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Inspire. Indulge. Imagine.
At Cambridge Country Club, creativity is at the heart of every occasion. From festive celebrations to elegant weddings and refined dining, we turn moments into lasting memories.
Savour delicious food, warm hospitality and a setting made to impress. Your occasion starts here.
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I. PEOPLE II. PLACES
p10.
Nick & Lauren Penn
We found out how Nick and Lauren Penn are planning to revitalise Royston’s art scene, creating welcoming spaces for the community.
p12. Leanne Dunstan
We chatted to local actress, writer, and director Leanne Dunstan, whose authentic storytelling spans screen and stage, with a growing passion for writing and directing.
III. PRESENT
p08. Editors Note
This volume celebrates creativity in all its forms, from bold design to everyday expression, sharing stories of artistry, innovation, and imagination to inspire fresh ideas and spark new possibilities.
p16. Local Canvas
Art invites reflection, emotion, and connection, transforming spaces and perspectives alike. In this issue, we showcase local artists and galleries, celebrating creativity that turns houses into homes and stories into experiences.
p36. The Power of Live Music
Celebrating the magic of live music, we showcase 10 local venues, from intimate pubs to historic stages, that bring the community together in sound and experience.
p42. Fashion as a Canvas
We explore how bold colours, playful prints, and unique styles turn clothing into a form of selfexpression and individuality in everyday wardrobes.
p64. Watch & Listen
Our recommendations for what to add to your watch and listen list, with a creative change twist - of course!
p26. Mitr
Welcoming Mitr to Royston’s food scene, a new restaurant where authentic Indian flavours meet modern flair, offering warm hospitality, vibrant dishes, and an experience crafted with care and creativity.
p52. Creative Travel
Discover creative travel with a personal touch, from pasta making in Italy to calligraphy in Japan, offering hands-on cultural experiences, thoughtful planning, and one-to-one support for unforgettable journeys.
IV. PROPERTY
p48. Colour in Your Home
From interiors and fashion to art and branding, this feature explores how thoughtful colour choices inspire and shape mood, memory, and emotion.
V. PAST
p62. Town Trail #28-31
Throughout our issues we will guide you through Royston’s historical trail. This issue take a stroll down Melbourn St.
Vol. 16
Creativity isn’t reserved for artists or designers, it’s something we all carry, something we use every day in ways we often don’t recognise.
Whether it’s finding a new solution at work, adding a personal twist to a recipe, styling a space at home, or capturing a moment through photography, creativity shows up in countless forms. It’s how we express ourselves, connect with others, and see the world not just for what it is, but for what it could be.
In this volume, we celebrate creativity in all its colours, from the bold and expressive to the quiet and considered. You'll find stories of design, innovation, artistry, and imagination, plus the spaces and people who bring ideas to life.
We hope it inspires you to notice the creative spark in your own day-to-day life and maybe, just maybe, to try something new.
Enjoy the issue.
JoshFounderMurphy, & Editor
Making Space for Art
Nick and Lauren Penn are bringing fresh energy to Royston’s art scene, each in their own way.
Nick runs Nicholas Penn Fine Art, a new gallery on John Street that showcases a mix of established and emerging artists. His aim is simple: to create a welcoming space where people can enjoy contemporary art, discover new talent, and even start their own collections. With regularly changing exhibitions and an artist-inresidence programme, the gallery offers something new with every visit.
Just around the corner, Lauren is preparing to open The Art Room, a creative studio space designed for everyone, from toddlers picking up a paintbrush for the first time to adults looking for a fun, social evening class. With her background in marketing and events, Lauren is combining her professional skills with her passion for creativity to make The Art Room a lively hub for workshops, courses, and community projects.
Together, Nick and Lauren are creating opportunities for people of all ages to connect with art, whether by viewing it, collecting it, or making it themselves. With both new ventures opening soon, it’s definitely a case of watch this space, or better still, their spaces.
Meet Leanne Dunstan, an actress, writer, and director with an energy that instantly draws you in.
We bumped into Leanne at Kooky Nohmad, where she was capturing stills for her latest mood board; curious, creative, and shaping stories from the world around her.
A STORYTELLER ON AND OFF THE SCREEN LEANNE DUNSTAN
Leanne is, in every sense, a storyteller. You may have seen her as a lead in CBBC’s The Dumping Ground or in appearances on Doctors, EastEnders, and Holby City. But while her face is familiar on screen, her creativity doesn’t stop when the cameras do. These days, she’s just as passionate about writing and directing as she is about acting, crafting narratives from both sides of the lens.
