The Bristol Magazine February 2015 by MC Publishing Limited

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THE | CONTENTS

2015

FEBRUARY

26 12

ZEITGEIST

48 48

Five things to do in Bristol

THE CITYIST BARTLEBY

STYLE FILE 54 56

STORMING THE CITY IBT15 Bristol International Festival returns

FACE THE MUSIC 62

32 WHAT’S ON

The story of the Moon

Fun things to do right through February

BEAT THE BLUES

WIN

With tickets to Bristol Jazz Festival

40 GREEN CITY

ARTS & EXHIBITIONS Glorious pieces in our city’s galleries

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FEBRUARY 2015

Take a walk on the wild side this winter

HOMES ON SHOW A historic house in the country

GARDENING Successful screening techniques

PROPERTY The best homes in and around Bristol

THE

BRI ST OL twitter@thebristolmag

FAMILY FUN Helping you plan for half term

ON THE COVER

EDUCATION NEWS

Restless Sleepers will be performing as part of Night Songs at this year’s IBT15 Bristol International Festival. © Inteatro/Guido Calamosca

Easter revision courses, environmental initiatives and more

The co-operative of woodworkers who are making sustainable business a reality

88 OUT & ABOUT

CLEAN CARS WRITTEN IN THE STARS

BEAUTY REVIEW An ancient approach to health

BRISTOL UPDATES

What TBM thought of Audi’s e-tron

Have a laugh with Cerys Nelmes

ROMANTIC RETREAT

What’s happening in the city?

FIT & FAB Get ready for Valentine’s Day

RESTAURANT REVIEW

A night to remember at Le Manoir

BRISTOL AT WORK Indulge in Zara’s Chocolates

FOOD & DRINK NEWS

A wonderful evening at the Hotel du Vin

How to wear winter whites

New offerings and old favourites

On your bike

Andrew Swift takes us on a trip back in time down the Severn Beach Line

My Bristol, the buzz & book of the month

BRISTOL HISTORY

FREELANCE MUM Classical concerts for little people

thebristolmagazine.co.uk

MAGAZINE

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Sneyd Park

Immaculate and versatile Victorian family home (Approx 3716 sq ft) with bay fronted drawing room, open plan bespoke kitchen/breakfast/family room, study/dining room, 4 bedrooms, en suite bathroom to master and en suite shower room to guest bedroom, family bathroom, attractive gardens to front and rear. Separate self-contained 2 bedroom apartment. Guide price: ÂŁ1,100,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

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Sneyd Park

Immaculate first floor apartment (Approx 1451 sq ft) with fine views across The Downs. Sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room. 3 bedrooms, bathroom, storage room. Parking for 2 cars, garage. EPC Rating E. Guide price: £489,950

0117 3171999

Clifton

Immaculate courtyard maisonette with gardens and garage. Elegant drawing room, bespoke kitchen, 3 bedrooms, en suite bathroom, guest bathroom and shower room, courtyard gardens to front and rear, garage and communal gardens. Guide price £525,000

0117 3171999

Clifton

Grade II Listed period apartment (Approx 636 sq st.) Kitchen/dining/drawing room, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and private balcony overlooking Victoria Square. Guide price: £335,000

0117 3171999

Clifton

An elegant and light-filled first floor apartment (Approx 712 sq. ft.) With delightful period charm, the apartment boasts spacious drawing room with fine views, kitchen, master bedroom, guest bedroom, bathroom, private full length balcony, communal gardens.

Guide price: £330,000

0117 3171999

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ang in there readers, the end of winter is nigh. Although there is, of course, the small matter of February to get through first, and with it those final long, cold weeks of the season that seem to stretch interminably before us. This year, however, I have to profess my attitude has changed somewhat as I’m now in the privileged position of editing The Bristol Magazine and finding out just how much our lively little city has to offer this month. To start with, In Between Time’s 2015 Bristol International Festival is set to take the city by storm, with artists and performers flooding in from all around the world to stage fabulous events in a variety of indoor and outdoor venues across the city (p. 26). Expect to encounter the avant garde and exceptional at every turn, including this month’s cover stars Reckless Sleepers, and witness Pero’s Bridge disappear from the harbourside under an ethereal veil of fog. Best book your tickets sharpish, as it’s sure to be a sell-out success. Or if you fancy heading out of the city for a change of scene, you won’t have to venture far to encounter rugged rocks and dramatic views. Just follow Andrew Swift on this month’s rewarding walk through Draycott Sleights, whose raw beauty is best appreciated in the bleak mid-winter (p. 88). Perhaps an inspiring story will cheer you up? In our year as European Green Capital, the focus is on Bristol to showcase some seriously impressive initiatives that are successfully building a sustainable future for both people and planet. This month, I met a group of people who have been fulfilling this brief since 1999. Tucked away in the foothills of the Ashton Court Estate, The Forest of Avon Co-operative of woodworkers are a shining example of local, ethical trading and low carbon manufacturing. You can read all about their ethos and meet some of their talented members on p. 40. If that isn’t heartwarming enough, then don’t forget February is the month of love. And, in the interests of professional research you understand, I’ve sampled a couple of options for romantic dates that are sure to put you in your other half’s good books. Want to go all out? Then look no further than the Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Raymond Blanc’s legendary two Michelin star country house restaurant and hotel (p. 54). Situated just outside Oxford, it is an easy drive but, once there, you couldn’t feel further away from the stresses of life. Indulge in gourmet food and fantastic wine in stunning surroundings, and forget about everyone except each other. Not every budget can stretch to a night at Le Manoir, but fortunately Bristol has its own version of a luxury boutique retreat in the ever-popular Hotel du Vin & Bistro. If you turn to p. 52, you’ll see I also paid them a visit, and enjoyed a delightful evening in the stylish and inviting bar and restaurant. I know, I know – it’s a tough job. As well as treating others, you’ve also got to make sure you look after yourself at this time of year. Bugs are about, and it’s easy to fall prey to a seasonal dip in spirits. I know I can be a right grump if I’m not careful, but I have found a fool-proof remedy to fend off the gloom that is so effective I had to share it with you. So, on p. 82 you can join me for a session of acupunture, and find out what those needles really feel like. But if, after all that, you’re still struggling to chase away the blues, then why not simply swap them for some jazz. Next month, the Bristol Jazz Festival comes to town, and with it some mean rhythms that are guaranteed to get your toes tapping – and three lucky readers can win tickets to some of the shows (p. 38). And there’s one final thing to celebrate... dry January is over, so crack open a bottle and enjoy youself!

JENNY HAYES ACTING EDITOR

All paper used to make this magazine is taken from good sustainable sources and we encourage our suppliers to join an accredited green scheme. Magazines are now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines, you can help to reduce waste and contribute to the six million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year. Please recycle this magazine, but if you are not able to participate in a recycling scheme, then why not pass your magazine on to a friend or colleague.

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JANUARY 2015

THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 11

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ZEITGEIST

The top

things to do in FEBRUARY © Oxana Mazur

Nocturne

B Perfect pitch Out There Music will be performing their Winter Concert at St George’s on Sunday 8 February at 7.30pm, in aid of local charity Changing Tunes. The concert is a celebration of the year’s most popular performances from the north and south Bristol community choirs, chamber choir, orchestra and children’s choir, culminating in a spectacular mass performance of all the groups. The programme includes music from Swan Lake, the William Tell Overture and Eric Whitacre, and songs such as Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Something Inside So Strong and Singin’ In The Rain. Tickets: £10 (£6 under 18s) from St George’s box office on tel: 0845 402 4001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Winter glow Keep your fingers crossed for a clear evening on Saturday 7 Februrary so you can enjoy a beautiful stroll through Bishopston, where residents are creating colourful displays in their windows and gardens for all to enjoy, between 5pm and 8pm. Over 100 venues (and counting), have signed up to this brand new Window Wanderland event, so it’s all set to be a fantastic evening. The creative community evening was devised by Lucy Reeves, to encourage us all to see our neighbours in a new light! Trail maps are available from 30 January at Tart, Halo, Relax Coffee, Boston Tea Party, Planet Pizza and Tinto Lounge on Gloucester Road, or you can download yours online at: www.windowwanderland.com

ristol Museum and Art Gallery comes alive on Friday 13 February with an extraordinary evening of immersive entertainment, music and dancing. Named The Nightingale and the Rose after the Wilde poem from which the event is inspired, it promises to be an enchanting night complete with cocktails, dancing, and performances from aerial artists, acrobats and ballerinas, all set against the stunning, historic background of the museum. There’s also the chance to see taxidermy treasures that have lain hidden in the museum vaults for years. Tickets: £18.95 (incl entry to Wildlife Photographer of the Year), visit: www.bristolmuseums.org.uk

Spellbinding The multi award-winning musical Wicked arrives at Bristol Hippodrome on Wednesday 18 February, and will cast its magic over Bristol until Saturday 21 March. A witty re-imaginging of the stories and characters in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, it tells the touching story of the friendship that grows between two seemingly mismatched sorcery students. The extraordinary adventures they undertake together throughout the show ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. Tickets: £20 – £72.50 available from the box office on tel: 0844 871 3012 or visit: www.atgtickets.com

Escape to warmer climes No need to head abroad for a burst of sunshine, as this month The Curzon Cinema in Clevedon is enjoying a British Indian Season with the screening of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel on Wednesday 25 February at 2pm, followed by The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel from Friday 27 February. Both films will be accompanied by a fitting combo of tea/coffee and Indian snacks. For more info tel: 01275 871 000 or visit:www.curzon.org.uk

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ist

THE CITY THE BUZZ

My BRISTOL We ask Helen Cole, artistic director and chief executive of In Between Time, what she’s doing this month... © Carl Newland

Muffin making with Miffy To mark her 60th birthday, classic character Miffy is helping raise money for premature and sick baby charity Bliss, with the sale of children’s aprons and baking products. The initiative is in support of the charity’s national fundraising initiative – Bake for Bliss – that encourages people across the UK to hold fundraising cake sales from Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 February. If you fancy organising your own Bake for Bliss event, or want to find out where your nearest one is taking place, visit: www.bliss.org.uk. To see the gorgeous array of Miffy products you can buy to support the charity – including aprons and baking kits for enthusiastic young bakers visit: www.miffybliss.com

Bristol’s Polio campaign The global initiative to eradicate Polio is well underway, and the Bristol Polio Mile’itis Challenge is asking people of all ages across the city to collect their small change and complete a 1ft long strip of coins totalling £2.90. Every £2.90 will then be trebled by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and will pay for 24 children to be vaccinated. The aim for Bristol is to complete one mile of strips and together raise £15,000 which, when trebled, will be enough to fund 125,000 vaccinations. Fund raising will end with a laying-out of strips in The Mall Cribbs Causeway on Saturday 21 February from 11am – 3pm, and then a closing event with the Mayor in Cabot Circus at 12pm on Sunday. Coin strips can be ordered online, where you can also donate: www.bristolpoliomile.org.uk

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What brought you to Bristol? I knew it had a reputation as a left field city when I arrived in 1997. The underground pulse and determination grabbed my heart and made me believe this was a place I wanted to build a life, a career and In Between Time. What are you reading? H for Hawk by Helen Macdonald, and I’ve just subscribed to Audible so now regularly fall asleep to Anthony Horowitz’s Moriarty. What’s on your MP3 player? I saw FKA Twigs at Trinity Centre last year and think she is incredible. And I’m also listening to Patrick Wolf’s back catalogue, getting into the mood for the concerts we are producing for IBT15’s Night Songs at Tyntesfield. Which café or restaurant takes your fancy? I love local produce and unusual food, so can’t resist Harts Bakery and Small Street Espresso. As a treat I go to Casamia. Favourite watering hole? The Duke of York in St Werburghs was my local for over 16 years. I still love it and the people there even though I moved a few months ago. Evening in or evening out? The honest answer right now, as the festival approaches, is evening in.

Film or play? What will you be going to see? I have seen some incredible theatre but rarely in the form of a play. I love all film, indiscriminately from the isoteric to the trashy. Which museum or gallery will you be visiting? I am incredibly excited that IBT will present Fujiko Nakaya’s work for the first time in the UK this February, when she’ll swathe Pero’s Bridge in fog for a project with Green Capital. What hobbies or interests will you be pursuing? I have just bought a mountain bike. I have not ridden a bike for over 20 years. Bristol beware! What local event will you be attending? Sorry to be obvious, but IBT15 of course. Favourite local walk? I love the incredible view over Bristol from Ashley Down Road, across the allotments, down to the Farm pub then through Boiling Wells and onwards. Any projects/work in progress? Every minute of every day is currently committed to IBT15. Also, somewhere in the back of my mind I am already thinking of ideas for the next festival, IBT17, Bristol International Festival. For more details of this year’s festival, turn to page 26 or visit: www.ibt15.co.uk

BOOK OF THE MONTH... Sugar Hall by Tiffany Murray £8.99, paperback (Seren) Loosely based on Littledean Hall in Gloucestershire, the Sugar Hall of the title is a stately home built by the Sugar family – who made their money via sugar and slaves. With centuries of grisly stories embedded in its walls and woodland, the latest inhabitants of the spooky Hall are Lilia Sugar and her children. Lilia is the widowed wife of Peter Sugar, the final surviving descent of the Sugar family who died in the woodlands in strange circumstances. Their son, Dieter, is now the only living heir to the crumbling Sugar empire. But how will he fare against the other inhabitants of the Hall? Tiffany Murray’s writing style is engaging, and after only two or three chapters I was gripped and couldn’t put the book down all day. It is her creation of the manipulative and sad slave boy, who himself suffered at the hands of a former Sugar master, which is truly at the heart of Sugar Hall. Reviewed by Jane Duffus

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N S ow al e O n!

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Are you looking for new lighting for any area at the home? Are you overwhelmed with the options available? Can’t find the solution to your problem? Come and see the experts to help you through the options available. We have one of the largest displays in our freshly refitted showroom Lighting design service available. Our showroom displays fittings from the UK, European and Worldwide sources. For all areas of the home and garden. Decorative low energy on display.

Tel: 0117 963 5943 • Fax: 0117 963 4735 Unit 2, Sheene Way, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 4TA Free Car Parking Available Email: enquiries@lightingwarehousebristol.co.uk Web: www.lightingwarehousebristol.co.uk LIGHT FITTINGS WALL LIGHTS TABLE & FLOOR LAMPS MIRRORS & GLASS FURNITURE

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FEBRUARY 2015

Opening hours: Mon - Sat 9:00am - 5:30pm

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B R I S TOL MAGAZINE Follow us on Twitter @thebristolmagazine

Road to nowhere

n a recent trip to London I was chatting to someone who said, when I told them I lived in Bristol, “Oh, how lovely, you must be able to cycle everywhere!” Of course I agreed enthusiastically, though it is only partly true. Sometimes it feels as though Bristol is the ideal cycling city, but often I wonder how seriously our elders and betters take the needs of bike riders. I wrote something in this column a couple of years ago about the hazards of negotiating Park Street on a bicycle – and received a letter in response. A letter! Telling me that there is in fact a cycle route which takes you up the hill to Clifton via narrower and less busy streets. This is of course good news, except that, like motorists and pedestrians, cyclists want to take the most straightforward route from A to B. One of the benefits of being on two wheels is that if, say, you suddenly feel an urgent need for piquant rotisserie chicken you can simply stop outside a suitable restaurant, lock your bike up and go in. In a city the size and shape of Bristol a bicycle offers far more freedom than a car, but only if riders can move freely and safely along streets that actually go somewhere. Some fantastic inter-urban bike routes have opened in the last few years, so that you can now travel without risking life and limb to faraway places like Nailsea and Clevedon, as well as Bath and all sorts of other destinations. Following little blue signs around quiet lanes is a pleasure, and there are plenty of people who now commute by bike from Long Ashton and further afield.

❝

THE PHRASE ‘WHITE ELEPHANT’ SPRINGS TO MIND, ALTHOUGH AN ELEPHANT OF ANY DESCRIPTION WOULD BE MORE USEFUL

❞

But in town the efforts made to improve the lot of cyclists are not always so successful. In fact the thinking behind some of the supposed improvements seems to be less about making the relationship between riders, walkers and drivers safer than it is about adding so many metres of cycle lane. Sometimes these stretches of dedicated bike lane are beautifully engineered, but strangely disconnected from the surrounding reality. Take, for example, Redcliffe Way, which heads from Redcliffe roundabout towards Queen Square. It goes over a bridge (which used to swing once upon a time but now has pop-up art exhibitions in its control rooms) and was always fine to ride along – wide and with good visibility. Now the road itself is much narrower, and running alongside it there’s a splendid cycle lane, divided from the traffic by a concrete barrier. It’s the sort of thing they have in places like Denmark and Germany – a safe path specifically for bikes. The problem is that, at either end, it simply stops. At the Queen Square end there’s a sort of crossing which riders, walkers and motorists all approach with some uncertainty, since it isn’t at all clear who has right of way. After which bikes are directed into Queen Square itself via the pavement. At the Redcliffe end, meanwhile, riders face a choice of negotiating the roundabout or crossing the road via a pedestrian crossing. The phrase ‘white elephant’ springs to mind, although an elephant of any description would be more useful. Having risked life and limb to use this path once, I went back to riding along the road. Now – and this is the real point of this gentle rant – I’ve discovered another brand new stretch of uber-engineered cycle lane, on Baldwin Street this time. This beautiful stretch of dedicated bike-tarmac starts at Bristol Bridge and powers along in the direction of the Centre. I started along it, and after thirty seconds or so was really beginning to relax and enjoy myself. Then, abruptly, I found myself flung back into the traffic. This dazzling new cycle way – a beacon no doubt of Green Bristol – had, after a couple of hundred metres, simply ended. n 18 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY 2015

Acting Editor Tel: Email:

Jenny Hayes 0117 974 2800 jenny@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Deputy Editor Email:

Georgette McCready georgette@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Production Manager Email:

Jeff Osborne production@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Commercial Production Zoe Tabourajis Email: Zoe@thebristolmagazine.co.uk Publisher Email:

Steve Miklos steve@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Advertising Sales

Kathy Williams Sue Parker Liz Grey

For advertising enquiries please contact us on: 0117 974 2800 Email: sales@thebristolmagazine.co.uk Financial Director Email:

Jane Miklos jane@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

The Bristol Magazine is published by MC Publishing Ltd. An independent publisher. The Bristol Magazine is distributed free every month to more than 20,000 homes and businesses throughout the city. We also have special distribution units in the following stores and many coffee shops, hotels and convenient pick-up points.

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BRISTOL MAGAZINE Bristol and Exeter House, Lower Approach, Temple Meads, Bristol BS1 6QS Telephone: 0117 974 2800 www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk © MC Publishing Ltd 2015 Disclaimer: Whilst every reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to The Bristol Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to such material. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. This publication is copyright and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers.

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Rebel Hair Colour only

£15 each

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Tel: 0117 968 2663 • www.carlohairandbeauty.co.uk 6 Rockleaze Rd, Sneyd Park, Bristol BS9 1NF

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FEBRUARY 2015

THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 19

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BRISTOL | FASHION

STYLE FILE This month Bristol stylist Harriet de Winton shows you how to wear winter whites, and finds a few that willl ensure you look stylish and stay warm on those chilly February mornings

ressing well is easier in winter than in summer, not least because wrapping up in woolly jumpers and sturdy coats requires no ‘beach body’ regime. I have noticed that our cosy staples and hardy outerwear have been transformed of late. Designers are taking textures of wool and leather and upending their purpose, using these fabrics to give us elegant, refined items that can be worn in or out, day and night. I’ve always been a fan of finding new ways to wear an outfit and questioning the function of a fabric. The beautiful white wool dress I am wearing opposite is from Bristol based knitwear designer Amber Hards. Some may say it is too short for winter and too frivolous for daytime, but I would have to disagree. It looks beautiful over blue jeans, flat boots and paired with fellow local designer Molly Mishi May’s cropped leather jacket, the silhouette remains sharp and focussed. The near white of Molly’s leather jacket is creamy and soft, eschewing biker style. Amber’s wool dress has couture level creativity and more surprisingly,

structure. Both garments reject convention, yet the wool still provides comforting warmth and the leather its hard wearing gloss. Think Celine or Joseph, creating a minimal, spring-ready look that won’t have you shivering on hostile February mornings. White is a colour that holds troublesome memories for me. As a child, I was forbidden to wear it for fear of spilling something down it. Age and experience has not prevented this issue and it would be hard for me to function in full spotless white without calling upon Cleopatra’s entourage. And yet, its popularity hasn’t waned since it arrived on the high street last spring. It has proved itself quite a chameleon colour – sheer, opaque, layered, tailored – you name it, white can do it. The freshest colour going, a head to toe outfit is exceptionally stylish, and surprisingly flattering for all skin tones. There is a white for everyone; from creamy, ivory, nude tones to ice princess, it can team beautifully with neutral shades, metallics and shocking bright colours. What’s not to love? With a white outfit and a cupboard full of washing powder, I’m ready for Spring.

Designer Bristol Amber Hards graduated from the University of the West of England in 2010 with a first class BA Hons in fashion/textile design. Interested in producing innovative and beautiful knitwear, Amber experiments with contrasting yarns and techniques that produce garments with texture, volume, movement and surprise. She set up a new fashion collective – Where’s Your Mary? – that brings together many different talents in all aspects of the fashion world of Bristol. www.amberhards.co.uk

It was while studying jewellery and silversmithing at UWE that Diana Porter realised she’d found her calling. “I loved the way that working with metal centred and concentrated my mind. I learnt about design and form and my teachers pushed me to develop my ideas, which I now thank them for.” Her skill and drive have led to nationwide distribution and a beautiful Bristol shop where her own work sits alongside experimental pieces by new designers, and which also carries a wide range of engagement and wedding rings crafted by top British and European designers. www.dianaporter.co.uk

▲

Looking for something a bit different? Try one of the city’s numerous talented independents

Roderick Barker-Benfield is an artist, photographer and designer-maker who combines an eye for detail with his passion for creativity to capture and create incredible things. His jewellery can be found in several high end and boutique stockists around the UK including the Royal Academy of Arts & the National Trust. rodology.co.uk

Molly Mishi May is a designer and maker of couture clothing including bridal gowns, leather jackets, red carpet glamour and wearable art, recently featured in Italian Vogue. Molly is especially interested in the psychology of how we dress: exploring new technologies and techniques, and experimenting with untraditional materials. “We have a motto at the Mishi May studio” she says, “that ‘fashion is a mood altering substance’, and we aim to celebrate uniqueness, art, and the sheer fun of dressing up.” www.mishimay.com

Do you have a wardrobe worry that Harriet could help with? Opposite page: 1. Bouclé coat £49.99, H&M 2. Frith leather weave bracelet in bone colour £25, Reiss 3. Eliza textured print dress £159, Reiss 4. Cord and mesh collar £16.50, Topshop 5. 3/4 sleeve textured soft jumper £25, Per Una at Marks & Spencer 6. Baggu weave leather tote £165, Urban Outfitters. *Please note that product images shown are examples from current stock and subject to availability. 20 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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Email her at harriet@harrietdewinton.com, and we might publish her answer

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BRISTOL | FASHION

“The inspiration for this look is a hairline framing braid. As Harriet’s hair is shorter, we worked two french plaits from a central parting to back behind the ears. The rest of the length was curled with irons and then shaken out for softness. We finished by freehand pinning the curls at the nape to create a loose, textured knot. An easy DIY nod to timeless bohemian style.” Ella Hawkey www.atelierclifton.co.uk

3 4

5 Main image: © Amanda Thomas, amandathomasphotographer.co.uk Location: Stawberry Thief, Broad Street, www.strawberrytheifbar.com

Shari Knowles, makeup: “I used a bold lip colour, Italian Rose from Bobbi Brown, to contrast with the natural cream and white tones of the skin. To balance the warm lipstick, I lined the lashline with a rich brown gel liner that is a soft alternative to black to define the eyes. To finish this wearable winter look, the cheeks only required a slight dusting of pale rose blush.”

Knitted cotton and lambswool ruffle dress by Amber Hards, £250; cream leather jacket by Molly Mishi May, prices start at £800; 1969 Real Straight jeans by GAP, £44.95; silver crackle box clutch by John Lewis at The Mall Cribbs Causeway, £35

FIVE MINUTE FASHION FIX The first charm bracelet was produced by Tiffany and Co in 1889 with a single heart charm dangling from it. Today, brands like Pandora have breathed new life into this traditional keepsake. Charm bracelets can become valuable heirlooms after years of additional charms, or they can be affordable, personal and handmade. In this project, you design the bracelet as well as the charms.

