hackman releases her debut full-length album, We Slept At Last, in February 2015. However before then Hackman undertakes her biggest headline tour yet this November, including a return to The Portland Arms on the 19th.

The rearranged Grandmaster Flash show at Cambridge Junction takes place on 7 November, whilst psychedelic pop wonders and Cambridge locals Violet Woods release their debut LP and play an album launch at The Portland on the same day.

Violet Woods formed in Cambridge in 2011, stemming from the desire to explore sounds of 60s London psychedelia and Nuggets compilations. By juxtaposing the 12-string jangle pop of The Byrds with surf basslines and rolling beats, they impart their own take on this period while bringing it into the present with Stereolab/Broadcast flavoured retro synth vibes and ghostly vocals.

Scotland’s finest Twin Atlantic are back and on a mission for global domination with their new album Great Divide, released earlier this summer and filled with stadium-

sized anthems. Known for their electric live shows, Twin Atlantic play Cambridge Junction on the 6th.

Formed in 1975 in Dublin, The Boomtown Rats played their first UK shows with the Ramones and Talking Heads and fought the punk wars alongside the Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Jam and The Stranglers.

They were one of the biggest bands of the late 70s and 80s, and their string of top ten hits and platinum albums earned them Brit Awards, Ivor Novellos and Grammys.

They made history as the first Irish band to have a UK number one hit with Rat Trap.

The Boomtown Rats return to Cambridge, playing Cambridge Junction on the 3rd.

Indie pop royalty The Lovely Eggs at The Portland on the 20th is definitely a highlight this month. The Lovely Eggs are a pop band from Lancaster – husband and wife Holly Ross and David Blackwell (Ross was formerly the lead singer and guitarist in the girl band Angelica). The duo’s style takes in the tweest of 80s twee-pop and merges it with their warped take on indie.

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Always popular in Cambridge, Simone Felice plays The Portland Arms on the 22nd. Simone Felice is a founding member (lyricist, vocalist, drummer and guitarist) of internationally acclaimed artists The Felice Brothers and The Duke & The King.

In the past he has toured and worked with the likes of The Band’s Levon Helm, Conor Oberst and Bright Eyes, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, The Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, Rick Rubin, The Avett Brothers and Old Crow Medicine Show.

Manchester legends James kick off their latest UK tour in Cambridge at the Corn Exchange on the 11th. James are behind some of the biggest hits of the last 30 years and have sold over 12 million albums worldwide. Their latest album La Petite Mort came out in June bringing with it more hits to add to the collection.

The Kooks released their eagerly anticipated new album Listen in September and now the band are hitting the road, including a show here at the Corn Exchange on the 18th.

And having released their fourth album and headlined the second stage at the Reading festival earlier this year, Courteeners return to Cambridge Junction on the 18th.

Tell us about your gig at www.slatethedisco.com

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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

WINTER LIGHTS FESTIVAL This winter, the gardens of Anglesey Abbey will be transformed into an arena of dazzling light and colour for the popular Winter Lights Festival, which sees nature and technology come together with spectacular results. See the silver birch grove floodlit against the inky November sky, drink in the reflections along the Riverside Walk, then watch a live shadow theatre show in the Paddocks. There will be live music and glow performers, lit from head to toe, performing tricks and stunts by the house, and the restaurant will be serving warming winter food and mulled wine.

A barbecue, with vegetarian options, will also be in situ along the route.

Back for its third year, the Winter Lights Festival sold out in 2013: tickets for this year are ÂŁ11.50 or ÂŁ8 for children. Runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 28 November until 14 December, first entry 5.30pm, closes 8.30pm. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

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ARTS & CULTURE

SAFFRON WALDEN CHORAL SOCIETY Hear the Saffron Walden Choral Society in full voice as they perform music by Saint-Saëns and Carl Orff. When SaintSaëns composed Carnival of the Animals in 1886, he suppressed all but one movement, afraid its madcap humour would trivialise his reputation. Now, hear what the composer didn’t want you to as his dancing tortoise (double bass), dying swan (cello) and shimmy-shaking skeleton (xylophone) are performed in Essex’s world-class concert hall on 15 November.

This is accompanied by Orff’s powerful Carmina Burana, a sound that has become ingrained in our culture for its use in adverts and films, and in its own right. www.saffronhall.com

THE HYPOCHONDRIAC

JOOLS HOLLAND Piano virtuoso and king of boogie-woogie Jools Holland returns to Cambridge this November with his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, promising to deliver a night of rousing, spirited music and song. Its part of his annual autumn/winter tour which this year covers 32 dates across the UK and Ireland.

In more than 30 years of presenting, Holland – who grew up listening to his parents’ jazz and blues records – has interviewed and performed with countless music industry greats (indeed, Holland holds the unique status of having played with musicians who had success in every decade of the 20th century). His Later… with Jools Holland show is now the longest-running music programme on the box, and what New Year’s Eve night in would be complete without his Hootenanny countdown?

Jools and the band will be joined on stage at the Corn Exchange by the goldenvoiced Ruby Turner and soul singer Louise Marshall, plus original Squeeze drummer Gilson Lavis. Don’t miss it – 1 November, 7.30pm; tickets £38.50.

Plus, the next day, Holland’s former bandmates from Squeeze, Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, make a visit to the same venue. See them live at 7.30pm, £27.50-£40. www.cornex.co.uk

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Blackadder legend and Time Team presenter Sir Tony Robinson stars in Molière’s medicinal masterpiece, The Hypochondriac, coming to Cambridge Arts Theatre this month.

A Theatre Royal Bath production, it also stars Imogen Stubbs (Sense and Sensibility; Anna Lee) and Tracie Bennett, last seen in town delivering a triumphant performance as Judy Garland in End of the Rainbow. The Hypochondriac is the story of Argan, a healthy, wealthy, penny-pinching gent who is obsessed with a string of imaginary ailments. As such, he falls prey to the eccentric quacks of the 17th century who, along with his treacherous wife, endeavour to fleece him of his fortune.

Meanwhile, his love-struck daughter, her dashing lover and an astute maid are on hand to set him straight.

This brand new production comes courtesy of Richard Bean, the man who adapted the hugely successful One Man, Two Guvnors, and looks set to be a starstudded farce the likes of which we’ve never seen – and the perfect antidote to a dreary November evening.

The play runs 10-15 November, 7.45pm (2.30pm Thursday & Saturday matinee).

Tickets from £15. www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

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ARTS & CULTURE

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

So learns Scout, one of literature’s most endearing protagonists, in Harper Lee’s celebrated novel about race, prejudice and family in the American Deep South.

In the dusty summer of 1930, six-yearold Scout and her older brother Jem become fascinated by stories of a man living in the spooky house across the street. Meanwhile, their father Atticus defends a black man in court accused of raping a white woman: a story which quickly begins to unravel.

To Kill A Mockingbird was an immediate success when it first hit shelves in 1960, winning the Pulitzer Prize the following year and translating into a major motion picture, starring Gregory Peck, the year after that. Now, see the story unfold live on stage in an award-winning adaptation

by Christopher Sergel. Winner of the WhatsOnStage award for Best Play Revival 2014, this is sure to be one of the highlights of Cambridge’s theatrical calendar.

Showing at Cambridge Arts Theatre, 1722 November, 7.30pm (2.30pm Wed, Thurs & Saturday matinee). Tickets from £15. www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

PHILIP GLASS ENSEMBLE Known amongst many things for his superb, haunting score for the film The Hours, American composer Philip Glass is considered one of the classical greats of our era. Together with his Philip Glass Ensemble, he will be performing a programme of greatest hits in Cambridge, revisiting some of his most important and popular works.

They include the Cologne Section from CIVIL warS (1984), created for an unrealised Robert Wilson project for the Los Angeles Olympic Games; excerpts from the seminal Music in Twelve Parts, which resonate alongside key works from the 1980s including the last act of his chamber opera The Photographer; and music written for Godfrey Reggio’s cult film Koyaanisqatsi.

With the Philip Glass Ensemble fresh from performing around the world, this is a wonderful opportunity to see one of the true masters of contemporary music at work, and one of only four dates in the country. It takes place at Cambridge Corn Exchange, 14 November at 7.30pm; tickets from £37.50. www.cornex.co.uk

CLARE TEAL Swing sister Clare Teal returns to Cambridge Arts Theatre on 16 November with her 16-piece Hollywood band, ready to perform a programme of iconic music. Together, they’ll be serving up a sensational series of Doris Day hits from her long and illustrious career, to mark the great lady’s 90th birthday, which she celebrated in April this year.

Born Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff, the singer and actress was one of the biggest box office stars in golden era Hollywood, earning success with the likes of Calamity Jane, Pillow Talk and Young At Heart, alongside Frank Sinatra.

Be swept along on a musical journey from Day’s early days with Les Brown & His Band of Renown through her big-screen Hollywood days to her later, more popinfluenced material. Takes place 7.45pm; tickets from £15. www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

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ARTS & CULTURE

If your bookshelves groan with the weight of too many beloved tomes and the purchase of a new paperback fills you with an unexplainable fizzy feeling, read on. The Ely Literary Festival invites an esteemed cast of writers, comedians and personalities to give talks on a whole spectrum of subjects this month.

First up on 3 November is history writer Helen Castor, who brings to the fore the great women of history in her lively books.

In her latest work, she turns her attention to original action woman Joan of Arc to give a living, breathing, roaring account of the girl who waged war against the English. Join her at St Peter’s Church, starts 7.30pm; £6 in advance.

On 5 November, politician and author Paddy Ashdown recounts a longneglected story of the French Resistance during the Second World War in his latest book, The Cruel Victory. Starts 7.30pm, also at St Peter’s Church, £6 in advance.

On Armistice Day, 11 November, join War Horse writer Michael Morpurgo for what should be a moving and memorable commemoration of those who fought in the First World War at the Octagon, Ely Cathedral. He’ll be introducing his anthology, Only Remembered, which features poetry, prose, illustrations and personal accounts, chosen by the likes of Terry Pratchett, Emma Thompson and Joanna Lumley. 7.30pm start; £5/£10.

My Sister’s Keeper author Jodi Picoult is at the Hayward Theatre, King’s School, on 12 November to introduce her new novel, Leaving Time. Jenna Metcalf was with her mother the night she disappeared in tragic and mysterious circumstances, but she remembers nothing. Over ten years have passed and Jenna reads and rereads her mother’s journals, hoping to find clues, finally turning to a private detective and a psychic. Starts at 7.30pm; £6 in advance.

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Semi-finalist on The Great British Sewing Bee, Stuart Hillard will be sharing his passion for home sewing on 15 November at Ely library. Backing his mantra that sewing is for everyone, he’ll be providing tips for novice sewers and experts alike over coffee and cake. Doors open 10.30am for 11am start; £7 in advance.

See comedian Paul Merton at the Octagon, Ely Cathedral, on 17 November as he shares stories from his autobiography, Only When I Laugh. In it, he takes us on an evocative journey from his working-class roots in Fulham to the present day, via scrapes, japes and his repeated attempts to infiltrate the world of comedy. 7.30pm start; early bird tickets are £10.

Actress Sheila Hancock has been a familiar face on stage and screen for decades, and is now proving a force to be reckoned with in the world of British fiction.

She’ll be talking about her book, Miss Carter’s War – about a bright, beautiful

young woman in pursuit of a career after becoming one of the first women to attain a full degree at Cambridge University in 1948. Octagon, 19 November, 6.45pm for 7.30pm; £10 early bird ticket.

Treat your taste buds to an evening with Yotam Ottolenghi, author of the awardwinning Jerusalem. His new offering, Plenty More, picks up where Plenty left off, providing 120 vegetable-based dishes. He’ll be giving a cookery demonstration at The Octagon, Ely Cathedral, 24 November. 7pm for 7.45pm start; £10 early bird tickets.

Peep Show star and former Cambridge Footlighter David Mitchell rounds off the month with a humorous look at modern life, from Ryanair to Downton Abbey, Poundland to phone etiquette and lots more, taken from his latest book, Thinking About It Only Makes It Worse! 6.45pm for 7.30pm at the Octagon, Ely Cathedral; £10. www.toppingbooks.co.uk

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ARTS & CULTURE

OKLAHOMA! See Broadway hitmakers Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Wild West wonder show, Oklahoma!, brought to the Cambridge stage by the Cambridge Operatic Society.

The local company, who recently rocked the boat in South Pacific and picked a pocket or two in Oliver!, head for the open range this year for what’s bound to be a cotton-pickin’ hit. Set in Oklahoma at the turn of the last century, the story follows cowboy Curly McLain and his romance with farm girl Laurey. It features some of musical theatre’s bestloved musical numbers, including People Will Say We’re In Love, Oklahoma and the timeless Oh, What A Beautiful Morning.

It runs at Cambridge Arts Theatre from 25 until 29 November, 7.30pm (2.30pm Thursday & Saturday matinees).

Tickets from £15. www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

DAVID STARKEY The frowning, horn-rimmed king of Tudor history makes a one-off appearance at Cambridge Arts Theatre this month, as part of the theatre’s One Night Only series.

Born the only child of a washing machine factory foreman and a cotton weaver in Kendal, David Starkey won a scholarship to read history at Cambridge in the 1960s, before going on to teach at the London School of Economics. Fascinated by Henry VIII, he has called the Tudor period “a most glorious and wonderful soap opera”, adding, “It makes the House of Windsor look like a doll’s house tea party.” Now a well-known, if occasionally controversial, TV personality, his documentary series, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, was an enormous success in 2001 and spawned several further programmes including Channel 4’s Monarchy.

He’ll be returning to the Tudor era for this live talk, taking place at 7.45pm on 2 November; tickets £12.50-£22.50. www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES Panto fans will get an early dose of Christmas cheer this month with the CUADC/ Footlights team getting in early with their festive show: The Emperor’s New Clothes.

Written, produced and performed by the cream of the crop of Cambridge University’s bright young things, the ADC panto is a little more offbeat than your usual family show.

This year’s production follows in the tradition of tackling less traditional fairy tales (past pantos have included Theseus and the Minotaur, The Snow Queen and Treasure Island), and this year they take us to the streets of medieval England where Emperor Wilf is looking to impress his newly-inherited kingdom with the most perfect, showstopping outfit, like, ever. With the Yuletide feast approaching, Wilf spots an advert for the perfect get-up – or so he thinks…

Expect naughty puns, witty wordplay, silly songs and fabulous costumes from this fashion-tastic fable, restyled like never before. Runs 26 November until 6 December at the ADC Theatre, 7.45pm. Tickets £9-£14. www.adctheatre.com

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17/10/2014 08:49

ARTS & CULTURE

TWELFTH NIGHT The esteemed English Touring Theatre returns to Cambridge Arts Theatre in November, following great success with both Anne Boleyn and Eternal Love, bringing one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays: Twelfth Night.

Shipwrecked on unfamiliar shores, a brother and sister, Viola and Sebastian, begin new lives, neither knowing whether the other is alive or dead. Industrious Viola quickly sets about finding work, disguising herself as a boy to gain employment with the moody Duke Orsino. Soon she becomes embroiled in a complex love triangle with Orsino and his beloved Olivia, who falls for Viola’s disguise in more ways than one.

This tangled love story full of mistaken identities is accompanied by a comedy sub-plot featuring the memorable Sir Toby Belch and the snooty, ridiculous Malvolio.

And remember: “If music be the food of love, play on.”

The mischievous Twelfth Night – which takes its name from the winter festival of chaos – runs 4-8 November; 7.45pm (2.30pm Thursday & Saturday matinee).

Tickets from £15. www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

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BYARD ART Peruse a new collection of artworks at Byard Art and maybe find something to add to your Christmas wish list. The gallery in King’s Parade, Cambridge, will be showcasing a selection of works by new artists, set to appear in their main Christmas exhibition this year. Amongst them is Louise Dear, maker of large, contemporary mixed-media pieces; Alex Prunes, who takes inspiration from both urban and rural landscapes; and Simon Taylor, whose complex paintings depict moments captured in time from films, magazines and life. We also like the humour and simplicity of David Fawcett’s domestic scenes, especially the honestly-named No-one in Our Family can Answer Any of the Questions on University Challenge.

The exhibition runs 3-16 November, ahead of their Christmas Cracker show, commencing on the 29th with an opening night of mince pies and mulled wine. www.byardart.co.uk

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Illustration by Louisa Taylo r

ARTS & CULTURE

ovember gets a bad press with poets (“Dismal!” – Charles Lloyd; “How cold it is!” – Sara Teasdale; “November’s sky is chill and drear” – Sir Walter Scott). But still, it’s home to some top-class events for the Cambridge Literary Festival, which takes place on 30 November and attracts thousands of word lovers every year for author talks, workshops and events (see www.cambridgeliteraryfestival.com).

I’ll be checking out Nick Hornby talking about his writing and passions at my old secondary school, Parkside Community College where he taught, on 12 November.

I’ve not read anything of Hornby’s since his Hollywood-adapted bestseller High Fidelity, in which the character was so brilliantly like many of my teenage indie B-side obsessed boyfriends. While reading it I was convinced its record shop setting was the now-legendary Parrot Records formerly on King Street that we hung out in for NME hits (at a time when girls didn’t buy vinyl, I was always a bit of an oddity).

Watch out for his new novel, Funny Girl.

Go snap up a rare chance to see the films and projects of Nina Pope and Karen Guthrie at Kettle’s Yard’s Past, Present, Somewhere, whose work with marginalised communities is acclaimed.

Did you know there is a community of passionate Tudor re-enactors that regularly set up camp just outside Cambridge at Kentwell Hall? Their film Living With The Tudors is screened daily at 3pm, but they’re best known recently for their communitybuilt ‘cob’ (very, very ancient earth building technique) model village as part of the North West Cambridge Development (expertly project-managed by artist Kirsten Lavers).

Mini-break lovers head over to Norwich for the curatorial work of Chris Stevens (former BP Portrait Award-winner, plus Saatchi Online prizewinner) at the Sainsbury Centre’s REALITY, Modern & Contemporary British Painting exhibition.

