Tozer Signs talks technique, taxidermy and tattoos
Celebrating 40 years of Les Misérables on stage as you’ve never seen before
Quench your thirst for knowledge and sign up to a local course
Delicious interiors inspired by fruit and vegetables
Line of Duty actor Vicky McClure and Reverend and the Makers’ frontman Jon McClure (no relation) are flooding dancefloors with crowds of daytime ravers...
Creative displays across the city to catch this month
Nick Wray from University of Bristol Botanic Garden explores five fascinating food plants
Our
Daytime
A
Isabelle
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Want to pick up a new skill? Find a new talent? Change career direction? We’ve got just the course for you...
Andrew Swift follows an Isambard Brunel trail around the city, seeking out his creations
Retro-inspired interior design packed full of flavour, drawing inspiration from edible items 66
Elly West waits patiently for the final flourish of summer’s flower displays
On the cover
This year will forever be an excellent vintage for international women’s sport. I’m currently typing this up two days before the Lionesses take on Spain in the Euros final. I was lucky enough to see the Lionesses face Belgium at Ashton Gate earlier this year, and that glorious 5-0 tasted even sweeter on home soil. No matter the upcoming result, which will be big news by the time you’re reading this, it’s safe to say that simply making the final itself is a huge achievement – and the ripple effect on girls around the country looking up to these athletes as inspirational role models should never be underestimated.
Ashton Gate is no stranger to hosting world-class sport. And we’re now only a matter of weeks away from its turn in the limelight as a host venue for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. Four not-to-bemissed knockout games (two quarter finals and two semi-finals) will take place at the stadium in September. And, as luck would have it, if the Red Roses can survive the tournament until the first quarter final, their Pool is guaranteed a match in Bristol. For the four Bristol Bears who have made the England team – our very own Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman and Abbie Ward – the occasion will hold special significance. Inside this issue, you’ll find some more information about the upcoming tournament: how and where to watch games, when the key matches are and even some information about the good work being done to encourage more girls into the sport.
For readers who squirm at the thought of an afternoon spent pitch side, join us in the theatre instead as we meet one of the co-directors of an incredible new production of famed musical Les Misérables coming to Bristol Hippodrome. Or perhaps you’d prefer to ponder quietly at two new exhibitions that explore memory at Arnolfini.
Peckish? The curator of the University of Bristol Botanic Garden unearths some fascinating history behind a few of the food plants growing on site, there’s a rather intimate review of a night spent at The Ox and The Milk Thistle – and to polish off your meal, we have a special interiors ideas extravaganza celebrating things that look like food, but aren’t food. I, for one, am incredibly happy to see cabbage-themed plates pull up a seat at the table again. Let’s tuck in.
Rosanna Spence
Steve Miklos steve@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
Financial Director Jane Miklos jane@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
Rosanna Spence 0117 974 2800 rosanna@thebristolmagazine.co.uk India Farnham india@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
Production Manager Jeff Osborne
Email: production@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
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Email: liz@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
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Experience a heart-expanding, blissful summer’s day on 17 August with Lie Down and Listen; Divine Love in the awe-inspiring surroundings at The Mount Without (BS2 8FN). Opening with an intention setting and mindful breathwork, you'll be guided to lie down on luxurious mattresses, cushions and blankets ready to absorb the healing vibrations of Tibetan bowls, gongs and a live classical piano concert. The 90-minute session costs £45 and includes your drink, mattresses, cushions and blankets. Sessions will take place at 11am, 2pm and 5pm. Tickets available at liedownandlisten.com
New art installation PS. With Love has seen bright flags and banners arrive in Park Street, Queen’s Road, The Triangle and College Green, inviting people to rediscover the stories and symbols that shape the area. Nearby venues are also hosting a packed calendar of exhibitions, performances and cultural events throughout August. bristolcitycentrebid.co.uk
Wiltshire Game & Country Fair returns to Bowood House Estate on 9-10 August, bringing the countryside to life with sports and pursiuts to take part in or try for the first time. From equestrian stunt riding to ferret racing, falconry and various dog displays, there’s plenty to see across the weekend. There will also be opportunities to go shopping, with a wide range of country, craft and food retailers waiting to meet you. There are also two food courts, ideal for taking a refreshing break with a cold drink, unwinding to live jazz and folk music.
Get your tickets at livingheritagecountryshows.com/tickets
The Bee and Pollination Festival returns to University of Bristol Botanic Garden 30-31 August (10am to 5pm), and will incorporate the Bristol Beekeepers 95th annual Honey Festival. The Botanic Garden will be in its full late summer colours with displays, demonstrations, and stalls in the main marquee and throughout the Garden. There will be fascinating lectures and tours of the Garden throughout the day.
More information and tickets can be found at botanic-garden.bristol.ac.uk
The BBC Proms comes to Bristol Beacon and St George’s Bristol over the August bank holiday weekend this year (22-24 August) Part of Proms Across the UK, five concerts make up Proms Bristol: a unique collaboration between Paraorchestra and award-winning duo The Breath, a celebration of artists that have forged distinctive musical paths with Late Junction with host Verity Sharp and guest artists, the Danish National Vocal Ensemble at St George’s Bristol, Tess Jackson and Britten Sinfonia with soloists Zoë Beyers and Miranda Dale and an exploration of world-class Italian compositions with the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera. bristolbeacon.org
Our city will welcome the 10th edition of the Women’s Rugby World Cup tournament to home turf in September, with two quarter‐finals and both semi‐finals taking place at Ashton Gate Stadium. Here’s everything we know so far…
We don’t need to tell you that Ashton Gate is an important hub for sport in our city. Home to both Bristol Bears and Bristol City, it’s used to welcoming thousands of fans through its turnstiles every week – and is no stranger to hosting international games. But later this summer, the world’s eyes will be on Bristol, when Ashton Gate hosts four vital matches as part of the Women’s Rugby World Cup (which takes place from 22 August to 27 September) – a key milestone for the tournament as it celebrates its 10th edition.
Selected as the venue for two quarter finals and both semi-finals, the recently-renovated Ashton Gate was chosen as a host venue for a reason. Boasting the highest attendance for a women’s rugby game in the country outside of Twickenham (when England’s Red Roses faced Wales in March 2024), the stadium has also packed in a sell-out crowd for England’s football Lionesses. And it has World Cup pedigree, having hosted a New Zealand victory over Tonga back in 1999.
It's a place Bristol Bears and England international Lark Atkin-Davies has spent a lot of time, and she simply can’t wait for the world to see it: “The noise and the atmosphere does go to another level,” she told the events team at Ashton Gate. “To have my home stadium confirmed as a World Cup quarter-final and semi-final venue next year is going to be incredible.”
From the important fixtures you need to know about, to dedicated fan zones and important community outreach work, here’s what you can expect from the 2025 instalment of the Women’s Rugby World Cup…
ASHTON GATE STADIUM
QUARTER FINAL 2
WINNER POOL B V RUNNER-UP POOL A SAT 13 SEP | 4PM
QUARTER FINAL 4
WINNER POOL A V RUNNER-UP POOL B SUN 14 SEP | 4PM
SEMI-FINAL 1
WINNER OF QF1 V WINNER OF QF2 FRI 19 SEP | 7PM
SEMI-FINAL 2
WINNER OF QF3 V WINNER OF QF4 SAT 20 SEP | 3.30PM
Have you spotted the mural, located in the Bristol Amphitheatre? The image features Red Roses prop Sarah Bern alongside nine-year-old Ava-Mai Greenslade, a participant in the Rugby Football Union’s Rising Roses programme-funded activity, delivered by the Bristol Bears Community Foundation.
“It’s an incredible feeling to see a mural of myself alongside Ava-Mai in a city that has become my home,” Bern said.
“I adore Bristol. The young me would never have thought that one day I’d have my face alongside some of the most brilliant street art in the world. What an honour!
“You’ve got to see it to believe it and if murals in Bristol and Northampton can help inspire young girls and boys to pick up a rugby ball in such a big year for rugby in this country, then that will mean the world.”
It wouldn’t be a major sporting tournament without a special fan zone thrown into the mix now, would it? This year, there will be no better place to experience the excitement (well, except from within Ashton Gate itself) than the Bristol Amphitheatre Fan Zone, which will be set up in the heart of the city centre.
So, what can we expect? There will be a ‘have-a-go’ rugby zone with fun skill challenges for all levels; large LED screens on either side of the stage for an amazing viewing experience; a packed programme of rugby-themed entertainment, craft zones, and community activations; and a conversation corner for relaxed talks and fan engagement. Keep yourself fed and watered with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, locally-brewed beverages and sweet treats served from traders across the plaza. There will be toilet and baby-changing facilities (with accessible options) – and don’t forget to be prepared to enjoy yourself in the open air: brollies, waterproofs, hats and sun cream are essential.
Though we of course don’t yet know which teams will face each other during the knockout matches to be played at Ashton Gate (though because of group pooling, we do know that if the Pool A Roses make it to a quarter-final, they’ll be on Bristol soil) our city already has four reasons to beam with pride, thanks to the Bristol Bears chosen for the England team.
Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman and Abbie Ward will represent the Red Roses in the home 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. Head coach John Mitchell has confirmed his 32-player squad featuring 18 forwards and 14 backs, averaging an age of 26 and totalling a combined 1,374 international caps.
Twenty-four of the group have previously competed at a World Cup, including captain Zoe Aldcroft who will lead her country in her third World Cup, supported by 2014 winner Marlie Packer and Olympian Megan Jones as vice captains. Emily Scarratt is set to compete in her fifth tournament with Alex Matthews and Packer in line for their fourth.
The Red Roses will feel the support of the nation, facing the USA at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on the opening night of the tournament (Friday 22 August, kick-off 7.30pm).
The World Cup is an excellent opportunity to draw attention to the importance of engaging young people in sport. This is where Impact ’25 comes in, which is Rugby Football Union’s legacy programme for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, aiming to accelerate the accessibility of rugby for women and girls by investing £12.13 million in government funding into the sport across England and the home unions.
Key achievements made by the programme ahead of the tournament even beginning include:
850 clubs receiving funding or activities to grow the women’s game and capitalise on the excitement around the RWC25.
1,456 newly qualified female coaches and match officials.
22,795 girls playing in 23/24, marking a 9.3% year-on-year increase.
£2,685,000 invested in upgrading club facilities to make them more welcoming for females.
7,800 more girls introduced to rugby through grants supporting U12 activity. More than 300 sanitary packages delivered to clubs nationwide, with around 1,000 sanitary products.
For more information, visit the websites: ashtongatestadium.co.uk/rwc-2025 rugbyworldcup.com | englandrugby.com
Credit: est.94 productions
Quakers Friars has been transformed into a joyful, otherworldly escape thanks to much-loved local artist Alex Lucas’s Once A Pond A Time: a brand-new public installation created in collaboration with creative producers Bakehouse and Cabot Circus.
Open until the end of August, this free-to-access outdoor experience brings together giant sculptures, whimsical creatures, live mural painting and interactive artworks – all inspired by the humble pond and its overlooked magic.
Set against the architecture of Quakers Friars, the space features towering lily pads and beetle-benches, a walk-in snail ‘Shell-ter’ and even a tech-enhanced crocodile sculpture hiding among the reeds. Visitors can also find shaded nooks perfect for book lovers, picnic spots and Instagram-ready moments, all wrapped in Alex’s distinctive, character-led aesthetic. The installation is the centrepiece of a summer-long celebration of Quakers Friars, marking the final chapter before a major public realm redevelopment begins later this year.
Bristol Old Vic has confirmed a very special first cast member for its Christmas swashbuckler production
Treasure Island: A New Musical Adventure: Bristolian legend, comedian and actor, Jayde Adams. Jayde will play Benita Gunn and Jim Hawkins’ mother in a new musical adaptation of the classic tale of hidden treasure and pirate-y peril, brought to life by The Great British Bake Off Musical and The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole The Musical creators Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary. Although no stranger to Bristol Old Vic through her stand-up comedy and as part of Bristol Old Vic Young Company as a child, Treasure Island marks Jayde’s professional stage acting debut. bristololdvig.org.uk (Photo by Barbara Evripidou)
Bristol's Nature Together project has been awarded £984,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help improve nature and make it easier for people to enjoy and benefit from the city’s urban green spaces. Nature Together will take a collaborative approach to working with communities to develop their plans for nature and improving access to green and blue spaces within our city. The project will also create opportunities for volunteering, community-led action, developing skills and exploring new ways of funding for nature recovery.
Channel 4’s primetime property programme Location, Location, Location is looking for house hunters in Bristol and Bath to take part in its 25th anniversary series.
For the new series being filmed in September, Channel 4 is now looking for individuals, families and couples in our area who need presenters Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer’s expertise to find their next home, whether they're upsizing, downsizing, first timers, or looking for a forever home.
As part of Channel 4's ongoing commitment to achieving greater inclusivity on screen, candidates of all backgrounds and identities are encouraged to apply.
The deadline for applications is 13 August, with every application received by a member of IWC Media who will contact people directly if they wish to take it any further. IWC Media will process your personal data in accordance with their privacy policy, a copy of which is available on request.
Anyone interested can apply via the Channel 4 website channel4.com/4viewers/takepart/location
Kids can now go free on buses across the West throughout the school summer holidays thanks to investment by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
Around 150,000 kids in Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire aged from 5-15 years old will benefit from free bus travel this summer – just by hopping on board, with no bus pass or registration required. The free travel offer runs until 5 September (to cover varying INSET days) across the West of England and North Somerset during the same period on all registered commercial and supported bus services starting in those areas, with limited exemptions set out online at travelwest.info
WWF and Forestry England have created some brand-new Feel Good Forest Trails, including a walk through Leigh Woods, as a fun, interactive way to connect with nature, boost wellbeing and enjoy the great outdoors together. Each trail, which can be found on WWF’s interactive map, encourages families to explore Forestry England’s beautiful forests, while learning about the Amazon Rainforest on the other side of the world. Families unable to visit a trail in person can access a free Feel Good Forest Activity Pack online, filled with ideas to help families enjoy nature wherever they are. More info online at: wwf.org.uk/act/trails and forestryengland.uk/feel-good-forest-activity-pack
Zoë Meager of Aotearoa New Zealand (picured below) took first place in this year’s Bristol Short Story Prize for her haunting story Things with bodies, a tale that judges described as ‘clear, careful, nothing-wasted prose’, infused with ‘deep love’ and ‘unthinkable yet inevitable grief’.
The competition spotlights powerful new voices and stories that move, challenge, and illuminate. This year’s judging panel – Kate Johnson, Jan Carson, and Peace Adzo Medie – praised the breadth and emotional honesty of this year’s shortlisted entries. Chosen from more than 1,800 submissions, the top three entries exemplified the enduring power of the short story to explore the depth and complexity of human experience.
Meager’s writing has appeared in Granta, The Offing, Overland, and more. In 2024, she was runner-up in the Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition, received an honourable mention in the Zoetrope All-Story Short Fiction Competition, and was a Sargeson Fellow.
Second place goes to London-based S-L Santana for her vibrant, layered story 1992. Jan Carson praised its “compelling, funny and acerbic” voice and described the experience of reading the story as “being transported into someone else’s life and home.” Santana, a graduate of Brunel University and Aberystwyth University, draws inspiration from relationships, community, and the rhythm of oral storytelling. 1992 began as a writing prompt but grew into a story that blends memory, research, and childhood perception with adult understanding.
Taking third place is Laura Morris of Cardiff, for The Weight of a Man, which Peace Adzo Medie called “emotive and vivid” and “illuminating in its exploration of family, love, and care.” Morris’s work has been published in The Dublin Review, The Lonely Crowd, Banshee, and Southword. Her story Cree won the Rhys Davies Short Story Competition in 2022. Originally from Caerphilly, she now teaches English at a Welsh-medium secondary school.
Bristol Short Story Prize (BSSP) is an annual, international writing competition that was founded in 2007 by the editors of the quarterly cultural magazine, Bristol Review of Books. In 2024, after 16 years, the competition moved to the Department of English at the University of Bristol.
