International football, cricket and tennis go head‐to‐head in June
SPILL
THE TEA
Our special guide to the finest Afternoon Tea spots in town
BEACHY KEEN
We’ve got your coastal summer holiday wardrobe sorted
Songstress of soul Beverley Knight on singing with Prince, charities close to her heart and being Born to Perform
46
56
Meet
What’s
Swimwear,
Oscar Wilde’s
Plently
Melissa Blease and singer Beverley Knight talk about Prince, her hard work championing charitable causes close to her
tour that’s stopping at
Miss Saigon brings its tragic love story to the stage at
Artist Andy Goodman’s bold line- and graphics-based works have caught the eye of
Beautiful creations to see across the city this month
Would you like a glass of Champagne with that? We explore the tradition of afternoon tea, and pick some hot spots in the city serving the very best spreads
We pick our favourite beach picnic essentials to elevate your coastal feasts 64
June sees the FIFA World Cup, ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and Wimbledon all kick off, and we’ve got all the info you need to be clued up ahead of the games
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76
Andrew Swift looks back on the history of Blaise Castle being open to the public as it celebrates a centenary
The benefits of working with a interior designer, and the positive impact it can have on your home
Queen of British soul Beverley Knight
Photo by Julian Broad Full interview on page 34
Images: Left, M&S; right, An Ideal Husband
(Credit: Courtney Nathan Phillip)
from the
Publisher Steve Miklos
Email: steve@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
Financial Director Jane Miklos
Email: jane@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
EDITOR
If you’re not the sporting type, then you might need to look away from your screens over the next few weeks. June is going to be a truly bumper month for ball-based activities, with the FIFA World Cup, ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup and Wimbledon setting pitches and courts alight – the latter two on British soil; the cricket being played right here in Bristol.
Our city’s no stranger to international sport. After all, we hosted Women’s Rugby World Cup fixtures last year at Ashton Gate (plus, the Lionesses football team has graced that same grass for games in recent years). And the Seat Unique Stadium, which is hosting six cricket matches for the aforementioned World Cup, has welcomed teams from around the world for years.
When you consider that current affairs tend to leave even the finest creative writing minds behind Black Mirror and Private Eye likely scratching their heads, sometimes having a good reason to rally together for a common cause is welcome distraction (even if that relief just comes from keeping everything crossed that the Three Lions can break their 60-year dry spell by winning the World Cup).
So, this month, count me among the thousands of people who don’t usually follow league football, but will happily find a spot in front of a big screen to share in the soaring highs and excruciating lows felt by spectators watching their country fly and/or flounder with a cold pint gripped anxiously in hand.
We’ve gone a bit sporting mad to celebrate this holy trinity of tournaments, which you can see for yourself from page 64. There’s some feel-good local stories thrown in for good measure, too: the fatherdaughter duo who’ve been taking the world – quite literally – by storm by transforming the vintage football shirt scene at TopBinz; and we hear from Long Ashton Junior Football Club, which has seen numbers of young female players drawn to their teams soar as a positive ripple effect following the Lionesses’ international success.
For anyone who’d rather eat a vintage football shirt than watch a game, there’s plenty of other content to peruse in this issue: read Melissa Blease’s chat with soul queen Beverley Knight ahead of her show in the city, opt to embrace your inner beach bum with our holiday wardrobe picks, choose where to indulge in a spot of afternoon tea, prep for the ultimate summer picnic by the sea, or head to two theatre shows instead.
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CLIFTON ARCADE
TopBinz has put Bristol on the world map for vintage football shirt collectors
5 things to do
Laugh out loud
A new stand-up comedy show is launching in the hidden theatre space beneath the deck of the historic 140-year-old John Sebastian Lightship this month. The first Lightship Comedy show is 7 June (featuring Burt Williamson and Thor Stenhaug), and will continue on the first Sunday of each month after. These events will support the ongoing care and restoration of the ship.
Tickets are available at headfirstbristol.co.uk
See the Birdman
The Harbourside will see 10 teams create homemade, human-powered flying machines using only recycled materials, and launch themselves off a platform in front of thousands of cheering spectators on 14 June in the return of Bristol Birdman. As well as the ‘Furthest Flown’ accolade, other awards, such as the most creative use of recycled material, are also up for grabs. All proceeds go directly to support the work of Grassroot Communities, helping young people from underserved areas of Bristol build confidence, skills, and brighter futures. grassrootcommunities.org/the-bristol-birdman
Create art on stone
Got some linograph printmaking knowledge? Try the five-day Stone Lithography Summer School from Lemonade Press (6-10 July). You’ll make your own print with individual tutor time, testing out new techniques and building on your skills. Learn about drawing, etching and printing traditional German limestone, as well as an introduction to using marble and Welsh limestone – plus advanced image making techniques, such as Lo Shu and manière noire.
thelemonadepress.co.uk
Explore secret gardens
Clifton & Hotwells Open Gardens been running for more than 10 years and is a firm local favourite. Visitors will have access to 18 communal gardens and squares (6-7 June, 10.30am-5pm), including formal gardens and woodland. Go and see the stunning architecture and gardens which lay hidden behind the grand terraces. Enjoy tea and cakes, a glass of prosecco or Pimm’s while listening to local and visiting musicians, including Arnos Vocale, Gurt Lush Choir, Rising Voices and Tobacco Factory Singers. There will also be various stalls, talks, conducted tours, a tree | trail and plenty of space for the kids to play. The entry fee includes a programme full of interesting information about the history of the terraces and gardens. gssg-bristol.com
Sip Afternoon Tea
To mark English Wine Week, the Second Floor Restaurant at Harvey Nichols is serving a specially curated afternoon tea celebrating local vineyards and English sparkling wines from 20 June to 5 July. The menu features a selection of savouries including truffled egg mayonnaise sandwiches, English cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches, chicken with tarragon and pickles in a milk bun, and smoked trout and dill mousse served with a fennel seed scone. Sweet treats include Victoria sponge, lemon and raspberry drizzle slice, dark chocolate and cherry layer cake, plus traditional scones with clotted cream. Guests can enjoy unlimited hot drinks, with the option to upgrade to a glass of English sparkling wine, choosing from Rathfinny Classic Cuvée or Harvey Nichols English Sparkling Rosé. Search ‘Harvey Nichols Bristol English Afternoon Tea’ online for times, prices and to book your experience via sevenrooms.com
Credit: Lightship Comedy
The Cityist
MyBristol
Meet pioneering cardiac surgeon Professor Gianni Angelini, founder of the Bristol Heart Institute, who has recently published his first memoir
The British Heart Foundation Professorship of Cardiac Surgery was the primary reason that I was first drawn to this city. It offered a unique opportunity not only to build a career but to help rebuild a unit in the aftermath of the Bristol Babies Scandal [Editor’s note: in the 1980s and 1990s, a high number of Bristol babies died following cardiac surgery – Gianni was a key whistleblower], transforming it into one of the leading centres in the UK with growing international recognition. That sense of purpose is what made me stay. Bristol is a beautiful, vibrant city, rich in history yet full of modern energy, and exceptionally well connected to the rest of Europe, making it both an inspiring place to live and an ideal base for travel and international collaboration.
Helping to shape the Bristol Heart Institute has given me a deep sense of pride and fulfilment.
What has been achieved is the result of a genuine collective effort, driven by determination, shared vision, and the quiet resilience of many individuals working together over the years. The Bristol Heart Institute has placed the city firmly on the map as a leading centre for cardiovascular research worldwide.
Bristol’s transformation over the past 30 years has been remarkable, not only in cardiac surgery, but across cardiovascular services and worldleading research.
At the same time, the city itself, always lively and creative, seems to have accelerated its pace, with constant development and renewed energy. I have always particularly enjoyed its rich and diverse culture and music scene.
The resolution of the Bristol Babies Scandal stands out as a defining moment in my career.
It marked the end of a very difficult period and allowed us to turn the page and begin building something special.
Many people contributed to what we’ve achieved at the Bristol Heart Institute, but three now-retired colleagues stand out in particular...
I enjoy long walks around the city and in the countryside around Bristol with two close friends:
Alan Bryan, a superb retired surgeon, and Paul Mapson, who for many years ensured the hospital’s finances were in excellent order. Those moments offer space to reflect, away from clinical life. Of course, the walk always ends with a pub or restaurant lunch.
My three sons encouraged me to find something to occupy my retirement.
So that’s why I’ve published my memoir now. I wrote A Knife to the Heart over a few winter months, almost as an experiment, so in a way, I am still searching for what comes next. I am not retired yet.
Alan Bryan, adult cardiac surgeon; Richard Downes, head of perfusion; and Ash Pawade, paediatric cardiac surgeon. Each of them brought not only expertise, but also integrity, honesty and commitment to the team.
Bristol has absolutely had an influence on my work’s innovation.
There has always been a receptive and intellectually open environment, without which we could not have developed, among other advances, the beating-heart (off-pump) coronary artery bypass technique, for which we became known worldwide.
If I were introducing someone to Bristol for the first time, I would take them to the Cabot Tower.
Not only for the view, but as a reminder that another Italian [John Cabot – whose real name was actually Giovanni Caboto] was welcomed here and given a lifetime opportunity.
Working alongside a remarkable team, especially the younger generation, continues to inspire me.
I believe they will build on what we started and take it further. We have helped put Bristol firmly on the cardiovascular map, and I very much hope it will remain there. The best, I think, is still to come. n
A Knife to the Heart is out now, published by The Book Guild. For more info, and links to buy the book, visit bookguild.co.uk. gianniangelini.co.uk
New 33-mile city-wide walking route launched
The Bristol Ring, a new 33-mile walking route across the city, has been officially unveiled by Bristol City Council as part of the recent Bristol Walk Fest, with its festival partners Go Jauntly, and with support from the local Ramblers and Bristol Walking Alliance.
The newly-developed circular route, which spans some of our city’s most beautiful green and blue spaces, is made up of six nature-rich walking sections of varying difficulty, offering walkers a flexible way to explore the city.
Linking green corridors, leafy parks, urban watersides and some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the Bristol Ring provides stunning city views alongside quieter, more peaceful routes on foot.
For example, the first section of the Bristol Ring starts from Bristol Temple Meads Station, taking walkers along the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, then looping through local nature reserves including Magpie Bottom and strolling along a tranquil section of the River Avon, finishing with great views and history on Troopers Hill.
The walk route can be accessed via the Go Jauntly app and website, with a six-section challenge waiting to be completed. gojauntly.com
Rivals season 2 premieres in Bristol
The award-winning Disney+ series Rivals has returned to our screens for a second series, with stars Katherine Parkinson and Annabel Scholey, plus creatives behind the hit series, joining broadcaster Angellica Bell for a special screening and panel talk in the city recently, in celebration of local production that was filmed at Bottle Yard Studios and on location across the region.
“Rivals is a flagship scripted title for Bristol and the West, and what a pleasure it has been to celebrate this with Disney+ and the show’s brilliant cast and creative team,” said The Bottle Yard’s Head of Studios, Katherine Nash. “A returning booking of this calibre is what every studio and filming region aspires to secure, and is testament to our world-class facilities and the responsive support of our studios team and regional Film Offices from early prep through to wrap.”
Rivals S2 is being released on Disney+ in stages throughout the year
Deaf Conversations About Cinema celebrated at Watershed
Watershed is celebrating 10 Years of Deaf Conversations About Cinema (DCAC) this month – its monthly film meet-up designed for Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing audiences to watch and discuss cinema together. It began in 2016 after Watershed took part in Arts Council England South West’s ‘Agent for Change’ programme, which supported cultural organisations to develop more inclusive working practices.
Through the scheme, Watershed partnered with Bristolbased British Sign Language user, filmmaker and artist David Ellington to explore how they could become more welcoming and accessible for Deaf and hard of hearing members of the organisation’s community.
Artist call-out for next Light Festival
Bristol Light Festival will return to the city from 18-27 February 2027, with organiser Bristol BID having officially opened the artist call out for the next edition of the much-loved event.
Applications for artists, designers and creatives from Bristol and beyond are now live, inviting proposals for bold, inspiring and imaginative light-based artworks to transform the city after dark.
The submission deadline is Monday 8 June at midday, with shortlisted artists announced during the week commencing Monday 22 June 2026.
bristollightfestival.org
(Image credit: Andre Pattenden)
To celebrate this anniversary, people are invited to celebrate on Sat 6 June at Watershed for a dedicated afternoon of films and conversations with David and guests.
watershed.co.uk
National Album Day mural unveiled
City centre metal pub The Gryphon has unveiled its new National Album Day mural, which now adorns the side of the building. The completed mural brings to life the winning design from the latest National Album Day Mural Competition, which celebrates the spirit of rock and the album as an art form.
The competition drew submissions from emerging and established artists across the UK. The final piece was painted by artist Seán Whelan, with musician Brandon Burch’s etchinginspired artwork brought to full scale in partnership with Black City Records. nationalalbumday.co.uk
(Image credit: National Album Day)
Silent Witness producer pens new novel
Bristol author, the award-winning TV and film producer Jayne Chard is returning to the world of murder mystery with the release of her second novel, The Body that Floats, published by Chapters Crime Press. The latest instalment in Chard’s Julia and Frankie Mystery series sees the sharp-witted amateur sleuths tackling a fresh murder case while in Cornwall. Described as an “edgy cosy mystery”, the novel combines humour, suspense and plenty of twists, appealing to fans of Richard Osman and Robert Thorogood. Before turning to fiction, Chard built an acclaimed career in theatre and television. A former winner of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Buzz Goodbody Director Award, she later became a multi-award-winning TV producer, with credits including the BBC drama Silent Witness
The Body that Floats is available from all good book retailers.
Orchestral concert designed for care home residents returns
The fourth Annual Care Homes Concert is returning to Bristol Beacon on 16 June, bringing a live orchestral experience to care home residents across the region.
Featuring a memorised performance of Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony by the renowned Aurora Orchestra, the concert is designed specifically for care home communities. It offers residents a rare opportunity to experience high-quality live music in an inspiring and accessible setting.
Created in collaboration with Aurora Orchestra and in partnership with Bristol Care Homes, this performance is part of Bristol Beacon’s ongoing work to improve access to live music and wellbeing experiences for older people. This year, a limited number of tickets will be available to the public.
Tickets available from bristolbeacon.org | bristolcarehomes.co.uk
First Bedminster Gardening
The inaugural Bedminster Festival of Gardening is taking place between Monday 8 and Sunday 14 June, which will include lots of fun gardening events, activities and talks – such as learning how to make a hanging basket, a pop-up tree installation, advice on successful houseplant care, Forest School Fun and live music at Butterfly Junction wildlife meadow. The festival will conclude with Bedminster’s Secret Gardens open weekend on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June.
For the full programme and to book your spot at events: bloomingbedminster.tumblr.com
Latest book in local professor’s 16-strong Arts for Health series published this month
The latest book in a series exploring the links between creativity and wellbeing has been launched by Clifton-based academic Professor Paul Crawford, founder of the global health humanities movement.
The Arts for Health series, published by Emerald Publishing, offers short, accessible guides explaining how creative activities – from reading and comedy to fashion and puzzles – can support physical and mental health. The idea first came to Crawford while sitting outside Bristol University’s Wills Memorial Building after working on his What’s Up With Everyone short film project with Aardman Animations focused on young people’s mental health.
Launched in 2020, the series now includes 16 titles, with Thinking released on 2 June and further books on comedy, comics, puzzles and fashion planned this year. Crawford, pictured, studied at the University of Bristol in the 1980s before returning to live in Clifton, and says the books are designed to make the health benefits of creative engagement more widely understood – “no prescription required”. paulcrawfordauthor.com
Jayne on the set of Two Heads Creek
Europe’s only Bristol Freighter to be conserved in local project
Aerospace Bristol has announced an ambitious conservation project: the Bristol Freighter T170, which is the last remaining Bristol Freighter aircraft in Europe.
The landmark project, which is already underway, will see the museum’s Bristol Freighter Type 170 carefully conserved and reassembled over the next few years. It will run as a live conservation programme, offering visitors to the museum and online audiences the opportunity to experience the detailed conservation work up close while exploring the unique story of Bristol’s role in global aviation history. The Bristol Freighter was designed and built in Bristol in the late 1940s and early 1950s by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, as a pioneering post-war cargo aircraft.
With its distinctive clamshell nose doors and 108ft wingspan, it was capable of carrying cargo ranging from vehicles to livestock and was later adapted for passenger travel as the ‘Wayfarer’. It was the first post-war aircraft to receive an unrestricted Certificate of Airworthiness and played an important role in advancing aviation technology and operations worldwide.
The aircraft was returned to Bristol in 2018 following a major international recovery effort led by Aerospace Bristol volunteers and supported by partners including the Association for Industrial Archaeology. Having spent decades in storage in New Zealand, it is now being slowly brought back to life next to the very location in which it was originally designed and built. Once complete, the aircraft will form the centrepiece of a new outdoor exhibition. aerospacebristol.org
Home & Away
Whether your summer getaway is long haul, short haul, or just down the road, we’ve picked some gorgeous beachwear essentials from Monsoon (which can be ordered online and from John Lewis) and Accessorize, which has a store in The Mall, Cribbs Causeway
Starfish Pendant Bead Necklace, £12 accessorize.com
Monsoon x Charlie Taylor Terracotta Palm Jumpsuit, £36. monsoon.co.uk.
