The Bristol Magazine June 2024

Meet Luke Dunstan, who’s celebrating a rather impressive 50 years of

Get to know Bristol musician Krush, help save Noods Radio, head to dockyard gigs and more

Emma Clegg

Comedian

Grab a pen, find your

Bristol Film Festival director Owen Franklin talks outdoor cinema (and how to do it well)

Native American artists, RWA’s Summer Exhibitions, a heartfelt video, the BS9 Arts Trail and more

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Our round-up of the best afternoon teas in and around Bristol. Cheers to that.

Top poetry picks to add to your list from the team at Gloucester Road Books

The story of bees, and their importance to our world, as told by local experts

Andrew Swift explores the rich history of St Anne’s Wood (and its holy well)

Embrace the great outdoors. Check out our choice of garden furniture, plus Elly West helps us care for roses...

Sir Ian McKellen, who Emma Clegg interviews ahead of his performance at Bristol Hippodrome in Player Kings (3-6 July)

EDITOR from the

We’re basking in the glory of national treasures that are blessing the city with their presence in this issue. Just look at our front cover – Sir Ian McKellen, we are not worthy. Well... it turns out we are, actually. Sir Ian thinks incredibly highly of Bristol’s theatre scene. He told us so, in our exclusive interview with the man himself in this month’s magazine: “The standard was recognised as being as high as you could get.” We’ll take that. Bristol’s gold standard for theatre productions hasn’t tarnished one bit since the 85-year-old was taking his first tentative steps on stage. Seeing McKellen in a play is a bucket-list level theatrical experience, and thankfully he’s returning to the city in the coming weeks, bringing his first ever interpretation of Falstaff to the Hippodrome, alongside a cast of actors he very much admires, in Player Kings –Robert Icke’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s two great history plays Henry IV, parts 1 and 2

From actor to art, another cultural icon that’s landed in Bristol recently is John Constable’s The Hay Wain

Part of Bristol Museum & Art Gallery’s National Treasures exhibition, the painting (alongside a number of works in the show) has become – among other things – a medium for exploring the meaning of landscape, how art is responding to the climate crisis, class, LGBTQIA+ identity, colonialism and migration. Much like a Shakespeare play, it’s social and political threads can be unpicked, rewoven and reimagined – asking new questions all the time. No matter how old the painting or play, the relationships with them remain relevant, and at their core the stories told often mirror our own everyday experiences. As Sir Ian once told us (yes, we’ll be saying that for years to come):

“We are all living in a Shakespeare play, whether we know it or not.”

Rosanna Spence

Publisher Steve Miklos

Email: steve@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Financial Director Jane Miklos

Email: jane@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Editor Rosanna Spence

Tel: 0117 974 2800

Email: rosanna@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Assistant Editor/Web Editor Jasmine Tyagi

Email: jasmine@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Production Manager Jeff Osborne

Email: production@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Advertising Sales Liz Grey Email: 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: The Bristol Magazine Tel: 0117 974 2800 www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

John Constable, The Hay Wain © The National Gallery, London

5things to do

Book a retreat

Join a Creative Wellbeing Day Retreat hosted by the teams from thewellnessroom.org.uk and massagechris.co.uk on 13 June at Berwick Lodge (BS10). Immerse yourself in a variety of activities, such as meditation, an Aardman Animations workshop, journalling and foraging nature walk to promote your overall wellbeing. This retreat is designed to help you unwind, tap into your creativity, and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. Take this opportunity to recharge and connect with like-minded individuals. retreatjune.eventbrite.co.uk

Watch theatre

The graduating students at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School have returned to The Wardrobe Theatre for their 18th summer festival season (running until 22 June). There are eight plays to choose from, with themes including psychological thrillers, millennial sexual politics, dystopian Brits and young offenders preparing for fatherhood. It’s a smorgasbord of contemporary brilliance. oldvic.ac.uk

Sip craft beer

At Bristol Craft Beer Festival (Harbourside, 7-8 June) there'll be 40-plus world-class breweries pouring more than 400 beers. There is a beer for everyone at the festival, including local favourites like Left Handed Giant, Wiper and True, Bristol Beer Factory, New Bristol Brewery, juicy pales from Cloudwater and DEYA, lip-smacking sours and beer concoctions from Tiny Rebel and Vault City, plus thirst-quenching lagers from Braybrooke and Utopian. There will also be delicious dishes from top restaurants, live bands and DJ sets, plus free talks and tastings. All your beer is included in the ticket price. bristolcraftbeerfestival.co.uk

Unwind with smooth grooves

Head to historic late-night cocktail bar

The Granary Club (51 Queen Charlotte Street, BS1 4HQ) every Friday between 9pm and 1am for ‘Soul Sipping’ – an evening of sophisticated drinks served alongside soul, jazz, funk and rare groove tunes from DJ Paul Alexander. Entry is free and no booking is required. The bar’s mixologists work with the chefs upstairs in The Granary restaurant to find innovative ways to integrate surplus ingredients and byproducts into the drinks menu. thegranaryclub.com

Listen to orchestral music

One of the world’s greatest chamber orchestras, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, will visit beautiful Bristol cathedral on 24 June for a programme featuring some of the world’s most sublime music. From Mozart’s Symphony No. 31 in D Major and Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D to Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis and a new piece from Errollyn Wallen CBE, this evening of musicmaking promises to delight audiences and celebrate this internationally-renowned orchestra at its best. Tickets are available on the website. asmf.org/whats-on

The Cityist My Bristol

Bristol artist Krush to join Ne-Yo and Craig David at BS3 show

Bristol-born R&B and hiphop artist Krush is joining BS3’s all-star line-up at Ashton Gate on 22 June. She is the only female artist representing Bristol on the bill, which includes Ne-Yo, Craig David, Jesse Glynne, Stefflon Don, Dizzee Rascal, DJ Spoony, Roni Size, Gospel House Choir and host Fatman Scoop.

The singer/songwriter/rapper – who is from St Pauls – is also currently in the late stage of pregnancy, as well as already being a mother to teenage boys, so has been juggling motherhood alongside preparations for the gig. Krush has previously worked with The Streets’ Mike Skinner, The Mitchell Brothers and the late MC Skibadee. BS3 is taking over Ashton Gate stadium for a day-long festival that will see 10 artists perform across two stages.

Tickets are available via bs3live.com

Meet Luke Dunstan, director of Bristol Packet Boat Trips

I was raised in Banwell, Somerset, but my main connection to the city is of course the Bristol Packet, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Some of my earliest memories are helping my mother put sausages on sticks for the catering and helping my dad on the boat.

I like the fact that Bristol is a bite-sized city. It still feels friendly, like a village. It has a vibrancy that rivals any other international city, plus it has great access to the surrounding countryside.

On a Friday afternoon, I join a lot of the other boat builders for a debrief at our local pub The Orchard on Hanover Place. It’s right next to the dockyard and marina, which is where we do a lot of our work. I love that little pub. I’ve also recently been enjoying exploring the many little mediaeval churches we have dotted around the city.

I do a lot of marine engineering at the moment. My average day could involve servicing pumps, doing oil changes, fixing broken machinery, and generally maintaining the boats so everything runs smoothly. We have five boats and the floating café, so our total fleet is made up of seven boats, and they all work really hard, with hundreds of passengers going on them. They need constant attention to keep them afloat and shipshape.

Our original boat was the Redshank when Bristol Packet started in 1974. Then the Tower Belle came along, then we had the Flower of Bristol, then Bagheera and then the Hydrogenesis, which runs on hydrogen fuel cells. We want to move away from our reliance on diesel and the internal combustion engine to make sure we’re more sustainable going forward and find alternative methods of propulsion. We’re currently in the middle of a project to electrify the Redshank with an electric motor and battery propulsion system. We hope the knowledge gained from this will mean can do the same to the whole fleet over the next decade.

We marked 50 years with a celebration. I know –along with my business partner Giles Thomson, who I’d like to give a special shout-out to – how much hard work has gone on in the background all this time selling tickets, scheduling trips, running the crew, doing the accounts, marketing and then all the practical work that goes into keeping the boats afloat and maintained, so the crew deserve a great party.

The River Avon and harbour are important because they keep us connected to the sea. They’ve enabled us to keep maritime skills and professions alive in the city – although it’s smaller than it would have been when it was a working port.

The Redshank, which is the original Bristol Packet boat, singlehandedly kept the UK’s inland waterway systems alive during the 1960s and into the very early 1970s. It was the last ever narrow boat to take a shipment of coal up and down the Grand Union Canal once a week, which actually kept the canal system alive. Then after that, there was an influx of money and inspiration to reopen all the waterways. And now they’ve become incredibly popular, with holidaymakers and boaters enjoying the whole, wonderful canal network that we have in this country.

We’re collecting photos, stories and memories from the last 50 years because lots of people have held their celebrations on board our boats. The harbour has changed so much in 50 years. It’s just the quay walls themselves that are the same, everything along the side of them has changed. I can remember it being a derelict wasteland with bushes, piles of coal and little sheds, warehouses and workshops all over the place with old bits of machinery left behind. Now of course we have a modern façade, but you can still see all the history in the quay walls and feel the history that was here.

Share your photos and memories of celebrations on the Bristol Packet boats via social media @bristolpacket. More info: bristolpacket.co.uk

Superstars to sing at Westonbirt Arboretum’s Forest Live shows

Forest Live, the summer concert series presented by Forestry England, will welcome Irish folk-pop band The Corrs and Northern Irish icon Van Morrison to Westonbirt Arboretum as part of its superstar line-up.

Other acts to perform across the summer include acclaimed American jazz, blues and soul singer Gregory Porter on 4 July, multi-platinum popstar Anne-Marie on 5 July and disco icons Nile Rodgers & CHIC, as well as Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Deco on 12 July.

Forestry England uses the money Forest Live raises to maintain beautiful natural areas for everyone to enjoy, run important conservation projects and keep growing trees. Last year they planted some 7.4 million trees, caring for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests sustainably and welcoming 291 million visits in 2022-23. forestlive.com

Bristol poet’s book shortlisted for top children’s award

Stephen Lightbown has been shortlisted for the CLPE Children’s Poetry Award (CLiPPA) for his debut collection for children, And I Climbed And I Climbed. The ‘emotionally intense collection’ draws on the Lightbown’s experience as a wheelchair user. In 1996, aged 16, he experienced a lifechanging accident while sledging in the snow and is now paralysed from below the waist. He is passionate about wanting to see authentic voices writing about disability across all ages.

Independent radio station to raise £70,000 to save its city space

Independent radio station Noods Radio has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £70,000 in order to purchase its home, Mickey Zoggs in St Pauls.

The landlord has given the station the opportunity to buy the building before its lease is up, ensuring the space remains to serve the city.

Since 2021, Noods Radio has been broadcasting from Mickey Zoggs, a venue that has evolved into a vital hub for Bristol's creative community. It serves as one of the city's vibrant third spaces, where local creatives can get together to meet like-minded individuals, share, and discover new music. However, the future of this beloved space is now at risk; if Noods Radio is forced to leave Mickey Zoggs, the building will be developed, the radio station will not be viable and its community focus projects will be put on hold.

Since its inception in 2015, Noods Radio has been a prevalent outlet in Bristol’s cultural landscape, offering a platform for diverse voices and underground artists.

And I Climbed And I Climbed is written mostly in the voice of eight-year-old Cosmo, who is unable to walk after falling from a tree, and illustrated by Shih-Yu Lin, the poems are angry, questioning, resigned, determined as Cosmo describes his feelings to the tree.

The CLiPPA is the UK’s top award for published poetry for children. Past winners include Carol Ann Duffy, John Agard, Jackie Kay and recently Michael Rosen and Valerie Bloom. The winner will be announced at the CLiPPA Poetry Show, live onstage at the National Theatre in London, on Friday 12 July. clpe.org.uk/poetry/CLiPPA

Beyond the broadcast, the team behind Noods Radio runs various programmes and initiatives aimed at paving the way for new and inclusive talent within the creative industries. From workshops helping women and nonbinary individuals to enter the world of broadcasting, to educational initiatives designed to help young people gain the skills and experience necessary for a lifelong career in the creative sectors, the radio station aims to give back to the community that keeps it alive

The station has the ambitious goal of raising its money before 16 June, with all funds going directly towards securing a deposit on the venue, ensuring that Noods Radio can continue its operations and support the local creative community.

noodsradio.com

Image credit: Johnny Hathaway

RWA welcomes new faces

The Royal West of England Academy (RWA) has welcomed new director Ren (Helen) Renwick and new chair of trustees George Ferguson CBE to the organisation. Ren will officially assume her role in mid-July, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a passion for the arts. She is driven by the conviction that art has the capacity to empower, connect, and enrich individuals and communities, aligning perfectly with the RWA’s mission.

With a distinguished career in urban design, architecture, and public service, Ferguson brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for the arts to his pivotal role as chair of trustees. He will provide strategic leadership and guidance to the RWA, ensuring its continued growth and relevance in the contemporary art world.

This year also sees the RWA celebrating 171 years of Annual Open Exhibitions, which are a firmly established fixture in the UK’s art calendar, attracting thousands of entrants, visitors and buyers every year. RWA's Open Exhibitions are now open to anyone to submit work, and the deadline is 7 July. A selection panel assesses every entry, and last year saw 665 works by 455 artists made it into the final exhibition. rwa.org.uk/pages/annual-open-exhibitions

Brunel’s SS Great Britain launches Summer Lates series for 2024

This summer, once daytime visits to Brunel’s SS Great Britain are finished, the dockyard will transform one of the city’s most exciting gig locations. The landmark has teamed up with Coffee Club Bristol for its latest series of Summer Lates events to showcase up-and-coming acts and fan favourites from previous years.

Tickets include after-hours access to the whole ship, the Dry Dock, and the Dockyard Museum. Plus, you can save money by pre-ordering food and drinks when booking online. The Summer Lates Series will see unmissable dockyard gigs taking place across four Thursdays from 27 June, starting with Long Tonic and Sugarmoon. Gust Gusto and The Xaviers will then take to the stage on 4 July. Acts for the shows on 25 July and 1 August will be confirmed soon.

ssgreatbritain.org

Campaign to reimagine parks launched

Bristol and Bath-based charity Your Park Bristol & Bath marked its fifth anniversary with the launch of a 12-month campaign to reimagine the two cities’ parks and green spaces and tackle the barriers that it believes mean around a third of the local population is prevented from being able to access or fully enjoy them. According to the charity, the three key factors preventing people from having the confidence or ability to get out into their local parks are physical accessibility, personal safety and mental wellbeing. Its Reimagining Parks campaign aims to start leading the change, and has set itself a huge ambition for everyone in Bristol and Bath to have a park that is accessible to them within a 10minute reach of where they live, work or study. yourpark.org.uk

Local nurse ‘lights the way’ at Florence Nightingale Commemorative Service

A nurse at a Bristol charity had the honour of being the Lamp Carrier at the Florence Nightingale Commemorative Service at Westminster Abbey last month.

Emily Pimm (pictured centre) qualified as a nurse in 2006 and works as a Social Care Deputy Manager at St Monica Trust’s John Wills House Care Home in Westbury-on-Trym. She was awarded a Florence Nightingale Foundation Leadership Scholarship in 2022 and has gone on to become a co-chair for the South West’s Social Care Nurse Advisory Council. Pimm was nominated from hundreds of Florence Nightingale Scholars and is the first nurse from the adult social care sector to be chosen as the Lamp Carrier.

stmonicatrust.org.uk

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Beata

Cosgrove

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Grace & Mabel Rainkiss Rain Poncho - City Lights | £69

The City Lights rain poncho features an aesthetic Bokeh blur effect of a vibrant cityscape at night. Orbs of light; black, blues, violet and pinky hues seem to cause a glare. The City Lights rain poncho comes from everywhere. Rainkiss rain ponchos are cut to perfection with taped seams and are 100% waterproof. It’s of high importance to the brand to only work with sustainable materials, such as recycled polyester. Shop now at graceandmabel.co.uk

MAGAZINE KIOSK

From Magalleria: curated by Daniel McCabe | £20

The latest Hotshoe is subtitled ‘Shooting Mum and Dad’. If it sounds off-putting, well, relax. Hotshoe is a photography magazine and this issue examines our relationship with our parents and how our intimacy with them, or lack of it, has shaped us as individuals, both physically and psychologically. As always the magazine has solicited an outstanding selection of A-list and emerging artists to tackle the theme. The variety of approaches really does give pause for thought and continues an outstanding sequence of releases over the last couple years. Shop at store.magalleria.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

Ingredients (makes 8 shortcakes)

325g self-raising flour

5 tablespoons caster sugar

125g frozen unsalted butter

1 large egg, beaten

125m single cream

1 large egg white (lightly beaten)

For the filling:

300g strawberries

1 tbsp caster sugar

250m double cream

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 220°G/gas mark 7.

