Bristol Life - Issue 260

Food/Arts/Entertainment/Shopping/Property

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE CITY

ISSUE 260 / MARCH 2019 / £3

ISSUE 260 / MARCH 2019 / A HARBOUR RUNS THROUGH IT

O N TH E

WATERFRONT CRANES AND BOATS AND TRAINS – WHY EVERYONE LOVES HARBOURSIDE

BOURNE AGAIN AT THE HIPPODROME / HOT WHEELS FOR SPRING DRIVING / GOING UP! BRISTOL’S BEST NEW HOUSING

large version

Editor’s letter

14

A harbour runs through it (fortunately); what would Bristol be without its waterfront?

All photos taken by Louis Smith Instagram at @lsmithphoto

I

f you’ll excuse a brief lapse into solipsism, I’d like to share a memory. It was an early spring day, almost exactly 15 years ago. We’d decided to launch a brand new magazine for Bristol. I wasn’t really sure where to start – there was a bit less going on around these parts in 2004 than in 2019, after all. I seem to remember we ended up running a main feature on the Zoo . . .

I grabbed a coffee, a notebook, pen and camera, sat down outside Arnolfini, gazed at the harbour and felt astonished that I got paid to do this for a living.

Fifteen years later, that sense of privilege hasn’t diminished a jot – in fact, producing a Bristol magazine has become more exciting by the month – but Harbourside (and indeed, Bristol Life) has changed, and for the better; see what a crosssection of locals have to say about the area on page 14.

There’s just one remaining paragraph to mention some of the other things in this issue. Cars! Bars!

Matthew Bourne at Hippodrome!

Jazz & Blues fest jitterbugging all over the shop! New housing! Plus all our usual sections and columnists.

Oh, and something called the Bristol Life Awards – heard of them? . . .

deri robins Follow us on Twitter @BristolLifeMag Instagram @BristolLifeMag

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Issue 260/March 2019

harbourside

14 changing tides When the sun is in the sky, oh

why oh why would you wanna be anywhere else?

the arts

23 art page While you’re down at Harbourside, why

not pop in to see M Shed’s new homage to the tattoo?

24 WHAT’S ON Oh there you go again, Bristol,

punching way above the plimsoll line

30 dance More swans than you’ll even see down the

harbour (have you discerned a theme yet?)

36 music Look out for a photo of Hannah Williams –

looking great down at Harbourside 40 bristol heroes Building heroes (including some

harbour ones) 45 Books Mother’s Day picks. Do you know what else

mothers like? A nice cup of coffee down the harbour

30

food & DRINK

46 RESTAURANT The Pony & Trap (who also have

sister restaurants on the harbour)

109

50 Food and drink news An alco-centric one

this time; also, news of a mega-win for burger hero Squeezed. Guess where they’re based 53 stan Forgot to send Stan the memo, so he went to La Panza

shopping

54 editor’s choice You know who also liked

earrings? Sailors and pirates, that’s who

a man’s world

57 seb barrett Moving on now to the other big

feature, Baz contemplates cars

59 kam kelly As does Kam

Motoring

65 hot wheels Maybe buy an extra Lotto ticket this

weekend...

Business

85 business insider Awards! Investments! Ethical

travel! Vintage milk floats!

Property

109 new builds Going up: the best in new housing

Regulars

9 spotlight & brizzogram 61 society 122 bristol lives Jess Robinson’s keen to make an

impression

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

Yes. That’s definitely a lion

Theatre Music

HERE COMES THE SUN

Meet INC – a new Bristol-based record label created by Redland-based music management Stay Loose.

Aimed at helping new young artists from the South West to release their music, and giving them a platform to share it with the wider world, INC’s first release comes courtesy of Pocket Sun, the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist and St Andrewsbased songwriter Gina Marie Tratt, who creates hyper-melodic electronica in the vein of MGMT and Little Dragon.

Pocket Sun’s debut EP, Sleep Inventions – already picking up support from BBC Introducing In The West – is released in late May. Hear them on Spotify and Apple Music now. www.stayloose.co.uk

HERE COMES A LION You’ve probably tried to sing along – ineptly, we suspect, unless you happen to be fluent in Zulu – with the opening bars of The Lion King’s Circle of Life. You know – the bit that goes “Nants ingonyama bagithi baba sithi uhm ingonyama,” before Carmen Twillie and Lebo M let rip with Elton’s English lyrics.

It all sounds very African and mysterious, no? Unless, again, you speak Zulu, in which case you will know that it basically translates as: Here comes a lion father Oh yes it is a lion Here comes a lion father Oh yes it is a lion Lion

And so on.

Which does not diminish one jot our excitement on hearing that dates for the Bristol leg of the live Lion King tour have been announced; the show plays 7 September to 23 November at the Hippodrome, and tickets are on sale on the link below.

Oh and while we’re bigging up the Hippo, we’re pleased to pass on the news that their recent Cinderella with Brian Conley and Gok Wan – their most successful pantomime to date – has been shortlisted for the Best Pantomime prize at the 2019 Great British Pantomime Awards.

Oh yes. It’s a panto. www.atgtickets.com

Community

EYES ON THE SKY

Visitor attraction

WOW! BEARS!

Ooh, we do like a trail; so we’re very much looking forward to seeing these new lifesized bear sculptures when they appear at Wild Place this April. The bears, which will be individually hand-painted, have been created by Wild in Art; the guys who developed the Wow! Gorillas trail with Bristol Zoo in 2011. Even more excitingly, they herald the arrival of real European brown bears, who’ll be moving into their new enclosure Bear Wood, in July, along with wolves, lynx and wolverine. www.wildplace.org.uk/bearwood

Window Wanderland, who won the Creative Award at last year’s Bristol Life Awards, will be featured in a new Sky documentary.

The idea behind the project, which invites people to create little illuminated art galleries in their front windows, began in Bishopston, but soon captured the imagination of other Bristol postcodes, and was then adopted by other cities in the UK – and subsequently even those in other countries.

And now the trail has been selected to be part of a new Sky Arts documentary, in which 50 artists across the UK explore Britishness; Sky filmed over 200 windows in Bishopston during this year’s trail betweeen 9-11 February, and the documentary will be be shown in the autumn. www.windowwanderland.com

Yes we know; Connie Tact has raised the bar absurdly high with her Bishopston window. To be fair, it is a collab with Bristol artist Acerone...

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

SPOTLIGHT YOU’RE NEVER ALONE WITH A DRONE Because Bristol, baby; while you’re always ready for your close-up, sometimes it’s good to pull back and see the bigger picture, whether from a balloon, a drone, or *that* secret spot in Cliftonwood overlooking the harbour...

@timfj_

@lewis_mhill

@sjtanton

@richimal_bristol

@perkspectivephotography

alka.lloyd

@richmccluskey

@bristoljj

@mrbenadams

@paddyo.11

@timmah666

@mrjamierhodes

@ellisreed

@matthewpriceartist

@mrbenadams

@tjphillips76 www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 11

xxxxxx

“Harbourside: more Bristol than the Bridge, a festival of graff artists, the tower of St Mary Redcliffe and the smell of skunk in the Croft put together”

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

harbourside

changing tides

Bristol: city of seafarers, explorers and pirates – and of engineering geniuses, who tamed a wild, tidal estuary and created a safe harbour.

It may no longer be a working port, but that same Bristol ingenuity has resurfaced once again; this time, to shape one of the most successful waterfront regenerations in the UK. Think we’re biased? Fine; let’s ask the locals . . .

Words by Deri Robins Photos by Louis Smith

n

ot all cities have a wide stretch of water at their heart – a river, if they’re lucky, or a network of canals, but not a proper honest-to-goodness harbour. But Bristol has; and it’s impossible to imagine the place without it.

You’ve probably strolled around more Harbour festivals than you can remember. You’ve seen a movie at Watershed, and visited the ss GB; you may even have popped into the still-new-by-Bristol’s-standards Brunel Museum. You first got tiddly on a pint of cider on a sunny day outside Arnolfini; you’ve had at least one meal at Cargo. And was that you we saw the other day, lying flat on your front outside M Shed, trying to take arty shots of the cranes? We don’t blame you. Cranes are irresistible.

Harbourside is everybody’s go-to. It’s the perfect circuit for a run, or an easy-like-Sunday-morning amble. It’s the bit we always show off to visiting friends. And it is, of course, a permanent reminder of why Bristol flourished in the first place.

Because Bristol is indivisible from its maritime history; an industry that once brought big ships sailing right into the city centre, and left, as a legacy, that civic quality peculiar to ports: an outward, open-minded spirit, borne of constant comings and goings, arrivals and departures.

You don’t get that in little landlocked towns.

And much of the nautical heritage has been preserved for us, thanks to a mostly successful regeneration programme. There are still historic boats, bridges, cranes and warehouses, many of the latter now put to attractive use as restaurants and visitor centres. The water’s still teeming; it’s just that now the craft are mostly the cheerful little yellow ferries, heritage M Shed vessels on harbour trips, and the tireless watersport brigade with their boards and rowing boats.

Harbourside, then. More Bristol than the Bridge, a festival of graff artists, the tower of St Mary Redcliffe and the smell of skunk in the

Croft put together. It may have shut as a commercial docklands in the mid-’70s but as an arts, dining and leisure centre – and increasingly, a place to live – Harbourside is on the up, and more exciting every year.

Here’s what some of the people who actually live or work along the waterfront have to say about the place today. Spoiler alert: they love it.

What makes Harbourside so special?

“There has to be a reason why people love the seaside,” muses photographer and Hotwells resident Colin Moody. “Where air, land and water meet. Well, by the harbour that happens too, but with the added layers of colourful houses scattered right up to the sky. The views come in layers, and in the summer it’s a perfect place to find a pontoon and chill.”

Steve Bye runs the Spin Bar on Gas Works Lane, where folk can come to exercise, stay on for a drink and/or a meal; its also a venue for hire.

“Every morning I come to Brunel Quay and spend a couple of minutes taking in the vista and the wildlife,” he says. “Whatever the weather, it seems new every time, and something I look forward to every day.”

“Having such an amazing view is incredible,” agrees Rebecca Muirhead, who manages Grain Barge. There is always something going on, from wildlife to rowers, amazing boats and a crazy paddle boarder with a dog!”

“It makes it feel like you’re on holiday!” says Tess Lidstone, who co-owns Box E restaurant in Cargo with chef husband Elliott. “It’s a total cliché, but it’s true. Eating and drinking outdoors seems far more acceptable in all weathers if there’s some water in view.”

“Being located by the glistening waterfront is great because it’s a real hub of activity,” says Tess’s Cargo neighbour, Amelia Hodge of Pure Yoga. “People come here to socialise, dine, shop, relax and chill, and with the added benefit of great transport links it really is a wonderful place to be. “

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 15

HARBOURSIDE How has Harbourside changed over the past ten years?

As the community learning and volunteer manager for Underfall Yard, Andrew Blayney is better qualified to comment than most.

“Over the past ten years, Harbourside has become well established as the leisure centre of Bristol,” he says. “The majority of the old industrial buildings have been converted to other uses; most recently the completion of the development of the Gas Works site. Work to clear derelict buildings from near ss GB has speeded up, and the Wapping Wharf development has become a major focal point. All of this means that the area is much tidier and better presented than previously.

“While this neatness is great for users, it can be difficult to get a sense of the authentic ‘grittiness’ of the harbour as a working, industrial place. That’s where Underfall Yard comes in. The yard’s home at the western end of the harbour has been opened-up (the visitor centre opened in 2016). Classic pubs such as the Nova Scotia give an authentic sense of old, seafaring Bristol. The Pump House serves excellent food and the Cottage allows guests to enjoy great food and drink with the best view in Bristol.”

“The gaps are starting to fill in, says Colin Moody. “Underfall Yard is now all in use where there were empty shells before. Those derelict warehouses by the ss GB are now going to be replaced with nice warehouse style flats; and the Wapping Wharf, weirdly, feels like it’s always been there. How they have grown that space to support local businesses, stage by stage, is a template we should export to other cities.

When it was a working harbour, engineers and workers from all over the world came here to see how to manage a port. Then it was ships.

Now it’s shops and restaurants, and local indie ones at that.”

“Remember when Cargo was a gravel pit?” says Frankie Wallington of PR company Duchess Media, who have just moved to their new Harbourside hub. “A shortcut where a prison used to be? Look at it

now! The Cargo car park is still an absolute abomination, mind...”

“With the development of new apartments, more people have been brought to the area, as well as new bars and more of a community feel.

With more people though, there seems to be more litter floating in the harbour – I’d love to be involved in a project to keep the harbour clean and beautiful for all,” says Rebecca Muirhead.

Tell us what you most love about it.

“The boats!” says Andrew Blayney. “From classic vessels such as the Bristol Pilot Cutter through tiny sailing dinghies to M Shed’s historic fleet. It’s a little-appreciated fact that you can buy a small boat and pay to use the harbour by the day. And Docks Heritage Weekend in late September is my favourite of the Harbour’s many festivals and happenings.”

“I take a cruise on the Bristol Ferry and I feel calm, with the chug chug of the engine low down in the water,”says Colin Moody. “I live in Hotwells so the ferry gets me city centre. Sure it doesn’t have free WiFi like the mega bus but the air is clear there.”

“I love the Gromit ferry. So excellently Bristol,” agrees Tess Lidstone.

“Wherever you are, there’s a great view,” says Meg Pope of Duchess Media. “Our office is down by the Dockyards and my walk into work takes me along past The Cottage, with all the amazing views of the coloured houses in Cliftonwood; but then walk the other way and you can see all the way up to Clifton and the Bridge.”

LEFT: Romantic, or a menace? Either way, the

Pero’s Bridge love locks have become a Thing.

TOP: We had to get the ssGB in somewhere.

Admittedly, slightly faintly 16 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

“Underfall Yard’s string of fairy lights, and the fact that it sits on its own little peninsula, makes it seem so magical”

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

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HARBOURSIDE

LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER MATTHEW PRICE LEADS REGULAR HISTORY WALKS ROUND THE CITY – HERE ARE HIS TOP 3 HARBOURSIDE FACTS

1

The first turkeys in England arrived at Bristol harbour.

We owe the introduction of the turkey to William Strickland, who acquired six turkeys by trading with Native Americans during a voyage to America in 1526.

2

In the 1400s William Canynges the Younger was Bristol’s most successful merchant. Will had a fleet of nine ships crewed by 800 sailors – about a fifth of the entire adult male population of Bristol.

3

When Queen Elizabeth I visited the city in 1574, the city’s most important figures welcomed her with speeches and gifts. The Queen rode in in a procession with the Mayor and Council, her courtiers and 400 soldiers.

Elizabeth watched mock land and sea battles from Queen Square overlooking Canon’s Marsh, where the Lloyds amphitheatre is today.

OK, let’s briefly remove the rose-tinteds. Could the development have been done even better?

“Some of the architecture is clever and innovative, showing what modern technology and creativity can achieve; but some of it makes you wonder whether the person that signed it off can be prosecuted for allowing a visual nuisance,” says Steve Bye. Rebecca agrees that some waterfront developments are not as successful as others: “But the more recent ones seem to be much better, so perhaps that shows that it can take a while to get things right,” while Tess Lidstone diplomatically judges that “Not every block of flats is beautiful, but they are a reflection of the design of the time.”

And Colin sounds a warning klaxon regarding the way that the liveliness of the area could be under threat. “The Arnolfini had noise complaints from a penthouse across the way when they ran an outdoor dub night last year. If people moving in don’t bend with the music scene that would be a shame. I hope Lloyds Amphitheatre can always host concerts. If people opt to live near the water’s edge, maybe they should be aware of our rich live events heritage.”

What are your favourite places on the waterside?

Are you even from Bristol if you’ve never snapped this Redcliffe row through a lifebelt?

“Brunel Quay,” says Steve Bye, not wholly unpredictably. “It’s like Wapping Wharf but more exclusive; it has to be Bristol’s best-kept secret.” Not any longer, Steve!

“Watershed is a bar, hangout, cinema and media studio in one,” says Colin. “Most of my fave evenings start there. Also, Pickle Café at Underfall Yard, where you can enjoy the best views of all the water activity from their deckchairs in the summer.”

“The Knuckle at Underfall Yard (the area in front of our Visitor Centre) – there is no better place to appreciate the harbour. Also, I love the exhibitions at Spike Island,” says Andrew.

“Underfall Yard’s string of fairy lights, and the fact it sits on its own little peninsula, makes it seem so magical. It’s great for learning a little of dock history, too,” says Tess. “The view from M Shed’s outdoor terrace is immense , and you can’t beat a pint on the concrete steps

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 19

“Wapping Wharf, weirdly, feels like it’s always been there. How they have grown that space to support local businesses, stage by stage, is a template we should export to other cities”

Cargo and Wapping Wharf; you have to love a development that has fairy lights all year round

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

harbourside How to wring the very last drop from the waterfront Where to eat and drink?

All the restaurants at Cargo are local and indie, with cooking to please vegans, meat-lovers, casual diners and fine-dining fanciers, along with some of Bristol’s best bars and cafés; this offering is set to become even better when Wapping Wharf II is complete.

A little further inland on Welshback, you’ll find established faves Three Brothers Burgers and The Apple, along with a chance to dine afloat aboard Glassboat; a similar USP is available if you stroll in the other direction to Grain Barge at Hotwells (not far from top restaurant Pump House), while Spoke and Stringer and Spin Bar add up to an immensely cool offering on Brunel Quay.

by The Cottage when the sun’s out. Stretching the waterside location slightly, but if you want to impress visitors then take them on the ferry to Temple Meads for a little Harts pitstop.”

“Everywhere in Cargo, basically,” says Frankie. “M Shed too; they’ve worked really hard to create the best exhibitions. Arnolfini has also stepped up its exhibition game over the last 10 years. And we can’t not mention The Orchard, my favourite pub in the Harbourside area.”

“A cliché, I know, but sitting outside the Arnolfini in early spring when everyone is willing it to get warmer is one of my favourite things,” says Meg. “I love the little spot down by Spoke and Stringer and Broken Dock too; when the weather’s good and you can sit outside, you genuinely feel like you’re on holiday.” n

What else can I do?

If you fancy getting on the water there are regular boat trips on M Shed’s heritage vessels; you can test your balance on a paddleboard from SUP Bristol, or hire a little motorboat for the day. Landlubbers can ride the steam train, take in an exhibition at M Shed, a movie at Watershed, or get their art on at Arnolfini; the Brunel Museum makes the perfect complement to a visit to the ss GB, while Underfall Yard is full of fascinating facts about the working side of the harbour. And don’t forget – Cargo is also a retail and leisure delight, with gift, clothing and food shops alongside yoga studios and galleries…

[Disclosure: This magazine does not have shares in Cargo]

finally, our harbour folk share a favourite fact . . .

“There used to be powerboat racing in Bristol Docks right up until 1990, with boats racing through the narrow course reaching speeds of more than 100mph. That’s crazy!” – Amelia, Pure Yoga “The hydraulic pipe network that used to power cranes, bridges and lock gates is still ‘frozen in time’ underground for miles around the harbour” – Andrew, Underfall Yard “The harbour is quite unusual in that it is controlled by a lock system (hence why it’s called the Floating Harbour), so that the boats didn’t get beached on the mud flats. This also gave birth to the phrase ‘Shipshape and Bristol Fashion’, for the way the ships and boats had to be properly tied to the quayside” – Shonette, Duchess Media.

“The name of our restaurant was inspired by the dock sheds and bonded warehouses that all have a letter attached to them.

We went with E for Elliott, our chef ” – Tess, Box E “Well... some say that if you’re up early enough, you might catch a mermaid or two on the water’s edge at Brunel Quay.” – Steve, Spin Bar Oh do they, now…

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 21

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

TATTOO YOU A quick vox pop around the MediaClash offices reveals that more of our colleagues have tattoos than don’t.

Admittedly, they’re a bunch of cool young dudes, our lot; but if you’d asked around the average workplace, say, 20 years ago – yes, even funky media ones like ours – we bet it would have been a different story. Tats have gone mainstream; it’s got to the point when it’s more of an individual statement not to have one.

Whether you’re swithering or a convert, it’s the perfect time to visit M Shed’s major new exhibition Tattoo: British Tattoo Art Revealed, which shows work by cutting-edge designers, leading academics and major private collectors, while busting long-standing myths and preconceptions about class, gender and age.

Essentially, it’s a celebration of the UK’s tattooing heritage. If all the tats are as beautiful as the one shown here by Aimee Cornwell, Bristol’s local parlours better get a substantial order of inks in.

Tattoo: British Tattoo Art Revealed runs 16 March-16 June at M Shed; www.bristolmuseums.org.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 23

What’s on 1 March - 1 April 2019

So much female empowerment that you’d think it was International Women’s Day, or something....