Woven Raffia. Headband, £8 accessorize.com.
Beaded Fish Woven. Basket Bag, £35. accessorize.com.
Preppy Sunglasses. £15, accessorize.com.
Tropical Flower Metal Claw Clip. £12, accessorize.com
Tassel trim Sarong. £20, accessorize.com
Floral Embroidered Shirt, (£45). and Shorts (£35) accessorize.com.
Lemon Beaded Pouch. £18, monsoon.co.uk.
Shell Embossed Tie.Bikini Top (£25) and. Tie Side Bottoms (£18), accessorize.com.
Carmen Floral Tiered. Midi Dress, £79. monsoon.co.uk.
Terry Cox Clifton Village Antiques
If you wish to buy Diamond or Gold items – we will Part Exchange your 9ct Gold items at £50 per gram (current market value £39.50 per gram - at time of going to press)
League of Gentlemen
Givenchy: Gentleman Society Sport eau de Parfum
The fragrance opens with the radiant intensity of a Citrus Quartet, each bringing its own energy: the Primofiore for its green and zesty liveliness, the Winter Citrus for sparkling and tangy freshness, the Spring Citrus for juicy and fruity notes, and the Summer Verdello for tangy and aromatic freshness. Then emerges the floral elegance of Narcissus Absolute, sublimated by the depth of the iconic Vetiver Quartet. In the base, amber woods bring a singular intensity. From £79. givenchybeauty.com
For anyone looking to celebrate all kinds of male role models this Father’s Day (21 June), keep the masculine energy in your life smelling fresh by gifting the finest fragrances and personal care products...
Tom Ford: Oud Wood Deodrant Stick
Exotic rosewood and cardamom give way to a smoky blend of rare Oud wood, sandalwood and vetiver. Tonka bean and amber add warmth and sensuality. This deodorant stick provides fast-drying odour and sweat protection.
£46 | harrods.com
Dior: Sauvage After-Shave Balm
Composed of 94% natural-origin ingredients and enriched with cactus extracts, this after-shave balm soothes and moisturises skin irritated by razor burn.
Bleu de Chanel: L’Exclusif
An intense ambery-aromatic fragrance with deep woody, leathery and resinous notes, presented in a bold cubic bottle that reflects the sophistication and singular vision behind this exceptional creation. 160ml. .£285 | chanel.com
£56 | sephora.co.uk
Aesop: Resurrection Duet
A skincare twosome comprising a hand wash and hand balm for soothed hands and cuticles. Used one after the other, they work to cleanse, nourish and soften.
£103 | spacenk.com
Lush: Dirty Hair & Beard Oil
A hair softening blend of argan, almond and black Jamaican castor oils, that leaves locks and whiskers feeling soft, sleek and fragrant. 30g. £18 | lush.com
F1 driver Pierre Gasly
Kilver Court and Gardens
A one-stop destination for lifestyle, shopping, work and wellbeing.
We have all come to know Kilver Court and Gardens as the home of Mulberry and TOAST, but a host of new tenants and a carefully considered re-mastering of the site, mean that there are now many more reasons to visit the iconic Shepton Mallet destination.
Once more under the ownership of the Showering family, whose ancestors first purchased the site in the 1950s, Kilver Court and Gardens is now home to new independent fashion and homewares retailers, a chef-run café, yoga, a pilates studio and a coworking space.
Chef Nick Hampson has taken on the renovated Kilver café, a chic, light-filled space, looking out onto a re-paved courtyard that has parasols and seating for sunny days. A fresh, seasonal brunch and lunch menu, as well as all-day pastries, are served from 9.30 to 4.30, using produce from the gardens wherever possible.
The Wiggly Shed, formerly the garden shop on the courtyard, has now been taken over by innovative garden and homewares brand Makers & Merchants, whose founders have an incredible design heritage, via the Conran Shop and Liberty. Travelling Europe to discover ceramicists, glassmakers and homeware designers, they bring a curated selection of their finds to Kilver Court and Gardens, where they have established their first offline store, alongside their Somerset food and drink ranges.
In the main Kilver Court building you will find a new TOAST Home, a gallery-style Makers & Merchants store and homewares brand Courthouse Interiors. Courthouse’s only offline store – the brand holds some 20,000 products online – the Kilver shop shows traditional British brands such as Mulberry Home and Sanderson alongside a joyfully eclectic selection of light fittings and tableware by leading European brands. With prices ranging from £10 for homewares to £6,000 for a sofa, there is something to suit all budgets and tastes.
Somerset-born brand Coco & Wolf and British fashion retailer NRBY are running pop-ups at Kilver through June 2026. Coco & Wolf’s exquisite Liberty Fabric bedding, homewares and apparel are only sold here at Kilver and at the Liberty London store itself, while NRBY has stores in London and Bath. The clothing brand prides itself on sustainable, natural fabrics like silk, linen and cashmere and designs that foreground versatility and durability over fast-fashion.
New to Kilver too is Distil Coworking, a calm, contemporary environment that offers membership and pay as you go desk space for remote working, with free garden access and bookable meeting room and podcast booth as part of the deal. Yoga classes in the ballroom and a state-of-the-art reformer pilates studio, run by A&M Pilates, complete the wellbeing offer, making Kilver Court and Gardens a truly one-stop destination for live, work and play.
See www.kilvercourt.co.uk for up to date events and happenings
Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 5NF for the curious. for the creative. for the cultivator. kilvercourt.co.uk | @kilvercourt
Image @ Tom Rickhuss
Image @ Dave Watts
Image @ Dave Watts
Image @ Makers and Merchants
Image @ Dave Watts
Image @ Dave Watts
Image @ Dave Watts
Where the hell is my husband?!
This month at Bristol Old Vic, Oscar Wilde’s classic work An Ideal Husband gets a bold new twist, directed by Lyric Hammersmith’s Associate Director Nicholai La Barrie
If Oscar Wilde ever managed to defy the laws of time and space to find himself writing society comedies in 2026, chances are he’d have an absolute field day with modern Britain. Political scandal, warped public images, social media’s cancel culture and the pressure to appear morally spotless at all times would offer rich inspiration. Which is precisely why An Ideal Husband still feels timely more than 130 years after it first appeared on stage.
This June, Bristol Old Vic welcomes a contemporary new production of Wilde’s classic comedy, directed by Nicholai La Barrie, Associate Director at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. Running from 10–20 June, the production relocates Wilde’s world of privilege, politics and performance into present-day London, where image is everything and scandal spreads at lightning speed.
At the centre of proceedings is Sir Robert Chiltern: wealthy, successful, politically admired and seemingly untouchable. He has the immaculate home, the enviable marriage and the polished reputation expected of a modern public figure. But Wilde, of course, had little interest in perfection for perfection’s sake. Enter the formidable Mrs Cheveley, armed with dangerous information and a willingness to expose the cracks beneath the glossy surface.
What follows is a comedy of secrets, hypocrisy, temptation and social survival, packed with Wilde’s trademark wit.
La Barrie – who’s “very excited to be working on this show with such an incredible, dynamic cast” – believes: “An Ideal Husband is, at its heart, about the contradictions that define us: love and betrayal, politics and family, forgiveness and redemption, morality and greed. A century after it was written, these themes feel as urgent as ever.
“We are still navigating the same questions: how to balance ambition with integrity, how to forgive the people we love, how to reconcile private mistakes with public lives.
“Wilde wraps these struggles in razor-sharp wit, reminding us that laughter can be a way of facing uncomfortable truths. What I love most about this play is how it holds a mirror to us all, exposing the masks we wear in society while gently nudging us to find compassion, honesty, and even humour in our flaws.”
This production leans fully into the modern parallels. This is no dusty period revival, but is instead a sleek, contemporary adaptation that places Wilde’s characters firmly in the affluent London life, where public image can be both currency and weapon.
Yet despite the play’s darker undercurrents, An Ideal Husband remains gloriously funny. Wilde’s dialogue sparkles with quotable lines and social
barbs, delivered here by an impressive ensemble cast featuring performers from stage and screen. Jamael Westman, best known for the title role in Hamilton, takes on the role of the charming and seemingly carefree Lord Goring, often considered Wilde’s comic masterstroke: dandyish, perceptive and quietly wiser than everyone around him.
Meanwhile, Aurora Perrineau plays the aforementioned scheming Mrs Cheveley, and Chiké Okonkwo appears as Lord Chiltern opposite Tamara Lawrance as Lady Chiltern. Elsewhere, the production features Suzette Llewellyn, Emmanuel Akwafo, Tiwa Lade and Jeff Alexander, alongside a vocal contribution from legendary broadcaster Trevor Nelson.
A ‘slick’ and ‘vibrant’ production
The production arrives in Bristol following a warmly received run at the Lyric Hammersmith in London. In a recent review, The Guardian praised the show’s contemporary energy and stylish approach, describing it as “slick” and “vibrant”, while highlighting how naturally Wilde’s themes translate into a modern setting.
Visually, audiences can expect a polished contemporary aesthetic courtesy of set and costume designer Rajha Shakiry, with lighting by Zeynep Kepekli and sound design from Holly Khan helping to create a world of luxury, image-consciousness and carefully-maintained façades. Movement direction comes from Alexzandra Sarmiento, adding another layer of physical storytelling to Wilde’s socially choreographed universe.
While An Ideal Husband asks some serious questions, it refuses to lose sight of pleasure. Wilde knew audiences came to the theatre to be entertained, and this play remains packed with flirtation, scandal, social absurdity and devastating one-liners.
As Mabel Chiltern (Sir Robert’s sister) observes: “I love London Society! It is entirely composed now of beautiful idiots and brilliant lunatics.” Such a line still lands well more than a century later.
Perhaps one of Wilde’s greatest abilities was how cleverly he exposes – beneath all that outward-facing glamour and laughter – the fragile idea of respectability, and how easily a carefully-managed appearance can crumble (something especially headline-worthy in contemporary celebrity culture).
The world may have changed a hell of a lot since the 1890s, when An Ideal Husband was first penned, but human nature certainly hasn’t. n
An Ideal Husband is at Bristol Old Vic from 10-20 June. Tickets available from bristololdvic.org.uk
This free nine-day celebration of the natural world is back, with more than 160 events happening across, Bristol, Bath and online. From the hidden life of trees to the wonders of nature at night, try out new ways to experience nature, learn new skills and take action. For Bristol, the big moment is always ‘Wild Weekend’, when stalls, live music, workshops, parades and thousands of people take over Millennium Square. This time, there’s lots for younger children, with guest appearances from CBeebies’ presenters Andy Day with his famed dinosaur raps and Aaron Roach Bridgeman from I Can Grow It answering children’s big gardening questions. Weekday highlights in the city include woodland trails, insect identification, night time nature discoveries and a Queer eco-poetry workshop. festivalofnature.org.uk
Hospice Open Gardens n 7 June 10am-4pm
St Peter's Hospice, BS10 6NL
Step into summer, support the Hospice and enjoy the gardens in bloom. Keen gardener or want to learn more about the Hospice? Spend some time in a beautiful, welcoming outdoor space and discover what makes the
craft workshops, live music and tours from our gardener. Learn more about how the gardens are maintained, their role at the Hospice, plus see a wide variety of expertlychosen flowers and the Memory Tree. stpetershospice.org
Nell Gywnn by Jessica Swale n 13-20 June
Tobacco Factory Theatres, BS3 1TF Actress. Mistress, Celebrity. Survivor. She jokes. She dares. She tells the story before anyone else does. Nell Gwynn is absolutely not supposed to be here… Plucked from the backstreets of Coal Alley, and thrown into the spotlight at Drury Lane as the first woman ever to act in British theatre; Nell talks her way onto the stage, into the King’s bed, and straight into the history books. Love, luck, scandal and survival tumble together in a world where being seen is everything – and being heard is revolutionary. A theatrical romp, a love letter to laughter… This is a play from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School that sweats, sings, flirts, and refuses to behave. tobaccofactorytheatres.com
Neil Haigh’s Comedy Masterclass Ruined By Stewart Wright n 15 June, 7.30pm
A beleaguered acting lecturer channels twenty years of disappointment into a one-off masterclass amidst a backdrop of professional pressure and personal crisis… will a surprise guest be his ruin or saviour? Neil Haigh’s experience with groundbreaking theatre company, Cartoon de Salvo, and Stewart Wright’s 30 years as a comic character actor (Smack The Pony, Bridget Jones’s Diary) combine exquisitely into the most perfect of stage duos. With BAFTA-nominated Justin Sbresni as comedy consultant, this a rare and unique treat of an evening out. thewardrobetheatre.com
Mighty Organ n 17 June, 7pm
Bristol Beacon, BS1 5AR
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra presents a French-inspired programme topped and tailed by Saint-Saëns at Bristol Beacon. Organist Anna Lapwood – one of the UK’s most dynamic ambassadors for classical music – joins for Poulenc’s Organ Concerto, a piece which consists of seven sections in a form of a fantasia. This is a piece generally serious in character but still containing the irreverent mischief of his youth as well as gift for lyricism. bsolive.com
Aerial artiste of the spoken word, Xanthe Gresham, dives headlong into the rich mythology of Persia to perform sections of The Shahnameh – the epic masterpiece The Book Of Kings – accompanied by the remarkable Iranian musician Arash Moradi. Magical horses, epic heroes, and consuming passions abound in this world of romance, tragedy and war. Here, fathers and sons may be strangers in battle; selfish kings move others like chess pieces across the board for their own amusement; beauty can be both a gift and a curse; and women challenge and reshape their fate. cubecinema.com
Verdi’s Requiem
n 20 June, 7.30pm Bristol Beacon, BS1 5AR
Experience the overwhelming dramatic power and sublime beauty of Verdi’s Requiem performed by 140 voices and a full symphony orchestra, fusing operatic drama with profound emotional depth and spiritual intensity. City of Bristol Choir and Exultate Singers join Bristol Metropolitan orchestra and a star-studded line-up of soloists from the operatic stage, conducted by Tim Harrison and David Ogden. Tickets from bristolbeacon.org or Telephone 0117 203 4040
Bristol Bach Choir: Times and Seasons
n 20 June, 7.30pm
All Saints Clifton, BS8 3ED
Frankie Goes to Bollywood n 24-28 June
Bristol Old Vic, BS1 4ED
This dazzling musical comedy-drama dives deep into the glitzy, high-pressure world of Indian cinema, where dreams are massproduced, identities are reshaped, and women are expected to smile and play by the script written for them. At the centre of it all is Frankie, a young British woman with little interest in fame. But her quiet suburban life is turned upside down as she is thrust into a world of dazzling lights, choreographed perfection and media obsession. Frankie must decide: Can she become a star without losing who she really is? What must she give up to succeed in a man’s world – and what is she willing to fight for?
bristololdvic.org.uk
A fascinating programme of secular music reflecting on times and seasons, and the emotions which run through life. The passing of time has always been an inspiration for composers and this contemporary programme will show a full range of styles from the serious and emotionally charged through to the joyously folkloric. These include American composers Eric Whitacre (Sleep) and Morton Lauridsen’s sumptuous Nocturnes (which include Sure on this shining night); the Canadian Sarah Quartel; the British composers Jonathan Dove’s The Passing of the Year and David Bednall’s Three Songs of Love, Becky McGlade’s To a Skylark and Cecilia McDowall’s A Fancy of Folksongs. bristolbach.org.uk or 0117 214 0721
Dr Bike: Taylored Cycles
n 21 June, multiple times
St George’s Bristol, BS1 5RR
Dr Bike is an experienced mechanic that will come to check over cycles which local people bring in, making simple repairs and adjustments to ensure they are in good working order. Typical jobs include tyre inflation; brakes and gears; straightening wheels; tightening and adjusting parts such as handlebars and saddle, hubs, bottom bracket, headset and pedals; checking chain and sprocket wear; checking and adjusting cable tension and assess wear and corrosion; and checking and re-fitting mudguards. Please be aware that not all repairs will be carried on each bike every time. stgeorgesbristol.co.uk
Bristol Choral Society: Faire is the Heaven n 27 June, 7.30pm
Victoria Rooms, BS8 1SA
Join Bristol Choral Society for an evening of essential English choral music, with a programme ranging from the atmospheric Evening Hymn by Balfour Gardiner to the majestic double-choir harmonies of William Harris’s Faire is the Heaven. It is a unique opportunity to hear the power and beauty of the English sacred tradition in one of Bristol’s finest acoustic spaces. You’ll also hear Gustav Holst’s Two Psalms and Vaughan Williams’s O Taste and See – both pieces are highlights from the choir’s 2025 CD, Praise Him with Trumpets. bristolchoral.co.uk
Frankie Goes To Bollywood
Family Diary
The best things to see and do with the little ones this month
Spring Term-Time Special
n Schooldays throughout June
We The Curious, BS1 5DB
Enjoy a visit to We The Curious for half price in June on any school day after 2pm. What's more, the venue will be that little bit quieter as most of the school groups have headed home. This is part of a late entry offer and means visitors can explore more than 200 interactive exhibits across two floors for just £11.40 (adult) or £8.60 (child). wethecurious.org
Matilda The Musical
n 2-27 June
Bristol Hippodrome, BS1 4UZ
Matilda The Musical, the multi-award winning musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company is inspired by the beloved book by Roald Dahl. With book by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and directed by Matthew Warchus, Matilda is the story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Buy one and get one under-16 half price on selected seats at Tuesday to Thursday performances. atgtickets.com/bristol
Summer Fair
n 6 June
St Werburghs City Farm, BS2 9YJ
Expect thousands of people to flock to St Werburghs City Farm and its surrounding areas which, for one day, are transformed into a minifestival. Three stages, multiple stalls and roaming performances spring up between the main site, The Farm pub and Boiling Wells woodland. There’s food and family activities, and this year’s line-up of entertainment includes Dr Meaker (DJ set), Golden Guild, Kodachrome, Bristol Samba, Rachael Dadd & The Oak Choir, plus hosts Edson and DJ Dad swcityfarm.co.uk
Aardman in Concert
n 11 June, 1.45pm & 6.30pm Bristol Beacon, BS1 5AR
Celebrate 50 years of Aardman with Carrot Productions’ brand-new
show. In partnership with Aardman, this joy-filled journey through five decades of British creativity blends classic characters, iconic humour and unforgettable music, culminating in a full A Matter of Loaf and Death with live orchestra. Whether you’re reliving treasured childhood memories or discovering Aardman’s magic for the first time, it promises to be a crackin’ and unforgettable experience for all ages. bristolbeacon.org
Kid Carpet & The Noisy Garden Centre
n 27 June, 11am & 2pm
The Wardrobe Theatre, BS2 0DF
Kid Carpet really wants to win the Royal Fancy Garden Contest. The Noisy Animals really want to run a garden centre. It’s a perfect match! Nothing could possibly go wrong. Surely first prize is in the bag? The latest Kid Carpet & The Noisy Animals show is for ages 3-10 and their families, featuring the signature relaxed performance style of catchy songs, lo-fi puppetry, video magic and audience participation.
