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THE
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Issue 154
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aprIl 2017
MAGAZINE
Beyond
POCAHONTAS Looking past the poster girl to celebrate the strength and diversity of Native American women
T H E C I T Y ’ S B I G G E S T M O N T H LY G U I D E T O L I V I N G I N B R I S T O L
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Demand for property in Bristol has always been widespread. While the bulk of purchasers last year were moving within Bristol or from the South West, our figures show 29% of buyers moved from outside the local region, including from abroad, underlining the broad appeal the city and surrounding towns and villages have. Our integrated network of offices around the globe assists us in targeting these buyers.
James Toogood
Partner 01173 171 999 James.toogood@knightfrank.com
NEW INSTRUCTION Harbourside
Sneyd Park
Clifton
Beautifully presented 3 bedroom town house (1,456 sq ft) situated close to the floating harbour and City Centre. 2 reception rooms, kitchen, conservatory, 3 bedrooms, WC, garden, garage, parking. EPC D.
Immaculate family home (1,374 sq ft) within exclusive modern development. Drawing room, kitchen breakfast room, master suite, 3 further bedrooms, family bath, gardens, parking, garage visitor parking. EPC B.
Immaculate 2 bedroom lateral apartment (1,350 sq ft) within this iconic Clifton development. 1 reception room, kitchen/diner, master suite, guest bedroom, shower room, parking and concierge service.
Guide Price £650,000
Guide Price £650,000
NEW INSTRUCTION
Guide Price £950,000
NEW INSTRUCTION
Leigh Woods
Clifton
Sneyd Park
A light and airy family house (3,401 sq ft) with flexible accommodation. 3 receptions, kitchen/breakfast/dining room, utility room, gym, 2 cloakrooms, store room. 5 bedrooms, bathroom. 2 garages and garden. EPC D.
A generously proportioned (1,296 sq ft) lateral apartment found in this handsome Victorian building. Drawing room, kitchen/breakfast room with sun terrace, 2 bedrooms, bathroom, communal garden, parking. EPC D.
Substantial house (3,927 sq ft) with spectacular views across the river Avon towards Leigh Woods. 4 reception rooms, kitchen, 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, integral garage. Parking gardens and woodland. In all about 1.63 acres.
OIEO £1,500,000
Guide Price £525,000
Guide Price £1,600,000
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Over the last year Bristol’s property market has been characterised by an imbalance between supply and demand, especially for family homes in areas of the city including Clifton, Redland, Cotham, Sneyd Park and Stoke Bishop. Our figures show a 34% year-on-year increase in the number of buyers looking for a home over the last 12 months, for example, while the number of viewings conducted jumped by 32% over the same period.
Robin Engley
Associate 01173 171 999 Robin.engley@knightfrank.com
NEW INSTRUCTION Clifton
Clifton
Clifton
Immaculate and generously proportioned apartment (1,540 st ft). drawing room, dining room, inner hall, kitchen, utility, master with dressing room, guest bedroom, guest bathroom. First come parking.
A most impressive 2 bedroom balcony apartment (1,062 sq ft) with outstanding views, communal garden and parking. No chain.
A Grade II Listed 2 bedroom courtyard apartment (652 sq ft) found close to clifton Village.drawing room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, bathroom, laundry room, courtyard gardens, vaulted storage and parking.
Guide Price £499,950
Guide Price £595,000
Guide Price £325,000
NEW INSTRUCTION
NEW INSTRUCTION Clifton
Clifton
Clifton
Found within popular Buckingham Place, a delightful 1 bedroom (497 sq ft) first floor apartment with parking close to clifton village.
Elegant period townhouse (3,146 sq ft) at the heart of clifton Village. Kitchen/breakfast room, dining room, drawing room, conservatory, 3 en suite bedrooms, fourth bedroom/studio apartment, reception room, workshop. EPc c.
A bright and airy 2 bedroom apartment (839 sq ft) with lift access and fine views. Kitchen/breakfast room, 1 reception, 2 bedrooms and family bathroom. With ample public gardens to the front. EPc d.
Guide Price £275,000
Guide Price £1,150,000
Guide Price £389,950
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The last 12 months have been exceptionally busy, with properties located in the villages and towns surrounding Bristol and within commutable distance to the city in high demand. We conducted 52% more viewings for properties valued up to £1m over the 12 months to February 2017 compared with the previous year and saw a 37% increase in the volume of prospective buyers looking for sub-£1m homes over that same period, highlighting the strength of demand.
Freddie Wright
Senior Negotiator 01173 171 999 Freddie.wright@knightfrank.com
NEW INSTRUCTION Bishop Sutton
Shepton Mallet
Badgworth
A 4 bedroom single story property (1,769 sq ft) renovated to a very high standard. It includes a park-like garden with a stunning rural outlook, situated at the centre of the desirable village of Bishop Sutton. EPC D.
A beautiful Grade II Listed townhouse (4,844 sq ft) in a rural setting. 4 reception rooms, large kitchen, 5-6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, potential annexe, garage, mature gardens and grounds.
Substantial 5 bed farmhouse (4,343 sq ft) with a range of traditional outbuildings (4,033 sq ft) with planning to convert in to a separate dwelling. Riding arena, gardens and pasture totalling 11 acres. EPC E.
Nr Chepstow
Portishead
Near Wells
A fine conversion of an historic former water mill. 3 receptions rooms, kitchen, cloakrooms, water wheel room, 5 bedrooms, 5 bath/shower room en-suites. Landscaped gardens, garage, workshop. Paddock, orchard and summer house. In all about 2 acres.
Superb home in a private wooded setting. 3 reception rooms, open plan breakfast/kitchen/family room, master bedroom suite, 5 further bedrooms, 2 en suite shower rooms, bathroom. Mature gardens and summer house. EPC C.
Beautiful home (1,896 sq ft) in 1 acre enjoying stunning views and outbuildings (2,143 sq ft). 2 reception rooms, kitchen, utility room. 3 bedrooms, bathroom. Plans in place to convert into a 4 bedroom property. EPC E.
Guide Price £625,000
Guide Price £899,950
Guide Price £1,350,000
NEW INSTRUCTION Guide Price £850,000
Guide Price £1,395,000
Guide Price £599,999
Knight Frank April.qxp_full page 23/03/2017 09:14 Page 4
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
Clifton
Clifton
Redland
Guide price £999,950
Guide price £2,150,000
Guide price £825,000
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
Clifton
Clifton
Redland
Guide Price £1,250,000
Guide Price £499,950
Guide Price £895,000
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
Clifton
Clifton
Clifton
Guide Price £545,000
Guide Price £675,000
Guide Price £450,000
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
Clifton
Clifton
Clifton
Guide Price £575,000
Guide Price £1,100,000
Guide Price £675,000
Contents.qxp_Layout 1 24/03/2017 13:03 Page 1
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38
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Image by Frances Taylor/Evoke Pictures
Contents April 2017 REGULARS
EXHIBITIONS
ZEITGEIST
14
Five of the best things to do in the city this month
CITYIST BARTLEBY
20
...shares his thoughts on snail season
SHOPPING
26
Our Easter edit, followed by chic eyewear from Lynne Fernandes
BRISTOL AT WORK
50 66
Bite-sized news from local firms and organisations
EDUCATION NEWS
52
The latest from local schools and colleges
FOOD & DRINK WORKSHOP
Celebrate the onset of Spring with a jaunt out to a loved local spot
THE CULTURE
58
Ahead of Easter weekend, we visit Zara’s Chocolates on North Street for some truffle tuition
60
Road-testing La Belle Assiette’s private chef service
62
The latest from the city’s dining scene
ONE TO ONE 84
70
Wondering what to do with the kids this month? Wonder no more...
NEWS 72
WALK THE WALK
FAMILY PLANNER
DINING IN
We chat to Clifton’s bridgemaster Trish Johnson
BUSINESS UPDATES
WEDDINGS
Finding the dream venue is the first hurdle, right? We’re here to help!
16
We catch up with author Meg Carter and report on local goings-on
64
Culinary royalty is just down the road in Bath next month – nation’s favourite Mary Berry talks family, her latest book, and new projects
HABITAT
HISTORY
30
We look back through Colston Hall’s archives as the venue turns 150
WHAT’S ON & HAPPENINGS
34
Time to get the old diaries/digital calendars out...
FESTIVAL SEASON COVER FEATURE – ART Rainmaker Gallery is focusing on the strength and diversity of Native American women through the work of indigenous artists
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INTERIORS
86
We look at Neptune’s take on 2017’s greenery theme and cherry-pick some of our most coveted pieces
PROPERTY 38
Check out an impressive six-bedroom Victorian home on one of our favourite Redland roads
42
GARDENING
A look ahead at all the fun to come over the next few months
10 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
46
What’s going on at the city’s galleries this month?
Got a problematic lawn? There’s nothing wrong with faking it, says Elly West
88
90
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‘Blessings’ by Debra Yepa-Pappan, on show now at Rainmaker Gallery
THIS MONTH WE’VE BEEN...
Craving... ...A relaxation sesh in Bristol Harbour Hotel’s sumptuous new subterranean spa. Set in 16th-century former bank vaults, it features indoor hydrotherapy and swimming pools, a sauna, steam room, gym and more besides.
from the
EDITOR
Wearing... ...Jo Malone’s warm whiskey and cedarwood unisex cologne (£45 per 30ml), inspired by Virginia Woolf, E.M. Forster and the Bloomsbury Set.
“...A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman...” – Melinda Gates
W
e don’t know if you had it down in the diary, but this year marks the 400th anniversary of the death, in Gravesend, of Pocahontas – daughter of the 17thcentury paramount chief Powhatan. Long-time poster girl for Native American culture – further popularised by Disney – she is now the starting point for a new exhibition at Rainmaker Gallery, which encourages us to look beyond her story to the deep and diverse culture behind it. Presenting the lives of the strong, powerful, nurturing, political, controversial, whimsical and beautiful women that the symbol of Pocahontas has somewhat eclipsed, it hopes to give a better understanding of contemporary Native American society, and the many female roles within it. Flick to p42 to find out more from Joanne Prince, gallery owner and co-curator of the show, and see more of its arresting imagery. Elsewhere in this issue, we look forward to all the fun to come in Bristol during the months ahead, as part of our festivals preview (p38); and we’re feeling the romance of Spring and talking wedding venues on p52, where we’ve made a start on the research and suggested a few of of our loveliest local spots. Also, on p30 you’ll see we’ve been rummaging through Colston Hall’s archives to coincide with the venue’s 150th anniversary year – we dug out some interesting facts! And with Easter weekend approaching, we thought we’d sort ourselves some top truffle tuition from Zara Narracott on North Street. She’ll be exhibiting at Taste Chocolate Festival on 15 & 16 April, along with the likes of Bristol’s Understory. Their Origin show – part immersive theatre, part chocolate tasting, part experimental psychology – sounds like nothing else, especially with elements of tarot and gastromancy (that’s the art of fortune telling from stomach rumbles). Then, on p64, we chat to cookery queen Mary Berry before her Bath Festival appearance; after road-testing La Belle Assiette’s private chef experience (p60). Ooh-er! Have a lovely Easter – see you next month...
AMANDA NICHOLLS EDITOR Editor’s image by Paolo Ferla; ferlapaolo.com
@thebristolmag
12 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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| APRIL 2017
@thebristolmag
Supping...
...On British Cassis, the new craft liqueur available (£20 per 500ml) at Source Food Hall in St Nick’s Market. We’ll drink it over ice or pop it into our Prosecco.
Loving...
...Sisley’s super soft-feel Phyto Blush Twist (£43) in papaya – a vibrant cream that turns to powder on contact with the skin. Find it at Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser.
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5
ZEITGEIST
things to do in APRIL
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN
ZIGGY REBORN It’s over a year since David Bowie and glittering alter ego Ziggy Stardust ascended to the stars, but as expected the legend lives on through no end of musical escapades, tributes and shindigs. On 15 April, experience The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars in all its technicolour, psychedelic glory as the iconic concept album is performed in full for the first time ever. This is no pale imitation either, as Bowie supergroup Holy Holy are at the helm – members include Woody Woodmansey, original drummer for Bowie’s backing band The Spiders From Mars, and long-time Bowie collaborator and legendary producer Tony Visconti. Tickets from £29.50 to £35.50. • colstonhall.org
April showers are no issue for the 130 young Bristolians behind this production of Singin’ in the Rain, which has a surprising twist: it will be staged from scratch in just 48 hours. That’s 23 songs, over 15,000 words and around 8,000 dance moves to learn, all before the curtain rises at Bristol Hippodrome on 23 April. Who’s mad enough to take on this challenge, we hear you ask? It’s a group of 10 to 21-year-olds from across the city, led by head of The Big Act theatre school Martin Williams. Brollies at the ready! Tickets from £19.40 to £26.90. • atgtickets.com
Image © Stephen Lewis
HARK THE READER
Image © Genevieve Stevenson
Be transported to the rugged Highlands as Scottish singer-songwriter Eddi Reader brings her unique brand of romantic lyricism to St George’s on 25 April, along with special guest and fellow Scot Adam Holmes. After years busking and working as a session musician, Eddi rose to fame with Fairground Attraction, topping the charts with their single Perfect and album First of a Million Kisses. As a solo artist, she has since fused aspects of contemporary music with the emotional, traditional sounds of her homeland to create an entirely new and enjoyable vibe. Tickets cost £22.50 in advance, or £25 on the door. • stgeorgesbristol.co.uk
JOURNEY ALONG LA STRADA Image © Reel Water Productions
EXPLORE THE WORLD ...Through film, that is. If you’re lacking the funds to follow your wanderlust this month, we recommend living vicariously through the breathtaking expeditions on show at Banff Film Festival. Taking place from 5-8 April at the Victoria Rooms, the programme features 14 films, covering everything from adrenaline-pumping adventures to environmental documentaries, intrepid women and a raft of daring escapades from all over the world. Highlights include Doing It Scared, the tale of partially paralysed British climber Paul Pritchard, and Four Mums In A Boat, which follows four fearless women on an epic journey across the Atlantic. Tickets from £12.90 to £25.80.
• bristololdvic.org.uk
Image © Robert Day
• banff-uk.com
14 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
Sit back and soak up the joyful Italian countryside and bright lights of the circus, as the musical adaptation of Federico Fellini's Oscar-winning film La Strada comes to Bristol Old Vic this month. Running from 11-22 April, La Strada (‘The Road’) is directed by Bristol's own Olivier Award nominee Sally Cookson, and features an exciting new score from acclaimed composer Benji Bower. At the heart of this post-war tale of love and loss is fun-loving Gelsomina, who is bought by ‘strong man’ Zampano and forced to join his travelling circus act. After falling for a talented high-wire artist, Gelsomina is caught between her captor and another man, to disastrous effect...Tickets from £10 to £30.
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THE CITY THE BUZZ
My
BRISTOL
We chat to local author Meg Carter What are you up to at the moment? Working on the second draft of my third novel. After writing the first draft, I put it to one side for a few months and tried to forget about it so I could revisit it with a fresh eye. I’ve done this since I began writing fiction almost 10 years ago, which means I always have at least two ideas on the go at any one time – but at very different stages in development. What with the next book; a new idea I’m now playing around with; and my on-going journalism and copywriting commitments, it’s a juggling act!
Only in Bristol... As a city, we’re known for being pretty receptive to out-there, creative ideas, and the latest is a one-bedroom ‘treehouse’ due to be constructed next month on one of the harbourside’s iconic cargo cranes – promising a bubble of nature in Bristol’s industrial heart. Welcoming guests from late May, it will be the first ever space created and built by local company Canopy & Stars, who specialise in holiday experiences in the great outdoors. Part art installation, part architectural feat, Canopy & Stars at Crane 29 will grace the skyline for four months, hosting locals who have registered online for a chance to stay in the structure. The cranehouse will offer a chance to connect with Bristol’s culture, architecture and history from a natureinspired sanctuary high above the water; imagine breakfast while watching the morning’s hustle and bustle as the city awakens. It will also be a low-impact build using sustainable materials, with pollinating plants on the roof to attract wildlife, and all profits going to Friends of the Earth. “There is nothing better than waking up to the great outdoors – seeing, feeling, touching and smelling nature all around you,” said Tom Dixon, MD of Canopy & Stars. “For the past six years we’ve been travelling Europe to inspect the most special experiences, finding them in the most unusual of spaces. We wanted to use this knowledge to create something special of our own, here in our hometown of Bristol – a hub of ingenuity and creativity with green principles at its heart. It’s been no easy feat getting this off the ground – Canopy & Stars at Crane 29 is the culmination of three years of planning, and an extraordinary seed of an idea that we hope to see finally blossom this summer!” • Register to stay at canopyandstars.co.uk/crane29
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Tell us about your latest book The Day She Can’t Forget tells the stories of single mum Zeb found wandering bloodied, dazed and confused along a remote Scottish road, and Alma, a student leaving home for music college. Set in the present and 1970s, it takes the reader on Zeb’s journey to discover what happened to her. What do you love most about Bristol? Its history, shaped by the flow of people and products through its docks and waterways. And its geography, sprawled across seven hills, like Rome. I love its diversity, vibrancy and independent spirit. Why is it so good to be a creative here? Bristol exudes energy. There are so many creative people doing innovative things. The freedom of spirit is inspiring. What’s pumping through your speakers? The Rolling Stones’ Blue & Lonesome – I’ve always loved their blues-iest tracks most – The Heavy – their recent homecoming gig in Bath was one of the best live shows I’ve seen – and The Clash because I’ve recently
revisited Julien Temple’s music documentaries with my husband and 16-year-old son, and we enjoyed Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten. What have you loved reading recently? The Girls by Emma Cline – brilliantly written and full of suspense. The premise of a middle-aged woman looking back on teenage years spent hanging out with a Charles Manson-like cult was one I couldn’t resist. Most memorable moment of your career? Hearing a publisher wanted to publish my first book – I was up Cabot Tower at the time, admiring the view. Favourite Bristol spots? Arnolfini – I enjoyed Daphne Wright’s Emotional Archaeology there. Another standout exhibit was a sound installation in 2015 in which visitors experienced underwater sound recordings of the submerged lost coastal town of Dunwich in a darkened empty room. It was deeply sinister and totally disorientating. I enjoy the Tobacco Factory and Bristol Old Vic, and need little excuse to drop into Bravas for tapas. Which creatives do you admire? Diana Porter. My wedding ring was from her collection, and I treated myself to another of her rings when I got the first payment for my first book. • megcarter.com
READ ALL ABOUT IT... Foyles’ Charlotte Pope recommends Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale In a dark dystopia where the American government has been viciously overthrown by a theocratic dictatorship, The Republic of Gilead rules with an iron fist – with dissenters and the disobedient executed or sent to the radioactive wastelands to perish. Offred is a handmaid. She used to have a life – a husband, a child – but then it all changed. Now she only has one job: to have children. She is the property of the Commander (her name, literally ‘of Fred’): the land is bereft of children, and “unworthy”women who remain fertile are tasked with restoring the dwindling population. The Handmaid's Tale takes the form of Offred's forbidden diary: in Gilead, women are not allowed to read or write. She talks about her day-to-day experiences, the agonised wondering of what has become of her family, and how she became imprisoned in her own life. Dystopian fiction has become particularly popular in recent months, and with The Handmaid's Tale soon to be adapted for television, this is an excellent time to discover Atwood's amazing masterpiece for yourself.
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THE CITY William Shatner on Mars?