Anyone else thinking ‘Brazil’?

In fact it’s Gecko, getting their Orwellian dystopia on at BOV

exhibitions Until 3 March

ALBERT IRVIN AND ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM A major retrospective of Irvin, along with other American Expressionist greats. This has been a recordbreaking show for RWA; 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 capitalism. At Spike Island, obviously; spikeisland.org.uk Christopher Kulendran Thomas: New Eelam A sci-fi vision of an alternate reality, featuring technologies presented as living sculptures; spikeisland.org.uk INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION 161 The first show at the very excellent new Royal Photographic Society, at Paintworks; rps.org

Until 6 May

LEONARDO DA VINCI: A LIFE IN DRAWING To mark the 500th anniversary of

the Renaissance polymath’s death, Bristol Museum displays 12 of his best drawings; bristolmuseums.org.uk

6-31 March

jenny urquhart Hugely popular Jenny, famed for her bright Bristol paintings, has more recently created beautiful woodland scenes and landscapes; at Alchemy198. alchemy198.co.uk

16 March-2 June

sculpture open The RWA’s new Open, celebrating the diversity of form, medium and scale in modern sculpture; rwa.org.uk

16 March-16 June

tattoo See page 23; bristolmuseums.org.uk

25-27 March

simple pleasures Bristol artist/designer Mr Penfold delivers a study of composition, form and palette; at Centrespace; centrespacegallery.com

SHOWS

Until 9 March

kinky boots The fresh, fabulous, feelgood musical

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

with the Cyndi Lauper tunes arrives at Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com no kids Should we have kids, or not?

Same-sex couple George and Nir are trying to figure it out, at TFT. tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Until 6 April

a midsummer night’s dream Shakespeare’s maddest, magicalist comedy gets the TFT treatment. tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Until 13 April

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; at BOV; bristololdvic.org.uk

5-6 March

girl(ing) Run Like Stags’ rebellious semimusical follows one woman’s journey from Ipswich underdog to gamechanging punk hero. That would be The Wardobe, then. thewardrobetheatre

5-7 March

Playhouse Creature Follow the fortunes of Nell Gwynn

and three other aspiring actresses as they fight for recognition and equality in a man’s world; at Hen & Chicken; spptheatrecompany.org.uk

5-16 March

the two-character play A brother and sister, two actors on tour, have been deserted by their troupe. They begin to enact The Two Character Play... Red Rope Theatre present the work that author Tennessee Williams described as his “most beautiful play since Streetcar, the very heart of my life,” at Alma Tavern, almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

7 March

A Thousand Faces Bold dance-theatre that explores the imagery of Bollywood beauty and Hollywood glamour, of the objectification of women; at Circomedia; circomedia.com

12-16 March

noughts & crosses A modern take on R&J follows the romance of Sephy and Callum; star-crossed lovers in a dangerously divided world. At BOV; bristololdvic. org.uk swan lake But not just any old Swan Lake.

what’s on Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake; see page 30. Hippodrome; atgtickets.com.

attempt to create order from the chaos of life, carers become patients, memories fracture and relationships collide, at Bristol Old Vic; bristololdvic.org.uk

13-15 March

the class project Rebecca Atkinson-Lord challenges the status quo around being who you are versus who you have to be; at TFT. tobaccofactorytheatres.com

26 March-6 April

the bodyguard The musical thriller that sprang from Whitney’s greatest movie hit is back on the road and coming to Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

WOMANS (like Romans but with a ‘W’) What will one woman do to go down in history? Scratchworks take us back to 46BC, when Leta attempts to stake her place in the history books, from crashing the Colosseum to freeing the enslaved; Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

18-23 March

COMEDY 6-8 March

AnniE It’s a good-luck life for musical fans this month, as the ginger ninja comes to the Hippodrome; atgtickets.com above:

When Irish eyes aren’t smiling: Stiff Little Fingers come to O2 left: John Robins looks cheerful enough, though! below: Hands up if you’ve had Mezzanine on repeat since ordering your Massive Attack tickets

19-23 March

touching the void Kicking yourself for missing Tom Morris’s widely praised stage version of Joe Simpson’s struggle for survival in the Andes? BOV is all about the second chances; bristololdvic.org.uk.com les gloriables Inspired by Les Miserables but a lot more fun: legendary French actress Gloria Delaneuf is determined to create a piece of theatre with the power to reunite Europe. She has dreamed a dream...The Wardobe, then. thewardrobetheatre.com

21 March

Police Cops In Space The ‘next gen’s Python’ present their futuristic ’80s low-fi, sci-fi blockbuster comedy, set in the most dangerous place on Earth... Space...

Wardobe. thewardrobetheatre.com

21-23 March

best of be Be Festival packages three favourite shows from its international festival and sends them on the road; this year there’s a daredevil, an illusionist and a juggling-computer-musical genius, performing circus, theatre and illusion, at Circomedia. tobaccofactorytheatres.com

26-30 March

institute A new show by Gecko always makes us sit up and take notice. This time the physical theatre supremos bring us a shadowy, Orwellian establishment where residents

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

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 self-destruction. Anson Rooms; bristolsu.org.uk

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 International women’s day special Featuring Ria and Rhi, who’ll create stories, characters and entire worlds inspired by audience wisdoms, at Bristol Improv; improvtheatre.co.uk

9 March

Kieran Hodgson: ‘75 The three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee takes on passion, betrayal and Harold Wilson, in an epic tale of how Britain joined Europe. At 1532; 1532bristol.co.uk

10 March

shappi khorsandi The likeable Shappi invites you to share her journey from the ’90s comedy scene to breaking through on telly and then letting it all slip away; Bristol Old Vic; bristololdvic.org.uk

11, 25 March

closer each day The world’s longest-running improvised comedy soap bubbles on amusingly at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 25

what’s on 15 March

Hal Cruttenden: Chubster His daughters chose the title of Hal’s new stand-up show. Hal’s now on a diet. Anson Rooms; bristolsu.org.uk

15-16 March

Bristol Improv Marathon 26 hours; over 30 performers; one epic live improvised play. Oh the cleverness of them. improvtheatre.co.uk

21 March

john robins The Bristol-born rising star gets in a bit of practice before compèring this year’s Bristol Life Awards; 1532bristol.co.uk

MUSIc

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 in Filton called Steel Yard that you haven’t visited before. viagogo.co.uk

6 March

coven The collective of ‘three of the British folk scene’s finest, most

formidable and forthright acts’ comes to St George’s. All female, in case the name didn’t give it away; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

10 March

stiff little fingers The rigid digits are back on the road, and heading to punk it up at O2; academymusicgroup.com

15 March

Dr. Dre: 2001 No Strings Attached bring their live orchestral rendition of the album, and some of Dre’s West Coast classics, to Marble Factory; motionbristol.com

28 March

the stranglers One of the most influential bands to have emerged from the punk era bring their Back On The Tracks tour to O2; academymusicgroup.com

29 March

james morrison One of the forerunners of the current troubadour set comes to O2; are you willing to give him a try? academymusicgroup.com

OTHER Ongoing

10CC Sans Godley and Creme; but avec all the hits. Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

Bristol Film festival The site-specific screenings continues pretty much all year round, but reaches its apogee in March with movies all over the shop; see bristolfilmfestival.com

the gypsy kings Part of the Jazz & Blues fest, but too big for us not to give them their own entry. Don’t make the schoolboy error of thinking they’re Spanish. bristoljazzandbluesfest.com

blood & butchery in bedminster The popular walking/pub crawl tour of Bemmie continues every Tuesday, delving into the area’s gruesome history. stagestubs.com

17 March

22-24 March

bristol jazz and blues festival Apropos, see page 36. bristoljazzandbluesfest.com

Until 10 March

submerge festival Bristol International Digital Arts Festival features diverse artists and musicians working at the edges of

SEVEN DEADLY SINS In our regular mini Q&A with visiting and local performers, comedian HAL CRUTTENDEN bares his wicked soul LUST: Who or what do you find yourself lusting after today?

I’m lusting after success… as I have been since I was about 25. It’s worked moderately well so far but my lust will never be sated. I’m an idiot.

GREED: What should you be cutting down on (non-food and drink!)

I’ve got to cut down on Twitter. It’s actually ruining my life. It’s like I wake up and think, ‘Hoorah another great day’. Then I reach for my phone to find something to be angry about.

GLUTTONY: What one thing could you happily eat or drink until you burst?

The very idea of eating or dinking something until I burst makes me feel rather ill. I’m afraid I can only eat and drink until I’m overweight/borderline obese – I’m actually very good at that.

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

SLOTH: What should you be really putting your back into right now?

There are lots of things I should be putting my back into right now instead of answering these questions.

At the moment you’re getting me out of putting up my daughter’s new self-assembly wardrobe.

WRATH: What/who makes you angry?

I must admit, trying to understand the instructions on a self-assembly wardrobe get me pretty bloody furious.

ENVY: Who are you jealous of ?

People who find putting up self-assembly wardrobes easy. Smug people who can concentrate on a practical task because they don’t have a fascinating brain that’s constantly distracting them.

PRIDE: What’s your proudest achievement?

It will be this wardrobe if I actually do it.

Hal Cruttenden: Chubster is at Anson Rooms on 12 March. Bring him an Allen key... www.bristolsu.org.uk

digital arts, electronic music and live performance; submerge.me

9 March

Gloucester Road International Food & Drink Festival A day of food, drink and shopping along the lovely, eclectic, global Gloucester Road. great-bristol.uk

12 March

david starkey: a monarchy of misfits Historian David traces the radically shifting marriage customs of the British monarchy, from the Middle Ages to the Windsors; at Anson Rooms. bristolsu.org.uk

14-17 March

Palace Film Festival Piloted in a Polish Palace, this queer and experimental film festival bridges the gap between Bristol, Berlin and Wroclaw. At The Cube; palacefilmfest.org

23 March

the women who built bristol Jane Duffus tells us about some of Bristol’s awesome girls past and present; part of Arnos Vale’s International Women’s Day events. arnosvale.org.uk

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

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Wine and dine for Help Bristol’s Homeless This black tie event aims to provide a fun environment for like-minded people to meet while raising money for a brilliant local charity

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hree features which strike many about Bristol are its incredible culture, progressive businesses and its sense of community.

Perhaps most exciting of all is the combination of all three across the city. Almost daily, we see new ventures opening across all industries, which have found exciting and groundbreaking ways to incorporate social and environmental responsibility into the very heart of their business models. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Bristol has been so highly ranked in the UK’s ‘best places to live’ year after year.

Even with these fantastic businesses and thriving culture in Bristol, there are still many who cannot enjoy all the city has to offer because their main focus is survival. This includes the many homeless people living in the city. Luckily for Bristol’s homeless, the sense of community ownership and progressive ideas is manifest in Jasper Thompson’s charity, Help Bristol’s Homeless.

Help Bristol’s Homeless recognises the needs of the many homeless living here and aims to give them a leg-up towards living independently, using innovative ways to do so. Its “360Winx” bus, a converted double decker, functions as an overnight emergency shelter for 12 people. The shelter offers a hot shower, evening meal and breakfast as well as

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

personal support and signposting for visitors on top of a warm, safe night’s sleep. The charity has also built, and continues to create, temporary accommodation apartments out of disused shipping containers, which are both practical and beautiful. It is the temporary accommodation funding initiative that has prompted friends and colleagues Julie McGovern (a Bristol adoptee) and Stuart Cleak (Bristol born and bred) to organise a charity black-tie dinner-dance with a difference.

The event brings together the concepts of community, local enterprise and charity at the Bristol Harbour Hotel and Spa on Corn Street.

It offers individuals and businesses (whatever their size) in Bristol a chance to enjoy an evening of dinner, wine and entertainment, all for the benefit of Help Bristol’s Homeless. The event also provides the perfect opportunity for Bristolians and businesses to meet other likeminded individuals and companies which they may otherwise not have had the chance (or time) to get to know, in a beautiful, fun, setting.

Julie commented: “I am one of many Bristol professionals who donates to charity when they can but don’t have the resources to volunteer extensive time or money to causes or finding out about brilliant local businesses. This event is the perfect way to raise money, while building new relationships with people and businesses from across the city. I know a number of people who have started wonderful, long-term professional (and personal) relationships with people who they have met at industry awards dinners. It would be great to see this happening at our dinner and for people to use it as a springboard for collaboration to keep the charitable momentum going across Bristol.” ■

EVENT DETAILS Thursday 14 March 2019 6:30pm – Midnight Bristol Harbour Hotel and Spa, BS1 1HT

TICKETS Tickets are available at www.buytickets.at/na303/230372 You can also visit Julie’s Instagram page at Cocktails_and_colour_uk Julie McGovern Juliemcgovern@hotmail.co.uk @Cocktails_and_colour_uk

dance

bourne again

Sir Matthew Bourne is taking his Swan Lake on tour again – and we’re promised a ‘refreshed’ version of the 1995 classic ballet

By Lisa Warren 30 I bristol LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

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ven if you could scribble the sum total of your ballet knowledge on the back of a sequin, you’ll have heard of Swan Lake.

You might, specifically, remember the final scene in Billy Elliott, in which our hero – no longer the skinny little dance-obsessed kid, misunderstood by a macho working class mining community, but a muscle-ripped, feathered youth – takes his iconic leap onto the Theatre Royal stage and cements the story’s mission statement: ballet’s not for sissies.

The scene, of course, references no ordinary Swan Lake. It was Swan Lake as interpreted

by Sir Matthew Bourne, arguably the UK’s greatest living choreographer, and, unarguably, ballet’s most populist, filmic and most accessible director. It’s still one of his bestloved productions, so it’s not too surprising that he’s bringing it back for a new generation – but why has he decided to change it, and should diehard fans be worried?

“It’s an interesting point about changing a piece that is so well-known and so well-loved,” says Matthew. “We’ve made these changes for several reasons; one being that it’s been around for 23 years now, and I felt it was a great opportunity to refresh it.

“Everything we’ve done to the piece has been mindful of the fact that many people already love it. They probably won’t recognise many of the changes we’ve made, although we’ve made hundreds of little ones. Maybe there will be one or two things that fans of the show will miss, but I think that generally speaking, we’re celebrating the piece that already exists.”

Adam Cooper played the original Swan/ Stranger. His performance instigated a huge rise in the number of boys wanting to pursue dance; were you surprised by the scale of the impact Swan Lake made?

Obviously, we didn’t know that it would have the impact it’s had, but over the years I’ve come to realise that it’s been the trigger for a lot of boys and young men going into dance.

I think it felt like something very cool and very masculine, yet it required a lot of artistry and sensitivity, so it was that mixture of things that really inspired a lot of young men to want to get into dance and to want to be a Swan, which is borne out by virtually every member of our cast, who grew up with this piece.

There aren’t many shows where you can say that you’ve got an entire cast of people whose burning ambition it is to be in the piece, so you get a wonderful connection with the dancers, and a wonderful sense of community.

“When we first staged Swan Lake, we had audiences walking out when the Prince and the Swan started dancing together” www.mediaclash.co.uk I bristol LIFE I 31

You took Swan Lake in a completely different direction from previous versions.

What motivated you to do that ?

Well, I didn’t see any point in creating a Swan Lake that was similar to any of the others.

Mostly they were classical versions – none identical, but all telling a similar story – and so this version had to be different.

We’re not a classical company and we don’t usually dance en pointe. We’re a contemporary dance theatre company, so we had to tell a story through movement, in a different way, and it needed a big idea to make people see it in a different way as well.

So, the male swans were the big idea, and a secondary big idea was a modern royal scandal. This was in the news all the time we we were making the piece, with Diana and Charles, and Sarah Ferguson, and Camilla Parker-Bowles, and Princess Margaret; so it was a very topical thing to have a Prince who couldn’t be the person he really was, or to be

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

with the person he wanted to be with – all very relevant to contemporary Britain. And we’re still telling the same story – it’s still about a modern royal family.

I thought that would be picked up on quite a lot when the show was first seen, but actually the attention was much more on the idea of a male dancing swan. It was very unexpected, and people couldn’t imagine what it was going to look like. They all thought it was going to be a send-up and that it was going to be a humorous piece. There is a bit of humour in it, but the main bulk of it isn’t. We needed an idea that could wipe away everyone’s existing memories and images in their heads of the piece, and the swans did that very well.

You list Hitchcock’s The Birds as one of your inspirations …

Our production of Swan Lake is not a piece that has an enormous number of movies that are obviously attached to it, like some of our pieces

do. This inspiration is much more coming from the classical ballet and the story that it tells, and using those formalities sometimes in the way we tell our story and the structure of it.

There are also lots of little filmic things and characters that creep into it, as always, because my head is full of those images. However, the one piece that people are usually surprised by initially, and then they go, ‘oh yes of course!’ is the inspiration that came from The Birds.

There’s a scene in which Tippi Hedren is sitting on a park bench, powdering her nose. There’s a children’s playground with a climbing frame behind her; one bird swoops down onto it and she looks around and notices the bird. And then, the next time she lifts her compact mirror there’s a reflection in it, and we see it’s now absolutely full of birds and they’re all waiting to fly at her.

We do this with the Swans on the bed, and that’s a direct quote from The Birds. It’s an extraordinary story that’s never explained and

dance I think that’s rather good too; the fact that it just happens!

Could you tell us what you feel are the key themes of your version of Swan Lake; and what message you hope to convey?

I don’t like to dictate too much to people because I feel they see the piece in different ways, but for me, ultimately, it is about someone struggling with who they are and the world they are in – albeit quite an extraordinary world, for how many people are royal? But even so, we can all relate to an individual who can’t be who they really are.

I think the piece moves people because it has a message about looking for acceptance; but it also moves people because it’s about loss

as well, and it’s about people that you’ve lost. I feel those themes are very universal.

It’s underestimated, sometimes, how far audiences and society have moved on. When we first started to stage it, we had audiences walking out when the Prince and the Swan started dancing together. We had little girls in tears, as it wasn’t performed with the tutus and pointe shoes and things like that. We also had a slightly aggressive attitude towards it from some members of the audience; and some people refused to come and see it at all.

It got dubbed ‘the gay Swan Lake’, which was not what the aim was, but it certainly was a story within it that was very meaningful for gay audiences, and I celebrate that. I did then, and I do now. It is a bit more wide-

ranging than that, however, and it can really be interpreted in many ways.

It’s accepted now by a much wider audience who come to see the show, and rather than be shocked any element of it, I think they find it uplifting that this is a story about a young man who is confused about his future and about his sexuality. I think that’s something that is very meaningful for young people in the audience. n Swan Lake plays Bristol Hippodrome 12-16 March www.atgtickets.com www.new-adventures.net/swan-lake

“It was such an iconic image; a male dancing swan. People couldn’t imagine it; they all thought it was going to be a send-up and that it was going to be a humorous piece”

www.mediaclash.co.uk I bristol LIFE I 33

kind of blues Nice! Bristol’s Jazz & Blues Fest returns this month, with all the jazz and all the blues, with a side order of soul and a dash of salsa

Trav’lin Light? China Moses suddenly feels a bit overdressed for the metrobus

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

MUSIC

W

elcome to heaven; here’s your harp.

Welcome to hell; here’s your accordion,” quipped Gary Larson.

But hey, here’s accordion virtuoso Richard Galliano with his bal-musette, and suddenly it sounds... cool...

Richard’s just one of the acts that the festival organisers recommend at this year’s fest: here are a few others.

China Moses sings Billie Holiday

Hopefully, a night at O2 will turn those frowns upside down for The Herbaliser

“Lucky recorded his first album at the age of five”

One of the top three most celebrated jazz singers of all time, Billie Holiday’s unique voice, dripping with hurt and raw emotion, continues to capture hearts the world over.

Hear her 1958 album Lady in Satin sung in its entirety by high voltage soul-jazz diva China Moses, with a sumptuous ensemble created especially for the Festival.

Did you know? Lady in Satin was the last Billie Holiday album released during her life.

Gipsy Kings

Flamboyantly combining flamenco, pop and salsa for the past 25 years, the Gipsy Kings and their interfamilial line-up is still going strong.

Guaranteed to fill you with the spirit of the Mediterranean and get you on the dance floor.

Did you know? Despite singing in Andalusian Spanish, the Gipsy Kings come from France, being part of the second generation of Spanish gipsies that fled Franco’s Spain in the 1930s.

Lucky Peterson

A true blues legend, Judge ‘Lucky’ Peterson possesses the heart and soul of traditional blues, proving that the flame still burns strong in the new millennium. An incredible guitarist, powerful organist and possessing a deeply soulful voice, Peterson is revered the world over for his charismatic performances.

