The Bristol Magazine September 2011

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£3.00 where sold

THE

ISSUE 87

I

SEPTEMBER 2011

BRISTOL THE MAGAZINE FOR THE CITY OF BRISTOL

MAGAZINE

www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Papa Knows Best Papadeli Reviewed

The Key of Morris Minor Charles Ware Faces the Music

Wild About Flowers TBM Interviews Sarah Raven

Opening Doors Bristol’s Best Kept Secrets and

EDUCATION

SPECIAL

Schooling Guide

FASHION

plus

on

Show BRISTOL GETS the LOOK

The very best in local writing, what’s on, the arts, lifestyle, property and so much more in your guide to life and living in Bristol

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Knight Frank

Sneyd Park An exquisite Victorian detached house. Drawing room, dining room, sitting room. Victorian conservatory. Breakfast room, kitchen. Butlers pantry, utility, cloakroom (2). Master bedroom with ensuite. 5 further double bedrooms. Bathroom. Cellars. Gated drive, gardens, terrace, enclosed sun terrace. About 4,791sqft.

Guide ÂŁ1,500,000 KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

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Knight Frank

Clifton An immaculately presented Victorian family home arranged over four floors within one of Clifton's most prestigious addresses overlooking Clifton College playing fields. Bay fronted drawing room, kitchen and breakfast room, family room, music area, garden room. Master bedroom with ensuite bath and shower room. 4 further bedrooms (3 ensuite shower rooms), family bathroom. Enclosed private patio and garden. Gated off-street parking and garage with electric door.

Guide £1,850,000 KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

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Knight Frank

Backwell

Nailsea

Substantial Grade II listed village house occupying an elevated position. 2 entrance halls, 4 reception rooms, kithchen, breakfast room, utility, 3 cloakrooms, shower room, 2 bathrooms (1 ensuite). 6 bedrooms, attic playroom. 2 one bed flats, coach house with stables, garage and first floor living space. Enclosed gardens and terraces. In all about 0.85 acres.

A fascinating and contemporary house with a south facing aspect at the end of a private lane. Open plan ground floor, kitchen, utility, cloakroom, master bedroom suite with balcony, guest suite with balcony, 4 further bedrooms, bathroom, study/play area, extensive attic space, roof terrace. Low maintenance enclosed gardens. Integral double garage.

Guide £1,000,000

Guide £925,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

Queen Charlton

Chew Magna

A charming village property with views to the church. 4 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, cloakroom. 4 bedrooms, bathroom, 2 shower rooms (1 ensuite). Garage with office/playroom above. Enclosed gardens backing on to open countryside.

A delightful period property with enclosed level grounds. Entrance hall, 4 reception rooms, kitchen, breakfast room, utility, cloakroom, 4 bedrooms, bathroom, ensuite shower room. Double garage, parking, enclosed gardens and terraces, ajoining paddock/orchard. In all about 0.56 acres.

Guide £695,000

Guide £725,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

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Knight Frank

Kingsdown

Clifton Wood

A beautiful Grade II listed Georgian townhouse carefully restored to a contemporary and modern finish. Open plan kitchen / dining room, full depth first floor drawing room. 4 double bedrooms, shower room, family bathroom, cloakroom and utility. Extensive storage. South facing enclosed garden. Two off street parking spaces available to rent.

A contemporary townhouse (2,300 sq ft) with breathtaking and extensive harbour views. Open plan kitchen / dining room with full width balcony, full depth first floor drawing room. 2 bedrooms with ensuite shower rooms. 2 further bedrooms, family bathroom, utility, cloakroom, extensive storage. South facing large decked balcony and seperate roof terrace. Private paved rear courtyard. Off street parking.

Guide £695,000

Guide £645,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

Stoke Bishop

Harbourside

A beautifully presented detached modern family home. Sitting room, dining room, kitchen / breakfast room, conservatory, study, utility.

Master bedroom with ensuite. 3 further bedrooms (1 with dressing area). Family bathroom. Front and rear gardens. Garage and off street parking.

An iconic penthouse apartment with magnificent views across the city of Bristol and the floating harbour. Reception room with full height glazing with views and access to a decked balcony. Fully fitted kitchen / breakfast room with access to second decked balcony.

Bedroom with ensuite shower room. Bedroom 2, bathroom. 2 allocated secure under croft parking spaces. Additional storage.

Guide £650,000

Guide £450,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

CONTENTS Sept:Layout 2 copy

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contents

SePTeMBeR2011

63 13

TALK OF THE TOWN

46

News and views from the city

17 19

48

MR BRISTOW FACE THE MUSIC

50

STEPPING OUT Our fashion special looks at what’s on trend in the high street for autumn/winter

32

WHAT’S ON Let The Bristol Magazine be your guide

38

42

THE BIG OPEN DAY From caves to church towers: 61 Bristol venues prepare to welcome visitors to Doors Open day

44

56

AN INDIAN SUMMER A child-friendly hotel on clifftop in Cornwall offers parents a break too

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EATING OUT

FOOD & DRINK RISING STARS

60

FAMILY FUN Find out where to let off steam and kick up some crisp, autumn leaves

63

THE NEXT STEP Our extended education feature looks at what the best schools can offer your child

86

TRIED & TESTED We put a Bristol personal trainer through his paces

102 HEDGEROW FLOWERS Daily Telegraph gardening writer Sarah Raven talks about her love of wildflowers

104 GARDENING Which bulbs to plant for a good show in the spring

106 PROPERTY The pick of the finest homes in Bristol THE

BRISTOL MAGAZINE

Archive copies of TBM can be viewed with the online edition on our website: www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

THE WALK Head off to the Cotswolds and climb a tower dedicated to a Christian martyr

88

94

BUSINESS Good deeds and Olympic involvement from the city’s business community

ARTS & EXHIBITIONS Tracey Emin and Bridget Riley lead the way for the new season in the city’s galleries

22

A celebration of west country talent in art, sport, furniture and fashion

Charles Ware: the man who put Morris Minors back on the road

22

13

Pieminister launches a recipe book so we can all bake delicious pies at home

Beware the rampant aspidistra

20

104

We review Papadeli’s charming café in Clifton, also home of the equally delightful deli downstairs

BARTLEBY Bristol’s proud heritage of invention

46

FIT & FABULOUS Why it might be worth choosing organic when it comes to skin care and make-up

ON THE COVER Maxi dress by Lucy In Disguise, £285, from Harvey Nichols

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EDITOR’Sletter

S

eptember always feels like a new year beginning, what with the start of the school year and people looking at buying new boots and coats for the onset of autumn.

It’s also a good time to make a fresh start in many other ways, to sign up for new courses which exercise the body or the brain, or to embark on learning new skills for life.

That’s why we’ve given this issue a ‘new start’ theme. We’ve got pages of the latest fashion so you can plan your winter wardrobe, along with a timely piece on how to wear vintage clothing without appearing to be in fancy dress.

This month is Bristol’s annual Doors Open Day, in which venues around the city throw open their doors to visitors for no charge. Last year 50,000 people took advantage of the invitation to look inside buildings, or parts of buildings, that they wouldn’t normally see. But if you can’t face the crowds on the day – Saturday 10 September – there are plenty of opportunities to visit many of the 61 venues on other dates throughout the year. I ventured down into the Redcliffe Caves, which will be open for Doors Open Day, for a guided tour and would recommend the experience as it gives a fascinating glimpse into part of Bristol’s history that’s literally unseen by most of us.

It’s time to plan the new year in the garden too, by planting bulbs for a spring display in the garden or window boxes. Our expert gardening writer Jane Moore has some good advice on which bulbs to plant to guarantee flowers from February through to May. There’s a quiet renaissance going on in Whiteladies Road at the moment, with a plethora of places springing up to offer gourmet goodies and fresh produce. Pioneer of delicious food – and coffee – Papadeli has led the way and others now appear to be following. We hope this is the start of a new foodie movement in the neighbourhood and will keep you posted over the months to come.

GEORGETTE McCREADY All paper used to make this magazine is taken from good sustainable sources and we encourage our suppliers to join an accredited green scheme. Magazines are now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines, you can help to reduce waste and contribute to the six million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year.

Please recycle this magazine, but if you are not able to participate in a recycling scheme, then why not pass your magazine on to a friend or colleague.

CONTACT THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE: Editor Tel: Email:

Georgette McCready 01225 424592 georgette@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Deputy Editor Email:

Samantha Ewart sam@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Contributors

Lindsey Harrad, Mick Ringham, James Russell, Anna Behrmann, Andrew Swift, Jane Moore

Production Manager Jeff Osborne Email: production@thebristolmagazine.co.uk Publisher Tel: Email:

Steve Miklos 0117 974 2800 stevem@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Contact the Advertising Sales team on tel: 0117 974 2800.

Advertising Sales Email:

Kathy Williams kathy@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Advertising Sales Email:

Sue Parker sue@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

The Bristol Magazine and The Bath Magazine are published by MC Publishing Ltd and are completely independent of all other local publications.

www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

September 2011

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TALKofthe TOWN

My cultural life

BOOK OF THE MONTH Do It! or Ditch It by Bev James Published by Virgin Books, £11.99 paperback If you’re thinking of starting up a business or already running a company but are having trouble deciding which ideas to run with and which actions should become top priority, then this book is for you. In eight simple steps, successful entrepreneur and Bristol-based businesswoman, Bev James, teaches you how to make clear decisions from the outset.

With her down-to-earth ‘do it or ditch it’ approach, Bev uses her own experiences to guide you through the choices you face at every step along the way, providing a supportive and practical guide to focussing on business ideas that work and ditching those that steal time and distract from the bigger picture. In his insightful foreword to the book, James Caan urges the reader to view Bev as a personal business coach and I don’t think you’d do wrong to follow this knowledgeable advice.

Luke Dunstan, Bristol Packet Boat Trips, boat master and market manager

NEWS IN BRIEF

Landmark restored to glory

Which book are you reading?

O

PIC CREDIT: www.visitbristol.co.uk

ne of Bristol’s most iconic landmarks, Cabot Tower, is looking especially eye-catching at the moment following a £400,000 repair and restoration.

The tower was built in 1897 to commemorate John Cabot sailing from Bristol to North America 400 years earlier and has long been a favourite vantage point for people to enjoy views over the city and the Harbourside. Cabot Tower was closed to visitors in November 2007 after worrying signs of age damage were found. Bristol City Council and English Heritage worked together to restore the tower to its former glory and it is now open daily to visitors.

Entrance is free, but be prepared for a long climb up the spiral stairs to make the most of the view from the top.

The Bristol Magazine The Bristol Magazine 2 Princes Buildings George Street Bath BA1 2ED Telephone: 0117 974 2800 Fax: 01225 426677 editor@thebristolmagazine.co.uk sales@thebristolmagazine.co.uk © MC Publishing Ltd 2011 The Bristol Magazine is distributed free every month to over 24,000 homes and businesses throughout Bristol.

Printed by PCP Printers Published by MC Publishing Limited 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.

West End-bound Bristol Old Vic’s production of Swallows and Amazons was so successful, it is to transfer to the West End for a five-week run at Christmas, from 15 December.

Arthur Ransome’s classic children’s adventure is the first West End transfer for the Old Vic since 1999. Following its run at the Vaudeville Theatre Swallows and Amazons will go on national tour.

Put the kettle on We need very litle excuse for eating cake, so the Macmillan Cancer Support’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, provides an ideal opportunity to get together with friends, neighbours or colleagues and raise a few pounds for a good cause. This year the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is on Friday 30 September, marking the event’s 21st anniversary and the centenary of its foundation by Douglas Macmillan.

The people of Avon and Wiltshire last year raised £181,000 through Coffee Morning events. For your free fundraising pack visit: www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee or tel: 0845 602 1246.

Furniture donations Bristolians are being encouraged to give their unwanted wardrobes, sofas, beds and coffee tables to a new charity shop that has opened in Gloucester Road, Horfield. The St Peter’s Hospice department store will stock everything people need to set up home on a budget and money raised from furniture sold will help run the hospice. To give an item tel: 01179 232 203.

Gorillas earn their keep Young and old have enjoyed the sight of the 60 Wow! Gorillas sculptures which have decorated the city this summer. But all good things come to an end and the silent creatures are to be auctioned for charity on Thursday 29 September at the Victoria Rooms, Clifton. Tickets to attend are £10 and are available from, tel: 0117 9747 300.

I really enjoy reading about nautical adventures so I’m reading Two Years Before the Mast by Richard H Dana, an account by an able seaman of a voyage on a merchant ship travelling from Boston to San Diego, 1834 to 1836.

Which cafés or restaurants will you be visiting?

The River Station do great food and I love being next to the water. I’ll also be heading to The Orchard pub at Spike Island, as it’s a traditional dockside pub with a great atmosphere.

What’s on your MP3 player?

An 80’s soul mix by my friends Feel The Real Sound System, Bristol based DJ’s who play regularly on the Bristol club circuit.

What outdoor local activity will you be enjoying this month?

Apart from trying to play the odd game of tennis, September is not so much about outdoors but open doors. On September 10, Open Doors Day is a great opportunity to look around some of Bristol’s hidden treasures. I’m especially interested in the Redcliffe Caves and the Clifton Suspension Bridge walk.

What are your passions?

My passion is to be in or as close to the sea as possible. Either swimming off a beach or sailing out to sea. I also love playing my piano when I get the chance and spinning (DJing) my favourite records at a club night.

Bristol Packet Boat Trips will be running Avon Gorge Cruises thoughout the autumn and 45-minute Historic Harbour Tours every weekend all year.

The two covered boats are taking bookings for Christmas parties and winter cruises. For more information about Bristol Packet Boat Trips visit: www.bristolpacket.co.uk

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PIC CREDIT: Gavin Thurston

PIC CREDIT: www.visitbristol.co.uk

TALKofthe TOWN

STREET LIFE: Nelson Street has been turned into a giant public art gallery thanks to a project by an international group of street artists to create See No Evil. A series of grafitti works of all different styles has been created on the fronts of the buildings along the street by Bristol-born artist Inkie, among others.

Former Bristol drama teacher and onetime regular on Casualty, Christopher Morris, pictured, has just had his debut novel published. The Cry of the Loon is set in the wilds of Quebec and tells the story of a man fleeing from his stressful life to find a new start. Needless to say, he gets more than he bargained for when he is caught up in a small town and a murder.

Christopher was formerly house manager at the Bristol Old Vic and has travelled widely. His book is avilable on Amazon.

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At 13 miles this is not a fun run

W

e’d like to wish good luck to the 15,000 runners taking part in this month’s Bristol Half Marathon on the morning of Sunday 11 September. Some will be running to acheive personal best times, others will simply have crossing the finishing line as their goal, and then there are those with a good cause in mind who are running to raise money for their favourite charity. Whatever their reasons, they deserve our support, so if you can join the crowds along the course and cheer them on their way, they’ll appreciate it.

Those who have run the 13.1 mile course before say it’s not helpful to call out: “You’re nearly there!” if there’s another mile or two to go. And spectactors’ message to runners is to wear your name on the front of your running vest, above your race number, so people get the chance to give you a personal shout-out as you leap, gazelle-like into view.

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A Gift that

is Loved

Beautifully crafted engagement rings, wedding rings and fine jewellery designed and traditionally handmade on the premises

Expert commissions and jewellery repair service, undertaken to the highest standards

Gold & Platinum Studio 19 N or t hum b er l an d P l a ce , B at h B A 1 5A R Tel: +44 (0)1225 462 300 www.goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk email: mike@goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk

www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

• Shown: Multicolour Sapphire Stacking Rings, handmade on our premises

September 2011

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Over 20 Years’ experience of designing and installing Kitchens, Bathrooms and Bedrooms including carpentry and joinery works.

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CITY’S PROUD

pioneers of power

O

ne of the highlights of a rain-affected summer has been the BBC’s fabulous drama The Hour. Traditionally, this sort of series gets us through the darkness and tedium of winter, but perhaps the Controller (if there is still such a person) knew what kind of summer we’d be having and decided to run the show through the school holidays.

Anyway, among all the shady goings-on and illicit love stuff there was a scene that stuck in my mind, in which a young assistant was filming the switching-on of a light bulb. His reasoning was that the first electricity generated from nuclear power was about to be released into the National Grid, so a bit of it would end up in his BBC bulb, and thus he was filming a historic moment.

And what a moment! We were promised electricity too cheap to meter, a surge of power so remorseless that we would never again have to think about the dull business of staying warm (or keeping cool). What we got instead was nuclear waste in concrete drums that no one knew (knows) what to do with and a huge bill for the unexpected costs involved in generating power that was supposed to be practically free.

Today the idea of electricity being anything other than horrifyingly expensive seems laughable. I thank my lucky stars that at Bartleby Towers we pay our ‘supplier’ by direct debit and so are spared actually seeing a bill; the empty bank account could provide a clue, but one can always rationalise by assuming some other family member has been on a spree...

Critics inevitably say . . . that tidal ❝ generation is expensive but isn’t everything expensive when in its infancy

❞

I wonder whether, in the 1950s, it was possible to buy a good secondhand car for roughly the price of one’s annual fuel bill, as it is today.

But let’s not waste more time thinking about the past and unkept promises.

Let’s take a peek into a glorious, bright future, one that had its beginnings here in Bristol. Anyone who lives on the south side of the New Cut and commutes into the city will have noticed how the water flows both ways along that extraordinary manmade channel, which is at times full to overflowing and at others practically empty. Bristol was built at the top of the tide, and for good reason, since a clever boatman could travel from the old port down the Bristol Channel and up the Severn without the slightest effort, carried there and back by the ebb and flow of water.

More recently, Bristol-based boffins have harnessed this power in a new way, generating electricity from a tidal turbine – in effect an underwater windmill – and feeding it into the National Grid. They, like their colleagues in the windpower industry, persevered in their work through the 1980s and 1990s with little help or recognition from government or anyone else, finally achieving their big breakthrough a couple of years ago. Critics inevitably say – as they do with renewable generally – that tidal generation is expensive, but isn’t everything expensive when in its infancy? The first cars were a luxury item, so were the first calculators, not to mention the first personal computers. I had an Amstrad in the 1980s which was little more than a glorified typewriter and it cost more than my current machine.

We have a tremendous capacity for invention in this country – and in this city – but it tends to be matched by a dismal failure on the part of investors, financiers and governments to get behind new ideas. I suspect that tidal power will take off in India or China, while we keep paying Russian billionaires for gas. I could be wrong, though. In a decade’s time, perhaps I’ll be able to switch on the light and smile at the thought of the turbines whirling in the murky depths of the Bristol Channel. ■ www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

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Mr Bristow MONSTERS

behind the sofa M

ister Bristow is a confirmed bachelor and not a parent. But I swear my pot plants have given me just as much angst, distress, anger and hard work over the years as any sulking toddler or wayward teenager might have done. Plus a smattering of joy of course.

Some of my plants are over 20 years old and are now pressing themselves against my high Georgian ceilings. If ever I have to move, they certainly won’t be coming with me without draconian measures in the pruning department. They are only plants of course, but should I go away for a few days and dare to alter their routine they are quite capable of laying a considerable guilt trip on me by turning brown overnight or developing spider mite without so much as a by your leave. Why, even as I write this I am checking that my towering Yucca is not reading my jottings over my shoulder and plotting some kind of horticultural revenge.

A particularly nasty piece of work is my umbrella plant. I don’t know if you have ever tried to keep one of these beasts, but they suffer from two things…over watering and under watering. Only the symptoms of both are

I was forever texting to say ‘Plant ❝ moving again, LOL’ but they put it down to too much liquid refreshment (beer I mean, not Baby Bio)

❞

Available from the

Gold & Platinum Studio 1 9 N o r t h u m b e r l a n d P la ce , B a t h BA 1 5 A R Tel: +44 (0)1225 462 300 www.goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk email: mike@goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk

www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

identical, so on spotting the yellowed tips of their normally rich green leaves, which were perfectly OK before that long weekend in London, you are wracked with indecision. To water or not to water. And I can assure you that whichever direction you go in, it will be the wrong one. I have lost count over the years how said umbrella plant has gone from a seven foot specimen worthy of Chelsea to a stumpy pot of dry straw.

But it always comes back, so I must be doing something right.

My most amazing plant is called a wax flower. It has thick shiny leaves and little white flowers that look as though they are carved from soap, or indeed wax. It started as just three waxy leaves wired to a stick but is now taller than I am. At this time of year it sends out tendrils that can rapidly grow to several metres. And ladies and gentlemen, these tendrils move!

Not only do they twitch, they quiver, they curl, forever seeking something to grab hold of. They take it on to suddenly point towards you in what appears to be an accusing manner.

My friends didn’t believe me. It always seemed to happen when I was on my own. I was forever texting to say ‘Plant moving again, LOL’ but they put it down to too much liquid refreshment (beer I mean, not Baby Bio).

Imagine my pleasure recently when we were all sitting on my sofa and a frond swung across our field of vision and remained pulsing threateningly in mid-air for several seconds. My pals were astonished and I was exonerated.

Once said plant sent out an extension which twisted itself around a larger plant and in the night it managed to actually pull itself off the mantelpiece. It fell with a crash that woke the whole household. But its greatest moment came when one evening, safely re-potted, it went into veritable paroxysms of thrashing stems. I happened to turn on the television, next to which the plant stands. I know this film, I thought, a cold sweat breaking out on my brow. I kid you not folks, but the movie being broadcast was The Day of the Triffids.

I rest my case. ■

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CITY FACEgardens theMUSIC

LIFE IN the

fast lane

Charles Ware is almost single-handedly responsible for the return of that great British icon, the Morris Minor, to our roads – but that’s just one of his many achievements, as Mick Ringham found out while talking to him about his musical influences

T

hey say you can identify a Morris Minor bombing down the road towards you long before you actually see it. I can happily confirm this as I’ve been the proud owner of three of these classic beauties – long before they acquired national treasure status – and can testify to their very distinctive engine sound, which is like no other. Charles Ware is the man who almost single-handedly kept this little cult car on our roads right into the 21st century. He is now celebrating the 35th anniversary of his world famous Morris Minor Centre. However, his background is incredibly diverse and in many respects, reads like the plot of a Jeffrey Archer novel.

As a young artist Charles attended the Slade in London, going on to teach at Corsham Art College. During this time, in the early 1960s, he was already involved with a London-based building company, working on small housing conversions in Islington. He decided to take a more active role in the business, having a love for historic property, as well as possessing an eye on the market potential.

He said: “If you had a good idea at that time, you would take yourself along to the bank manager and he would lend you the capital – it was that simple.”

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Over the next few years his passion for such conversions, helped him build up a remarkable portfolio of more than 2,000 properties.While visiting Bath one weekend he was shocked at the way the city’s historic buildings were being systematically demolished, to make way for unsympathetic and vulgar modern structures.

Charles takes up the story: “If you could convince people that renovating homes was a sensible proposition, they would start to listen. But I wanted to do more than just make money – I wanted to help save the city for future generations to enjoy.” As a result of this the conservationist in him took up the challenge, buying and renovating houses, many of which had been earmarked for demolition, as well several major projects, including a large former hotel and a 100-acre estate on the edge of the city. His main residence was a grand Georgian house in the Royal Crescent, where the parties he hosted were legendary, earning him the nickname Champagne Charlie.

But the icing on his property cake was when he purchased the city’s Theatre Royal. During this time he befriended a band who were trying to make their way into the music business. He agreed to back them financially – they went on to great success as Roxy Music. As a thank-you, Bryan Ferry and his band gave a free concert at Charles’ famous theatre.

THE MAN BEHIND THE WHEEL: main picture, Charles Ware in one of his Morris Minors, and, inset, Charles today, aged 76, and with no intention of retiring

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FACEtheMUSIC

A MUSICAL JOURNEY: left to right, Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music, The Doors and The Proclaimers.

But in the mid-70s, the property market crashed and Charles was declared bankrupt. He says: “I lost the lot, everything went. My wife and our young son were generously lent a basement flat to stay in by a friend.”

Many of us would have thrown in the towel at this point, but not Charles. As he enjoyed restoring things Charles turned his attention to an iconic British car, the Morris Minor, restoring a handful of them in a small backyard. He later moved to a site west of Bath and after gaining national publicity with a feature in The Sunday Times, the business really took off. Five years ago he relocated The Charles Ware Morris Minor Centre to larger premises in Bristol and to deal with demand, now employs a 20-strong dedicated workforce.

In many respects Charles’ life has turned full circle, as once again, he has taken to his first love, painting, which has undoubtedly helped him recover from a recent illness. At the age of 76, he shows no signs of retiring gracefully. As he says: “They only give you one shot at life – so why not make the most of it?”

As a thank-you Bryan Ferry and ❝ his band gave a free concert at the Theatre Royal ❞ Charles’ top ten: ● Vaughan Williams – Fantasia on a theme of Thomas Tallis My father was an artist and also a pretty good violinist. As a child I was lucky enough to live with my family in the Malvern Hills. Dad used to play this quintessential English music, the volume turned as high as possible on the record player. It really does paint a picture for me of those days. ● Jacqueline Du Pre – Elgar Cello Concerto in B minor This is very intense and exiting music from this wonderful musician, who tragically died so young. I remember seeing her play this piece in the early 1960s which was truly a magical experience and that has stayed with me ever since. ● Roxy Music – Virginia Plain In 1970 I became the band’s backer, also acting as guarantor as well as buying their first van. When Bryan and the band became famous they kindly did a free gig for me at the theatre. The benefit on the night went to the then Bath Arts Workshop, which was in its heyday at that time and I guess was a unique period for street theatre and general fun.

www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

● The Rolling Stones – You can’t always get what you want My favourite Stones album of all time is Let It Bleed and I have so many memories of playing this record, in the very grand and huge L-shaped drawing room at my former house in the Royal Crescent. The press at that time had given me the name Champagne Charlie, which in many respects I lived up to. ● The Doors – Light My Fire During the late 1960s I first started to understand the scale of America. I rode on a Greyhound bus from New York to Los Angeles and on to San Francisco. I stayed in Haight Ashbury and became involved in the anti-Vietnam War movement.

That whole period is a time I will never forget. ● The Beatles – A Day in the Life The band throughout the late 60s were writing seminal music that we all know and love. This is such an original track and reminds me of the artistic and musical changes that were happening then. The artist Peter Blake and his wife Jan Howarth gave me a signed copy of Sergeant Pepper, I still have it today. ● Vivaldi – The Four Seasons I regularly visited Italy during my late teens and early twenties.

I would travel on my Lambretta scooter from England to southern Italy. I deeply love the art and the landscape of the country. The sound of Vivaldi’s music helps me re-live many of those happy journeys of my younger days. ● Neil Young – A Man Needs A Maid He was so big at the time and of course is still regarded as one of the great songwriters of his generation. This reminds me again of visiting and travelling across the wide open spaces of America. Such a vast country to experience and Neil Young gives the perfect sound track. ● The Eagles – Lying Eyes This takes me back to Key West in Florida. There was always a party going on and in all honesty I was known never to refuse! I remember timber framed houses surrounded by banyang trees. It was a time and an atmosphere where everyone let themselves go. ● The Proclaimers – Sunshine on Leith I chose this for two reasons. Firstly they’re a really great Scottish band and also the fact that my son Zac is the lead guitarist for The Procaimers and a keen player of the pedal steel guitar. When the band aren’t recording or touring he has been helping me run the business. I’m happy to say that he is as keen as I am on the great little Morris Minor. ■ The Morris Minor Centre is at 20 Clothier Road, Bristol, BS4 5PS, tel: 0117 300 3754, visit; www.morrisminor.org.uk

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FALLfashion

STEP OUT IN style Crisp, autumnal days are once again upon us, and that means wrapping up warm, donning a chic pair of boots and looking ultra-glam. Over the next four pages, Samantha Ewart takes a look at this season’s top trends and key looks as fashion for the fall goes from catwalk to high street, kicking off with some great fashion shows

Bristol Fashion Week 21 – 25 September

F

or inspiration on the key pieces to add to your wardrobe this season, at the top of your list should be a visit to Bristol Fashion Week at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway.

With 18 catwalk fashion shows, free beauty treatments, fashion giveaways and discounts, it’s a great way to see the new autumn collections and experience some of the best shopping in Bristol.

