Cambridgeshire Spotlight
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Cambridgeshire this week: gigs, gossip & good news
Cambridgeshire this week: gigs, gossip & good news
From Ely crafts to Peterborough sights — discover what’s on near you.
Author
Sep 5, 2025
Hello from Cambridgeshire |
A soft September cool slips along the River Cam, steam from takeaway lattes curling like punctuation over Jesus Green.
A cyclist wobbles past with sunflowers strapped to the basket; the petals shiver with each tiny bump of the path.
“Second summer,” grins Martha from Chesterton, peeling off a cardigan. “Cold at breakfast, picnic at lunch.
I call it coat-and-cone weather.” The air smells faintly of cut grass and warm pastry from a nearby van.
What’s your coat-and-cone combo this week? Send a snap or a line best entry wins eternal bragging rights and a shout-out next issue. |
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Burwash Larder, Barton
At the bend of Barton’s country road, where hedgerows blur into open sky, you’ll find Burwash Larder a friendly, family-run farm shop and deli nestled in converted barns at Burwash Manor.
Inside, the air is alive with orchard fragrances: crisp apples, freshly baked bread, and balsamic-sweet honey jars glowing in afternoon light.
The business began simply, with Mike Radford selling seasonal asparagus from an honesty box twenty‑plus years ago.
Today, under his stewardship along with Clare and Tinks, it's grown into a treasure trove of local produce—cheeses, charcuterie, preserves—from more than 60 Cambridgeshire suppliers. Facebook Regular Lucy from Grantchester brings her toddling duo along: “They treat it like a treasure hunt,” she says, pointing out strawberries and juice bottles. “I call it hands-on learning.” The children’s laughter floats by the counter, sticky with summer sweetness. Nearby, a neighbour—Alan—picks up a carton of milk and grumbles, “Nice, but Tesco does that cheaper.” A shopper in the queue counters with a smile, holding a jar of honey: “This tastes like bees that saw the fields, not a factory line.” That heartfelt tension—supermarket vs. provenance—hangs in the air like a promise. The shop notes upcoming festivities: a Harvest Market on 6 September, full of stalls and crafts, and the beloved Apple Day on 11 October, a celebration of pressing fruit, music, and playful family traditions. CB Travel Guide+4Burwash Manor+4Burwash Manor+4 Sounds swirl: espresso-steam, the thud of loaves landing on boards, rain taps on the old roof beams. Beside the door, a handwritten sign reads: “Supporting local—every purchase tells a story.” Nudge: Visit Burwash Larder this week and choose one thing you don’t usually buy—maybe that local cider, rare cheese, or a jar of hedgerow chutney. Tell us: was swapping a supermarket run for a Cambridgeshire story worth it? |
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3) Cambridge Junction — Heart of Noise, Wednesday 10 Sept (Pay What You Feel)
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Paws & Whiskers (please remember the animal spoken about may have found its forever home by the time you read this. But animal shelters have pets looking for homes all the time)
At Woodgreen, Dumbledore-Willow— a grey and white kitten with bright eyes — has been learning the joy of chasing falling leaves in her foster garden.
Her carer laughed: “She pounces like every leaf is a mouse — then looks proud of herself.”
Mean while at RSPCA Block Fen, Rory. is an adorable Guinea Pig (Cavy) is looking for some piggie friends. If possible Rory wants an strong female friend who could be an ideal match and who knows what that might lead to 😜
Volunteers call him “the fur baby who just wants his happy ever after who just wants a family to love.”
Both are Dumbledore-Willow and Rory are waiting for homes where September cosy evenings can become their new normal. |
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Friends of Jesus Green Lido
At 7am the lido is a long, silver ribbon. Steam feathers off mugs; a gull heckles from the fence. The Friends of Jesus Green Lido drift in with towels and thermoses, a gentle shuffle that sounds like paper being turned.
“Morning!” calls the group’s chair, rallying swimmers and swapping pool gossip with lifeguards under the shelter’s noticeboard.
The Friends do quiet, necessary things welcoming newcomers to cold water, feeding back to pool operators, minding the odd lost goggle and settling debates about lane etiquette.
“We hold the space as much as the strokes,” says one early-bird, handing round biscuits. A new swimmer shivers on the steps, torn between thrill and nerves.
