Now stay with me here because I know parking isn’t the most absorbing topic for a blog post BUT if you are planning to bring your car into Cambridge over the coming weekends, you are probably already dreading the massive queues for municipal car parks, not to mention the whopping dent that parking charges will make in your wallet. This Christmas, there is another way …..
Image credit: Rotary Club of Cambridge South
The Rotary Club of Cambridge South is opening three University sites for car parking. They ask for a cash donation of £7 or more per car and last year raised over £33,000 from parking donations. This year, your donations will go to support Headway, Romsey Mill, Projects in Africa, Rotary Foundation, CamPod, University of Cambridge Veterinary School Trust and Winter Comfort, with smaller donations to other charitable projects.
Read on for the parking locations, dates and opening times!
Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, CB2
Saturday 23 and 30 November. 7, 14, 21 and 28 December. Entry from 8.30am
Sunday 24 November. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 December. Entry from 10am
Friday 27 and Monday 30 December. Entry from 8.30am
Exit by 7pm
Department of Chemistry, Lensfield Road, CB2
Saturday 23 and 30 November. 7, 14, 21 and 28 December. Entry from 10am
Sunday 24 November. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 December. Entry from 11am
Friday 27 and Monday 30 December. Entry from 10am
Exit by 5pm
Cambridge Assessment, Harvey Road, CB1
Saturday 23 and 30 November. 7, 14, 21 and 28 December. Entry from 9.30am
Friday 27 and Monday 30 December. Entry from 9.30am
Exit by 5pm
PLEASE NOTE THIS SITE IS NOT OPEN ON SUNDAYS
Image credit: Rotary Club of Cambridge South
For further details of this festive car parking and for more on the Rotary Club of Cambridge South, check out their website.
I love Christmas. One of my fondest childhood memories is going to the pantomime each year with my cousins. It was always my granny’s treat and it was so exciting, putting on my best dress and heading out to the theatre. The festive season is just around the corner now so if your thoughts are turning to booking a Christmas show, here’s a run-down of what’s going on in the city this year.
Image credit: CUADC/Footlights
27 Nov – 7 December Red Riding Hood. The annual CUADC/Footlights panto at the ADC Theatre http://www.adctheatre.com
What they say: “Join Red and her friends on an epic adventure of self discovery, brought to life by Cambridge’s finest comedic and musical talent.”
What we say: This panto is always very funny indeed with a talented cast and orchestra who give it their all every year. Book quickly as tickets are already getting scarce.
British Sign Language interpreted performance 2.30pm 22 December
Relaxed performance 11am 29 December
What they say: “An all singing, all dancing, anarchic extravaganza … perfect for anyone who loves, hates or feels ambivalent about Christmas.”
What we say: This is a family Christmas show from Figs in Wigs, a female led performance company who promise puns, bad jokes and pop culture references. We loved last year’s show from NIE, Snow White, and we’re looking forward to this.
What they say: “Ballet Central will showcase their dazzling 45 minute version of the time-honoured Nutcracker, introducing children of all ages to a new version of the iconic Tchaikovsky score.”
What we say: A shortened version of The Nutcracker is a perfect way to introduce children to ballet. These final year students from the Central School of Ballet are on the cusp of their professional careers and dance their hearts out in a really magical performance. The costumes, the music …. we were captivated by this last year. Book quickly as there aren’t many tickets left.
29 Dec – 4 Jan A Tchaikovsky Trilogy of The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet. Cambridge Corn Exchange http://www.cambridgelive.org.uk
What they say: “This acclaimed company combines classical training and technique with outstanding soloists to entertain audiences in breath-taking style.”
What we say: We didn’t catch this in Cambridge last Christmas but we have seen St Petersburg Classic Ballet perform elsewhere and they are excellent. A full length ballet to enjoy without going all the way to London!
So November is here, with bright frosty mornings and leaves crunching under our feet. As ever, there’s loads going on in the city this month. Do get in touch if you know of an event that I could add in to this listing and don’t forget to check back every now and again as I will update it through the month.
