Bristol Life – Issue 372

ISSUE 372 / HIGH SUMMER 2025/ £5

Beat surrender How Bristol got (Northern) Soul

Para, para, paradise A new festival down at the lake

Reel Britannia Indie filmmaking, ’80s style ISSUE 372 / HIGH SUMMER 2025 / DOESN’T SEEM TO BE A SHADOW IN THE CITY

Why we loved Lapin (but didn’t order the rabbit)

Definitely maybe It’s a Britpop summer: let’s shop the look

And after all You’re our Weston Wallz

PARKS AND RECREATION DON’T LEAVE ALL THE GOOD STUFF TO THE TOURISTS

EDITOR’S LETTER

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’m not expecting any sympathy – I mean, I know there are considerably tougher occupations out there, it’s not like I’m an emergency responder or anything – but July can be a tricky time of year to produce a Bristol magazine.

Cultural options are comparatively limited.

The galleries, concert halls and theatres aren’t exactly quiet, but you sense they’re saving up their big-hitters for the autumn. There are dozens of festivals and outdoor events, of course, but we’ve more or less covered those in previous issues, although we did find a very groovy inaugural one to tell you about on page 46.

Failing to unearth anything startlingly new, we decided to take a fresh look at those places which have been right under our noses for many years, which we often take for granted. Many are geared to families; if you don’t have a kid, our feature beginning on page 10 will make you want to borrow one. Please ask first.

But I’m being a bit disingenuous, because of course there are cultural things going on; this is Bristol after all. There’s a nostalgic feel to both of our arts features: at Cinema Rediscovered we relive (or I guess just ‘live’, if you aren’t as old as me) the independent British film scene of the 1980s, while in the ‘club’ section you probably didn’t realise existed (it doesn’t) our excellent work experience journalist Bobbi Carsley investigates Bristol’s Northern Soul and finds that the dance scene that first became popular in the ’70s and ’80s still feels box-fresh today.

In fact, we’ve hopped back and forth between the decades in this issue; on page 92 we even go back to the early 1800s. And because resistance to the Britpop summer of 2025 is futile, and despite the fact that literally nobody looks good in a bucket hat, we’ve shopped 1990s-style for our Ed’s Choice this issue.

There’s plenty more, too; however, like Pride and Prejudice’s Mary Bennet (a seamless link to page 92), I have delighted you long enough. Best just get flicking.

Aren’t they just?

And summer is the ideal time to rediscover riches such as these on our doorstep

DERI ROBINS Bristol Life editor @BristolLifeMag

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Issue 372 / high summer 2025 ON THE COVER More to the point, what isn’t on the cover? See if you can name all the places the objects came from.

If you can’t, we bet your kids can

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

10 PARKS AND RECS Don’t let the tourists have all the fun

ARTS

20 ART And after all, they’re our wonder Wallz 22 WHAT’S ON Summer in the city 26 CINEMA Bristol’s best movie fest takes it back to the ‘80s 30 CLUB Northern Soul once it finds you, it never lets you go 34 BRISTOL HEROES More dancing 39 BOOKS Short, sharp shocks 41 BENCHMARKS Neighbourhood watch

FOOD & FESTS

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42 RESTAURANT Vive la révolution Française 46 FESTIVAL Make for the Lake 51 CAFÉ SOCIETY Easily led to FED 53 WINE Love me for a Riesling

SHOPPING

54 ED’S CHOICE Britpop summer

COMMUNITY 64 LOCAL SPACES the community

oing good and fun) stu for

NETWORK

71 BUSINESS NEWS EntreConf, plus news and views

PROPERTY

84 SHOWCASE Want to see inside the second-most expensive house in Bristol? Sure you do!

REGULARS

7 SPOTLIGHT 90 BRISTOL LIVES Dead famous writer person Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors Colin Moody, Stan Cullimore, Storysmith Books, Charlie Taylor, Andy Hamilton, Bobbi Carsley Commercial director Pat White pat.white@mediaclash.co.uk Commercial manager Neil Snow neil.snow@mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Charlotte Mace-Pettitt charlotte.mace-pettitt@mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Jessica Ashley jessica.ashley@mediaclash. co.uk Production/operations manager Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Bristol Life MediaClash, Media House, 1 Widcombe Parade, Bath, BA2 4JT. tel: 01225 475800; www.mediaclash.co.uk. @The MediaClash © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash.

We’re a West Country-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath and Bristol.

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SPOTLIGHT

xxxxxxx

Public art

TAILS ACROSS THE CITY

The Gromit Unleashed 3 trail formally launched on 25 June in its usual understated style, with Aardman Animations director Nick Park, presumably living his best life, driving a steam train laden with Wallace, Gromit, Feathers and Norbot sculptures to Harbourside. The team also threw in a harbour crane and a fireboat, for peak Bristol.

It’s the fourth Grand Appeal trail for the city – as well as two previous Gromit trails there was an interim one featuring Shaun – and it marks 30 years of the charity working with Aardman to raise money for Bristol hildren’s ospital. Since its first outing in 2013 the trails alone have raised over £20 million.

Some of this year’s sculptures have been designed in collaboration with proper international superstars, from Paul c artney to reamworks and Pi ar many others were painted by local artists. All 53 are now in place across the city head over to the website to start planning your route and to get the app.

For more: www.grandappeal.org.uk

Nature

FIELD WORK

Broadmead has its Broad eadow, and now ribbs auseway has ribbs anopy a new permanent public art installation created by south west artists ussell enman and leanor oulding, aka enham + Gould.

Set among meadow planting, a newly created pond and e isting trees, the site specific artwork has been designed to support biodiversity and deepen appreciation of the natural world. mong the hum of tra c and the bustle of shoppers, ussell and leanor have transformed an urban drainage system into a vibrant haven for wildlife, alive with the song of skylarks, goldfinches, wrens, blackbirds and sparrows rises, and the colour of flag irises, waterlilies, knapweed, hazel and guelder rose – “a quiet insistence of the natural world”, they say, e plaining that in consultation with nature e perts they have embedded nesting opportunities for at-risk bird species such as sparrows and starlings, whose populations are facing colossal declines across the UK. s a permanent feature of the ribbs auseway development, ribbs anopy stands as a testament to the power of public art in shaping inclusive, biodiverse, and inspiring spaces for generations to come”, they say.

The work has been created in collaboration with Avon Wildlife Trust, Bristol Swifts, Bumblebee onservation rust, Butterfly onservation, SPB and Patchway onservation roup.

For more: www.ginkgoprojects.co.uk

CREDIT WHERE IT’S DUE We always do our best to credit photographers, but this one slipped under the radar. Apologies to Alex Forrest, who took this pic featured in our Clifton feature – find him on insta at @callmeforrest_

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SOCIAL

ISSUE 372 / HIGH SUMMER 2025/ £5

Beat surrender How Bristol got (Northern) Soul

Para, para, paradise A new festival down at the lake

Reel Britannia Indie filmmaking, ’80s style ISSUE 372 / HIGH SUMMER 2025 / DOESN’T SEEM TO BE A SHADOW IN THE CITY

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Why we loved Lapin (but didn’t order the rabbit)

Definitely maybe It’s a Britpop summer: let’s shop the look

And after all You’re our Weston Wallz

PARKS AND RECREATION DON’T LEAVE ALL THE GOOD STUFF TO THE TOURISTS

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PARKS AND RECREATION You’ve walked past that ship hundreds of times, but when did you last step on board? You know the Zoo’s moved, right, but have you ever been up to see how the new site’s getting on?

Sometimes it’s easy to forget the good stuff that’s right under your nose, and with this in mind we’ve compiled a guide to some of Bristol’s best local attractions. Some are new for 2025, others have been around for donkeys’ years. Don’t leave all the fun stuff to the tourists Words by Ursula Cole

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eel like summer’s slipping away from you? First day of the school holidays, and the kids are already claiming they have nothing to do? No point telling them that if you’d complained of boredom to your own parents they’d have (a) looked at you in astonishment and (b) promptly given you a chore to do. What you need is a survival plan – and luckily the organisers of Bristol’s best attractions are here to help .

ADVENTURE BRISTOL

Say what? An awardwinning adventure activity company, home to the Tree Tops High Ropes course in Ashton Court Estate.

Don’t miss: If you’re hard enough, try out the new course extension – it’s their highest and most exciting section yet. If you’re booking a group outing there are extra group challenges too, such as making and racing Flintstone cars and axe-throwing.

What’s your favourite bit?

“The main zipwire! There’s something breathtaking about gliding through the treetops, surrounded by nature.”

Fun fact: Over 20,000 people

have come through

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LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

the course and down the main zipwire. If you add up all that distance, you could circle the globe 25 times… www.adventurebristol.co.uk

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AVON VALLEY ADVENTURE PARK

Say what? The Keynsham park o ers practically every family-friendly activity under the sun.

Don’t miss: The Summertopia

season: dinosaurs in Dinosaur Valley, animal encounters, sand and water play, giant slip’n’slide, huge paddling pools and a beach zone, with foam parties and a silent discos. It’s like Ibiza for kids.

But with dinosaurs.

2 What’s your favourite bit?

“Our latest dinosaur has just arrived: a baby triceratops, to whom we’ve all grown very attached.”

Fun fact: Dinosaur Valley has the largest collection of animatronic dinosaurs in the South West,

including a 15m T-Rex, Stegosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Triceratops, Allosaurus, raptors, plus more around the park. www.avonvalley.co.uk

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BRISTOL AQUARIUM

Say what? The marine and freshwater attraction on Anchor Road is home to hundreds of aquatic species, from tropical fish and seahorses to jellyfish and sharks. Themed habitats take visitors on a journey through the world’s waters, from UK seas to tropical coral reefs.

Don’t miss: The giant botanical house where fish and plants live side by side in a lush, rainforest-like environment. Also, check out the daily talks and feeds, from watching the team feed the sharks to discovering the secret world of seahorses. Each week during the summer holidays they’ll also be diving deeper into a different biozone, so you can discover the incredible habitats from around the world.

What’s your favourite bit? “The waterfall in our Amazing Amazon zone. The water trickles through the branches of our monstrous monstera and makes its way down through to the Amazon river exhibit, where you can find turtles, pacu and stingrays splashing around.

Our elevated walkway allows you to explore it as if it were a real jungle, and it’s such an immersive environment both for our guests and our animals.”

Fun fact: Around half of the oxygen we breathe comes from the ocean; the majority from microscopic algae and bacteria which perform photosynthesis on the ocean’s surface and release oxygen into the atmosphere. www.bristolaquarium.co.uk

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JURASSIC IMMERSIVE

Say what? New at Cribbs is this interactive walk-through adventure based on CGI dinosaurs.

You can play games, sit in the huge immersive hall and watch dinos roam, or put on a headset and fly through Jurassic countryside.

Don’t miss: The Lily Pad Walk – try jumping from one to the other without being eaten.

What’s your favourite bit? “I “ love

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BRISTOL ZOO PROJECT

Say what? The old Bristol Zoo Gardens and Wild Place Project have now merged at the 136-acre site at Blackhorse Hill run by Bristol Zoological Society, which works to protect threatened species in the UK and abroad.

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Don’t miss: The animals, obviously.

ou’ll meet gira es, cheetahs, red pandas, zebras, ostriches, lemurs, bears, wolves and many more, while kids can follow trails created by zoo ambassador and children’s TV presenter, ndy ay.Basecamp o ers a conservation-themed adventure playground – start ’em caring early!

What’s your favourite bit? “Bear

Wood is particularly special with its treetop walkway winding through more than seven acres of ancient British woodland.

It’s home to our European brown bears, European wolves, Eurasian lynxes and wolverines, and it’s just such a beautiful place.”

Fun fact: Bear cubs are usually born in the middle of hibernation season while their mothers are asleep; they’ll nurse until she’s ready to wake up.

Most human mothers would like to be a bear. www.bristolzoo.org.uk

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the immersive room. We call it the Gathering; it’s a 15-minute show where you are surrounded on four sides by animation.”

Fun fact: Many of the prehistoric bighitters lived in Jurassic times, from massive sauropods like Brachiosaurus, the first bird, Archaeopteryx, meateaters such as Allosaurus and sundry pterosaurs. No T-Rex though – don’t be misled by the Jurassic Park movie, that dude totally lived in Cretaceous times. www.jurassicimmersive.co.uk

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS 7

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GROMIT UNLEASHED

Say what? The fourth Grand Appeal trail has now unleashed 53 painted sculptures of Gromit, Wallace, Feathers and Norbot across the city.

Don’t miss Check out Cuckoo! at Gardiner Haskins – it’s a working clock! – and Austentatious at Kendelshire Golf Course – it’s made from real topiary.

What’s your favourite bit?

“Seeing people on the Gromit hunt and discovering new parts of Bristol, from family groups helping each other to get the perfect photo to someone passing by on their morning commute who just can’t help but stop to get a uick selfie lso, of course, the fact that the trails have generated £20

million for Bristol Children’s Hospital charity since 2013.”

Fun fact: The Love, Actually Gromit went on a special trip to filming locations for ichard urtis’ film. lips coming soon on Instagram @TheGrandAppeal. www.grandappeal.org.uk

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DYRHAM PARK AND TYNTESFIELD

Say what? Stately homes in equally stately grounds, impeccably run and cared for by the National Trust.

Don’t miss: The deer-roaming grounds of Dyrham Park are worth the trip alone, but do go inside the house: “It has such a fascinating history and the exhibition has been updated to bring the stories to life, with videos and objects to handle.

Also go on a free guided walk; the guides are brilliantly knowledgeable. Finally, don’t miss the scone of the month…

“At Tyntesfield there are treasures to find right across the 540-acre estate, with everything from open lawns and formal terraces to a historic orangery and colourful working kitchen garden. but do stop at the Gothic Revival house, which is ornately decorated and furnished with over 72,000 objects.”

What’s your favourite bit? Dyrham Park: “The architecture and beauty of the house: the appearance of the stone changes through the day as the light hits it in different directions. The garden is inspiring and ever-changing, while the terraces and parkland are wonderfully calming and soulsettling.”

Tyntesfield: “The Rose Garden: beautifully designed with shady nooks. Each season brings new blooms, and you can watch an array of pollinators at work, weaving from blossom to blossom and drifting between gardens.”

Fun fact: “Dyrham’s most flamboyant piece of furniture is the State Bed, thought to have been ordered to encourage a visit

by Queen Anne; sadly she never came.

“Tyntesfield is filled with carvings of local plants, flowers and wildlife. The 1878 oak hall stand in the Cloister was inspired by Tyntesfield’s lush gardens, and features carvings of mistletoe, hops, ivy, clover, roses and berries, many of which still grow on the estate today.” www.nationaltrust.org.uk

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LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

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SLIMBRIDGE

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Say what? Award-

winning World Wildlife Trust Wetland Centre in Gloucestershire, one of 10 across the UK run by the charity. The 100-acre site is home to a world of wetland wildlife, including a zoo collection, family stu to do, and a reserve with some of the best birdwatching spots in the UK.

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ss GREAT BRITAIN

Say what: One of Bristol’s greatest treasures, with an adjacent museum. Designed by Brunel for the Great Western Steamship Company’s transatlantic service between Bristol and New York, the ssGB was the largest passenger ship in the world between 1845-1853.

Don’t miss: During summer, Tales from the Top deck reveals how passengers and crew used this space as a farmyard, a playground and even a launderette.

What’s your own favourite bit? “The Forward Hold; the most original part of the ship, where you can see details of her incredible construction and share the story of the vital conservation work which helps to protect and preserve the 182- year old hull.”

Fun fact: ou can see five species of flamingo here. Some of the birds are over 60 years old. www.wwt.org.uk

Don’t miss: The new immersive Estuary Shoreline Garden – a beautiful wetland landscape featuring a sunken seating area, giant bug hotel, wildflower meadow, huge lily pad stepping stones and a willow archway. lso new this summer is their first ragonfly estival.

What’s your favourite bit?

“A summer highlight are the 4x4 Wild Safaris which take you out to our wider reserve and along the seawall – a great way to see wildlife like common cranes and even grass snakes. Also the Canoe Safaris, where you can paddle out along a 1km trail.”

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Fun fact: Passengers in the 19th century used to fly kites from the Weather Deck while at sea. www.ssgreatbritain.org

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LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

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WAKE THE TIGER

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Say what? The world’s first Amazement Park and the UK’s largest immersive art experience opened in 2022.

Then it only went and doubled its size by opening its OUTERVERSE extension in 2024.

Don’t miss: Everyone loves finding the slide, and reading every scroll and pulling every lever or handle – who knows what you may discover?

A new, upgraded space is opening in time for the summer holidays; they’re also opening the Junkyard, an outside café bar space, in addition to inside café bar Junktion.

What’s your favourite bit? “The Astral Plane – a section of a real plane, with VR headsets, but with more legroom than you’ll ever experience in a real plane.”

Fun fact: There are multiple secret doors and rooms in Wake The Tiger. More than 600,000 visitors have found the portal to the parallel world of Meridia so far. www.wakethetiger.com

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WE THE CURIOUS

Say what? Hands-on science centre and educational charity with over 200 interactive e hibits across two floors, along with the ’s first Planetarium.

Don’t miss The Animate It exhibition is ideal for Aardman fans, especially if you’re exploring

the GU3 trail this summer.

Summer holiday activities also include the brand-new live science show Blast to the Past.

What’s your favourite bit? “ We love choosing the colour

that makes you happiest in the Rainbow Room in our Project What If exhibition.”

Fun fact: “ We’re 25 years old

this year! But our building is much older, it was originally built as a railway goods shed and was part of Brunel’s Great Western network.

