💬 This Week from the Spotlight Team!

Hello, Cambridgeshire!

With summer in full swing and June days stretching into golden evenings, we’ve packed this issue with the heartbeat of our county from village festivals to hidden business heroes.

Pour yourself something refreshing, settle in, and enjoy what makes Cambridgeshire feel like home.

Ely The Sundown Sessions — Not Your Typical Open Mic

This intimate gig held monthly at Nyton Guest House, Ely brings together local songwriters, poets, and storytellers. Kicking off on 9 February, it runs every second Sunday (so the next date is 13 July 2025)

When: Next event Sunday 13 July (monthly on the 2nd Sunday)

“Twelfth Night” moved from the George (Huntingdon)

Venue: Tuesday 24th June - Saturday 5th July at Buckden Towers

Shakespeare under the stars? Yes, please. Local thespians bring Twelfth Night to life amid the gravestones and lantern light a bit spooky, a lot charming.

Expect interesting costumes, comedic chaos, and a chance to wrap up in a blanket on the grass or seats. Cinema seats are overrated anyway.

Foodies Festival at Parker’s Piece

🗓️ July 4–6, 2025 | Parker’s Piece, Cambridge
Cambridge’s biggest outdoor foodie fest is back!

Picture live cooking demos by weekend-TV celebrity chefs, street-food traders serving up everything from bao buns to jalapeño poppers, and chilled live music to enjoy between bites.

Family-friendly vibes and craft drinks mean there’s something for everyone.

Cambridge Food & Drink Week

🗓️ June 28 – July 11, 2025 | Various venues across Cambridge

Cambridge is rolling out a two-week celebration of local flavours, from informal food markets to intimate tasting sessions in hidden-in-plain-sight venues. Think specialist cheese talks one day, craft beer flights the next plus pop-ups hosted by the city’s favourite eateries. Whether you're a curious foodie or just hungry for something new, you’ll find something delicious. 

Whitemoor 5 Miler & Fun Run

When: Sunday 13th July 2025

Where: March Town Fields

The Whitemoor 5 Miller Run is a friendly, low-key 5K around town fields. Mostly locals, mostly fun no timing chips, mostly selfies. Finish with a cold drink (properly iced) and a chance to swap weekend gossip. Pink tees are trending this year!

Chatteris Vintage Tractor Rally

When: Sunday, 29th June
Where: Chatteris Recreation Ground

Picture rows of gleaming tractors, plumes of diesel nostalgia, and a whole lot of countryside chatter.

Families gather, kids clamber to hear engine roars, and there’s always that moment when a veteran driver tips his cap.

With tea stalls, homemade cakes, and the odd tractor parade around the green, it’s a Sunday well spent.

8 Day Weekend – Saffron Walden Carnival

🗓️ July 4–12, 2025 | Saffron Walden

A nine-day blowout of community fun! Highlights include a family carnival day, drag bingo extravaganza, 90s party night, fun runs for charity, and live acts.

It’s one of the region’s most beloved volunteer-organised events big enough to entertain, small enough to feel intimate. 

 Sew Knit Craft – A Tangle of Threads, Tea, and Heart

If you've ever wandered down King’s Parade in Cambridge and found yourself needing a button, a ball of yarn, or just a moment of calm there’s a small shop just off the bustle that offers all three.

Welcome to Sew Knit Craft, a family-run treasure trove where crafts meet community, and the kettle is never far from boiling.

We popped in one rainy Tuesday not with a plan, just curious and were greeted by a pair of warm smiles from Martin and Claire, who’ve been running the place for over 15 years.

What started as a tiny haberdashery has quietly grown into the county’s cosiest crafting corner, all without losing its soul.

The shelves are a colourful tangle of yarns, fabrics, needles, and the occasional rogue button.

There’s a gentle hum of conversation someone asking about crochet hooks, someone else swapping tips for quilt batting.

 It’s not just a shop, it’s a meeting place. A thread between strangers.

In the back room, the Yarn Club meets weekly tea, biscuits, shared patterns, and no judgment if you’ve only managed three rows since last week.

Claire tells us one regular once came just to knit through a tough patch in life. “We’ve seen friendships and cardigans built in this room,” she says with a grin.

Sew Knit Craft isn’t slick or shiny. It’s better. It’s the kind of place where someone will stop mid-stocking to help you decipher a pattern your nan wrote out in the '80s.

Where they remember your name, your wool preferences, and that you’ve finally mastered purling.

It’s independent, entirely family-run, and exactly the sort of business that keeps the heart of Cambridgeshire beating.

 A soft, woolly heartbeat, with a hint of lavender and lemon drizzle cake from last week's bake sale.

If you’ve got a project on the go or just want a warm place to linger and maybe leave with a new hobby Sew Knit Craft is more than worth a visit.

Just don’t be surprised if you stay longer than planned. Or leave with an unexpected ball of merino. Or two...

Local Legends in the Limelight – Cambridgeshire’s Make a Difference Awards 2025

Not all heroes wear capes. Some deliver meals to neighbours, others sit quietly beside someone having a tough day.