All this year’s shortlisted stories feature in the Volume 17 anthology, available from Tangent Books. bssp.blogs.bristol.ac.uk | tangentbooks.co.uk
The long-awaited return of the Bristol & Portishead line has been given the official green light by the Department for Transport . The final £27.6 million has been approved to re-open the line in 2028 and build new stations at Portishead and Pill. This paves the way to mobilise in the autumn to start work in spring/summer 2026. The reopening of the line, which was axed in the 1960s during Beeching cuts, will slash travel times in half and reduce car commuting. This new line is one part of a wider £400 million rail upgrade across the West of England, creating new stations and increasing train services to better connect communities. Two new railway stations have opened in the region since 2023 - Portway Park & Ride and Ashley Down - with five more in total planned including North Filton, Henbury and Charfield.
Mokoko is opening its first store in north Bristol at The Hangar, the new local social hub in the historic Hangar 16U at Brabazon. Due to open around the New Year and spilling out onto a terrace overlooking Brabazon Park, it will serve its freshly-baked viennoiserie along with sourdough bread, handmade sandwiches and cakes.
Mokoko has already been a hit with residents and visitors, with its pop-up serving hungry visitors to ‘The Birds’, the Gromit sculpture being hosted at Brabazon as part of Gromit Unleashed 3. brabazon.co.uk | mokokobakery.com
This month, the team at Gloucester Road Books shares a selection of kids’ reads just in time for the summer hols...
Our primary aim is that the shop be a fascinating place to explore. We have a significant focus on titles published by small independent presses. There are lots of really brilliant small publishers putting out incredibly exciting books, and we want to help get these out into the world.”
Visit the website for more details on book launches, talks and other events at the shop. gloucesterroadbooks.com @gloucester_rd_books | 184 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, BS7 8NU | Open Monday and Tuesday 9.30am-5pm; and Wednesday to Saturday 9.30am-6pm
Fireborne by Rosaria Munda, for teens and young adults
The beginning of a new teen series a la Maze Runner or The Hunger Games. In the aftermath of a revolution, dragonriders and rivals Annie and Lee must navigate rising tensions and longburied secrets as they fight to protect their hard-won peace. Fireborne is fast-paced, tense, and full of twists. Perfect for teen readers who prefer their fantasy grounded in real life questions of power, loyalty, and justice. A brilliant first book in a trilogy that is sure to only get better.
The Green Kingdom by Cornelia Funke, for ages 9-12
From the beloved author of Inkheart (which we adored as children) comes a magical eco-adventure. The main character, Caspia, is devastated to be spending a summer in Brooklyn –preferring to be in nature instead. However, she finds riddles written by two sisters in the house she is staying at and so begins a summer filled with plant-related adventure. Funke’s storytelling is as rich as ever and the messaging of this book is beautiful, inviting young readers to think about their relationship with the planet.
So Tired, So Wide Awake, by Susanne
for ages 0-3
In this bedtime story book, there are a whole host of animals trying to get some rest. As they fall asleep, one by one they need to get up for different reasons– for water, to use the toilet, because they have itchy ears! The list goes on. There is a silly plot twist at the end that makes all the animals rush to bed to sleep. A lovely wind-down board book with just the right touch of whimsy.
Nelly The Very Different Bird by Alex Macdonald, for ages 3-5
Nelly is different from the other birds because she can’t fly. Naturally, this seems like a huge problem to her at first. However, she eventually learns there are plenty of ways to navigate the world that are neither better nor worse than flying... just different. This sweet story follows Nelly as she searches for a place to belong and friends to belong with. This is a gentle tale with gorgeous illustrations and an empowering message about being yourself.
The Secret Lives of Women Spies by Charlotte Philby, for ages 9-12
This non-fiction children’s book is full of real-life stories about brave women who worked undercover throughout history. From World War II to the Cold War, they risked it all for their countries - often without recognition. Charlotte Philby, adult crime author and the granddaughter of double agent Kim Philby, brings these untold and under-told stories to life with writing that feels like fiction. A brilliant introduction to hidden heroines and the world of espionage!
Explore the Roman Baths in a new light this Summer. Until 31 August the iconic site is open after hours with its Summer Lates. Here’s why you won’t want to miss this magical evening experience:
➀ Walk among ancient shadows by torchlight
As dusk falls, the Great Bath – the heart of the Roman complex –is bathed in soft torchlight, creating a magical setting for evening exploration. Walk on 2000-year-old pavements and experience the site as the Romans did.
➁ Enjoy extended summer evenings
Take your time to wander the ancient site with late night openings. From Monday to Thursday the Roman Baths stay open until 8pm (last entry 7pm). Come the weekend you can explore at your own pace until 10pm (last entry 9pm) accompanied by live music.
➂ Sip beside the Great Bath with a drink in hand
Unwind with a drink from the pop-up bar, open throughout the summer. Located beside the Great Bath it’s the perfect spot to relax in ancient surroundings as you sip by the waters.
➃ Soak up sounds beside the Great Bath
Every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and on Bank Holiday Monday enjoy live music and DJ sets beside the water. Rather than formal concerts, the performances are designed to complement the historic surroundings—subtle, ambient, and deeply atmospheric. Fridays and Saturdays bring an eclectic blend of vinyl-only DJ sets. Sunday evenings offer an acoustic soundtrack of live music to end the weekend.
➄ Discover the past with guided tours
New evening tours offer a deep dive into 2,000 years of history. Explore the ancient bathing and temple complex with an expert guide by your side and uncover the stories of those who came before. £6. Available at 6pm and 7pm every evening.
➅ Explore then dine
Complete your evening on Fridays and Saturdays by dining at the iconic Pump Room Restaurant after your visit. The impressive building, once at the heart of Georgian society, is located on site at the Roman Baths.
➆ Take home a slice of summer from the Roman Baths shop
Visit the Roman Baths shop and pick up a seasonal gift, inspired by inspired by sun-drenched Mediterranean days. The irresistible Lemon and Olives edit features zesty citrus mead, handmade lemon soaps, elegant jewellery and locally crafted lemon chocolates.
Whether it’s the ambient music, flickering torchlight, discovering history, or simply sipping wine beside ancient waters, Summer Lates at the Roman Baths offers a truly atmospheric and unique evening out this summer.
Advance booking recommended.
See https://www.romanbaths.co.uk/summer-lates-2025 for further information and tickets. Discovery Card holders go free.
Actor Vicky McClure and musician Jon McClure (no, they’re not related) have announced a new wave of Day Fever dates, with the rave descending on Bristol O2 Academy on 13 September and 11 October. Warren Higgins catches up with them to find out more about the day party concept’s success and why life’s too short to save the dancing for the dark
If you ever thought clubbing was just for the under-25s stumbling home at 3am, think again. Day Fever, the unstoppable daytime disco dreamt up by actor Vicky McClure (Line of Duty, This is England, The Replacement), her husband Jonny Owen, and pals including Jon McClure of Reverend & The Makers, is flipping the nightlife script, one sunlit dance floor at a time. Born from a WhatsApp chat and now heading to 24 towns and cities in September (and returning for a handful of round-twos in October, including Bristol), Day Fever brings affordable, joy-filled clubbing into the daylight hours.
“The first one sold out in two seconds,” Vicky beams. “We did Nottingham, then Sheffield, then Merthyr and Cardiff and it just flew from there.” It all started with a simple idea. “Jonny just said, ‘Have you ever seen those bars in town during the day? They’re rammed!’” laughs Jon. “We were like, come on then, let’s do it and it went nuts.”
Now, this feel-good phenomenon sees people of all ages, literally from their 20s to their 70s, letting loose on packed dance floors.
“We’ve had Jonny’s mum sneak in a bottle of gin and stash it in a bush outside in Cardiff,” Jon jokes. “That’s the vibe! Bit of mischief, loads of laughs, and not a bit of trouble.” And it’s that warmth, spontaneity, and inclusiveness that keeps people coming back.
The crowd goes wild
Vicky’s voice lifts when she talks about the kind of people turning up to dance: “It’s mothers and daughters, friends reconnecting, people on chemo, people grieving. These are your nurses, your cleaners, your teachers. These are the people keeping the world spinning and now they’ve got somewhere to let go and feel joy.”
One story that’s stayed with her is a woman who had barely seen her friends or family unless it was for a wedding or a funeral. “Now she’s got a new frock every month, and she’s out at Day Fever. She goes shopping Friday night, gets her hair done, and makes a proper event of it. That’s magic, isn’t it?”
Inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword here; it’s baked into the experience. “We’ve had people in wheelchairs come up on stage, and the crowd goes wild. It’s electric. We want it to be accessible to everyone,” says Vicky, visibly moved. “It makes your hairs stand on end.”
While you might catch a familiar face on the decks – Jonny, Vicky, or even Jon’s wife Laura – most Day Fever events are led by local DJs. “We’ve been really selective,” Vicky explains. “They know their crowd; they know what their people want to hear. And they’re smashing it.”
And yes, music is taken very seriously. “There’s a loose structure,” Jon explains. “Bit of Northern Soul to kick off, disco, 80s bangers, 90s dance, a singalong, maybe some indie...but we always have Whitney. If Vicky’s there, it’s the law.” Vicky grins, “Hits across the generations, that’s the key. We’ve done themed nights, even Christmas clubs. And we’ll ask, ‘Do you want more Christmas songs?’ and they’re like ‘nah, just give us the hits!’” She laughs. “You just get a feel for it.”
With so many entertainment options pricing people out, Day Fever deliberately keeps things cheap. Vicky says. “We’ve always wanted it to be affordable. A night out can be £100 easy. We didn’t want this to be that.”
Jon adds, “Jonny said from day one it’s for ordinary people. Families, people with kids. We’re not here to rip people off.”
Venues love it too. “We shut up shop at 8pm,” Vicky explains, “they do a quick turnaround and run their usual night from 10. They’re making great takings and reaching a new crowd. It’s been a game changer for loads of clubs.”
If Day Fever feels like a family party, that’s because... it kind of is.
“Jonny and I are married, Jon’s wife DJs, his brother Chris and childhood friend Jamie are involved. Even Jonny’s daughter Katie’s behind the decks,” Vicky laughs. “It’s one big gang, and when people come through the doors, they’re part of it too.”
It’s not uncommon to see Vicky herself dancing on stage with partygoers, selfies flying and smiles everywhere (pictured centre and right). “When people realise we’re just there to have fun too, that we’re not up on a pedestal, they really get into it,” she says. “And I mean, come on, when do you get to go clubbing with your mum?!”
With appearances at festivals like Splendour and Reverend & The Makers’ 20th anniversary show in Sheffield this summer, things are scaling up, but slowly. “We’ve had offers to take it abroad, but we’re being really careful,” Vicky says. “It’s only 18 months old, it feels like a decade, but we want to make sure we look after what we’ve built.”
They’ve even announced their own Day Fever festival at Nottingham’s Arboretum on the 23 August. “We’ve got loads of ideas,” she teases. “But for now, we’re just enjoying this moment. It’s simple, and it works.”
Even with their busy schedules, Vicky filming Trigger Point, Jon touring Australia, both say they miss it when they’re away. “Sounds a bit daft,” Jon chuckles, “but Day Fever cheers me up. You leave feeling lighter.”
And that’s the magic, really. Day Fever isn’t just a disco, it’s a dose of pure happiness. n
Day Fever lands at Bristol O2 Academy on 13 September, and returns on 11 October. Tickets are available from day-fever.com (selling fast!)
Our pick of the best things to see and do with the little ones this month
Storyhunt
n Throughout August
Ashton Court Estate, BS41 9JN
Join Miley the Mouse on an exciting storyhunt through Ashton Court Estate! Help her solve riddles, meet enchanting creatures, and find her way to the most magical party of the year. Collect chapters along the way and experience the magic of storytelling like never before. Will you help Miley make it on time? Storyhunt is a digital storytelling esxperience that combines a short walking trail on the estate with a story that references real-life features of the grounds and some of its wildlife. The adventure can be accessed on a smartphone via storytalefestival.com/storyhunt and will be available all summer.
Jurassic Immersive
n Throughout August
Planet Ice Bristol, Cribbs Causeway, BS10 7SR
Explore. Learn. Rawr! Jurassic Immersive Experience is a cutting-edge, interactive journey that takes visitors through a hidden dinosaur sanctuary uncovered after a powerful earthquake. This thrilling adventure blends cinematic storytelling, lifelike dinosaur encounters, immersive environments, and exciting rides and activities, including virtual reality and hands-on exploration zones. It’s the perfect day out for dino loving kids and grown-ups too! Ticket pricing starts at £16.45 (infants aged 0-3 go free).
jurassicimmersive.co.uk
Summer holiday fun
n Throughout August
We The Curious, BS1 5DB
Help build a time machine and explore the mysteries of a space-time continuum in the brand-new, live science show Blast to the Past. Can you get a robot to draw you a picture? Visit the Tinkering Space and get creative with Scribblebots. Inspired by previous exhibits, head to the Kitchen for mouth-watering experiments in Tongue-Twisting
Tastes. Wander to the Greenhouse for Hanging Gardens. Plant some seeds and create a living, growing experiment to take home. In the Open City Lab, be transported to an imaginary desert island for Research Island Rescue - a series of challenges designed to hone your research skills. All these activities are drop-in. Just check times on arrival. wethecurious.org
Gromit Unleashed 3
n Throughout August
Multiple locations
As if the streets of Bristol weren’t colourful enough already, the muchloved Gromit Unleashed 3 trail is back with 53 stunning sculptures of Wallace, Gromit, Feather’s McGraw and a new character, Norbot, the new ‘smart gnome’ from Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. This year’s trail has a dazzling movie magic theme, celebrating the world of storytelling and film - download the app (proceeds go to The Grand Appeal) and tick off the sculptures you spot. There are mini trails, a map and an online shop to buy Gromit Unleashed 3 merchandise, too. The trail itself is free to do, and on now until 31 August. (Pictured below, credit Susie Bowers, Visit Bristol). grandappeal.org.uk/gromit-unleashed
n Throughout August
Avon Valley Adventure Park, BS31 1TP
Summer season is going to be a splash at Avon Valley with a sand and water play area, giant slip ‘n’ slide, huge paddling pools and beach zone! Plus every day ends with a foam party. But why stop at one party when you can have a silent disco too?! A value packed, totally tropical day filled with adventure and play is waiting for you. Plus, stay cool and money... Pay once and visit twice! Book one visit and you can return for free before the 31 August! avonvalley.co.uk
Summer of Picnic & Play
n Until 1 September
SS Great Britain
Brunel’s SS Great Britain is hosting its Summer of Picnic & Play, offering ‘Kids Go Free’, allowing one child to enter free with each full-paying adult. Celebrate summer the Victorian way with giant games and (cont...)
deckchairs, magic shows, face painting (additional cost), and a new family trail where you can see, hear, and smell what life was like on the ship. You can also meet Mr Brunel himself as he shares stories and secrets from the ship’s past. If you're not coming with kids or have extra family members, you can still book online in advance and save 10%. ssgreatbritain.org
Summer of Play
n Throughout August
Tyntesfield, BS48 1NX
Pack your imaginary suitcase and get ready for a summer of globetrotting fun at Tyntesfield, where families are invited to go Around the World in 80 Plays. Over six weeks, each fortnight brings a new region to explore Europe and Africa, Asia and Oceania and The Americas, with a cool cameo from Antarctica. Step into a vibrant world packed with global games like The Floor is Lava, limbo, jumbo chess, and Jenga, ready for kids and grown-ups alike to discover. There are also three themed play, music and story tents designed for curious minds. nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield
Railway 200 n 5-26 August, 10.30am until 3pm M Shed, BS1 4RN
It’s the 200th birthday of railways this year, so get involved with M Shed family activity days for some railway-themed creative fun! Celebrate the history of railways with activities including badge making and crafts, then create your own adventures with a wooden train set. Suitable for 4-9 years (children must be accompanied by an adult at all times). Drop-in free, but donations are always welcome. bristolmuseums.org.uk
The Mushroom Show n 10 August, 12pm & 3pm
The Wardrobe Theatre, BS2 0DF
Augustine Fogwoode might be the world’s MOST enthusiastic mushroom enthusiast! She is on a quest to make sure everyone knows about the brilliance of fungi: their amazing abilities and scientific superpowers. But it’s just her and her puppet friend Goldie. She might just need a few more funguys to make it happen. Join the party and discover how fungi grow, connect and help the natural world, including us humans. Packed full of interactive games, playful music and lots of laughs for all the family, The Mushroom Show is one person’s mission to build a community… and maybe it’ll become your mission too? thewardrobetheatre.com
Raver Tots Outdoor Festival
n 17 August, 1pm until 6pm
Bristol Amphitheatre, BS1 5LL
Raver Tots is coming to Bristol for the biggest and best family-friendly outdoor festival yet! All ages welcome (0+) for an exciting day of music, attractions and entertainment. The line-up includes So Solid Crew (Romeo, Lisa Maffia, Dan Da Man), General Levy, and DJ Hype with Dynamite MC. Free funfair and kids' rides, arts and crafts, street food, face painting and glitter art will also be available. Tickets available on skiddle.com
Big Bug Hunt
n 19 August at 1.30-2.15pm & 2.30-3.15pm
Arnos Vale, BS4 3EW
Get outside and uncover the hidden world of brilliant bugs living in Arnos Vale! Discover why this unique cemetery is a haven for wildlife and learn how to make your own garden more bug-friendly. Then, head into the woods for an exciting bug hunt and finish by creating some fun, natureinspired buggy art. Suitable for ages 4+, though all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults don't require a ticket. arnosvale.org.uk
Ever wanted to be in one of the most famous musicals of all time, but have zero professional experience? Well, one exciting theatre project – Let the People Sing – has given amateur performers the chance to star in Les Misérables at Bristol Hippodrome this month. Rosanna Spence catches up with the production’s co‐director Alex Turasiewicz to uncover the fascinating streets ‐to‐stage story behind the show (Photos by Stewart Mcpherson)
Do you hear the people sing?” is the rallying cry that bookends one of the most famous musicals ever to be written, having echoed around some of the world’s greatest stages since 1980. This celebrated lyric from Les Misérables, which was of course adapted from Victor Hugo’s novel by Alain Boublil and ClaudeMichel Schönberg, takes on an even more poignant meaning this year thanks to a joyful new project that will see ‘the people’ (aka anyone interested in amateur dramatics from all walks of life) take to the stage and celebrate 40 years since the French musical first opened at the West End.