TV fashion stylist Mark Heyes, pictured left, and celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton will once again host the ever popular hour long fashion shows which feature all the best pieces from the new collections and guide you through the new trends.

Inside The Mall, you can also enjoy free mini-manicures, massages, cosmetic makeovers, fish pedicures, eyebrow threading, personal styling as well as get advice on colours that best suit you.

Fashion show tickets cost £8.95, or £13.95 for front row seats, and are available from www.mallcribbs.com or The Mall’s Information Desk.

Tickets include pre-show refreshments from M&S, a goody bag, discount vouchers for stores in The Mall and entry into a prize draw to win one of 18 Aspinal handbags worth over £395, courtesy of John Lewis.

Bristol Fashion Week is supported by John Lewis and Marks & Spencer.

For further informaion contact The Mall at Cribbs Causeway on tel: 0117 903 0303 or visit: www.mallcribbs.com ■

The Autumn/Winter Fashion Tour 24 & 25 September

B

ristol city centre will be stepping into the new season in style with a weekend of free catwalk shows at Cabot Circus on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 September, celebrating the hottest trends from the latest collections.

The Autumn/Winter Fashion Tour is being held in association with the British Fashion Council and will bring together the best of the high-street and designer brands to showcase leading looks from the new season.

With catwalks in Cabot Circus and Quakers Friars and 11 shows over the weekend, the fashion extravaganza will feature retailers from across the centre and show shoppers how to make the new trends work for them, whatever their taste or budget.

The week of fashion will kick off with a showcase of Bristol’s brightest new design talent, as fashion students from UWE exhibit their final year collections on mannequins around the Cabot Circus catwalk from 19 – 23 September.

As the weekend of free catwalk performances begins, savvy shoppers will be able to enjoy discounts at many of Cabot Circus’ stores and restaurants, using a special discount voucher book that will be handed out during the weekend.

Visitors can also indulge in free taster treatments at the ‘pamper lounge’, where experts from House of Fraser, Harvey Nichols, Sanctuary Spa and hairdresser Seanhanna will be on hand to treat shoppers and talk through the latest hair and beauty trends.

Retailers featured in the shows include Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser, French Connection, Next, Monsoon, New Look, Reiss, Dorothy Perkins, Mango, Ted Baker, Urban Outfitters, Warehouse, Zara and many more.

Each show will be created by leading stylist JP, who has worked with a host of celebrities and recording artists and currently runs his own London-based fashion consultancy.

For further information visit www.cabotcircus.com ■

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FALLfashion

TREND 1:

prints and pattern

A rich collage of print and pattern returns to our wardrobes this season. From polka dots, winter florals, stripes and pleats, to checks, tartans and ornate prints, thereʼs plenty of choice to style up any outfit

Main image: All pieces from Dorothy Perkins at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway Inset top left: prom dress from Linea, £160; grey coat from Pied a Terre, £220 at House of Fraser Inset bottom left: All pieces from Oasis at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway

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FALLfashion

TREND 2: colour

blocking

If you were a fan of this summer始s colour blocking trend, then you始re in luck as it始s one of the key looks for this autumn/winter too. Glamorous jewel tones and strong confident colours; teal, burgundy, purple, gold, ruby, sapphire and emerald contrast and compliment classic black

Main image: All pieces from Miss Selfridge at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway Inset top right: All pieces from Hobbs at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway Inset bottom right: All pieces from M&S at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway

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FALLfashion

TREND 3: sixties

chic

Sixities chic takes over this season. Think Mary Quant, Twiggy and Julie Christie. The look is ladylike; monochrome, graphic prints, tailored silhouettes, bracelet sleeves, polo necks, miniskirts and knee high boots

Main image: All pieces from Next at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway Inset top left: tie front blouse, £225 and wide leg trousers, £315, both Diane Von Furstenberg at Harvey Nichols, Quakers Friars Inset above left: print blouse, £55 and purple A line skirt, £45 both from Warehouse

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VINTAGEstyle

YOU WEAR

it well

Anna Behrmann visits the new Oxfam boutique in Park Street to find out how to wear vintage clothes without looking as though you are in fancy dress

Photographer: Jamie Angell Models: Joe Bailward and Ania Wojnowska Modelling Angency: Room 3 Agency Make-up: Ami Szerencses Hair: Emma Posselt, Harry Blades and Angry Daves

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VINTAGEstyle VINTAGE BUT VERSATILE: the Oxfam boutique in Park Street yielded a variety of styles and ages of clothing for our fashion shoot, from Asda to Aquascutum. Stock changes all the time

L

et’s get one thing straight: nobody is expecting us to go out in Edwardian period costume. Vintage clothing usually refers to items from the 1920s to the early 1990s, and so rather than being museum pieces, many of us will have grown up wearing them. And here we find several paradoxes: ‘vintage’ may be a forgotten dress in your wardrobe; it is long out of season, but call it ‘vintage’ and it is suddenly high fashion; it was originally cheap, but people will pay good money for it now; your children may wear it, although they scorn your ‘modern’ fashion choices.

When buying vintage clothes, aim for flattering pieces, and don’t be carried away by the high fashion and drama of the period. It is not necessary to dress head to toe in vintage.

“It is important to mix and match,” Kirsty Drury, celebrity stylist, explains. “Wear 1920s art deco jewellery, for example, but match it with high street clothes.” Vintage tops can be worn with jeans, and the shape and style of a vintage dress can be modernised by wearing it with a belt, or simply by rolling up the sleeves.

In specialised vintage shops, the clothes have been carefully selected. This is true of the new Oxfam boutiques, which are decidedly more catwalk than cardigan. First launched in 2008, and with only nine boutiques in the country, they sell secondhand upper-end clothes from the high street, vintage and modern designers.

“Vintage is great, as it gives people a chance to be artistic, play with fashion, and look a bit quirky. Try and choose clothes to suit your personality, and wear them with confidence,” says Aurora Ward-Craner, manager of the Bristol Oxfam boutique in Park Street. “One of my favourite pieces at the shop was a Christian Lacroix orange leather jacket. The label recently collapsed, and so the customer bought a piece of fashion history.”

Vintage Muse is not just a perfume by Kate Moss; the phrase can also be used to describe celebrities such as Michelle Obama, Nicole Kidman, Chloe Sevigny, Barbra Streisand and Miss Moss herself. Moss doesn’t wear retro clothes from the high street; her fashion authority stems from her willingness to trawl the vintage flea markets.

With vintage fashion there is a rich and varied history of different styles. We have more freedom, but there is also grave danger. We can look unique, but, if we’re not careful that can slide into eccentric.

Much of the appeal of vintage, however, comes from the notion of a timeless beauty in make-up, hair and jewellery.

1950s make-up can create a classically beautiful effect.

To achieve the look, use a porcelain foundation, with a touch of pink blusher, and accentuate your eyes with winged black eyeliner and lashings of mascara. Outline your lips in red lip liner, filling them with a matching lipstick.

Moving to perfume, Chanel No. 5, first created by Coco Chanel in 1921, is still associated with class and femininity. For the bouncy, curled hair of a 1950s Mad Men girl, leave your hair in curlers while you sleep, dousing it with hairspray when you take them out. Pearl necklaces and earrings are timeless, and as Marilyn Monroe sang, “diamonds are a girl’s best friend.”

Much of our contemporary high street and designer labels are influenced by vintage. For this year’s autumn/winter season, Vogue notes a glamour-puss 1940s trend, as followed by Gucci, Prada, Gaultier and Donna Karan.

There is also a strong 1960s influence, with bright two-piece ensembles, and beehive hairstyles by Gaultier and Bottega, in an unforeseen tribute to Amy Winehouse. These trends will inevitably filter down to the high street. If you buy 1940s and 1960s clothes and accessories from vintage shops, you can look original and authentic and stay on trend.

Ethical and vintage fashion is becoming increasingly relevant, with customers straying from brands which are affiliated with sweat shops and damage the environment. Find flattering and classic pieces, but also have fun; buy a purple feather boa. ■

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JUNIOR ADVERTISING SALES Basic + Great Commission = £ 18,000 OTE

Based in Bath. Full Time, excellent prospects THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE. THE BATH MAGAZINE We produce two of the UK’s finest city magazines and currently have a superb opportunity for a junior advertising sales person to join our team.

The ideal candidate will possess at least 6 months sales experience, preferably gained from a quality media publisher, however candidates from any sales environment where excellent customer service is paramount, coupled with a desire to learn media selling would be welcome.

Well educated, well spoken, you will be highly personable, enjoy selling, (telephone and occasional face to face) and have the ambition and confidence to succeed in a demanding but rewarding role.

You will also need to be well organised, have good admin and computer skills and be prepared to get involved in all aspects of the business.

At MC Publishing Ltd we love producing superb magazines and take enormous pride in what we do. If you feel you have what we are looking for and want to be part of our continued success then

Please send your CV and covering letter to: Steve Miklos, The Bristol Magazine, MC Publishing Limited 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED email: director@thebristolmagazine.co.uk www. thebristolmagazine.co.uk

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WIN a pair of tickets to Bristol fashion Week

For inspiration on the key pieces to add to your wardrobe this autumn, visit Bristol Fashion Week at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway. TV fashion stylist Mark Heyes and celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton will once again host the hour-long fashion shows which feature all the best pieces from the autumn collections and guide you through the new trends.

For your chance to win a pair of platinum tickets (which include front row seats and a goody bag) for the fashion show on Wednesday 21 September, just answer the following question: What is the name of the celebrity hairdresser that will be hosting the fashion shows with Mark Heyes at Bristol Fashion Week?

Email you answer along with your name, address and contact number with ‘Bristol Fashion Week’ in the subject line to: competitions@thebristolmagazine.co.uk by Wednesday 14 September

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Allium contemporary Jewellery www.allium-clifton.co.uk

42 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4JG 0117 9237477

Open: Tuesday – Friday 10.30 til 5.30 Saturday 10.00 til 5.30 Sunday 11.00 til 4.00

S uzanne Neville Designer Day 15th October Boo k Now

www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

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WHAT’Son THEATRE, DANCE & COMEDY – listed by venue Two Halves of Guinness, Thursday 15 – Saturday 17 September, 8pm

HEY baby

Mark Burgess’ funny and insightful play sees Trevor Littledale offer an uncanny portrayal of one of the world’s best-loved stars, Sir Alec Guiness, reflecting on acting, faith, family and his shattering insecurity, played against a background of the golden days of British film and theatre.

Jigsy, Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 September, 8pm Les Dennis comes to Bristol with a world premier that lifts the lid on the gritty truths behind the glittering facade of a life in comedy.

Lurching unsteadily offstage at a Liverpool working men’s club – sweat, smoke and failure clinging to his faded 70s dinner suit – Jigsy is a journeyman variety comedian, struggling for survival in a changing world. Talking directly to the audience, Jigsy revisits his childhood on the tough streets of Scotland road, years of grafting on the docks and on the dole, his showbiz break-through, and the struggle to beat the booze and make it to the top.

Dirty Dancing at the Bristol Hippodrome

B r i s to l H i pp o dr o me

T h e Toba cc o Fac t or y T he at re

St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol. Box office tel: 0844 847 2325 or visit: www.bristolhippodrome.org.uk

Raleigh Road, Southville, Bristol. Box office tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.tobaccofactory.com

Dirty Dancing, Thursday 1 September – Saturday 8 October, Monday – Thursday, 7.30pm; Friday, 5pm & 8.30pm; Saturday, 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Mark Thomas: Extreme Rambling – Walking the Wall, Monday 5 – Saturday 10 September, 8pm

An explosive theatrical experience with heartpounding music, romance and dancing. Seen by millions across the globe this worldwide hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. Featuring hit songs, including Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby, Do You Love Me? and of course, I’ve Had The Time Of My Life.

We Will Rock You, Tuesday 11 – Saturday 29 October, 7.30pm; matinees: Wednesday and Saturday, 2.30pm The popular musical by Queen and Ben Elton returns for three weeks only following its sellout run in 2009. With 24 of Queen’s biggest hits delivered in a show that boasts the scale and spectacle that marked the band’s legendary live performances, this theatrical experience is not to be missed. Starring Jenny Douglas, BBC’s Over the Rainbow finalist; Leon Lopez, Brookside and West End star; Ian Reddington, from EastEnders and Coronation Street; Ashley J Russell, BBC’s I’d Do Anything finalist; Noel Sullivan, from Hear’say and Grease; and Earl Carpenter who played Javert in Les Miserables.

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Following his sell-out nationwide show, The Manifesto, award-winning comedian and activist Mark Thomas returns with his brand new show. Never one to take the easy option, Mark decided to go rambling in the Middle East and walked the entire length of the Israeli separation barrier crossing between the Israeli and the Palestinian side. In this show, Mark tells the story of 300,000 settlers, a 750 km wall, six arrests, one stoning and asks the simple question: Can you ever get away from it all with a good walk?

Dylan Thomas: Return Journey, Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 September, 8pm Under Anthony Hopkins’ celebrated directorial debut, this critically acclaimed portrayal embraces the myth of the tortured artist, with a life distinguished by exuberantly successful highs and undignified lows. Playing a man who wrestled with the psychological conflict between creative talent and a selfdestructive impulse, Bob Kingdom’s remarkable portrait of Dylan Thomas offers a chance to experience the presence of Thomas’ last great lecture tour before The White Horse Tavern and the legendary seventeenth whiskey.

Blending the stories and poetry with incisive comments, Kingdom shows us the beauty, the humour, the passion and wit of the words of this infamous writer.

The Invisible Journey, Thursday 22 – Saturday 24 September, 8pm Doug Francisco, the chameleon-like ring master of the Invisible Circus, presents a multiphrenic one-man cabaret of stories and characters from his own adventures around the world.

The Seagull Effect, Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 September, 8pm Total Theatre Award-nominees and fringe sellout success, Idle Motion, make their Bristol debut with a visual kaleidoscope of images and stories to captivate their audience. As a couple’s relationship crumbles and they’re confronted by its debris, Britain is hit by the unexpected 1987 storm. Using exciting and evocative staging, multimedia and personal recollections, Idle Motion pick their way through the chaos left behind during those remarkable six hours.

The Seagull Effect

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WHAT’Son

One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show, Friday 30 September and Saturday 1 October, 8pm; matinee: Saturday, 2.30pm The Harrisons are the most respectable middle class black family in Philadelphia. However, the arrival of their young niece and her new ideas from the rural south turns their polite, Christian, suburban life on its head. The Cosby Show meets restoration comedy in this hilariously outrageous play about how hard we try to hide who we really are. This coproduction between the critically acclaimed Eclipse theatre and Sheffield theatres marks the UK premier of Don Evans’ lost American classic.

T h e B r e w er y Th e a t r e North Street, Southville, Bristol.

Box office tel: 0117 902 0344 www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com

Outside, Tuesday 6 – Saturday 17 September, 8.15pm Outside is a story of murder, intolerance and the search for a life worth living. A compelling new play inspired by Albert Camus’ seminal book The Outsider (L’etranger), it is directed by award winning director Emel Yilmaz (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School ’11 graduate).

Outside opens in the new Tobacco Factory Theatre/Bristol Old Vic Theatre School graduate slot; the first of what will become an annual slot dedicated to an emerging director from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Outside is produced by darkstuff productions and Roughhouse Theatre, two of Bristol’s most exciting and innovative theatre companies.

You’re Not Doing it Right, Tuesday 20 September – Saturday 1 October, 8.15pm A hilarious and bleak new show from Idiot child that explores, with its audience, what it means to get life right.

B r is tol Old Vic King Street, Bristol.

Box office tel: 0117 987 77877 www.bristololdvic.org.uk

Bassett, Wednesday 7 – Sunday 11 September, 8pm; matinee: Sunday, 3pm It’s citizenship class at Wootton Bassett School and the supply teacher has done a runner and locked the pupils in. Dean needs the toilet, Aimee needs a coffee, Amid needs to pray, and Leo really wants to escape. Outside, a repatriation of fallen British soldiers is happening along the high street, as it has over a hundred times before through this quiet Wiltshire town. But this one is more personal than most and factions form and secrets are revealed. Bassett is a pacy, funny and exhilarating look at young people who have inherited a world at war; who, as they grow www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

older, are starting to ask questions about these conflicts, their country, and themselves.

Presented by Bristol Old Vic’s award-winning Young Company that brings together 400 young people from across the city in collaboration with writers and directors through the theatre’s partnership with National Theatre connections.

Tobacco Factory The new season

Coasting, Thursday 22 September – Saturday 15 October, 8pm; matinees: Thursday and Saturday, 2.30pm The Stretch snakes along the seafront in a seaside town that has seen better days.

Summer left a long time ago and now the paint is peeling, the beach is windswept and the tourists have all taken the last train home.

Using their own language in their own small world, best friends Pearl and Ocean precariously cling together making small change from fruit machines and temporarily escaping The Stretch by whatever means possible. And then, one night, with fireworks exploding in the sky and police sirens wailing, Ocean sees the body on the beach… Coasting has been developed through Bristol Ferment, and is a dizzying and hauntingly beautiful story of lives lived at the end of the pier, written by one of the South West’s most vital new talents, Natalie McGrath.

R e d g r a v e T h e a t re Percival Road, Clifton, Bristol.

Tel: 0117 315 7000

Footloose the Musical, Wednesday 21 – Saturday 24 September, 7.30pm; matinee: Saturday, 2.30pm Based on the 80’s hit movie, Footloose the Musical follows the story of Ren, who moves to the small town of Bomont. Tragedy led to dancing being banned, so Ren takes it upon himself to get the town moving again.

Footloose explodes onto the stage with classic 80’s songs including Holding out for a Hero, Almost Paradise, Let’s Hear it For the Boy and of course the title track Footloose. Presented

by Bristol’s Amateur Operatic Society.

The Importance of Being Earnest, Thursday 29 September – Saturday 8 October, 7.30pm Monty Till Productions in association with Floor to Ceiling presents Oscar Wilde’s popular romantic comedy of mistaken identities, double standards, confusion and witty satire.

St Ge org e ’s Br is to l Great George Street, Bristol.

Box office tel: 0845 4024 001 www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Instant Wit, Friday 23 September, 8pm Bristol’s improvised comedy company presents sketches, songs and general silliness, and all of it based around audience suggestions.

La Boheme

Ali Robertson, director at the Tobacco Factory, unveiled the theatre’s new season with the news that for the first time the Southville based venue has won Arts Council support. As the new programme was released it was also announced that the 2012 spring productions are to be King Lear and The Cherry Orchard.

Highlights include: Bristol Festival of Puppetry Friday 26 August – Sunday 4 September From simple sock puppets to sophisticated marionettes, this popular festival has shows for all ages and attracts an audience that is passionate about puppetry and animation. The Creatures of Southville Carnival workshop on Saturday 3 September will give families the chance to make creatures for the next day’s carnival procession.

La Boheme Tuesday 11 – Saturday 22 October Puccini’s tragic love story is sung in English in this Opera Project production, sponsored by Tobacco Factory supporters Beachcroft LLP and Zurich. Take a box of tissues, you’ll need it.

A Clockwork Orange Monday 14 – Wednesday 16 November Beautifully designed, this production stays true to Burgess’ original story both in its cut-throat inventiveness and its questioning of whether it is better to be forced to be good ot to be free to be evil.

Cinderella: A Fairytale Christmas 2011 If you enjoyed Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, you’ll love this new version of this classic tale directed by Sally Cookson.

Disney it ain’t.

For a full programme, visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com

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WHAT’Son MUSIC – listed by date

St George’s Bristol The new season

The Unthanks

Nicola Benedetti

The fantastic musical institution that is St George’s Bristol has announced its autumn season, and it’s certainly one not to miss.

Here’s a little taster of what’s to come: Nicola Benedetti plays Glazunov, Saturday 3 September, 7.30pm Superstar violinist Nicola Benedetti joins the Bristol Classical Players for an evening of brilliant music-making steeped in the Russian Romantic tradition: her virtuosic performance of Glazunov’s Violin Concerto sparkles alongside Mussorgsky’s sombre Prelude and Tchaikovsky’s much-loved 5th Symphony.

Dervla Kirwan: The Music of Poetry, Monday 19 September, 7.30pm Actress Dervla Kirwan brings her softly insistent Irish brogue to a selection of contemporary and classic poems, revealing just why reading aloud, and with engagement, is vital to a real experience and enjoyment of poetry.

Kneehigh Theatre: The Wild Bride, Tuesday 18 – Saturday 22 October, 7.30pm; matinees: Thursday and Saturday, 2.30pm With instinctive storytelling, devilish humour and heady live music, one of the country’s most exciting and innovative theatre companies takes a sideways look at an epic and poetic wonder tale: the story of what happens when your father accidentally sells you to the devil.

Kneehigh brings its distinctive ramshackle magic to this grown up romance for brave children and adults alike.

For further information and tickets, contact the box office on tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

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Bristol Cathedral Concert Choir and the New Bristol Sinfonia presents Verdi’s Requiem Saturday 10 September, 7.30pm

Exultate Singers Saturday 1 October, 7.30pm

Bristol Cathedral, College Green, Bristol.

Tickets from Providence Music on tel: 0117 927 6536 The Bristol Cathedral Concert Choir supported by the New Bristol Sinfonia and a quartet of superb soloists will present a performance of Verdi’s Requiem to commemorate the 9/11 Twin Towers disaster.

The event is also open to all singers to join in, with a rehearsal on Thursday 8 September at St Michael’s church, Windmill Hill, and a participation fee of £10. All profits will be donated to The Fire Fighters Charity.

St James Priory, Whitson Street, Haymarket, Bristol. Tickets from Providence music shop on tel: 0117 927 6536 or visit: www.exultatesingers.org Bristol’s accomplished chamber choir, Exultate Singers, gives the first concert in the mediaeval church of St James Priory following its £3.5 million renovation and repair. The programme explores the influence of St James as a fisherman, an apostle and patron saint of Spain through the performance of sumptuous and evocative motets by the Renaissance Spanish composers Victoria, Lobo and Guerrero, and moves onto music reflecting Bristol history and heritage.

The Unthanks/Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band Saturday 17 September, 8pm

The Trinity Singers: Royal Wedding Music Past and Present Saturday 1 October, 7.30pm

St George’s Bristol, Great George Street, Bristol. Box office tel: 0845 40 24 001 www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk Commissioned for this year’s Durham Brass Festival, Northumbrian folk stars The Unthanks appear in a special project with the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band.

Paul Lewis (piano) presents Schubert’s Cycle IV Friday 30 September, 7.30pm St George’s Bristol, Great George Street, Bristol. Box office tel: 0845 40 24 001 www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk From the compelling Four Impromptus and Moments Musicaux to the highly charged Wanderer Fantasy, Paul Lewis brings emotional intensity and fine shading to his performance of this remarkable music of Schubert.

St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol. Tickets from the box office on tel: 01934 834663 or visit: www.oxboffice.com The Trinity Singers perform a programme of royal wedding music including Parry’s I Was Glad, Blest Pair of Sirens, and Mealor’s Ubi Caritas from the wedding of William and Kate, as well as music by Handel, Mozart, Wesley, Mathias, Vaughan Williams and Boyce.

Directed by Jeremy Martin, soprano soloist Zoe Maitland, organist Claire Alsop and commentary by musicologist Dr Peter Leech.

Phronesis (jazz), Thursday 6 October, 8pm St George’s Bristol, Great George Street, Bristol. Box office tel: 0845 40 24 001 www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk An exciting jazz trio with a sound that’s rich in ensemble grooves as well as individual solos.

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Every cloud...

In less than three years the prices being paid at auction for antique silver have quadrupled. To put this in to context the average three-piece silver tea-set languishing in sideboards across the region that would have sold in late 2008 for £150 £200 is now selling for £600 - £800 at auction. Toby Pinn Chartered Arts & Antiques Surveyor at Clevedon Salerooms suggests owners of silver may wish to take advantage of this situation ‘Most people are aware that the uncertainty in the financial world has pushed up the price of gold, but while few of us are fortunate to have a hoard of gold coins, many people have a forgotten silver tea-set, silver cutlery or just a set of six silver teaspoons that are never used. When inevitably confidence in the financial markets improves, the price of precious metals will fall and for years to come we will refer to this current period and lament every time we are asked to value or sell a silver item’.

Increase in value of a typical 19th Century silver tea-set

2008: £200 2011: £800 www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

If you have antiques & works of art that you may be thinking of selling bring them to our

Free Valuation Days 12th 13th 14th September 26th 27th 28th September 9am - 1pm & 2pm – 5.30pm

Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers

The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn Clevedon, BS21 6TT

Tel: 01934 830111 www.clevedon-salerooms.com

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WHAT’Son OTHER EVENTS – listed by date

Circomedia

The National Gardening Show Friday 2 – Sunday 4 September

Beginners Tango Autumn Course Starts Sunday 18 September

Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet.

For further information and to book tickets, visit: www.bathandwest.com The National Gardening Show showcases the finest in autumn gardening, with advice from experts and help on how to grow plants and vegetables.

The Redland Club, Burlington Road, Bristol.

Cost: £80. For further information visit: www.tangowest.co.uk Learn to dance, keep fit and meet new friends under expert tuition in this 10-week course.

You can attend the first class as a taster for £8.

Bristol International Festival Of Kites & Air Creations Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 September

ACE

From this autumn, Circomedia, Bristol’s internationally-respected centre for circus theatre based in Portland Square, will supplement its traditional education and outreach work by playing host to professional productions including cabaret, circus, dance, live art and multi-artform works. Highlights include: The Invisible Circus presents The Itsy Bitsy Cabaret, Thursday 22 & Friday 23 September, 9pm Some people run away from school to join the circus, but what happens when the clowns run away from the circus to go to school? For audiences ages 16+.

Ashton Court, Bristol. For further information visit: www.kite-festival.org.uk To celebrate the festival’s 25th anniversary, an action-packed aerial extravaganza will be wowing visitors as international kite guests join flyers and enthusiasts from across Europe.

The arena programmes will feature spectacular flying displays, kite fighting battles, synchronised routines to music, power kites and ground-based inflatables and air sculptures of all shapes and sizes. There will also be play structures and children’s attractions, selected specialist kite traders, a licensed bar and an array of food and drink.

ACE dance and music present ICE, Thursday 10 & Friday 11 November, 8pm Dance, music, film, light and the influences of futuristic Japan and vibrant, ancient, Africa are brought together in this latest production by the highly rated ACE dance and music.

For further information visit: www.circomedia.com

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Redland High School, Redland Court Road, Bristol. Cost: £12 adults, £5 children. Tickets from tel: 0117 916 6711 or email: l.spencer-small@redlandhigh.com A talk by two of Britain’s leading explorers, Alan Chambers MBE and Dr Ed Coats. The two men will describe expeditions to the North and South Pole together with their own preparation for the Centenary Expedition. It will be the last event for both explorers before they fly to South America to start their journey from Scott’s original hut, retracing his 1800 mile trip from the Antarctic Coast to the South Pole.

Vintage & Handmade Textile Fair Saturday 1 October, 10am – 4pm Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, South Gloucestershire. Free admission.

Over 45 stalls of vintage textiles, haberdashery, fashion, millinery jewellery, knitting, French linens, brocante and much more will be on offer, along with the everpopular vintage tearoom.

Kevin Brooking in Falling Up, Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 September, 5.30pm A one-man clown show in which the multiple award-winning American-born master clown, Kevin Brooking brings an entire universe to life, using mime circus skills and magic to create funny, familyfriendly, unforgettable theatre.

Champloo Dance Company in White Caps, Friday 7 & Saturday 8 October, 8pm Bristol’s very own Champloo is one of the UK’s best b-boying companies. The name comes from a Japanese word, meaning to mix an unusual combination of elements with astonishing outcomes. Here, the mix includes award-winning film, a soundtrack

by Type Sun, a compelling story, multiple mood shifts and explosive break dance moves. This show has already enjoyed two sell-out runs at the Bristol Old Vic.

A Talk by Two Polar Explorers Friday 23 September, 7.30pm

An Evening With Sarah Raven Wednesday 5 October, 5pm

Bristol International Festival of Kites

Bristol Grammar School. Tickets £8 including from www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk Bristol Grammar School and Bloomsbury Publishing present an evening with Sarah Raven, gardener, cook and writer, in conversation with BBC’s Radio 4 executive producer Sara Davies. See an interview with Sarah on page 102.

