Keep your pecker up during the gloomy days of January with plans for the new year, from upcoming events that will bring light, laughter, fresh flavours, music and motivation into your life, to comfort food recipes and a host of inspirational ideas for new year’s resolutions. There’s also an exclusive interview with archaeologist Francis Pryor MBE and advice on how to bring this year's trending colour to your interiors. Plus, the Cambridge Edition People’s Choice Awards return for a second year - with the nominees revealed inside this issue!
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Vote for your favourite local businesses in this year’s awards! THE CHOICE IS YOURS
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FROM FUNDRAISING TO REFRESHING A ROOM, GET INSPIRED WITH OUR 26 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION IDEAS FOR 2026! the new in with
DIGGING DEEP Exclusive interview with archaeologist and author Francis Pryor MBE
DOING IT WHITE Bring this year’s trending colour into your home with expert advice
RAY OF HOPE Welcoming the optimism of snowdrop season into our gardens
WELCOME
STARTING OUT RIGHT When the festivities draw to a close, the coloured lights disappear – leaving behind the gloom of January – and we return to our weekly routines, it can really drag our mood down. On the other hand, as the calendar flips to a new year, January can also bring with it a low-frequency rumbling of change and motivation in us, that rises up like tree sap in spring, nourishing new growth. Harnessing this feeling can help keep us
EDITORIAL Editor Louise Hoffman 01223 492249
louisehoffman@bright.uk.com Editorial director Nicola Foley 01223 499459 nicolafoley@bright.uk.com Chief sub editor Matthew Winney Junior sub editors Tabitha John & Kezia Kurtz ADVERTISING Sales director Sam Scott-Smith 07875 711967 samscott-smith@bright.uk.com Ad manager Maria Francis 01223 492240 mariafrancis@bright.uk.com CONTRIBUTORS Charlotte Griffiths, Phoebe Harper, Sally Petitt & Esther Sánchez DESIGN & PRODUCTION Design director Andy Jennings Magazine design manager Lucy Woolcomb Junior designer & ad production Holly May MANAGING DIRECTORS Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck TYPEFACE Nyght Serif / Maksym Kobuzan from Tunera Type Foundry
buoyant at this time of year. I suppose that’s the reason behind a New Year’s resolution, making sure we have something to focus on and plan for, until the days grow noticeably lighter in late February and March. Hence, we’ve put together a selection of inspirational ideas for changes you might want to bring into your life this month – 26 to be precise, in honour of 2026! Turn to page 8 to see what takes your fancy. The reappearance of snowdrops is also sure to instil a sense of optimism. Generally beginning to burst into bloom from late January, by February their wintry magic will grace gardens across the region and transform woodland floors into pure, white carpets. If you’d like to know more January can also bring with it a low- frequency rumbling of change and motivation in us, that rises like tree sap in spring
about this fan-favourite flower, Sally Petitt from Cambridge University Botanic Garden shares her horticultural knowledge on page 84 – along with top tips on where to see the best snowdrop displays and how to introduce them to your own outdoor space. Another great way to banish the blues this month is by showing some love to the people and places that make your life better each day. This could be through practising daily gratitude, sending over a thoughtful message or lending a helping hand. When it comes to your favourite local businesses, it could be a social media share, a positive review, an extra purchase or even – cue neat segue – voting for them in our People’s Choice Awards! Back for a second year, they’re here to celebrate the crème de la crème of the region. Turn to page 42 to check out the nominees and follow the QR code to cast your votes. We can’t wait to see who will be crowned this year’s winners!
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With all best wishes,
Illustration by Holly May, inspired by a photo from @loulabelle2015 found on Instagram
Louise Hoffman, editor
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ON THE COVER 8 / IN WITH THE NEW In need of some New Year’s resolution ideas? Check out our 26 for 2026! 18 / LAND OF PLENTY Archaeologist and Time Team star Francis Pryor MBE shares his love of the Cambridgeshire landscape 42 / PEOPLE’S CHOICE 2026 AWARDS The shortlists are revealed for this year’s awards – and voting is now open for you to choose your faves! 76 / THE WHITE IDEA How to introduce this year’s trending colour into your home
84 / HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL As snowdrops prepare to burst forth, Sally Petitt tells us all about this most optimistic of flowers CULTURE EDITION 24 / CULTURE NEWS The latest updates from Cambridge’s cultural scene 26 / BOOK CLUB Motivational and reflective reads, as selected by Charlotte Griffiths, to feed your mind for the new year 29 / SCREEN TIME This month’s most- anticipated film releases and where to see them
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FOOD EDITION 35 / FOOD NEWS The latest gastro goings-on around Cambridgeshire 38 / HOME COMFORTS Pastry chef Esther Sánchez treats us to some chocolatey goodness in the first of a new recipe series HEALTH EDITION 59 / HEALTH NEWS Healthcare stories from the local area, from new products and services to awareness-raising efforts
62 / WINTER SKINCARE Experts share their advice on two of the most common skin conditions 68 / HOME FROM HOME Where to start and what to consider when choosing the right care home for your loved one REGULARS 6 / INSTACAMB Our favourite social media snaps of the month 14 / THE AGENDA A host of events taking place in the region during January