Let the People Sing is a UK-wide initiative from Cameron Mackintosh and Music Theatre International, who dreamed a dream that has blossomed into 11 community-wide productions of Let the People Sing: Les Misérables gracing major stages in cities across the UK to mark the anniversary – including eight performances at the Bristol Hippodrome from 13-16 August.
Making the magic happen locally is a vibrant collection of groups who have been diligently collaborating: BLOC Productions, Weston Operatic Society, Bath Operatic & Dramatic Society, Bristol Amateur Operatic Society and Bristol Musical Comedy Club. With so many interested parties involved, heaps of creative vision flowing in every direction and a monumental musical to master, you’d be forgiven for assuming this mammoth project could have easily derailed. But, as I found out from speaking to Bristol’s co-director Alex Turasiewicz – who was beaming with pride – it’s been anything but a headache. Instead, Let the People Sing: Les Misérables been a transformational experience, epitomising everything that’s exceptional about communities coming together to create amateur theatre.
“It really is something special,” Alex tells me with a broad smile.
“Different in the best way. There’s a real sense of excitement around it, which is just tremendous. What’s been so important, too, is how collaborative the whole process has been.”
Even his role as co-director has been collaborative, working closely alongside fellow director David Baxter throughout the project. More than 700 people registered their interest to audition for the production, which needed a double casting of the principal roles, and a final 142 players.
“We were expecting a big response and we got it,” recalls Alex. “We had to narrow hundreds of people down to our final company, which meant holding five rounds of auditions.
“The first round focused purely on vocals, no acting, just singing. Each audition centre had its own panel of three judges. They marked the performances, and that helped us make our initial selections. After that, we held four more rounds, one each weekend. Each round demanded more, from singing a short excerpt at first, to performing a full song by the final stage.”
The final auditions happened in January, with the help of artistic advisor Chris Key from Cameron Mackintosh (“He was wonderful and incredibly helpful”). The process was tough for both the panel and hopefuls.
“ Cameron Mackintosh called it
Let the People Sing because he genuinely wanted people to feel they could come in from the street and take part ”
“Making it to the fifth round and not getting cast is really hard,” notes Alex. “Even though it’s amateur theatre, the emotions are the same. People invest so much and have high hopes. In the end, we cast two sets of the nine principals, 18 lead roles in total. We also cast 12 children, a 42-person ensemble, and two separate off-stage choirs. There are 30 singers in each of those groups alone. The scale of this production is huge, and it’s been genuinely exciting.” Among the key roles cast were David Bryan, originally from Cornwall, and Lewis Oatley
from Frome who are sharing the role of Jean Valjean. I was interested to know what qualities Alex and his team were looking for in their community artists?
“What was interesting is that not everybody cast belongs to an amdram club,” he explains, giving context. “Cameron Mackintosh called the concept Let the People Sing because he genuinely wanted people to feel they could come in from the street and take part.
“We wanted people who could sing, of course, that's essential. The music in this show is iconic and really well known. But just as important to us was finding people who could act, who could really play the character. The danger with songs that are so familiar is that they become just that: a performance of a song. But we wanted to tell the story. The narrative is key.”
A fresh take
Alex points out that from the very first rehearsal, nobody had a script in their hand: “It’s been absolutely incredible; they all learned it, they knew it. People have been preparing for this for 18 months and it shows. So now, even with songs they’ve known for a long time, they’re discovering something new every time.”
Unearthing new perspectives might feel daunting with such a renowned body of work, but Let the People Sing puts emphasis on original interpretations. “We’re not trying to be radical with it, but we are aiming to add our own stamp,” says Alex. “That’s what makes it so interesting. And, of course, this show comes with such an incredible history, and people know this musical so well. I’ve had people tell me, ‘I don’t even like musicals, but that’s my favourite one.’ And it’s actually hard to explain why it resonates so much.”
Alex and David’s goal has been to develop characters in new ways and look at different angles, having gone back to the original book to find those deeper influences. “While we’re telling the story as a musical, I’m looking to see what elements from the book we can bring in. The novel is massive: 1,500 pages or 65 hours on audiobook, so naturally a lot gets left out. The stage version moves quickly, but we’re hoping to find space for some of the detail and richness from the original. ”Ours will definitely be different from the other 10 productions out there.”
Rehearsals have been taking place weekly in City Academy and “the energy in the building has been phenomenal”. Alex has been inspired by the way the setting, costumes, hair and makeup has been coming together.
“In one room the cast is rehearsing with Alex and David. In another the musical director (MD, Brendan Casey) or the assistant MD/vocal coach (Kat Stevens) is working one-to one with singers. Costumes are being made down the hall. The production team is having meetings. It’s all happening at once and that kind of buzz is rare. People from all areas are interacting. The props team is talking to performers, designers chatting with cast, it's the essence of what theatre should be: people collaborating.”
You may have been to an amateur production before. And living in Bristol, it’s more than likely you’ve watched a show at the Hippodrome. But combining the two experiences is rare. Alex believes that although Let the People Sing: Les Misérables is an amateur production, the standard remains incredibly high. “It’s not about lowering expectations, far from it. All the clubs involved are strong in their own right, and together, I think we've created something really special.
“I just hope people will come and experience a story that truly resonates. The story is so important, it matters. Even though it’s set in France between 1815-1833, it’s very much about today. It’s about people enduring hardship, surviving austerity, and most of all, it’s about love. And in a story like this, there’s always someone, a character or a moment that hits home for each person watching. For me, and I think for many others, it brings up real feelings, like loving someone who doesn’t love you back. That feeling of emptiness and hopelessness is powerful. That’s just Éponine’s story; she adores Marius, but he’ll never really see her.
“There’s so much humanity in this show. I think people will see that and feel it. It’s a wonderful story, and I hope when people come, they’ll see that it truly comes alive on stage.” n
Let the People Sing: Les Misérables is at Bristol Hippodrome from 1316 August. Tickets can be bought via atgtickets.com/bristol. Keep up to date with the local production via its Instagram page @ltpsbristol
Our guide to the best things to see and do this month
Comedy For A Fiver
n Every Thursday, 6.30pm
The Gaffe Comedy Club, BS1 2BD Award-winning comic Harry Allmark hosts a brilliantly funny line up of stand-up comics every Thursday night at The Gaffe. This is a great value night of local comedy from some of the best comedians in the south west and the UK comedy circuit – for just £5! Find each week's line up on The Gaffe's Instagram (@thegaffecomedy), but expect comics who have performed to crowds the South West and beyond – some of them have taken shows to the Edinburgh Fringe, the Leicester Comedy Festival, Machynlleth Comedy Festival and other high-profile events. thegaffecomedyclub.com
Windmill Hill Market
n Every Saturday, 10am-3pm
Windmill Hill City Farm, BS3 4EA
Taking place every Saturday at Windmill Hill City Farm in Bedminster, Windmill Hill Market brings together a vibrant mix of more than 40 local makers, independent traders and food producers. The market offers a changing showcase of local creativity – from handmade homeware and art prints to vintage finds, plants, and independently made clothing and jewellery. windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta n 8-10 August
Ashton Court Estate, BS41 9JN
It wouldn’t be summer in Bristol without the iconic Balloon Fiesta. This year, treats include the return of fan favourites, alongside exciting new attractions making their Fiesta debut. One of the most anticipated additions is ‘In The Clouds’, an immersive attraction where visitors can walk inside a cold-inflated hot air balloon, while hearing a soundscape that replicates the experience of pilots in flight. Also new are demonstrations from Avon and Somerset Police Dogs, a showcase from Cameron Balloons, and even outdoor yoga sessions for those looking to relax amid the buzz. More than 100 hot air balloons are expected to take part in this year’s mass ascents, scheduled for early morning and early evening each day, weather permitting. For the full programme, go online: bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk
‘Cheers Drive!’ Celebrating 150 Years of Bristol Trams & Buses
n 9 August
Aerospace Bristol, BS34 5BZ
Join Aerospace Bristol in celebrating 150 years of Bristol trams and buses. See vintage buses displayed between the museum’s historic hangars, step on board and take a seat
for a short round trip on the roads around Aerospace Bristol. The experience is included with museum admission, with round-trip bus rides available on a first come, first served basis. aerospacebristol.org
Summer Sessions: Jazz Night n 15 August, 6.30pm Armada House, BS1 4BQ
The rooftop at Armada House is a luxurious and breath-taking space with an open-air terrace and a stylish lounge bar, and its Summer Sessions are kicking off with the smooth and sophisticated sounds of Nighthawks. This is the ideal space to enjoy a summertime performance by some of the finest jazz performers in the South West. armadahousebristol.com
The Old Duke Jazz Festival
n 23 August, 12pm-11pm
The Old Duke, BS1 4ER
Celebrating 58 years of free jazz performances at this iconic Bristol venue, The Old Duke will be hosting its famous Jazz Festival across the August bank holiday weekend, with a packed line-up of top jazz artists including Trudgeon's Trad Jazz Troubadours, Ruby Jazz, The Jiveoholics and Jack Mac's Funk Pack. theoldduke.com
Doggone Funny
n 24 August, 11.30am-1.30pm
Ashton Court Mansion, BS41 9JN
Unleash the laughs at Doggone Funny, the comedy club where dogs are not just welcome, they're part of the show! Bring your furry best friend for an afternoon of tail-wagging fun, featuring hilarious standup acts, treats and a laid-back vibe that’s pawsomley perfect. Whether you’re a seasoned dog lover or just need a good laugh with a side of slobber, this is your new favourite hangout. There'll also be doggie portrait sketching, an interval dog competition for cutest human and bestie, dog treat stalls and a full bar. A chillout area will be available for those dogs who went a bit too crazy the night before, and lots of bowls of water on these hot Bristol days. Comedy, canines and cold drinks... what more could you ask for? Tickets start at £10 via headfirstbristol.co.uk (search ‘Doggone Funny’)
Fiddler on the Roof
n 26-30 August
Bristol Hippodrome, BS1 4UZ
It’s 1905 in the tiny village of Anatevka where Tevye, a Jewish milkman, lives his life by their proud traditions. For his five daughters, that means a visit from the matchmaker. As each daughter challenges his beliefs, against the backdrop of a changing world, can Tevye hold on to his roots, or must he bend to the will of his children and learn to embrace the unfamiliar? Winner of three Olivier Awards, including Best Musical Revival, Fiddler On The Roof is coming to the city for week only. atgtickets.com/bristol
The Drifters
n 31 August, 7.30pm
St George’s Bristol, BS1 5RR
The Drifters are back on tour in the UK performing all their classic hits including Saturday Night at the Movies, You’re More Than A Number, Come on Over to My Place, Under the Boardwalk, Kissin’ In The Back Row and many more! The legendary group have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, performed for the President of the United States and listed among the Greatest Artists of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine. stgeorgesbristol.co.uk
Coming Soon...
Free game of pétanque with Alliance Française de Bristol n 3 September, 6pm
Queen Square, BS1 4LH
Students taking French lessons with Alliance Française de Bristol, and anyone interested in pétanque, are invited to join in a friendly and free tournament of boules or pétanque, just for fun, with resident expert Bill. There’s an online form to fill in via the website afbristol.org.uk/events
A pink house, neck‐to ‐toe tatts, and now her very own Barnum‐themed Gromit – in the years since Tozer’s move to Bristol 10 years ago, the signwriter has undoubtedly risen to the rank of ‘coolest artists in the city’. But how and why did she find herself forging this very niche (but very successful) career path? Isabelle Blakeney catches up with her to find out…
Bristol residents are bound to recognise Tozer’s work, even if they didn’t know it at the time. That great big red and yellow Welcome to Bedminster sign? Yep, that’s her! And
unique and long-lasting – not to mention extremely aesthetically pleasing. With more than 10 years’ experience in the game, the Nottingham-born, Bristol-residing Tozer has a very healthy portfolio that includes the huge, iconic murals around Bedminster and beyond, countless fascias, and a whole host of other unique commissions for both businesses and individuals – her career watched eagerly by a 100,000+ strong Instagram following.
When we speak, she’s in her studio, skin and clothes paint splattered, surrounded by commissions and ongoing projects.
“This is how I usually look!” she laughs, showing me a T-shirt to rival a Jackson Pollock. Between the paint, her studio, and the tattoos that cover her arms, it’s clear her artistic inclinations are allencompassing – enticing a throng of dedicated clients who have kept her employed since she left university.
“I don’t know how it happened, to be honest,” she muses. “Obviously I slogged for those first couple of years, but I did somehow leave university and go straight into full-time sign writing. It’s been a pretty steady rise since then.”
I’d hedge a bet and say that ‘signwriter’ probably wasn’t on her school careers counsellor’s job list. How did she even discover such a niche career path?
“It was quite random, really – I used to follow a burlesque dancer from Australia, and every now and again she’d post her husband, who was a signwriter. And I started following him, and as Instagram does, it showed me a few other local signwriters, and the fascination grew from there.”
Above: Tozer hosting the Burds of the Brush international female signwriters meet in 2024; left: painting the Gert Lush fascia
It seems she’s always veered towards the weird and wonderful, and her initial attempt at the art form was no different.
“In my first year at university studying illustration, we had a module where they asked us to explore something outside of the core subject. I decided to combine signwriting and taxidermy, so my final project was a collection of signs for a shop where you could get your human loved one taxidermied.”
I’ll admit, I’m slightly horrified to hear this –was that a real shop?!
“No! No, it wasn’t. I’m not sure that’d be legal!” she laughs. “But I’ve actually still got one of those signs, which would have been from just over 10 years ago. It says something like ‘Recently bereaved? Get your stiffs stuffed.’”
The project clearly struck a chord with Tozer, because for the next two years everything became a signwriting opportunity, much to the dismay of her professors.
“I’d go home every day and practise horizontals and straights and curves and diagonals. I’d just try to jam it into everything.”
The practice started to pay off when she got offered a gig updating the A-Boards at a pub in return for burgers and chips, which turned into a steady climb with loyal clients and a full-blown freelancing career.
Despite her professional success, that reciprocity still appeals: “I wish I had more tattoo shops on my roster – tattoos are expensive! I would love to see how much I’ve saved on my body over the years from tattoo-sign trades. This tattoo of my cat was in exchange for some tattoo shop signs up in Manchester,” she says, examining her illustrated arms.
‘Paint fades, vinyl dies’
For Tozer, one particular appeal of traditional signwriting is how sustainable the practice can be. Signs last for decades, centuries even, and the gentle fading over time only serves to add to a sign’s character and historic value.
“There’s this saying in the signwriting community that ‘paint fades, vinyl dies’. There’s very little waste as well, compared to the vinyl and acrylic industries. I know people that have pots of paint from 50 years ago that they still use. And I think that’s why I love Bristol so much as wellthere’s a sort of communal understanding that we want to put care into things.”
