The Bristol Magazine September 2023

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

Bristol-based mural painter Zoë Power on creating distinctive designs SOULS

Inside Bristol’s electrifying Northern Soul scene

SEPTEMBER THINGS

The South West’s biggest Annual Open Exhibition returns to the Royal West of England Academy for 170th year

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

SEPTEMBER

2023

16 38

46 AUTUMN LEAVES

The brilliant team at Gloucester Road Books suggest five new novels to keep you entertained this Autumn season

48 POWER OF CONNECTION

We catch up with the Truespeed team to discover how they connect the South West’s hardest-to-reach festival

50 IN FLIGHT

10 CITYIST

Meet Bristol artist and the RWA’s Marketing Manager, Hemali Modha

16 SOULS A’FIRE

As Bristol finds itself home to one of the UK’s leading Northern Soul scenes, we meet the founder of the the city’s much-loved club

24 DYRHAM PARK REWORK’D

Dyrham Park is sparkling with 17th-century life once more thanks to a massive project to revitalise the baroque house 28 WHAT’S ON

Book your tickets! Discover all the great things to see and do

34 ARTS & EXHIBITIONS

What’s showing at our local galleries

38 POWER TO THE PEOPLE

Local mural painter Zoë Power talks creating distinctive designs in Bristol and beyond

42 RIDING THE RAILS

As Westbury Village welcomes new art café, Goldfinch Create & Play, founder Nicole Strong tells us more

52 GREENHOUSE LEARNING

Owners Rachael and Chin Tan on helping students to flourish

56 EDUCATION SPECIAL

Step inside some of Bristol’s brilliant schools

74 SALON SECRETS

Celebrity hairdresser Michael Douglas shares his expert tips

86 GARDENING

Elly West pinpoints where to find armfuls of delicious treats

ON THE COVER

from the

EDITOR

Although January represents a ‘blank slate’ – a whole new year full of anticipation and possibilities – the optimist in me looks forward to September for its back-toschool quality brings a sense of new beginnings and fresh starts. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in something new, stretch your imagination, or expand your horizons, this issue is packed full of ideas. Take Bristol’s Northern Soul Club, for example.

Northern Soul emerged from the British mod scene during the 1960s. After developing in cities like Manchester, Blackpool and Stoke-onTrent, the Northern Soul scene has now found a home in Bristol almost 60 years on. This month, Isabelle Blakeney caught up with the founder of the club, Bristol-based DJ and dancer Levanna McLean, to talk about how special the club has become to the city and its members and how it’s now a place where people go to be moved by the music, the culture and the community. The joy is palpable. Read all about it on p.16.

Elsewhere in the magazine, we’re celebrating the return of the South West’s biggest Annual Open Exhibition for its 170th year, arriving at the RWA on 9 September. Our front cover is adorned with the work of UWE graduate, Leslie Glenn Damhus. Leslie’s work will be joined at the RWA by 600 other pieces from emerging and established artists. Delve into the exhibition on p.36.

From painting on canvas to printing on the city street, the work of Bristol-based mural painter, illustrator and lettering artist Zoë Power continues to pop up across the West Country – most recently in Bath. On p.38, we get to know the local artist behind some of Bristol’s most distinctive designs.

And as always, these pages are bursting with things to see and do in and around Bristol this month. I hope you enjoy the issue. It’s my last after the most fantastic couple of years in this seat. A huge thank you to all who have helped create the magazine every month, it’s been an absolute pleasure to meet so many and call this city home. See you around!

Publisher Steve Miklos

Email: steve@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Financial Director Jane Miklos

Email: jane@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Editor Millie Bruce-Watt

Tel: 0117 974 2800

Email: millie@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Assistant Editor/Web Editor Isabelle Blakeney

Email: isabelle@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Production Manager Jeff Osborne

Email: production@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Advertising Sales Liz Grey liz@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

For advertising enquiries please contact us on: 0117 974 2800

Email: sales@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

The Bristol Magazine is published by MC Publishing Ltd. An independent publisher.

Every month The Bristol Magazine is hand delivered to more than 15,000 homes in selected areas. We also deliver direct to companies and businesses across the city. Additionally there are many places where we have floor-stands and units for free pick-up:

Millie Bruce-Watt

Read about the Bristol Northern Soul Club on p. 16

things to do in September 5

Join

Watch

From 13 –30 September, Bristol Old Vic presents a new comedy musical, Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder! BFFs Kathy and Stella host Hull’s least successful true-crime podcast. When their favourite author is killed, they are thrust into a thrilling whodunnit of their own. Can they crack the case (and become global podcast superstars) before the killer strikes again…?

A hilarious murder mystery musical from the Olivier Award-winning team behind Fleabag, Baby Reindeer and A Super Happy Story (AboutFeeling SuperSad).

• Book your tickets at: bristololdvic.org.uk

Get involved

Sustainable Fashion Week, running from 25 September to 8 October, is the only fashion week of its kind. This year’s programme will be exploding across the UK in September and October, working in partnership with organisations in different regions to inspire, upskill and empower people to take action and boldly demand a fashion industry that is clean, green and fair.

This year, the theme celebrates everything preloved, secondhand, handed-down, reworked and reworn. Activities will be hosted by organisations, individuals, brands, local authorities, creative spaces and community groups, all coming together to fight climate change –and looking good doing it.

• For more information, visit: sustainablefashionweek.uk

MOHIITO, a boutique fitness studio in Clifton, is launching a series of new classes. Bringing together the power of personal training, with the energy, support and community of group fitness classes, the studio offers a full range of premium workout classes, with small numbers and personal attention, alongside tailored workout plans created by expert coaches designed to match your goals, budget and schedule.

Head down to the studio’s free event on 29 and 30 September to try reformer pilates, HIIT, barre, and boxing –enjoy taster classes, giveaways and goodie bags!

• Book a spot at mohiito.com

Listen

Professor Turi King is a scientist, presenter, speaker and author who is passionate about communicating science to the public. She will be appearing at 1532 Theatre (Bristol Grammar School) on Friday 23 September at 7.30pm.

Turi uses genetics in the fields of forensics, history, genealogy and archaeology. She is perhaps best known for her work “cracking one of the biggest forensic DNA cases in history” (Globeand Mail, February 2013) leading the genetics and identification of the remains of King Richard III.

Turi features in the BBC’s DNA Family Secrets alongside Stacey Dooley, and Lucy Worsley in her series UnsolvedHistories. She also presented the Radio 4 documentary Genetics and the LongerArmoftheLaw, among many others.

• Book your tickets at: 1532bristol.co.uk. Image credit: Jonathan Sisson

Enjoy

Fresh from its sell-out run at the Alma Theatre and The Mission Theatre during Bath Fringe 2023, Bluffing Your Way In Ballet is now arriving at Tobacco Factory on 30 September and The Hen & Chicken on 1 October. The show pirouettes its fast-paced and irreverent way through the history of this most dynamic of performing arts, with stories and dances from the ballet greats including Isadora Duncan, Anna Pavlova, Vaslav Nijinsky, Marie Rambert – and Darcey Bussell.

Producer Alexandra Pickford danced with The Royal Ballet Company and English National Ballet and is delighted to share her knowledge and experiences with audiences. The fabulous Seizing The Day Company will perform – in avant-garde fashion – the intrigue, tragedy, and magic of ballet’s greatest stars, past and present.

• Book your tickets at: tobaccofactorytheatres.com; henandchicken.com

BRISTOL THE CITYist

My

Join the ‘UK’s most exciting choir’ this September

Some Voices, named “the UK’s most exciting non-audition pop choir” by BBC Radio, will be bringing its unique blend of feelgood music and uplifting party vibes to Bristol this September.

Known as a choir ‘without the boring bits’, Some Voices is a nontraditional choir with a mission to be inclusive to all. It started as a small group of friends meeting to sing and socialise in London in 2010, but quickly grew after people fell in love with their incredible vocal arrangements, clubbing-like gigs and an eclectic repertoire that spans disco, pop, folk, hip hop, rap, indie and more.

Now rehearsing in 24 different locations across the UK, Some Voices will be opening a new choir on Monday evenings at Alma Church in Clifton from the 11th September. Each term is themed and will culminate in a high-energy performance at a local venue. Previous themes have included ‘Choir Clubland’, with a performance at Heaven nightclub and ‘Choir Actually,’ a live performance of the Love Actually soundtrack last December.

Some Voices is also in high demand as a performance choir, and has recently sung with Sam Ryder and Mika, to name just a few.

• New members can try out the choir for free in a taster session. Find out more at somevoices.co.uk/bristol

I arrived in Bristol in the mid-90s after a year long art residency in Spain. The idea was to hang out in Bristol for a while before heading to London to resume work as a Lecturer in Art and continue practicing art. I got to Bristol and never left. I fell in love with the energy and vibe, the café culture felt so bohemian and not that different to that of Spain. I describe Bristol as a collection of closely packed villages with each district having its own distinct character and flavour. You are never short of things to do, places to go and people to see. I feel incredibly lucky to be living in a city that is so vibrant and rich in art and culture.

I’ve worked in so many different fields – all of which I’ve loved and learnt from. I’ve worked in the newsroom at the BBC, lectured in Art design, I got involved with websites and web development in its infancy and went on to head up the web department of a design agency before setting up one of my own. In 2019, I closed the doors of my women’s clothing boutique Amulet after 10 years. It had been the perfect business to run while I brought up my children but I had a strong desire to get back to creating art. I’m lucky to have a studio in my garden which means that I don’t have far to go when inspiration strikes. When the opportunity at the RWA came along it felt like a dream job where I could combine my experience in business, and digital communications with my knowledge of and passion for the arts.

My natural perfume brand, Jones and Modha was several years in development before we launched it in 2020. I set it up with my friend Catrin who is one-half of Papadeli, located on Alma Road. We both found we couldn’t tolerate commercial, synthetic perfumes after having children. Our search for more natural alternatives revealed that the beauty industry use of the word ‘natural’ was often quite misleading. With little success in finding a truly natural alternative on the market, we decided to create our own. Sadly, the price of the raw natural ingredients in our perfume has gone up exponentially, which means that once this batch has run out, we’ll have to pause production until prices stabilise again.

At the RWA I’m busy with the 170th Annual Open Exhibition and the Secret Postcard Auction. Both are major highlights in the RWA calendar. We received a record-breaking number of entries in this year’s Annual Open and over 600 pieces will be displayed in our galleries. The Secret Postcard Auction is a fun and exciting fundraiser for the RWA and launches on 28

October. Last year we had work sent in by Sir Frank Bowling RA, Eileen Cooper RA, Gilbert & George RA, David Remfry RA and Maggie Hambling to name but a few. As the name suggests the artist behind the work is not revealed and all work is available online to receive bids. It’s very exciting watching the bidding towards the end as savvy art collectors try and outbid one another in the hope of owning a great work of art. It’s a brilliant way to support the RWA while at the same time picking up a fabulous piece of art so it’s a win-win.

Being so busy at work has meant there’s been less time in the studio recently but I’m finding moments to work on an exciting commission piece for a new collector. After that, I’ll be concentrating on getting work ready for the North Bristol Arts trail at the end of November. It’s my favourite trail where I get to exhibit on my home turf.

I’ve recently discovered Audible and am on a second listen of Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It’s a fascinating book around the premise that humans were built to run, we’ve just forgotten how. I’m re-listening to it in the hope I’ll get my running mojo back.

If I could have dinner with anyone from any era, it would be Georgia O’Keeffe, Helen Frankenthaler, Angela Carter, and Tracy Emin. I admire all these women for being trailblazers, walking their own paths and not being dissuaded by their critics.

My philosophy in life is: be kind, be generous and believe that anything is possible when you put your focus and energy into it.

Meet Bristol artist and RWA Marketing Manager, Hemali Modha

Rare wooden car made by Bristol teacher goes under the hammer

A unique opportunity to purchase a very special

hand-made six-wheeled 1988 Hustler kit car as designed by William Towns and built by John Brazier of Bristol is coming up at the Auctioneum in Bath on 1 September.

Less than 400 are thought to have been built, many of those being fibreglass. This 1988 example is one of just a handful of all-wood versions built with a wooden monocoque design, wooden body panels and fully wooden interior and fitted with a 1.3l Austin Allegro engine, with Mini wheel subframes to the front and rear.

John Brazier was an ex-Rolls Royce engineer who, during the 1960s, helped to work on Concorde. He later became a woodwork and metal work teacher at Brislington Comprehensive for many years. This Hustler was lovingly engineered and built over three summers in the mid-1980s and went on to serve as the main family vehicle for over thirteen years –taking the Brazier family the length and breadth of the country on various holidays. It has remained in dry storage since the early 2000s.

Fitted with Allegro seats, the vehicle can sit up to eight occupants –two in the front, two in the middle and twin bench seats to the rear can accommodate a further four passengers. The attention to detail within the vehicle is second to none –Brazier even hand-making the gear knob, handbrake handle and steering wheel from wood. Fitted with a period tape deck, the dashboard features pull-down glove compartments with inset cup holders. Brazier is keen to point out that it never failed an MOT in its working life.

• The auction will take place on 1 September at the Auctioneum in Bath. BBC Bargain Hunt will be filming at this auction. For more information, visit: eastbristol.co.uk. Credit: East Bristol Auctions/Auctioneum

It’s time, Gromit… new sculpture trail announced for 2025

This summer marks 10 years since the first Gromit Unleashed trail and, to celebrate, The Grand Appeal and Aardman have revealed that the next sculpture trail will be hitting the streets of Bristol in 2025.

The new Gromit Unleashed trail will come hot on the heels of Aardman’s new Wallace & Gromit feature film, set for release in 2024.

The original 80-strong sculpture trail of Bristol’s most popular pup in the Summer of 2013 attracted 1.2 million visitors and raised an astonishing £2.3 million at auction alone. While it took the city by storm a decade ago, event trail organisers, The Grand Appeal didn’t realise what a phenomenon this would become. Since 2013, Gromit Unleashed has generated over £20 million for The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity.

Planning for the hotly anticipated 2025 trail is now underway.

• The Grand Appeal plans to announce further details in due course. But, in the meantime, sponsors, artists and those wishing to get involved in Gromit Unleased 2025 should visit: gromitunleashed.org.uk

Bristol Ideas: Baldwin in Bristol

In partnership with arts and cultural organisations around the city, Bristol Ideas has launched a series of films, spoken word events, performances and panel discussions to celebrate the life and work of James Baldwin ahead of the centenary of the birth of the great American writer and civil rights activist in 2024.

In October, Bristol Ideas will be hosting Baldwin in Bristol, a long weekend of events around the city. James Baldwin –one of the best, most passionate, honest and committed writers of the 20th century – remains essential reading 26 years after his death. His novels and essays made a significant impact on the culture in his time and are more relevant today than ever. He taught generations of readers and campaigners the realities of racism and how we might find ways to move forwards.

From 19-22 October, Bristol will play host to a performance of the american vicarious’s radically staged production of Debate: Baldwin vs Buckley following a critically acclaimed run in New York City and London; a cabaret night of poetry; dance and drag celebrating the great writer; and an exploration of Baldwin and cities on film.

• For more information about the events and to see the full programme, visit: bristolideas.co.uk

Image credit: James Baldwin, 1969 by Allan Warren; Wikimedia

Founder of Bristol Northern Soul Club, Levanna Mclean

Images courtesey of Bristol Northern Soul Club

Spirit of soul

In the mid 1960s, a music and dance movement called Northern Soul swept across the Midlands and North of England. Now, 60 years later, Bristol finds itself home to one of the UK’s leading Northern Soul scenes. Words by Isabelle

Northern Soul emerged from the British mod scene as young people began to reject mainstream chart music in search of something unique. The subculture –centred around underground Black American soul music with a heavy beat and fast tempo –quickly developed in some of the UK’s northern cities including Manchester, Blackpool and Stoke-on-Trent. Its distinct dance style, which incorporated karate kicks, flips, spins, and backdrops, made it instantly recognisable.

Today, almost 60 years since its inception, the scene is evergrowing, bringing together dancers and music-lovers from all generations in cities across the country. In July, the BBC even hosted its first ever Northern Soul Prom, adding symphonic touches to the classic songs.

What’s more, this month (23 September) marks the 50th anniversary of the original and most legendary Northern Soul club, Wigan Casino. As fans flock to celebrate the anniversary with a huge soul festival in Blackpool, we take a closer look at the Northern Soul scene in Bristol, which has become home to one of the UK’s leading clubs.

Founded by Bristol-based DJ and dancer Levanna McLean and her mum, Eve, together they run monthly club nights at the Old Market Assembly and fortnightly dance workshops at Attic Bar. Levanna found fame on the internet in 2012 when she started posting videos of her dancing. Since then, she’s performed with Pharrell Williams at the 2014 Brit Awards and has curated Northern Soul compilation albums. Here, we catch up with Levanna to talk all about her love for the soulful sounds and what led her to starting the city’s muchloved club...

