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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SEPTEMBER 2024
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STEP INTO THE NEW SEASON WITH A BOUNTY OF DELIGHTS TO DISCOVER ON YOUR DOORSTEP september reset with
BACK TO SCHOOL Inspiring local educators share their insights on a pivotal time
LOVE MILL ROAD Where to eat, drink and shop in the city’s most vibrant neighbourhood
AUTUMN ESCAPES Select staycations for a restorative retreat across the UK
LOCAL LIFE
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WELCOME
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FRESH STARTS S eptember always has the feel of a fresh start; the seasons shift, and the beginning of a new term carries a sense of promise and possibility. In our education feature, we dive into the back-to-school season and speak with the leading local educators seeking to ease the transition for pupils. Elsewhere, if you’re looking for a bit of a mental reset, then check out our interview with fantastic author Oliver Burkeman (page 12) as he discusses his latest book Meditations for Mortals . Enjoy a restorative getaway with our extensive round-up of staycations to add to your bucket list, both within the region and further afield, try a change of clothes with our autumn fashion special or have a go at mastering a new recipe on page 32. Find all this and more alongside fantastic family days out, new performances coming to the city’s theatres and a wealth of looming events. Continuing the theme of new starts, this will also be my last issue of the magazine as editor. It has been my pleasure to work on these pages and tell the stories of people and places that make this city so special. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed to, supported or even just picked up a copy of Cambridge Edition during this time – not to
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
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, Charlotte Phillips, Clodagh Roberts, Anna Taylor, Kim Terrar, 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 COVER Illustration by Holly May, inspired by a photo from @evastrasburger on Instagram
mention to the talented team of people behind the scenes who work so hard every month to bring this publication to print and place it in the hands of thousands of readers – entirely for free. I suppose all that remains for me to say is: happy reading!
Phoebe Harper, Editor
EDITOR’S PICKS
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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 Gold necklace, £95, Ozzie & Clementine 2 Pocket folio, £39, Cambridge Imprint 3 Shirt, £60, Iris & Violet 4 All Over Colour, £37, Pure Source 5 Print cushion, £29.95, Angela Reed
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ON THE COVER 50 / AUTUMN ESCAPES Sensational staycations around the UK 36 / LOVE MILL ROAD A whistle-stop tour of this vibrant neighbourhood 63 / BACK TO SCHOOL Advice on navigating the new school year 97 / GIVEAWAY A luxury mattress is up for grabs 08 / THE AGENDA The dates to know this month 10 / GAME, SET & MATCH The star of new show A Game Called Malice takes us behind the scenes 12 / IN PURSUIT OF A MEANINGFUL LIFE Oliver Burkeman discusses his latest book Meditations for Mortals CULTURE EDITION 15 / BREAK A LEG A look at the Cambridge Festival of Drama at the ADC 16 / IN MY SPACE Through the keyhole at Bodies in the Bookshop 18 / BOOK CLUB We round up the best releases and digital reading tools
ESCAPE EDITION 44 / PRESS PAUSE Stylish city breaks and rural getaways for a short-hop trip this autumn 48 / TRIED & TESTED We pay a visit to bucolic beauty Clopton Courtyard HOME EDITION 86 / TAKE THE FLOOR Fabulous flooring ideas to level up your interiors 93 / EDITION LOVES Top product picks for some finishing touches underfoot 98 / IN THE GARDEN Anna shares advice on the essential garden tasks for September
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21 / SCREEN TIME Browse this month’s cinematic highlights 22 / HUMANS OF CAMBRIDGE Portraits from the city’s streets FAMILY EDITION 24 / DAYS OUT Dragon Boat racing, a cycling festival and more FOOD EDITION 31 / FOOD NEWS The latest gastronomic goings- on in Cambridge 32 / RECIPES A pair of afternoon tea delights 35 / ELISHA EATS Extra-special dining experiences to seek out
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THE AGENDA Cultural happenings to note down for the month ahead BOOKS TO DIE FOR Unravelling the mysteries of a new crime fiction book store CULTURE EDITION MINDFUL MEDITATION An enlightening interview with author Oliver Burkeman
Cambridge locals and visitors are in for a treat as this four-day community arts festival returns to St Paul’s Church on Hills Road from 18 to 21 September. All are invited to enjoy the music, drama, poetry, visual arts and more. Speakers and performers include Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury; renowned artist Issam Kourbaj; and poet and novelist Helen Mort (pictured). Alongside the performances and talks, there are plenty of opportunities for everyone of all ages to unleash their imaginations in professionally led workshops, which include creative writing and figure drawing. On the evening of 19 September, Olivier Award-winning director Guy Masterson- Mastroianni joins forces with writer-performer Justin Butcher to stage an unforgettable performance of Scaramouche Jones . Another big name, jazz composer and musician Tim Boniface, and his quartet, will perform his latest work Psalter: Themes for Peace on 20 September. This festival is dedicated to Kip Gresham, the Cambridge-based master printmaker, gifted artist and founder of the St Paul’s Artsfest in 2016, who died in May 2024. His works can be viewed in one of the exhibitions that will run throughout the festival. View the full line-up and book tickets at stpaulsartsfest.org Announcing Artsfest
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THE AGENDA
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THEATRE
MUSIC
This Flight Tonight: The Songs of Joni Mitchell, The Maltings Ely This intimate acoustic show performed by the talented duo Zervas & Pepper promises to be a fitting celebration of the music of the iconic songstress.
