Dive into summer with our seasonal dining guide, advice on the latest garden trends, and all the hottest cultural happenings across the city and beyond. Find your free copy today or read online here.
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JUNE 2024
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SET YOUR SUMMER AFLOAT WITH OUR SEASONAL DINING GUIDE, TOP TEN FAMILY DAYS OUT AND HOW TO SPRUCE UP YOUR GARDEN the river down by
PRIDE MONTH Celebrating LGBTQ+ culture and stories from across the city
CENTRE STAGE The vibrant local schools protecting the performing arts
SEE THE SIGHTS Why the historic town of Bury St Edmunds is worth a visit
LOCAL LIFE
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WELCOME
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RAY OF LIGHT
EDITORIAL Editor in chief Nicola Foley 01223 499459 nicolafoley@bright.uk.com Editor Phoebe Harper 01223 492249 phoebeharper@bright.uk.com Editorial director Roger Payne
Chief sub editor Matthew Winney Sub editor Minhaj Zia Junior sub editor Molly Constanti
I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it is always June.”
LM Montgomery
ADVERTISING Sales director Sam Scott-Smith 01223 499457 samscott-smith@bright.uk.com Ad manager Maria Francis 01223 492240 mariafrancis@bright.uk.com Senior sales executive Claire Cornish 01223 499453 clairecornish@bright.uk.com CONTRIBUTORS Miriam Balanescu, Mark Box, Charlotte Griffiths, Cat Hufton, Charlotte Phillips, Jon Sweet, Anna Taylor, Angelina Villa- Clarke & Elisha Young DESIGN & PRODUCTION Design director Andy Jennings Magazine design manager Lucy Woolcomb Junior designer Hedzlynn Kamaruzzaman Ad production Holly May MANAGING DIRECTORS Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck TYPEFACE Nyght Serif / Maksym Kobuzan from Tunera Type Foundry
A warm welcome to our June issue. As we greet a new season, Cambridge bursts into colour – not least thanks to the return of one of its most anticipated annual events. On Saturday 15 June, Cambridge Pride graces Jesus Green once again, providing a joyous, safe space that celebrates inclusivity and representation. If you are looking for a slightly quieter, yet equally entertaining way to dive deeper into Pride Month, the LGBTQ+ tours provided by the Museum of Classical Archaeology are the place to start. Find out more as we explore how the ancient world can inform gender and sexuality today with curator Dr Susanne Turner on page 10. If you want to learn more about Cambridge’s queer past, then check out our interview with Dr Diarmuid Hester on page 14 – and settle in for some quality reads as our resident bookworm Charlotte Griffiths reviews top LGBTQ+ fiction. With Father’s Day approaching on 16 June, we’ve got you covered with a major giveaway up for grabs and, if you fancy spoiling dad with a top lunch, a recipe for the ultimate steak sarnie from award-winning writer Tim Hayward. We also take this time to honour the extraordinary story of three
fathers-turned-changemakers before they visit Ely Cathedral to promote their inspiring book Three Dads Walking: 300 Miles of Hope . Finally, whet your appetite with our summer dining guide and tuck into Cambridge’s hottest new opening, as we speak with the duo behind Dishoom about their latest offering: Permit Room. As always, thank you for reading and we hope you enjoy!
Phoebe Harper, Editor
COVER Illustration by Holly May, inspired by a photo from @pete_cdp on Instagram
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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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1 Nature Writing for Every Day of the Year, £20, Freda & Bert 2 White leaf clover stud earrings, £18, Lilac Rose 3 Objcitta long embroidery dress, £75, Iris & Violet 4 Wide stripe napkins (set of four), £17.95, Angela Reed 5 Tall candle holder 1 by Katie Almond, £65, Cambridge Contemporary Crafts
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ON THE COVER 07 / PRIDE OF PLACE Cambridge Pride returns for 2024 36 / SUMMER DINING GUIDE Your round-up of the top local spots 46 / VISIT BURY ST EDMUNDS An insider guide to this historic market town 58 / DAYS OUT Ten family-friendly favourites to fill the summer hours 65 / GIVEAWAY Win a bundle for Father’s Day 71 / EDUCATION The performing arts take centre stage in our schools 86 / INTERIORS Design advice on how to elevate your outdoor space
CULTURE EDITION
08 / THE AGENDA The dates to know for June 10 / TIMELESS DESIRE Inside the Museum of Classical Archaeology’s LGBTQ+ tours 14 / MAKING QUEERSTORY An interview with radical cultural historian Dr Diarmuid Hester for the month ahead 23 / COMPETITION You could win tickets to Newmarket Nights 26 / HUMANS OF 18 / BOOK CLUB Quality queer reads old and new CAMBRIDGE Portraits from the city’s streets FOOD EDITION 32 / PERMISSION TO REVEL Introducing the Permit Room from the owners of Dishoom 34 / RECIPE Whip up the ultimate steak sarnie with Tim Hayward 43 / ELISHA EATS How to make the most of summer’s berry season 45 / A CUP OF TEA WITH It’s time for a brew with The Chubby Frog
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61 / THE FREELANCE PARENT Columnist Cat Hufton tackles school runs and parenting equality 66 / TRUE STORIES
The three dads on a mission for change 77 / EDUCATION
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SPOTLIGHT A treatise on the transformative power of outdoor learning HOME EDITION 82 / IN MY SPACE Step inside David Parr House 97 / EDITION LOVES
Our picks for stylish outdoor accessories
98 / IN THE GARDEN It’s a tidy-up job for June
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BOOK CLUB A queer fiction special for this month’s most riveting reads QUEERING HISTORY The museum changing narratives through LGBTQ+ tours CULTURE EDITION THE AGENDA From the Footlights to festivals, all the dates to know for June