You will need: • 1/4 metre liberty print cotton fabric • 20 cm chain and assorted charms • Jewellery loops • Jewellery pliers • Needle and thread • Iron • Tape measure • Dressmaking scissors 1. Cut a rectangle out of your fabric strip, 5cm wide by your desired length. © Amanda Thomas

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2. Press the strip in half length ways, open out and then fold long edges into the middle

crease. Press together again so your raw edges are hidden inside the folded rectangle. 3. Fold in the raw edges at each end and press. Slip stitch along the three edges to seal the rectangle into a strip. Press. 4. In the middle of the strip, loop your chain around a few times and sew in place so it has a bit of a swag (see photo), secure in place with a few stitches. 5. With your pliers and jewellery loops, fix the charms onto the chain. For behind the scenes at The Bristol Magazine shoot and more Fashion Fixes, visit: www.fixuplookchic.blogspot.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2015

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DATE NIGHT STYLE Something special planned this Valentine’s Day? Dress to impress in these pretty little numbers, says The Mall at Cribbs Causeway

hether you’re going out or staying in this Valentine’s Day, finding something fabulous to wear is a key part of the preparations. Even if you’ve been together a month, a year or several years, it’s the perfect time to show your other half just how gorgeous you are. And remember, disregard the size on the label, what really matters is your silhouette and how the dress fits you. In some cases you might want to go a size lower than usual to emphasise your curves, and in others you may need to go a size higher to ensure you can actually eat that romantic meal your partner is treating you to. Try it on, get a friend’s opinion and, if you need to, cut the label out and forget about it. Finding a dress that fits you perfectly and you’ll feel sexy in will ensure that you and your significant other have a very happy Valentine’s Day. Please note that the garments shown are taken from current stock and are subject to availability. n

DREAMY DÉCOLLETAGE One of the sexiest parts you can reveal in public is your décolletage – and by this we don’t mean a full view of your bust, but aiming slightly higher towards your neck. Boat neck dresses or ones with straps that emphasise this area ooze sex appeal when paired with delicate accessories.

SHEER BLISS If you’re not keen on flashing the flesh but do want to give a subtle hint at what’s below, finding a dress with sheer panelling can be a sexy way to wear it. Keep your accessories simple and your lips red to add some drama.

Odette Grosgrain dress from Phase Eight, £150

Black lattice-work dress from Marks and Spencer Collection, £59

Aspinal of London Leather Continental Berry clutch, £150, available from John Lewis

WRAP ME UP Bows are the ultimate in playful, girly styling, so if you want to go flirty with your fashion, this could be a winner. Keep it chic with a block colour like black and make sure the dress is form-fitting to emphasise curves. Peep toe shoes are an ideal match for this classic look. Phoebe Bow dress from Coast, £160

Halcyon Days 18ct Gold Plated Mini Greek Key Enamel Bangle, Red, £89, available from John Lewis

And if the restaurant is fully booked... Some date nights with a difference Spice it up – Wagamama cookbook If you fancy a more intimate night in, why not recreate an eating out experience in the more relaxed setting of your own home? The Wagamama book contains recipes for all their best Japanese noodle recipes which you can make together and best of all they are quick, leaving you more time for other things… Strike it lucky – Hollywood Bowl at Cribbs Causeway Go retro and treat your date to a game of ten pin bowling. Not only will it put the fun factor in, but there’s no better way to get up close and personal with your significant other than when you’re helping them with their bowling technique! Guilty pleasure – 50 Shades of Grey at Vue Cinema Cribbs Causeway Based on the international bestselling novel by E.L. James this saucy tale of a young ingénue drawn to an enigmatic millionaire is sure to get your pulse racing.

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CUT OUT AND KEEP For more body confident fashionistas, dresses with slashes or circles that reveal a flash of flesh are a real must-have this year. From Stella McCartney, to Erdem and Christopher Kane, all the big designers at London Fashion Week have done it and you can now find it on a high street near you, if you dare to bare. Deep red cut out dress from Lipsy, £65

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BRISTOL AT WORK Our series of photographic portraits by Charlotte Stone shows Bristol people at work

Zara’s Chocolates Making sweets for your sweet this Valentine’s Day

his small Bristol-born company was created from a love of all things chocolate. Started in 2011, it is now based from a shop on North Street, Southville, which it has shared with local florist Ivory Flowers since November 2013. In the shop you can watch Zara and the team hand-making all the delicious chocolates for sale, and even try a few... “I studied through the Ecole Chocolat Professional Chocolatier Programme,” says Zara, “and enjoyed learning about the history of chocolate, how to work with it, and experimenting with different flavours. “Since starting the company, the team and I have delivered demonstrations and tasting events, hosted indulgent chocolatemaking parties, and produced beautiful wedding favours and corporate chocolates to order. More recently, we were awarded best local confectioner at the Bristol Good Food Awards 2014, which has spurred me on to further establish our presence within the city’s food scene. “There are no unnecessary ingredients added to the chocolates, and we make sure they are all of the highest quality and ethically sourced. All our creations are gluten-free, and there is also a good range of dairy-free chocolates available. I also play close attention to detail the presentation of our products, as that adds to the taste and keeps customers coming back for more! “Customers visiting the shop will always find it full of our trademark chocolate teacups, which is one of the first products I started making. There is also a wide variety of bars, chocolate bites, and a whole host of treats in-between. For that personal touch, glass domes full of freshly made truffles are also available so customers can pick and choose their own boxed selections. “Alongside the main range, we love creating seasonal chocolates to suit the festival or time of year. This Valentine’s Day will be no exception, with delicious new products and flavours to tempt and indulge. The range will include chocolate lace-effect hearts filled with our best-selling sea salted caramel and encased in crisp, gold-dusted shells, and an indulgent selection of truffles ranging from hedonistic champagne with a raspberry sugar dusting, to soft, creamy hazelnut pralines, and even passionfruit and raspberry truffles. n Zara’s chocolates can also be found in a range of independent shops and delis around the region. For more information tel: 0117 953 3892 or visit: www.zaraschocolates.co.uk www.charlottestonephoto.com

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INTERNATIONAL | CULTURE

ENTER... THE STORM In Between Time’s Anna Rutherford talks to Jenny Hayes about Bristol International Festival 2015

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here’s something extraordinary sweeping through the city this month. The In Between Time arts festival returns from Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 February, bringing with it a tempestuous array of artists from around the world. This will be IBT’s sixth major biennial, and the scope and scale of events taking place this year have prompted its name change to IBT15 Bristol International Festival, to better reflect the global typhoon of creativity that transforms the city through theatre, dance, live art and activism. In Between Time was established by artistic director Helen Cole in 2001. Already an experienced arts producer, she wanted to create a large-scale event dedicated to showcasing groundbreaking live art and performance, and so the festival was born. Over the years it has grown in both size and reputation, consistently bringing world-renowned artists to the city as well as nurturing emerging talent. Helen’s achievement in creating this platform for contemporary art, and cementing it so profoundly in the public realm, was recognized in 2009 when she received the prestigious Breakthrough Award from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. In 2012, the Arts Council included IBT as part of its National Portfolio, providing core funding for the festival and securing its future in Bristol, and beyond. Inspired by our status as European Green Capital, this year’s event is themed around the concept of a storm and encapsulates every element – from the anticipation as it’s brewing, to the fear and havoc wreaked as it strikes, and finally the devastating aftermath when all there is left to do is pick up the pieces.

❝

“THE CONCEPT OF THE STORM IS THAT OF CHANGE APPROACHING – IT’S UNSETTLING BUT ALSO EXCITING”

❞

The reference to climate change is clear, but there are other undoubted parallels that can be found between this imagery and modern life. Encompassing both the calm and the violent elements of a storm, the art and performance taking place aims to disrupt our perception, question our understanding and raise our awareness of the physical, social and political world around us, while complementary workshops offer platforms for discussion through which people can explore ways in which to restore equilibrium in troubled times. “We’ve seen a lot of unrest in the UK, and abroad, over the last few years,” says Anna Rutherford, executive director of IBT, “and that’s what inspired the theme of this year’s In Between Time festival. The concept of the storm is that of change approaching – we can feel the tension building, and we don’t yet know where it is going to take us. It is unsettling but also exciting, an atmosphere that is mirrored in the art coming to Bristol this month.” The literal aspect of changing weather is directly explored in one of the most anticipated art works of this year’s festival, Fujiko Nakaya’s Fog Bridge. For 10 days, this esteemed artist will shroud Pero’s Bridge on the Harbourside in fog, demonstrating to Bristolians the effect climate change could have on their everyday lives, while also asking them to take a small step into the unknown. “Our team wanted to stage a large, interactive, outdoor art event that would act as our gift to the city,” explains Anna. “Like

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Previous page, main image: The Storm © Playmodes; above: Fujiko Nakaya’s Fog Bridge © Gayle Laird

the Fake Moon we cast over College Green in 2013, it is a component of the festival that is free for everyone to experience, and which will hopefully stay in people’s memory for a long time to come. “We approached Fujiko because of the obvious links between her work and the environment, and were ecstatic to find out she was really interested in bringing this installation to Bristol in its year as European Green Capital. And it is a real coup to be chosen as the site of its UK premiere, as usually we would be bypassed for larger cities.” A smaller, but no less valuable victory came in securing three performances of Trajall Harrell’s Twenty Looks or Paris is Burning at the Judson Church at this year’s festival. “Helen saw it at Panorama Festival in Brazil last year and was blown away, so she was determined to bring the show to Bristol,” laughs Anna. “It’s fantastic to stage it here, especially as contemporary dance is currently underrepresented in the city.” Closer to home, Anna and the team have been working with The National Trust to stage a truly spectacular evening at Tyntesfield as part of their Trust New Art initiative, which aims to open up heritage properties and allow visitors to experience them in new ways. “We approached Patrick Wolf, a musician well-known for his ability to submerse himself in the context of his work,” Anna says, “to see if he’d be willing to write a song inspired by the stories of Tyntesfield. He was really excited about it, and has done so much research at the house he’s on first name terms with most of the volunteers!” Patrick will perform this song, as well as other tracks, as part of Night Songs – an evening designed to fuse music, contemporary art and history, in which performers and other artists will transform Tyntesfield, bringing its spaces and heritage alive for a new audience. The belief that art can be used as a powerful force for change runs through every aspect of IBT15 Bristol International Festival, just as it has done in the years before. This brings with it a not only a commitment to introducing audiences to diverse and challenging artists, but also the desire to make them stop and question their everyday lives. Just as Night Songs asks us to consider our heritage, another nocturnal show – Night Walks – insists that we engage with our future by listening to the stories of teenagers in the city. We are invited to, quite literally, walk a mile in their shoes as they lead us through their streets and shortcuts, and tell us all about their Bristol. “It was a big project,” admits Anna, “as we knew that the quality of the experience had to be good for both the audience and the teenagers involved. We brought in award-winning Canadian youth company Mammalian

Helen Cole © Oliver Rudkin

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Diving Reflex, who are brilliant at working with young people. By collaborating with Knowle West Media Centre, they were able to find teenagers who would enjoy the process, and help them develop their confidence in leading the tours.” Talking to Anna about this year’s festival, it becomes apparent not only how diverse it will be, in terms of both art work and performance, but also how inclusive. Artists, producers and visitors will flock to the city from all over the world to see the shows that are being staged, and as well as welcoming this international community IBT also aims to make events as accessible as possible for the people of Bristol. “Securing permanent funding from the Arts Council was fantastic,” Anna explains, “because it meant we could be sure to keep ticket prices down, while increasing the scale of this year’s festival.” The performances and workshops also take place in a variety of indoor and outdoor locations across the city, not shut away behind closed doors, so people can encounter them as they move around Bristol. This is a powerful tool in breaking down the exclusive, impenetrable feeling that often surrounds contemporary art, instead inviting viewers from all ages and backgrounds to stop, absorb and think about what they are seeing. The Storm may be a metaphor for the change and uncertainty that surrounds us, but by inviting people from across the world to come together and express their feelings about the physical, political and cultural climate of today, IBT15 Bristol International Festival also celebrates all that is good about our city. IBT are using art to reach across conventional social boundaries and encourage people to interact with each other in new ways, so that issues can be raised, addressed and overcome collectively. So when The Storm hits, don’t worry that you’ll be out of your depth, just jump in and see where it takes you. You might find that a change of weather is just what you need. n For full listings, show prices and more details about In Between Time and Bristol International Festival 2015, visit: ibt15.co.uk Twenty Looks at the Arnolfini © Miana Jun

Patrick Wolf at the National Trust’s Tyntesfield House

Top 5 picks… Fog Bridge, Harbourside, Friday 13 – Saturday 22 February To mark Bristol’s status as European Green Capital, IBT has invited Japanese artist Fujiko Nakaya to the city. A well-known conjurer of unusual weather, she will shroud Pero’s Bridge in a changing veil of fog in this UK premiere of the work. There will also be an accompanying exhibition at the Arnolfini, running until Saturday 14 March. Living With Uncertainty, Arnolfini Café Bar, Friday 13 February, 10am As unusual weather conditions become the norm, how can we collaborate with a changing environment? Leading artists, thinkers and activists will set provocations and open up conversations around this subject between themselves and their audience. Tickets: £5/£3 concs. Alba, Arnolfini, Friday 13 February, 12pm Drawing on her experience as a person with albinism, Jo Bannon unpicks a tangle of stories to reveal the myths we inherit, the myths we embody and the identities we cannot shake off. The result is an extraordinary visual poem, created with blinding light, proximity, movement and sound. Tickets: £13/£10 concs. Twenty Looks or Paris is Burning at The Judson Church, Arnolfini, Friday 13 – Sunday 15 February, various times Rewind to the 1960s when New York was the hotbed for change... AfricanAmerican and Latino LGBT communities in Harlem gather to catwalk their desires in a rich, white world, while downtown dancers congregate to transform the vocabulary of modern dance forever. In this globally-renowned production, Trajal Harrell imagines the extravagant meeting between the two, which challenges divisions of race, class and wealth. Tickets: £10 – £15. Strange Weather Family Workshops, Arnolfini, Saturday 14 & Saturday 28 February, 1pm – 5pm All ages can celebrate the power of weather together at these specially designed workshops. Create the sounds of a storm, become a weather forecaster, listen to tempestuous tales and build shelters to protect you from the elements.

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FACE | THE MUSIC

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FACE | THE MUSIC

LAUGHTER LINES Funny woman Cerys Nelmes talks to Jane Duffus about the top ten songs that lift her spirits... and how she keeps herself awake in the car on long journeys

s a comedian, Cerys Nelmes spends a lot of time in her car driving from her home in Wooton-under-Edge to comedy gigs all over the UK… giving her plenty of time to catch up on her favourite tunes. But Cerys, who lives with her teenage son and lots of cute chihuahuas, hasn’t always been a comedian. She moved into comedy in 2011 having previously been a florist and a firefighter. As you can imagine, firefighting was an eye-opening experience. “We covered a lot of motorway accidents, and I’ve seen some horrific things that I don’t want to see again,” she says. “But when you do save somebody or stop a building from collapsing, then you feel good about what you’re doing. But you’re always prepared to be turning up to something that your friends are in. That’s why I decided to stop doing it.” After fighting fires, Cerys went to a comedy workshop in London, where she was promptly offered a five-minute spot at the Leicester Comedy Festival. She explains: “I didn’t have a clue about writing comedy or doing anything funny. But I knew I was funny and could tell a story.” This was in early 2011 and Cerys hasn’t looked back since – last year she quit her day job in a furniture shop and is now working full-time as a comedian. On the day that we spoke, she was preparing to drive to Nottingham and back for a gig, and said her car CD player was already loaded up with some new purchases by One Direction, SIA, Paloma Faith, Pharrell, Ellie Goulding and Union J. “I like to keep myself amused on long journeys by singing,” says Cerys. “Especially on the drive back when you’ve got adrenaline pumping after a comedy show. When you’re getting tired, some tunes you can sing along to is all you need in the car to keep you going.” Here in Bristol, Cerys is resident compere at both Riproar and What The Frock! Comedy, and a regular face at lots of other nights, but when she’s not at a comedy gig, Cerys is glued to Big Brother. She is a regular guest on shows like Big Brother’s Bit On The Psych on Channel 5, joining other pundits to talk about the contestants. “I love Big Brother!” she says. “I’d like to be on it ideally but I’d also love to go in and just have a poke around the house. I’ve applied a few times and been through various audition stages… and then they go and pick crazy people!” Should she make it on to the show, Cerys says music – which is banned from the house – is the one thing she would miss. But if Big Brother offered her a treat of hearing just one song from her list below, Cerys says that without a doubt it would be Deee-Lite’s Groove Is In The Heart. “I’d be dancing around the house to it! How can you not dance to that song?” www.cerynelmes.com

Cerys’ top 10: ❶ Groove Is In The Heart by Deee-Lite We used to go on holiday in St Ives, and Terry the disco man with his combover would play all kinds of tunes like this. It reminds me of my first memories of going to discos with boys. This song was played all throughout the 1990s and I just love it. ❷ It Must Have Been Love by Roxette I was dancing to this on my first French school exchange to Bois-Le-Roi, near Paris, with my French boyfriend Philippe in about 1992. I remember we held hands while slow dancing at a disco in a friend’s basement. Everyone who had met a French boy was crying as we were going home the next day. About 15 of us from the French exchange have a reunion in Paris every few years, and even though they don’t understand many of my jokes they still think I’m funny! ❸ Loser by Beck This song sums up my secondary school angst. As sad as it sounds, I felt a bit of a loser at times. So when this song came out I thought it was my anthem. My son’s heard the song since and thinks it’s his song too, and it’s interesting that he would say that. ❹ Roads by Portishead I was heavily into the Bristol music scene with Portishead, Massive Attack, WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Portishead at Roskilde Festival 2011 © Bill Ebbesen

Tricky and so on. When I was about 16, this was the music I listened to all the time. This Portishead song sums up that era for me, and triggers lots of memories. ❺ Feather Theme by Alan Silvestri, from the Forrest Gump soundtrack When the film Forrest Gump came out I loved it, and it’s still one of my favourite films. This is the opening tune and it’s called Feather Theme because it follows a feather blowing in the wind. I played it to my son the other day and it made me cry. It always makes me cry when I play it, because I remember listening to it when my nan died. ❻ Weak by Skunk Anansie They’re one of my favourite bands of all time. This was when I was at college and I used to put it on in my bedroom if I was angry. I’d blast it up loud instead of having an argument with my parents. I saw Skunk Anansie at V Festival a few years ago and they were brilliant. ❼ The Reason by Hoobastank This is such a nice tune. The first time I heard it was about 10 years ago during a break-up. I thought it really encapsulated what I was going through. The words are quite poignant. It summed up what my ex meant to me and it’s one of my favourite songs, even though it makes me feel sad. ❽ Tonight by New Kids on the Block New Kids On The Block at Birmingham NEC was the first concert I ever went to when I was 16. It was highly exciting as our parents waited outside so my friends and I felt like we were out on our own. I went to see New Kids On The Block again when they reformed in 2009, and again a few months ago in London. I picked Tonight because at the London concert they came into the audience to sing this, and where I was sitting I had Jordan and Joey each side of me singing this song. I took a video on my phone and you can hear me singing “la la la la la la tonight” between them. ❾ Desire by Years & Years I saw this band supporting Sam Smith at Colston Hall a few months ago. As a comedian, I get really annoyed when people don’t pay attention to the support acts. So I sat there trying to listen to Years & Years and really enjoyed them, but everybody else was just chatting over them. Then, just before Sam Smith came on they played Desire, which is in the charts, so suddenly everyone paid attention – and I thought what a waste for those people that they’d missed the rest of the set. Still, I’d enjoyed it. ❿ Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars This is my anthem for 2015. It was showcased unintentionally on X Factor by one of the acts, which meant her version went straight to number one and Marc Ronson and Bruno Mars had to speed up the release of their version. It’s one of those tunes you hear and you can’t help but feel good. I know it’s going to be big all through this year. n FEBRUARY 2015

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CULTURE BOOK What’s happening in the city this month

War Horse at Bristol Hippodrome

Trio Paradis at Redmaid’s School

Botanical Inks day course

UNTIL FEBRUARY 05

Fingerprints, National Trust’s Tyntesfield House, until Friday 13 February, from 11.30am These new conservation tours allow you to see how staff care for the house and over 50,000 objects. Discover the 10 agents of deterioration, the breadth of treasures at Tyntesfield and the complexity of care each tapestry, bed-pan, painting and piece of furniture receives from the expert conservation team. You will of course get to see the architectural gem that is the house and hear something of the Gibbs family who lived there. Tours start at 11.30am and run hourly. Tickets are limited, but can be prebooked online. Normal admission applies. Visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Bristol One Act Drama Festival, Olympus Theatre, Wednesday 4 – Saturday 7 February, 7.15pm with a Saturday matinee at 2pm A preliminary round of the All England Theatre Festival National Competition of One Act Plays, in which 14 local groups (11 adult and 3 youth) are competing. Open adjudications will be presented at the end of each session by Chris Jaeger, MBE, who will anounce on Saturday evening, the winning group to go forward to the next round. This year’s event celebrates the 60th anniversary of the festival. Tickets: £8 (or £20 for all five sessions) from the box office on tel: 0117 924 7266.

War Horse, Bristol Hippodrome, until Saturday 14 February, evening and matinee performances

Women of World War One, Redmaid’s School, Thursday 5 February, 7pm

This month is your last chance to see the National Theatre’s highly acclaimed production of War Horse. Adapted from the novel by Michael Morpurgo, it tells the emotional story of a young boy whose horse is requistioned to fight in the First World War, and his journey to track him down and bring him home. Tickets: £16.60 – £55 from the box office on tel: 0844 871 3012 or visit: www.atgtickets.com

Trio Paradis will perform narrated excerpts from diaries, letters and poems, with music by women composers alongside a slide-show of contemporary images, in this tribute to the women of the Great War. Tickets: £5/£3 students tel: 0117 962 2641.

Submarine, Alma Tavern Theatre, Monday 2 – Wednesday 4 February, 8pm

Vintage Kilo Sale, Paintworks, Saturday 7 February, private trade 10am – 11am, open to public 11am – 4pm

Popcorn JSB present this adaptation of Richard Ayoade’s cult film. Fifteen year old Oliver Tate is torn between rescuing his parents’ slowly deteriorating relationship and luring his pyromaniac girlfriend, Jordana, into falling in love. With his mother’s mystic ex moving in next door, and his father’s wrestle with depression, Oliver is left with only an advanced vocabulary and near total self-belief. The pursuit of love or saving his parents’ marriage – which will prove more important? Tickets: £10/£8 concs tel: 0117 973 5171 or visit: www.almataverntheatre.co.uk

The Last Leaves Falling, Bristol Grammar School, Tuesday 3 February, 5pm

FROM FEBRUARY 07

Pick and mix from 1000s of vintage items. They’ll be 5 tonnes (!) of retro fashion on offer, laid out on rails and in rummage boxes that include tees, denim, jackets, jumpers, shorts and skirts. Featuring ladies and gents fashion and accessories from the 1970s and on. You simply select whatever you like, take it to the weigh station and pay at £15 per kilo (around 4/5 items). Tickets: £1.50 on the door. For more information visit: www.paintworksbristol.co.uk

Come & Sing: Vaughan Williams, Tyndale Baptist Church, Saturday 7 February, 10am – 4pm

Join Sarah Benwell for the launch of her debut novel, which follows a teenage boy with ALS and explores the value of life and the power of making our own choices. She’ll speak about moving from teen wannabe writer to bona fide author, and you’ll also have the opportunity to discuss your own goals and set yourself on the path towards achieving them. For tickets and further information, email: lshepherd@bgs.bristol.sch.uk

Join Bristol Choral Society for a ‘come and sing’ day, where you can learn two wonderful works by Vaughan Williams – Toward the Unknown Region and Mass in G Minor. Under the guidance of conductor Adrian Partington, come and enjoy the wonderful experience of singing these works as part of a big choir. Tickets: £15 (includes hire of music), under 18s £7.50. Advance booking is essential, tel: 0117 962 3223 or visit: www.bristolchoral.co.uk

The Forbidden Door, Tobacco Factory Theatre, Tuesday 3 & Wednesday 4 February, 8pm

Introduction to Natural Dye Printmaking, Barley Wood Walled Garden, Saturday 7 February, 10am – 4pm

Don't open that door! As soon as the rule is laid down, we know it will be broken. Expect love, loss, drama, danger, horror, humour, twists and trials from this tale from The Devil’s Violin Company, who weave together a rich aural tapestry of sound, poetry and folk/roots music that appeals to all ages and cultures. Tickets: £14/£10 concs from the box office on tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com

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A one-day course creating natural pigments using foraged plant materials to dye and print a locally grown and made organic silk scarf. You will learn to extract pigments and make dye baths and textile printing inks, as well as a variety of application techniques. Lunch is included and features a special menu at The Ethicurean. Price: £165. For more information email: babsbehan@hotmail.com or visit: www.botanicalinks.com

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Macy Gray, Colston Hall, Wednesday 11 February, 8pm She burst into the charts in 1999 with the release of wildly infectious single, I Try, and has been steadily releasing music ever since, selling millions of albums worldwide and picking up a Grammy along the way. Now the charismatic vocalist is back with her new album, The Way, which beautifully showcases her unique talents as a singer and songwriter. Tickets: £30.64 (incl. booking fee) from the box office on tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.colstonhall.org

VALENTINE’S EVENTS

Macy Gray at Colston Hall

Valentine’s Soiree with The Flavour Smith, Averys Wine Cellars, Friday 13 & Saturday 14 February Set in these historic cellars in the heart of Bristol, these soirees are designed to take you on a seductive journey into the heart of fine dining. Guests will venture through a hidden green door (on Culver Street), following a trail of candles and the sound of music to a magical underground lounge bar, where they will be welcomed with a glass of bubbles and seasonal canapés. A four-course French-inspired menu will be served, with a selection of fine wines that have been matched by the knowledgeable staff at Averys. After dinner, guests are invited to visit the lounge and enjoy a digestif or two while taking in the atmospheric surroundings. For more information email: info@theflavoursmith.co.uk

