Step into the new season with a bounty of delights to discover on your doorstep. This issue, we take a trip to Mill Road to reveal its must-visit restaurants and shops, highlight some sensational staycation spots, serve up some tasty recipes and bring you all the latest from the local culture scene.
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JULY 2023
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hether it’s riverside picnics at the Mill Pond (a location shown for the first time on our cover this month), wild swimming in
EDITORIAL Editor in chief Nicola Foley 01223 499459 nicolafoley@bright.uk.com Editorial director Roger Payne Chief sub editor Matthew Winney Sub editor Ben Gawne Junior sub editor Lori Hodson ADVERTISING Sales director Sam Scott-Smith 01223 499457 samscott-smith@bright.uk.com Ad manager Maria Francis 01223 492240 mariafrancis@bright.uk.com CONTRIBUTORS Miriam Balanescu, Mark Box, Charlotte Griffiths, Nic Henson, Anna Taylor, Angelina Villa-Clarke & Elisha Young
Grantchester, a glass of something delicious at the Wine Merchants, or cooling down with a scoop of Jack’s Gelato – there really is no better time to savour Cambridge than peak summer. Sadly, the Big Weekend won’t be back this July, but there are a host of other open-air events to enjoy, from festivals to outdoor theatre and comedy gigs. We’ve got news on all of them in this month’s Culture Club, from page 7. The iconic Cambridge Shakespeare Festival is back, too, pitching up in college gardens to lay on a summer of sumptuous performances. Hosting around 200 productions over two months, pulling this together is a mammoth task, but one which artistic director Dr David Crilly relishes – hear from him on page 10. We also chat with Angeline Morrison, who plays this month at Cambridge Folk Festival. Last year’s winner of the Christian Raphael Prize, she fuses fresh insights and ancient folk traditions with mesmerising results. Read her story on page 20. In this month’s Savour & Sip, there’s a beautiful summer recipe from Poets House, a review of The Rupert Brooke’s exquisite new afternoon tea and an ode to strawberries from Elisha. We also sit down with Becca from foodPark, who shares the story of the street food collective so far – and its exciting plans on the horizon. Read all about it on page 40. If you’re in need of a holiday, we’ve got two fabulous giveaways inside the issue – both offering magical minibreaks to lucky Cambridge Edition readers – get the lowdown on pages 25 and 65. Enjoy the issue and see you next month!
DESIGN & PRODUCTION Senior designer Lucy Woolcomb Ad production Man-Wai Wong MANAGING DIRECTORS Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck
Cambridge Edition Magazine Bright Publishing Ltd, Bright House, 82 High Street, Sawston, Cambridgeshire CB22 3HJ, 01223 499450, 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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Contents
43 RECIPE 45 ELISHA EATS
04 STARTERS 07 CULTURE CLUB 16 OPEN STUDIOS 20 ON THE SCENE 22 ON THE BOX 25 GIVEAWAY 26 HUMANS OF CAMBRIDGE
46 ALFRESCO FAVOURITES 51 RESTAURANT REVIEW 53 BURY DAY TRIP 61 SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT 65 GIVEAWAY 66 BEAUTY
51
28 BOOK CLUB 34 FAMILY FUN 40 FOODPARK
73 INTERIORS 82 GARDENS
Illustration by Lucy Woolcomb, inspired by a photo by @timcantab
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LOCAL LIFE
STARTERS
@THECAMBRIDGEACADEMIC
@ONESUMMERINCAMBRIDGE
Follow @cambsedition on Instagram for lots more stunning snaps of the city
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# instacamb Our favourite Cambridge Instagram pics of the month. Use the #InstaCamb hashtag for a chance to feature!
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LOCAL LIFE
This month’s must-haves from local indies WISH LIST July
1. Spiral candles £33.50 (for four) Angela Reed These colourful candles from Angela Reed in Saffron Walden would look great on a garden party table. 2. Embroidered shawl jacket £165 Ark Handmade in India, these beautiful open-front jackets from Ark are ideal for jazzing up a simple outfit. 3. Glazed blue mug £10 Freda & Bert We love this on-trend ombre mug from Burwash Manor’s gift shop, Freda & Bert. 4. Hanging knot vase with dried flower posy £48 Kettle’s Yard Made by Studio Janneke exclusively for Kettle’s Yard, these tube vases come with a hand-tied posy of dried blooms. 5. Dami yellow throw £26 Iris & Violet Stock up on picnic goodies, pack up this gorgeous Bloomingville throw and head to Grantchester to while away a July afternoon. Summer in Cambridge perfection! 6. Classic hat by Parra £50 Dogfish Throwing some chic shade, this vintage-vibe twill cap with seersucker stripes is a summer staple.