It’s impossible to box her designs into one aesthetic - there’s the bright, bold style of the iconic ‘Welcome To’ murals, the cowboy-cool Americana lettering, and traditional English typeface gilded in gold leaf, to name a few. Where does she get her inspiration? “Other than designing on my iPad or using photoshop
sometimes, I’ve tried to keep the processes and techniques the same as they would have been done hundreds of years ago. I’ve got a huge collection of books, some of them from 100 years ago, that I refer back to. But my own work does have a much more modern, vibrant aspect to it… I get most excited by an email saying ‘Hey, can you do a sign that’s turquoise and bright, garish pink and neon yellow?’ I love pink – my whole house is pink, inside and out.”
Bristol has a burgeoning signwriting community. Tozer’s partner, who you can follow at @cobra.signs (soon to be @tightlinesigns), is also a member.
But there’s one person in particular who has had a huge impact on her life and her creative journey. James Cooper, known as Coops of Dapper Signs, was something of a legend in the community, and pioneered the resurgence of the signwriting industry in Bristol. Coops passed away in 2023, following a period of health problems.
“There were probably thousands of people around the world who were really affected by his passing. He was only 42, but in that time he absolutely mastered and perfected the craft to a degree that I can only hope to achieve in my lifetime.
“It was like he was given a whole lifetime’s worth of talent and skill, and turned it into such a strong and inspiring portfolio of work. He gifted my partner and a sign that says ‘Walk Ins Welcome’ that we have right at the front door, so it’s the first thing you see when
you come in. I love that.” Throughout his lifetime, Bristol local Coops saw the craft grow from two professional signwriters to around 15 artisans.
“I think it’ll definitely keep growing. As a society, we’re really starting to want the opposite of the digital, cheap, quick turnaround way of things – we’re craving craft and passion and beauty and attention to detail,” Tozer says.
And at what’s arguably a peak of her artistic oeuvre in Bristol, Tozer was chosen by the Grand Appeal to paint a Gromit – part of this year’s Gromit Unleashed sculpture trail – her Greatest Showmanthemed sculpture taking centre stage in the premium spot (though I may be biased) outside the BRI.
“I got the email at the beginning of January, and I just remember being like… eek!” She squeals. “There’s one aspect of my Gromit that’s unlike the others… it’s got a special accessory [the circus hat] that turned out to be much more difficult to make than they’d anticipated. It was really fun to work with other artists, as well. I’m generally a lone wolf, but it was great to be surrounded by creative energy and see how the other sculptures progressed.”
As flawless as Tozer’s career journey may seem, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. She was “finally” diagnosed with ADHD last year, explaining (though not solving) the struggle to manage workload as a freelancer – a battle that often leads to pendulum
swings of blinkered excitement followed by overload and burnout.
“You get excited by all of the opportunities offered up to you, and you can visualise them straight away, so why would you stop it from becoming a reality?” she explains. “But you forget that you’ve offered five other realities to other people, and suddenly you’re overloaded. At the same time, it’s always an opportunity to add more beauty into the world.”
In case you hadn’t noticed, between her attitude to life and her immense artistic portfolio, Tozer is undoubtedly cool. But what constitutes cool, to her?
“Hmm…” she lingers on this thought. “I think – not letting other people’s expectations of you change who you are and who you want to be.” And what would her younger self say to her now?
“I think she’d be proud. I’ve always loved art, so I hope she’d be proud that I managed to turn it into something! And probably that I was brave enough to get myself a motorbike licence. Even my motorbike is pink…”
Well, if riding through Bristol on a pink motorbike, painting the city fuchsia, gold and turquoise isn’t the epitome of cool, we don’t know what is…
Follow Tozer’s journey on Instagram @tozersigns, get in touch via her website tozersigns.com or email tozersigns@gmail.com
We hear from Dana Awartini and Sahara Longe, two incredible artists currently displaying their evocative work at Arnolfini (until 28 September). While their respective exhibitions couldn’t be more different in terms of medium, approach and aesthetic, natural synergies still emerge in themes such as personal and cultural memory. We hear from Dana and Sahara and uncover the deeper stories behind their art… (Photos by Lisa Whiting Photography)
Call it divine timing, or the impressive scheduling from the Arnolfini team – which is much more likely – but there are two fantastic reasons to visit the waterside institution this summer. The first has arrived in the form of British artist Sahara Longe’s first institutional solo exhibition. The Other Side of the Mountain is a new body of work from Sahara that travels semiabstract interior worlds and tells stories in a series of paintings that capture fleeting moments and memories from her personal experience.
Inspired by old family photographs and Doris Lessing’s pivotal feminist novel The Golden Notebook (1962), Longe’s painted compositions vary in scale, from intimate portraits to expansive works, where dreams intersect with reality. The exhibition weaves together memories from her early childhood in Clapham with contemporary reflections on family, changing circumstances and the nature of remembrance itself.
Dana Awartini’s first institutional European solo exhibition complements Sahara’s work and is the second reason to drop whatever you’re doing and flock to Arnolfini. Standing by the ruins, (named after an ongoing series of floor installations and paintings), brings together Dana’s existing works with a major new commission in a poignant exploration of love and loss, destruction and the passage of time.
Dana – a Palestinian-Saudi artist – uses painting, installation, performance, film and textiles to address the physical loss of cultural heritage through the lens of abandoned, destroyed and vanishing places. Working with skilled artisans, Dana honours traditional craft techniques
such as darning and adobe building methods to highlight the human act of making and experience of loss. The result is work steeped in historical and visual references from Islamic and Arab art-making traditions that reflects on devastating Middle Eastern conflicts and the ‘architectural modernisation ingrained with colonial legacy’.
Sahara, your paintings explore memory and personal experience. How do you decide which moments from your life to bring into your work?
It's a real mixture of memories, thoughts or things I see in real life. One of the works Love, again? was inspired by a couple I saw outside a pub talking when I was on the bus, whilst the selfportrait as a young girl was from looking at old photographs and remembering the texture of a heavy velvet dress.
Doris Lessing's The Golden Notebook plays a big role in this exhibition. What drew you to that novel, and how has it influenced your process?
I liked the idea that throughout our lives we are in a constant conversation with our past and future selves. That we are who
we are by our past experiences, whether it's your school days or a past failed relationship. I also loved how she hid herself as the protagonist which is something I like to do in my paintings.
Colour appears to carry deep meaning in your work. How has your classical training shaped the way you use colour today?
When I went to school, we were only instructed to use a limited palette of five colours: lead white, raw sienna, yellow ochre, ivory black and vermillion red. When I left Florence, I found it very hard to break away and use more colours. What really got me interested in colour was studying the pallets of other artists I admired, particularly the post impressionists and German expressionists. I found a whole new way of expressing different moods than just through gestures.
Many of your scenes feel like dreamlike snapshots. How do you balance real memories with imagination in your paintings?
A lot of the paintings in the show are based on remembering or fantastising. They are not real events, more thoughts so the shapes appear more abstract.
You've said shadows in your work offer possibility rather than darkness. Can you tell us more about what they represent for you?
Some of the paintings are memories of a time gone by. I like to think of the shadow as myself, looking back at the past, looking at it differently, but hidden from the people in the painting.
Dana, how do you express powerful themes like remembering, healing, and letting go through your art, and how personal is that process for you? It's not my intention to specifically express these themes, but the nature of the mediums and topics I work with naturally bring these themes out. I think there is a strong healing aspect to historical craft in general just because of the nature of the craft itself – everything is quite slow and meticulous and the repetitive action of doing the same thing over and over again has a sense of catharsis to it. A lot of traditional crafts are rooted in healing and remembering, and of course, the process is very personal to me because I come from a region that is surrounded by displacement, war, conflict and loss, so the desire to heal is kind of in my DNA and my daily existence and this naturally comes through in my work.
You often work with skilled craftspeople and use traditional techniques in your art. Why is that important to you, and how does it add to the meaning of your work?
Firstly, it's important because I am both a contemporary artist and a craftswoman myself, so I love the process of the handmade and I think as a society we have really lost touch with slow making and everything as traceable to the hand. Now we have Al, we have computers, we have technology that is replacing the
human-being and I think this is quite dangerous. I also feel when looking specifically at the Middle East, craftsmen are in danger of becoming extinct by the nature of either displacement due to conflict or the modernisation that's happening in the gulf countries. I think it's really important to uphold these people and remember them and support them – craft is still a big part of our day-to-day life and the preservation of that is very important.
Why do you think the act of mending, physically and symbolically, is such a powerful part of your work?
For me it's a personal and cathartic experience to try to heal and mend something that is destroyed, because as a citizen of the Middle East, there is literally nothing you can do when you see everything being destroyed around you, your cultural heritage being erased and wiped away before your eyes, and it leaves this sense of hopelessness in you. I feel my art of trying to mend or repair something helps with my own personal healing, and I think this is an underlying thread in all of my work.
How does poetry inspire your art, and what role does it play in how you tell stories about memory and loss?
The title of the exhibition comes from a really famous poetry trope started in the Middle East, called ‘ruin poetry’ – in Arabic ‘wuquf 'ala al-atlal’ – and it is actually pre-Islamic. Since its creation, ruin poetry has inspired so many poets throughout history and through the region because unfortunately ruins are part of our lived reality. Poetry has always played an inspirational role in my work – at university I first learnt about Sufi poetry and I fell in love with Rumi, Hafiz and Shams Al Tabriz and a lot of my other works are titled using this kind of poetry. As well as this, Arabic literature is part of our intangible heritage that I try to preserve through my work.
continue at Arnolfini until 28 September. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm. Entry is free, with a suggested donation of £5. Both exhibitions are accompanied by a programme of live performances, family and wellbeing workshops | arnolfini.org.uk n
From Chris Yeo, of Clevedon Salerooms and a regular expert on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow
Going away on your holidays? It’s a question you may associate more with a visit to the hairdresser than the railway station but a century ago the walls of Temple Meads and hundreds of others all around the country were plastered with jazzy posters promising to whisk you away for two weeks of rest and relaxation..
Bold, colourful and attention grabbing, the railway companies commissioned many of the well-known artists of the day to promote the resorts that lay on their routes. The results are a feast for the eyes. Iconic locomotives steaming their way to sunny climes, fashionable bathing beauties and children riding donkeys were all pressed into service to promote places as diverse as Weston-super-Mare (‘The Smile in Smiling Somerset’) and Skegness (‘SO bracing’). It was thanks to the efforts of the publicity
department of the GWR that the resorts of Devon and Cornwall could rebrand themselves as the ‘English Riviera’.
One thing to remember about posters of any kind is that they were not meant to last. They were slapped on to railway station boards and expected just to fade and disappear, a fate which would later befall many of the resorts themselves, as the foreign package trip replaced the bucket and spade holiday in the 1960s. In contrast, railway posters have enjoyed far greater longevity than was ever intended and continue to hold a huge appeal amongst those keen to own something from the golden age of rail travel. ■
clevedonsalerooms.com; @chrisyeo_antiques (Instagram)
ENJOY YOURSELF, Arnolfini, 16 August until 2 November
ENJOY YOURSELF is an exhibition of a collection projects from Arnolfini’s archives. Creatives in Residence Let’s Make Art, run by artist duo Alice Hendy and Karen Davies, have selected works which chime with their own practice and explore the themes of joy, collaboration and making meaning. This exhibition weaves together past and present through archive materials that highlight innovative and experimental art education and artworks that illuminate all the brilliant work Let’s Make Art deliver as part of the family programme at Arnolfini and beyond. Expect to smile a lot... Arnolfini, 16 Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA | arnolfini.org.uk
Skin Deep, Royal West of England Academy, until 31 August
From the trauma of escaping a war and the voices of slavery and migration, to confronting the journey into pregnancy and ageing, Skin Deep brings together six contemporary female artists whose work places the female body at the centre of complex, layered narratives.
Through painting, drawing, video, performance, stitchwork, and photography, the exhibition explores how lived experience, both personal and collective, is held, remembered and expressed through the body.
Featuring artworks by Eileen Cooper RA RWA (Hon) OBE, Valda Jackson MBE RWA, Charmaine Watkiss RWA, Adelaide Damoah RWA FRSA, Jessa Fairbrother RWA and Wendy Elia RWA (who also curated the exhibition).
rwa.org.uk | Queen’s Road, Clifton, BS8 1PX
Image: Wendy Elia RWA, 'I could've been a contender...'
Clifton Arts Club members’ exhibition, Victoria Methodist Church, Clifton, until 19 August
Clifton Arts Club, (the oldest and largest in the UK) is once again exhibiting its members’ work in the beautiful Victoria Methodist Church in Clifton until Saturday 19 August between the hours of 10am and 5pm.
The preview last month was judged by a senior member of the 1904 Art Club, and lunchtimes will be enhanced by a variety of musical performances; an echo of the Club’s historical past.
As usual, nearly half of the society’s members of professional and highly-skilled amateur artists provide more than 250 affordable artworks to choose from in a wide range of styles and media.
Victoria Methodist Church, 1A Whiteladies Road, BS8 1NU cliftonarts.org
Image above by @ianpriceart, ianpriceart.co.uk
Summer light changes everything. Through the longest days, brightness, contrast and intensity reach their zenith. The natural world erupts into life. Even the brooding, dull days glow with a soft atmospheric energy.
To celebrate the season of light, Clifton Contemporary Art is showing a range of powerful landscapes, seascapes and evocative environmental studies by Elaine Jones, Sally Stafford, Neil Pinkett and Janette Kerr. In contrast, the gallery will also be featuring the deeply personal yet archetypal mixed media works of Nancy Pickard and Carl Melegari’s deeply textured enigmatic portraiture. cliftoncontemporaryart.co.uk | 25 Portland Street, Clifton BS8 4JB
Images (L-R): Bird of Paradise and Cunning Vixen by Nancy Pickard
Gender Stories, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, until 12 October
Challenging rigid definitions and binary narratives, Gender Stories dives deep into the intricate connections between sex, gender, sexuality, and identity. Discover how these fluid, and multifaceted ideas have been mythologised, stereotyped, expressed – and sometimes concealed –through art, history, politics, and daily life over time. Featuring works by David Hockney, Rene Matić, Zanele Muholi, Catherine Opie, Grayson Perry, and Del LaGrace Volcano. bristolmuseums.org.uk | Bristol Museum & Art Gallery Queens Road, BS8 1RL
Image: Awakening courtesy of Mister Samo
Nick Wray, curator of the University of Bristol Botanic Garden, unearths the fascinating stories behind five key food plants grown in this very special corner of the city – and explores the future of farming on a planet with a booming population
Photos taken by Nick Wray
We are surrounded by food; it has never been so diverse and readily available and in our recent history it has never been so cheap. However, our relationship with food is complex. In the past, we ate what we could afford and what was seasonally available. Food historians will tell you that as a society, the UK population were at our fittest during the second world war; German U-boats sank so many Allied ships that cheap, imported food disappeared. Food was rationed, but what you grew yourself was yours to eat.
Garden and allotment numbers grew as fast as the veg they cultivated, and appeared everywhere, including the moat at the Tower of London. In the 1940s, people ate twice as much home-grown food compared to food they’d purchased. Fruits became seasonal, strawberries in summer along with the currant fruits, plums in August and depending on the cultivar, apples and pears picked from September to January. Wartime communication from the government instructed people to ‘eat your carrots as they make you see in the dark’, and that Spitfire pilots ate them; a sure ruse to get children to eat more of this nutritious vegetable. Between 1939-1941 our carrot harvest flourished resulting in a glut. Spitfire pilots alone would not consume the many sacks of carrots, but hungry children could.
Sweet enough already
Sugar is everywhere in its natural state. No matter how worthy and humble your morning cereal may be, if you add cow’s milk you sweeten your breakfast with natural lactose. Our sugar comes from two main
sources; sugar cane, a type of fast-growing tropical grass and sugar beet a type swollen root crop only grown in Britain on the most fertile soils in the east of England. Both require lots of time to grow and a lot of processing and energy to obtain saleable sugar.
Despite the abundance of natural sugars in our foods, many manufacturers continue adding extra to some foodstuffs like cereals, to improve the taste, and some spray on liquid sugar to create a ‘frosting’ effect. Here the sugar content is high and over consumption is not part of a balanced diet. The resulting sugar rush is often followed by a sugar slump, perhaps that’s why we don’t see Tony the Tiger on our TV channels anymore...