Where did you first come across Northern Soul, and what initially attracted you to the scene?

I heard about it from my mum, and when I hit my teens, I started to explore music and came across the YouTube videos. From there, I went to my first all-nighter and was instantly hooked. Northern Soul is a very exciting culture and has so many different things –the records, the dancing, the people, the community –and it’s just so much fun. There’s always music to discover and it just keeps getting better.

Tell us about how you came to found the Bristol Northern Soul Club, what the scene was like in Bristol before the club started, and what you wanted to achieve with the club nights and dance workshops…

We started the Bristol Northern Soul Club because we wanted to put on a good-quality music event with some of the true aspects of the original Northern Soul scene, where people could be moved by the music, the culture and the community. If we were going to do Northern Soul, we wanted it to be in the best way possible, combining authentic style with a fresh outlook. People say they feel a lot of love in the room and are amazed to see a whole room of people dancing. It’s such a good feeling to create that, and each

Blakeney

time it seems to get better and better as more people are getting into it. The dance workshops are another way to connect with people interested in Northern Soul, and it’s an opportunity for people to get to know each other. Our main aim is to give people confidence. The workshops are such a success –they are always sold out, and they’re not like lessons, but just about having fun. The club has been extremely popular with dancers of all ages. Were you surprised by the reception?

We wanted everyone to enjoy the club and dancing is an essential part of Northern Soul, so we hoped to see it happen. Our intention was to create a safe space where people feel free to express themselves. We know that when a few people start dancing, everyone just gets involved. It’s beautiful to see, because the whole club is dancing most of the time, and that is something that doesn’t happen everywhere.

In July, Dave Evison, an original Wigan Casino DJ, came to play at The Old Market Assembly. How much continuity is there between the original scene and now, and how would you say the UK scene has evolved over the years?

The UK Scene has spanned 60 years so there is such a long story of Northern Soul, it’s going to always be there. It’s changed over the years, andis changing even more now due to the internet. Hosting some of the original DJs gives our nights lots of context. The new crowd listens to everything they have to say, and can feel immersed in the history. We have taken the best elements of the original scene and created something modern, which is really attractive to newcomers and we think there is a whole new chapter to come.

Bristol is leading the way in creating a new Northern Soul scene of young people. Why do you think that Bristol has taken to it so much?

Bristol is a busy music city with lots of things going on but we are offering something that didn’t exist and is really fresh –the opportunity for young people to enjoy Northern Soul on their doorstep. We have helped to encourage young people to get involved. We now have at least 10 young DJs playing Northern Soul and lots of great dancers so a strong Bristol scene is really starting to take shape here.

‘It’s a super open-hearted, welcoming environment, and people are just pouring their hearts out. It gives you goose bumps...”

- Olive, Northern Soul Club regular

Can you tell us about how you came to perform on stage with Pharrell Williams at the 2014 Brit Awards?

I uploaded a Northern Soul dance video and partly used one of Pharrell Williams’s songs. He heard about it and invited me to join him on stage at the Brits as part of his grand finale. It was a huge highlight for me and my journey with Northern Soul has led to many exciting projects. It’s easy to see once you are into the genre just how much it has influenced things from fashion to music –you can see it everywhere.

How would you summarise the importance and the meaning of Northern Soul to you?

Northern Soul is a way of life, cliché as that is, it tends to become your identity and what you stand for. The idea of searching out something you wouldn’t normally be presented with, digging deeper, and wanting to understand more about music and yourself, is really what Northern Soul does. It changes the way you think and the way you feel.

Where do you see the UK scene going and what are your hopes for the future of the Bristol Northern Soul Club as you approach its two-year anniversary?

The UK scene will continue to grow, and we think that Bristol may become a destination for it as our club nights are exciting with lots of enthusiasm at our club. We have seen young people get into it and adopt an entire lifestyle around it, which was what happened back in the day. We think young people in Bristol are going to embrace it even more and there will be a very strong contingent who start getting passionate about Northern Soul. It will be very exciting to watch. The Bristol scene is now taking on a life of its own and friendships and groups are forming based on a love of soul music, exactly how it all began in the 60s. This year we were nominated finalists for a best event award and we hope to keep offering high-quality events for people to enjoy.

And finally, can you tell me the top three tracks that you’re spinning right now?

Joshua – Language of Love

Candace Love –

WonderfulNight

The Tempests – Someday

• Bristol Northern Soul Club runs events on the first Saturday of each month at The Old Market Assembly, with dance workshops every other Tuesday at Attic Bar. Stay up to date on Facebook: Bristol Northern Soul Club and Instagram: @bristolnorthernsoulclub n

Jason

A Northern Soul dance workshop Photo: Tom Richards

“Nothern Soul nights are great all roundone of the best nights in Bristol. And with young and old, it’s what you want to see- intergenerational...”

- James, Northern Soul Club regular

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NEWS FROM THE CITY

Recipe: Rocky Road (makes 12 bars)

This sweet treat doesn’t even require any baking!

1. Line an 18cm square baking tin with baking paper.

2. Melt 135g butter, 200g dark chocolate and 3 tbsp golden syrup together in a small pan over a gentle heat, stirring constantly until the chocolate has melted.

Townhouse Nails opens in Clifton

Townhouse, the ultimate destination for luxurious nail care, has opened a new salon in Clifton. This opening signifies a significant milestone for Townhouse as they further expand their presence in Bristol, alongside Townhouse Cribbs Causeway, located in H Beauty at The Mall.

The new salon nestled in the heart of Clifton and just a short stroll from The Ivy Clifton, opened earlier this month, bringing Townhouse's industry-leading technology, chic interiors, and impeccable manicures and pedicures to the area.

48 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4JG; townhouse.co.uk

MAGAZINE KIOSK

From Magalleria:

curated by Daniel McCabe

The Travel Almanac is a handsome, hardcover US/German magazine focused not so much on travel itself but on the idea of temporary habitation and location. In doing so it declares itself ‘the first true post-tourism publication’.

The magazine is wholly interview-driven and the 22nd issue (titled ‘Performance’) features innovative and visceral choreographer Damien Jalet, contemporary artist Elizabeth Peyton, model and TikTok influencer Alex Consani, model, actress and singer Lourdes Leon (daughter of Madonna) and the unique activist, artist and vocalist ANOHNI; £17, store.magalleria.co.uk

3. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Meanwhile, put 200g Rich Tea or digestive biscuits in a freezer bag and bash with a rolling pin until the biscuits are broken into a mixture of chunks and dust, and tip the lot into a large bowl. When the butter/chocolate/syrup mixture has cooled down, pour it into the biscuit crumble and stir well.

4. Add 100g mini marshmallows (or whole marshmallows, chopped) along with up to around 100g of popcorn, chopped nuts, sultanas or crumbled honeycomb (or a mixed selection of all of them, if you have them to hand!).

5. Stir again to thoroughly combine all the ingredients and press the mixture into the prepared tin, spreading it out to reach the corners. 6. Chill for at least 2 hours before dusting with icing sugar and cutting into 12 bars.

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Dyrham Park Rework’d

Dyrham Park is sparkling with 17th-century life once more thanks to a massive project to revitalise, restore and reimagine the baroque house. Following the roof replacement in 2016, plans have been underway to re-present the house as created by owner William Blathwayt in the late 1600s by telling its stories, showcasing its collection and highlighting its historic features. Here, Dyrham Park’s Property Curator, Eilidh Auckland, takes us inside...

Tell us about some of the main features that have been restored and conserved at the 17th century baroque house, including the beautifully crafted trompe-l’oeil screen that has been created to represent Blathwayt’s highly-ornate long-lost Japan Closet...

The historic interiors have been transformed, with the removal of the 1930s and 1970s wallpapers and paint, and the reintroduction of beautifully painted walnut and oak panelling. The Japan Closet, which was created in the 1690s, but removed by the Victorian owners, has been re-imagined with a large-scale installation of a partition decorated to evoke the long lost interior. This small room was the inner sanctum of William Blathwayt, owner and creator of Dyrham Park in the late 17th century. The Japanese and Chinese influenced décor was highly fashionable and expensive to achieve. The room would have been furnished with Chinese porcelain, lacquered cabinets and silk wall hangings.

Experiencing the house now appears to be multi-sensory. What can visitors expect to see/feel/hear/smell when they visit the house?

A visit to the house will involve all the senses. From bird song and harpsichord music to viewfinders, buttons to press and objects to pick up from newly installed information stands. Visitors will have the chance to follow their own self-led trails, speak to volunteers, read the room information, or just wander and enjoy the fascinating rooms.

Following the restoration, how has the history of the house been brought to life, and the artefacts within it properly represented, shared and interpreted?

The most significant period in the history of the house is the late 17th century during which time the country was experiencing turmoil, both at home and abroad. Events such as the Glorious Revolution in 1688 leading to a new form of monarchy and parliament, the growth of overseas colonies and trading routes,

wars being funded by the newly formed Bank of England and the development of the stock exchange in Britain are all stories that can be told in the house. Through objects, exhibitions and tours the events of this pivotal period of history are brought to life. The National Trust is researching the history of William Blathwayt and his role as a senior colonial administrator, secretary to War and acting Secretary of State, to understand the connections between Dyrham Park in the late 17th century and how those events led to the Britain we know today.

What does the new adjoining exhibition include and what are some of the must-see collections and items?

The exhibition focuses on the life and career of William Blathwayt and can be found in a suite of rooms on the ground floor, accessible from the garden. In the display, visitors can see Blathwayt’s pistols, the architect’s drawings of his house and some of his finest delftware ceramics. Within the house you can see the paintings and furniture of the late17th century, along with later paintings of the Blathwayt family.

View of the house through autumn trees at Dyrham ©National Trust Images Cara Laver

What activities are now available for visitors?

In one room, visitors are invited to try on a selection of wigs and pose behind an opaque screen to have a silhouette photograph of their profile. A popular art in the 18th century, though just beginning to take hold at the time Dyrham Park was completed. We also welcome visitors to leave their comments in the form of a note to William Blathwayt. What would you like to say to the owner of Dyrham Park?

What changes have been made to the gardens, play areas and café at Old Lodge?

The Old Lodge farm buildings are midway between the car park and the house in the middle of the 270 acres of parkland. Now, visitors can spend time relaxing in the new café, which sells sandwiches, snacks, cakes and drinks whilst their children burn off some energy in the play area. An ice-cream kiosk provides that added refreshment before heading out into the park to enjoy the far-reaching views over to Wales. The renovations included the introduction of toilet facilities so there is no need to rush back to the carpark after your coffee.

Visitors in the newly re-grained Great Hall at Dyrham Park ©National Trust Images James Dobson

What work is taking place on the secret passage that links the house to the village church and to the walls in the house’s Gilt Leather Parlour?

The Gilt Leather Parlour is the largest of the parlours in the house and is the home of the library collection. Blathwayt once owned over 2,000 books, many of which have been sold over the years. In 2022, we reacquired some of those books and these will be on display along with copies of the Blathwayt atlas and replicas of books from his collection. There are also two new globes which are replicas of globes from 1688s, made for King Louis XIV. These show the world as William Blathwayt knew it, when vast tracts of Australia and America had yet to be mapped. Beyond the Gilt Leather Parlour is a passage that connects the house to the parish church of St Peter. The passage has recently had the roof repaired and re-plastered and it is hoped that in future we will be able to open the space up to enable visitors to enjoy the lovely views of the garden.

What are some of Dyrham Park’s best autumn walks?

Dyrham Park in autumn is a must see, with hundreds of mature trees, newly planted avenues and misty vistas across the fields. You can enjoy the autumn colours and get some fresh air on the circular walks. The best walk features views over to Wales, a topographic point on a hill top to identify the distant hills, as well as the handy café at Old Lodge in the parkland. There are set walks to follow, downloadable from the website or set out in a leaflet which you can pick up on arrival. Alternatively, you can wander at leisure or join a guided walk through the parkland, around the garden or around the village of Dyrham. Please check the website for details and times. n

• The work in the baroque house is part of a site-wide project called Dyrham Park Rework’d, which aims to create an engaging and meaningful journey into the 17th century. Next on the list is the laying of a 17th-century parterre, topiary and paving on the West Terrace, creating a striking approach to the house.

Dyrham Park is open daily from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm. The house is open from 11.30am. For more information, visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/bath-bristol/dyrham-park; Dyrham Park, Dyrham, South Gloucestershire, SN14 8HY.

The Old Staircase at Dyrham Park ©National Trust Images James Dobson

Autumn parkland ©National Trust Images Emma Weston

The new cafe at the Old Lodge at Dyrham Park ©National Trust Images James Dobson

New features in the house at Dyrham Park ©National Trust Images James Dobson

WHAT’S ON

Bristol Bridge Club

n Weekly from 6 September, Bristol Bridge Club is running weekly beginners lessons starting Wednesday 6 September at 7.30pm. There are 10 sessions; £8 per session or £70 for all 10 sessions. Each session is two hours long. Contact Stuart at teaching@bristolbridgeclub.co.uk for registration and further details.

JP Cooper

n 7 September, Trinity Centre

John Paul Cooper is an English singer and songwriter from Manchester. He is best known for featuring on the Jonas Blue single Perfect Strangers, but he may now be scoring multi-platinium hits and collaborating with the likes of Stormzy. JP’s soul music with Alternative rock influences, Tropical house touches and pop is built on his values –positivity, empathy and soul. trinitybristol.org.uk

Bristol Hi-Fi: Mad Professor & Sista

Aisha + more

n 8 September, The Old Market Assembly

Bristol Hi-Fi presents Mad Professor & Sista Aisha on 8 September at The Old Market Assembly. A disciple of Lee “Scratch” Perry, Mad Professor was one of the leading producers in dub reggae’s second generation. His Dub Me Crazy albums helped dub make the transition into the digital age, when electronic productions started to take over mainstream reggae in

the ’80s. For 8 September, Mad Professor is bringing Sister Aisha on vocals. Working together since the ‘80s, their combo of digital dub and angelic vocals is legendary. oldmarketassembly.co.uk

Bristol Film Festival: Good Will Hunting

n 12 September, Averys Wine Merchants

These intimate screenings will celebrate a diverse range of films that the festival team have personally selected; from genre highlights to foreign cinema, to underrated classics to indie gems, the team will be showing a mix of great cinema that deserves a wider audience. Every screening includes an arrival drink and an introduction explaining the context and significance of the chosen film.

As we move into the autumn, the festival is revisiting the powerful and poignant drama GoodWillHunting. This film made household names of its writers and costars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, but it’s the Oscar-winning performance from the late, great Robin Williams that completes the picture and makes this such a heartwarming, moving and engrossing modern classic. bristolfilmfestival.com

The Bevis Frond

n 14 September, The Louisiana

The Bevis Frond (guitarist and songwriter extraordinaire Nick Saloman) have ultimately become the UK’s leading underground psychedelic rock band. Their music is an iconoclastic collision of distinctly British psychedelia, space-rock,

grunge, slow-burning soulful laments, even grizzled folk and more than occasional moments of sublime pop genius. thelouisiana.net

Matt Corby

n 18 September, O2 Academy Bristol

His soulful, beachy sound has mesmerised audiences across the world and now, Australian artist Matt Corby is back with his third album Everything’s Fine. academymusicgroup.com

AW23 Trunk Show

n 20 September, Second Floor Restaurant

It’s showtime at Harvey Nichols Bristol! Calling all fashion lovers –join the Harvey Nichols personal shopping team for the AW23 Trunk Show. Enjoy a drinks and canapé reception at the Second Floor Restaurant while discovering the top trends of the new season. Tickets are £15 per person, and customers will receive triple points on all purchases made during the event, and for one post-event. eventbrite.com

Unicornfest: Farewell Festival

n 23 & 24 September, Propyard

Join UnicornFest on the 23 & 24 September for a Farewell Festival at Propyard, Bristol. Here, all 60 large unicorns will gather for the final time accompanied by over 40+ foals. Looking to buy a unicorn at auction? Head to Propyard on 5 October –buy your tickets at: theunicornfest.co.uk

Matt Corby at 02 Academy Bristol on 18 September

Bristol Sea Shanty Festival

n 23 September, Brunel Square and Underfall Yard

The City of Bristol has an incredible maritime history, shown off along two nautical miles of harbourside that just keeps getting better and better. And given that we have more salty singing talent than any other city in the UK as well as the very best sea shanty crews, groups and choirs from counties within a day’s sail, it’s crying out for a maritime music celebration. bristolshantyfestival.co.uk

Tetbury Music Festival

n 23 September –1 October, The Goods Shed Arts Centre, Tetbury and St Mary’s Church, Tetbury

The Tetbury Music Festival, always a highlight of the autumn calendar, brings a week of fine music and meeting friends. Includes pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason on 28 September, The Doric Street Quartet on 29 September, and cellist Steven Isserlis and pianist Connie Shih on 30 September. tetburymusicfestival.org

