The Bristol Magazine November 2026 by MC Publishing Limited

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THE

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

ISSUE 264 I NOVEMBER 2026

THEBRISTOLMAG

MAGAZINE £4.95 where sold

Waded

Bliss

The UK’s first River Wife speaks to us about her relationship with the water and using the rite to fight for the Avon’s rights

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

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IN THIS ISSUE

Contents

26 6

THINGS TO DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Party in the Spiegeltent, watch theatre, see sparkling lights

MY BRISTOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meet artist and life drawing host, Beth Kirby

10 CITY NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . What’s occurring, who’s who and what’s what?

18 WRAP UP WARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wintry wonders from the vibrant vault of Oliver Bonas

22 HE’S BEHIND YOU! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Will it be 10s across the board when Strictly’s Craig Revel Horwood takes to the stage as the villain in this year’s panto at Bristol Hippodrome?

26 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Adventures to embark on around Bristol and beyond this month with friends and family

32 HAPPILY AVON AFTER? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . As the council votes in favour for a charter of rights for the River Avon, we speak to its ceremonial wife, Meg Avon, about acts of love as activism and the water’s future

36 STATE OF THE ART Essential exhibitions that should be on your ‘to visit’ list around the city this month

For more content and updates find us on: thebristolmag.co.uk

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42 FESTIVE TIPPLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DBM Wines have curated your Christmas wine list, with nine must-buy choices paired with food

44 CLIFTON LITFEST An incredible line-up of speakers are ﬂocking to this year’s festival: we share unmissable highlights

46 PAGE TURNERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Our friends at Gloucester Road Books share their favourite new reads to add to your pile

62 THE ROMAN ROAD Andrew Swift’s following in some ancient footsteps...

64 WHERE THERE’S A WEAVE,

THERE’S A WAY

Inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry’s takeover this year, we bring you some fabric-based interiors ideas

68 CUTTING BACK There’s no time like the present to give certain plants a little trim, advises Elly West

On the cover Meg Avon, the UK’s first River Wife, pictured wading in the Avon with 10ft-long Avona – a puppet embodying the spirit of the river (puppeteered here by Bristol Free Divers group). Photo by Charlotte Sawyer, who made the film Rave On For The Avon, which featured the wedding.

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Meg Avon in the river (photo by Sasha Pollington)

THE

B R ISTO L

MAGAZINE

from the

EDITOR

ave you heard about the woman who cared so much for her local river’s wellbeing, that she held a ceremony to marry it? This isn’t some whimsical folktale, but a very real-life story from one of our homegrown: Meg Avon (the clue’s in the name). People marrying ‘things’ – for want of a better word – isn’t unheard of. Florida’s Linda Ducharme held a wedding ceremony with Bruce the Ferris wheel many ago, while Leeds-based Amanda Liberty once entered a committed partnership with a 90-something-year-old antique crystal chandelier named Lumiere. And, perhaps more fittingly for this month’s magazine, Peruvian environmental activist Richard Torres has married more than one tree in South America as part of his work against deforestation and climate change. I’ll refrain from questioning the intent behind some of these unlikely partnerships, but for Meg (and Richard) the message is clear. Rather than wedding the waters of the Avon for a gimmick, Meg was devoting herself to getting as many eyes as possible to understand that the power of love can be a driving force for activism that gets results. Though the Avon isn’t exactly ideal marriage material, what with its wavering levels of water quality (and don’t get me started on its commitment issues), part of the ceremony’s function was to highlight that this isn’t actually a match made in heaven, but rather a complicated relationship borne out of desperation to raise the river’s profile – no, not its dating app one – and to build on the work of those who’ve been fighting to improve the river’s health before her to turn its fate around. I’ve wanted to help Meg tell her tale since I first heard the news three years ago, but now seemed like the right time, because she’s not long received some excellent news: our city council, and many others in the region, have voted in favour of a new charter of rights for the river. No, I didn’t really know what that meant either. But you can find out why it’s a huge step forward in our fascinating chat in this issue.

Publisher Email:

Steve Miklos steve@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Financial Director Email:

Jane Miklos jane@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Editor Tel: Email:

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

Editorial & Digital Assistant Olivia Kent Email: olivia@thebristolmagazine.co.uk Production Manager Email:

Jeff Osborne production@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Advertising Sales Email:

Liz Grey liz@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

For advertising enquiries, please contact us on 0117 974 2800

Email: sales@thebristolmagazine.co.uk The Bristol Magazine is published by MC Publishing Ltd. An independent publisher. Every month, The Bristol Magazine is hand delivered to more than 15,000 homes in selected areas. We also deliver direct to companies and businesses across the city. Additionally, there are many places where we have floor-stands and units for free pick-up:

CLIFTON ARCADE

The Bristol Magazine 0117 974 2800 thebristolmagazine.co.uk © MC Publishing Ltd 2026

Rosanna Spence 4 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2026 | No 264

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

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ZEITGEIST

5 things to do Be mesmerised by lights

Party in style Bristol’s beloved Spiegeltent returns to the Harbourside, celebrating 15 years with a spectacular line-up of cabaret, comedy and live music. Highlights include Bristol’s Big Drag Pageant (26 November), promising a glittering showdown of the city’s drag talent, and Club Spiegel’s 15th anniversary party (27 November), featuring disco favourites Horse Meat Disco and DJ Norman Jay MBE. Little ones can get their groove on at Baby Disko (28 November), while music pioneer Gilles Peterson brings his eclectic sounds to the tent that evening. Rounding off the opening weekend, Wallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out gets the live brass band treatment on 29 November. bristolspiegeltent.co.uk

From 27 November, discover a brand-new illuminated trail at Stourhead, filled with sparkling surprises, atmospheric lights and larger-than-life festive moments. As twilight falls, the historic parkland will become a festive landscape of shimmering light, seasonal soundscapes and larger than life installations, guiding guests through a memorable evening. Installations on the trail this year for visitors to enjoy include the timeless beauty of the classic Christmas Cathedral, the mesmerising Fire Garden, a sparkling Sea of Light, and the futuristic garden of lasers and light that brings festive magic to life in a spectacle of colour, storytelling and celebration. christmasatstourhead.co.uk

Head to the theatre Inspired by the real-life case of convicted and executed murderer Ruth Snyder, Sophie Treadwell’s Machinal premiered in 1928 and is widely considered to be one of the great plays of the 20th century. This production, set in modern-day Tennessee against the backdrop of today’s rise of the ‘tradwife’, asks if anything has changed 100 years on. Presented by Bristol School of Acting and at Bristol Old Vic from 19-21 November. Tickets via bristololdvic.org.uk

Discover your sense of adventure Join mountain and outdoor specialist Ellis Brigham (160 Whiteladies Road) for two special events this month. On 11 November, 6.30pm: Boost your skiing confidence with mindset coach Louise Pode and orthopaedic surgeon Sven Putin, who will be sharing expert advice to help you feel stronger on the mountain this winter. Then on 25 November, 6.30pm: Watch Postcards From The Peaks, a short film (pictured below) highlighting loneliness in the UK. Meet Stu Skinner and discover the story behind his challenge to climb the highest points in all 15 National Parks with a 26kg postbox on his back.

Support a cause Join Middlecombe Nursery on 24 November (6pm-8pm) to raise funds for Clevedon’s Springboard Opportunity Group, a brilliant cause helping under-fives with special educational needs. Indulge in an evening of festive flavours, while soaking up the jolly holly atmosphere of the Garden Shop, Arts Artisans Courtyard and CUPPA. Enjoy the magical after-dark sparkle and discover a host of unique hand made gifts. middlecombenursery.co.uk

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Reserve your place at ellis-brigham.com/whats-on

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The City

ist

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MyBristol Meet artist and host of life drawing classes, Beth Kirby

I lived in Gloucestershire from the age of about 10. I’ve never been far from Bristol most of my adult life. I finally moved here in 2018 to move in with my partner. Most people know me for my long-running life drawing classes that take place primarily in Stokes Croft. Recently, I also took part in the PechaKucha talk series at Strange Brew and sat on a panel at Sistaland festival, but I haven’t exhibited anything here since 2024. After years of doing odd murals and exhibitions, I’m taking this year to really try and develop my practice in the studio, so watch this space! My favourite thing about Bristol is that it’s a strongly leftist city, and is proud of that. It’s great how accessible the art scene is, the food scene is incredible and I love all the cultures jammed on top of each other. But I wish Bristol was looked after better. Being scrappy is part of Bristol’s identity, but sometimes ‘scrappy’ really means ‘underfunded and overpriced’ and it bums me out. Bristol is blessed with an incredible music and art scene, and it’s everywhere. To be honest, I find some of the spaces here, like KIT FORM and Strange Brew, really refreshing, and events like Shake (an illustration fair) and Simple Things are really cool. I like it when people take matters into their own hands and create what they wish existed. I love the work of my artist friends Richt and Rose ter Kuile, too. Where’s my favourite place to eat? How much time have you got? I love food. I think the restaurants La Panza and Native Vine are criminally underrated. The bao from Ding Sing are so good and they’re like two quid. Gigi’s for pizza, obviously. Alta Loma for tacos and jalapeño lemonade. Christmas Steps pub for a cosy winter pint. It’s hard for any gems to stay hidden in Bristol. But if I had to choose it’s gonna be C. & T. Licata & Son’s Italian deli on Picton Street. They’re so sound in there and make delicious tiramisu; the prices are so good and I just feel like I’m a nonna visiting a little market with a basket to fetch my lunch when I go there. I’m a country girl at heart, and I shrivel and die if I don’t go and look at loads of green things like, once a month. I usually drive out to Stroud or down to Chew Magna or out to Clevedon, but, luckily, you can drive anywhere for 30 mins and end up somewhere stunning! Honestly, you never know when and where you might get inspired. Sometimes I’ll go to a park and be bowled over by how nice it is, or see some weird trash on the street or a crap sign which sets something off in me. I’ve literally got inspired in the Primark home section before, so I guess: walk around and be open. Visit Beth’s website bethcub.co.uk and follow her Instagram @bethcub to find out more THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | NOVEMBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 9

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CITY NEWS

RWA celebrates a decade of Scribble and Sketch The Royal West of England Academy (RWA) is celebrating a decade of Scribble and Sketch, its free programme of artist-led creative workshops for families in community spaces across Bristol. Launched in Easton Community Centre and Redcliffe Children’s Centre in 2016, Scribble and Sketch was established to bridge gaps in arts access for children and families. Over the past 10 years, the programme has expanded, bringing creative opportunities to neighborhoods including Hartcliffe, Easton, Southmead, and Bedminster, welcoming over 700 families annually. More than workshops, Scribble and Sketch creates opportunities for children and their families to present their art to the wider community. Highlights from last year include the RWA's Scribble & Sketch: Four Seasons exhibition which featured over 100 artworks created by workshop participants. To mark the occasion, the young artists hosted a special Private View to share their exhibition with friends and family. rwa.org.uk (Image by Alastair Brookes / KoLaB Studios)

Gromit Unleashed opens biggest shop to date Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, the dedicated charity for Bristol Children’s Hospital, has opened a new Gromit Unleashed Shop at Cribbs Mall. The new opening has seen the store move from its previous pop-up space on the top floor of Cribbs Mall into the former Harrods Beauty unit. The move marks the next chapter for Gromit Unleashed at Cribbs Mall and creates a bigger, more interactive destination for visitors to enjoy, with 100% of profits supporting The Grand Appeal. The interactive store also has an exhibition space featuring sculpture displays, photo opportunities, creative corners, replicas of Wallace & Gromit’s Moon Rocket, the Top Bun van and the Motorbike and Sidecar and a shorts cinema celebrating the worlds of Wallace & Gromit, Gromit Unleashed and Aardman. Gromit Unleashed turns the traditional charity-shop model on its head. Rather than selling donated or second-hand goods, its stores are filled entirely with brand-new products designed in-house by The Grand Appeal based on the designs of the sculpture trails, alongside official Aardman merchandise gromitunleashedshop.org.uk

Ashton Court Mansion has fallen into a state of disrepair (credit: ashton Court Mansion)

Locals invited to invest in Ashton Court Mansion community shares People across Bristol are being invited to become part of the future of Ashton Court Mansion, as a major new £500,000 community share offer launches to bring the iconic building into community ownership. The offer, which will run until the end of the year, is being launched by Ashton Court Mansion Trust, the charitable Community Benefit Society established to restore, regenerate and operate the Grade I-listed Mansion for public benefit. Shares will be available from a minimum investment of £100, with each investor becoming a member of the Trust and having an equal democratic say in its future through the principle of one member, one vote, regardless of the number of shares held. The £500,000 raise is a crucial step towards enabling the Trust to take on a proposed 125-year lease of Ashton Court Mansion from Bristol City Council. The Council will retain the freehold of the Mansion and the wider Ashton Court Estate, while the Trust would take responsibility for managing, maintaining and restoring the Mansion under the long-term lease. Visit fundsurfer.com/ashtoncourtmansion to get involved

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CITY NEWS

Free clean air resource launched for families

Plaque unveiled to honour city’s Mars mission

Bristol-based air-quality specialist, researcher and parent Dr Louis Brown has recently launched Clean Air for Families, a free independent public-information project designed to make air-quality advice more practical and accessible for families. The site brings together six free guides covering school runs, everyday journeys, indoor air at home, gardens and outdoor spaces, community action, and air pollution during changing weather. Each topic is available as a short, three-page Quick Guide, a fuller illustrated guide and a plain-text version. The aim is to translate air-quality evidence and UK guidance into realistic everyday actions without making normal family life feel alarming or unmanageable. The project grew partly from seeing how difficult it can be for parents to know what actually makes a useful difference – whether that is switching off outside a school, choosing a quieter walking route, dealing with smoke or damp at home, or understanding what an air-quality forecast means.

A plaque honouring the groundbreaking Beagle 2 Mars mission, championed by local space scientist Professor Colin Pillinger (pictured), has been unveiled at M Shed. With a team led by Professor Pillinger, the Beagle 2 lander became the first British and European spacecraft to successfully land on Mars when it touched down on Christmas Day 2003. The mission captured the public imagination with its distinctive mix of science, culture and ambition. It was originally thought that Beagle 2 got lost on its descent to the surface of the red planet. In 2015, imagery from NASA revealed the lander had touched down safely, close to its intended target. Further analysis showed that a partially deployed solar panel had prevented communication back to Earth, confirming that the mission came very close to full operational success. The plaque will remain on display at M Shed in the Bristol People gallery on the second floor.