“Also, we once hosted Sir David Attenborough and a whole load of dung beetles for some filming in our Planetarium.” www.wethecurious.org

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WINDMILL HILL CITY FARM

Say what? Cows, pigs, sheep and ducks on a hilly farm with a café and shop selling handicrafts made on site.

Don’t miss: Popping into the gorgeous café for lunch, with many of the dishes made using

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their own produce. You can also book a visit to the sauna, make some pottery, do some yoga and end with a beer in the tap room.

What’s your favourite bit? “A stroll in the gardens and a visit to the animals is a daily perk of working here!”

Fun fact The land was going

to be turned into a lorry park, but locals campaigned for it to be a farm for city children and families. That was almost 50 years ago in 1976. It’s their big birthday next year (see also p 64). www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk

ADVENTURE BRISTOL

TREE TOPS

LOOKING FOR AN EXHILARATING EXPERIENCE? Look no further than Tree Tops, our brand new high ropes course at Ashton Court!

Located in the heart of the stunning Ashton Court Park, our course is perfect for thrill-seekers of all ages and abilities. With a range of obstacles and challenges to overcome, from swinging bridges to zip lines, you’ll test your resolve, balance, and coordination as you navigate your way through the treetops.

Whether you’re planning a fun family day out, a birthday party or a team-building event Tree Tops is the perfect adventure. With highly trained instructors on hand to guide you every step of the way, you can rest assured that your safety and enjoyment are our top priorities.

r?

ou waiting fo So what are y Book your Tree Tops adventure at adventurebristol.co.uk Adventure Bristol & Leap of Faith Wild Place Bristol, BS10 7TP

SPONSORED CONTENT

SUMMER STYLE & SCULPTURE What’s new at GARDINER HASKINS INTERIORS

T

his summer, Gardiner Haskins Interiors is the place where design dreams meet playful creativity. A long-standing favourite among Bristol’s stylesavvy homeowners, the iconic showroom is welcoming the season with exciting new launches and a splash of artistic flair.

In the kitchen showroom, two new exclusive kitchen manufacturers have taken centre stage: Pronorm and i-luminate. Sleek, sophisticated and undeniably modern, Pronorm kitchens bring premium German engineering and understated luxury to the forefront. Meanwhile, i-luminate is setting pulses racing with their innovative illuminated surfaces: think ambient glow, clean lines, and design that feels effortlessly ahead of the curve. Whether you’re planning a full kitchen

“GARDINER HASKINS INTERIORS IS THE PLACE WHERE DESIGN DREAMS MEET PLAYFUL CREATIVITY”

transformation or browsing for inspiration, these new additions make for an essential visit.

But the excitement doesn’t stop at interiors.

Gardiner Haskins is also a location on the Gromit Unleashed 3 trail, one of Bristol’s most-loved summer activities, with their very own sculpture: Cuckoo,, a delightfully quirky Gromit inside the showroom. Created as part of the charity trail in support of The Grand Appeal, Cuckoo brings a touch of whimsy to the space and promises to charm visitors of all ages.

For 200 years, Gardiner Haskins has been a cornerstone of Bristol’s interiors scene. Today, its expansive showroom continues to set the standard for quality, style and service, offering everything from statement kitchens, luxurious bathrooms and bespoke bedrooms to sofas, beds and bedroom furniture. Expert consultants are always on hand to guide you through the design process, with options to suit both contemporary and classic tastes.

This summer, whether you’re dreaming of a kitchen upgrade or enjoying the Gromit trail with family in tow, Gardiner Haskins Interiors is the perfect place to explore and be inspired.

Step inside and discover a world where craftsmanship meets creativity, right in the heart of the city. n

For those considering a kitchen or bathroom upgrade, visit Gardiner Haskins Interiors in Bristol at 1 Straight Street, Bristol BS2 0FQ, call on 01179 292288 or explore their offerings at www.gardinerhaskins.co.uk. www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 19

No Upfest for Bristol this year – it’s biannual these days. But the team are never idle, and if you head over to Weston-super-Mare this month you’ll be able to witness a fresh blooming of street art on the walls of the seaside town Photos by Paul Box

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ARTS

pfest describes Weston Wallz as “A project rooted in people, paint and place”, and for their stint at the seaside town this year they’ve invited artists whose work speaks to identity, activism and imagination in bold new ways. There are 19 wall artists (and a further 28) involved in the sprayjam this year; here are four of organisers Emma and Steve Hayles’s must-sees.

The best way to take it all in is to hop on a train to Weston and watch the festival unfold in real time. Live the coastal dream, buy a bag of chips – watch out for the gulls – and wander around the streets while the artists do their thing. Throw yourself into the marine lake afterwards if it’s hot and sunny.

SHAUNA BLANCHFIELD: illuminating the everyday rish muralist Shauna turns public space into a site of reflection and wonder. Her work explores the fragile terrain of memory and collective identity, often through figuration and subtle plays of light. She transforms the mundane into the magical, inviting viewers to consider the hidden poetry of the everyday.”

HAZARD ONE: painting power in full colour “Hazard One fuses luminous colour with raw realism, drawing on her roots in gra ti and illustration to create empowering portraits of women and marginalised voices. Her work is bold, intersectional and unmistakably hers – a real force in the UK’s street art scene.”

SOPHI ODLING: dreamscapes without borders “Australian muralist Sophi crafts large-scale works alive with colour, curiosity and connection. Her art, inspired by travels from Nicaragua to Thailand, honours cultural diversity and the innocence of youth.”

DALE GRIMSHAW: the political is personal “London-based artist Dale brings social commentary to the streets, spotlighting indigenous resistance and the costs of globalisation through his incredible portraiture. His murals are emotionally charged and hyper-realistic.”

Weston Wallz runs 19-27 July 2025; www.upfest.co.uk

Ones they made earlier; OPPOSITE PAGE: Sophi Odling CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Shauna Blanchfield; Dale Grimshaw; Hazard One

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WHAT’S ON 18 July8 August 2025

EXHIBITIONS Until 27 July

JESSICA ASHMAN: THOSE THAT DO NOT SMILE WILL KILL ME Subtitled Decolonising Jamaican Flora, a new installation challenging perceptions around nature, botanical knowledge and who owns Earth’s rich natural resources. At Bristol Museum, bristolmuseums.org.uk

Until 12 August

SOFT POWER Lives told through textile art, highlighting how cloth can play a unique role in telling our stories.

At RWA, rwa.org.uk

Until 7 September

DONALD LOCKE: RESISTANT FORMS he first major survey e hibition of the Guyanese artist, featuring ceramics evoking human and natural forms, mixed-media sculptures and more. Spike Island, spikeisland.org.uk

Until 21 September

AJAMU X: FIERCE: BRISTOL Ajamu visits cities to make photographic portraits celebrating the LGBT+ individuals often overlooked within mainstream narratives. Last

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year MPF commissioned him to make 10 new portraits, adding a Bristol chapter to the ever-evolving Fierce archive; the results are on show along with images from Fierce: London and Fierce: Toronto. martinparrfoundation.org

Until 28 September

DANA AWARTANI Dana’s work is steeped in historical and visual references from Islamic and Arab art-making traditions, honouring traditional craft making techni ues. t rnolfini arnolfini.org.uk SAHARA LONGE Following her 2024 exhibition Sugar, in which nudes were intimately enclosed within Symbolist imagery, Sahara returns to the clothed figure, capturing fleeting moments and the anonymity of the city against richly coloured backdrops. rnolfini arnolfini.org.uk

Until 12 October

GENDER STORIES hallenging rigid definitions and binary narratives, examining the fluid, multifaceted world of gender across cultures, eras and personal experiences. At Bristol Museum, bristolmuseums.org.uk

Until 23 November

BRISTOL PRIDE X MARTIN PARR The legendary photojournalist showcases a retrospective of photos taken at the annual Pride festival.

Bristol Museum; bristolmuseums.org.uk

19-27 July

WESTON WALLZ Upfest-on-Sea! The annual street art fest transforms Weston-super-Mare once more; see page 20. upfest.co.uk

SHOWS Until 19 July

LAST RITES Ramesh Meyyappan and George ann’s d nfinitum’s show redefines what theatre can be with no spoken words, it speaks in movement, visuals, and rhythm, with a deep, resonant soundtrack that can be felt or heard by deaf, Deaf, hardof-hearing, and hearing audiences alike. A story that transcends language. At BOV, bristololdvic.org.uk THE CHAOS THAT HAS BEEN AND WILL NO DOUBT RETURN Two best mates. One huge party.

Luton pinned by austerity: an evening of noughties bangers and shots of shitty gin mixed with the

chaos of violence, set over one chaotic night, in a raw, real-time collision of friendship and survival, class and identity. By Chalk Line Theatre at BOV; bristololdvic.org.uk

Until 2 August

HENRY V Bristol’s Insane Root brings an all-female/non-binary version of Shakespeare’s history, specifically created for the venue: the haunting, bombed-out mediaeval ruins of Temple Church. With original songs, in a visceral production designed to linger in your imaginations for years to come; insaneroot.org.uk

Until 9 August

MOULIN ROUGE Ba uhrmann’s film brought to the stage in a new musical mash-up extravaganza; expect eye-popping excess, glitz, grandeur and glory and anachronistic pop songs at the Hippodrome, atgtickets.com

18 July

VIRGIN X IS SHADOWBANNED Call the authorities! Pray to Jesus!

The holy deity of east London has been put in social media jail and no one is safe. Join Virgin X for a solo show that foretells us of all things as yet totes unseen and prophecies

WHAT’S ON understands the world, and herself, a little better. Join her at The Wardrobe for a glimpse into the mind of a teenage goth; thewardrobetheatre.com

COMEDY Ongoing

CLOSER EACH DAY The world’s longest-running improvised comedy soap continues at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com BRISTOL IMPROV THEATRE For the full programme see improvtheatre.co.uk THE GAFFE Stand-up LOLs from some of the sharpest, funniest comedians on the circuit, at Bristol’s hottest new comedy club; ga o lu . o

20 July

DOGGONE FUNNY Love dogs? Like comedy? Have they got an event for you! Canines are not merely welcome, they’re part of the show, along with dog portrait sketching, a competition for cutest human and bestie, and a chillout area for dogs who went a bit too crazy the night before. At Ashton Court; a fir ri ol. o.uk

20 & 24 July

EDINBURGH PREVIEWS The latest in a tranche of Edinburgh previews come to Wardrobe; on 20 July it’s Bec Hill and Sam Lake; in on the 24th is Priya Hall and Will Owen; thewardrobetheatre.com

21 July PAGE 22: The boys are back in town: Idles at Queen Square

ABOVE, FROM TOP: We see a ship in the harbour(fest); Mercury Prize-winners English Teacher at Forwards; The Feast is On

that will shake humanity to its apocalypse-core, in a spectacular drag night brought to you by Shade Pullers & Lash Stackers Social Club at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

22-26 July

KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN Worx Productions brings the harrowing tale of persecution in musical form to Redgrave. Banged up in a Latin American prison, Valentin is a tough revolutionary while Molina is serving eight years for homosexual behavior. Over time, as Molina shares his fantasies about an actress who portrayed a spider woman who can kill with a kiss, the men begin to connect... redgravetheatre.com

30-31 July

MY DAD: THE WOMAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND Jamie’s going to be a dad. He’s overprepared, unpredictable and only slightly on the brink of a nervous breakdown. The only thing left to do is tell his dad, but he’s not the most conventional father in the world. For one thing, she’s a woman. At Alma Tavern, almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

31 July-1 August

LET’S UNPACK THAT It’s 2007. Floppy fringes are all the rage, sexy vampires are everywhere, and year old i is furiously scribbling in her diary. Fast-forward to 2025, armed with that same diary, i is still confused but now she

CLOSE ENOUGH The charismatic Cristina takes you on a journey of her adventures and misadventures while moving from Romania to the UK. Expect comedy, live music, pops at stereotypes across both cultures, tales of spaghetti breakfasts and Shakira impressions, at TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

22 July

WILD THING! Mechanimal presents a gloriously stupid show of bad animal impressions and a satirical VR wilderness safari – it’s another Edinburgh Fringe preview at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com HELI LAUGHS Stuart Goldmsith once again compères a bunch of top comedians at BOV; it’s the annual funraiser for Great Western Air Ambulance Charity; bristololdvic.org.uk

23 July

CHRIS GRACE: SARDINES Chris explores the tragic and important questions of our time.

Can we enjoy life if we know how it ends? Does making art actually help?

And if Rihanna’s song is called Don’t Stop the Music, why does the music… stop? Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

26 July

THE INVISIBLE WOMAN She’s not invisible, she’s just over 50. Charlotte Palmer explores the plight of women over who find themselves overlooked, ignored, disregarded, and in short invisible, in all areas of life. Hard relate.

Wardrobe; thwardrobetheatre.com

27 July

AN AUDIENCE WITH JOHN CLEESE Not a stand-up show per se, but an evening with the legendary comic, actor and former Python who continues to make us laugh, rock the boat, inspire, and shake things up; at Redgrave, redgravetheatre.com

28 July

RHYS JAMES A work-in-progress hour from Rhys; possibly seen on QI, Live at the Apollo and Mock the Week, but more importantly these days, the internet. Rhys’s Radio 4 series Rhysearch was nominated for a couple of awards and his live DVD Spilt Milk completely sold out in just 94 minutes. There was one copy.

Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

MUSIC & FESTIVALS

For full music listings see: Bristol Beacon (bristolbeacon.org); St George’s Bristol; (stgeorgesbristol.co.uk); Trinity (trinitybristol.org.uk); The Louisiana (thelouisiana.net); Thekla (theklabristol.co.uk): O2 Academy (academymusicgroup.com); Bristol Folk House (bristolfolkhouse.co.uk); Electric Bristol (electricbristol.com); The Hen & Chicken (henandchicken.com); and The Gallimaufrey (thegallimaufry.co.uk)

Ongoing

BRISTOL FILM FESTIVAL The year-round fest continues; Idles fans should note that on1-2 August at Avery’s they’re screening Do Not Go Gentle, the band’s own documentary. ri olfil i al. o

18-20 July

BRISTOL HARBOUR FESTIVAL Not just a treat for flotilla fanciers

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WHAT’S ON

but a celebration of the heart and soul of a city, no less, covering the waterfront from Underfall Yard to Millennium Square, over to Queen Square and beyond. It always attracts over k people, e ectively turning the city centre into a threeday fest of music, dance, circus and water sports. This year look out for El Galeon Andalucía, a replica of a 17th-century Spanish galleon; you’ll be allowed to clamber over the decks. bristolharbourfestival.co.uk HOMESTEAD FESTIVAL Combining music, food, comedy and camping, this new festival o ers an intimate weekend for just 1500 festivalgoers over 25 at the regenerative Fernhill Farm. The vibe is ‘grown-up Valley Fest luxe’ (our words) with the USP of an all-inclusive ticket, which includes breakfast and Bloody Marys, camping, access to all entertainment, talks, etc. homesteadfestival.co.uk

19-20 July

YARD FEST Underfall Yard becomes a vibrant hub of music and creatives, along with a celebration of maritime machinery and traditional skills.

Sonic Sounds bring a dynamic rotation of DJs delivering genrespanning global grooves, joined by a diverse line-up of live local acts, while Underfall Market returns selling all imaginble kind of crafts.

Free-to-attend, underfallyard.co.uk

23-25 July

FORWARDS FESTIVAL The last big outdoor music bash of the summer, drawing the biggest international names to the Downs, with heritage music acts alongside emerging artists. Headlining are oechii, Barry an’t Swim, orja Smith, Ezra Collective, Olivia Dean and more. Organisers Team Love are always seeking to challenge what an urban festival can be, and how it can spark positive change; to this end, the Forwards Thinking strand o ers a platform for social initiatives in Bristol. forwardsbristol.com

23-27 July

CINEMA REDISCOVERED The UK’s leading festival of classic cinema and film restorations returns more on page 26; watershed.co.uk

24-17 July

FEAST ON Back on the Downs after a successful first year, showcasing Bristol’s best

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independent chefs, producers and street-food traders. feaston.co.uk .

25-27 July

SIREN BRISTOL Bristol’s summertime gig series brings three nights of back-toback music, DJs and dance music, bridging the biggest names in DNB, electronic and indie-pop. The legendary Bloc Party are here to celebrate 20 years of debut album Silent Alarm on Friday, electronic dance royalty Sasha + Digweed play Sunday and Bristol’s biggest DNB all-dayer, RUN All Day, takes over on Saturday with mega DJs Hedex & Mozey. sirenbristol.com

1-2 August

IDLES Bristol’s post-punk heroes are throwing a block party (not to be confused with Bloc Party at Siren).

Want to feel special?: It’s their only UK appearance this year. idlesband.com

2 August

CIDER SALON BRISTOL Dozens of ciders and perries to try as you learn facts direct from the makers, and meet other enthusiasts and experts. At Trinity; cidersalon.co.uk

1-3 August

LAKE PARADISO nother summer o ering from the Valley Fest crew: a laidback weekend blending music, movement and moments of restoration. It is, they say, “where sanctuary meets festival, where wood fired saunas meet starlit skies, and handcrafted Bedouin tents overlook tranquil waters.” There’s barefoot dancing under wide-open skies; yoga by the water’s edge; a Wild Spa, and local cuisine at Bar Paradiso When people talk about ‘boutique’ festivals this is the vibe they mean; see p 44. lakeparadiso.co.uk

8-10 August

BRISTOL BALLOON FIESTA If all goes to plan, over 100 hot air balloons will rise en-masse at dawn and dusk on all three days.