Pride of place
Jesus Green will burst into colour once again with the return of Cambridge Pride on Saturday 15 June . Sponsored by ARU, this entirely free one-day, family-friendly event offers something for the whole community. As ever, the handful of volunteers who create Cambridge Pride have pulled out all the stops to bring diverse entertainment and activities across a range of spaces and stages, expecting to attract crowds of 15,000 people. Among other attractions, there will be the main stage, dance tent, free wellbeing sessions, community hive, market stalls, food and bars. Paul Hyde-Clarke, chair of the charity which organises the event, says: “There is something for everyone. It goes beyond representation and inclusion for us. It’s a priority that we create a space where everyone feels they belong and can be their true selves. For many, that is still not possible in everyday life. In itself, that is a sad state but, for us, it is an opportunity to create a safe space where we see the change we want in this country and beyond.” Throughout June, there will be several other events in honour of Pride Month. Enjoy Rainbow Runway at the Grand Arcade with a fashion show and drag bingo on Wednesday 12 June from 6.30pm, plus the Pride opening party at Jesus Green on Friday 14 June from 6pm. Both events raise money for Cambridge Pride, so grab tickets from cambridgepride. co.uk . If you’re interested in joining the team by contributing a few hours’ volunteering on the day, simply head to the website contact form to register.
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THE AGENDA
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FESTIVAL
Strawberry Fair, Midsummer Common This is the ultimate community jamboree that offers something for everyone. Do not miss this free event as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
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BOOKS
An Evening with Sarah Perry and Caoilinn Hughes, Waterstones Cambridge Join authors Sarah Perry and Caoilinn Hughes as they discuss their new novels – Enlightenment and The Alternatives . Book signing to follow.
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FESTIVAL
The Cambridge Club Festival, Childerley Orchard Prepare for the feel- good extravaganza of the summer, featuring a killer line-up including Chaka Khan, Jessie Ware and Earth Wind & Fire Experience. It finishes on 9 June.
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Dates for the diary for your Cambridgeshire culture fix
MUSIC
FESTIVAL
Britten Sinfonia & Mahan Esfahani, Saffron Hall
Cambridge Pride, Jesus Green The city centre will be transformed by this free, colourful celebration of the city’s LGBTQ+ scene, featuring a parade and entertainment aplenty.
Oddisee, Portland Arms Join the rapper and record producer Amir Mohamed el Khalifa, better known by his stage name Oddisee, for an evening of infectious and melodic beats.
Enjoy a performance of two of Bach’s complete keyboard concertos by the Britten Sinfonia, celebrated champion of the harpsichord Mahan Esfahani and violinist Jacqueline Shave.
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Club Urania, Cambridge Junction A celebration of queer culture, buckle up for a night of outrageous and otherworldly performance and music, featuring a star-studded line-up of DJs in this eclectic club night for the arty crowd.
Georgina Jackson Mighty Mini Big Band, Stapleford Granary Check out the venue’s month-long series of courtyard concerts, including this bluesy performance. Enjoy an outdoor bar and BBQ too! Pimm’s anyone?
Music in the Parks, Romsey Recreation Ground The series of free events begins with this show from Sing! Community Choir and ARU Musical Theatre Choir. See more on select Sundays in June and July.
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8 June
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SAVE THE DATE 3 JULY Sounds Green, Cambridge University Botanic Garden Settle in for atmospheric live music in a serene setting taking place every Wednesday through July. First up is Prime Brass. 6 JULY Cambridge Open Studios, various locations Visit artist studios, workshops and buy first-hand from the makers themselves over the first four weekends of July – look out for where! ART MUSIC
FILM
THEATRE
Enchanted Cinema, The Willow Tree, Bourn Enjoy a screening of Barbie in this magical meadow. Pizza, popcorn, prosecco and ice cream are all available!
Shakespeare at The George, Huntingdon The last-ever open-air Shakespeare production at The George will be a performance of Hamlet . These shows run until 6 July.
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MUSIC
Julian Marley and the Uprising, Cambridge Junction Don’t miss this rare performance from Reggae royalty Julian Marley with support from Captain Accident.
An Evening with Patrick and Esme, Cambridge Arts Theatre Join the hugely popular judges from BBC 2’s The Great British Sewing Bee for this special one-off show just for the city.
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Outdoor Cinema, Market Square Hosted by Love Cambridge, enjoy a double screening
Footlights International Show Tour 2024, ADC Theatre The iconic sketch troupe heads back out on the road for its annual tour. The group is performing in Cambridge till 22 June.
beginning with Trolls Band Together at 6pm, followed by Mean Girls (2024) at 8pm.
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FESTIVAL
St Neots Festival, Priory Park Don’t miss this award-winning, free performing arts event, run by the local arts collective Neotists – and hosted in a beautiful setting. Ends 7 July.