Did you know? Lucky recorded his first album at the age of five.

the Herbaliser

Deep, dirty beats combined with funky riffs put The Herbaliser at the front of the wave of ’90s purveyors of jazz hip hop, and one of Ninja Tunes’ best known artists. The touchpaper was lit some 18 years ago when Jake Wherry and Ollie Teeba discovered their shared passion for rare groove, funk, hip hop and jazz; almost two decades on they’re still releasing records and touring.

Did you know? Herbaliser have featured Roots Manuva on three of their tracks.

Hannah Williams

Here comes the Judge...

Belying her quintessentially English heritage, Hannah Williams has earned a reputation as deep soul’s funkiest new diva. Immersed in Motown and gospel since the day she was born, soul has infiltrated her blood stream and

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 37

MUSIC Hannah Williams affirms that Bristol’s Harbourside has just as much soul as the Mississippi

is emitted from every pore. With her superb band The Affirmations, Hannah has captured the ears of soul fans in the UK and beyond.

Did you know? Hannah was the voice and inspiration for the title track on Jay-Z’s album 4:44; his musical apology to Beyoncé.

The Classical Ellington

Picked by The Times as one of its jazz albums of the year, The Classical Ellington celebrates the great jazz composer’s arrangements of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker and Grieg’s Peer Gynt alongside new arrangements of Holst’s The Planets in his inimitable style. Written and developed over several years, composer and band leader Pete Long carefully researched both Ellington and Strayhorn’s compositional styles, and Ellington’s favourite soloists, to which each movement is dedicated.

Did you know? Ellington frequently quoted some of his earlier work in new compositions, to add weight and gravitas.

The Big Swing

“Hannah was the voice and inspiration for the title track on Jay-Z’s album 4:44; his musical apology to Beyoncé” There’s still time to get in a few salsa lessons before The Gypsy Kings rock up at O2

Since its founding year in 2011, Bristol Jazz & Blues has hosted a huge swing dance night.

Now in the legendary Anson Rooms, the night kicks off with free swing dance lessons, followed by the Godfather of Swing, Ray Gelato, and his foot-stomping band that never fails to get the dance floor jumping. Keeping the dance rhythms going, the Jonny Bruce Big Swing Big Band takes over the stage for the late shift.

Did you know? The term Jitterbug was coined by band leader Cab Calloway. As Cab put it, “[The dancers] look like a bunch of jitterbugs out there on the floor,” due to their fast, often bouncy movements.

Richard Galliano

Accordion virtuoso Richard Galliano has “rescued his instrument from its abject beretand-striped-jersey role, and placed it at the heart of modern, jazz-influenced European” (The Observer). An incredible classical player and jazz improviser, Galliano promised the world’s most famous accordionist Astor Piazzolla that he would do for French music what Piazzolla had done to revive Argentinian tango. True to his word, Galliano, with New Jazz Musette, has restored the sparkle of the charming melodies and rhythmic vitality of this classic French music.

Did you know? Bal-musette is a style of French music and dance that first became popular in Paris in the 1880s when settlers from the Auvergne in central France set up cafés and bars in Paris, where the customers frequently danced. n Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival takes place 22-24 March at a range of venues; www.bristoljazzandbluesfest.com

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

1

If they build it . . . Colin Moody will come with his camera at some point, and take its picture. Here are eight of his architecture heroes Words and pictures by Colin Moody (*

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

or indeed, dismantle it . . .)

*

photography 2

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he city is in flux. You’ve got shots here of buildings that have been up for centuries, and some shortstayers whose passing may or may not be lamented. Hyper-temporary structures made of trash. A new sound space at St George’s.

But to me all these structures are a kind of visual music. Bristol: built to last. Built to hang around for a bit and give you a feeling for a while. Built to let the refuse trucks get by a little easier. But all built to add to our visual landscape.

I’ve been looking at buildings in Bristol, and maybe it’s the layout of the place, they way you can walk it all in a day, that brings to mind the huge variety of architectural wonders that are here.

I’m going to look at some of the less well-known ones, the newer ones, and places that are in a state of flux.

Doing the research for my book about Stokes Croft and Montpelier brought up some interesting facts about psychogeography. The way we use a space, a building, how it interacts with the community, how it’s perceived or how energy flows.

For instance, that lovely little dip and turn at the bottom of Picton Street exists because it follows the exact same line of the stream that dipped and turned into the paddles of an old mill. To this day there is something very slow and flowlike about that spot, and I find it curious that it was at the centre of working life there back in the day, and that now it’s the centre of the cool place to hang out

by Alex Lucas’s shop and Oowee, by the graff van.

1

St George’s Bristol has relaunched as an all-day venue, a creative space for music and ideas, following an ambitious £6.3 million refurbishment and extension.

Best known for its intimacy and the quality of acoustic, the independent venue has been attracting the best in classical, jazz, folk and world artists for 40 years. The new extension is just so beautiful I felt compelled to shoot it while thinking of some of these acoustic moments I’d heard there recently, from some very inspiring and diverse programmes of music.

Patel Taylor Architects have done such a great job, and the new Luke Jerram artwork above you in the restaurant in glass inspired by a Philip Glass piece of music is sublime. Old and new breathe together in this new space, and this photomontage represents a new beginning for the venue. Like two worlds have come together. New and old. Local and exotic. Here and the past. The main part of the shot is not from Holst’s The Planets; it’s a close up of a halogen light fitting.

2

Bristol Waste make us a lot cleaner as a city. But once they pick up all those tin cans and bottles and things, what happens next? They all go to this amazing mega machine that sorts everything, that’s what.

And as the huge piles of cans, boxes and so forth start to stack up, they form little architectural installations of their own that would not look out of place at Spike Island or Arnolfini. The huge space inside this sorting structural building needs recognition, too. It feels as big as the Brabazon hanger in here. Plenty of heavy metal.

Ooh, did I say that? ’Cos that’s not true. It’s lightweight aluminium I’m seeing pile up and get sorted as I leave, and it’s so good that so much more of what we use is recycled now. Be even better if we didn’t need plastic in our lives though. Just saying.

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

3

The Cathedral. Wow. It’s old. Really old, and I wonder how it must have dominated the landscape and the hearts and minds of everyone round these parts as it was going up. A while back, a few of the igersBristol crew were allowed up into the rafters to see the very handmarks left behind by those who made these incredible architectural wonders. What a priceless privilege that was! Allows you to get under the skin of a place. This shot was taken at Christmas as the incense defused the light, and I just kept looking up as we listened to the organ play. You have to just go here. Try it. It clears the mind wonderfully.

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Here’s a brooding entry. The Gloucestershire Cricket ground. There’s been some mega weather recently, so I found it inspiring to see one of their amazing reed-like light stalks rise above the storm clouds for a moment the other day. There goes the sun over the main building. They only light up these lights a few times a year but I find them a welcome sight on my way over the nearby hills; if I were a balloonist they would surely be one of the key landmarks to look out for. Is it me, or do the lights look just like cricket balls in flight?

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Bridges. There is one special bridge. Here is its neighbour; taking the strain of a thousand times the traffic and letting all the tall ships pass by.

The Cumberland Basin entrance to the harbour is steeped in history, and I love this bridge. The Create Centre lurks in the background here on this day of fog. So much fog that when the sun began to burn through it looked more like a pinhole sun

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“I liked the moment when the digger and a demolition crew member almost did the Michelangelo thing with the finger-to-finger touch” 42 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

photography

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Michelangelo thing with the finger-to-finger touch.

I, for one, will not miss the sight of this hulking mess. Occasionally, its many views thorough rectangular gaps from Platform 10 at Temple Meads did frame the sky beautifully, but go it must.

8

And here’s Westmorland House, also being eaten by dino diggers. Some locals who remember the years of art, parties, mad, mad wonderful times spent inside its many walls shed a tear next to me watching this come down. One local friend managed to save some bricks from the Toof art (skull thingy) from the highest point on the building, and hopes to make an artwork anew from them. Interestingly the street artist himself, who saw our photo, said of the idea of rescuing the art work brick by brick “Rebuild it”. Who knows!

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

8

as seen from Mars kind of sun. In the right light, clusters of architectural wonders reveal a beauty that at times passes us by.

6

The Royal Photographic Society have rocked up and just moved the central focus to our city.

Thanks to Mike Taylor (left) for showing us around and to Jon Craig, who brought cake for everyone in the building. We just wanted to check out the 50k projector and the amazing audio visual room where a lot of photography is going be looked at and discussed, and links will be formed between so many of us in the photo world – just like the funky white lines on the walls seems to hook up to Jon and Mike.

7

The old post office sorting office is coming down. Several dozen families of pigeons were watching on the first day of demolition with some trepidation as their home, haunt to a thousand escapades, finally began to get eaten to dust by a dinosaur machine. I liked this moment the digger and a demolition crew member almost did the

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

JESSICA PAUL BOOKS

Mother superior

Want to be the favourite child this Mother’s Day? Buy her a carefully chosen book . . . threatened to be exposed when he becomes involved in a railway track rescue.

Set in Britain, France and Italy, this is a novel that not only deals with taboo relationships, but also forces us to confront the #MeToo movement, and how it has played out in famed institutions around the world. One for the politically savvy mum.

I

t’s that time of year again. We’re all looking for something that our mums will love, that isn’t too trite; isn’t a pair of woolly bed socks or yet another photo frame. If you’re over the age of 10, macaroni art isn’t going to cut it for Mother’s Day – so how do you say ‘thank you’ to Mum in a thoughtful way? Why yes, get her a book!

Here are our choices for this Mother’s Day. TANGERINE BY CHRISTINE MANGAN Think ‘Talented Mr Ripley meets Gone Girl’ in this thriller set in 1950s Morocco. Lots of sun, psychological suspense and an examination of the inner workings of a female friendship.

A great read for mums who love Daphne du Maurier and Patricia Highsmith.

THE TRUTHS & TRIUMPHS OF GRACE ATHERTON BY ANSTEY HARRIS A literary début, the story follows Grace, a violin and cello maker who owns her own shop. Her relationship with a married man is

THE BINDING BY BRIDGET COLLINS Warning: a bookseller is about to recommend a book about books.

This novel has had rave reviews from the literary world for a reason, it is quite simply fantastic. A story about memory, superstition and family, this is the debut adult novel for Bridget Collins, and it is superb. Protagonist Emmett has been offered an apprenticeship as a bookbinder, a vocation that arouses suspicion and prejudice. Emmett learns the tricks of the trade, how to hide secrets and reveal them, and he discovers a book of secrets with his name on it.

This one is for mums who love literature.

and The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes - an uplifting novel of mothers and daughters, families and secrets and the astonishing power of friendship.

This one runs in a similar vein to An Unremarkable Body but is an altogether happier novel. A wonderfully endearing set of characters makes this perfect for mums who enjoy Marian Keyes and Ruth Hogan’s first two novels.

STILL ME BY JOJO MOYES The next book in the story of Lou Clark, our most favourite of heroines in the ‘women’s fiction’ genre. Lou is about to have her world turned upside down by a man that reminds her so much of someone she used to know.

Set between New York and London, Lou is about to make a choice that will change her life forever.

This is the final novel in the series and is one for everyone who still tears up thinking about Lou and Will.

“Warning: a bookseller is about to recommend a book about books”

AN UNREMARKABLE BODY BY ELISA LODATO My personal favourite, and a good read for all mothers and daughters. This novel won a place on the Costa Book Awards shortlist and it is richly deserved. Laura finds her mother dead at the bottom of the stairs and slowly unravels the story of her life. This is a story that sounds like most other stories, but it is written beautifully, and is brings up questions about how well we know our parents and their lives before us. It is one that takes on the motherdaughter relationship with care and love.

Highly recommended for all mums.

QUEENIE MALONE’S PARADISE HOTEL BY RUTH HOGAN The new novel from Ruth Hogan, the bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things

ONCE UPON A RIVER BY DIANE SETTERFIELD On a dark midwinter’s night in an ancient inn on the Thames, the regulars are entertaining themselves by telling stories when the door bursts open and in steps an injured stranger.

In his arms is the drowned corpse of a child.

Hours later, the dead girl stirs, takes a breath and returns to life.

Is it a miracle? Is it magic? And who does the little girl belong to? An exquisitely crafted multi-layered mystery brimming with folklore, suspense and romance, as well as with the urgent scientific curiosity of the Darwinian age, Once Upon a River is richly atmospheric and with its beautiful jacket cover, is for mums who love historical fiction.

Max Minerva’s is at 39 North View, Westbury Park 07498 538858; www.maxminervas.co.uk

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

the pony and trap

Its homely name suggests a locals’ country pub; walk inside, and it looks like one. Then the food starts to arrive from the kitchen . . .

Words by Deri Robins

S

obering times, for the Bristol dining scene.

Nobody minds when the big chains close down, but recently some very good local indies have thrown in the towel, and suddenly we’re not smiling any more.

To cheer ourselves up, we booked a visit (pilgrimage?) to one of Bristol’s most enduringly great and popular restaurants, to remind ourselves what a success story looks like. The Pony & Trap opened in its current form in 2006, with Josh Eggleton in the kitchen and sister Holly front of house; it’s been included in more national ‘best restaurant’ and ‘best gastropub’ lists than you can shake a breadstick at, it has rosettes blooming all over the shop, and has held a Michelin star since 2011. Somewhere on the mantelpiece they’ve even made room for a Bristol Life Award.

But The Pony wears its accolades lightly, and a less pretentious Michelin joint you could never hope to find. If you casually popped in on spec, maybe because you liked the look of the pretty whitewashed inn set in rolling Chew Magna hills, you’d probably assume it was a good locals’ pub; all low ceilings, nooks and crannies, and farmers quaffing at the bar. You’d be right; it just also happens to have one of the UK’s best chefs in the kitchen.

A word about Josh, for anyone newly arrived on Planet

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

Earth. A former Gordon Ramsay scholar, he’s a major player on the local food scene, with fingers in many pies.

He co-runs Eat Drink Bristol Fashion, which includes Root and Yurt Lush; he co-owns gastropub The Kenny, and has two branches of gourmet fish-and-chippy Salt & Malt.

Josh has always been at the vanguard of the sustainable, organic, field-to-fork movement. If ingredients can be grown in the Pony’s kitchen garden, they will be, otherwise they’ll have been sourced as locally as possible. The menu reads like a veritable Who’s Who of respected West County producers, from Cornish fishmongers to Bristol foragers. He’s also co-founded Bristol’s School for Food; an unique training programme that offers young people access to high-quality training. He even finds time to appear on the telly, and yet despite all of the above, he never seems to be overstretched, possibly because he has a knack of finding and keeping first-class staff. We’d call him Bristol’s answer to Jamie Oliver, but he’d give us a smack.

Being based on whatever fresh ingredients are to hand, the dishes at the Pony change daily, which makes it all the more gobsmacking when you discover that the menu of the day not only encompasses an à la carte but three, yes three, tasting menus – on our visit, the ‘classic’, the fish and shellfish and a veggie version. “I don’t see it as a tasting menu,” says Josh. “Just a selection of things I want to cook.”

restaurant

Our intention of ordering from the set menus wobbled briefly when we saw a Wiltshire suckling pig being unloaded onto a neighbouring table; a beast of a sharing feast, consisting of a whole leg, tempura squid and a lot of nose-to-tail delights (at least, we hope they were sharing).

But we held hard, and clung to our resolve.

Everything that can be made from scratch is created in the kitchen, from the freshly baked bread to the handchurned butter. You probably couldn’t survive on the Pony’s sourdough with sirloin dripping alone, but it would be fun trying. Bread of heaven.

A frothy bowl of bisque was velvety, creamy and dense with sweet, lobstery flavours, while the Darling Daughter’s chicken broth was equally punchy. The second set of prestarters were piquant tastebud-ticklers; DD’s light-as-air gougère came topped with a pickled walnut; my mackerel ceviche in a sharp vinaigrette, while a fat oyster was layered up with a creamy foam and tongue-popping caviar.

A crab and kiwi dish was my dish of the night (week, month, etc). Brown meat was beaten into mayo and spiced up with Worcester sauce, while the white was lovingly wrapped in a little cocoon of thinly sliced, pickled turnip – “the poor man’s truffle,” says Josh – and bedded on leaves still growing in the Pony’s allotment; a really light and refreshing dish that led to fanciful thoughts of spring.

The DD’s sushi-like salmon came prettily plated; a little storybook fantasy of a dish with tiny mushrooms, blobs of turnip purée and improbably cute salty fingers, “the jellybeans of sea veg,” (Josh again).

I’m running out of space, so I’ll just rattle through a beauty of a meat course, with rosy slices of steak and meltin-the-mouth ox cheek; a mild, flaky cod accompanied by fat little mussels braised in saffron; a cheese course that saw a nutty, Reblochon-like Rollright melted over fruit loaf, and washed down with a biscuity glass of Brut. And then we came to the puds; rhubarb and custard in little brandysnap baskets, and an Instagram invitation of a Campari and blood orange buttermilk panna cotta, which would have made the trip worthwhile alone.

As we left (I had to be practically rolled out) we decided that we couldn’t think of any restaurant that serves up such refined, thoughtful food in such an unpretentious setting.

Staggering back to the car through the starlit night, we heard unseen sheep baaaing in the distance – now that’s something you don’t get in Clifton; we were rather glad we hadn’t had the lamb. n

“You probably couldn’t survive on the Pony’s sourdough with sirloin dripping alone, but it would be fun trying”

Dining details Pony & Trap, Moorledge Road, Chew Magna, Bristol BS40 8TQ; 01275 332627; www.theponyandtrap.co.uk Opening hours Tues-Thurs midday2pm; 7pm-9 pm; Fri-Sat midday-2pm; 6pm-9pm; Sunday roasts midday-6pm We visited Saturday evening Prices Tasting menus £50-£65; drinks pairing £40 Drinks What the team don’t know about the long regional wine list ain’t worth knowing Atmosphere Friendly and informal Service On-it, invested and charming Disabled access Loos and many tables at ground level

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

COCKTAIL BAR

Proudly Independent Cocktail Bar Just off Millennium Square lies Loose Cannon – a brand spanking new cocktail bar. Right in the heart of the Harbourside, Loose Cannon is a seriously stylish setting in which to enjoy some high-quality cocktails.

Think crazy garnishes, names, and pop culture references and great tunes. It’s a place for quality drinks, and time with your mates.

And don’t worry - you can enjoy the fabulous cocktail displays even if you’re not a fan yourself. If you want a pint, you can have one!

Check our social media for offers and promotions

Special Events | Private Hire | Master Classes and much more!

50+ seating. 150ppl max capacity, open till late, Live music license/ DJ’s. Drop us an email for more information and booking.

0117 927 9930 | info@theloosecannoncocktailbar.com | www.theloosecannoncocktailbar.com

Great student deals!

Bring your IDs

The Apple brings you the world’s finest range of ciders & perries on a beautifully converted Dutch barge in the heart of Bristol’s Old City.

The Apple theappleciderboat Appleciderco

food & drink!

Jake Black “Be Bold: have spirit” is the motto emblazoned on the Bristol Distilling Company home page.

Here, co-founder Jake takes us behind the scenes of a remarkably rapid local success story

“It was just two of us in 2017, setting out to create innovative new distilled spirits that weren’t quite like anything else on the market, says Jake. “Having worked in property for many years, my real passion was always drinks and hospitality, and setting up Bristol Distilling Company has really been the result of that.”

stores all across the UK, called 77 Berry and 77 Blush. One is raspberry and pomegranate flavour, the other is grapefruit and rose. At their heart is our IWSC award-winning signature gin, Gin 77, a super-citrussy, classic London Dry. They’re all delicious of course, but personally, I’m a Berry man. We also have some really exciting new flavours that will be released later in the year.

We bought our still in Nebraska – it was a brand new design, and we were the first to bring one to Europe. We felt that investing in a new, innovative piece of equipment fitted our approach much better than automatically going to one of the traditional European manufacturers. We’ve also decided to really focus on gin liqueurs; there are so many fantastic full-strength gins out there, but we were really excited by the potential for doing something different in the mid-strength flavoured category. Gin liqueurs are becoming increasingly popular and we had lots of ideas about the kind of drinks we wanted to make and potential flavour combinations.

Your branding is clean and contemporary – what message do you hope this gives?

We have a great range of craft spirit makers in Bristol – why are you special?

Talk us through your range

We currently have three products in our range.

Two gin liqueurs that are available in Tesco Distil our beating hearts: surely this berry and pomegranate gin counts as two of our five-a-day?

Our branding has been hugely important to us from the outset. We took inspiration from the original work of Bristol artist Frea Buckler, with whom we have a close design relationship, and hope it reflects our values of boldness, innovation and forwardthinking.

Will we be able to find you at any events this year?

We’ve been so busy launching new products that we don’t have anything imminent but we’ll be re-opening our tap-room at the distillery later in the year for some very special events; watch this space.

How was 2018 for you – any notable successes?