thewardrobetheatre.com
Medieval Day
n 28 June, 11am-4pm
Winterbourne Medieval Barn, BS36 1SE
Join the folks at Winterbourne Medieval Barn as they recreate medieval Midsummer festivities with combat displays, knight schools and have-ago archery from the Warwick Warriors, wandering jesters, games and live medieval musicians. Plus, see a living history village from Company of Chivalry so that you can really get a feel for medieval life by walking amongst it.
winterbournebarn.org.uk
Little Folk Music
n 28 June, 2pm-3pm
Windmill Hill City Farm, BS3 4EA
Tidal Tales Collective presents Little Folk Music: a gently interactive folk-fusion concert for young people and their families, with beautifully crafted traditional songs from around the world. This promises to be a naturethemed musical adventure to spark the imagination! A wonderful gig for all the family to enjoy. Ages 0+. Take your picnic blankets to sit on. Windmill Hill City Farm Café will also be open for refreshments.
winterbournebarn.org.uk
Matilda The Musical Company (photo by Manuel Harlan)
A Knight’s Tale
Award‐winning soul singer Beverley Knight has shared stages with Prince, conquered the West End and become one of Britain’s most beloved performers. But behind all the accolades lies a grounded woman driven by faith, family and purpose. In this exclusive interview, she chats to Melissa Blease ahead of her Born to Perform tour
Since she burst onto the UK music scene with her criticallyacclaimed first album The B-Funk in 1995, Beverley Knight’s reputation as Britain’s undisputed Queen of Soul has continued to gain traction – and the heady pace doesn’t show any signs of letting up any time soon.
The multi award-winning singer, songwriter, musical theatre superstar, TV icon and radio luminary (phew!) has released nine studio albums, undertaken 11 major headline tours, supported Take That on their massive 2006 reunion stadium gigs… and was awarded an MBE for services to British Music and Charity in the same year. She was selected as the opening act for Prince’s historic Earth Tour during his record-breaking ‘21 Nights in London’ residency at the O2 Arena in 2007… and, in 2008, his lordship flew her to Los Angeles to perform at his at-home post-Oscars party in front of (and with) fellow superstars including Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones.
This month, she embarks on a massive UK tour, pitstopping at the Bristol Beacon on Friday 19 June; this autumn, she’ll reprise her role as Emmeline Pankhurst in the Olivier Award-winning hip hop, funk and soul musical Sylvia at the Royal Albert Hall.
Taking that whistlestop tour of her CV into account – and there’s much, much more where that came from – Ms Knight would have every right to be a bit of a diva; right? Oh, so very wrong!
“I’m just a woman from a small city with a big dream and enough faith and stubbornness to keep going until that dream became reality!” she says, talking to me from her house in London (although she firmly acknowledges that her beloved Wolverhampton will always remain home in her heart). “My parents showed me the joy of living in spite of difficulties, and sharing that joy using the gift of music was the greatest thing I could give to the world. My current tour is called Born to Perform – and I’m totally convinced that I was!”
If you want to hear Beverley’s backstory in her own words, the tour offers that opportunity in full.
“Born to Perform is the story of how I came to be in the position I’m in today,” she says. “I’ve spent my life on stages, from school productions and the pulpit in church to music venues and West End theatres. Nothing can shake my belief that I’m living my purpose, and I was lucky enough to discover that purpose as a tiny child. I grew up in a musical family and performance was in my blood and in my soul. As a result, I didn’t see myself as particularly special in being able to sing; to me it was just a part of my everyday reality.
“I was very fortunate that, as a child, I was encouraged to work on my abilities instead of having them ignored or, worse still, discouraged. Today, I’m inspired by what I see around me, whether they are circumstances that have happened to me directly, or things that I
“ I’ve spent my life on stages, from school productions and the pulpit in church to music venues and West End theatres. Nothing can shake my belief that I’m living my purpose ”
experience vicariously. If something moves me profoundly enough, sooner or later it ends up in a song, or as part of a character that I may build for a specific role on stage.”
The building of character is clearly embedded deep within Beverley’s DNA. When she performs live, she’s renowned for taking audiences on a personal journey that brings her songs to real life in real time, whether in character as Rachel in The Bodyguard, Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act, Emmeline Pankhurst in Sylvia, or – and perhaps even more so – when she’s ‘simply’ being herself; few people can listen to, for example, her powerful, gently uptempo 2002 soul ballad Shoulda Woulda Coulda and fail to be moved by the song’s frank, autobiographical revelations and soaring emotional depth.
Has Beverley ever viewed her work as a tool to help navigate the challenging or emotionally turbulent times that inevitably create a part of life’s rich tapestry?
“Losing my best friend Tyrone at the same time I was releasing and promoting my Affirmation album in 2004 was a very tough time for me,” she recalls. “Many of the dominant voices in the urban community disliked the first single As You Are and, as a result, didn’t engage with the rest of the album. I was fortunate that it still went on to be a big seller, but dealing with the mixed reviews and attempting to deal with Tyrone’s death at the same time came close to breaking me.
“In the three years that followed I felt lost at times, but the light of Prince’s Earth Tour shone in the distance as the affirmation that I personally needed at that time. The whole experience taught me that dark times don’t last forever.”
Indeed they don’t – and milestones that Beverley cites as jewels in the glittering crown of her career to date were yet to come. “Joining Prince at the O2 and on a makeshift stage at his home in Los Angeles were definite highlights,” she responds, when asked about her personal greatest hits moments. “I don’t think any accolade can touch the
Photography by Julian Broad
“ I’ve learned to appreciate that taking a break is as necessary to my own wellness as doing the work ”
experience of having your hero respect your talent enough to have you join him on stage; okay, I don’t know that for sure, but I’m willing to put the work in to find out if I’m right! So, if I’m blessed enough to win a Grammy, a Tony, or any of those global accolades, come back and ask me that same question again!”
But away from the glamour of superstar collaborations, awards in the pipeline and future plans packed with promise (“I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to work on stage and in TV and film; trust me when I tell you that I intend to build on that!” she says), she puts as much –if not more – work into supporting vulnerable people to live their best lives than she puts into ‘being’ Beverley Knight.
Throughout her career, she’s actively supported and advocated for multiple key charities. Among a long line-up of philanthropic activities, she’s a long-standing patron of the UK’s leading HIV and AIDS charity the Terrence Higgins Trust. She’s an ambassador for Wolverhampton’s official football charity the Wolves Foundation, Christian Aid and The Paul Reid Foundation, named in honour of her close friend, guitarist and musical director of more than 25 years.
But the woman who I’m quickly learning is a mistress of the art of clear-cut, resolute pragmatism defines the motivation behind her charitable support in the most beautifully simple, understated way. “There’s always a cause that needs a helping hand and I’m in a position to offer that help, so that is what I do,” she says, “I had great examples of this in both my parents, so I’m simply following the example they laid down for me.”
I put it to Beverley that, in doing so, she’s become an example – and, indeed, a role model – for many people? Again, an innate modesty prevails. “If that’s the case, then that’s a huge responsibility; very humbling but also quite scary. I’m trying my best to be the best example of whatever it is that people look up to me for, that I can be, and the only way I know how to do that is through consistent excellence.”
Blimey, Beverley! Do you have any time at all to just… chill? “I guess you can’t produce excellence without giving your mind and body enough time to recuperate!” she laughs. “As much as I enjoy keeping busy, there are of course days when I have to ease back. I’ve learned to appreciate that taking a break is as necessary to my own wellness as doing the work; my husband James has been instrumental in impressing the importance of taking those moments for myself upon me.”
But with the Born to Perform tour imminent, there won’t be much time for Beverley to snuggle up on the sofa to watch TV with her dog Zane (which is exactly how she spent last weekend) over the coming months.
“This is a different kind of tour for me as I’ll be singing all my hits but also, for the first time, hits from my musical theatre career too, including a track from Sylvia,” she reveals. “In short, expect nothing but energy and a huge helping of joy!”
It’s a closing statement that summarises this particular Knight’s tale in a nutshell. n
Beverley Knight’s Born to Perform tour stops at Bristol Beacon 19 June | Tickets available from bristolbeacon.org
Photography by Julain
Broad
Make love, not war
A legendary musical is reborn in the spectacular new production of Miss Saigon, which is now touring the UK and Ireland and comes to Bristol Hippodrome later this year. We hear from three of the cast members...
It’s been more than 35 years since Miss Saigon had its world premiere at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London’s West End. The Olivier and Tony Award-winning show has remained an enduring favourite with audiences ever since, seen by more than 38 million people worldwide. But this major new production marks an exciting, fresh chapter: it’s a brand-new invention of Miss Saigon, giving audiences a different experience of the timeless tale.
Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s stirring work draws on real history to tell the story of 17-year-old local girl Kim, who meets American GI Chris in a bar during the final days of the Vietnam War. The lovers are torn apart by the fall of Saigon, leading to an unforgettable journey of survival.
The show’s original producer Cameron Mackintosh has put together a new creative team with his fellow producer, Michael Harrison. The pair have joined forces with director Jean-Pierre van der Spuy, who previously directed Cameron’s production of Miss Saigon (originally directed by Laurence Connor) for the Australian Opera, to create a version of the musical that will be able to play different-sized theatres across the country, whilst still delivering the show’s epic drama and stirring passion.
new version of Miss Saigon stars actor and singer Jack Kane (Years and Years) as Chris and, making her exciting professional debut, Julianne Pundan as Kim. Queer performer Seann Miley Moore (who appeared on The X Factor in 2015) reprises their ground-breaking take on bar owner and hustler, the Engineer, which they previously played in an international tour visiting Australia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Singapore.
Did you know Miss Saigon before you joined the show?
Jack Kane: Yes, I grew up with it – it’s my mum’s favourite ever musical! We played Miss Saigon in the car all the time. I then saw the 2014 West End production and cried through the whole thing.
Julianne Pundan: I watched the amazing Miss Saigon documentary with [original Kim actress] Lea Salonga, and it completely inspired me. Seeing someone who looked just like me doing what I love most in the world gave me such hope. Actually, now getting to play Kim feels like a dream come true.
Seann Miley Moore: I was blown away by the Hong Kong production. I had songs like The Movie in My Mind and Why, God, Why? on blast.
This
Julianne Pundan (Kim) and Jack Kane (Chris)
Production images by Danny Kaan
Miss Saigon is so special to me, especially as my mum is Filipino and the Asian representation is this show is iconic.
How did you put your stamp on your character?
Kane: The creative team told me that they liked how, in my audition, I brought a kind of innocent energy to Chris –I think my version is more naïve than you might have seen before. Then we took a very sensitive approach in rehearsal, layering in those real-life experiences and the complex journey he goes on from this kid to a man.
Pundan: Every Kim has been so different. I definitely feel I’ve been able to bring something fresh since this is a new production of the show, and I wanted to portray her as a strong, independent woman who goes through so much, and holds her power with love and hope. Her legacy is really important to so many people.
Moore: It’s such an honour to be asked to come to the UK and perform my version of the Engineer – or as I say it, “Engine-queer” . It’s a testament to [producers] Michael Harrison and Cameron Mackintosh that they really champion new people and new visions. I get to play with all the colours of the rainbow. It’s such a scrumptious role: the music is so epic, the lyrics are so meaty and wild. I’m bringing all the flair that is Seann Miley Moore to the table, giving nothing but big Slay-sian energy. The legend is indeed reborn.
What’s it like making your debut in such a huge show?
Pundan: I’m literally having the best time. When I stepped onto the stage at our first venue, in Newcastle, I teared up – I was thinking “Is this actually real? Is this my life now?”. At the end I just sobbed and said, “This is all I ever wanted”.
How did you develop the all-important love story between Chris and Kim?
SeannMileyMoore(TheEngineer)
For both me, and Julianne, it’s our first ever musical, and it’s an intimate one, so we approached it slowly and respectfully. Our chemistry has evolved so much – you really can’t fake it! Luckily we get on really well in real life too, because the romance is so key: you have to feel these two young people finding love in the midst of war and horror.
Pundan: I was a bit nervous about the intimacy of it because I’ve never done it before, but we had a lot of guidance, and Jack’s been an amazing partner. It definitely helps having a good relationship outside of work. Kim goes through so much, and she has a big heart – that’s hugely important to us, understanding her motivations and her courage, how she fights for love. It’s heroic.
How have you drawn on the real history and places in the story?
Kane: We worked really closely with JP and our intimacy coordinator.
Kane: Doing research is really paramount to getting under the skin of these characters. Chris’s story spans a three-year period starting in the middle of a war. [Director] JP has such a deep understanding of the era, and he recommended lots of amazing books and documentaries. We were also lucky enough to speak to professionals during rehearsal who have experience of complex PTSD. We’re definitely taking a grittier, more grounded approach in this production – it’s very strongly character-based.
Pundan: We had pictures up during rehearsal from that time. We feel really privileged to be able to represent the real people in this conflict, and we also have two Vietnamese performers in the cast who were like cultural consultants, helping us with little details to make everything more authentic and offering brilliant insights. I was really interested in connecting with the history of the Vietnam War as well as the gay liberation movement of the 1970s. It’s so important to have Asian stories on our main stages, but also to have queer stories. Using
Julianne Pundan(Kim) , MikkoJuan(Thuy)
that lens, you could see how the Engineer might want to escape to America because a queer person wouldn’t feel safe in their surroundings – that’s a theme which parallels with the show’s exploration of belonging, community, home and safety, and fighting to be who you are.
What is your favourite song in the show?
Kane: I love Sun and Moon – I’m such a sucker for a duet! It’s all about two people discovering each other. The language Kim uses is so poetic, and then Chris joins her and is inspired by her.
Pundan: It’s so hard to choose just one. I think my favourite is I’d Give My Life for You, which I sang throughout the audition process. It’s such a turning point for Kim: she’s gone on this journey and grown into her power, and she’s holding on because of love, both romantic love and maternal love. That’s so beautiful.
Moore: I have to say The American Dream! It’s seven minutes in heaven with me, honey. It’s an absolute delight to perform. It’s the American Dream but also the nightmare – it’s a horror story. There are
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Moore(TheEngineer)andCompany
so many layers to it that I get to play with, and it feels more resonant today than ever.
Do you think the story particularly resonates with audiences right now?
Kane: Absolutely. Art should hold up a mirror to society, and this piece is so thoughtful about the horrific effects of war, especially on children. This is a time when we desperately need Miss Saigon
Pundan: The story shows the impact of war on everybody, from soldiers and refugees to families who are torn apart. Kim is a refugee from the beginning: she’s lost her family. We’re telling stories of real lives that were impacted, just like many people are right now.