Explore the guides online for free at: clean-air-forfamilies.netlify.app

bristolmuseums.org.uk

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CITY NEWS

Cheers, Drive! Chef plans bus venue

MasterChef winner celebrates local food in YouTube series Local MasterChef winner Brin Pirathapan (pictured above, left) is on a mission to shine a light on independent Bristol restaurants that use local, British produce to create beautifully vibrant, delicious plates of food in his new YouTube series, The Perfect Plate. In the series, Brin visits some of his favourite spots in the city and takes a trip to their chefs’ chosen producers rubbing shoulders with free range cattle, cultivating luscious veg and even taking to the seas to bag himself the catch of the day before returning to each restaurant to cook up a very special dish. Each episode explores a different restaurant, meeting the people behind the produce and the dishes, offering an insight into the people, processes and stories that make Bristol’s food scene distinctive and exciting. Crucially, Brin wants to show how Bristol’s restaurants are teaming up with local producers who use innovative, sustainable methods to get fresh produce onto menus while having a positive impact on the environment. youtube.com/@BrinPirathapan

A Bristol chef is hoping to serve up something a bit different with Cheers Drive, an ambitious project to transform a double-decker bus into a mobile kitchen and entertainment venue. Tom Ware (pictured), who has more than 25 years’ experience in catering, wants to unite the city’s love of food, music and creativity in a unique space: the lower deck would house a professional kitchen, while an upper-deck preparation area would support the operation. Alongside it, a fold-out stage, dubbed The Bus Stop, would welcome local musicians, DJs, poets and open-mic performers. Beyond food and entertainment, the project has a strong community focus, with ambitions to create hospitality training and employment opportunities, offer hands-on experience and help people gain recognised qualifications, particularly those who face barriers to entering the industry. Currently at the concept and fundraising stage, Cheers Drive is seeking support through a Crowdfunder campaign. crowdfunder.co.uk/p/cheers-drive-bristol-lets-build-a-bus

New BBC video podcast from Chris Packham being produced and broadcast from Bristol Naturewatch – a new video podcast coming to BBC Two (7.30pm), BBC iPlayer (6pm) and BBC Sounds (6pm) on 6 November – is being produced by Bristol-based BBC Studios Natural History Unit and will be broadcast weekly from a studio pod nestled in countryside near the city. Presenters Chris Packham (pictured centre), Kyle Thomas (left) and Megan McCubbin (right) will celebrate British wildlife, bringing together stories that make us curious, the behaviours that make us wonder and the unexpected discoveries about the wildlife we think we know. Naturewatch promises to be a lively, entertaining deep dive into the natural world on our doorstep. The trio will also be regularly joined by experts who’ll answer everything from why birds eat rocks, and why squirrels always land on their feet, to why geese fly in formation, and what really happens when the rutting season gets underway. Alongside the big questions, Naturewatch will explore the stories making waves in the natural world, uncover the science behind the headlines and bring the audience into the conversation with their own questions, observations and wildlife discoveries. Every television episode will be followed by a special audio-only Naturewatch Q&A, exclusive to BBC Sounds, giving audiences even more opportunity to put their questions to the experts and delve deeper into the natural world. Audiences can get involved by posting their questions and wildlife photos to naturewatch@bbc.co.uk or visit bbc.co.uk/springwatch for more information. 12 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2026 | No 264

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CITY NEWS

Suspension Bridge completes biggest refurbishment in its history

Babywear boutique celebrates successful opening season A recently-opened baby boutique at Wapping Wharf – which offers Bristol parents a carefully-curated collection of soft essentials, thoughtful gifts and toys – is celebrating a successful first few months of business. Inti Baby, nestled in CARGO 2, was founded by Emily and Jose Luis, drawing inspiration from their own experiences of parenthood. The shop specialises in exceptionally soft Peruvian Pima cotton babywear, alongside non-toxic wooden toys, nursery essentials and gifts for new mums, all guided by the promise of ‘softness and sun for your little one’. Personal touches reflect the couple’s family story, from curtains sewn by Emily’s mother to traditional Peruvian Toritos de Pucará figurines watching over the till. Now four months into trading, the couple are looking forward to connecting with the local community through small instore events, as well as welcoming the festive season.

After two and a half years, the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust has completed the largest and most ambitious refurbishment project ever undertaken on the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge. The multi million pound project, which began in April 2024, focused on protecting the bridge’s historic ironwork as well as installing a new, environmentally sustainable lighting system. Funded entirely through bridge tolls, the works represent the most significant conservation investment since the bridge opened in 1864. Over the course of the works, specialist engineers from Taziker, the firm tasked with the refurbishment works, handpainted more than 4,000 original iron chain links, many of which are more than 180 years old, which will protect the ironwork from corrosion for the next quarter century – a vital requirement given the bridge’s exposed, tidal gorge setting. The project has also delivered a modern lighting system designed to enhance the bridge’s nighttime appearance wh ile minimising light pollution and improving energy efficiency. The new illuminations allow the bridge to be lit in special ways to mark significant moments in its history. Light displays have already been seen by passers by during the Bristol Light Festival and British Science Week. cliftonbridge.org.uk

intibaby.co.uk

Cut Capers release fourth album Bristol’s brass-fuelled funk and soul outfit Cut Capers are back with Balance, their fourth studio album and, according to the band, their proudest release to date. Out now, the record blends jazz-leaning funk and soul with the nine-piece group’s trademark high-energy sound. It follows 2023’s critically acclaimed Sightseeing & Short Negotiations, with long-time collaborator Tom Manning at the production helm. With more than 500 plays on Jazz FM and a previous Album of the Week accolade under their belts, the band continue to build a following beyond the city, having played sell-out shows at Bristol’s O2 Academy and London’s 100 Club, as well as supporting The Brand New Heavies at the Royal Albert Hall. Next up, they’re bringing the new material home for a headline album launch at Electric Bristol on 30 October, joined by Bristol acts Jamu and Gareth Davie. Balance is available now on streaming platforms, with tickets for the launch available online. cutcapers.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Giftsfrom above

This month, we’re sharing some gift ideas from three top beauty brands available from Boots that will leave you and the people you love looking gorgeous and feeling heavenly this festive season – because it’s never too early to start ticking oﬀ those Christmas lists. boots.com | Boots Beauty, Cabot Circus, BS1 3BF

No7 Pro Artist Shimmer & Glow Set, £20 Prepare to steal the spotlight with this must-have makeup collection from the No7 Pro Artist range. The limited-edition Eye Palette and Highlighter & Bronzer work harmoniously with the Luxe Liquid Blush to create a radiant, lit-from-within glow. This set contains a Limited Edition No7 Pro Artist Perfect Glow Highlighter & Bronzer (8g); No7 Pro Artist Luxe Liquid Blush Coral Blush (3.8ml); and a Limited Edition No7 Pro Artist On-The-Go Eye Palette Natural Elegance (7.68g).

No7 Renewed Skin Collection, £55 Treat your loved one to a seven-piece skincare collection containing top No7 products with skin-renewing and damage-reversing properties, powered By No7 Exclusive Technologies like Matrixyl 3000 Plus and Pepticology™. This Set Contains No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Day Cream SPF15; No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Night Cream; No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum; No7 Pure Retinol 0.3% Retinol Night Concentrate; No7 Restore & Renew Dual Action Cleansing Lotion; No7 Future Renew™ Damage Reversal Serum and No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Eye Cream.

Soap & Glory Soak In The Magic Bubble Decanter 500ml, £12.50

Liz Earle Special Edition Mandarin & Nutmeg Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, £33

Enter into a world of wonder with an enveloping, indulgent bubble bath. Give the gift of some luxurious me-time this merry season and turn your giftee’s troubles into bubbles. Scented with the iconic Original Pink™ notes of rose and bergamot, they’ll be instantly transported to a glorious whirl of their own. Plus, the fabulously festive glass bottle will be an excellent addition to any bathroom.

Leave skin looking clear and glowing with Cleanse & Polish™ Hot Cloth Cleanser Mandarin & Nutmeg, a special edition fragrance blend, which combines the citrus aromas of mandarin with spicy notes of nutmeg. Enriched with cocoa butter, it effortlessly melts away pollutants and make up.

Liz Earle Men's Skincare Collection Gift Set, £40 Soap & Glory Foam Sweet Foam Trio Gift Set, £20 This tantalising trio of cleansing body washes will transport foamy fanatics into a world of velvety bubbles as luxurious as whipped cream. Indulge your loved one this gifting season with a shower foam extravaganza featuring three must-have scents: Original Pink™, with notes of rose and bergamot, Vanilla-licious, with notes of vanilla and warm caramel, and limited-edition Velvet Cherry, with notes of cherry, coffee and a hint of vanilla.

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Enhance your skin in 3 simple steps with effective skincare essentials for men. Refresh your routine with the Botanical Face & Body Wash, enriched with a fragrant blend of patchouli, bergamot and vetiver pure essential oils. Followed by Cleanse & Polish™ Hot Cloth Cleanser for Men, designed to instantly remove daily grime and impurities to leave skin feeling exceptionally clean. Finally, leave skin feeling soothed with an After-Shaving Moisturiser, enriched with soothing botanicals to boost skin’s hydration.

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Shy Mimosa is a specialist fragrance boutique dedicated to the art of perfumery. A visionary in rare and exclusive artisan scents, each hand-picked from across the globe and presented in an immersive setting, guided by discreet and personalised service. For a truly unique gift, visit the Perfumery this festive season and enjoy the olfactory experience. 42B The Mall Clifton, Bristol BS8 4JG Tel: 0117 329 2424 | Email: info@ShyMimosa.co.uk

www.ShyMimosa.co.uk

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FASHION

November

NOTES

These wintry treats from Oliver Bonas will have you feeling cosier – and your home looking chicer – in no time at all… oliverbonas.com Cabot Circus, BS1 3BX The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, BS34 5DG

Green Tapestry Floral. Corduroy Collar Jacket, £95.

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Cocktail Club Pink E27. LED Light Bulb, £30.

Brown Leopard Print Knitted. Beanie Hats, £25.

Red & Pink Love Tufted. Cushion Cover 45x45cm, £29.50. Brown Leopard Print & Pink Knitted Wrist Warmers, £24,

Red Cheetah Ribbed, Sporty Ankle Socks, £8.50,

Brown Leopard Print Cat Eye. Acetate Sunglasses, £30.

Red Ceramic Tomato Decorative Bowl, £95.

Pink & Burgundy Confetti Glass. Electric Aroma Diffuser, £49.50.

Chocolate Brown Ribbed Knitted Fingerless Gloves, £22.

Bird Square Travel. Jewellery Box, £14.50.

SAYE M68 Track Green Trainers, £140, THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | NOVEMBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 19

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More than

experience

Terry Cox

Clifton Village Antiques Ideal gifts for Christmas Diamond cluster ring, set in 18ct yellow gold. Platinum head. Total Diamond weight: 2.6ct. Average high street price: £4,800 OUR SPECIAL OFFER: £3,600

To celebrate 50 years of business in Clifton, we are offering VERY LARGE DISCOUNTS on our jewellery. Every week until Christmas – look out for one EXTRA SPECIAL OFFER in Terry’s Diamond window Jewellery Design and Commissions • General Repair • Restyling of Jewellery • Valuations Bring us your quote for a for bespoke Diamond ring (any quality) – and we will match or improve on the price. GIA Certificated Diamonds

Two row, five stone straight Diamond ring. Set in platinum. Total Diamond weight: 2.85ct. Average high street price: £6,750

Boodles-style Diamond rings available in either 18ct yellow gold or platinum Average high street price: £5,600

Our Price: £4,750

Our Price: £3,750

Five-stone Diamond ring set in 8ct yellow gold with platinum head.Total Diamond weight: 1.37ct. Average high street price: £2,950

Three-stone Diamond ring set in 18ct yellow gold with Diamond shoulders. Total Diamond weight: 1.1ct. Average high street price: £3,400

Oval blue Topaz ring set with Diamond shoulders. Topaz approx 6.5ct. Average high street price: £2,800

Our Price: £2,150

Our Price: £2,200

Our Price: £1,950

2 Clifton Arcade, Boyces Avenue, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4AA Tel: 07877 633 030

* All items in stock on day of going to press.

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WANTED - WE BUY GOLD Ignore the TV ads – Don’t send your Gold away – Bring it to a trusted dealer (50 years in Clifton) for an on-the-spot price Christmas gift exchange offer... Scrap gold trading at £36 per gram will be valued at £55 per gram when used against the purchase of gifts in store.

The young lady wears: Emerald and Diamond ring. Emerald 10.6 ct. Diamond weight: 1.08ct. Both high colour. Average high street price: £12,500 Our price: £9,500 Lab grown Diamond bracelet set in white gold. Total Diamond weight: 8.5ct. Average high street price: £3,750 Our price: £2,950 Natural Diamond equivalent £14,500 (high street price), Our price: £9,500 Diamond drop earrings. Average high street price: £2,850 Our price: £2,200

Terry Cox - Clifton Village Antiques 2 Clifton Arcade, Boyces Avenue, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4AA Tel: 07877 633 030

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THEATRE

No sleep for the wicked Wakey wakey! Author, Strictly judge and musical theatre star Craig Revel Horwood is appearing in Bristol Hippodrome’s enchanting Sleeping Beauty panto as Princess Aurora’s wicked aunt Carabosse alongside festive favourite Andy Ford as Muddles, and Bristolian actor and radio presenter Joe Sims as the Henchman. We stole some precious moments of Craig’s time to find out more about his unlikely but enduring love for pantomime, why he loves playing the villain and the not‐so‐secret energy source that puts a skip in his step

The cast of Sleeping Beauty, with Craig Revel Horwood as Carabosse (centre left). Credit: Mark Dawson Photography

raig Revel Horwood might just be panto’s hardest working villainous character: this festive season, he’ll be splitting his time between the stage at Bristol Hippodrome (taking on the role as the wicked Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty) and the studio lights on Saturday nights as one of TV’s most-famous dancing judges on Strictly. Joining Craig, Andy and Joe at the Hippdrome this year are musical theatre favourites Jade Marvin as the Spirit of Dreams, Naomi Pacquette as Princess Aurora and Tom Major as Prince Peter. But what can audiences expect from this year’s panto instalment? In a kingdom far, far away, Princess Aurora’s birthday takes a sinister turn when her wicked aunt, Carabosse, presents her with a seemingly innocent gift. One fateful prick from an enchanted spinning wheel sees Aurora fall victim to a terrible curse, sending her into a sleep that will last for 100 years… But can love conquer the curse? Will the prince manage to wake Aurora and put an end to Carabosse’s spell? Find out in this magical pantomime, bursting with music, laughter, dazzling effects and plenty of fairy-tale fun.