Her journey began not in drama schools or elite institutions, but in the ordinary magic of a school play. Playing Tallulah in a production of Bugsy Malone lit a spark that’s never gone out. Unlike many of her peers, Leanne didn’t take the traditional path through full-time vocational training. Instead, she carved her own way, studying part-time, balancing auditions, and eventually being spotted by an agency. It’s this mix of grit and instinct that still shapes her work today.
What makes Leanne stand out is the heart behind her craft. She’s not just chasing roles or projects, she’s driven by a belief in the power of hope. Her stories, whether on screen or behind the camera, aim to make communities feel seen and represented. She has a knack for capturing light in the darker corners, for finding resilience where others might overlook it.
Now on her second short film, she’s steadily building a body of work that reflects exactly who she is: authentic, thoughtful, and deeply human. And while her long-term dream is to launch her own production company, you get the sense that, for Leanne, the journey is just as important as the destination.
Art that Connects Us All
that Connects
Art doesn’t just hang on walls, it hangs in our minds, in our emotions, and in the spaces we live and gather in. It’s one of the few things in life that can be deeply personal to one person and profoundly moving to another. That’s the magic of a canvas, it’s both a surface and a space for connection.
In our towns and villages, Royston, Cambridge, Buntingford, Saffron Walden, art quietly weaves its way into everyday life. It spills out from studio corners and into independent cafés like Kooky Nohmad, where the walls become mini galleries and the coffee comes with a side of inspiration. Local businesses, makers, and dreamers are showing us that art isn’t reserved for big museums or private collections. It lives among us.
Art is as much about interpretation as it is about creation. What a painting means to the artist may be wildly different from how it lands with the person standing in front of it, and that’s the beauty. It invites pause, sparks thought, and holds space for reflection, joy, discomfort, nostalgia, or simply curiosity. Whether you’re an artist, an admirer, or someone who claims they “can’t draw a stick figure,” you’re still part of the conversation.
It can change the energy of a room, tell a story that words can't quite capture, or make an otherwise overlooked corner sing. From bold abstracts in modern kitchens to quiet watercolours in hallway alcoves, art has the power to turn a house into a home, and a space into an experience.
And it’s not just about what’s on display, it’s about who’s behind it. For the artist, a single piece can carry months of thought, frustration, and breakthrough. For the onlooker, it might stir something unexpected, a memory, a dream, or a shift in perspective.
Here we have curated a collection of local artists and galleries for you to explore.
Emily Jarvis
Emily Jarvis is a contemporary portrait artist known for her bold use of colour, scale, and oils. A Fine Art graduate from NUCA, she creates work that blends realism with depth, mood, and emotion. Her portraits, both personal works and private commissions, have been exhibited widely, earning her awards and features in Elle and Harper’s Bazaar. Emily has shown internationally, including at the Grand Palais and Louvre in Paris, and her work is held in collections across Europe.
www.emilyjarvisart.co.uk
Above: Almost Done 1 – This piece is one of a series of four works which have traditional figurative subject but each is given a contemporary narrative by using space, light and a solid white backdrop to the solitary figure.
With a raw, simplistic and incomplete style I hope to engage the viewer’s imagination to complete the whole image themselves.
The simplification of an image draws on the viewers imagination allowing them to make up their own stories behind the work.
www.nicholaspennfineart.com
07500 052 582
@nicholaspennfineart
Griselda Alvarez La Espera (The Wait)
Griselda Alvarez
Nicholas Penn Fine Art
Steve
original works from UK and international artists.
Steve Driscoll Summer Garden
Driscoll
Opening 2025 - Nicholas Penn Fine Art, A new contemporary art gallery and studio in Royston! Exhibiting
Aimée
Aimée is an Artist and Art Psychotherapist based in Hertfordshire and London, working primarily in oil painting and printmaking. She studied Fine Art at the Liverpool School of Art (John Moores University), where she was awarded a printmaking fellowship. She later completed a Master’s Degree in Art Psychotherapy at the University of Roehampton.
Aimée has exhibited her work in several major UK cities, most recently in Brighton. Locally, her work can be found at Kooky Nohmads and the Duxford Lodge Hotel.