It’s a testament to the brilliance of music and lyrics, and how they’ve stood the test of time, that 30 years on this tale of people surviving in the chaos of war feels so fresh and pertinent. It’s timeless for a reason. n
Miss Saigon is at Bristol Hippodrome from 21 July until 1 August. Tickets via atgtickets.com/bristol
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Ace (Gigi), Seann Miley
Tidal Wave by Andy Goodman
Word Play
When is a line, not a line? When it’s a bird, perhaps. Or a musical instrument, a lightbulb, or… practically anything if local illustrator Andy Goodman’s got anything to with it. We speak to him about his bold, simple‐yet‐profound graphic style, designing Oxford Street billboards for IKEA and how his work is lighting up the minds of the region’s school children
The whimsical world of editorial loves exploring language. Wordplay, puns and idioms intertwine and form mischievous architecture that helps subject matter truly come alive and easier to digest. Someone who knows this more than anyone is local illustrator (and previous The Bristol Magazine front cover artist) Andy Goodman, whose background in editorial design (laying out pages for the likes of The Observer, Vogue, Condé Nast Traveller, House & Garden, Elle Decoration and The Independent) no doubt planted the seeds that sprouted his now-iconic bright, bold style that visualises puns and wordplay – such things as ‘me, myself and I’, ‘he’s got the bends’, and a cat’s ‘nine lives’ – through simple lines, negative space, impactful graphics and vibrant shapes.
“ Inspiration comes from everyday language: what I hear on the street, conversations, things I overhear ”
“A lot of my work is visual puns, so the original good idea is central to what I do, “Andy explains. “Inspiration comes from everyday language: what I hear on the street, conversations, things I overhear. It’s just focusing on everyday language, and I write a lot of words and phrases down.
“I try to put two disparate things together if I can, opposites, or images and words that might jar and not necessarily make sense at first, but eventually the two things come together to make something unusual.
“So, it’s two straightforward or everyday things that combine, and then some oddity or unusual third thing arises from the collaboration of those two things.”
With ideas cropping up “anywhere and everywhere”, we can assume it’s difficult for Andy to ever actually switch off, and the puns might mount up over time… but he has a solution. “At the beginning of the year, I wipe the slate clean and start to make lists and notes of anything that inspires me – from books, television, conversations I hear, or things my kids might say. It’s just keeping my ears open, really.”
Whatever the weather
When any word or phrase could potentially create an illustration, where do you look first? For Andy, his eyes were on the skies at first.
“I was always interested in the weather, to be honest,” he recalls. “The
Andy Goodman
first phrase I drew, which I still go back to, was, ‘I see you brought the weather with you’. I’d have figures holding a sun, clouds or a lightning bolt… all of those elements of the weather.”
These days, Andy now oscillates between three styles of illustration: “the bold, geometric style, which dates back about 12 years; bold line work; and then in a more jumpy, wiggly line style, as well.”
Measured in Finches
What’s the big IKEA?
…See what we did there? Okay, it might not be the best pun, but it’s fitting when you consider that Andy’s largest commission to date was a series of huge billboards for IKEA on Oxford Street in the capital. As well as tight turnarounds for regular editorial high-calibre clients including the Irish Independent (which he was hopping back to after chatting to The Bristol Magazine), in recent years he collaborated on a large-scale project with creative agency Mother London.
“The opening had been delayed, so we came up with ideas around that,” Andy remembers. The billboards read: ‘Merry Christmas Oxford Street. Sorry, you’ll have to unwrap us next year’, along with Andy’s illustrations of gnomes, decorations and – of course – the IKEA pencil. The result was simple and straightforward, with a mischievous shine, reflective of the synergy between the Scandi global homeware retailer and Andy’s approaches to work.
Even though his style stands out, for Andy, “the idea is the central thing. I’m looking for that ‘eureka!’ moment that jumps out at me, and hopefully to other people as well. That’s a wonderful moment. If you ask most designers or illustrators, when that happens it’s a real joyous feeling. Sometimes the ideas can be a bit abstract, but that’s the flow I have. I might see sense in something one day and not the next. My brain is wired differently.”
One thing that’s generally consistent in Andy’s illustrations is his sense of humour. “I will probably always veer towards something fun. That’s naturally the way I think. I’m probably not one for dark or black humour, even though I’d love to bring that into my work. Generally, though, it comes out more light-hearted.”
For instance, he once took a square and turned it into a ‘polar square’, where the square becomes a polar bear’s head. Or instead of measuring in inches, he measures in finches, making birds out of a tape measure. “It’s a simple substitution of a word, but the image becomes quite abstract while still being instantly recognisable.”
“I’d love to do more of that kind of work, so hopefully there’ll be more opportunities. I’m at a point now where I’m very keen to keep going and come up with new things that might reflect anything – perhaps even the state of the nation, although I don’t really cover politics that much.”
Back to school
When Andy’s not working on commissions, or searching for his next ‘eureka!’ moment, you’ll find him in the classroom working as a teacher and teaching assistant, alternating between four schools in the region –he’d not long returned from a day at a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) setting in Radstock before speaking to us. It’s a fairly new string to his bow, having started at the beginning of the year, but it’s encouraged him to marry the two parts of his life: igniting the imaginations of children with storytelling and making art.
“I took some of my books into school in March for World Book Day, as I did some simplified children’s books some time ago [under Italian publisher Edizioni Corraini]. I encouraged the kids to do their own books, which they were very good at; there was a kind of brutal honesty to their work.”
Engaging any children at school can be a challenge, Andy acknowledges, especially if the class is SEND. But, he noticed that the children he worked on the books with experienced a lasting impact. “I’d love to be able to create some kind of vehicle where I can go in and be a practitioner artist and illustrator, and inspire young minds with storytelling, wordplay and visual puns – things that make them laugh or engage them.”
If Andy’s bold, geometric, oftenhumorous and visually striking approach to capturing the world around him in illustrations can’t creatively influence the next generation of thinkers, we’re not sure what can. n
Find more of Andy’s work online at website: making pictures.com/artists/ andy-goodman. Buy prints of his work on Etsy from ‘The Fivebargate Store’, and follow Andy on Instagram @fivebargate_design_studio
Polar Square
IKEA commission
Flute Player by AndyGoodman
ARTand exhibitions
Reclaiming Hope, Removing Carbon, University of Bristol Botanic Garden, 11-14 June
Reclaiming Hope, Removing Carbon is a thought provoking, immersive exhibition of hope and inspiration from CO2RE, which sees art and science come together to explore the power and potential of Greenhouse Gas Removal. Expect art, workshops, talks, and interactive fun in the Carbon Cleaners Corner. Get to grips with the climate-science through hands-on demonstrations and workshops, for all the family; discover seven artists’ work, woven through the Botanic Garden; encounter sculptures, films, animation, podcasts, and performance pieces, each exploring new ways of thinking about carbon, nature and climate solutions; and come away with new ideas on how to contribute to a greener future.
Bristol Zoo Project is celebrating the life of its beloved silverback gorilla Jock through a unique four-day public art exhibition taking place 19-22 June at the zoo. The exhibition will honour the remarkable legacy of the western lowland gorilla, who captivated visitors with his huge personality and gentle presence before peacefully passing away earlier this year. bristolzoo.org.uk
GATHERING, Rainmaker Gallery, 16 June until 15 August
Throughout the summer Rainmaker Gallery celebrates its 35-year history with a retrospective show featuring works by Indigenous artists who have participated in past exhibitions over the decades.
GATHERING is a salon-style presentation of paintings, drawings, fine art prints and photography. Together these works reflect the richness, diversity and individuality of contemporary Native art whilst highlighting the many voices and artistic contributions that have shaped the gallery’s identity.
Artists include DC Allen, Jordan Ann Craig, Yatika Starr Fields, Terran Last Gunn, Addison Karl, Monty Little, Chris Pappan, Zoe Urness, Jason Wesaw and many more.
Jonathan Baldock: Held, Arnolfini, 27 June until 27 September
Leading contemporary artist Jonathan Baldock brings together large-scale sculptural pieces for a colourful and immersive experience at Arnolfini. Held features a monumental wild bear sculpture, commissioned by Arnolfini. It invites visitors into a direct physical encounter, not to be held, but to hold us.
Known for his striking installations, Baldock combines ceramics, textiles and sound to create environments that are both playful and thought-provoking.
His work draws on folklore, traditional craft and personal history, shaped by skills passed down through generations of making. arnolfini.org.uk | 16 Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA
Image: Jonathan Baldock, Moment in the sun, 2023 (Copyright Jonathan Baldock.)
Peat Speaks: A Boggy Gassy Bubble (2026) by Miranda Whall. Photo by Ash Calvert
Image: ‘Flora’ by Monty Little, Diné
BS9 Arts Trail, various locations, 6-7 June
The BS9 Arts Trail returns from 6-7 June (10am–5pm), featuring 86 artists across 14 venues in Henleaze, Stoke Bishop and Westbury-onTrym. Supported by VWV Solicitors, the trail offers a chance to meet artists and buy work directly. Visitors can explore painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery and more in venues not usually open to the public, with prices from £3 to £3,000+. Collect stamps from six venues to enter a prize draw for original artworks.The trail is easily accessible, with cafés, toilets, bus routes and free parking available.
Visit bs9arts.co.uk or pick up a free map locally.
Image: Winter Light, the Orangery, Dyrham Park by Chris Dye
Ocean Photographer of the Year at SS Great Britain, until 28 June
Take a deep dive into an exhibition of the world’s best ocean photography showcasing the breathtaking beauty, diversity and vulnerability of our marine ecosystems.
SS Great Britain is one of the first venues in Europe to play host to this internationally renowned exhibition, which showcases the beauty of our mighty oceans and its inhabitants in the ship's Dry Dock, whilst acting as an urgent call to arms to protect marine life and conserve our blue planet.
Comprising more than 100 photographs, the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025 collection features winning and finalist entries from all corners of the globe, including grand title winner Yury Ivanov who is based in Indonesia. His striking photograph of two amphipods (pictured below) –commonly referred to as “ladybugs of the sea”, and measuring just 3mm in length – resting on a coral captured the attention of the panel due to the vivid colour and symmetry on display, and in recognition of the patience and skill required to capture such an image.
ssgreatbritain.org | Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, BS1 6TY
This is Jungle at Royal West of England Academy, until 28 June
This is Jungle is an exhibition celebrating the legacy and heritage of Bristol’s music culture, presented by I46 Media and curated by DJ Krust (Adapt The Canvas), alongside DJ Flynn (Independent Dealers) and Gary Thompson, co-author of The Art and Sound of the Bristol Underground.
This is Jungle promises an immersive exploration of the rich history and vibrant culture of Bristol's early Drum & Bass and Jungle scenes. It serves as a heartfelt tribute to Jungle's past and its transformative influence on the global music landscape.
Gary Thompson, co-curator of the exhibition, says that it’s “An authentic and comprehensive exploration of Jungle through previously unseen archival material, artwork, and photography. Visitors will gain deep insight into the roots and rise of the movement, experiencing the music, art, and culture that defined a generation”.
The exhibition runs alongside Dance Out, the RWA’s major summer exhibition featuring contemporary works by Denzil Forrester, Paul Dash, David Remfy, Gillian Wearing, Tracy Emin as well as new works by award-winning film maker Melaine Manchot.
Our friends at Gloucester Road Books present their pick of the fresh pages being published this month which should be top of your ‘to read’ list...
Gloucester Road Books is a fascinating place to explore, and the team places a significant focus on titles published by small independent presses, noting: “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
The Leveret by Anna Goldreich, published by Penguin Books
This story of Queer love promises to be a heartbreaking and nuanced exploration of the differing forms grief can take. After suffering a misscarriage Phoebe and Clare move to the countryside. Both are grieving with Phoebe trying to reassimilate into a community she left a long time ago, and Clare fixating her love onto something new; a baby hare she finds in the forest. In tender but unsettling prose, this novel comes highly anticipated for its moving and uniquely-told story.
TThe Cuckoo's Lea: The Forgotten History of Birds and Place by Michael J. Warren, published by Bloomsbury
The Aquatics by Osvalde Lewat, translated by
Maren Baudet-Lackner, Cassava Republic Press
Set in a fictional country named Zambuena, this novel explores the social and political disturbances of a post-colonial African society. Katmé is the wife of a wealthy and ambitious public figure and finds herself at the crux of conflicting values. Her mother’s body is to be exhumed from its grave with the proposal of a new highway and her friendship with a gutsy, Queer artist risks her husband’s position in a country where homosexuality is outlawed. Lewat’s debut novel promises to be an emotive and brazen study of the liberal plundering of Africa and the friction between tradition and progressive ideals.
The Disco at the End of the World by Nathan Tavares, published by Titan Books
Dusapin has an incredible ability to capture complex family dynamics with sparingly few words. The amount of pathos packed into this books’ sparse pages is haunting. This novel is a viscerally felt portrait of two sisters as they struggle to connect with one another. It is about the limitations of language – all the things we cannot say. And ultimately, this a novel about grief; the obvious grief that unites two out-of-touch sisters after their father’s death, coming together in his old house to deal with the estate; but also the less obvious grief of realising that those we should feel closest to are, in fact, complete strangers.
Through etymology, history, and early literature, Michael J. Warren traces our connections to birds and place across England. In deciphering old place names for land dispossessed of their original use, Warren uncovers the parallels of a medieval world hidden in phrases and still existing in plain sight. He identifies toponyms that refer to cranes, crows, eagles, hawks, owls, and cuckoos, addressing the emotional and imaginative capacity of our relationship to birds and place and the shifting base of language we use to describe them.
Right from her first novel, the Irish writer Niamh Campbell established herself as a fiercely intelligent and accomplished stylist, capturing contemporary Irish life with astonishing accuracy. Make Strange is her third novel and takes on the subject of motherhood through an unsettling dislocation of a child asking ‘Mama, do you remember when I died?’ We can expect a rich story of contemporary family life and the pasts that come to haunt them told through Campbell’s signature descriptive and vivid prose.
Make Strange by Niamh Campbell, published by Wiedenfeld & Nicolson
Expert opinion
From Chris Yeo, of Clevedon Salerooms and a regular expert on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow
Changing Times
With a sense of disbelief peppered with rising panic, I recently realised that this year marks 40 years since I first dipped my toe into the business of buying and selling antiques. Reeling from this bolt from the blue (which made me feel rather like an antique myself) prompted me to reflect on some of the changes in fashion I’ve seen over the last four decades. Take kitchens. These days, the last word in sophistication seems to be a polished granite worktop and a fridge big enough to house a family of four. In the 1980s it was a different story; country kitchens were the order of the day. Think stripped pine table, obligatory Aga, optional Habitat chicken brick and, pride of place, a “Welsh” dresser groaning under the weight of assorted antique blue and white china plates (not for use, you understand, but admiring while you waited for the microwave to ping).
We have the Chinese (who else?) to thank for our love of blue and white ceramics. It was they who first imported them into Europe in the 17th century. So popular did the blue and white phenomenon take off that the British started to copy it and we quickly beat the Chinese at their own game. Did you know that the most famous blue-and-white china pattern associated with the Far East, the Willow pattern, actually came from the Chinese province of Stoke on Trent?
These days our love of blue and white has largely gone the way of the mullet and the ra-ra skirt. There are some exceptions, however. In the early 19th century Pountney’s Pottery in Bristol produced a series called ‘Bristol Views’, decorated with various scenes along the River Avon as it wended its way through the city from Hotwells through to the bustling docks around St Mary Redcliffe, each scene a fascinating snapshot of the city at that time. Despite the vagaries of fashion, plates from this range still perform well today. Expect to pay around £400 for the pleasure of hanging a serving plate on your kitchen wall today. ■ clevedonsalerooms.com; @chrisyeo_antiques Instagram)
THE WATCH list
Mallory Jewellers review all the latest models, as well as the most exciting trends from the world of fine watchmaking
1. TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph
Inspired by the original 1986 Series 1, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Date fuses racing style with modern technology in a bold yet versatile timepiece. Its lightweight 38mm TH-Polylight case is durable and comfortable, and houses a solar-powered quartz movement. Model: WBY1164.FT8114. £1,650
2. Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41
Designed to celebrate 100 years of the Oyster, this timepiece pairs a yellow gold bezel and winding crown with a case and bracelet made entirely from Oystersteel - a distinct Yellow Rolesor combination to commemorate the centenary. The slate dial features the exclusive inscription ‘100 Years’ at 6 o’clock in place of the usual ‘Swiss Made’ marking. Model: 134303. £8,050
3. Rolex Yacht-Master II
The new Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II in Oystersteel with a blue Cerachrom insert on a bidirectional bezel. A new version of the unique regatta chronograph that showcases a completely revisited design and movement. Model: 1266802. £16,950
4. Longines HYDROCONQUEST
Longines HydroConquest steel 39mm blue luminous marker dial watch with a blue unidirectional bezel on a steel bracelet. Water resistant to 300 metres. Model: L3.779. £1,925
5. OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch
The new OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch is presented in a 42mm steel case, pairing a black baton dial with a matching tachymeter bezel. This robust timepiece if finished with a brushed and polished steel bracelet. Model: 310.30.42.50.01.004. £8,700
6. Patek Philippe Calatrava
The new vintage-style Calatrava features a refined rose-gilt opaline dial with a 39mm white gold polished case. This timepiece pairs a white gold polished bezel with a chocolate brown alligator leather strap, a true embodiment of timeless style. Model: 5227G-015. £38,150
7. Panerai Luminor Destro
The Panerai Luminor Destro PAM01732 is a robust, left-handed timepiece. It blends historic Italian Navy aesthetics with modern craftsmanship, featuring a striking matte blue sandwich dial, a durable 44mm steel case, and a practical 300meter water resistance.
