We are very excited to announce that Jade Boswell, owner of Bitesize Bakehouse and member of #WeAreCambsCreatives, will be making an appearance on Ainsley Harriott’s latest ITV show ‘Good Mood Food’ this coming Saturday, 11th September 2021. Tune in to see when chef Joseph Denison Carey visited Jade in her kitchen to chat fruits and berries for his segment of this new programme.
Bitesize Bakehouse is an award-winning bijou bakery serving Cambridge and the surrounding areas with bespoke cakes and dessert bars for weddings and events. They also create a range of artisan postal treats to send anywhere in the UK including hand-tempered chocolate, brownies and gourmet marshmallows. As well as a core range, seasonal flavours are added throughout the year.
Jade can’t wait for the opportunity this weekend to share with viewers an insight into how she makes her pillowy marshmallows. Check out our chat with her below to find out more about what to expect, the new marshmallow flavours in the pipeline, what her ideal 3-course ‘Good Mood Food’ meal would be and more!
Image Courtesy of Rock Oyster Media
When did you first hear about the opportunity to be on the show?
Jade: “I was actually approached by the media team directly, they had found my website online whilst they were researching interesting food indies that were doing things a bit differently. They advised that each episode would feature a different foodie theme and I am pleased to say that I will be on ‘Fruits and Berries’ with my fresh fruit marshmallows!”
What was it like having Joseph Denison Carey and the film crew at Bitesize Bakehouse HQ?
Jade: “It was quite bizarre but so lovely! They were all super friendly and made me feel really at ease during the filming and just talked me through each bit as we went along so it felt much more conversational and natural. Joseph was so happy and calm and totally made me feel at ease – very easy to talk to as well so I felt really comfortable chatting away. It was very nerve-wracking having a professional chef taste your food though, in front of you and on camera too! The wait for him to give his feedback and opinion felt like forever. Ha! Luckily he loved them and asked for more. I actually sent him, and the whole film crew, home with a box each to try.”
Image Courtesy of Rock Oyster Media
Can you tell us what your ideal 3-course ‘Good Mood Food’ meal would be?
Jade: “Oh, great question! It would have to be by Cambridgeshire based Puddiniwho catered our wedding five years ago. Having a peek at their currentAutumn and Winter à la carte menu I would go for their ‘Beetroot cured salmon with shaved apple and fennel salad’ for starters. For main the ‘Slow roasted beef, pressed potato cake with cream, garlic and Parmesan, wilted cavolo nero and reduction of Chianti Classico’ and for dessert the ‘Caramelised lemon tart with crème fraiche and raspberries’.”
Are there any new fruity flavours lined up for your Marshmallow menu?
Jade: “Yes! I am currently trialling a champagne and strawberry flavour which should be out soon – actually Joseph gave me an idea on how to maximise the champagne flavour whilst he was with me, as I’ve been trialling this for a while to get it perfect and it wasn’t quite there yet. Some new flavours that have joined the menu recently are the ‘Biscoff’, ‘Coffee’ and ‘Peanut Butter’ flavours. Then before we know it we will have Christmas upon us so my ‘Snowflake Christmas Collection’ will be available from November too; which includes a mix of gingerbread, mulled wine, cranberry white chocolate, and double chocolate.”
Do you see a TV or filming aspect to your career/business in the future?
Jade: “I absolutely loved taking part in Ainsley’s new show and if there were ever further opportunities I would absolutely love to be involved. It wasn’t or hasn’t been anything I had particularly focused on as a goal really but having now done a small segment like this, I would definitely enjoy doing more!”
Image Courtesy of Rock Oyster Media
A huge thank you to Jade for chatting with us ahead of the show this Saturday. Fancy treating yourself to something from the Bitesize Bakehouse menu? Why not give the fruity marshmallows a try! Order the ‘Classic’ box of eight pieces or celebrate with the ‘Indulgence’ box of 16. We would highly recommend the ‘Smores’ postal brownies too if you like the sound of a chocolate cake and mallow mix. Shop now via the website here and for further updates follow Jade over on Instagram.
‘Fruits and Berries’, episode two of ‘Ainsley’s Good Mood Food’, will air between 11.40AM and 12.45PM. According to the ITV Press Centre, the series is “a celebration of delicious food that really boosts your mood”. They have also announced that “inspired by Jade’s use of fruit, Ainsley adds his twist to a classic and whips up A Wonderful Wandsworth Mess” during the episode.
Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.
If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge
Are you looking to experience something new this Autumn and eager for some time to yourself to get creative? Sue Rapley, local contemporary artist and #WeAreCambsCreatives member, invites you to her upcoming oil painting workshops which are ideal for beginners.You will learn the basics of colour mixing and take away new skills and materials to create your own artwork at home!