Angela Barnes: Hot Mess

n 24 September, Tobacco Factory Theatres

Angela Barnes (MockTheWeek, Liveatthe Apollo, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and former chair of BBC Radio 4’s The NewsQuiz) has good intentions but trying to live your best life, as it turns out, is really hard. Stand-up, stories and jokes from “…a gloriously down-to-earth, straight-talking and extremely funny comic” (The Guardian). tobaccofactorytheatres.com

The Last Waltz

n 24 September, Watershed

More than just one of the greatest concert films ever made, The Last Waltz is an ecstatic and elegiac summation of a vital era in American rock music. Invited to capture the farewell performance of the legendary group

The Band at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom on Thanksgiving in 1976, Martin Scorsese conceived a new kind of music documentary. Enlisting seven camera operators and production designer Boris Leven to design the strikingly theatrical sets,

Scorsese created a grandly immersive experience that brings viewers onstage and inside the music itself. watershed.co.uk

Bristol Tree Craft:

Bowl Carving Workshop (18+)

n 30 September, Bridge Farm, BS16 1BQ

This full day workshop will give you everything you need to turn a log into a beautiful handmade bowl. Using traditional heritage techniques you will shape your bowl from locally sourced green (fresh) wood using an axe, draw knife and various gouges. Bristol Tree Craft is a not for profit community interest company. Ticket costs from these courses go towards funding its community outreach work with disadvantaged young people and refugees/asylum seekers. Book your space at: bristoltreecraft.co.uk

Writing on Water

n 30 September, John Sebastian Lightship

Taking place on Saturday 30 September from 10am-3.30pm, the Writing on Water workshop invites prose writers, poets and the write-curious (anyone interested in writing) to come together for a voyage of discovery aboard the John Sebastian Lightship, moored in central Bristol, with plenty of time to write fuelled by homemade cake, plus an inspiration-gathering harbourside walk. Start the day gently with two readings from the hosts author Judy Darley and poet Helen Sheppard, before exploring different ways of using water to shine up themes in your writing. eventbrite.co.uk

COMING SOON

Seasons of Life and Leaf

n 1 October, St George’s Bristol

A musical journey through life, mirrored in the ever-changing features of the seasons in choral works and readings from Europe, Asia, North America and Africa, including a new work by Roxanna Panufnik, performed by Bristol’s accomplished chamber choir. Tickets £12 to £21 (plus St George’s booking fees) from 0117 929 4929 or online at stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Comedian Angela Barnes at Tobacco Factory Theatres on 24 September

The Last Waltz is showing at Watershed on 24 September

FAMILY DIARY

DISCOVER THE BEST THINGS TO SEE & DO WITH THE FAMILY THIS MONTH

hit West End and Broadway productions to combine the memorable songs from the original 1970’s motion picture (TheCandy Man and PureImagination) with all new numbers from the multi award-winning songwriters of Hairspray

An Evening in Ancient Woodland

n 21 September, Bristol Zoo Project

Experience the serene and tranquil beauty of Bristol Zoo Project after closing time, surrounded by only animals and nature. Walk through Bear Wood where you will find European brown bears, wolves, lynxes and wolverines, and hear a special talk from one of their keepers. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about these amazing animals.

Wake The Tiger Amazement Park

n Throughout September, Albert Road

From the artistic team behind the groundbreaking festival, Boomtown Fair, journey to the world of Meridia. Having spent over a decade creating one of the most large scale immersive festival experiences in the world, the team wanted to expand and diversify their creative potential by establishing a year round arts and events venue where audiences can experience the work in a nonfestival environment. wakethetiger.com

Scribble and Sketch

n Once a month, various locations

Join the RWA’s Scribble and Sketch artists at locations across the city on Saturdays once a month for free family workshops. These sessions are designed for children and grown-ups to take part in together –everyone is welcome. Admission is free. No pre-booking required. Suitable for all ages, children must be supervised. rwa.org.uk

Birthday Banquet Blunder

n Throughout September, SS Great Britain

Take part in Birthday Banquet Blunder, a family food trail helping the ship’s Second Cook Joseph Blanchard to save the ship’s birthday dinner. The first cook has been causing havoc. Yesterday he made tea with seawater and the passengers complained. Now he’s lost six important ingredients for the ship’s birthday dinner. What’s worse he’s left his post. Explore the ship, read the clues and help Joseph Blanchard to locate the missing ingredients. ssgreatbritain.org

Wild Wonder at Westonbirt

n 15 –17 September, Westonbirt Arboretum

Featuring an all-star line-up of children’s authors, TV personalities and illustrators, family book festival Wild Wonder at Westonbirt children’s book festival returns to Westonbirt, The National Arboretum from 15 –17 September. This festival is all set to celebrate and encourage children's joy of reading, inspired by nature and wildlife. For more information, visit: forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/wild-wonder

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

n 20 September –8 October, Bristol Hippodrome

Escape to a world of pure imagination with Roald Dahl’s Charlie and The Chocolate Factory – The Musical. Based on the iconic story, this spectacular stage show follows the

As you continue your journey to the Bear Wood classroom, you’ll be joined by Jen Nightingale, UK Conservation Manager, who will share an update on the UK Native Species conservation project. This is a rare opportunity to hear about the impact of your support, directly from the people carrying out this conservation work. wildplace.org.uk

Ben Garrod: Ultimate Dinosaurs

n 22 September, 1532 Theatre (Bristol Grammar School)

UltimateDinosaurs is the hit sold-out stage show starring dinosaur aficionado Dr Ben Garrod. Get ready to go on an exciting prehistoric adventure as Ben talks you through the deadliest predators that ever roamed the planet. Yes dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex, Allosaurus and Spinosaurus would have walked or swum right where you are now.

Pitting the knowledge of unwitting parents against their all-knowing kids, Dr Ben presents an interactive, educational and highly entertaining show. For more information, visit: bengarrod.co.uk n

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory is coming to Bristol Hippodrome on 20 September. Credit: Johan Persson

Dr Ben Garrod is bring his sold-out stage show, Ultimate Dinosaurs, to 1532 Theatre on 22 September

STATE OF THE ART

Open Studios, Jamaica Street Studios, 22 –24 September

Visitors to the established open studio event at Jamaica Street Studios on Stokes Croft will now be able to visit a new space underneath the studios, recently added to the organisation. There are 35 studio-holders in the building who have practices spanning painting, film, photography, illustration and sculpture. Many have gathered accolades from international awards and residencies, and have work held in prestigious collections.

One of the longest running artist-led spaces in the UK, Jamaica Street Studios is funded entirely by the rent from individual artists, along with the sales generated from their well-known annual auction of small pieces by each artist in the building. The ‘SmallWorks Auction’ is available to look at online, where you can get a bid in early for your favourite piece. It will then finish in person on the Sunday afternoon.

Studio holders include Annie Clay, sculptor Dorcas Casey, visual artist Jessa Fairbrother, as well as Andrew Hood, Dan Ablitt and Elaine Jones, known for their lyrical and evocative landscapes.

• 37 –39 Jamaica Street, Bristol, BS2 8JP; jamaicastreetstudios.co.uk

Billy Hensley, Rainmaker Gallery, 21 September –31 October

This exhibition showcases new works by Chickasaw artist Billy Hensley from Oklahoma. Hensley is a selftaught artist who draws his inspiration from the world around him to create richly textured, abstract paintings. The distinctive stripes of Hensley’s acrylic and beadwork canvases reference the appliqué embellishments of ‘ribbon shirts’ and ‘ribbon skirts’ widely worn by Native tribes today.

• rainmakerart.co.uk; 140 Whiteladies Road, BS8 2RS

Image: Silent Hill, acrylic and beadwork on canvas by Billy Hensley, Chickasaw Nation

Threads: ‘Breathing Stories into Materials’, Arnolfini, until 1 October

Arnolfini welcomes you to discover Threads, a major exhibition featuring 21 contemporary international artists and makers, who use textiles as their chosen medium. Celebrating material and making, these artists use the storytelling power of textiles to connect with past traditions, find commonalities between cultures, time and place, and to ‘breathe stories into materials’.

Threads encompasses processes of weaving and spinning, rugmaking, stitching and embroidery, print, knit, threading, mending and found materials, with materials and techniques handed down, reused and reinvented.

Co-curated by leading textile artist Alice Kettle, Threads weaves throughout Arnolfini’s three floors, to reveal how textiles ‘remember’, how memory is ‘embedded within the process of making’ and how new narratives are created.

• arnolfini.org.uk; 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA

Image: Anya Paintsil, God will punish him (2021). Photograph courtesy of the artist and Ed Cross Gallery

Image shows artist Serena Curmi

Credit: Alice Hendy

Stillness & Life: Sally Stafford & Lynne Cartlidge, Clifton Contemporary Art, 2 –26 September

The shimmer and dance of wildflower meadows define Sally Stafford’s subtly dynamic and intricate paintings. Her subjects for this collection are found at Wiltshire’s Clattinger Farm, where some of the finest remaining areas of enclosed lowland grassland team with life, colour, form and texture; perpetually transforming with the seasons and tracing the year's cycle. Sally’s new works immerse us in this precious, rare and unspoilt world, reminding us that we're part of nature, not distant observers.

Elegantly complementing the meadowscapes are new paintings from Lynne Cartlidge. These exquisite compositions belie their apparent stillness with an interplay of fleeting light and shade, natural colour and effortless formal harmony. Transforming their domestic settings, Lynne’s paintings possess a radiant warmth and living presence.

• 25 Portland Street, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4JB; cliftoncontemporaryart.co.uk

Image: Tulips and Pomegranates by Lynne Cartlidge

Simon Hitchens: Parallels, Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury, 16 September –2 December

Somerset-based sculptor Simon Hitchens is opening a new exhibition at Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury, from 16 September to 2 December. The exhibition, called Parallels, explores time and transience – the interconnected nature of what we share with the world. For three weeks, spanning the autumn equinox of 2019, Simon travelled the length of the British Isles, from latitude 50 in Cornwall to latitude 60 in Shetland. He was looking for rocks from eleven different geological time periods and to make drawings of the shadow lines cast by each rock at each of the eleven lines of latitude. Shadows cast from a twelfth object, a discarded lump of plastic, were drawn on a landfill site near London. Shadow sculptures complement the drawings. There will also be a large concrete sculpture, Bearing Witness to Things Unseen, on display in the museum’s Abbey Barn. Open Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm. Visit the South West Heritage website via the link below for more information.

• Abbey Farm, Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury BA6 8DB; swheritage.org.uk

170th Annual Open Exhibition, RWA, 9 September –14 January

The RWA’s renowned Annual Open Exhibition is now in its 170th year, and –as always –offers a stunning variety of work from emerging and established artists.

This dynamic, varied and uplifting exhibition includes a stunning array of painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, installation and mixed media artworks, and is a showcase of some of the most exciting artists from across the country and beyond. All work is for sale, making the Annual Open a perfect opportunity to discover new artists or invest in wellknown names. You can browse –and buy –the artworks from your home online. A selection panel assessed every entry and this year over 600 works made it into the final exhibition. The panel this year included Charmaine Watkiss and Meryl Ainslie together with RWA Academicians Fiona Robinson PRWA, Dallas Collins VPRWA, Lucy Austin RWA, Angela Lizon RWA and Karl Singporewala

RWA. The RWA is delighted to announce that this year’s invited Artist is Charmaine Watkiss.

• Queens Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1PX; rwa.org.uk

Image: The Warrior Focusses intent Adversity by Charmaine Watkiss

Coming soon:

West Bristol Arts Trail, 14 –15 October

The West Bristol Arts Trail will be taking place over the weekend of 14 –15 October when over 50 homes, studios and large venues will be open to the public.

It’s the biggest event the team have put together with over 175 artist and creatives living and working in Clifton, Clifton Wood, Redland and Hotwells area. Taking part in the trail are fine artists, photographers, ceramicists, print makers, textile artists, jewellers and sculptors. The trail offers you the chance to meet artists in their studios, talk to them about their work and buy directly from them.

• Pick up an Arts Trial map from venues around the city or visit: westbristolarts.com

Image: Burnham Lighthouse byAdamClutterbuck

Image: Simon Hitchens in his studio

Nous on Martin Street in Southville

At the Lido in Portishead Lido

Mural painted in St Kilda Parade in Gloucester

Zoë’s most recent work in Milsom Quarter, Bath

Zoë’s most recent work in Milsom Quarter, Bath

Power to the people

Tell us about your career so far, what attracted you to Bristol and what makes the city so special in your opinion...

It’s been quite a windy and bumpy ride to get to where I am today. I started off my creative career wanting to be a sign writer, hand painting letters and signs. It’s a really accessible and applied craft, and was an amazing starting point for me to make some money, refine my skills and build confidence. With time, my painting just got bigger and bigger as clients would often want to add a small painted mural in their office/building/restaurant. Gradually my portfolio grew to the point that I started to get approached to paint murals.

Bristol is a great place to be an artist as there is such a supportive network of fellow creatives here. People are up for taking chances with bright colours and abstract designs –it’s not always the case that people are so trustworthy with their walls. The art and music is what makes the city. Bristol has a lot of soul, filled with passionate people trying to make the world a better place, which is what makes it so special.

Tell us about your most recent project in Bath city centre and the pieces you created for Milsom Quarter and Kingsmead Square...

The aim of the ‘Love Our High Streets’ programme is to increase footfall, revitalise and bring a sense of identity to the high street with bold and joyous artwork. The brief was totally up my (high) street! Milsom Street is a fashion, design and shopping destination, so the artwork there focuses on that and features sassy fashionistas and dancing carnival-goers. Kingsmead Square is such a summery hotspot for eating and drinking as well as watching street performers, which provided plenty of inspirational material to work with. I want my artwork to feel energetic and fun, so my characters are often jumping, dancing and posing. We can all get bogged down with our worries, jobs, to-do-lists –if I can inject a bit of silliness and play into someone’s day, then that’s a win.

Where can people enjoy your work in and around Bristol?

I’ve got two permanent pieces in Southville –one above Zara’s Chocolates on North Street and one opposite on Martin Street. I painted a huge pillar under the railway track on Stapleton Road, Easton. You can also see one of my first murals at Portishead lido. Your work aims to be joyous and body positive. How did this style evolve?

I feel like my style is constantly evolving as I gather more and more inspiration. My work has gradually gotten bigger over time, which is amazing as I never dreamt I’d paint on such a huge scale. I want my art to be accessible and for people to connect to my artwork, to feel empowered and uplifted when they see it. After all, if we all felt better about ourselves, we’d probably act better towards each other and our environment. Making work in public is such a powerful platform and I want to make the most of that, to re-write the narrative and beauty standards we often see slapped across billboards and TV screens. Power to the people!

How do you create and produce your artwork?

I always start off in my sketchbook as I find it the best way to get ideas down, squiggle and explore. I then move these sketches onto my iPad and work them digitally, which a great medium for

designing as I can work to scale, easily make edits and see how the design will look in situ. Most of my murals are a combination of emulsion and spray paint. I like to make my screen prints totally analogue, giving them a hand made feel.

You have been involved in community arts projects across the UK. What is the appeal for you of producing work for public spaces?

I love people! I really get a kick out of talking to people, hearing their stories and bringing art to the masses. It’s so satisfying to transform a space from a run-down, unloved wall to become a free, public piece of art. It really does change how people feel about where they live and work, can bring communities together and encourage a local sense of pride and belonging. I enjoy sitting down designing (particularly when it’s freezing outside!), but getting out, meeting people and painting really makes my heart sing.

What sort of other illustration work/commissions do you do?

I particularly enjoy working with socially and environmentally conscious brands and businesses. My work can be adapted to anything from t-shirt designs, beer can labels, murals, window displays... the possibilities are endless. I’m currently exploring working in 3D and wood at the moment, and am really keen to collaborate with architects and fabricators on urban interventions and sculpture.

Can you tell us about any Bristol-based projects that you're currently working on, or any projects that we can look forward to over the new few months?

I painted a sculpture as part of UnicornFest, which is outside the RWA until the 3 September. And I just finished painting a doorway for WEA, an educational charity based in St. Paul’s. Otherwise, mural painting has had to take a back seat for now as I look after my little baby. I’m also getting married next month, so I am focusing on that at the moment. I’m planning some new prints (check my instagram to stay tuned), which will be released in the Autumn. n

• See more of Zoë Power’s work at: zoepower.com; @zoepowpower

As the work of Bristol-based mural painter, illustrator and lettering artist Zoë Power continues to pop up across the West Country –most recently in Bath –we get to know the artist behind the distinctive designs...

Bristol-based mural painter Zoë Power with her UnicornFest sculpture

Chris Yeo, Valuer at Clevedon Salerooms and regular expert on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow

Flights of Fancy

Clevedon Salerooms Autumn Fine Art sale contains a fascinating group of portraits by the Bristolian artist dubbed the “Thomas Gainsborough of the pigeon world” (yes, you did read that correctly). Andrew Beer was born in Exmouth but as a young man moved to Bristol. He was an accomplished artist of landscapes and coastal scenes but his most celebrated works are his portrait studies of racing pigeons painted in the early 20th century.