GREEN EVENTS at Bristol Botanic Garden The Holmes, Stoke Park Road, Bristol. Tel: 0117 331 4906

A Celebration of Bees and Pollination and National Garden Scheme Open Day Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September, 10am – 4.30pm See a range of exhibitors including the Avon Bee Keeping Association, who will stage their annual Honey Festival; local beer and cider makers, apple growers, bee conservation organisations and metalwork sculpture. Local nurseries will also be selling a wide range of plants aimed at providing nectar for bees and habitats for wildlife. Admission cost: £4.50.

Lectures: Plant Hunting in Vietnam with Bleddyn Wynn-Jones of Crug Farm Plants, Thursday 8 September, 7.30pm. Jade Dragon: The story of the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh in China, Thursday 29 September, 7.30pm. For further information contact tel: 0117 331 4906.

Workshop: Tonics and Elixirs – Herbal Harvesting for Autumn, Saturday 24 September, 10am – 4pm A hands-on workshop that will enable students to harvest materials from the Western Herb Garden to make remedies.

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ARTSandEXHIBITIONS MARK SPAIN: LONDON TO PARIS Fizz Gallery 65a Hill Road, Clevedon.

Tel: 01275 341141 www.fizzgallery.co.uk

Mark Spain, Romantic Reflections Brenda Duddington, Untitled, at Art on the Hill

ART ON THE HILL Windmill Hill and Victoria Park Arts Trail Windmill Hill, Bristol. For further information visit: www.artonthehill.org.uk

From 1 September

RACHEL MILNE Bristol Folk House 40a Park Street, Bristol. Tel: 0117 926 2987

30 September – 3 November Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 October Throughout the weekend, around 80 artists and performers will be exhibiting and performing a wide range of work in private houses and community venues. Expect paintings, prints, photography, ceramics, jewellery, installations, music, dance, poetry and so much more. Wander around the venues at your own pace and you’ll also get the chance to participate in workshops in the park. On Sunday afternoon the trail will close with a colourful costumed musical parade around Windmill Hill. As a prelude to the trail, on Wednesday 21 September at 8pm in The Victoria Park pub on Raymond Road, there will be an art auction in aid of Creative Kids International, an innovative visual arts educational project that works with children and young people in the UK and Africa.

Modern still life figurative paintings from this successful Bristol-based artist.

LIGHT BOX: IN A NUTSHELL Centrespace Gallery 6 Leonard Lane, Bristol.

3 – 7 September Light Box Showcases a vibrant collection of work created by the Bristol public, as they explore aspects of happiness and wellbeing.

RICHARD WOODS: HANDMADE MODERN Works|projects Sydney Row, Bristol. www.worksprojects.co.uk

16 September – 19 November For his second solo exhibition at Works|projects, Richard Woods will create an installation of new paintings and sculpture that seem to paradoxically both celebrate and gently mock British nostalgia for the designs of bygone eras and undercut the nature of Modernism. Presented overlaid on Richard’s signature floorboard pattern-clad walls, he will premier a substantial body of paintings from his new Mock Tudor Mono Prints series.

These are accompanied by his new hand-painted table leg sculptures which will be interspersed with strikingly bright woodblock images.

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Light Box, In a Nutshell

A much awaited collection of originals and newly released limited edition prints by Mark Spain, one of the country’s best known and most successful figurative artists. London to Paris features a series of six beautifully presented hand embellished limited edition prints at affordable prices. Mark says: “I’ve always felt the city comes to life at night. As the daylight fades and the evening light begins the surroundings take on a magical glow full of anticipation and excitement. It is a true joy to try to capture the moods of these two great cities at these times.” If you haven’t discovered Fizz Gallery yet, there’s a host of artists and designers on show.

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Philip Richardson and Steven Lindsay

“View South from Platja Port Olivet” by Philip Richardson

Sept 17 - Oct 13

Tel 0117 929 2527

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

www.limetreegallery.com www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

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ARTSandEXHIBITIONS BRIDGET RILEY RWA Queens Road, Clifton, Bristol. Tel: 0117 973 5129 www.rwa.org.uk

HEARTFELT

ARTIST PROFILE: PHILIP RICHARDSON

Grant Bradley Gallery Number One St Peter’s Court, Bedminster Parade, Bristol. Tel: 0117 9637673 www.grantbradleygallery.co.uk

7 September – 11 October Bridget Riley is one of the UK’s leading post war artists. Her vibrant black-and-white, optical art paintings featuring geometric patterns achieved international acclaim, following a celebrated exhibition – The Responsive Eye – held at the Museum of Modern Art, New York in 1965. By 1967, she began investigating colour, and painted her first stripe painting. Although Riley’s work is abstract, it is deeply rooted in nature and the effects of light and colour in the landscape. A compelling exhibition that’s well worth a visit.

3 September – 1 October A unique collaborative exhibition all about life journeys – and the personal life-changing heartfelt moments that stop us in our tracks. Heartfelt showcases work of a shared expression of emotions.

2011 is the 50th anniversary of the British Heart Foundation and this exhibition will celebrate its achievements and raise funds to support the vital cardiovascular research that is carried out in Bristol.

LOUISE BOURGEOIS AND TRACEY EMIN: DO NOT ABANDON ME RWA Queens Road, Clifton, Bristol.

Tel: 0117 973 5129 www.rwa.org.uk

Bridget Riley, Red, 2005

2 September – 23 October PHILIP RICHARDSON AND STEVEN LINDSAY Lime Tree Gallery 84 Hotwell Road, Bristol. Tel: 0117 929 2527 www.limetreegallery.com

17 September – 13 October A two man exhibition by artists who approach representational painting through different techniques. Steven Lindsay’s work is a traditional painting style, mostly figurative, given a contemporary narrative by using space and light as a backdrop to his often solitary figures. The painting style engages the viewer to make a connection with the art of the past as well as the present, with the emphasis on composition, structure and craft. Philip Richardson’s paintings on the other hand, are about compositional and colour relationships and he restricts his work to landscapes and still lifes.

The late Louise Bourgeois is remembered as a founder of confessional art. She continued working right up until her death in May 2010, with her last project finished only the week before. During the creation of her final set of prints she handed them to Tracey Emin who eventually added to the work, admitting: ‘I carried the images around the world with me from Australia to France, but I was too scared to touch them’. The joint collection of 16 drawings explores themes of identity, sexuality and the fear of loss and abandonment. Bourgeois began by painting male and female torsos in profile and mixing red, blue and black gouache pigments with water to create delicate silhouettes. Emin used fantasy to draw smaller figures engaged with the torsos, like Lilliputian lovers, enacting the body as desires and anxieties. In many of Emin’s pictures her handwriting accompanies the image as narrative, which puts into words the emotions expressed in Bourgeois’ gouaches.

Philip is based in Kent and has a studio in Catalonia where he spends half his time. His paintings are about composition and colour and he restricts his work to landscapes and still lifes. We asked him about his processes and influences ahead of his exhibition at the Lime Tree Gallery on 17 September...

Who and what has most influenced your work?

My father, as an amateur artist, was my first influence. The whole activity, the timelessness of the equipment, and the smell of the turpentine and paints is still a powerful memory of my childhood.

Who are your favourite artists?

My favourites change almost week by week and have a lot to do with the work I am doing at the time. I rate Titian, Poussin and Duccio very high – when I lived in Siena I spent many hours looking at the Maestá. It is a fine work, and taught me not to be scared of tonal contrasts.

What has inspired your latest paintings?

At art school we were taught to regard painting as an experimental activity; something I still believe. It is not about image-making. My recent paintings are probably about the same things I was investigating 25 years ago, namely how we perceive the world, and exploring the complexities of pictorial composition.

Steven Lindsay, A Gift, at the Lime Tree Gallery

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How do you approach your work?

I will always start with an idea of a colour key. The shapes they describe are unimportant, all the colours go on from the outset always with the abstract composition in mind. Bit by bit, the representational image will form on its own. This means the painting is always finished yet never finished and I have many paintings on the go at one time.

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ARTSandEXHIBITIONS NATURESCAPE RWA Queens Road, Clifton, Bristol. Tel: 0117 973 5129 www.rwa.org.uk

AGAIN, A TIME MACHINE Spike Island 133 Cumberland Road, Bristol.

Tel: 0117 929 2266 www.spikeisland.org.uk

7 September – 11 October Naturescape features figurative and abstract works from the RWA permanent collection, many of which have not been seen for years. Expect landscapes, seascapes, still lifes, views, gardens, flowers, fields, farmyards, a storm in the city, sunlight, moonlight and raw nature, not only in this collection but also within the context of the four other autumn exhibitions.

Arthur Homeshaw RWA, Nightwave

www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

MUSEUM SHOW: PART ONE Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol. www.arnolfini.org.uk

24 September – 19 November 17 September – 9 October A Book Works touring exhibition in five parts featuring Laure Prouvost, Dora Garcia, The Happy Hypocrite, Jonathan Monk, Slavs and Tatars and a Book Works archive. Participating artists respond to the 27-year history of contemporary visual art publisher Book Works, generating ephemera, performances and printed matter.

One of the most curious tendencies in modern and contemporary art has been that of museums created by artists. Museum Show will be a large-scale exhibition – a museum of museums – displaying this comprehensive selection of semifictional institutions from over 40 artists. Presented at Arnolfini in two chapters, beginning with Part 1, it will be the first exhibition to chart this particular tendency in contemporary art. The opening of Museum Show Part 1 will also mark the landmark occasion of Arnolfini’s 50th anniversary, and the culmination of a year of celebration.

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BRISTOLliving

HIDDEN

beneath our feet

As 61 venues in Bristol prepare for the annual Doors Open Day on Saturday 10 September, Georgette McCready joins a tour of one of the city’s best kept secrets not normally open to the public, the Redcliffe Caves

I

must have walked past the entrance dozens of times, without giving it a second glance – a slightly rusting metal gate in the wall on the wharfside by the Floating Harbour. It’s all very unassuming and looks like nothing more than a storage vault. It’s a fair bet to say that a lot of Bristolians are unaware of what lies beneath Redcliffe’s streets and houses in the old mines known as the Redcliffe Caves.

The caves are open to all to explore as part of the city’s annual Doors Open Day. But as last year some 5,000 visitors flocked to the site, in just six hours, I would recommend you book a guided two-hour tour on a separate date to fully appreciate their fascinating history.

Alan Gray, a local caver, is a volunteer guide who leads tours around the Bristol City Council-owned Redcliffe Caves. You can book group tours with him via the website www.bristoltours.com.

Alan is one of a band of dedicated people who have cleared the caves of rubble so we visitors can walk through the maze of chambers safely. As he tells us about the caves’ history it becomes apparent that here is a man who will squeeze himself into any tunnel, channel or shaft to satisfy his curiosity.

But we don’t have to crawl through tunnels for our tour and for much of the route you can stand upright, although you will need an efficient torch and a warm top as there is no lighting in the caves and it is chilly down there. And as Alan is Chairman of the Axbridge Caving Group and has led 494 tours around the caves, I think we are safe in the assumption that he will deliver us safely back into daylight at the end of the visit – although he does enjoy teasing his audiences into thinking he might just abandon us to our fate, locked underground in the dark.

Alan’s two-hour tour begins with a street tour of the Redcliffe area, which he illustrates by showing photographs of how the different locations have changed over the years. The changes 42 The Bristol Magazine

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made in the 1960s in Bristol appear to have done almost as much damage to the city’s historic landscape as the German bombs, to judge by what Alan tells us.

Standing beside the ugly ‘60s box that is the Colosseum pub we learn about William Watts, the plumber who created the first perfectly spherical lead shot that could be used in guns. Watts had a house – one of a fine-looking terrace – on Redcliffe Hill opposite St Mary Redcliffe Church. It was from his house that he ran a highly successful lead shot production business, by the dint of adding a tower on top of the house and digging down below the cellars so his workers could achieve the great drop needed for the molten lead and arsenic to form uniform spheres as they fell into water.

❝

Alan is the man to clear up any myths you may have about Redcliffe Caves.

They were never used to hold slaves in

❞

Don’t bother looking for William Watts’ Old Lead Shot Tower – it was demolished in the 1960s to make way for more traffic. You can’t help feeling that if Watts were around today Health and Safety would have had something to say about his employees breathing in lead and arsenic fumes every day, and it seems unlikely that he would ever have got planning permission for his eccentric tower extension.

Around the corner, in Redcliffe Parade, the handsome 18th century terrace has a utilitarian office block where the old Redcliffe Boys’ School once stood. In 1941 the school playground took a direct hit during a bombing raid which killed 180 people in the city. The bomb crater allowed the boys a clear view down into the caves below until it was filled in 1949.

STORIES TO TELL: main picture, Redcliffe Caves have been used variously as store-rooms, a prison, air raid shelter and as a film location over the years PICTURES: Steve Sharp

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BRISTOLliving

Bristol Doors Open Day Saturday 10 September

All the buildings will be open from 10am to 4pm. For some buildings visitors will need to book in advance as there are limited spaces on guided tours. For more information on all 61 venues visit: www.bristoldoorsopenday.org. Here are just a handful of places you can visit:

Colston Hall

Have a closer look at the revamped foyer, pictured, with its dazzling bronze, or join a backstage and cellar tour of Bristol’s largest concert venue.

Once we are inside the caves it becomes apparent why Alan GUIDED TOURS: the caves are owned by needs us to know the geography on the surface, so we can orient Bristol City Council but ourselves when he points out different features. There is, for are not listed or example, a point when you look up at the cave roof to find officially protected

thousands of hairy tendrils hanging down. They are all that’s left of a sycamore tree which once grew near Redcliffe Parade and was chopped down because it was cracking the paving stones and a nearby wall. If you’d ever wondered about the wisdom of planting a tree near your house, the sight of the roots blindly seeking water through more than 18 feet of solid rock into the caves below, would be enough to make you think again.

Alan is the man to clear up any myths you may have been told about Redcliffe Caves. They were never used to hold slaves in – in fact, only a handful of slaves were ever brought ashore in Bristol, although so much wealth in the city was created from the trade. But Dutch soldiers and French soldiers may have been held in the caves. There is also a popular misconception that the caves stretch for miles under the city, but in fact they probably run to around 12 acres, much of that cut off by modern foundations, sewers and the construction of a railway tunnel.

The caves date back to the 15th century, when the soft red sandstone was mined out for its sand, which was used to make coarse glass products. There was a flourishing glass trade in Redcliffe between about 1650 and 1750, when massive kilns were built for firing glass. One of them was almost as tall as the tower of St Mary Redcliffe church.

Later the caves were used largely for storage, with palm oil and elephant tusks among the known items kept here. Part of the caves were an enormous sewage storage tank for a while.

Narrow gauge tracks were uncovered from when the Midland Railway Company used the wharf to unload goods and take them into the cave.

During the Second World War local families used the caves as shelters from air raids and later on, more prosaically, Bristol City Council stored its road signs down here.

But what a lot of visitors want to know is, are Redcliffe Caves haunted? Alan tells the tale of how the TV series Most Haunted ventured underground, their resident psychic getting very excited and telling Alan he could ‘see faces’ and that he felt the presence of many spirits in the twisting tunnels. Alan, being the levelheaded soul he is, confessed he had been in the caves hundreds of times and had been alone there, but had never seen or heard anything untoward. The programme that was screened, he says, was full of all sorts of screams and carrying-on.

Others to use the caves as a backdrop are the TV series Casualty, Skins and, most recently, Being Human. Which I reckon is about as close as you’re likely to get to the undead in Redcliffe Caves. ■ To book a tour visit: www.bristoltours.com

www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Cameron Balloon Factory

For the first time in the Doors Open’s 18 year history, the Cameron hot air balloon factory in Bedminster is opening its doors, offering 40-minute guided tours of the world famous balloon makers’ HQ, where its reputation has been built over 40 years. Advance booking is essential, tel: 0906 711 2191.

Julian Trust Nightshelter

They say you should walk a mile in a man’s shoes before you judge him, and for many of us a look at how the homeless live is an eye-opening and humbling experience.

For the first time, the Julian Trust charity is allowing people to see how it has helped rough sleepers for 25 years.

The vaulted ceiling of St Mary Redcliffe

Churches and chapels

From Charles Wesley’s simple family home in Charles Street to the gold and white Georgian interior of Christ Church, many of Bristol’s sacred spaces are actively encouraging new visitors for Doors Open Day. The very fit can join an accompanied guide up the tower of the 15th century St Stephen’s Church. At St Paul’s Church in Portland Square, Circomedia bring a new meaning to the term flying buttress, as its circus students put on shows throughout the day.

Underfall Yard

A living reminder of Bristol’s roots, a working boatyard at Cumberland Road which date back to the 19th century.

Watch the shipwrights at work.

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WEEKENDbreak

An Indian SUMMER

An Edwardian hotel overlooking Mounts Bay in Cornwall promises the ideal family weekend away – whatever the weather

T

hose of us who enjoyed happy family meals out at Woolley Grange Hotel in Wiltshire a few years back, where staff managed that fine balance of giving adults great service with good food, while also entertaining the children, will be pleased to hear that Nigel Chapman, former owner at Woolley Grange, is now in charge of a Cornish seaside hotel which promises to deliver a similar experience.

As founder of the small group of Luxury Family Hotels, Nigel and his team built up a reputation for creating a relaxed atmosphere for guests, while paying attention to comfort. Nigel sold the boutique hotels to Von Essen six years ago and has now invested in the Polurrian Bay Hotel near Mullion, on the clifftops overlooking Mounts Bay. The Polurrian Bay promises to be the first of a new generation of family hotels, under the title Halycon Hotels.

The 41-bedroom hotel aims at a traditional family seaside holiday experience, giving parents a homely house party atmosphere with plenty of fun for their children. There is an Oftsed registered den for the under eights to play in, while mum and dad go for a game of tennis.

Since Halycon acquired the Polurrian in February the Edwardian building has undergone refurbishment, with the public rooms having their parquet floors revealed and many of the bedrooms being updated.

there is plenty to do here, from ❝ walking the coastal path . . . to lying flat out by the indoor or outdoor pools with a book

❞

PARENT-FRIENDLY: from the top, the view out across the bay over Polurrian Bay Hotel’s outdoor pool, there is a path from the hotel down to a sandy beach, and the sitting room which offers all the comforts of home with hotel service 44 The Bristol Magazine

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The original hotel was built in 1890 and really couldn’t be in a better position, with fabulous views across the bay.

Whatever the weather there is plenty to do here, from walking the coastal path, which meanders through the 12 acres of gardens, to lying flat out by the indoor or outdoor pools with a book. There’s a lovely walk from the hotel down to a pristine sandy beach at the foot of the cliffs, and even in September the summer-warmed sea should be temperate enough for a swim.

Over the years the hotel has seen a number of famous guests, including the Italian inventor Gugliemo Marconi, who stayed at the hotel in 1901 while conducting his experiments with translatlantic message in Morse Code from nearby Poldhu beach across the ocean to Newfoundland.

In addition to all the usual facilities you’d expect in a comfortable family hotel, there is the Purity Spa, where guests can choose from a range of treatments using Elemis and Spiezia Organics products. There is a playground for younger guests and there are regular film showings in the hotel’s own cinema.

Cornwall is rich in fresh produce, from its fish to countygrown fruit and vegetables, and this is reflected in the hotel menus, which are described as ‘delicious and unpretentious.’

Children under 12 stay free if they share their parents’ room, although there is a charge for breakfast for anyone aged two or over. Cots, high chairs and baby equipment can be ordered in advance and the hotel has its own babysitting service. ■ The Polurrian Bay Hotel, Mullion, can be contacted, tel: 01326 240421, or visit: www.polurrianhotel.com.

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Papadeli 84 Alma Road, Clifton, BS8 2DJ. Tel: 0117 973 6569

REVIEW

PAPA knows

T

best

here’s a bit of a foodie vibe along Whiteladies Road these days. You can pick up a loaf of locally baked bread from Hart’s Bakery, just round the corner in Hampton Lane, buy organic vegetables and wheatgrass at The Better Food Company, or pop in for some excellent cuts of meat and chefmade marinades at the newly opened Ruby and White. Carol Vorderman was recently heard singing the praises of Cook, the shop that sells frozen, pop-in-the-oven home style dishes.

A pioneer of this good food movement in the area is Papadeli, just off Whiteladies in Alma Road, now almost into its tenth year and a real favourite with locals, who call in to the shop to pick up all kinds of goodies, from virgin olive oil and cheese to wooden salad bowls or a slice of cake for afternoon tea. The interior of Papadeli’s wouldn’t look out of place in the movie Notting Hill with its beautifully packaged goods ranged in colourful groups on shelves. It’s pleasing on the eye and tempting to the tastebuds.

Customers tempted to linger and soak up the Papadeli experience can tuck in to coffee and poached egg with smoked salmon at a table in the shop, or sit out in the sunshine with a bowl of granola with yogurt and fruit, or a croissant. At lunchtime office workers dash in to pick up lunch to go and there is also a brisk trade in take-out supper dishes prepared in Papadeli’s kitchens and taken home in the style of the Parisian traiteurs.

For lunch on a balmy sunny day we popped up the stairs to Papadeli’s café. I’d been a few weeks ago where I’d enjoyed a most delicious, and non-greasy, aubergine melanzana and was keen to return and show Sam what she’d been missing.

To the soothing, chilled sounds of Latino music we settled happily in the pale blue dining room, admired the art on the walls, before turning our attention to the menu. Papadeli always has sandwiches on the menu – no ordinary sandwiches, you understand, but made on ciabatta with delicious ingredients such as goat’s cheese, chorizo and sun-blushed tomato, or smoked salmon with cream cheese and lemon.

There are six main dishes and these change daily, always using seasonal ingredients. The newly arrived head chef, Stephanie Smith, has worked with Jamie Oliver at Watergate Bay in Cornwall and is continuing to keep up Papadeli’s modern European repertoire of dishes packed with favour. The owner, Simon MacDonnell has a gift for sourcing unusual ingredients 46 The Bristol Magazine

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produced by artisans, both British and Continental. One day customers can to dine on Spanish sardinillas, another on Sardinian flatbread with Parma ham, or Bill Butt’s speciality pork pie with west country cheeses and pickles.

Sam had a summer salad (£8.50), which was a perfect marriage of sweet and savoury, combining smoked slivers of ham with a creamy buffalo mozzarella, a perfectly ripe fresh peach and mixed, dressed salad leaves. She said it was the best salad she had eaten in a long, long time.

The chef’s courgette, basil and feta frittata, which I ordered, came warm, fluffy and freshly made, and was perfect as a late summer lunch. It was accompanied by a mixture of Papadeli’s salads, one of broad beans and peas with mint, another a crispy coleslaw, a third of couscous. This was topped artistically by a glistening arrangement of very lightly dressed rocket. At £8.95 we felt this was good value. Tasty, filling and memorable too.

A couple of Luscombe’s sparkling elderflower made this a seasonal pick-me-up lunchtime treat.

We took a slice of carrot cake and a chocolate brownie back to the office for a late afternoon tea break. The carrot cake was good and moist and not too sweet, while the chocolate brownie was gorgeously gooey. If you’ve got a thing for chocolate brownies, beware of the Papadeli version – it could prove addictive.

Papadeli’s is going from strength to strength. On the top floor, where the bread is baked, Simon and his wife Catrin have just opened a cookery school, which has proved popular in its first season. And while the café is not generally open in the evenings (the MacDonnells value the time they spend with their sons, Tom, ten, and Sam, eight) they host regular supper clubs, the next one on Friday 23 September, celebrating seasonal British produce.

The business also does a brisk trade in outside catering, providing Spanish pinchos, a tapas style dish, for university functions, feasts for birthdays and weddings and dishes for home entertainers who don’t want to cook.

The Papadeli empire has also spread down Clifton to the RWA, where it now runs the gallery’s café. The twin pleasures of cake and culture can be found under one roof.

Gourmets and gourmands should beat a path to Whiteladies Road, wicker shopping basket in hand, to eat, drink and be merry GMc

DELI DELIGHT: main picture, the shopfront at Papadeli Inset, fairy cakes and rows of gourmet goodies on the shelves inside Papadeli

Main picture and interior by Charlotte Stone

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FOOD&DRINK

Mr Nitrogen’s cool plans for parlour Charlie Harry Francis, pictured, the nearest thing Bristol has got to Willy Wonka, is on the hunt for premises in which to launch a new ice cream parlour after winning £50,000 investment in a Barclay’s Bank business competition.

Charlie, who trades and blogs under the name Lick Me I’m Delicious, can be found at events all over the country serving up ice creams using his inventive liquid nitrogen technique.

With recipes that include: cider sorbet, raspberry frozen yogurt with crumbled cupcake and fresh raspberries, or cinder

The pies have it

toffee ice cream with fresh bananas and toffee brittle, it’s no wonder Lick Me I’m Delicious’s concoctions go down well with his customers.

Charlie grew up on what he calls an ice cream farm, where his father made ice cream, and his mother is a baker.

He is currently busy meeting requests for making nitro ice cream for weddings, corporate events and Christmas parties while hunting for the ideal place to launch his parlour. He now describes himself as a ‘self-confessed kitchen geek’ as he tests the latest equipment for his new creations.

FOODIE TITBITS

A celebration of Greek food Kerry Kousiounis, who used to own the Greek restaurant Bouboulina’s in Clifton, is now living the dream, running yoga and foodie holidays for people in his native Greece. Based in the Peloponnese, Kerry’s holistic holidays take a relaxed approach to good food. In his open kitchen the food week is centred around preparing healthy dishes in a leisurely manner and in good company. To find out more about Kerry’s Sol Holistic Holidays visit: www.thespiritoflife.co.uk or email: info@thespiritoflife.co.uk.

Here at The Bristol Magazine we are big fans of the city’s Pieminister, so were delighted to see its new recipe book, Pieminister: a Pie for All Seasons, published this autumn.

In this wittily written and illustrated recipe book, not only can you learn how to make a home version of our favourite Moo Pie (not precise, as the original recipe is a closely guarded secret) but you can also try your hand – among others – at a veggie Homity Pie, or Plumble, a warming crumble with mulled wine and plums.

There are pie recipes for every season, along with clear and detailed instructions on how to master pastry making.

Pieminister’s founders Jon Simon and Tristan Hogg, pictured, have an infectious enthusiasm for food and good ingredients, which comes over in the book. There is also a brief history of how Pieminister was created. And always, at the heart, is a celebration of the pie.

You have to warm to a book that includes, alongside its heart-warming recipes, instructions for Christmas party games. For Human Buckeroo you will need one sleeping person, at least two more awake, a variety of household objects and a camera to record the evidence.

Pieminister: A Pie for All Seasons is published by Bantam Press in hardback, price £17.99.

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FOOD & DRINK A celebration of Bristol’s food producers and eateries

Anyone for a tot of carrot whisky?

Bristol based writer Andy Hamilton has been busy foraging through hedgerows and allotments to demonstrate that you can make delicious – and cheap – alcoholic drinks from all kinds of natural ingredients.

His new book, out this month, is Booze For Free. It’s a no-nonsense guide to homebrewing and wine making and includes more than 100 recipes for everything from the classic sloe gin to parsnip sherry, horseradish vodka and pumpkin beer.

Andy is well qualified for the task as he is the founder of the Bristol Brewing Circle and the owner of an allotment, so you can be sure that his recipe for carrot whisky will have been rigorously tested in Good Housekeeping magazine style.

He is also the co-author of The SelfSufficient Bible, writes regularly for The Guardian and the BBC’s Countryfile magazine and co-creator of the awardwinning website www.selfsufficientish.com.

Booze for Free is published by Eden Project Books in hardback, price £9.99.

Andy will be launching the book on Thursday 8 September from 6.30pm, at Blackwells bookshop in Park Street, Bristol.

Why everyone wants to join the tea party The Boston Tea Party has made new friends and customers by opening a new café on Cheltenham Road, between Montpelier and Stokes Croft, its fourth outlet in its home city.

The new café is open for breakfasts and lunches, as well as serving a wide variety of teas, coffee and cake all day. Dishes range from pancakes with smoked bacon and maple syrup to toasted sandwiches.

BTP has also launched its new BTP KeepCup, which costs £6.95 (including a free try-out coffee).

These can be re-used by regular take-out customers and will help reduce the amount of waste caused by throw-away coffee cups.