Some foods are addictive; they contain chemicals that create a release of endorphins. Cocoa is one such food, it contains theobromine, an alkaloid of the methylxanthine class which also contains caffeine.
The chemical is named after the plants scientific name; Theobroma cacao meaning ‘food of the Gods’. Theobromine contributes to the bitter taste of dark chocolate and has several effects on the body including mild stimulation and increased urine production. Dark chocolate with 70-85% cocoa can contain up to 810 milligrams of theobromine per 100 grams of chocolate, while on average milk chocolate contains around 60-70 milligrams of theobromine per 100 grams of chocolate. White chocolate is made of cocoa butter and milk solids so does not contain any cocoa solids. The higher the cocoa content in the chocolate the greater the effect. Many chocolate products contain sugar to remove the natural bitterness of cocoa, as well as fat so the product can be moulded into shapes. These combinations make for easily consumed food as a treat for everyday consumption.
It was the Mayans who used both domesticated and wild Cocoa trees that grew in the Central and South American tropics. They were able to hybridise individual plants creating many unique cultivars, each with their own characteristics. They learned how to grow and process cocoa from their predecessors the Olmecs, who began cultivating cocoa as early as 1600BC, and eventually from the 14th Century the expanding Aztecs culture adopted their idea that it was a god-given fruit.
The midge you can thank
In the natural home of the cocoa tree midges are valued and encouraged. This insect is responsible for pollinating the small-white flowers of the cocoa trees; without its efforts there would be no cocoa fruit and nothing to make chocolate with.
These flowers are unusual for trees in temperate regions as they appear on the trunk of the tree, an adaptation called cauliflory, that has evolved on tropical trees growing under thick jungle canopy ensuring that the small pollinating midge can easily see the flowers. After pollination pods on female trees grow quickly. There are 30-40 large pale lavender to brown seeds in each pod covered in a mucilaginous pulp which can be made into juice.
The pods themselves are thrown away, while the seeds are placed on the ground and covered with banana leaves to enable them to ferment. This liquifies any remaining pulp and dries their skin enabling it to break off in the cleaning process. Its these dried beans that are now such a valuable commodity with demand rising.
My favourite flavour
From ice cream to cakes, vanilla is the most common addition to confectionary after chocolate. It has a wonderful flavour, but its production is a tale that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.
Vanilla belongs to the orchid family, a huge flowering plant family with over 30,000 species growing worldwide. In its native Central America where vanilla pods have been cultivated by traditional cultures for thousands of years, pollination in nature is by wild bees, but less than 1% of flowers are pollinated successfully. When grown in cultivation hand pollination provides a more reliable way to ensure seed set.
When flowering, each day a new flower opens requiring someone with dexterous fingers to lift the rostellum (a flap covering the male anthers) so it can be pressed onto the female stigma. After pollination, the long green pods grow quickly but still take six months to mature.
Once picked green, they dry and shrivel and take on a dark leathery appearance; beans must be dried to reduce water content and prevent rotting and so are placed in boxes for five to six months until the familiar fragrance develops.
Today, commercial vanilla is grown in the Indian Ocean islands
with Madagascar leading production. The commercial pollination technique is down to Edmond Albius (1829-80), a 12-year-old enslaved boy from Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean who worked out how to artificially pollinate vanilla flowers on a mass scale allowing the industry to grow. Sadly, due to their nimble fingers, it is often children who attend to this delicate work before attending school, or for some, instead of school. The Fairtrade movement has made progress in educating and encouraging the farmers to eliminate the involvement of children in production and set up schools in the poorest areas. Fairtrade has also set prices so farmers get paid a set amount for quality, so avoiding low quality pods flooding the market, reducing prices which alternates with dramatic price spikes, caused by market shortages of vanilla crop due to damage by cyclones wiping out crops.
Hot potatoes
In the UK we grow around 50% of our food; that’s 15% less than we did in 1980. The decline illustrates how hard it is to make a living growing food on farms. One food that we grow well is the potato, a vegetable originating in Bolivia where it was domesticated 7-10,000 years ago. While it’s commonly thought Sir Francis Drake introduced the potato to England after his expeditions to South America, but it was the Spanish who introduced the potato to Europe. What an introduction they proved to be; potatoes are a super food, full of vitamin C, fibre, energy, minerals, and have the capacity to be stored during the winter period, which has enabled human societies to develop a food resource that is both dependable and long lasting. There are over 400 cultivars in the UK, with new disease resistant, flavoursome and storable cultivars developed each year. Potatoes are easily grown providing you have enough water; in fact, potatoes are one of the few plant-based crops we are selfsufficient in and export annually.
The potato family (Solanaceae) contains many other important food crops such as sweet pepper, aubergine, chillies, and poisonous plants such as our native nightshades. Another plant, from South America, and as common in our diets as potatoes, is the tomato. Its versatility has made it an important crop across the planet that can be eaten raw, cooked, or preserved. Our relationship with this shiny, red, acid-sweet fruit is linked to social history and the quest for exploration and colonial plunders. Tomatoes were once viewed with suspicion when first introduced to European diets in the 16th Century. They were branded ‘poison apples’ and blamed for illnesses amongst the elite. It’s thought the acidity in tomatoes when used continuously with pewter plates leached some of
lead into the food, making people ill with prolonged exposure. There were no such health issues with the poor masses as they ate off wooden plates. Tomatoes spread throughout the Mediterranean cultures and were adopted quickly as an easily grown food.
The food we eat is steeped in history and stories to tell, from exploration, trade, greed, novelty, fame, and a desperate need to fill peoples’ bellies. As we head towards a global population of nine billion people, the story of our food is far from over; our ability to feed ourselves will depend on science and the adoption of new varieties, farming techniques and attitudes to our food. For example, eating less meat and more plants will help our greenhouse gas emissions.
Agriculture is moving to sustainable farming initiatives where soils are encouraged to become more resilient, no dig and no plough is being adopted to help keep CO2 in the soil rather than releasing it into the air. As time and necessity advance, our relationship with food will continue to evolve to meet the challenges that lie ahead. Around Bristol many of our farms and fields have grown food and reared farm animals for well over a thousand years. Our future care in a changing climate will need to ensure our food is produced sustainably and much of it locally, to ensure its supply for the next thousand years and beyond. n
Visitors to the University of Bristol Botanic Garden get to meet and see up close all the food crops discussed here, along with many other wonderful displays, telling the stories of plants. Visit the website botanic-garden.bristol.ac.uk for more information
All photos taken by Nick Wray
Words by Tom Bleathman from The Great Wine Co.
As regular readers may know, I usually write these monthly articles with a wine producer or region in mind.
This time, I’m focusing on someone very special, my lovely wife, Miya. When we met nine years ago, wine was simply red, white, or rosé. Since then, her interest has grown with every bottle I’ve brought home. Today, she has one of the sharpest palates I know! Here are a few of her favourite wines we’ve enjoyed together, all available from The Great Wine Co. this August. I hope you enjoy them too. | greatwine.co.uk
Babylonstoren Rosé 2025
Miya has always been partial to a glass of pink on a warm day. The Babylonstoren rosé is a firm favourite for both of us as it’s packed with bright red fruit and watermelon flavours. The colour is wonderfully light, and the wine has great acidity.
In my book, this is South Africa’s answer to top quality Provençal rosé. £19.95
Bogle Petite Sirah 2021
I couldn’t write this article without including one heavier American red, which is Miya’s go-to comfort wine after a long day. A repeat favourite is Bogle’s Petite Sirah 2021. It’s trademark inky-dark in colour, with jammy richness that fills the mouth with ripe berries and dark fruit. At £17.75 a bottle, there’s a reason this is one of the best-selling reds in our range.
It’s safe to say that Miya has a bit of a sweet tooth, so when I introduced her to the Biancospino for the first time, she never looked back. Made by one of Piemonte’s iconic producers, La Spinetta, this sparkling sweet wine is always a crowd pleaser. It has a lovely balance of bright citrus fruit and floral honey notes that are incredibly inviting. Despite the sweetness, the wine is wonderfully fresh, making it irresistibly drinkable. £17.75
Sam Gilbert (pictured), a 35-year-old healthcare consultant and former NHS doctor, will compete in the grand final of the 2025 Le Cordon Bleu London Scholarship – one of the UK’s most prestigious culinary competitions, on 8 September.
The 16 finalists will take on a live culinary challenge set by the school’s Master Chefs and be judged by a panel that includes Emily Roux, Chris Galvin, and Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Director Emil Minev. The winner will receive a life-changing prize package worth more than £90,000, including a full Grand Diplôme scholarship, an internship at CORD by Le Cordon Bleu, 12 months’ accommodation in London, and personal mentorship from some of the UK’s most celebrated chefs. cordonbleu.edu
Harbour Hotel Bristol has taken on Sebastian Merry as head chef of its signature Corn Street restaurant Harbour Kitchen.
A Bristol native, Merry brings 18 years of experience in fine dining, having worked in Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Le Gavroche, The Arts Club, Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa and 1 Lombard. He also previously ran his own restaurant, ABOE, on Whiteladies Road, serving bold, fine dining small plates, and worked alongside chef Freddie Bird at Littlefrench. He most recently played a key role across both Littlefrench and its sister restaurant, 1 York Place. His vibrant, globally influenced style will bring fresh energy to Harbour Kitchen’s celebration of local ingredients and modern British cooking. harbourhotels.co.uk/bristol
Restaurant Associates Venues has been awarded a 10-year contract to oversee the catering and hospitality operations for Bristol City Council. This means the business retains its existing presence at M Shed and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery while expanding into new locations, including City Hall, Central Library, Create Centre and a collection of eight park café outlets.
As part of the contract, a significant refurbishment programme is planned for key locations within the portfolio, enhancing both the guest experience and on-site branding. This will include major upgrades to the M Shed Café and a selection of park cafés across the city. The renewed contract kicks into action this summer.
restaurantassociates.co.uk
Wallace & Gromit, cider and pork, hot air balloons and sunrises… some of the south west’s finest things come as a pair. And, as Rosanna Spence discovered on one recent long, hot summer’s evening visiting The Ox and The Milk Thistle back to back – two of Bristol’s most‐loved venues are best enjoyed as a duo, too
Ordering more than one course for dinner is often what sets apart a quick meal on the go or rustling something up at home from a special occasion, right? Wandering over to the fridge an hour after digesting your tea, or inspecting the freezer to dig out what remains from the desolate depths of a tired Ben & Jerry’s tub doesn’t exactly have the same sparkle as pushing past your too-tight jeans to gallantly say ‘You know what, I will actually take a look at that dessert menu, please’. And why stop at multiple courses for things you’ll simply consume? It’s been a long, hot summer so far, so we decided to pull out all the stops one evening and hit up not one, but two of the city’s finest establishments known for providing a delicious setting to host intimate conversations with those you love, respect and care for the most – or are simply overdue some focused catch-up time with.
The Ox on Corn street is renowned for being one the best places for serving good quality steak (and more) in the city, then just around the corner is The Milk Thistle – which has been shaking and stirring some of the most exciting cocktails in the city for 15 years.
Spending an overly warm evening in these admittedly cosy venues might not be the first thought that comes to mind… however the weather took an unexpected grey, blustery and drizzly turn – meaning me and my dinner date (this fine publication’s web and digital editor India Farnham, no less) sought sanctuary in both The Ox and The Milk Thistle without a thought about the temperatures beyond the walls.
There’s something ceremonious about heading out for a steak date, platonic or otherwise, and descending into Corn Street’s underbelly at The Ox marks the beginning of a tried and tested ritual. The lighting is soft. The tables smart. The chatter buzzy yet intimate. Though not every table was set for duos – plenty of groups of four and more were dotted around – much of our meal was ideal for a pair. First up two cocktails. I stuck to a smoky theme with our server’s recommendation (and top of the signature list) Ox Mother: a perfectly punchy and zesty blend of La Travesia Mezcal, Aperitivo Rues, Agave, and Peach and Orange bitters. India went for something sweeter, Break Stuff – Takamaka Spiced Rum, Fair Coffee Liqueur, Bristol Syrup Co. Passionfruit Syrup and Cinnamon Tincture. Both pours were simple and smart (we commented on how we felt like a character in Mad Men sipping away) and got our appetites rumbling, but we didn’t have to wait long before our first snack.
Two bites of deliciously crispy croquetas filled with leek and smoked cheese. There was more smoke to come, too, in the form of charred sourdough toast served with roast bone marrow, caramelised onion and aged parmesan. We split the glutenous, rich mixture from the bone with a spoon and spread it on the bread, which we halved. I’ll be honest, the conversation dropped off at this point, but only because we were both too focused on our plates.
Two steaks followed (a 9oz ribeye and 6oz fillet, both helpfully explained by our server in terms of fat content and how best to have them cooked), alongside triple-cooked chips, charcoal-roasted mushrooms with herby persillade bone marrow and garlic butters, and green peppercorn and chimichurri sauces. All washed down with a bright, fruity glass of Gamay. Quite the feast. We had just enough room for two velvety scoops of ice
cream (even the vanilla got an audible sigh from India); I went for a scoop of salted caramel, burnt white chocolate and pecan. A smouldering meal from start to finish, surrounded by soft acoustics and good chats. We finally looked at our phones in disbelief that two hours had flown by. We didn’t want the evening to end.
And, it’ll be no of surprise to anyone who’s been paying attention until now, that it didn’t have to. A quick duck out back into that sideways summer drizzle (cheers, Brizzle) led us around the corner to the mysterious plain door of the red brick Quay Head House on Colston Avenue – aka one of Bristol’s stalwart cocktail hangouts, The Milk Thistle. We pressed the buzzer, and waited.
Inside, the historic building comes complete with antique wood panelling, original stained glass windows and, of course, George the giant elk presiding over proceedings from his mount on the wall all hinting at the venue’s past dealings with Merchant Venturers. We sat in the main bar, and did get a little tour of the other rooms that offer spill-out space on busier days and can be hired for private events (including an underground whisky vault that I’m definitely eyeing up for my birthday).
The speakeasy’s interior hasn’t changed much since I’ve visited over the years, and it’s certainly not lost any of its cheeky charm (as long as taxidermy’s your thing). Nestling down into the red banquette seating, we were talked through the ‘dreadful tea party’-themed menu. I’ll admit I do miss The Milk Thistle’s old hand-drawn comic book-style menus of days past that depicted a long, chaotic day in the life of the aforementioned antlered George, but that’s not to do the current menu a disservice.
The signature serves start lighter, and progress to more ardent options as you flick through. There are useful tasting notes, eye-catching characters and even a full glossary at the back so you know what glass it’ll be served in. All the classics can be made if preferred, and we were reassured that as long as they had the ingredients – the skilled bartenders would do their best to make pretty much anything we wanted. There’s a changing specials menu, no- and low-alcohol options, beer, wine, cider… you name it.
But India was after something light and fragrant, so ordered a Two Suns – a light, clean and herbaceous blend of Roku Gin; coconut; cantaloupe, grapefruit and lemon tincture; fresh lemon and a foam top – served with a dusting of beetroot powder. I was after something strong, sweet and unusual, and was enticed by Breakfast at Milky: Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum, Bruichladdich Classic Laddie Whisky, Black Banana, Speyside Heather, Adjusted Ginger Ale and Banana Bread Air (which was like a gentle, sweet foam top, which made the serve look like a whimsical half pint of beer).
We settled down to sip and savour, held by the comfy seats and cosmic conversation that can only happen after a certain number of indulgent hours have passed. Outside, the remainder of a sweltering summer evening lazily heaved on, but inside we could have been anywhere in the world. It had been a night full of pairs, twos and duos – and The Ox and The Milk Thistle might just be my new favourite hot couple in town. n
theoxbristol.com | milkthistlebristol.com
Looking to add a new string to your bow? Here are some adult courses available around the city if you’re in the market to take up a new pursuit, challenge or discover that hidden talent...
124 East St, Bedminster, BS3 4ET | makebristol.com Instagram: @make_bristol
MAKE Bristol is a ceramics education studio based in East Street, Bedminster. Established three years ago, MAKE offers taster sessions, six- and 12-week courses and private events in ceramics. All the courses are taught by qualified lecturers and practising artists working in the field of ceramics. In addition to teaching, MAKE produces a range of stoneware domestic ceramics for use in the home. MAKE prides itself on being a studio for the beginner and the intermediate potter, enabling learners to explore and experiment and make just for making’s sake.