If it doesn’t there’s still plenty of balloon-themed fun, stunt displays and marching bands at the Ashton Court arena, and as night falls on Friday and Saturday it’s time for the Nightglows, when the pilots fire up the burners for a magical display of glowing balloons set to music by BBC Radio Bristol. ri ol alloonfi a. o.uk n

CULTURE CLUB with Mario Marchese Following a sold out offBroadway run, and recently featured on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Mario Marchese, aka Mario the Maker Magician, makes his Bristol debut at BOV this month A film I could watch over and over again…

Rocky, the ultimate ItalianAmerican inspirational movie!

I watched it countless times with my dad, and now countless times with my own son.

A painting that means something to me…

The Tilled Field by Joan Miro.

That was his first rebellion from structure, his first risk towards being himself, the beginning of everything for his career.

Best TV show ever…

Antiques Roadshow. I love old stuff, I love seeing the appraisals, I love seeing the faces of people who had no idea their family heirlooms were worth fortunes.

My favourite binge watch…

Lately it’s The Repair Shop… the calming nature of seeing old items come back to life gives me peace. It’s my go to at night before bed.

A book that changed my life...

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho was the first book I actually chose to read, as opposed to being assigned to read in school, and its beautiful story of a journey to find purpose has stayed with me ever since.

The book I could happily re-read...

Same as above. It contains the kind of reminders everyone needs to revisit from time to time.

My dance floor/ karaoke banger…

Linoleum by NOFX brings me right back to my 90s pop punk roots.

Podcast pick…

The Moth. It’s entertainment in its purest form. People on stage telling their real-life stories.

Best app… www.chess.com keeps my brain sharp in between magic brainstorms.

Guilty pleasure…

Lobster tail pastries… mmm...

Mario the Maker Magician is at Bristol Old Vic from 22-24 July www.bristololdvic.org.uk

CINEMA

T S N I AGA THE

GRAIN

I

WORDS

BY EMILY VERNON

The 1980s was a famously groundbreaking era in popular music. Meanwhile, a fresh new spirit in the British film industry was rising. . .

t’s 40 or so years since Chariots of Fire bagged four Oscars, prompting a slightly cringeworthy declaration on the podium from Best Screenplay-winner Colin Welland who declared “The British are coming!” – only to soon get proved wrong. Instead of more glittering prizes, the 1980s saw the mainstream film industry hit by production company collapses, bo o ce flops, a funding crisis and a steep fall in cinema attendances.

But there were signs of renewal in the independent sector, as this month’s Cinema Rediscovered festival is about to prove with Against the Grain: British Cinema of the 1980s as part of its wider programme.

The festival opens on Wednesday 23 July with producer Stephen Woolley and director Julien Temple introducing their maverick dayglo 1986 musical Absolute Beginners. Eddie O’Connell was its putative leading man, but all eyes (and ears) were trained on David Bowie, Ray Davies, Patsy Kensit, Mandy RiceDavies, Slim Gailliard and Sade.

Based on olin ac nnes’s cult s ondon novel, the film’s central love story is played out against a background of issues that were still topical in the 1980s, from fame culture to business greed, social upheaval and racial tensions. Although it was panned by critics at the time, it’s a favourite of Cinema Rediscovered’s founder and Against the Grain curator Mark Cosgrove. “I’ve always been a fan of it, and felt it deserved to be re-appraised”, he says.

Also up for a rewatch is Defence of the Realm (1986), the political thriller which kickstarted the screen career of Gabriel Byrne, and the 40th anniversary of My Beautiful Laundrette, all wrapped up in a package which brings a dozen 1980s titles back to the big screen.

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“Film-wise, the 1980s is an interesting decade”, says Mark. “It started with Colin Welland’s speech yet witnessed the near-collapse of the UK filmmaking industry, with some big players such as oldcrest going bust, US studios moving out due to tax issues, and what appeared to be a terminal decline in cinema audiences.

But at the same time, new filmmakers working on small budgets outside the mainstream were beginning to appear, partly due to the arrival of Channel 4 as a commissioner and funder, but also thanks to public funding from the BFI and Arts Council, and the punk approach of new producers and distributors such as Stephen Woolley.” uring the s Stephen also ran the massively influential Scala cinema in ing’s ross a mecca for geeks, film freaks and, well, just freaks, who flocked to its movie all nighters. mong the audience were a handful of notable future directors. t was like joining a club, said John Waters. “A very secret club, like a biker gang or something. It’s like they were a country club for criminals and lunatics and people who were high.”

Another ‘grain’ that creatives typically went up against, says Mark, was the politics of the time – typically, Thatcherism, racial tensions, responses to AIDS, feminism and class issues. Outstanding in their own right, the best films from the era also o er a fascinating glimpse into the cultural zeitgeist.

“The Scala was like a country club for criminals, lunatics and people who were high”

© CRITERION, PARK CIRCUS, CHANNEL 4

Race, class, sexuality, Thatcherism: My Beautiful Launderette was the full 1980s British cinema package

© PARK CIRCUS AND CHANNEL 4

An early success for the Irish Film Board, Angel also helped to launch Neil Jordan’s career

As well as live visits from Stephen Woolley and Julien Temple, producer Lynda Myles, director Stephen Frears, actors Gordon arnecke and ucy Sheen, and film historians an hristie and Sheldon Hall, there’s online input from screenwriter and author Hanif Kureishi and Defence of the Realm star Gabriel Byrne. ark is confident that the films still speak to current day interests, from still topical issues around race, identity, equality and community to ongoing challenges concerning regional and national representation and class.

“Rita Sue and Bob Too put Bradford playwright ndrea unbar’s Northern working class female experience forcibly and provocatively on screen, while Neil Jordan’s Angel portrayed an rish perspective on he roubles. lso the films see the starting point of a number of careers – for instance for actors such as abriel Byrne, aniel ay ewis, Siobhan inneran, reta Scaachi and Lesley Sharp as well as directors, cinematographers, producers and more.”

DID YOU KNOW?

BOWIE BLACKMAIL: Initially David Bowie was asked only about writing the music for Absolute Beginners, but after reading the script he made playing Vendice Partners a condition of agreement. His theme song for the film went on to become a global hit, achieving top-ten music chart status in a dozen countries.

NEW FACES: Among the actors set on the path to big screen stardom by films in the Against the Grain strand were Gabriel Byrne (Defence of the Realm); Bristol Old Vic Theatre School graduates Daniel DayLewis (My Beautiful Laundrette) and Greta Scaachi (Defence of the Realm); George Costigan, Siobhan Finneran and Lesley Sharp (Rita, Sue & Bob Too); and Lucy Sheen (Ping Pong).

ALSO IN THE AGAINST THE GRAIN LINE-UP:

ALSO IN CINEMA REDISCOVERED

MUSICAL NOTES: Musicians featured in Against the Grain movies include Bach, Bowie, Ray Davies, Slim Gailliard, Charlie Mingus, Michael Nyman, Sade and The Style Council. But there’s musical interest, too, in the festival’s wider programme: conductor Charles Hazlewood introducing the Mozart v Salieri story in Amadeus; soaring arias from Wilhelminia Fernadez Wiggins in Diva, and a rare chance to hear a score composed for the pioneering animator Lotte Reiniger by Bristol’s Eric Walter White.

WORLD TOUR: The festival also takes in titles from Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Czechoslovakia, France, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mali, Mauretania, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

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In Fading Light (1989) – A comic, humane, authentic look at the upheaval caused in a traditional North Shields fishing community in decline when a young woman insists on working on her father’s boat.

Handsworth Songs (1986) ohn komfrah’s groundbreaking film essay about multicultural identity, community and disorder, shot during the riots in Birmingham and London in 1985.

Ping Pong (1986) he first hina co production, the first film shot almost entirely in ondon’s hinatown and a comedy thriller

an o fil o r a a ina ing gli in o ig i

© PARK CIRCUS, CHANNEL 4

CINEMA

starring British-Chinese actor Lucy Sheen in her debut as a lawyer tasked with settling the complex will of a Chinese businessman.

The Gold Diggers (1983) – With a cast including Julie Christie and made by an all-female crew, Sally Potter’s (Orlando, The Tango Lesson) groundbreaking first feature is a key film of early ’ s feminist cinema.

The Angelic Conversation (1987) – Filmmaker, artist and gay rights activist Derek Jarman trades his anger at the AIDS epidemic and lause prohibitions for poetic e pression in this radical visualisation of Shakespeare’s love poems, read by Judi Dench.

A Zed and Two Noughts (1985) rtist filmmaker Peter reenaway’s striking, unsettling and conundrum filled meditation on death and decay told through the story of identical twin zoologists mourning the deaths of their wives in a car crash caused by a swan.

Angel (1982) he made for film set amid he roubles in Ireland, which launched the directing career of Neil Jordan and which, after Stephen Woolley persuaded Channel 4 to try a (hugely successful) cinema release, encouraged the channel to get more involved with creating cinema.

© PARK CIRCUS AND CHANNEL 4

Rita, Sue and Bob, Too (1987) – Controversial at the time of its release and, perhaps, equally so now given the news, Bradford-born ndrea unbar’s defiant comedy about two teenage girls and their sexual exploits with an older married man gave rare and real insight into some aspects of working-class life. n

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Gordon Warnecke and Daniel Day-Lewis in My Beautiful Launderette – Dan trained right here in Bristol, you know; another Bristol Old Vic Theatre School graduate, Greta Scaachi co-starred with Gabriel Byrne in Defence of the Realm; Ba-ba-ba-doo! Absolute Beginners was based on a 1950s novel but had the ‘80s running through it like a stick of rock; Angel was classic Scala fare

Cinema Rediscovered takes place in and around Bristol from July 23 to 27 www.watershed.co.uk/cinema-rediscovered

ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS AFTER-PARTY

Wednesday 23 July 22:30 DJ Cheeba takes over the Watershed Café & Bar with a DJ/VJ set inspired by the Absolute Beginners soundtrack, from Bowie’s ’80s repertoire to Sade and The Style Council with a sprinkling of The Tube and MTV. Dressing up (or down) is encouraged, think along the lines of The Face, the definitive style magazine of the era, whose design style we pay loving homage to on these pages.

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MUSIC FOR THE SOUL Bristol Northern Soul Club has been making waves across the local music scene since 2021. BOBBI CARSLEY takes its pulse and feels the beat

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C

CLUB

haracterised by a unique intensity of energy and authenticity, since their late 1970s beginnings Northern Soul clubs have attracted both a national and international fan base.

Since 2021, Bristol has had its own club, which now operates once a month at Old Market Assembly. You can’t help marvelling at the atmosphere created by the organisers here, the notes from the music setting the dancers skating and spinning across the dance floor.

The remarkable organisers in question are mother-and-daughter Eve Arslett and Levanna McLean. As the club’s founders, Eve and Lev draw on extensive musical backgrounds tied to the subculture.

Lev began her Northern Soul Girl identity online, where she amassed millions of views and thousands of followers, encouraged and aided by Eve while she worked as a Northern Soul DJ. Lev tells me about the musical pilgrimage they chartered across the Northern Soul soundscape in Europe before launching the club, e went o to e plore the uropean scene, in places like Spain, Germany, Sweden and Denmark, because the average age at the clubs there was a lot younger”, she says.

“They had a bit of a fresh, young thing going on.” It was while travelling and seeing other soul music events that Eve decided to bring Northern Soul to Bristol with Lev. “I thought, ‘We need to do it together. We’ll be more powerful together’.”

“If Northern Soul has found you, it will be a life sentence”

Come with a mate, come on your own, come whatever your age and gender, and let the music spin you onto the dance floor

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CLUB NORTHERN SOUL TOP TEN as recommended by Lev and Eve Johnny D – Strange Love Kiki Dee – I’ll Try Something New Santiago – Mr Love Collette Kelly – City of Fools Harvey Averne – Central Park Kitty Love – The Power of Love

Valerie and Nick – I’ll Find You Rosco and Barbara – Could This Be Love Barbara Mercer – Call On Me Tangeers – That Empty Place

heir first in person Northern Soul night in the city was sold out, confirming that Bristol’s Northern Soul fans merely needed a spark to light the flame. longside the club, ve and ev established their events management and promotion business, Streets of Soul, which has gone from strength to strength with further music nights including unk ddict, he odern oom, and the Bristol Beat lub. ev takes me back to that opening night. here were so many di erent types of people there, a multitude of generations , she says. e thought, there’s currently no monthly, dedicated Northern Soul night in Bristol city centre, so let’s make one. et’s go big or go home let’s make the Bristol Northern Soul lub. ask her whether Northern Soul’s plus year history is integral to the club. efinitely, for us , says ve. think we’re one of the only clubs which has managed to bring in the history, and that’s because we’re intergenerational. e’ve tried really hard to preserve the traditions, the history and the culture and the little things that people don’t really know about. t’s worked really well. e’ve fused the history with young people. think that’s been the secret to our success we’ve managed to create that dance energy in our clubs. rom an outside perspective, it’s clear that ve and ev have ensured that the contours and nuances of Northern Soul are at the heart of the club’s culture. he growth of a meaningful community through the club sees them both celebrating Northern

“Northern Soul has always been the ultimate form of escapism”

Soul’s historic legacy and becoming instrumental to its new era. he club celebrates newcomers from the younger generation and welcomes back those returning to it even going so far as to reunite the sound of underground, abstract records with their original creators and descendants through sending them videos of crowds at Bristol Northern Soul lub dancing to their musical memory. always say that Northern Soul generally finds you, rather than you find it , says ev. f Northern Soul has found you, it will be a life sentence. t is one of those things where if you get into it, it never leaves you. ur mission has always been to break down the barriers to entry to Northern Soul. n this day and age, it’s uite hard to stay underground without dying as a scene. t’s about keeping the best bits of Northern Soul by keeping it authentic, while also making sure that those who may not have necessarily found it otherwise have access to it. ask what they feel has been the key to their success at a time when so much of the music scene has su ered.

Back in the ’ s when Northern Soul became increasingly popular it was a really hard time for young people, and think many are feeling the same thing now. ou’ve got the cost of living crisis, there are wars going on, there’s a lot of really crap things going on in the world right now.

Northern Soul has always been the ultimate form of escapism. ou can really get obsessed with Northern Soul, and dive deep because there are so many di erent parts to it. here’s the record collecting, the dancing, the style. ithin that you can find your place and where you belong. t comes back to that sense of belonging. ’m really mindful that we’re not staging’ this, says ve. his isn’t a show, it’s literally the feeling of Northern Soul, and about giving people that feeling. Not many other places can do that, other than Northern Soul, where you can be part of the scene. ould they encourage anyone interested in the scene to come along to Bristol Northern Soul lub bsolutely , says ev. ven come alone think a lot of people are scared if they can’t get their friends to come. always, as a woman, try to look for the people who are on their own because ’ve been there. s a promoter it’s my duty to make people feel welcome. efinitely, a hundred per cent come down and say hello, and you’ll be surprised by how friendly it is. n For more: www.facebook.com/bristolnorthernsoulclub Instagram @bristolnorthernsoulclub; www.streetsofsoul.co.uk

BEAT SURRENDER

ABOVE: Whether or not you wear your sunglasses indoors you’ll be welcomed here;

“The era of Northern Soul that was most influential, in our opinion was the 1980s. In particular the Stafford era ,which was when some of the finest records were discovered and played and a new style of Northern Soul sound was created, which pushed many slower records which we term as Midtempo or Beat Ballads. The dance style was different and was particularly spectacular to watch, with a more elegant style.”

INSET: Her mum’s cooler than your mum: Eve and Lev on the decks

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BRISTOL HEROES

DANCE LIKE NO ONE IS WATCHING 1

Come take it to the floor, now Words and pics by Colin Moody 34 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

I

don’t think we quite appreciate just how vital a role dance plays in our lives to set us free. on’t fear taking to the ballroom dance floor with your partner: do it.

Don’t fear when that circle opens up at the festival, and you find yourself stood there with an inflatable banana glittered up to the max: do it.

Don’t fear the dance: the dance will set you free.

Here are eight heroes who show that the act of moving, to a beat, to a song, to a feeling, sets not just the dancer free but you too, if you let it.

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Where to begin? I like to keep my eyes and ears open in this city to receive new experiences, and here something stirs at the top of the Christmas Steps. Go higher, a little higher – and I found myself at The Mount Without.

Aakash Odedra was not just dancing; this was beyond that. This was a performance of deeply moving tones. Aakash drew from an ancient Sufi tale of a caged bird who lives in ever smaller cages to force it to sing, which gives one final piercingly beautiful performance before it gives in. The artist says the whole thing is a metaphor for the impermanence of dance, and so with that I captured some moments where the song of the bird can only exist in your imagination. A song sung and gone.

I see it as also resonating with that Bristol spirit of no matter how far ‘they’ push on you, restrict you, try to break you, there is something powerful yet light, hard yet understanding, wanting to fly from you.

2 3

Dance will always surprise you, disarm you.

I approached my friend Sonic in the street the other day. We put the world to rights, and as is often the case he began to spit bars, to give me some street poetry. And in the doing of this he began to move. He leaned in so close to the camera for the punch words at the ends of each improvised line. So here is a little shot, three moments in one, to create for you as best I can the vibe of that dance, that performance.

Some of us are struggling. We may need this poetic dance to take our minds o it we may need this performance as it resonates with our own deep hurt.

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BRISTOL HEROES The power to move you in dance can come at any moment. I saw riot police draw batons on this kid once, and he started to dance; it confused, it changed the energy. Never stop the movement – it might save your life.

“Never stop the movement; it might change your life”

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And have we even talked yet about making your way to the dance floor r tent r field That moment when you realise you are not gonna even need the shirt, because this is going to be spiritual.

That feeling, when you are transitioning from spectator to active participant. The commitment to the journey during which you will completely give yourself up to the repetitive beats. You don’t know where this will go, it could get messy, but you are all in… hold my shirt.