The dates for the next ‘Create A Meadow’ half-day virtual workshop series are Saturday 9th October and Saturday 6th November 2021. These immersive events will be hosted on Zoom where Sue will join you online from her studio table between 9.45AM and 1.45PM. Spaces are limited as these virtual events have been designed to be a nourishing, intimate and calming experience.
The ticket price includes a participant pack and a complete painting kit posted to your home ahead of the event. The workshops have tended to sell out quickly so book your ticket soonest via her website here.
Sue says: “Developing my skills and exploring the painting process has played such an important role in my life. I have had the opportunity to experiment and nurture my painting practice over many years, honing my ‘style’ to how you see it today. This half-day workshop that we will share together, is filled with all the guidance, tips and encouragement you will need to discover your own creativity.”
So, what will you learn on the day?
A simple step-by-step process has been crafted to demonstrate and guide you. To start, you will be taught an understanding of the colour wheel as well as the basics of working with water-mixable oil paints and the benefits of the medium such as not needing to use solvents. You’ll then be shown how to apply certain techniques using a palette knife to create the base layers of a painting, known as an ‘under-painting’.
During the second part of the workshop you will have the opportunity to complete a collaborative piece of artwork with Sue, who will pre-prepare a unique under-painting that you will work on top of – this will be supplied as part of your painting kit. You will come away from the session equipped with all the skills, including utilising the palette knife to create texture and layers, plus all the supplies you need to continue your own art journey afterwards.
The feedback for these new workshops, which launched earlier on this year, are glowing! One participant, Claire, said: “I enjoyed your class immensely. It was really exciting to receive the lovely materials pack and then go on a wonderful painting experience with you. Your clear friendly professional teaching helped me to produce pictures I am proud of. Truly ‘me time’ enjoyed in a way that I have never experienced before.”
Image by Stephanie Stott – Pilot Workshop
Image via Sue Rapley – In-Person Workshop
You can find out more about Sue Rapley’s work over on her website here – and follow along on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter too. Be sure to sign up to her newsletter for future virtual and in-person workshop launches as well as exclusive offers. Sue adds: “Want to make it really sociable? Invite your friends to join with you to share in this enriching virtual experience together. Try something new without the need to create perfectly. Open your hand and let your curiosity guide you.”
Edit: An EXCLUSIVE offer for subscribers, followers and members of The Trove Cambridge! Make a saving of £10 per workshop booking using the code TROVE10 via Sue Rapley’s website; discount valid until midnight on Tuesday 28th September 2021.
*Ad | PR Disclaimer – this post is not sponsored. I received a personal invitation to attend the pilot workshops back in September 2020 with no obligation to share. Some images shared here were taken during the in-person pilot. I had an amazing time and highly recommend booking on – check out this Instagram Reel tosee what we got up to!
Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.
If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge
In equal measures, it is both exciting and intriguing to stumble upon a new creative collective who bring something a little different to the table. The Lazy Susans are a new curatorial collective consisting of three friends, creatives and side-hustle connoisseurs. They opened their inauguralexhibition ‘Our Dahlia Allowance’ this week, an installation at The Flower Project in Cambridge – which serves as an introduction to the trio’s shared practice!
Holly Pines, Kaia Goodenough and Mala Yamey’s aim is to share culture in a “rotating style”. We would encourage you to take a look through the courses of their website “menu” here for a taste of what’s to come. For starters, you can expect “all dietary requirements met” through thepromotion of inclusivity, the championing of living artists and the activation of those underappreciated; and if you stick around for the cheese course, you will learn that they’re hungry to serve up work they love with people that they can share a pint with.
‘Our Dahlia Allowance’ is The Lazy Susans’ first ever curatorial project featuring the work of artists Enya Lachman-Curl and Ramona Zoladek. There is still time to pop down to The Flower Project on Mill Road (Cambridge, CB1 3LP) tomorrow Saturday 21st August 2021 to see the final day, open from 9-5PM.
The Lazy Susans say: “The dahlia has been associated with the slaughter of women in popular culture since the infamous ‘Black Dahlia’ case of the 1940s, glamorised in Hollywood. Loaded with this treacherous symbolism, it mirrors capitalism’s violence against nature and the earth; we want to reclaim the dahlia and it’s August seasonality, using it as a tool of re-connection.We must bring the natural world into our communities, respect the seasons, share, appreciate and allow nature to take over our industries leading us forward. Remove the baggage, remove the stereotypes and facilitate ‘Our Dahlia Allowance’ of nature. Be open to those around you. Entangle them within your re-wilding. Surpass the allowance.”
Image by The Lazy Susans
Image by The Lazy Susans
In relation to the venue, they add: “Working with The Flower Project, we share the same values of sustainability and eco-friendly practice. Exhibiting our artists in a multi-sensorial living shop, surrounded by flowers and plants, we are denying the deadened white wall aesthetic of the traditional gallery space to reveal an uncanny experience of art where you may least expect it.”