A Sense of the Divine, St George’s, Saturday 14 February, 7.30pm

Pop up Valentine’s Soiree at Averys Wine Cellars

Exultate Singers present a feast of beautiful choral music on the theme of love. Sensuous motets by Renaissance masters Victoria and Palestrina setting words from the Song of Songs are contrasted with ravishing choral pieces by Finzi, Rütti, Whitacre and DanielLesur. The choir will also give the world premiere of Three Songs of Love by Bristol-based composer David Bednall. Tickets £12 – £24 (£5 students/under 18s in full time education) from St George’s box office on tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

FROM FEBRUARY 15

Garden Tour, University of Bristol Botanic Garden, Sunday 15 February, 10.30am

Exultate Singers at St George’s

Curator Nicholas Wray will show some of the early spring highlights including the delicate, fragrant pink blossoms of Prunus mume Beni-Chidori, wintersweet and witch hazel. Tours present an excellent opportunity to hear of new developments, learn about new plants, those of seasonal interest and see what exotics are flowering in the magical world of the glasshouses. Come rain or shine there will be plenty to see. Free to Friends. visitors £4.50. For more information tel: 0117 331 4906 or visit: www.bristol.ac.uk/botanic-garden

Arms at Death, Alma Tavern Theatre, Monday 16 – Saturday 21 February, 8pm

Tour of the Botanic Garden

Two new contemporary plays, Insanity which explores the themes of the arms industry, and how it affects us under the pretence of peace, and Death, which studies the possibility of an afterlife, as well as the symbolism and meaning of what it is to die, or to lose those close to you. Both are intended to make us question our surroundings and learn from our own beliefs. Tickets: £8/£6 concs tel: 0117 973 5171 or visit: www.almataverntheatre.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK... Love Food Festival Valentine’s Special, Paintworks, Sunday 15 February, 10.30am – 4.30pm Valentine’s Day could not pass by without a very special Love Food Festival. Bring your loved ones of all ages along for a special day out. The gorgeous market will be overflowing with delicious food and gifts all made for you with love. The Dearlove String Quartet will be returning to entertain you during afternoon tea, served on fine vintage china in the beautiful Love Café. Children will be able to perfect their cooking skills in the demo area, along with fabulous art and craft activities with the brilliant Ooodle Doodle – plus the world famous Love Food pancake race. Free entry. For more information visit: www.lovefoodfestival.com

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WHAT’S | ON

Raising the Roof, University of Bristol Botanic Gardens, Thursday 19 February As glasshouse superintendent at RHS Wisley, Nick Morgan was intimately involved with all aspects of the design and development of the New Glasshouse, which opened in 2007. Nick’s talk looks back at the design and development of this impressive structure, and the establishment of its amazing collection of tender plants. Free to Friends, visitors will be asked to make a donation. For more information tel: 0117 331 4906 or visit: www.bristol.ac.uk/botanic-garden

The Merchant of Venice, Redgrave Theatre, Thursday 19 – Saturday 28 February, 7.30pm with matinees on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School perform RSC award-winning director Bill Alexander’s interpretation of this well-known Shakespeare play. Tickets: £15/£10 concs from the box office on tel: 0117 973 3955 or visit: www.oldvic.ac.uk Hackney Colliery Band at Colston Hall

FROM FEBRUARY 20

The Canterbury Tales, Horfield Parish Hall, Wednesday 18 February – Saturday 21 February, 7pm Join the Horfield Theatre Company and listen to tales from the Knight, the Nuns’ Priest, the Wife of Bath and the Miller as they undertake their pilgrimage to Canterbury. Full of lust, rivalry, conceipt, and even the secret of what women really want... But be warned, in the words of Chaucer himself “Those who are for high morals and good taste should be gone. Depart. Away. Make haste!” Tickets: £9 from tel: 0117 969 5716 or visit: www.horfieldtheatre.co.uk

Hackney Colliery Band, The Lantern, Colston Hall, Friday 20 February, 8pm Featuring trumpets, trombones, saxes, sousaphone and marching percussion, this band specialise in high-energy, good-time music, bringing the brass band tradition bang up to date with an eclectic repertoire that spans funk, hip-hop, rock, Balkan brass, electronica and contemporary jazz. Tickets: £15.05 (incl. booking fee) from the box office on tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.colstonhall.org

Beau Street Hoard Roadshow, The Royal West of England Academy, Thursday 19 February, 11am – 3pm

Fat Shirley’s: A Trailer Park Opera, Bristol Folk House, Friday 27 February, 7.30pm

Learn about the amazing recent discovery in Bath of 17,577 Roman silver coins. Handle coins from the hoard, take part in fun family activities, and strike your own replica coin to take away. There is also an illustrated talk at 2pm.

After a sell-out week at the Alma Tavern Theatre in December, this Three Chords Theatre Co production has been invited to perform at this year’s Bristol Bluegrass Festival. Colourful characters paint a comedic picture in the true operatic sense focusing on love, loss, grief and betrayal. Tickets: £9

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WHAT’S | ON

The West of England Wedding Show

(£7 with Saturday ticket) from Bristol Folk House tel: 0117 926 2987. For more details visit: www.bristolfolkhouse.co.uk

Brahms’ Requiem Choral Workshop, St Monica’s Chapel, Saturday 28 February, 10am – 4pm Christopher Finch leads this workshop as we delve into the true musical heart of Brahms’ masterpiece. Join members of Bristol Bach Choir and enjoy a day of singing the choruses (in German) of this glorious work in the delightful surroundings of St Monica’s, Westbury on Trym. Christopher will share some techniques to help you negotiate the work’s musical and vocal demands and increase your understanding and love of the work. Open to all. Tickets: £20/£5 students and under 18s (including music loan). To book tel: 0117 214 0721 or visit: bristolbach.org

What The Frock! Comedy, Riproar, Friday 27 February A night of merriment showcasing new acts and new material from more established comedians. Hosted by Cerys Nelmes, New Kids On The Frock! will feature Harriet Dyer, Rachel Fairburn, Sooz Kempner and Dotty Winters. Tickets: £10/£8 concs visit: www.whatthefrockcomedy.co.uk

Spring is in the Air, St Alban’s Church, Saturday 28 February, 7.30pm The 100-strong City of Bristol Choir performs a concert of choral music from Austria and Germany featuring Bruckner’s colossal Mass in E minor for choir and fifteen wind and brass instruments. The programme includes Brahms’ Begrabnisgesang and Mendelssohn’s atmospheric motet Verleih uns Frieden, and the Quorum Ensemble performs Mozart’s Wind Serenade in C minor. Tickets: £18/£16 concs (£5 for students and under 18s) from Opus 13 music tel: 0117 923 0164 or visit: www.cityofbristolchoir.org.uk

BOOK NOW FOR...

The West of England Wedding Show, The Passenger Shed, Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 March, 10am – 5pm Find everything you need for your special day, including beautiful bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, venues, honeymoon destinations, florists, tiaras, stationers, car hire, shoes and lots, lots more. Take advantage of exclusive show discounts, enjoy stunning catwalk shows and get advice from the UK’s top bridal coach, Michele Paradise. Tickets: £5 in advance/£8 on the day. Brides go free with a paying adult but only when booking in advance, visit www.perfectweddingshows.co.uk

Bristol Bach Choir, St George’s, Saturday 21 March, 7.30pm A moving performance of Brahms’ Requiem and Jonathan Dove’s The Passing of the Year. Tickets: £10 – £20 (£5 students and under 18s). To book tel: 0117 214 0721 or visit: bristolbach.org

Bristol Phoenix Choir, St Alban’s Church, Saturday 18 April, 7.30pm The choir performs a wonderful array of masterpieces: Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Vivaldi’s Magnificat, together with Handel’s My Heart is Inditing and pieces by Haydn and Purcell. Soloists Elinor Cooper, Matthew Paine, Mike Gormley and Daniel Robson, with Matthew Davies (organ). Directed by Paul Walton. Tickets £12.50 (free for under 16s) from Bristol Phoenix Choir tel: 07775 915155 or email: tickets@bristolphoenixchoir.org.uk, or from Opus 13 tel: 0117 9230164. WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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WIN A night out at Bristol Jazz Festival This month’s groovy competition combines syncopated beats with tasty things to eat

wing, blues, funk, big band and more will be raising the roof of Colston Hall from Friday 6 – Sunday 8 March, with major international stars performing alongside some of the city’s best home-grown talent. Bristol Jazz Festival will open with a bang. There’ll be a night of swing dance in the main hall, with Ray Gelato & His Giants, and Bruce/llett Big Band providing the soundtrack to some eye-popping dance moves from the south west’s sharply dressed dancers. Across the weekend there’s a wealth of goodies to be had; from Fun Lovin’ Criminals’ Huey Morgan with James Brown’s MD Pee Wee Ellis, a big band collaboration with local choirs presenting some of the best-loved Disney film tunes in Cartoon Jazz, and acid jazz star Carleen Anderson headlining on Saturday night. Hosting The Louis Armstrong Story is Clarke Peters, well known to fans of The Wire as Lester Freaman but also a hugely accomplished soul and jazz musician with a wealth of West End hits to his name. Together with gospel singer Lillian Boutté, Christopher Evans and Enrico Tomasso, Peters will read from Armstrong’s diaries, bringing to life the story and music of one of the world’s most famous jazz voices. Discerning music fans will be ear-marking performances by some of the more contemporary voices on the scene. With a beautiful voice and a truly original style, singer and violinist Alice Zawadski is on the rise having caught

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the ear of the national critics, while the stunning young quartet Slowly Rolling Camera capture elements of trip hop, jazz, soul and electronic music, and fuse it into a new and unique soundscape. Bristol’s internationally renowned saxophonist Andy Sheppard will be giving audiences at the Festival a sneak preview of his new release on ECM records. American blues legend Dr John, promises to draw a huge crowd to the last night of the Festival with his first visit to Bristol for 12 years. A formidable boogie and blues pianist, his unique blend of bluesy rhythms, funk and voodoo flair fused with his home town New Orleans’ R&B have made him one of the city’s most distinctive musical ambassadors. For full listings and further information about Bristol Jazz Festival, visit: www.bristoljazzandbluesfest.com This year, three lucky readers can win tickets to the festival, all you have to do is answer: Which city does Dr John come from? 1st prize, a meal for two at Gordito, in the Colston Hall, plus a pair of tickets to Carleen Anderson, Saturday 7 March 9pm; 2nd prize, a pair of tickets to Pee Wee Ellis and Huey Morgan, Sunday 8 March 4:45pm; 3rd prize, a pair of tickets to Andy Sheppard Quartet, Saturday 7 March 4:45pm. Email your answer with your name, address and contact number to: competitions@thebristolmagazine.co.uk by Thursday 19 February. American blues legend, Dr John

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CREATIVE | COMMUNITY

Play structure by Touch Wood Enterprises

KNOCK ON WOOD Jenny Hayes finds out more about The Forest of Avon Co-operative, and meets some of its talented members

s Bristol moves into its second month as European Green Capital, I’d like to shine a spotlight on a creative community that embodies the values of local, sustainable manufacture and trade, and has done since its inception in 1999. The Forest of Avon Co-operative occupies half of the historic farm buildings that nestle at the foot of the Ashton Court Estate, in an area known as the Bower Ashton Woodyard. “The Co-op consists of a mixture of businesses and charities, based both here at the Woodyard and in the wider Forest of Avon area,” says Jim O’Shaughnessy, one of the original founders. “All our members are dedicated to promoting the development of woodlands in the west of England and the sustainable use of local timber. “Ranging from woodland owners, to charcoal makers, timber framers and cabinet makers, our members encompass the entire supply chain. Between us we grow, harvest and use every part of a tree so we have an extremely low carbon output, which is unusual in the manufacturing business.” It isn’t only the environmental ethics of the Co-op that make it outstanding, but also the uniquely supportive atmosphere that working collectively brings to its members. “People are more than happy to pool their assets, skills and resources,” explains Jim. “Whether it’s lending each other tools, the use of a vehicle, or a spot of free labour helping to lift heavy timber. We find that this nurtures an atmosphere of trust and creates a strong community network.” This is something that members themselves readily attest to. Ian Hayes, owner of Rooted Furniture, stresses how important this inclusive approach has been in allowing his small business to flourish: “I couldn’t have done it without the support of the Co-op community. Other members shared their equipment and their knowledge with me so that I could grow and develop both the company and my own expertise.” The Bike Shed Company director, Dan Danson, reiterates this feeling: “Being based here at the Woodyard has been a significant factor in our success. As part of the Co-op we work alongside like-minded people who are always ready to help each other out, as everyone understands that each individual’s success boosts our collective strength. It feels like we are part of 40 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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something far more important than just the bottom line of the balance sheet, as we all value people and planet as well as profit.” As well as supporting one another, Co-op members are committed to contributing to the wider environmental and economic landscape of the south west. “As part of the original agreement of our tenancy, we undertook significant restoration of the old farm buildings here at the Woodyard, some of which date back to the 18th century,” says Jim. “In doing so, we converted what were crumbling structures into safe, secure production units for commercial use, transforming a derelict area into a thriving creative community. We’d like to continue this work and restore all of the historic buildings to working status, and by doing so reconnect them with the mansion house, woodlands and estate. “The Woodyard itself has always been a working site – the engine room to Ashton Court Mansion – and the presence of our woodworkers maintains this tradition and preserves it as a rare and important living heritage site. Our vision is to expand our green enterprise zone and become a centre for production, education and training.” Already Touch Wood Enterprises, the largest company based at the Woodyard, run a thriving apprenticeship programme in association with The Prince’s Trust, and the long-term plan is to roll this out across other businesses within the Co-op. Many members also hold workshops across the south west aimed at encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with traditional woodworking methods. In doing so, they hope to extend the Co-op culture of appreciating the natural environment while promoting well-being, and supporting personal and community resilience. It is rare and inspiring to find such a forward-thinking combination of collaborative working, environmental consciousness and cultural heritage, all within a socially responsible business structure that is capable of generating high-level economic growth. And it just goes to show that business doesn’t have to cost the earth. This article only touches on the work of the Co-op and some of its members, for more info visit: www.forestofavonproducts.co.uk or watch: vimeo.com/113104674

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ROOTED FURNITURE www.rootedfurniture.co.uk Owned and run by Ian Hayes, Rooted Furniture produces bespoke fitted and freestanding solid wood furniture for indoor and outdoor use. “Everything I make is hand crafted with care and attention to the user’s ultimate need,” he explains, “and is designed to reflect and celebrate the solidity and natural beauty of wood from our native species. I use materials from sustainably managed sources in the local area, and enjoy highlighting the history and character of these timbers. “I mainly work on a commission basis, so my pieces are always individual. My own designs are quite contemporary but I’m always happy to create items in the style my client wants, as the real joy for me comes in realising their vision – especially when I’m told the result is even better than they’d imagined. I think it is important that, when making a bespoke item, I am giving my client something that I have poured care and attention into, taking every effort to ensure that all the beauty of the piece is revealed and that they are getting a unique and lasting piece of furniture.” Ash bar stools

WAYNEY EDGE WOOD PRODUCTS www.wayneyedge.co.uk

ALISTAIR PARK www.carvings-with-stories.co.uk “I’ve been carving for about 20 years, and am still fascinated by the connection using traditional tools gives me to the craftspeople who were first using them thousands of years ago,” says Alistair, a skilled woodcarver with experience working on a variety of projects, ranging from restoring artwork to creating large sculptures for public places. “And it’s rewarding to be able to apply this truly ancient craft to make things that people can enjoy today, like the large oak bench I’m currently creating for the children’s park near the Observatory on the Downs, which shows memorable people and moments from the area’s history.” When not completing commissions, Alistair teaches carving and practical woodwork skills to people from a variety of age groups and backgrounds, and also regularly blogs about all things to do with carving.

Wayne Smith describes his work as “woodcraft guided by nature”, as he takes inspiration from the raw beauty of the material to create pieces that reflect and enhance the qualities of the tree from which they were crafted. As well as sourcing wood from the park rangers who manage Ashton Court Estate, Wayne carves smaller items such as bowls, chopping boards and spoons from a variety of unusual woods – including mulberry, silver birch and laburnum – all of which come from trees that have been felled in and around the city. “If you have to remove a tree in your garden,” he explains, “I can create something from it that will provide you with a lasting legacy of that tree. I’m always happy to visit and chat to people about what they would like, and they are also welcome to make an appointment to come to the workshop and see my work in person.”

TOUCH WOOD www.touchwoodenterprises.co.uk

Giant hollowed log

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“We’re a different kind of play company,” company director Joe Cooper explains, “as we love our customers to get involved in creating designs that are right for them. We offer hands-on workshops and one day build programs so that we can work with clients to develop and translate their ideas into spaces that actively invite children to play.” It's a philosophy that works, atracting a variety of clients – ranging from the Commonwealth Games legacy playground, Eden Project, National Trust and Forestry Commission through to schools, community groups and parks across the UK. Touch Wood is a lynchpin in Co-op life, operating symbiotically with Roundwood Design as well as drawing on the skills of other members as required. Joe is also committed to training the next generation of woodcrafters, offering an apprenticeship scheme in association with The Prince’s Trust that aims to provide young people with transferable construction skills. “Each year we provide training for a number of apprentices, and many of them go on to become permanent members of our team,” he says. “It has been a really successful initiative, and we’re looking to roll it out across the Co-op so that we can offer young people a holistic knowledge of woodworking.”

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ORGANIC WOOD WORKS www.organicwoodworks.co.uk “I use natural timber and practice sustainable building techniques,” Alex Phillips says of his work, which includes devising organic and sensory gardens, outdoor structures, ponds, and wood fired hot tubs. As well as producing these practical products, Alex carves figurative and abstract artwork from local timbers like yew, ash, oak, walnut, cherry, beech and pine. “Each sculpture is unique, and made using both hand power and traditional carving tools.”

ROUNDWOOD DESIGN www.roundwooddesign.co.uk

Solid wood bed

Tom Redfern has been working with wood for 20 years, starting out as a cabinetmaker before pursuing his interest in round wood timber framing, and in the process developing a new method that improves both the speed and accuracy of its construction. “We work on a wide range of projects, from garden pergolas to whole houses,” says Tom. “Most recently we created a pentagonal indoor tree house for green energy company Ovo, who are based near Temple Meads Station. It doubles up as both an eye-catching centrepiece in their 8-storey lobby and a meeting room. There are even plans to install a slide so staff can exit their meetings at speed! “We also make customised beds, using the same jointing method as that in our buildings so they’re guaranteed to last several lifetimes. Each bed is given a unique personality by the variety of native timbers used in the headboard, so no two are ever the same.” As well as taking on independent projects, Tom and his team work closely with partner organisation and fellow Co-op member Touch Wood, helping them realise their designs for stimulating, organic children’s play equipment.

BACKWELL WOODS www.backwellwoods.org.uk

Based 6 miles south of Bristol, this 195 acre woodland contains a rich mixture of hard woods and conifers that support a diverse range of flora and fauna. A small, dedicated team manage the woodland and source from it good quality wood fuel and larch for making children’s playgrounds, both of which are supplied to local businesses and communities. The team work closely with the Forestry Commission and are successfully proving that it is possible for our woodlands to be both environmentally and economically sustainable.

THE BIKE SHED COMPANY www.thebikeshedcompany.com Do you have a bike (or three) clogging up your hallway? Maybe it’s time to consider an alternative storage option. “Our bike sheds offer a practical, attractive and secure solution,” says Dan Danson, owner of The Bike Shed Company. “We offer a choice of designs, and can also provide a bespoke service for difficult spaces. Every shed is hand built from UK grown Douglas fir and larch.” n

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TRUNK TO TWIG www.trunk2twig.co.uk

“At Trunk to Twig, we make use of the whole tree,” says Ade Morley. “As well as offering a comprehensive carpentry service for both the domestic and commercial markets, we promote the idea of sustainable land use in the south west. In particular, we champion agroforestry, which combines agriculture and forestry to bring about many more benefits than that of the separate practices.”

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CITYgardens

ARTS | & EXHIBITIONS

▲

ART IN FEBRUARY

Hotpink by Nastasha Heidler and Richard Heeps

Colour! Cube Gallery, Saturday 21 February – Saturday 7 March Across the world, colour is one of the most vital parts of culture and has a strong impact on our lives. Some see it as pure energy, others as a way to banish darkness, while some believe following it will lead to a large pot of gold. This month, Cube Gallery has put together a group exhibition of stunning and, well... colourful works by a mainly abstract artists. Established gallery favourites Tay Bak Chiang, Richard Heeps and Mirren Kessling will be joined by new artists Susan Bleakley, Claire Cohen, Gordon Hopkins and Nemo Jantzen, each of who explore colour in their own personal way. Their starting points and inspirations are incredibly diverse, but whether from a stroll through a Singaporean park to glaciers in Iceland, scientific data and stills drawn out of our universal consciousness or the complex power of repetition, the common energy held within the bold and beautiful palettes on display brings all the pieces together. And, let’s face it, on a cold February day, a splash of colour comes highly recommended. Cube Gallery, 12 Perry Road, BS1 5BG. Tel: 0117 377 1470 or visit: www.cube-gallery.co.uk

Temple Meads by Sara Glass

Light on the Subject, Guild Gallery, Saturday 21 February – Saturday 14 March, Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm Illuminating the winter gloom, three artists study light for their first exhibition at the Guild Gallery, with original works and limited edition, fine art prints for sale and the artists on hand to discuss their work. Chris Molan develops tonal studies of natural light and interiors into paintings and figurative illustrations using fluid watercolour, oil glazes and mixed media. Jolanta Grzybowska is a printmaker who uses traditional etching techniques to interpret subtle gradations of shadow and light in the landscape. Sara Glass translates her direct studies of figure and landscapes into luminous works in pen and ink, oils and mixed media. Guild Gallery, 68 Park Street, BS1 5JY. Tel: 0117 926 5548 or visit: www.bristolguild.co.uk

Bobble Tailed Bird by Breon O’Casey

Isabelle Cornaro, Spike Island, Saturday 24 January – Sunday 29 March This French artist works with painting, sculpture, film and installation to explore the influence of history and culture on our perception of reality. A trained art historian, her visual language draws on a wide variety of references, from Baroque to modern. Spike Island, 133 Cumberland Rd, BS1 6UX. Visit: www.spikeisland.org.uk

▲ Cornish Takeover, Clifton Fine Art, Saturday 17 January – Friday 6 February

Amplifications by Isabelle Cornaro

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A group exhibition featuring Cornish artists, such as Steve Slimm who has been painting the moorlands and seascapes of Cornwall since 1970, renowned abstract artist Terry Frost RA, and Essex Tyler who is both a ceramicist and painter. Clifton Fine Art, 8 Perry Road, BS1 5BQ. Tel: 0117 925 6952 or visit: www.cliftonfineart.com

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Royal School of Needlework Hand Embroidery Classes in Bristol • Join us for fun Day Classes: beginners and all levels welcome • Learn traditional embroidery techniques to a high technical standard on the Royal School of Needlework Certificate and Diploma • Study on our two week Summer Intensive Course in July 2015 Venue: 38 Old School House, Kingswood Estate, Britannia Road, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 8DB

Join us at Bath in Fashion 2015 on 25 March and pre-book for: ‘Beautiful Buttons’ Workshops at 10.30am & 2pm Anthropologie, New Bond Street ‘Embellishing Fashion’ Lecture, at 2pm Assembly Rooms For more information visit www.royal-needlework.org.uk Contact Anne Butcher - T: 020 3166 6937 anne.butcher@royal-needlework.org.uk RCN 312774

Looking to gain a few pounds this Spring?

Cartier Brooch

Rolex Ref: 8171

Cocktail Ring

Jensen Brooch

£4,150

£69,000

£3,550

£300

Clevedon Salerooms will be holding a FREE no-obligation Specialist Jewellery, Silver & Watch Valuation Day at the Salerooms on Tuesday 17th February between 10am - 4pm. There is ample fee parking and no appointment is necessary. Clevedon’s Specialist Valuers will be providing verbal estimates with the March Quarterly Specialist Sale in mind. If you are looking for interesting items to furnish your home, including vintage, retro and antique furniture as well as collector’s items, works of art, silver & jewellery why not come for a day out at Clevedon Salerooms. You won’t go home disappointed and probably not empty-handed!