And every year, the Make a Difference Awards honour those quiet, brilliant souls across Cambridgeshire who go the extra mile for others often without expecting anything in return.

Organised by BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, the awards shine a light on community champions from all walks of life.

From carers to campaigners, fundraisers to friendly neighbours, these are the people who remind us that kindness isn’t rare it’s everywhere, if you know where to look.

This year’s nominations closed on 1st July, with the ceremony set to celebrate the county’s unsung heroes in true Spotlight fashion with a heartfelt thank you, a room full of applause, and (we’re hoping) some well-deserved cake.

Winners will be announced later this summer, and trust us we’ll be ready with tissues and applause when they are.

So, if you know someone who always shows up, stands out, or simply makes life a little bit brighter, keep them in mind for next year.

Because Cambridgeshire is full of difference-makers and it’s about time they got the spotlight.

Fourwinds Leisure – A Friend’s Favourite Fen Escape

You know those places people mention with a sort of quiet, satisfied smile? Fourwinds Leisure is one of those.

We haven’t been ourselves (yet), but a friend who did came back glowing.

Tucked just outside March, in the heart of the Fens, Fourwinds is a family-run getaway that mixes the charm of a countryside retreat with the kind of personal touches only a hands-on team can provide.

Set on five acres beside the Old River Nene, it’s the kind of place where your choices set the pace.

Fancy glamping in a shepherd’s hut? Sorted. Prefer a log cabin with your own fire pit and the stars overhead? No problem.

 Just want a comfy bed, a hot shower, and someone to hand you a proper breakfast with a smile?

Their B&B rooms tick all the boxes.

Our friend raved about the people. Hannah and Debs, who run the show, apparently make you feel like an old pal rather than a guest. “It’s not just polite,” we were told.

 “It’s like they actually care you’re there.”

Which might explain why Fourwinds gets so many repeat visitors.

If you're up for a bit of activity, there's canoeing right from their private mooring, fishing for those who fancy a peaceful wait, and even wood-fired pizzas on certain evenings (because why not?).

Kids can roam, adults can properly switch off, and the whole place has this gently unpolished charm – a real ‘kick-off-your-shoes’ vibe.

One camper mentioned launching their kayak after a breakfast fry-up and gliding down the river as the mist lifted.

Another told us about an evening watching the sunset while the fire crackled and marshmallows toasted. It’s not fancy. It’s better – it's real.

And while it might not be smack in the middle of a bustling tourist hub, that’s exactly the point.

It’s a slice of Fenland peace, run by people who genuinely love what they do, for guests who just want to breathe a little easier.

So if you're looking for a low-key escape, somewhere to unplug without going completely off-grid, Fourwinds might just be the place your next favourite memory gets made.

Just don’t be surprised if you end up booking another stay before you've even left.

Flying to the Rescue – The Unsung Angels of Magpas Air Ambulance

You know that moment when everything changes—the screech of brakes, the awful stillness, the shouts of panic?

That’s when Magpas Air Ambulance takes to the skies.

You’ll hear the thrum of the rotor blades before you spot the bright orange helicopter cutting through the air.

 But it’s the people inside who are the real reason hearts keep beating.

Based just outside Huntingdon at Alconbury Weald, Magpas has been quietly saving lives since 1971.

And despite sounding like something out of a TV drama, their crew of specially trained doctors, critical care paramedics, and pilots are all very real—and very local.

These are the folks who drop their plans, leave their breakfasts half-eaten, and sprint into action when someone needs help fast.

We heard from someone close to the crew about a call-out last week to Great Stukeley.

A quiet family bike ride had taken a sudden turn.

Within minutes, the Magpas team were there—calm, kind, reassuring. “One minute I was making tea,” a crew member reportedly said, “the next I’m kneeling beside a dad trying to keep him calm while we checked over his daughter.”

That’s what Magpas does. No drama, no fuss. Just quiet expertise, compassion, and a relentless drive to help.

Last year alone, they responded to more than 1,900 emergencies across Cambridgeshire and the surrounding counties.

Car crashes, cardiac arrests, traumatic injuries—you name it, they’ve been there.

 Here’s the kicker: Magpas isn’t NHS-funded. It’s entirely powered by charity donations, community support, and a whole lot of heart.

Their headquarters isn’t flashy. It’s a few hangars, some whiteboards, a well-used kettle.

But it’s where life-saving decisions are made every single day. It’s where you’ll find people like CEO Daryl Brown, who’s been recognised for exceptional leadership, and volunteer stars like Sam Disney, who keep the gears turning.

Back in 2005, Magpas received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest honour a UK charity can get.

Yet, ask anyone on the team about it and you’ll likely get a shrug, maybe a small smile, and a quiet “We just do what we can.”

And that’s why they’re our heroes.

No spotlight wanted—so we’ll shine it on them anyway.