Enya Lachman-Curl transforms traditional painting practice, creating pieces that straddle static and fluid states. Working and living in Bristol, she is the current commissioned way-finding artist for The Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals. Enya describes herself as “a gardener or an obsessed lover”. Crafting an intimacy with her medium, she captures the transience and ephemerality of nature.
Enya is exhibiting three new lace work paintings, painted in tones reminiscent of the dahlia. Also on show is a limited edition print, available for sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to local charity, Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre, who work towards combating violence against women.
Image by The Lazy Susans
Image by The Lazy Susans
Cambridge local, Ramona Zoladek is currently pursuing an MA in Sculpture at the Royal College of Art in London. Ramona combines organic and construction materials to create, in her words, “fragile and unexpected outcomes.” Working through processes of growth, decay, shrinking and expanding, her pieces create a tension between the strength traditionally associated with industrial materials and the fragility of nature. Building on sustainability in her practice, Ramona has created new site specific sculptures using her signature plaster, chickpea seeds and the occasional dahlia.
Image by The Lazy Susans
It is great to see this collaboration with local indie The Flower Project who opened their shop in October 2020. They are an eco-friendly, independent florist selling bouquets and plants. They add really personal touches to their local deliveries, handwriting gift cards and cycling their creations around Cambridge to recipients and customers.
We very much look forward to seeing what’s up next from The Lazy Susans – to find out more about the collective’s work and upcoming events you can visit their website and follow along over on Instagram too!
Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.
If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge
Local artists are able to safely come together once again to open their studios for 2021, with more than 385 participants combined taking part in both the Peterborough Artists’ Open Studios (PAOS) and Cambridge Open Studios (COS) events.After cancellations in 2020, artists all across the county are eager and excited to be able to welcome visitors to view their works and workspaces this July!
From Market Deeping just north of Peterborough down to Little Sampford near Saffron Walden and from Fordham in the East across to Yelling in the West, residents of and visitors to the region will be able to find an open studios not far around the corner with outdoor and indoor showcases planned in accordance with latest COVID-19 safety guidelines.
Open Studios are a really great example of social collaboration, bringing together the creative community through organised events and providing an opportunity for the wider community to meet the artists face-to-face, buy directly from the creator and even catch a demonstration or two in working studios. Whether you plan a self-guided tour or just drop by on spontaneous visits – make sure to keep an eye out for the distinctive red and yellow flags when you are out and about!
What takes your fancy? Be it woodwork, pottery, jewellery, photography, sculpture, embroidery, painting, glasswork, printmaking, sketching, fibre art, mixed media, digital art or textiles – there’s an abundance of creativity to be discovered.
PETERBOROUGH ARTISTS’ OPEN STUDIOS
PAOS 2021 kicked off this last weekend and is also running across the weekends of 3-4 and 10-11 July. The organisation is celebrating its 21st anniversary year, with 85 out of their 127 members participating at a range of venues across the PE postcode area and lots of artists taking part for the first time.
Jackie Hall, PAOS Chair, has said: “It’s great to be back as many people missed their Peterborough Artists’ Open Studios visits last year, meeting and chatting to the very talented makers and creators based around the Greater Peterborough area.”
It is advised that you do plan your visits ahead of time, as some of the artists are not open every weekend, and check each artist’s webpage before travelling in case they have had to change their plans last minute due to the current situation. Find out opening times, see examples of works and search the artists here.
COS 2021 is a popular month-long event running across the weekends of 3-4, 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25 July. The organisation has announced that over 300 artists are participating this year at a selection of locations in the city and surrounding areas with 40 new members taking part.
In addition to home studios, there are nine art galleries hosting resident artists and some members have opted for window displays similar to last year’s Cambridge Open Windows. COS have also partnered with The Pitt Building (Trumpington Street, Cambridge) where a wide range of artists will be exhibiting.
The iOS digital app is available to download here and is an easy way to access information with options to search by medium, location, weekend and artist name. Studios are free to visit, open from 11-6PM and visitors are guaranteed a warm and friendly welcome with absolutely no pressure whatsoever to buy. If you do not have access to the app, you can find everything you need here.
Please note that for both events some artists will be opening by appointment only.
Millinery and textiles; 3-4 & 10-11 July at Grantchester Village Hall, Grantchester CB3 9NG
COS Artist: Susan Widlake
COS Artist: Sara Rawlinson
Do head on over to #PAOS2021 and #COSArt2021 on Instagram to see more posts from the participating artists – we have really enjoyed following along with the build up to both events during recent weeks. As we noted last year too, if you are unable to get out at the moment then this is also a great way of accessing the events virtually and getting to know your local artists online!
Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.
If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge
Moo-ving on up, moo-ving on out… nothing is stopping the #CowsAboutCambridge from taking over the city this Summer and we are udderly excited! Cows About Cambridge is a unique arts event and those taking part include local artists, businesses, schools and community groups from across the region. The sculpture traillaunches on Monday 28th June and the cows will be on display until Saturday 4th September 2021.