Sunday Jazz Sessions, The LAB Cocktail Bar Presented by local jazz instrumentalist Tim Boniface, settle in for a swinging evening featuring acclaimed alto sax player Sam Braysher in Cambridge’s coolest cocktail bar.
An Evening of Burlesque, Cambridge Corn Exchange Be prepared for a mesmerising, good old-fashioned night out filled with laughter, cabaret, music, mystery and glamour. It’s sure to be a stunning spectacle.
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CULTURE EDITION TIMELESS DESIRE T hese are queer stories told by queer people.” To this day, an undeniable magnetism perpetuates our history has a history,” she begins. “For a long time, queer people were told their sexuality might be a fad – their feelings will pass and there’s nothing special about it. But, we’re demonstrating there were people thousands of years ago whose stories may resonate with theirs – even if they didn’t have the same language available to them.” The term ‘gay’ did not exist in this era Dr Susanne Turner, the curator of the Museum of Classical Archaeology, talks unearthing hidden histories with Bridging Binaries LGBTQ+ tours Images ALICE BOAGEY Words PHOEBE HARPER
fascination with the classical worlds of ancient Greece and Rome. Whether it’s watching Mary Beard on TV or classical references in music, many are familiar with myths and stories from the era. For Dr Susanne Turner, curator of the University of Cambridge’s Museum of Classical Archaeology, the remnants of these ancient civilisations offer a portal through which we can better understand ourselves. This particularly applies to those ‘hidden histories’ of marginalised voices, which have suffered from oppression and prejudice through the ages. “Our collection has taught me the importance of demonstrating that queer
and people would not have self-defined in the way we currently do. Nevertheless, these artefacts hold stories whose echoes reverberate throughout the centuries and strike a chord with viewers of the modern day, proving that queerness was very much alive and well. “When you come from an academic background, it can be easy to overlook how hidden those histories can be, especially if you’re not steeped in a classical faculty library that’s beneath your feet every day.” The new age of storytellers The best way to find these voices – which are breathing new life and perspectives into ancient stories likely overlooked in traditional historical narratives – is by embarking on an LGBTQ+ tour through the museum. Entitled Bridging Binaries , this entirely free initiative was launched before the Covid-19 pandemic throughout the University of Cambridge Museums group, after having been developed by the Change Makers Action Group and funded by Arts Council England. What truly makes these tours stand out is the dedicated team of volunteers behind them. Although each volunteer is presented with the same content pack with essential information about the objects in the collection, what they choose to focus on and the way they tell these stories is entirely up to them. “We wanted this to be a project that’s not just museum insiders telling other people what to think about our objects,” explains Susanne. “Every volunteer brings an element of themselves to the tour, and the aspects of queerness they decide to highlight are often interwoven with
ECHOES IN ETERNITY The tours uncover long- hidden LGBTQ+ histories in ancient artefacts
their own personal experience. It’s a truly magical project.” Handle with caution Anyone vaguely familiar with mythology, or the stories which survive from the classical world, may be aware you are never too far away from tragedy. Though distanced by centuries, many of these stories carry tragic undertones and are grounded in traumatic themes like sexual violence. “All of our volunteers have training so they can tread carefully and think about how they want to tell these stories, and if they do want to tell them in the first place,” shares Susanne. One such example is that of Caeneus – a figure whose demise is depicted on a plaster cast from the internal frieze
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These are queer stories told by queer people familiar with the story of Caeneus, for instance. Our volunteers are extremely talented at bringing that to the fore, writing themselves into the story and referencing what it means for them to place themselves in relation to people who lived 2,000 years ago. It’s much more meaningful than you might expect.” Check out classics.cam.ac.uk for upcoming tour dates and to book your spot right now! LGBTQ+ tours are also available at the Museum of Zoology
space in that story for thinking about male-on-male relationships,” Susanne tells us. “I find it striking that Hadrian doesn’t instruct people to worship Antinous – they do it organically. We’re witnessing how people across the empire became incredibly invested in the emperor’s toy boy, effectively!” Ancient history Through these tours, the ancient myths and legends – the cornerstones of culture throughout western civilisation – are being looked at afresh. By exploring these objects through the full spectrum of sexuality and gender identity, therein lies power. “People often think they know classical myths inside-out, but they might not be
of the Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae. Originally born as a beautiful Lapith named Caenis, theirs is a story of swapping genders for the sake of their own protection. This is just a whisper of the full story behind Caeneus – the whole volume opens a vast and complex window to nuance, offering a wealth of perspective through which to approach its telling. Another standout figure from the collection is Antinous – the young lover of the Roman emperor Hadrian who died under suspicious circumstances after drowning in the Nile. Afterwards, Hadrian deified his lost lover, and statues in his honour were propagated throughout the empire. “He’s one of the most represented people from the ancient world; there’s
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FAMILY VALUES Miriam Balanescu gets to know Birmingham-based folk maverick Katherine Priddy ahead of her much-anticipated set at Cambridge Folk Festival
W hen Katherine Priddy released her first EP Wolf – while still testing out her interests post- university – she could never have foreseen the traction it would gauge. It was even named by Richard Thompson as ‘best thing I’ve heard all year’. Her debut album, The Eternal Rocks Beneath , gained a similar response: it launched to rave reviews and over 200 radio plays. “That’s the beauty of a first album,” says Katherine. “You don’t know what to expect. I was just pleased to get something out there.” Her second, The Pendulum Swing , is her most personal work yet. “When writing, I’m very much in my own head, which is why releasing it can sometimes feel nerve- racking,” Katherine explains. “As soon as songs are out in the world, they belong to everyone else. They come to mean different things to different people, but I actually
As soon as songs are out in the world , they belong to everyone else “I’ve always liked the little sounds and textures in music. It gives it a whole other level of intimacy.” As a past winner of the Cambridge Folk Festival’s Christian Raphael Prize, the singer-songwriter is an esteemed regular at the annual event. “The festival is an amazing institution,” she says. “It has a crowd that goes every year. I have always enjoyed the way they put just as much emphasis on the up-and-coming artists as they do on the headliners.” You can catch Katherine at Cambridge Folk Festival on Sunday 28 July. For tickets and more information, visit cambridgelive.org. uk/folk-festival
find thinking about that makes the nerves easier to deal with.” This, however, is what Katherine believes is the best thing she can achieve with her music. “Every time I perform, someone will come up,” she adds. “It’s really gratifying. That’s the best thing I can hope for – to go out and hear from people that the song meant something to them.” Family is at the heart of her newest album – her parents and her brother even feature on its final tracks. “My brother was living in New Zealand at the time, so he sent me a little WhatsApp of him singing along,” Katherine smiles. “My dad is now chuffed to have his name credited on vinyl because he loves records.” Adding in sonic textures like creaky floorboards, footsteps and a clock’s ticking, she ‘wanted the whole album to feel like an old house the listener could enter for some time and have that same sense of comfort and nostalgia’.
