Bristol Life - Issue 259

Food/Arts/Entertainment/Shopping/Property ISSUE 259 / FEBRUARY 2019 / £3

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE CITY

IN FOCUS

ARRIBA, ARRIBA!

WEDDING TIPS FOR BRISTOL’S BETROTHED

LOVE ACTION

V DAY GIFTS WITH A TWIST

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Small versions Small versions

A LITTLE CORNER OF MEXICO IN THE CROFT

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ISSUE 259 / FEBRUARY 2019 / LOVE AND THE CITY

INSIDE THE ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY’S NEW HOME

GETTING HITCHED

DREAM ON VENGEFUL FAIRIES, MIND-ALTERING HERBS AND DANGEROUS DESIRES: IT'S SHAKESPEARE’S MADDEST, BADDEST ROMANCE

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Editor’s letter We’re not sure what Mike Tweddle has in his little red book, but we’re willing to bet it has something to do with warring lovers and vengeful fairies; see page 42

S

hhh. Don’t tell the Bristol Life production manager, whatever you do; but I’ve just sneaked back a couple of pages she’d trustingly sent to the printer last week, and quietly replaced them with a few last-minute tweaks.

It’s entirely your fault, Bristol. Just when we thought we had everything covered, you pull something else out of the bag. Like a weekend of perfectly-pitched snow, that makes the city look like Narnia. Or photos of adorable preschoolers on King Street, waving their little flags for Harry and Meghan. We’re pretty sure that as soon as we finally send off the magazine there’ll be some other ‘hold the front’ page thing. News of a confirmed Arena site, probably.

Or plans for a third Cargo. Or an Upfest x Aardman collab. You know – standard Bristol stuff.

But send the mag we must. And anyway, there are plenty of wowfactor features in this issue already, so if you want your socks knocking off just start turning the pages.

And no, romance fans; we haven’t forgotten that there’s a V in the month; that’s all covered in this issue too, from our weddings feature to our pick of the most imaginative Valentine’s gifts.

So much to love, my luvvers; so little time.

deri robins Follow us on Twitter @BristolLifeMag Instagram @BristolLifeMag

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

Issue 259/February 2019

Our beautiful cover this month is the poster for A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Tobacco Factory Theatres, designed by Joe Roberts

the arts

27 art page The da Vinci hoard 28 WHAT’S ON A full-fat four-page section 36 the big interview What will the RPS do for us?

42 theatre A post-Brexit Dream...

44 bristol heroes We rise at dawn 49 books Love (book) tokens

a man’s world

51 kam kelly Listen up to your local DJ. He’s talking

36

about lurrrrve

food & DRINK

77

52 RESTAURANT A place in the country 56 Food and drink news Pour us a mezcal 59 café society Cake and a movie for lucky Mrs C

shopping 61 shop choice Be my streetheart 62 editor’s choice What did you expect to find in

our February issue – Easter eggs?

education

70 mission statements Heads up

great escapes

74 extreme italy That’s amore

Business

83 business insider More awards than you can

throw a stick at. Well, two, at least

Property

95 showcase Across the bridge 96 bathrooms Create your own spa retreat

Regulars

9 spotlight 11 instas 77 society 106 bristol lives Chino Odimba

Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior Art Editor Andrew Richmond Graphic Design Megan Allison Cover Design Trevor Gilham Contributors Mal Rogers, Colin Moody, Stan Cullimore, Kam Kelly 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 Contact: info@mediaclash.co.uk

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SPOTLIGHT

If New Order start walking now, they should make it to Harbourside by July . . .

Music

STAY TUNED

We may still not have an Arena, but nobody seems to have pointed this out to the world-class musicians who’ve confirmed Bristol gigs this year.

We knew, of course, that March sees Massive Attack bringing their Mezzanine anniversary tour to Filton. And that scheduled in for early summer at Ashton Gate are Rod Stewart (22 May), Take That (28 May), Muse (5 June) and The Spice Girls (10 June). Also that Tom Jones is bringing his massive voice to Bristol County Ground on 13 July, and The Gipsy Kings play O2 on 23 March.

And then, right at the fag end of January, look who else pops into our inbox.

Lily Allen, booked to headline Love Saves the Day on 25 May. Bristol Sounds, back for 2019 with a five-night season at Harbourside between 26-30 June, featuring Bloc Party, Elbow, Tom Misch, The Cat Empire and The Cinematic Orchestra. And then, just as we thought it was safe to book up our boutiquey summer staycations in Devon and Cornwall, Colston Hall casually slips in the news that New Order will play Harbourside on 18 July, followed by The Specials on 19 July.

The way it’s going, that won’t be the end of it, either. We’re never going to make it down to St Ives at this rate.

. . . or maybe they could car-pool with The Specials?

Elbow are probably wondering whether the Downs streaker of 2017 will make a reappearance

Charity

Snapped!

DANCE LIKE BRISTOL IS WATCHING

#HOT HERRING

We muchly enjoyed Twitter bants last month with Richard Herring, who was in town to curate this year’s Slapstick Festival.

Richard was startled by the front cover we ran in January, which made him look a bit more like ‘Richard Herring as played

by Brad Pitt’ than Mrs Herrring was used to. “My wife has left me for him,” came the tweet.

Richard brought the magazine along with him when he chatted with Tim Vine at Bristol Old Vic during the festival; if

you peer closely at the photo above, you’ll see it there on the table.

“I had to apologise to the audience that the bloke from the front of the magazine wasn’t going to be able to make it,” said Richard.

So there you go. If you want your other half to find you even hotter than you already are, or if you just want a handy prop for your next public appearance, you know what you need to do. You need to get yourself onto a Bristol Life cover.

The next time you get into a pointless argument with an out-of-town friend about whose city is the coolest, just show them this photo of Cllr Cleo Lake, and explain that yes, this is Bristol’s Lord Mayor. Cleo’s taking part in Bristol Come Dancing, a fundraising competition run by Bristol’s grassroots humanitarian charities Temwa and Aid Box Community – and she’s looking for a partner.

The ‘alternative Strictly’ event will see 20 couples take to the floor, with six weeks of training culminating in a live final competition on 23 March at Motion.

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

SPOTLIGHT THE BIG CHILL

We kept our fingers crossed for snow.

We prayed it would pitch. And when it did, you all carped the hell out of that snowdiem…

@porthjess

@worrall_photography

@zfjsutton

@gertie.photography

@idem_pridem

@southsidebristol

@perkspectivephotography

@chill1983

@lsmithphoto

@perkspectivephotography

@kruggy01

@jameshholmes

@thisiscarrington

@sambinding

@rupertbarry

@whenshesnaps

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 11

The vow factor First comes the big question: will you marry me? Then come a hundred more . . .

I

f you’re reading this – unless, we guess, you’re stuck in a waiting room with literally nothing else to do – you’ve probably already got the first big question out of the way.

The one that kicks it all off – the ‘will you marry me?’ question. Hopefully, you’ve received an affirmative answer.

How lovely! Now it all really kicks off. Because while the ‘will you?’ question is easily the most important one, it’s by no means the last. It’s not even the tip of the wedding cake icing-berg.

Where will you tie the knot? How do you choose a photographer?

What about your guests’ inevitable food allergies or ethical life choices?

Oh, don’t ask us, we don’t know. But the following Bristol experts almost certainly do. So, we asked them to tell us about some of the questions they’re most frequently asked by anxious brides and grooms – and, obviously, to give us the answers….

PUT A RING ON IT

No pressure, but the rings are probably the most important pieces of jewellery you’ll ever buy. You need something you’re going to love for the rest of your life. It may also cost more than the car.

So where do we start?

With an initial design consultation – this is offered free of charge by Park Street contemporary jeweller, Diana Porter.

“You will meet with Diana, discuss design ideas and try on a variety of stock rings,” says Jess Robinson. “We recommend bringing anything that inspires you, including photographs, your favourite Pinterest pins and any existing pieces you may have. “

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

I have a small budget, but she wants a big ring…

Oh does she, indeed?

“A diamond cluster ring is a great option if she wants something big, but you have a limited budget,” says Jess. “The ring is made up of multiple small diamonds, rather than one solitaire diamond. You could also choose a non-traditional cluster and add some gemstones, as most gemstones are often less expensive than diamonds of comparable size.”

Should I just go for a plain wedding band?

“Your wedding bands are going to last you a lifetime so it is good to not be influenced by what is in fashion at the time,” advises Chloe Solomon of Clifton Rocks. “But this doesn’t mean your ring has to be plain. Our jewellers can come up with something that will fit your personality perfectly. Whether this means you go for a simple hammered finish, or add a sprinkle of white diamonds, there are many ways you can elevate your design but still keep it timeless.”

Should the bride and groom have the same metals and matching design?

“It is completely up to the couple!” says Chloe.

“Often, one person has an engagement ring which then leads to a wedding ring design that complements it. Matching metals and styles is a lovely way to feel like your rings are connected, but it is important that each person gets something that represents them and it will be something they look at and love indefinitely.”

WEDDINGS

“The ‘will you do me the honour . ..?’ question may be the one that kicks it all off, but it’s by no means the last. It’s not even the tip of the wedding cake icingberg.”

YOU ONLY GET ONE SHOT…

…this opportunity comes once in a lifetime (unless you’re contemplating bigamy). So choose your photographer with care; Sam Gibson, perhaps, or Ruth Garner, whose images we’ve used on these pages.

We don’t like having our photos taken; does that matter?

“One of the greatest things about wedding photography is that there is a style, approach and photographer out there for everyone,” says Sam. “I don’t really like having my photo taken either, so I totally empathise with this one.

“One of the reasons I love documentary photography is because it allows people to relax and be themselves, so if you’re not fond of having your picture taken it doesn’t matter; a good documentary photographer will quickly put you and your guests at ease, and enable everyone to just carry on having fun, rather than feeling like they’re under a microscope or on a fashion shoot for the whole day.”

And if you’re still nervous, ask if your photographer does engagement shoots (most do) – not only will this offer a chance for them to get to know you, but with the pressure off you’ll learn to relax in front of the lens – and you may even enjoy the experience.

Are certain times of day better than others?

“One thing to consider, especially for a winter wedding, is the light,” says Ruth Garner. “Beautiful light makes for beautiful images – so consider the actual time of day of your ceremony, and make sure you know when it’s likely to get dark. Taking photographs inside is always an option, of course, but you need to make sure that there’s a good area for this. The other thing is the cold.

Having an elegant cover-up to hand will make the outside photographs much more pleasurable – and the fact that you’re not freezing to death is likely to show in the end results too!”

What if it rains?

“This totally depends on the venue,” says Ruth. “If there are nice interior spaces, then rainy days are not so bad. That said, if the couple are happy to, I’ll always take them outside with an umbrella, which often makes for fantastic shots. If it’s raining, just go with it and get a little bit wet!

You only get one shot at choosing a photographer, but you definitely won’t go wrong with Sam Gibson

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

architects WEDDINGS “On the other hand, bright, low winter sunshine can also cause issues, with all those harsh shadows and squinty eyes. But, again, there will usually be a nice shady spot for group photos.”

THERE’S A PLACE FOR US

Even more expensive than the ring (unless, we guess, you’re a Beckham or a Kardashian) the choice of venue is likely to be the biggest cost of all, and needs to be the perfect fit for your personality, whether it’s a bunch of yurts in a field or the grandest of Georgian mansions.

With more and more venues being licensed for civic ceremonies, the choice is almost endless. Fancy getting married on a stage where the young Peter O’Toole took a bow, or where Cary Grant once worked?

No problem; Bristol Old Vic and Bristol Hippodrome can oblige.

Fancy a bit of Palladian swag? Leigh Court (featured in Poldark) has a

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

grand staircase that’s ideal for making a sweeping entrance.

Animal lovers? Easy; Bristol Zoo means you can have penguins on the guest list. Of an arty persuasion? Arnolfini makes a cool venue for receptions, with the bonus of Harbourside for photo opps. (Tip: if you Google it up, make sure you type Arnolfini Bristol into the search bar unless you want to wade through endless links to Jan Van Eyck).

Want to keep it urban and cool? Paintworks looks great in photos.

Apropos…

What venue would make my photos stand out?

“The Avon Gorge by Hotel du Vin provides the perfect setting,” says Louise Torm (well, she would, she’s marketing manager there).

“We’d like to think of ourselves as the West Country’s most stylish and romantic wedding location, and settings rarely come like this, with the Clifton Suspension Bridge as a backdrop and one of the largest outdoor terraces in the South West, with panoramic views across the hills of Somerset.”

PETAL GURUS

You can do your own hair, you can do your own make-up, but unless you have mad florist skills, you’ll want an expert to handle the flowers.

Which flowers will suit the style of our wedding?

“The most important thing is that you find the right florist for you,” says Hayley Watchorn of Wilderness.

“Search for different styles of flower arrangements; Instagram is a great source for inspiration if you explore wedding flower hash tags. Once you find your florist, ask them about what’s best seasonally at the time of your wedding. You can achieve most colour schemes throughout the year, so if you’re open to a little suggestion on varieties, your florist should be able to advise as on the best quality blooms at the time of your wedding. They should also be able to help you to envisage the style that suits you best.”

What are the floral trends for 2019? “‘Living Coral’ has been announced as Pantone Colour of the Year for 2019,” says Hayley. “This is a longstanding favourite for many brides, especially in spring weddings with the prized Coral

Charm Peony being in its prime. The colour looks lovely paired with soft blush tones, crisp whites and fresh green foliages.

“I’ve also seen a growing trend in wildflower weddings. Celebrating British country gardens with seasonal tones, lots of greenery and relaxed styles of arrangements.

“But why follow the trends? I always advise my clients to go against the grain and celebrate what’s unique to them. If you’re bold and bright, go for full colour. If you’re understated, go for classic neutrals and elegance. Make your day yours in every detail.”

One of our favourite Ruth Garner photos – outdoor shots are fine even in midwinter, as long as you have a cosy yet glamorous wrap

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CREATE LASTING MEMORIES with a special wedding celebration under the wings of Concorde Find out more at aerospacebristol.org/weddings Or email events@aerospacebristol.org

WEDDINGS CATER, ALLIGATOR

Do we have to cut the cake?

“No! It’s your wedding day,” says Sam Gibson, who’s photographed more weddings than you’ve had slices of cake. “Don’t do anything just because you think you should, do it because you want to. If something doesn’t resonate with you, then don’t feel you need to do it. I think people have the best time when the day is really personal and totally fits with the couple.”

We’ve got guests with a variety of dietary requirements – what do we do?

“For any dairy-free or vegan guests, we now have two fabulous vegan pies, as well as vegan versions of all our much-loved side dishes,” says Romany Simon of Pieminister. “And our three gluten-free pies are legendary so, again, no guest need miss out on the full Pieminister experience.”

ANYTHING ELSE?

Frankly, anyone trying to cater for more than ten people in this day and age has our sympathies. If they’re not gluten-intolerant, it’s dairy that’s the problem. Even if they’re not allergic to anything, you’re bound to get a sprinkling of vegans and loads of veggies, while your granddad thinks anything less than a meat-and-two-veg sit-down is shabby. The solution may be easier than you think . . .

My fiancée’s parents are covering the cost of the food, but they think our idea for a pie-and-mash reception is too unconventional, and worry that all the elements of a traditional wedding breakfast will be left out.

“While we often serve our pies at weddings with a festival feel, we are also experts at serving guests in a formal fashion,” says Romany, “from setting the table, to the drinks and canapés, to formal table service and serving champagne to cutting the cake.”

We want to refuel our guests later in the evening but obviously don’t want pies again – do we need to bring in a separate caterer for this?

“No! We have created the most delicious West Country table of hams, cheeses, breads, pickles and lots more especially for this purpose, to keep your guests well fed and happy long into the night. All sourced from Bristol’s best independents on the Gloucester Road.”

What if you want your wedding to be unique, a real one-off, but need inspiration/someone to do the hard work?

Newly launched Duchess Weddings are doing things differently; if you’re looking to break with tradition and throw a wedding or civil partnership with a twist, Meg, Frankie and Katie are there to make sure that everything from your venue to your entertainment, your catering to your cocktails, are truly unique, personal and reflect you as a couple.

“Be it a bohemian festival wedding in a field or a decadent themed soirée in one of Bristol’s secret cocktail bars, Duchess can help with everything from full wedding planning to helping you source the most exciting, unusual and impressive suppliers in the South West, no matter how much, or how little, help you need,” says Meg.