This innovative project will be one of the largest mass-participation art events to be held in Cambridge. It has been described as a world-class art trail and is available for everyone to enjoy for free. The 44 Cow Sculptures and 46 Mini Moos have been lovingly hand-decorated and will be installed in COVID-friendly locations in the open air or within public spaces indoors.
Covering 10 miles, the entire trail can be walked during a fun day out but you can also choose to visit as many or as few of the installations as you wish with several to be found near hospitality venues and ideal picnic spots. Printed trail maps showing all the locations can be collected in shopping centres or from the city’s Cambridge BID Ambassadors. You can also download it from the website here.
There will be an app available to help geo-locate the cows, unlock rewards and track your trail progress – get interactive by voting for your favourite cow and uploading your selfies to the online gallery!
Image by Mark Bullimore Photography: Call For Artists in 2019
Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director/Co-founder of Wild In Art, said: “…The contribution from communities, schools, artists and sponsors is at the very core of the success of Cows About Cambridge, and for that we are immensely grateful…” and “…not only will these beautiful bovines bring a smile to your face, but they also have a serious role to play in encouraging conversations about the climate and how we look after our world.”
After the trail ends, all the cows will be herded together for a final farewell weekend, then the large cow sculptures will be auctioned off to raise vital funds for Break while the mini moos will find forever homes with the schools and community groups that created them. Rachel Cowdry, CEO of Break charity said: “The auction in September will raise vital funds for our services across Cambridgeshire, giving young people in care, on the edge of care or leaving care stability, a home and the life-long support they need to enjoy a bright and successful future.”
Image by RMG Photography: ‘May-Belle’ by Artist Dario Fisher
Image by RMG Photography: ‘May-Belle’ at The Museum of Zoology
Local Artist and #WeAreCambsCreatives member Dario Fisher created ‘May-Belle’ who, as seen above, was spotted back when the project launched bravely punting on the River Cam. Dario’s design ‘portrays two immediately recognisable landmarks as simple and striking sunset scenes’. You will be able to find ‘May-Belle’ grazing on Christ’s Pieces, ‘the city’s iconic green spaces gives Cambridge a unique, peaceful sense of being out in the country’.
Another Cambridge favourite, the artist duo known as Dinky Doors are also participating with ‘MooMoo-o-Tron III’. Dinky Doors are street artists who remain anonymous and who are on a mission to save the world from ‘relentlessly terrible news and wanton drudgery’.
They say on their blog that that it “…was a huge uddertaking for us, when we’re used to working at a slightly more dinky scale, but we’re pretty happy with the result…” – you can read their full blog here and watch the video below for the story behind this a-moosing creation!
Two of our favourite cows that we are hoping to see are ‘ButterCup’ and ‘Sir Isaac Mooton’. ‘ButterCup’ by sculptor Sally Adams will be on Midsummer Common. The artist was inspired by classic cow names and is known for manipulating the initial form – which can be seen here with the addition of the petal-face.
‘Sir Isaac Mooton’ by Donna Newman celebrates the achievements of Sir Isaac Newton. Donna’s design is playful and features symbols of the famous figure’s discoveries – can you spot the ‘reflecting telescope, Newton’s cannon, light refraction and the much-debated cat flap’ on your visit?
It has recently been reported that the mini moos escaped their lockdown to go shopping in Cambridge and have been spotted in shops, museums, libraries, galleries and leisure venues across the city centre this last week. The smaller cow sculptures have been individually decorated by schools, colleges and community groups involved in the Cows About Cambridge Learning Programme.
Each sculpture has a unique and colourful story to tell, with themes ranging from kindness and comedy to favourite books and school subjects. The learning programme has provided resources and lesson plans to encourage classroom creativity as well as cross-curricular conversations about a range of relevant topics, from climate change to construction. Read more about the escaping mini moos, print the colouring-in sheets and download the trail app here:
Don’t forget that you can also search for the trail on social media using #CowsAboutCambridge – we would love to see your discoveries, be sure to tag @TheTrove_Cambridge in your posts on Instagram so that we can share and use the community tag #CambsCreativeTreasures! The trail app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play from Monday 28th June at a cost of £1.99 with 25% of the net profit from each purchase being donated to the Break charity.
Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.
If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge
This week we chatted with our sponsor, local Business Developer Clare Morris, to find out about when she started her business, what drives her to do what she does, her passion for keeping in touch with clients beyond the project work – and much more. We are also pleased to announce an exciting partnership going forward through which we will be collaborating to bring members of #WeAreCambsCreatives exclusive offers – check out this month’s competition and Q&A below!
CMR work with small and independent businesses giving advice on how to streamline processes and systems, addressing change, looking at how you can develop sustainably by being innovative, creating strategies to make ideas a reality and implementing support solutions. They also help to connect you with other independent businesses to complement gaps in your expertise.