REALITY presents painting as a vital, subversive, sometimes brutal social commentary. Check David Hockney, Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud – plus the likes of maverick painter and Slade professor David

THE ART INSIDER

Jock McFadyen's work is on display as part of the REALIT Y exhibition in Norwich until March 2015

n's gorg eous Che ck out Ji a Hatz a nd Will illustrations a s FiCats ha ve a n th e Ca m bridge M a y Ball a dve nt ure at th e Dog lovers: get your knitting needles out.

See Cambridge's Jo Clark's designs in the book everyone's raving about

Hepher (spot him at London’s hip Flowers Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum or the Tate) whose fascination with largescale urban tower blocks as subject matter is both breathtaking and addictive.

For those trawling babies, buggies and small people, check the family arts programming at Cambridge Junction, which is just brilliant (yes, I rave about this often): an abundance of carefully curated, fun (and intelligent!) family theatre; worldclass independent productions on Sunday morning or afternoon.

Tickets can be a little pricey, but well worth the treat. There are no barely-alive parents, clutching sore, sleep-deprived heads to the tones of Peppa Pig – only joy. This month, Tell Tell Hearts: Inside Out looks fantastic – with a free play session at the end for kids to try on props and costumes, on 9 November.

Also try It’s Magic at the Fitzwilliam Museum, on 18 November 10-11.30am for preschoolers (booking recommended)

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for the chance to make art with your little one inspired by the museum’s collections.

If you want to just stay in at home though, grab a copy of Fitz and Will the Cambridge Cats: The May Ball Adventure – with lush illustrations from Jia Han from Cambridge School of Art’s MA in children’s book illustration. Perfect for snuggling up in bed.

Finally, early bird Christmas pressie hunters – Cambridge illustrator Jo Clark’s Dressing Up For Dogs colouring book is a hit with little people (www.joclarkdesign. co.uk). And check out her illustrations in world-renowned designer Debbie Bliss’s recently launched Woolly Woofers, fawned over by The Telegraph – a must-have gift for dog lovers and knitters.

Put Cambridge-born Nick Mulvey’s Mercury Prize nominated album on your list: by the time you’re reading this he may have won – fingers crossed! Listening to First Mind, it’s not hard to find “purpose and place up there toward the November sky” (Walt Whitman). Happy hunting!

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CRAFT

WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON

38cm/15''

Make

38cm/15''

Outer

Outer

47cm 18.5''

Seam allowance: 1cm/3/8” unless otherwise stated Stitch length: 2.4 unless otherwise stated

Lining

Base

Handle

Handle

47cm 18.5''

a Simple Shopping Bag

19cm 7.5''

91.5cm/36''

12.5cm 12.5cm 5'' 5''

MATERIALS 0.5m (20”) length Klona cotton for lining, base and handles 0.5m (20”) printed cotton for outer Thread TOOLS Sewing machine Iron Cutting mat, ruler and rotary cutter (optional) Scissors Fabric pen Tape measure

3. IRON BAG HANDLES: Take one handle, fold and iron in half down the length of the fabric, then open out and fold each side into the ironed crease, on the inside. Iron. Raw edges should be hidden inside the folded strap. Repeat with other strap.

Base

2. CUT OUTER FABRIC: Make sure directional prints are the same way as the writing in the diagram (right) before you cut.

Outer

Outer

1. CUT LINING FABRIC: With the rotary cutter and mat, carefully cut the Klona cotton down to 47cm (18.5”) wide, then cut each piece off from this, starting with the lining and base, ending with the handle pieces (if the fabric’s not wide enough, cut thinner handles).

3

4. SEW BAG HANDLES: Set machine to stitch length 3.5 and topstitch about 0.3cm (1/8’’) away from the edge down each long side of the handle. Sew centre fold side first. Repeat with second handle.

5. SEW BAG OUTER #1: Set stitch length to 2.4. Sew the two outer pieces to the base, right sides together. If using a directional print for the outer pieces, make sure the base is sewn to the bottom of the outer. The two outer pieces will go in opposite directions (see diagram). Press seams open.

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CRAFT

6. SEW BAG OUTER #2: With right sides together, fold the complete outer piece in half so that the fold runs down the centre of the base. Make sure the seams where the base meets the outer line up on each side. Don’t worry if the top corners of the two printed fabrics are different lengths, you won’t see this in the finished bag. Press the fold and pin the sides.

6

7. SEW BAG OUTER #3: Starting from the folded edge, sew a straight stitch down to the corner of the bag. Repeat for other side. You should now have a large pocket. As much as you can, press seams open.

8. SEW BAG LINING: Fold the lining piece in half, press and pin. Stitch down the two opposite sides. Press seams open.

9a

9. MEASURE & MARK CORNERS: At the moment both outer and lining pockets lie flat and square: we want to make them into boxy buckets. Each bottom corner needs to be puffed out and sewn again on a 90° axis.

Starting with the outer pocket put your hand into one corner. Open out, creating a triangle, so the side seam is lying flat against the base centre crease. Make sure the crease and seam match up. Press and pin this triangular corner. You will sew across this corner using the line where the base meets the outer fabric as your guide. Repeat for the opposite corner.

Measure from the point of your corner to the sewing line, where the base fabric meets the patterned fabric. This should be about 9cm (3.5”). You will use this measurement to make matching boxy corners on your lining pocket.

Take lining pocket and use the same technique of putting one hand in the bag and heading for a corner to make triangles. Line up side seam with the base centre, crease and then press. Mark sewing line by measuring from the point of the triangle up the seam to the figure measured from your outer corners, about 9cm (3.5”). Mark a straight sewing line at 90° from this point. Repeat for opposite corner.

9b

10

10. SEW CORNERS: Straight stitch along your four marked corners. Back stitch at the beginning and end of your sewing line to secure. Trim the triangle of excess off these corners to reduce bulk.

11. SANDWICH POCKETS: Turn bag outer inside out so that it’s the right way round.

Put the outer pocket right inside your lining pocket so the boxed bottoms are sitting inside each other at the bottom and the tops of the bag are level. Match up side seams at the top of the bag. Don’t worry if there is some discrepancy, you can sew with a seam allowance big enough to even this out.

12

12. PIN HANDLES: Lay bag so the top is flat. Measure the width at the top and mark the central point. From this point make two marks, each 1.9cm (2¾”) away along the top in opposite directions for the handles. Pin handles inside bag sandwich between the outer layer and lining, one handle each side. The loop of the handles should now be hidden, with just a small stump from each handle end peeping over the rim of the bucket.

13. SEW THE TOP LEAVING A TURNING HOLE: With a straight stitch, sew most of the way around the top of the bag. Use a generous seam allowance. Start sewing just before the start of one set of handles and stop sewing to leave a 10cm (4”) opening.

14. TURN BAG: Pull the bag through the hole in the opening. Pop the lining inside the outer and shake out. Press seam at the top.

, ch tit s ck Ba ore h, y 15. TOPSTITCH TOP OF BAG: Set stitch length to 3.5 and topstitch around b r m titc ied . Fo cks it l the top of the bag with a 0.3cm (1/8’’) seam allowance. Catch the turning p r a is up no t B , v opening and neatly sew this closed. Back stitch to secure. s s Ma bou ses ch. n s t tio sh a la sti uc rwa tion ng c ack r t k i a u 16. TA DA! Now go shopping! s B m In ud .b .u r fo incl ww co in w

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CRAFT

Judging a book by its cover Self-confessed bookworm and craft aficionado Jennifer Shelton combines her two passions in a bookbinding course at Urban Larder on Mill Road Currently, I have a floral notebook in my bag, a journal by my bed, a diary at work, sketchbooks, photo books… and I’m pretty sure there’s a thumbnail-sized ‘book’ buried in the bottom of a drawer which I bought for £1 – simply because it was so impossibly dinky and pretty. I’ve no idea what I’ll do with it.

In short, I can never have enough books in which to draw, scribble down notes or simply enjoy looking at. A bookbinding class, then, sounded right up my street and a fascinating way of learning more about this ancient and fundamental art.

Edel Hopkin has worked as a bookbinder in Cambridge since 2007, a career written by her teenage love of decorative Venetian papers and the lovingly hand-bound books made for her by her mother and grandmother as a child in Ireland. A stint in Asia, where Edel discovered traditional Japanese printed paper, fuelled her passion further.

Now, alongside her commissions, she runs regular pop-up workshops in and around Cambridge, including this one at Urban Larder. Groups are rarely more than six; there’s tea and cake; and if you’ve never done anything like it before, that’s fine. Edel is helpful and her instructions clear as day (she also used to be a teacher), so that everyone comes away with a finished book at the end of each session.

Today, we were making small, square, concertina photo books. After choosing our paper (mine a beautiful red and gold Japanese print), Edel set us off identifying the direction of the grain, glueing the paper to a piece of sturdy card, then trimming the edges to form neat folded corners.

Much folding, a little more glueing, some ribbon choosing and noisy hole-punching later, and we each had something that satisfyingly looked like a useable, rather beautiful photo book.

One student, Edel told us, had filled it with photos and given it to her daughter

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to take on her gap year: it had been hung in hostels around the world.

Anyone wanting to make more at home can buy kits after class, and one lady excitedly showed us two booklets she’d made inspired by last week’s session using striking tribal fabrics she’d picked up while on an educational project in Africa. It turned out I’d joined a fascinating group, including two painters and a sculptor, and there was plenty of time to chat (and giggle) as we worked on our books together. I’m very much in favour of spending an evening out, dedicated to crafting: home has too many distractions – and you don’t have to clear your dining room table or turn the house upside down hunting for your glue and brushes each time the crafting urge sets in.

As we said our hearty thank yous and goodbyes, Edel also offered envelopes for anyone wishing to give their books as gifts.

That’s my first Christmas present sorted then! Edel’s next series of bookbinding classes will be launched at Cambridge Christmas on 24 November.

a short history of bookbinding Paper was invented by the Chinese some time around 200 BC. A closely guarded secret, it was leaked to the Arabs by Chinese prisoners.

The first paper mill in England is thought to have been established near Stevenage in the 1490s.

Before books as we know them today, script was written on long, continuous rolls. When the use of single sheets became more popular, leaves of paper were stitched together then stored between wooden boards to keep the pages flat and undamaged.

Bookbinding came about when these boards were joined together using leather.

www.edel.uk.net

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

PERSONALISED DESIGN AT

HARRIET KELSALL BESPOKE JEWELLERY nyone looking for bespoke jewellery in Cambridge should look no further than the multi award-winning Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery, based in Green Street. Harriet launched the business 16 years ago, fuelled by a love of jewellery and design, and soon built up a highly respected firm.

“We create jewellery based on our customers’ personal stories,” says April, senior designer at Harriet Kelsall, who sits every customer down for an informal, friendly consultation to find out just what they want – even if they don’t yet know it themselves! – and they will also discuss budgets.

The Harriet Kelsall team creates mostly engagement, wedding and eternity rings, but also other jewellery and cufflinks too. All options will be discussed during the consultation, which can take place at the Cambridge or Halls Green studio or by phone or Skype, as well as personal details about the ring’s intended: colouring, dress sense, job and interests for example.

“We can source just about anything from diamonds and sapphires to rare and unusual gemstones,” says April.

Inspiration for the design can come from anywhere – a hobby, an animal, a significant place, the customer’s eyes – and the team will help adapt this into something beautiful that will be treasured forever.

At the on-site workshops at Halls Green, customers can meet the goldsmith, polisher and stone setter. They also appreciate the emotional connection of meeting the designer creating their piece.

Harriet Kelsall use traditional craft skills alongside computer-aided design as required.

They use, where possible, ethically sourced materials and were one of the first to introduce Fairtrade metals. As such, Harriet was nominated by the Institute of Directors (IoD) as one of eight Women Changing the Business World. The IoD said: “Through her emphasis on bespoke design, ethically sourced gems and Fairtrade gold, Harriet has helped revitalise the jewellery industry.”

Harriet Kelsall, 6-7 Green Street, CB2 3JU, 01223 461333, www.hkjewellery.co.uk

After meeting with one of the 14 designers at Harriet Kelsall, Robert chose a cornflower blue sapphire which “exactly matched the colour of Thea’s eyes”. He proposed using a wooden ring, then the pair looked at the Harriet Kelsall website for inspiration. They tried on lots of rings for scale, then had it handmade at the workshop.

Apparently when they drove to visit family to announce the engagement and show off the ring, Thea got carsick because she wouldn’t stop looking at the ring on her finger!

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LITERARY FESTIVAL

Caroline Moorehead

Jack Monroe

WORDS LISA CLATWORTHY

Indulge your love of all things literary with a day dedicated to fact and fiction, tall tales and short stories f you love books, you’ve surely already got 30 November in your diary. But if by some chance, you’re wondering what’s special about that particular Sunday – Cambridge Literary Festival is the answer.

The biannual celebration of the written word is taking over the city for the day and bringing with it literary names from far and wide. Whether you make a beeline for non-fiction or are more likely to be found burrowing into the latest bestselling novel, there’s sure to be a name (or three) amongst the line-up to float your boat.

How about Cambridge resident and festival patron, novelist Ali Smith or prizewinning writer Eimear McBride? Ali Smith’s reading from How to be Both, her Booker longlisted book (2.30pm, Union Chamber), while Eimear McBride is talking about her spellbinding novel, A Girl is a Halfformed Thing (5.30pm, The Winstanley).

There’s a duo of Irish storytellers too, with Guardian first book award winner Donal Ryan on stage with the author of bestseller The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, John Boyne (8.30pm, The Winstanley). They’ll be reading from and talking about their latest novels, respectively, The Thing About December and The History of Loneliness.

If you’d rather spend the last hour of the festival with one of the UK’s bestloved broadcasters, then join Clare Balding (8.30pm, Union Chamber) as she discusses Walking Home. Her family might

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be obsessed with horse racing, but since presenting Radio 4’s Ramblings, Clare has covered some 1500 miles of footpaths so has a thing or two to say about discovering the world on foot.

For memoir lovers, there are three opportunities to be immersed in someone else’s life. First up is award-winning writer Barbara Taylor revealing her experiences of a psychiatric hospital, as she discusses her memoir The Last Asylum with author Lisa Appignanesi (2.30pm, The Winstanley).

Next, renowned journalist and ferocious interviewer Lynn Barber invites us into not only her life, but also those of her subjects in her second volume of memoirs, A Curious Career – and she might get some of her own treatment as literary critic Alex Clark interviews her (4pm, Union Chamber).

And returning to the festival is politician Alan Johnson, in conversation with New Statesman editor Jason Cowley, talking about the eagerly awaited second instalment of his memoir, Please, Mr Postman (5.30pm, Union Chamber).

Alan Johnson isn’t the only politician in attendance. Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, Shirley Williams is discussing the life of her pacifist and feminist mother, Vera Brittain, with Mark Bostridge, Brittain’s biographer (10am, Union Chamber).

In this year, the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, Brittain’s wartime memoir, Testament of Youth, is the basis of this informed and poignant discussion.

Clare Balding

Alan Johnson

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LITERARY FESTIVAL

CAMBRDIGE EDITION IS A PROUD PARTNER OF CAMBRIDGE LITERARY FESTIVAL

PREVIEW EVENTS

It’s not too late to attend a Preview event either. Parkside Campus is hosting novelist (and ex-Parkside teacher) Nick Hornby on Wednesday 12 November, then on Friday 14 November, poet, critic and broadcaster (and Cambridge resident) Clive James and bestselling novelist Marilynne Robinson are at the Union Society.

Nick Hornby Image courtesy of Miriam Douglas

Shirley Williams

PLENTY OF ROUSING, ENLIGHTENING, WARMING AND COMFORTING STUFF FOR A COLD AUTUMNAL DAY Owen Jones

Clive James © Robert banks/The Age

Another for history fans is New York Times bestselling author Caroline Moorhead. She’s in conversation with Professor Christopher Clark, Regius Professor of History, Cambridge, discussing her latest work, Village of Secrets, which recounts the true and fascinating story of French villagers who saved thousands from the Gestapo during the Second World War (1pm, The Winstanley).

Coming right up to date, three topical debates feature four dedicated campaigners.

First up of the quartet is the Everyday Sexism Project’s Laura Bates, who is demonstrating that women are standing up to endemic sexism (1pm, Union Chamber).

Red Magazine’s Woman of the Year 2014, Jack Monroe is next to set out her stall as the campaigner against hunger and poverty discusses her second book, A Year in 120 Recipes, with festival patron Anna Whitelock (4pm, Union Chamber). Finally, for a review of the state of Britain in the 21st century join author and commentator Owen Jones and Shami Chakrabarti CBE, director of Liberty and chancellor of Oxford Brookes University (7pm, Union Chamber).

Plenty of rousing, enlightening, warming and comforting stuff for a cold autumnal day, we’d say, and that’s just the highlights of the Cambridge Literary Festival. Don’t miss out on the chance to indulge your book buying habit either – at the same time as doing your bit for charity and getting a discount on a festival ticket. Pop by the Amnesty Pop-Up bookshop at the Cambridge Union Society, buy two second-hand books and you’ll get 50% off a seat at the festival. www.cambridgeliteraryfestival.com

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CAMBRIDGE CHRISTMAS

CAMBRIDGE Photo courtesy of Ida Huntic

CHRISTMAS

It’s that time again: Cambridge Christmas is back to showcase local creatives’ stunning works of art, perfect for a Christmas gift or two... et into the festive spirit with a visit to Cambridge Christmas this November, a local event showcasing festive gifts and works of art by local artists and crafters.

It’s the perfect place to kick-start your Christmas shopping. There’ll be mince pies and mulled wine aplenty, plus the chance to chat with the artists while you browse.

Cambridge Christmas has been running for seven years and this year it takes place on Monday 24 November (12pm-8.30pm) at the historic Unitarian Church Hall on Emmanuel Road.

The featured artists, many of whom are part of Cambridge Open Studios, are hand-picked each year to showcase a diverse range of gifts. This year, look out for ceramicist Helen Martino, daughter of a ship captain who draws on her ship-in-a-bottle fascination for inspiration; jeweller and Cambridge Open Studios member Jonathan

Deer; textile artist Clarissa Cochran and illustrators Aurora Cacciapuoti and Jo Clark.