Gourds at Cambridge Market
1st 7pm Cinema under the Whale. A special screening of the Spielberg classic JAWS, in the dark under the skeleton of a 21 metre whale. Plus a short pre-screening talk on threats to sharks and work to protect them. Museum of Zoology, Downing Street. http://www.museum.zoo.cam.ac.uk
2nd 10am – 1pm Family Saturday – Feed the Birds. Help the birds in your garden survive the frosty winter nights by making bird feeders to put out in your garden. Free event. Botanic Garden, Brookside. http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk
2nd 10.30 – 11.15am Sharing Stories. Stories from around the world, told, read and sung. Free, drop in. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Milton Road Library. http://www.friendsofmiltonroadlibrary.org.uk
2nd 2 – 4pm Magic and Mystery Family drop in. Magic crafts, family tours and story telling. Free. Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk
2nd 3.30pm Autumn Concert. Cambridge Wind Band. The Ashburton Hall, St Faith’s School, Trumpington Road. http://www.camwindband.com
2nd 6.30pm Even You Song. Director of Music Owain Park with Cambridge Chorale and school choirs against a backdrop of digital projections and new writing. An immersive work based on Choral Evensong inspired by space travel. Trinity College Chapel. Tickets from http://bit.ly/2YvwxAb
6 – 14th Cambridge Music Festival. A programme of classical music with world-class artists, both well known figures and rising stars. http://www.cambridgemusicfestival.co.uk
6th 7.30pm Handel Coronation Anthems, Concerto Grosso in B flat major, Op 3 No 2 and Organ Concerto in F Major, Op 4 No 4. Academy of Ancient Music and Choir of King’s College Cambridge. King’s College Chapel. http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/concerts
8th 7.30pm Mike de Souza Trio. A vibrant young trio performing new, original music drawing on the sounds of contemporary jazz, Radiohead and Deerhoof. Unitarian Church, Emmanuel Road. http://www.wegottickets.com/listencambridge
9th 6.30 – 10.30pm Ceilidh. Raising funds for Cambridge Street Aid and The Cyriacs, St Paul’s Church, Hills Road. http://www.eventbrite.co.uk
9th 7.30pm Brahms: German Requiem and Cello Sonata in E minor. New Cambridge Singers. Little St Mary’s Church, Trumpington Street. http://www.newcambridgesingers.org.uk
12th 7.30 – 9pm Changing Landscapes in Romsey Town. Talk by John McGill for Mill Road History Society. Ross Street Community Centre. http://www.millroadhistory.org.uk
13 – 24th Cambridge International Jazz Festival. Main events, Fringe events (many of which are free), family events, workshops, talks and films at venues around the city. http://www.cambridgejazzfestival.info
13th 7.15pm True Stories Told Live. Local storytellers and a song. NCI Club, Holland Street. FB @cambridgetruestories
16th 10.30 – 11.15am Sharing Stories. Stories from around the world, told, read and sung. Free, drop in. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Milton Road Library. http://www.friendsofmiltonroadlibrary.org.uk
16th 2 – 5.30pm Literature Cambridge Study Day: Understanding “Hamlet”, with Cambridge scholars Adrian Poole and Fred Parker. Stapleford Granary, CB22. http://www.literaturecambridge.co.uk/hamlet
16th North Pole Cambridge Ice Rink opens. Skate under a transparent roof. Funfair, Alpine Cabin themed bar and stalls. Closes 5.1.20. Parker’s Piece. http://www.thenorthpolecambridge.co.uk
16 – 17th 11 am – 5pm Ink, Paper and Print Illustration Fair. Screenprints, letterpress, hand-made books, lithographs, linocuts and more. Free admission. The Guildhall, Market Square. http://www.inkpaperandprint.co.uk
16 – 17th 10am – 5pm A handmade Christmas pottery exhibition and sale. 15+ potters, a wide range of ceramics from rustic to refined, free kids’ craft. Kiln Cambridge, 61 Ditton Walk, CB5. FB@kilncambridge
22nd – 8 Dec 11am – 4pm Fri – Sun, 5 – 8pm Weds. Here and How? An exhibition of artists from the North West, curated by STOCK Gallery. Motion Sickness Project Space, Petty Cury. http://www.motion-sick.wixsite.com
23rd 11am – 5pm Worth the Weight Vintage Kilo Sale. Vintage clothing from the 60s – 90s. £15 per kilo. St. Paul’s, Hills Road. FB @worththeweightvintage
23rd 7.30pm Mozart Requiem. Trinity Singers. Trinity College Chapel. Tickets on the door.