YOU HAVE BEEN READING Duchess Weddings

www.dianaporter.co.uk

hello@duchessweddings.com

www.cliftonrocks.co.uk

www.samgibsonweddings.co.uk

www.pieminister.co.uk

www.ruthgarnerphotography.com

www.wildernessflowers.com

www.hotelduvin.com

Pie suppers can be posh, too; Pieminister can do the full silver service if that’s what you want

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 17

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Say ‘willkommen!’ to your new kitchen Rob Cash of Kutchenhaus Bristol explains why it’s the German touch that means so much

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t Kutchenhaus, we supply luxury German manufactured kitchens at affordable prices. All our kitchens are ordered to client’s unique specifications and they are sent over from Germany fully assembled and ready to install.

How long have you been trading?

In February we celebrate our second anniversary since opening our doors in 2017. After two amazing years we are very excited about what our third year will bring. There are plans in place to organise an open evening to celebrate, where we will invite potential and existing clients, friends and family to help us mark our anniversary.

When is the best time to buy a new kitchen?

There is no such thing as a best time to buy a new kitchen, as we offer our customers the best price up front all year round. This gives clients confidence they can buy now and not worry that a better offer would come up after they have purchased.

Are there certain things that we need to bear in mind when planning a new kitchen?

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Do you only cover the Bristol area?

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How much will a new kitchen cost?

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Are there any new/emerging trends that I should know about for 2019?

Our supplier is constantly looking at new trends and so every year new products are introduced to the range. 2019 has seen a range of new doors, handles, appliances and worktops which will be hugely popular. Black accessories will be on-trend this year with handles, shelf supports and door surrounds creating a bold look What is your coolest gadget?

New for 2019 is our backlit shelfing units which create a modern open shelf dresser look with lights highlighting the wall. We can create a custom look with glass shelves, wooden shelves and plant boxes What sets you apart from other kitchen designers?

We have so much flexibility in our product giving our designers confidence that we can create fantastic looking kitchens which will arrive fully built and ready to install. We supply kitchens which are designed to fit the room perfectly with little to no modification needed.

How long will it take to design, build and install a kitchen?

Our supplier is heavily investing in how they make kitchens, and are in the process of building three more factories to improve production. This level of investment has meant our current lead time is down to four to eight weeks.

Do you manage the whole process or are there other companies that we’ll need to deal with?

We find so many clients are looking for reliable companies to handle all aspects of their kitchen installation. We have links with local installation teams who can carry our electrical, plumbing, flooring, plastering and in certain cases building work. However if you already have these trades in place we can also just supply the kitchen for your own installer to fit. n

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HIDDEN INSPIRATIONAL RARE AND CONTEMPORARY ART

HENRI MATISSE 150 YEARS THE STUNNING ‘CUT OUTS’ EXHIBITION 1ST FEB – 3RD MARCH Please come & view the full set of 40 lithographs from the famous ‘last works’ hung & for sale at the newly extended Hidden Gallery, in the Clifton Arcade.

6 -10 The Clifton Arcade, Boyce’s Avenue, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4AA www.myhiddenworld.co.uk | hiddenrare@outlook.com | Telephone: 0117 279 6402

THE ARTS S N A P S H O T S O F B R I S T O L’ S C U LT U R A L L I F E

A LIFE IN DRAWING

Remember the classic Peter Cook and Dudley Moore sketch, about Leonardo’s Cartoon for The Virgin and Child?

Pete: “Have you seen that bloody Leonardo da Vinci cartoon? I couldn’t see the bloody joke.”

Dud: “Of course, you know Pete, our sense of humour must have changed over the years. I bet when that da Vinci cartoon first come out, I bet people were killing themselves.”

Admittedly, there aren’t many LOLs to be had at Bristol Museum’s new Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing exhibition, but don’t let that put you off.

Leonardo was a polymath, and the ultimate Renaissance

man. Anything his contemporaries could do, he could do better. His genius spanned painting, sculpting, architecture, science, music, maths, engineering, literature, anatomy, geology, astronomy, botany, writing, history, and cartography; he may even have invented the helicopter and the tank. He’d probably have solved time travel, if he’d ever taken a day off.

To mark the 500th anniversary of Leonardo’s death, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery is displaying 12 of his finest drawings; go and marvel at them while you can, until 6 May. Just don’t look for a punchline.

For more www.bristolmuseums.org.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 27

What’s on 8 February-8 March

Going out just became the new staying in . . .

Look, nothing in my hands...Dynamo welcomes you to his mind-bending magic

exhibitions

capitalism. At Spike Island, obviously; spikeisland.org.uk

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR Last chance to see the NHM’s 100 beautiful images at M Shed; bristolmuseums.org.uk

Christopher Kulendran Thomas: New Eelam A sci-fi vision of an alternate reality, featuring technologies presented as living sculptures; spikeisland.org.uk

Until 24 February

Until 26 February

every kind of people Artists working in a wide range of styles depict people doing ordinary, people-like things; a charming, highly accessible exhibition at Lime Tree; limetreegallery.com

Until 3 March

ALBERT IRVIN AND ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM A major retrospective of Irvin at RWA, along with other American Expressionist greats. They’ve got a Pollock and everything; rwa.org.uk

Until 24 March

mai-thu perrett: THE BLAZING WORLD The artist explores witchcraft and the relationship between women’s oppression and the emergence of

RPS international photography exhibition 161 See page 36; rps.org

Until 6 May

LEONARDO DA VINCI: A LIFE IN DRAWING See page 27; bristolmuseums.org.uk

SHOWS

Until 16 February

wise children Emma Rice’s big, bawdy tangle of theatrical joy and heartbreak; a celebration of showbiz, family, forgiveness and hope, based on Angela Carter’s novel. Pimp your granny for tx. bristololdvic.org.uk

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

9-23 February

PRINCESS AND THE HUSTLER In 1963 Bristol, as Black British civil rights activists take to the streets, wannabe beauty queen Princess finds out what it really means to be black and beautiful. See page 106; bristololdvic.org.uk

12-16 February

THE COMEDY ABOUT A BANK ROBBERY A priceless diamond has been entrusted to the city bank, but the security guards are on the take...

Will it all go horribly wrong at the Hippodrome? atgtickets.com

13-14 February

dynamo The close-up magician creates an intimate and immersive theatre space at Harbour Hotel, where he’ll proceed to blow our tiny minds. harbourhotels.co.uk

14-16 February

The Jamie Wood Trilogy The art clown rolls into town to riff (on different nights) on the rivalry between Borg and McEnroe, the

effect of Yoko Ono on the Beatles, and more; TFT. tobaccofactorytheatres.com

18-23 February Let the Right One In

Jack Thorne (Skins, etc) adapts John Ajvide Lindqvist’s tale of teenage angst and its now familiar (thank you, Joss Whedon!) bedfellow, vampires: at Circomedia circomedia.com

19-23 February

the memory of water On the eve of their mother’s funeral, three sisters converge at their remote childhood home, where they realise that their memories of growing up, and of their mother, are all vastly different. Alma Tavern; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

20 February-6 April

a midsummer night’s dream Shakespeare’s most magical comedy gets the TFT treatment; see page 42. tobaccofactorytheatres.com

22 February

fat blokes by scottee Never sexy, but always funny? Always

what’s on the ‘before’ shot but never the ‘after?

Four fat blokes who’ve never done this sort of thing before present a show at Trinity; 3ca.org.uk

improvised comedy soap shows no sign of running out of froth at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

25 February-9 March

kinky boots The fresh, fabulous, feelgood musical with the Cyndi Lauper tunes is on its first UK tour, and on the way to the Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

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

27 February-9 March

17 February

no kids Should we have kids, or not? Samesex couple George and Nir are trying to figure it out, in the latest funny, moving, thought-provoking play from Ad Infinitum; at TFT. tobaccofactorytheatres.com

alfie brown: lunatic Fresh from his lauded Edinburgh Fringe run, Alfie remains charming and disgusting; at TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

18 February

1 March-13 April

above: It’s stand-up central this month in Bristol; here’s Stephen J Amos left: There’s still a chance to catch Albert Irvin and co at RWA – this American Expressionism show has enjoyed the highest visitor figures in the gallery’s history below: If you prefer

figurative art that tells a story, you’ll just love Every Kind of People at Lime Tree

richard III Richard was not born to be a king, but he’s set his sights on the crown.

So begins his campaign of deceit, manipulation and violence – and he’s killing it. Yet behind his ambition lies a murderous desire to be loved. bristololdvic.org.uk

COMEDY 9 February

Instant wit You know the drill: songs, gags and general silliness, mostly based around audience suggestions; at Alma Tavern Theatre; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

10 February

NINCOMPOOP The Wardrobe Theatre’s monthly night of alternative comedy; once a month on Sunday nights until June; thewardrobetheatre.com STEPHEN K AMOS: BOUQUETS AND BRICKBATS As Brexit looms, Trump rampages and everyone seems pushed to extremes, Stephen has one aim – to cheer us all up. Thanks, Stephen!

At Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com Slapstick comedy gala Thought Slapstick was over?

Think again: Marcus Brigstocke is back to host this one-off special, which includes the full screening of Chaplin’s Modern Times, with Charlie’s own score performed live by Bristol Ensemble. At Bristol Hippodrome; slapstick.org.uk

11, 25 February

closer each day The world’s longest-running

13-15 February

George Egg: DIY chef The stand-up/cook prepares breakfast, lunch and dinner using less than conventional tools (a heat gun, a paper shredder, etc). And you get to eat the surprisingly good food at the end of the show; at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com larry dean: bampot Bampot: a Scottish term meaning ‘hooligan’. Larry’s not here to cause trouble, but he does have some unexpected insights into Scottishness and self-esteem, and he’s not afraid to share, at 1532; 1532bristol.co.uk

23 February

Steve Bugeja: Almost Steve was voted ‘most likely to be forgotten’ at school (the reunion was in February, apparently). To prove his classmates wrong, he hits the road for his largest UK tour to date; at Wardrobe, thewardrobetheatre.com the antics joke show Ft. Great British Mysteries A night of local comedic talent and visiting headliners at St George’s; check it all out at uptheantics.co.uk.

24 February

Sarah Keyworth: Dark Horse The Nottingham lass reveals her battle against every expectation of what being a girl means. Think Girls Just Wanna Have Fun but British, deadpan and in no way similar. At TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

6-8 March

mark thomas - check-up: our nHs@70 What’s going right, what’s going wrong and how does it get better? Mark investigates at TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 29

WHAT’S ON 7 March

NISH KUMAR: IT’S IN YOUR NATURE TO DESTROY YOURSELVES The very funny Nish is back, with jokes about politics and mankind’s capacity for selfdestruction. Anson Rooms; bristolsu.org.uk

If the minimalist alt-folk thing doesn’t work out for Lau, there are always plenty of vacancies at the Night’s Watch

8 March

SEANN WALSH: AFTER THIS ONE, I’M GOING HOME He calls himself the “Lie-In King”. They call him “the best observational comic of his generation”. Anyway, he’s coming to 1532; 1532bristol.co.uk

FIVE MINUTES WITH...

HUEY MORGAN OF FUN LOVIN’ CRIMINALS “Bristol is the place I kind of have to play, because there is this thing that I don’t really want to talk about; it involves the police and the Ministry of Justice and we’ll just say that I have to keep playing these gigs in Bristol or they’re going to release these photographs.

It’s me and a cat and a dog. I just don’t want to get into it.

But … yeah, gigs in Bristol. I love playing there.”

MUSIC

10 February

BAROKKSOLISTENE’S THE ALEHOUSE SESSIONS Norwegian violinist Bjarte Eike takes us back to the taverns of Cromwell’s Commonwealth, when the genres of folk and classical joyously cohabited in tavern. Without noted killjoy Oliver’s blessing, presumably.

St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

So Huey, is there any difference to being on the road now compared to back in the ’90s?

“You know what, I was 27 when I got my record deal, right? So I was already the old man at the

THE DEAD SOUTH Presented by Colston Hall, the Canadian folkies bring their Bastard Son Tour to the O2 for your boot-stompin’ delight; colstonhall.org

13 February

CEDRIC BURNSIDE Grammy-nominated Cedric brings his gritty Mississippi blues to The Louisiana; colstonhall.org

17 February

NENEH CHERRY Neneh brings her potent electronic pop and searching questions to SWX, via fifth album Broken Politics. “I’m very shy about taking on big themes with the airs that I’ve got a solution – who has the fucking solutions?” says Neneh. “I like writing from a personal perspective, and the time we live in is so much about finding your own voice.” Come and hear it at SWX. swxbristol.com KIT HAWES & AARON CATLOW The Bristol-based duo hit the Wardrobe Theatre with their blend of folk and roots, with the live show promising a musical journey through Europe and beyond; thewardrobetheatre.com

21 February

LAU Scottish folk pioneers Lau return with new music, highlighting the band’s experimental approach and increasingly minimal arrangements; at St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

28 February

BLUE ÖYSTER CULT No reaper goes knowingly unfeared, as the American rockers come to Anson Rooms; bristolsu.org.uk

1 & 2 March

MASSIVE ATTACK: MEZZANINE XXI TOUR Some Bristol band you might have heard of celebrate the 21st anniversary of a record you probably own, up at a shed called Steel Yard that you haven’t visited before, up in Filton. viagogo.co.uk

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

Just one of the many striking images on show at the new Royal Photographic Society

party and, it doesn’t seem a lot different now. We still have a lot of fun, but in moderation. I mean, we don’t get completely leathered before we play shows – we never really did anyway – but I think the way we structured our touring mechanism now is pretty much as perfect as it can get for us.”

So what can Bristol expect from the O2 show?

“Keith Richards pretty much said it: ‘Watching the Fun Lovin’ Criminals is like watching rock’n’roll and soul make love. . .’”

Huey, you’re SUCH a dude.

But we’re still hanging on to those negatives . . .

At 02 on 9 February academymusicgroup.com

Every Kind of People: Jan 24 - Feb 26 84 Hotwell Road, Bristol, BS8 4UB Telephone : 0117 929 2527. Find us on social media: For more information visit: www.limetreegallery.com

Enjoy a lesson with former European Tour Player and PGA Qualified Professional, Liam Bond, in his state of the art 10 bay Academy equipped with TrueStrike mats, Srixon golf balls, teaching studio and an indoor simulator room featuring GC2 technology.

The Liam Bond Golf Academy, next to The Hanley Farm Shop, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 7NA. 01291 624163 b@liambondgolfacademy Online: www.liambondgolfacademy.co.uk

what’s on

OTHER

10-17 February british dal festival

blood & butchery in bedminster The popular walking/pub crawl tour of Bemmie continues every Tuesday, delving into the area’s gruesome history; find out about bodysnatchers, concrete coffins, hangings judges and the most notorious heist in living memory. stagestubs.com

12 February

Various dates

9-11 February

liberationarts festival With Bristol leading the world in veganism, the film fest showcases the ethics, human health and impact on the environment of this foodie philosophy. At Paintworks; liberationarts.co.

Seems that you all enjoyed last year’s pulsating Dalfest so much that they’re bringing it back for 2019. britishdalfestival.com Tracey Thorn Singer-songwriter Tracey, she of the wryly insightful lyrics and languid vocals, talks to Festival of Ideas director Andrew Kelly about her new memoir A Teenager in Suburbia. At St George’s, stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

1-10 March

submerge festival Bristol International Digital Arts Festival features diverse artists and musicians working at the edges of digital arts, electronic music and live performance. At various venues; submerge.me

Rob and Grant couldn’t get enough of the funny mirror arcade down WSM..

Bristol Film Festival It’s a funny one, the Bristol Film Fest, in that it never really begins or ends; you’ll find stray events popping up throughout the year. But February and March is the ‘festival proper’, if you like, with screenings coming thick and fast. There are far too many events to cover here, but think opera at All Saints, horror in the Redcliffe Caves, sci-fi at We The Curious, nautical adventure aboard ss Great Britain, WWII dogfights at Aerospace – the site-specific pairings go on and on.

The spring season kicks off with a black-tie screening of Breakfast at Tiffany’s; dress up like Holly by all means, but don’t pile the updo too high or the folk behind you won’t be able to see the screen. Oh, and if you were wondering whether there was anything more enjoyable in life than hearing Ralph Fiennes say “To... f****ing Lutz?” in The Grand Budapest Hotel, it’s hearing it with a specially curated glass of wine in your hand at Avery’s. www.bristolfilmfestival.com

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

above: M. Gustave really doesn’t want to go to Lutz, (but he does want to come to Avery’s on 8 March) left: the graceful dead?

Do V-Day with a difference at Arnos Grove Cemy on 14 Feb.

