FOLIO BRISTOL & BATH
FREE 32-PAGE
Wedding guide INSIDE
MARCH 2013 l No. 218
SECRET BRUNEL THE MAN AND THE MYTHS
FREE TAKE ONE! THE WEST’S BEST LIFEST YLE M AG
EATING OUT WEST
EAT YOUR WAY INTO
SPRING
George Ferguson
BRISTOL’S MAYOR TALKS TURKEY
GET THE
LOOK JOIN THE STYLE GURUS AT
Cabot Circus’s 48-Hour Fashion Fix
➻ BEAUTY Cover_FINAL 218.indd 1
Rome IN A WEEKEND BRISTOL
FASHION WEEK
AT THE MALL
EASTER
DAYS OUT
Booked! TWO LITFESTS COME TO TOWN
FASHION WHAT'S ON INTERIORS PROPERTY FOOD 2/27/2013 4:43:52 PM
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MAR 2013
IT'S A SPRING THING!
FEATURES
As the bitter darkness of winter bids us farewell, Folio marks the arrival of spring with a bulging, no-holds-barred celebration of all that’s great about living in Bristol and Bath. If your wardrobe seems a tad moth-eaten, look no further than our double dose of fashion, with Bristol two mightiest shopping centres serving up unmissable events this month: the Cabot offers a 48-Hour Fashion Fix (see page 12) while the Mall reprises its splendid Bristol Fashion Week (page 64). Bath fashionistas needn’t feel left out either, although they’ll have to wait until next month’s Bath in Fashion (page 63) for their turn in the limelight. Bristol’s past and future come under the spotlight this issue. Legendary local historian/ hack Eugene Byrne serves up a reverential and yet discerning take on the legacy of Brunel (page 4), as well as locking horns with arguably Bristol’s most celebrated contemporary visionary, Mayor George Ferguson (page 16). Back in the present, you’ll find this issue positively bulging with life-enriching ideas. Family days out for Easter? Sorted! (page 34). Exotic cuisine to liven up your jaded palate? Follow me! (page 42). The perfect city break? No problem at all! (page 80). Ideas to transform your living space? We’ve got plenty! Wedding (Homefront, starts page 83). And GUIDE as if all that weren’t enough, we continue last issue’s love theme with a 32-page supplement dedicated to that most splendid White and ancient of ceremonies, the & wedding. SPRING2
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A GUIDE TO FINDING THE PERFEC
T Engageme nt Ring
IT 'S N OT A L L
Coloured dresses dazzle in to
BEST OF THE WEST 'S
Ven ues finishing touches
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Have a great month and a relaxing Easter break
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FOLIO BRISTOL & BATH
FREE 32-PAGE
Wedding guide INSIDE
MARCH 2013 No. 218
FREE TAKE ONE! THE WEST’S BEST LIFEST YLE M AG
l
SECRET BRUNEL THE MAN AND THE MYTHS
EATING OUT WEST
EAT YOUR WAY INTO
SPRING
George Ferguson
BRISTOL’S MAYOR TALKS TURKEY
GET THE
Dave Higgitt Acting Folio Editor
LOOK JOIN THE STYLE GURUS AT
Cabot Circus’s 48-Hour Fashion Fix
➻ BEAUTY
Rome IN A WEEKEND BRISTOL
WHAT'S ON 22 24 26 28 32 34
What to do in March Film: February’s major releases Art: an update on the local scene Performance: theatrical and comedy highlights Music: top gigs and concerts for March Days Out: Anna Britten cracks into Bristol and Bath’s finest, family-friendly Easter activities
COMPETITIONS 39 WIN high fashion footwear and the ultimate shaving experience
EATING OUT WEST 42 46 50 51 53 54 56 58 59 60
Exotic world food: Tony Benjamin eschews horseburgers for something rather more unusual Spring food: Melissa Blease finds the tastiest seasonal produce on our plates right now Restaurant review: Olive Tree Restaurant review: Rockfish Restaurant review: La Tasca Restaurant review: riverstation Recipe of the month Pub of the month: The Castle Inn Shop of the month: Wild Oats What’s cooking: news and markets
DAYS OUT
Booked! TWO LITFESTS COME TO TOWN
2/27/2013 4:43:52 PM
Cover image: CABOT CIRCUS’S 48-HOUR FASHION FIX. SEE FEATURE, PAGE 12. PHOTOGRAPH BY NICK ROBINSON PHOTOGRAPHY (WWW.NFRDIGITAL.CO.UK)
4
BRUNEL'S BRISTOL
16 George Ferguson interview
LIFESTYLE 64 68 70 72 73 75 77 80
Fashion: Bristol Fashion Week Shop of the month: Marmalade House Health: high intensity interval training, more Beauty: Green Street House Motoring: the rather wonderful Mercedes CLA Education: St Brendan’s Sixth Form College Skills: boost your prospects with a business qualification Travel: Rome – the perfect city break
AT THE MALL
EASTER
FASHION WHAT'S ON INTERIORS PROPERTY FOOD
@eatingoutwest
Think you know everything there is to know about Isambard Kingdom Brunel? Think again… With two literary festivals to wallow in this month, Melissa Blease talks to those in the know Eugene Byrne interviews George Ferguson, Bristol’s first elected mayor
FASHION WEEK
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@folioeditor
4 8 16
HOMEFRONT 84 89 90 93 94
Lesley Taylor falls in love with the new trend for 1920s art deco How to turn a dark and dingy kitchen into a stunning open-plan living space Why refurbishing your conservatory makes so much sense Seasonal gardening tips Property showcases: two stunning local houses
54xx riverstation review
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FEATURE
Left: the famous 1857 picture of Brunel. It was taken in London, and the chains behind him were for launching the ss Great Eastern sidelong into the Thames; below: when Brunel ran the GWR line through Sydney Gardens, he deliberately made the railway as visible as possible
THE
Think you know everything there is to know about Isambard Kingdom Brunel? Think again, says Eugene Byrne
B
runel. Victorian bloke, funny hat, made the ss Great Britain and the Suspension Bridge. Total genius. Bristol loves him, right? Actually, the whole country is dazzled by Brunel’s achievements... the Great Western railway, the bridges (the rail bridge at Maidenhead, and the Royal Albert at Saltash are just as technically brilliant as the Clifton one) and the ships are only the most famous things on a huge list of machines and constructions. In a BBC poll in 2002, he was voted the second-greatest Briton of all time, eclipsed only by Churchill. In Bristol, Brunel is a local industry. Not only is he responsible for the trademark bridge, he’s also the man behind our biggest visitor attraction (apart from the zoo), the ss Great Britain. And this industry is thriving. The Clifton Suspension Bridge was recently awarded £600,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a new heritage and learning centre, which will open in 2014 - the Bridge’s
150th anniversary. The Brunel Institute, next to the ss Great Britain, opened in 2010 as a state of the art archive for papers, drawings and other Brunel-related material. More recently, mayor George Ferguson put his weight behind plans to complete the ‘Brunel Mile’, a pedestrianand cycle-friendly route from Brunel’s station at Temple Meads to the ss Great Britain. Not bad for the son of an asylum-seeker who died in 1859 and who never even lived in Bristol. It would be a mistake, though, to think that Temple Meads, the ss Great Britain and the Suspension Bridge are the only traces that the great man has left. There are all manner of other things of Brunelly interest round these parts.
BATH You think Bath’s history is just about ladies in crinolines and Jane Austen? Nonsense. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Bath was a major industrial centre, and IKB left a very considerable mark on the place. Several, in fact.
Take Twerton, for instance. When Brunel was building the GWR line, he wanted to run it smack through the then-village of Twerton. The local landowner was so enthusiastic about this that he readily agreed and demolished Twerton. Then rebuilt it next to the line. And those vast rail arches that run from Twerton into Bath Spa station? They’re Brunel’s - and so, of course, is the station. Then there’s Sydney Gardens. They had been laid out as a commercial pleasure garden in the 1790s, and then the Kennett and Avon Canal was cut through it in 1800, and then the railway came. Brunel’s approach was not to hide it away in a cutting, but to actually make a feature of it, with elegant retaining walls and bridges. He deliberately made the railway as visible as possible in the gardens. There are even sketches among his papers for a Chinese pavilion-style tea house where people could sit and take tea and watch the trains pass. And generations of Bath children ever since have stood here to watch the trains.
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FEATURE
VISIT THE BRUNEL INSTITUTE
This pic: Brunel at STEAM, Swindon. Behind him is one of the early Great Western locomotives; right: there’s more to Brunel’s Bristol than just the ss Great Britain, though this is an exceptionally nice picture, isn’t it? (Pic: Brunel’s ss Great Britain); below: Sydney Gardens Railway
BRISTOL Try Brunel House, the elegant old building behind the Council House - sorry, City Hall. It was built by Brunel to a design by a local architect as the Royal Western Hotel this was where passengers travelling from London to New York would stay while awaiting passage on the Great Western. Today, it’s council offices, which is funny, given Brunel’s famous loathing of officials. How about a stroll along the docks on a sunny Sunday morning? If you start at M Shed, look halfway up the side wall facing Wapping Road. There’s a plaque there marking the spot where the Great Western was launched. The dockyard where she was built is long since filled in, but this was the ship that proved that crossing the Atlantic by steam power alone was safe and practicable. This is the spot where the modern passenger ship was invented, so it’s, well, really important. Brunel’s Buttery wasn’t built by Brunel, but if it had been, he would have certainly availed himself of their excellent bacon sandwiches. Then there’s the ss Great
Britain and the Brunel Institute (see panel). And if you continue along the dockside here (you need to go down Gas Ferry Road and work your way back to the waterfront), get to the Underfall Yard. This is one of those few parts of the docks where people still do real work on ships and boats. It’s so called because of the early 19th century system devised for scouring mud and silt out of the Floating Harbour. IKB worked on part of this system early on in his career. There are plenty of ghosts of the great man at Cumberland Basin. He was involved with various dock works here; the most important remnant is the old tubular wrought-iron swing bridge lying disused underneath the flyover. This is a major item of engineering history and was the prototype of bigger bridges that he built. Of course, if you have weekend guests, then a stroll across and around the Clifton Suspension Bridge is almost de rigueur after Sunday lunch. Here, you can impress your guests by showing them the place where Brunel stayed when he was in Bristol. Though it’s not actually there ➔
Alongside the ss Great Britain is the Brunel Institute. Run in collaboration with Bristol University, it holds the National Brunel Collection, the most important collection of Brunel-related material in the world. In the two years since it opened, the Institute has welcomed over 9,000 people to access its collections. Visitors don’t have to book once you’ve provided valid ID, you can request anything from the Archive Vault to view. Even if you’re not a heavy-duty researcher, the Institute is well worth a look. Open sessions such as Conservation in Action and Archive in Five are held daily. For Archive in Five sessions, curators and volunteers choose objects for display in the David MacGregor library. These often have special significance, relating perhaps to the time of year or topical events. Around the time of Brunel’s birthday (9 April), for example, curators often bring out one of the drawings he did of a rocking horse when he was just six years old (pictured). During Conservation in Action, visitors can go behind the scenes and take part in the conservation processes. Traditional specialist cleaning tools as well as modern technology for scanning the 5,000 ship plans in the collection are made available for everybody to use. Visitors can access the Institute and David MacGregor Library completely free of charge, during opening hours. For families with smaller children, there are often storytelling sessions. Resident storyteller Sarah Mooney mixes original tales with new twists on classic legends, pulling inspiration from the diaries of the ss Great Britain’s passengers and crew. FFI ADMISSION TO THE BRUNEL INSTITUTE IS FREE WITH A TICKET TO THE SS GREAT BRITAIN: WWW.SSGREATBRITAIN.ORG/ BRUNEL-INSTITUTE FOLIO/MAR 2013 5
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FEATURE
Main pic: the Clifton Suspension Bridge was recently awarded £600,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a new heritage and learning centre; inset: a drawing of a rocking horse made by Brunel when he was six years old (Pic: Brunel’s ss Great Britain/Brunel Institute)
any more. This was the Bath Hotel, later rebuilt as the Clifton Down Hotel, and nowadays Bridge House on Sion Place. The original hotel was the closest to the suspension bridge, and was also near the homes of many of the wealthy Bristolians who had invested in the bridge. Also close to the bridge is the Observatory. Brunel proposed building a reservoir near here. As the new suburb of Clifton was growing, so it needed a decent water supply, and a company was formed to pump water up from a spring below. The pumping station, designed by Brunel, at Black Rock, is no longer there. To be a complete Brunel nerd, engage everyone in the great debate about whether or not the suspension bridge, completed as a tribute to him by his fellow engineers after his death, was actually Brunel’s design at all. Some historians now claim that what ended up being built didn’t bear enough resemblance to his original plans and can therefore scarcely be said to be his work. Controversial, or what?
SWINDON The town grew up around his GWR railway works - according to legend, he settled on the site by randomly throwing a ham sandwich. What Swindon does boast is
STEAM, the Museum of the Great Western Railway, and if you’ve never been there, you really should. This is one of the best museums in the south of England and will tell you the whole story of Brunel and the railway. Non-Brunel-related therapy can be found right next door at the Swindon Designer Outlet shopping mall.
BECOME A BRUNEL EXPERT SURF... WWW.SSGREATBRITAIN.ORG WWW.CLIFTONBRIDGE.ORG.UK WWW.IKBRUNEL.ORG.UK WWW.BRUNEL200.COM WWW.MYBRUNEL.CO.UK READ... Brunel’s Bristol by Angus Buchanan & Michael Williams (Redcliffe Press, 1982) Isambard Kingdom Brunel: Engineering Knight-Errant by Adrian Vaughan ( John Murray, 1991). Of all the biographies of Brunel, this is one of the best, and is a terrific read. DIY WALKING TOURS… WWW.BRISTOLREADS.COM/TOURS.HTM WWW.TRAVELBRISTOL.ORG/WALKINGBRISTOL-CENTRAL
SLEEP IN BRUNEL'S BED Fancy a romantic Brunel-themed weekend break? Then you need the fabulous At the Sign of the Angel inn in the to-die-for picturesque Wiltshire village of Lacock. The Angel is a wonderful ramshackle olde Englishe place with bags of character. One of the rooms has a bed that once belonged to IKB himself. It’s not made of iron and it doesn’t have a steam engine, but it is a big, elaborate thing with lots of carvings on it. “It was acquired in the 1950s by my late mother-in-law,” inn owner George Hardy tells Folio. “This was from the dispersal sale of Lady Noble’s effects she lived in Box and was Brunel’s granddaughter. The story is that the bed was slept in by Brunel when he was doing some contracting work on the continent. It was made in Spain - and he liked it so much that he had it shipped home.” Sadly, there are no ghost stories to go with it. “There are lots of ghost stories about the Angel,” says Hardy, “but I don’t think there are any about that particular room. It’s a very peaceful room.”
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With not just one, but two literary festivals to wallow in this month, Melissa Blease talks to those in the know
BATH
Since 2009, artistic director James Runcie has been at the helm of one of Bath Festival’s biggest annual shebangs. Over a 17-year history, the Bath Literature Festival has garnered an illustrious reputation for being a major highlight on the national cultural calendar, playing host to international literary superstars and new writers on a hugely diverse programme. But while this year’s festival will be James’s final fling with the Heritage City before he moves on to undertake a new role as Head of Literature and the Spoken Word at London’s Southbank Centre, he’s waving goodbye in style, having put together a programme that includes appearances from JK Rowling, Hilary Mantel, Sandi Toksvig, Helen Dunmore, PD James, Kate Mosse, Elif Shafak, former ballerina (now Strictly Come Dancing judge) Darcey Bussell and Rachel Joyce (see panel). “As artistic director of the Literature Festival, I’ve been given the freedom to develop an event with a unique identity which has earned national recognition for its culture, humanity and good humour,” says James. “For 2013, the festival is using the year 1913 as a springboard to talk about history, memory, politics, mortality,
freedom, national identity and what it means to be alive right here, right now. The year 1913 was fantastically creative: The Rite of Spring, Chaplin’s first films, Britten’s birth. Proust’s A La Recherche du Temps Perdu, Ford Maddox Ford’s The Good Soldier, Alain-Fournier’s Le Grand Meaulnes, Thomas Mann’s Death in Venice - we aim to bring you the best of the past in order to come to a deeper understanding of the present and anticipate the future. “Next year, everyone will be commemorating the Great War - and rightly so. But what was Europe like before the first world war? What makes a creative community? How can art progress without becoming narrow or decadent? How much can it define who we are and what we do? How much are we prepared to sacrifice for our beliefs? What, in essence, does freedom mean? What are the values we hold dear? “Over the past century, we’ve moved from the age of extremes to the age of information, in which there’s so much coming at us that, at times, it’s difficult to tell what matters,” says James. But words matter. Reading matters. Join the conversation. INDEPENDENT BATH LITERATURE FESTIVAL 1-10 MARCH, VARIOUS VENUES. FFI: WWW.BATHLITFEST.ORG.UK, WWW. BATHBOXOFFICE.ORG.UK
FATIMAH NA
t ' n o D t e g for e t i r w o t
MDAR
FEATURE
Rachel Joyce Rachel Joyce has written more than 20 plays for Radio 4 as well as adaptations for Woman’s Series and the Classic Series. Her first novel, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (Black Swan) has been a tremendous success; her second novel, Perfect (Doubleday), comes out in July. What inspired you to write The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry? I learned a lot of what I know about writing through radio drama - it’s a very tight discipline. The story was originally a play that I wrote for my dad when he was dying of cancer. He never knew that I was writing it for him. I came back to it as an idea for a book because there was still so much I wanted to say. I was very lucky in that I found a publisher for the book quite quickly. Writing it - and keeping my faith in it was far more challenging for me. Is it exciting to be on the schedule at such an illustrious event as the Bath Literature Festival? When you write for radio, no one is really that interested in who you are or what you think - and I’ve always been very happy with that! So while it’s an honour to do something like this, it still feels strange to me that people want to listen. I’m a quiet person, really, and very happy to be on the sidelines. Three top tips for aspiring writers? It isn’t my place to tell other people how to write, as I’m still learning myself. But it’s important to keep going and reach the end of your novel. Keep scraping and scraping at it, because only you know the truth about your story. RACHEL JOYCE APPEARS AT BATH LITERATURE FESTIVAL, SUN 10 MARCH
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FEATURE
Movers and shakers: Bath Literature Festival artistic director James Runcie goes out with a bang this year, after five years at the helm; Sian Norris is the woman behind the inaugural Bristol Women’s Literature Festival
Beatrice Hitchman Beatrice Hitchman lives in Bedminster, Bristol. In 2008 she enrolled in the Creative Writing MA at Bath Spa University and her debut novel, Petite Mort, is published by Serpent’s Tail this month. Beatrice is participating in the New Voices event at Bath Literature Festival and is a panel guest on the Bristol Women’s Literature Festival’s Women Writing Today event.
BRISTOL
Sian Norris - the woman behind the inaugural Bristol Women’s Literature Festival - has been involved in feminist activism and women’s rights campaigns for the past six years. Sian is also a writer, and later this month, her first novel, Greta and Boris: a Daring Rescue (a children’s book about a girl who sets out to rescue her cat from the Rat King) will be published by Our Street books, following the success of her self-published anthology, The Light Bulb Moment: The Stories of Why We Are Feminists. “The inspiration for the Bristol Women’s Literature Festival came from many sources,” Sian explains. “Through my activism on Representation of Women in the Media (www.rowitm.org), I gathered lots of information regarding how absent women are from cultural spaces, backed up by research conducted by UK Feminista in 2010. I was particularly interested in statistics showing that only 38% of Man Booker Prize nominees were women and 70% of both the Samuel Johnson Book Prize and the Costa prize were men. This also tallied with what I saw at literature festivals. But we all know how many amazing women writers there are and how many women love to read! So why were there so many men on panels and shortlists and hardly any women?” The Bristol Women’s Literature Festival redresses that balance, aiming to celebrate the diversity and creativity of female writers, counter the male dominance of literature
and cultural festival line-ups and promote women’s writing and literary history. “As I’ve always felt very strongly about this issue, I feel I have a responsibility to take positive action. And as literature is my passion, a festival to showcase women’s writing seemed like the right thing to do!” Sian acknowledges, however, that organising an event such as this has been hard work. “But I’ve had an incredible response from writers and lots of support from book fans, and everyone I’ve spoken to has been inspired by the idea of the festival. The Watershed are hosting the event and are massively supportive, and input from both the Festival of Ideas and Foyles has been amazing. But what I’ve enjoyed most is the enthusiasm from the speakers and the range of high-profile and inspiring women who are involved - I couldn’t have hoped for a more exciting, diverse line-up.” Selected highlights include Emilia di Girolamo (talking about her work as a screenwriter and how she introduces issues around violence against women to a primetime audience) and the Women Writing Today panel featuring Stella Duffy, Helen Dunmore, Selma Dabbagh and Beatrice Hitchman (see panel), hosted by writer and broadcaster Bidisha. “I’m also really excited by the Out of the Ivory Tower panel, exploring how new media and book publishing works together to bring feminist thinking to a new audience,” says Sian. Write on, sisters!
What inspired you to write Petite Mort? After university I moved to Paris. It may sound like a cliché, but the experience of being young, poor and hungry for success in a beautiful city inspired the main character for the book. And there’s something about speaking a new language that gives you a different, liberating relationship with your old one, too - or perhaps it’s just that you can write on public transport without anyone being able to read over your shoulder! How difficult was it to find a publisher for your book? By the time we even approached publishers, I’d worked on the book with my agent for years. That work was the proverbial 90% of the iceberg below the surface - without it, we would have sunk. Three top tips for aspiring writers? Don’t tell people about your ideas as soon as you have them; ideas need time to grow in the dark. Don’t write to fit the expectations of others; write the book you have to write. Then rewrite until you feel sick every time you open up the file - that’s when you’ll know you’re ready to approach agents. BEATRICE HITCHMAN APPEARS AT BATH LITERATURE FESTIVAL, SAT 9 MARCH & BRISTOL WOMEN’S LITERATURE FESTIVAL, SAT 16 MARCH
BRISTOL WOMEN’S LITERATURE FESTIVAL 16-17 MARCH, WATERSHED. FFI: WWW. WOMENSLITERATUREFESTIVAL.WORDPRESS. COM
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Voted in the Top 50 antique shops in Great Britain 2010 by The Independent on Sunday
OLD BANK ANTIQUES CENTRE
Dress by
14-17 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath
Retro g Clothinble Availa
Situated on the London Road (A4), just a short walk from the top of Walcot Street. Old Bank Antiques Centre is the largest retailer of antiques in Bath, without being stuffy and too grand. This is how antiques shops used to look: a hoarder’s paradise. fifteen dealers spread through lots of showrooms in four shops with everything from 17th century to 1970s retro. Experienced and professional advice is always available. Customer parking is at the rear, accessed via Bedford Street. Deliveries can be arranged anywhere in the UK or the rest of world, at cost price. Furniture restorer on premises. Open seven days a week
Ritz Boutique
Visit our website: www.oldbankantiquescentre.com Tel: 01225 469282 & 338813 Email: alexatmontague@aol.com
29 The Mall, Clifton Village, Bristol, BS8 4JG 0117 973 0095 www.ritz-boutique.co.uk
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FOLIO ADVERTORIAL
48 HOURS OF
fashion & beauty AT CABOT CIRCUS New season must-haves, pop-up fashion, beauty, pampering and discounts… Cabot Circus brings the new season to Bristol in stunning style with its first ever 48-Hour Fashion Fix
T
aking place on Saturday 16 to Sunday 17 March, the 48-Hour Fashion Fix event will see the streets of Cabot Circus transformed for one weekend as retailers host a series of spectacular choreographed fashion performances around the centre, to showcase the best of the Spring/ Summer 2013 collections. Created by international stylist Aaron Hickton, 36 pop-up fashion shows will take
place over 48 hours, bringing together high street and high fashion brands to present the hottest new trends. After a hard day’s retail therapy, visitors will also be able to take a little time out to indulge themselves at the life-size red double-decker Beauty Bus parked in Quakers Friars, where leading beauty brands will be on hand to give shoppers mini treatments, makeovers and advice on this season’s beauty trends. Shoppers will be invited to try their hand at a ‘wheel of fashion’ to win new-season hot
picks from Cabot Circus stores, and take part in the ‘hook a handbag’ competition, with high street and designer arm candy on offer. Over the weekend, stylish shoppers will also be able to make the most of exclusive discounts and offers at Cabot Circus stores to save on Spring/Summer trends. CABOT CIRCUS 48-HOUR FASHION FIX SAT 16 TO SUN 17 MARCH, CABOT CIRCUS, BRISTOL. FFI: WWW.CABOTCIRCUS.COM
BEAUTY UPDATE NAIL IT One of the hottest accessories for Spring/Summer 2013? Eye-catching, beautiful nails. Why not team your manicure with your favourite trend this season? From statement neon and mellow yellow, to embellishment and white, take your nails up a notch this spring and polish to perfection. STATEMENT NEON Brighten up your day with neon nails - a great way to give a nod to the trend. Why not try adding a diagonal pop of colour by placing a piece of tape diagonally across the bottom of your nails and painting a bright hue? We love… Nars nail polish in Thakoon, £14, from Harvey Nichols at Cabot Circus. MELLOW YELLOW Yellow nails were one of the hottest stories of 2012 and the trend continues into spring 2013. Any shade goes, from pastel buttercup to bright summer neon. Try… Red Carpet LED Gel Polish, £12.95, from Harvey Nichols at Cabot Circus. PALE NAILS Complement the current trend for whites with beautiful pale nails to create a gorgeous minimalist look. Deborah Lippmann, stocked exclusively at House of Fraser and available at Cabot Circus, has some great white shades, priced at £14 each. GLITTER TIPS If you’re a fan of glitter, then add an edge to your look by painting a swish of glitter across the tips of your nails. Start with a clear basecoat, and complete with a topcoat for a smooth finish… OPI nail varnish, £11, Harvey Nichols at Cabot Circus.
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FOLIO ADVERTORIAL
48-HOUR FASHION FIX
MEET THE STYLIST…
AARON HICKTON
A
s Cabot Circus brings Spring/Summer 2013 to Bristol in style, we speak to the man behind the new-look pop-up fashion event that will be taking place this month. Aaron Hickton graduated from Leeds University in 2002 with an honours fashion degree and since then has been making his mark in the fashion world. He’s previously worked as a visual merchandiser for high-end brands such as Harvey Nichols and Hugo Boss and is now Creative Director for Maynineteen. In the run-up to the 48-Hour Fashion Fix we grabbed five minutes with the stylist of the moment to learn a little more about him and the inventive shows planned for Cabot Circus. What inspired you start studying fashion? I’ve always been interested in fashion, from an early age - starting out with theatre and dressing-up and creating characters. This has just progressively evolved into dressing up and creating characters for everyday life. You’ve created the overall looks for the Cabot Circus 48-Hour Fashion Fix event. How would you describe these looks? These looks are watered-down versions that have been seen on the London/Paris/NY catwalks for SS13. I’ve chosen strong themes that I could easily see translated on the high street. What can we expect to see during the Cabot Circus 48-Hour Fashion Fix event? You can expect some exciting ways of seeing how high street fashion can be mixed and worn in everyday life. Which celebrities or personalities have great style? I love Victoria Beckham’s style. You never see her looking bad - she has a definite style that works for her and she sticks to… always. Who is your style icon? I wouldn’t say I have just one person. I get influences in everyday life, by seeing how people mix the old and new, from high street to vintage pieces.
