Kickstart your New Year with our first issue of 2024! We take a deep dive into healthy habits, inspirational stories from homegrown heroes, and the dates from the year ahead that you won’t want to miss.
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WELCOME
New beginnings I t is my pleasure to welcome you to our first issue of 2024, and my first as deputy editor of Cambridge Edition . As I slowly take the reins of the magazine from my predecessor Nicola, it would be remiss of me not to credit the incredible work that she has done in shaping this magazine over the past 12 years, which I will endeavour to continue into the future. A time of hope and renewal, the new year is full of promise. I never tire of the sense of opportunity it offers – a chance for change no matter how big or small, and to reflect on what has passed as well as what’s still to come. Reminding us all to take pause, we round up some of the wellness trends set to transform your 2024 and the local places you can try them, whether you are contemplating meditation or looking to build resilience through strength training. Channelling virtuous habits into the new year, we take a deep dive into the Veganuary phenomenon and cast our eye on the local clean drinking champion Nøde. In other tales of renewal, we hear the inspiring story of homegrown hero Jonny Huntington’s mission to become the world’s first disabled person to solo ski the South Pole unsupported. We also reflect on the work of local photographer Martin Bond, as the celebrated A Cambridge Diary photo project draws to a close, only to enter a new form in publishing. As always, we bring you the latest happenings from the arts and culture scene and take the temperature of our local education and property sectors with expert insight. Wherever this magazine may find you as we step into 2024, I hope its pages will inspire, inform and encourage you to explore all that this incredible city has to offer.
EDITORIAL Editor in chief Nicola Foley 01223 499459 nicolafoley@bright.uk.com Deputy editor Phoebe Harper 01223 492249
phoebeharper@bright.uk.com Editorial director Roger Payne Chief sub editor Matthew Winney Sub editors Martin Puddifer, Minhaj Zia ADVERTISING Sales director Sam Scott-Smith 01223 499457 samscott-smith@bright.uk.com Ad manager Maria Francis 01223 492240 mariafrancis@bright.uk.com CONTRIBUTORS
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. Miriam Balanescu, Lisa Clatworthy, Mark Box, Charlotte Griffiths, Anna Taylor, Angelina Villa- Clarke & Elisha Young DESIGN & PRODUCTION Senior designer Lucy Woolcomb Junior designers Hedzlynn Kamaruzzaman & Holly May MANAGING DIRECTORS Andy Brogden & Matt Pluck
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Contents
65
45 DRY JANUARY 46 VEGANUARY 48 WINTER WELLNESS 53 TRUE STORIES 55 EDUCATION EDITION 63 SUPPORT THE INDIES
04 STARTERS 09 ARTS & CULTURE 20 BOOK CLUB 24 A CAMBRIDGE DIARY 29 WHAT’S ON 2024 30 HUMANS OF CAMBRIDGE 35 COMPETITION 39 ELISHA EATS 41 REVIEW 43 CHEF INTERVIEW
© SANCTUARY BATHROOMS
65 HOME EDITION 73 EDITION LOVES
76 PROPERTY 82 GARDENS
Illustration by Holly May , inspired by a photo from @elliedyduch on Instagram.
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LOCAL LIFE
STARTERS
@DAVID_VALINSKY_PHOTOGRAPHY
@CATWITHMUZTACHE
Follow @cambsedition on Instagram for lots more stunning snaps of the city
@ELLA.ROSEPHOTOS
@COLLEGESANDPANCAKES
# instacamb Our favourite Cambridge Instagram pics of the month. Use #instacamb for a chance to feature!
04 JANUARY 2024 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
LOCAL LIFE
This month’s must-haves from local indies WISH LIST January
1. Objshiren jacket sandshell, £100, Iris & Violet Iris & Violet’s best-selling coat gets an update with a plush teddy texture and monochrome colourway 2. The Emily, £295, Cambridge Satchel Company Another winner from our city’s famed satchel makers, The Emily is a buttery soft leather bag that’s big enough for all your everyday essentials 3. British-made wool blanket, £85, Ark Stay snug until spring with these gorgeous blankets from Ark. Made with 100% British wool, they’re perfect for draping over the sofa for a splash of colour 4. Eye mask, £16.50, Lilac Rose Ready to hibernate after Christmas? This lavish velvet eye mask – adorned with gold embroidery – is the perfect bedfellow for a blissful night’s sleep 5. British dried cut flowers oak stem holder with beeswax candles gift set, £57.80, Hills & Hedgerows A thoughtful gift for a special someone, this dried flower and candle gift set would make a beautiful addition to any mantlepiece, bookshelf or dining table 6. Leaf dish, £44.50, Angela Reed Serve up snacks in style with this handmade ceramic dish, available at Saffron Walden’s Angela Reed 7. Rya Nicholson mug, £36, Kettle’s Yard Norwich ceramicist Rya Nicholson creates tactile stoneware pieces for the home: explore the range at Kettle’s Yard
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Culture Club
HANDS IN THE AIR Check out the Li Yuan-chia display at Kettle’s Yard this January, the first in-depth showcase for the talented poet and artist (page 14)
vim and vigour FIRST FESTIVAL SCOOPS OF THE YEAR, EXPERIENTIAL ART EXHIBITIONS AND MANY A MUSICAL DATE FOR THE DIARY PURPLE PATCH
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The must-see events around Cambridge this month Arts & Culture
SPRING IN YOUR STEP A firm favourite in the annual cultural calendar, Cambridge Music Festival has launched its programme for the spring 2024 concert series. Save the date for a host of eclectic musical performances taking place in some of the city’s most historic and iconic venues, including King’s College Chapel and Trinity College Chapel. The series gets underway with an intimate performance from pianist Stephen Hough (pictured) at West Road Concert Hall on 6 February, where he will be playing Chopin, Liszt and the late-Romantic composer Cécile Chaminade. Visit cambridgemusicfestival.co.uk to view the full programme and book your tickets. 6 Feb
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GREAT GIGS
GOOD LOVELIES 17 JANUARY, CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION
HOMECOMING HOMEGROWN TALENT Ahead of his performance at West Road