40 / A CUP OF TEA WITH… Richard Holmes of Pint Shop talks food, beer and who he’d love to share a table with 73 / EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT How can school leavers and graduates stand out from the crowd in today’s job market? 82 / EDITION LOVES Bring effortless sophistication to your interiors with a soothing neutral palette 90 / I ♥ CAMBRIDGE Daniela Izquierdo explains why the city has proved the perfect place for her family
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LOCAL LIFE
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LOCAL LIFE
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HAPPY NEW YEAR
RESEARCH YOUR LOCAL OR FAMILY HISTORY 5
Fancy bringing a bit of change to your life, but in need of some New Year’s resolution ideas? Here are our 26 for 2026! In with
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the new
1 RAISE FUNDS FOR CHARITY fundraising endeavour to loose change in a collection box. There are several opportunities you can get involved in throughout the year, such as attending the Music in Action charity concert at Trinity College Chapel on 27 February, featuring the English Chamber Orchestra, or donning those running shoes for the Cambridge Half Marathon on 8 March. There’s also the Cambridge Dragon Boat Race in September, held in aid of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, which hosts several other charitable events throughout the year. You can always donate to someone else’s fundraising challenge if you don’t fancy it yourself! 2 EAT WELL Now that the excesses of the festive season have passed, try establishing Every penny counts, from hundreds of pounds raised through an ambitious
a new routine that not only gets you back to a healthy diet, but also introduces a few new meals and flavours rather than always resorting to the same tried and tested favourites (taking into account any dietary requirements you may have, naturally). And if you can make use of local produce, so much the better, as it’ll support Cambridgeshire farmers and businesses as well as reducing food miles. 3 BRING LAUGHTER TO YOUR LIFE! Laughter has proven health benefits, and Cambridge venues have got a host of side-splitting comedy acts lined up, including Jessica Fostekew, Seann Walsh and James Acaster at Cambridge Junction, and Chris McCausland, Harry Enfield and Susan Calman at Cambridge Corn Exchange. Plus, don’t miss Bury St Edmunds Comedy Festival in February and March, and Big Deal Comedy Club, which is now hosting three shows a week at the Town & Gown.
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HAPPY NEW YEAR
7 VISIT A LOCAL ATTRACTION As our I Cambridge interviewees admit in every issue (see last page), many of us city residents have never actually experienced some of the area’s most well-known visitor attractions! From punting and paddleboarding to exploring Cambridge University Botanic Garden and the city’s many museums – this is the year to make the most of everything Cambridge has to offer. After all, why should tourists have all the fun? 8 RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS Send a card to a distant pal, donate a warm coat to a winter homelessness appeal or a basket of non-perishable items to a food bank. Why not offer a helping hand to a neighbour, bake extra cakes to give to a friend, bring flowers home for a partner or simply send a thoughtful text message to let someone know that you’re thinking of them? The tiniest gesture can mean the world. 9 PICK UP A BOOK Escape your screens and dive back into those glorious paper pages filled with knowledge, intrigue, excitement, life lessons and new worlds to explore. We’re pretty spoilt when it comes to bookshops here in Cambridge, and there’s nothing like the feeling of actually holding books in your hands to appreciate their look, feel, content and smell as you choose
your next adventure. So, head on over to The Haunted Bookshop, Bodies in the Bookshop, G David Bookseller, Oxfam, Cambridge University Press Bookshop, Waterstones and Heffers. 10 PRIORITISE YOURSELF Whether it’s a one-off wellness treat to get 2026 started on the right foot, or scheduling in regular sessions to carve out time for yourself, a little bit of pampering can be a great wellbeing boost. Treatments and sessions are provided by Paus, House of Beauty, Waresley Park Estate and Gresham House Wellness at Gonville Hotel, among others. Or why not try yoga or Pilates? Sessions are at local village halls, community centres, fitness centres and dedicated studios across the region.
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DRINK MORE WATER 11
GIVE UP AN UNHEALTHY HABIT 12
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HAPPY NEW YEAR
13 PLAN A HOLIDAY It’s a classic January move for good reason, ensuring you’ve got something to look forward to later in the year.
community ( volunteercambs.org.uk is a good resource)? If there’s nothing that suits, could you start your own group? 15 ATTEND AN EVENT If we do say so ourselves, Cambridge Edition is a great resource to make sure you keep abreast of the many festivals taking place throughout the coming year. Try attending at least one big event that you’ve never been to before, or make a return visit to one you enjoyed in previous years. Just a few key dates to look out for are Pride, Cambridge Folk Festival, the Foodies Festival, Open Studios and Cambridge Film Festival. 16 TAKE A DAY TRIP Whether for shopping, to catch a show or to visit attractions, exhibitions and special events, there are so many great places you can reach within an hour or two by car or train from Cambridge. Why not try Saffron Walden, Bury St Edmunds, London or Norwich for starters? It’s all about getting something in the calendar to make sure it happens!