Returning are some familiar names including Roxana de Rond who creates delightful drawings, many showing familiar Cambridge scenes. She says: “It is quite obvious from my work that I love trees.

Among my many leafy favourites are the trees on Jesus Green and the silver birches at Anglesey Abbey. Living in a city with so much green space offers suitable drawing inspiration of both people and nature.”

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Cambridge Christmas was founded by Jo Tunmer, who will be showcasing her paintings and etchings together with a range of greetings cards. Others featured include painters and printmakers, jewellers Abi Cochran, Claire Howieson and Marieke Hordyk, glass artist Alison Tait, illustrator Alison Hullyer, ceramicist Amanda MacPhail, bookbinder extraordinaire Edel Hopkin and painter and wonderful wire artist, Rhiannon Thomas. www.cambridgechristmas.co.uk

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INDIE OF THE MONTH L to R: Kate Holden, Julie Robinson, Liz Galpin, Heather Scally, Shirley Sanghera, Jill Broadbent, Jennie Ward and Tessa Pleasants

WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON

INDEPENDENT OF THE MONTH

Country Kitchen When seven women got together to open a shop, even they didn't expect it to take off in quite the way it did...

his summer, the four biggest UK supermarkets reported a fall in profits. This, it’s thought, is due to more punters adopting a ‘little and often’ approach to grocery shopping, swapping the big weekly shop for frequent visits to smaller, local stores.

Meanwhile, shops like Country Kitchen in Haslingfield are booming. Set up in April 2013 by seven local women, Country Kitchen is everything that’s good about local, independent shopping. Its pretty, forget-menot blue shopfront is instantly inviting, and gives way to a wealth of quality products.

Starting life as a deli, it now offers fresh food, from shiny olives, rustic loaves, farmfresh eggs and meats, to home-made Greekinspired traybakes. The fruit and veg is all seasonal and sourced locally, and there’s an excellent wine selection too. Meanwhile gifthunters can browse a beautiful selection of locally-made jewellery, homeware, cushions and cards.

“We decided from the outset that you needed to be able to put a meal together in our shop from scratch,” says Liz, who first set up the shop. “You could easily put together a dinner party for ten and buy everything you needed here. And because we’re all cooks, we have a good idea of what’s needed.”

The premises belongs to Liz, who ran it for several years before the other ladies came on board. She explains: “I didn’t want to be working in the shop full-time, and a lot of the others felt that way but wanted to play a part. So that’s how the model came about.”

The ladies all live in neighbouring villages and have since become firm friends.

“We had lots of meetings before we started. Nobody knew everyone, but everyone knew somebody,” says Liz. “We’re all from very different backgrounds so we each bring something different to the table.”

Jenny, whose background is in interior design, adds: “We’ve had a lot of laughs, and surprisingly no tears. All the men said, ‘My

goodness, seven women – you’ll last five minutes! There’ll be rows and you’ll all fall out.’ There have been a few moments, but nothing like that. It’s been lovely.”

The ladies work in shifts, with one opening the shop and another closing, joined by a third working to cover the busy lunchtime period. It’s a flexible system, designed to fit around family life and other work commitments.

Ever innovative, the ladies ran successful pop-up events at the shop over the summer with the likes of local indies Steak and Honour and Fired Up Pizza.

Jenny explains: “For the first one, Steak and Honour brought just 50 brioche buns and it was so popular they sold out in an hour. So the second time he brought over 100 buns plus three people to work with him – and he still sold out!”

It’s clear that Country Kitchen plays a key part in the local community, as Jenny confirms: “We have quite a lot of elderly people who live alone and come in to buy maybe two carrots, one potato and two slices of ham. Or a portion of traybake, which means they get home-made food for not a lot of money. We know lots of the locals, and we have a good lunchtime trade which is a very different demographic. Then late in the afternoon it’s people finishing work who are desperate for a bottle of wine!”

She continues: “The most important thing, we said from the outset, was that it had to be fun. I’d never worked in a shop in my life, so we all looked to Liz for guidance at the beginning.”

Liz interjects: “And now they all tell me what to do!”

“We were all aware that we weren’t going to make a fortune,” says Jenny, “but it’s actually worked out so much better than we ever imagined.”

21 Church St, Haslingfield CB23 1JE, 01223 874284, www.ckhaslingfield.com

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LISTINGS

WHAT S ON A ROUND-UP OF EVENTS IN AND AROUND CAMBRIDGESHIRE FOR NOVEMBER 1 November

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MUSEUM OF WATER Time: Sat 9am-6pm; Sun 11am-5pm Location: Grand Arcade Price: Free Description: Where would we be without water? See a unique, interactive museum filled with bottles of water, donated by you, taken from places – pools, rivers, fountains, taps – that mean something to the giver. museumofwater.co.uk

NOV

CAMBRIDGE FIREWORKS Time: 7.30pm Location: Midsummer Common Price: £1 Description: Watch the fireworks from Midsummer Common, accompanied by funfair rides and stalls open from 6pm. cambridge.gov.uk/fireworks

4-8 November

OF MICE AND MEN Time: 7.45pm Location: ADC Theatre Price: £7-£12 Description: Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club take on the epic, touching story of George and Lennie, in a show which runs until 8 November. acdtheatre.co.uk

2 November

CHRIS DIFFORD & GLENN TILBROOK OF SQUEEZE Time: 7.30pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £27.50-£40 Description: The two Squeeze bandmates will present songs including Cool For Cats and Up The Junction in a whole new way as part of their The At Odds Couple tour. It’s also a chance to hear new Squeeze material due out in 2015. cornex.co.uk

6-7 November

ROSS NOBLE Time: 8pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £25 Description: The shaggy haired Geordie is back with a new tour, packed with more of his signature improvisational comedy. cornex.co.uk

3 November

BOOMTOWN RATS Time: 7pm Location: Cambridge Junction Price: £26 Description: The Rats return to the touring circuit after storming last year’s Isle of Wight Festival.

Expect classic hits like I Don’t Like Mondays and Rat Trap. junction.co.uk 36 | Cambridge Edition | November 2014

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November RICH HALL Time: 8pm Location: Cambridge Junction Price: £18.50 Description: Grouchy redneck Rich Hall brings his Hoedown show to town. Featuring music, comedy and scathing satire. junction.co.uk

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November REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY Time: 10am-4pm Location: IWM Duxford Price: Free Description: Visit the museum for free and observe the two-minute silence at 11am in this meaningful and atmospheric building. iwm.org.uk

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November SWEET CHARITY Time: 7.45pm Location: ADC Theatre Price: £9-£14 Description: A sexy, sultry, sidesplitting show from Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society, featuring dazzling choreography and hits such as If My Friends Could See Me Now as the story follows Charity Valentine in her pursuit of love in NYC. acdtheatre.co.uk

12 NOV

PORT AND CHOCOLATE TASTING Time: From 6pm Location: Hotel du Vin Price: £35 Description: Enjoy the pairing of smooth, fruity port and delicious chocolate at a tasting masterclass held at the luxury Cambridge hotel. £5 from each ticket goes to the Arthur Rank Hospice. hotelduvin.com

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LISTINGS

IMAGES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook hit the Corn Exchange on 2 Nov; and don't forget Rememberence Sunday at IWM Duxford. Ely Cathedral's Christmas Fair is also a mustvisit (14-15 November).

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12 NOV

13 & 22

November CANDLELIT TOUR AND TEA Time: 3pm Location: Island Hall Price: £17.50 Description: Explore the magnificent, secretive 18th century Island Hall in Godmanchester by the light of hundreds of flickering candles. Finish with a festive afternoon tea. visitcambridge.org

13 November

NOEL FIELDING Time: 8pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £27.50 Description: See a magical mix of unique stand-up, music, live animation and more from this, his first live tour in five years.

Shooting to fame with The Mighty Boosh, Fielding will also be bringing along some of his bestknown TV characters including The Moon and Fantasy Man. cornex.co.uk

14-15 November

ELY CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS FAIR Time: 9.30-4.30 & 6.30-9 (Fri); 9.30-4.30 (Sat) Location: Ely Cathedral Price: £3 Description: Browse beautiful gifts and decorations at this affordable fair, with floral presentations, cookery demonstrations and music and reindeer on Saturday. elycathedral.org

MIRANDA SINGS Time: 7pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £24.50-£34.50 Description: YouTube sensation Miranda Sings has clocked up over 60 million views for her whacky performances of hit songs, and now heads out on the road to bring us her crazy one-woman music, magic and comedy show, featuring brand new videos. cornex.co.uk

15-16

November OCTONAUTS Time: See website for times Location: Corn Exchange Price: £16-£18 Description: The undersea kids’ show comes to the stage live for the first time! Take the little ones on an aquatic, interactive adventure as Captain Barnacles, Kwazii and Peso unravel a brand new mystery. cornex.co.uk

20 November

PANICLAB: RIOT Time: 7.30pm Location: Cambridge Junction Price: £6-£10 Description: See a comic book brought to life through physical theatre as four performers, playing at superheroes, are caught up in a series of conflicts. junction.co.uk

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THE KOOKS Time: 7.30pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £22 Description: Back with a fresh new sound, The Kooks (who Q Magazine says are ‘back on track’) have a new album, Listen, to shout about. Released a few months ago, this, their fourth offering, sees the band exploring a funky new direction. cornex.co.uk

NOV

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November MAGIC OF MOTOWN Time: 7.30pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £26-£28 Description: Celebrate 50 years of incredible hits at this feel-good show, featuring music from the Four Tops, The Supremes, The Jackson Five, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. Who can argue with that? cornex.co.uk

21 November

KATHERINE RYAN Time: 8pm Location: Cambridge Junction Price: £11-£13 Description: The brilliant Canadian comedian brings her playful, hilarious, knife-sharp routine, Glam Role Model, our way. junction.co.uk

22 November

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November WEST END WOMEN Time: 7.30pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £22.50-£32.50 Description: Spend an evening with three of the West End’s leading ladies: Wicked’s Kerry Ellis, Cats star Joanna Ampil and Ria Jones (Evita, Les Mis). Featuring songs from the best-loved musicals of the past 40 years. cornex.co.uk

IMELDA MAY Time: 7.30pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £27.50-£32 Description: The striking, rockabilly singer Imelda May serves up a sizzling selection of 50s-inspired songs following the release of her latest album, Tribal. cornex.co.uk

25-29 November

OKLAHOMA! Time: 7.30pm (2.30pm Thurs, Sat) Location: Arts Theatre Price: £15-£25 Description: The Wild West musical is brought to the Cambridge stage by Cambridge Operatic Society. Featuring songs such as Oh What A Beautiful Morning and Oklahoma!. cambridgeartstheatre.com

29-30 NOV

DAWN FRENCH Time: 8pm Location: Corn Exchange Price: £37.50-£42 Description: Actor, comedian, writer and certified national treasure, Dawn French has discovered she’s been alive for 30 million minutes. So she’s done a show about it. Spend an evening with the first lady of laughs as she brings her tour our way. cornex.co.uk

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November PHILIP HIGHAM IN RECITAL Time: 11am Location: Saffron Hall Price: £6-£12 Description: Enjoy a morning of music from the award-winning young Scottish cellist, who’ll be playing Faure, Schumann and Brahms. saffronhall.com

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FAMILY

Octonauts

Take your little ones and head off on an underwater caper with the Octonauts this month. Captain Barnacles and co are in town with Deep Sea Volcano Adventure, a brand new live stage show that’ll have kids spellbound as they explore strange new worlds full of mysteries and surprises.

Featuring favourite characters from the CBeebies TV show including Kwazii and Peso, there’s also music and songs aplenty in this fun-packed interactive show, which runs at the Corn Exchange from 15 to 16 November.

Tickets £18 adult/£16 child. See the website for show times. www.cornex.co.uk

Sunday 9 Nov

clay

Kids will love getting messy and making patterns in clay at this workshop at the Fitzwilliam Museum. Taking place on Saturday 22 November, from 10.30am12.30pm, the session is led by artist Susie Olczak and costs £5 per person. Children will explore the collections at the museum to get inspiration before getting hands on and making their own masterpieces.

Suitable for ages 8 - 12 yrs, advance booking essential. www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

Hansel & Gretel

Inside OUT

If your little ones enjoy playing dress up, Tell Tale Hearts: Inside Out, which comes to Cambridge Junction on Sunday 9 November, will be their idea of heaven.

Join a pair of mischievous siblings who have transformed their bedroom into a wonderland of mess, leading to all sorts of adventures and meetings with a cast of fantastical creatures hiding amid a mountain of clothes.

Performances, which take place at 11.30am and 2.30pm, include a ‘free play’ session, where children are invited to dress up and invent their own clothing adventures using the props from the show.

Suitable for children aged 2-7. Tickets £10 adult/£6 per child. www.junction.co.uk

CREATIVE

Steampunk

A classic Brothers’ Grimm fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel has been delighting and terrifying children for centuries. On 16 November, catch an imaginative reworking of this story of two fearless siblings using all their courage to outwit a menacing witch at Cambridge Junction, courtesy of Red Earth Theatre.

A funny and free-spirited take on this age-old tale, the production features a tango dancing witch, a journey deep into some scary woods and, of course, an irresistibly edible looking cottage…

Shows at 11.30am and 2.30pm. Tickets £10 adult/£6 child. www.junction.co.uk

CREATURES Head down to the Cambridge Museum of Technology on 2 November and get creative in a crafty workshop being held as part of the Festival of Ideas. The session, which is suitable for all ages, will encourage guests to take inspiration from the museum’s intriguing collection of Victorian machinery before creating animal masks and shadow puppets in future-retro steampunk style.

Drop in between 2 and 5pm. £3.50 adults/£1.50 children (under 7s go free). www.festivalofideas.cam.ac.uk

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FOOD

WORDS ALEX RUSHMER

BRAISING YOUR GAME

Images courtesy of Waitrose

SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE FOR ALEX THIS MONTH AS HE WAXES LYRICAL ON THE JOYS OF BRAISING f all the cooking methods available to us, I find the braise the most mystical and magical. It is a technique that yields results that are truly sublime and so perfectly in tune with the time of year that for me, braised meats are the best possible reason to look forward to winter.

The majesty of the braise lies in the simple effect that heat and time has upon collagen; a tough connective tissue present in hard-working muscles. The more work the muscles do, the stronger and tougher it has to be. Whilst this doesn’t make for a very pleasant eating experience if cooked quickly – a medium rare ox cheek would be best utilised for resoling a pair of Doc Martens rather than having for supper – a long, gentle cook breaks down the meat and connective tissue to produce meat that can be eaten with a spoon.

A successful braise relies on two key ingredients: meat and liquid, and two separate cooking processes: sear and slow cook. A general rule of thumb to go by when deciding what cut to braise is to think about how far away from the centre of the animal it comes from. Cuts that reside close to the middle of the beast are almost always best cooked quickly and have a tendency to dry out if cooked for too long.

Instead choose the extremities – beef shin, lamb shanks, chicken legs and pork shoulder are all ideal for cooking slow and low – but take care not to cut them too small. Larger pieces of meat, around the size of your palm, may take a little longer to cook but they are easier to sear, won’t dry out and will offer a far superior result.

The first step to crafting a successful braise is to brown the meat. Don’t be timid here, really crank up the heat in your pan,

use a neutrally-flavoured oil and season the meat generously with fine table salt. Plenty of colour here will help to add flavour to the finished dish so don’t overcrowd the pan as it will drastically reduce the temperature.

Instead sear off the meat in batches and deglaze with wine or water after each batch so as not to create any burned or charred flavours.

Once the meat is browned, colour off a selection of vegetables in the same pan: carrots, celery and onions (roughly chopped so they don’t break down) are a standard triumvirate but other root vegetables also work well, especially when paired with venison, then deglaze again with wine or stock.

Choose a sensible cooking vessel, preferably one with a tight fitting lid (although foil provides a more than adequate substitute) and place the meat and vegetables into it then add your liquid so it comes a third to halfway up the meat:

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this isn’t a casserole so there is no need to submerge the contents of the pot. Bring it all up to a gentle simmer, skim off any scum that rises to the top then place on the lid or cover tightly with foil.

Put the pot into a preheated oven at about 100°C and leave for six to eight hours.

This sustained gentle heat breaks down the collagen into gelatine which gives a braised piece of meat its unique rib-sticking quality.

Once cooked the meat can be served in its own juices with the vegetables, but more refinement is possible if you remove it from the pot, strain the cooking liquor through a sieve and reduce further with more wine, port, thyme and garlic to make a wonderful sticky jus. Freshly cooked vegetables and mashed potatoes provide an ideal foil for this most decadent and seasonal of preparations.

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FOOD

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

CHRISTMAS FOOD SHOWCASE AT GOGS Eliminate the stress from your festive shopping this year with a little help from Gog Magog Hills Farm Shop, which is hosting a special Christmas Food Showcase on 12 and 13 November.

Running from 4pm to 8pm on both days, the events are being held in support of charity Tom’s Trust, and feature a host of festive food, drink and entertainment.

Guests will be able to meet some of the Gog’s favourite producers, including Mons Cheesemongers, Chocolat Chocolat, Marsh Pig and Cottage Garden Cookery, all of whom will be offering delicious samples of their wares.

Neal’s Yard Cheese and Cambridge Wine Merchants will give talks on picking your all-important Christmas cheeses and wines too, and there will be the chance to meet the award-winning Gogs butchery team themselves, who’ll demonstrate their skills and offer expert advice.

As well as great music from The Shellac Collective (who'll be spinning 78rpm records), top local chefs will be giving cookery demonstrations and there will be roasted Kelly Bronze turkey to try, as well as mince pies and sausage rolls from the Gog Magog’s own kitchen.

You can also design and order bespoke hampers, which make an ideal personalised Christmas pressie for someone special. Most importantly, the two-day event offers a great opportunity to place your Christmas food order – which has to beat desperately trudging around a supermarket on Christmas Eve in a panic!