2. Mix the flour and 3 tbsp of the sugar together in a bowl. Grate the frozen butter into the dry ingredients and use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until you've created a breadcrumb-like texture.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg into the cream and add the flour/butter mixture a little at a time, using a fork to mix together (you may not need all of the eggy cream to make the dough come together).

4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly-floured surface and gently roll to approx. 2cm thick. Dip a 6cm cutter (or similarly-sized glass) in flour and stamp out as many rounds as you can. Work the scraps back into a dough, re-roll and continue cutting out; you should get 8 rounds in all.

5. Place the shortcakes around 2cm apart on a greased or lined baking sheet, brush the tops with the egg white and sprinkle with the remaining 2 tbsp of caster sugar. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden-brown, and transfer to a wire rack.

6. Crush half the strawberries with the sugar, quarter the remaining strawberries and whip the double cream. Split each shortcake in half horizontally (if they're still slightly warm inside, all the better!) and fill with a spoonful of the crushed strawberry mixture, a tumble of quartered strawberries and generous dollops of whipped cream. Put the ‘lid’ on top and serve immediately, dusted with icing sugar.

Recipe by Melissa Blease: Strawberry Shortcake SHOPPING

The Player King

We know him as a host of unforgettable characters –from Gandalf in Lord of the Rings to Magneto in X-Men –and on stage there are few major roles that he has not brought to life in his own inimitable way.

Falstaff, however, has not been on his acting biography, until now. Emma Clegg catches up with Sir Ian McKellen ahead of the production of Player Kings at the Bristol Hippodrome

Image credit: Frederic Aranda

Bringing together Shakespeare’s two great history plays (Henry IV, parts 1 and 2), Player Kings, currently running at the Noel Coward Theatre in the West End, visits the Bristol Hippodrome from 3-6 July. The three hour and 20 minute reimagined modern-dress production is adapted and directed by award-winning writer and theatre director Robert Icke. The star and antihero of these plays is Falstaff, and the role in this version has been taken on by stage and screen legend Sir Ian McKellen.

McKellen, who is 85, says that he has deliberately never taken on Falstaff before, and for good reason: “Academics often write about Falstaff; they are very intrigued by him, and through the generations Falstaff has been a huge success with audiences – he’s part of the culture really.

“And yet when you come to look at him he’s a complicated fellow and certainly not just a jolly Santa Claus type of rascal. He’s dangerous – he can be violent emotionally and physically, he’s a liar, a hypocrite, he lets people down badly, and yet audiences like him. I couldn’t ever quite land on what it was that kept him going – and I must say I was right to be doubtful because it’s a very difficult part. I’ve talked to others who have played Falstaff, and they said the same. The late, great Mike Gambon said ‘o me, ‘Ah, I didn’t understand a word’, so I’m not alone in thinking it’s a tricky part.”

“ Of all the companies, the one everyone wanted to go to was Bristol. It’s partly because of the theatre itself and its history, but the standard was recognised as being as high as you could get ”

McKellen compares Falstaff to Shakespeare’s other tragic characters: “In the other great parts like Macbeth and Coriolanus and Iago in Othello, the characters are very clear, they look after themselves really, but Falstaff, mmm, complicated. But I’m getting there and I think that by the time we reach Bristol I might have something to show you!”

We like the idea that the production is being finessed especially for Bristol, and the city scores high in McKellen’s estimation: “When I was starting out as a lad I wanted to go to a repertory company. Of all the companies, the one everyone wanted to go to was Bristol. It’s partly because of the theatre itself and its history, but the standard was recognised as being as high as you could get.”

Finding Falstaff

If Falstaff is a tricky character to unravel, what has been the process of getting inside the role? McKellen explains, “Rob Icke spoke to me very clearly about what he thought the part was like –he kept saying that this is a character out of The Sopranos. He saw the role as someone who was not just jolly, but dangerous –you couldn’t quite be certain what he was going to do next. This made him an attractive figure for Prince Hal to be spending time with, but he was the last person to be training up a young man to take over the monarchy when the time came.”

Past stage and screen productions have featured great names as Falstaff, including Antony Quayle (1951), Hugh Griffith (1964), David Warner

(2008), Robert Stephens (1991), and Antony Sher (2014). On screen roles include Laurence Olivier (1944), Orson Welles (1965), Robbie Coltrane (1989), and Simon Russell Beale (2012). Did these offer any inspiration?

“You have to be careful about doing that, because as an actor you have to get inside the character, and the character ideally has to get inside you. Simon Callow has written two books on Falstaff –he played him, and he’s analysed every scene. And it’s very interesting to read but you have to think, ‘hang on, this is not Shakespeare’s Falstaff I’m reading – this is Simon Callow’s reaction to Falstaff’, so in the end you don’t really want to go digging into what somebody else did and instead work it all out for yourself”, says McKellen.

“Falstaff is a tragic comic character and our approach has been to look at him and believe in him as a real person. If the audience finds that funny in parts, terrific. If they are moved, equally great. I’m just showing them what I’ve discovered about Falstaff and they can react as they will. I feel that I have been inside Falstaff when I’ve been rehearsing but I haven’t quite let him take me over yet. You always hope that by the last performance you’ve got it as right as you possibly can."

Mutual admiration

McKellen speaks highly of his supporting cast, particularly of Toheeb Jimoh as Prince Hal. “The central character really in the play is the young Prince Hal, played by an amazing young actor who I didn’t know before, from Ted Lasso, and I think he’s going to be a major theatre actor. He did a wonderful Romeo in London a couple of years ago and now he’s doing Prince Hal, and next stop Hamlet, I would think. He’s pulled between the relationship with his own father the king, and with this other father figure, Falstaff, who he meets in the East End of London. But he shouldn’t be bothering with Falstaff –he is not a good influence.

“TJ (Toheeb Jimoh), our Hal, and I get on very well as friends and I’d say he knows a little bit about what I’ve been up to and I know a little bit about what I hope he’s going to be up to. We have got a mutual admiration going, and to be friends with Hal is a good thing if you are playing Falstaff. I’ve always thought that one of the most wonderful things about being an actor is that you work with people with such wide experience, older than you and younger than you, and yet when it comes to the rehearsals on stage you are all equal –although it’s true I’m in dressing room No. 1!

Falstaff is known for his physical size, so for this production McKellen sports a fat suit. “That is the first thing people say about Falstaff in the play, that he’s grossly overweight, and they go on and on about it in a way that today would be thought unthinking and unkind. But when the play was written, to be fat was something very unusual because their diet wasn’t as generous as it is in the 21st century. He clearly was a glutton.”

There is laughter and tragedy within Shakespeare’s two Henry IV plays, and also in Player Kings. There’s a moment during the Battle of Shrewsbury where Falstaff has been playing dead (to save his skin), and suddenly resurrects himself, which gets a big laugh. “There are so many laughs in this show, I hadn’t realised when we were rehearsing it. And that’s been fun to do,” says McKellen.

Spoils of war

However he also comments on the portrayal of war: “In the middle of the play there is a civil war on stage and I’ve never seen a battle so immediate and dangerous as Rob has created. When we are seeing on the news nightly what is going on in Ukraine or Gaza, we don’t experience the battlefield. The war is a serious matter in the play and in the middle of it, striding around the battle field, robbing the corpses, avoiding the danger

whenever he can, recruiting quite inadequate soldiers all of whom die under his command, is Falstaff, and you wonder, ‘is this what it’s like in the real world?’ And when Falstaff cries out to the audience in the middle of the battlefield, ‘Give me life!’ You think ‘there must be some people wandering about Gaza shouting the same at the destroyed buildings’. That’s why we like Falstaff, he’s on the side of life, of survival.”

On Shakespeare

Given that McKellen has featured as the hero within many Shakespearean productions, I wonder if Shakespeare feels like someone that the actor knows well. “I like the idea that the most celebrated person in Britain who ever lived was not a monarch or a prime minister or a politician or a solider, he was an actor who wrote plays. I don’t know his ghost, I don’t talk to him late at night, but I like the idea that I am in the same line of business and have the same concerns. I do have a sort of personal relationship in that I want to do my best for him, because he deserves the best, he was the best.

“And of course Shakespeare is still very much alive in his work –think about the emotional content of Player Kings – it’s about a young prince called Harry who falls out with his father and the whole system of the royal court. I’m not saying that our play is actually about the current Prince Harry, but I’m just pointing out that these aren’t just old stories, they are relevant and the relationship between father and son and the other relationships in the play, they all ring very true. We are all living in a Shakespeare play, whether we know it for not.” n

Player Kings, 3-6 July at Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com/bristol

“ When Falstaff cries out to the audience on the battlefield, ‘Give me life!’, you imagine there are people in Gaza shouting the same ”

Sir Ian McKellen as Falstaff (and above, with Toheeb Jimoh as Prince Hal)

THE WATCH list

Mallory Jewellers review all the latest models as well as the most exciting trends from the world of fine watchmaking.

1. Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea

Rolex unveiled an original version of the Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea. This divers’ watch is presented in 18ct yellow gold for the first time and sports a 60-minute graduated Cerachrom bezel insert in blue ceramic as well as a blue lacquer dial bearing the name ‘DEEPSEA’ in powdered yellow.

Model: M136668LB-0001. £45,700.00

2. Patek Philippe Twenty~4

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Twenty~4 ladies' collection, which has become a classic of timeless elegance, Patek Philippe has introduced a new version of the quartz cuff-style model featuring a highly refined dial.

Model: 4910/1201R-010. £40,780.00

3. Patek Philippe World Time

Patek Philippe is innovating in technical terms by endowing its regular collection with the first World Time watch to feature a date display synchronized with local time.

Model: 5330G-001. £65,600.00

4.

Longines Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve

To mark the 70th anniversary of its emblematic Conquest collection and inspired by an iconic model from the late 1950s, Longines presents the new Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve. Unique in the world of watchmaking, its power reserve is displayed on rotating discs in the centre of the dial.

Model: L1.648.4.78.2. £3,500.00

5. Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT

Tudor introduced an entirely new model to the Black Bay line, the METAS-certified Black Bay 58 GMT, sporting the classic proportions of the Black Bay 58's 39mm case and fitted with Tudor’s new mid-size GMT Manufacture Calibre MT5450-U.

Model: M7939G1A0NRU-0001. £3,960.00

6. IWC Portugieser Chronograph

IWC highlighted the Portugieser’s timeless modernity with new dial colours and material combinations, emphasising elegance and infusing the models with freshness. The new dial colour ‘Dune’ captures the unique atmosphere of early evening, with its golden light of the setting sun.

Model: IW371624. £7,600.00

7. TAG Heuer Carrera

Chronograph

Paying tribute to the iconic ‘Panda' look of the sought-after Heuer 7753 SN, this distinctive timepiece blends classic allure with a bold glassbox design for a new era of racing and heritage enthusiasts.

Model: CBS2216.BA0041. £6,100.00

8. Chopard Happy Sport

The Chopard Happy Sport collection now welcomes a new luminous blue edition, featuring a dial enlivened by a ballet of dancing aquamarines and diamonds. This limited-edition timepiece comes with a 33mm diameter case in Lucent Steel™.

Model: 278608-3009. £15,200.00

9. Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40

Ombré dials make their debut on the Rolex Day-Date 40. The version presented, in 18ct Everose gold, introduces slate ombré – a completely new hue for such a dial, whose surface, coloured at the centre, progresses to a deep black around the edge.

Model: M228235-0055. £36,400.00

10. Panerai QuarantaQuattro Luna

Rossa Ti-Ceramitech™

Crafted from all-new Ti-Ceramitech™ material, this timepiece represents a culmination of seven years of research and development. Lighter than steel, yet tougher than ceramic, water resistant up to 500 meters, it is the highlight of engineering and design.

Model: PAM01466. £14,300.00

Life of Brian

Comedian Peter Serafinowicz brings his breakout sketch show character – business titan Brian Butterfield –to Bristol Beacon on 22 June, when he will impart the secrets to success in his wildly popular seminar series Call of Now Rosanna Spence caught up with the man behind the mogul…

Calling all entrepreneurs, intrepid inventors and cavalier creators… Brian Butterfield is hosting Call of Now – a tellall business seminar so that you, worthy Bristolians, may follow in his footsteps and learn such invaluable life lessons as: how to achieve the heady career height of the Lord Mayor’s croupier, how to lose weight with his infamous diet plan (ensure you have plenty of hoisin crispy owl and bonbonbonbons to hand) and why it’s important to be able to tell the difference between a quarter to three and a quarter past nine if you’re operating a speaking clock service.

Butterfield was called away to an emergency meeting mere minutes before our scheduled chat – likely something to do with his international hotel (ahem, office) running out of the printer paper used for pillows – but luckily, his omniscient creator Peter Serafinowicz was on hand to take the reins and give readers a taste of what to expect from Call of Now. Comedian Serafinowicz might have made his name on British radio and TV in the 90s, followed by numerous guest appearances on shows like Spaced, Smack the Pony, Black Books, QI, and 8 Out of 10 Cats among others, but it was his 2007 programme The Peter Serafinowicz Show that brought his Butterfield character into homes across the UK. Butterfield has now been peeled away from the security of sketch show skits for his latest UK tour Call of Now, which hits Bristol Beacon on 22 June.

Adaptable from screen to stage

When he’s not covering his face in prosthetics and donning his iconic fat suit to spread the good word about becoming the next big thing in business (and often how to miss the mark entirely) on stage, Serafinowicz

has been acting, having recently embraced his Scouse roots for roles in Netflix’s The Gentlemen and Amazon Prime’s Dead Hot Both gigs are a far cry from performing as a mediocre business messiah to the masses during an intense, two-hour stage show. So, how has he found the switch to live entertainment?

“I’d hardly done any live work at all before, apart from a little stint of stand up around 15 years ago,” Serafinowicz recalls “I was using Twitter to come up with one- and twoline jokes, and had converted them into a stand-up routine. That’s when I learned that puns don’t go down very well in a live environment! It’s really weird, because I do love a pun – sometimes I know they can be a bit ‘groany’, but when one is good, there’s nothing better. But for some reason, in a live context that rule does not apply.”

Despite being better known for screen than stage – besides a couple of plays with short runs – Serafinowicz was keen to create a live show, bringing Butterfield out of the cosy corners of YouTube and other social media platforms where he’d been residing for some time.

“I’d never done anything substantial like this, where I’ve performed a show for two hours. Talking about it now, I realise I haven’t fully appreciated that’s what I’d been doing. It seems daunting in retrospect, but at the time I wasn’t feeling that.”

Excellent time-keeping skills

There was a very quick turnaround to take Butterfield on tour, with only about four months between the initial phone call from a promoter to Serafinowicz’s brother suggesting there was a market for it, and the first show. Those weeks were crammed with fat suit fittings, prosthetics-making (from the talented Barrie Gower), script-writing, rehearsals and run-throughs. Having zero time to procrastinate paid off, with Butterfield’s first run of live appearances in autumn 2023 selling out at almost every venue.

The timing couldn’t have been better, considering it was amid the extended writers’ and actors’ strike,

Image: Brian Butterfield; credit Rory Lindsay

meaning Serafinowicz could channel all his creativity inwards, avoiding the big studios and streamers. Did he notice a difference in the process for writing for stage?

“It was scary in a way,” he says. “When you’re writing, it’s more theoretical. If you’re putting stuff out online or making videos for TikTok or YouTube, it’s a solitary, cerebral pastime. It’s made me realise that the feedback I’ve got from what I’ve done before has been in the form of comments online. That’s not the same thing as doing it in front of an audience where I’m constantly piloting the performance to deliver the show the best way I can – to hit all my cues, get the comic timing right, pronounce things correctly and keep the momentum.

“If something f***s up, you have to know how to deal with it in a way that doesn’t derail the show, and is still funny and in character – in a way that Brian would deal with it. Learning all this stuff is fascinating and I love it. You’re having to solve problems in real time.”

Strong business acumen

It’s been more than 15 years since Butterfield was last aired on the BBC, but his well-meaning, yet impractical, business acumen has lingered in many minds favourably ever since. After all, there aren’t many sketch show characters who can step into the limelight seamlessly and sell out shows across the UK after such a long time.