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MAKING QUEERSTORY Forging trails, EM Forster and finding Cambridge’s queer scene; we speak with local author, academic and all-round radical Dr Diarmuid Hester
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W hen Dr Cambridge in 2017, fresh from the rainbow-saturated landscapes of Brighton and Hove, he noticed a rather stark contrast in the lack of queer spaces. Realising that this can’t have always been the case, he embarked on a mission to trace the city’s historic bars, clubs and meeting places for LGBTQ+ people, Diarmuid Hester came to Catherine Street, The Fleur de Lys on Elizabeth Way, The Burleigh Arms on Newmarket Road and the thriving gay club that once existed in The Anchor to name but a few. His efforts culminated in A Great Recorded History – the first audio trail to explore the city’s queer past. This ambitious project in turn provided the genesis of Diarmuid’s unearthing the likes of The Scaramouche on second book Nothing Ever Just Disappears , a work that transports us from Cambridge to San Francisco through an exploration of ‘queer spaces and a queer sense of place’. Radical history Describing himself ‘in no particular order’ as queer, Irish, an academic,
in Cambridge,” he shares, referring to the high walls, locked gates and guards standing watch at college entrances that demarcate the historic city centre. “A compartmentalised person, Forster seemed to draw lines across his life like a map,” observes Diarmuid. “The characters in his books might be dull, stupid or cowardly, but are always products of their environment. To varying degrees, they’re all trapped by the web of prejudices, privileges and expectations we might call society.” While researching Cambridge’s queer past, Diarmuid also encountered Edward Carpenter – one of Forster’s inspirations and a student, then fellow, of Trinity Hall. Carpenter is known for ideas that set him far ahead of his time, best embodied by his 1908 book The Intermediate Sex , where he championed greater acceptance of homosexuals in society. “If, in his later life, Carpenter was rather out and proud, his student days were marked by the same isolation, secrecy and loneliness of many closeted young queer people.” Queer Cambridge Fortunately, Cambridge has come a long way from the restrictive age of
Cultural history can bring about radical change
elements of dislocation, distance, irony and sometimes loss.” Placemaking A prominent figure in Nothing Ever Just Disappears is the novelist EM Forster, who is best known for A Room with a View and Howards End . Another lesser-known work of his is the gay classic Maurice , which was published posthumously. Diarmuid himself is an enormous fan of Forster’s work and his ‘deep compassion for people’. As a closeted gay man living at a time when homosexuality was a crime, Forster had a lifelong relationship with Cambridge, where he first came as a student in 1897, then returned to in 1945 and stayed until his death in 1970. Diarmuid explores the interrelationship of city and sexuality in the book. “I was particularly interested in how Forster attached himself to the strict management of private and public spaces
author, broadcaster and co-founder of Club Urania (Cambridge’s premier performance night for queer people and their friends), Diarmuid’s work focuses on cultural history from the late 1800s to the present day, and what it tells us about gender and sexuality. “I call myself a radical cultural historian because I think cultural history can bring about radical change,” he shares. “By uncovering the marginalised stories of those who have come before and bringing to light the worlds they created, we can see that another way is possible.” Diarmuid’s work probes what it’s like to identify as an outlier in a world mostly created by and for the heterosexual majority. This idea sparked the notion of a queer sense of place. “Being queer in a world in which most grow up in homes where heterosexuality is normalised, and being formed by it, gives you a specifically queer relationship to place. This has
Forster and Carpenter. Although still largely considered a burgeoning queer scene, the city has several established nights, events and venues which are a haven for LGBTQ+ culture; for example The Blue Moon, which Diarmuid calls ‘a bar full of allies’. Aside from Club Urania, those looking for community, creativity and commonality can find it at the likes of Dot Cotton Club’s monthly club night, the Junction’s queer- led performance night Comfort Zone, and Queer Get Down and Raid for students. “There’s no permanent queer space in Cambridge still, but I see these temporary, moving clubs and parties popping up as a testament to the resilience and creativity of queer culture and nightlife.” Nothing Ever Just Disappears is published by Penguin and available in paperback from 6 June 2024. Club Urania is at Cambridge Junction on 8 June. Find out more at junction.co.uk
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A weaver of dark fables and teller of tales that probe the edges of otherness, Lottie Mills transports readers with her debut collection of short stories: Monstrum A young woman decides to swap out her body for the pain-free version she always dreamt of – only to become haunted and coming of age, which is now the first in the collection. “I began playing with the idea of doing my own spins on folk tales and embarked on a project about changelings, their Meditations on Monstrosity