Model: PAM01732. £7,700
8. Patek Philippe World Time
Patek Philippe presents a bold iteration of the World Time, featuring a carmine red Guilloché dial housed in an18ct yellow gold case, finished with a red alligator leather strap to match. Its self-winding 240 HU caliber allows for the simultaneous adjustment of all World Time indicators.
Model: 7129J-001. £46,430.
9. Chopard Happy Sport
The Chopard Happy Sport collections welcomes a new model, featuring a 33mm case crafted from Lucent Steel™ with a denim-blue strap. The mother of pearl dial is adorned with two dancing hearts and a ballet of three dancing, free floating diamonds. A sophisticated blend of refined craftsmanship with playful elegance.
Model: 278608-3012. £8,220
10. TUDOR Monarch
A new collection for TUDOR’s 100th anniversary. The TUDOR Monarch is finished with a 39mm steel case and a papyruscoloured dial. Its most striking feature is the distinctive dual-numeral layout; Roman from 10 to 2 and Arabic from 4 to 8.
Model: M2639W1A0U-0001. £4,600
The Rosé Renaissance
Elodie Hind of DBM Wines, a wine merchant in the heart of Clifton Village, on thinking outside the Provence box 7 Princess Victoria Street, BS8 4BX | dbmwines.co.uk
Provence defined modern rosé: pale, delicate, endlessly drinkable. Yet an older style is quietly reclaiming its place at the table, and it starts with colour. These wines are defined by maceration: grape juice left in contact with its skins for hours, sometimes days. The palest Provençal styles see only minutes of contact – these wines take it a couple of steps further. The result is richer flavour, not sweetness. After all, nobody pours a Pinot Noir and expects a dessert wine. Instead, you get structure, depth and a wine that can actually stand up to a meal.
From charcuterie to charred lamb off the barbecue, a good gastronomic rosé has the versatility to match it all...
Pressure Point, Strange Kompanije, Paarl, South Africa, 2025 –£14.95: A lively and refreshing pét-nat with bright red berries and citrus. Cinsault at its most vibrant – perfect for aperitivo alongside charcuterie.
Sancerre Rosé, Domaine Firmin Dezat, The Loire Valley, France, 2024 – £24.99: Bright strawberry and raspberry with a stony mineral edge. Pure, precise Pinot Noir rosé from a top Sancerre winemaker. Pair with salmon or summer salads.
Tavel Rosé, Château d’Aqueria, The Southern Rhone, France, 2023 – £21.99: Rich and structured with red berries, herbs and a savoury edge. Primarily Grenache and Syrah from the Rhône’s rosé-only appellation. Serve with lamb or grilled meats.
Bristol bites
Pizza Pilgrims to serve up Neapolitanstyle pizza on Corn Street
Neapolitan-style pizza group Pizza Pilgrims is opening the doors to its latest site on Corn Street 15 June.
To celebrate the new opening, the restaurant will be offering 50% off the bill during a soft launch between 8-12 June and will be dishing out 1,000 free slices on 10 June from 12pm.
Located in the former Stanfords bookshop site, and spanning 325 square metres, the new Bristol site is designed to transport guests to downtown Naples. Split across a ground floor and basement, the pizzeria brings two different experiences.
On the ground floor, guests are welcomed into a streetscape, where three bustling market stalls and a tucked-away seating nook create the feeling of discovering a hidden trattoria in the back streets of Naples.
Downstairs, the basement transforms into a 1970s-inspired Italo disco bar – the kind of backstreet party you always wished you’d been invited to. Inspired by Bristol’s vibrant music and creative culture, the space will also operate as a flexible events area for up to 40 guests, perfect for private dining, cabaret, theatre or performances and creative hire.
Seating 112 guests inside, with an additional 20 external covers, Bristol Pizza Pilgrims will be run by long-time team member Sara Silvestri who’s relocating from London to head up the new opening. The pizzeria is expected to create around 25 new roles. pizzapilgrims.co.uk
Founding brothers James and Thom Elliot (Credit: Dave Brown)
Local booze brands scoop awards
Two Bristol-based drinks businesses have scooped accolades for their work and products in recent weeks.
Circumstance Distillery (founded by Liam Hirt, pictured top) was awarded Best New English Distillery at the English Whisky Awards, recognising its rapid rise as one of the most innovative new producers in the UK whisky landscape. The award, announced by the English Whisky Awards, celebrates excellence across England’s whisky industry and highlights distilleries demonstrating outstanding quality, innovation, and contribution to the category.
Meanwhile, Isaac Cider, founded by cidermaker Rollo Wood, pictured bottom, has been celebrating international success after winning two Silver Medals at the 2026 International Brewing & Cider Awards – one of the most prestigious competitions in the global drinks industry, where only one Gold, one Silver and one Bronze medal are awarded in each category. Two of Isaac Cider's bottlings were recognised in the Tannin Driven Cider categories: Calculus – Silver Medal, Dry Category and Anti-Gravity – Silver Medal, Medium Category. In the Dry Category, first place went to the United States, with Isaac Cider taking second place ahead of New Zealand-underlining the scale and international competitiveness of the awards.
circumstancedistillery.com | isaaccider.com
Time for tea?
Whether you’re celebrating, catching‐up with friends and family or simply fancy one of those lovely summer indulgences, afternoon tea is hard to beat. So, raise your teacups (or fizz flutes) and treat yourself to one of the region’s best spreads
Once reserved for grand hotels and special occasions, afternoon tea has had something of a glow-up. Across the UK, the tradition is evolving well beyond cucumber sandwiches and a pot of Earl Grey, with venues embracing playful themes, savoury twists and a little extra sparkle. This historic tradition has become far more experimental in recent years. From theatre-inspired menus to art-themed patisserie, hotels, restaurants and tearooms are turning tea into an performance in its own right. There’s also a growing appetite for savoury-led menus.
Traditional tiers of cakes are increasingly sharing space with elegant tartlets, miniature crumpets, cheese scones and even caviar pairings. Fortnum & Mason’s newlylaunched Caviar Tea is perhaps the most extravagant example yet, proving afternoon tea can now lean just as confidently into luxury dining as it does sweet treats. Meanwhile, Champagne upgrades are here to stay, with research (from the Afternoon Tea Report 2026, afternoontea.co.uk) showing one in three afternoon tea gift vouchers now includes fizz. But alongside the glamour, there’s also a renewed appreciation for cosy, independent tearooms and relaxed regional spots offering beautifully made classics without an extortionate price tag. Perhaps that’s the real secret behind afternoon tea’s enduring popularity: it manages to feel both nostalgic and indulgent at the same time. In an increasingly fast-paced world, lingering over warm scones and endless pots of tea with those you hold dearest suddenly feels deliciously rebellious.
Read on for our special selection of local offerings...
On the outskirts of Bristol, set within 18 acres of stunning grounds, lies Berwick Lodge. A proudly independent boutique hotel, 2AA Rosette restaurant and events space. Enjoy afternoon tea al fresco on the allweather Anatolia Terrace, overlooking the gardens and magnificent Victorian manor house, or take a seat in the lounge – a wood-panelled space with a feature fireplace and sweeping views across the grounds. The indulgent traditional afternoon tea (£35.95) includes seasonal sandwiches, delicate cakes, and freshly baked scones, served with lashings of fragrant jam and rich clotted cream, alongside unlimited Wogan coffee and speciality teas. For something extra special, add a crisp glass of Champagne for £12. With dietary requirements thoughtfully catered for in advance, and a children’s afternoon tea available for £15.95, there is something for everyone to enjoy. For a more theatrical experience, why not try the Bridgerton-inspired afternoon tea, featuring additional savoury delights and a touch of Regency indulgence. A feast certain to set tongues wagging across the parlours of Bristol.
No.4 Clifton Village in Clifton offers a unique blend of luxury and tradition with its exquisite, recently refurbished interiors and a focus on seasonal ingredients and fine dining. The proudly independent venue features a tranquil walled garden, making it ideal for special meals and events. Guests can enjoy an afternoon tea experience with artisan cocktails and locally-sourced looseleaf teas, alongside a selection of sweet and savoury treats. The tea can also be enjoyed al fresco in the peaceful secret garden, where guests can try their hand at a selection of lawn games. The venue is also particularly popular with families celebrating graduation, as they offer free glasses of prosecco to all Bristol graduates! Prices start from £28 per person.
Award-winning afternoon teas, served in Bristol’s most unique setting; an independent vintage boutique on Alma Vale Road, Clifton. Every detail is homemade and locally sourced, from the artisan bakes to the signature clotted cream, all beautifully presented and carefully curated by a small, passionate team. Join Ashwell & Co on Fridays and Saturdays from £32 per person, or enjoy our takeaway and delivery options. Planning something special? The team’s bespoke party packages are perfect for birthdays, hen dos and celebrations of all kinds. Come for the tea. Stay for the whole afternoon.
Acrylic Picnic Jug £14, Fish Picnic Platter £12, Set of 4 Coastal Icon Picnic Side Plates £14, Set of 4 Coastal Picnic Cereal Bowls £14, Set of 4 Contrast Rim Picnic Wine Glasses £14, Set of 4 Coastal Picnic Dinner Plates £16, Coastal Bohemia serving Platter £15, Set of 4 Contrast Rim
Acrylic Picnic Hi Balls £14, Coastal Picnic Blanket £14, Coastal Shell Tealight Holder £7.50, Set of 4 Contrast Rim Acrylic Picnic Tumblers £14, Set of 2 Coastal Picnic Nibble Bowls £7. marksandspencer.com
Business & Pleasure Co.. Striped Market Parasol. £579, johnlewis.com
Venus mission creates more than 100 new regional jobs
OHB Space UK is expanding its base in the West of England after being awarded a £20 million contract for the biggest mission to Venus in the history of space exploration.
The German company OHB SE, which opened a UK subsidiary in 2025, will grow its British workforce by more than 100 highly skilled engineers over the next five years as they work on the EnVision mission.
Led by the European Space Agency, OHB Space UK will be responsible for the assembly, integration, and testing of the EnVision spacecraft to make sure it is ready to qualify for operation in space.
The contract value is estimated to be £20.7million. As well as expanding the team, OHB Space UK will also be moving to a bigger, state-of-the-art facility at Aztec West (opening in 2027). The new home for OHB Space UK, currently based at Bristol and Bath Science Park, will include one of the largest and most advanced cleanrooms in the UK.
A cleanroom is a specialised, controlled environment, which minimises the risk of contamination in the manufacturing process which is essential for high precision work.
The EnVision mission in 2031 will study Venus’s geology, atmosphere and climate through satellite to learn how the planet, which is most like Earth, evolved to become uninhabitable and if it used to have a climate more like ours.
westofengland-ca.gov.uk | ohb.de/en
Buckles Law appoints new Construction team Partner
Buckles Law has appointed Kai von Pahlen (pictured) as Partner in its Construction & Engineering team, based at the firm's Bristol office. He joins from the construction team at DAC Beachcroft.
Von Pahlen specialises in contract drafting and dispute resolution in the construction sector. He notably acted for the successful contactor in a Supreme Court case which provided important guidance on the use of collateral warranties on construction projects (Simply vs Abbey). He also serves as a specialist practice consultant at the RIBA and as construction law course leader for MBL Seminars. Before he joined Buckles as a partner, he had been ranked by Chambers UK as an ‘Associate to Watch’ for five years. buckles-law.co.uk
Bristol Old Vic expands corporate events offer
Bristol Old Vic has announced an expanded focus on its events and corporate hire business, positioning the UK’s oldest continuously working theatre, now in its 260th year, as a creative partner for organisations seeking distinctive spaces, professional development opportunities and high-quality creative services.
From conferences and brand launches to awards ceremonies and private events, Bristol Old Vic offers a range of flexible spaces supported by in-house technical and production expertise. Alongside venue hire, the theatre also works with organisations through its business training programmes, drawing on theatre craft to develop communication, leadership and presentation skills, as well as offering film and production services for branded content, live capture and creative campaigns.
The move reflects a broader shift across the cultural sector, with organisations diversifying income streams in response to changing funding landscapes. Bristol Old Vic’s commercial activity directly supports its work on stage and in the community, ensuring that business partnerships contribute to the long-term sustainability of one of the UK’s most important cultural institutions.
Read on to find out what true financial freedom looks like.
Financial freedom doesn’t necessarily mean retiring
Achieving financial freedom doesn’t always mean leaving the workplace. Financial freedom is about having the choice to leave work or continue working at your own pace based on your commitment or love for the job, not because you need the income.
Defining your own terms is key to freedom
The key to achieving financial freedom is to define what living life on your own terms means for you.
That could mean taking the trip of a lifetime or exploring your passions. It could also mean moving closer to your family, or simply continuing your life as it is, but without any financial concerns.
It’s important to consider external variables as well as your own goals
Periods of high inflation can erode the real value of your wealth, and market downturns can also affect the value of your investments. Unexpected changes in your own life could mean your goals change over time, all of which might affect your vision of financial freedom.
Financial planning can help you achieve financial freedom
We can help you clarify your vision of financial freedom and then build a plan to get you there.
Education matters
NEWS FROM THE CITY’S LEARNERS AND LEADERS
Government announces student finance shake-up
Adults balancing responsibilities such as work and childcare will now have a new route into university and college thanks to radical reforms to create a new, more flexible student finance system.
From September 2026, for the first time ever people will be able to access student finance for shorter, flexible, bite-sized courses, known as ‘modules’, as well as traditional university degrees.
The government has confirmed the first 130 universities and colleges approved to offer the new smaller courses through the system, which people will be able to apply for this September.
Locally, this includes City of Bristol College, University of Bristol and the University of the West of England among other regional intitutions.
The change is part of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement, as set out in the government’s Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper last year, with people now able to see the universities and colleges across the country where they will be able to use the new funding system. The funding of these new smaller courses means people can gain qualifications over time, rather than needing to complete a rigid three-year full-time degree in one go, which previously locked thousands of people out of learning.
The modules on offer will focus on subjects that will tackle skills shortages, including economics and computing, engineering and architecture, as well as health and social care. Applications for student finance will open in September 2026, for anyone starting courses or the new modules from January 2027. Under the new system, people will be able to access funding equivalent to four years of post-18 study, currently worth up to £39,160.
gov.uk/dfe
May Park Primary celebrates Bristol Standard Award
May Park Primary School has been awarded The Bristol Standard for its Reception and Nursery provision. The Bristol Standard is a highly-respected framework that supports continuous improvement in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The award recognises the dedication, hard work and commitment of the EYFS team in providing high-quality, childcentred learning experiences that give children the very best start to their school journey. To achieve the award, May Park submitted evidence demonstrating its work across the ten elements of the Bristol Standard, all of which are based on best practice within the EYFS. A key focus for the school has been the development of early writing skills, developing a range of supportive resources including storytelling prompts, open-ended materials and child-led writing invitations. There is also a strong emphasis on imaginative play. maypark.excalibur.org.uk
Little Adventures Nurseries makes UK Top 20 list
Little Adventures Nurseries has been recognised as one of the UK’s Top 20 Large Nursery Groups for 2026 by leading childcare reviews website daynurseries.co.uk, the fourth consecutive year the group has received the national award.
The annual awards are based on verified reviews from parents and carers, recognising nursery groups that consistently deliver high-quality care and education for children and families across the UK.
Little Adventures operates a growing collection of day nurseries across the South West, Midlands and South Wales, with a focus on early years education and a play-based approach that aligns to the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.
Being recognised for a fourth consecutive year highlights Family Adventures Group’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality early years education and maintaining consistently high standards across all of its settings. littleadventuresnursery.com
Picture L-R: Tom FIler (Co-Founder and CEO), Laura Filer (Co-Founder-CMO) and Corinna Laing (Chief Quality Officer)
We’re on the ball!
It’s a truly gargantuan month for international sport: the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off across Mexico, Canada and the US from 11 June, so we’re rummaging the racks of vintage football shirts at TopBinz, plus hearing all about the boost to local squad Long Ashton Junior Football Club; then all eyes will be on Seat Unique Stadium, which is hosting six matches for the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup (21‐27 June); and finally closing the month is the return of Wimbledon from 29 June, which you can watch at multiple venues across the city
England v Andorra at a World Cup qualifing match, September 2025
The pressure’s on for England to follow in the Lioness’s paw prints and bring home an international tournament win –which, as we all know too well, will be a first for the men’s game in 60 years.
England’s boss Thomas Tuchel was appointed in the autumn of 2024 with the sole mission of adding a second star to the one on the shirt marking the 1966 World Cup victory. June will see the Three Lions play their three Group L games, meaning Bristol will no doubt come alive with World Cup fever as venues across the city open their doors to supporters. First up on 17 June is a fixture against Croatia (9pm), then England faces Ghana on 23 June (9pm), and finally Panama on 27 June (10pm). These timings mean bars, pubs, screening venues and dedicated fan zones will be bustling long into the hot summer evenings.
Can the boys bring it home?
There is a familiar feeling around the England men’s team heading into another World Cup: hopefulness muddled with apprehension.