Rebus: A Game Called Malice, Cambridge Arts Theatre This thrilling murder mystery from the UK’s number-one crime writer, Sir Ian Rankin, will have you gripped from the beginning.
Performances run until 7 September.
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COMEDY
Shamilton!, Cambridge Junction A rip-roaring show inspired by the iconic hip-hop musical, this performance from comedy group Baby Wants Candy is entirely improvised and based on a historical figure of the audience’s choosing.
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Larkin Weekend, Stapleford Granary Enjoy two days of poetry, photography and music dedicated to one of the UK’s best-loved poets. Expect exhibitions, curator talks, quiet sessions for listening to recordings and musical performances.
Holistic Fayre, Hinchingbrooke House Brought to you by TLC Events, treat yourself to a restful Sunday filled with yoga, sound therapy, reflexology, alternative therapies and much more. Enjoy free educational talks, workshops and yoga taster sessions. Running from 10am until 4pm, entry is just £7.50.
80s, 90s & 00s Silent Disco, Ely Cathedral Back by popular demand, dance the night away as DJs play your favourite vintage tunes against the stunning backdrop of Ely Cathedral. Get in there quick though, since Friday night is already sold out!
Talk: The Spinning House, Museum of Cambridge Join local author Caroline Biggs as she discusses her fascinating new book which exposes
Cambridge University’s dark past of imprisoning women suspected of being a bad influence.
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Dates for the diary for your Cambridgeshire culture fix
EXHIBITION
By the Mark – and the Line Below the Loaf, Heong Gallery There’s just one week left to catch this exhibition from multidisciplinary artist Alison Wilding RA. The showcase gathers a series of her drawings from the last 30 years, including a monumental piece made exclusively for the exhibition.
An Introduction to Contemporary Hand Weaving with Dalia James, David Parr House This hands-on workshop will guide participants through the basics of tapestry frame weaving. You can also take your work of art home with you! Priced at £95 per person.
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THE AGENDA
26 Meet the Artist: Megan Rooney, Kettle’s Yard Join Megan, writers Rebecca Birrell and Emily LaBarge with curator Amy Tobin to celebrate the release of the publication for her exhibition, Echoes and Hours . EXHIBITION
28 Cara Dillon, Saffron Hall MUSIC
The legendary Irish singer promises to enchant audiences with this spellbinding performance of traditional folk music at this fantastic local venue. Don’t wait to snap up a ticket.
5 NOV THEATRE historical novel The Glassmaker. 1 OCT An Evening with Tracy Chevalier, Waterstones Cambridge The celebrated author, made famous by The Girl with the Pearl Earring , visits Cambridge to promote her new BOOKS Filumena, Cambridge Arts Theatre This charming play has a star-studded cast, with Felicity Kendal playing the titular figure. A tale of family, love and past lives set against a Neapolitan spring, you’ll need to snap up tickets quickly for this one! 16 NOV Austentatious: An Improvised Jane Austen Novel, Cambridge Corn Exchange For one evening only, this all-star entertain with its improvised show, as heard on BBC Radio 4 and seen on the West End. cast promises to enliven and THEATRE
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Heather Small, Cambridge Corn Exchange
Ali Woods, Cambridge Junction You might not know the name, but you may recognise Ali’s face from Instagram. Join this viral sensation for his debut stand-up tour tackling everything from teenage angst to embarrassing relationship fails.
The revered M People vocalist and British soul singer, most known for her debut single of Miranda fame, Proud , comes to Cambridge. This is a performance you won’t want to miss!
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THEATRE
The Vicar of Dibley, ADC Theatre In aid of Comic Relief, the Hilarity Theatre Group perform this timeless classic that’s based on the beloved television series created by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer. Performances end 21 September.
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EXHIBITION
Sport and the Media Revolution, Fitzwilliam Museum As part of its latest exhibition, Paris 1924: Sport, Art and the Body , join former head of BBC News and director of sport Roger Mosey for this fascinating afternoon talk on how popular media can shape sport.