“Go in slow,” advises a veteran. “Breathe. Laugh. Swear if you must.”
Camaraderie isn’t always cosy.
There’s lively debate about fundraising: some argue that bigger charity nights could bring cash for kit and access, while others warn that “too many events and we lose the hush.
” Another suggestion is outreach swims for teens who don’t yet see themselves in cold-water culture.
The compromise, for now: a modest calendar of events and an open invitation for buddying pairing strong swimmers with beginners, not to push pace but to share warmth.
Sun hits the water; the surface freckles with gold.
The first length stings, then steadies. “Every September we relearn our edges,” reflects a swimmer towelling off.
A jogger pauses at the fence, tempted. Inside the gate someone pours tea into a paper cup and says, simply, “Come in. We’ll look after you.”
Fancy being a buddy swimmer or a tea-table helper? Turn up early one morning, introduce yourself to the Friends, and they’ll tuck you under a wing. |
This newsletter sponsored by |
Scottys Little Soldiers |
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This week we’re shining a light on Scotty’s Little Soldiers, the charity supporting children and young people who’ve lost a parent in the British Armed Forces. From respite breaks to grants and emotional support, they help brighten dark days for bereaved military families.
This space is donated for Scotty’s this week. If you run a local business and would like to sponsor this slot in future, get in touch — we’d love to feature you here. |
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1.Train Tricks :If you’re Cambridge–London bound, split-ticketing via Ely or St Neots can shave £8–£12 off a peak fare. A commuter whispered,
2. Library Luxuries: Why pay £12.99 a month when Cambridgeshire Libraries give you free audiobooks, e-books, and even online courses? “I cancelled Audible and haven’t looked back,” says Jo in March.
3. Market Maths: Head to Ely Market or St Ives Farmers’ Market near closing time fruit and veg often go for half price.
One dad quipped: “Kids think it’s treasure hunting with carrots.”
4. Energy Nudge :Check if your village has an oil-buying club in places like the Fens, pooling orders saves £40–£60 a fill. The smell of savings (and kerosene) is real.
5. School Shoes Switch: Clarkes are gold standard, but pricey. Tip from a Sawston mum:
“Buy the fitting service, then order the exact shoe online for £10–£15 less.” Same stomp, less spend.
6. Coffee Conscience: Lots of Cambridge cafés, from Hot Numbers to Stir, give 20–25p off if you bring a reusable cup. Do that twice a week and you’ve saved a fiver by month-end.
Got your own penny-pincher trick? Send it in the quirkiest will feature here next week. |
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In a light-flooded end-of-terrace in Wisbech, you sniff that new-clean scent. Fresh paint, polished floors, sunlight glinting off salad-bowl windows.
Local agent Sam Malik leans against the mantel, cross-legged: “Think of it like your first date arrive clean, smell good, don’t overshare.” He laughs, but emphasises staging: “Declutter, pop in a neutral scent, maybe leave a single sprig of lavender or lemon.
Buyers buy on feel.”
Some owners skimp on staging; Sam warns: “But the buyer sees them less chance of sale, less chance of sparkle in the price.” Critics say it’s superficial—but Sam replies: “It’s not—feel-factor unlocks emotional value.
And yes, lavender is less controversial than 'my dog’s toy in the corner'.” You can practically smell the lavender, even over the wax-bright kitchen.
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September has that “back to school” snap, and skin often shows the shift: cooler mornings, hotter showers, and the first central heating of the season.
Dermatologists say the result is drier skin, tighter jaws, and a creeping fatigue that feels older than it is.
Tip 1: Hydrate smart. Room-temperature water does more for skin than endless lattes. Keep a refill bottle on your desk Cambridge’s Refill shops and many cafés now offer free tap-top-ups.
Tip 2: Mask your mood. Oat-based masks (easy to find in Boots or Holland & Barrett) soothe redness, while clay works best on shiny T-zones.
Tip 3: Stretch it out. If you’ve joined a local gym or spa this month like Quy Mill’s health club near Stow-cum-Quy use the sauna as a chance to stretch gently. The warmth helps loosen jaw and shoulder tension.