2018 was a remarkable year. We built the distillery, launched our first product (Gin 77), developed the first two releases in our range of gin liqueurs and secured a place on the shelves for them both in the biggest retailer in Europe – pretty eventful you might say!

For more: www. bristoldistilling.com

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

Emily Astley-Cooper (left) co-founded BDC with Jake (third from left) in 2017

In brief Lead on! Bristol’s first dog-friendly pub crawl launches on 2 March.

Starting at Horts, the Hair of the Dog Pup Crawl will include ‘pawsecco’ and snacks for doggies, a t-shirt, games and prizes. www.dogfuriendly.com Oh, and if small Instagrammable pups are your thing, The Florist is holding a pop-up Dachsund Café on 16 March and a Pug Café on 17 March. wwwpugcafe.com The Coconut Tree are launching a dance night, The Coconut Carnival, once a month at their Triangle branch. “Think Keith Lemon, crazy procession and lots of face paint!” they say. The first one’s on 2 March; follow The Coconut Carnival on Facebook for future events.

© all Photos by Kirstie Young

With so much booze news this month, we decided to just go with drink instead. It’s exactly like Veganuary, but in March, and with alcohol not plants. Cheers!

excellent Mr elk If you’re looking for us during March, we’ll be in the Milk Thistle, and we won’t be

© both Photos by Louis Smith

leaving until we’ve tried every one of the drinks on their new cocktail list.

The Hyde & Co group, of course, is ace at creating concept menus (see also below).

Their new ‘By George’ is a real charmer, being based on the antics of some of the bar’s taxidermy characters during an imaginary day out in Bristol. The new drinks have been curated by bar manager Alex Godfrey, though all the team contributed recipes; the menu is illustrated by Milk Thistle assistant manager Sarah Offa-Jones.

“The inspiration behind Meet George was a combination of Fantastic Mr Fox meets Spot Goes to School to create something fun and imaginative, that challenges people’s perception of what a cocktail menu should be,” says Alex.

PS George is an elk. www.milkthistlebristol.com

While we’re on the subject,

we’re longtime fans of the sexy, noirish menus produced by The Milk Thistle’s sister bar, Hyde & Co. Apparently, so is Imbibe, who’ve just named bar manager Dan Bovey (right) Bartender of the Year. The Mon Cheris are on you, Dan . . . www.hydeand.co

If you’re the kind of person who

plans their holiday around beer festivals – and hey, we’re not judging you! – note that this year’s Bristol Craft Beer Fest takes place from 7- 8 June, not September. It’s at Lloyds again, and a tasty first wave line-up of local, national and European legends international breweries have Mikkeller will be already been announced, back, too from Spain’s Basqueland Brewing Project to Chicago’s Half Acre, and Copenhagen’s People Like Us – the first time any of these guys have appeared in the city. www.bristolcraftbeerfestival.co.uk

stop press…

Thoroughly messing with the ‘drinks only’ theme of this

issue, thank you Alex Hayes – burger supremo, proprietor of teeny-tiny Squeezed in Cargo – who has just gone and won the Burger Chef of the Year award at the National Burger Awards. Alex competed against over 16 other chefs at the competition in London, to create both a signature burger and a technical one, using ingredients provided. His award comes as a massive surprise to absolutely no one in Bristol. www.bristolsqueezed.co.uk

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

8:30am – 4pm

Delivering excellent food, live music seven days a week and a wide range of cocktails, The Blue Lagoon celebrates its 13th year of bringing a little sunshine to the BS7 area.

The Blue Lagoon is proud to launch a new menu this spring, to include vegan favourites, and a range of sharing boards perfect for feasting with friends in the sunshine on our outside tables.

un is ALWAYS shining s e h T over the Blue Lagoon!

The Promenade, 18/20 Gloucester Road, Bristol BS7 8AE 0117 942 7471 | www.thebluelagooncafebar.com

cafÉ society Stan Cullimore

Beat surrender

When life gives you freshly baked bread, focaccia if you can . . .

i

don’t normally rush to visit new cafés when they open, preferring to stumble across them as I stroll about my daily Bristol business. To enjoy that happy moment when you see somewhere you haven’t noticed before, and decide to pop in for a quick coffee and cake, just to see what it’s like inside.

However, to each rule there is an exception. In this case, it is La Panza. An angelic little Italian eatery that is definitely worth rushing into, whether you are a

“Any thought of cake disappeared like snowflakes in a sauna”

fool or not. Let me explain.

The other day I bumped into a friend who assured me they’d heard of a fantastic café that had “just opened”, and looked “very nice”. Trouble is, this friend had heard it from another friend, and directions had been in short supply.

Only thing she knew for sure was this delightful place could be found at the top of Christmas Steps, and was named after a flower. Something like a pansy.

Never able to resist a mystery, Mrs Cullimore and I set off in search of this floral-themed café, hoping for a bit of adventure and coffee along the way. The first problem we encountered was rather unexpected.

There aren’t any cafés at the top of the Christmas Steps.

Luckily, though, we live in the happiest city in the land.

(Honestly. We do. If you don’t believe me, Google it.) Which means that if you stroll in any direction in any part of the city you will find a lovely little café just waiting to make your day. So we strolled.

Our little legs took us over the road from Christmas Steps and headed up Lower Park Row. As if by magic, we quickly found just the place we were looking for.

It’s not easy to spot, as the new

name is written on a tiny piece of something stuck over the logo of the last café on that spot, to whit, the Beatroot.

Luckily, there was something else in the window which immediately drew my eye, and left us no choice but to go inside.

A tray of freshly baked focaccia, sitting on a ledge, cooling off nicely in the morning air. The smell was intoxicating. Any thought of cake disappeared like snowflakes in a sauna.

We asked for two coffees and two helpings of the fresh focaccia then sat down at a tiny table built into an old fireplace. The whole experience was a delight on many levels. The friendly young man who owned the place was happy to talk us through some of the other tasty treats on offer.

He also set us straight on the name. La Panza is not any kind of flower, pansy or otherwise. It is the Italian for ‘tummy’.

So if you are looking to treat yourself, your friends and indeed, your tummy, to a whole lot of loveliness, I can thoroughly recommend this place. It’s molto, molto bello. n Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer www.stancullimore.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 53

9CT GOLD EAR STUDS WITH ROSE CUT DIAMONDS, £600 We love the peachy-gold sparkle of these gems, and their cool, contemporary setting. OK; maybe they don’t count as a ‘little’ treat, exactly, but, you know...

From Diana Porter, 33 Park Street; www.dianaporter.co.uk

ISABEL MARANT ASHPHALT EARRINGS, £215 That’s both the drop and asymmetric trend ticked, with a winning pop of colour to bling up your spring From Harvey Nichols, 27 Philadelphia Street www.harveynichols.com

HAPPY NEW EARS

Valentine’s done and dusted. Easter’s ages away. But it’s still a bit brrrr outside, and what we need is a little treat to tide us over. Now define ‘little’ . . .

ORELIA RESIN HOOPS, £12 The coral craze keeps on giving; here, a particuarly pretty pale hue has been used for very affordable, on-trend resin hoops From Pod Company, 24 The Mall, Clifton www.thepodcompany.co.uk

SILVER AMPERSAND EARRINGS, £48 The font nerd in us couldn’t resist including these assymetric studs; one ear rocks the traditional ampersand design, the other is more contemporary From Maze, 26-28 The Mall, Clifton www.mazeclothing.co.uk

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

HARVEY CHAVEZ EARRINGS, £65 Did you know that you can find beautiful jewellery made by Native Americans right here in Bristol? Now you do!

Harvey comes from the Kewa Pueblo tribe; the silver feathers are accented with tiny heishi beads cut from black jet From Rainmaker Gallery 123 Coldharbour Road www.rainmakerart.co.uk

LIMA LIMA ‘LILA’ EARRINGS, £30 We’ve been coveting these Matissestyle earrings for a while now; just can’t decide whether to go for plain brass or powder-coated pink. Lima Lima are Bristol makers, by the way From Mon Pote 177 North Street www.monpote.co.uk

ED’S CHOICE MIRABELLE GINA EARRINGS, £39.99 These gold-plated hoops are perfect for blinging up a daytime outfit, but look equally knockout with evening wear From Amulet, 39A Cotham Hill www.amuletboutique.co.uk

AMETHYST GLASS AND SILVER EARRINGS, £29 Two misconceptions: (a) Bristol Blue Glass only makes blue glass. (b) They only make jugs and vases.

Doubly wrong!

From Bristol Blue Glass 357-359 Bath Road www.bristol-glass.co.uk

JACKS TURNER EARRINGS, £75 We love how feminine yet statement these silver drop earrings are are; wear with your hair pinned up for maximum glamour From Clifton Rocks 31 The Mall www.cliftonrocks.co.uk

PEACEFUL FACE EARRINGS, £20 What do you mean, you don’t own a set of ‘face’ earrings? This pair will make you appear serene even when you’re secretly tired, frazzled or cross From Mon Pote, 177 North Street www.monpote.co.uk

CERISE POMPOP HOOPS, £8 Because festival season is still a long way off, and we want something fun and colourful in our lives now, ’K? From That Thing, 45-47 Stokes Croft www.thatthing.co

RUBY AND GOLD EARRINGS, £2,250 Again, the operative word is definitely ‘treat’, not ‘little’.

But these are total classics and destined to be an heirloom From Mallory, 1-5 Bridge Street, Bath www.mallory-jewellers.com

ESTELLA BARTLETT EARRINGS, £21 Inspired by the art of Yayoi Kusama, with a delicate gold star and coral enamel dots along each chain From Pod Company 24 The Mall, Clifton www.thepodcompany.co.uk

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

A MAN’S WORLD SEB BARRETT

Four wheels good Fahrvergnügen? Baz is still working up enough courage to try the sports function . . .

B

“If you had your pseudopsychoanalytical hat on (possibly a beret), you’d propose that there was a womb-like security to being sat inside a car”

oys and their passion for cars always struck me as a societal phenomenon.

We see older, cooler guys – or father figures – cruising about in their new wheels and think, ‘That will be me some day’.

That was my thought until I saw our 16-month-old son and his friends bashing each other out of the way to get into the dinosaurshaped car at soft play. If you had your pseudo-psychoanalytical hat on (possibly a beret), you’d propose that there was a womb-like security to being sat inside a car.

Of course, it could just be that boys like the noise that’s created when they repeatedly ram the dino-car into whatever solid object happens to be in their way. We know that cars elicit a complex range of feelings in men of all ages.

A decades-old advertising slogan left an impression that’s still felt today: “Fahrvergnügen: It’s what makes a car a Volkswagen.”

That word, ‘Fahrvergnügen’, may literally mean ‘driving enjoyment’, but it speaks to a desire to travel at such a speed so as to forget all of life’s problems.

The New York Times ran a frontpage story this month detailing the uproar in Germany at the mere suggestion of setting a speed limit on the iconic autobahn. It quoted an expert on the country’s highway system as saying, “To many people, the idea of a speed limit feels like an affront to masculinity, like we’re getting softer, we’re degenerating,” while the article compared the nation’s dislike for speed limits as “up there with gun control in America and whaling in Japan.”

Meanwhile, back in the UK, driving fast is almost a taboo topic.

And in Bristol? Fuhgeddaboudit.

With 20 mph zones being de rigueur, you’re better off getting a

Dacia Sandero than anything sleek and sporty.

For me, someone who has never worshipped at the altar of the motor, cars are mainly a symbol of independence. When one of our mates in school became the first of the gang to get one, his banged-up, second-hand Suzuki Alto was freedom on wheels.

It was a brave new world. Never mind that the car itself smelled like the previous owner had hidden pilchards somewhere inside it – we were free, free to drive to McDonald’s for lunch.

In an outlandish scenario, wherein I won the lottery, I wonder what car I would buy. I’ve driven a Ferrari and a Roll-Royce before and, lovely though they were, I don’t need to draw that level of attention.

Looking out of the window now, I see my VW Golf (not an #ad – though I wish it was) and don’t think I need anything more than what it offers. It has a ‘sports’ function which I’m too scared to use, but apart from that we’re comfortably in sync. My previous car was French, and after the brakes failed me on more than one occasion, and with a child on the way, I opted for something more mechanically reliable.

If there’s one thing men like to do almost as much as driving cars, it’s talking about them. I was sat in the barbershop last week next to a guy who chatted incessantly about all the expensive motors he’d driven in his life. The barber, evidently impressed, asked if the gleaming Range Rover parked outside was his. “No, I drive a Vauxhall Corsa,” he replied sheepishly.

Seb Barrett is on Twitter @bazzbarrett

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

OPINION KAM KELLY

Alfa male

Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo? (Clue: Kam’s garage, coming soon)

C

ars,’ she (the editor) said; please write about cars. So, in writing, I am about to inappropriately feel up Italy.

It is one of my favourite countries in the world. It has some of my favourite places, weather, people and memories, and a language so musical and passionate that it sounds like a passionate musical.

My cousins are of Sicilian descent, but grew up in Milan.

My best childhood holidays were spent with them. They were (and still are, as you would imagine) older than me. Giovanni, Roberta and Sofia. When I was only four years old, I remember

them all trying to teach me how to roll my Rs. They laughed as they said Ferrrrrrarrrrri for me to repeat, and I would say Fewarwi. It’s one of my earliest and fondest memories. I can see their faces. I can smell the Milan air in the height of summer, with undertones of rankness emitting from the drains as whatever it was that was down there would start evaporating in the heat.

So. What make of car is the below-average local radio DJ obsessed by? Ferrrrarrrri, right?

Nah! Alfa Romeo!

After my wall was adorned with Shakin’ Stevens posters, but before it was home to Wendy James of Transvision Vamp, it was full of any picture of any

“Like my dad, I have been distracted by the Germans on occasion”

model of Alfa Romeo that I could lay my hands on.

When I was born, my dad drove me home in an Alfa Romeo. To this day, he has had seven Alfas: Giulia Super (old not current), Giulietta (old not current), GTV (old not current), Alfetta, Alfa Sud, 157 and a 159 (the 159 was mine, so that’s a crossover).

I never started out on a path in an effort to ‘beat’ my dad.

And very much like him, I have been distracted by the Germans on occasion, like now. I drive a BMW, and yes, it does make you a d*ck to other road users.

Come on, people. Why should we waste our indicator bulbs just to let you know where we want to go? You see the BMW badge and just assume that we’ll go where we want, when we want, unless we tell you otherwise; which we defi nitely won’t do.

My fi rst car was a dented old (and I mean OLD) VW Polo Mk 1.

Battered beyond recognition, but I had saved and I could afford it. £500. I had to pump the accelerator three times, then get out the car and rock it from side to side, then get back in, pump the accelerator once more, then turn the key, and when it sounded like it might get going, ya pull that choke right out and hey presto, you got yourself a splutterer, but a car that’s ready (under duress) for the roads.

Then followed a Fiesta XR2i for £250 from a mate, and when that beautiful little boy racer’s dream exhaled its last rev, I moved on to Alfas.

Newer cars, generally. I found myself in a job where I could do monthly payments. I started in 1999 with a 97 GTV. Then, when toying with the idea of selling my house in Bedminster for an apartment, I traded down for a 146, beautiful car with the same engine as the GTV but lighter, a bit fl ightier, but lusher than lush to drive. Then went to the hatchback version, the 145.

After that, dark (but beautifully relaxing) times kicked in when I went German and got a BMW 318is. It was lush and lovely but after a few years I missed the passion of the Italians so went Alfa Romeo 159 (the one I later gave to my dad) A few years later, Alfa Romeo in their generosity or naivety gave me a brand new MiTo. Four miles on the clock! OK, they took it back after six months, at which point I bought one. I miss my beautiful little MiTo. So much fun. And the noise…

And yeah, I am writing MiTo like that because that’s how it’s meant to be written.

Two cities are integral to the model: Mi(lan) where it was designed and To(rino) – Turin – where they are built.

So the scores stand: my dad: seven Alfas owned. Me: six. I am currently looking in to getting a Giulia or Stelvio. This article has not been approved or endorsed by the greatest car brand there ever has been. Alfa Romeo.

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

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SNAPPED A C R O S S B R I S T O L , O N E S H I N D I G AT A T I M E

Leila Akhmedova and Lyzi Unwin

Robin Murray

BY GEORGE

Karen Daly

Some invitations are undeniably more compelling than others.

Let’s just say that on receiving The Milk Thistle’s “So – do you want to come along and sample our new ‘By George’ cocktail menu?” email, the city’s media freeloaders suddenly decided they had a free evening, and beat a hurried path to Quay Head House. More on page 50.

Photos Chris Cooper www.shotaway.com

Mia Kumari Natalie Brereton

Meg Pope, Deri Robins, Nell Robins and Louis Smith

Charlie Pinder, Lloyd Wright and Rebecca Faith

DOUBLY SNAPPED!

Robert Albright, Peaches Golding, Mike Taylor and Cleo Lake

The fab new Royal Photographic Society opened with a launch party, giving guests and friends a sneak view of their inaugural IPE 161 exhibition (lavishly covered in our last issue) Photos Derryn Vranch

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

SOCIETY

Catherine Louden and Stuart Louden

Thomas Morin and Caroline Morin Graham Calder and Lesley-Anne Calder

Jim Isaacs and Trina Isaacs Rosie Joseland and Georgie Wooler

Anna Nazarova-Evans, Svetlana Silko and Natalia Over

CHECK MATES

Dan Wooler and Matthew Salter

Clifton College held a black-tie (and tartan) Burns Night ceilidh at the newly refurbed Hall. The event raised funds for the charities the College are supporting when its senior rugby squad travel to Chile and Argentina this summer; the boys will be engaging in charitable work while over there.

“The charities we’re supporting are Bristol-based, but work all round the world with impoverished children providing support through sports,” says Matt Salter, former captain of Bristol Rugby and now director of rugby at the College.

Photos by Dave Pratt

Guillaume Callewaert, Pascale Hitier, Caroline Morin, Thomas Morin, Marjorie Catalo and Jérôme Catalo

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

Cristina Heredero, Rocio Medina, Nuria Alloza and Elena Jimenez

Skin Saturday at Simon Lee Clinic

Receive our Endocare Growth Factor Facial only ÂŁ89 instead of ÂŁ140!

Leaves skin looking luminous and restores radiance. *on Saturdays only, pre-booking required*

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

Motoring H e y J o h n , wa n n a n e w m oto r ?

Are trends electric?

Sure they are! From Aston Martin to Audi, Porsche to Polestar, your next new car might just run off souped-up AAs…

Plus!

The inside story on all 2019’s most exciting new drives

What’s t h Who areat?

Polesta r the pag? Turn e find out s to …

ALSO!

Take the pain out of buying! And keep your car fresh! www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 65

motoring

Road warriors We’ve got the run-down on this year’s most tempting new models, and – amazingly! – some of them aren’t even SUVs…

O

Words by Matt Bielby

kay, so we didn’t buy quite as many new cars last year as we did in 2017 – feelings of economic uncertainty (and where can those be coming from?) meant more of us hung onto our existing motors – but even so, spotting the industry’s winners and losers ain’t hard.

We’ve long known economy counts, and this year’s models are more frugal than ever. But it’s increasingly obvious that size matters too – and we’re not talking length or girth, but height. Basically, companies who’ve bet big on SUVs have done well – Nissan’s Qashqai and Kia’s Sportage are consistently among our top-selling cars – and even the least likely candidates, from Porsche to Jaguar, now rely more on family-friendly trucks than the sports or luxury models that made them famous. Hell, even Aston Martin has got in on the act, of which more anon.

The other big news, of course, is that while diesel sales have stalled, electric and hybrid models are booming. Again, more on that later.

With the big premium brands rushing out near-identical specialist models to fill every possible niche (how many different medium-sized

SUVs does Mercedes need, for instance?), the problem for a new car buyer is that there’s never been such a confusing wealth of choice. At the same time, though, audiences (that’s us!) are becoming increasingly sophisticated and fussy – to the point where it’s hardly worth launching a new car without killer design details, a heaping helping of the latest tech – and, more likely than not, an extreme ride height too.

Not that there aren’t a handful of ‘normal’ cars about too – including, as we’re about to find out, some of the best there are.

So what do you want to buy this year? That’s where Bristol Life’s occasional new motoring section comes in. Are this year’s newest models worth waiting for? We think so. Worth saving for? Hell, yes…

I want to go fast

Your priority is speed, yes? Luckily, that’s easily sorted. For one thing, BMW and Toyota have got together to create a fancy high-end sports car they’ll be selling dressed in two very different sets of clothes: Toyota’s Supra (remember those from the ’90s?) is a turbocharged coupe and all rather Fast and the Furious, while BMW’s more Euro-classy Z4 roadster version has a fabric (rather than folding metal) roof to

clockwise from this pic: The new 911, Ferrari’s 488 Pista Spider, and the BMW /Toyota twins, the Z4 and Supra

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

MOTORING

“Your priority is speed, yes?