Throughout the pandemic Clare has supported Cambridgeshire businesses who became overwhelmed and were dealing with change or loss of control as a result. She helped business owners to take a fresh look at their daily work practices, encouraged them to set new ways of thinking – and most importantly, celebrated their wins with them!
How long have you been running CMR and what led you to start your business?
Clare: “CMR has been established now for over 10 years and I am looking forward to the belated celebrations in 2021 as plans last year were unfortunately delayed due to COVID-19.
At the beginning of my career, I worked for large organisations who told their customers what they were going to do for them, rather than listening to the needs of each client and working with them to find a bespoke solution. I was so disheartened by their “one size fits all” attitude that I decided to step away from that type of business culture.
I then focused on short term contracts, one of my favourites being Habitat. At the time, they were dedicated to educating their consumers about the true value of their products; how they were designed, their colour, their texture, who they were made by and where. This 360-approach inspired me to go on to encourage my clients, at CMR, about the power of telling the whole story.
Then I joined a small, independent business that was striving to be heard against the corporate noise, eager to listen and learn from their customers and tailor their solutions to the need not greed.“
That must have been a big leap. What did you take away from this move?
Clare: “It was a revelation and I have never looked back. Of course, that amazing business is still going strong and I will be forever grateful for what I experienced, whilst working with them. They have a great strength of character, together with unwavering confidence in who they are and where they want to be.I say, ‘of course’, because they have the perfect business model.
Their value, customer and key resource appreciation, enables them to make successful decisions – based on their knowledge and understanding of their community and their marketplace.When the forementioned business relocated I moved on, but I also found myself at a crossroads.
I was faced with the option of going back to the corporate world I knew before, when what I really wanted was to find another small business to employ me full-time; this is when CMR came into being.Incidentally, I still do freelance work for the independent company I championed earlier.“
Clare: “Although our service is founded on the business model canvas, we have stripped out the corporate babble and given it a human heart – and I think it really needed that. The results are that every individual or business owner comes away with a full appreciation of their business value and the techniques needed to effectively engage with their community; be that as a service, or an online or physical product.
Every business should know the value of the solution(s) they provide and be able to show clearly how they work to make life easier, better, faster, happier, healthier, etc. for their customers. My work process can be very organic, especially when getting to the crux of who the person is and what they want their business to truly achieve.
I never stop thinking about anyone I work with, there are always new ideas, opportunities and connections to be made and that is why “resource” is in my business name: to offer a continuous service and support even when our project is successfully completed.
Working with individuals and business owners, for me is a very creative process, it’s with humour and empathy, in a safe space where you can be open, authentic and talk about anything from your wildest dreams to your smallest challenges. Not many of us find it easy to talk about ourselves, which makes it even more powerful when you accept and appreciate just how amazing you and your skills are.“
Clare: “From extensive experience, we know how important it is for individuals and business owners to be confident about their individual brand, their worth and their potential. I am an absolute advocate of having a well-researched and honed business model.
Then, it’s about having the knowledge and empowerment to make minor or major changes for your customers, your service or the size of company – whilst factoring in all the essential elements that may be affected. A way of trialling your ideas before launch; quickly, easily and efficiently.
I am personally motivated by being as green as possible – and provide clients with post-its from greenstat.co.uk!”
What types of businesses do you work with?
Clare: “I’ve been very fortunate to work with businesses ranging from coaching, entertainment, literature, marketing, interior design, accounting, upholstery, healing and horticulture – so there is no one specific ‘type’ of business that I work with.
More often than not, our clients are new business start-ups wanting to ensure they have a clear understanding of their product and service values, alongside their customer base, business organisation and systems. We also work with small businesses who are experiencing overwhelming demand for their service, those who want to change focus or even upscale.“
How can people get in touch with you, do you offer a consultation?
Clare: “I love Instagram and LinkedIn and most often use these platforms (but I do have a presence on Facebook and Twitter too). Also, the CMR website is where you can find more detail about how I work, alongside case studies with testimonials. We offer a free 30-minute consultation. This is a no pressure way for you to find out how I can best help and add value to your business.”
How have you had to adapt your business during the pandemic?
Clare: “We have been doing more of our work on Zoom, which has complemented our approach and way of working. Although we have been mindful of making our sessions shorter, with built-in breaks, time for ‘screen off’ chat or screen sharing visuals, to help reduce eye strain.
Also, where possible, we arrange outdoor meetings over a hot chocolate at places such as Urban Larder, Relevant Record Café and Eclipse Bakery on Mill Road in Cambridge – and further afield.Walking and talking is extremely productive and still forms part of working toward our goals and objectives. Nature has a wonderful way of freeing up our creative thoughts and it never stops surprising me how fruitful these walks can be.”