Beer was himself a racing pigeon enthusiast and an active judge at many pigeon fancier’s shows.

He had a studio in Eastville to which the pigeons he was to paint were sometimes sent by train, arriving at the nearby Stapleton Road Station. He typically painted the birds at near life-size, singly or in small groups, and often included text, noting the pigeons’ achievements, with such evocative names as ‘Flight of Fancy’ and ‘Young Aristocrat’ and ‘Coronation Boy’. The finished pictures were often offered as prizes at the show where he acted as judge.

One such pigeon owner who attained the accolade of having his champions painted by Beer was Robert Oakley, a member of the St Philips Marsh, Bristol, Flying Club. During the 1930s birds bred by him were highly sought after, they were even in the Royal lofts, and to this day offshoots of the breed are in the King's loft, passed down from the Queen. Robert's birds won many major races, and he was rewarded with a painting by Beer of his winning birds on six occasions. Three of these will be included in the sale at Clevedon.

Other highlights in the sale include a large collection of 19th century Grand Tour and Asian bronzes, Victorian and Edwardian gem set stick pins and a silver plated trophy presented to Damon Hill in the 1997 Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix and a fine offering of Burgandy and Barolo in the Wine section. The sale will take place on Thursday September 14th commencing at 10.30am. ■

From

Andrew Beer (1862-1954) - Oil on canvas - Triple pigeon portraits, estimate £2,000-3,000

Riding the rails

The opening of Portway Park & Ride station on the Severn Beach Line on 1 August was a landmark moment – for it is Bristol’s first new station since Parson Street opened on 29 August 1927.

The city’s rail services have seen a renaissance in recent years – with more frequent services, increased track capacity and new trains, but the opening of Portway marks the beginning of a new chapter, with a raft of new stations due to open over the next few years. They cannot come a moment too soon.

According to a recent report, Bristol is the most congested urban area in the UK after London. Comparing its public transport infrastructure with those of other major conurbations, where new stations, new lines and tram networks have opened over the last 30 years, suggests one reason why.

Given the efforts to kill it off over the years, it’s surprising that Bristol has a suburban railway network at all. In 1966, a council report concluded that ‘the demand for a railway commuter service is very low’ due to ‘the lack of a station within reasonable walking distance of the heart of the city’. Many suburban lines and stations had already closed, most of the others were living on borrowed time.

The report cited a survey from 1964 showing how passengers had drifted away from suburban services since a similar survey was conducted twelve years earlier. Every station – apart from Temple

Meads and Stapleton Road – had seen a fall in passenger numbers, in many cases a dramatic one. Clifton Down, for example, had seen the average number people boarding trains on a weekday drop from 1,750 to 560; Avonmouth had seen an even greater decline, from 2,980 to 705. The report also noted, however, that the number of trains had been halved in both cases. The case of Bedminster was even more striking. In 1952, 107 trains a day had called with 605 passengers boarding them; twelve years later, only 34 trains called and only 70 passengers boarded.

Outside the city, the Portishead line, which had enjoyed an hourly service, was now served by only six trains a day, with no departures from Portishead between 9.15am and 5.15pm. Such were the stratagems of the Beeching era, when, far from attempting to stem the decline and attract passengers back to Bristol’s suburban lines, every effort was made to drive them away and speed up what was seen as their inevitable decline. In Bristol, as elsewhere, the focus was not on resuscitating an outdated mode of transport but on building more roads. Even after the closures had ended, the cutbacks continued. The Severn Beach Line was reduced to single track in 1970, while the line between Temple Meads and Filton, quadrupled in 1933 to cope with increased traffic, reverted to double track.

Today, how short-sighted it all seems. With over three times the number of vehicles on our roads, and a belated awareness of the

As Bristol’s first new train station recently opened in almost a century, Andrew Swift takes a closer look at the city’s lines and the wealth of new stations set to open in the coming years...

St Anne’s Park Station c1910

environmental and ecological consequences of automotive dependency, we are now desperately trying to back pedal. The problem is that, having spent decades fashioning a society based around growing car use, many people now have no realistic option but to use their cars on a daily basis.

In many cases, turning the clock back isn’t a realistic option either. One of the most mindless closures was that of the busy branch from Yatton to Clevedon, which went in October 1966. Since then the population of Clevedon has doubled, with many more people commuting to Bristol and Weston-super-Mare. Yet, with the M5 cutting across the trackbed of the former line and housing built upon it at both ends, it is hard to see how it could ever reopen.

There is, nevertheless, an imperative to provide better public transport, especially the sort that isn’t going to get snarled up in traffic. Where feasible, there is no better way of doing this than by bringing back those once derided suburban rail services. Proof of this is shown by the success of the Severn Beach Line, which only escaped closure by the skin of its teeth in the 1960s, but, thanks to reinvestment – and the tireless efforts of campaigners – is now busier than ever.

Already much has been achieved – not only on the Severn Beach Line but on other routes as well. A major project to reinstate quadruple track between Temple Meads and Filton has not only eased congestion and facilitated the introduction of extra services; it has also made possible the opening of new stations.

Work on the first station, at Ashley Down, is already under way. It will stand on the same site as the old Ashley Hill station, which, when it opened in 1864, stood in open countryside. Suburban streets eventually sprang up around it, but in the 1960s, despite its obvious usefulness, it was run down like the rest of the network. In 1952, 50 trains a day called, but by 1964, the year it closed, that number had been cut to 22. The new station is scheduled to open in 2024, with an hourly service, increasing to half-hourly at peak times.

Eventually, trains serving Ashley Down will continue along a line closed to passengers in 1964, but still used for freight. The Henbury Spur, as it is known, is due to reopen to passengers in 2026, with stations at North Filton – serving the new Bristol Arena and the Brabazon housing development on the former Filton Airfield –and Henbury.

Another line scheduled to open in 2026, after years of false starts and missed deadlines, is that to Portishead, which closed to passengers in 1964 but has since been used for freight traffic from Royal Portbury Dock. Stations are to open at Pill and Portishead, with the possibility of another at Ashton Gate following later. Although it may seem like tempting fate to say so, after the abandonment or deferral of so many schemes, it does appear as though Bristol’s suburban railway network is finally shaking off the legacy of the Beeching era.

As for the future, there is no shortage of proposals. Apart from the branch from Yate to Tytherington near Thornbury, there are no more lines retained for freight along which passenger services could be reinstated. But there are plenty of sites along existing lines where campaigners want to see stations opened – at Horfield or Lockleaze, for example, between Ashley Down and Filton, and at Chittening, beyond Henbury. On the line to Weston-super-Mare, the reopening of stations at Long Ashton and Flax Bourton has been proposed. There is also strong backing for the reopening of St Anne’s Park, on the line to Bath – the last station to close in Bristol, on 5 January 1970.

Astonishingly, Keynsham, which before the pandemic was used by over half a million passengers a year, was due to be closed at the same time as St Anne’s Park, and was only saved after vigorous protests. There can be no clearer illustration of the wrongheadedness of the Beeching era. We can only be grateful that wiser counsels now seem to have prevailed, while ruing the damage that was done in those benighted years and the enormous cost of trying to undo it. n

• akemanpress.com

Restoring a quadruple track between Temple Meads and Filton in 2018

Ashley Hill Station c1910

Portway Park & Ride

Pill Station c1910

Grape expectations

FOOD & DRINK

TASTY TIDBITS FROM THE CITY’S BEST RESTAURANTS, CHEFS AND PRODUCERS

September Spotlights

Branded with the iconic Languedoc cross, the Picpoul is the darling of this wine region, and for good reason. Petit Rubié’s take is fresh and evocative of its maritime proximity. With sharp but delightful notes of citrus, apple skin and herbs, this wine pairs beautifully with seafood, especially shellfish or even on its own | £14.95

‘The Kenny’ announces new menu

Aubert & Mathieu are shaking things up with this modern, eco-friendly Pays d’Oc rosé. The wine is elegant with pretty notes of strawberry and raspberry and delightfully fresh citrus. Deliciously light and refreshing | £13.30

Minervois ‘Grande Tradition’ Château du Donjon

Dark reddish-purple, this Languedoc red breathes ripe, grapey and raspberry fruits, and fragrant black pepper. Full and luscious on the first taste, its juicy black fruit is nicely balanced by a tart, crisp finish, creating a fresh, mouth-watering flavour | £14.95

greatwine.co.uk

Since opening in 2007, The Kensington Arms, in Redland, is excited to bring the key values of the much-loved pub back to the forefront with a focus on staff and produce, signalling a new era for the venue. The pub is firmly rooted within the local community, having been affectionately coined ‘The Kenny’, and wants to reignite what it means to be the much-loved gastro pub by turning the focus back to responsible and sustainable British produce. The new menu features modern British dishes, proper pub classics, and an amazing Sunday roast with a new section dedicated primarily to steaks and meats, focusing on what it truly means to be a modern British Chophouse.

• thekensingtonarms.co.uk

Celebrate vegan with Vegfest

Celebrating a whopping 20 years of ground-breaking vegan festivals in the UK, Bristol-based VegfestUK is delighted to be celebrating in their hometown with a huge free party on 2 and 3 September at Document in St Jude’s. The two-day free event will feature stalls, caterers and streetfood, a host of talks and entertainment, plus a DJ and dance zone. There’s also a space for workshops, a kids’ area, a bar and plenty of seating, whilst the main room will play host to a programme of inspirational speakers, uplifting performers, and intriguing panels.

• Tickets are required in advance and available from the website free of charge at vegfest.co.uk

Picpoul de Pinet Petit Roubié

Palooza Rosé, IGP Oc Aubert & Mathieu

Delicious, ethical, independent

Food & drink tours with GOOD: Stories in Food

Join GOOD: Stories in Food on their tours of Bristol and Somerset, and discover the stories of the very best of the South West’s food and drink. With a focus on independent producers, restaurants, retailers, and everything in between, the tours deliver you delicious flavours in an ethical way. Your guide will have extensive knowledge of local, sustainable food, and the very best spots in the South West to visit. Tours include:

Bristol Hotspots & Hidden Treasures –a city centre food and drink tour, every other Saturday at 2.15 from 9 September

Wine & Cheese Tasting in the Cheddar Valley –with exclusive lunch and tour at The Pony Chew Valley with Josh Eggleton, 15 September (Bath departure), 22 September, 6 October

Farming, Feasting and Fermenting: A day in the Chew Valley –get exclusive access to these inspiring businesses and indulge generously along the way (24 September).

• goodstoriesinfood.com

Food for thought

Charity scheme sees Bristol restaurants join forces with Veezu

Local charity Caring in Bristol has joined forces with private hire firm Veezu to deliver great food to the community whilst raising money for charity. Each month, the private hire firm will donate to Caring in Bristol through a joint scheme with the city’s best restaurants. Last month, Michelin Guide restaurant Cor joined the scheme. Alongside Veezu’s donation, Cor donated 50p for each order of a special dish to the charity.

Caring in Bristol’s mission is to create a city empowered to solve homelessness, by finding gaps in local provisions and working in creative ways to fill them. The scheme will continue with partnerships and donations from more of Bristol’s best and most famous restaurants.

• Stay up to date through the Caring in Bristol website at caringinbristol.co.uk

TheBaristaLeague

Extract Coffee Roasters to Host Global Barista Competition

On Saturday 9 September, Extract Coffee Roasters will be hosting the global Barista competition, The Barista League, from 6pm. This coincides with the highly anticipated Bristol Coffee Festival in the day at Bristol Beacon, creating a double dose of coffee excitement.

Attendees can secure their spots and witness 12 teams competing in three rounds of wild and exciting challenges that will showcase their exceptional barista skills. It promises to be an unmissable event for coffee lovers and industry professionals alike, so secure your tickets at: tickettailor.com/events/thebaristaleague

Feast for a cause

Jayde Adams and Joe Sims to host Anti Banquet for food insecurity

The Bristol stars join a whole host of top chefs on 5 October for an evening at Ashton Gate Stadium to raise money for Bristol Local Food Fund. With Jayde and Joe stirring up good vibes and keeping diners entertained as they indulge in their three course meal prepared by some of Bristol’s finest chefs, C-Suite executives from sponsoring companies will be invited to join the kitchen team or serve the guests as a member of the front of house team.

• To find out more, visit antibanquet.co.uk

What’s new

This month, the brilliant team at Gloucester Road Books have picked five of their favourite new novels from a wealth of exceptional writers as well as a talented craftsman. Enjoy!

Anote from the team: “Our primary aim is that the shop be a fascinating place to explore. Some of the subject sections are a little broader than they might be elsewhere –for instance our ‘Time and Place’ section encompasses books on History, Travel Literature, Geography and Reportage. We also have a significant focus on titles published by small independent presses. There are lots of really brilliant small publishers putting out incredibly exciting books, and we want to help get these out into the world. The stock is carefully chosen and constantly changing, so even if you pop in every week there will always be new books to find.”

To sign up, visit Gloucester Road Books’ website: gloucesterroadbooks.com. Follow them on Instagram: gloucester_rd_books and browse the collection in store: 184 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, BS7 8NU. Open Monday –Tuesday 9.30am –5pm; Wednesday –Saturday 9.30am –6pm

So Late in the Day

by Claire Keegan.

Published by Faber & Faber

Claire Keegan has been an enormous favourite here since Small Things Like These was published, and Foster was adaptated to film. Keegan is known for the brevity of her stories, and So Late in the Day continues this trend. It’s probably a long short story rather than a short novella, but it’s beautifully published, and will no doubt be exquisitely written.

By My Hands: A Potter's Apprenticeship

by Florian Gadsby.

Published by Penguin Books

Florian Gadsby is a hugely talented potter, whose new collections sell out within moments of going on sale. By My Hands is his account of his career and development as an artist and craftsman. We’re very lucky to have a talk from Florian in September –we can’t wait!

The Maniac by Benjamin Labatut.

Published by Pushkin Press

Labatut’s previous book, When We Cease to Understandthe World, was a shop favourite a couple of years ago so there is a real sense of anticipation for this one. TheManiac looks like it will be occupying the same territory –brilliant minds operating at the very edge of human knowledge, teetering between progress and catastrophe.

The Wren, The Wren

by Anne Enright.

Published by Vintage Publishing

A new novel from the exceptional writer, Anne Enright. The Wren, The Wren continues with her thematic interest in family dynamics and generational trauma, exploring a mother and daughter’s relationship and the looming shadow of the mother’s father, a celebrated poet in his time who wielded violence upon his family.

North Woods

by Daniel Mason.

Published by John Murray Press

Fans of Maggie O’Farrell and historical fiction more broadly might enjoy Daniel Mason’s fourth novel to date, NorthWoods. A sweeping novel set in a single home in New England and taking in 400 years of the lives that pass through its walls. Themes of desire, madness, the occult, and the unrelenting natural world are woven into the fateful lives of the house’s occupants.

A season of celebration

Enjoy a Christmas and New Year to remember, filled with fun and celebration, all within the surroundings of our Grade II listed Victorian mansion house at De Vere Tortworth Court

Wotton Under Edge, GL12 8HH | +44 (0) 1454 263000

To book visit DEVERE.COM/TORTWORTH-COURT/CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHTS FROM £50 PER PERSON

PANTOMIME AFTERNOON TEA £39, FESTIVE AFTERNOON TEA £29.95 AND SANTA SUNDAY LUNCH £42.50

Power of connection

For the second year, the Bath-based broadband provider, Truespeed, has powered the connectivity at the best-tasting music festival in the South West, Valley Fest. This year, we catch up with the Truespeed team to discover how exactly they’ve been able to successfully connect a 10,000-strong crowd and a wealth of local traders to ultrafast full-fibre broadband in the remote location of Chew Valley...

Tell us about Valley Fest’s connectivity problems before Truespeed connected the site, the approach you received from the festival owners and why Truespeed was a good fit for the job…

Since the festival’s conception, Valley Fest has struggled with poor connectivity due to the site’s remote, rural location. Traders would struggle to take payments, causing exceptionally long queues at stands and limiting the amount of revenue local businesses could generate during the festival. The lack of reliable connectivity also impacted the overall experience for festival goers as they were unable to utilise social media and keep in touch with loved ones throughout the festival.

As a local full-fibre broadband provider that specialises in connecting hard-to-reach, rural areas, Truespeed was the perfect option to provide much needed connectivity to the site. Previously, other larger providers had quoted hundreds of thousands to connect

the festival. The festival wouldn’t be able to continue if they had to pay the astronomical charges other providers were quoting, so Truespeed built the full-fibre infrastructure as part of a partnership with the festival. Expanding the existing infrasture they had in the local area, we could bring the festival the long awaited connectivity it needed in order to bring it into the digital era.