Which designers do you most look up to? Alexander McQueen and Tom Ford. What are you favourite high-street stores? I love the Inditex group, in particular Zara. I always think that they produce real cutting-edge design at an affordable price. Which do you prefer - catwalk couture or high street fashion? And why? I’d have to say high street, because it gives everybody an opportunity to express themselves without breaking the bank. How would you describe your own style? I’m never usually more than a day away from wearing a nautical stripy top. What are your key tips for Spring/Summer 2013 trends? Monochrome is big! If you’re not brave enough to wear head-to-toe checks and stripes, then think about accessories. Also, bright bold colours are back to brighten up those gloomy mornings. And my favourite trend that always comes around - nautical stripes! Key accessories for SS13? Clutch bag or oversized handbag. Think big bold colours andgoodquality leather products that will see you through many seasons to come. What would be your advice to aspiring stylists? Be yourself, experiment. We don’t always get it right. Remember when you leave the house - the world is one big catwalk! And finally, how would you define great style? Great style shines through when you’re confident enough to wear what you want and feel great in it. CABOT CIRCUS 48-HOUR FASHION FIX SAT 16 TO SUN 17 MARCH, CABOT CIRCUS, BRISTOL. VISIT THE EVENT TO SEE SOME OF AARON’S FABULOUS STYLING IN PRACTICE AND ENJOY SOME OF THE 36 CHOREOGRAPHED FASHION PERFORMANCES THAT WILL BE SHOWCASING THE VERY BEST OF THIS SEASON’S SS/13 COLLECTIONS. FFI: WWW.CABOTCIRCUS.COM
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FOLIO ADVERTORIAL
Spring/Summer 2013 THE TRENDS
As the harsh winter winds fade away, and the nearly forgotten sun emerges, it’s time to update our wardrobes for the coming Spring/Summer season. We’ve teamed up with the experts from Cabot Circus to bring you the lowdown on what’s hot when it’s hot!
TED BAKER Dress
BOLD BRIGHTS
RIVER ISLAND
£159
If the catwalks of recent weeks are anything to go by, colour is definitely the new black. Adding bright colours into your wardrobe isn’t just for the style brave any more; wherever you shop, it’s hard to ignore the abundance of bright pieces. The key to this look is to experiment: try lots of different colours and choose what looks best on you. You can also add brights into your look through accessories. Remember - any colour goes, and the brighter the better!
Jacket £60
NEW LOOK Top
REISS
£26.99
Top
HARVEY NICHOLS
£85
M Missoni Harlequin dress £460
HOUSE OF FRASER Linea Monochrome bowler £79
HARVEY NICHOLS Cambridge Flouro satchel £115
MONOCHROME
URBAN OUTFITTERS Shorts £40
e
al or
If you’re bored with the pastels and floral prints of the spring season, then step away from the crowd with a statement monochrome look. The trend is easily achievable as it looks best when kept simple. Add a tailored jacket for a minimal structured look, or adopt stripes for something a little more playful.
HARVEY NICHOLS Jimmy Choo HOUSE OF FRASER
Sandals
Pied a Terre
£550
Black resin clutch £115
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FOLIO ADVERTORIAL TED BAKER Dress
RIVER ISLAND
£139
Jumpsuit £50
TED BAKER Dress £129
RIVER ISLAND Jacket £60
HARVEY NICHOLS McQ Alexander McQueen Ruffled shirt dress
o ding or p, it’s es. of t on
£285
POWER PRINTS
REISS Shirt £95
Step away from the pastel prints, fashionistas, the power print is in town. Gone are the earthy palettes of 2012; now prints are making a massive impression on the current fashion scene. From animal to oriental, geometrics or sharp graphics, it’s all about making a statement. For the seriously style savvy, clashing prints are a sure-fire way to fashion success.
HARVEY NICHOLS Michael Michael Kors Printed jeans £150
TED BAKER Dress £129
HOUSE OF FRASER Biba Deco printed cap sleeve top £69.00
WHITE OUT Another brave look for the season is mixing whites. Whether that means dressing in a completely white ensemble, or adding it into your wardrobe, it can have a real effect. There’s an array of fabrics this season - from lace to chiffon - to choose from. For all its innocence, white is a powerful look and is perfect for adding that masculine edge.
ACCESSORIZE Bag £39.00
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FEATURE
BRI ST
MR
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2/27/2013 3:15:16 PM
FEATURE The red-trousered mayor poses in front of his beloved Tobacco Factory (this pic) and brandishes some Bristol Pounds (left) alongside Community Engagement Manager Sarah ForresterWilson and owner of The Source, Joe Wheatcroft
“Let’s just do it and see how it turns out,” said the man in the red trousers. Eugene Byrne finds out more from George Ferguson, Bristol’s first elected mayor
T
he office of your new mayor taxpayers, take note - is a boring, anonymous corner somewhere in the warren of rooms in the Council Hou..., sorry, ‘City Hall’. No plush carpets or expensive paintings. I’m served instant coffee, while the mayor drinks tap-water. And the mayor is a busy man, so straight to the business of cut ‘n’ thrust on the issues that really matter… George, how many pairs of red trousers do you own? “About 50, but the numbers are going to dwindle because people keep asking me to donate them to charity auctions. So I’ll be able to get rid of the ones I no longer fit into.” And is it true that you hung them all out as bunting to salute the Matthew’s sailing in 1996? “My then-wife did. She hung them all out on the railings and balconies on the front of our house in Clifton near the Cumberland Basin.” So now you know. A year back, less than a quarter of Bristol’s voters turned out to vote in favour of an elected mayor to run the city. We were the only English city to do so. Then, last November, 28% of Bristol’s electorate bothered to vote in our first mayoral election. George Ferguson (independent) won, beating Labour’s Marvin Rees into second place. That is, he was elected by less than a third of voters polling in a system on which less than a quarter of Bristolians bothered to voice an opinion in the first place. Hardly a ringing mandate, is it? “To that, I say bollocks. That’s what democracy is all about. Everyone has the
right to vote, and not voting is a vote in itself - you’re just allowing other people to determine the result. It was quite clear after the first count that I’d won by a very decent margin. It was a no-argument result. I have a mandate.” Ferguson has been dealt a terrible hand by the state of the economy; he’s had to make huge budget cuts, with every prospect of more pain to come in future years. Despite this, he’s still enjoying a political honeymoon. (NB: This is a monthly magazine. Please use this article to line your food-waste recycling bin if Ferguson becomes mired in scandal while we’re at the printers.) The honeymoon is partly down to the blizzard of announcements and initiatives issued daily since he made his inaugural speech in Brunel’s bit of Temple Meads station. Here’s George scrapping Sunday parking charges in the city centre. Here he is promising the completion of the ‘Brunel Mile’, objecting to the BRT2 transport system running along the docks, setting up a hardship fund for citizens in need and donating £1,000 of his own salary per month to it. The same salary (£65,738pa, same as an MP’s) is paid in Bristol Pounds. One of the big reasons he was elected in the first place is that he’s all about Bristol, not party politics. He loves the Bristol Pound as a way of supporting local traders and keeping money in the local economy. They’re not just St Nicholas Market gift vouchers - they’re taken at loads of places, and Ferguson passes this test by naming shops where you can buy boring stuff like washing powder and toilet rolls with them. He even gave Bristol Pounds as Christmas presents last year. “What I find works brilliantly is when I go into a restaurant or a shop and I offer them Bristol Pounds, and
they say they don’t take them, I say, ‘Well, maybe I’ll have to go next door,’ and they say, ‘Oh, hang on, we’ll take them next week, then.’” He’s not a great public speaker, but he is a good communicator. One of his favourite platforms is Twitter. “It’s a way of getting to a large number of people in the least possible time. Better than anything else I could devise. It tests opinion. It’s not the only way, but it’s a good indication of whether it’s worth pursuing a line or not, a good way of opening a conversation. I’m not Carol Vorderman, I don’t have a quarter of a million followers, but it’s building by around 50 a day, and it’s building from Bristol.” George Ferguson has been at the heart of local affairs since he arrived here as a student in the 1960s. By 1973 he was one of three Liberal councillors elected for Cabot ward, the first Liberals on the council in a generation. He stood for parliament as a Liberal/Alliance candidate twice in the 1980s. His three children, now adult, were born and brought up in Bristol. His daughter Alice is a chip off the old block. She’s one of the co-founders of Playing Out (playingout.net), a local community project encouraging kids to play in the streets. “It’s a really simple and brilliant idea. I had nothing to do with it, though I’ve always had a passion for trying to civilise the streets. It’s really practical - all it means is making the streets play-friendly between the end of school at 3.30pm and people coming back from work at 5.30pm. You have that two-hour slot that brings the community together. I’m very proud of what she’s done.” His son John is at Imperial College London, working in artificial intelligence, and his other daughter, Corinna, is a barrister with civil rights group Liberty. ➔ FOLIO/MAR 2013 17
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FEATURE Genuine George: “I just have an ambition to make this city a better one, so every decision - I can absolutely promise you - will be based on what I think is right rather than what I think will get me re-elected”
Ferguson ran his architectural practice so successfully that he served a term as President of the Royal Institute of British Architects. His work in Bristol included a dramatic intervention with an alternative plan for the regeneration of the Harbourside in the 1990s and playing a major part in the so-called ‘Southville renaissance’, most notably with the Tobacco Factory, where he also lives. Independent he may be, but he’s no outsider. He couldn’t possibly be more of an insider: privately educated, successful businessman, former councillor, and a member of the Society of Merchant Venturers. His wedding (since dissolved) to the daughter of Sir John and Lady Clerk was conducted by a bishop and merited five paragraphs in The Times. Ferguson got himself elected by assembling a formidable coalition of business backers, ambitious volunteers and the chattering classes. Many of them were the same sort of people who voted for him as a Liberal back in the 1970s as a protest against the way the big political parties had carved the city up between them. He says he’s in for the long haul, fully intending to stand again when his fouryear term expires. “It’s quite difficult to get a building up in three-and-a-half years, let alone turn a city round. This is a sevenand-a-half-year job. I don’t have political ambitions. I just have an ambition to make this city a better one, so every decision - I can absolutely promise you - will be based on what I think is right rather than what I think will get me re-elected. People can judge further down the line as to whether or not I should get re-elected.” The politician and the architect who’s spent much of his life studying how other
cities worldwide manage their affairs wryly notes: “It will take two terms to actually turn around the transport system. Though there’s no mayor in Europe who’s been re-elected on installing a tram system, because of the disruption that takes place in the first term.” Transport is only one item in a long list of things that Ferguson wants to be judged on. There’s poverty, there’s isolation and, of course, affordable housing. “We’re at absolute rock bottom. We’re only delivering a couple of hundred a year and we have to ramp that up. This isn’t just about turning a corner; it means a step change, and I’m bringing all the people involved in the delivery of housing, both land and finance, in order to do it. “I’ll also deliver an arena next to Temple Meads on the diesel depot site. That’s a project that has been initiated - there’s a team working on it with the Local Enterprise Partnership. I see it as a four-year project I’m looking forward to the opening of that and to giving it a real Bristol character, building on our strengths.” Perhaps, he says, Bristol’s emerging reputation as a place of circus talent will feature prominently in the Arena. If we had local satirists or political cartoonists, he would have handed them a fantastic gift there, what? “We could become a European centre for circus, or more recognised as one than we are. Feeding the soul is as important as feeding the body.” He talks also about helping City and Rovers sort out their respective stadium issues, and about more effective neighbourhood partnerships, devolving more and more power and money to smaller communities. “And then there’s the big thing. What I want is for Bristol to be recognised wherever you go in the world.”
GEORGE ROBIN PAGET FERGUSON CBE BORN 22 March 1947 EDUCATION Wellington College, Bristol University (BA, B.Arch) MARRIED Lavinia (née Clerk), 1969. Two daughters and a son. Marriage later dissolved. CAREER Director and chair of Ferguson Mann (formerly Acanthus Ferguson Mann) Architects (resigned on election as mayor). President, Royal Institute of British Architects, 2003-05. Founder and owner, Tobacco Factory Arts Centre, 1995-present. Has served as board member or director of several community groups and local organisations. Member, Society of Merchant Venturers, resigned 2012. Appointed CBE in 2010 New Year’s Honours for services to architecture and the community. EMAIL MAYOR@BRISTOL.GOV.UK BLOG HTTP://BRISTOLMAYOR.CO.UK TWITTER @GEORGEFERGUSON
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FEATURE
PIC CREDIT: PADDY DOHERTY
CALLINGTON ROAD
NATURE RESERVE Explore a real wildlife oasis tucked away between a main road and a 1920s housing estate
T
oday, Callington Road Local Nature Reserve is protected for local people to enjoy, under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act and through the efforts of Bristol City Council and the reserve’s friends group. The reserve is divided by an ancient public right of way and was once part of the Imperial Sports field, to the south, and allotments to the north of the reserve. The ‘upper slopes’ are particularly rich in wildlife, and support urban species such as deer, foxes and squirrels, a wide range of birds and several rare insect species.
Gillian Day
DEW POND
Pics top to bottom: frog and spawn (credit: Paddy Doherty); brimstone butterfly; hedgehog (credit: Gillian Day); the old pond at Callington Reserve; right: blue tit
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The designated Site of Nature Conservation Interest has benefited from local residents’ work, which has included a dew pond that attracts dragonflies and damselflies. Highlights of a walk in the reserve include the old pond, once used to wash carts and now home to toads, frogs and their tadpoles; black poplar trees that mark the original watercourse, which is now underground; and an original boundary stone for Bristol. There are mysterious humps on the site of a former pitch and putt, and a row of cypress tress, planted by an Italian allotment owner to act as a windbreak. Listen out for tawny owls hooting and woodpeckers hammering on the trees.
SLOW WORMS & HEDGEHOGS
AVON WILDLIFE TRUST OUR WALK COMES COURTESY OF THIS LEADING LOCAL CHARITY WORKING FOR PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE. FFI: 0117 917 7270 WWW.AVONWILDLIFETRUST. ORG.UK (TO DOWNLOAD WALKS, GO TO: WWW.AWTWAYSINTOWILDLIFE.ORG.UK) FFI AVON WILDLIFE TRUST HAVE PRODUCED A NATURE JOURNAL FOR CALLINGTON ROAD LOCAL NATURE RESERVE ON BEHALF OF BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL’S WILD CITY PROJECT, AND WITH SUPPORT FROM THE FRIENDS OF CALLINGTON ROAD NATURE RESERVE, NATURAL ENGLAND AND THE BIG LOTTERY FUND. CALLED A WILDLIFE OASIS, IT PROVIDES A MAP, AND THINGS TO SPOT AND DO. EMAIL SCHOOLS@ AVONWILDLIFETRUST.ORG.UK FOR A FREE COPY
HOW TO GET THERE Directions The main access is from Callington Road (BS4 5XX), close to where it joins the A37 Wells Road, through kissing gates suitable for visitors with wheelchairs. Access is also available from Imperial Walk (BS14 9XX) via a steep set of steps. A simple path system provides access into the field and to the dew pond. A further loop gives limited access into the more remote upper slopes. Dogs must be kept on leads on the upper slopes, a designated refuge for breeding roe deer and other wildlife.
As winter turns to spring, look out for cowslips and primroses, and slow worms and hedgehogs as they come out of hibernation. Smell the pungent wild garlic that fills the air from April. Deciduous trees start to form their fresh green leaves, with plum and hawthorn blossom appearing in late spring. Keep your eyes open, too, for golden brimstone butterflies as they emerge from their cocoon in early March. Find their caterpillars feeding on the buckthorn plants on the upper slopes. FOLIO/MAR 2013 20
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FOLIO ADVERTORIAL FEATURE
LOOKING AT A
BETTER WAY
TO GET INTO TOWN
A
re you fed up of looking for parking spaces in town? Do you feel envious when sitting in traffic to see a bus whizz past in the bus lane? Why not give the Park & Ride services a go next time you travel to Bristol or Bath for business, leisure or shopping? They are really easy to use: simply park your car, and hop on a bus that will take you direct to the city centre. There are no parking charges – just the cost of a return bus ticket, which you can purchase on board. They are more frequent than local buses, and provide a cost effective and stress-free alternative for commuters and shoppers alike. There are three Park & Ride services in Bristol (A4 Bath Road, Portway and Long Ashton); and Park & Ride sites in Bath at Lansdown, Newbridge and Odd Down. Gill, a marketing manager, has made the shift from driving daily into Bristol to using the Park & Ride at Portway. “I was a committed car driver, but getting tired of queuing daily and then struggling to find a parking space near my office. The Park & Ride has provided a great solution for me, as I don’t have a decent bus service from my home at times that suit my journeys, and there is always plenty of parking at the Park & Ride. I’m able to relax on the bus reading a book, so I arrive at work feeling much less stressed than I did when sitting behind the wheel! I’m also saving significantly on petrol costs each month, so am saving money as well as doing my bit in reducing congestion and helping the planet.” For help planning your route travelwest.info FOLIO/MAR 2013 21
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WHAT’SON
FILM DAYS OUT THEATRE ART MUSIC FILM DAYS OUT THEATRE ART MUSIC
WHAT'S ON
WHAT TO DO IN...
March GLAMOROUS GUNSLINGERS, BEAUTIFUL BUGS, DIGITAL FESTIVALS, DESIRABLE ANTIQUES… MAKE A DATE FOR THIS MONTH’S HOT TICKETS
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THE FAIRER SEX A special happening at Bristol’s M Shed on International Women’s Day celebrates remarkable women, Fairtrade chocolate and honey, with tempting tastings, plus talks, demonstrations, food and music, as well as free entry to the M Shed’s new Chocolate! Exhibition (which runs until 6 May). The evening’s speakers include a Fairtrade honey producer from Nicaragua and some of the people behind Divine Chocolate, who are sponsoring the event as part of Bristol Fairtrade Fortnight. WOMEN, HONEY & CHOCOLATE! FRI 8 MAR, M SHED, HARBOURSIDE, BRISTOL, 6-9PM, £8/£6. FFI: 0117 352 6914, WWW.MSHED.ORG
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BACK TO NATURE
Shimmering silver birds, towering Islamic sculptures and ceramic bowls inspired by water lilies in Thailand are among the surprises in store for visitors to Bristol University’s Botanic Garden this month. Including works in wood, stone, metalwork, ceramics, steel and stained glass, the Garden’s Sculpture Trail shows off the impressive plant collections in a new light, as a dramatic backdrop to artistic creations inspired by nature itself. Among the creations on show is celebrated sculptor Heather Jansch’s eerily lifelike horse (pictured), created entirely from driftwood washed up on the beach. EASTER SCULPTURE TRAIL 29 MAR-1 APR, UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL BOTANIC GARDEN, THE HOLMES, STOKE PARK RD, STOKE BISHOP, 10AM-5PM, £3.50 ADULT, FREE FOR STUDENTS & UNDER-16S. FFI: 0117 331 4906, WWW. BRISTOL.AC.UK (ENTER BOTANIC GARDEN’ IN SEARCH BOX)
BUGGED OUT
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Bedminster has been bugged! But not in a sinister spydrama kind of way, more in a ‘let’s wander the streets trying to find all 83 of the giant handpainted creepycrawlies’ kind of way. The initiative aims to bring more people into the area to enjoy its many esoteric diversions. Part of the plans of Channel 4 high street revivalist Mary Portas to reinvigorate this proud corner of south Bristol, the Bug Trail is being curated by ‘urban paint’ mavericks Upfest and involves creatures painted by local schoolchildren as well as some by seasoned street artists. Keep your eyes peeled for the colourful monsters on buildings, in shops and dotted around the backstreets of Bedminster - there are caterpillars, ladybirds, butterflies, a stag beetle, and even some bed bugs. Well, this is Bedminster… BEAUTIFUL BUGS OF BEDMINSTER TRAIL FROM 15 MAR UNTIL END OF THE YEAR, THE STREETS OF BEDMINSTER, BRISTOL, FREE
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WHAT’SON
4
TRIGGER HAPPY
From the gunfight at the OK Corral to the battle of Little Big Horn, from Bonnie and Clyde to Al Capone, the American Museum of Britain this month unveils an extraordinary collection of bizarre and occasionally macabre artefacts from two of the most unruly periods in US history - the Wild West (1860s-1880s) and the prohibition era (1920s-1930s). The treasures on display are on loan from collector David Gainsborough Roberts and include Clyde Barrow’s wristwatch (broken when his hand was shot off in the ambush that killed him in 1934), the fake gun that John Dillinger used to break out of prison, and his death mask, with the fatal bullet’s exit wound clearly visible below his left eye - a grim reminder that the lives of these legendary figures, while much glamorised in retrospect, often came to a very sticky end. GANGSTERS & GUNSLINGERS: THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE MEMORABILIA 23 MAR-3 NOV, AMERICAN MUSEUM IN BRITAIN, CLAVERTON MANOR, BATH, TUE-SUN, 12NOON-5PM, £9 ADULT, £5 CHILD. FFI: 01225 460503, WWW. AMERICANMUSEUM.ORG
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FEELING WIRED?
Sometimes it feels as though the whole world’s gone digital - digital TV, digital radio, digital cameras - and, perhaps surprisingly, the ancient city of Bath is a global player in this cutting-edge technology. To celebrate this, the Bath Digital Festival returns for its second year, bringing a buzzing 10 days of technical wizardry that turn the spotlight on Bath’s thriving digital community. As well as specialist sessions for those working in the digital sector, the festival promises live music, hacking events, a ‘digital funfair’, experimental technology demos and hands-on workshops, plus competitions for local schoolchildren, audiovisual installations and citywide fun for even the most terminal technophobes to enjoy. Plug in, baby. BATH DIGITAL FESTIVAL 14-24 MAR, VARIOUS VENUES & TIMES. FFI: 0870 240 6783, WWW. BATHDIGITALFESTIVAL.COM
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OBJECTS OF DESIRE
Portraiture and porcelain, clocks and cabinets… all manner of vintage wonders congregate each year in Bath for the city’s annual Decorative Antiques Fair, which is under new management this year. Having successfully masterminded the fair for the past 23 years, Bathbased dealer Robin Coleman has passed on the honour to event specialist Sue Ede, who’ll be maintaining Robin’s famously high standards with an eclectic spread of unusual and beautiful objects to tempt aesthete and collector alike. BATH DECORATIVE ANTIQUES FAIR 7-10 MAR, THE PAVILION, BATH, 11AM-5PM, £3. FFI: 01278 784912 WWW. BATHDECORATIVEANTIQUESFAIR.CO.UK
MYSTERY MAN
Whether he’s out looking for trouble with real-life superheroes, attending a Nevadan UFO convention with Robbie Williams, interviewing a robot to ask if she has a soul or investigating a murder plot in an Alaskan theme town where it’s Christmas every day, Jon Ronson is usually up to some pretty weird and fascinating stuff. These experiences are fodder for his bestselling books, some of which he’ll be talking about at a Festival of Ideas event this month. Expect an evening that explores madness, strange behaviour and the human mind - one that’s amusing and disturbing in equal measure. LOST AT SEA: THE JON RONSON MYSTERIES MON 11 MAR, ST GEORGE’S BRISTOL, GREAT GEORGE ST, 7-8PM, £8/£6.50. FFI: 0845 402 4001, WWW.IDEASFESTIVAL.CO.UK
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ON THE WING
What with the winter we’ve been having, Bristol’s beleaguered Lepidoptera have been left a bit befuddled - some were even seen emerging from hibernation during the unusually mild December (a decision they doubtless rued when January’s blizzards swirled in). Butterflies are fragile, complex and fascinating creatures, as expert Oliver Smart reveals in an evening talk this month, accompanied by a selection of his striking photographs. He’ll discuss the many resident British species, as well as some lesser-known visitors, exploring the habitats in which they flourish, the subtleties of their behaviour and the relationships they have with other plants and animals. BUTTERFLY BRITAIN TUE 12 MAR, BRISTOL ZOO GARDENS, CLIFTON, 7-8PM, £3. BOOK VIA AVON GORGE & DOWNS WILDLIFE PROJECT: 0117 903 0609, MLEIVERS@ BRISTOLZOO.ORG.UK
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WHAT’S ON FILM
MOVIE NIGHTS
Robin Askew picks some highlights from this month’s cinematic crop
OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL OPENS 8 MAR CERT PG Spider-Man director Sam Raimi is at the helm of Disney’s 3D prequel to The Wizard of Oz. It’s the first new Oz movie since Walt’s longforgotten 1985 Return to Oz and is ‘inspired by’ creator L. Frank Baum’s novel series rather than being adapted from any one of them. James Franco stars as dodgy small-time circus magician Oscar, who’s whisked from Kansas to Oz. Alas, Oz’s witch trio (Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams) quickly conclude that he’s not the great wizard they need to solve the magical land’s many problems.
JACK THE GIANT SLAYER
TRANCE
THE CROODS
Hard on the heels of his non-sporting Olympics triumph, Danny Boyle reunites with Trainspotting screenwriter John Hodge for the first time in 13 years. Little is being given away about the plot at this stage, except that it centres on an art auctioneer who teams up with a hypnotherapist to recover a lost painting. Cast includes James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson, Vincent Cassel and Clevedon’s very own rising star Tuppence Middleton. Be warned that this is unlikely to be jolly family fare. The BBFC’s consumer advice reads: ‘Contains strong bloody violence, gore, sex, nudity and strong language’.
If this animation seems familiar, that’s because it was originally an Aardman project entitled ‘Crood Awakening’, co-written by John Cleese, which was to have been the studio’s follow-up to Flushed Away. But as part of Aardman’s very public divorce from DreamWorks, the rights reverted to the Americans. Many years and several rewrites later, the caveman road trip comedy finally hits the big screen - and we can judge for ourselves whether anything Aardman-esque remains. It’s co-directed by the chaps behind How to Train Your Dragon and, oh dear, Space Chimps. Nic Cage leads the voice cast.
OPENS 27 MAR CERT 15
OPENS 22 MAR CERT TBC
OPENS 22 MAR CERT 12A The Usual Suspects and Valkyrie team of director Bryan Singer and writer Christopher McQuarrie reunite for a mildly comedic modern-day twist on a familiar fairytale. Busy Nicholas Hoult, recently seen in Warm Bodies, plays young farmboy Jack, who inadvertently opens a beanstalk-facilitated gateway between our world and that of malevolent persons of gargantuan proportions. It’s now his responsibility to put things right and rescue the obligatory princess. Cast also includes Ewan McGregor, Eddie Marsan and Ian McShane. Ever-game Bill Nighy plays the giants’ fearsome leader.