If you could give one piece of advice to yourself when you were starting out what would it be?
Clare: “To have someone available to me who I trust and, most importantly, who listens to me. Anxiety or indecision is reduced significantly by talking openly, as well as having the space to air our concerns, ideas or difficulties.”
What are the key areas of support you can offer for small or independent creative businesses?
Clare: “We start by introducing calm and a sense of direction to your business and give you the tools and time to plan and clarify your goals and objectives. Once we are organised, anything is possible!”
What are the next steps for CMR?
Clare: “Using the website and social media, we will be sharing more video content and article recommendations to help you make your business processes run more smoothly. We will also share access to the tools to use for planning and timelining projects. There will be a collaborator section that freely shares advice from our partners in media, marketing, social media, finance and more. These are partners we have worked alongside, who understand how CMR works and offer the same expertise and kind support.”
The Trove Cambridge has also partnered with CMR to bring exclusive offers to the #WeAreCambsCreatives collective and today we are announcing a competition for existing and new members to enter for a chance towin two free 45 minute sessionswith CMR! The winner will work with Clare to review and refresh their core business strategy and look at how they can stay ahead of the competition – a great incentive as we ease further out of lockdown.
Current members will be sent further details and notified by email as to how they can enter – and new members joining before Friday 9th July will also have the opportunity to be entered. The competition closes on Sunday 11th July and the winner will be notified by email on Monday 12th July 2021. The winner must use this offer before the end of November 2021 with at least one week between sessions. Thinking of joining? Find out about membership here.
If you are a local business based in or near Cambridgeshire and are interested in finding out about partnership and/or sponsorship opportunites please get in touch! CMR became a sponsor through our Bring It 2020 crowdfunding campaign and they have enabled us to get started on funding the first issue of #CambsCreativeScene magazine due to launch later this year. We have advertising packages available, express your interest via: magazine@thetrovecambridge.co.uk
*Ad | This post is brought to you as part of a paid partnership with CMR – a valued sponsor of The Trove Cambridge.
Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.
If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge
With just eight days until Christmas Day we have seen a flurry of last order and posting dates announced to help ensure that gifts arrive in time before the big day – but there is still time for you to support your local small and independent businesses this year if you know where to look! Through our #ShopCambridgeshire winter campaign we have been able to make it that little bit easier to know where to shop Cambridgeshire businesses online.
In our lovingly curated Instagram gift guides alone we have featured a total of 180 local businesses and over 230 products, works and services. Take a look at the gift guide series below to find stocking fillers, affordable artwork, wearables and homewares as well as an eclectic mix of original artwork, candles, stationery, children’s gifts and accessories.
There are also more local artists, designers, makers and independent businesses to explore who have been joining in with the campaign sharing their posts over at #ShopCambridgeshire as well as all those listed over on the #ShopCambridgeshire marketplace.
Our marketplace brings together a diverse trove of unique products in one place and as we do not take commission you can know that every penny you spend will go directly to the seller; less any fees they pay through their individual platforms. When you click to “buy now” you will be taken directly to the seller’s online shop or website to check availability and purchase – see selected features below or browse here!
Shopping and supporting local isn’t just for Christmas – so whether you have finished your shopping already or have only just made a start, we encourage you to take a look through the guides as there are many great things to discover and businesses to get to know and connect with as we head into a new year.
As we bring the winter campaign to a close we would like to say thank you to everyone who has taken the time to get involved and to everyone who has shared the guides and helped to spread the word about shopping and supporting local businesses this Christmas.
If you’ve recently found us through the campaign and would like to find out more about what we do – we invite you to explore the hub and follow us over on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For now, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and will see you back here after a short break over the holidays!
Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.
If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge
On Monday we officially launched our #ShopCambridgeshire winter campaign aimed at inspiring you to think about where you can shop and support your local and independent businesses this Christmas. It was great to have launched this alongside Just A Card‘s Indie Week which brings together thousands of people from across the world to champion the importance of valuing and buying from creative and small businesses throughout the holiday season!
We invite you to get involved by heading over to #ShopCambridgeshire on Instagram and browsing the feed. You can also help spread the word by sharing posts from the feed with your followers using stories and making use our fun interactive Instagram story templates which you can find below! If you are a local business please join in by using the hashtag in your posts and remember to tag us so that we can share too, you can find us at: @thetrove_cambridge
The #ShopCambridgeshire marketplace is also now live once again for this campaign and features an array of works, products and services from local artists, designers, makers and independent businesses based across Cambridgeshire and just beyond. Our marketplace brings together a diverse trove of original artworks, prints, ceramics, homewares, jewellery, stationery, accessories, sweet treats and many more unique gifts in one place – to help make it just that little bit easier to navigate shopping Cambridgeshire businesses online!
