Bristol Life - Issue 258

Food/Arts/Entertainment/Shopping/Property

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE CITY

TOP COUNTRY PUBS NEAR BRISTOL

RICE WORK

BRISTOL‘S MOST EXCITING NEW THEATRE COMPANY IS GO!

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OK, CORAL!

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ISSUE 258 / JANUARY 2019 / THE FUTURE'S BRIGHT...

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Editor’s letter

H

ere to pooh-pooh the January blues, guys. You heard me. I confirm that, armed with Berocca, you really can do anything and, high on Olbas Oil, you get a heady optimism for the future.

We’ve much to look forward to, us Bristolians. Yes, there’s the light of The First Pay Day After Christmas in sight at the end of the cash-strapped tunnel, but I’m thinking more about what’s in store in our city in 2019.

Just flip the page and read how Bristol has been named one of the top travel destinations for the coming year, because of what it’s got waiting in the wings. (They haven’t even considered what we’ve already got showing on the main stage!). And this issue backs up the whole future-bright scenario.

Gems to come from Emma Rice, for instance, now back in Bristol and producing works of theatrical art like Wise Children (see left).

The Royal Photographic Society has moved to Bristol, too: its first exhibition opens on 7 February. It’s changes like that – the ones that are so right you can’t believe they weren’t always so – that reinforce how Bristol is ever changing and improving itself.

I’m off to toast the future with a hot toddy!

deri robins Follow us on Twitter @BristolLifeMag Instagram @BristolLifeMag

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 3

Issue 258/January 2019 Cover Wallpaper by House of Hackney, available at Park Interiors; www.parkinteriorsdesign.co.uk

the arts

14 WHAT’S ON Credit card at hand? Ready, steady…

start booking tickets!

18 WISE CHILDREN Emma Rice’s back in the ranch 24 Street Photographer Colin Moody’s tips 32 ONE TO ONE We meet Dodgy’s Priest

a man’s world 39 seb barrett

50

Kick resolutions and themed months to the kerb

food & DRINK

40 RESTAURANT Tapas from Pintxos 44 Food and drink news A smorgasbord of tasty

24

titbits and our pick of romantic restaurants

47 cafe society A new haunt in Leigh Woods 50 COUNTRY PUBS You, me, the dog, the food, the

drink, the wellies. Rural roasts and crackling fires.

shopping

55 SHOPPING PAGE Coral inspo: we’re pretty in pink 56 editor’s choice A rolling stock of stationery

Business

71 business insider News for Bristolians who travel

Property

80 KITCHEN Sync Style and function combined 86 RED DOG Splashbacks and works of art combined 94 showcase Village ideal between Bristol and Bath

Regulars

9 spotlight 11 BRIZZOGRAM 61 society 98 bristol lives A delightful dance duo

Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Contributor Rachel Ifans Senior Art Editor Andrew Richmond Graphic Design Megan Allison Cover Design Trevor Gilham Contributors Colin Moody, Stan Cullimore, Seb Barrett Advertising manager Neil Snow neil.snow@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager Craig Wallberg craig. wallberg@mediaclash.co.uk Sales Executive Gabriella Cronchey gabriella.cronchey@mediaclash.co.uk Production/distribution manager Sarah Kingston sarah. kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy production manager/production designer 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, Circus Mews House, Circus Mews, Bath BA1 2PW 01225 475800 www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash.

We’re a Bath-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter and Salisbury. We also publish foodie mag Crumbs (www.crumbsmag.com, @CrumbsMag. Agency From the design and build of websites to digital marketing and creating company magazines, we can help. Events We create, market, promote and operate a wide variety of events both for MediaClash and our clients

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spotlight

The youthful vigour of a couple of Bristolians in their prime. Wallace and Gromit turn 30 in 2019

Proof of awesomeness (not that we need it!)

New Year’s honours

© R ay Kennedy (rspb-images.com)

Hardly has the new Duran Duran calendar been unwrapped and January’s image of Le Bon (so bon!) shown itself in all its neon glory than Bristol has received another nod to its awesomeness. It’s The Independent this time (following hot on the heels of the National Geographic and the New York Times last year), including us in its New Year’s list of the Best European Cities to Visit in 2019.

The write-up cited our line-up of new stuff for 2019 to back up our inclusion: our new inland surfing lake, the addition of brown bears to the Wild Place conservation project, the arrival of the Royal Photographic Society to the city, and big birthdays like Wallace and Gromit’s 30th and Concorde’s 50th to name a few.

Other ‘most happening’ destinations listed in the feature were Minsk, Rotterdam, Sitges, Arles, Sarajevo, Rome, Disneyland Paris, Belgrade and Venice. www.independent.co.uk

Bristol boy Hugo Mitchell-Heggs is leading the team across the Atlantic

Sporting challenge

an Oardacious expedition

Bristolian submariner Lieutenant Hugo Mitchell-Heggs is leading a team of four hoping to conquer the Atlantic in a rowing boat called the HMS Oardacious later this year. The team will take part in this year’s Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, the world’s toughest rowing race, which will see them cover over 3,000-miles unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean in December 2019.

Departing from the Canary Islands and arriving in Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua, a month later, the team hopes to be the first to cross the finish line and has set its sights on raising over £100,000 for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.

The challenge is tough so the team is embarking on training already. On the expedition, each rower will row for two hours, and sleep for two hours, 24 hours a day for a month, and will encounter waves up to 20ft high. Hugo says: “I am focused on the task ahead and incredibly proud to be leading the HMS Oardacious challenge.” www.hmsoardacious.com

Bristol is one of the cities involved in the RSPB Big Schools Birdwatch

Nature

City twitchers

The RSPB Big Schools Birdwatch – the world’s biggest schools’ wildlife survey – returns this month to Bristol.

The Birdwatch – which takes place during January and February – is a chance for children in Bristol to put down their books and discover nature in their local community. Schoolchildren across the city will be filling up bird feeders, turning classrooms into bird hides and creating wildlife-friendly bakes in preparation for watching and counting the birds in their school grounds.

Last year, 60,000 children and teachers took part and, for the 10th successive year, the blackbird was the most common playground visitor, with 88% of schools spotting one during their watch. Robins, house sparrows and woodpigeons all featured prominently in the results, with over 70 difference species recorded in total. www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 9

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

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www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 13

What’s on 18 January – 18 February

Love the look of Princess and The Hustler, a sublime blend of WSM, a beauty contest and Bristol Old Vic

exhibitions 19 January-24 March

THE BLAZING WORLD The artist explores witchcraft and the relationship between women’s oppression and the emergence of capitalism in an immersive installation punctuated with ritualistic sculptures, puppets and textiles. Chez Spike Island, obviously; spikeisland.org.uk

nation’s people, history and landscape. Taking place at the Martin Parr Foundation in Paintworks; www.martinparrfoundation.org

1 February-6 May

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR The Natural History Museum brings 100 beautiful images to M Shed; bristolmuseums.org.uk

LEONARDO DA VINCI: A LIFE IN DRAWING To mark the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery is displaying 12 of his finest drawings as part of #Leonardo500 – a national celebration of one of history’s greatest geniuses.

This one’s a must-see; bristolmuseums.org.uk

Until 3 March

7 February

Until 24 February

ALBERT IRVIN AND ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM A major retrospective of Irvin at RWA, and a celebration of the new seminal exhibition, The New American Painting. They’ve got a Pollock and everything; rwa.org.uk

Until 16 March

A CONTESTED LAND Document Scotland examines the complex relationship between the

RPS international photography exhibition 161 *Gong sounds*. The first RPS exhibition in its new home in Paintworks opens. Woo hoo!; rps.org

SHOWS

Until 19 January

IMPERMANENCE A selection of striking new work

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from the Bristol-based dance theatre company, alongside showcases from the finest dancers in the South West and beyond. At Bristol Old Vic; see our interview on page 98; bristololdvic.org.uk; impermanence.co.uk

Until 20 January

OEDIPUSS IN BOOTS Last chance to see the Wardrobe reprise one of its funniest, fastest festive hits for Christmas; thewardrobetheatre.com

21-26 January

BERYL’S OF MAYFAIR A new comedy from the Ministry of Entertainment set in a 1960s salon, playing at the Alma Tavern and Theatre, promising laughs and blue rinses galore; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

24-27 January

Until 2 February

THE PAPER MAN In 1938, Austrian football star Matthias Sindelar humiliated the Nazi regime by refusing to throw a match. A few months later, he was dead. Accident, suicide or execution?

An intriguing true story of political protest, power and football at the Tobacco Factory; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

18 January

RUSSIAN STATE BALLET OF SIBERIA Over three consecutive nights, the company tackles three classics: Giselle, The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. Bring a hanky to weep into; atgtickets.com/bristol

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL With music and lyrics from the Motown catalogue, the Hippodrome show has a live orchestra playing 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Dancing In The Street and My Girl and tells the story behind classic hits.; atgtickets.com/bristol THIS IS YOUR MUSICAL The Bristol Improv Theatre presents an original improvised musical theatre show, with the actors and musicians producing a brand-new, comedy musical inspired by the audience’s stories; improvtheatre.co.uk

7-9 February

9-23 February

PRINCESS AND THE HUSTLER Princess is a cheeky 10-year-old with a plan to win the Weston-Super-Mare

what’s on 6-8 February

Beauty Contest with the help of The Hustler. Playing at the Old Vic and shortlisted for the Alfred Fagon Award 2018 for Best New Play; bristololdvic.org.uk

12-16 February

THE COMEDY ABOUT A BANK ROBBERY A priceless diamond has been entrusted to the city bank, an institution so corrupt that even the security guards are on the take. Can it be safely stored or will it all go horribly wrong at the Hippodrome? atgtickets.com/bristol

COMEDY

Until 20 January

SLAPSTICK FESTIVAL The nationally revered festival of classic comedy returns to cure your January blues, with this year’s curator Richard Herring at various venues; slapstick.org.uk

25-26 January above:

Genre-blending art at Spike Island with The Blazing World left: Little Gift at the Tobacco Factory tackles loneliness below: Tom Blachford’s image Futuro, on display at the RPS’ new Paintworks home below right: Comedian Zoe Lyons, off the telly

ZOE LYONS: ENTRY LEVEL HUMAN Mock The Week regular Zoe Lyons brings her brand of observational gags and one-liners to the Wardrobe Theatre in a quest to work out just what she’s supposed to be doing in life; thewardrobetheatre.com

5 February

WITH GREAT POWERPOINT COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITYPOINT Intrigued by the title? Apparently, it’s a case of Dave Gorman bringing his laptop and projector screen to the Bristol Hippodrome for a new show analysing those parts of life you’ve never stopped to think about before; atgtickets.com/bristol

UNMYTHABLE Heroes, monsters and randy gods go head-to-head in an anarchic blend of comedy, cross-dressing, stories and songs at the Wardrobe Theatre; thewardrobetheatre.com

10 February

NINCOMPOOP The Wardrobe Theatre’s monthly night of alternative comedy with comedy, clowning, fooling, slapstick, mime, audience participation, mischief and tomfoolery. Once a month on Sunday nights until June; thewardrobetheatre.com

10 February

STEPHEN K AMOS: BOUQUETS AND BRICKBATS As Brexit looms, Trump reigns rampant and everyone seems pushed to extremes, stand-up comedian Stephen K Amos’s Redgrave Theatre show has one aim – to cheer us all up. We’ll drink to that!; redgravetheatre.com

13-15 February

AD LIBIDO Join Fran in her quest to find a satisfying sex life, with toe-tapping tunes, a magic penis and a visit to sex camp. Oh, and dolphins; thewardrobetheatre.com

talks

12 February

Tracey Thorn Singer-songwriter Tracey Thorn (from Everything But The Girl) talks to Festival of Ideas director Andrew Kelly about her new memoir A Teenager in Suburbia and her formative years. Expect trademark wit and insight; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

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what’s on JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS Get your wellies and waterproofs on and jump into the puddles for a chance to be a splash champion at WWT Slimbridge; wwt.org.uk

Until 5 April

AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Imagine what the future will be like and be inspired by fun workshops, explosive shows and space adventures at We The Curious; wethecurious.org

MUSIC 18 January

FAMILY above:

TFT’s production of The Paper Man portrays a tangled post-Nazi web of intrigue left: Cellist Laura Van Der Heijden is one of the gang at St Georges’ Classical Mix Tape below: A wise voice and a beautiful one: Tracey Thorn from Everything But The Girl

3 February

LITTLE GIFT A touching tale of overcoming loneliness. Puppetry for three to seven-year-olds from the master combination of M6 and Andy Manley; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

5-12 February

SEA HEAR STORYTELLING Storyteller Sarah Mooney captivates the imaginations of pre-schoolers and adults alike at the Brunel Institute. Her free sessions mix original tales with new twists on classic legends; ssgreatbritain.org

10 February

SLAPSTICK SUNDAY Children’s television presenter Andy Day presents a laugh-outloud extravaganza film show at the Hippodrome. Created especially for little ones, it features a selection of classic silent comedies and animations; atgtickets.com/Bristol

10 February

THE SOOTY SHOW Sooty, Sweep, Soo and non-puppet Richard Cadell will amaze you with impossible tricks and side-splitting jokes at the Redgrave Theatre; redgravetheatre.com

16-22 February

THE STAR SEEKERS An out-of-this-world adventure for ages 3-8 and their families, this Wardrobe Theatre production explores the limitless majesty of galaxies, the solar system, shooting stars and planets through songs, silliness and anti-gravity antics; thewardrobetheatre.com

16-24 February

SOUTH WEST PUDDLE

RICHARD GOODE Pianist Richard Goode has been hailed for music-making of tremendous emotional power, depth and expressiveness. His show at St George’s features pieces from Bach, Berg, Beethoven and Chopin; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

24 January

MELA GUITAR QUARTET Four exceptional guitarists present their own thrilling arrangements of Saint-Saën’s Bacchanale and Milhaud’s Brazileira (‘Scaramouche’), plus original works for guitar quartet; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

1 February

classical Mixtape Live 1 The perfect try-it-out event, with topnotch classical musicians. Stand, sit or lie down, and take in your drink. Two stages, and no piece more than five minutes long; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

1 February

KATEY BROOKS As a songstress she defies easy classification, with a sound blending folk, soul, blues and country. Sample her finger-picked, harmony-inflected sound on the 2016 I Fought Lovers EP before seeing her at Arnos Vale; arnosvale.org.uk

7 February

SLUM VILLAGE X ABSTRACT ORCHESTRA Detroit hip hop legends Slum Village join forces with the UK’s orchestral hip hop powerhouse the Abstract Orchestra at Trinity Centre, for a high energy dose of hip hop; 3ca.org.uk

17 February

KIT HAWES & AARON CATLOW The Bristol-based duo hit the Wardrobe Theatre with their blend of acoustic, folk and roots music with the live show promising a musical journey through Europe and beyond; thewardrobetheatre.com

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“I have an enduring, joyful spirit, and I will have a happy, joyful life”

18 I bristol LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

one to one

Copyright Guardian News & Media Ltd 2018

Wise and shining

Following her departure from The Globe last April, Emma Rice has launched her new company – and really, things could hardly be going better‌ Words by Deri Robins

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L-R: Omari Douglas, Ankur Bahl and Melissa James in Wise Children

20 I bristol LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

On founding Wise Children

“After I had this sort of – event, shall we call it? – at The Globe, I was delivered this amazing thing, that you don’t often get in life: a completely clean slate. I woke up in the wreckage, thinking, what am I going to do? I knew that I didn’t want to freelance; I’m a creature of community, loyalty, company – so that took me about two seconds to decide. The next question was whether I should try for another building or company, and that took about another two seconds, because I like working in different places, and in different communities.