Tip 4: Jaw-drop hack. Press your tongue to the roof of your mouth, exhale for four counts. Do it in the supermarket queue and you’ll look serene, not strange.
Try one of these resets this week — and if you discover a local product or place that became your secret weapon, send us a tip for the next Spotlight. |
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Golden September light drifts across Cherry Hinton Hall playground, where a wooden pirate-ship play structure stands as a magnet for adventurous feet. Nearby, inviting paddling pools pepper the scene with splashes and giggles.
A parent watching the fun notes, “Kids light up when they climb like they’ve discovered treasure.” A toddler squeals “Again!” on the slide, chasing adventure under the late-afternoon hush.
The air smells of grass and warm timber.
Caregivers compare safety surfaces: rubber mulch for cushioning, or wood chips for a more natural feel.
“It’s bounce vs. mess,” one admits, brushing grit off a child’s knee.
Either way, children play hard and come home glowing—joyfully dirty is part of the story.
Fancy chasing laughter?
Head to Cherry Hinton Hall before dusk. Spot a tot striking pirate-stance? Snap it, send it our way we’ll highlight the most imaginative next week. |
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Autumn evenings are perfect for low-mess making you can finish between tea and bedtime.
Try this: air-dry clay trinket dishes. Roll a palm-sized ball between baking paper, press flat with a mug, then drape over a small bowl to curve the edges.
Stamp a leaf, lace, or fork tines for texture; when dry, brush the rim with a little metallic paint.
No kiln, no drama—just a quiet win that looks like a gift shop find. Prefer glass-shine over clay-matte?
Park the DIY and learn it properly: Cambridge Art Makers in Linton runs short craft courses across glass, jewellery, textiles, and more ideal if you want a fused-glass sun-catcher or silver stacking ring the right way (with tutors and tools, not guesswork).
Over in Peterborough, City College Peterborough offers adult arts & crafts classes from mid-September good value if you’re building skills week by week rather than in a single splash.
Some makers swear by the joy of finishing something at the kitchen table; others prefer the calm of a real studio and a tutor’s eye.
Both are valid—one feeds your evening, the other stretches your hands and habits.
Nudge: Make one dish at home this week, then book a local class for your “next level” piece. Send us a photo of both the kitchen-table original and the studio upgrade.
We’ll showcase a before/after next issue. |
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Cambridgeshire’s cultural map stretches wide from cathedral corners to park paddles and this week, every town lights up.
In Cambridge, the Corn Exchange hosts “An Evening With Jimmy Anderson” on Thursday, a rare chat with England’s swing legend.
Friday’s 90s dance night promises retro beats; Saturday, Cambridge Junction dopples in sound with “Heart of Noise,” an experimental audio adventure.
In Huntingdon, local folk trio The Willow Skye Ensemble strum soft harmonies at Huntingdon Hall on Saturday, weaving fiddle and foot‑tap rhythms that recall riverside echoes.
Ely gets crafty Friday with a Cathedral Courtyard Art & Craft Fair — lace--framed, print-lined, and full of local makers tipping teacups into your hands.
On Sunday, St Neots Priory Centre hosts a community poetry slam, where local voices lean close, rhyme deep, and applause feels like the town breathing together.
Wisbech goes comedic on Saturday at the Angles Theatre, with a “town-vs-town” stand-up face-off sparking laugh lines and friendly rivalry.
Peterborough gets spiritual and spectacular this weekend: the Heritage Open Day Festival unfolds at St John the Baptist Church on Church Street rare access to medieval architecture, bell-tower tours, community stalls, and local historians sharing stories (Sat 13–Sun 14 Sept, 10 am–4 pm Sat, 2–4 pm Sun)
Each event holds its own: the Corn Exchange’s crowds versus Wisbech’s intimacy, Ely’s handmade hush versus Huntingdon’s stringed heartbeats. Peterborough’s high-rising church bells remind us some stories are rooted in walls older than our longest memories.
Here's an idea Pick one place you don’t usually visit whether it’s stand-up laughter, acoustic roots, or a hidden tower tour.
Send us a line: what surprised your heart most?
We’ll carry your stories to every corner next week. |
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Weather Watch
Met Office forecasts for Cambridgeshire show a steady, settled week.