When asked why he thinks Butterfield’s popularity has endured, Serafinowicz alludes to writer and philosopher Mark Fisher, who believed that the internet has led to the concept of ‘no time’.

“We’ve always remixed stuff as humans to create, but the internet means that everything has permanence, everything hangs around. Our sketches on the show were born out of the arrival of YouTube, we thought ‘this is what people are going to watch on video sites.” But there’s a sense that there’s more to Butterfield than simply being in the right

place at the right time, to which Serafinowicz says, “I think there’s something about Brian’s character that is appealing – something to do with his naivety and honesty, even though he’s a businessman. His hotel might be s****y, with people sleeping in filing cabinets, but somehow, he’s always really apologetic about those things.

“Modern companies like to rip people off more and more, but then they pretend that they’re increasingly caring about you while they’re in fact doing the opposite. There’s something about that which people identify with. Brian’s uncynical too. But that means that in the show we sort of lull you into a false sense of security with him, because he’s quite sweet and innocent, but it’s good when we want to make some kind of joke or gag that has a bite to it.”

Serafinowicz describes Call of Now as a reflection of b******t corporate culture. “It’s a social satire. His businesses are severely flawed, but there’s something about Brian’s honesty that embodies the moral code a businessman was once perceived to have. Everyone’s ripped each other off since the dawn of time, but I feel like there were always firm lines you didn’t cross, and now people don’t give a f*** about them anymore.” He chuckles, admitting the show might not exactly be that to a tee, but it’s the best he can come up with.

Like all good business people, Butterfield is flexible and can apply himself in any given situation. Serafinowicz laughs when describing the character’s next potential moves – whether it’s playing the evil emperor in a Dune-like sci-fi series (much to viewers’ bewilderment), or trying to flog a football game called BIFA, only FIFA won’t let him have the rights to footballers’ names, so they all have to start with B instead.

Butterfield – we’re in. Take our money. n

Call of Now comes to Bristol Beacon Saturday 22 June at 8pm. Tickets can be purchased from bristolbeacon.org

Butterfield’s business partner Peter Serafinowicz

What’s On

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

Hamilton at Bristol Hippodrome n Until 22 June, 7.30pm with matinee Weds & Sat, 2.30pm

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

A Child of Science at Bristol Old Vic n 5 June until 6 Jul, 7.30pm with matinee Thurs & Sat, 2.30pm Bruntwood Prize-winning writer Gareth Farr’s brilliant new play tells the pioneering story of Patrick Steptoe, Robert Edwards, and Jean Purdy, and those of the army of women from all over the UK whose immense bravery helped them achieve the impossible – to create human life in vitro. Starring Tom Felton (Harry Potter), A Child of Science is about determination, dreams, hope, and courage. bristololdvic.org.uk

The Ladyboys of Bangkok n 7-22 June

The Sabai Pavilion, Durdham Downs, BS8 2XU

This 25th anniversary production has a glamorous cast of 16, in a fun-filled, outrageously funny new production, with plenty of glitz and star-spangle. The show is packed with the biggest floor fillers from your favourite music superstars, performed by the biggest showbiz divas in the world. The cabaret venue, that seats 500 guests, includes two bars, Thai street food and their very own Tuk-Tuk. ladyboysofbangkok.co.uk

Clifton & Hotwells Open Gardens n 8-9 June, 10.30am-5pm

Visit the fascinating communcal gardens hidden behind the elegant terraces of Clifton and Hotwells. Tickets cover both days and are available in advance from Eventbrite (£8) and on the day (£7) from 10.30am under the archway on Boyce’s Avenue in Clifton Village and from selected gardens listed on the website. gssg-bristol.com

Charity Lawn Bowls Afternoon n 11 June 1-3.30pm Canford Bowling Club, Canford Park, Canford Lane, BS9 3QJ

Join Harold Stephens for an afternoon of bowls, tea and cake to raise money for St Peter's Hospice! Tickets are £10 and include all refreshments, bowls coaching and a fun game. Whether you are new to bowls or a seasoned pro, it's sure to be a fun afternoon and all for a good cause. Call Amy to book your spot on 0117 3636 212 or email community@haroldstephens.co.uk

Holst The Planets and Finzi Intimations of Immortality at Bristol Beacon n 16 June, 7pm

Three of Bristol’s leading ensembles (City of Bristol Choir, Exultate Singers and Bristol Metropolitan Orchestra) and renowned tenor James Gilchrist collaborate for an unforgettable concert featuring Holst’s Planets Suite, Finzi’s Intimations of Immortality, and Hans Zimmer’s Earth. Tickets are £15 to £28 for adults, half price for under 26-year-olds (plus booking fee). bristolbeacon.org; 0117 203 4040

Grab your paddleboards and Stand Up for Safe Water!

Kings of Leon at Ashton Gate Stadium n 23 June, 5-8pm

Kings of Leon are bringing their Can We Please Have Fun world tour to Ashton Gate Stadium. Joining them on the evening will be special guests English indie rock band The Vaccines and BRIT Award winner Holly Humberstone. Tickets are on sale now and different hospitality packages are available to book. ashtongatestadium.co.uk

Howells: Hymnus Paradisi at Bristol Beacon n 29 June, 7.30pm

A summer treat focusing on love, music and nature: VaughanWilliams, Finzi and Howells are the trio of well loved British composers who feature in this concert by Bristol Choral Society. Members of the Hannover Oratorienchor will also be joining for this concert as part of an exchange visit. Tickets start from £15 and under-25s are £5. bristolchoral.co.uk

Stand Up for Safe Water

n 4 July, 1-6.30pm

Harbourside (in front of The Cottage Inn)

Frank Water’s annual stand-up paddleboarding challenge returns with its mission to alleviate global water poverty, reaching the most vulnerable communities in India, Nepal, and Kenya. Gather your crew of four and dive into the action-packed races and challenges. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams, and the best fancydressed team. Register online (entry £200, plus £200 in fundraising). frankwater.com

Bristol Pride

n 29 June-14 July

The city’s two-week Pride celebrations kick off on 29 June with a Pride Bingo Boat Party on the Prince Street Bridge Ferry (12pm and 6pm), and the Pioneers of Pride Kiki Ball! at St George’s Bristol (5-9pm). Then on 30 June there’s Queer Dating at Trinity Centre at 1.30pm and two Pride Gin Tasting Masterclasses on board the 6 O’clock Gin Glassboat (3pm and 6pm). The celebrations continue into the following month, with Pride Day officially taking place on 13 July. bristolpride.co.uk

Golden Years, Bristol Film Festival’s Clifton Summer Screenings

n 4 July, 2.50pm–4.40pm

The Mall Gardens, Clifton Village, BS8 4BH

This indie comedy following a gang of pensioners-turned-bank robbers was filmed in Bristol and surrounding region. The Hollywood Reporter says it’s “Breaking Bad meets The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”. With a stellar ensemble cast, it’s a treat for anyone who believes that life begins at 60. bristolfilmfestival.com

Portishead

Summer Show

Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 July 2024

Are you looking for somewhere local to go then why not come along to the Portishead Summer Show on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July?

The 2024 Show includes Kevin’s Community Circus, The Mini Pony Show, M & M Gundogs, Aldabra Giant Tortoises, dancing from Stepping Stones and Aspire Schools of Dance. We also have music from the Chicken Teddies and the Fab Twinsa Beatles and 60’s tribute duo as well as Punch & Judy, Children’s fun sports, bouncy castle and a Fun Dog Show.

You can purchase tickets in advance with a 20% discountsingle adult £8, weekend £12, children under 17 are free and FREE CAR PARKING.

For further information see our website www.Portisheadsummershow.com or call 07989 140367

The Flower Show Field, Clevedon Road, Portishead, BS20 7RA

The suit life

We speak to Johnny Scratchley of Bristol Sounds headliners Gentlemen’s Dub Club ahead of their performance, about why city feels like home, how the Sunday show will celebrate soundsystem culture, and those dapper suits

Turn up the bass, and don’t be fooled by the smart suits. Gentlemen’s Dub Club may be some of the best dressed men in music, but they also play to some of the wildest crowds too. This group of genre-defying gents – who skilfully weave dub, reggae, hip-hop, drum ‘n’ bass, skin-tingling brass melodies, electronica and more into each rallying tune – have been a favourite of Bristol’s music scene for the last 15 or so years.

“It’s the perfect storm,” says lead singer Johnny Scratchley (pictured below with the bright red tie) – agreeing that the genres they entwine appeal to the Bristol’s taste.

With their hands firmly plunged into the melting pot of Bristol’s musical culture, the distinct Gentlemen’s Dub Club sound feels synonymous with the city. So it was surprising to learn that the collective was founded in Leeds after its members attended university there.

Scratchley feels the same way about the band’s strong ties to Bristol: “We started in Leeds and came to play in Bristol a lot. There’s a very similar crowd here, and the same heritages seen in both cities – with strong Afro-Caribbean communities and soundsystem cultures. These are the undertones to dub, reggae and drum ‘n’ bass. Bristol is the ultimate example of that.”

With the band touring so many UK cities, he notes that you see many other places, scenes and audiences changing constantly due to revolving

student populations, but Bristol is different. “It’s one of the few cities that takes longer to change,” he says. “Obviously new things come along, but because there are so many people that really live here and aren’t leaving every three years when university’s over, it means you can build a culture and a scene. I suppose we were embraced by that scene really early on, and the support has stayed.”

Gentlemen prefer bass

Though dub and reggae often has the potential to bring positive vibes to listeners, Gentlemen’s Dub Club’s music strikes a balance between addressing rollercoaster emotions, positive reflections about life and stomping beats that stir crowds seeking a release through live music.

“There is definitely a need for positivity at the moment,” Scratchley says. “So there’s positivity and a reflection of that in everything we do. But there’s also beauty in release and that doesn’t have to be sunshine and candyfloss. When it comes to it, I quite like the release of really intense music. It helps even more than singing about ‘the good life’. I

used to call it ‘cathartic aggression’, and was feeling that at gigs and being on stage. That’s really what I get out of performing and is a big part of our music. Plus, it helps me as an individual to get the release in that way.”

If you’re looking for some speaker therapy, then Bristol Sounds’ Sunday session – which Gentlemen’s Dub Club are co-headlining with reggae punk band The Skints – should be an essential diary date. Joining them on the day are ska reggae group The Dualers, electro-reggae ensemble Dreadzone, reggae singer and keyboardist Hollie Cook (who features on Gentlemen’s Dub Club’s latest album On a Mission and is a good friend of the group), reggae musician – and another mate of the band – Kiko Bun and DJ Count Skylarkin.

Expect an all-day show overflowing with sun-soaked (well, the feeling of sunshine even if it’s drizzly) soundsystem culture and joyous festival revelry – an atmosphere Gentlemen’s Dub Club create by nature.

“Playing a festival always feels like a comfortable space for us to perform,” says Scratchley. “There’s a freedom that comes from it that you don’t really get in a club. Sometimes gigs finish too soon for the type of atmosphere that we want to create, so we wanted a show that gives people enough time to come and actually properly enjoy and relax, and really get amongst it. This Bristol Sounds show fitted into an existing idea we had of collaborating on a line-up, which felt really appealing.

“The beauty of this line-up is that we’re looking forward to seeing all of their performances. Kiko Bun is a good friend, and will be excellent. We’ve played with The Dualers a couple of times before – they’ve got good energy so that’ll be interesting to see. Dreadzone are a band we’ve

played with quite a lot over the years. They’ve got a killer vocalist Earl Sixteen, who grew up in Jamaica and is a living legend. Seeing that performance is going to be particularly special.”

Suit you, sir

Even if you couldn’t hear the music being played (unlikely, as the thundering bass is usually felt from afar), Gentlemen’s Dub Club are instantly recognisable on stage thanks to their smart attire. White shirts, ties, blazers and even the odd waistcoat bring an air of sophistication to even the muckiest of festival crowds.

But aside from the dry cleaning bills, and a decent pre-show steam iron, how does Scratchley find performing high-energy sets all year round suited and booted?

“I’ve got used to it. Obviously it would be easier and more comfortable to perform in tracksuit bottoms and a vest, but it’s really enjoyable wearing a suit. I saw a photo the other day of us playing when we had first started out and we weren’t wearing suits. We literally looked like a load of squatters who’d broken into the venue and stolen someone else’s instruments. We realised we looked terrible and thought – ‘We’re going to have to do something about this. Shall we wear suits?’.”

The fashion choice paid off, and means that Gentlemen’s Dub Club walk out on stage every time looking the business – literally.

So, Scratchley and his dapper bandmates will grace Canons Marsh Amphitheatre on Sunday 23 June with their reliably energetic, genreblending performance alongside a day-long celebration of soundsystem culture that will no doubt get the entire harbourside smiling, stomping and forgetting all about work on Monday. Miss this party if you dare. n

Bristol Sounds takes place 22-30 June at Canons Marsh Amphitheatre. Gentlemen’s Dub Club will play Sunday 23 June. Tickets are available at bristolsounds.co.uk Image credit: Fatty 35mm

Family Diary

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

Dinosaur Day

n 16 June, 11am-5pm

Berkeley Castle

Dinosaurs are back at Berkeley Castle this Fathers’ Day! Enjoy a roarsomly fun day with the special men in your life as you meet the wonderful rangers and dinosaurs. There will be appearances from a ranger riding a dinosaur throughout the day, and you will be able to get up close and personal to adorable baby dinosaurs too! Your dinosaur tickets include entrance into the castle and gardens. berkeley-castle.com

Dalek Invasion at The Helicopter Museum

n 23 June, 10am-5.30pm

The Helicopter Museum

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 and more around the park. Dinosaur Valley is the place for any dino fan to visit in the south west. Included with day entry ticket to the park. avonvalley.co.uk

Seska: Don’t Wee Your Pants

n 9 June, 2pm

The Wardrobe Theatre

Crazier than finding a penguin in your fridge, one of the UK’s funniest family-friendly comedians is back with a new bonkers show! Seska’s fast-paced, super interactive magic show sells out at festivals and arts centres, leaving audiences with a huge grin on their faces. His skills and jokes will keep mum and dad glued to the show, too. Endearing, charismatic, colorful and chaotic, comedian Seska delivers a superb show every time. thewardrobetheatre.com

Baby Tour

n 13 June, 11am-12.30pm

RWA

Baby Tours are a relaxed and informal session in a safe and comfortable space for parents/caregivers with babies (12 months and under). This is an opportunity to explore artworks without any pressure or worries about noise. In this session, you can enjoy the art in the exhibitions Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation, Rasheed Araeen: Conscious Forms and Valda Jackson: Miss Polly in the main gallery. Admission is free and booking is recommended. rwa.org.uk

To coincide with the new season of Dr Who on BBC1, The Charity Dalek Squad are heading to The Helicopter Museum with a special new interactive show. Meet the famous Daleks and other characters from Dr Who. Have your photograph taken inside the Tardis. Watch the live interactive 'Audience With The Daleks Show'. Plus Open Cockpits, Charity Stalls and lots more. helimuseum.com

Baby Book Club

n 28 June, 9am

Bristol Hippodrome

Baby Book Club takes stories from an independent book store and brings them to life with a local reader in the Bristol Hippodrome's Piano bar. Each month the story is different, with worlds to explore and discover. Tickets are per child attending (ages six months to five years), parents/guardians go free, with select coffees and teas included. atgtickets.com/bristol

Teddy Bears’ Picnic

n 29 & 30 June, throughout the day

Avon Valley Railway

All children will travel for free on this special weekend if they bring their teddy bear! Enjoy a 50-minute train ride, then back at Bitton Station enjoy magic shows, balloon modelling and face painting all included within your ticket. avonvalleyrailway.org

Dinosaur day at Berkeley Castle

Seska: Don’t Wee Your Pants

Cinema’s Great Escape

We speak to Bristol Film Festival director Owen Franklin about how showing films in unexpected places can transform the way we see our city, what people can expect from the upcoming Clifton Summer Screenings, and why there’s no room for snobbery when it comes to movie choices

It’s another golden year for the silver screen, as Bristol Film Festival returns to Clifton’s Mall Gardens for a bumper weekend of classic movies hosted in a gorgeous set-up that’s redefining outdoor cinema as we know it. The festival may be celebrating its ninth year of operation – the first weekend of events took place in March 2016 but planning began very early the year before – yet though cinema has changed a lot during this time, it remains faithful to its original mission.