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Culture Club
PALETTE CLEANSER picture perfect CAMBRIDGE OPENS UP WITH OUTDOOR THEATRE, STUDIO TOURS AND MUCH MORE
EASEL DOES IT
See stunning artworks and the processes behind them – find out more on page 16
© SARAH ALLBROOK
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CULTURE CLUB The must-see events around Cambridge this month Arts & Culture
THEATRE PICK
Promising to captivate audiences, Bill Kenwright’s blistering take on the Willy Russell classic hits Cambridge Arts Theatre for a five-day run at the start of August. A story of twins separated at birth who reunite with fateful consequences, this show has scarcely been off stage since its debut in the early 90s, with Kenwright’s production alone surpassing 10,000 performances in the West End. Expect a superb score and emotionally charged acting. BLOOD BROTHERS
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BACKSTAGE
All of Cambridge is a stage We catch up with Dr David Crilly, artistic director of the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival, to discover the event’s enduring appeal
As synonymous with summer in Cambridge as May Balls and overzealous punt touts, Cambridge Shakespeare Festival has been a staple in the city since 1987. Taking place across eight weeks during July and August, the festival lays on nightly performances of the Bard’s best-loved plays in full Elizabethan costume, set against a backdrop of idyllic college gardens. Bringing together this huge theatrical spectacle – which sees around 200 individual performances and 25,000 audience members yearly – is artistic director David Crilly, who founded the event fresh from his PhD studies 36 years ago. “I do pretty much everything!” he laughs. “I approach the colleges, decide on the programme, audition the actors and sometimes do the music, too. I’m actually a musician and was a university lecturer for 27 years in music.” For David and a small team of associate directors, the festival is a year-round job, but for the cast and crew it’s a kind of thespian summer camp, to which many look forward to returning. “The actors always say it’s not like any other job where you go along, do your bit and go off to the next project. They all keep in contact afterwards and meet up, which is great,” says David. “We all live in three big houses at Lucy Cavendish College over the summer. All these people arrive in June, most of whom don’t know each other – and they’re working, living and playing together for two months. It’s intensive, but such a positive dynamic – a real community thing. We have a good time while we’re doing it and that shines through.” So strong are the connections formed through the festival, says David, that he’s been informed of 11 marriages taking place as a result of cast members meeting through the event – but it’s not just the performers finding love. “There have been so many stories and nice messages over the years. Last year we did The Taming of the Shrew , and I had a message from someone saying they were really looking forward to the play and had met their future wife at our production of it 20 years before. They always come on their anniversary! “I’ve also had people say they started bringing their children when they were five and six years old – and now they’re going off to university, but they’re coming back for the festival,” he continues. “It’s nice to know we’ve been a regular feature of people’s lives.” An operation of this scale isn’t without its challenges – first and foremost the good old British weather – but the situation has to be pretty dire for the elements to stop play
altogether, according to David. He recalls some audience members picnicking in the pouring rain waiting for productions to begin. “It needs to be pretty severe for us to cancel – and we do our best not to,” stresses David. “We did a production of Hamlet over at King’s College a few years ago, and during the performance there was the most spectacular electrical storm I have ever seen – an absolute downpour. We had about 200 people there with cagoules and umbrellas and they just stayed! The resilience and determination of our audience can be amazing.” Aside from waterlogged sets, the biggest challenge faced – as for so many arts events – was the pandemic, which very nearly sounded the death knell for the festival. With no income for nearly two years, but prop storage, costume maintenance and other overheads still needing to be paid for, it was almost disastrous. Here, it was the Shakespeare Festival’s fans who became the stars of the show, contributing to a crowdfunding appeal which raised tens of thousands of pounds and ultimately secured the future of the event. Looking forward, David hopes to continue doing what the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival does best: bringing beautiful productions of the Bard’s best to as many people as possible. “There is a real misunderstanding of what Shakespeare is like because people get taught so badly! There’s a perception that it’s bookish, intellectual and elitist,” comments David. “But we strive to make everything accessible and clear – and it really works! We have so many children at the festival, and many come along to see A Midsummer Night’s Dream . But they also come to see Richard III and The Tempest because no one has told them it is hard! “The whole experience is delightful,” he continues. “Being in those places is wonderful, experiencing the dynamic of that closeness – it’s a very intimate experience. It’s not like going to a theatre where all the actors are on the stage and you sit in the darkness; the performers move through the audience, so it’s a very immediate experience for everyone. “My advice would be to bring an open mind – and you’ll be guaranteed to have a good time.” Cambridge Shakespeare Festival runs throughout July and August at Trinity, Downing, King’s and St John’s Colleges. This year’s productions are Much Ado About Nothing , Julius Caesar , The Winter’s Tale , The Tempest , Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream . Book online at cambridgeshakespeare.com
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CULTURE CLUB
SOUNDS GREEN Enjoy enchanting music in the serene setting of the Botanic Garden this month, as the Sounds Green series returns to delight each Wednesday evening in July. Set on the main lawn, the events are a chance to catch an open-air concert and indulge in delicious food and drink while the sun sets on balmy summer’s evenings. Music begins at 6.30pm, with the gardens open until 8.30pm for guests to enjoy. Attendees are invited to bring along picnics, rugs and chairs; refreshments will be available from The Garden Café, food trucks and Jack’s Gelato. Book tickets via botanic.cam.ac.uk
HERITAGE LIVE
A series of concerts in spectacular settings, Heritage Live returns with gigs at historic landmarks and estates around the UK. At Audley End House & Gardens, there’s an A-list line-up of artists to catch, beginning on 4 August with Björn Again, the iconic Abba tribute act; joined on the night by The Real Thing, Boney M and Miss Disco. On 5 August are Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and The Zutons, followed by Sir Tom Jones on 6 August. Soft Cell will take to the stage on 11 August, with noughties nostalgia on 13 August courtesy of Razorlight, Embrace, The Feeling and Toploader. Visit heritagelive.net for tickets
MADE OF STERNER STUFF This year’s plays include (clockwise from left) The Winter’s Tale, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest and Julius Caesar
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LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE
Fancy joining the county’s growing legion of wild swimmers? Dive in at the Cambridge Slow Swim and Picnic, a leisurely community gathering on 8 July. Taking bathers along an idyllic stretch of the Cam, the event is part of the Slow Swimming campaign, a national initiative aimed at encouraging swimmers to take time and enjoy being immersed in nature. The swim begins in Grantchester, following a 2.5k route to Sheep’s Green in the city centre, where everyone will reconvene for a picnic. Drop off your cake, sarnies and drinks beforehand at the marquee, then wander upriver to the start spot on Grantchester Meadows to join the throngs and swim your way back (just remember to sign in so everybody is accounted for). Depending on how fast you want to go, there are different start times, from Seriously Need More Cake – the speediest of the bunch – kicking things off between 10.30 and 10.45am, through to wave four, aka Pooh Sticks. For this contingent, floaty things, unicorns, rubber rings and generally basking in the glorious scenery is fully encouraged. All are welcome at the event, with entry priced at £20 (£15 for under 16s). Sign up at hamiltonsfitness.co.uk/camswim
Storytelling and songwriting combine this month, as all our top picks revel in the power of a singalong Music to your ears
CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL 27-30 JULY, CHERRY HINTON HALL The Proclaimers, Rufus Wainwright and lots more play this treasured festival.