Interiors, Antiques, Collectables & Jewellery Auction Thurs 5th & Thurs 19th February at 10am On view day before, 10am – 7.30pm and sale day from 9am to start

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FREE VALUATION DAYS at the Salerooms

9, 10, 11 February 9.30 – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm

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Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers The Auction Centre Kenn Road, Kenn Clevedon, BS21 6TT

Tel: 01934 830111 www.clevedon-salerooms.com

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5 & 20 Sales, Coldharbour Framery & Gallery, Thursday 5 – Friday 20 February There’s a double celebration at the gallery this month – 20 years of framing and 5 years since Hazel and Roger took over the gallery, packing it full of affordable art and crafts. Artists old and new hail mainly from Bristol and the southwest, bringing a wide range of paintings, prints, sculpture and ceramics together under one roof. Head there during the special sale period for discounts from 5 – 20%. Coldharbour Gallery, 111 Coldharbour Road, BS6 7SD. Tel: 0117 944 6244 or visit: www.coldharbourgallery.co.uk

Miffy and Friends, Sky Blue Framing & Gallery, Monday 2 – Saturday 28 February Dick Bruna created his character, Miffy, in 1955. Since then, his books about this little white bunny have sold over 85 million copies all over the world. Also showing Quentin Blake, Michael Ogden and a selection of contemporary jewellery for Valentine’s Day. Sky Blue Gallery, 27 North View, BS6 7PT. Tel: 0117 973 3995 or visit: www.skybluegallery.co.uk

Fat Hare in Dandelions by Jenny Urquhard

Modern Art in Britain: Reality Questioned, Bristol Museum & Gallery, Saturday 17 January – Monday 31 August See your favourite 20th century British paintings in a new light. Works on display by artists such as Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, David Bomberg and Eric Ravilious reveal how they experimented with primitivism, illusion, visual puns and abstraction. A thoughtful and engaging insight into modern art. Tickets: £3 adult, £2 concs and child (5 – 16 years), under 5s free. Friday 6 February is a free day. Bristol Museum & Gallery, Queens Rd, BS8 1RL. Tel: 0117 922 3571 or visit: www.bristolmuseums.org.uk

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The Architectural Model, Architecture Centre, Wednesday 21 January – Sunday 15 March

Discover the creativity, skill and innovation involved in model making, and the important role it plays in the design process at this exhibition. Produced in collaboration with Bristolbased model makers Amalgam. Architecture Centre, Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA. Tel: 0117 922 1540 or visit: www.architecturecentre.co.uk

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Material Differences, Sidcot Arts Centre, Saturday 17 January – Saturday 21 February

This group show features work from seven members of the Somerset Contemporary Artists Network (SCAN) – Georgina Conroy, Leah Hislop, Ashar, Caroline Mornement, Emma Duke, Lucy Lean and Diane Burnell. Sidcot Arts Centre, Winscombe, BS25 1PD. Tel: 01934 843 102 or visit: www.sidcot.org.uk

▲ Wild at Heart, Room 212, Monday 2 – Saturday 28 February With a wry nod to Valentine’s Day, this month artists will put their own interpretation on the wild theme. There will be work by contemporary watercolour painter Rosie Webb who depicts animals and birds dressed in funky footwear, a humourous take on love from Claire Mcknight, and gorgeous prints by Mary Collett such as the hand cut lino print above of a wolf with gold leaf hearts. Room 212, Gloucester Road, BS7 8NU. Tel: 0117 330 2789 or visit:. www.room212.co.uk

Living for the City, Lime Tree Gallery, Saturday 17 January – Saturday 28 February

The Admirality, Strand by David Porteous Butler

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The Hands by Barbara Hepworth

| FEBRUARY 2015

Inspired by the fantastic, urban harbourside view from Lime Tree Gallery, the directors invited a select group of artists to participate in this city-centric exhibition. The result is a striking array of art documenting places across the world. Includes work by Judith Bridgland, Sylvia Paul, David Porteous-Butler and Zanna Wilson. Lime Tree Gallery, 84 Hotwell Rd, BS8 4UB. Tel: 0117 929 2527 or visit: wwt.limetreegallery.com

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BRISTOL | HISTORY

WALK THE LINE Andrew Swift takes a look back at the history of the Severn Beach Line

ess than three months after Bristol celebrated 150 years of Brunel’s Suspension Bridge, another anniversary beckons, for 6 March marks 150 years since trains started running on the Severn Beach Line. There can be few railways of similar length with such a convoluted history, and the line that opened in 1865 was only the first stage in a long drawn-out saga. The line owed its genesis to the inadequacy of Bristol’s docks and the navigational hazards of the River Avon. When a scheme for a new dock at Avonmouth was drawn up, the promoters included a railway from Avonmouth to Bristol as part of the plan. The name of their enterprise – the Bristol Port Railway & Pier Company (BPR&P) – summed up their aspirations and business plan succinctly. The railway, 5.75 miles long, opened on 6 March 1865, and ran from a station called Clifton – directly below the Suspension Bridge – to Avonmouth, with intermediate stations at Sea Mills and Shirehampton. The BPR&P directors realised that the line needed to link up with the rest of the railway network, and started negotiations with the two major companies serving Bristol – the Midland and the Great Western – as well as with Bristol Corporation. At the time, there was talk of building a central station in or near Queen Square. Had it been built, the BPR&P line could have been extended to it either through Hotwells and along the harbourside, or through a tunnel under Clifton Wood and Brandon Hill. In the event, it was decided to expand Temple Meads instead, and the BPR&P directors decided to take their line through a tunnel under the Downs.

The Clifton Extension Railway, as the new line was known, left the BPR&P line a quarter of a mile south of Sea Mills, and climbed steeply before entering a mile-long tunnel, to emerge near Whiteladies Gate, where a large station – called Clifton Down to avoid confusion with the original Clifton station – was built. From here, it headed downhill through Redland – which had to wait until 1897 before it got a station – to Montpelier. East of Montpelier the line divided at Ashley Hill Junction, one line curving south to join the Great Western at the evocatively named Narroways Junction, the other heading straight on to link up with the Midland Railway at Kingswood Junction near Fishponds. Work on the new line had barely started when the company ran into financial difficulties and responsibility for building it passed jointly to the Midland and Great Western Railways. The tunnel under the Downs took five years to complete, but, although the first goods train ran through it on 24 February 1877, the same day that the dock at Avonmouth opened, operational disagreements meant that passenger services did not use it for another eight years. When they did, the original line from Sea Mills to the terminus under the suspension bridge was downgraded to secondary status. Services along this stretch of line were finally withdrawn in 1922 so that the Portway could be built. The new line not only gave the Midland and Great Western Railways access to Avonmouth but also to the well-heeled suburbs of Clifton and Montpelier, which grew rapidly in the years following its opening. Such was the success

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THE WELL-HEELED SUBURBS OF CLIFTON AND MONTPELIER GREW RAPIDLY

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BRISTOL | HISTORY of the new dock facilities at Avonmouth, that there was soon too much traffic for the line to cope with. In 1900 the Great Western opened a new line from Avonmouth along the coast to link up with the main line at Pilning. Initially, this was only used by goods trains, but in the 1920s a station opened at a hitherto uninhabited spot called Severn Beach and a passenger service was introduced. In 1903, the original terminus at Avonmouth, along with a hotel and pleasure gardens which the promoters had hoped would attract excursionists to the line, closed to make way for the Royal Edward Dock, and passenger services terminated at Avonmouth Dock station, half a mile to the south and still open – but now known simply as Avonmouth – today. In 1910, the Great Western opened another line from Filton to Avonmouth via Henbury. All goods traffic to and from Avonmouth now uses this line, and, although passenger services were withdrawn in 1964, there are plans to reintroduce them. The line from Narroways Junction to Avonmouth was singled in 1970, with a passing loop provided at Clifton Down. Beyond Avonmouth, passenger trains still run to Severn Beach, but the line beyond was closed to passengers in 1964 and to all traffic four years later. The spur from Ashley Hill Junction to Kingswood Junction closed in 1965, and two nature reserves – Royate Hill and Narroways Millennium Green – have since been established on part of the trackbed. Passenger services on the Severn Beach line were recommended for withdrawal in the Beeching Report in 1963, but, despite repeated attempts to close it, it survived. Today, it is busier than ever, and reliability and frequency of services – which just a few years ago hit an all-time low – have improved enormously, largely thanks to vigorous and persistent campaigning from Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways (FOSBR). This in turn has led to a seemingly unstoppable rise in the number of passengers using the line. In 2013, 1,063,000 journeys were taken on the line, an increase of 13.7% from the previous year, and an astonishing turnaround – a decade earlier annual passenger figures were less than 350,000.

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Nevertheless, there is much more that could be done to realise the line’s potential. Cancellations and delays due to train breakdowns and the problems inherent in having two long sections of single track continue to frustrate and deter passengers. Restoring double track to at least part of the line would mean more trains at peak times and improved reliability, while a new station adjacent to the Portway Park & Ride would boost passenger numbers. Given an appropriate level of investment, the future of this jewel in the crown of Bristol’s public transport network is indeed bright. n For more information on Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways, visit: fosbr.org.uk. Andrew Swift is author of Walks from Bristol’s Severn Beach Line, published by Akeman Press, visit: www.akemanpress.com

FEBRUARY 2015

Main image: Edwardian view of a train approaching Ashley Hill Junction, with St Werburgh’s Church on the right; above: taken c. 1900 and showing the line to the original terminus on the right, the Clifton Extension line in the distance, and the Portishead Line on the left.

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FOOD | AND DRINK

WINING & DINING news and reviews A dash of spice...

Tiffin Time

■ Every day, all across the city from 11am –1pm, workers are pondering what to have for lunch. Well, dilemma solved. Tiffin Time, just opened in Old Market, delivers delicious, wholesome lunches to Bristol’s hungry and hard at work. Fresh, seasonal, and cooked with love, your office lunches will be transformed – for good. Each lunch is packed into an authentic and reusable tiffin tin, then delivered to your office by bicycle, making these lunches as environmentally friendly as they are tasty and nutritious. Tiffin Time is the brainchild of Bristol-based Katie Garden, a passionate cook who has been creating, imaginateive delicious and honest food for local and national organisations and celebrations for many years. Since starting out in her tiny flat kitchen with a trusty set of pans and a foldaway table, Katie has expanded her range of meals into this inspired menu of flavour-packed pots. Tiffin Time, 13 Midland Road, BS2 0JT. Open: 8am – 4pm tel: 0117 954 0204 or visit: www.tiffintime.co.uk

Truly scrumptious If your other half is a chocoholic, look no further for the perfect Valentine’s gift. Cocoa Runners are purveyors of the finest chocolate in the world, and scour the globe to find the very best artisan chocolatiers for you to enjoy. Founder Spencer Hyman wanted to make specialist, quality chocolate available to everyone, and has so far sampled over 500 bars in his quest – it’s a tough job! But he explains that very few make the grade, as he is rigorous in ensuring only the very best flavours reach his customers: “Single estate, handcrafted chocolate from the artisan chocolate makers we work with is real chocolate. A taste of just one of their bars is like tasting chocolate in Technicolor – especially in comparison to the mass produced chocolate that often has minimal cocoa in it.” And it can all be delivered directly to your door. Single bars start at £3.45, and monthly subscriptions from £16.96. For more information, or to order a one-off gift or subscription, visit: www.cocoarunners.com

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Something’s brewing at Grillstock Meat-eater’s heaven Grillstock has launched its very own brew. It has been specially designed to pair with their smoked meats, as nothing washes down BBQ better than great craft beer. Grillstock Pale Ale is a bright, hoppy, refreshing beer that perfectly compliments the juicy, smoky tastes of southern style BBQ. The blend of three big US hops delivers a punchy, well balanced and satisfying mouthful of Americana. Jon Finch, co-founder of Grillstock explains: “Grillstock is all about enjoying proper BBQ and great beer with your friends. It’s that simple. Our new Pale Ale is a great session beer that is big and hoppy, and is the perfect brew for when you are eating BBQ meat, smoking meat or just for when you’re sitting around thinking about meat.”

WIN

■ Since its launch in 1997, when two friends decided they wanted to share the gastronomic experiences of their diverse travels with others Tampopo has been providing the UK with a casual, affordable Pan Asian eating experience. The team are still passionate about what they do, and committed to keeping the food on offer true to the flavours, cookery style and aromas traditionally found on the bustling street-markets of Bangkok and Hanoi. The sauces and stocks are made daily on site from fresh market produce, so that you can sit down and enjoy fine food with your family and friends. Tampopo, Glasshouse, Level Three, Cabot Circus Shopping Centre. Tel: 0117 927 7008 or visit: www.tampopo.co.uk

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Cocoa Runners

Brewed in collaboration with Beerd Brewery. For more information about Grillstock, or to book a table tel: 0117 927 3200 or visit: grillstock.co.uk

A bottle of bubbly from Grape & Grind Valentine’s Day offers a great excuse to pick up a really special bottle to enjoy with your favourite person. So why not head to Grape & Grind on Gloucester Road, where you can find the best wine from high quality, small scale producers who use top class fruit to produce exceptional drinks. Whatever your taste and budget, there’ll be something you’ll enjoy – from award-winning international makers to the south west’s finest craft brewers. And if you’re planning something special for the big day, look no further than Languedoc producer Calmel & Joseph’s Crémant de Limoux – an elegant sparkling wine. And Grape & Grind are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a bottle of this delicious fizz. All you have to do is email: darren@grapeandgrind.co.uk with the subject ‘Bristol Magazine’, answering the following question: In what country is the Languedoc? Don’t forget to include your name, address and telephone number. Deadline for entries Wednesday 11 February. Collection only. Grape & Grind, 101 Gloucester Road, BS7 8AT. Tel: 0117 924 8718 or visit: www.grapeandgrind.co.uk n

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RESTAURANT REVIEW.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2015 17:00 Page 1

HOTEL DU VIN Narrow Lewins Mead, BS1 2NU. Tel: 0844 736 4252 or visit: www.hotelduvin.com

REVIEW

Jenny Hayes enjoys an evening at this celebrated bistro in Bristol’s historic quarter

otel du Vin makes a great first impression. The exterior is a bold juxtaposition of the original beauty of the historic, Grade II listed 18th century former sugar warehouses, with ultra modern glass and steel elements. When I arrived with my dinner guest on a cold, bleak evening in mid January, it appeared at once sleek yet extremely inviting. This balance of contemporary style and heritage continues harmoniously inside. We were shown through to the bar, that again achieved that polished but lived in look that so many establishments strive for but fail to accomplish. A combination of rough, whitewashed walls and exposed brickwork give a subtle nod to the building’s industrial past, brought up to date with large light bulbs suspended from the ceiling, their dark flexes left exposed to undulate lengthways along the ceiling in delicate counterpoint to the substantial beams that support it horizontally. The rich colour of these beams is echoed in the warm wooden flooring, creating a cosy, lived-in feel that is enhanced by the general paraphernalia that decorates the area – an eclectic mix of art, curios, and even a huge central display of flowers that manages to be at one abundant and understated. And this laid back yet attentive vibe extends to the staff. A barman greeted us with a smile and hello as we walked in, and invited us to take a settle down on one of the comfy sofas and peruse the drinks menu while he let the restaurant know we’d arrived. Happily sipping on champagne and nibbling the nuts and olives that accompanied our aperitif, we decided what to eat. My companion settled on comté cheese soufflé (£9.50) followed by calves’ liver and bacon (£16.50), while I opted for a goat’s cheese salad (£7.50) and then roast cod and puy lentils (£18.95). Decisions made, orders taken and drinks finished, we were shown through to the dining room. More opulent than the bar area, yet still retaining an air of distressed glamour, this large room features stunning moulded walls crammed full of paintings and pictures that give the impression you’ve walked into a grand Georgian parlour. This feeling is heightened by the curvaceous dining chairs and gleaming candelabra light fittings, whose glow catches the highly polished glasses and silverwear on each table with a pleasing sparkle. It could all be a little too much, but cleverly any hint of unnecessary grandeur is offset by the fact that just a few of those pictures are a little squiffy, and there is a tell-tale mass of wine bottle lining window sills and mantlepieces that hints this is a room for to party in, not stand on ceremony. There was also a very happy buzz of conversation filling the room with easy contentment, coming from the couples and groups of all ages that occupied each table. 52 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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Before our starters arrived, the sommelier came over to introduce himself and ask is we needed any help chosing our wine. He suggested the 2012 Domaine Filliatreau Saumur Champigny, a classic cool-climate Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley with subtle, mineral notes that would add depth to both our dishes without fighting for dominance over either. We were convinced, and happily so for when it arrived it was a delight – surprisingly intense and expressing pleasant red fruit qualities without being too weighty. Our starters followed soon after. My companion’s soufflé was enormous, rising up out of the bowl like a magnificent mountain yet cutting through to reveal a fluffy interior no more substantial than a cloud. My salad was a colourful delight, an invitingly Mr Whippy-esque smooth, cool serving of goat’s cheese nestled on a bed of peppery leaves and served with white and purple beetroot, which between them offset the cheese with both sweet and earth notes. Walnuts scattered on top added crunch and that inimitable blend of bittersweet flavour that wove the other elements together. There was a pleasant pause before our mains arrived, and while my companion assured me her calves’ liver was marshmallow soft and delicious, I only had eyes – and tastebuds – for my cod. The fish itself was a mighty piece of perfection, topped with a crisp herb crust that cracked satisfyingly to reveal the delicate, flaky flesh below. It’s succulence was beautifully offset by puy lentils that were almost al dente, which popped little puddles of dense, savoury sauce onto my tongue. Adding to the rich intensity of the sauce were chunky bacon lardons that sent a giant wave of salty flavour crashing through my mouth before receeding to reveal the lasting flavour of the fish. And, as you can imagine, after those two generous courses we were well and truly full. So, accepting our limits, we declined the dessert menu and ordered a taxi home… Of course we didn’t! With food that tasty there was no way the dessert menu was slipping out of my grasp. So instead we enjoyed a necessary pause, before ordering a chocolate mousse (£7.95) and tarte au citron (£7.95) to share between us. I must admit, I should perhaps have thought a little harder about choosing the mousse for, after all, there is little scope to make it exciting. But the tarte au citron was another matter entirely – wafer thin golden pastry lay beneath a generous layer of citron that was at once creamy and alive with bright citrus flavour. Served with a vibrant quenelle of raspberry sorbet on the side, it looked gorgeous and tasted even better. It took all my willpower not to cross spoons with my companion over the last mouthful… n Hotel du Vin have a range of offers running through February, including a five course Valentine’s menu for £60pp.

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A quality local independent Italian that's family run and well established. WWW.PIAZZADIROMA.CO.UK 178 WHITELADIES ROAD, CLIFTON, BRISTOL, BS8 2XU OPEN 6PM TO 11PM TUESDAY TO SUNDAY (AND BANK HOLIDAY MONDAYS)

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FEBRUARY 2015

THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 53

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ROMANTIC | RETREAT

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ROMANTIC | RETREAT

REVIEW

SEEING STARS Get ready to fall in love with Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, says Jenny Hayes

y husband and I arrived at Le Manoir on one of those rare winter evenings when the air is as clear and as still as glass, broken only by the twinkle of stars through the dark mantle of night. The light from lamps threw golden pools of illumination on the warm Cotswold stone of the buildings around us, creating an almost magical path that led us toward the rambling beauty of the historic main building. Here we found reception, where check in was so quick and easy it seemed as though I had barely exchanged pleasantries with the friendly staff before our bags were swept out of our hands and we were guided down the twists and turns of a pretty garden path, into an attractive modern building, and on to our room. Or should I say, palace. The door opened on a magnificent superior suite that exuded exotic glamour from each corner. Every room at Le Manoir was devised by Raymond Blanc and inspired by his travels around the world, and this one, aptly named Lemongrass, left us in no doubt that he’d spent some time in a tropical paradise. Dark, ornately carved furniture was brightened by zesty walls the exact fresh green of the herb itself, and dominating the room was a vast double bed swathed by soft curtains edged with beads that seemed to whisper the memory of a distant rainforest as they trickled between my fingers. A quick explore of the bathroom revealed not only an inviting bathtub made for two, but also a full size steam room complete with helpful note explaining that a range of essential oils were available and could be brought over on request. And these thoughtful touches were evident throughout the suite – whether in the glossy handmade chocolates on the coffee table, the classical music playing softly in the background, or the higgledypiggledy piles of art and cookery books – all inviting you to make yourself at home in this opulent environment, and to enjoy it. It would have taken nothing less than the promise of a two Michelin star meal to tear me away from our private jungle kingdom, so it was fortunate that this was indeed the focus of our evening ahead. We made our way back over to the main building, where impeccable staff showed us through to the lounge to enjoy pre-dinner drink and nibbles (or rather, in the world of Le Manoir, a glass of 2004 LaurentPerrier Vintage Brut and a platter of amuse bouche so tantalizing I would have happily wolfed down those of the other guests too, had decorum not prevented it). As with our room, the lounge area was a masterclass in relaxed elegance, with modern art and sculpture thrown into relief against pale walls, and happy bubbles of conversation rising into the air from guests lounging gracefully on squashy sofas. The menu was glorious, every choice opening up a realm of possibility that made any concrete decision as to what to opt for completely impossible. So, we decided to put ourselves fully in the hands of head chef Gary Jones and his talented team, opting for the seven course menu découverte, accompanied by the sommelier’s choice of wines. It proved to be a good decision, as the four hours that followed were some of the most incredible of my life. Every course that was placed in front of me was a sensory delight – visually stunning, wonderfully aromatic, and nothing short of sublime on the palate – and the service that accompanied them was exemplary. Our waitress was charming and insightful when introducing and explaining each course to us, as were the two sommeliers who guided us through the wines. The pace of the

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meal was also perfect – we never found ourselves overfull and neither were there lengthy waits between courses, which was testimony to the attentive, intuitive quality of the staff. But to talk you through all seven I’d need to write a book as opposed to an article, to I’ve whittled it down to just three… and that should be more than enough to whet your appetite. The first, comprising langoustine, artichoke and truffle, was humbly described as terre et mer on the menu. But it was far from unassuming in reality – the langoustines were pink and plump, their natural sweetness undercut with a smoky char that was caught and heightened by the earthy depth of the firm slices of truffle, while the silky smooth artichoke puree below balanced both flavours and textures. But, as with any good marriage, harmonious perfection required an explosive element to ignite the passion, and in this dish it came with the bold addition of artichoke sorbet. Ice-cold yet subtle, it brought a startling zing of freshness in the mouth that activated the tastebuds without detracting from the complexity of the other elements. It was a stroke of genius. As was the sommelier’s choice of wine. The 2010 SelbachOster Riesling Spaltese was juicy and sweet, providing a succulent high note that sang out above the mellow tones of the food, adding another layer of enjoyment.. As each subsequent course arrived, it became clear that we had embarked on a culinary odyssey. And at the heart of this epic journey lay a devilishly dark, delicious dish just perfect for winter. A chunk of Aberdeen Angus, browned on the outside but cutting open to reveal a flourish of vivid red flesh, topped a creamy medley of mushroom and watercress, surrounded by a moat of piquant purple jus. The morsel of braised Jacob’s ladder on the side was so tender it fell apart under the slightest pressure from my fork, and packed an intense meaty punch that belied the ease with which it melted on my tongue. The 2010 Cyprès de Climens that accompanied it bit through these rich, dense flavours with a dose of tannin that matched the clout they delivered. The result was a dish that felt deep and brooding – and a million miles away from the playful langoustines. We’d reached a climax in our epic journey, and I had no idea where it was going to take us next. Happily, it was straight into a millionaire shortbread dessert. At first glance this gleaming bar of decadent gorgeousness seemed the antithesis of its serious predecessor, topped as it was with an insouciant little flourish of gold leaf. But I’d underestimated it. An achingly fragile layer of bitter chocolate gave way to soft toffee that held its own against the crumble of golden shortbread so both mingled in a delicious muddle for just a moment, before dissipating to let the final salted butterscotch layer linger on. Needless to say, we returned to our room replete and ready to collapse on that sumptuous bed and dream of exploring the 23 acres of famous gardens the following morning. But I’m not going to tell you about those readers, I’ll leave them as a secret for you to discover yourselves…. n Superior rooms from £555 on a b&b basis, and the seven course menu is £160pp. To celebrate 30 years of Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat-Saisons, Raymond Blanc is hosting a series of Diner des Protégés at which guests will be able to savour a menu that combines the genius of Raymond Blanc, executive head chef Gary Jones, pastry chef Benoit Blin, and other illustrious names including, Michael Caines MBE. For more information about Le Manoir or the acclaimed cookery school, tel: 01844 278 881 or visit: www.belmond.com/le-manoir-aux-quat-saisons-oxfordshire

WE’D EMBARKED ON A CULINARY ODYSSEY

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WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 55

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WHAT’S | NEW

A special guest visits Penny Brohn Cancer Care

uranne Jones, star of ITV’s Scott & Bailey, has become the first celebrity patron of Penny Brohn Cancer Care. She was motivated to support the charity after helping out at their Afternoon Tea event in London last year. While there, she heard a speech by Nadine King, who told guests about how the help she has received from Penny Brohn Cancer Care has had a hugely positive impact on her. “After listening to Nadine, it struck me just how incredible the charity is, how important the services they provide are and the huge difference they make to so many people going through an incredibly tough time,” says Suranne. “It amazes me that such an important charity still has quite low awareness and I think it’s vital that more people know about the support it provides, so more people can access their life-changing services.” Laura Kerby, chief executive of the charity, added: “We are privileged to have Suranne’s committed and passionate support.” Penny Brohn Cancer Centre, Chapel Pill Lane, BS20 0HH. For more information tel: 01275 370 100 or visit: www.pennybrohncancercare.org

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BRISTOL UPDATES

Bread and butter

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A host of sports personalities turned out for the second Children’s Hospice South West Sports Lunch at the County Cricket Ground. Somerset and England cricketer, Marcus Trescothick was in attendance, as was Gloucestershire cricketer James Fuller, along with former Bristol City captain Louis Carey, and Mariano Sambucetti and James Grindal from Bristol Rugby. The event was a huge success and raised £18,000 for Children’s Hospice South West which has a hospice in Wraxall, just outside the city. BBC Radio Bristol presenter and event compere Steve le Fevre said: “It was a great event and I’m delighted to have been part of it.” To find out more about Children’s Hospice South West, or to make a donation, visit: www.chsw.org.uk

56 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

■ Carers can bag a bargain or have a welcome shopping break in nearly 60 shops, cafes and restaurants in Bristol, by using their Carers Emergency Card. Shops and cafes have linked up with local charity, Carers Support Centre, to offer discounts to carers. There are now outlets in four great Bristol shopping areas – North St in Bedminster, Gloucester Rd in Horfield, St Nicholas Market in the centre and Christmas Steps Arts Quarter near the Bristol Royal Infirmary – where many traders are hoping to give something back to our city’s unsung heroes. The scheme is simple – carers simply show their Carers Emergency Card to claim their discounts, which range from 5% to 20% off. Look out for window stickers that indicate which outlets have joined the discount scheme. For a full list of participating traders, the Carers Emergency Card, or if you are trader looking to support the scheme, visit: www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk

Warburtons has donated £10,000 to support the Future Money Workshop programme, which is designed to help the most severely financially excluded and disadvantaged families in the city develop their financial confidence. Funded by their Bristol bakery and developed by Talking Money – the local charity that aims to improve lives by tackling financial problems – the project was designed in response to a 23% increase in demand for existing services. Brett Warburton, executive director of the well-known bakery, said: “As a family business, we’re proud to be supporting this worthwhile project, which gives individuals the tools to look after their families’ financial health.” For more information about Talking Money, tel: 0117 954 3990 or visit: www.talkingmoney.org.uk

Getting hitched?