by the insensate bag of bones she chose to discard. A travelling circus master discovers a grotesque human addition to his cabinet of curiosities, while a merman finds himself washed ashore in some cruel mortal realm. These snippets from the debut short story collection by Lottie Mills, Monstrum , dive boldly into themes of the supernatural and what it means to be on the margins through eerie fables that both haunt and horrify in equal measure. The germ behind the collection was born while Lottie was an English literature student at Newnham College, where she would spend many an evening reading long into the night in the old library, unearthing ancient mythologies, fairytales and folklore. During this time, the young author won the BBC Young Writer’s Award in 2020 for The Changeling , a short tale that uses fairy mythology to explore themes of disability
relationship to disability and how they had historically been used as an explanation for differences in young children,” she shares. The Changeling was subsequently penned in a ‘flash of inspiration’. Allegory and fairytales revealed themselves to be compelling vehicles through which to explore themes Lottie had previously struggled to convey. The whirlwind had begun, as many of the stories were written in the year that followed, and the fledgling author was soon approached by a publisher who wanted to help her shape them into a unified collection. Her dark materials Many of the themes in Monstrum derive from Lottie’s own experiences. Growing up with cerebral palsy, she admits to finding refuge in the imaginative realms of reading and writing when the physical play enjoyed by her able-bodied companions was not available to her. “We have all these conversations now about representation in literature, but I was extremely attuned to it before it became a publishing buzzword,” she says. “I became hugely obsessed by characters who had any kind of difference or disability, but with that also came an early frustration.” Discovering children’s classics like The Secret Garden , Lottie found disability was often treated largely as a negative thing – an obstacle to be overcome and cured by the end of the book. “There was never a world in which I could imagine choosing to get rid of my disability. I knew it came with its difficulties, but from a young age I was extremely proud of who I was.” Later in life, Lottie enjoyed more rewarding literary encounters with the likes of Angela Carter and Claire Oshetsky, both of whom she cites as particularly influential, especially due to Carter’s unflinching approach to ugliness and intensity. “Some authors prefer to keep their purity of vision by not reading while
writing. But I am the complete opposite – I need that creative input and to be inspired by others.” Meaning and medium Short stories proved the perfect medium for Lottie as a way to explore myriad mentalities, narratives and characters, while also simply being a practical format. “While writing the book, I was extremely unwell with lupus,” she confides. “I find short stories accessible both to read and write, especially if you’re someone like me who has a premium on energy.” Arguably the most powerful example of this is The Pain , which hits the reader like a short, powerful punch roughly halfway through the book. Lottie reveals that this piece of flash fiction was written ‘in a desperate flurry’ during a particularly bad migraine, which practically screams off the page in its potency and masterful economy. From being a student navigating the anxiety of a first strike at independence at university to finding her feet through her own words, Lottie looks to continue writing and occasionally toys with the idea of a novel. But first of all, she awaits a return to the city that sparked everything for her master’s. Lottie will be discussing her book and signing copies at An Evening with Lottie Mills in the Cambridge Waterstones on 12 June. Book your spot now at waterstones.com/events/ an-evening-with-lottie-mills/cambridge
A DARING DEBUT Already an award winner at a young age, Lottie is now releasing a bold first book
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FRANCESCA DE TORES SALTBLOOD Prepare to be boarded: strap in for this swashbuckling adventure set in the Golden Age of Piracy, which tells the tale of Mary Read, arguably one of the most notorious pirates who ever sailed the seas – and certainly one of the most famous women to do so. De Tores has sifted through the tattered rags of Mary’s known history and carried out some extraordinary additional research: the result is this fantastic historical fiction debut which turns the spotlight on the astonishing life of this 17th-century legend. The book opens in 1685. Mary is born just as her young half-brother Mark is dying – an opportunity which allows her impoverished mother to disguise her new baby girl as her brother and continue to receive support from Mark’s wealthy paternal grandmother. Life as Mary would involve physical labour, probable marriage, unavoidable child-rearing and likely death at a young age – but as young Mark, Mary is suddenly free to explore the world. He gains employment as a footman in service to a young French noblewoman, where he learns how to conceal his sex and pass unseen through society – before escaping to the navy, where Mark picks up his seafaring skills and falls in love with the possibilities of the open ocean. He enlists in the army and fights in the Flanders battlefields, but in the bloody turbulence of war, it is not long before Mark’s true identity is unmasked. Widowed, bereaved and homeless, Mary takes to the sea again as neither man nor woman – but as a pirate. This is a gripping read with unforgettable characterisation: Mary’s determined code-switching and sparse yet deeply thoughtful assessment of her fluid sexuality, her outward identity and her life choices is almost poetic in places, as she arrives at her unabashedly truest self. And the beautifully descriptive passages of life aboard deck will transport you to a creaking wooden vessel sailing through the still waters of a Caribbean dawn. This novel is a treasure not to be missed: add it to your to-read pile immediately. Book Club From contemporary bestsellers to groundbreaking queer classics, dive into an eclectic mix of brilliant LGBTQ+ fiction this Pride Month Words CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS
JULIA ARMFIELD Now available in paperback and captivating from the very first lines, this novel tells the story of Miri and Leah, a married couple living in London who are trying to re-enter normal life after oceanographer Leah’s recent expedition beneath the waves. The ambiguously named Centre, the organiser of the mission, is proving less than forthcoming with follow-up support, leaving Miri floundering and adrift as she tries to cope with Leah’s strange and increasingly unsettling needs, fundamentally altered by her underwater experiences. A slow drip of information is shared as the book descends into the depths, leaving the reader to piece together what really happened down there, adding to the growing sense of unease and, in parts, hand-to-mouth horror. The gothic nature of Leah’s worsening condition is exquisitely set against mundane domestic matters such as the neighbour’s loud television, articles in the newspaper or memories of the couple’s more easy-going happinesses. Julia’s prose is staggeringly beautiful – like the deepest, most unexplored parts of the ocean, it looks sparse at first, but is teeming with life when you let it wash over you. Mesmerisingly romantic in the oldest, truest sense of the word, by the time the book resurfaces you’re left bereft, heartbroken for the lovers and awe-struck at nature’s unknowable vastness, which is depicted so magnificently in this tiny, intimate tale of two women and their unbounded love for each other. Our Wives Under The Sea
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CULTURE EDITION
VIRGINIA WOOLF ORLANDO
This is the sign you’ve been waiting for: either pick up a copy of Orlando or, if you’re already familiar with this time-slipping, country-hopping classic, devote some part of your summer to reconnecting with Virginia Woolf’s words. Dedicated to her long-term lover, Vita Sackville-West, Orlando was famously described as ‘the longest and most charming love letter in history’ by Vita’s son Nigel Nicolson. The plot follows the life of Orlando, an aristocratic gentleman born in the 16th century, whom we meet just before Queen Elizabeth I pays a visit to his family’s sprawling manor. He becomes a favourite of the elderly queen and thrives at court, pursuing many great loves and passions – some successful, some which leave him broken-hearted – yet upon meeting with disappointment he always turns back to nature, to his love of literature and a grand dream of completing his own great poem, The Oak Tree . After surviving a hilarious run-in with an unkind poet who lampoons Orlando, causing him to send for new puppies and declare that they are ‘done with men’, Orlando (in an attempt to outrun another suitor) moves to Constantinople as an ambassador, and it’s here he falls asleep for several days and awakens to a new life as a woman. After a few moments of curious scrutiny, Orlando gets on with it completely accepting of her reality, and begins moving through the world in her female form, continuing the same passions and interests while also adjusting to the expectations society now metes upon her. Part modernist poetry, part historical biography, part literary lampoon and part gossip column, this extraordinary genre- and gender-defying book is a must read – preferably in the shade of an English garden, surrounded by the nature this novel’s subject loved so much.
Less and Less Is Lost
ANDREW SEAN GREER This 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel introduces us to Arthur Less, a struggling middle-aged writer, who is – sadly for him – most famous for being the lover of a much more successful writer in his youth. Arthur has just received an invitation to the wedding of his own, younger, very-casual- is-it-even-a-relationship-really boyfriend. In his heartbroken desperation to be far too busy to attend the event and avoid the horror of his own upcoming 50th birthday, he accepts a wild slew of talks, workshops, retreats and literary festivals, stringing them together in a wheeling, globe-trotting adventure that will keep him away from home long enough to avoid events. But, as the saying goes: wherever you go, there you are. Can Arthur ever escape his past heartbreak and crippling insecurities, or will this quest result in him finally finding peace with his level of success and inevitably aging self? On the surface, this book is – as Arthur says of his own novel – ‘a white middle-aged American man walking around with his white middle-aged American sorrows’ – but don’t let that dissuade you: it’s brilliantly comedic, tender and an absolutely perfect summer read. As you’re joining this series late, there’s already a follow-up: don’t miss 2022’s Less Is Lost , which sees the hero take on yet another quest across the US. A perfect duo of novels for your sunbed table.
