This Week from the Cambridgeshire Spotlight Team!

Hello July—you're here and not just in Cambridge and Peterborough!

This week we’re spreading out across Cambridgeshire—from hive life at the edge of Ely to picnics by the Cam, and small‑town feel‑good moments.

Whether you’ve been drifting down the rivers, discovering new cafes in Huntingdon, or tackling family craft at St Ives, we hope the summer’s giving you something to smile about.

In this issue: a family‑run Cambridge business doing artisan hampers with heart, a community hero spotlight near Ely, a super‑snack recipe perfect for meadows or market strolls, and a round‑up of what’s on across our beautiful county.

Let’s dive in!

The Cambridge Hamper Company: A Taste of Cambridgeshire in a Box

Sometimes a picnic feels like a holiday—especially when someone else has packed it for you.

Enter The Cambridge Hamper Company, a local business specialising in beautifully curated hampers bursting with Cambridgeshire flavour.

 Founded in 2010, they’ve spent over a decade carefully sourcing treats from across the county—think chutneys from Huntingdon, honey from the Fens, Ely cider, and crumbly local cheeses—and bringing them together in picnic-ready boxes.

What makes it special? Each hamper is thoughtfully packed in Cambridge, showcasing indie producers you won’t find in big supermarkets, making them ideal for a riverside feast along the Cam or a lazy afternoon at Wandlebury.

This summer, their Selection Of Hampers are bestsellers, filled with seasonal goodies perfect for gifting—or keeping for yourself.

📦 Top tip: Orders placed before Thursday can be delivered for the weekend, or you can collect locally if you want that instant picnic fix.

Nominate Your Favourite Local Business

Do you have a favourite business in the Cambridgeshire Area that deserves to be celebrated?

We want to shine a light on the hardworking local businesses that make our community special!

Whether it’s a cosy cafe, a dedicated service provider, or a unique boutique, we want to hear about it.

Submit your nominations for our "Local Business Spotlight" section in The Cambridgeshire Spotlight!

Help us recognise the businesses that bring energy, creativity, and warmth to Cambridgeshire. 

Tell us what makes them exceptional and why they deserve the spotlight!

Reply to this email with your nominations and a brief description to  – let’s lift up local Businesses!

Midsummer Makers’ Market – Great Shelford

When: Sunday 6 July, 10 am–2 pm

Where: Great Shelford Village Green

A monthly foodie & maker market with local bread-baking, olivewood bowls, and honey from nearby hives. Great coffee, art stalls, and community atmosphere.

St Ives Carnival & Music Festival

When: Saturday 12 July, all day

Where: Town Centre & Market Hill, St Ives

Colourful floats, live bands on Market Hill, artisan stalls, vintage fairground rides and a celebratory feel of small‑town summer at its best 

Wild Garden Walks – Cambridge Botanic Garden

When: Monday 21st July,  8.30 am - 9.30am

Where: Cambridge University Botanic Garden

Guided stroll through meadow wildflowers, expert botanists talk plant folklore, Ley area hidden charms .

Childrens Family Afternoon – Doddington Village 

When: Saturday 5 July, 1 pm–4 pm

Where: Doddington Sports Field

Village cricket, sack races, family relays, ice cream van on hand. Traditional fete vibes for all ages .

World Pea–Shooting Championship

When: Saturday 12 July, 2 pm onwards

Where: Witcham Village Green, near Ely

This quirky national event returns, with legions of peas, spot prizes and furious fun. Bring your pea shooter—or cheer from the sidelines.

Laurie Woolfenden, Fen Ditton’s Quiet Champion

In the King’s New Year Honours 2025, Mrs Laurie Patricia Woolfenden of Fen Ditton received the British Empire Medal “for services to the community in Fen Ditton, Cambridgeshire".

 It’s a small line on a long list, but behind it is a lifetime of neighbourly kindness and rolling up sleeves when something needs doing.

Laurie has been the quiet backbone of village life: helping run local events, supporting older residents, lending a hand at church fetes, and keeping community groups ticking over in Fen Ditton.

Whether it’s organising a tea tent, tending the community garden, or simply checking in on neighbours who need it, Laurie’s warmth has quietly shaped this Cambridgeshire village into the kind of place people are proud to call home.

She didn’t do it for medals, but it’s nice when a village hero gets noticed.

 So next time you see Laurie at the church hall or village green, you’ll know you’re in the presence of someone who makes Fen Ditton and Cambridgeshire a kinder, brighter place to live.

Brunching at The Old Bicycle Shop - Cambridge 

Step inside The Old Bicycle Shop on Regent Street, and it feels like you’ve stumbled into a little corner of Cambridge where the past hums gently in the background while plates of comforting brunch arrive, steaming, at your table.

Once the oldest bicycle shop in Britain, this quirky spot has kept its soul vintage bike frames are hung from beams, reclaimed wood tables tucked under windows, and it hums with locals catching up over coffee.