SING & TONIC 27 JULY, JUNCTION
BELLE & SEBASTIAN 22 JULY, CORN EXCHANGE On the road again for the first time since 2019, the veteran indie poppers swing by to perform hits from a vast back catalogue.
If you like musical performances a little more immersive, check out Sing & Tonic. The audience becomes part of the show to form a tipsy choir!
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CULTURE CLUB
FUTURE ISLANDS 29 AUGUST,
CORN EXCHANGE The band behind hits including A Dream of You and Me and Seasons (Waiting On You) come to town. UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA 30 AUGUST, CORN EXCHANGE Hot on the heels of their latest album V , the psychedelic rockers hit the Corn Exchange to sign off summer. RACHEL FAIRBURN 17 OCTOBER, JUNCTION The snarky stand-up and co-host of the All Killa No Filla podcast brings her new performance, Showgirl, to the Junction. STEPHEN K AMOS 10 NOVEMBER, JUNCTION The debonair joker performs his latest offering, Oxymoron – a reflection on finding the funny amid the madness of life.
IMMERSION THEATRE AT MILTON COUNTRY PARK
Specialising in interactive, family-friendly productions, Immersion Theatre brings its colourful take on The Wizard of Oz to Milton Country Park this August. Click your heels and ease on down the road with Dorothy and co to find the mysterious wizard, enjoying plenty of music, singing and laughter along the way. Immersion Theatre’s artistic director James Tobias comments: “I am incredibly excited to be directing the show for the sixth time! I always look forward to reviving this show in particular – it’s a firm audience favourite and for good reason. We’ve followed the story everyone knows and loves closely, mixing it with bags of audience participation, comedy for all ages, and some frustratingly catchy songs! This really is an amazing family experience; you’ll laugh, join in and leave thoroughly entertained, having had a special day out. I can’t wait to welcome you all to Oz!” The show takes place on 2 August. For full details and to book, visit immersiontheatre.co.uk
COMMONERS’ COMEDY AT THE LODGE One of the city’s best loved comedy nights, Commoners, is back this month for a night of laughs, cocktails and good food at The Lodge, Duxford. While guests enjoy wood-fired pizzas and tasty tipples, they’ll be treated to an incredible line-up of some of the UK’s top stand-up comedians – join the fun on 29 July. You can also catch the Commoners crew at Thrive Cafe on 28 July, when Ivo Graham and Sophie Duker will give audiences a preview of their upcoming Edinburgh Fringe shows. Get the lowdown at commonerscomedy.co.uk
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CULTURE CLUB
Meet the artists
S howcasing the city’s Cambridge Open Studios returns this month, offering a chance to explore the workspaces of hundreds of local artists and craftspeople. Running since 1974, the event takes place across the first four weekends of July, bringing together both professional and amateur artists who are keen to share their work. vibrant creative community, From textiles, digital art and printmaking to photography, watercolour and sculpture, there’s an enormous diversity of disciplines and media to discover, with visitors invited to learn about the creative processes behind the finished product and given the opportunity to purchase pieces directly from makers themselves. We hear from some of the local artists involved to find out more. The creative studio spaces of Cambridge throw open their doors throughout July, inviting you to explore the art created within
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KILN CAMBRIDGE
Kiln, an open-access pottery studio on Ditton Walk, will be open to the public over the weekends of 1-2 and 8-9 July. More than 30 potters will be showcasing their work, with the chance to browse and buy unique pieces ranging from rustic tableware to sculptural art. Local talent Zoe Hardinge ( @pottering_a_round on Instagram), creates one-of-a-kind plates and has been a member of Kiln since it opened in 2018. She finds inspiration everywhere – from traditional Japanese stitching to London Underground seats. Designed to be used and enjoyed, Zoe’s beautiful plates are on sale at the David Parr House shop.
MELIPRINTS
There will be a variety of artists setting up shop at The Pitt Building in the city centre this July, including printmaker Melissa Lhoirit, aka Meliprints. Creating limited-edition runs of lino-cut prints using traditional linoleum and a relief printing process, Melissa’s artwork begins with a sketch of a scene or movement that inspires her. “I draw scenes of daily life,” she explains. “People play a significant role in my compositions, as I aim to tell stories and capture the atmosphere of the moment. Cambridge is a great source of inspiration to me, and so is dance – which holds a special place in my life. My lino-cut prints aim to convey the joy and enchantment of music and dance.” With vibrant colours and strong contrasts, Melissa’s striking depictions are sure to captivate at this year’s Open Studios, plus there will be a chance to discover the intricate process that goes into making them. From carving her illustrations onto the lino block to transferring ink to paper using a hand-operated printing press, Melissa will demonstrate creating a lino-cut print from scratch – perhaps even inspiring guests to give it a go themselves. “As I experienced last year, the most enjoyable aspect of Open Studios is the chance to engage with wonderful visitors,” she comments. “I look forward to chatting with them, answering all their questions and sharing my passion for printmaking!”