Whether it’s an overnight stay, a weekend break or a full week abroad, taking a break from the daily grind is a must – preferably in new and relaxing surroundings where you can completely let go of all the worries, cares and to-do lists of everyday life. From the many wonderful Cambridgeshire hotels and holiday rentals to coastal retreats in nearby Norfolk or far-flung international destinations, it’s time to start your ultimate getaway research! 14 BE SOCIAL If you’re looking to make new friends, widen your circle or find an activity that you can enjoy with your existing friends, why not consider joining a book club, hobbyist or special interest group; attending organised socials like the friendly clubbing nights hosted by the Early Night Club; or looking into volunteer work for a favourite charity or your local
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MEDITATE TO HELP DE-STRESS 18
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HAPPY NEW YEAR
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22 REFRESH A ROOM slightly stagnant and give it a new year zhuzh with a few choice additions such as soft furnishings, houseplants or pictures (which you’ve been meaning to hang for months!), or by opting for a full overhaul to inject brand-new energy and colour into your home for 2026. Local homeware stores such as Glasswells, Lee Longlands and Small & Green are perfect places to start for inspiration – as well as Cambridge Edition ’s own interior pages, of course! 23 GET INSPIRED Attending talks to listen to inspirational individuals share Choose a room in your house that’s a bit unloved or feels their thoughts, experience and expertise is a great way to renew your motivation throughout the year. Whether it’s the person you find inspiring or the topic they’re speaking on, enthusiasm can be infectious, and you’re likely to leave the
auditorium full of energy and ideas. Many of our local museums, galleries and venues host regular talks, including the Fitzwilliam Museum, Kettle’s Yard, Murray Edwards College, Cambridge Junction and the Arts Theatre Cambridge. Keep an eye out for announcements about this year’s Cambridge Literary Festival! 24 LEARN A NEW SKILL Lots of places in the Cambridge area provide taster sessions or more regular classes to help you learn new practical and creative skills. Take Marmalade Print Studio in Soham, for instance, which offers relaxed printmaking workshops for beginners. There are also language classes, such as French and Spanish with Alliance Française. For a range of vocational courses or evening classes, adult education can be found at Anglia Ruskin University, Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge Regional College and more. Online there’s Future Learn and the Open University.
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THE AGENDA
2 EVENT Snowdrop Trail, Cambridge University
Botanic Garden This free trail will guide you to the Botanic Garden’s snowdrop hotspot
walking routes, where you’ll find boards with information about these springtime favourites. Until 2 March. 8 THEATRE Sad Little Island, Corpus Playroom Based on a book by Raymond Briggs and with an 80s-inspired soundtrack, Sad Little Island explores the
An array of events to enjoy in Cambridgeshire this month
human costs of leaders seeking personal glory. Until 10 January.
17 FAMILY Lucy’s Ocean Adventure, West Road Concert Hall This interactive family concert is perfect for all those young explorers, featuring sea-inspired music by Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra, storytelling and plenty of surprises to spark imaginations. 18 Cambridge Junction Nick has been writing and recording beautiful and unique songs for children and families for more than ten years, enthralling all generations with his guitar and stunning digital animations. FAMILY Nick Cope,
16 COMEDY Vittorio Angelone, Cambridge Junction Join Vittorio for his brand-new show, You Can’t Say Nothing Any More , in which he considers whether comedians are obliged to be activists, as well as examining the ongoing debate around offence in comedy.
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Twelfth Night, Arts Theatre Cambridge Cambridge University’s prestigious theatre company, The Marlowe Society, returns with a brand-new retelling of this Shakespearean romantic comedy. Runs until 24 January. 22 EXHIBITION The Wonderful World of the Ladybird Book Artists, Stapleford Granary Curated by Ladybird expert and enthusiast Helen Day, this free exhibition presents an unparalleled collection of books to browse through, plus original artwork and artefacts. Until 29 March.
The Sixteen, Saffron Hall
Harry Christophers’ superb choral forces present music from Gluck’s version of the Orpheus myth, which sees the hero descend into the underworld to rescue his wife Euridice.
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THE AGENDA
COMEDY Simon Evans Is Staring at the Sun, Cambridge Junction With growing evidence that we’re living in a computer simulation, comedian Simon Evans is squinting at an uncertain future and revisiting the analogue world of his youth. 26 EVENT Snowdrops: The Specialist Collection Tours 2026, Anglesey Abbey Join an expert garden guide for the chance to see Anglesey Abbey’s rare and unusual snowdrop varieties and find out how the collection came to be there. Until 27 February; booking essential. 28 BOOKS An Evening with Finn Longman, Waterstones Cambridge Join Cambridge-based medieval historian and YA author Finn Longman as they discuss their adult fantasy debut, The Wolf and His King . 29 TALK Professor Brian Cox, Cambridge Corn Exchange Following up on his smash-hit show Horizons , Professor Brian Cox is warming up for his next tour. Join him for an intimate evening where you get exclusive access to his latest live show.
5 MUSIC Yann Tiersen, Cambridge Junction Yann Tiersen will return with a solo piano and electronics performance in support of his latest album. Feb
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Mar
Happy Mondays, Cambridge Corn Exchange Ahead of the 35th
31 WORKSHOP Sowing the seeds... a creative music workshop, Wesley Methodist Church Cambridge Philharmonic hosts this workshop with composer Jonathan Brigg and librettist Jonathan Ainscough to ‘plant seeds’ for new works. All are welcome; booking essential. anniversary of their classic album Pills ’n’ Thrills and Bellyaches , the band will perform fan favourites such as Step On . 28 FESTIVAL Red Rooster 2026, Euston Hall Tickets are available for this independent festival, celebrating Southern soul, blues, roots and country. Runs until 30 May. May
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The Very Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Cambridge Corn Exchange
Starring Peter Andre, this nostalgic musical journey pays tribute to those four boys from Jersey who became one of the most recognised groups in history. 24 FAMILY Family Stargazing Countryside Centre Discover some of our most recognisable constellations from this Dark Sky designated site. Booking essential; discount for Wildlife Trust BCN members. in the Great Fen, Ramsey Heights
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CULTURE INTERVIEW Time Team star Francis Pryor MBE shares his Cambridgeshire story
ON THE PULSE A folk-classical composition of planetary proportions – and more!