STOKER OPENS 1 MAR CERT 18 Chan-wook Park, the multiple-award-winning South Korean director of Oldboy and Thirst, makes his Englishlanguage debut with this decidedly macabre family drama that’s several notches darker than Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows. Mia Wasikowska, aka the most recent screen Jane Eyre, goths it up as teenager India Stoker, who’s still mourning the death of her father when the seductive uncle she never knew she had (Matthew Goode) comes to live with her emotionally distant mother (Nicole Kidman) in the family’s large, remote abode. It’s not long before blood-letting begins in this disturbingly erotic coming-of-age yarn.
FOR MUCH MORE FILM, VISIT WWW.VENUE.CO.UK 24 FOLIO/MAR 2013
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WHAT’S ON
SWAMP FEVER An extraordinary performance from a sultry Nicole
Kidman, plus an endearing robot buddy heist movie
NATIONAL TREASURES
THE PAPERBOY OPENS 15 MAR CERT 15 Unless you chose to read it as a pitch-black comedy, Lee Daniels’ Oscar-winning previous film, Precious, was something to be endured and admired rather than enjoyed. He’s taken the opposite tack with this adaptation of Pete Dexter’s novel: a sleazy slice of period southern gothic, marinated in sweaty fornication and charged racial politics, whose only ambition is to entertain. Nicole Kidman certainly gives it her all, with her most daring performance since To Die For, which includes a cougarly sex scene with wet-behind-the-ears Zac Efron. She was duly rewarded with a Golden Globe nomination. There’s also some grisly murder, potty-mouthed dialogue, a urination sequence to alarm young master Efron’s tweenie fans, and Matthew McConaughey’s soundly thrashed naked bottom. Perhaps appropriately, the climax takes place in a swamp. The story is narrated in flashback to the sixties by maid Anita Chester (ably played by singer Macy Gray). Mercifully, however, we aren’t in for a re-run of The Help. Anita recalls the return of hotshot reporter Ward (McConaughey) to his smalltown Florida family home from the suspiciously liberal metropolis that is Miami
ROBOT & FRANK OPENS 8 MAR CERT 12A A robot buddy heist movie that’s also a sensitive exploration of dementia, this low-budget charmer has both originality and a terrific performance by the redoubtable Frank Langella on its side. There’s no question that the ghost of Philip K. Dick hovers over Jake Schreier’s award-winning indie flick. Refreshingly, however, it’s the oft-overlooked human scale of Dick’s enduring science fiction that proves inspirational here. The setting is Cold Spring, New York, in ‘the near future’. Worried about their elderly, irascible, increasingly confused retired burglar father Frank (Langella), who lives alone, his busy adult offspring (James Marsden, Liv Tyler) buy him a robot ‘healthcare aid’ (dryly voiced by Peter Sarsgaard). The peppery old coot is naturally appalled and initially refuses to engage
to investigate a potential miscarriage of justice. He’s accompanied by ambitious colleague Yardley (David Oyelowo), a fastidious black man whose English accent confuses the hostile, mostly racist hicks (“What part of England are you from?”). Needless to say, veteran local newspaperman dad WW (Scott Glenn) is not wildly overjoyed. The duo are assisted in their investigation by barely dressed, fortysomething white trash Death Row groupie Charlotte Bless (Kidman), who oozes carnal desire and has become engaged to the wretched, sinister and possibly innocent convict, Hillary Van Wetter ( John Cusack, cast effectively against type). While Charlotte sizzles in a puddle of hormones under the Florida sun, Ward’s little brother Jack (Efron) complicates matters by falling in love with her. The Paperboy divided audiences at Cannes last year, eliciting boos and cheers in equal measure. It’s certainly ripe and very steamy, with no shortage of outrageous plot twists. It’s also refreshingly non-earnest in its treatment of racial politics. One thing’s for sure: you won’t be forgetting Kidman’s extraordinary performance in a hurry.
with his hectoring helper. But then he discovers the tin fella’s handy capabilities and recruits it as an accomplice. With ‘effects’ limited to a little bloke in a cheap robot outfit, this agreeably odd, warmhearted and funny film touches lightly but movingly on issues of memory, ageing, technology and family. There’s even some bittersweet romance as Frank woos local librarian Jennifer (Susan Sarandon), whose own boxy robot is tellingly named Mr Darcy.
➻ Alan Bennett certainly succeeded in putting the cat among the Middle England pigeons with his new play, People (pictured). Taking a satirical swipe at the National Trust, it stars the great Frances de la Tour as ageing aristo Dorothy Stacpoole, who’d rather rent out her decaying pile to the makers of a porn movie than see it fall into the hands of an organisation she describes disdainfully as purveyors of “pretend England… so decent, so worthy, so dull!”. Bennett says he was inspired by his “sense of unease when going round a National Trust house and being required to buy into the role of reverential visitor”. As the column inches piled up late last year, the Trust was obliged to issue a comment. “We are not quite the organisation he thinks we are,” said a spokesman, possibly through gritted teeth. Now we can all enjoy Nicholas Hytner’s production without having to schlep all the way to the National Theatre, as it’s the latest play to be broadcast to cinemas in the NT Live season. Catch it on Thur 21 March. March is also shaping up to be a bumper month for live opera and ballet. From the Met Opera, there’s Parsifal (Sat 2) and Francesca da Rimini (Sat 16). The Royal Opera House serve up The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland (Thur 28). And from the troubled Bolshoi Ballet, The Rite of Spring pirouettes into cinemas on Sun 31. See www.venue. co.uk/film for full details of screening times and participating cinemas. FOLIO/MAR 2013 25
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WHAT’S ON ART SCENE
PICTURE THIS
Steve Wright’s round-up of the best exhibitions, from Peter Blake prints to treasures from Ancient Egypt Lou Reade’s almost abstract visions of San Francisco
GALLERY PICKS
GOING PLACES
PHARAOH: KING OF EGYPT BRISTOL Look in at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery this spring and you’ll find yourself transported back to Ancient Egypt. Their major new exhibition, Pharaoh: King of Egypt (from 16 March), features some 100 stunning artefacts from the British Museum’s Ancient Egyptian collection. The show explores the lives of the pharaohs, and in particular their complex roles as heads of state, high priests and army commanders, via objects and artefacts spanning more than 3,000 years. You’ll find monumental statues, beautifully carved stone reliefs from ancient temples, papyri and glittering gold jewellery, as well as some unusual objects including diplomatic letters inscribed on clay tablets, and - yikes! - a 2,500-year-old loaf of bread. There’s plenty to keep the whole family amused, too, with a free Young Collector’s Card that invites younger visitors to earn special hieroglyph stamps by exploring the museum as a whole.
FFI WWW.BRISTOL.GOV.UK/MUSEUMS
KING, LINDSAY & WILLIAMS
THE ART COLLECTIVE
MIXING PIGMENTS
BRISTOL This typically fine-looking show (until 26 March) at Hotwells’ Lime Tree Gallery features work by three captivating contemporary painters. Vivienne Williams paints energised still-lifes in which, she reveals, “everything is rearranged and repainted many times”. Scottish painter Anna King explores empty, feral places - wastelands, abandoned buildings - in her atmospheric landscape paintings. Steven Lindsay, meanwhile, says of his sparse, elegant portraits (Boy in a Field, pictured): “I try to shine a light on the ordinary and vulnerable.”
BRISTOL This London-based, notfor-profit, roving gallery takes over the walls of the Tobacco Factory (7-30 March) with an impressive group show. The roster includes rising star Ben Gold, whose atmospheric, fantastical scenes document music festivals at night. Finn Dean’s illustrations (pictured) look as though they could have been painted or drawn, but are actually entirely digital creations. Andrew Crane, meanwhile, paints with oils, often using thin layers of cement as a background to create a rough, tactile texture.
BATH From 8-30 March, Bath’s Hilton Fine Art brings together two gifted, absorbing artists who both manufacture their own paints. David Brayne collects his own pigments for his gentle, naif portraits and landscapes, where land and sea appear blended together in a shadowless, dreamlike space, and men and women make improbable, but graceful shapes. Ruth Stage mixes pigments with egg yolks to create the subtle, hazy colours of her landscapes (Hedgerow, Charlbury, pictured).
FFI WWW.LIMETREEGALLERY.COM
FFI WWW.TOBACCOFACTORY.COM
FFI WWW.HILTONFINEART.COM
FOR MUCH MORE ART VISIT, WWW.VENUE.CO.UK
➻ The next exhibition at Bristol’s Philadelphia Street Gallery, the hireable artspace in Quakers Friars, is a solo show for Bristol painter Lou Reade (4-10 Mar, www.loureade.co.uk), whose bright, faintly abstract paintings are inspired by her extensive travels. Lou’s most recent work reflects the colourful architecture and varied relief of San Francisco, and the way the city’s buildings overlap each other, seeming to create an abstract reality … Over in Bath, the ever-excellent Rostra Gallery (www. rostragallery.co.uk) are devoting this month to an exploration of printmaking. A-Z of Printmaking (1-30 Mar) aims to dispel the common misconception that prints are simple reproductions, and to show them in all their glory as original works of art, conceived and created by the artist. Highlights include limited-edition Alphabet prints embracing childhood and nostalgia from the inimitable Sir Peter Blake ... Three fine-looking new exhibitions heave into view at Bedminster’s Grant Bradley Gallery (www. grantbradleygallery.co.uk) from 9 March. We especially like the look of the solo show for Simon Hopkinson, a Bristol painter who finds beauty in unloved, overlooked urban spaces. “I like subways, abandoned buildings and anywhere with concrete, rusting metal and graffiti,” Simon reveals. He’s particularly attracted to the sense of melancholy and unease these spots can evoke. “These spaces are all about modern fears. They can seem very threatening - but at the same time, because they’re off the beaten track, there’s something very calming about them.”
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King, Lindsay and Williams
“The Gift”“Better by Steven Days” Lindsay by Steven Lindsay
Feb 23 - March 30
“Yellow Crocus with Blue Jar” by Vivienne Williams “Madelvic Car Factory II” by Anna King
84 Hotwell Road, Bristol BS8 4UB Free parking outside Tel 0117 929 2527
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WHAT’S ON PERFORMANCE
STEALING THE SHOW
Michael Frayn and Bertolt Brecht rub shoulders with male strippers and female torturers in Steve Wright’s hot tickets from the world of theatre and comedy
28 FEB-4 MAY Bristol Old Vic’s charismatic, ever-imaginative artistic director Tom Morris links up again with Handpsring, the South African puppet company with whom he scooped a Tony Award for the incredible War Horse. They’re re-uniting for a playful retelling of Shakespeare’s much-loved woodland comedy of fairies, sprites, sexual mismatches and oafish Rude Mechanicals. “Anything and
THE FULL MONTY THE AMERICAN PLAN Bristol Hippodrome
FFI WWW.BRISTOLHIPPODROME.ORG.UK
everything can come to life in our production, and invariably does,” reveals Miltos Yerolemou, who’s playing the inimitable Bottom. “Everyone knows that the play has magic in it, but the magic we present is a little different…” FFI WWW.BRISTOLOLDVIC.ORG.UK
AN ACT OF TWISTING
WHAT THE DICKENS?
7 MAR-6 APR This spring, the adventurous Ustinov usher in their second American season: in-house productions of three modern plays that have received great acclaim Stateside. We kick off with the UK premiere of Richard Greenberg’s heart-rending tale of love and loss, set in genteel 1960s East Coast America. When the fragile Lili Adler meets handsome Nick Lockridge, love quickly blossoms. But when Lili’s overbearing mother finds out, she poisons the young man’s affections.
6-9 MAR The Rondo’s resident company restage their acclaimed black satire from the pen of theatre director Ian McGlynn. In a mysterious institution, a secret project is taking place. Four women have been set a bizarre challenge: to improve the national standards of torture. What ingredients can the female psyche add to ‘enhanced interrogation’? Pain or pleasure? Compassion or cruelty? Will the nameless, faceless prisoner in their power find them erotic or neurotic? ‘Full of razor-sharp wit... Unmissable,” said Venue’s five-star review.
18-22 MAR Brilliant, madcap local troupe Gonzo Moose cook up some more anarchic comedy theatre - this time featuring Charles Dickens as a rookie reporter, making his way through a world of pockmarked pickpockets and cobwebby convicts, dark secrets and convoluted plots. The Mooses are proven masters at daft literary tributes: of their Grimm Tales-inspired Grimm and Grimmer we observed, 'This is seriously talented comic inventiveness, and pure joy from start to finish.’
FFI WWW.THEATREROYAL.ORG.UK
FFI WWW.RONDOTHEATRE.CO.UK
4-9 MAR
welcome the first-ever tour for this stage adaptation of the muchloved 1990s Britflick. Simon Beaufoy, who wrote the screenplay (as well as that for Slumdog Millionaire) has penned the stage script - and he’s kept the action in Sheffield, retaining, as he puts it, “the heartache and the hilarity of a city on the dole”. The brave gentlemen stepping on stage to bare all include Kenny Doughty (Sean in Sky TV’s Stella), Craig Gazey (Coronation Street’s Graeme Proctor) and Simon Rouse (DCI Jack Meadows in The Bill).
SIMON ANNAND
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
FFI WWW.TOBACCOFACTORYTHEATRE. COM
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www.icvl.co.uk Photography services
Multimedia production Photography event management & production Workshops
Community projects
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WHAT’S ON Neil Pearson stars as the director of a touring theatre company in Noises Off, Michael Frayn’s wonderfully chaotic comedy
High-energy, surrealist Canadian comedian Tony Law
COMEDY ROUND-UP
NOISES OFF 27 MAR-6 APR Neil Pearson (Drop the Dead Donkey, Bridget Jones) stars in Michael Frayn’s perennially popular comedy, which follows the chaotic backstage antics of a touring theatre company. Hurtling along at breakneck speed, Frayn’s comedy follows the thespians’ travails as they stumble their way through the rehearsals of a bawdy farce called ‘Nothing On’, via a shambolic first night in Weston-superMare and onto a disastrous final performance in Stockton-on-Tees. The company’s more colourful characters include Poppy NortonTaylor, an emotional and oversensitive assistant stage manager who’s carrying the director’s
THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE 19-23 MAR Next Stage, accomplished residents of Bath’s Mission Theatre, tackle Bertolt Brecht’s great fable about war, power, ownership, parenthood and more. The action centres on the residents of a wartorn village, who stage a play that tells two dramatic stories, both centred on life during revolution and anarchy.
FFI WWW.NEXT-STAGE.CO.UK
child; Selsdon Mowbray, an elderly alcoholic who must be repeatedly searched for during rehearsals before he passes out; and Brooke Ashton, an overconfident actress who ignores all her director’s suggestions. This production, which is faring rather better than ‘Nothing On’, receives its national premiere in Bath after a triumphant London run. It’s directed by Lindsay Posner, whose West End credits include Abigail’s Party and Fiddler on the Roof, plus a double Olivier Award-winning Death and the Maiden. FFI WWW.THEATREROYAL.ORG.UK
KID CARPET & THE KING ARTHUR… NOISY ANIMALS …And the Knights of the 6-9 MAR
We’re thrilled by the return of this brilliant rock’n’roll musical for ages three and above. It’s performed/created by Bristol’s ace lo-fi electro-popper Kid Carpet, attractively (and accurately) billed as ‘Oliver Postgate meets the Beastie Boys’. Head to the Alma Tavern for live music, theatre and animation and impromptu audience dancing at the end. 26-28 MAR
FFI WWW.ALMATAVERNTHEATRE.CO.UK
Cumberland Basin, to give this show its impressive full title. Staged at Hotwells’ Hope Centre, this is the annual, everpopular Hotwells Panto. In this year’s offering, the locals become awesomely hunky Knights who must defend the Basin against a fearsome Dragon. FFI WWW.TOBACCOFACTORY THEATRE.COM
➻ Comedy highlights this month include a Bristol date from Shazia Mirza (Sun 3 March, The Brewery, www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com), a feisty, plain-speaking British Muslim comic. ‘Her laconic oneliners represent something quite unique in modern comedy,’ praised The Guardian. ‘In these fraught times, she actually manages to make being a Muslim woman seem wonderfully, lifeenhancingly funny’ ... A few days later, Bath audiences should check out brilliant, madcap sketch troupe The Noise Next Door at Komedia (Fri 8 March, www. komedia.co.uk/bath). This highenergy quintet create brilliant improvised comedy routines from near-enough thin air: among the raft of sketch comedy outfits currently making waves, the Noise are one of the best and most inventive ... Back in Bristol, Thur 14 March brings Canadian comic Tony Law to the Comedy Box www.thecomedybox.co.uk). A high-energy, surrealist comedian, Law got a deserved nomination last year for live comedy’s prestigious prize, the Edinburgh Comedy Award ... Bath Comedy Festival kicks off its annual 10 days of stand-up and surrealism on Fri 29 March. We’d steer you in particular towards the White Wine Arts Trail, a hilarious walkabout event presided over by Arthur Smith and Bath’s Natural Theatre Company (Sun 30 March). Also check out Matt Richardson, the 2011 Festival’s New Act champ, who visits for a sharp-witted hour of stand-up on Mon 1 April (Ring O Bells, Widcombe). And we’re big fans of James Sherwood, who brings his articulate mix of music and comedy to the Rondo on Wed 3 April. Ffi: www.bathcomedy.com
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PROFILE
SUNDAY SOCIAL FROM HOOCHIE COOCHIE GAMES, SHOWS, COCKTAILS AND RIDICULOUSNESS!
H
ave you ever fancied spending Sunday afternoon living it up in a private members club? If the idea of hanging out in an opulent environment with shows, games dressing-up and cocktails appeals to you, then you might like to join the Hoochie Coochie team for their
latest spin-off event - Sunday Social. Sunday Social is to take place over five rooms of the decadent Mauretania Lounge on Bristol’s Park Street. In the Members Bar you’ll find Rock’n’Roll Bingo and Pole Dancing Unicorn. In the Games Rooms, there are Connect Four, Jenga, Twister and the like, all hosted by Hoochie Coochie’s showboys and showgirls. In the front bar there’ll be Rock’n’Roll Bingo, and then, later in the night, things will gravitate to the Ballroom, with DJ LloydiTron from gay night Wonky. And to get you in the party spirit, cocktails will be two-for-one all night! There will also be some wonderful stage shows from cabaret luminary Audacity Chutzpah, the ‘brilliantly crap
failed tribute act’ Fanny Fontaine, and bellydance star NattyBom Batty. And the allimportant question is… What to wear? As always with Hoochie Coochie, dressing up is part of the fun. The theme for Sunday Social is OTT: glamour, glitter, evening wear or anything flamboyant. This is an exclusive event with limited capacity, so advance booking is highly
SUNDAY SOCIAL FROM HOOCHIE COOCHIE SUNDAY 17 MARCH, 5PM ONWARDS MAURETANIA LOUNGE, PARK ST, BRISTOL WEB: WWW.HOOCHIE COOCHIEKABARET.COM
recommended. The first Sunday Social takes place on 17 March, from 5pm onwards - tickets, priced £9, are available from www. hoochiecoochiekabaret.com and from Bristol Ticket Shop. Check Hoochie’s website for future dates.
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WHAT’S ON MUSIC
THE BAND PLAYED ON From opera to jazz and folk, Julian Owen chooses the best gigs and concerts
CHARLOTTE CHURCH
JACK ALEXANDER
WED 6 MAR From child star to eloquent spokeswoman on hard-won knowledge of tabloid world’s seediness, it’s little wonder Charlotte Church has sought to draw a line under the past. She’s currently releasing a series of EPs, each underwritten with clear determination to no longer be ‘product’. Eschewing both classical background and easy-listening journey to Hitsville, Church’s new sound is heavy-kicking, Florence-like in its widescreen drama, a classically honed voice giving maximum, fully firing commitment. The prospect of hearing it belted live in Moles’ intimate environs is more alluring still.
ALICIA J ROSE
MOLES BATH FFI: WWW.MOLES.CO.UK
ROBYN HITCHCOCK GABRIELLE APLIN JAMES MACMILLAN: First came to Remember the John SUN 10 MAR
SAT 23 MAR
prominence as frontman of the literate, lean and wiry ensemble, the Soft Boys, probably best known for their 1980 hit, I Wanna Destroy You. The group split the same year. Hitchcock’s winningly laconic, world-weary disposition has helped maintain a devout cult following, and is arguably the single common thread in work ranging from recording with country-folk duo Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, to the Venus 3. He arrives to tour Love from London, an album self-described as ‘paintings you can listen to’.
Lewis Christmas ad? You’ll certainly remember the soundtrack, a soft-sung cover of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s The Power of Love by Gabrielle Aplin, swift to rise through the charts and beat both Bruno Mars and Olly Murs to the number-one spot. An overnight success? Hardly. In the long-lost days of MySpace, her page clocked up over a million plays. Though still only 20, the Wiltshire-born singer has been playing round these parts for years, and arrives as part of her seventh UK tour.
THEKLA, BRISTOL FFI WWW.THEKLABRISTOL.CO.UK
TRINITY CENTRE, BRISTOL FFI HTTP://3CA.ORG.UK
ST JOHN PASSION SAT 16 MAR With its awesome West Front, Wells Cathedral has never lacked dramatic aspect. None too shabby inside either, not least this month, when three fabulous choirs - City of Bath Bach Choir, Exeter Festival Chorus, the Wellensian Consort - sing out to the vaulted ceiling with a St John Passion performance. A dramatic contemporary version of the events leading up to the death of Christ, set to music by brilliant Scottish composer James MacMillan, it’s raw and utterly compelling.
JIM MORAY FRI 8 MAR A full decade ago, Mojo magazine hailed Jim Moray as ‘the future of British folk’. Why? Because the Bristol-based musician so assiduously makes music of - and for - the present, using tradition as a springboard rather than a stylistic millstone. Skulk sees him five albums to the good, with last month’s BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards proving his ongoing potency: nominated for Best Album and Folk Singer of the Year, Lord Douglas scooped the gong for Best Traditional Track.
CHAPEL ARTS, BATH FFI WWW.CHAPELARTS.ORG
WELLS CATHEDRAL FFI WWW..BATHBACHCHOIR.ORG.UK
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THE REAL MCCOY
JAMES MORIARTY
WHAT’S ON
Julian Owen talks to Get the Blessing’s Jim Barr ➻ The inaugural Bristol International Jazz and Blues Festival (Colston Hall, 1-3 March) promises a programme of concerts, workshops and jam sessions to encompass the entire history of jazz. Big ask, but they’ve sure got some names on board. Acts like Ginger Baker’s Jazz Confusion, with the former Cream drummer joined by James Brown sax man Pee Wee Ellis; conductor David Ogden convening 180 singers to bring new life to Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts; and Get the Blessing, Bristol’s brilliant jazz-rock fusioneers. We spoke to the latter’s bassist, Portishead mainstay Jim Barr.
but wonky and experimental in some ways, the result of several years spent mucking about. OC DC is much more concerned with structure and melody, not so much very quiet/VERY LOUD stuff. We still play all the stuff from the first two albums live - it’s all good.
Rock fans are generally held not to ‘get’ jazz, and jazz fans are known to sometimes be sniffy about rock. What’s your secret in being able to appeal to both? Because we’re genuine in both respects: the rock part is real, the jazz part is real. We’re not trying to impress anyone, we just love rocking out sometimes, and love the freedom of jazz improvisation. An audience can always tell if you’re trying to pull some sort of ‘frankenmusic’ - it comes across as serious and fake, and we’re not serious.
How does the dynamic of the music change when you have [Portishead guitarist] Adrian Utley guesting with you? It gets bigger. We can play even smaller and spookier, and can really make a very nasty wall of post-jazz voodoo stink rock. This time we’ve promised to tell Ade what the chords are. We made him play at Ronnie Scott’s in front of Jeff Beck without telling him the keys of any of the tunes - he sounded great!
From All is Yes to OC DC - in what way has your sound evolved over the course of three albums? All is Yes is a typical first album - fresh,
FURTHER AHEAD ➻ It’s set to be the mother of all singalongs for children of the eighties, and winningly family-friendly to boot. Thus, Let’s Rock Bristol, coming to Blaise Castle on Sat 8 June, and boasting live performances from - deep breath - Billy Ocean, Howard Jones, ABC, Go West, Nick Heyward, The Real Thing, Modern Romance, Altered Images and Brother
Who are your jazz and/or blues musical heroes, and why? We all collectively love Ornette Coleman and Don Cherry. I’ve always been a massive Mingus fan, Pete [ Judge] is very into Scandinavian minimalism, Jake [McMurchie] likes Justin Bieber, and Clive is an Elvin [ Jones] man.
What can we expect from your festival appearance? GTB at their best. Hall 2 is a goodsounding room for us, so we’ll be loud and lovely. FFI: WWW.BRISTOLJAZZANDBLUESFEST.COM
Beyond. Expect music to be augmented by CBBC/ CITV presenters, circus, children’s rides, 80s-themed play area, and much more. Eco-living-espousing Sunrise Festival returns from 30 May-2 June, replete with a be-forested new site. Dub Pistols, Krafty Kuts, Utah Saints and The Freestylers are headliners, supported by such local aces as Babyhead, RSVP and The Egg. Organisers have also announced plans for a Sunrise Micronation, including drawing up of a bill of rights to set down ‘the guiding principles of our free state’. Two good-looking visitors newly announced to Bath’s Komedia: first up, The Staves drop in on Mon 22 April, comprising folk-rocking sisters Emily, Jessica and Camilla, and songs like Winter Trees beloved by everyone from Tom Jones to Bon Iver. Then, on Tue 7 May, velvet-voiced John Grant arrives to tour the sublimely brilliant Pale Green Ghosts long player.
MARCH ROUND-UP ➻
Peroni Nastro Azzurro have been keen to bring the grandeur of Italian opera to UK audiences ‘with a distinctive and stylish twist’. Thus, Opera di Peroni, coming to Bristol Paintworks on 27-28 March. In collaboration with renowned producer/ electronic artist Kwes and innovative opera producers Go Opera, the event will see Puccini’s lesser-performed opera La Rondine transformed into an interactive 80-minute production… Speaking of stylish twists, Fri 15 March sees Balanescu Quartet bringing their lushly complex arrangements of Kraftwerk songs to Bath’s Assembly Rooms. Expect tracks such as The Model and Computer Love, plus works by Michael Nyman and Gavin Bryars … There have been few acts as innovative in popular music as The Magic Band. Captain Beefheart’s former cohorts visit the Fleece on Mon 4 March, including original members Denny Walley, Mark Boston and John French … Making good on a Mercury nomination for debut album Devotion, former Joker and SBTRKT collaborator Jessie Ware (pictured above) plays her biggest local show to date at O2 Academy Bristol on Tue 12 March. The same venue stages Jake Bugg on Mon 25 March, the 19-year-old Nottingham hailer rising very quickly indeed off the back of such irresistibly catchy roots tracks as Lightning Bolt… Boston-based alt.country songstress Eilen Jewell returns to Bristol on Wed 27 March, looking to build on past sell-out shows at St Bonaventure’s with a trip to The Tunnels … Finally, prepare to be transported into the most sublimely trance-like of states as the Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan come to St George’s Bristol on Sun 3 March.