4

Big up the Lakota, which has been showcasing amazing gig photography all around its site recently on the new wave of billboards which seem to have appeared in recent years.

Someone has come out with the pens and just pirate ified the work a little. When posters go up around the Stokes Croft area they are immediately part of the scene, and when did the research for my first book about the area I was educated about the wall space and what a palette it is for local taggers and artists. It will be interesting to see how walls, billboards and art mix over the coming months and years.

Big up the house photographers for capturing so many of the dancers and DJs over the years in the currently display. Go check it out.

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Reluctant dancers. So she’s waiting for the captain to throw the line to shore, right, but to catch it, that half-second moment when the rope is in transit, that’s when I see it, the dance. Sure, it’s only the ‘gotta catch the rope’ dance, but don’t we catch the rhythm when we start throwing shapes at the club?

Welcome to the dancer collection, my friend.

She made the catch by the way. World’s shortest dance.

6

Dancing is 25 times more fun that doomscrolling on social media t’s five times more fun than a really good roast dinner.

It’s the only way to really unwind after what feels like the longest winter we’ve ever had.

You will need: shoes (optional), clothes (optional), music (essential – or you could start dancing to your own tune in your own head).

7

How about this cheeky, get-the-job-done dance? didn’t know gra cans could double up as the world’s smallest stepladder. Don’t try this at home. ou can even see the movement of the dance in this photo by tracing the black line the artist’s arms have been sweeping over.

8

We return, as we must, to the dance of bulbul, the caged bird, from the first photo. ne final song before it’s gone. hen a movie fades to black at the end of the screening, that’s like a death. hen certain songs on my mind’s playlist finish it’s literally like the ‘end’ end.

But for me, the most powerful way to experience in art the moment of death, that final fade, is when a dancer, who has been moving during the whole performance, makes those final turns and falls to stillness.

Yes, an end like all those in other mediums, but here in the theatre there is a beautiful moment, in the dark, and then the resurrection. p, take a bow. o watch the world’s best dancers move like life force itself and stop? It’s incredible. An impermanent force to remind us of our permanent state. leave you with this image and those thoughts, from near the end of Songs of the Bulbul.

I hope the editor prints this photo large.

Colin Moody: content creation, online images Twitter @moodycolin; Instagram @colinmoodyphotography www.colinmoodyphotography.wordpress.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 37

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EMILY & DAN ROSS STORYSMITH BOOKS

the afterlife, they recount the history of over 400 years of life in the house. Those 400 years slip by in just 150 pages, making this feat of storytelling all the more impressive.

In which our favourite booksellers praise (but fail to emulate) literary brevity

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his issue’s column is all about short, sharp shocks: the tiny books we’ve read recently which have had the deepest impact. Puny in page-count but punchy in power, each one delivers the goods by only the most e cient methods, with absolutely no excess material to speak of.

We love big books as much as the next reader – sagas, doorstoppers, breezeblocks, whoppers – but in our hearts you’ll find infinite chamberspace for slender gems, and not just because they’re physically that bit smaller.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why this is – perhaps it’s the sense that all extraneous gumpf has been excised, perhaps it’s the false feeling of having read them so much quicker than heftier tomes

– but nonetheless we are here to inflict our short, sharp shocks upon you right now…

I Gave You Eyes and You Looked Towards Darkness (trans. Mara Faye Lethem)

by Irene Solá Irene Sola’s second novel feels like the cursed, uglier sibling of her similarly svelte debut, When I Sing, Mountains Dance (if you haven’t already had the pleasure, watch out for the talking mushrooms).

Teeming with spirits, wolves and women making pacts with the devil, the action takes place over a single day in a rural Catalonian farmhouse that is alive with the ghosts of the restless women who have lived and died there over the years. As they wait for the latest living inhabitant, the impossibly old Bernadeta, to join them in

This Part Is Silent by SJ Kim n this a ecting and inventive memoir you can feel the rage of generations of female erasure. It’s a truly unique and creative book, and almost impossible to believe it would be possible in 170 pages. Kim’s essays are free-form, blending memoir with letters, emails and scripts for K-dramas whilst meandering between her childhood as an immigrant in the American South, and her struggles as an academic during the pandemic.

Discussing absence of language, often using Korean words without translation to convey the moments of silence and erasure that occur when talking about race and immigration, Kim isn’t afraid to sit with the discomfort that this often inspires in others. All these biographical elements coalesce with Kim’s stunning approach to style to make a jarring, enlivening whole, a book that forces the reader to be just as open as the author.

Flower by Ed Atkins Beginning with an incredibly vivid breakdown of the merits/ drawbacks of the various prepackaged sandwich wraps available in the author’s local pharmacy in Berlin, this is a totally breathless stream-of-consciousness braindump that is as much about the restless state of an artistic mind as it is an uproarious celebration of minutiae.

Atkins is an established and innovative voice in contemporary art known chiefly for his meticulously edited video pieces, and as such it is exhilarating to see him so unbidden on the page. Meditations on his relationship with his young children melt into extended and fantastical jags on imagining himself as a cybernetic robot, all with barely a paragraph break across its 90-or-so pages, the result being a truly brilliant mess.

Now that we’ve extolled the virtues of literary brevity, you might be wondering why the same approach can’t be applied to this very column. But the bookseller’s urge to ramble is, sadly, immune to such curtailments. We can’t miss our wordcount, can we?

“If you haven’t already had the pleasure, watch out for the talking mushrooms”

Visit Storysmith at 36 North Street, Bedminster; www.storysmithbooks.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 39

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BENCHMARKS ANDY HAMILTON

Riddle me this: what do a bus seat and a park bench have in common?

O

ne of the greatest films ever made is an indie movie called Repo Man. The plot revolves around di erent groups, the government, conspiracy theorists, repo men and rival repo men who are all trying to track down a 1964 Chevvy Malibu driven by a man with a lobotomy who lives o vending machine food. I watched it when I was 15, and it embedded itself in my consciousness.

One of the most memorable lines is spoken by Miller, a spaced-out mechanic who does his “best thinking on the bus”, who reckons “the more you drive, the less intelligent you are”. It’s stayed with me all these years, and find myself looking at my fellow passengers wondering what their best thinking might be.

I’m currently thinking about this as I travel the Number 1 to get to this week’s bench in Westbury. I’m not sure if it’s my best thinking, but I’ve come to the conclusion that buses are curious things; the world

that exists on them acts very di erently than other human created worlds. Unlike schools, o ces or any of our institutions the culture can change from one stop to the next. No two buses or bus journeys are exactly the same. Indeed, the top deck can often have a very di erent feel to the bottom deck.

In that sense they act like tiny micro-villages of people whose customs and culture are always subtly changing, being influenced by those occupying the seats.

Despite their size they trundle up and down our byways and highways mostly unnoticed, each city a self-contained society.

We emerge from these civilised bubbles at our destination without giving any thought to the di erent tunes that play around us. We can miss the subtle shifts in attire, attitude and the pitch that lives similar, but utterly di erent, are played out in these new areas. estbury is very di erent to Brislington, Clifton doesn’t look like St George and Kingswood functions in a way peculiar to Lawrence Hill. The bus merges their cultures together. Often it’s the only contact people from

di erent walks of life will get with each other – particularly in a place like Bristol where each district seems to like keeping to its home turf.

Of course, each area would have been its own village years ago, and there might not have been much contact between the people living there. Indeed, I read once that the one invention that altered human biodiversity more than anything else was the bicycle.

I digress.

I feel that a bench in a park somehow slices through the di erent worlds, too. Like a bus, it has a sense of something other about it, a world apart from the day-to-day. fter some looking, find my bench in Canford Park. I pick one tucked away on the perimeter of the park, yet which still sits within view of the ‘action’. It’s the writer’s favourite spot: away from it all yet close enough to witness the whole performance of daily human life.

I used to take my kids here from time to time when they were small. estbury is di erent enough to feel like a holiday, and

we were unlikely to bump into anyone we knew, thus furthering the illusion. These are the qualities I’m looking for today.

The bench also has a palm tree over it and so I’m feeling quite Mediterranean as I sip my tea and eat my pot noodle. The clouds acquiesce to the sun on this day, making way for blueskied warmth.

I start to look at the people around. I’m treated with suspicion by some, but that’s nothing new. I’m a man with a camera, a notebook and a pot noodle sitting on a bench, after all. Yet, many – no, most – nod and smile a hello.

As I see parents pushing kids, old friends chatting with joggers and dog walkers weaving between them I feel that this isn’t such a di erent place to where live after all. n

“A bench in a park somehow slices n i rn worlds, too”

Andy Hamilton is the author of several books including New Wild Order, The First Time Forager and Booze For Free. He coaches authors, and ill oon o ring na ur ri ing or wellbeing courses. For more email him Andy@andyhamiltonauthor.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 41

LAPIN

It’s hard to credit it, we know, but Cargo 2’s first-floor terrace just got even sexier Words by Deri Robins

B

RESTAURANT

ecause I studied French for A Level – no, don’t ask me Since the menu promises hearty treats to come, we swerve the bread what grade I got, it was an embarrassingly long way and snacks and dive straight in. here are five starters, five mains and down the alphabet – I am aware that lapin translates as two sharing options, along with a three course pri fi e a classic rabbit. Sadly ’ve never had the opportunity to show o brasserie model straight out of the Latin Quarter. this incredible piece of erudition in conversation.

Sometimes the universe rewards you for being nice. Had I been dining Instead, for some reason, the phrase that always pops with Your Man I’d have breezily taken my pick of the menu, forcing into my head whenever I hear the word is the old VW him to pick an alternative so there’d be plenty of things to write about.

GTI ad slogan, ‘Le lapin qui fait vroom’. The only owever, am dining with a son, and the habit of maternal unselfishness other thing I know about lapins is that they feature prominently in French runs deep. I permit him to order the scallops I’d very much fancied, cuisine. That’s it. That’s the sum total of my knowledge, lapin-wise. making do’ with a sou Suissesse with tomato cr me which in fact Or at least it was until a few months ago, when news broke that the turns out to be one of my favourite dishes of the year. ri on ichel estimable Dan O’Regan and Jack Briggs-Horan of Totterdown’s BANK Roux Jr’s signature dish at Le Gavroche, it’s the most luxurious thing would be opening a second restaurant, this time down at Cargo. Its imaginable a pu of buttery, eggy, cheesy indulgence in a rich cream name would be Lapin, and it would serve classic French cuisine with the sauce. a ord the son a spoonful in e change for a sliver of his scallop obligatory ‘contemporary twist’. Every self-respecting gourmet in the (fat, juicy, garlicky beneath its crunchy breadcrumb topping), though it’s larger Bristol area promptly added it to their must-visit list for the summer. a bit of a wrench.

Instead of storming the citadel on week one we waited for a proper I could have ordered the rabbit rillette, but just as I’d snubbed the heatwave to come along so that we could sit out on the terrace and watch eponymous ragu at Ragù three weeks earlier, at Lapin I spurn the bunny. the sun set over the harbour. Had it rained, however, we’d have been quite Like many carnivores I cultivate a useful amnesia which allows me to happy to dive into the dining room, which teams overlook the fact that a deeply delicious leg of lamb, heritagey sage paintwork with metal lampshades: say, might once have been attached to something that DINING DETAILS French bistro meets industrial Cargo cool. gambolled in a field, or that a bacon buttie might Lapin, Unit 14, Cargo 2, 0117 408 4997 From here you can watch all the action unfold in somehow be related to Babe. It’s a kind of mental www.lapinbristol.co.uk the typically tiny kitchen. It never ceases to amaze divorce; Severance crossed with The Bear. This trick Opening hours Tues-Thurs 5.30-10pm; me how Cargo chefs manage to turn out such doesn’t work at Lapin, though, because each piece Fri-Sat midday-3.30, 5.30-10pm; Sun sophisticated fare from these miniscule spaces; you of the charming white and green crockery comes midday-8pm couldn’t swing a cat in any of them, but it seems you adorned with a rabbit logo which o ers a constant Price starters £13-£15, mains £21-£35; can produce a marvellous roast duck crown or côte reminder of the animal’s leporine cuteness. It would three-course prix fixe £29 de boeuf with no trouble at all. feel like eating Thumper.

Waiters in immaculate whites glide from the dining Veggie? Limited choice (it’s very French) The daughter, always at least one week ahead Service Spot-on, friendly room to the terrace, where brightly coloured woven of me when it comes to new openings, had already Atmosphere Laidback Cargo vibes wicker chairs surround marble-topped tables. Add pipped me to the Lapin post and emerged raving a glimmer of sun and it’s precisely the kind of spot about the confit duck. nd rightly so the meat which prompts British people to say, “We could be on the Continent!”, falls promiscuously o the bone, the skin is blamelessly crisp, while a generally a few minutes before the heavens open. However on this summery melange of new-season peas and buttery lettuce in rich cider occasion they remain closed, and for the next two hours we bask in an sauce makes for yet another Franco-Bristol entente cordiale. The son’s early-evening glow which makes our fellow diners out on the terrace, chicken schnitzel with silky oyster mushrooms is no less succulent. which is democratically shared with all the first floor restaurants from For puds it’s a Basque cheesecake for me, which does everything you’d Gambas to Ragù, look like an advert for being young and happy in hope a Basque cheesecake might do, with pain perdu for son; both are Bristol. Either they are all unusually good-looking or it’s a trick of the perfectly fine, though it’s the savoury courses that stick in the mind later. light a benevolent e ect of the mood.

French cuisine, once considered the apogee of dining but eclipsed in Hoping to retain a clear head the next day, I heed the advice of our the UK in recent years by more casual Spanish tapas, Italian and Asian excellent wine columnist Charlie and choose a relatively low-alcohol plates, seems to be slowly making a comeback. Bristol already has Freddy pet nat; here a Domaine Plaisance Penavayre made from Muscat Bird’s highly rated Little French and 1 York Place, and this new opening d’Hambourg grapes, a fun and refreshing bubbly. The wine list is long is in a very similar class. ive la r volution ran aise he apin most and lovingly curated, and impressively, all are available by the glass. definitely faits vroom.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 43

SPONSORED CONTENT

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F The Bath training will be led by Shelagh O’Neill and Scott Clark

eldenkrais training is a life-changing experience, whether you study it for a professional qualification or as personal development. It is rigorously experiential and at the same time an intellectual adventure. A Professional training is starting in Bath in May 2026.

The Feldenkrais Method® is a unique approach to movement and learning, using guided attention to bring about profound neurological changes. Benefits include more comfortable movement, better problem-solving and a balanced response to the stresses of life.

The method was developed by Dr Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-1984), a distinguished physicist, engineer and judo master. In many ways, his thinking was way ahead of his time. He understood early, for example, the phenomenon of neuroplasticity, the existence of mirror neurons and the power of focused attention. His genius was in making this knowledge functional and practical.

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You don’t need a massive amount of Feldenkrais experience to do the training – local classes (even on Zoom) are widely available – nor any particular qualifications or background. You don’t even have to have concrete plans to become a practitioner. You do need some connection to the work, whether intellectual or experiential, and a willingness to learn, and a good bit of bravery.

“What I’m after isn’t flexible bodies, but flexible minds.”

– Moshe Feldenkrais.

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with visiting international trainers. The qualification is internationally recognised.

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By the end of the training you will be ready to practise the hands-on work (Functional Integration).

As a teacher/practitioner you will be able to help people to counteract the effects of age or the imbalance left by injury or illness. You may also work with actors, musicians or sportspeople to improve their performance, or help people with long-term pain or stress to find lasting relief.

The range of applications is wide and graduates inevitably find their own niche. Some work within their previous professions as, for example, a lecturer in drama or music or as a physiotherapist, some become self-employed practitioners and some specialise in working with children with developmental difficulties – the range is endless.

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This is an unparalleled opportunity for growth – in ways that will surprise you, in both depth and direction. At the same time you will qualify in a profoundly meaningful helping profession, which will continue to deepen and enrich the rest of your life. n

www.nicefeldenkrais.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 45

PARA, PARA, PARADISE New this summer, Lake Paradiso is more than just another music festival. Let curator Becky Morgan tell you more . . .

Words by Ursula Cole

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FESTIVAL

iven that it takes place over the first weekend in August and pitches up next to Chew Valley lake, it’s no surprise to learn that Lake Paradiso comes from the Valley Fest crew, who normally take over this same spot at this same time.

However, Valley Fest is having a fallow year, and Lake Paradiso is a di erent kind of beast. n the words of the organisers, the festival o ers weekend of genre spanning music, meaningful connection and serious dancefloor energy . rom funk and nB to rare groove and global rhythms, the line up reads like a dream and promises party lover’s paradise. Behind the carefully programmed sounds is a team of seasoned music lovers, including Becky Morgan, a Bristol born curator with decades of e perience across the club, radio and festival scenes.

Becky paused between hanging up the bunting and dusting o the amps actually we have no idea if she does either of those things) to tell us more about how the first year of the festival is shaping up to be one of Bristol’s summer highlights and a musically rich addition to the UK’s cultural calendar.

Lake Paradiso’s debut line-up reads like a love letter to soul, funk, DnB and global grooves. What was your vision going into the curation?

hat’s a beautiful way to put it t was a shared vision between myself, Si from Shimmy isco and Diggz. We wanted to throw a brilliant music party for people in our own demographic – something you could dance to all weekend. The festival founders gave us total freedom, which meant we could fully trust our taste and bring in artists we knew would deliver. e’re just as eager to attend as we are to curate – it’s our kind of festival, with music that hits all the right notes – and yes, we will definitely be dancing This isn’t a line-up chasing trends – it feels intentional, cross-generational and full of musical depth. What’s the thread that ties it all together?

ust really good music, born from a real love for music.