Did you see the wonderful animation produced by Aardman to accompany Radio 4’s week-long season of Mars programmes last month? The bold pulp-fiction style film saw animators enlist actor William Shatner, no less, to narrate a fact-fuelled cosmic journey to the red planet. The short, commissioned by Radio 4 to celebrate all that is mysterious and evocative about Mars, is a colourful collage of live action and animation set to music that takes the audience through an exciting journey covering facts and trivia about one of the most contemplated planets in our solar system. William Shatner on Mars is the third film Aardman have created for the BBC broadcaster. Designed and directed by Aardman’s Danny Capozzi, it features vintage-style typography and a low-fi cut-out animation technique that pays homage to the B-movies of the 1950s. “It's not often you get a free reign on a wonderful brief, better still a three-minute film about Mars,” says Danny. “The final piece is a retro mash-up mockumentary and the legendary William Shatner coming on board was the icing on the cake!” • aardman.com
BRISTAGRAM Some of our favourite recent snaps taken by folk around the city! Tag your Bristol pics using #thebristolmag
Bristol ad venturer @sir_bren tini in the Mendip H ills
to ry stopped @kris.ave areless C of t bi listen to a the centre Whisper in
Play Them, They’re Yours! Celebrated Bristol artist Luke Jerram is planning to bring his world-famous street piano project back to our streets this summer. More than 1,500 pianos have previously been set up in over 50 cities across the globe, and the project has spawned marriage proposals, inspired musical compositions and helped discover new stars. To mark the 10th year of the project, Luke wants to bring the pianos back to his home city and is calling on businesses, organisations and individual donors to help him fill the city with music. Around 20 pianos, decorated by local artists and community groups, are set to be scattered round public spaces across Bristol and beyond during August, but for the first time, the project is being funded through sponsoring individual pianos. “I’ve been very encouraged by the support we’ve already received from organisations across the city, but we need a few more sponsors to make the project viable,” said Luke. “Bristol is famous for its strong cultural community which is why this project is so ideal for the city – the reason it has taken off around the world is because it provides a blank canvas for everybody else to share their creativity and talent with each other. “I came up with the idea originally when I noticed – when waiting for a bus or sitting in the laundrette – that people tended not to talk to each other, so I put some pianos in these locations as a way of bringing people together. There are also lots of pianists who don’t actually have an instrument to play on and this is a way of giving them a chance to show what they can do.” • streetpianos.com
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Did you spot @lidobristol’s chef Freddy Bi rd with Michel Roux on C4’s Hidden Restaurants?
ng brekkie Monday morni ss looking ra nb @ivyclifto ind pretty good, m
@beckywardmedia met Joey from War Horse – in Cli fton to celebrate 10 years since the musical’s debut
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Snail season
I
’m not sure what attention spam-bots pay to the passing seasons, but I have recently been bombarded by emails offering different kinds of pest control. And, as you read this, one particular pest will be very much on the warpath. Or, should I say, one particular family of pests. Some members of this family have shells, others don’t, but they all share qualities of sliminess and slitheriness, an appetite for tender green shoots and the ability to get from A to B undetected and with surprising speed. Yes, it’s terrestrial gastropod mollusc season once again and now – having wintered safely under a plant pot or down the back of a drainpipe – the slugs and snails are emerging to see what we might have planted for them. In our tiny patch of garden the answer, nowadays, is nothing. I wrote some years ago about a particularly painful experience involving runner bean shoots and a frog that wasn’t doing his job properly, and since then we have resisted planting anything that molluscs enjoy eating. Not that this stops them trying. Sometimes you can actually hear a snail gnawing away at a tulip leaf, a disconcerting sound that makes me glad we live in a world in which we are big and they are small. I say ‘small’, but we once shared a house with a slug that, for several months, moved unseen around the ground floor, his silvery trails the only evidence of his existence. Then one night I came downstairs for something and there he was in the kitchen doorway – a great orange beast at least six inches long, a relative perhaps of the monsters you find on Dartmoor. As his tentacles swivelled towards me, I froze. A slug is not a dangerous animal, I know, but I felt I had crossed the line into his territory. My options were to pick him up and put him in the garden, or leave him to it. I’ll let you guess which one I took…
...The best weapon is a pair of slightly bored under-fives... But it is funny how a simple change in our gardening policy changed molluscs from a major irritant to a minor nuisance. Before that we had tried every deterrent except outright chemical warfare and discovered that the best weapon against slugs and snails is a pair of slightly bored under-fives. You’d be amazed how many slugs a toddler can collect in a bucket, especially when suitably incentivised. An ice pop was worth about 50 snails, I seem to remember, though there was a certain amount of de-sliming to do before the lolly could be consumed. The dog, on the other hand, is absolutely hopeless in this kind of role although, to his credit, the rats seem to have abandoned their home under the compost bin. So far he hasn’t noticed the frog that, as usual, appeared out of nowhere last month and took up residence in the pond, and so long as said amphibian doesn’t hop around too much I don’t think he will. He had a long lecture recently from Ms Bartleby on the subject of bumblebees and how they should be left in peace to do their valuable work “for the sake of the Whole Planet, including You!” – her lectures can be rather ferocious, and he seems to have taken it in. So a kind of balance has been achieved in the miniature world that constitutes our back garden. I can say, hand on heart, that you will never see a petunia or a runner bean out there, but neither will you find a slug pellet. You’re unlikely to spot a cat unless the dog has stolen someone’s birthday cake and sent himself into a diabetic coma, but if, on a still spring evening, you stop and listen outside the back door, you might hear, above the usual sounds of the city, the unmistakeable, monotonous burr of a solitary but optimistic frog, singing. ■ 20 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 23
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THE | WISHLIST
ARRIVE in Style
If you are jetting off somewhere wonderful for a special occasion holiday or maybe fancy treating yourself to a little high-life, then here are some luxurious items that should be on your wishlist. Elegant – yes, reassuringly expensive – yes, and will you arrive looking and feeling amazing?... oh yes! His and hers luxury shopping from Mallory Jewellers in Bath
OMEGA’S PLANET OCEAN It was with Omega’s maritime legacy in mind that the brand launched its Planet Ocean line in 2005. Today, the stylish Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M, Co-Axil Master Chronometer is the perfect tribute to Omega’s heritage of the finest diving watches, £5760
CHOPARD SUNNIES These Imperiale sunglasses from luxury Swiss brand Chopard are fit for any modern empress. Encrusted with lines of precious sparkling Swarovski crystals, with golden accents they are confident, bold and celebrate modern feminity, £371
LONGCHAMP LUXURY Leading French brand Longchamp is one of the most renowned sensations of the fashion industry today. Elegance is coupled with durability, Longchamp’s totes are perfect for travel and everyday use and make a savvy investment. Shown here the Longchamp Foulonne City medium tote in white. £395
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THE LUX LIST Visit E.P Mallory & Son Jewellers 1 – 5 Bridge Street, Bath, BA2 4AP for more information mallory-jewellers.com
HEAVENLY TIME The shimmering intensity of the deep purple colouring is a bold yet highly feminine choice which complements the dazzling lines of the JaegerLeCoultre Rendez-Vous Night & Day automatic steel watch with diamonds. A truly captivating eye-catching and extraordinary timepiece, £10,800
BRILLIANT SPARKLE Peridot is an ancient gemstone treasured by the Pharaohs of Egypt and renowned for its bewitching light green sparkle. When married with the brilliance of diamonds and set in 18ct gold these earrings from Mallory Jewellers are simply enchanting, £1795
TO TRAVEL IS TO LIVE The Montblanc Nightflight cabin bag in black will add style to every voyage. Made from fine-rib nylon, it’s resistant to stains, water and scratches, combined with soft leather, jacquard lining and a subtle Montblanc emblem, £450
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Stunning Engagement rings, Wedding bands & tailor-made rings
Engagement Rings • Wedding Rings • Wedding Gifts Beautiful Gift Ideas for the bridesmaids, mother of the bride and for the groom A 10% discount on any pair of rings purchased & off any further gifts for your wedding when you mention The Bristol Magazine We also offer Bespoke Jewellery • Silver Jewellery • Watches • Jewellery & Watch Repairs • Gold purchased (old jewellery & coins)
History, Tradition & Quality - the only Kemps Jewellers since 1881 9 Calton Court, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, BS9 3DF
www.kempsjewellers.com
0117 950 5090 THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK
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SHOPPING
The
EASTER edit
cottage delight simnel cake, £8 Perhaps you’d prefer to indulge in this sort of traditional treat? John Lewis; johnlewis.com
honeycomb & pecan egg, £13 We adore the beautiful marbled exterior! Zara’s Chocolates; zaraschocolates.co.uk
pecan pie & salted caramel cheesecake egg, £27 A lavishly thick shell filled with classic desserts reimagined in chocolate. The stuff dreams are made of. Hotel Chocolat; hotelchocolat.com
It’s time to rejoice – baby bunnies and lambs will soon be abounding, and consuming copious confectionery will be totally acceptable. As well as signalling new beginnings, Easter gets us a couple of hard-earned days off, doesn’t it? And what better way to spend them than by shopping for cute seasonal trinkets and, you guessed it, chocolate!
bunny garland, £8 Ideal for any Easter celebration! John Lewis; johnlewis.com
hanging basket, £́18 Pop your loot in this sweet wicker carrier. John Lewis; johnlewis.com
lakrids dulce de leche eggs, £24.95 If you’ve never tried dulche de leche, here’s a great introduction. Harvey Nichols; harveynichols.com
egg on toast, £1.95 Chuck a few of these into the Easter hunt mix. Hotel Chocolat; hotelchocolat.com
harriet hare cushion, £55 Love this pretty accessory’s painterly vibes. John Lewis; johnlewis.com
decorations, £5 each These glass eggs will look gorgeous as part of a seasonal display. John Lewis; johnlewis.com
daisy tea pot, £19.50 You’ll be needing a cuppa or three to wash down all that choccy... Mall at Cribbs; marksandspencer.com
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artisan du chocolat sculpture, £44.95 Such a striking, unusual design. Harvey Nichols; harveynichols.com
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SHOPPING | EYEWEAR
The eyes
HAVE IT BUMMI GREY FADE FRAME, £250 Made slightly smaller than the average frame, these are making us want to embark on a Warhol phase
MAUI JIM BABY BEACH FRAME, £220 Lightweight titanium aviator with polarized lens to keep everything looking crisp and clear, without glare or harmful UV
We were up at Lynne Fernandes recently – the award-winning Bristol optometrists with practices in Gloucester Road, Wells Road and Nailsea – you know, to check up on our eye health. Of course, while we were there we couldn’t help but intently browse their range of international designer frames, bringing on-trend eyewear to the city...
AIDIM SUN CLASSIC HAVANA FRAME, £250 We love the timeless downtown aesthetic from renowned New York City eyewear institution Moscot
• lynnefernandes.co.uk
BLOOMDALE STRIPED FRAME, £225 Bloomdale’s philosophy is to make glasses that make people happy and beautiful. Ergonomically designed for comfort and with pretty blue acetate in a modern eye shape, we reckon these would do the trick
CARTER BOND WOOD-LOOK PANTO FRAMES, £210 EACH Designed and handmade in Australia using kiln-dried cellulose acetate with laser-cut wood finish
MAUI JIM VENUS POOLS FRAME, £245 Created on the Hawaiian Islands, Maui Jim sunglasses feature PolarizedPlus2® lens technology for brilliant colour and detail. We like the subtle rose tone and cat-eye style
TD TOM DAVIES FRAME, £295 A summery little number in smoked orange and green with teal green metal temples and black rubber temple tips, from one of Britain's leading bespoke eyewear brands
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LINDBERG FRAME, £375 The idea with Lindberg’s eyewear is to let the world know that you subscribe to a different way of thinking – oh, and a connoisseur’s appreciation of exceptional design
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HISTORY
The Fab Four’s first Bristol show took place at Colston Hall on 15 November 1963
10 THINGS WE DIDN’T KNOW: COLSTON HALL The beloved Bristol landmark is 150 years old this year, and to celebrate, we took a look back through the archives – which make for some fairly surprising reading!
H
aving first opened its doors to the public on 20 September 1867 – after The Colston Hall Company bought the land from Colston Boy’s School in 1861 to fulfil their vision of a concert hall in the city – today, Colston Hall is well on its way to becoming one of the best arts and learning facilities in the country. Its rich history is speckled with extraordinary stories and landmark appearances from the likes of Bowie and The Beatles, to The Rolling Stones and Bob Marley – countless musicians have cut their teeth there, and there have been some pretty random happenings too. While our heads have recently been filled with exciting visions of the venue’s next look – with 2017 being a pivotal point in the venue’s transformation – we decided to find out more about the earlier days...
Before the third incarnation of the Hall opened during the Festival of Britain in July 1951, the acoustics were tested by firing shots to measure the noise and after-effects, and the coughing and applause of an audience as well as live music from an orchestra and artists. The new Hall was opened by H.R.H The Duke of Gloucester and the inaugural concert featured the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham.
Colston chaos In 1958, Frankie Vaughan performed two concerts on the same day. Between performances, his fans surged around Colston Hall and Elephants, kangaroos and bears, oh my!
Oh, what a circus In December 1933, the auditorium had to undergo a series of alterations to make the space suitable for a large circus which featured elephants, seals, ponies, kangaroos and bears! Tiered seats between the organ and stage were removed, the platform was strengthened and extended in order to take the weight of the elephants.
And it burned, burned, burned... On 5 February 1945, the Hall was destroyed by a fire started by a cigarette – after having survived the Blitz and World War Two. In its history, the Hall has burnt down twice and been rebuilt once, with the new foyer built in 2009. The current redevelopment will be the fifth iteration of the Hall.
Please, please Mr Postman... Back in the old days, if they wished to book tickets for upcoming shows, customers would submit requests via ballot papers in the post – and when performing acts arrived in the city, they would be greeted in person at Bristol Temple Meads Station by promoter Charles H. Lockier and press photographers.
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HISTORY
brought traffic to a standstill until police reinforcements arrived. During the last number, fans rushed to the stage until the star disappeared among the crowd and the band’s instruments were passed to safety over the heads of the crowd. The star’s manager was quoted in the press as saying the Bristol gig had been the most fantastic reception they had ever had anywhere in the country.
Bachelor boy There were some pretty unfavourable reviews of Cliff Richard’s gig in 1959, as it was simply too difficult to hear him, due to the incessant screams from the audience.
Music therapy In April 1960, a Bristol married couple credited the Hall and the concert given by the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra for bringing harmony back to their marriage. They wrote to the conductor about how they had decided to get married at the orchestra’s last appearance at Colston Hall two years previously and how listening to the performance avoided a break-up.
All night long 25 November 1963 was billed as the most sizzling date in Bristol’s jazz history when Colston Hall hosted the city’s first all-night public jazz session. Starting at 10pm and finishing at 7am the following morning, the non-stop music and dancing featured headline act Billy Fury topping the bill, plus Papa Bues Viking Jazz Band from Denmark, the Sims-Wheeler Vintage Jazz Band, Micky Ashman’s Ragtime Jazz Band, Nat Gonella’s Georgian Jazz Band and Bristol’s Avon Cities Group.
Beatlemania takes hold The Beatles held their first show in Bristol at the Hall on 15 November 1963. Even before the event took place, the gig was in jeopardy due to concerns about the frenzy the group’s appearance would cause and how it could be managed safely.
Bowie lands in Bristol In 1972, David Bowie and Mick Ronson brought the Ziggy Stardust tour to Colston Hall for the first time, on the first UK leg of the tour. The band would return a year later, following the release of Bowie’s sixth studio album, Aladdin Sane. This month (April 2017) as part of the Hall’s 150th anniversary celebrations, Holy Holy – featuring original Spiders From Mars drummer Woody Woodmansy and Bowie’s producer Tony Visconti – will play the album in full. ■ • colstonhall.org
Sir Thomas Beecham arriving at Temple Meads
“Young Mr Richard hugged the mike,” wrote one reviewer. “Wails of ecstasy...”
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LOCAL | EVENTS
WHAT’S ON There’s plenty to do in the city this month...
Lisa Beasley’s ‘Body Positive’ sessions offer a new outlook on healthy eating
The Red Shoes comes to Bristol Hippodrome, image © Johan Persson
Wells Cathedral tours offer an insight into English gothic architecture and stained glass
FROM 1 APRIL 1 APRIL, 10AM – 11.30AM
‘Doorway into Gothic Architecture; Guided Tour, Wells Cathedral Gain an insight into English Gothic architecture with a tour of Wells Cathedral, featuring outstanding examples of medieval and distinctive Early English work. Tickets cost £10; wellscathedral.org.uk 1 APRIL, 1.15PM
Charity Concert, The Lord Mayor’s Chapel This charity concert will feature singer Charlotte Newstead (soprano) accompanied by John Marsh, in aid of Prostate Cancer Research. Entrance is free, donations are welcome; lordmayorschapel.org.uk
are spread across 40 stalls in the Georgian lounges and grand music hall of Ashton Court. Take a stroll around the estate and return for cream teas and refreshments at the café. Entrance costs £2; contact annie@blueyonder.co.uk
the belief that technology can save us, and argues for a renewed balance between the human and non-human worlds. Tickets from £6 to £7; watershed.co.uk
6 – 8 APRIL, 10AM – 5PM
14 APRIL, 11AM
22 APRIL, 7.30PM
Craft Show, Bath and West Showground
The Crucifixion, The Lord Mayor’s Chapel
Virtuosic Piano, Trinity-Henleaze URC
Leading craft suppliers, businesses, groups and guilds come together to present 75 workshops, demonstrations and ‘make and takes’ in one of the biggest hobby and needlecraft exhibitions in the South West. Tickets £7/£8, under 16s go free; craft4crafters.co.uk
John Stainer’s oratorio is performed by Paul Bambrough (tenor), Niall Hoskin (baritone), Colin Hunt (organ), and The Chapel Singers, directed by John Marsh. Entrance is free; lordmayorschapel.org.uk
Bristol Ensemble welcomes the virtuosic pianist Viv McLean back to the Henleaze Concert Society series to perform a chamber arrangement of Beethoven’s mighty and majestic ‘Emperor’ Piano Concerto No. 5. Tickets from £5 to £16; henleazeconcertsociety.org
FROM 8 APRIL 8 APRIL, 7.30PM
An Evening of Russian Music, St George’s
4 – 8 APRIL, 2.30PM & 7.30PM
The Red Shoes, Bristol Hippodrome This sell-out production, from critically-acclaimed English choreographer Matthew Bourne, tells the story of a young ballerina who is forced to choose between love and her dedication to dance. Tickets from £18.40; atgtickets.com 5 APRIL, 7PM – 9PM
‘My Body Positive’ Taster Session, Westbury-on-Trym This free taster session introduces
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the concept of mindful eating – an approach that can alter the way you think about food and reconnect with hunger. An introductory session with the option to enrol on an eight-week course. Book via email; lisa@mybodypositive.co.uk
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Bristol Symphony Orchestra welcomes concert violinist Natalia Lomeiko to perform Shostakovich’s dramatic Violin Concerto No. 1, alongside works from Tchaikovsky and Borodin. Tickets £5 to £17; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk
FROM 15 APRIL
FROM 22 APRIL
20 APRIL, 7.30PM
22 APRIL, 7.30PM
Led Zeppelin Masters, Colston Hall
An Evening of Classical Music, St Mary Redcliffe Church
Show a whole lotta love for Led Zep with a celebration of the timeless classics including Stairway to Heaven and Black Dog from veteran tribute artist Vince Contarino and the 35piece Black Dog Orchestra. Tickets from £32.25; colstonhall.org
Pianist Simon Callaghan joins forces with Bristol Symphony Orchestra for an evening of stunning classical and romantic works by Beethoven, Mozart, Strauss and Chopin. Tickets from £12.50 to £15 in support of local charity Age UK Bristol; bristolsymphonyorchestra.com
21 APRIL, 6.30PM – 7.30PM 9 APRIL, 10AM – 3.30PM
Antique, Vintage & Collectables Fair, Ashton Court Mansion Fine jewellery, china, furniture, memorabilia and vintage clothes
APRIL 2017
Confessions of an Environmentalist, Watershed
25 – 29 APRIL, 1.30PM & 7.30PM
Paul Kingsnorth discusses his vision of ‘dark ecology’, standing firmly in opposition to
Travel from court to country and tragedy to comedy as Shakespeare’s classic tale of the
The Winter’s Tale, Bristol Old Vic
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paranoid King of Bohemia, who groundlessly accuses his wife of infidelity, unfurls at Bristol Old Vic. Tickets from £14.40 to £30; bristololdvic.org.uk 25 – 29 APRIL, 7.30PM
The Beux’ Stratagem, Kelvin Players Studio A wild comedy of love, loathing, lust and looting – following two charming but dissolute young men, broke from living it up in London but confident in their new plan to marry for money. Plotting, deceit and comic confusion ensue... Tickets from £10/£12; kelvinplayers.co.uk 26 APRIL, 7.54PM
Haydn’s ‘Nelson’ Mass, Clifton Cathedral Haydn’s mighty mass takes centre stage beside works by Bruckner and Mendelssohn in Bristol Cabot Choir’s latest concert, starring soprano Charlotte Newstead and conducted by Rebecca Holdeman. Tickets from £10 to £15; bristolcabotchoir.org 30 APRIL, 3PM
Afternoon Piano Recital, St Paul’s Church Bristol-based pianist and teacher Natalie Haupt performs a selection of pieces by Debussy, Schubert, Kurtag and Mozart alongside duet partner Rustom Battiwalla; stpaulsclifton.org.uk 30 APRIL, 4PM & 7.30PM
Kate Dimbleby, Tobacco Factory Theatre Kate Dimbleby presents her new album Songbirds, which tells the narrative of her musical self discovery, layering vocals and taking inspiration from the sounds of London, New York, Bristol and Canada. Tickets cost £10; tobaccofactorytheatres.com
NEXT MONTH... 2 MAY – 4 JULY, 1.15PM
Lunchtime Concerts, Bristol Cathedral Bristol Cathedral’s free lunchtime concerts take place every Tuesday, with previous perfomers including Sebastian Thomas on the organ and Bristol University’s Madrigal Ensemble; bristolcathedral.co.uk 5 – 7 MAY, 3PM, 5PM & 7PM
Daughters of the Curry Revolution, Trinity Centre
Kate Dimbleby comes to Tobacco Factory Theatres
Afreena Islam explores what it means to be her dad’s daughter in the context of the antiimmigration rhetoric she is surrounded by, fuelled by childhood memories and secondhand stories. Tickets from £10 to £12; 3ca.org.uk 6 MAY, 6.30PM
Bangers and Birdsong Feast, Long Ashton Village Hall Enjoy a dusk chorus walk through Long Ashton woods, led by naturalist and broadcaster Ed Drewitt and his team of fellow bridsong experts – followed by a supper of hot dogs and pulled pork from artisan charcutier Graham Waddington. Tickets cost £20; feastwithachef.co.uk
Daughters of the Curry Revolution comes to Trinity Centre
16 MAY, 2.15PM – 3.35PM
‘The Work of Angels’ Stained Glass Guided Tour, Wells Cathedral This tour highlights the role of angels as shown through the centuries. Images include those of barefoot seraphim on wheels and trumpeting resurrection angels, as well as an archangel slaying a dragon and the Annunciation. Tickets cost £10; wellscathedral.org.uk
The Winter’s Tale comes to Bristol Old Vic, image © Johan Persson
EDITOR’S PICK... 25 APRIL – 28 MAY, 7.30PM
Monteverdi 450, Colston Hall Bristol is the place to be for classical music over the coming months, as a landmark tour celebrating 450 years since Monteverdi’s birth premieres at Colston Hall. Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir join forces with acclaimed soloists and period instrumentalists to present the Italian composer’s three surviving operas: Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria, L’Incoronazione di Poppea and L’Orfeo. Spanning the full gamut of human emotion through tales of ancient Greece and Rome, these operas have a universal appeal sure to impress those in the know and musical novices in equal measure. • colstonhall.org
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EVENTS
We were fascinated by the flyboarders at last year’s Bristol Harbour Festival
FIESTA,
FOREVER Ditch the woolly jumpers and reach for the Pimm’s – Emma Payne looks forward to another Bristolian summer
W
e’ll shortly be adopting this particularly catchy mantra of Lionel Richie’s as a way of life, as we head into this year’s festival season. And if you live in Bristol, that’s an easy enough feat, seeing as there seems to be a large-scale celebration of some sort taking place every five minutes. From immersive, multi-sensory chocolate experiences featuring elements of theatre, psychology and gastromancy (you’ll see), to interactive children’s workshops and performances; from diverse
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musical line-ups including top international acts, to quality art, forward-thinking film and high octane sports; during the next few months there’s more fun to be had in and around Bristol than you can possibly keep track of. So, over the following pages, we’ve put together a brief preview of just some of what’s to come – of course, there are plenty more events that we simply couldn’t cram in, and many line-ups are still to be fully announced, but here’s a starter pack, so you can get those diaries out, begin planning and booking, and ensure you have the best Bristol summer, like, ever...