Lawyers online

■ A truly divine new bridal boutique, The Ivory Secret, opened its doors last month in Clifton to reveal a treasure trove of handpicked designer gowns, shoes and accessories carefully chosen for the slightly more daring Bristol bride who’d like to look both beautiful and style savvy on her wedding day. Owner Eleanor Rafferty already runs a successful sister boutique in Devon, so rest assured you’ll receive expect guidance and advice in choosing your perfect dress, and everything you need to go with it. You’ll be spoilt for choice with designers such as Belle & Bunty, Claire Pettibone and Lusan Mandongus. Accessories include gorgeous Rachel Simpson shoes, and bespoke jewellery by Kye Tew. The Ivory Secret, 66 Alma Road, BS8 2DJ. Open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm, with after hours appointments available on Wednesdays by special request. Tel: 0117 973 5960 or visit: www.theivorysecretbristol.co.uk

■ Stephanie Nunley, solicitor and business development manager at Bower & Bailey, played a key role in the launch of The Law Society Women Lawyers Division’s Bristol website, designed to support women lawyers in and around the city. Stephanie said: “It’s great to still be involved with Women Lawyers Division Bristol, having set the group up six years ago. This site will be indispensable for women in the legal profession in this region. I am also extremely grateful to Diana Johnson, LPC Tutor at UWE, who had driven this initiative to its successful conclusion.” Membership is open to qualified solicitors, paralegals and students, allowing younger people joining the profession to be able to interact with established women practitioners. For more information about Bower & Bailey visit: www.bowerandbailey.co.uk, and for details about Women Lawyers Division Bristol visit: www.womenlawyersbristol.uk

FEBRUARY 2015

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COLLABORATION ON SPOTLIGHT ON... DIVORCE - a different WATERFRONT LIVING way forward

Bristol’s newest development of luxury homes in high demand

Alison Dukes, Specialist Family Solicitor with AMD Solicitors and a trained Collaborative Lawyer explains how the Collaborative approach to relationship breakdown may be right for you.

n my practice I find that most new clients have heard of mediation as a form of dispute resolution but very few clients have heard of the collaborative approach. Collaborative Law is a way of resolving disputes on divorce or relationship breakdown that does not involve going to court. It involves former partners sitting down together and, with the help of their solicitors, working out for example how to share financial assets or responsibilities for any children, as they each go their separate ways. At the start of the collaborative process each party and their adviser (a trained Collaborative Lawyer) signs a formal agreement confirming that they will reach a solution without going to court. The lawyers involved in the collaborative process are not allowed to represent their clients in any subsequent court proceedings, so that it is in everyone’s interests for a solution to be found by agreement. The process requires a genuine desire on both sides to make it work and a willingness to disclose fully and honestly information about all assets. Negotiations take place at meetings at which each client is present together with their lawyer and it is the clients who set the agenda and the pace of the process. They share their hopes and expectations for the future as they work with their solicitors to try to find a solution which each will find acceptable. Where appropriate, the assistance of other specialists such as accountants and counsellors can be called upon to help resolve outstanding issues or to assist in finding solutions in a particular area of dispute. Where an agreement can be reached through collaboration there may be significant benefits to the family as a whole. The costs and stress of court proceedings will have been avoided and the assets available to be divided will not have been pointlessly reduced by each side funding heavy litigation costs. Perhaps most importantly, the relationship between the couple may not have deteriorated to the extent that is sadly common amongst those who have faced a court battle. This is of course vital where there are children involved, so that the parents will need to communicate and cooperate for many years to come. Agreements reached during the collaborative process can be recorded in a Deed of Separation or, if there are divorce proceedings, in an order that the court makes “by consent” which means that the couple will not have to attend court in person. Collaborative practice will not be appropriate for every couple experiencing family breakdown. Couples who are “warring” are unlikely to choose to adopt a collaborative approach, nor is it appropriate if one party has already decided the specifics of the outcome they are looking for. There will be cases where the more traditional and adversarial route of determining the division of family assets will be inevitable, although many of those cases will be still capable of resolution without the need for any court hearing. However, for those who know they want a negotiated jointly “owned” settlement which minimises the emotional cost of divorce or family breakdown, collaborative law will be an attractive and constructive approach. Alison can be contacted on 0117 9621460 or by e-mail alisondukes@amdsolicitors.com. AMD have offices at Clifton, Henleaze and Shirehampton

A local award winning law firm

Telephone us on (0117) 9621205 or visit our website www.amdsolicitors.com 58 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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ince opening its doors to the public last year, The General (Bristol’s newest development of luxury 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and houses), has witnessed impressive demand for the range of converted and new build homes available. Much of the interest is down to the unique combination of period features, including original paneling and joinery, intricate plasterwork and cornicing, retained ironmongery and brassware, and the contemporary specification that the Grade II Listed former hospital offers; a trademark of Heritage Developer City & Country. This combination provides residents with a unique blend of old and new, rarely found in a modern development. The General’s stylish interior fixtures and furnishings are in stark contrast to the Italianate Classicism of the buildings. Externally, the building combines Bath Stone and Pennant Stone dressings, arched sash windows and stained glass roundels, whilst the contemporary interiors are created using a palette of neutral coloured materials which blend perfectly with the historic features of the homes. Properties at The General benefit from a selection of individually designed luxury kitchens with a mixture of finishes to suit. Individual details include matt handle-less linear kitchens from Ballerina, Neff stainless steel appliances, integrated dishwashers and laminate or stone worktops. Bathrooms are modern and understated featuring soft colours and quality brands, including Sanitaryware by Laufen, Brassware from Crosswater and shower enclosures and screens by Simpsons or Kermi. Oak engineered brushed flooring features in most living areas, and 100% wool carpets have been laid to bedrooms to offer a luxurious finish. Most properties benefit from views of the waterside, a pretty internal courtyard and fountain, or the beautifully landscaped grounds. Properties are for sale off plan with prices ranging from £315,000 for a stunning 2 bedroom apartment to £560,000 for a three bedroom house. The Sales Suite, located on Lower Guinea Street, includes a demonstration apartment, allowing prospective purchasers to see firsthand the quality, style, design and specification of the properties available. Interested parties should call 0117 92 55 333 or visit: www.cityandcountry.co.uk to book their exclusive appointment ■

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A DV E RTO R I A L F EATURE

Four Strategies for a Smart Divorce By Sharon Giles, Sharp Family Law - Bristol Divorce Solicitors. Producing Resolution not Prolonging Conflict

he decision to separate and divorce is nearly always distressing, challenging and sad. Difficult transitions must be made, emotions managed, children co-parented and financial realities addressed – all happening at a time when couples are not at their best. Rational thought and common sense are frequent casualties. As a result, mistakes can be made that can later turn into regrets.

2. Do not position your divorce as an end to your family.

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3. Understand that divorce will affect your emotions.

DIVORCE DOES NOT END A FAMILY - IT MERELY CHANGES IT

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The following strategies help separating couples to cope more effectively with divorce, and to move forward with hopefulness and integrity. 1. Learn about the different options for divorce so you can make good informed decisions. Divorce Court litigation is not inevitable. There are a range of process methods that can help you to maintain control of the process and minimise conflict, expense and time. WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Divorce does not end a family – it merely changes it. It’s important for children to know they still have a family. They need and have a right to love both parents. Research on the effects of divorce on children has shown that it is not the divorce but the way you divorce that impacts children. Parents who learn how to work together for the sake of their children have a better outcome.

Many divorcing couples feel hurt, anxious, fearful, depressed and more. These emotions are normal in divorce and can affect behaviour. You may feel yourself becoming pettier, meaner and angrier than you had ever imagined. Support from professionals, including divorce coaches, is available to help you manage your emotions. 4. Focus on your future. Divorce is not a transactional event; it will affect the rest of your life. Actions taken and the decisions made will define your future for years to come. A settlement given careful consideration will be more satisfactory and last longer. Focus on what you want the future to look like and take actions to move you toward that vision. It may not seem like it today, but with the right mind-set and support team, you will experience new joys in life.

Sharon Giles The family solicitors at Sharp Family Law represent many separating and divorcing clients who want to protect important relationships after divorce and avoid prolonged conflict. Partner Sharon Giles encourages clients to look beyond their present situation to visualize their life beyond marriage, to preserve relationships for the longterm and make informed and realistic decisions to shape their future.

sharp F A M I LY L A W Sharp Family Law: Broad Quay House, Prince St, Bristol, BS1 4DJ email: sharon@sharpfamilylaw.com m: 07950 173992 t: 01225 448955 website: www.sharpfamilylaw.com

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MOTORING | TEST DRIVE

The Audi A3 Sportback e-tron pictured in Millenium Square, Bristol. ÂŠ Photograph by TBM.

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MOTORING | TEST DRIVE

SHIFTING PERCEPTIONS Electric cars have generally been viewed as novelty items but our perceptions have been shifting – Audi’s first plug-in hybrid – the A3 Sportback e-tron is the most compelling argument yet to hasten this change. Dara Foley test drives

hen ITV West weatherman and legend Bob Crampton tweeted “If I had a hatch I’d batten it down!” I knew that today was not going to be the best day to have scheduled a test drive of the new Audi A3 Sportback etron; Audi’s first hybrid production vehicle. Although Bob is seldom wrong, I had a moment of can-do stupidity and started my journey to Bristol Audi to keep the date. Optimistically, and despite the peasized hail, Audi had freshly valeted the test car, so my first impressions would not be spoiled. From the outside, the e-tron, looks exactly like any other A3, although the official test car has ‘e-tron’ emblazoned down the sides. Normally, only a few discrete name badges will hint at its differences. Audi have taken the more reserved route of incorporating the electric concept into their already established range - in contrast to BMW whose i3 is styled more like a french concept car, perhaps inspired from a quirky 80s sci-fi movie, rather than to appeal to the everyday beamer customer. But Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) are nothing new, the Toyota Prius led the charge (apologies), first going on sale in Japan in 1997, and its cumulative global sales passed 4.5 million in September 2014. VW Audi Group has been clearly monitoring the research and development of HEV’s - whose historic failing has been poor battery technology and the cost of replacement. However battery packs have improved enormously, major advances in Lithium-ion technology that charge quickly and have a much greater life span, now make the HEV proposition all the more interesting. Indeed the Audi brochure claims you can quick charge the e-tron faster than an i-phone. This year will see nearly all the major motor manufacturers adding electric or hybrid vehicles to their ranges, a clear indicator that there is a growing shift in perception, and HEVs will probably be the arena for most inter brand competition. To meet such demand VWAG have prudently weighed up the benefits and timed their entry with the usual Vorsprung durch Technik we have come to love. While the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron is not the group’s first hybrid; there are a number of hybrid Porsches - it is Audi’s entrance and this highly developed engineering will undoubtably be introduced across the range. I’m reliably informed the Q7 will be the next to receive the e-tron treatment. Outside, fierce winds and icy rain had replaced the hail, so as quickly as possible I got inside the e-tron where all was serene; good padding and noise eliminating acoustics were subduing the worst of the squall. The extra EV gear adds around 315kg more weight than a regular A3 Sportback so it felt robust as the high winds buffeted the sides. The keyless, push button ignition is absolute silence as the default starting mode is electric, no engine idling, but you know all is well as the 7inch LCD info-tainment display pops up and the dashboard functions come to life. Press a small button marked EV and the display offers four power options: EV - Electric drive using the current battery charge, Hybrid Charge - which uses the petrol engine to charge the battery, Hold - which keeps the current charge level for later use and, Auto Hybrid - the onboard management system that means you need not worry about any of the other modes. Needless to say, in this mode all is computer controlled and will be the most efficient drive too. Audi claims the e-tron returns a CO2 equivalent of just 37g/km - easily qualifying for free road-tax/no congestion charges etc. It is difficult to gauge consumption in HEVs as it depends on so many variables but the official figure is 176 mpg… which although theoretical, is quite amazing. Depending on conditions, the e-tron’s battery cells hold a maximum of 31 driving miles when fully charged. The hybrid idea being that you charge up kinetically when driving most efficiently - on open roads, motorways etc, and then use the harvested charge to counter the inefficient/high CO2 WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

emission, urban cycle in city traffic. You can also charge the battery from EV charging points, which these days are becoming more convenient, or a domestic electrical outlet using the special charging cable and charge unit. The front Audi four ring badge slides across to reveal the charging inlet. My partial battery charge was showing just 6 miles, so I decided to head for the M4 to power up. Remaining in EV mode I slip the auto transmission into drive, with a near silent operation, the only audible noise being tyre on road. There’s good traction and virtually no slippage, the 99bhp, 75kW electric drive is better equipped to handle icy roads than regular petrol cars. The battery cells are tucked away under the rear seats, the weight is low and central and makes for super handling. The S-tronic 6 speed gearbox smoothly shifts up and down for an impressively quick, responsive yet controlled drive. Outside, in the wind, sleet was racing across me, the M4 was invitingly clear so I switched into Hybrid Charge and let the petrol engine take over. On its own, the turbo charged 1.4TFSI engine delivers a not too shabby 148bhp, but when extra acceleration is required the electric motor, which sits in line between the engine and transmission offers assistance which beefs up the total output to an impressively powerful 201bhp. The e-tron now shines just like the regular A3 if not better and despite the extra weight it is super quick and an assuredly good drive, capable of 60mph in less than 8 seconds and reaching a top speed of 137mph. Within a mile, at a steady 70mph I had added an ‘electric mile’ to the charge, by the time I reached the end of the M32 the display was now showing 11 miles of EV driving capacity. In the city centre the traffic was heavy so I switched back into EV mode, this is what hybrids are designed for, zero emissions to keep our green city cleaner. Outside, a lull in the weather, meant a photo opportunity, so over to the harbouside to meet the TBM photographer. We did not have too much time as a rumble of thunder heralded the next downpour - see image. This was a good time to appreciate the comfort of the e-tron. The heated front seats quickly warm and a quality DAB and media library offers plenty of entertainment options on the LCD screen, as well as all the expected bluetooth connectivity. And if you are in to whizz-kiddery there’s also an app to deliver performance stats and car status to your smartphone as well some remote functions to prepare the car before a journey - I did not attempt to try this as the test version was in German, but I’m sure it all works wunderbar! Throughout the interior you won’t be let down or feel short-changed as the quality is noticeably good. Brushed steel finely knurled knobs, well made air-vents, and an elegantly designed feature-packed instrument panel; intelligent without being overly complex, are all of the highest standards. The rear seats will take three passengers, it’s a bit cosy back there and the legroom is economic - but that’s to be said of all cars in this class. The A3 e-tron comes in at £30,000 (after the UK Government £5000 grant) but for that price you get a very high level of specification and so many (normally chargeable) add-ons included in the price; so a top notch vehicle comes as standard. And the financials really do add up, especially compelling for company cars, the e-tron Benefit in Kind (BIK) is just five per cent, so a 40% tax-payer will pay an average of around £600 annual company car bill, and get a vehicle that looks suitably cool too. Audi have entered the UK market with a seriously good HEV that is engineered, styled and packed with so many features it throws down the challenge to all competitors. Shame about the inclemant weather... climate change? The Bristol Magazine’s test car courtesy of Bristol Audi. Bristol Audi, Lysander Road, Bristol, BS10 7FF Tel: 0117 958 1450 www.bristolaudi.co.uk

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SCIENCE | ASTRONOMY

WRITTEN IN THE STARS Jenny Hayes visits At-Bristol Science Centre to learn more about our Moon

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SCIENCE | ASTRONOMY

Main image, crescent moon; above, view of Earth from Apollo 8; right, Earth’s Moon, all © NASA

ankind has relied on the Moon since our earliest days on Earth. It is the closest celestial body to us in the solar system and, after the Sun, is the brightest and largest visible object in our sky. Its regular phases have meant it was used as the basis for ancient calendars, and even today our months still follow a rough 30-day lunar cycle. Yet still when we look up at the Moon we see a strange and remote world that is seemingly so opposite to our own. Images beamed back from the surface show an eerie desert of white dust, undisturbed by wind or rain with a scent – if the astronauts who have walked upon it are to be believed – akin to spent gunpowder. While one side basks in the heat of the Sun, reaching temperatures of 125°C, the other shivers at -140°C. So it is somewhat surprising to learn that the Moon was actually created from fragments of Earth. According to current hypotheses, it was formed about 4.5 billion years ago – not long after Earth itself – as a result of an object roughly the size of Mars colliding with our planet. On impact, fragments of the Earth’s crust were blasted into orbit where they accumulated to form the Moon. And, due to the strange phenomenon of tidal locking, the Moon now never turns its back on its parent, always showing us the same familiar face as it orbits around us. Tidal locking occurs when the gravitational forces exerted on an object result in its orbital period matching the time it takes to rotate once around its axis, meaning that the same side is always facing the partner it circles. In the case of our Moon, both its orbit and rotation last 28 days. In addition, as suggested by the name, this interaction between the Moon and the Earth also bears direct correlation to the tides observed on our planet. As the Moon orbits the planet, its gravitational pull distorts our own as it passes over the Earth’s surface. The opposing force that counterbalances on the opposite side of the Earth is that of inertia, and the two combined are responsible for creating disruptions on the Earth known as tidal bulges, which can be observed in our rivers, seas and oceans. The attraction of the Moon’s gravity on the near side of the Earth causes water to be drawn closer to it, yet on the far side where the Moon’s pull is weakest, inertia wins over gravity and successfully draws the water away from the pull of the Moon, resulting in simultaneous high tides on opposite sides of the A moon is defined as a celestial body globe. Over the rest of the world, that makes an orbit around a planet. gravity and inertia remain in Within the solar system there are balance until the Moon passes hundreds of moons in existence, and only over them, creating the tidal the inner planets of Mercury and Venus ripple that we daily observe have none. Our own moon, along with the across the planet. four Galilean moons of Jupiter, Saturn’s And it appears the symbiotic Titan and Neptune’s Triton, is one of relationship between Moon and the largest satellites in the solar Earth is set to develop further. In system, measuring over 2,000 2007 NASA announced its plans to miles in diameter. set up a permanent research station on our celestial partner. The agency aims for building to start on the base in 2020, with the view that by the middle of the decade astronauts will be living on it for up to six months at a time. n With thanks to Lee Pullen at the Planetarium. If you would like to discover more about astronomy, visit the At-Bristol website for details of all shows and upcoming events: www.at-bristol.org.uk or tel: 0117 909 2000

What is a moon?

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Did you know? • From our perspective here on Earth, the Moon and the Sun look pretty much the same size in the sky. This is due to the amazing coincidence that the Sun is about 400 times larger than the Moon and, at the present time, happens to be about 400 times further away. • When the Moon was newly formed, it was only about 14,000 miles away from Earth and as a result days were only around 5 hours long. But since then the Moon has been drifting away from us, currently at the rate of 3.78 cm each year, affecting the speed at which the Earth rotates resulting in our days lengthening to 24 hours. • Only 12 people have ever set foot on the surface of the Moon, all of whom were astronauts from the Apollo missions of 1969–1972.

The Man on the Moon Many cultures around the world have stories about the Man on the Moon, and here are some of the most engaging: • One medieval Christian tradition claims that he is Cain, who God condemned to become a fugitive and wanderer, forever doomed to circle the Earth as punishment for murdering his brother. • Máni is the male personification of the moon in Norse mythology, whose sister Sol personifies the Sun. They both ride through the sky on horse-drawn chariots, creating the different parts of the day and year, and phases of the moon. • Among Alaskan Inuits, the Man on the Moon is the keeper of the souls of men and animals. • In Chinese legend, the figure seen on the moon is female. The tale tells of a young woman, Chang’e, who accidentally swallows an immortality pill, which transports her out of earthly realms to live eternally on the moon.

Look out for... The alignment of the Moon, Venus and Mars in our night sky on Saturday 21 February. Follow the tip of the waxing crescent moon downwards and you’ll be able to spot the two worlds of Venus and Mars seeming to exist side-by-side for a few brief days.

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FAMILY | WHAT’S ON

ACTIVITY PLANNER A round up of all the things on offer this month to keep your little ones happy, for half term and beyond

Little Stars

Meet Mr Brunel

Little Stars, At-Bristol, Harbourside, daily, 2pm Little ones can come and get star struck with AtBristol’s specially designed Planetarium show for under-5s. All tiny explorers are welcome to join in with an interactive story full of exciting sights and sounds – perfect for introducing younger adventurers to the wonders of the night sky. Parents might even find that they learn a thing or two! Tickets: £1 per seat, in addition to standard admission. For more information tel: 0845 345 1235 or visit: www.at-bristol.org.uk

Sea Hear Storytelling, SS Great Britain, Tuesday 3 February, 11am The ship’s resident storyteller Sarah Mooney captivates the imaginations of young and not so young visitors with her every word. Her sessions mix original tales with new twists on classic legends. And children can join in the action with stories of whales and angel fish, pirate treasure and stormy seas – perfect for sparking their imaginations... and tiring them out. Admission is free and there’s no need to book – just turn up with your pre-school little ones and settle down for some maritime tales. For more information tel: 0117 926 0680 or visit: www.ssgreatbritain.org

Invention Lab, At-Bristol, Harbourside, until Wednesday 4 February, 10am – 4pm weekdays, 10am – 5pm weekends Grab a plastic tub, a few pens, and a spinning motor and make your very own Scribble Robot. Experiment and adjust your contraption to see the different scribbles you can make and then take your unique artwork home. Entrance is free with standard admission. For more information tel: 0845 345 1235 or visit: www.at-bristol.org.uk

Good Vibrations, At-Bristol, Harbourside, until Sunday 10 May Open your eyes and ears and feel the vibrations in this multisensory family show that explores the science behind sound and music. Show at regular intervals throughout the day at weekends and during school holidays, and entrance is free with standard admission. For more information tel: 0845 345 1235 or visit: www.at-bristol.org.uk

Baby Art Hour, Spike Island, Friday 13 February, 2pm These monthly sessions held in the Spike Café are designed for anyone looking after a baby or toddler under 5 years old. It’s a great way for little ones to have some fun exploring colour and

AN INSPIRING READ... I Am The Architect, a book by Moon, illustrated by Rosanna Tasker I am the Architect is the first children’s book (8+) to be written, designed and produced by Moon – an architecture and building firm in Bristol and Bath. It tells the tale of Archie, a self-proclaimed 10-year-old genius who sets out on a mission to design the ultimate garden den. As he strives for perfection, he travels the world in search of inspiration, encountering different architecture, colourful wildlife and foreign cuisines – all accompanied by his loyal pet fish, Bruno (although he may be an imposter). Archie’s story of discovery and creativity reflects Moon’s love for what they do – and a desire to share this passion with young minds. With this in mind, the book includes a competition asking its young readers to design and send Moon their den ideas. The winner will receive an iPad mini 2. For more information visit: www.iamarchie.co.uk

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Witch’s Kitchen at Wookey Hole

shape, texture and materials, and for mums and dads to relax and chat to other adults for a couple of hours. Tickets: £3 for the first child in a family group, £1 for each additional child. For more information visit: www.spikeisland.org.uk

Meet Mr Brunel, SS Great Britain, Friday 13 – Friday 20 February (excl Tuesday) Come and shake the hand of Britain’s greatest engineer, on board his most well-known steam ship. Children can find and meet Mr Brunel on and around the ship all week, and have their photo taken with the original Iron Man. It’s also a great opportunity for them to quiz him on the challenges he faced, and his favourite projects in and around the city. Free with standard admission. For more information tel: 0117 926 0680 or visit: www.ssgreatbritain.org

Mayflower Boat Ride, M Shed, Saturday & Sunday 14 – 15 / 21 – 22 February, 12pm – 5pm Step back in time as you sail through Bristol’s historic docks aboard the Mayflower, the world’s oldest steam tug built in Bristol in 1861. She worked on local waters for over 100 years, and was rescued from the scrap yard and restored by staff and volunters from Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives. Rides run all day and last approximately 20 minutes. Tickets: £6 adults, £4 children, available to buy on board on the day. For more information tel: 0117 352 6600 or visit: www.bristolmuseums.org.uk

Half Term at Wookey Hole, Saturday 14 – Sunday 22 February Head to the famous caves this half term and find over 20 attractions in one exciting location. Take a tour of the spooky caverns themselves, meet the Witch of Wookey Hole if you dare, and experience the thrill of the brand new 8D cinema. Families will also be entertained by the regular circus shows, be able to lose themselves in the mirror maze, enjoy the challenge of crazy golf, duck and dive in the pirate zap zone, and learn all about the caves in the museum. Tickets: £18 adult, £12 child, under 3s go free. A 15% discount is also available for online bookings. For more information tel: 01749 672 243 or visit: www.wookey.co.uk

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FAMILY | WHAT’S ON

Bristol Rocks!