Luckily, that’s easily sorted” keep the weight down, and hopefully make it handle better than the outgoing version. The problem, of course, is that both are targeting Porsche Boxster and Cayman buyers, tough company to live with.

If you fancy something a little more cosseting, meanwhile, the much larger Audi A9 – a mighty V8 four-wheel drive coupe – will be going head-to-head with the similar BMW 8 Series coupe. Both want to give you the performance of a Porsche 911 but with a tad more room and a slightly lower price. Great idea, but there’s just one problem…

No, faster than that

Remember that problem we just mentioned? It’s simply that there’s a new Porsche 911 out, of course. The world’s most important, enduring sports car might persist with its eccentric layout – with the engine at the back and all that – but nothing comparable looks like it, goes like it, or is as easy to live with in the real world. Sure, there’s the problem that – unless you’re a true Porsche geek – you might find it impossible to tell each new version from the last, but that’s the same with all enduring classics, from the motorway signs to the Rolex Submariner. Naturally, it’s faster, cleaner, cheaper to run and more sure-footed than ever before, which will make it a no-brainer for the lucky few.

With prices starting just short of £100,000, the Porker is hardly cheap, but you’d pay rather more than twice that for the newest Ferrari – a sexy little something called the 488 Pista Spider, which is lighter and faster than the 488 GTB it’s based on, plus has the superior pose-value that comes from no roof.

And if you think even that isn’t expensive enough (what are you, a Chinese billionaire? Oh, you are) have no fear, for Mercedes Benz has you covered. Since you clearly count among the super-super-super rich, check out the upcoming Mercedes-AMG Project One, designed to be the fastest production car on the planet – and for only the cost of a Leigh Woods mansion (that’s around two million quid).

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MOTORING

Fast, comfortable and doubtless spectacular, Aston’s upcoming DBX promises to turn mountains to mush

“A sports car-SUV crossbreed that promises to drive like a supercar on stilts” Hmm, none of those sound very roomy

Lamborghini’s Urus sounds crazy – until you remember that they started out as Italy’s Massey Ferguson

Frankly, they’re not. But if you want speed, luxury, a none-more-fancy name, and a little bit of space too, we’ve got a couple of intriguing offerings for you.

The Lamborghini Urus is a 2.2 tonne supercar SUV, which might sound bonkers – until you consider that Lambo actually started out as a tractor maker, and offered a barnstorming V12 super-4x4 in the ’80s called the LM002 (and nicknamed the ‘Rambo-Lambo’) – while yet more stylish but unusual is the upcoming Aston Martin DBX (once rumoured to be dubbed Varekai, though that idea appears to be losing legs at the moment), a Welshbuilt sports car-SUV crossbreed that promises to drive like a supercar on stilts.

You can see a prototype above, with the real thing due at the end of the year (or perhaps the beginning of 2020); we think it might just be the best thing ever.

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MOTORING I like to show off on the school run…

Then your decision is easy. What you want is one of the latest Land Rover/Range Rover models – either the brand new entry-level RR Evoque (as space-buggy futuristic as the existing version but now much smoother, in the style of the bigger Range Rover Velar), or perhaps the eagerly-awaited new Defender. The Evoque now has cameras in the grill and door mirrors to tell you if you’re about to squish a stray kindergartener at Mama Bear’s, while the eagerly-awaited new Defender probably doesn’t. In fact, if classic Defenders are anything to

above: The new Evoque is like you’d made the old model from soap, then used it for a wash – but in the best possible way; below: this little McLaren is about to go beddy-byes in Chatham Vault. Goodnight, sweet prince!

go by it won’t have much of anything – except toughness – and will be all the better for it.

Okay, okay – we’re cheating a little here, as you may have to wait until 2020 to try the new Defender – but it will be worth it, we promise you. Why so confident? Because we’ve simply never had so many admiring comments and glances while driving a car as we got a couple of years ago in one of the last of the old-style Landies. Seriously: if you wanted to pull a certain type of lycra-clad middle aged man – we’re not saying you do, but if you did – this is the car to go for.

“Cameras tell you if you’ve about to squish a stray kindergartener at Mama Bear’s” Sleep tight

…and don’t let the rust bugs bite When you’re spending lots of money on a fancy-pants motor like these, it’s one thing ploughing through mud at high speed – and quite another leaving it to rot out in the rain week after week as you sun yourself in Ibiza.

To keep your best wheels in tip-top nick while you’re off doing something else, then, you could do a lot worse than tuck them up for hibernation at north Bristol’s Chatham Vault, with its flexible three-tier storage package options, and climate-controlled, dehumidified, purpose-built storage facility.

“We’re very far from a garage lock up,” says founder Oliver Chatham, and you know what? We believe him. www.chatham-vault.co.uk

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MOTORING Actually, have you seen how expensive school fees are these days?

We have, and for a similar experience to a flashy Range but at more tuck shop prices, there’s an entire raft – nay, flotilla – of new SUVs and SUV crossovers to play with. If we had around £30k burning a hole in our pockets, for instance, we might be looking at Audi’s sleek but highriding new Q4 model, or Honda’s roomy CR-V hybrid (with diesel sales struggling, hybrids are replacing them across the board), which was a big winner at the recent What Car? awards.

Elsewhere, Toyota’s new RAV4 is a more serious off-roader than many rivals, while if £20k is more your limit, you could be looking at the Citroen C5 Aircross (a self-consciously stylish Nissan Qashqai rival), or the slightly smaller new DS 3 Crossback (which is still a little taller and larger than the old car). And then, of course, there’s Ford Focus Active, or the new model Renault Kadjar. Cheaper still are the latest Nissan Duke (essentially a weirder, tougher-looking Micra), Volkswagen T-Cross and Renault Captur, all managing to offer that appealing high-rise driving position in what’s actually a manageably minuscule car.

“All offer that appealing high-rise driving position in what’s actually a manageably miniscule car”

Honda’s CR-V hybrid and (top) Citroen’s C5 Aircross: two very tempting ways to enjoy the SUV experience without getting too big – or expensive

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MOTORING

“An alternative way into conventional motoring is through the new Toyota Camry, reviving another old Toyota name”

Toyota’s conventional (but big-gobbed) Camry, and (right) the Mercedes B Class – still making the argument for people carriers, and it’s a strong one, too

To be honest, I’m bored of SUVs. Can’t I just have a normal car?

Are you now? The ways sales are going, you might be the only one – but if you will insist on rocking it old-school (and, frankly, we have some sympathy), there’s a whole bunch of regular-shaped little cars to tempt you. Renault has a new Clio – Europe’s best-selling small car – and Peugeot a new 208, while Vauxhall launches its latest Corsa. All, though, will have to go some to beat the excellent new Ford Fiesta, Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Polos, which all launched last year. You can get into most of these for £12,000 or so, but go a little larger – and invest a couple more grand – and there are the likes of the new Skoda Scala (pushing the once-ugly-duckling brand yet further upmarket), hightech Seat Leon, and Toyota Corolla to tempt you. In recent years Toyota’s been selling what used be called the Corolla as the ‘Auris’, but they’re dropping that – apparently nobody knew what an Auris was!

Then there’s the new Mazda 3, which leads with both striking good looks and a clever sci-fi sounding engine, the SkyActiv-X, which apparently offers all the upsides of both petrol and diesel with none of the downsides of either. And, of course, there’s a new Volkswagen Golf too, which – as a core model from the world’s biggest car maker – is unlikely to be anything less than a real game-changer. (It’ll certainly be heading with new tech, like an all-digital dashboard, removing all conventional dials – and most of the buttons too!)

An alternative way into conventional motoring is through the new Toyota Camry, reviving another old Toyota name for a model which – despite that rather weird front end, all giant horizontal strakes like the mouth of a baleen whale – might just the the most ‘normal’ three-box saloon you can find these days.

Sounds good, but I don’t mind spending a little more than that…

Then your decision is both easy and very hard, as you’ll be choosing between rivals from German’s traditional arch-enemies – BMW, Audi and Mercedes. The first has the new 1 Series, more practical and spacious than the outgoing model but now with front-wheel drive, which you’ll either cheer or applaud (until now, the 1 Series was unique in its class in persevering with the more exciting and sporty rear wheel drive). Alternatively, pick Audi’s A3, which will arrive a little after its parent company’s broadly similar VW Golf, so is likely to be similarly excellent – but a little posher. Alternatively, go Mercedes – they have a new B Class (a tall, compact little people carrier, not unlike a fancier Vauxhall Zafira), as well as its bafflingly comprehensive range of new medium-sized SUVs, with an equally confusing alphabet-soup of names (GLA, GLB and GLC just for starters). Which one should you go for? Frankly, your guess is as good as ours…

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I’ve just remembered how many kids we’ve got. We need more space!

Then you’re in luck here, too. Fans of big, expensive SUVs will like the £72k BMW X7, a seven-seat beast of a thing, with a grill the size of two Georgian fireplaces and the Alexa-like ability to do whatever you tell it (so you say, “Hey, BMW, swallow that MINI up ahead” – and it will). A little cheaper (but still £55k) and also offering seven-seats is the Mercedes GLE – told you they like their letters – with the high-tech (and very Bristol-friendly) ability to cope with potholes all by itself, thanks to a camera that adjusts the suspension of each individual wheel automatically depending on what it sees up ahead, and the much cheaper – but similarly sized – Seat Tarraco. Traditionalists, on the other hand, might prefer Peugeot’s classic 508 SW estate car.

“A seven-seat beast of a thing, with a grill the size of two Georgian fireplaces”

Search stars

Take the pain out of buying your next car Buying a car can be a right nightmare, can it not?

That’s why independent Mercedes-Benz specialist D & B Automotive – based at Winford, out near the airport – offers a vehicle-sourcing facility, helping take the horror out of tracking down and haggling over your ideal car. “Customers tell us which Mercedes they want, and what spec they need, and we use our contacts and experience to find them the perfect car,” says director Michelle Hall. Hard to go wrong, really, for – as she says – “Mercedes are pretty much all good vehicles.”

Meanwhile, if for some reason you want something other than a Merc, Matthew Rayner at Autosleuth might be able to help. He’s got 25 years in the biz, can find you anything, and knows all the good deals – and how to haggle. www.dandbauto.co.uk www.autosleuth.co.uk

BMW’s X7 is an imposing piece of kit alright, while Peugeot (top) goes oldschool with its sleek 508 SW estate car

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

MOTORING

from top to bottom: Tesla’s most accessible car yet,

the mid-sized Model 3; Honda’s Urban EC is so cute Wall-E would try to date it; and the snazzy, perhaps game-changing prototype MINI EV

Together in electric dreams

If there’s one dominant trend amongst this year’s new offerings, it’s that the good old internal combustion engine is looking more and more surplus to requirements. And – quite amazingly – this is happening in every sector of the market, too. Aston Martin has used its four-door Rapide – the oldest model in its line-up – to create a £200k limitededition electric version with a 200 mile range, called Rapide E (see our cover page for more); Mercedes-Benz has its huge EQC SUV; Audi’s got the similar Q5-sized e-tron; BMW’s rocking the iX3; and even Porsche has got in on the act with a £100k electric sports car called the Taycan, boasting striking headlights that make it look disturbingly snake-like. They promise you’ll be able to recharge this thing in just 15 minutes, making it barely more arduous than filling up with petrol.

Somewhat more affordable options include the Tesla Model 3 family car, Kia’s boxy Soul EV, Honda’s cute like Urban EC city car (the prototype will be shown at the Geneva motor show next month), and – perhaps most important of all – the new electric MINI EV. Built in Oxford, it’s likely to become a familiar sight around town – though it probably won’t look exactly like the concept version you see in these pics. There’s even a whole new electric car range from Volvo called Polestar, which kicks off with a high-performance hybrid GT called Polestar 1, and a cheaper Tesla Model 3-scale saloon (Polestar 2).

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MOTORING Yeah, yeah yeah, sounds great. But just tell me straight: what’s the best car available in 2019?

If all these endless specialist niche models aren’t quite doing it for you, we might just have the answer. It’s not as gorgeous as an Aston Martin, or as pocket-friendly as a Citroen, but it’s always stylish, well-built, practical, fun to drive – and just the right size for modern living. We are, of course, talking something that’s been the best medium-sized car in the world, on and off, since its launch in the mid-’70s, and now arrives in its seventh generation: the BMW 3 Series.

Like the Porsche 911, the Range Rover and the Volkswagen Golf – and precious few others – the 3 Series is one of those few vital models that defines all other cars, either because they copy it, or because they deliberately set out to do something completely different. And, like those other icons, each successive generation doesn’t so much reinvent the wheel as delivers exactly the same as before, just a bit faster, a bit roomier, a bit more economical – and a whole lot cleverer.

This new, unspectacular BMW may not be the most exciting, radical car on these pages – but for many of us, most of the time, it might just be the best.

“It’s always stylish, well-built, fun to drive – and just the right size for modern living”

BMW’s 3 Series: a bit boring, you say?

Maybe on the surface, we’d reply, but not once you drive it…

You will be driving…

For more: Audi (Mon Motors; www.monmotors.com); Aston Martin, BMW, Ferrari, MINI, Land Rover, Range Rover, Porsche (Dick Lovett; www.dicklovett. co.uk); Ford (Trust Ford; www.trustford.co.uk); Kia (Wessex Kia; www.dealers.kia.co.uk/wessexkiabristol); Honda (Bristol Honda; www.hshmotorgroup. co.uk); Lamborghini (Rybrook; www.rybrook.co.uk/bristol); Kia, Mazda, Nissan (Wessex Garages; www.wessexgarages.com); Mercedes (Mercedes-Benz of Bristol; www.sytner.co.uk); Peugeot (Peugeot Bristol; www.robinsandday.co.uk); Citroen, Renault, Volvo (City Motors; www.carcogroup.co.uk); Seat, Skoda (Blade Group; www.bladegroup.co.uk); Tesla Model 3 (The Mall at Cribbs Causeway; www.tesla.com); Toyota (Motorline Toyota; www.motorline. co.uk); Vauxhall (Bristol Street Motors; bristolstreet.co.uk); Volkswagen (Heritage of Bristol; heritagevolkswagen.co.uk)

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

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

Quote of the issue

© White Vill a Photogr aphy & Films

“the most important actions we can take aren’t the most monumental, but the small decisions we make on a consistent basis” Meet the Bristol travel agents who are really making a difference on page 87

The Big Number

£307m the heat is on

That’s a substantial investment, all right. But who’s benefitting?

Find out on page 91

After a record number of nominations, the finalists for the Bristol Life Awards have been revealed (turn to page 82) – and now it’s all in the lap of our godlike judges

W

e like to look after you, all you Bristol Life Awards attendees; we like to see you smile. In 2017 our Awards were hosted by the very funny Mark Watson; in 2018 it was the absolutely charming Alun Cochrane, and this year it’s the turn of TV comedian, radio host, and podcaster John Robins – a bit of an award-winner in his own right.

The Awards, as ever, will be held inside our massive, eyecatching, specially built marquee at Lloyds Amphitheatre on 11 April.

“It’s been fantastic to see the support coming from across the city since finalists were announced,” said Steph Dodd, event director at MediaClash, Bristol Life’s publisher. “And the event is shaping up to be an incredible evening once again, especially after such a record-breaking number of nominations.” Tickets to the event have been in high demand for some time, and following the announcement of the shortlist are now in even shorter supply; particularly whole tables, so if you’re planning to treat the team you’re encouraged to get in touch soon. Organisers will update the latest position via Twitter and email.

Before the big night, finalists are invited to meet other hopeful winners and their category sponsors at a special reception on 11 March; it’s the ultimate networking event, with the crème de la crème of the city in attendance.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available, all of which feature an extensive marketing campaign and media coverage. Already showing support through sponsorship are headline sponsor Bristol Airport, Platinum Sponsor Jelf, and Category Sponsors: The Alternative Board, Curo, Sam FM, Weston College, Burston Cook, Nicholas Wylde, Anderson Financial Management, Acorn, Cabot Circus, Lexus Bristol, Clear River, Triangle Networks, Dribuild, Clifton College, VWV, Amarelle, Kersfield, Medikas, British Corner Shop, Brunel Insurance, SLX, Clifton Marquee Company, Thorntons Travel and Regus. Silver Sponsors include McCarthy Marland and Harbour Hotels.

To join the impressive roster of supporters and benefit from the Awards, please contact Neil Snow neil.snow@mediaclash.co.uk bristollifeawards.co.uk @BristolLifeAwds

www.mediaclash.co.uk mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 115 85

© STUART BUTLER

BUSINESS INSIDER

Harry, and a black rhino.

Harry’s the one on the left

WAYFAIRER TRAVEL Harry Prowse of Wayfairer explains why ethical travel is so important – and invites you to a very special film event at Square Club….

Harry Prowse and Tom Blakey dreamed up the idea for Wayfairer Travel over a pub dinner. “We had both amassed excellent experience through our previous roles, and truly thought we could create a brand which was able to rival the élite of tailor-made travel, all the while offering people a chance to ‘pay it forward’ and do some good,” says Harry.

“We had both worked closely with an international development charity, and were passionate about responsible and sustainable tourism.

Starting Wayfairer just felt like the right step.”

So how does ethical travel work in practice?

We see our responsibility as reaching out in many directions: towards our planet, towards the communities we are welcomed into when we travel, towards the partners we work with to offer these exceptional experiences, and, of course, towards our guests.

We employ local guides and support staff to whom we pay fair wages. Wherever possible, we book locally owned properties and the opportunity for local homestays. We

ensure that visits to local tribes or communities offer a mutual benefit for local people. Reducing carbon emissions is extremely important to us, and we are currently looking into how we can best mitigate our impact.

Of course, we consider where we are to be our starting point, and we’re always looking for new ways to put our values into play.

So ‘luxury’ and ‘responsible’ are not inimical aims?

Absolutely not. You don’t need to go on a themed holiday, for instance centred on conservation or volunteering, in order to make a positive impact. In fact, the most important actions we can take aren’t the most monumental, but the small decisions we make on a consistent basis.

Please tell us about the range of destinations you offer Since our founding, our areas of focus have been Africa and Asia, whether you’re wanting to sample India’s delicious cuisine, lose yourself amid Japanese temples, or watch a herd of elephants take their morning drink at a waterhole. Some guests want fast-paced, action-packed adventure experiences, others are fascinated by

meant to be an amazing, liberating, life-changing experience, but it often turns out to be stressful once you start trying to do everything yourself.

With tailor-made travel, we take all that off your shoulders. We know all the best accommodation, all the hidden showstoppers, all the must-try experiences, to deliver a holiday that exceeds your expectations.

temples, culture and ancient sites; others love to spend their days on the beach. In fact, most people probably want a little bit of everything, so we make sure to create a holiday with precisely the right balance.

Do you have plans to expand this offering?

Way ahead of you! This March we’re excited to be announcing the first of our Latin America destinations, as well as Antarctica, and throughout 2019 we’re going to be adding to our global offering.

Tell us a bit about your event with Riccardo Orizio and Saruni lodges at The Square Club Riccardo and Saruni have been a fantastic partner of ours for many years, and we share a lot of the same values. Additionally, we’ve sent more Wayfairer clients to their lodges than any other accommodation.

The event is in two parts: a wildlife photography exhibition and a keynote talk from Riccardo.

Riccardo’s talk will focus on the remarkable successes of the community conservation projects that the Sera Conservancy (home to Saruni Rhino, one of his gorgeous properties) has pioneered. This has led to great success in Kenyan black rhino protection and is actually tipped to be the future of the Kenyan safari tourism model.

Overall, it’ll be a really interesting, enjoyable evening, and an opportunity to reminisce and daydream about adventures past and future. There’ll be complimentary drinks and canapés too… you can’t go wrong.

“THE MOST IMPORTANT ACTIONS ARE THE SMALL DECISIONS WE MAKE ON A CONSISTENT BASIS” Which type of holiday has been the most popular?

People love to come on safari with us, particularly in Kenya and Tanzania.

I don’t think you can beat a safari for the seamless combination of worldclass luxury accommodation, flawless attention-to-detail, direct positive impact on wildlife conservation and a major role in serving the local communities.

In an age when people can book a holiday online, what can a bespoke travel agent offer?

What we offer is a flawless experience from start to finish. Travelling is

Leading Kenyan conservationist Riccardo Orizio appears in conjunction with Bristolbased ethical travel company Wayfairer Travel at The Square Club on 7 March For more information and tickets please contact Laura Bannister on laura@wayfairertravel. com; www.wayfairertravel.com

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

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

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

• Dispute Resolution • Divorce, Family & Children • E mployment Advice • P robate & Estate Services • W ills, Trusts & Tax Planning

Call free for a no obligation consultation

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

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

BUSINESS INSIDER

“EFFECTIVELY, OUR CLIENTS HAVE 3,500 OFFICES AROUND THE WORLD . . . ”

ROOMS FOR GROWTH

IWG stands for International Workplace Group – and as John Ryder explains, business is booming IWG operates across a few different brands: Regus, Spaces, Basepoint, No.18, HQ and Signature Offices.