BOOK CLUB Welcome in a fresh new year with some motivational mind fodder
Son et lumière Next month, Ely Cathedral welcomes Space – a mesmerising sound and light experience produced by artistic collaboration Luxmuralis. Audiences will take a journey through space as they wander through artworks and installations amid sacred surroundings. Explore the creation story and the Big Bang, watch galaxies emerge and view Earth as if looking back from space, while pondering our relationship with the planet. elycathedral.org
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CULTURE INTERVIEW
Land of plenty With roots stretching deep into Fenland soil, archaeologist, author and Time Team star Francis Pryor MBE tells Louise Hoffman why Cambridge and its landscape mean so much to him
S itting in the stove-warmed country kitchen of Francis Pryor MBE’s Fenland farmhouse, a tree-hidden haven in the vast expanse of dyke-sliced fields, it’s easy to see why he has made this landscape his home. As we settle down at the table with cups of pot-brewed tea and freshly baked biscuits, goldcrests and wrens dance in the viburnum outside the window; acres of garden cloaked in autumn colour unfurling beyond.
It was back in 1992 that Francis and his wife Maisie Taylor – both eminent archaeologists – bought the land here in the Lincolnshire Fens, on which to build a home and dedicate themselves to gardening and farming. A passion for the former had been forged while living at their previous property, over the border in Cambridgeshire. But Francis’s bond with Cambridge and its surrounding landscape
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CULTURE INTERVIEW
No one tried to persuade me to sit in a library studying instead of going out on the archaeological digs I so loved
runs much, much deeper than that – quite literally to the bedrock. Lifelong connections “My relationship with Cambridgeshire began when I was a young child in the early 50s,” Francis begins. “I was brought up in north Hertfordshire, and the land where my family farmed was on the edge of the chalk hills that overlook East Anglia. You could see Cambridge in the far, far distance, and the Fens. It gave me a feel for the extent of the British landscape. “The thing that struck me about the Fens wasn’t the wetness, but the richness, the fertility; the trees were luxuriant, the grass lovely and lush, and the cattle all looked fat. A fantastic landscape. It quite caught me up.” The family made frequent trips into Cambridge during that time, as his uncle was a Fellow of Trinity – the college that Francis himself would go on to attend in 1964, reading archaeology. He admits, however, to not being entirely dedicated to his studies! “I spent most of my time organising the college’s May Ball. I persuaded the very famous cartoonist Carl Giles to do the cover of the booklet that students received on arrival. It depicted Rab Butler, ex-foreign secretary and Master of Trinity, dancing outside the Great Gate with the cartoon character Grandma Giles. It was very successful!” Francis’s student days also coincided with bands such as The Beatles, Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones exploding onto the modern music scene. “It was a great time to be in Cambridge; I was very lucky. We had some wild times!” he recalls. But the other thing he liked most about the city – and especially his college – was the way that it accepted, and in fact encouraged, people to find their own way in life. “No one tried to persuade me to sit in a library studying books instead of going out on the archaeological digs I so loved. They were very understanding like that.
“In fact, it was one of my ex-tutors who, after I’d graduated, said: ‘You need to get away from here and do something on your own – if I were you, I’d cross the Atlantic and make your own mark in the world.’ So, I did. It was on his advice that I went to Toronto and got a job at the Royal Ontario Museum. “Two years later I was running a dig… in England… for the Royal Ontario Museum! So, it got me back here in the end, although I have never regretted crossing the Atlantic. It was a wonderful experience. And you see England from a new perspective when you come in with a load of Canadian students!” he laughs. Fertile ground The project that Francis embarked on for the museum was, you guessed it, in Cambridgeshire, allowing him to get back to Fenland soil – rich both in the growth he’d observed as a child and in archaeology. With Peterborough New Town now in existence and construction of the bypass underway, the next area earmarked for development was what would become the eastern industry area of Peterborough,
LOOKING BACK The front cover of the Trinity College May Ball booklet, featuring an original illustration by cartoonist Carl Giles (above); Flag Fen (below) and one of the dig pits that revealed its Bronze Age timber causeway (below right)
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CULTURE INTERVIEW
I found Flag Fen in 1982 when I was surveying drainage dykes known as Fengate. But first, Francis’s team was tasked with excavating it. “What we uncovered there, right on the edge of the Fen, were (at that time) the earliest fields ever discovered in northern Europe – going back pretty much to 2,000 BC,” he recalls. “They were superbly well preserved – we even found animal footprints. And there were cattle droveways, sheep drives, little farmsteads and roundhouses – I mean, it was extraordinary.” Then came one of the greatest discoveries of Francis’s career, and one he’s still renowned for. In fact, just days before we met, he’d unexpectedly heard his name mentioned in relation to this find on Radio 4’s Yesterday in Parliament programme, and a couple of weeks later he made a cameo on the BBC’s Look East . The find in question? One of the most important archaeological sites in Cambridgeshire: the Bronze Age timber causeway and landscape at Flag Fen. “I found Flag Fen in 1982 when I was surveying drainage dykes. I knew there was likely to be something out in the depths of the fen there because the fields we had just discovered were all pointing at it. And then my foot hit a piece of wood,” he explains. “I pulled it out of the ground, and it was oak – you don’t typically get oaks growing in wet fen – and the point of the post had been sharpened with a bronze axe, the blade about two inches. I immediately recognised it as a late Bronze Age socketed axe from around 900 BC because I had seen identical tool marks on wood in Holland, of that period. All the hair went up on the back of my neck!” he enthuses.