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Hello, Craig! You’ve got a remarkably full diary around Christmas. Have you developed any tricks for keeping your energy up when you’re juggling TV ﬁlming, show rehearsals, and performing on stage? Well, my schedule is enormous, so you have to take every day as it comes to try not to look too far in advance, but I keep my energy up with Berocca, darling. I drink one of those a day because I have to, and I get lots of sleep if I can manage it – that’s the important thing. You’ve not long published The Book of Panto (Faber). Without giving away any secrets, what is it about pantomime that has kept such a strong hold on you? In panto, you get to do absolutely everything: sing, dance, act – the lot. You also get to break the fourth wall, which I really love. I can become Craig Revel Horwood at any stage throughout the production, which is unusual. And you get to work with a variety of different people, and that’s what I love about it the most. And the fact that kids love coming along. I love getting the boos, I love the audience reactions, and you know what? It always represents Christmas to me. I’ve been doing this now for nearly 20 years, and every year I enjoy it even more.

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THEATRE

Do you remember your very first experience watching pantomime? I’d never seen a pantomime until I was in one. So, the first one I watched was probably at the London Palladium. There’s also one at my Village Hall in Kingsley. I never went to see pantomime before, because I wasn’t interested in it. That’s why I’ve written a book about my journey, because I didn’t really rate panto at first. But in actual fact, it’s an enormously skilled job. It’s really difficult; you need to have the stamina for two shows a day – plus I work seven days a week, because of course our theatre is ‘dark’ each Saturday for me to film Strictly. You have to keep your energy levels geared up – but the audience helps with that. What was your first panto as a performer? My first panto as a performer was actually in Australia [Craig was born there in 1965], and that was just for children in a school, so I didn’t really know what it was at all; I thought panto was just for kids. I played Freddie Fleshcreep – the baddie – in Jack and the Beanstalk. We don’t really have panto in Australia, but then I came to the UK, everyone seemed to go to the pantomime each year. I was always busy over Christmas in musicals, and then because I’ve been performing in pantos here for a long time, I never actually get to watch any other ones! You’ve played some wonderfully wicked characters over the years. What, in your mind, makes a really great pantomime villain? What I love about the villains is that they’re really interesting characters; you always get the best lines, the best songs, and they’re dark, they’re sinister and you can really go to town on them. I love that. And if you compare it to TV, that’s very, very different, you know, because I’m a judge on a television show and I’m there just for dance expertise and nothing more. Although I do play a sort-of villain on that anyway. And that, of course, is the reason why I started playing villains in panto, because I’m seen as a ‘Mr. Nasty’ character, so that has continued for the last 20 years throughout my life.

Carabosse is a deliciously theatrical character. When you’re developing your own version of a villain, do you ever borrow from real people you’ve encountered? Well, I guess you do borrow things from nasty people you’ve met in the world, like an auntie that was a little bit wicked, for instance. But I try and invent each character with the theatre company. It’s important to approach it as a serious actor in that way, because every character has to have history, so you have to delve into that yourself and bring that history and the reasons why you're saying everything along with you. But that can only really be developed when you know who you’re playing against. Maybe Carabosse was tortured as a child and that’s why she’s taking it out on everyone else? Or maybe she wasn’t loved and just wants to be loved? When she’s left out, she doesn’t like it, so she puts spells on people to destroy their lives and get even. It’s very much up in the air until we rehearse, which is great. But yeah, I also take from people I know, I borrow from ﬁlm and television, and of course other theatre shows I’ve seen. What can audiences expect from Sleeping Beauty? I think people will be surprised how good the singing is, how good the dancing is, and also all the special effects. They’re amazing. Crossroads Pantomimes really throw everything at production, there is no time wasted. The lighting is spectacular. In fact, everything about it is truly professional and a wonder, and takes you into a complete world where you can forget about your life outside and just be taken away into a fantastical land for two and a half hours. Why do you think panto works so well across generations? Everyone from a three-year-old to a 93-year-old can all come and enjoy the same thing, and some of the jokes will go over kids’ heads, but they’ll still laugh because the joke is funny. I love the double meaning to everything, the double entendre, and I love the fact that the adults have a spectacular time as well and have a laugh and a joke to themselves.

(L-R) Craig Revel Horwood in his role as judge on Strictly Come Dancing, pictured alongside Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas & Anton Du Beke. (Credit: BBC/Guy Levy)

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THEATRE I think that’s great. Bristol audiences are really a lot of fun. They like to be vocal, which I think is really important – they’re completely into it. Is there a moment from a particular performance that still makes you laugh when you think about it? I was doing Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and I had to do a dance routine in which all the dancers were wearing feathers. Loads of feathers fell on the stage, and I had to do all these turns going on, and I slipped on a feather, and I had so much speed up that when I landed on my fake boobs, I slid directly into the wings. It got a very good laugh, but I couldn’t repeat it. → What still gives you that buzz when you walk out in front of a pantomime audience? The audience bring the energy to the show. In pantomime, they’re as much part of the show than as we are, and I think that can be slightly forgotten. Generally, in theatre, one sits back and thinks, ‘Entertain me’, but in panto, you have to be a part of playing it, and I think that’s what makes it stand out and makes it different and the most enjoyable. Because that reaction is different every single show, depending on who you’ve got in. You might have loads of schools in, and that’ll be a completely different reaction to the lead up to Christmas Day, because people are having office parties, and drinking, so that’s a different crowd. And then you get the hecklers and all sorts of things. So, there’s a lot to deal with, but it makes that makes the day most enjoyable because no two shows are not going to be the same. A matinee audience will be totally different to an evening one. n

Villains “always get the best lines,” says Craig

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Don’t sleep on it – Sleeping Beauty is at Bristol Hippodrome from 4 December until 3 January 2027. Tickets can be booked now via atgtickets.com/bristol

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BRISTOL EVENTS | NOVEMBER

Bongo’s Bingo is bringing its rave-bingo party to the city

What’s On? The best things to see and do this month

Planetarium Nights: The Story of the Stars and Light from Afar n 5 & 19 November, from 6pm We The Curious, BS1 5DB

Looking for a unique date night or party activity, or just a fun Thursday night with friends? Catch stargazing show The Story of Stars and discover famous constellations, experience the life story of stars, ﬂy into a black hole, and witness the fate of our own Sun. Or if you want some more in-depth science, check the revamped show Light from Afar, discovering how astronomers capture the light from distant objects with advanced telescopes and investigate how that light is used to calculate the scale of the cosmos and to ﬁnd alien worlds. Multiple screenings per night. wethecurious.org Choral Fireworks n 7 November, 7.30pm St George’s Bristol, BS1 5RR

Experience a spectacular evening of live music celebrating peace with City of Bristol Choir and Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra under the direction of conductor David Ogden, featuring Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks and Vivaldi’s newly-rediscovered Dixit Dominus, performed by more than 100 voices.

Tickets from St George’s Bristol box office at stgeorgesbristol.co.uk and by phone 0117 929 4929. James Lisney: poèmes, mélodies et danses n 11 November, 7.30pm St George’s Bristol, BS1 5RR

Pianist James Lisney returns to St George’s Bristol with a garland of Romantic piano music by Schubert, Liszt, Chopin and Rachmaninoff – pieces shaped by poetry, song and the spirit of dance. “This is a wonderfully rich programme,” says James. “It’s music that shows the piano at its most romantic, and it reminds me how lucky I am to have this instrument in my life. I hope audiences will enjoy Liszt’s spiritual transcendence and sense of grace; Schubert's trademark swings between melancholy and rustic joy; Chopin’s sheer genius for spinning endless melodies and heroic bravura within classical forms; and Rachmaninoff ’s bittersweet nostalgia and witty virtuosity.” stgeorgesbristol.co.uk Bongo’s Bingo n 14 November, 4pm Document, BS5 0TH

Bongo’s Bingo is preparing to make its SouthWest debut, with the original bingo-rave

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phenomenon arriving in the city this month. Bongo’s Bingo has rejuvenated a quintessentially quaint British pastime featuring nostalgia-soaked revelry, rave rounds, dance-offs, audience participation, confetti showers and much more in a dose of pure and unadulterated escapism. Prizes include the iconic Henry hoover, giant pink unicorn and mobility scooter. bongosbingo.co.uk A Little Jazz Mass n 14 November, 7.30pm Victoria Rooms, BS8 1SA

Let yourself be transported to a different musical world this autumn. Accompanied by Liam Dunachie Jazz Trio, Bristol Choral Society presents two jazz versions of the mass. Bob Chilcott’s A Little Jazz Mass (2004) is a highly original and effective concert setting of the Latin Missa brevis in which the various movements embrace a variety of jazz styles. Carrying on the theme, Will Todd’s popular Mass in Blue (2003) for soprano, choir and jazz ensemble also blends two different traditions: that of a sung Mass, one of the oldest forms of European music and that of the blues.Tickets avaiable from the website or on the door. bristolchoral.co.uk

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BRISTOL EVENTS | NOVEMBER

Bristol Metropolitan Orchestra: Revolution n 21 November, 7.30pm St George’s Bristol, BS1 5RR

Join Bristol Metropolitan Orchestra for an unforgettable autumn concert as they welcome back the outstanding Steffan Morris to perform Saint-Saëns’ magnificent First Cello Concerto – a dazzling masterpiece renowned for its virtuosity and widely regarded alongside the great concertos of Elgar and Dvořák. They’re also thrilled to premiere a brand-new work by an exciting local composer, before bringing the evening to a triumphant close with Beethoven’s iconic and exhilarating Eroica Symphony. bristolmetropolitanorchestra.com

Meet and speak: Practise your French n 26 November, 6pm Paintworks Event Space, BS4 3EH

Join Alliance Française students Brave a cold dip in aid of St Peter’s Hospice from the UK for a quick chat exchange in small groups to practise your French in a relaxed Portishead Open Air Pool (29 November from environment. You will be provided with 12:30am). Just a few brave minutes in the chilly suggested conversation starters for each session, water will make the world of difference to but you are free to talk about whatever you want patients facing the unimaginable. Dip solo or (in French)! You will be mixed with students of rally your bravest friends, family, and colleagues; the same level, and there will be no pressure to there’s also plenty of room for your cheer squad speak quickly. to watch. Clear your mind before the busy afbristol.org.uk festive season and soak up the benefits of cold water swimming. stpetershospice.org

Christmas Craft Fair n 22 November, 10am-3.30pm Ashton Court Mansion, BS41 9JN

BARC Out Loud: A Christmas Cracker n 26 November, 7pm Paintworks Event Space, BS4 3EH

Bristol Crafters and local artisans, beautiful handmade Christmas gifts for everyone. Forty stalls all inside mansion house. Café serving teas coffees, cakes and mince pies. £2.50 entry – under-16s free.

Join Bristol Animal Rescue Centre (A.R.C) for BARC Out Loud: A Christmas Cracker, an evening of live stand-up comedy, festive entertainment, and big laughs, with every ticket helping rescue animals across Bristol and beyond. Alongside Burt Williamson, Emma Hughes, Tom Hutchinson and Jo Somner, award-winning Bristolian comedian Abi Clarke takes the stage fresh from her sell-out Edinburgh Fringe run, bringing her brilliantly chaotic stand-up to Paintworks Event Space. bristolarc.org.uk

Annie Sloan Furniture Painting Techniques Workshops n 23 November Stylemongers Of Bristol, BS7 8NU

Learn the skills and acquire the confidence you need to transform solid brown furniture into colourful pieces you’ll adore for many years at an accessible, whole day workshop. You’ll work on manageable wooden boards, so you can practice the methods without having to hulk your heavy chests of drawers to the workshop. Techniques covered include complimentary colour pairings, colour mixing, painting a smooth finish, ombré blending, creating textured surfaces, scrafito, fottage and marbling, stencilling and protective wax finishes. Maximum six participants. No previous experience necessary. stylemongersofbristol.co.uk Tracking Wolves and Bringing Back Lynx n 25 November, 7pm-10pm Watershed, BS1 5TX

Join The Wolves and Humans Foundation and the Slovak Wildlife Society for an exclusive evening of talks and discussion about living with wolves and lynx in Slovakia, and the issues surrounding the reintroduction of lynx to Britain. Hear from speakers working at the forefront of large carnivore conservation and reintroduction, and find out how you can take part in a citizen science project monitoring wolves. There will also be a panel discussion with the opportunity to ask questions. wolvesandhumans.org/tracking-wolves-andbringing-back-lynx

Jimmy Galvin and Mark Springer n 26 November, 7.30pm The Mount Without, BS2 8FN

This concert is a double headliner event featuring pianists Jimmy Galvin and Mark Springer with a full live string orchestra taking place in the stunning Mount Without. Reviewing Jimmy Galvin, The New York Times said: “Some of the most beautiful haunting original Neo classical music you will ever hear”; while Mark Springers’ most recent album Sleep of Reason (featuring Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys) is a record that cements his place among the most inventive voices in contemporary music. This concert promises to be a very special event, with all profits going to Bristol Drugs Project. Tickets are available at headfirstbristol.co.uk and also on the door. Cold Water Dip n 28-29 November The Wave, BS35 5RE, and Portishead Open Air Pool, BS20 7HD

Two days. Two venues. One amazing reason to get cold: to support your local St Peter’s Hospice. Pick your dip and choose to plunge at The Wave (28 November from 11am) or

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Coming soon... Lessons in Harmony: Jonathan Coe in Conversation n 1 December, 7pm Bristol Beacon, BS1 5AR

Gloucester Road Books presents a unique evening of music and literature with multi award-winning novelist Jonathan Coe. The evening will feature Jonathan Coe in conversation about his new book Lessons in Harmony, and in a special celebration of the book’s central theme, there will also be a recital of Ravel’s boundary pushing Sonata for Violin and Cello. Bristol Ensemble’s Marian Givens and Juliet McCarthy are two of Bristol’s most accomplished classical musicians. The four movements they will perform are ‘arguably the greatest masterpiece for those two instruments’. bristolbeacon.org Watch Valuation Day n 9 December, 10am until 5pm Hotel Du Vin, BS1 2NU

Ben Wright, Antiques Roadshow watch specialist will be giving free valuations for your wristwatch or pocket watch, with the option to sell if the price is right for you. You can call or email to book an appointment, or simply turn up on the day. Phone: 07814757742 and email: ben@benwrightvintagewatches.co.uk Exultate Singers: Carols by Candlelight n 9 December, 7.30pm & 12 December, 4.30pm St James Priory, BS1 3NZ

Exultate Singers’ much-loved Christmas concerts combine traditional and contemporary carols, sung in the candlelit setting of the medieval church of St James Priory, the oldest building in Bristol. Tickets £13 to £22 available online at exultatesingers.org and by phone on 01275 373981 (weekdays 9am to 5pm)

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FAMILY EVENTS | NOVEMBER

Family

Elves in the Enchanted Forest at Wookey Hole

Wookey's Winter Wonderland n From 21 November Wookey Hole, BA5 1BA

Diary

Following a £250,000 investment in an all-new Christmas experience, a magical Christmas at Wookey includes a brand-new enchanted forest and storytelling tree, a new 24-seat immersive Wookey Express 4D train journey to the North Pole, the Father Christmas experience and Santa's Toy Factory gift selection, Christmas cave projections, festive circus show and Christmas 4D cinema all illuminated by more than 100,000 festive lights throughout the attraction. wookey.co.uk