The Cheltenham Road café is also featuring the work of local artists on its walls as part of its community involvement.

NEW NEIGHBOURS: opened in Cheltenham Road

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COMPETITION

ITALIAN BAR & KITCHEN

Harvest TIME

2 for 1

Mondays: 6pm - 9pm

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Tuesday to Saturday: 12 - 2pm, 6pm - 10pm Closed Sundays

he

w

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risp autumn days are the perfect excuse to head to the countryside for some fresh air, kick up some autumn leaves and work up a healthy appetite. The National Trust’s beautifully restored Tyntesfield is combining the great outdoors with the theme of good, seasonal produce by hosting a series of events around Food Fortnight (19 September to 2 October). Visit: www.nationtrust.org.uk/tyntesfield for a full programme of events.

Tyntesfield is marking the occasion by offering one lucky reader of The Bristol Magazine a National Trust hamper full of edible goodies, and ten runners-up ten family (two adults and two children) admission tickets to the house and gardens. To be in with a chance of winning answer this simple question: What is the name of Tyntesfield’s new restaurant?

To enter, mark your email Tyntesfield and send it to competitions@thebristolmagazine.co.uk or post it (with your name, address and phone number) to The Bristol Magazine, 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath, BA1 2ED by noon on Wednesday 21 September.

offer on piz on Mon zas day nights nd

rink is

bought

Daily lunchtime offer Tuesday to Friday

Any pasta or pizza for £6.95 a drink must be bought

If you would like to make a reservation please call 0117 973 0496 7 North View, Westbury Park, Bristol BS6 7PT

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THE ILLUSTRATOR

RISINGstars

PICTURE: Stephanie Third www.stephthird.co.uk

THE ONES to watch This month we’re highlighting the achievements of a handful of talented people who are the rising stars in their chosen field

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RISINGstars

WORK IN PROGRESS: Charlotte Farmer, printmaker from Bath, at work at Spike Print Studios in Bristol. Below, a detail from her limited edition Tweet print

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harlotte Farmer’s work is characterised by its gentle, quirky and observational style.

Grizzly bears peer cautiously out of snow globes, plump birds hop about saying ‘Chirp!’, custard cream biscuits scatter themselves across tea towels, Jane Austen looks primly disapproving, and all the while Charlotte’s distinctive handwriting loops its way through captions and titles.

The Bath-based illustrator and printer, who works out of Spike Print Studios in Bristol, is fast establishing a fanbase of collectors of her work. Her limited edition prints are displayed in the Rostra & Rooksmoor Galleries in George Street, Bath and there is also growing demand for her designer tea towels, bags and greetings cards.

Verity James, one of the joint owners of the Rostra & Rooksmoor, said: “From some simple photographs Charlotte sent us we could immediately see the appeal and her potential.

Her silkscreen print 20 Snow Globes Around the World was a piece that really struck our imagination and Charlotte has been great at developing that into a bigger body of work. We’re delighted that our opinion of her work is shared by our customers. Her work is fresh, fun and affordable but of an excellently high quality. She puts a lot of effort into creating her prints with special embellishments such as embossing, gold leaf and lots of colour.

“Charlotte will be exhibiting with us throughout 2011 and into 2012 with her collection expanding and becoming even more delightful I’m sure. We always keep a selection of her work in the gallery or you can view her new webpage at www.rostragallery.co.uk.”

Charlotte also has her work on sale in a gallery in Falmouth and is heading north to Stoke-on-Trent to discuss the possibility of her biscuits and tea pot drawings being used on a new range of Charlotte Farmer mugs and plates. New House Textiles, which already produces her tea towels and shopping bags, is to feature her work on roller blinds. She has also done commissions for a German company. Charlotte said: “That involved creating animals in hot air balloons – families of meerkats waving at a precarious looking hippo and giraffes with binoculars. That was a fun job.”

THE RUGBY PLAYER

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Her next aim is to get her prints into some London galleries, which would be another significant turning point in her career.

She started out, after graduating in fine art, taking jobs in cafés and bookshops to pay the rent. Charlotte was working in a coffee shop when she suggested to the owner that she could do a better job of creating an eye-catching window display. So successful was that creative work that the owner of Baileys Home Store, a Ross-on-Wye company, commissioned her to do some in-house design for his business. Charlotte still does work for Baileys on its instore signs and website.

After moving to Bath she worked at Bloomsbury for a while, where she was encouraged to start a blog. She also benefitted from doing an MA in communication design at St Martins.

Through a combination of hard work and quiet persistance Charlotte is now happy to call herself a full-time professional artist.

She says: “I really enjoy researching and collecting things for new pieces especially recently as it has involved lots of biscuits and spending time choosing one of everything in sweet shops for a pick’n’mix design I’m working on.

“I like drawing familiar items and animals, making the most of small details that people don’t always notice, and I was attracted to snow globes because they’re a contained space where you can draw Elvis and a bear next to each other and it works. I enjoy thinking up titles for my prints – as it can change the way people look at them and hopefully make them laugh a little bit.

“I like printmaking because the drawing you start out with changes through the processes involved, and something a little bit unexpected and unplanned happens. I do enjoy a happy accident.”

Charlotte produced a limited edition tea towel with a recipe for apple pie, and she enjoys taking on commissions for special occasions and commercial projects, whether it be for websites, stationery or tea towels.

This autumn she has been invited to take part in The Big Draw Project, which is a campaign to get people to pick up their pencils and enjoy the process of drawing what’s in front of them and in their imaginations.

Visit: www.charlotte-farmer.co.uk to view her work and read her blog. Limited edition prints are from £40.

he home crowd at The Rec in Bath give a warm welcome to newly promoted player Guy Mercer, who has joined Bath Rugby’s first squad this season from the Bath Rugby Academy. He has also been tipped as a player to watch on the England rugby scene.

The 21-year-old flanker was educated at King Edward’s School and was captain of the school’s first XV. He has been a Bath Rugby supporter since he was a child.

Despite being a young player he is already attracting accolades. At last November’s match against London Wasps he was picked out as Man of the Match by broadcasters ESPN – no inconsiderable feat given that this was his debut at a Premiership game and taking into account the experience of other

players on the pitch.

Guy is one of a number of first team players who has risen through the ranks of the Bath Rugby Academy. Others include Nathan Catt and Mark Lilley.

Earlier this season, when it was announced that Guy’s contract with Bath had been renewed for another two years he said: “I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to stay at Bath. The club is a very exciting place to be at the moment, with the current squad and recruitment putting us in a great position to win games.

“In particular, the players currently in, and who have been recruited for the back row mean it is quite a big deal for me to be involved, and to have the opportunity to learn from them is huge.”

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RISINGstars THE FASHION DESIGNER

Above: Graduate fashion student and talented womenwear designer Camila Stanford; right: Camila’s designs on the catwalk at Graduate Fashion Week in London in June

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ollowing in the footsteps of style legends John Galliano, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen is 22-year-old Camila Stanford, from Bath, who was selected to send six outfits down the catwalk at Graduate Fashion Week in London in June. Talented womenswear designer Camila was chosen to be part of the biggest showcase of young and emerging fashion talent in the UK by an external panel of judges with her knitwear collection and since then she has attracted lots of attention.

The graduate fashion student says it was a surreal but exciting moment when she saw her designs showcased at one of the biggest events in the fashion calender: “The build up was amazing and I felt such a sense of achievement seeing the outfits that I’d created on the catwalk.”

The former St Gregory’s Catholic College and St Brendan’s Sixth Form student first became interested in fashion design when she was studing Art Foundation at the City of Bath College. “I’ve always been interested in textile art,” says Camila. “I see fashion as a creative process, as a piece of artwork. It felt natural for me to move into fashion.”

Camila then went on to study fashion at Manchester Metropolitan University where she found her direction. “I love the escapism of fashion, creating strange silhouettes and telling stories through fabric, colour and texture,” she says. “To me fashion means fun and dressing up.”

Her final collection was inspired by a visit to the Museum of Childhood in London. “I’ve always been inspired by fantasy and childhood,” says Camila. “In addition to knitting accessories such as socks, gloves and mittens I’ve embellished and styled outfits with objects such as doll eyes and porcelain hands.”

Camila has recently moved to London where she has been looking for fashion internships and hopes to get involved in fashion styling for photo shoots. She is also in the process of organising a look book of her designs and will continue to draw, design and knit in her free time.

Graduate Fashion Week has launched the careers of some of the world’s best known fashion designers and pieces showcased on the catwalk have even been spotted on Lady Gaga. Watch this space...

THE MUSICIAN

J

PICTURE: Tom Dickeson

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azz enthusiasts in Bristol may be familiar with the music of saxophonist, Josh Arcoleo.

The 22-year-old plays regular gigs at venues including The Coronation Tap in Clifton and The Old Duke, usually alongside Bristolian fellow sax player James Gardiner-Bateman.

Josh, who comes from a family of classical musicians in Frome, honed his playing skills as a teenager taking a performance based music course at the City of Bath College.

From there he gained a place at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music, where he secured a first class honours degree and the Principal’s Prize for exceptional studentship and the Kenny Wheeler Jazz Prize – which has won him a contract with Edition Records.

Josh is now working on some original material for his debut

album, which should be out in January.

He said: “Studying at the Royal Academy of Music has been a fantastic experience, the level of playing from my peers was amazing and the teachers were great.”

He persuaded James GardinerBateman to also apply to the Academy and says his friend doesn’t regret adding this experience to his musical career.

Josh has played at the Royal Festival Hall, the Barbican and Ronnie Scotts and has shared the stage with some great jazz musicians, including west country based Pee Wee Ellis, Iain Bellamy, Jason Rebello and Gareth Williams.

He’s planning some more gigs between now and Christmas and is one to listen out for nationally as well as on the local scene.

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RISINGstars

PICTURE: Mark Benham www.markbenham.co.uk

THE FURNITURE MAKER

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oby Howes is a Bristol-based award-winning furniture designer and maker who creates objects, such as tables and sideboards, but gives them a unique and contemporary look. Not only are they beautiful to look at, they have the tactile appeal that comes with hand-crafted wooden pieces, and they are practical too. Their designer is at pains to ensure that each piece he creates has that ‘wow’ factor. He manages to combine ingenious and practical function with clean elegant lines that are aesthetically pleasing.

After graduating Toby worked as an ecologist for 13 years. But, while he enjoyed his job, the report writing side of it became more of a burden for him and when he was diagnosed as dyslexic that was the trigger for him to develop the woodworking skills he had first enjoyed at school.

He took a three-year furniture making course at Bristol City College, where in his third year he designed and made a circular drinks cabinet with a smooth-operating opening action that James Bond would be impressed by, the wood springing open at a twist to reveal the glasses and bottles inside. His tutor had warned him, on seeing the design, that the Iris – inspired by the fanned shutter action of the iris of a camera – would be impossible to make. But Toby proved him wrong and was awarded the City & Guilds Medal for Excellence for his creation.

Four years since setting up his business as a furniture designer and maker of bespoke pieces, Toby now works in an old school building in Hinton near Dyrham, just north of Bath. When The Bath Magazine visited he was busy working on an oak coat stand, using English oak he had steam bent to create swan-neck curves and was planing to create the clean lines that distinguish his work.

“I used to be drawn to geometric shapes,” he says, showing me photographs of a walnut sideboard he’s made,with a pale, patterned www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

burr poplar front, “but now I am more drawn to creating curves.”

He was busy finishing the coat stand and a modified version of Iris the drinks cabinet, now called Helios to take to the Celebration of Craftsmanship and Design Exhibition at Cheltenham, which is the largest selling show of high quality bespoke furniture in the UK. This cabinet is made from birds eye maple and zebrano. The cabinet opens like a camera iris to reveal an illuminated and mirrored interior housing bottles and glasses. From that show Toby is hoping he will pick up more commissions to keep him busy in the workshop over the coming months. He displays his work in various galleries in London and around the country.

One of the things that sets Toby apart is that he doesn’t use a computer to aid his designs, preferring instead to draw with pencil and paper. And, when you take a close look at the finished pieces, there is much delight to be had in discovering all the detail he has thoughtfully included in his work.

He uses native British wood as well as North American and European timber that has the Forestry Stewardship Council approval, staying true to his ecological principles.

On Toby’s website he has a 3D image of an Escher-style impossible circle. This, in time, is going to become his maker’s mark so collectors will be able to spot a Toby Howes piece at a glance. Meanwhile, he is celebrating having sold two elegant walnut and maple rocking chairs, called Wishbone, to a collector from the Netherlands who has intimated that he would like to commission more work from Toby.

And while Toby is keen to see more of his furniture in people’s homes he is not prepared to compromise or water down his designs for the sake of the fast buck. The craftsmanship, which is obvious to even the most casual viewer, is intrisic to his ethos.

To see more of Toby Howes’ work, visit: www.tobyhowesfurniture.co.uk September 2011

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MOTORINGcity

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MOTORINGcity

The all new RANGE ROVER EVOQUE TBM gets a sneak preview of the latest Range Rover Evoque, and discovers the next level in state-of-the-art motoring

SHOW-STOPPING: main photo, Range Rover Evoque.

Inset image, out on the road in style

Test car courtesy of Guy Salmon, Bristol

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eptember heralds the arrival of the all-new Range Rover Evoque, a vehicle that is as breath-taking to look at as it is to drive. The Range Rover Evoque goes on sale at Guy Salmon Land Rover Bristol, having completed a punishing schedule of more than a million development miles in 20 countries – including 5,000 miles of testing at the Nürburgring.

Available as a coupé or a practical 5-Door model, the Range Rover Evoque brings agile handling and concept car looks to the classic Range Rover package of luxury and all-terrain performance.

The Range Rover Evoque exudes dynamic elegance and is available in three core design themes - from the cool and contemporary Pure, to the bold and sporting Dynamic and the luxury Prestige package – although customers can personalise their vehicle with an array of colour, trim and accessory options. Additional exterior styling items include bright side protection tubes, bodyside decals, coloured wheel centres, and alloy wheels in alternative finishes. Within the vehicle, customers can select features including metal sports pedals and illuminated aluminium and chrome tread plates.

The Range Rover Evoque’s interior is deceptively spacious given its compact proportions and a full-sized panoramic glass roof can be selected in both the coupé and 5-Door to flood the interior with natural light if desired.

As you would expect from a Range Rover, the interior features high quality materials and craftsmanship but sees them applied in a more contemporary and sporting fashion. Among the special touches are premium leather with twin-needle stitching on the instrument panel, doors and seats, plus displays that come to life through a choreographed start-up sequence.

The Range Rover Evoque provides customers with a host of premium technologies – including an eight-inch, high-definition touch-screen display with optional dual-view technology that allows a passenger to watch a DVD while the driver follows navigation instructions.

Entertainment options include Digital and Satellite TV, DVD playback capability – which passengers can enjoy via eight-inch screens mounted in the headrests and digital infrared wireless headphones. New sound systems, developed in partnership with audio specialist Meridian and including a range-topping 825W, 17-speaker system, are also available.

However, the true test is how it drives and it is here that a million development miles prove their worth. Starting with the Range Rover Sport, which has a similar DNA to a luxury sports saloon, dynamics specialists set out to give the Range Rover Evoque a sporting character consistent with its looks.

They focused on ensuring that the Range Rover Evoque was

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agile and fun to drive, so particular attention was paid to steering precision and agility at lower speeds.

As a result it offers a rewarding experience even during day-to-day urban driving but retains excellent body control and suffers no loss of poise.

Taking ride and handling to the next level, Range Rover Evoque customers have the opportunity to specify a state-of-the-art new Adaptive Dynamics feature, which sees MagneRide™ dampers monitoring and adapting to vehicle movements 1,000 times/second* to help minimise body roll and provide an even more balanced drive.

Naturally the Range Rover Evoque delivers all-surface capability and makes use of a unique suite of technologies to maximise performance and comfort in challenging on- and offroad conditions. These include the latest version of the company’s signature Terrain ResponseTM system – which has settings for General Driving, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Ruts and Sand to optimise driveability and comfort. When specifying the Adaptive Dynamics feature there is also an additional Dynamic setting.

For customers looking for reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, the Evoque is the first Range Rover to offer a choice between the standard, full-time four-wheel-drive system and a front-wheel-drive option tuned to deliver the same agile handling.

A choice of engines are available – from a 150hp 2.2 litre turbo diesel eD4 engine that delivers less than 129g/km CO2 (in front-wheel-drive coupé form), to a 190hp SD4 version which gets from 0-60mph in 8.0 seconds when equipped with the automatic gearbox and a new 240hp 2.0 litre turbo-charged petrol engine capable of 0-60mph in just 7.1 seconds.

The Range Rover Evoque’s compact size has enabled engineers to minimise weight, improve aerodynamics and reduce the quantity of materials required to produce it. Each car also uses 16kg of recycled plastic material in components including wheel arch liners and the engine cover – diverting many tonnes of waste from landfill.

On sale from this month, the Range Rover Evoque is priced from £27,955 for an eD4 Pure five-door model (equipped with 6 speed manual gearbox and two–wheel drive) to £44,320 for a top-of-the-range Si4 Dynamic coupé (equipped with six-speed automatic gearbox and LUX pack).

For further information contact: Guy Salmon Land Rover Bristol, Pioneer Park, Whitby Road, Brislington, tel: 0117 958 8130 or visit: www.rangerover.co.uk/evoque ■

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BUSINESSnews

Bristol’s part in the Olympics When the eyes of the world are on the London 2012 Games next summer, there will be a quiet sense of pride at Bristol-based consulting engineers Fenton Holloway.

The company has provided structural engineering and design services to the consortium which has built the Olympic basketball arena – one of the largest temporary venues ever built for an Olympic or Paralymic Games.

Fenton Holloway is also involved in the development of the shooting

arena being constructed in Woolwich for the Games.

Nearer to home, Fenton Holloway has worked on the restoration of the ss Great Britain and Blaenavon Heritage Centre, both of which have won awards.

More recently the firm has been appointed to work on the restoration of Cardigan Castle, the Victoria Bridge in Bath, and at home in Bristol, Brunel’s Swivel Bridge. For further information tel: 0117 922 0722.

News in brief ■ After six years as Explore AtBristol’s chief executive, Dr Goéry Delacôte, pictured, has announced he is to step down to become President and chief scientific advisor for the inter-active museum from next April. The search has begun to find a new chief executive.

■ Real estate firm DTZ in Bristol has added four new staff members to its 15-strong property management team. Gareth Watkinson and John Tyas both join as surveyors in the retail and portfolio active teams, while Tom Alcock joins as a graduate surveyor and Christopher McCahill as property administrator.

■ Bristol is a cycling city and in response for demand a Peugeot bicycle sales and rentals centre has been opened at the Robins and Day bike centre in Clarence Road.

■ Staff from Lloyds Bank, Bristol, will be part of a team of cyclists tackling the challenging 396-mile Tour de E2B, cycling from Edinburgh to Bristol later this month. Raising money for Save the Children the ride ends in Millennium Square on 30 September. If you see them give them a cheer – and your sponsorship, as they aim to raise £20,000.

■ It’s been a good summer for marquees – from weddings to the BBC’s Great British Bake Off, they’ve adorned lawns all over the country.

To plan next year’s excitement in tents, pop along to County Marquees’ Viewing Weekend held in Chepstow on the weekend of 8/9 October. To find out more tel: 0800 191 997.

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SENSE OF PRIDE: Bristol company Fenton Holloway has been involved in the construction of the Olympic basketball arena

Record visitors

LATEST BUZZ

Nice try for rugby by sponsors Bristol Rugby has struck up a partnership with the city’s St Peter’s Hospice, with the hospice’s logo being featured on the club’s home and away shorts for the coming season. The deal has been done thanks to the sponsorship of Park Furnishers. St Peter’s last year cared for more than 2,000 patients free of charge. Park Furnishers’ managing director Tim Coller, said: “When we were arriving at the stage of deciding how to develop our relationship with Bristol Rugby, it struck me that St Peter’s would benefit from the additional exposure.”

BRISTOL BUSINESS news & views

A round up of achievements and events from the city’s business community

The M Shed, Bristol’s new museum has welcomed its 100,000 visitor, only six weeks after opening.

Bob and Hilary Tudgee from Wells and their grandsons, Harry and Daniel Bell from Cheddar were the 100,000 visitors through M Shed’s doors, where they were welcomed by staff and offered a complimentary lunch in M Shed’s harbourside café.

Museum staff estimated M Shed would attract 250,000 visitors in its first year. Now that visitor numbers are exceeding all expectations, those figures may have to be revised.

“This is excellent news,” says Barbara Janke, Bristol City Council’s leader. “M Shed is the city’s flagship museum and looking at the visitor numbers and the wealth of positive, supportive feedback it’s already a sure winner. Our investment in culture and drive to complete the regeneration of Bristol’s historic harbourside is paying dividends with local people and visitors.”

Julie Finch, head of Bristol’s museums, galleries and archives, added: “M Shed tells the story of Bristol through the people, objects and artefacts who have shaped the city we see today. We anticipated thousands of visitors in the opening months and are absolutely delighted with the response so far. I’m confident visitor numbers will continue to rise and rise.”

Help traders light up village for Christmas Clifton Village traders are already looking forward to Christmas and are planning to stage an auction at the beginning of October to raise money to pay for a Christmas tree and lights for the community.

They are also planning to make a donation to the Help for Heroes appeal for the armed forces.

An appeal has gone out for items to auction and already there is jewellery, shopping vouchers, meals out and a day at a health spa on the list of lots. To give to the auction, which is on Wednesday 5 October at the Clifton Club (time to be confirmed), or to find out more details, email: alison@cliftonvillagetraders.org.uk. All are welcome, not just people from Clifton.

APPEALING: Clifton village makes a team effort

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THE

BRISTOL

MAGAZINE

Blenheims offers the full range of block management services and excels in delivering outstanding service with a personal touch.

We work closely with our clients to devise an approach that works for their building and the way in which they would like it to be run.

• Professional property management for blocks of flats of all sizes • • Outstanding Accounts support for collecting and managing service charges • • ARMA members • 28 Chandos Road, Redland, BS6 6PF T: 0117 933 9560 E: Bristol@blenheims.co.uk W: www.blenheims.co.uk

We deliver to over 24,000 addresses every month. But if you live outside our distribution area or would like us to send a copy to friends or family then we are able to offer a mailing service for only £15.00 (6 issues) or £25.00 Euro zone; £30.00 (12 issues) or £50.00 Euro zone World Zone 1 £95.00 World Zone 2 £120.00

To subscribe just send a cheque payable to MC Publishing Ltd 2 Princes Building, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED or Telephone 0117 974 2800 for card payment

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‘from HOME to HOME...’

D

own what must be one of the least travelled roads in BS9 is Cote House, a majestic period building converted into 12 distinctive and charmingly individual single and double retirement apartments each with its own lounge, bedroom, kitchenette and en-suite bathroom.

Situated just off The Downs in Westbury-on-Trym, the location and lifestyle is simply perfect for the discerning resident who values independence, quality and peace of mind.

Included within the single monthly accommodation and utilities fee, friendly and highly experienced staff offer a three-course home cooked meal 7 days a week. Importantly, a 24-hour call system comes as standard with a hairdresser, chiropodist, vicar, mobile library and various health professionals all making regular visits.

A key feature of life in the House is the hugely popular programme of activities available which includes frequent visits to places of interest in addition to in-house exercise classes and events for those who wish to participate.

The magnificent 17th Century building stands in beautiful open surroundings with peaceful, secluded and uplifting gardens bringing the sound of nature and great views to residents’ doorsteps. No wonder residents feel they have come ‘from home to home...’

Cote House, Cote Drive, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS9 3UP Visit: www.cotecharity.co.uk e-mail: info@cotecharity.co.uk telephone: 0117 987 0105

The Hollies Care Centre, Dursley Registered Charity No: 257237

• A purpose built Care Home offering the highest standards of Nursing Care and retirement living • Luxury hotel style accommodation, with all bedrooms having en-suite wet rooms, lovely views, sat T.V. broadband internet and many other convenient adaptations • Independent family run with a highly trained, friendly team of staff • Wholesome home cooked food using fresh home-grown produce • Wide range of daily activities with our own minibus for accompanied outings

For more information: Contact Gill Lee 01453 541400 Or visit our website: www.littlecombepark.com www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

• Short Respite Care service available (Christmas bookings now being taken) and a new Day Care service is also available • Other in-house services on offer include: Hairdressing, Physiotherapy, Chiropody, visiting Beautician, Newspapers and periodicals • We are conveniently located for easy access to surrounding towns such as Bristol, Bath, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Cirencester

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FAMILYfun

STAR

attractions We’ve selected a handful of activities and events for all the family to enjoy together this month

he rs o f t e d n o Discover the w

tol at Explore At-B r i s

Explore science

Explore At-Bristol, Harbourside, Bristol.

Tel: 0845 345 1235, www.at-bristol.org.uk

The Boggling Brain Show, Throughout September A crazy science show that will fire up every part of your brain.

universe

Fun and games

Blaise Castle House Museum, Bristol. www.bristol.gov.uk

Toy Time, Sunday 4 September

En

joy s t T h e Sn ory-t e l l in g , c o ow medy F actory Dragon at the o and s ongs in T bacco

Summer Night Sky Planetarium Show, Until 19 September

Create your own moving toys and discover what children played with in the past, inspired by the Blaise Castle House Museum’s amazing toy collection.

Sit back in the planetarium for a presenter-led show to discover how to find your way around the cosmos. On the way you’ll spot coloured stars, black holes and more galaxies than you’ll be able to count.

Family show

Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery, Queen’s Road, Bristol. Tel: 0117 922 3571 www.bristol.gov.uk/museums

The Snow Dragon, Sunday 2 October, 11am & 2pm

K’nex Challenge, Until Tuesday 6 September, 10am – 5pm Get creative with motors, gears and wheels to make marvellous moving objects.

Live Lab, 7 – 30 September In the new Live Lab area you can see live experiments every day that you can take part in.

You may get a chance to extract your own DNA, see your cells or even watch a live dissection.

Changing seasons

Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury. www.forestry.gov.uk

Autumn Fruits and Berries, Sunday 25 September, 11am – 12.30pm Discover the reasons behind the many shapes and sizes of seed packages and enjoy Westonbirt’s wonderful autumn colour.

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Discover the museum

Curiosity Tours, Thursday 22 September, 1pm Take a tour of the Curiosity, the museum’s newest gallery to discover fascinating objects from the archaeology and world cultures collections. These family friendly tours are free and last 30 minutes.

Archaeology Store Tours, Thursday 22 September, 11am

Tobacco Factory Theatre, Raleigh Road, Southville, Bristol. Box office tel: 0117 902 0344 www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com

On New Year’s Eve, Billy’s parents tell him about the legendary Snow Dragon who’ll bring him goodies during the night. Looking for berries is hard work and Billy finds it much easier to borrow from his friends. But when Billy bumps into some wolves in the woods, the New Year doesn’t turn out quite how he expected.

Story-telling, comedy and songs create a magical, mysterious world from the company that brought you The Gruffalo.

Fun on-board

Go behind the scenes to explore some of Bristol’s most exciting prehistoric, Roman and medieval collections in the archaeology stores. Cost: £1 per person and need to be booked in advance.

ss Great Britain, Great Western Dockyard, Bristol. Tel: 0117 926 0680 or visit: www.ssgreatbritain.org

Finds ID Days, Thursday 29 September, 11am – 1pm

Sea Hear, Tuesday 6 September

Drop in to the museum with your coins, medals, world objects and archaeological finds for curators to identify.

Join professional storyteller Sarah Mooney for adventures of the high seas. Stories are tailored especially for pre-school children aged 3-4 years.

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THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE THEBESTOFBRISTOL PERFECTLYCOVERED BRISTOLSBIGGESTMAGAZINE PERFECTLYDELIVERED TOADVERTISETEL: 0117 9742800 62 The Bristol Magazine

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EDUCATIONguide

As a parent, it’s ❝ essential to do your homework to ensure that your choice of school is absolutely right for your children.

❞

EDUCATING Bristol

Image: iStockphoto

E

very new school year is a time full of anticipation and excitement, but it can be an anxious time too, especially for parents and children moving up to secondary education, or starting primary school for the first time.