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Polyamory has been a hot topic since the release of Challengers – but Finnish director Selma Vilhunen’s new film looks at the sillier side as an affair goes hilariously, painfully lopsided. 7 June Four Little Adults
A dreamy Wyoming-set fairytale from Weston Razooli, which was a critic’s favourite at Cannes last year. Three children traverse the forest to complete a mission. 7 June Riddle of Fire
Here
This shimmering, will-they- won’t-they romance sees a Romanian construction worker and a Chinese moss expert drawn together, becoming attuned to nature’s beauty. 7 June
Hot on the heels of Poor Things , Yorgos Lanthimos serves up a stellar cast, with Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe holding their own in an anthology of biblical-level stories. 28 June Kinds of Kindness
Rosalie
Agnieszka Holland’s thriller is a rally to stop the dire state at the ‘green border’ between Belarus and Poland. For Alexander Lukashenko, refugees become a pawn in political games. 21 June Green Border
Nadia Tereszkiewicz’s performance tells a fierce tale about a nonconformist woman in 1870s France. Director Stéphanie Di Giusto steers a period drama unlike any other. 7 June
PICTUREHOUSE PICKS Get your film fix with these recommendations from the Arts Picturehouse
Featuring a Q&A with Peter Richardson and special guest Stephen Mangan, two episodes will be screened. 8 June The Comic Strip Presents The Hunt for Tony Blair + Bad News
See Quentin Tarantino’s classic on the big screen once again. The World War II-set revisionist history stars Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz and Diane Kruger. 15 June SCOPE: Inglourious Basterds
The Bikeriders
Detailing the true story of a midwestern motorcycle club dubbed the Vandals, Jeff Nichols charts its rise and fall as part of his project on American masculinity and where it turns toxic. 21 June
Browse June’s must- watch movies
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COMPETITION
WIN TICKETS TO NEWMARKET NIGHTS! Don’t miss this chance to get your hands on four tickets to a night of your choice N o music event offers such great value as Newmarket Nights on the July Course! Newmarket Nights provide
unique evenings of racing and concerts in an incredible setting. Now, we’re offering you the chance to treat friends or family to an unforgettable occasion by giving away four Premier Enclosure tickets for a Newmarket Night of your choice. The countdown is on for the much- anticipated series. Fans across the county are snapping up tickets to see world-class live music alongside a thrilling evening of racing, held at the venerable Newmarket Racecourses. The line-up for 2024 offers a diverse array of headliners, ensuring there is a night for every musical palate. Opening with a groundbreaking new show is Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics, followed by nostalgic tunes with JLS on the Summer Hits tour. Busted, having just marked 20 years as a band with a huge arena run, continue the festivities on 19 July. As August unfolds, the series welcomes troubadour James Arthur and chart-topper Becky Hill – this time as a headliner, having previously been special guest to Pete Tong. The season reaches its conclusion with one of Scotland’s most successful musical exports, Deacon Blue, on 16 August. This event is a live experience unlike any other, as the action kicks off earlier in the evening with a six-race card – a perfect prelude to the big gig. Combined with the informal, open-air setting of Newmarket’s picturesque racecourses, there’s nowhere better to soak in glorious British summer evenings and make special memories. For a chance at winning this fantastic prize, visit cambsedition.co.uk/competition or scan the QR code for instant access.
SCAN HERE TO ENTER
Friday 21 June Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics Friday 28 June JLS Friday 19 July Busted Friday 2 August James Arthur Friday 9 August Becky Hill Friday 16 August Deacon Blue NEWMARKET NIGHTS 2024
T&Cs Entries for over 18s only. No cash alternatives available. Competition closes Monday 17 June 2024. Full T&Cs are available on the Cambridge Edition website
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Pearls of wisdom From Hong Kong to Cambridge, Cellini lovingly crafts the world’s finest gemstones to create timeless pieces of jewellery W ith the months of 2024 sweeping by – June is here and wedding season officially underway – it’s the perfect time to highlight June’s birthstone, the pearl, and Cellini’s long history of working with this unique and precious gem. Cellini Pearls Limited was founded in 1981 in the heart of Cambridge. At the time, its main commodity was pearls, bringing the produce of China, Australasia and Japan to the Cambridgeshire market and surrounding areas. To this day, Cellini remains a pearl specialist, with all its staff receiving extensive training in everything to do with this elegant gem; from localities, types of pearl, history and harvesting to how to spot simulants. Dedicated to perfection An annual highlight for Cellini is its trip to Hong Kong. One of the most important excursions in the calendar, a select team fly out to search for some of the highest- quality pearls available in the world. Trips like this are vital to guarantee
not only the quality of goods that Cellini supplies, but also to maintain the services it provides to its valued clients, such as pearl restringing, matching replacement pearls and the restoration of pearl jewellery. With simulants of pearls and other gemstones in abundance, acquiring pearls straight from source with no middleman or long supply chains means Cellini knows exactly where they come from, how they were produced and, above all, the quality is assured. This same ethos applies to all the precious gemstones and diamonds that Cellini showcases alongside pearl jewellery. A pursuit of passion The experience of hunting for these pearls is always an extraordinary occasion. Landing on the tarmac at Hong Kong International Airport and heading straight to the pearl exhibition, the Cellini team are faced with the equivalent space of 12 football pitches full of individual pearl suppliers, each with their pearls laid out to select from. Often, it requires running
PURE LUXURY Decades of expertise mean Cellini knows how to pick the perfect pearl for you
between the halls to find the top 1% in the world before anyone else gets there first. Once back in the UK, these loose pearls are turned into the beautiful pieces of jewellery in the Cambridge workshop and showroom before being carefully displayed in the cases you see today. When shopping for these pearls, the team always has a list in mind, particularly for the timeless classics like round white pearls for earrings and necklaces. However, they are always on the lookout for the rare or weird and wonderful pieces – like last year, when they unearthed a row of dark grey Tahitian pearls with a natural pistachio green undertone. This year, a trip highlight
was three faceted pearls that have been cut to resemble a pearlescent disco ball! Whether you’re on the hunt for the perfect gift for a loved one’s June birthday, need to replace the lost earring from a jewellery set you inherited or want a suite for your upcoming nuptials, Cellini Pearls has you covered. Look for the blue canopies just off the Market Square in Rose Crescent.