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PIC CREDIT: NATIONAL TRUST IMAGES
WHAT’S ON
DAYS OUT
HOLIDAY
FUN
Anna Britten cracks into Bristol and Bath’s finest, family-friendly Easter activities
T
PIC CREDIT: NATIONAL TRUST IMAGES
hanks to that celestial mischiefmaker the moon, Easter is a movable feast. This year it falls pretty early (Fri 29 MarchMon 1 April), so for those of us with children it’s going to feel about 10 minutes since the Christmas holidays and two since February half-term. Panic not. Unlike those two
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extensive periods of blissful/ brutal enforced family-time, Easter can generally be celebrated without having to grit the road first. It’s about hope and renewal, daffodils and chicks and, with a bit of luck, the blue skies that lie ahead. Oh, and chocolate.
EASTER EGG TRAILS
Let’s get the chocolatey side of things out of the way first. If you like to make your nippers work for their sugar, you can’t go wrong with a National Trust Easter Egg Trail, sponsored for the sixth year running by Cadbury and taking place at a stately pile or garden near you. There’s an Eggciting Easter trail at Dyrham Park (31 Mar-1 Apr, 10am-4.30pm, £2, www. nationaltrust.org.uk/dyrhampark), an Easter Eggstravaganza at Prior Park (29 Mar-1 Apr, 10am-4.30pm, £1.50, www.nationaltrust.org. uk/prior-park), and an Easter Trail at Leigh Woods (Fri 29 Mar, 10am-2pm, £2.50, www. nationaltrust.org.uk/leighwoods), in which there’s a side-order of educational
flora/fauna-related fun, and dogs on leads are welcome.
SCIENCE
Good old At-Bristol (www. at-bristol.org.uk) will be regaling visitors with their Top Ten Science Tricks (23 Mar-7 Apr). What will be topping the charts this year? The Diet Coke-and-Mento explosion? That thing with the magnesium strip? Perch on the edge of your seat for the countdown, the controversial decisions and the opportunity for mini mad professors to chant ‘Microwave grape! Microwave grape!’ without anyone calling social services. Free with admission (see website for details).
DINOSAURS
Twelve scary dinosaurs will be summering among the shrubs of Bristol Zoo Gardens (www. bristolzoo.org.uk) again this year, and over Easter weekend you can be one of the first to welcome them back. DinoZoo2 (23 Mar-8 Sept) promises to take visitors on a journey that started over 65 million years ago. Look out for the scene-
This pic and below: make your nippers work for their sugar at a National Trust Easter Egg Trail
stealing Tyrannosaurus Rex, Stegosaurus and the cute Dilophosaurus baby popping its head out of its shell, all brought to life using state of the art technology (including some blood-chilling growls and grumbles). It’s not just a hi-tech wheeze, though - by contrasting animals who used to live on this planet with those that still do, organisers hope to teach visitors about the threat of extinction today and also the city’s very own Bristol dinosaur. Free with admission (see website for details).
TIME FOR BREAKFAST
You don’t just want the usual bowl of Cheerios in front of the telly on Easter Sunday. But nor do you want to sweat it out in the kitchen in your pyjamas. So why not take a deluxe two-course breakfast in Bath’s awfully genteel Pump Room (Sun 31 Mar, 9.30am, £15, www.romanbaths.co.uk) instead? While there you’ll find out about the historic venue’s 300-year-old, worldfamous Tompion clock and sundial: Time for Tompion promises a jolly nice morning FOLIO/FEB 2013 34
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WHAT’S ON
Left: the spectacular and fascinating Beckford’s Tower; right: learn to be a proper-job pirate at Tyntesfield; this pic: Easter fun at HorseWorld; bottom: decorate your own Shakespearian ‘egg-head’ at the Holburne Museum
for anyone interested in British history, antiques, clockmaking or the science of timekeeping.
PIRATES
Do your youngsters like to buckle a swash and wear an eyepatch? Do they say ‘arrgh’ a lot (and not just when you’re trying to de-nit their hair)? The National Trust’s dramatic Tyntesfield (www. nationaltrust.org.uk/ tyntesfield) are opening a Pirate School (30-31 Mar) in their docks - aka boating pond - teaching all the skills required for skullduggery on the high seas. The one-hour workshops cost £5 per child (in the company of a responsible paying adult) and ‘shipshape fancy dress is recommended for all lads and lassies’. Plus those fabulous grounds and gothic rooms to explore afterwards.
YARN BOMBING
Yarn bombing - or graffiti knitting - finds phone boxes, lamp-posts, door handles, statutes, trees, bicycles - and even, once, a bus - wrapped in colourful wool, all in the name of art and public cheer. This Easter, Bath’s American Museum’s Easter Yarn Bombing Trail (29 Mar-1 Apr, www.americanmuseum.org) promises to turns your springtime walk into something special. Grab a trail sheet and see if you can find all
of the knitted delights decorating the grounds springtime creatures and other Easter-inspired creations, all handcrafted by museum volunteers - to win a chocolate egg. Free with ‘Gardens only’ admission (see website for details).
HORSES
Easter Fun Weekend (29 Mar-1 Apr, 10am-5.30pm) at equine refuge and visitor centre HorseWorld in Whitchurch (www.horseworld.org.uk) brings all manner of stablebased fun, from an Easter egg hunt to a chance to make your own Easter decoration in a creative workshop. Love the film Babe? Then, while you’re there, do give a tickle or a stroke to friendly new arrival Janey, a seven-yearold Gloucester Old Spot pig who so charmed her owners that they
couldn’t face sending her to the slaughterhouse so asked the Whitchurch-based charity to give her a new home.
HISTORY
Bath’s Holburne Museum (www.holburne.org) present their Jacobean Easter Eggstravaganza on Sun 24 March (12noon-4pm). Prithee wend thy way thither for a courtly celebration of Easter inspired by the current Painted Pomp exhibition. Find the hidden eggs in James I’s Easter trail, spice a pomander, decorate your own Shakespearian ‘egg-head’, ruffup and join in a giant egg roll. All this plus falconry, bouncy castles and morris dancing.
TOWER
A neoclassical gem at the top of Bath’s Lansdown Hill, Beckford’s Tower (www.
bath-preservation-trust.org.uk) is well worth pulling up for on your way in or out of the city. Built in 1827 as a folly for local bigwig William Beckford, it’s now home to a museum displaying original furniture, paintings, prints and objects illustrating its former owner’s life as a writer, collector and patron of the arts. There are spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including western Bath. The New Acquisitions exhibition (until Sun 21 Apr), highlights the variety of fascinating smaller items to have entered the collection over the past few years.
CHOCOLATE
The Chocolate! exhibition (until 6 May) at Bristol’s M Shed (www.mshed.org) is obviously one of the city’s cultural highlights this Easter - a chance for all ages to wallow in the history, mystery, magic and science of Bristol’s confectionary history (exhibits include the last Fry’s Chocolate bar and last Elizabeth Shaw Mint Crisp chocolates), work Wonka-style machinery, design
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and make their own chocolate box and scoff a free chocolate. Pop along on Wed 27 Mar (10am–1pm) or Thur 28 Mar (2-4pm) and you can make and decorate your own origami basket ready to fill with chocolate Easter treats. No need to book - just drop in (suitable for ages five and above).
STEAM TRAIN
The smell of the fire, the screech of the whistle, the judder of the carriages… Be transported back to the days of steam on a traditional Bristol Harbour Railway Train ride (30 Mar-1 Apr, every 40 mins, 11am-5pm, tickets
£1-£4, under-6s free, www. mshed.org). Made in the 1930s, the Henbury steam locomotive, used to load cargo on and off the ships at Avonmouth docks, was retired in the 1960s when diesel engines took over, but was overhauled in the 1980s and went on to make railway history as the first preserved steam locomotive to pull freight for British Railways. Great fun for all ages, particularly with a Mr Whippy in your hand. Get on at the M Shed - it’s the perfect way to arrive at the ss Great Britain in style.
FARM FUN
Bowood House and Gardens (www.bowood. org) reopen for the new season this Easter, with their new attraction Tractor Ted’s Little Farm, where kids can meet friendly farm animals (such as goats, sheep, miniature ponies) and handle rabbits, guinea pigs and hens. Watch real chicks hatching in the Discovery Stable, enjoy farm games and watch Tractor Ted’s real action films. Outside, ride around the mini tractor
Bowood House (top) reopens at Easter with their new attraction Tractor Ted’s Little Farm (bottom left) where kids can meet friendly farm animals. Alternatively, let them have a ride around the mini tractor track (this pic)
track, play ball-scooping in the mini digger den and see really big, exciting modern farm machines like combine harvesters, forage harvesters, balers and ploughs. There’s a cosy cafe beside the farm, and you can design your own Easter bonnet, with a prize for the best one.
(27 Mar-2 Apr, 10am-4pm Wed-Mon, 10am-12noon Tue 2 Apr) is a stunning collection of botanical drawings from Westonbirt Arboretum, Bedgebury Pinetum and elsewhere by botanical artists. The restaurant and cafe will be open again after a refit, too.
TREES & CRAFTS
Puxton Park (www.puxton. co.uk) near Weston-super-Mare have been working hard to establish themselves as a firm family favourite since launching nearly six years ago. Their Easter Eggstravaganza (23 Mar-7 Apr) brings children’s activities including Easter egg hunts and interacting with rabbits. This is, of course, in addition to the usual farm animals, pets village, adventure park, falconry centre, restaurant and farm shop. You could even see a baby calf being born, or some newly hatched chicks. It doesn’t get much more Eastery than that.
Burn off some energy among the rare and beautiful trees of Westonbirt Arboretum (www. forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt) in Tetbury. The nature reserve’s Easter Challenge (26-29 Mar, 10.30am-4pm) invites families to win a treat by answering an Easter riddle, follow a family trail and take part in craft activities (flower sewing cards, Easter chick thumb cartoons, paint blowing, blossom printing). At the end you’ll discover a spring surprise and all correct entries will receive a treat. While there, visit the current art exhibition in the Great Oak Hall: The Art of Trees
ANIMALS
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COMPETITIONS
WIN HIGH FASHION FOOTWEAR Are you looking to spruce up your spring wardrobe? Then do it from the ground up with this month’s competition. We’ve teamed up with the fabulous footwear site, Rubbersole, to offer two lucky readers the chance to take a confident step in style’s direction with a voucher worth £50 to spend on all manner of sole-ful goodies. It’s one of the UK’s leading footwear sites: go take a sneak peek now and you’ll find a whole host of big-name brands - Calvin Klein, Birkenstock, Scholl, Converse, Kickers, French Connection, and tons more - with designs to suit every taste and budget. From catwalk to country walk, gym to ’jamas, it’s a shoe-in you’ll find the perfect pair for every occasion. And if playground hijinks have been taking their toll on junior’s footwear, there’s a huge children’s range, too. So, allow us to wish you a happy browse, and remember - even if you’re not one of the lucky pair to win the vouchers, Rubbersole.co.uk’s free delivery and returns policy means that everyone has the chance to bring a great bargain to heel. FFI WWW.RUBBERSOLE.CO.UK
TO ENTER ➻
RUBBERSOLE FOOTWEAR VOUCHER
fabulous COMPS
Enter today to be in with a chance of winning these great prizes!
Just answer the following question: Rubber Soul is the name of an album by a) The Beatles or b) Showaddywaddy? Email your answer, with ‘Rubbersole.co.uk’ in the subject line, to: editor@foliomagazine. co.uk by Wed 20 Mar. Entries after this date will not be counted. The two winners will be picked at random and notified by week commencing Mon 25 Mar.
WIN
SHAVING & SHOES!
➻ BLUEBEARD’S
REVENGE SHAVING SET & JACKS OF LONDON BARBERING EXPERIENCE
Just answer the following question: The shaving set is named after which famous pirate? Email your answer, with ‘Bluebeard’s Revenge’ in the subject line, to: editor@ foliomagazine.co.uk by Wed 20 Mar. Entries after this date will not be counted. Winner will be picked at random and notified by week commencing Mon 25 Mar.
LAST MONTH'S WINNERS
Fleur of England lingerie Congratulations to Andrew Cheater, who won a luxury Rose collection lingerie set. Correct answer: the pink rose. PacaPod bags Congratulations to Jean Beer, who won the Oban bag and Changer Toy pod. Correct answer: 950g.
WIN GROOMING GOODIES & AN AMAZING BARBERING EXPERIENCE Arrrrrrrrr you ready for the ultimate grooming treat? To become a Jolly Roger/Steve/insertown-name-here indeed? Because Folio, Bluebeard’s Revenge and Jacks of London have teamed up to give you the chance to win a pair of none-smoother prizes. Our lucky winner will sail out on the high seas of style with a luxury Bluebeard’s Revenge ‘cut throat’ shavette shaving set, as well as the ultimate barbering experience for himself and a shipmate at Jacks of London’s Bristol outlet on 31 Penn Street. The luxury shaving set comprises beard-reducing shaving cream, soothing post-shave balm, ‘Doubloon’ shaving brush and a ‘cut throat’ shavette razor. A real-life Bluebeard designed the range, me hearties - a man so tired of having stubble all at sea that he produced a set of shaving and skincare products not only fit to tackle common irritations like razor rash and burn, but even aiming to reduce hair growth. And the treasure-trove continues at Jacks of London, where the specialist team offer a range of traditional barbering skills, including cutting, styling, colouring and professional cut-throat shaving in pirate-reassuringly masculine surroundings. FFI WWW.BLUEBEARDS-REVENGE.CO.UK, WWW.JACKSOFLONDON.CO.UK FOLIO/MAR 2013 39
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NEWS REVIEWS RECIPES TOP TENS FEATURES NEWS REVIEWS RECIPES TOP TENS FEATURES
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LAST-MINUTE DEALS, NEW RESTAURANTS, CHARITY CURRIES AND MORE… ORGANIC
BOXING CLEVER
➻ If you’re in the business of sustainable farming, you’re in for the long haul. It’s been 30 years since Devon farmer John Watson decided to move towards more sustainable farming methods, inspiring his son Guy to begin growing organic vegetables. In 1993 Guy Watson began delivering regular veg boxes to around 30 friends and neighbours near to their Totnes farm, and the positive response to this pioneering bit of marketing encouraged the family to expand. Twenty years later, Wash Farm houses a dairy, butchery, bakery and farm shop all organic - as well as the biggest organic veg box delivery scheme in the country. Riverford Farms are a thriving collective of sustainable food producers based in four regional farms in Hampshire, Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire, as well as Devon. It’s been a steady growth for the business, bringing likeminded people together and ensuring a year-round supply of fruit, vegetables and meat to keep the weekly boxes interesting. They deliver boxes to around 40,000 homes a week, and have picked up the odd prize on the way, too. Record rainfall may have messed up the 2012 harvest in other ways, but it delivered a bumper crop of awards to Riverford Farms, culminating in Guy Watson being named Farmer of the Year 2012 at the highly prestigious BBC Food and Farming Awards. He was particularly commended for his achievement in sustainable intensification - growing more but using fewer resources to do so - and judge Adam Henson (pictured, left, with Guy) applauded the way he’d taken Riverford “from a concept to a real business”. Guy, of course, was pretty chuffed with all this, saying: “From the outset, my aim has been to produce organic food with flavour, look after my team, my suppliers and the land, and encourage people to eat seasonally. Twenty five years on, Riverford has shown that all this is possible.” RIVERFORD FARMS FFI: 01803 762059, WWW.RIVERFORD.CO.UK
NEW RESTAURANT
The bill, please ➻ For all the clever business planning and market calculations that can lie
behind a new enterprise, sometimes it’s just happenstance that makes for success. Thus Bill Collison’s grocery store in Lewes, Sussex had been doing very nicely for a decade when, in 2001, he thought of offering panini alongside the fresh produce. The combination of greengrocery and cafe proved such a popular move that, like Topsy, the operation ‘just growed’ until it became as important as the shop itself, thanks to a straightforward contemporary British menu offering good stuff from breakfast time to late evening. Like many good ideas, it soon attracted the money men - in this case, shrewd entrepreneur Richard Caring (who numbers The Ivy among his considerable investments). By April this year there will be 18 ‘Bill’s’, with a newly opened branch in Cheap Street, Bath bringing our first chance to sample Bill’s charmingly retro-designed ‘own brand’ produce, from balsamic vinegar to beer and biscuits. We’re looking forward to those famous breakfasts, with bubbleand-squeak a house speciality, as well as the eclectic all-day a la carte range, from sirloin steak to the highly rated homemade fishfinger sandwich.
BILL’S RESTAURANT 7-8 CHEAP ST, BATH. FFI: 01225 424262, WWW.BILLS-WEBSITE.CO.UK
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DISH OF THE DAY
NEW RESTAURANT
CLIFTON CANTEEN ➻ Good to see that, even while he’s off
fighting fish (apparently), Hugh FearnleyWhittingstall found the time to slap a coat of paint over the inside of his new Bristol enterprise. The lovable Dorset TV chef and allround good food guru is opening the third of his award-winning River Cottage Canteens in St John’s Court Hall, the elegant 19th century redbrick building at the bottom of Bristol’s Blackboy Hill. The tasteful refurb was carried out by Bristol design company Simple Simon, in line with River Cottage’s strong commitment to local sourcing - they anticipate that 90% of the produce used will come from within a 50-mile radius, including Chew Valley suppliers like the Community Farm and the Story Group. The staff team were pretty locally sourced, too, with ex-Brasserie Blanc manager Sarah Kieck taking
the helm, and a kitchen team headed by Mark Stavrakakis, whose CV includes Goldbrick House and the nearby Rockfish. The food will, of course, be seasonal, using organic and wild food to create a daily changing menu of Hugh’s signature contemporary English cuisine. Imaginative dishes like glazed beetroot, melted onion and Dorset Blue Vinny pizza, Portland crab tortellini with leek vinaigrette, and cider-poached pear tatin with crumble top are among those on offer, and a family-friendly ethos means that, as well as special children’s dishes, some of the main courses are available in half-portions. Online booking is recommended, particularly for the evenings. RIVER COTTAGE CANTEEN ST JOHN’S COURT, WHITELADIES RD, CLIFTON, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 973 2458, WWW.RIVERCOTTAGE.NET
➻ Last-minute diners will be pleased to hear about a web-based service that finds bookable tables in a range of local restaurants - with the added bonus of discounts up to 50% - that’s just gone online for Bristol and Bath. Table Pouncer is the brainchild of south coast entrepreneur Patrick Knight, who developed the idea in Bournemouth before rolling it out nationwide. As well as the size of your party, the website lets you specify the kind of cuisine, spend per head and preferred area, providing handy maps to help you find your way to any unfamiliar eateries. With 20-30 deals available every day, some impressive recent offers have included 50% off at contemporary Mediterranean restaurant Byzantium (pictured above) and a 35% reduction at the very swish Marco Pierre White Steakhouse in Congresbury. TABLE POUNCER FFI: WWW. TABLEPOUNCER.COM
FUNDRAISER
KARMA KORMA ➻ We take it for granted, but large
parts of the world have no access to safe drinking water. And that’s something that FRANK Water are pledging to do something about. The Bristol-based charity have teamed up with local businesses for their latest fundraising wheeze, ‘Karma Korma’, a day of curry eating to support water sanitisation in India. Courtesy of the Bart Ingredients Company,
adventurous chefs who register online will receive a recipe with matching spices, enabling them to host a dinner party on Fri 22 March, encouraging diners to donate £10 (or more!) to the cause. Or pop into your local Thali Cafe - they’re donating £1 for every customer that day. FRANK WATER FFI: WWW.FRANKWATER.COM FOLIO/MAR 2013 41
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TASTE THE
DIFFERENCE
Above: Korean chicken wings from Surakhan; below: go Persian at the Kookoo Café; right: Tilapia fish with jollof rice – a tasty Nigerian treat from Iroko
Tony Benjamin eschews the horseburgers and chips for something rather more unusual
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Left: Iranian zereshk polo ba morgh, another winner from Kookoo Café; this pic: the subtle flavours of Nepal can be found at Bristol’s Kathmandu
I
t seems that whatever we eat these days, it all boils down to the same old boring horsemeat in the end. Or else it’s the usual takeaways… but we say: Enough! It’s time for a change! And a swift look around the ever-diversifying food world of Bristol and Bath reveals all sorts of unexpected ingredients and less usual cuisines from around the world. So if you’re looking to extend your jaded tastebuds without stomping a huge carbon footprint on our dear old planet, may we suggest some exotic dining discoveries pretty close to home?
KOREAN
WHAT? Fresh-tasting fried vegetables, pungent fermented kimchi pickles and marinated bulgogi beef are among the main flavours of Korean cuisine. Try dolsot bibimbap, a filling bowlful of rice, vegetables and meat topped with a fried egg. WHERE? When Surakhan quietly opened on Park Row in Bristol just two years ago it was the city’s first Korean restaurant, but now the Bento House takeaway on Cheltenham Road also offers a full range of Korean dishes.
NEPALESE
WHAT? Similar to more subtly flavoured Indian food. Try luscious momo dumplings, stuffed with meat, and wo meat and lentil patties for starters, sizzling marinated lamb or duck choyla or kukhura curry. Yak Yeti Yak has the deliciously sweet gaajarko carrot tarts. WHERE? Bath’s Yak Yeti Yak (Pierrepont Street) and Bristol’s Kathmandu (Colston Street) are both long-established Nepalese favourites, recently joined by Namaste Nepal (Frogmore Street, Bristol).
PERUVIAN
WHAT? Chicharron sandwiches of pulled pork and roast sweet potatoes, spicy empanada pasties and mashed potato-topped causa pies filled with tuna and avocado, plus chilli-heated hot chocolate, Andes-style. When Tambo goes out with the StrEAT collective, make sure to get melt-in-the-mouth anticuchos skewers of marinated ox heart. WHERE? The unique Tambo takeaway on Bath’s Grove Street showcases the recipes that Carlos Huaman learned from his Peruvian grandmother. Tambo is also a member of the StrEAT Food Collective, appearing at Green Park Station on summer evenings.
PERSIAN
WHAT? Mahiche - slow-cooked lamb shanks, fragrant spiced broad bean rice, richly flavoured aubergine dips and pungent adasi lentil stews. Heaps of fresh herbs and succulent kebabs and, to finish, the astonishing faloudeh - rice noodles in frozen rosewater. WHERE? Bristol now has two very different Persian eateries: Kookoo Cafe (Gloucester Road) is an informal hangout with ‘dish of the day’ specials, while Shiraz (Hotwell Road) is a more smartly formal restaurant (complete with shisha shack in the garden). Both offer the same, famously friendly Iranian hospitality.
NIGERIAN
WHAT? Be ready for the pepper! It’s everywhere - and it can be hot, hot, hot. Find it in sizzling chicken gizzards, spicy snails or the rich gravy of ayamase, even a little in the tasty jollof rice. Don’t be fooled by delicious ‘soups’ like spinach-rich egusi or pumpkin leaf edikangikong - they’re actually solid dishes that you can eat with your fingers. WHERE? The family-run Iroko (on the former site of Johns Cafe in Midland Road, Bristol) is the region’s only Nigerian diner, with a fine funky soundtrack and a good choice of African beer (including Nigerian Guinness). FOLIO/MAR 2013 43
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Left: Bath’s Aio, one of very few Sardinian restaurants in the country; above: a fusion that works – Irish-Italian scrumptiousness from Farrells (pictured below)
VIETNAMESE
WHAT? Clear and fragrant pho soups, braised meat and fish, transparent summer rolls filled with prawns and coriander, noodles with everything, and the refreshing flavours of lemongrass and lime juice. And plenty of vegetarian dishes. WHERE? Pho Hanoi (Gloucester Road, Bristol) - formerly Huong Que - first brought Vietnamese cuisine to the area a couple of years ago. If you can find the StrEAT Food caravanserie out and about, Viet Vite has some tasty Vietnamese dishes freshly made in the van.
SARDINIAN
WHAT? While clearly influenced by their Italian neighbours, the Sardinian islanders have their own ideas about food. Plenty of fish - try the seafood-stuffed, paella-like fregola alla bottarga or grilled sardines with Sardinian flatbread. The spiedino del moro makes an offally good kebab from marinated lamb’s heart, liver and kidney. WHERE? Aio, in George Street, Bath is one of very few Sardinian restaurants in the country, and celebrates its homeland’s twin passions for fresh fish and welcoming hospitality.
CONTACTS
IRISH-ITALIAN
WHAT? This is truly a one-off. Farrells restaurant offers a fusion of two cuisines that sounds unfeasible but actually works. Thus you have rabbit terrine with Bushmills-soaked prunes (great idea!) or risotto of Cashel Blue cheese with chestnut mushrooms, or smoked salmon served with potato cake and horseradish mascarpone (genius!). Try Irish hake topped with Guinness rarebit or Molly’s Catch (Dublin Bay prawns and other seafood in an oregano and tomato sauce) and you’ll see where they’re coming from. WHERE? The original Farrells is halfway down Keynsham High Street, and would have been a real one-off place if they hadn’t recently opened another in the burgeoning Portishead Marina.
AIO WWW.AIORESTAURANT.CO.UK BENTO HOUSE WWW.JUST-EAT. CO.UK/RESTAURANTSBENTOHOUSE-BS6/MENU FARRELLS WWW. FARRELLSRESTAURANT.CO.UK IROKO WWW. IROKORESTAURANTBRISTOL.COM KATHMANDU WWW. KATHMANDU-CURRY.COM KOOKOO CAFE WWW.FACEBOOK. COM/KOOKOOCAFEBRISTOL NAMASTE NEPAL WWW.N-NEPAL. CO.UK PHO HANOI WWW. HUONGQUEBRISTOL.WIX.COM/ RESTAURANT SHIRAZ WWW.SHIRAZPERSIAN RESTAURANTBRISTOL.COM STREAT FOOD COLLECTIVE WWW. STREATFOODCOLLECTIVE.COM SURAKHAN WWW. SURAKHANRESTAURANT.COM TAMBO WWW. TAMBOPERUVIANKITCHEN.CO.UK YAK YETI YAK WWW.YAKYETIYAK. CO.UK
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SPRING Food, glorious food, clockwise from this pic: Jersey Royal, cream of the new potato crop; leeks epitomise the light flavours of pre-spring; morel mushrooms; purple-sprouting broccoli – fresh and cheap; sardines and native oysters – fishmongers’ favourite; rhubarb – a national culinary treasure
FEVER Melissa Blease follows her nose to find the tastiest seasonal produce on our plates right now
I
t’s official. Spring fever is poised to replace cabin fever as spring is all set to, well, spring. And even if the weather isn’t quite up to speed with such a plan this March, an abundance of fresh, local produce most certainly is. “March can represent a bit of a lull on the foodie calendar,” says Charlie Hicks, fresh produce supplier for some of the most highly regarded restaurants in the South West, including Bristol’s Bordeaux Quay and the Lido, and the Allium Brasserie, Bertinet Bakery and Priory in Bath. “But all the really good stuff is just around a corner that we’ll be turning any moment now. Personally, I’m really looking forward to English asparagus and
Cheddar strawberries arriving on the scene, but rhubarb - coming into season right now - is a national culinary treasure not to be missed.” While we may have to wait a little while yet for asparagus and strawberries (both seasons officially start in May), rhubarb is most definitely talking our language right now, alongside a whole host of lighthearted, vibrant produce poised to take us out of the dark ages dominated by root vegetables and game. Purple-sprouting broccoli, for example - fresh, sweet, cheap and plentiful in March - is at its peak of perfection; watercress, morel mushrooms and wild garlic are starting to flourish; spring lamb and rosemary - a dream team if ever there was one - are on their very
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best behaviour. Meanwhile, on the fishmonger’s slab, shoals of cockles are heralding the arrival of a range of piscatorial perfection including lemon sole, sardines, clams, winkles, cockles and native oysters, all at their very best right now. Meanwhile, Jersey Royals - the cream of the new potato crop - will be bursting onto the scene within a few short weeks. But why wait to embark on a voyage around the new season’s menus?