“At the very core, we’ve kept the key theme that really struck a chord from year one, which was to show classic films on the big screen, but doing so in iconic Bristol landmarks, locations and venues, providing a unique experience,” explains Owen Franklin, director of Bristol Film Festival (pictured, right). “For example, when we screened Master and Commander and Titanic on board the SS Great Britain. It’s a great way for people to revisit these spaces and experience them in a different manner.

“A couple of years ago, we also hosted 350 people underneath Concorde at Aerospace Bristol watching Airplane!. Pretty much everyone there knew the film inside out and can quote lines off by heart, yet they still came to watch it. There’s something so infectious about that many people in an amazing space laughing so hard you could barely hear the film in places. The sheer energy you get from a screening like that is superb.”

Franklin also mentions a fan favourite, which is screening horror film The Descent in Redcliffe Caves at the end of the festival’s Halloween series. Watching a terrifying flick that’s set in a cave system while sitting in caves is “about as immersive as a film can get”. No wonder it’s always the first event to sell out each year.

Summer lovin’

Though its core values have stayed the same, the event has grown – with seasonal series stretching across the year and a special weekend-long programme of Clifton Summer Screenings taking up residence in the

stunning setting of the Mall Gardens from 4-7 July. After a successful inaugural event last year, Franklin has expanded the offering across an extra day, introducing another screen hosting a range of talks, short films, cult movies and Vintage Screenings (combining a film and wine tasting).

“Clifton Summer Screenings was our first venture into the world of outdoor cinema,” Franklin says. “There are of course other travelling outdoor cinemas, so we wanted to do something different.”

There are a few stand-out elements guests can expect this year, the first – and possibly most important – is the covered seating within a beautiful marquee that in the sun can have its sides pulled back so you’re surrounded with luscious foliage, and on damper days can be secured shut to keep everyone dry and cosy inside. “Straight away you’re eliminating one of the biggest risks to attending outdoor cinema events in this country.”

“We also provide headphones,” continues Franklin. “No matter where you’re sitting, you’re completely immersed with no background noise to distract you or people talking. This really helps people glue themselves to film. We’ve got Dirty Dancing and Mama Mia showing this year, and it’s a really fun way to watch a popular musical. We can tell where people are in the film due to the audience’s reaction. Last year, we had 180 people burst into song, singing I’ve Had the Time of My Life in their own little world wearing headphones, not totally realising they were surrounded by people also singing. You feel the energy with the whole audience coming together, that’s what it’s all about.”

And what good is a trip to the cinema without snacks? “We’ve teamed up with The Ivy Clifton Brasserie, who will be running a full bar and hosting a VIP hospitality venue. Luxury picnic hampers can be preordered thanks to The Mall Deli, who will also be serving snacks and confectionary on the day as well. We’re working with Lyme Bay Winery – a Devon-based producer who will be providing free tasting samples.

We also have a few wine pairing screenings with Averys Wine Merchants – like Roman Holiday with Italian wines.”

Do a double take

The films in both the main cinema (which seats 220 on a mix of deck chairs and tiered options) and ‘screen2’ (that seats 80 guests) are shown on state-of-the-art LED screens, which helps maintain quality resolution from day to night. Guests can expect a mix of the usual feel-good classics, with family-friendly flicks earlier in the day and a family-friendly matinee, as well as more niche specialist films and some cult horrors in the evening including The Wicker Man and Friday the 13th

“Having a second screen has given us the chance to expand programming to something outside of the just classic feature films,” says Franklin. “It’s really exciting and nice to find a space and run two separate programmes on the same site across the long weekend.

“Bristol Archives, for example, has helped provide footage from Blitz on Bristol – a documentary made several decades ago interviewing people who lived through it using footage from the 40s, and it rarely gets shown.

“Moving away from just doing the great Hollywood hits, we’ve also got films made in Bristol in the programme too, like Starter for 10, and Golden Years. There are other films with tangential links to Bristol, which is still a quiet appreciation of the city itself. For example, we’re showing the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, linking that into the fact that not many people know that Gene Wilder was trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School down the road.”

Culture club

Films are a precious cultural commodity – and with recent news of local cinemas closing it feels more important than ever to celebrate cinema and the joy gained from a communal viewing experience. Even if you’re not a huge film buff – the garden’s setting and added value of luxurious refreshments should entice and entertain the whole family. Franklin is proud of the broad range of films in the festival’s wider programming.

“I hate snobbery around films. Films should be what you enjoy. There is so much room for all types of film: we’ve screened a late 80s French cinéma du look film, then a week later the original Twilight. Film can move and educate, but it’s also there for entertainment as well and there’s nothing wrong with that. Film as a medium does not need to be elitist – and that’s very much the feel of our summer screenings. It’s nice to show people cult films that they don’t expect to see on the big screen again.”

Franklin notes that people are still feeling the aftershocks of the pandemic – spending time and having fun outside the home with loved ones with shared experiences is so important, perhaps even more so than owning too many items. People are seeking something different –new and exciting yet comforting too.

“This is why people return to the classics and come back to see films they know and love on the big screen, because they already have that affinity with them. There’s a nostalgic factor to what we do – if you’ve never seen a classic film this is a great way to come and experience it on the big screen rather than streaming it at home.” n

Bristol Film Festival’s Clifton Summer Screenings take place in the Mall Gardens 4-7 July. For more info and to book, visit bristolfilmfestival.com or scan the QR code.

ART and the galleries

Into the Unknown, Moish Sokal at Malthouse Gallery, 1 June–20 July

Somerset artist Moish Sokal has returned from his extended personal journey to Israel and Australia. His watercolours will go on display in June, celebrating 30 years of showing in the Malthouse Gallery of East Lambrook Manor Gardens on Saturday 1 June to 20 July in his exhibition Into the Unknown. Included in his new work are many painted scenes of his favourite countryside in Somerset.

moishsokal.co.uk; South Petherton, Somerset, TA13 5HH Image: Sunset in St George’s Park by Moish Sokal

The Changing Face by Carl Melegari at Clifton Contemporary Art, 1–13 June and 22 June–20 July

Carl Melegari’s portraits and figure paintings radiate life. Their deeply textured surfaces and muted, monochromatic palette are imbued with presence and character, balancing abstraction and the figurative. His latest collection at Clifton Contemporary Art conjures this inherent balance through powerful studies of the human face, revealing fleeting expressions and innate personality, while revelling in the sheer physicality of oil paint.

cliftoncontemporaryart.co.uk, 25 Portland Street, Clifton, BS8 4JB Image: THAIS by Carl Melegari. Painting size: 91.4 x 91.4cm oil on canvas

Horsepower at Rainmaker, until 29 June

Horsepower is an exhibition of contemporary Native American art that invites us to slow down and visualise a world without cars, not only in times past but also in the future. It asks us to consider why we are in such a hurry and what we might gain from reintroducing these beautiful creatures into our daily lives?

The show includes paintings and photography by five contemporary Native American artists: Tony Tiger (Muscogee / Sac & Fox-Seminole), Jopovi Romero (Pojoaque / Cochiti Pueblo / Santa Clara Pueblo / Ohkay Owingeh), Nocona Burgess (Comanche), Del Curfman (Apsáalooke), Eugene Tapahe (Diné) and Rick Grimster (Mvskoke).

rainmakerart.co.uk; 140 Whiteladies Road, BS8 2RS

Summer exhibitions at Royal West of England Academy, 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. 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.

Finally, Valda Jackson: Miss Polly will showcase a powerful and evocative installation by esteemed writer and artist Valda Jackson MBE RWA. This thoughtprovoking exhibition delves into the realms of neurological research and the concept of the ‘unfinished brain’.

rwa.org.uk; Queen’s Road, Clifton, BS8 1PX

Image: Rasheed Araeen, Green Diamond, 2022. Courtesy of Grosvenor Gallery

Image: ‘Paint, 2014’ acrylic on paper by Rick Grimster

Lost Memories, St Anne’s House, 14-16 June

Lost Memories is a deeply personal and honest video installation that displays screenwriter Gary Thomas’ experience of being a carer to his mother who had Alzheimer’s Disease for seven years. The installation will feature his diary entries kept throughout this time and real phone call footage, capturing the heart-breaking but also joyful moments he shared with his mother. The display will be spread across a three-screen installation in five locations across the UK, arriving at Bristol in June. garythomas.co.uk; St Anne’s House, Brislington, BS4 4AB

BS9 Arts Trail, 8–9 June

BS9 Arts Trail returns to leafy north Bristol’s Henleaze, Stoke Bishop & Westbury-on-Trym. Spread across 11 interesting venues will be artists including painters, sculptors, printmakers, ceramicists, photographers, potters, jewellery designers, glass workers, enamelists and a wood turner. All works are for sale and include items from £3 to £3,000. The venues are easy to access and all are located around the northern side of The Downs. Most of the trail’s 11 venues host multiple artists. Many venues have cafés and facilities to provide a warm welcome. bs9arts.co.uk

A Pop of Colour, featuring The Clevedon Distillery, Fizz Gallery, 29 June 12-4pm

Fizz Gallery has put together A Pop of Colour in response to the dilemma many people face when choosing the right artwork to inject energy into their interiors using a striking painting, captivating sculpture or vibrant print. The exhibition itself (on until 13 July) features more than 10 artists known for their use of bold colour palettes in affordable contemporary artwork. Fizz Gallery is also collaborating with The Clevedon Distillery on its new gin launch at a special gallery event on 29 June, where visitors can sample the new spirit while taking in the vibrant art on display.

fizzgallery.co.uk; 26 Hill Road, Clevedon, BS21 7PH

Image: Wild Poppy Bouquet, acrylic painting by Nancy Chambers

Image: Bowie Fame by Pete Humphreys, Original Mixed Media 22 X 28"

In Praise of Beauty

This summer, Arnolfini will welcome audiences into the kaleidoscopic and multidisciplinary world of Adébayo Bolaji, whose solo exhibition will explore and question notions of beauty through painting, sculpture, film and writing

Beauty, in one sense, is a narrative, an experience and a value so powerful that it can transform even the most powerful among us into the weakest in a moment,” says Bolaji. “In Praise of Beauty is creative questioning, a deliberate act of bringing beauty into focus, and an opportunity to explore, discover and rediscover its essence.”

Based upon a new body of work (commissioned by New Art Exchange in Nottingham, where the exhibition originated this spring), In Praise of Beauty includes the monumental works in acrylic and oil pastel The Vessel (2024, pictured below right) and No Beauty Without Struggle (2024, pictured below left); mixed-media series I Love You (2024); drawings and mythological-inspired sculpture with The Head of Medusa (2024).

Showing alongside is A Notebook on the Voice (2023), a film which Bolaji describes as “a scrapbook, exploring ideas on what it can mean to have a voice, to use it, or to have it used...”

For its reimagining at Arnolfini, Bolaji will also be adding a small number of new paintings and collaged works, developed over the last four months as part of his ongoing philosophical enquiry into ideas of beauty.

Bolaji reflects that: “Ideals of beauty have existed in every culture and era, [and] attaining and and sustaining these qualities sometimes becomes a cult-like status, but what are the driving forces that lead us to believe in a myth of universal beauty, despite its evolving nature?”

Working instinctively, and with what he calls “visual curiosity”, Bolaji’s work often relies upon improvisation and play, drawing upon his background in theatre and film.

Subsequently, his exhibitions often blur the lines between artwork, and interior and exterior worlds. In Praise of Beauty is no exception, encompassing the artist’s words, image and voice, and inviting us into a dialogue with the artist and each other.

Animating his own suggestion that the titles of his shows can act like a “gateway into a bigger conversation”, an accompanying poem by Bolaji winds thoughout the galleries, reminding us that “what you think remains crucial, since it is your experience… How powerful is that?” n

In Praise of Beauty will be in Arnolfini’s first-floor galleries from 29 June until 29 September 2024, accompanied by a programme of live events and workshops; arnolfini.org.uk

Expert opinion

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

The Winner Takes it All

The world of antiques and fine art might, at first sight, seem a long way from the high octane glamour of the music industry. Occasionally, however, worlds collide. From Elvis and rockabilly to The Beatles, Rolling Stones, reggae, and Heavy Metal – die-hard fans have been known to part with eyewatering sums to secure something connected to their idols, with the result that music memorabilia frequently rocks the rostrum.

So, it was with mounting excitement that on one of Clevedon Salerooms’ popular valuation days I recently took delivery of a framed platinum disc of Waterloo by Swedish supergroup Abba. As all fans of Eurovision know, this was the song that won the 1974 Song Contest held that year in Brighton, and which set the band on the road to worldwide domination. This year saw the 50th anniversary of that momentous event

and a slew of retrospective documentaries and events have catapulted the Swedish songsters back into the headlines. All in all, a propitious time to sell Abba related memorabilia. This particular disc was issued in recognition of the 750,000th sale of their Eurovision winner and first UK hit single. Arriving at one of Clevedon’s ever-popular Monday valuations, it had spent most of its recent history in a carrier bag and was being sold to make more space. The focus of much pre-sale interest, it came to auction almost exactly 50 years after Agnetha, Benny, Bjorn and Anni-Frid took to the Eurovision stage in their glitter, sequins and platform boots. Auctioneer Marc Burridge, eschewing the glitter and sequins (but not the boots), then oversaw a battle of Waterloo-sized proportions between two bidders who were willing to Take a Chance, which eventually saw the winner take it all, for the extraordinary sum of £1,800. This impressive result might lead some to exclaim ‘Mamma Mia’! but to which we can only say: ‘Thank you for the Music’. ■ clevedonsalerooms.com; @chrisyeo_antiques (Instagram)

Sunflowers by MarysFedden

Two Lengths of Chinese 100 Boys Silk, 17/18th Century.

California dreaming

Recommendations

by Tom Bleathman from The Great Wine Co.

California is home to some of the world’s most expensive wines, but great value can still be found. Based just outside Sacramento, Bogle has been imported by us for more than 20 years. They offer richer style whites and big, juicy reds which are always crowd-pleasing. It’s a great time to buy Bogle as they’re all on offer from 4 June to 1 July at The Great Wine Co. Below are my three favourites from the range.

Discover more at greatwine.co.uk

Bogle Chardonnay 2021 is our best-selling Bogle wine, offering plenty of beautiful, juicy ripe pear and nectarine fruit cradled in gently toasted oak with layers of flavour and texture. The palate is filled with deliciously creamy, buttery notes, and the oak adds an intriguing spicy complexity. There is perfectly balanced acidity, which ensures a clean, fresh finish that makes you eager for another sip. A superb wine. £15.50 to £16.65

Packed full of bright raspberry and blackberry fruit, Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel 2021 is a great option for the British BBQ. Hints of spiced chocolate integrate well with fruit that is luscious and silky on the palate, with a black pepper backbone that gives structure and weight. Value for money for those who like more full-bodied reds. £16.65 to £18.85

The grapes for Juggernaut Pinot Noir 2021 are sourced from the premium area of Russian River Valley. It has aromas and flavours of red cherries and cranberries, with hints of fragrant wood and vanilla cream. Super-soft and silky in texture, with juicy fruit, gentle acidity, and soft tannin, this is an effortlessly enjoyable wine. Juggernaut is the name of Bogle’s selections from special vineyard sites, offering a step up in concentration from their estate reds, while maintaining their approachable style. £27.50 to £33

FOOD & DRINK NEWS

KIBOU introduces new set menu and takes culinary journey around Japan

KIBOU Japanese Kitchen & Bar in Clifton has launched a new Japanese set lunch menu featuring some of the restaurant’s best-loved dishes. The menu has one (£12.50) and two-course options (£18.50), and is available for bookings or walk-ins every Monday to Friday from 12pm to 3.30pm.

The restaurant is also inviting guests to join the team on a culinary trip to Japan with the launch of its Passport to Japan campaign, running until the end of October

Each month, the restaurant is focusing on a different region of Japan, with a range of food and drink specials that tap into each area. June will see the team ‘travel’ to Sapporo. The special cocktail is The Winter Olympics – to celebrate Sapporo as the host of the 1972 Games. This drink (in association with House of Suntory) brings in a cosy slice of winter drinking in the height of summer, and features Yamazaki Distillers Reserve, Courvoisier, Kirin Ichiban and pineapple. kibou.co.uk

Bristol Beer Factory announces big move

Bristol Beer Factory (BBF) is upping sticks and moving from its beloved Victorian home to an innovative, future-focused location just 1km away from its current home in the heart of south Bristol (BS3), providing much-needed space for sustainable growth and innovation. By investing in state-of-the-art equipment and embracing modern practices, BBF aims to reduce its environmental footprint on a per litre basis, aligning with its ambitious goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.