Trevor Nelson, Huey Morgan, Norman Jay MBE, Incognito… It’s stacked with icons. What did it mean to you to land those names for a first-year event?

t felt incredible. e are lucky to call some of these people our friends and family. With over 30 years in the music business we’ve got a pretty tasty black book between us.

MAIN IMAGE: The site will be very familiar to Valley Fest regulars INSET: Once the sun sets, they’ll turn up the tempo

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 47

FESTIVAL Superstar DJs, here we go!

Huey Morgan (LEFT) and Norman Jay (BELOW) BOTTOM INSET: Becky Morgan

unique. We didn’t want a roster of just big names – it’s about quality and character. Sofar Sounds will spotlight rising talent, BobaFatt is one of the best selectors around and Diggz is back on the Bristol scene with so much to o er. rust me, they’ll hold their own.

Do you find Bristol’s music scene influencing your curatorial ear? Any artists, parties or collectives who helped shape your approach?

Talk to us about the late-night programming. What can festivalgoers expect once the sun goes down?

Once the sun sets we’re turning up the tempo. Expect a mix of history sets and fresh music, with something familiar to everyone. here’s no sitting down this is a party, and we’re bringing the energy.

The Shimmy Discotheque takeover promises to be one of those standout after-dark moments. How do you go about crafting high-energy sets that are still in tune with the Lake Paradiso vibe?

’m going to hand this one over to Si from Shimmy Discotheque… ey he Shimmy iscothe ue takeover is about finding the perfect balance between the festival’s soulful, open-minded atmosphere and Shimmy’s signature high-energy sound. We’re building a musical journey that flows naturally from the Bristol collective Beautiful People into a legendary sunset set by Norman Jay. From there, our residents take the reins with their mix of house and disco – infectious, soulful and perfectly in sync with the moment.”

You’ve got everything from jungle legend Jumping Jack Frost to soul powerhouse Terri Walker on the bill.

How important is it to programme artists with strong live chemistry?

t’s a beautiful bonus. hen artists gel, that chemistry ripples through the crowd. Not every festival has that dynamic, so we’re grateful it came together this way and we can’t wait to share this experience with everyone.

We noticed names like BobaFatt, DJ Diggz and Sofar Sounds – a nice thread of underground and community-rooted talent.

How do you balance that with the big-hitters?

Every artist on this line-up brings something

“There’s no sitting down – this is a party, and we’re bringing the energy”

ow yes, definitely ’m originally from Bristol and came up during the city’s golden era, working at ull Cycle Records with Roni Size and DJ Krust in the ’90s as DnB was going global. Our parties blended genres, and festivals like Miami’s WMC expanded my musical hori ons. programmed evel nightclub, gave igg his Saturday RnB slot, then worked with legends like DJ a y e and asters t ork. otsome was emerging around then too. nd with my husband uey organ constantly schooling me in great music, it feels like a homecoming to bring it all full-circle in the South West.

With a limited capacity and a lakeside setting, how does the intimacy shape your music programming?

Is there more freedom to take risks?

think we would still have built the same line up, adding in more if the crowd size was bigger, but the fact it’s such a nice capacity feels like it will be more connected. lso you get the bonus of a beautiful view, which not all festivals have.

Lake Paradiso promises ‘connection, not chaos’.

How does that ethos affect the way you build the musical journey across the weekend?

Our north star was always soul, so even though the tempo will change throughout the day, a journey has been consciously created throughout, gradually building the tempo into the night. lot of the artists have had musical connections via the studio, record labels or performing for years and the common thread that will also be an appreciation for each other’s music o ering, which no doubt will be felt throughout by the audience.

What’s one set you personally won’t miss? And give us a wild- card moment you think will catch people off guard (in a good way)

ow, that’s hard, as literally want to catch everyone playing. ’m going to say ncognito. hey are a piece on stage and the vibe when they sing Always There will be a moment for sure. My wild card is going to be awiah. She is an incredible soul hero of our time and if you don’t know her song Wait for Now, go listen to it before the festival; it’s spellbinding.

Finally, if you had to describe Lake Paradiso’s soundtrack in three words, what would they be?

igh soul vibes. n

Weekend tickets for Lake Paradiso are on sale at www.lakeparadiso.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 49

© JON CR AIG

CAFÉ SOCIETY STAN CULLIMORE

Easily FED An old favourite in a new (at least, to Stan) location

I

have said it before, and over the next couple of paragraphs I’m going to say it again: those there FED cafés do a mighty fine line in mouthwatering, tongue-teasing, eye-pleasing, foodie zones Their displays are not merely things of joy forever; they are hymns to heavenly cake bakes and symphonies of succulent colour combos.

Doesn’t matter whether you walk through the door hungry or not, chances are, you’re going to end up at your table

“We sat down outside and grinned away like a pair of bell-bottomed badgers on a bank holiday weekend”

with something on a plate. It’s inevitable. Might as well accept it.

In this particular case, on this particular occasion, it was the Westbury-on-Trym wing of the FED operation that we visited. The one just down the hill from the Co-op, on the way to Canford Park. No idea how many caf s these fine people have got going these days [actually it’s four – Ed] all I know for sure is that it can never be too many.

This is the third of their locations I have visited and all three have been an exercise in exquisite co ee and cake cuisinerie.

In fact, about the only complaint I have about the whole kit and caboodle is that every single FED café seems to be stu ed to the gunwhales with punters whenever I visit.

Which is quite a nice problem for them to have, obviously.

True to form, when we visited this branch of the FED brotherhood, the insides were stu ed fuller than Bigfoot’s walking boots, so we had to sit outside. Which, quite frankly, was OK with me, as the sun was shining, the sky was blue and all was very well with the world.

After ordering a couple of co ees and the obligatory, wasn’t going to have anything to eat, but that cake just looks so damn fine have to try some ,

we sat down outside and grinned away like a pair of bell-bottomed badgers on a bank holiday weekend. Our Guinness cake and drinks duly arrived, along with a carafe of cucumber-and-mintinfused water. Which was a nice touch, I must say. You could really taste the cucumber. But I digress.

Point is, the slice of cake was enormous, so generous that between the two of us we still couldn’t finish it.

Which to my mind, is very generous sizing indeed.

Talking of which, just as we were stu ng our faces with this fine fare, one of the young folk waiting tables came along to make sure we were happy, and also to see if our two poochy friends would like a biscuit. We were, they did and they were two very contented doggies.

So there you have it; whether you have sampled the world of FED, or whether you have not, I can thoroughly recommend this café. And if you’ve got a canine companion, you can always combine it with a visit to Canford Park, which always goes down a treat. n Former The Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer; @stancullimore on instagram Google up Stan’s daily substack blog: Diary of an Urban Grandad www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 51

CHARLIE TAYLOR KASK WINE

Banish all thoughts of Blue Nun; it’s time to celebrate the Riesling

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sk someone what they think about Riesling and you’ll usually get one of two responses: “Oh, that sweet stu my nan used to drink?” or “Isn’t that the one that tastes like petrol?”

Ask most wine bar owners, sommeliers or restaurateurs, and they’ll say, “Probably one of my favourite grapes.” Why? Because this is one of the most exciting and versatile grapes in the world.

It’s often referred to as one of the noble grapes, thanks to its e ceptional ability to reflect where it’s grown (aka terroir), its naturally high acidity and ageing potential.

For me, Riesling is all about the vineyard and the grower. Unlike most grapes, there’s not much a winemaker can do to Riesling once it’s out of the vineyard and into the cellar. It doesn’t need oak or blending to shine. It carries flavour, structure and balance all on its own. From bone-dry to lusciously sweet, it covers the full spectrum of style without losing its identity. It’s a grape that thrives in the hands of winemakers who want to let the land – and good farming – do the talking.

So if you’ve written it o , it’s time to uncork a new opinion.

(Sorry—I try to avoid wine puns… although we are doing a tasting later this month titled Love Me for

a Riesling, so maybe I like them more than I care to admit.)

Where it all began: Germany

Germany is Riesling’s homeland, and Germans still do it better than anyone else. The Mosel Valley is the poster child. Picture the steepest of vineyards that defy gravity, clinging to dark slate cli s that soak up the sun and bounce the warmth right back to the grapes. The result? Wines that are light but bursting with flavour, with laser sharp acidity that makes your cheeks do a little dance.

Here, Riesling is made in every style, from bone dry (look for ‘Trocken’ on the label) to o dry abinett’ or ‘Spätlese’) to rich, honeyed dessert wines. That ‘kerosene’ note is a natural compound that appears as the wines age, especially in bottles from cooler climates and mineralrich soils. And come on – you’re really saying you don’t enjoy the smell of a petrol station forecourt when you’re filling up the car

own. In the Clare and Eden Valleys of South Australia, you get bone-dry, mouthwatering wines with lime zest, white peach, and sometimes that same cheeky petrol note. These are bright, punchy and built for hot weather – or hot food. New Zealand’s approach is similar, though often with a touch more aromatic flair and a slightly juicier finish.

And then there’s the US, particularly the Finger Lakes in New York State, where cooler temperatures produce Rieslings full of crunchy green apple, citrus blossom and that unmistakable electric snap of acidity. Some are dry, some are gently o dry, but nearly all are delicious.

“Rielsing covers the full spectrum of style without losing its identity”

Head south: New World

Australia and New Zealand have taken Riesling and made it their

Still not convinced?

Let the pairing do the talking.

Riesling is a sommelier’s secret weapon because it pairs with almost everything. Spicy dishes? Tick. Rich, fatty meats?

Tick. Salty snacks, sharp cheeses, smoked fish, roast pork ick, tick, tick. It’s the friend who gets along with everyone.

If you’re still wary because you think it’s all sweet, here’s the truth: good Riesling is balanced. ven the o dry ones have such a snap of acidity that they taste refreshing, not syrupy. Don’t let your nan’s Blue Nun haunt your palate forever.

Three to try now:

Stein & Fels ’23, Brand Bros Dry, textured and creamy, the notes of lime, kiwi and flint immediately tell you this is a Riesling. By brothers Daniel and Jonas Brand, the grapes come from organically cultivated 20-30 year old vines on the slopes of Bockenheimer in Pfalz and are harvested by hand – a common requirement on the steep slopes of quality German vineyards.

Riesling ‘M’ ’23, Te Whare Ra Te Whare Ra (Mauri for ‘Houe in the Sun’ is a small organic estate in Marlborough, on New Zealand’s South Island. They’re one of S ’s fave New orld winemakers and this is one of our fave wines. Inspired by the Mosel Rieslings of Germany, the ‘M’ stands for ‘medium-dry’, meaning there’s a little sweetness o set by marked acidity. oes amazing with oysters.

Steffensberg Auslese ’05, Staffelter Hof An exceptional aged Riesling from possibly the oldest stillworking vineyard in the world, dating back to 862AD. Explosive aromas of honey, nectarine and citrus zest are followed by the very definition of a balanced palate – lusciously sweet but with a mineral backbone with acidity that stops the sweetness from being cloying.

Visit KASK Wine at 51 North Street 07522 198081; www.kaskwine.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 53

ADIDAS RED NYLON JACKET (L), £30 During his current tour Robbie’s been referencing his 1990s red trackie style; you won’t struggle to find similar in Bristol’s retro shops From Beyond Retro, 20 Broadmead www.beyondretro.com

OAS COMPANY LEO BUCKET HAT, £65 If Liam and Mel B had a love child and the midwife was a milliner, the result would be this hat. PS the OAS brand is Swedish, and has zero connection with Oasis From Cooshti, 57 Park Street; www.cooshti.com

BRITPOP SUMMER

AQUAZZURA SUNDANCE PLATFORM SANDALS £620 No Spice Girl was ever happy unless her footwear elevated her at least si inches above the floor. hile Baby favoured a chunky trainer, Posh teamed classic mini-slips with strappy evening platforms From Harvey Nichols, 27 Philadelphia Street; www.harveynichols.com

Liam and Noel are on tour; so is Robbie. Blur are working together again, while Pulp totally smashed it at Glastonbury. All we need now is a full Spice Girls reunion to be living our best 1990s lives WIDE-LEGGED JOGGERS, £110 el s sporty style helped popularise the trend for athletic gear as everyday clothing, and many of us have never left the comfort of drawstring trousers behind From Mint Velvet, 44 Regent Street www.mintvelvet.com

MAHARISHI 5030 WATERPROOF ASYM STORM PARKA, £399 iam s love for parkas is legendary. hether you bagged a golden ticket for the reunion tour or not, this will see you through even the dampest moments of your Britpop summer From Cooshti, 57 Park Street; www.cooshti.com 54 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

BURBERRY HARRINGTON JACKET, £1,190 Many 1990s artists embraced Mod-inspired Harrington jackets. The era also saw an renewed enthusiasm for heritage brands; combine the two, and it s basically Britpop on a stick From Harvey Nichols 27 Philadelphia Street www.harveynichols. com

ANIMAL PRINT BROWN JACKET (M), £21 Walk, don’t run, to Beyond Retro before el B spots this jacket first From Beyond Retro, 20 Broadmead www.beyondretro.com

ED’S CHOICE

DOGTOOTH MULTICOLOUR BLAZER (M), £25 Ah Jarvis; always one to run against the pack.

Instead of embracing cool Britannia, he delved back into an earlier era of tight 1970s suits, vintage pattern and wide lapels – and made them look uniquely cool in their own right From Beyond Retro, 20 Broadmead www.beyondretro.com

HICCUP PINK & WHITE HEART EARRINGS, £20 Baby Spice’s accessories were cute, playful and often heartshaped. She’d have liked this whimsical pair from Bristol brand Hiccup From That thing, 45-47 Stokes Croft www.thatthing.co

DARK INDIGO DENIM SHIFT MINI DRESS, £125 Minis and denim were both huge during the 1990s, making this little dress quite the Britpop box-ticker From Mint Velvet, 44 Regent Street; www.mintvelvet.com

ADIDAS ORIGINALS HANDBALL SPEZIAL, £89.99 If Liam’s not wearing his suede desert boots you ll probably find him a pair of high-end Adidas – he’s partial to Spezials From Cooshti, 57 Park Street www.cooshti.com

FINLAY & CO. STANLEY HEXAGONALFRAME SUNGLASSES £150 Liam’s a big fan of Finlay & Co sunglasses, often choosing aviator-style with blue lenses From Harvey Nichols, 27 Philadelphia Street www.harveynichols.com

BAUM UND PFERDGARTEN NICETTE LEOPARD JEANS, £159 Posh and Baby looked like any girl out on the tiles, while Sporty was, well sporty. Ginger liked any colour as long as it was red, but it’s Scary’s love for animal print that's left the longest legacy From Grace and Mabel, 18 The Mall www.graceandmabel.co.uk

FRED PERRY POLO SHIRT, £75 Damon was rarely more than a few feet away from a preppy Fred Perry polo shirt.

For full Blur homage, team with a homemade beaded necklace made by your mum From Harvey Nichols 27 Philadelphia Street www.harveynichols.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 55

THRIVE THIS SUMMER Your guide to health and wellbeing in Bristol, from nourishing nutrition and rejuvenating retreats to expert health advice and fitness inspiration.

56 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SPONSORED CONTENT

FIRE & ICE WELLNESS, BRISTOL

WESTBURY WILDLIFE PARK, TRYM ROAD, WESTBURY-ON-TRYM, BRISTOL BS9 3ET TEL: 0117 454 5450; WWW.FIREICEWELLNESS.CO.UK Summer is the perfect time to slow down, pause and reconnect with your body. At Fire & Ice Wellness, in the middle of Bristol, we focus on natural ways to reset and feel good from the inside out.

Our space is centred around contrast therapy: warming up in a wood-fired sauna, followed by a cold plunge in our spring-fed pool. It might sound intense, but it’s incredibly grounding and leaves you feeling clear, calm and recharged. This hot-cold cycle supports circulation, eases tired muscles and helps the body manage stress. It’s an old practice that just works. Here are a few of our favourite summer tips to stay steady and uplifted: Cool off on purpose – Cold water helps with focus, mood and energy.

Try a dip or a cold shower blast.

Drink more, but smarter – We lose minerals in the heat. Add sea salt or electrolytes to your water.

Take rest seriously – Even 10 quiet minutes can help you reset.

Reconnect with nature – We believe in presence, not performance.

Fire, water, earth and air support your whole system.

This summer, give yourself permission to switch off. We’d love to welcome you.

HOUSE OF HOLISTIC

NEALS YARD REMEDIES, CLIFTON, BRISTOL & ALMA VALE CENTRE, ALMA VALE ROAD TEL: 07719053600; WWW.HOUSEOFHOLISTIC.CO.UK

BRISTOL MASSAGE AND REFLEXOLOGY 77A QUEENS ROAD, CLIFTON, BRISTOL BS8 1QP TEL: 07951 567174 WWW.BRISTOLMASSAGEANDREFLEXOLOGY.CO.UK

Facial acupuncture is an increasingly popular natural alternative to chemical treatments like Botox and injectables. This holistic approach targets specific acupuncture points to stimulate blood flow, muscle tone, collagen production, and the body’s natural healing processes, giving youthful, radiant skin, without unpleasant side effects. It supports not just aesthetic improvements, but also encourages relaxation and stress relief, contributing to a more youthful appearance from the inside out.

Claire’s treatments include acupuncture, gua sha, a jade roller and finishes with a luxurious facial massage to leave you feeling pampered and looking radiant. This makes an excellent present for a loved one or indeed some much-needed self-care over the summer.

Backed by a plethora of five-star reviews, Bristol Massage and Reflexology, on the Triangle in Clifton, provides wonderfully effective holistic massage and reflexology with exceptional, bespoke and results-driven therapeutic and remedial treatments.