ALL THAT JAZZ Melissa Lhoirit’s bold prints take inspiration from Cambridge’s vibrant live music culture
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Sarah Allbrook Exhibiting at St Barnabas Press on Coldham’s Road (first and second weekends of July), Sarah Allbrook
Pay a visit to Sarah’s workspace and get a glimpse into a working studio packed not just with her art, but also the materials and equipment she uses. St Barnabas Press is a space shared by multiple artists, so alongside Sarah’s artwork, visitors will be able to explore paintings, prints, ceramics and cards by a variety of creators all under one roof. “I’m excited to be taking part in Open Studios because it’s a great opportunity to give people an insight into my creative world and see all the paintings I’ve been producing throughout the year,” she comments. “Being there in person to talk about the work is an experience the viewers wouldn’t get in a gallery, and I love to meet people who are interested in looking at art.”
creates beautiful, impressionist-style oil paintings, often of our local landscape. She mostly paints outdoors, directly in front of her subject, and can be found with her easel and paintbrush year round, come rain, shine or snow. “I am really inspired by the landscape around me – particularly along the river in Cambridge and the Fens – and I love painting at the coast in Norfolk and Suffolk when I can,” she explains. “I try to capture Cambridge during different times of the year to reflect the changing seasons, and throughout the day, as the light changes from morning sunshine to sunset and into the night.”
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CULTURE CLUB
CAMBRIDGE MAKERS
Run by sisters Rosemary and Susie, Cambridge Makers is a creative hub in Linton offering tuition in a range of crafts and creative pursuits. Very much a family affair, the studio is run in conjunction with the siblings’ dad, Daniel, who specialises in making woodwind instruments from his space in the same building. With over 100 craft enthusiasts using the centre each week to take part in everything from stained glass making to woodwork, painting, drawing and sewing, it’s a thriving operation – and this month is your chance to see it in action as Cambridge Makers opens its doors on the weekend of 23 and 24 July to showcase the work and techniques of some of its collective. “So many of our students and participants really wanted to do Open Studios, but didn’t necessarily want to open up their own homes – so we invite them to do it through us and give them an opportunity to be part of the event by exhibiting at our space,” explains Rosemary. One of the artists showing their work will be Cläre Basel, an innovative painter working with oil paint, cold wax, acrylic and watercolour. Creating richly textured, evocative pieces, her work has appeared at a number of prestigious galleries. Also exhibiting will be Fay Jones, specialising in natural dye and harvesting wild materials to turn them into something beautiful, while Matty Smith will offer tapestry weaving demonstrations for visitors and Sarah Ruff will show off her vibrant screen prints. “Instead of the tutors just showing their work, we’ve decided this year we’ll give visitors a chance to take part in making something with each tutor – so you can help make a rag rug or screen-printed bunting, try tapestry weaving and various other things.” If you don’t manage to make the Open Studios event, there’s lots coming up, such as courses in spoon carving, felted soap making and more. Go to cambridgemakers.org for all the info.
EN PLEIN AIR Sarah Allbrook’s lively oil paintings are created on location, capturing snapshots of East Anglian life and landscapes
NEED-TO- KNOW INFO
What? City-wide art exhibition offering the chance to see inside artists’ studios, ask questions, purchase original pieces and commission artworks
When? 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23 July
How much? All studios are free to look around
camopenstudios.org
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CULTURE CLUB
ON THE SCENE ANOTHER SIDE TO THE STORY Angeline Morrison, winner of Cambridge Folk Festival’s Christian Raphael Prize in 2022, speaks to Miriam Balanescu ahead of her trip to the city this month F olk is a genre you may think of as traditional, yet most musicians
“While I want to highlight these airbrushed stories and forgotten ancestors, give them a voice and allow them to speak freely – and to highlight these cyclical aspects of history – I also want to show some of the amazing contributions that Black people have made to British culture and history.” Angeline will be returning to Cambridge Folk Festival for a follow- up gig, but this time with The Sorrow Songs band in tow. On folk’s longevity – which the Cambridge Folk Festival, founded in 1965, is testament to – Angeline says: “People are making creative, sometimes challenging, but much- needed interventions into folk. They are making folk meaningful for themselves. Folk is rather like the seasons, or like John Barleycorn – it’s never going to die. It may go to sleep for a bit, there may be fallow periods. But there’ll always be springtime; it will rise from the earth and put forth new green shoots.” For her, the meaning of folk is summed up by an image in a Mary Webb novel, Precious Bane . “One of her characters talks about the nature of time being like a master weaver,
fortifying the canon today are bringing fresh blood to an age-old sound. One such artist is Angeline Morrison, returning to the Cambridge Folk Festival as last year’s Christian Raphael Prize winner – which supports folk artists financially and creatively. With her shanties unearthing stories of Black British history, she is ‘re-storying’ folk music – and her dream is that one day her songs will be sung in pubs and venues by folk lovers alongside other well- known tunes. “There’s no way our Black ancestors would not have shared songs, brought songs, sung songs,” Angeline says, explaining she hopes to right this wrong. “There would have been a vernacular for Black British people, we just don’t know what it was.” Angeline fell in love with folk music when she heard Shirley Collins’ A Forsaking – Our Captain Cried . “From out of the radio my parents had on came this otherworldly sound,” she recalls. “It was an unaccompanied human voice.”