For more information, or to enquire about sales and commissions, please get in touch or visit:
www.aimeeelizabethartist.co.uk @aimeeelizabeth_artist aimeeelizabeth.artist@gmail.com
There’s something undeniable about the power of live music. It’s more than just sound, it’s energy, presence, and shared experience. Whether it’s the beat of a drum reverberating through your chest or the quiet hush of a crowd hanging on every lyric, live music has the ability to move us in ways nothing else quite can.
In an age where we can stream any song in seconds, stepping into a venue, no matter how big or small, still holds a kind of magic. It’s in the spontaneity, the imperfections, the raw emotion. It’s a performance that will never be repeated in quite the same way again. That’s the thrill.
The Power of Live Music: Creativity
You Can Feel
Live music also taps directly into creativity. For the artist, it’s a space to experiment and express. For the audience, it’s a sensory experience that sparks emotion, inspiration, even memory. From jazz to indie, folk to funk, it doesn't matter the genre, being in the room where it’s happening connects us to something bigger. The sound, the crowd, the moment, it stays with you.
Here in our local area, we’re lucky to have an incredible variety of music venues that bring this creative magic to life. From the acoustic charm of intimate back rooms to historic stages and open mic nights that champion rising talent, there’s no shortage of places to be swept up in the sound.
In this issue, we’ll be showcasing 10 brilliant live music spots in and around our patch, celebrating different sizes, styles, and sounds. Whether it’s an unplugged singer-songwriter session in a cosy bar, a jazz night in a candlelit cellar, or a late-night indie gig in a
warehouse space, each of these venues plays a role in keeping our creative culture alive and thriving.
Because the joy of live music isn’t just about hearing it. It’s about feeling it.
And if you miss the gig? The next best thing is reliving it, spinning the vinyl, grabbing the album, or discovering a new artist to soundtrack your next road trip or Sunday morning.
That’s where Revolution Records in Royston comes in. Tucked just off the high street, it’s a treasure trove for music lovers. Whether you’re hunting down a new release, revisiting an old classic, or just browsing for inspiration, it’s the perfect space to reconnect with the music that moves you.
So keep your ears open, support your local venues, and let the music carry you somewhere unexpected.
Got a favourite live music venue? Let us know, we might just add it to the list.
Because the joy of live music isn’t just about hearing it. It’s about feeling it.
Cambridge Corn Exchange
The Cambridge Corn Exchange is one of the city’s premier live entertainment venues, steeped in history and located in the heart of Cambridge. Originally built in 1875 as a trading hall for corn merchants, the venue has since been transformed into a vibrant space for concerts, comedy, theatre, and cultural events. With its stunning Victorian architecture and a capacity of around 1,700, it offers an intimate yet grand setting that attracts top artists from around the world. From rock legends to classical orchestras, the Corn Exchange continues to be a cornerstone of Cambridge’s cultural life.
The Plough
Charming village pub with a strong music heartbeat. The Plough is beloved for its cosy atmosphere, friendly crowd, and a calendar packed with live gigs. Think stripped-back acoustic sets, open mic nights, and local acts that keep the spirit of community and creativity alive.
Knebworth House
Known globally as the home of legendary rock concerts, Knebworth House is more than just a stunning stately home, it’s hallowed ground for music lovers. Over the decades, it’s hosted icons from Queen to Oasis, with its sprawling parkland transforming into an epic outdoor stage. Catching a gig here is less about just listening and more about being part of history.
The Green Man
Right in the heart of Royston, The Green Man has always been a favourite for good times and great tunes. With a rich local music history, we’re bringing live music back every Saturday night. Grab a pint, soak up the atmosphere, and come join the fun.
The Blue Moon, Cambridge
For those who love things up close and raw, The Blue Moon is a gem of the Cambridge music scene. This indie pub and venue champions grassroots music with everything from punk and alt-rock to experimental sounds. It’s the kind of place where you might stumble across your new favourite band before they break big.
Cambridge Country Club
Yes, it’s known for luxury golf and spa experiences, but Cambridge Country Club is also carving out a place for live entertainment. With glamorous interiors and a growing events calendar, it’s a venue where music meets elegance, perfect for a night out that feels a little special.
The Junction
From breakthrough bands to established acts, The Junction is a hub for contemporary live music. With multiple performance spaces and a reputation for eclectic programming, rock, hip hop, electronic, and beyond, it’s where Cambridge goes to dance, discover, and experience music in full colour.