As a parent, it’s essential to do your homework to ensure that your choice of school is absolutely right for your children. If you’ve decided to take the independent school route, now is the time to start looking ahead to next autumn and making your shortlist from the line-up of private schools available in the Bristol area.

Parents and children will want to find a school that balances a strong reputation for academic excellence with plenty of opportunities to explore a varied programme of extra-curricular activities – a well-rounded education is paramount to ensure your child works hard and plays hard too.

While some schools are highly selective, many cater for children of more average ability and some specialise in helping children in need of individual attention. Think carefully about your own child’s academic needs and look for schools that are appropriate: even siblings may have different needs, so there’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach. Some children thrive in a competitive environment in the company of other lively and confident pupils. Others may benefit from being part of a smaller school community.

Pastoral care is also important, especially if you need a weekly or full-time boarding school. Will your child be nurtured emotionally while also encouraged to become a confident, independent individual?

Children with special skills and abilities will thrive best in a school that specialises in developing exceptional musical, artistic or sporting talents alongside the normal curriculum.

But our school years are not just about getting good grades and taking music lessons – children will be hoping to go to a school where they can make plenty of friends and develop a wide and welcoming social circle. As a parent, it’s worth asking

www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

what measures the schools have in place to ease the sometimes difficult transition from nursery to prep school, or from prep to secondary level?

Open days are an essential opportunity to view school facilities, meet the staff and talk to pupils about their experiences, and see which schools offer the best fit for your child’s skills, personality and educational needs.

Bristol is home to a number of highly regarded independent schools, all with a unique combination of facilities, philosophy and admission policies. In our education guide you can discover more about what each school can offer your child during the best years of their lives.

YOUR OPEN DAY CHECKLIST Open days provide an ideal opportunity to talk to the headteacher, teaching staff and pupils during your visit. Some points you might like to address include: ■

■

■ ■

■ ■ ■

■

■ ■

What is the school’s academic policy and the destination of leavers. Some prep schools prepare pupils for a limited range of senior schools.

Exam results? This is a useful measure if you can compare them with results in previous years.

What are the teachers’ qualifications and experience?

What internal systems does the school have for testing and assessment?

Is there adequate educational and careers guidance available?

Special needs provision if relevant?

Pastoral care – what support network would be available for your child?

Standard of accommodation, and health and welfare issues for boarders?

Is there a good range of extra-curricular and social activities?

Discipline and the school’s policy on issues such as drugs and bullying.

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EDUCATIONnews

French without tears for little ones The easiest way to learn another language is to start young. And a Bristol-based French singing group for babies, toddlers and pre-school children is proving that by expanding in the city to lead more sessions.

Les Petits Zouzous is opening seven new classes from this month, in Henleaze and Southville and at Playspace at St Philip’s, as well as in Redland.

Audrey Johnson, a qualified teacher and French native, began Les Petits Zouzous in 2008, sharing

French rhymes, action songs, games and stories with children and parents.

She said: “It’s great to see such young children singing and having fun in French. There is no need for the parents to know any French at all when they start. Learning a language early is a great opportunity, that’s why I want to keep the class affordable and charge per family, not per child.” To find out about the tenweek course, which costs £35 per family, visit: www.petitszouzous.com or tel Audrey: 0781 659 0609.

Tutoring – helping you make the grade ■ Fleet Tutors has more than three decades of experience helping students of all ages reach their potential and the Bristol team of tutors is part of a network of over 5,000 qualified teachers working throughout the UK. Recent results for Fleet Tutors demonstrated that as a result of 12 hours intensive teaching the average student could expect a minimum increase of at least one grade at exam level – compared to their average grade prior to tuition. Tutors are not only qualified to teach but are also CRB checked. Visit: www.fleet-tutors.co.uk or tel: 0845 644 5452.

■ The Bristol Language Centre prides itself on teaching English to and for busy people. The centre has classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6– 7.30pm, designed to be practical.

Students can opt for General English or Business English, which can lead to the Cambridge FCE exam. This is useful for those wishing to work on the Continent using English. For more details, including about the open evening on Tuesday 6 September, visit: www.thebristollanguagecentre.co.uk or tel: 0117 929 2233.

■ Not getting the grades at A Level or GCSE may not be the end of the world.

There is usually an option to re-take and improve your grades. Bristol’s newest tutorial service is the Western Tutorial College, led by principal Adrian Bradfield. Western Tutorial College is in Broad Street. Tel: 0117 929 7747 or visit: www.westerntutorialcollege.co.uk.

■ Cavendish Private Tutors is celebrating an outstanding year for A Level results, with nine of the students sitting chemistry gaining an A grade, the tenth a creditable B, and two will be able to take up places at medical school.

Two students studying French achieved A grades. For more information visit: www.cavendishprivatetutors.co.uk.

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LEARNING THROUGH PLAY: children can learn French from babyhood through songs and games

All-round talents

HIGHER EDUCATION NEWS

Award in memory of Ben The Mullany Prize for Excellence in physiotherapy has been won by student Chris Jones from the University of the West of England. The Mullany Fund was set up in memory of Ben – a physiotherapy student at UWE – and Catherine Mullany, who were murdered on honeymoon in Antigua in 2008.

Each year, the Mullany Fund awards two £1,000 prizes, one to an outstanding student of physiotherapy at UWE, and the other to a medical student at Swansea University where Catherine trained as a doctor.

BRISTOL SCHOOLS news & views

A round up of achievements from leading educational establishments

Bristol’s Redland High School for Girls may be 129 years old but it’s approach to educating its pupils takes into account what they will need to equip them for today’s world.

The school begins its new term after celebrating its sixth formers’ successes at A Levels, with almost 80 per cent of girls achieving A*– B grades, while four academically outstanding achievers each gained four grade A* A level passes.

The school takes girls from the ages of three to 18 and the emphasis is on good pastoral care as well as academic success.

Last term Redland High hosted the south west school’s Latin drama competition, with the Year 8 girls carrying off a first prize trophy and £100 for the Classics Department. They celebrated with ice creams in the Latin lessons.

Food was also on people’s minds for the Masterchef contest held jointly with the boys of QEH which offered the ultimate winner the chance to spend a day learning about professional cooking at the Michelinstarred Casamia in Westbury-on-Trym.

Redland is hosting two open mornings this autumn, on Tuesday 27 September from 9.30am, and from 9.15am on the morning of Saturday 12 November – no appointments are necessary. Or to find out more about the school tel: 0117 924 5796 or visit: www.redlandhigh.com.

Learn a language by experiencing the culture The Alliance Française de Bristol has been established in the city for more than 25 years, sharing its knowledge of the French language and culture with students of all ages during that time.

There are currently 29 classes a week in Bristol, all run

by French nationals and taking place in the teachers’ homes in small classes, with a maximum of ten students per class. All potential students take part in a friendly, informal assessment to ensure they are placed in a class which matches their ability.

Lessons run from September to June, with courses running for 30 sessions of two hours each at £61.0 an hour. Enrolment is on Monday 12 September from 7.30pm–9pm at Henleaze Library and on Saturday 17 September from 10am – 2.30pm at Bristol Central Library. Visit: www.afrbristol.org.uk

FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE: students from Alliance Française de Bristol in Montmartre, Paris

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EXAMININGeducation Badminton School

QEH School

Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS9 3BA. Tel: 0117 905 5271 www.badminton.bristol.sch.uk admissions@badminton.bristol.sch.uk

Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital (QEH), Berkeley Place, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1JX. Tel: 0117 9303040 www.qehbristol.co.uk

Autumn Term: 6 September – 15 December 11 Spring Term: 9 January – 29 March 12 Summer Term: 24 April – 5 July 12

Autumn Term: 6 September – 9 December 11 Spring Term: 4 January – 30 March 12 Summer Term: 24 April – 6 July 12

Colston’s Girls’ School Cheltenham Road, Bristol, BS6 5RD. Tel: 0117 942 4328 www.colstonsgirls.bristol.sch.uk Autumn Term: 12 September – 16 December 11 Spring Term: 3 January – 30 March 12 Summer Term: 24 April – 13 July 12 Age of Pupils: 11 – 18 years

Age of Pupils: 3 – 18 years

Age of Pupils: 7 – 18 years Number of Pupils: 614

Number of Pupils: 450 Day Fees: From £2,350 - £5,270 per term Religious Denomination: Nondenominational The Curriculum: Badminton is one of the top performing schools in the UK with the top results in the south west for the past 16 years.

National curriculum to Year 9, GCSE and IGCSE followed by A Level, Badminton offers excellent teaching and small class sizes. 100% go on to university and around 15% to Oxford and Cambridge each year. The school is top in the country in art and design, 85% play at least one musical instrument and there are many opportunities for performing arts with seven drama productions each year. There are many opportunities to play team sports and girls compete individually at international, national and county level.

Number of Pupils: 670 Day Fees: Juniors £2,453 per term (£7,359 per annum)Seniors £3,753 per term (£11,259 per annum).

Religious Denomination: Non-denominational The Curriculum: The curriculum is broad but also offers the chance to study subjects in depth.

The school expects pupils to work hard, believing a good education is a voyage of discovery to be enjoyed. The boys are stretched but not stressed.

Extra Curricular Activities: QEH prides itself on the range of activities it provides, reflecting the wide interests and talents of the boys and the commitment of the staff. Variety is the key and all boys should find activities that interest them.

From walking to Warhammer (a club run by the boys themselves), Young Enterprise to life drawing.

Extra Curricular Activities: Badminton offers a range and breadth of extra curricular activities.

The school is ideally suited for working parents with over 100 activities, including music, art and sport as well as clubs including horse riding, skiing, yoga, martial arts, golf, dance, cookery, photography. Parents can take advantage of an extended school day for no extra charge. There are also activities at weekends as well as the option to occasionally board and take part in school exchanges.

Pastoral Care: Each boy has a personal tutor and a Head of Year. If something goes wrong, the school works hard to solve the problem effectively and sensitively. The school believes that boys need to feel happy and safe and if they do, they are free to enjoy their learning and can explore new opportunities with confidence.

People often comment on how self-assured and well mannered the pupils are. The boys’ friendly spirit and good behaviour are partly the result of unobtrusive but strong pastoral care.

Pastoral Care: Girls here make friendships that last a lifetime and with girls not just from Bristol, but from all over the world, helping to raise horizons and give global perspective.

Name of Principal: Mr Stephen Holliday MA (Cantab)

Name of Principal: Mrs Jan Scarrow Outstanding Characteristics: Girls at the school enjoy their education and often excel beyond their natural ability.

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Outstanding Characteristics: In the Top Ten in the country for Value-Added performance: QEH’s ethos is reflected in the attitudes of pupils and staff. Academic standards and the personal development of pupils is high.

Achievements inside the classroom as well as in games and extracurricular activities are outstanding.

Day Fees: The school is an independent non-fee paying all girls’ academy.

Religious Denomination: All The Curriculum: The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum through to A level and as an academy with a language specialism, is able to select 10 per cent of its pupils on the basis of their aptitude for languages on admission. Nine languages are available: Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, German, French, Latin, Greek, Italian and Japanese. The school has a strong academic record.

Extra Curricular Activities: An extensive range of extracurricular activities takes place inside and outside the school, including music, sport, art and drama. Public speaking and charitable activities are encouraged along with annual PGL activity weeks. A specific enrichment programme has been designed for the school’s sixth formers, many of whom go on to attend one of the coveted Russell Group universities.

Pastoral Care: The school’s excellent academic record is supported by outstanding pastoral care within a supportive, happy environment that encourages each member of the school to fulfil her true potential.

Name of Principal: Mrs Lesley Ann Jones Outstanding Characteristics: As an independent academy the school is delighted that it will retain its history and traditions, whilst sharing the high standards of education with a wider intake of girls. This year the school will see the completion of an extensive building and refurbishment programme which has included the refurbishment of the science block, a new music pavilion and a new arts and drama block.

BRISTOL EDUCATION FEATURE

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EXAMININGeducation The Red Maids’ School

Clifton High School

Taunton School

Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS9 3AW. Tel: 0117 962 2641 www.redmaids.co.uk

College Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3JD. Tel: 0117 9730201 www.cliftonhigh.bristol.sch.uk

Staplegrove Rd, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 6AD. Tel: 01823 703703 www.tauntonschool.co.uk

Autumn Term: 7 September – 13 December 11 Spring Term: 5 January – 30 March 12 Summer Term: 24 April – 6 July 12

Autumn Term: 7 September – 14 December 11 Spring Term: 9 January – 30 March 12 Summer Term: 23 April – 5 July 12

Autumn Term: 5 September – 13 December 12 Spring Term: 5 January – 23 March 12 Summer Term: 19 April – 29 June 12

Age of Pupils: 11 – 18 years, girls only

Age of Pupils: 3 – 18 years

Age of Pupils: Co-educational boarding 7–18 and day 2–18

Number of Pupils: 490

Number of Pupils: 515

Day Fees: £3,480 per term

Day Fees: £2,365 - £3,780 Family Boarding £3,015 (plus tuition)

Religious Denomination: Non-denominational The Curriculum: The school curriculum is a blend of traditional subjects such as Latin, modern foreign languages ( French, Spanish, Russian, German and Italian) and the three sciences but girls at Red Maids’ also have frequent opportunities for independent learning, with cross-curricular projects and individual extension work.

Red Maids’ is well known for its academic excellence.

Extra Curricular Activities: Extra curricular activities at Red Maids’ are distinctive for both the huge range of activities available to the girls and the high volume of girls who are involved in extra curricular activities and school trips.

Activities vary each year as girls and staff create new opportunities and develop their particular interests.

Pastoral Care: From the school counsellor and school nurse through to the form tutors and subject teachers, all the staff are committed to making sure that girls at Red Maids’ are happy and secure. The pastoral system in the school is strong and really effective and has been an area of specific praise by school inspectors.

Number of Pupils: 984

Religious Denomination: Non-denominational The Curriculum: In the lower school, the small classes allow greater attention to be devoted to the individual. In 2009 the school introduced the diamond-edge model of education into its teaching programme; this is unique in Bristol.

Significant research shows that boys and girls have different learning needs, and so they are taught in single sex classes for mathematics, English, separate sciences, modern languages and IT in years 7, 8 and 9. There are dedicated programmes for the gifted and talented. The school’s academic record is excellent. The majority of students go on to the university of their choice.

Extra Curricular Activities: Clubs are many and varied, some initiated and run by pupils themselves. There is a flourishing Duke of Edinburgh programme and sixth form students take part in the highly successful World Challenge scheme. The school supports a broad range of educational visits, at home and abroad.

Older students are involved in voluntary work, and throughout the school pupils raise significant amounts of money for charity.

Pastoral Care: Pastoral care is second to none. In the lower school, classes are taught by a teacher with additional support. In the upper school, each form is divided into groups of 10 – 12 pupils, each group’s dedicated tutor ensuring that a strong team supports each individual.

Small tutorial groups in the sixth form ensure that students receive personal attention. There is a thriving peer support scheme and boarders benefit from a family boarding co-ordinator.

Name of Principal: Dr Alison Neill – Head of School and Clifton High Sixth. Mr Anthony Richards MBE – Head of Lower School

Day Fees: Boarding: £3,705 – £8,535 Day: Prep - £2,225 to £4,185 Senior - £5,150 Religious Denomination: Non-denominational – Christian ethos The Curriculum: The school has achieved consistently excellent GCSE results and some of the most exceptional A Level results in south west England.

Approximately 96 per cent of all sixth form leavers take up university or college places.

The International Baccalaureate qualification complements the excellent A and AS Level programme and offers another choice for an effective pathway to university and the world beyond.

Extra Curricular Activities: There are opportunities for pupils of all ages to seize the many chances which the comprehensive programme of co curricular activities has to offer – an important part of life at Taunton School.

Pastoral Care: Pastoral care is central to the school’s provision for pupils’ welfare and was seen as a distinctive feature of the school by the last School Inspection Team (ISI – October 2005). The school offers a supportive boarding environment for children from aged from seven to 18 years. At the Preparatory School level, boarding life is very much an extension of family life and focus is on support for the children to learn to do things for themselves and become more confident. The young adults at the school have access to many activities and have the opportunity to develop life skills within a relaxed but well-controlled atmosphere. In the sixth form, each pupil is encouraged to make the most of the opportunities available to allow them to move smoothly towards higher education and the world of work.

Name of Principal: Dr John H Newton

Name of Principal: Mrs Isabel Tobias Outstanding Characteristics: The school’s unique heritage, the outstanding success of girls at GCSE and A Level, and most of all, the personal qualities of the girls: their poise, confidence and their commitment to making a difference to other people in the world. www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Outstanding Characteristics: Pupils are given the opportunity to challenge themselves in a safe environment with high expectations set in all aspects of school life. They gain excellent qualifications and leave as well-rounded, confident individuals who recognise their responsibilities to society.

Outstanding Characteristics: Dr John Newton says: “As a headmaster, I believe that a school education should be life changing, I believe we should be preparing the young for the next 50 years of their lives, not just the next five. My job is to equip pupils with the values and experiences for a future anywhere in the world.”

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EXAMININGeducation Bristol Grammar School

Millfield school

Millfield Preparatory school

University Road, Bristol, BS8 1SR. Tel: 0117 973 6006 www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk

Butleigh Road, Street, Somerset, BA16 0YD Tel: 01458 442291 www. millfieldschool.com

Glastonbury, Street, Somerset, BA6 8LD Tel: 01458 832446 www.millfieldprep.com

Autumn Term: 5 September – 14 December 12 Spring Term: 4 January – 29 March 12 Summer Term: 17 April – 3 July 12

Autumn Term: 5 September – 9 December 11 Spring Term: 9 January – 30 March 12 Summer Term: 23 April – 30 June 12

Autumn Term: 5 September – 9 December 11 Spring Term: 9 January – 30 March 12 Summer Term: 23 April – 30 June 12

Age of Pupils: 4 – 18 years

Age of Pupils: 13 – 18 years

Age of Pupils: 2 – 13 years

Number of Pupils: 1145

Number of Pupils: 1215

Number of Pupils: 500

Day Fees: £1,997.75 - £3,711.50

Day Fees: Boarding pupils: £9,670 Day pupils: £6,500

Day Fees: Boarding pupils: (Years 3 to 8 ) – £7,125. Day Pupils (Years 4 to 8 ) – £4,890 Day Pupils (Year 3) – £3,960

Religious Denomination: Non-denominational Religious Denomination: Inter-denominational

Religious Denomination: Inter-denominational

The Curriculum: Art, biology, drama, dance, business studies, chemistry, classical civilisation, computing, critical thinking, design & technology, economics, English, French, games, geography, German, Greek, history, information technology, Latin, mathematics, music, philosophy of religion & ethics, physical education, physics, psychology, religious studies, Russian, Spanish, students’ personal development, theatre studies.

Extra Curricular Activities: Amnesty International, animation, art, athletics, badminton, basketball, car maintenance, chess, choir, climbing, community volunteering, cookery, creativity, creative writing, cricket, cross country, dance, debating, digital photography, ecoschools project, fencing, first aid, football, golf, greenpower, gymnastics, hockey, lacrosse, Mandarin, martial arts, Microsoft ICT, model United Nations, music technology, netball, orchestra, rock climbing, rounders, rugby, sailing, scuba diving, squash, swimming, tennis, textiles, Duke of Edinburgh Award, school play, stage crew, volleyball, yoga, young enterprise.

Pastoral Care: Form tutor, head of year, head of house, academic staff, deputy heads.

Name of Principal: Mr R MacKinnon Outstanding Characteristics: BGS offers a huge range of options, both academic and co-curricular, in a friendly and supportive environment to enable every child to reach their potential and to develop a love of learning alongside a sense of responsibility for themselves and others.

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The Curriculum: Millfield provides a broad and balanced education which gives pupils the confidence to achieve success in their adult lives. All pupils are taught in small sets – rarely more than 15 and classes are streamed by general ability from Year 9 to Year 11. The Learning Support Centre has an international reputation for helping pupils with specific learning difficulties. There is an enormous choice of AS and A2 Level subjects. Vocational qualifications include BTEC qualifications in business, sport, music technology and art and design, BHSPIC equestrian courses and the Leiths Basic Certificate.

Extra Curricular Activities: Millfield Activities Programme (MAP) encourages pupils to enrich their lives by exploring interests outside their normal school curriculum. There are over 40 sports and 120 co-curricular activities on offer.

Pastoral Care: Pastoral care at Millfield is outstanding and the safeguarding of pupils is a priority for all. The school aims to support the happiness, success, safety and welfare of each pupil.

Name of Principal: Mr Craig Considine, MEd Outstanding Characteristics: With average class sizes of 12, an extraordinary range of academic courses, outstanding facilities and strength of its extra-curricular programme, the school prides itself on the richness and diversity of the Millfield experience.

The Curriculum: In the Pre-Preparatory Department, the teachers combine a careful blend of numeracy and literacy with a wide range of other subjects. Pupils in Years 3–5 study in small classes each headed by a group tutor who takes most of the lessons. From Year 6 children are taught by specialist subject teachers.

Their programme is overseen by their group tutor. During the last three years before senior school, English and mathematics are still central to the curriculum. Pupils also study physics, chemistry and biology as separate sciences, history, geography, religious studies, design and technology, food technology, ICT, art, music, drama, physical education and PSHE. Pupils may also study French, Spanish and Latin and German, Russian, Italian, Japanese, Greek and Mandarin as extra-curricular subjects.

Extra Curricular Activities: Millfield Preparatory School offers over 100 sports, clubs and activities. Pupils of all abilities are given unrivalled opportunities to pursue sports, music, arts or drama that they enjoy most and can excel in. Sports include canoeing, chess, clay pigeon shooting, cricket, fencing, golf, hockey, karate, polo, riding, rugby, sailing, squash, tennis and trampolining.

Pastoral Care: The happiness and well-being of pupils is the school’s highest priority.

Name of Principal: Mrs Shirley Shayler, MA BSc Hons PGCE Outstanding Characteristics: The school’s aim is to discover the vital spark which makes each child unique and enables them to achieve their full potential.

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EXAMININGeducation Downside School

Redland High Sch for Girls Redland Court, Bristol, BS6 7EF. Tel: 0117 924 5796 admissions@redlandhigh.com www.redlandhigh.com Autumn Term: 7 September – 14 December 11 Spring Term: 5 January – 30 March 12 Summer Term: 24 April – 6 July 12

Broadland school St Francis Road, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 2DY Tel: 0117 9864791 www.broadlandsschool.org.uk Autumn Term: 5 September – 16 December 11 Spring Term: 3 January – 30 March 12 Summer Term: 16 April – 18 July 12

Age of Pupils: 3 – 18 years Age of Pupils: 11-16 Number of Pupils: 500 Number of Pupils: 850 Stratton on the Fosse, Bath BA3 4RJ Tel: 01761 235103 www.downside.co.uk Autumn Term: 5 September – 16 December 11 Spring Term: 5 January – 23 March 12 Summer Term: 16 April – 29 June 12 Age of Pupils: 11 – 18

Day Fees: £2,100 - £3,400 depending on year group

Day Fees: N/A

Religious Denomination: Non-denominational

Religious Denomination: None

The Curriculum: A stimulating curriculum is in place throughout the age range, culminating in a very wide range of A Level subjects. The Junior School pupils benefit from specialist teaching in many subjects at an early age.

The Curriculum: Broadlands offers a broad curriculum which highly values subjects such as English, maths, science and technology. The engineering specialism supports high quality teaching and learning in technology subjects and mathematics and the first class facilities prepare young people well for a career in engineering, science, ICT, manufacturing and multi media industries. However, the school believes that for learners to be successful and fulfilled they need the opportunity to explore and develop their individual creative talents. Broadlands achieves this through personalised curriculum pathways and beyond the classroom through offering students exciting enrichment opportunities.

Number of Pupils: 425 Day Fees: £4,300 - £4,784 Boarding: £6,980 £8,787 Religious Denomination: Catholic The Curriculum: Outstanding examination results are the priority, and everyone is encouraged to aspire beyond their academic expectations. The school has a thriving academic life to stretch the brightest pupils, and provides structured support for the less able.

Year group academic societies, subject societies, field trips and overseas tours all encourage the pupils to develop interests far beyond the restrictions of the examination curriculum. All Downside pupils go on to university, medical school or art college.

Extra Curricular Activities: Co-curricular activities provide vital experiences and opportunities and Downside offers an exceptionally wide choice to its pupils. All boys and girls are expected to participate; there are extended time slots for activities, clubs and societies, drama, music and sport on every weekday afternoon, and a huge range of activities also take place outside the formal cocurricular times. The school is particularly renowned for the quality of its music and sport.

Pastoral Care: Downside is proud of its outstanding pastoral support for all pupils and has long been known for its strong sense of community. Nearly all Downside pupils are seven-day-a-week boarders, and 10 per cent of pupils are from overseas. Weekends for boarders are full, busy and purposeful, with a full programme of activities.

Name of Principal: Dom Leo Maidlow Davis Outstanding Characteristics: “Smashing teaching, smashing children and an environment second to none.” GSG

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Extra Curricular Activities: The extra-curricular provision at Redland High School is wide, varied and very much part of what makes the school buzz. The school encourages every girl to take part, to try something new, and discover where her strengths lie so that she can build confidence and self-esteem.

Pastoral Care: Redland High is an optimum size which means the school can know each individual child well and still offer a very wide range of subject and extra-curricular activity. As every parent knows, there is nothing more important than the happiness of their child.

Pastoral care at Redland High School is excellent, enabling each girl to develop to her full potential.

Name of Principal: Mrs Caroline Bateson BA MA Outstanding Characteristics: Redland High is a friendly and caring community where each girl is valued as an individual. Tradition combines happily with modern facilities and expertise in the education of girls. There is evidence of achievement in every classroom and an air of purpose. Examination results are excellent and achievements in music, drama, art and sport are first class.

Extra Curricular Activities: At Broadlands the enrichment activities range from participating in football matches to growing vegetables for use in the school café. The school’s attention to individual diversity and learning enthusiasm inspires our learners to discover their talents and passions and enhance a lifelong love of learning Pastoral Care: All learners at Broadlands are supported by a tutor who will encourage and monitor their academic progress as well as nurture the development of the whole child.

Name of Principal: Justine Hocking, Headteacher Outstanding Characteristics: The school’s believe that school days should be the happiest days of your life and that young people deserve the chance to learn in a happy, safe and supportive environment; Broadlands is such an environment.

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EXAMININGeducation Colston’s School Stapleton, Bristol, BS16 1BJ. Tel: 0117 965 5207 www.colstons.bristol.sch.uk

Torwood House School 27-29, Durdham Park, Redland, Bristol.

Tel: 0117 973 5620 www.torwoodhouse.bristol.sch.uk

32 College Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3JH. Tel: 0117 315 7000 www.cliftoncollegeuk.com

Autumn Term: : 5 September – 9 December 11 Spring Term: 5 January – 30 March 12 Summer Term: 25 April – 6 July 12

Autumn Term: 6 September – 10 December 11 Spring Term: 10 January – 30 March 12 Summer Term: 26 April – 7 July 12

Age of Pupils: 5 – 11 years

Age of Pupils: 3 – 18 years

Number of Pupils: 80

Number of Pupils: 1,300 (approximately)

Day Fees: £2,064 - 2,149

Day Fees: Upper School: £6,590–£6,790 (day), £9,590–£9,750 (boarder), Prep School: £4,275– £4,670 (day), £7,155 (boarder, ages 8–13), Butcombe Pre-Prep: £1,550–£3,420

Religious Denomination: Non-denominational Autumn Term: September 5 - December 16 11 Spring Term: January 9 – March 30 12 Summer Term: April 23 – July 5 12 Age of Pupils: 3 –18 years Number of Pupils: 800 Day Fees: Upper School £3,445 Lower School £2,020 - £2,825 Religious Denomination: Church of England The Curriculum: Lower school pupils enjoy the full range of academic subjects including French, design technology, ICT, art and music. From the ages of 11 to 16 all pupils follow a broad and balanced curriculum in keeping with national policy. Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11): Most pupils take 10 GCSE subjects. There is a compulsory core of English, English literature, mathematics, science (all three), a modern foreign language (French, German or Spanish), and religious studies (GCSE short course). In addition pupils select three GCSE options and also continue to follow a non-examined programme of physical education and personal, social and health education (including careers education). Key Stage 5 (sixth form): Most students follow four AS subjects in the lower sixth, followed by three full A Level subjects in the upper sixth.