Mike gazes with understandable satisfaction at the RPS’s new HQ

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

the big interview

the big picture

Mike Taylor, the chief operating officer at the newly-opened Royal Photographic Society HQ, tells us why photography can make a difference, what we can expect from the new hub, and why there’s nothing infra dig about photos taken on smartphones Words by Deri Robins www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 37

photography. As it is both an art and a science, these people range from curators to scientists to educators. We have an international membership of 11,600 people who organise activities in their local regions; in the UK alone there are 18 of these. We also have 15 specialinterest groups for people interested in genres of photography such as history, travel or women in photography.

We also provide educational opportunities, and accredit photographer portfolios through our distinction assessments, which can really take you on a journey with your photography. The RPS also holds an annual awards ceremony to honour people people who have made a difference to photography, or the world through photography. We award bursaries for photographic projects, so anyone with a great idea and a bit of talent should get in touch.

What do you expect it to bring to Bristol?

We hope to bring our passion and enthusiasm to Bristol; we’re excited to collaborate with other organisations, and can host other events, too.

I think we’ll offer a new friendly place for people to visit, where they can see some beautiful images and learn something. Hopefully we will inspire more people to pick up a camera and join us.

What can we expect to see when we visit, and what have you chosen for your launch exhibition?

T

he RPS may have only just moved to its new HQ at Paintworks, but Mike’s lived in this city for a quarter of a century; which in our book makes him as Bristolian as the M Shed cranes.

Are you a photographer yourself?

Almost all of us are photographers, aren’t we? I wouldn’t say I’m any different to anyone else – I post things online and always ask myself how I can say more with an image. Photographs change the world all the time, and also mean so much to us personally. It’s the way they give us insight into other people’s experiences and passions that means so much to me, whether through the news, documentary or art. Photography is now fundamental to all our lives, and the RPS has so much potential to make a difference though photography. I was really excited to be a part of bringing the RPS to Bristol, because I love Bristol so much.

Why has the RPS set up in Bristol?

We exist to promote the art and the science of photography and our new building is the physical manifestation of that commitment and passion. This investment in bricks and mortar will allow us to expand our exhibition programme and educational activities significantly.

Although we considered other locations we choose Bristol as it is such a powerful and diverse community, and we felt we could contribute to its vibrant creative scene.

Why choose Paintworks for your new HQ?

Paintworks is an ideal home for us as it’s filled with innovative makers and businesses and it’s close to the city centre.

What with Martin Parr as a neighbour, can we now call Paintworks The Photographic Quarter? (Bristol likes calling things ‘quarters’….)

Too right! Maybe in time we will be the South West’s photography hub!

It is an exciting prospect for lovers of photography to visit two galleries simultaneously. There’ll be lots of talks and other events to choose from too. Martin is an honorary member of the RPS and we look forward to seeing what we can bring to Bristol with our combined expertise and resources. Photography really is something everyone can enjoy.

What does RPS do exactly?

The RPS works with photographers and people who care deeply about

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

We have chosen to open on 7 February with the annual International Photography Exhibition 161, which contains 100 contemporary and traditional photographs by 54 photographers. It’s a fantastic show to introduce our work to Bristol, as it showcases a variety of photographic genres from landscape to science to portraiture, and explores themes such as identity, heritage, political matters and the environment.

We will give our visitors a remarkable experience with this exhibition, as there are so many wonderful works with intriguing narratives within them. Bristol photographers Fergus Coyle, Samuel WJ Fordham, Jamie E Murray and Luke Withers feature. Another Bristol connection is Aaron Schuman, the course leader for UWE’s MA Photography, who was on the selection panel.

“If we stop and think about it, photographers change the world all the time”

As well as actual photos, what else do you have going on?

Each exhibition will be accompanied by a learning programme with educational activities like workshops, screenings and talks. Our education centre affords us the opportunity to create a darkroom, and the resource centre contains a fantastic photography library.

We’ll also have our distinction assessments where photographers present a portfolio of work to a panel of experts in order to gain qualifications. These will take place in our new auditorium and are open to the public to come and observe. These events are very special as they help people really think through what they want to achieve with their photography and how to express themselves.

Now that we’ve joined the Bristol arts community, we will also collaborate with other organisations and creatives.

In a world of sophisticated and affordable camera kit, it’s easy to become a decent photographer – are the truly exceptional ones in danger of being undervalued because of this?

It’s an exciting time for photography; traditional methods and digital are both widely practised and the two often overlap for many practitioners. We see the rise in smartphone technology as a positive development because it gives everyone access to exploration and selfexpression. Our role is to facilitate self-improvement and the power of photography to make the world a better place. Outside of technical

the big interview

ability, storytelling, innovation and imagination are what make for an exceptional photographs, so I don’t think there is any danger of exceptional photographers becoming undervalued, and we can help find them and promote their work.

Can you share a few exciting plans for 2019?

2018 was a massive year for the RPS as we contributed to the global conversation on gender equality with our campaign Hundred Heroines, that marked the centenary of the women’s suffrage movement in the UK. The final 100 photographic heroines have been chosen and our team are working on the legacy of that campaign. It will be difficult to top, but we have a stellar exhibition programme for 2019, for which the theme is ‘Discovery’. We will be announcing our next show soon so keep an eye on www.rps.org and our social media channels. We’re also working on our annual RPS awards ceremony.

Where do you live in Bristol?

I’ve lived in Montpelier for 25 years. I started renting in a shared house and in the end we chose to raise our kids in the area. The whole family has always enjoyed the sense of community and all the amazing people we’ve become friends with. I can’t claim to be a Bristolian, but I know my kids are proud to say they are.

Tell us about a few of your favourite Bristol places

The first day in 1993 that I walked out of Picton Street and crossed the top of Stokes Croft I felt like I’d come home. I remember it vividly. I fell in love with the energy, and how down-to-earth people are here.

I can’t leave The Beaufort and the Star and Garter out, as I have so many good memories of friendly people and great music. I’ve recently discovered the Orchard down by the Marina – live music and a long list of ciders. I love Mark’s Bread on North Street, and for a special night out I’d have to say Box E down at Wapping Wharf – a lovely team and truly amazing nosh in a simple, cosy environment.

Oh, and the free outdoor silent disco by the M Shed late on a Friday night. Whoever is providing that experience is a superstar.

Anything else you wish we’d asked you about?

The International Photography Exhibition 161 features a mix of photography from both established and young photographers top: Ganusia and Nastia by Ruslan Hrushchak top right: Hankou Bund by Fergus Coyle middle: Coney Island by Christopher Bethell bottom: Futuro I by Tom Blachford

As we are new to Bristol and really proud to be joining the creative community, we’re asking Bristolians to share their Bristol photographs with us. We’d like to show our international members and photography lovers a glimpse of the city and the people in it. Use the hashtag #rpsbristol on Twitter and our team will retweet your photographs. We want to see what matters to Bristol and get to know the people who live here better. n Find the The Royal Photographic Society at RPS House, 337 Paintworks The gallery is open at Thursday to Sunday 01225 325733; www.rps.org

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 39

l o t S i r B t r a T s e M o h A Be ! r E e t n U l o V Start Bristol, you’ll be a When you volunteer for Home m get back on their feet lifeline for a family: helping the d to cope in the future. and develop the skills they nee ndent registered charity Home Start Bristol is an indepe h at least one child under supporting struggling families wit s and carefully match five. We recruit and train volunteer them with local families.

nexT voLuntEer CourSe sTartS 25th apriL, 10-2pM Our popular, accredited Volunteer Preparation courses are held 3 times a year, with each course running for 36 hours over 9 weeks. Course times are designed to tie in with the school day and volunteers are asked to attend just once a week. At the end of the last course, 100% of volunteers said they would recommend it to a friend, and what’s more, it carries a Level 2 Accreditation.

This qualification, combined with the experience gained working with us, can act as a wonderful stepping stone into future careers.

PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS HAVE THE EXPERIENCE TO MAKE GREAT VOLUNTEERS During the 30 years of Home Start’s work in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, we’ve helped thousands of families. By encouraging and involving parents in their own support planning, we see parents and families grow in confidence.

And when this happens, children flourish...

teEr n U l Vo Ay! tod

We couldn’t carry out this vital work without you, so if you are a parent or grandparent, and can spare 2-3 hours a week to do something amazing, contact us today.

YOU REALLY WILL BE CHANGING LIVES.

April’s course is taking place in South Bristol.

Venue will be confirmed shortly Call 0117 950 1170 | www.homestartbristol.org.uk | Find Us On Facebook

THE SUPPORT IS FANTASTIC “After seeing a close friend go through post-natal depression I felt I wanted to help other mums. The course exceeded my expectations.

It wasn’t always easy but the support was, and still is, fantastic”.

- Rachel, volunteer

Dream on

Shakespeare’s best-loved comedy gets a dystopian post-Brexit Britain setting (but it’s still funny, charming and magical)

By Deri Robins

T

he course of true love never did run smooth, which is just as well, otherwise A Midsummer Night’s Dream wouldn’t have much of a plot. One of the most engaging, magical and enjoyable of all Shakespeare’s comedies, it gives us vengeful fairies, warring lovers, amateur actors, mind-altering herbs, dangerous desires and mad, bad romance, and (spoiler alert) a happy ending. All in all, it seems a bit daft to ask Tobacco Factory Theatres AD Mike Tweddle why he’s chosen it for his big spring production; why would he not? But we asked him anyway.

Mike, why have you chosen Dream for your big spring production?

I reread it a year ago, and realised that it would be joyous to explore the play with an in-house ensemble. When we cast the Factory Company, we look for versatile actors who can adapt across two contrasting shows during the season. And within Dream there are beautiful

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

opportunities to embrace – and stretch – the versatility of the actors, with most of them playing three very different parts each. This will be great fun for them and for the audience.

But when I reread it I also realised that it offers great opportunities to say something about the world today.

It’s very adaptable to contemporary interpretations, then?

The play is one of the most pertinent political satires that you could hope to find. We’re setting it in a dystopian, post-Brexit Britain of 2022, where socially conservative values and laws have taken a grip on society once again, and where the divide between the elite and the everyday person on the street has sharpened.

This is very much informed by the world of the Athenian court, which Shakespeare depicts in this play.

How many other Dreams have you seen?

Around five. I enjoyed Thomas Ostermeier’s

wild reinterpretation of the play in Berlin.

It started with a party on stage for all the audience, who were handed cups of fruit punch. However, in 2003 I was working for Shakespeare Schools Festival, and a special school in Birmingham performed Dream. It was outstanding, and there was a boy playing Puck, who only in the last year had developed the confidence and skills to speak aloud. Theatre had played a big role in helping him achieve that. His rendition of the final speech was unforgettably beautiful, as you could feel him growing through it and the whole audience rooting for him. That’s the production I cherish most.

It has to be one of the most loved of all the Comedies – what makes it so special?

Well, firstly, it’s a riotous comic adventure.

There are three vibrantly different worlds within the play, and each one offers great potential for comedy. There’s farce, parody, satire, slapstick and heaps of observational

arts comedy that’s really on the nose about human nature, and it’s as witty today as when it was written. Secondly, it’s magic, supernatural and wild: the world of the forest is one of fantastical dreams that invade and influence life, fairies with jaw-dropping powers and mischievous intent, plant-induced trances that transform our desires, and a natural world that has turned inside out. There’s so much theatrical potential in all of this – a real opportunity to transport an audience.

Just a hunch, but will there be gender fluidity in the casting?

We have made changes to the gender of certain characters in order to better reveal the dynamics of the story for a modern audience; so for example, Lysander becomes the female Lysanda. It is sadly all too familiar that a traditional father like Egeus might persecute his daughter (Hermia) for being a lesbian, rather than because she chose one man over another. Making this change helps make the dramatic stakes of the story more palpable and relatable. Bottom and Puck are both female in our production, partly due to our desire to have at least 50% female representation on stage across the season, but also because the actors – Heather Williams and Kim Heron – blew us away in audition, and we knew the roles would come alive beautifully in their hands.

listen to them, but you have to bring in a clear conceptual starting point and a draft of a shape for how the piece will look and feel – especially with Shakespeare, which is so malleable. Before rehearsals I always make a very elaborate (or geeky!) spreadsheet detailing all of the action, objects, locations and physical dynamics of every scene, which helps me and the designer develop a vision for how the world will look and operate. But there must always be scope for discovery and change within rehearsals, because that’s when you really develop your expert knowledge of the play.

Is the Factory Theatre’s intimate space ideal for Dream?

Yes, it is wonderfully intimate, and that enables us to really talk to the audience, and include them in certain more public scenes. But it’s also a flowing, big, epic kind of space when

you want it to be, and that will help us take the audience on some wild adventures.

It’s many children’s first experience of Shakespeare – what makes it so suitable as entry-level Bard?

It’s a really clear, fun, fast-paced piece of writing, and its main characters are four young people who are discovering romance for the first time and navigating the huge highs and lows of being loved and unloved by one another. Very relevant themes for anyone dealing with the dramas of childhood and young adulthood. But also it’s a play, and hopefully a production, jam-packed with theatrical thrills and surprises.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream plays Tobacco Factory Theatres 20 February - 6 April www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Do you evolve shows collaboratively?

“The play is one of the most pertinent political satires that you could hope to find”

© JOEROBERTS

I like to work collaboratively, as actors have genius instincts and you’d be mad not to

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

1

Dawn Raiders They’re the Instagram heroes who get up before most of us have had breakfast, to max that magical early morning light, and catch the Ashton Court deer unawares . . .

Words and pictures by Colin Moody 44 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

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photography

t’s before 6am, and somewhere in Bristol, telephoto lenses are being loaded into coat pockets and snapped onto camera bodies. It’s on.

There is one place of focus of all this action, Ashton Court to photograph the deer herd. Especially the one they call ‘Stanley’ who you will see in many of their Instagram feeds. And feed they do, all of Bristol and a lot wider afield; feed us with amazing shots of these animals that live and thrive just a mile from the edges of the city centre.

These photos were taken on the one trip out I made with them. No mist in the background that morning, but the city and Ashton Gate stadium were like landed UFOs from Close Encounters at that time of day. And after we stood and got our bearings on where the deer were, it was wonderful to watch this group of Heroes spread out in singles and pairs, and begin to respectfully circle round to where the herd were.

Before we saw them, we heard the male deer calls. And here we were. A mini herd ourselves.

So I let them get about their business and started to hunt my own mini photo-story. . .

1

The way the photographers shared time with the deer and with each other was subtle, gentle and very moving actually. I asked Sam Binding (far left) his reasons for getting into this.

“Having a young child has helped me with waking up at a ridiculous hour, and so I started walking our dog Barney early in the morning,” says Sam. “Not only did I have the entire city mostly to myself, but I noticed the incredible light there would be during this golden hour, which would completely transform the city. So I was left with no choice but to go armed with my camera each morning, just in case.”

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Here’s Bryn Webley. “I’ve always been someone who sets their alarm seven days a week, because I don’t want to waste a single day. Getting into photography properly a year ago gave me even more of an excuse to get out of the house before the wife and kids woke up, to patiently wait for the first light to develop, capturing every minute of the sun creeping up over Bristol’s landmarks. I’ve now become quite fussy as to what time of day I prefer to shoot.

Even my boss now knows that I don’t skive during the day to take photos. But if I’m late in, he knows exactly why!”

“My boss now knows that I don’t skive during the day to take photos.

But if I’m late in, he knows exactly why” www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 45

photography

“Camera tech these days means that even while it’s just off the edge of pitch black you can get shots of breath flaring out of nostrils at 6:30am” 3

A tantalising glimpse of a shot Bryn was able to get while keeping a respectful distance from the animals. There are places by the fence you can get close if they choose to come to you but it’s always a good idea to do the right thing here. Like Bryn.

4

Tim here has a great shot. Light is poor, but the camera tech these days means that even while it’s just off the edge of pitch black you can get shots of breath flaring out of nostrils at 6:30am. Stanley again is often the centre of attention. Shot achieved, our group moves and takes a new position.

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If you want to see more of Barney you will have to check out his Insta profile, @barnabycrumpet. He does not hang around for photo shoots. Got places to be.

Rich there on the right has his reasons to be here this early. He is one of those dudes who looks after the amazing @igersbristol feed which has done so much to bring people and photographers together. I asked him his reasons to be up before dawn.

“For many years I’ve been getting up and out before sunrise for my photography. It feels like a very exclusive time of day; I have the city to myself and get to capture things that most people are missing while they’re still in bed.

In my opinion the first light is always the most beautiful, and I’m never bored of watching the sunrise. Each one is unique.”