Julie’s experience, skill and intuition delivers a balance of relaxation and release of tension while always being tailored to each client.

To calm and de-stress, for release of tight, overworked muscles, to help improve mental health, for postural issues and relief of discomfort.. this is self-care and healthcare. Investing in your whole health is invaluable, so book an appointment to discover why clients keep returning to Bristol Massage and Reflexology.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 57

SPONSORED CONTENT

THE FELDENKRAIS METHOD WITH SHELAGH O’NEILL

WWW.NICEFELDENKRAIS.CO.UK/BATH-PROFESSIONALTRAINING The Feldenkrais Method® uses movement and guided attention to bring about profound neurological changes. It can help with pain, stress, ageing, performance and creativity. Shelagh O’Neill has been practising Feldenkrais in Bristol since 1990.

Scott Clark and Shelagh both teach internationally and on trainings in London. They are now bringing the Professional Feldenkrais Training to Bath, starting in May 2026.

The four-year experiential training is an absorbing intellectual adventure, offering an exciting personal and professional turning point. It’s open to anyone with a willingness to learn.

M.O. PILATES

THE WORKSHOP, HAMPTON LANE, BRISTOL BS6 6LE TEL: 0117 239 5598; WWW.MOHIITO.COM M.O. Pilates (aka MOHIITO) is expanding this summer with a brand new Reformer Pilates studio in Wapping Wharf set to open soon. To celebrate they’re offering 5 classes for £49, all you need to do is get on the waitlist at www.mohiito.com/wappingwaitlist. Can’t wait that long? Slide into the Clifton branch on their 6 week kickstart program, Activate, and start feeling stronger from the inside out now. You’ll get 2 classes a week and a private session to make sure you feel confident, stronger and more defined in a flash. Details at www.mohiito.com.

SENSE OF SELF

UNIT 12D MERTON RD, BISHOPSTON, BRISTOL BS7 8TL WWW.SENSEOFSELFBRISTOL.CO.UK

SENSATE SPA AND STUDIOS 68 NORTHUMBRIA DRIVE, BS9 4HW WWW.SENSATESPAANDSTUDIOS.COM

Nestled in a secret garden in Bristol, Sensate Spa & Studios provides the ultimate city escape.

Step through ancient temple doors into a restorative outdoor spa and experience the invigorating contrast between sauna, hot tub, and cold plunge pool. Warm and cold water therapies work in harmony to soothe stress, improve circulation, and energise both body and mind.

Reconnect with your senses through curated spa journeys, soothing massages, and revitalising facials. Our yoga and pilates classes offer the perfect balance of movement and stillness. Whether you seek solo renewal or a private celebration, our sanctuary welcomes you.

58 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Sense of Self is a gorgeous new holistic wellbeing studio in Bishopston – they offer yoga, pilates, barre & restorative classes every day of the week, with some of Bristol’s most skilled and experienced teachers.

The studio has been thoughtfully designed with every detail tended to – with lots of natural light, high quality props & equipment, heated floors and beautiful finishes, it really is a special place to practice. Their intention is to meet you where you are, and they invite you to wholeheartedly come as you are. They are a place for every body to feel, move, breathe, connect and express.

SPONSORED CONTENT

SIVO WELLNESS: A SANCTUARY FOR MIND AND BODY

UNIT 7, THE STABLES, LEIGH COURT, BRISTOL BS8 3RA WWW.SIVOWELLNESS.COM Nestled on the edge of Leigh Woods, Sivo Wellness is a serene retreat dedicated to restoring balance through cutting-edge contrast therapy.

The tranquil garden setting provides the perfect backdrop for a deeply rejuvenating experience. Founded by professional rugby players Harry Thacker and Jake Woolmore of the Bristol Bears, who bring their experience of elite-level recovery and combine it with real-life wellness. That’s why Sivo has been designed without compromise, offering a space where everyone can experience the benefits of high-performance recovery, whether you’re joining a wellness event, embracing the heat of the spacious saunas (up to 20 people), or taking the plunge in one of the premium ice baths.

The state-of-the-art ice baths allow you to precisely choose your plunge temperature, from a refreshing cold shower all the way down to an invigorating 4°C dip. The water stays ultra-clean, with advanced filtration and UV sanitation systems, ensuring a pristine experience every time.

After your session, warm up with a barista-quality coffee at the onsite cafe or unwind in the garden around the fire pit. Whether you’re a wellness novice or a seasoned biohacker, Sivo offers a thoughtfully designed space to reset, reconnect, and recharge.

THE BARRE FITNESS STUDIO

171 WHITELADIES ROAD, CLIFTON, BRISTOL, BS8 2RY WWW.THEBARREFITNESSSTUDIO.CO.UK Summer’s here, and there’s no better time to focus on feeling good from the inside out. At The Barre Fitness Studio, we’re all about movement that feels just right. As the South West’s only dedicated Barre specialist studio, our method is rooted in form, progression and community, blending Barre, Pilates and Reformer into fun, challenging classes that work for everybody – and are suitable for all ages.

With over 50 classes on offer each week, our studio provides something for every goal – building muscle, bouncing back from injury, balancing out your training, or simply taking time for yourself. Our approach meets you exactly where you are – supporting strength, balance, and wellbeing from the inside out.

So whether you’re seeking the sculpting intensity of Barre, the lengthening and conditioning benefits of Pilates, or the mindful movement of Barre Flow, each session is thoughtfully designed to deliver lowimpact, high-reward results, targeting those smaller, often-neglected muscles to boost stability, improve posture and help you move better in everyday life (and every other workout).

So start your summer self-care ritual at The Barre Fitness Studio – and you’ll leave feeling taller, stronger, and a little more you.

VALESCO FITNESS COLLECTIVE WWW.VALESCO.FITNESS

In 2015, in the heart of Bristol, a simple but powerful idea was born by three women: to create a fitness space where community comes first, ego is left at the door, and everyone – regardless of age, background or ability – is welcomed like family. That idea became Valesco Fitness Collective.

Valesco is built on trust, laughter, and encouragement. Where coaches know your name. They’ll push you when you need it, adapt a workout to suit your needs and cheer the loudest when you hit a personal best. With three sites across Bristol there is likely to be a community waiting for you, near you.

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SPONSORED CONTENT

THE OXYGEN ROOM

49A WHITELADIES ROAD, REDLAND, BRISTOL BS8 2LS TEL: 07946 033470;  OXYGENROOMBRISTOL WWW.OXYGENROOM.CO.UK

AQUARIAS SPA

WHATLEY MANOR HOTEL, EASTON GREY, MALMESBURY, WILTSHIRE. SN16 0RB 01666 827 070; WWW.WHATLEYMANOR.COM

Step into The Oxygen Room in Bristol – a sanctuary of calm, healing, and renewal. This tranquil space offers state-of-the-art hyperbaric oxygen therapy, promoting cellular repair, enhanced energy, better sleep, and mental clarity. Whether you seek recovery, peak performance, or deep relaxation, each session nourishes the body with pure oxygen in a calming, spa-like environment. With expert guidance and a serene atmosphere, The Oxygen Room blends science and self-care for holistic wellbeing. Ideal for athletes, biohackers, or anyone on a wellness journey, it’s Bristol’s hidden gem for revitalisation from the inside out. Breathe deep. Heal deeply. Feel alive again.

At the luxury spa, facilities include an indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool, thermal suite, salt scrub room, tepidarium, relaxation areas, treatment rooms and spa lounge.

July treatment of the month: Sothys Hydra Hyaluronic Acid 4 Facial: 60 minutes costs £130 per person during July (normal price £150) Restore • Rejuvenate • Intense hydration This high-performance treatment combines four sources of hyaluronic acid with two Sothys patented active ingredients.

The absolute hydration solution uses these six stages to quench, hydrate and plump the skin.

BRISTOL FLOAT CENTRE

43 COLLEGE GREEN, BRISTOL BS1 5SH TEL: 0117 316 9619 WWW.FLOATBRISTOL.CO.UK THE NUMBER 1 WELLNESS EXPERIENCE IN BRISTOL, with five stars on Tripadvisor and Trustpilot. Perfect for singles to unwind, couples to bond, or as the ultimate gift for those you love. Prices from just £60.

Here’s why it feels so good: floatation therapy involves floating effortlessly in a tank filled with silky saltwater at body temperature. The tanks mineral-laden water creates a weightless sensation and when you combine this with (optional) darkness you reduce sensory input and this induces a deeply relaxing experience. Floatation has a number of wonderful health benefits.

Bristol Float Centre offers bookable sessions and gift vouchers for three amazingly different floatation experiences.

From a large system in which you can really spread out, to a nestling smaller space for those who would prefer it. Add in the amazing mobiliser all-body treatment for just an extra £10.

We all deserve some downtime, and at Bristol Float Centre the world disappears and is replaced by calm thoughts and creative thinking. Many people report that it feels like having been given caffeine for days afterwards.

Visit the Bristol Float website for full details and special offers. Send an enquiry now via www.floatbristol.co.uk or call 0117 3169619 in opening hours to arrange your visit.

60 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

MBST: REGENERATIVE MEDICINE FROM ELITE SPORTS TO CHRONIC PAIN

Supporting Wrexham’s Recovery Journey Wrexham AFC has been using MBST behind the scenes since 2023, following a conversation between Head of Medical Performance Kevin Mulholland and MBST UK. After early success treating a small number of players, MBST was integrated more fully into the club’s performance and medical programme during the 2024/25 season, which saw Wrexham earn a third consecutive promotion and continue their remarkable rise.

Now an Official Sports Regeneration Partner, MBST UK is part of Wrexham’s forwardthinking approach to player care, injury prevention, and sustainable performance.

“MBST provides us with a powerful additional resource in our long-term approach to keeping players active, resilient, and available,” said Mulholland.

I’m also delighted to announce that my clinical team alongside MBST UK will be the sports regeneration partner with Bath Rugby for the 25/26 season: I look forward to sharing some of the results we see in the return to play study that we’re doing with their medical team.

Age isn’t a factor with MBST. Vitality however does play a part. A lot of my older patients are still living life to the full, getting the most they can from it, yet certain parts of their bodies wear down and become a challenge. This is where MBST can be life-changing, adding energy of stimulation healing and regeneration.

An award-winning innovative treatment for: osteoarthritis | back & disc problems | bone conditions & fractures | cartilage damage | ligament, tendon & muscle damage | sports & accident injuries.

Chiropractic

|

Talk to us today

0117 959 6531 www.curaclinical.com

MBST Cell Regeneration Therapy

|

Deep Tissue Laser Therapy

SPONSORED CONTENT

JOIN THE COLLECTIVE VALESCO FITNESS: where every body belongs

I

n 2015, in the heart of Bristol, a simple but powerful idea was born by three women: to create a fitness space where community comes first, ego is left at the door, and everyone – regardless of age, background or ability – is welcomed like family. That idea became Valesco Fitness Collective.

From day one, Ellie, Amy and Leila weren’t interested in it being ‘just another gym’. There are no mirrors here, no intimidation, and no judgment. What there is, is a vibrant inclusive community of people supporting one another, sweating side-by-side, pushing themselves, and having fun while doing it. Whether you’re an elite athlete or someone who’s never stepped inside a gym before, there’s a space for you here.

MORE THAN FITNESS. A COLLECTIVE Valesco means ‘to grow strong’ and ‘grow sound in health’, and that’s exactly what our members do. Not just in strength, but in confidence, community, and resilience. We now have three thriving locations across Bristol: • V1 – St Philips, where it all started • V2 – St Werburghs, tucked into a vibrant, urban community hub V3 – Brislington, our newest site, built with expansion in mind and already buzzing with energy.

Across each space, the heartbeat is the same: people coming together to move, improve, and connect.

WHAT WE OFFER At Valesco, we believe that fitness should be fun, functional, and something you look forward

62 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

to. Our classes cater to all levels and all bodies, including: • Functional Fitness: Full-body, high-energy sessions that challenge and energise Metcon Mayhem, Gymnastics, ErgWOD, and RunWOD to build endurance, skill, and power • Olympic Weightlifting, suitable for everyone, helping you master technique safely and effectively • Yoga and Mobility for recovery and balanc.

• Team WODs and Community Events that bring members together with purpose and play.

For beginners, we offer a three-session Fundamentals Course to teach the foundations in a welcoming, no-pressure environment. There’s also Open Gym, Personal Training, and tailored nutrition guidance.

EVERY AGE, EVERY STAGE We’re proud to train mums returning to exercise, teenagers building confidence, busy professionals squeezing in pre-work workouts, and retirees staying strong and social.

At Valesco, age is just a number. What matters is your willingness to show up. We celebrate progress – whatever that looks like for you.

Whether it’s your first unassisted squat or your 100th burpee, it matters. And so do you.

We don’t compete with each other – we compete with ourselves, together. Our community regularly comes together beyond workouts, too: social events, charity challenges such as our annual 24-hour workout for men’s mental health, and monthly community highlights that celebrate members’ journeys.

MEMBERSHIPS THAT WORK FOR YOU From flexible off-peak plans to unlimited, all-access passes across all three gyms, our membership options are designed to fit real lives.

Students, NHS workers, and long-term members all benefit from discounts, and you can cancel anytime with no hidden fees.

YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE You don’t need to be ‘fit’ to start – you just need to start. Come to Valesco AS YOU ARE. Whether you’re chasing strength, better mental health, a new community, or just a reason to move more – we’re ready to welcome you.

It’s not about being the best in the room. It’s about showing up, trying your best, and knowing that you’re not doing it alone. Join the collective.

Grow stronger. Be Valesco. n

COMMUNITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER People join us for fitness. They stay for the people. Valesco is built on trust, laughter, and encouragement. Our coaches know your name.

They’ll push you when you need it, adapt a workout when you’re recovering, and cheer loudest when you hit a personal best.

Visit www.valesco.fitness to book your free taster or start your journey today. Reference Bristol Life for your free taster session (normally £12.50)

COMMUNITY SPACES

ANCHORED IN COMMUNITY

A

A look at how Bristol’s creative community spaces are making a di erence across the city cross the city, Bristolians are meeting in vibrant civic spaces. These are the places where we experience the joy of community, yet they often su er from underinvestment, high running costs and uncertain futures.

But many of the solutions which could ensure their long-term sustainability are within our reach. Last year, for example, Trinity Community Arts, Eastside Community Trust, Windmill Hill City Farm and 13 other ‘Community Anchor Organisations’, launched the Roots of Resilience campaign, in which a manifesto called on Bristol Council and central government to implement changes which would help safeguard these spaces’ futures.

Promisingly, several have been put in place or are under consideration, but there is still much more work to do.

Despite uncertainty, these spaces remain committed to contributing to their community and have a packed programme of events lined up over the summer. Support them by sharing, perhaps by volunteering, and championing these remarkable beacons of hope and possibility Here are just a few of the community spaces making our city more joyful for all, and a few odf the things they’re getting up to.

1

WINDMILL HILL CITY FARM

Philip Street; www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk

Set in a 4.5-acre green space in South Bristol, it’s just a minute walk from the city centre. here you’ll find education opportunties,, recreation and therapy; facilities include a café, farm and farm shop, a children’s nursery, community and kitchen gardens, picnic and play areas, a weekly Saturday market, Brewpub, indoor and outdoor spaces to hire, a 5-a-side football pitch – and even a sauna.

Did you know? The city farm is a longtime member of the Bedminster community; in fact it’s its 50th birthday in 2026, and they are gearing up for a year of celebrations.

What’s on?

• Windmill Hill Market – every Saturday from June through to December.

• The Farm Tap – a beer garden in the front of the farm serving locally brewed beers from the team behind Bruhaha.

• The Orchard Sauna, with a chilled plunge pool – open throughout the summer for private and communal sessions.

• The Makers Shop – a gift shop showcasing community makers.

64 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

2 EASTSIDE COMMUNITY TRUST Easton Community Centre, Kilburn Street www.eastsidecommunitytrust.org.uk

A vibrant hub with a programme of activities, a fantastic Ethiopian café and a wealth of services. The Trust also runs the Felix Road adventure playground for over-8s, with a community kitchen serving free meals to children. hey also run the flagship maga ine Up Our Street, as well as projects out and about in the neighbourhood.

Did you know? Easton Community Centre played an important role in Bristol’s dance music scene and was home to regular raves in the 1990s oni Si e played there in the early days of his career.

What’s on?

• Eastside Repair Café – bring your items for repair.

• Everyone Makes It – facilitated art sessions for all ages.

• Wellness and education sessions throughout the summer, including family yoga and Joy in Dance.

3

TRINITY COMMUNITY ARTS Trinity Centre, Trinity Road, St Jude’s www.trinitybristol.org.uk

Trinity’s mission is to make sure everyone has the opportunity to access and shape arts and culture in Bristol. It provides a progressive programme of events, social activities and projects, giving people space to come together, create, connect, learn, share and celebrate. Based in the Trinity Centre, this much-loved historic landmark is a cultural hub for East Bristol and one of the city’s few remaining independent livemusic venues.

Did you know? Trinity is also currently on a mission to raise the funds needed to repair and restore Jacobs Wells Baths into a thriving multipurpose community, civic arts and heritage hub.

What’s on?

• Regular groups and classes throughout the summer for all ages, including Bristol Samba, Hype Dance Company, Next-gen Sounds and Gerry’s Attic Dance Company.

• Analogue Lounge x Trinity Live jam Day Party on 20 July.

• Gigs throughout the summer – when the autumn indoor programme starts up again expect a truly eclectic programme of musicians, from up and comers to bona fide legends.

