Bristol Life - Issue 261

Food/Arts/Entertainment/Shopping/Property

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE CITY

ISSUE 261 / SPRING 2019 / £3

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ISSUE 261 / SPRING 2019 / LEAF IT OUT

SPECIAL BRANCH WE’RE ALSO….

BOOKING NOW FOR BRISTOL’S BEST SHOWS DRINKING COCKTAILS FROM ELEPHANTS TAKING THE FAM OUT FOR THE DAY SPOILING OUR MUMS

FIFTY SHADES OF GREEN*: THE BEST OF THE SS19 INTERIORS TRENDS *… Not to mention ice-cream pastels, new neutrals, mono and dark brooding hues, (but probably not grey)

Editor’s letter The only thing missing from this Deco roomset by Zoffany is Jean Harlow lounging about in eau-de-nil satin. Ask Bracey Interiors how to get the style

A

s March follows February, as sure as night follows day, it’s time for our spring interiors issue, with all the trends and all the colours and all the designs.

Oh, I know what you’re thinking. Just because some pundit at Pantone chewed their pencil for a bit and decided that the Colour of the Year would be Living Coral, you’re not about to tear down last year’s parrot-emblazoned feature wallpaper and replace it with something that’s a pinky/ orange/something in between.

But we all love to gaze at lovely interiors, even if it’s just as a respite from looking around our own pads in a displeased sort of a way while wondering when someone will come up with a colourway that’s compatible with Labradors and teenagers.

Even if you do love to run with the fashion pack, you’ll be relieved to hear that we’re not seeing too many changes from last year – we’re still all loving botanicals and greens and Scandi cool (though most have concluded that wall-to-wall grey is the design equivalent of a dementor). Find out what our local interiors experts are loving in its place, and how to add something new and exciting to your home (even if it’s just a leopard-print scatter cushion) on page 14.

We also have our big spring-into-summer arts preview; an interview with Sleaford Mods at O2, and Green Ginger at TFT, along with all the usual thrills and spills.

Finally, please would you all turn to the last page to meet Ryan Sanders and vote for our ss Great Britain’s Tourism Superstar? You could even win a holiday. In Bristol, if you’re lucky; there’s no lusher destination, after all.

deri robins Follow us on Twitter @BristolLifeMag Instagram @BristolLifeMag

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

Bespoke Frameless Glass offers an extensive product and service range for domestic, commercial and business properties throughout Bristol, Bath, Cheltenham and Gloucestershire, as well as the surrounding areas.

Our expert team prides themselves on our skill and efficiency and an eye for perfection. We promise to offer highly affordable rates with the promise of a hi-end finish and total customer satisfaction, as your local leading specialist in frameless glass balustrades, frameless shower enclosures and splash backs working in close contact with our customers we achieve a greater level of service throughout the whole job.

Proud finalist of

call us on: 0117 961 2709

Issue 261/Spring 2019

interiors

14 Trend zone Have we got hues for you

the arts

31 art page Bird’s spy view 32 WHAT’S ON What isn’t on?

36 arts preview The crème de la crème of the shows,

gigs and plays between now and, ooh, late summer 46 music The Mods are older, but no less angry 48 Theatre A fantastic voyage is about to take place at

Tobacco Factory Theatres. Come aboard...

52 bristol heroes Eat, drink, Moody fashion

36

food & DRINK 58 RESTAURANT Just drinking rum from elephants,

as you do

46

63 Stan Brief encounter on the Glo Road 64 Food and drink news Tasty bites

shopping

66 editor’s choice Calling children of all mothers...

a man’s world

69 Kam kelly A self-confessed mummy’s boy speaks out 71 seb barrett Baz knows who really runs the world

Lifestyle

76 family Easter loometh. Cute animals and historic

ships beckon

Business

95 business insider News, views, you know the drill

Bristol life awards

103 awards preview See you at Lloyd’s on11 April...

Property

122 showcase Bless this house

Regulars 7 spotlight 11 instas 83 society 130 bristol lives Please vote for this shipmate

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, Baz Barrett Advertising manager Neil Snow neil.snow@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager Craig Wallberg @craig.wallberg@ mediaclash.co.uk Account manager Samantha Roach samantha.roach@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

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 5

spotlight A special, luvvietastic Spotlight this issue, celebrating some of Bristol’s recent collabs and successes in the world of film and theatre Ian with Team BOV

Environment Theatre

A knight at the theatre

Two national treasures on one page (see also below)!

First, here’s the indomitable Ian McKellen, who visited Bristol Old Vic last month with his special one-man show. No pipe and slippers for this veteran knight, who tirelessly continues his lifelong mission to promote regional theatre.

“I’m celebrating my 80th birthday by touring,” says Sir Ian.“Live theatre has always been thrilling to me, as an actor and in the audience. Growing up in Lancashire, I was grateful to those companies who toured beyond London, and I’ve always enjoyed repaying that debt by touring up and down the country myself.

“As a young actor, I envied my friends who worked for the prestigious Bristol Old Vic company. I made my début here in Acting Shakespeare, and returned in Mark Ravenhill’s The Cut in 2006. I was very glad to be back in Bristol, at the outset of my national tour with a new solo show, raising funds for a new inclusive weekly group for disabled young adults.” www.bristololdvic.org.uk

Actual Jeff Bridges…

Here’s a bit of news that gave us stars in our eyes, but seems to be strangely under most people’s radar.

Jeff Bridges – yes, awesome, actual Jeff Bridges – has partnered with University of Bristol’s Cabot Institute for the Environment to produce a short film, as part of his new educational programme around climate change.

Jeff has been inviting teachers and students to work together to create short videos inspired by the themes and topics within his recent award-winning documentary Living in the Futures Past, produced and narrated by Jeff and starring Cabot Institute academics Professors Stephen Lewandowsky, Bruce Hood and Rich Pancost.

Actual Jeff Bridges!!! www.bristol.ac.uk

Trained in Bristol

bristol Favourite

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School was understandably made up when former student Olivia Colman won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in The Favourite.

“It’s lovely for an alumni to have won such a prestigious award,” says former teacher Pam Rudge. “I remember her as a student; she was mischievous, she had a twinkle in her eye and she was always fun to have in the room.”

Pam also commented on Olivia’s generous spirit and ability to empathise with the characters she played, adding “she had an immediacy with any script she was given.” www.oldvic.ac.uk

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spotlight Stephen in production, and with exec producer Dwayne Johnson

Film and TV

Bristol at the movies (continued)

Bristol born, bred and buttered actor/director/comedian Stephen Merchant’s new comedy Fighting with My Family topped the UK box office during its first weekend in March, taking over £2m including previews.

“Big thanks to everyone who went to see @FightingWMyFam this weekend and made it UK’s No. 1 film,” he tweeted. “I know there’s a lot of entertainment vying for your eyeballs, so if you chose our film, cheers m’dears, it’s deeply appreciated.”

Meanwhile, Bristol Film Offfice and Bottle Yard continue to knock it out of the celluloid park with a lavish new production of Jane Austen’s Sanditon, filming at various locations including a huge new outdoor Regency set built at the Bottle Yard.

Part of Urban Myth Films’ new series of War of the Worlds has also been making use of locations in the city; prompting an alarming tweet by Mayor Marvis Rees (chanelling Orson Welles?) with a photo taken from his eyrie at City Hall.

All in all, says Natalie Moore of Bristol Film Office, “it’s been an exceptionally strong start to 2019 for Bristol. War of the Worlds is the third major title to begin filming in the city this year, after The Trial of Christine Keeler for BBC and Sanditon for ITV.” www.filmbristol.co.uk

Music

pole mate

Portishead vocalist Beth Gibbons’ collaboration with the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, on a performance of Henryk Górecki’s Symphony No. 3 (Symphony of Sorrowful Songs), is soon to be released.

Following an invitation to collaborate at the 2014 concert at the National Opera Grand Theatre in Warsaw, Beth undertook an intense preparation process, including tackling the challenge of learning the original text (and the emotional weight it carries) without speaking the mother language.

Domino will release both an audio and video recording on 29 March. YouTube it up for a haunting preview. www.bethgibbons.net

We’d make a Theresa May joke here, but levity over Portishead members has gone down like a lead glider in the past

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

Luxury interiors and joinery for beautiful homes.

Winners in 2018 of: Bath Property Awards, Best Supplier Bath Business Awards, Creative Sector Business of the Year Crumbs Awards, Best Kitchen and Interiors company Made in the South West Awards, Sustainable/Ethical Manufacturer Award

Bath Bespoke, Hartley Farm, Winsley, Bath BA15 2JB www.bathbespoke.co.uk ž 01225 920900 ž info@bathbespoke.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT ART OF THE CITY

As this is our spring arts issue, we take a look at some of the brilliant places and events that have brightened our lives over the past year, courtesy of Bristol’s igers community (artists in their own right, all of them). Can you identify all the venues?

@piccypeds

@danieldurrans

@weareplaster

@moodycolin319

@sambinding

@leilaa81

@moodycolin319

@zfjsutton

@trav_tography

@leilaa81

@square_eyes_photos

@faygate

@eliza_moreland

@outofhandprinting

@gothick

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

trend zone Along with your fashion decisions, the way you choose to decorate your home is the strongest outward expression of your character – and possibly its most creative.

Oh, never mind all that. Here are some lovely trends and colourways to brighten your life this spring

Words by Deri Robins

Cole and Sons’ knockout new Forest wallpaper, available from Bracey Interiors and Whittaker Wells 14 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

INTERIORS LEAF IT OUT

There’s a new freshness and swagger in this season’s new botanicals; just take a look at the opposite page. Now picture this dramatic beauty in your dining room…

Ryan and Pete of Whittaker Wells are all over it.

“We couldn’t hunt the showroom of Paris without finding wildness and drama,” they say. “Both Cole & Son and Arte have launched collections of papers that jump off the walls to give you that instant statement, either through quirky ideas or dramatic luxury. ‘Lux’ is back, make no mistake.

Just choose carefully how you use it; with some personality and a little creativity.”

Bristol-based studio Addicted to Patterns are also feeling inspired by nature, both in botanical patterns and floral motifs. “They inject fresh energy,” says Justyna Medon.

And if you’re worried that you’ll feel you’re living in a jungle, how about just a statement chair?

“The botanical trend has shown real staying power over the past few seasons,” say Arlo & Jacob. “Two of our favourites are our Vesper cocktail chair upholstered in a fir shade of cotton velvet surrounded by luscious leafage, and our Poirot chair, covered in a bold botanical chintz print.”

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SHOPPING LIST

1. Designer’s Guild Foscari Fresco wallpaper, RRP £195 per roll; Bracey Interiors, www.braceyinteriors.co.uk 2. Glass sculpture, £39, BoConcept; www.boconcept.com 3. Paper vase cover, £15.50, Archer + Co; www.archerandcompany.co.uk 4. Timorous Beasties Birdbranch wallpaper, RRP £85 per roll; Whittaker Wells; www.whittakerwells.com 5. Planters, £5-£25, Mon Pote; monpote.co.uk 6. Helleborine cushion £66, Midgley Green; www.midgleygreen.com 7. Cactus jar, £26, Grace & Mabel; www.graceandmabel.co.uk 8. Poirot chair, from £730, Arlo & Jacob; www.arloandjacob.com

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INTERIORS 4

FIFTY SHADES OF GREEN

An obvious complement to botanicals, but equally lush combined with practically every other trend and hue out there, this can range from soothing sage to ice-cream pistachio to jewel-like emerald (particularly knockout when used on Arlo & Jacob’s Deco-esque Vesper chair, below).

“Bring the tranquil shades of nature into your living room with a richer, forest green such as Little Greene’s Puck,” suggests Finola of Nola Interiors.

“Use green colours in living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens; dark green is now in high demand for kitchen units. (See also page 20) “Colour on woodwork of the same colour as the walls is very effective... a million miles away from white gloss on skirtings and doors everywhere!”

“We believe green has got everything; it’s calming and cooling, brings us back to nature and can be versatile,” says Justyna of Addicted to Patterns.“We love dark green granite with a blue/green tint; great as a base colour for well-lit rooms, fantastic for accents and more dramatic colours. Pair it with salmon pink to brighten it up, or accent it with copper to bring delicate shimmering highlights.”

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SHOPPING LIST

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1. Viva vase, £95, BoConcept; www.boconcept.com 2. Large cabbage bowl, £11.99, Vinegar Hill; www.vinegarhill.co.uk 3. Encaustic Alvito tile, £8.99 each, Fired Earth; www.firedearth.com 4. Little Greene Aquamarine emulsion, from £22.50; Bracey Interiors; www. braceyinteriors.co.uk 5. Tiger Tiger tea towel £9.95, Soma Gallery; www.somagallery.co.uk 6. Little Greene Edith’s Eye emulsion, from £22.50; Nola Interiors; www.nolainteriors-bristol.co.uk 7. Soap dispenser, £12.50, Mon Pote; www.monpote.co.uk 8. Green bonnet table lamp, £55, Graham and Green; www.grahamandgreen.co.uk 9. Vesper cocktail chair, £425, Arlo & Jacob; www.arloandjacob.com 10. Bathroom design, £POA, Ripples; www.ripplesbathrooms.com

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OK, so you’re not going to throw your beauiful grey furniture in the nearest skip just because the interiors boffins have decided they’re over it. For a less drastic update, how about painting the walls, doors and architraves in a deep, jewel-like green?

Little Greene paint from Nola Interiors www.mediaclash.co.uk I bRISTOL LIFE I 17

INTERIORS 1

SHOPPING LIST

1. Cole & Son Fornasetti wallpaper, Riflesso, RP £120 per roll, Bracey Interiors; www.braceyinteriors.co.uk 2. Seb Lester print, £70, Soma Gallery; www.somagallery.co.uk 3. Tile, £7.50 each, Ripples; www.ripplesbathrooms.com 4. Zebra jug, £25, Vinegar Hill; www.vinegarhill.co.uk 5. Elm concrete basin, £2,688, Ripples; www.ripplesbathrooms.com 6. Planter, £15, Mon Pote; www.monpote.co.uk 7. House of Rym Tu es la Vague teacup, £12; No Baby in a Corner teapot, £35; Archer + Co; www.archerandcompany.co.uk 8. Standard lamp, £399, BoConcept; www.boconcept.com

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BACK TO BLACK

Oh, those achingly cool and collected Instagrams, showing immaculate, desaturated homes with all the book spines facing the wall (no garish Penguin orange, thanks!); perhaps with a single sprig of magnolia in a vase as a concession to colour. Yep; mono is arguably best reserved for tidy style mavens without kids and dogs.

Still keen? OK: know then that grey is out (or so we’re told, but who cares, really); modern monos are all about dramatic black and white – especially glamorous when harnessed for Deco-style geometrics.

“Simple wall tiles (metro’s still hot) matched with mono patterned floors are on-trend,” advises Hannah Walkiewicz of Build Bristol. “Vinyl has come a long way since it was (literally) rolled out in the 1960s, with the introduction of some wonderful prints that replicate tiles. It’s costeffective, looks great, and if you fancy a change further on down the line it’s easy to achieve.” ”With the 100-year celebration of Bauhaus, black frames and concrete basins are making waves,” adds Neil Curtis of Ripples.

Combine it with a pop of red or yellow, and it completes the look.”

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NEW NEUTRALS

Beige: no longer a dirty word associated with yellow-varnished pine in dismal woodchipped 1970s bedsits. We’ve gone back to basics, we’re down with the Scandis and are loving the simplicity of natural shades. It’s also dead easy to pull off, and works a treat alongside the everpopular industrial/modern rustic trends.

Core10 Studio are embracing this timeless style, mixing and matching material and designs. “It’s the combination of the rough with the smooth, the old with the new to create spaces which are casual yet elegant,” says Georgia Richards.

“We take inspiration from urban and rural environments. The blend of rustic, natural textures such as wood and stone are combined with cool industrial metal accents. We bring these together to convey modernity and a sense of calm, which will evolve over time to reflect your lifestyle and individual character.”

And don’t forget: the fash pack have been banging on all year that leopard is the new neutral, and there’s no reason on earth why you can’t apply this to wallpaper too. Just keep the rest of the room pared back and simple; nobody wants to feel they’ve moved into Kat Slater’s hallway.

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SHOPPING LIST

1. Hey basket, £58, BoConcept; www.boconcept.com 2. Dipped teacups, £8 each, Mon Pote; www.monpote.co.uk 3. House of Hackney Wild Card wallpaper, RRP £85 per roll; Whittaker Wells; www.whittakerwells.com 4. Branch willow basket, £156, Midgley Green; www.midgleygreen.com 5. Walnut House Bird by Charles & Ray Eames, £poa, Oskar Furniture; www.oskarfurniture.co.uk 6. Rustic kitchen designed by Core Studio, www.core10studio.com

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INTERIORS 1

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ICE, ICE-CREAM BABY

Fondant mints. Neapolitan ices. Millennium pinks; good-enough-to eat pastels are all over the shop.

“Pastel colours are being used as an alternative to white with warmer tones of cream, beige, soft taupe and plaster pinks,” says Finola of Nola Interiors.“These calm colours add a neutral foundation to any room and can be layered up with deeper tones and textures, or to offset and contrast with a bold colour such as dark green or navy without being as stark as white.”