Extra Curricular Activities: Over 50 clubs and activities are offered each term as well as the Combined Cadet Force, Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, ski trips, international sports tours, cultural and language trips to various European countries.

Pastoral Care: Heads of House oversee teams of house tutors who are responsible for caring for pupils in tutorial groups. Tutors act as the point of contact for parents, and the pastoral structures in the school are widely regarded as a notable strength of Colston’s.

Name of Principal: Mr Peter Fraser (Headmaster) Outstanding Characteristics: Personal development is central to the Colston’s experience. Pupils are taught to display both initiative and independence. Colston’s places great emphasis on service and the importance of community, and is regarded as an extension to the family.

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Clifton College

The Curriculum: Each week core subjects are taught every morning, Science is taught for a whole afternoon, specialist staff offer a wide variety of activities, pupils participate in physical development every day, teachers hear pupils read every day.

Extra Curricular Activities: Change every half a term to enable each pupil to explore a wide breadth of activities. Pupils are encouraged to contribute to the planning of activities and school council is a vibrant and active extra curricular activity. Pupils have many opportunities to speak publicly. Traditional and modern extra-curricular clubs are promoted – from rugby to endurance improvement, touch typing to digital enhancement, singing to electronic composing.

Pastoral Care: Children are welcome to join Torwood at any time throughout their primary education. The school does not believe that children should be academically selected at this stage; however it does invite you to visit with your family to see if it offers the type of learning environment and opportunities for your child.

Our priority is a happy child, for a happy child learns confidence, appreciation, and to like themselves. The last Ofsted report summarises the school’s provision: “...spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding.”

Religious Denomination: Church of England, embracing all faiths The Curriculum: A great advantage of Clifton is that it offers continuity of education from the ages of three right through to 18. We teach children not just to pass exams but to think, question, challenge and develop intellectual curiosity through a broad and extensive curriculum with 30 subjects available at A level.

Extra Curricular Activities: A huge variety of activities are available to the pupils, from rackets to riding and astronomy to art. Pupils can take part in Duke of Edinburgh, Ten Tors and also join the School CCF or work in the community. Recent trips have included 63 Prep School pupils visiting Kenya and sports tours to South Africa and Australia, and Upper School annual expeditions to Borneo and Ecuador.

Name of Principal: Mrs Dionne Seagrove Outstanding Characteristics: Often described as ‘a rural school in a big city’, Torwood House offers outstanding care for children from birth up to 11 years old. It is small enough to know every individual child and support them both academically and emotionally at every stage of their development, yet big enough to offer a host of opportunities and advantages.

Our Year 6 leavers are consistently commended for their all- round ability, confidence, manners, willingness to have a go and their happiness . . . this in itself speaks volumes.

Pastoral Care: The community is a rich and enriching mix of pupils from different backgrounds and nationalities. It is a strong feature of Clifton College that pupils are supportive and respectful of each other irrespective of age, sex, race, religion or status; and the house system delivers outstanding pastoral care.

Name of Principal: Mr M J Moore, Head of College Outstanding Characteristics: Recent ISI and Ofsted inspections both gave the highest possible grades of ‘excellent’ and ‘outstanding’ across all three schools.

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EXAMININGeducation Wellington School

Sidcot School

South Street, Wellington, Somerset TA21 8NY. Tel: 01823 668800 admin@wellington-school.org.uk www.wellington-school.org.uk

Oakridge Lane, Winscombe, North Somerset BS25 1PD Tel: 01934 843102 www.sidcot.org.uk

Autumn Term: 5 September – 15 December 11 Spring Term: 5 January – 23 March 12 Summer Term: 17 April – 6 July 12

Autumn Term: 2 September – 16 December 11 Spring Term: 9 January – 30 March 12 Summer Term: 23 April – 6 July 12

Age of Pupils: 3 – 18 years

Age of Pupils: 3 – 18 years

Number of Pupils: 950

Number of Pupils: 520

Day Fees: (varies according to age) Senior School £4,010. Boarding fees Senior School £7,220

Day Fees: From £2,050 (Early Years) to £7,800 (sixth form boarding) per term Religious Denomination: Quaker

Religious Denomination: Church of England The Curriculum: Wellington School provides a broad and balanced curriculum from nursery to sixth form. The Senior School (11 – 18) and the purpose built Junior School (3 – 11) with its own site, enjoy some of the finest academic and sporting facilities in the south west. Its enviable academic results and history of top university entrance, combined with realistic fees, have ensured its continuing popularity. Wellington has enjoyed consistently good results, but 2010 saw record achievements with 75 per cent of A level grades at A* and B grades and 45 per cent at A*/A grades. At GCSE, 55 per cent of marks gained A* or A grades with maths achieving a 68 per cent A*/A result and English Literature 75 per cent.

Extra Curricular Activities: Drama, music and sport flourish. All pupils in Year 10 and above may join the CCF and the school is fortunate in running all three sections – Army, Air Force and Royal Navy. Wellington specialises in fencing and has enjoyed much success at school, national and international levels.

Pastoral Care: Pastoral care is outstanding, centred around a tutor and house system that ensures the wellbeing of every pupil. Full, weekly and flexi boarding are available and, for day pupils, there is a transport service throughout Somerset and Devon.

Name of Principal: Martin Reader MA (Oxon), MPhil, MBA Outstanding Characteristics: Rounded and grounded is how many describe the typical pupil.

Pupils embark on higher education with sound results, a strong sense of integrity and the motivation to succeed.

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The Curriculum: Students with wide ranging strengths and abilities are welcomed to Sidcot and we achieve excellent academic standards. We offer A Levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma for sixth form study and are in the top 10 per cent of schools in the country for IB results. Our GCSE and A Level results place us in the top 10 schools throughout Bristol and Somerset. We excel in maths, science and the arts and have been presented (for the third time) with The Good Schools Guide award for the best further mathematics A Level results for boys in the country.

Extra Curricular Activities: There are over 100 extracurricular activities to choose from, which cover a range of interests including academic, creative and sporting pursuits. Our facilities include an arts centre, equestrian and leisure centre. Around 170 students take part in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme and this year we have a number of Gold award winners.

Pastoral Care: Our latest ISI inspection report says:“The pupils’ personal development is excellent. They show high levels of spiritual development in response to the school’s Quaker ethos, particularly self-esteem and a natural confidence. Pupils demonstrate a strong moral awareness. Their social skills are highly developed. Their cultural awareness is very well developed.”

Dauntseys School

West Lavington, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 4HE Tel: 01380 814500 www.dauntseys.org Autumn Term: 9 September – 17 December 11 Spring Term: 9 January – 30 March 12 Summer Term: 25 April – 7 July 12 Age of Pupils: 11 – 18 years Number of Pupils: 790 Day Fees: £5,195 per term UK boarders: £8,755 per term Religious Denomination: Inter-denominational The Curriculum: The curriculum throughout the school is broad and balanced, offering all pupils the opportunity to study an extensive range of subjects. Lessons are delivered by specialist teachers in a challenging, stimulating environment that is conducive to a positive, enjoyable learning experience for the pupils. Dauntsey’s is keen to promote independent learning, enabling pupils to fulfil their potential and develop a range of key skills needed in later life. The timetable offers a great deal of flexibility with a well-structured weekly lesson arrangement and the extensive options system provides well for the different interests and aptitudes of all pupils.

Extra Curricular Activities: All pupils discover a breadth and depth of education that takes them beyond academic achievement. Drama, music, art and sport all flourish and the rural surroundings provide an ideal setting for many outdoor activities which include sailing on the school’s very own Tall Ship, the 56 foot gaff cutter, the Jolie Brise.

Pastoral Care: At Dauntsey’s each pupil joins a boarding or day house and is supported by his or her housemaster or housemistress and a team of tutors. Their aim is to ensure each pupil fulfils their potential and makes the most of the many and varied opportunities on offer at Dauntsey’s.

Name of Principal: Mr John Walmsley

Name of Principal: Mr Stewart Roberts MA

Outstanding Characteristics: By enabling students to be adventurous in exploring the world around them, free from negative peer group pressure, they will develop a love of learning and the confidence to be at ease with themselves, and to go out into the world wanting to make a difference.

Outstanding Characteristics: The equal balance of boarding and day pupils, the wide range of facilities, and the excellent pastoral support ensure that everyone feels part of the community.

Visitors comment on the happy and friendly atmosphere; the energy, purpose and determination to do well.

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EXAMININGeducation Westonbirt school

R

Rosehill Westonbirt

Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8QG Tel: 01666 880333 www.westonbirt.gloucs.sch.uk

Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8QG Tel: 01666 881400 www.rhwestonbirt.co.uk

Autumn Term: 4 September –10 December 11 Spring Term: 4 January – 23 March 12 Summer Term: 18 April – 7 July 12

Autumn Term: 6 September – 14 December 11 Spring Term: 5 January – 23 March 12 Summer Term: 19 April – 11 July 12

Age of Pupils: 11 – 18 years

Age of Pupils: 3 – 11 years

Number of Pupils: 240

Number of Pupils: 120

Day Fees: Day girls from £5,350 - £6,590, boarders from £7990 - £9,990 per term.

Day Fees: from £2,140 - £3,225 per term Religious Denomination: Church of England

OPEN DAYS AT A GLANCE Badminton School Wed 5 Oct Thu 15 March 2012 Mon 8 May 2012 QEH School Sat 8 Oct, 10am Colston Girls School: Year 7 entry: Thu 15 Sept, 6 – 8.30pm Wed 28 Sept, 6 – 8.30pm Sixth form entry: Wed 12 Oct, 6 – 8.30pm The Redmaids School: Thu 6 Oct Sat 5 Nov

Religious Denomination: Church of England Clifton High School: Years 7 - 13: Thu 22 Sept Nursery school class: Year 13 Sat 15 Oct Sixth form: Wed 9 Nov

The Curriculum: Girls in the lower school benefit from a full range of core subjects plus geography, history, IT, sport, art, drama, design technology, music, textiles and food. In the sixth form the sciences, English and mathematics are amongst the most popular courses, and numbers have increased by a third in the last couple of years, with nearly all students gaining places at their first choice of university.

Taunton School: Pre-Prep and Prep Only Thu 29 Oct, 9.30am – 12.30pm Whole school: Sat 1 Oct, 9.30am – 12.30pm

The Curriculum: The school offers 11+ for entrance to both grammar schools and leading independent schools. All pupils have gained places to senior schools of their choice. Rosehill culminate the education with the RHW Diploma, celebrating six key areas: core academic, humanities, creative arts, performing arts, sport and outdoor activities and life skills.

Small class sizes means every child is treated as an individual.

Extra Curricular Activities: Art, drama, music and sport are very well represented, but there are also all kinds of other activities and clubs, from science to swimming and fencing to polo. With a leisure centre (with 25m heated pool, fitness suite, sports hall and aerobics studio), there are plenty of options. Weekend activities, which include the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme and organised outings, are open to day girls as well as boarders. The school is particularly good at Young Enterprise and girls often reach the regional finals and beyond.

Extra Curricular Activities: The school values achievement in extra-curricular activities, particularly music, sport, art, speech and drama.

Music is played to a very high standard and pupils regularly perform at the Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts. Children also participate in the annual whole school drama production in the Orangery Theatre. Specialist coaching in rugby, football, cricket, hockey, netball and rounders is available and additional sports including golf, fencing and judo are part of the after-school activity programme.

Pastoral Care: “The arrangements for the pastoral care, welfare, health and safety of all pupils are excellent and fulfil the school’s aims to provide a stimulating education within a friendly environment” – ISI 2011. The headmistress knows all the girls individually and the girls have an excellent rapport with teachers, tutors and housemistresses alike. The Christian ethos underpins all that the school does.

Pastoral Care: Smaller class sizes and the excellent ratio of staff to pupils allow children to be well supported throughout their development and their individual abilities valued. The school works in partnership with parents and enjoy close links with our families. “The arrangements for the pastoral care, welfare, health and safety of all pupils are excellent.” – ISI 2011.

Name of Principal: Mrs Mary Henderson, MA Outstanding Characteristics: The beautiful house and grounds creates an inspirational and safe environment in which to learn. Girls achieve their full potential and develop into confident and well balanced individuals.

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Name of Principal: Mr Neil Shaw, MA Outstanding Characteristics: Facilities including art rooms, computer rooms, a £3m sports centre with 25m pool and sports hall, theatre, music school, science labs and design technology workshops, giving pupils every advantage in their educational and personal development.

Bristol Grammar School: Infants and Juniors: Wed 21 Sept , 9.30am – noon Ages 4 – 18: Fri 7 Oct, 4pm – 8pm Millfield School& Millfield Preparatory School Sat 8 Oct Sat 3 March 2012 Downside School: Sat 7 May 2012 Sat 8 Oct Redland High School For Girls: Visiting mornings: Tue 27 Sept, 9.30 – 11.30 am Open morning: Sat 12 Nov, 9.15am Broadlands School: Wed 14 Sept, 6.30pm – 8.30pm Thu 15 & Fri 16 Sept, 9.15am & 10.15am.

Colston’s School: Sat 1 Oct 10am – 1pm Sixth Form: Thur 13 Oct, 7pm Torwood House School: Sat 24 Sept, 10 am Clifton College: Butcombe Pre-Prep (ages 3 – 8) Sept 20 (am)/ Sept 27 (pm) Clifton College Preparatory School & Upper School: Sat 8 Oct Wellington School: Sat 24 Sept, 9.30am – noon Sidcot School: Sixth form: Thur 13 Oct, 6.30pm – 8.30pm Whole school: Fri 14 Oct, 9.30am – noon Whole school: Fri 3 Feb, 9.30am – noon Dauntseys School: Sat 8th Oct, 10 am Westonbirt School/Rosehill School: Sat 15 Oct 9.30am – 12:30pm

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NEWterm

Smarty pants Whether it’s returning to school after the summer holidays or starting for the first time, every child secretly loves having new uniform.

We love the smart range at John Lewis, pictured left: unisex v-neck cotton cardigan, £11£16; non-iron long sleeve blouse, pack of 2, £8-£14; girl's boxpleat tunic, £15-£17; cotton tights, pack of 2, £6£7.75; Hunter wellingtons in navy, £32.

▲ They’ll never lose anything again with this set of 24 personalised colouring and 6 lead pencils in a fabric personalised pencil case, £12.95 from ASPACE, Whiteladies Road, Bristol.

▲

These smart black boots, are ideal for walking to school and running around in the playground. £30 from Pumpkin Patch, Cabot Circus.

BACK

to

SCHOOL Backpacks, pencil cases, lunchboxes: everything your littleuns – and biguns – need for a new year of study It’s not strictly back to school for a lot of students... If you know a young lady starting university this year, treat her to this pretty laptop case, £25 and card USB, £15 from Accessorize so she can study with style Cath Kidston stocks a lovely range of bags and accessories in vibrant prints that any child would be proud to carry. How about this Retro Flowers lunch bag for a creative little girl or this Outer Space satchel for an adventurous little boy? Available from Cath Kidston, Park Street.

▲

TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL: Perfect for sporty types, this new canvas duffle bag from Converse is great for holding gym gear. £44.95 from Schuh and JD Sports, Cabot Circus

Make sure your children are set up correctly for home study with this Noah children’s desk range from Feather and Black, Whiteladies Road. Designed with children in mind, it has chunky handles, rounded corners and edges, and no nasty gaps for fingers to get caught in. Ideal for boys and girls. Desk, £189; desk chair, £99; desk storage, £155 82 The Bristol Magazine

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OUT&ABOUT

THE MORAL high

ground

A monument built to commemorate a Christian martyr is one of the sights to see along this month’s walk through the Cotswolds, writes Andrew Swift

S

eptember’s walk heads to the Tyndale Monument, perched on the edge of the Cotswold escarpment, with spectacular views over the Vale of Severn. The outward part of the walk follows the Cotswold Way and is not only well-signposted but – apart from a stiff climb near the start – almost level thereafter, with no stiles. Returning, there is the option of retracing your steps along the Cotswold Way, or of taking paths less trodden – with several stiles – through woods and meadows.

The walk starts in the old weaving town of Wotton under Edge, five miles east of junction 14 of the M5. There is free long-stay parking at the Chipping car park in Market Street (ST756931). From here it is a short walk to the High Street to join the Cotswold Way. Turn left along the High Street and continue along Bradley Street. When you reach the main road, turn left for 100 metres. Just past the junction with the Old London Road, turn right up a steep footpath (ST751935).

After going through a gate, a flight of steps leads to another gate and another flight of steps. When the path forks, carry on rather than heading up to the walled stand of pine trees on the left. As you continue to climb, turn round to admire the superb views opening up behind you. Make the most of them, for once you reach the kissing gate at the edge of the woods there are no more views until you reach the monument.

Once through the kissing gate, go up to the right before turning left along the edge of a field (ST752938). Carry on as the path continues along an old track beneath a canopy of beech trees. Carry on in the same direction, following the Cotswold Way along the edge of the escarpment. After 1,200 metres, you reach Brackenbury Camp, its scale apparent from the rampart you pass on your left.

The Cotswold Way now swings to the right before bearing left at the junction of six paths (ST747952). A little further on, you emerge onto a grassy plateau, with the wooded fringes of the Cotswolds rolling away southward, a chequerboard of fields and copses below and the Severn Bridges away to the southwest. Ahead is the Tyndale Monument, built in 1866 to commemorate William Tyndale, who was burnt at the stake 330 years earlier for translating the Bible into English. Born in Dursley, Gloucestershire, he translated the Bible from Latin to allow ordinary people to read the scriptures for themslves.

If the tower is open you can pay 50p to climb its 120 steps for an even more spectacular view.

Having visited the monument, head back into the woods to the junction of the six paths you passed earlier. To return along the Cotswold Way, follow the waymark to the right and retrace your steps back to Wotton under Edge.

Otherwise, take the path straight ahead, heading gently uphill. After 30 metres, bear left when you meet another path.

Immediately after this, when the path forks, bear left. At the next fork – 75 metres further on – bear right (ST748952).

After another 300 metres, when you reach a clearing with another path crossing, carry straight on (as the crossing is staggered, this entails a quick left turn followed by a right) (ST751950).

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with a cross path, where once again you carry straight on (ST753947).

After 600 metres, you come to a road – the Old London Road you saw earlier (ST757943). Turn left along it for 30 metres. Just past the junction, cross a stile in the hedgerow on the right, signposted to Coombe Hill.

After 75 metres, when you meet a wider path, bear right along it (don’t turn sharp right along a narrower path as this leads back to the road). Carry straight on (ignoring a footpath heading off to the right) and after 300 metres you will hit open country (ST760940).

Cross a stile beside a metal gate. A few metres beyond it, where a well-worn track turns left along the contours of the hill, follow a waymark on the telegraph pole straight ahead and go downhill to join a path bearing left near the bottom of the field.

This flower- and insect-rich meadow is an absolute delight, with rare species growing in abundance. Carry on as the path leads down through the trees and alongside a barbed-wire fence on the right. Continue along a grassy path (not marked as a footpath on the map but running through access land) until a stile leads down to a busy road (ST765940). Cross over and walk up a few metres to the left before turning down a lane on the right. Carry on uphill as a lane swings in from the right, but at the T junction at the top turn right down a hollow way (ST767941).

Carry on as the lane curves left past a group of dilapidated buildings (ignoring a lane bearing off to the right). When the

VANTAGE POINT: the Tyndale Monument commands spectacular views, from its foot and from the viewpoint at its summit

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SYLVAN SCENES: left to right, along the Cotswold Way, wildflowers and butterflies in meadowland, and the view above Wotton under Edge

lane ends beside a high wall on the left, carry straight on along a bridleway (ST768940). After 150 metres, cross a stile on the right and carry on with the hedge on your left. Coombe Lakes, on your left, were millponds feeding the old grist mill beside them.

Cross over two more stiles and a short muddy path leading to another lane, along which you turn right. When you reach the pumping station, turn left for 25 metres and go through a gate on the right to join the Cotswold Way. The path runs alongside a stream through a beguiling valley, with high woods and expansive gardens. When you meet a lane, turn right and then left to carry on along the valley. The path becomes a lane which leads to a busy road, along which you turn left.

Turn left through the churchyard. Go through the gates on

www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

the far side and turn right along a path. When you reach the road, cross over, walk up to the junction and turn left along Church Street. Turn right into Long Street, continue into High Street and then turn left into Market Street to return to the car park. ■

FURTHER INFORMATION Length of walk: 6 miles Map: OS Explorer: 167 ■ Approximate time: 2½ - 3 hours ■ Refreshment stops: there are pubs, cafes etc in Wotton under Edge ■ ■

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FIT&FABULOUS

Marrakesh chic Jars of saturated pigments, mounds of vibrant fabrics, spices and weathered coloured rugs from Marrakesh are the inspiration for Bobbi Brown’s autumn 2011 collection. When Bobbi travelled to Marrakesh a few years ago, she was moved by the sights and smells and returned home with endless inspiration for what is the new collection. Featuring intensely pigmented colours, the collection is designed to be smudged, swiped or blotted to create a stained look that’s fresh and wearable.

❝ From the dusty tones

Above: lipstick in Desert Rose, Desert Plum and metallic Violet Glaze, all £18; below: Rich Color Eye Shadow, £15

to the sandy textures, fall is about rich colour made wearable

❞

– Bobbi Brown ORGANIC MONTH

September is the Soil Association’s Organic Month – a celebration and promotion of all things organic.

It may surprise you that nearly 60% of what we apply to our skin is absorbed into our bloodstream. So with this in mind, organic month may be a good time to think about using natural, organic skincare products that are good to our bodies, inside and out.

These are two of our favourite organic products...

A selection of tried and tested health and beauty products that we love

Sun exposure and other natural aggressions can age the skin, but Sisley’s Ecological compound (£129 from Harvey Nichols) helps to rebuild the skin’s defence system to protect it from such things. Launched in 1980, it’s a product that has remained a prominent best seller and very renowned in the beauty world. It’s high quality multi-vitamin ingredients have meant that the no alterations have been required over the years. The light-weight, non-greasy emulsion absorbs easily into the skin and leaves a shine-free finish, leaving the skin more toned and supple. Like Yves Saint Laurent’s Touch Eclat, it’s one of those essential timeless products that every woman desires.

This natural liquid soap from the Dr. Bronner range has 18 uses – you can clean your body, hair, clothes, kitchen and more with it and there’s eight scents to choose from including peppermint and lavender. £4.99 from pharmacies.

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September 2011

▲

▲

▲ This new Perfect Radiance Facial Polish from evolve leaves skin smooth, radiant and visibly hydrated and it’s packed with natural, organic ingredients like acai berries and apricot for a flawless finish. £12.99 from www.evolvebeauty.co.uk

88 The Bristol Magazine

SKIN DEEP

Revlon’s global artistic director, Gucci Westman has introduced The Expressionists Collection for autumn/winter 2011.

A bold collection, it features the most soughtafter catwalk shades including this Abstract Orange Super Lustrous Lipstick, £7.49 from Boots.

Quirky, cute and gorgeous, Benefit Cosmetics is famous for its kitsch, Americana style packaging, cheeky names and a whole host of awardwinning products. And this month a Benefit Beauty Bar is opening at Harvey Nichols, offering beauty lovers a great choice of skincare, cosmetics and a brow bar for beautiful arches.

The opening will also see the arrival of two new benefit products – They’re Real Mascara, £18.50 and Ring My Bella Fragrance, £29.50. We love the mascara – the jet black formula lifts, defines and curls to give luscious lashes in no time, and it even works magic on the tiniest lashes.

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DUMP THE Diet - Join the FUN! With our fantastic

SLIMDANCE

& LATIN SOLO Classes • Have Fun • Learn to Dance • • Drop a Dress Size • You don’t need a partner! All ages welcome!

SLIMDANCE - WHERE? Mondays @ the SOUTHVILLE CENTRE @ 9.30am. Starts 5th Sept.

Mondays @ HENLEAZE TRINITY URC @ 11.30am.

Tuesdays @ NUFFIELD HEALTH & FITNESS, CLIFTON @ 10.30am.

Thursdays @ COTHAM SCHOOL (Dance Studio) @ 5.45pm.

Fridays @ the TOBACCO FACTORY @ 6.30pm.

Sundays @ LONG ASHTON VILLAGE HALL @ 6.30pm.

LATIN SOLO - WHERE? Mondays @ FAILAND VILLAGE HALL @ 7.15pm.

Wednesdays @ COTHAM PARISH CHURCH HALL @ 10am.

Fridays @ REDLAND CLUB @ 9.30am.

Sundays @ BRISTOL COMMUNITY DANCE CENTRE @ 5pm.

Our SLIMDANCE classes are a great body toning, de-stress workout, based on Latin moves with our own totally unique and stylish routines to fantastic tunes.

Also, fantastic new ‘Latin I’ (beginners/improvers) Latin Solo classes starting in September. These are really fun classes looking at Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, Samba & Rumba, so why not come along, get your hips moving, learn some new dance styles and release your inner Goddess!

So…. Get fit without the gym and dance the weight away!

Places fill up fast so call Cathy or email to reserve a place.

07785 797904 cathy.wilkin@slimdance.co.uk For more info: www.slimdance.co.uk/bristolclifton £5.50 per class • Dance Pass - £30 per month!

Pilates Moves, Bristol’s Best and most qualified Pilates Studio would like you to join them to celebrate their 3rd Birthday and launch of new look studio 31 – 33 Myrtle St, Southville Bristol BS3 1JG

OPEN DAY 17th Sept. 2011 • 10.00am – 3.00pm Come and meet with our highly qualified and friendly staff.

Book now for a Chance to try our new equipment studio FREE Also sample a matclass, reflexology and sports massage sessions Special offers for future sessions on the day For more information or to book your session Email: pilatesmoves@hotmail.co.uk • Web: www.pilatesmoves.co.uk • Telephone: Annie 0117 9779897 Mark 07880878228

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SILKY SMOOTH Following the success of its four established London boutiques, Strip has opened its first luxury waxing experience outside of London, within Harvey Nichols, Quakers Friars, Bristol. The Strip concession includes the hugely popular and celebrity favourite Chocolate and Olive Lycon wax, offering virtually pain free waxing in decadently themed rooms. The new concession is also host to the paraben free South Seas spray tanning for an all year round summer glow.

Alongside the luxurious treatments, Strip will be selling aftercare products from the exclusive South Seas and Lycon Spa ranges,ensuring you get the maximum results between treatments. Walk out looking and feeling like a goddess.

HEALTH AND BEAUTY ■ Thinking about brushing up on your Latin dance knowledge before Strictly Come Dancing starts? Try Latin Solo (non-partner) dance classes at SlimDance Bristol in Clifton. Set up by Cathy Wilkin, Slimdance offers classes – suitable for all levels – looking at stepping patterns alongside technique, musicality and styling.

Cathy also offers SlimDance classes which are dance-based high impact workouts using stylish routines and great tunes. Routine dance styles are generally Latin-inspired, but with a little Bellydance, Bollywood, and even Charleston thrown in. Cathy is careful to walk through the stepping patterns before the music starts, and offers tailormade routines ensuring that all classes are open to men and women of all ages and fitness levels – all you need is eagerness to learn and have fun. For further information contact Cathy on tel: 07785 797904, or visit: slimdance.co.uk/bristolclifton

news

■ Pilates Moves, the only studio in the south of the city to offer equipment and mat work, is celebrating its 3rd birthday at its premises in Myrtle Street, Southville. Catering for complete beginners to advanced level, it prides itself on having the highest level of qualifications and experience.

With Body Control Pilates teacher training it has been a supervising venue and continues to hold workshops with nationally and internationally renowned teachers.

Pilates Moves also holds Back4Good sessions, helping people manage nonspecific chronic back pain. To mark the occasion of its 3rd birthday and to launch their new look studio, Pilates Moves is hosting an open day on Saturday 17 September 10am – 3pm with free taster sessions in equipment and mat work, plus sports massage and reflexology. For further information visit: pilatesmoves.co.uk or contact tel: 0117 9779897.