Guests must register in advance but all attendees will be entered into a special prize draw to win a Gog Magog Hills Farm Shop Christmas Dinner which includes a turkey and all the trimmings, Christmas pudding, wine and cheese for a family of eight. www.gogmagoghills.com

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FOOD

HOTEL DU VIN EVENTS There’s lots going on at Hotel du Vin this month, from a decadent chocolate tasting session to a spot of early festive indulgence and some fabulous-looking new menus to enjoy.

We’ve long been fans of the sumptuous Sunday brunch menu at this Trumpington Street favourite, so we’re delighted to report that they’ve recently launched a new breakfast menu for every other morning of the week (7-10am MonFri and 8-11am Sat-Sun).

On it, you’ll find a classic full breakfast, brioche French toast with bacon and maple syrup, crêpes and lots more perfect morning treats.

On 12 November meanwhile, local chocolatier Chocolat Chocolat will be teaming up with Hotel du Vin to host an evening of fine port and chocolate.

Beginning at 6pm, the event will feature four vintage ports and a selection of top quality single origin chocolates for you to sample. Tickets cost £35 per person, and £5 from each ticket sold goes to The Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

In celebration of Hotel du Vin’s 20th anniversary, there’s a new menu launching in the Bistro too, featuring delicious wintry dishes such as duck shepherd’s pie and Toulouse sausage and mash.

If you fancy ushering in Christmas a little ahead of December, pop in on a Wednesday evening 5-7pm and you’ll be treated to discounted mulled wine (£3.50 per glass) and complimentary mince pies throughout November. www.hotelduvin.com

FORTIFIED WINE MASTERCLASS Shuck off any negative preconceptions of fustiness you might have: fortified wines are reckoned by many experts to be one of the most fascinating and undervalued wine styles, as well as being pleasingly cheap to quaff and increasingly hip.

Discover a little more about this intriguing ancient art this month at Cambridge Wine Merchants’ Bridge Street branch, where they’re hosting a Fortified Wine Masterclass on 10 November. Awarded International Wine Challenge Fortified Wine Specialist of the Year many, many times, CWM really know their stuff, and they’ll take you through your classic port, sherry, Madeira, as well as some more unusual types. From bone dry aperitif fino through to lush PX and from young to very old, the class will reveal the wonders of fortification, maturation, solera and optimal deployment.

The in-house chef will also be serving up some perfectly matched food, and tickets are £18 (7pm start). www.cambridgewine.com

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FOOD

AUTUMN BEER FESTIVAL Bridge Street’s Mitre pub is hosting its Autumn Beer Festival this month, showcasing a range of dark beers which are ideal for sipping as the nights draw in and the temperatures drop. Running until 16 November, the festival will include a rotating range of 13 tasty ales from some of the UK’s most exciting breweries including Red Squirrel’s London Porter, Itchen Valley’s Dark Solstice and Wild Beer Co.’s Scarlet Fever.

There will also be a trio of specialist beers created through an experimental ‘Whose Beer Is It Anyway?’ brewing process. Charged with concocting a trio of ‘improvised brews’, the head brewers from Purity, Brains and Adnam’s drew from three pots, World Cup style, to determine the characteristics of their beers.

The pots were marked Style, ABV Range and Hop Region, with each brewery set to unveil their unique creations at the beginning of the festival. Drinkers and festivalgoers will be encouraged to vote for their favourite brew online, with the winner to be announced at the end of the festival and made available for the rest of the winter.

The Mitre has also recently launched a new Hop Circle app, offering cask ale fans tasting notes and a variety of rewards and promotions throughout the year. www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk

OVER THE TRACKS Keep an eye out for OTT, aka Over The Tracks: a new collaboration between local street food heroes Steak and Honour and Jack’s Gelato. The first event is planned for 12 November, and will see the pair branching out to host a full-blown five-course dinner. Details are yet to be confirmed but with these two at the helm you can guarantee it’s going to be one of the foodie events of the month… £35 per person, bring your own booze. Follow @OTT_CBG on Twitter for updates.

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FROM NAPLES WITH LOVE If you’re looking to treat the foodie in your life this Christmas, Carluccio’s, located just outside the Grand Arcade, might have just what you’re after. The Italian eaterie is getting into the festive spirit with a lovely selection of Christmas treats and gift boxes, all inspired by the vibrant food-loving city of Naples.

The range, all of which is created by artisan producers from across Italy, features handcrafted panettone, flavoured biscotti and Neopolitan speciality Struffoli: deep fried dough pieces smothered in honey and dusted with candied peel and hundreds and thousands. There’s also a lovely range of perfect stocking fillers, as well as a variety of gift boxes. Sound tempting? Head down for one of the festive shopping evenings (taking place on 27 November and 4 December) and take advantage of 10% off the entire Christmas range, as well as enjoying mulled wine and seasonal canapés. www.carluccios.com

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FOOD

MIDSUMMER HOUSE NAMED BEST UK RESTAURANT Famed Cambridge fine dining establishment Midsummer House has been named the second best restaurant in the world and the best in the UK at the Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Awards – beating Le Gavroche in London and Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck.

The two-star Michelin restaurant, which is located on Midsummer Common, has been run by chef and patron Daniel Clifford since 1998. Famous for his appearances on TV’s The Great British Menu, he creates modern dishes using traditional French techniques, served with flair. He won his first Michelin star for Midsummer House in 2002, with a second following in 2005.

Diners may choose from a five- (£47.50 per person), seven- (£82.50) or ten-course menu (£105), including the likes of beetroot baked on open coals, quinoa, goat’s cheese and mizuna; roast quail, shallot puree, grapes, celery and sourdough; and compressed strawberries, elderflower sponge, crème fraiche and sorrel.

Clifford took to Twitter in response to the announcement, made last month, tweeting: “We are delighted to see the results of the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards. Thank you so much for everyone’s kind words, much appreciated for an unbelievable achievement.” www.midsummerhouse.co.uk

CAMBRIDGE SUSTAINABLE FOOD 1ST ANNIVERSARY

A network of individuals and organisations who support local sustainable food, Cambridge Sustainable Food (CSF) celebrates its first anniversary this month, and they’re marking the occasion in style with a special event on 8 November.

Taking place at Penn Farm Studios in Haslingfield, the event will feature delicious vegan food from the Curly Kale Café, which has been winning local fans recently with a series of pop-up events at venues including The Alex and Urban Larder. To drink, there will be locally brewed beers from the BlackBar Brewery, and to get you grooving there will be live music courtesy of funk, soul and disco band Makossa.

The event starts at 7pm and a suggested donation of £10 covers entry and dinner. Visit the CSF website for more information. www.cambridgesustainablefood.org

ARTIST-LED DINNER AT WYSING ARTS CENTRE Fancy a side order of art with your meal? Pop along to Bourn this month for dinner with a difference, hosted by artist Philomene Pirecki, whose practice includes painting, photography, drawing, slide projections, sculpture and text.

Taking place on 1 November at Cambridgeshire contemporary arts hub Wysing, the event will feature a monochrome-inspired meal, beginning with an all-white starter, followed by dishes of black and white, and ending with an allblack dessert. This intriguing themed meal will be accompanied by a selection of readings, screenings and sound experiences, all related to the perception of colour. The dinner takes place 6-9pm, and tickets cost £20. Advance booking is essential. www.wysingartscentre.org

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FOOD

PERFECT STEAK Cooking steak may be a pretty straightforward culinary endeavour, but this month at Cambridge Cookery School you can learn how to really up your game and cook chef-worthy cuts at a Perfect Steaks masterclass.

There’ll be expert advice aplenty at this session, which takes place on 18 November, where you’ll get guidance on everything from how quality and provenance affect the end product to boosting your confidence when speaking to your butcher and how to make the most out of cheaper meat.

In addition to beef, you’ll cover different meats including venison and you’ll also learn how to create classic sauces such as Béarnaise and a red wine reduction, as well as steak accompaniments like pommes dauphinois and pommes boulangère.

The class takes place from 6.30-10pm and costs £135. www.cambridgecookeryschool.com

LIBERATED FEAST VEGAN BANQUET Enjoy a foodie extravaganza in aid of a fantastic cause this month as the Liberated Feast returns for a vegan banquet on 16 November. It’s the fourth outing for this innovative local dining experience, which combines delicious food and lively entertainment with raising money for charity and awareness of global food waste.

The event begins with a wine reception and a talk from the Cambridge Humanitarian Centre, who will launch their 2014 Cambridge International Development Report, before a sit-down meal created using surplus produce that would otherwise go to waste from local producers, retailers, farms, markets, vegetable box schemes, allotment holders and foraging. There will also be a marketplace, where guests can meet Humanitarian Centre members and community groups working for fairer, more sustainable food production and consumption.

The event costs £10 per ticket, with all proceeds going towards a project for the Milimani School on Kenya’s Rusinga Island which is raising money to build, staff and support a kitchen to provide the children’s entire daily nutrition and create a school permaculture food growing space. So far The Liberated Feast has raised £1000 towards the project, which has an estimated total cost of £5000, and are already supporting the school’s breakfast feeding programme. They are also developing an educational programme, working with schools and communities to explore the global food system and create their own Liberated Feasts.

Starts at 5.30pm; tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite.

Search The Liberated Feast on Facebook or visit the CSF website. www.cambridgesustainablefood.org

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FOOD

ASK THE FOODIE

HEIDI WHITE AKA THE MOVING FOODIE ANSWERS YOUR ' ' BURNING QUESTIONS ON THE CAMBRIDGE FOOD SCENE Q: WHO DOES THE BEST TAKEAWAY FOOD IN CAMBRIDGE? This question doesn’t come as a surprise to me. Winter’s a-coming: the nights are drawing in, evenings are getting colder, and comfort food and getting cosy on the sofa are top of everyone’s to-do list – or should be!

And the more time spent curled up in front of a good film or catching up on some reading, the better. Takeaways, my friend, are the answer. But we’re not talking any old fast-food TV dinner – Cambridge’s excellent independent food scene extends to takeaways and home delivery. Hoorah!

Inder’s Kitchen is usually my first port of call: a local Indian food delivery company using authentic family recipes, focusing on quality, locally sourced meat and seasonal ingredients.

An easy-to-use online ordering system and heated delivery bags make the experience all the more enjoyable. You can book your delivery slot hours or even days in advance. Check the Inder’s Kitchen website (www.inderskitchen. com) and build up loyalty rewards by registering and ordering online.

Equally established in our takeaway routine is Cherry Box Pizza, which delivers a great range of pizza, calzone, salads, side dishes, and even drinks and desserts. My affinity for the mari e monti pizza, barbecue chicken wings, and the solid wine and champagne list could get quite expensive were it not for the affordable prices. Ordering online (www.cherryboxpizzaonline. com) is super simple and delivery is always surprisingly speedy, and the arriving food is consistently hugely better than that of Cherry Box Pizza’s chain competitors.

Although I bang on about it at every opportunity, there’s one takeaway that’s definitely worth going out in the cold for. The dumplings from Zhonghua on Norfolk Street are winter comfort food embodied. Starting at just £4 for a portion of 12 gorgeous, silky, fresh dumplings filled with delicately flavoured meat, fish or veg, I recommend you go wild and order as many as you can carry. The fresh flavours and addictive chilli oil dipping sauce will keep you going through the most depressing winter’s night.

So that’s three nights of the week accounted for. Enjoy spending the rest of your winter evenings building up your order-in repertoire…

KRISPY KREME Krispy Kreme have brought their famous melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts to Cambridge, having opened a new branch downstairs at the Grand Arcade at the end of last month. It’s a piece of news that’s sure to delight local doughnut lovers, as well as anyone else looking for a cheeky spot of indulgence during their shopping trips.

As well as their signature original glazed doughnuts, the store will stock a further 15 varieties including Chocolate Dreamcake and Caramel Crunch, all served up in Krispy Kreme’s envy-inducing polka dot green and white boxes.

The store will also offer Krispy Kreme’s own coffee, made from freshly ground Arabica beans, served however you like it. www.grandarcade.co.uk

For more top tips on eating and drinking in Cambridge, visit Heidi’s blog www.movingfoodie.com Got a question for the Moving Foodie? Tweet us at @cambsedition or @TheMovingFoodie and hashtag #askthefoodie

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FOOD

BELLA ITALIA

THE RUPERT BROOKE IN GRANTCHESTER OPENS ITS DOORS After being acquired by Chestnut Inns back in March, The Rupert Brooke pub in Grantchester reopened its doors last month to the delight of locals and foodies from far and wide. Locally sourced food, great service and stylish interiors – yet which reflect the pub’s heritage – are top of the agenda for Chestnut Inns, who have already turned The Packhorse Inn, Moulton, into a thriving, top quality gastro-pub (we’ve been there for Sunday lunch and can vouch for it!).

Philip Turner of Chestnut Inns commented: “The Rupert Brooke’s position in Grantchester – rural, historic, with literary links and yet within walking distance of central Cambridge – perfectly fits the key criteria of ‘location, location, location’. The rest of the ingredients, a creative outlook and an experienced team to make it work, are what Chestnut Inns are all about.”

The newly-revitalised pub features an open plan kitchen, a pretty conservatory dining room, an extensive bar area and an upper floor private dining Club Room with access to roof terraces. The gardens overlooking the Grantchester Meadows and the footpath to Cambridge will be restored for next spring. www.therupertbrooke.com

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Perfect for refuelling during a shopping trip or enjoying a quick pre-cinema bite to eat, The Grafton’s Bella Italia unveiled an exciting new look last month. A full refurbishment has transformed the restaurant, which now boasts a hip new interior that’s bursting with colour and quirky, vintage-style touches.

The menu, too, has had an overhaul, offering a range of Italian classics with a contemporary edge, as well as some tasty breakfast treats. We rather like the look of the new Gelato Cart too, which offers a dizzying array of flavours, all traditionally made and fully customisable with a host of tasty additions including fresh fruit, Smarties and popping candy! www.bellaitalia.co.uk

THIS MONTH'S POP-UPS AT THE FREE PRESS Have you discovered the pop-ups at the Free Press? The traditional Cambridge pub runs a variety of foodie evenings hosted by local champions of the culinary scene. On Mondays Brazing Saddles bring an ever-changing menu centered around their delicious homemade tacos (6-9pm). Tuesdays are all about tasty, locally sourced vegetarian food, brought to the pub by Curly Kale Café (6.30-9.30pm). Stop by on a Wednesday and meet Inder of Inder’s Kitchen for thali platters, 6-9.30pm.

Try Korean burgers on Thursdays with Gogo Gogi Gui (6-9.30pm), then round off the week with Guerrilla Kitchen, 6-10pm, featuring food from around the world including crispy fried ribs, cockle popcorn and tofu buns.

Inder returns on Saturdays, then spend a lazy Sunday devouring bangers and mash with a twist from the Cambridge Gourmet Sausage Company. www.freepresspub.com

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FOOD

CHRISTMAS GIFT & FOOD FAIR Now in its third year, the Christmas Gift and Food Fair on 14 and 15 November offers a perfect opportunity to pick up gorgeous gifts, unique decorations and delicious edible treats in the spectacular setting of Ely Cathedral.

You’ll be spoiled for choice when making your seasonal foodie purchases at this ever-popular Christmas fair, which features a huge Festive Food Hall in the 14th century Lady Chapel that’s bursting with delectable delights from local producers and traders, as well as a themed café marquee.

Over 100 traders will exhibit their wares in the interior of the magnificent cathedral building, which is widely acknowledged as one of the wonders of the medieval world, and there will be floral presentations and cookery demonstrations throughout the two days.

Setting the mood will be musical entertainment from local choirs, and on Saturday, the green next to the Cathedral will be adorned with a vintage carousel, reindeer and Christmas elves, as well as roasting chestnuts.

The event will run 14 and 15 November with a special preview evening at 6.30pm on 13 November. www.elycathedral.org

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MEET THE SUPPLIERS AT THE LARDER Shun impersonal supermarkets and find out a little more about some great local producers this month at the Larder at Burwash Manor, where they’re hosting a series of Meet the Supplier events.

First up, on 8 November, a must for all spice lovers as Ben from the Capsicana Chilli Co will be discussing all things chilli. Next, on Saturday 15 November, there’s a visit from the renowned Bray’s Pies, an independent gourmet pork pie company from Norfolk, followed by Yau’s on 22 November, who’ll be introducing customers to their delicious range of noodles, rice and cooking sauces.

Rounding things off on 29 November, Gail Shreeve will be discussing The Kandula Tea Company’s innovative collection of artisan teas.

Burwash Manor is also welcoming the festive season this month with their lovely annual Christmas Begins event on 6 November, featuring plenty of delicious food and entertainment, as well as lots of opportunities to pick up treats and pressies from Burwash’s retailers, all of which will be open later than usual. www.burwashlarder.com

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EATING OUT

WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Rang Mohol Sister restaurant of the award-winning Lalbagh, this Sawston eaterie oozes contemporary sophistication and serves up delicious array of authentic Indian cuisine hose good at sniffing out an excellent curry will doubtless know about Lalbagh, the award-winning Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant in Bourn. But did you know about its sister restaurant?

Situated in Sawston High Street, Rang Mohol was opened by the same brothers, Miftaur and Mumitur Choudhury, last year and serves up the same mouth-watering menu, focusing on authentic flavours and quality ingredients.

Like Lalbagh, the Rang Mohol experience is all about fine yet affordable dining. The restaurant is all understated, contemporary sophistication, with cool greys and whites allowing the sizzling colours of the food to really pop. There’s an unexpected touch in the giant bubble tanks, glowing like nightclub walls: a welcome move forward from those moving pictures of Niagara Falls that used to inexplicably adorn my local curry shop.

The menu, too, is absolutely up-tothe-minute, offering several (but not an overwhelming number of) pages of house specialities: fish, tandoori, mossala, balti, bhuna and dansak dishes.

We started with poneer pakora appetisers: balls of soft, Indian cottage cheese and vegetables in crisp, deepfried batter. I also treated myself to the ‘famous’ lamb cutlets, a succulent on-thebone appetiser in a secret, home-made marinade. Delicious. Meanwhile, my vegetarian dining partner was served the chat poti, a delicate little showstopper of dainty, hollow shells into which chickpea and potato filling is spooned. A street food dish popular in many parts of India, it’s eaten in one crunchy mouthful.