peat that was sticking to it, I noticed there was a fingerprint in the surface – a Bronze Age fingerprint – and that person, probably a lady since the thumb was far smaller than mine, had also cut her thumb!” he laughs. “That moment will stay with me for the rest of my life.” People power Another chapter of Francis’s career – and of archaeology in general – began during the period of Flag Fen’s excavation. Time Team : the beloved Channel 4 television series that brought (and in fact still brings, via YouTube and Patreon) live archaeology to the public in a way never seen before. Presenter Sir Tony Robinson’s role was essentially to be a representative for the average person, narrating in layman’s terms to an audience of millions a host of exciting digs across the UK. The expert teams carrying out those digs included Phil Harding, Helen Geake, Carenza Lewis, Stewart Ainsworth, John Gater, Raksha Dave and many other archaeologists and specialists – headed up either by the late great Mick Aston or by Francis.
Returning to the site with his team of archaeologists, more and more posts were found, running along the edge of a dyke for a distance of around 80 metres. “At one point, they were covered by the Roman road that runs across the Fens, known as the Fen Causeway. We know that road was probably built in the 1st century AD, and the posts were about a metre below the bottom of it, separated by lots of peat and other soil that would have taken around 1,000 years to accumulate. So, that told me that the posts had to be Bronze Age,” Francis continues. Having persuaded English Heritage to fund an excavation, initial work began that same year and continued right through until 1996, revealing the best part of ten acres of superbly preserved Bronze Age wood, along with bronze swords, daggers, spears and other items likely deposited as offerings to the waters – even a wooden bowl that still contained porridge. “On the morning that the bowl was found, I’d cut my thumb before going down to the site. And I’ll never forget this: as I was very carefully removing some of the
LIVING HISTORY Francis introduces visitors to Flag Fen (left), where there’s also a reconstructed roundhouse (top) and log boat exhibition (above)
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Flag Fen itself appeared on Time Team (as well as several other Cambridgeshire locations, such as Stilton, Chapel Head and Norman Cross) and it was the huge interest in the programme that inspired Francis to open the site to the public – establishing what is now Flag Fen Archaeology Park. Here, visitors are able to explore a reconstructed prehistoric landscape and roundhouses, get up close to some of the site’s fascinating finds and even see a section of the excavated causeway. Not only that, but the park has recently unveiled a new exhibition that displays three of nine rare Bronze and Iron Age log boats that were unearthed in 2011 near Must Farm in Cambridgeshire (the others still being carefully preserved): a discovery of international importance. The legacy of the land Flag Fen is soon to be excavated once again, in a long-term project funded by Historic England, and it remains a huge source of pride for Francis. “But what I desperately hope is going to happen,” he adds, “is that people will start thinking about these very ancient sites – so well preserved, and that were once occupied by people who were just like us – as being a part of our history. Things don’t all start with William the Conqueror!”
Indeed, this is one of the reasons why Francis started writing popular books such as The Fens: Discovering England’s Ancient Depths . “I wanted to get across to the public how extraordinary prehistory is. It fired my imagination and hopefully will theirs too.” It comes as no surprise, then, that when asked what the magic of the Fenland landscape is to him, Francis responds with certainty: “It’s the Fen people. You couldn’t meet nicer people than the farmers round here. I think it is because they understand the landscape that they’re living in; if you are closely involved with the land, it gives you a very special relationship with your neighbours. If there’s, say, flooding or bad weather, people will come round here and say ‘You alright boy?’,” he laughs. “They’ll do anything to help, and I’ll do the same for them. United we stand, divided we fall.” Does he think the picture would have been much the same in prehistory, with those people who were just like us? “Oh absolutely. I can imagine what they’re talking about while sitting around that roundhouse fire drinking cups of mead!”