Hitchin Priory
A Grade I listed building with centuries of history, Hitchin Priory offers something truly unique when it comes to live events. Its atmospheric setting transforms concerts into experiences, whether it’s jazz on the lawn or indoor sessions in spaces filled with character.
We’re already jingling our bells because Christmas is coming… and so is our festive menu! Get in early, book your table, and let us take care of the cooking (and the washing up). You just bring the cheer.
The festive set menu is attached, for parties of 6+ We are doing a promo on the following days:
3rd – 5th December – 20% Off set menu price
10th – 12th December – 10% Off set menu price
Scan the QR code to view our festive menu
Fox & Hounds, High Street, Barley, Royston, SG8 8HU 01763 802 505
www.foxandhoundsbarley.com
Good Friends. Good Food. Good Times.
Where Flavour Meets Heart, and Every Dish Tells a Story
Mitr: meaning “friend” in many languages, is the perfect name for this welcoming new addition to Royston’s food scene. It captures everything the restaurant stands for; warmth, togetherness, and the kind of hospitality that makes you feel at home from the moment you step through the door.
Walk into Mitr and you’re instantly met with the comforting aroma of spices and a space that feels thoughtfully curated with care. Warm, inviting, and full of charm, it’s the kind of place that feels equally suited to relaxed midweek catchups, lingering dinners or family gatherings. Whether you’re stopping by solo or sharing a table with your favourite people, Mitr lives up to its name in every way.
Left: Signature dish, the Bunny Chow. Sourdough bread filled with choice of curry, Lamb, Chicken or Vegetable.
Right: A traditional Butter Chicken served with basmati rice and freshly made naan bread. (pictured is a GF alternative, available on many dishes).
At its heart are Manvinder Singh and his wife Simran, a husband-and-wife duo who call Royston home. Manvinder followed his passion in the kitchen, building a 25 year career as a chef that has taken him from Hyatt group, other big multinational hotels and local restaurants, as executive chef, to Guernsey, and now to opening Mitr, their first restaurant together.
Their story is one of dedication, flavour, and family and it’s reflected in every plate. The menu is refined, but diverse, blending authentic Indian cooking with modern flair. Each dish is cooked fresh and can be adjusted to your taste, spice level, ingredients, preferences, everything is made with you in mind.
Shakshuka – A vibrant North African dish of poached eggs simmered in a spiced tomato and pepper sauce.
Parma Ham Bruschetta – Crispy toasted bread topped with silky Parma ham, parmesan cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil & balsamic Granola Bowl – Fresh fruits, creamy Greek yogurt, homemade granola, and a drizzle of golden honey
inviting, relaxed, full charm
Owners, Manvinder Singh and his wife Simran
Below from Left to Right:
inviting, relaxed, full of charm
Our highlight on the menu was the show stopping bunny chow, stuffed sourdough, baked to golden perfection, a hollowed bread filled with rich, spiced curry. As you tear into the soft loaf and the fragrant filling spills out, it’s clear this is food made with intention, care, and creativity.
Throughout our visit, the team impressed us not just with their cooking, but with their friendliness, genuine service and plates that kept on coming. Each one felt like a little celebration of flavour, bold, balanced, and beautifully presented.
Mitr is more than just a restaurant it’s an experience, bringing something truly unique and authentic.
From breakfast to brunch, lunch to dinner, there’s something for everyone. Whether you are craving comfort food or something a little adventurous, you will find it here, served with a smile, and maybe a little extra naan on the side.
Mitr, 41 Kneesworth Street, Royston, SG87AB
info@mitrrestaurant.com +44 785 887 4805
Tues, Wed, Thur 9:30 am-2:30 pm 5:30-9 pm Friday 9:30am-2:30pm 5:30-10pm Saturday 9:30 am-3 pm 5:30-10 pm Sunday - Monday Closed
Fashion as a Canvas
Expressing Creativity Through Colour and Style
Fashion has long been more than just fabric and fastenings, it's a living, breathing art form, a means of self-expression, and one of the most accessible ways to show the world who you are. In a world where trends often feel recycled and uniformity rules the high street, choosing bold colours, playful prints, or unexpected silhouettes can feel like a rebellious act. And in that rebellion lies something beautiful: creativity.