Willway Yard, BS3 4BG | penlancrafts@gmail.com
Would you like to build a wooden mechanical toy from scratch? Welcome to the magical world of automata, the perfect synthesis of craftsmanship, engineering and artistic expression. On this one-day, face-to-face course, each student (maximum two participants) will design and build a one-shaft toy, drawing and cutting cams and cranks, using different types of wood and a vast range of tools available in Penlan Crafts’ workshop located in Bedminster.
Participants can expect to finish the day with a lovely, fully functioning one-shaft mechanical toy. Suitable for absolute beginners as well as experienced woodworkers. See Penlan Crafts’ creations on Etsy at: PenlanCrafts. Get in touch for more information via the email address above.
bristolfolkhouse.co.uk
Bristol Folk House is an Adult Education Charity providing a variety of daytime and evening courses and weekend workshops for over 18s. The centre provides a welcoming environment to explore your creativity and learn new skills. A variety of courses are on offer in areas including arts, crafts, languages, pottery, music, dance, writing and wellbeing.
The onsite café-bar serves fantastic food and drink and a cosy space to gather before and after classes and there is also an exciting programme of live folk music, ceilidhs, comedy nights and talks on offer. Concessions are available for over 65s, Students, Blue Light Card holders and for people in receipt of benefits. Summer School and Autumn term enrolments are now open – register online today.
bristol.ac.uk/english/study/part-time/short-courses english-lifelong@bristol.ac.uk
The University of Bristol offers a variety of short courses in creative writing, English literature, and history for a range of interests and experience. The courses aim to support, inspire and create new opportunities for mature students of all ages and educational backgrounds. The 2025/26 short course programme includes courses in memoir writing, poetry, journalism, detective and crime fiction, and Black history among other subjects. Each course aims to be inclusive and are open to all adults – for those wishing to develop their skills, learn something new, or as a pathway into a range of BA and MA programmes offered by the University.
rwa.org.uk/drawingschool
St Pauls Learning Centre, 94 Grosvenor Road, St Pauls, BS2 8XJ; themakershed.co.uk
The Makershed runs recreational courses in woodwork and furniture making using traditional hand tool techniques. Everyone is welcome, from complete beginners to more experienced makers, and you’ll be taught how to use hand tools effectively to make things from wood.
Level 1 beginners make a handy toolbox while learning all the essential foundation skills. They can then learn more challenging cabinet making joinery such as dovetails and mortice and tenons, progressing onto designing and making their own piece of furniture under expert guidance. Courses run during evenings, weekday daytimes and weekends in The Makershed workshop at St Pauls Learning Centre.
The RWA Drawing School offers a wide range of art workshops and courses for all creative abilities, both in our dedicated Drawing Studio and online.
All courses are led by expert tutors and are suitable for every skill level. Basic materials are provided for most sessions unless otherwise stated. As an added benefit, Drawing School participants receive free entry to RWA exhibitions on the day of their class (excluding Mondays and exhibition changeover days), along with a 10% discount at the Spicer + Cole Café. With a flexible timetable to suit your schedule, you can join Drawing School courses on weekdays, evenings or weekends.
bristolprintcollective.com
Bristol Print Collective is excited to announce the opening of its new workshop at Centrespace Studios in the heart of Bristol. Founded by artists Jemma Gunning and Victoria Willmott, the collective is passionate about keeping traditional printmaking techniques alive through inclusive, hands-on workshops. The new space offers a warm creative environment for people of all abilities to explore techniques such as linocut, etching, monoprinting, and more. This permanent studio marks a new chapter for them, creating a space for creativity, connection, and a place to share the joy of printmaking. Find upcoming workshops online via the website listed above.
afbristol.org.uk | 07903 821655 | info@afbristol.org.uk
Have you ever dreamed of strolling along the charming streets of Paris, sipping café au lait at a quaint café, or exploring the stunning landscapes of the French countryside? Now is your chance to make those dreams a reality. Alliance Française, the leading provider of French language courses, is offering a unique opportunity for adults to learn French and immerse themselves in the rich French culture. The highly qualified and experienced teachers will guide you through the intricacies of the French language, from basic greetings to advanced conversation skills. From gastronomy to art, music to cinema, you’ll explore the diverse facets of French life and gain a true appreciation for its beauty and sophistication. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to brush up on your existing skills, the classes cater to all levels. With flexible schedules and small class sizes, you’ll receive personalised attention and ample opportunity to practise your newfound language skills with fellow enthusiasts. The online enrolment evening is 4 September from 5.30pm. For more information, visit the website above and get in touch to reserve your spot. À bientôt!
theorchardproject.org.uk/accredited-courses
Learn the skills to design, plant and care for a productive and biodiverse orchard by completing the Certificate in Community Orcharding. Benefit from flexible, online learning over 11 months, access to 100 course resources, and hands-on training days in Bristol, where you can meet your tutors.
The Orchard Project also offers an Award in Forest Gardening. This six-month online course will help you to discover the benefits of forest gardening, and the many ways you can use forest garden plants. “I've done both the Certificate in Community Orcharding and the Award in Forest Gardening,” says Ben (pictured). “I highly recommend them both!”. The courses are accredited by Crossfields Institute and start in September.
COMMUNITY
Bristol-based decorating contractor Bagnalls has developed workwear especially for female professionals. Bagnalls has seen an increase in the number of young women becoming a part of the painting and decorating industry, with women making up 33% of its recent apprentice intake. Women are increasingly becoming an integral part of the industry, whether as painters on site, supervisors, contracts managers, or working in other office-based roles. Bagnalls worked with its supply chain partner to design new workwear to combat the issues that one-size-fits-all clothing creates. The bespoke workwear is available to everyone within the Bagnalls family, from apprentices to painters, decorators and the managerial team.
bagnalls.co.uk
Empty council properties are being refurbished as part of a pioneering initiative to provide temporary housing to help Bristol’s homeless move towards independent living.
Alec French Architects has been appointed by Bristol City Council to convert boarded-up shops and empty office buildings it owns into stepping-stone homes as part of the authority’s Move On Accommodation Project. Alec French is retrofitting vacant office buildings and empty shops at The Square in Knowle to create seven homes, and in Kingsland Road which will provide another eight temporary homes. To find out about other properties included in the project, visit alecfrench.co.uk.
Wake The Tiger has announced plans to create a brand-new 80,000 square foot experience at Westfield London, which is due to open next summer. This will become Europe’s largest immersive art experience, offering an expansive, interconnected world, following on from the surreal, story-rich journey through Meridia at its award-winning first location in our city, which opened in 2022. The design and delivery of the space will be powered by hundreds of artists, makers and multidisciplinary creatives. Two decades in the making, Wake The Tiger’s expansion into Westfield London is indicative of the team’s mission to reimagine how public spaces can be used for creative, community-led transformation. With shared values around sustainability and cultural engagement, the collaboration opens up new possibilities for mass-scale storytelling and provides a powerful platform to connect millions through art. In tandem with the announcement, there are a limited number of exclusive investment opportunities (contact the chief commerical officer lucy@wakethetiger.com to express an interest). wakethetiger.com
More than £11 million has been awarded to local training providers and employers across the West of England for Skills Bootcamps – the largest investment the region has ever received for the scheme. Around 3,300 local people are expected to benefit from free, flexible courses available in sectors including digital, creative and culture, health, and logistics. Skills Bootcamps offer this training for up to 16 weeks, with participants fasttracked to an interview with a local employer or able to secure progression in their existing role. westofengland-ca.gov.uk
Exclusive insight from The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Henry Michallat
Recent weeks have been filled with so many memorable moments and engagements, and it has been great to meet so many citizens, and organisations across our city.
One memorable occasion was attending ‘Celebrating Badminton Day’ at Badminton School in Westbury-on-Trym. The celebration was filled with joy, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of tradition. It was a pleasure to meet students and staff and to share in the pride they have for their school’s history and achievements. The energy on display was truly inspiring and it was great to watch a cricket match and a fencing tutorial in the glorious summer weather.
Read on to discover three ways financial planning can help executives.
1. Help you explore and understand share schemes and incentives
As an executive, you may receive a significant part of your pay in the form of company shares. The share scheme you choose will depend on your position and company structure.
A financial planner can help you explore and understand the different options available and which would be best suited to your company.
2. Avoid the risks of overconcentration
A financial planner can help you assess how much of your total wealth is tied to your business. They can then work with you to gradually reduce your exposure over time and create a more balanced portfolio structured around your risk tolerance.
3. Draw bonuses tax-efficiently
Without careful planning, your bonuses could push your income into higher tax bands. Making additional pension contributions can reduce your adjusted net income and potentially bring it back below some of the thresholds.
I was also honoured to attend the Pride Breakfast hosted by Avon Fire and Rescue Service. The event brought together colleagues, campaigners, and supporters to mark Bristol Pride with warmth and inclusivity. It was a reminder of how far we’ve come and how important it is to continue standing together in support of equality and diversity. Celebrating Pride in this way was both uplifting and deeply meaningful, and it was a pleasure to have a tour of the Temple Redcliffe station.
Another highlight was the official opening of the newly pedestrianised Princess Victoria Street in Clifton Village. This transformation is already making a positive impact by creating a more people-friendly, accessible, and sustainable space for everyone to enjoy. It was a joy to open the street with members of the Clifton community, and Brunel himself!
Each engagement has reminded me of the strength and character of Bristol’s people. Whether celebrating education, championing inclusion, or supporting improvements to our public spaces, I’ve seen the very best of our city in action.
As ever, if you would like to invite me to a community event or tour, please do get in touch with the Lord Mayor’s office. n
For all enquiries, or invite the Lord Mayor to an event or local meeting, email lordmayor@bristol.gov.uk
A financial planner can help you determine which payment, share, and diversification options are best for you and your business, giving you peace of mind in both your personal and professional life.
To speak to a financial planner, get in touch.
We are Independent Financial Advisers who specialise in retirement planning and estate planning
Get in touch
If you would like a review of your pensions and investments and whether you are on track to achieve your financial goals, please contact us for a free consultation.
0117 959 6499
info@perennialwealth.co.uk
Trym Lodge, 1 Henbury Road, Bristol, UK, BS9 3HQ
Isla, a Year 7 student at Fairfield High School is making waves as a rising star in the world of dance, earning recognition on a national level.
Most recently, Isla competed in the prestigious Iconic Freestyle
Competitions held in Stokeon-Trent. Performing in the under-14s category, she impressed judges with her skill and stage presence, securing second and fourth place in the ‘slow’ and ‘fast’ dances respectively. Isla explains that it hasn’t always been an easy journey: “When I started dancing, I really wasn’t that good! I started entering competitions just for fun, winning a few medals here and there.
“I would recommend to anyone wanting to try out a new hobby or sport to give it a go. It will be difficult at first, but it does get easier and you will improve the more you try. My body has changed so much and become more flexible the last few years. My confidence too has grown because I’m dancing in front of people and putting myself out there.”
Isla hopes that in the future she will have the opportunity to attend international dance conventions, with destinations such as the United States among her dreams. fairfield.excalibur.org.uk
Sidcot School has reported that this year’s IB cohort performed “exceptionally”, achieving top grades and securing places at their preferred universities and institutions. Among the cohort, Deputy Head Student Alex achieved an outstanding 43 points, scoring 13 points above the world average. Also achieving in the top 4.7% of students worldwide is Head Student and fellow Academic Scholar Joshua, who scored 40 points and will now look to study Medicine at the University of Bristol.
Sidcot School is the only school near Bristol that offers the International Baccalaureate to Sixth Form students. The IB’s ethos, broad curriculum, emphasis on study skills, community service, and internationalism align with Sidcot’s Quaker values and make it a popular pathway for Sixth Form students. sidcot.org.uk
Angellica Bell, a prominent figure on British television and radio, has been awarded an honorary degree by UWE Bristol.
The broadcaster and presenter received an Honorary Doctor of Arts degree in recognition of her outstanding contribution to broadcasting in radio and television, and her advocacy for representation and diversity within the media. Angellica graduated from UWE Bristol in 1996, earning a BA (Hons) in Politics. She went on to forge a highly successful broadcasting career as the face of Children’s BBC (CBBC) until the end of 2007. As well as being a stalwart in British broadcasting, Angellica has served as a school governor, a patron and ambassador for several charitable organisations, and has recently become a member of the Development Council for the National Windrush Museum. As an alumna of UWE Bristol, she has maintained a strong connection to the University, returning to share her expertise with students through masterclasses in journalism. uwe.ac.uk | Image credit: UWE Bristol
From luxury fragrances to magical serums, here are some new and thoroughly gorgeous products to help you feel good and achieve your best self this August...
Thirns is an advanced botanical made-to-order skincare range founded on over 25 years of experience by skincare therapist Olga Brennand. The Thirns range harnesses the clinical powers of organic, plant-based ingredients through science for visible and lasting results. Olga delivers bespoke facial treatments and programmes at her clinics in Bath, Norfolk and on Harley Street in London, using her own signature method of skincare therapy and custom-blended formulations. Find out more about the treatments and products at: thirns.co.uk
Evoking playful childhood memories of a scrumptious raspberry ripple ice cream and the joy of a British summertime. The Raspberry Ripple Cologne resonates sharp-scarlet juices of lush raspberries and redcurrants swirling through white musk – powdery and clean, it enhances the trail of the scent, adding a softness that endures. A vivacious and enticing limited edition. £128. Shop online at: jomalone.co.uk
An illuminating powder duo that enhances the complexion with a soft lustre in fiery, subtly golden hues. The complexion radiates a natural glow, as if bathed in the day's last rays of sunlight. A pair of ultra-fine powders: one subtly pearlescent illuminating powder that accentuates the high points of the face and one that and gives the cheekbones a dusting of colour. The shades can be applied separately or together for a buildable look. £60. Available in two combinations: Éclat du Soir or Soleil Couchant. chanel.com
Created in collaboration with the master parfumier Jérôme Epinette, the genderless artisanal fragrances are instinctively crafted to embody the essence of Victoria's fashion and beauty brand. Lightweight, fast-absorbing gel-cream made for quenching hydration and infused with Victoria’s most-loved signature scents. There’s 21:50 Rêverie, an amber-woody fragrance influenced by the luxuriant ambience of Java nights, Suite 302, a woody-amber fragrance reminiscent of the sumptuous spirit of whirlwind weekends in Paris, Portofino ’97 is a citrus-woody fragrance inspired by the Italian seaside while San Ysidro Drive is a woody-floral fragrance based on a healing new beginning in the California sun. £38 each or £137 for all four. Find these and more from the Victoria Beckham Beauty range online at: victoriabeckhambeauty.com
Based in Bruton, Somerset, Commune creates a range of beauty products inspired by nature and spiritual wellbeing. Lovingly crafted to restore your hair's innate health and vitality, the rejuvenating experience of its Seymour Hair Duo (£120) will thoughtfully cleanse without stripping away the precious natural oils that keep your hair vibrant and resilient. Commune’s refillable shampoo and conditioner set is sulphate-free, and contains milder cleansing properties to lock moisture inside every strand. Infused with the beloved fragrances of grapefruit oil, lavender oil, clary sage, and cypress oil to evoke a deep sensorial ritual. Find out more at: commune.cc
creates the optimum environment for your cells to regenerate.
MBST uses targeted resonance to reset inflamed and dysfunctional cells — supporting your body’s ability to repair itself. This reduces pain, restores function, and improves mobility in up to 90% of the patients we treat.
Even in more complex cases, MBST helps create a healthier environment for healing, making other treatments or rehab more effective.
Because it works at a cellular level, MBST can support lasting recovery across joints, bones, muscles, discs and more.
Arthritic hands
One of our favourite areas to treat — MBST supports cartilage and bone repair, helping reduce pain and improve grip strength. Hip Arthritis
When caught early, MBST can delay or even prevent the need for surgery — giving patients more control over their next steps.
Spinal Disc Issues
MBST has shown remarkable, long-lasting results in treating discrelated pain and mobility issues.
Spinal Arthritis
Even complex, long-standing cases can see relief with our full-body MBST treatment.
Official Club Partner of Bath Rugby for the 2025/26 season
MBST UK is proud to support Bath Rugby for the 2025/26 season as their Official Club Partner.
As part of the club’s medical programme, MBST helps players recover faster, reduce downtime, and protect long-term performance. Rory Murray, Head of Medical at Bath, chose MBST for its ability to support joint, muscle, and bone recovery — safely and effectively.