Addicted to Patterns are all over Pantone’s Colour of the Year. “It has many faces in our recent wallpaper collection,” says Justyana, “with corals and sea florals together with splashed paint designs served in this warm, powdery colour palette. It goes well with silver, blue, grey and gold, and will bring a fascinating twist into your home. Try pairing with geometric borders, massive modern glass pendants and graphic cushions.”

“Our must-have colours for 2019 are the wonderfully versatile De Nimes and Sulking Room Pink, says Charlotte Cosby of Farrow and Ball.

“These shades are perfect for those who are wary of moving into a world of colour, because they still have a familiar underlying grey tone.”

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1. Pink combines with dark green to great effect; Nola Interiors; www.nolainteriors-bristol.co.uk 2. Jody Thomas Evenfall 4 print, £120; www.jodyart.co.uk 3. Espresso cup, £5.40, Mon Pote; www.monpote.co.uk 4. Aragon sofa, £945, Arlo & Jacob; www.arloandjacob.com 5. Bath, £poa, from Ripples; www.ripplesbathrooms.com 6. Hansel and Gretel emulsion, from £42, Fired Earth; www.firedearth.com 7. Gluggle jug, RRP £32, from Bracey Interiors; www.braceyinteriors.co.uk 8. Anna Marow Pop Musik print, £50, Soma Gallery; www.somagallery.co.uk 9. French clay soap, £6.50, Midgley Green; www.midgleygreen.com 10. Shimmer bowl, £22, BoConcept; www.boconcept.com

You’ll have to pop into Whittaker Wells to see the Fornasetti lemons, because we couldn’t resist choosing this surreal design from the new collection

AND FINALLY, THE JUST PLAIN FABULOUS

“While wandering the Parisian streets of St Germain for Deco Off 2019, we were drawn into Cole & Son’s pop up showroom, and oh boy, did it pop up,” say Ryan and Pete of Whitaker Wells.

“The walls were adorned with the new collection from the Milanese maestro – the latest Fornasetti papers were showstoppers, and proved that sometimes all you need is one great idea to create a truly memorable room. We loved it so much we’ve ordered hundreds of lemons for the ceiling, like you do.”

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Takeaway service Need a skip? BATEMAN SKIPS are geared to all your waste-transfer needs – and we think you’ll like their ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ principles . . .

W

e enjoy playing our part in the thriving growth of Bristol. If you are planning on any home improvements, any charitable work, or maybe you are part of a bigger commercial project then we would be happy to discuss how we can help with one of our various waste management services.

Here are a couple of things to think about when hiring a skip specific to Bristol. ● If you are planning on putting the skip in your residential parking space then you might be surprised to hear that the council charge a bay suspension fee on top of the permit. ● Traffic in Bristol is a tricky variable when giving you the best service; because of this we are not able to guarantee times for collections or delivery. ● We now offer Same Day Delivery service – if you order before 11am we guarantee delivery the same day if required. ● If you are hiring a skip for somewhere in the centre of Bristol the council will more than likely request you have an enclosed skip.

BRISTOL LIFE OFFER If you book online at www.batemanskips. co.uk you can use the code BRISTOL10 for £10 off your skip order! Valid until June 2019.

What options do you have if you can’t get a skip?

Hiring a skip for building work is standard practise for domestic projects as well as people in the trade carrying out professional projects. We do however get a number of requests for alternatives.

We have a waste transfer station in Keynsham that anyone with a waste carriers licence can make full use of. We weigh you in and then weigh you out so you only pay for the exact amount of waste you drop off – many of our customers like this so they can get rid of any mess around the building site as soon as they want to without the need for it to mount up!

We also offer grab hire, which has grown in popularity over the last few years. You can get up to 16 tonnes of soil and stone in the grab lorry and the waste is gone immediately.

What are we doing about recycling?

Recycling is something that we take incredibly seriously at Bateman Skips. The cost to the environment is too much to ignore reduce, reuse and recycle principles.

Last year we recycled an average of 95% of the waste that came through our materials recycling facility; that’s over 80,000 tonnes diverted from landfill. Although we are happy with this accomplishment we have set ourselves the goal of becoming zero waste to landfill by next year, 2020.

We’d like to thank you for taking the time to read this advert, and if you have any questions we are always happy to help. ■

You can call us on 0117 986 5275, email us at info@batemanskips.co.uk or you can connect with us on the live chat feature on our website over at www.batemanskips.co.uk. www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 29

Tracey Emin & Damien Hirst Selling Exhibition, 7th – 31st March Chitra Merchant, 4th - 28th April A UNIQUE GALLERY OF WORKS TO OWN BY SOME OF THE WORLDS GREATEST ARTISTS Three rooms offering original hand-signed works by Picasso, Banksy, Matisse, Hockney, Dali, Lowry, Haring, Grayson Perry, Stik, Chagall, Francis Bacon, Peter Blake, Henry Moore, Joan Miro and more, alongside stunning contemporary works by Huw Richards Evans, Chitra Merchant, Lucianne Lassalle, Feona Ness 6 -10 The Clifton Arcade, Boyce’s Avenue, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4AA www.myhiddenworld.co.uk | hiddenrare@outlook.com | Telephone: 0117 279 6402

the arts s n a p s h o t s o f B R I STO L’ S c u lt u r a l li f e

bird’s spy view Well, this is the loveliest thing we’ve seen all month. Look how well it captures the vibe at Bristol Old Vic’s new foyer, and the buzz of an audience trying to process what they’ve just seen in the theatre – oh and hey, is that you there, at the bar?

Anyone familiar with Bristol illustrator Niki Groom, aka Miss Magpie Fashion Spy, will instantly recognise this charming piece as her handiwork. Niki works regularly with large fashion and beauty brands, and also paints large artworks from her home studio in Totterdown.

“My whole career has been focused on drawing people and clothes, but last year I took myself to the urban sketchers symposium in Porto, and honed my skills at capturing buildings and scenes,” says Niki. “As a result, I don’t go anywhere without my sketchbook now, just in case inspiration strikes. When I was at Bristol Old Vic to see Now is the Time to Say Nothing, I decided to draw the new foyer, along with some of the comments I overheard.”

Follow Niki on Instagram at @miss_magpie_spy. We think you might enjoy her pictorial ‘review’ of the recent Massive Attack gigs in Filton, too . . . www.missmagpiefashionspy.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 31

What’s on

And this is just for the following month!

Turn to page 36 for a preview of the hottest gigs, plays and shows to book for late spring and summer

22 March - 22 April

It’s a confusing old world, especially when you’re young; total Chaos at TFT

exhibitions

Bristol Museum displays 12 of his finest drawings; bristolmuseums.org.uk

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

Until 2 June

Until 24 March

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 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

Until 6 May

LEONARDO DA VINCI: A LIFE IN DRAWING To mark the 500th anniversary of the Renaissance polymath’s death,

sculpture open The RWA’s new Open, celebrating the diversity of form, medium and scale in modern sculpture; rwa.org.uk henri Gaudier-Brzeska: Disputing the Earth A new exhibition examines GaudierBrzeska’s versatility as an animal artist (and links to Bristol); rwa.org.uk

Until 16 June

tattoo A comprehensive history of British tattooing; cutting-edge designers, leading academics and major private collectors tell a story that challenges long-standing myths and preconceptions.; bristolmuseums.org.uk

6 April-16 June

PAUL SIMON RICHARDS: QUASI-MONTE CARLO An ambitious new video work exploring patterns of randomisation and their role in the production of an image. Spike Island, spikeisland.org.uk

6 April-23 June

mandy barker: altered ocean A sobering second exhibition

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

for RPS. The award-winning photographer investigates the issue of marine plastic debris; working with scientists, she aims to raise awareness about plastic pollution in the world’s oceans. rps.org SRIWHANA SPONG: IDA-IDA The artist’s largest exhibition to date outside her native NZ, including a new film, shot in and around her ancestral home in Bali, Indonesia.

Spike Island, spikeisland.org.uk NICHOLAS WRIGHT: A CHANCE TO LOOK AT CHICKEN The Spike Island studio artist presents a selection of work produced over the last 30 years, including ceramic wall pieces inspired by 12th-century French sculpture. spikeisland.org.uk

SHOWS

Until 23 March

AnniE It’s a good-luck life for musical fans this month, as the ginger ninja comes to the Hippodrome; atgtickets.com 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 les gloriables Inspired by Les Misérables but a lot more fun: legendary French actress Gloria Delaneuf is determined to create a piece of theatre with the power to reunite Europe...The Wardrobe, then. thewardrobetheatre.com best of be Be Festival sends three shows on the road; this year there’s a daredevil, an illusionist and a juggling-computermusical genius, performing circus, theatre and illusion; at Circomedia. tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Until 31 March

intronauts See feature page 48. At TFT, tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Until 6 April

a midsummer night’s dream Shakespeare’s maddest, magicalist comedy gets the TFT treatment (and a female Bottom). tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Until 13 April

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

what’s on So begins his campaign of deceit, manipulation and violence, and he’s killing it. A new take on Shakespeare’s most infamous villain, at BOV; bristololdvic.org.uk

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

chaos As part of National Theatre Connections 2019, the YTM Perform Company present a play written especially for a cast of young people in which a series of characters search for meaning in a complicated and unstable world. At TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

26 March-6 April above: The lesserknown ‘arm room’ in the temple of the Many-Faced God? Nope, just an armful of tats at M Shed left: Will someone please get this guy a horse; Richard III at BOV below:

Fazed by the new layout at Bristol Old Vic, Gecko took a wrong turn to the green room

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

10-13 April

welsH national opera Another spring three-parter for WNO at the Hippodrome; on 10 April, love, power and 18th century Swedish politics collide in Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera; Mozart’s up for 11 & 13 April with The Magic Flute; with Donizetti’s spine-tingling Roberto Devereux in for the 12th. atgtickets.com

27-30 March

vulvarine: a musical Following a dose of hormone therapy gone wrong and a welltimed bolt of lightning, Bryony Buckle gains superhero abilities and a brand-new persona: Vulvarine, saviour of womankind, hellbent on thwarting Mansplainer’s evil plan...

It could only be at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre

12 April

Hotel Paradiso Spectacular circus skills blended with physical comedy, juggling, storytelling and slapstick in a colourful, loud and funny show from Lost in Translation. Circomedia; circomedia.com

30-31 March

Woyzeck A nation wakes up from war. Franz Woyzeck, a young soldier, grapples with his fragmented mind as he sinks deeper and deeper below the surface of reality... Following a critically acclaimed run at Edinburgh, awardwinning Spies Like Us bring their new interpretation of Buchner’s tale to Loco Club; headfirstbristol.co.uk

2-12 April

14 April

The Jurassic Parks At Lyme Regis Community Centre, the Park Family embark on a journey to a misty past, where family feuds are faced with the rapturous roar of DIY dinosaurs; a play written for grown-ups but also suitable for 8+, at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre

3-6 April

What does stuff do?

No, not the latest exhibition at We The Curious; but a TED talk-esque performance about the relationships between people and things, which pivots between absurdity and profundity. At TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

7-8 April

Acts of Resistance A new collab of four communities across England, and writer Stef Smith. In the not-so-distant future, England finds itself in the middle of yet another political earthquake.

But what would happen if people stopped keeping calm and carrying on? Better head to BOV to find out... bristololdvic.org.uk

hutch Three vulnerable people sharing an attic divided into ‘hutches’ meekly eke out an existence, but their landlord’s plans force them to choose between surrender or resistance...

Alma Tavern; almatavernandtheatre. co.uk

16-29 April

equus English Touring Theatre’s bold new production of Shaffer’s psychological thriller about a boy with a troubling relationship with horses. National Velvet it ain’t. BOV bristololdvic.org.uk

17 April-11 May

our country’s good The fearlessly bold, witty and thought-provoking play based on the true story of the first convict colony in Australia cunningly redresses ideas about the morality of crime and punishment; at TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

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

what’s on COMEDY

top:

24 March

Harriet Kemsley: Slutty Joan Multi award-winning Harriet pulls her skirt out of her pants and shames slut-shaming; at Wardrobe thewardrobetheatre.com

25 March, 8 & 22 April

closer each day The world’s longest-running improvised comedy soap continues to bubble amusingly away at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

27 March

Pete Firman: Marvels The UK’s leading comedy magician brings his astonishing new show to Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

28 March

China Moses channels Lady Day at Jazz and Blues Fest

bottom: Fun fact: Nashville sisters Rebecca and Megan of Larkin Poe are descended from Edgar Allen Poe. Hence the darkness?

24 March

the last poets Harlem’s spoken word artists, poets and proto-hip-hoppers fuse politically outspoken lyrics with inventive percussion. They’ve recently released their first album in 20 years, Understand What Black Is, and they’re en route to Trinity; 3ca.org.uk the pineapple thief One of the most exciting live progressive rock acts on the circuit comes to SWX; swxbristol.com

4 April

gary delaney: gagster’s paradise Another onslaught of lean, expertly crafted gaggery from the Mock The Week regular, at Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

larkin poe The delectably dark Southern Rock’n’Soul sisters – think the lovechild of Jack White and Dolly Parton – come to Fleece; thefleece.co.uk

MUSIc

the sleaford mods See feature p 46; at O2; academymusicgroup.com

22 March

soft machine One of the greatest UK avant/ jazz-rock bands of all tim comes to Anson Rooms; bristolsu.org.uk

22-24 March

bristol jazz and blues festival The last few days of this year’s fest; bristoljazzandbluesfest.com

28 March

the stranglers One of the most influential bands to have emerged from the punk era bring their multi-date Back On The Tracks tour to O2. No Hugh, obviously, but still with JeanJacques on bass. academymusicgroup.com

29 March

james morrison One of the forerunners of the current troubadour set brings his You’re Stronger than You Know album tour to O2; academymusicgroup.com

23 March

the gypsy kings One of the standout acts at this year’s Jazz & Blues Fest are in town to get us samba-ing and flamencoing at O2; academymusicgroup.com

6 April

8 April

mike and the mechanics Genesis founder Mike Rutherford joins forces with a new-generation band, with singers Andrew Roachford and Tim Howar, adding a new soulful dimension.

Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

14 April

rumours of fleetwood mac The return of the Mac’s finest tribute band, celebrating 50 years of hits; Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

18 April

judge jules live Jules performs the reworked tracks that have defined his career through a 10-piece band, orchestrating everything in his inimitable style.

At Thekla; theklabristol.co.uk

OTHER

Until 31 March

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

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

Until 28 April

filmic Bristol’s annual film-meets-music fest is underway, with the usual heady mix of screenings, concerts and events .This year the programme will explore themes of minimalism, works of the great soundtrack composers and some specially commissioned AV shows. watershed.co.uk

23 March

the women who built bristol Jane Duffus tells us about awesome Bristol gals past and present; part of Arnos Vale’s International Women’s Day events. arnosvale.org.uk blood & butchery in bedminster The popular walking/pub crawl tour continues every Tuesday, delving into Bemmie’s gruesome history. stagestubs.com

30 March

Bristol Comic Con and

Gaming Festival What it says on the tin, with props, film cars , exhibitors, cosplayers , gaming and more.; Action Indoor Sports Centre; mooseeventsuk.com Bristol Holistic Festival Around 90 stands including inspiring arts and crafts, music to relax to, essential oils and essences, fair trade goods, health and beauty products, jewellery, clothing, selfhelp books and more, at Mercure Holland House; bristolholisticfestival.com

5 April

Cirque Du Soul: The Grand Finale The 21st-century’s Moulin Rouge: burlesque meets bass in a showdown of bohemian madness, with some of the freshest tunes around on the deck. Admission refused without suitably OTT clobber. At Motion; motionbristol.com.

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

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

Richard’s victims exact a ghastly, ghostly revenge by blowing white powder over him

Arts preview

Showtime!

Spring has sprung at Bristol’s top arts venues, and it’s time to get the box offices on speed-dial. In a special sevenpage preview, we gaze into our cultural crystal ball (oh, OK, we had a gander at the press releases) to bring you the definitive list of the most essential shows, plays and gigs between now and midsummer* As they say at Bristol Old Vic: the house is open . . .

© MARC BRENNER

Words by Deri Robins Along with a few bits for autumn that we couldn’t resist sneaking in

*

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

© MICHAEL WHARLEY

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

Arts preview What’s big at Bristol Old Vic?

Fabulous times at Bristol’s BOV. Following 2018’s transformative Year of Change, AD Tom Morris continues to push the boundaries with his 2019 programme, The Power of Imagination, with an eclectic spring season that ranges from the return of Tom’s hit drama Touching The Void to The Wardrobe Ensemble’s takeover with their nostalgia-fuelled comedy The Future of Sex. “This year also marks the return of our partnership with Headlong, from which our hit production of Richard III was born,” says comms assistant Caroline Lang. “Director John Haidar has completely flipped the story of Shakespeare’s most infamous royal villain on its head, uncovering a side of him you’ve never seen before. The king is played

by Tom ‘Peaky Blinders’ Mothersdale to electrifying effect.

“We’re also welcoming the acclaimed Barber Shop Chronicles to our theatre in May. The play is written by playwright Inua Ellams, who has deep roots in Bristol, and follows generations of African men who gather in barber shops to discuss the world – all in one day.”

Oh, and the ‘hell, must see that’ factor doesn’t let up a bit during the rest of the year. There’s a new musical of Amelie with Audrey Brisson; the return of local heartthrob Tristan Sturrock (now Poldark’s finished) in a new verse-adaptation of Cyrano directed by Tom Morris, while Emma Rice’s new company Wise Children will take on Malory Towers.