“And because Wise Children had been part of my life for a long time – I’d done the first draft four years earlier, and thought it was a great name for a company – I decided to found one, and do this show that no one had ever backed. At one point it was going to be at the National, and then Nick [Hytner] left. Then I’d thought it would be perfect for The Globe, because it mentions 34 of the 37 Shakespeare plays; but then they gave me the boot – well, not exactly, but that’s what it felt like.

“Within that first morning I thought up a plan – and of course plans can change, but this one has just got stronger and more robust as it’s gone on. It felt like serendipity.

“I then started working on the Arts Council bid; I had a very short period of time until the deadline. Everybody said it would never happen, but having this big task in the midst of all the chaos after The Globe was a real salvage for me. I thought, I probably won’t get the money, but at least I’ve created the concept.”

“The rules didn’t exist in Angela Carter, and as a young woman, I too was walking a path for which no blueprint existed”

© steve tanner

I

t’s seven days until Christmas, and although it’s only 9.30am, Spike Island Café has the mulled cider on.

Despite the deeply alluring aroma wafting across to our corner table, I can’t persuade Emma Rice to take a wassail cup.

“I don’t drink very much these days,” she confesses, putting paid to any Bacchanalian images I may have nurtured about theatre folk. “I definitely drink less since I left The Globe,” she adds.

Ah. So there it is. The Globe is no longer a taboo topic, then; not that I was massively keen to go there. It’s last year’s news, anyway: the story of how the former artistic director of Kneehigh Theatre, known and loved for her innovative, irreverent, populist work, was hired to helm heritage behemoth The Globe; an appointment that was rapidly scuppered by artistic differences, leaving most of us scratching our heads and wondering who on earth The Globe thought they were getting, and whether they’d actually seen an Emma Rice production?

I’m quite pleased that she’s brought it up, though. It’s a definite sign that she’s moved on. In fact, as she talks about her new company, Wise Children, and her plans for its future, she radiates energy and contentment; which is not too surprising considering that its first show, also called Wise Children, based on the Angela Carter novel of the same name, has won universally rave reviews.

The new company is big news for Bristol. Wise Children has already been awarded National Portfolio status, with guaranteed funding from Arts Council England. Not only will Emma be using it to dream up new work from her Spike Island eyrie, but she’ll be overseeing a school for theatre.

There’s a lot to talk about, then,. There are her hopes and dreams for the new company; the Wise Children show itself, coming to Bristol Old Vic this month; her ongoing role at Kneehigh, and her lifelong love for Angela Carter. Even if we’d wanted to rehash all the whys and what-ifs relating to The Globe, there simply isn’t time.

So, curtain up, and in her own words . . .

one to one Emma got the money.

On being based at Spike Island

“There was never any question that the company would be in the South West. I’ve always lived here, even when I was at The Globe I continued to live in Bristol. I loved the idea of working in Spike Island, which is given over to conceptual art; a building that wasn’t bound by theatre.

Who knows – in 10 years’ time Wise Children may be making opera, or books, or films, or art. I put it down as a dream, but lo and behold, Spike Island rang, and said, we have an office space.”

More serendipity.

On being a wise child

“I’m now 51; I’ve been through the wars. I know myself better, I know my craft better. I know I have to be smart and clever, to make great decisions and use every bit of my experience. So ‘wise’ is a great word; but you never want to trade your joy, your innocence. To be a wise child summed up not only what I want to be at this moment in my life, but what I want my actors to be – smart and silly.”

She isn’t on social media, and she doesn’t read reviews

“…Well, I might sometimes take a little peek…

“As a businesswoman, I have a huge respect and interest in reviews.

As an artist, my ‘wisdom’ tells me they’re not very useful, because they’re ultimately not going to change the work I make, and they’re not going to change the dreams I dream at night. Life gives you enough knocks; you don’t have to accumulate more voluntarily.

“I have an enduring, joyful spirit, and I will have a happy joyful

life. I think I was born with that spirit; maybe it’s because I feel the melancholy as well that I won’t let that dominate. I am going to endure; I am going to get through. Having said that, I think it’s really only taken me until now to get over The Globe; endurance takes time.”

On Angela Carter

“I came to Angela Carter in my early twenties, around the same time I joined Kneehigh. There I was, in the wilds of Cornwall, exploring that really mythical, epic world, and Angela was chiming with amazing female protagonists – they ran through forests, the belle turned into a beast rather than the beast into a prince – it was really surprising.

“Nobody else was writing for women like that, at that time – for women who may not choose domesticity. The rules didn’t even exist in Angela Carter, and as a young woman I ,too, was walking a path for which no blueprint existed. I couldn’t pick up a Thomas Hardy and see my life, or an Emily Brontë; but through Angela Carter, through her mythical lens, I thought, that’s it; I am running through a forest…”

On first meeting Kneehigh

“I’ll never forget it. I’d auditioned; I got on the train to St Austell, to end of the planet, and was picked up from the station in the battered old Kneehigh van. The ride went on forever; the road got narrower, we went up to the top of a hill; it was like a fairy tale. How does the saying go? They had me at hello, these amazing, vivid mavericks. I want to be with these people and be part of the gang, and have never stopped.”

Indeed, she’s still on the Kneehigh board. Founder and former co-AD Mike Shepherd now refers to her a ‘revered accomplice’.

On why she wanted to found a Wise Children school

“Again, I was at the point in my life when I couldn’t be in just another theatre company; and I couldn’t ask the government to fund just another theatre company. I wanted to build an exceptional, diverse pool of people I could tour with, and the solution I came up with was to train them. Because true diversification can only come from grassroots up.

“It’s a simple plan, to teach the principles of dance, performance, technology, all the science of making theatre. And for every place that’s paid for, we’ll identify someone who can’t afford to pay, and give them a place for free. I’m hoping it will attract those quirky people who think, I want to be in this world; I’m odd, I look funny, I play an instrument, and I’m never going to get into drama school. Basically, I’m describing me: strange, slightly left-handed folk.”

What’s up next?

Wise Children is going to be a tough act to follow. Not only has it won rave reviews, but a more ‘Emma Rice’ show, with its colourful, carnival excess, passion for theatre in all its razzle-dazzle, spit-and-sawdust glory and its theme of thespian survival, is so right up her alley that it practically demands a blue plaque with her name on. All eyes will be on what she does next; but while she claims to be “terrified,” she says it with a twinkle. She has, she says, a “four-year plan”.

And more importantly, she feels the balance in her career has been addressed, with the critical acclaim for Wise Children resetting the scales after the tumultuous time at The Globe.

“Wise Children feels as much an end of a journey as a beginning,” she says. “The playing field is level now.”

Melissa James and Omari Douglas as showgirls Dora and Nora in Wise Children

© steve tanner

Wise Children plays Bristol Old Vic 23 January -16 February www.bristololdvic.org.uk: www.wisechildren.co.uk

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Reach for the sky It’s only fitting that Bristol’s favourite mountain sports retailer should occupy a position on one of the city’s highest points. But at the top of Whiteladies Rd, that’s exactly where, for the last 40 years, ELLIS BRIGHAM MOUNTAIN SPORTS has been serving the needs of the city’s outdoor community

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s any enthusiastic skier, snowboarder, climber or hiker will tell you, this store is the place to go to for the latest clothing and equipment from trusted brands like The North Face, Patagonia, Arc’teryx and many more.

But what you might not know is that Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports has a rich outdoor heritage spanning over 80 years of serving outdoor enthusiasts across the UK. Established in Manchester in 1933 by Frederick Ellis Brigham, the Bristol store was the first outside the

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north-west of England. The company began life repairing footwear and coming up with innovative nailing patterns for mountaineers who needed better grip on rocky terrain.

Today the store is still going strong and continues to be passionately driven and proudly family owned. They stock the world’s best brands for a multitude of activities and adventures including trail running, mountaineering, wintersports and camping – all the products you’ll find there are designed to make your time spent in the mountains even more rewarding.

But it’s the staff who make the real difference in this store. They are friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable, with an inherent understanding of your needs.

The team really do live and breathe the great outdoors. They want to share in your enjoyment for the mountains and the moors, the changing seasons and the challenging conditions, the moments and the memories. Their aim is always to encourage and equip as many people as possible with the right equipment and clothing to enjoy all the great outdoors has to offer.

Visit them at 160 Whiteladies Rd, Clifton where they have just opened a new Boot Lab

for skiers. The Ellis Brigham Boot Lab offers one of the largest ski and boot ranges in the UK and the new store is dedicated to custom fitting ski boots ready for that next trip.

With an online booking facility, state of the art boot fitting devices, free coffee and a heliskiing VR experience the Boot Lab is set to revolutionise ski boot fitting.

The store team are skilled at modifying existing or new boots to achieve that perfect fit so whether it’s stretching, grinding or softening, they’ll remedy potential problems to give a precise fit, greater comfort and even improved skiing skills! ■

160 Whiteladies Rd, Bristol BS8 2XZ 0117 974 1157 www.ellis-brigham.com

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So, you want to be a street photographer?

Well, there’s no better person to steal ideas from than our Bristol hero Colin Moody

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photography

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hink of a great local photojournalist, and if you know anything at all about the local scene, you’ll think of Colin Moody. Colin regularly takes small groups of people on photography walks, sharing tips on everything from how and when to engage with people, how to seize the moment and how to actually look – and to inspire you, he’s kindly shared a few of them here.

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Keep the lens cap off, and keep walking You might want to have some tunes on your headphones. I’ve got Leon Bridges on repeat at the moment. But keep walking, and keep looking.

Remember the world is full of photographs – you just need to keep moving, be ready, and keep looking about you. Then drop the headphones off down your neck when you see something. And investigate. Look for reflections, what the light is doing, feel the moment.

It has to feel right. You have to keep looking. It’s addictive. Enjoy.

The woman on the left was busy texting, but if I had not been ready I would not have been able to get the shot with the reacting woman coming in behind down the line of people.

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Step in. See something interesting Don’t stay on the other side of the road and zoom in.

The tech is getting so good that you don’t have to engage with your subject, right? No. Wrong. Get in there, if possible. Enjoy the moment. Talk to people. People are more into being photographed if you have a genuine interest in them and what they are about. But don’t fake it. People can smell if you are just into snapping and not their world.

The woman at the centre of this image was able to own the space so completely that she made herself the centre of everything, and then all the other details around her filled in the story.

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Notice what the light is doing A wet street after the rain when the sun comes back out will just ache to be shot. Then look at the people and the action passing through. Hard light or soft light.

Reflections, shadows and more. They form shapes, textures and can guide the eye to what the story you want to tell is. Where do you put the camera to play with light? All these elements are for you to play with.

“She made herself the centre of everything and then all the other details around her filled in the story” www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 25

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Get a compelling close-up; they add to the story You want a killer shot of a group of people expressing life and love out in the open – but there are things around this that need shooting. You shoot a close-up of a piece of trash on the floor, it’s not going to win any awards, but it will guide you in to the story.

The event. And if you look back at the roll of shots, you will notice a story is there. It also shows the person you are photographing that you are really interested.

This close-up was used to introduce a group of graffiti artists in my new book Stokes Croft and Montpelier. The cans are all jumbled together, and it sort of represents how they moved around each other as they painted in the following shots.

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Don’t be afraid of blur How many achingly beautiful shots have been deleted because they were ‘moving’?

Well, they can be moving in every sense of the word. Look at people passing by at night by a bus stop, and turn them in to ghosts around a figure that isn’t moving. Blur can bring beauty in, or let the beautiful break apart and show you what’s going on inside the person. Play with this.

Here, the crowd at the Downs Festival went wild for the bands. One shot wasn’t really capturing their energy, so a double exposure, allowing for a bit of blurring, was what I thought was needed.

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There are three stages to meeting and photographing people, and I recommend all three Part 1, shoot candid. They don’t know. But this can be limited. And it’s been done for a century now (god knows how they did it with those massive cameras). There are only so many shots of people walking past graffiti that can be stored on your iCloud, right?

Part 2 is to talk to people, just long enough to set up a shot. Be quick. They will pose too much, and it looks staged. Unless that’s what you want (that can be good, too). But you see a story, a moment, you ask when they are near something that add to the composition and you shoot it.

Part 3 takes just 10 minutes, and it’s all about engaging. You find out what the ‘scene’ is. What they are about. And you hang with them. This could lead to a story following their journey, their life. Look for these threads and enjoy the journey. Get it right and they will forget the camera and enjoy time with you. Dog shows, protests, political rallies… just get in there. Now mix it up and try what works for you.

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photography

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Look for symmetry Maybe a staircase rolls down in a spiral, guiding your eye perfectly to the action. Then break the symmetry. Look for things butting into it. Flow one way? Look for something rudely cutting in. Catch your eye? It will do the same for the person seeing it on the gallery wall. Nothing wrong with symmetry; it just doesn’t challenge you to look more into what composition can be. Be challenging.

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“Maybe people in one space of a shot are unaware of people in another…”

Layers. Foreground and background What’s going on there? See something cool in one of these, then wait. Think before you shoot; maybe there is a way to have something passing through there that adds depth, or contrast, another world. Maybe people in one space of a shot are unaware of people in another, and you can shoot that. Show how connected or disconnected we are.

See? It’s fun. Muddy the foreground with things in the way. Let the fairy lights become suns right by the lens. Play.

Roni Size was about to come on, but I wanted to quickly capture his POV. Extend from all those individual switches on his decks to the individuals in the crowd. You might want to use the foreground as a foundation to build the rest of the shot.

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A Luxury House With Stunning Views

The house was built with a Spanish influence and has a modern interior design, with a chic and charming feel. The property is approached via a private drive with electronic gates with parking for at least 8 vehicles.