John’s responsible for revenue for the business centres within the South West and Central region.

How long have you worked for the company, and what attracted you to this area?

I have just passed my first anniversary with IWG, so while I have a little experience I am still learning every day, which I really enjoy. I was attracted to the sector because it is a huge growth market; new competitors pop up almost daily, and the demand is astonishing.

I decided to join IWG as it is the biggest player and we are proud to be leading the flexible working revolution.

Please tell us a bit about the services that IWG can offer Across our different brands we provide flexible office space, from co-working through to private offices and even clients taking entire buildings.

What kinds of working space do people most seem to require in Bristol?

I am seeing a real increase in demand for both co-working with great transport links and then a strong increase in requirement for large corporate solutions. The market research supports the idea that by 2025 over 30% of corporate real estate will be in flexible workspace. Year on year, the volume of enquiries we receive just keeps growing, which is a fantastic trend.

What’s the difference between renting space for a small office and renting a co-working hub?

Very little, actually. The process, support and facilities are identical.

We focus on the needs of the client; some clients enjoy the buzz and atmosphere of co-working while others prefer a private space. I enjoy the co-working environment – they are often some of the most engaging and dynamic areas in our buildings.

We’ve seen a huge rise in co-working hubs over the last few years – is Bristol typical in this respect?

Bristol does have a few more co-working hubs than some of the other surrounding cities. We have five offices in the city ourselves but as Bristol is so diverse, with a big creative sector, it is not a surprise to see a big demand for co-working.

How many properties do you currently have access to, and what’s the minimum lease time required for renting space?

We pride ourselves on our network of over 3,500 business centres and unrivalled flexibility; our clients can expand or contract their space on demand and can even change locations. We are happy for clients to take monthly rolling agreements through to longterm commitments; we are focused on delivering a truly great day at work for all our clients.

Whether a client needs a meeting room for an hour or a whole building for years, we have a solution.

Tell us a bit about the meeting rooms and business lounges Meeting rooms are offered as an on-demand service which provides better value than having a dedicated meeting room in a client space which may not be fully utilised. The IWG Business Lounges are a huge asset for us and our clients; when a client is a member with us, they have access to our full portfolio of over 3,500 locations around the world. Rather than working in a café or hotel lobby, clients can use a professional business centre; effectively our clients have 3,500 offices around the world.

Do you have any big household-name businesses?

We are home to some of the biggest businesses in the world; we have over 2.5 million clients and the demand from blue-chip clients is ever growing. We are happy to have MediaClash (Bristol Life) as a client.

Any exciting recent news you can share?

I’m delighted to say we are finalists in quite a few awards but as we have not entered ‘awards season’ yet, we will have to wait to see if we have any trophies to show off.

Globally, we added around 250 new locations in 2018 and in 2019 in the UK alone, we will be adding another 50+ business centres to our portfolio. I am looking forward to showing off some exciting new properties in the coming months. www.iwgplc.com

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BUSINESS INSIDER You’ve not got long to enter now...

Don’t stop him and ask to buy one...

OUR FRIEND, ELECTRIC

Miss the sight and sound of a traditional milk float in the morning? Then you’ll be pleased to hear that a reconditioned vintage float has joined the Bristol City Centre BID cleaning fleet, delivering daily cleansing across the city centre between 5am and 1pm every Thursday to Monday. The milk float is fully electric and joins a number of additional cleansing initiatives from the City Centre BID. The milk float will be on call for all levy-paying businesses in the City Centre to contact for any urgent cleansing alongside their day to day cleansing duties. We think it needs a name . . . www.bristolcitycentrebid.co.uk

TICK TOCK!

Nominations for the Bristol Property Awards close on Thursday 14 March at midday

T

he first Bristol Property Awards will be held on 17 May at Ashton Gate as a daytime event, and will celebrate all aspects of the dynamic property market – from residential to commercial, from lettings to new builds, from civic buildings to bold reimaginings.

Bristol’s Mayor Marvin Rees has said that he is “especially pleased that there are categories that recognise the role property companies have within the community, including the provision of much-needed social housing, and awards to highlight the importance of environmental and sustainable initiatives.”

The Awards are open to any company working in the property scene in Bristol, whether as an

agent, developer, architect, designer or property-focused financial and legal company.

Companies self-nominate via the Awards website and can enter multiple categories. Those who have already entered are encouraged to nudge their favourite companies, clients, friends and peers to submit their own entry soonest.

Finalists will be revealed at midday on 19 March.

Over 80 companies are involved so far, whether as sponsors, judges, nominees or attendees. For more information on how to get involved through sponsorship, please contact Rosanna to find out more: rosanna. hood@mediaclash.co.uk www.bristolpropertyawards.co.uk @BrisPropertyAwd

BRISTOL STEPS OUT

Bristol’s technology and creative sectors are attracting hundreds of millions of pounds of investment to the city, according to new research

by KPMG. Companies in Bristol secured £307m investment in 2018, with technology companies attracting the biggest share. AI firm Graphcore has secured £155m; virtual touch company Ultrahaptics £35m, and data security business KETS Quantum Security £2million. The region is “stepping out from under London’s shadow” when it comes to the eye of the investor, say KPMG Bristol. www.home.kpmg

IN BRIEF

Ryan Sanders, visitor experience assistant at the ss Great Britain Trust, has been shortlisted for the UK Tourism Superstar Award 2019.

Ryan is the only Bristolian who has been put forward for the award, out of a shortlisted 10 candidates. www.ssgreatbritain.org The New Room, also known as John Wesley’s Chapel, has been named as one of the best small visitor attractions in the whole of the South West at the South West

Tourism Awards – the biggest-ever gathering of the region’s tourism businesses. www.newroombristol.org.uk Clarke Willmott Bristol has raised £42k for anti-slavery charity Unseen. Over 400 victims of modern slavery have been given advice and support through Unseen’s helpline; an initiative that Clarke Willmott’s Bristol office has raised funds for over the past two and a half years, through myriad events and sponsored days. www.clarkewillmott.com

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advertising feature

Family law FAQ’s

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

he breakdown of a relationship is a challenging time for families. Nicola Walker, a family partner at Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth covers some scenarios we frequently see in this area of law.

application to the family court to be granted parental responsibility for your daughter and for her to spend time with you (a Child Arrangements Order). If the court considers that it is in your daughter’s best interests then they may make orders on this basis, even if your ex-girlfriend does not agree.

Q. I have been married for 20 years, and I recently discovered my husband is having an affair. My husband has worked full time throughout our marriage. Since our oldest child was born I have stayed at home to care for our 3 children, age 13, 11 and 8. My husband told me that I won’t get anything if we divorce. I am worried the children and I will be homeless.

A. When a couple divorce, when determining the finances, the court will consider all of the circumstances, with first consideration being given to the welfare of children under 18. While the court will try to ensure that both party’s housing needs are met, priority may be given to housing the primary carer and the children.

The court has wide-ranging powers including ordering the sale of property, the transfer of property, the payment of lump sums, periodical payments and the sharing of pensions. In certain circumstances the court may make an order that the family home can’t be sold until the youngest child is 18 years old. With limited exceptions, your contribution of caring for the children is counted equally to your husband’s contribution of working.

Q. My wife and I divorced last year and she has told me she is going to move to America with our 2 young children. The children live with my ex-wife and spend time with me. She says I can’t stop this happening.

A. If you don’t agree with your ex-wife permanently relocating to America with the children then you may apply to the family court to make an order to prevent this happening (a Prohibited Steps Order). Your wife may apply to the court for permission to relocate (a Specific Issue Order). The court will decide whether or not to grant or refuse the applications, with consideration being given to what is in the children’s best interests.

Q. My girlfriend and I split up just before our baby daughter was born. She refused to put my name on the birth certificate and she won’t let me see our daughter. Is there anything I can do?

A. If your girlfriend refuses to recognise you as your daughter’s parent, then you may make an

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

Q. My husband and I are getting divorced and we have sorted out the finances ourselves. We typed up our agreement and signed it. Is this enforceable?

A. So that this agreement will be binding, and to bring to an end any responsibilities you and your husband may have to the other (except as you may have agreed), the agreement you have reached should be recorded in the form of a financial consent order.

This document should be submitted to court, along with a summary of the financial position of both of you, and some other paperwork.

The court retains the power to decide whether or not to make the order you have submitted binding. It will usually do so if it considers that the agreement is fair and reasonable.

“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

Family law is complex and this article is not intended to give specific legal advice, or be a substitute for seeking independent legal advice.

The answer to your questions will depend upon the facts of your situation. It is never too early (or late) to seek advice.

Separation and divorce is going to represent a significant change to you and your family.

Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth offers unrivalled understanding, and can provide guidance and support to you for all legal needs, whatever the circumstances, so you can plan appropriately and make the right decisions at the right time. n

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

Meet the agency

They’re the campaign-builders, the event-promoters, the brand-creators, the marketing gurus and the digital ninjas – but which one is the perfect partner for your business?

ADVERTISING FEATURE

RYAN VAUGHAN

TOM SPOONER

LIGHTBULB 0117 244 3555; www.wearelightbulb.com What sets you apart from other agencies?

We only work with companies who have a proven track record. We create stronger relationships between good companies and their customers through understanding how we are programmed as humans.

Which clients are you working with at the moment?

Danone, Bristol Port, Death.io How has your industry changed in the last 10 years?

Market demand has moved from clunky full-service models to niche agile outfits that specialise in a service, sector or brand attitude.

Why did you get into agency work?

Curiosity for how we make decisions as people.

What is the most challenging brief you have faced?

“Make death approachable”.

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

Creating a campaign that harnesses real world insight to change an attitude or behaviour.

Why should a business utilise your services?

We work strategically with brands to overcome business challenges.

What does your industry mean to you?

To me the industry stands for challenging the status quo. I feel immensely privileged to be delivering weird and wonderful campaigns for brave client partners.

DIGIRANK 0117 923 2021; www.digirank.co.uk

Ryan Vaughan

Tom Spooner

What sets Digirank apart from other agencies?

Our commitment and personal investment in our client’s success sets us apart. Everyone at Digirank genuinely wants our clients to succeed. Of course, it helps massively that we have a talented team with a huge amount of combined experience to make this happen. But I think most top-class agencies would claim that. Passion really sets us apart.

How has your agency changed in the last 10 years?

One of the biggest shifts has been towards intent-based marketing. The focus is now on fully understanding a user’s needs and delivering content that matches these and provides genuine value. Ten years ago, we were trying to please a crude Google algorithm whereas today our primary goal is to create the very best content for users.

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

Becoming a valued part of a client’s business. It’s great when your expertise and opinions are so valued that you have a seat at the table. You can work really closely with the business, challenge them when necessary, and share in their successes.

What does your industry mean to you?

I’ve mentioned passion before and here I go again...

I’m passionate about digital marketing because when used strategically and conscientiously it improves the quality of information available and the online experience for us all. The internet is a powerful beast that’s capable of great good and great harm. I’m proud to be working on the right side and helping amazing businesses along the way.

ADRIAN BARCLAY & GILL MARLES

MARLES + BARCLAY 0117 949 3020; www.marlesandbarclay.co.uk

Alex Wood

Adrian Barclay & Gill Marles

What sets you apart from other agencies?

Our focus is on using good design as a catalyst to help businesses and organisations thrive – our core customers range from growing technology companies to retail businesses and not-for profit organisations, in healthcare, education and the arts. We are proud to make a difference to the work of those who really do make a difference.

Which clients are you working with at the moment?

For a small company we punch well above our weight… clients include Innovate UK (the UK’s innovation agency) and some great Bristol institutions including Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and North Bristol NHS Trust.

Alongside this are great small business like Two Day Coffee and Planet Pizza as well as innovative technology companies including Invatech Health and Sparkol. We’re also pleased to work with leading mental health charity Second Step – supporting their brilliant work with people with complex needs.

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

We love delivering work that excites and inspires our customers. This comes from getting a real understanding of our customers’ goals and aspirations – and is developed with a ‘hands-on’ approach.

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advertising feature Chris Speed

Gemma McGrattan

ragdoll research & planning 01179102800; www.ragdoll-research.com What sets you apart from other agencies?

We constantly look to evolve and develop the approaches, tools and techniques that we apply to the challenges and problems set to us. We look to be commercial partners rather than just another agency. In our opinion the market research industry has become stagnated and often sits behind out-of-date research techniques from decades gone by that are just not fit for purpose in today’s fast-paced consumer and business environments.

How has your industry changed in the last 10 years?

For the positive, the evolution of the internet and digital platforms shrinking the world and hugely increasing access to key audiences who typically in the past would be very difficult to conduct research with. Negatively, the rise of access to ‘everything’, meaning some clients will risk more DIY research approaches, which can cause more harm than good to a brand, product or service etc.

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

No day is ever the same. Working across so many different categories and brands gives the opportunity to be involved with all sorts of different challenges and puzzles to help solve.

Why should a business utilise your services?

Ragdoll is a small business that punches well above its weight.

Having been around for over 15 years now, our pedigree and history speaks for itself having worked with global companies to small independent local businesses alike. Regardless of size, we aim to become part of the team and truly understand your business and the environment you operate in.

Synergy Creative 0117 9621534; www.synergycreative.co.uk

Chris Speed

Gemma McGrattan

Georgie Upton

What sets you apart from other agencies?

We’ve specialised for 10 years in employee communications, engagement and the employee experience. We’re known for our creative approach to building brand and customer experience from the inside out. But I also think clients come back to us because we work in a collaborative, open way with plenty of ideas – we’re here to support, challenge and inspire them.

Which clients are you working with at the moment?

We’re lucky to be working with loads of big name brands. ODEON, RBS and Vodafone are just a few of the ones your mum will have heard of.

What is the most challenging brief you have faced?

We’ve had some tough ones over the years, but we love a challenge here at Synergy. Getting Argos’s contact centre team feeling empowered to deliver a brilliant customer experience and generating ‘sales through service’ with only a few weeks’ notice is up there. Luckily we were up to the task! Also planning and implementing comms around the closing of a final salary pension scheme was a real challenge, being up against vocal union comms on a very sensitive issue.

Why should a business utilise your services?

We’re experts in internal communications and employee engagement, with a fantastic team of creatives, strategists and behavioural science experts under one roof. We know what it takes to build brand engagement from the inside out.

Wild West Communications 01872 243560; www.wildwestcomms.co.uk What sets you apart from the others?

Our mission is to deliver relevance and resonance in storytelling, where practical rigour meets creative stretch. We innovate, create and most importantly, we deliver. We are straight-talking, no nonsense media specialists. 10-years independent, with offices in Truro and Bristol, and a sister agency in London. We take regional brands, and elevate them on a national scale.

Why is Bristol important to your agency?

Opening our satellite office in Bristol has allowed us to expand our network across the southwest. Bristol is a vibrant and exciting city. It provides an important link between the southwest and beyond. Our first project was to launch the impressive Bristol Harbour Hotel, and Bristol has opened the doors for brands such as Tideford Organics, Forthglade Natural Pet Food and Arden’s.

What motivates you?

In a nutshell – results. Uncovering a consumer insight and driving behavioural change for a brand in need.

There’s nothing that compares to the satisfaction of seeing my team excited by delivering impressive results.

Why should businesses use an agency?

The ability to tap into a wealth of knowledge from a dedicated team at the top of their game. Our team includes a diverse, well-connected group of storytellers, media hounds and sector specialists, ready to drive impactful coverage and conversations that will result in commercial deliverables.

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Andrea Sexton

Andrea Sexton PR LTD 07887 997922; www.andrea-sexton.com

Georgie Upton

Andrea Sexton

What sets you apart from other agencies?

We always go the extra mile and never take no for an answer. If the first idea for a campaign does not work, we will think of a new angle on it until it does work and our clients get the coverage they deserve. I am very keen to keep things simple and transparent – PR should not be complex and it’s also not voodoo. A lot of people don’t realise how much we can measure results and how it’s possible to set clear KPIs for campaigns.

How has your industry changed in the last 10 years?

Digital has made a huge impact and it’s much easier to measure results now and create coverage reports. I don’t need scissors and glue any more!

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

The variety – every day is totally different. We love helping other peoples businesses grow. I literally do dance around the office when we help other businesses succeed (yes my staff have to witness this...)

Why should a business utilise your services?

Word of mouth is by far the most powerful way to promote a business – PR helps build this word of mouth.

If you want more people to talk about you, your product or your service in a positive way that creates sales then have a chat with me – you might be surprised at what we can do.

advertising feature Sarah Woodhouse

Martin Winter

AMBITIOUS PR 0117 905 1177; www.ambitiouspr.co.uk What sets you apart from other agencies?

Every client who works with Ambitious PR, works with a director who has a stake in the business. Clients feel the sense of ownership, and this tenacity and commitment also permeates our team culture. We received a prestigious industry accolade recently: The Drum RAR Award for Best PR Agency in the UK. We had stiff competition as over 64,000 brands and businesses were invited to rate their PR agency. It’s the only award that’s client-rated in the UK. What do you find most rewarding about your role?

Long-term relationships with clients. You get to a point where you feel like you are in a partnership and you can grow together. We relish the role of being a trusted adviser and making a difference.

What bespoke services do you offer clients?

We take a strategy-first approach to determine the most effective communication channels to reach a client’s target audiences. We invest in a deep understanding of a business and industry and then, fuelled by insight, creativity and clever ideas, we strive to build relationships and engage through multiple touchpoints including media, influencer and blogger relations; content marketing; stakeholder mapping and engagement; social media management; digital PR and marketing (and when needed issues and crisis management).

SWNS Media Group 0117 9066513; www.SWNS.com

Sarah Woodhouse

John Argent

Martin Winter

six 0117 915 0066; www.six.agency What sets you apart from other agencies?

I believe it is our balance of strategic, creative and digital expertise that helps clients address their business challenges with solutions appropriate to today’s disrupted world.

Which clients are you working with at the moment?

We really value our more local SME clients, however some of the more readily recognisable names would include BP, Castrol, Lloyds Bank, BCA, SunLife, MFL Direct, UWE, Willis Owen and Schwartz Herbs & Spices.

How has your industry changed in the last 10 years?

Massively, from the available tools and channels to the expertise clients need from us. Add the impact of the digital revolution and the scale and pace of change goes up another notch or two.

Why did you get into agency work?

Like most, I am sure, I fell sideways into it when a friend suggested it was an area I might enjoy. It’s the best possible environment for a non-creative person to work in.

Why should a business utilise your services?

Because they want to, and we all believe in the same things: mutual respect, an appreciation of the contribution everyone makes and a willingness to explore and learn fast without fear or recrimination. That’s not to say there isn’t a high level of accountability to perform at a high level and be responsible. We are, after all, always mindful that it is our client’s money that is being spent and value must be delivered.

What sets you apart from other agencies?

Speed: due to the scale of our network we can turn around any photography or videography job within 24 hours if required anywhere in the UK. Creativity: our experts will explore and develop styles that reflect your brand and personality, making you stand out from the crowd.

Heritage: as a leading supplier of content to the print, digital and broadcast media, we are uniquely positioned to advise you on what imagery will get picked up and what will not.

Which clients are you working with at the moment?

We work with a range of clients who realise that in the digital age, your brand is everywhere, so strong corporate imagery is crucial to convey the right message. Our clients include Ladbrokes, Pizza Express, Golin PR, Royal Mail.

What is the most challenging brief you have faced?

One of the most challenging commissions we have had in recent times was for the Royal Mail.

They commissioned a photographer to follow a post person on their morning route in one of the most remote locations – on the island of Unst in the Shetland Islands. The logistics we encountered involved flying a photographer from Edinburgh to the Shetland mainland island (only one flight a day). From there the photographer had to drive across two further islands, which included taking two ferries in between the islands before reaching Unst.

Colin Harrison

Nivo Digital 0117 251 0115; www.nivo.co.uk

John Argent

Colin Harrison

What sets you apart from other agencies?

For us, it’s all about the customer and their journey. It’s no longer just about SEO, PPC or social marketing as individual elements. It’s about creating value for the user throughout their journey online using whichever method is most effective. Oh, and we order in your favourite cake or slow-pressed juice for client kick-off meetings!

How has your industry changed in the last 10 years?

Since graduating in business development and marketing in 2004 I have seen the digital landscape go full circle.

Marketing priorities have shifted from quality to quantity and back to being about quality again. The value of applying traditional marketing methods in a digital way helps clients grow their websites, I mean, not many still talk about the six P’s, but they are still so relevant to everything we do.