We want to see it all. “We thought everyone needed cheering up after Brexit,” says estimable press manager Amanda Adams. clockwise page 38: New Order should make it to Bristol by July as long as they start walking now; farewell Zachy Martin and hello again, Bristol Old Vic – Tristan’s back; The casting of gamine Audrey Brisson as Amelie will come to absolutely no surprise to anyone who saw her in Flying Lovers and Grinning Man; below: Totally in love with Future Kings’ poster for Much Ado at TFT. Badass Beatrice!

“Superbolt manage to create an entire world of prehistoric monsters with just three actors, a couple of pot plants and a backpack” What’s for the win at Wardrobe?

“The Jurassic Parks by Superbolt Theatre is one of our all time favourite shows from one of the nicest theatre companies around,” says co-director Matthew Whittle. “It’s a take on the iconic moments of the Spielberg movie, reworked into a really fab new story about a family in Lyme Regis. Superbolt are so inventive in the way they work; they manage to create an entire world of prehistoric monsters with just three actors, a couple of pot plants and a backpack. It’s a show made for adults but totally accessible for anyone aged from about 10 years.”

What’s terrific at TFT?

Yet another Bristol theatre showing off its shiny new spaces is Tobacco Factory Theatres, who opened the new Spielman Studio last autumn.

Back in the main theatre, though, “people are really loving The Factory Company’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” says marketing head Dylan Tozer. “The same company is also in rehearsal for our next homecreated show, Our Country’s Good. Both are performed by an outstanding ensemble, and both are new, dynamic interpretations which say so much about society today and who gets to set the rules.

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

© ANDREA KL ARIN

Arts preview

Cosplay suggestion for Grace on the Downs. If it rains, you can make it into a tent

“The fabulous Green Ginger are also in the Spielman with Intronauts (see page 48) with a visually stunning, very cinematic production; and for the first time our Young Theatre Makers company is part of National Theatre Connections with the play, Chaos.”

And here’s another cheat look ahead to autumn from us; Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory’s choice for 2019 is Much Ado About Nothing; the original rom-com, and arguably Will’s wittiest play – though it’s not without its dark side.

What’s hanging at Hippodrome?

With one hit after another, it’s hard to pick out a show; but this spring the choice is made a bit easier for comms manager Grace Earl.

“We have The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical with us in May – an amazing show which we’re all really excited about.

Most of us here at The Hippodrome have grown up with Matilda in one form or another, and to see such an incredible story turned into a musical with great Tim Minchin songs is a feast for the senses, and we can’t wait to see those famous characters come to life on our own stage.

“We’re also excited about the amazing staging and props the musical uses. Without wanting to give too much away, a huge amount of thought has been put into every last detail of the show, and it’s evident in the production values – although you’ll have to see it to believe it.”

What’s cool at Colston Hall?

Yes, the Hall itself is closed for refurbishment, but has that stopped Todd Wills programming a bunch of delights? It has not. Todd is continuing to put on gigs across the city under the banner of Colston

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

“Much Ado is the original rom-com and arguably Will’s wittiest play, though it’s not without its dark side” Hall Presents, and is particularly excited about two that are coming up soon.“First, The Sun Ra Arkestra playing at Fiddlers on 23 April; they never fail to give an incredible performance. Then on 24 April we have a screening of ET with a live soundtrack by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra at the Hippodrome – so a very different show, but no less exciting. And looking ahead, of course, the big highlight of the summer are our July gigs with New Order and The Specials at Lloyd’s.”

What’s great at St George’s?

If you haven’t been in to admire St George’s lush new front of house, café (and glass installation by Luke Jerram), you need to have a word with yourself. When you pop in, make sure you visit the box office to book for Haushka on 11 April. Marketing head Dagmar Smeed explains that the Academy-nominated composer has turned to nature for inspiration for his solo piano concert featuring music from sublime new album A Different Forest; it’s part of Filmic19, Bristol’s annual film meets music celebration, and is followed by a free VJ set by DJ Cheeba in the café bar.

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Visit us for gifts, jewellery, stained glass, ceramics, prints and Bristol Blue Glass.

Visit our website - www.glassdesignsgallery.co.uk Email - glassdesignsgallery@gmail.com

© MANUEL HARL AN

Arts preview

clockwise: The crazily successful Matilda the Musical comes to the Hippodrome, Haushka’s at St George’s, Bloc Party’s at Sounds, and we’re loving the effort Idles have made with their headgear for our feature . . .

What’s going down at the Downs?

It’s the fourth Downs Festival on 31 August – can you believe it’s been three years since Massive Attack? Obviously the likes of Grace Jones and Lauryn Hill (who’ll you’ll likely prioritise depending on your age); but Conal Dodds of Crosstown is especially excited about fellow billtoppers, Bristol’s very own Brit Award-nominated Idles.

“Every Idles gig is a joyous, very lively experience,” says Conal.

“I think the best gigs need to have interaction between the artist and audience – we all want that human experience – whether it’s the singer talking to/challenging the crowd or the guitarist jumping off the stage and playing on the floor – those are the gigs that excite me most. Live gigs should be about escapism from the dreary side of modern life – get off your phones and get on the dance floor or into the mosh pit!”

Oh, and sticking with Crosstown, Bristol Sounds is back with a fiveday vengeance; so who will you go for? Bloc Party? Elbow? The Cat Empire? Cinematic Orchestra? Tom Misch? And will Guy Garvey’s streaker pal of 2017 make a reappearance? We need to know.

What’s grooving at the Gate?

Ashton Gate hasn’t been our obvious port of call for gigs in the past, but it’s a different story following its recent refurb. We only hope the Bears leave the dressing rooms clean and tidy for Scary and Baby . . .

“We’ve got four huge concerts this spring and summer, which kick off just as the football and rugby seasons finish,” says Lisa Knight.

“It’s a very varied line-up: Rod Stewart, followed by Take That supported by Rick Astley. Muse will be headlining their first-ever stadium show in the West Country, and we’re just one of three UK venues. Finally, girl power is back with a vengeance, with the Spice Girls reuniting for the first time since the London 2012 Olympics.

“At the end of the football and rugby season we have a window of about four weeks to host our first concert series since the £45m rebuild of Ashton Gate was completed. Each one promises to be a spectacular affair, with more than a hundred thousand fans coming to the stadium during a three-week window.”

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

“Live gigs should be about escapism from the dreary side of modern life – get off your phones and get on the dance floor” What’s RAD at RWA?

This spring sees the RWA celebrate all things sculptural, with two big exhibitions..“Visitors can see the astonishing range of animal-inspired artworks on display in our Gaudier-Brzeska: Disputing the Earth exhibition, which pays new attention to Gaudier’s versatility as an animal artist and the special significance that the animal kingdom held for him – and why Bristol was such an inspiring place for him in his youth,” says Clare Lowe.

“Gaudier-Brzeska spent two years in the South West, sketching around the city and at Bristol Zoo, while studying at the Merchant Venturers’ Technical College, which was then based at the RWA. The exhibition brings Gaudier-Brzeska’s sculptures and drawings back to Bristol, a century after he first explored the city, and establishes his significance as an animal artist.

“For contemporary art lovers, the RWA Sculpture Open shows the possibilities that lie within modern sculptural techniques. Part of the exhibition includes a Sculpture Lab for families, where people can add their own sculptures to our Indoor Sculpture Park. The invited artist for Sculpture Open is Ana Maria Pacheco, one of the most renowned figurative artists of her time whose imagery relates to the culture of post-colonial Brazil as well as to the visual language of power and force in Europe. It is very visually striking, and commands attention as soon as you walk into the room.” n

So there you are, then.

You know what to do….

Booking now at: www.tobaccofactory.com www.bristololdvic.org.uk www.thewardrobetheatre.com www.colstonhall.org

www.thedownsbristol.com www.ashtongatestadium.co.uk www.rwa.org.uk/home www.en-gb.facebook.com/ BristolSoundsOfficial

© R ACHAEL WRIGHT

Arts preview

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

Photos taken at The Chocolate Quarter, St Monicas Trust

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this is the mod world

For around a decade, Sleaford Mods’ brand of no-punches-pulled punked-up electronica has broken through from the musical fringes into the mainstream, from where they’ve been commenting on a nation apparently hellbent in its own decline. As one half of the Midlands duo, Jason Williamson, reveals, it’s been a memorable ride …

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

MUSIC

T

he Mods have not mellowed with age. Their latest album Eaton Alive is very much in their standard angst-ridden mode, venting as ever on the fractured state of modern Britain. In fact, there’s perhaps an even greater sense of urgency and undercurrent of unease in this 12-track assault on austerity UK. Now minus the backing of former label Rough Trade’s funding, their epic 33-date UK tour takes Jason and Andrew Fearn on the road with a renewed determination.

But as Jason says, despite the record’s sense of suppression, they’re not making a direct call to arms in response. They’d rather deliver a spiky verbal reaction than a physical one.

“The anger and frustration that we’ve felt isn’t something which has receded in our music over the years, as I really like that approach to songwriting.

“I can be unreasonable, bitter and jealous, and all those kinds of emotions. I just think you have to live your life and hope that in your series of opinions that you veer towards some kind of truth,” he says, adding that he hopes the new album – their 11th return to the studio – will be received by an even wider audience this time around.

The album’s lead single Kebab Spider, is typically drenched in disaffection, and sets the tone for the duo’s minimalistic beatdriven musings. Williamson’s defiant, rasping vocals recall Happy Mondays’ Shaun Ryder at his most cutting, yet for all his dismay, he recognises that there’s a debt of gratitude due

to the fans in maintaining the duo’s profile.

Their past couple of albums in particular have gained traction in the charts, with 2017’s English Tapas narrowly missing the top 10.

“It’s really quite something to be involved in the industry and quite a challenge to keep it going. There’s a constant worry as to whether your music has had its time, but I think our new album has pushed things forward.

“It’s a funny thing, being on the road, but I like it, as it’s proper graft, going out to see people in venues, some of them pretty small

“I grew up in Grantham in Lincolnshire, but I just didn’t think the Grantham Mods sounded that good” places, and getting out there seeing the fans.”

It’s been a far from straightforward journey, he admits. Growing up on a diet of punk, mod and ’60s soul, music was always part of Jason’s make-up, along with harder-edged hip-hop from the likes of Wu Tang Clan, which also formed a key lyrical inspiration for his writing.

The former session musician originally created Sleaford Mods with Nottingham-based studio engineer Simon Parfrement, who opted to take a step back from their collaboration after recording their fourth album. But despite

this uneven path, Williamson says that his new working relationship with Andrew, a former DJ, has proved particularly fruitful.

“Before this I’d been in bands for 20 years – from rock and folk acts through to acoustic groups that didn’t really work out, so it felt like a million miles from those days to be getting a record deal and having the first album out.

“I grew up in Grantham in Lincolnshire, but I just didn’t think the Grantham Mods sounded that good, so it was named after nearby Sleaford, as that’s where I went a lot as a kid; the rest is history.”

Today, Jason continues to be hugely influenced by everyday events, some of which appear extremely unjust. He cites perceptions of increased levels of social deprivation, which have led to a British Medical Journal report claiming there have been an estimated 120,000 extra deaths in the UK since 2010 during the past decade of austerity, as being particularly troubling.

“The austerity that we are seeing now has just boxed people in – it’s created the largest squeeze on public services and cuts to amenities. It’s resulted in many deaths, as well as increases in mental illness, which is just terrible and seems like a kind of social genocide.

“There’s no need for this and it’s something that you try not to get insane with anger over, which is why I think it’s important that these issues are tackled through music and other forms of creativity.”

Which, in a nutshell, is what motivates the Mods in these continuingly uncertain times.

Sleaford Mods play O2 on 6 April www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybristol

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

2019...

An inner space odyssey is taking place at a theatre near you.

Chris Pirie of visual theatre company Green Ginger would like to invite you along for the ride . . .

Words by Lisa Warren 48 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

THEATRE

G

reen Ginger: not, as the uninitiated might presume, the latest vegan juice craze, but a Bristol-based theatre company who create memorable experiences for worldwide audiences through highly visual and accessible productions. Mostly, this means a lot of puppetry; though there’s a lot more to their shows than marionettes.

Chris Pirie is joint AD of the company.

“I’d been to art school, but was working as a 26-year-old truck driver when a mutual friend introduced me to Green Ginger’s founder Terry Lee, an energetic and engaging TV and film puppeteer, fresh from work on Spitting Image and some Jim Henson movies.

“Hearing about my background led to Terry’s offer of mentorship and training, in exchange for some artwork that he needed.

An initial month-long arrangement became a long working relationship, and I am now running the UK company while Terry runs Les Green Ginger, a sister organisation based in France.

“I’ve designed and performed most of the company’s output over three decades, and have grown to discover, or more accurately relearned, that puppetry is one of the oldest dramatic artforms with good reason.

Animism has almost universal appeal and we’re wired to engage with puppetry from an early age; as performers, we use tap into that same strand of imagination and find that, by and large, audiences are willing to suspend disbelief and join us on our journeys.”

Green Ginger’s latest show is the dystopian sci-fi fantasy Intronauts, and it’s coming to TFT at the end of the month.

“Using puppetry and visual effects, it’s an absurd, madcap sci-fi adventure that takes audiences on a madcap voyage inside the human body,” says Chris. “It’s set in a not-too-distant future, where those with disposable income can invest in having a miniaturised human cleaner injected into their bodies to carry out essential repairs and maintenance.

“We get to meet two central characters; The Host; a work-from-home graphic designer, and his intronaut. She travels around his body in her intropod, sorting out various problems wherever they may be; anything from unclogging arteries or scraping organs to pushing an ingrowing hair out again.

“We don’t want to give too much away, but suffice to say, you can’t really expect to put a tiny submarine inside someone’s body and not have something go wrong...

“Many fine pieces of theatre have been ruined by crowbarring in a dramatic device, purely for the sake of it ‘being cool’” “Intronauts explores nano-technology, self-medication and the wonders of the human body. While we are firmly in the realms of absurd physical comedy, the narrative has been guided by robust medical research...obviously.

“I try to avoid descriptions like ‘genredefying’ but the production is very much a hybrid of various storytelling forms; we use stubbornly lo-fi physical comedy and puppetry combined with high-tech projected animations and original music.

Green Ginger productions, says Chris, “often begin with a visual idea suggesting a world or environment from which a good story might unfold.

“Intronauts started with the seeds of two distinct inspirations. I grew up loving The Beezer, and eagerly awaited each weekly instalment of The Numskulls; tiny technicians who lived inside ‘our man’, each responsible for a particular sensory facility.

“The second inspiration was Fantastic Voyage, a cult 1966 sci-fi film in which a team of scientists board a submarine that is then miniaturised and injected into the body of a Russian defector in order to remove a blood-clot in his brain.

“It would also be hard to ignore the impact of digital media and its dominance in every sphere of our lives. Intronauts was an opportunity to reflect on the earliest years of the digital revolution; the naïvety, fear and wonder of that nascent period.“ Superficially, this is reflected in the graphic tone of the animated sequences and other scenographic choices, but on a deeper level, the show may mirror or allude to our disconnection in an increasingly connected world.

“We don’t set out to make didactic theatre – we prefer to offer provocation for contemplation and leave it to our audiences to form their own opinions.”

To kickstart a show, Green Ginger put together ensembles of talented designers, performers and fabricators that work alongside dramaturgs and directors to devise the shows in a design-led process.

“The company has a reputation for puppetry, but it’s just one tool of many that lie at the top of our toolbox. We are extremely confident and experienced in its application, but it is never an instinctive choice to make a ‘puppetry’ performance.

Many fine pieces of theatre have been ruined by crowbarring in a dramatic device, purely for the sake of it ‘being cool’.

“For Intronauts, we wanted to tell our story cinematically, and puppetry can allow us to take audiences into the most fantastic environments inside the human body, and to move seamlessly between wide-shots and close-ups in an instant.

“Firstly, a Bristol-based team met to research and develop an initial idea.

A design phase included the fabrication of puppets, props, costumes and scenic elements, that were then shipped out to our co-production base in Lofoten, 500km above the Arctic Circle. A team then flew out for a seven-week residency centred around devising rehearsals with a director, dramaturgs, devising performers, a composer and a VFX animator.”

The result is a captivating, anarchic, darkly comic show, packed with enough visual invention for ten productions; guaranteed to get under your skin. It may be the best hour you spend this month.

Intronauts, Tobacco Factory Theatres 20-31 March; www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com

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

Bathrooms Design, Supply, Install by Core and Ore

CORE AND ORE LTD

16 Portland Street, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4JH Tel: 01179 042408 | Email: sales@coreandore.com

1

Eat, drink Bristol fashion Bristol: food capital of the South West.

Don’t expect Colin to post Instagrams of latte art, though . . .

Words and pictures by Colin Moody 52 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

photography

2

W

e live in a city with its fair share of decent restaurants, popups, guest chefs, supper clubs and street food (sorry, but I don’t understand street food indoors; it’s like camping indoors). Welcome to my food heroes selection.

1

Nobody likes a coffee shop full of laptop flexiworkers; it needs to have some character. This Clifton café had this amazing woman in the window, adding a touch of class and sophistication to the place. No laptop user could just roll up, flip open their MacBook Pro and suck the WiFi for £2.80 worth of coffee for five hours without feeling out of place. That coffee cup, that poise.