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EVENTS
Who’ll headline the second Downs Festival? And more importantly, can they match Massive Attack? Expect the line-up around the end of April
Taste Chocolate Festival
Fresh Art Fair
15 & 16 April
12 – 14 May
Lent’s almost over, people – it’s time to indulge, and our first port of call will be Bristol Harbour Hotel for a pick ‘n’ mix of artisan chocolatiers, delicious street food and cooking demonstrations. Alongside stuffing our faces, we’re most looking forward to Origin, a multi-sensory ‘chocolate theatre’ experience which journeys through the past, present and future through bespoke scents, choreographed touch, music, experimental psychology and gastromancy – predicting the future through your stomach grumbles! – and it sounds amazing.
Forty-five of Britain’s best galleries will converge on Cheltenham’s Racecourse this year, where budding enthusiasts and established collectors alike can browse the contemporary, innovative works of 400 artists – the likes of which are rarely seen en masse outside London. And it’s not just about buying art – if you think you’ve got something worth selling, get an expert valuation for up to three pieces from the folks at Bonhams auctioneers.
Walkfest
20 & 21 May
1 – 31 May
Yes that’s right, Bristol is home to the biggest city-based walking festival in the UK, offering the perfect chance to see our hometown from a new perspective (and get some much-needed exercise, in our case). Don your walking boots and wellies for a series of guided tours and themed events suitable for every age and stage.
Haze Sessions
Vegfest Vegan and vegetarian lifestyles have had a surge in popularity in recent years (look away now, Grillstock), but here in Bristol there has been a thriving veggie scene for a long time. Based at the Harbourside and now in its 15th year, Vegfest does what it says on the tin: featuring over 100 stalls packed with vegan fare and a programme of hip-hop, rave, reggae and rock including The Scribes, Criss Cross and Dub Pistols.
6 May
Dot to Dot
Thatchers’ one-day music event returns to Passenger Shed with Bristolbased trio Elder Island, Dub Mafia frontwoman Eva Lazarus, and Britain’s answer to The Vampire Weekend, Little Comets, bringing the biggest beats around. Completing the festival vibe, Thatchers will be offering free samples of their latest brew, the cloudy Haze – the perfect accompaniment to the lineup.
27 May
Gin Festival 11 – 13 May
The UK’s biggest and longest-running touring festival entirely dedicated to gin really needs no introduction – just arm yourself with a Fever Tree tonic, lime or slice of fresh grapefruit, and one of 100 gins; peruse the stalls and acquire some impressive skills at an expert-led masterclass; then wash it all down with a spot of musical entertainment.
Dot to Dot is all about providing a platform for upcoming artists, with previous performers including Ed Sheeran, Mumford and Sons and The 1975. This year sees indie rockers Sundara Karma and Nottingham-based Amber Run headlining alongside surf-pop Californians The Growlers, Scottish duo Honeyblood, kooky LA three-piece Cherry Glazerr and a host of unknown talents just waiting to be discovered.
Love Saves The Day 27 & 28 May
Love Saves The Day is bringing yet another bumper weekend of music to Eastville Park this year, combining the best of the underground and the overground with headliners including Crazy P, Fat Freddy’s Drop,
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Kate Tempest, Little Dragon and Nadia Rose. Offstage, revellers will come across interactive ‘weddings’ at an inflatable church, roller discos and plenty more LSTD eccentricities yet to be confirmed.
Lets Rock
skateboarding at the Pro Park, BMXing from some of the world’s best athletes at the Ghetto Park, live street art and an epic music line-up over four stages, headed by hip hop duo Method Man and Redman as well as Kano and Pendulum.
3 & 4 June
Bristol Pride Festival
Set the DeLorean to 1980 and travel back through the decades (yep, 1980 was 37 years ago) to the era that brought us synth-pop, giant shoulder pads and even bigger hair with this retro festival. The Saturday line-up includes Gloria Gaynor, Village People and Tiffany, while Atomic Kitten, B*Witched and Toploader throwback to the ’90s on Sunday.
8 July
Bristol and Bath Festival of Nature 8 – 25 June
Showcasing and celebrating Bristol’s LGBTQ+ community is the name of the game at Pride, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better street party. The largest event of its kind in the UK, Bristol Pride takes revellers from day to night with a march through the city, over 100 street performers and artists, fantastic food, and, of course, a stonkingly good after-party.
Leave your touch-screens, iPhones and virtual reality headsets at home and reconnect with the outdoors with the UK’s biggest free festival dedicated to all the flora and fauna found naturally on our planet. Discover the Bristol dinosaur, visit the cinema in a campervan to learn about the River Avon, take a look at the sun’s surface with Bristol Astronomical Society’s specialist telescopes and take part in a host of workshops, talks and activities still to be announced.
Bristol Americana Weekend
Forest Live
Bristol Harbour Festival
15 – 18 June
21 – 23 July
Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down... The rumours are true: Rick Astley is back, and he’s performing as part of the Forestry Commission’s live concert series, taking place at seven unique forest locations including Westonbirt Arboretum. Rick’s not the only blast from the past as R&B legend Craig David, and the dulcet Welsh tones of Tom Jones are also coming to the South West, alongside electronic group Clean Bandit, and the evocative Elbow.
Oh we do like to be beside the seaside...well, the harbour, but it’s one that’s become something of a cultural hub as 200,000 visitors amass for one of the country's largest free festivals each year. Harbour Fest boasts a staggering two miles of entertainment along the waterfront, including a Dance Village, three music stages, crazy flyboarding action (see lead image), unusual vessels, a circus mecca created by Cirque Bijou and a regional food market – not too shabby, eh?
Glastonbury Festival
Upfest
21 – 25 June
29 – 31 July
The holy grail of festivals has never disappointed, and this year’s headliners include groundbreaking alt-rockers Radiohead, chartdominating singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and Dave Grohl’s post-grunge project Foo Fighters. And as ever, the music is just the tip of the iceberg at this gargantuan festival-come-makeshift-city, with new themes, minifestivals, parties, entertainments and vendors at every turn. If you didn’t get a ticket the first time round, keep an eye out for the resale date this month...
Over 250 cutting-edge street artists descend on Bedminster each year for Europe’s largest live urban art festival. Forget the hastily scrawled ‘anarchy’ sign round the back of your local Lidl – these immensely talented graffiti artists paint buildings, vehicles and canvasses live, in an amazing range of styles, from photorealism and 3D to cartoon, stencil and stickmen. Even better, the festival will be running for an extra day this year, encouraging families to get more involved with workshops and interactive paint sessions.
Summer Sounds
Valley Fest
21 – 24 June
4 – 6 August
What we love about this relative newcomer is that it no longer matters (as much) if we don’t get a Glastonbury ticket, because we know something absolutely awesome will be going on here in Bristol during that week, as part of Summer Sounds (formerly Summer Series). A fournight string of live outdoor concerts at the Amphitheatre, featuring some of the hottest acts on the scene, Summer Sounds’ offering this year comprises Welsh rock giants Manic Street Preachers; electronic DJ and producer Bonobo; garage comeback king Craig David; and Hacienda Classical – inspired by the legendary ‘Madchester’ club and reimagining rave anthems with a live orchestra. Hallelujah!
This one is perfect for the kids, with junior discos, arts and crafts and endless opportunities to explore the beautiful Chew Valley. Don’t forget to enrol them at Hogsnorts Farm Academy too, where they can meet the animals and put themselves to good use. There’s plenty for adults too though, and no end of local produce to chow down on – every last bite will be 100% organic this year – plus live music at the Lake and Tipi stages and sizzling after-dark DJ sets…need we say more?
Grillstock 1 & 2 July
‘Meat, music and mayhem’ is possibly the most appealing tagline we’ve ever heard for a festival, and between chilli pepper, hot dog and burger eating competitions; a huge, smoky, two-day long ‘King of The Grill’ contest; lashings of cider and beer and an epic main stage line-up, Grillstock more than lives up to its motto. What do we know so far? Well, The Darkness are headlining on the Sunday – air guitars at the ready!
For the third year running, Colston Hall will team up with St George’s to bring together some outstanding home-grown and US artists in the spirit of collaboration. This four-night festival will celebrate the remarkable roots music that grows deep in American soil, including folk, blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 10 – 13 August
It’s one of the most famous sights in Bristol – over 100 colourful hot air balloons floating across the city at dawn and dusk each day, having begun their journey at gorgeous Ashton Court Estate. Highlights of the jam-packed four-day programme include the much-loved nightglows on Thursday and Saturday, when the balloons will light up to a specially commissioned soundtrack, Jelly Record’s fiesta bandstand and the firework finale.
Hoo-Ha! Festival 16 – 18 August
NASS 6 – 9 July
Skate and BMX fans will be stoked (that’s right, we know the lingo) to see the return of NASS festival to The Royal Bath & West Showground this summer, with three days of banging music, highoctane action sports and nail-biting competitions. Witness incredible 40 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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Pacify the summer holiday ‘I’m bored’ brigade as Hoo-Ha! festival transforms Colston Hall into the go-to place for families in August. Alongside back-to-back kid-friendly performances in the main hall during the daytime, The Lantern will also come to life with interactive workshops and shows. In addition to the ticketed events, there will be a programme of free foyer shows and activities.
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EVENTS
ArcTanGent 17 – 19 August
Math-rock, post-rock, prog-rock, noise-rock, alt-rock...you get the idea, right? Prepare for an award-winning three-day celebration of the biggest names in innovative rock, featuring more minimalist guitar solos, mindmelting chord progressions and experimental electronica than you can shake a drumstick at – headliners include Sikth, Listener, Tall Ships, God is an Astronaut and Explosions in the Sky.
The Other Art Fair 1 – 3 September
Known for connecting buyers directly with the best undiscovered artists, The Other Art Fair is back at Bristol’s Arnolfini this year. A pioneering platform for uncovering new talent, its inclusive ethos allows artists to forge direct relationships with potential buyers through workshops, immersive theatre, live music and performance art. Buyers of all ages can discover the best in emerging talent, with artworks for sale from just £50.
Bristol Festival of Puppetry 1 – 10 September
No, we’re not talking Sooty and Sweep (love them though we do), more cutting-edge, pioneering puppetry in an eclectic programme of performance and film. This 10-day homage to the traditional, experimental and diverse styles of puppetry includes a Carnival Parade, Puppet Trail, exhibitions, talks and the totally twisted madness of The Smoking Puppet Cabaret.
The Downs Festival 2 September
Last year’s impressive inaugural event saw local music legends Massive Attack taking their home city by storm, quite literally, as they performed to downpours of biblical proportions. The trip-hop legends were supported on the live music stage by the likes of Skepta and Primal
Scream, while Dan Efregan, creative director of digital at Aardman, photojournalist Giles Duley, and spoken word artist Kate Tempest took to the ‘The Information Stage’. We don’t yet know what’s planned for 2017, but we do know this is one event not to miss.
Affordable Art Fair 8 – 10 September
Feel like the art world can be a little exclusive and elitist at times? Well, this is the festival for you, featuring affordable and accessible pieces without comprising on quality and flair, making it the perfect place to start a collection or invest in a one-off for your home. If you’re unsure what to look for or just fancy a chat, artists and gallery representatives will be on hand throughout the fair.
Bristol Craft Beer Festival 15 – 17 September
After a super successful first year, Bristol Craft Beer Festival is back, bringing some of the best independent brewers to the city. A single ticket gives you the opportunity to try every beer in the place, no tokens required, with Bristol representatives Wild Beer Co, Wiper & True, Lost & Grounded and Left Handed Giant all making an appearance. Hops lovers from further afield include Belgium’s Brasserie De La Senne and Denmark’s Mikkeller. Bottoms up!
