The Bristol Magazine May 2024

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ISSUE 234 I MAY 2024

THE

THEBRISTOLMAG

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

SHOW

MAGAZINE

£4.95 where sold

STOPPERS

From the big top to the fields, get your hands on the hottest tickets in town

LYNDA LA PLANTE

Exclusive interview with the crime-writing legend

QUEEN OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL

Tina Turner’s smash-hit musical is coming to town

THE OUTLAWS Bristol’s favourite criminals return for a third series

FIND YOUR FESTIVAL VIBE Head-to-toe party looks

BOWLED OVER

Mark Alleyne is back at Gloucestershire Cricket, this time as head coach

AND SO MUCH MORE IN THE CITY’S BIGGEST GUIDE TO LIVING IN BRISTOL

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Kutchenhaus Bath May Ideas 4 up.qxp_Layout 1 26/04/2024 14:39 Page 4

Will next kitchen be a Kutchenhaus kitchen?

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• Unparalleled Quality • Outstanding Service • Innovative Design • Tailored Solutions • National Franchise, Managed Locally • Installation Service • Competitive Pricing

Arrange your free consultation today and start your kutchenhaus journey

Clifton Down Shopping Centre, Bristol BS8 2NN Tel: 0117 213 0680

Join our award-winning team and embark on the journey to creating your dream kitchen! With our experienced professionals guiding you every step of the way. Your vision will seamlessly transform into reality. From conceptualisation to installation, our skilled team will ensure your kitchen reflects your style and functionality needs.

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As seen on the

Known for Bristol garden rooms, but we're so much more...

BGR Designs bgrdesigns.uk info@bgrdesigns.uk Tel: 0117 256 5021

Design & Build • Landscaping • Interior/Exterior Design

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THE Broad Meadow, p40 (crediit: Paul Blakemore)

from the

EDITOR

D

espite so much of our lives being arranged, booked and paid for by smartphone, I still have to write every single thing I’ve said I’m going to attend in a paper diary. If it’s not in the tatty green 2024 bible that I carry around with me like my life depends on it, it ain’t happening.

And considering there’s an insane amount of things to do and see in Bristol coming up this summer, if I ever lose this hallowed text, then I’ll be losing out big time.

I can’t believe how much the city can cram into its 42 square miles every day. We simply don’t have enough pages in the magazine to shout about every single worthwhile gig, exhibition, game, festival, dinner and all the other weird and wonderful goings on. But we’ve given it a bloody good go this month.

So, if you’re anything like me, grab those paper diaries and get ready to scrawl all over them...

There’s something for everyone in this issue: NoFit State’s new big top circus show, charity runs, WalkFest, DIASPORA!, rugby matches, a wildflower meadow taking over Broadmead, a whole weekender of world-class gigs at Ashton Gate, an exclusive interview with Lynda La Plante ahead of her appearance at CrimeFest, a moving choral performance in Bristol Cathedral, a specially-curated festival guide crammed with everything from comedy to story-telling happening this summer across the region, our usual What’s On and Family Diary pages – and we’ve even thrown in a preview of Tina Turner’s stunning musical that’s headed to Bristol in a year from now for good measure. That list is by no means exhaustive, but we’d all need a far bigger diary, and to probably give up our day jobs too...

BR I STOL

MAGAZINE

Contact us: Publisher Email:

Steve Miklos steve@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Financial Director Email:

Jane Miklos jane@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Editor Tel: Email:

Rosanna Spence 0117 974 2800 rosanna@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Assistant Editor/Web Editor Jasmine Tyagi Email: jasmine@thebristolmagazine.co.uk Production Manager Email:

Jeff Osborne production@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Advertising Sales Email:

Liz Grey liz@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

For advertising enquiries please contact us on: 0117 974 2800

Email: sales@thebristolmagazine.co.uk The Bristol Magazine is published by MC Publishing Ltd. An independent publisher.

Every month The Bristol Magazine is hand delivered to more than 15,000 homes in selected areas. We also deliver direct to companies and businesses across the city.

Additionally there are many places where we have floor-stands and units for free pick-up:

Rosanna Spence

On the cover NoFit State Circus’ show SABOTAGE is being performed in a big top tent in St Pauls from 18 May to 2 June. Tickets can be booked at nofitstate.org (Image credit: Sigrid Spinnox)

The Bristol Magazine Tel: 0117 974 2800 www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk © MC Publishing Ltd 2024

2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED Disclaimer: Whilst every reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to The Bristol Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to such material. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. This publication is copyright and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers.

8 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 | No 234

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ZEITGEIST

5 things to do Watch the Bears

Book these tickets Two huge music events featuring world-class artists are taking place back-to-back at Ashton Gate across one weekend in June.

Saturday 22 June will see BS3 take over the stadium for the day for a festival hosted by Fatman Scoop. Ten artists will perform across two stages, featuring headliner Ne-Yo, Dizzee Rascal (who popped to town for an exclusive surprise show in Cabot Circus earlier this year to launch his new album Don’t Take it Personal), Bristol drum ‘n’ bass and jungle legend Roni Size, Craig David’s T5 show (based on his exclusive penthouse parties in Miami) and Jess Glynne among other international music icons.

The following day (23 June) Kings of Leon will return to Bristol 21 years and eight albums since their last visit, bringing their Can We Please Have Fun world tour to the city.

Supporting the multi Grammy awardwinning rock band are The Vaccines and Holly Humberstone. Three hospitality packages are available to book, one of which includes a three-course meal, fully stocked drinks fridge and private balcony. ashtongatestadium.co.uk

Cheer on the runners

10 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 | No 234

bristolbearsrugby.com

Listen to orchestral Pink Floyd Join Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra to hear the epic hits of Pink Floyd – reimagined! The full forces of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra unite under the baton of conductor Pete Harrison, pictured (credit: Andy Holdsworth), to explore these timeless hits from one of the greatest rock bands of all time at Bristol Beacon on 10 May at 7.30pm.

There’ll be a selection of tracks from Shine On You Crazy Diamond to Learning to Fly to Another Brick In The Wall. Tickets from £15. bsolive.com

Run away with the circus Preapre for another full-on, boisterous, and audaciously fierce performance from the NoFit State circus troupe.

SABOTAGE brings a darker, grittier, and more subversive edge to NoFit State’s trademark large-scale contemporary circus shows. Back in the Big Top with incredible new acts, original music, new apparatus and a more theatrical feel, SABOTAGE explores themes of separation and belonging. Saboteurs stand out. They stand up. They challenge the establishment. They are heard.

Performances take place in St Pauls from 18 May until 2 June. nofitstate.org

Image credit: Mark J Robson

General places in the AJ Bell Great Bristol Run have already sold out, but at the time of writing there were still some charity slots available for 19 May. Starting in the heart of the city, runners will pass some of Bristol’s most iconic landmarks, so why not make a day of it and cheer them along the way? greatrun.org

Bristol Bears will welcome Saracens to Ashton Gate Stadium for the Summer Session party on 11 May, the final home game of the regular season. Get right among the crowds, which are expected to fill the stadium, as Pat Lam’s men face one of their main rivals in the race for the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals (kick-off at 3.05pm). After the final whistle, continue the fun in the Fan Village, where the Easy Sundays will headline the Summer Session. Look forward to a live DJ set, live prematch music, food stalls, pop-up bars, player singing sessions, fun in the Family Area and more.

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THE CITYIST

UPFEST PRESENTS confirms artists UPFEST PRESENTS has announced street art legends Inkie, Jody, Audrey Kawasaki and many more from across all four corners of the globe will join hundreds of artists performing across its 17-day cultural programme. (17 May until 2 June).

Inviting artists of all mediums to join the street-artextravaganza, UPFEST fans can also expect global sensations such as .EPOD, A L Grime, Aspire, Liam Bononi, Jagung, Artez, Georgie Webster, HazardOne and more to join headline artist Mister Samo to unleash total creativity on the city. upfest.co.uk

Image credit: BBC/Big Talk/Four Eyes

Psst.... The third season of Stephen Merchant’s hit show The Outlaws, which is filmed in Bristol, is set to return to our screens this month on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The series follow a gaggle of bickering lawbreakers forced together on a community payback scheme who discover a bag of cash.

But, as it turns out, they're not the only people after it. The first two series have been a roaring success, so it’d be a crime to miss it...

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | MAY 2024 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 11

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The City

ist

My Bristol

Image: Silver-Studded Blue by Iain Leach

Meet Lizzie Stephens, managing director of Bedminster Down Community Farm

Wildscreen ARK launches search for next big wildlife star Young people in the south west are being invited to celebrate nature in their neighbourhood from May, with short films and photos for the new Wild West Youth Film & Photography Competition. Bristol-based nonprofit Wildscreen’s project ARK has teamed up with West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and Metro Mayor Dan Norris to launch the initiative, which seeks to uncover fresh talent in wildlife filmmaking and photography. Winning work will be shown at the internationallyacclaimed Wildscreen Festival in October and on the Wildscreen ARK online nature hub. All entries must be produced on a smartphone device and films must be no longer than one minute to be eligible. They can feature animals, plants, and natural world scenes from across the south west, but no humans. There will be two age categories for entries: 13–15 and 16–18. The closing date is 31 August 2024.

wildscreen.org/ark

I was born in Bristol – the youngest of five siblings – into the Cole family on my dad’s side, which is apparently the largest family in Bristol.

Though two of my siblings have passed away, my huge family has remained in Bristol. They all come to the farm for events and parties.

At the farm we have two pet sheep (our woolly lawnmowers), bees, 100 chickens, Bantams, ducks, rabbits, guinea pigs, Reggie the pet pig (who’s a spoilt boy) and meat pigs.

The volunteers help with the animal husbandry, cleaning out and feeding. We have work experience students and corporate volunteers that help us too.

We love having volunteers, not just for the animals, but for helping with planting, food growing, weeding and clearing as well.

An average day in my life at the farm is so changeable, it depends on what’s happened overnight – like recent fox attacks, for example.

Generally, I go and feed the animals, muck them out, collect and wash eggs, prep for the next day, do some random tidying and maintenance jobs around the farm, some seed sowing and planting, digging and weeding. Then I’ll come home to cook, clean and feed the animals we have there (we’re currently raising a brood of home-hatched Bantams) and get ready for my night shift as a support worker.

Without community farms, Bristol would be a poorer place.

We need people to get involved and support these little gems to keep them going. They’re so important for the city, offering little spots of fresh air, and offering great places for adults and children to learn how to care for animals, as well as understanding where the meat comes from and how it’s produced.

12 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 | No 234

Allotments and farms can take you out of your everyday life, these spaces are amazing.

They are good for you physically and mentally, as you’re getting exercise, growing fresh food and talking to other likeminded people. There’s a sense of community too, a real team spirit. Allotments are tiny patches of land that will never belong to us, yet we love them, we tend to and care for them knowing we are just borrowing them – whether we choose to move on, get too old, or pass them to the next guardian, it is a right and a privilege to have one. If only people realised this, there wouldn’t be so many left vacant and unloved across Bristol. I think there is an allotment for everyone, but not everyone should have an allotment, as it’s definitely a commitment and shouldn’t be squandered.

This year, I want to put our tiny farm on the map.

Our goals are to get more people involved, teach people how to grow the food from seed to plate, provide fresh locally-grown veg for local people, and make our little space important for all to use.

For more information, search ‘Bedminster Down Community Farm’ on Facebook and follow @bedminsterdowncommunityfarm on Instagram

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THE CITYIST

Thekla celebrates ruby anniversary

5 ct. Diamond bracelet

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wethecurious.org

Floating music venue Thekla is marking 40 years of cultural innovation in Bristol in May, with a special five-day programme of gigs between 1-5 May. In a deep dive into the archives in celebration of its 40th anniversary, the team has also pulled together an exclusive archive book, The Complete History of Thekla, looking at the vessel's legacy and cultural influence.

Purchasing the book at selected retailers, fans can find out more about its rich history, and the weird and wonderful stories that are embedded in Thekla’s foundation. With each layer of paint to refresh the boat’s shell, another tale can be discovered, including the mystery of the hidden Banksy, which is yet to be uncovered. Thekla first made its way into Bristol’s Floating Harbour in 1983, and was then called the ‘Old Profanity Showboat’. theklabristol.co.uk

Image credit: David JH Photos

Science centre and educational charity We The Curious has announced its long-awaited reopening date as 2 July.

New visitors and committed fans alike can get ready to discover the magic of two floors packed with more than 200 things to do and explore this summer. Escape into a world of possibilities in the newest experience – which many fans have not yet seen as it opened just months before closure – ‘Project What If.’ Inspired by seven intriguing questions from the people of Bristol, from the science of happiness to the nature of time, you’ll find some of life’s biggest mysteries and be able to make yourself invisible, peer into the TARDIS, and even stop time while exploring them.

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2 Clifton Arcade, Boyces Avenue, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4AA Tel: 07877 633 030 *According to our regular clients. All items in stock on day of going to press.

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | MAY 2024 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 13

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BEAUTY NOTEBOOK | FESTIVAL SPECIAL

HEADLINE Acts Want to steal the show at your chosen festivals this summer? Whether you’re sprucing up your hair with Olaplex, or keeping your complexion feeling clean and radiant with Rodial, we’ve got all the essentials you need to take to the fields, come rain or shine. All products are available at Harvey Nichols Bristol.

COLOR WOW One Minute Transformation 50ml £11

HAAN Sunset Fleur Hand Sanitiser, 30ml £5.95 HAAN Sunset Fleur Hand Sanitiser is a perfect hand sanitiser for every time of the day. Components, such as aloe vera, and its fragrance make it not only 99.9% effective, but also hydrate your hands and make them smell good.

CAUDALIE Lip Conditioner £7 Perfect for anyone looking for a nourishing and protective lip product, Caudalie’s Lip Conditioner is formulated with 99% naturally-derived ingredients and is designed to repair damaged lips after each application. Boasting a delicate vanilla scent with antioxidant properties, it will deliver nutrition and protection all day long.

Color Wow’s One Minute Transformation instantly re-conditions, eliminates frizz and creates a smooth, polished surface.

Avocado Oil and Omega 3 hydrate and nourish the hair, creating a sleek finish.

ANATOMICALS And Ain't That The Tooth Toothbrush & Case – Blue £4.50 Anatomicals’ And Ain’t That The Tooth toothbrushes are made with Binchotan charcoal blended into each bristle, which gives off negative ions, deodorises, removes plaque to prevent bad breath and reduces harmful bacteria growing in the brush. Each toothbrush comes in a specially designed, colour-coordinated travel case.

COOLA Classic Stick SPF30 Coconut, 17g £23 Coola’s Classic Stick is a portable 70%+ organic sunscreen stick that gives you water-resistant, broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection whenever you need it. Twist, swipe and go.

RODIAL Vit C Little Luxuries Gift Set £45 Rodial’s Vit C Little Luxuries Gift set contains a collection of products to brighten and energise the complexion.

Set contains: Vit C Brightening Tonic 100ml, Vit C Brightening Cleanser 20ml, Vit C Energising Sheet Mask Single 20ml and Vit C Face Souffle 15ml.

14 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 | No 234

OLAPLEX No.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo, Travel Size £15 Achieve first-day fresh hair with clean, weightless body even when you skip a washday. OLAPLEX’s Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo leaves no white, powdery residue or gritty buildup. No.4D helps neutralise odours, leaves hair looking and feeling clean, and is clinically proven not to clog follicles.