Want to lose weight? Ditch the diet Rebecca Lane, manager of Ladyzone in Henleaze Road, Bristol, explains why you should ditch the diet, and wise up about food From Atkins to cabbage soup, quick-fix diet solutions are tempting, but often miserable, unhealthy and doomed to fail. The best way to lose pounds or manage your weight is through developing sensible eating habits that can be sustained for life. Top tips for successful weight management: • Eat from a smaller plate at lunch and dinner as this will encourage you to eat smaller portion sizes without feeling deprived.

• Take care with ‘fat free’ foods as these are often laden with calories. Eliminate saturated fats (like butter, cream and cheese) and substitute them with unsaturated fats (like olive oil, oily fish and nuts.

• Have no more than seven units of alcohol per week.

• Eat little and often. This will boost your metabolism and keeps your blood sugar steady, preventing hunger pangs.

• Your plate should be split into three, to include protein, carbohydrates and fruits or vegetables.

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Get MOTIVATED I

t’s a well-known fact that joining a gym is going to make you fit, lean and gorgeously toned – right? Well, yes, if you go regularly and diligently use all the equipment that you were shown at your induction, and don’t ignore the exercises you don’t like. But if, like me, your gym use declines over the weeks until the only part of you that’s getting slimmer is your bank account, maybe it’s time to call in the services of a personal trainer.

I’ll have to admit that I thought only people who were already superbly fit and disciplined had personal trainers. Andy McDonald, of Clifton-based Oakfield Personal Training, soon put me right. His clients come in all shapes and sizes – and all ages too – and each have their own goals. He regularly sweats it out alongside a businessman who lives a busy life so when he takes time to exercise, wants to see serious results. Another of his clients is a young mother who wants to reclaim her pre-baby taut tummy and marathon running stamina.

But Andy is also up for the challenge of taking on a middle-aged journalist who, until a couple of years ago, enjoyed running three times a week and tackling a dozen or so races a year. I have always been the tortoise rather than the hare but couldn’t understand why running had become such hard work lately, leaving me breathless and struggling after the first half mile.

Andy is unfailingly patient and gently encouraging as he puts me through a series of simple floor exercises. After our initial session he emails me a list of the exercises we’ve done and advises me that if I am to improve my running performance I need to be a lot more flexible. Carrying out an hour of exercises three times a week is the best way to tone those tired and tense muscles and to improve ease of movement.

A good personal trainer won’t let you shirk the exercises you find difficult.

Andy is quietly insistent that those split squats are done, even though I try to distract him by chatting. A diligent PT makes you aware of how you’re doing the exercise too, so you’re getting maximum benefit for your efforts. He also notices when you’ve improved and offers praise.

The other great benefit of having your own PT (aside from casually mentioning it to friends, as if you were Madonna) is that he will be on your case. If Andy doesn’t hear from me for a week he texts me. If I ignore him, he texts again and I’m prompted to do my homework and book another session.

There is no joining fee at Oakfields and you can book sessions to suit your busy lifestyle. Individual sessions are from £30 an hour for a block booking.

You can expect to see results after six weeks. The centre has a series of fitness studios, so you always know there is someone else going through their paces nearby. There is also secured parking (a great asset in Clifton) and private showers and changing facilities.

As for this middle-aged hack’s progress, I have become a lot more flexible than I was and I am more disciplined about doing my exercises before work in the mornings, which gives me a boost of energy to start the day. Running is easier as my body is less tensed, which makes breathing easier.

Exercise really has to be built in as part of our daily lives for us to feel healthier and more energetic. A personal trainer can serve as that voice of conscience which makes sure we stick to our personal resolutions.

GMc ■ For more information contact Andy McDonald at Oakfields Personal Training tel: 07894 547 007. Oakfields PT, Reflections House, Oakfield Road, Clifton BS8 2AT.

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REVIEW

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BACK TO basics Samantha Ewart visits to the recently launched Bristol Therapy Rooms to discover the benefits of a hot stone massage

H

olistic health and wellbeing is becoming more prominent than ever in the world of health and beauty now that people are aware of the huge benefits of living a natural and balanced lifestyle.

Taking into account mind, body and environment as one, holistic health combines the best of modern scientific diagnosis and techniques with ancient and innovative methods including natural diet, herbal remedies, exercise, relaxation and focussed breathing exercises.

With the demand for a more holistic approach to treatments in mind, Bristol City Yoga (BCY) in Stokes Croft has introduced the Bristol Therapy Rooms into its studio space. Offering a variety of treatments including acupuncture, massage, homeopathy and sound healing, the Bristol Therapy Rooms aims to give clients the break they need in their busy lives.

I arrived at the tranquil studio space one Thursday afternoon to be greeted by friendly therapist, Kate, who I had been booked in with for an hour-long hot stone massage (£40). The Bristol Therapy Rooms occupy a large spacious room in BCY building – it’s a quiet, serene and calm space to unwind in.

Unlike many treatment rooms, there are no candles, aromatic scents, fluffy towels or spa music; the room is very basic with a wooden floor, comfortable chair, ornate table and vase of flowers with the therapy couch in the middle of the room. The whole idea is that there are no distractions and the focus is entirely on the treatment. It was actually incredibly peaceful to lie in silence and feel the effects of the massage.

Having had recent trouble with my shoulder, Kate focussed the massage on my back and arms but Kate can concentrate on any part of the body depending on your needs, which you can discuss with her in the initial consultation.

Kate began by applying warm aromatherapy oil into my skin and then used the smooth volcanic stones heated to 60°C to massage with. The heat penetrates deep into the muscles and relaxes them – it’s a very soothing treatment. Using lots of different massage techniques, Kate really worked on the tight areas, especially around my shoulder, and it quickly loosened up. Alongside helping muscular problems, Kate says it’s the ideal treatment to relieve stress, anxiety and depression as there’s something very comforting about warmth and its relieving properties.

To finish, Kate used hot and cold stones together to waken and revitalise the skin and it was quite an invigorating contrast that stimulated my senses.

Kate is a very experienced therapist and also offers deep tissue massage, sports massage and facial acupressure. All the therapists at the Bristol Therapy Rooms are experienced and thoughtful. If you have an ailment and are looking for relief or simply want to relax and revitalise, there is a treatment and therapist to cater for your needs. ■

For further information or to book a treatment, visit: www.bristolcityyoga.co.uk/therapy-room or tel: 07582 425237 www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

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ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

Training for a career in Nutritional Therapy with CNM With allergies, chronic illness, and disease increasingly being linked to diet and lifestyle, there’s a growing need for highly trained therapists who can help people make the right nutritional choices, according to Doug Swift, director of Studies for The College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM) in Bristol “When so much research is coming in that diet and lifestyle can not only help people to avoid ill health, but to reverse it, it seems crazy that we spend ever more on pharmaceutical and surgical interventions which have risks attached, rather than learn how to look after ourselves better.” says Doug.

CNM’s teaching in nutrition is Doug Swift, Director of Studies based on a combination of up to at The College of Naturopathic date scientific research and natural Medicine in Bristol medicine practices, stressing the use of whole and organic foods as an effective answer to many chronic and acute conditions. Students learn about the physiological and biochemical processes of nourishment, as well as about the energetic side of foods and how to pinpoint whether nutritional deficiencies or toxicity may be causing a problem.

All courses at CNM are based on naturopathic principles, including that prevention is better than cure; that the body has an innate ability to heal itself if given the right help; that the root cause of a condition has to be found in order to cure it; and that practitioners never use treatments which can harm.

“Interestingly,” says Doug, “students come from every walk of life but many have had health problems themselves which confounded conventional medicine and which they’ve managed to overcome naturally after help with changing their diet. They now want to build on and share that knowledge. For others, the motivation is to help people, have the potential for good earnings, and to work flexible hours.”

Unless suitably qualified, students start with a foundation in biomedicine before going on to study nutrition for two years, part time, on a fixed number of weekends throughout the year.

“It’s the fascinating subject matter and the supportive lecturers that get them through the academic work”, says Doug.

“The practical element is huge at CNM. Students spend 200 hours in clinic working

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under the guidance of expert nutritional therapists, so they gain the skills and sufficient confidence to go out and practice once they graduate.”

CNM training is highly regarded and graduates go on to practice as nutritional therapists from home, in a spa, gym or health centre. Some set up health related internet businesses or work for health food or vitamin companies.

“Our nutrition classes take place at Trinity College near the Bristol Downs” says Doug. “It’s a beautiful environment conducive to studying.

We also hold regular open evenings there, at which potential students can come along and find out whether our nutrition course, or indeed another CNM course, could be for them.”

CNM’s next Open Evenings takes place in Bristol on 30 August, and on 12 and 29 September to cater for those who wish to start studying in the current academic year. To book your place call 01342 410 505.

September 2011

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ECOhome

THE HOUSE in

W

the meadow

hile Bath is well known for its Georgian architecture, less is known about the small number of unashamedly contemporary houses appearing in and around the city. Twinneys is one such example, recognised for its cutting edge design when it won the residential category of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) South West Town & Country awards last year.

The house was one of two shortlisted projects by Bath architectural practice Designscape Architects.

Undertaking a building project, whatever its scale, can be a daunting experience. The story of Twinneys, built by Chris Smith and Val Hepplewhite, demonstrates the grit and determination that can be required to see a project through.

Twinneys is the culmination of a long and productive collaboration between the Smiths and Designscape.

It all began when Mr Smith appointed Designscape while in the middle of a 13-year planning battle with the local planning authority for permission to build in the Green Belt and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, on the site of a former piggery and potato warehouse. Fortunately the persistent arguments and sensitive, contextual designs prevailed.

Twinneys is built on land that has belonged to the Smith family since the 1940s and is where Chris played as a boy.

These emotional and nostalgic ties fuelled Chris’s resolve to stick with his vision to build his dream home. The site held its own challenges, consisting of sitting halfway up a steep hillside and founded in part on notorious shifting sands. The site proved to be so challenging that the original builder left the project midway through and Chris Smith decided to continue the build himself as a self-managed enterprise.

The end result stands as testament to the Smiths’ perseverance and unwillingness to accept compromise. This strength of character (‘We won’t ever be moving again,’ Val says) was recognised by the Town & Country awards jury who described Twinneys as ‘a project that has resulted in an 98 The Bristol Magazine

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exceptional home enabling the owners to live in a contemporary modern style… On a site rich in personal memory that remains a significant and unspoilt part of the rural surroundings of the historic city of Bath’.

Twinneys has green roofs and an eco-engineered services strategy, including solar thermal collectors for hot water, and uses sustainably sourced materials. The upstairs open plan living area makes the best of the panoramic views and natural light. Large glass doors enable the living area to expand out onto a south facing veranda which is protected from adverse weather and shaded by a large overhanging roof. The kitchen and snug are given horizontal slit windows enabling the occupant to feel at one with the surrounding landscape almost as if one is standing in a tree house.

A roof-light brings daylight into the heart of the building.

Each bedroom is given a sliding glass door which opens directly onto the garden in front of the house. The remainder of the land surrounding the house is given over to an idyllic natural English landscape. This landscape of meadows, native trees and wildlife was carefully conceived by Chris Smith.

To the rear of the house sits a virtually subterranean studio and gallery for artist Val, who trained at the Royal West of England Academy in Bristol. Designed to operate independently, the studio also acts as the formal entrance to the house. The studio roof is also planted with wildflowers and becomes part of the hillside. Val regularly uses the house and studio to display her work and each year she has taken part in Larkhall Open Studios.

Twinneys represents the completion of the first new build project for Designscape Architects, whose work spans a variety of scales and budgets from a six figure art production studio for Damien Hirst to small scale domestic alterations. ■ For more details on Designscape Architects visit www.dscape.co.uk.

AWARD-WINNING: Twinneys, designed by Bath Designscape Architects, nestles into the hillside and has been designed to make the most of natural daylight – each of the bedrooms has sliding glass doors opening directly into the garden

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September 2011

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BRISTOLlife

The beating HEART OF THE CITY James Russell takes a considered look at the grassroots movement that’s working to make Bristol a better place to live, work and play

L

ast month’s riots around Britain were symptomatic of a malaise affecting modern cities – the lack of a shared purpose or identity.

Bristol grew up around its port and was, until recently, strongly associated with industries rooted in international trade. Today the city docks are closed, as are the chocolate and cigarette factories. We’re left with a big group of people who don’t necessarily have much in common.

Since 2007 the city council has been pursuing a new identity for Bristol, that of a Green Capital. It came out of a European Commission competition to find the greenest city in the EU; Bristol much to everyone’s surprise, made the final eight out of 35 contenders. A Green Capital Partnership was launched, businesses and individuals were invited to join, and support given to the emerging environmental technology sector.

It quickly became clear that Bristol was buzzing with ideas and ventures, and that the city was full of people who shared the broad aims of making life both better and greener, but who didn’t necessarily know about each other. To publisher and writer Alastair Sawday, who chaired the Bristol Green Capital Partnership, the obvious solution was to put together a book, which would both show the world what was happening in Bristol and introduce likeminded citizens to each other. Bristol – Inspiring Change offers a snapshot of a city in transition. There are sections on renewable energy, including the previously untold story of the development of tidal power in the city, and there are chapters devoted to ethical finance, energy efficiency and transport strategies.

What comes through most strongly is the number of people involved in this grass roots campaign to reinvent the city. The majority are simply trying to live in a different way. They’re tending allotments, shopping locally, organising street parties or transforming neglected office buildings.

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They’re not in it for the money. They’re pursuing a vision of what the city ought to be. Bristol is the street party capital of Britain.

It’s also the art trail capital, with more open studio tours than any other city. Bristol is home to artists, theatre people and circus performers who give city life that vital injection of culture. We have an abundance of teachers, animators, software designers, MOVING ON: Pedal Walla, Bristol’s first bicycle rickshaw service is a perfect example of individuals being inventive to make the city a better place to live

poets and storytellers, natural history film-makers and conservation experts, and so many of these people are community-minded that the list of annual festivals and free events gets bigger every year.

Gloucester Road is one of the most vibrant high streets in the country, supported by people who believe that it is worth making an effort and spending a little more to have a lively community rather than a parade of empty shops. When you look at the whole city, you see that everything is connected, from the wind turbines at the Port of Bristol to the allotments at Windmill Hill City Farm.

‘A wise city acts as a community,’ Alastair Sawday writes, ‘For long-term community benefit.’ Bristol is heading in the right direction but, as the riots showed, much more needs to be done. ■ Bristol – Inspiring Change is published by Sawdays, price £25, visit: www.sawdays.co.uk/bookshop.

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THEinterview

WILD about

flowers

Gardener and cookery writer Sarah Raven is encouraging us to rediscover the simple pleasures of spotting and identifying wildflowers – and it may just save our honey bees too, says Lindsey Harrad

A

s a familiar face on the BBC’s Gardeners’ World, a Telegraph columnist, a gardening teacher and author of four gardening/cook books to date, Sarah Raven has carved a niche for herself as a holistic horticulturalist, and a passionate gardener who is equally at home in the kitchen preparing her homegrown produce. But her latest writing venture moves away from horticulture into botany with a guide to British wild flowers.

Normally to be found in her working gardens at Perch Hill in East Sussex, or at her rather enviable home in the National Trust’s Sissinghurst Castle, Sarah has travelled throughout the UK, from the Lizard to the Outer Hebrides, to research our native flora – including locations in neighbouring Gloucestershire, the Somerset Levels and the Dorset and Wiltshire chalk streams.

For Sarah, this project also meant a return to her childhood love of wildflower spotting. “I’ve always been interested in, if not obsessed with, wild flowers since I was a small child,” she explains. “My father was a keen botanist and taught me all about wildflowers when we went on walks together, so this new book felt like going home.

“We set out to record 250 plants in one year, but we just kept finding more and more wonderful examples, so we expanded it to 500 of the most interesting and beautiful species.”

While the book may be weighty in size, the content is far from being a dry botanical manual and is written in Sarah’s easy-toread, engaging style. Even a quick flick through will reveal images of flowers you probably remember well from tramping through the countryside as a child, yet even if you spotted these flowers on a walk today – which is becoming increasingly unlikely for some species – you may not even be able to name them anymore.

“The book is aimed at walkers and anyone who loves the countryside, it’s certainly not for botanists,” explains Sarah. “I am hoping that people will find it a lovely way to re-engage with wildflowers, as it’s so rewarding to be able to identify different species when you are out walking.”

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Sarah also believes that spotting wildflowers is one of the most accessible ways to become more interested in our native wildlife, as you don’t necessarily have to go to special locations to see beautiful specimens.

She says: “The embankments alongside motorways are among our richest habitats for wild flowers. On car journeys I often encourage the children to play games spotting different species from the window. These flowers are all around us, you can see them on patches of wasteland, on your walk to work, everywhere. It’s such an easy, accessible way to become more connected with our environment.”

if everyone changed just five per ❝ cent of their garden to include pollen-rich plants . . . imagine what a monumental effect that would have on the bee population

❞

Many types of wildflower are in decline and we have already lost some species, but while we may remember seeing an abundance of certain flowers 20 or 30 years ago, these days they tend to be found in specific pockets, or in nature reserves where they have been determinedly preserved. This decline is partly due to a loss of habitat as we build on green areas, but is also caused by intensive farming, which has stripped the land of natural wildlife. But while it is important to preserve our wildflowers for the sheer pleasure of seeing them flourish in our woodlands, meadows, coastlines and marshes, this native plant life also provides a vital link in the food chain for pollinating insects, which are also in decline.

Anyone who loves growing vegetables and cultivating plants will know that our gardens, allotments and even humble window boxes could not thrive without pollinators – including bees and

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EYE FOR DETAIL: Sarah Raven, below, is encouraging us all to take a closer look at British native flowers Right: sweet violets, and main picture, field poppies

butterflies. As someone who understands the interdependence between our natural biodiversity, gardening, and food production and preparation, Sarah is passionate about saving our bees too. “It’s not high minded or elitist to think about these issues. Unless we want to lose our fruit and vegetables, we must do something about it now.”

PORTRAIT: Jonathan Buckley

Modern agricultural methods have virtually sterilised large swathes of the countryside from a botanical point of view, so this means that gardens, and gardeners, will have to play an important role in providing habitat and food for bees and insects. “There are a million acres of gardens in this country and if everyone changed just five per cent of their garden to include pollen-rich plants, in particular lavender, borage, poppies or wild marjoram, imagine what a monumental effect that would have on the bee population. It’s not costly or difficult to achieve, but it would make a huge difference,” says Sarah.

It’s a timely reminder that conservation is not just about saving rainforests or gorillas – although these are important – preserving our local, regional and national biodiversity is equally vital. But on the subject of preservation, Sarah is also keen to dispel a few myths about picking wildflowers.

“I’ve always learnt about plants by picking flowers, and this is part of the pleasure of appreciating wildflowers too,” she says. “It’s not true that picking them is always wrong, but people are afraid of getting into trouble for collecting them, so in my book I have explained which species can be safely picked, as I want people to see this as an accessible pleasure they can enjoy every day, not some rarefied, high-minded hobby.” ■

Wild Flowers by Sarah Raven is published by Bloomsbury on 17 October, illustrated with photography by Jonathan Buckley, price £50.

Sarah Raven will be in conversation with BBC Radio 4’s executive producer Sara Davies on 5 October, 4.30pm for 5pm at Bristol Grammar School, BS8 1SR. Ticket £8 (no concessions), including afternoon tea.To book visit: www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk/Events/Literary-Events.aspx. For more information about literary events at Bristol Grammar School contact Lucy Shepherd at: lshepherd@bgs.bristol.sch.uk Sarah’s TV series, Bees, Butterflies and Blooms , will be broadcast on BBC2 in September/October. Dates to be confirmed.

nailsea electrical the appliance centre www.nailseaonline.co.uk 102 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol, Avon BS7 8BN Tel: 0117 924 6002 Opening Hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 5.30pm.

Closed Sunday www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

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CITYgardens

IT’S ALL in the timing Getting the best show from your spring bulbs is all a matter of planning ahead, says Jane Moore

I

n early spring, other than a few hellebores, forget-me-nots and whatnot, it’s the bulbs that take the floor. Bulbs are the mainstays of the garden from February right though until May, starting with snowdrops and crocus and finishing with an array of tulips. Strictly speaking the show goes on into June with all the alliums doing their explosive purple thing in the borders but by then there are a lot of other plants coming into flower too such as oriental poppies, Erysimums and so on. Anyway, I digress. In short, a garden without bulbs is one that comes nowhere near fulfilling its true spring potential.

But with that long season, it’s tricky to get everything flowering at exactly the right time, giving you the sort of showstopping garden that makes you stand tall as a gardener. Our esteemed editor, no stranger to a spade herself, planned a superb show one year of tulips, miniature daffs and so on only to find they all flowered one after the other rather than all at once as she’d planned.

Timing is tricky when nature, weather and the conditions in a particular garden all play their part but actually bulbs are pretty reliable as plants go. If a catalogue or garden centre describes a tulip as flowering in mid April, it near as dammit will do its stuff around about the fifteenth of that month. Who’s going to quibble if it’s out by a few days? Certainly not me! I’m so glad to see everything come out in time for our Yellow Book open afternoon, not to mention the relief that those tulips are ready to be scrutinised by the members of the Royal Horticultural Society a day or so later, I could all but weep with joy. So much for gardening being a stress buster!

Well, for you dear reader I am here to make your life stressfree – at least when it comes to planting bulbs anyway. It’s time to get on with planting those bulbs right now so get down to the garden centre and pick up a good selection. I’ve done my best to give you the confidence that your money will be well spent and your spring garden truly glorious. Just read on.

February early birds After the snowy brilliance of snowdrops, it’s time for crocuses to shine. The larger varieties such as the purple and white striped Pickwick and the rich Golden Yellow Mammoth look great in the border but I steer clear of these larger varieties for naturalising in grass as they’re a bit big and showy to really look right.

My favourite for drifting under trees on the lawn are the dainty Golden Bunch, which is incredibly floriferous with masses of brilliant yellow flowers; Ruby Giant which is actually a rich rosy purple, and Cream Beauty. Yellows, blues and purples always look good, standing out against the green of the grass.

You would think that white crocus would be great too but I never use them as it always seems to look as if someone has dropped a load of soggy tissues on the lawn.

March marvels This is the start of the daffodil season and there are hundreds to choose from. I tend to go for the dwarf varieties as they have a delicacy their larger cousins lack. My favourites include the ubiquitous Tete à Tete, deservedly a commonly grown variety with masses of buttercup yellow miniature trumpets. If you’re after something a little more exclusive look out for pure white Jenny, rich yellow Little Witch, or dainty Minnow. It’s also time for some of the earliest tulips like the stripy leafed Kaufmanniana and Greigii tulips. These tulips are brilliant for borders as they’re 104 The Bristol Magazine

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very long lasting and will give you a good show for years to come.

The classic variety is Red Riding Hood with flaring scarlet flowers and strongly striped leaves but the salmon-orange Toronto, which really glows in the pale spring sun, or Johann Strauss with cream flowers flushed with red are also good value. Pair these with a few narcissi and you’ll have a lovely show.

Beginning of April flowers Now you really have to start planning colour schemes and combinations to make your bulbs work together. One of my favourite early April partnerships is tulip Candela, a soft golden yellow with beautifully shaped blooms, planted with a dainty dwarf narcissi of a similar shade such as Quail. Or you could partner it in pots with a brilliant red tulip such as Madame Lefeber for some real ‘wow’ factor. More classy by far although without the same visual punch, plant white tulip Purrissima with Candela or with white dwarf narcissi like the lovely Sailboat which starts off a lovely cream with a soft yellow trumpet and fades to white as it matures. Come to think of it why not plant all three together – they’ll look fab.

Late April and May flowers I always plan my main show for the end of April and beginning of

BE BOLD: brightly coloured tulips planted in contrasting shades offer a cheerful sight in spring time

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CITYgardens Open gardens in September It’s interesting, and instructive, to visit other people’s gardens once the showiness of high summer is over, to see how they put on an early autumn display.

CO-ORDINATED: at the Priory Hotel gardens, pale pink tulips are in harmony with the pastel mauvey-blue of the wisteria blooming on the wall behind

May. It’s when the nights are really drawing out and we often get some glorious weather which means everyone is out enjoying the garden. Think in toning colour schemes for your pots to get maximum impact and pick up other feature plants in the garden. I often co-ordinate the pots of tulips on the terrace to flower at the same time as our huge mauvey-blue Wisteria, highlighting its colour with pink and mauve tulips such as Peerless Pink and Dreaming Maid. The soft oranges of tulips Princess Irene and Apricot Beauty are outstanding in terracotta pots, especially set against the backdrop of dark conifers. ■ Jane Moore is the award-winning head gardener at the Bath Priory.

www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Travel north to Yate on Sunday 11 September to see a garden that was featured in the book Inspirational Gardens Around the World.

Beechwell House at Goose Green is open from 15pm. The owners specialise in exotic plants so expect to see palms, yuccas, tree ferns and bamboos in this subtropical garden.

The owners of 1 Frobisher Road, Southville, may only have a small city garden but they pride themselves with filling every available inch of space with plants.

The garden is open on

Sunday 18 September from 2-5pm.

The University of Bristol Botanic Garden in Stoke Park Road, Stoke Bishop, is open on Sunday 4 September from 10am to 4.30pm. A network of meandering paths lead through collections of plants which include those used in herbal medicine. There are also glasshouses, home to tropical fruit and cacti.

At Beech House in Iron Acton there’s an acre of productive gardens to explore on Sunday 4 September, 1-5pm, including an orchard, allotments and a sculpture trail made from recycled materials Find out about open gardens visit: www.ngs.org.uk

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BRISTOLproperty

MARINER’S DRIVE, SNEYD PARK, BRISTOL.

£1,750,000

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he area around Mariner's Drive was largely developed in the 1930's by renowned Bristol builders 'Stride Brothers' in their classic New England influenced style. These houses, over the years, have become much coveted due to the impressive build quality, timeless elegance of the designs and the generous plots which ensure both privacy and space. This property is, even by Stride's standards, one of the best of the era. Not only does it enjoy an impeccable plot of over half an acre and enviable location, but the orientation and sympathetic extension and improvements over the years only adds to its enormous appeal.

Upon entering the house there is a generously sized oak panelled hallway with double doors opening into the principal reception rooms. These consist of an elegant sitting room with double doors onto the rear terrace and garden, and a large formal dining room. Also on the ground floor is a spacious study/library.

The ergonomically designed kitchen joins a less formal den area which opens into the conservatory.

Upstairs on the first floor are four double bedrooms, a family bathroom and additional WC. The master bedroom suite boasts a balcony overlooking the rear garden and a large dressing room, which, in turn, leads to an equally enormous full ensuite bathroom. The generous second bedroom has a bay window that overlooks the front garden. The two other bedrooms on this floor are split level and ideally suited for children each leading to a playroom/study/stopover facility. The oak staircase continues up to the guest floor which offers two further double bedrooms sharing a washroom and toilet facilities. There is also an extremely large walk-in carpeted attic. Unusually for Sneyd Park, the large gardens are level and enjoy a south-westerly rear aspect. There’s a terrace for al-fresco entertaining across the rear of the property, and a pretty summer house to the side. Keen gardeners are sure to be impressed by the borders and lawned areas.

The house is set behind an attractive wall with railings, and has solid-teak gates opening onto a drive, where there’s a tandem garage and a double car port This is a splendid and appealing property and further details and a viewing can be arranged with Bristol agents; Leese & Nagle.

Leese & Nagle, 61 Apsley Road, Clifton, Bristol. Tel: 0117 974 1741

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THINKINGproperty

The Price is Right A realistic valuation will help you sell faster. Peter Greatorex, Managing Director of apartment specialist The Apartment Company offers advice

Peter Greatorex, Managing Director and Liz Atkinson, Manager at The Apartment Company, Bristol

A

ll homeowners want to believe their apartment can command a top price for their area. But the value of a property depends on a number of varying factors that sellers need to take into account.

Clearly, you don’t want to let your home go for less than it’s worth but an overpriced apartment can be hard to sell, especially in a competitive market. Bear in mind that the boom is over and many first-time or lowincome buyers are struggling to get a mortgage. This is having a knock on effect for some local property markets, reducing the number of buyers overall and forcing vendors to be more realistic about the price they can ask.