Stunning coastal views can be enjoyed throughout the Complex.

This beautiful house is perfect for family holidays, stag & hen parties and small corporate events. The generously proportioned accommodation is arranged over 2 floors plus the separate luxurious Lodge can be used in addition. Two of the bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms with direct access to the private courtyard and pool area.

At the rear of the premises are 2 fields which are perfect for a multitude of uses.

www.surfbaylodge.co.uk Mention BRISTOLLIFE for a 5% discount!

Surf Bay House Churchill Way, Appledore, Bideford, Devon, EX39 1PA Email: enquiries@surfbaylodge.co.uk Tel: +44(0)1237 420031

photography

“I wanted to experiment with the idea of ‘out of shadow comes light’. And you only need a little bit of light to let a whole world in” 9

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Colour v black-and-white Some will just use one or the other.

Don’t lock it down too soon. Photojournalist supremo Martin Parr was shooting killer black-and-white before he became a Jedi with the colour. Try both, but know when colour pulls you in and when black and white makes the everyday look epic.

Here is Martin Parr with his favourite book

by Daido Moriyama; check out both these great photographers to discover what huge scope is possible between colour and b/w.

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Break all the rules. But is your lens cap off?

It better be, because that amazing shot might just walk past you right now. And you better be ready. One person with that look on their face might be everything.

At the recent Bristol Pride, there were so many people together, some coming out for the first time, I wanted to experiment with the idea of ‘out of shadow comes light’. And you only need a little bit of light to let a whole world in.

For more inspiration (and general Bristol fabulousness) get Colin’s book Stokes Croft & Montpelier, £14.59, www.thehistorypress.co.uk Colin is also available as a ‘mini-mobile PR/ marketing/social media unit’, to shoot striking streetstyle photographs at live events and parties; fees start at £100 for a two-hour package. email: mrcolinmoody@gmail.com Twitter: @moodycolin; Instagram @moodycolin319

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Dodgy as… catch the band at O2 Academy on 1 February

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the big interview

CONFESSIONS OF A PRIEST Dodgy’s bright, breezy lyrics juxtaposed with an accomplished and polished rock sound made them one of the leading lights of ’90s Britpop. The band split in 1998 but reformed in 2008, and are bringing their 25th anniversary of Homegrown tour to the O2 this February. We spoke to co-founder and drummer Mathew Priest Words by Sarah Moolla

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the big interview

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nlike Britpop fellow traveller Liam Gallagher, Mathew can’t lay claim to a tough working-class background; hell, he even likes his big brother. “I’m one of those folk who was conceived in the ’60s, born in the ’70s and a teenager in the ’80s,” he says, reminiscing fondly about his early years in Birmingham.

“I had a comfortable and happy childhood.

We weren’t loaded, but we had a few foreign holidays and a nice house.”

Did music play a part in your life then?

We had one main music venue, the Birmingham Odeon, and all the major bands came there – Depeche Mode, Duran Duran. . . Run DMC with The Beastie Boys supporting was a particular favourite.

What was the first record you ever bought?

We were driving back from Birmingham one day, in my dad’s old Scirocco, I was probably around 11, and I heard Moondance by Van Morrison on Radio One. I immediately fell in love with it. Up to that point my music taste revolved around my dad and older brother’s record collection (apart from when I went rogue with Duran Duran), so I asked them if they had it. “I don’t think we do,” said my brother, “but you could buy it, if you like it”. I know this sounds like a perfectly rational instruction, but for some reason, up to that point I didn’t know I could buy my own records. So I did, the next day, and I’ve still got it, and it’s still one of my favourite albums of all time.

What were you like at school?

My brother was pretty much amazing at everything – he was the best dancer, the best looking, the best at football, the best at art (he could be the biggest poser as well); so when I followed him into school two years below, it was an easy ride. I was Little Priesty and all his mates looked out for me. I switched schools when I was 13; I was quite bright, although I messed up my A-Levels, but that didn’t matter too much as I wanted to be in a band by then.

What was the first song you ever wrote?

There’s A Hold Around My Soul (And It’s Pulling Me Down). I probably fancied myself as a little Leonard Cohen but was more like a little Leonard Rossiter.

Who would you cite as your inspiration?

My family. My dad would turn anything into a joke – an affliction which has cursed me all my life. My mum’s resilience and clear-headedness and my brother’s flair and desire for the peculiar. Lyrically, Bob Dylan was a massive influence; how could he not be?

How did Dodgy form?

Nige [Clark] and I met in a band around 1986 and soon

“It’s a shocking name really but at the time, maybe due to the hedonistic times, we thought it hilarious”

formed a strong bond. I had just finished my A-Levels and my mum wanted me to go to university or do something normal, but Nige had other ideas – he told me that he was going to leave his job and wanted me to move to London with him. I knew I had to convince Mum; it took about a month. Within two years we were signed to A&M Records and we were on our way.

Why the name Dodgy?

It’s a question I ask myself on a weekly basis, it’s a shocking name really, but at the time, maybe due to the slightly hippy, hedonistic times, we thought it was hilarious. Yeah. Really funny, guys. *slow handclap* Was the performing in the black hat an intentional gimmick?

I’ve always been partial to a spot of hattery – the pork pie hat was quite conservative compared to the white Russian cossack hat I wore in the early 1990s. The hatwearing in Dodgy now though has been taken up quite enthusiastically by Andy [Miller].

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A RETIREMENT TO LOOK FORWARD TO

JOIN OUR FAMILY

LAST REMAINING VACANCIES

across our five lovely houses in the Bristol area

the big interview Did you ever mind the ‘Britpop’ label?

We never liked it but we were happy to ride the wave at the time, and boy, what a wave. Our first album actually came out the year before it all kicked off so we never felt part of it.

What’s your best celebrity anecdote?

Elton John was a fan of our song Good Enough and invited us to his fancy-dress 50th birthday bash. I went as a Mexican.

I was happily helping myself to the free cocktails at the bar, stood next to Charlie Watts dressed as a Cavalier, when a young chap came up and said he was a massive fan and would I like to meet his mum. Not really, I thought, but I didn’t want to upset him. I went over to the other side of the club, and there’s Lulu dressed as Tinkerbell.

Maybe she had a thing for Mexicans but she became quite flirty. She gave me her number and asked for a ‘wee kiss’.

You were brilliant on Never Mind The Buzzcocks...

Thank you – I enjoyed doing it. I was asked to do a few things and did a pilot once, but I prefer radio. I’ve got a better face for that.

Did your 2 Drummers Drumming at Edinburgh Fringe dispel myths about drummers ?

I think everyone secretly loves the drummer.

Was the Dodgy split in 1998 a difficult time in your life?

Definitely. I regret it and with hindsight I think we could have handled it so much better but Nige was feeling estranged and I couldn’t see it – everything was so crazy back then. I’ve learned a lot since then. We all have.

Bristol is the first leg of the band’s 25th anniversary tour

What’s the difference between touring now and touring then?

At its height, Dodgy had a crew of about 20. Now, it tends to just be the four of us. We still love it though, probably more so now.

What prompted Dodgy’s reunion in 2008?

Well, time really is a great healer as you tend to forget why you split up in the first place; that or the reasons don’t seem as important as they did. We were asked by some crappy TV show – Reunion or something – if we wanted to appear. It was awful but it got us talking, mainly to laugh at how shocking it would be. Andy Moore was our beloved lighting technician from Manchester; he was dying so he held a testimonial to raise money for his family and asked me and Nigel to perform. We couldn’t exactly say no, could we? He pulled the death card. He held out for another year or so and actually died while we were rehearsing for the reunion tour. I loved that guy.

How have Dodgy managed to avoid ‘creative differences’ and falling-out spats all over again?

I recommend to anyone in a long-term relationship – have a fall-out and then take a break for 10 years. It’s great when you get back together.

The creativity between you all seems to be stronger than ever . . .

Nige is the central creative force for the songwriting, so nothing will get started without him, but similarly, nothing really gets finished without us all. Nige and I

recently spent a few days writing in a caravan in West Wales. Very desolate. No phone or wifi. Not many distractions. It’s like – create, or go mad!

What’s your own favourite track to perform?

“[Bristol] was one of the first cities to take Dodgy to its heart probably because of its hippy vibe”

There’s a track from our most recent album called California Gold that is a real joy to play live as it changes every time we play it. But the best songs to play are always the ones that mean the most to the audience as you get the best reaction and feedback.

We know Bristol’s on the first leg of the tour . ..

I’ve always loved Bristol. It was one of the first cities to take Dodgy to their hearts – probably because it’s always had a bit of a hippy vibe to it. We always used to love playing here. I’ve played the Thekla and the Fleece far too many times to remember.

Since I moved to just under an hour away, I have grown to love the place even more - there’s always a sense of excitement about the city. Dodgy are celebrating the 25th anniversary of our breakthrough album, Homegrown this February and March, and we specifically chose Bristol as the first city on the tour. We always feel comfortable here and the people really love our music.

Dodgy: 25th anniversary of Homegrown, at O2 Academy, 1 February; tickets £22.96 from www.eventbrite.co.uk

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Specialist Within Dementia Care

A MAN’S WORLD SEB BARRETT

New year, same old you Seb calls time on the trend for theming months of the year. Too much abstinence and not enough excess, in his opinion

N “It hit me that my body looked like the proverbial dropped lasagne which definitely wasn’t the look I was going for”

ew year, new me? You only just got used to your other half wearing lycra and buying a bike that’s more expensive than your fi rst car, then all of a sudden they’re taking up bouldering and doing weird exercises in order to build fi ngers like biceps.

One school of thought says you shouldn’t need to wait until a new year has begun in order to start effecting change – why not start straightaway, rather than being bound by what’s essentially an arbitrary unit of time?

Others would say a year fits in neatly with starting afresh, a bit like saying, ‘I’ll start the new diet on Monday, right after I’ve eaten my weight in Stilton and Quavers’. It allows us more time to purge, to get sick of the things we love; like the time I ate a whole bag of Italian cream wafers and felt seriously queasy for years after just thinking about them.

Unsurprisingly, the top three New Year’s resolutions tend to be: eat healthier, exercise more, and save money. So, the exact opposite of what Christmas is about. I can’t say this time of year hasn’t amplified my own foibles in the past.

It took a photograph of me without my top on a few Decembers ago to make me realise I needed to step up my exercise and eat healthier. My

partner had taken a sneaky shot of me without my top on, and it hit me that my body had started to resemble the proverbial dropped lasagne, which defi nitely wasn’t the look I was going for. I think about that haunting image every time I’m about to jib off a run or a gym sesh, and it works.

We could all do with such motivation now that it’s so-called ‘Dry January’. This means cold turkey time, which is appropriate enough since that’s what most of us have consumed in the days leading up to the New Year. It’s been suggested by some naysaying nerds with fl ipcharts that this does nothing but lead to a Wet February, but isn’t that the point?

Mind you, every month is up for grabs these days. Somebody’s trying to make Sugar Free February a thing, and the one just gone was Decembeard, in case you forgot to grow one (if so, shame on you). Go Sober For October has even been put out there. You’ll notice a distinct lack of indulgence in the calendar. I mean, where’s Munch for March, or Slack Off September?

I’ll gladly sing the virtues of Dry January if it means being able to launch myself into a FreeFor-All February.

Seb Barrett works in sports communications. Follow him on Twitter @bazzbarrett

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PINTXO

Nobody expected the Spanish acquisition, but over the past 10 years tapas-style dining has taken over the city. It’s not hard to see why . . .

Words by Deri Robins

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e’ve said it before and we’re happy to say it again: the Bristol tapas scene has gone ballistic. Off-the-scale. Tapas are everywhere, from fine diners to gastro pubs to your actual authentic tapas bars. Small-plate dining has become Bristol’s go-to.

Tapas have, of course, humble, rustic origins in the form of basic snacks served in bars. Even today, you’re likely to find a pretty basic chorizo-manchega-bread offering in most Andalucian bars; we have no idea what the Spanish do for their five-a-day. But in more elevated joints, the cuisine has reached giddy Michelin-star heights; at Bristol’s own Paco Tapas, for example.

Most tapas bars fall between two stools (as indeed I did once after rather too many sherries, but that’s another story), putting their own spin on the classics while keeping the focus on punchy, comfort-food flavours in an atmosphere conducive to sharing.

It’s the most flexible of cuisines. Still hungry after you’ve polished off six plates? Well, order more. FOMO from seeing some amazing-looking dish wafting towards your neighbour’s table? No problemo; the waiter will bring one

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out for you, too. Not sure if the Txistorra is for you? If you don’t like it there’ll be another dish along in a minute.

One corner of Bristol in particular has become tapas central – we’re talking the middle bit of Whiteladies and up Cotham Hill, where Bravas, Bellita, Muino and Rosa hold sway. And then last summer, along came Pintxo, taking over the site that was lavishly fitted out then almost immediately abandoned by Polpo.

The décor’s barely changed. Pintxo’s owners Mark and Teresa Mentzel saw no reason to rip out all that lovely expensive metro tiling, or the plump banquettes; what works for a ‘backstreet Venetian bacaro’ works equally well for tapas. It’s just that now you’ll also find blackboards listing the choice of sherries.

Because, of course, there are sherries. At this point we need to make a small sheepish apology to all the sommeliers at every other tapas bar we’ve ever visited, whose passionate and informative sherry recommendations we listened to politely before ordering a Rioja.

At Pinxto, we finally succumbed. It was late December, after all and, while we know that sherry isn’t just for Christmas, at the same time, it sort of is. Besides, Mark wasn’t having any shilly-shallying, and three unordered glasses turned up with our first wave of tapas.

restaurant

At first, we found the Manzanilla a little tangy, the Oloroso a tad too syrupy and the Amontillado too dry.

But when we started to pair them with the tapas it was a total game changer. The Oloroso with a rich ensalada de remoloacha (that’s beetroot and blue cheese to you)?

Perfecto. The Manzanilla with salty white anchovies? Si, por favor mi amigo! The manchega and honey with the Olorosa? We’ll never take our cheese any other way again.

There are few surprises on the menu but no disappointments either; just a bunch of crowd-pleasing dishes, with Spanish names but English explanations for those who don’t know their calientes from their calamares.

By the way, pintxos (pronounced ‘pinchos’), refers to the little bar snacks you’ll find in the Basque region, but don’t get too hung up on the nomenclature; each of the tapas you’ll get here are at least four mouthfuls apiece.

Caro made a hopeful murmur about the rabbit stew, but Amanda and I felt Christmas was the wrong time to be tucking into Thumper. We settled on the pork belly instead (sorry, Babe); a generous slab of tender, forkable flesh marbled with sweet fat and chewy crackling, which went a treat with a generous bowl of patatas bravas, dressed with both spicy tomato sauce and aioli, just as I like it.