Encounters Short Film & Animation Festival 19 – 24 September
Experience perfectly crafted miniature films designed to make you laugh, cry, squirm and scream in your seat, from some of the most innovative, creative and masterful filmmakers and animators in the industry. Expect special big-screen events, a comprehensive industry programme, free public screenings for all the family and festival awards – which last year saw Anete Melece’s charming Analysis Paralysis take the Grand Prix. ■
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BEYOND POCAHONTAS A new exhibition at Rainmaker Gallery is challenging perceptions of Native American culture through the striking, powerful and beautiful works of 12 indigenous artists
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his year marks the 400th anniversary of the death, in Gravesend, of Pocahontas – famous for her involvement with the English settlers in Jamestown, and probably the only Native American woman the majority of British people could name. The popular treatment of Pocahontas – most memorably perhaps by Disney – has propelled her to become the poster girl for Native American culture, and the way in which this figure (in fact and myth) has come to dominate our understanding, and eclipsed the numerous Native American women whose real lives are equally as worthy of our attention, is the motivation for a new exhibition just opened on Coldharbour Road. Aiming to move beyond Pocahontas, and release her from the symbolic duty of standing for all women of this indigenous people, We Are Native Women highlights their strength and diversity through the recent work of 12 contemporary aboriginal North American artists, hailing from Alaska down to New Mexico. Including painting, printmaking, photography and basket weaving, its artworks depict women of all ages – strong, powerful, nurturing, caring, vulnerable, desirable, provocative, dangerous, real and even supernatural. “I fell in love with the land first of all,” says co-curator and Rainmaker Gallery owner Joanne Prince of her interest in Native American art and culture, which began while she was visiting family in Canada in the early 1980s. “Having grown up in a big city, the forests of British Columbia were my first true realisation of the interconnectedness of all life and it naturally followed that I was drawn to the people of that land.” Jo founded Rainmaker in 1991 and brought her gallery to Bristol permanently in 2008, having made it her life’s work to provide an authentic Native American Indian voice in the UK. Dividing her time between Bristol and the States, she has seen, first-hand, how certain issues, such as the Dakota Access Pipeline controversy of recent years, have impacted on the perception of the people. “The #NoDAPL movement has brought awareness to the struggles that Native American communities still face on their lands,” she explains. “Water protectors used social media to reach out across the world and we saw thousands of people from hundreds of tribes come together in a show of unity and resistance to ecocide and corporate greed. “When environmental disasters happen, they hit indigenous communities first and hardest because of the widespread disregard of their human rights by governments and corporations, and the Dakota pipeline is a typical example of this attitude – but the determination of the people of Standing Rock to protect the Missouri river from contamination was witnessed the world over. Native Americans from all walks of life spoke out and were seen for who they actually are – spokespeople, lawyers, journalists, artists, film makers, medics, elders, children, teachers.” It’s this real picture that Jo has always sought to share, creating opportunities for the British public to meet Native artists and experience indigenous populations through art. “The work we do is important because these exhibitions demonstrate that the reality of these cultures is far more fascinating and exciting than the reductive ideas about Native America that predominate worldwide,” says Jo. “Cherokee artist Shan Goshorn states that "dooming a person’s existence to that of a stereotype is worse than never having lived at all," so in other words, our ignorance of individual humanity is a form of cultural genocide. Native Americans suffered the most extensive genocide in history and those that have survived should 42 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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have the right to determine their own identities and not be expected to conform to the childish fantasies of others.” The stereotype confronted in the current exhibition – that of Native American women – is one Jo feels infectiously passionate about breaking down. “It comes from media fabrications, initially in westerns and more recently in Disney cartoons,” she reflects. “In both instances, the portrayals are historical and dehumanising. Similarly there is a predominance of historic, staged and stoic sepia photographs. For this reason, people struggle to conceive of Native American women as real, contemporary, multi-faceted individuals. “I see the 400th anniversary of the death of Pocahontas as an opportunity to raise the profile of all indigenous North American women,” she posits. “There are a number of ‘Pocahontas 2017’ events happening across the country throughout the year, all of which focus on her story, but I wanted to move the conversation beyond Pocahontas to the Native American women of today and others that came after her. We wanted this exhibition to be an accurate reflection of how Native Americans choose to portray themselves and each other; to show a broad range of women from girlhood to old age, traditional, contemporary, political, whimsical, beautiful and controversial, as portrayed by artists from across the continent.” For Jo, it’s of paramount importance to choose contemporary artists of indigenous descent for her exhibitions – their individual identities directly and crucially influencing the way they portray their subjects. “For these artists, the people that they depict are not merely subject matter,” she explains. “They are friends, neighbours, family members, respected elders or ancestors, and there exists a level of honesty, trust and respect between artist and sitter that would not exist outside of the community.” One particularly striking work by Santa Fe artist Cara Romero shows a young Comanche woman named Wakeah dressed in her finest dance regalia – representing years of skilled work and cultural significance – and photographed in a life-size doll box. Cara had remembered how, as a child, the dolls she saw in shops, which were meant to be 'Indian', had no relevance or resemblance to actual Native American cultures, so she created an image to represent the dolls she wished for as a child – ones that reflected the true richness, dignity and glamour of powwow culture shared by tribes today. “I absolutely love everything that Cara Romero does and her latest piece Kaa – based on the idea of a female deity called Mud Woman, the spirit of the clay – is extraordinary,” enthuses Jo. “Kaa is a young woman from a long line of traditional Pueblo potters, so Cara painted her body with clay and overlaid an enlarged photograph that she took of an ancient Anasazi (ancestors of the Pueblo peoples) beaker. The designs that appear on her body are actually from the beaker itself. “It is also a real privilege to have two exquisite baskets from Shan Goshorn's Warrior Bloodline series, and I am moved by courageous self-portrait Am I Next? by the youngest artist in the exhibition – Navajo poet, filmmaker, artist and student at Brown University, Sierra Edd – who does research surrounding racial violence in border town communities outside the Navajo reservation.” In the current global political climate, seeing the bigger picture and amplifying marginalised voices feels more important than ever – kudos to Rainmaker for continuing its mission to break the silence and put aside geographical distance in favour of unity. ■ • We Are Native Women runs until 31 May; rainmakerart.co.uk
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ART
Kaa by Cara Romero – based on the idea of a female deity called Mud Woman,the spirit of the clay
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ART
Ceci N'est Pas Une Indienne – a digital print on antique ledger paper by Debra Yepa-Pappan – an artist of Jemez Pueblo and Korean descent
Finding Her Helpers by Shelley Niro – member of the Six Nations Reserve, Turtle Clan, Bay of Quinte Mohawk. Her work challenges stereotypically bleak images of Aboriginal women and looks at stories such as that of the Skywoman
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Sierra Edd’s Identity of Stars and Stripes shows the layers and complexities of Native identity in the 21st century, reflects on the political climate and illustrates how media representations of Native people are often generalised and misinformed
Wakeah – Cara Romero’s vision of the ‘Indian’ dolls she wished for as a child
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EXHIBITIONS
STATE OF THE ART Easter Sculpture Festival and Quilting Exhibition, Bristol Botanic Garden, 14 – 17 April
Lucianne Lassalle’s ‘Rambeaux’ (image by Marius Grose)
Sumptuous quilts in jewelled colours, stained glass sail boats drifting through sea glass, bronzes with attitude, calligraphyinspired ceramics, and quirky foliage sculptures swaying in the breeze are just a few of the highlights of 2017’s festival. Prominently featured this year is internationally renowned sculptor Lucianne Lassalle, who now lives in Bristol. Born in Paris in 1960, and having grown up in a bohemian artistic environment with her mother a potter, her father a painter and her aunt a muse of Picasso’s, Lucianne has made sculpture since she was a child. The human form has always been Lucianne’s passion – holding endless possibilities just as pure sculptural form or as a socio-political reflection or comment. Hugely influenced by contemporary dance and physical theatre, she explores dramatic movement as figures fly, fall and dance through space. Sculpting pieces of all scales, from 15cm to two metres, Lucianne works initially in clay and exhibits around the world – her work available in stoneware, bronze and iron resin, and other media like aluminium. • bristol.ac.uk/botanic-garden
‘Wood Nymph’ by Christine Baxter
Glass Microbiology, The Box (At-Bristol), until 4 September At-Bristol gallery space The Box celebrates the synergy between art and science, and features exhibitions and artists that occupy the exciting space where art and science meet. Currently showing are the strangely beautiful, jewel-like sculptures of Glass Microbiology – the brainchild of internationally acclaimed Bristol-based artist Luke Jerram, who brings the invisible world of viruses to life in this show. • at-bristol.org.uk
Spring Exhibition, Coldharbour Framery & Gallery, until 31 May Coldharbour Gallery is celebrating the arrival of spring with bold, bright colours and garden themes – Abigail McDougall returns with her latest Kew Gardens paintings in her trademark vibrant shades, while Rupert Blamire adds new zingy glazes to his ever-popular range of ceramics. The team is also delighted to welcome Bristol-born sculptor Christine Baxter to the gallery, with a selection of her bronze resin and cast stone pieces for home or garden, as well as ceramicist Kate Evans with her exquisite porcelain wildflower vases, perfect for bringing nature indoors. • coldharbourgallery.co.uk
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Image by Luke Jerram
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EXHIBITIONS
Skeletons: Our Buried Bones, M Shed, 8 April – 3 September See 12 human skeletons from Bristol and London, each with a unique story to tell – from a young man buried without ceremony in Tormarton 3,500 years ago during the Bronze Age, to a Romano-British couple found in a single stone coffin at Mangotsfield, and a child from a Victorian convent burial ground at St Catherine’s Court – who had undergone a post mortem craniotomy. Children can reveal some of the science behind the stories in the Bone Lab – test their knowledge of bones; search for hidden clues to analyse skeletons themselves; and hear from experts of the excavation site, lab and museum. Please note: this exhibition contains real human remains; and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. • bristolmuseums.org.uk
Basim Magdy: The Stars Were Aligned For A Century Of New Beginnings, Arnolfini, 14 April – 18 June The first UK solo exhibition of this Egyptian artist focuses on his film work – layering past, present and future, and revealing social blueprints and ideologies that unfold across time. Situated somewhere between fact and fiction; rooted in dreams, scientific theory and failed utopian ambitions; full of humour and quiet melancholy, his works on paper and in film, photography and slide projection reflect on the present social and political climate and our collective failure as, in the desire for progress, we repeat the same mistakes in a recurring cycle of aspiration, action and defeat. A trilogy of films – Hatching Monkeys, The Many Colors of the Sky Radiate Forgetfulness and The Dent – present surreal alternative realities. Magdy uses experimental techniques for developing film using household chemicals in a process he calls “film pickling”, and the nostalgically blurred images and psychedelic colours created, combined with ambient soundtracks, seem otherworldly. • arnolfini.org.uk
● Lines in a Landscape: Drawings from the Royal Collection, RWA, 1 April – 4 June A major new exhibition of landscape drawings selected from the Royal Collection and generously lent by Her Majesty The Queen, featuring works by some of the masters of Western European drawing, and including rarely seen works by Van Dyck, Canaletto, Gainsborough and Claude Lorrain – widely considered to be the greatest landscape artist of the 17th century – alongside fascinating examples by lesser-known names. Celebrating the richness, variety and peculiarities of the drawings in this internationally renowned collection, the show also makes connections with contemporary drawing practice. From Italianate villas to the Dutch low-lands; Guercino’s pen and ink sketches to Jan Lievens’ sweeping Work by Gaspar Van Wittel, courtesy of Royal Collection outlines, and Hendrick Avercamp’s Trust; © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017 crystallisation of a momentary accident on the ice, explore how the act of drawing can capture a fleeting moment, subject or mood. Alongside Thomas Sandby’s delicately coloured vistas, Bruce’s exquisitely rendered ruins and Claude’s gently waving trees, the exhibition includes incomplete works, rendered in soft inky outlines and fragile washes, which hint at the artists’ process and open a dialogue with the concurrent RWA exhibition, ‘Drawn’. • rwa.org.uk
ELA by Carl Melegari
● Spring Quartet, Clifton Contemporary Art, until 29 April Clifton Contemporary Art is focusing on four key artists whose techniques, materials and works are dramatically different. From the highly textured oil on canvas portraits of Carl Melegari and Lynn Golden’s mesmerising acrylic and metallic leaf floral compositions, to Sarah Brown’s lucid, atmospheric pastel landscapes and Christine Feiler’s elegant, timeless ceramic pieces, this is an exhibition that celebrates diversity. See also a selection of new work by artists including Tom Hughes, Parastoo Ganjei, Hannah Woodman and Stephanie Axtell. • cliftoncontemporaryart.co.uk
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Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers
Thank you To all the Vendors in the March Specialist Sale who contributed to our largest sale total in the firm’s history
Free Valuation Day in Bristol Jewellery, Watches, Silver & Gold Sold for £3,550
At
Wednesday 19th April 10am – 4pm Stoke Lodge, Shirehampton Road, BS9 1BN
Sold for £7,150
Sold for £3,700 Sold for £9,150 Ample free parking – Tea & Coffee served
Sold for £4,700
Clevedon Salerooms will be holding a FREE no-obligation Specialist Jewellery, Watch, Silver & Gold Valuation Day at Stoke Lodge on Wednesday 19th April between 10am – 4pm. Clevedon Salerooms Valuers, Gemmologist John Kelly and watch specialist Marc Burridge will be providing free no-obligation verbal estimates with the 1st June Quarterly Specialist Sale in mind.
Sold for £11,400
Sold for £15,300
Sold for £5,100
Sold for £8,250
Sold for £16,100
Next Antique and Interior Sales: 6th & 27th April at 10am Next Free Valuation Days at the Salerooms: 10th, 11th, 12th April – 9.30-1pm and 2pm-5pm
Tel: 01934 830111 or 0117 325 6789 The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn, Clevedon, Bristol BS21 6TT
www.clevedon-salerooms.com (Prices include buyer’s premium of 20%plus VAT)
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Trish has been in Bristol for 25 years now, and the bridge is close to her heart
BRISTOL AT WORK: Bridgemaster Trish Johnson We shine a spotlight on the folk that help make up the fabric of city life
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efore being appointed bridge master at Clifton Suspension Bridge late last year, engineer Trish Johnson had her hands full as the head of maintenance for Severn River Crossing, managing the upkeep of the two Severn bridges – having previously worked with local authority projects on everything from bridge inspections to major road schemes, the building of a bomb-proof bunker to the design of an aqueduct. And so far, she seems pleased with the move. “It’s pretty much the best job ever,” she says, beaming. “It is such a unique role and to have the opportunity to manage such an important, iconic structure in Bristol is a real honour. I am really privileged to be working with a great team of people, who are passionate about the bridge, and no two days are ever the same.” TBM: How so? Describe a typical shift for you... Trish: The role combines maintenance of the structure, dealing with the public, promoting engineering, the management of the business and looking after our heritage. So a typical day might include agreeing the maintenance, or managing our various contactors, who look after everything from the toll barriers to the lighting on the bridge. Then, I may deal with media who want to film on the bridge; pop into the visitor centre to say hello to our fantastic volunteers; deal with the usual invoices, reports and so on, and then walk round the bridge to ensure everything looks in order, while catching up with our attendants. On top of that, there are the major projects that we are carrying out including painting under the bridge and planning new Toll Houses, so there’s plenty of report reading and meetings. 50 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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What does the bridge mean to you? I have been in Bristol for over 25 years so it is a place close to my heart. All bridges are about connecting communities and this one is no different. Its location, high above the gorge and overlooking the city, gives it a touch of grandeur. It really is the icon for Bristol. For me, it is a bridge that shows off our heritage and engineering background but also inspires the future engineer, scientist or architect. We have lots of school groups who visit the bridge and Visitor Centre and hopefully leave being excited about the applications of science and engineering. What do you love about working in this area of Bristol? Who doesn’t like Clifton? It is a real hub of activity and the architecture is beautiful – you can imagine the Victorians walking through on their way to the bridge. The village is great to grab a sandwich from and the views from the bridge are second to none. Where’s your next favourite spot in the city? Brunel’s Buttery down by the docks. This has been a family favourite for years and we are regulars there. Best bacon butties in Bristol! Surprise us... Well a lot of people don’t know that this is actually a private bridge, owned and managed by the Trust – a very experienced board of trustees. We do not get any funding from any local authority – the tolls pay for the maintenance and upkeep of the bridge. And although it is known as Brunel’s Bridge, Brunel actually died prior to the bridge being completed. It stood for a long time with just the two towers
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either side of the gorge and was completed by Hawkshaw and Barlow – two eminent civil engineers whose names appear on the inscription on the Clifton tower. I also like the story about the Royal Zanettos – a troupe of Japanese juggler brothers who performed with fire clubs while riding bicycles. To promote their Bristol show at the People’s Palace in February 1896, the Zanettos arranged a well-attended public display at the Suspension Bridge. A turnip was thrown off the bridge and the eldest brother, who was stood on the Portway below, caught it in his mouth with an L-shaped fork – despite losing a tooth or two, according to reports, due to the force of the impact.
things – something that should excite both men and women. It is a shame that there are so few women in the industry and if my appointment inspires some girls to go into engineering then I am delighted. I have never doubted that this was the best career for me and I love the variety and challenges it brings. • Follow @brunelsbridge on Twitter for news and updates
The vaults recently opened for a theatre production by Insane Root – do you think performances there will be a regular thing? I am not sure Brunel ever thought that his vaults would one day be used for theatre. Orpheus & Eurydice was based in the Underworld, so the vaults provided the perfect backdrop for it. I did manage to see it and it was great – the acoustics inside the vaults are fantastic and the actors were amazing. As for more regular shows – we will have to wait and see. The capacity for an audience is very small (12 maximum) so it is not really geared up for your normal theatre productions. What plans do you have for the bridge in 2017? This year we will be painting the girders on one half of the bridge. This is to ensure the ironwork is protected from corrosion. We only paint one half at a time as we need to take the footway up to paint the tops of the girders. So the footway on the south of the bridge (facing Bristol) will be closed for a number of months (now until August) while we do this work from the gantry. This will ensure the girders are corrosion-free for many years to come. Do you feel your appointment reflects the strides that have been made in what has been a historically male-dominated industry? It still surprises me that in this modern day this is still considered a ‘male-dominated’ industry. Engineering is all about solving problems, managing workloads and coming up with new ideas on how to do
Work being being carried out in 1925
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Spring tends to put us in the mood for romance, so we’ve been casually checking out a few of the city’s loveliest settings in which to get hitched – a little helping hand for those who have a union on the cards
Berwick Lodge’s gorgeous fountain (image by Jenny Hardy; jennyhardyweddings.co.uk) 52 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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WEDDINGS
Fancy a lavish banquet in the heart of the city? Check out Bristol Harbour Hotel’s splendid offering
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here’s no denying that planning your nuptials can seem like a Herculean task, especially at the start, when the to-do list is longer than any wedding gown train could ever aspire to be, but they do say that hunting down, deciding on and booking that allimportant perfect venue is the biggest hurdle (after securing the bride/groom, that is) and with that in mind, we thought we’d make a start on the research. Here are just a handful of our favourite venues in the local area to get you started...
intimate party, as friendly and experienced in-house wedding coordinator Emilie will tell you – count on her and her little black book of reliable suppliers to deliver everything you need for the dreamiest day the imagination can conjure. And then at the end of it all, exhausted after dancing until the wee hours, you and select guests can fall into 14 unique bedrooms inspired by the Anatolian period and
featuring chandeliers, open fireplaces, sleigh beds and all the little finishing touches and luxuries you could wish for. • berwicklodge.co.uk
Berwick Lodge Bristol boltholes don’t come much chicer than this stylish country house on the outskirts of the city, with its beautiful collection of individually designed rooms, 18 acres of verdant parkland and gardens and elegant fountain (pictured left) – which puts us in mind of halcyon scenes from a Blytonesque novella and is perfect for a
...The gardens and elegant fountain put us in mind of halcyon scenes from a Blytonesque novella... spot of summery splashing about. Dating back to the 1890s, the property itself – around a 15-minute drive from the city centre – can host a wedding ceremony or reception accommodating 10 to 100 of your nearest and dearest, while there’s space for a marquee reception for up to 400. Its award-winning two AA-rosette restaurant Hattusa takes Berwick’s character and personality and infuses it into a delicious array of modern British food and fine wine, served in flickering candle light with views across the gardens. It’s ideal for an
ss Great Britain Launched in 1843, Bristol’s beautifully restored resident ocean liner is not only steeped in history and blessed with some of the prettiest views in the region, but licensed to officially unite love birds in its versatile spaces above and below deck. There’s a dedicated coordinator available to assist with every step of the planning process, and another major selling point, we think, is the luxurious First Class Dining Saloon – once admired by a young and fashionable Queen Victoria. It can receive up to 160 guests and never fails to charm with its early Victorian design – think marble-styled pillars, Rococo mirrors and candle lanterns. It’s all combined with hidden state-of-the-art technologies and a PA system for the hotly anticipated speeches. With its mirrors and elegant wooden flooring, the Promenade Deck makes for an impressive aisle or a great space for canapés to be guzzled and musicians to play; and the Weather Deck is good for a drinks reception. Exchange vows while surrounded by up to 100 guests below the circular skylight; meanwhile, below deck, there’s the Hayward Saloon, with its dance floor and bar area, which immediately makes us want to party as hard as Jack and Rose during the Irish party in Titanic. After the reception, guests can continue the revelry or explore the ship – as well as acting as master of ceremonies, the chief steward can also provide talks or guided tours. • ssgreatbritain.org THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK
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Wander between the vines at Aldwick Court (image by Sam Gibson; samgibsonweddings.co.uk)
What could be more Bristol than tying the knot aboard the grand old ss Great Britain?
Can you imagine yourself taking your vows here at beautiful Berwick Lodge?
The ss Great Britain’s dining saloon (image by Martin Dabek Photography; martindabek.com)
Guests (of all kinds) are sure to love a shindig at Arnos Vale Cemetery (image by Frances Taylor; evokepictures.com)
Groomsmen at Aldwick Court Farm (image by Sam Gibson; samgibsonweddings.co.uk)
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WEDDINGS
Bristol Harbour Hotel If you want to stay in the heart of the city during your nuptials, the newly opened, antique-filled Harbour Hotel could be a great shout. Set in grand, Grade-II former banking buildings in the Old City – designed by renowned 19th-century architect William Bruce Gingell – the venue’s painstakingly restored and characterful interiors are equally as impressive as their exterior. The Sansovino Hall in particular – inspired by Sansovino’s 16th-century Library of St Mark in the Piazetta at Venice and complete with remarkable historical detail and superb sky light – speaks of romance and history and is the most beautiful backdrop to any wedding day, also handily seating up to 300 guests. When it comes to enjoying a much-needed wedding breakfast after all that toasting, know that no ordinary meal awaits, at the hands of award-winning chef patron Alex Aitken – whose tailored menus are individually designed suit the theme and tone of a wedding. Added bonuses here include a dedicated wedding team, complimentary accommodation for the bride and groom – plus exclusive accommodation rates for guests – and perhaps best of all, the newly unveiled spa. With seven sumptuous treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, areas of rest and relaxation and a fully equipped urban gym, as well as a mood-lit indoor pool, it’s bound to help relieve any pre-wedding jitters; get the bride squad looking photo ready; and have you feeling every inch the beaming bride or grinning groom when it comes to your intimate ceremony or lavish banquet. • bristol-harbour-hotel.co.uk
Aldwick Court Farm Does the idea of getting married on a Somerset vineyard sounds as idyllic to you as it does to us? Then you might want to check out this charmingly rustic 17th-century farm in Redhill, which happily unites the historic with the comforts and efficiency of the modern. Consisting of two adjacent stone barns, the main venue also includes the brick-walled Cellar Bar, a pleasant, oft sun-lit courtyard and the New Barn, with architectural features from the bygone dairy barn
Bristol Harbour Hotels menus are individually designed by the award-winning chef – and the cocktails are pretty good too
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and plate glass windows looking out onto panoramic vineyard vistas. These skim Aldwick’s lush greenery, over to the River Yeo at the farm’s southern boundary, and a patchwork of distant fields and forests. To the west, over Homefield Vineyard, imagine the sun making its descent in a blaze of glorious colour and helping to create unique and memorable wedding photographs. Take a stroll among the vines with your beau, then be pictured amidst the very grapes produced for the award-wining wines served at your wedding breakfast... If further persuasion is needed, the family-fun company took home the award for Best Wedding Venue 2017 at the Bristol & Somerset Wedding Awards recently – so unless the bridesmaids start brawling perhaps, a darn good day is pretty much guaranteed, we reckon. • aldwickcourtfarm.co.uk
Arnos Vale Cemetery Maybe you’d prefer to tie the knot amidst flora and fauna, as part of a unique woodland wedding at Arnos Vale. Featuring 45 acres of verdant scenery in a surprisingly central location, Arnos Vale offers a host of nature-centric weddings, including a ‘Twilight Woodland Wedding’ package – an atmospheric early evening celebration complete with rustic menu, twinkling fairy lights and all of the fiddly bits taken care of by a handy wedding coordinator. The wonderfully unpredictable English weather needn’t put you off your perfect outdoor shindig either, as the wooden beamed Underwood Centre provides guests with shelter at the heart of the woodland, while the Grade-II Anglican Chapel offers a traditional setting for up to 110 seated guests. And rather than going full Ray Mears outside, couples can always usher their party towards an elegant evening affair at the Spielman Centre – a bright, modernised Victorian space with room for up to 140 guests, and a neutral interior palette primed for bunting, bows and decorations galore. • arnosvale.org.uk
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FOOD & DRINK
We’d been drawn to trying out a class after months of walking past the shop window and drooling over the likes of these salted caramels
SWEET ESCAPE We get in the mood for Easter and learn a thing or two at Zara’s Chocolate’s
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alking past Zara’s Chocolates is something we do on the way to work every single day, and it’s a rare day when we can muster the self-control not to stop for a chocspresso (enlivening shot of richest, single origin Haitian hot chocolate – just try it, okay?) Something we’ve been promising ourselves for a while, though, is a morning at one of their workshops, so with Easter imminent, we popped in to try a spot of truffle making. Tearing our eyes away from the pretty confectionery displays and inhaling deeply to take in the different aromas, complemented by those from Ivory Flowers – the florist that shares the space and serves to double its beauty factor – we’re told about this leading city chocolatier’s beginnings by the incredibly affable Zara herself. A lifelong chocoholic, she started out exhibiting her delicious home experiments at the likes of the Tobacco Factory Sunday market before finding a permanent home on North Street in 2013 and growing into an award-winning business while keeping production on a small scale and continuing to make everything by hand. As well as a figure moulding and decoration class, there’s a tempering masterclass where students are taught the process of heating and cooling chocolate under controlled temperatures on the shop’s cool marble worktops, in order to achieve the correct crystal alignment; avoid any pesky powdery white residue on the finished product; and give the glossy shine, crisp snap and smooth mouth feel coveted by and required of all the best in the business. (Zara has found the plasterers of Bristol to be naturally very good at this technique – apparently they use similar tools!)