The expanded capacity of the new site, capable of producing up to 30,000 hectolitres annually, will enable BBF to create more job opportunities within the local community. Any increase in production will increase the funds allocated back to the brewery’s home city and the people in it. The team will move into the new brewing premises by the end of 2024. The Tap Room and head office, however, will remain on the current site. bristolbeerfactory.com

The Granary launches seven-dish tasting menu for two

The Granary, an all-day dining destination located on Welsh Back by the harbourside, has just launched Taste of The Granary, which is a tasting menu comprising of seven dishes to share between two people for £45.

Dishes include ezme, fire-braised tomatoes, pickled chilli, and persian spice served with fresh raw vegetables on ice; Bath blue cheese, bitter leaves, pear, walnut and sourdough flatbread; ciderbrined boneless fried chicken, brown sugar buffalo sauce, and blue cheese; blackened courgette, crispy chilli oil and garlic yoghurt; lamb kofta, mint and coriander chutney, hung organic and West Country yoghurt; slow-cooked aubergine, makhani dahl, preserved tomatoes and crispy buckwheat; and a sweet dessert of chocolate mousse, fudge and caramac ice cream.

A wine pairing menu is also available, priced at £20 per person.

The Granary says its menu is dedicated to “uncomplicated comfort food bursting with flair and imagination.

“We believe in treating outstanding produce with the utmost care, using only the very best, fresh ingredients sourced from our handpicked suppliers and artisans.

“We capture ingredients at their peak, bringing you dishes that strike the perfect balance between simplicity and deliciousness.” granarybristol.com

Afternoon tea & treats

For celebrations, get-togethers or one of those springtime treats that are just a sheer delight – the tradition of taking afternoon tea is tops. So, raise a pinkie and indulge yourself with a trip to one of Bristol’s finest hotels or tearooms

ASHWELL & CO

32 Alma Vale Road, Bristol BS8 2HY

Tel: 0117 904 2898 Web: ashwellandco.com

Ashwell & Co invites you to experience one of Bristol's quirkiest afternoon tea destinations. Nestled within a vintage boutique, they offer a unique setting complemented by exceptional service. Handmade and locally sourced, their afternoon teas promise a traditional experience with a twist. From their artisan bakes to their signature homemade clotted cream, every detail is carefully curated to delight their guests. Join them on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays for a memorable afternoon tea experience, or enjoy their takeaway and delivery options. They also offer bespoke party packages to elevate any celebration. Prices start from £28 per person. Indulge in an unforgettable afternoon with Ashwell & Co.

KIBOU

Clifton Arcade, 16 King's Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4AB; Web: kibou.co.uk

For something a little different, why not try a Japanese-inspired afternoon tea? Arriving on an eye-catching three-tiered stand, this stunning afternoon tea includes tasters of many of Kibou’s most popular dishes, plus there’s a vegetarian option too. Think tempura prawn California roll, salmon tataki with mango salsa and sea bream nigiri, followed by signature yuzu cheesecake and Japanese garden tartlets, mochi ice cream and traditional custard dorayaki with strawberry compôte. Priced at just £19 per person for the vegetarian version and £23 per person for the classic, this elegant afternoon tea comes with a choice of Japanese teas and infusions. Or you can opt for one of the accompanying drinks packages, including a glass of Taittinger Brut Réserve Champagne, signature Kibou cocktail or Junmai Tokubetsu sake. A stylish way to spend the afternoon and a great gift idea. Must be pre-booked, available from 2pm to 4pm Sunday to Friday.

DE VERE TORTWORTH COURT

Wotton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire GL12 8HH Tel: 01454 263000; Web: devere.co.uk/tortworth-court

Set within the picturesque countryside of South Gloucestershire, De Vere Tortworth Court is a four-star hotel housed within a Grade II-listed Victorian mansion, offering a unique setting to enjoy afternoon tea. Afternoon tea is served in the 1853 Restaurant, featuring elegant oak panelling and ornate furnishings, or in the summer months take tea al fresco tea on the Terrace, with sweeping views over the manicured gardens. Enjoy a selection of finger sandwiches, scones and seasonal cakes with a range of Twinings tea, fruit infusions and coffee. Traditional afternoon tea is £30 per person, sparkling afternoon tea is £39 per person and a Champagne afternoon tea is £44 per person. Served Monday to Friday 2pm to 3.45pm, then on Saturday and Sunday 12.30pm to 3.45pm.

BERWICK LODGE HOTEL

Berwick Drive, Bristol BS10 7TD Tel: 0117 958 1590; Web: berwicklodge.co.uk

On the outskirts of Bristol, set in 18 acres of stunning grounds, is Berwick Lodge – a proudly independent boutique hotel, 2 AA Rosette restaurant and event space that prides itself on offering a warm and attentive service within a peaceful and cosy countryside setting. Enjoy your afternoon tea al fresco in the gardens and woodland overlooked by the magnificent Victorian manor house, or take a seat in the lounge, a beautiful woodpanelled room with feature fireplace and views of the grounds beyond. An indulgent traditional afternoon tea for £30.95 includes sandwiches, cakes, freshly baked scones, topped with lashings of fragrant jam and gooey clotted cream, accompanied by unlimited Wogan coffee and PMD speciality tea. For an extra special treat, why not upgrade for an additional £7 to the signature ‘Berwick’, with extra savoury delights or indulge in a glass of crisp Champagne for £12? With dietary requirements catered for just as lovingly in advance, and with a children’s afternoon tea for £11.50, there is something for everyone.

THE BRISTOL

The River Lounge and River Grille at The Bristol Prince Street, Bristol BS1 4QF Tel: 0117 923 0333; Web: doylecollection.com/bristol

The Bristol’s highly popular G&Afternoon Tea celebrates the best of Bristol creators and artisans in partnership with legendary street artist SP:Zero, Bird & Blend Tea and Bristol Dry Gin. Sink into a sumptuous armchair and watch the world go by as you indulge in classics like freshly-baked scones served with jam and Cornish clotted cream, finger sandwiches and sweet treats, alongside teainfused cocktails. With vegan, diary-free and gluten-free options available on request, there is something for everyone to indulge in. Enjoy the classic offering with a wide range of herbal teas and barista coffee for £25 per person, add a G&Tea Cocktail or a glass of Rathfinny English Sparkling Wine for an additional £12 per person. Available Thursday to Saturday, 12.30pm to 4.30pm.

NO.4 CLIFTON VILLAGE

The Rodney Hotel, 4 Rodney Place, Clifton, Bristol BS8 Tel: 0117 970 6869; Web: no4cliftonvillage.co.uk

No.4 Clifton Village in Clifton offers a unique blend of luxury and tradition with its exquisite, recently refurbished interiors and a focus on seasonal ingredients and fine dining. The proudly independent venue features a tranquil walled garden, making it ideal for special meals and events. Guests can enjoy an afternoon tea experience with artisan cocktails and locally-sourced loose leaf teas, alongside a selection of sweet and savoury treats. The tea can also be enjoyed al fresco in the peaceful secret garden, where guests can try their hand at a selection of lawn games. The venue is also particularly popular with families celebrating graduation, as they offer free glasses of prosecco to all Bristol graduates!

BROWNS BRASSERIE & BAR

38 Queens Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1RE

Tel: 0117 930 4777; Web: browns-restaurants.co.uk

Come to Browns Bristol and treat yourself to the team’s traditional afternoon tea, served every day from 3pm to 5pm.. Savour the delicious Victoria sponge cake, delectable savouries, warm scones with seasonal jams, and irresistible mini cakes and puddings. Sandwiches (on sesame multi-grain bread) include ham and Dijon mustard, cheddar and Bramley apple chutney, heritage hen egg mayo; and brioches rolls filled with smoked salmon and cream cheese, and prawn and baby gem lettuce.

Enjoy with a selection of Good Earth teas, a chilled glass of Champagne, or one of the fabulously decadent seasonal cocktails. Browns also proudly offers a bespoke gluten-free afternoon tea, accredited by Coeliac UK.

HARVEY NICHOLS

27 Philadelphia Street, Quakers Friars, Cabot Circus, Bristol BS1 3BZ

Tel: 0117 916 8898; Web: harveynichols.com

Experience a spring afternoon tea at Harvey Nichols’ Second Floor Restaurant, full of new season flavours and locallysourced ingredients. Featuring mouthwatering savouries and hand-crafted sweet treats created by Edible Art Patisserie founder Damien Wager, enjoy with unlimited hot drinks and an optional glass of Champagne. Choose from the vegan or signature afternoon tea. Available from Monday to Saturday, 12pm to 4pm and on Sundays 12pm to 3.30pm at £35 per person, or £45 with a glass of Harvey Nichols Champagne. Afternoon tea and unlimited Champagne is £100.

THE AZTEC HOTEL & SPA

Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol BS32 4TS Tel: 01454 201090; Web: aztechotelbristol.co.uk

Beautifully presented and served on a tiered cake stand, the artisanal sandwiches include West Country Keens cheddar and red onion marmelade, Severn and Wye smoked salmon, Somerset cider-glazed Wiltshire ham with mustard mayo, and Burford brown free-range egg mayonnaise with Evesham watercress. Leave room for heaven-sent desserts, such as tiramisu choux au craquline, a salted caramel and chocolate tea cake, and blackberry Viennese whirl. The freshly-baked Devon buttermilk scones served with strawberry preserve and Cornish clotted cream are the cherry on top. Spa packages including afternoon tea are also available, as well as sparkling and Champagne options, plus a children’s menu.

Image: Ben Carpenter

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

Our 4 star Coastal Hotel could not be better located on the water’s edge.

Luxury Balcony, Terrace Rooms & Suites all have private outdoor seating & sun loungers.

Our 2 Rosette Restaurant offers 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

Late Availability offers

Check our website for ‘Offers’ and ‘Late Availability’ offering a generous rate discount and room upgrade where possible, subject to availability.

3 Magnificent Parks... 1 Spectacular Gower

Escape the urban hustle this summer and journey towards the captivating allure of the Gower Peninsula, where three Premier Leisure Parks await your arrival. Just a brief two-hour drive from Bristol, yet it feels a world away from the rest of the UK. Discover your home away from home today!

Premier Leisure Parks offers three spectacular, family-owned and operated holiday home parks to suit everyone’s needs. They are more than just a place to stay; they’re a gateway to the myriad wonders of Gower. All three Parks are situated on the most sought after, picturesque landscape the UK has to offer. Delve deep into the mysteries of ancient castles, hike the undulating coastal paths, rediscover historical landmarks, or simply bask in the sun on the golden beaches. The Gower Peninsula was the first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has the same protection as a National Park – only 13 in the entire UK to be exact. This precious landscape – with distinctive character and limestone coastline, along with its vast diversity of natural habitats, saltmarshes and award-winning beaches – is so outstanding, that it’s protected for future generations.

As a family-run business, Premier Leisure Parks prides itself on offering top of the line, deluxe Holiday Homes and Luxury Lodges from award-winning UK manufactures, such as ABI, Swift and Willerby.

Whiteford Bay

Overlooking the beautiful cliffs of the Bay, Whiteford Bay Premier Leisure Park stretches all the way up to Whiteford Sands and to the mouth of the Loughor Estuary –where the only remaining wavewashed cast iron lighthouse in the UK remains. The Park also presents some of the most breath-taking sunsets and captivating coastlines you’ve ever seen.

This is the largest of the three Premier Leisure Parks, yet it conveys a huge sense of peaceful charm and commends itself on the generations of family who have owned holiday homes here; setting the feeling of a safe and welcoming community. Because there is no public parking for the beach, Whiteford Bay is primarily enjoyed by locals and holiday home owners. So, even in the height of summer, you will be sure to find a quiet spot to enjoy. This hidden gem offers a large children’s adventure playground, along with a zipline and hiking trails, as well as an onsite laundry facility which makes this park an ideal choice for families. With a local village pub and restaurant, shop and café, all within walking distance to the village of Llanmadoc, everyone is sure to find peace and enjoyment here.

Green Meadow

With spectacular, panoramic views sweeping all the way across the Bristol Channel, Green Meadow is placed on the edge of Oxwich Bay and exhibits some of the highest quality Holiday Homes in the Gower Peninsula. Some significant investment has gone into the redevelopment of Green Meadow over the last few years, as Premier Leisure Parks continues to uphold its impressive reputation for exceptional standards.

The latest redesign of the front-row pitches – which have been positioned along the crest of the cliffs of Slade Bay, showcase their exciting collection of brand-new, premium, Luxury Lodges with uninterrupted sea views and are ready to enjoy!

Green Meadow is within walking distance to the third Premier Leisure Park, Greenways of Gower; both just a walk down the hill to Swansea’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, (The Beach House), as well as a charming seasonal shop and café with outdoor dining and beach parking. Why not make Green Meadow your little piece of paradise?

Greenways Of Gower

Upon reaching the top of Oxwich, nestled among the rolling green fields of wildlife and overlooking the beautiful Oxwich Bay, the illustrious Cefn Bryn (home of the King Arthur Stone) and the notable Oxwich Castle, stands Greenways of Gower –the heart of Premier Leisure Parks. Oxwich is recognised for its stunning panoramic landscapes of the surrounding countryside, historic monuments and enchanting views all the way to the Brecon Beacons. Being a popular destination for hikers, nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts, those who want a taste of the outdoors, will have plenty to see and do here. Additionally, there is a children’s recreation area, with large adventure playground, laundrette, 24-hour monitored boatstorage and not to mention an award-winning shower facility with underfloor heating, an additional laundry room, food freezer and hot drinks vending machine.

It’s no surprise that Greenways of Gower has been awarded a number of Swansea Bay Tourism Awards, as well as several David Bellamy Conservation awards throughout the years. Away from the main Holiday Home area, there are six camping fields that spread out at the top end of the Park, offering campers captivating views and tranquil stays.

Each Holiday Home and Luxury Lodge on Greenways of Gower has been carefully selected and many have their own custom decking and skirting –which adds to the high standards and exceptional quality of this award-winning park. No detail has been missed; from the way they are individually positioned on their own private pitch, (in order to maximise the remarkable beauty of their surroundings), to the way the grounds are meticulously landscaped, Greenways of Gower offers a wide variety of brand-new and previously loved holiday homes for purchase, to suit everyone’s budget. n

Please visit the website premierleisureparks.com for a complete list of current availability across all three of the parks. The team looks forward to welcoming you soon!

Bristol at work

LOCAL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATION UPDATES

Meet Bristol Beacon’s new chief executive

Bristol Beacon, has announced that Simon Wales is to become the music charity’s new chief executive from August, taking over from current chief executive Louise Mitchell, who is due to step down this summer after 12 years in post.

Wales is an experienced arts and cultural leader who has led music and heritage organisations and instigated cultural and commercial change across his career. In his current role as chief executive of Stowe House Preservation Trust – a charity that raises funds and provides public access to the historic buildings at Stowe School – Wales has overseen the growth in audiences and income, created a public arts programme based at Stowe School, and planned the next phase of restoration projects as part of a £25 million overall programme. As well as many other impressive roles in the industry, Wales has also been a trustee of various charities and is currently chair of Motionhouse, a dance circus company based in Leamington Spa that performs across the UK and the world. bristolbeacon.org

Fashion’s next ‘one to watch’?

Bristolian fashion designer, 19-year-old Dex Durrant, is launching his own clothing brand from 30 May. By Dex Durrant aims to make luxury clothes more afforable and accessible for people. His passion for clothes began aged 12, then two years later he started working at Jacobs Stores on Park Street. He’s becoming a more familiar face in the indusry, so watch this space... bydexdurrant.com @bydexdurrant

A Productions creates new animations for Sesame Street

Sesame Workshop, the global impact non-profit behind Sesame Street, has announced the launch of a multi-platform initiative to support the emotional wellbeing of young people and families, with a series of videos featuring favourite Sesame Street friends, three of which have been animated by Bristol-based A Productions.