For main course I chose the lamb tikka labbabder, with a sweet mango lassi, and my companion went for the vegetable

dansak. My dish, a house speciality, arrived sizzling and served with a green garnish of fresh spring onion and coriander. The meat was beautifully lean and the hearty onion and cream-based sauce carried just a hint of warming spice – a perfect winter’s dish.

The dansak offered up a completely different, almost sweet and sour taste, with the refreshing tomato flavour really coming through, serving up a little more of a chilli kick. My dining chum also approvingly noted the range of vegetables included, counting carrot, broccoli, beans, lentils and potato within the mix.

We couldn’t find anything wanting with this top-standard curry; everything from the warm, deliciously fresh naan bread to the expertly balanced flavours was executed to perfection.

Spices are sourced with care from the best London suppliers, and while my

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tolerance remains fairly low down the spice barometer, there’s plenty to satisfy if you’ve more of a head for heat.

Nor were we alone in our praise: a couple on a neighbouring table, offering up enthusiastic feedback to their server, happily backed us up.

While Lalbagh continues to bring home the awards, it’s likely we’ll soon be hearing more from this newest member of the family. It’s a shorter drive away (just seven miles from Cambridge), with all the style, service and know-how the Choudhury brothers have become synonymous with.

There’s no doubt that Rang Mohol is a lesson in delicious fine Bangladeshi and Indian dining.

Prices range from £7.20 to £15.50.

76-78 High Street, Sawston CB22 3HJ, 01223 577540, www.rangmohol.com

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DINING GUIDE WORDS NICOLA FOLEY

WINTER DINING GUIDE WINTER WARMERS: IF YOU’RE AFTER LOG FIRES COMFY SEATS AND HEARTY FARE LOOK NO FURTHER THAN , , THESE COSY GEMS OF THE LOCAL DINING SCENE

A long-standing local favourite, The Kingston Arms is without doubt one of the cosiest drinking spots in town.

With roaring log fires, twinkly fairy lights, an ever-changing selection of real ales and a stack of board games, it’s the perfect place for a lazy afternoon or evening with friends. It’s the top-quality pub grub which sets The Kingston apart though, with the Sunday roasts, handmade burgers and amazing chips especially popular.

If the party season means you’re a little short on cash, hit the ‘recession menu’, that offers up pocket-friendly dishes including cottage pie and fish and chips – all at a bargain £4.99. www.kingston-arms.co.uk

We fall a little bit more in love with The Alex on Gwydir Street every month.

October saw them host a blinder of a music festival, complete with a line-up of live bands, great burgers and top beers, and the pub is now welcoming the colder months and sporting a cosy new look for winter. It’s an ideal spot for a festive gettogether with friends or colleagues, and they’re offering a delicious party menu from 24 November right the way through to 16 January (take note, those in the hospitality industry looking for a festive team outing after the busy period). At £12.95 for two courses or £14.95 for three, it’s excellent value – plus, there’s special offers on drinks for advance bookings. www.facebook.com/thealexcb1

RED COW If it’s a quintessentially English Christmas setting you yearn for – log fires and mulled wine included – make a beeline for the Red Cow at Chrishall. This year they will once again be opening their doors on Christmas Day for a fun and family-friendly lunch. There’s a set Christmas party menu too, bursting with traditional festive fare including roasted partridge, roast turkey and all the trimmings and traditional plum pudding with brandy cream for dessert. £20 for two courses and £25 for three. www.theredcow.com

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Daisy Dickinson

THE KINGSTON ARMS

Daisy Dickinson

THE ALEX

THE KING WILLIAM IV A 16th century inn set in the heart of the rolling Cambridgeshire countryside, the King William in Heydon is a cosy, quirky gem.

With a clutch of awards to its name, it has a great reputation as a foodie destination, especially among vegetarians (its veggie menu is vast and packed with interesting dishes). This winter, they’ll be serving up enticing entrees of honey roasted butternut squash soup and gooey whole baked Camembert studded with rosemary and garlic, served with caramelised red onion and artisan bread. For mains, tuck into a roast free-range Norfolk turkey with all the trimmings, or an asparagus, chestnut and sun blushed tomato strudel with pesto and rich tomato sauce. The Christmas menu is £24.95 for three courses. www.king-william-iv.co.uk

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DINING GUIDE

CITY CENTRE: LOOKING FOR A FOODIE FEAST IN THE CENTRE OF THE CITY? THESE TOP LOCAL EATERIES ARE OUR PICK OF THE BUNCH

LA RAZA

BREW HOUSE One of Cambridge’s favourite recent-ish additions to the drinking and dining scene, with its trendy industrial-inspired interiors, quality food and ales, Cambridge Brew House is already a popular choice for that after work drink with colleagues. Make it the setting for your staff Christmas party and you’ll be offered the Tank Room (for groups of up to 14) or the upstairs Locker Room, which can seat up to 45, or 80 standing. Complete with its own bar and private roof terrace, it also has a big screen to display any entertaining photos you might have accumulated over the year.

Alternatively, just book a table at the restaurant and enjoy their Christmassy menu.

This includes lobster bisque and other sumptuous starters (vegetarian and vegan options included), bacon-wrapped turkey breast with stuffing, wild mushroom and mixed nut wellington or winter game stew on the main menu, and classic Christmas pud, winter berry Eton mess or chocolate and orange fondant for pud. It’s £23 for two courses or £26 for three. Throw in some bubbles on arrival for £3.50.

There’s also a delicious nibbles menu of festive canapés if a more informal drinks do is more your style. www.thecambridgebrewhouse.com

If you’re after cocktails, music and tasty food, look no further than La Raza on Rose Crescent. This subterranean restaurant and nightclub is especially good for large groups (so listen up if you’re in charge of planning an office shindig), as they offer a range of set menus, which combine dishes from their tapas selection with some festive treats.

On the menu you’ll find Spanish style roast turkey (rubbed with paprika, cumin seeds, cinnamon and cayenne), chicken and chorizo paella and sweets including bread and butter pudding with a light orange custard and peaches baked in cava served with whipped cream. Prices start at £19.95 per head, with a free glass of fizz included. And of course, La Raza turns into a buzzing nightclub once you’re ready to hit the dance floor for a boogie, making it a great all-in-one destination. www.laraza.co.uk

CAU With its buzzy atmosphere, super stylish interior and to-die-for steaks and sides, CAU has quickly established itself as one of Cambridge’s hippest dining spots. The Bene’t Street restaurant will be serving up a seasonal menu this winter that features the usual impressive range of Argentinean beef, alongside some innovative nods to traditional festive fare. On the Christmas menu you’ll find dishes like roasted pumpkin and sage risotto and for dessert, a decadent Christmas pudding sundae or baked panettone bread and butter pudding with ginger and cardamom custard. The menu is available from 24 November, with prices starting at £23 for two courses and £29 for three courses. www.caurestaurants.com

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DINING GUIDE

CAFFE SICILIA Come in from the cold and warm up with one of Caffè Sicilia’s dreamy hot chocolates or cappuccinos - with a seasonal twist! The staff have been practising their cappuccino art (we love the cheeky snowman!) and hot chocolates come piled high with real cream and topped with cocoa powder.

They will also be giving a Christmas twist to their range of panini (turkey, brie and cranberry, or brie, red grape and cranberry), and bringing in traditional continental treats like Baci chocolates and panettone. The Hills Road café now boasts a pizzeria too, which serves delicious pizzas to eat in, take out or get delivered.

In search of a gift for a foodie friend or family member? The café is also selling Christmas hampers, chock-full of authentic, tasty Sicilian products.

Caffè Sicilia is located on Hills Road and Regent Street, as well as offering catering for events and parties. www.caffesicilia.co.uk

SMOKEWORKS One of the hottest new openings of the year in Cambridge, Smokeworks is a great spot for a get-together with friends in a relaxed setting, right in the heart of the city centre – making it the ideal place to begin a big night out. Food-wise, you can expect a range of simple but delicious barbecue dishes like smoked ribs, pulled pork buns and southern fried chicken, along with amazingly tasty sides including sweet potato fries, meaty bbq beans and home-made coleslaw. While you’re there, warm your cockles before hitting the town with one of Smokeworks’ heavenly milkshakes and a shot of bourbon. www.smokeworks.co.uk

D’ARRY’S COOKHOUSE AND WINE SHOP A firm favourite whatever the time of year, this sophisticated King Street eaterie boasts a great atmosphere, fantastic food and one of the best wine lists in the city. Ideal for an intimate candlelit dinner à deux or a larger group, the restaurant also offers private dining in their atmospheric wine shop, which is located in a separate building to the left of the main restaurant.

Take advantage of the Christmas menu and you’ll be treated to a slap-up festive feast: freerange Norfolk bronze turkey or slow-roasted rib of beef with crispy roast potatoes, spiced carrot puree, buttered savoy cabbage, pigs in blankets, red wine jus and roasted seasonal vegetables. Go the whole yule log by finishing your meal with a traditional Christmas pudding with brandy egg custard and candied walnuts. £23.95 for two courses or £28.95 for three. www.darrys.co.uk

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DINING GUIDE

BEST FOR FINE DINING: FANCY REALLY TREATING YOURSELF THIS WINTER? THESE ACCLAIMED LOCAL RESTAURANTS OOZE STYLE AND SOPHISTICATION AND SERVE UP SOME OF THE BEST GRUB AROUND

HOTEL DU VIN Boasting an elegant French-styled bistro, cosy library and super-cool labyrinthine cellar bar, Hotel du Vin on Trumpington Street is one of the city’s most enchanting venues for a truly memorable meal.

Available from 24 November, the festive menus range from traditional favourites to innovative fine dining fare, all prepared using top-quality, seasonal ingredients.

For Christmas parties, the hotel offers a delicious-looking threecourse menu with mince pies, coffee and a complimentary glass of fizz priced at £32.50 for lunch and £39.50 for dinner (party menu runs 24 November until 4 December). If you fancy letting someone else do the hard work for you on Christmas Day itself, there’s a classic festive lunch menu with all the trimmings priced at £99 per person, plus packages available to include overnight stays.

We also love the look of the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day brunches, which feature a lavish French market table buffet heaving with charcuterie, pâtés, rillettes, seafood, salads and a range of fresh breads, after which you’re treated to lunch favourites including traditional roasts, followed by delectable desserts. www.hotelduvin.com

THE WILLOW TREE This winter, set out with friends, family or colleagues for the enchanting gastro pub in Bourn for hearty and delicious seasonal fare – perfect for warming the cockles. The Willow Tree’s Festive Dining menu launches this month, and runs until January.

On it, you’ll find starters of Vichyssoise leek and potato soup with croutons and crispy leeks and a duo of salmon gravlax. For main course, there’s a choice of roasts – goose, turkey or nut – with all the trimmings, as well as cod fillet, venison stew or squash, spinach and cranberry wellington. Then indulge in a dessert of Cointreau and orange crème brûlée, a Willow Sundae or mulled pear and fig tart. There’s also a Christmas Day menu – book early as it’s a popular choice!

Known for its decadent events, The Willow Tree is also hosting a magical Narnia supper club on 7 December – keep an eye on the website for more details. www.thewillowtreebourn.com

HOTEL FELIX One of Cambridge’s most celebrated dining spots, Graffiti at Hotel Felix offers innovative modern British cuisine in a cool and contemporary setting. This Christmas all your festive foodie desires are well catered for, with options for lunch or dinner parties, as well as Christmas day itself.

The Christmas party lunch for 10-60 people, priced at £25 per person, is a delicious three-course meal including mince pies and coffee, or you can opt for a dinner party for 40-60 guests in your own private room, which comes complete with a dedicated bar, festive decorations and options for additional entertainment in the form of a disco – or even a casino! From £45 per person. www.hotelfelix.co.uk

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DINING GUIDE

DOUBLETREE We just love the new Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill at the DoubleTree hotel, with its sumptuous décor and delicious menu, so we’re pleased to note that the hotel is pushing the boat out this festive season with a host of options for party nights, lunches and dinners and even a special festive afternoon tea, which features turkey and cranberry sandwiches, mini mince pies and Christmas fruit cake, amongst lots more deliciousness. There’s also a Christmas Day lunch on offer, plus a glamorous New Year’s Eve bash that includes a five-course gourmet menu, plus dancing, for £85 per person. Find out more at the website. www.doubletreecambridge.com

SQUIRES AT BEDFORD LODGE In the heart of Newmarket, Bedford Lodge Hotel’s in-house restaurant, Squires, boasts two AA Rosettes and a great reputation for contemporary fine dining in a setting full of artistic flair. The Christmas Fayre menu features classic festive favourites like Norfolk turkey with chestnut stuffing, roast potatoes, chipolata and bacon and cranberry sauce, and runs throughout December – perfect for celebrations with friends or colleagues.

For a larger group, check out the party nights, which start at £41 per person and begin with drinks in the bar, followed by a three-course dinner and an evening of dancing and entertainment at the hotel. There’s another special menu for Christmas Eve, which offers delectable dishes including honey duck breast with caramelised beetroot and baby parsnips, or Suffolk pork belly with celeriac and mustard puree and sage velouté, whilst for Christmas Day itself you’ll be treated to champagne and canapés on arrival, followed by a truly spectacular five-course feast. Look out for the New Year’s Eve gala dinner and black tie ball too, to see in 2015 in style. www.bedfordlodgehotel.co.uk

THREE HORSESHOES Described by The Independent as ‘easily one of the best restaurants in England’, the Three Horseshoes at Madingley has a sterling reputation for serving up innovative fine dining fare in a charming country setting.

The Christmas party menu looks set to be a showstopper, featuring intriguing sounding dishes like home-made cheese and bacon bagel bombs, poached deep fried egg with kale, comté and mustard and bacon crumbs, whilst the Christmas Day lunch is £65 per person. www.threehorseshoesmadingley.co.uk

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DINING GUIDE

FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT: IF YOU’RE NOT INTO TRADITIONAL FESTIVE FARE WE RECOMMEND A TRIP TO , ONE OF THESE FOODIE HOTSPOTS FOR A DINNER WITH A DIFFERENCE

BEDOUIN

FOODPARK AT NORTH POLE CAMBRIDGE Parker’s Piece will be transformed into a winter wonderland from 21 November to 5 January this year, complete with ice rink, festive stalls and plenty of rides and attractions. We’re rather excited to see that on the culinary side of things Cambridge’s innovative street food collective foodPark will be delivering eats from some of the best local traders from across the city. From gourmet burgers to biryani boxes, steamed buns with fusion fillings, mulled wine and all manner of sweet treats, there will be an ever-changing array of deliciousness to get stuck into. Pop in during the week for daily lunch and evening sessions, and special full-day events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. See The North Pole Cambridge website for details. www.thenorthpolecambridge.co.uk

Eschew tinsel and turkey with a trip to Mill Road’s Bedouin for an atmospheric North African feast. The intimate restaurant, which twinkles with colourful Moroccan lamps and cosy Bedouin rugs draped on the walls, transports diners to exotic climes and serves up brilliantly authentic food. Opt for a warming tagine or some delicious hummus, drizzled in olive oil and topped with diced marinated lamb, or try the felous mahshi: oven roasted chicken stuffed with spiced Mediterranean vegetables, glazed with honey and served with flavoursome couscous. www.bedouin-cambridge.com

CAMBRIDGE COOKERY SCHOOL For a festive foodie experience with a twist, pay a visit to Cambridge Cookery School’s sleek kitchens to learn how to create your own seasonal treats.

On 19 November, get involved with the Effortless Winter Entertaining masterclass, which will make you the host or hostess with the most-ess this party season, whipping up delicious treats for guests at the drop of a hat.

Or, grab your kids and head along to a panettone and mince pies session for parents, children and teens on 13 December. The perfect Christmas family treat, the price is £75 for parent and child together, with refreshments and plenty to take home. www.cambridgecookeryschool.com

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ZARA INDIAN CUISINE Spice things up this winter with some flavour-packed Indian cuisine at Zara, Great Shelford. One of Edition’s favourite local curry houses, Zara not only serves up stunning, expertly created dishes (and there’s plenty of choice!) but occupies a unique location within a historic, converted railway building. Whether you’re a spice fiend or prefer things on the milder side, for top Indian fare Zara should be your next stop. www.zara-cuisine.com

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COMPETITION

WIN A GLASSWORKS HEALTH CLUB GYM MEMBERSHIP his month we’ve teamed up with the luxurious Glassworks Health Club in Cambridge to offer one lucky Cambridge Edition reader a six-month membership worth £330. Located in the heart of the city, overlooking the river Cam, the Glassworks is the perfect retreat for anyone looking to unwind, revive and re-energise in style.

The membership prize includes use of the air-conditioned gym, which offers a range of high-tech equipment designed to give you a fully interactive, optimal workout. If you’re in need of a little extra advice, exercise programmes are provided when joining, along with regular reassessments to enable you to track your progress.

A wide range of classes including yoga, spinning, pilates and aerobics workouts in the studio are also included in the membership, as well as complimentary towels and luxury changing facilities with aveda products.

The winner will also be able to take advantage of the sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, as well as indulging in special discounts on a range of pampering treatments on offer at the Elemis spa.

To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, simply head over to the Cambridge Edition website at www.cambsedition.co.uk.

Glassworks Health Club, Thompson’s Lane, Cambridge CB5 8AQ 01223 305060; www.theglassworksgym.co.uk

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GROUP SPOTLIGHT

WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON

comfort

GROUP SPOTLIGHT

WINTER

Offering food, access to information, and help for those who need it, Wintercomfort is a little leg up for those who haven’t been so lucky stablished 25 years ago in Cambridge, Wintercomfort tackles one of the persistent problems in our society today: homelessness. We’ve all hurried past rough sleepers, eyes down, ignored Big Issue sellers and made inward assumptions as to how someone has ended up sleeping in a doorway. But the recession has dealt many ‘ordinary’ people a tough hand, and it’s worryingly easy for someone without support to slip into a vicious cycle of homelessness and unemployment.