The best things to see and do with the little ones this month Back To The Future: The Musical n Until 21 November Bristol Hippodrome, BS1 4UZ

Christmas at Westonbirt n 27 November until 31 December Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, GL8 8QS

Based on the iconic 1985 movie and brought to the stage by the film’s original creators Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis, this multi-awardwinning production is dazzling critics and thrilling audiences across the globe – and now it’s Bristol’s turn to experience the ride of a lifetime. When teenager Marty McFly is accidentally sent back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric Doc Brown, he disrupts the space-time continuum and must race against the clock to put things right – and get back to the future. atgtickets.com/bristol

The enchanting after-dark trail returns with dazzling lights, spectacular installations, and festive fun for the whole family! Created by the awardwinning producers behind Christmas at Kew, it’s a must-see festive experience. This year’s trail has new installations and festive favourites to give you an unforgettable new experience. Wander through the illuminated arboretum, where twinkling lights transform the forest into a festive wonderland. Marvel at the stunning installations, including the classic Christmas Cathedral, fan-favourite Fire Garden, mesmerising Sea of Light, and interactive Ribbon Tunnels. forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/christmas

Twilight Tobogganing n 6 November until 3 January Mendip Activity Centre, BS25 5PQ

Embrace the magic of Twilight Tobogganing! Make magical memories beneath 10,000 sparkling fairy lights, dancing lasers and holiday tunes. It's the perfect excuse to get everyone together for an evening outdoors. There’s no need to wait until Christmas to get festive. November sessions bring a special bonfire-night feel, December delivers the full Christmas atmosphere, and post-Christmas sessions in January keep the festive feeling going. mendip.co.uk A Christmas Carol n 20 November until 9 January 2027 Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bs3 1TF

Step into Dickensian Bristol on Christmas Eve. Frost on the cobbles. Bells in the cold air. A city poised on the longest night. Music cuts through the chill. Stories flare from the darkness. Past, present and future collide. Expect the moments you love, re-forged with laughter, live music and theatrical magic. Haunting, joyful, and urgent, this thrilling new adaptation by Carl Grose promises to be utterly mischievous, menacing and full of festive fire. tobaccofactorytheatres.com

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Cinderella: A Fairytale n 27 November until 2 January 2027 Bristol Old Vic, BS1 4ED

Sally Cookson and Adam Peck’s much-loved adaptation of Cinderella is back in Bristol, re-imagined for 2026. After the death of her mother, the free-spirited Ella seeks solace in the woods surrounding her and her father’s home, enchanted by the birds that roost peacefully in the trees. When her father remarries, Ella’s life is turned upside down by a host of new – and most unpleasant – relations. Ella’s feathered friends begin to feel like her only true family, until a mysterious boy (who shares her love of bird watching) stumbles upon her woodland hideout. And he has in his hand an invitation to the Royal Ball... bristololdvic.org.uk Baby Disko n 28 November, 10,30am-12.30pm Bristol Spiegeltent, BS1 5LL

Calling all mini movers and little groovers! It’s time to shine at the Spiegeltent’s Baby Disko. Get your sparkles on and head down to the Harbourside for a joyous, fun filled event featuring music, dancing, silliness, face painting, dressing up and fun games. Recommended for 0-5, but everyone is welcome… and yes, the bar will be open! bristolspiegeltent.co.uk

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INTERVIEW

Bride over troubled waters Rosanna Spence speaks to Meg Avon – who married the River Avon three years ago in a loving symbol of eco‐activism – to discover what it means now the city council has taken the plunge and voted in favour of a charter that supports the water’s rights at a local policy level

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INTERVIEW

ristolians might love the River Avon, but how are we looking out for its actual wellbeing? Stories of poor water quality and pollution have become an all-too-familiar part of the conversation around our waterways (issues which admittedly aren’t always under everyone’s control) but it can sometimes be easy to forget just how much we owe to these natural systems. Bristol formed and ﬂourished around its river; it’s helped shape our history, trade and identity, and continues to give the centre and neighbourhoods alike their character all these years later. Whether we're walking the dog beside one of its tributaries, taking the plunge for a wild swim, enjoying a festival on its banks or simply crossing a bridge on the way to work, the Avon is part of everyday life. For Meg Avon, however, the relationship has become even more personal (the clue’s in the name). Three years ago, she ceremoniously wed the river – not the likeliest marital partner, some may say – in a symbolic act of love and environmental activism, hoping to bring people together and draw attention to the need to protect it in the same way we would humans. Now, as Bristol City Council, as well as many other regional governing bodies, have voted in favour of a charter recognising the river's rights at a local policy level (more on that in a moment), Meg’s unconventional campaign has reached a signiﬁcant milestone.

Floating an idea

The River Bride Meg Avon pictured in Rave On For The Avon ﬁlm still by Charlotte Sawyer (EightySita Productions)

Growing up in Bristol, Meg was no stranger to outdoor swimming. She had swum in rivers for years, including during time spent studying in Brighton and living in Canada, but the stretch of the Avon running beneath the Suspension Bridge that she was most used to seeing never seemed particularly inviting. “It always felt a bit scary and unapproachable, not marriage material at all,” she explains. That changed during lockdown, when a friend took her on a cycle ride east to Conham River Park. What she discovered there wasn’t just a new swimming spot, but also a community of people who shared her enthusiasm for getting into the water. “I just had no idea it was there the whole time I was growing up. I always described that day like one of those dreams where you discover another room in your house.” The experience opened her eyes to both the beauty of the river and the problems affecting it. Meg had been aware of the Avon’s less-thanglamorous reputation, but not the full extent of the pollution caused by sewage, agricultural runoff and toxic chemicals. She also began to appreciate just how much people needed these places. “There were all these other people who swim really regularly and needed to get into the water for mental health.” It was this combination of community, wellbeing and growing environmental awareness that set her on the path towards becoming the UK's ﬁrst River Wife. THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | NOVEMBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 33

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INTERVIEW Meg at the Avon Bioregional Charter signing in September 2026 (©Leoni Fretwell)

The wedding itself, Meg admits, wasn’t the result of some grand, long-held plan. Asked why she decided to marry a river, her answer is honest: “I was just trying to get some press attention.” Her background was in community organising and activism, including working as a youth and play worker with young people in deprived areas of Bristol and Brighton. She was interested in keeping spaces open and accessible, particularly places that could support people’s physical and mental wellbeing. The wedding was intended to bring people together, including campaigners already working to raise awareness, test water quality and push for better protection. What she hadn’t anticipated was quite how powerful this ceremony would be. “I love everyone being brought together at weddings, with people doing public speaking for the ﬁrst time and projecting their love into the world, into people’s hearts and minds,” she says. “There’s that honouring of a relationship, and how it’s not just two entities in that relationship, but it involves the whole community.” For Meg, the wedding became a way to acknowledge the river as something worthy of love and commitment, while also recognising the damage being done to it. “Every ceremony involves a kind of loss. You’re acknowledging what you're moving away from, but also something that you’re moving into.” But there was sadness beneath the celebration, too. “I was marrying a really unhealthy river.”

Ripples of change Since the ceremony, Meg’s work has developed into a wider campaign to change how the Avon is understood and protected. As River Guardianship Coordinator for environmental charity We Are Avon, she is helping to build support for the Avon Bioregional Charter of River Rights, which recognises the river’s right to exist and thrive naturally, ﬂow sustainably, be free from pollution and maintain its biodiversity among other things. The idea is to shift the conversation away from treating rivers simply as resources or places to dispose of waste, and towards recognising their inherent value. “I just really want to continue with that message of hope,” Meg says. “That's the value that I really gain: bringing people into the movement, seeing the connections that are made, and seeing how the work needs everybody’s skills and attention to shift this cultural narrative of rivers

being just a space to take our waste away, as opposed to a divine entity that was literally the reason life exists on this planet and will continue on without us.” The Charter is not a new piece of legislation, nor does it make the river legally equivalent to a person. Instead, its adoption at a local policy level gives communities and councillors a framework for arguing that the river's interests should be considered in decisions that affect it. As Meg explains, “These rights all point and link to existing environmental laws and known ecological thresholds. They have standing, meaning and impact, but we need to recognise that they are not legally binding in their own right.” That doesn’t mean they are without value. The Charter can help strengthen arguments against developments that could harm the natural environment, while encouraging decision-makers to consider the river's needs alongside human interests. Meg is particularly keen to challenge the idea that nature and people are separate. The Charter for the Avon bioregion takes in the wider catchment and the life connected to it, rather than focusing on a single stretch of water or council boundary. The bioregional approach, she explains, is intended to recognise the relationship between the river and everything that depends on it. “We would not be able to live without our natural environment. We are completely, utterly inseparable.”

A groundswell of support

The Charter has been gaining backing from councils and communities across the Avon catchment. Bristol City Council’s vote in favour represents a significant milestone, but Meg is quick to Birthing ceremony of Avona, the 10-foot-long, giant spirit-of-theacknowledge that this work did not begin with her wedding. river puppet representing the goddess of the River Avon “We’re standing on the shoulders of giants,” she says. (Image credit: Charlotte Sawyer) “Again, that language about recognising nature as alive and having inherent rights has been floated for years, before I was involved, while I was still at school.” She is also conscious that the public-facing nature of her campaign has helped bring attention to work that others have been doing for years. For Meg, the Charter is as much about bringing people together as it is about policy. Rivers cross boundaries, and protecting them requires people who might not otherwise work together to find common ground. “It’s been so cool bringing all these different councillors into the same room because they've never collaborated on anything like this before. It’s the river that's bringing them all together.” The next challenge is to turn recognition into action, whether through local decision-making, community projects

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INTERVIEW

or better understanding of the river's condition. As well as many smaller, community-led projects are wider initiatives being developed, such as an Avon-wide independent water company investigation training with a wider long-term ambition to monitor other pressures and advocate with the data, which Meg says is intended to be the ﬁrst project of its kind in the country. “By doing all those different activities, all those individual River Guardians are building up their own relationship with the river and with each other,” Meg says. “That’s kind of what happened to me.”

Keeping hope ﬂowing

into something much larger. “It’s like those little drops of hope every day, and that vast, swelling ocean of hope.” For anyone inspired to get involved, We Are Avon welcomes people to become River Guardians, with groups already River Avon pilgrimage established along the river and (Photo by Luca Gaspare) opportunities to take part in water investigation training, organise events or support the Charter. The organisation is also collecting public signatures, making it possible for people to show their support beyond the council chamber. And what of the wedding? Meg has said she would consider officially marrying the Avon if the law eventually recognised the river’s rights. She sees it as a longer-term ambition, and a way of keeping the conversation moving. “Hopefully, I can convince people along the way that the end goal isn't really the point,” she says. It’s a ﬁtting thought for a river, which is never simply a beginning or an end, but part of a continuing cycle. Three years after Meg’s symbolic wedding, the challenge is to make sure the love and attention it inspired translate into lasting change. But while the headlines might focus on the challenges facing our waterways, Meg’s story and the Charter’s growing support serve as reminder that it’s time we started treating the river less like a backdrop to our lives and more like a living being we’re all responsible for. n

Given the scale of the problems facing our waterways, hope might seem an unlikely resource to draw on. But it is central to Meg’s approach. “This is an offer of hope because you can't work on these massive issues in isolation. It doesn’t make any sense,” she says. “We all need the same amount of water, and all our towns, cities and villages are placed along these rivers. They are the heart of our community.” Her own relationship with the Avon remains a daily We Are Avon Strategy Day held in February 2026 (©Leoni Fretwell) source of connection. She aims to swim in the river once a week and takes a small bottle of its water to meetings, talks and conferences, returning it to the river afterwards. “I’m now so aware of the water that comes out of my tap and where it goes. I feel For more information about like I'm part of the water Meg, as well as her poetry, cycle,” she says. “I have this visit mrsmegavon.com and daily practice with water, and follow her on Instagram I encourage that. That's what @mrs_meg_avon. I write my poetry about, and I love sharing that with people To discover more about We when I go and perform.” Are Avon’s work, to become a Meg, Avona and other supporters at the Avon Bioregional Charter signing in September 2026 (©Leoni Fretwell) It is a personal ritual that River Guardian and to sign reﬂects the wider message of the Avon Bioregional the campaign: water connects River Charter online, visit us, whether we notice it or not. “Water is just this big, big connector.” weareavon.org. The Charter can also be signed in person at The Meg describes hope as a collection of small moments that can grow Climate Hub, located inside the Bath Bus/Coach Station (BA1 1SS). THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | NOVEMBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 35

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CULTURE

ART

and exhibitions Twenty Years Later, Lime Tree Gallery, 7-26 November Marking two decades of championing exceptional contemporary art, Twenty Years Later celebrates the 20th anniversary of Lime Tree Gallery with a striking exhibition of new paintings by a selected group of artists who have been at the heart of the gallery's journey for many years. Founded in Suffolk in 2006 and expanding to Bristol in 2009, the gallery has built a reputation for showcasing artists known for mastery of painting and drawing, colour and light. The gallery's stunning location overlooking Bristol's Floating Harbour has convenient parking directly outside, a perfect destination for an inspiring autumn outing. limetreegallery.com | 84 Hotwell Road, BS8 4UB

Joy Gregory: Catching Flies with Honey, until 7 February 2027 Catching Flies with Honey is the first major survey exhibition of Joy Gregory's work, bringing together more than 150 photographs, films, installations and textile works spanning four decades. Across Arnolfini's galleries, the exhibition reveals an artist who has continually redefined the possibilities of photography, inviting audiences into new ways of thinking about identity, history, beauty and belonging. Since the early 1980s, Gregory has been a pioneering force in contemporary photography, challenging expectations of both the medium and what Black or feminist art should look like through work that is visually seductive, materially inventive and conceptually rigorous. Using processes ranging from Victorian cyanotypes and kallitypes to digital media and performance, Gregory continually expands photography's aesthetic and material possibilities. Premiering as part of Catching Flies with Honey is Gregory's newly-commissioned film, created in collaboration with San communities in the Kalahari Desert, South Africa. Developed through a twenty-year relationship, the work continues her long-standing exploration of language, landscape and cultural resilience. Catching Flies with Honey reveals an artist whose practice moves between the personal and the political, using photography and material experimentation to open up new ways of thinking about identity, beauty, history and belonging. arnolfini.org.uk | 16 Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA Image: Joy Gregory, Stockwell Siren from the series Celebrity Blonde, 2003 performance © Joy Gregory

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Image: Winter Figs with White Jug by Lucy McKie RO