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4 REDCATCH COMMUNITY GARDEN

The Pavilion, Redcatch Park, Broadwalk, Knowle www.redcatchcommunitygarden.com

Redcatch Community Garden brings people together to learn, socialise, share skills and experiences, and support physical and mental health and wellbeing. They provide an abundance of free-to-access wellbeing activities, including Wellbeing in the Garden, Green Social Prescribing, Tai Chi, Art Therapy with SEND or ACE, and people with dementia and their carers, knitting and community lunches. The garden is organic, using sustainable methods to encourage biodiversity.

They cook meals for foodbanks, schools, doctor surgeries and those struggling in the cost-of-living crisis. They host over 120 children a week for visits and lessons on healthy eating and the origins of food.

All money generated from events and the café goes back into running their programmes and maintaining their gardens.

Did you know? Open every day, the onsite Roots Café serves delicious co ee and home grown, home cooked food.

What’s on?

eekly pop up food events Bristol’s finest food trucks and edcatch chefs cater to the community throughout the summer.

• A Night at the Garden – Owl on the Roof Theatre is hosting an open mic night in the canopy of Redcatch Community Gardens on 25 July • Happymess – arts, crafts and messy play for all.

5

LOCKLEAZE NEIGHBOURHOOD TRUST The Hub, Unit 1 Fedden Buildings, Gainsborough Square; www.lockleazehub.org.uk

Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust serves as a beacon of local community power, o ering engagement, support and climate action for local people. Community buildings host regular activities, there’s a weekly Hubbub café and Warm Welcome Hub, monthly Community Feasts, housing and health drop-ins, sport and exercise classes, mental health support, and community-led urban rewilding projects—plus innovative social housing development.

Did you know? The Trust was set up by residents for residents 26 years ago, and to this day over of sta and trustees are locals.

What’s on?

• Wellbeing Walks, 13 August and 9 September.

• Harvest Community Feast at The Hub, 19 September.

66 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

COMMUNITY SPACES

6 SOUTHMEAD DEVELOPMENT TRUST Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road, Southmead www.southmead.org

This year is the 30th anniversary of Southmead Development Trust — a charity made up of sta , volunteers and residents who work together to empower their community. orking alongside local residents it focuses are on building connection, health, wellbeing, learning, employment opportunities, and pride of place. n September the rust will open new facility the reenrooms, dedicated to bringing people together through events and activities visit the opening for a site tour of the new facilities, including new therapy rooms, meeting rooms, and he anch adventure playground and youth space. hey have also just opened a new bo ing one and o er no contact sessions, boosting confidence, self esteem, physical and mental health.

Did you know? his year, Southmead evelopment rust generated , , m of social value for their community.

What’s on?

Southmead Peace east, uly a elebration of food and conversation.

Southmead estival, uly now more than years old, this annual festival attracts over locals to enjoy community performances, games, activities, competitions and di erent types of food. egular events throughout summer including the monthly reenway arket, Southmead epair afe and many weekday events.

7 BRICKS ST ANNE’S HOUSE

St Anne’s House, St Anne’s Road, Brislington www.stanneshouse.org

ordable studio and o ce spaces for artists, creatives, and social enterprises, alongside free and low cost events, workshops, e hibitions, and community youth programmes. St nne’s ouse building is open to the public with accessible spaces to gather, work, learn new skills, and connect.

The spaces are home to Bristol ommunity Sauna, Bristol ooperative ym, ommunity Pottery , buntu Play herapy, ayk and ibomatto anteen caf regular activities include weekly youth programming, mending circles, socials, art e hibitions, and family friendly events. Did you know? he building was formerly a paper mill turned council o ce now it’s home to over artists, makers, and community groups building something new together.

What’s on?

ree summer school youth programme creative sessions for ages , throughout the summer. hursday socials weekly events including ui nights, pub nights, film nights, and more. egular community led activities. ibomatto anteen caf serving co ee and delicious talian food. n

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 67

SPONSORED CONTENT

HAY FEVER SEASON AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BRISTOL ENT SURGEON Mr Warren Bennett shares his expertise

A

llergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever or perennial rhinitis, affects up to 25% of people in the UK, leading to sneezing, nasal congestion, itching, runny nose, and tiredness. For many, these symptoms are seasonal – especially in spring and summer due to grass pollen. Others experience symptoms all year from allergens like house dust mites, animal dander or mould.

Though often dismissed as a minor issue, allergic rhinitis can significantly disrupt sleep, work, learning, and quality of life. Fortunately, highly effective treatments and long-term solutions are available especially when guided by a specialist like Mr Warren Bennett, a consultant rhinologist and ENT surgeon based in Bristol, who will carry out a detailed nasal examination and arrange allergy testing to get to the root of your symptoms.

HOME MANAGEMENT AND ALLERGEN AVOIDANCE Patients can take practical steps to reduce allergen exposure.

For grass pollen: • Monitor pollen forecasts (eg by checking the Met Office) • Keep windows closed during high-pollen days • Shower and change clothes after being outdoors For house dust mites: • Use allergen-proof bedding covers or purchase cheap bedding that can be replaced frequently.

• Wash sheets weekly at 60°C • Vacuum carpets and upholstery with a HEPAfilter vacuum • Reduce humidity using a dehumidifier Daily nasal saline rinses can also help by flushing allergens from the nasal lining.

68 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

MEDICAL TREATMENT OPTIONS First-line treatments include: • Oral antihistamines (e.g. loratadine, cetirizine, fexofenadine) to relieve sneezing and itching • Nasal steroid sprays (eg fluticasone, mometasone) to reduce inflammation and congestion • Combination nasal sprays such as Dymista® (azelastine + fluticasone) and Ryaltris® (olopatadine + mometasone), which combine a fast-acting antihistamine with a potent steroid for superior relief in moderate-to-severe cases These medications are effective for many, but not all patients achieve full control, particularly those with year-round symptoms or nasal blockage that does not respond to sprays.

ORAL IMMUNOTHERAPY: LONG-TERM DESENSITISATION AT HOME For patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms triggered by specific allergens, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) offers the only treatment proven to modify the underlying allergy.

This involves placing a small tablet under the tongue daily over a course of three years, gradually desensitising the immune system. SLIT is available in the UK for: • Grass pollen allergy • House dust mite allergy According to studies SLIT can significantly reduce symptoms, cut medication use, and provide lasting benefit years after treatment ends.

to allergens. Minimally invasive techniques and and minor surgical procedures can reduce their size, improving airflow and enhancing the effectiveness of nasal sprays and rinses.

EXPERT ENT ASSESSMENT IN BRISTOL If allergic rhinitis is affecting your quality of life, don’t suffer in silence. Mr Warren Bennett offers expert assessment, allergy management, and access to the latest treatments.

Contact the clinic on the website or phone number below to book your consultation, and check out @bristolentsurgeon on Instagram for helpful tips and updates. n

“MR WARREN BENNETT, CONSULTANT RHINOLOGIST AND ENT SURGEON, OFFERS EXPERT ASSESSMENT, ALLERGY MANAGEMENT, AND ACCESS TO THE LATEST TREATMENTS”

WHEN SURGERY HELPS: INFERIOR TURBINATE REDUCTION For patients with chronic nasal congestion unresponsive to medication, surgical reduction of the inferior turbinates can help provide lasting relief in conjunction with ongoing medical management. The inferior turbinates are structures inside the nose that swell in response

To book a consultation with Mr Bennett at The Spire Bristol please get in touch: 0117 2032328; info@bristolentsurgeon.com; www.bristolentsurgeon.com; bristolentsurgeon

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THE CITY’S BUSINESS NEWS

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?!

ENTRECONF RETURNS WITH ITS MOST SUCCESSFUL SYMPOSIUM YET

ENTRECONF 2025 THE FORUM THAT PUT TWO LITTLE LETTERS ON EVERYONE’S LIPS

EntreConf goes from strength to strength, the popular entrepreneur’s conference at Watershed now well established in its extended two-day format, and awash with useful tips and inspiring stories…

By Paul Marland Photos by Narrated Frames; www.narratedframes.com

72 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

NETWORK OPPOSITE: Community manager of Square Works Evie Andrews, executive director and social entrepreneur LaToyah McAllister-

Jones and Paul Kelly founder of PANDEK Group with Stephanie Dodd MD of MediaClash; BELOW: Eleanor Thatcher of Thatchers Cider with MediaClash chief exec Greg Ingham INSET: It was a sold out two-day event at the Watershed

S

omehow, as if by magic, EntreConf manages to anne the hottest week each year, something the air-conditioned inema home of the major panels, interviews and presentations handles admirably, while the rest of the Watershed throws windows wide and encourages catch-ups on airy balconies and the consumption of gallon after gallon of iced water. his year’s event the second to run over two days was healthily attended, with businesses of all shapes and sizes showing up. Sure, it’s the sort of tech forward event that does tend to revolve around clever-sounding agencies with odd names doing things it’s only seventy per cent possible to understand, but organisers MediaClash are aware of that, and make sure to ground things with intriguing tales from more conventional outfits too.

Though by no means new, this year the conversations around what it is and may become what it does well and what it doesn’t which jobs in this room will be utterly obliterated by it in short order and which ones won’t dominated at times however, many of the other highlights moved in very di erent, more physical directions, and were all the more refreshing for it.

ere’s how the days panned out…

DAY ONE Teeny-tiny balls, and the scary smart bomb effect of AI EntreConf ran from 9am till 5pm, with an hour for lunch. As last year, at a Pitta, the iddle astern veggie concern, o ered a healthy, tasty, stu your face bu et and a few other built in breaks, perfect for co ee and networking individual segments tend to run half an hour, though some e tend to 45 minutes or so. he first highlight saw reg Ingham of MediaClash interview Christian Owens, co-founder and e of Paddle, a fintech firm with assorted international o ces and a smart central idea Paddle makes it easy for innovative software firms to deal with invoicing, payments, currencies and all the other palaver of international growth, allowing them to get on with what they’re best at. hristian started out building websites for local companies at 14, after learning to code on YouTube, and his first business challenges involved e plaining to parents that he wasn’t making insane amounts of money for a schoolboy through nefarious means.

Ne t up, Professor ndy Salmon of Bath Spa ni o ered a presentation called

Entrepreneurs: Think Like Creatives, before Giovanna Laudisio of Malmesbury/Lecce outfit Naturbeads e plained her creation: a biodegradable cellulose replacement for all those grisly microplastics in cosmetics and detergents that might just be the most life-changing innovation mentioned at EntreConf, at least on a practical day-to-day level.

Just time for two more events before lunch. he first of these a chat between le loyd, partner at law firm Burges Salmon, and im dwards of Bath’s games media group Network N covered e its, in particular im’s rollercoaster e orts to sell one part of his company; it ended with a giant on-stage hug, and perhaps the biggest bromance of the two days. Finally, Amy Golding from Steve Bartlett’s Private ce the outfit that runs the Dragon’s Den investor’s multitude of business interests talked about filtering out the poor fits and being employed for this role while heavily pregnant Steve so keen on having her, he was happy to wait.

After lunch, more practical stu , this time about funding

“THERE’S GREAT POWER IN YOUR PERSONAL NETWORK”

and finding it) with ichard Spilsbury of ink Stone dvisory, Ben asheder of nnovate Business rowth, and lly o of oresight roup, before what was surely one of the most discussed talks of the event: the ever enthusiastic Bruno liveira of the niversity of Bath taking us on a breakneck tour through creating and running a company via AI, including ways in which you can scale a start-up to an international, multi-million pound concern in to paraphrase) five minutes with just five employees’. citing to some, petrifying to many, it was highly divisive and encouraged the liveliest of Q&A sessions. More than one howl of my career is over’ was heard around the Watershed in the hours that followed…

The day ended with The ntre onf Pitch ase, a sort of cash-free and localised version of Dragon’s Den, with Chris Owens of Paddle, ames ourtney of Awards and Lauren Couch of S erde roup hearing short live pitches for funding from local entrepreneurs and then commenting on them: Agatha erbury’s revflo, illiam idley hittle’s Peachaus, ethro Binns’ evel ech, Simon ackson’s olendotech, and rsula organ’s SewShare all took their moment in a session that threw up all sort of useful titbits, and entertained too.

Finally, and separate to the main day’s business, an additional event the ntre onf Summer inner at Bristol arbour otel Spa saw a special guest speech by niversity of Bath alumnus James Courtney of wards, the based, internationally focussed loyalty www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 73

start up, currently reaching over 100 million cardholders and recently acquired by Enigmatic Smile.

DAY TWO Jetsons commuting, booze versus protein shakes, and hard times for picture thieves The second day seemed to have a slightly di erent focus, taking things away from the internet at times though , of course, kept rearing its freakishly perfect head). irst o , ur uan yes, just the one name, like adonna) of Sora viation introduced his flying buses, a truly sci fi concept revolving around an electrically powered ‘eVTOL Bus’ (imagine a stumpy drone plane crossbreed with swivel wings and six props), perfect for the sort of short hops currently handled by the likes of the Bristol Airport Flyer.

In We Go Again, Zara Nanu of ork ue and aps uare two separate tech platforms, one ‘your personal career partner’, the other ‘automating pay gap reporting’) talked about building and then selling her businesses, while in Prepping or it, att handler of lbert oodman and an allon of new start up loresco and e of SearchStar) talked the advantages of considering your way out even as you get started (sounds odd, but it helps focus the mind in unexpected ways).

The inevitable AI conversation

74 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

continued with a panel of four luminaries talking about how they use artificial intelligence in di erent ways. or li ohaf a of ltered Carbon, AI chips designed to help sni out diseases uite literally by smelling them) will massively benefit healthcare for yle Poyer mmanuel of ntegrevise it’s all about educating kids tempted to cheat too egregiously on their exams using while osie Bennett of Bristol Innovations touched upon the tidal wave of legal issues coming our way, not least that you may never know if anything you’ve created with the help of the tech is actually your own or has been stolen from somewhere. inally, Nathan Baranowski of igital onderlab o ered perhaps the most wide ranging insights, his utopian take tempered by such harsh realities as AI enabling him to employ one coder rather than 15, and that the future’s most useful skill may prove to be the ability to write good prompts, envisioning a landscape with one or two bosses, lots of workers, and no middle management or career progression at all. ne useful thing AI can do is act as a critical friend, interrogating your assumptions and taking you out of whatever echo chamber you’re currently in, he said. t can ig where you ag.

Back in the real world very much so he ider aker’s Tale introduced us to Eleanor Thatcher, still in her early 20s but clearly being lined up to run the eponymous Somerset cider making empire, currently managed by her dad artin, but before that ohn, Stanley and founder illiam hatcher over a hundred years ago. For Eleanor and, it seemed, all workers this wasn’t a job so much as a way of life, where varieties of apples co e ist with innovative robot warehouses, green issues are always at the fore, and being proud of what you do is more vital than maximising profit. ere running a successful, innovative business co existed with being a custodian of the future, a welcome return to reality after the tech bro ild West.

Before lunch, a punchy talk about company identity by Bath based graphic designer Bob ytton of ytton illiams, who’s worked with everyone from yson to aitrose, the N S to the National Trust. Whereas Bruno’s talk the day before had suggested AI could create a perfectly serviceable logo in moments, Bob argued the virtues of the human touch and actually understanding the client it’s a world where organic blobs have replaced forward thrusting swooshes, and where a strong brand is often the most valuable asset you have. fter lunch, perhaps the most une pected talk of all adelaine homas of mage ngel, determined to make sure your online safety isn’t dictated by how much money you have. adelaine’s a dominatri by trade, and is (you could say) a se positive feminist, her delivery both saucily beguiling and vaguely threatening her oogle co developed picture watermarking tech helps content creators clamp down on the use of their images basically, you’ll be able to tell who’s thrown your cheeky nly ans pics out onto

the wider internet), and had the audience squirming, laughing and cheering in about equal measure. (“I bloody love you, you’re ama ing, shouted out one fellow entrepreneur, and she certainly wasn’t the only one.) fter hristian wens and his billion dollar brand Paddle yesterday, Thursday matched that with another ‘unicorn’ success story (unicorns being privately owned start ups valued at over S billion). ymshark, the workout and athletic wear brand, was started by teenage friends in Solihull in soon enough, an outside Steve ewitt, e of eebok was brought in to be ‘the adult in the room’, establishing systems and smoothing over disputes.

As well as incredible success, his story takes in shite product’, the magical chaos’ of company founders, the importance of a work hard stay humble’ mantra, and the idea that ‘vulnerability is a superpower’ fascinating stu . ith adelaine and Steve’s contributions being so di cult to follow, a final panel he everage ect . , with vie ndrews of S uare orks, Paul elly of P N roup and social entrepreneur LaToyah c llister ones felt like an enjoyable wind down, a timely on the way out reminder that there’s great power in your personal networks and that no matter what technology can do, or where it’s going) personal connections have never mattered so much.

For more: www.entreconf.com

MORE ENTRECONF

EntreConf Awards 2025 2 October, Aerospace Bristol For partnerships: annie.kelly@mediaclash.co.uk For event details: claudia.butler@mediaclash.co.uk

NETWORK

Photos by Narrated Frames; www.narratedframes.com Zara Nanu

The two days allowed lots of opportunities for networking

Bob Mytton

Bruno Oliveira

Dan Fallon

Where conversations lead to connections

Lauren Couch Kyle Poyer-Emmanuel

Giovanna Laudisio

Madelaine Thomas

Amy Golding

Furqan

Eat a Pitta provided the lunch break on both days

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 75

NEXT YEAR? STARTED… Stimulation, practical advice and connections at EntreConf Let’s talk: annie.kelly@mediaclash.co.uk

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LIVING WITH GRIEF THE HARBOUR has been helping people experiencing loss for over 30 years

J

ill Brown is the founder of The Harbour, a charity she set up over 30 years ago to provide counselling for people facing death or living with grief. At the heart of her work is a simple, yet powerful idea: death is the only certainty in life. We all know it and yet her gentle reminder still feels remarkable – perhaps that’s why her work has had such a profound impact.