SOL DE JANEIRO New In – Beija Flor Rio Deodorant £16 Sol De Janeiro’s Beija Flor Rio Deodorant is an aluminium-free and baking soda-free deodorant that eliminates odour, soothes skin and helps fight ingrown hairs.

SOL DE JANEIRO New In – Rio Radiance Body Spray SPF50, 200ml £36 A natural sheen. Sol de Janeiro's Rio Radiance Body Spray refreshes and hydrates skin with SPF50 protection. Bask in the beachy and nostalgic scent of sunshine on skin.

Refreshing and enhances all skin tones, it’s formulated with Niacinamide, Pongamia Seed Extract, Pitanga Extract and Coconut Water and infused with the addictive Cheirosa 87 scent.

GHD Unplugged Cordless Hair Straightener – Pink Peach Charity Edition £309 Create sleek and smooth hair anytime and anywhere, with the ghd Unplugged on-the-go cordless styler that heats up in 45 seconds and delivers up to 20 minutes of cordless styling.

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2 Clifton Arcade, Boyces Avenue, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4AA Tel: 07877 633 030 THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | MAY 2024 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 15

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THIS IS BRISTOL

Portrait of Bristol Daniela Benson, Shelley Presland and Kirstie Smith, directors of Grace & Mabel Grace & Mabel at The Mall, Clifton Village, brings a sparkle of colour to even the greyest day in Bristol.

Meet the three sisters who created this innovative clothing store...

O

ne Friday afternoon in 2007, Daniela Benson stumbled across a lovely independent boutique on Regent Street in Clifton and discovered that the shop lease was on the market. She approached her sisters Shelley and Kirstie about the idea of taking on the lease and they were immediately excited. The small fashion boutique in Clifton Village established itself quickly, and three years later they opened a shop in Bath. The shops have built a loyal customer following because of their friendly and personal service.

“ We love working together – our individual tastes and experiences have helped drive the success of the business ” All three sisters have backgrounds in fashion design or retail.

Daniela trained in Fashion Design at the London College of Fashion and the University of the West of England. Kirstie went to London at the age of 18 and worked for Whistles for almost 10 years, later becoming the manager of Karen Millen in Bristol. Shelley worked at Marks & Spencer, with roles ranging from sales to customer service.

Grace & Mabel stocks mainly British and European clothing and looks for sustainable brands, conscious of the significant impact that the fashion industry has on the environment. This is not a fast fashion business; the clothes are rather timeless investments with longevity.

The sisters feel strongly about the role of independent retailers within the retail ecosystem, investing as they do in the local economy and the local community.

“We love working together – our individual tastes and experiences have helped drive the success of the business,” says Daniela.

“The whole set-up works very well and we are good at sharing duties. We trust one another 100% and share the same high standards and aspirations. We are best friends who love spending our days together at work surrounded by beautiful clothes, a fantastic team and lovely customers!”

Grace & Mabel, 32 The Mall, Clifton Village, Bristol BS8 4DS; Tel 0117 974 3882; graceandmabel.co.uk Portrait by Joe Short. Joe is an award-winning photographer based in Bath; joeshort.com THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | MAY 2024 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 17

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Field Research Festival season is nearly upon us, so get prepared to look and feel fabulous – whether you’re camping in the fields or heading to a city gig this summer – with these pieces you can mix and match from Mint Velvet to create a new outfit each day...

44 Regent Street, Clifton, BS8 4HU mintvelvet.com

Neutral Print Maxi Dress, £139s Silver Leather Ankle Boots, £149s

18 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 | No 234

MINT VELVET FESTIVAL FASHION V2.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2024 10:37 Page 2

FESTIVAL FASHION Brown Stripe, Halter Maxi Dress, £139n

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Beige Suede Cowboy Boots0 £1790

Indigo Fitten Denim Waistcoat, £69 Pleat Soft Denim Shorts, £590 0

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

The Watersmeet Hotel in Woolacombe Voted Best Waterside Hotel for UK & Ireland by Conde Nast Johansen’s 2024.

4 star Coastal Hotel with unrivalled sea views.

Luxury Balcony, Terrace & Suite Rooms all with private outdoor seating & sun loungers.

AA 2 Rosette Restaurant with dramatic sea views from our unique cliff top location.

Indoor and outdoor pool & spa.

Luxury for Less Package Luxury Sea View Suite Dinner, Bed & Breakfast A bottle of Champagne £420 per night

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Spring Escape Offer Deluxe Sea View Room Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Devon Cream Tea for 2 A Bottle of Fizz £1200 for 3-night break

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20 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 | No 234

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In her prime

At 81, Prime Suspect creator Lynda La Plante shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, she’s feeling more inspired than ever. Armed with the prestigious Diamond Dagger award for her contribution to crime literature, she speaks to Rosanna Spence ahead of her appearance at CrimeFest this month Image credit: Gemma Day

22 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 | No 234

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INTERVIEW

L

ynda La Plante’s forensic literary genius has helped define the crime genre since the late 1980s. But rather than sit back and soak up the glory of her decades-long success of first acting, then writing and producing some of the most famous crime series of the 20th Century, she’s tearing up the octogenarian rulebook – instead throwing herself into new projects with more infectious fervour than ever.

July will see the Whole Life Sentence published, the final novel in her 10-strong ‘young Tennison’ series that follows the early career of DCI Jane Tennison – arguably La Plante’s most notable character – up to the point where her trials and tribulations in the Prime Suspect series begin.

If that weren’t enough, La Plante’s tour-de-force is also in the middle of penning her memoir Getting Away with Murder, due to hit the shelves in September.

Oh, and she’s just jointly scooped the most prestigious accolade honouring her lifelong contribution to crime writing – the Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers’ Association – with James Lee Burke.

Both will be appearing (though Burke through video link) at the upcoming CrimeFest literary convention, taking place at the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel from 9-12 May.

A novel question La Plante owes a lot to her readers, who she loves hearing from at this type of convention during Q&As: “I’ll always be asked a question that’s absolutely brilliant,” she says. “I would never have created Detective Jack Warr and written Buried (the first novel in that series) had a woman in a Q&A session not asked me what happened to Widows character Harry Rawlins’ illegitimate son. On another occasion, one reader asked me, ‘What was Tennison like when she was young?’

“You wonder how she became Detective Chief Inspector while maintaining that calmness and ruthlessness. That question kicked off the series of novels about young Jane.”

Getting to know ‘young Jane’ has been a 10-year endeavour for La Plante, who says that reaching the final is “quite sad having lived with a character I’ve taken from just 21 through to her late 30s.

“But it’s been fascinating to resurrect the characters who feature in the original Prime Suspect stories and get them ready for the final, like creepy Detective Sergeant Otley, who hates her, and the discrimination even then is full blown.”

Confronting institutional sexism by highlighting it through Tennison’s fictional career has always been important for La Plante, and even though her tales are set in the 1980s and 1990s, she notes change is slow even in today’s policing system.

“It’s still there,” she explains, “you read over and over again in the newspaper about an ex-policewoman saying that discrimination and sexual harassment made her leave the force. But it is getting better.

Thankfully, there are far more women in the force than there were before, but it’s still a very frightening position to be a high-ranking policewoman. You’ve got to have eyes in the back of your head.”

La Plante points to real life high-ranking officer DCI Jackie Malton as a classic example – script consultant Malton is said to have inspired Tennison’s character – who now enjoys a successful TV career since retiring from the force, having interviewed the infamous serial killer known as ‘The Serpent’. “We were both speaking at a crime festival, and she came up to me, gave me a big hug and said: ‘You changed my life’, which was a really nice feeling. I suppose Jane Tennison changed my life too…”

Two stong women With La Plante and Tennison’s lives so entwined, with deep roots both in pages and on screen, is it inevitable that some of her real personality is written into Jane’s fictional one?

“Not really,” La Plante notes. “I keep her at arm’s distance, because if I really delved into myself all the time I would find it extremely depressing – like I’m draining myself. Though like an actor who thinks he’s playing characters, he will only ever really play himself. You’ll see the same hand gestures, the same eye movements. The reality is, obviously, there are glimmers of me in Tennison. My Liverpudlian humour does creep in too.”

“ I’ve already started to build a new character and a new novel ” La Plante and Tennison may be parting ways as one of Britain’s most famous female DCI’s story comes full circle, but a new character is already being formed, ready to step under the crime scene tape. Her ability to prolifically craft worlds filled with fascinating people committing intricate crimes is delightfully relentless.

“I’ve already started building a new character and a new novel. I’m an insomniac because the stories start in my head, so I’ll wake up after a couple of hours’ sleep and say, ‘Oh my God – the letter’s in the suitcase! I’d better get that down’. The ideas are running through my head all the time.”

La Plante’s commitment to forensic and procedural accuracy means she spends a lot of time with victims of crime, sensitively listening to their experiences and reactions, and is also heavily dependent on thorough police research – her writing methods remain faithful and can consume a great deal of time and energy.

“I didn’t even realise how old I was, because I get so excited by what I’m doing and I thankfully have the ability to still do it (plus people still want it).

“Although crime is a puzzle that I enjoy working with – making sure I don’t give the plot away to the reader by chapter two – at the same time, the development of each work that I do is quite lengthy and emotional,” she explains, before gleefully adding, “But I do like it.” n Lynda La Plante will be appearing at CrimeFest, taking place 9-12 May at the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel. Joining La Plante across the weekend are guests including James Lee Burke (via live video link), Laura Lippman, Denise Mina and Cathy Ace. For full details of the crime literature convention’s programme and information on tickets, visit crimefest.com.

Whole Life Sentence will be published on 4 July and is available to pre-order now via lyndalaplante.com

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Proud Tina

All images by Matt Crockett

The producers of the hit West End production Tina – The Tina Turner Musical have announced theshow’s first ever UK and Ireland tour… meaning the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll is coming to theBristol Hippodrome next year

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his month marks one year since Tina Turner sadly passed away at the age of 83. It seems a timely and fitting tribute then, for The Bristol Magazine to look ahead to when the smash hit musical that tells the story of the legendary, 12time Grammy Award-winning artist’s life goes on tour, landing at Bristol Hippodrome with a run from 8-26 April 2025.

Set to the pulse-pounding soundtrack of her iconic hits, including The Best, What’s Love Got To Do With It?, Private Dancer and River Deep, Mountain High, the show is an inspiring true story of the woman who dared to dream fiercely, shatter barriers and defy the bounds of age, gender, and race to conquer the world against all odds.

“ Each night I want audiences to take away from the theatre that you can turn poison into medicine ” Tina was involved with the show’s production from the start, and in her own words, she said: “It's really important to me to have the chance to share my full story. This musical is not about my stardom. It is about the journey I took to get there. Each night I want audiences to take away from the theatre that you can turn poison into medicine.”

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Theatre. Productions have also opened on Broadway, across North America, and in Germany, Spain, Netherlands and Australia, continuing Tina’s legacy of playing sell-out shows around the world every day.

The musical has been directed by Phyllida Lloyd (Mamma Mia!) and written by Olivier Award and Pulitzer Prize-winner Katori Hall, with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins.

It is choreographed by Anthony van Laast, with set and costume designs by Mark Thompson, musical supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck, lighting by Bruno Poet, sound by Nevin Steinberg, projection design by Jeff Sugg, orchestrations by Ethan Popp, and wigs, hair and makeup design by Campbell Young Associates, casting by Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG.

Continuing the legacy The Bristol Magazine attended the official Tina UK and Ireland tour launch in London and caught up with the musical’s producer Tali Pelman (group creative managing director for Stage Entertainment), who told us what it means to share Tina’s story to more audiences than ever before around the country.

“I think as Phyllida Lloyd has said previously, we feel like the guardian angels of this story,” Pelman explains. “I think that it’s really important – it was then for Tina and it is now for me – to tell that story to another generation. What I found is that when people come to the show and hear her story who are in their 20s and 30s (and may not have grown up with her music like I did, or our parents did) it still resonates with their own lives and inspires them.

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Tina’s early life in Tennessee (and right, with Ike Turner)

Karis Anderson as Tina in the show’s finale

“For me, it’s now moved beyond sharing Tina’s story to her current audiences – we’re giving it to a whole new generation. That’s why we’re so excited about going on the road.”

Casting Tina At the time of writing, Karis Anderson was embodying the titular role.

Anderson is no stranger to the stage, having played Diana Ross in the touring UK production of Motown. Her performance as Tina was electrifying. Truly spine-tingling.

“ I really don’t think there’s a tougher role for women to play ” Taking on this role is physically and emotionally demanding, so casting the Tina(s) that will go on the road to bring her spirit and tell her tale to thousands more people is no easy task.

“It’s a triple threat role,” Pelman states. “I really don’t think there’s a tougher role for women in the musical scene. You have to have an actor in the role who can really channel the highs and lows and the nuances.

At the same time, Tina was known for her choreography – she choreographed all her own steps, and was fiercely proud of that. Tina once even came into one of our rehearsal rooms, took off her jacket, asked me for a T-shirt from the wardrobe department and started

dancing with our choreography team to perfect the steps! You have to deliver those iconic movements. And of course, there’s the voice. There’s no space to underdeliver on all three areas. It’s really tough.”

Pelman goes on to explain that the incredible work Adrienne Warren did when originating the role – and that all the team’s Tinas have done since – is not about ‘trying’ to be Tina, or to copy Tina, it’s about channelling Tina. “Every actor can find their entryway into this person and into her talents. That is a tremendously moving performance to witness.”

The grand finale We wanted to know if there was a standout moment in the show that epitomises everything Pelman and team strive to deliver, especially now they’re continuing Tina’s legacy after her passing?

“That’s difficult…” she muses. “There are several stand out moments.

But, if I had to choose one, I would probably say – without giving too much away – that is the finale. When you arrive there, you have experienced all the dramatic highs and lows of Tina’s life. You have sweated with her, you’ve bled with her, you’ve gone through a marathon with this person who you’ve gotten to know across two hours.

“You get to the finale and she becomes the Tina you came to see and, my God, do you rejoice in her victory! And every night, without fail, around the world, the house stands up. Just because of the sheer will of it all, it’s incredibly moving every single time.” n Tina – The Tina Turner Musical will be at Bristol Hippodrome 8-26 April 2025, tickets are on sale now at atgtickets.com/bristol THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | MAY 2024 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 27

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What’s On

Our guide to some of the best things to see, do and experience in and around Bristol this month

“I’m not throwing away my shot” Hamilton hits the Hippodrome (image: Danny Kaan)

Hamilton at Bristol Hippodrome n Throughout May, 7.30pm with matinee Weds & Sat, 2.30pm

Walks4Change and DIASPORA! Closing Ceremony

The multi-award-winning masterpiece by Lin-Manuel Miranda is the story of America's founding father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War. The score blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway – the story of America then, as told by America now. atgtickets.com/bristol Bristol Walkfest n Throughout May

The city’s hugely popular walking festival is back! The festival showcases a wide variety of walking related events and activities, personal challenges and self-guided walking routes. The mostly free 200+ walks and activities are for all ages, all backgrounds and all levels of fitness. bristolwalkfest.com Wake The Tiger: After Hours n 3, 17 & 31 May, 7pm 127 Albert Rd, BS2 0YA

Got a mate or a date and looking for something a little more bonkers for your next evening get-together? And without any kids around? That’s exactly what you’ll find at Wake The Tiger: After Hours. The ultimate immersive art installation amazement park in Bristol. wakethetiger.com

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n 6 May, 12pm–3.30pm Meet at Colston Avenue, BS1 4ST

Walks4Change is a guided tour of the centre

by Julz Davis of Curiosity Unltd. Walk a mile (or two) in the shoes of the pioneering protestors who led the Bristol Bus Boycott.