Storytelling at SS Great Britain

WORKING MUM? Try Networking with Freelance Mum, St Paul’s Church, Coronation Road, Tuesday 10 February, 10am – 12pm

A Little Man’s Holiday, Alma Tavern Theatre, Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 February

Family Storyteling, SS Great Britain, Wednesday 18 February, 12pm, 1pm & 2pm

Little Man wants a holiday – no, not just a holiday, an adventure! He’s listened to his mother’s old pirate stories and imagined being aboard a ship. He’s daydreamed while at his job in the city and imagined sailing in search of buried treasure. But that’s all in his imagination – Little Man hasn’t actually ever been on an adventure, and probably never will. That is until his terrifying boss Mr Grumbles reveals the whereabouts of a mysterious treasure island, and soon Little Man finds himself on an adventure bigger than anything he could have ever imagined. Tickets: £4. For more information tel: 0117 973 5171 or visit: www.almataverntheatre.co.uk

As part of an exciting series of crew-themed events taking place on board the SS Great Britain this year, join storyteller Sarah Mooney as she tells tall tales of life on the high seas for the ship’s long-suffering crew. Expect mayhem, mischief, practical jokes, games, and a lot of fun. Sessions last about 20 minutes, and are included in the price of admission. Booking is not required, but capacity is limited to 100 people per session. For more information tel: 0117 926 0680 or visit: www.ssgreatbritain.org

Red Riding Hood, Tobacco Factory Theatre, Tuesday 17 – Saturday 22 February, 11am & 2pm On the way to her Grandmother’s house through a forest filled with howling wolves, Red Riding Hood must stay alert to the danger surrounding her. Straying from the path our feisty heroine, a charcoalburner’s daughter, has to pit her wits against the hungry wolf. We all know the tale of Little Red Riding Hood, but which story do you know? Stay alert as events will unravel in ways you may not expect. Norwich Puppet Theatre put a fresh twist on this much-loved tale, and create a show that is a feast of extraordinary puppetry accompanied by original music and songs. Tickets: £7 from the box office on tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com

A Little Man’s Holiday at Alma Tavern Theatre

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Bristol Rocks!, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Wednesday 18 February, 11am – 4pm Want to educate your children and have a fun day out? Look no further. Bristol Rocks! explores amazing aspects of our planet with dressing up, games, tours behind the scenes of the museum and chats with geologists. Free entrance, and visitors are welcome to just drop-in. For more information tel: 0117 922 3571 or visit: www.bristolmuseums.org.uk

Chinese New Year, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Saturday 21 – Sunday 22 February Welcome in the Year of the Sheep with spectacular traditional and contemporary performances, stalls, workshops and activities for all the family. Try your hand at paper folding, see a leaping Chinese lion, taste a special tea, learn about your zodiac sign and much more. Free entrance, with a suggested donation of £2.50. For more information tel: 0117 922 3571 or visit: www.bristolmuseums.org.uk

Networking with Freelance Mum was born last year when broadcaster, Faye Dicker struggled to find networking events that fitted in around childcare. After successfully launching the website Freelance Mum – aimed at mums in business – she realized there were hundreds of likeminded women wanting to connect... they just needed the right forum. © Nicola Jane Photography

All events are tailored so mums can network, while their children are entertained. They begin with an ice breaker activity, before moving into a 30 minute facilitated walk during which mums can chat while their children sit happily in their pushchairs. On returning, every one is given coffee and cake by sponsors Relish, before listening to a guest speaker. This month’s speaker will be decluttering expert Alison Armitage who’ll be advising on how to create the ideal workspace at home – perfect for mums juggling the work/life balance. Because events are held in a family friendly venue, no one minds if little ones want to go off and play with the playgroup equipment or take part in each month’s craft activity, provided by SeeingSticks, while mums listen and have meaningful conversations. Dads are also more than welcome – if you can identify with the bonkers, brilliant business and babies mix, then this networking event is for you. Tickets: £5. For more information visit: www.freelancemum.co.uk

Chinese New Year at Bristol Museum © Adam Saunders

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EDUCATION | NEWS

Don’t panic about exams

o help prepare students for examinations this summer, Clifton College will be holding revision courses from Monday 6 – Friday 10 April. The courses target students keen to top up on their subject knowledge in order to maximise their chance of examination success. Courses focus on 3 specific areas – subject revision, exam technique and exam practice. Classes are small, with just 10 – 12 students, with highly qualified tutors delivering personal and interactive teaching methods and students enjoying one-on-one attention. Students can choose to take 1 or 2 subjects over the course of the week. With each subject comprising 15 hours of intense revision, students will be revising their chosen subjects comprehensively. For those students who are taking two subjects, an option to board for the week is provided, offering students homecooked and nutritious meals, and a variety of bedroom options. Following dinner, students will participate in evening study time, where they may indulge in independent revision in the library or consult with the course tutors. If you’d like to book a place, tel: 0117 3157 143 or visit: www.ccsl-cliftoncollege.com

Something fishy going on... Tanks and fish eggs are being delivered this week to eager school children across Bristol as part of Trout & About , a joint project from Avon Wildlife Trust and Bristol Water. The schoolchildren will care for the trout eggs and the hatchlings in their classrooms, and visit a local pond or stream, before releasing the fish into Blagdon Lake in the Chew Valley this spring. This innovative project gives children the chance to learn in and outside of the classroom, about river ecology, its role as part of a living landscape and local wildlife as well as learn about where the water in their taps comes from. This is the third year of this highly successful and award winning project, now being delivered in Bristol schools during our year as European Green Capital. Avon Wildlife Trust’s director of community engagment, Robin Maynard, said: “Through the trouts’ stories children will learn about the value of preserving of streams, rivers and lakes.” For more details about the initiative and other educational opportunities, visit: avonwildlife.org.uk

Subject for debate Redland High School was recently selected as one of only seven schools in the UK to take part in a House of Lords debate on environmental protection in the Arctic. Eight girls from the school voiced their views on this important and complex subject. Year 12 students Alice Jerrome, Elinore Barrett-Rees, Madeleine Potter Wood and Georgina Jarman, along with Year 11 students Tilly Guthrie, Olivia Platt, Lily Huang and Mouna Abdullahi, have been working with the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Team on this project, attending workshops run by scientists from the team. For further details tel: 0117 924 5796 or visit: www.redlandhigh.com Olivia Platt at the House of Lords © Gigi Gianella

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Pupils from Fair Furlong Primary School get ready to rear trout in their classroom

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SCHOOL UPDATES Applying for senior schools? Daunted by the prospect of finding a senior school? Port Regis School offers some soothing advice. First and foremost, trust your instincts – narrow it down to a few schools and visit them with your child. Then you’ll need to register your child, and most schools like you to do this by Year 6. An interview and pre-assessment test – in English, maths and often science – usually follows in Year 7, and then hopefully the offer of a place subject to passing Common Entrance. Then the only hurdle left is that of the school fees. Almost all schools are prepared to offer bursarial support, but the level of assistance varies greatly. There are two ways to access this support: via scholarships, both academic and in subjects such as art, drama, sport and music; or via a means-tested bursary. Port Regis enjoys a 100% Common Entrance success rate. The school’s next open morning is Saturday 7 March, 9.30am – 1pm. To register tel: 01747 857914, or visit: www.portregis.com

Today dyslexia, one of the greatest inhibitors of learning in children and adults, is being successfully diagnosed and treated using revolutionary, safe, fast, affordable and noninvasive treatment known as Remedial Eye Therapy. The Alison Lawson Centre says this treatment can change the lives of children and adults with dyslexia and other similar learning difficulties. The quick and effective eye correction treatment programs are sought after around the globe, with clients coming not only from England Scotland and Wales, but also from as far away as France, Germany, Sweden, Holland, Uganda and Argentina to attend the Yeovil Centre. Living with dyslexia as a child or adult can be tough, but the Alison Lawson programme could offer a solution. For more details visit: www.alisonlawson.com

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Leadership Skills for Tomorrow’s World

University of Bristol offers free places for part-time Masters in Strategy, Change and Leadership for senior professionals The University of Bristol is offering free places on its Masters in Strategy, Change and Leadership. This part-time programme is for aspiring senior managers and is designed to fit around the demands of a busy job.

By Caroline Pascoe, Headmistress of Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls

Engineering a brighter future Engineering may not be a subject people often associate with girls. But fortunately, here at HMSG we have an innovative science department which is constantly coming up with new ways to make engineering exciting. We firmly believe that it is vital to have a balance of men and women (and therefore different ways of thinking) involved in this area of study to ensure ground-breaking progress in the future. Our weekly Science Club allows the girls to take part in activities spanning all three sciences including engineering and robotics. And our partnership with Renishaw has boosted awareness and created a real buzz over careers in the field. Our inventors’ contest, which Renishaw sponsors, even led to an 11-yearold pupil, Sky Ballantyne, creating a revolutionary harness to help children learn to ride a bicycle. The award-winning idea has been copyrighted and is about to go into production. Renishaw also hosted a recent site visit for a group of sixth form scientists. Experts showed the pupils how the company’s world-leading precision measurements systems and 3D printers work and the girls left feeling inspired to pursue careers in engineering. Our destination of leavers speaks for itself. Last year, one of our pupils accepted an offer to study chemical engineering at the University of Cambridge, another two have gone on to read engineering at Warwick and Northampton and one is studying electronic engineering in York. We also have a large number of former pupils studying the sciences at top universities. Sparking the girls’ interest in all forms of engineering from a young age has made a real impact. Just recently, HMSG hosted an IET Faraday Challenge which saw six teams of Year 8 pupils research, design and make prototype solutions to a genuinely tough engineering problem. The girls designed new systems for improving road safety, putting their technology knowledge and skills to the test. Experiencing first-hand the central role engineering plays in our everyday lives brings the subject to life for the girls – and helps us to produce shining stars of tomorrow’s world. *The Schools are now planning to extend their bus route to cover Cribbs Causeway.

For more information, visit habs-monmouth.org, call 01600 710433 for Monmouth School or 01600 711104 for HMSG. 70 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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Today’s leaders are facing the most challenging operating circumstances for a generation. The necessary skills and competencies have shifted from the motivation of employees in a buoyant economy to change management and strategic leadership in this landscape of budget cuts, increased hours, more sophisticated technology and leaner workforces. Few organisations have escaped these changes whether they are in the private, public or not-for-profit sectors. The University of Bristol has recognised this and designed a bespoke Masters degree in Strategy, Change and Leadership aimed at providing senior managers with the tools and techniques they require in order to navigate their organisations through such demanding times.

Programme Director Helen Ballard says “I am delighted we have the funding available to offer free places on our parttime Masters programme. Excellent leadership is critical in this challenging climate, and high performing organisations are recognising the need to further develop their managers. This practical Masters degree will offer a return on investment from day one.” To find out more about the programme and the free scholarship places available, come along to an open evening at the University on Wednesday 25th March from 6pm – 7.30pm. Contact Cheralyn for details: efim-scl@bristol.ac.uk

For further information about the course please visit www.bristol.ac.uk/efm/courses/postgraduate/new/degrees/

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New year, new goals?

Part-time MSc Strategy, Change and Leadership Free places now available

Designed for busy managers to ﬁt around a demanding management role, this part-time programme will help you to: • enhance your impact as a leader • understand organisational complexity and issues aﬀecting success • improve your ability to manage change and uncertainty • make better choices about growth and strategic direction

Email Cheralyn at eﬁm-scl@bristol.ac.uk or Tel: 0117 331 7908 for details www.bristol.ac.uk/efm/courses/postgraduate/new/degrees Come along to our Open Evening on Wednesday 25 March between 6-7.30pm. To register, please email Cheralyn at eﬁm-scl@bristol.ac.uk

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Day Courses ÂŁ30 Saturday 28 February 2015 Writing Autobiography, Memoir, Family History

A day for those who enjoy writing and want to explore ways of writing about their own lives. How do you recapture the past? How do you write the events and experiences of a life? How do you bring memories back and give them new life on the page?

Writing Poetry

This is a day school in which we combine the study of poetry with writing our own. We will study published poems and use them as prompts to write on chosen themes, and to explore writing in various simple forms.

Poetry of Two World Wars

We will discuss the poetic responses on the impact of war from those on active service and those back home. Poems are provided. Anthologies: Up The Line To Death: The War Poets 1914-1918; The Terrible Rain: The War Poets 1939-1945; Chaos of the Night: Women's Poetry; In Time of War.

Dorothy Wordsworthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Flowers

If William Wordsworth had not listened to his sister, Dorothy, as she told him about the daffodils by the lake and showed him her journal, it's possible we would not have his classic poem beginning 'I wandered, lonely as a cloud'. The Grasmere journals, a fascinating exploration of their life.

The Great Augustans

Bristol prospered in the eighteenth century. We shall study extracts from the 'Augustans', John Dryden's 'Wife of Bath's Tale'; Alexander Pope's 'Rape of the Lock' and Samuel Johnson's 'Life of Savages' (extracts supplied). What pleasures can their poetry provide today and how does their writing engage with modern interests?

Saturday 7 March 2015 Jacobean City Comedies

Thomas Middleton, Thomas Dekker and Ben Jonson offer modern audiences a perspective into 17th Century London. Reflect upon Dekker's The Shoemaker's Holiday and gain an insight into the capital city as it was four hundred years ago. Scripts provided and an opportunity to participate in and watch performance extracts of the play.

Book your place shop.bris.ac.uk

The University of Bristol English Department T 0117 928 8924 E english-lifelong@bristol.ac.uk W bristol.ac.uk/english/study/part-time

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EASTER AND HALF TERM REVISION Get ready for exam success!

BOOK NOW

Week before & week after Easter

A-Level & GCSE 31st - 2nd April and 7th - 9th April

www.westerntutorialcollege.co.uk Albion House,

12A Broad Street, Bristol BS1 2HL

Tel: 0117 929 7747

Mum, voiceover artist and BBC Radio Bristol presenter, Faye Dicker, meets the Bristol businesses that make family life easier...

ince beginning Freelance Mum, just over a year ago, I’ve noticed there has been a new wave of family friendly events opening across the city. Bringing up a child in Bristol has no bounds. Not only are there the usual fun and friendly playgroups, rhyme times and gym tots; but there are fitness classes where you can bring your child, family friendly supper clubs, and now classical concerts for babies and toddlers. Introducing the ‘new the kid on the block’ Lilliput Concerts – music for tiny people. The moment I heard about classical concerts for babies and toddlers I knew it was for me. As a mum to Jemima age 2 and Suki age 9 months, it’s got my name written all over it. The benefit of listening to classical music at a young age has been making the headlines, but the reality of taking your child to a classical concert can be a nightmare. Lilliput Concerts puts paid to that. Jenna Brown is the woman behind the Bristol arm of the business and recently launched the first concert in Bristol only last month. A musician and mum to toddler Beatrice, she knows a thing or two about both music and entertaining little ones. Her love of classical music and wanting to share it with her daughter was the starting point. As Jenna started to research setting up classical concerts for children in Bristol, she discovered a mutual friend, who had recently launched Lilliput Concerts in Cheltenham. The two of them teamed up and brought beautiful sounds of brass to Bristol. They are all held on a Saturday at Redland Park United Reformed Church, just off Whiteladies Road. Jenna was keen to make sure the concerts had an authentic feel about them and were as close to the ‘real thing’ as possible. The seating and layout of the hall gives the right feel plus, with under floor heating, little crawlers won’t get cold bottoms. Just like a ‘proper’ concert, you get a programme included in the ticket price. Which at £7 is very reasonable for one child and adult or £12 for a family of four. Plus there are various bolt-ons for grandparents and extra siblings. And it really is something for all the family. The capacity is for over a hundred and at the time of writing, before the launch of their first concert, they had already sold 70 tickets. It’s incredible to believe the concerts have only just been launched in Bristol, yet already have a full line up for 2015. January opened with the mellow sounds of a brass quintet and this month’s event will feature a harpist. Concerts last 40 minutes, with an introduction to the instruments and a chance for the children to get close up and see them. As for keeping the smaller children entertained (because lets face it, there is no more honest critic than a baby blowing raspberries) Jenna has commissioned a range of handmade toys, shaped like musical notes – there are no ‘noisy toys’ so there is as little distraction as possible. And if that’s not enough, it’s all followed by coffee and cake. What’s not to love? While I can’t profess to having a background in classical music, with Lilliput Concerts I can learn, listen and enjoy with my little ones. Parenting in Bristol has just been made slightly more blissful. n For more info about Lilliput Concerts, visit: lilliputconcerts.blogspot.co.uk www.freelancemum.co.uk

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HEALTH | & BEAUTY

NEWS IN BRIEF ■ Feeling those familiar twinges and pains in your back as you slump over the keyboard at work? Looking after a little one and can’t get out to an appointment with a masseuse? There is a solution – Urban Massage, a Londoncreated company, has arrived in Bristol. All you need to do to access the service is download the Urban Massage app – available on iTunes – tap in your postcode, select the treatment you’d like and the therapist you’d prefer, and they could be with you within 60 minutes of booking. Wherever you are. Urban Massage operates a strict screening and training programme to ensure the quality of therapists is unrivalled, and customers can rate their experience using the app after each treatment. Get £10 off your first treatment when you apply code PHELLOBRISTOL at checkout when purchasing the app, or when booking online at: www.urbanmassage.com

FIT & FAB Tips and treats to stay happy and healthy this month

It’s all coming up roses... Let your love for all things floral bloom with this gorgeous selection

Urban Massage

■ One of the UK's leading sports medicine specialists – and physician to TeamGB over the last five Olympic Games – has been appointed to lead the clinical team at The Gloucestershire Sports Injury & Exercise Medicine Clinic, in partnership with Nuffield Health, in time for its launch in February 2015. Consultant Dr Rod Jaques will join the new clinic, based at Nuffield Health's Cheltenham Hospital. This is an important appointment for the private hospital, allowing clinicians and patients to gain access to advanced new facilities and enabling the medical team to focus on caring for active people who require specialist treatment for sports injuries and problems. For more information tel: 0333 920 1656 or visit: www.nuffieldhealth.com

Dr Rod Jaques

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• Swap your hot date for a hot bath and lose yourself in the scents of seven of the world’s most exquisite roses, captured within this Red Roses Bath Oil from Jo Malone. Available at Harvey Nichols, Cabot Circus, £40 • Look pretty in pink with Benefit’s candy pop Posie Tint and Posie Balm. Use the tint to brighten cheeks, then apply a layer of the hydrating balm to give your lips a subtle kiss of colour. Available at Boots, House of Fraser and Harvey Nichols, Cabot Circus, Posie Tint £24.50, Posie Balm £14.50 • Not only does this Wild Rose Beauty Balm smell like you’ve just plunged your nose into a heavenly rose bush, it’s also a multi-purpose skincare staple that can be used as an exfoliator, mask, and intensive moisuriser. Available at Neal’s Yard, Whiteladies Road, £37 • Ensure your complexion is rosy and nourished with Dr. Hauschka’s celebrated Rose Day Cream, which contains essential oil from the glorious Damask rose. Available at Harvey Nichols, Cabot Circus, £28

Relax and rejuvenate with an exclusive break at Thermae Bath Spa Until Friday 13 February, you can soothe away any winter stress with an indulgent spa session and overnight stay in one of Bath’s top hotels, all from only £75pp. The package, for two people, includes four hours at the breathtaking Thermae Bath Spa and bed & breakfast accommodation in a nearby hotel. To book, go to: visitbath.co.uk. And while you’re there, why not have a look at the other fantastic experience packages on offer, all designed to show you the best the city has to offer on any budget – from a tour of Bath Abbey followed by tea, to a twilight dinner and tour of the ancient Roman Baths.

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HEALTH | & BEAUTY

RED RETURNS

Predicted to be a strong look for the Spring/Summer 15 season, the red lip is back just in time for Valentine’s Day, says Rachelle Howells, beauty manager at Harvey Nichols Bristol

rom bold shades of berry to burgundy and wines, the statement red lip has been spotted on the catwalks. Complement with a flawless complexion, subtle blush and neutral eyes that are enhanced and widened with softly drawn liner and finished with lashing of mascara.

1: Shu Uemura Specialist Lip Brush Kolinsky, £30 2: Benefit They’re Real! Push-Up Liner, £18 3: Tom Ford Extreme Raven Mascara, £34 4: Laura Mercier Pressed Setting Powder, £25 5: Sisley Phyto-Lip Twist in Berry, £26.10 6: Sisley Phyto-Rouge Lipstick in Geisha Red, £30.60 7: Laura Mercier Silk Crème foundation, £34 8: NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Crimson Red, £18 9: Tom Ford Concealing Pen, £40 10: Benefit Hydra Smooth Lip Colour in Flame, £15 11: NARS Highlighting Blush, £21 12: Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Lipstick in Sweet Devil, £20 All products are available in Beyond Beauty and Space.NK Apothecary at Harvey Nichols Bristol, or can be ordered online at harveynichols.com

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The initial consultation package of £150 in Clifton, Bristol includes

Trying for a

- AMH hormones test to assess ‘ovarian reserve’ (the number and quality of eggs that you have)

baby?

All infertility treatments offered including IUI, IVF and ICSI in Bristol and Cardiff locations

- A pelvic ultrasound to assess the ovaries and fallopian tubes - A 1 hour fertility consultation with a female Consultant Gynaecologist - A semen analysis Ask questions via our website or meet the team and learn more about infertility diagnois and treatment at our free monthly open evenings

EmbryoScope

nancy in clinical preg 23% increase riage ar e in early misc 35% decreas st co in 0% increase est & in the South W The only clinic e us ely siv Wales to exclu time-lapse EmbryoScope

yos

br u want your em Why would yo re? grown elsewhe

Dr Amanda O’Leary

All patients’ embryos transferred in EmbryoGlue at no additional cost CRGW is an independent, bespoke centre which offers the latest scientific technology and state of the art facilities needed for al modern fertility treatments. We are located at 2 Clifton Park, Clifton and also off junction 34 of the M4, only 15 minutes from Cardiff City centre. We pride ourselves in placing patients before profit to enable affordable, cost effective treatment options while maintaining the best pregnancy rates. Options include: IUI IVF ICIS EmbryoScope time lapse monitoring Embryo freezing Egg freezing Donor egg and donor sperm treatments Female fertility assessments Sperm tests Sperm freezing Surgical sperm retrieval

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MBChB, MRCOG, MD At CRGW, we care about the way we care

Centre for Reproduction and Gynaecology Wales

www.crgw.co.uk - 01443 443999 www.facebook.com/CRGW.Ltd twitter.com/crgwfertility

FEBRUARY 2015

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WHOLE HEALING Gemma David Acupuncture, tel: 07525 357 816 or visit: gemmadavid.com

REVIEW

Jenny Hayes turns to traditional Chinese medicine for a holistic approach to health

very year, I’m fully prepared for the fact that January is going to be cold, dreary, and more than a little draining. Yet more often than not I find it is actually the month of February that is the hardest to struggle through, as I impatiently wait for spring to finally break through the winter gloom. But this year I’m feeling quite chipper at surviving this bleakest of times, because I have a secret weapon, and readers I’m going to share it with you. For just over a year I’ve been seeing Bristol-based acupuncturist Gemma David, whose skill with needles is matched by her deep empathy as a practitioner. When I staggered into her office all those months ago, anxious, depleted, and a rather alarming shade of grey, her depth of human understanding coupled with her knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine meant that she was able to pinpoint (excuse the pun) and begin to treat the root of my disquiet from our very first session. Not only did this result in me feeling physical and emotional benefits right from the start, but it also gave me great confidence in Gemma and her abilities, which has remained unwavering as I’ve continued to feel and see the changes she has brought about in both my body and soul. Yet although most people are aware of how effective acupuncture can be at addressing a number of ailments, ranging from the purely physical to more subtle mental and emotional issues, many are still understandably put off by the prospect of the needles that are used. I was too, I must admit, but let me put your mind at rest… From the moment you step over the threshold of Gemma’s treatment room, any apprehension vanishes. She welcomes you into this light, calm space, and the combination of her warmth and the serene surroundings creates a welcome haven from the barrage of day-to-day city life. And it doesn’t take long for this sense of peace to settle within me, and from experience I rest assured that it will only increase during the restorative hour ahead. Initially we sit down to talk about how I’ve been since my last appointment, a process that now feels more akin to catching up with a friend than talking to a therapist, such is Gemma’s skill at eliciting the information she needs while also listening and responding to me with genuine interest and insight. And once I’ve divulged the highs and lows of my week, and how it’s left me feeling, Gemma tweaks my treatment accordingly to ensure it will facilitate the optimum movement of energy within my body, and stimulate the nourishment I need to restore my inner balance and wellbeing. Then comes the part that I know you are intrigued about – the needles. I lie

down on the wonderfully warm and comfortable treatment bed, and Gemma makes sure my body is aligned and that I am comfortable and relaxed before she begins her work. It may come as a surprise, but I actually love the sensation of having the needles positioned. Far from being uncomfortable or painful, all I feel is a tiny flick as each settles lightly into my skin, and then the incredible, energising little zing of electricity that signals its connection with the acupuncture point. This can vary a little depending on where the needle is placed in my body, and how powerfully I respond to each point on a particular day, but I always find the process deeply soothing. The needles need to remain in place for about 20 minutes to gain full benefit from their effect, and during this time Gemma asks whether I would like to have quiet or listen to yoga nidra. I always almost opt for the latter, which evokes a state of deep relaxation while maintaining full consciousness. I hadn’t been aware of the practice before Gemma introduced me to it, but it is something I now perform regularly at home as it really does help me to focus my mind, reengage with my body, and come back into the now and myself. So that’s another sanitymaintaining staple I have to thank her for. You’d think that 20 minutes would feel like a long while to lie still for, but the time always passes quickly because it is such a luxury to have an unbroken moment to myself amid the hustle and bustle of life. By the time Gemma returns I am in such a state of blissed-out tranquillity I often fear she’ll have to physically prise me off the treatment bed to get rid of me, but as I gradually come round, renewed energy seeps in and I feel wonderfully alive and focused, as well as centred and calm. The longevity of these benefits is great, and seems to accumulate week on week. So much so that, 12 months on from my initial appointment with Gemma, I feel far more balanced, happier, and confident in my ability to positively process anxiety and pressure. So if you are feeling tired, stressed, or otherwise out-of-sorts this month, a visit to Gemma could be just what you need to revive you, mentally and physically. I honestly don’t know how I ever lived without her! n Gemma David, BSc, is a member of the British Acupuncture Council, and the Zita Fertility Network. She takes a holistic approach to the maintenance of health, addressing the whole person rather than just their apparent symptoms. She is able to help with numerous general conditions – including muscular-skeletal pain, skin disorders, asthma, and migraines – and has a special interest in mental health conditions and gynaecological issues, specifically PCOS and both male and female fertility.