“How do you cope with certain death?” she asks. “You cope by talking about it.” As soon as they opened their doors people started coming.

“We called ourselves The Harbour to underline that this was a safe place.”

Over the years, the reasons people come to The Harbour have changed – “Cancer is still a common cause, but Covid was horrendous”, says Jill. “But we always remember that everyone who comes through our door is different and experiences loss or imminent death in their own way.

“British culture is quite repressed,” she says.

“We don’t have the rituals other cultures have and we tend to be low-key about loss, even at funerals. People facing death or dealing with grief can spend a lot of time in silence; being avoided or avoiding others.”

“The thing about counselling is everyone is unique, and their experience of grief is shaped by their own history and capacity to express

Jill Brown, founder

You cope with death by talking about it

feelings; even their willingness to face the facts about death. But if they can talk about it, it doesn’t just help them by reducing the fear; it helps their family and everyone else around them. When feelings aren’t put into words, it can be much more frightening for everyone.

“Our research shows that our work prevents health problems, reduces anxiety and depression, and helps people to live well – enabling them to thrive as parents, partners, friends and colleagues. The knock-on benefits for the health service and economy are very clear.”

Barratt Homes Bristol chose The Harbour as its charity of the year, and as the partnership comes to a close, staff have raised over £15,000 to support its work.

“Death is a part of everyone’s journey”, says Roxanne Lippiatt, marketing manager at Barratt Homes. “And yet however close and collaborative we are in the day to day at work, when it comes to death we don’t know what to say. This partnership has helped us start talking.”

By supporting The Harbour, staff at Barratt Homes Bristol are helping to break the silence

around death and shine a light on the charity’s vital role.

No matter how open or supportive a workplace feels, conversations about death are often left unsaid. This partnership has helped change that. When people start talking about The Harbour, they begin to talk more openly about grief – and realise that many others around them have experienced loss too.

The Harbour was a finalist in the Bristol Life Awards 2025. You can find out more about their work at the link below. n

30 Frogmore Street, Bristol BS1 5NA tel: 0117 925 9348; email: info@the-harbour.org.uk; www.the-harbour.org.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 77

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NETWORK “MANY PEOPLE DON’T REALISE JUST HOW MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE GOOD INSULATION MAKES”

THE HOME FRONT

TOM COLES

Tom Coles, MD of MITCHELL & DICKINSON, explains how retrofitting your period property with insulation solutions can help Bristol reach its 2030 net zero goal

A

s one of the UK’s most historic and architecturally rich cities, Bristol is home to thousands of period and listed properties. These buildings are beautiful and full of character, but they’re also some of the least energy e cient homes in the country. Sadly, they haemorrhage heat, which, in turn, drives up energy bills and increases carbon emissions.

With the city striving to become carbon-neutral by 2030 as part of the Bristol One City Climate Strategy, homeowners are urged to take action to improve their properties’ energy e ciency. ne of the most e ective first steps is ensuring proper insulation.

THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM The UK has some of the oldest housing stock in Europe, and Bristol is no exception. According to the Energy Saving Trust, in an uninsulated home, approximately 25% of heat is lost through the roof, 35% through the walls, and 10% through windows and doors.

Draughts can account for around of heat loss, while floors contribute another 15%. Many

period homes were built before insulation was even a consideration, leaving them notoriously di cult to heat e ciently.

For Bristol to reach net zero by , retrofitting these properties is vital. “If we don’t tackle the energy e ciency of older homes, Bristol won’t reach its climate goals,” says Tom Coles, managing director of Mitchell & Dickinson, who are specialists in insulating period and listed buildings.

“A huge proportion of the city’s housing stock is historic, and without proper insulation, these homes will continue to be among the biggest contributors to domestic carbon emissions.”

RETROFITTING FOR THE FUTURE Unlike modern homes, where cavity wall insulation or double glazing can be easily installed, period properties require specialist insulation solutions to ensure they retain their historic features and comply with conservation regulations.

This is where Mitchell & Dickinson can help. “We understand the challenges that come with insulating older buildings,” says Tom.

“Our solutions, like our awardwinning CosyGlazing secondary glazing and our natural, breathable insulation, are designed to be sympathetic to period properties. e improve warmth and e ciency without compromising aesthetics or getting you into trouble with the planning department.”

THE HEAT PUMP CONUNDRUM As Bristol pushes towards its net zero goal, heat pumps are becoming a popular option for homeowners looking to move away from gas heating.

However, installing a heat pump in a poorly insulated home is a mistake. ithout e ective insulation, heat pumps need to work much harder to maintain a stable temperature, making them ine cient and costly to run.

“It’s a common misconception that switching to a heat pump alone will solve a home’s energy ine ciency, says om. he reality is, if your home isn’t well- insulated, you’ll lose a lot of that low-carbon heat, and your heat pump will struggle to keep up. he first step should always be proper insulation.”

Mitchell & Dickinson help homeowners prepare for the transition to low-carbon heating by ensuring their properties are as thermally e cient as possible.

By addressing draughts, insulating sloping ceilings, roofs and floors, and upgrading the thermal e ciency of windows, they create the ideal conditions for a heat pump to operate e ectively, saving homeowners money in the long run.

INVESTING IN COMFORT AND CARBON REDUCTION Beyond environmental benefits, insulating a period home has lifestyle and financial advantages too.

Improved insulation makes homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer, increasing overall comfort.

It also reduces energy bills, which have become a significant concern for many homeowners as energy costs continue to rise.

“Many people don’t realise just how much of a di erence good insulation makes,” says Tom. “We’ve worked with countless homeowners in Bristol who have been amazed at the transformation – not just in their heating bills, but in the overall feel of their home. It’s an investment that pays o in more ways than one.

As Bristol moves towards its ambitious climate targets, the role of period home insulation cannot be overlooked. Homeowners who take action now can contribute to the city’s net ero e orts while also enjoying a warmer, more e cient, and more comfortable home. www.mitchellanddickinson.co.uk

Offices in: Henleaze, Whiteladies Road Clifton Village, Shirehampton 0117 962 1205 www.amdsolicitors.com

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ENGINEERED TO DISRUPT

JACK THOMPSON & GABRIEL PIKE

Meet the co-founders and joint CEOs of ABM ALLIANCE, a Bristol company that connects global technology vendors with senior enterprise decision-makers

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ogether, Jack and Gabriel drive the strategic vision while overseeing client engagement, partnerships, finance and operations, ensuring every project is delivered to world-class standards with the customer at the centre.

What were you doing before you founded the company?

We spent years in high-growth commercial leadership roles across some of the world’s top enterprise technology and advisory firms.

That journey gave us a deep understanding of what C-level leaders actually value: trusted access, peer validation, and relevant intelligence. ABM Alliance was built to deliver just that, with precision.

What inspired the founding of ABM Alliance, and how has the company changed and grown over time?

We saw the gap. Traditional business development and marketing channels weren’t designed for today’s decisionmakers. We built ABM Alliance to connect enterprise buyers and sellers in a smarter, outcome-focused way. From a bootstrapped start-up, we’ve evolved into a global leader in C-suite engagement, strategic projects, and now, with our latest acquisition, enterprise AI. What, in a nutshell, does the company do?

ABM Alliance connects global technology vendors, both established

and emerging, with senior enterprise decision-makers. We do this through high-impact executive engagements, bespoke acquisition campaigns, strategic forums and intelligent matchmaking software that ensures perfect timing and context.

Can you sum up the main aims and philosophy of the company?

We keep it simple: the customer comes first. e under promise, over-deliver, and never take a transactional approach. Our mission is to be the most trusted platform for high-stakes enterprise engagement, built on insight, timing, and genuine relationships.

not just jobs. We’ve also acquired a globally respected AI matchmaking platform and are embedding a full commercial and product team in Bristol, from software engineering to marketing and customer success.

This puts local talent at the centre of global innovation.

We hear you plan to regenerate a building in the heart of Bristol for your new HQ We’ve bought a historic city-centre building and are transforming it into a bold, future-facing HQ. It’s a space designed for innovation, collaboration, and global connection, with deep roots in Bristol’s past and a vision firmly set on what’s ne t.

Why is ABM Alliance such a great fit for Bristol?

Bristol embodies innovation, creativity, and purpose, values which mirror our own. It’s a city which celebrates forward thinking, making it a natural home for a business rewriting the rules of enterprise engagement.

What makes your services special in the local sector?

We provide something rare: direct access to the world’s top enterprise decision makers, with no flu . hile others promise exposure, we deliver results. Our proprietary tech adds a unique layer of precision most agencies simply can’t match.

Tell us a bit about your mission to bring new jobs to Bristol through the acquisition of the new business We’re expanding our Bristol HQ and plan to double our workforce by 2026. We’re investing in local talent across sales, business development, event ops, and tech. Our ambition is to make Bristol the global hub for executive-level experiences and give top-tier professionals real careers,

Your website says “ABM Alliance is a facilitator of deep knowledge” – can you explain that a bit more?

To us, ‘deep knowledge’ means substance. Whether it’s connecting a CIO with a peer facing the same challenge or surfacing insight through curated summits, we don’t do surface-level engagement.

We build conversations that move the needle.

How do you attract new customers, and what helps you maintain long-term client relationships?

From day one, we’ve been customer-, culture- and growth-obsessed. That’s fuelled our word-of-mouth engine globally. Most revenue comes from referrals, supported by a highly skilled sales team. Our clients stay because we consistently outperform expectations and make it feel e ortless.

What role does technology play in your service offerings, and how do you stay updated with industry trends?

Technology powers everything we do, from AI-led matchmaking to analytics and scheduling. With our recent tech acquisition, we’re doubling down. We stay ahead by investing in R&D, staying close to our customers, and actively engaging with global innovation leaders.

What sustainability initiatives has ABM Alliance undertaken?

Sustainability is a core value. Our events are low-waste and carbonconscious. Our new HQ is energye cient and locally sourced. e’ve funded school infrastructure, planted 100 trees, provided safe water in Tanzania, and helped a survivor of violence start a business, all as part of our operational footprint.

What are your growth plans, and where would you like to see the company in five years?

We aim to be the gold standard for executive engagement. That means scaling our platform, expanding our tech o ering, and turning our Bristol HQ into a global innovation centre. e want to be the first place senior execs turn when they need insight, and the partner vendors trust when they want access.

For more: www.abmalliance.com

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PROPERTY

WETHERED HOUSE home that o ers the Clifton good life, writ large Words by Ursula Cole

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t’s ‘Wethered’, not the more Bronte-esque ‘weathered’, although we wouldn’t mind betting that the address has been misspelled a few times during its long history.

What there can be far less ambiguity over is that this is an entirely magnificent family home.

If square feet mean anything to you, know that it has an impressive 4800 altogether; if not, this translates into seven double bedrooms, five reception rooms and a vast family kitchen, with a sunken courtyard, landscaped gardens and a detached garage/workshop outside. Little wonder that in a recent report it was listed as the second most expensive home in Bristol.

Quite apart from its size, and its elegant 19th-century good looks, it’s a serious box-ticker on the location front too, facing the world serenely from behind its large gated front garden on The Avenue – a treelined road bordering Clifton College which intersperses grand Victorian villas with no less desirable modern homes. Need we point out the myriad advantages of its situation? A short walk south takes you into Clifton Village, an even shorter one north – barely a walk at all, practically a hop – into the green expanse of The Downs.

Even if it was being sold as an unmodernised shell Wethered House would be guaranteed to attract interest, but as it happens this is a beautifully refurbished, redecorated and reconfigured family home, with a pleasing flow and versatile layout.

At the side of the house, skirting a front lawn screened from the casual gaze by pleached beech trees, a side drive with an electric car charge point leads to the front door. Beyond lies a welcoming entrance lobby – “perfect to take o coats and boots , say the particulars, but frankly you could do anything you liked here; the neighbours are too far away to notice or care.

It leads in turn into a huge entrance hall with tessellated ictorian floor tiles and picture windows overlooking the back garden.

Doors from the hall lead to all three reception rooms: there’s the sitting room with its ornate ceiling plasterwork, deep bay window and woodburning stove, and the formal

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PROPERTY sash-windowed dining room, with yet more lovely ceiling cornice work and another woodburner. Christmas dinner here would feel positively Dickenisan – in a good way. he third makes a home o ce or music room, or anything you want it to be, really; it gazes over the back garden via a full-height, almost full-width, contemporary glass wall that opens to a Juliet balcony.

Head on up, passing a little reading nook at the top of the stairs, and you’ll find seven bedrooms on the first and second floors one, with a similar glass window to that of the music room, is currently used as a gym. No confusion over which of the rooms is the master suite; it has its own bathroom, linked via a dressing room. he lower ground floor is geared to everyday family living here you’ll find a reception room ne t to a clatter of those ‘useful’ little spaces which permit the hero rooms to shine, clutter-free. There’s vaulted storage, a cloakroom and utility – there’s even a plant room.

However, the standout on this floor is the ft kitchen, HOUSE NUMBERS with its state-of-the-art Where? The Avenue, Clifton appliances and open arch to the snug, where sliding glass Guide price £3.5m doors open to the sunken Bedrooms 7 outdoor kitchen and bar.

Bath/shower rooms 4 Taken with the fully walled Receptions 5 lawn raised slightly above, with its wooden arbour Outside Front and back sheltering another dining lawns, sunken courtyard area and a large garage or garden workshop, it’s the ultimate Call my agent Rupert Oliver; urban oasis; the Bristol good 0117 452 3555; www.rupertoliver.co.uk life, writ large.

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BRISTOL LIVES

“You know how interesting the purchase of a sponge-cake is to me” Still, it has to be more interesting than being stuck in a rectory in Steventon, surely?

There is much more sameness in the country life than in a Bath life.

Here are a variety of amusements, a variety of things to be seen and done all day long, which I can know nothing of there.

Have you taken a trip in one of those open-top buses yet?

Open carriages are nasty things. A clean gown is not five minutes wear in them. You are splashed getting in and splashed getting out, and the wind takes your hair and your bonnet in every direction. I hate an open carriage myself.

JANE AUSTEN

It’s silly season in the press. In a highly irregular turn of events, for one issue only, we’re not running a Lives page on a Bristol resident. We’re doing it on a Bath one instead. A dead famous one

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ane Austen – famous author, famously reluctant Bathonian – was born 250 years ago. It would be an exaggeration to say that the anniversary has boosted Bath’s economy to the extent that, say, the Oasis tour has done for Manchester’s, but it’s certainly given rise to many special events and celebrations in the city.

The funny thing is, though, that while Bath adores Jane, the feeling wasn’t mutual. While enjoying the city’s diversions she found the social scene to be cruel and artificial, and her letters reveal a deep unhappiness and longing to return to country life.

Jane isn’t around to respond to questions, but her novels and copious letters provide us with all we need to know. All we had to do was come up with a few questions; the other words are Jane’s alone.

Jane, what were your first impressions when returning to live in the city?

It rained all the way, and our first view of Bath has been just as gloomy as it was last November twelvemonth.

Sorry to hear that! We hear you’re looking for lodgings– bit pricey, isn’t it? Have you considered Oxford Buildings?

We all unite in a particular dislike of that part of town.

We hear your mother’s not too keen on Trim Street, either

She shall do everything in her power to avoid Trim Street.

We hear you viewed a house in Green Buildings three times

Reports of discontented families and putrid fevers have given the coupe de grace. We now have nothing in view.

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Describe a typical Bath day

Friday, went to the Lower Rooms; wore my sprigged muslin robe with blue trimmings – plain black shoes – appeared to much advantage; but was strangely harassed by a queer, half-witted man who would make me dance with him and distressed me by his nonsense.

Any other excitements?

I have read Byron’s The Corsair, mended my petticoat, and have nothing else to do.

But at least you enjoy shopping in the city?

There are so many good shops here. One can step out of doors and get a thing in five minutes.

Any good finds recently?

I saw the prettiest hat you can imagine in Milsom-street, just now – very like yours, but with coquelicot ribbons instead of green; I quite longed for it.

We believe you also spent ages in the food hall

You know how interesting the purchase of a sponge-cake is to me.

Indeed. But we believe that you were unimpressed by your fellow shoppers?

There certainly were a dreadful multitude of ugly women in Bath,

and as for the men! They were infinitely worse.

Is it true the traffic’s a bit of a nightmare?

Everybody acquainted with Bath may remember the di culties of crossing Cheap-street; it is indeed a street of so impertinent in nature that never a day passes in which parties of ladies are not detained on one side or other by carriages, horsemen, or carts.

But you were taken with the views of Beechen Cliff...

…that noble hill whose beautiful verdure and hanging coppice render it so striking an object from every opening in Bath. I never look at it without thinking of the south of France.

Well, that’s something!

How’s the social life going?

Another stupid party last night; perhaps if larger they might be less intolerable, but here there were only just enough to make one card table, with six people to look on, & talk nonsense to each other. I cannot anyhow continue to find people agreeable respect Mrs Chamberlayne for doing her hair well, but cannot feel a more tender sentiment.

Most people seem to like living in Bath, though?

One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other.

Ah. So you don’t see yourself settling here indefinitely?

Though it is vastly well to be here for a few weeks, we would not live here for millions. Bath, compared to London, has little variety, and so every body finds out every year. For six weeks I allow Bath is pleasant enough, but beyond that it is the most tiresome place in the world.

Jane left Bath in 1806 with “happy feelings of escape”. She never set foot in the city again.