A trio of garlicky, chilli prawns were big, satisfying beasts.

A dish of artichoke with ribbons of courgettes came with both tapenade and molasses, taking the dish into both salty and sweet territory, which we were totally down with.

There was a choice of croquetas; we went for the spider crab, which was oozy and silky and crunchy in all the right places, though not especially seafoody. The fried calamari was good and fresh, if a little heavy on the panko.

The choice of puds continued the feel-good, fill-yourboots remit, with sugary churros (don’t order them if you’re full) and a good Cornish vanilla ice cream that the menu recommended we accompanied with a glass of PX; admittedly, it didn’t specifically say ‘chuck the PX over the helado’ but you won’t have lived your best life until you’ve tried this.

Pinxto has branches in Bath and Cornwall, but it’s a family affair, and feels it, with invested staff who care about their food, sherry and customers. It’s sociable, attractive, warm, atmospheric and friendly, and as we left, in a lovely, tipsy, Christmassy aura of bonhomie, my two guests assured me that they’d had a simply lovely time, and would most definitely be returning, which – Michelin star or no Michelin star – surely has to be the ultimate thumbs-up for any restaurant, whether Basque or Bristol. n

“The menu didn’t actually say ‘chuck the PX over the helado’, but you won’t have lived your best life until you’ve tried” Dining details Pinxto, 50 Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2NH; 0117 973 1535; www.pintxobristol.co.uk Opening hours Monday-Friday: midday-3pm and 5pm-10pm; Saturday midday-10pm; Sunday 10am-3pm We visited Friday evening Prices Tapas from £2-£10, most in the midway mark; puds £1.50-£3.50 Wine list Spanish wines from a local importer, and a predictably great sherry list, glasses from £4. Look out for fun contemporary Spanish trends, such as red wine with Coca Cola; Vermouth on the rocks is also very cool right now Atmosphere Relaxed and friendly Service Perfecto – let the waiters guide you with the food and sherries, they know their stuff Children Plenty of dishes should appeal, though maybe keep them off the sherry

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 41

FINE INDIAN CUISINE IN BRISTOL We offer an enjoyable, memorable dining experience. Visit us for delicious Indian cuisines, exciting interiors and stylish hospitality.

Unusually, we offer genuine Indian food from the true sources. At Urban Tandoor, you will find cuisine from the gourmet homes and street stalls across India’s regions, all prepared by skilled chefs from those regions.

Come for genuine delicious Indian food. Our food is totally different from local curry houses. What makes us unique is our approach. We use less oil, no articial colours and fresh ingredients so our cooking is always light and fresh.

Urban Tandoor is a very small restaurant and booking is strongly recommended. For bookings of 8 or more please email us.

13 Small Street, Bristol BS1 1DE 0117 929 9222

f Urban Tandoor

info@urban-tandoor.com www.urban-tandoor.com Mon to Sat 17:00 - 22:45 Sun 17:00 - 21:45

Country Pub & Kitchen Boutique Accommodation Private Function Room & Bar T: 01275 857 473 E: thebattleaxes@flatcappers.co.uk The Battleaxes, Bristol Road, Wraxall, Somerset, BS48 1LQ 2 PORTWALL LANE • BRISTOL • BS1 6NB www.pasturerestaurant.com

Local cafE leads the way Bristol-born Boston Tea Party is celebrating after having been named the UK’s most ethical coffee shop by Ethical Consumer magazine and website The café with over 20 shops across the South West and Midlands earned national recognition for its decision last year to eradicate takeaway cups.

BTP brand director Anita Atkins said: “We are incredibly proud to be leading the way when it comes to ethics and sustainability and would love to see all the big coffee chains which were included in this report adopt business models based on these principles. Now we need customers to vote with their feet by visiting cafés that are committed to ethical trading.”

Boston Tea Party’s credentials reach further than their cups: the coffee comes from Extract of St Werburgh’s, which uses a direct trade model and the tea is directly sourced; organic milk is from Yeo Valley and all meat and eggs are free range. www.bostonteaparty.co.uk

Boston Tea Party – a Bristol institution

The (real) Italian job What makes an Italian restaurant authentic? You’d think it was think

homemade pasta, or a centuries-old arrabiata recipe, but no. According to Riccardo Damiani, owner of La Panza on Lower Park Row, it’s more to do with the people. Italians love to get together and eat together so in Riccardo’s new joint you’ll find a Friendship Room for those who are lunching alone and fancy striking up a conversation with a stranger.

Now for the confession. When we said it wasn’t about the family recipes and traditions, we lied. Riccardo is a dab hand at recreating his mother and grandmother’s favourite recipes so don’t expect two slices of the white stuff crammed with salami at La Panza. Feast on lasagne, aubergine parmigiana, pampanella and focaccia. Check out La Panza on Facebook to see the daily specials.

Veganuary at The White Harte is lookin’ fine

Riccarrdo and Filomena of La Panza cook up mouth-watering Italian food daily

veganuary Variety is the spice of life Peeved with pulses? Miffed with mungbeans? Cursing couscous?

If Veganuary is getting the better of you, head down to The White Harte for a really varied range of vegan food.

Manager Chris Novis gives us a tour of the menu: “Jackfruit will continue to be a huge food trend in 2019 and we have three dishes that will show you as much. Try our Bao Buns, steamed buns with pulled BBQ jackfruit, house slaw, coriander and mixed leaves. Or for something more ‘carby’, we’ve got jackfruit-topped Tater Tots and a jackfruit burger, served with a spicy bean patty, vegan mayonnaise and skinny fries.

“Stay warm with our vegan black bean and butternut squash chilli, served with spicy rice or skinny fries and vegan cheese, or try one of our vegan cheese-based dishes.” www.social-squirrel.com/thewhitehartebristol

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

FOOD & DRINK

FOOD OF LOVE

AMUSES BOUCHES

Our 10 tips for romantic repasts this Valentine’s Day

James Whetlor

OTIRA Leap right in and 1 try the tasting menu – expect inventive New Zealand flavours. Chandos Rd; 0117 973 3669

© TOM GOLD

CLIFTON LIDO Who can 2 resist a lover who pays for a dip, a massage and dinner?

Oakfield Place; 0117 933 9530

3

BOX-E Incredibly high standard of food in intimate surroundings. Only room for 14 diners so book early for 14 Feb. Cargo 1; hello@boxebristol.com

UNDER THE STARS Lovers 4 set adrift on a cute boat.

Tasty tapas served and often a bit of music. Narrow Quay; 0117 929 8392

PACO TAPAS Dark and 5 moody Michelin-starred tapas bar, the sharing plates will keep things convivial.

Lower Guinea Street; 0117 925 7021

BULRUSH The tasting 6 menu is fun in this whitewashed-brick eatery.

Modern British. Cotham Road; 0117 329 0990

BRAVAS Classic Spanish 7 small plates. All soft lighting and romance.

Cotham Hill; 0117 329 6887

BIRCH It’s local and 8 seasonal and in Southville.

Away from the madding crowd. Raleigh Road; 0117 902 8326

9

THE ETHICUREAN Celebrate the produce from the restaurant’s bounteous walled garden.

Dribble-worthy. Wrington; 01934 863713

PASTA RIPIENA What’s 10 more romantic than freshly stuffed pasta? Screams quality in food and service. St Stephens St; 0117 329 3131

Gill Mellor

JAMES AND GILL COOK UP A STORM

Cabrito Goat Meat co-founder James Whetlor and award-winning food writer and author Gill Meller are cooking a five-course dinner at Flour & Ash, in Bristol, on 11 and 12 February.

Having been friends for years and worked together at River Cottage on the Dorset/ Devon borders, James and Gill share a similar cooking style and philosophy. The pair will be cooking dishes from Gill’s latest cookbook Time, published by Quadrille Places are £38 per person for a set menu, excluding drinks, and can be reserved www.wefifo.com WARM YOUR COCKLES AT HARVEY NICHOLS

The Second Floor Restaurant is luring people in with a great two- or three-course Winter Dining offer including cocktail.

The menu has seasonal dishes including roasted guinea fowl leg or tamarindspiced chickpeas with coconut rice and pomegranate yoghurt. Pudding comes in the form of a pineapple upside-down cake with a spiced rum caramel or a dark chocolate mousse with coffee cream.

Priced at £18 for two courses and £20 for three. Available until 28 February, excluding 14 February. 0117 916 8898

The skilled and experienced team is promising fresh, innovative and artisanal food – and we can’t wait! – so let’s just all strum our fingers on the counter for, what, six to eight weeks until its doors fling open.

See you there!

FISHMONGER REELS IN NEW CATCH

Clifton Seafood Company has moved into a standalone shipping container at the far end of Cargo 2. A fishmonger par excellence, sourcing seafood from all over the south west and beyond, directors Rozzy Turner and Jonny Glanvill opened their new venture in mid December.

Rozzy says: “We’ve been interested in Cargo since it opened and love the atmosphere and community feel amongst the traders. At the moment we supply restaurants throughout Somerset and Bristol and for a while we have wanted to open a little fish shop to expand our business into retail. Wapping Wharf feels like the perfect home and feel we will fit into the community very well.” www.cliftonseafoodcompany.com

VIVA MEXICO

There’ll soon be a new Mexican restaurant in town and it’s set to be brilliant.Masa & Mezcal will open this Spring under the guardianship of Imogen and Kieran Waite (of Bravas, Gambas and Cargo Cantina fame) and Mexican-born Carlos Rivas, current chef at aforementioned Bravas.

Rozzy and Jonny sell fresh fish xxxxxxx from a shipping container in Cargo

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INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND RUN • SOUTH BRISTOL’S BEST STEAKHOUSE

Home to Bristol’s infamous 96oz steak challenge, as seen on LADbible

The Ashville Steakhouse, 15 Leigh Street, Bristol BS3 1SN • Tel: 0117 939 6897 • Email: info@theashvillesteakhouse.co.uk

www.theashvillesteakhouse.co.uk

cafÉ society Stan Cullimore

Caravan of Love

Stan finds a very welcome caféshaped surprise in Leigh Woods

A

pparently, it’s around about now that many of us start to avoid mirrors.

It’s a calendar thing. We indulged in the seasonal stuffing of Christmas, resolved to get fit in the New Year and have already failed miserably. Meaning the only option left is to knuckle down, avoid mirrors and hope to get through to spring without ending up like the Michelin man.

Or maybe that’s just me.

“After a bracing walk, nothing beats the thrill of getting your hands on a steaming-hot cup of builder’s tea and a plump cake as big as your fist to go with it”

Either way, help is at hand, or in this case, just over the bridge.

I find nothing lifts the mood like a refreshing wintry walk in Leigh Woods. And where there’s a walk, there will be snacks. Or at least, there should be. Recently, a friend and I headed out that way, we took the dog, some water and each brought along a pocket full of fruit. Which is all very well and good, but as any fool knows, man cannot live by fruit alone.

It’s all very well eating healthy food. It’s something we should all do, whenever possible, obviously.

But even so. There are limits.

Sooner or later every sane soul realises that what they want, what they really, REALLY want, is a sugary snack, a cuppa and sod the calories.

Luckily, Leigh Woods is blessed with many things; thrilling trees, wonderful walkways, quaint corners and a crucial secret ingredient, the Leigh Woods Coffee Company.

I prefer to think of it as the Caravan of Love…ly Things.

We spent a couple of hours walking happily down leaf-lined corridors, getting mildly lost and then miraculously arriving back where we had begun, only to find the familiar little van sitting by the side of the car park waiting for us.

It shines out like a pot of gold at

the end of a café-shaped rainbow, with it’s cutesy green roof and electrically lit display of baked dreams, it is a thing of rare beauty and delight.

After the excitement of a bracing walk, nothing beats the thrill of getting your hands on a steaming-hot cup of builder’s tea along with a plump cake as big as your fist to go with it.

That’s the thing with this place.

It does exactly what it should do.

Provides good honest refreshment for all the horny-handed sons and daughters of toil that have spent time strolling around on a Sunday afternoon. If that can be counted as toil, that is.

The only fly in the ointment was the fact that, due to getting a bit lost, we arrived rather late in the day and most of the delicious cakes, brownies and flapjacks had already been snaffled. Sigh.

So, if you are looking to lift your mood, commune with nature and generally have a good time, then go down to the woods. You are sure of a wonderful surprise.

PS. Forgot to mention, they also do a very good coffee. Mmm. Coffee, cakes and a caravan. Does life get any better than this? n Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer www.stancullimore.com

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Book yourself a table at one the ďŹ ve friendliest and foodiest pubs on the fringes of Bristol

By Rachel Ifans 50 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

country pubs The Swan

Wedmore, 01934 710337, www.theswanwedmore.com

It’s winter and we need a treat. Are you the pub for us?

The Swan is a bustling pub at the heart of Wedmore in the Somerset Levels. We have cosy corners, stone-flagged floors, leather sofas and wood burners. Tom Blake, formerly head chef of River Cottage, oversees our kitchen which consistently produces outstanding food.

Tom’s a champion of local produce and the meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, eggs, cheeses and yoghurts all come from named local suppliers.

What do you recommend from the menu?

Spiced belly of Gloucester Old Spot with mashed potato, braised red cabbage, fennel and sea salt crackling. Our pork comes from Jim Baker’s farm in Wedmore and is delicious. It’s the perfect warming dish for a cold winter’s day.

We fancy a spot of postprandial exercise…

We’re ideally placed for walking out on the Somerset Levels and birdwatching on the Avalon Marshes. Dawn and dusk are the best times to see the spectacular starling murmurations, when thousands of birds flock to roost in the reed beds of the marshes. We can arrange guided tours.

Can we bring the dog?

You certainly can. Muddy boots, children and dogs are very welcome.

Sum yourself up in five words

Local, seasonal, hearty, joyful and delicious!

The Litton

Litton, Nr Wells, 01761 241 554, www.thelitton.co.uk

It’s winter and we need a treat. Are you the pub for us?

The Litton is an award-winning, one-of-a-kind destination pub that prides itself on tasty, locally sourced food and a calm, lovely atmosphere. Snuggle up by the fire on our cosy sofas or join us in the main bar area and look out at the pretty terrace.

What do you recommend from the menu?

That’s a hard one… our team’s favourite pick is the delicious Bath sausages, creamy leek mash, braised red cabbage, mustard, cider sauce and crispy crackling. It’s a perfect winter warmer that isn’t too heavy and fills you with goodness!