GOLDEN YEARS at Rainmaker Gallery, until 31 December The autumn exhibition at Rainmaker Gallery is a solo show by octogenarian Rick Grimster. GOLDEN YEARS presents his most recent paintings alongside works made in the creative surge that followed his remarkable gallery debut BELONGING, in 2023. Grimster's vibrant acrylic paintings are abstracted autobiographical landscapes that chart his shifting identity from adoptee to Indigenous elder. In these works, the artist combines the layered organic forms and repeated symbols of his distinctive visual language, inviting the viewer to share in his life-affirming world of colour. Grimster is a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. His birth father was a Native American GI based in England during World War II. Grimster attended Cheltenham School of Art in the 1960s and gained an MFA in 1970. An intensely private man, he continued to paint throughout his life without any intention of exhibiting his work until three years ago. GOLDEN YEARS radiates the creative force of an artist enjoying commercial success in the autumn of his life. rainmakerart.co.uk | 140 Whiteladies Road, BS8 2RS Image: Harvest Moon, acrylic on canvas by Rick Grimster

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173rd Annual Open Exhibition at Royal West of England Academy, until 3 January The RWA’s 173rd Annual Open Exhibition brings together more than 500 works and feature artists. Selected artists include John Maine RA RWA (Hon); Image: 172nd Annual Open Angela Lizon RWA, the 2026 (Credit: Khali Ackford, KoLAB Studios) Jackson’s Art Prize winner, and Jemma Appleby RWA, this year’s Charles Wollaston Royal Academy Summer Exhibition award winner. Exhibited works include a watercolour painting, Ackergill Tower, Caithness, 2022 lent by the RWA’s Royal Patron and honorary Academician, His Majesty The King. The exhibition showcases many artists living and working in the Southwest, including Luke Jerram RWA (Hon), Leah Hislop, William Trewartha-Jones as well as artists represented by Art in Motion, based at Spike Island Studios. Each year, the Academy invites an artist whose practice demonstrates exceptional ambition and achievement. This year’s invited artist is internationally acclaimed artist and former Paralympian Mo Barrangi. rwa.org.uk | Queen’s Road, BS8 1PX

Between Cities: New Paintings by Andrew Hood, Clifton Contemporary Art, 7-28 November Between Cities brings together Andrew's paintings of Bristol with works inspired by cities encountered on his travels abroad. From familiar streets and landmarks to unfamiliar places seen for the first time, the exhibition explores the different ways that a city can be experienced, remembered and translated into paint. Much of Andrew’s work begins with sketches made on location, where he reveals the character of a place – its architecture, light, movement and changing atmosphere. Back in the studio, these observations are developed into paintings. Following his recent series of drawings made around Bristol, Between Cities offers an opportunity to see how this process extends beyond the city he knows so well, through a varied collection of urban landscapes from the streets of France all the way to the bazaars of New Delhi. cliftoncontemporaryart.co.uk | 25 Portland Street, BS8 4JB Image: A Corner of Clifton by Andrew Hood

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Cometh the man by Steven Lindsay

Twenty Years Later: 7 - 26 Nov 20th Anniversary Exhibition

Lime Tree Gallery, 84 Hotwell Road, Bristol BS8 4UB

Tel 0117 929 2527 • www.limetreegallery.com

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ART & EXHIBITIONS

On the trail…

North Bristol Arts Trail returns on 28‐29 November, marking its 25th anniversary with 110 artists and makers exhibiting at 56 venues across six Bristol neighbourhoods

Pictured left to right, top to bottom: Caroline Casswell’s polymer bowls; Sarah Woodrow, work from 2026; Nika Nazarova-Evans; Lara Cebrian Twist by Urraca Studios; Nancy Chambers, Dancing In The Moonlight; and Laurel Smart, work from 2026

tudios, homes and exhibition spaces across Redland, Bishopston, Henleaze, St Andrews, Ashley and Horﬁeld will welcome visitors from 10am to 5pm on 28-29 November, as North Bristol Arts Trail marks 25 years of putting the spotlight on the area’s creative talent. The free event invites visitors to see North Bristol from a fresh perspective, browse original creations, chat with the artists behind them and purchase work directly from its makers. Expect everything from painting, printmaking and photography to ceramics, textiles, sculpture, jewellery and plenty more, with options to suit a variety of tastes and budgets. With 56 venues taking part, there’s plenty to explore at your own pace, whether you’re hunting for distinctive Christmas presents or keen to give the city’s independent creative scene a boost.

Five reasons you should make the trail a part of your weekend... Unearth local artistic gems: From striking prints and paintings to ceramics, textiles, photography, sculpture and jewellery, the trail brings together a wealth of work by local artists and makers – offering discoveries you won’t necessarily stumble across online. 40 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2026 | No 264

See familiar streets differently: With venues dotted around Bishopston, Redland, Henleaze, St Andrews, Ashley and Horﬁeld, it’s an opportunity to explore your own neighbourhood and venture into new corners, uncovering creative spaces along the way. Get to know the makers: More than an opportunity to browse, the trail gives visitors a chance to chat with artists about their inspiration, techniques and the stories behind their work, getting to know the people shaping North Bristol’s creative community. Shop for thoughtful Christmas gifts: From original artwork to beautifully crafted handmade pieces, there’s something for a range of styles and budgets – making it an ideal spot to ﬁnd a present with a personal touch while supporting independent makers. Mark 25 years of local creativity: This milestone celebrates a much-loved, volunteer-led event built on the enthusiasm of Bristol’s creative community. This year, the trail will support Prodigal Arts, helping ex-offenders explore positive creative expression as a way to reduce re-offending. n Entry is free. For the full list of artists and venues, the downloadable trail map and further information, visit northbristolartists.org.uk

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COLUMN | CHRIS YEO ON ANTIQUES

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

Of Mice and Men

ven if you have never heard of Robert Thompson, the chances are you will recognise his signature. Born in 1878, the Yorkshire woodworker and cabinet maker hit upon the idea of signing his pieces with a tiny mouse carved into his creations, earning him the nickname ‘Mouseman’.. Inspired by Medieval church carvings, Thompson made his name creating solidly crafted oak furniture - from pulpits and dining tables to cheeseboards and napkin rings - all of which featured the titular rodent. Robert wasn’t just handy with a chisel; he was also a shrewd marketeer. Fully aware that the addition of an endearing creature would make his work stand out from the crowd he made it his trademark and a branding success was born. Seventy years after Thompson’s death, his family continue to make furniture in the style he pioneered, all with the trademark mouse. But Mouseman’s appeal goes beyond a cute little mammal. What sets it

apart is the quality of the workmanship. The surfaces are worked with an adze, a tool that leaves a distinctive rippled ﬁnish; a mark of the craftsman’s hand and as much a Mouseman trademark as the little mouse itself. In an age when furniture is largely churned out by machines, there is something refreshing about a piece that wears its making so visibly. And right now Mouseman is having a moment. Collectors are legion with some very high proﬁle faces amongst them. Chef Marco Pierre White has a large private collection and also decorates his Cotswolds hotel with it. The takeaway from this is that although Mouseman might be the last word in tradition it certainly isn’t fusty. Recently, prices for early Mouseman originals have been on the move, in some cases dramatically. Earlier this year a refectory table sold for £42,000, while a client at Clevedon was delighted when his reclining armchair recently found a buyer at £10,000. You don’t need quite such deep pockets to join the club, however. Napkin rings and ashtrays usually change hands for £70 to £100 each, whilst £300 to £500 should bag you a table lamp. All of which shows that while a mouse may be a small thing, when it’s attached to a piece of oak furniture it can carry considerable weight. ■ clevedonsalerooms.com; @chrisyeo_antiques Instagram)

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FOOD & DRINK

Why Christmas needs nine wines Recommendations from Elodie Hind at DBM Wines | dbmwines.co.uk Choosing wines for December is a little more complicated than picking one bottle. The month brings canapés, roasts and puddings, with a cheeseboard that never ends. What helps is knowing why a pairing works. Acidity cuts through richness, sweetness balances salt and spice, and protein and fat soften tannin. With sweet dishes, the wine should generally be at least as sweet as the food. Here are nine dishes and festive favourites from across December, each with a wine I’d recommend and an explanation of why it works. Borrow the idea behind each pairing for whatever ends up on your own table...

1. CANAPÉS

2. SMOKED SALMON

3. PRAWN COCKTAIL

Buttery cheese straws and sausage rolls suit traditional-method sparkling wine. Lees-aged, toasty notes echo the pastry, while bright acidity and fine bubbles cut through the richness. Serve with Sumarroca Brut Reserva Cava, 2023, from Penedès, with fresh fruit and a refreshing finish.

Lemon lifts smoked salmon, and Albariño’s acidity does the same, cutting through the fish’s oiliness and salt. Serve with Bernon Albariño, 2025, from Bodegas Aquitania in Rías Baixas, with ripe peach, lemon blossom and a saline finish.

Sweet, tangy Marie Rose sauce needs a wine with some residual sugar. Serve with Greywacke Riesling, 2022, from Marlborough. Its off-dry style matches the sauce’s sweetness, while refreshing acidity keeps the creamy dressing light.

4. TURKEY WITH THE TRIMMINGS Versatility matters with so much on one plate. Pinot Noir’s fine tannins and acidity suit lean turkey, salty pigs in blankets and tart cranberry sauce. Serve with Sylvain Pataille Bourgogne Pinot Noir, 2023, with cherry, raspberry and a hint of spice.

5. ROAST BEEF

6. NUT ROAST

Rioja Gran Reserva’s years of ageing bring complexity and mellow tannins, while its structure stands up to rich roast beef. The meat’s protein and fat soften the tannins further. Serve with Luis Cañas Gran Reserva, 2018, with dried cherry, leather and warm spice.

Earthy nut roast suits freshness, aromatic complexity and gentle tannins. Skin-contact wines complement roasted nuts and herbs, while bright acidity refreshes the palate. Serve with If You Know You Know Orange Wine, 2025, from the Languedoc, with bitter orange and dried flowers.

7. THE CHEESEBOARD Tawny port’s sweetness balances salty blue cheese, such as Stilton, while nutty caramel notes complement mature cheeses. Serve with Graham’s 20 Year Old Tawny, with silky texture, dried fruit, toffee and toasted nuts.

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8. CHRISTMAS PUDDING AND MINCE PIES Christmas pudding and mince pies need a wine sweet enough to match their richness. Serve with González Byass Nectar Pedro Ximénez, from Jerez, bursting with raisin, fig and treacle flavours. For an extra treat, pour it over vanilla ice cream.

9. THE BOXING DAY SANDWICH A Boxing Day sandwich piled with leftover turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce calls for something fresh and fruity to cut through the richness. Serve with Pressure Point Pét-Nat, 2025, from Paarl, South Africa, with tangy cranberry, redcurrant and refreshing fizz.

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A Taste of the Falkland Islands comes to Bristol this Festive Season Tumbledown Gin joins DBM Wines in Clifton Village for a special Christmas tasting on Friday 27th November. This festive season a gin with an extraordinary story is making its way to Bristol. Produced in Stanley, Falkland Islands, Tumbledown Gin is handcrafted in small batches using a blend of traditional botanicals and locally foraged ingredients, including native scurvy grass. Tumbledown Gin will be at DBM Wines in Clifton Village, offering customers the chance to sample the spirit and learn more about its journey from the Falkland Islands to the UK. The tasting offers a great opportunity to meet the people behind Tumbledown Gin, discover what makes the gin distinctive and pick up something special ahead of the gifting season. Visit DBM Wines, 7 Princess Victoria Street, Clifton Village, Bristol, on Friday 27th November. Find out more at www.tumbledowngin.com

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FESTIVAL

Clifton LitFest returns 13-15 November

John Davidson and Abbie Ross (credit: Clifton LitFest)

Some highlights from this year’s festival include...

JOHN DAVIDSON & ABBIE ROSS | 13 NOV, 4.30PM n Christ Church John Davidson’s candid and compelling memoir, I Swear, tells the story of a life shaped by Tourette’s and a determination to

challenge the assumptions and prejudices surrounding the condition. In this special moving and surprising conversation, John will be joined by his co-author Abbie Ross, author of Hippy Dinners, to explore the experiences behind the book. MICHAEL GOVE & GUY STANDING | 13 NOV, 7PM n Christ Church How should we educate the next generation for a world changing faster than ever before? As Artificial Intelligence, automation and new technologies reshape work and society, what knowledge and skills will young people need, not just to earn a living, but to lead creative, fulfilling lives? Expect challenge, disagreement – and the chance to contribute your own views about the future of education. MARY PORTAS | 14 NOV, 3PM n Christ Church Part memoir, part manifesto for business as a creative act, I Shop, Therefore I Am is the story of how Mary Portas revitalised department store Harvey Nichols in the 1990s (with two babies at home and a sceptical, all-male senior management team to impress), taking it from fusty to fabulous, then-patronised by style icon Lady Di and bolly-swigging duo Patsy and Edina of the iconic sitcom Ab Fab. Join BBC journalist Harriet Robinson to hear about Mary’s rich and varied life. JENNY EVANS | 14 NOV, 4.30PM n The Library Meeting Room Local investigative journalist and filmmaker Jenny Evans discusses her book, Don’t Let It Break You, Honey: A Memoir About Saving Yourself, longlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction. Weaving memoir with investigation, Jenny traces how one act of violence can ripple through a life, and through the institutions meant to offer protection.

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BRIN PIRATHAPAN | 15 NOV, 12PM n The Library Former veterinary surgeon Brin Pirathapan is now one of the most exciting new voices in British food. Winner of MasterChef in 2024, the Bristol-based chef combines his Tamil Sri Lankan heritage with his British upbringing to create bold, inventive dishes full of flavour, warmth and personality. He will discuss his new book Elevate with chef Jenny Chandler. EVELYN WELCH | 15 NOV, 1.30PM n The Library Why did men in seventeenth-century Europe suddenly decide that wearing someone else’s hair was a good idea? And why did women construct increasingly elaborate towers of hair, wire and lace on their heads? Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol and author of Skin and Shopping in the Renaissance, explores how these extraordinary fashions became normal – and what they tell us about the societies that embraced them. She will reveal the surprising economic world created by Europe’s obsession with hair... Visit foccal.com/litfest for more details and to download the full event brochure. Mary Portas (credit: Linda Nylind)

MIKE JAY | 13 NOV, 10.30AM n Clifton Club Discover how experiments with laughing gas sparked scientific breakthroughs, inspired poets (like Samuel Taylor Coleridge) and fuelled radical political debate in 1790s Clifton and Hotwells. Rich in colourful characters and surprising stories, Mike Jay will be in conversation with Katy Grant, uncovering the forgotten Bristol network that changed the course of science, literature and ideas.