❝

RENEWED ENERGY SEEPS IN AND I FEEL WONDERFULLY ALIVE AND FOCUSED, AS WELL AS CENTRED AND CALM

❞

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

LET’S TALK KNEE INJURIES R

egistration for this year’s Bristol 10k has now opened and as runners across the city gear up for the first challenge of the year, Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital: The Chesterfield is offering advice to anyone currently suffering from a knee injury.

also provide a further three months free gym membership and a dedicated Wellbeing Advisor who will carry out a Health MOT and develop a personalised recovery, diet and exercise plan.

Knee injuries are one of the most common sports injuries, particularly amongst runners, and can prove incredibly debilitating and painful if not treated quickly.

Jonathan trained in keyhole surgery at the North Sydney Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Centre, which treats international and national athletes from across Australia. He is also a former first-class rugby player who won two Five Nations Grand Slams with England, and played at Bristol and Bath, so has invaluable insight into sports and traumatic knee injuries.

“If you’re suffering from a knee injury, sports related or otherwise, I would highly recommend attending our free event in March to find out more about the treatment options we can offer and to answer any questions you might have.”

Mr Jonathan Webb

Nuffield Health’s specialist team of consultants and physiotherapists in Bristol can use the body's own healing mechanisms to not only effectively treat an injury but also help prevent the occurrence of future injuries by strengthening particularly vulnerable parts of the body. Mr Jonathan Webb is a specialist Orthopaedic Consultant at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital: The Chesterfield. He has over 20 years of experience in knee surgery and sports medicine, with a particular interest in keyhole surgery and reconstruction of knee ligament injuries. He said: “When it comes to sports injuries, fast effective treatment is exactly what you need. Whether you are a professional athlete, an amateur sports person or you suffer from the pain of arthritis, it’s always a good idea to seek professional help as early on as possible so that we can advise on the best course of treatment. “At The Chesterfield, our patients benefit from integrated, personalised care with easy and rapid access to world-class consultants and state-of-theart diagnostic tools. We also provide unrivalled post-operative care through our Recovery Plus service which combines our surgical expertise with that of our specialist physiotherapists and the highly skilled team at our Fitness & Wellbeing Centre. Not only do we guide our patients through the first six weeks of recovery to help build joint movement, strength and control, we WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital: The Chesterfield is hosting a free Let’s Talk Knee Injuries event on

Wednesday 4 March from 6pm to 8pm. The event is open to everyone and offers the chance to meet with Mr Jonathan Webb, as well as Senior Physiotherapist Ms Chris Hutchinson. For more information visit www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol or call 0117 911 6763.

Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital The Chesterfield, 3 Clifton Hill, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1BN Tel: 0117 911 6763 • www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol FEBRUARY 2015

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BRISTOL | BEAUTY PROFILE

SMOOTH OPERATOR Lucy Goodwin-Grafton discovers a range of Intense Impulse Light (IPL) treatments with the help of the aestheticians at Victoria Rose Beauty.

eeling depleted by your daily depilation routine? You can wave goodbye to messy waxing and shaving with a trip to Victoria Rose Beauty, which offers Lynton Luminette IPL hair removal. This is one of the most effective permanent hair reduction systems, and an expert therapist will make sure you receive the most suitable treatment for your lifestyle and hair type.

Lynton Luminette IPL hair removal offers a long-term solution to unwanted or excess hair for both men and women, and is suitable for most areas of the face and body. It works because light is absorbed by melanin, the pigment in the hair follicle, and its energy then heats the pigment and effectively destroys the follicle without damaging the Before IPL pigmentation treament surrounding cells. A course of treatments is usually required every 4 – 8 weeks to follow the hair growth cycle. Treatment will leave your skin feeling smooth, soft and free from painful in-growing hairs, and is ideal for those with unwanted facial hair or other growth that you’d like permanently removed. The process is quick and results can be seen after just a few sessions.

normal, the presence of extra sebum in the follicle increases the chances of clogging and can cause acne. Stress levels can also affect sebum production and increase severity of acne. 3. Bacteria – the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes, (P. acnes for short) is present on all skin and is part of the it’s natural sebum maintenance system. Once a follicle is plugged, P. acnes bacteria multiply rapidly, creating the chemical reaction we know as inflammation in the follicle and surrounding area of skin. 4. Inflammation – when you are exposed to unwanted bacteria your immune system sends in an army of white blood cells to attack. This is why pimples can be red, swollen and painful. The inflammatory response is different for everyone, but studies have shown that it is especially strong in adult After women. Fortunately, you have options! There are many kinds of acne treatments available. Like you, acne is highly individual and response to treatments does vary from person to person. Often several treatments are recommended in combination. Victoria Rose Beauty offer an extensive range of acne treatments and will advise on the most suitable procedure for you and your skin.

IPL thread vein removal

IPL pigmentation removal

IPL hair removal

Facial thread veins or broken veins (telangiectasia) are small, unsightly, superficial red, purple or blue veins that occur around the nose and across the cheeks and chin. These broken veins are caused when veins dilate and become larger so they are visible through the transparency of the skin, and can be hereditary, a result of damage or just part of the aging process. Although they are common they can cause some distress, but are effectively treated with IPL in just a few quick sessions, meaning minimal downtime and little risk. Treatment is suitable for those who would like to reduce overall facial redness and/or blushing, be rid of embarrassing broken veins or red spots, or for brighter, fresher looking skin. Suitable for face, neck and chest.

IPL acne treatment What causes acne? There are a number of factors that could be at the root of your problem, including: 1. Hormones – for the majority of acne sufferers, outbreaks begin at puberty when the body begins to produce hormones called androgens. These hormones cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge, which is a natural part of the body's development, but for acne sufferers these glands are over stimulated. Androgens are also responsible for acne flare-ups associated with the menstrual cycle and, on occasion, pregnancy. 2. Oily skin – when the sebaceous gland is stimulated by androgens, it produces extra sebum (oil). Sebum mixes with common skin bacteria and dead cells that have been shed from the lining of the follicle. While this process is 84 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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Sun spots, liver spots, freckles and other unwanted pigmentation are often associated with skin ageing and over exposure to the sun or sunbeds. From the age of about 40 the skin is less able to regenerate from sun exposure and age spots start to appear. But not all pigmentation concerns are a result of sun exposure, some people are born with birthmarks or may have melasma, a skin pigmentation condition often associated with pregnancy or hormones. Whatever its cause, if you are unhappy with skin pigmentation there is a solution. Generally these age spots pose no health risk, however they can be unsightly and create a patchy, less youthful appearance. Freckling and age spots are successfully lightened or removed with laser or IPL. Birthmarks can often be treated with a Q-Switch Laser IPL or IPL skin rejuvenation, and pigment removal treatment is a relatively quick and easy procedure. Age spots and freckles can be lightened or removed in as little as 1_– 3 treatment sessions. The light targets areas of excess pigment safely breaking down the excess melanin. The sun spots or freckles darken in the first few days after treatment and then the excess melanin sheds naturally away. Treatment is suitable for you if you want a more even skin tone or you want to reduce areas of excess freckling or you want to target a specific age spot. n Victoria Rose Beauty, 265 North Street, BS3 1JA. For more information or to book an appointment, tel: 0117 930 0365 or visit: www.victoriarosebeauty.co.uk

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Clifton Physiotherapy is a long established practice with an outstanding reputation, offering a professional, friendly service. It is owned and run by Lisa Barnacle and Marion Averill. Our physiotherapists are Chartered and registered with the HCPC. They have a wealth of experience and work hard to meet the needs of each individual patient. We treat all musculoskeletal conditions and we are able to offer physiotherapy home visits. Other practitioners include:Specialist pelvic, obstetric and gynaecological physiotherapy Acupuncturist Pilates Instructor Audiologist Homeopath 118 Hampton Road, Redland, Bristol, BS6 6JD Tel: 01179706390 Email: mail@cliftonphysio.co.uk Website: www.cliftonphysio.co.uk follow us on

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Good health: a question of luck? Naturopath Hermann Keppler, Founder of CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine), suggests how we can tip the balance of ‘luck’ in our favour, when it comes to external factors that can affect our health.

ew will have missed the press reports at the start of 2015 claiming that ‘bad luck’, rather than lifestyle or genetics, is to blame for most cases of cancer. Since cases of cancer are on the rise, can it be assumed that we are becoming more unlucky?

cancer, and by promoting a good supply of natural killer cells to help identify and destroy cells that do begin to mutate. Conversely, bad nutrition will leave your body in the worst possible position to do these things, making you more vulnerable to the overall toxic payload that we all now carry.

Independent studies throw up potential connections between our adulterated food supply, ingredients in our personal care products, and the pollution of our environment, to disruption of our bodily systems, damage to our DNA, and cell mutations that can lead to cancer. Stressors on our system may include herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, additives, and the genetic modification of our food, and synthetic, petro-chemically derived, and hormone-disrupting ingredients in what we touch, breathe, or put on our skin.

In short, good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle will help you load the dice of ‘luck’ in your favour. Why not take a first step today by deciding to consume foods in as close to their natural state as you can? This means preferably organic, fresh, whole foods, and making simple meals from scratch. Ask questions about how your food is produced, and look up the potential hazards of ingredients before putting personal care products and toiletries on your skin.

Some vaccines contain known carcinogens. There are widely used pharmaceutical drugs which cause tumours in animal tests. Being overweight (often through over-consuming a processed diet high in empty calories, and full of artificial ingredients), is a huge risk factor for diseases, including cancer. Given that we are also now exposed to high levels of ‘electro smog’ from electromagnetic radiation, a ‘possible’ carcinogen, and many other cancer causing pollutants, our 21st century lifestyle means that we are all at risk of poor health. It seems unlucky indeed, that we are now subjected to an untested combination of numerous unnatural stressors every day of our lives, wearing down our body’s ability to deal with its toxic payload. It is then that we can become sick, and since we are all individual, what will cause cancer in one person, can manifest in another as an entirely different disease or condition. Some of the risk factors are now so pervasive in our environment that they are beyond our control, however, we do have choice over many others. It’s important not to give up and leave your fate entirely to ‘luck’ in the face of this seemingly overwhelming onslaught on our health. You can help yourself and your family enormously by knowing more about diet, lifestyle, and natural health. Good nutrition reduces the overall toxic burden on the body, giving it the ability to help deal with the stressors that we can’t change. It provides your body with the building blocks needed to improve your defences, including by making your cell walls less susceptible to mutations that can lead to WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Our bodies constantly strive for health and we can help or hinder the process by what we eat, do, and use. By understanding the powerful impact of nutrition and lifestyle on health, you can provide your body with tools to help. Hermann Keppler

Attend a FREE CNM Open Evening in Bristol Thursday 12th February 6.30pm-8.30pm to find out about training with CNM Bristol for a career in Naturopathic Nutrition or Naturopathic Acupuncture. Please reserve your free place on line at:

www.naturopathy-uk.com 01342 410 505 FEBRUARY 2015

THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 87

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OUT | AND ABOUT

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE If you’ve a taste for adventure, follow Andrew Swift on this rewarding walk through Draycott Sleights Nature Reserve

his month’s walk, although short, is far from tame. Draycott Sleights Nature Reserve, on the western edge of Mendip, is about as steep and rugged as Somerset gets and the views are spectacular. Add to that rocky escarpments, a cave, a limekiln, a cryptic message on the hillside, ruined cottages, a prehistoric hillfort and gliders swooping low over you, and you have the prospect of a walk to remember. There is plenty of wildlife to look out for as well – flocks of linnets and goldfinches sweeping through the scrub, while kestrels, buzzards and peregrine falcons soar above. There is only one caveat – don’t, unless you’re a masochist, attempt it in driving rain. Driving wind is one thing – and difficult to avoid on these west-facing slopes – but sunlight and good visibility are essential. To get to the starting point (ST486513), there are two options. Either head south-west from Bristol along the A38 before bearing left along the A371. After 5.5 miles, turn left up New Road by the old Methodist chapel in Draycott. After 0.7 miles, look for a gate on the left with a nature reserve sign, with room for parking just beyond it. Or, head south from Bristol across the Mendips before bearing west along the B3135 towards Cheddar. After passing turnings for Priddy and Westbury sub Mendip, turn left along a lane with a Glider Club sign. Carry on past the entrance to the glider club for 0.4 miles and park on the right just before the nature reserve. Whichever option you take, remember to park considerately, as farm vehicles use this narrow lane. ● Go through the gate on the north side of the road into Draycott Sleights Nature Reserve, and turn right through a kissing gate. After following the path beside the wall for about 30 metres, bear left to follow a faint track heading directly uphill between rocky outcrops. ● Carry on in the same direction. When you reach the crest of the hill, carry on following another faint track. This leads past the entrance to a cave, just beyond which you will see what appear to be the foundations of an old building (ST485516). Although difficult to make out from the ground, however, the stones have been arranged so that from the air they read ‘FLY 88 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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621’. (You can check this out on internet sites with aerial imaging.) The stones were laid out by members of 621 Volunteer Gliding Squadron, who used the adjacent airfield until 1985. ● Just past them, there is evidence of small-scale quarrying and the remains of a fairly impressive limekiln, with a superb view across to Cheddar reservoir. Carry on and after about 200m you will cross a broken-down wall, with a ruined farm building down to your left. ● Carry on and follow a faint path along the edge of a mini-escarpment and down to a wooden kissing gate (ST482519). Go through it, bear left alongside the fence, and after 120m bear left to follow the fence towards a dewpond (ST482516). Continue on past a row of beeches and carry on, along an increasingly muddy path, to return to the starting point. ● From there, cross the lane, go through a small gate and bear right to follow a level path curving along the contour line. As it rounds the corner you will see a ruined building ahead (ST487511). Carry on along the path, which leads

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OUT | AND ABOUT

FURTHER INFORMATION... ■

RAW NATURE: main image, an escarpment; inset, the view west; above, the limekiln; right, FLY 621

to the right of it, before turning left uphill at a crosspath. Go through a gate into Stoke Camp Reserve and follow the path ahead. After about 150m, as the path continues curving to the right, branch left along a fainter path which leads into Stoke Camp – also known as Westbury Camp – a late Bronze Age or early Iron Age hillfort (ST491511). Its ramparts, supplemented by an outer ditch and bank on two sides, have survived remarkably well, despite having been plundered for stone in places. The view from here, with Glastonbury Tor hazy in the distance, and the green fields of Somerset stretching to the horizon, would have been very different when the fort was occupied. The tor would have looked as magisterial and mysterious as it does now, but all around would have stretched the shining waters of a lake broken only by small islands. ● From here, retrace your steps, but, when you leave the reserve, follow the path straight ahead, bearing left downhill at the end to return to the starting point. n

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Distance: 2.5 miles

■

Time: 1.5 hours

■

Level of challenge: Steep, rough and occasionally muddy ground throughout, but, although care needs to be taken, it is ideal for adventurous children and dogs. Note however that adders are found on the site from spring onward. Sleight is an old word for sheep pasture, so not surprisingly sheep may be encountered en route.

■

Map: OS Explorer 141

■

Pubs: Queen Victoria, Priddy, BA5 3BA; food served 12pm–2pm MonFri, all day Sat & Sun; Hunters Lodge (1.5 miles east of Priddy) BA5 3AR, food served 11.30am–2.30pm Mon-Sat, 12pm–2pm Sun.

FEBRUARY 2015

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HOMES | ON SHOW

TO THE MANOR BORN Marianne Swinkels ventures off the beaten track to showcase this gem of a home hidden happily between Bristol and Bath

hink big and go the extra mile. That’s just one of 15 pledges on my personal ‘Can Do Better This Year’ list. Nothing to do with reluctantly giving the thumbs up to an expanding girth you understand. Nor anything unachievable or fanciful like a long distance flirtationship with the gorgeously swooney Clooney. By George no! As we trudge through this season’s dreariest of months I’ve set my resolutions as realistically low as the wintry light levels. Faced then with a tricky editorial dilemma early in the year, I was quickly forced to put this resolve into action. What to do? Nip up the road to view a classy and desirably elegant residence in a coveted city postcode with a healthy pricetag to match? A minimum effort for maximum real estate pleasure trip. Or head out of town to take the tour of some country abode where the BS postcode was higher, the sale price the same and the property terrain unfamiliar? I mean, how can you top some of Bristol’s housing beauties which have a strong magnetic pull for buyers in the £1.5 to £2 million market? Clearly I had to stick to my new vow and do the decent thing. So I donned the wellies, shoved the tartan blanket, bendy festival-proof torch, vintage

❝

travel beaker, bottle of pop and sausage roll into the jalopy and made for the Chew Valley, a whole 10 miles due south from known urbanscape. And because I was thinking big, niftily ticked another personal reso en route: thou shalt make friends with the darn sat nav. Needn’t have bothered though. Manor Farm in Stowey, Bishop Sutton, lies almost equidistant to Bristol and Bath in an unspoilt village location off the A37 – an easy peasy, good-on-the-eye semi-rural route which opens out to the scenic beauty of the Chew Valley Lake, a dedicated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and richly diverse wildlife and nature conservation area to boot. A whole other land. And what a glorious one. When the bossy tin ‘voice’ trumpeted that the destination had been reached, a doubletake was called for. Surely not? I clearly needed to up the ante on the ‘think big’ thing. More manor than farm, the frontage of this substantial detached family home stretches out behind its beech hedged boundary like an assured terraced row of character stone built houses. Admitting to a penchant for quirky historic buildings, I was hooked on sight. As happened to the owners when they first came across the derelict 17th century property at auction more than three decades ago. Once part of the Sutton Court estate, the country seat to a long line of baronets and their lucky descendents, it had played out

THE HANDSOME DETACHED GRANARY NOW HOUSES AN IMPRESSIVE SWIMMING POOL AND CONSERVATORY STYLE ENTERTAINING AREA

❞

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HOMES | ON SHOW

PROPERTY PROFILE Where: Manor Farm, Stowey, Bishop Sutton, Bristol, BS39 5TH What: Architect designed detached house in private woodland setting. 4.4 acres in total including formal gardens. Specifications: Substantial renovated family home within the Chew Valley, 10 miles south of Bristol. Six beds. Detached stone granary housing heated indoor swimming pool, studio/office. Ancillary accommodation: Manor Farm Cottage with two beds & one bed Hay Loft flat. Outbuildings, garages, stable yard, two paddocks in circa 4.25 acre grounds/landscaped gardens. Additional land available by separate negotiation.

Guide price: £1,750,000 Agent: Savills Clifton, www.savills.com Contact: Email: rbrooks@savills.com or tel: 0117 933 5800

its lengthy history as a working farm and shaken off its agricultural mantle forever when the estate changed hands in the early1980’s. Its fate was to take a turn when that auction hammer went down and the zealous architect/designer couple snapped it up, knowing they would dedicate themselves to its total restoration to create their personal Shangri-La. And with the property on the market for the first time since, their commitment, passion and perseverance is now evident throughout. This significant labour of love has dramatically transformed Manor Farm into the spacious house of immense character it is today. Completely renovated, converted, extended, repaired, rescued and altered, many fine original features and architectural details have been retained or added: the stone fireplaces and magnificent sitting room inglenook which was once the smoking chamber for hams and such, the oak panelled dining hall with its 1660’s beams, the bedrooms with their exposed cross-beamed ceilings and roof trusses from the original hay barns, the elegant drawing room re-created from the remnants of the farm cheese store. It is the size and scale of this exceptional house which impresses as much as the stories of years spent living in makeshift conditions in a barn, the constant realities of living on a building site, the comings and goings of stonemasons and specialists to support this ambitious and very hands-on project. Let alone the practicalities of running an architectural and design WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

business from an on-site portacabin while bringing up a young family. If you gaze out from the array of living areas arranged to face an enclosed south facing courtyard garden, it’s hard to imagine all this past endeavour. You’ll see instead the wonderful results: the handsome detached granary which stands right opposite and now houses an impressive indoor swimming pool and conservatory style entertaining area. The overhead first floor ‘Eyrie’, the name given to the self-contained studio/office above, which overlooks the four or so acres of gardens, ponds, croquet lawn, paddocks and commanding countryside views beyond. The five garages for vehicles, boats, mowers and the like; the two stables with hay and feed stores and adjoining yard for the equestrian minded, the outbuildings used for wine cellarage, workshop and wood store. And you’ll clock that there’s still plenty of potential for many a live/work/income generating/shared ownership project opportunity. With its six bedrooms, the sheer spread of its splendidly spacious sitting, dining, kitchen, breakfast, drawing and study rooms, the ample wrap-around grounds, the pool cum business complex et al we are talking space – and lots of it. And it’s clear to me that thinking big may well pay off here. Add in the two bedroom Manor Farm Cottage and the one bed Hay Loft flat which come with the sale and I am assured. Really assured. Manor Farm was worth going the extra mile and, methinks, worth every penny of its £1.75 million guide price. n FEBRUARY 2015 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 91

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GARDENING GARDENING

IMPROVING OUTLOOKS Something to hide? Garden designer Margaux Spiers teaches you how to screen outdoor areas attractively and effectively

s there something about the view into and beyond your garden which could be improved by judicious planting; perhaps an ugly shed or a neighbour’s garage wall? While plants are still in their dormant season this is a good time to put in trees and shrubs and to erect trellis for climbing plants so that as they grow and bloom your outlook improves. Planning legislation restricts the height of walls and fences to 2m (or 1m if the highway or pavement is just beyond your boundary) and this height restriction includes extra trellis along the top of a fence. However the restriction does not apply to hedges, trees and shrubs grown to screen your garden boundary (look more closely at these rules if the proposed planting would impact on highway safety). You will need to take care not to restrict a neighbour’s right to light and not to plant trees with deep roots too near house foundations, but assuming you have the space to do so then planting a tree is a great way to distract the eye from an ugly outlook. You don’t need to plant the tree right up against the garden boundary, and in fact if you are simply trying to achieve a green outlook from the house or privacy for a patio you can achieve a good level of screening with much lower planting near the house. Evergreen trees and shrubs would provide all year round screening whereas plants which lose their leaves in winter will do the job only part of the year. This may not matter though if you are only aware of the eyesore when you use the garden in summer. Other things to consider before you rush out to buy a tree are: its maximum height and width; its shape (conical, upright or spreading); whether you want a flowering tree or one with good autumn colour; density of shade cast and impact of shade on the rest of the garden. Chew Valley Trees, just south of Bristol, has a good stock of trees to choose from and they will help you select just what you need and even plant it for you. My own top ten short list of trees for smaller town gardens is as follows (note the maximum height may take years to achieve – ask the supplier about rates of growth):

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GARDENING

If the area to be screened is broader than a single tree, you might consider “pleaching” a row of trees, i.e. planting them at even spaces and keeping them pruned so that their branches meet in horizontal lines. You can buy pre-trained pleached trees in troughs but it’s much cheaper to train them yourself over a couple of years. If you’ve never been to The Yeo Valley HQ garden at Holt Farm, near Blagdon it’s worth a visit in any event and it has a lovely example of young pleached Malus ‘Red Sentinel’ crab apple trees. If you are intending to screen an old fence or garage wall you cannot beat a combination of climbing roses and clematis growing on a smart wooden trellis. For a contemporary look I like some of the painted trellis colours from The Garden Trellis Company, particularly “olive” or “pearl”. Choose a climber with regard to the length you want it to cover – Clematis Montana “Elizabeth” for example will happily grow along a length of 6m or more but for lesser coverage choose Clematis “Barbara Dibley” (1.8m), Clematis “Nelly Moser” (3m) or Rosa “Climbing Iceberg” (3m). Remember that plants need specific growing conditions: there are climbing roses which are happy in shade such as “Félicité-Perpétue” or “Golden Showers” but not all varieties would be. Wisteria is a wonderful climber but needs lots of space and will have to be pruned twice a year. It grows so large that a wooden fence and trellis may not provide strong enough support: ideally use steel cables attached to brick walls. For a lower and more limited screen there are lots of lovely wall shrubs to choose from such as Ceonthus “Blue Mound”, a profusely flowering evergreen which will grow to 1.5m high and 2m across or slightly smaller Carpenteria Californica, another evergreen wall shrub with lovely fragrant white flowers in mid-summer. n Margaux Speirs, a pre-registered member of the Society of Garden Designers, runs her business, Margaux Speirs Garden Design from her home in Bristol. Visit: www.margauxspeirsgardendesign.co.uk or tel: 07903 779910.