We fancy a spot of postprandial exercise…

“Snuggle up by the fire on our cosy sofas”

One of our favourite local walks is to the Litton Lakes where you’ll be able to enjoy the sounds of a mini waterfall, steal a kiss at the kissing gates and peek at the fish in the lakes. Make your way straight from our doorstep with the help of bespoke maps you can pick up from the bar or download from our website.

Can we bring the dog?

Absolutely! Dogs are treated like royalty when they visit us, with fresh bowls of water and doggy biscuits provided on arrival. At this time of year, the wood-burning fires are lit too so they can cosy up and get warm after a long walk outside. If walking your dogs nearby, we ask that you pay attention to any signs asking to keep them on leads, as there are often baby farm animals in the fields that can get spooked.

Sum yourself up in five words

Traditionally untraditional, modern British cuisine.

Pony and Trap

Chew Magna, 01275 332 627 www.theponyandtrap.co.uk It’s winter and we need a treat. Are you the pub for us?

We hope so! The fire’s lit, the mulled cider is warmed, the port’s being poured by the magnum if you’re popping in for just a cheese plate…

We’ve everything from pub classics to a tasting menu.

The table’s booked and the drinks are served at The Swan at Wedmore

What should we pick from the menu?

Let’s face it, ham, egg and chips is a no-brainer all year round.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 51

country pubs Made with eggs laid in Chew Magna, home-cured ham with a cider glaze, and hand-cut chips.

We fancy a spot of postprandial exercise…

If you’re with us for lunch, the chances are high that you’ve driven – if you have a car, then you could drive to Chew Valley or Blagdon Lake, and walk along the lake edge. If you want to park up at the pub and do the walk right by us, you should head to the ‘tump’, or Knowle Hill.

It’s mossy and brackeny, and is a good ol’ uphill climb (an uphill stroll rather than anything too tiresome). Once you’re at the top, you have gorgeous views of all the surrounding villages. It’s a great vantage point. They call it seven steeples because on a clear day you can see that many churches.

If we know anything, we know The Pony and Trap isn’t going to stay this empty for long

Can we bring the dog?

You bet you can!

Sum yourself up in five words

Locally-sourced quality ingredients cooked deliciously.

The Railway Inn

Sandford, 01934 611518 www.therailwayinn.com

It’s winter and we need a treat. Are you the pub for us?

At The Railway Inn, we pride ourselves on offering comfort and a relaxed, characterful style, as well as plenty of Thatchers cider family heritage.

What should we pick from the menu?

For something seasonally crafted, why not try our colourful baked potato and herb gnocchi with cauliflower purée, oyster mushroom, cavalo nero and pinenuts.

We fancy a spot of postprandial exercise…

A perfect place for a pooch. On the floor by the fire snaffling the fall-out

The Strawberry Line footpath is popular with walkers and cyclists. It runs right through several of Thatchers orchards and behind The Railway Inn, allowing us to serve a welcome break to those out for a stomp.

“Venison shortcrust pastry pie, with creamy mash, seasonal greens and a rich jus. A perfect winter warmer”

Can we bring the dog?

Dogs are very much welcome in the bar area but the formal restaurant is dog-free.

Sum yourself up in five words

How food’s supposed to taste.

The Battleaxes

Wraxall, 01275 857 473 www.flatcappers.co.uk/the-battleaxes It’s winter and we need a treat. Are you the pub for us?

We are the quintessential rural country pub only a short hop from Bristol into North Somerset. The pub is in a Victorian gothic revival building that’s been impressively refurbished recently.

What should we pick from the menu?

Our venison shortcrust pastry pie is a good choice, served with creamy mash, seasonal greens and a rich jus. The perfect winter warmer.

We fancy a spot of postprandial exercise…

The Battleaxes was originally part of the Tyntesfield Estate, built as a meeting house for the workers and fabulous walks abound. Noah’s Ark Zoo is a stone’s throw away and Ashton Court Estate is only down the road too.

Just look at that beautiful glow.

Question is, are you talking about the fire or the pint?

Can we bring the dog?

Absolutely.

Sum yourself up in five words

Wholesome pub classics, fresh and local. n

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8:30am – 4pm

shopping live well, buy better

coral colonies “Corals have the beauty of the rose, the colour of blood, the clear nature of crystal, and the heat of the fire.” Make your own reef at home with these beautiful, under-the-sea-inspired ceramics from Chive UK. Cluster on the table, or hang on the wall.

Coral ceramic wall art, from £16-24; Braceys Interiors,Waterloo St, Clifton; www.braceyinteriors.co.uk

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MARK’S INC. SILICON NOTEBOOKS, £12 As well as being rubbery and cool and looking like Lego, these books have removable pieces to fiddle with when you’re thinking up your next great project From Mon Pote 177 North Street www.monpote.co.uk

THE REST IS STILL UNWRITTEN A new year offers a blank slate.

And what does a blank slate mean? Right! A cast-iron excuse to buy new stationery…

ORLA KIELY SKETCHBOOK AND STICKIES, £18.95 Treat your desktop to this beautiful notebook, which comes with sausage dog stickers that are almost too cute to use From Pod Company, 24 The Mall, Clifton www.thepodcompany.co.uk

GROMIT UNLEASHED 2 PHOTO ALBUM, £15.95 Kids love lush stationery, and they’ll enjoy sorting their Gromit trail selfies, GU2 passport, and maps in this album, which also has plenty of room for scribbling down memories and thoughts From the Grand Appeal Shop, 30-32 Upper Maudlin Street, or online at www.gromitunleashedshop.org.uk

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

FRIDA KAHLO NOTEBOOK, £7 Let your ideas be as colourful, groundbreaking and blooming beautiful as Frida herself From The Pippa and Ike Show www.the-pippa-andike-show.com

STICKY ANTICS STICKERS, £5 Alex Lucas brings colour, charm and fun to many Bristol homes and public buildings; if you want to try out a tiny bit of her colourful style in your home, these stickers are a great place to start.

From Lucas Antics www.lucas-antics.com

UPFEST SKETCHBOOK AND POSCA PENS, £15 Upfest is taking a raincheck for 2019, so you have plenty of time to practise your skills by 2020 with these Posca paint pens – the artists’ choice for water-based paint markers that can be used on all surfaces. But keep it legit, obviously . . .

From Upfest Gallery, 198 North Street www.upfest.co.uk

BRASS BOLT EYE PEN, £40 With a practical locking mechanism and keyring, styled with Ink & Osprey’s timeless charm From Papersmiths, 6A Boyce’s Avenue www.papersmiths.co.uk

START A BAND NOTEBOOK, £5 So what’s it going to be? An innovative new business model or getting the lads* together in the hope of becoming 2019’s successors to The Idles? How about both? *Meant in a gender-neutral way, obviously From U Studio Utility House, Upper York Street www.ustudio.design

SASS & BELLE ‘KEEP GROWING’ NOTEBOOK, £3.50 The perfect slogan for your new year, with a lush botanical print to further inspire you From That Thing 45-47, Stokes Croft www.thatthing.co/

TREEHOUSE VASE, £48 No, it’s not exactly stationery, we’ll grant you that – but we really want this little treehouse vase as our office desk ‘objet’.

Check out Bristol designer Duncan Shotton’s other stuff, too – especially his set of map pins modelled on the planets From Duncan Shotton Design Studio www.dshott.co.uk

ED’S CHOICE

VINTAGE TYPEWRITER PRINT, £20 Sure, you’d feel more like Hemingway if you bashed out your novel on a retro Remington, but we both know you’ll be using a Mac. A framed print of Ruth Broadway’s vintage typewriters over the desk may spark some inspiration, though From Ruth Broadway www.rubyandthepaperparade.com

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

advertising feature

Meet the cosmetic expert We’ve found four of the most trustworthy practitioners in the city Simon Lee

Christine Cowpland

SImon Lee Plastic Surgeon Surgical Secretary 07809 775621, Non-Surgical Clinic 0117 329 2027; www.simonleeplasticsurgeon.co.uk What sets you apart from other companies?

16 years experience as a consultant in both the NHS and independent sector. I have a highly experienced and tight knit team, together we deliver the most modern and high tech non-surgical and surgical treatments. We emphasize natural outcomes, with no or very well hidden short scars. We have introduced procedures to the UK that are revolutionizing the plastic surgical and aesthetic industry in a very positive way.

We put results, personal service, and responsible practice first.

What services do you offer?

All facial, breast and body recontouring cosmetic surgery.

High and low tech trusted non-surgical cosmetic treatments including non-surgical fat reduction using Coolsculpting fat freezing technology, non-surgical facelifts using Ultherapy, Fractionated CO2 skin resurfacing using our Fraxel repair laser and miraDry non-invasive sweat reduction – these 4 treatments are all FDA cleared.

What advice would you give to someone coming to see you for the first time?

Plastic surgery is a big decision. I would recommend that patients come to see me with a list of questions that they would like me to answer. I always see patients at least twice before their surgical procedure.

CMedical Aesthetic Clinic 0117 251 0112; www.cmedicalclinic.co.uk

Simon Lee

Christine Cowpland

John Quinn

Quinn clinics 0117 924 4592; www.quinnclinics.co.uk What sets you apart from other companies?

We are an independent, doctor owned and led clinic. Our two doctors have over 25 years combined experience in cosmetic injections. We are based in a Care Quality Commission registered medical clinic.

What services do you offer?

We offer a full range of line and wrinkle treatments, facial fillers and laser treatments. We can treat most skin issues and only have the best medical laser equipment in a brand new, purpose built premises.

What misconceptions do people have about cosmetics?

You don’t have to have a ‘frozen face’ or look unnatural. Techniques have improved over the years and are constantly evolving. It’s not all about injections either. Lasers and energy based devices to improve skin quality and for tightening are highly effective. We are all about gradual ‘tweakments’ rather than immediate radical change.

What part of the work do you particularly enjoy?

I have a keen interest in laser treatments and have built a complete suite of technology over the last 8 years. I love attending conferences and keeping up to date with new and exciting developments in the field.

Why do you love being a cosmetic practitioner?

The work is interesting, challenging and constantly evolving. It’s really satisfying to see the happiness and confidence patients experience as a result of their treatments. I enjoy the continuity of getting to know my clients over time, and to see the often transformative effects of their results.

What sets you apart from other companies?

Compassion: I am gentle, listen to patients and offer a professional but relaxed environment. Experience: with 8 years as a doctor in the industry, I bring Harley Street knowledge to Bristol and train other practitioners to do aesthetics. I provide naturallooking results and a discreet boutique atmosphere where all procedures are performed by me.

What services do you offer?

Skincare consultations, the Hydrafacial ultimate facial, mesotherapy / skin boosters, anti-wrinkle treatments, dermal fillers, platelet rich plasma treatments for the face, scars, and for hair rejuvenation, acne treatments, micro-needling, skin peels and more.

What misconceptions to people have about injectables?

That results look unnatural. If injectables are done well, you should look great… but not ‘different’.

Ceri Owen-Roberts

Elgin Park Dental Practice 0117 973 5677; www.elginpark.co.uk

John Quinn

Ceri Owen-Roberts

Why do you love working in cosmetics?

A smile is one of the first things people notice when they meet someone! At Elgin Park, we regularly see patients who want to improve the appearance of their teeth to boost their confidence and feel better about the way they look. As a dentist, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to see how happy people are with the end result.

What sets you apart from other companies?

Our team have a wealth of experience across the board and are always accepting new patients. We have a no-pressure approach to cosmetic procedures and are always happy to answer questions and go through all the options with you.

What services do you offer?

We are pleased to offer a range of affordable treatments including tooth whitening, veneers, dental implants and white fillings. We also offer interest free payment plans to help spread the cost of cosmetic treatments.

What misconceptions do people have about cosmetics?

There is often a misconception that cosmetic treatments are unnecessary. But research has shown that the appearance of our smiles has a significant impact on our self-esteem and the way we perceive ourselves, so they form an important part of general dentistry.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I Bristol LIFE I 59

All the single ladies...

We have some very eligible men just waiting for us to match them with mrs right!

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quality matchmaking with q quality people do something positive today. call quintessential: 01174 569 800 Email: info@quintessentialinternational.com visit us: www.quintessentialinternational.com

SNAPPED AC ROSS BR IS TO L , O N E SH I N D I G AT A T I M E

Col Needham and Greg Ingham

Katie Moss Gareth Edwards

Caroline Green Col Needham

IT’S A WRAP

Tony Anderson

Col Needham, founder and CEO of IMDb, the Bristol-born internet online movie database, was speaker at the recent Bristol Life Business Lunch at the Avon Gorge Hotel.

Col shared some great anecdotes about his business background and also divulged some personal stuff too; e.g. his favourite movie (Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo) and the number of times he’s watched it (over 50!).

Photos by Sam Norman, White Villa Photography and Films

Mel Base

Fiona Westwood

Niki Facey

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 61

Formerly The Lighting Warehouse

Lighting the way it should be...

SALE NOW ON! Discounts throughout the showroom.

Visit us in store at: Unit 2, Bedminster Retail Park, Sheene Way, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 4TA Tel: 0117 963 5943 Email: info@thelightingstudiobristol.co.uk

www.thelightingstudiobristol.co.uk

SOCIETY

Simon Cooper, Andrew Kelly, Mayor Marvin Rees, Sado Jirde, Canon Dr John Savage CBE, Richard Bonner, James Durie, Simon Prescott and Professor Guy Orpen Bob Durie OBE

Robin Gray (Director at Alec French Architects)

Sado Jirde, Professor Guy Orpen and Simon Cooper

Peter Rilett, Jo Greenwood and Iain Wolsey

LEAD ON!

It’s been 30 years since the West of England Initiative was founded with 12 leaders from the region who saw the need for a link between culture, education and vibrant economy in the city. The current group celebrated in the new Bristol Old Vic Weston Studio Theatre with supper and music and a panel, which included the President of Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative, Richard Bonner; Dr John Savage CBE; and Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees.

Photos by Jennifer Rollason

Andrew Billingham and Jo Davis Mayor Marvin Rees

Kalpna Woolf (Founder at 91ways and BeOnBoard)

Sue Turner (CEO at Quartet Community Foundation)

Richard Bonner Canon Dr John Savage CBE and James Durie www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 63

4 Whiteladies Road Clifton, BS8 1PD Tel: 01179 292281

“A name you can trust for specialist legal services” • Accident Claims • Attorneyships & Court of Protection • Business Sales & Purchases • Commercial Property • Conveyancing • Debt Recovery

• Dispute Resolution • Divorce, Family & Children • Employment Advice • Probate & Estate Services • Wills, Trusts & Tax Planning

Why choose CoolSculpting at Simon Lee’s Aesthetic Medical Clinic?