Jenny Evans (credit: Josh Adam Jones)

lifton LitFest returns this year with more speakers and more events that focus on positivity, hope and the joy of reading. In excess of 70 writers and thinkers will take part, with distinguished Bristol-born broadcaster, journalist and historian Jonathan Dimbleby joining as the festival’s new Patron. New for this year is a third full day of events on Friday, with a focus on local writers, alongside new experiences including tastings, historic building tours and a literary walk around Clifton. But beyond the packed programme, the festival remains rooted in community and is run by volunteers. Its proceeds support local schools, libraries and reading initiatives across Bristol – helping keep books and the love of literature at the heart of the city.

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BOOKS NOV 26.qxp_Layout 1 20/10/2026 16:26 Page 1

READING

Book shelf

Libby from the team at Gloucester Road Books shares a selection of fresh releases that should be added to any ‘to be read’ list...

loucester 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, BS7 8NU Open Mon-Tues 9.30am-5pm; and Weds-Sat, 9.30am-6pm

Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel Exit Party is another eagerly anticipated release from a brilliant author – Emily St. John Mandel, author of Station Eleven. Set in a future America almost collapsed by civil war, Ari and Gloria plan to attend a hedonistic party in Los Angeles. While there, mysterious doubles of some guests begin to appear whilst others start to disappear. So begins a perfectly crafted, strange, dystopian mystery spanning parallel worlds and decades.

The Rambler’s Curse by Mikey Please We are huge fans of Mikey Please’s picture book series The Cafe at the Edge of the Woods and so we are thrilled to report that he is expanding the universe of Renee and Glumfoot in a new book for readers aged (approximately) 8-12. Renee and Glumfoot run a cafe together in an enchanted world. But something has gone awry – humans have started to enter their magical forest and are threatening their world’s very existence, leaving them no choice but to take action to save their home. If you’ve been a fan of books such as The Wild Robot or The Last Bear, you’ll love this duo. 46 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2026 | No 264

The Disappearers by Marlon James A highly anticipated release, The Disappearers – Marlon James’s return to the Jamaica he first wrote about in A Brief History of Seven Killings – does not disappoint. We meet a cast of eight men, all auditioning for roles in a play with a queer plot. During rehearsals, they are descended upon by a mob of homophobes. Even those that ‘survive’ this brutal attack are not without scars. What follows is a heart wrenching and visceral exploration of the legacy of pain each of the men is left to carry. Following Gloucester Road Books’ event with Marlon James, the team has a few signed copies of this brilliant novel left in stock.

End Times Fascism by Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor’s excellent new exposé is essential reading. The book is an exploration of the ‘new’ far-right, why its rhetoric is capturing the minds of so many, and what can be done about it. Expertly researched, Klein and Taylor lay bare the flaws of these nihilistic, sadistic visions presented by billionaires and politicians and offer a new way of sharing the earth together by breaking this cycle of doom.

In One Brief Moment All Eternity by Elif Shafak A new Elif Shafak title will be music to the ears of many. In One Brief Moment All Eternity is a novel about Gustave Flaubert, author of famed literary heroine Madame Bovary, told through the eyes of the women who shaped him. In this speculative fiction, Shafak explores what it means to be an artist or a storyteller, bringing to the forefront voices that have historically been devalued compared to others. Meditative, impeccably researched and, above all else, a thoroughly engaging story by a beloved author.

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THIS IS BRISTOL

Bristol at work LOCAL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATION UPDATES

Stoke Lane Dentistry enters a new era of specialist care

Nuffield Health installs new MRI and CT scanners Nuffield Health’s Bristol Hospital has installed the SIGNA™ Voyager MRI Scanner and the AI-powered Revolution Ascend CT system, which will lead to increased appointments and improved diagnostic accuracy for both NHS and private patients. The new MRI scanner, which is equipped with advanced AIR™ Coils and deep learning technology, can scan patients’ specific body parts in a more comfortable position in half the time, while also offering enhanced cardiac imaging – with 12 times faster scanning compared to more conventional technology. David Wynne-Jones, hospital director at Nuffield Health Bristol, says: “We’re incredibly proud to announce the installation of these cutting-edge MRI and CT scanners. Every day matters when someone is waiting for answers, and increasing our capacity means more people across Bristol can access the care they need, sooner.” The CT system also improves patient experience by using a 3D camera to position patients nearly twice as quickly as previous models, meaning radiographers are able to spend more time supporting their patients. The newly upgraded imaging suite was officially opened by Bristol Bears star Tom Jordan (pictured above, centre), reflecting the hospital’s close relationship with the rugby club. The investment is part of a broader collaboration with GE HealthCare, which will see Nuffield Health invest £200m in the latest AI-enabled diagnostic imaging technology across its UK hospital network.

nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol

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Stoke Lane Dentistry is entering a new chapter, bringing together experienced dental specialists from across Bristol and investing in modern clinical facilities to expand its range of advanced treatments. Building on more than 50 years of family dentistry, the practice is developing a collaborative approach to specialist care, helping patients with everything from persistent toothache and complex root canal treatments to dental trauma, missing teeth and advanced restorative procedures. The team also offers thorough assessments, clear advice and rapid emergency care, alongside sedation options for nervous patients. Intravenous sedation is available for adults, while inhalation sedation is offered to both children and adults. Despite its expanded specialist services, Stoke Lane Dentistry remains committed to the patients, families and local community who have trusted the practice for generations. stokelanedentistry.co.uk (Pictured: Principal Dentist and Specialist Endodontist, Dr Armineh Arzandeh)

Travel company impresses Dragons on TV Local independent travel company Kip Hideaways has secured offers of investment from three Dragons after co-founder Sarah de VereDrummond appeared on Sarah de Vere-Drummond on Dragons’ Den BBC One’s Dragons’ Den. Founded in 2019 by Vere-Drummond and Liz Simpson, Kip Hideaways champions independent UK stays – from cosy cabins and treehouses to castles and cottages – chosen for their character, soul and the owner stories behind them. The appearance marked a landmark moment for the company, with Sarah pitching Kip Hideaways to Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Gary Neville and Steven Bartlett, and answering questions on the business, its model and future. “The travel industry is dominated by some absolutely enormous businesses, so there was something amazing about walking in as a small, independent British brand and saying: we think there's another way to do this,” says Sarah. Kip’s collection now includes more than 200 under-the-radar, design-led places across the UK, many with interesting owner stories and local experiences to discover. The episode is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer. kiphideaways.com

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THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | NOVEMBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 49

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THIS IS BRISTOL

A helping hand

The dinner raised funds for Cancer Research UK

City businesses unite to raise an incredible £100,000 for cancer research in Bristol

he annual Business Beats Cancer Bristol Gala Dinner recently brought together 250 guests for an evening of fundraising, entertainment and generosity, raising an outstanding £100,000 for cancer research in Bristol. The board’s flagship fundraising event welcomed guests from across Bristol’s business community for a memorable night hosted by TV and radio presenter Ian Downs, AKA ‘Downsy’. Entertainment came courtesy of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and the lively samba rhythms of Ilu Axé, while live and silent auctions – alongside the chance to win a beautiful pink diamond ring worth £6,880, generously donated by Titcombe Bespoke – added to the excitement. Thanks to the incredible generosity of those in attendance, the evening sailed past its £75,000 fundraising target. Beyond the celebrations, the event also shone a spotlight on the vital work being carried out in cancer research. Guests heard from experts about exciting advances in the field, described as a “golden age” of research, and the importance of continued funding to turn scientific breakthroughs into better outcomes for people affected by cancer. Formed six years ago, Business Beats Cancer Bristol (BBCB) brings together businesses across the city to support Cancer Research UK. Every penny raised by the Bristol board goes towards funding cancer research in the city, helping to bring us closer to a future where more people survive cancer and live longer, healthier lives. BBCB Chair Kate Banks said: “The BBCB is absolutely thrilled with this result as it's great to see all our hard work pay off and we are so appreciative of the support and generosity we received from the Bristol business community – this is a meaningful contribution to funding cancer research in this city and they did us proud.” While £100,000 is a tremendous achievement, the need for continued support remains. Business Beats Cancer Bristol runs fundraising activities throughout the year and welcomes businesses and individuals keen to play their part in making a difference. The next BBCB Gala Dinner will take place on Thursday 7 October 2027, with ticket details to be announced soon. n business-beats-cancer-bristol.webflow.io

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BBCB Chair Kate Banks (centre, bottom) with attendees of the Gala Dinner

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News from BGS The Telegraph’s Best School in Bristol and Gloucester for value BGS has been recognised in The Telegraph’s national school awards as best value school in Bristol and Gloucester, awarded for the combination of academic achievement and breadth of co-curricular opportunities available to pupils. Reflecting on the award, Jaideep Barot, Head of BGS said: “Delivering value, particularly in the current climate, has been a real focus for us as a school. Against a backdrop of school closures and mergers, and with families carefully considering the value of different educational opportunities available to them, this award is a wonderful recognition of the emphasis we place on providing an outstanding experience for our families.” “Building strong relationships with our pupils and families is incredibly important to us, which is why it is particularly pleasing to be recognised for both our academic outcomes and our co-curricular offer. That combination is exactly what BGS is all about.”

BGS x RWA BGS is excited to announce a new partnership with Royal West of England Academy (RWA) in support of the RWA’s Learning and Engagement Programme As a school for Bristol and the community, the support from BGS will help enable the RWA to continue to deliver and build their creative programmes, such as Scribble & Sketch, hyper-local creative sessions as well as family workshops, gallery-based events and activities for children, young people and their families with SEN+D. Caroline Booth Morris, Head of Development at RWA said; “Support from Bristol Grammar School helps underpin the RWA’s Learning & Engagement programme, enabling us to continue delivering creative opportunities for children, young people, families and community groups across Bristol. It reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that arts and culture remain accessible and welcoming to all.”

Three new senior appointments strengthen BGS offering BGS welcomes three experienced leaders who will build on the school’s already extensive provision. Bringing significant expertise and fresh energy to three areas that are central to the BGS experience, pupils will have even more opportunities to discover new passions, develop their talents and challenge themselves beyond the classroom. Mark Nasey has been appointed as Director of Sport, he said; “I was really drawn to BGS by its vision and values, and I’m excited to be joining such a vibrant school community. I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to BGS and working with pupils, staff and families to build on the school’s sporting strengths and create an exciting, sustainable future for sport here.”

James Buckley, the new BGS Head of Art, said: “For me, great art education is about giving students genuine creative independence; the freedom to take risks, make decisions and find their own voice. I want students at BGS to encounter an inspiring breadth of artists, ideas, materials and experiences, and to leave with not only strong creative skills, but the confidence, drive and curiosity to think and create for themselves.” Gwilym Starks joins as Head of Outdoor Education, said:“Outdoor Education is a thriving part of school life at BGS, with opportunities for pupils at every stage of their journey. I’m looking forward to helping even more students discover the confidence, skills and sense of adventure that time spent outdoors can inspire.”

www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk

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SCHOOLS

Education matters

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School opens Postgrad applications

NEWS FROM THE CITY’S LEARNERS AND LEADERS

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School may have only just welcomed a new cohort of Postgraduate and Acting Foundation students and been joined by the BA third-year students during its 80th anniversary year, but the School has now also opened applications for next year’s courses. The popular MA and MFA programs across Acting, Directing, Writing, Design and Voice will continue, as will the three Acting Foundation courses (Summer Intensive, two-term full-time and three-term part-time.) The School is hosting a number of open days for prospective students across the autumn and spring term, as well as inviting interested parties to buy a ticket to one of its theatrical productions and get a flavour of what the School is all about (find out more via the School’s website).

Clifton College set to go international Clifton College, the co-educational day and boarding school, and Lighthouse Learning, one of India’s leading education platforms, have announced a partnership that will establish Clifton College’s first international presence beyond the UK. The Indian education community came together at a high-profile event in New Delhi to launch the partnership, with Lighthouse Learning bringing the institution to India, uniting Lighthouse Learning’s scale and education expertise with Clifton College’s 164-year history, international outlook and academic pedigree. The two institutions will work together to create opportunities for knowledge exchange, global exposure and collaboration. The partnership will also explore new approaches to preparing young people for a rapidly changing world, with a focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, cultural understanding, adaptability and independent thinking. “India’s young population and increasing engagement with international education create strong opportunities for collaboration and learning,” says Dr Christopher Stevens, Executive Head, Clifton College Education Group. “Through this partnership with Lighthouse Learning, we look forward to bringing Clifton College’s legacy and educational approach to a new context while learning from India’s diverse education ecosystem. Our children and our schools must always look outwards and look forwards to embrace the opportunities the future holds. This partnership offers a wonderful opportunity to do just that.” cliftoncollege.com Pictured above: The official handover of a Clifton College crest at the launch event held in New Delhi. Left-to-right: Rajiv Pillai, (CFO, Lighthouse Learning Group), Prajodh Rajan (Founder and Group CEO, Lighthouse Learning Group), Dr Christopher Stevens (Exec Head, Clifton College Education Group) and Mr Neil Sachdev (Chair of Clifton College Education Group)

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Applications close 1 March 2027. More information and application forms can be found on the School’s website oldvic.ac.uk/courses.

Judo Champion inspires at Redmaids’ Redmaids' High School was delighted to welcome British judo champion and Commonwealth Games medallist Lele Nairne for a special assembly with junior pupils recently. Fresh from securing a bronze medal for Team England in the women's -57kg category at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games this summer, Lele shared her inspiring sporting journey and the lessons she has learned through dedication and perseverance. The assembly highlighted the many benefits judo has brought to her life, including increased confidence, courage, new skills and lasting friendships. Above all, she emphasised the importance of enjoying the journey and having fun along the way. As Redmaids' High's lead judo coach, Lele is already proving to be an inspirational role model for pupils, demonstrating how hard work, determination and resilience can lead to exceptional achievements. redmaidshigh.co.uk

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Help fund 2,000 creative activity packs for children across Bristol this winter For many families, winter is shaped by familiar rituals: cooking together, getting creative around the kitchen table, taking part in festive activities, and enjoying the chance to slow down and spend time together.Yet for some children and young people across Bristol, those moments can be harder to come by. The school holidays can place extra pressure on already stretched households. Routines change, access to school support pauses, and even modest activities can become another expense to manage. This is where Bristol-born social enterprise, Unique Voice, is committed to making a difference. This winter, the team hopes to reach as many as 2,000 families across the region with creative activity packs but it needs the support of local people and businesses to make that possible. Every pack needs to be funded, and every donation helps Unique Voice reach another child or family who could use a little more joy, creativity and connection this winter.

Help put creativity into more hands Every winter, Unique Voice creates and distributes beautifully illustrated creative activity packs for children, young people and families who could benefit from additional support over the colder months and holidays. Designed to encourage imagination, selfexpression, mindfulness and connection, the activities give children something positive to

enjoy at home without relying on expensive equipment or digital devices. Some packs also include food vouchers, giving families the opportunity to choose ingredients and cook together from scratch. The packs create opportunities to draw, make, imagine and explore - helping children discover something they enjoy, express how they feel and spend valuable time with the people around them.