Concert Hall, Lisa Clatworthy speaks with BBC Young Musician of the Year, Jordan Ashman When the BBC Young Musician of the Year (YMOTY) Jordan Ashman played at Hills Road Sixth Form last summer, someone in the audience asked where he came from. His mum answered ‘from me and him’ pointing at herself and his dad. She’ll get the chance to do so again when Jordan plays with the City of Cambridge Symphony Orchestra (CCSO) at West Road Concert Hall on 3 February. The young musician, currently studying at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, has his roots firmly in Cambridge. Growing up in Milton, he went to Impington Village College then Hills Road Sixth Form. Histon and Impington Feast, Strawberry Fair and Mill Road’s Relevant Records number among his first performances. When he returns home in February, it will be to play Concerto No.1 for Marimba by Ney Rosauro. Recalling CCSO’s invitation, he explains “They asked if I could play the Jennifer Higdon concerto, which is what I played for the final of the YMOTY. Unfortunately, it’s hard to put together in terms of instruments. So, I suggested this concerto I already knew. It’s very tuneful and has a lot going on. It’s quite jazzy.” The concerto is the perfect opportunity to not only hear one of the country’s best young performers, but also to watch the visual spectacular. After all, at about 2.6 metres long the marimba is a big presence on stage. “The physicality of playing it is something you have to consider. You can’t sit down in one place, you’ve got to move around a lot. It can be interesting for an audience to watch.” If anyone doubts that statement, check out the YMOTY final on BBC iPlayer. You’ll spot Jordan run across the stage at one point. While Jordan won’t be running at West Road, he’s certainly already putting in the training for this concert. When asked about practice, he admits “Last year, I wasn’t amazing at knowing how long I would need. Now, I’ve taken a different mindset so I started in autumn. I’m just keeping it ticking over an hour or so a day. This way, the music is always in my head and I get a good understanding of the piece.” Another difference Jordan would like to see is the next generation getting involved in music. With less emphasis on school music now, he’s aware “any youngster who could possibly be the best musician in the world might not get the opportunity to find out.” He hopes that concerts like the one at Hills Road and this one with CCSO “will make more people want to make more music”. See Jordan Ashman with the CCSO at West Road Concert Hall on Saturday 3 February at 7.30pm. Tickets: £20, £10 for students, £6 for under 14s. adcticketing.com
HUGH CORNWELL WITH THE PRIMITIVES
17 JANUARY, APEX, BURY ST EDMUNDS
JESCA HOOP 23 JANUARY, THE PORTLAND
THE CLASSIC ROCK SHOW 27 JANUARY, CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE
SUPERSTAR SHOOTOUT Chaka Khan (above) will join Jessie Ware (right on 9 June, echoing Lionel Ritchie’s (bottom) performance last year
CVC 31 JANUARY, MASH
10 JANUARY 2024 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
CULTURE CLUB
FESTIVAL BEATS
Don’t miss the musical event of the year, with headline acts including Jessie Ware, Chaka Khan, The Family Stone plus many more! features a star-studded line-up of headline acts, including double Mercury The Cambridge Club gets set to sparkle with stellar line-up
One of the UK’s much-loved festivals, The Cambridge Club, returns to Childerley Orchard for a three-day extravaganza of feel-good music, arts and culture from Friday 7 June to Sunday 9 June 2024. Following recent announcements, this year’s programme
Prize nominee and Rolling Stone UK artist of the year 2023, Jessie Ware. Taking to the stage on Friday night, the pop artist is guaranteed to wow festival-goers with her captivating stage presence and rhythmic beats that have been inspired by the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire, Grace Jones, Prince, Donna Summer, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Rotary Connection and Tina Marie. Joining Jessie in headlining the festival are some true icons of pop, soul, funk and disco – including the Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al Mckay (Saturday 8 June), and ten-time Grammy-winning superstar, Chaka Khan (Sunday 9 June). “We’re delighted to announce our amazing Friday headliner at last – the fabulous Jessie Ware,” says the festival’s managing director, William Young. “Another artist who we’ve admired for a long time, she’s one of the true contemporary greats in our line-up of music. She brings the disco spirit and will light up the opening night with a proper party performance.” Further acts already announced for the main stage include MOBO-winning singer Gabrielle, Incognito, The Family Stone, Sister Sledge, Soul II Soul and former Spice Girl Melanie C. In addition to this musical feast, The Cambridge Club offers live and immersive food experiences, top comedic acts, superb family entertainment plus much more. Revellers will enjoy a dance music stage hosting top DJs as a host of unique experiences await in the Orchard area. The festival caters to happy campers with its luxury glamping experience located right next to stunning flower meadows, with options for pre- pitched or bring-your-tent, space for campervans and enhanced parking on-site. Weekend tier one tickets have already sold out, so act fast to secure your spot now! Visit thecambridgeclub.co for tickets and more information.
7 June
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PASSING PLACES
THE FINE PRINT Open until 11 February at Stapleford Granary,
printmaker Gail Brodholt’s exhibition offers a vibrant depiction of the liminal passing places of contemporary urban landscapes. The places we move through fleetingly despite passing daily. “I’m interested in those unnoticed places. Places where people are on their way to somewhere else presumably more important – on the escalators, the tube, train station platforms or motorways. I like the sense we all have that between here and there, anything can happen,” says Gail. “When travelling, you are free from normal life with all the anticipation of an adventure ahead of you.” In this showcase of her work, Gail combines the transience of such scenes with the perpetuity of her medium, etching their outlines into linocuts to be printed on the page.