- Medically led - owned by Mr Simon Lee Consultant Plastic Surgeon - Coolsculpting is a completely non-invasive fat reduction treatmentno down time, no needles or general anesthesia - FDA cleared treatment both safety and efficacy has been proven

Call free for a no obligation consultation

0800 097 8611 www.johnhodge.co.uk | email: mailbox@johnhodge.co.uk

BRISTOL | CLEVEDON | WEDMORE | WESTON-SUPER-MARE | YATTON

Before

16 Weeks after Second CoolSculpting Session

*Photos courtesy of Brian Biesman, MD

www.simonleeclinic.co.uk Simon Lee, Aesthetic Medical Clinic 3 Whiteladies Gate, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2PH Telephone 01173 292027

SOCIETY

Henry Osagie and Maryem Meddeb

Alan Bec and Gertie Goddard

Phoebe Flint and Dave Beech

Faye Arnese

xxx

POSTCARDS OF A CITY

Many creative minds gathered for the launch of the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft Proper Bristol postcard contest, organised by Colin Moody in December.

Entries were printed out and hung so the public could come and vote for their favourite. It was also a chance for everyone who entered – nearly 200 artists all told! – to see their work shown in a gallery space.

Sue Kilroe Lisa Furness

Photos by Colin Moody

Kirsty Bowman Alan Bec

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 65

SOCIETY

Canapés by New Moon Tapas

Olivia Tripp and Megan Said

A HAVEN FOR BRIDES-TO-BE

The Mews Bridal in The Mall, Clifton, hosted an event which saw other local wedding suppliers team up to bring together all things bridal in one place – a mini wedding fair, if you will.

The event had an extra dimension as it was also raising money for a cause close to The Mews’ heart. Stronger Together, Girls Not Brides works to bring child marriage to global attention and push for legal and policy reform to change the lives of millions of young girls across the world.

Photos by Alexander J Collins

Maria KabakovaUpfold from Shy Mimosa talking to brides-to-be

Dressing to impress for the big day Off the peg: rails of dream dresses at Mews

Gemma Lesley and Nina Norman, Make up artist www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 67

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Administering an estate Brenda Smyth of AMD SOLICITORS considers the tax implications when dealing with the administration of an estate

W

hen applying for a Grant of Probate, the Personal Representatives of an estate must complete and submit an Inheritance Tax form giving details of all assets and liabilities of an estate. This may need to include details of lifetime gifts made by the deceased or any interests in trusts which the deceased may have had. Personal Representatives have a duty to make full enquiries to obtain the necessary information to complete the form correctly and failure to do so may result in interest having to be paid on tax paid late or even in tax penalties.

Even when the Personal Representatives correctly ascertain and disclose assets and liabilities in the estate, mistakes can still be made, such as not claiming all allowances and reliefs available to reduce the value of the estate for Inheritance Tax purposes.

Consideration of the Inheritance Tax liability does not end once the Grant of Probate has been issued. If further assets or liabilities come to light or there is any other change in the value of the estate for Inheritance Tax purposes, these may need to be disclosed to HM Revenue and Customs. There may also be additional reliefs to consider.

Inheritance Tax is not the only tax to consider when administering an estate. If an asset is sold during the course of the administration of an estate, there may be a Capital Gains Tax liability on the Personal Representatives.

It may be that, with careful planning and depending on the circumstances, it is possible to mitigate or even eliminate this liability.

Any income received by the Personal Representatives in the course of

GET INFORMED Our ever popular talks return on 21st March 2019 at Trinity Henleaze and 28th March 2019 at Tyndale Baptist Church Whiteladies Road. More information will follow but to reserve your place email info@amdsolicitors.com

the administration is subject to Income Tax and must be disclosed to HM Revenue and Customs by the Personal Representatives.

Sometimes beneficiaries may decide to vary the terms of the distribution of the estate and the tax implications of this need to be considered. In some circumstances, this may result in a tax saving or may avoid adverse tax consequences for the person giving up his or her right to benefit from the estate.

For further advice on the administration of estates, wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and other private client matters, contact Brenda Smyth or one of her colleagues at AMD Solicitors. Call into the office at 100 Henleaze Road, Bristol BS9 4JZ, phone 0117 962 1205, email info@amdsolicitors.com or visit www. amdsolicitors.com. â–

Call into one of our four Bristol ofďŹ ces.

100 Henleaze Road, Henleaze BS9 4JZ 15 The Mall, Clifton BS8 4DS 139 Whiteladies Road, Clifton BS8 2PL 2 Station Road, Shirehampton BS11 9TT

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businessinsider B R IS T O L g e t s s e r i o u s

Quote of the issue

“I like my music fresh, my home carbon neutral and my campers design-led” Stuart Shotton, Sun Kissed Campers, p76

The Big Number

£0.5m

Bristol Airport on the runway to growth Bristol Airport has submitted expansion plans to North Somerset Council. If approved, the region’s booming transport hub could expand in size by one third and increase its capacity to 12 million passengers – all within the next 10 years! And that’s not all – these plans are just the first step in a bigger vision.

The submitted plans – for a larger terminal, a more efficient road layout and new multistorey parking facilities – are being looked at

in detail by North Somerset Council now and could, if they get the green light, generate an estimated 1,000 new jobs and £1.4 billion income in the next 10 years.

Dave Lees, Bristol Airport’s chief executive officer, said: “[These plans] will help deliver more routes, destinations and jobs. [They] are a practical step to ensuring we continue to connect our region to the world, providing a gateway for business, investment and tourists.

Aerospace Bristol has received a grant from Biffa of £547,277 to restore a grade-II listed 100-yearold hangar on Filton Airfield.

Once complete, the building will be a Conservation in Action workshop, allowing visitors to see restoration work on aircraft such as Bristol Freighter, Fighter and Bolingbroke. Future generations will be able to see volunteers bring these important national relics back to life, using vital heritage skills.

“At the same time, we have sought to minimise and mitigate any impacts on the local community and environment, building on our track record of investment in surface access improvements.” The plans don’t look to increase the annual cap on night flights from the airport, but they do seek a change in how the cap is distributed between summer and winter flights. www.bristolairport.co.uk

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BUSINESS INSIDER the man/woman of your dreams but also a new group of friends.

What’s the philosophy of the company?

Finding ‘the right person’ to share life with and to grow old with should surely factor as right up there on the important things in life list.

SARAH BAILEY Sarah founded Quintessential at the start of this year as a different way of dating and making new connections “The world we live in has become very much a technology-driven world,” she says. “Which is great in so many ways but not so good in others, as everyone now hides behind their phones. Gone are the days of people meeting on evenings out, or during the day. Why put yourself out there publicly to potentially be knocked back when you can just hide away and contact lots of different people via your phone for free?

“This probably sounds really great, unless you’ve actually experienced online dating and seen first hand how much hard work it is. It’s a cold and fickle world, and can be a souldestroying process.

“I thought that there must be a better way for professional people wanting to maintain their dignity and sanity and precious use of time than participating in the world of online dating.”

Can you sum up in a nutshell what the company does?

We aim to find you love and to expand your social network of friends with like-minded people. None of this superficial stuff that comes with online dating; we’re taking it back to the good old-fashioned basics of getting to know someone and connecting two people that probably wouldn’t have met otherwise. These days it’s so easy to judge someone in two seconds from a picture or cheesy caption without knowing who they are. We want to match people on more than just looks. We match you on the stuff that actually lasts.

And what sets you apart from other dating agencies?

We are a small agency and we use this to our advantage. We get to know all our clients very closely knowing exactly what they want. We also run monthly events meaning that you meet more people than just the ones we match you up with. So, at the event you have the chance to not only meet

In a world in which Tinder has become commonplace, why do people need professional matchmakers?

I don’t know anyone who would say they enjoy online dating, spending hours and hours trying to find a suitable match. Then you finally meet and they look nothing like their picture; and even if they do, you spend your precious time talking to someone who turns out to be totally wrong for you, leaving you wondering how to make a polite and quick exit.

We take all that pain away for you. Every member is serious about finding someone, taking the proper time and money to invest in coming to see Quintessential. Secondly, we really get to know our clients, so we can find out exactly what they’re looking for, what will work for them and what won’t.

What happens once a new client joins Quintessential?

We will spend hours learning exactly what they are looking for, from looks, to personality traits to aspirations. We then get started with matching them up with the right people.

How much does it cost?

Our exclusive membership for 12 months is £2,500. This can either be paid in one lump sum or in monthly instalments of just over £200 per month. We have set this price to make sure that we get a high standard of clients who really are invested in finding love.

You offer complementary advice services to get your clients date-ready. Tell all.

We offer styling advice. Firstly, appearances, clothes and shoes can make such a difference. We also offer dating etiquette advice to help you identify where you may have been going wrong before. It’s not rocket science but tiny things can make all the difference, especially when first impressions count so much.

Please also tell us about the social events you hold.

We hold all different kinds of events from gin tastings and local private dining to exciting trips further afield such as the Monaco Grand Prix or our annual ski trip in Val d’Isère.

The events provide a nice relaxed environment for people to get to know each other – and who knows? – maybe even fall in love.

Do you have any stats to show your success rates?

At the moment we are running at 100% hit rate of getting our matches right. We can do everything except provide the chemistry.

Can you share a success story?

I love it when people meet and fall in love organically from one of our events. It’s like an estate agent once said to me: he has people come to him with a description of the house they think they are looking for, but the house they end up with can be very different to the one they first described. They just didn’t know what would be perfect for them until they were standing in front of it.

How many people does Quintessential employ?

Currently, we have a team of three.

We all bring different aspects to the business; we’re less of a team and more a family and we want that family to grow with every client that joins us. We want to build a strong bond with our clients so they feel part of the family, too. www.quintessentialinternational.com

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BUSINESS INSIDER “BRISTOL IS A FAST-GROWING, DYNAMIC, CREATIVE AND CULTURAL CITY” This could be the provision of legal support or utilising our local contacts’ wider networks.

Does Ashford’s Bristol office have a specific focus?

In Bristol we cover a broad range of primarily commercial services, including corporate, litigation, restructuring and insolvency, employment and real estate services (including social housing and construction). The office has a particularly strong reputation in the technology sector, working with growth companies, large corporates and investment funds.

ONE TO WATCH Always looking to grow, improve and innovate, Ashfords LLP has lots in the pipeline for the coming year. Chris Dyson, partner and head of Ashfords’ technology sector, answers our questions…

Ashfords is a national law firm with five offices in the south west as well as one in London. The Bristol office has 80 employees providing legal and regulatory services to both business and personal clients. The firm prides itself on its entrepreneurial ethos, combining legal expertise, commercial experience and an international network to help clients succeed.

Ashfords has grown significantly in recent years and is continuing to plan for the long-term future. Recent years have seen investment in a number of companies, including a dedicated patent and trademark agency, launching an innovative health and safety offering and regulatory compliance service, developing a bespoke digital legacy platform and launching a dedicated business consultancy unit.

What is it about Bristol that people and companies find so attractive?

Bristol is a fast-growing, dynamic, creative and cultural city so it’s not surprising that in the past decade lots of businesses and people have relocated here to live and work.

We have seen much growth in the city’s technology sector, which feeds into many of the region’s traditional areas of expertise such as aerospace and silicon chips, with Bristol recently ranking as the most productive technology cluster in the UK. Talent retention in the city is also improving significantly, with an increasing number of graduates from universities in Bristol and Bath choosing to stay local rather than moving to London. Ashfords is working closely with regional hubs and academic institutions to support this growth.

Your firm offers a huge range of services – can you sum up what sets you apart?

We like to say that we provide ‘specialist advice in a real-world context’. We believe that every client should work with lawyers who make your life easier, understand your business, share your values and are good to work with. We are a firm with a team of talented lawyers who deliver advice drawing on deep experience in our clients’ markets.

Our team of over 500 across six UK offices are made up of a rich mixture of personalities and backgrounds. This brings great diversity and creativity to the solutions we provide. While placing great importance on individuality, we are united by our four common values: cultivating rewarding relationships, nurturing open minds, delivering technical excellence and maintaining a results-focused approach.

Can you act internationally for clients as well as in the UK? Ashfords founded an international network of independent law firms called ADVOC in1989, which now has 95 members in 71 countries.

Another network, IR Global, is one of the fastest growing professional service firm networks in the world.

There are a host of benefits arising from these networks including the sharing of international expertise in jurisdictions across the globe and providing cross border research opportunities. But the most significant advantage is our international reach and expertise – if a client is transacting globally, we have partners in all major global jurisdictions and can provide on-the-ground assistance.

Ashfords is committed to being a force for good in the communities within which it works. Tell us more.

Our staff lead Ashfords’ corporate social responsibility programme, which we call Community Matters. It relates to three types of community: the Green Community, the Ashfords Community and our local communities.

Activities to support a positive environmental impact include planting trees, reducing waste (we send zero waste to landfill) and using local suppliers wherever possible. We run a firm-wide cycle scheme and have our own beehives; protecting bees, producing honey and giving staff the chance to learn new skills in the process.

As well as these schemes, we continue to assist with charity fundraising and awareness campaigns. Over the past three years we’ve raised almost £300,000 for Mind, Parkinson’s UK and the Alzheimer’s Society.

Our commitment to local communities is underlined by the recent launch of the Ashfords Foundation, a grant-making charity focusing on helping communities in areas where the partners and staff of Ashfords live and work.

You can find out more at www. ashfordsfoundation.org.uk It’s the beginning of a new year, so what’s next for Ashfords?

We recently announced plans to merge with Thames Valley-based law firm Boyes Turner. This is an important moment; the new, combined firm will have a turnover of over £60m, with seven offices and 600 staff across the UK. Ashfords will remain committed to the south west market, growing and developing business in the firm’s existing offices.

The combined practice area and sector expertise will underpin our plans for long-term sustainable growth – and better support our clients and the communities within which we work. www.ashfords.co.uk

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We added an automatic California last year and have two more on order ready for the 2019 season.

How many people does the company employ?

We are very much a family affair.

The garage is walking distance from our home office and our son’s school is in-between. My parents ran their own business and I learned very early on that it is the personal touch which makes all the difference.

What makes the VW such an iconic campervan, and is it as practical as it is pretty?

It is clear that nostalgia drives a certain VW camper market. But honestly, that’s not where Sun Kissed Campers is at. I like my music fresh, my home carbon neutral and my campers design-led.

HERE COMES THE SUN Parenthood brings with it many changes – it can sometimes even be the catalyst to a whole new career path.

Stuart Shotton of Sun Kissed Campers tells us how becoming a Dad set him and his partner on the path to self employment When did you first get the campervan bug?