🎙️ Podcast Power: Clayton Payne Goes Global

Huntingdon-based podcaster Clayton Payne, founder of Pet Business Disruptors, has been spotlighted in the international podcasting world—earning enough attention to set up shop in Las Vegas, while still keeping roots here in Cambridgeshire.

 It’s a reminder that ambition doesn’t need London—just vision and flair

Creating Nature’s Corridors Hits Year Four

Local rewilding champions Creating Nature’s Corridors are celebrating planting over 40,000 trees and hedges across Cambridgeshire in just four years—with support from 1,252 volunteers.

 Their next challenge? The Rory’s Wood project by Grafham Water 14 hectares of community woodland funded through partnerships with Anglian Water and local businesses

Village Business Networking on the Rise

In villages across our county, small entrepreneurs are teaming up—at networking breakfasts in Girton, Histon meet-ups, or the informal brunches at Caxton’s Chubby Frog.

These low-key events are quietly sparking collaboration, conversation, and community across local cafes and village halls s

Chamber Cheers: New Industrial Strategy Approved

Cambridge Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the government's new Industrial Strategy, seen as vital for local manufacturers, clean-tech businesses, and smaller firms.

It promises support on energy costs, training schemes, and easier access to finance—good news for jobs and local growth

Elgood’s Brewery – Brewing History (and Really Good Beer) in Wisbech

There’s something quietly magical about turning the corner onto North Brink in Wisbech and seeing the time-worn brickwork of Elgood’s Brewery.

 It doesn’t shout for your attention. It just sits there with the quiet confidence of somewhere that’s been doing something properly for a very, very long time.

We visited on a breezy Tuesday afternoon no fanfare, just the sun warming the Georgian courtyard and the smell of hops in the air.

 It’s been this way since 1795, when the brewery first fired up its copper tuns, and in many ways, not much has changed.

That’s the charm.

Elgood’s is still run by the same family — now in its fifth generation with Belinda, Jennifer, and Claire Elgood at the helm.

They welcomed us in with the kind of easy hospitality that made us feel like we’d wandered into a friend’s garden party, rather than one of Britain’s oldest breweries.

Within minutes we had a chilled glass of their Cambridge IPA in hand and were deep in conversation about shipwreck yeast (yes, really — one of their porters is brewed using a strain salvaged from an 1800s shipwreck).

The brewery isn’t just about beer it’s about the place. 

The gardens are open to the public and feel more like a secret escape than a tourist stop.

There’s a lake, a maze, even ducks that seem suspiciously comfortable around humans.

On weekends, you’ll find local music events, family fundraisers, and community picnics the kind of low-key, genuinely lovely gatherings that remind you why you live in Cambridgeshire.

But the heart of Elgood’s is the beer. Every pint has a story. Some brewed for centuries, others experimental, seasonal, or just made because someone had a good idea and a free fermenter.

 We tried their Cherry Wheat Beer, which tasted like summer in a glass, and left with a bottle “for later” which, to be honest, didn’t last the evening.

If you’re ever in Wisbech, make the detour. There are flashier places, sure. But there aren’t many with more heart.

🏏 Youth Cricket Match – Great Shelford CC vs. Ely City CC (under 9)  Sunday, 29 June 2pm 

Should be a perfect Sunday for cricket at Great Shelford’s Rec Ground with youngsters from across the county hitting boundaries and building friendships in the Cambridgeshire Youth Cricket Association fixtures.

 The sound of willow against leather, dads coaching from the sidelines, and post-match team claps made it feel like county cricket's next wave is already in full swing.

🤺 Family Fencing Course – Cambridge Sword

Not just for the Olympics! Families took part in a beginner-friendly fencing course at Netherhall Sports Centre. We heard about 8–16-year-olds discovering their inner swashbucklers while at least one mum declared, “I’m sharper at home now!” There’s something fun in learning the footwork—and the foil!

Cambridgeshire Clay Target Shooting English Sporting Championship – Chalk Farm, Ely

Date: Saturday, 7 June

Despite dodging rainclouds, shooters gathered at Ely’s Chalk Farm for a day of sharp focus and friendly rivalry. Congratulations to Matt Bedford, who clinched the AA Championship on countback, and to juniors like Harry Dickins, just one clay target off the top spot.

A day of solidarity, good shot stories, and community spirit on the field.

🍽️ Summer Recipe: Caprese Tartine with Basil-Tomato Salsa

The vibe: Lazy, fresh, delicious. Perfect for lunch or a picnic treat.

You’ll need:

• Rustic bread slices, toasted

•  

• Ripe Cambridgeshire tomatoes, chopped

•  

• Fresh mozzarella slices

•  

• Handful of basil leaves

•  

• Olive oil & balsamic drizzle

•  

• Salt & cracked pepper

•  

Method:

1. Spread toast with olive oil.

2.  

3. Layer mozzarella, top with tomato & basil mix.

4.  

5. Drizzle with balsamic, sprinkle salt & pepper.

6.  

7. Serve with iced mint tea and a shady spot in the garden.

8.  

Simple, seasonal, and good company guaranteed.