Why access to creativity matters Unique Voice believes every child should have access to arts and creative experiences. Creativity can enrich lives, build confidence, spark curiosity and give children another way to process thoughts and emotions, which can be especially valuable during the winter months when some may feel more isolated or unsettled. Throughout the year, Unique Voice works with thousands of children and young people, bringing creativity into schools and communities through drama, storytelling, performance and other arts-based, traumainformed programmes. The team sees firsthand how these opportunities can open conversations, support emotional wellbeing and help young people find new ways to express themselves and connect with others.

What your support can make possible Each activity pack costs £20 to create, meaning a donation of just £20 can fund one complete pack for one child. £100 can support five children, while £500 could bring creative opportunities into the homes of 25 children and young people.

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Local businesses are also invited to support the campaign through sponsorship, fundraising and volunteering, with packing days giving teams the opportunity to play a hands-on role before the packs make their way into the community. Please help us reach more children and families this winter. Your donation can put materials, ideas and inspiration directly into the hands of a child or young person who may otherwise have fewer opportunities to access them during the holidays. Every contribution helps create meaningful moments for local families - whether that is time spent making together, discovering a new creative interest or simply enjoying something positive at home.

“It really helped…because of it being Christmas and everything, and with money being so tight. I was able to spend the afternoon playing… instead of having to worry about going out. It was great because it saved me on shopping!” Parent of activity pack recipient To support Unique Voice’s Winter Campaign, simply scan the QR code and make a donation. Every £20 donated can give a local child or young person the opportunity to create, explore and connect this winter. www.uniquevoice.org theoffice@uniquevoice.org 0117 428 6240

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Frenchay Park Gardens Residential & Dementia Care Home Frenchay Park Gardens is a Home from Home. We know this isn’t an easy decision. We’re here to help. When living alone becomes too physically demanding or lonely, our Residential/Dementia care offers the perfect balance of independence and gentle support. A safe, familiar, and nurturing environment specifically designed to support those living with memory-related conditions.

A Bristol Care Home That Truly Feels Like Home

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MBST - Helping patients with HAND ARTHRITIS For years I’ve been working with MBST helping to reduce pain and improve function for all manner of conditions related to arthritis and joint/tissue damage. Hand arthritis is one condition that massively impairs lives, yet medically there are little to no solutions, especially as the condition is developing/progressing. Using the cellular repair process initiated by MBST, we’re seeing life altering results treating hands that are causing severe pain and limited activities that were once taken for granted.

Talk to us today : 0117 959 6531 www.curaclinical.com 58 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2026 | No 264

Jane, Annalies and many others I’ve treated would advise anyone who is diagnosed with arthritic hands or is struggling with hand pain and mobility to get assessed and look into the options MBST has for them in Bristol. Jane came to me with up to 9/10 finger pain when cleaning, washing up or knocking them. Worse over the last 5 years. Following MBST treatment last June she’s almost completely pain free with full function.

Annalies came to me with arthritic fingers causing pain and stiffness especially in the mornings. Within 3 -4 months MBST was enough to reduce her pain to zero, and is still going strong 5 years later. She’s since treated her arthritic knee which responded just as well.

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WALK

Ancient footsteps Follow Andrew Swift’s autumnal adventure along the Roman Road to Prospect Stile and be rewarded with some of the best vistas our region has to offer

The view westward over Bristol (and below, Kelston Round Hill from the Roman Road

his month’s walk is ideal for a crisp late autumn day – just four miles long, it follows a lost Roman Road to one of the ﬁnest views in the West Country. On the way back, it crosses an Iron Age camp and visits a tiny, hidden village steeped in history, before ending at a country pub, which is open all day every day from noon. You need to choose your day, however. It involves a climb of over 200m, and much of it is very exposed, so strong winds and rain could turn it into an endurance test. Apart from rough and muddy paths, however, it presents no particular challenges. It starts at Swineford (pronounced ‘Swinford’), nine miles east of Bristol. As you enter the village from the west along the A431, turn left to follow a sign for Swineford Picnic Area (BS30 6LN; ST691692). The picnic area stands on the site of Swineford 62 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2026 | No 264

Colour Works, established by the West of England Ochre & Oxide Company around 1899. In the 1930s it was converted to an iron foundry which closed in 1957. Although most of the buildings were demolished, the fastflowing leat which powered it still flows through the site. One building that does survive is Brook House, by the entrance to the car park. Follow a footpath sign alongside the wall surrounding the house, go through a kissing gate (KG) and carry straight on. Continue through another KG and follow a track across the next field. The gate at the top of the field leads into a green lane. This was part of the Roman Road from Aquae Sulis (Bath) to Portus Abonae (Sea Mills), from where soldiers embarked for the legionary fortress at Caerleon. As you continue to climb, the views open up through the hedgerows on either side. Soon, though, the going

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St. Martin’s, North Stoke

gets steeper and the views disappear as the banks rise up on either side. Eventually, the gradient eases and the views return. After 500m, take a turning on the right to leave the Roman Road (ST698691). A KG leads to a narrow path along the edge of the escarpment. After it curves left, you will see a grand house ahead. This is the former North Stoke rectory, built in 1828 on the course of the Roman Road – which is why the footpath has been diverted away from it. Go through a KG at the end and turn right along a lane. When the lane curves right, carry straight on past a house called Stonecroft to rejoin the Roman Road (ST701689). Soon tarmac gives way to something much rougher as the track starts to climb, before levelling out as the view opens up over the Avon valley. After a while, the track drops down to a gate, with Kelston Round Hill, topped by a clump of trees, straight ahead. If you look down to the right here you can see Saltford Lock, on the River Avon. Further on, after going through a handgate, the path steepens and the views disappear as the woodland closes in. After another 300m, turn left to follow a public footpath sign through a tall KG (ST712681). Here you leave the Roman Road and join the Cotswold Way. The going is easy for a while until the climbing begins in earnest. Follow the path as it weaves uphill, until, suddenly, the view opens up, with Kelston Hill – now below you – straight ahead. A few more paces and you reach the edge of the escarpment, with the city of Bath spread out below you, and in the far distance, the Westbury White Horse visible on the hills beyond. The view from here sent the Bath architect John Wood – who also designed Bristol’s Corn Exchange – into paroxysms of hyperbole. ‘Hither’, he wrote in 1742, ‘the curious resort not only to look down upon the cities of Bath and Bristol … but to behold the whole region … a region that sets paradise itself before ones eyes; and as such it might have been the very Elysium Fields of the ancients.’ To see Bristol, however, you have to climb a little further, to Prospect Stile – now replaced by a kissing gate – where a topograph has also been provided. From here, turn left along the edge of the ﬁeld, with Bath Racecourse – the highest in the country – over to your right. Carry straight on through a handgate, and the end of the next ﬁeld, turn right to follow a

path alongside the ditch around Littledown Camp, one of a chain of Iron Age hillforts on the hills around Bath. After 200m, the path swings left across the ditch and through the ramparts to head across the camp. Go through a gate on the far side, drop down through the ramparts and follow the Cotswold Way as it turns right to follow a path around the perimeter of the fort. After going through a KG with a sign warning of sheep, carry on for another 100m until you come to a stony track, down which you turn left to leave the Cotswold Way. (Before heading downhill, however, it is well worth heading up to the shelter you can see at the top of the field, which commands magnificent views westward over Bristol.) After going through a seven-bar gate you come to the village of North Stoke, which, although tiny, has a rich history. The farm you pass on entering the village stands on the site of a Roman villa. In AD758, it was granted to Bath Abbey by the King of Mercia as a monastic grange, and it continued as such until the Reformation, before being converted to a farm. St Martin’s church, up to the left, dates from the 11th century. Its most remarkable feature is a massive rectangular font, which probably dates from Romano-British times, with three Celtic heads carved on it. There was once a fourth, but this has been filed down, suggesting that the font may have been a pre-Christian ceremonial or sacrificial table before being adapted for Christian use, the removal of the fourth head transforming it into a representation of the Trinity. At the foot of the steps leading down from the churchyard is a well fed by a spring so rich in limestone that objects left in it soon calcify and come out looking as though they have been turned to stone. Petrifying wells were regarded as sacred by the Celts, which suggests that this may have been a holy place long before the Romans arrived. More recently, however, lack of rain has led to the spring drying up. Follow the lane down past the church, and after 150m, by a wall letter box, turn right down a stony lane (ST701691). Follow it as it bears left, 150m further on, and after another 300m, when it meets the Roman Road, turn right along it to return to the starting point. When you reach the car park, a left turn along the approach road leads to the garden of the Swan Inn, open all day every day from noon, with food served till 9pm on weekdays and 6pm at weekends. n Discover more of Andrew Swift’s books and writings online from akemanpress.com | Photos provided courtesy of Andrew Swift

Distance: Four miles Map: OS Explorer 155 Swan Inn: swanswineford.co.uk THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | NOVEMBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 63

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Abigail Ahern Tapestry Fixed Size Mural Wallpaper, Clay, £370, johnlewis.com

Common threads From medieval masterpieces to Bristol’s own woven history celebrating a major milestone, the art of tapestry is having a moment… and there’s no reason the story should stop at the museum door. There are ways you can weave a little magic in your own home too, allowing tales to be told through artistic choices, interior design and soft furnishings

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INTERIORS Monochrome Extra Large Woven Forest Tapestry Fabric Wall Hanging, £95, next.co.uk

ave you ever wanted to bring a little piece of history home? Perhaps an intriguing antique that has you marvelling at its craftsmanship, or you might just want a room in your house to be adorned with something a little more interesting than another piece of mass-produced art. Tapestries – whether historic artefacts or brand-new creations – have captured our imaginations for centuries, adorning buildings and transforming walls into storyboards through intricate details and decoration. They’re also enjoying something of a revival right now… For anyone who has recently found themselves swept up in tapestry fever, there is plenty of inspiration to be found both across the country and on our doorstep. The Bayeux Tapestry is currently on display at the British Museum, where it has already proved quite the draw, with the museum confirming that it welcomed more than 100,000 visitors during the first month of the tapestry’s UK stay. It’s no surprise that people are queuing for hours to see one of the finest surviving examples of medieval storytelling. (Thankfully, there’s still time to make the pilgrimage: the tapestry is due to remain on display until July next year before returning home to France.) And for any Aardman addicts, the Natural History Museum also recently unveiled its own seven-metre, Bayeux-inspired Baa-Ewe Tapestry, starring Shaun the Sheep as an homage to the original creation. Closer to home, our own woven wonder is celebrating a rather significant milestone. The Bristol Tapestry: A Stitch in Time turned 50 this year. The idea was conceived by Jean Tanner and Marjorie Bleasedale in the late 1960s as a way of recording important events from the city’s past. By 1976, the project was complete, involving more than 90 local people. Technically, it isn’t actually a tapestry at all. Its 22 metres comprise a mixture of embroidery stitches, appliqué techniques and screen printing, arranged across four panels and 27 scenes depicting almost 1,000 years of Bristol’s history. It arrived at its current home at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery in 1999. As with any historical object, the tale it tells also reflects the era in which it was created; the way we choose to represent our history is, in itself, part of the story.

Sanderson Tapestry Tree & Striped Square Cushion, £50, marksandspencer.com

Fruit of the loom But why should museums get to have all the fun? Inviting tapestry through your own front door doesn’t necessarily mean covering every available surface in medieval knights, mythical beasts and elaborate battle scenes. Its appeal lies in its versatility, and there are plenty of ways to introduce the look into a contemporary space without making your sitting room resemble a stately home. Perhaps the easiest starting point is a framed textile. A smaller woven artwork can work much like a painting, bringing pattern, texture and colour to a wall while adding a softness that a traditional framed print might lack. Alternatively, a larger tapestry can become a statement piece, particularly against a relatively pared-back wall. And don’t assume it needs to be hung conventionally: a beautiful vintage textile or embroidered throw can look equally effective draped over a rail, hung from a decorative pole or displayed as casually as you like. Then there are the even softer options. Cushions, curtains, throws and bedlinen can all borrow from tapestry’s rich, decorative vocabulary, while wallpaper can recreate the effect without requiring a single stitch. A tapestry-inspired motif might be as elaborate as a sprawling botanical scene or as simple as a repeating ﬂoral, geometric or folkloric pattern. The beauty of tapestry is that it can tell as much or as little of any story as you like. Writing for British Vogue recently, Hannah Coates has noted the growing popularity of storytelling in interiors, from woven art and hand-painted furniture to murals and bespoke decorative details. Designers are increasingly incorporating personal symbols and histories into otherwise ordinary objects, she says, using examples such as ﬁsh and radishes on a bespoke table representing family life, zodiac signs worked into dining THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | NOVEMBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 65

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chairs, or tiles depicting the Jataka tales transforming a staircase into something with a deeper narrative. That idea is particularly useful when considering how to bring tapestry into your own home. Rather than asking simply, ‘Does this match the sofa?’, think about what you want the piece to say. Is there a particular place, culture or period that inspires you? Do you want something traditional and decorative, or contemporary and abstract? Perhaps you’re drawn to botanical imagery, folklore or mythology, or would rather create a piece around your own family story. For a child’s bedroom, a tapestryinspired design might feature animals, a landscape or a favourite story characters; elsewhere, a more sophisticated motif could provide a colourful focal point in an otherwise neutral room. There are also plenty of choices when it comes to colours, materials and craftsmanship. The traditional association with tapestry might conjure up deep reds, ochres, greens and jewel tones, but there’s no reason to stick to the medieval palette. A contemporary interpretation in soft neutrals, faded pastels or monochrome can help ease a tapestry into your existing décor. On the other hand, a riot of colour can inject life into an otherwise restrained room. An antique tapestry brings with it the charm of age, patina and provenance, whereas a contemporary handmade piece offers the opportunity to commission something personal. And you don’t necessarily need to invest in a fully woven artwork: embroidery, appliqué, printed textiles and tapestry-style designs, as shown in the products highlighted on these pages, can all create the same sense of texture and visual richness.

A narrative thread

Joules Hidcote Birds Tapestry Bedding Set, from £55, marksandspencer.com

Tapestry has always been about more than decoration. From historic works depicting great events to richly patterned textiles that tell stories of people, places and cultures, woven art has a way of bringing character and meaning to the spaces we inhabit. And you don't need to hang an antique masterpiece on the wall to enjoy its appeal.