23rd 7.30pm Dance the Night Away. Brahms, Khachaturian, Offenbach and more. A concert in aid of Cambridgeshire Lupus Group. Cambridge Concert Orchestra. The Church of St John the Evangelist, Hills Road. Tickets from http://cco.org.uk or http://www.eventbrite.com or on the door
26th Feast & Fast: The Art of Food in Europe, 1500 – 1800 exhibition opens (running until 26.4.20). Presents novel approaches to understanding the history and culture of food and eating. Free entry. Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk
28 – 30th 12 noon – 7.30pm Thursday/10am – 6.30pm Friday and Saturday. Cambridge Made Christmas Fair. Loads of fabulous hand made goodies from local makers. Free entry. St. Andrew’s Baptist Church, St. Andrew’s Street. FB @CambridgeMade
28th 5 – 9pm LATE: A Feast for your Senses. See the new Feast & Fast exhibition, join pop up talks, learn more about Christmas food traditions and book for a special screening of Bright Star, a romantic drama about John Keats. Christmas shopping, live jazz and seasonal treats in the Cafe. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk
30th 10.30 – 11.15am Sharing Stories. Stories from around the world, told, read and sung. Free, drop in. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Milton Road Library. http://www.friendsofmiltonroadlibrary.org.uk
30th 2pm and 3pm “Mouse’s Night Before Christmas”. Award winning author Tracey Corderoy reads from her new book. Festive craft activity. Tickets £3 in advance, redeemable against a copy of the book when bought on the day. Heffers, Trinity Street. http://www.heffers.co.uk/events
The Rising Tide: Women at Cambridge exhibition marks 150 years since the foundation of the first women’s college and shines a light on the life of women at the University, from Nobel Prize winners to student activists to those who worked as bedmakers, gardeners, typists and cooks … women who faced a variety of challenges and broke down many barriers.
The North and South Galleries of the University Library are lined with paintings and photographs of women who have made exceptional contributions in so many fields, to the University and to women’s equality. From Baroness Brenda Hale of Richmond (President of our Supreme Court, who quashed the recent prorogation of Parliament and who also has a nice line in brooches) to Helen Stephens (the first female Head Porter of a Cambridge college) and Kate Litman (CUSU Women’s Officer 2019), to name just a few, these women have shaped and are shaping the University that we know today.
Baroness Brenda Hale of Richmond
Downstairs in the Milstein Exhibition Centre, the story of the lived experience of women at Cambridge and their fight for equal educational rights is told through costumes, letters, documents and audio visual material. It’s astonishing to realise that women were only given full membership of the University in 1948, previous requests for equality in 1897 and 1921 having been put to the vote and rejected.
Image reproduced by kind permission of the Syndics of Cambridge
Girton College (founded 1869) and Newnham College (founded 1871) offered courses to women but they could not be awarded degrees. Between 1904 and 1907, Trinity College Dublin offered these women the chance to travel to Dublin to officially graduate and receive a full degree – those who took up this offer were known as “steamboat ladies” due to their mode of travel! And on what must have been a joyous day in 1998, 900 women who had never been able to graduate with full degrees processed up King’s Parade to Senate House to graduate at last.
Trinity College Dublin c. 1904 Image credit: Girton College
Cambridge University Library has existed in some form since the middle of the 14th century. Since 1934, its collections have been housed in a magnificent but slightly forbidding looking building on West Road designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the architect who also created our iconic red telephone boxes and Battersea Power Station. The Library contains more than 8 million books and periodicals, 1 million maps and thousands of manuscripts. As a legal deposit library, it is entitled to acquire a copy of every book and journal published in the UK and Ireland, which explains its 125 miles plus of shelving and the fact that said shelving extends by 2 miles every year.
Image credit: Cambridge University Library
There is so much to see in this moving and thought provoking exhibition. It’s a wonderful chance to explore collections from across the University and colleges in this iconic Library building. The exhibition and a linked programme of events is free and open to all. The Rising Tide: Women at Cambridge runs until 21 March 2020 and is open every day except Sunday.
Eddington Craft Beer & Gin Festival returns to Storey’s Field Centre from 17 – 20 October.
Image credit: The Crane Event
The Festival was born just a year ago when local event management company The Crane Event was approached to fill a gap in the Storey’s Field Centre schedule at short notice. Teaming up with Cambridge Event Bars, they created this hugely successful happening which is returning for a second year by popular demand, with over 30 craft beers from the best independent breweries and over 20 gins (so that’s me sorted then!).
Image credit: The Crane Event
There’ll be a different street food van each day, music from Americana good time band Swamp Truck on Friday and a home brew competition on Sunday.
Swamptruck Image credit: The Crane Event
Lifelong Cambridge residents Justin and Jemma Crane founded The Crane Event three years ago. Operating from their Mitcham’s Corner office (and assisted by office dogs Ludo and Shadow), they have fused Justin’s project management expertise with Jemma’s marketing experience to create a business which works mainly on corporate events both nationally and internationally.
Image credit: The Crane Event
Cambridge Event Bars has been providing bars and bar service throughout the UK to private and public events, as well as festivals, since 2014.