WHAT TO EAT NOW Wild garlic grows plentifully in and around areas of mature woodland, and is especially abundant in the West Country. At first glance, it’s easy to mistake the clusters of tiny, white, star-shaped flowers for some variation on snowdrops, but close up, you’ll notice slender, spear-shaped, vivid green leaves and a pungent, garlicky aroma that belies the milder flavour of the plant itself. Pick the leaves (but please, leave those immature bulbs alone) and use them to add a subtle garlicky backdrop to salads, or chop finely and sprinkle
over hot dishes, bearing in mind that wild garlic has a natural affinity with lamb. Despite its rather suspicioussounding moniker, forced rhubarb hasn’t undergone any sinister, mysterious process in order to flourish. In fact, it’s been kept moist and happy in a lovely warm shed since around last November, when the older, mature plants were brought in from the cold. As the new shoots attempt to move towards the light, they naturally force themselves upwards from their beds (hence that name), absorbing much more water and minerals than usual as they increase their efforts. The result is a tender, delicate but vibrantly coloured stalk, much tastier than their hardier outdoorsy relatives. Simply sprinkle them with demerara sugar and bake for around 20 minutes in a moderate oven or poach gently for the same amount of time in
slightly sweetened orange juice. When she originally started campaigning to bring leeks to the attention of a beleaguered nation during the war years, English home economist and kitchen goddess Marguerite Patten referred to the abundant spring crop as ‘poor man’s asparagus’ - but these splendid cultivars of Allium ampeloprasum are worthy of far more than a bide-yourtime reputation. Whether you choose to serve yours lightly steamed with a simple vinaigrette, au gratin, flashroasted or in a tantalising tart, leeks epitomise the fresh, light flavours of pre-spring.
AND WHERE TO EAT IT The chefs at award-winning vegetarian haven Maitreya Social are renowned across the region for ➔ FOLIO/MAR 2013 47
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Main pic: The Lido sources its veg and salad from a Kitchen Garden near Pill; inset: Bath Priory’s head chef Sam Moody has a passion for locally sourced seasonal ingredients; below: one of Sam’s creations; bottom: Café Maitreya – famed for their ‘right here, right now’ produce
their wonderful ways with ‘right here, right now’ produce. Meanwhile, the Lido, Glassboat and Spyglass restaurants (the latter opening its doors to a brand new season next month) all source their vegetables, herbs and salad ingredients from their shared Kitchen Garden (featuring a polytunnel at the heart of the action), situated just across the Clifton Suspension Bridge near the village of Pill, where produce is picked each morning and delivered straight to the restaurants for use that day. In Bath, the nationally acclaimed demuths offer an impeccably foodie, meat-free experience that represents a paean to seasonal produce fluctuations. Elsewhere, at Menu Gordon Jones, the daily changing menus are solely based on local market availability on the very day he devises each feast. At the Bath Priory, meanwhile, head chef Sam Moody’s passion for locally sourced seasonal ingredients (including lots of produce from his own Kitchen Garden) was a major (wow) factor in earning the Priory a Michelin star.
CONTACT BATH PRIORY WESTON RD, BATH. FFI: 01225 331922, WWW.THEBATHPRIORY. CO.UK
DEMUTHS 2 NORTH PARADE PASSAGE, BATH. FFI: 01225 446059, WWW.DEMUTHS.CO.UK GLASSBOAT WELSH BACK, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 929 0704, WWW. GLASSBOAT.CO.UK THE LIDO OAKFIELD PLACE, CLIFTON, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 933 9530, WWW.LIDOBRISTOL.COM MAITREYA SOCIAL 89 ST MARK’S RD, EASTON, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 951 0100, WWW.CAFEMAITREYA.CO.UK MENU GORDON JONES 2 WELLSWAY, BATH, BA2. FFI: 01225 480871, WWW. MENUGORDONJONES.CO.UK SPYGLASS WELSH BACK, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 927 7050, WWW. SPYGLASSBRISTOL.CO.UK
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Review
THE OLIVE TREE
New chef Chris Cleghorn has the CV, the venue and lashings of that all-important wow factor. Melissa Blease welcomes him into Bath’s gourmet gang
A
handful of Big Boy chefs are dominating Bath’s prandial playground right now, all of whom vie for the ‘destination dining experience’ spotlight. We don’t need to name-check the gourmet gang; we’ve sung their praises sufficiently in previous reviews, as have Jay Rayner, TripAdvisor et al. But it seems as though they’re all going have to play nice and make room for a new kid on the Heritage City’s flourishing (chopping) block. Having trained under both Michael Caines and Heston Blumenthal, Chris Cleghorn has recently taken up residence at the Olive Tree, one of Bath’s longest-established, most highly regarded foodie hotspots, where uber-chef Nick Brodie earned the kitchen three AA rosettes before going off in search of pastures new. So, young Chris has a lot on his plate in terms of standards to live up to. But what he’s been putting on the plates that he so confidently, competently constructs in his kitchen has already setting tongues wagging.
“The halibut rested on emerald-hued parsley and garlic risotto scattered with fat, juicy snails, teased by fennel and frothed with a fruity sherry foam” Once seated at our artfully elegant table (the Olive Tree never fails to offer an all-round exemplary experience), we were treated to a sip of soup that packed the kind of intense pumpkin punch one would expect to be delivered only by diving into a 1,000-litre pool of squashed gourds in a 100ml shot glass. For starters proper, ‘Chicken and Egg’ (£11.50) fired an equally intense flavour bullet courtesy of truffled confit chicken topped with a perfect golden globe of slow-poached egg yolk, bathed in a brazenly rich consommé that ran out just at the point where enough was about to be enough, but which left me wanting more - clever, eh? Another starter of wood pigeon, duck liver terrine, pear and walnuts (£13.50) registered highly on the ‘cunning’ spectrum, too, leaving us arguing over whether the overall elements combined to push game, fruit, sweet, bold or that less-easy-
to-define ‘earthy’ characteristic to the fore - this is food to talk about indeed. Now, this being one of Chris’s first reviews, we sampled both the meat and fish options from the 4/4/4 selection solely for the purposes of, you understand, selfless research. And so it came to pass that sweet, moist cod with salt-baked celeriac, parmesan and sharp apple foam (£19.50) and halibut resting on emerald-hued parsley and garlic risotto scattered with fat, juicy snails, teased by fennel and frothed with a fruity sherry foam (£23.50) gracefully graced our table before two carnivorous rabble-rousers. For me, soft, dark duck with intense carrot puree and orange-glazed chicory. For him, velvety venison with a wafer-thin beetroot of a countenance that belied the impact on the tastebuds, along with chestnut and dinky dauphinoise dice. Proving that, while Chris is a master of delicate, sweet/sour teasers, he’s
not afraid to flaunt brave, bold pairings when the time is right. And lo, the time was most definitely right for dessert: refreshingly non-creamy pineapple mousse with light lime sponge and dreamy coconut sorbet; chocolate ganache the texture of fresh fudge, sprinkled with shards of popcorn and salted caramel ice-cream; a perfectly tempered bitter chocolate globe the size of a cricket ball, cracked open at the table to reveal parfait, mousse and sorbet, and popping candy to bring a chuckle to the party. Yes, there were references to Blumenthal. Yes, Caines’ exacting standards are writ large throughout the menu. And yes, Bath has a brand new superchef to shout about. Play nice, Big Boys.
CONTACT
THE OLIVE TREE AT THE QUEENSBERRY HOTEL RUSSEL ST, BATH. FFI: 01225 447928, WWW. THEQUEENSBERRY.CO.UK
THE VERDICT HHHHHHHHHH
A subtly challenging, memorable experience in chic but welcoming surroundings. Flawless service, too. Fabulous!
50 FOLIO/MAR 2013
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EATINGOUTWEST
Review
ROCKFISH GRILL
No fuss, no fanfare, just a superlative piscine experience. Tony Benjamin heads to Mitch Tonks’ Clifton grill for a meal to remember
I
t was almost a Proustian moment when, two forkfuls into my main course at Rockfish, I was suddenly stricken with remorse. The clean, fresh taste of that cod loin suddenly brought back a flood of recollections from a lifetime of shamefully thoughtless indulgence and countless greasy handfuls of badly battered fish hastily scoffed on windswept seafronts. Had I really been party to so much casual mistreatment of this magnificent seafood? Sadly, having been raised in the English tradition, I can only plead guilty. I just hope that our various slightly desperate sustainability strategies for the once mighty cod succeed enough for me to keep paying my belated respects for the foreseeable future. It had been a controversial choice, too: “You’re having cod?” from the other side of the table when I passed over bream, brill, gurnard and monkfish in its favour. But it was The Lovely She who picked fried salt cod for a shared antipasti plate, a trio of parmesan-crusted croquettes of salt-firmed fish with a gooey filling that established Rockfish’s credentials as a proper seafood restaurant. She followed that up with chicken livers, softly roasted in sausage skin and served with a jus of dark sage and aged vinegar - a hot, rich pate that was to be our sole concession to meat. I had a tangled plate of fried squid, courgette and lemon, battered and salted and melt-in-the-mouth soft, the mixed flavours making for the best kind of finger food. We’d relied on Rockfish to do the wine matching - she had a glass of fruit-bowl sauvignon blanc from Venice (one of the wines of the day) and stuck with that, while I’d started with their own blended white douro, a dustier, crisp proposition, and moved on to a red bordeaux for the main course, as recommended by the waitress.
“My clean-tasting fresh cod loin was gleaming with buttery lemon, bejewelled with capers. I lifted my fork and… well, you know the rest” There was no big fanfare when the mains arrived - it was a busy night and the two unflappable waitresses barely stood still all evening - but in a moment the table was filled. A hefty chunk of crisped roast brill with a little jug of bearnaise for her, side dishes of fennel gratin, courgette fritti and chips to share, and that cod for me - gleaming with buttery lemon, bejewelled with capers, freshly liberated from the parchment bag it was cooked in. I lifted my fork and… well, you know the rest. Here’s the thing about Rockfish and its owner Mitch Tonks: the restaurant rose from the ashes of FishWorks, a great idea (combining fresh fish sales and a seafood cafe) that overgrew itself to become a nationwide chain, which eventually imploded under the weight of corporate decisionmaking. Happily for Bristol, Mitch was able to reclaim the
premises and with it the great idea - and this time he kept it small. There are two Rockfish grills, the other being down in Dartmouth, five minutes from the Brixham market that supplies nearly all the Rockfish fish. There’s a third business, the Seahorse, also in Dartmouth and just a tad upmarket. The guiding principles for all three are: absolutely fresh fish with the minimum of fussing about, cooked to order, and served with respect. Vegetarians get short shrift, I’m afraid, and while there are meat options (I’ve long hankered for the roast rib of beef for two diners), you’re in the vicinity of a fish epiphany, so why bother? It’s not cheap - our meal, with a shared dessert of almond and prune tart and an espresso, came to £86 - but sustainable fish isn’t a cheap option. In the
right hands, however, it’s worth it - and that’s why the Seahorse beat off the molecular mafia to be declared Observer Food Monthly magazine’s restaurant of the year 2012. Like the Bond song says, nobody does it better.
CONTACT
ROCKFISH GRILL & SEAFOOD MARKET 128 WHITELADIES RD, CLIFTON, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 973 7384, WWW. ROCKFISHGRILL.CO.UK
THE VERDICT HHHHHHHHHH
A total celebration of the joys of seafood that makes the fish the star FOLIO/MAR 2013 51
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Review
LA TASCA Moreish tapas, a welcoming feel and gorgeous weir views at Bath’s relocated Spanish eatery
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s I’ve droned on about here before, not all chains deserve the ‘crime scene: do not cross’ caution that’s so recklessly promoted by the food police. While I personally prefer to patronise a local indie venture rather than feed the corporate fat cats, there are a handful of high-street big names that not only tick quite a few boxes in terms of supporting the local economy (jobs, jobs, jobs!), but offer a tasteful, walletfriendly experience to boot. Since the Bath branch of La Tasca relocated from its Broad Street nest and set up shop in the light, airy space formerly occupied by the (dreadful) Brasserie Gerard, offering gorgeous views across Pulteney Bridge and the weir from huge windows, I’ve been inclined to call in for a tapas fast-fix on several occasions. The fact that the staff are friendly, welcoming and keen to make informed, knowledgeable recommendations (waiter Damian deserves a standalone mention here for being one of Bath’s loveliest waiters) adds to an overall sense of bondad that’s far removed from the anticipated faceless franchise reputation. Tapas classics such as albondigas, chorizo, calamares, tortilla, patatas bravas and good bread - the foundations, surely, of any tapas blow-out - are all, as one would hope from a kitchen that makes ‘authentic Spanish’ claims, thoroughly decent representations of the genre. Both the chorizo served with morcilla - the Spanish version of our beloved black pudding,
TABLE TALK FAT CHANCE ➻ Did you see that latest report
“Silky chunks of pork cheeks slowcooked in Pedro Ximenez deliver an earthy punch, while manchego croquetas are a creamy treat” served as dinky little golf ball-sized globes - and silky chunks of pork cheeks slowcooked in Pedro Ximenez deliver an earthy punch, while manchego croquetas are a creamy, moreish treat. I’m not sure, though, that Spanish food aficionados would wax too lyrically about the paella - our seafood option didn’t contain as much seafood as one would hope for and arrived a little too underseasoned for my liking. But it certainly couldn’t be described as an option to avoid - unless, that is, you’re keen to make room for a dessert, which we failed to do on this visit, but can attest
from previous experience that both the lemon tart and the churros are very good. Price-wise, tapas dishes range around the £4-£6ish mark, paellas £8.95-£12.45. Massive discounts, however, abound, and holders of a Loyalty Card can expect to cash in on some very big deals indeed. (Melissa Blease)
CONTACT
LA TASCA THE EMPIRE, GRAND PARADE, BATH, FFI: 01225 466477, WEB: WWW.LATASCA.COM/BATH
THE VERDICT HHHHHHHHHH
Tasty tapas, nice environment. Lovely bar area, too
about how, thanks to the free availability of medical statistics, we’re all eating more sensibly and living more healthily, losing weight and getting fitter? No, because, let’s face it, it isn’t going to happen. We did, however, all hear yet another soul-crushing expose, this time from the Health and Social Care Information Centre - namely, that Britain is still the ‘fat man’ (sic) of Europe, with obesity rates (and associated health problems) continuing to rise. Nearly 12,000 people were admitted to hospital in 2011 for obesity-related illness - it would have been more, apparently, if only there’d been wider doors. It’s not funny, of course, especially when we learn that one in 10 children starting primary school are already obese, rising to one in five when they move up to secondary level. Clearly we’re feeding ourselves and our kids too much of the wrong stuff. And, of course, we knew that, didn’t we? After all, Jamie’s been saying it for years now. What’s even more illogical is that it comes on the heels of another report, bizarrely from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, showing that the average UK family chucks away some £680 worth of food a year uneaten, meaning that we’re spending way too much on rubbish food and that the supermarket cash registers are as bulging as our waistlines as a consequence. Since we all seem determined to eat our way out of recession, government appeals for national belt-tightening would seem to be a little misguided. (Tony Benjamin, Food & Drink editor) FOLIO/MAR 2013 53
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EATINGOUTWEST
Review
THE RIVERSTATION The great location and careful, creative cooking make this Harbourside eatery a perennial favourite
I
t’s a misty afternoon, with winter sun slanting across the water and swans cruising past the Riverstation’s vast window. Too early in the year to take to the balcony, so we settle in the light modernist upstairs restaurant, with a lighttouch languedoc red and excellent homemade breads. Downstairs, it’s bustling with Saturday brunchers and families taking advantage of Riverstation’s ‘kids eat free’. Upstairs, there’s a discreet 30th birthday gathering. It’s all very relaxed, yet with the promise of serious food styling to come. When the friendly waiter appears with an unexpected amuse-bouche of little plugs of scallop, lightly seared and propped on chunks of roast artichoke around a smear of rich apple compote, the sense of being in the right place at the right time is confirmed. Those great flavours set our palates up for a fishy feast, and my companion, aka The Duchess, plunges with enthusiasm into her dark orange Mediterranean fish soup, the velvety surface a reflection of its creamy richness and melting rouille. I have a very tasty crab borek (a square parcel of spiced crabmeat in filo pastry, panfried, with deliciously sweet/sour pickled green tomato slices) - another tongue-tingling combination, ringed with splashes of sweet chilli dressing. The amiable languedoc gets along fine with these assertive dishes, and the mains, too: Cornish gurnard for her, turbot for me. As befits a dockside eatery, the fish is fresh, perfectly
10 OF THE BEST
FISH & CHIPS ➻
Salt and vinegar on that? If you know it’s done properly, with fresh (sustainable) fish and crisp, grease-free chips, this British classic is always worth seeking out. Here are some favourite crackling good chippies.…
“The friendly waiter appears with an unexpected amuse-bouche of little plugs of scallop on roast artichoke with rich apple compote” cooked and comes on artfully arranged plates. The gurnard sits on juicy pak choi, with a fan of dark roast beetroot encircled by black bean sauce. The turbot gets a bouquet of purple-sprouting, some brazen slices of roast fir apple potatoes and a shimmering blob of rust-red romesco sauce. The Catalan condiment is amazing: semi-crunchy with almonds and breadcrumbs, its depth of flavour needs careful handling to make the most of the subtleties of turbot, while the Chinese accent gives the gurnard a more complex aroma than usual. It’s filling, too, so we
share a light iced pistachio parfait with oozy-boozy griottine cherries offset by lovely dark espresso coffee. Including our carafe of wine, it comes to just under £80 - a lot more than if we’d gone for the tempting set lunch offer - and that seems good value for what we’ve enjoyed.
CONTACT
RIVERSTATION THE GROVE, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 914 4434, WWW.RIVERSTATION.CO.UK
THE VERDICT HHHHHHHHHH
An easygoing ambience makes a great setting for culinary classiness
ARGUS FISH BAR West St, Bedminster, Bristol • Classic local chippy - very popular but worth queuing up for. BISHOPSTON FISH BAR Gloucester Rd, Horfield, Bristol (www.bishopstonfishbar. co.uk) • Award-winning stuff, with generous scampi and Maris Piper chips one of many favourites on the menu. CLIFTON VILLAGE FISH BAR Princess Victoria St, Clifton Village, Bristol (www.cliftonvillagefishbar.co.uk) • Keeping the quality high means that there’s always a crowd here - and at their Druid Hill place, too. FARROW’S FISH & CHIPS Wells Rd, Totterdown, Bristol (www.farrowsfishandchips.co.uk) • Gluten-free batter is a nice touch, as is their range of interesting fritters. FISHMINSTER North St, Bedminster, Bristol (www.fishminster.co.uk) • Sophisticated nu-Southville take on the tradition, with homemade fishcakes a local favourite. MAGNET FISH BAR Dean Lane, Bedminster, Bristol • Back in original hands and delivering the kind of fresh-cooked quality that famously brought Badly Drawn Boy to play a micro-gig here. PAPA’S FISH BAR Waterloo St, Westonsuper-Mare (www.papasukltd.com) • You can’t beat a good fish supper at the seaside, and this place has a 50-year reputation for delivering just that. SCALLOP SHELL FISH & CHIPS Whiterow Farm, Beckington, nr Frome, BA11 (www.thescallopshell.co.uk) • Farm shop fishmonger with ‘catch of the day’ freshness and healthy grilled options alongside the usual menu. SEAFOODS Kingsmead St, Bath (www.seafoodsfishandchips.co.uk) • Bath’s only fish and chip restaurant with a 60-year history, and a sister takeaway in Combe Down. TWERTON CHIPPY High St, Twerton, BA2 (www.twertonchippy.co.uk) • Friendly neighbourhood frying mecca covering all the angles, including deep-fried brie and calamari.
54 FOLIO/MAR 2013
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TAKE AWAY AND INFORMAL CAFE STYLE SEATING
Cel eb our rating 1 yea 0th r!
At Tiffins we cook and serve traditional home cooking style Gujarati food. We cook in only little amounts of pure sunflower oil and do not use ghee, or any artificial colouring or flavours. All dishes are cooked individually, in the traditional way, and all the dishes are displayed in front of you for you to choose and mix and match as you wish. Our menu changes daily with a selection of 7 veggie curries and 2 meat curries to choose from. Dishes can be taken home cold to heat up later or we can heat it up for you.
EVENTS CATERING Tiffins offer event catering which is tailor-made to suit your budget and needs.
www.tiffinsbristol.com es Pric nged ha unc ince s 7! 200
FINALIST FOR BEST TAKE-AWAY 2010 by BBC Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards.
151 St Michael’s Hill, Bristol, BS2 8DB 0117 973 4834 www.tiffinsbristol.com info@tiffins-bristol.com
FOLIO/MAR 2013 55
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RESTAURANT PROFILE
MEZZE RESTAURANTS ADDRESS: MEZZES AT THE… GREEN DRAGON, DOWNEND; ROYAL GEORGE, THORNBURY; SHIP & CASTLE, CONGRESBURY; WARWICK ARMS, CLUTTON TEL: 0117 914 1101 (DOWNEND), 01454 414030 (THORNBURY), 01934 833535 (CONGRESBURY); 01761 453594 (CLUTTON) WEB: WWW.MEZZERESTAURANTS.COM
R
evitalising historic inns and refurbishing ageing hostelries that have seen better days, bringing policies of good food and drink at reasonable prices - along with excellent service and comfortable, tasteful surroundings to local communities… That’s what Mezze Restaurants are all about. Since 2008, Mezze Restaurants have opened four restaurants - two with accompanying boutique hotels - around the wider Bristol area. And there are two more outlets in the pipeline for the next couple of months (including the much-anticipated Mezze at the White Lion at Portishead). Mezze Restaurants concentrate on easygoing Mediterranean-style food served in a flexible way, and in delightful surroundings - both indoors and outside in their lovely child-friendly gardens. Great-value food and individual table service are joint list-toppers, along with a wonderful array of mezze dishes
to suit all tastes and appetites, served up with a genuine welcome for families. These lovely old pubs can be found at the heart of the communities they were built to serve, including that grand old lady of Thornbury, Mezze at the Royal George. On the banks of the River Yeo at Congresbury, Mezze at the Ship & Castle, with its beautifully appointed country hotel, is placed at the head of the village and is a familiar sight to anyone who has travelled the old A370 road from Bristol to Weston-super-Mare. Mezze at the Warwick Arms is out at Clutton on the A37 Wells Road, and is the latest addition to the Mezze Group, complete with its brand-new boutique-style hotel rooms and wonderful children’s playground. Last but not least, Mezze at the Green Dragon at Downend, just off the M32 is a zingy ‘citi-style’ restaurant, situated close to its loyal customer base at the heart of the South Gloucestershire end of Bristol. No travelling into town required here!
CHEF PROFILES JAKE MUNDUZ & JAMES BROWN Executive chef Jake Munduz has worked in the British hospitality trade since he came to England as a young man. His expertise in Turkish and Mediterranean-style cuisine provides a sound foundation for the Balkan and Middle Eastern influences on the Mezze menu. Jake broadened his mezze expertise by training under the internationally acclaimed chef Bayram Acar. He’s constantly researching and developing recipes that will appeal to British taste-buds but which still retain the authenticity of their eastern Mediterranean origins. Classically trained in French cuisine, executive chef James Brown brings a strong professional approach to Mezze Restaurants. His knowledge of the cuisines of the western and northern Mediterranean seaboard provides the basis for mezze dishes from the Iberian Peninsula and the French-speaking areas of North Africa. His background in the Bristol-based restaurant trade is extensive, having managed and fronted many of Bristol’s most popular restaurants, including Aqua, Melbournes and Severnshed, as well as Thornbury Castle and Michelin-starred Les Semailles.
56 FOLIO/MAR 2013
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EATINGOUTWEST
RECIPE
ARANCINI T hese crisp deep-fried rice balls stuffed with creamy mozzarella and basil are delightful. Served hot with a green salad, they’re really moreish. Make more than you think you’ll eat, though - they will disappear very quickly. Gorgeous!
INGREDIENTS ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
50g/2oz unsalted butter 450g/1lb arborio rice splash white wine 2l/3.5 pints warm vegetable stock salt & freshly ground black pepper 50g/2oz chopped sundried tomatoes 1 free-range egg, beaten plain flour, for dusting breadcrumbs for coating diced mozzarella chopped basil
TO MAKE
small amount of the chopped basil. Add more rice mixture to the ball as a lid, and roll it to form a ball to seal in the cheese. When you’ve finished rolling the arancini, put them back in the fridge for about 30 mins to firm up.
For the arancini, melt butter in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add rice and cook for 2-3 minutes on a low heat. When it starts to become a little translucent around the edges, add wine and cook for one minute. Add warm stock gradually, stirring all the time, as with a risotto. Continue stirring until the rice is cooked. Season with salt and pepper, and leave to cool. When cool, stir in the sundried tomatoes.
Beat the egg in a bowl. Sprinkle the flour onto a tray. Roll the rice balls in the flour. Dip them into the beaten egg and then roll them in the breadcrumbs.