Under new manager Tuchel, England arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the tournament favourites after a flawless qualifying campaign in which they did not concede a single goal. The expectation is that England should comfortably progress from Group L, but beyond that, however, the pressure ramps up considerably.
England have now reached the latter stages of several recent tournaments (the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and finals of both Euro 2020 and Euro 2024) but have repeatedly fallen just short. That makes this tournament feel especially important; the squad is packed with elite-level talent, but there is growing recognition that this generation cannot keep being labelled ‘promising’ forever. Will Harry Kane maintain his reputation as England’s main goal-scoring threat, alongside creative stars such as Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden? Will Tuchel achieve his mission? One thing’s for sure, the stakes are high, and it’ll be a nail-biting tournament. Whether this exceptionally talented squad can finally handle the weight of expectation remains the defining question…
At the top of their game
Seeing as football fever is guaranteed to spread across the land this month, you might want to make sure you’re looking the part. A Montpelier-based family business specialising in retro football kits from the ‘90s and ‘00s (as well as rare, collectable football shirts and authentic second-hand tops) is TopBinz, which has more than 4,000 shirts to choose from. Fatherand-daughter team Fraser and Eva Van Nuil may have only launched TopBinz in April 2025 – having moved to their now-bustling current customer-facing location across from Montpelier Train Station from a former storage unit just six months ago – but they’ve already made an impact on the global vintage football shirt scene, nurturing a community of collectors and fashionistas simultaneously.
Fraser and Eva are supported by a team that makes the magic happen: from posting on social media to keeping the website running and processing/measuring each shirt that comes through the doors.
This summer, those who remember will be reminiscing about England’s 1966 glory days, and reliving previous World Cups passed. Likewise, the world of vintage football shirts is inherently steeped in nostalgia.
“We’ve already seen a huge rise in England shirts because of the World Cup,” Eva tells us. “We also sold a really rare Ghana shirt recently because England are obviously playing Ghana, and I think it was bought by a YouTube content creator for a video.
“We’ve always sold international shirts, but ahead of the World Cup, England has definitely boomed. People are coming in specifically asking for really nice England shirts for the tournament, so we expanded our England collection probably tenfold compared to what we had before.”
If England wins, Eva thinks it would create a boom for TopBinz for a while. “People might fall back in love with their England shirts and wear them with even more pride.”
Fans will flock to pubs, bars, communy spaces and dedicated fan zones to catch the action on the big screen
TopBinz has more than 4,000 vintage shirts
“But vintage shirts are already on the rise regardless of the World Cup,” she adds. “If people start taking a more vintage approach to tournament fashion and that gets amplified on social media, it would do wonders for the business.”
Aside from the World Cup noise, football shirts continue to have the power to trigger meaningful memories, and are now becoming key fashion staples, too. “We speak to a lot of people from the older generation, where football was king in the ’90s,” Eva explains. “They come in and instantly remember the games those shirts were worn in – maybe when their team got promoted, or a player scored an amazing goal.
“The names on the back are often their idols as well. You’ll have customers come in and say, ‘I can’t believe you have that,’ and it’s almost like their eyes glaze over because they’re reliving that moment.”
The rise in ‘90s and Y2K fashion trends has – thankfully for TopBinz – included all kinds of football shirts. “It’s actually been great for us,” Eva agrees. “We started the business just as football shirts were becoming fashion staples again, with loads of things from the ’90s being reused today.
“Because the majority of vintage shirts come from the ’90s and 2000s era, there’s a real nostalgia around them. On a sunny day in Bristol, you’ll go out on the street and everybody’s wearing a football shirt,” she chuckles, “with probably absolutely no intention of exercising or playing football.”
Spotting the difference between customers seeking a certain aesthetic and people on the hunt for a specific collectible isn’t always easy, as Eva’s come to realise: “What I didn’t anticipate was how many collectors are buying shirts as fashion accessories.
“People are collecting football shirts to wear all the time,” she notes. They don’t care about rival clubs, whether they support the team or not – they just love the look of an individual shirt, so they buy it.”
The missing puzzle piece
Eva, her dad and the team are incredibly proud of the personable nature of their store, and the wider world of collectibles generally, compared to other shopping experiences you may find in the city. They’re forming special relationships with customers – even people they’re dealing with online (as they’re selling shirts across the world).
“You almost see it every day, whether it’s in person or online. Somebody will email saying, ‘I’ve just bought this shirt from you and I’ve been looking for it for five years,’ or ‘This is the final shirt I needed for my collection.’ We’ve got one specific customer who collects Manchester United shirts and today we picked up a 1974 shirt he doesn’t have. For him, it’s a dream come true. In somewhere like H&M or Primark, you’re probably never served by the same person twice and you don’t really strike up conversations. That changes completely once you get into the world of collectibles.”
The TopBinz team regular receive people visiting the store from London and Birmingham – even when they’ve got similar shops in their own cities – mainly because of the range on the shop floor.
“We’ve got around 4,000 shirts downstairs that customers can physically go through and see face-to-face, and another 1,000 upstairs,” Eva explains. “If somebody says they support Liverpool, for example, we can go upstairs and bring down shirts that aren’t even on the website yet.
“A lot of people tell us other shops are geared more towards tourism, so they’ll mainly stock big clubs or famous teams from Spain and Italy. We also stock smaller UK clubs – League One and League Two sides – and that’s quite rare.”
This is drawing people to their patch in Montpelier from across the south west region (“which genuinely surprised me. I thought we’d have a Bristol audience and then sell internationally online”) – and have even had someone make a beeline for the shop once they landed in London from LA.
“The store has to be seen to be believed,” beams Eva. “People watch the videos on social media, but they’re still completely star-struck when they walk through the door because you can never quite capture the full scale of it online. There’s always going to be something for everyone here.”
topbinzfootballshirts.co.uk
The store is near Montpelier Train Station
Shirts with classic sponsors are popular (Credit: TopBinz)
England Beckham #7 2002/04 Away Shirt: a prime example of what’s on offer at TopBinz
Golden boots
While we’re using the Wold Cup as a wonderful reason to celebrate football culture across the city – did you know that Long Ashton Junior Football Club is only in its third year, but is already engaging more 100 young players in training and matches each week across multiple age groups? This further boosts Bristol’s reputation as a hotbed for women’s football in recent months, with the Subway Women’s League Cup Final drawing a record crowd of +21,000 to Ashton Gate Stadium on Mother’s Day. Since launching in May 2022, the LA Junior Girls programme has quickly expanded from a small group into a vibrant community of young women, with under-8s up to under-15s attending regular training, as well as competing weekly in the Somerset Girls League and Bristol Girls League – one of the region’s biggest competitions of its kind.
“With the recent League Cup final and England games and hosting women’s football at Ashton Gate – where our girls can see Bristol City women and the Lionesses play in a welcoming environment – has been instrumental to the growth,” explain Victoria Jones, Club Welfare Officer and Lee Probert, Vice Chair for Girls Football at LA Junior FC. “Many are feeling newly inspired and confident to pick up a ball, recognising that football is a game they belong in and can excel at. This has, without doubt, directly fuelled the surge in grassroots participation within our Club in Long Ashton and across the country.
“Alongside that, we have so many volunteers, parents and carers willing to give up their time to coach and manage, ensure fixtures go ahead, and generally help to make sure girls can participate.” The pair highlight a ‘feel good’ factor that has spread through the girls themselves and the parents who welcome this opportunity for their kids to exercise and – most importantly – have fun.
Keeping the girls engaged as they move up through to age groups is key, and Victoria and Lee have a game plan that has proven successful so far: “Training has to be fun; we never lose sight of the fact that the players are young people,” they say. “Whether it’s to just exercise or be a league champion, a fun, happy and safe environment is essential to keeping the players coming back each week. Each year group has at least a Level 1 FA qualified coach, who has a range of suitable tactics to ensure the children
stay interested and engaged during training sessions.”
Let’s hear from the girls themselves: Millie, aged 12, loves playing for LA Griffins because they have improved so much as a team. “I am so happy to be a part of that journey,” she notes. “We play to our best because of the support we give each other on and off the pitch. The environment is lush and I wouldn't be where I am today without the other girls.”
Kaylee, aged 15, has a long-term injury, but loves football. “My coaching team has put me in charge of the Team selection and tactics in recent weeks, so I still have the chance to be involved,” she says. “This will hopefully give me experience to become a coach in the future.”
Meanwhile, Amira, aged 11, enjoys being part of a team that keeps her so active. “I love playing football for the Long Ashton Girls U12 Griffins. From training, to matches, to socials, we always have so much fun!”. And Ella, also 11, is clear on who inspires her to continue. “I enjoy playing because I get to spend time with my friends,” she explains. “The Lionesses inspired me to play by winning the Euros and being great role models to young girls, encouraging more to play football.”
Long Ashton Junior FC is still inviting new players and volunteers to go along to training, meet the coaches and experience the fun of grassroots football in a supportive environment.
“We want any child to feel welcome and safe and be free to exercise, play sport and grow as a person,” state Victoria and Lee. “Attend a taster at one of our Monday evening sessions (with a parent or carer present) and introduce them to the group. We’ll bring them into the session, participating in the drills and informally chat to them about what their motivation is. This is crucial, as we can ensure they get what they want from the sessions.”
On match days, as many players are involved as we possible, rotating so ‘development’ players have game time.
“In year groups that have enough players, we have development teams, so that players who aren’t as skilled yet have a chance to play competitive football against girls at a similar level from other clubs.” No previous experience is required: just enthusiasm and a love of the game.
lajfc.org
More than 100 girls have signed up to LA Junior FC
LA Junior FC Team (and insert)
Just the wicket
Taking a break from the footy, let’s grab our bats and hope for a good innings, as the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup also begins this month. The tournament will open with England Women taking on Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on 12 June, kicking off a whirlwind month of world-class action that will see eight teams battling it out for the prestigious trophy, currently held by New Zealand.
Our city’s playing a pivotal role in this one, as the Seat Unique Stadium – home of Gloucestershire Cricket – will host six cricket matches across four matchdays, starting with West Indies vs. Sri Lanka on Sunday, 21 June, and ending with a doubleheader on 27 June, featuring matches between Pakistan and Netherlands, and West Indies against Ireland.
In full, the Bristol fixtures for the Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup are: 21 June, West Indies Women v Sri Lanka Women, 10.30am; 23 June, New Zealand Women v Scotland, 10.30am; 23 June, Sri Lanka Women v Ireland, 2.30pm; 25 June, South Africa Women v Netherlands, 6.30pm; 27 June, Pakistan Women v Netherlands, 10.30am; and 27 June, West Indies Women v Ireland, 2.30pm.
This World Cup tournament feels like a potential homecoming moment for English women’s cricket: England are hosts, among the favourites, and under pressure to deliver a title that could redefine the visibility of the women’s game nationally, and if that happens, our city will be directly involved in that story. England have not won a global women’s title since the 2017 ODI World Cup, despite repeatedly reaching latter stages of tournaments, but could playing in home conditions help us become a serious contender this summer?
Nat Sciver-Brunt is central to virtually every prediction about England’s chances. She is regarded as one of the world’s elite all-format cricketers: a match-winner with both bat and ball, and now the symbolic face of England’s attempt to reward their consistency with trophies.
There is, however, a major caveat: Sciver-Brunt is currently recovering from a calf injury sustained shortly before the tournament. Reuters recently reported that the ECB hopes she will still be ready for the World Cup, but the injury has added uncertainty. If fully fit, England’s ceiling rises dramatically.
Buying tickets to the matches, and boosting home crowd support could be key to England’s success in this World Cup, and the lasting positive impact on women’s cricket in the city and across the wider region would be huge as a result. We’re not just hosting the matches: what if we were to become central to the story of women’s cricket growth on a national scale? Can we Bristolians help to make history?
seatunique.com | ecb.co.uk
Game, set and match…
We can’t forget Wimbledon, can we? Pop your bats down and fetch a racquet. We’re about to see whether Britain can produce another sporting hero in a post-Andy Murray era. Wimbledon couldn’t come at a better time of year, from 29 June until 12 July, just when summer’s hitting its peak in the UK. Beyond Centre Court and back in Bristol, the tournament encourages us to celebrate a uniquely national atmosphere: parks, pubs and big screens across the city fill with viewers, strawberries and cream suddenly appear everywhere again, and Pimms jugs are filled generously (not forgetting those token segments of fruit: for health!).
British tennis has been searching high and low for its next homegrown contender, and the spotlight (at the time of writing) has fallen on Jack Draper. With Murray himself now on Jack’s coaching team, can the 24-year-old left-hander see it through to the end?
His breakthrough run to the US Open semi-finals and a major title win at Indian Wells put him in good stead for Wimbledon, but he’s been beset with injuries. Draper’s openly talked about wanting to follow in Murray’s footsteps, inspiring crowds and troubling the sport’s current leaders. But his recent and ongoing injuries could well impact his fitness across two incredibly demanding weeks of tennis at Wimbledon.
On the women’s side, our hopes will again focus heavily on Emma Raducanu, albeit with a little more caution – like Draper, she’s experienced injury-related setbacks recently. There’s a wealth of young talent emerging through the tennis ranks, which means there could be a wild card win that surprises everyone and keeping the women’s side of the tournament much more unpredictable (and possibly, rather dramatic, too).
Let’s not forget Bristol-born Katie Swan, who’s soared up the rankings in recent months; she’s been a Wildcard pick for Wimbledon before, so can we expect to see her make an appearance at the Championships this year? We’ll be rooting for her if so.
And in a British sporting summer that’s guaranteed to be dominated by football, cricket and tennis simultaneously, Wimbledon’s doubles events – not forgetting those all-important matches – may once again provide some of the tournament’s most unexpected home success stories. Watch this space. n
wimbledon.com
Pictured left: First-time England Cricket captain Charlie Dean led the way with bat and ball to secure a nail-biting opening win for the summer against New Zealand in May (credit: England Cricket Board)
From the Lord Mayor’s Parlour...
Exclusive insight from The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Henry Michallat
As my time as Lord Mayor draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on what has been an extraordinary and deeply rewarding year. Over the past 12 months, I have had the immense pleasure of carrying out more than 400 engagements across Bristol, meeting thousands of people from all walks of life at a wide range of events.
It has been both inspiring and humbling to witness the incredible work taking place throughout our communities. In particular, our voluntary sector continues to play a vital role in strengthening and enriching the fabric of our city, and I have been consistently impressed by the dedication and generosity of those involved.
As readers will know, my theme during my term of office has been to promote the arts, culture and history of Bristol. It has been a pleasure to explore the story of our city more deeply, visiting museums, galleries, theatres and music venues. Highlights have included time spent at Bristol Beacon and St George's Bristol, both of which showcase the richness and diversity of our cultural life.
I have also been honoured to represent Bristol on the international stage. In March, I visited Guangzhou, China, alongside the University of Bristol, marking the beginning of the 25th anniversary of our twinning relationship. I also had the privilege of joining a Guild of Guardians-led delegation to Bordeaux, France, where I met exchange students and reaffirmed the importance of this longstanding partnership, which is approaching its 80th anniversary.
Closer to home, I was proud to attend many of our historic civic events, including the Rush Sunday service and Remembrance Sunday, where I laid a wreath on behalf of the city at the Cenotaph. Separately, I had the honour of meeting Her Majesty Queen Camilla during her visit to The Bottle Yard Studios.
Serving as Lord Mayor has been the greatest honour of my life. This will be my final column for The Bristol Magazine and I hope readers have enjoyed these glimpses into the role and its many responsibilities.
I will continue to serve the city as Deputy Lord Mayor until May 2027, and I look forward to continuing my work in support of Bristol over the coming year. n
If you would like to invite the next Lord Mayor to an event, tour or talk, please email lordmayor@bristol.gov.uk
WNew Horizons in Glaucoma Care
An interview with Miss Rachel Healy, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, The Eye Unit (Private Clinic) and Bristol Eye Hospital
e sat down with regional and UK expert - Miss Rachel Healy, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at The Eye Unit (Private Clinic) and Glaucoma Lead at Bristol Eye Hospital, to discuss the future of glaucoma treatment and how private patients can now access world-leading care.
Glaucoma has often been referred to as the “silent thief of sight.” Can you tell us why early diagnosis and treatment are so important?
Miss Healy: That phrase is very true – glaucoma can progress without obvious symptoms until significant vision is lost. Once that sight is gone, we cannot restore it, which is why early detection and timely intervention are essential. With modern imaging and diagnostic tools, we can now identify glaucoma earlier than ever before and tailor treatment to each patient.
What have been the most exciting advances in glaucoma treatment in recent years?
Over the past decade, glaucoma management has undergone a remarkable transformation. In the past, treatment primarily relied on daily eye drops, with more invasive surgery reserved for advanced cases or when medications failed. Today, we have a broader and more refined set of tools.
Laser treatments, for instance, have advanced significantly. Procedures like selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) are now quick, virtually painless, and highly effective—making them a strong option even as a first-line treatment for many patients.
Beyond lasers, we’ve seen the rise of minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS), which offer a safer, less invasive way to reduce eye pressure. These techniques often come with faster recovery times and can reduce or even eliminate the need for long-term medications.