This event will culminate at the DIASPORA! Closing Ceremony, and takes place on Paul Stephenson’s birthday. Tickets are available on Eventbrite, and more info can be found on the DIASPORA! website. diverseartistsnetwork.com/diasporafestival CrimeFest n 9-12 May, various times Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel, Broad Street,Bristol BS1 2EL

The annual crime fiction convention is for people who like to read an occasional crime novel as well as for die-hard fanatics.

CrimeFest draws top crime novelists, readers, editors and publishers from around the world and gives delegates the opportunity to celebrate the genre in a friendly and inclusive atmosphere. crimefest.com Pint of Science: Elements Unleashed: Natural Phenomena from Ash to Atmosphere n 15 May, 7.30pm The Greenbank, 57 Bellevue Road, BS5

A journey to the edges of our planet. First, Dr Ailsa Naismith will take you below the surface to explore how volcanoes affect the world around us, as she talks about her work in the tropical depths of Guatemala. Then, D. Mhari Dell will turn your attention to the skies above to discover the science behind predicting the future as a weather forecaster, and why it’s harder than it looks! pintofscience.co.uk A Sense of the Divine n 18 May, 5pm St James Priory, Whitson Street, BS1 3NZ

Exultate Singers performs a programme of beautiful choral music through the ages on the theme of Mary and motherhood, including music by Victoria, Palestrina, Gabrieli, Tavener and the first performance of Lullaby by Bristol composer John Barber.

A feast of contemplative, timeless music in the treasured setting of the medieval church of St James Priory. Tickets £10 to £16 from exultatesingers.org or Opus 13 music shop on 0117 923 0164.

Plant sale and afternoon tea n 18 May, 2pm-4.30pm Portishead Town Council Folk Hall, 95 High Street BS20 6PR

Held by the local Grow Wilder group of Avon Wildlife Trust, there will also be homemade cakes, handicrafts, White Elephant stall, books and puzzles for sale. avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

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BRISTOL EVENTS | MAY

Binocular and Telescope Fair n 25 May, 10am–4pm Lawn at Chew Valley Lake, Wally Lane, BS40 8XS

Join the Bristol London Camera Exchange team on the lawn at Chew Valley Lake (opposite Salt & Malt) for its annual optics fair, where you can inspect, try and buy the latest optics in a superb wildlife environment. Meet representatives from Swarovski, Opticron, Vortex and Sigma.

‘Show-only deals’ will be available on the day. lcegroup.co.uk/events Niladri Kumar n 19 May, 7.30pm St George’s, Great George St, BS1 5RR

Niladri Kumar’s expertise in combining classical and contemporary Indian music has made him a visionary sitar player and his unique style helps audiences from all over the world connect with his live performances. His passion for creating new sounds lead him to develop the Zitar, the world’s first electrical sitar. This is an event not to be missed, combining well known tracks from his work in Bollywood with contemporary and classic sounds. stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

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Bristol Film Festival: On The Waterfront n 25 May, 2pm Averys Wine Merchants Screening Room

The screening marks the 70th anniversary of On The Waterfront.

Widely considered one of the greatest films ever made, this brooding drama won Marlon Brando his first Oscar (along with seven other Academy Awards out of twelve nominations) and set a benchmark for acting in Hollywood that changed the course of movie history. bristolfilmfestival.com Lower Redland Road Market n 26 May

A collaborative event between The Bristol Artisan and Wild Oats.

The event celebrates the community of independent shops, makers, growers, producers and musicians and is free to attend.

Thirty-four stalls fill the road, offering a mix of craft and design, artisan food and drink, cakes and pastries, and floristry and plants.

All set to a backdrop of uplifting music from local musicians. thebristolartisan.com Royal Bath and West Show n 30 May–1 June, doors open 9am The Showground, Shepton Mallet

A Great British family day out. The Show will feature a plethora of activities, demonstrations and entertainment; including interactive activities, fast-paced excitement in the Main Ring and a much-enhanced food hall experience. bathandwestshowground.com

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FAMILY EVENTS | MAY

Family Diary

Here’s our pick of the best things to see and do with the little ones this month

image credit: Paul Blakemore (@blikmo)

be able to enjoy riding displays, meet the horses and ponies (and even have a go themselves at riding), grooming ponies or have a horse simulator lesson. There will also be treasure hunts, tombola, raffle, best cake competition, food stalls and more. Free entry, but some activities will be chargeable to raise funds for the charity. theavoncentre.org.uk

A Strange New Space at The Wardrobe Theatre

Dinosaur Valley at Avon Valley Country Park n Throughout spring and summer Dinosaur Valley is home to the largest collection of animatronic dinosaurs in the south west. Set alongside the River Avon, with a beautiful backdrop, your young paleontologists can see a 15m T-Rex, Stegosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Triceratops, Allosaurus, Raptors plus more around the park. Dinosaur Valley is the place for any dino fan to visit in the south west. Included with entry ticket. avonvalley.co.uk SS Great Britain – Fern Trail n Ongoing SS Great Britain Plants are taking over at Bristol’s number one attraction this spring and summer. Gather your family as you step into the shoes of a Victorian plant hunter. Work together to seek out fern friends hidden in, around and under the ship. Unearth ‘fern-tastic’ facts about the fascinating link between plants and historic steamships like the SS Great Britain.

Will you track down all the ferns? Included with entry ticket. ssgreatbritain.org Avalon – Giffords Circus n 10-20 May Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe, Glos’, GL54 5JD As determined as ever to delight with their new show, Giffords Circus will weave together a cast of acrobats, magicians, musicians and clowns from all over the world in a spectacle that will combine poetry, music and performing arts all set on the mythical island of Avalon. giffordscircus.com Avon Centre open day n 19 May, 10.30am-4.30pm Kings Weston Road, Bristol, BS10 7QT The Avon Centre is a charity that offers horse riding and other naturebased activities for disabled and disadvantaged. Open day visitors will

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A Strange New Space: Presented by Tiny & Tall Productions (formerly Tessa Bide Productions) n 26-28 May, 11am & 2pm (no 11am on Sunday) The Wardrobe Theatre Did you know that astronauts get taller in space? That our solar system is around 4.6 billion years old? Or that there are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on all of the beaches on Earth? Amira knows all of these things. She is completely obsessed with space and dreams of becoming an astronaut. Travelling on an imagined voyage into space, paralleled with Amira’s real-life journey as a refugee across continents, the production forms an unforgettable introduction to theatre for young audiences. Suitable for ages 4+. thewardrobetheatre.com Birthday Family Day n 30 May, 11.30am-12.15pm, 12.30-1.15pm, 1.30-2.15pm Coopers Hall, Bristol Old Vic A big celebration of the Old Vic’s 258th birthday. Delve into the long and colourful history of the theatre with a day of crafts, party games, trails and more. Wear your best party clothes and bring the whole family along. Family Days are always free of charge and open to walk ups, but workshops can be booked in advance. bristololdvic.org.uk Art Skills: Drawing Portraits with Jazz Thompson n 30 May, 10am-12pm RWA Join talented illustrator Jazz Thompson for this portrait art session and learn the basic skills for drawing a face from scratch. The session will focus on how to sketch a basic face, placement of features, how shadow and light sits, and skin tone. The session is split into sections to work through each stage together, equipping young artists with the foundational skills for portrait art. Ages 7-11. rwa.org.uk Subscribe to our weekend newsletters at thebristolmag.co.uk for regular updates

Dinosaur Valley at Avon Valley

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MUSIC

Music for the soul

Four incredible musical collectives will join forces on 18 May to perform Edward Elgar’s transcendent The Dream of Gerontius at Bristol Cathedral. We hear from Tom Gauterin, conductor of Bristol Classical Players – one of the 250 talented people involved in the show

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omething special is happening in Bristol Cathedral this month. Two well-established city choirs – Bristol Phoenix Choir and Bristol Cabot Choir – are joining forces with renowned orchestra Bristol Classical Players and leading south west chamber choir The Fitzhardinge Consort. So, what’s attracted 250 of the region’s finest vocalists and musicians to perform under the same roof ?

The Dream of Gerontius: a gloriously transcendant and emotive 1900 composition by Edward Elgar, created using text from the poem of the same name by John Henry Newman. It tells the story of a soul’s plight from deathbed to God’s judgment, then arriving in Purgatory.

“ It’s one of those very special pieces that generates an immense emotional impact for everyone ” “We’ve chosen to perform this particular piece because it’s one of, if not the greatest British choral works,” explains Tom Gauterin (pictured, top right), conductor of Bristol Classical Players – speaking to The Bristol Magazine on behalf of all the performing groups. “Although the first peformance in 1900 wasn’t a great success, it was quickly taken up by choirs all over the UK (starting in the midlands, where Elgar himself regularly conducted the work in Birmingham and Worcester) and has been a cherished highlight in the choral repertoire ever since.

“It’s one of those very special pieces that generates an immense emotional impact for everyone, both audience and participants.

Although on an overtly Christian theme (the journey of the soul from life to death, and what lies beyond) it has an intense spirituality that appeals to believers and non-believers alike.”

It’s not the first time the groups have collaborated – Gauterin explains that they worked together on Mahler’s Resurrection symphony in 2019 and Verdi’s Requiem in 2022. “Both were wonderful events and we are hoping to make the performance of a big choral work at Bristol Cathedral an annual event.”

The 250 performers comprise 75 singers in each choir, 80 orchestral musicians and 20 people from The Fitzhardinge Consort, who are taking the role of semi-chorus.

The soloists are tenor James Atherton (who has sung at several major cathedrals and with world-famous choirs for many years), mezzo Jenna Brown (who is from Bristol and regularly sings with the Fitzhardinges) and bass-baritone Malachy Frame, a rising young opera singer who is based in London.

A dramatic space The setting plays an important role in any choral performance, of course, so we asked Gauterin just how the cathedral’s space and acoustics will impact the arrangement of Gerontius?

“The biggest feature is the resonance of the building, as the echo lasts around six seconds,” he says. “That means we have to adapt the way we play and sing to try to maintain clarity and it can be quite tricky to manage that in some of the busier passages. On the other hand, it puts a lovely ‘glow’ around the sound in the slower-moving parts.

“Visually, the cathedral is a very dramatic space, with the audience in near-darkness and the choir on steep risers. Works like this were written with the composers fully expecting them to be performed in cathedrals and, given the text, it feels appropriate to do it here rather than necessarily in a concert hall.”

Rehearsing for such an important performance no doubt brings its challenges, especially when so many people from different groups are involved. Gauterin explains that the solution is lots of planning in advance, and plenty of communication along the way. Bristol’s Phoenix and Cabot choirs have been rehearsing separately under the guidance of Paul Walton and Beccy Holdeman respectively, though the groups will come together to rehearse in the weeks leading up to the concert.

“One oddity of working in this way is that, given the need to use rehearsal time efficiently, we will only play the entire work in order during the concert itself,” Gauterin notes. “That is in part because it is a lot to ask the soloists to sing it twice in a day, but it does have the benefit of keeping things fresh. Even experienced singers and players can be caught out by the power of certain moments in the concert.”

Watch in awe If you’re curious about seeing Gerontius, but have never been to a classical choral concert in Bristol before, Gauterin urges you to give it a try.

“Even if you’re a bit wary of classical music in general, the experience of seeing 250 people making both very loud and very quiet sounds with one voice can't fail to impress. The great Praise to the Holiest chorus, in particular, has an overwhelming impact. It’s very different, and much more visceral, than hearing music on a radio or iPod.” For those involved, it’s a thrilling experience, and Gauterin notes on behalf of all the groups that it’s always a privilege to perform a masterpiece such as Gerontius. “It’s very moving to be part of 250 people all working as one and reacting to each other in the moment. It’s live and alive.” n The magical performance will take place at 7.30pm on 18 May at Bristol Cathedral. Tickets can be booked by searching ‘Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius’ on eventbrite.co.uk (some tickets will also be available on the door). For more info on the groups visit bristolclassicalplayers.com, bristolcabotchoir.org, bristolphoenixchoir.org.uk and fitzhardingeconsort.com

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FESTIVALS 2024

It’s festival season!

Start planning a summer to remember with our pick of some of the West Country’s best festivals and events.

Want to get your hands on tickets? Simply scan the QR codes provided...

MAYFEST: 17–26 MAY VARIOUS LOCATIONS Mayfest is an invitation to come together and be moved by beautiful and boundary-pushing performances in unexpected public spaces, such as Broadmead and St Anne’s Wood and much-loved venues like Watershed, Bristol Old Vic, The Mount Without and Unit 15.

The programme is jam-packed with brilliant home-grown talent and artists of international acclaim. Choose from more than 15 unusual, ambitious and playful shows and experience the unusual. Become part of a real-life video game in the UK premiere of asses.masses at Watershed; immerse yourself in nature at an outdoor installation; prepare to reflect with shows that ask brave questions of these challenging times. All tickets are ‘pay what you can’. mayk.org.uk/mayfest

Bristol Sounds returns to the Bristol Amphitheatre, having added two more days to the open-air gig series. Promoter Crosstown Concerts describes the event as ‘fundamentally a festival for the people of Bristol’ and this year will see seven unique evenings on the harbourside, including three all-day events on Saturday 22, Sunday 23 and Sunday 30 June.

Headliners include Skindred, Gentleman’s Dub Club, James Arthur, Busted, Annie Mac, The Breeders plus many more Various ticket prices and packages are available from £35 (general admission, standing). bristolsounds.seetickets.com/tour/bristol-sounds

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Image: Giulia Spadafora

BRISTOL SOUNDS: 22–30 JUNE

VALLEY FEST: 1–4 AUGUST Valley Fest is the best-tasting music festival in the south west. The event takes place alongside the glittering Chew Valley Lake with the rolling Mendip hills in the background. With music from Sophie Ellis Bextor, Tinie Tempah, Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge, The Feeling and The Skids, you’re advised to arrive hungry and ready to dance.

Thomasina Miers OBE and Romy Gill MBE are heading the culinary line-up. From feasts, cooking demonstrations and masterclasses, the Valley Fest programme has everything a food lover could want.

It caters for all tastes and budgets, with added theatre and fire, and has quality and regeneration at its heart. In Arcadia’s Alchemist’s Playground expect flares, flames and heart-in-your-mouth performances. You'll find a bigger than ever health and farm fitness area – expect everything from hot tubs to ice baths and plenty of treatments and classes to soothe and strengthen your body. Not forgetting a big programme of talks, farm tours, workshops and comedy. In short, it's wholesome fun for everyone. For full ticket information visit: valleyfest.co.uk

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FESTIVALS 2024

SUMMER FESTIVAL: 23 MAY – 22 JUNE BRISTOL OLD VIC THEATRE SCHOOL Bristol Old Vic Theatre School returns to The Wardrobe Theatre for its 18th contemporary drama season from 23 May to 22 June. The students will present a series of eight cutting-edge plays from award-winning writers including Samuel Bailey, Miriam Battye, Brad Birch, Jez Butterworth, Afsaneh Gray and Amy Guyler. The Summer Festival marks the culmination of one- or threeyears’ training for the emerging creatives from the renowned drama school. It’s a celebration of collaboration and creativity, which sees the directing and design graduates taking the artistic reigns across the four double bills.