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CULTURE EDITION
A retired cop, an extravagant evening soiree, a mysterious hostess: it would seem all the pieces are aligned for murder mystery mayhem in Ian Rankin’s first stage play Rebus: A Game Called Malice . Riffing off his 24 Inspector Rebus novels, it picks up in the detective’s old age, as he is reluctantly drawn into another twisty conspiracy. “He can’t help all his years on the force,” says Gray O’Brien, who takes on the role. An actor best known for his villainous turn in Coronation Street , his part, he says, “is really just about police procedure and how a policeman works, how a detective’s brain works, and trying to get into that.” As a fellow Scotsman, Gray was familiar with Ian’s novels – though he confesses ‘there’s so many of them’ that he hasn’t quite got through all two dozen. “It’s very much Edinburgh-orientated,” says Gray. “However, [in this play] we’re dealing with people from the aristocracy and, with that, different education systems. Perhaps John Rebus is out of his depth there.” Its enclosed setting, in an imposing, impossibly lavish Edinburgh townhouse, was an attempt to keep the play simpler than the TV series that preceded it. “It was Ian’s first stab at writing a play, so he wants to contain it. He’s written a brand- new story,” says Gray, adding: “Something’s happened at this address.” A benefit of it being early in Ian’s foray into the theatre world was that the writer himself was present to assist the actors. “When you make a play, you have the luxury of a few extra days to sit and dissect all the text so that everyone has the same understanding of what each element means. And we would ask Ian Game, set and match! Ahead of Rebus: A Game Called Malice’s arrival at the Arts Theatre, Miriam Balanescu meets leading man Gray O’Brien
A STORM GATHERS See Gray as John Rebus between 29 August and 7 September
many questions as we went: ‘What do you think that means?’ He’d say, ‘Well, what do you think it means? I know what I think it means but you should be able to think.’ That’s how he deals with his books – he wants the readers to work it out. So he wasn’t giving too much away.” In A Game Called Malice , the audience is encouraged to participate as pseudo detectives. When I speak with him one week into rehearsals, Gray hopes it will be similar to his experience of performing in Peter James’ murder mysteries. “There is this intake of breath from 600 or 700 people,” he says. “ Billy Elliot has this electricity, and one really does feel that. Actors always say it’s the best drink ever. “If you drop the ball on stage, start thinking about what tube you’re getting home, what time the trams finish or did you leave the iron on, you’re in trouble.” Gray is returning to the Cambridge Arts Theatre after mere few months away, having recently toured Twelve Angry Men .
When asked if it’s standard for actors to be on the road for so long, he says: “This is unusual… On tour, it’s great, you’re just a bunch of actors. We don’t hang out, we’re not walking around like a travelling band and a bus. We all do our own thing. Then we turn up at seven o’clock and all come together as a company.” On the flipside, though, “you do have to have discipline. It’s not easy.” As a Scottish production that’s in the middle of a tour around the UK, Ian’s play is fairly rare. “There’s always Scottish work in Scotland, but perhaps it doesn’t travel,” comments Gray. “I mean, this will travel well because Ian has such a readership. However, he likes to think this play could be set anywhere – anywhere in the world. This story will translate to any culture and any country.”
For a play, you have the luxury of a few extra days to sit and dissect the text so everyone has the same understanding
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CULTURE EDITION IN PURSUIT OF A MEANINGFUL LIFE Described as a ‘four-week
retreat of the mind’, we speak with best-selling author Oliver Burkeman about his new book, Meditations for Mortals, ahead of his talk at the University Arms Hotel on 17 September Words P hoebe Harper Portrait Nina Subin F or Oliver Burkeman, the genesis of his latest book – Meditations for Mortals, Four Weeks to Embrace your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts – came from the all- too-familiar feeling of reading plenty of material about how to lead a more productive life, but then spending years trying to actually put those systems into practice. “I found that, in almost all cases, these books just encouraged my perfectionistic tendencies towards trying to get everything done, which just leads to more busyness and procrastination. Or that they subtly led me to believe that the really meaningful part of life would begin when I finally ‘got on top of everything’.” So, in the face of these ever-shifting goalposts, he decided to write a book about actually getting around to the meaningful things in life: “here and now, in our limited and imperfect lives.” Sign of the times Many know Oliver as the internationally best-selling author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals – an essential guide and probing look at our perception of time and how we can abuse it during our limited lifespans. Rather like Four Thousand Weeks , this newest work of nonfiction is very much the result of the age we live in – a book for modern times, made for modern readers. “I think we’re living through especially volatile, anxiety-inducing and distracting times, which exacerbate the challenge of building a meaningful life in two ways,” he observes. “Firstly, many of us feel we ought to be doing more about the climate crisis, threats to democracy – and so on. So we’ve got those items on the to-do
TIME PRESSURE For Oliver, making the most of the time we have is about being kind to ourselves
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CULTURE EDITION