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• Peterborough: Strictly’s Katya Jones spotted at the Key Theatre last weekend, cheering on local dance schools’ showcase.
Parents said she happily posed for photos in the foyer.
Got a celeb-sighting in Cambs?
Send it our way — neighbourly gossip tastes better when it’s true. |
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This week’s local-flavoured TV:
BBC East (Tue, 8pm): Cambridge Chronicles — a new documentary series exploring city history with drone footage and local historians.
Channel 4 (Wed, 9pm): Handmade in Britain — features Ely’s own stained-glass artisan Sarah Hunt, crafting pieces in her Fenland workshop.
ITV (Fri, 7:30pm): Anglia Rugby Highlights — includes Cambridge RUFC’s latest clash.
Debate: some say regional TV feels too “parochial,” others love the neighbourly lens. “It’s our lives reflected back,” one Ely viewer posted online.
Watch one of these and tell us if you felt represented or if you prefer the big networks’ gloss. |
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The high street’s talking autumn coats, but Cambridgeshire has its own flavour.
At Ely Market, stalls are already stacked with chunky knits from independent makers undyed wool, earthy tones, hand-stitched edges.
“It’s not fast fashion,” one seller explained. “But it’ll outlast three seasons of cheap polyester.”
Meanwhile, Cambridge’s Grand Arcade features high-street riffs: trench coats in plum, moss green, and deep navy.
The tug-of-war between artisan quality and chain-store convenience plays out rack by rack.
Bought a coat locally? Snap and share — we’ll spotlight the best autumn look next week. |
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News in a Minute
• A14 improvement works near Bar Hill are weeks from completion Highways England says the new cycle path opens mid-September.
Which of these made you smile most? Reply with your favourite and we’ll feature reader picks next week. |
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Money & Property Quick Take
Cambridgeshire house prices nudged up 0.5% in August, according to Zoopla with Ely and St Neots seeing the strongest demand.
Average mortgage rates dipped slightly, with two-year fixes now around 5.7%.
Local agent Anna Fisher in St Ives says, “Buyers are cautious but serious.
Well-presented homes still move fast.” A first-time buyer in March noted, “We saw a £15k price drop before exchange patience paid off.”
Nudge: Thinking of selling? Get our Home Seller Insider Newsletter get the very latest tips every week.
Property Investors love our Property Investor Insider Newsletter have you signed up for yours? |
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Cambridgeshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy consultation closes Thursday 11 Sept, inviting residents to suggest how fields, parks, and riverbanks should be managed for wildlife.
A farmer points out, “We need balance food and hedgerows both.
” A conservationist counters, “Without space for nature, even farming fails.” The debate is live, urgent, and local.
Meanwhile, Cambridge City Council’s community grants programme is open until 22 Sept, offering funding for groups tackling inequality and boosting wellbeing.
A youth leader says, “We’d use it for weekend clubs safe space, warm food, friendship.” Another organiser adds, “Small funds make big ripples.”
In March Town Hall, a faded noticeboard hums with echoes of past fêtes and civic pride.
“Spaces like this need to be used, not locked,” says a community volunteer.
The big question is whether limited budgets can stretch to open-door policies.
You smell varnish and coffee, blueprint ink and optimism. Behind the paperwork is a real human hope: that decisions taken this month shape spaces and support for years.
In St Neots, parents are puzzling over new zig-zag lines painted outside the primary school with no signage yet; one mum sighed, “We’re playing traffic Tetris at drop-off.”
In Ely, debate is brewing about the council’s plan to trial solar-lit cycle paths a commuter joked, “At least I won’t lose my toes to frost this winter.”
Meanwhile in Wisbech, the Bank Holiday bin backlog still hasn’t cleared; Facebook groups are full of wheelie-bin photos captioned with gallows humour.
“If mine grows legs and walks off, at least that’s recycling,” one resident wrote.
Add your voice—consultation and grant details are on council sites. Your idea, however small, could help redraw the county’s civic map. |
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Evening falls pink over Cambridgeshire rooftops.
A cyclist’s bell rings; laughter carries from a nearby garden.
Autumn’s hush reminds us that small things matter a squeaky wheel, a shared joke, a cat’s purr.
Tell us the tiny moment that lifted your week. We’ll gather them like lanterns and share them back. |