6

Have a look at the haul from the morning and marvel at the kit. Here are five shots going down to mark the ‘best in morning’ collection. They are all winners. It’s a great little group. They took me in most generously and let me get my story. For me it’s like having a perfect little natural history unit, this crew whose work I look at regularly.

And here’s a tip. These guys have apps watching the skies and will get you shots like this every day.

Colin is available as a ‘mini-mobile PR/marketing/ social media unit’, to shoot striking street-style photographs at live events: parties, launches, promos and performances, for impactful immediate social media. Fees start at £100 for a two-hour package. email: mrcolinmoody@gmail.com Twitter: @moodycolin; Instagram @moodycolin319

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

6

Follow these guys . . .

Tim @tjphillips76 Bryn @brynwebley Rich @richimal_bristol

Keith @kruggy01 Sam @sambinding Mike @piccypeds

That’s Barney

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A RETIREMENT TO LOOK FORWARD TO

LAST REMAINING VACANCIES

across our five lovely houses in the Bristol area

EMILY ROSS BOOKS

Enduring love*

A well-chosen book can be the most romantic Valentine’s present of all

Y

“It’s full of blushing, feverish declarations of longing, occasionally making you feel like you’re poking through the underwear drawers of these historical figures” *Maybe not the Ian McEwan book of the same name, unless the purchase is for your stalker ...

eah, flowers and chocolates on Valentine’s Day are great, but I’ve always thought a carefully chosen book makes the most romantic and thoughtful present. And Valentine’s Day also happens to coincide with International Book Giving Day, so why not combine the two? It’s a gift that shows you’ve taken time to think about your partner’s tastes, and a book that’s chosen for you can be surprising and delightful.

If you’re struggling to find the right one, pop into the shop for recommendations, and we’ll help steer you away from any potential Valentine’s failures (please don’t buy Revolutionary Road for your spouse…) We also do next-day delivery, so drop us an email with your order and pick it up on the way home: just as easy, and a million times better than flowers from the garage. So, here are the Valentine’s Day books I think will set hearts a-quiver...

of these historical figures, but not enough to stop you from reading. If you’re planning an epic love letter you can use it for inspiration, or slip in into the locker of your secret crush (not in a creepy way).

FOR YOUR PARTNER Pick a classic love story that shows your other half the power of enduring love. Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s Love in the Time of Cholera tells the story of Florentino Ariza who falls hopelessly and devastatingly in love with Fermina Daza. To his despair, she rejects him in favour of a wealthy, reputable doctor and his hopes are dashed. 51 years, 9 months, 4 days and 622 affairs(!) later, Florentino Ariza attends the funeral of Fermina Daza’s husband and is ready to declare his eternal love for her all over again. It’s a celebration of love that lasts a lifetime, a truly romantic gift for the one you’re planning to keep hold of.

FOR THE LITTLE ONES In Sean Taylor’s brand new picture book Kiss the Crocodile, jungle friends Monkey, Tortoise and Anteater devise a game to get close to the sleeping crocodile with her sharp pointy teeth and claws and plant a kiss, but who will be brave enough? It’s a playful story full of fun, friendship and lots of kisses!

FOR YOUR SECRET CRUSH This newly re-issued and beautifully compiled collection of Love Letters of Great Men includes passionately penned notes from Mozart, Oscar Wilde, Napoleon Bonaparte and many more influential men throughout history.

It’s full of blushing, feverish declarations of longing, occasionally making you feel like you’re poking through the underwear drawers

FOR YOUR MOST TREASURED FRIENDS Dolly Alderton’s Everything I Know About Love is publishing in paperback this month; it makes the perfect gift for the best friend who’s there for you no matter what – because sometimes your best friend needs romancing too. You can’t help but be charmed by the journalist and former dating columnist’s account of early adulthood, from disastrous dates and early job-hunting experiences to throwing a Rod Stewart-themed house party for her friends. It’s a hilarious, honest and incredibly touching story about love in all its forms and, most importantly, the power of friendship to conquer all.

FOR THE V-DAY REFUSENIK Some people just aren’t interested in celebrating this particular holiday, and for these people I recommend Women Who Kill.

Part graphic novel, part gift book, these are the beautifully illustrated stories of murderous women throughout history: the ultimate antidote to the hearts and flowers filling up your lnstagram feed. If you are one of those people that would rather celebrate with a glass of wine and some bloodthirsty tales, this book will make you feel an awful lot better about Valentine’s Day. Storysmith, 49 North Street www.storysmithbooks.com

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opinion kam kelly

Love is the drug If you get hooked, baby, it’s nobody else’s fault. So – don’t do it?

T

he dictionary defines love as “an emotion that takes you to such altitudes where the air is so thin that you can hardly breathe, or leaves you on the ground in a fetal position, winded to the point where you can hardly breathe”.

To be fair, that’s not any dictionary’s definition of love. At least, I don’t think it is. I haven’t looked it up.

Anyway; Happy New Valentine’s month one and all.

And may the festival bring you everything your heart desires, providing you want your heart to choose your desires, that is.

I don’t want to be the Grinch of true love. I actually really don’t.

I believe in love. I’m a champion of it. Look, if Love was a football team, I would be a season ticket holder and would be there every week cheering it on; but only at home games, I have found that Love ain’t so great when playing away.

So, in the month of St Valentine – who, by the way, wasn’t born on 14 February but died on that date (some would call it a lucky escape) – I wish nothing but love and happiness to those who have reason to celebrate it.

I myself will be celebrating Valentine’s Day by going

“St Valentine wasn’t born on 14 February, he died on that date.Some would call it a lucky escape”

overseas for a few days with a mate who is also single. We actually made this plan last year, so that even if one of us was hooked up by now, we could say we already had plans, so can’t do romantic stuff. I am a catch!

Riddle me this. Is what Tennyson said true or not? Is it actually better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all? It’s almost a year, and I still find myself trying to get over having loved and lost. Would I be happier, had I not loved? Would I be more centred? Would I be more focused, on the rails that I should be on?

I work in an industry where certain drugs are rife. I have been offered them for as long as I can remember. Never taken them!

Read into that what you will, but I promise you, not even a speck has gone up my nose.

If this was a Hollywood courtroom drama, the judge would be telling me that I’d better be getting somewhere quick with this.

Yes, I drink and smoke too much. I have been told on umpteen occasions that a certain marching powder that may or may not derive from Columbia would be perfect for me (in no small part due to my awkwardness in social situations).

And therefore I will not do it.

Will not try it. I can’t afford to have something else that I like too much.

So, is it better to have snorted and gone broke than to never have snorted at all?

It is a far-fetched analogy. A reach at best. But it’s the only example I can fashion, based on experiences of had and had not.

My last proper relationship

ended almost a year ago. It was my ex’s birthday in January.

We haven’t communicated for months, but I sent her a text which started “Dear Best Part of My Life”. I wasn’t drunk or merry. I meant it. I had two and a half amazing years with her.

So riddle me this: was two and a half years of every loving ping on my phone, every morning of waking up next to a snoring beauty, every time forsaking the pub to take her kids to gymnastics, every mundane shopping trip and every smile I got from across the room on a night out worth the year afterwards of not looking at my phone, not waking up next to anyone snoring (apart from my dog), not having to forsake the pub, not having to go to gymnastics and not having to worry about anyone else when I go shopping?

I can’t answer that question.

I have loved and lost and I honestly don’t know whether that was better than never loving at all. All that said, I am a firm believer in love. I have also come to the realisation that you don’t have to have it to survive, or to find happiness. Broken hearts can and will mend, but let’s not forget that they have to serve a purpose. They have to work, or they cannot be broken.

Merry Valentine’s.

Love, ????

PS. How deep was I in that last paragraph??? Whoa! I even impressed myself!!

Kam Kelly’s breakfast show, every weekday from 6am, Sam FM Bristol, 106.5fm

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The litton

Log burners, leather sofas and hearty gastro fare; February just became a lot more bearable at this newly renovated inn near Wells

O

n a wretchedly icy winter’s afternoon, with snow on the high ground, and pheasants on suicide watch along the lanes, what we needed was a roaring log burner, reindeer skins chucked over leather Chesterfields and a large glass of something red and full-bodied in our hands.

Not that we’d crystallised this vision to such a degree, until we walked into The Litton, witnessed all of the above and thought, yes, this will do.

The Litton sits, eponymously enough, in a village of the same name, not far from Wells and an easy drive from Bristol. If you’d frequented the place as recently as three years ago, but not set foot in it since, you wouldn’t recognise the place; when current owner Sally Billington took over the historic pub in March 2015, it was still called the Kings Arms and was little more than a basic boozer for locals.

Sally saw the potential of bringing the building into the boutiquey, gastro-conscious 21st century,

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

and embarked on a massive 18-month refurbishment, being careful to preserve those oh-so-essential original flagstones, open fireplaces, beams and what-have-you, while staffing it with perky, cheerful young folk for whom nothing is too much trouble.

When we visited, the windows and doors were firmly barred against the elements, though we could glimpse a riverside terrace that must be positively beguiling in the warmer months; that’s the Chew that you can hear burbling away in the background.

It feels like a come-all-ye kind of a place, with victuals of various kinds served all day long; you can call in for a beer and a sandwich, or dig into the lunch and dinner menus, which cover the waterfront from pub standards to more imaginative dishes. When we visited, it was largely families in; there were no dogs under tables (boo!), but we know for a fact that this is as much a dog-friendly as a family-friendly place; actually, it’s just friendly, period.

Service is prompt and efficient, with advice and recommendations readily available; we let the bartender pick out a glass of red for us, and were rewarded by a mellow, curranty pinot noir. Complimentary sourdough arrived in a Harley Davidson tin (you heard); but the

restaurant

plates-not-slates brigade can relax; everything else is served on sensible china.

Both starters were good. Chef pays a lot of attention to presentation, though has such a generous hand when it comes to portion sizes that we started to fear for Sally Billington’s kitchen profits.

Three large globes of arancini looked a bit toasty on the outside but yielded a silky interior; they came in a gently spicy pool of arrabbiata, topped with fresh rocket and shaves of parmesan. Sticking with the Italian theme, a beetroot carpaccio with its classic platefellows, whipped goats cheese and walnuts, was oaky and mellow, cut nicely with juicy batons of apple.

The mains divided us a bit. On the one hand, my pork and apple burger was everything a pork and apple burger should be; sweet brioche bun, tender porky patty and precisely the right amount of BBQ sauce to perk up the whole caboodle; a big pile of sweet potato fries further confirmed our suspicion that chef is hellbent on feeding us until we burst.

The five-spiced duck was less of a hit. To be fair, the menu had warned of a ‘crushed’ bed of celeriac, carrot, cabbage et al, but Your Man still found it a dispiritingly sludgy mixture, while the duck – generous slices (again), rosily pink – was a bit too chewy for 100% happy eating.

Still, he perked right up at the sight of the affogato; three good scoops of vanilla with a strong espresso for the pouring. It’s one of the world’s simplest yet most successful puds, though if you’re feeling really wild you can also have a splash of liquor of your choice. We weren’t; if we had, we’d have asked for a slosh of PX (trust us on this one).

The Litton, as we read on the pub’s imaginative fauxnewspaper napkins, was originally built in the 1420s as a food mill, becoming the focal point of the village and a meeting point for farmers and producers. Today, nearly 600 years later, it’s neatly come full circle, with food being again at its heart.

Oh, and if like us you can barely move after your lunch – and we really can’t over-stress how big the Litton’s portions are – if you’ve had the foresight to book an overnight stay, you need only haul yourself upstairs, with the aid of the attractive, nautical rope banisters, to one of the beautifully appointed bedrooms, where you can sleep it all off, before descending and doing it all over again for dinner. n

“It’s a dogfriendly, familyfriendly place; it’s just friendly, period”

Dining details The Litton, Litton, nr Wells, BA3 4PW; 01761 241554; www.thelitton.co.uk Opening hours Mon-Fri: 11am-11pm; Saturday: 10am-11pm; Sunday: midday-10.30pm We visited Tuesday lunchtime Prices Starters £5.50-£7.25; mains £12.50-£22.50; puds £6.50-£10 Drinks A wide choice of by-the-glass wines; craft ales – and a whisky bar Atmosphere Relaxed and welcoming Service Friendly, efficient and can-do Children Massively welcomed.

We were outnumbered.

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f x 3 99Queens

CELEBRATING OUR 1 ST ANNIVERSARY Fresh homemade food & cake Large terrace Wifi Certificate of excellence 2018 (Trip Advisor) 99 QUEENS ROAD, CLIFTON BS8 1LW

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Research trips to Mexico were essential to get the Masa + Mezcal recipe just right. Anyone else suddenly feeling a bit dissatisfied with their job?

I ¡ARRIBA, ARRIBA!

The guys who brought you Bravas, Cargo Cantina and more are about to open a new Mexican restaurant in the Croft. Time to break open the celebratory mezcal…

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

f you want to cite an example of a Bristol foodie success story, look no further than Season + Taste. If we reel off a list of their restaurants you’ll know exactly who we mean: Bravas, Bakers & Co, Cargo Cantina, Corner 77 and Gambas (opened in that order). They seem to have a new gaff to shout about every year (actually, it’s been five in seven years), and soon they’ll be opening a new one – though, to be precise, their latest venture, Masa + Mezcal in Stokes Croft,will replace the pop-up-centric Corner 77. But let’s allow Kieran Waite, who runs the group with wife Imogen, to give us the lowdown.

Five thriving gaffs in seven years! What’s the secret of your success?

We love what we do! We get excited about new ideas all the time, and then egg each other on.

We want to retain talented members of our team, and we were at a point where we needed to grow to create new opportunities for people.

Staying lean and working with great people are our strengths, but our industry faces many challenges ahead, so we need to stay focused, keep learning, and keep enjoying it.

Did you always have a permanent restaurant in mind when you opened Corner 77?

Yes, we love the area, and felt that a lively

Food & Drink Eats, shoots and leaves Veganuary may be over, but it’s pretty clear that veganism isn’t going anywhere soon; indeed, according to a recent poll based on Google search data, Bristol tops the list worldwide of cities interested in plant-based dining.

With this in mind, here are just nine of Bristol’s best places for vegans at the moment.

mezcaleria with great food would be a perfect fit. Corner 77 was a creative project to use the space in the short term, which allowed many people to showcase their talents. It started with a focus around street food but evolved quite quickly to include music, art, the weird and the wonderful. We pretty much said ‘yes’ to everything, which made it a lot of fun.

that we saw in Mexico, with muted colours, natural wood, rough textures, terracotta and tons of plants, rather than a stereotype of what a ‘Mexican’ restaurant looks like. The music will be feelgood; people are out for a good time, and we want to create a fun and inviting atmosphere.

Mexican (or probably, to be accurate, Tex Mex) was huge in the ‘80s, but there’s been a strange lack of this cuisine in Bristol until recently. What appeals to you about it?

The menu will most likely consist of botanas, small snacks to be enjoyed with a drink; masa, dishes based around maize dough such as tacos, tostadas, thayudas and quesadillas; crudo, raw dishes inspired by the bright fresh flavours of traditional aguachilli; asado, larger dishes grilled on our charcoal grill or roasted in the oven; all with traditional sides such as rice, beans, avocado and wild greens.

Lots of things! Its punchy flavours, the fact that it’s fun to eat, and there’s so much scope for creativity; it’s really exciting to see our chefs developing delicious dishes. It’s also consistent with emerging food trends; for example tortillas are gluten-free, with no compromise.

The Mexican food that I have eaten in the UK isn’t what I have had in Mexico. As you alluded to earlier, it’s more Tex-Mex, which is fine if that’s what people want. But I think typically, as a cuisine, it now has a stigma, and too many places choose to use poor-quality, mass-produced ingredients.

We intend to be authentically inauthentic, and combine amazing Mexican produce such as unique chillis or key limes with the best ingredients that we have here in the South West and UK. So, you could eat a beautiful piece of Cornish fish or local free-range meat, but our kitchen larder will give our dishes fresh, punchy flavours with a Mexican accent.

What’s on the menu?

“We intend to be authentically inauthentic”

What can we expect from the décor?

Rather than investing in expensive materials and finishes, we will be looking to reuse materials and find creative, rather than expensive, solutions. There will be plenty of natural materials and warm lighting. We have been inspired to recreate the style of interiors

Bravas was an overnight hit, thanks to your in-depth knowledge of the Spanish tapas scene. How familiar are you with Mexico?

Well, our head chef Carlos Rivas is from Guadalajara, which helps! Personally, I’ve visited Mexico half a dozen times, and since opening Cargo Cantina we’ve done two dedicated trips with our team to learn about the food, drink and culture, get inspired, and have fun.