FOLK HERO Angeline Morrison’s 2022 work The Sorrow Songs (Folk Songs of Black British Experience) was voted the number one folk album of the year by The Guardian
I want to highlight these forgotten ancestors
painfully aware of the fact that I could walk away if this research got too much for me, and it often did,” she explains. “I had the privilege of being able to shut the laptop, walk out of the library, walk out of the archive or close the book. I could take some time out. My ancestors who actually went through it couldn’t. I felt I had a real responsibility to tell the stories for them.
This has made its mark ever since: the artist’s work is faithful to the style of the second folk revival of the 50s and 60s: “I always want to take sounds away rather than add them when I make music.” Angeline’s latest album, The Sorrow Songs , takes the true tales of those living through the transatlantic slave trade and pays them homage. “I couldn’t help being
with his shuffle going back and forth across the loom,” Angeline says. “I love that idea of timelessness and of the contemporary and the ancient and everything in-between all continuously weaving in and out of each other. It’s quite a mysterious idea, but it’s one I love. That’s one of the main things I experience when I’m engaged with folk music traditions.”
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SCREEN TIME
BOOK TOME IMMEMORIAL and Learn Miriam Balanescu meets filmmaker AB Zax and his first filmic subject, Matt Tannenbaum, a bookseller from Massachusetts W hen I walked in this bookstore, it felt unlike any other bookstore I’ve ever
Discover your on-screen essentials for July
“I didn’t even see him sometimes!” interjects Matt. “For me, it was having a witness. Because as you can tell, I enjoy doing what I do. And to have a witness observe and corroborate that was just a little bonus for me.” As the pandemic sets in, the whimsical story begins to pick up a note of urgency. With profits plummeting, Matt is forced to launch a campaign to rescue The Bookstore. Fortunately, the community rallies together and raises the funds in a matter of hours. “This was not an in-your- face ‘Listen, you’ve got to do this. This is going to save the world,’” insists Matt. “But it’s an invitation to come in and realise that you can save the world by doing what we do here… It’s passive-aggressive activism!” “My highest hope is that this film could encourage our communities to sort of re-centre,” adds AB. “I think a lot of the fractured nature of our culture, at least in the US, is the aftermath of the digital revolution. I just think we’ve lost touch with our communities and with each other. With this: people come into the bookstore and it’s an exchange of stories, an exchange of ideas and viewpoints, and you connect to your neighbour.” One of their audience’s favourite moments in the film is an unexpected dream sequence – Matt goes to take a nap downstairs, and suddenly we see him waltzing around the store. “I’m an older fellow and I need to take a nap every once in a while,” jokes Matt. “I don’t remember that we set it up. I think I was just down there and he followed me.” “The sort of magical realist aspects of it are all honestly the feeling I get from being here,” says AB. “It’s true to life in the sense that you drift here and then these magical things happen. So, I wanted to figure out a way to do that in the film.”
been in. And I think a lot of that has to do with Matt and his curation,” says AB Zax of his debut feature documentary, which takes its title and subject from The Bookstore in Lenox, Massachusetts. The pair are now touring the UK with Hello, Bookstore – a documentary capturing the daily goings-on at Matt Tannenbaum’s shop – and they have a stop-off planned in Cambridge. “We have a full itinerary of bookshops,” says AB. “That’s our main focus.” As its audiences will discover, The Bookstore is no ordinary place, with the film capturing a dreamlike quality to its everyday proceedings. “I just fell in love with the store instantly,” enthuses AB. “And over time, I fell in love with Matt, and just would sit and watch him. The way he conducts business is a beautiful art form. It’s like theatre, and selling a book is storytelling.” AB started filming in 2019, unaware of the coming pandemic – so before and after footage is spliced together. “I would just find angles, follow the flow of what was happening and just be nimble enough to respond to a moment,” he recalls.
Perfectly pink and packed with a dazzling cast, Greta Gerwig sends Barbie to the human realm in her campy live-action remake – only for the doll to discover a harsh reality. Where to Watch: UK cinemas When: 21 July BARBIE
Inspired by Moroccan soap dramas, a nomadic mother and son flee scandal in director Fyzal Boulifa’s second feature film. Where to Watch: UK cinemas When: 7 July THE DAMNED DON’T CRY
THE BEAR
The award-winning chef drama is back for a second helping. Things are heating up in the kitchen as Carmen and Richard work to open their dream food spot. Where to Watch: Disney+ When: 19 July
On 26 June, a preview screening and Q&A for Hello, Bookstore will take place at Cambridge Arts Picturehouse. The film is in cinemas and on demand 30 June
INSPIRATION Matt Tannenbaum is a bookseller in Lenox, Massachusetts – and at the centre of AB Zax’s first feature-length film
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SCREEN TIME
A verbal slip spirals out of control and ends up threatening a marriage in this acute – and at times, painful to watch – comedy from Nicole Holofcener. Where to Watch: Prime Video When: 25 July YOU HURT MY FEELINGS
Christopher Nolan and frontman Cillian Murphy provide thrills aplenty in this semi- biopic of the scientist who created the atomic bomb. Where to Watch: UK cinemas When: 21 July OPPENHEIMER
The team at the Arts Picturehouse hand-select their not-to-miss movies for the month Picturehouse Picks
ZIGGY STARDUST: THE GLOBAL PREMIERE Bowie fans will flock to the Picturehouse this month for the premiere of a digitally restored version of the icon’s cult film, 50 years on. If you’re not yet persuaded, the new film features never-before-seen footage. 3 July and 11 July
NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: OKLAHOMA! Hugh Jackman stars in this
THE COOK, THE THIEF, HIS WIFE & HER LOVER
SIGHT & SOUND TOP 10: 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY For those who haven’t seen it – or those who have – Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 sci-fi is a must- watch. This eerie intergalactic thriller indisputably changed the landscape of cinema. 30 July
Helen Mirren, Michael Gambon and Ciarán Hinds star in this 80s classic, in which a bad-mannered mobster buys a restaurant. His wife, disgusted by his behaviour, begins an affair – but he soon hatches revenge. 17 July
Broadway belter, now playing on the London stage. It’s a beautiful morning and everything’s going Curly’s way – but don’t speak too soon, as a romantic rival spells out trouble. 16 July
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GIVEAWAY
WORTH £300!