Wet your hands with cold water. Pick up a handful of the rice mixture and mould to form a ball. Make an indentation in the top and fill with mozzarella and a
Deep-fry the arancini for 3-4 minutes, or until golden-brown. Remove from the oil using a slotted spoon and set aside to drain on kitchen paper.
of the month
RECOMMENDED HARDYS MILL CELLARS CHARDONNAY 2008 ➻ The lovely combination of rich flavours and textures in this dish requires a full-bodied and ripe white wine. The Mill Cellars Chardonnay is a great example of a round, balanced, flavoursome white with a heady combination of ripe stone fruits, citrus hints and subtle vanilla from a small amount of oak ageing. The ripe fruit will cut through the creaminess of the mozzarella and open up the flavours of the basil and sundried tomatoes, while the subtle oak will add a savoury hint that will complement the seasoning and crispy coating. FOLIO/MAR 2013 57
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EATINGOUTWEST
TALK OF THE
PUB of the month
TOWN The good times are definitely rolling at Bradford on Avon’s Castle Inn. Melissa Blease stops by
T
he gorgeously pretty, pastoral enclave that is Bradford on Avon is just eight miles south east of Bath, slap-bang in the middle of the rolling countryside between Salisbury Plain and the Mendip Hills. A river runs through this smart little town, and there’s a tithe barn, Saxon church and Roman remains to explore as well. Meanwhile, a rather smart little inn is busy making contemporary history all of its own... Back in 2007, a pub that was once, by all accounts, a rather insalubrious dive became a Flatcappers freehold affair (see also the lovely Battleaxes at Wraxall), today fully refurbished to the company’s exacting standards
(flagstones, beams, chunky furniture, lovely beer garden overlooking toytown), with four sumptuous letting rooms upstairs. “The Castle was originally one of the town’s gatehouses,” explains Flatcappers managing director Ben Paxton. “Now it’s a proper pub again: friendly, relaxed and welcoming - some customers have said that they feel as though they’re being hugged the moment they walk through the door.” Indeed, there’s something quintessentially cosy about the Castle, thanks in no small part to the easygoing bonhomie marinated into the ambience at every turn. This is not a pub that tells you what you want and when you’re allowed to have it - the emphasis is on good times for all; you can sit where you like and do what you want at your table, be that tucking into a three-course feast, nibbling at a bar snack or simply enjoying a pint of well-kept real ale. “Our approach to dining is simple and informal,” says Ben. “We don’t take reservations; it’s simply a question of first come, first served - order at the bar, and eat wherever you want.” And for many Castle fans, a trip to the pub starts very early in the day. Breakfast (including the full-on Flatcapper full English, ‘Good Morning Pancakes’ and the most sumptuous eggs benedict for miles around) is served from 9am, and brunch
rolls along all the way until midday, when a mixture of contemporary takes on pub classics, inventive vegetarian options and all manner of tantalising nibbles (including a spiffing modern tapas selection) ensure that nobody goes hungry at any time of the day. Sunday roasts, meanwhile, are particularly noteworthy, and it’s all prepared by real chefs in a real kitchen that makes the very most of locally sourced produce. “The Castle really benefits from being owned by an independent company,” says Ben. “We can devise our own menus and cook everything from fresh, without being dictated to by anybody or anything except the needs of our customers. I’m very aware, however, that if we take our eye off the ball for one second, customers can easily go to a chain restaurant and get consistent food and drink - which might not be of the same quality that we provide, but at least they know what to expect. But by always paying close attention to every detail, we know that we can offer better food and service than any chain or big group franchise - and our regulars know that, too.” For spring 2013, Live Music Mondays are back from April and bank holiday events are already in the pipeline. And that gorgeous garden (offering stunning views across the picturesque Bradford on Avon rooftops - all the way, on a clear day, to the Westbury White Horse) is set to come into its own again. THE CASTLE INN MOUNT PLEASANT, BRADFORD ON AVON, BA15. FFI: 01225 865657, WWW. FLATCAPPERS.CO.UK
58 FOLIO/MAR 2013
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EATINGOUTWEST
Shop
SUPER
of the month
FOODS Tony Benjamin stocks up at pioneering purveyors of healthy wholefoods Wild Oats
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f you’ve never been through their door, you might be very surprised by how much is going on behind Wild Oats’ sedate frontage. Just a few yards off Bristol’s Blackboy Hill, the double-fronted shop boasts a mazelike set of rooms whose teeming shelves contain more than 6,000 different lines of food, drink, cosmetics and household stuff. The busy front counter sells bread and cakes from Fabulous Baker Boy Tom Herbert’s Hobbs House, and deli goods from all over, with a rack of organic wines (some of them vegan) and locally made beers and ciders. Step further in, and you find chillers full of organic drinks, dairy products, readymade salads and dips from local producers, and a full range of vegan products including cheese, chocolate, yogurts and sausages. Turn right, and you’re in a haven of beans, grains, pulses and other essentials, all organic and still housed in the flip-top bins installed by owner Mike Abrahams after seeing the idea in a Dutch shop in the 80s. There’s a room of speciality foods, with plenty for those whose diets need to avoid
gluten, dairy or meat, as well as a host of exotically named ‘raw superfoods’ like lacuma, chlorella and maca. A final room offers bulk supplies of eco-friendly cleaning products and unexpected things like bamboo socks (they’re surprisingly soft!), and then you’re back where you started and wondering about those tempting samosas, raw chocolates and tasty ‘ice non-cream’ desserts. Now in their 33rd year, Wild Oats have
Wild Oats has a solid customer base that continues to grow
developed from Abrahams’ original vision of a natural food grocery providing healthy organic foods (when such things were much harder to find) to what he now describes as “a complete service for anything to do with food and health, as far as we can go”. One fundamental change was the introduction of natural remedies and supplements in the early nineties something the owner was initially reluctant to contemplate. “I was keen to promote a natural, balanced diet and didn’t think they were necessary, but I began to see evidence of their value, especially in overcoming environmental influences. I tried some myself and they changed my own health for the better and I saw them working for others.” The shop now has an extensive range of these products as well as the all-important expertise to offer customers information to help them choose. There’s a strict protocol, however, about not diagnosing people’s ailments or ‘prescribing’ treatments. “The first question is, ‘Have you seen a doctor?’” says Abrahams. “If not, we suggest they do. We try not to ‘sell’ things and it’s not unusual for people to leave empty handed. We also offer to take back anything if people feel it doesn’t work - but the returns box is very small!” Thanks to a well-established staff team, all very committed to the shop’s values, Wild Oats has a solid customer base that continues to grow. Though the internet has made health foods more widely available, they still boast postal customers from as far away as Turkey and Australia. Someone even makes an annual pilgrimage from South Africa to stock up on speciality products. “There’s no typical customer - everyone’s an individual here. What they all share is a concern to live healthily, and we’re here to help them to do that.”
CONTACT
WILD OATS NATURAL FOODS 9-11 LOWER REDLAND RD, BRISTOL, BS6. FFI: 0117 973 1967, WWW.WOATS.CO.UK FOLIO/MAR 2013 59
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near Pill; inset: Bath Priory’s head chef Sam Moody has a passion for locally sourced seasonal ingredients; below: one of Sam’s creations; bottom: Café Maitreya – famed for their ‘right here, right now’ produce
EATINGOUTWEST
News
WHAT'S COOKING Our monthly round-up of news from the foodie world
SUPER MARKETS
➻Forget those trolleys and barcodes and check out one of the West’s vibrant markets to catch the local harvest at its freshest… BATH FARMERS’ MARKET Green Park Station, Bath, 9am-1.30pm, every Sat (www.bathfarmersmarket.co.uk) STROUD FARMERS’ MARKET Cornhill Market, Stroud, 9am-2pm, every Sat (www.fresh-n-local.co.uk) WHITELADIES ROAD FARMERS’ & FAIR TRADING MARKET Outside auction rooms, corner
of Whiteladies Rd & Apsley Rd, Clifton, Bristol, 8.30am-2pm, 1st & 3rd Sat of month (www.sustainableredland.org.uk)
This pic: The Big Chill bar will be hosting the Mi Casa Cantina for the next three months; inset: the legendary Bell’s Diner is up for sale
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he news that owner/ proprietor Chris Wicks has put Bell’s Diner on the market marks the end of one of Bristol’s most highly regarded (and best-loved) restaurant experiences. Wicks took over the Montpelier diner in 1997, taking Shirley Ann Bell’s genial bohemian bistro into contemporary French fine-dining territory before embracing Blumenthalesque molecular gastronomy to great acclaim (albeit strangely overlooked by Michelin inspectors). He’ll still be working with boutique hotel Berwick Lodge, and hopefully we’ll see new downtown ventures, as he’ll be sorely missed. Meanwhile the new generation of poppers-up continues to make its mark on the city, with the Big Chill Bar hosting the Mi Casa Cantina for a three-month residency, starting on Fri 1 March. Fitting in with the bar’s general style, chef Alexis is planning to create an American deli/diner experience, complete with sumptuous Reuben sandwiches. The Allium Brasserie in Bath have something
WESTON-SUPER-MARE FARMERS’ MARKET
a lot closer to home in mind, however, for exhausted runners completing the Bath Half Marathon on Mon 3 March. Chris Staines, chef-proprietor of the awardwinning restaurant in the Abbey Hotel, will be serving traditional Sunday lunches right through the afternoon till 5pm to give footsore heroes a chance to celebrate. Big celebrations on Stokes Croft, too, when Tom Hunt, Ben Pryor and Jen Best heard that their Poco restaurant was named Sustainable Restaurant of the Year by the Sustainable Restaurant Association. The popular tapas diner claims to be 95% wastefree thanks to careful purchasing and a rigorous policy of recycling leftovers, which includes giving them away to customers as pinchos dishes - a truly tasty way to help save the planet.
High St, Weston-super-Mare, 9am12.30pm, 2nd Sat of month. KEYNSHAM FARMERS’ MARKET Ashton Way car park, Keynsham, Bristol, 9am-1pm, 2nd Sat of month (www. somersetfarmersmarkets.co.uk) WESTBURY-ON-TRYM MARKET Medical Centre car park, Westbury Hill, Bristol, 9am-1pm, 4th Sat of month. HARBOURSIDE MARKET No.1 Harbourside, Canons Rd, Bristol, 11am-4pm, every Sat & Sun (www. no1harbourside.co.uk) TOBACCO FACTORY MARKET (pictured above) Raleigh Rd, Southville, Bristol, 10am-2.30pm, every Sun (www. tobaccofactory.com) SLOW FOOD MARKET Corn St, Bristol, 10am-3pm, 1st Sun of month (www. stnicholasmarketbristol.co.uk) BRISTOL FARMERS’ MARKET Corn St, Bristol, 9.30am-2.30pm, every Wed (www.stnicholasmarketbristol.co.uk) BRADFORD ON AVON FARMERS’ MARKET
Westbury Gardens, Bradford on Avon, 9am-1pm, third Thur of month. BRADFORD ON AVON COUNTRY MARKET
St Margaret’s Hall, Bradford on Avon, 10am-11.30am, third Thur of month.
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FASHION JEWELLERY BEAUTY SHOPPING FASHION JEWELLERY BEAUTY SHOPPING
LIFESTYLE
FASHION FEST, MOTHER’S DAY TREATS, NEW SEASON SHOES AND MORE… FOOTWEAR
WALK THIS WAY Clockwise from above: Ricosta Rocco Pink (also available in Green) £42; Fly London Pala Lemon/Black £85; FitFlop Due Canvas in Hibiscus (also available in Navy) £75; Camper Peu Kenia £99
➻ If spring is here, then surely summer must be just around the corner. So it’s time to step out in style at SoleLution, where this season’s selection of footwear, from shoes and sandals to canvas, offers something for all the family and all occasions. Women are spoilt for choice, with neutrals and colours to enhance any outfit, whether it’s for everyday wear or something a bit more glamorous. There are supersoft pumps from Hush Puppies, stylish wedges from Fly London, earthy tones from El Naturalista and Camper, sandals with ergonomic footbeds from Birkenstock and FitFlop, not to mention comfort and style from Josef Seibel, Rieker, Legero, Merrell and Skechers. For the wider fitting, you’ll find a range from Hotter and Padders. Barkers, Rieker, Boxfresh, Merrell and Hush Puppies are just some of the brands on offer for men, whether you’re after work shoes, something more casual or holiday sandals. SoleLution now also stock Camper, whose philosophy is to create shoes that are comfortable and durable - not just a specific shoe but a style, a way of walking! For children, a wide choice of school and casual shoes, sandals and canvas includes brands such as Start-rite, Geox, Hush Puppies, Ricosta, Camper and, new for this season, Pediped and Keds. SoleLution will look after your children’s feet from their first pair of shoes, with a free measuring service and advice when you need it. “We know how important it is to look after those precious little feet,” says owner Tanya Marriott. “After all, we only get one pair, and they need to last us a lifetime.” SoleLution’s knowledgeable, fully trained staff are always on hand to help you find the right shoe for your sole. And don’t forget to ask about their loyalty card scheme (terms and conditions apply - see in store for details). SOLELUTION 1-2 BOYCES AVE, CLIFTON VILLAGE, BRISTOL (0117 973 8350) & 114 HIGH ST, PORTISHEAD (01275 843 399)
MOTHER'S DAY
ME-TIME FOR MUMS ➻ This Mother’s Day, take some time
out to recharge, rejuvenate and relax with the Relaxation Centre’s Mother’s Day Package - your chance to enjoy a spa session and a one-hour treatment of your choice for £60pp on Sun 10 March (saving yourself £10). Enjoy some me-time in the tranquil atmosphere of their beautiful spa and garden, chill out in the hot tub under the stars, bask in the soothing heat of the saunas and steam room, and have a snooze in the Relaxation Lounge. What’s more, all mums will receive a special free gift. (Booking is essential for the Mother’s Day Package - call for details and availability.)
If you haven’t already discovered the Relaxation Centre, you’ll find it hidden away on a quiet street in Clifton. This place is so much more than just a health spa - having laid down their roots many years ago, they’ve been merrily mastering the art of ‘taking it easy’ ever since. A thriving community of passionate, positive folk, they’ve created a soulful haven where you come to slow down, nourish yourself and enjoy some of life’s simple pleasures. THE RELAXATION CENTRE 9 ALL SAINTS RD, CLIFTON, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 970 6616, WWW.RELAXATIONCENTRE.CO.UK
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LIFESTYLE
FASHION FESTIVAL
DRESSED TO THRILL ➻ Tickets are now on sale for next month’s
Bath in Fashion, one of the most talkedabout fashion gatherings outside of London. The week-long festival will showcase the fashion celebrities who make fashion happen - the people who put the model in the dress and the dress on the page. Discover how an artist can freeze a fashion icon forever in time, or how a photograph can capture a fashion moment. In Bath, you don’t just wear fashion, you live it! This year’s exciting line-up includes a centenary Norman Parkinson exhibition curated by designer Roland Mouret, and Ladies Let Rip!, a Gainsborough-inspired installation from artist/designer Julie Verhoeven. Michael Bush, the genius behind Michael Jackson’s fabulous stage costumes, provides a unique insight into the King of Pop’s wardrobe, while the Holburne Museum host The Jacobean Catwalk, a talk
DAY SPA
HEAVEN!
by Sir Roy Strong in conjunction with their Painted Pomp exhibition. And Iain R Webb launches his new book about eighties fashions, as seen in Blitz magazine. There’ll also be catwalk shows (produced by London Fashion Week’s John Walford), film and shopping events (including pop-up stores), lunches, masterclasses, workshops and creative think-tanks. Events for fledgling fashion designers include the Eton Design ‘Design a Red-carpet Creation’ and Fashion Your Future at Komedia, with an advisory panel introduced by Bath Spa University’s Louise Pickles. To round off the excitement, a Vintage Weekend brings vintage cars and a secret tea party.
➻ From the soles of your feet to the tingling top of your scalp, embark on a journey to sensory heaven for the face and body. The Absolute Spa Ritual at Green Street House in Bath is the ultimate mind, body and soul experience, and includes a prescribed Elemis Facial and full-hour body massage. Bath’s fabulous salon are offering the treatment as a special Mother’s Day treat at only £90 (normally £125) for two hours of complete relaxation (also available as a gift voucher throughout March).
BATH IN FASHION 13-21 APRIL. FFI: WWW. BATHINFASHION.CO.UK (TICKETS VIA THE WEBSITE, OR FROM BATH TIC, NEXT TO THE ABBEY)
GREEN STREET HOUSE 14 GREEN ST, BATH. FFI: 01225 426000, WWW. GREENSTREETHOUSE.CO.UK • SEE ALSO FEATURE, PAGE 70
LAUNCH PARTY
OLD FLAMES
➻ Good news for vintage fans with fond memories of Clifton Hill Costume and Textiles. Bristol’s iconic antique and vintage clothing, accessories and haberdashery shop is reopening, following the death of its founder back in 2011, and there’ll be a special launch party taking place next month. The evening will feature era-specific styled areas and tableaux with models in situ wearing clothes from the era. Enjoy music and performance from talented 1940s-style band The Marionettes, along with a catwalk, marketplace and bar. “We’ve attracted a bevy of beautiful models, make-up artists and hair stylists from Bristol, London and Wales,” say the organisers, “and we’ve engaged a posse of photographers.” Don’t miss it - and feel free to dress vintage style! CLIFTON HILL COSTUME & TEXTILES LAUNCH PARTY THUR 18 APRIL, 7-10PM, CLIFTON HILL HOUSE, LOWER CLIFTON HILL, BRISTOL, BS8, TICKETS £3 IN ADV (FROM: SUE@ AUNTIESVINTAGECHINA.CO.UK), £4 ON THE DOOR FOLIO/MAR 2013 63
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FASHION LIFESTYLE
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CATWALK Suzanne Savill looks forward to the 15th Bristol Fashion Week
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here will, of course, be fabulous fashions for spring/summer 2013 on display during the 18 shows that will take place during Bristol Fashion Week. But anyone who’s ever sat alongside the runway at The Mall in Cribbs Causeway will know that the city’s biggest fashion event offers far more besides. This is an event for which you need to bring a hanky in your designer handbag, because when you walk out of the vast marquee in which the hour-long shows are held, you may find yourself with tears in your eyes - either from laughing at the banter of co-hosts Mark Heyes, the ITV Daybreak stylist, and celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton, or from hearing the stories of some of those who’ve taken to the catwalk after having a makeover. “Last year we had our first-ever male makeover model, who walked down the catwalk and presented his wife with a rose as a thank you for nominating him,” says Maria Crayton, head of marketing at The Mall, and the driving force behind Bristol Fashion Week, which is now in its 15th season. Others who’ve enjoyed makeovers over the years include a mother nominated by her daughters following treatment for cancer, and an army wife who wanted to surprise her husband when he returned from a tour of duty.
However, it isn’t just the lucky five chosen for fashion and beauty makeovers during the five days of BFW who get to be pampered. Maria explains: “To make it feel like a real treat, everyone attending a fashion show is treated to M&S refreshments on their way in, and has the chance to win a gift worth over £100 from John Lewis. There are also the BFW goody bags, with things to try and sample. The cotton totes are really useful to keep and re-use!” And anyone visiting The Mall from 21-24 March can also visit the BFW Pamper Zone for mini-manicures, colour consultations, cosmetic makeovers and threading. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill fashion event, either. “It’s not just about straight walking models,” says Maria. “The team of models reflects different looks - directional, edgy and classic - as well as different ages, sizes and body shapes. We want the audience to feel that they too can look great in the fashions featured. It’s all about accessible fashion, and everything featured on the catwalk is available from the stores in The Mall.”
You’ll find more than just the latest trends at Bristol Fashion Week. Suzanne Savill can’t wait
BRISTOL FASHION WEEK 20-24 MARCH, THE MALL AT CRIBBS CAUSEWAY. TICKETS £13.95 (LIMITED PLATINUM FRONT ROW), £8.95 STANDARD, FROM THE MALL’S INFORMATION DESK OR VIA THE WEBSITE, WHERE YOU CAN ALSO SUBMIT A NOMINATION (BY 8 MARCH) FOR SOMEONE TO ENJOY A MAKEOVER. FFI: WWW. MALLCRIBBS.COM
Above and below: highlights from last year’s extravaganza; this pic: co-hosts Mark Heyes, the ITV Daybreak stylist, and celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton
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LIFESTYLE
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TV Daybreak stylist Mark Heyes will be hosting Bristol Fashion Week along with celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton, and giving BFW visitors tips on this season’s trends. When we ask him what the key colours and looks will be for spring/summer 2013, his response is perhaps rather unexpected…“Black and white.” Both these colours, of course, are traditionally associated with winter, but Mark goes on to explain that what he’s seen on the international catwalks has convinced him that monochrome will be the big look for SS13. “In particular, we’re going to be seeing a lot of black and white stripes,” he says. “It was a very noticeable trend at the Dolce & Gabbana show. And the good news is that a lot of the stripes will be running down the body instead of across!” Mark, who’ll be attending his 12th BFW event, adds that stripes will also be mixed within an outfit - for example by combining a top with horizontal stripes with a jacket with vertical stripes. And the other colour trend to watch out for will be yellow used alongside black and white, although Mark reckons that many people will need to look at alternatives to yellow clothing. “For many people,” says Mark, “yellow is a difficult colour to wear because it doesn’t suit all skin tones. If that’s the case, the trick is to keep the colour away from the face by going for yellow accessories, such as a bright yellow handbag.” A quick look around the many fashion retailers at The Mall proves that Mark’s right, with Marks & Spencer and John Lewis both stocking bright yellow handbags, and a definite emphasis on black and white, in addition to yellow, in stores including John Lewis, Hobbs, Marks & Spencer and East.
CLASSIC COMBINATION… Cream silk frill front blouse £79, black tailored trousers £99, ‘Clover’ yellow leather clutch bag £115, ‘Lilac’ black leather buckle wedges £125. All from Alice Temperley at John Lewis
COMPLETELY MONOCHROME… Savannah coat £169, Tia top £59, Brunel trousers £110, Renee platforms £149. All from Hobbs
STRIPEY STYLE… Black and white striped skater dress £49.50, M&S Woman at Marks & Spencer
CONTACTS ALL STOCKISTS FEATURED CAN BE FOUND AT THE MALL, CRIBBS CAUSEWAY JOHN LEWIS WWW.JOHNLEWIS.COM HOBBS WWW.HOBBS.CO.UK MARKS & SPENCER WWW.MARKSANDSPENCER. COM EAST WWW.EAST.CO.UK
ACCESSORISE IN YELLOW… Mini saddle bag in yellow £19.50, M&S Woman at Marks & Spencer
SUMMER SUNSHINE… Yellow linen cardigan £59, East
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FASHION LIFESTYLE
HOW TO WEAR...
Smart… Niki wears: Trousers from Marks & Spencer £21, polo neck from Oasis (three years ago), heels by Kurt Geiger (last year)
PRINTED TROUSERS
Personal stylist Niki Whittle grabs some of the attention
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ou must have seen them. Those rails of elaborately decorated trousers in gorgeous colours that you think would look great on someone else, but not you? Well, think again. I was, like you, skeptical about wearing something so attention grabbing, but then I tried a pair on and I haven’t looked back since. The great thing about a pair of printed trousers whether floral, striped or even leopard print - is that they’ll go with so many other items already hanging in your wardrobe. Think of all those plain tops you have but rarely wear - they’re the perfect partner. And if you’re still not convinced, there’s another reason to give them a try: they’re super-versatile and great for a day in or night out. There are, of course, some things to consider when venturing into printed-trouser territory - like your shape, the print, the colour, and what to wear them with. Apple and column shapes can embrace the trend fully, wrapping up in gorgeous bold prints and skinny styles. Hourglass and pear-shaped women should avoid large bold prints and opt for tailored styles. To ensure you don’t overdo it in the pattern department, keep your outfit simple and team your printed pins with plain tops. Go for bold colour if you like, and tie the look together using accessories. This pair is perfect for my pear shape. I’m wearing them with a classic black polo neck and heels for a smart look, and have dressed them down for day with flats and my trusty leather jacket. They really are an easy item to style up - don’t be surprised if they become one of your wardrobe staples.
Casual… Niki wears: Trousers from Marks & Spencer £21, jumper from Warehouse and flats from LK Bennett (both last year), necklace from Accessorize £5, jacket - years old!
FFI WWW.NIKIWHITTLE.COM, WWW.HIPSHAPEANDBRISTOLFASHION.BLOGSPOT.COM
FASHION NEWS…
Elsie Belle bracelet, available from The Bristol Shop
➻ This month is an exciting one for me as I’m returning to Bristol from India for a few weeks! I’ll be spending most of my time perfecting clients’ wardrobes for the spring/summer season, but I can’t wait to explore my favourite city again on my days off, and to see some of the new shops that have cropped up. One that I’ll definitely be visiting while I’m back is Sisi and May in Bath. After nine years, Mee Boutique have decided that it’s time to rebranded, taking an already fabulous shop to a whole new level under the new name of Sisi and May. This sophisticated new boutique is Mee, all grown up. With the launch of their own label in the pipelines, this is one boutique to watch! … Another new shop to watch is The Bristol Shop (www.thebristolshop.co.uk). This online store sells products locally sourced and handmade in Bristol, making it easy-peasy to support our local retailers and designers. Check out my favourites: Charlie Boots and Elsie Belle… Or if you prefer something preloved, head to the increasingly popular (and giant) vintage Bristol Flea Market on Sun 24 March. Held at Ashton Gate from 9am to 3.30pm, it’s the perfect place to uncover some unique gems to add to your wardrobe or home. 66 FOLIO/MAR 2013
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SHOPPING LIFESTYLE
SHOP OF THE
“People love the idea of being able to upcycle their own furniture”
MONTH
Melissa Blease gets inspired at stylish new studio and shop, the Marmalade House
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urniture, accessories, fabrics and gifts… Painted shelves and hooks to turn your clutter into a work of art… Chalkboards to offer a stylish alternative to dogeared diaries and - hurrah! - the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint range: the instant home makeover uplifter that imparts a completely matt, velvety, bang-on-trend finish to just about any surface. And if you want to know more about Chalk Paint, Marmalade House offer a range of instructive courses on the subject at their eminently stylish Lansdown Road HQ, alongside lots of other home interior-related
courses on a thriving timetable (of which more later). So who’s behind this inspirational, creative sanctuary? The Marmalade House opened in Bath at the end of last year after the company established by interior stylist Vanessa Sayce quickly outgrew their home-studio working space. With a background in art, interior design and teaching, Vanessa formed the Marmalade House to put her passion for painting, colour, furniture and fabrics into practice, and to develop her long-time hobby into a business. A pivotal moment for Vanessa was training with Annie Sloan herself, which led to the Marmalade House becoming Annie’s exclusive stockist in Bath. “It was then that I realised that we had to have our own shop and studio,” Vanessa recalls. “The paint is very popular, and people love the idea of being able to upcycle their own furniture with such a beautiful range of colours and that unique chalky finish. But a bit of instruction is always helpful! We chose our premises in the popular Belvedere area of Bath, as the neighbourhood is fast becoming the interiordesign enclave of the city, already home to a renovation company, upholster, flooring company and curtain-maker, so we fit in perfectly. We have studio space, so people can see our work in practice and attend courses, and there’s enough retail space for
From velvety paints to luscious fabrics: The Marmalade House offers a stylish yet comfortable environment for anyone in search of interiors inspiration
us to showcase the paints and our own painted items. I hope that I’ve created an environment where people feel comfortable and happy to come in and chat about their projects and ideas without being intimidated or put off by extraordinarily high prices, or by advice they’d find hard to put into practice.” This month, the Marmalade House are introducing their ‘Studio Saturdays’ schedule, offering arty folk the opportunity to book studio space in which to decorate their own furniture for three to six hours a month, with friendly, expert advice on hand “perfect for anyone who’d rather get our studio messy than their own space!” says Vanessa. “We’ll also be running courses on how to transfer lovely French images and lettering onto painted boards to create your own bespoke pieces to hang or frame, and a range of soft-furnishing courses, from learning how to make a Swedish blind to curtain headings and cushions, all using beautiful French linens and traditional methods.” Spring is almost upon us, and with it the inevitable spring-clean project - and possibly a makeover? Make the Marmalade House your second home, and your search for inspiration is over. THE MARMALADE HOUSE 27A-B LANSDOWN RD, BATH. FFI: 01225 445855, WWW.THEMARMALADEHOUSE.CO.UK
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BEAUTY LIFESTYLE
GREEN STREET
HOUSE Ellie Pipe can’t get enough of the holistic treatments at Bath’s city centre retreat
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ou’ll find Green Street House on one of the oldest streets in Bath. Nestled among the sausage shops and fashion retailers, this day spa is, at risk of sounding like a Bounty advert, a little touch of paradise. I’m booked in for the ‘Absolute Spa Ritual’ - a rare treat, as I’m the sort of person who’ll have a massage every couple of years or so (and then wonder why I don’t have them all the time). The cold, or the stress, or perhaps something else has taken its toll and my neck is in a permanently knotted state, so it’s time to indulge in a little me-time before things go too far and I turn into Bristol’s version of Quasimodo.