We do not take commission and so every penny you spend will go directly to the seller; less any fees they pay through their individual platforms. When you click to “buy now” or “enquire” you will be taken directly to the seller’s online shop or website to check availability and purchase or to request a quote! We really hope you enjoy exploring the marketplace and discovering new local businesses to support this year.
Throughout the Christmas shopping period you will be able to find a series of Christmas shopping and gift guides here at #CambsCreativeScene online as well as over at @CambsCreativeTreasures on Instagram, where we have already posted guides on where to shop for cards, festive decor, gift wrapping and crafts.
Download our fun interactive templates here and share them to your Instagram Stories:
There was a wonderful discussion over on Instagram in response to our last post all about gifts for Cambridge foodies – you can head back and check out that post here and read the community’s insights here. If there is something in particular you are looking for this Christmas and are not quite sure where to look then please feel free to drop us a message or reach out to us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!
If you are not a member of #WeAreCambsCreatives and would like listings added to the marketplace as part of this campaign, you can get five listings for just £3 and they will remain live until Sunday 20th December. Send us an email to let us know you are interested to: hello@thetrovecambridge.co.uk
Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.
If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge
Christmas. There we said it. It might be early November still but there seems to have been a real buzz for the festive season since September due to the rollercoaster that has been 2020 and the need for something to look forward to. We are certainly ready to jump aboard the build up to the holidays and even though things may look a little different this year we know now more than ever just how important it is to shop local, independent and early!
Today we are bringing you the first of a series of gift guides as part of our #ShopCambridgeshire winter campaign – a feast of inspiration for the food lovers in your life from independent businesses across the county. There is something for everyone, from cook and craft kits aimed at bringing the whole family together to kitchen essentials and a cookery book that sets out to put British farming back on the map and at the centre of your table.
Through our winter campaign we will be sharing with you an array of products, artworks, services and experiences that can be found right on your doorstep. We hope that you discover something new and encourage you to think about supporting your local businesses where you can this Christmas.
We will be officially launching the campaign over on Instagram next week with a series of interactive story templates for you to download and share – including a gift finder template, so if you have in mind something you would like to buy but are not quite sure where to look we are on hand to help!
GIFTS FOR CAMBRIDGE FOODIES
David Underwood, founder of Orriss & Son, has been a chef for over 20 years. He has travelled extensively, cooking in some of the best kitchens in London and Melbourne, before settling back in his hometown of Cambridge in 2014 as co-owner of street-food burger sensation Steak & Honour.
A fleet of vans, an eponymous restaurant opening and a packed events calendar followed, but David’s focus has always been the building blocks of flavour; the layers of taste, tang and heat that can transform a simple meal into a culinary experience.
After 6 years and a national lockdown, David knew the time was right to devote his full energy to this pursuit of flavour. At home with his family he developed and refined an idea he had been working on for the past decade – hand-crafted, fermented chilli sauces made in small batches, plant based and without additives.
They were to carry his grandmother’s family name, ‘Orriss’ – one rooted in the East Anglian region. A personal touch for a bespoke product so closely tied to his memories of flavour-filled family meals.
David lives in Cambridge with his wife Katie and their three children. Having worked together since the day they met in a Cambridge kitchen, this new partnership allows them to create a better balance in their professional and family lives.
A strong brand drawing upon David’s love of maps and music (spot the Pearl Jam and Soundgarden references in the sauce range), Orriss & Son is unique, impactful and transformative – and available soon.
Handcrafted in Cambridge, the sauces will be available to buy at £7.50 for a 200ml bottle with a donation from each bottle sale going to Water Aid. We think these would be the perfect addition to a gift hamper and even make a great stocking filler too!
Cook & Craft is a brand new Cambridge-based independent selling specially curated kits that can be delivered straight to your door. They include wonderful recipes and ingredients for cooking as well as materials for crafting – ideal for children aged between 5-11 and fun for the whole family!
Explore delicious recipes from around the world and create them at home with your loved ones whilst learning new skills and finally getting to sit down, taste and enjoy the flavours of your cooking afterwards.
Alex and Victoria, the co-owners of Cook & Craft, invite you to pick your adventure – play and create with art materials, craft some works of art based around food and learn some facts and phrases from a different country using their activity book which features original illustrations for colouring-in. You can choose either a box with one or two recipes and there are options for ordering vegetarian and vegan as well as gluten free!
The cook and craft kits can be tailored to suit your needs depending on the size of your family and they range from £18 to £87. What’s more? You can also shop a collection of craft bundles, craft supplies and party kits – take a look at everything on offer here.
Brought to you by cook book specialists Meze Publishing and compiled by local arable farmer’s wife Jenny Jefferies, For The Love of the Land was launched this summer and celebrates the stories and recipes of some of the UK’s finest farmers.
As echoed in David and Katie’s story above, the pandemic has certainly given some families a chance to reconnect and take stock of the things that are important to them. Families used to rushing from pillar to post and grabbing meals on the go have been able to take time to cook and share meals together in a way they had perhaps forgotten.