COMPELLING NARRATIVES The discovery of Flag Fen – now open to the public (top) – forms the spine of The Fens , published by Bloomsbury
What I desperately hope is that people start thinking about these very ancient sites as being a part of our history
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CULTURE EDITION
Dates for your diary THEATRE Nosferatu Corkscrew Theatre Company breathes new life into this classic tale with an atmospheric stage show created by Geoff Page, who has composed an original score to be performed live; filmmaker Emlyn John, who has created its titles and video; and Lesley Ford, who directs the talented ensemble of David John, Will Males, Dan Aspel, Matt Wilkinson, Christian Burton, Annabelle Roberts, Lucy Archer-Woodcock and Emma Harpley. Find it at the Junction from 19 to 22 January. junction.co.uk MUSIC Wagner, Elgar & Brahms On 24 January at West Road Concert Hall in Cambridge and 31 January at Apex Bury St Edmunds, the East Anglia Chamber Orchestra will perform Wagner’s Prelude to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg , Elgar’s Sea Pictures Op 37 and Brahms’s Symphony No 4 in E minor Op 98 , under the baton of Jacques Cohen and with a special appearance by mezzo soprano Siv Misund. eacho.org.uk
BIG DEAL COMEDY EXPANDS PROGRAMME Big Deal Comedy will host three weekly shows at the Town & Gown on Market Passage from
January. Founded by siblings Leanne Clarke and Jason Stampe in 2018, it’s grown from a passion project into one of the region’s most celebrated live comedy clubs, recently named hospitality business of the year in our area’s SME Awards. “We’re very excited about the launch,” said Leanne. “This will be our biggest move yet: a step towards creating a home for
comedy in Cambridge where audiences can laugh, connect and be inspired.” The Town & Gown’s expanded programme will feature a mix of established comedians, up-and- coming acts and variety shows that appeal to a wide range of audiences. See the 2026 programme and book your tickets at bigdealcomedy.co.uk
CREATIVE COLLABORATION REIMAGINES THE PLANETS
recomposition of four movements from Gustav Holst’s The Planets . Drawing on Holst’s folk influences, Stevens & Pound’s arrangement adds a movement about Earth, a planet Holst purposefully omitted due to it being ‘astrologically insignificant’, in which we hear Robert Macfarlane’s own words about the silencing of Earth. The Silent Planet tour is part of Britten Sinfonia’s broader focus on environmental themes, as well as classical-folk collaborations, in its 2025-26 season. For full details and booking, visit brittensinfonia.com
Folk-classical duo Stevens & Pound are joining prize- winning writer Robert Macfarlane ( Underland , The Lost Words ) and Britten Sinfonia for the world premiere tour of The Silent Planet , which comes to West Road Concert Hall on 30 January. The exciting new work features live narration by Robert Macfarlane, who has written original text for the piece and performs it on stage alongside Delia Stevens (percussion) and Will Pound (harmonica and melodeon). Together, they stage a 21st-century
The latest from the cultural scene in Cambridge
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ARTS CLUB CAMBRIDGE LAUNCHES ON BRIDGE STREET Designed to be a creative meeting point for diverse audiences and a vibrant live music venue, Arts Club Cambridge has opened its doors, promising world-class musicians and state-of-the-art sound. Debuting with a sold-out show headlined by Theon Cross, one of London’s foremost jazz talents, supported by the Judah Daniels Trio as part of Cambridge Jazz Festival, the venue is committed to bringing both established artists and emerging talent to the city. Upcoming highlights include Georgia van Etten on 17 January, who kicks off the new year with her soulful voice, incredible band and mix of retro soundscapes and modern classics, followed by saxophonist and composer Jasmine Myra on 14 February, who is joined by a dynamic band of up- and-coming UK jazz artists as part of NYJO’s Jazz Nation residency at the Arts Club. Visit artsclubcambridge.com for tickets and event details
CULTURE EDITION
© MATT PANNELL
Music in Action reveals fundraising success Pushing forward its vision to transform and enrich lives and communities through music, the charity Music in Action has shared two of its standout local successes from 2025. Internationally acclaimed violin soloist Harriet Mackenzie has hosted a number of musical workshops with Music in Action charity chairman James Mews at St Laurence Primary School in Cambridge. Alongside this outreach, the charity’s Cambridge concerts have raised enough proceeds to support four children with full music bursaries. Visit musicinaction.org.uk to support the charity. Here you can buy a ticket or VIP experience, make a donation or find out about business partnerships and packages
LOCAL LITERATURE Tempered CATHERINE THORPE Cambridgeshire resident Catherine Thorpe is a United States Air Force fire inspector by day… and a sci-fi novelist by night! Her new book is set in a dark, futuristic world where AI, mind control and deception reign supreme – yet in the midst of chaos, love finds a way to triumph over evil. The Midnight Factory RUSSELL LUYT Another new dystopian sci-fi title is by Russell Luyt. Having lived and worked in Cambridge for years, his tale draws on the atmosphere and landscapes of the East Anglia fens and wetlands. It unfolds in New Albion, a world ruled by fear with a government that regulates the population through surveillance, propaganda and an addictive drug.
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LITERATURE
January Book Club Charlotte Griffiths picks the perfect motivational and reflective reads for a new year Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon
MIZUKI TSUJIMURA
If you were given the chance to talk with someone who had passed away, who would you choose? Would you think differently if you knew they’d only get one chance to speak with someone from the world of the living? Should you be taking that opportunity – or is there another person who needs to speak with them? It’s these questions that the characters wrestle with throughout this million-copy-selling puzzle box novel, the first in the Lost Soul series. Writer Mizuki Tsujimura and translator Yuki Tejima have created beautifully drawn, domestic stories of loss, love, heartache and grief, presented in soothingly formulaic chapters, following the people seeking the help of the mysterious Go Between. We meet an eldest son who wants to speak with his recently deceased mother, a teenage girl who has lost her best friend in an accident and a young woman who wishes to spend a night with her celebrity idol. At first, the reasons behind these requests appear straightforward, but what’s always surprising and satisfying about Mizuki’s award-winning novels are the twists, turns and unexpected complexities. There’s also Ayumi, the handsome young Go Between himself, currently learning his trade as the youngest in an unbroken line of family members with this life-altering magical responsibility. It’s a wistful novel about being kind, taking chances and confronting missed opportunities, as there’s no better time than right now to say what’s on your mind – because you never know when, or even if, you might get another opportunity. There’s no better time than right now to say what’s on your mind
Educated TARA WESTOVER
between herself and her family, the ties that bind continually pull her back home as she tries to help her siblings and find some sort of meaning in her parents’ choices. Along with the book being superbly written, that narrative would be enough as it is – but the true beauty of this story lies in the moments, the seconds-long yet world- expanding interactions and decisions that, piece-by-piece, continually move Tara on towards her uncertain goal. Educated is an extraordinary tale of one young woman’s determination and perseverance, which should serve as a reminder to all of us that very little in life is truly impossible. If you’re dreaming of a particular future for yourself, it is almost certainly within your grasp.