Tell us about Truespeed’s pioneering engineering techniques to build a brand new full-fibre infrastructure into the remote Chew Valley location and the hurdles you overcame in getting reliable broadband to the festival…

Taking on a tremendous engineering feat to help a community-led event in need, Truespeed developed and built a customised connectivity solution. We conducted complex discussions with various organisations to ensure the project was delivered on time,

“Making 2023 Valley Fest bigger than ever before, we amplified our Wi-Fi coverage across the site by installing two additional Wi-Fi points...”

with minimal disruption and met multiple stakeholder requirements. Pulling in a plethora of engineering resources and techniques, Truespeed gained land access permissions, dug through neighbouring fields and laid fibre cables underground to minmise disruption. Our Chief Technical Officer ensured the technology and network were fully resilient and capable of handling the 10,000 person festival. Having assessed network reach, we configured specialist routers to stream Wi-Fi across three locations throughout the festival all with a 150m radius.

Valley Fest is a ‘cashless’ festival – how has Truespeed enabled the festival’s local traders to operate successfully?

Traders have hugely benefitted from Truespeed connecting the site as queues move significantly quicker, which allows them to serve more people and generate more revenue throughout the festival. With the festival operating a 100% cashless system, the 10,000-strong crowd were equipped with an RFID-enabled wristband, which also served as a digital-wallet during the festival period.

How has Truespeed improved the event for festival goers?

Any festival goer looking to make a purchase was able to pay quickly and securely by connecting to the official Valley Fest Truespeed WiFi network. Truespeed also provided a safe and secure network for all vendors and traders at the festival to accept contactless payments.

Luke Haswell, Valley Fest Organiser, said: “Before we partnered with Truespeed, we were having constant issues with card machines breaking down, resulting in long queues and unhappy festival goers. With Truespeed providing onsite Wi-Fi and connectivity, we’ve

resolved these issues for both festival guests and traders. People have been able to share their festival experiences with photos and videos in real-time and there have been fewer queues at the bar and vendor stalls, resulting in very happy festival attendees.”

How did Truespeed improve its service for the 2023 festival? What lessons were learned from the first year it connected the site? Making 2023 Valley Fest bigger than ever before, we amplified our WiFi coverage across the site by installing two additional Wi-Fi points. Last year, we had one singular main ‘tech hub’ tent with 150m radius of Wi-Fi coverage. In 2023, we had three Wi-Fi points in total, which substantially increased the areas where festival goers could log onto the Wi-Fi and share their experiences in real time.

What are your plans for the 2024 festival?

We’re currently in a three-year partnership with Valley Fest to provide the connectivity for the festival, so we’re excited to be hooking the festival up with Wi-Fi again next year.

What are your plans for the wider area – Chew Valley and beyond?

Truespeed was founded in the Chew Valley and was one of the first areas we built out network, so it’s a huge part of our legacy. We’re continuing to build our network and connect more people to the fullfibre broadband they deserve. Our mission is to improve connectivity throughout the region and we’re very much continuing our plans to bring the South West out of the digital slow lane. n

• For more information about Truespeed, visit: truespeed.com

“Traders have hugely benefitted from Truespeed connecting the site as queues move significantly quicker, which allows them to serve more people and generate more revenue throughout the festival...”

Image credit: Ania-Shrimpton

In flight

On 4 September, Goldfinch Create and Play, a purpose-built café and art space, officially opens its doors. We catch up with urban designer and landscape architect turned business founder, Nicole Strong, to hear all about Westbury Village’s new arrival...

Goldfinch is a space where you and your family have the freedom to connect, create, learn, and grow, where nourished by nature, your imaginations can roam free,” says Nicole Strong, founder of the Westbury-onTrym newcomer, Goldfinch Create and Play. The new venture is a purpose-built café and art space for children and their parents to enjoy tech-free time together without the confines of a traditional café or classroom.

Officially opening on 4 September, Goldfinch offers art classes for children aged 18 months to 13 years old. The classes include a variety of preschool and afterschool, art and yoga sessions, plus a different adult art series every weekday evening, with a focus on jewellery, pottery, print-making and life-drawing. At weekends, the venue lends itself as a creative space to host children’s birthday parties – all set in an environment built to nurture wellbeing and creativity, whilst also looking after the planet. At the core of Goldfinch Create and Play Café is an inspiring team of creatives, who all have a diverse range of artistic skills, backgrounds, and life experiences, but share a passion for inspiring others through art, craft, and nature.

“The Goldfinch journey began with a desire for change – to do something meaningful for others while having the flexibility to nurture my young family,” says Nicole. Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Nicole spent six years as an urban designer and landscape architect working for social services in her hometown. Her role was to design community facilities and outdoor play areas in some of Cape Town’s most disadvantaged areas. While designing these play areas, Nicole came to understand just how important

playing and imagination is for both children and adults.

Nicole moved to Bristol from South Africa with her husband, Mark Finney, and two young children in 2019. Mark, originally from Bristol, is an architect and owner of Seb + Fin Architects. After moving to the West Country, Nicole started looking for creative outlets in Bristol for her young daughters. She quickly realised that there were few available and so started teaching children’s craft sessions at her own home. She taught up to 10 children (aged 5-9) every Thursday afternoon from September 2021 but soon needed a venue to expand her idea.

When Nicole found an old high street building with potential at 10 Canford Lane in the heart of Westbury Village, she commissioned her husband to redesign the building with sustainability and creativity at its heart. The venue has since been re-built to the stringent PassivHaus standard, making it the first PassivHaus Create and Play in the UK. PassivHaus is synonymous with the best allseason comfort, environmentally green with the lowest running costs. The building now boasts clean air and comfortable room temperatures all year round. PassivHaus buildings allow for heating and cooling related energy savings of up to 75% compared with average new builds.

As for the classes available at Goldfinch, Nicole wanted to accommodate as many different age groups and people as possible. “We will start the weekdays with the early years – we have two classes, Stay and Create and Create and Play. Stay and Create is for ages one and a half to five, where the parents can stay with the children. Each term will be different but every class will be inspired by nature – it’s a bit like forest school meets the art class.

Founder Nicole Strong in the art space at Goldfinch Create & Play in Westbury-on-Trym

“Create and Play is for three to five-year-olds and that’s a dropoff class. Parents can go downstairs, grab a coffee (made by Bristol’s Triple Co Roast), or go and do what they need to do.

“We’re also running an Open Hour session. This is a social project so what I really care about is the conversations that people are having and the support that they’re receiving. I want the space to be full of people all the time; I don’t want it to be quiet. There is such a need for places like this while people are stuck at home and not getting the support they need.”

The inspiration behind the name, Goldfinch, came from Nicole’s love for the great outdoors. “Coming from Cape Town and growing up surrounded by nature, the natural environment is very important to me. I’ve got quite a good handle on different African bird species but when I came to Bristol I started to hear these new bird songs; it’s quite exciting for me in my late 30s to learn about these new species, many I’d never seen before.

“Not long after we arrived in the UK, I watched a Goldfinch flutter into our garden. That little bird, a symbol of well-being, joy, and the natural environment fuelled my imagination and became the face of the next chapter. Bristol is such a warm and comforting place. I'm so proud to now be able to say that Goldfinch Create and Play has taken flight.” n

• Set to be a creative and nourishing oasis for the families of Westbury-on-Trym and surrounding areas in Bristol, find out more about Goldfinch Create and Play at: goldfinchcreateandplay.co.uk, or visit at: 10 Canford Lane, Westbury-On-Trym, Bristol, BS9 3DH

Art classes for adults

Golfinch Create and Play is hosting a series of two-hour creative art workshops on weekday evenings. Classes are for anyone aged 16+ and you don’t need any prior art experience.

Jewellery

Mondays, 6.30pm to 8pm with Jenny Sweetnam; £330. In this seven-week course you’ll learn the basics of handmade jewellery. Jenny will cast your final pieces for you.

Clay

Tuesdays, 6.30pm – 8.30pm with Rebecca Finnerty; £200. In this seven-week course you’ll learn the basics of handbuilding, decorating, and glazing. Rebecca will have your final pieces fired for you.

PrintandPlay

Wednesdays, 6.30pm – 8.30pm with Sophie Rae; £90. In this three-week course you’ll learn the basics of stencil printing and take home all the prints you’ve made.

LifeDrawing

Thursdays, 6.30pm – 8.30pm with Alice Dunn Ribeiro; £150. In this seven-week course you’ll learn to draw through observation as the nude takes on different poses.

PaperandPrint

Fridays, 6.30pm to 8.30pm with Sarah Dennis; £180. In this six-week course you’ll learn how to create art and illustration on paper. You’ll learn how to feel confident using a craft knife and about the types of paper which are perfect for this art form.

Sort your studies

As the new school year starts, we sit down with the owners of Greenhouse Learning, Rachael and Chin Tan – who have assisted over 1,000 students in the local area – to learn more about their successful tutoring service and how they empower young people to reach their full potential…

Based in Bishopston, Greenhouse Learning helps children and young people to build their confidence and reach their potential through one-to-one and small group tutoring. Owners Rachael and Chin Tan have been running the service for over five years. “We love what we do,” says Rachael. “Often, it’s about so much more than just grades, it’s about helping our students feel happier in themselves.

“When a young person is struggling with a subject, it can cause a huge amount of stress at home with homework battles within the family. Often, children and teenagers don’t want to listen to their parents so it can make a huge difference getting a tutor in.”

Greenhouse Learning has over 150 tutors who cover all the main academic subjects, from the start of Primary level all the way up to A Levels. What’s more, if students require a boost in another subject, there’s no need to search for another tutor. Students can add on subjects or swap subjects out when they feel they’re mastering the lessons. The team of tutors can deliver the sessions either online or inperson, where the tuition would be delivered in the student’s home, or alternatively in a library, school or other public location depending on what best suits both parties.

When it comes to finding the right tutor, one size does not fit all.

Greenhouse Learning starts with a free fact-finding and goal-setting meeting to learn more about the students and their goals. After a rigorous matching process, which ensures that each student is paired with their ideal teacher, a tutor is then handpicked.

“There are many tutors out there but without a sensitive selection process you won’t know whether they’re going to hit it off with your

child,” Chin explains. “With us, it’s different. We vet our tutors carefully through a recruitment process. We look for someone engaging, someone who can explain concepts and someone who knows the curriculum and can adapt around the needs of the child. It’s about the fit between the tutor and student so we always meet the child first, together with the family, to understand the academic goals, personality and interests so that we can select the right individual from our team to deliver the lessons.”

Once paired, the tutors will typically start with a diagnostics session to understand where the student’s learning gaps are. Following that, Greenhouse Learning then map out sessions for the next few weeks and months. Throughout the programme, parents will receive session reports and regular check-ins from the team, allowing for two-way feedback to occur.

“A tutor can act as a mentor and accountability buddy, helping students to plan out their revision schedule and structure their time.

“The majority of our students go up by at least two or three grades in the subject they’re getting help with as well as by one or two grades in the other subjects thanks to the study skills support that they receive...”

From the parents…

“My son Billy is a student with Greenhouse Learning. Working on his maths has given him lots of confidence and it’s really helped him and me going into his GCSE year. I came to Greenhouse Learning through a personal communication. Rachael was really interested in me and what I needed to get out of the tutoring service, she was really interested in Billy and I was really impressed by how much effort she put into matching the right tutor with my son. I can say that it’s gone without a hitch in terms of Nathan and Billy getting on really well and we’ve had two years of great relationship.

“I do think that what Billy’s got from Nathan is practice in answering real exam questions in a real exam style. After a few months of that, I’ve watched Billy learn and take on board that understanding of not just how to do maths but how to answer an exam question and that's going to be really important when he sits his GCSEs.

“I would recommend Greenhouse Learning to other parents. In fact, I have recommended Greenhouse Learning to a number of other parents.” – Helen

From the tutors…

“Being a tutor with Greenhouse Learning is incredibly rewarding. Seeing the progress from when I am first introduced to a student to seeing them off in their final lesson ready for their GCSE exams. It’s that email at the end of their exams when they get the results and the grade that they wanted, it’s a fantastic feeling.

“With GCSE mathematics, I can understand where a lot of parents struggles come in trying to teach their children. The methods have changed over the last few years and continued to change with the curriculum so there’s a bit of a barrier between the children and the parents where they can struggle to hear both sides so I can come in as an intermediary, help them out and offer the support that they need alongside helping their parents.

They can also help with their revision and exam technique,” says Rachael. “The majority of our students go up by at least two or three grades in the subject they’re getting help with as well as by one or two grades in the other subjects thanks to the study skills support that they receive.”

Greenhouse Learning has been approved to deliver lessons on the national tutoring programme after being quality assured by the Department for Education. This certification has allowed the team to reach students in over 20 schools across the region and help many who need the support but otherwise wouldn’t be able to access it.

Dedicated to empowering students to reach their fullest potential, Greenhouse Learning are an integral part of the Alternative Learning Provision (ALP) in Bristol. The team’s expertise lies in offering personalised tutoring services that cater to the unique needs of each student. They have a proven track record in supporting learners with diverse backgrounds and abilities, including those with special educational needs and disability.

If you’re a parent and would like to get support for your child or teenager, or if you’re a school and would like to get some support for your students, get in touch at: greenhouselearning.co.uk or call 0117 463 0438. n

“Much like the students, us tutors go through a journey alongside them going through marks preparing for the exams so we really do feel the ups and downs of studying for your GCSEs and it means that not only can we bring our own experience to help them alongside that journey, structure it with informal timetables but it also just means that we can offer our empathetic side to helping them with the stresses of the exam period.

“I absolutely love helping students with GCSE mathematics being able to see them grow and seeing them gain those grades so they can become the next mathematicians, it’s very fulfilling and I can’t wait to keep going and helping more students.”

– Nathan

SCHOOL REPORTS

UPDATES FROM THE CITY’S SCHOOLS, COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

Cleve House International School set to open in Bristol

Two leading independent schools have gone into partnership to open Bristol’s first international school – the first to offer both the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme and GCSEs.

Cleve House International School opens in September on the current site of Cleve House School, on Wells Road in Knowle.

The school is a joint initiative between Cleve House School and Wotton House International School in Gloucester, which already offers the IB Middle Years Programme for 11-16-year-olds as an alternative to the traditional GCSE route.

Clare Fraser, headteacher at Cleve House, said that from the start of this academic year the school's intake will expand to include secondary pupils as well as those of primary age.

“This partnership is a game changer for education in Bristol,” she said. “We will provide families with a unique offering of a mainstream, non-selective school for pupils who need a smaller environment in which to flourish. Our nurturing family-feel school will provide academic rigour but without the stresses of entrance exams.

“Cleve House International will become the first school in Bristol to offer this robust, inquiry-based knowledge curriculum, as well as integrated technology for learning and outdoor education. We have already received a lot of interest from parents of children recently diagnosed with a range of low support needs such as autism, anxiety, ADHD and dyslexia.”

Daniel Sturdy, principal at Wotton House International School, said the new establishment is the first new independent secondary school to open in Bristol for around 150 years.

“Bristol is an international city that is home to global employers and there is a large and growing demand among parents for the IB as an alternative to the established GCSE route, as well as an environment that is more welcoming for neurodivergent children and helps them to build on their strengths.”

• clevehouseschool.com

Haberdasher’s Monmouth School to be co-educational

Haberdashers’ Monmouth School will be fully coeducational across all age groups from September 2024. This exciting move to co-education in Years 7 to 11 is the next chapter in the school’s centuries-long history and coincides with unprecedented investment into its facilities. This will include a new Sixth Form centre, dance studio and classroom and social areas, part of the ambitious plans to create new and innovative learning environments for the students.

Started back in 1614 by Welshman and philanthropist William Jones, the school’s roots remain firmly in the Welsh heartland. Many have gone on to do amazing things – all credit their success to their school days. In the words of the school’s Head Boy: “Monmouth School is the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Boarders have access to a collection and drop-off service at convenient locations and day students can use a comprehensive network of daily buses helping busy parents. Why not see for yourselves? The school invites all prospective families to its Open Morning on Saturday 3 September. Families will be able to meet with students and staff, tour the facilities and hear about the exciting plans for the future.

• Register for the Open Day today at: habsmonmouth.org/visit-us or contact the school’s Admissions team at admissions@habsmonmouth.org

Mrs Jessica Miles, Head at Badminton School

It is a privilege and joy to be the new Head at Badminton - a vibrant environment with outstanding teaching and learning where the girls achieve excellent results because they are nurtured and encouraged within a calm and supportive community that promotes selfconfidence, self-belief and a can-do attitude.

Academic excellence is a given, but we also give individuals the opportunity to shine in extra-curricular achievements. Your daughter will have the opportunity to explore music, art, drama and outdoor pursuits, with a vast array of concerts, theatre performances, expeditions and trips running throughout the year. She will have the freedom to take personal responsibility, to think for herself and to understand service to the community as we prepare her for an exciting future.