What is the oddest thing you have done in your role?

We’re currently creating videos for Nivo’s own marketing. I am not a natural in front of the camera so jumping around like a nutter to create engaging videos is definitely out of my comfort zone. It feels odd, but I’ll admit it’s pretty fun.

What bespoke services do you offer clients?

Every client gets a bespoke service, there’s definitely no “one size fits all” cookie cutter marketing service here.

Our services usually involve a mixture of SEO, PPC, web design, video and conversion optimisation.

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advertising feature

Nick Cottle

Harleys 01275 340 600; www.thinkharleys.com What makes Harleys different?

With our strategic outlook, we’re consultants as well as creatives.

We pride ourselves on our client focus. By looking at things from the client’s perspective, we are able to create powerful campaigns.

Why did you start your own agency?

About 35 years ago, larger agencies started filtering down into smaller

local firms. I decided I would give it a try myself – what a wake-up call that was! But here we are today, a full-service creative agency with extensive experience in the B2B sector, working worldwide with an exceptionally talented team of 40+ creatives and freelancers.

What kind of clients do you work with?

From telecoms to consumer goods, we are lucky to be able to work with some incredible clients from many industries. Our current client list includes both local businesses and international brands.

Why should a business utilise your services?

We offer complete end-to-end delivery, from strategy through to activation. Our favourite partnerships are when a client not only wants to receive deliverables but believes in the strategic and creative processes that bring results – that’s what we’re here for.

What does your industry mean to you?

This industry is about being fast, reactive and above all, exceptionally creative. There’s nothing quite like the buzz you get from seeing your work succeed. New technology offerings are emerging daily, so you’ve got to stay ahead of the game, now more than ever.

What is the most challenging brief you have faced?

It’s never the big ideas or creative solutions that we are short of. The more challenging projects are those with particularly short deadlines. It takes a lot of flexibility and focus to deliver great work when the clock is ticking.

What advice would you give to someone entering the industry?

Enter with your with eyes wide open, without any preconceived ideas.

Stay humble. Gain as much experience as possible, and always listen.

What makes Harleys a success?

Having several decades of experience in the industry puts us in a great place. We spend time creating a good working environment, as having a happy, focused team is all-important. If you want to succeed, hire great people who are even more creative than you.

David Heaton & Grahame Taylor

Liam Snelling

Never Know Defeat 01179 291 099; www.neverknowdefeat.com

Digital Detox 07799030233; liam@digital-detox.co.uk www.digital-detox.co.uk

What sets you apart from other agencies?

We’re personable, friendly and go the extra mile to make our clients happy. Our aim is to inspire action through design. Each project – however large or small – is approached with the same degree of care. Every brief is a partnership between us and our client. We hope that our clients come to think of us as an extension of their business. Above all else we are here to help you win.

Why did you get into agency work?

We both did our time working for other agencies, and really wanted to strike out and do our own thing, to put our own design style on the work we produced.

What is the most challenging brief you have faced?

A client asked us to go snowboarding in France with them to discuss design strategies for the following year.

It was a tough call, but we said yes.

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

We love working with our clients to make their goals a reality, and seeing our influence have a real, tangible impact on their company. It’s really motivating!

Why should a business utilise your services?

We’re a small agency, and as a result we handle every single job that comes our way personally. This allows us to think of the people we work with as collaborators rather than just another client. We keep direct contact with our collaborators and this helps us produce the best work possible. We want working with us to be fun, affordable and exciting for our clients, and we feel we do it well.

What does Digital Detox do?

Digital Detox is a full-service design and development agency. We’re very good at solving problems, bringing new ideas to the table and making them come to life for our clients.

How is DD different?

We’re about people. We look after our team and make sure they are enjoying their careers at DD. If the team is happy, experience tells us that everything else – client satisfaction, personal development and healthy finances – will all be taken care of. We believe that digital design and technology should be used to empower people, not force them to become slaves to it, and give them more time for the things that matter. By putting people first, both internally and in our digital solutions for our clients, we are able to make a real difference.

How would your clients describe DD? Our clients have said we are good at delivery and collaboration. We try to remove any barriers and divisions when working with clients, and approach things as a single team working towards a common goal. But most of all, our clients like working with us because we enjoy our work and we want our clients enjoy their experience of working with us.

What motivates you?

I like a challenge; managing and growing a digital agency certainly keeps me on my toes. But most of all I enjoy watching people succeed.

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David Heaton & Grahame Taylor

Liam Snelling

advertising feature Andy Reid

Simeon de la Torre

What sets you apart from other agencies?

Part of McCann Worldgroup, we’re the only global network agency to have an offering in the South West.

We’re a ‘big, small’ agency – we’re big because we can access the knowledge from our network across the UK, Europe and globally, but we’re also small, nimble and entrepreneurial.

What clients are you working with at present?

We work across all sectors, our clients include Flybe, Yeo Valley, Essilor, Bristol Water, Shiner, Pink Lady Apples, The Royal Mint and Danbury Motorcaravans, to name but a few.

What is the most challenging brief you’ve ever worked on?

There are several that spring to mind – for example, when Google launched in Europe, we had to deliver against a brief ‘advertise without advertising’.

What motivates you?

As chair of the IPA, I believe that an agency’s regional location should be no hindrance to delivering national and international success. It can also be a real advantage when working with local clients. I’m therefore not only committed to providing integrated marketing solutions to companies in the South West who need to overcome business challenges or might be going through times of transformation, but I’m particularly proud that we regularly pitch, and win, against the best that the UK has to offer.

What sets you apart from other agencies?

Two things: our creative design agency champions the power of the written word just as much as design (in fact, few other UK agencies can compete with us on our copywriting credentials); plus, we’re a lean, mean creative machine – with us, more of your budget goes on expert time spent building your business.

Which clients are you working with at the moment?

We’re currently rebranding the Royal Osteoporosis Society and working with easyJet, The Pension Solutions Group, a Bristol recruitment start-up and around half a dozen businesses in the property sector.

What is the oddest thing you have done in your role?

Well, our most eccentric client (ever) owned: “a circus, a rock’n’roll funfair, a shark show and the world’s longest limo.” That made for a lively working relationship!

Why should a business utilise your services?

What gets us up in the morning is doing the sort of work that gets delighted calls and emails from clients; work that really connects them with their audience, boosts sales, drives growth and makes their competitors insanely jealous.

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

When we’ve been grappling with a client’s challenge and suddenly we get THE BREAKTHROUGH. For us, it’s all about bringing big ideas, winning words, bright design and brilliant digital together. Let’s go!

McCann Bristol 0117 921 1764 www.mccannbristol.co.uk

Kelly Pepworth

Speed 0117 973 3300 www.speedcommunications.com What sets you apart from other agencies?

We’re redefining PR in an age of earned interest, earned reputation and earned trust.

As one of the largest PR and communications agencies outside of London, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of what people believe PR to be. We work hard to demonstrate PR’s value in helping brands and businesses build awareness, improve their customers’ experiences and drive engagement.

SIM7 0117 239 9371 www.sim7creative.co.uk

Andy Reid

Simeon de la Torre

As an agency, we are insightled but we have creativity at our core, hence our mantra ‘business brains and creative muscle’. Our focus is on creating brilliant, shareable multi-channel content using media intelligence, social savvy and insight to help our clients tell their story in the most engaging and relevant way.

And having a fully-integrated digital, content and production unit really helps with this. But what really sets us apart are the people here at Speed. Our approach, culture, heritage and scale see us attract some amazing talent from across the country. As such, we have a brilliant team who are passionate about the power of communications to connect brands, businesses and communities in extraordinary ways.

Who are you working with at the moment?

Our three specialist divisions – Business & Corporate, Food & Hospitality, and Consumer & Lifestyle – work with a wide-ranging, international client base that spans both challenger and market-leading brands. These include businessfunding expert Ultimate Finance, global packaging manufacturer DS Smith, food service operators such as Bidfood and BRITA Professional as well as consumer brands including

IAMS, TePe and The Entertainer.

How has your industry changed in the last 10 years?

Ten years ago the PR and communications industry remained largely focused on traditional media, but the advance of the digital world has brought huge changes. The PR industry has embraced new media and encouraged its clients to see how impactful multi-channel content strategies can be.

Regardless of the channel or activity, be it media relations, social engagement, influencer content, partnerships or events, you need to be able to shape brand messages and tell a brilliant story, one that captures hearts and minds. Understanding people and knowing to how to engage them is in our blood; we’ve been doing it for over 14 years. This has been, and will always be, our core expertise.

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

Two things: a happy team and happy clients.

You can’t have one without the other. We work really hard to create a culture where people can be the best they can and this absolutely translates in terms of the quality and impact of the award-winning work we deliver. My most rewarding moments are sitting in client meetings when teams are presenting and thinking ‘bloody hell you’re good and we are so lucky to have you’.

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ADVERTISING FEATURE LEE NATHAN

NATASHIA KUBIAK-PHILIP

What sets you apart from other agencies?

From the moment we start working with a client we invest into getting to know them and their business.

Having values and a culture is really important to us and this reflects in the way we work and how we can add real value to our clients.

Why did you get into agency work?

I set up studiovine with one main purpose and that is to make a difference and to add value to clients and their customers.

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

As executive director of studiovine, my role is to oversee the running of the business, which any business owner will know can be very stressful and lonely at times. Putting that aside, having a great team that produce fantastic work and are passionate about our business makes it all worthwhile. That’s the real reward for me; that, and having great clients who trust us to work with them and with whom great relationships have been formed.

Why should a business utilise your services?

I’m not an accountant, right? So I stay away from trying to do our own accounts, I leave that to the professionals, which enables us to do what we do best. This is exactly the same with clients – let us passionately do what we do best and that will allow you to concentrate on what you do best.

What does Kubiak do?

We are a multi-disciplined creative and communications agency who believe that conversation, collaboration and creation is everything in today’s world. Our approach seeks to impress and engage at every stage of the project with a commitment to creating bespoke, tailor-made designs that move the market!

How has your industry changed in the last 10 years?

The ‘digital shift’ has had a huge impact on how we communicate through design and marketing. Our investment in new technology ensures we keep ahead of the instantaneous, accessible digital world. Through our digital blend of web, film and social media, we have become experts at bringing clients visions to life and finding innovative ways to showcase them across the UK. What sets you apart from other agencies?

We are an innovative, specialist team of creators, thinkers, designers and developers who all have one thing in common: we live, speak and breathe all things property marketing. It has become our unique point-ofdifference.

What’s the most rewarding thing about your business? Nothing compares to the satisfaction of being part of a buzzing and vibrant studio filled with talented individuals who are all committed to crafting truly memorable creative products for every client.

STUDIOVINE 0330 223 4096 www.studiovine.co.uk

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KUBIAK CREATIVE 01275 464 836 www.kubiakcreative.com

Lee Nathan

Natashia Kubiak-Philip

advertising feature Charlotte Hockey-Berry

Jennifer Boyce

Dirty Design 0117 9273344; www.dirtydesign.co.uk

What sets you apart from other agencies?

We’ve made sure to retain our small agency values despite producing work of big agency quality. Our close-knit team really care about the work we produce and always go the extra mile to make sure it’s just what the client needs.

Whether we are working with a start-up or a global leader, the project and client get the same level of care and attention.

Which clients are you working with at the moment?

We’ve got a fabulous mix of clients nationally and internationally, as well as locally based such as the NHS, Cardinal Health, the National Lottery, Unite Students, the University of Bristol, Thatchers, Tims Dairy and The Chiltern Brewery. The work is so wonderfully varied there’s no chance of us becoming stale.

How has your industry changed in the last 10 years?

The rise of digital communications has opened so many more possibilities to engage with customers and being able to incorporate AR and VR into our campaigns makes it a really exciting time for both us and our clients!

Why should a business utilise your services?

As I said – we really do care! Your company and its success is important to us and we’ll immerse ourselves in your business to make sure we get it right. We’re a collaborative agency where everyone’s ideas are welcomed, and our team is multi-talented which means we produce everything in-house across print and digital, from branding and campaigns, to brochures and packaging, illustration, animation and film.

Fat Media 0117 971 2499; www.fatmedia.co.uk

Charlotte Hockey-Berry

Jennifer Boyce

Matt Wright

INDICIA 0117 934 0700; www.indicia.com What’s been going on at Indicia?

Now we’re part of marketing ‘super supplier’ Konica Minolta Marketing Services, we’ve been working to become an end-to-end partner for clients. Our proposition spans from customer understanding, data-led comms and creative, to on-site studio services and multichannel procurement. Our promise to clients is to get closer, and we apply that to every aspect of our work.

What’s next?

The big news is we’re opening up in the US, Germany and Tokyo this year, taking our data, strategy, creative and activation services global.

In the immediate term, we’re looking forward to the CIM Marketing Excellence Awards in April – our creative content campaign for Dacia is up for a gong.

Which clients are you working with at the moment?

We’re doing some great things in the omnichannel space with Chiquita, and we’ve also rolled out some very interesting machine-learned customer communications for one of the UK’s best-known broadcasters. Alongside data-led comms for Nissan and customer understanding for Harvey Nichols, we’re in an exciting period of growth.

What sets you apart from other agencies?

I’d have to say as a full-service digital agency with over 100 specialists, our team is certainly our greatest asset. We have specialists that cover every area of digital marketing who can provide valuable insight and expertise to solve problems, create opportunity and ultimately promote growth. We’re also entirely peoplecentric at Fat Media, which is crucial to the success (and enjoyment!) of any project; we really take the time to understand our clients – not only the business and their audiences, but the people themselves. We believe strong relationships lead to better results!

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

I really find the collaborative element of my role the most rewarding. As a digital consultant, it’s my job to work with pretty much every department within the agency, from scoping complex functionality with the development team to defining and understanding an audience through data with the UX and Insights team. I find the process of shaping solutions and strategy with such brilliant minds extremely rewarding… especially once the project comes to life!

Which clients are you working with at the moment?

We’re really lucky to work with some fantastic clients and produce some really exciting work. We have some great long-standing clients including the NHS, Royal Mail, Warburtons and Lakeland… to name but a few!

Anna Ball

Village Design and Creative Marketing Ltd 0117 910 6050; www.villagedesign.co.uk

Matt Wright

Anna Ball

What sets you apart from other agencies?

We have been specialising in property marketing for over 25 years so are hugely experienced; we are also small developers ourselves. It’s unusual, but it keeps us up to speed with planning processes, building techniques and the market in general.

Which clients are you working with at the moment?

We work with large companies through to smaller bespoke developers and housing associations. Our clients include; Muse Developments, Waterside Places, English Cities Fund, Umberslade (Wapping Wharf), Savills, JLL, Acorn, Hatchbury, Curo, Notting Hill Housing, Catalyst Housing and Quinta Properties What is the oddest thing you have done in your role?

I once helped when photographing a restaurant scene as one of the customers. A few months later I went into one of the bars to find my face on all the menus, signage, sales banners etc – it was a bit of a shock!

Why should a business utilise your services?

We have a huge amount of knowledge of the property industry and we enjoy and take pride in the work we do. We are a big enough team to deal with large workloads but small enough so the people you meet are the people clients will deal with on a day to day basis.

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advertising feature Stephanie Muston

Joanna Randall

Hive Agency 0117 972 8777; www.hive.agency Which clients are you working with at the moment?

We are in the middle of a rebranding project for a large national brand *taps nose and winks* – sadly the name has to remain confidential at this time, but keep your eyes peeled on our social media feeds as all will be revealed soon. We are also happily working across a range of clients and industries including Bristol Zoological Society, Mowbray Woodwoods Solicitors and global beauty brand inecto.

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

I love it when clients pick the ‘risky’ route from our concept options as it shows a real belief in our team and gives me a sense of pride. And of course, positive feedback from happy clients always brightens my day.

What is the most challenging brief you have faced?

“I would like a real photograph of an actual dragon; not a fake CGI one” Why should a business utilise your services?

We become part of your team. It’s not ‘us’ and ‘you’, it’s ‘WE’. We work hard to make our clients feel like they can call us up and ask any questions and work together as a team to get to the end goal efficiently. We can offer digital, traditional and social marketing under one roof.

As well as strategic planning, content generation and top notch creative design…what’s not to love?

Luke Trimmings

Appeal Digital 0117 259 1620; www.appeal.digital What sets you apart from other agencies?

We’re all about technical delivery. For most businesses, their website is the heart of their marketing strategy, so we are focused on making sure that we get it right.

Which clients are you working with at the moment?

Lots of variation at the moment, which we love!

We’re working with a couple of startups, a wholesaler looking to go direct to consumer, and a few design agencies who partner with us for development.

How has your industry changed in the last 10 years?

The web has become far more complicated than it used to be. When I started building websites just over a decade ago, everything was far simpler and security wasn’t anywhere near as considered as it is today.

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

Seeing our clients grow as a result of the work we do. In the past year we have supported a client go from a one-man-band to a team of four, based on the business generated through their website.

Why should a business utilise your services?

Development isn’t a hobby or one of many services – it’s our main focus. So if you’re looking for a technical extension of your marketing team, Appeal is a great place to start.

What bespoke services do you offer clients?

WordPress and Magento design and development done right, backed up by managed hosting and support services.

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Purplefish 0117 925 1358; www.purplefish.agency

Stephanie Muston

Joanna Randall

What sets you apart from other agencies?

We pride ourselves on being commercially minded, creative and highly entrepreneurial. We never rest on our laurels and are always curious about industry developments and innovation to benefit our clients.

Which clients are you working with at the moment?

We work with Redrow Homes, Optimum Finance, BGF, Gregg Latchams and Arctic Coffee – a great combination of consumer brand, B2B and corporate clients.

How has your industry changed in the last 10 years?

Digital communications and the ability to measure and demonstrate a tangible impact for our clients has revolutionised communications and marketing in the last decade.

Why did you get into agency work?

I love the pace and creativity that comes with being part of an agency environment – I’m never bored working in PR and communications!

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

I learn something new every day and love being around people who both challenge and inspire me; I enjoy working with a wide variety of clients and developing strong, collaborative relationships.

Why should a business utilise your services?

We’re honest and direct in our delivery and we will challenge the businesses we work with to make a positive and commercial impact.

ALAN THORPE

Bray Leino CX 0117 973 1173; www.brayleinocx.co.uk

Luke Trimmings

Alan Thorpe

What sets you apart from other agencies?

Here’s the thing. Selling to you and I is about giving impatient us what we want, when we want it, and in the way we desire it. House of Fraser or ASOS? Wait ten minutes or Uber? Bank branch or mobile?

So, as an agency, our job is no longer just to drive demand for the products and services that clients already have. It’s also to identify, anticipate, test and measure the value of new opportunities for our clients - to drive results through Customer Experience innovation.

What bespoke services do you offer clients?

Panoptic Personas. Our SEO, PPC and social marketing team have developed a process that uses search data – yours and your competitors – to deliver deep understanding of target audiences: their age groupings, gender, product and service interests etc. Our clients can then identify opportunities and invest digital, creative and tech budgets where they will deliver results.

Why should a business utilise your services?

Results. Our blend of strategic thinking, digital marketing, technology, design and creative capabilities enable us to keep clients aligned with their opportunities. We’re trusted business partners, most of our clients having been with us for many years.

advertising feature

Meg Pope and Frankie Wallington Duchess Media 07791 896421 / 07919 541163; www.duchessmedia.com

What sets you apart from other agencies?

We exclusively work with small independent businesses so we aim to offer a really hands on approach to all of our clients, almost becoming their in-house marketing team.

Which clients are you working with at the moment?

We’re lucky to be working with some of

Katie Elvins

Proctor + Stevenson 0117 923 2282; www.proctors.co.uk What sets you apart from other agencies?

We’ve been an independent agency in Bristol for 40 years, and that’s meant reinventing ourselves more than once to stay ahead in a fast-moving industry. The ‘independent’ bit is also critical; we haven’t sold out to a marketing industry giant and we never will; we’ve stayed true to our principles of innovation, flexibility, accountability and great client service.

Which clients are you working with at the moment?

Bristol’s best known and loved food and drink businesses, including Hyde & Co, The Milk Thistle, The Oxs, Pata Negra, Bambalan, Woky Ko, the team from Season + Taste as well as some great non-foodie businesses such as the Bristol City Centre BID. How has your industry changes in the last 10 years?

Working predominantly in food and drink we’ve definitely seen an increased understanding of the importance of marketing, especially when it comes to social media marketing – people eat with their eyes after all, so it’s really important to make sure your online presence looks as tasty as your food is! Aside from that influencer marketing, and the importance of engaging with those in the city who are really active on social media as a form of PR is a totally new concept, but one which is really powerful.

Why did you get into agency work?