If one of the joys of reading is to ‘try on’ a different life to your own, then it makes sense to seek out books which contain truly singular lived experiences, and Tara Westover’s story is absolutely one of those. Educated is Tara’s own account of growing up in an extremist Mormon family living in Idaho, deliberately isolated from society, modern medicine and traditional education. Against all odds she finds a path to access books and the knowledge she craves, making it to college, then Brigham Young University in Utah and eventually a study abroad programme. This leads her to Cambridge, where she wins The Gates Scholarship to pursue a PhD in our city. Though she has successfully put oceans (both literal and emotional)
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LITERATURE
A Complicated Woman Published towards the end of last year, this book of essays, notes, lyrics and fragments of thoughts from the artist more commonly known as Self Esteem is funny, uplifting, reassuring and motivating all in the same moment. This self-described ‘anti-bible for modern womanhood’ is based on Taylor’s many, many iPhone notes, numbering in the tens of thousands, which she jots down whenever inspiration strikes and either shares on social media or files away for future reference. These are used to create new songs, pull together plays or – in this case – inspire her very first book. Just as Taylor does in her music, this book tackles the impossible weight of modern expectations pressing down on women, and the confusing whirl of living multiple realities at once: or, as she more succinctly says in one of her lyrics, “I’m still 15 years old, surely.” During interviews, she’s said that the process of bringing the chapters together revealed that certain topics and questions kept coming up in her notes, year after year, with seemingly no answer or resolution. Though this was said with her trademark acerbic and slightly self-deprecating wit, it didn’t and doesn’t feel like a hopeless situation: identifying the reappearing themes at the core of our lives can be so beneficial when trying to take a step forward. You might not know how to answer those questions, but you can learn how to live alongside them. If you’re hoping to make a big change this year, grab yourself a copy of this book, get Self Esteem’s music in your ears and stride forward with confidence. REBECCA LUCY TAYLOR
Add these titles to your reading pile while they’re hot off the press NEW RELEASES
Wreck
A brilliant gift for a keen gardener or someone just starting out: all you need is a windowsill to get involved with container gardening, and this new book from the brilliant Lautenbach is the perfect guide. Her simple instructions are sure to have you growing more for less in 2026 – what could be better? The Money-Saving Gardener: Containers ANYA LAUTENBACH
The Opposite of Murder
CATHERINE NEWMAN
SOPHIE HANNAH
This new mystery from one of our greatest living crime writers (and Cambridge resident) revolves around an impossible murder confession. Jemma can’t have killed Marianne because, at the time of death, she was at the police station... explaining how she would commit the murder. Hypothetically, of course. Irresistible: treat yourself and curl up with a copy.
A new Catherine Newman book is an immediate purchase. Here we re-meet Rocky from Newman’s last novel Sandwich , who is experiencing another ‘quiet tornado’ – now a signature of the author’s work. Rocky’s widowed father has moved in, her adult son has moved out and she’s waiting for her own diagnosis. Moving and laugh-out-loud funny.
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9 January Based on the acclaimed novel by Maggie O’Farrell, this film follows the relationship between William Shakespeare and his wife – their lives irrevocably changed by the tragic death of their 11-year-old son. Starring Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley and Emily Watson. Hamnet
9 January A man acquires an artificially intelligent android to cope with the loss of his wife and attempts to make it into a truly sentient partner – inadvertently turning a harmless lovebot into a deadly soulmate. Soulm8te
Mercy
23 January In this science-fiction thriller, a detective accused of murdering his wife is given 90 minutes to prove his innocence to the advanced AI judge he once championed – before it decides his fate.
LOCAL CINEMAS Arts Picturehouse picturehouses.com Everyman everymancinema.com The Light cambridge.thelight.co.uk
16 January Shot back-to-back with its predecessor 28 Years Later (2025), this post-apocalyptic horror will serve as the fourth instalment in the franchise. Featuring Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams and Cillian Murphy. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
Movie magic not to miss this month
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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Creative Cambridge Get ready to celebrate the city’s cultural scene as the Cambridge Arts Festival returns next month T he Cambridge Arts Festival will return for its third year from 9 to 18 February 2026, with an exciting programme of city-wide multi-disciplinary arts, culture and community events. Organised by Cambridge BID, the festival will celebrate the vibrant arts scene, encourage residents and visitors to discover new creative experiences and design events that let city-centre businesses contribute to Cambridge’s cultural life. With support from local partners and sponsors – including Mills & Reeve and Clarendon Fine Art, where the opening night will be held – the festival is striving year on year to become a stronger platform for the city’s creative community. What’s on This year’s festival includes an Art Makers Fair on Saturday 14 February held in The Guildhall, where visitors can experience, view and purchase a range of creative work from local artists. Families heading to the Lion Yard Shopping Centre during half term (on Monday and Tuesday only) can join a Chinese New Year-themed workshop, trying their hand at traditional Chinese brush painting in a friendly, drop-in setting. Guided walking tours will highlight Cambridge’s artistic heritage, exploring cultural landmarks, street art and finishing at independent galleries for those keen to continue their creative journey. Exhibitions from local artists and community groups – including work from Rowan Humberstone, an arts centre and forest school for adults with learning disabilities – will also be displayed in venues across the city, with more artists to be announced. Meanwhile, on King Street, three local artists will create an impressive 50-metre mural to celebrate the city’s character, history and creativity.