Before parenthood, Janifa and I were more than happy to throw a small tent and a bit of kit into the car and head off to a festival or into the hills at the drop of a hat. But once the boy came along, our camping gear grew and grew. Camping became a bit of a chore and I found myself enviously looking at people in their campervans.

They offered a taste of the easy life we once enjoyed.

And when and why did you decide that you could turn this into a living?

For too many years I had been splitting my time between working in Birmingham and family life back in the West Country. I had been involved in the arts since graduating and was ready for a new challenge. I’d noticed

camping fields slowly being taken over by vans, and as I couldn’t justify buying one for myself, starting up in business seemed the best way of getting my hands on one. With my son approaching full-time education, my wife and I finally took the plunge in an effort to get me back home.

How did you begin, and how have you grown the company?

Starting cautiously with two T5 campers which we kept outside our house, we set up a website and started taking bookings. Keeping our jobs running, we tested and tweaked to get our offer just right. Once confident there was a demand, we sold the T5s, bought four new T6 California Oceans and acquired a bigger garage.

This presence raised our profile significantly and gave our customers more confidence in our company.

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Tell us about some of its special features.

The California Ocean is the only VW camper to be designed and made entirely by VW. That may sound obvious, but every other VW camper you see is a secondary refit. The attention to detail in the California is quite astounding. First up it has a central control panel. This raises the pop-up roof, keeps your huge fridge chilled and your heating just right.

We are talking off-grid luxury. The leisure batteries stay charged for days.

We send them off to Glastonbury Festival, confident they won’t lose power during the event.

We offer extras for customers who need them, like roof bars and carriers to secure cycles, boards and kayaks, and bell tents, awnings, glamping, fire pits and toilets. If we don’t have it listed, we will try our best to source it!

What are the hidden challenges, costs and potential problems?

Well, the biggest cost are the campers themselves, but they do tend to hold their value. My insurance bill would bring tears to your eyes! There is a lot of cleaning involved. They are essentially holiday homes on wheels!

Making sure campers are ready when customers expect them and in tip top condition is paramount during peak season. Having a larger fleet gives us more flexibility if a camper is returned damaged. No one likes to have their holiday canceled last minute!

‘Sun kissed’ conjures up long, hot festival days bathed in golden light – but how about cold-weather jaunts – will we still be cosy?

You can certainly get sun kissed in the winter too. There is nothing better

than greeting the morning sunrise while sitting in bed with a fresh coffee.

But, when the nights are cold, our campers are very cosy. They are amazingly insulated. Windows are double glazed with integrated heat reflective blinds. The thermostatic heater is quiet and efficient. I rarely have it over the second lowest setting.

We also supply sheepskin rugs and plenty of blankets.

What are your favourite local locations for a short trip?

We are so lucky where we live. We have access so many amazing places.

The Gower is a firm favourite if we want a wild beach fix. If our boy wants to climb trees we head to Horner Valley buried deep in Exmoor.

You say “having worked in the arts and charity sector we understand the value of social giving” – can you tell us how this translates into the charities you support?

I think it is important that local businesses should be part of the community. We are not cash-rich, so we try to support a couple of charities through providing campervan holidays as prizes. We have supported numerous charity fundraisers, events and clubs over the past four years, the latest being homeless charity Julian House and the Bristol-based charity Jessie May Children’s Hospice at Home.

Do you use social media and if so, which platform works best for you?

Yes, social media is a necessity to any business these days. Facebook is great to get talking with our customers and we have a very active page. We are a bit late starting with Instagram; getting a stock of quality images of our campers is more difficult than you would think.

How else do you market the company?

SEO is most important and is something of a dark art as far as I can see. But making sure the website is discoverable is key. Also never underestimate the power of customer reviews. Word of mouth is so valuable.

What are your plans for 2019 and where would you like to see the company in five years time?

The fleet is growing again this year.

Expansion is an expensive business which has needed a lot of investment.

Within five years, I want to have a stable fleet and to have found a permanent base. www.sunkissedvwcampervanhire.co.uk

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BUSINESS INSIDER

ANNOUNCING… BRISTOL’S INAUGURAL PROPERTY AWARDS BAFTAs for builders, a gong for a grand design, props for property development… Bristol Property Awards are about to launch and we’re excited!

Bristol property companies – come one, come all!

We are hosting a special breakfast to launch the all-new, high-profile Bristol Property Awards on 23 January at the Bristol Old Vic. Nominations open on the same day and winners will be selected by a panel of independent judges from across Bristol’s business scene. Winners will be covered in glory at a schmanzy lunchtime awards ceremony at Ashton Gate on 17 May. There are 19 categories to enter, including Architect, Interior Designer, Supplier, Commercial and Residential Agent and Transformation. Open to all local companies and organisations with connections to the property world, the Bristol Property Awards are free to enter.

For the full list of categories and all details please go to www.bristolpropertyawards.co.uk Sponsorships have already been snapped up by numerous businesses; Amarelle, AWW, Brief Your Market, Burston Cook, Cotswold Homes, IESIS Group, Interaction, Regus, South West Business Finance and Together Money.

For more information, and to find out more about sponsorship, please contact stephanie.dodd@mediaclash.co.uk; @ BrisPropertyAwd

© PHOTO BY WHITE VILL A PHOTOGRAPHY & FILMS

All hail the Bristol Property Awards. New this year, entries open on 23 January

Awards season is upon us. There’s still time to get nominations in…

ROSES ARE RED… Violets are blue, we’d love you to win, an award or two!

Nominations are in full flow for the 2019 Bristol Life Awards and the Valentine’s Day deadline is looming. There’s still time to get cracking on a strong nomination for a prestigious Bristol Life Award before 14 February – we’re sure you’ll have better things to do on the day itself.

“There’s not long left to submit your nomination for the Bristol Life Awards,” says Steph Dodd, events director at MediaClash. “Becoming a finalist is highly beneficial for company profile, and serves as great recognition for teams and individuals who go the extra mile for your company.”

Tickets are selling fast for the awards event on 11 April, which will be held in an impressive marquee outside Lloyds Amphitheatre. In previous years tickets to the awards have been snapped up weeks in advance, with 650 attendees and dozens on the waiting list. The event is on track to sell out again and there are now only limited sponsorships packages available.

Winners receive coverage in Bristol Life magazine, a hand-crafted trophy, window stickers to display proudly and two places at a special Winners’ Dinner – plus the priceless memory of an award-winning moment.

Nominating your company is easy – start by checking out the ‘12 Top Tips’ and ‘How To Win’

presentations on the awards website, which cover everything from advice on what to include in your nomination to how to use social media as a supporting tool.

Very limited opportunities remain for category sponsorship, with a select number of Silver Sponsorship packages available. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact neil.snow@mediaclash.co.uk Already showing support through sponsorship are Headline Sponsors Bristol Airport, Platinum Sponsors Jelf, and Category Sponsors: Sam FM, The Alternative Board, Curo, Weston College, Burston Cook, Nicholas Wylde, Anderson Financial Management, Acorn, Cabot Circus, Lexus Bristol, Clear River, Triangle Networks, Dribuild, Clifton College, VWV, Amarelle, Kersfield, British Corner Shop, Brunel Insurance and Regus. Silver Sponsors include CityFibre and Life Media UK. Nominations close on 14 February at midday and finalists are announced on 19 February.

For more information, and to find out more about sponsorship, please contact stephanie.dodd@mediaclash.co.uk www.bristolpropertyawards.co.uk Twitter: @BristolLifeAwds

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advertising feature

Adding value to a family home Located in a leafy suburb on the outskirts of Bath, the McCurdy family home had already been the subject of a lengthy renovation project but was still lacking in kerb appeal... until mobius works stepped in

F

ollowing a competitive tendering process Mobius was engaged to create an outside area that would help to give their property the allimportant ‘wow’ factor. The scope of works featured extensive hard and soft landscaping, to include: • • • • • • •

New paved drive External lighting, Garden WIFI access point and music Patios Paths Planting New turfed areas.

The results have been quite spectacular.

This wonderful home now has the exterior it deserves, and sits proudly in prime position on a street of other luxury residences.

Mobius has since been contracted to complete various other works at this property.

Commenting on his experience of working with Mobius, owner Mr. McCurdy said, “I had worked on my property for four years, and only found Mobius toward the end. Mobius did a very good job for my family and me. They proved to be a very professional organisation.

“Over a year has passed since completion of the landscaping project, and the quality of their work has not faded. They delivered on all of their promises and communicated well, which I greatly valued. I did not have to worry about hastening or chasing. Throughout the project, their communication and follow-through has given me confidence.

“The results have been quite spectacular”

help – just the same as if the project was large.”

We were delighted to be able to provide the finishing touches the property so desperately needed, and it seems they paid off as this luxury home is currently on the market via Saltfordbased estate agent Eveleighs.com with a price tag of £1,350,000. n

“The initial quotes received from Mobius and the other contractors for my scope of work were over my budget. I found Mobius to be really open and transparent about finding the right balance between my aspirations and my budget, ultimately finding a way to deliver the look/result I wanted in an affordable way. This engagement really helped a lot.

“Furthermore, after years of large and small projects on my house, my experience is that after the big projects are done, many contractors will move on – showing little interest in any smaller projects that follow. However, Mobius has given me a sense that I am a valued customer, and when I have subsequently needed the small things, they have shown up ready to

Mobius Works Ltd Tel: 0117 403 8560 Email: hello@mobiusworks.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 79

Fawn Interiors shows a wonderful example of new kitchen perfectly at home in a period property

“How to incorporate the ingredients of style, function and individuality into a synchronised ensemble�

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kitchens

Kitchen sync Imagine a kitchen where style and functionality combine perfectly to stand the test of time, sustainability and aesthetics. A well-designed kitchen can bring everything into line

I

By Rachel Ifans don’t know about you but my kitchen – in fact my whole house – oh, hang on, and my wardrobe too! – is an eclectic collection of ‘pieces’ (a generous term) which have been acquired over the years and now sit alongside each other in a slightly ramshackle way.

I have a shelving unit from a vintage sale, a sleek high-end range cooker thanks to an unexpected windfall, old crockery from my wedding list and a découpaged table, all plonked on top of the floor that was there when we moved in.

One lovely friend said it was ‘so French’ over a bowl of beetroot soup recently but I started to muse on what it’s like to design from scratch – how to incorporate the ingredients of style, function and individuality into a synchronised ensemble? Time to call in the experts…

PRACTICAL

Let’s start with the necessities, not the nice-tohaves. What do Bristol’s best kitchen thinkers deem essential in kitchen design? Wren

Kitchens have their priorities in order: “For bottles that are always on hand and at exactly the right temperature, a wine cooler is just what you need and can be incorporated into a run of units or an island.” I’m starting to enjoy this design process already!

For Beth Jones, kitchen designer at John Lewis of Hungerford, there are three necessities to build into your plan: “If you can fit it, a double door larder cabinet makes a huge difference. Also a Quooker Flex tap is amazing, with hot, cold and boiling water from one tap, and a rinse hose. And finally a heatproof worktop like Neolith really makes a great finishing touch.”

Jeremy Price, design director at Sustainable Kitchens, is all about the ovens: “We’ve seen some great induction hobs that also come with a gas wok burner. Combination steam ovens are a great choice I think, as I’m a big fan of healthy steam cooking.” Rob Cash at Kutchenhaus has a valid point when it comes to ovens: “I always recommend our pyrolytic self-cleaning ovens to customers. Who likes cleaning ovens, after all? We have a range of appliances which will effectively clean themselves by heating to 500 degrees and burning off all the dirt and grease.”

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www.thebuildbristolgroup.com | 01179 091969

kitchens TREND

Talking of new technology in ovens, what is hot right now in kitchens? Wren says: “We think open shelving is something we’ll see a lot of in 2019. New kitchens are beautiful so people want to keep their worktops clutter-free, store their favourite cookery books and make the best use of every inch available. Open shelves are a good way to show off bits and bobs, whether it’s decorative tableware or an eclectic mug collection [Oh hang, did she say eclectic? I can do eclectic! – Ed].”

Robyn Knibb, interior architect at Fawn Interiors, agrees: “As an interior design studio we get excited about introducing cabinetry that will bring the whole space to life and something that will fit well with the existing building, not just the cabinetry alone. Working with specialist veneers gets us very excited, we’re slightly embarrassed to admit!”

Jeremy is turned on by the details that are topical and environmentally sound. “I’m expecting to see a lot more cork. It’s completely biodegradable which gives it excellent eco credentials. Thanks to the BBC’s Blue Planet II and the plastic backlash, there’s been a move

“Clients still love the simplicity of the Shaker kitchen and the classic style lets many go bolder with colour”

towards more natural, sustainable materials, which is something we couldn’t be more passionate about.”

Beth has an eye on the detail this year: “I think sintered stone worktops are going to become even more popular too due to their heat resistance.” And Robyn agrees about worktops being on trend: “Industrial-inspired concrete worktops were hot in the world of kitchen design last year and Caesarstone has now brought out 4033 Rugged Concrete which is a softer, more tactile take made from hard-wearing and scratch-resistant quartz, emulating the textured tones of the real thing.”

Jackie, creative director at HKS says that, although there isn’t any style of kitchen they cannot create, and they don’t ever want to limit their clients’ ideas, they often find customers come back to the classics. “In 2018, clients loved the simplicity of the Shaker kitchen and the classic style let many of them go bolder with colour. We’ve seen a trend towards strong natural colours, especially greens and the popular greys. We have had really positive feedback for the National Trust colours and I feel this will continue into 2019”.

John Lewis of Hungerford specialises in bespoke, painted kitchens

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COLOUR

Talking of colour, there’s not total consensus among our panel, although themes do start to surface on closer analysis. Rob from Kutchenhaus is all about the black: “Black is the new black! We’ve recently introduced a number of black accessories into our range including handles, shelf supports, shelving and doors.”

Wren is happy to embrace dark and moody but also nods to gleaming white, which will always stay as a stalwart kitchen style. “Our Shaker Forest range comes in a choice of nine brooding and textured colours including Shadow and Alchemy.” And Jeremy keeps it muted too. “A lot of our clients are going for deep greens and blues, often juxtaposing them with bright cabinet interiors. Personally, my favourite colours at the moment are Farrow & Ball’s Peignoir (a romantic, grey-pink), Inchyra Blue (a dark blue-grey) and De Nimes (an elegant blue).”

Beth at John Lewis of Hungerford is not a million miles away with her colour choices.

“I love the use of strong colour somewhere in the kitchen and am always excited by combinations that really pop. A beautiful pairing I have used recently is our gorgeous Cardoon (a dusky sea green/blue) with accents of our soft Blush pink. Stunning!”

“Black is the new black!