Somehow, from her window seat vantage point, she seemed to attract all the well-dressed customers, who all had toasties, snacks and tea. So here’s my tip: to be a successful coffee shop owner you need one of these women or the male equivalent in your window.

2

Every now and then, I spot something that stands out on the Bristol food social calendar. With the rise in veganism and a general plan to save the planet by eating less meat I was delighted to hear that the Dal Festival was kicking off here. When I found out the food was to be blessed in the temple first, and how only the very best food, worthy of such an honour, is used I was especially delighted to attend.

Shared food with friends on long tables – my very favourite way to eat. Not only were we able to enjoy the food so lovingly made in a Hindu temple, and learn more about this community, we could enjoy different dal that (as I discovered) can be so diverse in flavour and texture.

3

Not everyone eats in restaurants. Spare a thought for all the hay-eaters, the pellet-eaters and so forth. Is it me, or is there a unique smell in a good pet shop? This is Sarah and Massey (named after a tractor), the 98kg dog.

4 3

Never been a fan of any place to eat if you don’t see the people who make and serve the food enjoying their day. Happy people make happy food. Here is a tip for you if you are at a festival; look for the local food and the happy people. Always better than the overpriced watered -down offerings that some places palm off as street food.

“Here’s my tip if you’re going to a festival: 5 look for the local food and the happy people. Happy people make happy food”

At the late-night end of the Downs festival, you could still get a kebab or something on a stick to eat. To the ice-cream vans that serve at the festivals at all unsociable hours, I salute you. This weary traveller had just enjoyed the festival and was in need of some sugar to finish off his evening. Yes, it did take him a while to find that tenner in

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

his back pocket but he enjoyed his 99 flake.

There’s so little trouble at events in Bristol – I don’t ever remember seeing a riot with 99 flakes flying though the air. Just saying.

6

She won money big on two horses. Frisky Susie and Sea Biscuit. So she got the dog, and it had to be called... Frisky Biscuit Obviously.

And the Primrose Café is still the place to eat cake and be seen. Feels very French to me.

The way people muddle past and touch all the avocados and give them a squeeze outside Reg The Veg, and half the people make it quite clear that they have no particular place to go, and no particular intention of changing that plan for the foreseeable future

7

There were no words. None were needed.

It was match day at the city ground, and in one of the nearest fast-food places an elder fan notices the chips a young fan of the game is holding. He silently offers a chip and a chip is shared. A hint of a smile appears on both their faces, and talk continues on about the season ahead among everyone else and no one noticed this silent act of comradeship.

4 5

6

“I don’t ever remember seeing a riot with 99 flakes flying though the air. Just saying” 54 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

photography Well, I did, and it made me smile too. It also saved me taking a menu home as all I need to do now is zoom in.

8

Happy Chinese New Year. I was driving past Woky Ko at Wapping Wharf a few weeks back, and saw the Lion getting ready.

It’s such good luck to have the Lion come in and cause a bit of mischief, but what I love is the fact that when some of these tourists or locals get home they can scroll through their photos and it will be . . . “. . .Yeah, this is me on the ferry, this is us on the Suspension Bridge, oh and here’s when a 12 ft lion came into our restaurant and we had good luck for the rest of the financial year...”

7

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

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

the coconut tree

This new bar and restaurant on the Triangle has a lovely bunch of coconuts, and it’s not afraid to use them, finds Deri Robins

D

oes alcohol taste better when drunk from a green china elephant? Well, obviously.

What’s more, the cocktails – no, that’ll be coco-tails – served at The Coconut Tree are quite unlike those served anywhere else in Bristol. They’re based on imported Ceylon arrack; a rum-like spirit made from coconut flowers. You’ll find it all over South East Asia, but not in your local Oddbins.

Before we slip gently under the table, pale pistachio pachyderm in hand, here’s a bit of context. The fast-expanding Coconut Tree chain was launched in Cheltenham in 2016 by seven Sri Lankan friends, who felt that their native cuisine was going to be the next big thing. To get the dishes just right, like the ones they fondly remembered from their childhoods, they frequently phoned home to raid their parents’ recipe books.

The first restaurant was a hit; next came Oxford, after which the guys branched out to Bristol’s Cheltenham Road. And just when we’d got used to them being in the Croft, up shoots a new sapling, this time in the Triangle, on the site recently vacated by magic bar Smoke and Mirrors.

Bristol venues, huh! Now you see them, now you don’t.

If you happen to be among the dwindling minority of the populace who have not backpacked across South East

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

Asia, you may be unfamiliar with Sri Lankan cuisine. If so, you’ll be pleased to hear that it has all the virtues of Indian and Chinese cooking, with a tropical flavour all its own.

Many of the dishes will have you going, “Oh, that’s a bit like paneer, but stickier;” or (if you’re incredibly annoying), “Mmm; this coconutty, lemongrassy sauce takes me right back to our fave fish shack in Kerala.”

Other dishes are less familiar. The hopper, for example, is a delicate, lacy fried egg and coconut milk concoction, served with fragrant coconut sambal, cinnamonny seeni sambal and spicy luna miris salsa. You roll it all up and pop it in your mouth; it’s a bit like a deconstructed crêpe.

The décor is street-food-market-chic, with chunky wooden tables and benches with comfy cushions, higher tables with hardbacked stools and counter seating at the bar, behind which the aforementioned elephants patiently wait to be filled with your coco-tail of choice. Chefs hand out dishes from the semi-open kitchen; walls alternate exposed brickwork with half-timbering, and because it’s a new restaurant, and because it’s Bristol, there’s graff.

Young, energetic staff bomb about in black tees emblazoned with personalised catchphrases; that of our husky-sounding waitress, for example, bore the legend “I lost my voice to tequila’. So convincingly have they nailed their bright-eyed and bushy-tailed roles that we

restaurant

briefly wondered whether they might be resting BOVT graduates, but it turns out that they’re just enthusiastic; maybe because the heirarchy is democratically blurred here, with the owners working alongside the waitstaff, quietly bringing dishes to the table or toiling in the kitchen.

We’ve heard reports of the music being played too loud at the ChelRo branch; maybe the owners have taken note and turned it down (like the Filton Massive Attack gig in reverse), or maybe they’re going for a different vibe at the Triangle; either way, we felt the volume was just enough to lend a buzzy vibe to the mingled chatter.

The menu is constructed tapas-style, so the kitchen sends out each dish when it’s good and ready; that said, the successive plates of our vast banquet followed each other rapidly. The confused or indecisive can take advantage of Chef ’s offer to choose a bunch of his favourites; otherwise the advice is to order three to four dishes per person.

Kotthu, a deluxe street-food hybrid, is a satisfying mixture of chopped flatbread with various additions, from cheese and chicken to veg. Filling and comforting, it’s an ideal carb for mopping up the spicier dishes. Another must-order is the battered cuttlefish; a softer version of calamari, in crunchy batter with a spicy garnish.

Top favourite for us was the Cheesy Colombo – fried cheese cubes in a sweet and sticky coating. Yes, a lot of the dishes are sweet, and yes, lots are fried, so you may want to balance it all out with, say, a Jaffna goat curry – slow-cooked meat in a sauce devised by Chef ’s dad; or a crisp Five Cs (carrots, cucumber, coriander, chilli and – yes! – coconut).

Parippu dhal, a dish of red lentils cooked in coconut cream, was mild and nutty; substantially more fiery was a pineapple baduma. The menu gives no clue that this is an exceedingly spicy little number, so it’s wise to check heat levels when ordering. The diced black pork was just the right side of hot for us, with a peppery and fragrant, almost liquorice-like flavour.

All of the above are ideally washed down with the refreshing coco-tails; many are fruity enough to be fairly counted as your five-a-day. You could swop the TCT Choc Old Fashioned (right) for pud, but if you do, you’d miss out on the watalappam – a dense, nutmeggy custard – which in our opinion would be a grave mistake.

The Coconut Tree is casual, friendly, inexpensive, unusual and fun. We can’t think of anyone who would struggle to have a good time here; unless, we guess, they really, really hate coconut. n

“Does alcohol taste better when drunk from a green china elephant?

Well, obviously” Dining details The Coconut Tree, 2 Byron Place, Clifton Triangle; 0117 929 3120 (also at 237-239 Cheltenham Road); www.thecoconut-tree.com Kitchen opening hours Sun-Thurs midday-10pm; Fri-Sat midday-11pm We visited Tuesday evening Prices Tapas-style dishes £2.50-£9 Drinks Beautifully illustrated menu of cocktails, some, excitingly, served in the Ruby – a green china elephant Atmosphere Buzzy and casual Service Oscar-winning Disabled access All one level Children If they can take spicy flavours they’ll enjoy the vibe

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

Riverstation sits majestically on the harbourside as it has done for the last 20 years. Our iconic building boasts one of the best sunshine locations in Bristol and offers al fresco dining in abundance.

You can dock on the pontoon from the ferry and enjoy the whole day in this wonderful setting.

The newly refitted restaurant offers fantastic views across the water and delivers monthly rotating seasonal menus. Balcony seating also allows you to leisurely watch life go by.

The up-beat ground floor hosts a large sunshine terrace so you can while away a night with cocktails, or enjoy a bottle from our extensive wine selection.

We proudly support local Bristol breweries, as well as offering our flagship Young’s ales on tap.

Be sure not to miss out on our great events hosted in proper Bristol fashion. Follow our social networks for updates.

We are now taking reservations for our 2019 Supper Club cruises.

For more information, please head over to https://www.riverstation.co.uk/whats-on to see who will be joining us this Summer.

“A unique, organic, high vitality café and juicery bursting with flavour, playfulness and soulful tunes”

The Grove, Bristol BS1 4RB; 0117 914 4434 riverstation@youngs.co.uk www.riverstation.co.uk

f riverstation.bs1 a riverstation_ x riverstation.bristol

We offer a plethora of organic, nutritious and delicious plant-based delights, including our famous bountiful Buddha bowl salads, revitalizing freshly pressed raw juices and sumptuous smoothie jars with all their lush toppings.

At Beets N Roots you can truly eat the rainbow and walk away with a super energized skip in your step!

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

cafÉ society Stan Cullimore

Brief encounter Coffee, bubble cake and a nice surprise for Stan at Tinto Lounge

H

ad a bit of a strange one this week.

Found myself at Tinto Lounge.

Expect you know it well; it’s been tucked away on its corner at the toppermost end of Gloucester Road for quite some time now.

I should point out that the place is not strange in itself. Far from it.

It’s a cosy, comfortably fitted-out venue, with soft lighting, vintage chairs, post-industrial walls and a large bar taking up a lot of the floor. Truth be told, it’s one of those places which seems not

“The man leaned in and told me he had something lovely to show me. This sort of invitation is not normally my cup of latte”

entirely sure whether it wants to be a pub, a café or a restaurant with added cider bar. But I can live with that. It’s good to keep an open mind.

However, the strange part of this tale, is what happened when I got there. Let me explain.

Normally, when it comes to Café Society, I pick a coffee shop, pop on over, check it out, eat cake and write about what happens.

Pretty straightforward stuff, quite frankly.

However, in this case, I did not pick the venue. That was done for me by a man I had met, only once.

He rang up and left a message asking me to meet with him. He gave the venue, the time and the date. Nothing else. No detail, no please, no thank you.

Not going to lie; this is the sort of invitation I would usually run a mile from. However, there were special circumstances in this case.

Long story short, the bloke owed me money. So I went along, met up with the man and got what was owed to me, which was nice. I also got a very tasty coffee and a slice of something that was described as ‘bubble cake’.

Though I reckon it was actually just a rice crispy chocolate cake giving itself fancy airs and graces.

Very pleasant though.

So far, so good. Things got a bit

wobbly when the man pulled out a bundle of books and put them on the table. As it happens, they were books that I had written.

So I pulled out a pen and started signing them, which is exactly what was expected of me. To be honest, this sort of thing happens quite a bit in my line of work.

The bit that surprised me was when the man leaned in and told me he had something lovely to show me. Again, this sort of invitation is not normally my cup of latte.

But when I looked, I realised he was showing me a video of a recent visit I had made to his school. The choir had decided to sing one of The Housemartins songs to welcome me in. Caravan of Love, if you were wondering.

It was a lovely rendition, and a member of staff had filmed it and put it online. And 100,000 people had watched it within 48 hours.

Which was nice, and an unexpected surprise. Bit like Tinto Lounge, really. n

Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer www.stancullimore.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 63

food & drink

AMUSES BOUCHES

What’s making mouths water in Bristol this month?

Recipe

Bristol 5 o’clock tea Ingredients

• 30ml Label 5 Gold Heritage Scotch whisky • 20ml local beer cordial • 15ml Amaro • 15ml Harveys Bristol Cream

• 10ml Creme de pêche Method

Whiskey galore Shall we kick off this section with a cocktail? Not too early? Great! You’re our kind of reader.

Milk Thistle mixologist Alex Godfrey has partnered with Label 5 Scotch whisky to create a new cocktail inspired by Bristol, as part of the brand’s City Cocktail campaign. The Bristol 5 o’clock Tea celebrates local producers and the city’s heritage, bringing together such South West producers as Harveys Bristol Cream, and a local beer cordial*.

“Creating a cocktail influenced by Bristol was a chance to celebrate all of the produce in the city and beyond,” says Alex. “I was inspired by one of my favourite drinks, the Old Fashioned, as the foundation to build the drink.”

If you’re too busy or idle to mix one yourself (or * have literally no idea what a beer cordial is) pop into the Milkie where Alex will be delighted to do all the onerous stirring for you.

© kirstie young

John (left) with Larkin

• Add all ingredients into a mixing vessel with cubed ice and stir until ingredients are perfectly diluted.

• Pour diluted mix over ice in a double Old Fashioned tumbler glass.

• Peel a strip of fresh orange rind and zest over the top of the glass, adding aroma and brightness to the cocktail.

www.label-5.com wwwmilkthistlebristolcom

Larkin’s about In fact, he seems to be Larkin all over the place these days.

Following the success of his first two restaurants, Woky Ko at Cargo and Kauto on Queen’s Road, chef Larkin Cen has just opened a third branch – Kaiju, in the latest Cargo 2 extension at Wapping Wharf.

And if you’re wondering how Bristol’s former Masterchef finalist manages to be as ubiquitous as Santa, then know this: the Kaiju kitchen is led by the highly rated John Watson, the former owner of No Man’s Grace.

“The addition of John to the Woky Ko family is massively exciting,” says Larkin. “It’s really important to me that we can impart knowledge of another type of Asian cuisine to the chefs we nurture, to keep passing on the traditions of Asian cooking to a new generation.”

The inspiration for the new restaurant is Japanese izakaya – an informal dining style including barbecued skewers seared over Binchotan charcoal, producing a unique flavour on the robata grill.

There’s also ramen, and the menu will feature ferments, a soy-sauce based house glaze called tare (scope for lots of fun confusion here, with neighbouring restaurant Tare) flavouring the meat dishes, and seasonal fish and veg from such producers as Wild Harbour and Grow Bristol.

Drinks served will include beer, wines and cocktails such as a Nikka Tan Old Fashioned and Psychopomp Woky gin Negroni.

There is space for around 40 diners with eight seats in front of the grills to watch the chefs at work, as well as an outside terrace in the warmer months. www.wokyko.com

Beat surrender You can’t have a food and drink festival without music these days; no, sorry, you just can’t. The mega Foodies Festival has quite the line-up on the Downs between 10-12 May, with Scouting for Girls among those cued up to deliver the toons; meanwhile, cool-forschool Bristol Craft Beer Festival has an all female line-up of DJs bringing the noise on Harbourside between 7-8 June. www.foodiesfestival.com/bristol-food-festival www.bristolcraftbeerfestival.co.uk

Scouts have a lie-in, while the girlz are ready to go (clockwise from top left, Jamz Supernova, Mollie, Ngaio and Barely Legal)

more tasty bites Bristol Life Award nominee

Bambalan has launched a new breakfast and brunch menu, taking inspiration from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine.

Expect dishes such as Shakshuka and spiced beans with Merguez sausages alongside breakfast classics such as Bambalan’s take on the Full English. www.bambalan.co.uk

Look out for new zero-waste café

¡Arriba, arriba!

Also just opened is Masa + Mezcal in Stokes Croft, offering fresh, innovative and artisanal Mexican food and drink, on the site previously occupied by Corner 77.

The bar and restaurant is the fifth venue for husband and wife team Kieran and Imogen of Season + Taste, which also owns Bravas, Bakers and Co, Cargo Cantina and Gambas.

The kitchen is led by former Bravas head chef (and bonafide Mexican) Carlos Rivas, and the menu draws inspiration from the team’s research trips to Mexico. With a selection of smaller dishes and larger, Mexican-style family dinners, the menu will be completely gluten-free as well as offering a wide range of vegetarian, vegan and plant-based options.

Drinks served will centre, eponymously enough, around mezcal, a Mexican spirit made from roasting, fermenting and distilling the agave plant; there’s also a special craft beer, masa, made in collaboration with Good Chemistry Brewing.