The new resources, designed to support the emotional wellbeing of young children, include a range of activities, a series of new bi-lingual videos and a digital story book. A Productions provided animation services for three of the videos available now on sesame.org – Brain Food, Bedtime Meltdown, and Twiddlebugs Get Moving – which address the connection between mental and physical health with a focus on nutrition, sleep and movement. aproductions.co.uk

Fertility clinic appoints new consultant

Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM) has appointed a new consultant gynaecologist and subspecialist in reproductive medicine and surgery. Dr Guy Morris (pictured, left) joins the clinic’s Aztec West team. He brings a wealth of expertise in fertility preservation, reproductive endocrinology, and male factor subfertility to the role. Morris, who also works in the gynaecology department at North Bristol NHS Trust, says he is keen to raise awareness of male subfertility in his new role. fertilitybristol.com

What’s your “number”? How to find your answer to the most important financial question

Your “number” refers to the amount of money you need to achieve financial independence and retire.

Although multiple factors determine your number, you can boil it down to two questions:

•When do you want to retire?

•How much income will you need in retirement?

Deciding when you want to retire will likely affect how much income you have in your retirement.

When it comes to how much you will need, there are several expenses to consider:

•Regular expenditure

•Big expenses

•Care costs

•Inheritance

You might then consider some unknown factors that will influence your retirement income, like life expectancy, market performance, and inflation.

A financial planner can use cashflow modelling to map your expenses against different future scenarios.

Knowing how much is “enough” for you could mean you can retire earlier than expected.

If you’re still unsure, the safe withdrawal rate can guide how much you withdraw from your retirement fund each year. The method recommends you only withdraw a small percentage of your portfolio each year. It is best to determine your rate by working with a financial planner.

We can help to ensure your desired retirement age, savings, and income align. 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.

Poetry in motion

The experts at Gloucester Road Books share their top poetry picks for June, and you can even meet two of the authors in person at the shop this summer

Conflicted Copy, Sam Riviere

Published by Faber & Faber (6 June)

£15.99

In his new collection, award-winning poet Sam Riviere steps into the murky territory of AI by using it as a source for writing the collection. Having worked with found content and processes in the past, here he used an open source neural network to produce poems that speak of very human uncertainties, fears and desires. Riviere will also be joining us in the bookshop to read from Conflicted Copy and discuss his collection on 18 July with BBC4 radio and podcast producer Mair Bosworth.

Wrong Norma, Anne Carson

Published by Vintage Publishing. £14.99. For fans of Anne Carson Wrong Norma marks the end of an eight-year wait for new work in print, and for those new to her, it is an accessible, playful, and eversurprising introduction into one of the most unique poetry and prose writers alive. The stunning collection also brings together pieces previously published in The New Yorker and The Paris Review among others, as well as original material on an array of themes that are unlinked and therefore mischievously entitled ‘wrong’ by Carson.

Fantasia, Nisha Ramayya

Published by Granta (1 August)

£12.99

This is one we're hugely excited to read. We're also delighted that the Nisha Ramayya will be joining us to read from her collection, and discuss her work, on 18 July. Fantasia draws on the music of Alice Coltrane (wife of John Coltrane, but more importantly a brilliant harpist, and altogether extraordinary jazz musician in her own right) for this, her second collection.

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

The Process of Poetry, edited by Rosanna McGlone. Published by Fly On the Wall Press, £10.99 This is a truly essential book for anyone who would like to read poetry, would like to read more poetry, would like to write poetry, or really anyone who wants fascinating insights into how poems are created. The book presents poems from a broad array of contemporary poets, and also includes an early draft of the poem, and an interview with the poet about how they took the work from the draft to the final version. Absolutely enthralling.

WHY VOTE?

Homo is so idiotic that he carries on voting every five years to choose between the plague and the cholera. If he didn’t, elections would be draws that cannot be resolved by penalties. This would force an upgrade of our Idiocracy into a Democracy. Please enjoy reading:

By JAMES d’ORAN

Education matters

NEWS FROM THE CITY’S LEARNERS & LEADERS

Redmaids' High School students win national physics title

Three Year 13 students from Redmaids' High School have won a national accolade at the British Physics Olympiad Awards. Their investigation in the Experimental Project category had already won a gold award earlier in the year for its exceptional standard, an accomplishment only achieved by a small percentage of submissions.

The students attended the prestigious Royal Society in London, where their entry was recognised as the winning project nationally. The Experimental Project supports practical physics for students in schools. It encourages students to work together to plan and undertake open-ended experiments and independent research and communicate their findings.

Catherine, Daisy and Sarah investigated the motion of a slinky under gravity. Their findings showed that the upward force on the bottom slinky ring would have to be the same magnitude as gravity. To prove this, they analysed the fall of the slinky, including the displacement, speed and acceleration. redmaidshigh.com

School rowing programme launched

A new rowing programme is being launched within state schools across Bristol to develop opportunities for young people in the area.

Active Row Bristol (part of London Youth Rowing) will create opportunities for children who may not have had the chance to take part in rowing before. With a focus on people from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds or those with disabilities, the programme will help young people from Bristol build fitness and life skills through the sport of rowing, both indoor and on water. londonyouthrowing.com

University of Bristol course helps today’s leaders progress their career

Applications are being accepted for the University of Bristol’s part-time MSc in Strategy, Change and Leadership. This challenging and rewarding programme –delivered through a total of 16 work days and six Saturdays across two years – is designed for those aspiring to, or holding senior manager and leadership positions and will fit around the demands of a busy, professional leadership role.

This bespoke master’s degree in strategy, change and leadership is aimed at providing senior managers with the tools and techniques they need to navigate their organisations through demanding times by understanding organisational complexity and issues affecting success; improving the ability to manage change and uncertainty; making better choices about growth and strategic direction; and increasing overall leadership impact.

Programme manager Cheralyn Baines-Dark (pictured above) says: “We are delighted to be recruiting our 12th cohort of executive students to this successful and practical master’s programme. Excellent leadership is vital when facing a challenging and uncertain future, and organisations from all industries recognise the importance of investing in their future leaders and managers by developing their management and leadership teams in unpredictable times. This practical master’s degree offers value for money and will offer a return on investment from day one.”

Lessons are highly interactive including mini-lectures, case studies, practical exercises, personal reflection and group work. Informal networking is a key benefit of the programme. For people wanting to know more information, there is an online event taking place on Wednesday 12 June from 6pm to 6.45pm.

There are limited places available, so if you would like to have a chat about the programme, or to book onto the online webinar taking place this month, please contact Cheralyn Baines-Dark by phone 01179546694; or email mgmt-scl@bristol.ac.uk

To find out more, or to apply for September 2024 entry, please visit bristol.ac.uk/strategy-change-leadership-2024

Catherine, Daisy and Sarah with their awards

Education matters

NEWS FROM THE CITY’S LEARNERS & LEADERS

Volunteer schoolreaders needed to improve child literacy

According to children’s literacy charity Schoolreaders, one in four children leave primary school unable to read to the expected standard. This will have a negative impact on their secondary education and future life chances. That’s why Schoolreaders is recruiting volunteers across England to listen to children read in primary schools. If you have some time to spare, a good grasp of written English, and if you enjoy spending time with children, you could become a schoolreader.

Volunteers are asked to listen to children read once a week in term time and to commit to a full academic year, though of course holidays and weeks off on occasion are no issue.

This is a fantastic opportunity for retirees, and will have a lasting impact on the next generation. For 10 years, Schoolreaders has placed volunteers in local primary schools providing one-to-one weekly reading support to disadvantaged children. In those 10 years, the charity has provided more than 2 million one-to-one reading support sessions. There’s also still time to join the Race for Reading campaign (ending 24 June), by running, cycling, swimming, or even walking your dog to help the organisation make it around the world in 80 days, and raise some funds to get more children reading. All the miles are combined and together, fundraisers will ‘journey’ around the globe in 80 days and make a world of difference to children’s literacy and life chances.

If you’re able to spare just an hour a week to listen to children read, you can help change their life story, so to find out more and apply, visit the charity’s website. schoolreaders.org

Image credit: Thirdman

Bee positive!

Charlotte and Shaun Prescott from the Bath Beekeeping Association are seriously enamoured with bees. They tell us the story of bees, particularly the honey bee, and how much both we and the environment rely on them...

Wesimply­would­not­be­able­to­survive­without­bees. They­are­crucial­to­our­physical­health­and­the health­of­the­wider­environment.­Without­bees (and­thousands­of­other­insect­species),­it­wouldn’t be­long­before­our­ecosystem­collapsed.­Bees pollinate­our­wild­trees­and­wild­flowers,­which­then­support­other insects,­which­then­support­birds,­bats,­mammals­and­everything­up­the food­chain­with­food­and­shelter.

Almost­90%­of­wild­plants­and­75%­of­leading­global­crops­depend on­animal­pollination.­One­out­of­every­three­mouthfuls­of­our­food depends­on­pollinators­such­as­bees­and­crops­that­depend­on­pollination are­five­times­more­valuable­than­those­that­do­not.­While­there­are­other methods­of­pollination­–including­by­other­animals­and­the­wind­–wild bees­can­pollinate­on­a­much­bigger­and­more­efficient­scale.­Estimates suggest­it­would­cost­UK­farmers­an­astounding­£1.8­billion­a­year­to pollinate­their­crops­manually.

Species of bee

Incredibly,­there­are­over­20,000­known­species­of­bees­in­seven recognised­biological­families­around­the­world.­Some­species­including

honey­bees,­bumblebees,­and­stingless­bees­live­socially­in­colonies­while most­species,­including­mason­bees,­carpenter­bees,­leafcutter­bees­and sweat­bees,­are­solitary.

There­are­more­than­250­species­of­bee­in­the­UK­and­24­of­these­are bumblebees.­­One­species,­the­European­honey­bee­(Apis mellifera),­lives in­the­UK.­These­farmed­bees­have­been­introduced­by­beekeepers­and housed­in­hives,­rather­than­being­native­to­our­shores.

Honey­bees­are­the­highest­form­of­insect­life;­they­live­in­a­wellorganised­colony­that­does­not­need­to­hibernate.­They­produce­honey and­store­it­in­wax­comb­and­use­the­same­hive­every­year.

The­three­types­of­honey­bees­in­a­hive­are­a­single­queen­(eggproducers),­thousands­of­worker­bees­(non-reproducing­females),­and drones­(males­whose­duty­is­to­find­and­mate­with­a­queen;­they­do­no work,­and­in­the­early­autumn­they­are­evicted­by­the­female­workers­and die).­Unlike­the­worker­bees,­drones­do­not­sting.­Honey­bee­larvae­hatch from­eggs­in­three­to­four­days.­They­are­then­fed­by­worker­bees­and develop­through­stages­in­hexagonal­beeswax­cells.­Cells­are­capped­by worker­bees­when­the­larva­pupates.­Queens­and­drones­are­larger­than workers,­so­require­larger­cells­to­develop.

Annual life cycle of a honey bee colony

The­typical­population­of­a­bee­colony­is­a­whopping­35,000–50,000 honey­bees.­The­colony­typically­follows­a­recurring­annual­cycle­over the­four­seasons:

• Spring (March to May) –with­the­days­growing­longer,­the­queen steadily­increases­her­rate­of­egg­laying,­the­population­is­growing­fast and­the­drones­begin­to­appear.­As­the­weather­improves,­the­early blossoms­are­around­and­the­worker­bees­begin­to­bring­pollen­into­the hive.­­Towards­the­end­of­spring,­the­colony­is­increasingly­active.­Nectar and­pollen­begin­to­come­into­the­hive­thick­and­fast­and­the­queen will­be­reaching­her­greatest­rate­of­egg­laying.

• Summer (June to August) –the­colony­will­be­teeming­with­bees and­this­is­when­bees­will­be­most­likely­to­swarm­if­not­managed

correctly. The queen’s rate of egg laying will drop as the season progresses and the main honey flow will be under way. Towards the end of the summer the colony’s growth will be diminishing. Drones are still around, but activity outside the hive begins to slow down as the nectar flow slows.

• Autumn (September to November) –the drones may begin to disappear in September as the hive population begins to drop. The queen’s egg-laying rate is dramatically reduced as the colony is hunkering down for the forthcoming winter. In November, the cold weather will send the honey bees into a cluster inside the hive.

• Winter (December to February) –the queen is surrounded by thousands of her workers. She is in the midst of their winter cluster and there is little activity, except on a warm day when the workers will make cleansing flights. There are no drones in the hive, but some worker broods will begin to appear.

The bees will consume a considerable amount of stored honey. As the daylight hours begin to get longer again towards the end of December, the queen (still cosy in the cluster) will begin to lay a few more eggs each day. It is still ‘females only’ in the hive until the drones begin to appear again around March.

Bee flight facts

• The distance each bee flies in its life is astonishing. It is possible for forager bees to fly about three miles for food –however an average distance would be less than a mile from the hive. A strong colony therefore flies the equivalent distance from Earth to the Moon every day.

• The normal top speed of a worker is about 15–20mph (21–28km/h) when flying to a food source, and about 12mph (17km/h) when returning with nectar, pollen and propolis (resin collected from tree buds) or water.

Threats to the honey bee

There are a number of threats affecting bees, some more serious than others. These include habitat loss, pests and diseases, extreme weather, competition from invasive species, climate change and the use of some pesticides. The most alarming threat to honey bees in the UK right now is the potential arrival to mainland Britain of the Asian Hornet. We can all help beekeepers by being aware of them, keeping an eye out and reporting them using the app available via gov.uk.

The art of beekeeping

Beekeeping can be a meditative and calming activity –the gentle hum of bees and the rhythmic motions of tending to the hive can be a relaxing way to unwind. Beekeeping can also be a social activity, and many beekeepers join local associations and branches.

The British Beekeeping Association (BBKA) was founded in 1874. The BBKA represents around 30,000 beekeepers and works to support education around honey bees, while actively campaigning to raise awareness of threats to pollinators.

If you are interested in taking up beekeeping contact either the BBKA Avon Association or the Bristol branch for advice and consider becoming a member. The Bristol branch has members ranging from novice beekeepers to master beekeepers. It caters for all ages holding informal and relaxed gatherings at its training apiary for those either interested or new to beekeeping. Taster Days are ideal for obtaining a basic understanding of bees and what is involved in beekeeping.

You do not need to be a beekeeper to support honey bees. We can all do our bit to help bees, whether that is in our gardens, balconies, window sills or allotments.

Plant a range of flowers so bees have access to nectar from March to October. Bees love traditional cottage garden flowers and native wildflowers, like primrose, foxglove and marigolds. n bbka.org.uk; bristolbeekeepers.org.uk

The Asian Hornet

Beauty Innovators

From facial steamers and LED mirrors to beauty blenders and make up brushes, this collection of luxury hair and skincare tools from Harvey Nichols will see you master your beauty routine. Featuring the best tools of the beauty trade, these products are perfect for self-indulging or treating someone special. Whether you want to give luscious locks a lift or skin a much-needed boost, explore the full edit below. All products are available at Harvey Nichols Bristol.

FOREO LUNA™ 4 Smart Facial Cleansing & Firming Massage Device For Sensitive Skin, £269

LUNA™ 4 is the advanced 2-in-1 deep facial cleansing and firming brush the iconic and essential start of every proper daily skincare routine. The plush ultra-hygienic skin typeadjusted silicone combines with 16 adjustable intensities of T-Sonic™ pulsations offering the choice of Gentle, Regular & Deep cleansing modes. Lift away dirt oil and excess sebum in just one minute and follow with a choice range of sophisticated lower-frequency firming massage routines for fresh smooth and younger-looking skin.

SHAVATA SINGH Brow Brush £13

We like to call it the brow wand! This dual-sided tool will tame your fly aways and help set you're your brows in place for the day.

REVITALASH COSMETICS

Precision Tweezers, £20

Revitalash’s easy to grip professional grade tweezers defines brows with comfort precision to create perfectly groomed arched brows. The slightly angled tips sit comfortably against the skin. Thin edge tips provide precise hair removal. Professional grade stainless steel is suitable for frequent use. Easy-grip design allows for expert handling.

MDLONDON New In WAVE Retractable Hot Brush – Tuft Blush, £125

DR. DENNIS GROSS SKINCARE

New In DRx SpectraLite™ EyeCare Max Pro, £199

Dr. Dennis Gross’s DRx SpectraLite™ EyeCare Max Pro is the next generation LED eye treatment that provides a larger coverage area and more lights to better treat the entire eye area including crow's feet, brow bone, elevens, and undereye. This easy-to-use, hands-free device has flexible silicone, an adjustable head strap for universal fit, and the same automatic 3-minute treatment time. This FDA-cleared daily collagen building treatment repairs and firms skin, reduces deep-set wrinkles and fine lines, and smooths texture while diminishing puffiness, dark circles and uneven skin tone.