Thankfully, Wintercomfort is helping people break that cycle by giving homeless people a base, and an address, from which to gain employable skills, have a hot meal and shower, and get back on their feet.

Once registered, centre users are allocated a project worker and have

access to all Wintercomfort’s facilities.

This includes free hot breakfasts for rough sleepers, tea and coffee on tap, clean showers and loos, a laundry room and even changes of clothes that are donated by the public.

There’s a computer room for users to complete job applications, and so people can stay in touch with friends and family.

Lunch is served daily, prepared by centre members wishing to develop catering skills. Users are given help with their CV and a range of apprenticeships and classes is provided – from literacy and numeracy to theatre, gardening and cookery.

“We try to have a mix of job skills and recreational activities,” says Sarah Pesonen, community events and fundraising coordinator. “We even have a football team: it all helps with confidence and

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it’s good for mental health. We also run a pop-up café in Chesterton and provide opportunities for centre users to learn cleaning and gardening skills.

“These are things that don’t necessarily require a vast number of qualifications but can be a useful springboard into employment,” Sarah explains.

Service manager James Martin explains that a surprising number of users come to the centre illiterate. “A lot of people had

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GROUP SPOTLIGHT

bad experiences at school, were excluded or didn’t learn for whatever reason. So we have a creative writing group, a literacy quiz and things like that.”

Wintercomfort also helps the increasing number of Eastern Europeans entering the city who only speak limited English.

Though not an overnight shelter, the centre is open throughout the day and all its users are put on accommodation lists for shelters like Jimmy’s Night Shelter. Still, with waiting lists of up to six months, it would seem another solution is needed to give rough sleepers in Cambridge somewhere to go.

Says James: “Jimmy’s has a lot of turnaways; it’s quite hard to get in there. So it can be hard to get out of the system and get off the streets.

“The number of homeless has increased in Cambridge over the past year,” he continues. “It was at an all-time low five years ago, but now we’re getting the fallout from the recession.

“There’s a massive mix of reasons that bring people here. We have the entrenched homeless people who have underlying problems which prevent them getting back into mainstream society. Then there are people who have lost their jobs or recently found themselves homeless: perhaps they don’t have that support network of family who can take them in. Some people have issues with drugs and alcohol, but that’s more often a result of homelessness than a cause. They fall in with that sort of crowd when they’re sleeping out, and it takes the edge off it.”

Wintercomfort members demonstrated their creativity by dressing this mannequin for the Mitcham’s Models art project

Each day, around 50 individuals use Wintercomfort, and its apprenticeship schemes have already helped many get back on their feet. One individual who helped in the kitchens at the centre is now working at a café in town and another earns a good wage as a caretaker with King Street Housing. Others have gone into the building industry.

“We are able to help some people get back on their feet fairly quickly,” says James. “Most people who come just need time, patience and some help to make the right decisions.”

Wintercomfort is run by volunteers and needs help all year round. Call 01223 518140 or email volunteers@wintercomfort. org.uk. The centre is on Victoria Avenue, Cambridge and is open Monday-Friday 8.30am-3.15pm and Saturday mornings. www.wintercomfort.org.uk

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NEWS

Communit y NEWS TAKE A TEST DRIVE AT THE GRAFTON

THE IDEAL CITY Join La Dante Film Club on Tuesday 18 November for a showing of the Italian film, La Città Ideale (The Ideal City). As well as the film, you’ll be treated to a cappuccino and snacks while listening to a brief introduction to the movie. The Ideal City, which follows a man taking his ecological lifestyle to the extreme, is in Italian with English subtitles. Booking is essential so call 01223 315191 or email events@ladante-in-cambridge.org to reserve your seat.

The Film Club is just one of the offerings from La Dante, a bilingual Italian and English cultural association, visit their website for more events. www.ladante-in-cambridge.org

There’s a new kind of traffic jam in the offing at The Grafton, as the shopping centre test-drives ride-on kiddy cars in a four-month trial. A fun way to take your toddler shopping, the cars come in four varieties (so far), so choose from a fire truck and a green sports car, for example.

If your little ones fancy cruising around The Grafton in style, pick up a car from the iPoint desk, near Debenhams. Prices start from £2 per hour; the longer you have the car, the more cost-effective. Each car takes two children. www.graftoncentre.co.uk

KK’S INSANE NEW WORKOUT YOUR FAIR NEEDS YOU! Love Mill Road Winter Fair and got a bit of time to spare? Now’s your chance to become part of the team which makes this well-loved event so special.

The Mill Road Winter Fair will enjoy its tenth outing on Saturday 6 December (10.30am-4.30pm), and it promises to be better than ever. But it only happens with the help and support of the local community. This year, the team behind the annual festivities are looking for volunteers to help out in the weeks running up to the fair and on the day. So if you fancy a stint putting up posters or delivering brochures, could decorate the street or steward on the day, email volunteers@millroadwinterfair.org or fill in the form on the website. And it’s never too early to get involved with next year’s fair – maybe running a children’s activity or helping with the parade.

Keep an eye out for the Cambridge Edition stall on the day too. We’ll be there with our December issue. See you there! www.millroadwinterfair.org/volunteer

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Kelsey Kerridge’s newest fitness class picks up on the latest craze (and it truly is crazy!), the Insanity workout. Promising to burn up to 1000 calories in a 30-minute class, Insanity is based on high intensity interval training, but instead of working like crazy for a short burst, cooling down for a longer period and then repeating, you do burpees or jumping jacks like mad for a short period, rest for an even shorter period, and repeat. It’s great for toning up, losing weight and burning fat.

Try it Mondays and Tuesdays 5.30-6pm at Kelsey Kerridge. Prices are £5.80 for non-members and £3.80 for members. www.kelseykerridge.co.uk

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CAMBRIDGE AT WAR

WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON

As 2014 marks the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, Jennifer Shelton looks at how Cambridge and its people were affected by the ‘war to end wars’ Troops at Market Square

Cambridgeshire Collection, Cambridge Central Library

ambridge seems like a city in many ways unchanged by the centuries. Walk down its cobbled streets, past churches and ancient college spires – a bicycle wobbling by – and it’s easy to imagine 100 years slipping away. Still, in 1914, the outbreak of the First World War impacted on life in Cambridge as it did the rest of the country; its students called up to fight and women left to work and nurse as Cambridge was transformed from quiet university town to military camp.

Outbreak of war

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The First Eastern General Hospital

Museum of Cambridge

When war broke out in August 1914, Cambridge was a town (it wouldn’t gain city status until 1951) of horse-drawn trams and gas lamps with a population of around 40,000. The university was on its ‘Long Vacation’, and when students did return many of them jumped straight into military training.

“The suddenness of events in the first four days of August was staggering, and Cambridge was very quickly in the middle of military preparations,” writes S.C Roberts in The Cambridge Book of the Silver Jubilee. Soon caps and gowns had been replaced by khaki, and Pembroke College became the first officers’ school in the country. The atmosphere was one of excitement, recalls Arthur Sanctuary (A History of the University of Cambridge, Christopher N.L. Brooke), who had just completed a degree in theology at Caius.

“We had a party to celebrate, which shows you how little we knew what it was going to be like.”

The Sixth Division were quartered in town and tents were pitched on Midsummer and Coldham’s Common, while on Stourbridge Common, “wandering crowds stood for hours gazing at horses, men, and the latest pattern of field guns” (The Cambridge Chronicle, 1918). Later, in

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CAMBRIDGE AT WAR

the winter of 1916, soldiers were seen on Parker’s Piece throwing snowballs as hand grenade practice.

October 1914 also saw an influx of Belgian refugees, who were given residence in the city. The Cambridge Daily News, who reported the arrest of two spies on Midsummer Common in August 1914, printed their grim prediction of what might occur should the allies lose the war: “The University Library, Senate House and King’s College Chapel would be fired, shellfire would rake the range of colleges along the Backs, and the University labs would be razed to the ground. The mayor and vice chancellor, ministers of religion and editors of newspapers would be lined up and shot, male inhabitants herded into compounds, and women and children driven out.”

Still Cambridge rallied. In the summer of 1914 the First Eastern General Hospital was established within Trinity College. Mild weather meant beds could be made up around the cloisters before the hospital moved to its permanent spot, the old Kings and Clare playing field, where the University Library now stands. The hospital was built for 500 patients but expanded to hold over 1,000 by the end of the war. Patients were

Museum of Cambridge

The First Eastern General Hospital

Operating theatre at The First Eastern General Hospital

brought from the battlefields of France to Cambridge by train then transferred to the hospital by ambulance. Ruth Dingley was an unqualified medical student at Newnham at the time who answered the call for nurses.

In a recorded interview for IWM Duxford in 1988, she described her experience working at the First Eastern General Hospital in 1914: “I don’t think I’d ever

The number of male undergraduates in 1914 stood at 1,658, falling to 825 in 1915 and as low as 575 by Easter Term, 1916.

(A History of the University of Cambridge, Christopher N.L Brooke)

A female taxi driver takes to the road in Cambridge, 1915.

been in a hospital in my life. I was rather frightened of blood and abnormalities. I hadn’t done medical practice of any sort: I watched for about a week, in intervals of going outside to faint. By the end of the week I had stopped fainting. Then it was handed over to me to give the anaesthetics.”

She continues: “There were two women in Newnham doing medicine and I got to know them. We went round doing these little concert parties for the soldiers. It was such a personal thing, the First World War, for all of my generation. I remember the first brother to be killed – it was a girl in my form. My brother was in France: he joined up on 20 August, was in France

by September, utterly untrained. It was the flower of the younger generation that joined up.”

Ruth also warmly recalls Cambridge war poet Rupert Brooke, who died in 1915: “I remember a girl in my form coming in one day saying she’d met this wonderful new poet. We were crazy about him [Brooke], but Wilfred Owen we didn’t know.”

Women at war

Throughout the war, Cambridge emptied of young men save for conscientious objectors, foreigners and “men with bad hearts or feet”, remarked Girton student Edith Shuttleworth (Girtonians and the World Wars). Edith, like Ruth, was one of a handful of pioneering female ‘undergraduettes’ at the university, not yet granted full degrees and viewed with suspicion by male lecturers and students.

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university lectures on sufferance… we were completely ignored.” (Lily Baron, Girtonians and the World Wars).

For these women, college life went on largely as it had done; indeed lecture theatres were emptier and more jobs had by default opened up to them due to the lack of men. S.C Roberts recalls in The Cambridge Book of the Silver Jubilee: “Cambridge people became accustomed to seeing women do unfamiliar work: in December 1915, for instance, the first ‘postwoman’ set off on her rounds.”

At Girton, complaints were largely regarding the cold and lack of food, due to rationing and fuel shortages. “Never,” wrote A. M Dunlop, somewhat flippantly, “was the war brought home to us so truly as when we beheld a naked doughnut” (Girtonians and the World Wars). They knitted for the soldiers, grew vegetables and kept pigs, but in their gothic, castle-like college out of town, Girtonians remained somewhat removed from the outside world, the bubble puncturing dramatically on the occasion of bad news of sweethearts or brothers killed in action. By 1918 the mood had darkened, as the Girton Review Lent Term 1918 recorded: “It seems impossible at the present time to enter heart and soul into any amusement. There is always a lurking feeling of uneasiness… that never allows us quite to forget the happenings of world-wide importance that are taking place not so far away.”

Threat from the air

The Cambridge Book of the Silver Jubilee

Though Cambridge was too far for the

Museum of Cambridge

CAMBRIDGE AT WAR

guns of France to be heard, zeppelins were a very real threat. A blackout was introduced in January 1915 from 5pm7.30am (Philomena Guilebaud, From Bats to Beds to Books). Showing a single crack of light from your window could earn a householder a knock on the door from the special constable (The Cambridge Book of the Silver Jubilee).

In a letter, Girton student Constance Ryley recorded a ‘zep scare’ in 1917. Some girls, she says, climbed to the top of the tower after lights out and reported hearing

King George V visits Cambridge in 1912, returning in 1915 to inspect troops and in 1916 to visit the First Eastern General Hospital

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bombs. The zeppelins had come for Newmarket, she reports, but were brought down on their way back to France. In From Bats to Beds To Books, nurses recalled seeing a zeppelin overhead in 1915. There was concern that the regimented hospital roofs would look like a factory from the air and be targeted. In the end no bombs were dropped on Cambridge – though one did fall in Bury St Edmunds, bringing the Germans a little too close for comfort.

Armistice

By the time the armistice was signed on 11 November 1918, according to The Cambridge Book of the Silver Jubilee, “It took an effort of imagination to realise any difference between term and vacation,” so empty had the university town become.

Cambridge had given itself over to the war effort, suffered food shortages, the closure of businesses and the loss of a generation of men: the Roll of Honour at Cambridge Guildhall names 1,414 local men who fell in battle 1914-19. Though there was rejoicing, the bells of Great St Mary’s ringing out across the city, the Cambridge Daily News reported the ransacking of a pacifist’s shop.

The housing shortage due to an influx of returning troops triggered developments in Cavendish, Hills and Hinton Avenues, and in 1921 a vote was cast on whether or not women should be granted full membership to the university. Though women were eligible to vote from 1918, it was rejected – but that’s another story.

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NEWS

CAMBRIDGE BID MONTHLY UPDATE

Welcome With the festive season fast approaching, we find out how Cambridge will be lighting up this month. Plus the results of our mystery shopper competition are in, and after an impressive and profitable final weekend in our city, we also announce the winner of the young entrepreneurs competition, TestTown 2014

What is the

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

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

The Big Switch On 2014 Cambridge BID invites you to join us for a weekend of fun and festivities for this year’s Big Switch On, taking place on the weekend of 15-16 November.

The fun begins at The Grafton on Saturday 15th at 2pm with a special appearance by TV’s Ben and Holly, who are leaving their Little Kingdom to entertain the crowds alongside Santa and his helpers, singer Tom Korni, Heart FM and their winner of Cambridge Has Talent. Heart will be compering and launching their giving tree, and the lights will be switched on at 4.30pm.

On Sunday there will be an array of performers throughout the city, including a moving circus making its way around and performing tricks. If you see the lost Polar Explorer, please help him back to the North Pole!

As ever the event takes a real community focus with performances from local dance, music and theatre groups across the four stages at The Grafton, Lion Yard, Grand Arcade and the Market Square. This year, the Market Square will play host to some great local groups including Sin Cru hip hop artists, Razzamataz Theatre School, Rock Choir, Abbey Ward Glee Club and last year’s Cambridge Has Talent winner, Music & Spies. Entertainment starts at midday with Heart taking the stage from 4.30pm and the mystery celebrity turning on the city centre lights at 5pm.

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NEWS

Cambridge BID names

Best in the business for customer service

Following the success of last year’s Mystery Shop and Awards Programme, Cambridge BID held their second Awards evening in October to recognise and reward high levels of customer service amongst Cambridge businesses.

The event, which was held at Robinson College, was attended by representatives from 75 city centre businesses that have been rated anonymously by mystery shoppers over the last few months. Cambridge BID commissioned market research organisation Storecheckers to assess key issues such as selling skills, staff attitude, store standards and local knowledge.

Edward Quigley, Cambridge BID manager, commented: “Staff are the most important asset for any business and how they perform has an impact on profitability and long-term viability. We wanted to help Cambridge businesses track their employees’ performance and to identify where improvements could be made. By signing up to the programme these companies have shown their commitment to delivering excellent service to customers.”

The overall winner, receiving the highest possible score of 100% satisfaction across all the criteria, was CallyCo on Peas Hill. Edward Quigley said: “It was clear from their mystery shopper performance that they not only have a fantastic variety of products for everyone but also deliver an outstanding customer experience.”

Stacey Hartshorn, CallyCo store manager, said: “We are thrilled to not only win our category, but to also score highest overall! It’s fantastic to have our team acknowledged in this way. Their dedication and passion is important to our customers.”

The Winners!

National business: Lush “Displaying impressive knowledge of the product ingredients and providing an excellent customer experience.”

Independent retailer (fashion): Boudoir Femme “Providing women with beautifully stylish clothing, shoes and accessories and a unique personal shopper style experience.”

Independent retailer (mixed): CallyCo “Providing fresh, eye-catching and, most importantly, good value fabrics and furnishings for all their customers.”

Café/restaurant/bar: La Raza “One of the most popular food and drink venues in Cambridge.”

Service/information: Gonville & Caius College Conference Office “Offering more than 600 years of heritage, a wide variety of facilities and a dedicated team of staff with a passion for Cambridge.”

Market trader: World of Papercraft “Providing a large range of stunning pop-up cards for all occasions; taking pride in being imaginative and achieving customer satisfaction to match.”

Most improved: Limoncello “Demonstrating passion and enthusiasm for their products and providing Cambridge with a little piece of Italy.”

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NEWS

Test Town 2014

TestTown Winner Announced!

The TestTown entrepreneurial competition reached its thrilling climax last month as eight finalists from across the UK opened pop-up shops around Cambridge, selling everything from gourmet marshmallows to vintage clothing.

The contest, devised by Carnegie UK Trust and supported by Cambridge BID, provided young people with access to vacant high-street units around the UK, allowing them to showcase their new business ideas in one of the country’s largest ever entrepreneurial competitions.

The overall winner of TestTown 2014 was 23-year old Aaron Darke, who took home the top prize of £10,000 in start-up funding for his business Zymurgorium, which specialises in locally sourced drinks.

Using ingredients from the local environment to make drinks like Moss Cider, Aaron battled it out in Cambridge for a weekend against seven other finalists. His passion, vision and business model, combined with the highest takings from across the weekend, helped make his business stand out from the crowd to be crowned overall winner.

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“I am absolutely thrilled to have won the competition,” says Aaron.

“It has been a fantastic journey from winning the TestTown regional heat in Manchester earlier this year, to winning the overall final in Cambridge. I’ve learnt so much about my business over the last few months thanks to the Carnegie UK Trust and others; it has definitely helped me to refine the products I offer.

I am now looking really forward to the future of Zymurgorium, purchasing new equipment and potentially opening a shop and bar!”