It has also given some of us a new appreciation of what the food shop staff, delivery drivers, butchers, bakers, farmers and deli owners do to help us put great food on our table. The launch of Jenny’s cookery book couldn’t have been more timely.
She tells us: “After marrying my husband, John, I discovered the wonderful, challenging and sometimes isolating world of farming. I never before quite appreciated where our food came from so it’s been a real privilege to speak with the farmers within this book; they are truly the backbone of our country. They nurture and provide for us; putting food on our table for us to enjoy, so let’s give thanks and praise for all the hard work that they do.“
‘For The Love Of The Land’ features a collection of stories and recipes from farmers across the UK who specialise in a diverse range of produce; from game, pork, lamb, beef, cheese and dairy to the more unusual such as lavender, chillies and edible flowers.
Featured local farms include Cambridgeshire-based Burwash Manor Farm in Barton, Caldecote Manor Farm in Abbotlsey, Fuller’s Hill Farm in Little Gransden, P.X. Farms Ltd in Dry Drayton and South Farm in Royston as well as La Hogue Farm Shop and Café based in Newmarket.
For many farming families like Jenny and John, working the land and raising livestock is a true labour of love, and what they produce is the backbone of the country’s food and drink. The dishes in this book make the most of local and seasonal ingredients, creating delicious meals, puddings and bakes that anyone can cook up at home – find out more and order your copy for £22 here!
If you are a local business offering foodie gifts, courses or vouchers and would like to be added to this list then please do get in involved in the discussion over on Instagram when the post goes live this evening or leave a comment below! Subscribe to the blog so you don’t miss any of our upcoming gift guides and keep an eye out for the official #ShopCambridgeshire winter campaign launch next week.
Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.
If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge
We are really pleased to announce our new community partnership with Cambridge Social Media ahead of their two-day virtual conference taking place next month on Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th November 2020. If you are a freelancer, small business owner or charity looking to learn how to make the most of digital marketing then you will not want to miss #CSMDay2020!
Cambridge Social Media Day has been held in Cambridge for the past two years, attracting hundreds of attendees. This year the organisers have made it a virtual event that will focus on helping people to make the most of building their businesses online.
Since the start of lockdown founder Lenka Koppová has been hosting free training sessions on a range of social media topics over in the Cambridge Social Media Facebook group. Lenka says: “Even though it’s an online conference, we’re really trying to make sure that we maintain the things that people really love about our past in-person events, which is a lot focus on the personal connections with people networking, connecting with your fellow entrepreneurs and business owners who are on a similar journey to yours.”
This year’s event is being held in partnership with business community Shifties founded by Alex Hughes. Alex says: “Our emphasis is on a holistic approach to business building, where personal growth is as important as scaling business opportunities. Shifties are very proud to be able to support Cambridge Social Media with the Cambridge Social Media Day 2020 online event. Social media platforms are incredible tools for connecting small businesses with their customers and business owners with a wide support network.”
#CSMDay2020 will involve a day of talks from expert speakers and a day of workshops where people can learn skills to help them grow their business. The first day event programme kicks off at 11am with an informal networking session and welcome from Lenka and Alex!
You can then expect a series of keynote speakers throughout the day including ‘The Social Media Changes That You Need to Know’ by Andy Lambert and ‘How to Use Social Media to get Oversubscribed’ by special guest Daniel Priestley who is a world-renowned entrepreneur and business growth expert.
Tuesday’s programme will close with a discussion panel honing in on ‘The Power of Communities on Social Media’. There will be further opportunity for informal networking at the end of the day and attendees are invited to stay connected afterwards for drinks and entertainment from 7-9pm!
On Wednesday there will be a selection of workshops and hands-on interactive Q&A sessions running simultaneously. Your ticket to the two-day online event gives you access to any of the content from the two days as downloadable files for future reference or in case you miss anything on the days – so you will be able to pick a few to join in real-time and re-watch all the rest afterwards.
The line-up so far looks incredible and includes Pippa Akram’s ‘Instagram 101: A Definitive Guide’, Carly Stringer’s ‘How to use Facebook ads to grow your online store’, Georgina White’s ‘The Power of Pinterest’ and Dan Holloway’s ‘Is YouTube the best rabbit hole for your Business? How to start, grow and scale with YouTube!’
We have our ticket – have you got yours? You can still grab an Early Bird ticket for just £40 + VAT and full price tickets will become available once the sale has ended.
Through our community partnership scheme members of the #WeAreCambsCreatives collective have access to an exclusive discount code to use towards their ticket. You can find it by logging into the members area or over in the closed group account here!
Be sure to give Cambridge Social Media a follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – and you can also join their Facebook group to find out more! If you are interested in becoming a member of #WeAreCambsCreatives you can join today here.
Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.
If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge
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