Oh and lookie above! That’s Bristol Life favourite and allround top guy Jody Thomas, hard at work creating a mural that incorporates some of the former graff – just in case the Croft’s grunge fans were starting to worry that the the area was getting a bit too gentrified. www.masaandmezcal.co.uk

and shop The Vegetable Diva on Brandon Quay. “At our vegetable boutique you will be able to enjoy the finest sourced dishes made with

love at reasonable prices,” says owner Sonya Devi, who also finds time to grow much of the produce on her own Somerset smallholding. www.thevegetablediva.com Betty – “a cocktail shakin’,

memory makin’, crazy dancin’, good time girl,” according to new Instagram feed @bettysofbristol – is behind the new bar-within- a-bar at The Old Bookshop on North Street. Her current special is The Notorious RPG, featuring coconut rum, vodka, chocolate and coconut milk. www.instagram.com/bettysofbristol

top pics: the new Bambalan brunch. We don’t know what the pink drink is, we just know we want it. left: we also want Betty’s Amaretto Sour. We’re not greedy, we’re just thirsty, OK?

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

SOPHIA AND MATT MINI BOX BAG, £78.50 An ideal travel bag that can comfortably carry a purse, mobile, keys, sunglasses, mini iPad, slim volume of verse, Swiss Army knife or whatever else the Mum goes nowhere without From Amulet Boutique 39A Cotham Hill www.amuletboutique.co.uk

ESTELLA BARTLETT MODERN FLOWER NECKLACE, £18 Beautifully simple, pretty without being fussy; and as it’s from you she’ll probably never take it off From Pod Company 24 The Mall, Clifton www.thepodcompany.co.uk

SIGNIFICANT MOTHER

CONCRETE INCLINE POT, £8-£9 Smooth, tactile little planter; just add cactus or trailing plant, et voila!

From Mon Pote 177 North Street www.monpote.co.uk

Children of all ages, please note: 31 March is Mother’s Day. It’s payback time

LEACH POTTERY JUG, £75-£125 All Midgley Green’s products are sourced straight from the maker. Leach, for example, has been producing the best studio pottery since 1920 From Midgley Green, 26 Alexandra Road, Clevedon www.midgleygreen.com

GIN LIQUEUR, £16 EACH Mother’s Ruin? Coping mechanism, more like; you may be the reason she drinks.

Choose from two flavours: fruity bursts of raspberry and pomegranate, or citrussy, floral grapefruit and rose From www.bristoldistilling.com

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

OLIVIA VON HALLE EYE MASK, £75 Yes, we know, it’s a bit steep for an eye mask; but it’s silk and beautifully printed and terribly, terribly pretty From Harvey Nichols 27 Philadelphia Street www.harveynichols.com

ED’S CHOICE

CAKE, FROM £40 You may well recognise this as the handiwork of Tam at Ahh Toots, who turns baking into an art form; pop into St Nicks to visit the stall, or contact her online From Ahh Toots,4-8 Glass Arcade St Nicholas Market www.ahhtoots.co.uk

TWO-SIBYL SILVER NECKLACE, £123.68 Many of Bristol’s classiest women can be seen sporting Diana Porter’s silver sibyl pendants.

Just choose the words that sum up your mum, from a long and inspiring list. Love? Warm?

(They don’t do ‘total nightmare’) From Diana Porter, 33 Park Street www.dianaporter.co.uk

RESIN HOOP EARRINGS, £10 We’re big fans of affordable, indie boutique Fox + Feather on the Glo Road; even if you’re on a strict budget you’ll be able to spring for these on-trend resin hoops From Fox and Feather 43 Gloucester Road www.foxandfeather.co.uk

SILVIA SHO BAG, £35 This hugely fashionable round bag has some really distinctive features, such as the cross-stitching and tassel From Fox and Feather, 43 Gloucester Road www.foxandfeather.co.uk

LUNCH AT CASAMIA, £98-£118 PER PERSON Bristol’s revered Michelin-starred restaurant is open for one Sunday per month – and in March it just happens to fall on Mother’s Day From Casamia, The General, Lower Guinea Street www.casamiarestaurant.co.uk

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

Atkinson’s Spa

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

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

opinion kam kelly

Pistol-packing mamas This Mother’s Day, Kam celebrates the wonder of mothers: unconditional love, handy loans, and your own hitman to boot

L

et’s take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate the unconditional love and support a mother bestows upon her offspring.

Father’s Day will always come in second to Mother’s Day. Don’t get me wrong; I love my dad, yet there is a different kind of bond between mother and child.

Maybe it’s because they were like your first apartment; bet you didn’t clean up before you were evicted from that, either, did you?

And yet I bet Mum still gave you

“I was worried that Mum wasn’t worried enough, so I told her that I was thinking of seeing a married woman”

your deposit back, no questions asked. Lucky Mum; I think I left Shakin’ Stevens posters, full ashtrays and empty beer bottles when I moved out.

My sister and I have been fortunate enough to have two mums. My mum, and my mum’s best mate, Mama Fay Fay. So, I am the answer to the question: What’s worse than a mummy’s boy? A double mummy’s boy.

Mum is a proper little worrier.

To this day, if any journey I make is longer than from the flat to my place of work, I have to text her to let her know I’ve arrived safely.

She’s the kind of person who worries if she’s got nothing to worry about. To that end I like to keep things light when speaking to her. I once made the mistake of telling her that I had found out a partner had cheated on me. Mum went full-on Goodfellas. While ranting, she actually used the term “I’ll serve time, I don’t care!”

See, unconditional love, and your own hitman on call to boot.

This being the case, it’s Mama Fay Fay that I seek counsel from in matters of the heart. Though I did throw Mum a bone the other day. I was worried that she wasn’t worried enough, so I told her that I was thinking of seeing a married woman. It’s important that she has something to focus on.

Despite the fact that both my mums refer to me as Bad Boy, I have two incredible pillars of strength, love and virtue to live up to. I try to live my life in a way that both would approve of (smoking,

drinking, married women, strippers and car choice aside).

For I know that to disappoint them would break my heart. It’s a truism that you’re more upset if your parents are disappointed rather than angry with you. Also, they’re less likely to lend you money if they’re disappointed in you. So I gotta keep myself on the straight and narrow.

I’ve seen them at their highest and my heart’s broken at their lowest. I like it when they laugh. I hate it when they cry. Love it when they cry with laughter, which, thankfully, is most of the time.

For every nightmare they cuddled you through. For every brow they mopped. For every graze they kissed better. For every break in any foolish heart they have helped heal with words, love, time, and death threats.

For every text message that signifies the end of a safe journey. For every celebration at any achievement. For every commiseration at even a slight bump in your road. For every time they were there. For every time they will continue to be there. Let us raise a glass to them all. And toast that every day should be Mother’s Day. Oooh, and for the £200 one of them is about to lend me. Forgot that part. And that is, after all, why I wrote this.

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

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 69

A MAN’S WORLD SEB BARRETT

Mothers superior Now he’s a dad, Baz realises that behind every great man is a woman telling him what to do

M

“His first word was ‘mama’, which he continues to pronounce in an Italian accent, making his love for her seem even more fervent than it already is”

ake sure you go all out on Mother’s Day, for the love of God. If anybody deserves even the most superficial token of a man’s appreciation, it’s these women.

Like nurses – which in many ways is a role they’ve performed to some degree over the years, armycrawling their way through poo, wee and vomit like something from a military movie montage – they don’t get the recognition they’re due, so it makes perfect sense to hold a beaming light to their efforts at least one day of the year.

As one of four children, now that I’m a father of one I marvel all the more at how my mum managed to raise us. The scale of that task would have increased dramatically when it became apparent that each of her three sons would possess the kind of freakishly outsized appetite associated with African elephants.

Our 18-month-old son is also starting to come into his own as a prodigious eater, proving that the Barrett Boy appetite continues, so that’s something for his mum to look forward to.

Now, he is most definitely a mummy’s boy; there’s no two ways about it. His first word was ‘mama’, which he continues to pronounce in an Italian accent, making his love for her seem even more fervent than it already is.

That doesn’t bother me, because I too was a mummy’s boy so I know how well-placed it is.

I can’t be the only man to have been told to buck up his ideas by his partner when, having moved in together, she told me I’d have to do three things: clean up after myself (just occasionally), do the cooking, and not be such an allround lazy sod.

“I’m not your mother!” are the words that are carved painfully in my memory. That hurt. Mainly because I knew this to be true, obviously, but also because I would now have to do all the things I had taken for granted when my mum did them for me.

It’s now quite common for men to still live with their parents well into their twenties and beyond. In Croatia, for example, a whopping 93% of men live at home until they’re 29. The lucky gits. If I didn’t make the break when I did, I would probably still be at home, excitedly asking my mum what she was making for dinner tonight.

Fortunately, I’ve found someone who’s every bit as loving and caring as my own mum (while – and here’s the important part – not actually being my mum). She forgives me my occasional lapse into my teenaged self, such as asking if I can just chill out on the sofa on a Saturday afternoon (to which came another memorable reply: “You can’t chill out! You have a child now!”). She is, to put it simply, the best.

The truth is that behind every great man is a great woman telling him what to do. There’s a famous quote within our family when my little brother asked our grandmother to stop nagging grandad. “I’m not nagging, I’m guiding!” was her retort, which to a then 12-year-old was a valuable lesson in semantics. Without such ‘guidance’, even if it does make us men roll our eyes, we can at least acknowledge that we’d still be wondering how to put bedsheets on.

To every loving mum out there: you all wear halos in my eyes.

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

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 71

advertising feature

Meet the jeweller Our local businesses are poised and ready to help with all your jewellery needs this spring Nicholas Wylde

Catherine Amesbury

Nicholas Wylde Goldsmith & Jeweller 01225 462826; www.nicholaswylde.com

Artemis 0117 924 1003; www.artemisbristol.co.uk

What is your signature style?

Right from starting the business in 1987 I set out to be one of the best independent creative jewellers in the country, something I can delightedly say I have now achieved – with an industry award to prove it! I wanted to be ahead of the curve – I didn’t want to necessarily follow trends. The style I have best become known for is an array of simple curves and straight lines surrounding carefully selected and beautiful stones.

Do you have a memorable client?

We have a huge number of memorable clients because we actually sit down and spend time with them. We can get quite attached to the journeys behind their jewellery – it is one of the most meaningful kinds of items a person can own after all. A recent and particularly moving commission was for a client who’s been coming to me since 1987. Sadly, some journeys come to an end, and to do her late husband’s memory justice I designed an intricate engraved locket with interlinking photo windows and doors that would hold his ashes. This was one piece that moved many members of the team.

Over the years we have also made bespoke pieces for famous people including TV stars, actors, sportsmen and even royalty – but whoever walks through the door, everyone, and their jewellery journey, is treated with equal importance.

What originally inspired you to make/sell jewellery?

20 years ago my 10-year-old daughter attended a silversmithing course and came home with a beautiful silver flower pendant she made for me, which inspired me to sign up for a course myself!

What sets you apart from other jewellers on the high street?

At Artemis we offer an instant jewellery commission service. If a customer cannot find the perfect piece from our existing collection they can either choose a piece to customise or sit and create something completely unique and special with one of our talented designers.

Give us your advice on how to best look after your jewellery.

Wear it, treasure it and love it! At Artemis we specialise in silver, semi precious stones and freshwater pearls. All silver tends to tarnish so you should clean and wear it regularly to help maintain its shine. Think about how you store it – silver needs to be kept airtight to prevent it oxidising. Different stones have different hardness and can easily get scratched if stored together. Take extra care with pearls which are soft and vulnerable to damage. We recommend you store your jewellery in the packaging it comes in and away from direct sunlight.

It is always best to remove all jewellery before showering or swimming and rings and bracelets before washing your hands or washing up, unless of course you wear gloves!

Nicholas Wylde

Catherine Amesbury

Julie Anne Palmer

Julie Anne Palmer Jewellery 0117 962 1111; www.julieannepalmer.com

Julie and Benson!

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

When did you first realise you wanted to pursue a career as a jeweller?

When studying Jewellery and Silversmithing BA (Hons.)

I experimented in many different media – for example ceramics, graphics, sculpture etc – but the moment I picked up a piercing saw in the jewellery department I had an ‘eureka’ moment, realising this was my vocation!

What are the new trends in the jewellery industry?

In high-street jewellery for the last 20 years the majority of jewellery was made from white gold or platinum; the trend is now changing to yellow and rose gold.

Palladium was a cheaper version of platinum, but now the price of palladium has rocketed to a new high, surpassing platinum and gold; therefore I think it will be less common in the shops for the immediate future.

I am a bespoke jeweller and work to my clients’ specifications and also create my own unique designs. I follow modern trends, but also follow my own and my client’s imaginative ideas.

What kind of person wears your jewellery?

Anybody. I am not confined to fashion trends. I work within a wide of range price and taste.

What sets you apart from other jewellers on the high street?

I make unique jewellery, totally ‘hands on’ from start to finish, through every process from initial design consultation to finished article, to incorporate the client’s wishes.

Everything I do involves ‘reading’ the client’s mind, to see what makes them tick, and producing a work of art which fulfils each client’s dreams. I see life as a learning curve and continually master new techniques and skills to evolve my creative ability. Additionally I am a trained goldsmith and silversmith, proficient in the restoration of antique items such as church chalices, Georgian jewellery. silverware of all sizes and objet d’art.

Give us your advice on how to best look after your jewellery.

To clean diamonds and precious stones (not pearls) use an old toothbrush, washing-up liquid, and warm water, to brush under the setting. Use an impregnated silver cloth to shine up your silver. Have your jewellery checked by a reputable jeweller every five years, especially vulnerable claw settings. Do not wear jewellery when rock-climbing, lifting heavy steel weights in the gym, and heavy gardening jobs – or even while cooking with heavy pots and pans!

advertising feature Diana Porter

jody cory

Diana Porter Contemporary Jewellery 0117 9090 225; www.dianaporter.co.uk

Jody Cory Goldsmiths 01225 460072 www.jodycory.co.uk How did you start out in retailing?

I started creating jewellery at the age of 15 at Bath Technical College. I loved it so much that I went on to study goldsmithing and jewellery design in Manchester, returning to Bath in 1998. I gained invaluable skills working along side Terry Davies at Bath Goldsmith company. Then an opportunity came along for me to start a shop of my own in 2001, and I haven’t looked back since, as I am still so passionate about designing and creating jewellery.

What are your major plans for 2019?

We will be continuing to promote our new designer shop in Northumberland Place, and celebrating handmade ranges by British designers including Alex Monroe, Dower and Hall to name a few. We will, of course, still be offering the same great service here in our Abbey Churchyard store, where we created many bespoke pieces in-store.

Which accomplishment has made you proudest?

Being recognized for our quality and service when we were nominated for two national awards Retailer of the Year by the National Association of Jewellers, and Designer Maker Boutique of the Year by Professional Jeweller.

What is your favourite part of the job?

Seeing somebody’s face light up when collecting a piece of jewellery I have designed and handmade especially for them.

Jody Cory

Diana Porter

When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career as a jeweller?

Perhaps the ‘eureka’ moment which made me decide to go to art college was when I was writing a report on the accessibility of Bristol arts venues back in the late eighties. I remember thinking, ‘I’ve spent years helping to make the arts available to other people, now I’d like to have a go myself’. So I attended jewellery and enamelling classes at my local Adult Education College and fell in love with it all.

How long have you worked in the industry?

It’s 25 years since I left University as a mature student with a degree in Jewellery and Silversmithing and started creating jewellery in my front room.

What kind of person wears your Jewellery?

I think that people who buy my jewellery connect to the thoughts and feelings that have gone into the designs.

What advice would you give to someone interested in getting into the jewellery design business?

Go for what you believe in and pursue every option open to you.

What is your best creation so far?

Probably the most magical creation is the Sibyls.

These are a set of 31 stylised women - silver pendants each with a different assertive word on them. I designed them at college in 1993 and they have been popular ever since.

What’s been the proudest moment of your designing career?

It’s got to be when I won UK Jewellery Designer of the Year back in 1999. It was all such a surprise and the award ceremony was an amazing occasion.

Michael Parsons

Owner / Goldsmith, Gold & Platinum Studio Ltd

Jake Nash-Wilson S.P. Green & Co Ltd

01225 462300 www.goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career as a jeweller?

As a child I was interested in gemstones, I even had a collection of crystals. Also fascinated by entomology I spent hours sketching butterflies. Studying jewellery seemed right, a creative path that tied in my interests. I have now been designing and making for over 30 years.

I think it was the right choice!

What sets you apart from other jewellers on the high street?

We hand make our own designs in the workshop on site. We also create bespoke pieces and remodel client’s jewellery. The whole process happens in one place, so it’s very personal.

Give us your advice on how to best look after our jewellery…

I would ignore the myth of dipping jewellery in gin!

Consider durability, precious metals are soft, even platinum can be damaged if not treated with care.

Recently, I have seen an increase in damage to jewellery due to gym equipment recently. Diamonds and sapphires are tough whereas emeralds can be brittle and opals can crack relatively easily. Porous materials like opals should be kept away from chemicals and perfume.

01225 442 495 info@spgreen.com www.spgreen.com

Michael Parsons

What sets you apart from other jewellers on the high street?

We offer quality jewellery at manufacturing prices, with a friendly and welcoming attitude. Customers can expect a huge stock of diamond and coloured stoned jewellery as well as loose diamonds, bespoke and remodelling services.

What are upcoming trends in the jewellery industry?

More and more people are looking for a personal bespoke service where they can select a loose diamond and have it mounted to a bespoke design. We are also finding our extensive range of coloured stone rings and jewellery to be incredibly popular in Bath.