Altogether the finalists of TestTown 2014 made £16,000 in profits across just two days in Cambridge, whilst the total figure for the competition throughout the regional finals was a huge £34,000.

A special £1,000 award was also given to runner-up, Colleen Reid, 25, for her efforts with Tigerprint Tees; a jungle themed café for children where they can design their own T-shirts and accessories.

Jim Metcalfe of TestTown UK said: “This weekend has demonstrated that young people with good ideas have the ability to deliver an effective solution for

vacant high-street units. The concept of a pop-up shop may not be new but pairing it with vacant retail units provides a resolution to the Boarded up Britain epidemic.

“All our finalists should be immensely proud of themselves; they have worked extremely hard and what has been achieved provides a solid grounding for TestTown to be implemented in other parts of the country.

“We congratulate Aaron. It’s without doubt that his business idea has the strength to go extremely far.”

Edward Quigley of Cambridge BID said: “Cambridge has one of the highest retail occupancy rates in the country, but we’re always looking for innovative and creative ideas that will ensure the city centre continues to thrive – and Aaron’s enterprise is an excellent example of how young people can find inspiration in their local setting and translate this into a product with national appeal.”

TestTown 2014 was supported by NatWest, Worldpay and Havelock Europa.

Join the debate @TestTown2014. www.testtown.org.uk

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BUSINESS WORDS CHARLOTTE PHILLIPS

CREATING A From free meals and snack stations to profit share schemes and team-building days, we find out how local companies are keeping their staff sweet ood employers are in the news.

There’s the gasp-inducing lushness of top stateside technology firms where on-site gyms and games rooms are just some of the delights that pepper their campuses, to the point where some Google employees have reportedly set up home in camper vans, dodging night-time security teams and living at their workplace for weeks and even months at a time. One even saved enough money to buy his own house.

Back home, there are UK companies

with a long history of offering workforce goodies, on a more modest but – for the times – unprecedented scale. Probably the best known is John Lewis, much praised for treats for staff – or partners, as they’re called – which include subsidised holidays and meals, as well as a terrific profitsharing scheme.

For some employees, where the occasional biro swiped from the corporate stationery drawer or an honourable mention in the online newsletter are as good as the perks get, the thought of a

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pampered existence with bosses who can’t do enough to make the 40 hours a week you are on their premises a bliss-filled experience seems like a distant dream.

Some companies are still deep in a recession mindset, legacy of the time a few years back when employees were simply relieved to have a job at all, let alone one with a boss so delighted to see you that he or she showered treats on you, like benisons from above.

It’s a different story in our area

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BUSINESS

THIS IMAGE It’s not just big American names like Google that offer staff perks like table football and on-site gyms. Local companies are in on the act too. BELOW Key players in the Cambridge cluster, Cambridge Consultants recently made it into the top 100 best mid-sized companies to work for.

however, which is, it’s fair to say, as close to a Shangri-La for employees as it gets. So mouth-watering are the feel-good staff treats sprinkled on the more humdrum aspects of working life that they’d make almost anyone contemplate retraining just to take advantage of them.

And this isn’t a new phenomenon.

As they’ll point out, with admirable restraint, when it comes to staff perks, some companies here have been outGoogling Google for decades.

At Cambridge Consultants, a local product development and tech consultancy firm – and one of the key players in the story of the 'Cambridge cluster' – free meals were offered from day one, points out Alison Hughes, head of HR. “It’s quite funny when you hear this hype and you think we’ve been doing this for years.”

Just one of the reasons – along with a comprehensive healthcare package, performance related bonus scheme, active social club and a million pounds annually invested in staff training – that the company has achieved a coveted place in the list of The Sunday Times 100 Best Mid-Sized Companies to

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Work For. The dedication to looking after employees seems to be paying off, with staff turnover at less than 5% a year.

Similarly thoughtful touches infuse other workplaces in our area, like the regular deliveries of fresh fruit to staff at biotech firm Abcam, which also organised a week packed with bicycle-themed events during the Tour de France.

It sounds delightful, like being treated not as one element in an effective transaction – my time for your money – but as an honoured guest with a host who can’t do enough for you, bar tenderly

placing a goodnight chocolate on your turned down pillow at night (though it’s a fair bet that some company, somewhere round here, is doing that too).

A cynical boss, however, might ask what the point is. Could one-upmanship be at work, allowing firms boasting rights about the quality of office life, from their snooker table to the snooze room or range of locally-sourced, organic snacks, all bigger and more fun-packed than anything their rivals down the road can offer?

Perish the thought. As the old adage has it, ’tis better to give than receive.

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BUSINESS

When you’re after the best people, showing you care is the key to making them not only join a company in the first place, but stay

At Cambridge Consultants, says Alison Hughes, there is a strong ethical dimension – as well as a practical one – underlying everything the company does.

When the company first colonised the empty acres of the Science Park, there just weren’t any handy sandwich shops to go to. But there was more to the decision to provide free meals than that. “It just felt like the right thing to do.”

And, as you’d hope, doing the right thing also confers economic advantages. In our area, brainpower is what makes businesses

successful. When you’re after the best people in a competitive market, showing you care is the key to making them not just join a company in the first place, but stay.

Maya Bullen, group manager at CB1 Business Centre is in no doubt that creating a place people enjoy working is an essential factor in the organisation’s success. Good pay, fun outings – including a recent summer event involving lunch, punting and going out in the city – are all part of the mix, helping to create a committed workforce who really care.

THIS IMAGE Free meals, fresh fruit deliveries and counselling services – just some of the ways local companies are looking after their employees and creating a happy workforce.

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“Our centre managers are always thinking of ways to improve the centre and worry if things aren’t quite going the way they’d like them to. If you’ve got a member of staff like that, it’s worth investing in and that’s a very valuable asset to the company.”

The glue that binds The Møller Centre at Churchill College, a residential management training and conference centre, is equally notable for the strength of the glue that binds the workforce. Delivering bespoke leadership programmes that help organisations develop and motivate their staff, the Centre is a dab hand at practising what it preaches.

Tim Hill, its marketing manager, was a former client won over by the Centre’s star quality – notably the staff energy and enthusiasm which ensured that all the Centre’s events ‘run like clockwork’. Support, advice and training all help contribute to the can-do atmosphere, together with a range of well-being benefits that include free meals and an annual flu vaccination programme, massage sessions and use of a gym, tennis

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BUSINESS

THIS IMAGE The team from The Møller Centre, a residential management training and conference centre in Cambridge, partake in a spot of team building fun.

Work and play can blend into each other, but that's the way everyone likes it

courts and extensive running trails through 42 acres of lush parkland.

The Møller Centre can also be spotted taking part in sponsored events out of hours – and getting staff together off-site is a big feature of working life in our area.

Phrases like ‘team building’ and ‘corporate bonding’ can strike terror in the heart of anyone whose previous experiences include Ricky Gervaisstyle assessments, with a boot camp feel, supposedly designed to tease out leadership qualities against the clock.

While these may well have their place, firms in our area are increasingly opting for activities that are less obviously designed to hone killer instincts and geared more towards promoting company well-being.

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Tine Roche, owner of the Cambridge Cookery School, is seeing a steady rise in the popularity of events designed to release employees’ inner baker or pasta maker. While the thought of swapping boardroom for chopping board can create an initial frisson, the success of the end results, coupled with the ambience of the venue, results in a heart-warming camaraderie.

The events allow people to “shake loose”, comments Tine Roche. ‘Smiley’ chefs help everyone – including complete cookery novices – to produce food to an undreamed of standard in friendly environment, while bonds forged here can be enduring ones. “We know groups that email each other on the anniversary of their course,” she says.

Equally successful, although very different, is the chance to scale the heights quite literally at Go Ape (nearest branch, pun intended, at Thetford), which reports a similar sense of cooperation when companies indulge in a spot of recreational tree climbing as people with a fear of heights are encouraged to overcome their nerves by their colleagues.

Free meals, flexible working hours and benefits that at Cambridge Consultants even include counselling services – not just

for the workers but for their families, too – it all sounds perfect.

Too perfect, you’ll hear the odd naysayer growl. Don’t all these perks have a slightly desperate air? The cell is still padded – even if it’s upholstered in silk.

Recently, there have been stories of terrified staff at one very high profile US firm expected not just to give 100% in official working hours but be prepared to sacrifice every second of their free time too – all on the altar of company prosperity.

So, so wrong, say our area’s top flight companies. Put bluntly, happy employees work more productively.

These days, it’s not about building prettier cages with better gilding but creating an atmosphere of liberation, where people work effectively together not because they have to, but because they want to and the 24/7 culture cuts both ways. It may be fuzzy edged, work and play can blend into each other, but that’s the way everyone likes it.

As Grace Sellmeyer, who works at Abcam, explains, knowing that that caring feeling emanates from the top down makes you go the extra mile in return.

“They keep us happy so in turn we put everything into the job. It’s one of the best places I’ve ever worked.”

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Your essential guide to schools & learning in Cambridgeshire

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Long Road Sixth Form

EDUCATION

WORDS CHARLOTTE PHILLIPS

There’s no one-size-fits-all recipe for educational success post GCSEs. Instead it’s time to carefully choose the subjects that’ll set youngsters up for a fulfilling career hoices, choices, choices. When your educational journey so far has, to a large extent, been dominated by people making most of your decisions for you, life after 16 can seem like an awfully big adventure.

Potentially scary, too. While year 11 exams are undoubtedly intimidating, the basic subject range is, by and large, of a one-size-fits-all variety. Love or loathe them, maths, English, science and humanities are all likely to be part of the set menu.

In the sixth form, however, all that changes and options start to narrow.

Although Hills Road Sixth Form College,

for example, offers a fairly stunning 40 AS and A level choices, which can be studied in just about any combination, most people will have to opt for just four or so.

For those who already have a career or university course in mind, this can come as a positive relief – the chance to focus on what interests you in depth, from the purely academic to the thoroughly practical, via a vocational qualification.

That passion is hugely important, says Charlotte Avery, headmistress of St Mary’s School, Cambridge, and something that the school looks for in its prospective sixth form intake. “Passion leads to commitment to hard graft, which results in excellent

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grades in the given subject. Furthermore, girls must consider their natural ability, knowledge and understanding. This combination provides the essential factors for success.”

Navigating choices has become trickier because of the changes to the educational landscape implemented by the government. While Michael Gove may no longer be education secretary, his legacy, in the form of more depth and rigour, is firmly in place – and nowhere more so than when it comes to A levels, still the preferred study route for many sixth formers.

“Undoubtedly, more is being expected of students,” says Jonathan Slinger, head

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Friends School

Long Road Sixth Form

St Mary’s School

St Mary’s School, Cambridge

EDUCATION

Students need to choose the right subjects from the start as they’ll be committed to them for two years of the sixth form at Friends’ School. “The scrapping of a modular approach and doing away with endless exam periods and resits present an opportunity for education within academic disciplines that goes beyond a mere teaching to the exam.”

Ed Elliott, head of The Perse School, stresses the vital role that teachers will play in ensuring that sixth formers receive the best possible preparation for the new linear examinations coming in September 2015, when they get just ‘one bite at the examination cherry’.

“The move to linear courses will also increase the need for high-quality subject choice advice from teachers who really know the interests, career aspirations and skills of their students,” he says. “Students

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will need to choose the right subjects from the start as they’ll be committed to them for two years – it will no longer be possible to drop a weak subject after AS exams in the lower sixth.”

And with popular universities likely to bring in additional admissions tests to help them differentiate between applicants following the loss of AS exam results, help with preparation will become an increasingly important part of teachers’ roles, he thinks.

As you’d hope, our area’s sixth form specialists are well used to dealing with every kind of dilemma and guiding the confused to a subject choice that will both match their talents and help set them on the road to a satisfying future career.

What’s important at this stage, stresses Will Dickson, the head of careers advice at Cambridge Regional College, is for students to be clear-sighted about their personalities. “They need to think about where their strengths and weaknesses lie and what makes them different from other people as well as what grabs their interest.”

Also vital is to ensure that students don’t close down their options too early.

“Some students have got quite a specific plan already and need to do their research to make sure that the subjects they’re putting down are going to help them on that pathway,” says Steve Dann, director of studies at Long Road Sixth Form College.

If set on studying psychology, he points out, science should feature amongst their A level choices. “They need to do their research to make sure.”

Not everyone, however, has future plans toned and honed at such a young age though. “You’ve got the students who have got a vague-ish idea of a pathway but not

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Hills Road Sixth Form

Cambridge Regional College

Stephen Perse Foundation

EDUCATION

the detail,” he says. “They need to make sure that they choose subjects that are going to keep that pathway open to them but are also going to give them options within it.”

For those whose pathway may include university, it’s important not to overlook so-called facilitating subjects – which, while not necessarily better than others, are generally acceptable for a wide range of courses. While film studies may be the ideal choice for someone bent on carrying on the subject at degree level, a more generic option, such as English, could prove a better option for those who aren’t as sure of their future direction.

Similar thought processes apply when it comes to vocational options, says Will Dickson at CRC, when it’s often a case of encouraging people to start converting broad interests into job ‘families’ that might accommodate them. Wanting to work with people is a common example. “You can say how do you want to help people? If a

student says, “I want to make them feel better’, then we’re getting into health or social care,” he explains.

There’s no question that this area has lots to offer, thinks Charlotte Avery at St Mary’s School, Cambridge, particularly for those thinking about careers with a strong practical component. “Discerning students… may well decide on obtaining a degree via an alternative route, for instance a budding engineer may decide on an apprenticeship, gaining her degree through training on the job. A future economist or accountant may well benefit from gaining work experience early on in their career via the School Leavers’ Programme route.”

Most colleges run open days, enabling 14 and 15 year olds to make informed

For those whose pathway may include university, it’s important not to overlook facilitating subjects

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decisions about life as sixth formers. Extra guidance is also available: Cambridge Regional College, for example, where sports, public services and business-related courses are all current top favourites, also offers an in-depth analysis of potential students’ skills, abilities and interests.

While each sixth form, college or school offers education in a range of perhaps surprisingly different flavours, what all have in common is exuberant teachers, each an ardent advocate for his or her subject and capable of winning students over with their enthusiasm.

It’s worth quizzing staff – together with current students – to get a picture of what college life is like, urges Jonathan Slinger.

“We want prospective students and

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EDUCATION

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St Mary’s School, Cambridge

IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THE SUBJECT Deciding where to study could be an even harder decision than choosing the right course, given the wealth of top quality schools and colleges in the area. Some are highly selective, others take students from a wider ability range. From Cambridge Regional College, Hills Road and Long Road to The Perse School, St Mary’s School, Cambridge, the Stephen Perse Foundation and Friends’ School – all pride themselves on their ability to help their students realise their potential.

And, as the schools point out, life in the sixth form is about far more than just studies. There’s also a jaw-droppingly extensive range of add-on activities.

Attend the sixth form open evening at The Perse School, and you’ll hear about “the opportunities to compete at sport, play music, perform theatre, tackle tough expeditions abroad or even mentor and inspire local children through our outreach programme,” says the head, Ed Elliott.

It’s all part of offering students what he describes as “a more mature environment, albeit one with strong support”.

Schools and colleges also stress the importance of good support. Students will have a greater level of independence than ever before, so it’s vital that they know where to turn for help if everything starts to implode. At Hills Road, for example, subject-specific issues are tackled at lunchtime surgeries while weekly meetings with tutors at the college play a vital role in helping students stay on track.

Whatever your starting point, our area tends to be good at happy endings. While the local schools and colleges don’t have a

The Perse

parents to leave our sixth form open day with a definite sense of our ethos and the ways our school caters to each individual,” he says.

Part of knowing what course to take is about having a clear understanding not just of what you enjoy doing, but your study style, as well.

For talented generalists who could as easily be swayed by arts subjects as by humanities, say, and who can feel that being compelled to narrow down their studies to a handful of subjects is boxing them into a corner, there’s the option of the International Baccalaureate, or IB. Offering a far wider range of subjects than A levels, it’s offered by three schools in Cambridge, including the Stephen Perse Foundation.

“It is a point of consistency in the turmoil,” says the school.

Life in the sixth form is about far more than studies.

There’s a jaw-droppingly extensive range of activities monopoly on national success, it can easily start to feel that way.

The good news can seem positively overwhelming: the Perse School’s 75% of A level entries graded A* or A, and 18 students securing offers from medical schools; the 82% of students at the Stephen Perse Foundation achieving ABB grades or higher (the government’s declared threshold for top ranking university courses), or St Mary’s School, Cambridge, where 70% of girls have just achieved an A* or A in mathematics. At CRC, meanwhile, over 90% of students go on either to higher education or employment within three months of

completing their courses, while Hills Road’s numerous accolades include a near 100% A level pass rate and an impressive success rate when it comes to Oxbridge entrance.

Making the right choice on where to go and what to do can seem daunting. The most important point is to research your sixth form options thoroughly and attend open days – but approach them with an open mind, says CRC’s Will Dickson.

“It’s a little bit like a supermarket approach; you know you want something for tea but you don’t know what. You have a little look on the shelves, see something you quite like but then you need to find out a little bit more.”

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EDUCATION

WORDS CHARLOTTE AVERY

Charlotte Avery, headmistress at St Mary’s School, Cambridge, explores the benefits of single sex education for girls he Independent Schools Council (ISC) census this year revealed that the number of single-sex private schools has almost halved in the last 20 years amid a long-term “shift towards co-education”.

Rather than concerning ourselves with a shift towards co-education, it appears to me to be far more interesting to focus on the fact that girls are still receiving extraordinary education in a single-sex environment at all.

More than 400 years ago, our school’s founder, Mary Ward, had a moment of extraordinary clarity that led to a radical idea – that women should be free from religious enclosure and are by every right entitled to an education equal to that of men. Persecuted and even imprisoned for her beliefs, Mary Ward never wavered in her convictions. She founded the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (now the Congregation of Jesus), which began a number of girls’ schools including, in 1898, St Mary’s School, Cambridge, with the purpose of serving the church through the education of girls.