To get an initial idea of your home’s value, take a look at similar listings in your local area, either at estate agent’s offices or online. Make sure you’re comparing like with like, checking out homes in similar locations and states of repair, with the same size gardens and number of rooms. Try to find out how long they have been on the market, as that’s also a good indication of whether they are priced correctly.

Other factors to consider are access to schools, proximity to shops, public transport, busy roads or pubs, as all of these can affect a property’s valuation for better or worse. And stay informed about local planning issues that may impact positively or negatively on the price of your home, such as new housing or retail developments, rail or road links.

For a proper valuation you will need to get input from estate agents, who have a full understanding of how the housing market is performing nationally and locally. They also see on a daily basis what sells fastest, as well as what buyers in your area are looking for and how much they’re prepared to spend.

It’s sensible to get several quotes, which should work out at around a similar figure and give you a clear idea of the value of your property. Don’t be afraid to question your agent about their valuation and ask advice on how you can improve your home’s prospects if you feel it’s under valued for its location or size.

Your circumstances will also dictate the price you can ask. If you’re in no rush to move you could aim for a higher price and wait for the right buyer but if you need to sell fast you may well have to take a lower sum in order to grab a quick sale.

Buyers will see a variety of properties and usually have their own benchmark as to what equates with good value. If they believe you’re asking a fair price, they’ll be more likely to put in an offer over a similar property they feel is over valued.

For advice on buying or selling an apartment, please contact Liz Atkinson or Peter Greatorex, The Apartment Company, Tel: 0117 900 1617 Website: www.theapartmentcompany.co.uk

www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Commercial lettings and sales go from strength to strength Whether you have a shop, warehouse or office to let or sell, Maggs & Allen can help

P

reviously, finding an agent who had the sufficient knowledge of the commercial market and the ability to let or sell your property could have proven problematic. Now Maggs & Allen plan to make this process far simpler and straight forward for both buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants alike.

Maggs & Allen is able to provide up to date market appraisals for rental and investment properties and can advise on the best course of marketing. Toby Fisher, Manager of Maggs & Allen’s Commercial/ Investment department says “We pride ourselves in being able to provide accurate market information for potential landlords and vendors as well as guiding the client through the processes involved in selling or renting commercial property. These include drawing up lease terms, carrying out extensive referencing and negotiating rent reviews and break clauses.”

Maggs & Allen is responsible for managing the portfolio of several PLC’s as well as dealing with individual landlords. Toby Fisher adds: “In these difficult economic times, ensuring that your property is let to a quality tenant is more important than ever in order to maximize the value of your investment.”

Should you have a freehold investment or a shop, warehouse or an office you wish to dispose of, do not hesitate to contact Toby Fisher for a free confidential informal discussion.

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PROPERTYinFOCUS

AVON COURT, LEIGH WOODS ÂŁ3,250,000

B

uilt circa 1873, Avon Court is understood to have been one of the first houses to be built in Leigh Woods following the completion of The Clifton Suspension Bridge. Its position on North Road allows glimpses of the Avon Gorge and, to the rear of the property, far reaching views across south Bristol to the Dundry Hills and Lansdown in Bath. The accommodation is arranged over three main floors and, having been extensively renovated recently, now offers a fabulous modern family house with many elegant Victorian features.

The ground floor comprises two magnificent reception rooms, which with full height shuttered bay windows overlooking the rear garden. The two rooms are divided by folding central doors which can be opened to provide and excellent space for entertaining. There is a further reception room/family room as well as a cloakroom on this floor. The exceptionally spacious kitchen/breakfast room has brushed limestone flooring and French doors which open onto the rear garden. At mezzanine level there is a study/playroom which opens onto the south facing roof terrace giving uninterrupted views of Bristol and the Floating Harbour. On the upper floors there are six double bedrooms, the master having his and hers dressing rooms and an en suite bathroom with TV screen. There are three further bathrooms, one serving as an en suite to bedroom five. The house is accessed via electric gates leading to a graveled parking area. At the rear are newly landscaped gardens of approximately 133 feet, offering privacy and security with the option to extend the detached, freestanding former coach house. This beautifully presented and extremely flexible family home should be viewed in order to appreciate all that is on offer. Agents are Knight Frank.

Knight Frank, Regent House, 27A Regent Street, Clifton, Bristol. Tel: 0117 317 1999

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COMMERCIALproperty

AVONBANK, CLIFTON, BRISTOL.

c£17 per square foot with parking

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urston Cook has been instructed to dispose of a prime office headquarters fronting on to Clifton Down, Clifton. The property, most recently known as The Blue House offers superb headquarters offices totally approximately 631 sq m (6,800 sq ft), with wonderful landscaped gardens to the front and rear and secure off street car parking. Julian Cook, Partner at Burston Cook who is handling the disposal comments: “The offices until recently have been occupied by a leading creative communications agency and provide high quality bright and airy offices with contemporary finishes complimenting the stunning period features. We anticipate that this property would suit either creative businesses, perhaps companies affiliated to the BBC who are situated close by on Whiteladies Road, or more traditional professions wishing to capitalise on the superb working environment this property offers. The rental sought is £17.00 per sq ft to include car parking which is some £10.00 per sq ft less than prime offices in Bristol city centre.”The property can also be linked to the neighbouring premises to provide a total of 13,962 sq ft (1,297 sq m). The letting is being fronted by Julian Cook FRICS and Jayne Rixon MRICS of Burston Cook, one of Bristol’s leading commercial property specialists which is sole agent for this property.

For full particulars and to arrange a viewing please contact them at their Bristol offices.

Burston Cook, Lewins House, Narrow Lewins Mead, Bristol. Tel: 0117 934 9977 www.burstoncook.co.uk

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Bristol & Clifton’s premier Commercial Property Agents IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO RELOCATE OR ESTABLISH A NEW BUSINESS IN 2011 PLEASE PHONE THE BURSTON COOK TEAM FOR ALL TYPES OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

(0117) 934 9977

H/Q OFFICES TO LET CLIFTON

TO LET (MAY SELL) – QUEEN SQUARE OFFICES

A fine H/Q office building to be refurbished to a high standard with contemporary finishes and 18 on site car parking spaces – 5,187 sq ft. Rent on application.

Situated in a prominent position on Queen Sq and comprising approximately 1,733 sq ft (161 sq m), with 3 on site spaces.

Rental only £19,000 p.a. exclusive. P.O.A.

RETAIL UNIT – CENTRAL BRISTOL

TO LET – INDUSTRIAL/ DISTRIBUTION UNIT

An excellent opportunity to acquire a well fitted retail unit in an excellent trading position. Currently fitted as a sandwich bar.

Rental only £14,750 p.a.

A modern unit in an excellent location and within a self contained estate with gated entrance. 3,810 sq ft, on flexible terms at only £4.25 per sq ft.

MODERN OFFICES – CLEVEDON

TO LET PROMINENT RESTAURANT PREMISES CHELTENHAM ROAD

Newly refurbished open plan offices with 9 on site car parking spaces close to junction 20 of the M5.

2,690 sq ft – flexible lease terms. £12.00 per sq ft.

Excellent restaurant/ café opportunity also suitable for other retail uses.1,443 sq ft with low rates and no ingoing premium!

REFURBISHED OFFICES – WESTBURY ON TRYM

RETAIL UNIT – TO LET Ground floor retail unit fronting onto the ring road and located directly opposite Cabot Circus, benefiting from A1/A2/ A3 consent. Attractive rental packages/leases available.

Contemporary refurbished accommodation offering open plan office suites from 668 – 7,641 sq ft with up to 19 parking spaces. Attractive rental packages/leases available.

We can help you

• Sales • Lettings • • Valuations • Rent reviews • • Acquisitions advice • Investments • • Development advice • Landlord & tenant • For more about who we are... www.burstoncook.co.uk Julian Cook

Jayne Rixon

Andrew Oliver

David Ball

*Winner EGI most active Local Agent in Bristol 2008 & 2009* *EGI Top 5 Regional Agent in Bristol, Bath & Swindon 2010 & 2011*

Please telephone Julian Cook FRICS Jayne Rixon MRICS or Andrew Oliver MRICS or David Ball BA MSc (Hons) (0117) 934 9977 Burston Cook Sept.indd 1

Awards ‘08, ‘09, ‘10, ‘11 22/08/2011 14:08

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PROPERTYinFOCUS

EASTCOTE, EASTFIELD ROAD, WESTBURY ON TRYM.

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he name of Voke is well-respected in the Henleaze and Westbury on Trym areas as the builder of some of the area’s finest and most characterful 1930’s homes.One such property is this elegant four-bedroomed semi-detached family house, which today still retains many of the features with which it was built.

The house stands in a plot that is larger than it was – the current owners acquired some additional land to the side and rear in 1977 – and this results in a rear garden of good size, a second driveway alongside the original (ideal if you own a motorhome or caravan), and would appear to bring with it scope to extend the house (although at this stage no planning permission has been sought). Internally, the house offers a large and welcoming entrance hall and three reception rooms: a lounge, a dining room and a breakfast room. Upstairs, the four bedrooms are all generously proportioned, there is a bathroom and a separate w.c. The property has picture rails and plate racks in abundance, leaded windows and original doors, and even the butler’s bell system is partially operational.

According to the selling agents, Haigh & Sons, it’s a house that will appeal to a family, particularly one that’s not afraid to tackle a bit of updating.

Priced from: £500,000 Haigh & Sons, 43 North View, Westbury Park, Bristol. Tel: 0117 973 5859 112 The Bristol Magazine

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43 North View, Westbury Park, Bristol BS6 7PY

0117 973 5859 www.haighandsons.co.uk More properties urgently required throughout North Bristol. Free advice and valuation, comprehensive lettings and management service from friendly, professional family business.

We really are Moving People!

HENLEAZE – £450,000

A modern detached family house set in a very quiet cul-de-sac close to Henleaze primary schools, backing onto a sports field, hence enjoying open views and a pleasantly secluded rear garden. Substantially extended, the house includes four bedrooms of good size, two large receptions, a lovely kitchen, a utility, a cloakroom, a bathroom and an en-suite shower, plus a garage, carport and driveway.

WESTBURY PARK – £385,000

A great house for a growing family, especially one that has children at nearby Henleaze primary school! This Edwardian terrace offers three bedrooms of good size, plus a converted loft room. Downstairs are three receptions and a long kitchen, and outside is an attractive rear garden and large detached garage.

BISHOPSTON – £375,000

A house which has created a lot of interest! This spacious 1920s semi is in an enviable location, with a secluded garden of decent size, rear access to a detached single garage, extensive cellar space, and with wide open views from its upper rear-facing windows. In need of updating, the house is offered with no onward chain.

HENLEAZE – £895 pcm

A modern semi in a very convenient cul-de-sac close to the shops of Henleaze, including Waitrose. Offered unfurnished, and available more-or-less straight away, this is an excellent home for a young family, single person or couple, and has three bedrooms, a lounge/diner, gas c.h. and double glazing, plus a garage, parking, and an attractive rear garden.

Here to accommodate.

More homes needed to sell or rent: if you're thinking of moving please give us a call

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Jubilee Drive, Failand

£459,950 Detached and Spacious Bungalow Modern Kitchen

GF, Gloucester Row, Clifton Village Garden Apartment Modern Bathroom Spacious and Light

3 Double Bedrooms

Lounge and Conservatory

3 Bathrooms

D/Garage and Gardens

£250,000 North Contemporis, Clifton Village

2 Bedrooms & Cellar Modern Kitchen Sunny aspect to Garden

Large Living/dining Room Two ensuites Secure underground parking

£439,950

Two Double bedrooms Two balconies Large Apartment 1450 sq ft

New Residential Letting and Property Management Department

J

ames Goodchild Partner at Maggs and Allen comments “I am delighted to announce the launch of our new Residential Lettings and Property Management department. We can now offer landlords the same high level of service that our clients enjoy through our successful Estate Agency, Auction, Commercial and Survey departments. There has always been a huge demand from private and business clients for Maggs & Allen to move into the lettings market, our established, successful departments have shown that its essential that the right people are involved.

We have now appointed Hilary Portch as Lettings Manager who, with many years lettings and management experience, is successful and highly respected in the industry. As well as securing experienced personnel we have also invested in the latest lettings computer package to ensure that the Maggs & Allen Lettings and Management department has the most comprehensive and up to date information to provide to our landlords.

Whether you are an individual landlord or a professional investor seeking quality tenants and service Maggs & Allen would be delighted to discuss your specific requirements - All enquiries will be treated in the strictest of confidence”.

For more information please contact Maggs & Allen lettings and Management on 01179 49 9000 or email lettings@maggsandallen.co.uk.

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Redland

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£995 pcm

3 Bed Terrace House, popular location within a stones throw of Redland Green School, specious family house.

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Coombe Dingle

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£850 pcm

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Hotwell Road

Henleaze

£595 pcm

£1475 pcm

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Bedminster

£795 pcm

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Brentry

Horfield

£900 pcm

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£795 pcm

3 Double Bedroom Property, this part furnished is situated in an ideal location for BAC, Rolls Royce, MOD, Filton College, local shops and transport routes.

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Clifton

£950 pcm

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Room Southville

Little Stoke

£250 pcm

£650 pcm

Unfurnished 2 double bedroom end terrace house, this property has been refurbished throughout, also benefits from a large rear garden, single garage and 2 parking spaces.

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Park Row

£795 pcm

I double bedroom apartment within walking distance for Park Street and the City Centre, open pan living area, steam shower cubicle with radio. Available NOW

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A choice of 2 furnished rooms in a shared house, within walking distance for Bristol University, shops and local transport routes. Available NOW

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2 Double Bedroom Apartment, fully furnished, situated within a stones throw of Whiteladies and Park Street.

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Part furnished 4 Bed family home within walking distance for local amenities, transport routes and M5/4 motorways.

Available 25th September.

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3 Bed Terrace House, spacious family home, great location enclosed rear garden

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1 Bedroom Ground Floor Apartment with stunning views overlooking River Avon and Bristol Suspension Bridge.

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4 Bed Semi Detached House, situated on a highly sought after road within Henleaze.

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A lovely 3 double bedroom family home in a great location, unfurnished, sunny enclosed rear garden.

Available 25th September

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Durdham Park

£950 pcm

Furnished 2 Bed Apartment looking over Durdham Park with period features. Available NOW

To view our full list of properties visit www.maggsandallen.co.uk • 0117 949 9000

Maggs & Allen Sept.indd 4

18/08/2011 13:28

Commercial Sales & lettings

Very well presented double fronted corner shop unit with warehouse (approx 2,500sqft gross) situated in a prominent location on Zetland Road just off Cheltenham Road. Arranged as ground floor retail space with additional storage to the rear. New lease available.

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Freehold end of terrace property arranged as a recently renovated ground floor cafe (approx 680sqft) and a well presented self contained 2 bed flat above. Situated in a popular rank of shops within close proximity to Gloucester Road and Henleaze Road.

An opportunity to acquire a lease on this 3 storey large corner retail property arranged as ground floor shop unit, approx. 350sqft gross, with additional 2 storey offices above and basement storage.

Very attractive double fronted 2 storey office building of approx 2,593sqft. The property benefits from parking for up to 8 vehicles and is situated in a prominent position on Regent Street in Kingswood. Offered for sale with vacant possession, MAY LET. Q LD RE SO AR IL SIM

Very rare opportunity to purchase a freehold property situated in one of Bristol’s most sought after locations.

Currently arranged as a ground floor restaurant. Let to ‘Prosecco’ with additional first floor office unit, studio flat & 3 bed maisonette. Let producing £32,400pa.

Lease available on this very well presented modern office development finished to a high specificaton at Eden Office Park arranged over 2 storeys of approx 818sqft. Benefits from 4 parking spaces, double glazing, kitchen/toilet facilities, suspended ceilings, communal shower facilities and lifts.

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Double fronted freehold commercial property with 2 self contained flats above. The flats are currently let producing £13,140pa and the shop is to be sold with vacant possession.

The property benefits from a large car park to the rear which also offers potential for development subject to consents. MAY LET Estate Agents

Auctioneers

New Homes

Chartered Surveyors

Freehold property arranged as ground floor shop unit (approx 650sqft gross) with additional flat above.

Situated in a prominent position on Sandy Park Road, amongst a varied parade of shops and amenities. To be sold with vacant possession.

Commercial

Freehold double fronted shop unit (approx 420sqft sales area), additional toilet and kitchen facilities.

Situated in a prominent and bustling location on the Gloucester Road. To be sold with vacant possession.

Investment

Energy Assessors

For a commercial valuation or to view please call us on 0117 949 1888 Maggs & Allen Sept.indd 1

23/08/2011 12:32

Henleaze

£630,000

Mangotsfield

Westbury Park

£550,000

Downend

A truly unique detached family house that offers spacious and flexible accommodation situated on one of Henleaze most sought after roads. The sizeable accommodation comprises to the ground floor a good size welcoming entrance hall, sitting room with a further 4 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, downstairs cloakroom/WC. The first floor accommodation offers 3 bedrooms (master with ensuite) and family bathroom. To the rear is a large south-west facing garden measuring approximately 88ft x 75ft. The property further benefits from off-street parking, integral garage with electric up and over door.

Henley Grove is a popular road, near Durdham Downs with level access to many amenities including supermarkets and a variety of shops in Henleaze. Nearby is the highly regarded Henleaze school.

A spacious, handsome and light Edwardian home close to Durdham Downs and the local amenities of Henleaze and Westbury Park. This substantial house offers two large receptions, kitchen breakfast room with separate utility, five bedrooms, three bathrooms and private enclosed rear garden. It has many original period features, and the luxury of being end of terrace giving side access to the garden.

The house is in a very popular road and is located close to several schools, and falls within the APR for the new Bristol Free Secondary School. We do suggest an internal viewing is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.

£650,000

A recently renovated stone built barn conversion which originally formed part of lodge farm. This charming grade II listed detached property is located in an enviable position on the edge of Shortwood Lodge Golf Course and enjoys pleasant and far reaching views over the course and surrounding countryside.

Accommodation comprises to the ground floor; Generous living room / dining room with stone fireplace with bressumer beam and wood burner, bespoke handmade Oak fitted kitchen with granite work surfaces, master bedroom, bedroom four and wet room / utility. On the first floor the accommodation comprises; two double bedrooms and bathroom / wet room. Further benefits include; double-glazing, oil fired central heating, under-floor heating, gardens to front, side and rear as well as a large detached double garage.

Offers in excess of £650,000

A magnificent and imposing semi detached Edwardian residence that boasts in excess of 5000 sq.ft of living space. Beautifully presented and well configured internal accommodation that elegantly flows over 4 floors which includes a sizable lower ground floor area that would easily convert into a selfcontained flat (subject to consents). The accommodation briefly comprises a lovely entrance hall, 6 double bedrooms, 3 with en suite, 6 receptions, 2 kitchens, 2 bathrooms, 1 shower room and tandem length garage with store room. Outside is a well stocked mature enclosed garden that is also enjoyed from the raised sun terrace/deck, and a driveway that provides off street parking for several vehicles which leads to the garage. The property retains many original period features including a lovely minster style fireplace, ornate cornice and ceiling roses. No onward chain.

For a market valuation or to view please call us on 0117 949 9000

Maggs & Allen Sept.indd 2

18/08/2011 13:29

St. Andrews

Bishopston

St. Andrews

An immaculate example of period grandeur, boasting an array of lovingly maintained period features, delicately complimented by contemporary decoration throughout. Being linked semi-detached and also 9 metres wide, the property affords three reception rooms and three double bedrooms. Also benefiting from a south easterly facing landscaped rear garden, and off street parking.

Renovated to a high standard through out, this imposing three reception and four double bedroom detached property benefits from an array of original features with a contemporary twist. Located within the APR for Bishop Road Infant and Primary Schools, and Redland Green Secondary School, with off street parking for two cars and a good size family garden.

Located on what is commonly perceived to be one of the most popular roads locally, this c1900s period dwelling offers exceptional square footage throughout. Benefiting from three reception rooms and five bedrooms.

Externally, the property benefits from two off street parking spaces, extensive views of St Andrews Park, and a landscaped rear garden.

£495,000

£500,000

£545,000

Henleaze

Westbury-on-Trym

Henleaze

Positioned within a substantial corner plot with a raised elevation and superb views, this property offers a spacious reception hallway, 3 reception rooms, modern kitchen with access to garden. Central stairwell and landing, 4 bedrooms, bathroom and shower room. Private garage and driveway.

Positioned within close proximity to Henleaze Infant and Junior School and High Street.

Significantly extended throughout and well presented, this 1930s semi-detached home is on an extensive corner plot and is arranged over 3 levels. Offering 3 reception rooms, fitted kitchen, 4 bedrooms, including modern loft conversion, family bathroom and additional W/C. Garage and parking.

Positioned in Abbey Road within close proximity to Westbury-on-Trym Village.

Superbly presented throughout this light and airy spacious garden apartment is positioned on the ever popular Henleaze Gardens.

Offering 3 double bedrooms, study/nursery, 2 en-suites and separate w/c. Modern kitchen, large open-plan living/dining area with access onto a South facing rear garden and private garage. Positioned adjacent to Henleaze shops, amenities and Durdham Downs.

PRICE GUIDE £550,000

CJ Hole_Sept.indd 1

£415,000

PRICE GUIDE £385,000

19/08/2011 17:00

Abode fp.indd 1

22/08/2011 15:38

Sneyd Park

Offers in Excess of ÂŁ380,000

Large living room | Fitted kitchen | 3 bedrooms | Office | Ensuite bathroom | Shower room | Enclosed rear garden | 3 off-street parking spaces A superb garden apartment in an elegant Victorian building in a highly desirable position overlooking The Downs.

Clifton

Offers in Excess of ÂŁ360,000

Large reception hall | Elegant sitting room | 3 double bedrooms | Kitchen/breakfast room | Ensuite shower room | Bathroom | Off street parking The Apartment Company is delighted to offer an unusually spacious and light apartment on the second floor of a substantial Victorian building.

The Apartment Company Sept.indd 1

22/08/2011 16:01

Leigh Woods

Offers in Excess of £340,000

Stoke Bishop

Offers in Excess of £230,000

Elegant living room | 3 bedrooms | Ensuite | Large south-facing terrace | Garage | Allocated parking | Lift access

Sitting room | Kitchen/dining room | 2 double bedrooms | ensuite shower room | Bathroom | Extensive communal gardens

The property is in an architect-designed building with well-planned accommodation just a few minutes’ walk from Clifton Village.

A modern ground floor apartment with level access. Sneyd Park is a popular residential location.

Portishead

Clifton

Offers in Excess of £245,000

Offers in Excess of £135,000

Open plan living room | Beautiful well-fitted kitchen | 2 bedrooms | Office/Dressing room | Bathroom | Balcony | 2 parking spaces

Period building | Well-planned accommodation | Allocated parking space | Integral appliances | Built-in storage | Light and airy living room

A beautifully light contemporary apartment in a most convenient location within walking distance of local shops & harbour-side restaurants.

Beautiful studio apartment located between Clifton Village and Whiteladies Road.

The Apartment Company Sept.indd 2

22/08/2011 16:02

6 1 A P S L E Y ROA D C L I F TO N B R I S TO L B S 8 2 S W

0117 974 1741

LEESE NAGLE E S TAT E A G E N T S

www.leeseandnagle.co.uk

Redland £499,000

Lovely 5 bedroom Victorian townhouse situated in a popular position within a few minute’s walk of Redland Green and local primary and secondary schools. The house is immaculately presented throughout and offers interconnecting reception rooms, good size kitchen breakfast room opening onto the rear garden. Upstairs over two floors are five bedrooms, the master with en suite, family bathroom and loo with basin on the top floor.

Stoke Bishop £400,000

A classic 1930’s detached family home located in this popular Stoke Bishop Road. A light and airy house offering ideal family living space with gas centrally heated accommodation briefly comprising: Reception Hall, Sitting Room, Separate Dining Room, Extended Kitchen, 3 Bedrooms and a generous Bathroom. Outside there are well tended mature gardens, the rear being a very good size indeed. A detached garage completes the picture.

Westbury-On-Trym £450,000

A charming coach house hugely extended and stylishly renovated by the current owners.

The accommodation is attractively presented throughout with contemporary kitchen opening into a dining area. Living Room and Sitting rooms opening onto the delightful garden. Upstairs are 4 bedrooms, one with an en-suite bathroom and a family bathroom.

Character in abundance!

Redland £895,000

Situated in Napier Road this superb family house offers flexible family orientated accommodation over three floors with part self contained potential. The house was sympathetically refurbished circa 10 years ago and makes full use of the 115ft long rear garden. Three principal reception rooms, kitchen opening into garden room, four main bedroom, two bathrooms and the flexibility of a converted lower floor. Off street parking and no onward chain.

Stoke Bishop £315,000

A lovely four bedroom house suitable for someone wanting to fix up a place to their own tastes! The house has been well cared for over the years but whilst clean and tidy is now dated. It has modern central heating and double glazing but at some stage would need rewiring, would benefit from new kitchen, bathroom and general redecoration. Quiet cul-desac location and walking distance of Stoke Bishop primary.

Westbury-on-Trym Offer over £500,000

Five bedroom Detached family home occupying a very generous plot with 112’ rear garden.

Capable of accommodating the largest of families the house comprises Entrance Porch, Entrance Hall, Cloakroom, Extended Dual Aspect Sitting Room, Separate Dining Room & Large Kitchen/ Breakfast Room. Upstairs you will find 5 bedrooms.The impressive rear garden is 112’ x 46’ and boasts generous lawned areas and well stocked borders, workshop and tandem length garage.

Here to accommodate.

Leese & Nagle Sept.indd 1

19/08/2011 09:52

6 1 A P S L E Y ROA D C L I F TO N B R I S TO L B S 8 2 S W

0117 974 1741

LEESE NAGLE E S TAT E A G E N T S

www.leeseandnagle.co.uk

Westbury-on-Trym £489,950

This is a lovely 1930’s four bedroom detached house that has been subject to much improvement in recent years whilst retaining its period charm. It provides comfortable, spacious accommodation ideally suited to families or discerning couples/individuals.The house is situated the most sought after end of this highly desirable road and is within walking distance of Elmlea School and also the local shops in Stoke Lane.

Westbury-On-Trym £330,000

This an attractive 1930’s 3 bed semi detached family house that backs onto Henleaze lake.

The property is presented to a good standard throughout. The accommodation comprises hallway, sitting room, family/dining room, kitchen, 3 bedrooms and family bathroom. The property also benefits from garage, parking space and a west facing rear garden backing onto Henleaze lake.

Westbury-on-Trym £530,000

Stunning Art-Deco inspired 4 bedroom 1930’s semi that has been sympathetically extended and modernised creating a superb family home. The house retains a wealth of period features and combines these with a thoroughly modern take on minimalist design. The centrepiece of which is the stunning 35’9 x 14’9 open plan kitchen/dining/family area extension to the side and rear with two sets of folding glass doors opening onto the rear garden. Two further reception rooms, cloakroom. Upstairs are four bedroom and a family bathroom.

Stoke Bishop £599,950

Modern executive detached house set behind a high hedge and electric gates ensuring privacy.

Central entrance hall with galleried landing. Sitting room, dining room and study. Kitchen breakfast room with adjoining utility and cloakroom. Upstairs the master bedroom has a walk in wardrobe and full en suite, guest room with en suite, two children’s bedrooms and bathroom.

Bedroom 5 is in the loft space.

Clifton £239,950

Well presented light and airy two double bedroom top floor flat with an allocated parking space situated on a popular side road within easy walking distance of the shops, restaurants and bars of Whiteladies Road and Clifton Village with Durdham Downs within a few minutes’ walk. The apartment has a spacious living room with dual aspect windows, modern kitchen with breakfast bar, two double bedrooms and a bathroom with shower over the bath.

Clifton £499,950

A stunning example of a refurbished 1970’s built mews house that has been professionally updated throughout by its interior designer owner using quality contemporary fixtures and fittings with a high level of attention to detail. Ideally suited as a Clifton pad for those downsizing or as an alternative to a large flat. Big open plan living space on the ground floor, sitting room, three bedrooms and bathroom. Under cover parking and a minute’s walk from Christchurch.

Here to accommodate.

Leese & Nagle Sept.indd 2

19/08/2011 09:52

Nuffield Health fp 1.indd 1

18/08/2011 13:35