Badminton is a daily reminder that a good school can embed the attitudes and attributes for a fulfilling future. I would encourage you to visit us and gain a first-hand impression of the school and its spirit all the wonderful things that take place here. www.badmintonschool.co.uk

SCHOOL INFORMATION

Bristol Grammar School

Bristol Grammar School, the longest serving independent school in the city, continues to guide pupils not just to academic success but to develop young adults of integrity and character, ready to make a real and lasting difference in the world that awaits them.

Ranked ‘Excellent’ in our May 2023 ISI inspection BGS is a supportive space for well-being, with nurturing staff, a wide range of subjects and courses - including the IB diploma - and exceptional facilities. BGS is a place where learning becomes an adventure; beyond the classroom, there’s a world of opportunity, from sport to creative and performing arts and everything in between.

Our doors are open wider with our means-tested Bursary Awards worth up to 100% of fees - ensuring everyone can be part of our diverse community.

Join us and find your place at Bristol Grammar School.

www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk

ABOUT US

Cleve House School

There is no other school like us in Bristol – we are truly unique! We have broken the mould of adhering to the traditional entrance exam, GCSE, A Level pathway; we recognise that a one size fits all approach does not suit all pupils. We are a mainstream school, which continues to offer a rigorous education and by providing the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme we encourage our pupils to become creative, critical and reflective thinkers. This enhances our pupils with the skills of communication, cultural understanding and global engagement: all of which are essential for navigating this fast-changing world and which are actively sought by universities and future employers.

Cleve House International School believes in a partnership between school, pupils and parents and knows that this tried and tested approach achieves excellent results.

www.clevehouseschool.com

Clifton College

WHAT WE DO

Clifton College leads the way as one of the best Public Boarding Schools in the country. We offer day places, flexi and full boarding places. Welcoming boys and girls from 03 to 18, Clifton becomes the school every pupil needs it to be, preparing them for life in the real world, not in a ‘bubble’. We are known for academic excellence, myriad opportunities, state of the art facilities, superb pastoral care and expert staff who deliver the very best learning and development. We provide a richly diverse and connected school environment, representative of the real world. Our pupils mature into individuals who are ambitious, openminded and spirited.

www.cliftoncollege.com

OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS

Mr Nick Lewis, Headteacher of Fairfield High School

Fairfield High School is a diverse and inclusive 11-16 secondary school that aims to help young people become creative and successful global citizens.

An Ofsted inspection in February 2023 confirmed that Fairfield remains a Good school where staff share an ambitious vision for the quality of education pupils receive.

Aspirations are high for all students, with the school providing strong support for multilingual learners and those with special educational needs.

Staff and students are passionate about equality, enthusiastically embracing events such as Culture Day, International Women’s Day, World Hijab Day, Anti Bullying Week and Pride.

Fairfield is established as the school of choice for its community. Support for children joining in Year 7 from local primaries is valued by families.

www.fairfield.excalibur.org.uk

Clifton High School

The School’s values; Curiosity, Empathy, Love and Direction are instilled in every part of Clifton High school life. During summer 2023, Clifton High achieved an ‘Excellent’ ISI inspection on both pupils’ academic and other achievements, and pupils’ personal development. ISI noted, “Pupils are confident communicators both in lessons and in their activities beyond the classroom. They are not afraid to voice their opinions. They are also active listeners and learn effectively from each other”. “Pupils are very confident individuals and take risks in their work without fear of being judged. This is very much part of the school’s culture.”

www.cliftonhigh.co.uk

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD

Mr David AH Edwards MA, Head of Collegiate Prep School

From our small class sizes to our exceptional facilities, we strive to provide not just an exceptional education, but a community in which your child can unlock their true potential. Collegiate Prep is a safe, happy school, and we support our families so that each child feels nurtured. Academic excellence is supported by an environment of enriched opportunity, with sports, music, creative and performing arts, all held in equal esteem. Our staff work extremely hard to help each pupil understand the world around them and to develop strong values and respect for others. It would be my pleasure to welcome you on a tour soon and to explore how your family can join ours.

www.collegiate.org.uk

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD

Jeremy McCullough MA (Oxon), Head, Collegiate School

What makes a Collegiate education so special? We value the benefits of a broad and holistic education. Our students excel academically, but they also recognise that there is much more to life than exam results. We are fortunate to have all our facilities on-site meaning students can seamlessly combine academic studies and sporting, musical and dramatic pursuits. Our main aim is for students to be happy at school. Happy students will work hard, play hard, and will become the best version of themselves. Join us at one of our open events, or get in touch to arrange a tour, and discover for yourself the unique benefits a Collegiate education can offer your child.

www.collegiate.org.uk

Mr

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD

KINGSWOOD SCHOOL: 275 YEARS OF INSPIRING EDUCATION

Kingswood School

When John Wesley was questioned about his motives for travelling the length and breadth of the country on horseback and on foot, teaching and preaching to people, his answer was beautifully simple - he wanted people to be happy, to be virtuous and to be useful to others. As we celebrate our 275th anniversary, and look to the future, we draw strength from our history as the first Methodist School.

We are proud of our Wesleyan heritage which calls us to be a vibrant, diverse and inclusive community, recognising that education is about the acquisition of wisdom and humility as well as academic qualifications. Kingswood is a school where individuals are helped to develop their own talents while encouraging others to do the same. Kingswood pupils excel in themselves whilst making a real difference to the lives of others. Through the power of holistic education, we will transform lives, enabling our younger people to grow in mind, in body and spirit, and to leave us ready to make their mark on the world. www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD

Simon Dorman, Headteacher of Haberdashers’ Monmouth School

Headmaster of Haberdashers’ Monmouth School, Simon Dorman, has every reason to look forward with optimism. “As we see a move to being fully co-ed in September 2024, and the huge investment into our facilities that this change brings, we turn our attention to the future. Our mission statement talks of fostering educational excellence, healthy lives and fulfilling futures. The best way to do this is by using our stunning location, beside the beautiful Wye River, as the perfect place to inspire our students and the wider community to understand the importance of sustainability and to treasure and preserve the natural beauty that surrounds us. This should proudly underpin everything we do within our academic and wider extra-curricular programme.”

www.habsmonmouth.org

MESSAGES FROM THE HEAD

Mr Rupert Heathcote, Headteacher of QEH School

“The QEH community of pupils, their families and our staff and governors make me proud to be Head of this school. The enthusiasm and engagement of pupils in their lessons, on the sports pitch and during their co-curricular activities, whether on stage or half way up a mountain, is so rewarding to see,” says Mr Rupert Heathcote.

“We expect a lot of our young people and, as a school, we support and care hugely about their wellbeing. As a result, they thrive and flourish, becoming kind, curious and positive members of our community and, we hope, of society as a whole. We encourage them to live up to the values of our motto, Whilst we have time, let us do good.”

www.qehbristol.co.uk

A BIT ABOUT US

Redmaids’ High School

With a history dating back to 1634, Redmaids’ High is the oldest surviving girls’ school in the country. Proud of their distinguished past and acclaimed expertise in educating students aged 7-18 years, the school has long understood how valuable an all-girls education is for preparing our women of tomorrow.

Academic excellence is important to Redmaids’ High and is reflected time and time again in the school’s impressive examination results, but this achievement is so evidently just one facet of the exceptional all-round education that is on offer. Awarded the highest honour of ‘Excellent’ in all areas by ISI Inspectors, the school provides pastoral care of the highest standard, allowing the students to truly thrive and make the most of the outstanding facilities and progressive range of opportunities available to them.

Redmaids’ High School is a community of kind, engaged and brave young women, confident in the knowledge that they are global citizens and ready to play their chosen part in the modern, ever-evolving world of today.

www.redmaidshigh.co.uk

Sidcot School

At Sidcot we are justifiably proud of our students’ academic record, but we are equally proud of their social skills, their emotional intelligence, their resilience and their determination to make a difference in the world. It’s our experience that curiosity and the confidence to enquire fearlessly - to live adventurously, as our Quaker philosophy puts it - leads children to be better motivated and more at ease with themselves as thinkers and learners. We don’t cram children at Sidcot, because we don’t have to. This is a kind, purposeful place where we educate the whole person for a life of active, responsible citizenship. As the independent reviewer from the Good Schools Guide recently put it, “Open, curious, inspired by their education and calmly confident in their ability to make a difference is how Sidcot pupils come across”. www.sidcot.org.uk

The Downs School

A leading independent day preparatory school for children aged 4 to 13, The Downs Preparatory School is set in sixty acres of idyllic parkland. The expanses of peaceful nature, state-of-the-art facilities and our historic buildings – enhance every aspect of learning. Just five miles from Clifton, Bristol.

A school where tradition meets vibrancy and an environment where children have the freedom to explore, the confidence to express and the ambition to excel.

To succeed in the 21st Century workplace requires collaboration, resilience and perseverance. We look to encourage these qualities, interweaving them throughout our curriculum and everyday school life. Our children excel academically, but that alone isn’t enough. They leave our school with the values, drive and resilience to be themselves, and make bold, courageous choices to explore the world around them.

www.thedownsschool.co.uk

WHAT WE DO

Tockington Manor School

Tockington Manor School and Nursery is a very special place where boys and girls aged 2 – 13 can flourish in a tranquil countryside setting. Situated in one of the nation’s few private arboretums, the school has an outdoor ethos where wellies are part of the uniform and weather is a learning opportunity rather than a deterrent. This is where small seeds become mighty trees!

Headmaster Stephen Symonds aims to encourage a love of learning to last a lifetime. This is achieved through small classes led by passionate teachers, stimulating sports, performing arts and extracurricular activities, and by allowing children to be children for as long as possible, while still being prepared with the attitude and aptitude for senior schools and beyond. At Tockington Manor, we’re more than a school. We’re a family.

www.tockingtonmanorschool.com

Wells is a family-orientated co-educational boarding and day school for 2-18 year olds, which provides an all-round education alongside world-class Specialist Music and Chorister training. Their vision is to inspire every individual pupil to nurture their talents in a vibrant, creative, spiritual and stimulating environment to become a responsible global citizen.

The school provides an encouraging and ambitious education for every child based on their underlying values of Creativity, Aspiration, Responsibility and Endeavour (CARE).

Their strategic vision is driven by the school motto: ‘Esto Quod Es’. This has been the motto since at least the 19th century when the school was re-founded. The adopted translation ‘Be what you are’ succinctly and powerfully represents the school’s belief in the individuality of each pupil. The school is very conscious that pupils discover who they are and equip all of them with the ability to enjoy a lifetime of discovery. The journey begins here at Wells.

www.wells.cathedral.school

Alastair Tighe, Head Master, Wells Cathedral School

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD

The Downs Preparatory School unveils covered swimming pool ready for September.

We are proud to announce the addition of our new covered 20m swimming pool on site, set to be ready for students returning to school this September. This modern addition to our facilities marks a significant milestone in enhancing the student experience and promoting a wellrounded education.

The covered swimming pool represents an investment of over £500k and is set to revolutionise the way our students engage with aquatic activities. This state-of-the-art facility boasts an array of features designed to ensure optimal comfort, safety, and sustainability.

Key features:

•Year-round usage: The central focus of the project is a retractable cover that envelops the pool area, allowing for year-round utilisation regardless of weather conditions. During the summer months, the bottom two segments of the enclosure can fold up into the roof space, allowing for an open-air experience.

•Integrated changing rooms: The pool's in-built changing rooms streamline the swimming experience, ensuring convenience for our students.

•Fully inclusive: With disabled access, dedicated changing and toilet facilities.

•Modernisation and sustainability: Notably, air source heat pumps have been installed to harness sustainable energy sources for the pool water heating. This commitment to eco-friendly practices aligns seamlessly with our commitment to sustainability.

•Wider community: Beyond our student body, this facility extends its reach to the wider community. Opportunities for external partnerships and pool rental will be available, sharing the benefits of this exceptional resource.

“Enhancing our pool facility has been a top priority since I joined in 2020. This revitalised space will have a fantastic impact, not only on our students but also, eventually, on our wider community. A big thank you to our dedicated Bursar and his team for making this transformation happen so swiftly. I am looking forward to seeing how this upgraded pool empowers children, boosts water-confidence and paves the way for a lifetime of water-based fun. We’re excited for the opportunities it will provide for not only our students and staff but also for the wider community.”

Debbie Isaachsen, Headteacher.

www.thedownsschool.co.uk

Graduation joy for student who went to 11 schools

A student who was a young carer and went to 11 schools has this year graduated from the University of Bristol. From the age of five, Chloe Fussell helped care for her disabled siblings and terminally ill mother. Now 24, she is working as a supply teacher before doing a teacher training course, so she can help pupils “by being the person I needed when I was younger”.

In August she received her Criminology degree at the university’s Wills Memorial Building with her proud family watching on. “Dad was more excited for graduation than I was,” Chloe said. “I’m the first person in my family to go to university and he just thinks it’s amazing.”

Growing up in Radstock, near Bath, Chloe did not realise her life was different to other children’s.

She had already been helping with a sibling’s disability when her mother went in for a routine operation and was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

“Looking back it was a lot, but I didn’t know any different,” Chloe said. “I didn’t know other kids were out playing on their bikes. I now know it wasn’t a normal way to grow up but I’ve made my peace with it.”

The family made several moves across the country to access healthcare and get closer to friends and family. Tragically, Chloe’s mother passed away two years after her diagnosis, aged 38. Chloe was just nine. For her incredible work as a young carer she won a Pride Of Somerset Youth Award. She was nominated by her father, who lives with a disability. Chloe’s turbulent early life meant she went to six primary schools and five secondary schools – and had all but ruled out going to university.

But, having spent time at a University of Bristol summer school, she later chanced upon its Foundation in Arts and Social Sciences course. Chloe went on to study Criminology at the University –including an exchange year in Michigan, USA.

“It was the best of experience of my life. It made me realise there are opportunities beyond being at home.”

Chloe has spent the past nine months as a supply teacher at a Bristol school and will now study for a PGCE at the University of Bristol to be a secondary maths teacher.

“I’m really pleased I ended up where I am. I kept stumbling until I landed. It’s been the most ridiculous, crazy journey. Eight years ago I genuinely didn’t think I’d end up anywhere, for so long it felt like the system was against me.”

Dr Natasha Mulvihill, Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Bristol, said that Chloe was an “articulate, critically engaged student” who has “an insight and maturity beyond her years”.

She added: “There are some staff and students at Bristol for whom being here is more than a job or a degree: they are here in spite of past challenges, and because they understand - through their experience - the transformative potential of education.”

• bristol.ac.uk

Dr Daniel Sturdy Co Principal

Mrs Clare Fraser CoPrincipal

BRISTOL UPDATES

NEWS FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS

Education charity Jamie’s Farm secures new rural site

Education charity Jamie’s Farm has announced the purchase of a sixth rural farm which will enable more young people at risk of social and academic exclusion to experience its transformative residential visits to the countryside.

The charity has helped almost 13,000 disadvantaged young people boost their selfconfidence and improve their behaviour since it was founded in 2009. The addition of Lower Shockerwick Farm means 450 more children can be helped each year, meeting some of the increased demand from schools and local authorities for Jamie’s Farm’s unique Family, Farming and Therapy approach.

The charity runs five-day residential programmes which give children time and space to reflect, renew and determine a new path for themselves. In the homely environment of the farms, young people are given the opportunity to display their talents and show responsibility with real farm jobs, encouraging togetherness and an escape from the challenges of normal life.

Lower Shockerwick is set in the beautiful Box Valley, five miles outside Bath and neighbours the original Hill House Farm, where the charity began. The 200-acre farm includes a four-bedroom seventeenth century house, a cottage, and barns, all of which will be adapted for use by visiting school children with residential visits starting in Autumn 2024. The new site has been purchased with lending from sustainable bank, Triodos, plus fundraised income.

The charity believes in regenerative farming, woodland management and improving biodiversity. The addition of Lower Shockerwick Farm will significantly expand the scope for involving visiting young people in a nature-friendly approach to farming.

• jamiesfarm.org.uk

Local paddleboarding company at threat of closure

Another iconic harbourside business faces closure in a turbulent year for Bristol Floating Harbour. SUP Bristol, the city’s paddleboarding company, are losing their storage in Underfall Yard, putting the future of paddleboarding in Bristol at risk.

Many businesses within the harbour, its residents and leisure users, have faced multiple challenges this year, including the increased Harbour Fees introduced by Bristol City Council in April and the devastating fire at Underfall Yard in May. Many are now fearful that Bristol will see fewer boats and leisure users as a result.

SUP Bristol is on the water daily, with groups enjoying the physical and wellbeing benefits of outdoor activity. Operating since 2014, they are now as much a part of the harbour’s personality as the boats within the harbour themselves.

Tim Trew, SUP Bristol cofounder states: “It’s clear SUP Bristol is vital for so many of our members’ mental and physical health, and we’re a huge draw for visitors too. We’re asking Bristol City Council to rent us some space to store our boards so we can continue to provide for locals and tourists alike.”

SUP Bristol are currently seeking statements of support in aid of their goal to source a new storage space. Submissions can be posted and read at save.supbristol.com.