Give us your advice on how to best look after our jewellery.

Come and see us. We offer free jewellery cleaning to all of our customers, including polishing and servicing your jewellery free of charge.

Jake Nash-Wilson

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 73

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Celebrating ten years in business VICTORIA PROCTOR is celebrating a decade of bringing clients peace of mind

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n 2009, at the age of 25, Victoria Proctor set up her business, Peace of Mind Clinical Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy Ltd, practising from an office in Bath. She did so having completed her BSc in psychology and music. Victoria then went on to embark on further diplomas in psychotherapy and hypnotherapy.

A lot has changed in regard to mental health and wellbeing during this time. Society’s attitude has shifted due to different campaigns, media influences and public figures, such as Princes William and Harry discussing the issues openly.

People are far more able to talk about their mental health and are much more open-minded about seeking treatment.

Victoria very much enjoys her neurosciencebased approach to helping clients achieve their goals. She originally became interested in this field while studying for her degree.

“As part of my studies, I had to perform as a classical singer, but I suffered from terrible stage fright. It was frustrating and stressful to feel that I had no control over what was happening. After

seeking help from a clinical psychotherapist/ hypnotherapist, I became able to perform confidently, enjoying what I was doing.

“This made me understand the importance of training my mind to be able to achieve what I wanted to do. I wanted to help others in the same way. Clients often come to me feeling stuck in a cycle of thoughts or behaviour and are unable to get themselves out of it. The type of treatment I offer gives clients specific, practical solutions.”

Over the years, Victoria has seen clients for an array of issues, including phobias, panic attacks and sleep problems. She quite quickly built up a reputation for successful outcomes.

The vast majority of clients she sees now have some aspect of anxiety or depression. This can be some of her most rewarding work, as most of the clients that she sees have exhausted many other treatment options. Even after the first session, clients begin to make improvements.

Victoria now works from her studio based near Stoke Bishop.

“It’s been great moving from renting an office

to having my own studio, as apart from reducing overheads, I am now able to be more flexible.

Running this business has made me realise that at certain times in our lives, many of us have things going on in our minds which make us feel unhappy, unfulfilled or stuck. These can often be easily rectified by seeking help. If we are able to control our thoughts more easily, we are far better equipped to direct and shape our future happiness and lives in general.

“During these last ten years, I have seen hundreds of clients, all of which have offered their own challenges. This job has been incredibly rewarding and I am extremely lucky to continue doing something that I love." ■

tel: 07713 625827 email: contact@victoriaproctor.co.uk www.victoriaproctor.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 75

magnificent seven Unless you’re one of those superparents who can turn even the rainiest stuck-at-home day into a magical wonderland of home-crafting and makebelieve – you know, the kind the rest of us avoid like the plague – the simple truth is that to survive a day with kids, you really have to head out of the house. Here are seven failsafe suggestions

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

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family t’s not hard, in Bristol, to find places to run the kids ragged and amuse them for free, but every now and again a special treat is called for.

Here’s a reminder of some of the best family destinations in the area, and a look at some special events they have in store this spring.

1

Talk to the animals

Wild Place Project is home to an amazing array of beasts including giraffes, lemurs, meerkats and cheetahs, set in beautiful woodlands and countryside.

From Easter, there’s a new trail of 20 lifesize bear sculptures. The bears, which stand more than six feet high, will be hand-painted by artists before being placed about the park.

The model bears are the vanguard of reallife equivalents: Bear Wood is due to open this summer, right on the spot where brown bears once roamed freely. A walkway will wind through seven and a half acres of woodland where grey wolves will share their home with the new bears, lynx and wolverine.

Fun fact Wild Place Project is also home to three cheetahs – the fastest land animals on earth. They can run from 0 to 113 km/hr in just a few seconds.

Meanwhile, over at Bristol Zoo Gardens this Easter, you can meet new gorilla, Kala; one of seven Western Lowland gorillas who live at the Zoo. See them being fed on Gorilla Island every lunchtime at 12.30pm.

Fun fact Bristol Zoo has four giant tortoises, one of which is called Biggie. He has been at the Zoo for 43 years – longer than any other animal and he can be found next to the reptile house. www.bristolzoo.org.uk

2Go on safari

“Oh no, Mum; not Longleat!” said no child, ever. One of the best days out in the West, the sprawling estate has at its heart Longleat House, one of the finest examples of Elizabethan architecture.

The kids won’t care about that, though; they’ll want to see the monkeys pull the windscreen wipers off Dad’s Mondeo.

As the first safari drive-through to be created outside Africa, Longleat is now home to over 140 animal species (and counting). You can take a boat cruise around the lake to feed the sea lions and spot the gorillas, eyeball roaming

clockwise from top left: It’s not just Concorde at Aerospace; say “G’day” to Longleat’s newest residents; go deep-sea diving without getting wet at the Aquarium; get fit, have fun at Climbing Academy; combine a visit to ssGB with Being Brunel next door; lay back and see stars at the WTC Planetarium

big cats from the safety of your car and get up close and personal with friendly meerkats.

This Easter, visitors will also be able to say “G’day” to a group of Southern koalas and endearing hairy nosed wombats at new attraction Koala Creek; also at the new Antipodean abode you’ll find long-nosed potoroos (we had to Google them, too).

Fun fact Koalas have curved backbones, which help them to curl up and sleep in trees. www.longleat.co.uk

3waterworld

In the deep waters of Bristol Aquarium, thousands of creatures from across the globe make their home, from piranhas and pufferfish to seahorses and sharks. The centre is celebrating its 10th anniversary this Easter so look out for lots of special events.

Fun fact Octopuses have three hearts to pump around their thick, blue blood. They are superclever (one was once filmed opening a cage) and have a donut shaped brain. www.bristolaquarium.co.uk

your hand at activism in the Change Makers corner, the emphasis is on positive actions.

A new live show in April called Expedition Earth takes visitors on a quest to explore what makes a perfect planet, while in the Planetarium, the spring stargazing show is back with a visit to the inhospitable landscape of Venus and fascinating views of our own impact on Earth.

Fun fact WTC has a colony of around 10,000 European honeybees on the roof (up to 60,000 in the summer), who find their food at Brandon Hill and Cathedral Gardens – bees can fly up to two miles from their hive to forage. www.wethecurious.org

6Flight club

At Aerospace Bristol you can see aeroplanes, helicopters, engines, missiles and even a space rocket, with plenty of activities just for kids. And is there a single Bristolian aged from nine to 90 of any age who wouldn’t want to board Concorde? This year is the 50th anniversary of the supersonic bird plane’s first flight; special events include a partnership with Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, with a hot air balloon with Concorde seats instead of a basket.

“ ‘Oh NO mum, not Longleat’ – said no child, ever” 4Get high 7Shipshape

Fun fact The fastest Concorde flight from New York to London took just 2 hours 52 minutes and 59 seconds. www.aerospacebristol.org

It’s always fun to try something new and it’s a bonus if that activity is actually good for you. At The Climbing Academy you’ll find something to climb at a level that suits you, from aerobic overhangs to balance- and technique-focused challenges.

The centres specialise in bouldering (low level climbing over soft mats) at The Mothership and roped climbing at The Church; taster sessions are offered at the latter.

Fun fact In the 2020 Summer Olympics, climbing will feature for the very first time. www.theclimbingacademy.com

5Get your science on

A visit to We The Curious is basically playtime with knobs on. Everything is hands-on and interactive – there’s not much you can’t touch, and they actively encourage people to get stuck in, have a go and ask questions.

Events and activities change every few months, so there’s always something different going on, from storytelling, family live science shows, hands-on activities, art installations, or epic astronomy shows in the 3D Planetarium.

This year, they’re focusing activities and events around the challenge of limiting climate change. From cooking up alternative proteins in the kitchen (insect sushi, anyone?) to trying

What Bristol kid doesn’t love Brunel’s ship?

The ss Great Britain takes you back in time to explore true stories from the opulent first-class to the cramped and quarrelsome steerage. So much more than a museum, this is a living and breathing, atmospheric experience.

Between 12-22 April, the dockyard itself will come alive, with a temporary forge at which visitors can experience Victorian metalwork in action – noise, smoke and all.

Next door, the new (well, last-year new) Being Brunel museum explores the life and legacy of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, bringing together the world’s most significant collection of one of engineering’s greatest minds.

One of the greatest engineers of the 1800s, IKB built bridges, tunnels, ships and railways that were longer, faster and bigger than anything seen before. He was an innovator, a leader, a dreamer and an artist (everything, in fact, but a Bristolian; he never lived here).

He had many faults and failures, but he never gave up. This is the Brunel you will meet when visiting Being Brunel.

Fun fact Visitors can ‘go aloft’ just like a Victorian sailor and climb the huge mainmast of the ssGB; if you’re hard enough you can even step out onto the main yard, 9m across the ship below. www.ssgreatbritain.org

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

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Carry on campervanning Love the idea of camping, but not keen on tents?

Stuart Shotton, founder of SUN KISSED CAMPERS has the perfect solution...

Are your campervans suitable for family holidays?

Yes they are perfect. Each van is guaranteed ‘Holiday Ready’. My family and I holiday in them ourselves, so you can be sure the kit has been truly tried and tested.

Campervans can be big and difficult to drive – what’s it like driving yours?

They handle like a car. Their footprint is no bigger than a family estate, really. You’re up high, so visibility is great and they have parking sensors front and rear. The automatics even have reversing cameras, its dashboard screen has smart technology, so you can plug your phone in and talk to Siri or Alexa through the handsfree system.

How many people can comfortably sleep in one of your campervans?

They sleep four. Two downstairs and two up in the pop-top roof. You’d need to be on friendly terms, though, as they are quite intimate.

Surprisingly the upper bed is the biggest. I’m six foot tall, and there is easily plenty of room for anyone taller.

You say your campervans are ‘Holiday Ready’.

What would I need to bring?

Just your clothes, toiletries and towels. Many people prefer to bring their own bedding, but we

can supply that too. Each camper is stocked with olive oil and local rapeseed oil, salt, pepper, tea and coffee; you just need to think about food.

On that note, is there still availability…?

Yes! Unusually, we still have two campers available for Glastonbury!

Can your campervans be taken abroad?

Yes; we offer an EU travel upgrade with unlimited mileage.

Do you do any special packages for festivals?

Festival packages are often an excuse to hike up the price. We certainly don’t charge any extra, but we do have great upgrades to create a bespoke package to suit you. Eco toilets, an inflatable side awning or go full-out with our glamping bell tent, complete with rugs, low Indian table, Thai floor cushions and a tea light chandelier.

I don’t like camping; will I like staying in a campervan?

If you love the idea of a festival, or want your kids to experience the freedom of an outdoors holiday, but, hate the thought of sleeping in a tent, then yes. We provide the luxury you need, when the holiday you want happens to be in a field.

Are your campervans often used for festivals?

Yes, festivals are huge. June is a sad month without Glastonbury!

Which festivals are your campervans regularly used for?

Well, Glastonbury has to take the top slot, but our campers get everywhere, Womad, Camp Bestival, Kendal Calling. An Australian couple took a camper to End of the Road festival last September. They were so chuffed to tell me about a steward who came running over to them asking “Oh, is that a Sun Kissed van? I hired one of their vans last year!“

Do the electrics work off grid?

Yes the campers have two big leisure batteries which will easily keep the lights on, your fridge cold, phones topped up and heating thermostat working throughout a five day festival. ■

1-2 High Street, Weston Village, Bath, BA1 4BX. 01225 330106 info@sunkissedcampers.co.uk www.sunkissedcampers.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 81

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

Jamie Apsey-Brown

Nick Cryer

Jenna Wilson, Stacey Hayward, Emily Woolley and Zoe Hewett Laura Wooding and Rebecca Du Plessis

Sandy Luck, Christina Cooke and James Howell

GOOD LUCK!

If our Bristol Life Awards Finalists Reception was this buzzin’, what on earth will the actual Awards night be like? The shortlist, sponsors and judges all turned out to mingle at Bristol Harbour Hotel (while quietly eyeing up the competition, no doubt).

Ah sure, you’re all winners . . .

Continued on page 84.

Photos by Jon Craig @JonCraig_Photos

Sarah Bailey and Beth Ross Joe Hughes

Could Greg Ingham be giving one of his famous speeches?

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 83

SOCIETY

Amy Partridge, Louise Meek, Katherine Senior and Pru Brooker Lisa Tucker, Jason Mead and Lotty Hart

Jamie Sheeley, Andrew Nash, Grant McCall and Toby Hawkins

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

Leigh-Anne Treadwell, Lizzie Everard, Sally Coulden and Danielle Wheadon

Mike Harris, Tracy Tait, Michelle Bresnahan and Steve Hales

The Plaster masive with Sheila Hannon, team Upfest and Steve Hayles

K MC Services ★ Carpentry & joinery ★ Tiling ★ Bespoke kitchens (best price guarantee) ★ Painting & decorating ★ Plastering ★ Plumbing (including new bathroom installations) ★ Hard flooring ­all types (wooden & engineered) ★ Cabinets, wall units & libraries ★ Electrics

Get in touch for a free quote Tel. 07966 904433 Email paulhickskmc@hotmail.co.uk

SOCIETY

The Princess & The Hustler cast

Dawn Walton, Roy Hackett, Paul Stephenson and Barbara Dettering

A PRINCESS...

A pair of theatrical press nights at Bristol Old Vic; first up, The Princess and the Hustler took over the new Weston Studio, with Chino Odimba’s new play set in WSM during the time of the Bristol Bus Boycott . . .

Photos by Harry Plowden

Tom Morris with Roy Hackett

Chino Odimba, Dawn Walton, Emily Burnett, Jade Yourell and Emmy Lahouel

Tom Mothersdale (Richard III)

...AND A KING

. . . while a few weeks later, BOV’s barnstorming Richard III launched in the main theatre. It’s back in April, if you fancy seeing it; more on page 36.

Photos by Harry Plowden

Rosie Townshend and Chloe Naldrett Elwood John Haidar (and mum), Tom Morris and Chloe Naldrett Elwood

Xxxx

My lords of Buckingham, Hastings, Richmond and the rest; the cast of Richard III

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

SOCIETY

Tim Freeman and Richard Carter

A QUESTION OF SPORT

Stephen Lansdown of Hargreaves Lansdown gave a remarkable, candid interview at our latest Bristol Life Business Club at Hotel du Vin Avon Gorge, covering his full business arc from setting up Hargreaves Lansdown in the early 1980s to plans for Bristol Sport in the coming years. Full feature coming soon!

Photos by Paul Tschornow www.photoheads.co.uk

Steve Lansdown and Greg Ingham

Fiona Daymond and guest

MAMA MIA

Bristol-based online marketplace JewelStreet.com, which supports independent jewellery designers, held a Mother’s Day lunch event in the Ivy Clifton Brasserie. Jewellery designers and bloggers were invited to come along with their mums for lunch and a special photo shoot. See more at the blog on the link below. www.gb.jewelstreet.com

Lucy Eastment with her mum Gloria

Natasha Mills, Vivianne Leung and Sharon Mills

Bea and Caroline

Beth and George

Nadia Acher with mum Sara

MANIC AT THE DISCO

The Litton gastropub celebrated its second birthday with a 1970s-themed party complete with the UK’s topvoted ABBA tribute band, a light-up LED dance floor, retro cocktails and canapés – and a 70kg disco cake over a metre high, baked by Zoe Burmester of Sugar Street Studios in Wells.

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

Zoe with Gloria

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

ALL YOU NEED FOR GARDENING THIS

SPRING New arrivals include:

Vegetable and salad plants | Plug bedding plants | New season herbs

Still time to buy: Bare root fruit trees | Potatoes, onions, rhubarb

Brackenwood Garden Centre, Leigh Court Estate, A369 Pill Road, Abbots Leigh, BS8 3RA Telephone: 01275 375292 | Online: www.brackenwood-plantandgardencentre.com

Meet the financial expert Have a finance issue to resolve, or just need some great advice? Here are the numbers experts . . .

MIKE DUNKLEY

Matthew Bracher

DUNKLEY’S CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 01454 619900; www.dunkleys.accountants What is the biggest accountancy challenge for 2019?

We believe Making Tax Digital (MTD) is going to be the biggest challenge as it brings new processes, procedures and ways of working which businesses are not used to.

What is MTD? MTD is part of the government’s plan to make it easier for individuals and businesses to get tax right and keep on top of their affairs.

When does it all happen?

From 1 April 2019, any business above the VAT threshold of £85,000 will be required to set up a digital tax account and file returns online through a compatible online accounting system.

How do I prepare?

With the imminent need to comply with MTD legislation, we encourage all businesses to switch to cloud accounting software today. By doing this now, your business will have the time to become fully integrated and understand how to use the software you choose before the deadline hits. As Xero Gold and QuickBooks Platinum Partners, we’re here to advise you on the best MTD tools available. Call me or email advice@dunkleys. accountants for initial advice and guidance.

Simon Prys-Roberts

Haines Watts 0117 974 2569 www.hwca.com/accountants-bristol

Mike Dunkley

Matthew Bracher

PRWS Bristol Ltd 0117 946 7574; www.prwsbristol.co.uk If clients start the year concerned and worried about their finances, what advice would you give?

Knowledge is the best solution for financial concerns.

Our role as accountants and business advisers is to help our clients understand how the figures relate to their business by planning and budgeting.

What should be your clients priorities at the start of the financial year?