I’ve yet to visit Storey’s Field Centre at Eddington but I’ve noticed it coming up more and more as a venue for all sorts of Cambridge events. Justin tells me it’s a really beautiful new, fresh building, fully equipped and eco friendly with several flexible spaces inside. As the Eddington population grows, Storey’s Field Centre has become a focus for community as well as corporate events.
Image credit: The Crane Event
Getting to Eddington is easy. Either use the U bus or cycle (there’s plenty of cycle parking). If you decide to take the car, Madingley Park and Ride is just a five minute walk away.
Children are welcome at the Festival until 9pm each day and under 18’s get in free. Tickets are available on the door or you can pre-purchase through Eventbrite, where tickets are cheaper and will fast track you past any queues on the day.
Now here’s a fantastic one-stop-shop for everybody who’s working to shrink their waste, reduce their carbon footprint and live more sustainably. Cambridge Remakery is popping up in the new community space at The Grafton Centre over the weekend of 12 and 13 October and you’ll find plenty of help, advice and free activities here.
A Repair Cafe for electrical items, toys, clothing, bicycles etc.
Hands on workshops for bike maintenance, furniture repair, upholstery and jewellery repair
An upcycling activity with recycling advice and a bird feeder upcycling project for children
A Swish ... bring clothes you don’t wear and swap them for clothes you will wear at this women’s clothes swapping party
A sewing skillshare where you’ll pick up tips and acquire new sewing skills
A craftivism workshop on 13 October with an artist from Kettle’s Yard. Bring along a T shirt, scarf, jumper or bag on which to emblazon your own environmental message
One-to-one advice on living more sustainably from Cambridge Carbon Footprint and Transition Cambridge
Sustainable living stalls from The Nu Wardrobe, a clothes sharing social network, and Full Circle Shop, Cambridge’s own zero waste shop
Image credit: Full Circle Shop
Remakery projects are now established and flourishing in Brixton and Edinburgh with more in the pipeline for the UK and internationally. Wouldn’t it be brilliant if the Cambridge Remakery became a permanent hub to support us all as we work to live more sustainably??
Well here we are, it’s October already and the rhythm of the city is changing again as the students return. There’s so much happening in Cambridge this month … festivals of film, ideas, craft beer and gin, storytelling, fundraisers for local charities, art exhibitions, Diwali celebrations and lots more. So do take a look and come back too, as I’ll update this listing through the month.
Autumn colours in Trumpington Street
1 – 12th 8am – 5pm Illuminating Cambridge Libraries. Exhibition of Sara Rawlinson’s photographs of College libraries. Michaelhouse Centre, Trinity Street, CB2. http://www.sararawlinson.com
1 – 31st 9am – 5pm weekdays. Black Cantabs: History Makers. Photography exhibition celebrating 260 years of Cambridge education for black Cambridge students and graduates from the 1700s to the 21st century. Fitzwilliam College, Storey’s Way, CB3
3 – 27th The Cambridge Show. Painting, photography, performance, sculpture and other media from 22 local artists. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk
5th 10am – 1pm Family Saturdays – Brilliant Bats. Learn loads of bat facts and enjoy bat themed craft ready for Halloween. Free event. Botanic Garden, Brookside. http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk
5th 10.30 – 11.15am Sharing Stories. A family friendly story telling session with stories from around the world told, read and sung. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Free, drop in. Milton Road Library, CB4. http://www.friendsofmiltonroadlibrary.org.uk
5th 11am – 1pm Toy Swap Shop. Also books (fiction/children) and clothes swap (women/children). Storey’s Field Centre, Eddington. http://www.atoyslifeandbeyond.org
5th 2.30pm Nearly New Sale of pre-loved parent and baby goods. Sports Centre, Cambridge Regional College, Kings Hedges Road. http://www.nctcambridge.org
7th 7.30 – 9pm LATE: Gallery Party. Celebrate the launch of a new season of programming on the theme of Sensual/Virtual. Music, cash bar and surprises on the night. Free event. Fitzwilliam Museum. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk
10th 7.30 – 9pm Miss Jebb revisits Mill Road. An evening of fact and fiction, drama and poetry as Eglantyne Jebb, founder of Save the Children and author of “Cambridge – A Brief Study in Social Questions (1906), takes us for a walk down Mill Road. Free event. Ross Street Community Centre, Ross Street. http://www.millroadhistory.org.uk
12th 10am 2019 Heffers Classics Forum. A day of talks from some of the top names in the world of Classics. The Old Library, Emmanuel College, St Andrew’s Street. http://www.eventbrite.co.uk
12th 10am – 3pm The Kenya Youth Project Autumn Fayre. Stalls, pictures, stationery, handcrafts, nearly new, books, jigsaws, toys, homemade jam and cakes, Kenyan gifts. Wesley Methodist Church, Christ’s Pieces. http://www.kenyayouthproject.org.uk
12th 10.30am – 2.30pm Nearly New and Used Book Sale. Milton Road Library, CB4
13th 12 noon – 4pm Studio Sunday. Artist led workshop for families. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk
13th 1.15 – 2pm Lunchtime Concert: Works for piano by female composers. Diana Brekalo presents music by Lily Boulanger, Fanny Mendelssohn, Clara Schumann and Countess Dora Pejacevic. Free. Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk
13th 7.30pm Schumann: Overture – Genoveva, Piano Concerto in A minor, Symphony No 2 in C. Sinfonia of Cambridge. West Road Concert Hall. http://www.sinfoniaofcambridge.org.uk
14 – 27th Cambridge Festival of Ideas. Debates, workshops, talks, exhibitions and performances celebrating the arts, humanities and social sciences. This year’s theme is “Change”. Free. http://www.festivalofideas.cam.ac.uk
15th 7pm Fundraiser Evening for Cam Sight. Dining and music from CBT. The Three Horseshoes, Madingley. http://www.camsight.org.uk
16 – 19th The 2019 Cambridge Greek Play: Oedipus at Colonus by Sophocles. A modern day interpretation, performed in Ancient Greek with English surtitles. The tradition of performing a play in Greek every three years at Cambridge University goes back to 1882! Cambridge Arts Theatre, Peas Hill. http://www.cambridgeartstheatre.com
16th 7pm Cafe Sci Cambridge: The ethics of medical data sharing. Espresso Library, East Road. FB @cafescicambridge
17 – 24th Cambridge Film Festival. UK premieres of new features, classic retrospectives, insightful documentaries, short films, discovery titles from the global stage, family favourites and several international film festival winners. http://www.cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk
17 – 20th Eddington Craft Beer and Gin Festival. Local craft beers, flavourful gins, live music and food vans. Storey’s Field Centre, Eddington. http://www.eventbrite.com
18th 7.30pm Somersaults. Propulsive, joyous spontaneous music ranging from swinging free jazz to timbral and textural improvisations. Unitarian Church, Emmanuel Road. http://www.wegottickets.com/listencambridge
18 – 19th 7.30pm Dracula Part 1: Jonathan Harker’s Journal with Martin Prest in the haunting and atmospheric one man show adapted from Bram Stoker’s classic novel. The Leper Chapel, Newmarket Road. http://www.ThatsMyCueProductions.com
19th 10am – 4pm Cambridge Photography Show. For anyone who is passionate about photography and video. Free entry. Guildhall, Market Square. FB Cambridge Photography Show 2019
19th 10.30 – 11.15am Sharing Stories. A family friendly storytelling session with stories from around the world told, read and sung. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Free, drop in. Milton Road Library, CB4. http://www.friendsofmiltonroadlibrary.org.uk
19th 12 noon – 4pm WE ARE CAMBRIDGE Family Day. A fun, interactive day exploring what living in and around Cambridge means to you. Artist led workshops where you can create artwork inspired by Cambridge, your ideas of home and hopes for the future of the city. Plus a wildflower seed-bomb workshop inspired by the history and work of Alan Turing. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk
19th 2 – 5.30pm Literature Cambridge Study Day: An Introduction to Reading Poetry. Do you love poetry and would you like to understand it better? Accessible lectures and a seminar with leading young Cambridge scholars. Stapleford Granary, CB22. http://www.literaturecambridge.co.uk/read-poetry
19th 3 – 4pm Children’s Event: Author Isabel Thomas unlocks the life of Stephen Hawking with storytelling and activities. Free event. Heffers, Trinity Street. http://www.eventbrite.co.uk
19th 7.30pm Locked Opened! Stories from the underground railroad told by Sheila Arnold. Unitarian Church Hall, Emmanuel Road. http://www.cambridgestorytellers.com
19th 7.30pm Stargaze. Adams, Prokofiev and Dove. Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra. West Road Concert Hall. Free pre concert talk at 6.45pm. http://www.cambridgephilharmonic.com
20th 10am – 4pm Apple Day. Apple tasting, identification, cultivation, activities and edibles. Free Garden seasonal highlight tours, live music, pop up food trucks and craft stalls. Botanic Garden, Brookside. http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk
20th 1.15 – 2pm Lunchtime Concert: Music for harpsichord. Final concert of the complete Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, recital No. 30, performed by Francis Knights. Free. Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk
20th 7 – 9.45pm Sakhya Diwali celebrations. A fundraiser evening of music, Indian food and Bollywood dancing. All proceeds go to grass-root education and development oriented projects in India. St Paul’s, Hills Road. Booking required. Email tickets.sakhya@gmail.com
20 – 26th 10am – 4pm Art Exhibition. Original paintings, drawing, prints and sculptures. Cambridge Drawing Society. The Leys School, Fen Causeway. http://www.cambridgedrawingsociety.org
26th 5 – 9pm Cambridge Mindful Pub Crawl. Low and no alcohol drinks at three venues with the first round on Adnams. Starting at The Castle Inn, Castle Street, CB3. Tickets from http://www.joinclubsoda.com
27th 12 – 4pm Studio Sunday. Artist led workshop for families. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk
27th 1.15 – 2pm Lunchtime Concert: Music for piano. George Harliono performs Chopin’s Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor. Free. Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk
28th 7.45pm Centenary Lecture: Professor Dame Sally C Davies, Master of Trinity College, on being the UK’s Chief Medical Officer. Free admission, retiring collection. Wesley Methodist Church, Christ’s Pieces.