• To find out more, supbristol.com

Bristol Memorial Woodlands installs new web-streaming service

A new state-of-the-art web streaming and audio-visual system has been installed at Bristol Memorial Woodlands that will enable friends and families to join funerals online from anywhere in the world.

The funeral venue, near Thornbury, Bristol, where a 100-acre natural woodland is being created, began live-streaming funerals during the Covid pandemic and have now installed the industry-standard Obitus system. The Memorial Woodlands chapel in a converted Georgian Tannery building has been given a complete audio-visual upgrade. Families now have access to a wider database of music and hymns for the service using concert-grade equipment. There's also a brandnew screen for visual tributes for family photographs and video. This new sound system has been extended to the adjacent reception rooms, where there is also a second screen, providing for overflow congregations together with the facility to play music and “memory board” imagery appropriate to the life being celebrated whilst at the reception following any service.

Christopher Baker, founder of Bristol Memorial Woodlands, said: “It is not unusual now for people to have family members all over the country, in America and in Australia. Often it is difficult for them to get to a funeral at short notice. The Obitus system is used widely throughout the UK and by investing in this equipment we are enabling those who choose to have a burial here, or an interment of ashes or life celebration to help friends and family attend, even if they can't make it in person. With this new system, they can also fully personalise their funeral, and have the music and visual input that they need to create a service that truly reflects their loved one.”

• For more information visit: memorialwoodlands.com

WE HAVE A VACANCY

EDITOR - THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE - FULL TIME

Every month we produce two of the UK's finest, city lifestyle magazines: The Bristol Magazine and The Bath Magazine. In each city they are also the biggest monthly titles by print, circulation and readership.

We now have a rare, full-time opportunity for a talented, accomplished and enthusiastic editor and writer to take a fully immersive, lead role in helping us to continue our success at The Bristol Magazine. Scan the code to see the position on our website.

Next generation hairstyling

On a mission to demystify the world of hair styling, empowering women with the tools and confidence to style their hair quickly and without fuss, renowned hairdresser Michael Douglas has poured 30 years of knowledge into creating mdlondon. Here, he talks tools, technique and achieving salon-perfect hair at home...

Celebrity hairdresser Michael Douglas has been in the industry for 35 years. His clients have included the likes of Johnny Depp, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Rochelle Humes, Laura Whitmore, and, of course, Davina McCall, with whom he has been in a relationship with since 2019. The couple co-host their popular podcast Making The Cut, which is described as being “the TripAdvisor for your life” as they guide listeners through what’s hot and what’s not.

More recently, Michael is perhaps best known for his TV work, particularly for his appearances on The One Show as The Street Stylist, where he surprises members of the public with haircuts in unexpected locations.

However, it wasn’t until lockdown and through his daily Instagram Live Hair Clinics that the inspiration for mdlondon crystallised. The most common message Michael received was “why won’t my hair look like it does when I leave the hairdressers?”

During these daily chats with thousands of people online, Michael realised he had the solution. Since then, he has poured his decades of experience in styling every hair type into creating innovative new hair tools. In 2022, the BLOW hairdryer was launched. Soon after, mdlondon developed a brand-new straightener equipped with eleven heat settings.

Now, as mdlondon teams up with Harvey Nichols and the new products are released into the Bristol store, we catch up with Michael to hear his top tips for achieving salon-perfect hair at home.

Tell us more about your daily Instagram Live Hair Clinics during lockdown and where you found the inspiration for mdlondon’s new hair tools...

The Instagram Lives were done out of necessity and boredom. I could see there were hundreds and thousands of people who needed help with their hair but very few places to get it. Also, I had all this knowledge and expertise from my 35 years in the industry and given the tragic situation that was going on, I wanted to do something that would help people who were suffering. I know I wasn’t saving lives but it was still help. I realised that most peoples’ hair problems could be solved with tools rather than products. The tools on offer either weren’t that good or were too expensive.

Tell us about the tools themselves and the key features of the straightener and the hair dryer...

BLOW is powerful, quiet and lightweight. Tested, used and loved by professionals, this next generation hair dryer is designed to make hair styling easy and enjoyable. It weighs just 360g but packs a lot of power into its compact design, drying hair quickly and efficiently. Cutting-edge DC-brushless technology, variable heat and speed settings and two directional nozzles mean you can enjoy complete control as you style. The diffuser (sold separately) is essential for frizz free, natural waves and curls. As the name suggests, it works to diffuse the air so you get the benefit of fast drying without creating frizz on your waves and curls.

STRAIT has eleven heat settings, with a maximum temperature of 230°C, hotter than most straightening irons and ideal for the strongest hair types. A fully adjustable temperature control puts you in complete control of how you style your hair. It’s up to you if you want to have a lower heat setting and take more time on the ironing process, or have a higher heat setting, but spend less time.

What are your top tips for achieving a salon-standard blow dry at home?

1. Towel dry the hair and start styling within five minutes while it’s still damp.

2. Start with massaging the scalp with a hair cream (Michael swears by Sebastian Potion Number 9 leave-in styling conditioner) before using a heat protective spray (OGX Heat Protect Spray, for example).

3. Use a wide-tooth comb to move the hair into your desired shape.

4. Section the hair. Start with the lower back layer before moving up to the top layers. The lower back layer is not only the hardest section to reach but the section that’s prone to frizz. Each section should be the same width as the round brush that you’re using.

5. Attach the nozzle to the hair dryer –the nozzles are designed to be the same width as a round brush.

6. Start with the brush at the roots, place the hair dryer on top of the hair and brush and blow dry the hair down and away from your scalp – if you don’t, you’re pushing all the fine hairs and fly-aways up.

7. Use a low speed and low heat in case you make any mistakes.

8. For more volume, blow dry the hair forward.

Top tip: think about which hand you’re holding the hair dryer in for ease and comfort – experiment with using the hair dryer in each hand. See Michael and Davina’s demonstration of the perfect blow dry at: mdlondon.co.uk

What techniques do you recommend for straightening hair, or using straighteners to curl hair?

1. It’s best to start with wet hair, blow dry it and then straighten it – it will make all the difference. Use a heat protect spray on wet hair before blow drying the hair.

2. Brush through the hair through, starting at the bottom before working up to the top.

3. Section the hair and start with the lower back layer.

4. Take a section the same size as the straightening irons – if you take a thicker section, you’re going to need more heat and more time to get through the section.

5. Take 2-3 seconds to pass through the hair at 180–190°C – one slow, smooth pass is the best way to straighten your hair.

6. Place a comb in front of the irons, so the hair passes through the comb before it enters the iron.

Top tip: Once you reach the parting, start ironing about five centimetres away from the root area so you don’t crush or collapse the natural body and volume at the roots.

What are your top tips for getting and maintaining healthy hair?

Eat a well balanced diet and include 55 grams of whole protein (eggs, fish, meat) daily. Vitamin D and B12 are very good for hair growth. Washing your hair four to seven times a week is a good idea to maintain a healthy clean scalp. Try not to use heat styling more than three times a week if possible. Use a heat protection spray. If your hair is coloured then a treatment/hair mask about every five shampoos is a good idea.

For those looking to dye their hair at home, what products do you recommend and what techniques do you suggest?

Garnier Good is a great permanent home hair colourant that will lighten, darken and add and change colour. It will also cover 100% grey, if that’s what you need. Lightening one to two shades is fine at home, but if you want to go much lighter or much darker, visit a salon. If you only want a semi permanent colour then go for Clairol Natural Instincts. And if you just want to give your colour a boost try Josh Wood colour gloss. n

• mdlondon.co.uk. Exclusive to Harvey Nichols; harveynichols.com

Michael’s must-haves...

BLOW Hair Dryer

Casal Blue and Olive Green, £195; mdlondon.co.uk

STRAIT Hair Straightener

Casal Blue and Olive Green, £109; mdlondon.co.uk

OGX

Argan Oil of Morocco Heat Protection Spray for Hair; available from £5 in Asda, Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Amazon

Sebastian Potion Number 9 leave-in styling conditioner; sebastianprofessional.com

Suffering from joint pain?

Here at CURA, we use the latest technologies: MBST Cell Regeneration Therapy and Deep Tissue Laser Therapy to heal and repair the damaged tissues. We combine these technologies with hands-on Chiropractic and Physiotherapy to ensure your body heals itself to its maximum potential.

Sally: Foot Arthritis

Sally came to me in a lot of pain in her mid foot. She’s had it a long time. Virtually all the cartilage had gone and there was considerable bone damage (almost a Charcot joint for the medics out there). Fortunately one of the strengths of MBST is treating bone marrow odoema. (inflammation and swelling in bone commonly found in more severely arthritic joints). This photo was taken the day I discharged her, 7 months post MBST. She’s pain free!!!….why? …because MBST stimulates cells that heal the structures in our body. In this case, osteoblasts we’re the enabled cells that replenish healthy bone cells. Great outcome for a lovely patient.

award-winning innovative treatment for: Osteoarthritis | Back & disc problems | Bone conditions & fractures | Cartilage damage | Ligament, tendon & muscle damage | Sports & accident injuries.

Micro Suction Wax Removal in just a single

30 minute appointment

Micro suction is the gold standard of wax removal and is considered safer than other methods such as irrigation.

**Special Promotion** £60 for Both Ears

•Ear Examination

•Full Wax removal in both ears

•Photos and a video are taken before/after treatment

•2.3 million people each year have problems with earwax sufficient to need interventions •1 in 5 adults in the UK alone are affected by hearing loss •435k microsuction wax removal procedures that took place in 2018

Here at Bristol Health Hub, our aim is to prioritise your health and wellbeing by providing patients with affordable access to excellent healthcare through a top team of expert clinicians who have gained extensive experience working within the NHS and in the private sector.

We are offering a private minor illness service with face to face and online appointments. Appointment fee:£65 for 20 minutes and £100 for 30 minutes.

Clinic address: Low Barn, Sheepway, Portbury, Bristol BS20 7TF. 0117 452 5580 hello@bristolhealthhub.com

Outstanding Care in Weight Management

Weight management is a topic on which everyone has an opinion, but these opinions can often be overgeneralised and actually detrimental rather than helpful. Stereotypical views of weight as a reflection of laziness and greediness, combined with diets that have been unsuccessful in the longer-term compound a personal sense of failure and shame. And the more times a person goes around the cycle of weight loss, the harder it is to believe that anything can change.

The tide is changing, however, from old messages of ‘you just have to eat less and move more’ to recognising the complexity of factors that influence weight. Sleep, stress, endocrine disturbance, gut hormones, nutrition and physical activity levels all have a part to play, as well as genetic factors which can be activated under certain physical and environmental conditions.

What we offer

At Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, we provide a range of different interventions to meet an individual’s needs. Our specialist weight loss team is made up of consultant bariatric surgeons James Hewes, Alan Osborne, Hari Najeswaren and Dimitris Pournaras, dieticians Dafydd Wilson-Evans, Jeanette Lamb and Beth Greenslade, and consultant clinical psychologists Vanessa Snowdon-Carr and Emma Shuttlewood. Between them, they offer a multidisciplinary approach which begins with a comprehensive assessment to understand when difficulties with weight developed, eating habits, physical and emotional health and wellbeing, before suggesting the options for treatment.

Wellness interventions

Because many people want to refocus on weight management, we offer a number of different options, including tailored nutritional support from dietitians, group interventions for dietary change, or a focus on habits and behaviour change with a clinical psychologist. We offer more specialised psychological help if needed for disordered eating and mental health difficulties, as these issues are likely to have an impact on how food is used.

Weight Loss Medication

Medication for weight loss is now more effective than ever, working by replicating the gut hormones that are linked to hunger. Feeling less hungry and more satisfied after eating, we will support you to focus on your nutrition and lifestyle habits, helping you to manage your weight in the long term. On average people lose 10% of their total body weight over a period of 12 months.

Gastric balloons

At the Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, we use the Allurion Balloon, which does not require surgery, endoscopy or anaesthesia and is placed in a 20-minute appointment. The balloon is filled with saline and remains for approximately 4 months before passing naturally. Typically, people lose 13-15kg by also focusing on habit change supported by the specialist team. We also give you a set of smart scales linked to an App to track your progress.

Bariatric surgery

Bariatric, or weight loss surgery remains the most effective intervention for both weight loss and the maintenance of weight loss in the longer term. Our team meets the highest standards of recommended practice by offering a multi-disciplinary approach from surgeons, dietitians and psychologists as a standard. This is rare within private practice, and we are proud of our approach at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, providing comprehensive support with specialists in their field.

We provide the following surgeries, all performed laparoscopically using keyhole surgery:

•Gastric Bypass – this procedure involves creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach which is then connected to the small intestine. As a result, the rest of the stomach is bypassed. By doing so, it not only reduces the amount that a person is able to eat but it also changes the gut hormones which are linked to hunger and feeling of fullness. It results in rapid weight loss in the first 6-months before stabilising over time.

•Sleeve Gastrectomy – this procedure removes a large section of the stomach, leaving a ‘bananashaped’ section that is closed with staples. As with the bypass, it reduces appetite in the short-term, reduces the amount of food able to be eaten at any one time, and affects the gut hormones.

•Gastric Banding – this uses a device that is placed around the top of the stomach, creating a small pouch. It is connected to a port placed under the skin so that fluid can be added to the band to adjust the pressure. It helps to make changes to the way a person eats, as well as enabling an earlier sensation of fullness.

•Revision surgery – sometimes people need to have their gastric band or sleeve revised to a gastric bypass.

Help after bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery is a very powerful tool for weight management, but long-term success requires a person to make changes to how, what and why they eat. We provide support for 18months following surgery as standard, and also offer consultations for individuals who have had their surgery elsewhere.

For more information, contact the Enquiries team at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital by calling 0117 911 5339, or visit our website.

Meet our team of weight loss specialists: James, Hari, Jeanette, Vanessa, Dafydd, administrator Abby, Alan and practice manager Lucy.

How charitable giving can reduce inheritance tax

By Richard Higgs. Chartered Independent Financial Planner

Inheritance tax (IHT) rules can have a significant impact on the value of assets passed on to your loved ones. Individuals have a "nil rate band" which is the amount up to which an estate has no IHT to pay, currently set at £325,000. For married couples and civil partners, any unused portion of the nil-rate band can be transferred to the surviving partner, potentially doubling the tax-free allowance to £650,000.

Additionally, if you leave your main residence to direct descendants (children, adopted, fostered, or stepchildren, and grandchildren), you are entitled to a residence nil rate band of £175,000 each. Any assets you hold above these thresholds are taxed at a rate of 40%.

One effective strategy to potentially reduce IHT is legacy giving, which involves designating a portion of your estate to a charitable cause in your Will. This deliberate and thoughtful decision ensures your values continue to make a difference even after you are gone.

When at least 10% of your estate is donated to charity, the rate of IHT on the remainder of the estate (above thresholds) is reduced from 40% to 36%. This can make a huge difference to the tax owed, making legacy giving an integral part of IHT planning.

If you would like to learn more about legacy giving or other IHT planning strategies, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. As experts in later life financial advice, we can help you gain clarity and confidence in your inheritance tax and estate planning.

Call 0117 3636 212 or email office@haroldstephens.co.uk to arrange a relaxed chat about your circumstances or to request a complimentary inheritance tax review.

For more financial planning tips, search "Harold Stephens IFA" on YouTube.

De-cluttering does wonders for mental health

Physical environments influence emotions, cognition and behaviours.

Cluttered environments can be uncomfortable, embarrassing, depressing and stressful. They can cause friction between household members and create feelings of not being in control.

Clutter causes negativity. If your hallway has become a dumping ground, every time you come into your home it will feel negative rather than positive. If the clutter continues into the kitchen these negative feelings continue, and so on and so forth.

Fay Gregory has been running her de-clutter service for over 10 years and thankfully has seen many positive changes in recycling. It is a great resource, and if an item can be recycled it is far easier to let it go.

There is no harm in asking for help and people find that once they’ve tackled their clutter, they feel that a weight has been lifted, their mood improves and they enjoy a sense of freedom.

Reorganising and de-cluttering your home is not about making a ‘show home’. It is about managing your belongings and making your home an inviting, pleasurable place to live in and somewhere to feel proud of.

Whether you have hoarding tendencies or are just fed up with general mess and clutter, help is at hand to get you motivated.

FM DeClutter Services provide a friendly tailor made service that works with you, at your pace, with empathy and understanding.

For further information, help, advice and solutions, call Fay Gregory at FM DeClutter Services

Tel: 078 2107 8526 or 0117 955 0713

www.fmdeclutterservices.com

INTERIORS NOTES

LATEST NEWS FROM SOME OF THE CITY’S BEST BUSINESSES

New In: Decorative Tiles

Quorn Stone has just launched its latest collection of beautiful decorative tiles, from colourful glossy metro and kit kat tiles to authentic glazed Zellige tiles and Moroccan patterned prints. This new range encompasses something for every home, injecting an element of creativity and playfulness into any interior scheme.