Setting financial goals and developing a financial plan to achieve these.

What challenges do you for-see businesses facing in 2019/2020?

In the current economic climate, all businesses are facing a period of uncertainty. There are also regulatory changes with HMRC introducing Making Tax Digital. We help our clients face these challenges by helping them to plan financially for the future and ensuring they have the right tools to move forward.

What’s a common issue your clients are facing?

Owners are busy running the day-to-day business activities and don’t have time or expertise to do accounting functions. My advice would be to take time to meet with your accountant and explore all the services they can provide. There is more to accountancy than statutory accounts.

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

What changes to the tax system are coming up in 2019?

Making Tax Digital for VAT is being introduced from 1 April 2019, requiring VAT returns to be submitted via compatible software, and for transaction level records to be recorded and processed digitally. This is going to be a real challenge for many owner-managed businesses and needs careful planning.

Is there any legislation businesses should take note of?

Research and Development tax relief is still massively under claimed, and can provide a tax deduction equal to 230% of the relevant costs.

Many businesses think they don’t qualify but actually they do.

What preparations can businesses make in advance of the new financial year?

Maximise employer pension contributions (but don’t forget the annual allowance, which may be tapered). Also, the annual investment allowance for capital items has been increased temporarily from 1 January 2019 to £1,000,000 per year, so now is a good time to invest in assets to use in your business.

Michael Rowlands

Rowlands Accountancy 07975 845554; www.rowlandsaccountancy.co.uk

Simon Prys-Roberts

Michael Rowlands

What changes to the tax and investment systems are coming up in 2019?

One of the biggest changes with tax is making tax digital. From April 2019 VAT will become digital and this is only the start, as the years go on other taxes will become digital.

If clients start the year concerned and worried about their finances, what advice would you give?

I would advise them to start processing their information monthly so they can be aware of all the outgoings; we would also help them prepare a financial forecast.

What is the most frequent problem you encounter this time of year?

People not being prepared for any changes that come into force in April.

What advice do you give?

We provide business advice and support and help with all their accounting needs. We work closely with other independent companies so we can get our clients any advice from a regulated trusted business.

Do you specialize in a specific area of expertise?

Yes, we specialize in the hospitality and construction sectors.

advertising feature Ria Burridge

Sarah O’Hara

Do you specialise in a specific area of expertise?

I specialise in audit and assurance services, working with a wide range of corporate businesses in the south west and beyond. My clients span several sectors and range from owner-managed businesses to large corporate businesses including those with international connections and complex groups. I joined Bishop Fleming in 2016 after spending 17 years working for big four accounting firm EY. I bring outstanding audit knowledge and experience, including in-depth knowledge and understanding of audit and accounting technical issues under UK, IFRS and US accounting standards.

What challenges do you foresee businesses facing in 2019/20?

Industries with which I work include food and drink, manufacturing and construction. I advise the boards of companies in these sectors on risk management, governance and internal controls. The key challenge ahead for these businesses is the uncertainty of Brexit and whether there will be a deal that safeguards their markets. Businesses need clarity on the future of customs and VAT issues so that they can be sure they have the right supply chains and business structures in place to maintain frictionless trade.

What is a common issue your clients are facing?

A common issue for clients is cyber security. Businesses need to install and maintain security controls to protect themselves and their information from cyber threats on the internet. Bishop Fleming has achieved the muchcoveted Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation to reflect the high level of its data control systems and safeguards.

Do you specialise in a specific area of expertise?

Handelsbanken specialise in providing a highly tailored personal service to individual and business customers, creating tailored solutions to specifically meet differing requirements. So whether buying, building or renovating your dream home, funding the growth of your business, or indeed seeking advice on a potential business sale, we view each individual’s situation holistically and take time to understand each customer’s needs. Without the distraction of sales targets or bonuses our primary focus is on providing the best possible service we can. Each customer has a dedicated account manager to whom they have a direct line and the majority of all decisions are made at the local branch.

What advice would you give to somebody considering retirement or a key life change?

There are so many options to consider when planning such a significant step, my advice is to seek professional advice early to ensure you are well informed and aware of all choices available to you. At Handelsbanken our customers benefit from advice from our specialist investment experts who form part of the local branch team, and are always happy to discuss options without obligation.

Bishop Fleming LLP 0117 910 0250; www.bishopfleming.co.uk

Brian A Phillips

Everett King Mob: 07383562482; www.everettking.co.uk What changes to the tax and investment systems are coming up in 2019?

A significant change will be the introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT registered

Handelsbanken Clifton 07767 114659; www.handelsbanken.co.uk

Ria Burridge

Sarah O’Hara

businesses from 1st April 2019. VAT returns will need to be submitted to HMRC by means of a compatible software solution communicating digitally via HMRC’s API platform and may place a significant burden on businesses. From April 2020 we expect MTD to be introduced for income tax and corporation tax businesses as well as individual property landlords.

What’s the one biggest bit of advice you would give at the start of the calendar year?

Ensure you keep accurate business and financial records – if in doubt, seek advice from your accountant for tax planning for the year ahead. There are advantages for being proactive rather than reactive.

What advice would you give to somebody considering retirement?

Be mindful of your planned retirement date.

Careful planning as to the date and manner of retirement can affect any final tax liability and post retirement income.

If clients start the year concerned and worried about their finances, what advice would you give?

Challenge your accountant and seek a free-ofcharge review with them – let them help you with a possible amendment to your financial business model.

What challenges do you foresee businesses facing in 2019/2020?

Uncertainty around Brexit is certainly on everyone’s radar. Businesses also need to be aware of increased government regulations, impact of advancements in technology (e.g. artificial intelligence), MTD and, of course, data protection including cyber security and privacy regulations.

Do you specialize in a specific area of expertise?

Everett King are basically a one-stop shop. Our specific area of expertise is the provision of a back-office support service which can include book-keeping, payroll, stock audits, VAT, Machine Game Duty, checks and submissions.

We deliver this for a fixed monthly fee and focus on enabling our clients to free up time to manage and grow their business. Our services also include annual accounts for businesses, tax, self-assessment and advice.

What first attracted you to the industry?

Problem-solving! Helping a client through the maze of tax legislation and removing the worry of regulatory compliance had me hooked from the start.

For any questions you may have for an accountant take advantage of a two-hour FREE consultation with Everett King.

Contact us today to book your appointment with Brian A Phillips at brian.phillips@ everettking.co.uk

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

Quote of the issue

“We are all the beneficiaries of an eclectic group of visionaries” But which part of Bristol life are we celebrating? See page 99

The Big Number

£10k

creative reach As BAFTA-winning film makers BHD move into their new studio at the Malt House, we put it to you: has Finzel’s Reach become Bristol’s new creative quarter?

B

AFTA Award-winning creative film and digital production company BDH has just moved into new studio space in the Malt House at Finzel’s Reach – increasingly one of Bristol’s most exciting new neighbourhoods. Taking over the ground-level studio, BDH’s team of 20 film makers, designers, digital artists and producers have transformed the space into a creative hub and new home for the company.

BDH, which won a BAFTA in 2018 for Best Titles and Graphic Identity for Blue Planet II, bought the ground floor space of 1,900 sq ft from developer Cubex. “We began looking for a new location and immediately fell in love with the space in the Malt House and the vibe of Finzels Reach,” said Pic Haywood, production manager at BDH. “There’s a really lovely buzz about the area, and its closeness to the beautiful waterfront and the city centre make it a fantastic place to work.

“When we saw the space was available to buy, we knew we had to have it.

It was the perfect size for us to create the studio space that we wanted, and really make it our own. Everyone in the team has been very enthusiastic

Congratulations to Better Food’s Streets to Kitchen project, which funds Square Food Foundation’s work with St. Mungo’s Recovery College. The project has surpassed its £10,000 target, with plans to continue fundraising for at least another year.

about the move, and we’re enjoying settling into this new neighbourhood.

There’s lots going on – and we love the Friday street-food market.”

By the end of this year, there’ll be around 2,500 people living and working at Finzel’s Reach, on a site that had just a handful of workers when Courage Brewery closed in the 1990s. Unique office space for creative and media businesses is also being created in the Fermentation Buildings, while Aurora, a striking, cutting-edge office building which has been recognised for its outstanding green credentials, is now almost entirely let. Software development specialist Amdaris occupies Studio A at Aurora, paving the way for the creation of a creative and technology business hub.

With Spicer+Cole’s new café now open, the aforementioned popular food market, and Left Handed Giant set to open a new brewpub and brewery this summer, alongside a new restaurant by Peter Sanchez-Iglesias of Michelin Star restaurant Casamia, the neighbourhood is tipped to become one of the city’s hottest new destinations this year.

For more www.finzelsreach.com

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BUSINESS INSIDER disability provision. This is regarded as the most prestigious award in the education sector. Two years earlier we were named College of the Year and Overall Further Education Provider of the Year in the Times Educational Supplement Awards. This year we’re shortlisted for four more TES awards.

I was also absolutely thrilled that we won a Bristol Life Award last year.

I’m always humbled when we’re recognised for our efforts, and for Bristol Life to single us out from so many successful education providers in the region was a huge honour.

BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS 2018 What made our judges choose Weston College for the Best Education Award last year? Better ask Paul . . .

Dr Paul Phillips CBE is the principal and chief executive of the Weston College Group. Paul is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the College, which offers further and higher education and provides training for individuals from across the region.

The College also works with a wide range of businesses from across the UK, offering apprenticeships and online blended learning opportunities.

It’s also a thriving business, having grown from a turnover of £8m to £60m-plus.

Can you give us an idea of the courses on offer?

We offer A Levels, professional and technical qualifications, apprenticeships and degrees, plus courses for adults, pre-employment training and the new T Levels. We also offer courses for students with learning difficulties and disabilities, and provide education in 19 prisons.

Why should potential students choose Weston College?

We’re the only college in the West of England rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. We also have outstanding success rates – for instance, last year 99% of students passed their A Levels and 31% of honours students achieved a first, which is above the national average.

What’s your mission statement?

Our motto is ‘creating brighter futures’. This means everything we do is geared towards helping our learners succeed. We’re not just concerned with what happens to students while they’re learning; it’s also our role to ensure they forge successful, fulfilling careers.

Can you tell us about some of your many awards?

In 2017, we were awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for our special educational needs and

Tell us about the 600 in 6 campaign The 600 in 6 aims to equip people with the skills they need in a competitive world by creating 600 new jobs and training opportunities in six months. The campaign is running until July, so please get in touch if you’d like to find out more about how we can help your business.

Please tell us why and how The School for Food came about The School of Food is a cheftraining programme based around the Commis Chef Intermediate Apprenticeship. Renowned local chefs Josh Eggleton and Adrian Kirikmaa came up with the idea in response to the skills shortage in the local hospitality industry, and wanted an outstanding provider to work alongside. Despite only being launched in April 2018, three cohorts have already been through the programme, and indications are that it will continue to grow and have a real impact in the sector.

What makes the school unique?

To tackle the skills shortage, The School of Food had to be more exciting, innovative and inspiring than anything that currently exists. It gives talented young chefs access to high-quality kitchens, industry experts and invaluable insights. They also spend more time in a professional environment, with 90% of learning taking place in the kitchen.

What has been the response from the Bristol food industry?

The response to it has been overwhelmingly positive, and the School has been backed by a number of chefs from Bristol and further afield.

The likes of Elliot Lidstone of Box-E, Casamia’s Peter Sanchez-Iglesias and Great British Menu star Tommy Banks have all endorsed the School as a positive force for the industry.

You seem to be very website/ social media savvy – what’s your most important platform for marketing the college?

We are leading the way and being innovative with our approach to digital marketing. Our marketing team work very hard to engage with potential learners and their influencers, employers and other stakeholders. But marketing is more than a medium to promote; it’s also about staff buying into the ethos of the College, and using every opportunity to share our passion for creating brighter futures.

What’s new for 2019?

This year, we’re opening two purpose-built training centres. The Construction Training Centre, which will be based just off Junction 21 on the M5, is designed to tackle the growing skills shortage in the construction industry and will provide training for businesses, staff and individuals.

The Health and Active Living Skills Centre is based alongside our Loxton Campus and will bring our health and social care, sports therapy, elite sports performance and active living curricula into one bespoke facility.

Finally, anything for us to put in the diary?

On 15 June we have our Festival of Learning at the Italian Gardens and Winter Gardens Ballroom; a fun, family-oriented and interactive community event, showcasing every aspect of learning. www.school-of-food.co.uk

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business insider

our sponsors Category Sponsors Amarelle, AWW, BuroHappold, Burston Cook, Cotswold Homes, IESIS Group, Interaction, Kingston Barnes, Regus, Sanderson Weatherall, Shawbrook Bank, South West Business Finance, Together Money and Willmott Dixon Venue Partner: Ashton Gate Stadium

judges David Powell, Osborne Clarke

If we build it…

Hannah Walkiewicz, The Build Bristol Group

Jane Harrison, L&C Mortgages

Kirsty Pesticcio, RIBA

Lynn Robinson, RICS

Nuala Gallagher, Bristol City Council

Paul Baker, BPAA

Robin Squire, Acorn Property Group

The first-ever Bristol Property Awards take place on 17 May at Ashton Gate Stadium. In this special preview, we explain why the Awards are happening, and highlight the leading property companies in Bristol

P

roperty matters. And it matters more in Bristol than in most other places.

It matters domestically – where we live, how we experience Bristol, how we navigate the city from our various bases.

It matters commercially – where our companies are based, what retail and office space there is, how the city houses and encourages clever expanding enterprises.

And it matters aesthetically.

We are all the beneficiaries of an eclectic group of visionaries, from medieval to Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian, from industrial to 21stcentury modern, whose extraordinary creativity has bequeathed a visual legacy that enriches all our lives, daily.

No wonder this city simply teems

with clever property companies shaping our city’s destiny.

It is for all those reasons and more that we launched the Bristol Property Awards, to celebrate the best property businesses and to highlight the centrality of property to us all.

Just think of the connectedness of the world of property: land-owners, planners, visionaries, entrepreneurs, deal-makers, architects, engineers, imagineers, developers, builders, suppliers, designers, lawyers, accountants, conveyancers, financiers, mortgagers, underwriters, marketers, all manner of specialists – and agents: for lettings, for resi, for commercial.

And then, once built, once transformed, once sold, it all starts over again…

Consider this. The tectonic plates in Bristol are shifting, with new housing developments and business expansions causing incredible growth – adding

even more diversity to the city named the UK’s best to live in. They will transform huge swathes of our city right through the centre to the benefit of us all.

Tectonic plates take time to shift.

But shift they do…

With all the clever companies, all the energy, all the opportunities, no wonder just a handful of sponsorships remain for the Bristol Property Awards, with tickets selling rapidly.

All will be revealed on Friday 17 May …

timetable November: Launched 23 January: Launch Reception event, Bristol Old Vic 3 April: Sponsors’ and Finalists’ Reception (venue tbc) 17 May, from 12pm: Bristol Property Awards, Ashton Gate

on the waterfront Tim Cann, BNP Paribas

Yuli CadneyTob, BDP Bristol

The first homes at the much-anticipated next phase of residential development at Wapping Wharf will be released to the market this spring.

The team is gearing up to market the homes, with the appointment of Savills and Atwell Martin as marketing agents.

With the main public launch planned for this summer, a limited number of the new homes will be available in the spring to purchasers who have already registered their interest to buy. www.wappingwharf.co.uk

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A RETIREMENT TO LOOK FORWARD TO

JOIN OUR FAMILY

LAST REMAINING VACANCIES

across our five lovely houses in the Bristol area

advertising feature

Lost wills: ensuring your legacy is secure

E

Gavin Faber, a partner in the will, trust and estate disputes team at irwin mitchelL, explores the issues.

ven with today’s technology, lost wills can occur. There is no central will registry and with an ever-changing legal landscape, tracking down an original will can be very difficult – especially if the will was created some time ago. At an already emotional time, you may also be facing a situation where the will designed to safeguard the family home, business or other assets has gone missing.

All reasonable efforts should be made to try and find the original will. “Reaching out to friends, family and advisors is a good starting point and trying to establish a paper trail may also help,” Gavin explains. “Finding the original document will save a potentially timeconsuming and costly process in the future.”

But what if the original will is nowhere to be found? Being part of the will, trust and estate disputes team, Gavin frequently sees cases involving disputes over missing wills. He advises that finding evidence that the original will was made can be a great help.

“If it’s possible to obtain a solicitor’s’ file, a copy of the will or even a handwritten note made by the deceased concerning the will, an application can be made to the probate registry without the original will.”

Where an original will was in the custody of the deceased and cannot be found after their death, there is a legal presumption that the will was destroyed by the deceased with an intention to revoke it. However, this presumption can be overturned in

circumstances where evidence exists to suggest that there is a more probable reason for the will being missing. The court will assess the available evidence and ask itself: is the most likely explanation for the will being missing that the deceased destroyed it with the intention of revoking it? In the absence of any evidence, the presumption will apply.

What counts as evidence in this situation?

Any sort of records by the deceased or copy wills or oral evidence of conversations with the deceased could be vital pieces of evidence in these situations. “If there’s any sort of letter or record by the deceased about the existence of the will and their intentions for it, then this acts as primary evidence that the original wasn’t destroyed,” said Gavin.