29th 7pm Graphene the new wonder material: But will it change the world? Fundraising lecture from Professor Sir Colin Humphreys, CBE, FREng, FRS Director of Research Dept of Materials Science and Metallurgy. In aid of Cam Sight. Dept of Material Sciences and Metallurgy, Charles Babbage Road, CB3. http://www.camsight.org.uk
Fantastic harvest of Laxton’s Superb apples from our tree this year
September always feels to me like a time of new beginnings and although it’s never easy to get back into top gear after the hazy drift of summer days, the slight nip in the morning air reminds us that it’s time to crack on. There’s lots of fun stuff happening in the city this month, which should help us ease back into routine. I’ll update this listing through the month so do check back and please get in touch if you know of an event that I can add to it.
Acorns on Jesus Green
1st – 29th Cambridge Festival of Cycling. A month of events celebrating our city’s cycling culture. Over 20 cycling themed events, including social bike rides, bike maintenance and photography workshops, a film night showing the documentary “Motherload” and the Cargo Carnival. Most events are free or have a minimal charge. http://www.cambridgefestivalofcycling.org
1st 12 – 4pm Studio Sunday. Artist led workshop for families. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk
3rd 7.30pm Shoot for the Moon. Improvised comedy night with the Ministry of Unplanned Occurrences. Pay what you want. Blue Moon Pub, Norfolk Street, CB1
7 – 8th 10am – 5pm Wimpole Autumn Craft and Produce Fair. Crafts, food stalls, live music, beer tent serving local ales, face painting. Wimpole Estate. FB Wimpole Autumn Craft and Produce Fair
7th Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival. In aid of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust. River Cam, Ditton Meadows, Fen Ditton. http://www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk
7th 10am – 1pm Family Saturday. Plants of the Pharoahs. Find out about plants used by the Ancient Egyptians, including plants used to make paper and to help preserve bodies. Free event. Botanic Garden, Brookside. http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk
7th 10.30 – 11.15am “Sharing Stories”. A friendly family story telling session with stories from around the world told, read and sung. Free, drop in. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Milton Road Library, CB4. http://www.friendsofmiltonroadlibrary.org.uk
8th 11.30am – 4.30pm Knit for the River. Free, drop in, all ages welcome, no need to book. Museum of Cambridge, Castle Street. http://www.museumofcambridge.org.uk
9th 7.45 – 9pm Talk about the history of Cambridge Railway Station by Rob Shorland-Ball. Cambridge Museum of Technology, Pye Building. Tickets £3 on the door. Enter via Cheddars Lane entrance. http://www.museumoftechnology.com
10th (until 9th October) Open Eco Homes. Advice from local householders and experts, householder led tours and low energy home workshops. http://www.openecohomes.org
10th 7.30 – 9pm “Archeology found by the public”. Talk from Mill Road History Society with Dr Helen Geake, well known for being party of Channel 4’s Time Team. Ross Street Community Centre. http://www.millroadhistory.org.uk
13 – 14th Open Cambridge. Discover the local history and heritage of Cambridge with special access to places that are normally closed to the public or charge admission. http://www.opencambridge.cam.ac.uk
15th 9.30am Bridge the Gap. A charity walk through Cambridge University College grounds. The route is wheelchair and pushchair friendly. Raising funds for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Romsey Mill. http://www.arhc.org.uk/bridge-the-gap.asp
15th 9.30am – 12.30pm An Introduction to Mindfulness of Nature with Claire Thompson. Mindfulness based exercises, meditations, walking, games, discussions and poetry. Trumpington Meadows Nature Reserve. http://www.mindfulness-of-nature.com/workshops-in-around-cambridge
15th 10.30am – 5.30pm Dog Day. Free ice cream for kids with a dog. Gift stalls and more. Benets Cafe, King’s Parade.