list, as well as all the others. Secondly, the distracting nature of the news just makes it harder to get around to anything because you’re worrying or doomscrolling instead.” As such, a key message within the book is that, for limited humans with finite time, it makes no sense to wait until things calm down. “You have to take action – and also make time to have fun, which is no less important – right here in the midst of the chaos and the uncertainty.” To aid this, the book’s structure deliberately reflects the need to take action over the course of four weeks. “It’s intended to spur action during the time you’re actually reading it – instead of offering a system you might implement one day when you get a spare moment,” he says. Because, if there’s one thing we all know about modern life, it’s that a spare moment can be a rare and elusive thing. A journey of learning In the process of writing, Oliver comments how this was equally a time of learning for him, as much as it might be for a reader first encountering the book. “Every book is at least partly an exercise in grappling with whatever I’m struggling with the most,” he observes. “I’ve written before about the broader issue of our finite time and limitations, but here I was struck to discover how many of my own struggles in this area are tangled up with issues of self- worth – in other words, the way we feel we aren’t justifying our existence on the planet unless we do more, achieve more and stay on top of more demands. The great irony is that real, meaningful productivity arrives more easily when you realise that you don’t need to get more and more stuff done in order to justify your existence.” In terms of what readers can take away from the book, Oliver hopes they feel a sense of liberation and relaxation. With this comes a new ability to exhale, which hopefully translates into a new energy for getting around to what matters to them. “In that sense, it’s not a ‘motivational’ book; I’m not trying to suggest you need a shove in order to get moving. Instead, I think that when we let go of some of the mistakes and illusions that inhibit us, action tends to flow much more naturally.” Besides, we’re only human after all. You have to take action – and also make time to have fun – right here in the midst of the chaos and the uncertainty
On 17 September, CLF returns to the University Arms for an evening of literary conversations. Elif Shafak and Rob Macfarlane will discuss There Are Rivers in the Sky , while Oliver Burkeman will talk to Catherine Carr about Meditations for Mortals . Buy tickets to both events to receive a 25% discount. Book tickets online at cambridgeliteraryfestival.com Cambridge Literary Festival @ University Arms
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CULTURE EDITION
BREAK A LEG! The Cambridge Festival of Drama is back at ADC. Festival secretary Chris Avery dives into 50 years of celebrating amateur theatre
Cambridge Edition: Can you tell us about the festival’s history and what led to its inception? Chris Avery: The first Cambridge Festival of Drama was held in 1968. The aim was always to enable local groups to present a short play to an audience and a professional drama adjudicator. After each session – often consisting of two or three plays – the adjudicator would comment in front of the teams and audience on what they had seen, with reference to the acting, direction and stage presentation of each play. Marks would be awarded based on a national scoring scheme and, at the end of the festival, trophies would be awarded to winners in the various categories, including the overall winners. This structure remains and the festival is still competitive, but the emphasis is now much more on meeting socially to celebrate what we love doing: putting on a play. Cambridge has always been called ‘the friendly festival’ – and we love it when participants tell us how welcome they felt, how supportive they
found the atmosphere and how much fun they ended up having. CE: Why do you think it’s important to celebrate local amateur theatre? CA: Drama festivals are a great way to learn about all aspects of play making, and everyone is encouraged to watch as many plays and hear as many adjudications as possible. Adjudicators, who come from the Guild of Drama Adjudicators, are trained to be friendly, approachable and supportive to the teams, as well as being knowledgeable and entertaining for the audience. CE: Can you give us a flavour of what to expect from this year’s event? CA: We have seven plays this year: a mixture of comedy, drama and history.
AWARDS GALORE The festival honours contributions across the full theatrical spectrum
Swavesey Village College has entered for many years and, this year, we have a team of both current and ex-students now in sixth form who entered on their own initiative. Both teams are performing Shakespeare because that’s what they wanted to do! We also have entries from regular participants, some teams coming back after several years and even one from London who joined us last year and were eager to return. Proof of the pudding!
Tickets are available at camdramfest.org.uk The emphasis is now much more on meeting socially to celebrate what we love doing: putting on a play
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CULTURE EDITION In My Space The newest entry to Cambridge’s bookselling scene, we step inside Bodies in the Bookshop with co-founder Richard Reynolds T here’s nothing quite like getting lost in a mystery – a desire to uncover who or whydunnit before being informed of the outcome – it’s about both the puzzle and the pure escapism.” For Richard Reynolds, there is nothing Words PHOEBE HARPER
60s, progressing from Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five to Buchan’s The Thirty-Nine Steps and Rider Haggard’s King Solomon’s Mines . Meanwhile, his thirst for detective fiction was ignited by the likes of Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers’ The Nine Tailors . Since that time, it has become a lifelong passion, with Richard working for over 40 years as the crime fiction specialist at Heffers Bookshop. A bloody good story Today, this passion has culminated in the launch of Richard’s own brick-and-mortar bookshop, which he runs with co-founder Jon Gifford, owner of the Oleander Press – home to Whipplesnaith’s The Night Climbers of Cambridge . The pair first crossed paths in 2013, when Jon approached Richard to work on a series of Golden Age detective stories (books written between 1919 to 1945) including J S Fletcher’s The Charing Cross Mystery , William Le Queux’s The Doctor of Pimlico and Christopher St John Sprigg’s Fatality in Fleet Street , all published under the London Bound imprint. “The ensuing years had us discussing various publishing opportunities, and in May 2022 – a few months prior to my retirement from Heffers – Jon asked me to curate my choice of Golden Age detective fiction under the Oreon imprint,” Richard elaborates. “We have published 25 books so far, including ones by authors R E Swartwout with The Boat Race Murder , George Birmingham’s The Hymn Tune Mystery , Victor Whitechurch’s Murder at the College and William Gore’s There’s Death in the Churchyard .” Following these years working together reissuing detective fiction, Jon and Richard toyed with the idea of opening their own bookstall, although Richard admits to being slightly put off by the idea of early starts and inclement weather. Fortunately, luck was on their side when the pair stumbled across a vacant premises while strolling through the city one winter’s evening. Murder most foul After opening in July of this year, you’ll find Bodies in the Bookshop down Botolph