PLANT OF THE MONTH: Snow drops (Gallanthus) mark the end of winter so are a welcome addition to any garden. Ideally they should be bought and planted while actively growing, preferably just after flowering when the leaves are still green. If you buy them now, when they are in flower you will pay more but at least you can see exactly what you are getting. There are over 2000 cultivated varieties: choose a couple with different heights and so as to extend the flowering season and look for winners of the RHS Award of Garden Merit as these will have the best aesthetic and cultivation qualities. Plant in small clumps of 6 to 8 bulbs, 10 to 15cm deep, in dappled shade in an area which does not dry out in summer.

TOP TEN SHORT LIST OF TREES FOR SMALLER TOWN GARDEN TREE NAME

EVERGREEN

MAX. HEIGHT

Cornus controversa “Variegata”

5m but very slow growing

Pyrus salicifolia “pendula”

Laburnum x. watereri “Vossii”

Rhus typhina

LEAF COLOUR

FLOWER

SHAPE

Bright green, edged cream; yellow in autumn

White in June

Conical with horizontal branches

4.5m

Sage green

Cream in mid Spring

Dense pyramid of weeping branches

4.5m

Pale green

Golden yellow in late Spring

Upright when young, rounding with age

Yellow, orange and red in Autumn

Furry crimson fruit heads

Irregular, spreading

Amelanchier lamarckii

4.5m

Copper in spring, green then rich red in autumn

White in Spring

Multi stemmed

Clerodendrum trichotomum

Red and yellow in Autumn

White in late summer

Rounded

Laurus nobilis

Yes

10m but can be clipped to keep it smaller

10m

Glossy, dark green

Eucryphia × nymansensis 'Nymansay'

Yes

10m

Glossy dark green

Acer Palmatum Osakazuki

Fiery in autumn

Multi-stemmed

Gleditsia triacanthos

10m but very slow growing

Greeny-yellow in spring and summer, bright yellow in autumn

Rounded, fern-like leaves give only light shades

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MAX. WIDTH 5m

4.5m

Rounded but suitable for topiary shapes

White in late summer

FEBRUARY 2015

Column

THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 93

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Ebony Rose CLASSICAL & RETRO FURNITURE WORKSHOP

   ⁄   14 West Street, Old Market, Bristol, BS2 0BH info@ebonyroseupholster y.co . u k www.ebonyroseupholster y.co . u k

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BRISTOL PROPERTY | IN FOCUS

et behind electric gates, 3a Stoke Hill is a spacious and immaculately presented contemporary family home. The property has wonderful space for entertaining both inside and out and has been architect designed to provide an abundance of natural light. There are Travertine marble floors and under floor heating throughout. The sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room and dining room all look out onto the sunny south facing rear garden. There are sliding doors opening onto the patio area which creates a wonderful dining space and a good deal of party potential. The sleek contemporary kitchen has a variety of quality integrated appliances and there is also a spacious utility room. There are five bedrooms in all, the master having a contemporary en suite shower room. Amy of the remaining four well-proportioned bedrooms could serve equally as office space and the rooms are served by a unique Parisian style family bathroom. In additional to the main living space, there is a 25ft by 13ft loft with Velux windows which could be incorporated with the installation of a staircase to provide additional office space or a dream playroom. Both the front and rear gardens are mostly level and easily maintained. There is an integral double garage as well as amply off street parking. This is a sophisticated and characterful home which will appeal to lovers of the contemporary which may be viewed by appointment with agents Knight Frank.

3A STOKE HILL SNEYD PARK • Architect designed contemporary home • Five bedrooms • Vaults/storage • Large loft space • Under floor heating throughout •Private easily maintained gardens

Guide Price £950,000

Knight Frank, Regent House, 27A Regent Street, Clifton, Bristol. Tel: 0117 317 1999

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FEBRUARY 2015

THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 95

Bristol & Clifton’s premier Commercial Property Agents Keep up-to-date with our latest news and market comments at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk

(0117) 934 9977

SOUTHVILLE AREA FOR SALE

INVESTMENT FOR SALE High Street shop, let to Greggs + rear bakery –

Offices with potential for residential conversion to a house or 3 flats –

Rent £48,000 pax –

Price on application.

Freehold £550,000

FOR SALE – CLIFTON

TO LET – CLIFTON

A fantastic studio office building with large 2 storey extension –

D1 former dental surgery of c 1,500 sq ft –

C 3,000 sq ft (gross) –

Suit office use –

High quality fit out –

Prime Clifton site –

Could suit residential –

New lease

£595,000 ONO BRIDGE HOUSE, CONGRESBURY TO LET

OFFICE FOR SALE Modern open plan office of c 1,005 sq ft –

Refurbished offices with 15 car spaces c 3,115 sq ft –

Good fit out – Only £130,000!

New lease – Rent on application QUEEN SQUARE BS1

FOR SALE WESSEX HOUSE, PORTISHEAD

High quality air conditioned open plan office suite of 1,568 sq ft New lease –

Modern detached office building of 3,143 sq ft in established location –

Only £13 per sq ft

Good parking – Freehold on application

SHOP FOR SALE CLIFTON VILLAGE

THE MALL, CLIFTON Coming soon…

Only £130,000 –

A good size retail unit in busy Clifton Village pitch –

Great investment or for occupation

New lease – Rent o/a

(0117) 934 9977

Julian Cook FRICS

Burston Cook February.indd 1

Jayne Rixon MRICS

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

Finola Ingham

• • • • •

Sales / Lettings Acquisitions Valuations Landlord & tenant Auction Sales

• • • • •

Rent reviews Property Management Investment Sales / Purchase Development & Planning Dilapidations Advice

MRICS

16/01/2015 16:16

Bristol & Clifton’s premier Commercial Property Agents Keep up-to-date with our latest news and market comments at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk GREAT GEORGE STREET

(0117) 934 9977

FOR SALE – CLIFTON (corner of Guthrie Road & Pembroke Road) An impressive detached period property with magnificent central gallery staircase and many features – Surrounding gardens and large car park – C 8,000 sq ft (5,882 sq ft net) FREEHOLD ON APPLICATION

PRIME RESTAURANT UNIT Bristol City Centre – close to Queen Square and The Waterfront – 5,016 sq ft – New lease – No premium! Rent on application.

INVESTMENT / DEVELOPMENT Prime seafront location opposite W-S-M Pier – Mixed residential / commercial comprising four large 2 bed flats + commercial unit worth c £15,000 pax – Only £525,000 – Offers invited

UNIT 2, ST GEORGES COURT, BS1 Very well located modern offices just off College Green with 9 parking spaces! 785 sq ft to 3,855 sq ft – New lease - £12.50 per sq ft

FOR SALE Modern self contained office at 6 Mead Court, Thornbury – 3,044 sq ft good quality refurbished office spaces – Only £300,000 ONO

(0117) 934 9977

Julian Cook FRICS

Burston Cook February.indd 2

Jayne Rixon MRICS

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

Finola Ingham

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MRICS

19/01/2015 11:09

LANGFORD LODGE, GUTHRIE ROAD, CLIFTON A stunning detached Victorian ‘gentleman’s residence’, currently with office use set in its own gardens and with plenty of parking. Detached properties of this size and character rarely become available in Clifton, situated on the corner of Guthrie Road and Pembroke Road, Langford Lodge is an imposing Victorian residence, retaining many wonderful original features. From the central entrance hall, a sweeping galleried staircase leads to the first floor with a separate rear servants’ staircase leading to all floors. The principle rooms are of wonderful proportions throughout, while to the side of the property and accessed from two of the principle rooms, there is an original timber veranda benefitting from afternoon and evening sunshine. The lower ground floor also has its own separate entrance and is currently let and producing a valuable rental income. Julian Cook of selling agents Burston Cook comments ‘we are delighted to be marketing Langford Lodge, which is one of the largest of its type in the immediate area. This property occupies an impressive site within just a few hundred metres’ walking distance of Clifton College. The property is currently let and produces a good rental income, however, also suits future conversion to either an impressive single dwelling or residential apartments’. The property is offered for sale freehold with detailed selling terms on application.

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Westbury Park £620,000

Clifton £535,000

• Devonshire Road • End of terrace • Garden with rear access • Two off-street parking spaces • Catchment area • Excellent decorative order throughout • Energy rating - E

• The School House • Grade II listed Tudor-Gothic conversion • Spacious 31’ x 25’ double height living space • Parking space • Terrace • 10 year building warranty

Waterfront £339,950

Cotham £240,000

• The Brewhouse, Bath Street • Allocated parking space • En-suite and shower room • Impressive views • Open plan living area • Superb location • No onward chain • Energy rating - E

• Arley Hill • South west facing courtyard garden • Modern kitchen • Private entrance • Residents parking • Utility room • No onward chain • Energy rating - C

Westbury-on-Trym £600,000

Westbury-on-Trym £485,000

• Arranged over three floors • Significantly extended • Workshop • Garage • Carport • Large grounds • Off street parking • Energy rating - E

• Off street parking • Extended • Open plan living • Open day launch 31st January • Contemporary decoration • Garage • Energy rating - TBC

Henbury £140,000

Westbury-on-Trym £750,000

• Contemporary apartment • Excellent motorway access • Reception measuring in excess of twenty feet • Parking space • Separate kitchen • Energy rating - D

• Detached • Exceptional square footage • Swimming pool • Double garage • Conservatory measuring in excess of twenty feet • Energy rating - D

Clifton Office 0117 946 6007

Five Bedroom House

Three Bedroom House

Two Bedroom Duplex Apartment

Two Bedroom Garden Apartment

Five Bedroom House

Three Bedroom House

Five Bedroom House

Westbury-on-Trym Office 0117 962 1973

Two Bedroom Apartment

oceanhome.co.uk

Ocean February.indd 1

19/01/2015 12:32

Redland £399,995

Cabot Circus £379,995

Redland £345,000

• Cambridge Park • Grade 2 listed • Separate fitted kitchen • Communal gardens • Allocated off-street parking • No onward chain • Energy rating - D

• Horizon • Balcony • Communal gardens • Parking option • Daytime concierge • Lift • Secure communal entrance • No onward chain • Energy rating - B

• Cambridge Park • Garden level apartment • Off street parking • Communal gardens • Dining area • Separate kitchen • Living room • Gas central heating • Energy rating - E

Clifton £189,950

Old Market £149,950

Redcliffe £140,000

• Sunderland Road • Hall floor • 12’ ceilings • Open plan living room/kitchen with bay windows • Electric heating • No onward chain • Energy rating - C

• Midland Mews • Top Floor • Excellent condition • Far reaching views • Residence parking permits available • No onward chain • Energy rating - C

• Victoria Street • Living room • Separate fitted kitchen • Electric heating • No onward chain • Energy rating - C

Brently £219,950

Westbury-on-Trym £199,950

Brentry £170,000

• Period cottage • Substantial rear garden • Beautifully presented and decorated throughout • Both bedrooms doubles • Energy rating - C

• Penthouse style apartment • Kitchen dining room • Balcony • Stunning views • Contemporary decoration throughout • No onward chain • Energy rating - TBC

• Large garden • New shower room • Two reception • Garage • No onward chain • Energy rating - E • Sold within twenty four hours of marketing

Two Bedroom Apartment

Two Bedroom Penthouse Apartment

One Bedroom Apartment

Two Bedroom Apartment

One Bedroom Apartment

Two Bedroom Apartment

Two Bedroom House

Three Bedroom House

SO LD

Stoke Bishop £425,000

Swansea £165,000

Henbury £169,950

• Detached • Immaculately presented • Parking • Insulated studio/study • Contemporary design features • Many original features • Exposed brick work • Energy rating - F

• Offering a 12 % rental yield • Rental starting September 2015 at £1,625 pcm • Registered HMO • Double glazed • Gas central heating • Energy rating - D

• Arranged over three floors • Parking for four vehicles

Three Bedroom House

Five Bedroom House

Two Bedroom House

Ocean February.indd 2

Garden • Two reception rooms with arch • Two bedrooms plus loft room • Energy rating - E

19/01/2015 12:32

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Richard Harding Chartered Surveyors • Estate Agents • Auctioneers • Valuers

A tastefully renovated, elegant grade II listed period townhouse within easy reach of Clifton Village, Whiteladies Road and The Triangle. Civilised accommodation retaining lots of character and features. The property’s current layout offers 4 double bedrooms, 3 reception rooms, 3 bathrooms, front & rear town gardens, balcony and lower floor informally arranged as a 1 bed flat with private entrance.

CLIFTON guide £945,000

0117 946 6690 www.richardharding.co.uk 124 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2RP

Of distinctive architectural appearance, an elegant & well-proportioned 8 double bedroom, 3 reception late Victorian period semi-detached family house, exceeding 3,000 sq ft, arranged over three floors & situated in an enviable treelined road with off street parking for two vehicles & fully enclosed 46ft rear garden. EPC: E

REDLAND guide range £935,000 - £985,000

A substantial 4 bedroom (plus study), 3 reception room semidetached Victorian home located on a popular road within half mile of Cotham School, Whiteladies Road, Redland Green and Cotham Gardens Parks. Also enjoying its own private 38ft x 24ft rear garden and off street parking. A complete onward chain making a prompt & convenient move possible. EPC: E

REDLAND guide £695,000

An intriguing 3 bedroom, 3 reception, end of terrace family house steeped in history & enjoying a particularly broad frontage, with garage, open vaulted sitting room & bedroom, period features, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room & rooftop garden. As the building now stands, it includes not only the mock Tudor centrepiece, but the original 17th century barn & former stable to either side. EPC: E

REDLAND guide £550,000

A large (1300 sq ft+) exceptionally well presented 2/3 bedroom hall floor flat set in a fine Victorian period semidetached house with private front garden. In a highly favoured side road away from passing traffic, yet easy for Clifton Village & Whiteladies Road. EPC: D

BRENTRY guide range: £395,000 - £415,000

A 2 double bedroom first floor apartment, circa 1153 sq. ft., of superior quality throughout, set within semi-detached Victorian building on this much sought after road with vast semi open-plan kitchen and dining room, high ceilings and an abundance of period features + communal front & rear gardens & shared parking. EPC: D

CLIFTON guide £395,000

A stunning, 2 double bedroom, 2 bath/shower room second floor apartment, circa 912 sq. ft., of superlative quality throughout, set within an imposing semi-detached Victorian building on this prestigious tree-lined road overlooking Clifton College playing fields. EPC: E

A unique & unexpected find - tucked away circa 100 metres from the main road, this stylish 3/4 bedroom detached contemporary house (built 2009) enjoys an elevated position & offers excellent energy efficient accommodation together with manageable gardens & off street parking. A most individual home with a Scandinavian feel and benefitting from energy saving initiatives. EPC: C

CLIFTON guide £465,000

Professional, Reliable, Successful

CLIFTON guide £365,000

Clifton t: 0117 923 8238 (sales) t: 0117 946 6588 (lettings) clifton@cjhole.co.uk

www.cjhole.com This is my opportunity to take a quick snapshot each month of the Residential Sales and Lettings market in North Bristol. At time of writing the market is still quiet, not dramatically so for this time of year but there is very definitely a lack of stock. With keen buyers and tenants forever on the hunt, attractive properties (for sale and let) are quick to go in this type of market. As a result in this part of the city, prices remain strong. Interestingly we are seeing many more student enquiries, almost certainly a result of the increased 14/15 university numbers. If you are thinking about a buy to let opportunity, there appears to be growing market.

If you really are considering a move in the coming weeks, now is a good time to get first class professional advice. The CJ Hole Clifton team would like to offer you a FREE market appraisal with one of our friendly property experts. Call the Clifton office on 0117 923 8238 and we can set up an appointment to suit you. Best Wishes Howard Davis MD Clifton Howard Davis M.N.A.E.A Managing Director - CJ Hole Clifton

Clifton A Victorian House with a versatile interior which is currently arranged as a top floor two bedroom flat, a first floor one bedroom flat and a lower ground and hall floor maisonette. The property has the potential to be converted back to a single dwelling or continue as an investment property. 2 x EPC C & 1 x EPC D.

Guide Price ÂŁ850,000

City Centre This second floor apartment in the sought after Unity Street development comprises of: entrance hall with stairs to first floor mezzanine level with two bedrooms and en suite bathroom. Ground level: spacious open plan lounge, diner and kitchen area with large windows to the front of the building, contemporary shower room and utility cupboard. EPC C.

ÂŁ299,950

CJ Hole Clifton Feb.indd 1

16/01/2015 16:23

Westbury-on-Trym

A substantial and well cared for 1930’s 5 bedroom family home positioned within close proximity of Elmlea Infant and Junior School and the Bristol Free School. Extended ground floor offers 3 reception rooms, kitchen/diner, hallway and downstairs cloakroom/WC. The property further benefits from a 30m westerly facing garden. Garage and car port with secure parking to side and additional parking.

Renovated and extended 4 bedroom semidetached house with kitchen/breakfast room with granite worktops, open plan to dining room with French doors to an in excess of 100ft family garden. Spacious four piece family bathroom, separate shower room to second floor, modern double glazing, gas heating, fully rewired, in good decorative order on the prestigious Cooper Road.

An immaculately presented 4 bedroom semidetached family home with extended ground floor. The property offers living room and sun room to rear overlooking a 17m westerly facing lawned family garden, dining room with bay to front, solid wooden herringbone flooring, quality kitchen with dual aspect, family bathroom and separate WC. Further benefits include garage, parking and views to rear.

PRICE GUIDE £600,000

£585,000

£475,000

Westbury Park

Henleaze

Westbury Park

A beautiful 4 bedroom home arranged over 3 levels benefitting from a 60ft Westerly facing rear garden. The ground floor accommodation comprises; entrance porch leading to a hallway, 2 reception rooms; front with bay and wood burning stove and rear with French style doors leading to garden, modern kitchen/diner & downstairs cloakroom/WC. All bedrooms are family-sized, a modern en-suite within the loft conversion and a family bathroom.

A significantly extended 4 bedroom semidetached home with en-suite to master bedroom and extensive living area to rear. The ground floor offers a kitchen/dining/living area with dual aspect French doors to a delightful family garden, living room to front, separate utility, cloakroom. All bedrooms are family sized, master with en-suite & modern family bathroom. Recently renovated throughout including rewiring and new combi boiler.

A 3/4 bedroom period family home positioned within the popular Berkeley Road. The ground floor offers 2 spacious reception rooms, both with period style fireplaces, dual aspect kitchen/breakfast room & access to a delightful family garden. To the first floor there are 3/4 family-sized bedrooms, family bathroom and additional WC.

£550,000

CJ Hole Feb.indd 1

£530,000

£467,500

19/01/2015 11:32

CJ Hole Feb.indd 2

16/01/2015 16:26

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Capricorn Place £495,000

A wonderfully bright and spacious 2 bedroom property in a landmark development on Bristol’s historic Harbourside.. • Leasehold • 2 Bedrooms • 1 Reception Room • 2 Bathrooms • Flat • Ground Floor • Approx. 1227 Sq Ft. EPC Rating: B

The White House £1,250,000

The White House is a beautifully appointed and thoroughly renovated family house. • Entrance hall • Drawing room • Dining room • TV room • Kitchen/ breakfast room • Study • 6 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms • Gated off street parking • Garaging • Gymnasium • Landscaped gardens • enviable views of Ashton Court estate close to Clifton village. EPC Rating: F

Hamptons Bristol

Sales. 0117 322 6362 | bristol@hamptons-int.com

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GOODEVE ROAD | BRISTOL

GUIDE PRICE £425,000

ELMLEA AVENUE | BRISTOL GUIDE PRICE £1,250,000

GUIDE PRICE £425,000

L SO

HARBOURSIDE | BRISTOL

GOODEVE ROAD | BRISTOL

A STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS

GUIDE PRICE £450,000

L SO

In 2014 we were immensely proud to achieve an average of 99.94% of the Guide Price on all our Sold and Under Offer stock. If you are looking to sell your home in 2015 and would like a free Market Appraisal, please do not hesitate to contact our office to hear more about our award winning and successful marketing strategies.

L SO

IVYWELL ROAD | BRISTOL

GUIDE PRICE £435,000

L SO

0117 946 1946 STACKPOOL ROAD | BRISTOL GUIDE PRICE £425,000

L SO

SAVILLE ROAD | BRISTOL

ST ALBANS ROAD | BRISTOL GUIDE PRICE £500,000

L SO

SST

GUIDE PRICE £740,000

STONE | SOUTH GLOS

OIEO £700,000

Fine & Country Bristol 147 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2QT Tel: 0117 946 1946 Email: bristol@fineandcountry.com bristol.fineandcountry.co.uk

JULIAN ROAD | BRISTOL

GUIDE PRICE £875,000

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Five time winners of the Best International Real Estate Agency Marketing Award at the International Property Awards

Call 0117 946 1946 Fine & Country Bristol 147 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2QT

fineandcountry.com

Redland - £944,000

SIMILIAR PROPERTIES REQUIRED. Phone for your free Market Appraisal. An elegant Redland period semi-detached 4/5 bedroom family home with landscaped garden, parking for at least 3 vehicles and delightful south westerly facing rear garden in a sought after area.

Kingsdown - £289,995

A very impressive purpose built 2 bed ground floor flat which is located in the hugely popular Kingsdown area of the city. The property is separated from the road by a high brick wall which affords privacy and security. A block paved driveway forms the approach to the flat where you will find an allocated parking space in front of the flat’s garden. EPC - C

Clifton - £315,000

A pleasant two bedroom with study, and period features lower ground floor flat with private front and rear gardens situated in a desirable and quiet residential street close to Whiteladies Road. Suitable for rental purposes as well as owner occupation due to accommodation layout. Viewing is highly recommended.

Cotham - £199,950

A light and airy one bedroom top floor flat in a convenient Cotham location with roof top views, allocated parking and a communal garden. This handsome period property has recently benefitted from considerable work to the exterior. The flat has allocated parking to the rear of the building and also benefits from use of a large level lawned communal garden. Offered with no onward chain.

Redland - £285,000

A choice of 2 brand new, high specification apartments both occupying the top floor of the building. Great Redland location just off Hampton Road within easy walk of Whiteladies Road. EPC - TBC

Leese & Nagle February.indd 1

Brandon Hill - £350,000

A deceptively spacious 4 storey 3 or 4 bedroom Grade II listed town house located in central Bristol.This great house occupies a tucked away position in central Bristol 25 yards from Brandon Hill Nature Reserve and less than 5 minutes walk into the centre. The property requires cosmetic improvement. To the rear of the house you will find a pretty rear garden which is quite private.

16/01/2015 16:18

Westbury-on-Trym - £565,000

Extended four bedroom 1930’s family semi with level West facing circa. 95ft long garden within walking distance of Elmlea Schools. Situated in one of Westbury’s most popular residential roads and backing onto Coombe Dingle Sports fields this family house is generally in good condition throughout. Offered with no onward chain. EPC - D

Westbury-on-Trym - Guide Price £499,500

A modern 5 year old contemporary style detached house with 3 bedrooms, luxury fitted kitchen with integrated appliances, utility room & study. Integral garage and gardens. Almost across the road from Elmlea School. EPC - C

Westbury-on-Trym - £299,950

Westbury-on-Trym - Guide Price £499,500

A three bedroom detached property on a quiet road in Westbury on Trym. The property benefits from lounge/diner, kitchen, conservatory, integral garage and parking. On onward chain. EPC - D

A traditional 1930’s 3 bedroom semi-detached house situated on a desirable side road with a circa.65 ft. long rear garden that enjoys a south- easterly aspect. The house has been sympathetically improved over the years, retains a number of original features and still has plenty of further scope including significantly extending it.Viewing is highly recommended. EPC- E

Westbury-on-Trym - £585,000

This is an absolutely stunning 4-bedroom family house and at over 1500 sq/ft it is ideally suited to growing families. The property has been refurbished by its current owners to a very high standard in a modern contemporary style but not detracted from its original charm. Viewing higly recommended. EPC - D

Leese & Nagle February.indd 2

Westbury-on-Trym - £499,950

A spacious 4 double bed Victorian house that retains a number of period features throughout. The house is situated on an established side road and enjoys an elevated position with partial views over Westbury Church to the front. Houses of this type are rare to the market an internal inspection is highly recommended. EPC - E

16/01/2015 16:18

SALE

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25% OFF SOFAS, CABINET FURNITURE, CURTAINS & WARDROBES

3 SEATER BUTTON ARM VIROLA SOFA IN HOUSE LINEN £2152 BUT DURING JANUARY REDUCED TO £1399

35% OFF

25% off all orders on Sofas, Cabinet Furniture including Bespoke Design, Made to Measure Curtains and Wardrobe Systems. 35% off selected Painted Cabinet Furniture. Sofa delivery time 2/3 weeks Bespoke Cabinet Furniture 2/4 weeks. We have the largest selection of fabrics in Bristol and any sofa can be made in any fabric

FABRICS

We are just past Clifton Down Shopping Centre 56/60, Whiteladies Rd, BS8 2PY Mon-Sat 9.30 - 5.30/Sun 12 - 5

TEL: 01173 292746