The sort of place you could bring your laptop, your nan, or your dog, and nobody would blink.

The menu reads like a warm invitation: think Avocado & Poached Eggs on Sourdough, with a scattering of chilli flakes and fresh herbs, or the Croque Monsieur so much more than just a ham and cheese toastie perfect for a quick catch up with friends in Cambridge 

For something heartier, there’s a delicious Steak and Eggs and not forgetting of course both a traditional full English and a vegetarian option the whole menu is keenly priced for Cambridge...

The best part? 

The staff don’t hover, but somehow your coffee cup is always full, and the bill arrives with a smile. It’s the kind of place where brunch becomes a slow, satisfying ritual before a wander down to the river.

Cambridge Independent Business Awards - Last Minute Opportunity!!

Cambridge’s own business awards are back—open for entries until 4th July.

Hosted at King’s College Great Hall on 25 September, this is where local heroes from quirky start-ups to beloved independent shops get the spotlight. 

Whether you run a micro-market or a niche coffee bar in Ely, this is your chance to shine.

Entry is free and nominations can come from anyone—your neighbour, your regulars, even your mum.

Quick Tip: Tell a little story in your entry—it’s the emotion that gets noticed.

More info: The Cambridge Independent Business Awards are accepting entries now

£500 Grants for Rural Fitness Projects

South Cambridgeshire District Council has launched its “Let’s Get South Cambs Active” grants scheme—offering up to £500 in funding for physical activity projects across rural villages.

Think line-dancing in Gamlingay, pop-up pickleball in Hemingford, or Muay Thai in Stapleford.

Small fitness businesses, community groups, even ambitious beginners can apply—until all funds are allocated, so earlier is better.

50K Grants Fueling East Cambs Business Growth

East Cambridgeshire District Council is offering capital grants up to £50,000 per business across 2025—aimed at innovative, job‑creating local firms.

It’s the kind of boost that helps a village microbrewery, rural IT start‑up, or artisan dairy expand—and stay local.

 Planning to grow? Pop it in the diary now and get that pitch ready.ambs-news.co.uk+

Cambridgeshire Energy Plan – Shape the Future

Local councils and the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority are asking businesses and community groups to help design the county’s energy future via an online survey and webinars through 14 July.

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Spotlight tip: Your input could steer where new solar farms, EV charging hubs, or community microgrids go next. A short form now could shape big changes later.

St Neots Priory Centre Gets a Glow-Up

Big things are happening in St Neots: the much-loved Priory Centre is getting a £1.95 million makeover, transforming it into a modern, welcoming hub for theatre, community events, and local gatherings.

It’s part of the Market Towns Programme to keep St Neots buzzing, with upgrades like tiered seating, professional lighting, and a proper box office giving local theatre groups and community organisations the space they deserve.

“This will secure the Priory Centre’s future for generations,” says Cllr Sam Wakeford. Mayor Richard Slade calls it “fantastic news,” ensuring the building stays at the heart of St Neots life alongside the Market Square and the museum.

Work has now begun and will take around 18 months, turning a community favourite into a space ready for the next chapter.

Cambridge Swim Picnic – July 5

Swap the crowded pool for a riverside splash at the Cambridge Swim Picnic, where swimmers drift from Grantchester to Sheep’s Green, then unpack picnic blankets on the grass.

It's part swim, part meander, all sociable—and timed so you can dip into cake waves (yes, waves).

A beautifully chilled way to spend a summer morning on the Cam.

Starts 10:30 am, Grantchester; swims of 2.5 km or gentle 1.2 km floats available.

Ely College x CUBC Rowing Experience – June 23

Sixty local students from Ely and beyond spent two days learning rowing on the Great Ouse, backed by coaches from Cambridge University Boat Club.

They discovered what it takes to row a single scull, raced in quads—and showed that teamwork really can be taught. A fantastic blend of learning, confidence, and flat-water fun.

Milton Country Park Open Water Swims

Fancy a refreshing weekday workout?

Milton Country Park has launched its summer open water swim season, Friday 5:30–7 pm and Saturday 7:30–9 am.

With lifeguards, tow floats, and clean water checks, it’s a safe, scenic dip in a beautiful lake perfect for beginners and regulars alike.

King’s Ely Holiday Sports Camps

School’s out but the fun isn’t! King’s Ely is running rugby and hockey day camps throughout July for ages 10–15.

A great way for local kids to stay active, try new sports, and enjoy coaching that’s friendly, vigorous, and rooted in real teamwork.

Cambridge Picnic Veggie Rolls 

What you need:

• Soft tortilla wraps

• Hummus or cheese spread

• Grated carrot, cucumber ribbons, pea shoots, mint leaves

• Zest of lemon & olive oil drizzle

•  

How to do it: Spread, layer veg, roll up tight, slice in half. Perfect handheld treat for market wanderers or watching cricket in Doddington or just chillin in the garden.