LONDON LINOCUTS London Snow (top right) and The River's Tale (above), both by Gail Brodholt, now on display at Stapleford Granary
DIVERSE DRAMATICS
JANUARY AT THE ADC The oldest university playhouse in the country offers a bounty of theatrical delights this month, from musical farce to Olivier-winning performances “From musical theatre to comedy, and drama to improv, there is something for everyone at the ADC Theatre this January,” says Luke Dell, theatre manager at the ADC. The New Year begins with the musical farce, Lucky Stiff (9-13 Jan). Presented by the Festival Players, follow the story of a shoe salesman and his estranged uncle en route to Monte Carlo in pursuit of his inheritance and all the difficulties along the way. Other performances include The Grand Cosmopolitan Hotel (10-13 Jan) – an improvised show by the Ministry of Unplanned Occurrences – and Britfoot (24-27 Jan), a comedic tale that follows a monster hunter in search of Bigfoot’s British cousin. For hard-hitting drama, try the new adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest (16-20 Jan), or the Olivier-winning classic, Arcadia by Tom Stoppard (23-27 Jan). Finally, the month draws to a close commemorating LGBT+ History Month as the ADC stages its production of Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart . A drama that tackles the 80s AIDS crisis, the performance will also raise funds for LGBT+ charities. For the full programme and to book your tickets, visit adctheatre.com
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WEAVING WORLDS
Discover the mesmeric exhibition at Kettle’s Yard, where the boundaries that separate art, life and people are dissolved Making New Worlds: Li Yuan-chia & Friends
Ends 18 Feb
In keeping with the new year’s spirit of hopeful renewal, Making New Worlds: Li Yuan-chia & Friends – showing at Kettle’s Yard until 18 February – offers an inspiring and uplifting display. The exhibition is the first in-depth showcase dedicated to the artist, poet and arts organiser Li Yuan-chia (1929-1994) and takes a close look at the museum/experimental space he founded in Cumbria in 1972 – the LYC Museum and Gallery. It could be argued that terms like ‘museum’ or ‘gallery’ feel almost too rigid to apply to the LYC, as a space that welcomed an expansive approach to art-making, devoid of hierachy, which encompassed myriad forms and mediums within a hospitable setting where artists would have lived and eaten together, working in collaboration. A studio and exhibition space founded in a dilapidated farmhouse in Banks, Cumbria – which Li bought from his neighbour, the painter Winifred Nicholson – the LYC may no longer survive, but its dynamic spirit thrives throughout the exhibition. Advocating an art of feeling and experience, the message promoted by the LYC and Li is an invitation to create. Making New Worlds displays just some of the work born from the LYC’s wide- reaching creative network, as a place that attracted over 300 artists including Andy Goldsworthy, David Nash and Lygia Clark to name a few. Of course, Li’s own multi-disciplinary practice also features heavily, but to single out one artist or work misses the point. Instead, one gets the impression that the LYC itself may rightfully considered his greatest artwork. Channelling that space, the exhibition represents a complex and interweaving web of connections and conversations which echo across the decades. Several contemporary artists have created works commissioned specifically
for the show, which speaks to the lasting influence of Li’s work. To enter the first room, pass under Protest Carpet: LYC- MAN DIGGING (2023) by Grace Ndiritu. This circular rug depicts Li at work in the LYC garden, prompting reflection on creativity, play and caring for the land as acts of resistance. Aaron Tan’s Windows (2023) assembles found objects, inspired by Li’s blend of domesticity and contemporary art, creating new contexts in unlikely spaces. Tapping into the cosmic energy of creation the exhibition explores various mediums, including kinetic sculpture, calligraphy, textile, painting and more. Aside from the dialogues that are foregrounded between the artists and their works, there is an undeniable kinship between the spaces they are displayed. As Amy Tobin, curator of contemporary programmes at Kettle’s Yard explains, we see the LYC as a similar destination, one that shares the encompassing ethos of Kettle’s Yard as a boundary-defying haven for art. The exhibition’s poignant symbol and broad connections across the contemporary art landscape open with an introduction to the LYC’s location near Hadrian’s Wall. Winifred Nicholson’s Roman Road – Landscape with Two Houses – (1926), usually in Kettle’s Yard house, seamlessly fits into the opening scene. The painting depicts the ancient road leading to the farm buildings, which, some 46 years later, became the LYC. Amidst Grace Ndiritu and Aaron Tan’s modern works, it immediately situates visitors on a shared path that transcends time, space and boundaries, pursuing the branches of connections that exist between people and place. Overall, Making New Worlds is a rich celebration of the artistic forces that remind us of our intrinsic connection as human beings, united by a shared desire to create.