T he Weeping Willow pub in Barrow has recently unveiled a gorgeous new addition in the shape of the Weeping Willow Lodges – and we’re giving away a stay! This peaceful hideaway in the rural Suffolk countryside offers guests the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life and make lasting memories with family and friends. Surrounded by wild meadows and countryside views, the timber-framed lodges are an ideal home from home, with super-king-sized beds, bunks in the children’s bedrooms, tea and coffee facilities and contemporary shower rooms. Sleek bifold doors bring the outdoors in and allow you to fully soak up the surroundings. The lodges are nestled between Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket, so there’s plenty to explore on your minibreak, from Wildtracks Activity Park to High Lodge at Thetford Forest. And when you need to refuel at the end of the day, it’s just a hop, skip and a jump down the path to the Weeping Willow – winner of ‘Suffolk’s most Instagrammable pub’ – where you can choose from seasonal delights, pub classics and local heroes. Sound good? We’re giving away a one-night family stay with dinner (T&Cs apply). For a chance to win this amazing prize, head to cambsedition.co.uk or use the QR code. WIN A STAY AT THE WEEPING WILLOW LODGES! Enjoy a family getaway for free this summer at this sensational Suffolk hideout
SCAN TO ENTER !
Find out more at theweepingwillow.co.uk/willow-lodges
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STREET STYLE
Cambridge Photographer Mark Box shares some of his favourite portraits from the streets of Cambridge this month – can you spot anyone you know?
Say hello to fashionable couple Ashleigh and Kornel, two super-nice humans enjoying a day out
ABOUT THE PROJECT Humans of Cambridge is an Instagram photoblog by local photographer Mark Box. It began as a lockdown project and has turned into a sensation, featuring an ever-growing number of Cambridge’s colourful characters on the @humanofcambridge grid. Mark is out most days snapping, and can usually be found in the Market Square, on King’s Parade, Burrell’s Walk and Garret Hostel Bridge – your best bet for being papped is to head out around lunchtime wearing something suitably eye-catching!
There’s certainly a colour theme in what people are wearing lately, especially here with @bn.karine . If you want to stand out in a crowd, wear red!
Definitely one of my favourites to meet, this human was full of positive energy and not shy to play along for the camera – nice boots too!
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STREET STYLE
90s vibes with a dash of bling, Tom Selleck tache and classic mullet. Good look @regrethusk !
Elegantly celebrating suffragette courage
Meet @lewisweeks and his partner @lovesickforweeks , a lovely couple from Cardiff. They were so nice – I think they made my day as much as I did theirs
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK JULY 2023 27 time for yourself – and what better way than to immerse yourself in a book, @h.annahrobins ? Studying takes a lot of the time out of your day, but it’s important to make
Ella @epicsuperstarcool was such a joy to photograph; it was really fun to build a rapport and bring out her personality!
CULTURE CLUB
CAMBRIDGE EDITION Book Club July’s selection of fantastic new reads includes a gripping neighbourhood thriller, a tale of motherhood and a warm-hearted family saga
WORDS BY CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS
BY CAROLINE O’DONOGHUE The Rachel Incident
Byrnes’ in ways neither of them could have foreseen. The beauty of this novel is in the whip-smart detail. Rachel’s rationale for her decisions and her observations on life are acutely funny and grimly recognisable for many; her painful on-and-off relationship with her boyfriend Carey is deeply touching and unnervingly real, and the hopeful naivety with which the housemates navigate life will make you cringe, yet also charm you. You’ll probably charge through this in a single sitting before coming up for air – conflicted between wishing you could have lived with Rachel and James, yet also grateful to have those years in the rear-view mirror.