This means it may be possible to use a copy of the will for securing probate, but only if the evidence is strong enough. The best way to prevent this scenario would be to store the original will at the solicitors office that drew up the document. “It’s the safest place to keep a legal document,” Gavin explains, “Plus the solicitor will be very used to the process.”

Telling family, friends or any advisors where your will is stored is helpful for those dealing with your estate. “It’s not a nice thing to think about, but easy access to your will is so important for your family or friends.”

Irwin Mitchell private wealth, will, trust and estate disputes team has a national capability and can assist you with your concerns over missing wills, as well as a range of other probate, trust and estate disputes. n

“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

For legal advice, contact Gavin Faber at gavin.faber@irwinmitchell.com Tel - 0121 203 5366 www.irwinmitchellprivatewealth.com

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BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS PREVIEW

The Bristol Life Awards will take place on 11 April within a specially-built marquee (the biggest ever seen in Bristol!) within Lloyds Amphitheatre. The Awards celebrate the very best of the city – here’s a taste of what to expect…

A

s deeply, wildly glamorous celebrations go, the Bristol Life Awards are right up there.

Each year, an unprecedented number of companies nominate; each year, tickets sell out yet faster; and each year, the drumbeat of expectation crescendos on Awards night itself. This year ticket sales were suspended a month before the Awards, due to unprecedented demand.

OUR SPONSORS HEADLINE SPONSORS: Bristol Airport PLATINUM SPONSOR: Jelf LEAD SPONSORS: Acorn Property Group, The Alternative Board, Amarelle, Anderson Financial Management, British Corner Shop, Brunel, Burston Cook, Cabot Circus, Clear River, Clifton College, CMC Marquees, Curo, Dribuild Group, Thornton’s Travel, Triangle Networks, Kersfield, Lexus Bristol, Medikas, Nicholas Wylde, Regus, SAM FM, SLX, VWV, Weston College SILVER SPONSORS: Harbour Hotels, McCarthy Marland PARTNERS: The Avon Gorge Hotel, CityFibre, Life Media UK

Truth is, you never know quite what to expect at any stage. And that’s a good thing.

The nominations reveal a profusion of clever companies and organisations – sometimes all-new and barely-known; many well-known but telling of great new achievements. The insights of our judges combined with the wisdom-of-crowds effect means that their collective decisions are sound.

Awards night has everything, from laughter to tears to boisterous celebration, idiosyncraticto-triumphant music, glitz, jubilation, attendees posing as cover stars, drama and just the most outré definition of glamour imaginable.

Our host this year, Bristol-born comedian John Robins, will be fuelling the evening’s laughter and cheer, delightfully yomping off piste as the whim takes him.

Oh, and naturally there’ll be an aftershow party through to implausible o’clock, for the socially doughty, convivially hardy and, well, to be honest, the absolutely drunk. Maybe don’t schedule too many meetings on Friday 12 April.

The marquee will be filled to its 650 maximum attendance again, with several dozen already on the waiting list. If you can’t make it this time, do tune into social media on the night.

Thank you to all who have entered, sponsored and judged; and to those who will attend.

It’ll be a blast. If you love Bristol, nothing, but nothing, beats being there…

© TIM WOOLF

NOTHING BEATS BEING THERE… NEW! IT’S THE CIVIC AWARD Business is changing. Companies and organisations are increasingly focused on being about more than ‘just’ profits.

Profits matter. They matter to enable risk and growth. They matter to provide a decent return to shareholders and teams. And they matter to give a fair value exchange: goods and services sold in exchange for their value…

Yet many realise that they both need and want to do more beyond the purely commercial. It’s good for their teams and their city.

And that’s one of the reasons why we’re launching the Civic Award this year at the Bristol Life Awards.

The Civic Award highlights the contribution of an organisation or company which has improved Bristol this year. Some new initiative which makes our city better or commitment to helping develop others or notable charitable work.

So who’s going to win the very first one..?

bristollifeawards.co.uk @bristollifeawds

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 103

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

Does your company ever need to hire space?

You could hire Creative Workspace! Brave Bold Drama who run Creative Workspace are a not-forprofit. Income from hires provide community arts events for Withywood & Hartcliffe, one of the most highly deprived areas of the city.

We will create a discounted bespoke hire package for any 2019 Bristol Life Awards Finalists who get in touch.

Proud finalist of

AN AWARD-WINNING, FULL-SERVICE LAW FIRM

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BRISTOL LIFE awards preview

HERE COME THE JUDGES

Each year there is a fresh panel of impeccably impartial and independent Judges for the Bristol Life Awards. It’s a disparate group, drawn from different sectors and sizes of business. They and they alone will decide the winners…

Alastair Currie owner, Alastair Currie Events Alastair has lived and worked in Bristol throughout his 37-year career working within the events industry. Alastair is also Chairman of SLX which supplies technical solutions for live events and Fosters Events.

Andrew Cheater wealth manager, LGT Vestra Andrew has specialised in advising entrepreneurs, high net worth families and professional partners across the South West on all financial matters.

Andrew’s previous experience includes senior positions at Coutts both in London and Bristol.

Alison Bevan director, Royal West of England Academy An art history graduate with a family background in tourism, Alison took up her current role in 2013 after fourteen years as director of Penlee House Gallery & Museum, Penzance, an award-winning visitor attraction.

Anne Anketell chief executive, Bristol Charities Having started her career as a social worker, Anne moved into the area of housing care and support and was previously the managing director of Centra Support which is now part of the Clarion Group –one of the country’s largest housing associations.

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BRISTOL LIFE awards preview

John Hirst chief executive, Destination Bristol In December 2012, John was appointed chief executive of Destination Bristol, promoting Bristol as one of England’s top tourist destinations. Prior to this John had focused for 10 years on retail regeneration in Bristol.

Martino Burgess lawyer, Gregg Latchams Marti heads up Gregg Latcham’s corporate team while sitting on the business board on WECA Local Enterprise Partnership and is part-owner of Lakota Nightclub. She is a tireless advocate for BME and business issues in the Bristol community.

Mike Livings Branch Director, Jelf Mike has in-depth expertise in property and casualty insurance, revenue protection, directors’ and officers’ liability and cyber risks. He has helped a number of organisations with cyber risk management and business continuity planning.

Peaches Golding OBE Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Bristol In addition to being Lord-Lieutenant for Bristol, Peaches is the independent chair of the Bristol Water Customer Challenge Panel, non-executive consultant of Moon Consulting, and Trustee of the ss Great Britain.

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

Nick Sturge co-founder, Engine Shed Nick has a first in electronics and computing, and co-founded Motion Media Technology which listed in 2000 hitting a peak valuation of £270m. In 2013, Nick co-founded Engine Shed, which houses the SETsquared Centre and other projects to drive inclusive growth.

Stephanie Marshall head, BBC South West Stephanie looks after radio stations in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Bristol and oversees the region’s television news, current affairs and politics programmes, as well as digital content.

Call us today to arrange a viewing

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 • Chew Valley Lake and Mendip Hills AONB nearby • Fantastic village lifestyle and community • High quality specification and architectural details • Excellent road links to Bristol and Bath • Prices from £449,000 to £760,000 • Completion March 2019

*To book your visit, please call Whitecroft Developments Ltd on 01761 490092 or email carly@whitecroftdevelopments.co www.whitecroftdev.co.uk

For serious Sunday roasts, delicious pre or post theatre dining, breakfast, lunch, afternoon teas, cocktails, craft ales, coffee and cakes, we have something for everyone...

Come on in!

“1766 Bar & Kitchen can take a flamboyant bow” Mark Taylor, Bristol Post

Follow our story @1766barkitchen Book online bristololdvic.org.uk/1766 Bristol Old Vic, King Street, Bristol BS1 4ED

Proud to provide Bristol grass root community football clubs and schools with first class Football and Futsal coaching environments EVERY SCHOOL HOLIDAY, FUN FOOTBALL CAMPS ACROSS BRISTOL, FOR CHILDREN RECEPTION AGE UPWARDS Email: info@soccershooters.com Tel: 07814 500 589 Visit: www.soccershooters.com

Imagined in the 19th Century, Established in the 21st

16 St. Stephens Street, Bristol BS1 1JR. 01179276869 thecaptain@theclockworkrose.com

Plot to plate 혺 Locally sourced Farm shop 혺 Family friendly Vegan options 혺 Play area Events 혺 Private hire www.thecityfarmcafe.org.uk Windmill Hill City Farm, Philip Street, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 4EA

Formerly The Lighting Warehouse

Lighting the way it should be...

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

www.thelightingstudiobristol.co.uk

divine conversion Here’s the church, there’s the steeple; inside live some lucky people . . .

By Lisa Warren 122 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

W

e pass new builds and renovations every day, in this city. Mostly, unless we’re actively househunting, we rarely give them more than a cursory glance – we all have a vague idea of what a new apartment might look like, and one Georgian interior is much like any other before the decorators are unleashed.

A church or chapel conversion, now – that’s another matter. So many challenges posed, so many desecrations possible! How will the developers work around soaring ecclesiastical ceilings? Please say they haven’t bisected those Gothic windows by divvying up the space into flats? Have they retained the pillars?

Good news for the architecturally anxious of Redland, then, as we can reveal that the owners of The Cloisters on Kersteman Road have managed to create an ideal domestic space while harnessing the unique quality of the original Victorian building.

property

House numbers Storeys 5 Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms/shower rooms 3 Reception rooms Guide price Where

2 £775,000 Redland

What else?

Loads of intriguing ecclesiastical features, such as minstrel galleries and mezzanine levels. Front courtyard garden Savills Clifton 20 The Mall, Bristol, BS8 4DR 0117 407 2178 www.savills.co.uk

Standout ecclesiastical features include minstrels galleries, sandstone arches, pilasters and carvings.

Stained-glass and leaded top lights throw warm gules through the tops of windows, and floors tend to be either limestone or timber.

Of course, it helps immensely that this is a single, substantial, five-storey town house rather than a warren of apartments. There’s plenty of quirk when it comes to the layout; on the ground floor, for example, the drawing room has a minstrel gallery with a study; the cumulative effect is of being enclosed by an especially comfy library.

Across the inner hallway, the kitchen arranges its fitted units, granite worktops and many appliances around a rather fabulous pillar, left in its original stone.

Giving an unusual twist to the concept of ‘open-plan kitchen/diner’, the first floor dining room has a gallery overlooking the kitchen below, with ornate arches; exposed stone walls add extra character. There’s a recently installed wet room on this floor too (told you it was quirky), with a staircase rising to two bedrooms and a bathroom on the second floor, ditto on the third

“As for the area, do we really need to spell out the sundry charms of Redland?” floor, with a loft area right at the top with room for a mezzanine bed.

The one admitted downside of church conversions is that they’re rarely accompanied by large gardens; that said, the front courtyard has been cleverly landscaped, with a discreet seating area with flagstone tiles and shallow steps to the front door; a strategic planting programme provides privacy and screening.

As for the area, do we really need to spell out the many charms of Redland, one of Bristol’s leafiest and most pleasant suburbs? Some of the city’s best restaurants are a few streets away, and while there’s parking for a car at the back, we suspect that for daily leisure pursuits you’ll hardly need to use it all.

Can we get an amen?

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 123

A superb selection of brand new, executive detached houses, perfectly placed for commuting to Bristol and Cardiff.

Carefully designed and planned, these superb properties offer space and versatility with well proportioned rooms, generous plots and flexible accommodation. The site is made up of four detached family homes, constructed to the highest standard in an attractive location with privacy, all with gated driveways and parking.

Features: Electric double gates at entrance | Double garage with electric doors | 10 year structural defect warrantee Underfloor heating throughout the ground floor with zone controls | Bespoke American white oak staircase Master bedroom with en-suite and second bedroom with en-suite | Close to Wentwood Forest & Celtic Manor Resort These homes boast some truly stunning features to enjoy such as full height windows in the principle rooms which allow the resident to take in the wonderful scenic views of the countryside. The ground floors have underfloor heating throughout, with zone controls and there are double electric gates to a long driveway & double garage that affords plenty of parking to suit all families.

Prices From- ÂŁ620,000 | Caerwent, NP26 5PE Selling Agents: Hern & Crabtree Telephone: 02920 623115 Email: Whitchurch@hern-crabtree.co.uk

Excellent road links to the city centre of Bristol­ approx 23.4 miles away, and Cardiff 24.3 miles.

Commutable from Bristol Temple Meads station to Newport train station

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

(0117) 934 9977

UNION STREET, BROADMEAD

BLENHEIM COURT, ALMONDSBURY

• C 1,000 sq ft retail space • Suit offices and other commercial uses

• High quality office building

• New flexible lease

• New lease

• Economical rent

• Rent o/a

GOLDEN BOTTLE, LOCKLEAZE

• Superb period office

• 1,491 sq ft

16 PORTLAND SQ, BS2

• A4 (Public House) • Suit other commercial uses

• From 500 sq ft to 3,360 sq ft

• Great opportunity

• 8 car spaces

• New lease

• Rent o/a

CITY CENTRE OFFICES

103 WHITELADIES ROAD

• Open plan

• Contemporary offices

• 815 sq ft

• Light and airy

• Light & bright studio space

• 700 sq ft to 1,700 sq ft

• Low rent

• New lease – ren o / a

38 QUEEN SQUARE BS1

OFFICE TO LET (MAY SELL)

• A stunning s/c office building

• Purchase your own 5 – 10 person office unit

• 2,750 sq ft

• QC30 – BS1

• 4 car spaces • Double width frontage onto Queen Square

• £17.50 psf to rent

57 QUEENS ROAD, CLIFTON

STUDIO OFFICES CLOSE TO BBC – BS8

• Prime shop to let

• Coming soon

• Fully fitted café

• Suite 1 - 1,500 sq ft

• 1,200 sq ft

• Suite 2- 2,000 sq ft

• New lease

Julian Cook FRICS

Jayne Rixon MRICS

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

Finola Ingham MRICS

• Open plan studio style

Tom Coyte MRICS

Holly Boulton BSc(Hons)

• Sales/Lettings

• Development advice

• Acquisitions advice

• Investment

• Valuations

• Dilapidations

• Landlord & tenant

• Property Marketing

• Rent reviews

• Auction Services

bristol LIVES

“The ss Great Britain has a soul, and a beating heart full of incredible stories” world go by. I didn’t understand why she did this then, but now it all makes sense. As we sat there, we watched how people engaged with the world and other people.

When did you start work at the ss Great Britain?

Ryan Sanders The 21-year-old visitor guide at the ss Great Britain has been shortlisted for the UK Tourism Superstar Award 2019 – and he’d love you to vote for him Meet Ryan. Diagnosed with Asperger’s at the age of seven, he’s gone on to become the most popular guide on the ss Great Britain, and is now up for a national award – the only Bristolian on the long list to make the cut.

Now that’s what we call a lush local success story . . .

Ryan, what helped you to overcome the problems associated with Asperger’s?

I was diagnosed from a young age, so it helped knowing all through my childhood that I was not just odd or strange. I went to two special needs schools in South Bristol, where we had special relaxing rooms and sensory toys to help us at our most

stressful times. I only recall using the sensory room once or twice, but I did have a sensory pulley caterpillar; I still have one to this day for coping. In work, if I’m not coping, I take few minutes time out in the office just to relax – everyone in is so understanding of my needs.

What would you say to other young people with the same diagnosis?

Don’t let it get to you, or think “I can’t do this”. Make sure you take any support you can get, and keep pushing forward slowly, just a bit out of your comfort zone, enough to make you feel a bit of unease, but not too far. My mum used to take me to coffee shops, just to sit down and watch the

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

I joined the crew as a volunteer visitor service assistant in 2015.

I was shy and quiet when I first joined; however, over the following months my confidence grew. In 2016 a visitor experience assistant job came up. I was feeling very confident, and after two days of waiting I got the job.

I love it; the ship has a soul and beating heart full of incredible stories to tell. Even after three years here, when walking alongside the massive ship I still feel amazed at how beautiful and extraordinary she really is.

Can you share an interesting ssGB fact?

The ship never saw Bristol after leaving the city in late 1844. This was due to Isambard building the ship too wide, meaning they had to dismantle the lock gates to fit her through the entrance of the harbour.

It’s my passion/love for the ship and Brunel. I make sure each visitor that comes through the door has the voyage of a lifetime!

For each visitor I speak to, I’ll make sure to give them different facts so that everyone takes a way a different memory.

Tell us about some of your go-to Bristol places

I have quite a few: Mrs Potts Chocolate House, Better Food, Commercial Rooms, and the Stag and Hounds on the A38 are just some of my favourites.

Favourite part of the city ?

That’s easy! It’s the harbourside, because of its wonderful atmosphere and charm.

Do you have any secret skills?

I am quite a wizard on the PC and am very good at problemsolving. Also I have a great connection with cats; they all seem to love me.

To all our readers – why should we vote for you?

Working with the best co-workers/friends who are legends in their own ways and being a part of such a magical journey in the ship’s life. Also chatting and sharing all the amazing stories with our wonderful visitors.

Because I love my job and I make sure each visitor enjoys every waking moment of their trip around the ship. I also have been on an incredible journey to get to where I am today. It’s not just an award for me, but also a measure of how far I’ve come in life, from not talking to anyone outside my close family and friends five years ago, to now chatting with hundreds of visitors every day.

Why do you think you’ve been nominated for this award?

Vote for Ryan before 3 April at www.ssgreatbritain.org/voteforryan

What’s the best bit of the job?