OTIS BATTERBEE

Total Face Brush Set, £50

There are some real showstoppers in Otis Batterbee’s Total Face Brush Set. Use the 101 Powder Brush to lightly mattify your loose and pressed powders. The 106 Foundation Brush is the brush that leaves foundation with a streak-free finish – the unique bristles make applying liquid and cream formulas a breeze. The 107 Dense Buffer brush is a clever little brush and perfect for blending your concealer. The set also has your eye makeup covered too; use the 108 to perfect your eyeliner game, and the 109 and 110 eye brushes to make applying colour across the eyelids a breeze.

Meet WAVE, the latest edition to the awardwinning range of mdlondon hair tools from hair expert Michael Douglas. This heated barrel brush multi-styler is turning heads across the industry. It’s what your hair has been waiting for.

BEAUTYBLENDER

Beauty Blusher Cheeky, £17.50

Add a flawless pop of colour to any look with Beauty Blusher in Cheeky Coral. Perfectly sized and designed with an innovative super-soft material, the tool blends blusher or highlighter products seamlessly over the skin for an airbrushed finish. Complete with a bright grapefruit hue this blender is an unmissable addition to your makeup collection.

SIMPLEHUMAN

12cm Sensor Mirror –Rose Gold, £129.95

simplehuman’s 12cm Sensor Mirror lights up automatically and simulates natural sunlight allowing you to see full colour variation so your makeup appears colour-corrected and flawless. Unlike traditional makeup mirrors’ bulb lighting, the long-lasting LEDs won't burn out or diminish. The mirror folds down flat and stores easily in its travel case. It can be recharged with a standard USB port (cable included) and one charge lasts up to five weeks. This mirror offers 10x magnification – ideal for close-up work like tweezing or applying eye makeup.

GHD Duet Style 2-in-1

Is knee pain holding you back?

We all know that keeping active is one of the key ingredients to living a healthy life, but when knee pain interferes with normal activity and prevents exercise, it is time to act and seek medical help.

Avisit to an orthopaedic surgeon can help you get a diagnosis and treatment. The surgeon will determine if the pain is caused through injury or a more long-term issue, such as osteoarthritis. When people talk about knee arthritis, it is usually osteoarthritis to which they are referring, characterised by inflammation and ‘wear and tear’ damage to the knee. It develops over time, and can sneak up on you, but when symptoms first appear, much of the damage has already been done.

The process of damage and wearing out of the joint cartilage surface eventually results in the bone grinding on bone in the knee, which is a painful and disabling condition, and up to 25% of people with knee arthritis will retire early due to the pain it causes. There are several risk factors for osteoarthritis, including your genes, lifestyle factors, previous injuries, hypermobility and obesity.

Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis

The predominant symptoms of knee arthritis are pain and stiffness, which lead to a loss of mobility. Symptoms range from mild to severe. There can be a mild background ache in the knee, which might interfere with sporting activities or a long walk. In more severe cases, it can be a constant disabling pain, which makes walking very difficult or impossible, and sleep can also be disturbed.

Roughening and fragmentation of the knee joint surface may also lead to catching, clicking, clunking or similar symptoms. Swelling of the knee joint is often seen, and in the worst cases, loss of mobility can lead to poor cardiorespiratory fitness.

Treatment for knee osteoarthritis

Following a diagnosis of arthritis, you may receive some form of treatment before you see a

surgeon. Non-surgical treatments may include simple painkillers, anti-inflammatory tablets, weight loss treatments, modification of activities, or physiotherapy.

If there are symptoms of mechanical locking in the knee, or stiffness, then keyhole surgery (arthroscopy) of the knee may improve this. However, knee arthroscopy treatment cannot reverse the arthritis damage.

There are also less invasive, non-surgical options available, such as injection therapy, which can prove beneficial in managing joint pain and delaying the need for surgery. Steroid injections are one example of this, as is Platelet Rich Plasma treatment (PRP), which uses a patient’s own anti-inflammatory cells to promote the healing of injured joints.

If the arthritis pain is severe, you may decide to proceed with a knee replacement. Knee replacement surgery has evolved, with innovative, state-of-the-art robotic-arm technology now available to assist the surgeon with the procedure. This brings a range of enhanced benefits for the patient, including even greater surgical precision, which in turn leads to decreased post-operative pain, and faster recovery. Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital is currently the ONLY hospital in the city to offer robotic-arm assisted knee replacement surgery, highlighting Nuffield Health’s commitment to providing our patients with the best possible treatment. The decision to proceed is made with your surgeon, so that you fully understand the benefits and risks of each procedure.

Some of the treatments offered for arthritis by Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital:

•Physiotherapy

•Steroid injections

•PRP Injections

•Weight loss therapies

•Knee replacements

Joint Pain Programme

Nuffield Health also offers a free-to-access Joint Pain Programme at its two Bristol Fitness and Wellbeing Centres, in Clifton and Stoke Gifford. The six-month programme is designed to help you self-manage your chronic joint pain and lead a more independent life by incorporating lifestyle advice, health checks, low-impact exercise sessions and support from a trained Rehabilitation Specialist. You don’t have to be a Nuffield Health gym member to join the programme – it’s free and open to anyone living with joint pain. The Joint Pain Programme has helped over 11,000 people across the UK since it launched, and those who’ve completed it have shown improvements in mobility, pain, general fitness levels and overall quality of life. To find out more, including how to apply, search “joint pain programme” on the Nuffield Health website.

It doesn’t matter if you want to climb a mountain or simply tidy the garden, any symptom that prevents or limits your ability to do the things you love is cause for concern. With a little help, a bad knee doesn’t have to impact your quality of life.

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.

Exploring Dental Care Options Abroad: A Glimpse into Antlara Dental Clinic, Turkey

In Bristol, finding quality dental treatment can be a daunting task, especially when cost is a significant concern. Dental tourism presents a viable solution, yet the sheer size of the market, valued at nearly $50 billion, can make selecting the right clinic overwhelming.

One question often arises: What should be prioritized when seeking a trustworthy dental clinic? To address this, we delve into the offerings of Antlara Dental Clinic in Turkey. Chief Dentist Dr. Dilek Aksu Guler, who conducts regular consultations throughout England, provides valuable insights.

Dr. Guler emphasizes that while patients often appreciate the immediate results of complex smile design treatments, true satisfaction is gauged by their continued happiness years down the line. For long-term contentment, Antlara Dental maintains ongoing communication with patients and collaborates with London-based partner clinics. Patients treated at Antlara Dental can access all necessary aftercare services free of charge at an Antlara affiliate in London.

In addition, Antlara Dental leverages its existing aftercare services to provide a comprehensive guarantee for all treatments, ensuring reliable and hassle-free post-treatment care with a thorough warranty document.

Dr. Guler also highlights that high-quality materials enable less intrusive procedures and enhance treatment longevity. For instance, premium dental implants not only integrate seamlessly with the patient's palate but also deliver excellent results, often eliminating the need for additional interventions. She notes that the lifespan of a cosmetic dental procedure can range from 5 to 25 years, depending on the craftsmanship and materials used. This underscores the importance of using the right techniques and materials.

Antlara Dental's excellence is recognized by its receipt of the prestigious International Best Cosmetic Dentist Award from Global Health and Pharma. This accolade is awarded based on strict criteria, including patient satisfaction, adaptability to new technologies, and alignment with evolving healthcare needs.

“Experience” at Antlara Dental transcends years in the field; it embodies the ability to meet each patient's unique needs and expectations. With over 20 years of experience primarily serving European patients, Antlara's dentists have gained significant insight. The clinic boasts impressive ratings of 4.9 on TrustPilot and 4.8 on Google, with nearly a thousand reviews, largely fueled by positive word of mouth.

Patient reviews often emphasize Antlara Dental's commitment to prioritizing excellent service over profit. The clinic’s preference for noninvasive treatments, which are typically more cost-effective and help preserve patients’ natural teeth, has garnered significant praise from its patients. Additionally, the reviews frequently highlight the warm atmosphere of Antalya and the comfort of its hotels, noting that many patients turn their treatment journey into a holiday with their loved ones.

Antlara Dental invites you to a premier dental tourism experience in one of Europe's most popular destinations. Upon arrival in Antalya, Turkey, a dedicated officer ensures your comfort, escorting you throughout your treatment journey. From a VIP shuttle service from Antalya Airport to a private guide facilitating your transportation to and from your hotel, your treatment journey is seamlessly organized.

Antlara Dental’s ongoing events provide valuable opportunities to learn more about the clinic. During these special events, a team of cosmetic dentists interacts with patients in a welcoming environment. These consultations include detailed X-rays and discussions about treatment and aftercare options. Antlara will continue to host these gatherings in Bristol, London, Liverpool, Manchester, and Scotland over the coming months.

As we navigate healthcare challenges in Bristol, stories like Antlara’s remind us that solutions might be just a flight away.

Due to the severity and complexity of many conditions that come to my clinic, MBST isn’t always the miracle cure, but in nearly every case, it improves the patients symptoms and quality of life. We can help.

Meet Jane. She came to me in February with severe sciatica down to the calf and foot. She’d seen a physio and was still struggling to walk upstairs and bend. Mornings were 8/10 in severity. We tried some traction and laser which did calm the beast temporarily, however it came back with a vengeance so we MRI scanned her lumbar spine.

The results showed joint arthritis, disc bulges and a forward slippage of one of the vertebrae (degenerative spondylolesthesis).

With orthopaedic referral on the cards, we decided to treat her discs and nerves with MBST and as the photo suggests, we’ve had a remarkable remission of all symptoms. These results were some of the fastest I’ve witnessed. Still no pain 8 weeks after treatment so the going is good.

MBST works at the cellular level. One of the main effects on the cell is to downgrade intercellular calcium and inflammation which is why in this case the nerve inflammation dropped so quickly.

An award-winning innovative treatment for: Osteoarthritis | Back & disc problems | Bone conditions & fractures | Cartilage damage | Ligament, tendon & muscle damage | Sports & accident injuries.

Talk to us today : 0117 959 6531 www.curaclinical.com

Inheritance Tax Insights for UK Estates Valued Over £2 Million

Richard Higgs, Chartered Independent Financial Planner

Payment on Account:

For individuals with estates surpassing the £2 million-mark, effective inheritance tax (IHT) planning becomes paramount. This financial threshold introduces unique challenges requiring strategic approaches to mitigate tax liabilities and safeguard wealth for future generations.

Understanding IHT Thresholds:

IHT is applied to the value of an individual's estate (including property) upon their death, subject to certain exemptions and allowances. While the standard nil rate band is £325,000 per person, estates worth over £2 million face additional considerations.

Tapering of the Nil Rate Band:

When reaching this threshold, estates face a tapering of the nil rate band. For every £2 over the threshold, £1 of the nil rate band is eroded. Consequently, as estate values rise, the available nil rate band diminishes, potentially resulting in increased IHT liabilities.

Strategic Tax Planning Approaches:

To mitigate the impact of IHT on these sizable estates, it is possible to explore various legitimate strategic tax planning approaches:

Lifetime Gifting: Making gifts during your lifetime can effectively reduce the estate's value for IHT purposes. Leveraging annual gift exemptions, small gifts exemptions, and potentially exempt transfers (PETs) can contribute to lowering tax liabilities.

Utilisation of Trusts: Trusts serve as a versatile tool for managing and distributing assets while minimising IHT liabilities. By establishing trusts within your estate planning, you can protect assets, provide for beneficiaries, and potentially reduce the overall tax burden.

IHT-free ISAs: It is possible to invest in companies that qualify for Business Property Relief within an ISA wrapper. These investments are considered outside of your estate after 2 years, provided they still meet the requirements of the relief.

If you are concerned you may have an inheritance tax issue, please call 0117 3636 212 or email office@haroldstephens.co.uk to book a complimentary inheritance and estate planning review.

We record regular video updates on a range of later life financial topics - search ‘Harold Stephens IFA’ on YouTube.

The Lost Gardens of Brislington

Andrew Swift commemorates 100 years since St Anne’s Wood officially opened by reflecting on its historic significance and exploring this green, wooded pocket of Brislington as it is today...

The main entrance to St Anne’s Wood is just before the roundabout at the east end of St Anne’s Road (BS4 4EU).

The 36 bus from Broad Quay stops nearby. Walking from the city centre, one option is to follow the footpath along the Feeder and continue at the side of the river before crossing a footbridge, on the far side of which is the entrance to the wood. Paths in the wood are rough, many are also steep and may be muddy and slippery after rain. Some flights of steps are rough and uneven.

This month Bristol marks a notable centenary. At 6.30pm on 13 June 1924, several thousand people attended a ceremony marking the official opening of St Anne’s Wood in Brislington. The valley in which the wood lay had been gifted to the city two years earlier, and since then a transformation had taken place. Winding paths had been laid, flights of steps built and undergrowth cleared. The Brislington Brook had been reconfigured to run over weirs and around islands, and it was spanned by several rustic bridges. Many of the speeches delivered that fine spring evening, though, focused not on the prodigious work that had been carried out or on the natural beauties of the site, but on the distant past – for this quiet valley was one of the most historic places in the city. Around 1276, a small but lavishly appointed chapel dedicated to St Anne had been built at the edge of the wood, near the confluence of the Brislington Brook with the River Avon. St Anne was the patron saint of mariners, who invoked her name to protect them on voyages, so the chapel was naturally much resorted to by Bristol’s seafarers. Some of the city’s guilds also venerated St Anne, as did pilgrims from farther afield, the most notable of whom was Henry VII who “roode on pilgrimage to Sainte Anne’s in the Woode” in 1485. Just over 50 years later, however, the chapel was dismantled by order of his son, Henry VIII, during the dissolution of the monasteries.

A pottery was later established in the ruined building, but after it closed the chapel fell into total dereliction. The site was eventually redeveloped and today lies under the business park that stands at the entrance to the valley.

The holy well

Three hundred yards south of where the chapel once stood, though, is a holy well. It may well have been revered since earliest times, and may even have been the reason the chapel was built nearby. The first reference to it, however, only dates from around 1890, when Father Ignatius Grant of St Mary on the Quay Roman Catholic Church said that members of his congregation were in the habit of visiting the well, especially on St Anne’s Day on 26 July. One of his congregation, who had a cataract in his left eye, went on to explain that he “was afraid of the other becoming affected, and he visited St Anne’s Well because he thought that the water from that holy well would do his sight good”.

The reason their testimony was recorded is because it was delivered in a court of law. Six years earlier, St Anne’s Wood had been bought by a solicitor called James Sinnott. The footpath through it, which ran past the well, had always been a right of way, but Sinnott closed it off and erected gates to prevent access.

The council’s sanitary committee lamented that it was “a thousand pities that this beautiful spot should be closed against the public”, but didn’t see what they could do about it, and calls for the council to buy the land were turned down. In response to widespread anger, the Bristol & District Footpath Preservation Society agreed to organise a mass trespass, provoking Sinnott to take the organisers to court. The case lasted 18 days, and, after numerous witnesses confirmed that the path had been used since time immemorial, Sinnott was ordered to remove the gates, reopen the footpath and pay the costs of the hearing.

In 1918, he decided to put the wood up for sale. There were no takers, so four years later he offered it to the council, on condition that two new roads were built. As the value of the land was around £400 and the cost of the two roads would be over £10,000, it turned the offer down.

At which point, a local historian called Frederick Jones started a campaign.

“No other wood or valley in the neighbourhood of this old city, has such charming verdure, no such historic associations,” he declared in one of his letters to the press. He played the heritage card for all it was worth, claiming that “to this holy well, consecrated by the monks in the thirteenth century, and second only in fame in medieval Europe to the shrine of Canterbury, came all the kings of England.” He may have had a cavalier approach to history, but Jones also had the ability to make people sit up and listen, and before long the council was negotiating with Sinnott.

Opening the long-hidden valley

Once a deal was agreed, the council set to work putting its new acquisition in order. The southern part of the wood, shown on old maps as ‘Nature’s Garden’, had never been open to the public. It had been laid out as a botanical garden, and it was this area that the council concentrated on enhancing and making accessible for the hordes of visitors Jones assured them would come.

The grand opening came less than two years later, and this longhidden valley soon became one of the city’s most popular green spaces. In 1929, the holy well was restored and given a protective canopy, and in 1933 a pilgrimage to the well, organised by the vicar of St Anne’s, Brislington, “presented a brilliant picture of ecclesiastical pageantry with the gold and scarlet of the banners, copes and vestments, the flickers of the lighted candles and the gleam of the censers”. The choir was accompanied by the East Bristol Temperance Band and several hundred people turned up for the ceremony. It became an annual event, and within two years had grown so popular that more than 400 people joined the procession to the well, where “a vast crowd awaited their arrival”.