We all know about tequila – why should we become acquainted with mezcal at our earliest opportunity?

Let’s share a bottle and find out ! Every mezcal I’ve tasted, and I’ve tasted hundreds or more, is different, so there really is something for everyone, depending what flavour profiles you like. We’ll be serving mezcal straight up, in cocktails (which it’s amazing for), and in flights, so that people at any level can taste a few different things and find out what’s for them.

For opening date and more info www.seasonandtaste.co.uk

Pieminister, City Centre The pie guys have just added two new vegan numbers to their range; Chooks Away is a meat-free take on a classic chicken pie made with tofu, while Kevin (it’s cockney rhyming slang for vegan – no, you’re right, it doesn’t) is filled with mushroom, tomato, red wine and thyme.

Koocha, Gloucester Road Sociable, vegan mezze bar showcasing plant-based Persian dishes designed for sharing.

VX Bristol, Bedminster Vegan junk food – yes, that’s a thing – with vegan burgers, soya steak, a classic cheese toastie with Jeezo cheese, maybe with a Vego chocolate milkshake.

No.1 Harbourside Lively waterfront restaurant offering tasty vegetarian and vegan dishes on a healthy, seasonal menu.

ZaZa Bazaar, Harbourside That’s correct; the ‘world banquet bar’ and the UK’s largest restaurant has plans to add a dedicated vegan section to its vast buffet of global cuisines. Coming soon.

Suncraft, Gloucester Road From the same team behind The Gallimaufry, Suncraft is 100 per cent vegan, mostly gluten-free and largely Asian-inspired.

Earthcake, Southville Earthcake serves everything from cakes and gateaux to a full afternoon tea, without a trace of eggs or dairy.

Fi Real, Old Market Vegan and veggie, Caribbean-style; all locally sourced, organic and mostly glutenfree.

Root, Cargo Josh Eggleton’s innovative Root makes vegetables the heroes of the menu, with meat and fish on the side. You really haven’t eaten out in Bristol until you’ve dined at Root.

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cafÉ society Stan Cullimore

Screen time It’s date night for Stan and Mrs C – and we’re not talking the sticky fruit of the palm tree

G

iven the time of year, and the fact that my editor tells me that this is a Valentine’s issue, I have gone above and beyond for this week’s coffee and cake stop. Paying no heed to rhyme, reason, or budget, I invited Mrs Cullimore to the pictures for a good old-fashioned romantic night out.

Now, the purists out there might be caught up, at this point, by a trio of niggling problems

“It’s not often a cinema can combine gorgeous good looks with cucumber-cool cuteness, but the Everyman does it with sultry insouciance”

with my thinking here.

Firstly, a cinema is not a cafe.

Secondly, it’s not that romantic.

And thirdly, in order to write this piece in time to get it sent to the printers, this date night must have taken place some time before 14 February. Which just shows how wise and perceptive the purists out there can be. Because they are completely correct on all three points.

However, when it comes to romancing that special person in your life – the one who rocks your world, who somehow manages to be your best friend, bottle-washer and soul mate – well, then rules get thrown out the window.

All of which is just a long way to explain why we ended up at the Everyman Cinema on Whiteladies Road. To be fair, it is a beautiful beast of a building.

Oozing charm, sophistication and romance from every inch of its glowing golden façade.

It’s not often a cinema can combine gorgeous good looks with cucumber-cool cuteness, but the Everyman does it with sultry insouciance. They also do a mean line in soft drinks and snacks.

We decided to start the evening with a nod to the traditions of Café Society, by slurping down a couple of quick coffees to keep our hearts pounding away like giddy youngsters. Keeping it old school, we also went for a side

order of munchies. In this case, a bucket of popcorn. Sweet and savoury mixed, shaken not stirred, the way it should be. Just when we thought life could not get any better, we noticed a pocket-sized posy of fresh flowers brightening up our tiny table; a decidedly lovely touch.

However, as time was pressing and coffee is not the only beverage in town, we drank up, ordered a couple of boozy beverages to be brought to our sofa and headed upstairs to Screen One, where our very own personal sofa awaited us. Sitting there, sipping our refreshments as the silver screen sparkled into life before us, was the perfect way to pass a grand night out.

So if you are looking to do something special for that special person in your life, on a certain special day, trust me: you could do a lot worse than taking them to the pictures. If Stan & Ollie is still showing, I can thoroughly recommend it too. As well as having fun spotting the Bristol locations, it makes you want to cry, laugh and hold those you love dear close to your heart. Think St Valentine would approve.

Either way, hope your day is filled with loveliness. n Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer www.stancullimore.com

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SHOPPING LIVE WELL, BUY BETTER

STREET HEART

We heart Jody Thomas. We heart him loads. He’s one of the most talented people we know, and we’ll never in a million years be able to understand how he can create his beautiful street-luxe murals while balanced high up on scaffolding, often in howling wind and rain (ie, the prevailing weather during last year’s Upfest).

For our main Valentine’s Day pick this year, we’ve chosen his Heart in Hands print. If it’s a bit too pink for you (not us!), there’s an alternative version with silver hands forming a heart shape – oh, just look at the website, you’ll see.

From www.jodyart.co.uk Hand-signed giclée print; A2 £85, A3 £110

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LOVE KEYRING, £10 Cute, economical, and guaranteed to remind Your Other of your thoughtfulness whenever they reach for their keys From U Studio, 35A Queen’s Road; www.ustudio.design SILVER AND GOLD HEART NECKLACE, £238 From Diana’s signature chunky silver chain to the sweetly romantic pendant, this would be a cinch for lovers of contemporary jewellery From Diana Porter, 33 Park Street; www.dianaporter.co.uk

BABY, THIS ONE’S FROM THE HEART Sure, you can get him/her chocs and flowers, if you want. Then again, you could take a more imaginative, more Bristol approach to the whole Valentine’s thing STEPTHROUGH LIGHTWEIGHT BIKE, FROM £750 Here’s a neat idea; because they build their own bikes, Temple will custom-paint this very popular, easy to ride, lightweight model in your choice of colour – how about a pretty pink?

From Temple Cycles, 19 Wapping Wharf; www.templecycles.co.uk

100% WATERPROOF RAINCOAT, £85 Both practical (this is Bristol, you’ll be wearing it in July) and very pretty – and made from recycled plastic bottles, in line with Brothers We Stand’s ethical sourcing philosophy. Yes please, other half…

From Brothers We Stand, Unit 20, Cargo; www.brotherswestand.com

WARMING PILLOW, £18.99 Filled with cherry stones, this pillow from Warmlii is made by a member of the Better Food staff; this heart shaped version is exclusive to the shop From Better Food, 105 Gaol Ferry Steps; www.betterfood.co.uk

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ED’S CHOICE SILK PYJAMA TROUSERS, £150; WRAP TOP £225 Agent Provocateur have a pop-up at HoF until 14 February; naturally, pretty lingerie features heavily, but so does this rather more subtle take on feminine sexiness From AP at House of Fraser, Cabot Circus; www.houseoffraser.co.uk

STEGOSAURUS ORIGAMI LAMP, £31.50 A doddle for the dinophile in your life, or indeed for anyone who relishes a touch of kitsch. Or indeed, origami. Or indeed, bubble-gum pink From Mon Pote, 177 North Street; www.monpote.co.uk

HELEN MOORE HUFF, REDUCED FROM £37.99 TO £18.99 Nobody likes to see their partner in a huff on V Day; unless it’s a multi-coloured ‘Carnaby’ one from Helen Moore. Better still, at this price, it’s a total bargain...

From Amulet 39A Cotham Hill; www.amuletboutique.co.uk

LOVE SPECS, £12 For lovers who don’t take V Day too seriously. That said, there’s a thoughtful intention here; a portion of the money for every pair sold goes to the ‘Love Support Unite’ charity, working with communities and the Tiinanu orphanage in Malawi. The ultimate Croft Valentine’s gift, non?

From That Thing, 45-47, Stokes Croft; www.thatthing.co

SOMERSET MORELLO CHERRIES, £17.50 Plump, boozy, Morello cherries steeped in Eau de Vie from the Somerset Cider Brandy Company. “Amazing with ice cream, or added to a glass of champagne to make Hix Fix – the house cocktail of the Mark Hix restaurants,” they say, alluringly From Bristol Cider Shop, 4 Cargo; www.bristolcidershop.co.uk

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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

Meet the hairdresser

There’s a wide range of hairdressers and barbers in Bristol – but who makes the cut?

Paul Goodier

Jon Hurst

Hair at 58 – Aveda Concept Salon 0117 973 7793; www.hairat58.co.uk What can a client expect from a consultation with you?

A warm welcome and an honest opinion! The most productive consultations are open and collaborative. I like to ask lots of questions and get plenty of information to create a bespoke look for each client.

If you could cut anybody’s hair who would it be and why?

I would cut wigs for women who have lost their hair through chemotherapy. I find it very rewarding to give someone a new look, as it seems to work wonders for their self-esteem and confidence.

What products do you recommend and why?

Hair at 58 is an Aveda Concept Salon. All the products are naturally derived and environmentally friendly. I can trust they are ethically produced and will perform on every type of hair; they have a great aroma too!

What’s the secret of a great hair cut?

Hair is like fabric. It’s important to understand its natural texture, and the fundamental properties of the material you’re working with.

As a stylist what is your point of difference?

I have been an educator for Vidal Sassoon Schools, the Aveda Academy and am privileged to work with Aveda’s Global Art Team as an Ambassador – and I work Sundays!

Jon Hurst Hairdressing 0117 373 0044; www.jonhursthairdressing.co.uk

Paul Goodier

Jon Hurst

Vanessa Martin

What would you say is the most important part of the service you give?

A great client experience is key – I make it a priority to provide a high quality service in a relaxed and friendly environment. It’s so important that the client enjoys their visit to the salon – get that right and they’ll come again!

What can a client expect from a consultation with you?

An in-depth discussion to reach a clear understanding of what the client wants and what is achievable.

What’s your top tip to share with clients?

Use a good quality shampoo! Choose one that is naturally derived and isn’t packed full of parabens, sulphates and silicones which simply coat the hair rather than actually treating it and improving hair health.

Do you prefer trend-led or classic styles?

I’d have to say both. My favourite is to take a classic cut and make it individual with a modern twist.

Best part of your job?

Making someone look and feel amazing is still incredibly rewarding even after more than 30 years in the business. It’s fantastic to see how a new hairstyle can totally transform the way a client feels and give them a huge confidence boost.

EK Hair – Specialists in children’s haircuts 01179273213; www.ekhair.co.uk What would you say is the most important part of the service you give?

Making sure the children are calm and comfortable, it is so important to build the trust of both parent and child.

What can a client expect from a consultation with you?

All the clients I meet with, both adults and children, have a personal plan with what they would like to achieve. I often discuss their routine to find something that not only looks amazing but is manageable.

What’s your top tip to share with clients?

Every child is different, we can never predict what will happen, but can always find a solution that’s best for your child.

Why children’s hairdressing?

If I can help a terrified child to feel at ease while having their hair cut, it’s an achievement that only the parents and myself would understand.

What makes you different?

I’ve learnt British Sign Language as I have a deaf husband, which breaks communication barriers for deaf and non verbal individuals.

Tina Lombardi

Moda hairdressing 0117 942 1006; www.modahairdressing.co.uk

Vanessa Martin

Tina Lombardi

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What would you say is the most important part of the service you give?

Making my clients feel a million dollars and leaving with expensive looking hair.

What scissors do you use?

Scissors are very important. I have always worked with ‘Kasho’ scissors and currently have four different pairs ranging in length.

What’s your top tip to share with clients?

Use products and shampoos that suits and is right for your hair. Also regular visits to your hairdresser every six to eight weeks.

Who inspires you?

Vidal Sassoon. Great story how he began, and even now in current trends we still use adaptations of his style.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

Still working, as I couldn’t imagine anything else!

Possibly educating others as I love teaching and sharing the passion I have with others.

Best part of your job?

Seeing your client walk out feeling happy, as they are your walking advert of a great cut.

advertising feature Rebecca Rendell

Doug Hobbs

Charisma Hair and Beauty 01179674040; www.charismabristol.com What can a client expect from a consultation with you?

I will listen to the client’s needs, see pictures and then with my experience add my input to what would suit them and their lifestyle. We want our clients to be able to recreate and maintain the look at home.

What’s the best advice you have received?

Know my cause, know my vision and nail it, then stride again.

Persistence, perseverance and positivity is my attitude.

What’s your top tip to share with clients?

My top tip is that you if come and see me regularly, I will tell you all my secret tricks and more...

Why hairdressing?

I really love meeting new people and making lifelong friends. Boosting confidence and changing lives.

Achieving the impossible and making it a reality.

If you could style anyone’s hair, whose would you cut and why?

Angelina Jolie – she’s such an icon for all the amazing things she has achieved and done. Also, I would love to do something for my community such as styling the homeless. Just to see them smile would be amazing.

What’s the secret behind a good colour?

Only using the best products and latest techniques on our clients also our very experience colour technicians with the best up to date training to keep up with the looks on trend!

Hobbs Hairdressing 01179291635; www.hobbs-style.co.uk What would you say is the most important part of the service you give?

Everything, right from the initial consultation through to the cut and colour itself. The service at Hobbs is all about making clients feel fantastic.

What’s your top tip to share with clients?

Hair should be enjoyed! The products you use are important too. At the start of 2019 we began using an organic and biodynamic range called O-Way, which has been a fantastic change and environmentally friendly too.

If you could cut anyone’s hair whose would you cut and why?

I just love cutting my clients hair! My clients are all very interesting people, I enjoy catching up with them at each visit.

Best part of your job?

I love working with a talented team and in a positive environment. To me it is all about my team and the clients, they are the ones that drive my ambition and success.

Rebecca Rendell

Clair Swinscoe

Chloe Jones

Doug Hobbs

Bloggs Salons 01179291902; www.bloggssalons.com What would you say is the most important part of the service you give?

The consultation, that’s where everything starts from, it determines the difference between what you’re going to achieve and what you want to achieve. It’s also the first impression for yourself and the client.

What can a client expect from a consultation with you?

A thorough one-to-one discussion, I’m an honest hairdresser and I’ll listen to you, but at the same time I will advise you against something if I don’t think it’ll suit you. I’ll always come back with other options though!

What’s your top tip to share with clients?

Having a good shampoo and condition is like having a good face moisturiser and foundation, get the base right and everything else comes with it!

Why hairdressing?

My mum’s a successful hairdresser, so I’ve grown up around it from a young age. I was always found with a broom in my hand in her salon and from there I upgraded to the scissors.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

I’m big into education within the salon and industry, so I’d like to head up an academy in which I mentor and develop future stylists.

Do you prefer trend-led or classic styles?

I’m a classic girl at heart, give me a sharp bob or crop any day! I do enjoy putting a modern twist on it though, be it with colour or cut.

Chloe Jones

Clair Swinscoe

CLAIR SWINSCOE STUDIO COUTURE 01179733600 What would you say is the most important part of the service you give?

For me it is imperative to give a five-star professional customer service experience, creating an atmosphere in the salon where clients can come to escape, relax and be truly pampered and looked after.

What’s your top tip to share with clients?

To use organic hair products that are toxic-free and have no nasty chemicals in them; it is so important to take care of what we put on our hair and skin and inside our bodies, while also being kind to the planet.

If you had free rein on a client, what cut would you go for?

Gosh, this is a tricky question, and very subjective depending on who is sat in my chair, as I love cutting all different styles; restyles are my ultimate favourite so when my clients give me free rein on their hair and ask me to do what I want, this puts great trust and confidence in me.

What’s the secret to a good haircut?

Finding the right hairdresser! For me the secret is to listen to exactly what the client wants, understanding the client’s hair type and texture and how it reacts to different cutting techniques. I am a perfectionist and I like to think my cuts are immaculate.

Best part of your job?

All of it. I love cutting hair, being creative, using organic hair products, working with a great team and meeting new people, learning new things everyday and most of all the versatility of working on fashion shows, catwalks, photoshoots. I am lucky to work in London on glossy magazines and one of my favourite days was seeing a magazine I worked with on the shelves of Harrods and Harvey Nichols.

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advertising feature Emily Gil

Joseph Russell-Clarke & HANNAH GEORGE

Charisma Hair Clinic – Hair loss specialist 01179674040; www.charismabristol.com

JOSEPH HANNAH 0117 960 0770; www.josephhannah.co.uk

What would you say is the most important part of the service you give?