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CULTURE CLUB
NOW
BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB 10 FEBRUARY, CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE Promoting the release of their sixth album, My Big Day are back on a UK tour. This latest work features some major collaborations, including Chaka Khan and Holly Humberstone. BEN FOGLE: WILD 10 MARCH, CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE Ben Fogle has added extra dates to his UK tour. WILD sees the broadcaster and adventurer share stories of hope, possibility and positivity from his extraordinary encounters around the world. TATTY MCLEOD: FUGUE 14 MARCH, CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION After her January show sold out, don’t miss the much-loved comic and her hilarious observations of British and French culture as she returns to the Junction. RED ROOSTER FESTIVAL 30 MAY TO 1 JUNE, EUSTON HALL, SUFFOLK Red Rooster has just announced the first acts for its tenth anniversary. Highlights include Asleep at the Wheel, Robert Finley, Bob Log III and Kitty Liv. Whether it’s music, comedy or live talks, don’t let these dates pass you by! BOOKING
INSPIRATIONS Li in his studio, 1969 (above), Audrey Baker’s Fax Work (bottom left) and Installation views (bottom right, top and bottom) at Kettle's Yard
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ON THE SCENE Singing praises With their laid-back aura and psych-rock sensibilities, CVC have been wowing listeners. Ahead of an upcoming show at Mash, Miriam Balanescu sits down with the band C VC (aka Church Village Collective) may seem relatively producer and team of guys working on it, as opposed
to us just messing about in our living room – so the professionalism factor has shot up.” Topics on their mind have also taken a different turn. “A lot of the songs were about money and things like that, because we were really – but still are – very skint,” says Francesco of their early music. Their new preoccupation is ‘love and loss’. “If you imagine Get Real is like a sunny beach in Los Angeles, then album number two is more of a late-night New York city cafe with neon signs,” says David. “There are people smoking in long jackets outside. It’s probably wintertime. It’s been raining, but it’s stopped. You can hear thumping 120bpm music inside.” Though they’ve now taken their music worldwide, CVC are still indebted to their Welsh roots, both personally and sonically. “It seems like a split between post-punky stuff, psychedelic rock and noise. They’re like the three peaks, if you will, of the Welsh music scene,” says David. Francesco adds: “It’s just great to see Wales in general having a music scene, which has been almost dying for the last couple of years because
31 Jan
new on the music circuit (their first EP Reel to Real was released in 2022, while debut album the similarly titled Get Real swiftly followed earlier this year), but the Welsh rockers have long been making waves on the Cardiff music scene. Despite this, the six- piece initially struggled to be taken seriously as a band – and to this day don’t take themselves too seriously, either. “The reason we called it Get Real is because Dave used to absolutely scream ‘get real’ at people down the street for a little bit,” laughs lead vocalist Francesco Orsi, as I speak to him and guitarist David Bassey. David hastens to add: “It was a play on ‘get a real job’, which is what I felt like I was being told subconsciously by my family at times,” clarifying that he didn’t really shout at elderly pedestrians. Hailing from Church Village – hence their name – the six friends collaborate on every song, working by filling in the gaps. “Hardly any of them have been just written by me, which is nice,” says David. “We only consider a song good if we’re all dancing in the studio together.”
DA IAWN CVC’s Welsh roots come through in their noisy post-punk, psych-rock tunes
When we write, it always comes from the music
venues have been closing down.”
An easygoing attitude is at the crux of CVC’s records, harnessing the laid-back approach of the Laurel Canyon school of musicians. “We’re still like 70% vibes, 30% technique,” according to Dave, explaining that their mantra is ‘peace and love’. Rather than writing with a special agenda: “When we write, it always comes from the music,” reveals Francesco.
All CVC songs to date were recorded in one session, impressively over one lone microphone. Inevitably, their next album will be a gear change. “We’re already halfway through now and it is wildly, vastly different in terms of recording, but it’s all the same songwriters in the album so it’s not that different,” says David. “We’re in a professional studio now with a professional
But the band, who play at Mash in Cambridge this month, also have another musical endowment – David’s distant relative Dame Shirley Bassey. Has he reached out? “I’ve been waiting for the right time,” he says. “I wanted to be in a position where I can get in touch without having to get through six layers of security.”
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SCREEN TIME
See in the new year with these on-screen marvels
THE END WE START FROM
Jodie Comer compels as a mother with a newborn facing an apocalypse. Mahalia Belo has forged a uniquely hopeful and human
entry into the dystopian genre. Where to Watch: UK cinemas When: 19 January
MEAN GIRLS
PRISCILLA (IN 35MM) Sofia Coppola’s return after a six-year hiatus does not disappoint. Telling a lesser-known side to the Elvis story, his teen-bride’s memoir and its ensuing heartache are adapted with sensitivity and chillingly understated horror. 5 January NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: DEAR ENGLAND Streaming live from London, catch Joseph Fiennes take the lead as Gareth Southgate in James Graham’s football saga. Can a canny new manager turn things around for the national team? 25 January, encore 31 January ALL OF US STRANGERS Swoon-worthy turns from Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott light up this raw romance from Andrew Haigh. A man living in a lonely London flat attempts to reconcile with past grief. Watch without tissues at your own peril. 26 January Picturehouse Picks From blockbuster biopics to queer new classics, start the year right at the Arts Picturehouse
Pink-splashed 2000s flick gets the musical treatment from Tina Fey, featuring Reneé
Rapp, Bebe Wood and Avantika. Where to Watch: UK cinemas When: 19 January
POOR THINGS
Emma Stone rises from the dead in Yorgos Lanthimos’ extravagant tale of female
liberation and bodily autonomy. Where to Watch: UK cinemas When: 12 January
Viggo Mortensen stars in this revisionist western traversing the expanse of the Pine Ridge Reservation. An epic tale which muses on indigenous narratives. Where to Watch: UK cinemas When: 26 January EUREKA
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CULTURE CLUB
CAMBRIDGE EDITION Book Club Expand your literary horizons in 2024 with these captivating reads, from dystopian thrillers to love stories for the modern age
WORDS BY CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS
Glorious Exploits BY FERDIA LENNON An absolutely extraordinary debut novel. Glorious Exploits was written over several years, and the attention to detail shows. The story is set in 412 BC, after the disastrous attempted invasion of Sicily by Athens which sees thousands of captured Athenian soldiers left to die in scorching quarries just outside the city of Syracuse. Local potters and childhood friends Lampo and Gelon become gripped by the idea of using these doomed prisoners to put on a performance of Medea and The Trojan Women , two of the newest tragedies written by already-acclaimed Euripides. These works will be lost if Athens falls, as the world assumes it will at this point – but the imprisoned Athenians have seen these shows and many know the words by heart, reciting lines in exchange for food – so the potters see a chance to create art in the face of chaos and impossible odds. But will anyone come to see this ill-fated production, starring those who until very recently were busy slaughtering Syracusans? Lampo is a sardonic, hugely real narrator who absolutely leaps off the page – his post-rehearsal scenes in the local bar feel so believable, and his confused, hasty decision-making will make you laugh out loud then wince when reality bites. The post-conflict world he inhabits is incredibly brutal and physical, and the gritty, visceral
reality of existing on the edge of these quarries, surrounded by those who’ve lost everything in the recent wars, is not hidden from view. But in the same moment, this book is also strangely beautiful and hopeful. It leaves you wondering about the purpose of art and friendship and love – what it is that truly makes us human regardless of which side we fight for. A painful, yet deeply touching and unforgettable read that will surely win awards. WORTHY WORDS This month’s selection takes readers everywhere from ancient Greece to the perilous landscape of the London dating scene
Will anyone come to see this ill-fated production?