Artsy Mats Brown Welsh Tapestry Coir Doormat, £20, next.co.uk

Today, tapestry-inspired designs are finding their way into contemporary interiors in all sorts of ways, from decorative throws and upholstered headboards to textiles displayed as artwork. Take Little Greene's Millefleur Garden wallpaper, for example (pictured below), whose floral design draws directly from a rare, lovingly conserved 15th-century tapestry at Somerset's Montacute House – the oldest of its kind in the National Trust's care. Its intricate design brings the spirit of the original into the home, without an antique thread in sight. The influence extends beyond our walls, too. Tapestry-inspired fashion is having its moment, as a rather fetching jacket from Oliver Bonas on our fashion pages this month demonstrates. Whether worn or displayed, these richly patterned designs offer a way to bring a little more personality to the everyday. But perhaps the real appeal lies in the stories these textiles can tell. The Bayeux Tapestry famously captures a moment in history, but contemporary interpretations needn't look backwards. A favourite place, a family memory, a cultural tradition or simply a pattern we love can all provide inspiration. After all, the most interesting interiors aren't necessarily those that follow the latest trends, but those that reflect something of the people who live in them. n Millefleur Garden Wallpaper, £215, littlegreene.co.uk

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VINTAGE FURNITURE

given a new lease of life

jeffosbo@hotmail.com | 07875129964

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GARDENING

Making the cut Step-over apple trees and yew topiary at The Newt in Somerset

hen I moved to my current house over a decade ago, I remember asking to borrow a ladder from my parents in order to cut back a large wisteria. My father offered to do it for me and I left him to it, then was gobsmacked to see he’d reduced it to almost nothing – just a bare, stumpy framework of knobbly stems. Despite my initial shock, the same wisteria grew back rampantly and continues to do so on a regular basis after its twice-yearly prunings. Many of us are reactive in our pruning, waiting until a plant has outgrown its allotted space and is blocking a window, gate or pathway before we take action. Cutting back and hoping for the best is certainly one method of pruning (and one I’m often guilty of in my own garden if something doesn’t look great and I don’t want to wait). Unpruned trees, shrubs and climbers can end up tall and unruly, heading for the light and all the ﬂowers appearing at the top, too high to enjoy. Climbers can become a tangle of woody stems, half of which are dead. While most plants are quite forgiving of a cut at the wrong time or in the wrong place, armed with a bit of knowledge, pruning becomes a relatively easy and satisfying task that that can make a huge difference to your garden’s appearance, health and productivity. As we come into the dormant winter season, there are lots of plants that can be cut back now. Cutting back while dormant lessens the risk of sap oozing or ‘bleeding’ from the wound, which can then attract pests and weaken the plant. Waiting until shrubs and trees have dropped their leaves also means you can see the framework and assess the shape more easily, revealing dead, dying and damaged stems that need removing. There are 68 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2026 | No 264

There are lots of plants that can be cut back now, writes Elly West, who shares her top tips on when and how to prune for the best results...

lots of reasons that we prune. Often it is simply to limit a plant’s overall size, but we also do it to encourage productivity of flowers and fruit. If a bush has become dense with old stems, you’re usually safe to cut some away at the base to reduce congestion and allow more air to circulate, and to encourage new and more vigorous growth. As well as dead or diseased stems, which should be removed as soon as you see them, crossing stems that are rubbing against each other should also be cut back. Rubbing stems can cause the bark to break, and provides a potential entry point for pests and diseases. Pruning is also carried out to improve a plant’s appearance. As well as keeping shrubs neat and tidy, at the far end of the scale is the careful shaping of topiary, pleached trees, or training fruit trees in a decorative way such as an espalier or cordon against a wall. One of my favourite pruning tasks is to crown-lift a dense shrub or tree that has become a green blob, by removing all the lower branches and raising its canopy, often revealing beautiful twisting branches and stems in the process, and providing more space at ground level for underplanting. If in doubt about when to prune a plant, then knowing whether flowers appear on new or old shoots is a good starting point. Plants that flower in summer on new growth can generally be cut back quite hard in winter, although it might be best to wait until late winter or early spring for some, such as hydrangeas and clematis, to avoid frost damage. Shrub roses can have a light prune now, but harder pruning is best left until later in winter once the risk of severe frosts has diminished. Buddleia, climbing roses, wisteria, grape vines, acers, birches, apples, pears and lavatera can all be pruned in winter from November onwards.

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GARDENING

Plant of the month: Euonymus Some plants flower on older wood made the previous summer. These tend to bloom earlier in the year, such as forsythia, lilac, viburnum, azalea and weigela. These should be cut back soon after the flowers fade in late-spring or summer. If you prune them now, the plant will recover, but you’ll be cutting away next year’s flower buds. Also avoid pruning plum or cherry trees now, as they are susceptible to silver leaf disease, which sheds its spores in autumn and can enter through cuts in the wood. Apples and pears can be cut back now however, to encourage an open framework and remove whippy shoots that take energy away from next year’s fruit production. Avoid pruning more than 20% of the tree each year. Whatever you are pruning, always use sharp, clean tools and avoid tearing or splitting the stems. Loppers, a pruning saw and a pair of secateurs will tackle the majority of pruning tasks. Wear heavy duty gloves to avoid scratches and, when making a cut, try to do it just above a bud or side stem that’s ideally pointing in the direction that you want the future growth to take. Cut the stem at an angle, sloping away from the bud so that water doesn’t run on to it. It's also a good time for cutting back dead perennials and having a general clear up around the garden readying it for winter. However, leaving some old growth until early spring, especially plants with attractive seed heads and stems, will benefit wildlife during the colder months providing shelter and valuable food sources. n Elly West is a professional garden designer, working in and around the Bristol area | ellyswellies.co.uk

This colourful and versatile shrub sits quietly in many a garden, often unnoticed and not really talked about. However, it’s a tough allrounder that is fully deserving of some appreciation, particularly the evergreen varieties that bring year-round colour, interest and screening, often as a backdrop to more flamboyant summer plants. Euonymus has lots of attractive variegated forms, including ‘Silver Carpet’, ‘Emerald Gaiety’, ‘Harlequin’ and ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’. White and green ‘Silver Queen’ is one of my favourites for a shady corner against a fence or wall, where it will take on a climbing habit without becoming invasive in the way that ivy can. Euonymus are tough and respond well to pruning, so can also be used as low hedging. Dark-green, small-leaved ‘Jean Hughes’ or ‘Green Spire’ (which are extremely similar) make a good alternative to box hedging, now that box blight and box caterpillar are so rife in the south-west. Euonymus aren’t particularly fussy about soil or aspect and the lower-growing forms also make good ground cover on a slope, or around rockeries.

ELLY’S WELLIES GARDEN DESIGNS Turning your ideas into

beautiful spaces Elly’s Wellies Garden Designs will help you to maximise your outdoor space and tailor it to your individual needs. Whether you are looking for a complete redesign or just need advice on what to plant, contact Elly West for a free initial consultation.

ellywellies@gmail.com 07788 640934 www.ellyswellies.co.uk THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK | NOVEMBER 2026 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 69

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PROPERTY NEWS

DISCOVER THE LATEST NEWS FROM BRISTOL’S PROPERTY EXPERTS

How important are materials when renovating an older property? Materials make an enormous difference, both visually and in how a house feels. I always favour natural, good-quality materials that will age beautifully and stand the test of time. Stone, timber, marble and handmade tiles bring depth, texture and authenticity that can be difficult to replicate. Entrance halls are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate traditional materials. Clay mosaics, natural stone or patterned encaustic tiles can introduce colour and character while creating a beautiful transition into the home. Original timber floors and stone fireplaces are also worth preserving wherever possible. I believe in choosing materials that complement the age of the property without making the interiors feel like a period reconstruction. The contrast between historic details and more contemporary finishes can be particularly beautiful.

What should homeowners consider before starting the decorative work?

Old Houses, New Stories his month I was delighted to have the opportunity to sit down with Interior architect and designer Gema Broch, founder of StudioBN, who shares her advice on renovating period homes. Bristol is home to some wonderful period properties, from elegant Georgian townhouses to Victorian terraces, each with its own architectural details and stories to tell. But how do you bring an older house into modern life without losing the character that makes it so special? Gema, founder of StudioBN Interior Design, shares her thoughts.

Where should you start when renovating a period home? I always start by understanding the house itself. Before making decisions about finishes or furniture, it is important to consider the layout and how you want to live. Does the kitchen work for family life? Is there a natural flow between rooms? Could better connections to the garden transform the way you use the ground floor? The aim is to make the house work for you while respecting its original architecture. Period properties often have beautiful proportions, original fireplaces, cornicing, panelled doors and timber floors. Where features have been lost or compromised by previous renovations, I like to explore whether they can be restored or reinstated. The most successful renovations feel as though the house has evolved naturally rather than been completely reinvented.

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It is essential to understand what is happening behind the walls and beneath the floors. Older properties may have outdated electrics, plumbing or heating systems, so these should be assessed early, before finalising the design. Working with experienced tradespeople who understand period buildings is invaluable. They can advise on improving efficiency, upgrading services and addressing issues such as ventilation and insulation without compromising the building’s character. If the house is listed, or has particular conservation requirements, these also need to be considered from the outset. Good planning helps avoid costly surprises later.

How do you approach the interior design of a period home? For me, it is about creating interiors that feel considered, comfortable and connected to the architecture. I think carefully about how each room will be used, who will use it and at what time of day. A morning kitchen needs a different atmosphere from an evening sitting room. Natural light plays a huge role in choosing paint colours, as orientation and changing daylight can transform how a shade looks throughout the day. I love combining tactile fabrics, natural timber, stone and thoughtfully chosen colours to create depth without overwhelming a space. Furniture should be comfortable, well made and chosen to last, rather than simply follow a trend.

What is your biggest piece of advice for homeowners? Don’t rush to change everything. Live with the house’s possibilities in mind, understand its architecture and invest in the elements that matter most. A successful renovation isn’t about making an old house look new; it is about allowing its original character to shine while creating a home that reflects the people living in it today. Whether it’s a period home, a project, or modern gem, whatever stage you are at in the search for your new home, I’d love to chat about your search and how working with a buying agent may assist. To explore more of Gema's work: www.studiobn.com Lili Oliver Oliver Roth Property Consultants T: 0117 9877 828 | E: home@oliverroth.co.uk

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Sneyd Park, Bristol | Guide Price £1,850,000 A fabulous detached five-bedroom family house on a sought-after no-through-road in the heart of Sneyd Park; complete with an enclosed private rear garden, excellent off-street parking and an integrated garage. A stunning circa 3300 sq. ft detached family home on the edge of Sneyd Park Nature Reserve | Generous off-street parking and a single garage | Beautifully refurbished and extended by the current owners | Fabulous sitting room spilling out into the garden | Separate family room and a study with atrium ceiling | Utility room | Five double bedrooms and three bath / shower rooms (two en-suite) | Exceptional landscaped rear garden with a retractable roof pergola, timber summer house and deep paved dining terrace | Extensive off-street parking with EV charge point and integrated garage | EPC: C

In all circa 3352.10 sq.ft ( 311.40 sq.m)

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

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PROPERTY

When ‘perfect’ isn’t perfect: the compromises worth making when buying a home By Peter Greatorex

sk most buyers what they are looking for and, understandably, they will have a list. The right number of bedrooms, a goodsized garden, off-street parking, a utility room or a big kitchen where everyone can gather. Perhaps a separate sitting room, a playroom, space for guests and, increasingly, somewhere to exercise or work from home. There is nothing wrong with knowing what you want. In fact, I would always encourage buyers to think carefully about what really matters to them before they start looking. However, there is a danger that, somewhere along the way, a wish list becomes a checklist, and a perfectly good home gets discounted because it does not tick every box from day one. After many years of showing people around properties, I think one of the most useful things a buyer can do is separate their genuine nonnegotiables from the things they would simply like to have. For many families, those non-negotiables will be fairly obvious. You may need three or four bedrooms, to be within a particular school catchment or a sensible distance of work. If you have young children or a dog, a garden might be essential. In some parts of Bath, parking will be high on the list too. These are the things to be realistic about because, in many cases, you cannot change them. You can replace a kitchen, but you cannot move a house to a different street. If parking is essential to the way your family lives, falling in love with a house where you will spend the next ten years circling the streets looking for a space probably is not the wisest compromise. Once you know what you genuinely cannot compromise on, however, it pays to become much more open-minded about everything else. Instead of asking whether a house has everything you want now, ask whether it has the potential to give you those things in the future. Perhaps the kitchen is not the big, open-plan family space you had imagined, but could it become one? Could a wall eventually come down to connect it to the dining room? Maybe there is no dedicated home office, but could there be space for one in the garden? Perhaps the loft could provide another bedroom or a garage offer future potential. Not every opportunity requires a major renovation either. Older houses in particular can have strangely proportioned rooms. Could fitted wardrobes be repositioned or reversed to give some space from an oversized principal bedroom to a smaller neighbouring room? Could part of that bedroom become an ensuite? It is surprising what can be achieved by looking at the space differently.

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There is also an important distinction between the things that are difficult to see past and the things that are difficult to change. An outdated kitchen may dominate your first impression, but ultimately it can be replaced. Good proportions, natural light, privacy, an attractive outlook or a garden that catches the evening sun are much harder, and sometimes impossible, to create. My advice is to concentrate on buying the things you cannot add later. You can install the kitchen or create the utility room. You cannot add another two feet to the ceiling height or pick the house up and move it to a better street. Budget comes into this too. There is something to be said for not paying a premium for somebody else's idea of perfection. If you have £800,000 to spend, there may be merit in looking at a £725,000 or £750,000 property that gets the fundamentals right and leaves money available to make changes over time. Clearly, you need to understand what any work is likely to cost and whether it is feasible before buying. However, if you plan to change the kitchen in five years anyway, or have little use for the immaculate home gym, your money may be better spent on a house with the fundamentals you want and the scope to create the rest yourself. It is also worth remembering that our needs change. A playroom becomes a study. A garden office becomes somewhere for teenagers to escape to. The loft you do not need today might provide the extra bedroom you need five years from now. A good home should have the ability to evolve with you. I sometimes wonder whether we are asking too much of our homes from the outset. Particularly since the pandemic, and with the rise of social media, our houses have been expected to become offices, gyms, entertainment spaces and sanctuaries as well as somewhere to live. We are constantly shown beautiful homes with enormous kitchen islands, boot rooms, pantries, dressing rooms and perfectly organised utility rooms. Things that were once luxuries can very quickly start to feel like necessities, but we are buying homes to live in, not photographs. A beautiful boot room is little consolation if having it means compromising on the street, outlook or location that mattered far more in the first place. One exercise I often suggest is reducing the wish list to just three genuine non-negotiables. If you could only choose three things your next home absolutely had to have, what would they be? Those are the things to hold firm on. Everything else should at least be open to discussion. In truth, without an unlimited budget, very few homes will deliver absolutely everything, in exactly the right proportions, location and at exactly the right price. The trick is not to abandon your wish list, but to understand which parts of it really matter. Sometimes the right home is not the one that is perfect when you walk through the door. It is the one with the potential to become perfect for you.

Saville Court, Saville Place, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4EJ 0117 374 0106 | info@petergreatorex.co.uk www.petergreatorex.co.uk

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