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But we’re here to learn the art of handrolled truffles, so first we set about making a ganache filling by heating up a measure of double cream and mixing it into some Fairtrade Belgian chocolate chips until melted. Then, over at the flavour counter, we umm and ahh over combinations for far too long – with everything from gingerbread to grapefruit, kirsch and champagne to rosemary and thyme, can you blame us? – before eventually opting for one of our favourite types of Caribbean rum, Mount Gay, and tangerine. After mixing a few teaspoons of rum and several droplets of the orange, and taste testing (very necessary) until both notes are shining through, we spoon it all into a piping bag and fill a tray of truffle shells with the mixture, being careful not to leave any air pockets in any of the shells. With the back of a spoon, Zara demonstrates how to gently seal the truffles with some plain melted chocolate, and we finish off the rest of the tray in our much less neat manner. Then, once they’re set after a few minutes, we drop them into another bowl of liquid chocolate to give them a final coating and make sure they have a nice spherical shape. All that’s then left to do is shake off the excess chocolate and either roll the truffles in our first chosen decoration – coconut flakes – or drop them, still plain, onto the sheet of cellophane Zara sets out on the worktop. For the latter, we pick out some dried raspberry pieces and powder and gently scatter over the top of the truffles. While our decorating skills leave something to be desired – the raspberry powder, in particular, could have been dusted over a tad more delicately – we’ve not done too badly for
first-timers. Nor in the flavour stakes, with the rum really discernible and packing a nice little punch, permeated by the fruity citrus cutting through. Another thing we love about Zara’s is how fresh the chocolates are always guranteed to be because they’re all preservative free. And while that means they have a shorter shelf life than some chocolates, that’s never going to be a problem for us... ■ • Workshops cost £50; zaraschocolates.co.uk
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DINING IN
HAUTE at HOME Fancy throwing a dinner party with a stress-relieving difference? Enter, La Belle Assiette...
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here are a couple of ways you can look at employing the services of a private chef – nervously, at the thought of inviting a stranger into your kitchen, or with feverish anticipation, at the thought of experiencing restaurant-quality food in your home without even having to lift a finger. When we discovered this service had recently become easily bookable in Bristol, as odd an experience as it had the potential to be, we opted for the latter approach. Because the idea of La Belle Assiette sounded so very enticing – catering for homes across the UK, France, Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg, it works with hundreds of chefs to provide its customers with a gourmet evening they’re unlikely to forget. They do everything: buy the ingredients, devise the menu, then cook and serve up before cleaning up and slipping out whence they came. We’d found the perfect opportunity to sample the service one midweek evening – the giant Alaskan hound was out for the night, meaning all plates would remain intact, shoes would stay unnibbled, and no ingredients would mysteriously disappear from the worktops. So, local chef Tara Clist was enlisted and booked through the website, and while we finished getting ready upstairs and enjoyed a little pre-prandial prosecco without having to dash between wardrobe, kitchen and designated dog area to keep everything on track (already a refreshing change), she arrived promptly and got to work in the kitchen. Having called previously to get acquainted with our dietary preferences, Tara had put together a four-course menu that sounded rather tempting, and the aromas emanating from the kitchen soon had hopes pinned high. After fresh, well-balanced appetisers of chicory salad with mint, pomegranate and goat’s cheese cream, we tucked into starters of pumpkin risotto with pine nuts and crunchy sage leaves for extra texture. While a contrasting punch of say, citrus perhaps, was missed by a couple of guests, the majority found this dish to be the most flavoursome of the evening, and the most filling. It was lovely to be able to focus completely on our guests, and be a real part of the conversation, rather than poking our heads out from the kitchen every five minutes to contribute a glib comment. With the weather being what it was (tempestously English) we were happy to be in the comfort of our own home, while still socialising, enjoying good 60 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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food, and our own favourite music and wine choices. Next came soft fillet of bream with an unusual red wine butter sauce and roasted fennel – which could have done with some sort of carbbased accompaniment – before a pre-prepared blood orange jelly contrasted with little bricks of almond biscotti, which elicited mixed opinions, some feeling it was a tad basic. The service was impressively efficient, with all four courses prepped, served and carefully cleaned up after in under two hours. An excellent concept, eliminating most of the stress and faff of throwing a dinner party, and allowing the host to relax – though in practice, the experience itself seems like it could be fairly variable, depending on several factors. While the food didn’t quite represent the level of restaurant quality we’d expected – with some dishes more assembled than cooked as such, meaning they wouldn’t have been too difficult to recreate ourselves – it was all tasty and very prettily presented, and the ability to sit back and relax was simply invaluable. • A four-course menu ranges from £39-£59 per head depending on the ingredients used; labelleassiette.co.uk All photographs except lead image by Chris Cronin; chriscroninphotography.co.uk
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FOOD & Drink
TASTY TITBITS FROM THE CITY’S RESTAURANTS, CHEFS AND PRODUCERS
CARNIVAL SEASON Prohibition-style speakeasy bar Hyde & Co has launched a new cocktail menu, inspired by New Orleans and film noir. The painstakingly handmade menus tell a story of mystery, moonshine and a troubled private investigator via the likes of Cafe Noir – a creation made with Diplomatico rum, coffee liqueur, Hyde spice mix, bitters and absinthe – Winds of Change, which features a delectable mix of blackberry vermouth, ramazzotti, cherry brandy, lemon and soda, and the aptly named Sucker-Punch – consisting of Hyde Scotch blend, coconut, smoked pineapple, lime and Creole bitters. Each page of The Last Carnival menu sees the story take another turn through the life of detective Kinsey Moran – we particularly enjoyed the chapter entitled Farewell to Arms, featuring a trip to ‘Lucille’s hotel’ on Bourbon Street, some dark news, and a dangerously good genever, grapefruit sherbet, lime and sparkling wine concoction. • hydeand.co
A NEW HUB Whiteladies Road is to welcome a new branch of Hubbox – a restaurant specialising in burgers, hotdogs and beers. The eatery, which is thriving in St Ives, Truro, Exeter and Plymouth and has a beach bar on Pentewan Sands, will sit inside 113 Whiteladies Road (previously Las Iguanas). “We can’t wait to bring Hubbox to Bristol, which is in fact my home town,” said managing director Richard Boon. “We think the South West’s foodie city is going to love our handmade burgers, gourmet hot dogs, in-house smoked pulled pork and beef brisket. Also on the menu will be the National Burger Award-winning Big Kahuna, and the Mack Daddy, a crispy Cornish mackerel burger with shredded beetroot and horseradish mayo – alongside our vegetarian burgers, homemade nachos and kids options. We’ll stock a rolling selection of great craft beers on draft, in bottles or cans, and a choice of bangin’ cocktails, amazing shakes and soft drinks. We are also excited to serve amazing coffee, from Cornish roasters ‘Origin’, which Hub St Ives is renowned for.” • hubbox.co.uk
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Ben Gatt and Michael Wiper
NO APRIL FOOLS, MIND Oh yes, this nugget of genuine news is a pretty good one, we think, especially for beer lovers. A new collaboration from the team at Bedminster’s The Old Bookshop and Bristol-based brewers Wiper & True opens its doors on 1 April, serving seven days a week, from six Wiper & True draft lines fresh from the brewery. There’ll also be limited edition releases, exclusive pilot brews in development, and a monthly bottle list curated by Wiper & True to showcase some of the world’s most exciting beers. The Old Butcher’s beer bar will also serve delicious food, and supply its bottles just down the road at Corks of North Street. “We’ve been very excited about this bar not only because of the quality of Wiper & True’s beer but also in restoring the interiors of the old butcher’s and creating somewhere that we hope the neighbourhood will be proud of,” said owner Ben Gatt, who has been leading the renovations at The Old Butcher’s, two doors down from The Old Bookshop, and unearthed and restored the original wall tiling from Collard’s family butchers. Michael Wiper, of Wiper & True, added: “Bristol is such a creative city. It’s a supportive place with so many interesting people who are happy to collaborate. The Old Bookshop has long been a part of that energy and we’re looking forward to The Old Butcher’s bringing even more energy to the city’s food and drink scene.” • @oldbutchersbris
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FOOD & DRINK
HAIL MARY There’s culinary royalty to be found just down the road next month, as part of The Bath Festival – get involved! ust a 10-minute train ride away, Mary Berry awaits – next month at Bath venue The Forum, that is – to talk about her life in cookery, her new book, and the art of keeping cool even when your bottom goes soggy. For those who’ve got tickets and are fidgeting with anticipation, we’ve been scrounging for tidbits to keep you going ahead of the main event...
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little plate for everybody with maybe a salad or a terrine. Ready to serve. And then the main dish, I prepare ahead so then I simply need to reheat it or add something like cream or fried mushrooms. For the pudding, I do two – one luxurious one and also some fresh fruit prepared without any sugar in a bowl. You offer it to them but they never want it and we have it for breakfast the next day!
TBM: Mary! Can you explain the thought process that went into the writing of your new book Everyday? MB: I was thinking about, as the title suggests, the ‘everyday’. Everyday can be just with the family, it can mean having friends around; it can be a special occasion. This book is giving the recipes I have done for a long time, a bit of a twist. There aren’t too many ingredients in them either, which was also important. But you must also remember ingredients do change. For instance, butternut squash and quinoa are used a lot more now. People see quinoa on the supermarket shelf and they know they have had it in a restaurant but they don’t know what to do with it. And so, I have added a few more ingredients to the quinoa in order to make it tastier. I want to inspire people to cook and I do think a book is a nice thing to have. I am very lucky that people do trust me and that they do have a go.
Are you keen to involve your family in your work life more now? Annabel and I have cooked together since she was young and we had a salad dressings and sauces business together which we sold a few years ago but we still have approval on the new products. The grandchildren are in the new series of Everyday, which is accompanying the publication of my book. In one episode, I make goat’s cheese, and Atalanta helps me milk the goats. As we were walking up, I said to her; “Have you ever milked goats before?” Quick as a flash, she replied; “No granny, I have never milked nothing!” But she was so successful at milking the goat and I was no good at all! It’s good to involve children in helping to cook and choosing a recipe they can do well. If you have their friends around to play, you can make pizzas and let them choose your toppings or you can make cakes. They need someone there to help weigh things out but it is a lot of fun.
Can you name some of your favourite recipes from the book? I like the ones I can make ahead because we are all busy, and I like to do something that is suitable for the weather – things that are in season, things that aren’t too complicated. I’ve included some summery recipes in this book, plus casseroles with dumplings. Usually with dumplings, it’s a blob! What I have done is taken a suet crust and flattened it out and then made it into a Swiss roll, putting horseradish in the swirl. It’s delicious. Did you try the recipes out on your family first? They are all tried out at home. My family tell me what they think. And yes, I do take constructive criticism! The children might say “oh yuck” or someone may say “that takes too long to do” – those don’t go in the book. It’s important not to have too many ingredients or pieces of equipment. If you had to pick out a few vital tips, what would they be? It’s a good idea to have a set of digital scales. Not so much for savoury dishes, but definitely for baking because if you do go heavy on an ingredient, it can alter the whole texture. If people want the same result as I have been showing them on television, a set of measuring spoons is ideal, too, especially if they want the same flavour – and particularly so with spices. Does your husband ever try to butt in and help with the cooking? Paul is wonderful. He is always there for me. Take today – I have a big day and he was so brilliant, cleaning and tidying everything after breakfast. But him do the cooking? You must be joking! I do the cooking at home and on the rare occasion I’m not well, he will always make an omelette. After two or three omelettes, I am normally better! And what savoury dish is your stand-out speciality? It depends on what sort of occasion it is. If it’s a cold winter’s day, I might do beef stew with horseradish dumplings or I might do a fillet of beef en croute. As a rule, my first course would very likely be on a
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You have become part of British culture – especially nowadays. Do you ever get embarrassed or are you flattered? People are so nice and I am very, very lucky. People touch me on the arm in a supermarket and gently lean over and say things like; “That lemon drizzle cake, we love it.” Most say; Thanks to you, my children have got into baking.” It’s so lovely of them to say that. So you’ve got the TV series accompanying this book, and a show about Britain’s great houses which you are about to film; do you have any other TV plans in the pipeline? The historic houses series will be very interesting. We will be going to country houses that have families living in them and going behind the scenes to see how they live – watching them grow their vegetables, and finding out if they have any tips or recipes they have been handed down over the years. It is not going to be a history lesson because we want it to be informal. Do you ever drag your friends along to your cooking demos? In the new series of Everyday, I have asked some very close friends to a party in the final episode. There is a lot of hanging about but I hope they love coming. Our friends are really good. They are always very kind. If I am going to something like Strictly, I take a friend along as they enjoy it or one of my family members. If the Queen invited you to cook for her, what would you serve? I have been to Buckingham Palace for lunch in the past. I know she loves things made from British ingredients. I would use something very much in season, something light. I think I would ask her first because she must have some favourites that I don’t know about – I’d do a twist on something she suggested. ■
• See Mary at The Forum on 20 May – tickets £26, including a copy of Everyday. To book: thebathfestival.org.uk; 01225 463362
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FOOD & DRINK
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BRISTOL UPDATES BITE-SIZED BUSINESS NEWS FROM ACROSS THE CITY
BIG CHANGES AT BATH ALES
TRANSFORMING LIVES Barratt Homes has been working with St Mungo’s to help transform the local homeless charity’s New Street Centre in Bristol. The centre is home to a recovery college offering free workshops, as well as help and support for those who are no longer rough sleeping. Also among the services based there is Putting Down Roots – a gardener training programme for homeless people and for those at risk of being homeless. “We are delighted to be Barratt Homes’ charity of the year – its support is far reaching with all the activities that go on throughout the year,” said Kat Lacy, St Mungo’s regional fundraising manager. “They have helped us to transform our communal area at New Street by sending volunteers and supplying materials and skilled labour. Our clients can use this lovely, clean space for recovery college creative courses, and in the evenings the centre becomes a sanctuary for those experiencing mental health crisis. We look forward to working together over the year and continuing this wonderful partnership.” • mungos.org; barratthomes.co.uk
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HAT TRICK FOR CLIFTON CONFERENCE VENUE Engineers’ House conference venue in Clifton has scooped the ‘No.1 Conference Centre’ and ‘No.1 Venue Overall’ titles for the third consecutive year in BDRC Continental’s VenueVerdict Awards – based on responses from event planners throughout 2016. Martyn Bowen, venue manager at Engineers’ House, and his team, look after thousands of delegates each year at the historic venue – where on-going investments include super highspeed broadband, air conditioning and on-site parking. “To have gained the number one position for three years running shows the consistency of our standards and our absolute commitment to making our customers feel welcome,” he said. “Attending a meeting or a conference these days is far more than the business in hand; it’s about the ambience, the quality of the food and how delegates feel and interact. Everything we do is focussed on our guests so feedback is critical to our success.”
• eef.org.uk/venue
St Austell Brewery has announced ambitious plans for Warmley-based business Bath Ales which include a multimillion pound investment and the appointment of a new general manager. The investment in a state-of-the-art new brewery – which is set to double the available brewing capacity – will put Bath Ales on the map as having some of the most sophisticated and technologicallyadvanced brewing and packaging facilities in the South West. A new general manager, Tim McCord – who will play a key role in driving forward the future growth of Bath Ales – has also been appointed. With a comprehensive licensed trade and brewing background, Tim brings with him more than 20 years of senior drinks industry experience. As well as holding the consultant role of managing director at Dartmoor Brewery in Devon, he was also responsible for leading the set-up, launch and strategic direction of the new Salcombe Brewery and brands, and prior to that, he held senior sales roles with InBev and Punch Taverns. Following the acquisition of the fellow South West brewer and pub company in July last year, the investment and appointment announcements form part of St Austell Brewery’s exciting growth plans for Bath Ales. “When we announced the coming together of St Austell Brewery and Bath Ales, we committed to a long-term, significant investment in the brands, pub estate, people and the brewing facilities,” said James Staughton, chief executive at St Austell Brewery. “The creation of a new brew house will ensure we’re able to offer even more of what Bath Ales’ customers know and love. Alongside the appointment of Tim, we’re very much looking forward to being a part of Bath Ales’ next chapter and building on the legacy created by its founders.” Once changes are complete, there will be a total brewing capacity of up to 50,000 brewers’ barrels which equates to more than 14.5 million pints. New bottling and canning facilities will also form part of future expansion plans.
• bathales.com
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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
NO NEED TO FIGHT IT OUT… EVEN AT COURT By Sharon Giles, Sharp Family Law –Bristol and Bath Solicitors. Protecting what matters most
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ometimes your dispute ends up in court, whether or not it was you who made the application. Should this happen, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a fight to the bitter end on your hands. Court process has its place in helping divorcing couples to sort out their finances and/or shared care of their children. Strict timetables and court-ordered requirements to provide documents and information help to move disputes forward. They also narrow the issues that prevent agreements from being reached. It’s good to talk While you can feel stuck in the system, if you approach things the right way you can still be creative with your arrangements – ultimately retaining control over your costs and the important decisions that may shape the rest of your life. It is completely possible – and indeed expected by the court – for you and your ex to continue to negotiate in between hearings. You can communicate through your lawyers and speak directly with each other. In our experience, it’s always possible to reopen communication – even at the point of impasse when litigation seems the only answer.
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Good representation doesn’t have to involve aggression At Sharp Family Law, we know the UK court process well, and our lawyers are experienced managers of family court litigation. But we don’t just follow the formula, we actively continue to seek solutions at every stage of the process.