Tickets: £10 for a Single Ticket; £15 Double Bill; or £40 for a Season Ticket. Book yours at: thewardrobetheatre.com

OXFORD STORYTELLING FESTIVAL: 23–25 AUGUST Jo Blake, Tuup and the returning Jan Blake will headline the festival this year, joined by many more wonderful tellers, stall holders, therapists, artists and musicians, such as Tom Morley, Mobius Loop and the Helian Band.

With a focus on breath and air, the theme of ‘Inspiration’ will be intertwined into the magical weekend.

From captivating stories in the traditional outdoor amphitheatre to tours of the beautiful frescos in Waterperry House, new and exciting workshops to try and lots of delicious food choices, Oxford Storytelling Festival is a space for new experiences. Don’t forget to keep your eye out for the wandering dragons as well…

Full weekend tickets start from £130 for adults and £50 for children. oxfordstorytellingfestival.co.uk

Image: Matt Crockett

WELLS COMEDY FESTIVAL: 24–26 MAY

Amy Gledhill

A stellar line-up graces this year’s festival, including QI and Taskmaster stars Alan Davies and Lou Sanders, James Acaster, Harry Hill, Nish Kumar, Rich Hall, Sophie Duker, Tim Key, John Kearns, Sara Barron, Kemah Bob and many more.

Most of the big names are sold out at the time of going to press, but there is still plenty of choice available, so snap up those tickets now. You can still catch a selection of festival favourites at the Friday and Saturday Night Gala shows and enjoy huge laughs in the country’s smallest city.

Ticket prices start from £9. wellscomfest.com

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FESTIVALS 2024

SOUL CIRCUS YOGA: 15-18 AUGUST ELMORE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE Soul Circus is a well-being festival where music, yoga and holistic therapies meet glittery festival antics and DJ afterparties. It is set to return to its beautiful home in the Cotswold hills of Elmore, Gloucestershire. Stretch out in yoga tipis and lush countryside by day and dance under the stars by night. Spend your days doing yoga with MoreYoga, breathwork with The Breath Space and Innercamp, aerial skills, fitness with UP Wellness, dance, tantra and much more. Spend your evenings sipping cocktails and eating delicious food, followed by shaking your booty to electrifying DJ sets and live music. There's everything a healthy hedonistic SoulSetter is searching for, so run away to the circus with Soul Circus Yoga! Day tickets start at £170 and weekend tickets start at £270. Both are inclusive of classes and workshops. Those schedules will be launched prior to the festival to sign up for your desired slot, so keep an eye out!

Margot Robbie as Barbie, image courtesy of Warner Bros Pictures

soulcircus.yoga

BRISTOL FILM FESTIVAL: 4–7 JULY CLIFTON SUMMER SCREENINGS After a successful inaugural launch last summer, Clifton Summer Screenings returns with a four-day festival of all things cinema. Relax in the beautiful Mall Gardens before taking your seats for some unique pop-up cinema. With covered seating, state-of-the-art LED screens and wireless headphones, you’ll enjoy classic films come rain or shine. Before the film there’s a chance to relax in the Garden Bar (hosted by The Ivy Clifton Brasserie) and enjoy a range of food provided by The Mall Deli.

New for 2024 Bristol Film Festival introduces screen2, a second cinema offering a range of talks, short films, cult movies and some Vintage Screenings (which combine a film and wine tasting). bristolfilmfestival.com/cliftonsummerscreenings

BRISTOL CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL: 7–8 JUNE Back once again with the festival of flavour, where all your beer is included in the ticket price! Located at Bristol Harbourside, this year’s festival will have 40+ worldclass breweries, pouring 400+ beers. There is a beer for everyone at the festival, including local favourites like Left Handed Giant, Wiper and True, Bristol Beer Factory and New Bristol Brewery. Juicy pales from Cloudwater and DEYA, lipsmacking sours and beer concoctions from Tiny Rebel and Vault City, plus thirstquenching lagers from Braybrooke and Utopian. Hungry? There’ll be delicious dishes from top restaurants, including live fire concept ACME Fire Cult, vegan and vegetarian Italian subs from Bocca di Bianchi, bao bun and fried chicken from Bone Daddies, juicy burgers from Meltdown Cheeseburgers and jolly good food from Jolly Hog. Expect festival vibes with live bands and DJ sets, plus free talks and tastings hosted by Craft Beer Channel's Jonny Garrett. bristolcraftbeerfestival.co.uk

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ARTS & EXHIBITIONS

ART and the galleries

Contemporary Native American artists, Rainmaker Gallery, throughout spring This spring, Rainmaker Gallery is showcasing the work of four contemporary Native American artists: fine art photographer Cara Romero of the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe, Randy L. Barton from Arizona and Cotswold-based painter Rick Grimster, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and sculptor Addison Karl, of the Chickasaw and Choctaw nations.

Romero recently headlined exhibitions at both The Museum of Modern Art, New York, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Barton is a neo-contemporary Native artist, designer, dancer, DJ and music producer from the Navajo Nation.

Grimster is a 1960s art school graduate whose fascinating paintings came to light for the first time last year, to great acclaim.

He has sold out two solo shows in the UK and is preparing for a solo museum exhibition in the USA. Together these acclaimed artists indicate the vast cultural and artistic diversity thriving within Indigenous communities today. rainmakerart.co.uk; 140 Whiteladies Road, BS8 2RS Image: Shameless by Cara Romero

© Amy Sherald. Photograph: Royal Collection Trust Portrait of Edna Henry, 2023

Summer exhibitions at Royal West of England Academy, 25 May until 11 August

As part of a triple bill of exhibitions honouring global majority artists, the RWA will bring the pioneering work of Rasheed Araeen to Bristol for the first time. Conscious Forms includes an impressive array of Araeen’s bright, abstract sculptures. Visitors are invited to sit on and reconfigure colourful cubes around a central ‘reading room’ installation.

Alongside these works, informed by Araeen’s engineering training and immersion in Islamic geometry and architecture, will be figurative paintings and collages dating from the 1950s to today.

Meanwhile, Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation is a moving exhibition honouring the accomplishments and legacy of the Windrush Generation. On display will be 10 portraits of remarkable CaribbeanBritish individuals by ten leading artists, including Sonia Boyce MBE and Amy Sherald.

Finally, Valda Jackson: Miss Polly will showcase a powerful and evocative installation by esteemed writer and artist Valda Jackson MBE RWA. This thought-provoking exhibition, featuring spoken word, text, sculpture, and painting, delves into the realms of neurological research and the concept of the ‘unfinished brain’.

rwa.org.uk; Queen’s Road, Clifton, BS8 1PX ‘Broad Meadow’, Broadmead, 24 May–20 June

Image credit: Paul Blakemore

Imagine a colourful, tranquil wildflower meadow amid the hustle and bustle of Bristol’s built-up shopping centre, Broadmead. With their new project Broad Meadow, artists Sylvia Rimat and Charli Clark are growing that very place. You’re invited to take a seat, immerse yourself in a wildflower meadow and listen to an audio experience via your smartphone. The audio addresses our intertwined relationship with the plant world, connecting us to Bristol prior to the 1500s, when Broadmead was a meadow, regularly flooded by the river Frome. This event is free, and booking is recommended. The installation is made up of 55 wildflower boxes that have been planted in workshops with secondary school students across Bristol. hdfst.uk/broad-meadow-; Broadmead, City Centre, BS1 3EA

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ARTS & EXHIBITIONS ‘Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood’, Arnolfini, Until 26 May Hayward Gallery Touring’s major group exhibition Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood plunges into the joys and heartaches, mess, myths and mishaps of motherhood through more than 100 artworks, from the feminist avant-garde to the present day.

While the Madonna and Child is one of the great subjects of European art, we rarely see art about motherhood as a lived experience, in all its complexity. Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood addresses this blind spot in art history, asserting the artist mother as an important cultural figure. It offers a complex account that engages with contemporary concerns about gender, caregiving and reproductive rights.

Image: Janine Antoni, 2038, 2000 © Janine Antoni; courtesy of the artist and Luhring Augustine, New York

arnolfini.org.uk; 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA

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The Connor Brothers at Fizz Gallery, on sale Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 5pm

Fizz Gallery in Clevedon currently has a number of works for sale by The Connor Brothers, whose popularity is reflected in sell-out shows at galleries in LA, New York, Sydney, Dubai, London, Hong Kong and Berlin. Moreover, their work is included in Banksy’s Dismaland and prestigious collections including The Victoria and Albert Museum, The Penguin Collection and both the Omar Koch and Niarchos Collections.

Since their real identity was revealed more than 10 years ago, The Connor Brothers (aka Mike and James, who are not actually brothers) have been stirring up the art world with their hard-hitting combination of retro design and contemporary satire. They are highly valued and outspoken supporters of countless social causes, collaborating with partners such as Noel Gallagher and Pussy Riot, and using their art to raise awareness and funds for the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), the Teenage Cancer Trust, and numerous homelessness and refugee charities. fizzgallery.co.uk; 26 Hill Road, Clevedon, BS21 7PH Image: Desperate Times by The Connor Brothers

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RAINMAKER GALLERY IMAGES: top – Hushtola Ummona; middle – Addison Karl; bottom – Kulli

Native Elements

Exquisite bronze and glass creations from Native American sculptor Addison Karl, of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations, are at Rainmaker Gallery this summer. Here he talks to gallery owner Joanne Prince...

What was your journey to becoming an artist?

I had a strong affinity for the arts as a child, spending most of my time drawing and also taking art lessons. In high school, I had an excellent art teacher who strongly encouraged me to pursue painting and I discovered screen printing as well. Building on years of painting figures, I stumbled my way into learning sculpting and bronze casting at Two Ravens Studio in Tacoma, Washington. With the assistance of the Chickasaw Nation, I worked on a range of reference materials for figurative sculpture and, subsequently, I was fortunate that one of my pieces took First Place for Bronze at the Heard Museum Indian Fair & Market.

You spend a lot of your time in Venice. How has the ancient Venetian art of glass-making on Murano island influenced your artistic process?

In Venice, Murano island has more than 800 years’ expertise in glass and there is also a long, connected history between both Murano and Native American peoples with trade beads. I was getting more in touch with Italy and Venice and enquired about working on Murano. By chance, I met a lovely woman who owned a vintage Murano glass store, and she kindly introduced me to a glass foundry. I started working with lost wax for glass, while applying the lost wax and casting techniques that I already used to create bronze sculptures. Glass allows me to explore themes of transparency, light and transformation. Through this medium, I can represent elements such as water, sky, or ethereal aspects of the Chickasaw and Choctaw cosmologies. The interplay of light through the glass brings a dynamic quality to the sculptures, symbolising the ever-changing relationship between the past and the present, the physical and the spiritual.

Many of your sculptures incorporate stunning bead-like motifs. Is there significance within these forms?

Pre-contact with Europeans, beads crafted from materials such as bone, stone, shell, wood and copper were the norm in North America. For me, each of those beads is an expression of a moment in time, a fragment of a story from a world long past. Beads, each with their own history and significance, become the vehicle through which I ‘draw’ the lines of our collective memory. The act of beading is a meditative process for me, a process taken out of context. A way to connect with the ancestors and bring their stories into a contemporary context.

Tell us about the sculptures on show at Rainmaker Gallery...

Recently, I have been working on smaller, more intimate pieces. The figurative works on display explore Native beauty, and our canon and legacy through the beadwork and symbols. The abstraction and subtraction of the pieces are the modern and literal translation of so much of our ‘wholeness’ that we have lost or sacrificed over the years.

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Due to its significance to my grandfather, and proximity to my childhood home, Arizona turquoise is the main inspiration for the patina used in my latest works.

The sculpture Hushtola Ummona was created during the pandemic, while we had limited movement. I wanted to give her a compositional imbalance; a deduction of material that is filled back in with the beadwork pattern. An implication that inside the clay and the form, close to the core - there is a tactile, beautiful representation that speaks to who we have always been.

Kulli is a newer sculpture, created in clay throughout 2023 and finally manifested in glass. The darker, contrasting graniglie floating inside creates a weight and heaviness to the piece which complements the straight and curved line work. n Addison Karl’s work is on display now at Rainmaker Gallery, 140 Whiteladies Road, BS8 2RS; rainmakerart.co.uk. To learn more more about the Chickasaw culture, visit chickasaw.tv

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Facing Facts: Swedish Portrait makes Auction record in UK In the fall of 2023, Swedish art dealer Claes Moser sold his collection of paintings by the artist J.A.G. Acke (1859-1925) at Stockholms Auktionsverk. The auction featured several significant works by the artist and the sale, with several remarkable resultss, made headlines. Moser had devoted over half a century to studying Acke’s work and acquiring paintings by him. Moser had even acquired Acke’s residence, Villa Akleja, a sunny summer paradise (but used by Acke as a winter residence) that had been built at the turn of the last century.

The Swedish art historian Karl Asplund noted rather charmingly that Acke’s artistic oeuvre was characterized by a “fresh changing wind.” A testament to this innovative approach was when the renowned Musée D’Orsay in Paris acquired Acke’s painting “By the Water Mirror” in 2000. Acke’s relevance in the contemporary art market was confirmed when the painting “Östrasalt” was sold for the equivalent of £99,780 at the sale of Moser’s collection.

So there was a certain expectation when it became clear that Lawrences Auctioneers in Crewkerne included J.A.G. Acke’s well-painted portrait of Ellen West at their Fine Art Sale in April. The painting was executed in 1909 and portrays a woman who looks straight at the viewer with a nonchalant attitude and an inscrutable smile. The smoke from her cigarette slightly obscures the subject and gives the artist the opportunity to excel in the art of invigorating a female sitter captured in oil on canvas. This was an insight that had been mastered fully by Acke: in the window, there are a couple of wine glasses that, against a warm summer light, further enhance the lighthearted tone pursued by the artist but perhaps also by the subject. The portrait also garnered great interest and, after eagerly competitive bidding, it was bought for £10,000. This is a sum that sets an auction record for the work of this intriguing artist in the United Kingdom.

Lawrences are welcoming consignments for their Autumn Fine Art sales to include: Silver | Vertu | Pictures | 19th/20th Century Design | Ceramics Oriental Works of Art | Jewellery | Watches | Furniture | Clocks | Rugs Militaria | Coins | Medals | Collectors | Sporting | Textiles | Wine | Spirits Books | Maps | Manuscripts | Photography Free valuations are available online at lawrences.co.uk.

Home visits also available throughout Bath and the West Country without charge or obligation.

Explore a World of Valued Objects at

auctionet.com

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V I N T A G E

F U R N I T U R E

given a new lease of life j e f fo s b o @ h ot m a i l .c o m | 0 7 8 7 5 1 2 9 9 6 4

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COLUMN | CHRIS YEO ON ANTIQUES

Expert opinion From Chris Yeo, Valuer at Clevedon Salerooms and regular expert on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow

Secret Stories

A

sk the average Bristolian to name a famous artist from their home city and you can almost guarantee what their answer will be: step forward Banksy. What they probably don’t realise is there was another Bristol-born artist who was making waves in the art world decades before the ever-illusive graffiti maestro picked up a spray can.