This is the latest novel from star author Caroline, who you may know from the excellent podcast, Sentimental Garbage . In this, we spend a year in Cork with student Rachel and her irresistibly convivial housemate James, in their poorly maintained flat, following them as they study their arts degrees, tentatively plan for the future amidst an economic crisis, scrabble for cash and cling to their much-loved jobs at a bookshop. On paper, the plot is fairly straightforward: Rachel decides she fancies her married professor, Dr Byrne, and she and James devise a scheme to get the two of them together; but the result is their lives entwining with the
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CULTURE CLUB
THE WHISPERS BY ASHLEY AUDRAIN
Strap in for The Whispers, the newest novel from acclaimed author Ashley Audrain, which – like her smash hit debut, The Push – brilliantly handles themes of parenthood, relationships, fidelity and deep-seated trauma. The stage is a stylish suburban neighbourhood, the players are four women connected in ways they could not have fathomed. A weekend party at the Loverly’s house turns sinister when mum Whitney loses her cool and shouts at her ten-year-old son Xavier; her aggression clearly audible to the gathered guests downstairs. Nine months later, she is in hospital at Xavier’s bedside while he lies in an induced coma, having fallen from his bedroom window. Or did he? We then hear from Whitney’s neighbours: Rebecca, the young doctor who lives opposite the Loverleys and is battling her own, completely debilitating fertility issues; Mara, the elderly neighbour who sees everything and Blair, a stay-at-home mother who has come adrift since becoming a parent. Juicy, gripping and packed with women being awful to each other in one breath yet seeking their support in another, this is a brilliant beach-read of a thriller that you’re likely to chomp right through in a single sitting.
Brilliantly handles themes of parenthood, relationships, fidelity and deep-seated trauma
SMASH HIT Ann Napolitano is also the author of New York Times bestseller, Dear Edward
BY ANN NAPOLITANO HELLO BEAUTIFUL
A hefty, delicious, intergenerational family saga to sink into this summer, Hello Beautiful pays homage to Little Women . It’s framed around the four Padavano sisters and William, a young man from a loveless childhood who marries Julia, the eldest sister, and quickly finds a place in their close-knit Italian-American family. William is at college on a basketball scholarship and the book is packed with detail of life both on and off court, with particular references to the importance of recovery – true of childhood trauma and sports injuries. Julia sees a bright future for her husband and pushes him to the outcome she dreams of for them. But as we all know – if you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans. A warm-hearted novel with beautifully drawn characters, it will sweep you from your sun-lounger and leave you bereft to finish your time within its pages, as all good books should.
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CULTURE CLUB
Cinnamon Haynes is taking her lunch on the bench where she always sits, on a break from her job as a career counsellor at a local college, yet her world – the carefully managed system she’s worked so hard to create around her – is about to turn upside down. A noise in the bushes leads her to an abandoned crying baby no more than a few days old. Cinnamon’s own upbringing in and out of foster care gives her first-hand knowledge of the challenges awaiting the baby if she were to hand it to the authorities. She decides to take the child home and risk revealing her past to her husband, unsettling an already shaky marriage. On top of this, Cinnamon is black; the baby is fair-skinned and blue-eyed. It feels as though the entire world is grim-faced at the thought of a black woman raising a white baby, yet with every second that passes, her connection to the baby begins to deepen. She knows her only priority is to do right by the child, but where exactly is her real mother? A cleverly written book that is painful in parts: the racism and hardship experienced by Cinnamon throughout is magnified during her attempt to care for Bluebell, and highlights the prejudices within the world of fostering. Who gets to decide who should be a mother? YOU WERE ALWAYS MINE BY CHRISTINE PRIDE AND JO PIAZZA
BY CECILIA VINESSE The Girl Next Door
Feel as though the lead up to this season has completely wrung you out? I prescribe young adult fiction. Specifically, The Girl Next Door by Cambridge-based Cecilia Vinesse, a heartwarming novel following teenage film buff Cleo Ferrara through her senior year. Her plans were all set: graduating and heading off to NYU’s film school with her high school boyfriend and fellow movie lover, Daniel Sheridan. But an unexpected plot twist sees Daniel dump Cleo out of the blue for the head cheerleader Kiki, leaving Cleo unsettled and adrift. She commiserates with her neighbour and former best friend Marianne, who was Kiki’s girlfriend until the sudden recoupling – and the pair agree to fake a relationship to make their former lovers jealous. Is it a meet-cute if you’ve known each other for decades? Packed with lovingly crafted cinematic references and characters you’ll wish you’d known at school, this is a gorgeously written book that’s perfect for fans of Sex Education and Heartstopper ; laugh-out-loud funny, meltingly swoony and completely compelling. A heartwarming novel following teenage film buff Cleo Ferrara through her senior year
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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
SUMMER AT THE GOG Stocked full of delectable local produce, The Gog Farm Shop has everything you need to sit back and savour the heady months ahead
BARBECUE WORTHY Discover local food and drink faves, from fresh samphire and dry-aged beef to rosé in a can