Everything I do is important. From the consultation to the fitting of my client’s system needs to be attentive and special. They put so much trust into everything I do so it has to be perfect.

What can a client expect from a consultation with you?

Our consultations are private and one to one. With my experience I discuss in detail their current situation and provide them with the best possible options.

Why hair loss?

I thrive on creating a completely different look for my clients, giving them confidence and changing their lives.

I love helping people, it’s very rewarding.

Who inspires you?

I would say my clients and myself inspire me every day, I’ve achieved so much in my career and my personal life I can only go upwards from here.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

I just want to reach out to as many people suffering and support them through their journey, hair loss is such a tough subject but it doesn’t have to be.

What makes a good hair system?

Every hair system is custom-made to our client’s need and wants. Finding the perfect colour, style to suit them and making them glow.

Best part of your job?

This is a hard question as I am so passionate about every single aspect of my career! Seeing my client’s reaction after they see the end result is priceless.

Kings and Queens Bristol

Introducing the team at our independent salon 0117 929 8849 www.kingsandqueensbristol.com @kingsandqueensbristol What would you say is the most important part of the service you give?

TEAM: Honest and professional advice to get the best out of the client’s hair, taking into

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Emily Gil

Hannah and Joseph

What can a client expect from a consultation with you?

JOSEPH: An in-depth conversation to determine their hair history and desired results, their likes and dislikes and to make sure they have realistic expectations.

What’s the best advice you have been given?

HANNAH: Try and remember one thing about each client you see.

What’s your top tip to share with clients?

JOSEPH: Invest in salon professional products for home haircare, it really makes a massive difference.

HANNAH: Always trust a good hairdresser’s advice.

Why hairdressing?

HANNAH: I’ve always loved hairdressing, I enjoy my clients leaving the salon feeling like a million dollars.

If you could cut anyone’s hair who would it be?

JOSEPH: Julia Davis because I think she’s the funniest person on the planet, and I would love to spend a couple of hours with her.

Do you prefer trend lead styles or classic?

JOSEPH: I live for trend lead colours but I love cutting classic timeless styles.

HANNAH: Classic cut, as most trend led styles are a version of a classic cut.

What’s the secret to a good haircut.?

JOSEPH: Don’t create something the client can’t style themselves.

What’s the secret behind a good colour?

HANNAH: Understanding your clients wishes and knowing their previous colour history.

account their features and working with their answers to find the best style for them. Also lots of laughs...the salon is really sociable with our super-friendly team (also, the free prosecco and beer helps).

What can a client expect from a consultation with you?

ZOEY: Honesty! If we don’t think it’ll work or look good then we’ll advise you of this and look at other options.

How big are your scissors?

LIAM: It’s what you do with them that counts....

If you had free rein on a client, what cut would you go for?

CHRIS: I’m lucky that clients have a lot of trust in me and we change their hair every few visits, even subtle changes give clients a confidence boost!

Why did you choose hairdressing?

CHRIS: The first fashion show I assisted on I was 14 and fell in love with the industry and creativity behind it.

Who inspires you?

GINA: My team and clients that leave feeling and looking amazing.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

GINA: With this team having expanded into other areas of the south west. Possibly a training academy and a local fashion show What’s the secret to a good haircut?

GINA: Communication... listening to what the client wants. If they say take an inch off. You only take an inch off!

What’s the secret behind a good colour?

BRYONY: It totally depends on what the client wants and what their lifestyle is. If somebody wants higher maintenance/ high fashion hair colours they have to be ready to maintain it themselves as well. Using the right shampoos, and products. And listening to what your hairdresser recommends you do!

Do you prefer trend-led or classic styles?

ELAINE: Classic styles are always nice to do, but keeping up on trend is really important as that¹s the way the hair and fashion industry is going. Being able to do both is always a pleasure!

Best part of your job?

TEAM: Making people feel good

advertising feature Corey Taylor

Noel Halligan

NOCO HAIR 0117 403 0998; www.nocohair.com What would you say is the most important part of the service you give?

It’s definitely the way we make our guests feel. At NOCO it’s all about the experience of taking some “you time” and feeling relaxed knowing that we are going to make you look and feel great!

What’s the best advice you have received?

“Under-promise and over-deliver”. As a colour specialist I am used to seeing all types of hair with all types of goals.

I will never promise you a miracle! During the consultation process we will discuss your options, I will tell you what is achievable and we will formulate a plan to get you to your hair goals. Rome wasn’t built in a day and great hair can take time if it’s a big change you are after.

What’s your top tip to share with clients?

Embrace the hair you’ve got. All hair is beautiful when it’s properly cared for. A little help and guidance from the professionals means we can make you love your hair that little bit more.

Best part of your job?

The immediate job satisfaction. When you’ve spent your time working on something it’s great to be able to see the end result there and then.

Why hairdressing?

I just love making people feel better about themselves.

When your hair looks good, you feel good and when you feel good you can do great things.

NOCO HAIR 0117 403 0998; www.nocohair.com

Corey Taylor

Noel Halligan

Maria Marques

Alma Bella Boutique 0117 973 7700; www.almabellaboutique.co.uk Why the name ‘Alma Bella’?

It means ‘beautiful soul’ and we chose it to reflect how we want our customers to feel. We aim for a happy, relaxed atmosphere and want our customers to leave us feeling fully satisfied.

What sets you apart from other salons?

All of our staff are self-employed and highlyexperienced so we’re constantly striving for customer satisfaction while also catering for anyone’s needs.

When you say experienced, how experienced…?

Across our team we have more than 100 years’ worth of industry experience so we definitely know what we’re doing – otherwise we wouldn’t still be doing it.

Tell us a bit more about your team – who are they?

There’s nine of us in total – Jan and I are the style directors and we have two top stylists, Lydia and Gloria, and a wonderful junior stylist, Chloe.

We also have therapists, Renata, Lisa, Sarah and Chris – all of whom have a variety of different specialisms.

Beyond hairdressing, do you offer any other services?

Yes! We class ourselves as a ‘hair, health and beauty boutique’ so we’re definitely more than just a salon. Whether it’s a cut-and-colour, extensions, micro-blading, beauty treatment or even a sports massage, we’ve got you covered.

What would you say is the most important part of the service you give?

Giving people the ability to look and feel like better versions of themselves than before they come to see us.

What can a client expect from a consultation with you?

Consultations are a massive, if not the most crucial part of what we do. It’s so important to listen to what our guests have to say. Time and time again we see a bad haircut from another salon and most of the time it’s because the hairdresser simply hasn’t listened. With us we have developed a sitdown face-to-face ‘Beautiful You’ consultation to find your perfect complement between style and tone. We look at the areas that make you beautiful and really design a cut or colour based on your physical make up and daily activities. This is a complimentary service so please pop in for a chat.

How big are your scissors?

5.5” for precision and 6’5 for the bigger jobs What’s your top tip to share with clients?

To properly wash your hair, do two shampoos, then towel-dry the hair before applying the conditioner.

-this will remove the excess moisture and allow the hair’s cuticle to close, giving you the full benefit of your conditioner and making the hair super-soft and radiant.

If you could cut anyone’s hair whose would you cut and why?

Kate Middleton. A trip to the palace would be fun!

John Mcmahon

Shotgun barbers 0117 930 0014.; www.shotgunbarbers.co.uk

Maria Marques

Who inspires you?

My kids.

What’s the secret to a good haircut?

It’s all in the consultation. Listening to your client and watching their body language, giving your professional advice to achieve the desired look. And always look forward.

What’s the secret behind a good colour?

A good colour technician.

Do you prefer trend led or classic styles?

There’s room for both.

Whats the best part of your job?

Working with the most amazing team of hairdressers and barbers in this part of the country. They never stop being creative and inspiring me; thanks guys.

John McMahon

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“At the heart of the Downs school is happiness”

The Downs

Mission statements For our first education feature of the year, we spoke to a cross-section of Bristol’s schools, and asked two simple questions: what’s your overriding philosophy, and what else makes you special?

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Education

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ll our featured schools have proven track records in education, but each also has a particular area, philosophy and achievements that make them stand out from the crowd. But let them tell you all about it . . .

Clifton College

Historic co-ed school for boarders and day pupils aged 2-18 “The College’s mission is to inspire each child to seize learning and opportunity and realise their full potential through an eagerness to embrace life with passion, integrity and resilience and to make a positive difference to the lives of others.

“We offer a broad range of academic subjects, team and individual sports, and extracurricular activities for boys and girls from two to 18. The College is housed in grand Victorian buildings, but everything about the education is modern. Clifton College offers inspirational teaching, excellent pastoral care and first-class facilities. We provide an all-round education, and students excel in everything from science and maths to art, drama, music and sport.”

Can you tell us a few recent standout successes?

“Twelve students have been offered places at Oxbridge this year; the 1st XV rugby team finished in the top ten nationally for the fourth year in a row; the U14 and the U16 indoor girls hockey squads both qualified for the Nationals while one of our pupils plays for the England U16s, and one of our Sixth Formers won the Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra Young Composer’s Competition in July.” www.cliftoncollege.com

RedMaids’

High school for girls aged 4-18 “We are a local high school with an international outlook. Our origins are firmly rooted in giving able girls of all backgrounds the opportunity to flourish both personally and intellectually. We employ excellent teachers and maintain limited class sizes throughout the school enabling close working relationships with students. While we strive to help our students achieve the best academic outcomes, we also help them to develop new interests and talents for a fully-rounded educational experience.

“We are the oldest girls’ day school in the country and our history – dating back to 1634 – is a part of the history of Bristol.

“We have also just celebrated our 10th anniversary as an IB World School. As the first in Bristol to offer our students the choice of studying the IB Diploma or A Levels at Sixth Form, we are experts in both of these highlyregarded routes into higher education.”

Can you tell us a few recent successes?

“Last year we were shortlisted for a national TES (Times Educational Supplement) award

above: Nicola Benedetti, no less, inspiring pupils at Red Maids; below: creative kids at QEH

in recognition of the international work we do educating our students about the world around them. This year we have been shortlisted again by the TES for our sporting prowess. Sport is high on the agenda at Redmaids’ High and our students are frequently competing and succeeding at regional, national and even international level. Music and drama are also important parts of the education and enrichment we provide, and our new Redland Hall is fast becoming a destination for many popular and high-calibre concerts and shows.” www.redmaidshigh.co.uk

QEH

Independent boys school for 3-18 “QEH is a school where individuals matter – where there’s space for children to be themselves. And while we have high academic expectations of our students, we aim to produce young adults who are well-educated, not just well-qualified. People often comment on how self-assured and well-mannered our pupils are. Their friendly spirit and good behaviour are partly the result of unobtrusive but strong pastoral care which is a key strength of the school. Visitors quickly sense that QEH is a

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Education Edexcel Computer Science.

“We also opened our new multi-million pound sports centre complete with fencing piste, cricket nets and climbing wall to show our continued recognition of the importance that sport plays in lives of our pupils.” www.badmintonschool.co.uk

The Downs Preparatory School

above: Future England rugby stars at Clifton College; below: Quality reading time at Fairfield

close-knit, caring community where individuals are both encouraged and encourage one another.”

Can you tell us a few recent standout successes?

We were delighted earlier this year to find our value-added scores at an all-time high. Valueadded, measured by MidYIS scores, show how much a student has improved, whatever their ability, rather than how well they have done in outright terms.” www.qehbristol.co.uk

Fairfield

Co-ed day school for children aged 2-11 “We are a small school with a family atmosphere in which everyone feels secure, happy, valued and appreciated. At the heart of everything we do here is the strength of the relationship between child, family and school, and our philosophy is based on one overarching question: what is in the best interests of our children?

“Our school combines high expectations, excellent teachers and a very nurturing environment which focuses on each individual child’s needs. Our motto is clear and simple: I am, I can, I ought, I will.”

herself and the opportunities she can look forward to in a global society.

“At Badminton, we believe in really getting under the skin of whatever we do, not just skating over the top. To phrase this eloquently, you could say it’s our holistic approach to education.

“The School has an enviable sense of community, which is felt the moment you step through the gates. The private, secure campus gives our girls the space and time to grow, develop and discover who they are and who they want to be, at their own pace. The mixture of old and new buildings gives the school a strong sense of its history while remaining modern and innovative.”

Can you tell us a few recent successes?

“Badminton Junior School has been awarded ‘The Bristol Standard’, while the senior school is bucking educational trends with outstanding GCSE results; most significantly achieving 10% of all grade 9s awarded to girls nationally in

Co-ed school for children aged 4-13 “At the heart of The Downs Preparatory School is happiness: our children achieve highly because they are happy. Many visitors comment that the special atmosphere is tangible, and it is undoubtedly this that leads the success of the school. Our children enjoy a very broad, diverse all-round education.

“DPS is sited within the most idyllic parkland estate. Our children enjoy fresh air, wellies and dens, chickens and allotments.

The school has no direct links to any senior school and so we can be entirely objective in discerning the school that most suits our pupils, who move on to a range of schools, from Eton and Winchester to, more locally, Clifton College, Badminton and QEH.” Tell us about some recent successes

“We try to make sure that there are standout moments for each of our children as often as possible, as this is how self-esteem and confidence are developed. For one it may be playing their violin in one of our regular concerts; for another it may be dancing with the jazz troupe, and for others it may be playing for one of the many schools teams.

“As a school we remain very pleased that all our children move on to their first-choice secondary schools, many with awards. More importantly they move on as delightful, confident individuals who stand out at their senior schools.” n www.thedownsschool.co.uk

Can you tell us a few recent successes?

“Although we currently no longer take part in the national SATs examinations, in November 2016, we were named in The Sunday Times as one of the top 100 independent prep schools, for our SAT results, ranking higher than any other independent school in the area.” www.fairfield.school

Badminton School

Day and boarding school for girls aged 3-18 “For over 160 years, Badminton has nurtured and inspired girls to succeed in all areas of life.

The small community is a powerful one, where every girl develops the skills to understand

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Extreme Italy

For ancient architecture, go to Rome. For fashion, head to Milan. For art, Florence.

Gondolas, Venice. But to experience Italy at its most unpredictable, over-the-top best, it really has to be Naples, says Mal Rogers Photos by deri robins

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great escapes

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rucifixes that talk, shop assistants with the faces of Botticelli angels, shady-looking men making deals in the sun, sanctified blood which miraculously liquefies. You could believe anything might happen in this epic city, never more than a Hail Mary away from being buried by the fractious Mount Vesuvius (it last erupted in 1944).

Naples is a dodgy, espresso-crazed extravaganza, populated by two million highly-strung, in-your-face citizens sprawling across a crumple of hills. It’s noisy, wildly exciting, romantic, menacing. In the shadow of some of Christendom’s most iconic art, dramatically gesticulating people let it all hang out in an endless maze of narrow cobbled streets.

This is a city that seems to accommodate more people, motorbikes, beautiful women, religious icons, cafés, bars and food stalls than seems strictly necessary.

It also has Italy’s only surviving Banksy – Madonna with a Pistol, on Piazza dei Girolamini. A local I met was very keen on the ‘3D is Banksy’ theory, mainly because Rob del Naja’s dad was born in Naples.

Those Italians, huh? Not content with laying claim to pizza, opera, ice-cream and sexy footballers, now they want to own Bristol’s maverick Krylon-botherer, too.

On our first morning in Naples, we had an encounter with a Lambretta scooter. A distractingly attractive woman sat on the pillion – facing backwards — shouting down a mobile phone. Meanwhile her boyfriend weaved in and out of the traffic. He managed to avoid us, only to fall foul of a taxi driver. They began to trade insults; all the while the pillion woman languidly continued her conversation.

The baroque pantomime of Neapolitan life is played out against the smell of pizza and coffee wafting from every street corner. The city’s unique gastronomy, its dramatic setting looking out towards the Isle of Capri, and its A-list art collections, have made it an attractive proposition for Europe’s upwardly mobile since the Greeks. The Romans were next, followed by the usual suspects: Goths, Byzantines, Angevins, Lombards, Saracens, Fascists.

Matters regularly got a bit hand-baggy.

This recurring change of tenants bequeathed an enormous legacy of architecture to the city, from the bombastic San Francesco di Paola church on the Piazza del Plebiscito. Street furniture abounds; there are statues of (in no particular order) Dante, Czar Nikolai, monks, poets, Christ, Bellini, the Madonna and, of course, Thomas Aquinas. It was here, in his native Naples, that a crucifix spoke to the theologian. The talkative cross still hangs in San Domenico Maggiore, amid an opulent blaze of gold ornamentation. The Catholic Church was never the same again.