Mary Fedden (1915-2012) may not be a name you immediately recognise, but she has been described as ‘one of Britain’s best-known and most sought after painters’. Born in Bristol, from early on in her long life she harboured ambitions to be a painter. A less than enthusiastic pupil at Badminton School, she would nonetheless go on to become the first female tutor at the Royal College of Art (where among her pupils was David Hockney.) She studied at the prestigious Slade School of Art

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in London under the theatre designer Vladimir Polunin, who had worked with the Ballets Russes. Fedden would go onto to paint sets for professional performances at Sadlers Wells, but decided against a career in stage design, returning instead to Bristol, where she taught art and made a living by painting portraits. But it is with the distinctive still life studies, with their richness of colour and texture and influences of Braque and Matisse, that she found fame.

Though she later moved to London, she maintained her links with Bristol all her life, Sunflowers by Mary Fedden especially through her association with the Royal West of England Academy, which gave her a retrospective exhibition in 1988.

Fedden’s work always causes a stir at auction. In 2022, Clevedon Salerooms sold Sunflowers, a still life with assorted garden flowers in a brown pottery jug, dated 1995, for a very sunny £12,000. ■ clevedonsalerooms.com; @chrisyeo_antiques (Instagram)

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More Than A Silver Shop Over 900 Antique Pieces on Four Floors & Online

info@beaunashbath.com | 07535137808 | www.beaunashbath.com |

beaunashbath

A Change of Art Friday 17 May 2024, 7pm – 12am £45 per person, includes 3 courses and cocktail Join Christophe and Harvey Nichols Bristol as they present Echoes from the Underground: A Visual Journey Through Alternative Music Culture at an evening of food and art.

Having been part of Bristol’s underground dance scene for over 20 years, as well as a graphic designer, DJ and music producer, Christophe will unveil a collection of artwork rooted in music and underground culture.

Enjoy a fabulous three-course meal at the Second Floor Restaurant, followed by the opportunity to meet the artist and enjoy DJ Sets.

Christophe’s work is available to purchase at the event and the collection will be on show until October 2024

To book: email: Reception.bristol@harveynichols.com or Call: +44 (0)117 916 8898 or scan the QR code to book online

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Organic wines

Recommendations by Tom Bleathman from The Great Wine Co. Organic wines are made from grapes grown using organic farming practices. This means no synthetic pesticides or fertilisers are used on the grapes, and instead natural and sustainable farming practices are employed. This benefits the soil structure and enables better water and nutrient retention, reducing the need for irrigation, all while encouraging biodiversity and promoting life in the vineyard. The Great Wine Co. has many fantastic organic wines, but here are a few of my favourites. Discover more at greatwine.co.uk Chateau Leoube Rose de Leoube 2022 is an elegant rosé made from Grenache and Cinsault grapes, complemented with a touch of Syrah and Mourvèdre.

Finely structured and well balanced, this wine’s fresh and fruity nature shows aromas of exotic fruit, leading to a supple, textured palate, notes of red and white fruit and a subtle spice. Provençal rosé at its best. £27.50 Planeta Terebinto Grillo 2022, using Grillo, an indigenous grape variety, provides a great example of how good Sicilian wine can be.

This example is an irresistibly aromatic, rounded wine with delightful notes of apricot, lychee and pineapples. It has lovely freshness and satisfying roundness of texture. £19.95 Brand new to the GWC list is a wonderful organic Syrah, Aubert and Mathieu Haute Pistes Syrah 2022.

A complex nose of blackcurrant, blueberry and eucalyptus is matched with freshness and silky tannins on the palate. Operating using organic methods, Aubert and Mathieu are also at the forefront of sustainability offering eco-friendly packaging, being carbon neutral and donating to local beekeepers to help biodiversity. £17.50 50 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 | No 234

FOOD & DRINK Sandford pub The Railway Inn celebrates Double AA Rosette The Railway Inn, Sandford, North Somerset, has been awarded a coveted Double AA Rosette.

Owned by Thatchers Cider and described as a traditional country pub with a contemporary restaurant that’s worth a detour, The Railway Inn joins the top ranks of UK restaurants, with just 10% worthy of one or more rosettes.

Judges described The Railway Inn as being home to “accomplished cooking and local ciders.” According to the AA, to achieve the high standard of two rosettes the chef must show “greater technical skill, more consistency and judgement in combining and balancing ingredients, and have a clear ambition to achieve high standards”.

Leigh Damerell, Railway Inn manager, said: “A warm welcome awaits you at The Railway Inn, our award-winning pub and restaurant, perfectly nestled at the foot of the Mendip Hills and on the Strawberry Line National Cycle Network. Our stunning restaurant with traditional country pub lounge and large, family-friendly outdoor space, make it a mustvisit for locals, first timers, dog-walkers, cider lovers and – especially with our new Double AA Rosette – foodies!” thatcherscider.co.uk/railway-inn

Hobbs House Bakery expands production facility A family-owned bakery with a proud 100-year history has expanded its production facility by 10,000sq ft.

Hobbs House Bakery – which has stores on Gloucester Road as well as Nailsworth and Tetbury – had its revamped Chipping Sodbury-based HQ (where bread and pastries are freshly baked every day for the group) officially opened on 9 April by mayor Dan Morris. Rising from 20,000sq ft to 30,000sq ft, the expansion means production will continue to grow.

“Over the last few years we have been working hard to expand our original bakery,” the bakery said in a statement on its website.

“This expansion allows for us to bake even more bread for our customers, all while remaining in our original home of Chipping Sodbury.

“We are always looking at new ways to support our team, community and the environment and with the new bakery we are hoping to develop even more in all areas. A massive thank you to all our wonderful bakers and team for who have continued to deliver bread to our customers through out this transition.” hobbshousebakery.co.uk

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MasterChef: The Professionals finalist Tommy Thorn takes on his first restaurant Tommy Thorn, who came runner up in the most recent BBC series of MasterChef: The Professionals, is set to head up the kitchen in his first restaurant this May, when he will be putting down his culinary roots at Puro in Clevedon.

Thorn is classically trained and has spent the last 10 years working in award-winning restaurants across the UK. He started his culinary journey at Thornbury castle in 2013 and went on to spend time in Michelin kitchens, including Five Fields and The Frog by Adam Handling. He most recently worked as head chef at Michelin Green Star holder The Ethicurean in Bristol, before it sadly closed its doors in September last year.

Puro, which is owned by Dom and Alex Lamy, opened in 2017 and has gained an excellent reputation as an independent neighbourhood restaurant, despite facing the challenges of Covid, Brexit and the cost of living crisis.

Thorn says: “I’m delighted to be taking on a new concept with Puro. I’ve been talking with Dom for a long time now and we both have the same vision and goals when it comes to providing great food and service.

“We’ve got some really exciting ideas and can’t wait to get stuck in and push to provide the best hospitality to the local area as well as keen diners. I feel like it’s time that I take something hands on as my own and I love the opportunities that Puro has as an established restaurant. I’m keen to serve my food based on local and seasonal produce as well as influences from around the world which I find exciting when it comes to cooking.” purorestaurant.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK

Browns is the new black Browns Brasserie has a spring in its step, as it recently reopened to diners following a fabulous refurbishment

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e’re on a Bristol Byzantine roll here at the magazine. Last month saw us soak up the delights housed within the renowned Granary building on Harbourside’s Welsh Back, and now we’re worshipping at the steps of another architectural icon: Browns Brasserie on Queen Street, Clifton.

The Venetian Gothic marvel (that used to form part of the Bristol Museum) had to be completely reconstructed inside in 1950 after WWII scarring left it without much original detail.

With the city’s weather sometimes mirroring the aquatic nature of Venice’s landscape, this building can feel right at home. It’s been home to Browns Brasserie for as long as most Bristol residents walking and driving past each day can remember. So, to keep things feeling fresh, a full refurbishment was in order, with designers drawing on the building’s illustrious history to create its ‘neo deco’ (a modern take on art deco style), with opulent finishes in gem-like hues of green and blue, geometric digital prints adorning the walls, grand piano and a bar glinting with gold.

From breakfast to supper We’ve got a bit of a soft spot for brasserie-style dining, and Browns is no exception. This setting can shapeshift into whatever occasion you need. Want to get dressed up and drink celebration cocktails, order a premium steak and pop some champers? You’ll feel right at home.

Dropping by with your grandparents who want some traditional fish and chips and a decent cuppa? You’re more than welcome here.

Its prime location by the museum and bustling retail area of Clifton’s Queen Street no doubt brings a diverse range of people through the doors, seeking all kinds of refreshment. Browns can serve them throughout the day.

On our visit, we were almost unaware of the seamless transition from relaxed late afternoon dining into a refined buzzy evening service – suddenly we realised the atmosphere had shifted thanks to a slightly bouncier playlist, mood lighting and tables filling with lots of groups of more than four. We noted that the clever seating arrangements (which include smart, freshly upholstered banquette nooks) and sheer size of the building means it lends itself well to group dining without risking coupled or solo guests feeling overwhelmed or cramped.

Seasonal spring menu The refurbishment coincides with the launch of Browns’ new spring menu, starting with a choice of four seasonal spring cocktails – which were almost impossible to choose between had my dining partner not been allergic to elderflower (which is used in more mixed drinks than you’d think if you didn’t need to know). We went for the delightful Rhubarb Fizz (Moët & Chandon Impérial Champagne, Chase 52 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 | No 234

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FOOD & DRINK Rhubarb and Bramley Apple Gin and lemon with a flower garnish – served in a flute); and Springtime Bramble (Bombay Bramble Gin, Moose Peach Botanical Spirit, apricot, lemon and a rosemary sprig). If you like to mix and match, these paired well together for sharing sips.

The rest of the seasonal yet reliable brasserie fare covers all sorts: those fish and chips we mentioned earlier, generous meat cuts and rich steaks – with usual favourite dishes like the chicken schnitzel remaining on the menu – but there’s definitely a spring zing lifting many of the flavours (spring vegetables, wild garlic salsa verde, lime, fennel, mango, lemongrass, rhubarb and apple crop up across the dishes).

Instead, after letting our food rest and regretting our decision not to end on a sweet note, we decided to order a banana daquiri, made with sustainable spirit brand Discarded Banana Peel Rum (made from banana peels and aged Caribbean rum), shaken with lime and agave.

The refreshed menu and glam new setting provide a whole host of new reasons to visit Browns again – whether it’s for bottomless brunch, afternoon tea or the relaxed all-day a la carte menu. n browns-restaurants.co.uk (Images: Ben Carpenter)

Match your meal to your mood It was likely the early spring weather (which saw us arrive during a torrential downpour) that meant we embraced some of the menu’s new spring elements, but also opted for clinging onto the cosiness of warm, rich meals still available. This menu is perfect for shoulder season dining.

In our case, a decadent starter of rosemary, thyme and garlic studded baked camembert for two with honey, toasted sourdough, figs, pear, caramelised seeds and green tomato chutney was followed with a vibrant prawn and Devon crab linguine served with lime, chilli and coriander pesto and white wine. My dining partner stuck with a traditional main serving of mint-crusted roast rack of lamb with black garlic, potato terrine, sautéed spring vegetables and a red wine jus that we could have ordered a whole litre of.

We didn’t have room for dessert (we stand by our decision to eat an entire camembert before pasta and huge serving of lamb and had spied the generous sweet servings being passed around other tables) but we’d really wanted to order the dark chocolate torte served with a brandy snap basket, raspberry and white chocolate ice cream.

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BOOKS

A life well written

Local author Roger White is celebrating the launch of his latest novel Deception, as well as marking 50 years of published work being shared with the world.

Here, he reflects on the impact writing has had on his life...

Why do you love writing and what has it meant to your life?

I’ve always been intrigued by words and what you can do with them.

In the early 1950s, Cadbury ran an annual competition every spring, encouraging children to write about the history of chocolate. The school I went to was still using inkwells and the pen nibs dripped ink across the paper, which did nothing for the appearance of my entry.

Did your entry win, though?

A package containing a large chocolate egg and a congratulatory message arrived in time for Easter.

Looking back, I guess the marketing department at Cadbury probably rewarded every entry, to see off competition from Fry’s and Terry’s, but for a six-year-old to discover that the written word could generate such sweet rewards was a significant incentive. I needed little encouragement to enter the following year and continued to do so until 1959 when my father was posted to Singapore, whose tropical heat was beyond Cadbury’s reach.

So, what happened next?

Returning to school in the UK two years later, letter-writing was a requirement every Sunday, with house points awarded for each addressed envelope. I would often pen five or six letters to parents, relatives and friends. I still have many of the responses, including one from a girlfriend, letting me know that she’d been surprised to open a letter that began ‘Dear Granny’. My grandmother never mentioned what she’d received!

Do you feel long-form, physical writing is still important in times of quick, instant digital communication?

Mobile phones, tablets and technologies like Teams and Zoom have transformed our sense of connectedness with work colleagues, friends and family.

Quite literally, the world is at our fingertips and people can access information and share photos, video clips and thoughts at the press of a button. During the three years of Covid, video link was the only way for many people to maintain family contact, providing a critical lifeline.

Almost by definition though, instant communication means brevity and transience. WhatsApp messages or Facebook posts tend to be one liners, which is great for fuelling our feelings of connectedness, but the communications, as with Instagram or TikTok clips, soon vanish from immediate view, pushed away by new messages and images.

Why does this matter?

Of course, any communication is important and there are many forms.

But humans are thinking beings and physical writing, be it letters, articles, essays, poems, short stories or novels, enables and encourages thoughtful reflection and deeper consideration of ideas and issues – 54 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 | No 234

enhancing awareness, broadening understanding, helping us arrive at informed opinions, and exploring emotions. I still write letters to my (grown-up) children and other relations and friends, and they talk about the excitement of seeing a personally addressed envelope drop onto the doormat. Physical writing can be savoured and treasured in ways not possible with digital communications. I wonder if any of your readers can recall the thrill of sleeping with a ‘love letter’ tucked beneath their pillow?

What are your tips on how to get ideas out of your head and onto paper?

Just start. Put words down. Let it flow and leave the editing to another day. A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. I am in awe of rap artists, whose ability to freestyle lyrics is impressive, powerfully communicating thoughts and emotions to a live audience. Slam poets are another brilliant example. You don’t need to know the ending or have chosen all the characters before you begin. They will appear and create their own stories as you breathe life into them.

What’s next for you?

Routledge has decided to reprint In and Out of School, the first book I wrote nearly 50 years ago with Dave Brockington. The publisher believes it still has relevance for the world of education, which is encouraging and will mean some promotional activities in the autumn.

Degrees of Separation is being translated into Mandarin for publication in China next year and there is talk about video clips and short films of some of the chapters.

The pen is already busy with a new idea about our connectedness, but this time with the living world and a planet that has been around for four billion years already. As the poet TS Eliot wrote in his magnificent poem Burnt Norton, “Time past and time future allow but a little consciousness”.

Our lifetimes may be a blink of an eye in the scale of the universe, but every individual’s years on earth are important and we want them to matter. n

Roger White’s latest novel Deception is available to buy now for £11.99 from publisher Cinnamon Press (cinnamonpress.com), any good bookshop and amazon.co.uk

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You’re in our good books

BOOKS

The experts at Gloucester Road Books share their top reads for May, and you can even meet two of the authors in person at the shop this month Biography of X, Catherine Lacey Published by Granta Books, £9.99 Newly out in paperback, this is an exciting and thrilling read that uses structures of world-building to make up that of a fictional artist’s life. Set against a dystopian historical plot, the protagonist sets out to write a biography and unravel the manifold realities of her late wife, an iconoclast who spun a cocoon of myth around her life. The author, Catherine Lacey, quotes real-life writers within the protagonist's research, further complicating what is a fascinating thematic interplay between reality and fiction.