so immersive as getting lost in a great story, especially one that features both mystery and murder. “Our competitive nature loves a good mystery, as we want to be taken on a journey where we identify for a brief period with the characters we’re reading about in an attempt to discover whodunnit before it’s revealed to us – wanting a good puzzle to chew over, as there’s nothing worse than guessing too early the perpetrator of the dastardly deed,” he says. As a writer, it’s an art form to master, following a structure that plays with the reader’s suspense until the grand climax. Once mastered, it’s an addictive formula readers can’t get enough of, and perhaps goes some way in explaining why, to this day, Agatha Christie remains one of the best-selling fiction authors of all time. “It needs to be pieced together to reveal the bigger picture, which shouldn’t become clear until the last piece is slotted in – that ‘a-ha’ moment!” Richard’s own appetite for reading mystery and adventure began in the mid-
Lane on the former site of Jet Photographic. “As soon as we saw the premises, we believed it had potential, lending itself to being a bookshop,” says Richard. The shop takes its name from Richard’s time at Heffers, where he set up an annual event that ran from 1990 to 2012. This event was named after a 1946 detective novel he had enjoyed: R(uthven) T(odd) Campbell’s Bodies in a Bookshop . Inside, Richard describes the shop as ‘like a Tardis’, housing two floors of carefully curated crime fiction spanning new releases, second-hand books and collectibles, artfully arranged into a shelf layout organised and designed by Jon. “There’s a strong showing of general
KILLER APPEAL The shop’s layout and enormous collection invite readers to dive into crime stories old and new, making each visit a discovery
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CULTURE EDITION
There’s nothing quite like getting lost in a mystery Dean Street Press, Moonstone, The British Library, Galileo Publishers and more lining its shelves, alongside Penguin green crime classics, Pan paperbacks, Gollancz crime fiction and plenty of other delights. The perfect crime
A to Z crime fiction, graphic crime novels, children’s and young adult detective fiction (anyone under 16 can join the Moriarty Club for 10% off all purchases) and books on and about Cambridge – crime, fiction and nonfiction, including those published by the Oleander Press.” Unsurprisingly, the shop has a large section devoted to Golden Age detective fiction, including books by Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, Dorothy L Sayers, Ngaio Marsh and Josephine Tey, as well as books the pair published under the Oreon imprint. You’ll also find publishers like
the corner from Fitzbillies, makes it a fantastic bookselling location. Richard says he also hopes to stage events at nearby St Botolph’s Church in future. But for now, he has his hands tied managing the shop, interacting with readers and staging the eye-catching window displays that may have caught your attention. “I’ve retired from retiring,” he admits. “I missed too much interacting with other readers, finding out what they liked to read, which in turn had always fed my reading! We hope we’ll be able to share our love for detective fiction in all we do here.”
A street steeped in history, the shop’s location just a few doors down from the home of Cambridge’s former hangman makes it quite the atmospheric setting for a bookshop specialising in crime. That, combined with the fact that it’s next to Espresso Lane and just round
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CULTURE EDITION Book Club Gripping new reads to fill your shelves, plus top tech tips for book lovers Words CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS
ABI DARÉ AND SO I ROAR Abi Daré is back with an extraordinary novel about friendship, sisterhood, courage and secrets. This book once again stars the unforgettable Adunni and Ms Tia from Abi’s debut The Girl With The Louding Voice , but now it’s Ms Tia who is journeying to 15-year-old Adunni’s world, a year on from the events of the first book which saw Adunni go on the run in the hope of finally getting the education she deserves. After overhearing a mysterious fragment of conversation between her mother and her aunt, Tia is slowly uncovering the truth about her own past, while simultaneously trying to free Adunni from the clutches of societal expectations and brutal tradition. Adunni’s village has caught up with her and she must return to clear her name, alongside a small group of other young women judged to have caused bad luck: the leaders speak of girls being sacrificed to bring the rain, but do they mean symbolically, or is this a more sinister ritual? The novel’s narration jumps between the two main characters but also gives voice to a whole host of other female perspectives, tackling some of the biggest issues facing women and girls around the world, particularly in less advantaged countries – but it’s also lighthearted and filled with joyful moments. Abi’s compelling and brilliantly descriptive prose has a vital immediacy which is touching in the thoughtful moments, but terrifying in tenser times, and the book’s dramatic conclusion will have you on the edge of your seat throughout. You don’t necessarily need to have read Abi’s first novel to enjoy this, but why deny yourself more time in Adunni’s presence? Abi’s compelling and descriptive prose has a vital immediacy
This short but viscerally powerful book lets us follow Soldier, a new mother, as she adjusts to life with Sailor, her baby boy. She gives us a glimpse at the withering mental load of raising a baby, talking to Sailor about her decisions, the endless tasks driven by the unfathomable love of a parent for their child: she shares her loneliness, her bone- aching frustration with her husband, the iron-cast realisation that if she doesn’t do a particular task for Sailor, no one will. The book feels like a peek SOLDIER SAILOR CLAIRE KILROY
behind the curtain of motherhood. Claire’s stark but emotive prose gives you the full force of Sailor going missing in Ikea, or frantically Googling symptoms while he burns with a midnight fever, and her whole- body yearning for what once was, yet never wanting to give up what she has now; the learning curve is a vertical cliff face that she has to climb. A stunning, shocking and haunting read on those bewildering first few months as a parent: part essay, part poem, entirely unforgettable.