But time for some light sight-seeing duties. Off we headed to one of the world’s most important archeological museums, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in the Piazza Museo. The whole sweep of civilisation is on show here – Egyptians, Greeks, Pompeii, Phoenicians. Good stuff.

But don’t get me wrong – that museum thing; that’s just us. To enjoy yourself in Naples you need never venture beyond the gloriously hedonistic Spanish Quarter, or the outrageously freewheeling Spaccanapoli – the teeming street that slices the city’s ancient Centro Storico neighbourhood in two. If you never went anywhere else in the city you’d still have a Neapolitan ball.

Living here is done on the street, to the extent that the distinction between inside and outside seems almost to disappear. They will encourage you to join in. For a city with a reputation for organised and indeed unorganised crime, it is an astoundingly friendly place.

All Neapolitan life is here – beggars crowd round Baroque churches, where priests, who if they were playing the part would be well over the top, minister to the faithful. In the talking crucifix place, we saw an old priest dozing the day away in his confessional box.

Snoring and all; nobody seemed to have the heart to disturb him. Several sins went unconfessed that day, I suppose.

Everywhere in the city are dramatic works of art — Caravaggio’s Flagellation of Christ, shuddering with violence and despair, is on show at the Capodimonte Museum. It’s an arresting sensation to see this image in the city where its creator would prowl the streets, sword at hand, looking for victims to engage in an argument or a fight. Surprisingly he made it to the ripe old age of 38. And he left behind some of the most sensational and glorious (not to mention campest) art for us to enjoy.

After this soul-searing business you’ll want to return to your favourite piazza, and by now you’re sure to have one, with your favourite pizzeria and favourite waitress – the one with a smile you could pour on a waffle. The cats will still be dozing in the shade, the oleanders waving in the breeze, Vespas and baby Fiats flitting about.

The waitress will arrive with your bottle of Lacryma Christi – ‘Tears of Christ’ – a wine produced locally by monks. She knows it’s your favourite. You’ll look contentedly round at this shambles of a metropolis, certain that you’ll be back. You know you could love this utterly compelling place. In the hairdryer heat of a Neapolitan evening you’ll start humming “. . . scuzza me, but you see, back in old Napoli, that’s amore.”

“Living here is done on the street, to the extent that the distinction between inside and outside seems almost to disappear”

page 74, clockwise: From the hills you can survey

the whole of Napoli; on Via San Gregorio Armeno, shops selling nativity cribs also purvey entertaining figurine tat; track down Banksy’s Madonna with a Pistol on Gerolomini Square this page: One of the best ways to discover the backstreets of Naples is by hiring a vespa

Fly directly to Naples from Bristol Airport www.bristolairport.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 75

SNAPPED AC ROSS BR IS TO L , O N E SH I N D I G AT A T I M E The Duke and Duchess listening to a performance by the Bristol Old Vic Young Company

Unveiling a plaque to officially open Bristol Old Vic’s new foyer

The Duke and Duchess with BOV AD Tom Morris at a young people’s workshop

THE ONLY WAY IS SUSSEX

Adorable Abbeywood pre-schoolers brave the snow to meet Meghan and Harry

During a packed itinerary on 31 January, Harry and Meghan chatted to crowds on King Street before touring the recently revamped Bristol Old Vic. After lunch they paid a surprise visit to charity One25, before a final stop at Empire Fighting Chance (three bottom pics), which aims to improve young people’s lives through boxing.

Bristol Old Vic photos by Jon Rowley (apart from photo on right, by Tim Woolf) Empire Fighting Chance pics by Kane Rich Photography

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 77

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SOCIETY

Mary Cleaver and Emma Harris

James Kingston, George Ferguson and Charles Orr

Jez Sweetland and Paul Williams

Kirsty Pesticcio (RIBA & Atkins)

Louise Bronson

IF THEY BUILD IT

Councillor Paul Smith

...they will come; and so they did, when the inagural Bristol Property Awards held its launch party last month at Bristol Old Vic. The Bristol Property Awards take place on 17 May at Ashton Gate www.bristolpropertyawards.co.uk Photos Tim Woolf Photography

MONEY MATTERS

Daliah Haughton

Bevis Watts, the UK MD of Triodos Bank, was the first speaker at the Bristol Life Business Club this year.

After lunch at Avon Gorge Hotel, Bevis told guests what it means to run an ethical bank, and how Triodos prioritises the social value against the commercial need to make profits.

Next event: Stephen Lansdown of Hargreaves Lansdown on 11 March www.bristollifebusinessclub.com

Sarah Curnow

Photos by Tim Woolf Photography

Bevis Watts

Zoe James and Elliot Mace

Jack Thomson and Mel Base Amanda Jones and Andy Franks

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 79

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

BUSINESSINSIDER BRISTOL GETS SERIOUS

Quote of the issue

“I’VE VIVID MEMORIES OF MY MUM SAYING, ‘WHY DON’T YOU JUST GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY?’” Who says Mum’s the word?

Find out on page 83

The Big Number

14 Zoe shows off a mood board

FRIENDS NOT RIVALS One of the many things we like about the Bristol Life Awards is the way it brings people together, and spikes off new business ideas

T

his time last year, Leigh-Anne Treadwell of Bristol Upholstery Collective (BUC) and Zoe Hewett of interior design studio Stylemongers Of Bristol were competing for the interiors trophy at the Bristol Life Awards. Now they’re teaming up to offer Zoe’s interior design masterclasses at the new BUC workshop space in

Leigh-Anne, with springs and fabric and other mysterious-looking upholstery things

That’ll be 14 February – yep, that’s right, V Day – which is when nominations close for the 2019 Bristol Life Awards. So – tell us why we should love your business as much as you do.

With over 650 guests last year, tickets are selling briskly and are expected to be in high demand when finalists are revealed; secure a place now, before finalists are revealed on 18 February.

PS Hurry. www.bristollifeawards.co.uk

Totterdown – and it’s all down to meeting at the Awards.

“Our table at the ceremony was full of women from the creative and interiors categories,” says Zoe. “But rather than there being a competitive atmosphere, it was one of mutual admiration and enthusiasm.

“Our businesses all complement rather than clash, which helped, but there was also real excitement at meeting other women in business. So thanks to the Awards team for bringing us together! I’m thrilled to be partnering up with BUC. There’s a synergy between our brands, as we are both independent, artisanal and passionate about practising our respective crafts.”

“In true collective fashion we’re incredibly excited to invite our creative networks to collaborate, in encouraging Bristol’s people to design, make, rebuild, and express their unique style,” says Leigh-Anne.

“Zoe’s interior design masterclass is the most inspiring and enjoyable day – a super way to overcome ‘ideas overwhelm’ in our brand new creative venue.

It’s such a joy to be working together.”

The day-long interior design masterclasses will be held at BUC’s new workroom on Wells Road from 23 March. The workshops are taught by Zoe, and participants will learn her design process, aimed at taking the stress out of decision-making for home redecorating and renovating. www.bristolupholsterycollective.com www.bristolcreatives.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk MEDIACLASH.CO.UK I BRISTOL LIFE I 115 83

BRISTOL LIFE BUSINESS CLUB

THE GEEKS WILL INHERIT THE EARTH

When Col Needham, founder and CEO of IMDb, started a database of every film he’d ever seen, he could hardly have imagined how popular it would become. “Yes, it was very geeky,” he says, “but it worked out okay in the end…”

T

hough it’s not quite the household name that its longterm parent company, Amazon, is, the Internet Movie Database – or IMDb – is a vital building-block of the internet as we know it. It was one of the first 100 websites ever created, quite possibly the very first to make any sort of profit, and – if you’re a movie (or, to a degree) TV buff – it’s a place you visit constantly. Currently,

then we were living through two revolutions, one with home computers and the other videotape,” he says, “so I started a little paper diary listing what I’d watched, plus the key credits.

After two weeks I thought, ‘Why am I doing this when I could create a database?’ I’ve vivid memories of my mum coming into my room and saying, ‘Why don’t you just go outside and play?’”

But thank goodness he didn’t. Col got online super-early – in 1985 – and eventually moved from Manchester to Bristol, patching together the first proper version of IMDb with friends from an online film discussion group.

“I’VE VIVID MEMORIES OF MY MUM COMING INTO MY ROOM AND SAYING, ‘WHY DON’T YOU JUST GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY?’” 250 million of us do so every month.

It was also born, and is still based, in Bristol.

IMDb is basically a vast library of film information – if you wanted to know whose midnight skinny-dip went awry in Jaws (1976), IMDb could tell you it was Susan Backlinie – on everything from the early experimental cinema of the 1870s to next year’s Marvel blockbusters.

“We’ll tell you all that you could possibly want to know,” Col says, “from what the trailers were like to who did the catering.”

Col’s earliest memories are all cinema-based, but by 1981 – age just 14 – he realised he’d started losing track of what he’d seen. “Back

It launched in October 1990, and soon volunteer data managers – most of whom had never physically met – got involved. Soon after the World Wide Web arrived, the first IMDb website was launched, using servers at Cardiff University.

“We’re 28 years old now,” Col says, “and grew rapidly from the start, but especially from 1995 when the internet became mainstream.

Suddenly our quiet little hobby was this huge snowball, rolling down a hill.”

Back then no-one was employed by the site – Col himself still worked in software research at Hewlett Packard Labs in Stoke Gifford, close to where he still lives – but their traffic was

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doubling every two weeks. Clearly, it couldn’t remain a hobby forever.

LIVING COL

Life changed drastically one Christmas, when Col returned to his ignored emails to find a message from Amazon, then just a Seattle bookseller with big ambitions. Its founder, Jeff Bezos, would be in the UK in January, and would love to meet up. Amazon had only just become a publicly traded company, but would soon be selling videos and CDs too – and wanted to buy IMDb. “Jeff had a clear vision of where we’d fit within the Amazon family,” Col says, “and it’s proved to be a safe haven for us. Not that selling to them was a decision I could make alone – at that point there were 20 other people, in 11 different countries, who also had to say yes. But by April we’d worked out a fair deal for everyone.”

So, what’s life been like under Amazon? Does IMDb still seem like the same place at heart?

“We’ve never had any real problems,” Col says. “From the start, Jeff was desperate not to break anything. Even today we tend to look at the guidelines Amazon give us, then work out whether they fit with where we want to take IMDb, and renegotiate if things aren’t quite as we’d have wanted.”

These days, IMDb is based at the Castle Mead Building – Bristol’s tallest high-rise, near Castle Park – with smaller offices in Seattle, LA, New York and London. As the public face of the company, Col spends his time talking to business peers (as he is today) or hanging out with

movie directors, but he’s keen to handle rather less glamorous roles too – like answering questions on the site’s public support forums. “It’s this constant interaction that keeps me aware of what our users want,” he says, “and points to where the company should go.”

Col naturally feels very lucky with the way things have worked out – “imagine doing what you love from a very early age, and keeping that going right through your professional life,” he says – and can’t quite imagine ever leaving the company. “I’ve never had an exit plan,” he says. “I get to watch films for a living and still enjoy it, and can’t imagine just retiring and doing the garden. So I’ve either exited already – and just haven’t noticed – or I’m never going to.”

For future Business Clubs see www.bristollifebusinessclub.com

THE IMDB DATABASE Col’s favourite film: Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958) How many times he’s watched it: Over 50 Col’s favourite living actress: Felicity Jones How many films has he seen? Over 11,350 since 1 January, 1998 Most films he’s seen in a year: 1,100 (about three a day)

Photos © Sam Norman, w w w.whitevill aweddings.co.uk

business insider

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

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BUSINESS INSIDER

SQUARE DEAL Quarter is no stranger to co-working hubs, having opened Studio 31 in 2010.

Their latest project is Square Works – a unique workspace with access to The Square members club and restaurant. . .

Around 20 years ago, The Square opened as Bristol’s first private members club for creatives, with the aim of bringing together likeminded people, both socially and professionally. And now they’re opening Square Works next door – an unique workspace for individuals and businesses with all they need to grow.

What’s so special about your new hub?

While there are other co-working options, most focus on the basic essentials and forget the little touches that help make the best possible environment to be productive.

Square Works has been influenced and tailored by boutique hotels, restaurants and private members clubs. High-quality services are the key to making people feel comfortable in a space and making their working day a pleasure.

“BRISTOL IS STEEPED IN CREATIVITY AND CULTURE; IT’S PART OF WHO WE ARE”

. . . F’rinstance?

There’s everything from super-fast WiFi and ergonomic furniture to highspecification meeting rooms, member rates at The Berkeley Square Hotel, bespoke business services and freshly prepared restaurant food delivered right to your desk.

We know that Quarter are no strangers to hubs such as these, with Studio31 nearby – have there been any notable success stories?

Our Studio 31 predecessor opened in 2010, housing a number of successful local businesses who have been there from the start. Crack magazine have been with us since day one and have gone from strength to strength. Live Music Now was a finalist in the Royal Society of Public Health Awards last year, for the second year in a row, in recognition of their work with musicians in care homes, hospitals and communities. Level Films’ ongoing surf-travel series The Endless Winter has been screened on Channel 4, Amazon Prime and in cinemas, picking up four best film gongs. We feel very honoured to house such driven and high-achieving residents.

Why has co-working become so popular in Bristol?

Bristol is steeped in creativity and

culture; it’s part of who we are. From Aardman to Massive Attack to Banksy – it’s no coincidence that they are all Bristolian. We are always willing, always open-minded and always one step ahead. It’s thanks to this that there are so many entrepreneurs, start-ups and creative minds in our city.

How many desks will there be, and how should people apply?

There will be 200 desk spaces in total, a combination of hot desks, fixed desks, and offices ranging from two to 30 desks. We’re currently offering founding members the opportunity to choose an office off-plan and tailor the space to suit their specific requirements; something that other co-working spaces simply do not have the flexibility to do.

Can you describe the layout?

The Grade-II Georgian building is undergoing a huge transformation to create a stimulating working environment, focused on light and greenery, and will be fully serviced to an exemplary standard throughout.

Inside, the space will comprise of a mixture of co-working desks, designated spaces, and small offices – perfect for the growing business.

Tell us about breakout areas, meeting rooms etc Square Works will house a variety of breakout spaces for calls and quick meetings, as well as larger meeting rooms and an event space. The large atrium in the heart of the building will house a living wall, ping-pong tables and showers stocked with Elemis toiletries. There’ll be a fullyequipped kitchenette on every floor and complimentary organic teas and coffee; there will also be a beautifully decadent lounge area on the ground floor, perfect for meeting clients and generating new business.

Any other services?

Car parking and bicycle racks.

Members are also part of MyQuarter loyalty scheme, which includes discounts and offers to local businesses.

We will also offer free prosecco on Fridays to all our members.

What access will there be?

Members on our signature plans will have 9-5 access, Monday to Friday.

Members on our residents plans have 24/7 access 365 days of the year.

What kind of cost is involved?

Signature plans start from £90 a month, with residents plans starting from £350 (excl. VAT).

What sectors do you expect/ hope to attract?

Predominantly arts-based sectors – PR, media, design and tech industries make up a large proportion of our demographic at the Square Club and Studio 31. We also appreciate that you can be a creative forwardthinking company in terms of spirit, not just industry, so if you think you would benefit from the type of work environment we offer, we would love to hear from you.

Will there be networking/other events especially for members?

We have a dynamic programme of events planned to equip you with a platform to share ideas and grow your business. Find inspiration in one of our talks and workshops, make useful network connections or let off some steam in one of our wellness sessions.

Anything else you’d like to shout about?

It’s a co-working space with a members’ club and cocktail bar – what could possibly go wrong?!

For more: www.squareworksbristol.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk MEDIACLASH.CO.UK I BRISTOL LIFE I 117 87

BUSINESS INSIDER

Spreading love at Huggg

CONGRATULATIONS

HOUSE PARTY

We kicked off the Bristol Property Awards at a packed-out launch event at Bristol Old Vic last month – and nominations are now open . . .

T

he launch included speeches from the Bristol City Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing, Paul Smith and Kirsty Pesticcio, senior architect, Atkins and chair of RIBA Bath/Bristol.

Such was the impact of the launch that the Awards were trending on Twitter that day.

The Awards take place at Ashton Gate on 17 May as a lunchtime event, and are open to all local companies and organisations with connections to the property world.

The categories are Architect, Commercial Agent, Commercial Development, Commercial Interior Designer, Consultancy, Contractor, Deal, Developer, Lettings Agent, Professional Service, Property

Company Employer of the Year, Residential Agent, Residential Development, Residential Interior Designer, Supplier and Transformation. There will also be a trophy for the Winner of Winners, as chosen by the panel of independent judges.