The First-Time Forager, Andy Hamilton Published by National Trust Books £12.99 The Bristol-based foraging expert’s latest book continues his quest to encourage everyone to discover the nourishing delights on offer all around us. Hamilton calms any safety fears with uncomplicated descriptions accompanied by clear images so first-timers can relax while seeking out tasty treasures. He’ll be discussing all this at Gloucester Road Books on 16 May.

gloucesterroadbooks.co.uk; @gloucester_rd_books; 184 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, BS7 8NU. Open Monday and Tuesday 9.30am-5pm; Wednesday to Saturday 9.30am-6pm

Old Romantics, Maggie Armstrong Published by Tramp Press £13.99 These inter-linked short stories follow the same character, Margaret, as she negotiates failed relationships, work, marriage, and children, and how to balance them all against her writing life. The tone of the writing is what makes this collection so special, it is self-conscious and wry while the stories remain both raw and moving without verging into sentiment. A very impressive debut collection!

A Bookshop of One’s Own, Jane Cholmeley Published by Mudlark, £16.99 The story behind the hugely influential Silver Moon Women’s Bookshop, which Cholmeley cofounded in 1984, is a very valuable piece of social history. The shop was set up to promote the work of female writers and became Europe’s biggest women’s bookshop, hosting a stellar cast of luminaries such as Maya Angelou and Angela Carter.

Cholmeley will in conversation about the book at Gloucester Road Books on 21 May.

WOULD YOU LET BORIS CUT YOUR HAIR? If hairdressers require a professional qualification, why not MPs and Ministers?

You will enjoy reading the satirical book FROM LIBERALISM TO IDIOCRACY

By JAMES d’ORAN

Launch price on Amazon £7.50

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | MAY 2024 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 55

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Mark Alleyne in the home changing room on his first day back as head coach of Gloucestershire

Pitch perfect

Jeremy Blackmore speaks to cricket legend Mark Alleyne, who’s made a triumphant return to Gloucestershire County Cricket Club as head coach to guide the next generation of players towards success

A

s captain, Mark Alleyne led Gloucestershire County Cricket Club to nine trophies and a Championship promotion at a time when the ‘Glorious Glosters’ dominated county cricket and redefined the way oneday cricket was played in England.

As the county’s most decorated player, he was immortalised in a mural painted on the walls of the Seat Unique Stadium at Nevil Road in 2019.

Alleyne’s career in numbers as the club’s highest run-scorer and wickettaker in one-day cricket also features at the ‘Legends Walkway’ area of the ground. Now he’s back as the new men’s head coach, bringing that wealth of experience to help inspire and guide the latest generation of Gloucestershire players. Determined to find that winning formula again, he has clear ambitions to turn around the club’s recent run of poor form and see them challenge for silverware once more.

56 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 | No 234

“That would mean everything to me,” he says. “As a player, I know what it feels like when you're going out onto the pitch and the opposition are not looking forward to playing against you. It's a really good feeling. It would be great if we can manage to rekindle that kind of presence on the field. That would be really satisfying.”

Born in London in 1968 of Bajan descent, Alleyne moved with his parents to Barbados aged four, where he first learned to play cricket. He returned to England 11 years later to further his education before heading to Bristol to join Gloucestershire as a young professional in 1986.

In those pre-glory years though, Gloucestershire were regarded as journeymen with no title to their name since 1977. Alleyne is quick to acknowledge the hard work that went in to forge the later success.

“I had some very good years here, none more so than the seven years as captain, where we secured nine titles, but the memories go well

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Fast bowler Dom Goodman throws the ball to Academy product Archie Bailey on pre-season tour in Stellenbosch

beyond those glorious years. Before that, you had all the hard yards of trying to win championships and evolve as a cricketer. Those two [periods] form very good memories for me.”

Appointed captain in 1997, Alleyne forged a pioneering partnership with coach John Bracewell, placing an emphasis on hard work and fitness and approaching the limited overs game in a very different way.

He was supported by key players who fully bought into this new way of playing like Australian all-rounder Ian Harvey and England wicketkeeper Jack Russell.

“We caught cricket at a sweet spot really, where players were very skilled,” he says. “But there were certain aspects of the game they didn't bother too much with, fielding for one. There were good catches, but I didn't think teams really tried to make an effort in creating a fielding cauldron where you can save runs and create pressure.

“We did that really well and supported our bowling unit. And we got ourselves fitter. So, our running between the wickets and stuff like that was very aggressive. We were always looking for scoring opportunities, which is everyone's default position now. But at the time, we felt quite progressive in that aspect.”

From player to coach A career in coaching was not on his radar though. Towards the end of his playing career, he embarked on a master’s degree in business studies at Bath University and intended to stay in cricket but working on the business and administration side. Fate intervened when Bracewell took up the head coach role with New Zealand in late 2003, leaving a vacancy at Nevil Road. Asked to take over, initially in a temporary player/coach role, Mark served as the county’s head coach until 2007, winning two titles and taking the county to the T20 Cup final.

Head coach Mark Alleyne in discussions with lead bowling coach Mark Thorburn

With three young children at home, he stepped away from full-time coaching jobs to prioritise his family life, taking on consultancy roles and working at the National Performance Centre at Loughborough, where he coached the England Under-15s. He spent time as the MCC head coach, and later became cricket professional at Marlborough College.

“I’d dedicated a life to playing cricket and all the travel and commitment that took,” he explains. “When I started a young family, I really wanted to be at home a bit more. This meant probably being in the school system, so we had the same holidays. That's what drove me towards coaching within the school sector for a bit.”

“ I really got my appetite back for the first-class game ” The time away from the grind of the county circuit also gave him time to follow the footballing progress of his youngest son Max, who is currently part of Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad. It’s been an exciting time for the Alleyne family, who regularly travel to Manchester to catch Max in action.

The journey back into elite cricket happened gradually over the past few years. First, the England selectors asked Alleyne to act as a scout, making the most of his shrewd cricket brain and keen eye to observe some of the young up-and-coming batters around the county circuit.

“While doing that, I really got my appetite back for the first-class game,” he says. “I wanted to get back in and make a difference. At the same time, I did some work with the England one-day side in the Netherlands. Then I did the T20 Blast with Glamorgan and the Welsh Fire franchise for a couple of years.

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“So, when this opportunity came with Gloucestershire, it was a good time for me, because my children had just come out of full-time education, and I felt as though I had some time now to scratch my itch and could go for it.”

Some part-time coaching work with the Glosters in 2021 proved beneficial too, giving him an early chance to get to know many of the players: “The current squad has quite a nice balance of some senior, experienced players who I had contact with in 2021. But also then, I was working across the second and first elevens, so Ollie and Tom Price, Dom Goodman, those guys were starting to cut their teeth a little bit. So, I managed to build up a decent rapport with them. So, getting back into it has been fairly seamless.”

Remaining optimistic He is aware though of the challenges ahead. Gloucestershire finished bottom of Division Two in the County Championship in 2023 and have won just one limited overs trophy since he was last at the club.

He is frank about the situation and acknowledges changes need to be made.

“What we've been doing, hasn't worked. So, we do need to jerk ourselves into a slightly different way of approaching the game. We’re definitely not going to be maybe as passive or conservative as we have been in the past.

“That's one attitude change we're really looking for, looking to start games on the front foot. We have seen, despite some of the results the last two years, that once the team gets into the game, they can compete.

But very often, it's a little bit too late.

“So, we've got to be able to play from the front and lead from the front.

That's something we'll be looking to do, start the games at a bit more of a pace.”

He feels there is some cause for optimism, pointing out how talented his squad are despite their recent form.

“I think with a fully fit squad available, and a new face, some new ideas, I reckon we can get the group together to produce something a little bit more exciting than the last couple of years. Hopefully, looking at the four-day options in the County Championship, promotion is something we would really like at the club. We want to be competing in Division

Ahmed Syed defends to Luke Charlesworth with James Bracey keeping wicket

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One, certainly over the next few years. I think that's a realistic ambition.”

His own coaching style has evolved over the years, drawing on the many inspirational leaders he has played under and worked alongside.

“You're constantly learning and picking up stuff you think you might be able to use in the future. So, I would say my style is a hybrid of a lot of good people I've had around me over the years.

“John Bracewell, yes, being one. But I've had some good captains, like Courtney Walsh. We've had coaches like Eddie Barlow, and my first coach John Shepherd. In amongst that, a lot of different styles, a lot of different ways of doing things. So, it's important you do find your own way, your own philosophy and try and stay true to that.”

“ I would like the whole club to feel inspired again ” Looking at the Gloucestershire squad he inherits, he is excited by the quantity and variation in the bowling department. The batting line-up too has a good blend of experience and youth, bolstered by Australian batter Cameron Bancroft.

While this season’s opening game against Derbyshire was washed out by heavy rain, Gloucestershire could take real positives from the final day of their Division Two clash against favourites Yorkshire as Ollie Price's career-best 147 and a century from James Bracey helped the Glosters to an unlikely draw.

Cricketing ambitions are one thing, but Alleyne wants to create a buzz around Nevil Road again.

“I feel as though we just stagnated a little bit. So, I would like the whole club to feel inspired again and be a bit more ambitious and look to make waves in Division One and get players going around the world playing franchise cricket. And just be a vibrant cricketing club again.

That would make me very happy if we can start to get that going.” n gloscricket.co.uk (All images courtesy of Gloucestershire Cricket)

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THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | MAY 2024 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 59

EDU NEWS MAY v2.qxp_Layout 1 24/04/2024 11:39 Page 1

THIS IS BRISTOL

Education matters

NEWS FROM BRISTOL’S LEARNERS & LEADERS

Badminton Schools hosts engineering challenge Fifteen primary schools competed in an Engineering Challenge at Badminton School last month, sponsored by STEMworks. The challenge was to install a model wind turbine by designing a crane out of K’Nex. In class, the children had already been exploring the diversity of engineering and the wide range of tasks engineers undertake. They had also looked at how engineering could help solve issues around climate change. The children competing were the winners from heats in their schools. These budding engineers demonstrated teamwork, amazing design skills and perseverance, creating a range of fantastic designs.

There are plans to expand this opportunity and include more schools next year.

The winning school was Burrington C of E Primary, however the competition was tight as there were lots of fantastic ideas on the day. badmintonschool.co.uk

September 2024 Opportunities SIXTH FORM A-LEVELS GCSES RESITS admissions@bathacademy.co.uk 01225 334 577

60 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 | No 234

Fairfield High School welcomes new Principal Following a rigorous selection process, Fairfield High School is delighted to announce the appointment of Edel Cronin as its new permanent Principal. Cronin stood out as a candidate with exceptional leadership qualities and a deep commitment to both the school and Excalibur Academies Trust. Cronin brings a wealth of experience, having served in a wide variety of roles at Fairfield, including Vice Principal, Transition Lead, Achievement Coordinator and, most recently, leading the school as Interim Principal. Her dedication to fostering an inclusive and innovative learning environment aligns incredibly well with both the school and Trust’s vision and values. Of her appointment, Cronin said: “I am honoured to be chosen to represent this wonderful, diverse school and look forward to giving everything I have in order to ensure it continues to flourish.” fairfield.excalibur.org.uk

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THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | MAY 2024 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 61

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THIS IS BRISTOL

Bristol at work

LOCAL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATION UPDATES

Tech trade corridor with Hong Kong established

Underfall Yard Trust reopens gates after fire Underfall Yard has re-opened its gates, welcoming visitors to the working boatyard after a fire damaged five historic buildings and destroyed six boats in May 2023.

Walkers of the Harbourside circuit can now pass through the yard on the route, following 11 months of closure. The first part of the recovery and reinstatement on site is complete.

Contractors have cleared the damage caused by the fire and completed necessary structural work across the three buildings most severely affected – the Big Shed and two workshops.

Sarah Murray, director at Underfall Yard says: “It feels like we have our character back.

While it may have appeared shut, work has continued without halt behind closed doors and we have been making plans to re-build with a renewed sense for the future. Opening up the Underfall Yard section of the Harbourside Walk and welcoming the public back in is a huge milestone on our journey to recovery. We’re looking forward to even more people popping in, taking a look at what’s going on in the yard, or simply stopping for a coffee on their trip around the harbour. We have a long road ahead, but this is a real step in the right direction, and we look forward to welcoming more of the public and yard businesses back.”

Recovery and reinstatement work has been ongoing throughout the year, including clearance and the retrieval of architectural elements of the building, handled by Wring Group Ltd. underfallyard.co.uk

62 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 | No 234

Tech West England Advocates, the not-for-profit tech community for west England, has announced it is launching a second UK trade mission to Hong Kong, as part of its ongoing development of a tech trade corridor. The mission, titled Your Gateway to Asia Pacific, will take place 2125 October 2024, and is now open for applications from tech founders and investors.

Any founders from the region with export-ready technologies in any sector, including clean tech, health tech, fintech, AI and robotics, as well as any investors or venture capitalists, are welcome to apply online. techwestenglandadvocates. co.uk

St Peter’s Hospice recruits new CEO St Peter’s Hospice has announce the appointment of new CEO Susan Hamilton, following the retirement of the local charity’s previous CEO. Hamilton brings a wealth of relevant experience from her various senior roles within the healthcare sector. She will lead the organisation’s crucial work caring for adults with incurable diseases, as well as supporting family members and loved ones through bereavement.

Prior to joining the hospice, Hamilton was director of Public Health at North Northamptonshire Council. She’s also a nonexecutive director, currently sitting on the boards of University Hospitals Bristol and Weston, and Taff Housing. A Bristol local, Hamilton has been aware of the important work of St Peter’s Hospice for many years. stpetershospice.org

£1 million retrofit scheme ‘army’ launched A £1 million West of England scheme to train up and upskill more than 700 retrofitters, funded by Mayor Dan Norris's Mayoral Combined Authority, is being rolled out across the region, part of the +£7 million Retrofit West programme to deliver home improvements and better energy efficiency.

There’s a shortage of retrofit workers in the area, with the number needing to increase 20fold to bring the 250,000 regional homes needed up to standard, as well as a shortage of effective national policies closing the retrofit skills gap. In total, 720 ‘recruits’ will take part in the free training over the year to become certified retrofit installers and upskill existing tradespeople to tackle retrofit work. Once in their roles, the retrofitters will be tasked with insulating walls, installing new doors and windows, or introducing heat pumps. retrofitwest.co.uk

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Earning more than £100,000? Here’s how to avoid the 60% tax trap When your salary exceeds the £100,000 threshold, you can fall into a tax trap that leaves you paying a 60% rate on a portion of your earnings.

Most people have a tax-free Personal Allowance of £12,570, but your Personal Allowance tapers by £1 for every £2 over £100,000 you earn.

This means you can pay a 60% tax rate on the portion of your income between £100,000 and £125,140.

One method to avoid this trap is to pay some of your earnings into your pension.

Making additional pension contributions from your income over £100,000 not only lets you claim tax relief on the amount you place into your pension but also reduces your taxable income back to a level where you can regain some of the Personal Allowance you may otherwise have lost.

THE

B R IS TO L MAGAZINE

RECEIVE THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE BY POST AND NEVER MISS OUT We deliver to over 15,000 addresses every month, and there’s plenty of pick up points around town. But if you live outside our distribution area or would like us to send a copy to friends or family, we offer a magazine mailing service.