At The Eye Unit (Private Clinic), our highly skilled, compassionate team delivers premium, personalised eye care tailored to enhance your vision and overall quality of life. Our consultants are renowned specialists in their field, offering state-of-the-art treatments designed to meet your individual eye care needs. From innovative cataract surgery to expert management of retinal, glaucoma, and oculoplastic conditions, we are committed to delivering the highest standard of care to improve not just your sight, but your daily life.
Rediscover clear vision with confidence. Our expert surgeons use the latest techniques and cutting-edge technology to perform safe, precise cataract procedures with outstanding results. Expect personalised care and exceptional outcomes every step of the way.
Whether addressing functional eyelid issues or seeking subtle, natural-looking enhancements, our oculoplastic specialist combines surgical precision with artistic skill. We offer advanced reconstructive and cosmetic procedures that restore comfort, confidence, and balanced, youthful results.
Choose The Eye Unit – where world-class expertise meets personalised care
Subscribe to receive The Bristol Magazine’s Weekend Edition newsletter every Friday and never miss out on fantastic extra content, from sport to fashion and so much more...
Departure Travel Kit, £55,
New Jimmy Fairly Club Soleil Summer 2025 Collection, jimmyfairly.com
A selection of our weekly shopping picks for keeping cool this summer
Grande Acer Print Kimono, Sahara, £110, saharalondon.com
From Magalleria:
curated by Daniel McCabe
Players is the latest project from Carine Roitfeld and publisher of CR Fashion Book. With Roitfeld’s son Vladimir installed as editor-in-chief, this chunky and imposing magazine sets out to explore the intersection of fashion and sport – something that has existed for decades – and arguably legitimises a long association between the two. It’s guest edited Dwayne Wade, who brings on board legendary sports photographer Walter Iooss Jr, superfan Georgio Armani, WNBA stars Sabrian Ioenscu, Breanna Stewart, Cameron Brink and many others. | £40 store.magalleria.co.uk
Recipe by Melissa Blease Method
1. Whisk 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp runny honey, and ½ clove of garlic (peeled and crushed) together, season to taste and tumble half of it through your choice of salad leaves (rocket works well here). Arrange the dressed leaves on serving plates.
2. Cut two large, ripe but firm peaches in half, remove the pits and brush with extra-virgin olive oil to coat. Preheat a non-stick frying pan to medium-high. Place the peaches (cut side down) in the pan and cook, without interference, for around 5-8 minutes, or until the edges start to bubble and the flesh begins to caramelise.
3. Place two peach halves on top of each plate of salad leaves, then tear the Burrata in half and plonk each half on top of the peaches to allow the centre of the cheese to run and melt into the fruit.
4. Drizzle with the reserved dressing, top with fresh basil leaves and serve accompanied by warm focaccia.
Jayde Adams to make professional stage debut this Christmas at Bristol Old Vic
Bristol Old Vic has announced the first cast member for its Christmas production Treasure Island: A New Musical Adventure will be Bristolian legend, comedian and actor, Jayde Adams. Jayde, who will play Benita Gunn and Jim Hawkins’ mother, said:
“I couldn’t be prouder that my debut is happening at a theatre I’ve loved my whole life. All my Christmases have come at once!” bristololdvic.org.uk
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For many couples who have the unwelcome surprise of finding that if they want to have a baby they will need to pay for fertility treatment, the funding of that treatment can present an additional pressure at an already difficult time.
Kim Donaldson, general manager at Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM) said: “Not everyone is entitled to NHS funding and patients who need to pay for their own treatment often find it hard to access the funding they need within their ideal timeframe.
“People usually want to start treatment immediately, frequently because the woman’s egg reserve is low due to age or other factors.
“But most often they had no idea they were going to need fertility treatment, so they don’t have money set aside specifically to pay for it.
“That’s why we’re so pleased to have an established partnership with Access Fertility to offer patients both multicycle and refund programmes for their IVF or ICSI treatment, with finance options that include a ‘0% buy now pay later' (BNPL) payment plan.”
Access Fertility is not an IVF clinic: all consultations, assessments, and treatments take place at BCRM, with initial appointments being held otherwise at BCRM’s main clinic at Aztec West, near the junction of the M4 and M5, with plenty of easy parking and also at BCRM’s clinic in Bath for residents who select that option.
The BNPL option allows patients to spread the cost of any approved IVF treatment programme over 12 months, interest free, with their agreed monthly repayments to Access Fertility starting the month after their BNPL application is accepted.
Subject to approval, funding is available equivalent to the maximum cost of a patient’s fertility treatment programme, with a ceiling of £12,000. This funding can be used to cover the full cost of an Access Fertility multi cycle or refund programme for the patient’s treatment at BCRM.
Kim Donaldson said: “We understand only too well the stresses that can face people who find they need to pay for IVF, so we’re really pleased to be able to offer assistance in accessing the necessary funding.”
Further information is available from Access Fertility tel: 03300 102040 or email: support@accessfertility.co.uk
Andrew Swift explores the legacy left behind by one of Bristol’s most famous faces in the form of iconic structures, buildings and areas that have defined the landscape of our city for generations –and now you can follow in his footsteps too
Opinions may differ as to whether SS Great Britain or the Clifton Suspension Bridge is Bristol’s most popular visitor attraction. The extraordinary thing is, though, that they should both have been designed by the same man.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s connection with Bristol runs deep. Although he was born in Portsmouth and lived most of his life in London, it is difficult to think of anybody who had a more profound impact on the city. But, while every Bristolian will be familiar with his more famous achievements, others are far less well known.
So, as August is an ideal to get out and explore the city, here is a short guide to some of the less familiar locations associated with the great man, starting out east, in St Anne's Park.
St Anne’s Tunnels, Newbridge Road, BS4 4DY
Standing on the bridge over Brunel’s Great Western Railway and looking east – past the site of St Anne’s Park station, opened in 1898 and closed in 1970 – you can see the castellated portal of St Anne’s Tunnel No 2.
While under construction, some of the stonework on the left-hand side collapsed, but, as Brunel thought this enhanced its romantic appeal, it remained in a semi-ruinous state until it was finally ‘repaired’ in the 1930s.
If you are wondering about St Anne’s Tunnel No 1, it ran below where you are standing. It was opened out into a cutting, with bridges at either end, when new tracks were added in 1899.
Avon Bridge, Whitby Road, BS4 4EX
This is perhaps the saddest part of Brunel’s legacy in Bristol. The stone bridge he built to carry the railway across the river in 1839 was later obscured by steel bridges on either side when new tracks were laid. Although the steel bridge on the north side has long been disused, it still hides the view of the original bridge. Given the reverence now accorded to Brunel, perhaps it is not too much to hope that it will eventually be removed, letting this elegant structure – now Grade I listed – appear in all its glory. For the moment, though, the only way to get a glimpse of it is to take a boat trip along the river.
Old Temple Meads Station, BS1 6QH
Temple Meads is one of the best-known buildings in Bristol, but the present station, which opened in 1878, has nothing to do with Brunel. His station is the Tudor-style building facing onto Temple Gate, with ‘GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY INCORPORATED BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT MDCCCXXXV’ engraved on a scroll above the entrance. It continued to operate alongside the later station until 1965 but is now an event venue – and well worth a visit if you get a chance. Like all good celebrities, Brunel took great care to cultivate his image, and his top hat and cigar have achieved iconic status, making him one of the most instantly recognisable figures of the 19th century. The hat, though, seems to have been adopted to make him look taller. He was only around five feet tall and it added at least eight inches to his height. A statue of Brunel outside the original station gives due prominence to the hat although there is no cigar to be seen. The statue was cast in 1982 by John Doubleday, along with a matching statue, in which Brunel is seated, in Paddington station, at the other end of the line.
Queen Square, BS1 4JE
Queen Square has two links with Brunel. On the evening of 29 October 1831, during the Bristol Riots, Brunel was in Queen Square and ‘assisted in apprehending some of the rioters’. Less than eighteen months later, in March 1833, when he was given the job of surveying the route of a railway from London, he decided to build the Bristol terminus in Queen Square, much of which had been destroyed in the riots. Six months later, however, the directors gave him ‘positive instructions not even to include Queen’s Square … but to stop at Temple Meads’.
Brunel saw his railway as the first stage of a high-speed link between London and New York. For the second stage he designed the SS Great Western, which was launched in Bristol in 1838. To cater for passengers transferring between train and ship, a hotel near College Green was taken over and rebuilt in grand style as the Royal Western Hotel, with Brunel playing a major role in its design. It closed in 1855 and, after many changes of use, is now student digs.
In 1832, Brunel was appointed consulting engineer for the floating harbour, where problems with it silting up were becoming critical. As well as making improvements to the original sluices at the underfall dam, he recommended the use of dredgers. Brunel’s contribution, although it improved matters for several years, is only a small part of the story of one of Bristol’s most fascinating visitor attractions, where the technology of a bygone age lives on.
Another issue with the floating harbour was the narrowness of the locks at Cumberland Basin. As ships got larger, the problem got worse. In 1844, Brunel modified the North Lock so that the SS Great Britain could leave the harbour. A year later, he drew up plans for a new and much wider South Dock, which opened in 1849, spanned by the swivel bridge which now lies disused by the new North Lock, which opened in 1873.
Brunel’s South Lock, although long disused, still survives, as does the truncated western end of the old North Lock, while a working party has spent years not only conserving and restoring Brunel’s swivel bridge but pressing for it to be brought back into use. There are ambitious plans for the future of Cumberland Basin and it can only be hoped that they will find a fitting place for this historic Grade II* structure.
From the swivel bridge, another, far more famous bridge can be seen spanning the Avon Gorge. It is often forgotten that, while the Clifton Suspension Bridge is such a familiar sight today, it is one Brunel never lived to see. Work on the bridge started in 1831 but ground to a halt in 1843 when the money ran out. It was eventually completed after his death as a tribute to the great man. n
Andrew Swift’s books include The Ringing Grooves of Change: Brunel & the Coming of the Railway to Bath, which includes the Story of Box Tunnel and a Brunel Trail from Keynsham to Box, and is available from akemanpress.com | All photos courtesy of Andrew Swift
Underfall Yard Visitor Centre & Cafe: underfallyard.co.uk
Swivel Bridge: brunelsotherbridge.org.uk
Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre: cliftonbridge.org.uk
SS Great Britain: ssgreatbritain.org
Fruit and veg are no longer just for eating: they’re now taking centre stage in our interiors, too. Produce‐inspired décor is everywhere, and when done right, it can bring a fresh, playful energy to a space. Discover how to embrace the trend to create an aesthetic that’ll leave you hungry for more, writes Isabelle Blakeney
Summer’s sweeteners are ready for picking: the berries are bursting, tomatoes are tumbling, and the fruit and veg aisles are booming. Thanks to a sun-infused spring, strawberries have grown to mouthwatering proportions, making this year’s fruit salads rival those of fairy tales. But the fruit frenzy isn’t stopping at the supermarkets; it’s winding its way onto the shelves of our interiors stores, too.
Fruit and veg-inspired décor is everywhere. From peach-patterned wallpaper to uber-kitsch tomato crockery, the past few years have seen the harvest aesthetic ripen into full-blown craze that’s been dominating the interior zeitgeist. ‘Tomato girl summer’, anyone?
While it’s all the rage today, fruit and veg-inspired décor is hardly a new trend. Nature has, of course, always informed art, from Giuseppe Arcimboldo’s veg-headed Vertumnus to the oft-lemon-adorned Sicilian Testa de Moros that took centre stage in Season 2 of HBO’s White Lotus in 2022. But you might be surprised to learn that the recent ‘cabbageware’ (crockery designed to look like a cabbage) trend is currently in its second revival. The original cabbage leaf tableware was designed by Portuguese ceramicist Bordallo Pinheiro. The look had its first iteration in the 1960s, when American Palm Beach potter Dodie Thayer began selling the iconic
Shown opposite: 1. Nordic Nest Sunny Citrus Cushion Cover, £22; 2. Ulster Weavers Vegetable Medley Tray, £8; Bordallo Pinheiro Tomato Pasta Plate, available at Rossiters, £57; Bordallo Pinheiro Chandelier Cabbage Lamp, £320 (divertimenti.co.uk); 5. Morris & Co. Fruit Ivory & Multicolour Rug, £129-£1,049 (ruggable.co.uk); 6. Federica Massimi, Small Fig plate, Fruit Collection, €40 (federicamassimi.com); 7. OKA Omaha Artichoke Bowl, Green, £75 (oka.com); 8. Lumina Eligma Ellipse Armchair, Suzani Pomegranate, £688 (luminaeligmahome.com). Pictured right: Amalfi Wallpaper by Mind the Gap (designerwallpapers.co.uk) and Melagranata Fabric by Mind the Gap (aprilandthebear.com)
designs – now known as ‘Lettuceware’ – to a number of high-profile celebrities.
Today, cabbageware is available from John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and neighbouring city Bath’s very own Rossiters, to name just a few –but the style isn’t stopping at the leafy green. Décor, posing as all sorts of produce, from tomatoes and pumpkins to aubergines and melons, is filling the shelves of both high street chains and independent boutiques, turning our interiors into works of art that, yes, look good enough to eat.
I’ll admit that the kitsch angle is one of my favourite décor trends; thingsthat-look-like-other-things always serve to put a satisfied grin on my face. Kitsch can be cool if done carefully – a sprinkling of the style is a fail-safe way to introduce a playful talking point within your interior.
If you’re not totally kitsch-committed, the fruit-as-crockery trend is the perfect way to try it out. It’s funny and unique, and still aesthetically pleasing. The colours, while bright, tend not to be too gaudy as they’re inspired by natural colourings, and are a great way to inject fun pops of personality into your space. Don’t go overboard with this look, otherwise you run the risk of turning your space into what might take on the guise of a farm shop. Instead consider using your produce-themed crockery sparingly, so that it has space to shine.
Maximising
While home-makers might naturally turn to the kitchen when implementing fruity designs, it’s easy to transfer the aesthetic to other spaces. If we look east to the styles of our Mediterranean neighbours, a well-placed Sicilian lemon or a juicy Greek pomegranate can introduce an elegant yet fresh and summery vibe to a space. Using fruit as a statement like this is a great way to achieve a look that incorporates timeless maximalism. After all, many of these fruits have been used as status symbols for millennia.
Anthropologie Rina Stoneware Salt & Pepper Shakers £24 (anthropologie.com); Bordallo Pinheiro Melon Earthenware Serving Bowl £73 (johnlewis.com); Cabbage Plate, M&S Collection £10 (marksandspencer.com); Yellow Ceramic Banana Decorative Bowl £85 by Oliver Bonas (oliverbonas.com); The Outdoor B-Bag by Extreme Lounging in Berry, from £64.99 (£59 in sale), (trhayes.co.uk); and right, Porta Romana Avocado Lamp £1,911 (portaromana.com)
Abstract prints and wallpapers are another great way to being a fresh energy to a timeless aesthetic. Matisse’s fruit and veg-inspired prints or an abstract wallpaper are fresh, modern, and more subtle than kitsch crockery, while still celebrating a refreshing connection to nature. Pieces that take more impressionistic inspiration from fruit and veg, revelling in the colours and textures of the themes, are also a great way to interpret the style in a more subtle manner, while upbeat fruit-inspired paint shades also promise to keep a room feeling as sweet as a summer’s day.
The 2020s have seen the harvest aesthetic interpreted in a host of modern and unique ways, but the theme also blends seamlessly into a more classic decorating scheme. For a touch of traditional English grandeur, try richly coloured, intricate Morris & Co prints on wallpapers, cushions and rugs. The fruity patterns can embolden a neutral interior scheme and enrich a simple interior with added textural interest. Prefer something lighter and more pastoral? Delicate fruit motifs, perhaps on a summer-style tablecloth, will bring a breezy, bucolic charm to any space. The Cottagecore aesthetic has muscled itself firmly into the interiors world in recent years, embracing fruit and veg motifs with a dainty, naturalistic flair, making the most of textures and embroideries in soft furnishings, patterned tableware and wall art, creating an interior that feels romantic and rooted in the rhythms of rural life.