After an interregnum during the war years, the pilgrimage continued until 1975, when devastation caused by Dutch Elm Disease made the wood too dangerous for a service to be held there. It was revived, however, in 1986, and, more recently, other celebrations have been organised. These have included community pageants, festivals, and nature workshops, while local groups have made great efforts to protect and enhance this wonderful natural space. New ornamental gateways, plaques and pathways have been provided, making this once forbidden enclave accessible to all.

Entering the wood today, the noise of traffic fades as you wander through a broad meadow, with the brook burbling past and tall trees on either hand. After passing the well, where ribbons hang from trees, the path leads across the brook, the sides of the valley close in, and you come to the enclave once known as ‘Nature’s Garden’.

Rough tracks curve away into grassy banks. Steep steps climb upward to disappear amid the trees. Many of the features introduced in the 1920s, such as the canopy over the well, have long since disappeared, nature has reclaimed what was once tamed and it feels as though you are discovering a lost garden.

When you finally reach the end, and the brook disappears into a culvert under Brunel’s Great Western Railway, a further delight awaits, however. Climbing out of the valley and following the road over the railway, you can drop down a rutted track into Nightingale Valley, only saved as an open space after a lengthy campaign in the 1970s, to follow the Brislington Brook southward for a further kilometre. n akemanpress.com

Kitchen swish

Kitchens were once add-ons to the main living space; now we aspire to have them at the heart of our living environment. Nowhere is this demonstrated more clearly than with this large-scale open-plan extension to a period property that incorporated a large, flexible and stylish working kitchen, a spacious dining area and an outstanding view of the garden

We were approached because our clients were planning an extension to their period property to create a large open-plan kitchen/dining area. This planning stage is the ideal time to discuss the kitchen design as it can inform the architecture and vice versa. The most successful schemes will be where the kitchen and architecture are considered holistically.

The large Crittall windows and vast rooflight lantern were part of the architects’ designs, but we were able to use this to propose the best layout and orientation for the kitchen – considering all factors such as natural lighting, views, circulation and flow.

The generously proportioned island incorporates a number of sophisticated appliances, including a handmade herb sink set into the centre of the island, which brings the kitchen to life with green living herbs and plants. The placement of the island in the heart of the kitchen allows a great link to the dining area and creates a really sociable and highly functional environment. We also made a beautiful

Harmonious design and meticulous attention to detail create this stunning bespoke kitchen by Ben Argent Kitchens

slab of vintage grey rough oak for the breakfast bar to the island, providing a place to sit and interact –something that was really important for this family kitchen.

When it comes to the colour emphasis of a scheme, we offer a flexible range of materials and fixtures. Decisions about colours and materials are personal to every client and can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, with our expert knowledge and design experience we carefully listen to individual preferences and can simplify the process by offering a selection of suitable material palettes for further consideration.

Due to the vast amount of natural lighting flooding the space in this property, we could afford to be quite dramatic with a sophisticated dark grey and black colour scheme. The layered depths, materials and textures add drama and interest –from dark grey and black lacquered and textured surfaces to antique silvered mirror glass and hand-laid real wood veneers. There were also two types of sintered stone worktops, 100% natural stone and the most durable worktop finish on the market.

There are several sinks in this kitchen –this was the client’s personal preference and didn’t require any compromise to the functionality of the layout. We have occasionally done two sinks in a kitchen, but this was our first one with three! Two of the sinks are our bespoke design and fabricated from the sintered stone worktop material, creating a gorgeous design statement.

The protruding glazed window box was part of the architect’s design, but we created the sumptuous day bed as a way of bridging the zones between the kitchen and relaxing/dining areas. We think it makes a real statement, and brings the outside in – enlivening the space with greenery.

When it came to storage, we made a feature of open and closed wall-hung boxes with low and full height units. I think there is a sophisticated elegance to our design style; clean, contemporary lines balanced with an intuitive eye for proportion and detailing. We aim to transform kitchens into functional, inspiring and truly individual spaces. We actually feel that some of our most successful projects have been where we install our contemporary style into characterful period properties. That juxtaposition of old against new creates a really striking balance.

The Ben Argent philosophy

Our clients receive a totally personalised service from us, and this stems from our wealth of experience in the industry; Ben’s background is in furniture design and making, while Emi’s is in architecture and project management. This skillset, along with our creative flair and technical understanding, is at the core of our ambition to design timeless, individual kitchens.

We believe that a new kitchen should optimise the space and feel of a home and be unique to those who spend time there. Our kitchens are truly bespoke and individually designed to suit your space, taste and budget.

We take pride in every kitchen, and we ensure that we commit a level of care and consideration to each project. As a small, independent company, we put the same passion and energy into every kitchen we produce, and this will be evident when the results come to fruition. n

Ben Argent Kitchens, Dunsdon Barn, Dunsdon Lane, West Littleton SN14 8JA (the showroom is located on the A46, near the M4 J18); benargentkitchens.co.uk

THE KITCHEN DESIGN PROCESS

The design process for this kitchen (as with most of Ben Argent’s kitchens) started with a visit to the showroom. Here, the clients were able to see curated displays of the contemporary bespoke kitchens, showing the quality of design and materials, as well as the attention to detail and the pride taken in the installation’s execution.

At the showroom, layouts were discussed with the clients –looking both at the proposed floorplans and carefully listening to the clients’ ideas and criteria – before coming up with the kitchen design scheme. At first, proposals are produced using 2D plan and elevation drawings. Once the layout has been agreed, photorealistic 3D visuals are also offered, and these are an invaluable tool to many clients, helping them visualise their space and inform decisions on materials and finishes. This is not only true for the kitchen, but also for the wider contextual elements of the room, such as flooring, lighting and furniture finishes.

There were some quite playful elements within this particular project, such as the stylised grid of wall boxes, so this was really valuable to be able to explore in 3D so you could see how it connected to the space.

Room with a View –a glorious day bed blurring the boundary between inside and outside

Paradise found

Whether you have a quaint balcony, cosy courtyard, neatly clipped lawn or wild, unruly plot – you can transform your outside space into a calm oasis with the right accessories. We bring you some of our favourites, including a pizza oven, comfy corner seating and a smart sun (or rain) shade...

English Firepit Company. Plain Jane Firepit, 70cm. £359, cotswoldco.com. Cantilever Parasol, Grey, £129 , gardinerhaskins.co.ukn

Gozney Roccbox Portable, Wood-Fired & Gas Fuel, Pizza Oven, £319.20 johnlewis.com0

Infinity Cane. Coffee Table, 75cm. £129, johnlewis.coms

Stone Based Hurricane Lantern, £40 cotswoldco.com

Aston Corner Lounge Set. £2,499, cotswoldco.coms

Siddington 3 Seater0 Bench, £159 0 cotswoldco.com0 Large Wicker, Bulbous Lantern 50, cotswoldco.com0

Kettler Palmer Recliner Chair & Footstool Set. £629, parkfurnishers.co.uk s

Say it with a rose

Roses have long established themselves among our best-known flowers, writes Elly West, who shares insight on these romantic and beautiful plants, which are considered the most powerful symbol of love

Poets write about them, lovers give them and artists have painted them throughout history. We see roses in stained glass windows, on fabrics and wallpaper, on boxes of chocolates and etched on biceps. They are prominent in folklore, fairy tales and religion, and we also love to grow them in our gardens.

June is when roses start to bloom, with lots of modern repeat-flowering varieties keeping on going through into the autumn.

As well as being one of the most versatile and popular of garden plants, roses have captured our hearts and woven themselves deeply into our culture.

Their association with love and passion is long established, and can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where Cleopatra supposedly carpeted the floor of her bedroom with rose petals to seduce Mark Antony. The rose is also associated with the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, who is said to have shed tears for her dead lover, Adonis, which then grew into red roses. Roses have religious connotations, and white roses are seen in mediaeval and early Renaissance art as a symbol of Mary’s virginity. Pink roses are said to symbolise gratitude and admiration, while yellow roses represent friendship. But it is the red rose that has the most powerful significance as an expression of love, and an estimated 80 million rose stems are sold on Valentine’s Day around the globe.

Although the original native roses might have been much simpler plants, producing small flowers for a couple of weeks of the year, over the last 1,000 years or so, they’ve been selected and bred for larger flowers, different colours and stronger perfume, making them perhaps one of the most manipulated and contorted plants in the world.

Well-known grower

British rose expert and breeder David Austin released more than 200 roses during his lifetime, from the 1960s until his death in 2018, but his legacy continues and his name is synonymous with good quality, reliable rose varieties.

David Austin’s aim was to combine the wide colour range and ability to repeat flower of modern Hybrid Tea roses with the beauty and fragrance of Old Roses. The results are known as ‘English Roses’, and have soared in popularity over the decades, since first launched at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 1983. The response to the still popular yellow ‘Graham Thomas’, named after his fellow horticulturist and friend, was particularly huge, and the following year he won his first of many Gold Medals at the show. David Austin Roses is now a worldwide business with offices in Europe, Japan and the USA. If you’re looking for a rose for your garden, then the David Austin website (davidaustinroses.co.uk) is a good place to start.

This flower rose to power Roses are famed for their fragrance, with two varieties in particular, Rosa centifolia and Rosa damascena, vital components in perfumery. Roses are also an ingredient in traditional sweets from the Middle East and North Africa like baklava and Turkish delights, and rose hip syrup is packed with Vitamin C. The leaves, buds and petals can all be used to make a tea, said to have health benefits as it is rich in vitamins and antioxidants.

Original species roses are mostly native to Asia, with some from Europe, North America and Africa, but they hybridise easily, giving rise to the numerous cultivars that are currently on the market. Many are named with the gift industry in mind, for example for weddings, anniversaries, and family members. There’s no doubt we become attached to our roses and I’ve lost count of the number of clients I’ve visited as a garden designer, who have a special rose of sentimental value that they’d like me to work around or include in their plan.

Rose breeding is a huge industry, with colour, fragrance, form and disease resistance high on the agenda. The choice is incredible, whether you want a small shrub rose for a patio pot, or something to ramble over a wall or arch, there’s a rose for every situation.

You can search by type, colour, size, or garden situation – for example roses for shade, or to cover a pergola – and there are also plenty of ‘howto’ guides and advice on care and pruning.

How to care for your roses

It’s a common misconception that roses are high maintenance divas, requiring constant attention. It’s true that an unhappy rose can be a sorry sight, with blackspot, mildew and aphids among the common problems with which they can become afflicted. However, choose the right plants in the right places, and many can be more or less left to their own devices, especially if you select modern, disease-resistant varieties. Many will flower right through the summer, offering both colour and fragrance, sometimes followed by attractive hips that benefit wildlife in your garden. Roses need lots of nutrients, so do well on our Bristol clay soils. However, they will still benefit from some well-rotted manure or compost dug in when you’re planting, or around the base of the plants in spring or summer to give them a boost. I also dump the wood ash from my log burner around the base of my roses, as it gives them a feed of potassium.

Shrub roses need pruning in late winter or early spring before the new growth emerges, removing dead, diseased or crossing branches, and

cutting back the remaining stems just above a healthy bud eye, by about a third to a half. Climbing roses should be pruned in winter, after the flowers have faded. Cut back flowered shoots by around two-thirds of their length. If the plant has become congested, cut out old branches from the base to promote new growth. All roses will benefit from deadheading, removing the flowers once they’ve faded. Use secateurs and snip them off low down on the stem to encourage new growth and another flush of blooms. And watch out for the thorns – perhaps the only downside – although there are even thornless varieties available, such as ‘Zephirine Drouhin’. n ellyswellies.co.uk

Plant of the month: Lavender

Lavender makes a beautiful, classic partner for roses, flowering at a similar time and synonymous with an English cottage garden. Plant them alongside or around the base of climbing or shrub roses, and enjoy the fragrance and colour combinations, plus the buzz of bees and other pollinating insects. Lavender is an easy-to-grow shrub that suits contemporary and traditional settings. It can be grown en masse as a low hedge, or dotted through the border, in a gravel garden or in containers, where it will flower from early to midsummer, producing spikes of purple, white or sometimes pink flowers above mounds of silver-grey or grey-green foliage. Hailing from the Mediterranean, lavenders are drought tolerant and like plenty of sun and well-drained soil. They hate being soggy and cold in winter. French lavenders (with the ‘bunny-ear’ bracts, pictured) are less hardy than English varieties, such as ‘Hidcote’, and may need some protection in winter. So, wrap the plants in horticultural fleece or move to somewhere sheltered if hard frosts are forecast. Cut back hard once the flowers have gone over towards the end of the summer, chopping just into the leaves to rejuvenate the plant and stop it becoming ‘leggy’.

FOR SALE

A HANDSOME VICTORIAN HOUSE SITUATED ON COTHAM PARK

10 COTHAM PARK, BRISTOL, BS6 6BU

Cotham Park is a much sought after prime residential road offering a peaceful & leafy environment, yet within close proximity of Clifton’s Whiteladies Road, Bristol city centre and Clifton’s Durdham Downs.

The property benefits from a large and private walled garden to the rear plus an attractive garden to the front. The accommodation comprises a kitchen, dining room & three receptions at ground floor level.

The first floor provides four bedrooms & a bathroom with further bedrooms & bathrooms at second floor level. The lower ground floor provides a gym, laundry room, bathroom & various ancillary rooms. The property offers the potential to create a beautiful family home following light refurbishment.

Freehold for sale – Price on application

FOR SALE

ASHLEY DOWN HOUSE, 16 COTHAM PARK, BRISTOL, BS6 6BU

Dating from c 1850, the property benefits from a self contained 2 / 3 bed annex and outbuildings.

A fantastic opportunity to create a magnificent family home with annex and outbuildings or further development options (subject to consents).

Totalling c 12,700 sq ft IN ONE ACRE.

Freehold with VACANT POSESSION!

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

Whiteladies Road, Clifton TO LET – POA

1,276 sq ft (119 sq m)

A spacious Class E unit on a popular pitch bordering Redland and Clifton. The property is positioned amongst bustling shops and restaurants with high footfall and is an exceptional site for either retail or office use.

Mariner House, Prince St

TO LET – £26 psf pax

1,242 sq ft (115 sq m)

Attractive, loft style office accommodation located in the city centre benefiting from passenger lift, shower facilities, and excellent bike storage with end of journey lockers.

Oakfield Grove, BS8 TO LET – POA

16,640 sq ft (1,546 sq m)

A substantial office building which is due to be refurbished and can be available as a whole or on a floor-by-floor basis. Benefits from 23 car parking spaces and could be suitable for a wide variety of alternative commercial uses (STP).

Waterloo St, Clifton TO LET – £22 psf pax

1,934 sq ft (180 sq m)

A self-contained office to rent with shop frontage onto Waterloo Street, in the heart of Clifton Village. Would suit other uses under Class E. Due to be refurbished.

Boulevard, Weston Super Mare FOR SALE – POA INVESTMENT/DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY

An excellent opportunity to acquire the freehold interest of a substantial, mixed use, incomeproducing property totalling approximately 14,714 sq ft.

High Street, Shirehampton TO LET - £15,000 pax

1,968 sq ft (183 sq m)

A bright, sizeable Class E retail/ office unit which is split across two floors and benefits from a rear courtyard. The nature and location of the property offer a range of possibilities and potential for users.

Chandos Road, Redland TO LET - £14,750 pax

631 sq ft (58.61 sq m)

A bright and airy ground and lower ground floor retail/ office premises with fully glazed frontage on Chandos Road which may also suit other uses under Use Class E. New flexible lease terms available.

7 Hill Street. BS1 TO LET - POA

5,621 sq ft (522 sq m)

A stunning, predominantly open plan suite within a self-contained building which provides a fantastic example of 1970’s brutalist architecture. The suite benefits from dedicated shower, 6 parking spaces, and bike storage.

Durdham Park, Redland, BS6 TO LET – POA

1,042 – 2,948 sq ft (274 – 97 sq m)

Two self-contained buildings located within close proximity to the popular Whiteladies Road. Currently benefiting from educational use although would suit other uses (STP).

Henleaze Road, Henleaze TO LET - POA

607 sq ft (57 sq m)

A ground floor “Class E” unit available on Henleaze Road which is due to be refurbished and could suit a range of commercial uses. Currently configured as multiple offices but could be reconfigured as desired.