As with so many buildings in Bath, the nice but modest exterior of Green Street House belies the spacious rooms within. From the cosy reception room, with its plethora of aromatherapy and beauty treasures, I’m swept upstairs into a serene lounge room. With flattering candlelight, plenty of magazines and a choice of hot drinks or water, it’s the kind of lounge where I could get just a bit too comfy. But before I have too much time to make myself at home, Stacey appears to lead me up again (these Bath buildings really do go on for ever!) into the treatment room. Stacey is the masseuse who’ll be doing my treatment; I don’t know it yet, but she has truly magical hands. The treatment room is light, airy and relaxing, with a beautiful wood floor. I take a seat as Stacey talks me through the treatment. The Spa Ritual is usually performed with a deeptissue massage, but I can opt for Swedish (a relaxing muscular-tension massage) or aromatherapy (a light, pampering option). Not averse to a bit of discomfort, and in the knotted state that I was in, I choose the firmer deep-tissue massage. The Elemis Absolute Spa Ritual includes a hot foot cleanse and body brush (good for exfoliation and stimulating the circulation and lymphatic system), and then a full body massage, facial and head massage. Elemis is a British brand made up of organic essential oils, revolutionary absolutes and medicinal herbs. From the body brushing onwards, I’m lost in aromatic bliss, aware only of the
“From the body brushing onwards, I’m lost in aromatic bliss, aware only of the wonderful massage”
wonderful, sensuous massage. There are so many facials for different skin types at Green Street House that, rather than talking me through all of them, Stacey examines my skin to prescribe my very own perfect facial. Used to just a daily splash of water and a dollop of moisturiser, my face doesn’t know what’s hit it. And the problem with trying to review a spa treatment of this calibre is that I’m swept away in the sensations and have no room left for mental note-taking. I can tell you, though, that I’m very, very relaxed. It turns out that I was treated to the Visible Brilliance facial, which is good for tired, dull, environmentally aggravated skin. After a luxurious period of wonderful spa indulgence, I float out of that paradise room. I’m welcome to stay and continue my relaxation in the comfort of the lounge, but, alas, real life beckons outside. Plus I’m slightly worried that I may never leave, given half a chance. As I glance back at the green door of Green Street House, I’m already concocting my excuse for a return visit. I may take my mum for Mother’s Day. And my dad for Father’s Day. And then there’s my birthday… and then there’s, well, Friday. Whatever the excuse, I’m not waiting another two years to feel this rejuvenated again.
CONTACT GREEN STREET HOUSE 14 GREEN ST, BATH. FFI: 01225 426000, WWW.GREENSTREETHOUSE.CO.UK
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Rodrigues Relaxation
The Practice Rooms, 24 Regent Street, Clifton Village, Bristol BS8 4HG Feel flat and not your usual energetic self ? Or just think you should be putting yourself first more? Think about massage as maintenance, rather than just an occasional treat. Offering Holistic, Sports, Indian Head massage and Reflexology
To make an appointment just call Sally on: 07423 175355 www.rodriguesrelaxation.co.uk
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HEALTH LIFESTYLE WORKOUTS
LIVE FAST CARERS' CENTRE
YOUNG SHOULDERS
➻ There are an estimated 175,000 young carers in the UK, with an average age of 12. However, many children as young as five are looking after a sick or disabled relative, or someone who has mental health or severe drug or alcohol problems. But a major new funding win means that, as well as supporting the 20,000 adult carers living in Bath and North East Somerset, the Bath Carers’ Centre is gearing up to help carers aged from five to 18 years. Young carers can now access new and exciting services from the same
organisation as other carers in their family, thanks to funding from B&NES Council, who awarded the £215,000 contract to the Centre after a competitive tendering process. The fund will support volunteer drivers to help those in more isolated areas get to events and activities, opportunities for young carers and their friends to take time out at festivals, sports events and regular clubs, and breaks for whole families to take together. BANES CARERS’ CENTRE FFI: 0800 038 8885, WWW.BANESCARERSCENTRE.ORG.UK
➻ High Intensity Interval Training is the new fitness craze sweeping the nation, leaving behind the traditional long aerobic workouts and introducing a short, fast, highintensity regime instead. Bristolbased fitness expert Charlotte Hussey has been teaching HIIT at her Kick-Start Fat Loss class and says the results are amazing. “At KSFL, we focus on HIIT because it’s a great way to burn fat and increase strength and stamina, and our members love the speedy results,” says Charlotte. “One of the advantages of HIIT is that it involves shorter, more intense workouts over fewer sessions, fitting in better with our hectic modern lives - it’s the perfect modern workout, and you really feel the benefits immediately!” FFI CALL CHARLOTTE ON 07855 406733 OR VISIT WWW. MADETOMOTIVATE. CO.UK
DAFFODIL APPEAL
FLOWER POWER
➻
➻ An exciting new project that combines getting fit with benefiting others in the community launches at the Bristol Folk House on Sat 16 March. Good Gym runners have put a brand new, meaningful spin on the concept of exercise by doing physical tasks that benefit the community - anything from fetching and making grocery deliveries and shifting rubble to planting gardens and conservation work. Sessions (every second Sat of the month) normally involve about 45 minutes of exercise and 45 minutes of high-intensity volunteering activities, and the group are looking for more runners of all abilities to get involved. They’d also love to hear from community projects that are looking for help.
Marie Curie Cancer Care, a UK charity dedicated to the care of people with terminal cancer, are probably best known for their network of 2,000 nurses who provide practical care and emotional support to terminally ill patients across the UK. Last year, Marie Curie nurses provided 1.2 million hours of nursing to 23,406 patients, both at home and in their dedicated hospices - and the month of March is all about showing Marie Curie some love in return. Every year, millions of people across the UK support the Great Daffodil Appeal by simply giving a donation to wear a daffodil pin. For every donation given and every daffodil worn, this longstanding charity are able to provide even more free care to terminally ill people across the UK, ensuring that nurses and volunteers can continue to provide care and support to terminally ill people and their families.
GOOD GYM FFI: 07857 425667, EMAIL: BRISTOL@GOODGYM.ORG, WWW. FACEBOOK.COM/GOODGYMBRISTOL, TWITTER: @GOODGYMBRISTOL
MARIE CURIE CANCER CARE FFI: WWW. MARIECURIE.ORG.UK
VOLUNTEERING
FIT FOR ANYTHING
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LIFESTYLE
MOTORING
The Mercedes CLA: by any measure, it’s a handsome car
ON A
ROLL
Andy Enright gets his hands on the CLA, Mercedes’ new super-posh small saloon
I
t used to be so simple. You had an A-Class as the entry-level MercedesBenz hatchback, and then a C-Class, the most affordable ‘proper’ Mercedes saloon. Then the waters got muddied. The A-Class (or its new 2012 iteration, anyway) became really desirable and good to drive. And Mercedes started making saloon cars that looked like coupes. But both of these things had to happen in order for the Mercedes CLA to emerge. The CLA embodies all the modern thinking in this traditionally most conservative of companies. It ditches dogma and challenges its rivals with a style that’s anything but straightlaced. It’s now the entry-level Mercedes saloon, allowing the C-Class to get bigger and stretch upmarket. An exercise in gap-filling? Not in the least. Even the merest acquaintance with this car reveals it to be very much the finished article. The CLA is available with three engines, all powering the front wheels: the 1.6-litre 122bhp entry level CLA 180, 211bhp 2.0-litre CLA 250 and 170bhp 2.1-litre CLA 220 CDI diesel. The entry-level car gets a six-speed manual gearbox while the other two get the clever 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission. In design terms, the CLA owes a debt to the large executive CLS-Class, which pioneered the whole four-door coupe genre more than a decade ago. Beneath this CLA-Class model, though, are underpinnings that belong very
much to Mercedes’ entry-level model, the A-Class hatch. That car isn’t bad looking these days, but this one’s on another level entirely. By any measure, it’s a handsome car. But it’s not just about aesthetics. At 0.23Cd, this isn’t just the most aerodynamic Mercedes model to date; it’s also the most aerodynamic production vehicle in the world. Inside, perhaps the most interesting design touch is what looks like an iPad sitting on the upper part of the centre console, but which is in fact an integrated touch-screen system. It will sync seamlessly with an iPhone (and expect Android connectivity to follow in due course). Pricing pitches this car between the compact A and B-Class models and the C-Class saloon expect most CLA-Class models to be sold in the £25,000-£30,000 bracket. You can, though, expect ultra-competitive running costs. The entry-level CLA 180 can manage 52.3mpg on the combined fuel cycle, with emissions as low as 126g/km. Step up to the rapid CLA 250 – which will accelerate to 62mph in just 6.7 seconds - and you’re still looking at 46.3mpg
and 142g/km. Neither of these can touch the CLA 220 CDI diesel, though. This manages 67.3mpg and emissions as low as 109g/km. Residual values for the CLA are certain to be as beefy as they get, although you’ll probably have to keep a keen eye on the options you build into it if you’re to keep that pence-per-mile figure within check. Mercedes are most definitely on a roll right now. Cars like the A-Class, SL, CLS and CLA demonstrate that they’re calling the shots among the big German marques, with the others doing their best to keep pace. The CLA is an interesting case, aiming to show that rearwheel drive isn’t an attribute that the massmarket needs in a car of this type. Older drivers may struggle with that one, but the Generation-Y customers that Mercedes is targeting won’t take issue. As one Mercedes executive VP notes: “We aim to reach new target groups with the CLA - including those who never intended driving a Mercedes.” So it’s fair to say that this CLA is a hugely significant development for the brand. It is, in some ways, a new era for Mercedes saloon cars. It opens a big revenue stream and frees the C-Class to be a bit bigger and more luxurious. The most significant Mercedes model of the past 15 years? That might very well be the case.
CONTACT
MERCEDES BENZ OF BRISTOL LYSANDER RD, CRIBBS CAUSEWAY. FFI: 0117 329 5600, WWW. MERCEDES-BENZOFBRISTOL.CO.UK MERCEDES BENZ OF BATH FOXCOTE AVE, WELLOW LANE, PEASEDOWN ST JOHN. FFI: 01761 422000, WWW.MERCEDES-BENZOFBATH.CO.UK FOLIO/MAR 2013 73
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MARK SIMMONS PHOTOGRAPHY
Natural Weddings Tel: 0117 9140999 Mobile: 07778 063 699 www.marksimmonsphotography.com 74 FOLIO/MAR 2013
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LIFESTYLE
EDUCATION
SPOTLIGHT ON... PERFORMING ARTS
ST BRENDAN'S ➻ St Brendan’s Sixth Form College, the only specialist sixth form college in the area, with over 1,600 students, was recently inspected under the new, much tougher Ofsted framework - and the eight inspectors deemed the college ‘Good’ in every single inspection band in their official report. St Brendan’s is the largest state provider of AS and A-level courses anywhere in Bristol, Bath, South Glos, B&NES and North Somerset. It offers more than 70 courses that can be studied in any combination, from AS and A-levels to BTECs, GCSEs and the International Baccalaureate. Inspectors comment that new principal Michael Jaffrain is ‘a very visible presence, promoting a culture of high aspirations amongst staff and students’. Of the teaching staff, Ofsted say they ‘are skilled in providing a range of activities and materials that
JUNIORS
Open morning ➻ Vibrant Badminton School - with their enviable sense of community, and commitment to an education for girls that’s both challenging and fun - are holding a Junior School Open Morning this month (Wed 6 March, starting at 9.30am). This is a great opportunity to understand the school, enjoy its atmosphere and meet staff and pupils. See website for more details. BADMINTON SCHOOL WESTBURY ON TRYM, BRISTOL. FFI: WWW.BADMINTONSCHOOL.CO.UK
support effective learning, and assessment is sharply focused on helping each student to improve’. They also note that, ‘Pastoral support for meeting students’ personal needs is highly effective. The tutorial programme is planned well, and includes a scheme to prepare high-achieving students for entry to the more competitive universities.” “The college’s expert teaching and learning and enrichment activities develop both the students’ academic and personal skills,” says Mr Jaffrain, “to allow each of them to achieve their full potential and to prepare them for future life.” Find out more at their Advice & Information Evening on Thur 23 April (5-7pm; see website for more details). ST BRENDAN’S SIXTH FORM COLLEGE BRISLINGTON, BRISTOL. FFI: WWW. STBRENDANSSIXTHFORM.COM
OPEN DAY
VISITING TIME ➻ SABIS International School UK invite you to their Spring Open Day on Sat 9 March (see website for more details), where you can visit the beautiful campus, meet current students, teaching and pastoral staff, and find out more about the SABIS Educational System and the exciting opportunities available at SISUK. The SABIS Educational System has been providing students the world over with an excellent academic foundation and life skills for more than 125 years. For students interested in an academic challenge and the opportunity to enhance their chances of success in university and beyond, SIS-UK is the place. This day and boarding school provides an outstanding education in an idyllic setting, the skills to get a head-start in life, and relationships that last a lifetime. Set amid 148 acres of beautiful countryside, the campus has excellent onsite facilities including a football pitch, squash and tennis courts, and an indoor swimming pool. Students follow a cohesive, motivational and exciting curriculum that emphasises a well-balanced body of knowledge, skills and experiences, backed by research and development activity. Students are empowered to contribute to the management of the school, to make a positive difference and to play an active role in their education, as well in as the education of others. Year after year, SABIS students consistently achieve above global averages at IGCSE, A-level and the International Baccalaureate, and SABIS graduates are accepted in the world’s most prestigious universities. SABIS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL UK MARSHFIELD, NR BATH, WILTS. FFI: WWW. SISUK-SABIS.NET FOLIO/MAR 2013 75
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SKILLS LIFESTYLE
LIFESTYLE
SKILLS
NICE
WORK I
A decent business qualification could be just the job, says Anna Britten
n today’s tough, redundancyridden, cutbacks-obsessed jobs market, it’s a stark fact that the supply of talented, experienced executives far exceeds demand. If you’re one of these executives, how do you impress your boss’s boss, or get your CV noticed by blue-chip employers? One way is to get a good business qualification under your belt. The globally popular MBA (Master of Business Administration) is just one option, and not necessarily the best for everyone. Do a little research and you’ll find that there’s a myriad of postgrad and evening courses all waiting to turn you into a recruitment panel’s dream.
MASTERS DEGREES UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL Busy, working professionals seeking a career boost will be drawn to Bristol Uni’s new MSc in Strategy, Change and Leadership. Combining research with practical experiences to provide a deeper understanding of complex organisational
This pic: The University of Bristol’s Wills Building. Below: The University of Bristol's Helen Ballard, course director of the new Masters degree in Strategy, Change and Leadership
issues, it sets itself apart from conventional MBAs by encouraging students to ‘break free from the prescriptive thinking that can dominate standard postgraduate management degrees’. Another highly attractive feature is that numbers are limited to about 25, to make workshops interactive and tailored to participants’ needs. Designed for busy professionals, the programme is delivered through intensive three-day (Thur, Fri, Sat) teaching blocks and can be completed in two years - or in separate stages across three or four years. If you like the sound of this, and have a 2:1 or equivalent, and approximately five years’ relevant work experience (including managerial responsibility), get yourself along to the Open Day from 6-7.30pm on Wed 6 Mar. Email Helen at efim-scl@bristol.ac.uk for details. FFI WWW.BRISTOL.AC.UK/EFM/COURSES/ POSTGRADUATE/NEW/DEGREES
UNIVERSITY OF BATH No less authority than The Economist ranks the Bath MBA second in the UK, first in the UK for ‘Increase in Salary’, and an impressive 25th in the world’s top 100 programmes, placing Bath among the global elite of Ivy League players such as Harvard. Other assessing bodies have been similarly full of praise. There are approximately 200 MBA students, with an average age of 33, currently gilding their CVs - and to join them you’ll need a minimum of three years’ relevant FOLIO/MAR 2013 77
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SKILLS LIFESTYLE
FUNDING
Bath Spa Uni: rich and varied postgraduate life
ASK THE BOSS Finding someone else to fund your course is almost always better than having to cough up yourself. But not every employer will be up for it. So how do you convince yours? ➻
Start by checking your employer’s website and/or the employee handbook. Is there is a pre-established programme for employees who want to receive tuition assistance? Talk to the human resources department if it’s unclear. Make an appointment to talk directly to the boss. Tell them about your chosen course and why you want to do it, how much it costs, and whether you’d go full or parttime. Tell them how the company’s bottom line would benefit. For example, would your new skills help you to make more sales? Would they save your employer time and expense? Try to prove that an investment in your education is also an investment in the company’s long-term goals. Explain what you’d give in return for tuition assistance. For example, commitment to the company for a certain number of years after completion of the course, or a promise to train other staff in some of the techniques you’ve picked up.
➻ ➻
postgraduate management experience and at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree. Not to mention £28k (scholarships and bursaries of up to 100% of fees are available). You can choose from full- and part-time studying options. Recent alumni have gone on to win industry awards and OBEs, and work in senior roles for organisations such as Nationwide, Glenfiddich, Rok Group and the London Development Agency. FFI WWW.BATH.AC.UK/MANAGEMENT
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND (UWE) Based at Frenchay, the well-regarded UWE MBA can be taken full-time or part-time (there are multiple start dates in Sept, Jan, March and July) and is aimed at those aspiring to senior executive roles. It promises a comprehensive professional development programme focused on developing you academically, as a manager, a leader and a member of the business community. You’ll only be taught by senior staff (not doctoral students or research assistants), and if working abroad is on your wishlist, you might be interested to know that programme leader Hugo Gaggiotti is an expert in the organisational cultures of central Asia, Europe and Latin America. He’ll also invite an interesting range of guest speakers, who have, of late, included founder and senior execs from Airbus, Bristol City Council and leading retro T-shirt company Truffle Shuffle. FFI WWW1.UWE.AC.UK/BL/BBS/COURSES/MBA. ASPX
OTHER POSTGRADUATE COURSES BATH SPA UNIVERSITY As well as being one of the most idyllically situated universities we’ve ever seen, Bath Spa Uni also boasts a rich and varied postgraduate life. Find out more at their Postgraduate Open Day (Sat 23 Mar, 10am-1pm), which takes place at the Newton Park, Sion Hill and Corsham Court campuses, depending on the subject you’re
interested in. You’ll discover more about the university’s wide range of postgrad taught courses, meet academic and programme staff and have a tour of the beautiful campuses and their facilities. Courses range from Advertising Practice to Writing for Young People via Heritage Management, International Education & Global Citizenship and Performing Shakespeare. A good undergraduate degree is a requirement for most courses, which can be studied full- or part-time. FFI WWW.BATHSPA.AC.UK
EVENING & IN-WORK COURSES City of Bristol College has a fine range of business courses that don’t require huge outlays of cash or time. Did you skip uni, but feel you’ve done as well for yourself as colleagues with letters after their names? Too busy at work to commit much time, but keen to get official recognition for the skills and experience you’ve built up in your chosen field? Management for Senior Managers (a level 7 NVQ) allows senior managers to submit a portfolio of their actual nine-to-five achievements (such as business plans and organisational changes) for assessment and accreditation. It’s a brilliant, flexible option for time-pressed people with significant management duties but few impressivesounding qualifications on their CV. Similarly lifestyle-friendly is CoBC’s new Marketing Diploma, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities that a typical marketing manager would need. Those who complete the qualification should be able, at the end, to demonstrate skills such as planning and balancing the needs and interests of all stakeholders. A one-year programme, spread across two evenings a week and based at the Ashley Down Centre, the course is designed for those who have a marketing background and are looking to gain a qualification that matches their experience or to enhance their understanding of marketing at an operational or tactical level. FFI WWW.CITYOFBRISTOL.AC.UK
➻
➻
OR TRY THE... DIY MBA
➻ Load up on typical MBA reading-list
books from Nobel Laureates in Economics such as Amartya Sen, Joseph E Stiglitz, Paul Krugman and Alvin E Roth. Download a bunch of podcasts from the world-famous Harvard Business School and Chicago Booth, from: hbswk. hbs.edu/features/podcasts.html and www.chicagobooth.edu/about/ newsroom/podcast Connect with local go-getters at Bristol and Bath networking events such as the Bristol Chamber Networking Breakfast on Thur 7 Mar (www. eventbrite.co.uk/event/4921603649), the Clifton Cloud on Thur 14 Mar (www. cliftonhotels.com/events/Clifton-CloudEvent/clifton-cloud-2013) and the NRG Business Networks Lunch and Workshop in Bath, also on Thur 14 Mar (www.nrgnetworks.com/event_calender.php). Don’t forget to take a big wodge of business cards. Get a fake MBA certificate (www. fakediploma.co.uk). Just for your own amusement, of course.
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TRAVEL LIFESTYLE
WHEN IN
ROME Ellie Pipe takes to the cobbled streets for a taste of the sunny Italian capital
A
After traipsing around the Colosseum and all those amazing churches, you’ll need to kickback with a nice cuppa cappuccino (all pics: Ellie Pipe)
sunny spot on the pavement with a delicious coffee is the perfect place from which to view the daily chaos of life in Rome. Idly sit and watch the hordes of traffic with a healthy disregard for road laws, trams clanging past, tourists with noses in guide books, restaurant owners setting tables, and the enviable Roman ability to turn any square inch of ground into a parking space. Yet amid all the hustle and bustle, the Eternal City looks calmly on with the air of one who has been standing there for close to 3,000 years and has seen it all before. It’s this contrast, serenity amid the chaos, that makes Rome such a pleasure to visit and a dose of warm sun didn’t hurt, either. Enjoyable as it is to just sit and absorb, Rome really is a city worth exploring. It’s nigh-on impossible to do justice to all the sights, but embark on a walking tour and you can at least scratch the surface. This is manageable with the help of a tourist map, but there are guided tours aplenty if you’re that way inclined. The Vatican City boasts some impressive records, being not only the world’s smallest country, but also host to the world’s greatest collection of art treasures. The Colosseum, meanwhile, wasn’t voted the seventh wonder of the world for nothing, and it
has enough colourful history to intrigue even the most philistine of tourists. I’d recommend a guided tour to explore the foundation layer and get all the gory details of times past. And certain sights, while impressive by day, were spectacular by night - take an evening wander to see the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain in all their floodlit glory. The beauty of taking in the sights at a walking pace is that you can also appreciate the wonders of the small, cobbled streets and the many treasures they have to offer, such as a refreshing sip from one of the ornate fountains that provide drinking water throughout the city. A piazza can give a wonderful glimpse of Roman life: markets stalls, a motley collection of scooters, artists at work, a fine gelato shop. Eating is something of a local pastime in Rome, and one that I deemed it only polite to embrace. Indeed, resistance is somewhat futile, with the tantalising pastries in every cafe and the aroma of homecooked pasta sauce wafting through the air. That said, dining out can be a bit of a minefield, with the impact of 46-odd million tourists a year taking their toll on some restaurant standards and the risk of paying over the odds for second-rate food. Often, the more understated a restaurant, the better the food and service proved to be. A stroll through Trastevere, an old artisan quarter, led to the discovery of
some brilliant Roman trattorias, where a bona fide feast of homecooked food was thoroughly enjoyed, along with a hearty carafe of red wine and enough crusty bread to feed a family for a week. While some of us choose culinary indulgence, fashionistas should not miss a visit to Via dei Condotti. From Valentino to Max Mara, this street plays host to some of the biggest names in fashion, and even if you don’t have a couple of grand to hand, it’s fun to see how the other half shop. Come back down to earth with a wander over to the regal Spanish Steps, a romantic place from which to watch the sun setting over Rome (though watch out for over-zealous flower sellers). A lifetime is probably not long enough to explore Rome properly, but at least, when it all feels a bit overwhelming, there’s always that spot in the sun and a good cup of coffee with which to soak it all in.