LACKING INSPIRATION? Feel creative on the Arts Festival’s Gallery Crawl through the city’s art hotspots
in the Fitzwilliam Museum and the Big Deal Comedy Club will hold a child-friendly comedy show in the Town & Gown pub. Creative collaboration The festival is funded and delivered by Cambridge BID, a local, business-led, not-for-profit organisation that was set up to improve and promote Cambridge’s city centre. It’s a collaboration of around 1,200 businesses, organisations and properties within the Cambridge city centre and surrounding BID area. The idea is that, by working together, local businesses can achieve far more than if each acted alone – thus improving public spaces, increasing footfall, supporting local economy and culture and enhancing the overall appeal of Cambridge as a place to visit, live, work and study.
A dedicated Gallery Crawl will run from 5 to 7pm on Thursday 12 February. Participating galleries include Byard Art, Modo, Cambridge Contemporary Art, Cambridge Contemporary Crafts and Corpus Gallery, each offering something different. From solo artist exhibitions to talks and artistic demonstrations, there’s something for everyone. Photography enthusiasts (professional and amateur alike) are invited to take part in a competition put on in partnership with Campkins Cameras. Running all throughout February, local residents are encouraged to capture the theme of ‘Secret Cambridge’ through their own lens. A variety of interactive workshops will also take place throughout the festival. For example, the Cambridge Poetry Festival will host an ekphrasis-themed poetry workshop
The full schedule of Cambridge Arts Festival events will be announced in January – follow @lovecambridge_ to keep up to date or visit love-cambridge.com/arts-festival
CULINARY CATCH-UP The latest updates from the local foodie scene
HOME COMFORTS Irresistibly rich chocolate brownies to recreate at home
Leek lively! Make the most of leek season with this mouthwatering side dish by Lucy Parker (@lucy_and_lentils) for the British Leek Growers’ Association. You can also find lots more recipes at britishleeks.co.uk HONEY AND MUSTARD MARINATED LEEKS
You will need • 1 large leek • 3 cloves garlic minced For the dressing • 1 tbsp honey • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp salt • 1 tbsp brown miso paste
(can substitute for tamari or soy sauce)
• 1 tsp
olive oil
Method 1. Add the dressing ingredients to a bowl and whisk together until combined. 2. Chop the leek into approx 5cm thick circles and mince the garlic. Add to the dressing and allow to sit for around ten minutes. 3. Add to a frying pan and sizzle on medium heat for around five minutes on each side, or until they have started to caramelise and turn golden brown.
Why not add a garnish, like some pine nuts or sesame seeds?
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FOOD EDITION
NEW INDIE CAFE OPENS ON MILL ROAD Mill Road has welcomed a new Japanese-inspired cafe with a sustainability focus, blending Asian elements with a modern refill shop. Its menu consists of Japanese parents. “I started Imp Cafe because I believe sustainability should be something that we all feel empowered to be a part of, without judgement, guilt or perfection,” said Mathis. “Many people experience
dishes made in a home cooking style for both meat eaters and vegans, with weekly specials, a curated tea bar and intentionally chosen refill items such as snacks and dried foods. The cafe also has initiatives like a 5% discount on drinks for customers who bring their own reusable cups. A family effort, the business is run by Mathis Wong and her
climate anxiety or feel pressured to do everything right, but instead of one person trying to be 100% perfect, 100 people improving by 1% each can have more impact.” Plans for supper clubs, workshops and events are in the pipeline, and Mathis hopes Imp Cafe will be a place where people meet, support each other and feel
inspired to take small, sustainable actions. “With time, I hope there’s a butterfly effect, sparking new ideas, more creativity and maybe even inspiring the next climate innovation to be born here in Cambridge!” she enthused.
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY 23 JANUARY Fawlty Towers: The Dining Experience This fully immersive and highly interactive show, taking place at Gonville Hotel, is 70% improvised! Expect two hours of laugh- out-loud comedy, a delicious 70s-inspired three-course meal, a glass of prosecco on arrival and plenty of chaos and laughter along the way! gonvillehotel.co.uk
Wingstop UK opens first site in Cambridge Wingstop UK has opened its doors in Lion Yard Shopping Centre, offering diners a full menu of wings, tenders and burgers cooked to order and hand-sauced-and-tossed in Wingstop UK’s bold flavours. Milkshakes, freestyle drinks, Camden Town beer and a churros selection for dessert are also on offer. The brand currently operates 79 sites across the UK and is growing fast. “Cambridge has been on our minds for a long time, and we’re so excited to finally share our signature flavours with the city,” said Chris Sherriff, CEO at Wingstop UK. “It’s such a vibrant place, full of learning, creativity and culture, and that energy feels like a perfect match for us.”
Culinary updates to whet your appetite
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