• View in store at Quorn Stone Bristol, 92a Whiteladies Road, Clifton, BS8 2QN, or shop the full collection at: mystonefloor.com

Gardiner Haskins Interiors unveils inspirational furniture showroom

Gardiner Haskins Interiors proudly announces the opening of their new furniture showroom, showcasing the finest selections from renowned brands Parker Knoll and G Plan. With an unwavering commitment to quality, style, and comfort, the new upholstery furniture showroom perfectly complements their bedroom showroom.

Nestled in the heart of Bristol, Gardiner Haskins are a homeowner’s dream, specialising in fitted kitchens, bathrooms, bedroom and upholstery furniture. Steve Whitcombe, Retail Director, says: “The inclusion of Parker Knoll and G Plan in our showroom is a testament to our commitment to providing our customers with only the best quality brands and designs. We would like to invite all our customers to visit the showroom and try out the sofas and chairs for themselves.”

• Find out more at gardinerhaskins.co.uk or visit the showrooms at Broad Plain

In the spotlight: K Interiors

Bristol-based interior design company, K Interiors –founded in 2015 –has recently launched a new website. Passionate about colour, the brand has become a go-to name for colour-focused bespoke schemes and luxury interior design throughout the South West.

Over the years, K Interiors has worked on a wide range of projects, both large and small, and on many different types of properties. It has developed strong relationships with expert local craftspeople and artisans, which has enabled the team to create a bespoke furniture range along with soft furnishings. Known for their attention to detail and personal touch, the team always works in close consultation with clients to create beautiful and practical interiors. Along with the launch of the website, K Interiors is also exploring the possibility of expanding its design team and embarking on interiors-related design projects to create even more bespoke offerings for your home.

• Visit K Interiors’s website at: k-interiors.co.uk

LIGHTBULB MOMENT

From show-stopping pendants to elegant desk lamps, we shine a light on some of our favourite designs in interior lighting...

Junit Lampe “Copla”, £306;e schneidstudio.come

John Lewis Tara Ceiling Light, Walnut Stained Ash, £525; johnlewis.com

Celine Table Lamp Basee Matt Black, £89;e atkinandthyme.co.uke

Artisan Handblowne Green Glass Luctone Table Lamp, £980;e fritzfryer.co.uke

Adrianne Cluster Pendante Light, £359; made.come

Camberwell Standard Lamp e £227; jim-lawrence.co.uk e

Kaskad Lamp Big Ruste from £682;e schneidstudio.come

Balmoral Pendante Light in antiqued brass, £114;e jim-lawrence.co.uke

Ilaria Pendant Light,e £60; made.come

Finders keepers

With the late summer and early autumn comes the opportunity to forage for soft berries and juicy fruits. Here, Elly West looks at where to find armfuls of delicious treats...

Atrip to the supermarket isn’t what it used to be with soaring prices meaning many of us are having to rethink our shopping list and spending habits. Free food is an appealing prospect, and it’s there for the taking if you know where to look. What’s more, it involves a lovely walk in the countryside, rather than a stressful trip to a crowded shop. What’s not to like?

Foraging for food has been the way we’ve survived throughout human history. Looking to the great outdoors for food means walking the path of our most ancient ancestors, and keeps us in touch with nature. It’s good for our mental and physical health, and is something the whole family can enjoy. Blackberry picking is something I remember doing as a child growing up in Somerset, walking along a disused railway line, but armed with a bit of knowledge, there’s much more than blackberry and apple pie to be had.

(A disclaimer is probably needed sooner rather than later, but never, ever pick or eat anything that you’re not one hundred percent sure about. Take responsibility for your own safety and check with your GP if you have any doubts, for example if you are pregnant, or have certain medical conditions. If you’re not sure, don’t pick!)

This month is a great time to find food in abundance, so go armed with your essential kit and see what you can find. Long trousers, long sleeves, gardening gloves and walking shoes or boots are recommended, as you’re likely to encounter nettles and brambles. Take a basket, sandwich boxes or bags to bring home your spoils, secateurs,

and a stick with a hook on the end will prove useful for pulling down higher branches for those out-of-reach fruits.

Responsible foraging means considering where you go and what you take. If you’re looking to forage on private land, always get permission from the landowner. If you live in the city, avoid busy roads because of pollution. Parks, tow-paths and areas with lots of weeds are good places to start – weeds indicating that pesticides haven’t been used. Otherwise, travel out to the countryside for fields, embankments, cycle paths, woodland and hedgerows along public footpaths. Forage in moderation and only take what you need. Avoid harvesting the whole plant or digging anything up.

This month is a great time for collecting wild berries, particularly blackberries. Look out for the black shiny ones that are easy to pick and leave the red ones to ripen for longer, so somebody else can pick them. Eat them fresh, or freeze them for later. Add them to smoothies, or make blackberry jam, or syrup. They’re also great for baking in pies, muffins, cakes and puddings.

Rowan berries are also fairly easy to find, and are rich in vitamins A and C. They are bitter and can cause stomach upsets eaten raw, but perfectly fine when cooked and added to crab apples to make jellies to accompany meat and cheese. Sloes are another treasure I remember from childhood. These dusky grey-blue fruits grow on blackthorn, and can be used to make sloe gin. Rinse 500g of sloes and prick them with a fork, then add 250g of caster sugar and a litre of gin, or enough to cover the berries. Seal the mixture in a jar and shake well once a day

for seven days, then leave in a cool dark place for two to three months before straining. The gin is then ready to drink, but will improve over time, so pour it into bottles and enjoy at your leisure. Other berries to look out for include elderberries to add to pies, crumbles and for sauces or syrups; rosehips for fruit teas; and wild strawberries if you’re really lucky.

September is also the start of nut season. Look out for hazelnuts if you can get to them before the squirrels, sweet chestnuts for roasting, and even acorns and beechnuts can be roasted and ground to make a hot drink similar to coffee.

If you like mushrooms, there are around 15,000 types of fungi in the UK that can be found growing wild, many of which are edible. Always use multiple sources of identification before picking and eating any wild mushrooms as there are also some deadly ones out there. The giant puffball is a good starter for novice foragers, as it doesn't have any inedible look-a-likes, save for an actual football. Sliced and fried, it tastes a little like an omelette. The hedgehog mushroom is also fairly easy to recognise. It is light-coloured and grows from the ground with a stem and little spines on the underside.

Leaves are also a great source of free food, whether it’s young nettles for soup, dandelions for tea, or wild garlic for pesto. If you want to find out more, or aren’t sure where to start, then a local foraging walk or workshop led by an expert is a great opportunity to discover some good spots, as well as making sure your spoils are edible. Bristol-based Martin Bailey will be hosting a walk around Odbury Court Estate and Eastville Park on 9 September.

For more information, other walks further into autumn, and to book, visit goforaging.co.uk. For other events in and around Bristol, try also healingweeds.co.uk, or steveengland.co.uk. n

• ellyswellies.co.uk

Plant of the Month: Rowan (Sorbus)

These beautiful trees, with their Latin name, Sorbus, but also known as mountain ash, are at their prime in late summer and early autumn when the berries ripen, hanging in brightly coloured clusters that are generally red, orange or yellow. They are good contenders for smaller gardens, as they don’t get too large, and offer interest through the seasons, with fresh green growth and white blossom in spring, followed by the berries and good autumn colour. Their open habit and airy canopy create dappled shade that’s not too dense, so won’t dominate the space. Autumn is a good time to plant a new tree. An open, sunny site is best, but they are also tolerant of shade and most soil types. Water regularly for the first two years or so, until well established. ‘Joseph Rock’ is a popular variety with yellow berries and particularly good autumn leaf colour. Sorbus cashmiriana has unusual white berries. They are also good for attracting wildlife to the garden, the flowers attract bees and butterflies, and the berries will be enjoyed by birds including thrushes and blackbirds (and by you, if you decide to cook them and turn them into jelly). Rowan have historically been considered symbols of protection and planted near homes for good luck and to ward off evil spirits.

PROPERTY NEWS

DISCOVER THE LATEST NEWS FROM BRISTOL’S PROPERTY EXPERTS

to the exchange of contracts. Our focus is to make the process more straightforward and hopefully a little more fun!

What can a buying agent add in the current market?

Our key objective is to find and secure a property that best matches our clients’ preferences, at the very best price. In the current market where there is a well-documented shortage of stock, there are two approaches. First is to secure a property should it come on the open market. We can enable this by giving our clients experience-based advice on value and position their offer in a way that will look to convince a seller to perceive them as a preferred buyer.

Secondly, because of the lack of stock, we do all that we can to work with our contacts to find our clients a property that may not be on the open market. This could be a property that is being quietly marketed or alternatively we approach specific properties individually to see if a potential sale can be negotiated off market.

Can you give us some recent examples?

Newon the block

September sees the official launch of Oliver Roth Property Consultants, a Bristol Buying Agent specialising in the search and acquisition of prime residential property in and around Bristol. The company has evolved from the private buying arm of Rupert Oliver Property Agents, with Oliver Roth now standing as an independent consultancy.

We talk to owner, Lili Oliver, on the motivations behind establishing the buying agent and the choice timing for the new venture against the backdrop of a challenging property market.

Why did you decide to set up Oliver Roth?

Whether it has been the purchase of our family home or an investment property, it has always struck me how one-sided the transaction is in terms of expertise – with only the seller’s interest represented. Buyers deserve the same level of care and professional advice for their purchase, as well as the ability to search for, and ultimately acquire, property both on and off the market.

Our passion for property, coupled with our in-depth knowledge of the city and property market was a further driver behind the company. We want to provide clients with a more bespoke service based on our firsthand experience as property professionals, as well as the knowledge gained from being a family living in the city for the past 20 years. Our relationship with clients continues well beyond the deal having been completed with recommendations for interior designers, architects, and local school admissions, to name but a few.

Finally, acquiring a property should be the most exciting purchase one can make. This excitement is however often squashed by complex, time consuming, and stressful negotiations from the point of an offer through

We’ve been really fortunate to already work with some great clients. Earlier this year we completed on a superb Grade II Listed Georgian townhouse in Clifton, purchased for somewhere in excess of £2m. The clients knew Bristol from old, but were relocating from the South East and had limited time to devote to their move. We sourced for them a superb home, at a time of very limited stock. As the house required a certain amount of work to reconfigure it to their specific needs we were able to introduce them to trusted local tradespeople who they can now work with going forward.

We have also recently helped a lovely London couple acquire a fabulous bolt-hole on the harbourside. They wanted to have a weekend and holiday retreat they could use to visit family (their children and grandchildren live in Bristol) but without any maintenance and close to Temple Meads. We sourced the ideal flat in the ideal location and were able to buy it for them at a substantially reduced price.

What’s next for Oliver Roth?

We’re hugely excited about Bristol’s future both as a place for families to buy, live and grow a family, but also to invest in over the longer term. It’s wide-reaching economic outlook is hugely positive with excellent schools and two great universities, a thriving independent culture and superb social scene make it (in our opinion) the best city to be in.

We’re open to talking to clients with all sorts of search requirements and any initial meeting is held in confidence with no obligation to proceed.

In addition, we’re really looking forward to contributing to this magazine in a new monthly article written about property but from a buyer’s perspective. There will be insightful market comments and useful tips for those looking to acquire their dream home or next residential investment.

• For more information about Oliver Roth, visit: oliverroth.co.uk

The Stables at Leigh Court, Abbots Leigh, Bristol, BS8 3RA

UNIQUE WORKSPACES IN A WOODLAND SETTING

• An easy distance from Clifton and Bristol city centre, being only approximately 8km via the National Cycle Route 41, and approximately 5km woodland walk from Clifton village. The property is also conveniently situated within 3 miles of Junction 19 of the M5.

• Office suites ranging from 514 sq ft—1,710 sq ft (48 sq m—159 sq m).

• Ample on-site parking, cycle storage, EV charging, and sustainable energy solutions.

• The offices are due to be refurbished and can be designed to meet bespoke requirements.

• There is potential for the inclusion of an extensive garden area, subject to negotiation.

Further information can be obtained via the sole agent:

Burston Cook:

Vicki Grimshaw

0117 934 9977

Vicki@burstoncook.co.uk

BRISTOL & CLIFTON’S PREMIER COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AGENTS

Keep up-to-date with our latest news, deals, testimonials and market comment at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk

Harbour Crescent, Portishead TO LET – POA

1,395 - 4,964 sq ft (130 - 461 sq m)

Two new-build commercial units forming part of the Harbour Crescent development to be fitted to a high standard. Use Class E – would suit a range of uses.

Lakeside, Bridgewater Road TO LET / MAY SELL

6,057 sq ft (562.79 sq m)

On the main road between Bristol city centre and Bristol airport - fantastic visibility to 1000’s of motorists every day. Could suit many uses. Large forecourt parking.

The Old Brewery, Pill TO LET - £16.50 psf pax

2,100 sq ft (195.09 sq m)

A characterful office fitted out to a modern specification and set within a unique office environment which benefits from on-site car parking and gym.

QC30 103 TO LET / FOR SALE

C 1,813 sq ft

A modern office suite providing refurbished, predominantly open plan accomodation. The building benefits car parking, bike storage, and shower facilities. Rent only £14.95 psf pax / Long leasehold sale £440,000 plus VAT

Whiteladies Road, Clifton TO LET - £22,500

1,203 sq ft (111.76 sq m)

Large Class E unit split over ground and lower ground floor, situated on the everpopular Whiteladies Road. May suit a range of uses. Available by way of a new lease on terms to be agreed.

High Street, Thornbury FOR SALE - £295,000 + VAT 2,207 sq ft (205 sq m)

An excellent opportunity to acquire a prominently positioned office building on Thornbury high street. Potential for a range of commercial uses or residential conversion, subject to planning.

223 North Street, Bedminster TO LET – £22,000 pax 807 sq ft (74.97 sq m)

A ground floor café unit available to let on the ever popular North Street in Bedminster. The café benefits from a fully fitted commercial kitchen and extraction. Approx. 807 sq. ft.

6 Lower Park Row, Bristol TO LET - £17.95 PSF PAX 459-2,372 sq ft (47.74-220.36 sq m)

A charming office to rent with large car park to the rear and secure bike storage. The building is available to let on a floor-byfloor basis or as a whole.

131 Westbury Road, Westbury on Trym FOR SALE

4,031 sq ft (374.49)

A rare freehold opportunity available in Westbury-on-Trym. Guide Price - £750,000 +. A Live Online Auction is set for Wednesday 26th July 2023 with our joint agent Hollis Morgan

118 St Michaels Hill TO LET - £14,950 pax 843 sq ft (78.30 sq m)

A ground and lower ground floor commercial property to let, prominently situated on St Michaels Hill in the busy and vibrant area of Cotham. Approx. 843 sq. ft, with a Class E use.

BURSTON COOK SELL THE GLASSBOAT TO 6’O CLOCK GIN

6 O’Clock Gin will transform the Glassboat into a retail, bar and events space and are set to open at the end of Summer 2023. Paul O’Sullivan, the Managing Director at 6 O’Clock commented as follows: “We are very grateful to the team at Burston Cook for the help and support in finding the venue and managing the purchase process, and we’re very excited about this opportunity”.

The team at Burston Cook wish 6 O’Clock every success with their new venture.

Burston Cook announce the sale of an iconic piece of Bristol’s landscape, the Glassboat, which has been purchased by a Bristol based company – 6 O’Clock Gin.

FOR SALE—VICTORIAN HOUSE, CORONATION ROAD

A RARE CHANCE TO ACQUIRE A DISTINCTIVE FREEHOLD COMMERICAL BUIDIILDING

AT

• Exceptionally large car park!

• Situated in a central location, a short distance walk from the vibrant area of Whapping Wharf and Cargo

• Suitable for office, medical, leisure and other uses (STP)

• Open plan floor plates

Burston Cook: Finola@burstoncook.co.uk

New Instruction

Axbridge, Somerset

Offers in excess of £2,250,000

An elegant Grade II listed Georgian residence in the heart of the picturesque mediaeval town of Axbridge, on the edge of the Mendip Hills, with 8 bedrooms, beautiful gardens and indoor Spa with swimming pool. EPC Rating D

Clifton, Bristol | Guide Price £1,650,000

A stunning Grade II* Listed family house with wonderfully versatile accommodation over five floors; including a well-appointed self-contained one bedroom flat, detached single garage and superb views.

Fabulous circa 3800 sq. ft family house in superb condition throughout | Rear lane access to a private garage and the garden | Beautiful canopied balcony with west-facing views | Self-contained one bedroom lower ground floor flat | Substantial principal accommodation in superb condition throughout | Family kitchen with access to the garden | Separate dining room | First floor sitting room with balcony access | Four double bedrooms and three bath / shower rooms (two en-suite) | Exquisite retained period features throughout

In all circa 3873 sq. ft (360 sq. m)

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

14 Waterloo Street, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4BT

@rupertoliverproperty