15th 12 – 4pm Studio Sunday. Artist led workshop for families. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk
17th 5.30 – 7.30pm Circuit Social. A creative evening for 18 – 25 year olds. Make some art, meet new people and discover more about Circuit, the young people’s programme. All welcome, no previous art experience needed. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk
17th 7.30pm Poetry in the Pub with John Clegg and Steve Xerri. CB1 Poetry. Blue Moon Pub, Norfolk Street, CB1 http://www.cb1poetry.org.uk
18th 7.30pm True Stories Told Live. NCI Club, Holland Street, CB4. FB True Stories Told Live Cambridge
21st 9 – 10am Day of Peace Meditation. On International Day of Peace, gather for meditations to find inner peace and to cultivate feelings of peace of others in our families, our communities and across the world. White Lotus Meditation. The Bodywise Studio, Gwydir Street. http://www.whitelotusmeditation.co.uk/classesandcourses
21st 10.30 – 11.15am “Sharing Stories”. A friendly family story telling session with stories from around the world told, read and sung. Free, drop in. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Milton Road Library, CB4. http://www.friendsofmiltonroadlibrary.org.uk
21st 10.30am – 4pm Artsfest 2019. A day of workshops in printmaking, life drawing, papercloth, drawing, exploring abstraction, creative writing, expressive lettering and drop in sewing plus an all day cafe. Early booking advised as workshop places are limited. St Paul’s Church, Hills Road. http://www.stpaulsartsfest.org
21st 11am – 5pm Literature Cambridge Study Day: Reading The Waves. An intensive day of lectures and a seminar on Virginia Woolf’s lyrical novel of 1931, with leading scholars. Stapleford Granary, CB22. http://www.literaturecambridge.co.uk/waves
21 – 22nd 10am – 5pm Cambridge Food, Garden and Produce Show. Parker’s Piece. Free entry. Oakleigh Fairs. http://www.oakleighfairs.co.uk
25th 6 – 9pm Zoology Late: Board Games. Animal inspired board games and bar. Free, no need to book. 18+ Museum of Zoology, Downing Street. http://www.museum.zoo.cam.ac.uk
26th 6 – 9pm LATE: The Greatest Showman. Special screening of The Greatest Showman to complement a new exhibition about Giovanni Belzoni, the 19th century explorer and circus showman. Fitzwilliam Museum. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk
28th 10am – 4pm Worth The Weight Vintage Kilo Sale. Vintage clothing at £15 per kilo. St Paul’s Church, Hills Road. FB Worth The Weight Vintage Kilo Sale – Cambridge
29th 3pm rehearsal, 7.30pm performance. Come and Sing Carmina Burana. Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. West Road Concert Hall. http://www.cambridgephilharmonic.com
Summer is here and there’s lots going on in the city this month. And take a look at my recent posts for details of some great analogue pursuits and events (most of them low cost or free) to keep the kids occupied for a bit. Happy summer everybody!!