A haven for food lovers all quality produce for over 100 years. Come summertime, the farm shop is abuzz with customers stocking up on treats, from barbecue meat to fresh bread, wine and artisan cheese for picnics. In the greengrocery, find a delicious assortment of seasonal fruit and vegetables. July is the perfect time to enjoy exceptional soft fruits like cherries, strawberries and blueberries – or browse some crisp, vibrant salads. Samphire and runner beans are also gaining momentum for the season. The Gog’s hugely popular pork pies (allegedly regularly eaten by Albert II, Prince of Monaco!) are perfect for picnics, particularly when served with lashings of Rosebud Preserves Traditional Piccalilli. To drink, try the team’s top rosé serve of the season: The Curator Rosé 2020. As a can- based wine, it’s perfect to drink alfresco. The butchery is as well-stocked as ever, year round, The Gog has been supplying Cambridgeshire with with the ‘Gog Reserve’ beef steak proving popular this year. Dry-aged for around 42 days in The Gog’s purpose-built aging room, the butchery team take exceptional cuts of meat from a variety of breeds, carefully removing moisture and volume over time to produce tasty, tender meat – perfect for the summer barbecue. Also ideal for grilling, The Gog’s beef & bone marrow burgers scooped three stars (the highest accolade), at the 2022 Great Taste Awards, with one judge describing them as “Wonderful! Juicy, delicious with a phenomenal length of flavour. Bravo!” While The Gog develops the next stage of its takeaway food offering, the team has
given its outdoor dining space The Shack a minor refit for 2023. An alfresco coffee bar with gorgeous views of the Gog Magog Hills, The Shack will serve fresh, summery salads, sourdough toasties, chilled beers, wines and exciting non-alcoholic options – all enjoyed under a canopy of trees with some great background tunes. Also this summer, The Gog will welcome Ross Anderson and the Roam Catering team for a combination of pop-
ups and cookery demonstrations. Roam specialises in cooking over fire, whether that be Kamado ovens from Big Green Egg, beautiful Asado grills from Somerset Grill Co, or the Alfa Forni wood-fired pizza oven. Pop along and get some top tips on 8, 9 and 16 July. Tickets are available now over at The Gog’s website. The Gog Farm Shop, Shelford Bottom, Heath Farm, Babraham Road, Stapleford, Cambridge CB22 3AD | thegog.com
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DAY TRIPS
KIDDING ABOUT
Beat the boredom during the school holidays with these activities and attractions
5 WANDLEBURY COUNTRY PARK Escape into nature at Wandlebury Country Park, a haven of tranquility just a short hop from the city centre. This sprawling park offers an abundance of activities for families to enjoy: take a leisurely stroll through the woodland and wildflower meadows, enjoy a picnic amid the lush greenery, build a den, visit the highland cattle and discover the site’s historic buildings. Special events include holiday bushcraft sessions for 5-12 year olds, where kids can learn about knots, shelter building, wilderness cooking and more – perfect for little adventurers! 6 JOHNSONS OF OLD HURST With a host of activities for families, this local attraction is one of the area’s best-kept secrets. The on-site zoo is home to crocodiles, meerkats and lots of other critters, and there’s also a working farm to explore, which champions traditional, sustainable methods. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, enjoy a bite in the tea room or the steakhouse, and pick up some treats to take home from the farm shop. 7 THE PLAYBOX Why not take little ones to visit the pop-up Playbox: a 20-foot shipping container at Coleridge Rec 30 June to 2 July and Parker’s Piece 7-9 July. Visitors can enjoy free activities from modelling memories of play using recycled materials to making ‘secret Play Agent’ identities and disguises. It’s open 11am to 4pm. Find out more or get involved at cambridgeplaylaws.fun
1 MUSEUM OF ZOOLOGY day out for families. This world-class museum is home to one of the largest and most important natural history collections in the country, displaying thousands of specimens including giant ground sloths, giraffes, reptiles, insects and an enormous fin whale skeleton. 2 JESUS GREEN LIDO Take a walk on the wild side at the Museum of Zoology – a fantastic free There’s nowhere better than Jesus Green lido to cool down when the mercury rises. Celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2023, this open-air pool is one of the largest in Europe. At 90 metres in length, it has lots of space for sunbathing around the sides – plus you can grab a toastie or an ice cream if you need refreshments. 3 AUDLEY END MINIATURE RAILWAY Create magical memories at the Audley End Miniature Railway, where a world filled with magical creatures awaits. The Enchanted Summer Adventure, running 22 July to 4 September, takes visitors around the beautiful estate on a traditional locomotive, with lots of surprises along the route. Will you see the fire- breathing dragon guarding the ancient crystals? The fairies and elves in their tiny woodland homes? Perhaps you’ll meet creepy crawlies in Nature Corner or join in some crafts in Fulfen Forest – however you spend it, you’re guaranteed
SUMMER OF FUN There are plenty of activities to get involved in during the school holidays this year
a day the kids will remember. 4 DRAGONS AND
MYTHICAL BEASTS Let imaginations run wild at the
spellbinding Dragons and Mythical Beasts , Cambridge Arts Theatre, 11-13 August. With puppetry, music and incredible staging, this captivating production transports audiences into a realm of legendary creatures, epic quests, and theatrical magic. Join the brave adventurers as they encounter dragons, trolls, unicorns and other mythical beasts in a breathtaking spectacle that will leave the whole family in awe.
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DAY TRIPS
SWIM SAFETY TIPS FOR SUMMER Here are the top five swimming tips for youngsters from Edward Williams, owner of Elite Swimming Academy and Channel swimmer 1. Build confidence at home Introduce some swimming skills from the comfort of your own home at bath time! The majority of young children do not enjoy getting their faces wet at first when going swimming, so get them used to it even before you enter the pool. Getting your child to blow bubbles in the bath is a great first step to getting them comfortable with water and also a fantastic introduction to swimming breathing techniques. 2. Make it fun When you do decide to take the next step and go to a pool, keep it fun! Splash, blow bubbles, play with toys and at the same time perhaps try and teach some arm movements or leg kicks. For those more confident children, throw in some pool sinkers for them to retrieve. 3. Positive reinforcement Nothing motivates a child more than parental approval – and maybe the odd treat! When your child achieves something new such as the first time they get their face wet, submerge, or doggy paddle independently, make a huge deal of it and celebrate their success. This will motivate them to do it even more – and before you know it, they will be growing in confidence and skills. ESA offers intensive, five-day courses that run throughout the summer holiday, suitable for ages 3-11. Book at eliteswimmingacademy.co.uk
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