20 JANUARY 2024 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
CULTURE CLUB
BY HOLLY BOURNE PRETENDING
It wouldn’t be inaccurate to describe Pretending as a modern romance, but that feels slightly misleading – this is not an easy read, but it is an important one. First published in 2020 and now available in paperback, the book follows April as she and her flatmate navigate life in London and the peaks and troughs of contemporary dating. Yet another disastrous series of dates leads April to rise up against the unacceptable expectations of the men using these apps: she decides to invent Gretel, her idea of the perfect woman, and begins pretending to be Gretel online. Cool, insouciant and undemanding, it isn’t long before Gretel lures in a catch. By night, April is Gretel: yet by day she continues her work at a sex and relationships charity, where she replies to anonymous emails sent in by people who’ve been assaulted, but have nowhere else to turn. April has also had a similar experience with a past boyfriend, and the compounding effect of dealing with others’ trauma while attempting to bottle up her own – well you can imagine how well that goes. But as her story
The Future
unfolds, you will find yourself rooting for April as she attempts to unpick the cocoon she’s built around herself. Unsettling and yet also hilarious in places, this novel serves as a good companion piece to conversations started by Prima Facie , the one-woman play written by Suzie Miller and the award-winning production starring Jodie Comer that took the world by storm. Bourne lays out some huge themes of trauma, consent and assault, and the characters’ conversations will leave you grim-faced at the statistics, yet also hopeful that there are many people out there working to unpick the damage.
BY NAOMI ALDERMAN You might know Naomi Alderman from The Power or you might have sprinted around our city to Zombies, Run! , the exercise adventure app for which she provided storylines. But even if this is your first encounter with her work, you should put her new book straight on your reading list. The story opens in the moments shortly after big tech billionaires have been alerted to the imminent end of the world, thanks to the AI and statistics software that they own – but crucially, it is still days before the public will become aware of the encroaching disaster. This advance notice gives the executives enough time to get to their bunkers – but in the background, a few of their closest associates have been wondering if the decisions and attitudes of these industry leaders might be the reason society is now facing collapse. Is there anything they can do to alter what seems to be an inevitable future? Strap yourself in for a gripping thriller that confronts issues around AI, power hoarding and wealth imbalance – and get ready for the mother of all twists.
This dream of a novel has sold over one million copies in South Korea and is beloved in its home country. Now available in translation for the first time, it follows Penny, a new hire at the eponymous department store which, simply put, supplies sleepers with dreams. This is Penny’s dream job and she quickly settles in, gets to know her colleagues and tries to establish the mysterious chains of command between the fantastical creatures which run the different departments. Penny meets with the dream makers themselves, respected artisans who craft dreams to solve problems, create romance or unlock secrets. It gradually becomes clear that the department store exists in a dream world, where sleepers arrive before they start dreaming to select their night’s adventure or be given helpful hints by those who work in the store – sometimes the dreamers arrive unsuitably attired, and have to be given pyjamas or nightgowns to wear. We’re also treated to the results of the dreams out in the real world, where people suddenly remember forgotten facts or fall in love with new acquaintances. Heavy on delightful ‘magical admin’, the book sees dreamers pay for their experiences with much-sought-after emotions, which can then be used to craft ever-more-complex nighttime imaginings. The perfect wintry read for those who love fantasy. BY MI-YE LEE DALLERGUT DREAM DEPARTMENT STORE
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Avid lifelong storyteller and acclaimed crime author Leonie Swann shares an in-depth insight into her unique writing process A Cambridge WRITER’S DIARY
I have always enjoyed stories to the point that, as a kid, I told myself my own bedtime stories when my parents’ offerings didn’t prove satisfactory. Yet, becoming an author looked quite unattainable, something that required the muse to descend and the stars to align. Only later, when I started to understand that writing is a craft, did I try my hand at one of the world’s first sheep detective stories. The stars certainly did align, my first novel Three Bags Full was a huge success in my native Germany and ended up being translated into 26 languages. It was quite a shock – requiring a steep learning curve – but I never looked back. I have never had a proper job, and the fact that I now work as a full-time author never ceases to amaze me. I usually delve into a new story headfirst without too much of a plan. I pick a few characters, drop them into an interesting situation and watch events unfold. The benefit of this method is that I keep surprising myself – and hopefully the reader too. The disadvantage is that I can end up writing a lot of the plot without any idea who the murderer could be, which adds a certain element of suspense. This phase of the process requires perseverance and a portion of blind faith. All I can do is carry on and hope that everything will come together in the end – and when it does, it’s a wonderful feeling indeed.