Portugal Place, looking lovely in the sunshine
1st 5.30 – 7.30pm Wellbeing in Romsey – an evening of Breathwork and Yoga to celebrate Mill Road Summer. No experience necessary and no need to book. Outside Tesco Express, 163 Mill Road http://www.millroadsummer.org/whats-on/
1 – 24th Cambridge Shakespeare Festival. Productions performed in College gardens, in full period costume and with live Elizabethan music. http://www.cambridgeshakespeare.com
3rd 10am – 1pm Family Saturday. The Nightshade Family. Find out about the Nightshades, one of the most amazing families in the plant kingdom. Free, drop in. Botanic Garden. http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk
3rd 7 – 8.15pm Flute and Guitar Recital. Charity concert in aid of Romsey Mill, featuring a range of musical styles. St Philip’s Church, 185 Mill Road. http://www.millroadsummer.org/whats-on/
4th 9am – 2pm Mill Road Summer Car Boot Sale. Gwydir Street Car Park
4th 12 – 4pm Studio Sunday. Artist led workshop for families. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk
6th 7.30pm Shoot for the Moon. Improvised comedy night with The Ministry of Unplanned Occurrences. Pay what you want. The Blue Moon Pub, Norfolk Street, CB1
7th 7 – 8pm Hula Hoop Workshop with Penny Farthing. Free class for all ages and abilities, no need to book. Outside Tesco Express, 163 Mill Road. http://www.millroadsummer.org/whats-on/
10th 3 – 5pm Folk Music and Storytelling by Serendipity Sessions. Open mic event. Come and have a go at storytelling, playing, poetry reading or singing. Turn up at 3pm to book your slot on the day. St Barnabas Church, Mill Road. http://www.millroadsummer.org/whats-on/
10th 3 – 8.30pm RomseyFest! Music on Mill Road. An afternoon of busking, bands and dancing. Outside Tesco Express, 163 Mill Road. http://www.millroadsummer.org/whats-on/
10th 8pm Hamlet. A solo performance by Richard Spaul. The Leper Chapel, off Newmarket Road. http://www.insitutheatre.co.uk
10 – 25th 10am – 6pm/5pm on Sundays Anglian Potters Cambridge Exhibition. Handmade ceramics from 60+ local potters. All Saints’ Church, Jesus Lane. http://www.anglianpotters.org uk
11th 4.30 – 6.30pm A Journey to the Centre of the Hive. A fun and educational workshop taking you through the life of the honey bee colony. Observation hive, blind honey tasting experience, complimentary tea and coffee. Dulcedo Patisserie, 60 Hills Road. Online booking at http://www.beesitter.co.uk
17th 1am – 4pm Making the most of ….. A reuse and recycle event featuring artists, makers, fashion designers and creatives who work with sustainable media. Interactive activities and varied shopping opportunities. Organised by local charities the Children’s Society, Arthur Rank Hospice and Romsey Mill. St Philip’s Church, 185 Mill Road. http://www.millroadsummer.org/whats-on/
18th 9am – 2pm Mill Road Summer Car Boot Sale. Gwydir Street Car Park
18th 12 – 4pm Studio Sunday. Artist led workshop for families. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk
18th 6.30pm Meditation Taster Session. Sample two meditation techniques and mindful breathing. White Lotus Meditation. The Bodywise Studio, Gwydir Street, Off Mill Road. http://www.whitelotusmeditation.co.uk
20th 2 – 6pm Mill Road Bridges: Meet the Artists. Join local artists to make art and share stories about Mill Road. Try your hand at origami, printing and clay work. St Barnabas Church, Mill Road. http://www.millroadsummer.org/whats-on/
24 – 26th 11am – 5pm Drop in drawing. Drawing activities for all in the gallery spaces. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk
24th 7 – 9pm Soiree with Adam Pounds. Music, poetry and storytelling, featuring performances of Cajun and other folk styles. St Philip’s Church, 185 Mill Road. http://www.millroadsummer.org/whats-on/
30th 7 – 10.30pm Legendary: The Big Fantasy Quiz. Immerse yourself in the epic worlds of Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, Disney and much more. C3 Centre, 2 Brooks Road. http://www.millroadsummer.org/whats-on/
31st 5 – 11pm Wonder at the Museum of Technology. A festival event with life-living workshops, vegan food, SoBar (alcohol free) drinks and DJs. Museum of Technology, Cheddars Lane, CB5 https://www.wonderfestival.co.uk/
Now here’s another great analogue summer holiday pursuit ….. Camcycle, which works for better and safer cycling for all ages and abilities in and around Cambridge, has created a new clue-based treasure hunt to encourage us all to get on our bikes, explore our beautiful city and discover, or rediscover, the fun of cycling.
Image credit: Camcycle
Starting and finishing at Reality Checkpoint, the famous lamp post on Parker’s Piece, the treasure hunt route takes you in a loop around the city, cycling on quiet roads, through snickets and passageways and along traffic free paths. The entire quest will take about a day to cycle but it can also be cycled in sections.
This is a great way to explore areas of Cambridge that you may not be familiar with, from Chesterton in the east to Eddington in the west. Don’t forget to take photos and post your progress on social media using the hashtag #CamcycleQuest.
Image credit: Camcycle
Taking part in CamcycleQuest couldn’t be simpler. Firstly, pick up a guide from outlets around town (see the website below for details) or from the Camcycle stall outside the John Lewis cafe on Thursday 8 August. Gather your friends/family/colleagues and follow the route, adding up the answers to all the clues with the CamcycleQuest logo as you go, to come up with a final special CamcycleQuest number. You can submit this number via the website or at the Camcycle Cargo Carnival on 21 September. Correct answers will be entered into a prize draw ….. prizes include a £900 cargo bike e-conversion from Electric Bike Sales and cycling accessories.