We’ve recently introduced black accessories including handles, supports, shelving and doors” 84 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Wren is on board with brooding colours suitably named Alchemy and Shadow

kitchens FANTASY

So, necessity and style have been covered, but what, dear reader, would a pro kitchenista have in their dream kitchen if left to fantasise for a few minutes?

Jeremy from Sustainanble Kitchens takes about a second to respond: “It would have dark wooden flooring, and furniture with a soft, warm dining room feel. I’d go for minimal appliance interference, with one large range oven. The space would have a large, dark wooden painted dresser with wide sliding doors and a bright interior. I love a social space, so I’d make sure there was a large antique dining table where I could sit and chat with my family and friends. Soft seating is a must: people could sit around a large stone open fire.” Okay, that’s pretty specific – anyone else?

Wren would go industrial. “Think exposed bricks and beams and lots of steel and copper and you won’t be far off our J-Pull range. It’s handleless, so you’re creating a kitchen that is all about smooth, clean and seamless lines.

I’d have a copper splashback to bring out the warmth of the bricks too.”

For Beth it comes back to colour: “Lots of storage, plenty of open shelving and glazed cabinets to show off all my pretty cups and glasses, a big island with room for everyone to gather round and an exciting colour scheme.

Perhaps a flash of pink somewhere!”

Robyn at Fawn Interiors knows what she likes. “I would design myself a shaker style kitchen with a modern twist. I would want something that could carry from decade to decade! It wouldn’t be over the top, just a truly functional space with an island so the whole family can relax around me while I attempt to be a culinary goddess! My fantasy items would be a Lacanche range cooker or a statement flush hob, like the Gaggenau 400 series, and a Sub-Zero full height wine fridge – naturally!”

Cheers to that! n

you’ve been reading John Lewis of Hungerford 0117 946 7961 www.john-lewis.co.uk Sustainable Kitchens 0117 961 6471 www. sustainablekitchens.co.uk Wren Kitchens 0117 244 3168 www.wrenkitchens.com

Kutchenhaus 0117 213 0680 www.kutchenhaus.co.uk Fawn Interiors 0117 205 0203 www.fawn-interiors.co.uk HKS 01934 862005 www.thehomeandkitchenstore.co.uk

Sustainable Kitchens majors on warm, natural finishes and pops of colour

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 85

stained glass Contemporary artist Sally Coulden creates stunning splashbacks and glass panels for clients

Pictured: a selection of Sally Coulden’s unique kitchen artworks made with glass and paint

By Jodie Simpson

Can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us what you do?

I’m an artist, and make abstract paintings inspired by my love for space and a sense of infinity – big, open landscapes really do it for me. I have a real thirst for adventure in life and work, and after many different careers, have now devoted myself to painting. It is such a vital way to pour all my experience and joy for life into a visual form, and I now also follow my late dad’s footsteps as an artist. He was a potter, and his interpretation of our Norfolk surroundings as I grew up has always been an important influence.

When, why and how did you end up specialising in bespoke art glass panels?

Well, it all happened after a really interesting

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

response I had from visitors to an exhibition in December 2017. I made an experimental painting on Perspex, and hung it from the ceiling of the gallery so you could circumnavigate it. These visitors were imagining it hung in all sorts of places, and this really got me thinking… lightbulb moment… and the idea for contemporary art glass panels for the home was born. What excited me was the opportunity to introduce my artwork into people’s homes in a different medium which is both really practical and makes an impressive visual statement too. I was excited by the challenge of learning how to transfer my work to new materials. Glass renders the colours (which I love!) in such a beautiful, rich way. I have started by focussing on kitchens but bathrooms are quickly following, all very exciting, watch this space!

“Living spaces tens of thousands of years ago were as important as they are now”

kitchens Red Dog Design is inspired by the drawings found in the most ancient cave dwellings

Why is the company called Red Dog? Red pigment paintings of dogs can be found in early cave paintings around the world – the earliest dwellings and therefore the original symbol of our desire to make home and decorate it with personal and meaningful art.

Living spaces even tens of thousands of years ago were as important as they are now, in the 21st century. Red Dog belongs at the heart of all living spaces.

How many projects have you carried out?

I’ve started off locally with a few installations already under my belt, but only two months in I’m working on some global collaborations, as far out as Oz! They’re all a bit top secret but I can’t wait to share the grand reveal on those. If

you would like to see some panels in situ, you can find them at The Kitchen Man showroom in Clifton, and Alchemy 198 café/bar/gallery on Gloucester Road.

How do people go about selecting a design?

There is a 2018/2019 gallery of limitededition designs to view on our website, and these are available as Red Dog’s standard collection. You can order from this range or, if you have a unique space, then a bespoke template can be created. For each design we have created a few alternative colour options, though if you have a very specific accent colour you would like incorporated, we will do our best to accommodate this. We then prepare a quote, based on square metres,

with additions costs for cut-outs, bespoke colourways and specific glass processing. Once the design and measurements are finalised, the process of making your glass panel takes up to 10 days before having a wooden crate built in preparation for delivery. The moment of that delivery and unwrapping is really exciting – the glass always looks so amazing in the flesh when you see it for the first time!

Can you give us an idea of cost?

Prices vary depending on specific requirements, but a large splashback from the standard collection to fit behind a double stove would be in the region of £700. www.reddogglassdesign.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 87

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e in zin d a re ag tu m ea ME sf A HO L EA ID

Batch Farm We think we’ve found the antidote to life’s stresses, and it lies within this farmhouse in Oakhill…

By Evelyn Green 94 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

W

e all have those days when we just want to escape reality for a little while; maybe heading to a spa for some ‘you time’ is your ideal way to unwind, or maybe you prefer losing yourself in exercise to thrash away the day’s troubles, or maybe you like to hide away in your favourite little wine bar with a person of your choice. If any of those are your go-to, then Batch Farm in Oakhill might just be the house for you, because all of the above can be done on the property – what with its sauna, tennis court and quaint wine cellar. All you need is a cool £1.85 mill and you’re winning. Or, I guess, instead, you could pay for a spa treatment, a gym class and a night out every now and then if you’re budgeting.

Another thing we love about this impressive fivebedroom family abode is that, even though it’s Grade-II listed and dates back to the 18th century, it has a modern edge, with floor-to-ceiling glass (at the back of the house), spotlights and skylights mingling with

property

House numbers Square footage 3,939 Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms/ WCs 5 Reception rooms

4

Acres

25.58

Price

£1.85M

Where Oakhill, south of Bath What else?

A tennis court, a sauna, a wine cellar, a triple garage, and plenty of outbuildings

Knight Frank, 4 Wood Street, Queen Square, Bath, BA1 2JQ; 01225 325 999; www.KnightFrank.co.uk

wonderful character features, including exposed beams and mullion windows – we love an eclectic look.

Expect spaciousness from every well-proportioned room here, lending itself perfectly to modern family living. From the all-white entrance hall, you can wander into any of the principal reception rooms that fits your mood that day – the sitting room, the living room, the family room, or snug – or you might decide to perch in the fabulous open-plan kitchen/dining room, with its bi-fold doors opening on to a charming terrace.

Also on the ground floor is a double bedroom with an ensuite shower room, as well as a utility room and cloakroom. Climb the stairs to the sumptuous master bedroom – which obviously has an ensuite – and to three further bedrooms, the family bathroom and a shower room. And on the lower ground floor there’s that lovely wine cellar we told you about.

You’ll find all of this in a fabulously private, rural position on the edge of the charming, thriving Somerset village of Oakhill, to the south of Bath. The market town of Frome is close by, offering a sweet selection of independent shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants, and Bristol is only 18 miles away.

We’ve been bursting to tell you about the gardens and grounds. You already know about the tennis court and the outdoor sauna, but we haven’t mentioned everything else. Let’s start from the beginning: you approach the farmhouse through wooden electric gates, onto a long private driveway, to an ample gravel parking area and a triple garage. Then you’ll find a mature walled garden, mainly laid to lawn with deep herbaceous beds, shrubs and trees, as well as a modern greenhouse, a large garden shed, and a sun terrace which provides a sheltered al fresco entertaining area where you can enjoy the far-reaching countryside views and evening glow.

And if you don’t already own a fleet of racehorses – or at the very least enjoy the company of the equestrian population – you will inevitably find yourself doing so, because the property comes with some serious horsey stuff (technical jargon). There’s a timber stable block with three good-sized stables, an adjoining tack room, and enclosed paddocks to the front and rear. And this is all in approximately 25 and a half acres. Giddy up, folks, we can’t imagine this heavenly home staying on the market for long…

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 95

Bristol & Clifton's premier Commercial Property Agents Keep up-to-date with our latest news, deals, testimonials and market comment at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk

(0117) 934 9977

CLIFTON VILLAGE SHOP *TO RENT OR FOR SALE*

3, THE MALL, CLIFTON (Due to expansion)

• Large lock up shop

• Fully fitted shop

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61 BROAD STREET, BS1

PROMINENT SHOWROOM ON A38, BRIDGEWATER RD, BRISTOL

• Retail unit with 4 bed maisonette

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• Busy location at the heart of BS1 • New lease – Rent on application

• 2,412 sq ft showroom + customer parking

13 COTHAM HILL

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• To rent

• Shop (Or office) • Rates exempt!

• Office / consulting rooms with pp for conversion to 3 bed house

• Popular busy pitch

• Only £275,000 pax

• Only £9,750 pax

• New lease

FOR SALE – OFFICES

CHURCH HOUSE, FILTON

• Eclipse Park BS16

• Good quality modern office suite

• 2,422 sq ft + 7 cars

• 1,620 sq ft + 6 cars

• Only £150 per sq ft • Modern office building

• 5 mins from Bristol Parkway

MARINER HOUSE, BS1

TO LET 442 STAPLETON ROAD, BRISTOL

• New lease – Rent on application

• Loft style offices • 1,242 sq ft

Julian Cook FRICS

Jayne Rixon MRICS

• Superb modern refurb

• B usiness space suitable for stores, offices, leisure etc

• New lease – Rent on application

• 1,2496 sq ft

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

Finola Ingham MRICS

• 1 mile from Bristol city centre and easy access onto M32

Tom Coyte MRICS

Holly Boulton BSc(Hons)

• Sales/Lettings

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Bristol & Clifton's premier Commercial Property Agents Keep up-to-date with our latest news, deals, testimonials and market comment at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk

(0117) 934 9977

ST STEPHENS HOUSE, BS1 HQ OFFICE TO LET Located on the recently pedestrianised and revamped Colston Avenue, St Stephens House has undergone a striking refurbishment to provide a self contained office finished to the highest of standards:

Julian Cook FRICS

• Contemporary

• 6,554 Sq Ft

• Creative

• Up to 6 car parking spaces

• Newly Refurbished

• Elevated ground floor position

• Self contained

• DDA compliant

Jayne Rixon MRICS

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

Finola Ingham MRICS

Tom Coyte MRICS

Holly Boulton BSc(Hons)

• Sales/Lettings

• Development advice

• Acquisitions advice

• Investment

• Valuations

• Dilapidations

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• Property Marketing

• Rent reviews

• Auction Services

bristol LIVES

“High drama sits next to absurdity… it’s art, entertaining and exciting” How did you come up with the name for Impermanence?

J: In 2011 we started inviting

everyone we knew to come and collaborate and make and perform stuff in whatever spaces we could find. Impermanence seemed to reflect the “liveness” of a show and the fluid way we were going about making them.

R: The shows are full of character,

costume and a technical rigour… high drama sits next to absurdity… it’s art, entertaining and exciting.

What are your plans for Impermanence in 2019?

Roseanna Anderson & Joshua Ben-Tovim Can you feel your toes tapping? It might just be down to Roseanna and Joshua, co-directors of the amazing Impermanence Dance Theatre…

Roseanna and Joshua met at dance school and the couple have been working and dancing together ever since, forming the Impermanence Dance Theatre in 2011 and recently directing their first film which is due to be screened at the end of January. Over the past few years, the Bristol-based dance company has performed throughout the UK and Europe to rave notices, with one reviewer calling them “a throbbing cult of pleasure.”

When did you know you wanted to make a career in dance?

R: I’ve been dancing since I was

two, so it’s hard to remember the exact moment, but memories of peering onto the stage from the

wings as a child definitely hold a lot of magic for me.

J: I must have been quite young,

the set was made out of scaffolding, and there was someone in ski boots juggling chainsaws… dance came later to me, but the excitement of theatre was there pretty early on.

Where did you train? And how did you come to specialise in work for theatres, film, clubs, festivals and cabarets?

R: I moved from Australia to

Germany on my own when I was 15 to train, and then went to the English National Ballet school and the Rambert School. We put on shows wherever and whenever we can which is why there’s been such a variety.

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

J: We’re staging BAAL, the first dance adaptation of a Brecht play at the Bristol Old Vic in April and are starting to programme other companies in their brand new studio theatre.

R: Yes, have a look at the

programme we’ve put together for the Old Vic – we’re trying to bring all the companies we love to Bristol! My favourite performance recently was Kontakthof by the late Pina Bausch.

How is the Bristol dance scene as a whole?

J: It’s good. But Bristol is lagging

behind nearly every other city in the country in terms of infrastructure. We need a dance centre, where dancers can train, rehearse and perform, and where other people in the city, young and old can enjoy taking part in and watching dance.

Speaking of Bristol, do you love living here?

J: We actually live at Kings Weston

House, an amazing mansion in Shirehampton. We were looking for somewhere to rehearse a few years ago, and one thing led to another and we moved in for a few weeks, and have basically never left!

We’re there with 15 other lovely people, and it’s a beautiful bit of Bristol.

Where and when can we next see you performing in Bristol?

R: Our film, The Ballet of the

Nations, is being screened at Bristol Cathedral on the 25 January, BAAL is at the Old Vic on the 25 April, and we’re putting on a monthly over-55’s cabaret lunch at Kings Weston House.

What about other venues and clubs – any favourites?

R: The Loco Klub underneath

Bristol Temple Meads which is run by the incredible Invisible Circus is always brilliant.

It sounds like you live incredibly busy lives. What music would you put on at the end of a trying day?

J: Anything by Brian Eno Other than dance, what careers do you think you’d be good at… or genuinely awful?

R: I’d be a terrible fisherwoman – I

can’t stand the smell. But I think I’d be an excellent spy – no one knows I’m an Aussie, ya see.

Do you have any secret skills?

J: Jazz flute.

And your most regrettable habit?

R: Stealing state secrets.

We’d better let you get on.

What are you doing right after answering these questions?

J: I’ve got to shove four rolls of the

world’s heaviest dance floor into our ‘97 Volvo and hope the suspension holds out!

Find out more about Impermanence and their upcoming productions at: www.impermanence.co.uk @ImpermanenceDT