One brand that’s redefining what it means to dress with personality is British label Scamp & Dude. Known for their joyful colour palettes, vibrant patterns, and signature lightning bolt motif, Scamp & Dude invites wearers to embrace fashion as fun, fearless, and unapologetically individual.
Born from a desire to create clothing that empowers, Scamp & Dude was founded with heart, and it shows. What started as a children’s brand evolved into a dynamic label for both kids and adults, bridging generations with bold designs and a message of strength and positivity. Their motto, “a superhero has my back,” weaves through their collections, reminding wearers that style can be both powerful and deeply personal.
From neon pinks and cobalt blues to jungle prints and oversized leopard spots, Scamp & Dude’s pieces are more than eye-catching, they’re confidenceboosting. Whether you're throwing on one of their signature sweatshirts for the school run or layering a powerprint dress for brunch with friends, every piece feels like a statement: this is me, and I’m not afraid to stand out.
Fashion doesn't have to follow the rules
it can be a joyful, technicol our celebration of creativity.
In a time when minimalism often dominates the fashion conversation, it is refreshing to see designers celebrating colour, boldness, and individuality. Fashion doesn't have to follow the rules, it can be a joyful, technicolour celebration of creativity.
So next time you reach into your wardrobe, ask yourself: am I dressing for convenience, or am I dressing to express? Fashion should never feel like a uniform, it should feel like a brushstroke on your personal canvas.
Your New Favourite Indie Lifestyle Store
Tucked away in the heart of indie Cambridge, 40 Green Street is your go-to destination for design-led lifestyle brands and artisan creations. Whether you're hunting for the perfect gift or a statement piece for your home, we've got you covered.
Creating Inspiring Environments
At Visual Styles, we specialise in turning ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences
From show-stopping window displays that draw people in, to interior styling that transforms homes, retail design that blends beauty with functionality, and events & pop-ups that create unforgettable brand experiences
Cooking fresh pasta in Tuscany
Photographing temples in Japan
Painting in the streets of Paris
Tile making in Morocco
Let’s create something amazing together for your next trip!
Step into the cold
Creative Escapes with a Personal Touch
Travel means something different to everyone - for some, it's sunshine and sea views, for others it's food, culture, and connection. What excites me most is helping people find experiences that truly inspire them. That's why I love the idea of creative travel - holidays that go beyond sightseeing and dive into hands on experiences, local culture, and personal discovery.
Imagine making fresh pasta in Italy, learning calligraphy in Japan, or joining a painting class in the hills of Provence. These are the kinds of memories that stay with you long after your suitcase is unpacked. You don't need to be an artist or expert - just curious enough to try something new.
Creative travel is about doing something a little different, and that's exactly what I offer as a Personal Travel Consultant. When you book through me, you're not just clicking a button online - you're getting a one to one service designed around you.
When you book with me, I'm with you from start to finish. From the moment you reach out, I'll get to know your travel style and what you really want to experience. I'll take the time to find options that match your budget, preferences, and personalitydrawing from trusted suppliers, personal experience, and my network across the industry.
I'm here to take care of the details - checking you in, arranging extras, offering tips, and keeping in touch throughout your trip. And if something unexpected comes up? I'll be the one on the phone sorting it out, so you don't have to.
Whether you're dreaming of creative experiences like photography tours, pottery classes, or cooking in a countryside villa, or you simply want a holiday that feels thoughtful and stress free, I'm here to make it happen. Even if creative travel is new to you, I'll guide you every step of the way.
Here are just a few ideas to get you inspired: Italy - Pasta making, art workshops, and local markets. Japan - Tea ceremony, calligraphy, and flower arranging. Mexico - Day of the Dead crafts, food tours, and mural painting. Morocco - Tile making, henna art, and storytelling in the desert.
No call centres, no hold music - just personal service, professional support, and someone who genuinely cares about making your next trip unforgettable.
Let's create something amazing together.
Laura Herd Personal Travel Consultant
T: 01223 535493
E: laura.herd@premier-travel.co.uk
isColourMore Than WeWhatSee
Colour isn’t just what we see, it’s what we feel. It shapes our moods, our choices, even how we remember moments. From branding to interiors, fashion to art, colour is a silent storyteller that speaks directly to our emotions.
At Sanders + Jay, the creative minds behind STONES magazine, when we create a brand, colour is never an afterthought. It’s one of the first building blocks of the story. Blues can whisper calm or trust, reds shout passion or urgency, greens invite balance and growth.