Visit Cellini in store at 4 Rose Crescent, Cambridge CB2 3LL
STREET STYLE
Photographer Mark Box shares some of his favourite portraits from the streets of Cambridge this month – can you spot anyone you know? Humans of Cambridge
Abi @abi_bex, student
@deeks.steve and his lovely wife
Anonymous
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STREET STYLE
About the project Founded by Mark Box, Humans of Cambridge came to life under gathered a devoted following as a photographic celebration of the creativity, colour and community found throughout Cambridge. Mark uses the platform to document fleeting moments with eye-catching individuals, striking up conversations with strangers as they pass him on the street and lockdown as an Instagram photoblog. Ever since, it has capturing their portraits on his 35mm mirrorless camera. During most weekdays, you will find Mark with his camera at the ready around lunchtime in the Market Square, on King’s Parade, Burrell’s Walk and Garret Hostel Bridge. Follow him on Instagram @humanofcambridge for more.
Niamh @holmesawayfromhome
@alex.parton
Anonymous
@helenkhhaines
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Sound of the solstice Following an electric launch event last year hosted by Cambridge BID, Make Music Day returns for 2024 M ake Music Day is celebrated in more than 125 countries each year on 21 June to mark the
summer solstice. This year, celebrations will return to the city once again with an event delivered in partnership between Cambridge BID and the CB1 Community. The promise of great music and good vibes (hopefully some sunshine too!) will bring the city together in Cambridge Station Square. Cambridge 105 Radio will be recording live and Foodpark will be serving up the food and drink – so grab a deckchair and enjoy the show! Bring your friends, colleagues, children or come solo – this is a free community event for everyone to enjoy. Music to your ears With an eclectic line-up waiting in the wings to perform from 11am right through to 7pm, some of the highlights hitting the stage this year include... Nadya Galbraith : The day gets underway with Nadya Galbraith – a young lady who is fast becoming a polished professional with frighteningly strong vocals for her age! Georgia Nevada : This southern rock artist has played at a number of country festivals and venues across the UK. Well- composed, original music and a captivating performance guaranteed! Uncle Arthur & The Alley Cat : This duo are in a league of their own when it comes to energy. An impressive blend of genres delivered with style, they’re definitely one not to miss. Josh Robins : The renowned travelling songsmith Josh Robins has already made a real reputation for himself, boasting
Dorothea : Greek artist Dorothea has made a name for herself as an original and covers artist. Backed by a group of top musicians, come and see what the hype is about. Mr Griff: Headliner Mr Griff is an eight- piece wall of sound, delivering the finest funk, soul and fusion you’ll hear in a long time. They’ll also be playing Main Stage at the Cambridge Club Festival this year!
performances at several folk festivals – including Cambridge’s own! Expect clever storytelling and articulate playing throughout his set. Harri Beasley : One of Cambridge’s favourites, loop pedal magician Harri Beasley is a full-time professional in the industry. You’ll be amazed at the depth of sound he can produce as a solo performer. Beats & Babes : This collective of female musicians are new on the scene and have been creating waves since their debut events. Dedicated to empowering and uplifting others, there’s some serious feel- good factor incoming!
WHAT IS LOVE CAMBRIDGE? Love Cambridge is the brand developed by Cambridge Business Improvement District (BID) to deliver a range of events and projects that animate and entertain our city. Offerings include the Love Cambridge Gift Card, open-air cinema nights, Wimbledon screenings, magazines, maps and more. Visit love-cambridge.com or @lovecambridge_ on socials.
TRY IT YOURSELF Tim Hayward shares a sizzling steak sandwich recipe SUMMER DINING Your guide to the best spots across Cambridge and beyond FOOD EDITION PERMIT ROOM All you need to know about the hottest new opening from Dishoom
Bottesford-based Belvoir Farm is calling on community spirit across the county to pitch in and pick elderflower a little earlier than expected this year, thanks to weather patterns which have accelerated flower growth. With this year’s annual elderflower harvest celebrating 40 years, the crucial four-week picking window usually kicks off at the beginning of June – where local people are paid to pick the many wild elderflowers growing across Cambridgeshire that go on to become the company’s world-famous cordial. But this year’s harvest was brought forward, with farmers at the country’s largest producer of elderflower cordial opening up its Peterborough weigh-in centre almost two weeks earlier than expected to capitalise on the abundance of flowers already appearing. The harvest will run for at least four weeks from 20 May likely to the end of June – depending on flower quality and the weather! Belvoir Farm is paying pickers £3.50 per kilo of flowers delivered to the two drop-off locations in Sacrewell Farm & Country Centre, Peterborough (Monday to Saturday, 2pm to 5pm) and Barkestone Lane, Bottesford (Monday to Saturday, 2pm to 6pm). All flowers must be fresh, so pickers will need to deliver on the day they’re picked. The flowers are infused within 24 hours of picking and turned into the rich and fragrant cordial, which is then bottled and shipped in the millions across the UK and around the world. For more information about the Belvoir Farm Elderflower Harvest and to get involved, visit belvoirfarm.co.uk Calling Cambridgeshire!
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