I enjoy telling stories about unlikely heroes. For my latest novel The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp , the starting point was a rather simple idea: find the most inept bunch of detectives imaginable! Let me introduce you to Agnes Sharp and her house share of the old and unruly. Agnes and her octogenarian friends might be struggling with mobility issues, memory loss or downright battiness, but when their neighbour meets a violent end, you couldn’t find a more dedicated gang of investigators at the scene. There are benefits to finding a killer, of course; you could pin another dead body on him – like the one Agnes and her friends are currently hiding in their shed. It would be a win-win situation, surely? A flurry of frantic and rather unconventional detective work ensues, leading our heroes out of their comfort zone and into the seemingly sleepy village of Duck End. The book is set in idyllic rural England, not unlike my own little Cambridgeshire village. Luckily, this is where the similarities come to an end. I have yet to come across a dead body – long may it remain so! – and the local peace and quiet is perfect for my creative process. I find inspiration when I’m pottering around my garden, on long country walks or visits to Cambridge with its stimulating university vibes.
One of my absolute favourite spots has to be the top of Great St Mary’s bell tower – I defy anyone to look down on the hustle and bustle, with the dignified stone all around, and not feel inspired by what’s on offer. MURDER MYSTERY Leonie Swann’s novel brings a dark yet comedic twist to an investigative journey in a quiet little village
There are benefits to finding a killer, of course
The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp by Leonie Swann is published by Allison & Busby and is priced at £16.99
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK JANUARY 2024 23
LOCAL LIFE
STREET APPEAL Snapshots of a City After 13 years and 5,000 photographs, Martin Bond reflects on his daily portrait project, A Cambridge Diary, and why it’s time to move on to something new
WORDS BY PHOEBE HARPER
A lone cyclist makes his way film. One row of choirboys fight boredom on their smartphones while a skull looms overhead against the scenic backdrop of St John’s College Chapel. Three nuns in various degrees of good posture paddle along the Cam, as one’s attention is caught by a male rower mid-workout. These are some of the rare, fleeting moments captured by local photographer Martin Bond in his vast photo project, A Cambridge Diary , where he took a photograph of the city every day for the past 13 years to capture its evolving charm. The project began in 2010 when down Silver Street with a cloud of balloons strapped to his back like something out of a Pixar Martin, a ‘jobbing photographer’ who fell into the career by mere chance, was trying out a new camera lens in the old Jessops shop on Green Street. “Photography found me, rather than the other way round, and I’m extremely
Facebook page. The year soon passed – and although his following remained small, Martin was hooked not just by the creative challenge, but also by developing his photographic skills as he was forced to shoot only in portrait mode. “I decided I’d keep doing it until I got fed up,” he says. Gradually, the years went by and the following grew, reaching 23k followers on Instagram and a further 52k on X (formerly Twitter) at the time of writing.
grateful that it did,” he enthuses. At the time, the shop’s manager encouraged Martin to take the new lens for a spin on the street outside. There he noticed a signwriter busy at work, precariously perched on a ladder, balancing his paint in one hand and a brush in the other. “As I raised my camera to take his picture, the tin of paint fell to the floor all over his rucksack,” he recalls. “The look on his face was priceless and I began to wonder if there was anyone taking the trouble to record those going about their normal business in Cambridge outside of the college walls.” So Martin embarked on what was originally meant to be a 365-day project, sharing a photo each day on a dedicated
CHAPTERS NEW Ten years seemed a natural point of
closure, before Covid-19 struck and Martin knew it would be the wrong time to bring his series of photos – a consistent daily source of beauty, wonder and escapism Photography found me, rather than the other way round
24 JANUARY 2024 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
LOCAL LIFE
ALL IMAGES © 2010-2023 MARTIN BOND. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL IMAGES ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF MARTIN BOND AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION.
FLEETING FRAMES Martin paints a whimsical picture, transforming the mundane into wonder and escapism
physical to show for it. There’s a saying that goes, ‘a photograph doesn’t count until it’s printed’, and I agree with it.” A SHIFTING CITY Cambridge born and bred, a ‘town boy’ born in the maternity hospital that once existed on Mill Road, Martin witnessed first-hand the rapid pace of change that has swept through the city in recent decades. Having known Cambridge in a bygone era, prior to the arrival of endless traffic, relentless congestion and orange- hued clouds of light pollution, the city’s transformation is not an entirely positive one. “Since I began taking these pictures, Cambridge’s population has grown from 120,000 people to just over 150,000, and that’s just within the confines of the city,” he observes. “We also get upwards of seven million tourists a year. An obvious question is: where do all those people go?” In the face of massive developments sprouting on the fringes of the city, the
in the everyday to so many – to a close. There was still some steam left. “Over the course of the project, I’ve developed a purpose of trying to look at ordinary things, but find something in that scene which is almost otherworldly. People provide these moments every day, and we miss them all the time.” Now, Martin has settled on a new ending – picture number 5,000. “It’s been a difficult decision to make, but it’s time to release myself from this self-inflicted discipline!” he shares. The virtual diary may be coming to a close, but a fresh venture begins with the publication of a series of photo books – thick, hardback coffee table tomes which are a visual celebration of the finest images from Martin’s record of Cambridge. The first, Cambridge – Town & Gown , contains 365 images from the first seven years, and a further two will follow. “All that work will eventually disappear into the ether. I wanted to have something
scenic historic centre grows ever more exclusive. The colleges where a young Martin could once wander freely, passing through as shortcuts, are now either closed for a fee or blocked to the public entirely. “It’s sad because so many of us have grown up in this city, yet we are excluded from its biggest part,” he shares. For Martin, Cambridge today represents an exhausted city, stifled by a suffocating level of congestion caused by exponential growth. Our conversation, and indeed Martin’s project, draw to a close as a poignant reminder that ours is a strained city that needs space to breathe in the face of an uncertain future. “Nevertheless, it doesn’t stop me wanting to see the beauty.”