CONTACT FLY EASYJET FLY REGULARLY FROM BRISTOL AIRPORT. FFI: WWW.EASYJET.COM/EN HOTEL WWW.HOTELROMANICO. COM/EN TOURIST INFO WWW.ROMEFILE.COM BUS TOURS WWW.CITY-SIGHTSEEING. COM (SELECT ITALY, THEN ROME)
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TRAVEL LIFESTYLE
BRISTOL AIRPORT
BRIXHAM
DEVON CREAM ➻ There’s never a bad time to visit Brixham in Devon, which is probably the prettiest of the English Riviera towns. An exciting events schedule runs throughout 2013, including fortnightly fishmarket tours, free wild swimming in Brixham’s seawater pool, ghost walks, craft markets and a November Christmas lights switch-on. From coastal walks, beach barbecues and bird-watching to dolphin spotting, mackerel fishing and, of course, crabbing, Brixham really does have something for everyone. Find out for yourself - wake up to a picture-postcard view with a stay with Brixham Cottages. The season starts with the Brixham Pirate and Shanty Festival on 4-5 May, followed by Brixham Heritage Regatta and Brixfest (the latter including a crabbing competition for all ages, live music, fireworks, children’s workshops and karaoke over three days). June sees a trawler race and 2013’s
first fish market tour (26 June), while July’s highlights are likely to include a festival of the sea, lifeboat week and the family-friendly Brixham Hap’Nin. The traditional Cowtown Carnival on 27 July commemorates the town formerly being separated into ‘Cowtown’ and ‘Fishtown’ districts. August brings a steam fair and a regatta, fair and fireworks, while Fishstock on 7 Sept promises a fish-cooking extravaganza. It’s all less than a two-hour drive from Bristol and Bath. And Brixham Cottages can sort you out with a fabulous range of cottages to suit all budgets and requirements, from romantic onebedroom apartments with spectacular sea views to spacious five-bedroom historic listed buildings with plenty of grounds. BRIXHAM COTTAGES FFI: 01803 859667, WWW.BRIXHAMCOTTAGES.NET
BERLIN
HEAD FOR HEIGHTS
➻ Visitors to Germany’s capital have a new hotel in
which to stay following the opening last December of the Waldorf Astoria Berlin. Despite being located in the city’s new Zoofenster skyscraper (‘Zoo Window’ with its panoramic views), this latest destination in the Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts portfolio echoes its legendary flagship, which opened on New York’s Park Avenue in 1931. The Berlin hotel features 232 guestrooms and suites, with the top-floor presidential suite clocking in as the city’s highest - the hotel has 32 floors and stands 118 metres high. Its art deco interior was designed by Parisian agency Inter Art Etudes. And some of Berlin’s most famous tourist attractions are only minutes away, including Kaiser-WilhelmGedachtniskirche (a church built in memory of Kaiser
Wilhelm I) and the city’s premium shopping boulevard, Kurfurstendamm (known locally as Germany’s Champs Elysees). French chef Pierre Gagnaire, boasting 12 Michelin stars at restaurants globally, will run the hotel’s Les Solistes by Pierre Gagnaire restaurant, while the Romanisches Cafe - a legendary meeting place for literati, local artists and musicians - is set to reopen on the hotel’s ground floor, a stone’s throw from where it was first located around 100 years ago. The New York-styled Lang Bar serves cocktails and artisan beers, and Peacock Alley provides afternoon teas in the shadow of the famous Waldorf Astoria grandfather clock. FFI WWW.WALDORFASTORIABERLIN.COM
CITY TO CITY
➻ The latest expansion in BMI Regional’s network echoes a pioneering partnering made back in 1947. Bristol and Hannover were the first English and German cities to twin after the second world war, and from 13 May they’ll be linked by six non-stop flights from Bristol International Airport weekly. BMI Regional will also offer the same service from Bristol to Milan and Munich from that date, when the airline’s BristolFrankfurt schedule will also double to two flights daily. Cathal O’Connell, chief executive of BMI Regional says, “The launch of these routes to Munich, Milan and Hannover is a continuation of BMI Regional’s promise to serve key economic and tourism hubs in Europe from the UK. Our strategy is to choose destinations with both business and leisure customer demand. Munich, Milan and Hannover are major centres for technology and manufacturing. In addition, these cities boast some of the world’s most famous cultural, sport and tourism attractions. We also expect to see a boost in inbound visitors to Bristol and the South West.” FFI WWW.BMIREGIONAL. COM
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KITCHENS BATHROOMS HOME IMPROVEMENTS SHOPPING GARDENING PROPERTY HOMEFRONT
HOME FRONT
FANTASTIC FLORAL PRINTS AND AWARD-WINNING BATHROOM RETAILERS...
SPRING COLLECTIONS
INSIDE STORY ➻ Wondering what’s new in interiors? Then it’s time for a trip to Bracey Interiors in Clifton Village to find out! With the new spring collections being launched, there are lots of exciting designs and colours arriving to tempt and appeal to everyone. Manuel Canovas have a fantastic array of floral prints in bright, vibrant colours, with the most amazing woven fabrics and embroideries to complement them. Zoffany’s new collection, meanwhile, is more classic, with wonderful embroidered metallic thread silks. Watch out, too, for the fabulous new Osborne and Little Penguin Library wallpaper. It promises to be a real talking point - and maybe it will even encourage us all to read more Penguin books! Paint and Paper Library have introduced more colours to their collection, and there are now 240 to choose from. All their paints, as well as those of Little Greene, are mixed onsite in the showroom. And you’ll find a vast range of accessories, ranging from some incredible Jean Paul Gaultier cushions and Neom Candles to Pantone Pots, decorative trays and throws. There’s something for everyone, and it’s a great place to go if you’re looking for gorgeous gifts. Working in conjunction with their other business, the Design Workshop - who offer a comprehensive design service, and boast a trading history of more than 25 years - Bracey Interiors are able to provide you with a complete interior design service. They also have their own workroom in Clifton, where all their soft furnishings are bespoke-made to their high and exacting standards. Bracey Interiors are celebrating their 10th birthday this year, and will be holding a variety of events and promotions. If you’d like to celebrate with them, just send them an email and they’ll add you to their contacts list. BRACEY INTERIORS 14-15 WATERLOO ST, CLIFTON VILLAGE, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 973 4664, EMAIL: MAIL@BRACEYINTERIORS.CO.UK
AWARDS
MAKING WAVES ➻ Cross your fingers for Kim and Michel Marcer from Ripples Bath, who’ve been nominated as finalists in not one, but two categories in the prestigious KBB Review Awards 2013, organised by the UK’s leading magazine for the kitchen and bathroom industry. They’ve been announced as finalists in the Bathroom Retailer of the Year and Bathroom Showroom of the Year categories. Kim and Michel took over the Ripples Bath franchise in 2011, and have owned the Ripples Bristol franchise for the past 15 years - along with raising three kids. For Kim and Michel, it’s been “a dream come true”. Since first working in the office at the Ripples Bath showroom 18 years ago, Kim has watched the company
expand, and she and Michel (formerly a manager at Bath’s Mahogany hair salon) had long wanted to operate the Bath outlet. The Ripples franchise, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, is one of the big bathroom retailing success stories of the past couple of decades. Between them, the various Ripples showrooms have bagged more than 50 industry awards, and ‘bathroom by Ripples’ is now a phrase much-loved by estate agents! RIPPLES CHELSEA HOUSE, LONDON RD, BATH (01225 447971) & 88 WHITELADIES RD, CLIFTON, BRISTOL (0117 973 1144). FFI: WWW.RIPPLES.LTD.UK
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INTERIORS HOMEFRONT
VINTAGE
GLAM Interior designer Lesley Taylor falls in love with the new trend for 1920s art deco
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s film fanatics will know, Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby will be hitting the big screen this summer, and I can’t wait! And even though we have a few months to go, I couldn’t help but start to ponder over the style of the 1920s. It was such a prominent era for both the fashion and interiors industry, with art deco design taking both of these worlds by storm. When you take a look at the high-street, the art deco trend has certainly made a comeback, with splashes of geometric patterns and Aztec prints everywhere you turn. This style is so bold and distinct that it leaves a lasting impression on every space it touches. An art deco interiors scheme should ooze glamour and sophistication and have an ordered appearance. Recognised for its clean-cut angular shapes and symmetrical styling, 1920s design brings with it a vintage feel, but in an elegant fashion. There are plenty of ways in which you can incorporate hints of this bygone era into the decor of your home. Whether you want to go all out or just include touches of this scheme throughout, an art deco theme can look at home in any room. When it comes to colour, think Miami shades: greys, Tiffany blues and pale pinks.
Extend your art deco scheme to the bathroom with 1920s-style wallpaper: Gio by Zoffany (www.zoffany.com)
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INTERIORS HOMEFRONT Black and gold screams art deco: this vertical wallpaper by Romo creates a dramatic backdrop (www.romo.com)
1920s-inspired radiator with angular shapes and a vintage feel: Art Moderne 7 by Vogue (www.vogueuk.co.uk)
Pastel colours work hand in hand with art deco design and are perfect for setting the backdrop in any space. And with art deco back in fashion, there’s a wide range of wallpaper designs now on the market from the leading brands. If you take a look, you’ll see that they mainly consist of repetitive patterns, and you may notice that there appears to be an Aztec reference when it comes to the type of prints used. It becomes obvious that this style was influenced dramatically by East Asia and Africa; it’s believed that this connection stems back to 1922 when the tomb of Tutankhamun was discovered. From this point, there was a flood of interest in all things Egyptian, and this wasn’t just with interiors - fashion also went through a phase referred to as ‘Egyptomania’. Monochrome is another key part of an art deco interior, with blocks of black and white seen in accessories, and a popular choice when it comes to flooring. Black and white floor tiles are typically associated with this era, and although many of us may not entertain the thought of having them in our living rooms, when it comes to the kitchen or bathroom, this style of floor will certainly help to set an art deco scene. Back in the day, marble was another popular choice of flooring and
would bring with it a feeling of prestige, making it perfect for creating a grand entrance hall. An art deco interior will rely heavily on accessories - mirrors and glass objects will certainly help to bring the scheme to life. Bevelled mirrors or those that have an appearance reminiscent of a city skyline and tall skyscraper buildings will act as the ideal centrepiece. Metallics should also play a big part in the overall design and can be included by using materials with a metallic sheen, or incorporating chrome handles, vases and frames. Glass chandeliers and metallic pendant lights will also help to recreate the look of a 1920s interior. Select your furniture by choosing a few statement pieces that have a streamlined appearance and are manufactured using wood veneer. Alternatively, pieces that consist of chrome and glass take a modern twist on art deco style. Art deco is going to be a really popular trend this spring/ summer season, so now’s the time to start thinking about how you can add a touch of 1920s glamour to your home. Even if you don’t want to go all out, the addition of some art deco accessories in a contemporary setting can create an eclectic interior.
Geometric or angular-shaped mirrored accessories bring an art deco scheme to life (www. frenchbedcompany.co.uk)
CONTACTS DISNEY FLOORING 11 ZETLAND RD, REDLAND, BRISTOL (0117 942 4949) & ALBERT AVE, WESTON-SUPER-MARE (01934 615005). FFI: WWW.DISNEY-FLOORING.COM ETON DESIGN 108 WALCOT ST, BATH. FFI: 01225 639002, WWW.ETON-DESIGN.COM FARROW & BALL 124-126 WALCOT ST, BATH. FFI: 01225 466700, WWW.FARROW-BALL.COM THE LIGHTING WAREHOUSE UNIT 2, BEDMINISTER RETAIL PARK, SHEENE WAY, BEDMINSTER, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 963 5943, WWW.LIGHTINGWAREHOUSEBRISTOL.CO.UK SPHERE LIVING DESIGN QUEENS AVE, OFF CLIFTON TRIANGLE, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 929 2365, WWW.SPHERELIVINGDESIGN.COM TILE & FLOORING CENTRE 1 MILE END, LONDON RD, BATH. FFI: 01225 310561, WWW. TILEANDFLOORING-BATH.CO.UK
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Bedsteads-uk.co.uk
Antique Beds and Furniture In Brass, Iron, Wood & Upholstered Wood
ď Š ď Š Restoration service and bespoke furniture making also available
Chelvey Court Barn, Chelvey, Backwell, Bristol BS48 4AA.
Tel: 01275 464 114 email: enquiries@bedsteads-uk.co.uk www.enquiries@bedsteads-uk.co.uk
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HOMEFRONT
Q&A
CLOSE UP WITH
HOMEWORX Advice from the experts on turning a dark and dingy kitchen into a stunning open-plan living space
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reaming of a beautiful open-plan space? One that brings the family together and allows you to entertain and socialise, while adding value, ‘saleability’ and wowfactor to your property? Homeworx Design and Build specialise in exactly this type of project, and their transformations really are amazing. The team are passionate about creating stylish and practical spaces, and provide a comprehensive service with a professional attitude and an emphasis on quality workmanship. Whether you want to give your home a new lease of life, need more natural light, want to put a contemporary twist on a period property, or need a new kitchen but have found the highstreet retailers too pushy and sales-oriented, call Homeworx for a free consultation and they’ll come to your home at a time that suits you. How do you go about creating open-plan spaces? By removing walls and joining rooms together with hidden steel structures, introducing better glazing, which opens out onto the garden or rooflights, and extending to give you more spacious, familyfriendly rooms. What services do you offer? Homeworx can take care of everything! That includes all architecture, planning permissions, building regulations, structural design, kitchen and bathroom design, supply and installation, as well as project management and all building work. We understand that you may be busy and may not
have the time to manage your project, employ multiple trades or spend your time finding and choosing finishes.
Above: two stunning open-plan kitchens; below: Dittrich Hudson Vasetti Architects; bottom: Gemma and Dominic of Homeworx
How much will my project cost? On our initial consultation, we’ll provide a ballpark costing for the project. Once all the design work is completed, we’ll provide a detailed and comprehensive quotation. As a rough guide, you should allow the following figures as a minimum starting point: kitchens from £15,000 plus installation, bathrooms from £6,000 plus installation, extensions from £1,200 to £2,000 per square metre. How long will it take? The timescale for the projects pictured here was 12 weeks. We’ll provide a project schedule so that you know exactly when the project will start and finish. A lot of our clients incorporate a holiday into the timescale, and we’ll advise on the best time to do so. If you do go away, we’ll also take care of security in your absence. We find our new space hard to visualise… With the 3D CAD images that we provide, you’ll be able to see exactly what the interior of your finished project will look like. And Homeworx have teamed up with architects Elke and Federica from DHV Architects, who’ll be taking care of any architectural design and specification - and who recently won a Best of Houzz 2013 award! They’ll specify cuttingedge, high-performance materials to ensure that your design is both stylish and efficient, with a responsible attitude to the environment. Will my project be managed? You’ll have a dedicated working site manager who’ll make sure that your project is running on schedule and is completed to a high standard.
CONTACT HOMEWORX DESIGN & BUILD TEL: 01275 845011, MOB: 07809 152636, WEB: WWW.HOMEWORXBRISTOL.CO.UK
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MYGRANDDESIGN
RAIN OR
SHINE THE PROJECT THE BRIEF When Mr and Mrs Hill first met with Crystal Clear, it was to discuss replacing the roof on their existing bespoke west-facing Victorian-style hipped-back conservatory, which had been leaking for years. Crystal Clear’s ‘Refurbish My Conservatory’ expert carried out an appraisal of the ageing conservatory and identified a number of problems, including a complete lack of cavity wall insulation, a rotting first generation PVC frame and a leaking polycarbonate roof. Older conservatories tended to be built using lower-quality materials than
those used today; too cold in winter and too warm in summer, they often become unused, tired-looking spaces. Mr and Mrs Hill wanted to turn their old conservatory into an attractive, usable room to enjoy all year round by replacing ageing materials with more energy-efficient products.
BEFORE
THE SOLUTION Crystal Clear recommended a fourstage refurbishment. This involved insulating the existing cavity walls, replacing ageing materials with new side walls, A-rated PVCu frames and energy-saving, insulating glass, and replacing the leaking roof with an Ultraframe roof with solar-control, self-cleaning glass.
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HOMEFRONT
1
CAVITY WALL INSULATION
The existing dwarf walls had no cavity wall insulation, so much of the heat in the existing conservatory was being lost through the walls, making the room too cold to enjoy. The original conservatory foundation and dwarf walls were used for the new conservatory, and Crystal Clear installed cavity wall insulation at the start of the project.
2
NEW WALL FRAMES & GLASS
The team completely removed the original structure and the rather ‘Heath Robinson’ abutment and replaced it with new A-rated PVCu wall frames and energy-saving, insulating glass, installing it onto the original foundation and newly insulated dwarf walls. The new energy-efficient glass keeps the conservatory warmer in winter and cooler in summer, as well as reducing energy bills.
MYGRANDDESIGN
➻TESTIMONIAL “We’re delighted with our new conservatory from Crystal Clear. We’d thought that the only way to improve our old conservatory was to replace the leaking roof, so were really pleased when Crystal Clear explained that we could replace the structure of our shabby conservatory cost-effectively and use the existing foundation and walls. We hadn’t been able to use it properly for years - it was so cold in winter and too hot in summer. The new conservatory enhances our home, from the inside and outside. It’s now a lovely, comfortable room that we can enjoy whatever the weather, and the self-cleaning glass roof is fantastic! The team were very helpful and knowledgeable and the project ran smoothly from start to finish - nothing was too much trouble.” Mr & Mrs Hill Bradley Stoke, Bristol
3
NEW GLASS ROOF
Crystal Clear replaced the old, leaking polycarbonate/timber roof with solar-control, self-cleaning, toughened safety glass and an Ultraframe roof in a ‘rosewood on white’ finish. The solar-control glass helps to keep the room a comfortable temperature all year round and filters light to reduce glare. The self-cleaning glass, cleaned by every rainshower, puts a welcome end to cleaning up ladders!
4
BESPOKE BOX GUTTER
The original box gutter was scruffy and impractical, with a large void that had contributed to the leaking roof. In addition to the standard 165mm box gutter, Crystal Clear designed a bespoke 300mm raised back box gutter that returned around the corner - much neater and more appropriate than the original box gutter.
CRYSTAL CLEAR ➻
Crystal Clear specialise in a bespoke supply and fit service for windows, doors, conservatories and orangeries, from a single window to a complete conservatory build, including electrics, plumbing, flooring and decorating. Fensa-registered, and a Registered Installer for Refurbish My Conservatory and Ultraframe, they’re also a founding member of the UK’s Double Glazing and Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS). The industry-leading products they supply are built to the most exacting British and European standards to ensure quality, integrity, longevity and security. Their team of highly qualified project managers, builders, fitters and technicians ensure that projects meet the brief, on time and on budget. CRYSTAL CLEAR HEAD OFFICE & SHOWROOM: 22A EMERY RD, BRISLINGTON, BRISTOL (0117 971 7880). CLEVEDON: 01275 759922. THORNBURY: 01454 891100. WESTONSUPER-MARE: 01934 886611. FFI: WWW.CRYSTALCLEARBRISTOL.CO.UK
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Ideal for weddings, private parties, corporate events, club nights and festivals!
To hire our booth for your special day contact us at
enquiries@itsyourbooth.com or visiting our website itsyourbooth.com 92 FOLIO/MAR 2013
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HOMEFRONT
IN THE
GARDEN
GARDENING
Ideas and inspiration from Trish Gibson to help you make the most of your garden this month
GROW SOMETHING SPECIAL SPRING FLOWERING SHRUBS
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hese shrubs will brighten your garden in spring with their blooms, but will also add interest all year round without taking up too much space. None of them are fussy about soil or position and they only need minimal pruning. Now’s a good time to plant them, too. Growing tips The star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) is one of the best magnolias for a small garden. The flowers are slightly scented and open very early, before the leaves. It will appreciate a sheltered spot, away from strong winds. Mulch in spring with manure and leaf mould.
JOBS FOR MARCH Sow hardy vegetables including lettuce, parsnips, broad beans, carrots and peas. Cut down to the base the stems of shrubs grown for their winter bark - willow, dogwood, ornamental blackberry - or, less drastic, cut out one-third of them. Mulch as much bare soil as you can - any organic material is better than nothing.
The star magnolia’s delicate flowers appear early in spring
➻ OTHERS TO TRY WINTER HAZEL Another small shrub (growing to about 2.5m in height), Corylopsis pauciflora bears sweetly scented primrose-yellow flowers on bare stems in March and April, followed by bronzy hazel-like leaves. It’s ideal for a semi-shady spot in a border or woodland edge. OSMANTHUS X BURKWOODII The highly scented jasmine-like flowers of this popular evergreen shrub show up beautifully against its glossy dark green leaves in mid to late spring. It’s happy in sun or partial shade. Although it doesn’t need much pruning, you can clip it quite hard to restrict its size. FLOWERING CURRANT An easy and reliable shrub, the flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) needs very little attention, although it’s worth pruning branches that have just finished flowering back to a strong pair of buds. It’s available in a range of colours from greeny-white to dark red.
WE’LL BE BUYING…
This spacious enamel seed tin (complete with monthly dividers) for storing and organising seeds. Time to get sorted now that the main sowing season has begun (£26 + £5.95 p&p). FFI 0845 259 1359, WWW.NOTONTHEHIGHSTREET.COM
THIS MONTH WE’LL BE VISITING... The Rare Plant Fair at the Bishop’s Palace, Wells, Somerset on Sun 24 March, for the chance to buy unusual and hard-to-find plants at reasonable prices from some exceptional and knowledgeable nurseries. FFI INFO LINE 0845 468 1368, WWW.RAREPLANTFAIR.CO.UK OPEN 10AM-4PM, £4 ADULT INC PALACE & GARDENS, UNDER-16S FREE; REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE
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PROPERTY HOMEFRONT
A PRIVATE
AFFAIR Sam Andrews is bowled over by this magnificent former rectory with its own detached cottage
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HOMEFRONT
PROPERTY
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t’s difficult to know where to start with the Old Rectory - the library, the gym, the cinema, the billiard room, the wine cellar, the detached twobedroom cottage? Set at the end of a tree-lined drive, this lovely pile of property is nine miles from Bath on the edge of the charming, peaceful village of Biddestone. The place isn’t listed, and has been cleverly extended and refurbished in recent years to create a seriously impressive, good-sized family home. Its picturesque, private setting overlooks the mature gardens, grounds, woodland and beyond to open countryside and far-reaching views. The main house includes a large oak-framed drawing room and adjoining kitchen/diner with a high vaulted oak ceiling and views out to the terrace and paddocks. Both rooms have fabulous Bath stone fireplaces. A library leads through to a very large family room constructed of a timber oak frame, with a stunning, high vaulted ceiling. It’s currently used as a party/music room, but could easily be turned into an indoor swimming pool (with the key plant equipment and infrastructure already in place). On the first floor you’ll find a master bedroom suite of four rooms and a gym, and there are a further nine bedrooms, two bathrooms and two shower rooms. Beyond the kitchen is an integral two-bedroom annexe formed from the original coach house, with sitting room and kitchen, which can be either integrated or separated from the house. Outside the main house are the detached cottage, two double garages, outbuildings, landscaped gardens and grounds - in all, about 2.5 acres. The mature gardens include a south-facing terrace, fabulous tree house, Japanese garden, large pond, knot garden, walled kitchen garden and sheltered inner courtyard. Planning permission is in place to separate the main house into two good detached properties. The nearby towns of Corsham, Chippenham (4.5 miles) and Bath (9 miles) provide good local shopping, and Bristol (15 miles) and Cirencester are close by. Biddestone is just less than six miles from the M4, and the Chippenham-London train takes about 80 minutes. There are active tennis and cricket clubs in the village, and several excellent schools dotted around the local area.
THE OLD RECTORY BIDDESTONE, CHIPPENHAM, WILTS, GUIDE PRICE £3M FFI CARTER JONAS 5-6 WOOD ST, BATH. TEL: 01225 747250, WEB: WWW.CARTERJONAS.CO.UK
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PROPERTY HOMEFRONT
MENDIP
CHARM Josie Drummond finds the best of both worlds at this country retreat just half an hour from Bristol and Bath
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HOMEFRONT
PROPERTY
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he lovely Mendip Hills - with their stone walls, caves and unspoilt villages - are the setting for this sympathetically converted, spacious, four-bedroom coach house in the rural village of Ston Easton, home to the renowned Ston Easton Park Hotel. Versatility is the watchword with this property, which once formed part of the Hippisley Estate and which you’ll find on the edge of Ston Easton Park. Inside, period features and contemporary style combine to great effect, with much of the ground-floor living space open-plan, incorporating the kitchen, dining room (which opens onto the patio and rear garden) and living room. Central heating is oil-fired, with a combi boiler, and there’s bottled gas for the log burner in the sitting room. In addition to the open-plan spaces downstairs, a separate snug and a separate study bring the best of both worlds. Upstairs, the four bedrooms, including an ensuite master bedroom, are accessed by two separate staircases. Outside, there’s a double garage and parking for several cars, with a gravel driveway leading up to a parking area to the front of the house. The garden, which is well planned and easily maintained, backs onto open farmland. Whether you’re after the perfect family home or a country retreat, it’s just 13 miles north-east to Bath or north to Bristol. The Coach House falls within the catchment area for Chewton Mendip primary school and the Wells Blue School secondary. Private schools locally are Wells Cathedral School, Downside, All Hallows and Millfield. Walking and cycling options abound, along with sailing at Chew Valley Lake, and fishing at Chew Valley and Blagdon Lakes. Local golf courses can be found at Farrington Gurney, Mendip, Wells and Orchardleigh, Frome, and leisure centres at Shepton Mallet, Frome and the beautiful cathedral city of Wells, which is seven miles away. Horse-racing fans are well catered for with courses at both Bath and Wincanton.
THE COACH HOUSE STON EASTON, SOMERSET, GUIDE PRICE £499,000 FFI KILLENS, THE COACH HOUSE, STON EASTON, BA3 (PLUS BRANCHES IN CHEW MAGNA & WELLS). FFI: 01749 671172, WWW.KILLENS.ORG.UK
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BATH LIVING
PIECESOFME
KATIE STEPHENS General manager at Bath Racecourse
K
WORDS: SUZANNE SAVILL
atie Stephens, one of just a handful of qualified female clerks at a UK racecourse, is even more of a rarity in that she’s also a general manager. Before coming to Bath, she was general manager at Hereford Racecourse. She was appointed to the role at the age of 26, making her the youngest female GM in the country at that time. She also made history by becoming the first woman to do a live commentary of a horserace at Exeter, when she stepped in after the official commentator for the day didn’t turn up. Katie, aged 35, is married to a former jump jockey and has two children. She breeds racehorses, and has bred a winner that’s won on the flat and over hurdles.
Katie Stephens (top) obviously loves her racing; she’s also a big fan of Bristol’s Harbourside (below) and its many attractions such as the ss Great Britain (above); her favourite café is Bath’s family-friendly Jika Jika (right)
My favourite part of the morning... Walking the racetrack at Bath, early on a raceday morning in the summer. As a clerk, you’re up as dawn breaks, and with beautiful sunny mornings, nothing betters this walk: peace and tranquillity, a great landscape and often a few hot air balloons on the skyline, just to make the surrounding scenes even lovelier! My favourite aspect of my work... The racedays! These, although not without their challenges, are there to be enjoyed, as all of the hard work in preparation and the spade work should have already happened. They’re the culmination of much hard work by the team at Bath Racecourse, and it’s great to see all this come together and hopefully prove a success. There’s always a fabulous atmosphere and it’s great to work in an environment that has these crescendos of excitement up to 20 times a year.
My perfect cafe... Jika Jika in Bath. There’s always a very welcoming atmosphere, and it’s family friendly, and the coffee is fabulous. My ideal venue for lunch or dinner... The Hare and Hounds, set high on Lansdown with its views stretching out over the rolling countryside. Its recent refurbishment has totally transformed the establishment, and it’s great for a quick lunch, either when I’m entertaining clients or just with colleagues. My dream local shop... BoHo in Bath. It stocks the style of clothing that I just love, and the handbags and shoes are wonderful, too. Plus, the service is second to none. My most memorable local place... Bristol’s Harbourside. There’s always so much going on down on the harbour, with an eclectic mix of old and new attractions to visit, including ss Great Britain and At-Bristol. It’s a place that I love to go back to time and again with my family. There’s something for everyone, and my children always have a great time playing in the fountains on a hot summer’s day. BATH RACECOURSE REOPENS FOR THE 2013 SEASON ON FRI 19 APRIL; FIRST RACE AT 5PM. FFI ON THIS & OTHER RACING FIXTURES: WWW.BATH-RACECOURSE.CO.UK
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FOLIO MAGAZINE 218
MARCH 2013 BRISTOL & BATH