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CULTURE EDITION
ELIZABETH DAY FRIENDAHOLIC September always feels like an opportunity for a new start, so this could be the perfect time of year to review your close connections. Are you, like Elizabeth Day used to do, overpromising and underdelivering on your promises of friendship, or could there be people who aren’t pulling their weight with you? Friendaholic is a fascinating nonfiction delve into the trials, tribulations and total delights of modern platonic friendship: you’ll nod along in parts and grimly recognise yourself in others. Like many of us, Elizabeth found the pandemic lockdowns of 2020 forced her to reassess what being a close friend actually meant: were her best friends the people with which she was spending the most time? Having grown up determined to be a good friend above everything else – at the cost of her own mental and physical health – Elizabeth readily admits her own addiction to connection and dives into whether her past all-or-nothing behaviour is really the best route to healthy, mutually beneficial relationships with others. The result is this book, an exploration of the science and history of friendship, interspersed with her own anecdotal evidence for how to handle platonic ghosting, dealing with toxic acquaintances and reconnecting with past besties. It’s a delightful mix of confession, criticism and carefully crafted advice, packed with interesting factoids and useful pointers on how to be a better friend – both to others, and to yourself.
PINKY PROMISE A number one Sunday Times bestseller, this is a unique look into love of a less romantic kind
DIGITAL TOOLS FOR READERS
Libby
This clever, free add-on for Chrome detects when you are on a book website (such as Goodreads or Amazon) and shows you if your local library has a copy for you to borrow instead. Libraries rule! Library Extension for Chrome
Join this excellent digital book club and you’ll not only get a superb book in the post every six weeks, as well as author events and Q&A discussions, you’ll also be helping a great charity support disaster-hit families around the world. Shelterbox Book Club
This is yet another push for this astonishingly brilliant app!
Download Libby, connect it with your Cambridgeshire Libraries account and voila – free ebooks, audiobooks and magazines delivered straight to your phone or tablet.
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Red Rooms
Firebrand
20 September Causing quite the stir at Cannes where it premiered earlier this year, Coralie Fargeat’s follow- up to Revenge is provocative and impossibly stylish – a no-holds-barred attack on patriarchal beauty standards. The Substance
6 September There are echoes of recent horror classics Censor and Longlegs in this serial killer caper concerning a woman tracking down a crucial piece of evidence, while skewering true crime culture.
6 September Alicia Vikander dazzles as Katherine Parr, the final wife of Henry VIII who stoked the flames of Protestantism in Britain – she stars opposite Jude Law, who plays an ever- ailing king.
Timestalker
27 September After Prevenge , jack of all trades Alice Lowe returns with a zany time-hopping anti-romcom where a woman, repeatedly reincarnated to live in different centuries, falls in love with the wrong man over and over.
27 September Francis Ford Coppola’s (possibly) final film takes a futuristic, fantastical America as its setting – home to ‘New Rome’, where an artist (Adam Driver) and the regressive mayor go head to head. An ambitious, if sometimes muddled, epic. Megalopolis
PICTUREHOUSE PICKS Get your film fix with these recommendations from the Arts Picturehouse
The Count of Monte-Cristo
Eric Ravilious: Drawn to War
12 September In September, there will be more opportunities to catch Jodie Comer in this thrilling one-woman legal drama. National Theatre Live: Prima Facie
30 August Based on the 1844 novel, this tale sees a sailor adopt a new identity to exact justice on those who wronged him.
2 September Ai Weiwei and Grayson Perry feature in a film about the Artists Against Fascism member Eric Ravilious.
Browse this month’s best movies
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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
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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.
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WHAT’S ON
From charity events supporting great local causes to cycling trips, keep everyone entertained with these family-friendly local excursions of the Best Family Days Out
1 Cambridge Festival of Cycling Throughout September, various locations Hosted by local charity Camcycle with the support of Cambridge City Council, the People’s Postcode Lottery as well as local partner Cambridge BID, the festival’s aim is to celebrate and promote the joy of cycling, helping more people ride around our wonderful city. Get cycling with Camcycle’s picnic ride to Milton Country Park on Sunday 1 September, as well as longer social rides with CTC Cambridge and the Cambridge Bike Party. The flagship event is the fourth Cargo Carnival on Saturday 21 September, starting with a cargo parade around the city and ending with cargo bike trials and stalls on Lammas Land. The Camcycle cargo stall bike will be there and will also be visiting other community events throughout September – including Stourbridge Medieval Fair, Greener Queen Edith’s Day, Nuns Way Summer Family Fun Day and the Wellness Festival at Cambridge Biomedical Campus. There’s no requirement to be a cyclist to get involved, since there will also be photo exhibitions, children’s storytime sessions at Cambridgeshire libraries and much more. For more information and a full list of festival events, head over to cambridgefestivalofcycling.org 2 Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival 7 September, Fen Ditton The 18th edition of this famous local boating event returns, as over 40 teams descend on the 200m race course along a scenic stretch of Ditton Meadows. Although the participants themselves are primarily groups taking part in corporate team-building exercises, the action-packed event is always a fantastic family day out, featuring a host of bankside entertainment for all to enjoy. The Dragon Boat Festival also raises funds for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, supporting Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital. Learn more at dragonboatevents.co.uk