It’s free to nominate, and companies can enter as many categories as they like. All information is on the Awards website below.

Any business working within the property industry is encouraged to get involved, whether by entering the awards or through sponsorship. www.bristolpropertyawards.co.uk @BrisPropertyAwd

. . . to Huggg – an app that enables people to send real gifts via messaging, and is the only Bristol business named in the Forbes’ list of startups you should watch in 2019.

For more: www.huggg.me

WELCOME ...

Simon Williams and

Peter Jones of CPW To Cooper Parry Wealth. Already established as one of the fastestgrowing financial planning firms in the UK, the company has landed in Bristol as they grow their offering in the South West of the country. The firm has existing offices in the East and West Midlands and the South East .

Cooper Parry Wealth has been voted the Best Financial Adviser Firm to Work For two years running. On top of this the company has trebled revenues in the last five years.

For more: www.cooperparrywealth.com

CHECK IT OUT...

Clifton Down Shopping Centre has launched a refurbishment programme, designed to modernise the shopping environment, refresh internal decoration, plus improve the lighting levels. The works will include fitting a new ceiling and lights, installing a fresh floor, plus updating the décor. The car park lighting has recently been upgraded to LED fittings, and this will be extended throughout the centre. Improving the lighting will increase brightness but also assist towards further reducing the centre’s carbon footprint.

For more: www.cliftondownsc.com

MEDIACLASH.CO.UK 117

advertising feature

A wealth of expertise

A

Nicola Walker, a specialist family lawyer with Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth offers an expert hand along with an understanding approach

s our clients experience the life events that create their personal story, they value an expert hand, with a human touch. They come from many different walks of life; they might be in business or globally connected or simply dealing with the challenges of later life.

We draw on history and experience to deliver on two key promises: where life gets complex, we simplify; where life gets contentious, we fight for you.

Established in 1912, Irwin Mitchell is the largest full service law firm in the UK. We have more than 250 private client lawyers spread across nine offices, covering the main metropolitan cities.

Our clients are high-net-worth individuals, families, their companies, family offices and trustees. So whether it’s trying to comply with the complexities of tax law and regulation, looking for a solution to family issues and succession planning, grappling with a personal dispute where it feels as if emotion may be driving decisions rather than common sense, or you simply want to get that important property transaction over the line, our clients all have something in common – they look to Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth.

There are four expert teams in Private Wealth:

Tax, Trust and Estates In a world of increasing complexity and rules where governments are looking for ever greater transparency – whether nationally or internationally – tax is an area of risk. Getting it right is easier said than done; but not impossible.

With that in mind, our clients look to us for the kind of robust advice, honest assessment of options and the comprehensive and accurate compliance service that deals with those

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

“Irwin Mitchell are at the top of their game. Utterly professional throughout their dealings and very user-friendly. A firm you can trust to work for you, and with you”

Andy, Client

changing standards. Our specialist later life team help our clients to reduce the risks associated with the decisions that need to be made in, and approaching, retirement. Through legal and practical guidance they offer clarity on the key issues that can arise, what to look out for and how to solve problems.

residences, domiciles and assets in different countries around the world. We understand that family issues are often tied in with other business and financial concerns and we take a holistic approach and combine expertise from leading business, tax and private wealth specialists to ensure solutions that match each client’s unique situation.

Residential Property Dealing with property can be a complex and stressful experience and in a fast-changing market, the right advice has never been more important. Whether you are buying, selling, financing or transferring personal or commercial property, you need our specialist lawyers on your side to help make any transaction a smooth process.

We are willing to challenge the boundaries for our clients and as many of our clients will attest, it is our open and honest culture, reluctance to judge and willingness to listen that sets us apart. n

Will Trust and Estates Disputes Disputes over wills, trusts and estates can make a difficult time even more trying – particularly when there is an extensive legacy to distribute.

Our team has resolved some of the country’s most high-profile disputes and are particularly experienced with the unique challenges of multijurisdictional wealth management structures, rural property and inheritance tax.

Family Law Our specialist family law team is one of the largest, if not the largest in the country, with the broadest geographical reach. Family law can be particularly complicated for high-networth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals with

If you need legal advice, contact Nicola on 0370 1500 100 Extension: 1584, or by email nicola.walker@irwinmitchell.com

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property a pl ace to c all home

Across the bridge

It’s free to travel to Wales from Bristol; hooray!

But what does this mean for home-buyers?

By Lisa Warren www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 95

a bigger splash When you think about it, your bathroom may just be the most important room in the house . . .

See?Just looking at this Ripples bathroom makes you feel calmer, doesn’t it? Now, imagine it with outrageously expensive bubbles . ..

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

BATHROOMS

“Your bathroom should be the spa of your home – a soothing retreat filled with fluffy towels and gorgeously scented unguents”

I

n the average family home, it can be tricky to bag a bit of peace and quiet.

Even if you’re a no-kids couple, it’s often quite nice to have an excuse to shut the door and announce, in no uncertain terms, that you’re off for a bit of quality Me Time.

Your bathroom should be the spa of your home; a soothing retreat, filled with fluffy towels and gorgeously scented unguents; any loving care that you put into its design and decoration will repay you a thousand times over. With that in mind, we consulted three local experts for tips, inspiration. and pitfalls to avoid.

Ripples

Choosing the wrong tiles is one of the biggest mistakes people make, according to senior designer Neil Curtis. “It’s important to remember that a tile will look very different on its own compared to how it looks when it’s in place in your bathroom. It’s absolutely vital that people think about where they want their tiles placed, the colour and the size, before they make a final decision.”

When it comes to the hottest hues for 2019, “Dark colours, such as forest green and midnight blue will be popular,” says Nick, “particularly splashed on to a freestanding bath or concrete basin. Brushed and polished gold, as well as matt black, is another key look this year. Take this trend to the next level, and accessorise with a pop of greenery and daringly dark floor tiles.”

“We are also seeing lots of blush pink at the moment, especially on tiles and basins,” says Chris Payne. “People are choosing textured tiles instead of a glossy finish; hexagon or diamond shapes are popular, and can create a really dynamic look on a shower wall.”

Meanwhile, designer Gaby Trindade is loving the taps shown on this page. “They feel very retro; they draw inspiration from the design of classic firehose nozzles and will add an eye-catching element to your basin.”

And how about customising your lighting with a mirror with built-in bluetooth?

“Whether you fancy dimmed lights for an atmospheric bathtime, or cosmetic lighting to apply make up perfectly, it’s all possible to tailor to taste.”

Finally, something that can really spruce up a bathroom or cloakroom is good quality accessories. “Bring in some new shelves to hang a brand new towel from. Or switch up your usual rectangle or square mirror to a statement one – that will immediately uplift the space,” says Gaby.

Bring a touch of retro glamour into the bathroom with this ‘firehose nozzle’ tap from Ripples

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 97

BATHROOMS

“Create a theatrical space that’s ready for all the life you can throw at it”

BUILD BRISTOL

Building a bathroom from scratch? Hannah Walkiewicz’s top tip is to tile from floor to ceiling: “It’s timeless, cost-effective, looks clean and tidy and if you’ve chosen great tiles will last the test of time. And if budget allows, a bespoke vanity unit makes a real statement piece.”

And Hannah confirms that black is back.

“Over the last couple of years it’s been copper, rose gold, yellow gold and brass for taps and bathroom accessories, but black is the new gold. We’re being asked by clients to source black shower heads, taps etc for bathrooms.

Dark grout for tiling, and so on.

“Statement flooring is big news, too. Be bold with the print and patterns. The industrial look is still big, pale pink and emerald green tiles seem to be a big hit and when it comes to lighting,1920s pendant lights look brilliant.”

And if we make just one change, what should it be? “Tiles! You can keep the bathroom suite, but with new tiles and a lick of paint you can update very easily.”

RED DOG DESIGNS

Remember artist Sally Couldon’s fabulous splashbacks we showed you in our kitchens feature in the last issue? They’re ideal for bathrooms, too.

“People no longer see the bathroom as just a functional, serviceable room, but are looking for more of an experiential space,” says Sally. “It offers the ideal opportunity for people to make a very individual, personal artistic statement and perhaps create a slightly theatrical space that’s ready for all the life you can throw at it.”

Either way, with Sally’s paintings at its heart, it will be a place to steal away for wonderful inspiration. ■

YOU HAVE BEEN READING

Ripples Bristol www.ripplesbathrooms.com

Build Bristol www.thebuildbristolgroup.com Just one of Red Dog’s bespoke splashbacks – but any ideas are possible . . .

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Red Dog Designs www.reddogglassdesign.com

www.thebuildbristolgroup.com | 01179 091969

A bridge not too far F The Severn Bridge toll has been scrapped, and for the first time in living memory it’s free to get into Wales. So, as the sign says, Croeso i Gymru . . .

Cae-Pw-Cella, Shirenewton

Arts & Crafts meets contemporary living in this seven-bedroom Tudor Revival villa Guide price £2,500,000

The Grade-II house was built in c1840, probably as a rectory, with an idyllic position within the centre of the village of Shirenewton.

Over the past six years the house has received a thoroughly modern makeover, creating a striking, spacious yet manageable family home with buckets of character and charm, set in threeand-a-half-acre grounds that include a paddock with stables and a self-contained two-bedroomed coach house.

The house is traditional and modern in all the right places.

An impressive entrance flanked by stone pillars leads to a driveway that can only be described as sweeping, from which you can take in the imposing facade in all its stone-mullioned, castellated glory.

Inside, the warm original wooden panelling and original

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ree access to the Gower Peninsula on a hot July weekend (when you can’t even get in to Cornwall).

No more road charges if you fancy culture and shopping in the Diff. But perhaps most significantly of all, the scrapping of the toll means that commuting to Bristol from across the bridge is now free – and (if you work in north Bristol) can even be quicker than travelling in from the city’s suburbs. We found just three of the top-end homes that you can now feasibly consider – all of them near Chepstow.

fireplaces in the living rooms make even the vast drawing room cosy; it gives you an idea of the size of the place that, in addition to the expected receptions and snugs you will find (and this is a first for these pages) a malt room; there’s also a boot room, a butler’s room, wood store, larder and laundry.

Among the most recent spaces is the (wait for it) 30ft x 32ft kitchen/breakfast room, with with bi-folding doors leading onto the formal terrace. Modern it may be, but it still has the country charm of an Aga. What else? The master bedroom comes not only with an en-suite bathroom but a dressing room the size of a small shop.

Oh, and a top-of-the range Bang and Olufsen sound system has been installed throughout the house.

The grounds offer total privacy, with wonderful views over open countryside, Wentwood Forest, the Severn and beyond, and are beautifully landscaped with a walled garden, formal lawns, and paths meandering between mature shrubs and trees leading to an ornamental Japanese Garden and rose arbour, with formal terracing and a verandah; beyond, country lanes, open farmland and bridle paths abound.

property

Waterspring

Six-bedroom house in Earlswood Guide price £1,400,000

They had us at “it has a maze...”

You’ll be sold as soon as you see the fiveacre grounds and the views over glorious open countryside towards Itton, St Arvans and as far afield as the Severn Estuary and the Cotswolds; but let’s save that until the end (be patient, garden fans!) after we’ve taken a tour of the imposing house.

The current owners took what was once a 1970s-style extended house, and completely

redesigned and re-built it in 2002, creating a unique and contemporary home of enormous character.

Your family can ramble across four large ground-floor spaces – a drawing, dining and sitting room, and the inevitable vast kitchen/ breakfast room, and when it all gets a bit much, you can go and hide from them in the study.

Four of the five bedroom are en-suite, which effectively means that the fifth can command the final bathroom; with these occupying the first storey, with its galleried landing, the floor above is given over to a vast 44ft games room, accessed by a stone spiral staircase; a space

with such romantic potential that we wouldn’t blame you from banning the kids altogether and keeping it as your private fairytale retreat.

We promised you a maze, and a maze you shall have. It’s just one of the extraordinary features in the professionally landscaped five acres, with their enclosed paddocks, formal gardens with croquet lawn, rose garden, topiary, lawn with ha-ha, southfacing flagstone terrace, vegetable beds, brick paviour pathways, secluded seating areas, ornamental pond with and – oh yes! – a full-sized maze, planted 10 years ago with yew hedging and a monkey puzzle tree at its centre.

Pwllmeyric Lodge

Five-bedroomed house, Pwllmeric Guide price £985,000

Let’s start with the view. The slightly raised position allows for magnificent vistas over open countryside – but the house itself is still the main attraction, blending Georgian elegance and ample proportions with comfortable modern living.

Five reception rooms flow from the entrance hall and into each other, making it both a perfect, sure-to-be-loved family home (there’s a 25ft family room on the ground floor, and a games room in the basement) and a cinch for expansive folk who love to entertain (there’s a dining room and a large kitchen for more informal coffee mornings, and so forth).

And while the house is presented in immaculate nick, those who like to improve and/or make their own mark will enjoy deciding what to do with the unconverted 28ft loft space – we’ll leave that up to you. The grounds include a enclosed flagstone courtyard, walled lawns with a wealth of mature trees and shrubs with idyllic seating areas.

Find all three properties at www.fineandcountry.com

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Julian Cook FRICS

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BRISTOL LIVES

“Any theatre that asks itself how it can serve the whole of its city is on the right track” As well as writing drama for and about young people, do you ever see yourself writing novels or short stories?

CHINO ODIMBA

The Bristol Bus Boycott may not be on everyone’s radar today, but back in the 1960s it was an important civil rights initiative that made national news. And it’s against this background that Chino has set her new play, about a little girl who dreams of being a beauty queen “It was a beautiful, accidental thing, becoming a playwright,” says Chino.

“I wrote my first play at Bristol Old Vic, after I saw a short series of workshops advertised, and I haven’t looked back since. . .”

Can you explain the main ideas behind The Princess and the Hustler?

It came out of a need to talk about black girls and women, and our relationship with notions of beauty. But, having lived in Bristol for over 20 years, I also wanted to write a Bristol story – something that would speak directly to our experience as Bristolians – and there was no bigger story than the Bristol Bus Boycott of 1963.

Characters always come to me fi rst, and when Princess arrived in my imaginative world I knew that she had a story worth telling, about family, about dreams too

big to see, and how what local people were doing in this city inspired the whole country.

Tell us about your relationship with Bristol Old Vic

My fi rst play was written and performed in this building, and over the last few years I’ve written new plays such as His name is Ishmael and Medea. I really feel that I became a writer in this building, and I wanted to give something back, so last year I became one of the trustees, too.

I think it’s important for artists to be where decisions about a theatre’s life are made.

What do you think of the work the theatre is currently doing with the local community, and about their Year of Change?

I think that any theatre that starts to ask itself difficult questions about where it sits in its city, and how it can serve the whole of that city, is always on the right track.

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

I have considered writing short stories. But I’m a big believer in every story having the perfect way in which it can be told. I am still trying to fi nd the idea that I feel can only be told in that way.

Is there any one theme or preoccupation that runs throughout your work?

I am always going to be fascinated by the lives we don’t see so easily. The worlds that are hidden or we choose to look away from. These stories still create a great deal of childish wonder for me as a writer. Princess’s world, her family, her dreams are all things we rarely get to hear about. Black girl joy is a whole world still to be discovered in our stories.

What was the first drama you ever remember seeing?

I have a feeling it was Macbeth, on a school trip.

What were your favourite books as a child?

I loved reading; particularly all the classics, but the two books that changed my understanding of what stories can do were Sula

by Toni Morrison and Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier.

live in, but I think we have so much more work to do to ensure that all people are represented and included in our thinking about arts and culture in the city.

The segregation in the city is depressing at times.

Favourite haunts?

Any stationery shop wins my heart. I love Rice & Things on Glos Road for those sudden cravings for jerk chicken, and there is no better pasta in Bristol than at Pasta Loco and Ripiena.

When friends come to visit, where do you take them?

Always, a walk along the docks.

Do you have any secret skills?

I taught cookery for some time at a post-16 college; my skill is being able to made a decent curry. My current favourite is a keema.

Your most regrettable habit?

Cakes.

What piece of music would you put on at the end of a trying day?

Me’Shell Ndegeocello – any song from Peace Beyond Passion.

OK, we’d better let you get on. What are you doing after answering these emails?

I’m on my way into rehearsals to see how Princess is doing.

Why have you chosen to make your home in Bristol?

This is where I had my daughter.

This is where so much of my growing up has happened. It is now home in ways I fi nd hard to articulate.

What do you most enjoy about living in the city ?

I love that we are a city that people of all sorts of backgrounds and cultures choose to come and

Kudzai Sitima (Princess) with Emily Burnett (Lorna)