Article by Sharon Giles Sharon helps clients to reshape and rebuild their lives beyond a breakup and preserve relationships for the long term. She encourages them to look beyond their present situation, to visualise an alternative future and make informed and realistic decisions to shape it. Broad Quay House, Prince St, Bristol, BS1 4DJ. Website: www.sharpfamilylaw.com
Good representation doesn’t have to involve aggression
In reality, only 5% of cases end up with judges deciding final outcomes. You and your legal team can be strong, protective and constructive without the need to be aggressive or ‘nasty’. In fact, aggression and nastiness simply serve to inflame conflict and ramp up legal fees – adding to the stress of being at court in the first place. Approaching litigation practically and with an eye on real-life outcomes will help you to divorce with dignity, as well as control.
Sharon Giles
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EVENTS | FOR KIDS
FAMILY PLANNER What’s on in Bristol for little ones to enjoy this month?
Wild Wookey, Wookey Hole, time slots available between 9am & 2pm Staple Somerset family attraction Wookey Hole has launched a new ‘Wild Wookey’ caving course, and although it’s not for the faint hearted (trust us, we tried it!), we reckon it’s a perfect Spring activity for thrill-seeking youngsters. Intrepid explorers will be able to enter the 50,000-year-old caves for a truly unique experience – crawling, climbing and abseiling their way around the labyrinth cave systems, navigating the tranquil River Axe and feeling their way through the darkness. Wild Wookey is suitable for ages 14+, tickets cost £49.99. • wookey.co.uk
Top pick...
Image © Mark Burkey
DON’T MISS... The Tap Dancing Mermaid, The Redgrave Theatre, Monday 3 April, 11am & 4.30pm Redgrave Theatre and Pigtails Productions present the magical story of Marina Skippett, a young girl who shuffles, taps and dances to the sound of the sea, out of sight of her cruel aunty – without realising a mysterious boy is watching her from the watery depths. In this interactive performance, star of the show Tessa Bide invites children up on stage to join the seaside adventure and take part in heaps of tapping and clapping. Tickets from £10 to £12; redgravetheatre.com
Family Fun Day, Penny Brohn National Centre, Saturday 8 April, 11am-4pm Bristol-based cancer care charity Penny Brohn opening the doors to its Grade II National Centre for a day of Easter storytelling, music, face painting, tours and more. Little ones are
invited to guess the name of the Penny Brohn bear for the chance to take him home, and search high and low on the bear hunt trail for a chocolate Easter reward. Entry costs £4 for adults, under14s go free; pennybrohn.org.uk
The National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain, Colston Hall, Saturday 8 April, 7pm
The Amazing Bubble Man comes to Tobacco Factory Theatres
Inspire budding musicians with a trip to hear The National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain, comprising seven to 13-yearolds from all over the country. Their exciting programme includes Vaughan Williams’ ‘London’ Symphony, Kodály’s Háry János Suite and Ravel’s La Valse, and audiences can expect an energetic, exciting approach like they’ve never heard before. Tickets from £5 to £26; colstonhall.org
Easter at ss Great Britain, Saturday 8 – Sunday 23 April, 10am-5.30pm There’s plenty to do at ss Great Britain this Easter: follow the clues and discover the ship’s creepy crawlies for the chance to win a chocolate prize, meet cuddly animals including chicks, lambs, and a donkey and finish the day with tales of adventure, mystery and treasure with the ‘Gold Talks’ storytelling series. All activities are included in the cost of entrance, from £8 to £14; ssgreatbritain.org
Easter Eggcitement, Berkeley Castle, Sunday 9 – Sunday 23 April, 10am-4pm
Name the bear at Penny Brohn’s family fun day
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Take a day trip to Berkeley Castle during the Easter holidays and immerse yourself in Tudor life with live actors, historical reenactments and more. Meet Henry VIII and ill-fated wife Anne Boleyn, watch the
medieval falconer display impressive birds of prey and catch sword fighting and armory displays on St George’s Day. Tickets from £6 to £11; berkeley-castle.com
The Boxtrolls Outdoor Screening, AtBristol Millennium Square, Monday 17 April, 12pm-2pm Grab your favourite woolly jumper, buy a steamy hot chocolate from the At-Bristol Cafe and head over to Millennium Square for a free screening of The Boxtrolls this month. Follow the story of these quirky, mischievous creatures and their human friend Eggs, who ventures above ground in a bid to defeat the villainous Archibald Snatcher. Entrance is free; at-bristol.org.uk
The Amazing Bubble Man, Tobacco Factory Theatres, Sunday 23 April, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm Nobody can resist the excitement of bubbles, but forget running around the garden with washing-up liquid: Louis Pearl’s bubbletastic performance is filled with comedy and spellbinding tricks, giant bubbles, foggy bubbles, magic and science. Tickets cost £9; tobaccofactorytheatres.com
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EDUCATION NEWS UPDATES FROM THE CITY’S SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES
Dr Thirkell’s artistic specialism is printmaking
WELCOME MR KENDALL
ALL THE DRAMA Education and arts company Boomsatsuma, in association with the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, has developed an innovative new course for 16-18 year olds who are serious about training to be actors. The unique course is being pioneered in Bristol and will be the first of its kind in the country, starting in September 2017 at the Station in central Bristol. A full-time, two-year Extended Level 3 Diploma, it will be the equivalent of three A-levels. Students will experience a comprehensive teaching programme comprised of workshops, classes and production – all taught by expert staff, many from the Old Vic Theatre School. By the end of the two years, students will be well equipped for their progression into drama school or university. “In my 30 years of working in drama schools, I’ve met countless students who say ‘At 16 I knew I wanted to be an actor and I wish there had been a proper drama school experience available to me’,” said course director Stuart Wood. “Now there is.” Tuition and exams are free, just like any other sixth form course, however, Boomsatsuma – committed to equality, diversity and inclusion – is also offering three bursaries each year of £1,500. • boomsatsuma.com/professionalacting
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David Kendall has been appointed to succeed retiring headmaster Martin Morris, as head of QEH Junior School. Currently deputy head at Newton Prep School in London, Mr Kendall has had a distinguished career in prep schools around London and the South East, including a significant period at Westminster Under School where he was head of Upper Section. He will take up the new post in September. “I very much look forward to being part of the QEH community and leading this fine school,” he said. “Mr Morris will be a difficult act to follow but I hope to build on the firm foundations which he has laid in establishing the Junior School over the past nine years.” Mr Kendall, who is married with three children and two stepchildren, attended St David's University College, Lampeter, reading history. He gained his PGCE at Roehampton Institute and will complete his masters in educational leadership in the summer. He is also chair of SATIPS, which fosters excellence in training and best practice in prep schools. “We are delighted to have appointed Mr Kendall,” said Stephen Holliday, headmaster of QEH. “His energy and enthusiasm will inspire both the boys and staff, as he takes the Junior School into its second decade.” • qehbristol.co.uk
CONGRATULATIONS! University Centre Weston lecturer Dr Paul Thirkell has been awarded the title of academician by the Royal West of England Academy of Arts – in recognition of his excellence as an artist and his experience in exhibiting his work both in the UK and abroad. Paul was elected to the role by the organisation’s other academicians after showcasing his work at the Clifton gallery’s Annual Exhibition Open event in the summer. Being elected as an academician means use of the title of RWA, increased opportunities to exhibit, give talks and benefit from being part of the academy’s professional community of artists. “I am really honoured that what I do has been acknowledged by my fellow artists, and I would like to say thank you to the RWA for this recognition,” said Dr Thirkell. A spokesperson for the RWA added: “We are delighted to welcome Paul to our membership of academicians. Selected by peers as a recognition of excellence, these artists are of vital importance to the organisation. We look forward to working with Paul and seeing his contributions to our exhibition programme.” Paul, who is Australian but has lived in the UK since the mid-1990s, has been lecturing on UCW’s contemporary art and professional studies degrees for four years. He teaches the professional studies aspects of the programmes, which are delivered in partnership with Bath Spa University. Paul’s artistic specialism is printmaking – his work combines traditional and modern printmaking techniques to create brightly coloured images that reflect upon the dissemination of information. He received his doctorate from the UWE Bristol, is a fellow of the Royal Society of Printmakers, and is currently writing a book with the Benrido Collotype Atelier organisation in Kyoto, Japan, about the use of collotype printing by artists.
• For more information about Paul, visit paulthirkell.com
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• Co-educational day school for pupils aged 5-13 with
dyslexia and other specific learning/language difficulties.
• Located in Wiltshire between Bath and Chippenham. CReSTeD approved.
• Fully qualified specialist teachers with maximum class size of eight - reducing to one-to-one as required.
Call 01225 743 566 or visit www.CalderHouseSchool.co.uk THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK
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By Dr Andrew Daniel, Headmaster of Monmouth School
IT ALL ADDS UP
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s a mathematician myself, I believe that a solid understanding and appreciation of the subject has a phenomenally positive effect on many areas of children’s lives. Perseverance, determination, self-confidence and intellectual rigour are just a few of the personality traits a mathematician will develop at Monmouth School. The well-documented link between music and maths, for example, also highlights how the language of arithmetic and the rules of logic can propel creativity to new levels. For these reasons, maths is the largest single subject department at the school with eight specialist teachers who produce a significant part of its teaching materials. They also offer support in the form of maths surgeries most lunchtimes and before school for any pupils who would benefit from additional help in the subject. In the last five years, over 70 per cent of pupils have achieved an A or A* in the subject at IGCSE and more than 99 per cent have gained A* to C. Mathematically-minded boys at Monmouth are also given exciting opportunities to showcase their skills further afield. On March 10, our four-strong team from Years 8 and 9 performed fantastically at the regional round of the UK Mathematics Trust Team Challenge. Coming first out of 23 teams from as far away as Shrewsbury and Cheltenham, the fast-thinking quartet will now compete in the competition’s national final in London on June 19. It’s no coincidence that one of the winning team, 13-year-old Robin, has reached Grade 5 on the organ and plays the clarinet to Grade 8. Taking part in extra-curricular events like this brings the subject to life for our pupils, and almost half of them continue their mathematical studies into the Sixth Form, when gifted pupils can also take on further maths. The pass rate for these exams has been 100 per cent in the last five years, with almost 90 per cent of candidates achieving A* to B grades. A good proportion of pupils studying the subject at A level go on to university to read physics, engineering or maths, including a number who are accepted into Oxford or Cambridge.. *The Schools have an established bus route covering the Thornbury area. For more information, visit habs-monmouth.org, call 01600 710433 for Monmouth School or 01600 711104 for HMSG. 78 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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Antibiotics – reducing our personal use With international calls to cut down on the over-use of antibiotics, how can we reduce our personal dependence on them? Gemma Hurditch answers for CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine).
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ntibiotics are life-savers when used appropriately and when essential. However, their capacity to save lives has been endangered by the emergence of an antibiotic-resistance crisis for humans. What has contributed to the crisis is not only the over-prescription of antibiotics as a first resort medicine, but the routine mass-medication of farm animals to compensate for the fact that animals are kept in intensive conditions where risk of disease runs high. Natural health practitioners believe that the use of antibiotics should be sparing and in conjunction with other measures to mitigate their adverse effects. This is because antibiotics come with negative effects on the gut which can impact our general health and immunity. So how can we reduce our dependence on antibiotics in the first place? A three pronged approach can help:
Promote natural immunity Eat a diet abundant in organic vegetables, fruit and raw unsalted nuts. This will ensure that levels of vitamin C, bioflavonoids, vitamin A and zinc are at optimal levels for immune function. Remove white flour and added sugar from your diet to further boost immunity. Eat plenty of onions, garlic, turmeric and spices to provide extra immune boosting, and virus and bacteria fighting phytonutrients (beneficial plant chemicals) into your meals. If you eat animal produce, this is yet another reason to opt for organic, to make sure that
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you are not being routinely dosed with antibiotics second hand Don't smoke. Smokers have a much increased risk of infection and illness. Get enough sleep. We need it to repair, as well as to feel revitalised and ready for the day. Avoid stress. Find ways to relax and feel fulfilled. Put regular exercise and daylight high on your agenda.
Reduce exposure to infection Wash your hands regularly with ordinary soap and warm water. Do not put your fingers in your eyes, mouth or nose, or in any open sores or cuts if you haven't washed your hands first (and wash again afterwards). Most bacteria enters through these points of contact. Reduce your contact with any allergens or triggers; these could be true allergies such as allergy to cats (determined by a skin prick test), or something not so easily identified, such as sick-building syndrome whereby mould or a contaminated air conditioning unit is contributing to ill-health and infection. Repeated or low grade chronic infection needs to be investigated for environmental or intolerance related causes, as continued stress on the body can undermine health.
Consider natural remedies Severe infections and infections unresponsive to natural treatment must be referred to your medical doctor. In some cases your natural health practitioner can help you on the road to health by choosing natural remedies that are appropriate, and in the correct dosage for you. For example: Oregano oil, echinacea, golden seal, astragalus, andrographis, elderberry, cranberry and various other herbs can be chosen to suit the site and type of infection. Manuka honey, tea tree and lavender oils are all useful in combating skin infection. Acne and other skin infections can respond well to baking soda, salicylic acid and apple cider vinegar topical applications.
Belladonna, Ferrum Phos and Pulsatilla are all useful homeopathic remedies which can support a return to health from issues such as fever, sore throat and styes. Over-dependence on antibiotics can occur when people feel unable to get to the root cause of their health problems. CNM natural health practitioners are trained to help their clients identify contributory factors; to offer guidance on specific dietary and lifestyle choices to address them; and appropriate natural therapies which can promote healing and wellness.
Gemma Hurditch
Attend these FREE Open Evenings to find out about part time training Geoffwith Don CNM Bristol for a career in Naturopathic Nutrition or Naturopathic Acupuncture.
5th April or 27th April. Please book online at
www.naturopathy-uk.com 01342 410 505
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IPL Skin Rejuvenation is effective for treating rosacea, red veins, skin irregularities and sun/agespots, for visibly clearer and plumped skin. At EF Medispa, we also offer treatments such as: Lip Fillers • Acne Treatments • Laser Hair Removal Anti-Wrinkle injectables • Tattoo Removal, plus so much more
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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital reveals length-of-stay down over a third
Patients undergoing total hip and knee replacements at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, The Chesterfield are getting back on their feet and back home far quicker than ever before.
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he length-of-stay in hospital has declined by more than 40 per cent over the past decade, from an average six night stay in 2006 to just three-and-a-half nights in 2015. Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital has been performing orthopaedic surgery for over fifty years and in 2015 helped to improve the lives of more than 1,000 patients through orthopaedic interventions. Mr Nick Howells, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, said: “In Bristol we see patients with all sorts of conditions each year; people with arthritis following sports injuries and those who have developed painful joints due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or other less common joint problems. The types 82 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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of treatments we’re able to provide have evolved dramatically from a generation ago.” To support recovery, Nuffield Health’s Bristol Hospital and Fitness & Wellbeing gym last year introduced launch Recovery Plus, a unique programme designed to improve longterm fitness and wellbeing for surgical patients, including those who have undergone hip and knee replacement. Over 150 people have benefitted from the combination of personalised and focused rehabilitation, nutrition and exercise. Mr Howells continued: “Many patients who come in for surgery have been living with reduced fitness and mobility and are often suffering from related illness like obesity or
high blood pressure. Recovery Plus provides a stepping stone from hospital to help people get back to their daily routine, as well as helping to prevent future hospital visits by increasing their overall fitness and wellbeing.”
Recovery Plus gives knee replacement patient new lease of life Angela Morris (64) was initially daunted by the prospect of having both knees replaced but Nuffield Health’s ‘Recovery Plus’ programme soon had her back on track – and now the gym devotee is rarely off it! When joint pain developed into arthritis, Angela Morris, a computer software trainer
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from Yatton, decided to have both of her knees replaced at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, The Chesterfield, in Clifton. Her right knee was replaced first, in August 2015, followed by her left knee in February of this year. Angela explains: “When I had my right knee replaced, I was recommended to make use of Recovery Plus, a complimentary three-month rehabilitation programme offered to all Orthopaedic patients by Nuffield Health. I am so glad I did. I needed the speedy recovery of my right knee because my left knee also required replacement.
I became progressively fitter and stronger. “One of the high points was joining weekly circuit training sessions led by Hannah. Quite a few of us had bad knees, backs, wrists, shoulders etc and Hannah managed to remember who suffered from what and suggest variations on each of the exercises tailored to our individual needs. At the end of the programme, I was so inspired to maintain my new-found fitness that I signed up for a 12 month gym membership and now I go at least four times a week!”
Angela Morris
You don’t have to lose much to make a big difference. For example, when you walk up or down a flight of stairs, the load on your knees is roughly seven times your body weight. If you’re overweight, that adds up very quickly. But losing just one stone will take around seven stone off your knee joint with every step.
2. Strengthen your joints with exercise - but take it easy Excessive exercise can cause your joints to wear out prematurely. Many elite sports men and women find they have problems with their joints earlier in life than less active people but that shouldn't put you off exercise. The benefits of regular exercise far outweigh the negatives. Building strong, flexible muscle around your hips and knees will ensure joints don’t have to do all the work by themselves. Gentle exercise and stretches focused on your hips and knees can make a big difference to your ability to avoid and recover from injury and reduce wear and tear.
3. Eat well - oils, vitamin E, antioxidants Like a machine with moving parts, our body needs oil to keep joints lubricated and healthy. Eat oily fish rich in omega-3 fats like salmon and mackerel 2-4 times a week. Omega-3 has been linked to reduced joint pain and morning stiffness.
“The Recovery Plus programme started as soon as I’d been discharged from physiotherapy. I was paired up with a personal trainer who assessed me and then devised a set of activities, both in the gym and the pool, tailored to my specific needs and ability. I visited the gym twice a week and the workouts were reviewed regularly in line with my progress. I then had another assessment at the end of the programme so I could see how far I’d come.
Expert tips for healthy knees and hips from Nuffield Health Wear and tear can happen naturally over time and in some cases surgery, including hip replacements and knee replacements, may be the best course of action. But there are things you can do to reduce your risk of osteoarthritis and ensure your knees and hips function well for many years to come.
1. Lighten the load “Recovery Plus not only helped to speed my recovery but also prepared me for the second operation. I was in much better physical shape three months later when my left knee was replaced! As soon as I was able to, I embarked on a second Recovery Plus programme. I had the same personal trainer – a lovely lady called Danni Mohan – and was able to expand my activities to include some fitness classes which I achieved by attending the gym three times a week. “Danni and the team at Nuffield Health really helped me. My balance was very bad at first and I needed lots of reassurance. They encouraged me to push myself so that
There are many good reasons to lose weight and looking after your joints is one of them. Hips and knees are load-bearing joints. The heavier you are, the more load they have to bear and the faster they’ll wear out.
Vitamin E has anti-inflammatory properties and healthy levels have been linked to lower risk of joint and bone cell damage. You’ll get plenty by adding avocado, sunflower seeds, nuts and even lobster to your diet. Antioxidants are thought to slow the progression of arthritis inflammation. They’re found in brightly-coloured berries, blueberries are particularly rich in antioxidants.
Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, The Chesterfield is a centre of excellence for orthopaedic surgery. To learn more, or to book a consultation with one of our surgeons please call 0117 405 8978 or visit nuffieldhealth.com/ hospitals/bristol for more information
Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital The Chesterfield, 3 Clifton Hill, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1BN Tel: 0117 405 8978 • www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol
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WALK | THE WALK
DOWN TO THE WATER Andrew Swift is celebrating the arrival of spring with a jaunt out to one of our favourite local spots
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o coincide with Chew Valley Bird Fair on 11 and 12 April, we’ve put together a challenging ramble from the Chew Valley to the heights of Mendip – something to get stuck into once you’re satisfied you’ve spotted enough avian critters. Starting beside Chew Lake, we head through fields and along green lanes to West Harptree, and from there, thread our way through Harptree Combe – past an aqueduct built in 1851 to carry water to Bristol and the ruins of a Norman castle. On leaving the combe, the climbing begins in earnest. After the Mendip plateau, a stroll through East Harptree Woods leads to a high chimney, once used for lead smelting, and spectacular views of the lake, 200m below. Heading back downhill to East Harptree, whose church contains an elaborate Elizabethan tomb, a level, if somewhat muddy, walk through the Chew Valley leads back to the start.
