Catch up on the latest local news from Cambridge, including new openings, community events and fundraising success
Seeing through fresh eyes
The independent eyewear brand IOLLA has just opened its doors on Green Street, bringing its trademark mix of thoughtfully curated eyewear collections, personal styling and bright boutique atmosphere to Cambridge.
Seeking to make glasses shopping relaxed, joyful and inspiring, there’s no need for an appointment; customers are invited to simply turn up with a valid prescription, browse the collection – from bold acetate designs to timeless classics – then try on and get styled with guidance from the expert team.
The new Cambridge showroom for this Scottish-born brand is led by Indu Jose, a local entrepreneur and seasoned optical professional with a great eye for style and genuine love of connecting with people.
Visit the showroom at 36 Green Street or browse the full collection at iolla.com
RAF Wyton hosts anniversary fest
Airfest, a four-day youth festival organised by the RAF Benevolent Fund’s flagship youth programme, Airplay, was recently held at RAF Wyton to celebrate 15 years of supporting young people across RAF stations.
The residential camp offered fun-filled activities for 150 young people, including the UK’s largest mobile climbing wall, VR games, bungee trampolines, darts, face painting and hair-braiding stations, plus interactive workshops and evening entertainment. The RAF Falcons also made a special appearance, with a thrilling parachute display as they landed on the airfield.
Established by the Fund in 2010 and delivered by One YMCA, Airplay provides a safe, fun place for young people aged five to 18 to learn and interact with peers across 24 RAF stations, as part of a support programme for children of serving parents.
Wilde aparthotel arrives in Cambridge
Cambridge is the eighth beneficiary of Wilde’s expanding European portfolio, with openings planned for Lisbon, Vienna, Porto and Amsterdam later this year.
Located on Round Church Street, the chic new Wilde aparthotel boasts 227 stunning studio and one-bedroom apartments, plus social spaces including a fitness room, all-day cafe bar, co-working lounge, outdoor terrace and on-site shop.
Playful yet sophisticated, London interior design studio Thurstan balanced contemporary and mid-century influence in social areas, blending rich materials like velvet, brass and marble with natural light, serene tones, elegant curved edges and plush soft furnishings for the rooms, keeping with the brand’s signature look, inspired by Oscar Wilde’s wit and style.
The property is also set to nurture a vibrant green roof that will come alive with native wildflowers, creating a natural haven for pollinators such as butterflies and bees – complete with a living wall, bee hotels and birdhouses.
For more info, visit wilde.com/cambridge
Hetty cycles towards fundraising success
Hetty Bell, 66, from Little Shelford, has achieved an extraordinary milestone, becoming one of the few people living with Parkinson’s to cycle the entire length of the UK, from Land’s End to John o’ Groats. Alongside her husband Dominic and brother Paul, Hetty completed the 1,100-mile journey in two parts between July 2024 and May 2025, cycling more than 50 miles a day across 20 days.
They reached the finish line on 30 May – an incredible achievement that saw Hetty persevere through physical challenges including hip problems and nerve pain. The second stage, this year, took 11 consecutive days, from Wigan to John o’ Groats. Supported by Paul’s wife Liz, who provided logistical support from a camper van each day, the Bells raised more than £2,000 for Parkinson’s UK.
Design icon opens new show home
Rangeford Villages has unveiled its newest show home at Strawberry Fields in Stapleford, curated by design icon Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.
Best known for his flamboyant and fearless interiors, Laurence’s latest creation as Rangeford Villages’ design curator brings vibrancy, elegance and personality to the over-60s living sector, inspired by luxury hotel glamour and a bright, maximalist aesthetic.
With the aim of ‘rebranding retirement’ to become more a celebration of life and colour, Laurence commented: “As you get older, you must not stop being brave; Rangeford is about keeping up the rock ’n’ roll.”
Your views
Pregnancy and baby loss charity Sands is asking bereaved parents and families in Cambridgeshire to share their experiences of receiving care at the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge, as part of a campaign to improve bereavement facilities and support. The short survey is open until the end of September, found at sands.org.uk/cambridgesurvey