“We don’t just pick colours because they look good. We pick them because they say something, because they make people feel something,” – Steve Eggs, Head of Design at Sanders + Jay.
Colour at Home
But colour doesn’t just live in logos or websites. Walk into a home and you’ll notice instantly how colour sets the mood: Warm earth tones make a room feel inviting. Soft neutrals create calm and serenity. Bold contrasts inject energy and personality. Interior designers use colour like writers use words: carefully, with purpose.
One local who embraces this beautifully is Sophia Ferrari-Wills (@ thiscolourfulnest). Her Cambridgeshire cottage is a pastel daydream, minty
greens, peachy pinks, and joyful touches everywhere you look.
“It’s homely, comforting and evokes an instant smile, my home is impossibly happy all the time,” says Sophia.
Her secret? She doesn’t start with trends. She starts with what she loves, a print, a cushion, even a mug, and builds a palette from there.
The Psychology of Colour
There’s a reason certain shades feel “right” in different spaces:
Green.; balanced,Calming,restorative.
Blue; thoughtful,peaceful,productive.
Yellow; energising,optimistic,creative.
Pink; comforting, gentle, uplifting.
Reds; passionate,energising,sociable.
Whether you’re painting a wall or just choosing a new coffee mug, ask yourself: what story do I want this colour to tell?
Try before you buy: Peel-and-stick swatches from places like Lick Paint are brilliant, move them around your room, live with them for a few days.
Think beyond walls: Upcycle a side table, paint your front door, or even add a bold stripe in a hallway.
Match your mood: Bedrooms → calm blues and greens. Kitchens → cheerful yellows or earthy neutrals. Offices → greens or teals for focus.
Here's a topfewtips Because colour isn’t memory. It’s creativity,
Ask the experts: Local stylists or painters often offer quick consultations, and many stockists can colour-match from a cushion, photo, or fabric.
just decoration. It’s creativity, made visible.
Like our earlier article, fashion too, plays with our emotional cravings. After long grey winters, we crave the optimism of fresh greens and sunny yellows. In quieter moments, grounding neutrals dominate wardrobes. Clothes don’t just cover us, they colour how we step out into the world.
The same is true in art, food, even the city streets around us. The glow of neon, the vibrancy of a salad, the muted blush of a sunset, colour frames our experience of life.
That’s the beauty of colour. It doesn’t need translation. It bypasses logic and goes straight to emotion. It inspires, soothes, energises, comforts.
So next time you’re picking paint for your walls, slipping on a jacket, or choosing the shade of your morning coffee mug, pause and ask: what do I want this colour to say?
Because colour isn’t just decoration. It’s memory. It’s creativity, made visible.
Unearth a Hidden World Beneath Your Feet
As you continue along Melbourn Street, look out for the archway to Katherine’s Yard. Beneath it lies something truly unique, Royston Cave. This bell-shaped, man-made chamber is filled with mysterious medieval carvings that continue to intrigue historians. The cave is open to the public on weekends from Easter to the end of September and on Wednesday afternoons during August. Amazingly, it's one of only two subterranean Grade I Listed buildings in all of England.
And don’t miss the barn in Katherine’s Yard itself, it proudly displays a reproduction carving of St. Katherine with her spiked wheel, echoing the cave’s artistic heritage.
Royal Footsteps and Historic Taverns
At the junction with Kneesworth Street, glance to the corner where a modern bank stands. This very spot was once home to none other than Charles, Prince of Wales, later King Charles I, who lived here while his father’s court resided in Royston.
Just across the street, an island of land marks the former site of the Crown pub, demolished in 1929 for road widening. Nearby stood another historic drinking spot, the Crown & Dolphin, a name believed to be a local twist on Crown & Dauphin, referencing King James I and his son Charles.
Along Historic Kneesworth Street
Turning right onto Kneesworth Street takes you through an area steeped in Jacobean history. Most of the narrow street's buildings date from the reign of King James I (1603–1627), whose court often stayed in Royston while he pursued hunting on the heath.
The building now home to the Conservative Club once served as the headquarters of the King’s equerries.
The local fish and chip shop? That was once the royal buttery, supplying the King’s kitchens.
Look for two prominent halfchimneys jutting into the footpath, these mark the centre of King James’ Palace, his grand hunting lodge.