Directions ● Start between West Harptree and Bishop Sutton, where the A368 crosses Chew Valley Lake on a causeway – there is parking on both sides of the road (ST571581). ● Head east along the pavement on the north side of the road and carry on along a gravel track. After 250m – by the entrance to New Manor Farm – cross and turn right along a minor road. ● After 350m, opposite Monksilver Cottage, bear right and follow a signpost through a pair of handgates and across a field (ST576580). After going through a kissing gate (KG), the official footpath heads straight on, although you may want to bear left to walk round the edge of the field. ● Go through a gateway, head across another field, cross a footbridge and carry on alongside a ditch. Continue through a KG and, after going through another KG, bear left and go through a handgate on the right a few metres along to head down a green lane. At the top of a rocky incline, when the lane bears sharp left, go through a KG ahead (ST565573). Carry on alongside a hedge for 500m, go through the KG and head across the field. 84 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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● After going through a handgate, bear right and carry straight on along the main road for 50m before turning left by the White Rose Beauty Rooms. Bear left along Millennium Way, and, after crossing a playing field, go through a KG. After going through a pair of handgates, follow the track diagonally across a field. ● Cross the slab stile and carry on for a few metres before turning right across a stile into Harptree Combe (ST564563). After an hour or so out in open country, the hidden fastnesses of this combe, with high rocks contorted on either hand, seem magical. With the sunlight filtering through the trees and flashing off the tumbling waters of the Molly Brook, photographers will almost certainly want to linger, and, when the aqueduct comes into view ahead – as unexpectedly as the ruins of a Mayan temple – they will be jostling to get the best angle on this extraordinary relic of Victorian engineering. ● After following a causeway under the aqueduct, as the path starts curving uphill, look out for a yellow arrow on the right and follow it up four steps to continue along the combe. The crag above you is the site of Richmont Castle – built in the 11th century, besieged and taken by King Stephen in the 12th and abandoned by the 16th. Virtually nothing of it survives. ● Follow the path alongside a leat. The track then deteriorates to a muddy scramble, which involves crossing the brook on random stepping stones. After 250m, bear left to follow a waymark up a path hewn out of the rock (ST560557). At the top, look to the left to see a narrow defile – part of a collapsed mine. Carry on across ‘gruffy’ ground created by mining operations, and, after the track drops down towards houses, go through a KG and turn right through another KG beside the drive to Richmonte Lodge. To your left is a ventilation shaft for the pipeline which runs across the aqueduct. ● Follow the fence on the right, and, when it curves away, carry straight on. When you come to two gates, go through the one on the left and carry on with the hedge on your right. Go through a KG, head up to another KG and turn right along a lane (ST557552). After 75m, go through the KG on the left and head up a field. Go
This page: The ever-gorgeous and reassuringly tranquil Chew Valley Lake Opposite page: Smitham Chimney – once used for lead works just outside the village of East Harptree
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through a pair of KGs, carry on uphill and follow a track as it curves round the lip of a sink hole. Go through a KG, carry on uphill, and, after another KG, carry on for a few metres before turning right at a T junction along a drive. After passing farm buildings, go through a handgate into what was once a busy industrial site, with lead mines on the right and brickworks on the left. After passing the chimney of Smitham lead works (ST554546), turn left beside a pond to follow a path through East Harptree Woods. When you come to a rough lane, bear left along it. Turn left at the road, and, after 300m, just past Springfield Farm, bear right through a KG (ST559544). Head down a faint track, go through yet another KG and continue in the same direction. After going through two gateways, go through a KG in the left-hand corner of the next field and head along a high-banked green lane. At the end, turn right and almost immediately left along a lane. Go right at the end before, after 250m, turning left by Hill Cottage. Follow the lane as it bears right and after 500m you will see East Harptree church on the left – worth a detour to see the 16th-century monument to John Newton, which was moved from the chancel to the porch in 1883. Turn right past the Waldegrave Arms and left along the High Street. At the crossroads, carry on along Townsend. After 175m, when the road swings right, go through a KG to carry straight on through a field (ST571564). After a pair of KGs take you across a track, continue in the same direction, heading towards a handgate and slab stile in the hedgerow. Carry on, crossing another slab stile, and, after walking alongside a brook, go through a (possibly waterlogged) KG (ST576572). Cross the gated footbridge near where the brook joins the River Chew. Go along the track and bear left past the pond. Cross a footbridge and follow a track heading to where the hedge on the right juts into the field. Then, continue alongside the hedge. After going through a handgate, turn left along a broad strip of grass. Go along the lane, and, at the main road, cross and turn left to return to the starting point. ■
At a glance... ■
Length and time: 9 miles, minimum 4 hours
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Refreshment stops: Crown Inn, West Harptree (the Waldegrave Arms at East Harptree was closed at time of writing)
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Level: Muddy, rocky and possibly waterlogged sections may be encountered, as well as some livestock; sturdy, waterproof footwear essential
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Map: OS Explorer 141
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SHOPPING | HOME
Sage ADVICE CAMILLA CUSHION, £60 Scatter to your heart’s content
WINSFORD PLATE, £32 (SET OF FOUR) See them, need them, make them ours – yes that’s exactly what we did
Greenery is big in the interiors sphere right now, and we are loving Neptune’s take on the theme – with everything from rich velvet sofas for stretching out on, to gorgeous glassware and pretty patterned crockery. Here are our picks from the new collection – available from the chic Whiteladies Road store... • neptune.com
CANDLE, £15 Set in the centre of the dinner table and bask in co-ordination goals
ANTONIA LINEN NAPKINS, £44 (SET OF SIX) Complete with charming rustic fringe detail
Neptune also has a lovely range of paint shades
GEORGE SOFA, FROM £1,730 Aren’t you, like us, genuinely obsessed with this gorgeous velvet piece?
CASTLEFORD BOTTLE, £47 Fill with spring daffs or perhaps use as a carafe
LONG ISLAND CHAIR, £260 We can definitely picture at least one of these in the dining room
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High Quality Craftmanship
Specialist
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PROPERTY
THROUGH THE KEYHOLE... An impressive six-bedroom Victorian home in Redland with access to Redland Green Park
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ny property that has as lovely a pub and restaurant as The Cambridge Arms on its road is a winner as far as we’re concerned – so when we spotted this house on Coldharbour Road up for sale, we felt compelled to look around. The semi-detached corner property is set over three floors with three charming reception rooms, six bedrooms, a kitchen/breakfast room, good-sized back garden and a double garage accessed from Cossins Road and with rolling electric doors and built-in work bench. Entering via the lobby – where you’ll spot a cathedral window over the doorway, an original tiled floor and halfglazed French doors leading into the main hall – head into the lounge and find four sash windows overlooking the garden; original features including cornicing, a central rose, marble fire surround and slate hearth; plus French doors into the dining room. In this next room, as well as sash windows and stained glass detail, find an original cast iron fireplace and slate hearth – while in the third reception room, used as a study, there’s a marble fire surround providing the focal point. The kitchen/breakfast room is a lovely space – complete with wall and base unit range, granite worktops, rustic AGA cooker, French doors leading out into the garden, access to basement and utility rooms, and plenty of space for extra appliances and a decent-sized dining table. Stairs lead down from this area to the basement, which has shuttered sash windows and garden access, and the
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cellar which has power and light. A half landing rising to first floor brings you to a shower room with another cathedral window over the doorway, marble worktop and bidet; the master bedroom which features fitted wardrobes and drawers; three further bedrooms; a bathroom including a bath with Victorian-style multi-head shower over; and a cloak room with skylight window. Finally, up on the top floor, find fifth and sixth bedrooms, the latter with recessed desk top and a walk-in wardrobe/office with its own skylight. The front garden is surrounded by a boundary wall and beech hedge, with front and side wrought iron gates and flower beds filled with various plants, shrubs and trees. Meanwhile, the back garden offers raised decking with steps up to the house, a patio for alfresco dining with pals in the summer, a lawned area with flower and raised beds, and a water tap – as well as access to an off-street parking area. ■
PROPERTY PROFILE Guide price: Price on application Agent: CJ Hole, 203 Whiteladies Road, BS8 2XT Contact: 0117 9238238; cjhole.co.uk; clifton@cjhole.co.uk
Main image: We love the stylish reception spaces and tall sash windows – letting in loads of natural light Opposite page, clockwise from top: The lovely dining room; the light and airy kitchen space; the property enjoys a charming corner position; the back garden area; one of six bedrooms
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PROPERTY
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GARDENING
PLASTIC FANTASTIC... When it comes to problematic lawns, there’s nothing wrong with faking it, says Elly West
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have a confession to make. I love artificial grass. It’s soft, it’s tactile, it’s practical and it’s green all year round. It’s also a fact that, in some gardens, grass just does not grow very well. Moss, leatherjackets, rust, red thread, weeds, shade, drought and poor drainage can all take their toll on our lawns, and there are times when we have to concede that we’re fighting a losing battle. However much money and time we throw at the problem, the solution could be to simply have a rethink, especially if your plot is small. But grass is the perfect foil for other garden elements, such as planted borders and paving. A swathe of green is restful on the eye and also provides a practical space for leisure, play and relaxation. Not everyone wants to pave, plant or gravel the majority of their plot to replace an existing lawn, however shabby it’s looking – in which case, it could be wisest to roll out the plastic and fake it. Artificial grass is a growing industry and the products today are nothing like their greengrocer matting ancestors. Designers are seeing the benefits, and plastic grass has been winning medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show since first appearing there in 2010. Modern turfs are remarkably realistic, with strands of different lengths and colours, and an authentic underlayer of pale-toned ‘thatch’. They’re hard wearing, generally with a guarantee of at least 10 years, and are suitable for high-traffic areas, as well as for children and dogs. And there are plenty to choose from. If you are thinking of going down this route, always ask for samples and look at them in different lights and from different angles. Products vary greatly in quality, but will generally have a pile, and a tendency for the strands to flatten in one direction. However, the more high-end products should spring back when you brush them the other way, all making for a more naturallooking lawn. 90 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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There are absolutely tons of products on the market now, so it definitely pays to shop around. Although prices might start at less than £5 per square metre, and I’ve even seen rolls of the stuff outside the local supermarket, for a top-quality product, expect to pay more like £25 to £30 per square metre, then double that cost for professional installation. Don’t be afraid to haggle. It’s a competitive market and the discounts are out there if you are prepared to negotiate. And, although the initial outlay can be high, you won’t then have to spend time or money in terms of maintenance, fertilisers, weedkillers, watering and electricity or petrol for your mower (just think: no more mowing!) Roll widths are normally two or four metres, so keep that in mind when you’re planning the size of your lawn, so you don’t end up paying extra for offcuts. There is also the option to do-it-yourself. Check the supplier’s guidelines for installation, but it can potentially be laid out straight on to a flat roof, decking or paving, perhaps with a self-levelling compound in place first. If you’re replacing an existing lawn though, my advice would be to call in the professionals, as it could be expensive to put right if you end up with lumps and bumps. Apart from the sleek, modern look of artificial grass, which is perfect for small, contemporary urban gardens, I also love its practicality. My two boys adored having plastic grass when we lived in London, and are delighted I’ve finally decided to install some here, near Bristol, albeit in a more rural location. And I like knowing they can go outside and play, even if it’s been raining, and they won’t be treading dirty shoes into the house. It’s quick drying, free draining (as long as it’s properly installed), and is also good for dog owners. No more muddy paws, bald or yellow patches, and it can easily be hosed down and disinfected if necessary.
Image above: It is, and will probably remain, a Marmite product – much higher in quality than its greengrocer matting ancestors, but not the best in terms of ecological considerations
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GARDENING
But, and there are always some buts, it goes without saying that environmentally, it’s not great. Removing a lawn is removing a habitat and food source for insects and birds. The carbon footprint of artificial grass is high, as it’s made of plastic. But in this sense, it’s perhaps no worse than many other hard landscaping materials. If you’ve found that a natural lawn is not an option, you could always keep the grass area small and make your borders bigger so you can grow more wildlife friendly plants. It is, and will probably remain, a Marmite product in that you either love it or hate it, but I’ve always liked Marmite as well.
Over in Elly’s garden... I lived in London for more than 15 years, where plastic grass was often a sensible solution. Urban spaces are notoriously small and shady and I’ve seen plenty of gardens where the size of the lawn just doesn’t justify keeping a mower. But I have to admit, when I moved to a village, I wasn’t sure whether the plastic look was entirely appropriate. Now I’ve changed my mind! My new garden redesign is contemporary in style and the lawn area is relatively small, extending into a shady courtyard zone where real grass wasn’t an option. So I’ve bitten the bullet and the results look great. Next I’ll be planting up the new borders so watch this space! n • ellyswellies.co.uk
Plant of the month: Euphorbia x martinii Euphorbias (pictured, right) are strutting their stuff right now, with their unusual lime-green flower bracts providing the perfect foil for brightly coloured spring bulbs. Euphorbia x martinii is more compact than some of its cousins, and is a low-maintenance perennial – tough and quick-growing – which looks good all year round. It has attractive red-tinged stems and red centres to the flower bracts, which will keep going from now right through to July. Keep it in shape by trimming off the old flowers, then cut them back again in late winter or early spring if necessary. It does best in sunshine and well-drained soil, so is suited to a sunny border or a gravel garden. I use it as a filler plant, along with Alchemilla mollis – another staple for fresh, bright greenery at this time of year. Wear gloves when you’re cutting them back as the milky sap can irritate the skin.
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Elly’s Wellies
Garden Designs
Turning your ideas into beautiful spaces Elly’s Wellies Garden Designs will help you maximise the potential of your outdoor space and tailor it to your individual needs. Whether you are looking for a complete garden redesign, or just need advice on what to plant in a border, Elly’s Wellies will be happy to help.
For a free initial consultation, contact Eleanor West
www.ellyswellies.co.uk ellyswellies@gmail.com 07788 640934
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BRISTOL PROPERTY | IN FOCUS
B
ridge House is an iconic Clifton landmark perched at the top of Sion Hill opposite the Suspension Bridge. The building was meticulously restored and refurbished approximately ten years ago and offers luxury, high quality specification and impressive period dimensions blended to produce what is arguably Clifton’s finest and most highly regarded apartment development. Number 101 is an immaculately presented lateral apartment combining impressive period dimensions with a luxurious finish throughout. The elegant triple aspect drawing room is spacious and elegant with a feature fireplace and surround sound, creating the perfect place to entertain or relax. Much of the apartment is fitted with engineered oak flooring which enhances the flow from room to room. The kitchen offers a generous footprint and is complete with a range of integrated appliances all complimented with granite work surfaces. The master suite is full of natural light and has a luxurious en suite bathroom, while the second bedroom is served by a beautiful limestone finished shower room. The apartment benefits from allocated off-street parking via secure gates at the rear of the property. The building has a concierge service. Bridge House has proved popular with owner occupiers as well as second home owners and investors in prime Bristol property. Agents for apartment 101 are Knight Frank.
101 BRIDGE HOUSE CLIFTON • Two bedroom apartment • Iconic landmark building with spectacular views • Luxurious en suite bathroom and guest shower room • Spacious and elegant with period features • Concierge and allocated parking
Guide price £950,000
Knight Frank, Regent House, 27A Regent Street, Clifton, Bristol. Tel: 0117 317 1999
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Bristol & Clifton’s premier Commercial Property Agents Keep up-to-date with our latest news, deals, testimonials and market
(0117) 934 9977
comment at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk
BROADMEAD SHOWROOM
TRIANGLE WEST *Due to Relocation*
• 2,212 sq ft retail
• One of the best ‘ agency’ locations in BS8
• Very busy retail pitch • Affordable rent
• 975 sq ft A2 office to let
• To let – new lease
HOTWELL ROAD – BS8
OLD POLICE STATION
• Takeaway use
• Bedminster Parade
• Suit shop / office uses
• Fantastic offices • Superb fit out
• Prominent pitch
• 1,925 sq ft
• New lease O/A
PRIME CLIFTON SHOP
PROMINENT RETAIL UNIT
• Queens Road – Close to the University
• Large prominent shop • Busy neighbourhood area of bs6
• 586 sq ft • Excellent trading site
• 1,841 sq ft (inc store)
• New lease
• Rent on application
PRIME CLIFTON OFFICE • Open plan suite • C 1,000 sq ft • 3 car spaces
BEDMINSTER WORKSHOP TO LET
• Full B2 industrial use • 3,061 sq ft • Suit other commercial use
• New lease
• New flexible lease
FANTASTIC STUDIO OFFICES
BERKELEY SQ CLIFTON • Stunning period property
• College Green vicinity • 2,200 sq ft + 4 car spaces • Open plan and ideal for trendy office space • New lease – rent on application
Julian Cook FRICS
Burston Cook April.indd 1
Jayne Rixon MRICS
Charlie Kershaw MRICS
Finola Ingham MRICS
Tom Coyte BA Hons
• 3,266 sq ft + 7 car spaces • D1 use • To let – terms on application
• Sales / Lettings • Acquisitions • Valuations • Landlord & tenant • Auction Sales
• Rent reviews • Property Management • Investment Sales / Purchase • Development & Planning • Dilapidations Advice
20/03/2017 10:32
A SELECTION OF OUR INTERESTING PROPERTIES… One of the joys of our job is that we are invited inside some of the most historic, interesting and quirky buildings in Bristol.
A FEW NEW INSTRUCTIONS TO LOOK AT… The Old Police Station
* Renovated to offer fantastic office space
Clifton Triangle
College Green
* Arguably Clifton’s best A2 unit
*Unique studio style space with vaulted ceilings
...AND A COUPLE OF RECENT DISPOSALS The Meeting House
* A stunning former Unitarian chapel * Converted in 1987 into offices * Recently sold for £1.2m * Reverting back to church use
The Underfall Boatyard
* A historic landmark in Bristol * Rescued from dereliction in the 1990’s and now home to numerous maritime related companies * Burston Cook have been involved with the letting of offices and workshops at the yard
(0117) 934 9977 www.burstoncook.co.uk Burston Cook April.indd 2
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BRISTOL PROPERTY | IN FOCUS
Above: Oakfield Apartments, Clifton
Beautiful conversions A new development of luxury homes in one of Bristol’s best locations from acclaimed property developers; Developments Bristol Oakfield Apartments, Clifton
Some of their other current developments
Bristol estate agents Ocean are very excited to be bringing to the market a luxury development on the highly desirable Oakfield Road in Clifton, situated within a stone’s throw of Whiteladies Road, Clifton Down railway station and within easy reach of Clifton Village. Restaurants, weekly farmers’ markets, museums, art galleries and even a Lido (one of the oldest in the UK with a spa, tapas bar and an award winning restaurant) are all within easy reach.
Current developments also include two in the BS3 area of Bristol. Both are within close proximity of the ever popular vibrant North St with it’s many independent shops, bars and cafes, a buzzing community with events throughout the year and great schools. Also close by is the Harbourside and City Centre, and within easy reach, green spaces including Greville Smyth Park and Ashton Court.
Balfour Villas, BS3 Oakfield Apartments is the careful conversion of a beautiful Georgian building with large windows and high ceilings into 8 two bedroom spacious apartments. Every home at Oakfield Apartments enjoys a sunny southerly aspect to the rear, the upper floors overlook the green of the covered reservoir and the garden apartments have their own private entrances and gardens. Some of the apartments will include a study, an en-suite and one of the first floor apartments will also have a private terrace. Show home viewings will be held on 13 May, by appointment. Prices are from £399,950.
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Balfour Villas in BS3 is a development of just 19 homes including three apartments (all reserved), three storey 4 bedroom townhouses and two semi detached 4 bedroom contemporary homes, with all of the houses benefitting from gardens and parking. With 60% of this scheme now reserved, you need to be quick to secure your home within this development. Prices are from £465,000 and Help to Buy is available. Completion is expected in the Autumn.