Both Frankie and I worked in traditional marketing and events agencies before we started Duchess Media and we actually strive to be as non-traditional as possible with our own business! Agency work can be tough and there’s a lot of expectation to work long hours and give everything you have and now that we’ve started employing other people we really want to be able to maintain our ethos of getting the job and doing it well without burning yourself, and having fun with it!

The clients I work with and the projects I work on are really varied. I’m currently: • Creating a marketing piece to celebrate diversity for legal experts BCLP • Developing and designing communications and the entire brand for Effat University, Saudi’s first university for women.

• Designing a range of global exhibitions for Prysmian Group, promoting sustainable cables that help the renewables industry.

How has your industry changed in the last 10 years?

Our range of services has grown in a way that no one could foresee. Like all industries, we’ve had to respond to an increasingly digital world.

The pace of work is much faster, global clients expect immediate responses and round-the -clock service. And everything that we do now provides data, so it’s measurable and accountable. At times that can be stressful, but it’s also exhilarating.

Why did you get into agency work?

I joined agency life as a graduate because I wanted a job where the work was diverse and would push me creatively. One day I may be working on branding for an event, the next I’ll be designing websites and social media campaigns, developing storyboards, or concepting a coffee table book.

What is most rewarding about your role?

It’s rare that we see our work out in the world in B2B, so when this happens there’s a real

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

Seeing a full restaurant, or a sold out event off the back of a campaign is SUCH a good feeling – it’s very tangible and is direct proof that what you’re doing works. Also seeing people at an event you’ve organised having a great time always makes us extremely proud – we often have moments where we stand back and watch everyone enjoying themselves and say “we helped do that!”

Why should a business utilise your services?

The food and drink space in Bristol is incredible, but it’s also really crowded and there’s more of a need now than ever to stand out from the crowd, and we’re her to help people do that.

We know that often small businesses don’t have huge budgets so we can help you make informed decisions on where to spend your hard earned cash, and help introduce you to the people who can help elevate your business, be it editors, bloggers or other freelancers such as videographers and photographers.

What bespoke services do you offer clients?

All of our services are totally bespoke. Every business is different and we totally understand that what works for one business isn’t going to work for someone else so we tailor everything we do for each client. We offer a shopping list approach so no matter how big or small your budget we can make sure we’re offering you something which suits your business and your budget!

sense of achievement! The work we produce as designers is always a team effort; we couldn’t do what we do without a hugely creative copy department.

I was also the first female member of the Proctors team to receive an invitation to Saudi Arabia. Just knowing the work I created helped to empower women and develop in their respected fields, made me feel very proud to do what I do.

Why should a business utilise your services?

Our clients range from blue-chip multinationals to local charities, but what they have in common is that they come to us with a business problem and we work with them to address it and give them a measurable return on their investment, whether that means a bigger sales pipeline or more volunteers.

What is the oddest thing you have done in your role?

I’m currently studying Japanese to communicate better with our clients. I’m learning things and visiting places I would never have even dreamed of when growing up in my village of Mevagissey.

(Shout out to any fellow Cornish readers!)

What bespoke services do you offer clients?

Everything we do is bespoke! There’s no ‘one size fits all’ in marketing. We take time to learn about our clients; their organisation, the environment they operate in, their business and personal goals and how they like to collaborate with an agency. Then we work our socks off to deliver the best solution for them.

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advertising feature

advertising feature

Special agents Meet Daniel Hewlett & Mark Picton, the directors of SONDR® – an agency specialising in uncovering the true potential of your business “SONDR® specialises in working with clients who are looking for a complete marketing solution, although we also work on individual project requirements,” says Mark Picton.

“We pride ourselves on being able to help clients with all aspects of their business by taking a completely holistic, highly consultative approach. We continuously track and refine all of our activity to make sure that our clients get the best possible return on their investment.”

Which clients are you working with at the moment?

MARK: We have a very broad client roster across a wide variety of industries from automotive to retail, but more specifically we’ve recently been working with the well-known courier company, Priority Express, to evolve their brand for 2019 and beyond – you should see this being rolled out throughout the year.

How has your industry changed in the last 10 years?

DAN: The industry has changed beyond all recognition in the last 10 years, but equally it’s changed massively over the last 10 months. The advent of new adaptive technologies, broader geo-political influences and even changes in basic human behaviour mean that any approach championed a year ago may well need to be reviewed and reconsidered. This constantly shifting landscape makes it an extremely interesting industry to work within.

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Why did you get into agency work?

DAN: I’ve always enjoyed being creative and working collaboratively, so being one of the founders of SONDR® allows me to do both of these on a daily basis. Agency life is fast-paced and varied, and that’s something that is very addictive; I couldn’t imagine myself working in any other industry, nor would I want to.

What is the most challenging brief you have faced?

Mark: Every brief comes with its own challenges, but in the case of ToolStore UK we were faced with a considerable brief; to add a power tool ecommerce retail arm to a 60-year-old tool wholesale business. We developed the full marketing strategy, designed their website and created all of their social media accounts. We still manage their social media presence as well as building and delivering all of their marketing emails, and we also manage all of their Google ads. We collaborate closely when reviewing their account, from product pricing and margin, to long-term revenue projections.

They’re the ideal client for SONDR®, and we work together harmoniously.

Why should a business utilise your services?

DAN: We believe that marketing, when it’s done well, can provide any client, regardless of their particular sector, a huge financial and residual return on their investment. We practice the ideology of ‘creatively inspired and data driven’.

This means that any work we engage in delivers

creative originality that’s based on cold hard facts, industry insights and the latest market trends.

What bespoke services do you offer clients?

MARK: Everything we offer is bespoke. We talk to our clients to understand their business goals and develop a strategy to help achieve them. It’s important for us to make sure that the service we offer our clients is based around their requirements, and not around trying to retro-fit an ‘off the shelf’ solution. Occasionally this involves making sure a client is provided with recommendations on what they need, and not necessarily what they want, but in the nicest possible way.

What can clients expect when working with SONDR®?

DAN: Ultimately, results. But apart from the pure business nature of any working relationship, we also have a very open, sociable and congenial connection with our clients. Marketing and communications should be a fundamental and integral part of any business but also should be a fun and enjoyable part. What we do is interesting, and we want our clients to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. n

www.sondr.co.uk 01174 508 300

LEACROFT HOUSE 4 Bedroom Detached Property, Two En-Suites To Bedroom, Utility Room, Large Family Garden, Double Garage, Valley Views, Catchment To Village Schools.

PLOT 5: THE ALDERNY – £450,000 3 Bedroom Terrace. Double Height Galleried Entrance Hallway, Valley views, Parking.

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New season, new view. Country living homes that are as individual as you are.

New-build homes at Dilly Meadows, West Harptree village, Chew Valley, south of Bristol • Small development where every home is truly unique

• Excellent road links to Bristol and Bath

• Chew Valley Lake and Mendip Hills AONB nearby

• Prices from £449,000 to £760,000

• High quality specification and architectural details

• Completion March 2019

• Fantastic village lifestyle and community

*To book your visit, please call Whitecroft Developments Ltd on 01761 490092 or email carly@whitecroftdevelopments.co www.whitecroftdev.co.uk

property a pl ace to c all home

going up!

Bristol’s booming. Everyone wants to live here! Which is great for the city – it keeps things fresh and ever-evolving – but there’s one tiny problem. There’s a finite number of residential properties, so where’s this booming Bristolian population going to live? That’s where our new-build friends come in . . . www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 109

H

ousing; it’s one of the most pressing issues facing the city.

We know that the booming population is an issue, but what are the solutions? Should we build high? Create homes from containers or modular pods? Houses on stilts?

We spoke to a range of Bristol’s new-build experts, and asked them to share their general thoughts, as well as showing us around one of their favourite current developments.

“Innovative regeneration is key,” says Robin Squire of Acorn Developments. “By giving a new lease of life to once derelict sites, and creating new destinations in which people want to live, work and spend time, we’ll help to keep Bristol thriving.”

So how’s it going so far? “Bristol is only just catching up with other big cities,” says Robin, “but we are now seeing interesting, well-designed developments in traditionally unfashionable areas of the city, which is making them far more desirable places to live. Certainly confidence and belief in the Bristol market is much higher than other cities.

“I think we could go further and be more adventurous, with design and height of building where appropriate; there are great examples of placemaking, but the city needs to push for better infrastructure and a way of linking these new developments.”

“Supporting the demand for housing in the city requires creative thinking,” says Vicky Dudbridge of Savills. “High-rise buildings, for example, have become a hot topic in recent years, and only recently we saw the announcement of a new scheme which will raise the city’s skyline.

“Savills planning and development teams were involved in the landmark Castle Park View development, which will transform the derelict site of the former ambulance station, delivering 375 new homes within what will become Bristol’s tallest building. There is growing evidence of demand for this type of living, so it’s entirely possible we will start to see more of it in Bristol. Bristol is not afraid to push the envelope in the design and style of its development, which is fantastic for buyers, who can choose from a whole host of types of accommodation.”

Suzanne Aplin, sales and marketing director for heritage developers City & Country thinks that “Bristol City Council is making a real difference with its approach to new housing, and clearly there is an appetite to get more homes built to meet demand,” she says.

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Brandon Yard’s pretty nice, no? It may be easier to buy than you think – see page115

new homes “Throughout the city there are some amazing historic buildings that have been redundant or vacant for a long time. Finding innovative and viable solutions for these buildings will help, as well as building welldesigned new homes in the right places. That’s exactly what we plan to do at Factory No 1 – a collection of listed buildings in Bedminster that we plan to convert into new homes and commercial premises.

“Bristol has traditionally rejected any efforts to build relatively tall apartment buildings. While it is crucial that we respect the city’s skyline, taller buildings could certainly provide increased numbers of new apartments in central locations. We must attempt to find the right balance.”

“I think we should be encouraged to re use existing buildings, through removing some of the red tape associated with doing so,” says Rebecca Hales of Whitecroft Developments.“There should be more support for the developer that breaks the mould set by volume house builders and tries to take on something more imaginative. The planning system generally seems more protracted than necessary; those initial pressures, pre-commencement conditions, for example, can sometimes end the project before it starts. There is little recognition for a small- to mediumsized developer absorbing all of the pressures the volume house builders receive, but taking the risk to try and deliver a truly responsive and individual design.”

Next, we asked our experts to show off a recent development that they feel to be successful, from brand-new blocks to tasty regenerations.

Acorn Property Group

“Acorn currently has two exciting regeneration projects in Bristol,” says Robin Squire; “Brandon Yard, a collection of luxurious homes which are arguably the best on the harbour, and Loft House, a collection of characterful homes in Bishopston. Both schemes have been created from a characterful conversion of Grade-II buildings.

“Loft House (pictured on page 109) has a rich history, originally built as one of five orphan houses; it now brings much needed new homes to the Bishopston area. The development has been hugely popular among first-time buyers. Brandon Yard, the former gasworks and purifier building, breathes new life back into this once derelict building. It’s superbly positioned on the Harbourside, with so much on offer right on its doorstep, plus plenty of great transport links.”

Savills NEW HOMES

“2019 is set to be an exciting year for new residential development in Bristol,” says Vicky Dudbridge.“Factory No 1 in Bedminster will be one of the first major developments. Created by City & Country, the conversion of the former Wills Factory, alongside several new- build blocks, will see the creation of stylish apartments within landscaped stepped gardens, that will provide an urban oasis for residents. The scheme will also include a range of retail units, housed under the old archways of the historic building, bringing a new community to this buzzing part of Bedminster.” (See photo page 5)

Wapping Wharf

Stuart Hatton is the director of Umberslade, and joint developer with Muse Developments of the phase two homes at Wapping Wharf.

“We are hugely excited about the next phase of Wapping Wharf, which is now coming out of the ground alongside phase one,” says Stuart. “It will provide over 250 new homes, with the early 19th-century Grade-II Gaol Gate wall acting as a pedestrian entrance to the buildings, reflecting the character and history of the area, while four new retail units will also be added to the neighbourhood’s thriving hub.

“The community that has emerged here is really special; it has its own independent spirit and it’s the people and businesses who live and work there who make it so unique.”

“The community that has emerged at Wapping Wharf is truly special”

Won’t be long before this CGI of Wapping Wharf phase two becomes actual bricks and mortar

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new homes

above: ’Contemporary country’ at Dilly Meadows

right: The New Yard – the latest homes at The General

City & Country

“Right now, we’re really excited about The New Yard,” says Suzanne Aplin. “The scheme will offer a collection of new apartment buildings arranged around a spacious courtyard at The General, which we’ve already restored and converted into stylish homes; perfect for people who want a new property, but one with more character than some other new buildings popping up in the city.

“Location-wise, it’s almost unbeatable. The city centre is just a few minutes’ walk away over the river, while Temple Meads station is a tenminute walk in the opposite direction. The Bathurst Basin sits in front of The General on Lower Guinea Street, and forms a beautiful and tranquil area of the city.

“In addition to the new homes, we have also created a range of commercial premises that are now occupied by a gym, dentist and two of Bristol’s best restaurants – Casamia and Paco’s Tapas – which have helped to create a vibrant new gastronomic hub on the waterside.”

Whitecroft Developments

“We have two amazing projects running at the same time,” says Rebecca Hales; “Staunton Manor’s refurbishment in Whitchurch Village, and new build Dilly Meadows in West Harptree. One is a refurbishment of listed buildings with contemporary extensions and the other is a new build development, but with character.

“They are both very exciting for different reasons. Refurbishment is something we love to do; we are inspired by existing character, and it’s rewarding to preserve the buildings for use of future generations; we can learn a lot through this process, too.

“Staunton Manor is very special because of the courtyard; there is something about the meander between the buildings in the courtyard and the gentle slope towards the end of the site. The building collection is typically agricultural, and non uniform; the collection of the buildings has evolved and it is unique. Oh, and the sunsets are pretty good, too.

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“Dilly Meadows has been built in the picturesque village of West Harptree. I haven’t found any other village like it; it’s a hidden gem with great connections to Bristol Bath and Wells. The new build has been a test of what we set out to do in the first instance, ie to build a new build development with character (no predetermined build types); a true response to the local area we are building in. I like the phrase ‘contemporary country’ – I think that’s where we are, charming but also very much of its day.”

Crest Nicholson South West

“A real standout development for us is Langford Fields, a collection of traditional homes that offer peaceful rural surroundings – ideal for those who work in Bristol and who want a semi-rural retreat with great commuter links,” says sales executive Laura Osborne.

“The village of Langford has a well-established community, country pubs and open countryside – perfect for getting out and enjoying the great outdoors. Once completed, Langford Fields will provide residents with a village green, offering the perfect place to socialise with friends, family and neighbours alike.” n

You have been reading

Acorn Property Group www.acornpropertygroup.org Savills New Homes www.savills.co.uk Wapping Wharf www.wappingwharf.co.uk City & Country www.cityandcountry.co.uk Crest Nicholson South West www.crestnicholson.com Whitecroft Developments www.whitecroftdev.co.uk

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new homes

A helping hand Who says the young generation will never own a home? Help to Buy enabled Tom Mogridge to go from fridge-sharing with flatmates to a place of his own on Harbourside. Be like Tom . . .

I

moved to Bristol seven years ago, and lived in a few different parts of the city,” says Tom. “When I was living in the centre, I wasn’t far from the harbour. It became my favourite place to spend time, and I often used to run there. The idea of actually living on the waterfront was a bit of a fantasy; I assumed I wouldn’t be able to afford it.”

In early 2017 Tom decided he had rented for long enough, and it was time to get a foot on the property ladder. He had heard about Help to Buy and saw it as an opportunity.

“I was approaching 30, and while I had enjoyed my years renting I decided my fridge-sharing days were over. I knew Help to Buy was an option but none of the new builds that I liked at the time offered it.”

After a six-month hiatus, Tom revisited his search earlier last year.

When he discovered that Brandon Yard was on the market with Help to Buy support, he says, “It was like a dream come true.

“I knew Brandon Yard from when it was still derelict, and had kept an eye on its development. It was easy to see what an amazing place it would be to live in, but I didn’t think I would find anything there in my price bracket. When I realised it was a possibility I moved pretty quickly, and reserved my apartment there and then.”

Tom bought an apartment in Brandon Yard’s New Retort House, which occupies one of the last frontline plots on this stretch of the floating harbour. The scheme incorporates the conversion of the 19th-century Grade-II gasworks warehouse, alongside the creation of a brand-new building. With its glazed panels and brickwork, New Retort House is a stylish and complementary addition to the waterfront, and one that along with the beautifully restored Oculus House celebrates Bristol’s maritime history.

“Help to Buy is a brilliant scheme,” says Acorn Property Group’s Robin Squire. “Not only does it allow first-time buyers to get on the property ladder but it helps make aspirational homes in desirable locations more accessible. We’re pleased that Tom’s been able to purchase his first home with us using Help to Buy and we hope he’s very happy living there.”

Which certainly appears to be the case . . .

“I wanted to live in a new build home and Brandon Yard goes above and beyond my expectations in terms of design and finish,” says a very pleased Tom. “Its character and history adds something special – old and new come together to great effect.

“Location is a huge part of what makes it for me. The atmosphere on the harbourside is always lively, and there is so much to do within walking distance.” n

“The idea of actually living on the waterfront was a bit of a fantasy”

www.acornpropertygroup.org

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Just visiting

“The most challenging thing is looking after my voice. I have to limit myself to just the one litre of tequila per show” Andrews singing I Touch Myself, or Britney Spears singing I’ve Got a Brand New Combine Harvester.

Expect the unexpected, and a bit of improv, as the audience will get to choose their own crazy combinations which we’ll perform on the spot.

Jess Robinson Jess is coming to Bristol this month, and she’s keen to make an impression.

Well, several of them, actually . . .

Face looks familiar? You may remember Jess from Britain’s Got Talent (she made it to the finals in 2017).

Or perhaps you’ve seen her on ITV’s comedy show for impressionists, The Imitation Game. She’s currently in the middle of an UK tour, and will be bringing a whole cast of celebrities to Bristol, from Shakira to Streisand, Adele to Gaga, Kate Bush to Theresa May. Well, kind of . . .

Welcome to Bristol! Do you know the city?

Bristol is awesome. It’s been one of my favourite places since I was a teenager. I had an unconditional place to do a music degree at the university, but deferred it a year when I got the role of Snow White in my first job: a panto. I was going to take up my place the following year, but then landed the part of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, so

I never made it to Uni. I visit the city whenever I can, though.

Ever performed here before?

No, so I’m really excited to see what the audiences are like. I reckon if they’re anything like the people I’ve met when I’ve been out and about there, I’m going to have a fabulous time.

What can we expect from your No Filter show?

I’ll bring more celeb impressions that you can shake a stick at, incredible music and vocal gymnastics, big laughs, cheekiness, a pinch of naughtiness, a great party atmosphere, maybe the odd tearjerking moment, and a hugely positive, feelgood show.

What makes you different from other impressionists?

I really love to mix up songs with singers who wouldn’t usually perform them; for example, Julie

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Best bit about your job?

I love to entertain people. I love getting big laughs from saying something irreverent about a celeb we all know and love/ hate, depending on who it is. It’s great seeing the recognition and delight in their faces when I’m performing a spot-on impression.

And the biggest challenge?

Looking after my voice. Boring but true. So I have to limit myself to just the one litre of tequila per show.

Who’s your all-time favourite person to impersonate?

I love Billie Holiday and Amy Winehouse, because they had such distinctive voices. I really miss hearing Amy’s, so it’s nice to be able to recreate that sound myself. Also, while Teresa May’s certainly not my favourite person, she gets a great reaction at the moment. Oh, and Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé are both fun if I’m feeling energetic.

Has anybody ever been insulted by an impression?

I don’t think so – or if they have been, they haven’t said it to my face. I did my Stacey Solomon to Stacey Solomon and she just giggled and said I could be her best friend. I did Janet Street Porter to Janet for a TV

programme last year – I was very nervous about that. Janet doesn’t pull any punches, does she? But she didn’t punch me, so I see that as a success.

Your most treasured possession?

I guess it would be my engagement ring. It represents sunshine, adventure, the wonder of second chances, fun and, of course, love.

Tell us something naughty that doesn’t involve running through fields of wheat

I cheated in my GCSE maths exam, and still didn’t pass.

Biggest professional achievement to date?

Performing with my band – Jessington World of Adventures – at The London Palladium on a bill including Harry Enfield, Rob Brydon and Dara Ó Briain.

And what about personally?

Number one would be winning the three-legged race at the Aldbury village fete with my dad when I was about seven years old.

Surprise us...

Once, I was so desperate for a day job that I pretended to be a makeup artist and ended up having to paint Gail Porter’s face for a TV shoot. I just about got away with it… apart from nearly putting black eyeliner on her lips when I wasn’t concentrating.

Jess will be performing No Filter at the Hen and Chicken on 29 March. www.jessrobinson.co.uk www.henandchicken.com