acambridgediary.co.uk
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK JANUARY 2024 25
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RESTAURANT WEEK Guess what’s back by popular demand? Restaurant Week 2024! Join us 11-20 March for a mouth-watering encore of culinary delights. Indulge your taste buds in a trip through the heart of our city. Your favourite local restaurants are gearing up to showcase their best with set menus and unbeatable deals. It’s the tastiest event in town, and you won’t want to miss a bite! Keep your eye on the Love Cambridge website for details. love-cambridge.com The Women’s Art Collection, Cambridge Walking Tours, Grand Arcade, Anglia Ruskin University, Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge Film Festival, Soho Fine Art Gallery, Downing College and many more! Full line-up to be announced in the new year. We’re delighted to welcome a variety of organisations to take part in the inaugural festival and in future editions of the festival. We want to open opportunities for artists from all backgrounds in Cambridgeshire to get involved. To share interest and be a part of future opportunities, please contact us at: info@cambridgebid.co.uk CAMBRIDGE ARTS FESTIVAL
A NEW CULTURAL EVENT FOR THE CALENDAR Some exciting events are on the agenda with the inaugural Cambridge Arts Festival and return of Restaurant Week
Join the city of Cambridge as we embark on a journey through a vibrant tapestry of culture with the first-ever Cambridge Arts Festival, illuminating the cityscape from 12 to 18 February 2024. The inaugural festival promises to infuse creativity and collaboration into the quiet canvas of the new year, celebrating diverse treasures that make our beloved city stand out. Cambridge Arts Festival is not just an event, it’s a celebration of the cultural mosaic that defines our city. Local galleries, art shops, museums and dynamic organisations unite during this week-long extravaganza. Immerse yourself in workshops and activities curated exclusively for Cambridge Arts Festival. This festival is an inclusive celebration inviting visitors, city workers and residents alike to partake in the magic. Our mission is to
spotlight the warm, welcoming creative spirit found in every corner of Cambridge, embracing individuals from all walks of life. The Cambridge Arts Festival is an event where everyone belongs, and where diversity is celebrated. At the heart of our festival lies the mantra ‘Arts Is…’, a call to explore the interpretations and expressions of art. Encouraging bespoke and individual journeys, we will celebrate the power of expression and creativity. We want your imagination to run wild as you engage with art in ways that resonate uniquely with you. Save the date and be part of history as we launch the Cambridge Arts Festival, an event that promises to be a beacon of creativity, inclusivity and inspiration. Let the city come alive with the magic of art, uniting us all in a celebration of our shared cultural tapestry!
LOVE CAMBRIDGE GIFT CARD The Love Cambridge Gift Card is the perfect gift. Accepted in over 180 businesses in Cambridge, ranging from shops to restaurants, cafes, beauty salons, hairdressers and much more. The Gift Card can only be spent in Cambridge, supporting your local high street and the many businesses we know and love. To buy online, visit love-cambridgegiftcard.co.uk
COMING ATTRACTIONS
2024 Calendar Get these dates in your diary for highlights of the year to come
CAMBRIDGE MUSIC FESTIVAL 6 FEBRUARY, WEST ROAD CONCERT HALL
The spring series begins with a performance from pianist Stephen Hough.
13-28 MARCH
Returning with its fourth programme, expect a series of free in-person and online events and activities from the University of Cambridge. CAMBRIDGE FESTIVAL
CAMBRIDGE ART FESTIVAL 12-18 FEBRUARY
A new week-long programme of events from Love Cambridge to support the local arts scene.
TTP CAMBRIDGE HALF MARATHON 3 MARCH
21 JUNE - 9 AUGUST, NEWMARKET RACECOURSE
The city’s biggest sporting event is back for another gruelling year!
Championing the local indie business scene. INDEPENDENTS’ WEEK 1-7 JULY Head to the July Course for performances from Busted, Becky Hill and more! NEWMARKET NIGHTS
Cambridge and Oxford go head-to-head on the Thames once again. GEMINI BOAT RACE 30 MARCH, LONDON
CAMBRIDGE BEER FESTIVAL 20-25 MAY, JESUS GREEN
One of Europe’s longest-running celebrations of folk music. CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL 25-28 JULY, CHERRY HINTON HALL
This ever-popular ale-quaffing event celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
1 JUNE, MIDSUMMER COMMON
This year’s headliners include Chaka Khan, Jessie Ware and Earth, Wind and Fire. THE CAMBRIDGE CLUB FESTIVAL 7-9 JUNE, CHILDERLEY ORCHARD
Also marking a half century is this eclectic live music and arts festival. STRAWBERRY FAIR
A celebration of local history and culture, with free walks, talks, tours and events. OPEN CAMBRIDGE 6-15 SEPTEMBER
A vibrant selection of short films, golden oldies and new releases. CAMBRIDGE FILM FESTIVAL 17 - 24 OCTOBER
17-21 APRIL
Book lovers rejoice at the Spring Festival. CAMBRIDGE LITERARY FESTIVAL
NOVEMBER (TBC), MIDSUMMER COMMON
17 NOVEMBER, MARKET SQUARE
Convene on the green for a showstopping display, sponsored last year by Illumina. FIREWORKS NIGHT CAMBRIDGE JAZZ FESTIVAL 15 NOVEMBER - 1 DECEMBER Keep your eyes peeled for announcements from this favourite annual extravaganza.