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BRISTOL PROPERTY | IN FOCUS
Beauley Road, Southville Beauley Road in Southville, BS3 is now taking shape. This is a scheme of two semi detached 3 bedroom homes, one has the unique benefit of a 280 sqft detached studio space. Buyers are able to specify their finish requirements for the studio space, subject to negotiation. Built to blend with the surrounding period properties with stone frontages, yet with contemporary interiors to suit modern day living. These homes include a fabulous kitchen/dining space overlooking their south west facing rear gardens and a master bedroom suite on the top floor. Prices are from £464,950, with viewings being held on 6 May, by appointment. Beauley Road
Every home by Developments Bristol includes a high quality finish with high gloss handleless kitchens with Corian worktops and upstands, integrated AEG appliances, engineered oak flooring in the living spaces and soft wool mix carpets in the bedrooms. The bathrooms are smart with Villeroy & Boch sanitaryware and Porcelanosa tiling. With attention to detail throughout, these properties will make comfortable and stylish homes, in Bristol’s best locations. For more information and to register your interest for the viewing days, get in touch with Ocean on 0117 9469832 or email : landandnewhomes@oceanhome.co.uk n
About Developments Bristol
Beauley Road kitchen diner
Developments Bristol’s projects vary in size, ranging from the construction of a single end of terrace property to a full development of numerous units whether conversion or new build, residential or commercial. With a proven track record with completed projects over the past 2 years alone including the redevelopment of land on Cannon Street in Bedminster into 11 apartments and a retail unit (earning them Regional Finalist at the LABC Building Excellence Awards 2016), a conversion of a period building on Victoria / Albert Road in Clevedon into 8 apartments and the transformative conversion of the Challicoms Department Store in Clevedon into luxury sea-view apartments. Balfour Villas lounge
Balfour Villas
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Andrews - Bristol - April.qxp_Layout 3 17/03/2017 16:04 Page 1
Westbury-on-Trym Gainsborough Mews, Westbury-on-Trym, BS10 6TB ÂŁ375,000
Bishopston 40 Cobourg Road, Montpelier, Bristol, BS6 5HX ÂŁ495,500
Gainsborough Mews is a Grade 2 Listed historic building which is infused with a modern contemporary interior. With kitchen diner, lounge, cloakroom, two double bedrooms, en-suite to bedroom two & rear garden. The historic building is something very special as this home is truly a labour of love. Energy Efficiency Rating: C
This charming four bedroom house set over three floors has been lovingly restored and improved by the current owner. The property offers two reception rooms, kitchen/diner with integrated appliances, 1st floor family bathroom. The property has been extended into the loft now providing a stunning additional bedroom with fabulous views across the Bristol horizon and en suite bathroom with roll top freestanding bath. The property benefits from a front and rear elevated garden. Energy Efficiency Rating: D
Westbury-on-Trym sales 0117 405 7685 Bishopston sales 0117 405 7662
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Clifton Glenavon Park, Sneyd Park, BS9 1RL ÂŁ350,000
Harbourside Perretts Court, BS1 6UF ÂŁ395,000
A spacious and light three double bedroom apartment with arguably some of the best views in Bristol. The apartment has undergone a full refurbishment to include a contemporary kitchen, stylish Victorian themed bathroom, a Moroccan styled en-suite shower room and modern night storage heaters. Located on the third/top floor with lift access, the outlook is truly stunning. The property benefits from a fabulous balcony, a lift in the communal entrance, garage and communal grounds. Energy Efficiency Rating: E
This beautifully presented property offers two double bedrooms, a well presented bathroom with the luxury of a heated floor. The living space offers solid wooden floors with views out towards the harbour; dining space leads to a modern style kitchen which has a tiled floor and integrated appliances. The patio doors in the lounge lead to the terrace ideal for outside dining and entertainment and some of the best views the harbourside has to offer. Benefits from secure allocated parking. Energy Efficiency Rating: D
Clifton sales 0117 4057659 Harbourside sales 0117 911 4749
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FREEHOLD V LEASEHOLD: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? SASHA JACQUES, PARTNER
Rapidly rising property prices and a high population density around the city centre means that a significant proportion of homes sold in Bristol are now leasehold.
hello from
air bristol
But what does this mean and how might it impact prospective homeowners? Sasha Jacques, Partner and conveyancing specialist at Barcan+Kirby looks at the key differences between the two.
T
he legal distinction between freehold and leasehold is pretty clear. If you own a freehold property, you’re the sole owner of both the property and the land on which the property stands. As a leaseholder, you technically own the bricks and mortar, but you don’t own the land on which your property is built – this belongs to the landlord (or ‘freeholder’). Crucially you can only live in the property for as long as the lease is valid. Once the lease expires, ownership passes back to the landlord – despite you paying a mortgage or potentially owning your home outright. With leasehold properties, it’s likely that you’ll need permission from the landlord before making alterations – such as changes to the windows or exterior paintwork. Your landlord can even stipulate whether you can keep pets in your property.
Are there any financial considerations? Leasehold properties invariably come with higher costs, including service charges, ground rent, management fees and buildings insurance – all paid to the landlord or their management agent. It’s also worth noting that these costs are variable. They can change each year, with the only stipulation being that they’re ‘reasonable’.
What should I look for if buying a leasehold property? You lease determines how many years you can live in the property, so common-sense dictates that the longer the lease, the better. Lease lengths vary – often 90 or 120 years, but as high as 999 years. However a lease with less than 80 years remaining can have a negative impact on the property’s value, making it much harder for buyers to obtain a mortgage. If you want to avoid shelling out thousands on a lease renewal, look for properties where the lease is unlikely to drop below the 80 year mark whilst you’re living there. Alternatively speak to a conveyancing solicitor about whether you can apply for a lease extension. Shorter leases come with additional complications, so make sure the property value reflects this and factor in the cost of a lease renewal when calculating how much to pay for the property.
So freehold or leasehold? Some people would urge caution when buying leasehold property, but provided that there’s a well-written lease and the building is properly managed, there’s no reason why a leasehold property shouldn’t provide the basis of a good home and a secure long-term investment. The important thing is to ensure that the lease protects your own interests, so check the lease term and take specialist legal advice to clarify your rights and responsibilities as the leaseholder. n
Sasha Jacques is a Partner and head of conveyancing at Barcan+Kirby. You can contact her at s.jacques@barcankirby.co.uk or on 0117 325 2929. www.barcankirby.co.uk
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‘Bristol's Leading Airbnb Management Company’ Airbristol is taking the Airbnb rental market by storm, our statistics over the last 6 months speak for themselves:
Average 83% monthly occupancy rates Over 1000 nights booked 20% increase for landlords compared to long term lets 95% 4 and 5 star ratings E: hello@airbristol.com | T: 01179113473
www.airbristol.com
Henleaze 108 Henleaze Road, Henleaze
t: 0117 962 9221 Email: henleaze@cjhole.co.uk
REEDLEY ROAD, STOKE BISHOP Guide Price £700,000 An extensive, three bedroom family home with southerly facing garden ideally located in close proximity to Elmlea Infant and Junior School. Three reception rooms; front with bay and period fireplace, rear with leaded light windows and French doors, stone fireplace and serving hatch to breakfast room and double doors to garden and third reception room leading to a spacious kitchen. Spacious bathroom with four piece white suite, garage and driveway. EPC E.
Westbury-on-Trym 25 Canford Lane, Westbury-on-Trym
t: 0117 950 0118 Email: westbury@cjhole.co.uk
KEWSTOKE ROAD, STOKE BISHOP Guide Price £775,000 An immaculately presented and stylishly extended 1920’s four bedroom semi-detached family home. Extensive and contemporary kitchen/diner with Quartz worktops and bi-fold doors providing access to a 100ft south easterly facing garden, separate siting room with wood burner and lounge to front with Minster fireplace. The property is ideally located with good access to the shops and amenities of Stoke Bishop and Westbury-on-Trym. Marketed with no onward chain. EPC D.
Other offices also located across Bristol and Somerset
CJ Hole April.indd 1
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Clifton t: 0117 923 8238 (sales) t: 0117 946 6588 (lettings) clifton@cjhole.co.uk
www.cjhole.com April. Spring. Easter. Love this time of year. Bristol looks beautiful, there’s warmth in the breeze and some truly lovely homes come onto the Sales market. Signs of activity are already clear: from one bed apartments to family houses, there’s a little bit more choice, a little bit more confidence. Bristol has seen some of the biggest property value growth in the UK this year. Infrastructure and transport networks are being revitalised. Companies are investing. The University is investing. New restaurants are opening all the time (a good sign of a vibrant economy).
That said…in Lettings things are more uncertain. However the benefit of our decades of experience and working closely with ARLA, our Ombudsman and government agencies, means we can keep clients and landlords fully briefed on any changes. We are well placed to advise on current portfolio values, capital growth and immediate yields. If we can do anything to help you this Spring don’t hesitate to give my team a call on 0117 923 8238 Howard Davis M.N.A.E.A Managing Director - CJ Hole Clifton
CITY CENTRE Guide Price £515,000 A stunning penthouse duplex apartment with incredible views over Bristol’s floating harbour. Occupying the 4th and 5th floor of this modern apartment building and featuring a private terrace and balcony plus a communal gym and sauna. The property consists: Spacious entrance, generous open plan lounge/dining and kitchen, two double bedrooms and two bathrooms. The apartment comes with an allocated car parking space, communal bike store, gym room with sauna and shower facilities. EPC D
STOKE BISHOP Guide Price £620,000 This beautifully presented family home is set over three floors and offers: Two receptions, kitchen, four bedrooms, a fifth bedroom/home office and converted attic space currently used as a studio plus three bathrooms. The property benefits from having a garage, parking and a pretty walled rear garden. Local shops and railway station are within walking distance and access to the motorway network and the City Centre are a short distance away. EPC B
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CJ Hole Clifton April.indd 1
Other offices also located at: Bishopston, Clifton, Hanham, Henleaze & Southville
17/03/2017 16:06
CLIFTON Guide Price £450,000 An exceptionally high quality garden apartment in one of Clifton’s most desirable addresses. This recently modernised apartment offers a stylish contemporary home with local shops and Whiteladies Road just a short walk away. A private entrance opens on to a lovely central hallway. The lounge opens into a stunning kitchen/ diner with access to the rear garden. There are two double bedrooms and two bathrooms. The garden is on two levels with patio, shed and parking. EPC D
REDLAND Guide Price £749,950 A most attractive and extensive Redland home which occupies rooms on three levels of this Victorian building. The property offers: Living room, kitchen/diner, four bedrooms, bathroom, a South West facing rear garden, option for self-contained apartment, parking, Redland Green catchment and room to extend (subject to the necessary planning permissions). EPC D
Download our dedicated iPhone App today
CJ Hole Clifton April.indd 2
Other offices also located at: Bishopston, Clifton, Hanham, Henleaze & Southville
17/03/2017 16:06
Redland ÂŁ399,950
Clifton Office 0117 946 6007
Two bedroom flat
A substantial 2 double bedroom, 2 bathroom ground floor apartment with level access, private courtyard and secure underground parking, set within the sought after Regent Apartments, Aldermans Park on the edge of Redland Green. EPC - D
oceanhome.co.uk
Ocean April.indd 1
Westbury-on-Trym Office 0117 962 1973
Royal Victoria Park ÂŁ425,000 Three bed house
This beautiful home consists of entrance hall, kitchen/diner, a sizeable lounge with another set of french doors, downstairs WC, landing, three bedrooms, ensuite shower room and a family bathroom. The property has its own generous rear garden. EPC - C
22/03/2017 13:05
Clifton Village ÂŁ385,000 Two bedroom flat
A beautifully presented and light 2 double bedroom first floor flat set in this impressive Art Deco building in Royal Park, Clifton Village. Tucked away from traffic yet immediately convenient for the nearby amenities of Clifton Village and Christchurch Primary School. EPC - C
Henleaze ÂŁ515,000 Three bed house
A three bedroom home situated close to Henleaze Infant and Junior School. The property has two reception rooms, fitted kitchen and a single garage. The first floor has three bedrooms and a family bathroom. The property has no onward chain. EPC - tbc
Ocean April.indd 2
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Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk
SALE AGREED
SALE AGREED
Clifton
Guide Price £395,000
Sale agreed following a successful Open House. Similar required.
SALE AGREED
Clifton Guide Price £850,000
Cotham
Sale agreed within two weeks of marketing well in excess of the guide price. Similar Required, call us now to share in our successful marketing. EPC:E
Sale agreed with multiple offers. Similar required for disappointed buyers. EPC:E
Lower Failand
Guide Price £1,250,000 Westbury Park
Guide Price £395,000
Guide Price £675,000
Falfield, South Glos Guide Price £750,000
A recently renovated and extended family house with tranquil views of open farmland, nestled in one of North Somerset’s more sought after addresses. EPC:E
Built in 1930, this charming three bedroom end of terrace with traditional box windows and white painted ornamental fascia boards emanates a wealth of period character. EPC:D
Positioned in a semi-rural location this period detached residence is a fabulous family home with well proportioned accommodation in a total plot measuring 1.024 acre. EPC:E
Clifton Wood
Clifton
Guide Price £850,000
With its regular double fronted facade, the property is obliquely positioned with an open and sunny aspect, enjoying views of the elegant Royal York Crescent. EPC: E
Guide Price £599,995
A substantial, versatile three bedroom apartment occupying the entirety of the first floor of this imposing period townhouse on a most sought after Clifton road. EPC: E
Portishead
Guide Price: £775,000
Occupying a much sought after position on Portishead’s Lake Grounds is this fabulous example of an extended 1930’s detached, five bedroom family home. EPC: D
Hamptons Bristol
Sales. 0117 322 6362 | bristol@hamptons-int.com
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COUNTRY COLLECTION
Abbots Leigh | Bristol
OIEO ÂŁ650,000
A beautiful cottage just a couple of miles from Clifton in a semi-rural location between the villages of Failand and Abbots Leigh. 28' family kitchen / breakfast room, sitting room, dining room, utility room. Four double bedrooms. Two bath / shower rooms. Cloakroom. Beautiful mature front garden. Rear courtyard and useful garden store. EPC: E.
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CITY COLLECTION
Clifton | Bristol
Guide Price: ÂŁ430,000
Situated within the historic Clifton village, is this wonderful two bedroom hall floor apartment, set within minutes of The Mall with its abundance of shops, cafes & restaurants. EPC: C.
Richard Harding April.qxp_Layout 6 20/03/2017 15:42 Page 1
Richard Harding Chartered Surveyors • Estate Agents • Auctioneers • Valuers
SOLD
ARCHFIELD ROAD, COTHAM
guide £1,350,000 CHANTRY ROAD, CLIFTON
An impressive and exceptionally large (circa 3,500 sq. ft.) 8 double bedroom 3 reception late Victorian/Edwardian period semi-detached family house with driveway off street parking, 95ft x 30ft south-westerly facing garden plus a contemporary studio/workshop and garage. Well maintained over 27 years and provides generous accommodation incorporating an architect designed extensions. ‘Moon’ constructed ‘pod’ at the end of the rear garden. EPD: D
An elegant & stylish family home filled with light - a real gem. A most engaging 4 bedroom, Georgian style grade II listed town house, with well-proportioned rooms, off street parking and 55ft rear garden. An elegant Clifton home filled with light – a real gem. Historical Note - The property dates from circa 1670 and was altered significantly in 1820 and extended in 1976. The subject property is one of a row of 4 townhouses originally built as one house and later extended and divided. EPC: D
An impressive and exceptionally well presented 7 bedroom (5 with en suite), 4 reception room Edwardian family home located close to Durdham Downs and enjoying a 66ft x 30ft level rear garden and off street parking for 3 cars. Well-proportioned rooms throughout including a recently extended (2015) large sociable kitchen/dining space with bi-folding doors. EPC: D
HENLEAZE ROAD, HENLEAZE
guide price: £995,000
A handsome 5 double bedroom, 4 reception, 2 bathroom Victorian period family town house with 55ft southerly facing rear garden, impressive 19ft x 14ft kitchen/diner with direct access to the garden, off street parking, in a favoured location near Redland Green and the beautiful Redland Parish Church - a few hundred metres from Redland Green School. EPC: E
VICTORIA WALK, COTHAM
guide price: £950,000 SOMERSET STREET, KINGSDOWN
A charming and stylish 4 bedroom, 2 reception, 2 bath/shower room, Victorian terraced family home located in the very convenient Kingsdown area offering flexible accommodation over 3 floors with a wonderful open-plan kitchen/dining/family room with bi-folding doors leading out onto the private enclosed south east facing rear garden. A friendly neighbourly community who all enjoy the ambience and character of this historic and atmospheric quarter with its cobbled streets and fine period buildings. EPC: D
An elegant and well-proportioned 4 double bedroom, 3 reception room Victorian semi-detached family home offering versatile accommodation, a generous 58ft rear garden and a garage. Further benefiting from planning approval to extend and create an enviable kitchen/dining space leading out to the garden. Situated in a peaceful yet highly convenient location in Cotham where a short stroll down the hill takes you to the vibrant Stokes Croft/Gloucester Road with its individual shops, restaurants and cafes. EPC: F
Professional, Reliable, Successful
guide price: £1,250,000
CLARENDON ROAD, REDLAND
guide price: £1,150,000
guide price: £800,000
0117 946 6690 www.richardharding.co.uk 124 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2RP
Richard Harding April.qxp_Layout 6 20/03/2017 15:43 Page 2
Richard Harding Chartered Surveyors • Estate Agents • Auctioneers • Valuers
COTHAM ROAD guide £1,780,000
Standing within ½ an acre and in the heart of the city - a magnificent grade II listed Italianate style late Georgian period detached mansion house of unique appeal and scope with ample parking space and a stunning south facing garden. No onward chain. Dating from 1837, having a wonderful atmosphere and character with generously proportioned rooms, plenty of natural light and abundant period features. Offers extensive accommodation, circa 4560 sq.ft. over three floors, comprising 10 main rooms plus a gallery, breakfast room, kitchen, utility room, bathrooms etc.
Professional, Reliable, Successful
0117 946 6690 www.richardharding.co.uk 124 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2RP
Westbury-on-Trym - £745,000
Westbury-on-Trym - £625,000
A fabulous 4 bedroom 1930’s semi-detached house with a spacious open plan kitchen/ breakfast and dining area stretching across the rear of the house and with double patio doors opening onto the rear garden. The tastefully modernised and extended house provides nearly 1900 sq. ft. of family orientated accommodation. EPC - D. Tel 0117 9622299
This is a handsome 1930’s semi-detached family house that has been extended to the side and rear in recent years to provide a comfortable and particularly spacious 4 bedroom property. Viewing of this fine family home is highly recommended. EPC - D. Tel 0117 9622299
Westbury-on-Trym - £565,000
Easter Compton - £600,000
An attractively presented extended four bedroom family orientated semi detached house situated in a convenient position midway between Henleaze High Street and Westbury Village. The house has a good size level rear garden with a desirable Westerly aspect, garage and off street parking. EPC - D. Tel 0117 9622299
A beautifully finished new build four bedroom detached house backing onto open countryside on the city fringes. Fantastic open plan kitchen/living area opening onto the rear garden. Two further reception rooms, utility, cloakroom, garage. No onward chain. EPC - B. Tel 0117 9741741
Sneyd Park - £350,000
Cliftonwood - £225,000
A well-presented, 2 double bedroom, lower ground apartment with parking and direct access from the living room to a private courtyard garden forming part of an attractive detached period building set in a peaceful and leafy suburb only a stone’s throw from the Downs. EPC - D. Tel 0117 9741741
A smart one bedroom top floor flat enjoying commanding views from the rear over the Bristol harbour, city and surrounding countryside. Ideally suited to first time buyers or investors looking for a successful rental property. EPC - C. Tel 0117 9741741
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EX DISPLAY MODELS UP TO 65% OFF
We make bespoke sofas and upholstery and curtains in our own factory in Bristol and design and make painted or solid pine or oak cabinet furniture from standard ranges or made to measure and to your own or our designs
We now offer INTEREST FREE CREDIT on selected purchases
Curtains and Blinds Sofas and Fabrics Bespoke Cabinet Furniture and Wardrobes
Sofas, Curtains and Cabinet Furniture Made to order in 2-4 weeks
terms and conditions apply
We are just past Clifton Down Shopping Centre 56/64, Whiteladies Rd, BS8 2PY Mon-Sat 9.30 - 5.30/Sun 12 - 5
FINE CARPET
TEL: 01173 292746
All types of reupholstery Traditional to contemporary styles Antique and Vintage pieces