The fruit and vegetable trend offers endless possibilities for interpretation, making it easy to complement virtually any aesthetic. Fruits have for centuries symbolised the value of earthly pleasures, comfort and indulgence, and temptation, so it’s only natural to be drawn to their ripe, fresh, and juicy appeal – especially when using them to adorn our homes. While this aesthetic is best enjoyed in moderation, when done right, it infuses a space with a bright, charming energy that feels fresh and inviting all year round. n
www.skyinteriors.co.uk E:
Elly West addresses ‘the bounty and burnout’ that can occur in summer garden displays, sharing helpful tips to make the most of late bloomers, and knowing where best to direct any TLC so that your flowers flourish for as long as possible
It’s the peak of summer, which can be a strange time in the garden with a mixture of bounty and burnout. Crops are ready to be harvested and weeds are romping away, but borders and containers can start to look tired and past their best. However, just a few timely tasks and some extra care will keep things looking fresh so you can make the most of your plot and continue to enjoy the great outdoors.
Many plants are winding down and showing signs of fatigue, especially during periods of hot, dry weather. Collecting rainwater and using it to water the garden can make all the difference during periods of drought, especially with nationwide water shortages predicted. (Please forgive me if we have a wash-out summer! We all know how variable our weather can be week to week).
If water is scarce, ignore the lawn, which will generally bounce back, and focus on plants in pots, new plantings and crops. Water them in the early morning or evening to reduce evaporation, and consider moving containers to shadier parts of the garden, especially if you are going on holiday. Aim the water at the roots and give the soil a good soaking every few days as necessary, as opposed to more regular light sprinklings, which are less effective and encourage shallower roots. A layer of mulch in the form of compost or bark chippings will also help to keep the soil cool and moist while suppressing weeds and improving soil structure.
Plants tend to stop flowering once they’ve set seed, but can be kept going for many weeks longer if you take the time to deadhead them as the blooms fade. If this feels too fiddly, then a light trim all over with shears can often rejuvenate the plant and encourage fresh leaves and even another flush of flowers. Hardy geraniums, salvias, achilleas, alchemilla
and nepeta can all be cut back after flowering to give them a second wind. A dilute liquid feed will give an extra pick-me-up for exhausted looking plants once you’ve cut them back. Cutting flowers to bring indoors has the same benefits, encouraging new flowers, with the added bonus of fresh blooms in vases around your home.
Fill gaps in the borders or containers with plants that will provide instant impact for a quick refresh. Among those looking good on the nursery benches in August are dahlias, Japanese anemones, rudbeckia, echinacea, sedums, kniphofia, asters and ornamental grasses.
While many food crops are ready to harvest in August, it’s also a good time to plant ahead for later crops such as winter cabbages, kale and broad beans. Succession seed sowing is key as early crops come to an end, but these can be replaced by quick-growing crops such as radishes, rocket, basil, parsley, spring onions, spinach and salad leaves.
Autumn-flowering bulbs can also be planted now, such as autumn crocus, colchicums and nerines, for flowers from September. Plus, it’s a good time to start planning ahead and browsing the catalogues for spring bulbs. Some can be planted in August, such as daffodils, crocuses, alliums and irises. Tulips do better if planted later, from October to December when the soil has cooled down, to help avoid the risk of fungal diseases.
Some seeds from annuals and perennials in the flower garden are ready to gather and save for next year. Wait until the pods have turned brown and you can hear the seeds rattling inside, empty the pods and discard the waste, then spread the seeds out on paper on a window sill for a day
or two to finish drying. You can then put them in labelled envelopes in an airtight container, ready for sowing next spring. Ones to try include poppies, sweet peas, nigella, cornflowers, hollyhocks and aquilegia.
A helping hand
Help wildlife in the garden in late summer by providing food, shelter and water. Leave some areas more messy and wild if you can, perhaps with patches of nettles or overripe fruit. Seedheads provide food for birds, late flowers provide nectar after other sources fade, and bees will shelter in hollow stems. Top up bird baths in dry weather, and even dishes of water on the ground will help small mammals, bees and butterflies.
This point of the summer is also a good time to pause and reflect on what has worked well this year and what hasn’t. A garden journal is a great way to remember which plants thrived and survived heat, drought or pests without a fuss, and others that didn’t do so well, plus the reasons why. Perhaps they were in the wrong place, or were neglected during a holiday away. Plan ahead for changes next year, thinking about what you might move, repeat or replace next year. Gardening might be cyclical, but each year brings fresh insight and challenges, so next time you are kicking back on the sun lounger, take the time to assess and plan for an even better garden next year. n
Elly West is a professional garden designer, working in and around the Bristol area | ellyswellies.co.uk
These easy-to-grow perennials have large, bold daisy-type flowers in shades of pink, orange, red and white. Echinacea comes from the Greek word ‘echinos’, meaning hedgehog, but they are also known as coneflowers, because of the prominent spiny centre cone in the middle of the flower.
They are attractive to bees and butterflies, and flower from late summer into autumn, the seed heads providing interest and structure in winter. Popularised in the 1990s by Piet Oudolf and other designers advocating prairie-style planting, they combine well grown in swathes alongside grasses.
Grow them towards the back of the border in full sun or light shade, and well-drained soil, and dead-head to keep the flowers coming. Plants will die back in winter and reappear the following spring, and are suited to cottage-style planting, informal gardens and wildlife gardens. Popular varieties include ‘Magnus’ (pink), ‘White Swan’ (white) and ‘Green Envy’ (green and pink). ‘Summer Cocktail’ (pictured) turns from orange-yellow to a beautiful salmon pink.
DISCOVER THE LATEST NEWS FROM BRISTOL’S PROPERTY EXPERTS
Historically it was always suggested that a tennis court adds value to a property, whilst a swimming pool is an expensive burden. But having again already basked in some glorious sunshine this summer, and with improved efficiency – has the swimming pool now become a big plus point in a buyer’s mind?
The number of homes in Bristol and surrounding areas with swimming pools is still relatively low, likely to be well under 1%. This scarcity means that, for many, a private pool is a significant differentiator, but equally many buyers worry about the associated costs and maintenance as well as having concerns as to the extent it may prove to be a resale hurdle; there are examples of homes in Bristol where swimming pools have been filled in before the property has come to market.
From a lifestyle appeal, few things beat a swimming pool. Aside from the health benefits of the daily swim, it certainly takes entertaining to a new level.
A professionally installed and well-maintained pool will inevitably boost a property’s overall appeal. The extent to which it is seen by buyers as a feature adding to the value of the property will largely be dependent on whether the pool is in keeping with the target buyers’ needs: a large 6-bedroom family home looking to attract high end buyers in the family market, will ideally have a pool big enough to cater for the family’s needs. Where there is a disparity between the target buyer and the size of the pool, often the positive feature of the pool becomes a negative in the buyer’s mind.
Swimming pools require considerable amounts of ongoing investment and upkeep. Our cooler climate also has further cost and sustainability implications.
Costs aside, they are also often seen by buyers as a burden in terms of upkeep as well as taking up a large chunk of land depending on the size of the plot. Even with the hotter summers, it is still fair to say that a house with a pool potentially narrows the resale audience.
If you are drawn to a property that has a swimming pool:-
• Get a survey of the pool and full maintenance history. It is essential early on to understand the equipment, age of the equipment, insulation, leak risk, safety compliance and any historic issues.
• Ask the selling agent for a full breakdown of the running costs. If it is an older pool, again early on it is recommended that you speak to a pool specialists to get quotes for the costs of any upgrades/efficiencies that you would want to carry out.
• Consider legislation and insurance implications from a specialist home insurer.
• Do some genuine soul searching. It is so easy to immediately see the alure of a swimming pool, and no child will ever say that they won’t play in it every day…but as a buyer you should always ask yourself whether you genuinely have the interest and time for a pool, as well as the resources to maintain it. Is it fit for purpose to you/your family’s needs?
• It is also worth considering the costs associated with filling in the pool, and practical implications, in the event you change your mind.
In summary when making an offer on a property with a pool always do your homework on the date of the equipment, extent of ongoing upkeep, and associated costs. Then ask yourself whether the addition of the pool, for the type of property and location, is something that could be perceived as adding value. Or does the art of negotiation lend itself to your suggesting to the selling agent that the costs and burden that come with a pool significantly narrows the ‘pool’ of buyers, enabling you to play to your strength as the right buyer, at the right price.
Whatever stage you are at in the search for your perfect home, I’d love to chat
Lili Oliver Oliver Roth Property Consultants
T: 0117 9877 828 | E: home@oliverroth.co.uk
STUNNING PERIOD HOUSE (STP) OR OFFICE
situated just off Park Street between Clifton and city centre FOR SALE (MAY LET)
A most attractive property comprising 3,270 sq ft GIA which has been recently refurbished as offices, yet would readily suit conversion to a period home, subject to planning consents.
An impressive entrance hall and carefully retained period features, the property also has a good sized rear courtyard garden.
Walking distance from both Clifton and the city centre, the property offers great potential as either a home or office in a key desirable location.
Only £585,000
Keep up-to-date with our latest news, deals, testimonials and market comment at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk
The Former Stream Bakery, BS16 FOR SALE – POA
3,280 sq ft (304.71 sq m)
Rare opportunity to acquire a freehold commercial property with vacant possession. Most recently occupied by a microbrewery and suitable for a wide variety of commercial uses. Potential for residential conversion (STP)
St Augustines Parade TO LET – POA
800 – 1,600 sq ft
Open plan, economical offices to rent available on flexible lease terms. E class – suitable for a wide range of different uses.
St Johns House, BS1 FOR SALE – £150,000
618 sq ft (57.41 sq m)
An opportunity to purchase a ground floor, self contained commercial unit located a few minutes walk from Corn Street. Offered as a ‘shell’ to allow an occupier to put their own stamp on the property.
Fourth Way, Avonmouth FOR SALE – POA
6,119 sq ft (568.46 sq ft)
A well presented hybrid commercial unit comprising high quality office and workshop accommodation. Landscaped site with parking for circa 24 vehicles to the front of the buildings.
Queens Road, BS8 TO LET – £19.50 psf
1,398 sq ft (129.87 sq m)
An attractive office suite located in this popular and prominent location on Queens Road in Clifton. Providing 3 floors of light and bright office accommodation. New lease available.
Sydenham Lane, Bristol FOR SALE (MAY LET) – POA
1,980 sq ft (183.98 sq m)
A Garage / Vehicle workshop located adjacent to Cheltenham Road and local amenities within the Stokes Croft area. The property could suit other commercial / employment uses (STP).
Falfield Garage TO LET – POA
0.23 acres (0.09 Hectares)
An excellent roadside covered forecourt with a purpose-built sales office. There is also a car valet area to the rear of the garage. The forecourt can hold between 30–50 cars/vans dependent upon size.
Park Street Avenue, BS1 TO LET – Quoting £40,000 pax
1,106 sq ft (102.75 sq m)
An exceptional venue located just off Park Street spread over ground, basement and mezzanine. The premises benefits from late night licensing and is a proven trading location.
Clothier Road, BS4 TO LET - £47,350 PAX
4,987 sq ft (463.29 sq m)
A well located industrial unit benefitting from car parking to the front and yard space to the rear. The unit also benefits from office accommodation with welfare facilities.
East Street, Bedminster TO LET – POA
4,025 sq ft (373.93 sq m)
Large retail unit to let, with strong passing footfall on East Street. Class E-suitable for a variety of commercial uses.
By Peter Greatorex, Managing Director, Peter Greatorex Unique Homes
Over the past year, I have had a growing number of conversations with clients who find themselves at a bit of a crossroads. They are not quite ready to sell but they also don’t want their property sitting idle. Some are watching the market closely, waiting for stronger conditions. Others are looking for flexibility to travel, explore new areas, or see how life feels somewhere else.
In many cases, I’m hearing the same question: “Should I consider letting?”
And my answer is: Yes, for some people, it can be a very smart option, when it is done properly.
Letting out your property does not have to be a permanent decision, nor is it just for investors. In fact, for many of our clients, letting opens up possibilities they had not previously considered.
For some, they already own a second property that is currently sitting empty. Rather than leaving it to deteriorate, they want to explore how it could start working for them. They perhaps no longer use it in the same capacity but are not sure if they are ready to sell it.
Others are keen to travel or live abroad for a while, and letting provides the means to fund that lifestyle, while keeping their home ready for when they return.
Some simply want to try out a new location or way of life, perhaps downsizing, renting by the coast, or moving closer to family, again, without committing to selling just yet.
In all of these scenarios, letting can provide time, flexibility, and financial breathing space.
If you have a property that is currently not being used, letting it could become a valuable source of passive income. With the right care and management, that property can continue to grow in value while earning in the background.
I always remind clients: property is a long game. Holding onto a well-located home, especially in a market like Bristol, Bath or the surrounding areas, can be a smart move over time.
It is true that the lettings sector is facing more regulation, and that trend will continue, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. If anything, it is helping to raise standards, something I fully support. What is key, is having an experienced, reputable agent to guide you through it.
Letting does not have to be complicated or overwhelming. A good agent will handle everything from finding the right tenants and managing risk to ensuring full legal compliance. That includes contracts, safety checks, deposit protection, repairs, rent collection, and everything in between.
Lettings can (and should) be hands-off, especially for those that have little experience in this field. At Peter Greatorex Unique Homes, we have always focused on personal service and doing things properly. Over the years, many of our clients have asked if we could also manage their homes as rentals, particularly those who trust our values and know the level of care we bring to everything we do.
We have years of experience of lettings through our sister company, The Apartment Company, and are now integrating this same level of service into our offering here at Peter Greatorex Unique Homes. Not at high volume, not as a bolt-on, but as a considered, high-quality service for people who want things done right. We offer advice, full property management, tenant sourcing and complete compliance support, all delivered in the same one-to-one professional way we are known for on the sales side.
If you are unsure about what is next, it sometimes helps just to talk through your options. Letting your home could give you the space and income to figure it out. Similarly, once we understand your goals and have talked through possibilities, you may decide selling, or even staying put, us the better choice – and that’s absolutely fine too. We understand deciding where to live is one of life’s biggest decisions so there is no rush and no pressure to make a quick decision.
My best piece of advice is to explore all your options, understand the pros and cons of each and how they might fit with your future plans. Whether you want to travel, test out a new lifestyle, or simply keep hold of a valuable asset, letting can work brilliantly if it is well managed from the start.
We are here to give clear, honest advice, so you can decide what is the right next step for you.
Saville Court, Saville Place, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4EJ 0117 325 2600 | info@petergreatorex.co.uk www.petergreatorex.co.uk
£7000 PCM
A beautiful 18th Century Grade II listed Cotswold Stone country house with separate coach house accommodation, outbuildings, heated swimming pool, tennis court and garage, surrounded by gardens with orchard, woodland and paddock in approx. 5 acres.
• Available as a long-let from September 2025
• Gardener included
• 2 reception rooms, study, kitchen/breakfast room larder & utility room
• 5 bedrooms and study/nursery in the main house
• Separate coach house with 3 bedrooms & 2 baths
• EPC rating F, Wiltshire Council Band Tax H
OIEO £1,750,000
Rectory Farm is a distinguished 6 bedroom Grade II listed Georgian farmhouse with later extension, set within nearly 6 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, paddocks, and wildflower meadows, in the peaceful hamlet of Hornblotton.
• Stylish two-bedroom detached annexe in former cowshed
• All-weather tennis court, outbuildings and greenhouse
• Spacious agricultural barn with potential for development
• Equestrian/smallholding potential - 5.5 acres of paddock
• Peaceful rural setting between Castle Cary, Somerton & Glastonbury
• EPC rating E, Somerset Council Tax D
OIEO £1,050,000
Bellhorse Cottage is a beautifully reimagined 17th-century rural retreat, where history meets modern design. Fully refurbished and thoughtfully extended, this exceptional 3/4-bedroom home blends original, recycled features with striking contemporary style.
• Flooded with natural light and offering expansive open-plan living
• 180-degree views stretching from Bath across Gloucestershire to the distant Welsh Hills
• Commanding a breathtaking outlook over Chew Valley Lake and beyond
• EPC rating C, B&NES Council Tax F
Bristol | Guide Price £1,150,000
A rare opportunity to acquire a Georgian terraced house in one of Clifton’s most prestigious garden squares. Offering charming period detail, elegant proportions and versatile accommodation arranged over four floors with a private south-facing courtyard and balcony.
Iconic Canynge Square location | South-facing rear courtyard | Balcony off first-floor drawing room | Period features throughout | Versatile accommodation across four floors | Potential for self-contained apartment | Walking distance to Clifton Village | Set around prestigious communal gardens
In all circa 2471.0 sq. ft (229.6 sq. m) @rupertoliverproperty