Make sure you never miss an issue... all 12 issues from just £33*

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS FROM JUST £33*

If you earn more than £100,000, pension contributions can be an extremely tax-efficient way of saving for your future. In certain cases, you can benefit from effectively 60% tax relief on your contributions.

We can help you make the most of your income over £100,000 and ensure you don’t fall into tax traps. To find out more, get in touch.

We are Independent Financial Advisers who specialise in retirement planning and estate planning

If you would like a review of your pensions and investments and whether you are on track to achieve your financial goals, please contact us for a free consultation.

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE AT www.thebristolmag.co.uk/subscribe or call: 0117 974 2800

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | MAY 2024 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 63

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MBST : Treating chronic back pain, Disc injury, Sciatica and nerve damage.

MBST provides healing at the cellular level via targeted energy transfer into damaged tissues. The results we’re seeing for nerve damage patients are truly remarkable for the patients as some of the case studies below demonstrate.

Brian had significant Spinal cord damage post surgery/spinal stimulator. Unable to sit up, eat at a table, drive or walk, Brian’s life really was agony. He’d hobble to treatment bent over on 2 sticks, and this was for several years post procedure. We applied the nerve MBST therapy 1 year ago. 6 weeks post treatment his pain was already on the wane. His improvement has continued steadily and his life is completely different.

He walks well over distance now, can sit how he likes and is buying a car again!!

Neil suffered a severe disc herniation with nerve root compression and dreadful leg pain. His pain was 10/10… after disc and nerve MBST last December his response was so fast and complete he went on 2 golfing trips by the end of March including long haul flights and is still doing really well.

Jean responded so well to the disc/ nerve treatment for her Disc bulge with s1 nerve root compression. Injections only helped temporarily yet 3 months post MBST she was able to come off all meds , had no leg pain and is still currently in great shape, even after a persistent cough!!

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Treatment Accelerates the Regeneration of Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons in vitro Anda Mann1, Bibiane Steinecker-Frohnwieser2, Aida Naghilou1, Flavia Millesi13, Paul Supper1, Lorenz Semmler1, Sonja Wolf1, Lena Marinova1, Lukas Weigl4, Tamara Weiss1,3*† and Christine Radtke1,3† 1 Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria 2 Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Arthritis and Rehabilitation, Saalfelden, Austria 3 Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria 4 Department of Special Anesthesia and Pain Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Functional recovery from peripheral nerve injuries depends on a multitude of factors.

Schwann cells (SCs) are key players in the regenerative process as they develop repairspecific functions to promote axon regrowth. However, chronically denervated SCs lose their repair phenotype, which is considered as a main reason for regeneration failure.

Previous studies reported a modulatory effect of low nuclear magnetic resonance therapy (NMRT) on cell proliferation and gene expression. To provide first insight into a possible effect of NMRT on cells involved in peripheral nerve regeneration, this study investigated whether NMRT is able to influence the cellular behavior of primary SC and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron cultures in vitro. The effect of NMRT on rat SCs was evaluated by comparing the morphology, purity, proliferation rate, and expression levels of (repair) SC associated genes between NMRT treated and untreated SC cultures. In addition, the influence of (1) NMRT

Talk to us today : 0117 959 6531 www.curaclinical.com 64 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 | No 234

and (2) medium obtained from NMRT treated SC cultures on rat DRG neuron regeneration was examined by analyzing neurite outgrowth and the neuronal differentiation status. Our results showed that NMRT stimulated the proliferation of SCs without changing their morphology, purity, or expression of (repair) SC associated markers. Furthermore, NMRT promoted DRG neuron regeneration shown by an increased cell survival, enhanced neurite network formation, and progressed neuronal differentiation status.

Furthermore, the medium of NMRT treated SC cultures was sufficient to support DRG neuron survival and neurite outgrowth. These findings demonstrate a beneficial impact of NMRT on DRG neuron survival and neurite formation, which is primarily mediated via SC stimulation.

Our data suggest that NMRT could be suitable as a non-invasive auxiliary treatment option for peripheral nerve injuries and encourage future studies that investigate the effect of NMRT in a physiological context.

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Shouldering the Burden

The shoulder is one of the most flexible joints in the body, with a wide range of motion. However, due to this flexibility, it can be unstable, is easily injured, and can deteriorate with constant use over time. Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital offers advice on how to keep shoulders healthy and pain-free, as well as how to spot and avoid common injuries.

T

he shoulder is made up of three bones: the collar bone (clavicle), the shoulder blade (scapula), and the upper arm bone (humerus). Four tendons – called rotator cuff tendons – hold the shoulder joint in place, but as tendons age, they are less able to tolerate stress, are less elastic, and become easier to tear.

It is therefore important to take a patient’s occupation and lifestyle into account, as well as their age, when diagnosing the cause of their shoulder pain.

Shoulder instability happens most often in younger people and athletes. When the muscles and ligaments that hold it together are stretched beyond their normal limits, the shoulder becomes unstable. The acromioclavicular joint, or ACJ, is a joint at the top of the shoulder where the clavicle meets the shoulder blade.

Problems occur due to overuse, which causes tenderness of the ACJ. Treatment often involves resting and applying ice to the joint for it to heal.

In some cases, injections, anti-inflammatories or arthroscopic surgery may be required.

Osteoarthritis in the shoulder is less common than in the hip or knee, but over time, this can cause pain, stiffness and weakness of the joint.

The condition can arise due to degeneration of the joint, or following trauma to the shoulder.

Modern advancements in shoulder replacement surgery mean that there are a number of options relating to joint replacement, which can help ease pain and restore function.

Adhesive capsulitis, or ‘frozen shoulder’, is very painful stiffness, caused when the capsule (soft tissue envelope) surrounding the shoulder

joint becomes thick and stiff, preventing normal movement. Again, steroid injections are useful in dampening pain and allowing the physiotherapists to work.

Impingement pain is very common in all age groups. This is a sudden pain in the shoulder that comes on when reaching out, up, or behind, and can occur from the shoulder being held in a poor postural position, overuse or sometimes following injury. It can be due to a structural problem with the shoulder joint, related to the tendons of the rotator cuff, which may fray or tear completely. The shoulder bursa (a cushioning sac filled with lubricating fluid located between the tendons and bone) can become inflamed, generating pain. Impingement pain can often be successfully treated with physiotherapy and cortisone injections. If it is more severe, where you are unable to raise your arm, this can be a sign of a rotator cuff tear which may require surgery.

Mr Philip McCann (pictured), a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in upper limb disorders at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital says: “Shoulder and elbow problems are common yet complex, and can have a significant impact on our ability to work, play sports or enjoy a good quality of life.

In order to move our arms and hands freely, many different joints

and muscles must work harmoniously to permit normal, pain-free motion. Symptoms such as pain, stiffness, weakness and instability may be due to a number of different underlying conditions.

“As a surgeon, my primary goals are to provide an accurate diagnosis, and to formulate a treatment strategy to help ease, and wherever possible, eradicate your symptoms, in a patientcentred manner.”

As shoulder pain is so common, many conditions can be easily diagnosed and managed.

Sometimes this leads to surgery, but in many cases it can be avoided. In addition to Mr McCann, other Consultants specialising in upper limb disorders at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital include Mr Iain Packham and Mr Gray Edwards, while our team of physiotherapists are also available to see you.

For more information or to book an appointment, please call 0117 911 6062. You can also book online, by scanning the QR code to visit our website.

Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital 3 Clifton Hill, Bristol BS8 1BN nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | MAY 2024 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 65

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When is Inheritance Tax Due? Richard Higgs, Chartered Independent Financial Planner Inheritance Tax (IHT) must be paid before Probate can be granted and before assets are distributed. It's crucial to understand not only how much tax may be payable but also when it is due.

IHT is typically due for payment within six months after the end of the month in which the deceased passed away. While the general rule is for IHT to be paid within six months of the death, there are several exceptions and considerations to be aware of: Payment on Account: In some cases, particularly if the estate includes property or other assets that take time to sell, HMRC may allow the tax to be paid in instalments over 10 years. However, interest is usually charged on any unpaid tax.

Assets with Delayed Payment: If property or certain investments need to be sold, HMRC may agree to delay the payment of IHT. In such cases, the tax would be due within six months after the sale and interest will be charged.

Failure to pay IHT on time can result in penalties and interest charges. At what is an already stressful time for families, it should be avoided wherever possible.

Navigating the intricacies of IHT can be daunting, especially during times of grief. The cyclical nature of tax and probate makes this particularly complex where the deceased hasn’t considered how IHT will be paid from the estate.

Seeking professional advice can provide invaluable support in understanding the obligations on your beneficiaries, planning your estate effectively, and ensuring compliance with HMRC regulations.

We’re here to help. Get in touch to arrange a complimentary estate planning review or to talk through how your family may pay an inheritance tax bill or avoid the bill altogether.

Call 0117 3636 212 or email office@haroldstephens.co.uk We record regular video updates on a range of later life financial topics - search ‘Harold Stephens IFA’ on YouTube.

www.haroldstephens.co.uk 50 High Street, Westbury on Trym, Bristol BS9 3DZ.

66 38 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 | No 234

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WALKING

Walk this way

Andrew Swift follows an unfamiliar path through Bourton Combe and discovers something he never thought he’d stumble upon in this part of Somerset...

O

ne evening in January, while sorting through a pile of old books, I came upon one published in 1931 – Unbeaten Tracks of the West: The Hiker’s Guide by PE Barnes. This turned out to be an absorbing read, giving an intriguing glimpse of what the countryside around Bristol was like a century ago. Many of the places featured were familiar to me, and it was fascinating to find out what they had once looked like.

There were many that were unfamiliar as well, and one that particularly stood out was Bourton Combe.

I’d heard a lot about Bourton Combe, but had always put off exploring it – partly because the OS map suggested that, compared with, say, Goblin Combe, Burrington Combe or Brockley Combe, it

68 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 | No 234

wasn’t that large; and partly because I couldn’t see how I could include it in a longer walk.

Looking at what Barnes had to say about it, however, I began to think I might have underestimated it, and, when I read that “no combe hereabouts surpasses it … in its wealth of wild flowering in time of May”, I decided that, when spring eventually arrived, I would set out to discover if it was still as alluring a century on.

Comparing a modern map with one from the 1920s did raise a slight qualm, however. Backwell Common, across which Barnes strolled after emerging from the combe, was no more, its place having been taken by a vast quarry. In the event, this didn’t prove much of an issue – apart from the odd explosion disturbing the tranquillity – but I did encounter

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WALKING

heading down the combe, carpeted with bluebells and wild garlic. A little further on another dominant feature of Bourton Combe’s flora appears – rhododendrons, undeniably attractive but an ecological nightmare, not only because they are invasive but also because they form a dense canopy under which nothing else can grow. In Bourton Combe they are not a recent introduction; they were well established when Barnes visited and he was delighted to see them “just coming out”.

An ancient feeling

another problem I hadn’t anticipated. Bourton Combe is just outside the village of Flax Bourton, to which there is a frequent bus service from Bristol. I went there by car, however, turning off the A370 onto Bourton Combe Lane, at the end of which there was, I was told, limited parking.

Unfortunately, it was so limited that, even though I’d chosen a time when I hadn’t expected it to be busy, I nabbed the last space. And, while strapping my walking boots on – essential given the terrain – two more cars drove up and had to turn back to try to find parking in the village.

Perhaps it might be worth considering taking the bus rather than the car, or, if you do drive, being aware that there might be a problem and trying to avoid busier times.

One thing has changed in the last hundred years, however. According to Barnes, “Bourton Combe gives an impression of arcaded orderliness and embowered sedateness that other combes in these parts do not”.

Not any more it doesn’t. As the sides of the combe steepen, the path grows ever rougher, gouged and scoured by winter torrents, echoing the forces that formed this rocky gorge aeons ago. Craggy slopes and tumbled trees, colonised by moss and ferns, create a seemingly primeval landscape, a pocket of temperate rainforest in a hidden gully on the edge of Mendip – not what I’d expected to find, and all the more astonishing for that.

Past ancient yews, the path continues downhill. Even on a sunny day the gloom progressively deepens, the sky is blotted out, and cliffs rear up on either hand, as though you’re heading towards a subterranean realm – until the combe suddenly broadens out, sunlight streams in and the woodland floor is once again carpeted in wild garlic, its scent hanging heavy in the air. Here, at last, is that embowered sedateness. All too soon, though, the path forks, and, instead of carrying on down, we need to bear right uphill to re-join the stony track that leads back to the starting point.

Small it may be compared with some of Mendip Hills’ better-known combes and gorges, but Bourton Combe, with its varied habitats and microclimates, is every bit as worth seeking out. And, while it may no longer have the arcaded orderliness Barnes praised so highly, I am very grateful to him for prompting me to set out and discover this hidden gem less than five miles from the centre of Bristol. n akemanpress.com (Images: Andrew Swift)

Exceeding expectations The combe itself, though, not only exceeded my expectations, but also held within it something I wasn’t prepared for, something I’d never expected to stumble upon in this part of Somerset. More of that later – for now, if you’d like to see what Bourton Combe looks like for yourself, this is the route I took…

At the end of Bourton Combe Lane, turn right up a high-banked muddy track, through a tunnel of trees. After 250m, turn left up another track, whose rocky surface, combined with mud, makes for a slippery climb.

The track runs along the wood’s perimeter, with superb views eastward to Bristol over an expanse of woods and green fields.

Eventually, as you continue to climb, the woods close in. Carry on in the same direction, and after another 800m you will see a group of buildings ahead. This is Water Catch Farm, and, immediately after passing it, turn right and carry on along a narrow path.

After 250m, when the path curves right, follow it as it heads downhill, passing a ruined, ivy-covered cottage on the right. A few metres further on, just past another ruined building on the left, a sign warns of blasting in the quarry where Backwell Common once stood. Turn right to start

Try the walk yourself Starting point: Bourton Combe Lane (ST508690; BS48 3QL) Getting to the starting point: By car: head west from Bristol on the A370 to Flax Bourton and turn left along Bourton Combe Lane. By bus: from Bristol, the X1 (quarter-hourly Monday-Saturday, half-hourly on Sunday) stops at Post Office Lane (just past the church) in Flax Bourton; from here walk back 200m and turn right along Bourton Combe Lane Length of Walk: 2.5 miles Approximate Time: Two hours No facilities available Level of challenge: Paths are rough, rocky and may be muddy in places Map: OS Explorer 154 To discover more about temperate rainforests, visit lostrainforestsofbritain.org

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | MAY 2024 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 69

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70 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 | No 234

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GARDENING

A Grand day out

Elly West speaks to Bristol-based garden designer Suzy Dean, who has embraced a child-like sense of magic and discovery in her first show garden for the upcoming RHS Malvern Spring Festival (9-12 May)

G

ardens can be magical places for children (at least in my day!) and it’s the secret, wilder corners that I remember best. There was the space behind the shed that overlooked the end neighbour’s garden; the gap in the giant laurel hedge into which I could creep to a hidden hollow with dry ground covered in brittle leaves; and the branch of the weeping cherry tree that you could hold on to and swing on, while jumping off the low wall of the compost heap.

Trampolines – the bane of my life as a garden designer – weren’t really a thing in the 1980s, although we did have a swingball set that sometimes replaced the whirly washing line on sunny days, but it was the homemade dens and the opportunities for exploration that made our garden the most fun. What better than to include a bit of magic in our gardens and a sense of discovery – with child-friendly and hidden places that will entice today’s youngsters away from their screens and out of doors?