3 Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show 14-15 September, IWN Duxford Don’t miss this spectacle of historic entertainment as the iconic Duxford Spitfire finale takes to the skies once again! Through the flight performances of Spitfires and Hurricanes, music, live entertainment and dance, this event promises to transport you to the summer of 1940. Best of all, children aged 15 and under go free with standard tickets! For the full weekend programme and to book your advance tickets, visit iwm.org.uk/airshows 4 Pram Jam Comedy 1 September, The Old Bull Inn, Royston Enjoy a night of comedy without the hassle of arranging a babysitter with this daytime gig where little ones are welcome. Babies must be under the age of one, since you can still expect classic adult stand-up material, which may include strong language! Best of all, proceeds from this non-profit event will go to the Royal Papworth Hospital Trust to fund its vital work saving the lives of heart and lung patients. Book your spot for just £5 at tinyurl.com/pramjam 5 Little Red Riding Could 8 September, Cambridge Junction Suitable for ages four and over, this mischievous retelling of the original fairytale follows a curious Red Riding Hood who’s no longer little and wants to be called by her real name instead! Expect songs and silliness in this new production from Roustabout Theatre. Before the show, drop in for a free arts and crafts activity session for families in the foyer. Book your tickets now at junction.co.uk 6 2B Or Not 2B: Life Drawing 28 September, Fitzwilliam Museum As part of the museum’s Workshops for Young People, this fun session led by the collective 2B Or Not 2B celebrates visibly marginalised bodies, working with its current Olympics-themed exhibition. With guidance on-hand if you’re feeling stuck
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or uninspired, the event is aimed at those aged between 15 and 25. Tickets are just £5 per person. tickets.museums.cam.ac.uk 7 Heritage Open Days 6-15 September, Anglesey Abbey Celebrating 30 years of Heritage Open Days, the National Trust property Anglesey Abbey will be opening its doors entirely for free on select dates throughout the month. Explore the wonderful house and stunning gardens, before letting off some steam in the Woodland Play Area or taking a stroll down to the picturesque Lode Mill. National Trust members can just show up on the day, but all other free entry tickets must be booked in advance. Visit nationaltrust.org.uk for more information on how to get involved.
LOCAL LOVE As summer ends, Cambridge buzzes with events for families seeking fun
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WHAT’S ON
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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
The light fantastic We find out what’s in store for the Cambridge Botanic Lights trail, ahead of the event’s much-anticipated return this winter
F ollowing the success of last again set to transform into a dazzling spectacle of light and colour this winter. The Cambridge Botanic Lights trail, a beloved winter tradition in the making, promises another season of magical nights for families, couples and friends, beginning in late November and running until just before Christmas. Booking is open now for the event, which will see the garden open its gates after dark, allowing guests to experience its beauty in a new light. This year’s trail is designed to be even more magical, with a mix of new installations and returning favourites, ensuring there’s something for both first-time and returning visitors. The success of last year’s event was undeniable, drawing visitors from near year’s inaugural event, Cambridge University Botanic Garden is once
and far, and quickly becoming a highlight of Cambridge’s winter calendar. The most iconic features – the fountain, the lake and the Glasshouse Range – will once again be bathed in vibrant hues and intricate light displays. Expect to be mesmerised by the much-loved light tunnel and the luminous lilies floating on the lake, both of which return by popular demand. As you wander along the trail, you’ll encounter cosy spots to warm up, with the Garden Cafe offering a variety of seasonal treats. Midway through the route, stalls will provide hot drinks and light bites – perfect for keeping the cold at bay and spirits high as you explore. The trail will be open for 14 magical nights, beginning on Friday 29 November and then continuing every Thursday to Sunday evening until 21 December. To manage the popularity of the event and ensure an enjoyable experience for all, tickets will be available for timed entry starting at 5pm, with the last entry at 8pm. The garden will remain open until 9.30pm, giving visitors ample time to soak in the beauty of the lights. Tickets will be £18.50 for adults, £15.50 for Friends of the Garden and Cambridge University students, and £12 for children aged four to 15 years. Children under three can enjoy the trail for free. For larger groups or corporate outings, a 10% discount is available when booking six or more tickets. With last year’s glowing feedback from the community and visitors, this year’s Cambridge Botanic Lights is poised to be an unmissable event for the city. Whether you are planning a special evening with loved ones or looking to enjoy a festive night out, the garden’s light trail promises a magical experience that will light up your winter nights. The garden’s most iconic features will be bathed in vibrant hues and intricate light
LIT UP From spectacular tree lights to glowing tunnels, the trail has stunning sights aplenty
For more info and tickets, visit botanic.cam. ac.uk/cambridge-botanic-lights
ELISHA EATS Our columnist shares her tips for special occasion dining in the city RECIPES If you have a sweet tooth, these delectable dishes are for you FOOD EDITION FOOD NEWS A rooftop revamp, Oktoberfest celebrations and more!