Emerging innovations such as sustained-release drug delivery systems are an exciting area of ongoing research. These innovations aim to provide long-term pressure control without the daily burden of eye drops, potentially reshaping how we treat glaucoma in the future.
How does The Eye Unit support patients in accessing these treatments?
At The Eye Unit, patients benefit from consultant-led care in a calm, private setting, with access to the very latest technologies. We can offer cutting-edge diagnostic imaging, same-day laser treatments, and personalised surgical planning — without the waiting times often experienced elsewhere.
We also focus on the patient journey. Glaucoma management is lifelong, so continuity of care, regular monitoring, and clear communication are at the heart of what we do.
Some patients worry about surgery. How do you reassure them?
Understandably, surgery around the eyes feels daunting. But with modern minimally invasive techniques, most procedures are quick, performed under local anaesthetic, and recovery is far smoother than patients expect. Whether it’s a microshunt, a tube implant, or laser, my role is to guide patients through the options, explain risks and benefits clearly, and help them feel confident in their treatment plan.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of glaucoma care?
I think the shift towards personalised, precision medicine is very exciting. We’re moving away from a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Soon, genetic testing, advanced imaging, and new drug delivery systems will allow us to treat glaucoma even more effectively and with fewer side effects.
Finally, what would you say to someone considering private glaucoma care at The Eye Unit?
I would say: don’t wait until your vision is at risk. Glaucoma can be managed successfully if caught early. At The Eye Unit, you’ll see an experienced consultant at every appointment, have rapid access to the latest treatments, and receive care tailored specifically to you. Our aim is simple — to preserve your sight, protect your independence, and give you peace of mind. ■
The Eye Unit offers private, consultant-led ophthalmology services offering bespoke and personalised eye care including glaucoma, cataract and lens surgery, general ophthalmology, retina and oculoplastics.
To book an appointment with Miss Rachel Healy, visit: theeyeunit.co.uk or call 0117 369 1179
Available for consultations @ Nuffield Bristol.
CURA: Innovation to manage Arthritis, Chronic Pain & Injury
Management of: Osteoarthritis | Back & disc problems | Bone conditions & fractures
EMTT uses powerful electromagnetic fields (1/10th of an MRI scan) to penetrate deep into the joint /injury and have a remarkable effect on the inflammatory processes within our tissues and bone.
It is shown to work well with bone bruising, stress fractures as well as dropping the inflammatory processes both pre and post operation to help with surgical outcomes.
Proven with placebo based trials, we’ve bought this technology into our clinic to take our pain management and healing model to another level.
So far it’s delivering what we knew it could, driving down pain and inflammation in:
Hips, knees, shoulders, hands, tendon injury, and spinal injuries and arthritis.
Treatments last 15-20 minutes and courses range from 4-10 sessions (2-3x weekly) depending on the diagnosis.
Suzanne is a remarkable 89 year old patient who came to see me last summer with shoulder arthritis and more severe bilateral knee arthritis. Her pain was high and would limit her to only 20 minutes of walking.
Surgery wasn’t an option and she’d heard good things about MBST so we decided to pursue this avenue with full body bone and cartilage, followed by a more focal knee cartilage course.
Suzanne has responded so well to the MBST. Five months after her treatment she was able to travel to India for a holiday and is now able to walk normally. At her recent follow up she felt so good saying ‘I don’t know why I’m here’.
The majority of patients we apply MBST to see similar results. Obviously every case varies and we need to evaluate the patient before deciding it’s the right approach. We’re very happy with this outcome.
MBST UK is the official regenerative Partner for Bath Rugby. Not only is this leading to dramatic increases in the speed of player rehabilitation and return to play, but it’s allowing us to gather data and explore the full ability of this technology
Rory Murray, Head of Medical Services at Bath Rugby comments:
‘I’ve really enjoyed incorporating MBST into our Medical Provision at Bath Rugby over the past 9 Months. It has proven particularly beneficial in managing acute fractures, rib cartilage injuries, lower limb tendon issues and abdominal degenerative joint conditions. It’s reassuring to know that we’re operating at the forefront of medical technology’
Blaise of Glory
Blaise Castle – which is marking its 100th year in June – is often regarded as the jewel in the crown of Bristol’s open spaces, not only for its scenic splendour, but also for its architectural heritage and importance as a wildlife habitat, writes Andrew Swift……
Blaise Castle standing proud
The centenary of Blaise Castle’s acquisition for the people of Bristol by the Corporation, which falls this month, is ample cause for celebration. That a tract of land so rugged and untamed should have survived in the midst of a great city seems astonishing. The gorge running through it was once such a place of wonder that legend claimed it was dug by the giant Goram. Be that as it may, sometime after 750 BC, on a promontory high above the gorge, an Iron Age encampment was established. In medieval times, a chapel dedicated to St Blaise was built within its ramparts. In the 17th century a grand house, surrounded by formal gardens, was built on level ground to the east of the promontory, and, when Thomas Farr, a wealthy merchant, took it over in 1762 he built a sham castle on – or near – the ruined chapel. And so it was that the estate became known as Blaise Castle.
In 1789, the estate was acquired by John Scandrett Harford, a banker and brassmaker, who called in Humphry Repton to landscape the grounds – but this was to be no Stourhead, nor could it have been. Arcadian landscapes were no longer in fashion; the taste was now for the picturesque and the sublime. Repton was a dab hand at both, and nowhere did he have a more dramatic canvas than at Blaise. He did not try to tame its awe-inspiring wildness but to enhance it by judicious intervention. Harford also engaged William Paty to design him a new, light, airy house, set amid rolling lawns, the epitome of elegance, in refreshing counterpoint to the rugged terrain elsewhere on the estate.
A time of transition
When he died in 1815. the estate passed to his son, John Scandrett Harford Jr, artist, man of letters, benefactor and philanthropist. He enlarged the house, adding a picture gallery, and under his aegis it became a social and artistic hub. Among his many distinguished guests was William Wilberforce, who described Blaise as ‘the sweetest residence of a private gentleman to be found in England’.
John Harford Jr also acquired, with his brother, an impoverished estate near Lampeter in Wales, which he set about improving. He also funded civic improvements in Lampeter, helped to found Lampeter College – now part of the University of Wales – and established a seaside resort –Tresaith – near Aberporth. He died in 1866, and both estates were inherited by his nephew, John Battersby Harford. By now, the estate in Wales was the family’s principal home, and for long periods Blaise, once so full of life, was left in the hands of a cadre of servants. So, it was that when John Battersby died in 1875, it was his widow, Mary, rather than his son, who took up residence at Blaise.
It was Mary, the daughter of a Prussian diplomat, who became the last occupant of Blaise, living there,
with her three unmarried daughters – and seven servants – as the world changed around her. And it was during her time there that Blaise slowly opened up to the outside world. Visitors – well-heeled ones naturally –had long been admitted to wander the grounds on certain days, provided they applied by post well in advance. Gradually, though, fetes started to be held and the woods opened to paying visitors for a few days every year. When war broke out in 1914, the number of fetes and other events escalated and the grounds were thrown open regularly to raise funds for charitable causes. No longer a well-kept secret, in those dark years Blaise became known to an ever-wider number of Bristolians.
Mary Harford died in March 1919 and a few months later most of the antiques and books in the house were sold. Her son, Major John Harford, had no intention of leaving Wales, but continued to oversee the management of the estate. In 1922 he opened the woods to the public twice a week to raise money for charity. In 1923, he sold 40 acres in Coombe Dingle for housing, but he had no wish to see the rest of his ancestral estate fall victim to development and in 1925 offered it to Bristol Corporation for £20,000.
Out in the open
Because the grounds had been open so often to the public, Blaise was already well known ‘as one of the show places of the area’, and, despite the dire economic circumstances of the mid-1920s, there was widespread support for the purchase. The Western Daily Press declared that ‘Bristol cannot have too many open spaces, which have been aptly described as the city’s lungs; and provided the terms of purchase are favourable citizens generally will be keen on acquiring this famous beauty spot.’
Inevitably, many opposed the purchase and fired off letters to the local press. ‘I trust,’ wrote one, that ‘in view of the crushing burden of local and national taxation, the proposal will not be pressed.’ Another claimed that that ‘to spend £20,000 on acquiring this property would be preposterous, in face of the fact that thousands of ratepayers are out of
The view over the Avon Gorge
work or on short time.’ Happily, the Corporation took the longer view and voted for the purchase to go ahead. The sale was finalised on 5 June 1926, but, as Whitsun fell two weeks earlier, Major Harford agreed for the estate to be thrown open – with no admission charge – over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Opening up the grounds was relatively straightforward, but the question of what to do with the house was more problematic. The idea of establishing a museum there was suggested almost immediately, but, although it was not taken up, neither were rival proposals to make it a hospital or a youth hostel. Instead, it became a tea room, while deliberations continued. By the mid-1930s plans to create a museum were gathering momentum, but when war intervened it was occupied by troops.
Eventually, though, in 1949, a ‘folk museum’ opened, its chief attraction being ‘the reconstruction of a domestic hearth and kitchen’. Today, its remit has been widened somewhat, but it remains perhaps the city’s most approachable museum and the one where the charms – and tribulations – of a bygone age can be sensed most strongly. Although established in a house built for one of Bristol’s wealthiest families, it is very much a museum of the people – and of childhood, with vintage train sets, dolls’ houses and toy soldiers rubbing shoulders with cabinets of curiosity, displays of shoes, dresses and fashion accessories. Elsewhere, rooms are filled with the gritty reality of domestic life in times past, as hearths, tubs, mangles – and a memorable collection of vintage toilets – jostle for attention. Paintings of Bristol in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries hang on the walls of the picture gallery, while other rooms are set aside for family activities and an exhibition on the history of the estate.
Money is as tight today as it was in 1926. Last year, Blaise Castle Museum, along with two other Bristol museums – Red Lodge and the Georgian House – were threatened with closure. Although a reprieve was granted, there is no guarantee that the threat will not return. Given the history of the building, and the role it plays in the city’s heritage and community, the closure of the museum at Blaise would be a tragedy. Back in 1926, the Corporation took the longer view and bought Blaise Castle for the people of Bristol. In 2026, as celebrations get under way to mark the centenary of that decision, it would be good to think that the longer view will once again prevail, along with a commitment to invest in the future. n
Discover more of Andrew Swift’s books and writings online from akemanpress.com
All photos courtesy of Andrew Swift
Blaise Castle Museum
Blaise Castle House
Blaise Castle Museum (1949)
On display at Blaise Castle Museum
The devil’s in the details
An interior designer does far more than choose colours and cushions, writes Katherine Raderecht, who explores the benefits of hiring an interior designer, and how they can help shape how your home looks, feels and functions
Hiring an interior designer is often seen as a luxury – an added extra rather than a necessity. Yet for many homeowners starting out on a renovation, refurbishment, or new-build project, it can be one of the most valuable decisions they make. Far beyond selecting colours or furniture, interior designers bring a level of expertise that shapes how a home looks, feels, and functions for years to come.
Today’s homes are expected to do more than ever before –accommodating work, relaxation, entertaining, and everyday family life. As a result, interior design has evolved into a discipline that is both creative and technical, requiring expert planning skills as well as aesthetic vision.
Finding your style
It has never been so easy to access interior inspiration both on and offline. Instagram and Pinterest offer an endless stream of beautifully styled homes, each more gorgeous than the last. While this can be exciting, it can also become overwhelming.
Many homeowners find themselves saving or ‘pinning’ hundreds of images, only to realise that they don’t translate into a clear or cohesive vision. Ideas can become muddled, and it can be difficult to see how everything will work together in reality. What looks fabulous in a house in the Hamptons might not translate to a Victorian terrace in Bristol.
An interior designer helps bring clarity to your ideas. By identifying common threads and patterns in what you are naturally drawn to –whether that’s colour, texture, era, or mood – they help you define your personal style and create a cohesive vision that feels tailored to your home. Rather than making isolated decisions room by room, designers develop an overarching concept that ties the entire home together.
Using mood boards, material palettes, and 2D and 3D visual layouts, an interior designer will help you understand how colours, textures, furniture, and finishes will work together before you start buying anything or building work begins.
It’s not all about buying new either. An interior designer will also help you incorporate pieces you already own into the design: a favourite armchair, artwork collected over time, or treasures bought on a memorable holiday. These are the things that bring character and personality to your home and make it feel like yours.
Without defining your style clearly, it’s easy for different ideas and styles to compete and your home can easily become disjointed. An interior designer ensures every decision works together to create a home that feels calm, cohesive, and considered.
Navigating historic homes
In a city like Bristol, interior design brings its own challenges. Many properties are listed buildings or sit within conservation areas, meaning that alterations often require careful planning and consent.
Even seemingly simple changes – such as adjusting layouts, updating kitchens, or introducing new lighting – can mean dealing with planning permissions or listed building consent.
An interior designer can help navigate this process, working alongside architects, planners, and contractors to ensure that designs respect the character of the building while still meeting the needs of modern living. The result is a considered balance between heritage and contemporary comfort.
Making the most of your space
It seems that we all want our homes to feel bigger, and good space planning is one of the most valuable aspects of interior design. It’s not just
An interior designer helps bring clarity to your ideas
In a city like Bristol, good design is as much about navigating heritage as it is about aesthetics
about arranging furniture – it’s about creating spaces that work well for everyday living. An experienced designer looks at how rooms connect, how people move through them, and how each area is used. This is particularly valuable in period properties or homes with awkward layouts, where thoughtful planning can unlock hidden potential. Even small adjustments – such as repositioning a doorway or rethinking storage – can transform how you live in your home.
Interior designers often work alongside architects and builders, helping shape decisions that affect how the house both looks and functions. From lighting plans and electrical layouts to joinery details and material specifications, their input ensures that the interior is considered at every stage of the project.
Avoiding costly mistakes
Hiring an interior designer can often save money in the long run. Without professional help, it’s easy to make expensive mistakes –choosing a paint colour that doesn’t work, ordering furniture that’s too large or too small, or investing in materials that don’t wear well over time. Designers bring a trained eye and technical knowledge that help avoid these issues, and by getting decisions
BALANCING TRENDS WITH TIMELESSNESS: Bristol design house Ivywell Interiors blended period features with contemporary comforts for a client in Clifton
A CLEAR VISION: The Ivywell Interiors team embraced bold colours and invited the natural light inside a Clifton home
frustration!) of expensive retrofitting decisions later down the line. Working with a designer isn’t about increasing your budget – it’s about using it wisely. They can help prioritise where to spend and where to be more resourceful. Choosing well-made sofas, quality lighting, or bespoke joinery is often far more cost-effective in the long run than continually replacing lower-quality pieces.
A designer will also have established relationships with a ‘little black book’ of trusted tradespeople – from cabinetmakers and upholsterers to electricians and decorators – all of whom they know and trust. Having experienced and reliable people working on your project not only helps everything run more smoothly, but usually results in a much higher quality finish too.
As well as saving you money, a professional interior designer will also source from a much wider range of suppliers and makers, including many you might not find yourself. This can open up a more interesting range of furniture, fabrics, lighting, and finishes. Having unique pieces and bespoke elements creates a home that feels individual rather than a carbon copy of every other house on your Instagram feed.
Renovating or redecorating a home involves an enormous number of decisions. Managing timelines, coordinating deliveries, and liaising with multiple contractors can quickly become overwhelming. An interior designer acts as a central point of contact and brings structure to the process, reducing stress and allowing you to focus on the much more enjoyable creative side of the process.
Designing for real life
A beautifully designed space is only successful if it works for the people living in it. Interior designers take the time to understand how a home is used – from daily routines to long-term lifestyle needs. Whether it’s creating a family-friendly kitchen, a calm bedroom retreat, or a flexible home office, the aim is to create a home that not only looks beautiful, but also works effortlessly for everyday life.
A home needs to work for everyday life, not just look good in photographs. While interior trends are constantly changing and can be a great source of inspiration, not all of them stand the test of time.
Designers have the experience to interpret trends rather than follow fashion too closely, creating interiors that combine classic elements with contemporary touches so your home still feels fresh, practical, and relevant years from now.
Ultimately, hiring an interior designer is not just about achieving a particular look – it’s about creating a home that enhances how you live.
From concept to completion
An interior designer will work on your project from the initial concept through to final installation. This includes developing designs, producing technical drawings, sourcing products, and overseeing installation, ensuring the original vision is carried through every stage of the process.
By combining creativity with technical expertise and a deep understanding of how people live, designers create homes that not only look beautiful, but also improve the comfort, functionality, and overall enjoyment of a space.
The final stage – styling – is often what brings everything together, making a home feel cohesive, personal, and truly lived-in. It is this endto-end involvement that ensures the original vision is carried through every stage of the process.
For those embarking on a home project, the decision to hire an interior designer can be the difference between a space that simply looks good and one that truly works – beautifully, practically, and for the long term. n
Some images provided courtesy of Bristol-based Ivywell Interiors ivywellinteriors.com | hello@ivywellinteriors.com
INVESTING IN YOUR HOME: Good interior design adds both pleasure and value to your property (Image: Ivywell Interiors’ Redland project)
Interior designers act as a central point of contact to bring structure to the process
Summer scents
If you want to introduce more scented plants into your garden, there are several things to consider, writes garden expert Elly West, who shares her green‐fingered insight this month to help you make the right choices for your patch...