Cambridge gets Christmas ready! THE BIG SWITCH ON
24 DECEMBER, KING’S COLLEGE CHAPEL
Heralding the start of Christmas, this candlelit service is an iconic tradition. A FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK JANUARY 2024 29
STREET STYLE
Cambridge Photographer Mark Box shares some of his favourite portraits from the streets of Cambridge this month – can you spot anyone you know?
Sometimes, we just need to take a moment to breathe and let the sunlight warm our souls
ABOUT THE PROJECT Humans of Cambridge is an Instagram photoblog by local photographer Mark Box. It began as a lockdown project and has turned into a sensation, featuring an ever-growing number of Cambridge’s colourful characters on the @humanofcambridge grid. Mark is out most days snapping, and can usually be found in the Market Square on King’s Parade, Burrell’s Walk and Garret Hostel Bridge – your best bet for being papped is to head out around lunchtime wearing something suitably eye-catching!
A lovely, autumnal festive colour palette
A playful yet stylish nod to the season, which turns every glance into a delightful reminder of the Christmas spirit
30 JANUARY 2024
STREET STYLE
With an air of quiet confidence, Lucian exudes an intriguing blend of creativity and curiosity
Catching a smile with Abigail, an A&E nurse, a wife and a plant-based runner!
Dressed in a rich palette of autumn colours, this human embodies the warmth and vibrancy of the season
There is beauty behind what we cannot see, and we are treated to her stunning gaze
It’s cold outside... or it could be that Hannah is plotting something deliciously devious!
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK DECEMBER 2023 31
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MOVE SMART WITH PART EXCHANGE Simplify your house move in 2024 with the Part Exchange scheme* from The Hill Group A s exciting as moving to a new home is, buying and selling can be a time-consuming and Development: Capstone Fields Location: Hardwick Prices from: £579,950 to £899,950 Part Exchange available: Four- and five-bedroom houses
stressful process. Part Exchange from The Hill Group is a scheme designed to streamline the moving process so you can spend more time looking forward to the future in your new home. The process is simple. Firstly, find your new home from a selection of participating developments including Capstone Fields, Chesterford Meadows, Eden Green and Knights Park. The dedicated sales team will then obtain three independent valuations on your property, and within a week of receiving those figures, they will make you an offer to purchase your current home. As soon as you accept, you are free to proceed with the sale of your new Hill home. Having been awarded WhatHouse Housebuilder of the Year 2023 and been awarded a five-star status from the Home Builders Federation Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey for the past six years in a row, The Hill Group prides itself on putting customers first and helping their home buying journey. So, if you’re ready to unlock the door to a new home in 2024 and purchase with confidence, contact the Hill sales team today to start life in one of the following sought-after developments. Prices from: £1,099,950 to £1,349,950 Part Exchange available: Four- and five-bedroom houses Situated in Cambridge’s visionary new sustainable district, the contemporary homes within Knights Park are designed to be a seamless fit within this environmentally responsible destination. Both four- and five-bedroom homes are available in a versatile mixture of contemporary styles and layouts; each property is highly energy-efficient with a host of eco-friendly features. Not only does this benefit the Development: Knights Park Location: Eddington, Cambridge environment, it also makes your home cheaper to run. With an ideal blend of comfort and style, enjoy a beautifully designed modern living space and a private outdoor area within a flourishing and welcoming community – all just a 12-minute cycle from central Cambridge.
Now over 70% sold, Capstone Fields is an exclusive village development that combines the idyllic rural setting of Hardwick with the convenience of city life since Cambridge is just seven miles away. In this scenic countryside location, you will find a stunning collection of houses that have been delivered in proud collaboration between Latimer by Clarion Housing Group and The Hill Group. Prices from: £599,950 to £949,950 Part Exchange available: Four- and five-bedroom houses Great Chesterford is a quintessentially English village, home to a thriving community, cosy pubs, leading schools and Chesterford Meadows: a collection of homes that have been carefully designed to maximise neighbourly connections. The development makes the most of its natural surroundings with a combined cycle route and footpath to encourage active living. There’s an exclusive green open space with planting and meadow-style grassland to attract wildlife and foster biodiversity. Offering a home for life, each property evokes a sense of togetherness, calmness and tranquillity, with generous outdoor space and stylish, contemporary interiors. Despite the quiet village location, Great Chesterford station is just a ten-minute walk away with links to both Cambridge and London. Development: Chesterford Meadows Location: Great Chesterford Prices from: £799,950 to £1,049,950 Part Exchange available: Four- and five-bedroom houses Located within another charming village destination, Eden Green offers a covetable collection of 30 three- to five-bedroom homes. Within this new, spacious community, each house has its own character and is designed to complement the natural landscape around the private village green. Finchingfield itself is one of the most photographed villages in Development: Eden Green Location: Finchingfield
England, and the development is dotted with woodland trees and picturesque rows of wildflowers. Inside each home, enjoy the convenience of integrated appliances, a fully fitted kitchen including flooring and a built-in wardrobe to principal bedroom. With the high standards and carefully considered layouts that apply to any Hill house, you are bound to find a perfect blank canvas for your forever home. *Part Exchange is available only on selected properties. Your existing home must be no more than 60% of the value of the new home you are purchasing. Not all properties can be considered for Part Exchange. Offers will be subject to RICS structural survey, valuation and contract. For full terms and conditions and eligibility criteria, speak to a member of Hill’s sales team **Moving- in day may be subject to change. Find out about our participating developments across Cambridgeshire and Essex by visiting hill. co.uk/part-exchange
32 JANUARY 2024 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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