There are few greater joys in the summer months than reclining on a deckchair at The Orchard Tea Garden in Grantchester and enjoying one of the cafe’s famous high teas. In this issue’s Food Edition, the team share the recipe for their perfectly crumbly, gorgeously golden scones so that you can recreate the deliciousness at home. Turn to page 33 to take a look! Game of scones
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FOOD EDITION
A royal makeover
In the face of declining pub fortunes post-pandemic, Subodh Gautam – along with his partners Ravi Acharya and Purna Man Bajrachaya – have turned around several pubs by blending traditional pub culture with unique Nepalese cuisine. Following The Railway in Whittlesey (September 2022) and The Bell in Sawtry (June 2023), the talented trio have now turned their attention to The Old Crown in Girton. Their pubs are known for their friendly, community-centric atmosphere, quality ales and diverse Nepalese menu. If you haven’t already, take a trip to Girton to give it a try!
Later in September, the Old Bicycle Shop will be serving up specials, alongside beverages straight from Munich, in honour of iconic beer-quaffing event Oktoberfest. Fill your stein with some great Benediktiner beer at this Regent Street venue. The specials run until 6 October. Visit oldbicycleshop.com now! STEIN AND DELIVER!
COMING SOON...
Grantchester local The Rupert Brooke is entering a new era under different ownership. The gastropub is now the home of Pasquale Benedetto, the former owner of The Plough Coton, which he ran alongside his cousin. If The Plough’s numerous accolades are anything to go by – such as being named one of the top 50 gastropubs in the UK in the 2022 Estrella Damm awards, then the pub has an exciting future in store! Keep your eyes peeled on @therupertbrookeuk for further developments and exciting updates.
Independent hotel The Varsity has submitted a planning proposal to install an all-weather, retractable roof canopy complete with Cambridge’s first vertical garden. Made using UK wildflower seeds, the roof cover will introduce year-round biodiversity, providing a haven for pollinators, insects and birds while reducing CO2 levels. If approved, it will make 24 full- and part-time jobs on the rooftop alone and 22 new jobs within the hotel to meet increased hospitality demands. Reaching new heights
Local events and openings to whet your appetite
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RECIPES
Our columnist shares this tried-and-tested method to make the most of easy-to-forage blackberries, paired with a peanut butter frangipane to avoid any soggy bottoms! ELISHA YOUNG’S BLACKBERRY AND PEANUT BUTTER GALETTE Try your hand at a seasonal galette or an afternoon tea classic thanks to this tantalising pair of mouth-watering recipes SEPTEMBER Sweet treats for
You will need • Homemade pie dough/rough puff pastry, or 1 packet of shop-bought pastry • 1 large egg • Pinch of salt • 2 tbsp demerara sugar Frangipane • 100g crunchy natural peanut butter • 55g unsalted butter, softened • 55g brown sugar • 1 large egg • Big pinch of salt • Vanilla extract • 50g flour Fruit • 300-350g blackberries 1 Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and warm a large baking tray on the middle rack. 2 Place your blackberries in a bowl with the caster sugar, cornflour, salt and zest. Mix well to coat the blackberries, then set aside. Whisk one large egg with a pinch of salt in a small bowl and set aside. 3 In a separate bowl, cream together the peanut butter, butter and brown sugar until soft and fluffy. Add the egg, salt and vanilla extract and mix well. Add the flour and carefully fold it in until just incorporated. 4 Take your pastry out of the fridge and place it on top of a large sheet of baking paper (this is so you can easily transfer the galette to the oven later.) Roll it out until it is approximately 4mm thick and circular shaped. You can cut the edges with scissors • 60g caster sugar • 2 tsp cornflour • Pinch of salt • Zest of half a lemon Step-by-step guide
if you use shop-bought pastry, but it should be about 30cm in diameter. 5 Spoon the peanut frangipane on to the centre of your pastry in an even layer, leaving a border of 3.5-4cm around the edge. This recipe makes more frangipane than you need, but you can bake off the excess in muffin tins and enjoy them as small cakes. 6 Feel free to adjust the amount of frangipane and fruit to suit your tastes. Just keep in mind that the more fruit you add, the juicier the galette will be, so you might need to add more cornstarch. If you do use more frangipane, the galette will have more peanut flavour but be drier. 7 When you have the desired amount of frangipane, add the blackberries on top, dotting them evenly around the batter. 8 Take one edge of the pastry and fold it over the edge of the frangipane and blackberries. Work your way around the galette, folding over the excess pastry as you go and overlapping it slightly with the previous fold. 9 If your pastry has become hot and hard to handle, pop the galette in the fridge for 20 minutes to get it cold. When it’s cool again, brush the pastry with the beaten egg wash from step two. Sprinkle the edges of the pastry with the demerara sugar to add crunch and sweetness. 10 Use the baking paper to carefully transfer your galette to the hot baking tray in the oven. This helps you get an extra crispy bottom and ensures the pastry is cooked all the way through. 11 Bake for 45 minutes to an hour. The exact time depends on your oven and how juicy your blackberries are, but you want the galette to be deep golden brown and the frangipane to be cooked through and lightly golden on top. 12 Leave to cool for about 15 minutes, then cut and serve with your choice of double cream, ice cream, crème fraiche or custard.
A NUTTY DELIGHT With its golden, crimped edges and blackberry filling, the galette embodies rustic charm and comfort, ideal for a cosy gathering
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