One of the pleasures of being outside in a garden is the full sensory experience it can offer, whether it’s the scent of a rose or listening to the birds singing and the bees buzzing. Grasses are waving in the wind, inviting us to run our fingers through their fronds, colour is everywhere, and maybe we are lucky enough to have some homegrown herbs or produce to pick and eat.
However, for me it’s fragrance that is one of the most powerful elements of the garden, and should never be treated as an afterthought, especially during summer when we are outside more.
Our sense of smell (scientifically known as olfaction) has a unique shortcut to our brain’s emotional centre and can make us feel nostalgic, calm, happy and many other emotions alongside. Scent signals go straight from our nose to the parts of the brain responsible for emotion and memory. This is a physical thing – the microscopic scent molecules drift into our nostrils and bind to receptors high in the nasal cavity, of which we have around five million. According to science, we can distinguish between more than one trillion different scents, a much higher number than the number of colours the eye can detect (millions) or tones that the ear can hear (roughly 500,000). Dogs, on the other hand, have around 300 million olfactory receptors. No wonder they love sniffing about, and can be used for tracking!
If you want to introduce more scented plants into your garden, there are several things to consider. The first and probably most obvious consideration is where to position them so that you can enjoy their fragrance. Along walkways, around patios and dining spaces, next to seating areas, under a window and near doorways are all good places where scented plants can be appreciated and encountered up close. Enclosed spaces will intensify the effect, such as a corner protected from the wind, a courtyard garden or a sheltered spot by the back door. In more exposed gardens, scent disperses quickly, so aim to repeat fragrant
plants in clusters around the space to increase their impact. Arches and pergolas are a great opportunity for climbing roses, jasmine or honeysuckle, whether over a path that you walk along, or framing a patio where you can sit and enjoy the scent.
Also consider the time of day that you want to enjoy the fragrance. Summer-flowering plants often release their fragrance in response to warmth and sunlight. Roses, lavender, sweet peas, stocks, and herbs such as rosemary and thyme are at their most aromatic in the middle of the day, when essential oils are warmed and released into the air.
Other plants are more intense in the evening. Jasmine, honeysuckle, night-scented stocks and nicotiana have adapted to attract night-flying pollinators such as moths, so would be good for a west-facing space that gets evening sun, where you can enjoy them into the evening. Choose pale or white flowers that remain visible in low light, for a space that comes alive as the day winds down.
Time of year is another consideration. While summer scent is relatively straightforward, there are a few star performers that knock out a heady perfume in winter, in order to lure pollinators that are few and far between in the colder months. My favourite plants for winter scent include sweet box (Sarcococca), wintersweet (Chimonanthus), witch hazel (Hamamelis), Daphne odora and Viburnum x bodnantense. In spring, daffodils are surprisingly fragrant when you get up close, as well as hyacinths, wisteria, lily of the valley, flowering cherry trees, wallflowers and lilac. Summer favourites include classics such as roses and lavender, as previously mentioned, but also buddleja, lilies, philadelphus, dianthus and the sumptuous chocolate cosmos.
Think about foliage as well. Herbs such as mint, lemon balm and rosemary are going to bring plenty of scent, particularly when you brush against the leaves or crush them in your fingers, but many ornamental plants also have pleasantly scented leaves. Flowering salvias, as members of the sage family, have fragrant foliage, as does eucalyptus, curry plant
and myrtle. The smell of pelargoniums and tomato leaves is nostalgic for me, taking me straight back to childhood and my grandfather’s greenhouse.
The point of fragrance in evolutionary terms is mainly to attract specific pollinators, such as bees, butterflies and moths, but it can also be a defence mechanism to repel herbivores and pests, protecting the plant from being eaten. Deer and rabbit-resistant plants include lavender, rosemary, sage, santolina and artemisia. Combining flowers with vegetable plants can also be an effective way to deter pests. Marigolds repel whitefly, alliums help protect carrots from carrot root fly, basil protects tomato plants, while rosemary and mint repel cabbage moths and flea beetles. Nasturtiums are often grown as a ‘sacrificial’ plant, attracting aphids and whiteflies away from more precious plants and crops.
While the sweet, sugary smells that we enjoy so much in the garden attract butterflies and bees, it’s worth mentioning that the world’s smelliest plant is the Titan arum, which has a foul rotting odour likened to a decaying carcass, to attract flesh-hungry pollinators, such as flies and beetles (bleurgh!). n
Elly West is a professional garden designer, working in and around the Bristol area | ellyswellies.co.uk
Plant of the month: Sweet pea
These scented cottage-garden favourites are easy to grow, bringing height, colour and fragrance to the summer garden.
They are suitable for small spaces, providing vertical interest and are happy grown in pots with some canes for support, or in the border where they will quickly scramble up an obelisk, over trellis on a fence, or ramble their way through other plants. Sweet peas send out twining stems that wrap around whatever they touch, and can reach heights of two metres or more.
They are easy to grow from seed, either sown in autumn, for earlier flowers the following year, or in spring, or you can buy young plants in late spring ready to plant out. The flowers come in a wide range of colours, from white, cream and pale pinks through to deep reds and intense purples, and some combine two colours, with upper and lower petals in different shades.
They can fill a room with their fragrance when picked and brought indoors. Flowers will keep going into September if you remember to deadhead them to stop them turning into seed pods, and feeding with a high-potash fertiliser such as tomato feed will also reap rewards.
ONE OF CLIFTON’S MOST PRIME PROPERTIES
• Refurbished and offered to a very high standard.
• 10,397 sq ft net (c 15,000 sq ft gross) + 28 car parking spaces
• Suitable for:-
1) Office investment (as existing)
* Rented until September 2028 @ £240,000 pax
2) Office owner occupation from September 2028
3) Conversion to an exceptional family residence (STP).
4) Conversion to flats (STP).
• Freehold offers in the region of £3,500,000.
Burston Cook
A FINE GEORGIAN OFFICE BUILDING WITH 4 CAR PARKING SPACES
38 QUEEN SQUARE, BRISTOL, BS1 4QS
• Approximate net internal area of 3,343 sq ft (311 sq m)
• 4 car parking spaces located on Queen Square
Further information can be obtained via the sole agent Burston Cook
Keep up-to-date with our latest news, deals, testimonials and market comment at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk
Wellsway, Bath TO LET - £26,000
1,991sq ft (185 sq m)
An excellent opportunity to take on a lease assignment of a large, bright high street office with high volumes of vehicle passing traffic.
High Street, Portishead, BS20 TO LET – POA
1,086 sq ft (100.89 sq m)
A high-quality self-contained corner pitched retail unit over ground floor. The property is being refurbished to be finished in a white box condition.
East Street, Bedminster TO LET – POA
4,025 sq ft (373.93 sq m)
Large retail unit to let, with strong passing footfall on EastStreet. Class E-suitable for a variety of commercial uses.
Clare Street, BS1 TO LET – POA
1,193 sq ft (110.83 sq m)
A stunning period office building designed by Alfred Waterhouse offering a light and airy office at ground floor level, with excellent floor to ceiling height and additional useful storage space.
Park Street, BS1
2,107 sq ft (195.74 sq m)
A prime retail unit with a bright frontage, offering sales space to the front with rear changing room facilities. The basement offers ample storage space and a single W.C. New flexible lease available.
The Sanctuary, BS20 FOR SALE – price reduction
£300,000
1,804 sq ft (167.59 sq m)
A purpose built business park with open countryside on its doorstep. The available office provides modern, open plan space over a single floor and is available to purchase, or to rent.
St Pauls Road, Clifton TO LET – POA
FLOOR FROM: APPROX 600 -
2,618 sq ft (55 - 243.21 sq m)
A substantial end of terrace office building providing self contained accommodation over ground and upper floors with excellent on site car parking. The space is due to be refurbished to a contemporary standard.
Denmark Street, BS1 TO LET – From £10,000 PAX
283 -1,167 sq ft (26.29 -108.41 sq m)
Two units, available over ground floor. Ideal for professional use, beauty, hair, retail etc. New lease terms available.
Mariner House, Prince St TO LET – From £20 psf + 1,200 – 2,400sq ft (111-223sq m) PLUG AND PLAY
Located just five minutes from Wapping Wharf and Bristol’s vibrant Cargo district, one floor is finished to Cat A standard, providing a highquality blank canvas, while the other is fully fitted on a plug-and-play basis for immediate occupation.
St Mary’s Way, BS35 TO LET – £14,500 PAX
1,832 sq ft (170.19 sq m)
An exciting opportunity for a first floor office at The St Mary’s Centre in Thornbury amongst various national and independent occupiers. Ample customer and staff parking on site.
Brandon Hill, Bristol | Guide Price £2,500,000
A fabulous Grade II* Listed end of terrace Georgian townhouse in a prime location next to St. Georges, Bristol, with beautiful interiors across four floors, landscaped rear garden and the ability for a new owner to still add their own stamp. Stunning Grade II* Listed family home | Recently refurbished, with a final finish required across the lower ground floor | Two off-street parking spaces | Superb landscaped walled rear garden spread across several terraces | Hall floor sitting room and first floor drawing room | Delightful family kitchen flowing out into the garden | Principal bedroom suite with dressing room, walk-in wardrobe and en-suite bathroom | Four top floor double bedrooms, family bathroom and space for a “Jack & Jill” en-suite (not fitted | Extensive lower ground floor footprint, fitted to “first fit” and awaiting a new owner’s stamp | Beautiful, retained period features throughout | Convenient location next to Brandon Hill, Park Street, The Triangle and Bristol Harbour | EPC: D
In all circa 4638 sq.ft (430.9 sq.m)
Abbots Leigh, Bristol | Guide Price £2,850,000
An exceptional six-bedroom family home of circa 6333 sq. ft; beautifully refurbished by Moon Design & Build to create effortless family accommodation set in a little over an acre of gardens and grounds.
Circa 6333 sq. ft six-bedroom family home | Grade II Listed Georgian semi-detached family house | Stunning rear gardens and grounds approaching a little over 1 acre | Landscaped front garden with a gated drive, plenty of parking workshop and a garage | Heated outdoor swimming pool and enclosed pool room with gas-fired fire pit | Exquisite family kitchen with AGA opening onto the snug | Sitting room, family room and dining room | Utility, boot room and two cloakrooms | Principal bedroom with an en-suite shower and dressing room | Five further double bedrooms and three further bath / shower rooms | Playroom & fitted study space | Excellent outbuildings, established fruit cages and an outdoor kitchen / BBQ | No onward chain In all circa 6333 sq.ft (588
Perception Versus Reality in Today’s Property Market
By Peter Greatorex
Spend enough time reading headlines about the property market and you could easily be left with the impression that everything has ground to a halt. Rising interest rates, inflation, political uncertainty and global events have all contributed to a narrative of caution over the past couple of years. The reality, however, is often very different and can vary significantly depending on local and regional market conditions.
What we are seeing in Bristol is certainly not a market that has stopped. We are fortunate to be in a beautiful and highly desirable part of the country which, on the whole, weathers most storms relatively well. At most, the market has experienced a reset. In fact, the overall number of sales we have agreed this year is broadly consistent with the last two years.
Even during 2023, when interest rates were climbing sharply, people were still buying and selling homes. Life events do not pause because market conditions become more challenging. Families grow, jobs change, people downsize, relocate or simply decide the time is right to move.
During the peak post-Covid years, many properties sold extremely quickly and often above asking price, and expectations naturally rose off the back of that period. Everyone knew that market could not last forever. It was, in many ways, a false market driven by unprecedented circumstances which shifted how many people viewed their future and the way they wanted to live.
One of the biggest challenges today is helping sellers separate price perception from reality. The market now requires a more realistic and informed approach.
Straight talking and honest advice have become more necessary than ever. Buyers are still there, but they are more selective, more informed and less willing to overpay simply because stock is limited. Pricing has to reflect the market as it exists today, not the market people remember from five years ago.
The aim should be to position a property as the best opportunity within its price bracket and create engagement from the right buyers from the outset. What happens when a property is priced too high is that it lingers. After sitting on the market for months with little movement, sellers begin to realise that an inflated asking price can actually work against them. It may sound attractive initially, but if a property remains online for too long, buyers notice. Subconsciously, they begin to question why it has not sold, and that changes the dynamic completely.
In reality, the first few weeks are when a property attracts the most attention. We usually have a good indication within the first couple of weeks of how a property is being received, but around four weeks is often the optimum period to properly assess the market response. If there are very few enquiries after those initial weeks, that is usually telling you something important. The market gives feedback quickly if you are prepared to listen to it.
Properties in today’s market can still achieve strong offers and, in some cases, exceed asking price, but that generally happens when pricing strategy, presentation and buyer expectations are properly aligned from the outset.
It is also important to remember that every move is relative. If you feel the value of your home has come down, most likely so has the one you are moving to. There is no universally “good” or “bad” market, only the market in front of you and how willing you are to engage with it realistically.
Ultimately, the properties that perform best today are not necessarily the cheapest, but the ones that are positioned correctly, marketed intelligently and priced with honesty from day one.
In this market, understanding the room is often more valuable than chasing the headline price.
• A contemporary-styled five bedroom detached home
• A further three bedroom cottage in the grounds
• Further barn and outbuildings
• Currently a successful cider business,
• Set within approx. 12 acres of gardens with long-established orchard
• Council tax band G, EPC D
village property
• Currently operating as a highly successful bed and breakfast
• Located in the heart of this sought-after Somerset village on the edge of the Mendip Hills
• Comprising 10 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms and three further guest cottages
• Council tax band C, EPC D
OIEO £1,200,000
Cheddar Road, Axbridge
OIEO £1,250,000
• A rare opportunity to acquire a multi-generational residence
• Comprising a detached 5-bedroom main house
• A separate 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom cottage,
• And a third annexe with bedroom, kitchenette, and en suite, ideal for use as a home office
• A heated indoor pool, gym, cinema room, wine room, and triple garage
• Council tax band E, EPC E
• A characterful and spacious 5 bedroomed 18th-Century home and barn conversion
• Situated on the edge of the Mendips
• A rare blend of historic character and modern comfort,
• Set within approximately a quarter of an acre of beautifully maintained grounds
OIEO £650,000
• Council tax band E, EPC E
CARO HANNAWIN head of lettings
Caro leads our Bristol lettings operation with experience, precision, and a calm head under pressure. She oversees every aspect of the lettings process, ensuring landlords and tenants alike receive exceptional service. Thorough, knowledgable, and always composed, Caro’s expertise and steady leadership make her an invaluable and respected part of the Zest team.
BETH PERRY director
Beth co-owns Zest and oversees all operations, keeping the business running smoothly while managing staff, marketing initiatives, and working across both Sales and Lettings. Super organised and tech-savvy, she loves implementing systems that improve workflow efficiency in an industry that’s often process-heavy. With her focus, innovation, and leadership, Beth ensures the team has everything they need to deliver exceptional service to clients and landlords alike.
NICOLA BRYANT property lettings consultant
Nicola carries out property viewings, manages tenant onboarding, and supports tenants with any maintenance issues throughout their tenancy. Full of energy and enthusiasm, she builds great relationships with both tenants and clients, always striving to match people with their perfect home. Her dedication and professionalism ensure every tenancy runs smoothly and successfully.
GLENN
PERRY managing director
Glenn founded Zest back in 2008. His mission was to make the selling and letting experience simultaneously more successful and less stressful. In order to do this, he hired a team who were authentic and approachable, and who would offer a transparent and honest service. Nowadays, you’ll find Glenn working closely with investors and he specialises in property search and acquisition across Bristol.
LISA HEATH (NAEA) head of sales
Calm, considered, and deeply experienced, Lisa leads our sales team with expertise and grace. Having worked in Bath property for over 20 years, there’s hardly a street in the city where she hasn’t sold a home. Lisa takes the time to truly understand each property and its unique attributes, ensuring every sale is consistently handled with care, insight, and total professionalism.
ANNA COCKRAM lettings manager
Anna manages our Clifton Village lettings and works closely with Caro to oversea all residential and student properties across Bristol. With years of experience in the local market, she knows Bristol’s properties inside and out. Considered, kind, and highly intuitive, Anna excels at matching tenants with the perfect hoem and ensuring every letting runs smoothly from start to finish.
VENETTA SAGE lettings & tenancy assistant
Venetta supports the lettings and tenancy team with efficiency and a positive attitude. She completes all property inspections, creating comprehensive reports for our landlords, and assists with tenant onboarding and day-to-day tenancy tasks to ensure everything runs smoothly. Venetta plays a key role in keeping our lettings operations seamless and stress-free.
KATE PRISTO (MARLA) head of project management
Kate is calm, decisive and solutions-driven, bringing a wealth of experience to every project. She manages all property refurbishments from start to finish - taking the stress off landlords entirely. She’s passionate about raising housing standards and also maintains fantastic relationships with a network of trusted contractors, ensuring each project runs smoothly, on time, and to the highest standard.