Bristol-based garden designer Suzy Dean has embraced this concept in her first show garden for the upcoming RHS Malvern Spring Festival, which takes place from 9-12 May. Along with her business partner Isabel Devaney, with whom she set up Ammil Garden Design in 2022, she’s created a garden full of wild planting, pathways and small hidden clearings. There’s also a wigwam den and living willow tunnel, designed with children in mind.

“The idea of our show garden is that it’s the bit at the end of the garden that morphs into the landscape beyond, not the super-pretty bit up near the house. It’s a bit wild, with natural planting, informal paths and a woodland vibe,” Dean explains.

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Their garden - The Grand Appeal Garden (design pictured above) – is named for the charity that the garden is supporting. The Grand Appeal raises money for the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, which is close to Dean’s heart as a former full-time consultant paediatrician in its intensive care unit. However, after 20 years in the NHS, Dean decided it was time for a life change: “I’ve always been quite creative and was looking for a new challenge, as well as a better work-life balance.”

In what some might consider an unusual career move, Dean now splits her time between her new garden design business and working at the children’s hospital. She spent 18 months completing an MA in interior design at the Inchbald School of Design, but it was when she subsequently started a garden design course at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden that she found her passion and her ‘people’.

“I enjoyed the interior design, but it wasn’t quite right for me,” she says. “I realised I wanted to work outside and get back to nature. My focus is on sustainability and wildlife-friendly gardening wherever possible. Artificial grass and lots of concrete are a no.”

This is reflected in The Grand Appeal Garden, which has a path made of green oak setts from sustainably-managed forests, leading to a timber lodge, along with areas of free-draining self-binding gravel and extensive planting, including 11 trees in an area 15m x 10m. All the plants will be relocated to new homes, the majority to a shady bank at the children’s hospital, and were chosen with this plot in mind. The palette is muted with shades of blues, whites and greens, using plants such as forget-me-nots, ferns, sweet woodruff, lamium, shade-tolerant geraniums, plus hazel and silver birches to give height and structure.

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GARDENING

Plant of the month: Forget-Me-Not Suzy says, “We wanted naturalistic planting, some of which people may consider weeds. But we want to show that a garden doesn’t just have to be a lawn and a formal border. The colours we’ve chosen are restful and relaxing to create a sense of calm.”

The Grand Appeal is the charity behind the Gromit Unleashed trail around Bristol, the first of which took place in 2013, with 80 giant sculptures of Gromit to find around the city. These were then sold off at auction, raising £2.3million for the charity. Shaun in the City was the next trail two years later, with 120 sculptures in London and Bristol, followed by a second Gromit Unleashed trail in 2018.

A third will be held in 2025.

Funds go to provide accommodation for families while their children are in hospital, as well as going towards other means of well-being support, vital equipment, and research.

As Dean says, “The charity provides a home away from home and a safe haven for the families of sick children. Our garden also represents a safe place where families can get back to nature and enjoy its healing powers.”

Raffle tickets will be sold at the show to win a flight in the Wallace and Gromit moon-rocket hot air balloon, and there will also be the opportunity for direct donations. n Visit justgiving.com and search ‘The Grand Appeal Garden’ to donate to the building of the garden. For full details and tickets for the RHS Malvern Spring Festival, visit rhsmalvern.co.uk.

Forget-me-nots are instantly recognisable to most, with their froths of delicate, small true-blue flowers, each with a yellow eye.

They are prolific self-seeders, spreading themselves around, but are easy to pull out if necessary, and make good gap fillers in the border. They also grow well in gravel gardens, or even cracks in paving stones. The Latin name Myosotis is from the Greek, meaning ‘mouse’s ear’, but the common name is based on Christian folklore and is said to come from when God asked the blue flower its name when walking in the Garden of Eden. The flower was shy and whispered that it had forgotten its name, so God renamed the flower as forget-me-not, so it would not be forgotten again.

The flowers appear in late spring and early summer and are biennial, so will flower the year after sowing. Sow them straight into the soil from spring through summer, and they will flower the following year.

They grow in sun or partial shade, and are perennial, so die back below the soil surface in winter and come back the following spring. The nectar-rich flowers are good for bees, butterflies, moths and other pollinators.

ellyswellies.co.uk

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | MAY 2024 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 73

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Begin Your Next Chapter at The Vincent At Pegasus, we understand that the process of moving home at any age can be a big undertaking, with many of our customers moving on from the large, family homes that they have lived in for many years.

With a range of age-exclusive communities spanning the UK, our goal is ensuring that choosing your home for your next chapter is characterised by choice, independence, and community, empowering you to embrace the next chapter on your own terms.

Nestled beside Clifton Downs in Bristol’s desirable Redland District, The Vincent is a stunning collection of 64 one- and two-bedroom apartments available for purchase or rent. Ideally located within easy reach of the bustling city centre, and designed by award-winning architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, the community combines modern elegance with rich cultural heritage. With homes proving popular and only a few remaining, seize the opportunity to make your move today.

Amenities designed for comfort and connection At The Vincent your comfort and wellness are our top priority. Our meticulously designed spaces offer tailored wellness and leisure experiences to enhance your holistic wellbeing. Enjoy an array of luxurious facilities right on your doorstep, from a state-of-the-art spa with a hydrotherapy pool and relaxation therapies, to a gym offering yoga classes and a stretch studio.

We are all about fostering a sense of community, and the communal lounge at The Vincent provides the perfect setting to unwind with a glass of wine or a catch up with like-minded neighbours, family and friends. The Vincent also includes a fantastic on-site restaurant, featuring a theatrical open kitchen, ideal for hosting and getting together.

At the heart of The Vincent, you also enjoy the tranquillity of a private garden, where hedgerows, winding pathways, a serene pond, and magnificent trees create an enchanting landscape within the expansive grounds.

As with all our Pegasus communities, The Vincent features a dedicated 'Lifehost' who is always on hand to support and assist residents. Their special role includes organising book clubs and coffee mornings, but also acting as your first point of contact for any queries or concerns, ensuring a real sense of safety and security whenever needed.

Finding your dream home Inspired by its rich Victorian heritage, the apartments at The Vincent

76 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | MAY 2024 | No 234

are beautifully designed to seamlessly blend classic elegance with modern comfort, all complemented by a light-brick façade.

Alison, who made the move to The Vincent community, commented: “What made me fall for the community was not just the grounds and ambiance, but when I walked into my apartment it was the space and the view that I was immediately sold on: I get a unique feeling of being in a garden all the time!”

Homes at The Vincent benefit from expansive open-plan living areas, with tall windows framing views of the picturesque grounds and the Bristol skyline. Apartments open onto private balconies, offering spaces to relax and soak in the breathtaking views.

The spacious kitchens feature fully integrated appliances and large worktops, all enhanced by modern design and functionality.

Alison added, “I felt immediately at home here. Moving in when I did, I got a new lease of life – it has exceeded my expectations completely.

I’ve never regretted it."

Last chance to join our vibrant community today Discover what The Vincent has to offer by arranging a viewing of our beautiful community today.

You can privately tour our newly dressed, two-bedroom show home and experience firsthand the lifestyle that awaits you at The Vincent.

With our final few homes remaining, this is your last chance to make the move to this exciting neighbourhood. Don't miss out on the perfect place to call home— start your next chapter today!

With options to Buy, Rent or Rent to Buy, Pegasus gives you the freedom, flexibility and breadth of choice to help you find a new home that’s right for you.

Prices for rentals at The Vincent start from £2,550 pcm, with homes available to buy from £400,000 For more information, please visit: pegasushomes.co.uk/the-Vincent-Bristol To book an appointment, you can contact us directly at thevincent@lifestory.group or 01172052920

OLIVER ROTH February.qxp_Layout 2 24/04/2024 17:44 Page 1

PROPERTY NEWS

PROPERTY NEWS

DISCOVER THE LATEST NEWS FROM BRISTOL’S PROPERTY EXPERTS

Factors to always consider when buying a leasehold property: 1. The number of years left on the lease Lease lengths can vary but typically a new lease will start off at around 99–125 years but can run for as long as 999 years; with many taking the view that a 999-year lease is ‘as good as a freehold’.

A buyer should always find out how long is left on the lease, especially if buying an existing lease that has already begun to run down. Buying a short lease (under 80 years) could affect your ability to get a mortgage, and to extend a lease you must have lived in the property for two years.

In addition to the years left on the lease, it is always advisable to establish whether there is the option to extend the lease, thereby helping to maintain the value of that lease, and also whether there is the option to buy a share of the freehold. Buying a freehold can be complex and legal advice should always be sought.

Buying a Leasehold Property?

F

or many buyers, depending on the property type, they may have no option but to buy a leasehold property. What factors should a buyer consider before proceeding with the purchase of a property with a leasehold title?

If you buy a freehold property, you are purchasing the property and the land it sits on. That remains the case until you sell your house to another person, who will then become the freeholder. In contrast, if you buy a leasehold property, you are purchasing the property for a specific amount of time, and not the land it sits upon. The freeholder, or landlord, still owns the plot of land it sits upon, and once the term of the leases expires, the ownership of the property reverts to them.

Most apartments are usually sold with a leasehold title. Often a single individual or entity owns the freehold, with the owner of each apartment owning the leasehold titles within the complex. Broadly speaking, most houses are sold as freehold though leasehold houses do arise, for example: the property owner might decide to sell a house with a leasehold because they want to retain an interest in the land, or because the house has been split into multiple dwellings. Alternatively, if someone owns a home that has land surrounding it that they plan to build on, the original owner may want to retain ownership of the whole of the land, with the terms of the lease giving the buyer access to their own property.

2. Carefully consider the terms of the lease Check the lease for any restrictions on how the property can be used.

Some leases may prevent owners from having pets, for example, or you may need to obtain permission from the freeholder before making any changes to your property.

Where a lease contains onerous restrictions that would prevent you from purchasing a property, it is always worthwhile first having discussions with the freeholder as to whether alterations can be made to the terms of the lease, for example a restriction on pets. The freeholder will need to agree to the request before the lease can be formally updated.

3. Ground Rent & Service Charges Always check whether you are required to pay a specific amount of ground rent. This is a payment from the leaseholder to the freeholder that essentially covers the cost of ‘renting’ the land upon which the property is built. Ground rent is traditionally paid annually, although quarterly or half yearly payments are not uncommon.

Whilst ground rents are invariably modest in amount, of greater cause for concern for leaseholders are ever escalating service charges.

This is the cost towards the upkeep and maintenance of communal areas, a well as often going towards a ‘sinking fund’ for future works.

Service charges will vary greatly depending on the property and whether, for example, there is a concierge service and a lift. It is always advisable to seek confirmation as to any future planned maintenance that will significantly increase the service charge.

Whatever stage you are at in the search for your perfect home or investment property, we’d love to chat.

Lili Oliver Oliver Roth Property Consultants T: 0117 9877 828 E: home@oliverroth.co.uk

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | MAY 2024 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 77

FOR SALE - QUEEN SQUARE, BS1

OFFICE FOR SALE An attractive, self-contained office building situated on the prestigious Queen Square within easy walking distance of Temple Meads Railway Station and many local amenities to include St Nics Market, the new Six O’Clock Gin bar, Spicer and Cole, Coffee #1, The River Station and Mud Dock to name a few…

The building comprises approximately 2,751 Sq Ft (255.6 Sq M) plus basement vaults of 592 Sq Ft (55 Sq M) and a rear courtyard garden.

In addition, there are 4 car parking spaces located on the Square.

The long leasehold interest is available to purchase and the permitted use under the long lease is as offices.

Julian Cook FRICS

Burston Cook May.indd 1

Jayne Rixon MRICS

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

Finola Ingham FRICS

Tom Coyte MRICS

Vicki Grimshaw BSc(Hons)

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BRISTOL & CLIFTON’S PREMIER COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AGENTS Keep up-to-date with our latest news, deals, testimonials and market comment at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk St Barts Parish Hall, BS6 FOR SALE - POA 2,700 sq ft (250.83 sq m)

Whiteladies Road, BS8 TO LET - POA 729 – 1,628 sq ft (67.72 – 151.24 sq m) An attractive prominent office which is due to be refurbished to provide bright and airy contemporary space. The property benefits from kitchenette, shower, and large car park.

A unique opportunity to purchase a church hall in the popular and sought after area of St Andrews to suit a variety of uses.

Adjacent parcel of land (0.09 acres) potentially available by way of separate negotiation.

Henleaze Road, Henleaze TO LET - POA 607 sq ft (56.93 sq m)

Whiteladies Road, BS8 TO LET - £23.75 psf 1,784 sq ft (165.74 sq m)

A ground floor “Class E” unit available on Henleaze Road which could suit a range of uses.

Currently configured as multiple offices but can be refurbished to suit an occupiers needs.

A self-contained office building located on the popular Whiteladies Road which is due to be refurbished throughout.

Up to 5 parking spaces available by separate negotiation.

Eagle House, BS1 TO LET – POA 5,565 sq ft – 11,840 sq ft (517 – 1,100 sq ft)

Julian Cook FRICS

Burston Cook May.indd 2

Jayne Rixon MRICS

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

Mead Court, Thornbury, BS35 FOR SALE – POA 7,221 sq ft (671 sq m)

A landmark building in the heart of the city centre offering Grade A accommodation. There are exceptional break out spaces, to include auditorium, bookable meeting rooms, showers, and bike storage.

A freehold office opportunity available with vacant possession.

Situated on a prominent business park in Thornbury, the property has excellent car parking and provides flexible accommodation.

Barley House, Oakfield Grove, BS8 TO LET – POA 16,640 sq ft (1,546 sq m)

St.Thomas Street, BS1 TO LET - POA 10,907 – 26,945 sq ft (1,013 – 2,503 sq ft)

Offices to let with 23 car parking spaces. Available as a whole or on a floor-by-floor basis and suitable for a wide variety of alternative commercial uses (STP).

HQ office building with secure parking for 21 cars. To lease as a whole or floor by floor. Would suit other commercial uses.

Highly competitive quoting rent.

College Green, BS1 TO LET - £23 psf pax 900 – 2,938 sq ft

Bath Road, BS4 INVESTMENT FOR SALE – POA 3,018 sq ft (280.48 sq m)

A stunning Georgian building in a central location which is due to be refurbished throughout to provide open plan accommodation on each floor. Car parking available plus basement bike storage.

A newly refurbished, fully let investment comprising a ground floor retail unit let to Subway Realty Ltd, plus 2x two-bedroom flats. An excellent letting location for both retail and residential occupiers.

Finola Ingham FRICS

Tom Coyte MRICS

Vicki Grimshaw BSc(Hons)

22/04/2024 17:19

Rupert Oliver FP May.qxp_Layout 1 26/04/2024 12:46 Page 1

Clifton, Bristol | Guide Price £1,850,000 An exceptional Grade II Listed townhouse on a quiet and sought-after road; with five bedrooms, three bathrooms, off-street parking, a detached workshop and private gardens.

Elegant circa 3000 sq. ft Grade II Listed townhouse | Four floors of versatile accommodation | Gated off-street parking | Garage / workshop | Beautiful hall floor open plan kitchen, dining and family room | First floor sitting room with balcony | Three “upper floor” double bedrooms with two bath / shower rooms | Two bedroom lower ground floor annex | Private front and rear gardens | EPC: E

In all circa 3093 sq. ft (287.35 sq. m)

@rupertoliverproperty

Tel: 0117 452 3555 home@rupertoliver.co.uk

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