The building, a Grade I Listed site, holds fascinating legends. One such tale claims the King signed Sir Walter Raleigh’s death warrant here. Though half the palace was lost in the 18th century, the elegance of its remaining structure and gardens still shines.
Royston Museum: Where the Past Comes to Life
Directly opposite the old palace is the Royston and District Museum. Housed in a former Sunday School built a century ago, the museum is a treasure trove of over 40,000 artefacts, ranging from Neolithic finds from nearby barrows to the beautifully detailed and ever-growing Royston Tapestry.
And That’s a Wrap on the Trail …
Now that the trail has come to an end, why not revisit the journey online at stonesmagazine.com, we’d love to hear your stories too. In future editions, we’ll be delving even deeper into Royston’s rich heritage, and we want you to be part of it. Got memories, photographs, or local legends to share? Reach out and tell us what the town means to you. Let’s keep Royston’s story alive, together.
Portrait Artist of the Year
Piece by Piece
Portrait Artist of the Year is a painting competition now in it's 11th series. It showcases both amateur and professional artists who are then challenged to create a portrait in just four hours of one of three surprise celebrity sitters, from Big Zuu to Dame Judi Dench, Tom Jones to Sue Barker. The winners then progress through to the semi-finals and finals for a chance to win a £10,000 commission and have their work added to a national collection.
Hosted by Stephen Mangan, following the departure of Joan Bakewell after series 10, the show is judged by art experts Kate Bryan, Kathleen Soriano, and Tai-Shan Schierenberg. Known for its warm yet critical tone, sometimes described as “Bake Off for painters”, the programme strikes a finely tuned balance between credibility and accessibility, offering both high artistic standards and engaging entertainment.
Piece by Piece is not your usual Lego movie. This one comes from the creative mind of Pharrell Williams, it's a visually stunning and wildly inventive portrait of his life, told through a uniquely animated lens that mirrors the boundless creativity of its subject. More than a typical music documentary, the film bursts with colour, rhythm, and imagination, a living collage of music, art, and innovation. Pharrell’s journey unfolds like one of his own songs: playful, profound, and full of soul. Every frame is infused with his creative spirit, showing how music, fashion, and storytelling spill out of him effortlessly. It’s a celebration of artistic freedom, and Pharrell at his most inspired. If you've ever wondered what Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z or Justin Timberlake would look like in Lego, wonder no more. Only someone with the mind of Pharrell could make this happen.
SKY CINEMA / 2024 / PG / 1H 34M
SKY ARTS / 11 SEASONS
Passing the Baton Faithless
DANCE / 2012 / 12 TRACKS / 1H 13MINS
Tuff Times Never Last Kokoroko
R&B SOUL / 2025 / 11 TRACKS / 49MINS
REVOLUTION RECORDS RECOMMEND
Passing the Baton is a powerful celebration of Faithless at their electrifying best, and a poignant tribute to the late, great Maxi Jazz. Recorded live at the iconic Brixton Academy, just steps from where Maxi grew up, the album pulses with raw energy and emotional depth. His unmistakable voice and poetic lyrics command the stage, blending spiritual introspection with dancefloor intensity. The live setting adds an extra layer of magic, capturing the essence of communal euphoria that only a venue like Brixton can deliver. It’s more than a live album, it’s a moment in music history, full of soul, sound, and legacy.
Following 2022's Could We Be More, Kokoroko's auspicious, wildly successful debut, the band undertook a successful international tour and remixes in 2023, followed by 2024's four-track Get the Message EP.
The lineup on Tuff Times Never Last remains with the exception of altoist/composer Cassie Kinoshi, who directs the fantastic SEED Ensemble. The octet and vocal guests are led by trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Greyand co-founding percussionist Onome Edgeworth, with trombonist Noushy Nanguy, bassist Duane Atherley, keyboardist Yohan Kebede, guitarist Tobi Adenaike, and drummer Ayo Salawu. Luci Pina's wonderful album cover depicts a street dance party in full swing and the music, like it, has an underlying message that exhorts listeners to embrace dualities in everyday life. The songs reflect struggle, community, innocence, sensuality, spirituality, pleasure, and perseverance. Its sound is modern, but nonetheless follows in the summer sounds previously offered by Curtis Mayfield, Bob Marley and Sly Stone.
Josh Murphy
Sophie Murphy
Steve Eggs
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Vicky Stacey No Story Publishing a Sanders + Jay company
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