Such an honourable legacy spurs us as a community to value and respect education and to do our utmost to ensure that it is used for the greatest benefit for future generations as well as our own.

During Mary Ward’s time it was a radical notion to educate girls at all and our school has always been highly interested in bucking the trend of stereotypes associated with single-sex private schools.

The longevity of Mary Ward’s legacy is testament to her successful purpose in educating young women.

Last month, Dr Alice Sullivan, head of the Department of Quantitative Social Science at the Institute of Education, featured on BBC Radio Four discussing the benefits of single-sex education following comments from Fiona Boulton, head of Guildford High School, and Sir Michael Wilshaw, Ofsted chief, who say the benefits have been exaggerated. It is not just girls’ schools which promote the benefits of single-sex education but also head teachers who run the most prestigious schools in the world. Tony Little, headmaster of Eton, recently advocated single-sex education on the BBC Radio Four series Educators.

We need to bear in mind that the popularity of single-sex schools follows trends which fluctuate: 20 years ago there were 230 boys’ schools – now there are 100 – and girls’ schools have declined from 230 to around 150. When I was growing up in the 70s and 80s the Guides and Scouts fell out of fashion but now there has been a hugely popular resurgence in these two groups. Girlguiding and Scouting offer a place for girls and boys to be themselves, have fun, build brilliant friendships, gain valuable life skills and make a positive difference to their lives and their communities. These two organisations are clearly meeting the need of Generation

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Z and have been ‘revived’, just as, I am sure, single-sex schools will become more fashionable again.

Evidence shows that girls in singlesex schools like ours not only gain better examination results, they also acquire important life skills which they would find harder to achieve in a co-ed environment. These include confidence, independence, the ability to lead and an instinct to succeed. In an all-girls school, students aren’t influenced in their choices of subjects by the presence of boys, and there are no boys to dominate the classrooms, leaving the girls with space to build intellectual and social confidence.

We tailor our teaching and pastoral care specifically for girls, taking account of the differences in learning styles between girls and boys; playing to girls’ collaborative problem-solving tendencies and providing leadership and risk-taking opportunities.

It is important for parents to understand what girls’ schools have to offer so they can make informed school choices and secure the best possible outcome for their girls. We would be foolish to dismiss ISC’s figures relating to single-sex schools but we need to recognise that there will be a shift. Single-sex education has a superb pedigree which needs to be recognised, celebrated and cherished.

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FASHION NEWS

PICKS FROM THE

Indies

Fabulous finds from some of our favourite local fashion boutiques

COCOON HOUNDSTOOTH COAT £399 ANNA, HIGH STREET, SAFFRON WALDEN

MICHAEL MICHAUD CHERRY PENDANT NECKLACE £175 PODAROK, BENE’T STREET, CAMBRIDGE

LEOPARD SPOT SCARF £49 ANNA, HIGH STREET, SAFFRON WALDEN

BUCKLE ANKLE BOOT £135 MODISH, GREEN STREET

BIANCA JEWELLED TOP £84.95 QUE SERA, BUCKDEN

MARIMEKKO LOTTEMAJ DRESS £149 NORD, SUSSEX STREET, CAMBRIDGE

ROCK NECKLACE £60 ARK, ST MARY’S PASSAGE, CAMBRIDGE

LEATHER WALLET £16.50 ARK, ST MARY’S PASSAGE, CAMBRIDGE

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FASHION

GO Every so often, one particular hue seems to simultaneously capture the imagination of a clutch of designers at once. This season’s menswear catwalks were awash with greens, especially of the deep, leafy variety. We loved the head-to-toe looks offered by designers including Gieves & Hawkes and Richard James – emulate the look by combining shades or select a standout item.

CHECK JUMPER £28 NEXT, SIDNEY STREET & GRAFTON CENTRE, CAMBRIDGE

SIMON CARTER TWEED BLAZER £340 HOUSE OF FRASER

GIEVES & HAWKES AW14

SLIM FIT SUIT JACKET IN DARK GREEN PINDOT £60 ASOS

CORD JEANS £99 JAEGER, TRINITY STREET STRUCTURED KNIT COTTON JERSEY £35.99 ZARA, ST ANDREW’S STREET, CAMBRIDGE

TOP 5

WINTER TRAINERS SIMONE TRAINER £79 DUNE, MARKET PASSAGE, CAMBRIDGE

PULL&BEAR HI-TOP TRAINERS £39.99 ASOS

NIKE SAFARI TRAINERS £70 ASOS FRED PERRY KINGSTON LEATHER PLIMSOLL £60 TOPMAN, GRAND ARCADE, CAMBRIDGE

ADIDAS GAZELLE MID NOW £30 OFFICE, MARKET PASSAGE, CAMBRIDGE

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FASHION

-knitster

FASHION

Combine practicality with high fashion in this season’s statement outer wear: cosy oversized knits. Designers including Balenciaga, Prada and Peter Pilotto offered up a dizzying range of styles and prints, while Jonathan Saunders demonstrated how to rock your knits as evening wear, teaming them with floaty skirts and heels.

PRACTICAL SEAFOLLY JACKET £79.95 WWW.SEASALTCORNWALL. CO.UK

YFRIEND OR B FU SLOUCHY WOOL BOYFRIEND COAT £89 TOPSHOP, GRAFTON CENTRE & GRAND ARCADE, CAMBRIDGE

BRUSHED FAIRISLE JUMPER £48 TOPSHOP, GRAFTON CENTRE & GRAND ARCADE, CAMBRIDGE

AMIE JUMPER £125 REISS, TRINITY STREET, CAMBRIDGE

WINTER

RSSIC FU LA C CLARA PEA COAT £179 HOBBS, GRAND ARCADE, CAMBRIDGE

COAT

edit

They’re the staple of any winter wardrobe, and this year we’re spoilt for choice on the high street when it comes to selecting that all-important stylish but functional coat.

OVERSIZED POLO NECK SWEATER £35.99 ZARA ST ANDREW’S STREET, CAMBRIDGE

FUR SHORT FUR COAT £69.99 ZARA, ST ANDREW’S STREET, CAMBRIDGE

PE AR C FU YELLOW CREW-NECK SWEATER £45.99 ZARA, ST ANDREW’S STREET, CAMBRIDGE

OVERSIZED MIDI JUMPER DRESS £55 ASOS

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TAILORED FLARE CAPE £225 REISS, TRINITY STREET, CAMBRIDGE

RT RIN PU F ONLY CHECK PRINT BLAZER £70 ASOS

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BEAUTY NEWS

BEAUTY NEWS NATIONAL SPA WEEK 3–7 NOVEMBER

In celebration of this month's National Spa Week, we round up our favourite places around the county and beyond for a spot of indulgent pampering IMAGINE SPA AT QUY MILL Just a short drive from the centre of Cambridge, Imagine Spa at the Quy Mill has a pool, heat rooms, whirlpool bath and luxurious treatment rooms, one of which features a heated hammam table. Relax with a massage, body wrap or exfoliation treatment – either just you or with a friend or partner, or try the Serail Mud Chamber, where healing muds, chalks and salts are applied to the body, then, after you’ve steamed in a herbal bath chamber, washed off in a warm shower. There’s also a relaxation room featuring music and comfy couches, a flotation bed and manicure and pedicure rooms.

The spa run hen party packages and couples spa breaks – see Spa Breaks on the website. www.imaginespa.co.uk

THE SPA AT BEDFORD LODGE Not long opened in Newmarket, The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel is the town’s first luxury spa, offering a wide range of beauty and well-being treatments based on the revered ESPA product range. The location – a grand, Georgian villa – is idyllic, and inside the rooms are pristine and polished (think soft dove greys, chocolate browns and squishy armchairs). And the stunning pool and rooftop Jacuzzi are simply not to be missed.

This winter, make the most of their Winter Retreat Break, worth £290.

You’ll receive bed and breakfast, a 60-minute ESPA personalised massage or facial, three-course dinner in the award-winning Squires Restaurant, use of the hydrotherapy and heat experiences and also use of a fluffy robe, towel and slippers. It’s available from 1 November until 31 December. www.bedfordlodgehotelspa.co.uk

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BEAUTY NEWS

SPA AT CAMBRIDGE BELFRY Perfect the art of relaxation at The Cambridge Belfry’s dedicated spa in Cambourne. The modern, stylish facilities include seven spa treatment rooms, one double treatment room, a relaxation room, indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room and extensive health club. It’s open seven days a week, 9am-6pm (until 8pm Monday-Thursday).

Take a look at their one-night spa break, which includes an overnight stay at the four-star hotel, full English breakfast, light lunch and evening meal, and a 60-minute spa ritual or two 30-minute mini treatments.

Choose from the likes of the Fit For Business Back Ritual, perfect for anyone who spends too long at their desks, and an Invigorating Foot Treatment. www.qhotels.co.uk

CHAMPNEYS HENLOW When we heard that Champneys are offering £75 off a one-night pampering break during November, we got all overexcited. Then we read what you get for your money and were almost too excited to write about it. Anyway, we’ve calmed down now so…

For £174, you can indulge yourself with two treatments, a thalassotherapy session, unlimited use of the facilities and up to 20 classes. And of course, there’s a three-course evening meal to savour before you fall into a comfortable bed for the night, a healthy buffet breakfast to enjoy the next morning and a tasty lunch to appreciate before you say your goodbyes at 4pm – that’s a full 26 hours after your 2pm check-in.

The hardest part of the whole experience will be choosing your two treatments.

Which duo will it be: a Champneys massage, a relaxing facial, aromatherapy wrap or a Head in the Clouds scalp massage?

And don’t forget there are plenty of other spa days, breaks and retreats to choose from all year round. www.champneys.com

DRAGONFLY AT BURWASH MANOR What could be better than a spot of shopping, a slice of cake and then a spa treatment all in one convenient location? Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? But it’s for real – just two miles outside of Cambridge at the Dragonfly Beauty Spa at Burwash Manor.

The Dragonfly Beauty Spa lists more gentle massages, aromatherapy therapies and signature treatments than you can shake your cake fork at, but whichever treatment or facial you choose, it’s the perfect way to unwind. What could be better than an aromatherapy massage, other than choosing the 90-minute (£70) version over the 30-minute one? Although it’s a close run thing as the 30-minute Tranquillity scalp/ Indian head massage (£25) sounds divine. And you’re spoilt for choice with the range of facials – the award-winning Ultimate Vitamin Glow (£50) particularly appeals, for a radiant complexion. Alternatively, you could go for glam, letting the spa take care of your eyelashes, nails and make-up for a special event.

Whether it’s a wrap, massage or make-up session, rest assured that Dragonfly only use the finest products from Dr. Hauschka, Decléor and CND. www.burwashdragonfly.com

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BEAUTY NEWS

PURE DAY SPA Anyone looking for some pamper time in the St Ives area should indulge in a visit to the Pure Day Spa at One Leisure. Open to both members and non-members, it offers a range of treatments and day packages, nail care, heat experience rooms (sauna cabins, scented steam baths and – if you dare – an ice fountain), aromatherapy treatments and more. Skincare treatments use trusted Decléor products, and all treatments are provided by experienced professional therapists.

Treat yourself to their Twilight Evenings package, which lets you choose from a range of 25-minute treatments for just £20: a Jessica manicure, pedicure, back and neck massage, Decléor Discovery facial or men’s express energising facial, plus use of the heat experience rooms.

Available from 4pm on Mondays. www.oneleisure.net

HOUSE OF BEAUTY Established beauty salon and spa House of Beauty offers a range of treatments designed to get you looking and feeling your absolute best. It’s run by Fiona and her friendly team of experts from their premises on Cambridge’s Victoria Road.

Their extensive range of facial treatments uses quality products from Clarins, Danné Botanical and Guinot Hydradermie, and offers such treats as the Moisture Replenisher (£55). Designed to give skin a serious moisture boost, it sounds perfect for this time of year as the chill in the air takes its toll. Then again the Radiance Reviver (£55) could be just what you and your skin need to survive the party season.

For some TLC for the rest of your body, there’s lots to choose between. A fullbody pamper session (£50) with Clarins body oils and creams sounds luxurious, or soothe away tension with a full-body aromatherapy massage (£67.50). For ultimate relaxation, opt for a reflexology massage (£35). www.cambridgebeauty.co.uk

ELEMIS SPA AT THE GLASSWORKS A relaxing oasis in the city centre, Elemis Spa at The Glassworks Health Club offers a plethora of calming, as well as energising, treatments. Take your pick from facials, wraps, massages and beauty treatments. And, naturally, there’s a whole range of spa days.

Our pick of the body treatments has to be the Exotic lime and ginger salt glow, which sounds perfect for an autumnal treat (£45). If you’re time rich though, book a spa day – there are seven to choose from and they all include a treatment, use of the sauna, gym, steam room and Jacuzzi, as well as studio classes. Prices start at £80.

Elemis Spa isn’t just for the girls either. It offers several options for men, including the Total Time Out For Men spa day (£135).

Prices quoted are for Fridays to Sundays; Monday to Thursday bookings are usually cheaper. But maybe you won’t have to pay – someone special might treat you to an Elemis Spa gift voucher… www.theglassworksgym.co.uk

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BEAUTY

WORDS DAISY DICKINSON

GET READY FOR

PARTY SEASON The party season is on its way, which means drinks, dancing and, of course, an excellent excuse to buy that dress you’ve been eyeing up. So dust off those sparkly towering heels and be bold when it comes to your make-up palette...

Make an entrance

It’s the perfect time of year to go all out when it comes to your make-up, so if you’ve got a party lined up, why not opt for a standout lip colour? We adore the Be Legendary Lip Lacquer from Smashbox (£19, Boots). Available in a huge range of shades, it contains Vitamin E as well as glossy staining pigments so your colour is vibrant and long-lasting. For a super-sassy pop of pink, Sleek’s True Colour Lipstick in Fuchsia (£4.99, Superdrug) is amazing, and for those who like a palette, try Sleek’s in Show Girl (£8.99, Superdrug).

For a softer look on the lips, Arbonne’s Lip Polish in Posh offers a sweet slick of colour (£18), and for dramatic eyes, Mary Kay’s Ultimate Mascara does what it says on the tin and offers a full flutter (£14, www. marykay.co.uk). Finish with a quick brush of BeautyUK’s shimmer box (£4.99, www.beautyukcosmetics.com).

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All that glitters

For an all-night party glow, don’t forget your bronzer. Summer may be over but a light dust of the gold good stuff will see you dazzling all night long. TanOrganic Duo Bronzer (£29.99, www.feelunique.com) has two shades for contouring cheeks and décolletage. And for added glam, add a sprinkle of Lustre Gold Body Powder (£10.25) and a slick of Fantasy Gold Eyeliner (£14.50) both from Lush.

To really open up those peepers try Baked Eye Trio in Neapolitan from Mary Kay (£8, www.marykay.co.uk) for a subtle shimmer, or start with the marykayatplay Eye Crayon (£7.50) as a crème base for a bolder look. Finish off your look with some statement nails. We love these stick-on nails from Impress (from £5.99, Superdrug) or these blinged-up Gel Fantasy talons from KISS (£8.99, Asda).

If you’re partying with your friends, chances are you’ll be using your mobile to snap pics and stay in touch – and for you we found this genius charging pouch, which combines a cute make-up bag with an internal phone charger! (£63, www.wowthem.com)

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BEAUTY

Perfectly polished

Before you become a dancing queen, make sure you’re squeaky clean. Venus and Olay have joined forces to offer you silky smooth pins with their new razor (£10.99, Boots); once you’re hair-free, use a little Perfectly Pure Coconut Oil (£15.49, Holland & Barrett) for soft pins. Another natural product we love is Vitamin E oil, a favourite with Kourtney Kardashian, who apparently massages a small amount on to her eye area and lashes at night (£5.73, Holland & Barrett).

We’ve recently discovered Revlon’s Professional Style Masters Volume Amplifier Mousse (£10.75, www. revlonprofessional.com) and the Volume Shampoo and Conditioner (£14.95 each) for maximum body and volume, with a soft bounce. But before you style your locks, it’s important to protect them from the heat, OGX’s Brazilian Keratin Smooth Flat Iron Spray (£6.99, Superdrug) and Biotin & Collagen Root Boost Spray (£6.99, Boots) both provide extra strength to hair, as well as smelling incredible. Or for more va-va-voom, try Bumble and Bumble’s surf range, including the Foam Wash Shampoo (£18.50), Creme Rinse Conditioner (£20.50) and the Surf Spray (£21.50), all John Lewis, for crazy good, messed-up hair.

The aftermath

Feeling a little groggy from the night before probably means you had a great time – but heavy nights can wreak havoc on your skin. Give it a little treat with Dr LeWinn’s Instant Beauty Radiance Booster (£26, www.drlewinns.co.uk) which promises to instantly give your complexion an eight-hour-sleep-and-eight-glasses-ofwater glow – hello hydration! To relieve tired puffy eyes, try Janjira Pomegranate & Acai Eye Cream (£36, www.janjira.co.uk), an antiageing eye cream with turmeric extract and caffeine. And for those wanting a little Hollywood glamour, Glamglow Brightmud’s eye treatments with their secret bioactive formula aim to transform bleary eyes in just three minutes; keep them in the fridge for cooling relief (£39.99, www.feelunique.com).

We contacted Helen Ambrosen, Lush cofounder and product inventor to discover her top tips for surviving the party season.

“Hopefully if you’ve been very good you will have taken off your make-up the night before.

The morning after your party, be sure to give your skin a gentle, but thorough cleanse. After a late night you need to be a little bit more gentle, so I would avoid any exfoliating products.

“Use a cleanser to take away any traces of make-up; once this has been removed you will be ready to tone. Take one of our lovely toner tabs and dissolve in a sink with warm water, then lean over the sink and breathe in all the beautiful essential oils and rinse your face thoroughly. This will be a lovely pick-me-up for the skin. Our Dream Steam toner tab (£2.50, Lush) is very calming and the essential oils are very effective for clearing a fuzzy head.”

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Ceri lost 5st with 20 weeks of treatment

Juliet lost 8st with 20 weeks of treatment

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